learning japanese

[Nana]

INTRODUCTORY LESSONS

Lesson 1
Basics of Japanese pronunciation.

Japanese Pronunciation
The Japanese language has only 5 vowels: A, I, U, E, O. They are terse vowels, pronounced clearly and sharply. If one pronounces the vowels in the following sentence one will have their approximate sounds. Please note: the "U" is pronounced with no forward movement of the lips.

Ah (a), we (i) soon (u) get (e) old (o).

Lessons (2)

Here are some characteristics of Japanese grammar.

1. Japanese nouns have no gender and number.
2. Verb conjugation is not affected by the gender or number.
3. Japanese verbs have only two tenses: the present and the past.

Lessons (3)

Japanese Writing Systems
The Japanese writing system is totally different from English, because it does not use an alphabet. It may be the most difficult part of Japanese to learn, but I think it is also fun and interesting. There are three different types of writing scripts in Japanese.

1. Kanji
2. Hiragana
3. Katakana

Lessons (4)

Education System Vocabulary
Here are some words to practice related to the Japanese education system.

gakkou-school
shougakkou-elementary school
chuugakkou-junior high school
koutougakkou (koukou)-high school
daigaku-university
gakusei-student

Lessons (5)

Japanese Writing System

Besides the three forms of writing (kanji, hiragana, katakana), Japanese is sometimes written in Romaji. Romaji is primarily used for the convenience of foreigners. With Romaji, one can read Japanese without knowing any Japanese writing system. Although there are several systems of Romaji, the most widely used is a modified Hepburn system.

All three types of Japanese characters are designed to be written in vertical lines, from right to left, but they can be written horizontally as well. Years ago, almost all Japanese writing was vertical, but the horizontal style has slowly become more popular since it is easier to conține Arabic numerals and passages from other foreign languages. However most newspapers still retain the vertical style

Lessons (6)

Characteristics of Japanese

Do you still think Japanese is a difficult language to learn? I would say "No!". Of course, it is a little hard to master all Japanese writing, but for speaking it is not as hard as you think.

Here are some facts.

(1) Japanese is easy to pronounce. It has only five vowels.

(2) Japanese nouns do not have gender, and rarely, number aspects. With most Japanese nouns, number is not an issue. The same word is used for one or more than one.

hon = a book or books
kuruma = a car or cars

(3) Verb conjugation is not affected by the gender or number. The same verb is used no matter what the subject is.

Watashi wa bideo o yoku mimasu.-I watch videos often.
Kare wa terebi o yoku mimasu.-He watches TV often.

(4) Japanese verbs have only two tenses; the present tense and the past tense. The present tense refers to habitual action or the future. The past tense is used for actions completed in the past. It is also equivalent to the English present perfect or past perfect.



Lessons (7)

Word Order

English is a subject-verb-object language. (so are French, Spanish, etc.) Japanese is a subject-object-verb language. (so are Korean, Turkish, etc.) Generally the subject comes first, then the object and the verb comes at the end of the sentence.

subject object verb
Tanaka-san wa
Mr. Tanaka ringo o
apple tabemasu.
eat.
Tom-san wa
Tom terebi o
TV mimashita.
watched.

"San" is a title of respect added to a name. (so it can not be used when referring to oneself.)
"Wa" and "o" are particles. They are like English prepositions, but they always come after nouns. Particles are very important for proper Japanese sentence structure. I will introduce them gradually later.




Composing questions in Japanese is easy! The word order remains the same, and a sentence becomes a question by adding the particle "ka" at the end. Question marks are not used in Japanese.


Tanaka-san wa ringo o tabemasu ka.-Does Mr. Tanaka eat apples?
Tom-san wa terebi o mimashita ka.-Did Tom watch TV?


Lessons (8)

Greetings and Daily Expressions

(1) Ohayou gozaimasu. (Good morning.)
One can also say just "Ohayou（おはよう）". This is casual, and should not be used with one's boss.




(2) Konnichiwa. (Hello/Good afternoon.)


(3) Konbanwa. 　　(Good evening.)



(4) Oyasuminasai. 　おやすみなさい。　(Good night.)
Unlike English, it is mostly used before going to bed.



(5) Sayonara. (Good-bye.)



