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Japanese conversation help without knowing the Japanese script

Practice Watashi wa Tanaka desu. : I am Tanaka.Watashi no namae wa Tanaka desu. : My name is Tanaka.

Kanojo wa Youko desu. : She is Yoko.Kanojo no namae wa Youko desu. : Her name is Youko.

Kare wa Suzuki san desu. : He is Mr. Suzuki.Kare no namae wa Suzuki desu. : His name is Suzuki.

Anata no namae wa nan desuka . : What is your name ?Anata wa nan toiu namae desuka . : What is your name ? (What name do you have?)Anata wa dare desuka ? : Who are you ?

Kare no namae wa nan desuka. : What is his name?Kanojo no namae wa nan desuka.: What is her name?

Kare wa dare desuka . : Who is he ?Kanojo wa dare desuka. : Who is she ?

Kore wa nan desuka . : What is this ?Are wa nan neduka . : What is that ?Sore wa nan desuka. : What is it ?

Practice : There is / are . . . Shounen ga imasu. : There is a boy.shounen : boyiru : there is / are...

(i-nai, i-masu, iru, iru-toki , ire-ba, iro ,iyou, ita)

Shoujo ga imasu. : There is a girl.shoujo : girl

Otokonohito ga imasu : There is a man.otoko : malehito : man , humaneg. onnanohito : lady, woman

Niwatori ga imasu. : There is a hen.

niwatori : hen / chicken

Teeburu ga arimasu : There is a tableteeburu : tablearu : there is / are(nai, ari-masu, aru, aru-toki, are-ba, are, (arou), atta)

Isu ga arimasu. : There is a chair.

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isu : chair

Enpitsu ga arimasu : There is a pencil.enpitsu : pencil

Pen ga arimasu. : There is a pen. pen : pen (same!)

If you say " There is / are ..." for animals including human, "iru" is used. For "thing","aru" is used.

Come whenever you like. Itsudemo anata ga sukina toki ni kinasai. : Come whenever you like.itsudemo : any time, whenever anata : yousukina : favoritesukina toki : favorite timetoki : timeni : at, inkinasai : come (imperative)Itsudemo anata ga sukina toki ni kinasai : anytime, you, like/favorite, time, at , come

: Come whenever you like.

points;...demo : any...

for examplenandemo : whatevernan/nani : what, anything

daredemo : whoeverdare : who, anyone

dokodemo : whereverdoko : where, any place

Itsudemo ( sentence (subject)+(predicate)) toki : the sentence modifies "toki" and"toki(time)" modifies "itsudemo"

Itsudemo (anata ga(you))+(sukina(like)) toki : any time , you like, time : any time youlike.If you put "ni (at)" at the end of above sentence,Itsudemo (anata ga(you))+(sukina(like)) toki ni : means " at any time you like".

You can also use this "...demo" sentence like this;Itsudemo daijoubu desu. : It's OK at anytime.daijoubu desu : It's OK.

Daredemo daijoubu desu. : Anyone is OK.

Dokodemo daijoubu desu : Any place is OK.

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Because I'm hungry. Onaka ga suita node nanika tabetai. : I want to eat something because I'm hungry.onaka : stomach, belly, abdomensuku : become empty (vacant)onaka ga suku : become hungry(suka-nai, suki-masu, suku, suku-toki, suke-ba, suke, sukou, suita )node : so, becausenanika : somethingtaberu : eat

(tabe-nai, tabe -masu, taberu, taberu-toki, tabere-ba,tabero, tabeyou, tabeta)suru : do(shi-nai, shi -masu, suru, suru-toki, sure-ba, shiro, shiyou, shita)shi-tai : want to dotabetai : taberu+shitai : want to eatOnaka ga suita node nanika tabetai. : stomach, became hungry, so, something, wantto eat : I want to eat something because I'm hungry.

You should return the money. Sono okane o kaesubekida. : You should return the money.sono : that, the

okane : moneykaesu : return(kaesa-nai, keshi-masu, kaesu , kaesu-toki, kaese-ba, kaese, kaesou, kaeshita)verb +beki : should verb

Sono okane o kaesubekida. : that(the),money,return should. : You should return themoney.

Kono hon o yomubekida. : You should read this book.kono : thishon : book yomu : read

(yoma-nai, yomi-masu, yomu , yomu-toki, yome-ba, yome, yomou, yonda)yomubeki : should readKono hon o yomubekida . : this, book, read should,: You should read this book.

I'm good at speaking Japanese. Watashi wa Nihongo ga tokuidesu. : I'm good at speaking Japanese.

Nihongo : Japanese(language)tokui : be good at...ga tokui : be good at...Watashi wa Nihongo ga tokui desu.: I, Japanese, good at : I'm good at Japanese.

futokui : be not good at,be bad atWatashi wa Nihongo ga futokuidesu. : I'm bad at Japanese.

Watashi wa kuruma no unten ga tokuidesu. : I'm good at driving a car.kuruma : car unten : drivingkuruma no unten : driving a car Watashi wa kuruma no unten ga tokui desu. : I, car, driving, good at. : I'm good at

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and drank at the party.

kaitari yondari : write and readkaku : write(kaka-nai, kaki- masu, kaku, kaku-toki, kake-ba, kake, kakou, kaita)kaitari : kaki+taritari : same with "dari". It depends on the verb whether " dari " or " tari " should be used.yomu : read(yoma-nai, yomi -masu, yomu, yomu-toki, yome-ba, yome, yomou, yonda)

naitari warattari : cry and laughnaku : cry(naka-nai, naki -masu, naku, naku-toki, nake-ba , nake, nakou, naita)naitari : "naki" of "naki-masu" with euphonic change + tariwarau : laugh(warawa-nai, warai -masu, warau, warau-toki, warae-ba, warae, waraou, waratta)warattari : warai+tari

She looked happy.

Kanojo wa shiawase soudatta.: She looked happy.

kanojo : sheshiawase : happy, happinesssouda : look, it looks, they saysoudatta : looked, it looked, the said

Kanojo wa shiawase soudatta : shi, happy, looked :She looked happy.

Kanojo wa shiawase souda : She looks happy.

Sengetsu kanojo ni attatoki, kanojo wa fushiawasesoudatta.:When I saw her last month, she lookedunhappy.sengetsu : last monthni : to, withau : see, meet(awa-nai, ai-masu, au, au-toki,ae-ba,aou,atta)atta-toki : When (I) saw/metfushiawase : unhappy

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Would you mind opening the window? Mado o ake temo yoroshii desuka. : Would you mind opening the window ?mado : windowakeru : open(ake-nai, ake -masu,akeru,akeru-toki,akereba,akero,akeyou,aketa)yoroshii : good, ok desuka : ?

mado o akeru : open the window

(verb(-masu pattern))-temo yoroshii. : verb-ing is good(verb(-masu pattern))-temo yoroshii desuka. : Is it good (OK) verb-ing?

