Japanese Phrase A Day Practice Pad. Sam Brier

LANGUAGE NOTE —————————

      In Japanese, we don’t use the word “you” too much. If you know the person’s name, put it in place of the marks “○○”. For example, “Maki-san wa, eigo no sensei desu ka? マキさんは、

      “-San さん” should follow the person’s name to be polite; it means “Mr.” or “M(r)s.”

      Kekkon shitemasu ka?

      Are you married?

      はい、してます。

      Hai, shitemasu.

      Yes.

      いいえ、まだです。

      Iie, mada desu.

      Not yet.

      ————————— CULTURAL NOTE —————————

      In some cultures, asking if someone is married when you meet for the first time is considered friendly. But in Japanese culture, it’s not a very good thing to ask, especially if the person is an older female and the answer is “Mada まだ” (“not yet”).

      Okusan / goshujin wa nihonjin desu ka?

      Is your wife / husband Japanese?

      はい、そうです。

      Hai, sōdesu.

      Yes, that’s right. / Yes, he/she is.

      Iie, chigaimasu.

      No, he/she isn’t.

      ————————— CULTURAL NOTE —————————

      “Oku

means “deep inside” or “inner part.” This word is used because a long time ago, wives’ rooms were usually far from the entrance of a home. “Shujin

means “master” or “owner” in English. This word comes from ancient Chinese and means “the owner of the house.” You should use “go ご” to show respect when you ask a question, but do not use “go ご” when you answer.

      Kareshi / Kanojo ga imasu ka?

      Do you have a boyfriend / girlfriend?

      はい、います。

      Hai, imasu.

      Yes, I do.

      いいえ、いません。

      Iie, imasen.

      No, I don’t.

      ————————— LANGUAGE NOTE —————————

      If you are looking for a boyfriend/girlfriend, you can add this phrase:

す。 “Ima, boshūchūdesu. I’m looking for one. ”

      It’s important to use the correct verb “to have.” “Imasu” is for people and animals and “arimasu” is for things.

      Hontō desu ka?

      Really?

      Hontō desu.

      Really.

      ————————— LANGUAGE NOTE —————————

      In casual conversation, you might hear simply “Honto?

” and the answer “Honto

.”

      In Osaka, “Honto?

” becomes “Homma? ほんま.” Young people tend to say “Maji? / Maji de? まじ./まじで.” instead of “Honto?

.”

      Shinjiraremasen.

      I can’t believe it.

      いいですね。

      Ii desu ne.

      すごいですね。

      Sugoi desu ne.

      It’s cool, huh?

      ————————— LANGUAGE NOTE —————————

      In casual converation, the polite negative “masen ません” is replaced with “nai ない,” and in Osaka “nai ない” becomes “hen へん.” Hence, “Shinjirarenai

じられない” is the casual way to say”I can’t believe it” in standard Tokyo dialect, and “Shinjirarehen

じられへん” is the Osaka dialect. Young people often use “Arienai! ありえな い” (impossible!).

      Aishitemasu.

      I love you.

      Watashi mo aishitemasu.

      Watashi mo desu.

      I love you, too.

      ————————— LANGUAGE NOTE —————————

      “Watashi 私も” means “I.” Another more manly way to say “I” is “Boku ぼく” or “Ore おれ”.

      “Mo も” means “also.”

      WORK/STUDY

      Days 32–60

      Oshigoto wa nan desu ka?

      What do you do?

      Watashi wa isha / Eigo no sensei desu.

      I’m a doctor / an English teacher.