"Sayounara（さようなら)" can be also used instead of "sayonara（さよなら)." People do not say "sayonara（さよなら）" when leaving their own home. "Ittekimasu（いってきます）" is normally used. The response to "Ittekimasu（いってきます）" is "Itterasshai（いってらっしゃい）". "Dewa mata（ではまた）" is also often used as "see you later", similar to the English expression.

How about "See you tomorrow"? "Tomorrow" is "ashita（明日）" in Japanese. I think you can guess what the the answer is: "Mata ashita（また明日）".

I hope you can practice these greetings. I am going to tell you one more phrase, "Mata raishuu（また来週）". This means "See you next week".


Lessons (9)
Here are some very useful and simple expressions.

Sumimasen　(すみません）-one can use this in several situations.



(a) Excuse me!



(b) Thank you.





Introductory Japanese Lessons (9)
Here are some very useful and simple expressions.

Sumimasen　(すみません）-one can use this in several situations.

(a) Excuse me!


(b) Thank you.


(c) I'm sorry.




(d) Pardon me.

If you have ever had the chance to hear Japanese being spoken, you might notice that they often use "sumimasen（すみません）". Also, if you have ever hear a Japanese person speaking English, you might notice they sometimes mix up "excuse me" and "I'm sorry" because the Japanese use the same word for both expressions.

Douzo and Doumo

When one offers something "douzo（どうぞ）" can be used. A simple reply is "doumo（どうも）". "Doumo arigatou gozaimasu（どうもありがとうございます）" is a very polite way of saying, "Thank you very much". A more casual response is either "arigatou（ありがとう）" or "doumo（どうも）".



Lessons (10)

First Meetings/ Introductions (1)

Dialogue in Romaji

Namiko: Hajimemashite, Namiko desu.
Douzo yoroshiku.
Paul: Hajimemashite, Paul desu.
Douzo yoroshiku.

Wa is a particle which is like English prepositions, but always comes after nouns. Desu（です） is a topic marker and can be translated as "is" or "are". It also acts as an equal sign.

Watashi wa Namiko desu.-I am Namiko.
Kore wa hon desu.-This is a book.


Japanese often omit the topic when it is obvious to the other person.

When introducing yourself, "watashi wa（私は）" can be omitted. It will sound more natural to a Japanese person. In a conversation, "watashi（私）" is rarely used. "Anata（あなた)" which means you is similarly avoided.

"Hajimemashite（はじめまして）" is used when meeting a person for the first time. "Hajimeru（はじめる）" is the verb which means "to begin". "Douzo yoroshiku（どうぞよろしく）" is used when you introduce yourself, and other times when you are asking a favor of someone.

Besides family or close friends, Japanese are rarely addressed by their given names. If you go to Japan as a student, people will probably address you by your first name, but if you go there on business, it is better to introduce yourself with your last name. (in this situation, Japanese never introduce themselves with their first name).




Translation for the Dialogue

Namiko: How do you do? I'm Namiko.
Nice to meet you.
Paul: How do you do? I'm Paul.
Nice to meet you.

Notes

* Katakana is used for foreign names, places and words. If you are not Japanese, your name can be written in katakana.

• When introducing yourself, the bow (ojigi) is preferred to a handshake. Ojigi is an essential part of daily Japanese life. If you live in Japan for a long time, you will begin bowing automatically. You might even bow when you are talking on the phone (like many Japanese do)!





Lessons (11)

First Meetings/ Introductions (2)

Dialogue in Romaji

Namiko: Yamada san, konnichiwa. Kochira wa Paul-san desu.
Paul: Hajimemashite, Paul desu. Douzo yoroshiku.
Yamada: Hajimemashite, Yamada desu. O-kuni wa dochira desu ka.
Paul: Kanada desu.

Translation for the Dialogue

Namiko: Hello, Mr. Yamada. This is Paul.
Paul: How do you do? I am Paul. Nice to meet you.
Yamada: How do you do? I am Yamada.
Where are you from? (Literally means, what is your country?)
Paul: I am from Canada.



Do you remember what to say for the first meeting? If not click here.

We have learned basic structure: A wa B desu. = A is B.

"Kochira（こちら）" means "this person". When addressing people, "san（さん）" (Mr./ Mrs./ Miss etc.) can be attached. "San" may be used with both female and male names, and either family name or first name. It can not be used after your name when referring to yourself.

