UNIT 6

Conjugation patterns of predicates

The predicate typically describes what the subject does or what the subject
is, and appears at the end of a sentence. While the subject can be omitted,
every Japanese sentence must have a predicate.

(ࠃߒߎߪ) ᧪ߥ߆ߞߚ‫ޕ‬
᧪ߥ߆ߞߚ “Yoshiko/she didn’t come.”
( yoshiko wa) konakatta

There are three types of predicates in Japanese: nouns accompanied by

the copula verb da, adjectives, and verbs. A predicate conjugates according
to whether it is: (i) plain or polite, (ii) non-past or past, and (iii) affirmative
or negative. Thus, each Japanese predicate has eight basic conjugation
forms.

Basic conjugation of noun + da

As you learned in Unit 3, Japanese nouns can become predicates when

combined with the copula verb. Here is the conjugation pattern of noun
predicates.

[Noun + copula da]

Affirmative Negative

Non-past ቇ↢ߛ ߛ ߓ߾ߥ޿h

ቇ↢ߓ߾ߥ޿
Plain

gakusee da gakusee ja nai

“am/are/is a student” “am/are/is not a student”

Past ߛߞߚ
ቇ↢ߛߞߚ ቇ↢ߓ߾ߥ߆ߞߚ
ߓ߾ߥ߆ߞߚ
gakusee datta gakusee ja nakatta
“was/were a student” “was/were not a student”

51
6 Affirmative Negative
Conjugation
patterns of Non-past ቇ↢ߢߔ ߢߔ ߓ߾ߥ޿ߢߔ̐
ቇ↢ߓ߾ߥ޿ߢߔ
Polite
predicates
gakusee desu gakusee ja nai desu
“am/are/is a student ቇ↢ߓ߾޽ࠅ߹ߖࠎ
ߓ߾޽ࠅ߹ߖࠎ
[polite]” gakusee ja arimasen
“am/are/is not a student [polite]”
Past ቇ↢ߢߒߚߢߒߚ ቇ↢ߓ߾ߥ߆ߞߚߢߔ
ߓ߾ߥ߆ߞߚߢߔ
gakusee deshita gakusee ja nakatta desu
“was/were a student ቇ↢ߓ߾޽ࠅ߹ߖࠎߢߒߚ
ߓ߾޽ࠅ߹ߖࠎߢߒߚ
[polite]” gakusee ja arimasen deshita
“was/were not a student [polite]”
§
ja nai is a shortened form of de wa nai. ̐ The polite negatives have alternative forms.

⑳ߪ㖧࿖ੱߢߔ
㖧࿖ੱߢߔ‫ޕ‬ [ polite]
watashi wa kankokujin desu
“I am Korean.”
ᤓᣣߪભߺߓ߾ߥ߆ߞߚ
ભߺߓ߾ߥ߆ߞߚ‫ޕ‬ [ plain]
kinoo wa yasumi ja nakatta
“Yesterday was not my day off.”

Basic conjugation of adjectives

Japanese has two classes of adjectives: na-adjectives and i-adjectives. The
conjugation pattern of a na-adjective is exactly the same as a noun.

[Na-adjective]

Affirmative Negative
Non-past 㕒߆ߛ ߛ 㕒߆ߓ߾ߥ޿
ߓ߾ߥ޿
Plain

shizuka da shizuka ja nai

“am/are/is quiet” “am/are/is not quiet”
Past 㕒߆ߛߞߚ
ߛߞߚ 㕒߆ߓ߾ߥ߆ߞߚ
ߓ߾ߥ߆ߞߚ
shizuka datta shizuka ja nakatta
“was/were quiet” “was/were not quiet”

Non-past 㕒߆ߢߔ ߢߔ 㕒߆ߓ߾ߥ޿ߢߔ

ߓ߾ߥ޿ߢߔ
Polite

shizuka desu shizuka ja nai desu

“am/are/is quiet 㕒߆ߓ߾޽ࠅ߹ߖࠎ
ߓ߾޽ࠅ߹ߖࠎ
[polite]” shizuka ja arimasen
“am/are/is not quiet [polite]”
Past 㕒߆ߢߒߚߢߒߚ 㕒߆ߓ߾ߥ߆ߞߚߢߔ
ߓ߾ߥ߆ߞߚߢߔ
52 shizuka deshita shizuka ja nakatta desu
“was/were quiet 㕒߆ߓ߾޽ࠅ߹ߖࠎߢߒߚ
ߓ߾޽ࠅ߹ߖࠎߢߒߚ
[polite]” shizuka ja arimasen deshita
“was/were not quiet [polite]”
 ᳓ߪ߈ࠇ޿ߓ߾ߥ߆ߞߚߢߔ
߈ࠇ޿ߓ߾ߥ߆ߞߚߢߔ‫[ ޕ‬polite] Basic
conjugation
mizu wa kiree ja nakatta desu of verbs
“The water was not clean.”
࠹ࠬ࠻ߪ◲නߛߞߚ◲නߛߞߚ‫ޕ‬ [plain]
tesuto wa kantan datta
“The exam was easy.”

The other class of adjectives, i-adjectives, has a different conjugation

pattern. Therefore, it is important to learn to which class each adjective
belongs.

[I-adjective]

Affirmative Negative
Non-past ᄢ߈޿ ޿ ᄢ߈ߊߥ޿
ߊߥ޿
Plain

ookii ookiku nai

“am/are/is big” “am/are/is not big”

Past ᄢ߈߆ߞߚ
߆ߞߚ ᄢ߈ߊߥ߆ߞߚ
ߊߥ߆ߞߚ
ookikatta ookiku nakatta
“was/were big” “was/were not big”

Non-past ᄢ߈޿ߢߔ
޿ߢߔ ᄢ߈ߊߥ޿ߢߔ
ߊߥ޿ߢߔ
Polite

ookii desu ookiku nai desu

“am/are/is big [polite]” ᄢ߈ߊ޽ࠅ߹ߖࠎ
ߊ޽ࠅ߹ߖࠎ
ookiku arimasen
“am/are/is not big [polite]”
Past ߆ߞߚߢߔ
ᄢ߈߆ߞߚߢߔ ᄢ߈ߊߥ߆ߞߚߢߔ
ߊߥ߆ߞߚߢߔ
ookikatta desu ookiku nakatta desu
“was/were big [polite]” ᄢ߈ߊ޽ࠅ߹ߖࠎߢߒߚ
ߊ޽ࠅ߹ߖࠎߢߒߚ
ookiku arimasen deshita
“was/were not big [polite]”

ᦨㄭ‫ޔ‬ᔔߒ޿ߢߔᔔߒ޿ߢߔ‫ޕ‬ [polite]
saikin, isogashii desu
“I have been busy lately.”
ᤓᣣߪᥦ߆ߊߥ߆ߞߚ
ᥦ߆ߊߥ߆ߞߚ‫ޕ‬ [plain]
kinoo wa atatakaku nakatta
“It wasn’t warm yesterday.”

