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B. Quasi-adjectives
(A) Type of quasi-adjectives
Quasi-adjectives consist of noun and "of(=no)".
EX. Kore-wa hontoo-no hanashi des.
(=This is a true story.)
Keshoohin-ya de tada-no keshoohin-o mora-i-mashta.
(=I got free cosmetics at the cosmetic shop.)
"Noun + of(=no or na)" correspond to the following English.
EX. Kore-wa totemo jyuuyoo-na shorui des
(=This is a document of great importance.)
Abe-san-ha yuunoo-na bengoshi des.
（＝Mr.Abe is a lawyer of ability.)
The suffixed "no" serves as an ending.But many quasi-adjectives have changed their "no" into "na" partly because it is easier to pronounce "na" than "no".
EX. Noda-san-wa benri-na doogu-o mo-tte i-mas.
(=Mr.Noda has a useful tool.)
Aoki-san-wa itsumo hade-na fuku-o ki-te i-mas.
(=Mr.Aoki always wears bright clothes.)
Some quasi-adjectives take either "no" or "na" as their endings.
EX. jootoo-no or jootoo-na (=of good quality)
betsu-no or betsu-na (=different)
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(B) Conjugation of quasi-adjectives
1. When used for nouns
It is very natural that,in combination with a noun,quasi-adjectives make
no change because they were made primarily for nouns.
EX. Honmono-no daiya-no yubiwa-o kai tai-des.
(=I want to buy a real diamond ring.)
Hen-na otoko-gauchi no-mawari-o aru-ite i-mas.
(=A strange man is walking around my house.)
2. When used with "des"
When quasi-adjectives are placed immediately before "des",they must drop their ending "no" or "na".This is because two postpositions,"no" and "de" ,cannot stay together.More precisely,"des" consists of "de" and "a-ri-mas";there-
fore,we can not cross out "de".And it must be combined with a noun because it is a postposition to be
placed immediately after the noun or pronoun it belongs to.
To satisfy this definite rule,it is natural,a quasi-adjective must drop
out its ending "no" or "na" when placed immediately before "des".
3. Ending "no" or "na" is changed into "ni"
This conjugation corresponds to the change of the ending "i" of true adjective into "ku".
EX. Akira-wa hontoo-ni shiken-ni gookkau-shi-mashita. - for VERB
(=Akira really passed the examination.)
Biwa-ko-wa hontoo-ni ooki-i des. - for ADJECTIVE
(=Lake Biwa is really big.)
Ano sports car-wa hontoo-ni haya-ku hashi-ri-mas. - for ADVERB
(=The sports car runs really fast.)
Compare the conjugation of the two adjectives:
[TRUE ADJECTIVE] [QUASI-ADJCTIVE]
↓ ↓
atarashi-i + noun(=a new cell phone) hontoo-no + noun
atarashi-i + des(=This car is new.) hontoo-no + des
atarashi-ku + other verbs except "des" hontoo-ni + other verbs except "des"
atarashi-ku + nai des [NEGATIVE] hontoo + denai des [NEGATIVE]
Concerning conjugation,true adjectives are exceptional. "De" is a postposition which is usually used for a noun and a pronoun in any
language.It is not allowed to use it for a true adjective or an adverb
such as "yasu-i(=cheap)" and "yasu-ku(=cheaply)" or "yukkuri(=slowly)".
EX. Watashi-wa sore-o yasu-ku ka-i-mashta. - RIGHT
Watashi-wa sore-o yasu-ku de ka-i-mashta. - WRONG
Watashi-wa sore-o yasu-ide ka-i-mashta. - WRONG
(=I bought it at low price.) - RIGHT
(=I bought it at low.) - WRONG
4. Conjugation with "de a-ru"
As stated above,"des" is an abbreviation of "de a-rimas" and "de" is a postposition which is usually used after a noun or a pronoun The
root of a quasi-adjective is a noun.Therefore,in combination with"de a-ru",its ending "no" or "na" must be dropped because "de" must come immediately after a noun.
EX. Kooen no tulip-wa totemo kiree-na des(=de a-ri-mas).
(=The tulips in the park are very beautiful.)
Kono daiya-wa honmono-no des(=de a-ri-mas).
(=This diamond is real.)
