「何か、文句ありますか？」
=Nanka (or Nanika) monku arimasu ka?
= “Any objection?”
I think many of you have taken Japanese or other language classes. Perhaps some of you have had experiences teaching English or other languages in Japan.
But I, Maggie-sensei, am your teacher here!! So please respect me!
So today we’ll learn about school related Japanese vocabulary.
<School>
• 学校 ( = gakkou) school
• 語学学校 ( = gogaku gakkou) language school
cf. 英会話スクール ( = eikaiwa sukuuru) English school
• 専門学校 ( = senmon gakkou) professional training/ career college
Ex. 私は、語学学校に通っています。
= Watashi wa gogaku gakkou ni kayotte imasu.
= I go to a language school.
通う ( = kayou) = 通学（する） ( = tsuugaku suru) = go to school, to commute
• 保育園 ( = hoikuen) nursery school
• 幼稚園 ( = youchien) kindergarten
• 小学校 ( = shougakkou) elementary school
• 中学校 ( = chuugakkou) junior high school
• 高校 ( = koukou) high school
• 大学 ( = daigaku) university
• 短期大学 ( = tanki daigaku) junior colldege, 2 year colldege
→ short form 短大 ( = tandai)
• 4年制大学 ( = yonensei daigaku) 4 year colldege, university
• 大学院 ( = daigakuin) graduate school
<Degrees>
• 学位 ( = gakui) diploma
• 学士 ( = gakushi) bachelor
• 学士号 ( = gakushi gou) bachelor degree
• 修士 ( = shuushi) master
• 修士号 ( = shuushi gou) master degree
• 修士号を取る ( = shuushi gou wo toru.) to get a master degree
• 博士号 ( = hakase gou) Doctor of Philosophy degree
Note: Japanese education system:
義務教育 ( = gimu kyouiku) compulsory education :
9 years (elementary and junior high school)
→• 6 years in elementary school (from age 6 to 12 years)
→• 3 years in junior high school (from age 13 to 15 years)
:u:
• 3 years in high school (from age 16 to 18)
:u:
• 2 years in junior college or
• 4 years in university
• 予備校 ( = yobikou) cram school for university
• 塾 ( = juku)（学習塾 =gakushuu juku）cram school
• 公立 ( = kouritsu) public
Ex.公立高校 ( = kouritsu koukou) public high school
• 私立 ( = shiritsu/watakushiritsu) private
• 男女共学 ( = danjo kyougaku) co-education or 共学 ( = kyougaku)
• 男子校 ( = danshikou) boy’s school
• 女子校 ( = joshikou) girl’s school
• 中高一貫教育 ( = chuukou ikkan kyouiku) unified school programs（continuous study from junior high school to high school)
• 教育 ( = kyoiku) education
• 語学教育 ( = gogaku kyouiku) language education
• 幼児教育 ( = youji kyouiku) child education
<Teacher>
• 先生 ( = sensei) teacher
Note 1): We always address teachers with their name + 先生.
Ex. マギー先生 ( = Maggie sensei) They never call teacher with さん（ = san）like マギーさん ( = Maggie san) “Miss Maggie”)
Also some other occupations could be called 先生 ( = sensei) such as doctors, lawyers, politicians,novelists and artists, etc.
Note 2): If you are a techer, you are not supposed to address yourself to others ” 先生” because the word sensei has feeling of respect and we don’t use honorific expression for yourself. So you say or you write in a document 教師 ( = kyoushi) instead of 先生 for your occupation. But we do hear in daily conversation people addressing yourself 先生.
(Ex. If you deal with children, you call yourself, your name+ 先生）
•担任 ( = tannin) teacher in charge/homeroom teacher
←担任の先生 ( = tannin no sensei) homeroom teacher
• 教授 ( = kyouju) professor
• 助教授 ( = jokyouju) associate (assistant) professor
• 講師 ( = koushi) an instructor
• 校長（先生） ( = kouchou (sensei)) principal
• 教頭（先生）(=kyoutou (sensei)) vice principal
• 学長 ( = gakuchou) president of the university
• 学部長 ( = gakubuchou) dean
<Students>
• 学生 ( = gakusei) student
• 生徒 ( = seito) student
• 小学生 ( = shougaku sei) elementary school student
• 中学生 ( = chuugaku sei) junior high school student
• 高校生 ( = koukou sei) high school student
• 大学生 ( = daigaku sei) university student
• 大学院生 ( = daigakuin sei) graduate school student
• 予備校生 ( = yobikou sei) preparatory school student
• 塾生 ( = juku sei) cram school student
• １年生 ( = ichi nen sei) first year grade, first-year student, freshman
• ２年生 ( = ni nen sei) second grader, second-year student, sophomore
Ex.「彼は高校２年生です。」
= kare wa koukou ni nen sei desu.
= “He is a second-grader in high school.”
• ３年生 ( = san nen sei) third grader, third-year student, junior
• ４年生 ( = yo nen sei) fourth grader, fourth-year student, senior
• 留年 ( = ryuunen) to repeat a year (the same grade)
• 留年する ( = ryuunen suru)
• 浪人生 ( = rounin sei) a student who failed an entrance examination for university
• 浪人 ( = rounin) originally a samurai who doesn’t have their masters and wander around, now refers to students between high school and university — who are studying in order to pass university exams.
Ex. 彼の息子は浪人している。( = kare no musuko wa rounin shiteiru.)
