Unit4 - Subjective Questions

「いらっしゃい」 (Irasshai) is a polite greeting used to welcome customers, guests, or visitors. It is commonly heard in shops, restaurants, and homes.

Meaning: Welcome; Come in; May I help you?

Common Usage Scenarios:

• At a shop or restaurant: A shopkeeper or waiter will say 「いらっしゃいませ！」 to customers entering their establishment. The 「ませ」 suffix adds extra politeness.
• At home: When a guest arrives at your house, you might say 「いらっしゃい」 as a welcoming greeting, though 「ようこそ」 is also common.

It conveys a sense of welcoming and readiness to serve or host.

「そろそろ失礼します」 (Sorosoro shitsurei shimasu) is a polite phrase used to indicate that one is about to leave.

Meaning: It's almost time for me to go; I should be leaving soon.

Polite Function and Usage:

• Timing: 「そろそろ」 means "soon" or "it's about time." It gently signals the intention to depart without being abrupt.
• Politeness: 「失礼します」 literally means "I will commit a rudeness" (by leaving), but it's a conventional polite way to excuse oneself. By adding 「そろそろ」, the speaker softens the departure even further, giving the host a heads-up and allowing for a graceful farewell.
• Conveyed Intention: It conveys respect for the host's time and hospitality, indicating that the guest is mindful not to overstay their welcome. It also serves as a conversational cue for the host to begin the farewell process.

「ましょう」 (mashou) is a grammatical form used to make suggestions, propose an action to a group, or express the speaker's intention to do something.

Grammatical Function: It translates to "Let's do X," or "Shall we do X?"

Formation: It is formed by attaching 「ましょう」 to the stem (or masu-stem) of a verb.

• To get the stem, remove the 「ます」 from the polite present tense form of a verb.

Example:

• Verb: 行きます (ikimasu - to go)
• Stem: 行き (iki)
• 「ましょう」 form: 行きましょう (ikimashou)

Example Sentence:

• 日本へ行きましょう。 (Nihon e ikimashou.) - Let's go to Japan.

「ませんか」 (masen ka) is primarily used to make invitations or suggestions to others, often with a slightly softer and more inviting nuance than a direct suggestion.

Primary Use: It translates to "Won't you do X?", "Why don't we do X?", or "Would you like to do X?"

Difference from 「ましょう」 in Nuance:

• 「ましょう」 is a direct suggestion or proposal, often implying that the speaker is also included or is leading the action. It can sound like a definitive "Let's do it!"
• 「ませんか」 is an invitation that asks the listener for their consent or opinion. It is more open-ended, allowing the listener to accept or decline more easily. It's a question, not a statement of intent.

Formation: It is formed by attaching 「ませんか」 to the stem (or masu-stem) of a verb.

Example:

• Verb: 食べます (tabemasu - to eat)
• Stem: 食べ (tabe)
• 「ませんか」 form: 食べませんか (tabemasen ka)

Example Sentence:

• いっしょに晩ごはんを食べませんか。 (Issho ni bangohan o tabemasen ka.) - Won't you eat dinner together? / Why don't we eat dinner together?

Both 「ましょう」 and 「ませんか」 are used for making suggestions or invitations, but they carry distinct nuances and implications.

「ましょう」 (mashou)

• Usage: Used to propose an action to a group including the speaker, or to express the speaker's own resolve.
• Nuance: Direct, often strong suggestion or proposition. It can imply a shared decision or a lead from the speaker. It's more of a statement of intent.
• Translation: "Let's do X.", "Shall we do X?"
• Example:
  • 週末に映画を見に行きましょう。 (Shuumatsu ni eiga o mi ni ikimashou.) - Let's go watch a movie this weekend. (Suggests a shared activity with a clear intention.)

「ませんか」 (masen ka)

• Usage: Used to invite or suggest an action to others, often seeking their consent or opinion.
• Nuance: Softer, more open-ended invitation. It's a question, allowing the listener to accept or decline. It conveys politeness and considers the listener's preferences.
• Translation: "Won't you do X?", "Why don't we do X?", "Would you like to do X?"
• Example:
  • 週末に映画を見に行きませんか。 (Shuumatsu ni eiga o mi ni ikimasen ka.) - Won't you go watch a movie this weekend? / Would you like to go watch a movie this weekend? (Invites the listener, asking for their willingness.)