(1) Quasi-adjective + and
As mantioned above,when we need to conjugate,we should use "a-ru" instead of "des" because it is an abbreviation of "de a-ri-mas".
rikoo des(=be clever) → rikoo de a-ru(=be clever) → rikoo de a-tte(=be clever and) → From "de a-tte",the whole "a-tte" is left out. → rikoo de(=be clever and)
kiree des(=be pretty) → kiree de a-ru(=be pretty) → kiree de a-tte(=be pretty and) → From "de a-tte",the whole "a-tte" is left out. → kiree de(=be pretty and)
EX. Kaori-no inu-wa rikoo de kawai-i des.
(=Kaori-s dog is clever and cute.)
Kono kawa no mizu-wa kiree de oyo-gi tai-des.
(=The water of this river is clear and I want to swim.)
(2) Quasi-adjective + mo(=Even if)
As mentioned above 1,we mustuse "a-ru" for conjugation.
benri des(=be convenient) → benri de a-ru(=be conbenient) → benri de a-tte mo(=Even if it is convenient,・・) →
From "de a-tte",the whole "a-tte" is left out. → benri de mo(=Even if it is convenient,・・)
joobu des(=be strong) → joobu de a-ru(=be strong) → joobu de a-tte mo(=Even if it is strong,・・) → From
"de a-tte",the whole "a-tte" is left out. → joobu de mo(=Even if it is strong,・・)
EX. Sono doogu-ga benri de mo,ka-i-masen.
(=Even if the tool is convenient,I don't buy it.)
Kono kagu-wa joobu de mo,taka-i des.
(=Even if this furniture is strong,it is expensive.)
5. Quasi-adjectives with the items of SECTION 3
It doesnot sound strange when quasi-adjectives with "na" endings
can be combined with any item of SECTION 3 except "kamo-shiremasen" and "rashii-des" on the CARD as follows:
EX. Sakura-wa ima-ga ichi-ban kiree-na hazu-des.
(=The cherry blossoms are supposed to be most beautiful now.)
Kanban-wa hade-na hoo-ga-ii-des.
(=The signboard had better be loud.)
Kono doogu-wa benri-na kamo-shiremasen.
(=This tool may be convenient.)
Akira-wa rikoo-na tsumori-des.
(=Akira believes he is bright.)
Sono hotel-wa shizuka-na yoo-des.
(=That hotel seems quiet.)
Suzuki-san-wa majime-na rashii-des.
(=Mr.Suzuki seems to be serious.)
Sono uwasa-wa hontoo da soo-des.
(=They say that rumor is true.)
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C. Numerals
(A) Ordinal number
1. How to make ordinal number
By suffixing "me" to any numeral,we can make an ordinal number which is a noun.
EX. Hiroshi-no seki-wa mae kara goban-me des.
(=Hiroshi's seat is the fifth from the front.)
Arai-san-wa hidari kara san-nin-me des.
(=Mr.Arai is the third( of a person ) from the lrft.)
Watashi-no uchi-wa hana-ya kara yon-ken-me des.
(=My house is the fourth( of a house ) from the flower shop.)
Watashi-ga koko-e ki-ta nowa ni-do-me( or ni-kai-me ) des.
(=This is the second time I came here.)
* hitotsu-me = the first, futatsu-me = the second, mittsu-me = the third, yottsu-me
= the fourth, ・・・
2. Ordinal numbers used for adjectives
By suffixing "no" to the above mentioned ordinal numbers,we can use them as adjectives.
EX. Ni-ban-me-no musuko-wa isha des.
(=My second son is a doctor.)
San-ban-me-no kado de migi ni maga-tte kudasai.
(=Please turn the right at the third corner.)
Koko kara go-ken-me-no mise-ga pan-ya des.
(=The fifth shop from here is the bakery.)
Ue kara futatsu-me-no batan-ga tore-mashta.
(=The second button from the top came off.)
Yokohama-wa koko karanan-ban-me-no eki des ka.
(=How many stops is Yokohama from here?)
Oosaka-wa nihon de ni-ban-me-ni ooki-i shi des.
(=Oosaka is the socond largest city in Japan.)
REMARK:
In addition,we have the following method for forming ordinal number:
dai-ichi(-no) = the first, dai-ni(-no) = the second, dai-san(-no) = the
third, ・・・
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(B) Cardinal number
.1. Word order
Generally speaking,when a noun( or a pronoun ) modified by a numeral takes
one of the exceptional postpositions,"wa",
"ga" or "o",the numeral can be placed either before or after the noun.
EX. Lemon-o mittsu( or Mittsu lemon-o ) ka-i tai-des.
(=I wish to buy three lemons.)
Kuruma- gaichi-dai( or Ichi-dai kuruma-ga ) hashi-tte i-mas.
(=A car is running.)
