10. the very highest degree/level (for adjective); the very center (for nouns – of a space/time frame)
pattern: use the prefix, 真(っ)+ adjective/noun
when the adjective/noun begins with a 「k」「s」「sh」sound, use the っ in front of the adj/noun
for adjectives, remove the final い because once you add 真, it becomes an object
ex: 暗い 「真っ暗」(pitch black)、白い「真っ白」(purest white)
ex: 上「真上」(right on top) 、先「真っ先」(the first thing)
there are exceptions to this pattern, these you must remember:
赤いー>真っ赤「まっか」 *remove あ (used to describe a sunset; when cheeks get flushed/red)
青いー>真っ青「まっさお」 *turn あ to さ (used to describe the ocean; when one looks pale/sick)
北ー>真北「まきた」 *the 「k」- rule does not imply
昼間ー>真っ昼間「まっぴるま」 *the ひ turns into a っぴ (used when the sun is at at the highest peak/hottest time of the day: 12-2 pm)
新しいー>真新しい「まあたらしい」 *retains the い at the end
ex: 真っ赤な夕日が海に沈んでいく。
The bright redness of the evening sun is going to set across the ocean.
11. The reason that~; It means that~; That is why~; No wonder~
used to express reason/logical conclusion based on what the speaker has learned/discovered
pattern: 「what was learned/discovered」、「reason/logical conclusion」+ わけです。
ex: 東京は電気や地下鉄やバスが便利なまちなので、車がなくても生活出来るというわけです。
Because Tokyo has the train, subway and bus, it is a convenient town, that is why life is doable without a car.
12. if ‘x’ is alright/acceptable; if you don’t don’t mind…
pattern: 「noun」+ でよければ、 . . . 。
what is implied is that what you can offer is not the best/most ideal for the person, but better than nothing. In this sense, when offering, the statement afterwards should not push the offer to the person.
ex: この辞書でよければ、どうぞ。 If this dictionary is alright, please go ahead and use it.
今日は忙しいけど、来週の日でよければ、一緒に行けるよ。
Today I am busy, but if next week is alright, we can go together then.
何もないんだけど、コーヒーでよければ、すぐ入れられるよ。飲む?
I don’t really have anything, but if coffee’s alright, I can make it quickly. Would you like to drink?
13. fairly, pretty; rather; quite
pattern: 結構 +「verb phrase」。
when using this pattern, it can be used in either negative or affirmative. It also implies the speaker’s surprise/higher or lower than the average (depending on what you’re implying)
ex: この辞書のサイトは結構便利なので、よく使う。
This dictionary is more convenient than expected, I use it often.
先週から始まったドラマは結構面白い。
The drama that began last week is rather quite interesting.
14. quite; fairly; pretty; considerably
pattern: なかなか+「adjective」。
this pattern only uses POSITIVE ADJECTIVES; NO VERBS or NEGATIVE ADJECTIVES; all others will use
けっこう; adjectives like まずい、うるさい、つまらない are considered negative adjectives
ex: この携帯電話のコマーシャルはなかなか面白い。 This cellphone commercial is pretty interesting.
この間の旅行はなかなか楽しかった。泊まったホテルもなかなかがよかったし、料理も結構おいしかった。
I had a fairly fun time during my trip. The hotel I stayed at was good as well as the delicious cooking.
15. That reminds me; Now I remember; indeed
pattern: そういえば、「sentence」。
this conjunctive phrase is used when the speaker is reminded of something by the hearer’s/own remarks
ex: A:今日、田中さん、クラス休んだね。 Tanakda is absent for class today.
B:そういえば、昨日、おなかが痛いっ手言ってたよ。病気かもしれないね。
That reminds me, yesterday, he said that his stomach hurt. He is probably sick.
16. that, ‘verb’-ing
pattern: 「sentence phrase in short form」+ ということ + が、 . . . 。
by adding ということ in front of a phrase, that part turns into a noun clause and uses the が particle at the end
it is usually used for writing to express your own thoughts
ex: この本を読む、昔のギリシャにも日本のように色々な神様がいたということがよくわかる。
When reading this book, I understand that ancient Greece as well as Japan had various kinds of gods.
この大学はレベルが高いということで知れれている。 This college is known for having a high level.
17. happen to be; It turns out that~; It’s been decided that
pattern: 「subject」 は「verb phrase」+ となっている。
this pattern is used when what is stated in the preceding sentence is beyond that speaker’s control
there is no particle after the verb phrase for nouns/adjectives
ex: もの映画は午後 7 時からとなっています。 This movie happens to be from 7pm.
そのスピーチコンテストに出られるのは、日本に 1 年以上住んだことがない外国人だけとなっている。
It turns out that foreigners who have lived in Japan for more than a year cannot enter into the speech contest.
lessons and sentence credits: Tobira textbook