Contrast: 「ましょう」 is more assertive and assumes shared participation, while 「ませんか」 is more interrogative and respectful of the listener's choice.

「あげます」 (agemasu) means "to give."

Typical Usage:

• It is used when the speaker (or the subject of the sentence) gives something to someone else. The action flows away from the giver.
• It typically implies that the giver is doing something for the benefit of the receiver, or simply handing over an item.

Particles Involved:

• The giver is the subject of the sentence (often omitted if clear from context).
• The thing being given is marked with the object particle 「を」 (o).
• The receiver is marked with the particle 「に」 (ni).

Sentence Structure:
(Giver) は (Receiver) に (Object) を あげます。

Example of Giving a Gift:

• 私は友達に本をあげました。 (Watashi wa tomodachi ni hon o agemashita.)
  • Translation: I gave a book to my friend.
  • Here, 私は (I) is the giver, 友達に (to my friend) is the receiver, and 本を (a book) is the object given.

「もらいます」 (moraimasu) means "to receive" or "to get."

Typical Usage:

• It is used when the speaker (or the subject of the sentence) receives something from someone else. The action flows towards the receiver.
• It implies that the receiver is benefiting from the action of another person.

Particles Involved:

• The receiver is the subject of the sentence (often omitted if clear from context).
• The thing being received is marked with the object particle 「を」 (o).
• The giver is marked with either 「に」 (ni) or 「から」 (kara).
  • 「に」 is generally used when the giver is a person.
  • 「から」 can be used for people, organizations, or institutions, implying "from."

Sentence Structure:
(Receiver) は (Giver) に/から (Object) を もらいます。

Example of Receiving a Gift:

• 私は友達に本をもらいました。 (Watashi wa tomodachi ni hon o moraimashita.)
  • Translation: I received a book from my friend.
  • Here, 私は (I) is the receiver, 友達に (from my friend) is the giver, and 本を (a book) is the object received.

The key difference between 「あげます」 and 「もらいます」 lies in the perspective from which the action of giving/receiving is viewed.

• 「あげます」 (agemasu):

  • Perspective: The action is viewed from the giver's perspective. The subject of the sentence is the one performing the act of giving.
  • Focus: On the act of giving away from oneself (or the subject).
  • Meaning: To give.

• 「もらいます」 (moraimasu):

  • Perspective: The action is viewed from the receiver's perspective. The subject of the sentence is the one performing the act of receiving.
  • Focus: On the act of receiving towards oneself (or the subject).
  • Meaning: To receive; to get.

Illustrative Example (Same Transaction):
Let's consider a scenario where Tanaka-san gives a present to Maria-san.

1. Using 「あげます」 (from Tanaka-san's perspective):

   • 田中さんはマリアさんにプレゼントをあげました。
     • (Tanaka-san wa Maria-san ni purezento o agemashita.)
     • Translation: Tanaka-san gave a present to Maria-san.

2. Using 「もらいます」 (from Maria-san's perspective):

   • マリアさんは田中さんにプレゼントをもらいました。
     • (Maria-san wa Tanaka-san ni purezento o moraimashita.)
     • Translation: Maria-san received a present from Tanaka-san.

These two sentences describe the same event, but the choice of verb depends entirely on whose action (giving or receiving) is being emphasized and from which person's viewpoint the sentence is constructed.

「い-形容詞」 (i-keiyoushi), or i-adjectives, are a category of Japanese adjectives that end with the hiragana character 「い」 (i) in their dictionary form (present affirmative form).

Main Characteristics:

1. Ends in 「い」 (i): In their dictionary form, all i-adjectives end in 「い」 (e.g., 高い (takai - tall/expensive), 寒い (samui - cold), 楽しい (tanoshii - fun)). Note: This 「い」 is part of the stem, not just an ending.
2. Conjugate Directly: Unlike na-adjectives (which act more like nouns), i-adjectives directly conjugate to express different tenses (past, negative) by changing their ending. They do not require a copula like 「です」 for conjugation. For example, to make an i-adjective negative, the 「い」 is replaced with 「くない」.

To form the negative present tense of an 「い-形容詞」 (i-adjective), the following rule is applied:

Rule: Remove the final 「い」 (i) and replace it with 「くない」 (kunai).