Basic conjugation of verbs

Japanese verbs are classified into three types according to their conjugation 53
pattern: godan dooshi “FIVE-ROW VERBS”, ichidan dooshi “ONE-ROW VERBS”,
6 and irregular verbs. (See Unit 2 for the explanation of “rows”.) One com-
Conjugation monly used classification system refers to the three types as Type I,
patterns of
predicates
Type II, and Type III. Alternatively, five-row verbs and one-row verbs
may be referred to as “ru-verbs” and “u-verbs,” or “consonant verbs” and
“vowel verbs.” However, in this book, we will adopt the translation of the
traditional Japanese terminology, “five-row verbs” and “one-row verbs.”
We will start with one-row verbs, which exhibit the simplest conjugation
pattern.

One-row verbs ( ru-verbs)

The following table shows the conjugation pattern of one-row verbs, with
taberu “eat” as an example. Note that the translations of the non-past
forms below contain “will” in the parentheses. This is because the non-past
forms of Japanese action verbs (see Unit 3) such as taberu “eat” usually
describe future actions or present habits.

[One-row verb]

Affirmative Negative

Non-past 㘩ߴࠆ ࠆ 㘩ߴߥ޿ߥ޿

Plain

taberu tabenai
“(will) eat” “(will) not eat”

Past 㘩ߴߚ ߚ 㘩ߴߥ߆ߞߚ

ߥ߆ߞߚ
tabeta tabenakatta
“ate” “did not eat”

Non-past 㘩ߴ߹ߔ߹ߔ 㘩ߴ߹ߖࠎ

߹ߖࠎ
Polite

tabemasu tabemasen
“(will) eat [polite]” “(will) not eat [polite]”

Past 㘩ߴ߹ߒߚ߹ߒߚ 㘩ߴ߹ߖࠎߢߒߚ

߹ߖࠎߢߒߚ
tabemashita tabemasen deshita
“ate [polite]” “did not eat [polite]”

The basic rules for deriving these forms are as follows:

(i) The plain non-past affirmative form is the dictionary form.

(ii) Delete -ru from the dictionary form.
(iii) Attach -nai to (ii) to make the plain non-past negative form.
(iv) Attach -ta to (ii) to make the plain past affirmative form.
(v) Attach -nakatta to (ii) to make the plain past negative form.
(vi) Attach -masu, -masen, -mashita, and -masen deshita to (ii) to form
54 the polite counterparts of (i), (iii), (iv), and (v).
 One-row verbs appear uniformly with an i-row or e-row syllable before Basic
conjugation
the conjugational suffixes, as shown below. This is why they are called of verbs
one-row verbs.

߅߈
߈ߥ޿ okinai “do(es) not wake up”
߅߈
߈߹ߔ okimasu “(will) wake up [polite]”
߅߈
߈ࠆ okiru “(will) wake up”
߅߈
߈ࠈ okiro “Wake up!”
߅߈
߈ࠃ߁ okiyoo “Let’s get up!”
㘩ߴ
ߴߥ޿ tabenai “do(es) not eat”
㘩ߴ
ߴ߹ߔ tabemasu “(will) eat [polite]”
㘩ߴ
ߴࠆ taberu “(will) eat”
㘩ߴ
ߴࠈ tabero “Eat!”
㘩ߴ
ߴࠃ߁ tabeyoo “Let’s eat!”

Here are a couple of example sentences.

᣿ᣣ‫ޔ‬ᤋ↹ࠍ⷗߹ߔ ⷗߹ߔ‫ޕ‬ [polite]

ashita, eega o mimasu
“I will see a movie tomorrow.”
਻ᤨ߹ߢ⿠߈ߥ߆ߞߚ⿠߈ߥ߆ߞߚ‫ޕ‬ [plain]
kuji made okinakatta
“I didn’t wake up until 9.”

Five-row verbs (u-verbs)

In contrast to one-row verbs, five-row verbs appear with one of the five
syllable types (a-, i-, u-, e-, or o-row syllable):

⺒߹
߹ߥ޿ yomanai “do(es) not read”
⺒ߺ
ߺ߹ߔ yomimasu “read [polite]”
⺒߻
߻ yomu “read”
⺒߼
߼ yome “Read!”
⺒߽
߽߁ yomoo “Let’s read!”

The basic conjugation of five-row verbs involves the first three syllable
types (a-, i-, and u-row). Here is the conjugation pattern, with kaku “write”
as an example. The bold endings are the same as those of the one-row
verb conjugations.

55
6 [Five-row verb]
Conjugation
patterns of Affirmative Negative
predicates

Non-past ᦠߊ ᦠ߆ߥ޿ߥ޿
Plain

kaku kakanai
“(will) write” “(will) not write”

Past ᦠ޿ߚ ߚ ᦠ߆ߥ߆ߞߚ

ߥ߆ߞߚ
kaita kakanakatta
“wrote” “did not write”

Non-past ᦠ߈߹ߔ߹ߔ ᦠ߈߹ߖࠎ

߹ߖࠎ
Polite

kakimasu kakimasen
“(will) write [polite]” “(will) not write [polite]”

Past ߹ߒߚ
ᦠ߈߹ߒߚ ᦠ߈߹ߖࠎߢߒߚ
߹ߖࠎߢߒߚ
kakimashita kakimasen deshita
“wrote [polite]” “did not write [polite]”

The basic rules for deriving these forms are as follows:

(i) Dictionary forms of five-row verbs end in an u-row syllable: kaku

“write,” hanasu “speak,” wakaru “understand,” etc.
(ii) Before plain negative endings -nai/-nakatta, the u-row syllables of
dictionary forms change into a-row syllables. If the dictionary form
ends in the syllable u (߁), use wa. Aru “exist” is an exception to these
patterns.

u-row → a-row ⺒߻
߻ “read” → ⺒߹
߹ߥ޿ ⺒߹
߹ߥ߆ߞߚ
(Regular negative) yomu yomanai yomanakatta

u → wa ⸒߁
߁ “say” → ⸒ࠊ
ࠊߥ޿ ⸒ࠊ
ࠊߥ߆ߞߚ
(߁ending case) iu iwanai iwanakatta
Exception: ޽ࠆ “exist” → ߥ޿ ߥ߆ߞߚ
aru nai nakatta
(iii) How to produce the plain past affirmative form depends on the last
syllable of the dictionary form. The verb iku “go” is an exception.

-u/-tsu/-ru → -tta ⸒߁
߁/ᓙߟ
ߟ/Ꮻࠆ
ࠆ → ⸒ߞߚ
ߞߚ/ᓙߞߚ
ߞߚ/Ꮻߞߚ
ߞߚ
iu/matsu/kaeru itta/matta/kaetta
“say”/“wait”/“return” “said”/“waited”/“returned”

-mu/-bu/-nu → -nda ⺒߻
߻/๭߱
߱/ᱫߧ
ߧ → ⺒ࠎߛ
ࠎߛ/๭ࠎߛ
ࠎߛ/ᱫࠎߛ
ࠎߛ
56 yomu/yobu/shinu yonda/yonda/shinda
“read”/“call”/“die” “read”/“called”/“died”
 Basic
-su → -shita ⹤ߔߔ hanasu → ⹤ߒߚ
ߒߚ hanashita conjugation
of verbs
“speak” “spoke”

-ku → -ita ᦠߊ
ߊ kaku → ᦠ޿ߚ
޿ߚ kaita
“write” “wrote”

-gu → -ida ᵒߋ
ߋ oyogu → ᵒ޿ߛ
޿ߛ oyoida
“swim” “swam”
Exception: ⴕߊߊ iku → ⴕߞߚ
ߞߚ itta
“go” “went”
(iv) Before polite endings -masu, -mashita, -masen, and -masen deshita,
the u-row syllables of dictionary forms change into i-row syllables.
This rule applies to all five-row verbs.

u-row → i-row ⺒߻
߻ yomu → ⺒ߺ
ߺ߹ߔ yomimasu
“read” “read”

Here are some example sentences.