"Kuni（国）" means "country". "O" is a prefix used to make nouns honorific. "O" can not be used when referring to yourself. "Dochira（どちら）" is a less direct and more polite way of asking "where". "Doko（どこ）" is a casual way of asking the same question. "Ka" is a sentence ending particle and makes a sentence into a question.


Let's try!

Once you know the structure above, you can make more questions with a little change.


O-namae wa nan desu ka-What is your name?
O-shigoto wa nan desu ka.-What is your job?


Here are the phrases to answer these questions.

Namiko (your name) desu.-I am Namiko.
Gakusei (your occupation) desu.-I am a student.

Lessons (12)

Telling Time

Dialogue in Romaji

Paul: Sumimasen. Ima nan-ji desu ka.
Otoko no hito: San-ji juugo fun desu.
Paul: Doumo arigatou.
Otoko no hito: Dou itashimashite.


Translation for the Dialogue

Paul: Excuse me. What time is it now?
Man: It is 3:15.
Paul: Thank you.
Man: You are welcome.

Do you remember the expression "Sumimasen（すみません）"? This is a very useful phrase. You can use it in various situations. In this case it means "Excuse me."

"Ima nan-ji desu ka" means "What time is it now?"

I'll show you how to count in Japanese so that you can tell the time.


1 ------ ichi -------- 2 ------------ni
3--------san --------4 ------------yon/shi
5 --------go ---------6 -------------roku
7----nana/shichi ---8 -------------hachi
9 ---kyuu/ku----- --10 -------------juu


Once you memorize 1~10, the rest of the numbers are easy.


11 - juuichi (10+1) - 20 - nijuu (2X10) - 30 - sanjuu (3X10)
12 - juuni (10+2) - 21 -nijuuichi (2X10+1) - 31 - sanjuuichi (3X10+1)
13 - juusan (10+3) - 22 - nijuuni (2X10+2) - 32 - sanjuuni (3X10+2)

Quiz (1)

Read the following numbers. Answers below this page.

(a) 45
(b) 78
(c) 93

"Ji （時）" means "o'clock." "Fun/pun（分）" means "minutes." To express the time, say the hours first, then the minutes, then add "desu（です）". There is no unic word for quarter hours. "Han（半）" means half, as in half past the hour. The hours are quite simple, but you need to watch out for four, seven and nine.


4 o' clock ------ yo-ji (not yon-ji)
7 o' clock ------shichi-ji (not nana-ji)
9 o'clock --------ku-ji (not kyuu-ji)







Quiz (2)

Read the following times. Answers below this page.

(a) 1:15
(b) 4:30
(c) 8:42


Lessons (13)

Dialogue in Romaji
Paul: Ginkou wa doko desu ka.
Namiko: Asoko desu.
Paul: Nan-ji kara desu ka.
Namiko: Ku-ji kara desu.
Paul: Doumo.


Translation for the Dialogue

Paul: Where is the bank?
Namiko: It is over there.
Paul: What time is the bank open from?
Namiko: From 9:00.
Paul: Thanks.


Do you remember how to ask someone what country he or she is from? The answer is "Okuni wa dochira desu ka（お国はどちらですか）." "Dochira（どちら）" and "doko（どこ）" both mean "where". "Doko" is less formal.

How do you say, "What time is it?" The answer is "Nan-ji desu ka（何時ですか）."

Today's question is "Nan-ji kara desu ka（何時からですか）". "Kara（から）" is a particle and means "from".

Quiz

Translate into Japanese. Check your answers at the end of the lesson.

(1) I'm from Japan.
(2) I'm from England.

Here are some vocabulary for the names of the countries.



Nihon-------Japan ---------Igirisu------England
Amerika----America --------Italia---------Italy
Chuugoku---China ------- Kanada------Canada
Doitsu------Germany- ---Mekishiko------Mexico
Furansu------France ---Oosutoraria-----Australia

Expressing the nationality is easy. Just put "jin(人)" (which means "person" or "people") after the name of country.


