One of the characteristics of the Japanese language is that the verb

generally comes at the end of the sentence. Since Japanese's sentences

often omit the subject, the verb is probably the most important part in
understanding the sentence. However, Verbs forms are considered to be
difficult to learn. The good news is the system itself is rather simple, as far
as memorizing certain rules. Unlike the more complex verb conjugation of
other languages, Japanese verbs do not have a different form to indicate the
person (first-, second, and third-person), the number (singular and plural),
or gender.
Japanese verbs are roughly divided into three groups according to their
dictionary form (basic form).
Group 1: ~ U ending verbs
The basic form of Group 1 verbs end with "~ u". This group is also called
Consonant-stem verbs or Godan-doushi (Godan verbs).

hanasu - to speak

kaku - to write

kiku - to listen

matsu - to wait

nomu - to drink

Group 2: ~ Iru and ~ Eru ending verbs

The basic form of Group 2 verbs end with either "~iru" or "~ eru". This
group is also called Vowel-stem-verbs or Ichidan-doushi (Ichidan verbs).
~ Iru ending verbs

kiru - to wear

miru - to see

okiru - to get up

oriru - to get off

shinjiru - to believe

~ Eru ending verbs

akeru - to open

ageru - to give

deru - to go out

neru - to sleep

taberu - to eat

There are some exceptions. The following verbs belong to Group 1, though
they end with "~ iru" or "~ eru".

hairu - to enter

hashiru - to run

iru - to need

kaeru - to return

kagiru - to limit

kiru - to cut

shaberu - to chatter

shiru - to know

Group 3: Irregular verbs

There are only two irregular verbs, kuru (to come) and suru (to do).
The verb "suru" is probably the most often used verb in Japanese. It is used
as "to do," "to make," or "to cost". It is also combined with many nouns (of
Chinese or Western origin) to make them into verbs. Here are some
examples.

benkyousuru - to study

ryokousuru - to travel

yushutsusuru - to export

dansusuru - to dance

shanpuusuru - to shampoo

Dictionary Form
The dictionary form (basic form) of all Japanese verbs end with "u". This is the form listed in
the dictionary, and is the informal, present affirmative form of the verb. This form is used
among close friends and family in informal situations.
The ~ masu Form (Formal Form)
The suffix "~ masu" is added to the dictionary form of the verbs to make sentence polite.
Aside from changing the tone, it has no meaning. This form is used in situations required
politeness or a degree of formality, and is more appropriate for general use. Check out the
~ masu form of the basic verbs.
The ~ masu Form
Group 1

Take off the final ~u, and add ~ imasu

kaku --- kakimasu, nomu --- nomimasu

Group 2

Take off the final ~ru, and add ~ masu

miru --- mimasu, taberu --- tabemasu

Group 3

kuru --- kimasu, suru --- shimasu

The ~ masu Form minus "~ masu" is the stem of the verb. The verb stems are useful since
many verb suffixes are attached to them.
~ Masu Form

The stem of the verb

kakimasu

kaki

nomimasu

nomi

mimasu

mi

tabemasu

tabe

Present Tense
Japanese verb forms have two main tenses, the present and the past. There is no future
tense. The present tense is used for future and habitual action as well. The informal form of
the present tense is the same as the dictionary form. The ~ masu form is used in formal
situations.
Past Tense
The past tense is used to express actions completed in the past (I saw, I bought etc.) and
present perfect tense (I have read, I have done etc.). Forming the informal past tense is
simpler for Group 2 verbs, but more complicated for Group 1 verbs. The conjugation of
Group 1 verbs varies depending on the consonant of the last syllable on the dictionary form.
All Group 2 verbs have the same conjugation pattern.
Group 1
Formal

