Hi everyone! Thank you for visiting Maggie’s room. Feel free to leave any message. I will try to answer your questions here. But please make it simple.I can handle one or two questions. (If they are not too complicated..) I love you all but please understand that I don’t translate or dictate lyrics, your personal letters, messages or help your homework here.Hope you don’t take it personally. Though I’d like to help everyone, if I do for one person, which means I have to do for thousands of people everyday. Thank you for understanding. ありがとう！
220 Comments
こんにちはマッギ先生！ お元気ですか。
It’s Grace again :))
How would you say, “There is a restaurant close to the park”?
ありがとうございます。
Sorry I just remembered I had another question! What is the word for memory? Not brain memory, but referring to a special memory like hanging out with friends.
In addition to that question, can you use it like this?
”そのとくべつな(memory)があります”
Sorry to bother you!
You can say 思い出 ( = おもいで）
とくべつな(or 大切（たいせつ）な、思い出があります。
こんにちは、Grace,
公園の近くにレストランがあります。 = こうえんのちかくにレストランがあります。
If you want to stress “one restaurant”,
公園の近くに一軒のレストランがあります。= こうえんのちかくにいっけんのレストランがあります。
Hello Maggie sensei,
My question concerns how to use the verb ‘know’ (しる) when asking for information. Context:
1. If I am in a restaurant and want to know where the toilet is (I assume there is a toilet), then I can be direct and ask トイレはどこですか. I do this in any language.
2. If I am outside and ask a stranger something (which might not even exist) then I am indirect, and say something like すみません、このへんにコンビニはありますか. If the person says ‘yes’, then I can ask ‘where?’. Again, I do this in any language.
3. Sometimes it is more polite to first ask “Do you know (if, whether, how, where) …”. I recently saw some sentences in Japanese similar to the following: すみません、この近くにあるバスていを知りませんか. However, I do not understand how or why the negative (polite) form of shiru is used. I could use the negative form in English, but it is complicated (“You wouldn’t happen to know where the bus stop is, would you?”).
So, why 知りませんか. If this is a normal expression/usage, then a ‘yes’ answer is good enough. If it is weird and rare grammar, then I will avoid the expression. :-)
Thanks in advance for your help.
Michael
Hello Michael,
Good question.
You can say 知っていますか？ but negative form is slightly more polite. 知りませんか？
The affirmative form is more straightforward/more possibilities and negative form sounds softer. It adds the meaning of “happened to V/would it be possible (to ~ )” and it gives less pressure to the listener.
Is there a convenience store around here?
この辺にコンビニはありますか？
この辺にコンビニはありませんか？ (Is there a convenience store by any chance?)
Could you fix it by tomorrow?
明日までに修理することはできますか？
明日までに修理することはできませんか？ (Would it be possible to fix it by tomorrow?)
Is Tanaka-san here/there?
田中さんはいらっしゃいますか？
田中さんはいらっしゃいませんか？ (Is Tanaka-san happened to be here/there?)
Do you have your ID?
身分証明書は持っていますか？
身分証明書は持っていませんか？ (Do you happened to have your ID?)
I won’t go too deep here but when you ask someone to do something together, negative form is more polite.
一緒に食べますか？
(more polite) →一緒に食べませんか？
Dear Maggie Sensei,
Thanks very much for your explanation and examples. I can recognize the situations, and it works the same way in other countries. When you are asking something, you want to create a safe situation that does not put too many assumptions on the other person. The difference between cultures is that different forms of expression are used.
I was already familiar with the ませんか form when asking to do something together. But it did not seem to fit with my original question. But now I wonder if, metaphorically, the situations are the same. If Japanese language already had a ませんか form to make requests indirectly and politely, then the same form could be used, but dropping the ‘together’ part of the meaning. So, with the doing repairs example, the paraphrase would be “I’m not expecting you to do repairs by tomorrow and I’m not assuming that you have the time, but it would be really nice if it was possible…” That’s a lot to squeeze into a ませんか but that is more or less what is going on.
