• ano hon o yomazu ni wa irarenai. | I can't help but to read that book.
  • K: あのほんをよまずにはいられない。
  • G: zu-ni
• Watashi wa hachi(bee) ni sasareta(sasu - to sting) | I was sting by a bee
  • G: passive

• Hachi wa watashi o sashita | Be sting me

  • G: Non passive version

• Otto ni shinareta josei wa miboujin to yobareru | A woman whose husband has died is called a widow.

  • K: 夫に死なれた女性は未亡人と呼ばれる。
  • G: passive
  • ALTERNATIVE: Otto ga shinda josei wa miboujin to yobareru.
  • NOTE: Both shinatera and yobareru are passive forms

• Asa gohan o taberu mae ni, te o (arau)araimasu. | Before eating I wash hands

  • G: mae ni

• Asa gohan o tabeta ato de, sentaku o shimasu | After eating breakfast, I do a laundry

  • G: ato de

• Kigaeru mae ni, daidokoro o (katazukeru)katazukemasu | I have to tidy up the kitchen, before changing my clothes

  • G: mae ni
  • V: katazukeru - clean up, tidy up

• Kore kara wa samuku natte-iku yo | It will get colder (and continue to be that way) from now on

  • G: te + iku
  • G: auxilliary verbs

• Sono koro kara wa nihon no keizai tsuyoku natte-itta | Japanese economy grew stronge (and continued that way) from that time on

  • G: te + iku
  • G: auxilliary verbs

• Kore kara wa mainichi hon o issatsu yonde-iku tsumori des | I intend to keep reading one book a day from now on

  • G: te + iku
  • G: auxilliary verbs

• Wakaranai koto o noote ni kaite-itta | I went on taking notes on things I didnt understand

  • G: te + iku
  • G: auxilliary verbs

• Watashi wa kuruma ga hoshii (desu) | I want a car

  • G: hoshii [1]

• Yamada sa wa boku no jitensha o hoshi-gatte-iru | Yamada wants my bike

  • G: hoshii [2] {If we are trying to express that third person wants something, we use auxiliary word Garu in this form - gatteiru which means "Showing the sign of", but its used with direct object, that is: X o tabe[ta{i}]gatteiru/hoshigatteiru}
  • G: gatteiru [2]

• Anata wa ima nani ga hoshiidesu ka? | What do you want now?

  • G: hoshii [1]

• Watashi wa anata ni eigo o oshietehoshii desu | I want you to teach me english

  • G: te + hoshii

• Watashi wa kodomotachi ni watashi to isshoni sundehoshii | I want my children to live together with me

  • G: te + hoshii {If experiencer wants a person X to do something, X is marked by ni (check examples)}

• Anata wa dare ni kite hoshii desu ka? | Who do you want to come?

  • G: te + hoshii {If experiencer wants a person X to do something, X is marked by ni (check examples)}

• Watashi wa Yamada-sensei ni kite-itadaki-tai | I want Yamada teacher to come

  • G: te + hoshii {If experiencer wants a person X to do something, X is marked by ni (check examples)}
  • G: polite {itadaku}

• hambaga o taberareru | Hamburger can be eaten (i can eat it)

  • G: potential
  • ALTERNATIVE: hambaga ga taberareru | Hamburger can be eaten (i can eat it)
  • ALTERNATIVE: hambaga o taberu koto ga dekiru | Hamburger can be eaten (i can eat it)

• hambaga ga taberareru | Hamburger is eaten

  • G: passive
  • ALTERNATIVE: hambaga wa kare ni taberareru | hamburger is eaten by him
  • ALTERNATIVE: kare wa hambaga o taberu | he eats hamburger

• Tada matte iru | Just waiting.

  • K: ただ待っている
  • G: tada [Just/Simply/Only]

• Kore wa tada desu | This is free of charge.

  • K: これはただです
  • G: tada [Free of charge]

• Tada no tomodachi (ただの友達) | Merely a friend.

  • G: tada [Merely]

• Tada no hito (ただの人) | An ordinary person.

  • G: tada [Common/Ordinary]

• hambaga o tabenakute uchi ni kaetta | I returned home without eating a hamburger

  • G: without doing

• tabenakute mo ii | its ok not to eat

  • G: Its OK to do or not to do

• Asagohan o tabenaide gakkō e itta | I went to school without eating breakfast.

  • G: without doing

• Kanojo wa nani mo omowazuni iimashita | She said something without thinking

  • G: without doing
  • G: zu + ni
  • NOTE: relative clause -> nani mo omowazuni (何も思わずに)

• Kare no koto o kangaezu ni wa irarenai | I cannot help but think about him.

  • G: zu+ni
  • G: zu+ni wa irarenai

• Warawazu ni wa irarenai. | I cannot help but laugh.

  • G: zu+ni
  • G: zu+ni wa irarenai
  • K: 笑わずにはいられない。
  • V: warau - to laugh, smile

• Nakazu ni wa irarenai. | I cannot help but cry.

  • G: zu+ni
  • G: zu+ni wa irarenai
  • K: 泣かずにはいられない。

• Tetsudawazu ni wa irarenai. | I cannot help but assist.

  • G: zu+ni
  • G: zu+ni wa irarenai
  • K: 手伝わずにはいられない。

• Odorokazu ni wa irarenai. | I cannot help but be surprised.

  • G: zu+ni
  • G: zu+ni wa irarenai
  • K: 驚かずにはいられない。
  • V: Odoroku (i) - to be surprised

• Nihon ni itta toki, utsukushii keshiki ni odoroita. | When I went to Japan, I was surprised by the beautiful scenery.

  • G: vocabulary-usage
  • K: 日本に行ったとき、美しい景色に驚いた。

• Kanojo ni aitakute tamarazu ni wa irarenai. | I cannot help but desperately want to see her.

  • G: zu+ni
  • G: zu+ni wa irarenai
  • K: 彼女に会いたくてたまらずにはいられない。

• Shitsumon ni kotaezu ni denwa o kitta | He/She hung up the phone without answering the question

  • G: zu+ni
  • K: 質問に答えずに電話を切った

• Tonari no heya kara koe ga shimasu. | I hear a voice from the next room.