Replace ~ u with ~ imashita

kaku --- kakimashita

nomu --- nomimashita

Informal

(1) Verb ending with ~ ku:

replace ~ ku with ~ ita

kaku --- kaita

kiku --- kiita

(2) Verb ending with ~ gu:

replace ~ gu with ~ ida

isogu --- isoida

oyogu --- oyoida

(3) Verb ending with ~ u, ~tsu and ~ ru:

replace them with ~ tta

utau --- utatta

matsu --- matta
kaeru --- kaetta

(4) Verb ending with ~ nu, ~bu

and ~ mu:
replace them with ~ nda

shinu --- shinda

asobu --- asonda
nomu --- nonda

(5) Verb ending with ~ su:

replace ~ su with ~ shita

hanasu --- hanashita

dasu --- dashita

Group 2
Formal

Take off ~ru, and add ~ mashita

miru --- mimashita

taberu ---tabemashita

Informal

Take off ~ru, and add ~ ta

miru --- mita

taberu --- tabeta

Group 3
Formal

kuru --- kimashita, suru --- shimashita

Informal

kuru --- kita, suru ---shita

Present Negative
To make sentence negative, verb endings are changed into negative forms (The ~ nai
Form).
Formal

All Verbs (Group 1, 2, 3)

Replace ~ masu with ~ masen

Informal

nomimasu
tabemasu
kimasu
shimasu

---------

nomimasen
tabemasen
kimasen
shimasen

Group 1
Replace the final ~ u with ~anai
(If verb ending is a vowel + ~ u,
replace with ~ wanai)

kiku --- kikanai

nomu --- nomanai
au --- awanai

Group 2
Replace ~ ru with ~ nai

miru --- minai

taberu --- tabenai
Group 3

kuru --- konai, suru ---shinai

Past Negative
Formal

All Verbs (Group 1, 2, 3)

Add ~ deshita to
the formal present
negative form

Informal

nomimasen --- nomimasen deshita

tabemasen --- tabemasen deshita
kimasen--- kimasen deshita
shimasen--- shimasen deshita
All Verbs (Group 1, 2, 3)

Replace ~ nai
with ~ nakatta

nomanai --- nomanakatta

tabenai --- tabenakatta
konai --- konakatta
shinai ---shinakatta

The ~ te form is a useful form of the Japanese verb. It does not indicate
tense by itself, however it combines with other verb forms to create other
tenses. It has many other uses as well. To make the ~ te form, replace the
final ~ ta of the informal past tense of the verb with ~ te, and ~ da with ~
de. Learn the ~ te form of the basic verbs.
Here are some examples.

nonda - nonde

tabeta - tabete

kita - kite

Here are some other functions of the ~ te form.

(1) Request: the ~ te form kudasai

Mite kudasai. - Please look.

Kiite kudasai. - Please listen.

(2) The present progressive: the ~ te form iru or imasu (formal)

Hirugohan o tabete iru. - I am having lunch.

Terebi o mite imasu. - I am watching TV.

It is also used to describe a habitual action and a condition.

(3) Listing successive actions
It is used to connect two or more verbs. The ~ te form is used after all but
the last sentence in a sequence.

Hachi-ji ni okite gakkou ni itta. - I got up

at eight and went to school.

Depaato ni itte kutsu o katta. - I went to

department store and bought shoes.

(4) Asking permission: the ~ te form mo ii desu ka.

Terebi o mite mo ii desu ka. - May I watch

TV?

Tabako o sutte mo ii desu ka. - May I

smoke?

There are two types of adjectives in Japanese: i-adjectives and na-adjectives. I-adjectives all end
"kirei" is not an i-adjective.)