It is not always safe to make too literal translations from one language to another. Everyday language isn’t easy to explain to a non-native speaker, because a native speaker doesn’t always learn rules, but rather learns habits of speech by using the language in real life.
For example, I was thinking “When do I use a negative form for ‘know’ in English?” In fact, I do occasionally use it but, in contrast to Japanese, this more often happens in casual settings with friends, rather than with strangers. Rather than starting with すみません … I would introduce my comment with a phrase similar to そういえば … or ところで … followed by the negative verb. And, what I’m communicating is “I’m not assuming you should know, and won’t hold it against you if you don’t, but I wonder if …”.
Sorry for my long comment. I am fascinated by the process of learning a language.
Best wishes, Michael
I enjoyed reading your comment as well.
And I am also fascinated by your question.
Learning language is deep and interesting. You are not just learning the grammar and memorizing all the words and kanji.
こんにちはマギー先生！お元気ですか。
Could you please check these sentences?
１。うどんを食べとことがありますけどさむいうどんを食べたことがありません。(Is this the right use of けど?)
２。うどんはネギが入っています。 (Are these the right particles?)
ありがとうございます。
こんにちは、Grace!
はい、元気ですよ〜♪
１。うどんを食べとことがありますけどさむいうどんを食べたことがありません。(Is this the right use of けど?)
OK, you don’t say さむい for food. You say つめたい
Yes, you can use が・けれど・けど. が is more formal and けど is more casual
うどんを食べたことはありますが、つめたいうどんを食べたことはありません。(or つめたいうどんはありません。）
うどんを食べたことはあるけれど、つめたいうどんを食べたことはありません。(or つめたいうどんはありません。）
うどんを食べたことあるけど、つめたいうどんを食べたことはありません。・ないです。ない。(or つめたいうどんはありません・ないです。ない。）
Hello Maggie Sensei
Thank you for your lesson
Can you please check the sentence, if there is not natural or weird feeling in it?
こちらの本は特別教育をしないで短時間で独学することで日本語を習得したいあなたにとって最適な解決法です
Thank you again
Hello,
Not natural but I understand what you mean more or less.
特別教育 means special education. What about 学校に行かないで
Hello Sensei I Tried to fix it like this
こちらの本は学校に行かないで独学して短時間で日本語を習得したい人々に最適な解決法です
How about now?
OK, since you use で/て three times, it will be more clear to change the sentence a little
For example,
こちらの本は、学校に行かないで短時間*で日本語を勉強したい人に最適です。.
こちらの本は、短時間*に独学で日本語を勉強したい人に最適です。
(独学 implies without going to the school so you can omit one of them)
Well thank you very much sensei
どういたしまして ☺️
Hello Maggie先生. I’m confused about the term 二十歳。My textbooks say it is pronounced as ”はたち” but I’ve heard Japanese actors in dramas occasionally pronounce it as “にじゅうさい”. Are both interchangeable or are there specific situations to use one over the other (such as maybe にじゅうさい being a more youthful slang term)? Thanks in advance!
Hello Reeba,
There are three ways of reading 二十歳
にじゅっさい
にじっさい (I would say less common)
はたち
(But not にじゅうさい）
Basically they are interchangeable but when you are talking about coming-of-age, you tend to use はたち more.
Hellu Maggie sensei,
How are you? I hope everything is going well.
Today I have a question about さえ and would like to receive your help
I think さえ can be interchangeable with も in some case, and sometime sound weird.
I feel no difference between these 2 sentences
自分の名前さえ知らなかった。
＝自分の名前もしらなかった。
But how about these 2 cases, are they interchangeable?
(1)
母も反対された
母さえ反対された
And how about the following cases
(2)
私の結婚式には大学時代の先生も来てくださいました。
私の結婚式には大学時代の先生さえ来てくださいました。
Thanks my Lady.
Hello Frozenheart
It has been a long time. 元気でしたか？
自分の名前さえ知らなかった。
＝自分の名前もしらなかった。
Yes, they mean the same.