Nihon-jin---------Japanese
Amerika-jin-------American
Kanada-jin------Canadian

Lessons (14)

Shopping

Dialogue in Romaji

Tenin: Irasshaimase.
Paul: Kore wa nan desu ka.
Tenin: Sore wa obi desu.
Paul: Ikura desu ka.
Tenin: Gosen en desu.
Paul: Sore wa ikura desu ka.
Tenin: Nisen gohyaku en desu.
Paul: Ja, sore o kudasai.


Translation for the Dialogue


Store Clark: May I help you.
Paul: What is this?
Store Clark: That is an obi (kimono sash).
Paul: How much is it?
Store Clark: It is 5000 yen.
Paul: How much is that?
Store Clark: It is 2500 yen.
Paul: Well then, please give me that one.



"Irasshaimase(いらっしゃいませ)" is a greeting to customers in stores or restaurants. It literally means "welcome." You are not expected to answer this greeting.

"Kore（これ）" means "this." "Sore（それ）" means "that." English has only "this" and "that." Japanese has three separate indicators. "Are（あれ）" means "that over there."

kore-something near the speaker
sore -something near the person spoken to
are-something not near either person



To reply to a "what" question, simply substitute the answer for "nan(何)". Just remember to change "kore（これ）," "sore（それ）" or "are（あれ）" depending on where the object is in relation to you. Don't forget to take the "ka（か）" (question marker) off.

Q. Kore wa nan desu ka.　(これは何ですか。)
A. Sore wa obi desu.　(それは帯です。)

"Ikura（いくら）" means "how much."

You have already learned some Japanese numbers. Here are the hundreds and thousands.

100 --- hyaku - --------1000 ---- sen
200 ---nihyaku ------- 2000 ---- nisen
300 --- sanbyaku--- --3000 ---- sanzen
400 --- yonhyaku ----4000 - ----yonsen
500 --- gohyaku - -----5000---- gosen
600 --- roppyaku - --6000 ----- rokusen
700 --- nanahyaku --- 7000 ----- nanasen
800 --- happyaku --- 8000 ---- hassen
900 --- kyuuhyaku --- 9000 ------kyuusen
_________________
~Uruha.. i need your love...
i'm a broken red rose...~

[Kikyto.O]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA



SUPER MEGA ULTRA HIPER EXTRA TARE MEY TATAIE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

vhai ... ... ce emotie ...
_________________

[Nana]

Kikyto stai ca mai am o gramadaTT.TT
vai si amar de capul meuTT.TT
atatea lectii numai la capitolul 1 TT.TT
si mai am si verbele separat TT.TT
ma doare capulTT.TT
_________________
~Uruha.. i need your love...
i'm a broken red rose...~

[Kikyto.O]

oaaauuuuuuuuu ...

super tare !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
_________________

[Huffy]

1.Trasaturile generale ale gramaticii japoneze
Caracteristicile importante ale limbii japoneze sunt urmatoarele:
- intr-o propozitie, predicatul se afla intotdeauna la sfarsitul ei
- verbele nu au terminatii care sa indice persoana sau numarul
- nu exista articol
- aceeasi forma pentru substantive se intrebuinteaza atat la singular,cat si la plural
- cazul unui pronume sau al unui substantiv este indicativ prin intermediul diferitelor particule care se afla dupa pronume,respectiv substantiv
- subiectul si complementul se pot omite,daca se subinteleg din text

2.Substantivele
Ca si in atle limbi,substantivele formeaza o clasa majora de cuvinte in limba japoneza.Ele au o singura forma,atat pentru singular si plural,cat si pentru masculin,respectiv feminin.De asemenea,nu au articol,iar cazul este indicat prin intermediul particulelor.

3.Pronumele demonstrative kore,sore,are si dore
In limba japoneza sunt 4 pronume demonstrative care se folosesc frecvent:kore sore,are si dore.
Alegerea pronumelui adecvat situatiei date depinde integral atat de pozitia celui care vorbeste,cat si de pozitia celui care asculta.
Astfel,presupunand ca vorbesti cu un prieten,daca:
- obiectul spre care arati este mai aproape de tine,se va utiliza kore
- obiectul spre care arati este mai aproape de prietenul tau,se va folosi sore
- obiectul spre care atati este al distanta egala atat de tine,cat si de prietenul tau,se va folosi are
- cand te intereseaza un anumit lucru intr-un grup definit de obiecte,se foloseste pronumele demonstrativ dore

In mod similar,atunci cand se raspunde la o intrebare care contine pronumele demonstrativ kore(de ex:Kore wa hon desu ka? - "Este aceasta o carte?") se foloseste pronumele demonstrativ sore(de ex: Hai,Sore wa hon desu. - "Da,aceea este o carte",si invers.

