MODULE 1 - The Basics of Nihongo
Overview: Module 1, The Basics of Nihongo, intends to provide students the basic
Japanese vocabulary they need in order to converse in different contexts.
Since learning a foreign language is a must in developing globally
competitive students. This module also includes lessons on Self
Introduction, regular counters, and days of the week.
Each lesson in this module is composed of lectures and examples
to give students model sentences to serve as a guide in allowing them to
construct sentences in Nihongo.
Objectives:
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. familiarize with the basic Japanese vocabulary;
2. introduce themselves in Nihongo; and
3. count numbers and articulate days of the week in the Japanese language.
Discussion:
A. Self-Introduction
Jiko Shokai (self-introduction)
Hajimemashite
(How do you do?)
Watashi wa ____ desu
(I am [name])
Watashi wa _____ kara desu
(I am from [place])
Doozo yoroshiku *onegaishimasu ( silent “u” when you
pronounce this *Japanese word)
(I am pleased to meet you)
• Put “desu” (des) after nouns to end sentences. Des also
expresses that you are speaking with any sort of formality.
**wa - normally placed after the subject
- Equivalent to is, am, are
Example:
Hajimemashite
Watashi wa Gina C. Tagasa desu
Watashi wa CLSU, Nueva Ecija kara desu
Doozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu
How do you do?
I am Gina C. Tagasa
I am from CLSU, Nueva Ecija
I am pleased to meet you.
Another example:
I am 19 years old
Watashi wa juu-kyu saidesu
My father’s name is Romel Garcia
Chichi no namae wa Romel Garcia
My mother’name is Linda Garcia
Haha no namae wa Linda Garcia
Note: no – is a particle that shows possession
B. Japanese Vocabulary
Watashi I toire Toilet, restroom
Watashi tachi we uchi House, home
Anata tachi you (2 person)
nd toshokan library
Ano hito you ( 3 person)
rd
gakkou School
Sensei teacher Daigaku University
Gakusei student Chokore-to Chocolate
tomodachi friend ko-hi Coffee
Boyiforendo boyfriend kyoushitsu Classroom
Garufurendo girlfriend shokudou Canteen
kazoku family heya Room
chichi (my) father tatemono building
Haha brother tanjobi birthday
Musuko (my) mother son kyo today
Musume daughter kino yesterday
itoko cousin ashita tomorrow
sofu grandfather kutsu shoes
sobo grandmother basu bus
mago Grandson hon book
otto husband no-to notebook
tsuma wife enpitsu pencil
atama head Bo-rupen ballpen
me eye kasa umbrella
mimi ear ju-su juice
hana nose Shukudai homework
kuchi mouth hasami scissors
nodo throat kami paper
ude arm kaban bag
te hand terebi television
onaka stomach rajio radio
ashi leg Konpyu-ta computer
karada body isu chair
namae name Keshi gomu eraser
juusho address hana flower/blossom
nenrei age okane money
shokogyou occupation te-buru table
noka Farmer mado door
bengoshi lawyer doa window
isha doctor shaken examination
kare he gogo afternoon
kanojo She gosen morning
connotes respect
san to a name of
a person
Example:
Hajimemashite
Watashi wa Gina C. Tagasa desu
Watashi wa CLSU, Nueva Ecija kara desu
Watashi wa Firipinjin desu.
Watashi wa Nihongo sensei desu.
Anatatachi wa watashi no gakusei desu.
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu
How do you do?
I am Gina C. Tagasa
I am from CLSU, Nueva Ecija
I am a Filipino.
I am a Japanese teacher.
You are my students.
Nice to meet you.
Regular Counters
0 - rei 10 - juu
1 - ichi 11 - juu-ichi
2 - ni 12 - juu-ni
3 - san 13 - juu-san 20 - ni-juu
4 - yon 14 - juu-yon 30 - san-juu
5 - go 15 - juu-go 40 - yon-juu
6 - roku 16 - juu-roku 50 - go-juu
7 - shichi/nana 17 - juu-nana
8 - hachi 18 - juu-hachi
9 - kyuu 19 - juu-kyu
Note: When you write 21 to 29 in Nihongo,you will just add 1 to 9 in Japanese
language to ni-juu.
Examples: 21 - ni-juu-ichi
22 - ni-juu-ni
Days of the Week
Sunday Nichi yoobi
Monday Getsu yoobi
Tuesday Ka yoobi
Wednesday Sui yoobi
Thursday Moku yoobi
Friday Kinyoobi
Saturday Do yoobi
Evaluation:
Activity 1. Practice introducing yourself in Japanese language.
Activity 2. Practice writing number 1 to 50 in Nihongo.
Reference:
Chino, N. 1991. All about particles. Tokyo: Kodansha
International. Hiroo Japanese Center. 1989. The complete Japanese verb guide.
Hokkaido Daigaku. 1993. Elementary Japanese grammatical notes.
Mine, M. 1994. Nihongo kiso (Basic Japanese for foreign students). Hiroshima:
Hiroshima University.