Japanese Verbs - Understanding The Multiple Forms

In Japanese there are many forms for each of the verb, and the way in which they are conjugated or made is broken down depending on the stem of the verb, and the stems are broken into 3 different groups, this page doesnt focus on that but more on the meaning of each conjugation (this will cover a good base but not every conjugation).


First Form

Present Indicative - This form is used for the base general meaning (to go, to meet etc) This form has both a positive and negative, with the negative being (to not go, to not meet etc)

example: 私はかれに会うに行った (Watashi Wa Kare Ni Au Ni Itta) (Au - To Meet) (I went to meet him)


Second Form

Past Indicative - This form is used to represent having done an action, the action having taken place already (Went, Met etc). This again has a negative and positive form with negative being (Didnt go, Didnt meet etc).

Same example applies from above, using Itta the past indicative form of "to go", combines with the present of to meet to make the sentence.


Third Form.

Presumptive - This form is used to represent a feeling of probability, the belief that something will probably happen (Will probably go, Will Probably Meet), also has the negative for (Will probably not go, will probably not meet)

Example: Furedu Wa Nihon ni iku deshou (Iku Deshou - Probably go) (Fred Will Probably Go To Japan)


Fourth Form

Past Presumptive - This form is used to represent a past belief of probability, the belief that something Probably happened (Probably Went, Probably Met) also has a negative form to imply (Probably Didnt Go, Probably Didnt Meet)

Example (Furedo Wa Nihon ni ikimashita) - Fred Probably Went To Japan


Fifth Form

Present Progressive - This form is used to represent an action currently occurring (Writing, Sleeping), Has a negative form to imply not doing an action (not writing, not sleeping) This is usable for actions in progress, but not for future intent (Tomorrow Im Writing a story - Not Allowed)

Example (Tagame o kaite imasu) (kaite imasu - Writing) - Im writing a letter


Sixth Form

Past Progressive - This form indicates past continuous actions (Was Sleeping, Was Open), Also has a negative form for (Was not sleeping, Was not open)


Seventh Form

Provisional Conditional Form - Used for places where "if" applies, (If I meet, if I Go) Has a negative form to represent if something doesnt happen.

Example: If I Meet Him, We'll get lunch


Eighth Form

Conditional - Used for a range of Conditional and "If" meanings, "If it was a good book, i'd buy it" can be used for past implications etc, also has a negative form


Ninth Form

Potential Form - Implies the potential or ability to do something, (Can meet, Can go) Also has a negative (Cant meet, Cant Go)

Example - We Can Meet John


Tenth Form

Causative Form - Implies the idea of making or causing something, can also mean "let" / "Allow"

Example - John made me meet him or Please let me meet him


Eleventh Form

Passive Form - Is used when something happens to something / someone but the action is done by someone other than the speaker (He stole my wallet)

Can also be used to express regret / sadness in situations (when someones parents die etc)

Kanji Day 3 - (10 Basic Kanji)

10 more basic level kanji, written with onyomi an kunyomi reading and some examples of usage.

1)
火　Onyomi（ひ）　Kunyomi（か）　(Hi) or (Ka) - Means Fire, One of the Elements

火事　（かじ）　(Kaji) - A Fire

火山　（かざん）　(Kazan) - Volcano

火口　（かこう）　(Kakou) - Crater

火曜日　（かようび）　(Kayobi) - Tuesday


2)
水　Onyomi（みず）　Kunyomi（すい）　(Mizu) or (Sui) - Water, one of the 5 elements (also a drink ;p)