  • G: sense ga suru
  • G: voice
  • K: 隣の部屋から声がします。

• Kicchin kara oishii nioi ga shimasu. | There is a delicious smell coming from the kitchen.

  • G: sense ga suru
  • G: smell
  • K: キッチンから美味しい匂いがします。

• Kono suupu wa karai aji ga shimasu. | This soup tastes spicy.

  • G: sense ga suru
  • G: taste
  • K: このスープは辛い味がします。

• Soto de henna oto ga suru. | There is a strange sound outside.

  • G: sense ga suru
  • G: sound
  • K: 外で変な音がする。

• Kyou wa nanika ii kanji ga suru. | I have a good feeling about today.

  • G: sense ga suru
  • G: feeling
  • K: 今日は何かいい感じがする。
  • NOTE: nanika - can be used as "somehow" - confirmed by konekochan

• Kare ga uso o tsuiteiru ki ga suru. | I feel like he is lying

  • G: ki ga suru
  • NOTE: uso o tsuku - to tell a lie

• Kyou wa ame ga furisou na ki ga suru. | I have a feeling it will rain today

  • G: ki ga suru

• Yappari kare wa konai ki ga suru. | I really feel like he won't come

  • G: ki ga suru [yappari]
  • NOTE: Yappari - To reinforce the feeling or intuition, often translated as "I still feel" or "I really feel."

• Kare ga hontou ni sou itta ki ga shinai. | I don’t feel like he actually said that.

  • G: ki ga suru [shinai]
  • G: ki ga shinai
  • NOTE: sou means in this context -> that (the content of what he said)

• Kare ga tadashii ki ga shinaku mo nai. | I kind of feel like he might be right.

  • G: ki ga suru
  • G: ki ga shinaku mo nai
  • NOTE: To somewhat feel or think something, often translated as "I kind of feel" or "I can’t help but feel."
  • V: shinaku mo nai - double negative construction meaning "not entirely not feel.

• Anshin shinaide | Don't feel relieved

  • G: shinaide
  • V: anshin - relief, peace of mind
  • V: anshin suru (i) - to be relieved
  • NOTE: Need to be reviewed

• Kanashimanai de | Don't feel said

  • G: shinaide
  • V: anshin suru (i) - to be relieved

• Sugu ni aeru kara, Kanashimanai de. | Don't feel sad because we'll see each other soon.

  • G: kanashii
  • NOTE: Need to be reviewed

• Mada shigoto ga owatte inai kara, anshin shinaide. | Don't feel relieved because the work isn't finished yet.

  • G: shinaide
  • V: anshin - relief
  • NOTE: Need to be reviewed

• Zenbu umaku iku kara, shinpai shinaide. | Don't worry because everything will be fine.

  • G: shinaide
  • V: When used as an adverb, "うまく" (umaku) means "skillfully," "well," or "successfully."
  • NOTE: Need to be reviewed

• Sonna ni shippai o ki ni shinaide, tsugi wa umaku iku yo. | Don't feel/ Don’t mind so bad about the failure, you'll do better next time.

  • G: ki ni shinaide
  • NOTE: ki ni suru - to care about; to worry about; to mind

• Okoranaide, chotto kiite kudasai. | Don’t get angry, please just listen for a moment.

  • G: request
  • G: command

• Kare wa shinikaketa ga, byouin ni hakobarete tasukatta. | He almost died, but he was taken to the hospital and was saved.

  • G: kakeru [almost]
  • G: passive {hakobarete}
  • V: hakobu - to carry, to transport. Here
  • V: tasukaru - to be saved, to be helped
  • NOTE: byouin ni hakobarete - while passive, ni does not refer to agent in passive sentence, but merely as a destination, so it does not mean transported by hospital, but transported to hospital

• Kanojo wa iikaketa ga, iwanakatta. | She almost said something, but she didn't.

  • G: kakeru [almost]

• Densha ni norikaketa toki, doa ga shimatta. | Just as I was about to get on the train, the door closed.

  • G: kakeru [almost]

• Wasurekaketa yume o omoidashita. | I remembered a dream I had almost forgotten.

  • G: kakeru [almost]

• Yoru ni nattara shizuka ni nari sou desu ne. | It looks like it will become quiet at night, doesn't it?

  • G: nari-sou
  • K: 夜になったら静かになりそうですね。

• Kotoshi no shuukaku wa takusan nari sou desu. | It seems like this year's harvest will be plentiful.

  • G: nari-sou
  • V: shuukaku - harvest
  • K: 今年の収穫はたくさんなりそうです。

• Kore wa oishiku-nari-sou desu | Looks like it will become tasty

  • G: nari-sou

• Kare wa kuru sou da | I heard that he will come.

  • G: sou - hersay
• Kare wa kisou da | It looks like he will come.
  • G: sou - seems
• Kare wa genki sou da | He looks fine
  • G: sou - seems

• Kare wa genki da sou | I heard He looks fine

  • G: sou - hearsay

• Ano hito no uchi wa mitsuke-yasui/nikui | His house is easy to find

  • G: yasui - nikui
  • NOTE: sentence source: Ano hito no uchi o mitsukeru

• Yamada-san wa hanashi-yasui desu | Yamada is easy to talk to

  • G: yasui - nikui
  • NOTE: sentence source: Yamada-san ni hanasu desu

• Yamada san wa isshoni shigoto ga shiyasukatta | Yamadasan was easy to work with

  • G: yasui - nikui
  • NOTE: sentence source: Yamada san to isshoni shigoto o shita (One worked togeher with Yamada)

• tsukaretara, hayaku neta hou ga ii. | If you're tired, it's better to go to bed early.

  • G: X-hou-ga-ii
  • NOTE: We are using past sentence
  • K: つかれたら、はやくねたほうがいい。

• atsui hi ni wa, mizu o takusan nonda hou ga ii. | It's best to drink a lot of water on hot days.

  • G: X-hou-ga-ii
  • K: あついひには、みずをたくさんのんだほうがいい。

• mainichi nihonho o renshuu shita hou gai ii desu yo | You should practice japanese everyday

  • G: X-hou-ga-ii

• itta hou ga ii. | You had better go / you should go.