Ფㅳ㊄ᦐᣣ‫ߢ࡞࡯ࡊޔ‬ᵒ߉߹ߔ ᵒ߉߹ߔ‫ޕ‬ [polite]

maishuu kinyoobi, puuru de oyogimasu
“I swim in the pool every Friday.”
⾰໧߇ಽ߆ࠄߥ߆ߞߚ
ಽ߆ࠄߥ߆ߞߚ‫ޕ‬ [plain]
shitsumon ga wakaranakatta
“I didn’t understand the question.”

One-row and five-row verbs exhibit different conjugation patterns

throughout Japanese grammar. Therefore, it is important to firmly learn
from the beginning which verb belongs to which class. If you have already
been exposed to many polite forms, here is one way to tell between a
one-row verb and a five-row verb when you learn their dictionary forms.

One-row or five-row?
If the dictionary form of a verb ends in anything other than ru (ࠆ), it is a five-
row verb without exception.
㆑߁߁‫ޔ‬ᓙߟ ߟ‫߻⺒ޔ‬ ߻‫ޔ‬๭߱ ߱‫ߊⴕޔ‬ ߊ‫ޔ‬ᵒߋ ߋ‫ޔ‬಴ߔ ߔ → Five-row
chigau, matsu, yomu, yobu, iku, oyogu, dasu
“differ”, “wait”, “read”, “call”, “go,” “swim”, “take out, send”
If the dictionary form of a verb ends in ru (ࠆ), look at the dictionary form and
the polite form of the verb. Delete ru from the dictionary form and delete masu
from the polite counterpart. If you are left with an identical form, it is a one- 57
row verb. If not, it is a five-row verb.
6 㘩ߴࠆ ࠆ: 㘩ߴࠆ and 㘩ߴ߹ߔ same! → One-row
Conjugation “eat” taberu tabemasu
patterns of
predicates Ꮻࠆࠆ: Ꮻࠆ but Ꮻࠅ߹ߔ different! → Five-row
“return” kaeru kaerimasu

Irregular verbs
There are two irregular verbs: kuru “come” and suru “do.” The reading
for the kanji ᧪ changes between ku, ko, and ki.

[Irregular verb]

Affirmative Negative

Non-past ᧪ࠆࠆ ᧪ߥ޿

ߥ޿
Plain

kuru konai
“(will) come” “(will) not come”

Past ᧪ߚߚ ᧪ߥ߆ߞߚ

ߥ߆ߞߚ
kita konakatta
“came” “did not come”

Non-past ᧪߹ߔ
߹ߔ ᧪߹ߖࠎ
߹ߖࠎ
Polite

kimasu kimasen
“(will) come [polite]” “(will) not come [polite]”

Past ߹ߒߚ
᧪߹ߒߚ ᧪߹ߖࠎߢߒߚ
߹ߖࠎߢߒߚ
kimashita kimasen deshita
“came [polite]” “did not come [polite]”

Affirmative Negative

Non-past ߔࠆࠆ ߒߥ޿

ߥ޿
Plain

suru shinai
“(will) do” “(will) not do”

Past ߒߚߚ ߒߥ߆ߞߚ

ߥ߆ߞߚ
shita shinakatta
“did” “did not do”

Non-past ߒ߹ߔ
߹ߔ ߒ߹ߖࠎ
߹ߖࠎ
Polite

shimasu shimasen
“(will) do [polite]” “(will) not do [polite]”

Past ߹ߒߚ
ߒ߹ߒߚ ߒ߹ߖࠎߢߒߚ
߹ߖࠎߢߒߚ
shimashita shimasen deshita
“did [polite]” “did not do [polite]”
58
 ෹ߛߜߣ࠹࠾ࠬࠍߒ߹ߒߚ ߒ߹ߒߚ‫ޕ‬ [polite] Stem forms

tomodachi to tenisu o shimashita

“I played tennis with a friend.”
ࠃߒߎߪ᧪ߥ߆ߞߚ
᧪ߥ߆ߞߚ‫ޕ‬ [plain]
yoshiko wa konakatta
“Yoshiko didn’t come.”

In the case of suru-verbs (see Unit 3) such as benkyoo-suru “study,”

conjugate the suru part in the same manner.

Stem forms

The non-changing part in the adjectival conjugation and the form to which
the polite ending -masu attaches in the verbal conjugation are known
as the STEM FORMS.

Na-adjective 㕒߆ (ߥ) “quiet”

shizuka (na)
I-adjective ᄢ߈ (޿) “big”
ooki (i)
Verb ⺒ߺ (߹ߔ) “read” ߒ (߹ߔ) “do”
yomi (masu) shi (masu)

Many grammatical contexts require stem forms (see Units 10, 15, 19, 20,
and 22).

Te-forms

All predicates can appear as a te-form. A te-form generally connects close

attributes or closely related events (see also Unit 5).

޽ߩᤋ↹ߪ㐳ߊߡ 㐳ߊߡ‫[ ޕߔߢߚߞ߆ߥࠄ߹ߟޔ‬similar attributes]

ano eega wa nagakute, tsumaranakatta desu
“That movie was long and boring.”
ኅߦᏫߞߡᏫߞߡ‫ߏ᥅ޔ‬㘵ࠍ㘩ߴ߹ߒߚ‫ޕ‬ [sequence of events]
uchi ni kaette, bangohan o tabemashita
“I went home and had dinner.”
Ꮣ࿅ࠍ߆߱ߞߡ߆߱ߞߡ‫ޔ‬ኢ߹ߒߚ‫ޕ‬ [manner and action]
futon o kabutte, nemashita
“I slept with a quilt pulled over my head.” 59
6 Since a te-form does not contain any tense information on its own, its
Conjugation tense interpretation usually depends on the tense of the predicate at the
patterns of
predicates
end of the sentence and on the context (see Unit 23 for more details).

The te-form of a noun + copula da is [noun + de].

Noun + copula ቇ↢ߛ

ߛ “is a student” → ቇ↢ߢ
ߢ
da → de gakusee da gakusee de

The te-form of a na-adjective is formed by dropping na and adding de.

Na-adjective 㕒߆ߥ
ߥ “quiet” → 㕒߆ߢ
ߢ
na → de shizuka na shizuka de

The te-form of an i-adjective is formed by dropping i and adding kute.

I-adjective ᄢ߈޿
޿ “big” → ᄢ߈ߊߡ
ߊߡ
-i → -kute ookii ookikute

The te-form of a one-row verb is formed by dropping ru from the diction-

ary form and adding te.

One-row verb ⷗ࠆ
ࠆ “see” → ⷗ߡ
ߡ
-ru → -te miru mite

The te-form of a five-row verb is formed in a parallel manner to the plain

past tense affirmative form. Simply replace ta with te, and da with de.

