My grammar questions

[Zuba]

どうもありがとうございます。

Thanks.

こんばんは。皆は元気ですか。私は元気です。

I have a question that I am sure is a bit complicated.

If I were to use the long form of a verb with んです would I still be understood?

One thing I wonder is when I go to Japan and I start making grammar mistakes, will I still be understood?
I just worry that if I do not have all the nuances and grammar down no one will understand what I am saying. But on the other hand, I can understand people who do not speak the best English, so I am just unsure.

じゃ、また。

 

[Mike Cash]

One thing I wonder is when I go to Japan and I start making grammar mistakes, will I still be understood?

That depends on the mistake and the listener.

If I were to use the long form of a verb with んです would I still be understood?

Probably.

 

[Zuba]

どうもありがとうございます。

Thanks, Mike.

 

[Zuba]

おはようございます。皆さんは元気ですか。私は元気です。

I am happy to report that I recently finished Genki 1. To be precise I finished all the grammar lessons and I am just finishing up the last few reading and writing exercises.

Should I move on the Genki 2? I only ask to make sure there is not another textbook I should use in between Genki 1 and 2.

Also I will be writing random little dialogues on here to keep practicing what I have learned.

じゃ、また。

 

[Zuba]

こんばんは。皆さんは元気ですか。私は元気です。

So I am going to try and write a short dialogue. I feel like I can make sentences in insolation, but I am not sure how well I am at a running dialogue.

This is between two work place acquaintances at the office.

たなか おはようございます、ケンさん。元気ですか。
ケン おはようございます、たなかさん。私は元気です。たなかさんは。
たなか 元気です。今晩暇なんですか。
ケン はい。どうしてですか。
たなか 一緒に隣の居酒屋に飲みに行かないんですか。とても美味しいベールがあるんですよ。
ケン うーと、ちょっと。今夜彼女と映画を見たいんです。でも、明日私は暇でしょう。
たなか じゃ、約束なんですね。
ケン はい。
たなか また明日。
たなか また明日。

じゃ、また。

 

[Toritoribe]

1)
You are unnecessarily using the explanatory の, as in 暇なんですか, 行かないんですか or 約束なんですね. It changes the meaning from the one you want to convey.

2)
Even if it's grammatically completely correct, people doesn't always talk like that.

 

[Zuba]

こんにちは。皆さんは元気ですか。

Thank you for the advice.

From looking over what I wrote and what you pointed out it seems like when I used の for a explanation it is correct, right?

Next I am wondering how "natural" does it sound? If I was saying what Ken said in the dialogue in the real world would it sound strange? Omitting the overly used の portions, of course.

じゃ、また。

 

[Toritoribe]

The greetings such like 「元気ですか」「私は元気です。たなかさんは」 are never used in real conversations. (Do you mean ビール "beer" by ベール, right? ベール means "veil" as in bride's veil.)

Here's my attempt.
たなか おはようございます。
ケン おはようございます。
たなか 今晩時間あります？
ケン ええ、ありますけど。
たなか 隣の居酒屋に行きませんか？美味しいビールがあるんですよ。
ケン えーと、今夜彼女と映画を見ようと思ってるんです。明日なら時間があるんですけど。
たなか じゃ、明日にしましょうか。
ケン ええ。
Still awkward since it should be more casual between co-workers. Also, if Ken wants to go to movie with his girlfriend, he wouldn't answer はい to Tanaka's question.

Here's a casual and more natural version.
たなか おはよう。
ケン おはよう。
たなか 今晩時間ある？
ケン なんで？
たなか 隣の居酒屋行かない？美味しいビールがあるんだよ。
ケン 悪い、今夜彼女と映画を見ようと思ってるんだ。明日なら時間あるんだけど。
たなか じゃ、明日にする？
ケン うん、じゃあ明日。

From looking over what I wrote and what you pointed out it seems like when I used の for a explanation it is correct, right?

The explanatory の/ん shows that the speaker confirmed what the one they are talking with said. Thus, for instance, 約束なんですね means "Oh, I see, you have an appointment with your girl friend tonight", and Tanaka doesn't have any appointment with Ken yet.

 

[Zuba]

おはようございます。

どうもありがとうございます。

Thank you, Toritoribe. I am happy to see that my conversation was at least grammatically correct. Compared to your first conversation mine is not too far off. I still have a long way to go, but at least I can now make a grammatically, if awkward, conversation.