• 一浪 ( = ichi rou) first year after you failed 、２浪 ( = ni rou) 2nd years after you failed..
Ex.一浪する。( = ich rou suru.)
• クラスメート ( = kurasu meeto) classmate
• 同級生 ( = doukyuu sei) classmate
• 先輩 ( = senpai) senior, It refers to an older grade student
• 後輩 ( = kouhai) junior It refers to an younger grade student
Cultural note: Traditionally they have to show respect to older people in Japan. They have built this senpai-kouhai (superior-inferior, older-younger) relations in schools, companies and society in Japan. Sometimes it is very strict especially in sports clubs in schools. Kouhai (juniors) have to obey their senpai, seniors.
<To enter or graduate from a school>
• 入学 ( = nyuugaku) entrance、enter a school
• 卒業 ( = sotsugyou) graduate
Ex.マギーは「ワンワン小学校」をやっと卒業した。
= Maggie wa “Wanwan shougakkou” wo yatto sotsugyou shita
= “Maggie finally graduated “bowwow elementary school.”
• 入学式 ( = nyuugaku shiki) entrance ceremony
• 卒業式 ( = sotsugyou shiki) graduation ceremony
Culture note :
In Japan, they sing as graduation songs, 「蛍の光」( = Hotaru no hikari) (“Auld Lang Syne”,a Scottish folk song) or 「仰げば尊し 」( = Aogeba toutoshi, which shows gratitude and respect to your teachers.) in graduation ceremonies.
They also play 「蛍の光」( = Hotaru no hikari) (“Auld Lang Syne” ) when they close department stores.
• 大学卒 ( = daigaku sotsu) college graduate
• 高卒 ( = kousotsu) high school graduate
• 彼女は高卒だ。
= Kanojo wa kousotsu da.
= She is high school graduate.
• 中卒 ( = chuusotsu) junior-high graduate
• 首席 ( = shuseki) summa cum laude、top of the class
Ex. 首席で卒業する
= shuseki de sotsugyou suru.
= to graduate summa cum laude
Ex. 彼は〜大学を優秀な成績で卒業しました。
=Kare wa ~ daigaku wo yuushuu na seiseki de sotsugyou shimashita.
= He graduated ~ University with excellent grades.
<Classroom>
• 教室 ( = kyoushitsu) classroom
• 黒板 ( = kokuban) black board
• ホワイトボード ( = howaito boodo) white board
• 机 ( = tsukue) desk
• 椅子 ( = isu) chair
• ロッカー ( = rokkaa) locker
• クラス ( = kurasu) class
• レッスン ( = ressun) lesson
<Subjects>
• 科目 （ = kamoku) <Subjects>
• 国語 ( = kokugo) Japanese study
• 算数 ( = sansuu) arithmetic
• 数学 ( = suugaku) math
• 理科 ( = rika) science
• 化学 ( = kagaku) chemistry
• 科学 ( = kagaku) science
• 社会科 ( = shakaika) social studies
• 体育 ( = taiiku) gymnastics
<University>
• ゼミ ( = zemi) seminar (Usually you have to make a group under a professor to study or research something in University.
• 専攻 ( = senkou) major
Ex.「専攻は何ですか？」
= Senkou wa nan desu ka?
= “What is your major?”
• 学部 ( = gakubu) faculty, department
Ex. 文学部 ( = bungakubu)faculty of letters
Ex. 医学部 ( = igakubu)faculty of medicine
Ex. 法学部 ( = hougakubu)faculty of law
Ex. 経営部 ( = keieigakubu) faculty of business administration
• 文系 ( = bunkei) humanities
• 理系 ( = rikei) science course
Ex. 彼は理系だ。
= Kare wa rikei da
= He is in the science ( and engineering) majors
<School events>
• 遠足 ( = ensoku) excursion
• 修学旅行 ( = shuugaku ryokou) school trip
• 運動会 ( = undoukai) athletics meets, sports festival
• 体育祭 ( = taiku sai) athletics meets, sports festival
• 学芸会 ( = gakugeikai) school play
• 文化祭 ( = bunka sai) cultural festival
• 大学祭 ( = daigaku sai)（学祭 =gakusai）school festivals in university
• 研修旅行 ( = kenshuu ryokou) study/research tour
• 父兄参観日 ( = fukei sankan bi) the day when parents can observe the class.
• 給食 ( = kyuushoku) school lunch (Mainly for elementary school.)
• 学食 ( = gakushoku) school cafeteria
Cultural note:
In Japanese schools (besides universities and cram schools), usually students stand up, bow and sit down beginning of the class all together for .
A student on a daily duty is called 日直 ( = nicchoku) and he/she say the followings:
• 「起立」( = kiritsu) “All rise!”
• 「礼」( =rei) “Bow!”
• 「着席」( = chakuseki) “Sit down!”
Ex.「着席して下さい。」
= Chakuseki shite kudasai.-
= “Please sit down!”
• 放課 ( = houka) break time
• 放課後 ( = houka go) after school
• 職員室 ( = shokuin shitsu) teachers’ room
• チャイム ( = chaimu) bell
Ex.チャイムが鳴る ( = chaimu) ring the bell
(In many Japanese schools, when class starts or ends, you hear the bell.)
<Grades>
• 成績 ( = seiseki) grades
Ex.よい成績を取る ( = yoi seiseki wo toru) to get a good grade
Ex.成績が悪い ( = seiseki ga warui) bad grade
• オール５ ( = ooru go) A+
(Note: 5 is the best grade in Japanese elementary school.)