Mado o aketemo yoroshii desuka : window, opening, good , ? : Would you mindopening the window?

Denwa o karitemo yoroshii desuka : telephone, borrow, good,? : Can I use thetelephone?kariru : borrow, use something which is no mine(kari-nai, kari- masu, kariru,kariru-toki,karre-ba,kariro,kariyou,karita)

okarisuru : very polite word of "kariru"o : a prefix to make the word politesuru : doo+kariru+suru : okarisuru

Denwa o okarishitemo yoroshii desuka : May I use the telephone ?

In spite of "kariru",you can use "tsukau" as "use".tsukau : use(tsukawa-nai, tsukai- masu,tsukau,tsukau-toki,tsukae-ba,tsukae,tsukaou,tsukatta)When "tsukau" is attached with "-temo", euphonic change is needed.

tsukattemo : tsukai-temo

Denwa o tsukattemo yoroshii desuka. : Can I use the telephone ?

suwaru : sit down(suwara-nai, suwari -masu,suwaru,suwaru-toki,suware-ba,suware,suwarou,suwatta)Suwattemo yoroshii desuka : Can I sit down?suwattemo : suwari-temo

tatsu : stand up(tata-nai, tachi -masu,tatsu,tatsu-toki,tate-ba,tate,tatou,tatta)Tattemo yoroshii desuka : Can I stand up ?tattemo : tachi-temo

Where are you from? Dochira kara desuka . : Where are you from?dochira : wherekara : from

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desuka : is?Dochira kara desuka : where,from,is? : Where are you from?

Dochira kara kimashitaka : Where did you come from?kuru : come(ko-nai, ki -masu,kuru,kuru-toki,kure-ba,koi,koyou,kita)kimashita : came (past pattern of "ki-masu")kimashita+ka : "ka" makes the word interrogative.Dochira kara kimashitaka .: where, from, came? : Where did you come from?

Don't do it. Suruna : Don't do it.suru : do(shi-nai ,shi-masu, suru ,suru-toki,sure-ba,shiro,shiyou,shita)suru+na : don't do (imperative)shi-nai + de : don't do (imperative)

PatternC of verb conjugation + "na" means negative imperative sentence.And patternA of verb conjugation +"nai"+"de" means same.

Miruna : Don't look.

miru : see, look, watch(mi-nai,mi-masu,miru,miru-toki,mire-ba,miro,miyou,mita)miru+na : don't look,don't watchmi-nai+de : don't look, don't watch

"+na" pattern is very strong phrase.If you want to say more politely, "kudasai" should be added after "-nai+de" pattern.

Minaide kudasai. : Don't look please.Shinaide kudasai : Don't do (it) please.

In the case that the object word is needed, the object word is put at top of the sentense.Watashi o minaide kudasai . : me, don't look ,please : Don't look at me ,please.Hon o yomanaide kudasai. : book , don't read,please : Don't read a book, please.

conjunction ; but ga/shikashi / shikashinagara : butdemo / kedo : but

"shikashi" means "but".

In our usual conversation (colloquial),"demo" is usually used istead of "shikashi/shikashinagara"."shikashi" is rather offcial.

Tsurai kedo arukanakerebanaranai : It is hard but I have to walk.Tsurai . Demo arukanakerebanaranai : It is hard. But I have to walk.Tsurai . Kedo arukanakerebanaranai : It is hard. But I have to walk.tsurai : hard

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aruku : walk (aruka -nai,aruki-masu,aruku,aruku-toki,aruke-ba,aruke,arukou,aruita)-shinakerebanaranai : have to , mustaruka nakerebanaranai : have to walk, must walk

"demo" is usually put at the begining but middle of the sentence.

"shikashi" and " shikashinagara" should be put at the begining of the sentence not in themiddle."ga" can be put in the middle.

Watashi wa totemo tsukareteiru. Shikashi hatarakanakerebanaranai. : I'm very tired. ButI have to work.Watashi wa totemo tsukareteiru ga hatarakanakerebanaranai. : I'm very tired but I haveto work.totemo : verytsukareteiru : be tiredhataraku : work (hataraka -nai,hataraki-masu,hataraku,hataraku-toki,hatarake-

ba,hatarake,hatarakou,hataraita)hatarakanakerebanaranai: have to work / must work

conjunction ; and, or We use ,in a sentence, conjunction words to connect word and word, sentence andsentence and so on.

1.noun and nounto : andka / aruiwa : or koohii to ocha : coffee and teakoohii : coffeeocha : teaanata to watashi : you and Ianata ka watashi : you or I

2.sentence and sentencesoshite / sorede : andka / aruiwa : or Anata ga kita. Soshite watashi wa itta: You came. And I went.Anata ga itta. Aruiwa kare ga itta. : You went. Or he went.iku: go(ika-nai,iki-masu,iku,iku-toki,ike-ba,ike,ikou,itta)

3.verb and verbIn connecting verb and verb, the verb should be conjugated.Itte miru : Go and see.iku : go(ika-nai, iki -masu,iku,iku-toki,ike-ba,ike,ikou,itta)itte : euphonic change of "iki"(iki-masu)+te : iki -te : go andKaite yomu : write and readkaku : write

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(kaka-nai, kaki -masu,kaku,kaku-toki,kake-ba,kake,kakou,kaita)kaite : euphonic change of "kaki"(kaki-masu)+te : kaki-te : write and

If you forgot to make euphonic change and say " kakite miru", it is not wrong but oldJapanese which samurai used.

Totte nageru : Catch and throwtoru : catch(tora-nai, tori- masu,toru,toru-toki,tore-ba,tore,torou,totta)totte : tori+te : catch andnageru : throw(nage-nai, nage -masu,nageru,nageru-toki,nagere-ba,nagero,nageyou,nageta)

Nagete toru : Throw and catchnagete : nage-te : catch and(Above case, there is no euphonic change)

This is not what I ordered. Kore wa watashi ga chuumonshita mono dewa arimasen. : This is not what Iordered.kore : thiswatashi : Ichuumon : order(noun)suru : do(shi-nai,shi-masu,suru,suru-toki,sure-ba,shi-ro,shiyou, shita )chuumonsuru : order(verb)mono : thingarimasu : is / arearimasen : is not / are not...dewa arimasen : is not..../ are not....