  • G: X-hou-ga-ii
  • K: 行ったほうがいい。

• ikanai hou ga ii. | You shouldn’t go.

  • G: X-hou-ga-ii [negative]
  • K: 行かないほうがいい。

• Nihongo wa supeingo yori (mo) omoshiroi | Japanese is more interesting than spanish

  • G: hou-ga-yori
  • NOTE: Topic Noun (yori) Predicate

• Kuruma de iku hoo ga base de iku yori (mo) yasui | Going by car is cheaper than by bus

  • G: hou-ga-yori
  • NOTE: Subject (sentence1 + hoo ga) Sentence2 (Yori) Predicate

• Watashi wa ryokoo-suru yori (mo) uchi ni itai | I would rather stay at home than go on trip

  • G: hou-ga-yori
  • NOTE: Topic Predicate1 (yori) Predicate 2

• Kore yori (hoka (ni)) hoohoo wa nai | There is no other way than this

  • G: hou-ga-yori
  • NOTE: hoka ni hoohoo ... or kore igai ... - more natural

• Base de iku yori (hoka (ni)) shikata(way to do?) ga nai | There is no other way than to go by bus

  • G: hou-ga-yori

• Kanji wa hiragana yori muzukashii | Kanji is more difficult than hiragana

  • G: hou-ga-yori
• Yamada san wa watashi yori hayaku hashireru | Yamada can run faster than me
  • G: hou-ga-yori
• Boku wa suteeki yori sakana no hoo ga suki da | I prefer fish to steak
  • G: hou-ga-yori
• Toshokan de benkyoosuru hoo ga uchi de benkyoo suru yori yoku dekiru | Studying at a library is more productive than studying at home
  • G: hou-ga-yori

• Sore wa aka to iu yori chairo ni chikakatta | That was closer to brown than to red

  • G: hou-ga-yori
  • G: to-iu-yori
  • V: to iu yori - rather than
  • NOTE: to iu yori means rathen than. Chairo ni chikai - means closer to brown. This pattern can be like Osake ni yowai to iu no wa hontou?

• Nihongo o benkyooshitakattara, Amerika no gakkoo de benkyoosuru yori Nihon e ikinasai | If you want to study Japanese, go to Japan rather than studying at a school in America

  • G: hou-ga-yori

• Sensei ni kiitara sugu wakatta | When I asked my teacher, I understood it right away

  • G: tara [past]
  • NOTE: When tara is used with past tense, it does not signify conditional

• Watashi wa daigaku o deta-ra shoogakoo no sensei ni narimasu | I will be an elementary school teacher after graduating from college

  • G: tara
  • V: shoogakoo - elementary school
  • V: daigaku - college
  • V: daigaku o deru - graduate from college

• Watashi wa isogashii desu kara, omoshirokatta-ra yomimasu ga, omoshirokunakatta-ra yomimasen yo | Because I am busy, I will read it if its interesting, but I will not read it if it is not interesting

  • G: tara

• kirai datta-ra nokoshite kudasai | If you dont like it, please leave it

  • G: tara

• Eigo datta-ra wakaru to omoimasu | I think I will understand it if its in english

  • G: tara

• Watashi wa Chicago e itta(why not iku?) toki, taitei kuruma de ikimasu. | Translation: When I go to Chicago, I usually go by car.

  • G: toki

• Chicago e iku nara, basu de ikinasai. | If you go to Chicago, go by bus.

  • G: nara

• Moshi Yamada-san ga kita-ra watashi wa kaerimasu | "IF" yamada-san comes, I will go home

  • G: tara [moshi]
  • NOTE: Without moshi, it can be translated as "WHEN"

• Shigoto ga hayaku owatta-ra boku no uchi ni kinasai / kite-kudasai / kita-ra doo desu ka / kimasen ka | If you finish your job quickly Come to my place / Please come to my place / Why dont you come to my place / wouldnt you like to come to my place

  • G: tara

• Okane ga atta-ra konna uchi ni wa inai | If I had money I wouldnt be in such a place

  • G: tara

• Ano toki okane ga atta-ra Nihon e itte-ita deshoo | If I had had money at that time I woukd probably have gone to Japan

  • G: tara

• Yamada san wa niku o tabe-sugiru | Yamada san eats too much meat

  • G: sugiru [verb]

• Kono tsukue wa watashi no heya ni wa ooki sugiru | This table is too big for my room

  • G: sugiru [i-adj]

• Yamada sensei no jugyoo wa taihen sugiru node yamemashita | I dropped from Yamada's class because it was too demanding

  • G: sugiru [na-adj]

• Yamada san wa futori-sugite-iru | Yamada san is too fat

  • G: sugiru [verb]

• Kono apato wa Tomu ni wa yo sugiru | This apartment is too good for Tom

  • G: sugiru
  • G: ni-wa
  • NOTE: be too ~ for something/someone is expressed by ni wa. Rule - [Noun 1] + wa + [Noun 2] + ni wa + [adjective] + sugiru. Kare ni wa muzukashi sugiru

• Yamada san wa chikara ga nasa sugiru | Yamada san has too little power = Yamada san is weak

  • G: sugiru
  • NOTE: Negative nai is transformed into nasa

• Yamada san wa yasai o tabenasa sugiru | Yamada san eats too few vegetables

  • G: sugiru
  • NOTE: Negative nai is transformed into nasa

• Kotoshi wa keizai no sei de kuruma ga amari urenai | Because of the economy, cars are not selling well this year

  • G: sei
  • V: uru -> ureru -> urenai - potential of the word 'to sell'
  • R: okage, tame (ni)

• nebusoku no sei ka karada ni chikara ga hairanai | Because of lack of sleep,I suppose, I feel weak (power does not enter into body)

  • G: sei
  • V: nebusoku - lack of sleep
  • NOTE: sei de/ sei ka/ sei kara. Difference is of degree and "sei ka" means "perhaps due to". Ka here expreses uncertainty. Other usecases can be "or" - Kōhī ka kōcha o nomimasu ka

• Watashi ga shippai shita no wa kare no sei da. | It's his fault that I failed.