Five-row verb
-u/-tsu/-ru → -tte ⸒߁ ߁/ᓙߟߟ/Ꮻࠆ ࠆ → ⸒ߞߡ ߞߡ/ᓙߞߡ ߞߡ/Ꮻߞߡ ߞߡ
iu/matsu/kaeru itte/matte/kaette
“say”/“wait”/“return”
-mu/-bu/-nu → -nde ⺒߻߻/๭߱ ߱/ᱫߧ ߧ → ⺒ࠎߢ
ࠎߢ/๭ࠎߢ ࠎߢ/ᱫࠎߢ ࠎߢ
yomu/yobu/shinu yonde/yonde/shinde
“read”/“call”/“die”
-su → -shite ⹤ߔߔ → ⹤ߒߡ
ߒߡ
hanasu hanashite
“speak”
-ku → -ite ᦠߊߊ → ᦠ޿ߡ
޿ߡ
kaku kaite
60 “write”
 Te-forms
-gu → -ide ᵒߋߋ → ᵒ޿ߢ
޿ߢ
oyogu oyoide
“swim”
Exception: ⴕߊߊ → ⴕߞߡߞߡ
iku itte
“go”

The te-forms of the irregular verbs are as follows:

Irregular verb ᧪ࠆ kuru “come” → ᧪ߡ kite

ߔࠆ suru “do” → ߒߡ shite

Among its many other uses, the verbal positive te-form combines with
the verb iru “stay” to convey the meaning of progressive action, either
current or in the past.

ᧄࠍ⺒ࠎߢ޿߹ߔ
⺒ࠎߢ޿߹ߔ‫ޕ‬
hon o yonde imasu
“I am reading a book.”
ᧄࠍ⺒ࠎߢ޿߹ߒߚ
⺒ࠎߢ޿߹ߒߚ‫ޕ‬
hon o yonde imashita
“I was reading a book.”

The conjugation of -te iru forms follows the pattern of the one-row
verb iru.

[Conjugation of -te iru]

Affirmative Negative

Non-past ⺒ࠎߢ޿ࠆ ࠆ ⺒ࠎߢ޿ߥ޿ ߥ޿

Plain

yonde iru yonde inai

“is reading” “is not reading”

Past ⺒ࠎߢ޿ߚ ߚ ⺒ࠎߢ޿ߥ߆ߞߚߥ߆ߞߚ

yonde ita yonde inakatta
“was reading” “was not reading”

Non-past ⺒ࠎߢ޿߹ߔ ߹ߔ ⺒ࠎߢ޿߹ߖࠎ ߹ߖࠎ

Polite

yonde imasu yonde imasen

“is reading [polite]” “is not reading [polite]”

Past ⺒ࠎߢ޿߹ߒߚ ߹ߒߚ ⺒ࠎߢ޿߹ߖࠎߢߒߚ ߖࠎߢߒߚ

yonde imashita yonde imasen deshita
“was reading [polite]” “was not reading [polite]”
61
6 Negative te-forms
Conjugation
patterns of
predicates Generally, negative te-forms are formed by substituting the final i of plain
non-past negative forms with kute. (This patterns with the te-form forma-
tion of i-adjectives seen previously.)

Noun + copula ቇ↢ߓ߾ߥ޿

޿ gakusee ja nai
-i → -kute → ቇ↢ߓ߾ߥߊߡ
ߊߡ gakusee ja nakute

Na-adjective 㕒߆ߓ߾ߥ޿
޿ shizuka ja nai
-i → -kute → 㕒߆ߓ߾ߥߊߡ
ߊߡ shizuka ja nakute

I-adjective ᄢ߈ߊߥ޿
޿ ookiku nai
-i → -kute → ᄢ߈ߊߥߊߡ
ߊߡ ookiku nakute

Verb ⷗ߥ޿
޿ minai
-i → -kute → ⷗ߥߊߡ
ߊߡ minakute

For verbs, there is another version, in which de is added to a plain non-

past negative form. We will refer to it as the “verbal negative te-form” to
distinguish it from the above “adjectival” pattern.

Verb ⷗ߥ޿ minai

neg. + -de → ⷗ߥ޿ߢ
ߢ minaide

The verbal negative te-form is often used in the sense of “without . . . -ing,”
as in the following.

ࠪࡖࡢ࡯ࠍ޽߮ߥ޿ߢ ޽߮ߥ޿ߢ‫ޔ‬ኢ߹ߒߚ‫ޕ‬
shawaa o abinaide, nemashita
“I went to bed without taking a shower.”

The verbal negative te-form is also used in negative requests (see Unit
20). Generally speaking, the verbal negative te-form is not interchangeable
with the adjectival negative te-form.

Exercise 6.1

Conjugate the following adjectives into their opposite forms (affirmative

to negative, negative to affirmative). Keep the tense and the politeness
level constant. See Exercise 3.5 for some hints.
62
1 ߆ࠊ޿޿ߢߔ Exercise 6.2

kawaii desu
2 㕒߆ߓ߾ߥ߆ߞߚߢߔ
shizuka ja nakatta desu
3 ߅޿ߒߊߥ޿
oishiku nai
4 ᔔߒ߆ߞߚߢߔ
isogashikatta desu
5 ߈ࠇ޿ߛߞߚ
kiree datta
6 ߅߽ߒࠈ߆ߞߚߢߔ
omoshirokatta desu

Exercise 6.2

Sort the following verbs into one-row verbs, five-row verbs, and irregular
verbs.

ળ߁ au “meet”
૞ࠆ tsukuru “make”
ኢࠆ neru “sleep”
ⴕߊ iku “go”
⺒߻ yomu “read”
ⷡ߃ࠆ oboeru “remember”
ᦠߊ kaku “write”
ⷐࠆ iru “need”
⹤ߔ hanasu “talk”
ಽ߆ࠆ wakaru “understand”
⿠߈ࠆ okiru “wake up”
޿ࠆ iru “be”
㔚⹤ߔࠆ denwa-suru “phone”
౉ࠆ hairu “enter”
ㆆ߱ asobu “play”
⠨߃ࠆ kangaeru “think”
㐿ߌࠆ akeru “open”
᧪ࠆ kuru “come”

63
 UNIT 7
Questions and question words

While word order plays a crucial role in the formation of questions

in English, in Japanese, word order is irrelevant in this respect (see also
Unit 4). In this unit, we will study how to form questions in Japanese.

Yes-no questions

Yes-no questions are questions that can be answered with “yes” or “no.”

A: Will you go to the party?

B: Yes, I will./No, I will not.

A Japanese yes-no question is formed by attaching the question

particle ka to the end of a corresponding statement.

ࡄ࡯࠹ࠖ࡯ߦⴕ߈߹ߔ‫ޕ‬ [statement]
paatii ni ikimasu
“I will go to the party.”
ࡄ࡯࠹ࠖ࡯ߦⴕ߈߹ߔ߆ ߆‫[ ޕ‬yes-no question]
paatii ni ikimasu ka
“Will you go to the party?”

The answer takes the form of hai/ee “yes” or iie “no,” followed by the
affirmative or negative form of the predicate respectively.