• A+ = エープラ ( = ei purasu or ei pura)
<Exams>
•試験 ( = shiken) exams
• テスト ( = tesuto) test
• 期末テスト ( = kimatsu tesuto) end-of-term exam
• 中間テスト ( = chuukan tesuto) mid-term exam
• 小テスト ( = shou tesuto) quiz
• 抜き打ちテスト ( = nukiuchi tesuto) pop quiz
• 追試 ( = tsuishi) make-up exam
• 入学試験 ( = nyuugaku shiken)（入試 = nyuushi short form）
• 卒業試験 ( = sotugyou shiken) graduation exam
• 受験する ( = juken suru) to take an (entrance) exam.
• 受験勉強 ( = juken benkyou) studying for entrance exam.
• 受験戦争 ( = juken sensou) entrance exam war、 race
• 受験地獄 ( = juken zikoku) examination hell
:jjj: Cultural note:
The competicion for entrance exams has been very severe in Japan. If you get in a good high school, there is more chance to get in a good university and get a good job in future. It has spreaded to even preschool ages. 「お受験」( =ojuken) is a word for those children who are forced to take an entrance exams for a good elementary school. There is a special school for those lower aged children to pass the exam and they teach social manners and specific knowledges to get in a good elementary schools.
• 合格 ( = goukaku) to pass (the exam)
• 合格する ( = goukaku suru) to pass (the exam)
• 受かる ( = ukaru) to pass
• 有名高校に受かった。 ( = Yuumei koukou ni ukatta.) “I have passed a famous high school.”
Also パスする ( = pasu suru) to pass
• 試験にパスする ( = Shiken ni pasu suru.) to pass the exam.
• 不合格 ( = fugoukaku) to fail
• 落ちる ( = ochiru) to fail
Ex. 試験に落ちる ( = shiken ni ochiru) to fail the exam.
• 単位 ( = tan-i) credit
Ex. 単位を取る ( = tan-i wo toru) to get courses credit
Ex. 単位が足らない ( = tan-i ga tarinai) not earn sufficient credits
Ex. 単位を落とす ( = tan-i wo otosu) to fail a class
<Assignment>
• レポート ( = repooto) report
• 作文 ( = sakubun) composition
• 論文 ( = ronbun) thesis
• 卒業論文 ( = sotsugyou ronbun) graduation thesis
• 宿題 ( = shukudai) homework
• 予習 ( = yoshuu) prep
• 復習 ( = fukushuu) review
• 研究 ( = kenkyuu) study, research
• 研究する ( = kenkyuu suru) to study, to research
• リサーチ ( = resaachi) research
<Attendance>
• 出席する ( = shusseki suru) to attend
• 欠席する ( = kesseki suru) to be absent
• ずる休み ( = zuru yasumi) play hooky
Useful sentences for teachers!
• 「さあ、今日のレッスンを始めましょう。」
=”Saa, kyou no ressun wo hajimemashou.”
= “OK, let’s start today’s lesson”
• 「それでは出席を取ります。」
=”Soredewa shusseki wo torimasu.
= “OK, I’ll have a roll call.”
• 「〜さんは今日は欠席ですか？」
=~san wa kyou wa kesseki desu ka?
（お休みですか？）
= Oyasumi desu ka?
= Is ~ absent today?”
• 「プリントを配ります。」
= Purinto wo kubari masu.
= “I’ll pass out the handouts!”
• 「繰り返して言って下さい。」
= Kurikaeshite itte kudasai.
= “Please repeat!”
• 「後について言って下さい。」
= Ato ni tsuite itte kudasai.
= “Repeat after me!”
• 「〜は日本語（〜語）で何と言いますか？」
= ~ wa nihongo (~ go) de nanto iimasu ka?
= “How do you say ~ in Japanese (other language)?”
言語 ( = gengo) language(s)
~語 ( = ~go) language
フランス語 ( = furansu go) French、スペイン語 ( = supein go) Spanish、英語 ( = eigo) English、中国語 ( = chuugoku go) Chinese、韓国語 ( = kankokugo) Korean、オランダ語 =oranda go) Dutch、ドイツ語 ( = doitsu go)German
• 「合っています。」
= Atte imasu.
= “It’s correct.”
• 「間違っています。」
= Machigatte imasu.
= “It’s not correct.”
• 「見て下さい。」
= Mite kudasai.
= ”Please look!”
• 「聞いて下さい。」
= Kiite kudasai.
= “Please listen!”
• 「言って下さい。」
= Itte kudasai.
= “Please say/speak”
• 「読んで下さい。」
= Yonde kudasai.
= “Please read!”
• 「しっかり勉強してきて下さい。」
= Shikkari benkyou shitekite kudasai.
= “Please study hard!”
• 「もう少し大きな声で言って下さい。」
= Mou sukoshi ookina koe de itte kudasai.
= “Please speak a bit louder.”
• 「はっきり発音して下さい。」
= Hakkiri hatsuon shite kudasai.”
= “Please pronounce clearly.” “Please enunciate!”
• 「必ず復習をして来て下さい。」
= Kanarazu fukushuu wo shitekite kudasai.
= “Please be sure to review!”
• 「宿題は３４ページです。/３４ページをやって来て下さい。」
= Shukudai wa sanjuu yon peiji wo yatte kite kudasai.
= Please study p.34 for homework.”
