Genki Chapter 12 Grammar

12.1.1 Using Short Form + んです (n desu) for Explanation

• 🎞️ 
• 🎞️ 

Usage: In Japanese, you can use the combination of short form verbs, adjectives, or nouns followed by んです (n desu) to provide an explanation or reason for something.

• This construction is often used to give context or background information in a conversation.
• It helps explain the speaker’s thoughts, feelings, or intentions. The combination of short form + んです (n desu) is a versatile and useful structure for providing explanations, giving context, or expressing one’s thoughts and feelings in various situations.

Structure:

• Short Form (Verb/Adjective/Noun) + んです

Examples:

• Expressing a Wish:

  • トイレに行きたいです。 (Toire ni ikitai desu.)

    • I want to go to the bathroom.

  • トイレに行きたいんです。 (Toire ni ikitai n desu.)

    • I want to go to the bathroom. (So tell me where it is.)

  In this example, “トイレに行きたいです” (Toire ni ikitai desu) is a straightforward statement of the speaker’s wish to go to the bathroom. However, “トイレに行きたいんです” (Toire ni ikitai n desu) adds the explanatory “んです” (n desu) to provide context or explanation. It can be used to express the wish and also to imply that there’s a reason behind the wish, such as needing information about the bathroom’s location.

• Explaining a Condition:

  • 寝不足なんです。 (Nebusoku nan desu.)

    • I am sleep-deprived. (Explanation: That’s why I’m tired.)

  • 彼は忙しいんです。 (Kare wa isogashii n desu.)

    • He is busy. (Explanation: That’s why he can’t join us.)

  In these examples, んです (n desu) is used to provide an explanation or reason for a certain condition. It helps clarify why the speaker or someone else is in a particular state or situation.

• Expressing Concern or Asking for Information:

  • このレストランは混んでいるんですか？ (Kono resutoran wa konde iru n desu ka?)

    • Is this restaurant crowded? (Explanation: I want to know before going in.)

  • その本はどこにありますか？ (Sono hon wa doko ni arimasu ka?)

    • Where is that book? (Explanation: I’m looking for it.)

  In these questions, んですか (n desu ka) is used to express concern, ask for information, or seek an explanation. They indicate that the speaker has a reason or context for asking the question.

12.1.2 Using んです in Questions for Clarification

Usage: In Japanese, you can use んです (n desu) in questions to invite clarifications or explanations from the person you are talking to.

• It is often used in combination with question words like “どうして” (doushite - why) or “どうした” (doushita - what happened).
• This usage of んです indicates that you are seeking more information or context, and it can be seen as a polite and considerate way to inquire further.

• Asking for the Reason (Why):

  • A: どうして彼と別れたんですか？ (A: Doushite kare to wakaretan desu ka?)

    • Why did you break up with your boyfriend? (You’ve got to tell me.)

  • B: 彼と価値観が合わなかったんです。 (B: Kare to kachikan ga awanakattan desu.)

    • Our values didn’t match. (Explaining the reason)

  In this example, person A uses んですか (n desu ka) to inquire about the reason behind the breakup. This implies that they want more details or an explanation. Person B responds by providing an explanation.

• Inquiring About What Happened:

  • A: どうしたんですか？ (A: Doushitan desu ka?)

    • What happened? (Please tell me.)

  • B: 事故があったんです。 (B: Jiko ga attan desu.)

    • There was an accident. (Providing an explanation)

  In this exchange, person A uses んですか (n desu ka) to ask what happened, indicating a desire for more information or context. Person B responds with an explanation.

12.1.3 Using んです for Providing Additional Information or Explanation

Usage: In Japanese, んです (n desu) can also be used to provide additional information or explanations following a statement.

• This structure is often used when the speaker wants to offer more context or details about what has just been mentioned. It can be seen as a way to share relevant information or clarify a point.

Examples:

• Commenting on a Statement:

  • A: かわいいノートですね。 (A: Kawaii nooto desu ne.)

    • That’s a cute notebook, isn’t it?

  • B: ええ。日本で買ったんです。 (B: Ee. Nihon de kattan desu.)

    • You bet. I bought it in Japan (for your information).

  In this conversation, person A makes a statement about the cute notebook. Person B responds by using んです (n desu) to provide additional information, indicating that they purchased the notebook in Japan. This adds context and explanation to the conversation.

• Explaining a Choice:

  • A: このレストランの料理は美味しいですよ。 (A: Kono resutoran no ryouri wa oishii desu yo.)

    • The food at this restaurant is delicious, you know.

  • B: はい、ここは友達のおすすめなんです。 (B: Hai, koko wa tomodachi no osusume nan desu.)

    • Yes, this place is recommended by my friend, you see.

  In this example, person A comments on the delicious food at the restaurant. Person B uses んです (n desu) to explain that the reason they chose this restaurant is that it was recommended by a friend.