Japanese adjectives differ from their English counterparts. Although Japanese adjec
English adjectives, they also function as verbs when used as predicates. For examp

" means, "expensive". "Takai" of "kono kuruma wa takai " means no

adjectives are used as predicates, they may be followed by "~ desu" to indicate a formal st
expensive" but it is more formal than "takai ".
Here are lists of common i-adjectives and na-adjectives.
Common I-Adjectives
atarashii

new

furui

old

atatakai

warm

suzushii

cool

atsui

hot

samui

cold

oishii

delicious

mazui

bad tasting

ookii

big

chiisai

small

osoi

late, slow

hayai

early, quick

omoshiroi

interesting, funny

tsumaranai

boring

kurai

dark

akarui

bright

chikai

near

tooi

far

nagai

long

mijikai

short

muzukashii

difficult

yasashii

easy

ii

good

warui

bad

takai

tall, expensive

hikui

low

yasui

cheap

wakai

young

isogashii

busy

urusai

noisy

Common Na-Adjectives

ijiwaruna

mean

shinsetsuna

kind

kiraina

distasteful

sukina

favorite

shizukana

quiet

nigiyakana

lively

kikenna

dangerous

anzenna

safe

benrina

convenient

fubenna

inconvenient

kireina

pretty

genkina

healthy, well

jouzuna

skillful

yuumeina

famous

teineina

polite

shoujikina

honest

gankona

stubborn

hadena

showy

Modifying Nouns
When used as modifiers of nouns, both i-adjectives and na-adjectives take the basic form,
and precede nouns just like in English.
I-Adjectives

Na-Adjectives

chiisai inu

small dog

takai tokei

expensive watch

yuumeina gaka

famous painter

sukina eiga

favorite movie

I-Adjectives as Predicates
As mentioned on the previous page, adjectives can function like verbs. Therefore, they
conjugate just like verbs (but probably much more simply).
Informal

Formal

Present Negative

Replace the final ~ i with ~ ku nai

Past

Replace the final ~ i with ~ katta

Past Negative

Replace the final ~ i with ~ ku nakatta

Add ~desu to all of the informal forms.

There is also a variation in the formal negative forms.

* Negative: Replace ~i with ~ku arimasen
* Past Negative: Add ~ deshita to ~ku arimasen
These negative forms are considered slightly more polite than others.
Here is how the adjective "takai (expensive)" is conjugated.
Informal

Formal

Present

takai

takai desu

Present Negative

takaku nai

takaku nai desu

takaku arimasen

Past

takakatta

takakatta desu

Past Negative

takaku nakatta

takaku nakatta desu

takaku arimasen deshita

There is only one exception to the rule of i-adjectives, which is "ii (good)". "Ii" derives from
"yoi," and its conjugation is mostly based on "yoi".
Informal

Formal

Present

ii

ii desu

Present Negative

yoku nai

yoku nai desu

yoku arimasen

Past

yokatta

yokatta desu

Past negative

yoku nakatta

yoku nakatta desu

yoku arimasen deshita

Na-Adjectives as Predicates
They are called na-adjectives because "~ na" marks this group of adjectives when directly
modifying noun (e.g. yuumeina gaka). Unlike i-adjectives, na-adjectives cannot be used as
predicates themselves. When a na-adjective is used as a predicate, the final "na" is deleted

and followed by either "~ da" or "~ desu (in formal speech)". As with nouns, "~ da" or "~
desu" changes its form to express the past tense, the negative, and the affirmative.
Informal

Formal

Present

yuumei da

yuumei desu

Present Negative

yuumei dewa nai

yuumei dewa arimasen

Past

yuumei datta

yuumei deshita

Past negative

yuumei dewa nakatta

yuumei dewa
arimasen deshita

Particles
Particles are probably one of the most difficult and confusing aspects of Japanese
sentences. A particle (joshi) is a word that shows the relationship of a word, a phrase, or
a clause to the rest of the sentence. Some particles have English equivalents. Others
have functions similar to English prepositions, but since they always follow the word or
words they mark, they are post-positions. There are also particles that have a peculiar
usage which is not found in English. Most particles are multi-functional.
Wa VS Ga

O and No

Ni

De

To
Sentence Ending Particles (1)

Sentence Ending Particles (2)

Specificity of Japanese Verbs

Related Resources

When Describing an Action

All About Verbs

Verb Conjugations

Elsewhere on the Web

Tim's Takamatsu:

Some Japanese verbs are more specific when describing actions than
Japanese Verbs
English verbs. While there is only one verb used for a certain action
in English, there might be several different verbs in Japanese. One of
the examples is the verb "to wear." In English, it can used as, "I
wear a hat," "I wear gloves," "I wear glasses" and so on. However, Japanese has different
verbs depending on which part of the body it will be worn on. Let's take a look how the
Japanese describe "to wear."

