Japanese Jungle

  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.