Watashi ga chuumonshita : I ordered.watashi ga chuumonshita mono : what I ordered, a thing which I orderedKore wa watashi ga chuumonshita mono dewa arimasen. : this,I,ordered,thing,not :This is not what I ordered.

How old are you? Phrases below are asking your age.

Toshi wa ikutsu desuka.toshi : year, ageikutsu : how many, how olddesu : iska : makes the sentence interrogative with being attached at the end of the sentenceToshi wa ikutsu desuka : age, how many, is ? : How old are you ?

Anata wa nansai desuka .anata : younan : whatsai : years oldnansai : how old

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Anata wa nansai desuka : you, how old, is ? : How old are you?

Anata no nenrei wa ikutsu desuka .nenrei : ageAnata no nenrei wa ikutsu desuka. : your age, how many, is? : What is your age?

What is your name ? In English , there are several phrases to ask your name ,likeWhat is your name?, May I have your name,please and so on.

All the phrases below are sentences which ask your name.

Anatano namae wa nan desuka ? : your ,name, what,is,? : What is your name?no : makes possessive case, A no B : A's Banata : youanatano : your namae : namenan / nani : whatdesu : is / are : "desu" makes the sentence end with affirmation.ka : "?" : "ka" makes the sentence interrogative

Onamae wa ? : Your name?o- : makes the word polite

Onamae wa nan to osshaimasuka . : May I have your name?ossharu : say(polite)(osshara-nai,osshari-masu,ossharu,ossharu-toki,osshareba,(osshare),(ossharou),osshatta)onamae wa nan to osshaimasuka : name, what,say : May I have your name?

Dochirasama desuka. : Who are you?dochira : whichsama / san : is usually attached to a name like "Mr" or "Mrs".eg ; Tanaka sama : Mr/Ms Tanaka

Donata desuka. : Who are you?donata: who(polite)

Dare desuka. : Who are you?dare : who

Where are you going to stay? Dochira ni taizai saremasuka? : Where are you going to stay?

dochira : whichni : attaizai : staysareru : do (polite and admiring to a person to talk to, "sareru" can not be used for aspeaker)(sare-nai,sare-masu,sareru,sareru-toki,sarere-ba,(sarero),(sareyou),sareta)

"Dochira" literally means "which".

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You can think that "no hoteru" is omitted .Dochira (no hoteru) ni taizai saremasuka?: Which hotel are you going to stay at ?hoteru : hotelno : is connecting "dochira" and a noun which comes after it.dochira no hotel : which hotel

Dochira ni irasshaimasuka ? : Where are you going?irassharu : go (polite and admiring to a person to talk to)(irasshara-nai,irasshari-masu,irassharu,irassharu-toki,irasshare-ba,(irasshare),(irassharou),irasshatta)

Dochira ni osumai desuka ? : Where are you living?/ Whre do you live?osumai : to be living, live

"Dochira" used for asking a place is very polite word.

Below are examples in which "dochira" are used as just "which".Dochira ga yoi desuka ? : Which is good?yoi : goodDochira ga suki desuka ? : Which do you like?suki : like, love

If you could hear the word "dochira" in the conversation, you may know "dochira" isused for a place or just as " which " in the context of the conversation.

How long are you going to stay in Japan? Donokurai Nippon ni taizai shimasuka . : How long are you going to stay in Japan?donokurai / dorekurai : how long, how much, how many, how far dono : literally means "which"kurai : grade,degree,

Nippon / Nihon : Japanni : at, in, totaizai : stay(noun)taizai suru : stay (verb)suru : do(shi-nai,shi-masu,suru,suru-toki,sure-ba,shiro,shiyou,shita)

"donokurai" is used for asking quantity, distance,degree,grade and so on in aninterrogative sentence.To be precise, some other explanatory word should be added to "donokurai", but in our colloquial that kind of explanatory words are usually omitted.

In above case, "donokurai" is questioning period you stay(days/months / years).

So "Donokurai no nissuu" Nippon ni taizai shimasuka" is also correct.nissuu : the number of daysno : in terms of Donokurai (no nissuu) Nippon ni taizai shimasuka : how,in terms of days, Japan, in,stay, do you: How long are you going to stay in Japan?

Koko kara toshin made wa donokurai desuka : How far is it from here to downtown?koko : hire

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kara : fromtoshin : downtownmade : to, uptodonokurai : how far, how much

Koko kara toshin made wa donokurai (no jikan) desuka : here, from, downtown,to , how far, is? : How far is it from here to downtown.

jikan : time

Koko kara toshin made wa donokurai (no jikan) kakarimasuka : How long will ittake to get downtown from here?kakaru : take(time)(kakara-nai,kakari-masu,kakaru,kakaru-toki,kakare-ba,kakare,kakarou,kakatta)Koko kara toshin made wa donokurai kakarimasuka : here,from,downtown,to,howlong,take?: How long will it take to get downtown from here?

"donokurai no jikan " can be substituted for " donokurai jikan ga".Koko kara toshin made wa donokurai jikan ga kakarimasuka : How long will it take toget downtown from here?

making passive voice

Kono hon wa ookuno hito ni yomareteimasu : This book is read by many peoplekono : thishon : book ooi :(adjective) many, much,ookuno: "ooku"is stem,"no" connects the adjective with nounhito : person, people,humanookuno hito : many peopleni : byyomu : read(yoma-nai,yomi-masu,yomu,yomu-toki,yome-ba,yome,yomou,yonda)reru/rareru : is attached form a of verb-conjugation and makes it passive voice

yoma+reru : is readKono hon wa ookuno hito ni yomareru : this, book, many people, by , is read.:This

book is read by many people.

shiteiru : literaly means "is / are doing". Sometimes "shiteiru" describes not only theaction but also situationWhen "shiteiru" attached to verb, the verb should be form b (-masu form).And sometimes verb should be with euphonic change.

yomu +shiteiru : yomi+ - teiru : yondeiru : is reading

yomu+rareru+shiteiru : yomareteiru : is been read, is read

and , lastly, "masu" is attached and the sentense becomes polite.

yomareteiru+masu : yomareteimasu. : is read

Kono hon wa ookuno hito ni yomareteimasu : This book is read by many people.

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For example, let us try with "miru(see)".

miru: see, look,watch(mi-nai, mi-masu, miru, miru-toki, mire-ba, miro, miyou,mita)

miru+rareru : mirarerumirareru+shiteiru : mirareteirumirareteiru : mirareteimasu.

