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Book3_9

    Japanese Grammar – Book 3 Lesson 9

    ■ ～んですか？

    Meaning: “Why is that?” / “What’s the situation?” / “Can you explain…?”

    Formation:
    Sentence (plain form) + んですか？
    Key Point:

    Used to ask for explanation or more information about a situation the speaker does not fully understand.

    Expresses genuine interest, curiosity, or confusion.

    Often used when the speaker notices something, or has heard about something but wants to know more.

    The んですか form makes the question softer and more explanatory than just using the plain ですか.

    Example
    A：
    成人式[せいじんしき]の　着物[きもの]、高[たか]そうですね。自分[じぶん]で、買[か]うんですか？ Kimono for the Coming-of-Age ceremony looks expensive. Do you buy it on your own?
    Ｂ：
    そうですね。買[か]う　人[ひと]も　いますけど、レンタルも　できます。 Yes. Some people buy it, but there are also kimono rentals.

    ■ N しか + Negative Sentence

    Meaning: “Only N (and no more)”

    Formation:
    Noun + しか + negative verb
    Key Point:

    Emphasizes a limited amount or range.

    Always used with a negative verb form.

    Often conveys disappointment or unexpected limitation, but can also express positive surprises.

    Unlike だけ (which is neutral), しか highlights restriction or lack.

    Example
    今日[きょう]は、財布[さいふ]に　お金[かね]が　500 円[えん]しか　ありません。 I only have 500 yen in my wallet today.
    Ａ：
    あの店[みせ]、いつも　混[こ]んでいて、時間[じかん]が　かかりますよね。 That restaurant is always busy, and it takes some time.
    B：
    ええ。でも、昨日[きのう]は　空[す]いていて、10分[ぷん]しか　待[ま]ちませんでしたよ。 That’s right, but it was not crowded yesterday, and I only waited for ten minutes.

    ■ N だけ

    Meaning: “Only N” / “Just N”

    Formation:
    Noun + だけ
    Key Point:

    Expresses a simple limitation or exclusivity without implying emotion.

    Can be used in affirmative or negative sentences.

    Unlike しか, it does not express disappointment or emotion—it’s neutral.

    Example
    A：
    資料[しりょう]の　このページだけ、コピーしてください。 Please copy this page of the document only.
    Ｂ：
    わかりました 。 Sure.

    ■ V-たりして、～

    Meaning: “(did things like) V and so on” / “such as V”

    Formation:
    Verb (タ-form) + りして、～
    Key Point:

    Used to list examples of actions, either one or more.

    Often implies there were other things too, not just what was mentioned.

    Example
    A：
    休[やす]みは　どうでしたか？ How was your day off?
    Ｂ：
    家[いえ]で　音楽[おんがく]を　聞[き]いたりして、のんびり　過[す]ごしました。 I listened to music and relaxed at home.

    ■ V-なくちゃ ならない

    Meaning: “must do V” / “have to V”

    Formation:
    Vない ＋ なくちゃ ならない (e.g., 行[い]かない → 行[い]かなくちゃ ならない)
    Key Point:

    This is a casual version of Vなければ ならない (must, have to).

    Common in spoken language.

    Expresses obligation or necessity.

    Example
    A：
    忙[いそが]しそうですね。 You seem busy.
    Ｂ：
    これから、会議[かいぎ]の　準備[じゅんび]を　しなくちゃならないんです。 I have to prepare for a meeting from now.

    ■ V-れます ＜Potential-form③＞

    Meaning: “can V” / “be able to V”

    Formation:

    Group 2 Verbs:

    Vます + れます (e.g., 食[た]べます → 食[た]べれます)

    Group 3 Verb:

    来[く]る → 来[こ]れます

    Key Point:

    This is a casual contraction of the standard potential form ～られます. For example: 食[た]べられます → 食[た]べれます

    Known as “ら”-omission form.

    Common in spoken Japanese, especially among young people, but not considered standard in formal writing.

    Example
    Ａ ： すみません。明日[あした]、用[よう]が　あって、仕事[しごと]に　来[こ]れません。 I am sorry, but I have some errands to run tomorrow and cannot come to work.
    Ｂ ： そうですか。わかりました。 Okay. I understand.

    ■ S（plain-form）+ 人[ひと]が～ / 人[ひと]も～

    Meaning:

    ～人[ひと]が 多[おお]い: “Many people do…”

    ～人[ひと]も いる: “Some people also do…”

    Formation:

    Sentence (plain-form) + 人[ひと]が 多[おお]い

    Sentence (plain-form) + 人[ひと]も いる

    Key Point:

    Used to describe common or varying behaviors among people.

    ～人[ひと]が 多[おお]い is used to show that a majority does something.

    ～人[ひと]も いる emphasizes that others also do something different.

    Example
    日本[にほん]の　お正月[しょうがつ]は、家族[かぞく]と　過[す]ごす　人[ひと]が　多[おお]いです。 Many people spend the New Year’s holidays with their family in Japan.
    でも、最近[さいきん]は、1人[ひとり]で　旅行[りょこう]に　出[で]かける　人[ひと]も　います。 However, in recent years, some people go on a trip by themselves.
    クリスマスは、友[とも]だちと　パーティーを　する　人[ひと]も　いますが、何[なに]も　しない　人[ひと]も　います。 For Christmas, some people have a party with friends, but some people do not.

    ■ V-ながら、～

    Meaning: “While doing V…” / “Two actions done at the same time”

    Formation:
    Vます + ながら + Main action
    Key Point:

    Used to describe simultaneous actions by the same person.

    The verb before ながら is typically a background or accompanying action, while the main action follows afterward.

    Example
    お正月[しょうがつ]は、食事[しょくじ]を　しながら、両親[りょうしん]と　いろいろ　話[はな]しました。 During the New Year’s holidays, I talk to my parents about various things while having a meal.
    お祭[まつ]りでは、歌[うた]を　歌[うた]いながら、みんなで　踊[おど]ります。 At the festival, people sing a song and dance together.

    ■ N に よって

    Meaning: “Depending on N” / “According to N”

    Formation:
    Noun + によって
    Key Point:

    Used to express that something varies based on the noun.

    Common combinations include:

    年[とし]に よって (depending on the year)

    人[ひと]に よって (depending on the person)

    国[くに]に よって (depending on the country)

    Example
    A：
    お正月[しょうがつ]は、どんな　料理[りょうり]を　作[つく]りますか？ What type of dishes do people make for the New Year’s holidays?
    Ｂ：
    家[いえ]によって　違[ちが]いますね。 It varies depending on the family.