Boushi o kaburu.

("Kaburu" is used for

putting on the head.)

I wear a hat.

Megane o kakeru.

("Kakeru" also means, "to hang.")

I wear glasses.

Iyaringu o tsukeru.

("Tsukeru" also means,

"to attach.")

I wear earrings.

Nekutai o shimeru.

("Shimeru" also means, "to tie.")

I wear a tie.

Sukaafu o maku.

(Maku" also means,

"to wrap around.")

I wear scarf.

Tebukuro o hameru.

("Hameru" also means,

"to insert.")

I wear gloves.

Yubiwa o hameru.

I wear rings.

Tokei o suru.

I wear a watch.

Shatsu o kiru.

("Kiru" is used for

putting on the body.)

I wear shirts.

Zubon o haku.

("Haku" is used for

putting on the legs.)

I wear pants.

Kutsu o haku.

("Haku" is also used for

putting on footwear.)

I wear shoes.

Another example is the verb "to play."

Omocha de asobu.

("Asobu" originally means,

"to amuse oneself.")
I play with toys.
Piano o hiku.

("Hiku" is used to play the musical instrument that requires

the manipulation of fingers .)
I play the piano.
Fue o fuku.

("Fuku" is used to play the musical instrument that requires blowing.)

I play the flute.
Taiko o tataku.

("Tataku" is used to play the musical instrument that requires beating.)

I play the drum.
Rekoodo o kakeru.

I am playing a record.
Toranpu o suru.

I play cards.
Yakyuu o suru.

("Suru" can be used for

most sports.)
I play baseball.
Romio o enjiru.
Related Resources

All About Verbs

I play the role of Romeo.

The Extended Use of the Verb "Suru"

Verb Conjugations

Elsewhere on the Web

The verb "suru (to do)" has many extended uses that occur quite
often. Click here to learn the conjugation of the verb "suru".

Teach Yourself Japanese:

Verbs
Tim's Takamatsu:
Japanese Verbs

To make
(a) Adverb form of I-adjective + suru
To change I-adjective to adverb form, replace the final ~i with ~ku. (e.g. ookii ---> ookiku)
Terebi no oto o ookiku shita.

I turned up the volume of the TV.

(b) Adverb form of Na-adjective + suru

To change Na-adjective to adverb form, replace the final ~na with ~ni. (e.g. kireina --->
kireini)

Heya o kireini suru.

I'm cleaning the room.

To decide
It should be used when you are choosing from several available alternatives. Click here to
learn more expressions when ordering at a restaurant.
Koohii ni shimasu.

I'll have coffee.

Kono tokei ni shimasu.

I'll take this watch.

To price
When accompanied by phrases indicating prices, it means "cost."
Kono kaban wa gosen en shimashita.

This bag cost 5,000 yen.

To feel, to smell, or to hear

Ii nioi ga suru.

It smells good.

Nami no oto ga suru.

I hear the sound of the waves.

