Your cart is currently empty!
Tag: Japanese Learning Tips
-
How to Express Prohibition in Japanese | My Language Classes
Expressing Prohibition in Japanese
If you’re learning Japanese, mastering how to express prohibition (saying what cannot or should not be done) is an essential step toward fluency. Japanese has a rich tapestry of expressions for prohibition, each carrying different nuances based on politeness levels, context, and the strength of the prohibition. In this blog, I’ll guide you through the most common ways to express prohibition in Japanese and help you understand when to use them.
1. ～てはいけません (Te wa ikemasen)
This is one of the most commonly used and polite ways to express prohibition in Japanese. It translates roughly to “You must not…” or “It’s not allowed to…”.
Formation:
Take the te-form of the verb and attach ～てはいけません.
Example:
- ここでたばこを吸ってはいけません。
(Koko de tabako o sutte wa ikemasen.)
“You must not smoke here.”
This phrase is often used in formal situations, such as school rules, workplace guidelines, or signs in public spaces.
2. ～ちゃダメ / ～ちゃいけない (Casual Forms)
In casual settings, Japanese speakers often use ～ちゃダメ or ～ちゃいけない to express prohibition. These are informal contractions of ～てはいけません.
Example:
- ここでゲームしちゃダメだよ。
(Koko de geemu shicha dame da yo.)
“You can’t play games here.” - あそこで走っちゃいけない。
(Asoko de hashiccha ikenai.)
“You must not run over there.”
Use these with close friends, family members, or peers, but avoid them in formal contexts.
3. 禁止 (Kinshi) – The Formal, Written Prohibition
When expressing prohibition in written form, especially on signs or official notices, the word 禁止 (kinshi, meaning “prohibited”) is frequently used.
Example:
- 飲酒禁止 (Inshu kinshi)
“Drinking alcohol is prohibited.” - 駐車禁止 (Chuusha kinshi)
“No parking.”
This construction is direct and impersonal, commonly used in public spaces to state clear rules.
4. ～てはならない (Te wa naranai)
This is a more formal and literary way of expressing prohibition. It is less common in daily conversation but can be seen in legal documents or formal writings.
Example:
- 嘘をついてはならない。
(Uso o tsuite wa naranai.)
“You must not tell lies.”
5. Use of だめ (Dame)
The word だめ (dame) itself means “no good,” “not allowed,” or “forbidden.” It’s highly versatile and can stand alone as an expression of prohibition.
Examples:
- それはだめです。 (Sore wa dame desu.)
“That’s not allowed.” - 今はだめ。 (Ima wa dame.)
“Not now.”
Depending on the tone and situation, だめ can range from strict to soft and conversational.
6. ～べからず (Bekarazu) – Traditional and Strict
This archaic phrase is rarely used in modern conversation but appears in traditional, formal, or poetic contexts.
Example:
- 立ち入りべからず。
(Tachiiri bekarazu.)
“No trespassing.”
It carries an old-fashioned and authoritative tone, reminiscent of samurai-era language.
Choosing the Right Expression
When deciding how to express prohibition in Japanese, consider the following factors:
- Formality: Use ～てはいけません for polite conversations and signs, and ～ちゃダメ for casual settings.
- Authority: Use 禁止 or ～てはならない for official or serious prohibitions.
- Audience: Adapt your language based on whether you’re speaking to a friend, a stranger, or a group.
Practice Makes Perfect!
Understanding prohibition in Japanese is only the first step; using it naturally requires practice. Try creating your own sentences using these structures, and pay attention to how native speakers use them in real life. The more you immerse yourself, the more intuitive these expressions will become.
So, what are you waiting for? Share your practice sentences in the comments, and let’s refine your skills together!
あなたはどの禁止表現をよく使いますか？コメントで教えてください！
(Anata wa dono kinshi hyougen o yoku tsukaimasu ka? Komento de oshiete kudasai!)
Which prohibition expression do you use most often? Let me know in the comments!
If you enjoyed this lesson, be sure to check out more posts like this on my blog at My Language Classes. Don’t forget to subscribe my YouTube channel and follow me on Instagram for the latest language learning tips and lessons. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts, or ask any questions you have about nouns.
Happy learning! 😊
- ここでたばこを吸ってはいけません。
-
Understanding ある vs いる Japanese Existence Verbs | My Language Classes
Japanese Existence Verbs: ある (Aru) vs いる (Iru)
In Japanese, one of the fundamental concepts is the idea of existence, or being. Just like in any language, expressing whether something exists or is present is crucial to communication. In Japanese, this is expressed using two key verbs: ある (aru) and いる (iru).