• 「何か質問はありますか？」（ありませんか？」）
= Nani ka shitsumon wa arimasuka?) (arimasenka?)
= “Do you have any questions?”
• 「先週のところで何か質問はありませんか？」
= Senshuu no tokoro de nanika shitsumon wa arimasenka?)
= “Do you have any questions about last week class?”
• 「これで終わります。」
= Kore de owari masu.)
= “Let’s finish here.”
:w: Useful phrases for students:
• 遅刻 ( = chikoku) to be late
Ex.「遅刻してすみません。」
= Chikoku shite sumimasen.
= “I am sorry I am late.”
• 早退(=soutai) to leave early
Ex.「今日は、早退させて下さい。」
= “Kyou wa soutai sasete kudasai.
= “Please let me leave early today.”
• 「綴り（スペル）が違っています。」
= Tsuzuri (or superu) ga chigatte imasu.
= “The spelling is wrong.”
• 「綴り（スペル）を教えて下さい。」
= Tsuzuri (or superu) wo oshiete kudasai.)
= “Please tell me how to spell ~.”
• 「綴り（スペル）はどう書けばいいですか？」
= Tsuzuri (or superu) wa dou kakeba ii desu ka?
= “How do you spell ~?”
• 「〜はどういう意味ですか？」
= ~ wa douiu imi desu ka?
= 〜はどういう意味か、教えて頂けますでしょうか？ more polite
= ~ wa douiu imi ka oshiete itadakemasu de shouka?
= “What does ~ mean?” (“Could you tell me the meaning of ~, please?”)
• 「〜の意味を教えて下さい。」
= ~ no imi wo oshiete kudasai.
= 〜の意味を教えて頂けますでしょうか? more polite
= ~no imi wo oshiete itadakemasu de shouka?
“Please give me the meaning of ~. ” (“Could you~ tell me the meaning of ~, please?”)
• 「〜について教えて下さい。」
= ~ni tsuite oshiete kudasai.
•〜について教えて頂けますでしょうか？）more polite
= ~ni tsuite oshiete itadakemasu deshouka?
= “Please teach me about ~” (“Could you~”)
• 「今週の宿題は何ですか？」
= Konshuu no shukudai wa nan desu ka?
=“What is this week homework?”
• 「どこからどこまでが宿題でしょうか？」
= Dokokara dokomade ga shukudai de shou ka?
= “From where to where is our homework?”
• 「すみません。宿題を忘れました。」
= Sumimasen. Shukudai wo wasure mashita.
= “Excuse me. I forgot my homework.”
• 「ノートを忘れました。」
= Nouto wo wasure mashita.
= “I left /forgot my note book”
• 「先生、質問があります。」
= Sensei, shitsumon ga arimasu
= “Mr. /Ms. ~, I have a question! “
• 「質問してもいいですか？」
= Shitumon shitemo iidesu ka?
= “Can I ask you a question? “
• 「質問してもよろしいでしょうか？」
= Shitsumon shitemo yoroshii deshou ka?
= “May I ask you a question?”
• 「発音をもう一度教えて下さい。」
= Hatsuon wo mou ichido oshiete kudasai.
= “Please teach me/us the pronunciation again.”
• 「〜の意味がよくわかりません。」
= ~ no imi ga wakarimasen.
= “I don’t understand the meaning of ~ “
• 「すみません。全くわかりません。もう一度教えて頂けますか？」
= Sumimasen,. Mattaku wakarimasen. Mou ichido oshiete itadakemasu ka?
= ”Excuse me. I don’t understand at all. Could you teach me again?”
:maggie-small: says in the picture above:
「何か文句ありますか？」
= Nanka (or Nanika) monku arimasu ka?
= “Any objection?” “Any complaints?” ” Do you have something to say?”
文句 ( = monku) complaints
Ex. 文句がある。（ =Monku ga aru.) I have a bone to pick.
Ex. 彼女はいつも文句ばかり言っている。
= Kanojo wa itsumo monku bakari itte iru.
= She is always complaining (bitching).
Maggie先生より =Maggie sensei yori = From Maggie-sensei
それでは今日のレッスンはこれで終わります。何か質問はありませんか？
えっ？「マギー先生は何でそんなに美しいのですか」って？それは自分でもわかりません。自然にこうなんです。
= Soredewa kyou no ressun wa kore de owarimasu. Nanika shitsumon wa arimasen ka?
Eh? Maggie sensei wa nande sonnani utsukushii no desu ka tte? Sore wa jibun demo wakarimasen. Shizen ni kou nan desu.
=OK, we will finish today’s lesson now. Any questions? What? How come Maggie-sensei is so beautiful? Well, I don’t know the answer myself. That’s the way I am….
***
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My supporters can access an audio file for this lesson on my Pateron page and some mini lessons and quiz.
63 Comments
Maggie-先生、こんにちは。
I am trying to translate the following:
“Due to absences in our student’s group (ゼミ), I could not deliver our research paper earlier.”
My try:
『同級生のゼミ欠勤に付、直ぐに研究論文を終えることができませんでした。』
I have problems with: “some absences in our student’s group”.
Is it colloquial to say it so: 『同級生のゼミ欠勤に付』, in Japanese? :-s
I didn’t mention “our” in Japanese, as it is obivious that I am talking about our study group. ;-)
Thank you so much | どうもありがとうございます m(_ _)m
Hi アレックス
* 付き is usually used in written form and it is too formal. I would use ために・ので
* 欠勤 is for work.