Loan word + suru

The loan words are often combined with "suru" to change the word into a verb.
doraibu suru

to drive

taipu suru

to type

kisu suru

to kiss

nokku suru

to knock

Noun (of Chinese origin) + suru

It is combined with nouns of Chinese origin to make a noun into a verb.
benkyou suru

to study

sentaku suru

to do the washing

ryokou suru

to travel

shitsumon suru

to ask questions

denwa suru

to telephone

yakusoku suru

to promise

sanpo suru

to take a walk

yoyaku suru

to reserve

shokuji suru

to have a meal

souji suru

to clean

kekkon suru

to get married

kaimono suru

to shop

setsumei suru

to explain

junbi suru

to prepare

The particle "o" can be used as an object particle after a noun. (e.g. "benkyou o suru,"
"denwa o suru") There is no difference in meaning with or without "o."
Adverb or Onomatopoetic expression + suru
Adverb or onomatopoeic expression can be combined with "suru" to change them into
verbs.
yukkuri suru

to stay long
bonyari suru

to be absent minded
niko niko suru

to smile
waku waku suru

to be excited

Conversation Openers and Fillers

Related Resources
Grammar/Expressions

In conversations, openers and fillers are used quite often. They don't
always have specific meanings. Openers are used as signals that you
are about to say something, or to smooth communication. Fillers are usually used for
pauses or hesitation. English also has similar expressions such as "so," "like," "you know,"
and so on. When you have opportunity to hear native speakers' conversation, listen carefully
and examine how and when they are used. Here are some openers and fillers frequently
used.

Marking a new topic

Sore de

So

De

So (informal)

Saying something off the topic

Tokorode

By the way

Hanashi wa chigaimasu ga

To change the subject

Hanashi chigau kedo

To change the subject (informal)

Adding to the current topic

Tatoeba

For example

Iikaereba

In other words

Souieba

Speaking of

Gutaiteki ni iu to

More concretely

Bringing up the main topic

Jitsu wa

The fact is ~, To tell the truth

Shortening the preliminary topics

Sassoku desu ga

May I come straight

to the point?

Introducing someone or something you have just noticed

A, Aa, Ara

"ara" is mainly used by

female speakers.

Note: "Aa" can also be used to show that you understand.

Hesitation Sounds
Ano, Anou

Used to get
the listener's attention.

Eeto

Let me see ...

Ee

Uhh ...

Maa

Well, say ...

(with a rising intonation)

What?

Haa

(with a rising intonation)

What? (informal)

Asking for repetition

Counting people and things

(1) People
"Nin" is used for counting people, though one person and two persons are
irregular.
1

hitori

futari

sannin

yonin

gonin

rokunin

shichinin

hachinin

kyuunin

10

juunin

"How many people" is "nannin" or sometimes "nanmei". "Nanmei-sama" in

the sample dialogue is very polite. The waiter or waitress often use it.
"Sama" is a title of respect to address people. It can be attached to the
family name, the given name or the full name. It is more polite than "san",
though it is rarely used in casual conversation. It is used with the name of
the addressee on a letter and also when addressing a customer.
Kouen ni kodomo ga gonin
imasu.

There are five children in the park.

Gakusei wa nannin imasu ka.

How many students are there?

(2) Things
Native Japanese numbers are used for counting things. "Ikutsu" is "how
many."
Koohii o futatsu kudasai.

Two coffee, please.

Kanji o ikutsu oboemashita ka.

How many kanji did you remember?

There is another way to count things by using a counter. The Japanese uses
a variety of counters to count objects, often on the basis of their shapes.

Basic Lessons
At the Restaurant (5)
Dialogue
Click here for the dialogue for "At the Restaurant."

Expressions used by a cashier

In Japan, people usually pay at the cash desk rather than at the table.
Waiters, waitresses or cashiers in restaurants and store clerks use very
polite expressions to the customers.
The cashier may tell you how much the check is with these expressions.
1500 en

itadakimasu.

ni narimasu.

de gozaimasu.

desu.

(a) Itadakimasu
"Itadaku (itadakimasu)" is a humble honorific verb which means "to
receive." It is used when a giver is superior to a receiver. When the giver is
equal or inferior to the receiver, the verb "morau" is used.
Sensei kara hon o
itadakimashita.

