Japanese Grammar

By taking the time to understand how the Japanese language works, you'll be able to speak Japanese naturally, and read and write in Japanese. We know this can be one of the more challenging parts of your course, and we’re here to help! You can browse the topics, do a search in the top right corner of this page, or start a new conversation. Don’t be shy!

Learning Assistance

Greetings (I should find a Japanese word that fits all times well XD) I have been studying Japanese on my own for several years. I was gifted this program late January 2010 to help further my learning. I have been working really hard to repeat the lesson...

6 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - April 8, 2010

Can I get All the converstion audio track !

Hello, I am very happy with this wonderful program, but I couldn't find the audio track of all the conversation that Rocket Spanish(I already got) has. If I'm not mistaken , you decided not to include that as a improvement. (saw previous topic about...

9 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - March 29, 2010

Double particles and TASTY APPLES

みなさん, こんにちわ! I have a question for all assembled today that will make me look like a GIANT tard, but I'll risk it anyway - Is a double particle ever used? This question arose from my friend and I who are both learning Japanese. We try to converse in J...

3 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - March 1, 2010

use of the word "about"

Can someone describe the difference in the use of the word "about' in lessons 2.1 where they say "Basu de jū go fun gurai desu" as in about 15 minutes and in lesson 3.4 wher they say "Nihon tēen ni tsuite nani ka shitte imasu ka?"...

3 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - February 23, 2010

Rocket Japanese Premium

Hi! I recently purchased Rocket Japanese Premium, and I'm a little confused... On the Rocket Languages site, they said that Rocket Japanese Premium would come with components such as Megavocab, MegaAudio, and MegaHiragana to help me learn Japanese even be...

7 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - February 7, 2010

part of a house

Hi I am a new member, my job is tour guide with Japanese Groups hence my questions will be related to giving information. This house is 16c 'Kono ie wa ju roku seiki desu ?' but how do I qualify it to 'this PART of the house is 16c ' ?

2 replies - Last post by shooter - January 6, 2010

3 questions: nan, irun, and kute

みんなさん、こんにちは! I have a few questions that ive been a little stumped on recently. 1) "hajimete nan desu kedo." is one of the sentences from the lessons. I get that hajimete means first time, and i get the meaning behind desu kedo...but i cant s...

1 reply - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - January 6, 2010

Adverbs from -na adjectives

Konnichiwa minna san! Watashino Nihongowa totemo osoku hikakeru, gomen! I wanted to say somthing like "walk this road surley and proudley." I came up with "kono michi wo kitto to kokuigenni ayumi." I am unsure if a have used 'Kokuige' ...

1 reply - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - January 4, 2010

why does わ become は in certain sentences

こんにち は :) This would be the perfect example of what I mean. Why is this written Konnichi ha instead of konnichi wa in kana? Logically it would be こんにちわ wouldn't it?

3 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - December 6, 2009

Negative -Tai

皆さん、こんにちは! (Minnna san, Konnichiwa!) So I was wondering how exactly would you say you prefer you'd rather not do something in Japanese. Like for example, if I were to go into a Japanese class and they asked "Why are you using voice". How would ...

2 replies - Last post by CatPanda - November 22, 2009

Lost in Translation?

みんなん、おはよおございます!おげんきですか? In addition to the grammar material, provided through RJ, I've also been using other resources - books, written by other authors, to TRY and help me through this process of learning Japanese and learning it well! I wanted to clar...

5 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - November 8, 2009

まま?and reading Japanese

こんにちわ 日本語ごとてもたのしいですね! Ive recently finished the beginner course and have started the advanced. I also purchased a manga book and began trying to read it thinking that it would be good to stretch my language usage. One of the first problems ive come acro...

1 reply - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - November 6, 2009

Writing Video

It says writing video but I cannot see any video on how to write the characters. I am on Windows Vista is that a problem?

1 reply - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - November 1, 2009

Writing Japanese Illustrations

こんにちわ! I recieved a what I think is a newsletter the other day in my e-mail inbox. I checked it out and saw the clips of when they show you how to write the Japanese characters. I clicked on the link so I could get that but it kept taking me to where to ...

1 reply - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - November 1, 2009

Hiragana and Katakana

I wanted to ask a question I just started Rocket japanese this week. Prior to that I studied and memorized both hiragana and katakana so instead of writing in romaji I write with the actuall characters when i listen to the audio. usually listen the first ...

1 reply - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - October 21, 2009

Other Resources?

Konichiwa, What other resources do people use in addition to the Rocket Japanese lessons? Any recommendations on books and/or websites that help to supplement the learning? Arigato, - Otis

3 replies - Last post by CatPanda - October 20, 2009

Watashi no vs. Watashi mo

Hajime Mashite! I just began studying Japanese a few days and I have a question. I am on Lesson 1.1 and noticed a difference between two phrases: 'Watashi *no*' in "Watashi mo genki desu, arigatō." (Lesson 1.0) and 'Watashi *mo*' in "W...