2. Cardinal numbers used for adjectives
Numerals in Japanese are nouns in type.Therefore,when they modify a noun,we
must suffix "no" to them.
EX. Ni-juu-nin-no hito-ga volunteer katsudoo ni sanka-shi-mas.
(=Twenty persons will join in volunteer activities.)
Ichi-mai-no kiree-na kami ni cookie-o tsutsu-mi-mashta.
(=I wrapped cookies in a clean sheet of paper.)
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D. Adjective phrase
1 Gramatical definition of phrase
A groupof some words in a sentence serving as something like a noun,pronoun,adjective,adverb,preposition,etc.,is
called
"phrase".
EX. Kore-wa shokki-o ara-u senzai des.
(=This is detergent to wash tableware.)
NOTE:
"To wash table(=shokki-o ara-u)" is an adjective phrase which modifies a noun "detergent(=senzai)".
EX. Maki-wa Hawai ryokoo no-tame-ni okane-o tame-te i-mas.
(=Maki is saving money for a trip to Hawaii.)
NOTE:
"For a trip to Hawaii(=Hawai ryokoo no-tame-ni)" is an adverb phrase which modifies a verb"saving(=tame-ru)".
EX. Kazuki-no shumi-wa furu-i coin-o atsume-ru koto des.
(=Kazuki's hobby is collecting old coins.)
NOTE:
"Collecting old coins(=furu-i coin-o atsume-ru koto)" is a noun phrase used for a noun.
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E. Adjectival clause
1. Grammatical definition of clause
A clause has a subject and a predicate.But it is not an independent sentence,making
a part of a seentence.
2. Position of adjectival clause and phrase
As stated in the foregoing "GENERAL REMARKS",an adjectival clause and phrase must be placed immediately before the noun
they modify,and there is no relative pronoun such as"which","who",etc.
As shown below,if you change adjectival phrases and past participles modifying
nouns such as "(the data) to input acomputer" and "stolen (bag)" respectively into adjectival clauses,you will easily be able to translate them into Japanese.
Type A: Ordinary adjectival clause
EX. Kyoo haha-ga( or haha-no ) ya-ita keeki-wa totemo oishi-i des.
[ ADJECTIVAL CLAUSE ]
(=The cake,which my mother baked today,is very nice
[ ADJECTIVAL CLAUSE ]
NOTE:
The subject of an adjectival clause takes postposition "ga" or "no" such as"haha-ga","haha-no" and not "wa".
Ken-ga keetai-denwa-o ka-tta mise-wa yasu-katta des.
[ADJECTIVAL CLAUSE]
(=The shop ,where Ken bought a cell phone,was cheap.)
[ADJECTIVAL CLAUSE]
Kore-ga (watashi-ga) kinoo hana-shta DVD des.
［ADJECTIVAL CLAUSE ]
(=This is the DVD about which I told you yesterday.)
[ADJECTIVAL CLAUSE]
NOTE:
We have no relative pronoun such as "which".Accordingly,its preposition "about" does not exist.Besides,normally we don't mention the subject "I" and the object "you".After all,therefore,remains only "told yesterday".
Type B: Adjectival phrase - This expression has no subject
EX. Sono niku-o ki-ru knife-wa koko-ni a-ri-mas.
[ADECTIVAL PHRASE]
(=The knife to cut the meat is here.
[ADJECTIVAL PHRASE]
(=The knife which we cut the meat is here.)
[ADJCTIVAL CLAUSE]
NOTE:
As shown in the above example,there is no distinction between a phrase
and a clause in Japanese.Change any English adjectival phrase into a clause
and you will easily be able to translate it into Japanese.
EX. France kara-no( or France kara ki-ta ) wine-o no-mi-mashta.
[ADJECTIVAL PHRASE] [ADJECTIVAL CLAUSE]
(=I drank the wine from France.)
[ADJECTIVAL PHRASE]
(=I drank the wine which came from France.)
[ADJECTIVAL CLAUSE]
Type C: English past participles used for adjectives
In Japanese,we have no past participle but only the present( or the future
) and the past types of verbs.This is why it is easy to understand if you
change it into an adjectival clause.
EX. Yogore-ta sneaker-o ara-wa naku-te wa-ikemasen.
[PAST PARTICIPLE]
(=You must wash your soiled sneakers.)
[PAST PARTICIPLE]
(=You must wash your sneakers which were soiled.)
[ADJECTIVAL CLAUSE]
Table-no tsuka-tta sara-o katazuke-te kudasai.
