Neru jikan ga hoshii desu
Here, you will learn how to use simple modifiers with the short forms of verbs, adjectives, and nouns. In Japanese, short forms can modify things by placing them before nouns, similar to how adjectives work in English. This allows you to provide more detailed descriptions and specify qualities or actions related to the noun.
Short forms as modifiers
Modifying with Verbs
Neru jikan (time to sleep)
Aruita kyori (distance I walked)
Suwaru basho (place to sit)
Hataraku imi (meaning that I work)
Hataraku robotto (working robot)
Shiranai hito (person I don’t know)
Undousuru kutsu (shoes for exercise)
Modifying with Adjectives
seiketsuna hoteru (clean hotel)
urusai hito (noisy person)
karakunai ryouri (food which is not hot)
omoshirokatta eiga (movie which was funny)
Modifying with Nouns
koukousei no guruupu (group of high school students)
koukousei datta toki (when I was high school student)
purasuchikku janai supuun (non-plastic spoon)
Subject or object?
In Japanese, whether the modified words are subjects or objects, the modifiers always come before the nouns they describe. This structure helps to add details and specify the characteristics or actions related to the nouns.
Modifiers Before Nouns
In Japanese, modifiers such as verbs, adjectives, or noun phrases precede the nouns they modify. This rule applies regardless of whether the noun is the subject or the object of the sentence.
- “hataraku robotto“: “working robot”
- This phrase describes a robot that works. The verb “hataraku” (to work) modifies “robotto” (robot).
- “suwaru basho“: “the place for sitting”
- Unlike English, where we might say “sitting place,” in Japanese, “suwaru basho” means “the place for sitting.” The verb “suwaru” (to sit) modifies “basho” (place), indicating that the place is designated for sitting.
Understanding Context
The key to understanding the meaning of these phrases lies in the context. The modifiers provide specific details about the nouns, but their exact interpretation often depends on the surrounding text or conversation.
- “Hataraku robotto wa totemo benri desu.”
- Working robots are very convenient.
- “Suwaru basho o sagashiteimasu.”
- I am looking for a place to sit.
Importance of Context
Context is crucial in Japanese because the same modifier-noun combination can imply different things based on the situation. Understanding the context helps you determine whether the noun is the subject, object, or has another role in the sentence.
- “hataraku hito” could mean “a person who works” or “working people,” depending on the context of the sentence.
- “taberu mono” means “something to eat” or “food,” and its specific meaning should be inferred from the context in which it is used.
Word
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| neru | sleep |
| jikan | time |
| kirei | beautiful, clean (noun-adjective) |
| tomaru | stay |
| ii kaori | good smell |
| takai | expensive |
| saabisu | service |
Expressions
Neru jikan ga hoshiidesu. (I want time to sleep.)
Kireina hoteru ni tomaritaidesu. (I want to stay in a beautiful hotel.)
Ii kaori no shanpuu ga sukidesu. (I like the shampoo which smells good.)
Takai hoteru wa saabisu ga iidesu. (Expensive hotels have good services.)
Exercises
Questions
Combine 2 words into one.
- atatakai, kokoro
- tsumetai, koohii
- raku, shigoto *raku(noun-adj) = easy
- nijuunisai, toki *nijuunisai = 22 years old
Answers
- atatakai kokoro
- tsumetai koohii
- rakuna shigoto
- nijuunisai no toki