Anata wa dareka ni mirareteimasu : You are watched by someone

dareka : someoneni : by

About "verb conjugation" A verb consists of a stem and auxiliary verb / particle.A stem of a verb should be changed depending on its meaning in the sentense.Basically "verbs" have 6 forms of conjugation.

a : Imperfective form (mizenkei) : to be attached with ,for example, negative auxiliary"nai"

b : Continuative form(ren'youkei) : to be attached with, for example,polite auxiliary "masu"c : Terminal form (shuushikei) : to be used at the end of the sentense.plain form.dictionary formd : Attributive form (rentaikei) : to be attached with mainly a noun,for example,"toki"(when)e : Hypothetical form (kateikei) : to be used for conditional foms with " reba/ eba".f : Imperative form (meireikei) : to be used to make verbs be commands.

It is not important to know grammatical terms mentioned above, but when you learn averb, you'd better see all the conjugation forms of the verb.

I give you an instance the case of "kaku"(:write)form a :kaka(stem): kaka -nai : do not writeform b : kaki(stem): kaki -masu : write (polite)form c : kaku(stem): kaku :write(plain)form d : kaku(stem): kaku -toki : write,when : when you writeform e : kake (stem): kake -ba : write,if : if you writeform f : kake(stem): kake : write : (You) Write.

Sometimes we can see additional form g.

form g : kakou : let's write.

Moreover, in the case of past tense, "ta" / "da" / "ita"/"datta" and etc would be attacedto form b,but you should learn them as another form h.

e.g.kaku :write(kaka-nai, kaki-masu, kaku,kaku-toki,kake-ba,kake,kakou,kaita)

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miru : look, see(mi-nai,mi-masu,miru,miru-toki,mire-ba,miro,miyou,mita)yomu : read(yoma-nai,yomi-masu,yomu,yomu-toki,yome-ba,yome,yomou,yonda)hashiru : run(hashira-nai,hashiri-masu,hashiru,hashiru-toki,hashire-ba,hashire,hashirou,hashitta)

I have to go. Watashi wa ikanakerebanaranai . : I have to go.watashi : Iiku : go(ika -nai,iki-masu, iku,iku-toki,ike-ba, ike)ika -nakerebanaranai : must go, have to go/ has to goika -kakerebaikenai : must go, have to go/ has to go

Watashi wa repooto wo kakanakerebanaranai : I have to write a report.repooto : reportkaku : write(kaka -nai, kaki-masu,kaku, kaku-toki, ka-keba,kake)kaka -nakerebanaranai : must write, have to write / has to writekaka -nakerebaikenai : must write, have to write / has to write

Watashi wa kodomotachi no mendou o minakerebanaranai : I have to take care of children.kodomo : childkodomotachi : childrenmendou : matter miru : look, see(mi -nai, mi-masu, miru, miru-toki, mire-ba, mi-ro)mendou o miru : take care of mendou o mi -nakerebanaranai : must/have/has to take care of

Anata wa ni ji madeni shigoto o katazukenakerebanaranai : You must finish your work by 2 o'clock.anata : you(single)ni : two

ji : o'clock madeni : byshigoto : work, job, assignment,missionkatazukeru : finish(katazuke -nai, katazuke-masu, katazukeru, katazukeru-toki, katazukere-ba, katazuke-ro)katazuke -nakerebanaranai : must/have/has to finish

Japanese word order : you,two,o'clock,work,must finish : You must finish your work by two o'clock.

My wallet was stolen! Watashi no saifu ga nusumareta. : My wallet was stolen.watashi : I, my, mewatashi no : mysaifu : purse, wallet

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nusumu : stealnusumareta : was stolen

By attaching "-reru" or "-rareru" after a verb with conjugation, you can make a passivevoice.

nusumu : stealnusuma-reru : is stolennusuma-reta : was stolen

Many verbs in past tense have "-da" or "ta".Then we can think like this ;how to make a past tense sentense : verb+"da" / "ta"how to make a passive voice : verb + "reru" / "rareru"

nusumu + "reru"+"ta" : nusumareta : was stolen

Basic rules of making a past tense and a passive voice are mentioned above.In order to know the conjugation rule , you'd better meet actual sentenses as much as

possible.

But if you say just "nusumu (ra)reru ta/da" to Japanese people, maybe they canunderstand what you say.

Don't do that. Sore wa shinaide kudasai. : Don't do that.sore : it, thatshinai : don't do, doesn't dokudasai : give meshinai de kudasai : don't do please

Here review the conjugation of verbs.suru : doshinai : do notshimasu : do (polite)suru : do (plain)surutoki : do whensureba : do if shiro : do (imperative)

You can see that the head of the word changes to "su-" or "-shi"."suru" is a kind of a special word which has strange conjugation pattern.

If you want to make a negative imperative sentense, you can make it by "do not" pattern + de + kudasai.

tataku : beat(tatakanai, tatakimasu, tataku,tatakutoki,tatakeba, tatake)Tatakanai de kudasai. : beat not, please : Don't beat.Watashio tatakanai de kudasai : me, beat not, please : Don't beat me.

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miru : look (minai, mimasu, miru, mirutoki, mireba, miro)

Minai de kudasai : look not, please : Don't look.Watashi o minai de kudasai. : me, look not, please : Don't look at me.

Show me please. Misete kudasai . : Show me ,please.(verb)shite kudasai : (verb), pleasemiseru : showmiseru+shite kudasai : misete kudasai

Misete kudasai masenka ? : Could you show me, please.Misete. : Show me.Misete itadaitemo yoroshiidesuka ? : Is it OK for you to show me?Misete itadaitemo kamawanaidesuka ? : Would you mind showing it to me ?

In any case mentioned above, the parts of verb "Misete" are the same.

"kudasai" literaly means " give me, please".So if you say just "Kudasai", it means you say " Give me please.".

Kore kudasai . Give me this. / I take this./ I want this.

At restaurant, at shops, you can use this phrase " kore kudasai".

Can I use this? Kore tsukattemo iidesuka ? : Can I use this? / May I use this ?kore : thistsukau : useii / yoi : goodii desuka : is it good?tsukattemo : in terms of using , using

kore tsukattemo iidesuka? : this, in terms of using, is it good? : Can I use this? May Iuse this?

Kono kuruma untenshite mo iidesuka ? : Can I drive this car? / May I drive this car?kono : thiskuruma : car untensuru : drive

Ano hon yonde mo iidesuka ? : Can I read that book ?ano : thathon : book yomu : read

Anata o aishite mo iidesuka ? : Can I love you ? / May I love you?anata : youaisuru : love

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Sometimes " mo " would be omitted.