欠席 is for missing the classes.
* deliver → You mean “to submit”?
If so, ⇨提出
*some absences in our student’s group
You wanted to say a few students were absent?
同級生 is classmate.
ゼミ生 a student who belonged to a seminar but you belong to the same seminar, you can say for example
ゼミで欠席者*が数名いた為(or ので) 、研究論文を提出するのに時間がかかってしまいました。
(or 欠席する人が）
If you couldn’t make it time to the fixed date
研究論文を（期日までに）終えることができませんでした。
Hello, I was wondering how do you say this in Japanese. ‘I go to school at 9 o’clock’.
Hi Chole,
You say , ９時に学校にいきます。( くじにがっこうにいきます= Kuji ni gakkou ni ikimasu.)
Hello ~
It’s the first time I write a comment, and want to say that I really love your work and blog. ♡
Also I want to ask if you can do one post about 数学, how to pronounce it because so far I didn’t find much info.
About add, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions and decimal point.
Thank you so much!
Take care.
Hello Ana,
数学=すうがく=suugaku
I made a mini lesson on Twitter/Facebook or Pateron but I haven’t posted it here.
Since I can’t give you a link here (I don’t remember when I posted..) here is the basic vocabulary.
＊ 計算 = けいさん = keisan = calculation
* 足し算 = たしざん = tashizan = addition
→ 1 + 2 = 3
= 1 足す 2 は、3 = いちたすには、さん
= ichi tasu ni wa san
* 引き算 = ひきざん = hikizan = subtraction
→ 4 – 3 = 1
= 4 引く 3 は、1 = よんひくさんは、いち
= yon hiku san wa ichi
* 割り算 = わりざん= warizan = division
→ 6 ÷ 2 = 3
= 6 割る 2 は、3 = ろくわるには、さん
= roku waru ni wa san
* 掛け算 = かけざん = kakezan = multiplication
→ 2 x 3 = 6
= 2 掛ける 3 は、6 = にかけるさんは、ろく
= ni kakeru san wa roku
**
分数=ぶんすう=bunsuu = fraction
Maggie 先生,
When students walk into the 職員室, WHAT do they say?
1.) 失礼します
2.) 名前 & 何年ー何組
3.) something ???????? 先生の名前お願いします.
Everyday, week after week, I hear the same thing but I canNOT understand the 3rd sentence *cry* I’ve asked my Japanese friends and they have NO idea what I’m talking about or can’t remember it…. I’ve heard this thousands of times but still cannot hear it…..
To me, it sounds like… “だれ-だれ先生, いいよっがてきました”？ But those are not words hahahaha….
I already know: “だれ-だれ先生,いらっしゃいますか?” but they are saying something different….
Please help!
Thank you so much <3
~Ali
Hi Ali,
So they are not saying,
(name)先生いらっしゃいますか？ huh?
Guessing from the few words that you heard, I will give you two possibilities.
1) 〜先生に用があってきました。
= 〜Sensei ni you ga atte kimashita.
(I am here to talk to ~ sensei.)
用がある I have things to talk to ~
If not 1)
2) ~~先生に呼ばれてきました。
= ~ Sensei ni yobarete kimashita.
= ~ Sensei told me to come here.)
呼ばれて is a passive form of 呼ぶ （よぶ）to call
I assume they are saying 1). Listen to them carefully again and let me know.
マギー先生,
*cry*ありがとうございました！D;
You’re absolutely right! “sensei ni you ga atte kimashita” <– this must be what they're saying!
I listened to them SUPER closely today at school (haha) And I could hear "~YOU GA atte kimashita"this time!!!
It makes total sense now! :D After all these years, the mystery is finally solved THANKS TO YOU!
I can't thank you enough D,x You're the BEST!
お世話になります！
<3
~Ali
Hi Ali,
Oh great!!! Problem solved!
Now you can use the word 用（よう）
Ex. When someone asks you to do something together and you are busy,
すみません、その日はちょっと用があります。
= Sumimasen, sono hi wa chotto you ga arimasu.
= Sorry. I already have plans that day.
(^_−)−☆
Hi Maggie sensei!, please help me. How should I say this in japanese ” Igraduated in ~~university major in finance and pursue another units for teaching program ” arigatou gozaimasu sensei!
Hi May
check my job hunting lesson. Click here
I don’t do the translation in the comment section but
The basic pattern is
university name 大学（department name 学部）卒業 (graduated)
or
university name 大学（department name 学部） 専攻:+ what you majored in 卒業 (graduated)
* additional information in your case→pursue another units for teaching program
Maybe the system is different but →Does that mean you have a teacher’s license?
We need another 18 units (if your not a 4 yr graduate of education) that covers all the major subjects of teaching for us to qualify in taking licensure exam in teacher. It is actually” certificate in teaching program”. Sumimasen sensei, im not good in english >.< Anyways, thank you very much for prompt response. You are an angel 😇 i'll check the link about job hunting . ありがとうございます😊😊😊
どういたしまして！ Good luck!! 🍀
Hi Maggie Sensei!
I was wondering how you would say girl’s school, boy’s school and coeducational school.
Hi Naomi
Coeducation is as I wrote in the lesson
男女共学 = だんじょきょうがく= danjo kyougaku or simply 共学 = きょうがく = kyougaku = coeducation
I will add the following two. :)
女子校 = じょしこう = joshikou = girl’s school
男子校 = だんしこう = danshikou = boy’s school
Would you have an idea of how to say the subject name Drama? It is mainly acting, I think.