Though both words translate as “to be” or “to exist,” their usage depends on the type of subject you’re referring to. This difference can be tricky for learners, but once you grasp it, you’ll find yourself speaking more naturally in Japanese.
1. ある (Aru) — Used for Inanimate Objects or Abstract Concepts
The verb ある (aru) is used to express the existence of inanimate objects, things, places, or abstract concepts. If the subject is something that doesn’t have life (like a chair, book, or idea), ある is the correct verb to use.
Examples:
- 本がある。
(Hon ga aru)
“There is a book.” - 学校がある。
(Gakkou ga aru)
“There is a school.”
(Literally, “A school exists.”) - 問題がある。
(Mondai ga aru)
“There is a problem.”
(Literally, “A problem exists.”)
As you can see, ある applies to non-living things—whether they are physical objects, places, or even abstract ideas like problems or opportunities.
2. いる (Iru) — Used for Living Things
On the other hand, いる (iru) is used to indicate the existence of living things, such as people, animals, or any other beings that can move or have consciousness. This includes everything from pets to people to animals.
Examples:
- 犬がいる。
(Inu ga iru)
“There is a dog.”
(Literally, “A dog exists.”) - 先生がいる。
(Sensei ga iru)
“There is a teacher.”
(Literally, “A teacher exists.”) - 友達がいる。
(Tomodachi ga iru)
“I have friends.”
(Literally, “Friends exist.”)
The verb いる is also commonly used to refer to living things when you’re describing their existence in a particular place or context. It’s important to note that いる is for beings that can move, think, or live.
The Difference Between ある and いる
To put it simply:
- Use ある when talking about inanimate objects, things, or places.
- Use いる when talking about living things—people, animals, etc.
How to Make Sentences Negative: ない (Nai)
Just like with other verbs in Japanese, you can make sentences negative by adding ない (nai), which is the negative form of both ある and いる.
- ある becomes ない:
本がない。 (Hon ga nai) — “There is no book.” - いる becomes いない:
犬がいない。 (Inu ga inai) — “There is no dog.”
These negative forms are essential for talking about the absence of something or someone.
Other Uses of ある and いる
- Existence in the Past (だった / いた) Just like in English, we can also talk about past existence in Japanese. あった (atta) and いた (ita) are the past tense forms of ある and いる, respectively.
- 本があった。
(Hon ga atta)
“There was a book.” - 犬がいた。
(Inu ga ita)
“There was a dog.”
- 本があった。
- Describing Location Both ある and いる are also used when talking about the location of things or people. The particles に (ni) or で (de) are typically used to indicate where the subject exists.
- 机の上に本がある。
(Tsukue no ue ni hon ga aru)
“There is a book on the desk.” - 公園に犬がいる。
(Kouen ni inu ga iru)
“There is a dog in the park.”
- 机の上に本がある。
A Helpful Trick to Remember
A simple trick to remember the difference between ある and いる is to think of the phrase “Life is moving.”
- いる for living things = I for I (living being, me, you, animals).
- ある for inanimate things = A for A object.
This small mnemonic can help keep the two verbs straight as you practice!
Conclusion
Understanding ある (aru) and いる (iru) is an essential part of learning Japanese, as it helps you express existence in various contexts. Whether you’re talking about inanimate objects, people, animals, or abstract concepts, knowing when to use each verb will make your Japanese sound more fluent and natural.
If you’re new to learning Japanese, start practicing these verbs with simple sentences and gradually increase complexity. With a little practice, expressing existence will become second nature to you!
If you enjoyed this lesson, be sure to check out more posts like this on my blog at My Language Classes. Don’t forget to subscribe my YouTube channel and follow me on Instagram for the latest language learning tips and lessons. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts, or ask any questions you have about nouns.
Happy learning! 😊
- 本がある。
-
How to Say “Because” in Japanese から (kara) vs. ので (node) | My Language Classes
Expressing “Because” in Japanese: から (kara) vs. ので (node)
When learning Japanese, understanding how to express “because” is essential for forming logical connections in your sentences. Two primary tools for this are から (kara) and ので (node). Both translate roughly to “because” or “since,” but their nuances and appropriate contexts differ. In this post, we’ll explore their meanings, usage, and subtle differences to help you master them.
1. Understanding から (kara)
から is a versatile and commonly used particle to indicate cause and effect. Its usage is straightforward and can be found in both casual and formal contexts, though it often leans more casual.
Structure:
- Reason + から + Result
- Example: 勉強しなかったから、試験に落ちました。
(Benkyou shinakatta kara, shiken ni ochimashita.)
“Because I didn’t study, I failed the exam.”
