18 Aug
Minna no Nihongo | Lesson 1
### A Comprehensive Guide to "Minna no Nihongo ๅ็ดโ
" Lesson 1
Learning a new language can be both an exciting and challenging endeavor. For those embarking on the journey to learn Japanese, "Minna no Nihongo ๅ็ดโ
" is one of the most popular textbooks available. Itโs widely used in language schools and self-study programs, and Lesson 1 sets a solid foundation for beginners. In this blog post, we'll explore the key grammar points introduced in the first lesson: N1 ใฏ N2 ใงใ, N1 ใฏ N2 ใใ๏ผใงใฏ๏ผใใใพใใ, N1 ใฏ N2 ใงใใ, N1 ใ N2 ใงใ, and N1 ใฎ N2.
### 1. **N1 ใฏ N2 ใงใ (N1 wa N2 desu)**
The structure "N1 ใฏ N2 ใงใ" is one of the most fundamental sentence patterns in Japanese. It translates to "N1 is N2," where N1 is the subject and N2 is the complement or the predicate. This pattern is used to make a simple declarative statement.
- **Example:**ย
ย - ใใใฏใใณใงใใ(Kore wa pen desu.)
ย - This is a pen.
In this sentence, "ใใ" (kore) is the subject (N1), and "ใใณ" (pen) is the predicate (N2). The particle "ใฏ" (wa) is used to mark the subject of the sentence, and "ใงใ" (desu) is a polite sentence ending that adds formality and indicates a positive statement.
### 2. **N1 ใฏ N2 ใใ๏ผใงใฏ๏ผใใใพใใ (N1 wa N2 ja (de wa) arimasen)**
When you want to negate the sentence structure "N1 ใฏ N2 ใงใ," you use "N1 ใฏ N2 ใใ๏ผใงใฏ๏ผใใใพใใ." This structure means "N1 is not N2."
- **Example:**ย
ย - ใใใฏใชใณใดใใใใใพใใใ(Sore wa ringo ja arimasen.)
ย - That is not an apple.
Here, "ใใ" (sore) is the subject, "ใชใณใด" (ringo) is the predicate, and "ใใใใใพใใ" (ja arimasen) is the negative form of "ใงใ" (desu). "ใงใฏใใใพใใ" (de wa arimasen) is a more formal variation, often used in more polite contexts.
### 3. **N1 ใฏ N2 ใงใใ (N1 wa N2 desu ka)**
To form a question in Japanese, you simply add the particle "ใ" (ka) to the end of a statement. This converts "N1 ใฏ N2 ใงใ" into "N1 ใฏ N2 ใงใใ," which means "Is N1 N2?"
- **Example:**ย
ย - ใใชใใฏๅญฆ็ใงใใ๏ผ(Anata wa gakusei desu ka?)
ย - Are you a student?
Adding "ใ" at the end of the sentence turns it into a polite question. It's important to note that the word order remains the same as in a declarative sentence, making Japanese questions relatively straightforward.
### 4. **N1 ใ N2 ใงใ (N1 mo N2 desu)**
The particle "ใ" (mo) means "also" or "too." When you want to say "N1 is also N2," you use the structure "N1 ใ N2 ใงใ."
- **Example:**ย
ย - ็งใๆฅๆฌไบบใงใใ(Watashi mo Nihonjin desu.)
ย - I am also Japanese.
In this example, "็ง" (watashi) is the subject, and "ใ" (mo) is used to indicate that the subject shares the same characteristic as someone previously mentioned.
### 5. **N1 ใฎ N2 (N1 no N2)**
The particle "ใฎ" (no) is used to indicate possession or to describe a relationship between two nouns. The structure "N1 ใฎ N2" translates to "N2 of N1" or "N1's N2."
- **Example:**ย
ย - ็ฐไธญใใใฎๆฌใงใใ(Tanaka-san no hon desu.)
ย - It is Mr. Tanaka's book.
Here, "็ฐไธญใใ" (Tanaka-san) is N1, and "ๆฌ" (hon) is N2. "ใฎ" (no) connects the two, showing that the book belongs to Mr. Tanaka.
### Conclusion
The first lesson of "Minna no Nihongo ๅ็ดโ
" introduces essential sentence structures that form the basis of Japanese communication. Understanding and practicing "N1 ใฏ N2 ใงใ," "N1 ใฏ N2 ใใ๏ผใงใฏ๏ผใใใพใใ," "N1 ใฏ N2 ใงใใ," "N1 ใ N2 ใงใ," and "N1 ใฎ N2" will enable learners to create simple yet meaningful sentences in Japanese. As you continue your studies, these foundational patterns will be essential tools in your language learning arsenal. Happy studying!