I received a book from the teacher.

Tomodachi kara hana o

moraimashita.

I received a flower from my friend.

"Itadaku" can be a polite form of "taberu (to eat)." The Japanese say
"Itadakimasu" before eating and "Gochisousama (deshita)" after eating.
(b) Narimasu
"Naru (narimasu)" means "to become."
Samuku narimashita.

It has gotten cold.

Takashi wa bengoshi ni

Takashi became a lawyer.

narimashita.

(c) Gozaimasu
"Gozaimasu" is used as a humble honorific or as simple politeness. Waiter,
waitress or store clerks often use it as a humble honorific, though it is very
polite when used in a daily conversation.
Asoko ni gozaimasu.

(as a humble honorific)

It is over there.

Ohayou gozaimasu.

(as simple politeness)

Good morning.

The cashier may use these expressions when giving your change.
500 en

no okaeshi ni narimasu.

no okaeshi desu.

no otsuri desu.

Fast food restaurant

There are many fast food restaurants in Japan including McDonald's and
Kentucky Fried Chicken. The employees usually follow the fixed expressions
according to the company's sales manual.
Irasshaimase.

Welcome!
(A greeting given by store or
restaurant employees.)

Go-chuumon wa.

What would you like to order?

(Click here for other expressions that
the waiter or the waitress might ask
you.)

O-nomimono wa ikaga desu ka.

Would you like anything to drink?

Kochira de meshiagarimasu ka,

omochikaeri desu ka.

Will you eat here, or take it out?

"Meshiagaru" is respectful form of the verb "taberu (to eat)." The prefix "o"
is added verb "mochikaeru (to take out)." Waiters, waitresses or cashiers in
restaurants and store clerks always use polite expressions to the customers.

Let's try!
Order two hamburgers, fries and one coke to take out. The left are the
phrases that a counter person is likely to say.

You will find various kind of dishes in Japan. Most western dishes or
beverages use English names, though the pronunciation is changed to sound
more Japanese. They are all written in katakana. As for French fries, the
Japanese call it "poteto (potato)" or "furaido poteto".
hanbaagaa

hamburger

koora

coke

juusu

juice

hotto doggu

hot dog

piza

pizza

supagetii

spaghetti

sarada

salad

dezaato

dessert

How to ask for something you need

The verb "aru" can be used to ask for something you need. In this case, it
means "to have." The particle "ga," following the object you ask for, can be
omitted.
Menyuu (ga) arimasu ka.
()

Do you have a menu?

Suteeki ga arimasu ka.

Do you have a steak?

"Donna" means "what kind of."

Donna wain ga arimasu ka.

What kind of wines do you have?

Donna dezaato ga arimasu ka.

What kind of desserts do you have?

The verb "aru" can also express existence.

Tsukue no ue ni hon ga arimasu.

There is a book on the desk.

Kinko no naka ni kagi ga

arimasu.

There is a key in the safe box.

Click here to learn more about the verb "aru" when it is used to express
possession (to have, to own) or physical existence (there is ~).

How to ask for a recommendation

If you don't know what to order, you can ask for their specialty with these
expressions.
Osusume no mono ga arimasu
ka.

Do you have anything to

recommend?

Dore ga osusume desu ka.

Which do you recommend?

Osusume wa nan desu ka.

What do you recommend?

Nani ga oishii desu ka.

What is good?

If you see something that looks good and you want to order same thing, try
these phrases.
Are wa nan desu ka.

What is that?

Oishisou desu ne.

It looks good, doesn't it?

Are to onaji mono o kudasai.

Can I have the same dish as that?