I am going to order Genki 2 today. Hopefully it will get here quickly.

じゃ、また。

 

[Zuba]

こんばんは。皆さん、元気ですか。最近私はとても忙しいです。

Hello, everyone! Sorry for not being around lately. Work has been very busy lately, but things have finally calmed a little and I have some time to study. :joyful:

So I learned how to form the potential form of verbs. I adds the nuance of the ability to do the verb.

私はカレーを作れます。I can make curry.
来週私は暇だから、祭りに行けると思います。I am free next week so, I think I can go to the festival.

It says I can use either を or が for potential verbs that take を. What is the difference here?

サムさんは漢字を（が）読めないと言っていました。Sam said he cannot read kanji.

For class 2 verbs it says that sometimes that first ら is left out. Does this have any effect I am not aware of?

海老を食べられますか。海老を食べれますか。Can you eat shrimp? Is there a difference?

It says in written form ことができる is used for verbs.

謝ることができますか。Can you apologize?

And finally its says that できる, which is the potential form of する, always takes が.


私はこの書類が変更できませんよ。I cannot revise this paperwork.

Next is し. It seems to act much like から in order to give a "because" type reason.

この車は安いし、頑丈だし、買ったほうがいいです。This car is cheap and sturdy, I recommend you buy it.

What is the difference if I just used から instead of し?

この車は安くて頑丈だから、買ったほうがいいです。What is the difference between this one and the other?

The one thing I do understand is that if you use just one し it has the nuance of "among other things."

今日の天気はいいし、家の隣の公園で手作りのすしを食べませんか。Today's weather is good, among other things, Would you like to eat some homemade sushi at the park next to my house?

And lastly for today is てみる. みる is attached to the て form of verbs. It shows that you are going to try and do X and will see the result.

牛タンを食べてみます。 I will try and eat beef tongue.
議長を会いに行ってみます。I will go and try and meet the chairman.

Thanks for all your help, everyone.

じゃ、また。

 

[Toritoribe]

It says I can use either を or が for potential verbs that take を. What is the difference here?

There is no difference in meaning or nuance. When the object also can be interpreted as the subject, i.e., when the object is a person/people or an animal,
it's better to use を to avoid being misinterpreted.
e.g.
彼が倒せないライバル
a rival who can't defeat him or a rival he can't defeat

彼を倒せないライバル
a rival who can't defeat him

This is also applied to emotional verbs/adjectives.
cf.
彼女が好きな彼
彼女を好きな彼
彼女のことが好きな彼

For class 2 verbs it says that sometimes that first ら is left out. Does this have any effect I am not aware of?

It's called ら抜き言葉. It's indeed widely used in spoken language, but it's considered grammatically wrong, so you'd better to avoid using it in formal situations.

And finally its says that できる, which is the potential form of する, always takes が.

There is no problem with 書類を修正できません.

What is the difference if I just used から instead of し?
The one thing I do understand is that if you use just one し it has the nuance of "among other things."

That's exactly the difference. し is used for listing examples. Even when the example is just one, it suggests that other examples exist.

安くて頑丈だから: The reasons are just these two.
安いし、頑丈だし: There would be unmentioned reasons other than these two.

 

[Zuba]

どうもありがとうございます。

Thank you.

So I just need to always treat し as though there are unspoken things when using it. The nuance of "among other things" is always present.

The part about を が is very interesting.

Once again thank you.

じゃ、また。

 

[Zuba]

おはようございます。皆さん、元気ですか。私は元気です。

Hello again, everyone. I bring the last remaining grammar points for this chapter I am studying.

First is そう which is attaches to adjectives. It shows what you expect based off of what you see. For this reason it says you cannot use そう with adjectives that require you to see in order to make a judgment. Such as きれい. The そう is treated like a な adjective.

私は暑そうなコーヒーを飲みたいです。I want to drink the hot looking coffee.

ここで働くのは難しくなさそうですね。It appears working here is not hard, right?

Next is how to turn adjectives into adverbs. For い adjectives you remove the final い and add く. For な adjectives just add に.

サムさんは早くドルを閉めたと言っていました。Sam said he closed the door quickly.

今朝私はゆっくり起きて、上手に朝ごはんを作って、早くなく食べて、うれしく仕事に行きました。I slowly got up this morning, expertly made breakfast, ate breakfast not quickly, and wen to work happily.

Next up is how to say how often you do something.

私は一週間に五回働きます。I work go five times a week.