How about 演劇（えんげき）?
Hello Maggie-sensei! 質問があります！
How do I tell someone what subject(s) I studied in college? Specifically, I majored in Math Education (how to teach math effectively to young students).
subject is 課目 and major, 専攻（せんこう）
専攻はなんですか？
数学教育を専攻していました。
Hi Maggie sensei,
How do you Period 1, Period 2, Period 3, Period 4, Period 5, Period 6.
ありがとう
1st period = 一時間目 = いちじかんめ = ichijikan me
2nd period = 二時間目 = にじかんめ = nijikan me
So number + 時間目= じかんめ = jikan me
Domo arigatogozaimashita. Oyasumi :)
@Holly
Douitashimashite! :w:
Konichiwa Maggie Sensei!
I’ve actually been dying to know how you say things in Japanese like “Class 1-2” and “1st Years”, but I haven’t been able to find any reliable sources. Tasketekudasai!
@Caity
Konnichiwa, Caity
1st year is as I wrote in the lesson, you say 一年生（いちねんせい）
Class 1 is 一組（いちくみ）Class 2 二組(にくみ）
Class 1 of first year is 一年一組 = 1年２組 = いちねんにくみ= ichinen nikumi
I didn’t notice you wrote how to say 1st year in the lesson (oops). Arigato Maggie Sensei!
@Caity
You’re welcome, Caity! :)
Konichwa miss maggie,
I am a uni student in Brisbane and find there are quite a lot of Japanese students here as well, most of them speak English but some do not.
Unfortunately when everyone is in the library studying for exams and tests sometimes people forget how loud they are being. It’s easy to remind the English speaking students though not so easy to remind the Japanese speaking students that don’t speak all that much English.
I was wondering if you would be able to help me out with some very polite ways of asking if the girls would please be able to speak a little bit quieter because I am trying to study.
I am asking you because I do not want to google translate something as it could come across as rude and I do not wish to be rude in any way! Any other helpful things to say in this situation would be much appreciated as well.
Domo arigatou!
@Holly
Hello, Holly
I am very sorry to hear the Japanese students are too loud.
Please be able to speak a little bit quieter because I am trying to study.
is
勉強したいのでもう少し静かにしていただけますか？
= Benkyou shitai node mou sukoshi shizuka ni shite itadakemasu ka?
You can add すみません ( = sumimasen) / ごめんなさい( = gomennasai) when you talk to them.
Hope they get quieter.
こんにちわ マギーせんせい。
ありがとう ございます！！
@えりかーさま
こんにちは！えりかーさま！
Konnichiwa Maggie sensei. Thnak you for the lesson. Just want to clarify the usage of gakusei and seito, since both refer to students; as well as sensei and kyoushi. Is kyoushi only used to refer to your profession as a teacher and not in any other situations ?
Domo arigatou !
@Mike
OK, to be more precise, 学生 is used to refer to college students and 生徒 is for younger students who go to junior high and high school, private institutes.
教師 is usually for teachers who work for school besides 家庭教師(=katei kyoushi) home tutors. 先生 is a more general word for people who teach things.
Wow thanks Maggie sensei ! :-D years of confusion have finally ended :kanpai1: !DANCING!
乾杯！！ :kanpai1: !happyface!
Can’t use katakana on my keyboard for some reason, but this is /the/ Hari-chan.
I had a question. In my school, every year they group us up and have us make dance routines. There’s a girl who just transferred from Japan last year and, while I’ve introduced myself, she doesn’t really speak much (but nods or shakes her head) when I say something in Japanese, so I don’t really know how to address her…
Gah, I got off track! Anyway, I wanted to know how I could either explain the dances better (like, “quickly slide back” or “turn to the left”) or ask if she has any ideas. Le help?
@Hari-chan
It is very nice of you to try to communicate with the Japanese girl in Japanese. I bet she is very happy even if she is not that communicative.
Eventually she will get used to the school and opens up more.
Actually when you teach someone dancing, you just show the movement but here are some example sentences that you may use
見て！Look!
こうして！Do like this
こうやって動（うご）いて！Move like this
わかる？ Do you understand?
右（みぎ）に動(うご）いて Move towards right
左（ひだり）に動いて Move towards left
右（みぎ）にターンして Turn right
左ひだりにターンして Turn left
もっと早（はや）く Do it more quickly
もっと遅(おそ）く Do it more slowly
手（て）をこうやって動かして = Move your hands like this
Thank you! I actually tried this– and I guess I said everything right, ’cause she got the steps. Again, arigatou!
@Hari-chan
You’re welcome! I’m happy to hear she got the steps! ダンスがんばってね！ :l:
Thanks for the lesson. I watched gokusen!! Great drama. If im not mistaken i didn’t watch the gokusen 1 but i watched the other 2 (kamenashi kazuya’s and haruma miura’s). I love gouksen 3 more :)
Haven’t have the chance to watch gokusen the movie yet.
@アリナ
There are a lot of school related TV dramas but gokusen is one of most popular dramas. It is fun to learn Japanese through TV dramas!
O.O I am so glad that I found this web site! I’ve been wanting to learn Japanese for 10 years, (And to think, I’m only 17 xD) but there aren’t any places around my home to learn it, or any people who speak it… I have a feeling your site will help me out while I wait for college~
If you don’t mind, I do have one question Maggie sensei. How would a teacher say “listen!”? You know, like if some kid was trying to ask a question and kept rambling on (like me xD) and the sensei finally snapped and said “listen!” or “listen to me!”. I don’t know any command tense xD
@Angie,
I am so glad that you found this site,too!