Ko-so-a-do System
Japanese has sets of words which are based on the physical distance from
the speaker and the listener. They are called "ko-so-a-do words" because the
first syllable is always either ko-, so-, a-, or do-. "Ko-words" refer to things
nearer to the speaker, "So-words" to things nearer to the listener, "A-words"
to things that are at distance from both the speaker and the listener, and
"Do-words" are questions words.
(1) kono/sono/ano/dono + [Noun]
They cannot be used on their own. They have to be followed by the noun
that they modify.
kono hon

this book

sono hon

that book

ano hon

that book over there

dono hon

which book

(2) kore/sore/are/dore
They cannot be followed by a noun. They can be replaced with
kono/sono/ano/dono + [Noun] when the things indicated are obvious.
Kono hon o yomimashita.

I read this book.

Kore o yomimashita.

I read this.

(3) Ko-so-a-do Chart

ko-

so-

a-

do-

kono [N]

sono [N]

ano [N]

dono [N]

kore

sore

are

dore

place

koko

soko

asoko

doko

direction

kochira

sochira

achira

dochira

thing

The "kochira" group can be used as the polite equivalent of the "kore" or
"koko" group. These expressions are often used by employees in the service
industries.
Kore wa ikaga desu ka.

How about this one?

Kochira wa ikaga desu ka.

How about this one? (more polite)

Asoko de omachi kudasai.

Please wait over there.

Achira de omachi kudasai.

Please wait over there. (more polite)

Expressions for Existence

"Arimasu (aru)" and "imasu (iru)" are the verbs for existence. "Arimasu" is
used for inanimate things and "imasu" for animate things. (people, animals
etc.)
Denwa ga arimasu.

There is a telephone.

Otoko no ko ga imasu.

There is a boy.

The particle "ni" indicates location or place of existence.

Nikai ni denwa ga arimasu.

There is a telephone on the 2nd

floor.

Kouen ni otoko no ko ga imasu.

There is a boy in the park.

When you want to talk about the telephone, the telephone becomes the
topic. In this case the particle "wa (a topic maker)" is used. When you want
to talk about the what is on the second floor, "on the second floor" becomes
the topic. Compare these sentences.
Nikai ni denwa ga arimasu.

There is a telephone on the 2nd

floor.

Denwa wa nikai ni arimasu.

The telephone is on the 2nd floor.

Nikai ni wa denwa ga arimasu.

On the 2nd floor, there is a

telephone.

"Desu" can be a substitute of "ni arimasu/imasu."

Toshokan wa doko ni arimasu
ka.

Where is the library?

Toshokan wa doko desu ka.

Asoko ni arimasu.

It's over there.

Asoko desu.

Expressions for Location

Here are the location nouns and locative noun phrases. Pay attention to
word order for locative noun phrases. Unlike English, the location nouns
come after the [Noun] and the particle "no."
mae

front

eki no mae

in front of the station

ushiro

behind

ki no ushiro

behind the tree

ue

on, top

tsukue no ue

on the desk

shita

under

isu no shita

under the chair

naka

in, inside

heya no naka

in the room

soto

outside

ie no soto

outside of the house

tonari

next door

ginkou no tonari

next to the bank

yoko

beside

honya no yoko

beside the book store

soba

near

gakkou no soba

near the school

chikaku

near

kouen no chikaku

near the park

aida

between

biru no aida

between the
buildings

mukou

beyond

kawa no mukou

beyond the river

As we learned in the previous lesson, "arimasu" is used for inanimate things,

and "imasu" for animate things.

Isu no shita ni neko ga imasu.

There is a cat under the chair.

Gakkou no chikaku ni
kouen ga arimasu.

There is a park near the school.

Toshokan wa
biru no tonari ni arimasu.

The library is next to the building.

Chichi wa honya no mae ni

imasu.

My father is in front of the

bookstore.

"~ ni arimasu" or "~ ni imasu" can be replaced with "~ desu."

Toshokan wa
biru no tonari ni arimasu.

The library is next to the building.

Toshokan wa biru no tonari

desu.

Chichi wa honya no mae ni

imasu.

Chichi wa honya no mae desu.

My father is in front of the

bookstore.