Genki Chapter 3 Grammar

3.1 Verb categorization

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• [*1]: (u-verb/五段) 要る[iru] 知る[kiru] 切る[shiru] 減る[heru] 競る[heru]
• [*2]: (u-verb/五段) 居る[iru] 見る[miru] 似る[niru] 経る[heru] 寝る[neru]。
• [*3]: (u-verb/五段) 帰る[kaeru] 焦る[aseru] 走る[hashiru] 陥る[ochiiru]。
• [*4]: (ru-verb/一段) 変える[kaeru] 褪える[aseru]

3.2 Verb Types and the “Present Tense”

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Usage: In Japanese, verbs are categorized into different types based on the nature of the action they describe. (Check ch7) The “present tense” of these verbs can have two main interpretations:

• (1) that a person habitually or regularly engages in these activities or
• (2) that a person will, or is planning to, perform these activities in the future.

Examples:

• 食べる (taberu) - to eat

  • Present Tense (Habitual/Regular): 彼は毎日寿司を食べます。 (Kare wa mainichi sushi o tabemasu.) - He eats sushi every day.
  • Present Tense (Future): 彼は明日寿司を食べる予定です。 (Kare wa ashita sushi o taberu yotei desu.) - He plans to eat sushi tomorrow.

• 行く (iku) - to go

  • Present Tense (Habitual/Regular): 彼は毎週末公園に行きます。 (Kare wa maishuumatsu kouen ni ikimasu.) - He goes to the park every weekend.
  • Present Tense (Future): 彼は明日公園に行くつもりです。 (Kare wa ashita kouen ni iku tsumori desu.) - He intends to go to the park tomorrow.

• 読む (yomu) - to read

  • Present Tense (Habitual/Regular): 彼女は毎晩本を読みます。 (Kanojo wa maiban hon o yomimasu.) - She reads books every evening.
  • Present Tense (Future): 彼女は来週新しい本を読むつもりです。 (Kanojo wa raishuu atarashii hon o yomu tsumori desu.) - She plans to read a new book next week.

3.3.1 Particle: を (o)

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Usage: を (o) is a Japanese particle used to mark the direct object of a transitive verb, indicating what the action of the verb is affecting.

Examples:

• 本を読みます。 (Hon o yomimasu.) - I read a book.
• ケーキを食べます。 (Keeki o tabemasu.) - I eat a cake.

3.3.2 Particle: で (de)

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Usage: で (de) is a versatile particle in Japanese. It can indicate the location where an action takes place or the means by which an action is performed.

Examples:

• 図書館で勉強しています。 (Toshokan de benkyou shiteimasu.) - I am studying at the library. (Location)
• 電車で学校に行きます。 (Densha de gakkou ni ikimasu.) - I go to school by train. (Means)

3.3.3 Particle: に (ni)

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Usage: に (ni) is a multifunctional particle in Japanese. It is used for indicating the location of an action, specifying a time, or marking an indirect object.

1. Goal of Movement:

Usage: に (ni) is used to indicate the destination or goal of physical movement. It answers the question “where to.”

• Examples:
  • 学校に行きます。 (Gakkou ni ikimasu.) - I’m going to school.
  • 駅に向かって歩きます。 (Eki ni mukatte arukimasu.) - I’m walking toward the station.

2. Time:

Usage: に (ni) is also used to indicate specific points in time, such as dates or times of day.

• Examples:
  • 月曜日に会議があります。 (Getsuyoubi ni kaigi ga arimasu.) - There is a meeting on Monday.
  • 午後3時に映画を見ます。 (Gogo sanji ni eiga o mimasu.) - I will watch a movie at 3 PM.

Understanding the dual usage of に (ni) for indicating the goal of movement and specific points in time is essential for constructing accurate and meaningful Japanese sentences.

3.3.4 Particle: へ (e)

Usage: In Japanese, the particle へ (e) can be used to indicate the goal or destination of movement, much like the particle に (ni). However, へ (e) is often preferred in certain situations, especially when expressing a general or less specific destination. It is commonly used with movement verbs such as いく (iku) - “to go,” くる (kuru) - “to come,” and かえる (kaeru) - “to return.”

Examples:

1. Using へ (e) for General Destinations:

   • 会社へ行きます。 (Kaisha e ikimasu.) - I’m going to (toward) the office.
   • スーパーへ買い物に行きます。 (Suupaa e kaimono ni ikimasu.) - I’m going shopping at (to) the supermarket.

2. Using に (ni) for Specific Destinations:

   • 図書館に行きます。 (Toshokan ni ikimasu.) - I’m going to the library.
   • 友達の家に遊びに行きます。 (Tomodachi no ie ni asobi ni ikimasu.) - I’m going to a friend’s house to hang out.

Note: While both へ (e) and に (ni) can be used for indicating the goal of movement, the choice between them often depends on the speaker’s emphasis on the destination’s specificity. へ (e) is more general, while に (ni) is more specific.

