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Showing posts from September, 2023

XはYです

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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 ...
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How do you use "から" and “まで”?

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This sentence pattern (____ から ____ まで ) is used to indicate the beginning and end of a certain duration or length. For example: The summer holiday is from July 20th to September 5th. 夏休みは 7 月 20 日から 9 月 5 日までです。 (natsuyasumi wa shichigatsu hatsuka kara kugatsu ituka made desu.) The afternoon break is from 12:00 to 12:50. 昼休みは 12 時から 12 時 50 分までです。 (hiruyasumi wa jūniji kara jūniji gojuppun made desu.) The exam covers from lesson 1 to lesson 5. テストは 1 課から 5 課までです。 (tesuto wa ikka kara goka made desu.) Note: " から (kara)" indicates the starting point of time or movement. " まで (made)" expresses the ending point of time or movement. You do not always have to use both " から " and " まで " in a sentence. For example: The summer holiday is from July. 夏休みは 7 月からです。 (natsuyasumi wa shichigatsu kara desu.) I go to the station. ( 私は ) 駅まで行きます。 ((watashi wa) eki made ikimasu.) " まで (made)" serves the same purpose as ...
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Location: Japan
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32. Mastering Japanese Date and Day of the Week Phrases: “Nangatsu Nannichi and Nanyōbi”

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  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...
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Location: Japan
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