I believe some of you have already learned “〜てください” which means “please…(do something)”. Conversely, if you want to ask people not to do something, you could use “〜ないでください” which is we are going to learn today. Basically, “〜ないでください” has two different meanings: instruction and attention. Let’s go through some examples. 1. Instruction – […]
We have been learning the structure of “verb + てもいいです” for a couple of weeks. In fact, except this form, we can also have the structure of “い形・な形・名詞 + てもいいです”. Let’s have a look at the following examples. 1. アパートは、家賃が安ければ、狭くてもいいです。(As long as the rent is cheap, I am fine even the apartment is small.) […]
Today, we are going to have a further expansion about how to express “…not necessary” by using “てもいい”, which makes us change the form of the phrase. Verb + なくてもいい Let’s have a look at an example. – お腹がいっぱいだったら、食べなくてもいいよ。(If you are full, you don’t need to eat it.) The following examples are […]
We have shown in the last few weeks how to use “てもいいです” to ask for permission. However, in reality, this phrase has other types of usage. Let’s have a look at the following examples. 1. Expressing the social rules A: このマンションでは、犬を飼ってもいいんですか。(Can I have a dog in the mansion?) B: ええ、飼ってもいいんですよ。(Yes, you can.) In this case, […]
We have been learning about the phrase of “てもいいです” in the last two weeks. Today I will show you some examples of misunderstanding that people usually make. 電気をつけてもいいですか。 電気をつけてください。 The first sentence shows the structure of “動詞てもいいですか” which is talking about “may I do something”. The person (subject) who turn on the light […]
Last week we have learned the basic rule and structure about “てもいいです”, and I left a quiz to you. Have you figured it out already? In today’s lesson, I will show you the answer to the quiz, then show you a further extension about this phrase. First, let’s recall the quiz. Do you think […]
We are planning to do a Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) preparation culture class on the 18th of June. The JLPT is the official Japanese government test for Japanese language skill and test results are recognised throughout Japan. For more details please see the JLPT homepage http://www.jlpt.jp/e/about/index.html . This culture class is for all levels and we […]
I hope you have clearly understood and have no difficulty to use “ほしい” from the series lessons in last few weeks. We will learn a new phrase to expression the permission. Today I will show you the basic construction about it. Give permission: verb”て形”+”もいいです” e.g. 今日はもう帰ってもいいですよ。(You could leave.) Ask for permission: verb”て形”+”もいいですか” e.g. 今日はもう帰ってもいいですか。(Can […]
Last week we have learned the words which cannot be used together with “ほしい・たい”. However, if you use wrongly them to superiors such as your boss, professor, etc., it could be horribly impoliteness. Thus, today we will have a deeper insight about how to use them by going through some examples. Annaさん(a friend)、明日どこへ行きたいですか？(Where do […]
Last week we have learned the basic knowledge of “ほしい”. This week we will focus on words that cannot be used with it. Let’s have a look at some examples first. True: 自由な時間が欲しいです。(I want some time for myself.) False: 私は旅行が欲しいです。(I want to travel.) As “時間(time)” is a noun, there is no problem to […]