Learn Japanese Grammar in 25 Minutes - ALL the Basics You Need

Summary

This video script offers an absolute beginner's guide to Japanese grammar through an engaging series of lessons. It covers basic sentence patterns, such as 'A is B', and introduces the concept of turning statements into questions by adding 'ka'. The script also explores causative and volitional words, indicating the distance of objects relative to the speaker, and teaches polite conversational phrases like 'sumimasen' for 'excuse me' and 'I'm sorry'. Additionally, it provides practical phrases for asking for items and services, and explains the formation of negative sentences in different levels of politeness. The lessons aim to equip viewers with the tools to speak real Japanese from their first lesson, encouraging them to sign up for further learning at japanesepod101.com.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video series aims to teach basic Japanese grammar patterns and phrases for absolute beginners.
• 🔊 It emphasizes the use of audio and visual cues to make learning easy to follow.
• 👋 The script introduces the common greeting 'Nice to meet you,' which can be used with anyone for the first time.
• 🔑 The first sentence pattern taught is 'A is B,' which is fundamental in Japanese grammar.
• 🌐 The script provides examples of how to use the 'A is B' pattern with names and occupations.
• ❓ It teaches how to form questions in Japanese by adding 'ka' to the end of a statement.
• 📌 The script explains the use of 'hai' for affirmation and 'chi mas' for negation in Japanese.
• 📍 It covers the use of 'kosovo' words to indicate the subject's location relative to the speaker and listener.
• ⏰ The lesson includes how to ask for the time and the correct pronunciation of the hours in Japanese.
• 📍 The script teaches how to ask about locations using 'doko' and provides examples like 'Where is the study abroad office?'
• 🙏 It introduces 'sumimasen' as a versatile phrase for both 'excuse me' and 'I'm sorry.'
• 🛒 The video explains 'onegai shimasu' for requesting items or services politely.
• 🚫 The script covers three ways to form negative sentences in Japanese: 'dewa arimasen,' 'ja,' and 'nai.'
• 📝 It also explains how to convert noun sentences into their polite past tense form.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video series?

The main focus of the video series is to teach basic Japanese grammar patterns and phrases to absolute beginners through easy-to-follow audio and visual cues.

What is the first sentence pattern taught in the lesson?

The first sentence pattern taught is 'A is B', which is used to express identity or possession, such as 'I am Jessie' or 'She is Jennifer'.

How can the 'A is B' pattern be modified to include a name without using 'watashi'?

The 'A is B' pattern can be modified by simply stating one's name followed by 'desu', for example, 'Ken desu' to mean 'I am Ken'.

What is the purpose of adding 'ka' to the end of a statement in Japanese?

Adding 'ka' to the end of a statement in Japanese turns it into a question, allowing the speaker to inquire about the subject of the statement.

What does the word 'hai' mean in Japanese?

'Hai' in Japanese means 'yes' or 'it is so', and it is used to affirm a statement or respond to a question.

What is the meaning of 'chi mas' in Japanese and how is it used?

'Chi mas' means 'no' or 'that is different' in Japanese, and it is used to disagree with a statement or indicate that something is incorrect.

What are 'kosovado' words and how do they function in Japanese?

'Kosovado' words are demonstrative words in Japanese that indicate the distance of the object or person being referred to in relation to the speaker and listener, such as 'kore' (this), 'sore' (that), and 'are' (that over there).

How do you ask for the time in Japanese?

To ask for the time in Japanese, one can say 'ima nanji desu ka', which translates to 'What time is it now?'.

What is the polite way to say 'I am not' in Japanese?

The polite way to say 'I am not' in Japanese is 'dewa arimasen', which can be shortened to 'ja arimasen' for a more casual tone.

How can you ask for something in Japanese?

To ask for something in Japanese, you can use the phrase 'Onegaishimasu' followed by the item you want, such as 'menu onegaishimasu' for 'Can I get a menu, please?'.

What is the casual version of 'arimasen' used to form negative sentences in Japanese?

The casual version of 'arimasen' used to form negative sentences in Japanese is 'nai', which is attached at the end of a sentence to indicate negation.