Genki Chapter 11 Grammar

11.1.1 Verb Stem + たいです (tai desu) for Expressing “I Want to Do…”

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Usage: In Japanese, you can use the pattern “Verb Stem + たいです” (tai desu) to express the desire or intention to do something. This construction is used when you want to convey that you want to engage in a specific action or activity.

Examples:

1. 食べたいです。 (Tabetai desu.)

   • I want to eat.

   In this sentence, “食べたい” (tabetai) is formed by taking the verb stem of “食べる” (taberu), which means “to eat,” and adding “たい” (tai), which indicates the desire to do the action. “です” (desu) is added for politeness.

2. 旅行したいです。 (Ryokou shitai desu.)

   • I want to travel.

   Here, “旅行したい” (ryokou shitai) is formed from the verb “旅行する” (ryokou suru), meaning “to travel,” with “たい” (tai) added to express the desire to travel.

3. 映画を見たいです。 (Eiga o mitai desu.)

   • I want to watch a movie.

   In this sentence, “見たい” (mitai) is formed from the verb “見る” (miru), which means “to watch” or “to see,” with “たい” (tai) added to indicate the desire to watch a movie.

4. 勉強したいです。 (Benkyou shitai desu.)

   • I want to study.

   “勉強したい” (benkyou shitai) is created from the verb “勉強する” (benkyou suru), meaning “to study,” with “たい” (tai) added to express the desire to study.

5. 泳ぎたいです。 (Oyogitai desu.)

   • I want to swim.

   In this example, “泳ぎたい” (oyogitai) is formed from the verb “泳ぐ” (oyogu), which means “to swim,” and “たい” (tai) indicates the desire to swim.

11.1.2 Variation in Particles with Verb + たい (tai) for Expressing Desires

Variation in Particles with Verb + たい (tai) for Expressing Desires

Usage: In Japanese, when you want to express a desire to do something using the pattern “Verb + たい” (tai), the particle that usually follows the verb can be either “を” (o) or “が” (ga), depending on the context and nuance.

1. 本を読みたいです。 or 本が読みたいです。 (Hon o yomitai desu. or Hon ga yomitai desu.)

   • I want to read a book.

   In this sentence, you can use either “を” (o) or “が” (ga) after the verb “読む” (yomu), which means “to read.” Both forms express the desire to read a book.

2. 音楽を聴きたいです。 or 音楽が聴きたいです。 (Ongaku o kikitai desu. or Ongaku ga kikitai desu.)

   • I want to listen to music.

   Here, you can use either “を” (o) or “が” (ga) after the verb “聴く” (kiku), which means “to listen.” Both sentences convey the desire to listen to music.

3. 料理を作りたいです。 or 料理が作りたいです。 (Ryouri o tsukuritai desu. or Ryouri ga tsukuritai desu.)

   • I want to cook a meal.

   In this example, you can choose between “を” (o) or “が” (ga) after the verb “作る” (tsukuru), which means “to make” or “to cook.” Both forms express the desire to cook.

4. 絵を描きたいです。 or 絵が描きたいです。 (E o kakitai desu. or E ga kakitai desu.)

   • I want to draw a picture.

   When expressing the desire to draw using the verb “描く” (kaku), you can use either “を” (o) or “が” (ga).

Remember that the choice of particle (“を” or “が”) in these sentences can be a matter of personal preference or emphasis. Both forms are commonly used, and the meaning remains the same, indicating a desire to perform the specified action.

Other particles remain unchanged.

1. いつか日本に住みたいです。 (Itsuka Nihon ni sumitai desu.)

   • I want to live in Japan someday.

   In this sentence, “に” (ni) is used to indicate the destination or location (Japan) where the desire to live exists.

2. 彼と結婚したいです。 (Kare to kekkon shitai desu.)

   • I want to marry him.

   “に” (ni) is retained when expressing the desire to get married to someone specific.

3. サッカーの試合に勝ちたいです。 (Sakkā no shiai ni kachitai desu.)

   • I want to win the soccer game.

   “に” (ni) remains when expressing the desire to achieve victory in a specific event or competition (soccer game).

4. 大学に入学したいです。 (Daigaku ni nyuugaku shitai desu.)

   • I want to enroll in university.

   Here, “に” (ni) is used to indicate the place (university) where the desire to enroll exists.

11.1.3 When using Verb Stem + ない (nai) to Express Desire: Present and Past Forms is like い-adjective

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Usage: In Japanese, when you want to express the desire or intention to do something using the pattern “Verb Stem + ない” (nai), the conjugation of ない is similar to that of an い-adjective. This structure is used to convey the idea of “wanting to do” something in both present and past forms.

• Present Affirmative: To express the desire to do something in the present tense (affirmative statement), take the verb stem and add “たい” (tai) to it. Then, conjugate it as you would an い-adjective in the present affirmative form.