彼女は一か月に三回図書館に行くと思います。I think my girlfriend goes to the library three times a week.

And finally is なら. I am VERY confused about this one. It says that its main purpose is to show contrast and limitation. Although these two seem the same to me.

It seems to replace particles, I am not sure.

紅茶を飲んだことがありますか。Have you ever had black tea before?
いいえ、緑茶なら飲んだことがあります。No. I have had green tea. So this shows limitation in that only green tea has been had and not others. Or contrast in that only green and not black has been had.

じゃ、また。

 

[Toritoribe]

私は暑そうなコーヒーを飲みたいです。

熱そう. 暑い is only used for climate/air temperature.

サムさんは早くドルを閉めたと言っていました。

ドア
早い is temporal like "early". I would use すばやく or すぐに instead.

早くなく食べて、うれしく仕事に行きました。

ゆっくり食べて、喜んで/楽しく仕事に行きました。

I know you are trying to use the adverbial form of adjectives, but those examples don't work well.

It seems to replace particles, I am not sure.

は, が and を are hidden behind なら, but other particles are not.
e.g.
彼女になら話せる。
日本でなら買える。
彼とならできる。
昼までならいる。

 

[Zuba]

どうもありがとうございます。

Thank you.

It seems I need to think about what adjectives to use when turning them into adverbs. Practice makes perfect, right?

Thank you for explaining about なら and how it relates to other particles. REALLY helpful. Thanks.

I am going to try and translate the examples you gave.

彼女になら話せる To be able to talk to only her. As in her and not someone else.
日本でなら買える To be able to buy in Japan. As in just Japan and not somewhere else.
彼とならできる I am not sure for this one.
昼までならいる To be there until noon. I am guessing you will only be there until noon and only until noon.

なら is still a little bit confusing, but I am going to try and do the exercises in the book and see if that helps me get a better grasp of it.

じゃ、また。

 

[Toritoribe]

Yes, your interpretations are all correct.

彼とならできる: can do only with him, and not with someone else.

 

[Zuba]

おはようございます。皆さんは元気ですか。私は元気です。

Hello, everybody. Sorry for being away for so long. The holidays are very busy at my work and all the family stuff to do as well. It can be really tiring. Anyway I bring some grammar questions.

First is ほしい which is a い adjective and is used to say what you want, as in a object.

今日の天気は寒いから、私はいいコートがほしいです。Because today's weather is cold I want a nice coat.

私は新しい携帯がほしいですよ。I want a new phone.

You use the verb from of ほしい which is ほしがる to say what others want.

トムさんは猫がほしがっていません。Tom does not want a cat.

ひなたさんは青い靴がほしがっています。Hinata wants the blue shoes.

Next is かもしれません. This sounds just like でしょう. I am confused if there is any difference.

この本は高かったかもしれません。What is the difference?
この本は高かったでしょう。

Next is たらどうですか. Which is used to say "why don't you do X" It says it may have a critical tone to it and that it cannot be used to extend a invitation.

ヘルシーな食べ物を食べたらどうですか。 Why don't you eat healthy food?

安い車のほうを買ったらどうですか。 Why don't you buy the cheaper car? I think something might be wrong with this one.

From what I can tell ほうがいい is more of a suggestion and less critical.

And lastly is も with counters. It adds the meaning of "as many as." And しか with counters and a negative verb means "only."

私は猫を二匹も飼っています。 I have as many as two cats.

トムさんは菓子を十個も食べました。 Tom ate as many as ten pieces of candy.

パソコンを一台しか持っていません。 I only have one computer.

今朝私はお茶を一杯しか飲みませんでした。 I only drank one cup of tea this morning.

じゃ、また。 I also hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

 

[Toritoribe]

今日の天気は寒いから、私はいいコートがほしいです。Because today's weather is cold I want a nice coat.

私は新しい携帯がほしいですよ。I want a new phone.

天気は寒い is odd. It's OK just 今日は寒い.

ほしいですよ is valid only in a specific context. This is not a general statement "I want a new phone." Sentence final particles are extremely hard to grasp, as I wrote previously. I don't recommend using it until you understand the function correctly.

You don't need to say 私は in those sentences since the subject of ほしい is usually the speaker.

トムさんは猫がほしがっていません。Tom does not want a cat.

ひなたさんは青い靴がほしがっています。Hinata wants the blue shoes.

Unlike just ほしい, が can't be used to indicate the object of ほしがる. It's always the subject marker, i.e., 猫がほしがっていません means "The cat doesn't want it".