4.Copula desu
In exemplul anterior Kore wa hon desu,copula desu indica relatia de identitate care se stabileste intre doua cuvinte aflate inaintea si dupa particula wa.
Desu este situat intotdeauna la sfarsitul propozitiei.De asemenea,trebuie subliniat faptul ca desu reprezinta forma de afirmativ la timpul prezent.

5.Particula wa
Particula wa poate aparea dupa un substantiv sau un pronume si indica,in general,subiectul in propozitie.In propozitiile care contin copula desu ca predicat,subiectul este urmat in mod normal de particula wa.

End lesson...

1.Particula ka is propozitia interogativa
In limba japoneza,pentru a se formula o propozitie interogativa,se adauga particula ka la sfarsitul unei propozitii afirmative.
De exemplu:Kore wa hon desu ka inseamna "Este aceasta o carte?".
Astfel,toate propozitiile afirmative devin propozitii interogative datorita interventiei particulei ka:

Kore wa hon desu ka? Este aceasta o carte?
Kore wa enpitsu desu ka? Este acesta un creion?
Are wa neko desu ka? Este aceea o pisica?
Sore wa inu desu ka? Este acela un caine?
Inu wa dobutsu desu ka? Este cainele un animal?
Takashi wa seito desu ka? Este Takashi elev?
Anata wa sensei desu ka? Dumneavostra sunteti profesor?

End lesson...


1.Dewa arimasen
Dewa arimasen este forma de negativ,timpul a lui desu
De exemplu:Kore wa hon dewa arimasen inseamna "aceasta nu este o carte".
Astfel propozitiile afirmative devin propozitii negative inlocuind desu cu dewa arimasen:

Kore wa hon dewa arimasen. Aceasta nu este o carte.
Kore wa enpitsu dewa arimasen. Acesta nu este un creion.
Are wa neko dewa arimasen. Aceea nu este o pisica.
Sore wa inu dewa arimasen. Acela nu este un caine.
Are wa Takashi-san dewa arimasen. Domnul Takashi nu este profesor.

[Nana]

Akiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
mi-ai stricat aici predatu
lasa ca e bine ce-ai scris tu...
normal ca e bine... ca doar de asta am potență de nu ma vad
lasa ca maine pun si celelalte capitole...
si btw.... TRECI LA CHAT
nu stiu ce am patit... nu ma intrebati
_________________
~Uruha.. i need your love...
i'm a broken red rose...~

[Nana]

ma scuzati ca le pun asa dar e ingrozitor de greu de facut toate alea

Verb Conjugations Archives

Group 1

aruku (to walk)
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb21.htm

au (to meet)　会う
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb23.htm

asobu (to play)　遊ぶ
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb22.htm

hairu (to enter)　入る

hajimaru (to begin)　始まる
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb25.htm

iku (to go)　行く
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb1.htm

kaeru (to return)　帰る
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb11.htm

kakaru (to take)　かかる
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb20.htm

kaku (to write)　書く
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb4.htm

kau (to buy)　買う
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb9.htm

kiku (to listen)　聞く
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb8.htm

matsu (to wait)　待つ
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb13.htm

motsu (to have)　持つ
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb26.htm

narau (to learn)　習う
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb27.htm

nomu (to drink)　飲む
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb7.htm

okuru (to send)　送る
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb16.htm

omou (to think)　思う
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb28.htm

oyogu (to swim)　泳ぐ
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb29.htm

shiru (to know)　知る
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb12.htm

suwaru (to sit)　座る
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb30.htm

tatsu (to stand)　立つ
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb31.htm

tomaru (to stop)　止まる
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb32.htm

tsuku (to arrive)　着く
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb14.htm

uru (to sell)　売る
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb17.htm

utau (to sing)　歌う
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb33.htm

wakaru (to understand)　分かる
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb15.htm

warau (to laugh)　笑う
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb34.htm

yomu (to read)　読む
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb10.htm

_________________
~Uruha.. i need your love...
i'm a broken red rose...~

[Nana]