  • あの人には会いたくないです。(Ano hito ni wa aitakunai desu.)
    • I don’t want to meet that person.
  • 今日は運動したくないです。 (Kyou wa undou shitakunai desu.)
    • I don’t want to exercise today.

• Present Negative: To express the desire not to do something in the present tense (negative statement), use the verb stem with “たくない” (takunai). . Eg. conjugate it like an い-adjective in the present negative form.

  • 彼女は勉強したくなくない。(Kanojo wa benkyou shitakunakunai.)
    • She doesn’t want to study.

• Past Affirmative: To express the desire to have done something in the past tense (affirmative statement), take the verb stem and add “たかった” (takatta) to it. Eg. conjugate it as you would an い-adjective in the past affirmative form.

  • お弁当が買いたかったから、コンビニに行きました。(Obentou ga kaitakatta kara, konbini ni ikimashita.)
    • I went to the convenience store because I wanted to buy a bento.
  • 昨日、映画を見たかった。(Kinou, eiga o mitakatta.)
    • I wanted to watch a movie yesterday.

• Past Negative: To express the desire not to have done something in the past tense (negative statement), use the verb stem with “たくなかった” (takunakatta). Eg. conjugate it like an い-adjective in the past negative form.

  • 先週、テレビを見たくなかった。(Senshuu, terebi o mitakunakatta.)
    • I didn’t want to watch TV last week.

11.1.4 Using ない + といっていました (nai + to itteimashita) to Report Someone Else’s Wishes

Usage:

Usage:

• In Japanese, when you want to describe the wishes or desires held by someone other than yourself, you typically do not use “ないです” (nai desu), as it is used for expressing your own desires.
• Somebody else’s wishes are usually reported in Japanese either as quotations, observations, or guesses. To convey that someone other than you wants to do something, you can use “ない” (nai) followed by “といっていました” (to itteimashita), which is used to report what someone else has said.

Example:

• メアリーさんはチベットに行きたくないと言っていました。(Mearii-san wa Chibetto ni ikitakunai to itteimashita.)

  • Mary said that she doesn’t want to go to Tibet.

• 友達はパーティーに参加しないと言っていました。 (Tomodachi wa paatii ni sanka shinai to itteimashita.)

  • My friend said that they won’t participate in the party.

• 兄はピザを食べないと言っていました。 (Ani wa piza o tabenai to itteimashita.)

  • My brother said that he doesn’t want to eat pizza.

• 同僚は今日は仕事を休まないと言っていました。(Douryou wa kyou wa shigoto o yasumanai to itteimashita.)

  • My colleague said that they won’t take a break from work today.

• 隣人は新しい犬を飼わないと言っていました。 (Rinjin wa atarashii inu o kawanai to itteimashita.)

  • The neighbor said that they won’t get a new dog.

• 有名な俳優はアクション映画を見ないと言っていました。(Yuumei na haiyuu wa akushon eiga o minai to itteimashita.)

  • The famous actor said that they don’t watch action movies.

• 子供は野菜を食べないと言っていました。 (Kodomo wa yasai o tabenai to itteimashita.)

  • The child said that they won’t eat vegetables.

11.1.5 Using たがっている (tagatteiru) to Describe your observation on someone’s Desire

Usage:

• In Japanese, when you want to describe your observation that someone wants to do something or has a desire, you use the special verb “たがっている” (tagatteiru).
• This verb is used to convey that you have observed or sensed someone’s desire or inclination to do something. It indicates an observation rather than your own wish.

Example:

• メアリーさんは着物を着たがっています。 (Mearii-san wa kimono o kitagatteimasu.)

  • (It seems) Mary wants to wear a kimono.

• 友達は海に行きたがっています。(Tomodachi wa umi ni ikitagatteimasu.)

  • My friend seems to want to go to the beach.

• 姉はピアノを弾きたがっています。 (Ane wa piano o hikitagatteimasu.)

  • My sister appears to want to play the piano.

• 同僚はプロジェクトを成功させたがっています。 (Douryou wa purojekuto o seikou sasetagatteimasu.)

  • My colleague seems to want to make the project successful.

• 隣人は新しい車を買いたがっています。 (Rinjin wa atarashii kuruma o kaitagatteimasu.)

  • The neighbor seems to want to buy a new car.

• 有名な歌手はロック音楽を聴きたがっています。 (Yuumei na kashu wa rokku ongaku o kikitagatteimasu.)

  • The famous singer appears to want to listen to rock music.

• 子供は新しいおもちゃを欲しがっています。 (Kodomo wa atarashii omocha o hoshigatteimasu.)

  • The child seems to want a new toy.

11.2 Using たり…たりする (tari…tari suru) to Express “Do A and B”

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Usage: In Japanese, you can use the grammar pattern “たり…たりする” (tari…tari suru) to indicate that you are doing multiple actions or activities, and it functions similar to the English phrase “do A and B.” This pattern is used to list actions, activities, or events in a non-exhaustive manner, implying that there may be other actions not mentioned.

