“Learning the Language of Japanese”

Author: Bagongon, Christian Kaki

Lesson no. 1: Alphabet of Japanese

Letter Sound in Japanese

a father
b boy, sometimes is softer sound like the letter v
c cow
ch choose
d dog
e seven
f frog (very soft)
g go (slightly softer sound though)
h hello
i ee sound in street
j judge (softer sound)
k k it but not aspirated (softer sound)
l long
m monkey
n nose
o open
p pan
q k sound in k , it always followed by silent u
r combine D and L sounds
s sing
sh shoe (also softer sound)
t time
u ou sound in you or too
v violin
w wallet
x exit
y yacht
z zebra

Note: There are NO silent vowels. If two vowels occur in a row they are pronounced twice as long, otherwise each
vowel is pronounced if one follows another. There are double consonants as well that are pronounced as expected
given the above guide.
Lesson no. 2: Grammar

I. Part 1 Sentences
A. Basic Sentence Structure

Subject + Verb + Object

The order of a sentence in Japanese starts with the subject, then the object, and then the verb. This is quite
different from English where the verb precedes the object.

B. Verbs

1. Two types of verbs:

U-dropping verbs do not end in -eru or -iru (with a few exceptions).
Ru-dropping verbs end in -eru or -iru.

2. KAKU (u-dropping verb) to write

write,will write kaku / kakimasu present

will not write kakanai / kakimasen
(plain / polite)

wrote, written kaita / kakimashita past

did not write, not written kakanakatta / kakimasendeshita

writing kaite Te form (used for polite commands, asking permission,

not writing kakanakute and more)

if I write kakeba or kaitara / kakimashitara Conditional form (-ra form more approprate for "when"
if I do/did not write kakanakareba or kakanakattara / than "if")
kakimasendeshitara

will probably write kaku darou / kaku deshou Presumptive form

will probably not write kakanai darou / kakanai deshou

let us write kakou Volitional form, plain

let us not write kakimashou

able to write kakeru / kakemasu Potential form

not able to write kakenai / kakemasen

kakareru / kakaremasu Passive form

kakarenai / kakaremasen

made to write kakaseru / kakasemasu Causative form

not made to write kakasenai / kakasemasen

forced to write -adverse affects kakaserareru / kakaseraremasu Causative-passive form

not forced to write -adverse affects kakaserarenai / kakaseraremasen

Exalted okaki ni naru

Humble okaki suru or okaki itas
 3.TABERU (ru-dropping verb) to eat

eat, will eat taberu / tabemasu present

will not eat tabenai / tabemasen
(plain / polite)

ate, eaten tabeta / tabemashita past

did not eat, not eaten tabenakatta / tabemasendeshita

eating tabete Te form (used for polite commands, asking permission,

not eating tabenakute and more)

if I eat tabereba or tabetara / tabemashitara Conditional form (-ra form more approprate for "when"
if I do/did not eat tabenakareba or tabenakattara / than "if")
tabemasendeshitara

will probably eat taberu darou / taberu deshou Presumptive form

will probably not eat tabenai darou / tabenai deshou

let us eat tabeyou Volitional form, plain

let us not eat tabemashou

able to eat taberareru or tabereru / taberaremasu Potential form

not able to eat taberarenai / taberaremasen

taberareru / taberaremasu Passive form (same as potential)

taberarenai / taberaremasen

made to eat tabesaseru / tabesasemasu Causative form

not made to eat tabesasenai / tabesasemasen

made to eat -adverse affects tabesaserareru / tabesaseraremasu Causative-passive form

not made to eat -adverse affects tabesaserarenai / tabesaseraremasen

Exalted otabe ni naru or otabe nasaru or meshiagaru

Humble itadaku

C.Nouns
Nouns (Particles)
Instead of articles, Japanese uses particles (wa, ga, no, o, e, ni, de, ka). These are found after the word they modify.
Anata wa yasashii.
nice (particle) you => you are nice

Wa indicates the topic of the sentence, like "as for" in English.

