Well, it's been awhile since I've talked about my journey to learn Japanese. I haven't had much time to study, since I've been engrossed in other projects, but this week, I took some time to sit down and go over a few things.
Japanese is rich with particles. They're everywhere. They're confusing. They're kinda fun. So I'm not going to talk about them all at once. Nope. One at a time. Today, I'm going to talk about what I've learned about the:
The Particle "Kara" （から）
Kara is often used with location and time nouns-
明日から一週間旅行します。
Ashita kara isshukan ryokou shimasu.
(From)As of tomorrow, I'll be traveling for one week.
At the end of a sentance kara becomes the word "because"-
私はまだ一歳でしたから。
Watashi wa mada issai deshita kara.
Because I was still only a year old.
Kara is used with moraimasu (to recieve or get)
私はスミスさんから招待状をもらいました。
Watashi wa Sumisu san kara shoutaijou wo moraimashita.
I received an invatation from Mr. Smith.
"Kara" （から） and "made" （まで） can be used together to indicate the beginning and end points of a sequence of motion or period of time-
五時から六時まで勉強しました。
Goji kara rokuji made benkyou shimashita.
From five 'o clock until six 'o clock I studied.
When "kara" is used as a clause particle, it can mean "since", "so", "because", or "therefore".
桜の木が二本ありますから春とても綺麗です。
Sakura no ki ga nihon arimasu kara haru totemo kirei desu.
It is very beautiful in the spring because there are two cherry trees.
"Kara" following the "-te form" of a verb can be translated as "after".
家に還ってから電話します。
Ie ni kaette kara denwa shimasu.
After I return home, I'll call you.
"Kara" can be used to express casual relationships (requests and suggestions)-
雨が降っていますからうちにいましょう。
Ame ga futte imasu kara uchi ni imashou.
Since it's raining, let's stay home.
Enough about "kara" for now. Here's some interesting distinction between Japanese and English:
Yes/No Questions:
Japanese answer yes/no questions differently than English speakers.
昨日来ませんでしたか？
Kinou kimasen deshita ka?
You didn't come yesterday?
はい、来ませんでした。
Hai, kimasen deshita.
Yes, I didn't come.
An English speaker world reply: "No, I didn't come."
However, when the sentance is a suggestion, the yes/no distinction is the same as in English:
映画を見に来ませんか？
Eiga wo mi ni kimasen ka?
Why don't we go see a movie?
ええ、来ましょう。
Ee, kimashou.
Sure, lets go.
面白いね？ （＾－＾）
Posted by Zoso at March 31, 2005 06:14 PM