Day 11: December 18, 2014

Today, we reviewed the syntax and use of different particles or subject and topic markers. "O (を)" is a direct subject marker. However, "o (お)" is not used as a direct subject marker. Similarly, "wa (は)" is used as a topic marker and not "wa (わ)." The Hiragana used will be "ha (は)" and would still be pronounced as "wa." "De (で)" is used as a location marker.  "No (の)" is used for indicating  possession.


Examples:
Toshokan de zasshi o yomimasu. (I read a magazine at the library.)
Anata no uchi de zasshi o yomomasu. (I read a magazine at your house.)


We also learned about the particle "ni (に)" which is a direction marker that basically means "to." Although,"e (へ)"  [not "e (え)"] can be used instead of "ni" in this case.
However, "ni" is also a time marker and "e" is not. Thus, some textbooks recommend that "e" be used as a direction marker to avoid confusion.

Examples:
Amerika ni ikimasu.
Amerika e ikimasu.


We noted that some words sound very similar to each other but have different meanings, such as oji-san (uncle), ojii-san (grandfather), and ouji-sama (prince).

We learned how to use tokidoki (sometimes), itsumo (always), zenzen (never), and amari (not very much). Note: Zenzen can also mean absolutely.

Examples:
Itsumo mizu o nomimasu.
Mizu o itsumo nomimasu.

This was the last class of this year, The next session will begin on January 15th. In the meantime, I will be writing an article about exchange student experiences that will be sent to Japan and, for now, here is the work that was given that I will continue doing over the break.

My work so far:

 


My notes:



-Time logged: 2.00 hours
-Total time logged: 18.40 hours

Day 10: December 4, 2014

After returning from a restful Thanksgiving break, here is day 10. Today, we reviewed how to conjugate "u" verbs. For example, we have the plain form of the verb nomu. We can then conjugate this verb to its dictionary form, nomimasu. With this, we can change the verb to its negative form, nomimasen.
We learned that the Japanese nicknamed Arnold Schwarzenegger, Shuwa-chan, to shorten his name.


We learned that "de" is a location marker. We also learned that when writing "o" as a subject marker, in kanji, it is written as "を." Also, writing "wa" as a subject marker is actually written as "ha (は)." We were reminded that the traditional way to write in kanji is top to bottom and right to left. Writing periods in kanji looks like this: "。" Also, there are no gaps in writing kanji. We are able to write whole sentences in kanji now. I am still improving but I am excited to be doing this!

Here are my notes:

Here is my practice work that I have done so far:

-Time logged: 1.52 hours
-Total time logged: 16.40 hours