[PAST PARTICIPLE]
(=Please clear away the used dishes on the table.)
[PAST PARTICIPLE]
(=Please clear away the dishes,which were used,on the table.)
[ADJECTIVAL CLAUSE]
Type D: English adjectives to be translated with verbs in Japanese
Compared with English,Japanese has far fewer adjectives.This is why English adjectives are often translated with verbs in Japanese. As shown in the following examples,we can regard the Japanese adjectives as having come through adjective clauses.
EX. Juku-shta( or Juku-shte i-ru ) budoo-o tabe tai-des.
(=I wish to eat ripe grapes.)
(=I wish to eat grapes which are ripe.)
[ADJECTIVAL CLAUSE]
NOTE:
juku-su = ripen; juku-shta = have ripened or be ripe; juku-shte i-ru = be ripe
EX. Iki-ta( or iki-te i-ru ) lobster-o ka-i-mashta.
(=I bought live lobsters.)
(=I bought lobsters which are alive.)
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F. The comparative and the superlative degrees
In Japanese,we have only one way of expression in each of the superative and the compartive degrees.
1. The superlative dgree: Ichi-ban(=No.1 or the most) + adjective
EX. Hiromi-wa ichi-ban benri-na keetai-denwa-o ka-i-mashta.
(=Hiromi bought the most useful cell phone.)
Koko kara ichi-ban chika-i super-wa doko des ka.
(=Where is the nearest supermarket from here?)
2. The comparative degree: Motto(=more) + adjective
EX. Motto koi-i koohii-ga suki-des.
(=I like more strong coffee.)
Motto kiree-na bara-o ka-i tai-des.
(=I wish to buy more beautiful roses.)
3. Zutto(=much) + the comparative: Zutto(=much) + adjective
EX. Kono nekutai-wa sore(=sono nekutai) yori zutto hade des.
(=This tie is much brighter than that.)
Kono kuruma-wa ano kuruma yori zutto taka-i des.
(=This car is much more expensive than that one.)
NOTE:
You can not use "motto(=more)" together with "zutto(=much)".
4. Adjective + na-ru(=become)
EX. Samu-i des.
(=It is cold.)
Samu-ku na-ri-mashta.
(=It is colder.)
In the above first example,Japanese and English constructions are the same.As
regards the second example,The Japanese way of thinking is as follows:
Unless a thing changes,we can not use "become" or "grow".The second sentence means that it has become colder today than yesterday.Hence,it
is natural that Japanese use "become(=na-ru)" for comparative expression.But "samu-
ku na-ri-mashta" is used in the following case too.
”Kinoo-wa attaka-katta (des) kedo,kyoo-wa samu-ku na-ri-mashta."
(=Although it was warm yesterday,it is cold today.)
EX. Nakamura-san-wa byooki-ni na-ri-mashta.
(=Mr.Nakamura has become sick.)
Abe-san-nonaka-chan-wa ooki-ku na-ri-mashta.
(=Ms.Abe's baby grew bigger.)
5. The comparative dgree of verbs used for adjectives
EX. Yamada-san-wa yase-te ki-mashta.
(=Mr.Yamada has become thinner..)
Kami-ga mada kawa-ite i-masen.
(=My hair is not dry yet.)
Ken-no sneaker-wa yogore-te i-mas.
(=Ken's sneakers are dirty.)
NOTE:
In Japanese,we have no definite expression.
yase-ru = grow thin;lose weight; yase-te i-ru = One is thin or One has become thin; yase-te ki-mashta = One has
become thinner
6. Particular comparative
(1) Sukuna-i or Sukoshi-no(=alittle;a few) - COMPARATIVE USE
Oo-i or or Takusan-no (=many;much) - COMPARATIVE USE
When we compare things or indicate comparison,we generally use "sukuna-i" and "oo-i".
EX. Haha-wa ringo-o oo-ku ka-i-mashta.
(=My mother bought many( or more ) apples.)
NOTE:
The above example has a shade that she bought more than usual or more than
last time or more than other peiole.
EX. Haha-wa ringo-o takusan ka-i-mashta.
(=My mother bought many apples.)
Haha-wa itsumo yori tamago-o itsutsu sukuna-ku ka-i-mashta.
(=My mother bought five fewer eggs than usual.)
Niku-o ni-hyaku gram oo-ku ka-tte kudasai.
(=Please buy two hundred grams of meat more than usual.)