As for your questions, the verb “to listen” is 聞く=kiku. So the command form is 聞いて！=kiite or 聞いて下さい。(=kiite kudasai) (polite) and if it is very strong command 聞け=kike! (mainly used by male teachers)
So “Listen to me!” is “先生(or 私）の言うことを聞きなさい！or 聞け!”(=Sensei (or watashi) no iu koto wo kikinasai or kike!) : Some Japanese teachers call themselves, “sensei” .
we usually say 静かに(して）！(=Shizukani(shite))! or 静かにしなさい!(=Shizuka ni shinasai!)=Be quiet!/Shut up!= instead of saying Listen!.
FYI here are some rules how to make command form.
*to do : する=suru→して!=shite→して下さい。=shite kudasai →(stronger command for men) しろ!=shiro!
*to talk : 話す=hanasu→話して!=hanashite→話して下さい。=Hanashite kudasai →(stronger command for men) 話せ!=hanase!
*to look : 見る=miru→見て!=mite→見て下さい。=mite kudasai →(stronger command for men) 見ろ!=miro!
*to write : 書く=kaku→書いて!=kaite→書いて下さい。=kaite kudasai →(stronger command for men) 書け!=kake!
and so on.
Please feel free to ask questions.
Matane!
OMG. So much useful information. Got my 2 kids in school and I never know what’s going on. This will help me so much to translate their monthly schedules. 3 years in the dark. Cannot wait until August comes to put these words int use.
ありがとう。
Laura T
@Hello, Laura!
Thank you for visiting! I am glad to hear you can use this lesson! Please do not to hesitate to ask me any questions.
また来てね！
well.. it’s like I thought!
I’m confused… in the romaji is it supposed to say ‘konshuu’?
今週の宿題は何ですか？」(=Kyou no shukudai wa nan desu ka?) “What is this week homework?”
thanks for posting these i really enjoy them, esp. when they supplement what i am learning in class, we just learned some of these words so its like extra review for me ^_^
kagami7-san
Sorry! That was a “うっかり” (=ukkari : careless) typo. (I must have changed the original sentence as always! ) I have fixed it now. Arigatou!
I am thrilled to hear that you use this site for your additional study.
学校の勉強もがんばって下さいね！(=Gakkou no benkyou mo ganbatte kudasaine.) Good luck on your study at school as well!
ユカリさん、
うまく説明してくれてありがとう！
私は、たとえすべての、ユカリさんが使う言葉を知らないしても、いつもほとんどが分かっている。
本当にすばらしい先生ですよ！
正しくて自然の言葉にするのはとても難しいです。
だから、もっと頑張りますよ！
Mikaさん、
ほとんどが分かっている。->ほとんど分かります。is more natural.
自然の->自然な
後は完璧！(=Ato wa kanpeki!!) Peeeeerfect!!!すご〜〜〜い！！Mikaさん、やった〜！！
Mikaさんも素晴らしいですよ！このブログではどんなに日本語が上手い人の日本語も間違いがあると直しちゃいますが、また時間がある時にいろいろな表現を使って文章を作ってみて下さいね！またね〜！
遅くなくて答えて、すみません！
ただ、最近私は時間がありません。
またたくさん教えてくれて、ありがとう！
私はたくさん会得したと思います。
Maggie-senseiの次の授業を見て考えなければなりませんね。
使役動詞と受身動詞は難しいそうです。
いや、私も、本当に難しいことだと思います。
このテーマについてー冊本をよく読みましたが、まだ本当に会得しませんね。
またあいましょう！
Mikaさん、
お返事ありがとう！使役や受け身は難しいですよね。よかったらまた文章を書いてみて下さい。いつでも直します！
今回は気になるところはちょっとだけでしたよ。
遅くなくて答えて、すみません！->返事が遅くなってごめんなさい。
あと、「会得」はかなり難しい言葉ですよね。
「たくさんのことを学びました」。or 「習いました。」の方が自然かもしれません。
それから「習得する」(=shuutoku suru）という言葉もありますよ。
長い文章が上手にかけますね。これからもがんばって下さい！
たくさん教えしてくれて、ありがとうございます！
彼が出ていた後で
Hm, I wanted to say “after he’d left the school” but actually, that’s not very accurate, because after his suicide attempt he just didn’t go back there.
彼は、自殺を図った後で、学校に返りませんでした。
それから、皆は彼の自殺のことを忘れようとしていました。
新しく来た先生は。。。 sounds good, I mean, I wanted to say “substitute teacher” but I didn’t know the right word, but 新しく来た “who newly came” is really very close to it, but it’s also a better translation for “new teacher”.
。。。生徒達に忘れて欲しくありません。
Yes, that’s what I meant!