FYI you can say
自分の名前さえも知らなかった。
(1)
母も反対された
母さえ反対された
You want to say
Even my mother was opposed?
Then yes, they mean the same.
I would add で to the second one though.
母でさえ
(2)
Again I would add も to the second sentence to make it sound more natural.
先生さえも来てくださいました。
Thanks my Lady. I’m still alive !
Thanks for your answer. Always clear and always easy to understand.
You’re very welcome! Stay genki! ☺️
Hello sensei,
thank you for your help
There is a part of this sentence that i dont understand
涼さんは几帳面そうな感じだったし、5分前に着くことはあっても、流石に1時間も早く来ないだろうな
here what i dont understand
5分前に着くことはあっても
Does it mean he will come 5 minutes before?
Hi Sensei.
I want ask about “熱大陸”. is it have a meaning?
I only know “情熱大陸” is title of TV program, right?. But still dunno what meaning of it.
I became curious because I saw someone write “his name+熱大陸” (ex. 「渡辺」熱大陸). What does that mean in this case?
Hope my question not violate any rules regarding the subject of the question
Thank you sensei
Hello Unforgiven,
Right. 情熱大陸 is a title of the TV show which literally means “A continent of passion’
情熱 = passion
大陸 = continent
So if you make a parody title, “name +大陸” works better than “name + 熱大陸”.
熱 means “fever, heat”. I guess that person wanted to include 熱 to express some “heat” or forgot to erase the kanji. 😉
Thank you so much Sensei.
Anytime!
Sensei, a was listening to a music (HANABI – Mr. Chicken) and just stumble into a diferente particle used with 出来る。
It goes like that: 「決して捕まえることの出来ない。」- I saw your post about 出来る, but there wasn’t 「のできる」. That’s the same meaning of 「ができる」?
Hi Felipeだから
Ah, OK, when a verb modifies a noun, the particle sometimes changes to の
This できない modifies 花火のような光 (firework like light) (BTW, you mean Mr. Children, not 🐔 right? 😁)
You can say both
決して捕まえることの出来ない花火のような光
決して捕まえることが出来ない花火のような光
I’ll show you another example.
私はこの歌が好きです。(You can only use が）
But if it modifies a song, you can use either が or の
My favorite song
私が好きな歌
私の好きな歌
I have a lesson on that subject. I will add the link later.
Here you go. →How to modify a noun.
Oh, I see. That’s the difficult part of musics. I’m never sure where a sentence starts or ends… Thank you sensei, and sorry Mr. CHILDREN☆*:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:*☆笑.
You’re welcome and have a nice day!
Hi 先生！
This is a question about「訳にはいかない」. I saw your lesson on that topic and found it really enlightening. Only one doubt left:
Who is the subject of いかない？is it the person who “cannot “ do the thing ? Or is the sentence impersonal (like “it rains” in English)?
Thank you!
Alessandro
Hi Alessandro,
OK, for example,
彼を許すわけにはいけない。 = There is no way that I can forgive him.
The subject is the speaker “I”.
That was quick, thanks!
Alessandro
You’re very welcome!
Hi, sensei. Can you help me to check this translation.
普段からかなり考えている人じゃないとできないパフォーマンスというか。
It ’s a performance that can only be done by someone who is thinking about it.
is it the correct translation? じゃないとできない made me doubt a little
Hi polo,
Yes, you got the meaning of じゃないとできない right.
can only be done by ~
I think you know but 普段から (habitually, always, constantly)
Thank you soooo much Sensei
Godbless you
Anytime! ☺️
Hi Maggie Sensei,
I don’t really have a question but more of a request: I was wondering if you would ever make lessons/mini-lessons on それぞれ and Number+Counter当たり(eg 一人当たり).
They are both grammar structures that I could probably understand if I hear someone else use them, but struggle with using myself because I don’t quite understand what role those phrases play as part of a sentence (noun phrases? predicates?) nor am I ever sure whether or not to follow them with 助詞. The Tobira textbook I use does not explain those aspects, nor does it give enough examples to help me fully grasp the concept. I think your in-depth explanations would be just what I need to finally fully understand them.
