Unit 1-5 Readings

Question 1

すみません

sumimasen

Answer 1

sumimasen

• Initiating conversation
• Excuse me
• I’m sorry

In this unit, you have learned sumimasen for “Excuse me.” You will find yourself using and hearing this expression quite often in your
interactions with the Japanese. sumimasen is used for several purposes. It is often used to express the speaker’s sincere and polite
attitude toward others. However, Japanese people use this expression to convey not only “Excuse me,” but also “I’m sorry,” and even
“Thank you.” You will hear them say sumimasen to attract someone’s attention when initiating a conversation, as was demonstrated in
the Unit. You might also hear this expression from someone who mistakenly steps on your foot in a crowded train and wishes to
apologize. It is a very useful expression in a wide range of social contexts

Question 2

Word Order / Extension of verbs?

wakaru

わかります

わかりますか

わかりません

Answer 2

wakarimasu, wakarimasu ka, wakarimasen

• su (statement)
• ka (question)
• sen (not)

You noticed in this unit that the Japanese word order is very different from what you are accustomed to in English. Such
words as masu, masen, and masu ka - which determine whether the speaker is making a statement, negating or asking something - come
at the end of a sentence. You need to, therefore, listen to the speaker all the way through to the end of the sentence to find out the
speaker’s intention. This may be confusing to you at first, but as you become skillful, you will be able to use this sentence structure to
your advantage, as you can carefully sense the listener’s feeling while you speak. You can then decide on the overall tone of your
message by modifying the ending accordingly.

Question 3

Expressions of Modesty and Deference in Japanese Communication

Answer 3

-expression modesty is needed to avoid being seen as arrogant

In this unit you heard a person expressing modesty when receiving a compliment from another person on his ability to speak Japanese.
When someone compliments the Japanese on good work, nice clothes, a beautiful house, a wonderful dinner, etc., it is customary for
them to downplay their abilities, possessions, etc. While negating a compliment may be considered a sign of lack of confidence or
even insincerity in some cultures, the Japanese frequently use it as an expression of modesty and deference in daily communication. As
a case in point, consider this conversation:

“That was a wonderful meal! You are a great cook, suzuki san.”
“Oh, no. I only followed a recipe. Anybody can cook.”
“I certainly can’t. Could you teach me?”
“Can I teach? Oh, no. You cook far better than I can. I’m the one who needs to take lessons from you.

Suzuki may be seen as too modest by American standards, but this is socially acceptable behavior in Japan. This humility is only seen
as avoiding appearing to be arrogant or conceited.

Question 4

~ ne

Answer 4

-Japanese add ne to avoid disagreements

In this unit you also heard ne at the end of sentences, as in　にほんご　が　わかります　ね
(nihongo ga wakarimasu ne). It is roughly equivalent to the English “isn’t it?”
“aren’t you?” “don’t you?” etc. The use of ne shows that the speaker expects the listener to agree with him or her. You will hear this used
frequently in Japanese; in fact, some people may end virtually every sentence with ne. Living in a more collectivistic society than the
U.S., the Japanese value being aligned with and maintaining harmonious relationships with others. The frequent use of ne illustrates
their desire to avoid creating any potential for conflict or disagreement with one another.

Question 5

Omission of Subjects

Answer 5

-Japanese speakers may leave out words. Relies a lot of listener.

Japanese speakers often rely on the listener’s ability to understand their real intention from what appears to be subtle and evasive
verbal and nonverbal signals. Being able to leave some things unsaid so that the other can read between the lines is an important skill
in Japanese communication. A person who explains things in great detail is considered legalistic and is often frowned
upon. The frequent omission of subjects is one example of this ambiguous and seemingly incomplete form of Japanese
communication. This style of speech may frustrate foreign learners of Japanese at first. but after a while it will become natural.
The Japanese language has several words for “you.” The one to use depends upon the speaker’s relationship with the person being
spoken to. Among these are the common anata, which was introduced in this unit, the informal anta, the formal kimi (often used by a
superior to address his or her junior), and omae, used only by male speakers. However, you will often hear people address one another
without using any of these, simply leaving “you” to be understood.

Question 6

Domo

ども

Answer 6

• Is used to emphazie politeness, for example when thanking.

domo is used to emphasize your politeness, as in domo arigato gozaimasu. It is used for a variety of purposes: to indicate “indeed” and
“very much” as in this unit, to show the speaker’s suspicious feeling as in domo okashii, “I have a doubt about it,” or to mean “by any
means.” Japanese speakers are very fond of using domo in many contexts. Although in formal,
“correct” speech, domo should be followed by a word that it modifies, Japanese speakers often use it alone. You will often hear them say
domo, domo when they greet each other.