A: ࡄ࡯࠹ࠖ࡯ߦⴕ߈߹ߔ߆‫ޕ‬
paatii ni ikimasu ka
“Will you go to the party?”
B1: ߪ޿/߃߃
ߪ޿ ߃߃‫ޔ‬ ‫ߔ߹߈ⴕޔ‬
ⴕ߈߹ߔ‫ޕ‬ B2: ޿޿߃‫ޔ‬
޿޿߃‫ࠎߖ߹߈ⴕޔ‬ⴕ߈߹ߖࠎ‫ޕ‬
hai/ee, ikimasu iie, ikimasen
“Yes, I will.” “No, I will not.”
66
 In casual speech, ka is usually dropped, and only a rising intonation Yes-no questions

distinguishes a question from its statement counterpart. In writing, the

question mark may be used (see Unit 2). To answer the question, use un
“yes” or uun “no.”

A: ࡄ࡯࠹ࠖ࡯(ߦ)ⴕߊ㧫 ύ
paatii (ni) iku
“Will you go to the party?”
B1: ߁ࠎ
߁ࠎ‫ߊⴕޔ‬ ⴕߊ‫ޕ‬ B2: ߁߁ࠎ‫޿ߥ߆ⴕޔ‬
߁߁ࠎ ⴕ߆ߥ޿‫ޕ‬
un, iku uun, ikanai
“Yes, I will.” “No, I will not.”

Hai/ee/un and iie/uun are different from their English counterparts on

one significant point. Hai signals “I agree with you.” Whether the previous
statement is affirmative or negative, by uttering hai you agree with the
content of what has been said. As a result, hai may appear to correspond
to “no” when it follows a negative statement. To avoid the confusion, just
remember that hai is an agreement marker.

A: ศ↰ߐࠎߪ‫ޕߨࠎߖ߹޿ޔ‬
yoshida-san wa, imasen ne
“Mr. Yoshida is not here, right?”
B: ߪ޿‫ޕࠎߖ߹޿ޔ‬
hai, imasen
“I agree. He is not here.”

Similarly, iie signals “I disagree with you.” Whether the previous state-
ment is affirmative or negative, by uttering iie you disagree with the
content of what has been said. Thus, iie may appear to correspond to “yes”
when it follows a negative statement. Again, just remember that iie is a
disagreement marker.

A: ᣿ᣣߪ‫ޕߨߔߢ޿ߥ߇࠻ࠬ࠹ޔ‬
ashita wa, tesuto ga nai desu ne
“There will not be a test tomorrow, right?”
B: ޿޿߃‫ޕࠃߔ߹ࠅ޽ޔ‬
iie, arimasu yo
“I disagree. There will be a test.”

67
7 Wh-questions
Questions and
question words
Wh-questions are those that include question words such as “what,” “which,”
“when,” “who,” “where,” “why,” and “how.” Here are some examples of
Japanese question words.

⺕ dare “who”
૗ nani “what”
ߤࠇ dore “which one”
ߤߎ doko “where”
ߤߜࠄ dochira “which (of the two)”
ߤ߁ doo “how”
޿ߊࠄ ikura “how much (money)”
ߤߩߋࠄ޿ donogurai “how long, how much”
޿ߟ itsu “when”
ߤ߁ߒߡ dooshite “why”

English question words always appear at the beginning of a question.

Where did Mr. Yoshida go?

However, Japanese question words can remain in their original position.

ศ↰ߐࠎߪߤߎ߳ ߤߎ߳ⴕ߈߹ߒߚ߆‫“ ޕ‬Where did Mr. Yoshida go?”

yoshida-san wa doko e ikimashita ka

Particles used in questions are usually the same as those used in the
corresponding answers. Avoid using wa for a wh-question word and its
corresponding part in the answer (see also Unit 5).

A: ૗ࠍࠍ㘩ߴ߹ߒߚ߆‫“ ޕ‬What did you eat?”

nani o tabemashita ka
B: ࠬࡄࠥ࠶࠹ࠖ࡯ࠍ ࠍ㘩ߴ߹ߒߚ‫“ ޕ‬I ate spaghetti.”
supagettii o tabemashita
A: ߤߎߢ ߢ㘩ߴ߹ߒߚ߆‫“ ޕ‬Where did you eat?”
doko de tabemashita ka
B: ༛⨥ᐫߢ ߢ㘩ߴ߹ߒߚ‫“ ޕ‬I ate at a cafª.”
kissaten de tabemashita
A: ߎࠇߪ⺕ߩ ߩ߆߫ࠎߢߔ߆‫“ ޕ‬Whose bag is this?”
kore wa dare no kaban desu ka
B: ⑳ߩߩ߆߫ࠎߢߔ‫“ ޕ‬It’s my bag.”
68 watashi no kaban desu
Nani “what” is pronounced as nan when combined with a COUNTER (see Wh-questions

Unit 9).

૗ੱ᧪߹ߔ߆‫“ ޕ‬How many people will come?”

૗ੱ
nannin kimasu ka

Nani also tends to be pronounced as nan when followed by /t/, /d/,

or /n/.

ߎࠇߪ૗ ૗ߢߔ߆‫“ ޕ‬What is this?”

kore wa nan desu ka

Here are some more useful expressions containing question words.

A: ޽ࠇߪߤ߁ ߤ߁⺒ߺ߹ߔ߆‫“ ޕ‬How do you read that?”

are wa doo yomimasu ka
B: 䍀ߒ߱߿䍁ߢߔࠃ‫“ ޕ‬It’s ‘Shibuya’.”
shibuya desu yo
A: ᚑ↰ⴕ߈ߪߤࠇ ߤࠇߢߔ߆‫“ ޕ‬Which is the one bound for Narita?”
narita-iki wa dore desu ka
B: ౎⇟ߢߔࠃ‫“ ޕ‬It’s Number 8.”
hachiban desu yo
A: ߤߩߋࠄ޿
ߤߩߋࠄ޿߆߆ࠅ߹ߔ߆‫“ ޕ‬How long will it take?”
donogurai kakarimasu ka
B: ੑචಽߋࠄ޿ߢߔ‫“ ޕ‬About 20 minutes.”
nijuppun-gurai desu
A: ಾ╓ߪ޿ߊࠄ޿ߊࠄߢߔ߆‫“ ޕ‬How much is the ticket?”
kippu wa ikura desu ka
B: ජ੖⊖౞ߢߔ‫“ ޕ‬It’s 1,500 yen.”
sengohyakuen desu
A: ᰴߩࡃࠬߪ޿ߟ ޿ߟ಴߹ߔ߆‫“ ޕ‬When will the next bus depart?”
tsugi no basu wa itsu demasu ka
B: චᤨߢߔࠃ‫“ ޕ‬10 o’clock.”
juuji desu yo
A: ߅ᚻᵞ޿ߪߤߎ ߤߎߢߔ߆‫“ ޕ‬Where is the bathroom?”
otearai wa doko desu ka
B: ੑ㓏ߢߔࠃ‫“ ޕ‬It’s on the second floor.”
nikai desu yo 69
7 Exercise 7.1
Questions and
question words
Choose between hai and iie. You can check the meaning of each sentence
in the answer key.