(2) Yo-i(=good); Yo-ku(=well)
yo-i (=good) → motto yo-i (=better) → ichi-man yo-i (=best)
yo-ku(=well) → motto yo-ku(=better) → ichi-ban yo-ku(=best)
EX. Noda-san-wa motto yo-i guitar-o mo-tte i-mas.
(=Mr.Noda has a better guitar.)
Kono paso-kon-ga ichi-ban yo-i des.
(=This personal computer is the best.)
Aka-chan-wa yo-ku ne-te i-mas.
(=The baby is sleeping well.)
(3) Yori(=than)
EX. Sono hon-wa kono hon yori motto omoshiro-i des
(=This book is more interesting than that one.)
NOTE:
Generally speaking,when we mention both items that are being compared such
as "this book" and "that book",we don't have to use "motto".
EX. Kono fruit-wa ano fruit yori motto oishi-i des.
(=This fruit is more delicious than that one.)
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ADVERBS
The type and use of Japanese adverbs are different from English adverbs.
1. Adjectives change into adverbs
[TRUE ADJECTIVE] [ADVERB]
↓ ↓
yasu-i (=cheap) → yasu-ku (=cheaply)
fuka-i (=deep) → fuka-ku (=deeply)
ama-i (=sweet) → ama-ku (=sweetly)
oso-i (=late) → oso-ku (=late)
[QUASI-ADJECTIVE] [ADVERB]
↓ ↓
hontoo-no (=true) → hontoo-ni (=truuly;really)
kiree-na (=clean) → kiree-ni (=cleanly;purely)
majime-na(=serious) → majime-ni (=seriously)
benri-na (=useful) → benri-ni (=usefully)
2. Adverbs made from verbs through SECTION 1 WINDOW on the CARD
[VERB] [ADVERB]
↓ ↓
iso-gu (=hurry) → iso-ide (=in a hurry;quickly)
ki-o tsuke-ru (=be careful) → ki-o tsuke-te (=carefully)
odoro-ku (=be surprised) → odoro-ite (=with surprise)
oko-ru (=get angry) → oko-tte (=angrily)
tuzuke-ru (=continue) → tsuzuke-te (=continuously)
yoroko-bu (=be delighted) → yoroko-nde (=delightedly)
.3. Soo or Son-na-ni(=so); Amari or Ammari(=too)
We often use "amar(=often)" for "soo(=so)"
EX. Sono terebi bangumi-wa son-na-ni omoshiro-i des ka.
(=Is the tv program so interesting?)
Kono inu-wa son-na-ni( or amari or soo ) rikoo de nai-des.
(=This dog is not so clever.)
4. Adverbs made by repeating a word
achi-kochi (=here and there) maru-maru (=entirely)
betsu-betsu(-ni)(=separately) nen-nen (=yearly)
biku-biku (=in great fear) noro-noro (=slowly)
botsu-botsu (=by slow degrees) oi-oi (=gradualy)
bura-bura (=dangling) raku-raku(-to)(=with great ease)
choi-choi (=often) shiba-shiba (=often)
dan-dan (=gradualy) shibu-shibu (=against one's will)
dara-dara (=lazily) soro-soro (=before long)
don-don (=rapidly) tabi-tabi (=often)
giri-giri (=just in time) toki-doki (=sometimes)
hitori-hitori (=one after another) too-too (=finally)
ichi-ichi (=one by one) tsugi-tsugi (=in turn)
iro-iro (=variously) tsuki-zuki (=monthly)
iso-iso (=cheerfully) wakare-wakare(=separately)
iya-iya (=unwillingly) waza-waza (=take the trouble)
jiki-jik (=personally) yasu-yasu (=with a great ease)
koma-goma (=minutely) yochi-yochi (=totteringly)
5. Particular adverbs
assari (=frankly;lightly) sotto (=quietly;softly)
*assari-shta (=simple;plain food) sukkari (=wholly;entirely)
gissiri (=pack to the full) tappuri (=fully;enough)
gossori (=all;entirely) tekkiri (=undoubtedly)
gussuri (=fast or sound asleep) ukkari (=carelessly)
hakkiri (=clearly;plainly) yappari;yahari (=as well;after all)
jikkuri (=thoroughly;closely) *an-gai (=unexpectedly;surprisingly)
kichin to (=tidily;neatly) yatto (=at last) - with much effort
kippari (=clearly;flatly) yukkuri (=slowly;gradually)
kossori (=secretly;stealthly) yuttari (=composedly;at one's ease)
pattari (=suddenly)
sappari (=completely) - UNDESIRABLE
*sappari-shta (=light;plain;neat)
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