Anata o aishite iidesuka ? : Can I love you?

Denwa o tsukatte iidesuka ? : Can I use the phone?denwa : telephonetsukau : use

When you ask for using a someone's thing, "kariru(borrow)"can be used.

Denwa o karite mo iidesuka ? : Can I use the phone?kariru : borrow ( in this case, use)

Okane o karite mo iidesuka ? : Can I borrow money?kariru : borrow

Toire o karite mo iidesuka ? : Can I use a bathroom?toire : toilet, W.C, restroom, bathroom

No one knows. Dare mo shiranai . : No one knows.

dare : whodare mo ...nai : no one ....shiru / shitteiru : know(conjugation : shiranai, shirimasu, shiru, shirutoki,shireba,shire)(conjugation : shitteinai, shitteimasu, shitteiru, shitteirutoki, shitteireba, shitteiro)

In above case, " mo " is important. You should better learn it as a phrase.

If " mo " changed to "ga", the meaning would change.

Dare ga shiranai : who, does not know : Who doesn't know?( I think everyone knows

it.)Nani mo shiranai : I know nothing.nani : whatIn this case, "nani" is an objective word.This sentense should be learnt as one phrase, too.

Dare mo utawanai : No one sings. Nani mo utawanai : I sing nothing.utau : sing(conjugation : utawanai,utaimasu, utau,utautoki,utaeba,utae)

Comparative degree Kore wa are yori ookii : This is bigger than that.

In English, adjective words will be conjugated when making comparative sentenses,like " big", " bigger","biggest".

But in Japanese, adjective words will not be conjugated but attached some words.

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ookii : big...yori : than...mottomo : (most) , -estchiisai : small

Kore wa are yori chiisai : this, that, than, small : This is smaller than that.

sega takai : tallsega hikui : short...no nakade : amongkarera : they, them

Kare wa karera no nakade mottomo sega takai.: he, them , among, tallest : He is thetallest among them.

Kanojo wa kare yori sega hikui : she, he/him, than, short : She is shorter than he.

Let's go to the park! Kouen ni ikimashou : Let's go to the park.

kouen : park ni : to , on, atiku : go(ika-nai, iki-masu,iku,iku-toki,ike-ba,ike)-mashou : let's do

hashiru : run(hashir-anai,hashiri-masu,hashiru,hashiru-toki,hashir-eba,hashire)made : upto, to

Kouen made hashirimashou . : the park, upto, let's run: Let's run to the park.

saa : (accost word when tempting someone to do something)hajimeru : start(hajime-nai,hajime-masu,hajimeru,hajimeru-toki,hajimer-eba,hajimero)

Saa, hajimemashou .: Hey, let's start.

Somethng to drink nanika nomumono : something to drink

nanika : some

nomu : drink(plain)-mono : thing

verb(plain)+mono : thing to verbWhen " mono " added behind a verb, the verb changes to a noun.

taberu : eatnanika taberu mono : something to eat

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yomu : readnanika yomu mono : something to read

tataku : beatnanika tataku mono : something to beat

kudasai : please give

Nanika nomumono o kudasai . : something to drink , please give : Please give mesomething to drink.I love you. Watashi wa anata o aishiteimasu . : I , you, be loving : I love you.

aisuru : love(verb)aishiteiru : be lovingaishiteimasu : be loving (polite)

" verb+-shiteiru" means " be+-ing".A verb is to explain the action.The function of "-shiteiru" is to explain the current situation of the "verb".

There exists a little bit diffrence between " verb+-shiteiru" and " be+-ing".

Aishiteimasu : ( I ), be loving : I love you / I'm loving you.

Watashi wa anata o eienni aishimasu. : I, you, forever, love : I love you forever.In above case, "aishimasu" is right. If "aishiteimasu" is used, the meaning of sentensewill chang to " I'll be loving you forever.".

Similar case;shiru : knowshitteiru : (literaly means " be knowing" ) know

Watashi wa sore o shitteimasu. : I, it, know : I know it.

I don't know. When you are asked something but don't know the answer, you can use this phrase.

Shirimasen : ( I ), know,not : I don't know

shiru : knowshirimasu : know(polite)shiranai : know notshirimasen : know not (polite)

Wakarimasen : ( I ), understan,not : I don't understand.

wakaru : understandwakarimasu : understand ( polite)

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wakaranai : understand notwakarimasen : understand not ( polite)

"wa" or "ga" "wa" or " ga" makes a noun a subjective word by being attached in a sentense.

But ,we, Japanese, use them properly case by case.

Then , what is the difference between "wa" and "ga".

One thing Ican say is that "ga" is used in the case where something is specified or emphasized.

For example,A teacher found that window glass of classroom is broken, and he thought someone of students did it.Then he asked the students "Who broke the window?" in front of all of the students.

A student stands up and say "I did."

In this case, "Watashi ga yarimashita." (I did) is right , because the speaker emphasizing who did it.

On the contrary, assuming that there is a man whose work is to break glass everyday,, he would say " Watashi wa garasu o mainichi warimasu."( I break glass everyday)In this case, he needs not to specify anything.

I think it is better for you to learn "wa" and "ga" by encountering as much as possible.

Who did what? Dare ga nani o shitanodesuka : who, what , did : Who did what ?

dare : whonani : whatshita : diddesuka : ( "desuka" added at the end of the sentense make it interrogative.)no : ( which connect a verb and "desuka". when connecting a noun and "desuka", noneed to put "no")

eg.hashiru : runhashiru no desuka : Do you run ?

hashitta : ranhashitta no desuka : Did you run?

pen : pen pen desuka : Is this a pen?

Dare ga nani o shitanodesuka . : Who did what?Dare ga nani o surunodesuka. : Who does what?

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shita : didsuru : do

In the conversation, if you couldn' t catch some words, you can ask by substituting theword you caught for "who" or "what" in the above sentense.

Mr. Tanaka ga nani o shitanodesuka . : Mr. Tanaka did what?/ What Mr.Tnaka did?Watashi wa nani o surunodesuka . : I do what? / What should I do?

It is very difficult to explain difference between " wa" and "ga" .Next time I will .

I beg your pardon? If you couldn't catch what someone said to you, you may say " I beg your pardon?" torequest him/her to say once again.

In Japanese, " Mou ichido itte kudasai .".

mou : moreichi do : one time, oncemou ichido : once againiu : sayitte : (conjugation ) saykudasai : please

Mou ichido itte kudasai . : once again, say , please, : Say it again please / I beg your pardon.

sumimasen : excuse me

Sumimasen, mou ichido itte kudasai : excuse me, once again, say, please. : Excuse me, please say again.