Group2


kangaeru (to think)　考える
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb19.htm

miru (to see, to look)　見る
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb5.htm

neru (to sleep)　寝る
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb18.htm

oshieru (to teach)　教える
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb35.htm

taberu (to eat)　食べる
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb6.htm



Group 3

kuru (to come)　来る
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb2.htm

suru (to do)　する
http://japanese.about.com/library/blverb3.htm

_________________
~Uruha.. i need your love...
i'm a broken red rose...~

[Huffy]

La verbul hairu nu ai pus linku

[Huffy]

Question of the Week
Vol. 13

Q. How do you pronounce the Japanese "r"?

A. The Japanese "r" is different from the English "r". The sound is sort of between the English "r" and "l". To make "r" sound, start to say "l", but make your tongue stop short of the roof of your mouth, almost in the English "d" position. It is more like the Spanish "r".

The Japanese have trouble to pronounce and tell the difference between the English "r" and "l' because these sounds don't exist in Japanese.

Don't get too frustrated trying to pronounce it right. When you say words, there is no point in focusing on one syllable. Please listen carefully to how a native speaker pronounces it and repeat it the way you hear it.

If you can't manage it, "l" is better option than English "r", because the Japanese don't roll their tongue when speaking.

Click here to hear the Japanese "r" pronunciation.

The verb "aru （ある）" can be used to express possession (to have, to own) as well as physical existence (there is~).
Hon ga arimasu.
本があります。 There is a book. (physical existence)
Yamada-san wa okane ga arimasu.
山田さんはお金があります。 Mr.Yamada has money. (possession)

"Aru （ある）" is used for inanimate objects and "iru （いる）" is used for animate objects.
Inu ga imasu.
犬がいます。 There is a dog.
Watashi wa ane ga imasu.
私は姉がいます。 I have an older sister.

Both "aru" and "iru" are preceded by the particle "ga" .

The verb "motsu （持つ）" is used in the present progressive tense ("motteimasu" rather than "mochimasu"). It expresses the state of possessing or the state of being in possession of something. It is followed by the particle "o".
Kasa o motteimasu.
傘を持っています。 I have un umbrella (on me).

It cannot be used when the object which you possess is animate.
I have a car. Kuruma o motteimasu.
車を持っています。
Kuruma ga arimasu.
車があります。
I have an older brother. Ani o motteimasu. Wrong
兄を持っています。
Ani ga imasu.
兄がいます。

Both "kudasai （ください）" and "onegaishimasu （お願いします）" are used when making a request for items. "Kudasai （ください）" follows the object and the particle "o".
Kitte o kudasai.
切手をください。 Please give me stamps.
Mizu o kudasai.
水をください。 Water, please.

"Onegaishimasu" can be replaced with "kudasai" in the examples above. It sounds a little more polite. The particle "o" can be omitted in this case.
Kitte (o) onegaishimasu.
切手 (を) お願いします。 Please give me stamps.
Mizu (o) onegaishimasu.
水 (を) お願いします。 Water, please.

However, there are some situations when only "onegaishimasu" is used.

(1) When making a request for service.
Tokyo eki made onegaishimasu.
東京駅までお願いします。 Tokyo Station, please. (to a taxi driver)
Kokusai denwa onegaishimasu.
国際電話お願いします。 Overseas telephone call, please.
(on the phone)

(2)When asking for someone on the phone.
Kazuko-san onegaishimasu.
和子さんお願いします。 May I speak to Kazuko?

For making requests that involve action (please listen etc.), the verb "te form" is added to "kudasai". "Onegaishimasu" can not be used in this case.
Chotto matte kudasai.
ちょっと待ってください。 Wait a moment, please.
Ashita kite kudasai.
明日来てください。 Please come tomorrow.

"Pera pera （ぺらぺら）" is a gitaigo (words mimicking states). They directly express states or actions of people and things. There are a few meanings for "pera pera" depending on the context.

(1) Talk fluently
Kare wa nihongo ga pera pera desu.
彼は日本語がぺらぺらです。 He speaks Japanese fluently.

(2) Talkativeness in a negative sense or to chatter.
Hiroshi wa himitsu o pera pera
hanashite shimaimashita.
博は秘密をぺらぺら話しました。 Hiroshi was so talkative
that he told the secret.