3.4 Time reference

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Usage: In Japanese, the particle に (ni) is used with specific time expressions to indicate when an action or event takes place. However, there are certain rules and exceptions regarding its usage:

Using に (ni) with:

1. Days of the Week and Numerical Time Expressions:
   • Usage: Use に (ni) when specifying days of the week, numerical time expressions, and months.
   • Examples:
     • 日曜日に映画を見ます。 (Nichiyoubi ni eiga o mimasu.) - I will watch a movie on Sunday.
     • 十時四十五分に会議があります。 (Juujii yonjyuu gofun ni kaigi ga arimasu.) - There is a meeting at 10:45.
     • 九月に誕生日を祝います。 (Kugatsu ni tanjoubi o iwaimasu.) - I celebrate my birthday in September.

Not Using に (ni) with:

1. Time Expressions Relative to the Present Moment:

   • Usage: You do not need to use に (ni) with time expressions like “today” and “tomorrow” that are defined relative to the present moment.
   • Examples:
     • 今日は忙しいです。 (Kyou wa isogashii desu.) - Today (now) is busy.
     • 明日は休みです。 (Ashita wa yasumi desu.) - Tomorrow (now) is a day off.

2. Expressions Describing Regular Intervals:

   • Usage: Expressions like “every day,” “every week,” and “every month” do not require に (ni).
   • Examples:
     • 毎日日本語を勉強します。 (Mainichi nihongo o benkyou shimasu.) - I study Japanese every day.
     • 毎週水曜日はテニスをします。 (Maishuu suiyoubi wa tenisu o shimasu.) - I play tennis every Wednesday.

3. Parts of a Day and the Word for “Weekend:”

   • Usage: Normally, you do not use に (ni) with expressions for parts of a day (e.g., “in the morning,” “at night”) and the word for “weekend.” However, in certain styles, emphatic situations, or personal preferences, に (ni) may be added.
   • Examples:
     • 朝、コーヒーを飲みます。 (Asa, koohii o nomimasu.) - I drink coffee in the morning.
     • 週末は家でくつろぎます。 (Shuumatsu wa ie de kutsurogimasu.) - I relax at home on weekends.

3.5 ~ませんか

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Usage: ~ませんか is used to extend an invitation or make a suggestion in a polite and friendly manner.

• It is formed by taking the present tense negative form of a verb and adding the question particle か (ka) at the end. This construction is often used to invite someone to do something or to make a suggestion in a considerate way.

Examples:

• 一緒に映画を見ませんか？ (Issho ni eiga o mimasen ka?) - Would you like to watch a movie together?
• 今晩、一緒に食事をしませんか？ (Konban, issho ni shokuji o shimasen ka?) - How about having dinner together tonight?
• 明日、公園でピクニックをしませんか？ (Ashita, kouen de pikunikku o shimasen ka?) - Would you like to have a picnic in the park tomorrow?
• このコンサートに行かないんですか？ (Kono konsaato ni ikanain desu ka?) - Won’t you go to this concert?
• 雨が降っていますが、カフェでお茶を飲みませんか？ (Ame ga futteimasu ga, kafe de ocha o nomimasen ka?) - It’s raining, but would you like to have tea at a café?

3.6 頻度副詞 (ひんどふくし, hindo fukushi) - Frequency Adverbs

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Usage: Frequency adverbs in Japanese are used to indicate how often an action or event occurs.

• These adverbs provide additional information about the frequency of actions or events in a sentence. They can be placed before the verb or at the beginning or end of a sentence, depending on the desired emphasis.

Note that infrequent words anticipate the negative at the end of the sentence, like

• あまり (amari): Not often, seldom
• 全然 (ぜんぜん, zenzen): Not at all.

毎日 (まいにち, mainichi) - Every day.

• 彼は毎日ジョギングをします。 (Kare wa mainichi jogingu o shimasu.) - He goes jogging every day.

いつも (itsumo) - Always.

• いつも笑顔でいることが大切です。 (Itsumo egao de iru koto ga taisetsu desu.) - It’s important to always have a smile.

必ず (かならず, kanarazu) - Always, without fail.

• 彼は試験前に必ず勉強します。 (Kare wa shiken mae ni kanarazu benkyou shimasu.) - He always studies before exams.

よく (yoku) - Often, frequently.

• 私はよくコーヒーを飲みます。 (Watashi wa yoku koohii o nomimasu.) - I often drink coffee.

しばしば (shibashiba) - Often.

• 彼はしばしば新しいレストランに行きます。 (Kare wa shibashiba atarashii resutoran ni ikimasu.) - He often goes to new restaurants.

時々 (ときどき, tokidoki) - Sometimes.

• 彼は時々日本に旅行します。 (Kare wa tokidoki Nihon ni ryokou shimasu.) - He sometimes travels to Japan.

たまに (tamani) - Occasionally.

• 私たちはたまに映画を見に行きます。 (Watashitachi wa tamani eiga o mi ni ikimasu.) - We occasionally go to watch movies.

徐々に (じょじょに, jojo ni) - Gradually.

• 彼の体重は徐々に減少しています。 (Kare no taijuu wa jojo ni genshou shiteimasu.) - His weight is gradually decreasing.