I’m sure you’re busy, but if you think you can or will consider it, please let me know!
Even if you can’t, your other lessons are wonderful and I will always be grateful for them!
Hi Sora,
Sure, I will add it on the request lesson.
I may take some time but please wait. ☺️
Thank you sm, that’s wonderful to hear!
I will check back often!
🐶 💕
Hello Maggie-sensei,
Please, please help me with this sentence.
ラエティで斜めの切り返しをしてもウケるだろうという…
I’m stuck with “斜めの切り返し” and make me confused how to translate full sentence.
Onegashimasu, sensei
Again I don’t do the translation here but the literal translation is “diagonal counterattack”. It probably means “The way she responds to someone is not straight forward but probably sharp or original and wise.
Hi sensei,
How to translate this sentence?
人生が落とし込まれています
Hi klop
It is not a common expression and I have to imagine the context but
Your life is taking down (by someone)
Hola sensei,me puede decir que significa esta oración?
, Watashi wa himada
Hola Claudia,
Watashi wa hima da./ hima desu. = Estoy libre. / No tengo nada que hacer. (A veces tiene sentido de “Estoy aburrido/a”)
こんにちはマギ先生。私はJLPTN2のために勉強しょうと思っているけどどうやって始めるか迷っています。何か本を勧めてもらっていいと思います。楽しみにしてます。 😍😍
間違えたところがあったら文法とか語彙とか私に知らせてください。
I’m from Philippines and I will be working in Japan next month 🤗
Sensei is で and から interchangeable (to express reason)
eg I won’t buy because it is expensive
これ は たかい から かいません。
これ は たかい で かいません。
Is the following sentence correct?
せんせい に ききます。I will ask my teacher
せんせい を ききます。I will listen to my teacher
よく うた を うたいます。I often sing songs
うた を よく うたいます。I am good at singing songs
どうも ありがとう ございます
Hi soleyman
First to give a reason,
noun + で
i-adjecitve + ので
So your second sentence should be たかいのでかいません
たかいから
たかいので
They both means “because it’s expensive” ので is more formal and から is more conversational.
せんせい に ききます I will ask my teacher.
せんせいに〜をききます I will ask my teacher about ~ Ex. せんせいにじゅぎょうのじかんをききます。 I will ask my teacher the class time.
せんせいのはなしをききます。I listen to the teacher’s story.
よく うた を うたいます。/ うた を よく うたいます。
they mean the same. I often sing (a song)
To say “I am good at singing” うたがとくいです。うたがうまいです。うたをじょうずにうたえます。will be better.
Hello maggie sensei
thank you as always for your kind help
I want some tips to answer
通訳のときに工夫したこと
I actually apply job to be an interpreter for company.
I will be glad if you give me your opinion.
Only you know what you kept it in mind when you interpret so I can’t answer that.
But to think what kind of interpreter they want is a key.
Search “いい通訳には何が必要か” “通訳に求められるもの” etc, on Google. You get some idea.
(Ex. 正確さ, 情報収集, 的確さ, etc.)
Thank you very much sensei it helps me a lot
がんばってくださいね！ ☺️
Hello, Sensei!
I saw this sentence on twitter, but I don’t understand!
話はあれとして高校性の二人よきよき
I can’t understand this あれとして part, how could I understand it?
Is it something like ”Leaving that aside (あれ), The story is that two students are great/good (???)
先生、お願いします!
This is a very slangy expression.
話はあれとして It is not common anyway but I assume it is the same as 話は別にして putting the story aside,
よきよき is slang word for いい ( = good) (check my latest slang lesson)
Thank you, Sensei. I didn’t know it wasn’t common either.
I’ll check it right away there are so many slang I don’t know of.
You’re welcome!
Hi Maggie, really great site!
I would like to put a special shout-out to my wife at the beginning of my thesis.