I can't do that …dekinai/ …dekimasen ; can not …./ is(/are) not able to …

sore/are : that

Watashi wa sore o dekimasen : I, that, cannot : I can not do that.

Above sentense doesn't include a verb but a object word.

Yesterday, I wrote in this blog about "can.."sentense, and explained that if a verb is

included in the sentense, the verb should be conjugated.The case of "cannot …"sentense is same.

hanasu : speak hanas-eru : can speak hanas-enai: can't speak hanas-emasen : can't speak(polite)

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Watashi wa nihongo o hanasemasen . : I, Japanese, can't speak: I can't speak Japanese.

And also explained a easier way to make " can..." sentense with changing a verb into anoun.

hanasu : speak hanasu koto : speaking, to speak

Watashi wa nihongo o hanasukoto ga dekimasu .: I, Japanese, speaking,can: I canspeak Japanese.

A negative sentense is same.

Watashi wa nihongo o hanasukoto ga dekimasen .; I, Japanese, speaking, can't : I can'tspeak Japanese.

You may already know a basic structure of easy Japanese sentense, then you can try tomake sentenses as much as possible for your prctice.

I can do that. ...dekiru : can... , be able to ....

sore, are : thatsuru : dodekiru : can(conjugation : dekinai,dekimasu,dekiru,dekirutoki,dekireba,dekiro)

Watashi wa sore o dekimasu : I, that, can : I can do that.

hanasu : speak nihongo : Japanese-eru : can..., be able to...-emasu : (polite)can..., beable to...hanasemasu : hanasu+-emasu : can speak

Watashi wa nihongo o hanasemasu. : I, Japanese, can speak : I can speak Japanese.

if "-eru" or "-reru" is attached to a verb, it means " can...." with verb conjugation.

More easier way to mean " can..." is ;1. put "-koto" behind the verb(plain) , which makes the verb a noun.2.put " -ga dekimasu" after the word.

For example,

Watashi wa nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekimasu (hanasemasu) .; I, Japanese,speaking, can : I can speak Japanese.

yomu : read(conjugation : yomanai,yomimasu,yomu,yomutoki,yomeba,yome)

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Watashi wa hon o yomu koto ga dekimasu (yomemasu). : I, book, reading, can, : I canread a book.

Conjugaiton of verbs is difficult so you can use this easy way to make "can do "sentense.

Where can I wash my hands? ...wa doko desuka? : Where is ....?

toire : W.C., restroomdoko : where-wa : (attached after the subject word)desu : is,are-ka : (attached at the end of the interrogative sentense)

Toire wa doko desuka ? : restroom, where, is ; Where is the restroom?

denwa : telephone

Denwa wa doko desuka ? : telephone, where, is : Where is a telephone? Where can Imake a telephone call?

... wa doko ni arimasuka ? : (same with "...wa doko desuka ?") Where is .....?

Toire wa doko ni arimasuka ? : Where is a restroom?Denwa wa doko ni arimasuka ? : Where is a telephone?

on the phone Every Japanese people , at the beginning of the telephone conversation, says " moshi-moshi" as an accost word.

"Moshi-moshi. Suzuki to moushimasu ga, Tanakasan ni tsunaide itadakemasuka ."(Hello, this is Suzuki speaking. May I speak to Mr. Tanaka.)

...to moushimasu : (literaly " I say") I am...ga : but-san : Mr. Mrs. Miss. Ms.etctsunagu : connect-te/ -de : (conjunctive particle) this particle connects a verb to another verb.itadakemasuka : (literaly "Can I have..." , " May I have...") Could you please...

moshi-moshi : (accost) hello

Suzuki to moushimasu ga : Suzuki, I am, but : I am SuzukiTsunaide itadakemasuka. : connect, could you please : Could you please connect meto.../ Can I speak to...

Introdece yourself When you meet someone for the first time, you have to itroduce yourself.

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hajimemashite : how do you do (learn it as a phrase)namae : nameto moushimasu : (literaly means " I say...", but usually means "is")

Hajimemashite; how do you do : How do you do.Watashino namae wa Suzuki to moushimasu . : my, name , Suzuki, is. : My name isSuzuki.

It si OK to say " Watashino namae wa Suzuki desu (is)."

Usually, "you" or " I " as a subject is omitted, then, you can say like this ;Suzuki to moushimasu. : Suzuki, is : ( I am ) Suzuki. / (My name) Suzuki.

Remember that there are many cases in which a subject of the sentense is omitted.You should concentrate on listening ordinary nouns and proper nouns but " watashi( I )" as a subject. Personal pronouns are not so important in our conversation becauseyou can imagine them.

vocabulary : family otousan , chichi : father okaasan , haha : mother ojiisan, sofu : grand father obaasan , sobo: grand mother oniisan , ani: elder brother otouto : younger brother oneesan , ane : elder sister imouto : younger sister ojisan , oji : uncleobasan , oba : auntitoko : cousinmusuko : sonmusume : daughter kodomo : childoya : parentsmago : grandchildakachan : babykazoku : family

A no B : A's B, B of A

sumu : live

sumanai : live not

sumimasu : live(polite)sumu : livesumutoki : live whensumeba : live if sume : live (imperative)

sunda : livedsundeiru : be living

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sundeimasu : be living (polite)

"sumu" is usually used in progressive form.ima : nowamerika : america, united states

Watashi no imouto wa ima amerika ni sundeimasu. : my younger sister, now,america in, is living :My sister is living in US now.

Oji no musuko wa itoko desu. : son of uncle, cousin, is : Son of uncle is cousin.

kekkon : marriagekekkonsuru : marry, get marriedA noun "kekkon" plus a verb "suru" becomes a verb "kekkonsuru" .mou : already

Watashi no imouto wa mou kekkonshimashita . My younger sister, already, gotmarried.: My sister has already got married.

shinu : dieshinanai : die notshinimasu : die (polite)shinu : dieshinutoki : die whenshineba : die if shine : die (imperative)

shinda : died, was/were dead

If you have to say something about someone's death, you should better use more politeword in spite of using "shinu".That is " nakunaru".

nakunaru : dienakunaranai : die notnakunarimasu : die (polite)nakunaru : dienakunarutoki : die whennakunareba : die if nakunare : die (imperative)

nakunatta : diednakunarimashita : died, was/were dead (polite)

Watashino ojiisan wa mou nakunarimashita. : my grandfather, alread, died. : Mygrandfather is dead.

umareru : be bornumarenai : be born notumaremasu : be born(polite)umareru : be born

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umarerutoki : be born whenumarereba : be born if umarero : be born(imperative)

umareta : was/were born

umare : birth , being born(noun)

Akachan ga umareta : a baby, was born. : A baby was born.

