Lecture Notes: Japanese Language Learning

Vocabulary Building

• Core 2000w eBook: Free resource to expand vocabulary with essential daily expressions.
• Download: Available through a link in the description.

Basic Japanese Grammar Patterns

• Greetings:
  • "Nice to meet you" - Common phrase to start conversations.
  • Use in first-time meetings.

Sentence Structure

• A is B pattern: Fundamental structure in Japanese.
  • Examples:
    • "I am Jesse" translates to "Watashi wa Jesse desu."
    • Structure: A (subject) + wa + B (predicate) + desu.
  • Simplification: Often omit "wa" in casual settings.

Asking Questions

• Changing statements to questions: Add "ka" to the end.
  • Example: "This is water" becomes "Is this water?" → "Kore wa mizu desu ka?"

Basic Vocabulary

• Yes and No:
  • "Hai" for yes, "Iie" for no.
  • "Chigaimasu" means "that’s wrong" or "different."

Demonstratives

• Kosoado words: Indicate location relative to speaker/listener.
  • "Kore" (this), "Sore" (that), "Are" (that over there), "Dore" (which).

Time and Numbers

• Telling Time: Use "-ji" to indicate hours.
  • Irregular: 4:00 (yoji), 7:00 (shichiji), 9:00 (kuji).
• Asking for the time: "Ima nanji desuka?"

Locations

• Asking for locations: Use "doko" for "where."
  • Example: "Where is the bathroom?" → "Toire wa doko desu ka?"

Politeness and Requests

• Excuse me/I’m sorry: "Sumimasen" serves both purposes.
• Requests: Use "onegai shimasu" for "please" when asking for something.

Negative Sentences

• Negative form: Add "janai desu" for negatives.
  • Example: "I am not Larry" → "Watashi wa Larry janai desu."

Descriptive Words

• Adjectives: "i-adjectives" and "na-adjectives."
  • Example: "Old pen" → "Furui pen."

Verb Conjugation and Usage

• Action Verbs: Consistent form regardless of subject.
  • Example: "Tabemasu" (to eat).
• Verbs and Particles:
  • "E" and "de" for direction and means (travel/activities).
• Formality: Difference in formal (masu form) and informal verb endings.

Suggestions and Invitations

• Masenka: Used to extend an invitation ("Won't you?").

Verb Classes

• Class 1, 2, 3 Verbs: Differ in how they conjugate.
  • Irregular verbs: "Suru" (to do), "Kuru" (to come).

Particles

• Wa: Topic marker.
• Ga: Subject marker, especially for desires.
• Wo (o): Object marker.
• Ni: Direction or time marker.
• De: Means/location marker.
• E (he): Direction marker.
  • Distinguish when Ni and E are used based on context.

Introduction Practice

• Self-introduction format: "Konnichiwa, [Name] desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."

Hometown and Occupation

• Expressing origin: "Shusshin wa [city/country] desu."
• Job Titles: Responding to "Are you...?" questions.

Counting and Counters

• Cultural specificity: Different counters for objects like sticks, sheets, etc.

Pronunciation

• Basic Sounds: 5 vowels, 14 consonants in Japanese.
• Common Mistakes: Avoid English-stressed patterns.

These notes cover fundamental Japanese language learning points such as vocabulary building, sentence structure, question formation, and verb usage. They provide a high-level overview useful for beginners and reinforce learning through examples.