あまり (amari) - Not often, seldom.

• 彼女はあまり外食しません。 (Kanojo wa amari gaishoku shimasen.) - She seldom eats out.

全然 (ぜんぜん, zenzen) - Not at all.

• その本は全然理解できませんでした。 (Sono hon wa zenzen rikai dekimasen deshita.) - I didn’t understand the book at all.

たちまち (tachimachi) - Immediately, instantly.

• 彼女はたちまち決断しました。 (Kanojo wa tachimachi ketsudan shimashita.) - She made a decision instantly.

急に (きゅうに, kyuu ni) - Suddenly.

• 事故が急に起きました。 (Jiko ga kyuu ni okimashita.) - The accident happened suddenly.

3.7 Japanese Sentence Structure and Flexibility

Usage: Japanese sentences are fairly flexible in the arrangement of elements that appear in them.

• Generally, sentences are made up of several noun-particle sequences followed by a verb or an adjective.

• Japanese sentences exhibit flexibility in word order, allowing speakers to convey their intended meaning based on context and emphasis.
• The basic sentence structure in Japanese is Subject-Object-Verb (SOV), but the order of elements can vary.
• Subjects are often omitted if clear from context, making the language more concise.
• Particles such as “は (wa)” and “が (ga)” are used to mark the subject and object, respectively.
• Word order can be adjusted to emphasize specific elements or for clarity.
• Different word order variations can convey nuances of meaning.

1. 彼女は美しい花を持っています。 (Kanojo wa utsukushii hana o motteimasu.)

   • She has beautiful flowers.

2. 美しい花を彼女は持っています。 (Utsukushii hana o kanojo wa motteimasu.)

   • She has beautiful flowers.

3. 花を彼女は美しい持っています。 (Hana o kanojo wa utsukushii motteimasu.)

   • She has beautifully flowers.

4. 持っています、彼女は美しい花を。 (Motteimasu, kanojo wa utsukushii hana o.)

   • She has them, beautiful flowers.

5. 彼女は持っています、美しい花を。 (Kanojo wa motteimasu, utsukushii hana o.)

   • She has them, beautiful flowers.

In these examples, the word order variations change the emphasis and nuances:

• Example 1 emphasizes the fact that “she” has beautiful flowers.
• Example 2 puts more emphasis on the beauty of the flowers.
• Example 3 emphasizes the manner in which she has the flowers beautifully.
• Example 4 places emphasis on the action of having.
• Example 5 highlights the act of having along with the beauty of the flowers.

3.8 は (Wa) Particle - Topic Marker

Usage: The は (wa) particle is used to indicate the topic of one’s utterance.

• It presents the topic you want to talk about, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be the subject of a sentence.

• は (wa) is a particle used to mark the topic or theme of a sentence.
• It specifies the subject you want to discuss or emphasize in your conversation.
• The topic marked by は (wa) doesn’t have to be the grammatical subject of the sentence.
• This particle helps to clarify the context and what you are focusing on in your statement.

Examples:

1. 私は学生です。 (Watashi wa gakusei desu.)

   • As for me, I am a student.

2. この本は面白いです。 (Kono hon wa omoshiroi desu.)

   • This book is interesting (talking about this book as the topic).

3. ピザは好きですか？ (Piza wa suki desu ka?)

   • Do you like pizza? (pizza is the topic of discussion).

4. 私は英語を勉強しています。 (Watashi wa eigo o benkyou shiteimasu.)

   • I am studying English (emphasizing “I” as the topic).

5. 音楽は楽しいですね。 (Ongaku wa tanoshii desu ne.)

   • Music is enjoyable, isn’t it? (music is the topic of conversation).

In Japanese, the concepts of “topic” and “subject” are related but not the same, and they serve different grammatical functions

• The topic is what you want to discuss or emphasize in your conversation, while
• the subject is the grammatical agent of the action in a sentence. While they can overlap in some sentences, they serve distinct roles in Japanese grammar.
• The use of は (wa) for topic and が (ga) for subject helps convey these roles and the focus of a sentence.

1. Topic (は - Wa Particle):

   • The topic in Japanese, marked by the は (wa) particle, is what the speaker wants to talk about or emphasize in a sentence.
   • It doesn’t necessarily have to be the grammatical subject of the sentence.
   • The topic provides context and sets the stage for what the speaker is going to discuss.
   • The topic can change within a conversation to shift the focus of discussion.

   Example:

   • "Regarding [topic], it is such that [statement]."
   • 私は学生です (Watashi wa gakusei desu) - As for me (topic), I am a student.

2. Subject (が - Ga Particle):

   • The subject is the grammatical agent of the action or the “doer” of the verb in a sentence.
   • It is marked by the が (ga) particle when explicitly stated.
   • The subject carries out the action described by the verb.
   • The subject remains relatively constant within a sentence.

   Example:

   • "[Subject] does [action]."
   • 彼が本を読んでいます (Kare ga hon o yondeimasu) - He (subject) is reading a book.