Watashi wa ku gatsu umare desu. : I, September, being born, is : I was born inSeptember.

On the taxi Many Japanese taxi drivers are not good at speaking English.This may be top level in the world.

But once they got your destination, you will be satisfied with their driving tequnique.

When you get on a taxi, the most important thing is to make a taxi driver understandwhere to go.

iku : goshitai : wantikitai : want to gono desuga : literaly means "....,but..". When you ask for something, these words areadded at the end of the sentense in many cases.

Tokyo ni ikitai no desuga : Tokyo to, want to go, (I mean),: I want to go to Tokyo.Hotel ni ikitai no desuga : Hotel to, want to go,: I want to go to the hotel.

or

...made : to..., up to ...onegaishimasu : please

Tokyo made onegaishimasu.: Tokyo to, please. : Please go to Tokyo.Shinjuku made onegaishimasu. : Shinjuku to , please : Please go to Shinjuku.

"onegaishimasu" is very useful word which means requesting something.

At a shop;Kore onegaishimasu. : this, please : I want this.

At a station counter;Shinjuku made onegaishimasu . : Shinjuku to , please : I want a ticket for shinjuku.

At a movie theater ;otona : adultichi : onemai : when you count thin thing , "mai" would be added after numbers

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Otona ichi mai onegaishimasu. : adult, 1, please : I want 1 adult ticket.

At a restaurant;mizu : water hanbaagu : humburgMizu o onegaishimasu. : water, please : I want a glass of water.Hanbaagu o onegaishimasu. : humburg, please : I want a humburg.

sentense-final particles Japanese language sentenses consists of many kinds of particles.It is no exaggeration to say that you mastered Japanese if you've got full understandingof Japnese particles.

Some particles are very important to make a sentense have a meaning, but some are notin our conversation.For example, "sentense-final particle" are not so important for non-native speakers,especially bigginers, I think.

It is not a main purpose to explain grammar of Japanese on this blog, but I want to saythat Japanese language has that kind of structural character.

I hope you to feel the meaning of sentense-final particles when you meet it.

okane : moneyotosu :yo : (sentense-final particle)

Okane o otoshimashita yo. : money, dropped : (Hey) you dropped money.Okane o otoshimashita ne. : money, dropped : You dropped money(, didn't you).Okane o otoshita nosa. : money, dropped : (Ya,) I dropped money.

otosu : dropotosanai : drop nototoshimasu : drop(polite)otosu : drop (plain)otosutoki : drop whenotoseba : drop if otose : drop (imperative)otoshita : droppedotoshimashita : dropped(polite)

Conjunction words A conjunction words like " and ", " but ", " or " and etc are to connect a word and aword , a sentense and a sentense.

to, soshite : anddemo, shikashi : butka, aruiwa : or

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(da)kara, nanode, ...(da)kara , ...no seide, ...no okagede , ..de : because,because of

anata to watashi : you and meanata ka watashi : you or me

hare : fine(weather)(noun)hareteiru : be finesamui : cold

Kyou wa hareteiru demo samui : today, fine,but, cold : It is fine today but cold.

ame : rain

Kyou wa ame nanode samui : today, rain because, cold : It is cold today because of rain.

kaze : a cold (flu)yasumu : be absent

Kaze de gakkou o yasunda : a cold because of , school, absent : Because of a cold, Iwas absent from school.(The subject word is omitted)

yasui : cheapkau : buy

Yasui kara sore o katta.: cheap because, it , bought. : Because it is cheap, I bought it.

Conjunction words widen your conversation.

today's conjugation;

yasumu : be absentyasumanai : be absent notyasumimasu : be absent (polite)yasumu : be absent (polite)yasumutoki : be absent whenyasumeba : be absent if yasume : be absent(imperative)

yasunda : was/were absentyasundeiru : being absent

kau : buykawanai : buy notkaimasu : buy (polite)kau : buy (plain)kautoki : buy whenkaeba : buy if kae : buy(imperative)

katta : bought

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Passive voice When you say a paasive voice in Englis, you use past participle.

eg. You write a letter. : A letter is writen by you.

In Japanese , " reru " or " rareru " is used.

tegami : letter kaku : write

kakareru : is/are writenni (yotte ): by

Kono tegami wa watashi ni yotte kakareru.: this , letter, me by, be writen.: This letter iswriten by me.

tataku : beattatakareru : is/are beatentatakareta : was/were beaten

Watashi wa kare ni tatakareta : I, him by, was beaten : I was beaten by him.

tazuneru : ask michi : way , road, streeteki : statione : tono : on, in...e no michi : a way to...

Watashi wa eki e no michi o tazunerareta.: I,station, a way to ,was asked. : I was askeda way to a station.

To turn a sentense into a passive voice,the basic points are;1.The object word is changed to a subject.2.The verb is attached with "reru" or "rareru".3.The verb is conjugated.

You can have it. ageru : give

conjugationage-nai : give notage-masu : give (polite)

ageru : give (plain)ageru -toki : give whenager-eba : give if ager-o : give(imperative)

ageru darou : will giveageta : gave

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anata : youni :tokore : this

Anata ni kore o agemasu. : (the subject "watashi wa" omitted) ,you to, this, give.: I giveyou this.

When the recipient is "me", "kureru" should be used in spite of "ageru".

Anata wa watashi ni kore o kuremasu. : you, me to, this, give.: You give me this.

kare : he , his, himkanojo : she, her, her

Kare wa kanojo ni kore o ageta . : he, her to, this, gave : He gave her this.Anata wa kare ni kore o ageta . : you , him to, this, gave : You gave him this.Kare wa watashi ni kore o kureta . : he, me to, this, gave : He gave me this.

kureru : give

conjugationkure-nai : give notkure-masu : give (polite)kureru : give (plain)kureru-toki : give whenkurer-eba : give if kure : give (imperative)

kureru darou : will givekureta : gave

Kore o kanojo ni agero : this, her to, give(imperative).:Give her this.Kore o watashi ni kure : this, me to, give. : Give me this.

When the recipient and "me"(the first person) is in the same group like family, "kureru"can be used.

omocha : toymusuko : sonwatashi no : my

Kare wa watashi no musuko ni omocha o kureta . : he, my son to, toy,gave : He gave atoy to my son.

We can say that " ageru " has a nuance of "going out", " kureru " has "coming in".

Excuse me. sumimasen / sumimasen ga : excuse me

"sumimasen" is very useful word, you can catch it anytime,anywhere.

