Lesson 4: Japanese past, present, and future tense. How Japanese verb tenses really work

Summary

In this lesson, the concept of Japanese tenses is explored, focusing on the non-past tense, which can express future events or describe habitual actions, much like English. The importance of the 'iru' verb for continuous actions ('-ing' form) is explained, alongside the formation of past tense using 'ta'. Additionally, the use of relative time expressions like 'tomorrow' and absolute time expressions with 'ni' is clarified, offering comparisons with English. The video concludes by providing worksheets for further practice and encourages viewers to engage with comments or questions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Japanese language uses three tenses: non-past, continuous present, and past.
• 😀 The non-past tense in Japanese is similar to the plain dictionary form of verbs in English (e.g., 'eat', 'walk').
• 😀 The Japanese non-past tense can also refer to future events, just like in English.
• 😀 The continuous present tense in Japanese is formed by adding 'iru' after the verb's te-form (e.g., 'tabete iru' for 'eating').
• 😀 To form the continuous present tense, we modify the verb's base form: for example, 'taberu' becomes 'tabete' and then 'tabete iru'.
• 😀 The past tense in Japanese is formed by adding 'ta' to the verb (e.g., 'tabeta' means 'ate').
• 😀 There are specific ways to attach 'te' and 'ta' to different verb types, but they follow regular patterns once learned.
• 😀 Time expressions in Japanese can be relative (like 'tomorrow') or absolute (like 'Tuesday').
• 😀 For relative time expressions (e.g., 'tomorrow', 'next week'), we place the time expression before the verb, just like in English.
• 😀 For absolute time expressions (e.g., 'Tuesday', '6 o'clock'), we use the particle 'ni' in Japanese, similar to English prepositions like 'on' or 'at'.
• 😀 Understanding time expressions in Japanese is simpler than it seems, as it follows the same logic as English, with 'ni' replacing 'on', 'in', or 'at'.

Q & A

What is the Japanese non-past tense, and how does it differ from the present tense in English?

The Japanese non-past tense is the plain dictionary form of verbs, such as 'taberu' (eat) and 'aruku' (walk). Unlike English, where the present tense refers specifically to current actions or habitual actions, the Japanese non-past tense can refer to present, future, or habitual actions. It's a more general form, and its meaning depends on context.

Why do Japanese verbs use the non-past tense instead of a present tense?

Japanese doesn't have a distinct present tense like English. Instead, it uses the non-past tense, which is versatile and can refer to present actions, future actions, or habitual actions. This is not confusing once you understand that it's similar to the plain form of English verbs, which can also describe current, future, or habitual actions.

How is the non-past tense used in Japanese to refer to future events?

In Japanese, the non-past tense is commonly used to express future events. For example, 'Inu-ga taberu' means 'The dog will eat' or 'The dog eats,' depending on context, but it often refers to a future event in daily conversation.

What do we need to do in Japanese to express a continuous action like 'is walking'?

To express a continuous action in Japanese, we use the verb 'iru' combined with the 'te' form of the verb. For example, 'Sakura-ga aruite iru' means 'Sakura is walking,' and 'Inu-ga tabete iru' means 'The dog is eating.' The structure 'verb + iru' forms the present continuous tense.

What is the 'te' form in Japanese, and how do we use it?

The 'te' form is used to create continuous tenses and other forms in Japanese. To form the 'te' form of a verb, we usually replace the ending of the verb with 'te' (for example, 'taberu' becomes 'tabete'). Different verb groups have specific rules for creating the 'te' form, and once you learn those rules, the process becomes straightforward.

How do we form the past tense in Japanese?

To form the past tense in Japanese, you simply add 'ta' to the verb. For example, 'Inu-ga taberu' (The dog will eat) becomes 'Inu-ga tabeta' (The dog ate). The process of adding 'ta' follows the same rules as the 'te' form, making it relatively simple to learn once you're familiar with verb endings.

How does Japanese handle time expressions such as 'tomorrow' and 'Tuesday'?

In Japanese, relative time expressions like 'tomorrow' ('ashita') are placed at the beginning of a sentence to set the time frame, just like in English. For absolute time expressions like days of the week ('Kayoubi' for Tuesday), we use 'ni' to indicate when something will happen. For example, 'Kayoubi-ni keeki-wo taberu' means 'On Tuesday, I will eat cake.'

What is the difference between relative and absolute time expressions in Japanese?

Relative time expressions in Japanese, such as 'tomorrow' or 'next week,' are used to express time relative to the present. These time expressions are placed at the start of a sentence, and no particle is needed. On the other hand, absolute time expressions like specific days ('Tuesday') require the particle 'ni' to indicate the time, similar to how we use 'on' in English.

How does Japanese handle the concept of 'being' in the present continuous tense?

In Japanese, the verb 'iru' is used to indicate the state of 'being' in the present continuous tense, similar to how 'to be' is used in English. For example, 'Sakura is walking' becomes 'Sakura-ga aruite iru,' where 'iru' acts as the verb for 'being,' and it is paired with the 'te' form of the action verb.

How do we know when to use 'ni' in Japanese time expressions?

'Ni' is used with absolute time expressions in Japanese, such as days of the week or specific times, to indicate when an event occurs. For example, 'Kayoubi-ni keeki-wo taberu' means 'On Tuesday, I will eat cake.' It functions similarly to the English prepositions 'on,' 'at,' or 'in,' depending on the context.