Formula: I-Adjective (dictionary form) [I-Adjective stem] + 「くない」

Example:

• Original i-adjective: 高い (takai - expensive/tall)
• Step 1: Remove the final 「い」 高 (taka)
• Step 2: Add 「くない」 高くない (takakunai)

Negative Present Form: 高くない (takakunai) - not expensive/not tall

To make it polite, you would add 「です」: 高くないです (takakunai desu).

To conjugate an 「い-形容詞」 (i-adjective) into its past affirmative form, the following rule is applied:

Rule: Remove the final 「い」 (i) and replace it with 「かった」 (katta).

Formula: I-Adjective (dictionary form) [I-Adjective stem] + 「かった」

Example:

• Original i-adjective: 寒い (samui - cold)
• Step 1: Remove the final 「い」 寒 (samu)
• Step 2: Add 「かった」 寒かった (samukatta)

Past Affirmative Form: 寒かった (samukatta) - was cold

To make it polite, you would add 「です」: 寒かったです (samukatta desu).

To form the past negative tense of an 「い-形容詞」 (i-adjective), you first convert it to its negative present tense and then apply the past tense rule.

Rule:

1. First, change the i-adjective to its negative present form by replacing 「い」 with 「くない」.
2. Then, treat 「くない」 as if it were an i-adjective itself (since it ends in 「い」) and change the final 「い」 of 「くない」 to 「かった」.

Formula: I-Adjective [I-Adjective stem] + 「くない」 [I-Adjective stem] + 「くなかった」

Example:

• Original i-adjective: おいしい (oishii - delicious)
• Step 1 (Negative Present): Remove the final 「い」 おいし (oishi)
  • Add 「くない」 おいしくない (oishikunai) - not delicious
• Step 2 (Past Negative): Treat おいしくない as an i-adjective ending in 「い」.
  • Remove the final 「い」 from おいしくない おいしくな (oishikuna)
  • Add 「かった」 おいしくなかった (oishikunakatta)

Past Negative Form: おいしくなかった (oishikunakatta) - was not delicious

To make it polite, you would add 「です」: おいしくなかったです (oishikunakatta desu).

「な-形容詞」 (na-keiyoushi), or na-adjectives, are a category of Japanese adjectives that are often described as adjectival nouns because of their behavior, particularly when modifying nouns.

Main Characteristic (Structural Difference from i-adjectives):

• Unlike i-adjectives which directly precede the noun (e.g., 高い山 - takai yama, tall mountain), na-adjectives require the particle 「な」 (na) to connect to and modify a noun.

Formula for modifying a noun: Na-Adjective (stem) + 「な」 + Noun

Example:

• Na-adjective: 静か (shizuka - quiet)
  • When modifying a noun like 「町」 (machi - town): 静かな町 (shizuka na machi - a quiet town).

In contrast, an i-adjective like 「寒い」 (samui - cold) would directly modify a noun without a particle: 寒い町 (samui machi - a cold town).

This need for the 「な」 particle is the defining structural characteristic that gives them their name and differentiates them from i-adjectives when they function as noun modifiers.

To form the present negative tense of a 「な-形容詞」 (na-adjective), you treat it like a noun and attach the negative form of the copula.

Rule: Attach 「じゃない」 (janai) or the more polite 「ではありません」 (dewa arimasen) to the na-adjective stem.

Formula (Informal): Na-Adjective (stem) + 「じゃない」
Formula (Polite): Na-Adjective (stem) + 「ではありません」

Example:

• Original na-adjective: 静か (shizuka - quiet)

• Informal Present Negative Form: 静かじゃない (shizuka janai) - not quiet

• Polite Present Negative Form: 静かではありません (shizuka dewa arimasen) - is not quiet

This reflects their noun-like behavior, where the negation is applied to the state of 'being' that adjective.

To conjugate a 「な-形容詞」 (na-adjective) into its past affirmative form, you treat it like a noun and attach the past affirmative form of the copula.

Rule: Attach 「だった」 (datta) (informal) or 「でした」 (deshita) (polite) to the na-adjective stem.

Formula (Informal): Na-Adjective (stem) + 「だった」
Formula (Polite): Na-Adjective (stem) + 「でした」

Example:

• Original na-adjective: 有名 (yuumei - famous)

• Informal Past Affirmative Form: 有名だった (yuumei datta) - was famous

• Polite Past Affirmative Form: 有名でした (yuumei deshita) - was famous

This conjugation pattern further highlights their similarity to nouns, where the past tense is indicated by the form of the copula.

