Nihongo ga wakarimasu ka?

Do You Understand Japanese?

Now, we are going to start learning some simple phrases and grammar. Once you learn one sentence structure, you can easily build on to it. Learning to speak Japanese can actually be fun!

In the sentence, "Nihongo ga wakarimasu ka?" We will first learn:

Nihongo

Japanese (Language) = go,

hon-go ("n" is held out),

ni-hon-go

Nihongo


The second word I am going to introduce is "wakarimasu"

Wakarimasu

Understand = masu (Do not pronounce the "u" in "masu"),

ri-masu,

ka-ri-masu,

wa-ka-ri-masu,

Wakarimasu

To say, "I understand" you simply say: Wakarimasu.
The "I" is understood and dosen't need to be said. Now for the smaller words:

"Nihongo ga wakarimasu ka?

ga = This word is known as a particle. Don't worry too much about the meaning of "ga" , just note that this word goes after any language you are talking about.

ex:
Nihongo ga
Eigo ga

Knowing what you know now, you can actually say a full sentence. I'll explain what "ka" is in a minute. Let's look at:

Nihongo ga wakarimasu.

This literally means, "Japanese language I understand"
To say "I understand Japanese" all you say is:

Nihongo ga wakarimasu.

You can also replace "Nihongo" with any other language. Let's learn how to say "English" in Japanese:

Eigo

English = go,

i-go,

e-i-go,

Eigo


Now you can say "I understand English":

Eigo ga wakarimasu.

Now for "ka". "Ka" is also a particle that goes at the end of a sentence to show that it is a question. Think of "ka" as a spoken question mark. Look at the two examples below and see how they compare:

Nihongo ga wakarimasu.
"I understand Japanese."

Nihongo ga wakarimasu ka?
"Do you understand Japanese?"

**Remember that "I" and "you" are understood.**

See? Just by adding "ka" at the end of the sentence completely changes it's meaning. Just remember:

ka = "?"



Let's review so far, cause I know that can be a mouth full:

Nihongo ga wakarimasu.
I understand Japanese.

Eigo ga wakarimasu.
I understand English.

Nihongo ga wakarimasu ka?
Do you understand Japanese?

Eigo ga wakarimasu ka?
Do you understand English?


You will notice that I will sometimes put explanations next to certain words on how they are pronounced. Hopefully you follow this advice, because it will eventually become natural to you as you learn Japanese online.

**Please note that most words that end in "u", the "u" is not pronounced. I will put the "u" at the end of the word, because I want you to get use to this form of writing for when I eventually introduce you to the Japanese writing style known as kana. But don't worry, that won't be for some time now. Just keep up the good work!

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!

Itekimasu!!

Greetings

Greetings

No lesson is complete without your basic expressions. I have learned from Pimsleur's Method Japanese, a very useful tip in learning how to pronounce certain Japanese words. For example, let's look at the Japanese word for Cherry Blossom - Sakura. I start from the end of the word and work my way to the beginning.

Cherry Blossom

Sakura = ra,

ku-ra,

sa-ku-ra,

Sakura

To me, the word doesn't seem that intimidating. I will keep listing words in this fashion. The Japanese use different levels of speaking for politeness depending on whom they are conversing with. I will let you know which words are for business, and which are for friends and family! Remember, if you have any questions, I'm only an email away ;) . Now for the part you've been waiting for; Greetings!!!

Good Morning (Informal - Friends and Family)

Ohayou = u,

yo-u,

ha-yo-u,

o-ha-yo-u,

Ohayou



Good Morning (Formal - Business, Elders)

Ohayou Gozaimasu = su, (the "u" is very short)

ma-su,

i-ma-su,

za-i-ma-su,

go-za-i-ma-su,

Gozaimasu,

Ohayou Gozaimasu


Good Afternoon

Konnichiwa = wa,

chi-wa,

ni-chi-wa,

Kon-ni-chi-wa (the "n" in "kon" is held out)

Konnichiwa


Good Evening

Konbanwa = wa,

ban-wa (the "n" is held out)

kon-ban-wa (the "n" in "kon" is also held out")

Konbanwa


Good Night (Informal)

Oyasumi = mi,

su-mi,

ya-su-mi,

o-ya-su-mi,

Oyasumi


Good Night (Formal)

Oyasumi Nasai = i ("i" is held out),

sa-i,

na-sa-i,

Nasai,

Oyasumi Nasai



Hello (On the Telephone)

Moshi Moshi = shi,

mo-shi,

Moshi,

Moshi Moshi


Good Bye (Formal)

Sayonara = ra,

na-ra,

yo-na-ra (Hold out the "o" in "yo")

sa-yo-na-ra,

Sayonara


See you (Informal)

Ja Matta = ta,

ma-ta

Matta (I'll explain in latter lessons why I put two letters together),

ja,

Ja Matta


See You Tommorrow (Informal)

Ja Matta Ashita = ta,

shi-ta,

a-shi-ta,

Ashita,

Matta Ashita,

Ja Matta Ashita


That's it for now. More to come soon! Ja Matta!!

Konnichiwa!!

Hajimemashite!

I'm creating this blog to start my very own Japanese Online Lessons and to state some myths and facts about the Japanese Culture. I've seen so many sites trying to teach the Japanese language in their own ways. Ways that never seemed to work for me. This blog is my way of understanding how to speak Japanese, and hopefully yours as well. If you have any suggestions on how to improve this blog (teaching methods, culture of Japan, etc..), then please let me know. Your opinion counts more than you think ;) I am and will always be a student of culture and languages. I hope you find this enjoyable.