3 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - October 15, 2009

Aishite

Hi i know that aishite imasu and aishiteru both mean "i love you" but what would "aishite imasu ka?" mean, would it mean is there love? i love you? or do you love me and how about "aishite desu ka?" just want to clear thing...

13 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - October 11, 2009

10.6 Comparison Expressions

皆さんこんにちは! お元気ですか? Moving along, to make sure I'm getting the より usage explained in 10.6 correct. 上げるほうが貰うより良いです。 ageru houga morau yori ii desu. Would be 「To give is better than to receive」. 近いほうが遠いです。 Chikai houga tooi yori ii desu. 「closer is bet...

6 replies - Last post by CatPanda - October 8, 2009

Tonari and rai?

Do they both mean "next"?

6 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - September 30, 2009

Shite imasu and Shitte imasu

Konbanwa! I am wondering if there is a difference between Shitte imasu("I know") from lesson 1.3 and Shite imasu(the continual action of something) used in lesson 1.4. Either way I'm not 100% certain how to use shite imasu.

3 replies - Last post by CatPanda - September 27, 2009

~tai and motomeru -> wanting

Minnasan Konnichiwa, Ive been trying to figure out how to use 'like/want' for a little while and am confused. I know the verb conjugation 'tai' for I/he/she wants (i.e. mitai = I want to see, tabetai = I want to eat, etc) and this seems pretty straight ...

2 replies - Last post by teklis - September 23, 2009

Wait, where is everything?

I recently bought rocket Japanese after seeing the deal that was being offered and reading multiple reviews regarding it compared to Rosetta Stone (which is too expencive for me now...) Soo, I've completed a few audio courses and grammer lessons and as I'...

6 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - September 21, 2009

Grammar and culture lessons

I find that the grammar and culture lessons are very useful and i have to read it a few times to get everything. Im just wondering is it best to listen to the interactive audio lessons first and then do the grammar lessons later or whatwould be the best ...

3 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - August 30, 2009

What does "made" mean?

Hi im new to rocket japanese. i was looking through lession 2.6 and noticed that it says "tokyo kara osaka "made"" what does the made mean? also what does "tonari" and "mae" mean? hope i get an answer soon. ariga...

2 replies - Last post by kungfoolai - August 29, 2009

watashi vs. ore

i was watching a japanese drama online, and it said that males use 'ore' instead of 'watashi'. i was hoping to have my japanese suite my gender (as a male). so i was wondering, what other common phrases are used by males, and not females? or is it just sl...

1 reply - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - August 20, 2009

mate?

Konichiwa, I keep hearing/seeing the word 'mate' being used as a command for _stop _or _wait_ in several shows I watch. I have tried to look it up in english/japanese dictionaries but havent found any result. I figure im spelling it wrong, but even looki...

4 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - August 17, 2009

Meaning of ohayou gozaimasu and ohayou gozaimashita?

konichiwa, What is the meaning of ohayou gozaimasu and ohayou gozaimashita?   Is there a reason for the use of the two different endings, or is it just one of those things were you say ohayo gozaimasu, and ohayo gozaimashita is used for polite endings in...

3 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - August 17, 2009

Shigoto ni Nihonego

I'm very excited about my new job! I've been hired as a hostess at a hibachi style Japanese restaurant, and I was so happy about the oppertunity that while I was being interviewed, my heart was going at a pace I don't know it to commonly aquire. Basically...

7 replies - Last post by CatPanda - August 7, 2009

moratte mo ii and te kuremasen

I'm confused....could someone tell me what the difference is in these two sentences... Mado o akete moratte mo ii desu ka Mado o akete kuremasen ka Aren't they both asking the same thing?.....asking if someone could open the window for you? I know ther...

4 replies - Last post by CatPanda - July 24, 2009

Issues with the Quiz's.

In the grammar 1.7 quiz there's a question that asks - All of the above are true EXCEPT And the answer is Karaimono to Amaimono ga arimasu. - ("There are spicy dishes and sweet dishes") Yet we don't learn the word for sweet and spicy till gra...

2 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - July 22, 2009

Aru vs. Iru (Arimasu vs. Imasu)

Minnasan Konnichiwa!! Here is a brief lesson on the verbs *ARU *and *IRU* :D Both *ARU*and *IRU* mean _"to exist"_ and you use these terms to tell someone that you have something. In Japanese - you need to choose one of the these verbs acco...

10 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - July 5, 2009

Arimasu & Arimasen

Konnichiwa! I'm new to this course. Is arimasu the negative form of arimasen? Arigato gozaimasu!

