Japanese for English speakers School · Lesson 1
Basic self introduction
Introduce yourself in Japanese with [name]です. Learn the negative ではありません and the topic particle は. Note: Japanese rarely uses personal pronouns.
Conversation
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Lindo
すみません、お名前は？
Sumimasen, onamae wa?
Excuse me, what is you name?
Tip: <sumimasen> = excuse me <o> = onorific particle to put before nouns. Since it can't be used to refer to yourself, it is clear that you are talking about a second of third person, without using pronouns. <namae> = name
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Pishi
ピシです
Pishi desu
I am Pishi
Tip: <desu> = there is not a verb "to be" in Japanese, but "desu" is the closest approximation to it. Note: Pishi does not say "I" am. Only "Pishi to be"
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Lindo
ピシさんは犬ですか？
Pishi san wa inudesu ka?
Are you a dog?
Tip: <wa> = Particles for the topic. There are not prepositions (like in, to, at) in Japanese. Particles, placed after the noun they refer to, take their place. <san> = suffix similar to "Mr" or "Mrs". It is never used to talk about yourself
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Pishi
いいえ、犬ではありまっせん
Īe, inude wa ari massen
No, I am not a dog
Tip: <iie> = no <inu> = dog <dewa arimasen> = negative of "desu". Can be translated as "not to be"
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Pishi
猫です
Neko desu
I am a cat
Tip: <neko> = cat