水道　（すいどう）(Suidou) - Water Supply

水中　（すいちゅう）(Suichuu) - In the water

水曜日　（すいよび）　(Suiyobi) - Wednesday


3)
木　Onyomi（き）　Kunyomi（もく） (Ki) or (Moku) - Tree, Wood

木造　（もくぞう）(Mokuzou) - Made of wood, Wooden

材木　（ざいもく）　(Zaimoku) - Timber, Lumber

木曜日　（もくようび）　(Mokuyoubi) - Thursday


4)
金　Onyomi（かね）　Kunyomi（きん）　(Kane) or (Kin) - Money / Gold

料金　（りょうきん）　(Ryoukin) - Charge, Fee, Toll

現金　（げんきん）(Genkin) - Cash

金曜日　（きにょうび）(Kinyoubi) - Friday


5)
土　Onyomi（つち）　Kunyobi（と）or（ど）　(Tsuchi) or (To) or (Do) - Soil, Earth

土地　（とち）　(Tochi) - Land, Ground

土曜日　（どようび）(Doyoubi) - Saturday


6)
曜　（よう）　(You) - Combines with other kanji to represent days of the week


7)
週　（しゅう）(Shuu) - Combines with other kanji for representing weeks

先週　（せんしゅう）(Senshuu) - Last Week

今週　（こんしゅう）(Konshuu) - This Week

来週　（らいしゅう）(Raishuu) - Next Week

二週間　（にしゅうかん）　(Nishuukan) - 2 Weeks


8)
年　Onyomi（ねん）　　Kunyomi（とし）　(Nen) or (Toshi) - Year

一年　（いちねん）　(Ichinen) - 1 Year

去年　（きょねん）　(Kyonen) - Last year

来年　（らいねん）　(Rainen) - Next Year

今年　（ことし）　(Kotoshi) - This year


9)
分　（ふん）（ぷん）（ぶん）　（わ） (Fun) (Bun) (Pun) or (Wa) - Minute

半分　（はんぶん）　(Hanbun) - Half

分ける　（わける）　(Wakeru) - Divide, Separate, Share

分かれる　（わかれる）　(Wakareru) - Branch Off, Split

分かる　（わかる）(Wakaru) - Understand, Know, Find Out
　

10)
何　（なに）　（なん）(Nani) or (Nan) - What or How

何か　（なにか）(Nanika) - Something　

何時　（なんじ）(Nanji) - What Time

何分　（なんぷん）(Nanpun) - What Minute

何人　（なんにん）(Nannin) - How many people

何回　（なんかい）　(Nankai) - How many times

Kanji Day 2 - (10 basic kanji)

Another day, another 10 Kanji, little bit more detail this time as some things were missing I feel from the other page.


1)
百　（ひゃく）　(Hyaku) - 100, used for counting an numbers etc


2)
千　（せん）　（Sen) - 1000, used for numbers and counting etc


3)
万　（まん）　(Man) - 10,000 Used for numbers and counting etc


4)
億　（おく）　(Oku) - Hundred Million


5)
兆　（ちょう）　(Chou) - Trillion


6)
円　（えん）　(En) - Circle, Round (Japanese Yen), can represent both a circular object or shape or the Japanese Currency

円高　（えんだか）　(Endaka) - Strong Yen Rate

円安　（えにゃす）　(Enyasu) - Low Yen Rate

円形　（えんけい）　(Enkei) - Circle, Round Shape


7)
時　Onyomi（じ）　Kunyomi（とき）　(Ji) or (Toki) - Time, used  to mean time or to be combined with other words to create specific times or objects (watch etc)

何時　（なんじ）　(Nanji) - What Time.

時間　（じかん）　(Jikan) - Time, Hour

時計　（とけい）　(Tokei) - Watch


8)
寺　Kunyomi（てら）　Onyomi（じ）　(Tera) or (Ji) - Temple

寺僧　（じそう）　(Jisou) - Buddhist Priest


9)
日　Onyomi（にち）（じつ）　　Kunyomi（ひ）（か）　(Nichi or Jitsu) or (Hi or Ka) - Means Sun or day, various pronunciations depending on word it is used in.

日　（ひ）　(Hi) - Sun, Day.

誕生日　（たんじょうび）　(Tanjyoubi) - Birthday.

日曜日　（にちようび）　(Nichiyoubi) - Sunday

日本　（にほん）　(Nihon) - Japan

平日　（へいじつ）　(Heijitsu) - Weekday

休日　（きゅうじつ）　(Kyuujitsu) - Holiday


10)
月　Onyomi（がつ）（げつ）　　Kunyomi（つき）　(Gatsu / Getsu) or (Tsuki) - Moon, Month

月　（つき）　(Tsuki) - Moon, Month

一月　（いちがつ）　(Ichigatsu) - January

先月　（せんげつ）　(Sengetsu) - Last Month

今月　（こんげつ）　(Kongetsu) - This Month

来月　（らいげつ）　(Raigetsu) - Next Month

Kanji Day 1 - (10 Basic Kanji)

First 10 of approx 2300 Kanji that will be listed up here, it includes the base kanji followed by several key / common words comprised of that particular kanji (and possibly other kanji). At the bottom of the page is a link more complete list of words using the Kanji mentioned.


