XはYです

Image
Here are the key points of this lesson: Omission of the subject (Xは) Using 'は' for clarity Nouns in Japanese” Omission of the subject (Xは) In Japanese, sentences often omit subjects when the context makes them clear, unlike in English where subjects like "I" or "it" are typically included.  For example, "I am a student," "My major is Japanese language," and "It is 12:30" translate into Japanese as "がくせいです," "にほんごです," and "12じはんです," respectively, without direct subjects. Using 'は' for clarity If the context doesn't provide clarity, Japanese sentences can start with a topic marked by "wa" (は in hiragana), indicating "As for X, it is Y.” For example,  “わたしは がくせいです" (As for me, I am a student), “せんこうは にほんごです" (As for my major, it is Japanese language), and "じかんは12じはんです" (As for the current time, it is 12:30). The particle "wa" (は), used to denote ...
Post a Comment

Japanese Writing System

There are 3 writing systems in Japanese.


The first is Roman Alphabet called Rōmaji. There are several different Rōmaji writing systems such as Kunrei and Hepbun. Hepbun system is the most widely used in Japan now. Rōmaji is used where Japanese text is targeted at non-Japanese speakers who cannot read Kanji or Kana, such as for names on street signs and passports.

The second is kana consist of phonetic syllables. There are two parallel syllables: Hiragana and Katakana. Hiragana is used mainly for native Japanese words and grammatical elements, and Katakana is used mainly for foreign words, names, and scientific names.

The third is Chinese characters called Kanji borrowed from China.

People normally use a mixture of Kanji and Kana (e.g. 私は学生です。[I am a student]). However, All Japanese, who have attended elementary school since World War II, have been taught to read and write Rōmaji. Therefore, almost all Japanese are able to read and write Japanese using Rōmaji, although it is rare in Japan to use Rōmaji to write Japanese except typing on a computer.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rōmaji

Image
Rōmaji is one of the Japanese wrting system. You are probably familiar with these names: TOYOTA, Nintendo, FUJITSU. Even though those names are written in the Roman alphabet, they are Japanese. The Japanese people call this Roman alphabet as Rōmaji, which is one of the writing system in Japan. There are several writing systems to write Rōmaji such as Hepburn system, Kunrei system (Cabinet Ordinance system), and so on. Each of them has their own writing rules, so you should know them. As Hepburn system is the most widely used in Japan now, we will see the Hepburn system. Here is Hepburn system Rōmaji list *In cells in the list above, if the same Roman alphabets are used more than twice, that means they are pronounced the same. However, "o" and "wo" are pronouced the same /o/. The writing rule to Hepburn system: Syllabic nasal in Japanese (/n/ [ん]) is written as ‘n’ before consonants, but as ‘m’ before labial consonants (/b/, /m/, /p/).
 e.g. an n ai (あんない=guidance ) ...
Read more

The Uguisu and Uguisu-jō

Image
A Symphony of Spring and Tradition   In the heart of Japan, as the grip of winter loosens, a little bird called the Uguisu begins its song. This isn't just any bird; it's a herald, a tiny vocalist awakening the land with its melodious call, signaling the arrival of spring. But the Uguisu doesn't just live in the wild; its spirit echoes through Japanese culture, inspiring a beautiful human tradition known as Uguisu-jō. The Uguisu's song is clear, beautiful, and uplifting. It's so special that, long ago, people wanted to bring this essence into their own lives, especially during public gatherings and events. This desire gave birth to the role of the Uguisu-jō, women who, much like the bird itself, would use their voices to announce, entertain, and inform, becoming the human counterpart to the bird's springtime call. Imagine you're sitting in an old baseball stadium in Japan. The game is about to start, but instead of electronic speakers, there's a calm, cl...
Read more

32. Mastering Japanese Date and Day of the Week Phrases: “Nangatsu Nannichi and Nanyōbi”

Image
  Asking Dates: Nangatsu Nannichi (なんがつ なんにち) This phrase, "nangatsu nannichi," is used to inquire about dates. For example: A: When is your birthday? (anata no) tanjōbi wa nangatsu nannichi desu ka? (あなた の) たんじょうび は なんがつ なんにち です か。 (あなたの) 誕生日は何月何日ですか? In everyday conversations, "anata (あなた)" is often left out. B: My birthday is on July 14th. (watashinotanj tanjōbi wa) shichigatsu jūyokka desu. （わたしのたんじょうびは）しちがつじゅうよっかです。 （私の誕生日は）7月14日です。 Note: Pay attention to the readings for "shigatsu (April)," "shichigatsu (July)," and "kugatsu (September)."  Some specific days, like the 1st to 10th and the 20th, have unique readings. 1st: tsuitachi (ついたち) 2nd: futsuka (ふつか) 3rd: mikka (みっか) 4th: yokka (よっか) 5th: itsuka (いつか) 6th: muika (むいか) 7th: nanoka (なのか) 8th: yōka (ようか) 9th: kokonoka (ここのか) 10th: tōka (とうか) 20th: hatsuka (はつか) Asking Days of the Week: Nanyōbi (なんようび) This phrase, "nanyōbi," is used to inquire about the day of the week...
Read more