  • G: sei
  • NOTE: "Watashi ga shippai shita no" is a topic meaning "That I failed/ my failure"

• karou no sei de | because of overwork

  • G: sei

• Hataraki-sugita sei de | Because of working too hard

  • G: sei
  • G: sugiru

• Kare wa yoku jibun no shippai o hito no sei ni suru | He often blames others for his own failure

  • G: sei
  • G: ni-suru
  • V: sei ni suru - to blame

• Kare wa subete no koto o watashi no sei ni suru. | He blames me for everything

  • G: sei
  • G: subete
  • V: subete - all

• "Kyou wa jugyou ga nai" to sensei kara kiitan dakedo. | It is that I heard from the teacher, “There is no class today.”

  • G: direct-quote
  • G: rc-quote

• Sensei kara kyou wa jugyou ga nai to kiitan dakedo. | I heard from the teacher that there is no class today.

  • G: rc-quote
  • G: interpreted-quote
  • K: 先生から今日は授業がないと聞いたんだけど。

• Kore wa, nihongo de nan to iimasu ka? | About this, what do you call it in Japanese? (or How do you say this in Japanese?)

  • G: rc-quote
  • G: interpreted-quote

• Karee o tabeyou to omotta kedo, taberu jikan ga nakatta. | I thought about setting out to eat curry, but I didn’t have time to eat.

  • G: rc-quote
  • K: カレーを食べようと思ったけど、食べる時間がなかった。

• Ima, doko ni ikou ka to kangaete iru. | Now, I’m considering where to set out to go.

  • G: rc-quote
  • K: 今、どこに行こうかと考えている。

• Kare wa, kore wa nan da to iimashita ka? | What did he say this is?

  • G: rc-quote
  • K: 彼は、これは何だと言いましたか。

• Kare wa koukousei da to kiita kedo, shinjirarenai. | I heard that he is a high school student, but I can’t believe it.

  • G: rc-quote
  • K: 彼は高校生だと聞いたけど、信じられない。
  • V: koukousei - high school student

• kore wa nan da to iimashita ka? | What did (he) say this is?

  • G: rc-quote
  • K: これは何だと言いましたか。

• nan to iimashita ka? | What did (he) say?

  • G: rc-quote
  • K: 何と言いましたか。

• Kore wa, nan to iu sakana desu ka? | What is this fish referred to as?

  • K: これは、なんという魚ですか。
  • G: rc-quote
  • G: X-to-iu-Y
  • NOTE: X-to-iu is used to decorate/modify noun (Y)
• Kono sakana wa, tai to iimasu. | This fish is known as “Tai“.
  • K: この魚は、鯛といいます。
  • G: rc-quote
  • G: X-to-iu-Y
  • NOTE: X-to-iu is used to decorate/modify noun (Y)
• Rumine to iu depaato wa doko ni aru ka, shitteimasu ka? | Do you know where the department store called “Lumine” is?
  • K: ルミネというデパートはどこにあるか、知っていますか？
  • G: rc-quote
  • G: X-to-iu-Y
  • NOTE: X-to-iu is used to decorate/modify noun (Y)

• "Tomodachi" wa, eigo de "friend" to iu imi desu. | The meaning of “tomodachi” in English is “friend”.

  • K: 「友達」は、英語で「friend」という意味です。
  • G: rc-quote
  • G: X-to-iu-Y
  • NOTE: X-to-iu is used to decorate/modify noun (Y)

• Shujinkou ga hannin datta to iu no ga ichiban omoshirokatta. | The most interesting thing was that the main character was the criminal.

  • G: to-iu-koto-no
  • K: 主人公が犯人だったというのが一番面白かった。
  • V: Shujinkou - protagonist
• Nihonjin wa osake ni yowai to iu no wa hontou? | Is it true that Japanese people are weak to alcohol?
  • G: to-iu-koto-no
  • K: 日本人はお酒に弱いというのは本当？

• Dokushin da to iu no wa, uso datta no? | It was a lie that you were single?

  • G: to-iu-koto-no
  • K: 独身だというのは、嘘だったの？

• Anta wa, itsumo kou iu toki ni kuru n dakara, komaru n da yo. | It’s because you always come at times like these that I’m troubled.

  • G: to-iu-koto-no
  • K: あんたは、いつもこういう時に来るんだから、困るんだよ。
  • V: komaru - to be troubled

• kare ga konakattara komaru ne. | I'm in trouble if he doesn't come.

  • G: komaru
  • K: 彼が来なかったらこまるね。
  • V: komaru - to be worried, troubled

• kanojo wa komatte iru hito o tasuketa. | She helped people in trouble.

  • G: komaru
  • K: かのじょはこまっているひとをたすけた。
  • V: tasukeru - to help (to save, rescue)
  • V: tetsudau - To assist, to lend a hand, to help with a task or activity.

• Sou iu hito to issho ni shigoto o suru no wa, iya da yo ne. | (Anybody would) dislike doing work together with that type of person, huh?

  • G: to-iu-koto-no
  • K: そういう人と一緒に仕事をするのは、嫌だよね。
• Aa iu hito to kekkon dekitara, shiawase ni nareru to omoimasu. | I think you can become happy if you could marry that type of person.
  • G: to-iu-koto-no
  • K: ああいう人と結婚できたら、幸せになれると思います。

• Daigaku ni ikanai tte, dou iu imi na no? | What do you mean, “You’re not going to go to college?”

  • G: to-iu-koto-no
  • K: 大学に行かないって、どういう意味なの？
  • NOTE: Probably full version - Daigaku ni ikanai to iu no wa, dou iu imi desu ka

• Watashi wa Yamada sa hodo tsuyokunai | I am not strong to Yamada san's extent (I am not as strong as Yamada)

  • G: Hodo
  • K: 私は山田さんほど強くない

• NOTE: If Noun preceds HODO, that predicate must be negative

• Kono shigoto wa kodomo demo dekiru hodo yasashii | This job is easy to the extent that even child can do it (This job is so easy that even a child can do it)

  • G: Hodo
  • K: この仕事は子供でも出来ないほど優しい

• Boku wa kimi hodo hayaku arukemasen | I cant walk as fast as you

  • G: Hodo
  • K: 僕は君ほど速く歩けません

• John hodo yoku benkyou suru gakusei ga nai | There is no student that study as well as John