Like wa, ga marks the subject by coming after it. Ga shows the emphasized, or active subjects. Subtle difference.
Hiroshi san wa sensei desu.
Hiroshi (as for) teacher is. => Hiroshi is a teacher.

no indicates the word before it has possession of the word after it.
Hiroshi wa anata no sensei desu.
Hiroshi (as for) your (belongs to) teacher is. => Hiroshi is your teacher.
Kore wa Hiroshi kara no tegami desu. => This is a letter from Hiroshi.
Kore wa Hiroshi e no tegami desu. => This is a letter to Hiroshi.
 D. Adjectives
There are two types of adjectives. Both are used as descriptive words and can modify nouns. One type ends in
-i, the other connects nouns using na. The na adjectives are not original Japanese words. Most are from Chinese,
others may be from other languages. What makes adjectives different is that the adjective is part verb.

Oishii (tasty or delicious) is an example of an -i adjective. The root is oishi, and the additional -i ending makes it an
adjective. Not all adjectives ending in "i" are -i adjectives.
Oishii sushi
delicious sushi

Sushi wa oishii desu

sushi (as for) delicious (present positive) is (present positive) => the sushi is delicious

Sushi wa oishikunai desu

sushi (as for) delicious (present negative) is (present positive) => the sushi is not delicious

Sushi wa oishikatta desu

sushi (as for) delicious (past) is => the sushi was delicious

Sushi wa oishikunakatta desu

sushi (as for) delicious (past negative) is => the sushi was not delicious

Note that the tense for desu did not change in this example. (If arimasen is used you still change the ending on the
root of oishi.) As you can see, to make the adjective negative you go to the root and add -ku and then -nai (present)
or -nakatta (past). The -ku part is almost like adding -ly to English adjectives. Slow => Slowly. Japanese takes it a
bit farther.

Here is an example of the na adjective connecting the adjective and then the noun:
genki na hito => healthy person
yuumei na isha => famous doctor
taisetsu na jugyou => important class

E.Preposition
inside, among => naka
The cat is inside the box.=> Neko wa hako no naka ni iru.
Hiroshi is popular among the students.=> Hiroshi wa gakusei no naka de ninkimono desu.

outside => soto

The kids are playing outside. => Kodomotachi wa soto de asonde iru.

above, on top of => ue

below, underneath => shita
The dictionary is on the desk. => Jisho wa tsukue no ue ni aru.
The dictionary is under the desk. => Jisho wa tsukue no shita ni aru.

in front of => mae

behind => ushiro or ura
across from => mukai
next to => soba, yoko, or tonari
between => aida
near => chikai, or chikaku ni
far => tooi
 F.Adverbs

To form an adverb use the following information:

Adjective ending Add to stem
(remove)
-i +ku
-na +ni
For example:
cheap => yasui
cheaply => yasuku

quick => hayai

quickly => hayaku

Other adverbs (not made from adjectives):

yesterday => kino
today => kyo
only => bakkari
very => totemo, taihen
slowly => yukkuri
more => motto
a little => sukoshi
Lesson no. 3: Phrases

Here are some conversational phrases that are essential for survival:

English Japanese
Good morning. Ohayou (gozaimasu). [add words in () to show politeness]
Good afternoon. Konnichi wa. [can be used anytime = Hello]
Good evening. (greeting) Konban wa.
Hello, my name is John. Konnichi wa, John desu.
Pleased to meet you. Hajimemashite.
What is your name? What is your name?
How are you? (O)genki (desu ka)?
Goodbye. Sayounara.(formal) Dewa mata. (less formal)
I am lost. Where is the restroom? I am lost. Where is the restroom?
the hotel the hotel
the restaurant the restaurant
the airport the airport
the American embassy the American embassy
Excuse me. Excuse me.
Please. Please.
Thank you. (Doumo) arigatou (gozaimasu).
You are welcome. Dou itashimashite.
How much does it cost? How much does it cost?
Will you by this? Kore o kau ka?
What time is it? What time is it?
How do you say maybe in japanese? How do you say maybe in Japanese?
Yes. Hai.
No. iie.
I do not understand. I do not understand.
Would you speak slower, please. Would you speak slower, please.