(3) Thin, flimsy
Kono shatsu wa pera pera da.
このシャツはぺらぺらだ。 This shirt is flimsy.

"Nante （なんて）" can be used in the following situations.

(1) How ~!, What ~!
Nante kireina hana nan darou.
なんてきれいな花なんだろう。 How beautiful the flower is!
Nante ii hito nan deshou.
なんていい人なんでしょう。 What a nice person she is!

"Nanto （なんと）" can be replaced with "nante" in the above cases.

(2) And so on, and the like
Yuurei nante inai yo!
幽霊なんていないよ。 There are no such things as ghosts!
Ken ga sonna koto o suru nante shinjirarenai.
健がそんなことするなんて
信じられない。 I can't believe that
Ken does such a thing.
Yuki o okorasetari nante
shinakatta darou ne.
雪を怒らせたりなんて
しなかっただろうね。 I hope you didn't offend Yuki
or anything like that.

"Nado （など）" can be replaced with "nante" in the above cases.

Q. Are there any other meanings for "chotto" beside "a little"?

A. "Chotto （ちょっと）" can be used in several different situations.

(1) A little
Yuki ga chotto furimashita.
雪がちょっと降りました。 It snowed a little.
Kono tokei wa chotto takai desu ne.
この時計はちょっと高いですね。 This watch is a little expensive, isn't it?

(2) For a moment
Chotto omachi kudasai.
ちょっとお待ちください。 Wait a moment, please.
Nihon ni chotto sunde imashita.
日本にちょっと住んでいました。 I have lived in Japan for a while.

"Sukoshi （少し）" can replace "chotto （ちょっと）" in the above cases. "Sukoshi" sounds more formal than "chotto".
(3) Excuse me! Hey! (to get the attention of someone)

Chotto! wasuremono! (informal)
ちょっと。　忘れ物。 Hey! You left behind this.

(4) As a softener, when making a request to add the meaning of "just"
Chotto mite mo ii desu ka.
ちょっと見てもいいですか。 Can I just look?
Chotto sore o totte kudasai.
ちょっとそれを取ってください。 Could you just pass me that?

(5) To avoid direct criticism.
Kono kutsu dou omou.
Un, chotto ne ...
この靴どう思う。
うん、ちょっとね ... What do you think about these shoes?
Hmm, it's a little ...

In this case it is said quite slowly with a falling intonation. This is a very convenient expression as it is used when people want to turn someone down or negate something without being direct about it.

Q. What is the katakana "u" character with two dashes?

A. This katakana character represents the English "v" sound. It didn't exist until relatively recently. Nowadays the Japanese use many borrowed words from English and other foreign languages (please refer the previous article "Borrowed Words"). Since it is hard to express all sounds by the basic 46 characters or their regular combinations, the Japanese have developed new combinations that are formed by adding a small "a, i, u, e, o" for several foreign syllables.

However, they are still not widely used and not included in the katakana chart most of the time. Many Japanese just write the "v" sound as "b" (katakana "ba, bi, bu, be, bo").

Click here for "expanded katakana syllables".

Q. Why is "o" or "go" sometimes used before nouns?

A. "O （お）" or "go （ご）" is the respectful prefix (polite marker). It is used to express respect or simple politeness. Whether it shows respect or simple politeness, depends on the word. When it is used to express respect, it can't be used for yourself or family member.
O-namae wa nan desu ka.
お名前はなんですか。 What is you name?
Watashi no namae wa Miki desu.
私の名前は美樹です。 My name is Miki.

It is attached to a noun, an adjective or an adverb.
noun O-tanjoubi omedetou.
お誕生日おめでとう。 Happy Birthday.
adjective O-genki desu ka.
お元気ですか。 How are you?
adverb Douzo go-yukkuri.
どうぞごゆっくり。 Take your time.

Generally speaking, "o" is used with native Japanese words and "go" with words of Chinese origin.

"O" or "go" isn't attached to all nouns. If you are a beginner, it might be better not to overuse them, though there are some nouns that sound harsh without them. "O-cha (Japanese tea)" and "o-kane (money)" are among them. Listen carefully to when and how native speakers use them.

[JerbGade]

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