  • G: Hodo
  • K: ジョンほどよく勉強する学生がない

• Watashi wa Yadama san ga are hodo piano ga hikeru to wa omowanakatta | I didnt think that Yamada can play piano that well (to the extent)

  • G: Hodo
  • K: 私は山田さんがあれほどピアノが弾けるとは思わなかった

• Yamada san no nihongo wa Yamamoto san mo gaikokujin da [to kizukanakatta] hodo jouzu des | Yamada's Japanese is so good that Yamamoto did not notice that he was foreigner

  • G: Hodo
  • K: 山田さんの日本語は山本さんも外国人だ[と気付かなかった]ほど上手です
  • V: Kizuku(i) (気づく) - to notice (plain form, present affirmative)

• Sono shigoto wa sore hodo yasashii n desu ka? | I that job that easy (Easy to that extent)

  • G: Hodo
  • K: その仕事はそれほどやさしいんですか？

• Biru o sanbon hodo nomimashita | I drank about three bottles

  • G: Hodo
  • NOTE: If hodo is preceded by quantifier, it means about. In this case, relative meaning has Bakari, kurai
  • K: ビールを三本ほど飲みました

• Konna shigoto ga yatterarenai | I cannot do this kind of work

  • G: yaru
  • G: special-phrase
  • K: こんな仕事がやってられない

• Mou yatterarenai | I cant do this anymore

  • G: yaru
  • G: special-phrase
  • K: もうやってられない

• Nani mo iwazu ni kaecchau nante, shitsurei ne | Leaving without saying anything is rude, isn't it

  • G: zu-ni
  • K: 何も言わずに帰っちゃうなんて、失礼ね。
  • NOTE: kaecchau is colloquial form of "kaette shimau"

• Tesūryō o harawazu ni sumu hōhō wa arimasu ka. | Is there (a) way to get by without paying (the) processing fee?

  • G: zu-ni
  • K: 手数料を払わずに済む方法はありますか。
  • V: harawazuni - without paying
  • V: Sumu - means "to finish" or "to be settled," but in this context, it means "to get by" or "to manage"
  • V: hōhō - method or way
  • V: tesūryō - fees or commission

• Ichinichi ni nankai mo mēru o chekku sezu ni wa irarenai. | I can't help but check my email multiple times a day

  • K: 一日に何回もメールをチェックせずにはいられない。
  • G: zu-ni
• V: ichinichi ni - in a day
• V: chekku sezu ni: without checking

• V: nankai mo - many times or multiple times

• Ichi-nen kan wa muda ni natta. | One year was wasted.

  • K: 一年間は無駄になった。
  • G: Muda

• Watashi wa jikan o muda ni shita. | I wasted time.

  • K: 私は時間を無駄にした。
  • G: Muda

• Sono shigoto wa muda na doryoku datta. | That work was a waste of effort.

  • K: その仕事は無駄な努力だった。
  • G: Muda
  • V: doryoku - effort

• Kare no doryoku wa kanarazu mukuwareru darou. | His efforts will surely be rewarded.

  • K: 彼の努力は必ず報われるだろう。
  • G: doryoku
  • V: Kanarazu - always; without exception; necessarily; certainly; without fail; positively; invariably (adverb)
  • V: mukuu - to reward; to recompense; to repay. (mukawareru - to be rewarded (passive form))

• Watashi wa yume o kanaeru tame ni doryoku shite iru. | I am making efforts to achieve my dreams.

  • K: 私は夢を叶えるために努力している。
  • G: doryoku
  • V: kanaeru(transitive) -To achieve, fulfill, or make come true [ITS NOT POTENTIAL!]. (kanau (intransitive) - to come true (of a wish, prayer, etc.))

• Doryoku wa kesshite muda ni wa naranai. | Efforts are never wasted.

  • K: 努力は決して無駄にはならない。
  • G: doryoku
  • V: kesshite - never, by no means (adverb used with negative)
  • NOTE: Muda ni wa narani -> muda is noun and ni is destination

• Okane ga nakute komatte imasu. | I am in trouble because I have no money.

  • G: komaru
  • K: お金がなくて困っています。

• Shukudai ga ōsugite komaru. | I am troubled because there is too much homework.

  • G: komaru
  • K: 宿題が多すぎて困る。
  • V: komaru - troubled

• Kare no chikoku ni wa hontō ni komarimasu. | I am really troubled by his lateness.

  • G: komaru
  • K: 彼の遅刻には本当に困ります。

• Ame ga futte, pikunikku ni ikenakute komatta. | I was troubled because it rained and we couldn't go on the picnic.

  • G: komaru
  • K: 雨が降って、ピクニックに行けなくて困った。

• chotto souzou shite mite kudasai | Please imagine for a moment

  • G: vocabulary-usage
  • G: te+miru
  • V: souzou suru - image
  • V: shitemiru - try do

• Demo gemu bakari shiteitara dou narimasuka? | でもゲームばかりしていたらどうなりますか？

  • G: bakari
  • V: bakari - only, merely, nothing but
  • NOTE: Bakari - Emphasizes repetition or excessiveness. , Dake - Neutral, straightforward "only" or "just."

• zenzen enerugi ga nai hito mitai ni narimasu yo | You will become like a person with no energy at all.

  • G: mitai
  • K: 全然エネルギーがない人みたいになりますよ

• da kara watashi wa hitori de shigoto o hajimete kara routine o kimeteimasu | That's why I have been setting a routine since I started working alone.

  • G: hajimete-kara
  • K: だから私は一人で仕事を始めてからルーティンを決めています
  • ALTERNATIVE: Demo routine o kimesugiteimasen | But I am not overdoing setting the routine.

• Mā toku ni asa wa zettai ni shigoto o shiteimasu | ???

  • K: まあ特に朝は絶対に仕事をしています
  • G: vocabulary-usage
  • V: zettai ni - absolutely, definitely, especially
  • V: maa - well (casual interjection)

• Kurasu o shite kara taitei jimu ni ikimasu | After having a class, I usually go to the gym.