Next is かもしれません. This sounds just like でしょう. I am confused if there is any difference.

この本は高かったかもしれません。What is the difference?
この本は高かったでしょう。

でしょう is more certain.

安い車のほうを買ったらどうですか。 Why don't you buy the cheaper car? I think something might be wrong with this one.

安い車のほうを is not wrong but 安いほうの車を is more natural since you are comparing the price of the car (安い方 vs. 高い方), not the car vs. something else.

From what I can tell ほうがいい is more of a suggestion and less critical.

Right.

 

[Zuba]

どうもありがとうございます。

I will avoid using よ since, as you said, there is still functions of it I do not know. Can I still use ね?

Oh I see. ほしがる takes を. I missed that when reading it.

ケンさんが彼女をほしがっています。 Ken wants a girlfriend.

What would be the certainty of でしょう and かもしれません? Is でしょう 90% and かもしれません 50%?

I also went over giving and receiving. あげる is used when a item is given away. As in from you to others or from others to others.

ケンさんはマリさんに花をあげました。 Ken gave Mari a flower.

私は弟に格好いい眼鏡をあげます。I will give me little brother some cool glasses.

Next is くれる which shows when you receive something or when something you empathize with receives something.

かかしが教科書をくれませんでした。 I did not receive a textbook from Kakashi.

友達に本部長に日本酒をくれました。 My friend received sake from the boss.

And lastly is もらう. It seems to be the same as くれる, but it can be used when others receive something.

男の人は運転手に無料の乗車券をもらいました。 The man received a free ticket from the driver.

It also shows I can use から instead of に. What is the difference?

じゃ、また。

 

[Toritoribe]

ね is more odd there since it's for asking confirmation. (It's quote strange to ask someone else for confirmation of your wish such like "I want a new phone, don't I?", right?)

It's hard to say concrete percentage, but でしょう is often used a humble expression of "most likely".

あげる and もらう are OK, but you seem to be misunderstanding くれる. The subject is the giver, not the recipient. Thus, くれる means "to give", not "to receive". The following thread might be helpful to understand the difference. (It explains about "-te from + あげる/くれる/もらう", but the concept is the same.)
Please help me understand these two sentences! ～てもらう、～てくれる | Japan Forum

 

[Zuba]

どうもありがとうございます。

Ok so あげる puts the focus on the giver and it used when you give to someone else or someone gives to another.

私は友達にお茶をあげました。 I gave my friend tea. The focus is on the giver, which would be "I."

くれる Also puts the focus on the giver, but the recipient can only the speaker or someone in the speaker's group, as in a friend.

母は妹に指輪をくれます。 Mom will give my little sister a ring. The subject is on the giver, but the recipient is my little sister, which is fine since she would be in my "group."

And もらう puts the focus on the recipient.

ケンさんはマイクさんに時計をもらいませんでした。Ken did not receive a clock from Mike. The focus is on Ken here.

From what I could tell に is used with people and から with everything else. Is this right? I am talking about the particles for もらう here.

じゃ、また。

 

[Mike Cash]

It may help if you think of もらう as "receive" instead of as "give, but with the focus on the other person".

 

[Toritoribe]

母は妹に指輪をくれます。 Mom will give my little sister a ring. The subject is on the giver, but the recipient is my little sister, which is fine since she would be in my "group."

くれる is odd here since the subject/agent 母 is also the speaker's in-group member. あげる or other verb such like 贈る/プレゼントする/渡す are used in these cases.

From what I could tell に is used with people and から with everything else. Is this right? I am talking about the particles for もらう here.

に can be used also for other things than people. Note that に also indicates the recipient. から is often preferred for the giver to avoid being misinterpreted.

 

[Zuba]

あけましておめでとうございます。

こんにちは。皆さんは元気ですか。Hello everyone! Hope you all had a great New Year.

I have returned from my hiatus. Now that the holidays are over and my work finally hired another staff member that we have been needing for a long time I will be more active again. I bring just a single question though.

The volitional form plus と思います shows one's intention. How does this differ from つもり?

私は勉強しようと思っています。 I intend to study.
私は勉強するつもりです。I intend to study.

What is the difference?

I forgot to mention that using と思います with the volitional shows the decision was made on the spot where as と思っています with the volitional shows the idea has been had for some time.

じゃ、また。

 

[Toritoribe]

～ようと思っています is softer than つもりです.