Lesson 11-1.Grammar1. の［Indefinite pronoun］"one(s)" (p.25)

Summary

This video introduces Grammar Point 1 of Lesson 11 in Tobirani, focusing on the indefinite pronoun の (no), which functions like 'one' or 'ones' in English. The lesson explains how の replaces a specific noun already understood from context and must be accompanied by an adjective or modifier. It covers usage with i-adjectives, na-adjectives, and nouns, including negative forms, while highlighting rules such as avoiding double の in 'noun の の' structures. The video also emphasizes that の is only used when specifying a particular member or subgroup of a category, not for general descriptions, providing clear examples throughout.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Japanese indefinite pronoun の (no) is used to replace a noun understood from context, similar to 'one' or 'ones' in English.
• 😀 の cannot stand alone and must be accompanied by a modifier such as an adjective or demonstrative.
• 😀 The modifier before の keeps the same form as it would before any other noun.
• 😀 Examples include: 'scary one' (怖いの), 'spicy one' (辛いの), and 'fun one' (楽しいの).
• 😀 Both positive and negative adjectives can be used with の without changing their conjugation.
• 😀 In noun-noun structures, replacing the second noun with の is unnatural; instead, drop the second noun and leave just the first with の.
• 😀 English often uses 'one' even when Japanese would not; context matters in choosing when to use の.
• 😀 の is narrower in usage than 'one/ones' in English; it only applies when specifying a particular member or subgroup of a larger category.
• 😀 When merely describing characteristics without specifying a subgroup, の should not be used.
• 😀 Using の appropriately requires understanding both context and whether a specific member or subgroup is being referred to.
• 😀 This grammar point emphasizes the importance of context and noun replacement in natural Japanese conversation.

Q & A

What is the main grammar point discussed in this video?

The main grammar point is the Japanese indefinite pronoun の (no), which can be translated as 'one' or 'ones' in English and is used to replace a noun already known from context.

How is の different from the nominalizer の introduced in Tobira I?

Unlike the nominalizer の, which turns a verb or phrase into a noun, the indefinite pronoun の replaces an already understood noun and functions grammatically as a noun itself.

Can の be used by itself without a modifier?

No, の cannot appear alone. It must be accompanied by a modifier such as an adjective or another descriptive element.

How do adjectives interact with の when replacing a noun?

The adjective retains the same conjugation as it would when modifying a noun. For example, 'かわいいの' means 'a cute one,' and 'からくないの' means 'a not spicy one.'

What is the rule for noun + の + noun structures?

In these structures, the second の is dropped when replacing the second noun. For example, instead of saying 'だれののバッグ,' you simply say 'だれのバッグ' ('whose bag').

When should の be used in terms of specificity?

の should only be used when specifying a particular member or a subgroup of a larger category, not for general descriptions of an item.

Can you give an example where の cannot be used due to general description?

Yes, if you are simply describing a song as lively and fun without specifying which song, you cannot use の. Instead of 'この歌は元気で楽しいの,' you should just describe it as 'この歌は元気で楽しい.'

Can の be used with both i-adjectives and na-adjectives?

Yes, の works with both i-adjectives (e.g., こわいの 'a scary one') and na-adjectives (e.g., たいへんなの 'a tough one').

How does context affect the use of の?

Context is crucial because の replaces a noun that is already understood. Without a clear reference from the conversation or situation, using の would be confusing or incorrect.

How would you say 'the green pencil' using の?

You would say 'みどりの,' which literally replaces 'pencil' with の, meaning 'the green one.'

Why is の considered more restrictive than English 'one/ones'?

Unlike English 'one/ones,' which can refer to any item described, Japanese の can only be used when pointing to a specific item or subgroup already known in context. General attributes without specificity cannot use の.