For (name)
The One I Truly Love
Or Who I love the Most
Or anything super romantic or poetic
Can you give me a good suggestion?
Many thanks!
Hi martin
For (name)
The common ones are,
最愛の妻、(name)へ
最愛の妻、nameへ捧ぐ
But you can add your own phrase such as
いつも支えてくれる最愛の妻へ
Your wife is super lucky.
Hi Maggie, thank you for the quick reply!
I hope she feels lucky indeed.
But I can tell you, I am a very lucky person myself for sure.
I call her peanut, which became Pinatsu over the years. I guess it’s plural, but that’s fine.
I did see quite a few translations that look similar to what you wrote, but in all cases it becomes one sentence. Does the following make sense if I break it up in 2 sentences, and is it correct in grammar and spelling:
To my beloved Pinatsu
Who always supports me
最愛のピナツへ
いつも支えてくれる
or better to keep as one sentence:
いつも支えてくれる最愛のピナツへ
Many thanks again, much appreciated!
One sentence is better. いつも支えてくれる最愛のピナツへ
Another option is
最愛のピナつへ
いつも支えてくれてありがとう
I think you already know this but you usually write ピーナツ or ピーナッツ for Peanut.
I assume you are calling her, Pinatsu, “ピナツ” so I didn’t change it.
Thank you Maggie, I go with the second option of 2 sentences.
Muito obrigado (in Portugal now…)
De nada. ☺️
Hi Maggie, what do you think of this one?
I think it translates to something like
To Pinatsu
True love only for you
ピナつへ
真実の愛を君だけに
Looks good! 👍
(Just つ is in hiragana)
Perfect, then that is the one.
Thanks!!
You’re very welcome! I bet your wife will be super happy.
Hello sensei
thank you again
can you please check my sentence?
振りそうな雨が今週辺りにいずれきます
You can’t use 降りそう and いずれきます（？） together.
How do i correct this sentence sensei?
Not sure what you wanted to say. Can you write the English translation?
Rain = 雨
Rain that is likely to fall = 振りそうな雨
Rain that is likely to fall around this week = 今週の辺りに振りそうな雨 (こちらの例も正しいですか)
Rain that is likely to fall around this week will struck new york =
今週の辺りに振りそうな雨がNewyorkを打つそうです
Did I do it correctly sensei?
Not natural yet.
I would just say
今週辺り、ニューヨークに雨が降りそうです。
= It is likely to rain in New York sometime this week.
Hello sensei.
Thank you for your kindness helping everyone.
I need your help Sensei because i haven’t any idea how to translate this sentence;
お芝居は限界のない世界 追求するほど伝わるもの
The play/act is a world without limits, ???
Hello
There are two sentences.
お芝居は限界のない世界 Your translation is right.
追求するほど伝わるもの The pattern is ~ すれば（する）ほど〜 = the more you do ~, the more ~
The more you pursue, the more you can convey ~
Yes, i’m not sure with “追求するほど伝わるもの”
Thank you sensei for your help. Thank you so much
If you want to learn the pattern more, check my ほど lesson. I explained towards the end a little. the more (someone does something) the more ~
Hello sensei,
Thank you as always
I want to ask something
1. 後できりえさんに弁償をさせてもらう
2. 後できりえさんに弁償をしてもらう
Who is the person that pay compensation here in both number 1 and 2? Me or Kirie san?
Hello
It depends on the context.
The person who has to pay the compensation could be either the speaker or Kirie.
1.
1) I will have Kirie to pay the compensation to you later. (The speaker is close to Kirie)
2) We/ I will pay the compensation to Kirie later.
2.
1) I will have Kirie to pay the compensation.
2) (You are talking about someone in the previous sentence) I will have him/her pay the compensation to Kirie.
Hello sensei,
thank you for your reply
i wanna ask if there is a polite way to say
食べさせてあげる
You don’t say あげる ”to do something for someone superior” so the nuance is different but you can say
召し上がっていただく
Hello sensei
thank you for your lesson
could you please check this sentences?
