Basic Japanese Lessons - Asking the Directions (11)

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Basic Lessons

Asking Directions (11)

Dialogue

Click here for the dialogue for "Asking Directions."

The sentence-final particle "ne" (with rising intonation) is used to confirm the information given.

Toshokan wa ano biru no tonari desu. 図書館はあのビルの隣です。	The library is next to that building.
Ano biru no tonari desu ne. あのビルの隣ですね。	It is next to the building, isn't it?
Kono kusuri o maiasa nonde kudasai. この薬を毎朝飲んでください。	Please take this pill every morning.
Maiasa desu ne. 毎朝ですね。	Every morning, right?

If the information surprise you, use the particle "ka" (question marker) with rising intonation to express emotion.

Ano biru no tonari desu ka. あのビルの隣ですか。	Next to that building?
Maiasa desu ka. 毎朝ですか。	Every morning?

"Ne" also implies that the speaker wants the hearer to agree. It is similar to English tag question such as "isn't it?; is it?; don't you?".

Ii tenki desu ne. いい天気ですね。	It is nice day, isn't it?
Kore wa anata no hon desu ne. これはあなたの本ですね。	This is your book, isn't it?

From Namiko Abe,
Your Guide to Japanese Language.
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