1 A: ᤤߏ㘵ࠍ㘩ߴ߹ߒߚ߆‫ޕ‬
hirugohan o tabemashita ka
B: {ߪ޿/޿޿߃}‫ޔ‬㘩ߴ߹ߒߚ‫ޕ‬
{hai/iie}, tabemashita
2 A: ᣿ᣣߩࡄ࡯࠹ࠖ࡯ߦ᧪߹ߔ߆‫ޕ‬
ashita no paatii ni kimasu ka
B: {ߪ޿/޿޿߃}‫ޕࠃߔ߹߈ⴕޔ‬
{hai/iie}, ikimasu yo
3 A: ߃ࠎ߯ߟߪ޽ࠅ߹ߖࠎߨ‫ޕ‬
enpitsu wa arimasen ne
B: {ߪ޿/޿޿߃}‫ޕߙ߁ߤޔࠃߔ߹ࠅ޽ޔ‬
{hai/iie}, arimasu yo, doozo
4 A: ᣿ᣣߪ࠹ࠬ࠻ߓ߾ߥ޿ߢߔߨ‫ޕ‬
ashita wa tesuto ja nai desu ne
B: {ߪ޿/޿޿߃}‫ޕࠎߖ߹ࠅ޽߾ߓ࠻ࠬ࠹ޔ‬
{hai/iie}, tesuto ja arimasen

Exercise 7.2

Fill in the blank with the appropriate question word to complete the dia-
logue. You can check the meaning of each question in the answer key.

1 A: 㤥޿࠮࡯࠲࡯ߪ_____ߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬
kuroi seetaa wa _____ desu ka
B: ජ੖⊖౞ߢߔ‫ޕ‬
sengohyakuen desu
“It’s 1,500 yen.”
2 A: ㇷଢዪߪ_____ߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬
yuubinkyoku wa _____ desu ka
B: ޽ߘߎߢߔࠃ‫ޕ‬
asoko desu yo
“It’s over there.”
3 A: _____ߢ⾈޿߹ߒߚ߆‫ޕ‬
_____ de kaimashita ka
70
 B: 㚞೨ߩࠬ࡯ࡄ࡯ߢ⾈޿߹ߒߚ‫ޕ‬ Exercise 7.3

ekimae no suupaa de kaimashita

“I bought it at the supermarket in front of the station.”
4 A: ߎࠇߪ_____ߩ߆߫ࠎߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬
kore wa _____ no kaban desu ka
B: ૒‫ᧁޘ‬వ↢ߩߢߔ‫ޕ‬
sasaki-sensee no desu
“It’s Professor Sasaki’s.”
5 A: ᤓᣣ‫ޕ߆ߚߒ߹ߒࠍ_____ޔ‬
kinoo, _____ o shimashita ka
B: ෹ߛߜߣᤋ↹ࠍ⷗߹ߒߚ‫ޕ‬
tomodachi to eega o mimashita
“I saw a movie with my friend.”

Exercise 7.3
Choose the appropriate responses to the following questions from options
āe. You can check the meaning of each sentence in the answer key.

1 ߅ฬ೨ߪ૗ߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬
onamae wa nan desu ka
2 ߤߎ߆ࠄ᧪߹ߒߚ߆
doko kara kimashita ka
3 ޿ߟᣣᧄߦ᧪߹ߒߚ߆‫ޕ‬
itsu nihon ni kimashita ka
4 ߤ߁ߒߡᣣᧄߦ᧪߹ߒߚ߆‫ޕ‬
dooshite nihon ni kimashita ka
5 ࠝ࡯ࠬ࠻࡜࡝ࠕߢߤߩߋࠄ޿ᣣᧄ⺆ࠍീᒝߒ߹ߒߚ߆‫ޕ‬
oosutoraria de donogurai nihongo o benkyoo-shimashita ka
a 2005ᐕߢߔ‫ޕ‬
nisengonen desu
b ઀੐ (“work”) ߢ᧪߹ߒߚ‫ޕ‬
shigoto de kimashita
c ৻ᐕߋࠄ޿(“about a year”)ߢߔ‫ޕ‬
ichinen-gurai desu
d ࡠࡃ࡯࠻ߢߔ‫ޕ‬
robaato desu
e ࠝ࡯ࠬ࠻࡜࡝ࠕߩࠪ࠼࠾࡯ߢߔ‫ޕ‬
oosutoraria no shidonii desu
71
UNIT 8
Demonstrative pronouns

English speakers choose between the demonstratives “this” and “that,” or

“these” and “those,” based on an object’s relative distance from their own
position. On the other hand, Japanese speakers take into account not only
their own position but also the listener’s. Japanese demonstratives are
consequently divided into three types, ko-, so-, and a-series. They are shown
with corresponding interrogative forms below.

[Demonstrative pronouns]

Speaker’s Listener’s In neither’s Interrogative

territory territory territory
Object ߎࠇ ߘࠇ ޽ࠇ ߤࠇ
kore sore are dore
“this one” “that one” “that one” “which one”
Reference ߎߩ ߘߩ ޽ߩ ߤߩ
kono sono ano dono
“this N” “that N” “that N” “which N”
Category ߎࠎߥ ߘࠎߥ ޽ࠎߥ ߤࠎߥ
konna sonna anna donna
“this kind “that kind “that kind “what kind
of N” of N” of N” of N”
Location ߎߎ ߘߎ ޽ߘߎ ߤߎ
koko soko asoko doko
“here” “there” “there” “where”
Direction/ ߎߜࠄ ߘߜࠄ ޽ߜࠄ ߤߜࠄ
Option kochira sochira achira dochira
[polite] “this “that “that “which
direction” direction” direction” direction”
Direction/ ߎߞߜ ߘߞߜ ޽ߞߜ ߤߞߜ
Option kotchi sotchi atchi dotchi
[casual] “this “that “that “which
direction” direction” direction” direction”
73
Manner ߎ߁ ߘ߁ ޽޽ ߤ߁
koo soo aa doo
“this way” “that way” “that way” “what way”
8 Basic distinctions
Demonstrative
pronouns
In the concrete context, ko-series forms are used to refer to objects or
situations near the speaker. So- is used for objects just outside the reach
of the speaker or near the listener. A- is for objects in an area far from
both the speaker and listener. Do- is for the unknown.
For instance, kore “this one,” sore “that one,” are “that one,” and dore
“which one” are used in the following manner between a customer (A)
and a store clerk (B).

(A points at something closer to A.)

A: ߎࠇ
ߎࠇࠍਅߐ޿‫ޕ‬ B: ߘࠇߪ⊖੖ච౞ߢߔ‫ޕ‬
ߘࠇ
kore o kudasai sore wa hyakugojuuen desu
“This one, please.” “That one is 150 yen.”
(A points at something closer to B.)
A: ߘࠇࠍਅߐ޿‫ޕ‬
ߘࠇ B: ߎࠇߢߔߨ‫ޕ‬
ߎࠇ
sore o kudasai kore desu ne
“That one, please.” “This one, right?”
(A points at something equally far from A and B.)
A: ޽ࠇࠍਅߐ޿‫ޕ‬
޽ࠇ B: ߤࠇߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬
ߤࠇ
are o kudasai dore desu ka
“That one, please.” “Which one do you mean?”

Unlike the English demonstratives “this” and “that,” which can modify
a noun, the Japanese demonstratives kore, sore, are, and dore cannot be
used as modifiers. Use kono, sono, ano, and dono to modify a noun.