12月のいつだったのかこんなに寒かったのか全く覚えません
I’m sorry sensei if you would help mw with only one more sentence
今日と明日教室参加予定があるので自分の教室からほかの教室まで歩くとき本と傘が濡れないように浮かせなかればなりませんですね
The last part, 浮かせなかればなりませんですね what did you want to say in English?
Hi keeiz
Hmm Can you write the English translation?
12月のいつだったのかこんなに寒かったのか全く覚えません
When is the last time in the previous December when I feel this cold?
(Description = I go outside and feel cold weather, so i remember that I have experienced it before (maybe last winter or winter 2 years ago, not really remember)
浮かせなかればなりません
(Usually in rainy season, if you bring things with you (in this case book and umbrella), You would want them not to touch the ground because it will wet, so you raise it a little higher)
In my mind > 地面に触れないように本と傘を浮かせる
I learn it from example sentence below = 壁に身体を預けながら、捻挫した方の足を浮かせて、もう一度片足で立ち上がる
Also I got it when English speaker says (Cold weather it actually translate to 寒い天気, but I do recheck that there is no word as 寒い天気. This is a common mistake for every Japanese learner), I have studied it for 4 years yet I still can barely manage to speak as native (kinda want to stop learning right now).
愚痴言うばかりでごめんなさい先生、多分これは最後の質問、少し休みたいと思います
1st question: OK, how about changing the word order, 12月にこんなに寒かったのはいつだったか覚えていない・思い出せない
2nd question: I understand the umbrella but I don’t get why book?? The book is in your hand or under your arms, right? It is not going to touch the ground.
Anyway, if the ground or floor is wet and you don’t want your umbrella to touch the ground, you can say
〜傘が地面（ground) or 床(floor) につかないようにして教室移動しなければいけない。
Right. When you are talking about the cold weather, you just say 寒い
When you get to the certain level, you might hit the wall. You can decide whether you give up or keep moving on. Don’t stress out. Enjoy every step of learning Japanese. If you get tired, get rest. 😉
Hello sensei,
thank as always
can you help me check the sentence?
今年の売上は三倍まで倍増する
Thank you
Hi, シロコ
倍増 means “to double” so using 三倍 “triple” might be a little confusing.
And you wanted to say “up to triple”? Then
How about 今年売り上げは三倍まで増える/増加する
i see my.mistake here, thank.you sensei
No problem!
Hello Sensei,
I am always thankful for your answer
Please tell me simple way to differ the usage of つける と かける
先生、おはようございます。いつもお世話になっております
少し気になることがあったが、つけるとかけるの見分ける簡単な方法がありますか？あるのなら教えていただけますか？
Hello keeiz
OK, for example
🍣に、しょうゆをかける to pour soy sauce on sushi
🍣に、しょうゆをつける to dip sushi into soy sauce
thank you sensei
You’re welcome!
Hello sensei
thank you as always
can you please check the sentence whether this is natural or not?
彼はむりやりに運転手から車の運転を代わってもらった
Thank you very much
Hi Malik
Yes, it looks natural to me.
Hello sensei
Good day
Can you please check my sentence
御社に是非会社員として入れてください
May be you can suggest the right sentence
OK, if I just check your grammar
会社員として is not necessary unless you are looking for some special posts, エンジニアとして、秘書として, etc.
御社に是非入れてください。is fine grammatically but it sounds a bit too direct.
There are so many formalities in business Japanese.
sensei, can you teach me how to make it polite?
Are you actually writing an email or letter for your job?
Have you had interview already?
I’m doing it for practice in future. 11th February I will do interview with Japanese person via skype
OK, it depends on the company and the type of you job but you usually show your enthusiasm or interests in that company and ask them to consider hiring you.
These are very formal expressions and it should match your speech so you don’t have to say this but you can say things like
Ex.御社のお役に立てるよう努力いたします。
Ex.誠心誠意努力いたします。
first and then ask them to consider hiring you.
