Basic Lessons

Introducing People (2): At a party

Dialogue 

Click here for the dialogue for "Introducing People."

Grammar

(1) Nouns 

Japanese nouns have no gender, no singular/plural, and no articles. ("the" and "a" etc.) For example, the word "tomodachi" can be "a friend," "the friend," "friends," or "the friends." Usually the context tells the particular meaning of a word.

(2) ~ desu

"~ desu （～です）" is equivalent to English "am," "are," or "is." Unlike English, it doesn't change its form according to the subject. "~ desu" always comes at the end of a sentence.

(3) Omission of topic

When it is obvious to the other person what the topic is, it is generally omitted.

(4) Negative form

The negative form of "~ desu （～です）" is "~ ja arimasen （～じゃありません）" or "~ dewa arimasen （ではありません）." "~ dewa arimasen" is more formal, and "~ ja arimasen" is common in casual conversation.

Previous Lesson     Next Lesson     

Basic Lesson Archives