Japanese Words

Let's take a look at Japanese words and see how they change and add extra meaning, where in English you would have to use extra words or even a phrase to convey this meaning.

Let's begin with Japanese verbs.

You can change the endings of verbs to give an added idea and meaning to a verb. This normally takes a few extra words to do the same thing in English. It is much simpler and convenient in Japanese.

Basically, you just take the verb stem and then just add an ending.

We will begin with how you make the past, present, etc.

For example, you want to say "I've been drinking beer all day." Or "I drank a beer yesterday."

Click here to learn how you do it.

When you want to give the idea that "you want to do something."

For example, you want to say something like "I didn't want to eat sushi."

Click here to learn how to do it.

When you want to give the idea that "something is difficult or easy to do."

For example, you want to say something like "It's easy to play baseball."

Click here to learn how to do it.

When you want to say you were doing one thing, while at the same time you were also doing another thing.

For example, you want to say something like "While listening to the radio, I do my washing."

Click here to learn how to do it.

When you want to use the English "If..." conditional construction.

For example, you want to say "If it snows, the concert will be cancelled."

Click here to learn how to do it.

When you want to give over the idea that some action has been done too much.

For example, you want to say "I drank too much beer last night."

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When you want to convey the idea of having or making people do things for you, or allowing them to do things.

For example, you want to say "The boss had him work over-time last week."

Click here to learn how to do it.

When you want to give the idea that something was done in spite of some necessary action not happening.

For example, you want to say "She took the car without paying for it."

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When you want to say that something must be done or that someone has to do something.

For example, you want to say "I had to get up early this morning."

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When you want to say that you can or were able to do something.

For example, you want to ask "Can you play baseball?"

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When you want to say that you will re-do/repair something or continue to do something.

For example, "We will have to review the plan." Or "If I win the lottery I will not keep on working."

Click here to learn how to do it.