A: ߤߩ
ߤߩ࠹࡟ࡆ߇޿޿㧫 B: ߎߩ࠹࡟ࡆߪ㧫
ߎߩ
dono terebi ga ii? kono terebi wa
“Which TV would you like?” “How about this TV?”

Konna, sonna, anna, and donna also modify nouns. They add the sense
of type or similarity.

A: ߤࠎߥᤋ↹߇ᅢ߈ߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬
ߤࠎߥ
donna eega ga suki desu ka
“What kind of movie do you like?”
B: ⑳ߪࠦࡔ࠺ࠖ߇ᅢ߈ߢߔ‫ޕ‬
watashi wa komedii ga suki desu
74 “I like comedies.”
 ߆ߞߎ޿޿ゞߛߥ޼‫ߥࠎߎޕ‬ ߎࠎߥゞ߇߶ߒ޿ߥ޼‫ޕ‬ Basic distinctions

kakkoii kuruma da naa. konna kuruma ga hoshii naa

“Cool car! I want a car like this.”

Other forms divide the field in the same way. Koko, soko, asoko, and
doko refer to specific locations. They can be used alone or as noun modifiers
with no.

A: ߅ᚻᵞ޿ߪߤߎ ߤߎߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬ B: ߘߎߢߔࠃ‫ޕ‬

ߘߎ
otearai wa doko desu ka soko desu yo
“Where is the bathroom?” “It’s right there.”
A: ߤߎ
ߤߎߢ㘩ߴ߹ߒࠂ߁߆‫( ޕ‬See Unit 19 for -mashoo forms.)
doko de tabemashoo ka
“Where should we eat?”
B: ޽ߘߎߩࡌࡦ࠴ߢ㘩ߴ߹ߒࠂ߁‫ޕ‬
޽ߘߎߩࡌࡦ࠴
asoko no benchi de tabemashoo
“Let’s eat (sitting) on that bench over there.”

Kochira, sochira, achira, and dochira indicate directions.

A: ಴ญߪߤߜࠄߤߜࠄߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬ B: ޽ߜࠄߢߔ‫ޕ‬
޽ߜࠄ
deguchi wa dochira desu ka achira desu
“Which way is the exit?” “That way.”

They can also stand for options.

ߎߜࠄ
ߎߜࠄߣߘߜࠄ ߘߜࠄߣ‫ࠄߜߤޔ‬ ߤߜࠄ߇޿޿ߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬
kochira to sochira to, dochira ga ii desu ka
“Between this and that, which would be better?”

Kotchi, sotchi, atchi, and dotchi are the casual alternatives to kochira,
sochira, achira, and dochira. (See Unit 10 for speech level differences. See
Unit 18 for more on expressions of comparison.)

ߎߞߜ
ߎߞߜߣߘߞߜ ߘߞߜߣ‫ߜߞߤޔ‬ ߤߞߜ߇޿޿㧫
kotchi to sotchi to, dotchi ga ii
“Between this and that, which is better?”

Finally, koo, soo, aa, and doo are adverbs that describe manner.

A: ߎߩṽሼߪߤ߁ ߤ߁ᦠ߈߹ߔ߆‫ޕ‬
kono kanji wa doo kakimasu ka
“How do you write this kanji?” 75
8 B: ߎ߁
ߎ߁ߢߔࠃ‫ޕ‬
Demonstrative koo desu yo
pronouns
“This way.”
A: ࠕࡔ࡝ࠞੱߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬
amerikajin desu ka
“Are you an American?”
B: ߪ޿‫߁ߘޔ‬ ߘ߁ߢߔ‫ޕ‬
hai, soo desu
“Yes, that’s right.” (= Yes, I am.)
A: ᣣᧄߪߤ߁ ߤ߁ߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬
nihon wa doo desu ka
“How is Japan?”
B: ߣߡ߽ᭉߒ޿ߢߔ‫ޕ‬
totemo tanoshii desu
“I am having a lot of fun.”

Extended use of kochira, sochira, achira, and dochira

You can use kochira, sochira, achira, and dochira to indicate general areas.

(on the phone)

ߎߜࠄߢߪ㔐ߢߔ‫ࠄߜߘޕ‬
ߎߜࠄ ߘߜࠄߢߪߤ߁ߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬
kochira de wa yuki desu. sochira de wa doo desu ka
“It is snowing here. How is it in your area?”

Kochira, sochira, achira, and dochira are preferred as polite expressions

to koko, soko, asoko, and doko. This is because they are less exact and fit
the general politeness strategy in Japanese, in which indirect expressions
are considered more polite than direct expressions.

(a maître d’ at a restaurant says . . . )

޽ߜࠄߩᏨ߳ߤ߁ߙ‫ޕ‬
޽ߜࠄ
achira no seki e doozo
“To the seat over there, please.”
ߤߜࠄ
ߤߜࠄߢ߅⡞߈ߦߥࠅ߹ߒߚ߆‫ޕ‬
dochira de okiki ni narimashita ka
“Where did you hear (about it)?”

Do not use kore, sore, are, and dore to refer to real people. Kore,
76 sore, are, and dore are used primarily to refer to objects. It is considered
impolite to use them for people (see Unit 10).
Abstract reference Abstract
reference

The ko-, so-, and a-series can also be used to refer to objects introduced
in discourse, or to abstract ideas. For instance, you can use so-series forms
to refer to something just mentioned by you or someone else.

A: ࠕࡔᮮߦߪⴕ߈߹ߒߚ߆‫ޕ‬
ameyoko ni wa ikimashita ka
“Have you been to Ameyoko?”
B: ޿޿߃‫ࠇߘޔ‬ ߘࠇߪߤߎߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬
iie, sore wa doko desu ka
“No, where is it?”
ઍቭጊߣߘߩ ߘߩㄭߊߪ߅ߒ߾ࠇߥࠞࡈࠚ߇ᄙ޿ߢߔ‫ޕ‬
daikanyama to sono chikaku wa oshare na kafe ga ooi desu
“There are many trendy cafés in Daikanyama and its vicinity.”

In addition, you can use ko-series forms to indicate your enthusiastic

attitude toward something you have just mentioned.

Ფᣣീᒝߔࠆ‫ࠇߎޕ‬ ߎࠇ߇৻⇟ᄢ੐‫ޕ‬
mainichi benkyoo-suru. kore ga ichiban daiji
“You study every day. This is most important.”
ᦺ߇ߟࠄ޿‫ߥࠎߎޕ‬ ߎࠎߥੱߪ‫ޔ‬㊁⩿ࠫࡘ࡯ࠬࠍ㘶ߺ߹ߒࠂ߁‫ޕ‬
asa ga tsurai. konna hito wa, yasai juusu o nomimashoo
“(Suppose) you feel the morning is tough. This type of person should
drink vegetable juice.”

Replacing these ko-series forms with so-series forms gives the impres-
sion that the speaker is keeping a psychological distance from the idea.
Be particularly careful about the use of a-series forms in abstract con-
texts. They refer to things that the speaker presumes to have shared with
the listener. For instance, if you have recently discussed a new book with
a friend, the next time you meet her, you can just say the following.

޽ߩ
޽ߩᧄ‫ߛࠎ⺒ޔ‬㧫
ano hon, yonda
“Did you read that book?”