Structure:

• Verb (ます-form) + たり + Verb (ます-form) + たり + する

Example:

• Expressing Multiple Activities: 週末に映画を見たり、友達と食事をしたりします。 (Shuumatsu ni eiga o mitari, tomodachi to shokuji o shitari shimasu.)

  • On the weekends, I do things like watching movies and having meals with friends.

  In this example, “映画を見たり” (eiga o mitari) means “watching movies,” and “友達と食事をしたり” (tomodachi to shokuji o shitari) means “having meals with friends.” The pattern “たり…たりする” (tari…tari suru) is used to express multiple activities or actions that the speaker engages in during weekends.

• Describing Past Activities: 昨日は公園で散歩したり、本を読んだりしました。 (Kinou wa kouen de sanpo shitari, hon o yondari shimashita.)

  • Yesterday, I did things like taking a walk in the park and reading books.

  In this example, “散歩したり” (sanpo shitari) means “took a walk,” and “本を読んだり” (hon o yondari) means “read books.” The pattern “たり…たりする” (tari…tari suru) is used in the past tense to describe various activities or actions that the speaker did yesterday.

11.3.1 Using ～ことがある (~koto ga aru) to Describe Past Experiences

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Usage: In Japanese, you can use the expression “～ことがある” (~koto ga aru) to

• describe that you did something in the past, or
• that a certain event happened at some point in the past. This structure is used to talk about past experiences, whether they were frequent, occasional, or just happened once.

Structure:

• [Verb (plain form) / Noun] + ことがある

Examples:

• Describing Past Experience: 日本に行ったことがあります。 (Nihon ni itta koto ga arimasu.)

  • I have been to Japan (at some point in the past).

  In this example, “日本に行ったことがあります” (Nihon ni itta koto ga arimasu) expresses that the speaker has the experience of having been to Japan in the past.

• Talking About a Past Event: 彼女と映画を見たことがあります。 (Kanojo to eiga o mita koto ga arimasu.)

  • I have watched a movie with her (at some point in the past).

  Here, “彼女と映画を見たことがあります” (Kanojo to eiga o mita koto ga arimasu) indicates the past experience of watching a movie with someone.

• Describing Occasional Experience: 時々ヨガをすることがあります。 (Tokidoki yoga o suru koto ga arimasu.)

  • I occasionally do yoga (from time to time).

  This example shows that the speaker occasionally engages in the activity of doing yoga.

• Expressing a Unique Experience: 山の頂上に立ったことがあります。 (Yama no choutou ni tatta koto ga arimasu.)

  • I have stood at the top of a mountain (once in my life).

  In this case, the speaker is describing a unique experience of standing at the summit of a mountain.

11.3.2 Responding to Questions with “ことがありますか” (koto ga arimasu ka)

Usage: When someone asks you a question using “ことがありますか” (koto ga arimasu ka), which means “Have you ever [done something]?” or “Have you [experienced something] before?” you can respond in a specific way.

• You can answer either with “あります” (arimasu) if you have the experience or
• “ありません” (arimasen) if you haven’t. However, you should not respond with “ことがあります” (koto ga arimasu) alone without a verb.

Examples:

• Question: 日本に行ったことがありますか？ (Nihon ni itta koto ga arimasu ka?)

  • Have you ever been to Japan?

• Response:

  • はい、(行ったことが)あります。 (Hai, itta koto ga arimasu.)
    • Yes, I have been there.
  • いいえ、(行ったことが)ありません。 (Iie, itta koto ga arimasen.)
    • No, I haven’t been there.

11.4 や (ya) to connect nouns, for listing examples

Usage: In Japanese, the particle や (ya) is used to connect two or more nouns or phrases, similar to the particle と (to).

• When や is used, it suggests that the things mentioned are examples or partial representatives, and the list is not exhaustive.
• It implies that there could be other items not mentioned.

Structure:

• Noun A + や + Noun B + や + Noun C

Examples:

• 寿司やラーメンやうどんが好きです。 (Sushi ya ramen ya udon ga suki desu.)

  • I like things like sushi, ramen, and udon.

• 私の趣味は読書や旅行や写真撮影です。 (Watashi no shumi wa dokusho ya ryokou ya shashin satsuei desu.)

  • My hobbies include things like reading, traveling, and photography.

• この森には狐や鹿やウサギが住んでいます。 (Kono mori ni wa kitsune ya shika ya usagi ga sundeimasu.)

  • In this forest, there are animals like foxes, deer, and rabbits living.

• 科目には数学や歴史や科学が含まれています。 (Kamoku ni wa suugaku ya rekishi ya kagaku ga fukumareteimasu.)

  • The subjects include things like mathematics, history, and science.