  • K: クラスをしてからたいていジムに行きます
  • G: te+kara
  • ALTERNATIVE: Kurasu no ato de taitei jimu ni ikimasu
  • NOTE: Ato de have a nuance of time

• Maru de shougakusei no you | Practically as elementary student

  • K: まるで小学生のよう。
  • V: shougakusei - elementary student
  • V: maru de - as if; as though; just like [adverb]
  • G: vocabulary-usage

• demo、ureshii toki wa、kokoro kara yorokobou！to kimeta. | But I decided to rejoice from the heart when I'm happy.

  • K: でも、うれしい時は、心からよろこぼう！と決めた
  • V: yorokobou - to rejoice, to be pleased (volitional form)
  • G: sentence-structure

• Kyo gakkou de wa tesuto shita | At school today, we had a test.

  • G: sentence-structure
  • G: de+wa

• Eigo no reberu de, kurasu o wakeru tame no tesuto datta。 | It was a test to divide the class by English level.

  • K: 英語のレベルで、クラスを分けるためのテストだった。
  • G: relative-clause
  • V: wakeru - to divide (into); to split (into); to part; to separate; to divide up; to classify; to sort out; to divide out [ichidan verb, transitive]

• Kyou wa eigo ga yoku wakatta you na ki ga shita. | I felt like I understand English well today.

  • G: ki-ga-suru
  • K: 今日は英語が良く分かったような気がした。

• Kitto, sensei ga yukuri hanashite-kureta kara darou | It's probably because the teacher spoke slowly.

  • K: きっと、先生がゆっくり話してくれたからだろう。
  • G: kara
  • G: kitto
  • G: darou

• Sore demo, ganbatta jibun ni, "Yoku yatta!" to iitai. | But still, I want to say "Good work!" to myself -- I worked hard ("to myself who worked hard").

  • K: それでも、頑張った自分に、「良くやった！」と言いたい。
  • G: relative-clause
  • G: to-iu
  • G: vocabulary-usage
  • NOTE: ganbatta jibun ni - to the self who worked hard

• Gakkou kara kaeru toki mo, mayowanakatta. | I didn't get lost when I came home from school, either.

  • K: 学校から帰る時も、まよわなかった
  • G: toki
  • G: mo
  • V: mayou - to lose one's way [godan verb, intransitive]

• Chanto basu de kaettekuru koto ga dekite, daiseikou da | I was able to come home properly via bus -- it's a great success.

  • K: ちゃんとバスで帰ってくることができて、大成功だ。
  • V: daiseikou - huge success
  • G: and
  • G: auxilliary
  • ALTERNATIVE: "I was able to come back properly by bus, so it was a great success."
  • NOTE: kaettekuru is used (specifically kuru) to signify the idea of returning to where the speaker or listener is.

• Demo, kurasumēto no hitotachi no hō ga, watashi yori eigo no reberu ga takai mitai. | But it seems that my classmates have a higher level of English than me.

  • K: でも、クラスメートの人たちの方が、私より英語のレベルが高いみたい。
  • G: hou-yori
  • G: mitai-you

• Ganbatte, minna ni tsuiteikanai to taihen da | If I don't work hard and keep up, I'll be in trouble.

  • K: 頑張って、みんなに付いて行かないと大変だ。
  • G: auxilliary
  • G: conditional-to
  • G: te-form multisentence
  • G: vocabulary-usage
  • V: tsuku - to attach
  • V: tsuite-iku - "following along" or "keeping up with" a class, a conversation, a movie, etc.

• hisashiburi ni, ryoushin no koe o kiita node homesiku natte namida ga de-sou datta | Hearing their voices after so long ("because I heard their voices for the first time in a while"), I got homesick and almost cried.

  • K: ひさしぶりに、両親の声を聞いたのでホームシックになって、なみだが出そうだった。
  • V: namida - tear
  • G: node
  • G: sou
  • G: te-form compound

• chanto eigo o mi ni tsukenakereba dame da | I really have to learn English.

  • K: ちゃんと英語を身に付けなければダメだ。
  • G: must
  • G: conditional
  • V: mi ni tsukeru - to learn; to acquire knowledge

• nihon de wa kangaeranai koto da | It's an unimaginable thing in Japan.

  • K: 日本では考えられないことだ。
  • G: phrase
  • G: potential

• kore wa watashi nitotte karucha-shokku no hitotsu datta | To me, this was one (episode of) culture shock.

  • G: nitotte
  • K: これは、私にとってカルチャーショックの一つだった。
  • V: nitotte - to; from the perspective of

• Shikamo, Jinjā-san dake de naku, Sukotto-san mo o-ryōri o suru. | Moreover, not just Ginger but also Scott cooks.

  • K: しかも、ジンジャーさんだけでなく、スコットさんもお料理をする。
  • G: dake-de-naku-mo

• Sono ue, jikan ga aru hō ga, sōji ya sentaku mo suru to iu. | On top of that, they say that whichever one has time cleans and does the laundry.

  • K: その上、時間がある方が、そうじやせんたくもするという。
  • G: hou-ga
  • NOTE: jigan ga aru hou - "This is indirectly referring to the person. At its root, hou means "a side." When considering two possibilities, it's common to discuss them as two sides to a problem. So now the question is - Who has time to do the cleaning and laundry? Is it Scott? Or is it Ginger? The side that has time takes care of it."

• nante ii shuukan darou | What a good custom!

  • K: 何ていいしゅうかんだろう！
  • V: shuukan - custom, (also week but different kanji)
  • V: nante - how ..!; what ..! [noun or verb acting as adj., adverb]
  • NOTEL: The pattern Nante ... darou/deshou means "How/what ... it is!"

• Watashi wa chotto kandō shite shimatta. | I am little impressed

  • K: 私はちょっと感動してしまった。
  • G: shimau
  • V: kandou suru - to be impressed (being deeply moved emotionally; excitement; passion; deep emotion; impression [noun, suru verb])

• Nihonjin no dansei ni mo, minaratte hoshii na~, to omotta. | I thought, gosh, I'd sure like Japanese men to follow this example!

  • K: 日本人の男性にも、見習ってほしいな～、と思った。
  • G: te-form-hoshii
  • V: dansei - men

• Omotta yori mo, shukudai o suru no ni jikan ga kakatta kara da. | That's because it took more time than I thought to do my homework.