* Other words for "yes", depending on situation:

Douzo => "please do, go right ahead."
ee. (more formal)
un => "yeah" (less formal)
Other words for "no", depending on situation:
ie. (less formal)
iya. => "nope" (less formal)
uun. => "oh, no" (less formal)
Lesson no. 4: Common Nouns
1. Directions, Places and Transportations
Driving Directions
How do we get to _? =>
Where is _? =>
What time does it leave? =>
Can you draw it for me? =>
map => chizu, shazo
corner => kado, ikkaku
street => doori, gairo
city => toshi, tokai
downtown => shitamichi
Places
airport => hiko'jo
bakery => pan'ya
bank => ginko, kinko
beach => hamabe, hama
cafe => chamise
church => kyo'kai, seido
factory => ko'jo, ko'ba
garden => teien, niwa
grocery store => kanbutsuya
home => katei, kataku
hospital => byo'in
library => toshokan, bunko
market => ichiba, ichi
movie theater => eigakan
museum => hakubutsukan, myu'jiamu
Transportation
to accelerate => hayameru, fukasu
to break => kowasu, waru
to stop => osaeru, todomeru
to go =>
turn left =>
turn right =>
go straight => chokusetsu-ni
pastry shop =>
park => ko'en, teien
pharmacy => yakkyoku, kusuriya
police station => keisatsusho, tonsho
post office => yu'binkyoku
pool => mizutamari
restaurant => resutoran, inshokuten
school => gakko, gakusha
stadium => sutajiamu
store => ten, mise
train station =>
town hall => ko'kaido, yakuba
bookstore => hon'ya, shobo
zoo => do'butsuen
by airplane => to fly => tobu, ageru
by bicycle => to float => uku, ukabu
by boat => to walk => aruku, ayumu
by bus => to drive (car) => untensuru, k
by car =>
on foot =>
by moped =>
by motorcycle =>
by subway =>
by taxi =>
by train =>

2. Work

Business

office => jimusho to pay => harau

city => nejiro to buy => kau
the rent => karichin to sell => uru
tax => zeikin to cost => kakaru
the cost => daika to rent => kariru
price => nedan to deposit => yokinsuru
bill => kanjo
estimate => sekisan
check => ichimatsu
travelers check =>
balance =>
passport => pasupo'to
luggage/baggage => ko'ri
currency exchange => kahei
customs => kanzei
entrance => hairiguchi
exit => deguchi
information => jo'ho

Jobs
actor (m/f) => haiyu librarian => shisho
accountant => kaikeishi mechanic => ko'sho
architect => kenchikuka nurse => kangoshi
attorney/lawyer => dairinin / bengoshi pharmacist => yakuzaishi
baker => police officer => keisatsukan
banker => ginko'in postal worker =>
business person => jigyo'sha professor => kyo'ju
carpenter => daiku psychologist => shinrigakusha
computer programmer => purogurama reporter => kisha
cook => retired => intaishita
dentist => shikaishi salesperson => uriko
doctor => isha secretary => hisho
electrician => denkiko
engineer => gishi
factory worker => ko'in
fire fighter =>
hair dresser => headoressa
intern => inta'n
judge => saibankan
3. Food
breakfast => cho'shoku, asameshi
lunch => chu'jiki
dinner => gosan, bansan
bowl => ojigi, yumi
cup => kappu, chawan
fork => fo'ku, kumade, mata
knife => naifu, to, deba
plate => sara, pure'to
spoon => saji
beer => biiru, bakushu
coffee => ko'hi, kafe
juice => shiru, ekiju
milk => gyu'nyu, miruku
tea => ocha, cha
water => mizu, suiiki
wine => budo'shu, kajitsushu
dessert => deza'to
ice cream => aisukuri'mu
cake => keki
pie => pai
butter => nyu'raku
jam => jamu, kyo'saku
sugar => sato, shuga
salt => shio, en
pepper => kosho, peppa
soup => su'pu, shiru
singer => kashu
student => gakusei
taxi driver => untenshu
teacher => gakkou no sensei
veterinarian => ju'i
writer => hissha
bread => pan
pasta => pasuta
cereal => kokumotsu
rice => bei, gohan
fruit => kudamono
apple => ringo
banana => banana
orange => orenji, daidai
grapes => budo
peach => momo
tomato => tomato
watermelon => suika
meat => niku, nikurui
chicken => niwatori
turkey => shichimencho
ham => hamu, hiniku
fish => sakana
egg => tamago
cheese => chi'zu, kanraku
vegetable => sosai, yasai
lettuce => chisha, retasu
broccoli =>
carrot => ninjin
celery => serori
cucumber => kyu'ri, kappa
salad => sarada
4. Body and Clothing

