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Last Weeks Homework
Synopsis for Japanese Class_2026-01-14.md:
This class covered new vocabulary including 少しずつ (little by little), 自由 (freedom), and 自動販売機 (vending machine). New grammar points included connecting sentences with と for natural consequences, and using ながら for multi-tasking.
Random Words
- 育てる -> そだてる -> To Raise (transitive)
- 育つ -> そだつ -> To raise (intransitive)
- 習慣 -> しゅうかん -> Habit/Custom
- 変わる -> かわる -> To change (intransitive)
- 変える -> かえる -> To change (transitive)
- 噓をつく -> To Tell a lie
Main Point
Using の as a placeholder
You can use の as a placeholder for an aforementioned object. We know this already
A: 何が好きですか？ B: 時計が好きです。 A: どちらのが好きです？ B：たかいのがすきです。
For verbs, we can't use a conjugated form, we have to use the dictionary form (ふつうけい), and then stick の after it. This changes the verb to a noun, and makes it available to use as a subject/topic
歌うのは楽しいです
The verb is 歌う, which is a verb. We stick の after it, the dictionary form, and this turns it into a noun. It can be in present or past tense, and it can be in positive or negative form, but it has to be in regular form, NOT polite form.
- 温泉に入るのが好きです
- I like being in an Onsen
- 携帯を使いながら自転車に乗るのは危ないです
- Using a phone while riding a bike is dangerous
- 子供を育てるのは大変です。
- Raising a child is very hard
- 習慣を変えるのは難しいです
- Changing a habit is difficult
- 一か月でN1の試験に合格するのは無理です
- It's impossible to pass the N1 exam in just one month.
- 噓をつくのはまずいです
- Lying is bad
- 私はAさんが中国語を勉強しているのを知っています
- I know that A-san is studying Chinese
- Notice: you can use の for other things to, not just before は. It turns the entire verb phrase into a noun.
- 私はAさんがタバコを吸わないのを知っています
- I know that Aーさん doesn't smoke.
- Notice: You can use it for negative sentences too.
- 彼はBさんたちが来月に結婚するのを知っています。
- He knows that B and her partner are getting married next month.
- 彼女はBさんに赤ちゃんが生まれたのを知っています
- She knows that B-San had a baby
- Notice: This is using PAST tense. It can be in any tense, but needs to be in regular form still.
- 彼女は九時半に会議があるのを覚えています
- She remembered she had a meeting at 9:30
- 彼女は四年前にこの人と会ったのを覚えています
- She remembers meeting this person four years ago.
Supplementary Notes
Describing Body States
When describing a person's current physical state (like being slim or overweight), it's common to use the ～ている form of a verb. This describes the result of a change that has occurred and is ongoing. This is different from using a simple い-adjective, which often describes the inherent quality of an object.
- 痩せる -> やせる -> To become slim
- 痩せている -> (He/She) is slim (existing in a slim state)
- 太る -> ふとる -> To become fat
- 太っている -> (He/She) is fat (existing in a state of being fat)
Compare this with an い-adjective like 太い (futoi), which means "thick" or "fat." You would use this for objects or specific body parts, not typically to describe a person's overall state in a polite context.
- e.g.,
太い腕(futoi ude) -> A thick arm.