• Sharing Background Information:

  • A: 今日は暑いですね。 (A: Kyou wa atsui desu ne.)

    • Today is hot, isn’t it?

  • B: そうです。実は昨晩はエアコンが壊れたんです。 (B: Sou desu. Jitsu wa sakuban wa eakon ga kowareta n desu.)

    • Yes, it is. Actually, the air conditioner broke last night.

  Here, person A remarks about the hot weather. Person B uses んです (n desu) to explain that the reason for the discomfort is the fact that the air conditioner broke the previous night.

12.2 Using すぎる to Indicate Excess

🎞️ 

Usage: In Japanese, you can use the suffix すぎる (sugiru) after an adjective or verb stem to indicate that something is excessive, beyond normal, or more than what is considered appropriate.

• This construction suggests that** you do not welcome or approve of the excessiveness**. It can be used to express the idea of “too much” or “overly.”

Structure:

• Adjective/Verb Stem + すぎる

Examples:

• あの人は親切すぎます。 (Ano hito wa shinsetsu sugimasu.)

  • That person is too kind (excessively kind).

• このケーキは甘すぎて食べられない。 (Kono keeki wa amasugite taberarenai.)

  • This cake is too sweet to eat.

• 彼の仕事ぶりは過労気味ですね。働きすぎると体に悪いですよ。 (Kare no shigoto-buri wa karou kimi desu ne. Hatarakisugiru to karada ni warui desu yo.)

  • His work style seems like he’s on the verge of overwork. Working too much is bad for your health, you know.

12.3 Using ほうがいいです to Give Advice

🎞️ 

Usage: In Japanese, you can use the expression ほうがいいです (hou ga ii desu) to give advice or suggest that it is better to do a certain action.

• This phrase is often used to provide guidance or recommendations to someone.

Structure:

• Verb (Short Form, Past Tense) + ほうがいいです (for affirmative advice)
• Verb (Short Form, Present Tense) + ほうがいいです (for negative advice)

Examples:

• Affirmative Advice:

  • 運動したほうがいいです。 (Undou shita hou ga ii desu.)

    • It’s better to exercise.

  • 早く寝たほうがいいですよ。 (Hayaku neta hou ga ii desu yo.)

    • You should go to bed early.

• Negative Advice:

  • タバコを吸わないほうがいいです。 (Tabako o suwanai hou ga ii desu.)

    • It’s better not to smoke.

  • お酒を飲まないほうがいいです。 (Osake o nomanai hou ga ii desu.)

    • It’s better not to drink alcohol.

• General Advice:

  • 健康のために野菜を食べるほうがいいです。 (Kenkou no tame ni yasai o taberu hou ga ii desu.)

    • It’s better to eat vegetables for your health.

  • 試験前に十分な休息をとるほうがいいです。 (Shiken mae ni juubun na kyuusoku o toru hou ga ii desu.)

    • It’s better to get enough rest before the exam.

  These sentences provide general advice about maintaining health and preparing for an exam. The verb forms are in the present tense because they offer positive recommendations.

12.4.1 ので to give a reason or explanation for the situation

🎞️ 

Usage: ので is a conjunction used in Japanese to give a reason or explanation for the situation described in the rest of the sentence.

• It is similar in meaning to から (kara), but ので is often considered slightly more formal and is commonly used in written language.

Examples:

• 明日試験があるので、今晩勉強しなければなりません。 (Ashita shiken ga aru node, konban benkyou shinakereba narimasen.)

  • Because I have an exam tomorrow, I must study tonight.

• 雨が降っているので、傘を持って行きます。 (Ame ga futte iru node, kasa o motte ikimasu.)

  • It’s raining, so I will take an umbrella with me.

• 彼は疲れているので、早く帰りたいと言っています。 (Kare wa tsukarete iru node, hayaku kaeritai to itteimasu.)

  • He’s tired, so he says he wants to go home early.

12.4.2 ので with な-Adjectives and Nouns

Usage: ので is a Japanese conjunction used to indicate a reason or cause for something. When ので follows a な-adjective or a noun in a present tense affirmative clause, the particle な is inserted between the adjective or noun and ので to create a grammatically correct sentence. This structure is used to provide an explanation or reason for an action or situation.

Examples:

• その人はいじわるなので、きらいです。 (Sono hito wa ijiwaru na node, kirai desu.)

  • I do not like that person because he is mean.

• この仕事は忙しいなので、今週末は休みます。 (Kono shigoto wa isogashii na node, konshuumatsu wa yasumimasu.)

  • This job is busy, so I will take a break this weekend.

• あのレストランは高級なので、高いです。 (Ano resutoran wa koukyuu na node, takai desu.)

  • That restaurant is high-end, so it’s expensive.

12.5.1 なければいけません and なきゃいけません can’t go without doing … / must …

🎞️ 

Usage: In Japanese, “なければいけません” and its colloquial variant “なきゃいけません” are used to express necessity, obligation, or the need to do something. They are equivalent to saying “must” or “have to” in English. The choice between the two forms depends on the level of formality or the context of the conversation.