To form the past negative tense of a 「な-形容詞」 (na-adjective), you combine its negative present form with the past tense of the copula.

Rule: Attach 「じゃなかった」 (janakatta) (informal) or 「ではありませんでした」 (dewa arimasen deshita) (polite) to the na-adjective stem.

Formula (Informal): Na-Adjective (stem) + 「じゃなかった」
Formula (Polite): Na-Adjective (stem) + 「ではありませんでした」

Example:

• Original na-adjective: 便利 (benri - convenient)

• Informal Past Negative Form: 便利じゃなかった (benri janakatta) - was not convenient

• Polite Past Negative Form: 便利ではありませんでした (benri dewa arimasen deshita) - was not convenient

This follows the pattern of negating the adjective first and then placing that negation in the past tense, mirroring noun negation.

The most fundamental structural difference between 「い-形容詞」 (i-adjectives) and 「な-形容詞」 (na-adjectives) when they modify a noun lies in the presence or absence of a connecting particle.

1. 「い-形容詞」 (I-Adjectives):

   • Structure: They directly precede the noun without any intervening particle. The 「い」 ending of the adjective is retained.
   • Formula: I-Adjective (dictionary form) + Noun
   • Example:
     • 高い山 (takai yama) - a tall mountain
     • おいしい食べ物 (oishii tabemono) - delicious food

2. 「な-形容詞」 (Na-Adjectives):

   • Structure: They require the particle 「な」 (na) between the adjective stem and the noun it modifies.
   • Formula: Na-Adjective (stem) + 「な」 + Noun
   • Example:
     • きれいな花 (kirei na hana) - a beautiful flower
     • 静かな部屋 (shizuka na heya) - a quiet room

Summary: I-adjectives connect directly to nouns, while na-adjectives use 「な」 to connect to nouns. This difference is a core identifier for each adjective type.

Dialogue:

Person A: 今週末、映画を見に行きませんか。

• (Konshuumatsu, eiga o mi ni ikimasen ka.)
• Translation: This weekend, won't you go see a movie? / Would you like to go see a movie?

Person B: いいですね！ ぜひ行きましょう。

• (Ii desu ne! Zehi ikimashou.)
• Translation: That sounds good! Let's definitely go.

Person A: じゃあ、土曜日の午後2時に駅で会いましょう。

• (Jaa, doyōbi no gogo 2-ji ni eki de aimashou.)
• Translation: Okay, then, let's meet at the station at 2 PM on Saturday.

This dialogue demonstrates the use of 「ませんか」 for an invitation and an acceptance using 「ましょう」 for agreement to a shared action.

While 「ましょう」 is commonly used for direct invitations or suggestions to others (e.g., "Let's go"), it also serves broader functions:

• Expressing Resolved Action (Speaker's Intention): The speaker uses 「ましょう」 to state their firm intention or decision to do something, often to themselves or to signal their readiness.

  • Example: (After a long day) 「さあ、帰りましょう！」 (Saa, kaerimashou!) - "Alright, let's go home!" (Said by oneself, or to a tired group, indicating it's time to leave.)

• Mild Suggestion/Encouragement: It can be used to gently encourage or suggest an action without it being a formal invitation, often with a sense of shared understanding.

  • Example: (After noticing a problem) 「どうすればいいか、一緒に考えましょう。」 (Dou sureba ii ka, issho ni kangaemashou.) - "Let's think together about what we should do." (A suggestion for collaborative problem-solving.)

In these contexts, 「ましょう」 moves beyond a simple "Let's go" to convey a more nuanced sense of resolution, encouragement, or shared purpose.

Here are two sentences describing the same transaction, one from the giver's perspective using 「あげます」 and one from the receiver's perspective using 「もらいます」.

Scenario: Ken-san gives a pen to Mika-san.

1. From Ken-san's perspective (the giver) using 「あげます」:

   • けんさんはみかさんにペンをあげました。
   • (Ken-san wa Mika-san ni pen o agemashita.)
   • Translation: Ken-san gave a pen to Mika-san.

2. From Mika-san's perspective (the receiver) using 「もらいます」:

   • みかさんはけんさんにペンをもらいました。
   • (Mika-san wa Ken-san ni pen o moraimashita.)
   • Translation: Mika-san received a pen from Ken-san.

These examples clearly show how the choice of verb depends on whose action (giving or receiving) is the focus of the sentence.