1. To Express the Idea of Obligation: Have to; must; should
-first part: ～なければ = if not do ‘verb’ or ～なくては = not do ‘verb’
-second part: ～いけない = it will not do or ～ならない = it will not become
＊ ～いけない is used when the speaker imposes a sense of obligation is to the receiving listener
＊ ～ならない is used for the speaker’s own obligations
-various patterns and forms from formal to casual:
ex:
私は図書館に行かなければなりません。 田中さんは図書館に行かなくてはいけません。
ー＞行かなければならない。 ー＞行かなくてはいけない。
ー＞行かなきゃならない。 ー＞行かなくちゃいけない。
ー＞行かなきゃ。。。 ー＞行かなくちゃんない。
-if using a noun, like “if it isn’t him, then it won’t do”: [noun] + で + なければ / なくては …
ex:
調べなきゃならないことがあるから、図書館に行って来るよ。
-Because there is a need to investigate, come to the library.
国民はみんな税金を払わなければなりません。 -As citizens, everyone must pay taxes.
2. [noun¹やnoun²…/verb¹やverb²…] + など
-provides a given list that is not exhaustive/complete
–やis used to list more than one listed and などis added at the end
–など lit trans – such as; and others; and among others
-only one noun can be listed, there does not need to be two: nounなど
-when to express: main noun, such as object noun¹ and object noun²
use pattern: [noun¹]や[noun]²などの[main noun] OR [noun¹]や[noun]²など、[main noun]
-DO NOT use this for people – it is degrading
ex:
日本の食べ物の中では、寿司やてんぷらなどが好きです。
-Within Japanese foods, foods such as sushi and tempura are what I like.
夏休みはイタリアやギリシャなどに行こうと思います。
-As for summer vacation, I plan on going to Italy and Greece.
3. XはYの一つです
-used to provide one example within a group/classification
X = example Y = group
lit trans – X is one of the Y (yet also implying that it is not the only example with such Y properties)
pattern: [noun]は[noun phrase]の一つです (if talking about people, use 一人)
-review of ことand もの
ことis used to make a phrase into a noun and it is used mainly with verbs
もの is used in the same fashion, but is used generally for tangible or things that can be grasped conceptually
ex:
漢字は日本語の勉強で最も大切なものの一つです。
[漢字 = noun][日本語の勉強で最も大切なもの = noun phrase]
-Kanji is one of the most important things in the Japanese language.
読書は私が一番好きなことの一つです。
-Reading, for me, is the one of the most favorite things.
4. Nounにとって
lit trans – to/for [noun]… (noun can be a person, organization, country, etc…)
presents as a directed personal pinpoint
ex:
あなたにとって、一番大切な人は誰ですか。 -Who is the most precious/important person to you?
私にとって、一番大切なものは私のねこですが、ねこにとって一番大切なものは食べ物ようです。
-For me, my cat is the most important thing, but as for my cat, the most important thing is food.
5. In Place of/Instead of/To Make Up for [noun]
pattern: [noun]の代わりに、[explanation of the thing/person that will replace it]。
ex:
ペンのかわりに、えんぴつを使って書いてください。 -Instead of a pen, please use a pencil to write.
母が病気だったので、母の代わりに私は晩ご飯を作ります。
-Because my mother was sick, in place of my mother, I made dinner.
6 & 7. X～（の）ため（に）
-can be used in two ways
I. to state the purpose of X
pattern: [noun+の／verb in present tense short form] + ため(に)
if using a noun, it can also imply as a benefit
lit trans – in order to; for the purpose of; for the sake of
ex:
私は健康のため、エレベーターに乗らないで階段を使うことにしています。
-For the sake of my health, I am taking the stairs rather than riding the elevator.
日本中を安く旅行ために、JRパスを買おうと思っています。
-In order to cheaply travel around Japan, I intend to buy a JR train pass.
これは敬語の使い方を練習ためのサイトです。
-This is a website for the purpose of practicing how to use the honorific languages.
サイトis a modified noun by 敬語の使い方を練習ための
II. to state the reason for X in order to explain the cause
pattern: [いorなadjective／noun+の／verb in past or present tense short form]
best way to differentiate if it is for a purpose or for a reason, a reason [ために] can be replaced with から・ので
common to use demonstrative adjectives in this format: この/その/あの + ために
な adjectives in the affirmative present tense form uses な and notだ
lit trans – because; due to
ex:
コンピュータがこわれたために、レポートが書けませんでした。
-Because the computer was broken, I could not write the report.
勉強が忙しいため、友達と会う時間がありません。
-Because I am busy with studying, I do not have time to meet with my friends.
今年はあまり雪がふらない。そのためにスキーができません。 [その = 今年はあまり雪が降らない]
-There is not a lot of snowfall this year. Because of that reason, we can’t go skiing.
8. AかBか
used to present alternatives: lit trans – either A or B; whether A or B
pattern: [short form] か [short form] particle/か
if B is to be followed with a particle (が・を・へ・に・で・と), then omit かand use the particle instead
for short forms on affirmative present tense nouns and な adjectives, there is no suffix (noだ)
ex:
東京から九州まで新幹線で行くか飛行機で行くか、まだ決めていないんです。
-I have not decided yet whether to go from Tokyo to Kyushu by Bullet Train or by airplane.
今週中にメールを出すか電話をかけるかしますから、待っていて下さい。
-I’ll be sending an email or phoning you within the week, so please wait for it.
-to send email: メール is the current saying; and 出すis a better verb than 送る
–ちゅう vsじゅう: both use the kanji 中: ちゅう is during andじゅう is while/throughout/in the course of
最近のケータイは複雑過ぎて、便利か便利じゃないか分かりません。
-The recent cell phones are too complicated, don’t know whether or not they are convenient or not.
私は毎朝ジュースか水を飲みます。 -I drink juice or water every morning.
all credits to Tobira