head => kashira, atama hat => bo'shi

brain => no'zui, zuno earrings => mimikazari
hair => kami-no-ke shirt => waishatsu
face => kao blouse => burausu
ear => mim dress => kinu
eye => me pants => zubon
mouth => kuchi jeans => ji'nzu
nose => hana shorts => sho'topantsu
neck => kubi skirt => suka'to
shoulder => kata socks => kutsushita
chest => mune shoes => kutsu
stomach => icho swimsuit =>
waist => yo'bu underwear => shitagi
back =>senaka gloves => tebukuro
heart => shinzo belt => beruto, obi
arm => ude coat => ko'to
elbow => hiji ring => wa, kan
wrist => tekubi
hand => te My arm hurts. =>
finger => yubi Are you hurt? =>
leg => ashi I have a headache. =>
thigh => futomomo Do you have aspirin? =>
shin => muko'zune You are hurting me. =>
foot => ashi Don't hurt him/her. =>
toe => ashi-no-yubi

5. Animals

dog => inu forest => mori, shinrin, hayashi

cat => neko tree => ki, ueki
mouse => nezumi plant => shokubutsu
bird => tori flower => hana
chicken/rooster => niwatori / ondori jungle => kusamura
cow => meushi ocean => taikai, kaiyo
duck => ahiru river => kawa, taiga
goat => ko'shaku-no pond => ike
horse => uma lake => mizu'mi, kosui
pig => buta hill => oka, koyama
sheep => hitsuji mountain => yama, sangaku
 waterfall => taki, bakufu
lion => shishi rainbow => niji
tiger => tora sky => sora, ten
bear => kuma cloud => kumo, moya
elephant => zo rain => ame, shikke
monkey => saru snow => yuki, rikka
skunk => itachi
opossum => fukuronezumi
eagle => washi
fish => sakana
whale => kujira

6. House

house => ie, kaoku table => te'buru

apartment => apa'to, doeringu chair => isu, ishi
room => heya, shitsu couch => isu, nagaisu
living room => ima, omotezashiki desk => tsukue, desuku
kitchen => daidokoro, kitchin, naisho window => mado
dining room => shokudo door => doa, to
hallway => genkan wall => kabe, hei
stairs => kaidan, hashigo bed => beddo, shindai
bathroom => yokushitsu, furoba blanket => mo'fu
bathtub => yokuso, yubune television => terebi
shower => shawa, tooriame radio => rajio, musenki
sink => nagashi, tame refrigerator => hiyasu
roof => yane, tencho stove => renji
garage => gare'ji, shako oven => o'bun, tenpi
yard => niwa, ya'do dishwasher =>
closet => oshiire microwave => maikuroha
light => hikari, akari
garbage => haihin

7. Family

family => kazoku, katei grandchildren => mago

relatives => shinseki, enja grandson => magomusuko
parents => granddaughter => magomusume
mother => haha, okusan niece => mei, meigosan
father => chichi, otôsan nephew => oi, oigosan
brother => kei, ototo cousin => itoko
sister => nee, mai husband => otto, shujin goshujin
son => musuko, musukosan wife => tsuma, kanai okusan
daughter => musume, musumesan single => hitoe
uncle => oji, ojisan married => kekkonshiteiru
aunt => oba, obasan divorced => batsuichi
grandmother => sobo, obaasan widow => mibo'jin, yamome
grandfather => sofu, ojiisan

http://www.languagelearninglibrary.org/japanese/numbers.htm