4 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - June 23, 2009

"Where are you from" and other things

Why are there two different ways to say "Where are you from?" Can someone give me the exact meanings to the following? Anata no shusshin wa doko desuka? doko kara kimashita ka? I know that doko means "where" kara means "from&quo...

14 replies - Last post by CatPanda - June 18, 2009

Lesson 5.2

Hello In lesson 5.2 relationship advice he says "ですけど desu kedo. what exactly does this mean or how would i use it? Thanks

7 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - May 20, 2009

Not totally immersed

これはすごいじゃないね。どうしてそれは漢字じゃない? Whoever can read this is probably wondering the same thing too. (P.S. 英語におねがいします。)

6 replies - Last post by aichibear - May 13, 2009

What is the general list of most common particles?

As the title suggsets... What are the most common particles used in Japanese and their appropriate meanings/uses. I know it is spread throughout the lessons, but I'm probably not alone in wanting a list that I can reference more quickly then jumping from...

5 replies - Last post by CatPanda - April 24, 2009

Greeting

Konnichiwa Sayaka, I would like to know the proper sentence in Japanese in a very respectful way, thanking them for adding me on myspace. Here is the sentence I would like to say with everything typed in Japanese to show respect, if you have any suggest...

2 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - April 19, 2009

Lang-8.com

みんあさん、こんいちわ! I was told by a good friend of mine (tofugu.com) that you can get some great japanese experience through a website called Lang-8.com. Basically how it works is that you sign up and you help those out who are learning about your native langu...

14 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - April 19, 2009

Conversations Audio Track

Konbanwa! (10 pm where I am) I love the new look of the site! One thing I've had trouble locating is the audio track with all the conversations. Is it still on the site? I can't seem to find it.

1 reply - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - April 9, 2009

Sugoi desu yo!

I love the new website look! Just wow! I mean seriously I literally thought "Sugoi desu yo!" when first saw this today... w00t I'm now using japanese in my thoughts too! xD

7 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - April 5, 2009

using the term "would you like..."

In lesson 2.1, when asking "would you like a brochure" it is ikaga desu ka. Later in lesson 2.3 "would you like a room" it is dochira ga yoroshii desu ka. Why are they so different? Couldn't you just say "singuru ruma ka daburu r...

6 replies - Last post by khiggs - March 30, 2009

More Rocket Japanese

(I'm having trouble emailing you) I want to know, can you get the special deal off with the downloaded version? thanks -vyre

6 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - March 26, 2009

Japanese Subtitles

Kon Bow Wa, (only done the 1st audio so far so not sure how that is spelt :) ) Does anbody know if when you buy a japanese film or anime tittle, whether they come with japanese subtitles in romaji? If not are there any specialist dvd's on the market wh...

3 replies - Last post by CatPanda - March 24, 2009

A little concerned

Konnichiwa I just started the audio course yesterday and I'm at 2.1 now and i just realized when asked by my little brother to say a phrase in Japanese i had no idea what to say i could only answer the question asked in the audio lessons so far and i jus...

3 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - March 17, 2009

Anata wa? why not Anata wa ka? or Anata ka?

Sumimasen, I am alittle confused, I am trying to figure out how Anata wa? is posed as a question without the Ka?. For example... Sayaka: Konnichiwa, hajime mashite. Kenny: Hajime mashite. Sayaka: O namae wa nan desu ka? Kenny: Watashi no namae w...

4 replies - Last post by PlusTheEffect - March 3, 2009

arimasu/imasu/desu

Hello! I'm new to Rocket Japanese and these forums. I've only been through a limited number of lessons thus far, but I tried to say a rather simple sentence in Japanese and got stuck. In English, "It is not Japanese (language)." In Japanese, I...

2 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - February 25, 2009

My forgetful memory :[

I know there are people out there that can actually learn languages within a week (I wish I was like that!) but of course I'm not like that :p I have listened to half the audio lessons now and have heard each one at LEAST 5 times. I am at lesson 3.4 now,...

3 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - December 15, 2008

Listing Multiple I-Adjectives

Minnasan Konnichiwa!! みなさん、こんにちは! :D Several Rocket Japanese learners have asked me concerning the difference between an _*I*-adjective_ that ends in *__i__*, like *aka__i__*, *shiro__i__*, *atataka__i__*, *samu__i__* AND..._*I*-adjective_ that ends in...

0 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - November 26, 2008

My new career goal

I have decided to change my future career in being a Japanese translator and other related jobs. I want to get at least a bachelors in Japanese langauge and culture. I have become sooo interested in Japanese. It has truly become something I want to speak ...

3 replies - Last post by Sayaka-Matsuura - November 26, 2008

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