- Example: 勉強しなかったから、試験に落ちました。
Key Features:
- Direct and Conversational:
から is widely used in everyday speech. It gives a clear and sometimes blunt explanation of reasons.- Example: 雨が降っているから、外に行きません。
(Ame ga futteiru kara, soto ni ikimasen.)
“Because it’s raining, I won’t go outside.”
- Example: 雨が降っているから、外に行きません。
- Flexible Placement:
You can use から in both written and spoken Japanese, though it feels more natural in informal contexts. - Focus on the Speaker’s Perspective:
The reason expressed with から often reflects the speaker’s opinion or justification.
2. Understanding ので (node)
ので is another way to express “because,” but it has a softer, more polite tone. It’s commonly used in formal situations or when you want to sound less direct or imposing.
Structure:
- Reason + ので + Result
- Example: 雨が降っているので、外に行きません。
(Ame ga futteiru node, soto ni ikimasen.)
“Since it’s raining, I won’t go outside.”
- Example: 雨が降っているので、外に行きません。
Key Features:
- Polite and Subtle:
ので carries a sense of consideration, making it ideal for formal or respectful conversations.- Example: お腹が空いたので、何か食べましょう。
(Onaka ga suita node, nanika tabemashou.)
“Since I’m hungry, let’s eat something.”
- Example: お腹が空いたので、何か食べましょう。
- Softer Implications:
Compared to から, ので feels less assertive and more explanatory. It’s often used when the reason is more objective or when you’re asking for understanding. - Common in Formal Writing and Speech:
You’ll frequently see ので in polite correspondence, workplace conversations, and when addressing superiors.
3. Key Differences Between から and ので
Aspect から ので Tone Direct, casual Polite, formal, soft Usage Everyday conversations Formal writing and respectful speech Reason Type Subjective or personal Objective or neutral Politeness Level Casual to neutral Neutral to polite Examples Highlighting the Differences:
- Casual Statement:
- 勉強しなかったから、試験に落ちた。 (Benkyou shinakatta kara, shiken ni ochita.)
“I failed the exam because I didn’t study.” (Direct and casual) - 勉強しなかったので、試験に落ちました。 (Benkyou shinakatta node, shiken ni ochimashita.)
“I failed the exam since I didn’t study.” (Polite and explanatory)
- 勉強しなかったから、試験に落ちた。 (Benkyou shinakatta kara, shiken ni ochita.)
- Polite Request:
- 道が混んでいたから、遅れました。 (Michi ga kondeita kara, okuremashita.)
“I was late because the roads were crowded.” (Blunt explanation) - 道が混んでいたので、遅れました。 (Michi ga kondeita node, okuremashita.)
“I was late since the roads were crowded.” (Polite and considerate)
- 道が混んでいたから、遅れました。 (Michi ga kondeita kara, okuremashita.)
4. When to Use Which?
Use から When:
- Speaking casually with friends or family.
- Explaining personal reasons directly.
- Adding emphasis to the cause-effect relationship.
Use ので When:
- Communicating in formal or polite settings.
- Writing formal letters, essays, or workplace emails.
- Explaining reasons with a softer tone to avoid sounding blunt.
5. A Quick Note on Grammar
- から connects to the plain form of a verb, adjective, or noun:
- Verb: 走るから (Hashiru kara, “Because I run”)
- Adjective: 寒いから (Samui kara, “Because it’s cold”)
- Noun + だ: 先生だから (Sensei da kara, “Because I’m a teacher”)
- ので also connects to the plain form, but nouns and な-adjectives require な before ので:
- Verb: 走るので (Hashiru node, “Since I run”)
- Adjective: 寒いので (Samui node, “Since it’s cold”)
- Noun + な: 先生なので (Sensei na node, “Since I’m a teacher”)
6. Practice Makes Perfect!
Understanding から and ので is only the beginning. Try using them in sentences to express reasons for daily activities. For example:
- 電車が遅れたから、会議に間に合いませんでした。
(Densha ga okureta kara, kaigi ni ma ni aimasendeshita.)
“Because the train was delayed, I couldn’t make it to the meeting.” - 電車が遅れたので、会議に間に合いませんでした。
(Densha ga okureta node, kaigi ni ma ni aimasendeshita.)
“Since the train was delayed, I couldn’t make it to the meeting.”
By practicing these expressions in context, you’ll develop an intuitive sense of when to use から and ので, enhancing both your fluency and sensitivity to Japanese communication styles. Keep practicing, and don’t hesitate to mix them into your conversations!
If you enjoyed this lesson, be sure to check out more posts like this on my blog at My Language Classes. Don’t forget to subscribe my YouTube channel and follow me on Instagram for the latest language learning tips and lessons. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts, or ask any questions you have about nouns.
Happy learning! 😊
- Reason + から + Result