1)

一    （いち） (Ichi)

So, Starting off with Numbers, Ichi is the number one, and it can used on its own to represent the number 1 or it can be used with other parts to represent more.

一時　（いちじ）　(Ichiji) Represent 1:00 time wise, 1 o'clock with ji being the link to time.

一月　（いちがつ）　(Ichigatsu) Represents January, literally (1 month) or (first month)

一つ　（ひとつ）　(Hitotsu) Represents one, a quantity or (One of the)

一日　（ついたち）　(tsuitachi) 1st of the month, first day of the month


2)


二　（に）　(Ni) - Number 2, used when counting or to combine with other Kanji for new words

二時　（にじ）　(Niji) 2:00 Time wise, 2 o'clock

二月　（にがつ）　(Nigatsu) Febuary, 2nd month.

二つ　（ふたつ）　(Hutatsu) Two (as in two of)

二日　（ふつか）　(Hutsuka) 2nd of the month, second day of the month.


3)


三　（さん）　(San) - Number 3, Used when counting or combines to make extra words

三時　（さんじ）　(Sanji) - 3:00 Time wise, 3 o'clock

三月　（さんがつ）　(Sangatsu) March, third month

三つ　（みっつ）　(Mittsu) Three (as in 3 of)

三日　（みっか）　(Mikka) 3rd of the month, Third day of the month


4)


四　（よん） (Yon) - Number 4, used for counting or combines to make extra words

四時　（よじ）　(Yoji) 4:00, 4 o'clock time wise.

四月　（しがつ）　(Shigatsu) April, fourth month

四つ　（よっつ）　(Yottsu) Four (as in four of)

四日　（よっか）　(Yokka) 4th day of the month.


5)


五　（ご）　(Go) - 5 used for counting or making other words

五時　（ごじ）　(Goji) 5:00, 5 o'clock time wise

五月　（ごがつ）　(Gogatsu) May, 5th month

五つ　（いつつ）　(Itsutsu) Five (as in five of)

五日　（いつか）　(Itsuka) 5th day of the month


6)


六　（ろく）　(Roku) - 6 used for counting or making other words

六時　（ろくじ）　(Rokuji) 6:00 time wise 6 o'clock

六月　（ろくがつ）　(Rokugatsu) June, 6th Month

六つ　（むっつ）　(Muttsu) Six (as in 6 of)

六日　（むいか）　(Muika) 6th day of the month


7)


七　（なな）　(Nana) - 7, used for counting or making other words

七時　（しちじ）　(Shichiji) 7:00 , 7 o'clock time wise

七月　（しちがつ）　(Shichigatsu) July, 7th Month

七つ　（ななつ）　(Nanatsu) Seven (as in 7 of)

七日　（なのか）　(Nanoka) 7th day of the month


8)


八　（はち）　(Hachi) - 8, Used for counting or making other words

八時　（はちじ）　(Hachiji) 8:00, 8 o'clock time wise

八月　（はちがつ）　(Hachigatsu) August, 8th month

八つ　（やっつ）　(Yattsu) Eight (as in 8 of)

八日　（ようか）　(Youka) 8th Day of the month


9)


九　（きゅう）　(Kyuu) - 9, Used for counting or making other words

九時　（くじ）　(Kuji) - 9:00, 9 o'clock time wise

九月　（くがつ）　(Kugatsu) September, 9th month

九つ　（ここのつ）　(Kokonotsu) Nine (as in 9 of)

九日　（ここのか）　(Kokonoka) 9th day of the month.


10)


十　（じゅう）　(Juu) - 10, Used for counting or making other words

十時　（じゅうじ）　(Juuji) 10:00, 10 o'clock time wise

十月　（じゅうがつ）　(Juugatsu) October, 10th month

十　　（とお）　(Too) Ten (as in 10 of)

十日　（とおか）　(Tooka) 10th day of the month