Japanese Jungle

   28.   Expressing Prices in Japanese: "1+Counter+Number Yen" Being able to ask and understand prices in Japanese is crucial for everyday interactions. In this article, we will focus on a specific structure pattern used to inquire about or state the price of a single item. By mastering the "1+Counter+Number Yen" pattern, you will be able to confidently ask about individual prices and provide accurate responses. Let's explore this structure in detail and enhance our Japanese language skills. Examples: 鉛筆は 1 本 100 円 です。 Enpitsu wa ippon hyakuen desu. The pencils are 100 yen each.    A: このノートは １冊いくら ですか。 Kono nōto wa issatsu ikura desuka?  How much are these notebooks each? B: ( このノートは １冊 ) (kono nōto wa issatsu ) hyakuen desu.  The notebooks are 100 yen each. Note: In this structure, there is no need to use particles like “wa ( は )” or “de ( で ).” Simply follow the format of “1+Counter+Number Yen.” Avoid using the incorrect forms such as " ...

   27.  Asking for Prices in Japanese: How to Use "Ikura desu ka?" In daily life, asking and understanding prices is essential when shopping. In Japanese, a specific structure pattern is used for asking about prices and stating them. This article will introduce the "ikura desu ka （いくらですか） ?” pattern, which is commonly used to inquire about the cost of items or services. Additionally, we will explore how to respond to such questions using the "(number) + 円です ".  A: このシャツは いくらですか 。 kono shatsu wa ikura desuka ?       How much is this shirt? B: （そのシャツは） 5000 円です。 (sono shatsu wa) gosenen desu.       That shirt is 5000 yen. A: 学生食堂のカレーは いくらですか gakusēshokudō no karē wa ikura desuka ?       How much is the curry and rice in the student cafeteria? B: （学生食堂のカレーは） 300 円です (gakusēshokudō no karē wa)sanbyakuen desu.        The curry and rice are 300 yen. Note: In the examples above, " いくらですか " i...

  26.  Counting Items and People Individually Using (Number)+Counter “zutsu” In Japanese, we have a structure pattern that allows us to refer to each individual item or person when there are two or more of them. We use the format (Number)+Counter “zutsu” to describe the quantity of items or people we take from a group of the same kind. Examples: テーブルの上にりんごとオレンジが 3 つずつ あります。 Tēburu no ue ni ringo to orenji ga  mittsu zutsu  arimasu. There are three apples and oranges each on the table. 私のかばんの中に教科書とノートが 5 冊ずつ あります。 Watashi no kaban no naka ni kyōkasho to nōto ga  gosatsu zutsu  arimasu. There are five textbooks and five notebooks each in my bag. 教室に男の学生と女の学生が 6 人ずつ います。 Kyōshitsu ni otoko no gakusē to onna no gakusē ga  rokunin zutsu  imasu. There are six male and female students each in the classroom. It's important to note that “zutsu ( ずつ )” can also be used in other contexts, such as describing simultaneous actions or events happening at the sam...

  25. Describing Multiple Items or People in Japanese Using (Number)+Counter This structure pattern is used to describe the existence of multiple things or people/animals. Examples: テーブルの上にノートが １冊 とペンが １本 あります。   Tēburu no ue ni nōto ga  issatsu  to pen ga  ippon  arimasu. There is one notebook and one pen on the table. 教室に先生が １人 と学生が ３人 います。 Kyōshitsu ni sensē ga  hitori  to gakusē ga  sannin  imasu. There is one teacher and three students in the classroom. 私の家に犬が １匹 と猫が ４匹 います。 watashi no uchi ni inu ga  ippiki  to neko ga  yonhiki  imasu. There is one dog and four cats in my house. Note that you can also use “ ～つ  (tsu)“ to count any things. Example: 机の上にノートが １つ とペンが １つ あります。 Tsukue no ue ni nōto ga  hitostu  to pen ga  hitotsu  arimasu. There is one notebook and one pen on the table.