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When you want to ask someone to do something for you, "sumimasen" is a startingword of conversation.

vocabulary : Months It is very easy to say a montsh in Japanese.

Number plus "gatsu", that's all.

ichi-gatsu : Januaryni-gatsu : Februarysan-gatsu : Marchshi-gatsu : Aprilgo-gatsu : Mayroku-gatsu : Juneshichi-gatsu : Julyhachi-gatsu : Augustku-gatsu : September

juu-gatsu : October juuichi-gatsu : November juuni-gatsu : December

In case of date of the month, basicaly number+"nichi".But there are some exceptions.nichi : day

tsuitachi : 1st(first day of the month)futsuka : 2ndmikka : 3rdyokka : 4thitsuka : 5thmuika : 6thnanoka : 7thyouka : 8thkokonoka : 9thtouka : 10th

Word above are specialized to use for days of month.

juuichi-nichi : 11th juuni-nichi : 12th juusan-nichi :13th...

kyou : todayKyou wa roku-gatsu futsuka desu.: today, June,2nd, is : It is June 2nd today.

vocabulary : day of the week nichi-youbi : Sundaygetsu-youbi : Mondayka-youbi : Tuesdaysui-youbi : Wednesday

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moku-youbi : Thursdaykin-youbi : Fridaydo-youbi : Saturday

hataraku : work(verb)...kara : from...made : to,up to

Watashi wa getsu-youbi kara kin-youbi made hatarakimasu.:I,Monday from,Fridayto,work.: I work from Monday to Friday.

conjugationhatarakanai : work nothatarakimasu : work(polite)hataraku : work(plain)hatarakutoki : work whenhatarakeba : work if hatarake : work(imperative)

tensehataraku darou : will work hataraita : worked

vocabulary : colors iro : color kuro : black(noun)aka : red(noun)ao : blue(noun)kiiro : yellow(noun)midori : green(noun)chairo : brown(noun)shiro : white(noun)

when " -i" added,then adjective.

kuroi : black(adjective)akai : red (adjective)aoi : blue(adjective)

Kono iro wa kuro desu.: this, color , black, is : This color is black.Kore wa kuroi desu. : this, black, is : This is black.

word order I said "word order is not important" before.But , today, I would like to say a key point to make a sentence with right word order.It is very easy.

A subjective word should be put the beginning of a sentence and a verb at the end of asentence.

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That's all.

eg:Watashi wa densha de ikimasu . : I , train,by, go : I go by train densha : (electric) trainde : byiku : go(ika-nai, iki -masu,iku,iku-toki,ike-ba,ike, itta)

Kore wa pen desu . : This , pen , is : This is a pen.kore : this

pen : pendesu : is / are

Ano hana wa totemo utsukushii (desu). : That , flower , very, beautiful (is) : Thatflower is very beautiful.ano : thathana : flower totemo : veryutsukushii : beautiful(an adjective word have a function of be-verb)

can't , can not Watashi wa nihongo o hanasenai. : I, Japanese, can't speak. : I can't speak Japanese.(I'm not able to speak Japanese, I don't have skills to speak Japanese)

watashi : I ,watashi wa : I (subject)nihongo : Japanese languagehanasu : speak (hanasa-nai, hanashi-masu, hanasu, hanasu-toki, hanase -ba, hanase)hanasenai : can't speak

Watashi wa nihongo o hanasanai : I, Japanese, don't speak : I don't speak Japanese.( I can speak Japanese but I don't speak Japanese)

hanasu : speak (hanasa -nai, hanashi-masu, hanasu, hanasu-toki, hanase-ba, hanase)

Watashi wa hashirenai. : I , can't run. : I can't run.hashiru : run(hashira-nai, hashiri-masu, hashiru, hashiru-toki, hashire -ba, hashire)

Watashi wa hashiranai. : I , don't run : I don't run.hashiru : run(hashira -nai, hashiri-masu, hashiru, hashiru-toki, hashire-ba, hashire)

tobenai : can't flytobu: fly(toba-nai, tobi-masu, tobu, tobu-toki , tobe -ba , tobe)

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tobanai : don't flytobu: fly(toba -nai, tobi-masu, tobu, tobu-toki , tobe-ba , tobe)nomenai : can't drink nomu : drink (noma-nai, nomi-masu, nomu, nomu-toki , nome -ba, nome)nomanai : don't drink nomu : drink (noma -nai, nomi-masu, nomu, nomu-toki , nome-ba, nome)

exception;In Japanese, there are cases in which "noun"+"suru" makes it verb.suru : do(shi-nai, shi-masu, suru, suru-toki, sure-ba, shiro)

benkyou : study(noun) benkyousuru : study(verb)unten : driving(noun)unten suru : drive(verb)

Watashi wa benkyou shinai : I, study, don't : I don't study.Watashi wa benkyou dekinai : I , study, can't. : I can't study.dekiru(verb) : can, be able to(deki-nai, deki-masu, dekiru, dekiru-toki, dekire-ba, dekiro)

infinitive Infinitives ( to+verb) are often seen in English conversation.

eg. I go to bookshop to buy book. ("to buy" is infinitive in this case)

In Japanese , "....suru tameni" , " ...no tameni " or " ...tameni " is very convinient wordfor infinitives.

Watashi wa hon o kau tameni hon-ya ni ikimasu.( I, book, buy, to(infinitive), bookshop, to, go)kau : buytameni : for the purpose of hon-ya: bookshop,ya : "ya" means shopiku : go(ika-nai, iki-masu, iku, iku-toki, ike-ba, ike)

"tameni" comes just after a verb(plain)yomu tameni : to readau tameni : to meet, to seeiu tameni : to say

"no tameni" comes after noundokusho(reading) no tameni : for readingunten(driving) no tameni : for driving

"suru tameni" means " for doing..." ( same with " no tameni")

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dokusho(reading) suru tameni : for readingunten(driving) suru tameni : for driving

Pactice;

Watashi wa anata ni au tameni koko ni kita. : I came here to see you.watashi : I" wa " of "watashi wa" makes "I" subject.anata : youni : to, with"ni " of " anata ni" makes "you " objective.au : meet , see(awa-nai, ai-masu, au, au-toki, ae-ba ,ae)tameni : for koko : (noun) hereni: tokita : past tense of "kuru" , camekuru :come(ko-nai, ki -masu, kuru, kuru-toki, kure-ba, koi)ki + ta : came

Watashi wa anata ni au tameni koko ni kita. : I, you , with, see, for , here, came : I camehere to see you.