  • G: yori-mo
  • V: のに - for
  • NOTE: This is a combination of the comparison yori and the particle mo. Sometimes the mo is used for emphasis, so that it means "even more than such-and-such," but some people just habitually use yorimo for comparisons. Also - shukudai o suru no ni jikan ga kakatta (doing homework + ni + jikan ga kakatta = action took time)

• osake o nomou to shita ga okusan ga tometa | He tried to drink alcohol but his wife stopped him.

  • K: お酒を飲もうとしたが、奥さんが止めた。
  • NOTE: (notice tomeru instead of tomaru)
  • G: attempt[volition+to]

• muriyari ni heya ni hairou to shiteiru | He is attempting to force his way into the room.

  • K: 無理矢理に部屋に入ろうとしている。
  • V: Muriyari ni - forcibly, against one's will
  • NOTE: (notice tomeru instead of tomaru)
  • G: attempt[volition+to]

• Mainichi, benkyou o sakeyou to suru | Everyday, she attempts to avoid study.

  • K: 毎日、勉強を避けようとする。
  • V: (transitive) sakeru/yokeru - to avoid
  • G: attempt[volition+to]

• Muzukashikute mo, yoku kangaere ba wakarimasu | Even if its difficult, if you think hard, you will understand

  • K: Missing
  • G: even if
  • G: te-form+mo

• Atarashii shigoto ni nareru | To get used to a new job.

  • K: 新しい仕事に慣れる
  • G: to-get-used-to
  • V: nareru - to get used to

• Hayaoki ni nareru | To get used to waking up early.

  • K: 早起きに慣れる
  • V: Hayaoki - waking up early
  • G: to-get-used-to

• Gaikoku no seikatsu ni nareru | To get used to life in a foreign country.

  • K: 外国の生活に慣れる
  • V: Hayaoki - waking up early
  • G: to-get-used-to

• Gaikoku no seikatsu ni nareru | To get used to life in a foreign country.

  • K: 外国の生活に慣れる
  • V: Hayaoki - waking up early

• Soshite, kabe no ana ni modotte kuru toki wa, kesshite dare ni mo mirarete wa ikenai. | And when you return to the hole in the wall, make sure no one sees you.

  • K: そして、かべのあなにもどって来る時は、決して誰にも見られてはいけない。
  • V: modottekuru
  • G: keshite
  • G: teform
  • G: passive

• Mae ni sunde ita ana wa, koko yori mo kanari semakatta. | The hole where we were living in before was quite a bit smaller, even than here.

  • K: 前に住んでいたあなは、ここよりもかなりせまかった。
  • G: yori+mo
  • V: kanari - considerably; fairly; quite [na adj., adverb]

• Asoberu supeesu nante, mattaku nakatta. | There was no space to play at all. ("Such a thing as space in which one could play -- there was none at all.")

  • K: あそべるスペースなんて、全くなかった
  • V: mattaku - really; truly; entirely; completely; wholly; perfectly [adverb]
  • V: Nante - such as; (things) like; indicates an emotional reaction such as surprise or dismissiveness over the tagged thing or action

• zutto nihon de kurashitai to omotteimasu | I would like to live in japan whole life

  • K:
  • V: kurasu - to live
  • V: kurashi - livelihood
  • G: zutto

• nimotsu o todoketemoraimashita | I had my baggage delivered

  • K:
  • V: todokeru(t) - to send, to deliver
  • V: todoku(i) - to arrive, to be delivered

• sentakumono o katazukete-kara dekakemasu | I am going out after doing laundry

  • K:
  • V: katazukeru(t) - to clean up
  • V: katazuku(t) - to be cleaned up
  • V: atokatazuke - cleaning after someone else

• keetai ga ooki na oto de natteimasu | the phone is ringing loudly

  • K:
  • V: naru - to ring

• taberareru dake taberu | Eat as much as possible

  • G: as-much-as-possible

• okane ga areba aru hodo anshin desu. | The more money I have the more safe I feel

  • K:
  • G: the-more-the-better
  • ALTERNATIVE: okane ga areba aru hodo ii

• Osake o nomisugite nebou shimashita | I drank too much alcohol and slept in

  • K:
  • G: consequence
  • V: nebou - oversleep

• Heya ga kurai node denki o tsukemashou | Room is dark so lets turn on lights

  • K:
  • V: tsukeru(t) - turn on
  • V: tsuku(i) - turn on

• koko o osu to terebi ga tsuku | If you push this here, tv will turn on

  • K:
  • V: tsukeru(t) - turn on
  • V: tsuku(i) - turn on
  • V: osu - push

• kyoushitsu o deru toki denki o keshite-kudasai | When you leave the room, turn of the lights please

  • K:
  • G: toki
  • V: kesu(t) - turn of
  • V: kieru(i) - turn of

• denki ga kieteiru node tanaka san wa hey ni imasen deshou | Lights are turned of so tanaka san is not in the room

  • K:
  • G: node
  • V: kesu(t) - turn of
  • V: kieru(i) - turn of

• shourai, ookii ie o tatetai deu | In the future I want to build a big house

  • K:
  • V: tateru(t) - to build, to raise
  • V: tatsu(i) - to be build

• tonari ni ookii biru ga tatta (tachimashita) | A big building was built next door

  • K:
  • V: tateru(t) - to build, to raise
  • V: tatsu(i) - to be build

• doa no tokoro ni kasa o tatete-okimasu | I stood umbrella by the door

  • K:
  • V: tateru(t) - to stand (something)
  • V: tatsu(i) - to be build
  • G: te-oku

• ie no mae ni ookii ki ga tatteimasu (tatteiru) | There is a big tree in front of the house

  • K:
  • V: tateru(t) - to stand (something)
  • V: tatsu(i) - to be build
  • G: te-oku

• ato ni wa modorenai | I can't go back. There's no way but forward. There is no retreat.