  24.  Counting Objects and People in Japanese Counting objects and people is an essential skill in Japanese. This article will explore the structure pattern of "Number+Counter あります (arimasu)/ います (imasu)” used to inquire about quantities and provide answers accordingly. To ask how many things or people/animals are in a certain place, we use the pattern “Introgative+Counter ありますか (arimasuka)/ いますか (imasuka)” Let's look at some examples: A: 箱の中にりんごが いくつありますか 。 Hako no naka ni ringo ga ikutsu arimasuka ?  How many apples are there in the box? B: ( 箱の中にりんごが ) ８つあります 。   (Hako no naka ni ringo ga) 8 tsu arimasu . There are 8 apples (in the box). A: 机の上に本が 何冊ありますか 。 Tsukue n oue ni hon ga nan satsu arimasuka ?  How many books are there on the desk? B: ( 机の上に ) ７冊あります 。 (Tsukue n oue ni) hon ga nana satsu arimasu .  There are 7 books on the desk. A: 教室に学生が 何人いますか 。 Kyōshitsu ni gakusē ga nan nin imasuka ? How many students are there in the classroom? B:...

Superstition: The Middle Person in a Photo Have you ever heard the superstition that the middle person in a photo of three would die? It is a belief deeply rooted in Japanese culture. According to this superstition, people believe that the middle person in a photograph is destined to face misfortune or even death. This belief stems from the early days of photography when cameras were a mysterious invention to many. During that time, people couldn't comprehend how photography worked as it was beyond their understanding. Consequently, they developed a story to explain the process using their limited knowledge. The story goes that cameras had the power to capture and transfer one's soul into the pictures. It was believed that the cameras extracted the most souls from individuals positioned in the middle of the photo. This is why many still hold the belief that their souls will be drained if they stand in the middle and tend to avoid it. While this superstition originated from a l...

  23. Asking about Existence: "nanika/dareka V-masu, nanimo/daremo V-masen" This pattern is used to ask if there is something or someone at a specific place, and "nanimo/daremo V masen" is used to indicate that there is nothing or no one there. A: 箱の中に 何かありますか 。 Hako no naka ni nanika arimasuka ?  Is there anything in the box? B:  いいえ、 何もありません 。 Īe, (hako no naka ni) nanimo arimasen .  No, there is nothing (in the box). A: 教室に 誰かいますか 。 Kyōshitsu ni dareka imasuka ?  Is there anyone in the classroom? B: いいえ、 誰もいません 。 Īe, (kyōshitsu ni) daremo imasen .  No, there is no one (in the classroom). A: 机の上に 何かありますか 。 Tsukue no ue ni nanika arimasuka ?  Is there anything on the desk? B: はい、本やノートなどがあります。 Hai, (tsukue no ue ni) hon ya nōto nado ga arimasu. Yes, there are books, notebooks, and other things (on the desk). Please note that when responding to questions using this structure pattern, " はい " (yes) should be used for affirmative answers, and "...

Superstition: Are Long Wallets Still in Style? In Japan, long wallets have been linked to superstitions related to good luck, wealth, and higher incomes. But why do people believe that long wallets bring good fortune? It stems from the idea of treating money with care and respect. Using a long wallet allows you to keep banknotes unfolded, which is seen as a polite way of handling money. On the other hand, folding wallets may be considered less considerate since folding banknotes and sitting on the wallets in your back pocket could be disrespectful to money. However, with the increasing prevalence of electronic payments and smartphone transactions in recent years (as of 2023), lifestyle patterns have undergone significant changes. More people are embracing cashless payment methods, reducing the need to carry physical cash. As a result, traditional cash wallets, including long wallets, are expected to decline over time. With their large and bulky nature, long wallets may become less pr...

  22.  Locating Things and People: "N wa Doko ni Arimasuka/Imasuka?"   This structure pattern is used to ask about the location of a specific thing or person. A: AI ホテル はどこにありますか 。 Ai hoteru wa doko ni arimasuka ? Where is the Ai Hotel? B: (AI ホテルは ) 伊豆にあります。 (Ai hoteru wa) Izu ni arimasu.  The Ai Hotel is in Izu. A: マリアさん はどこにいますか 。 Maria-san wa doko ni imasuka ?  Where is Maria? B: ( マリアさんは食堂にいます。 ) (Maria-san wa) shokudō ni imasu.  Maria is at the cafeteria. You can also use the phrase "N wa doko desuka?" instead of "N wa doko ni arimasuka/imasuka?" A: AI ホテルはどこですか。 Ai hoteru wa doko desuka ?  Where is the I Hotel? B: (AI ホテルは ) 伊豆です。 (Ai hoteru wa) izu desu.  The I Hotel is in Izu. A: マリアさんはどこですか。 Maria-san wa doko desuka ?  Where is Maria? B: マリアさんは食堂です。 Maria-san wa shokudō desu.   Maria is at the cafeteria. There is a difference between "(place) ni N ga arimasuka/imasuka?" and "N wa doko ni arimasuka/imasuka?" ...