Japanese Jungle

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 ...

  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...

 31. Asking and Telling Time in Japanese  Do you wonder how to ask for the time in Japanese? The structure pattern "なんじ ですか" (nanji desu ka?) is your go-to for asking about the time, while the formula "(number) +時 (number)+分 です" is used to tell the time.  Asking the Time :
To ask someone for the time, you can use the phrase "なんじ ですか" (nanji desu ka?): 
いま なんじ です か (ima nanji desu ka?)。 - What time is it now?
 Telling the Time :
When it comes to telling time, follow this formula:
いま じゅうにじ ごじゅうごふん です(今12時55分です)。- It is twelve fifty-five now.
 しちじはんです (7時半です)。- It is half past seven.  よじ さんぷん まえ です(４時３分前です)。- It is three to four.
 くじ じゅうごふん すぎ です(9時15分すぎです)。- It is fifteen minutes past nine.
 Important Notes :
There are a few essential things to keep in mind when discussing time in Japanese: Clock Reading: Pay attention to the correct readings for specific hours.  
Incorrect: よん じ, なな じ, きゅう じ
 Correct: よ じ, しち じ, く じ Using "Sugi" and "Mae...

  30. Expressing Quantity: "Shika" and "Mo" In Japanese, "shika" and "mo" are used to emphasize the quantity of something. "Shika" is used when the amount is considered too small, while "mo" is used when the amount is considered large. Examples: しか (shika) コピーの紙が 5 枚 しか ありません。 (Kopī no kami ga gomai shika arimasen.) There are only five sheets of photocopying paper. 教室に学生が三人 しか いません。 (Kyōshitsu ni gakusē ga sannin shika imasen.) There are only three students in the classroom. この池に魚が少し しか いません。 Kono ike ni sakana ga sukoshi shika imasen. There are only a few numbers of fish in this pond. も (Mo) リーさんの机の上に教科書が 4 冊 も あります。 Rī-san no tsukue no ue ni kyōkasho ga yonsatsu mo arimasu. There are as many as four textbooks on Lee's desk. 教室に学生が二十人 も います。 Kyōshitsu ni gakusē ga nijūnin mo imasu. There are as many as twenty students in a classroom. It's important to remember that the perception of what is considered l...

   29.  Expressing Total Prices: (Number)+Counter で Yen In this guide, we will explore the structure pattern of using "(Number)+Counter で Yen" to convey the total cost of items. Whether you're shopping, negotiating prices, or simply discussing expenses, mastering this language pattern will greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Japanese.  オレンジは 5 つで 400 円 です。 Orenji wa itsutsu de yonhyaku en desu.  The oranges are 400 yen for 5. このノートは 1 冊 150 円です。 3 冊で 450 円 です。 Kono nōto wa issatsu hyakugojūen desu. sansatsu de yonhyakugojūen desu. These notebooks are 150 yen for each, and 450 yen for three. 本は 全部で 1 万円 です。 Hon wa zenbu de ichiman-en desu. These books are 10000 yen for all. "zenbu de( 全部で )” means "in total", and it is often used with this sentence structure. Note that you must use the particle " で " (de) when mentioning multiple objects of a single kind.  Example: このノートは 3 冊 で 450 円です。 (kono nōto wa sansatsu de yo...

   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:...