  • K: 後にはもどれない。
  • V: modoru
  • G: atomodori
  • ALTERNATIVE: Atomodori ga dekinai

• heya no sumi ni tsukue o oiteiru (oiteimasu) | The desk is in the corner of the room

  • G: oku
  • K:
  • NOTE: Note that there is agent's action, also oiteiru needs wo, while oitearu needs ga

• nuida kooto ga sonomama oitearimasu | The coat I took of is still lying just as I left it

  • K:
  • G: oku
  • G: relative-clause
  • G: sonomama
  • V: nugu - take of clothes
  • V: sonomama - as is, just like that
  • NOTE: Note that there is agent's action, also oiteiru needs wo, while oitearu needs ga

• otearai de pinku taoru ga tsukatteiru | In the bathroom I use the pink towel

  • K:
  • G: tsukau

• Dou yatte X(kore) o tsukau no? | (What is the way to use X?/How do you use X?)

  • K:
  • G: how-to-use
  • ALTERNATIVE: X(kore) no tsukaikata wa dou desu ka?

• X(kore) no tsukaikata wa dou desu ka? | (What is the way to use X?/How do you use X?)

  • K:
  • G: how-to-use
  • ALTERNATIVE: Dou yatte X(kore) o tsukau no?

• Masaru ga nani mo iezu ni iru | Masaru was in the state of not being able to say anything (Masaru was at a loss for words)

  • K:
  • V: mazaru/mazeru - to mix (michat)
  • G: potential
  • G: zuni
  • G: state-expression
  • G: relative-state
  • NOTE: This is interesting sentence. "Nani mo iezu ni" decorates 'iru' a so explain the state of Mazaru

• hi ga noboru koto o hinode to itte hi ga shizumu koto o hinoiri to iimasu | ...

  • K:

• nihon de wa natsu demo yoru no shichi ji kurai ni wa hi ga shizumu | ...

  • K:

• aete yokatta shi genki ni natte yokata | its good we met and you got better

  • K:

• Hon o yomu no wa benkyō ni naru. Demo, tanoshii tame demo arimasu. | "Reading books is for study, but it's also for enjoyment."

  • K:

• kono yubune ni tsukaru to iu no wa karada no yogore o otosu dake dewanakute relaxu suru tame demo arimasu | ...

  • K:

• yubune ni hairu koto o [yubune ni tsukaru] to iimasu | ...

  • K:

• Kore ga watashi ga ii na to omou Nihon no kaishoku no bunka no hitotsu. | This is one of the aspects of Japan's dining-out culture that I think is nice.

  • K:

• Kono [kigaruni] to iu no wa amari fukaku kangaenaide nanika kōdō ga dekiru to iu imi desu. | This [kigaruni] means being able to take action without thinking too much or worrying about things.

  • K:
  • V: fukaku (fukai) - deeply

• Seiji wa kaerarenai vs Seiji wa kawarenai | Politics cannot be changed (by someone) vs Politics cannot change (by itself)

  • K:

• Watashi igai wa minna kita. | Everyone came except for me.

  • G: Noun + igai = "Except for (noun)" or "Other than (noun)."

• Taberu koto igai ni nani o shimasu ka? | What do you do other than eating?

  • G: Verb (dictionary form) + koto + igai = "Other than (verb)."

• Sono mondai igai ni mo takusan no mondai ga arimasu. | There are many other problems besides that one.

  • G: Igai ni = "Besides" or "Other than that."

• Kaisha igai no shigoto wa muzukashii. | Work outside of the company is difficult.

  • G: Igai no + noun = "Outside of (noun)."

• Nihon de udon toka sushi o tabetai natte omottara sanbyaku kurai kara taberu koto ga dekiru. | If you feel like eating things like udon or sushi in Japan, you can start eating from around 300 yen.

  • K:

• Nihon wa yoku bukka ga takai to iwareteimasu. | Japan is often said to have high prices.

  • G: passive
  • V: bukka - price of commodities (bukka ga takai...)

• Kaishoku bunka to iu ka | Or rather, you could say it's dining-out culture.

  • G: to-iu-ka

• kaishoku to iu imi wa soto de taberu koto | ... -V: kaishoku - eating out, dining out

• Futatsume no nihon no sugoi na to omou tokoro | The second thing I think is amazing about Japan.

  • G: numbering

• Kono kinō wa hitsuyō nai to iu hito mo iru to omou n desu. | I think there are also people who say this feature is unnecessary.

  • K:

• Samui toki toire ni suwaru to benza ga tsumetakute [tsumetai] tte narimasen ka? | When you sit on the toilet seat in cold weather, doesn't it feel [cold] because the seat is cold?

  • K:

• Demo kono atatakaku naru kinō o tsukaeba, samui fuyu demo tsumetaku narazuni toire ni suwaru koto ga dekimasu. | But if you use this warming function, you can sit on the toilet without feeling cold even in the chilly winter.

  • K:

• kono toire ga kirei to iu koto dake dewanakute[or just denaku] hoka ni mo ii koto ga arimasu | It's not just that this restroom is clean, there are other good things about it as well.

  • K:

• [koe o dai ni suru] kono imi wa nanika kangae toka iken toka o tsuyoku iitai toki ni tsukaimasu | ...

  • V: koe o dai ni suru - to raise voice, to say something, to emphasize, to speak loudly about

• Eigo da to nan darou? | I wonder what it is in English?" or "What would it be in English?

  • K:

• kore wa aite no iken ni nattoku shitari [convinced by their opinion] doui shita [agree with them] toki ni tsukau furezu desu ( or tsukaimasu) | ...

  • V: nattoku - consent; agreement; acceptance, being convinced

• Kore wa aite no hanashi ni kyoukan suru toki .. toka | (this is used when empathize with other person's story)

  • V: doui (suru) - to agree
  • V: kyoukan (suru) - sympathy,empathy,response

• ...ato wa aite no hanashi ni rikai shita toki ni tsukaimasu | (or when you understand what they are saying)

  • V:

• watashi wa iroiro na koto ni kyoumi ga aru ko data to omoimasu | I think I am a person who is interested in various things.

  • K: X
  • V: kyoumi - interest
  • ALTERNATIVE: Iroiro na koto ni [kyomi o motsu | to have an interest in]

TODO: Nattekuru, nattekiteira, itte-ita, and etc. based on Yellow grammar book

MUST DO again conditionals

# Hoodai

kekkou vs kanari

mattaku

ichi nichi

shi/de/to/kute/ya

jiyu ga arimasu

zettai

zutto

conditionals (nara, ba, eba, tara -done, to)

renshuu vs undo suru

mettani