classroom5

Next is linking verbs, which may be a little bit easier, since there is only one pattern for them. They always come in pairs, though, so we will be using the "wa / desu" pattern for these examples. (NOTE: in Hiragana, the word "wa" here is drawn using the letter "ha").

   Watashi wa Cameron-sen'sei desu. = I am Cameron-sen'sei.
   (NOTE: titles such as "sen'sei" are alright to use here, but do NOT use "-san", etc., in a                       "watashi wa" sentence.)

Kore wa hon desu. = This is a book.

And finally, the fourth verb: existing verbs. These are almost identical to linking verbs, but instead of using the word "wa", you use the word "ga". So far as I know, "ga" is generally only used with the words "arimasu" and "imasu". Although it's not ALWAYS used, existing verbs also can be paired in a "ga / ni" pattern.

   Ashita kurasu ga arimasu. = I have class tomorrow.

   Uchi ni neko ga imasu. = The cat is in the house.

   Kono hen ni den'wa ga arimasu. = There is a telephone in this vacinity.

   Pan'ya ni onna no hito ga imasu. = The woman is in the bakery.

In case you haven't noticed, "arimasu" and "imasu" mean the same thing. What's the difference between them, then, you may ask? Well, "arimasu" is used to show existance of any NON-LIVING things, such as a 'class' or 'telephone'. In turn, "imasu" is used to show the existance of any LIVING things, such as a 'cat' or 'woman'.

It's time for verb conjugation! This means I'll be showing you how to change the endings of verbs for various uses (mainly to tell the time at which the action in the sentence takes place). It is interesting to learn that there are actually MORE conjugations in English than there are in Japanese. English conjugation uses tenses such as "Present", "Past", "Future", "Present Perfect", "Past Perfect", etc. Remember those?? Well, don't worry, because in Japanese grammar, those tenses do not exist ^_^. Here are some example conjugations:

   1) Shimasu (To Do)
       Positive: Shimasu (do)
       Negative: Shimasen (do not)
       Past: Shimashita (did)
       Past Negative: Shimasen Deshita (did not)

   2) Nomimasu (To Drink)
       Positive: Nomimasu (drink)
       Negative: Nomimasen (do not drink)
       Past: Nomimashita (drank)
       Past Negative: Nomimasen Deshita (did not drink)

Basically, you could say that the pattern is the ending of the verb itself. You see, ALL VERBS end in "-masu" in the positive tense. Therefore, it is safe to assume this chart as a list of conjugations:

                  -masu            -masen

                  -mashita         -masen deshita

And finally, there is one more conjugation of verbs, which doesn't have a name other than the "OO" form. This is used as a suggestion. In other words, when the "OO" form is used, it implies the sentence, "Let's _________." For example:

   Kyoo dekakemashoo. = Let's go out today.

   Issho ni ben'kyoo o shimashoo. = Let's study together.

Kissaten de koohii o nomimashoo. = Let's drink coffee at the coffee shop.

You already know two ways to suggest something now. But there is a third way. Just add "ka?" to the end of a "OO" form verb. Here are levels of polite suggestion in the sentence, "I drink tea."

Ocha o nomimasu. = I drink tea.

   Ocha o nomimasen ka? = Won't you drink tea?

   Ocha o nomimashoo. = Let's drink tea.

   Ocha o nomimashoo ka? = Shall we drink tea?