Likewise, in the next example, the second speaker can use an a-series
form because he already knows the mentioned individual.

A: ᤓᣣ‫ޔ‬ⓨ᷼ߢዊᨋߐࠎߦળ޿߹ߒߚࠃ‫ޕ‬
kinoo, kuukoo de kobayashi-san ni aimashita yo 77
“Yesterday I saw Ms. Kobayashi at the airport.”
8 B: ߘ߁ߢߔ߆‫ߩ޽ޕ‬ ޽ߩੱ‫᧲੹ޔ‬੩ߢߔࠃߨ‫ޕ‬
Demonstrative soo desu ka. ano hito, ima tookyoo desu yo ne
pronouns
“Is that right? She is in Tokyo now, isn’t she?”
The following table summarizes the abstract uses of demonstrative
expressions.
[Summary of the abstract uses of ko-, so-, a-]

ߎ ko- → To refer back to something you have just mentioned, to which

you feel close.
ߘ so- → To objectively refer back to something just introduced.
޽ a- → To emphasize that you and the listener share an experience or
knowledge about something.

Exercise 8.1
Insert appropriate forms.
1 A: ߎࠇ‫߁ߤޔ‬㧫
kore, doo
“How about this?”
B: ߁߁ࠎ‫ޕߣߞࠂߜޔߪ _____ޔ‬
uun, _____ wa, chotto
“Um, I am hesitant about that.”
A: ߓ߾޽‫ߪ _____ޔ‬㧫
jaa, _____ wa
“Well then, how about that (far away)?”
2 A: _____ ࠮࡯࠲࡯߇޿޿㧫
_____ seetaa ga ii
“Which sweater do you like?”
B: _____ ߇޿޿‫ޕ‬
_____ ga ii
“I like this.”
3 A: _____ ኅߦ૑ߺߚ޿ߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬
_____ uchi ni sumitai desu ka
“What type of house would you like to live in?”
B: ࠬࡍࠗࡦ㘑ߩ⊕޿ኅߦ૑ߺߚ޿ߢߔ‫ޕ‬
supeinfuu no shiroi uchi ni sumitai desu
“I would like to live in a Spanish-style white house.”
4 A: _____ ߪ‫ޔ‬ศ↰ߐࠎߢߔ‫ޕ‬
_____ wa, yoshida-san desu
“This is Mr. Yoshida.”
B: ߪߓ߼߹ߒߡ‫ޕ‬
78 hajimemashite
“Nice to meet you.”
Exercise 8.2 Exercise 8.2

Look at the pictures 1̄4, and fill in the blanks in the corresponding dia-
logues with the most appropriate word from kore, sore, and are.

1 2

3 4

1 customer: ߔߺ߹ߖࠎ‫(ޕ‬ )ࠍ⷗ߖߡਅߐ޿‫ޕ‬

sumimasen. ( ) o misete kudasai
2 clerk: ( )ߢߔߨ㧫
( ) desu ne
customer: ߪ޿‫(ޔ‬ )ߢߔ‫ޕ‬
hai, ( ) desu
3 clerk: ( )ߪ‫ੱޔ‬᳇໡ຠ (“popular item”) ߢߔࠃ‫ޕ‬
( ) wa, ninki-shoohin desu yo
customer: ߆ࠊ޿޿ߢߔߨ‫ޕ‬
kawaii desu ne
4 customer: ߃ߞߣ‫(ޔ‬ )ߪ޿ߊࠄߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬
etto, ( ) wa ikura desu ka
clerk: ( )ߪ੹࠮࡯࡞ߢ‫ޔ‬੖ජ౞ߢߔ‫ޕ‬
( ) wa ima seeru de, gosen’en desu

Exercise 8.3
Choose the better option.

1 A: ᦭ᭉ↸ߩࠧࠫ࡜ࠍ⷗߹ߒߚ߆‫ޕ‬
yuurakuchoo no gojira o mimashita ka
“Have you seen Godzilla in Yurakucho?”
B: {ߘࠇ/޽ࠇ}‫ޔ‬૗ߢߔ߆‫ޕ‬
{sore/are}, nan desu ka 79
“What is that?”
8 2 A: ᦭ᭉ↸ߩࠧࠫ࡜ࠍ⷗߹ߒߚ߆‫ޕ‬
Demonstrative yuurakuchoo no gojira o mimashita ka
pronouns
“Have you seen Godzilla in Yurakucho?”
B: ߃߃‫ࠇߘ{ޔ‬/޽ࠇ}‫ޕߨߔߢ޿ࠈߒ߽߅ޔ‬
ee, {sore/are}, omoshiroi desu ne
“Yes. It’s amusing, isn’t it?”
3 (A and B talked about something earlier. A is concerned about how it
turned out.)
A: {ߘࠇ/޽ࠇ}‫ޕ߆ߚߒߢ߁ߤޔ‬
{sore/are}, doo deshita ka
“How did it turn out?”
B: ޽޽‫ࠇߘ{ޔ‬/޽ࠇ}ߪ‫ޕࠃߚߒߢ߱߁ࠂߓ޿ߛޔ‬
aa, {sore/are}wa daijoobu deshita yo
“Oh, that turned out all right.”
4 ᤓᣣ‫ߎߘ{ޕߚߒ߹߈ⴕ߳ࡦ࡜࠻ࠬ࡟ࡦࠕ࡝࠲ࠗޔ‬/޽ߘߎ}ߢࠬࡄࠥ࠶
࠹ࠖ—ࠍ㘩ߴ߹ߒߚ‫ޕ‬
kinoo, itarian resutoran e ikimashita. {soko/asoko} de supagettii o
tabemashita
“I went to an Italian restaurant yesterday. I had spaghetti there.”

Exercise 8.4

Considering the situation given in the parentheses, choose the best option.
You can check the meaning of each sentence in the answer key.

1 (pointing at a person)
A: {ߎߎ/ߘߎ/޽ߘߎ}ߦ޿ࠆੱ‫ޔ‬ਛ᧛ߐࠎߓ߾ߥ޿㧫
{koko/soko/asoko} ni iru hito, nakamura-san ja nai
B: ߃㧫ߤߎ㧫޽‫ࠇߎ{ޔ‬/ߘࠇ/޽ࠇ}ߪߜ߇߁ࠃ
e, doko, a, {kore/sore/are} wa chigau yo
2 (on the phone)
A: ੹‫ߎߤޔ‬㧫
ima, doko
B: ᧲੩‫ߜߞߎ{ޕ‬/ߘߞߜ/޽ߞߜ}ߦߪ‫ޕࠃߊ⌕ߦᤨ౐ޔ‬
tookyoo. {kotchi/sotchi/atchi} ni wa, rokuji ni tsuku yo
3 (in a restaurant)
A: ߔߡ߈ߥᐫߨ‫ߎߎ{ߊࠃޕ‬/ߘߎ/޽ߘߎ}‫ޕߩࠆ᧪ޔ‬
suteki na mise ne. yoku {koko/soko/asoko}, kuru no
B: ߁ࠎ‫ߩߎ{ޕ‬/ߘߩ/޽ߩ}ᐫߪ߅޿ߒ޿ࠃ‫ޕ‬
un. {kono/sono/ano} mise wa oishii yo
80