始めのドラマに、ビューアーが、彼をいじめていた生徒達を知りませんね。
終わりに、ドラマを見ていった後で、知ることにあります。
また、あの先生はいろいろ、おかしいことをするね。
だから、見ることは本当に楽しいです。
そうして、ワクワクさせます。
ところで、インターネットでは「青い鳥」を見ることができるのです。
はい、頑張り通します！
After all, one day I want to be fluent in Japanese \(^_^)/
Mikaさん
いえいえ、どういたしまして。コメントの返事も読んでくれてありがとう。
a new teacher is also 新任の先生(=shinnin no sensei)
ついでだからこちらも勉強しましょう！
始めのドラマに、ビューアーが、彼をいじめていた生徒達を知りませんね。
->ドラマの始めに視聴者(or 見ている人は）はどの生徒達が彼をいじめていたか知りません。
終わりに、ドラマを見ていった後で、知ることにあります。
->ドラマを見ていくと最後に（誰がいじめたか）知ることになります。
また、あの先生はいろいろ、おかしいことをするね。
->またその先生はいろいろ（な）おかしいことをします。
だから、見ることは本当に楽しいです。
->だから、見ていて本当に楽しいです。
そうして、ワクワクさせます。->そしてワクワクします。
ところで、インターネットでは「青い鳥」を見ることができるのです。->〜見ることができます。
もうfluentだと思いますよ〜！
教えてくれて、ありがとう！
そう、私は、法学部の学生です
「青い鳥」は学校のいじめのドラマです。
一人学生が自殺を図りました。
彼が出ていた後で、学校にみんなさんは忘れようします。
しかし、新しい先生は忘れて欲しくないです。
I don’t know how to sum it up better, it’s a very recent drama movie with Abe Hiroshi and Hongo Kanata.
It was very interesting so I enjoyed watching it ^^
分かりましたの？^^;
My Japanese is still kinda bad
まだまだね…
Mika-san
こちらこそ！青い鳥のストーリを教えてくれて有り難う！せっかくコメントしてくれたからちょっと一緒に勉強しましょうか！
一人学生が自殺を図りました。
->一人”の”学生が…or 学生が一人”
彼が出ていた後で、
->彼が出てい”っ”た後
You mean after “he has gone”? Then you can also say “彼が去った後”(=Kare ga satta ato )
If you meant “to graduate” ”彼が卒業した後”=Kare ga sotsugyou shita ato ”彼が卒業した後” or “彼の卒業後”(=Kare no sotsugyou go)
みんなさんは忘れようします。：
みんなさん->みなさん=皆さん(=Minasan) But we don’t say 皆さん when we describe a story. We say 皆(=mina) without “san”. (Minasan is when you talk to or address a group of people.) I would say 皆は（その or 彼の 自殺のことを）忘れようとしていました。(=Mina wa (sono or kare no jisatsu no kotowo ) wasure you to shite imashita.)
新しい先生は忘れて欲しくないです。:
-> 新しい（or 新しく来た）先生は生徒達に(彼の自殺のことを)忘れて欲しくありません。（でした。）(=”Atarashii (or Atarashiku kita) sennsei wa seitotachi ni (kare no jisatu no koto wo) wasurete hoshiku arimasen.)
分かりましたの？
->分かりましたか？
まだまだね…
->そんなことないですよ！！すごく上手です！私もストーリをもっと知っていたらいろいろ直せるんだけど。これからもがんばってね！！
How would you say for example “I’m studying medicine.” or “I’m a medicine student.” in Japanese?
A lot of new vocabulary in this lesson, but highly useful and interesting!
I saw the ritual of bowing before the beginning of the class in the drama 青い鳥 and I’ve wondered what the 日直 (also didn’t know that word ^^) was saying, so thanks for this cutural information!
Hello Mika-san
Sorry! I was out of town and I couldn’t answer you back right away.
OK, let me answer your questions:
*to study medicine = 医学を勉強する (=igaku wo benkyo suru.)
*I am studying medicine =私は、医学を勉強しています。(=Watashi wa igaku wo benkyou shiteimaus.)
And I am a medicine student is,
私は、医学部の学生です。(Watashi wa igakubu no gakusei desu.)
ついでに….
*department of pharmacy is 薬学部(=Yakugakubu)
*department of science and engineering is 理工学部（rikou gakubu)
*department of literature is 文学部(=Bungakubu)
青い鳥ってどんなドラマだったかなあ…
Mikaさんの専攻は何？ I am very happy to hear this lesson is useful!
hey don’t you also not refer to yourself as 先生 a profession i forgot what you refer to yourself as if you’re talking about what you do for a living…
Hello, drewbningen-san,
Good point! I didn’t write about this information but if your profession is a teacher, you don’t usually refer yourself as 先生。You address yourself 教師(=kyoushi) becuase “先生” expresses respect and we don’t use honorific expressions to ourselves.
-ご職業は何ですか？(=Goshokugyou wa nan desu ka?) “What is your occupation?”
-教師です。(=kyoushi desu.) “A teacher”
However we do hear people say “学校の先生です。”(=Gakkou no sensei desu.) in our daily conversation.
I will add this information in the lesson.
Arigatou!!
Konnichiha Maggie sensei ! Arigatou as always for this lesson ^^ I remember I saw a drama about school in Japan, I remember this very severe teacher, I think her name was Maya sensei but I’m not sure… Well, it reminds me about it ^^;
Thanks for the vocabulary & useful phrases :)
Laetitita-san,
今日は！！いつも有り難う！！
The TV drama you saw could be “女王の教室”(=Jouou no kyoushitsu) starring an actress, Miki Maya?
There are a lot of TV-dramas about school life and those are called “学園ドラマ”(=gakuen dorama). For example, the long run series, 「３年B組金八先生」(=Sannen biigumi kinpachi sensei). Have you seen “ごくせん”(=Gokusen) ? While “女王の教室” was very serious, “ごくせん” is fun!
If you have a chance, please watch it!