• なければ (nakereba) and なきゃいけません (nakya ikemasen) are Japanese grammar constructs used to express the idea of necessity or obligation. They convey the meaning of “if you do not do something, you cannot go” or “you must do something.”

• なければいけません (nakereba ikemasen): This form is more formal and is often used in written language, formal speeches, or polite conversations.

• なきゃいけません (nakya ikemasen): This form is very colloquial and is primarily found in spoken language or casual situations.

Examples:

• 早く家に帰らなければいけません。 (Hayaku ie ni kaeranakereba ikemasen.)

  • I must go home early. (Formal)

• 明日は試験があるから、勉強しなきゃいけません。 (Ashita wa shiken ga aru kara, benkyou shinakya ikemasen.)

  • I have an exam tomorrow, so I have to study. (Casual)

• お医者さんに行かなければいけない。 (Oishasan ni ikanakereba ikenai.)

  • You must go to the doctor. (Formal)

• お金がないから、今度の週末は出かけなきゃいけません。 (Okane ga nai kara, kondo no shuumatsu wa dekakenakya ikemasen.)

  • I don’t have money, so I have to go out next weekend. (Casual)

12.5.2 Changing いけません to いけませんでした and Shortening to なきゃ for casual tone

🎞️ 

Usage: In Japanese, you can modify the expression of necessity or obligation by changing “いけません” (ikemasen) to “いけませんでした” (ikemasen deshita) to indicate that you had to do something in the past. Additionally, you can use the short form “なきゃいけない” (nakya ikenai) in casual speech, and further shorten it to just “なきゃ” (nakya).

• いけませんでした (ikemasen deshita): This form is used to express that you had to do something in the past. It’s a past tense version of “いけません.”

• なきゃいけない (nakya ikenai): This short form is used in casual speech to convey the idea of necessity or obligation.

• なきゃ (nakya): This is an even shorter and more colloquial form of “なきゃいけない.”

Examples:

• 昨日は遅くまで仕事があって、帰るのが遅かったです。 (Kinou wa osoku made shigoto ga atte, kaeru no ga osokatta desu.)

  • Yesterday, I had work until late, so I came home late.

• 昨日の夜、急に熱が出たので、学校に行けませんでした。 (Kinou no yoru, kyuu ni netsu ga deta node, gakkou ni ikemasen deshita.)

  • Last night, I suddenly got a fever, so I couldn’t go to school.

• 明日は早く起きなきゃいけない。 (Ashita wa hayaku okinakya ikenai.)

  • I have to wake up early tomorrow. (Casual)

• 今日は買い物しなきゃ。 (Kyou wa kaimono shinakya.)

  • I have to go shopping today. (Very casual)

12.6.1 でしょうか (deshou ka)

🎞️ 

Usage: In Japanese, “でしょうか” is a polite expression used when asking questions to show a sense of tentativeness, politeness, or deference. It implies that you are seeking the listener’s opinion or knowledge because they are likely to have a better-informed answer, and you would appreciate their input. This expression is used to avoid putting the listener in an awkward or embarrassing situation when they may not know the answer.

Examples:

• 今日は雨が降るでしょうか？ (Kyou wa ame ga furu deshou ka?)

  • Will it rain today, do you think?

• このレストランはおいしいでしょうか？ (Kono resutoran wa oishii deshou ka?)

  • Is this restaurant good, in your opinion?

• あの映画、面白いでしょうか？ (Ano eiga, omoshiroi deshou ka?)

  • Do you think that movie is interesting?

• この本は難しいでしょうか？ (Kono hon wa muzukashii deshou ka?)

  • Is this book difficult, do you think?

12.6.2 でしょうか (deshou ka) with Short Form Predicates

Usage: In Japanese, “でしょうか” is a polite expression used when asking questions to show a sense of tentativeness, politeness, or deference. It can follow short form predicates, both affirmative and negative, in various tenses, including present and past.

• When “でしょうか” follows a short form predicate (verb or adjective) in a present tense affirmative sentence, it can be used directly without any particle like “な” in between. This form of the expression is used to politely ask for someone’s opinion, confirmation, or knowledge.

Examples:

• これは本物でしょうか？ (Kore wa honmono deshou ka?)

  • Is this genuine/authentic, do you think?

• 彼は元気でしょうか？ (Kare wa genki deshou ka?)

  • Do you think he’s well/healthy?

• あのレストラン、おすすめでしょうか？ (Ano resutoran, osusume deshou ka?)

  • Would you recommend that restaurant?

• この映画は面白いでしょうか？ (Kono eiga wa omoshiroi deshou ka?)

  • Do you think this movie is interesting?

• 彼女は来るでしょうか？ (Kanojo wa kuru deshou ka?)

  • Will she come, do you think?