Grammar Notes: Lesson 1
Noun Sentence 1: Non-Past Affirmative and Negative
This lesson introduces basic noun sentences and polite sentence endings.
[Noun A] は [Noun B] です。
Description
Use this pattern to say that [Noun A] is [Noun B].
は is a particle indicating the topic of the sentence. It introduces [Noun A] as the topic and gives an explanation about it with [Noun B].
です indicates judgment and assertion of [Noun B]. It also conveys the speaker's politeness toward the listener.
Examples
| Japanese | Romaji | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| わたしはリン・シンです。 | Watashi wa Rin Shin desu. | I am Lin Xin. |
Usage Notes
- The particle は is pronounced wa, not ha, when it is used as a topic particle.
- です is a polite sentence ending.
[Noun A] は [Noun B] じゃありません。
Description
Use this pattern to say that [Noun A] is not [Noun B].
じゃありません is the negative form of です. In formal speech or written language, ではありません is used instead.
Examples
| Japanese | Romaji | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| わたしはリンじゃありません。 | Watashi wa Rin ja arimasen. | I am not Lin. |
| リンさんは学生ですか。 | Rin-san wa gakusei desu ka. | Is Lin a student? |
| いいえ、学生じゃありません。 | Iie, gakusei ja arimasen. | No, I am not a student. |
Usage Notes
- When expressing that something is incorrect or when disagreeing, いいえ and じゃありません are often used together.
- ではありません is more formal than じゃありません.
[Sentence] か。
Description
Use か at the end of a sentence to form a question.
The word order of an interrogative sentence is the same as a declarative sentence. When pronouncing か, raise the intonation at the end.
Examples
| Japanese | Romaji | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| リンさんは学生ですか。 | Rin-san wa gakusei desu ka. | Is Lin a student? |
| ミラーさんはアメリカ人ですか。 | Mirā-san wa Amerika-jin desu ka. | Is Mr. Miller an American? |
| はい、アメリカ人です。 | Hai, Amerika-jin desu. | Yes, he is an American. |
| ミラーさんは先生ですか。 | Mirā-san wa sensei desu ka. | Is Mr. Miller a teacher? |
| いいえ、先生じゃありません。 | Iie, sensei ja arimasen. | No, he is not a teacher. |
Usage Notes
- か is a sentence-final question particle.
- Japanese questions can use the same word order as statements.
[Noun A] も [Noun B] です。
Description
The particle も means "also" or "too." It can replace the particle は.
Examples
| Japanese | Romaji | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| キムさんも学生です。 | Kimu-san mo gakusei desu. | Kim is also a student. |
| リンさんは学生です。 | Rin-san wa gakusei desu. | Lin is a student. |
| キムさんも学生です。 | Kimu-san mo gakusei desu. | Kim is also a student. |
Usage Notes
- Use も when adding similar information about another person or thing.
- も replaces は in this pattern.
[Noun A] の [Noun B]
Description
の connects two nouns. The first noun explains, identifies, or limits the second noun.
Examples
| Japanese | Romaji | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| リンさんは日本語学校の学生です。 | Rin-san wa nihongo gakkō no gakusei desu. | Lin is a student of the Japanese language school. |
| ミラーさんはIMCの社員です。 | Mirā-san wa IMC no shain desu. | Mr. Miller is an employee of IMC. |
| 山田さんはさくら大学の先生です。 | Yamada-san wa Sakura Daigaku no sensei desu. | Mr. Yamada is a teacher at Sakura University. |
Usage Notes
- の links nouns together.
- In this lesson, の is used to show affiliation or relationship.
～さん
Description
In Japanese, さん is added after the name of the listener or a third person to show respect from the speaker.
Examples
| Japanese | Romaji | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| あの方はミラーさんです。 | Ano kata wa Mirā-san desu. | That person is Mr. Miller. |
Usage Notes
- さん can never be used after the speaker's own name.
- Use さん after another person's name in polite conversation.