Today's lesson is going to be pretty easy - how to ask yes/no questions in Japanese.
Let's take a sentence from the previous lesson:
Sumisu-san wa bengoshi desu.
Mr. Smith is an attorney.
Now how do we turn this sentence into a question? Pretty simple - just add "ka" .
Sumisu-san wa bengoshi desu ka?
Is Mr. Smith is an attorney?
To answer a yes/no question in Japanese, use hai (yes), or iie (no).
Sumisu-san wa bengoshi desu ka?
Hai, bengoshi desu.
Is Mr. Smith is an attorney?
Yes, he is.
Sumisu-san wa bengoshi desu ka?
Iie, bengoshi dewa arimasen.
Is Mr. Smith is an attorney?
No, he isn't.
In the second answer we see a new word - "dewa arimasen". This is the negative form of desu, meaning "is not".
That's all there is to asking a yes/no question in Japanese - as you can see not everything in this language is hard.
Even though there were no kana in the last couple of lessons, don't forget to practice them. In a few lessons, there will be a test ;)
New vocabulary in today's lesson:
hai - yes
iie - no
dewa arimasen - is not
awesome lessons! i learn and more each one
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lesson, it's really cool that I learn a little bit but it's still helpful :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely following, I think Im going to Japan this summer.
ReplyDeletenice lesson this time, not that hard
ReplyDeleteThat was easier from some other times. I'm looking forward to read your next post.
ReplyDeletewow, that's pretty neat! adding just a word it turns it into a question?
ReplyDeletegreat lesson... i will try some here in Japan.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't we all just speak english like God intended.
ReplyDeleteGood lesson!
ReplyDeleteback to learning
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lesson!
ReplyDeleteGracias amiguette!
ReplyDeleteeasy paced lessons. thanks =]
ReplyDelete