You can use your style. Good luck!
Watashi wa doki doki suru desu
Thank you very much for your help sensei
You’ll be fine! FYI I have
job hunting lesson.
Hi sensei
when writing a question is it compulsory to put “?” after か
eg1 ……ですか？
eg2 ……です か。
which is correct, or both also ok?
お金もっていないから買えません。(eg from one of your lesson から)
Is the following correct??
もって = conjugate from もつ to possess
いない = conjugate from いる to exist
もっていない = to possess not (ie don’t have)
ありがと.
Hello soleyman
Both are OK.
Original Japanese didn’t have a question mark so you still don’t use it in formal/official writing.
But in modern/more conversational writing, either you can use it or not.
持っている This いる expresses the current state/condition.
Thus the negative form 持っていない describes the state of not having something.
Hello sensei,
pleased to meet you
I am trying to make a sentence in japanese. Can you help me to check it?
ご希望の給与は100千円けれどその以下の金額も構いません
thank you very much sensei
Hello シロコ!
はじめまして！
The speaker’s ideal salary is 100,000 yen?
希望の給与（額）は、１０万円ですが、それ以下の金額でも構いません。
100千円: You don’t use 千 when you count numbers more than 10,000 like in English.
1,000 = 千
2,000 = 二/2千
10,000 = 一/1万
100,000 = 十/10万
ご希望 this ご is honorific expression which you use for someone superior and you don’t use it for yourself.
Thank you very much sensei
これからもここに来て一生懸命日本語を勉強します
どういたしまして！
またぜひ、来てくださいね。☺️
Hello Sensei,
Always nice that I can meet you again
Please chekc my sentences as below
日本語が上手だと言われても私にも限界があります
例えば漢字がよく読めないこととか
Hi keeiz,
Though 限界 (one’s limit) is a bit strong word for 漢字がよく読めない, they are both grammatically correct.
hello sensei please suggest me a softer word, thank you
If you feel that is your limit, your sentence is just fine.
日本語がよくできると言われていますが、まだまだです。漢字はまだよく読めないし..(conversational)
日本語がよくできると言われていますが、例えば漢字はまだよく読めないなどまだがんばらなくてはいけないことがいくつかあります。
Another idea is to change 漢字がよく読めない to something more concrete or harder, it sounds more natural.
たとえば、日本語能力試験N3レベルの漢字までしか読めません。
Thank you, thank you very much. I got all the point here sensei.
Good!
how about using ほど sensei?
or the sentence itself needs correction?
Hello Maggie Sensei,
I have a question, I’m sorry I want to interact more with japanese person
via chat
so sometimes I want to say
“I’m sorry I don’t have good internet connection so sometimes it will be disconnected”
Please tell me how to say it in nihongo
Thank you very much
Hi Malik
OK, there are a few ways to say that but how about
ネットの接続（せつぞく）が悪（わる）いのでときどきつながらなくなります。ごめんなさい。
ネットの接続（せつぞく）が悪（わる）くて、つながらなくなることもあります。ごめんなさい。
Thank you very much sensei now I can learn more japanese via chat
Good! Enjoy learning Japanese via chat!
Hello Maggie sensei~ こんにちは^^
I want to ask something~^^;;
So my japanese friend explained something to me, and I want to respond it with “I kinda understand it now!”
Like… I understand about it but not 100% sure so it’s “kinda/kind of”
Is there any way to say it in a natural/casual form?
Thank you, sensei~
ps I learn a lot from you and just want to say that I feel thankful for finding your site^^ have a good day~
こんにちは、Han
I kinda understand it now!
You can say 何となくわかった・何となくわかりました。 （= Nantonaku wakatta/wakarimashita)
Good to hear you have been learning a lot from this site. ☺️
Thank you so much, sensei! ありがとうございました😊 have a good day and take care of your health as well^^
You’re very welcome!
Thank you! You have a nice weekend,too!
先生こんにちは！
「私たちは二人ともアニメが大好き」and「私たちどちらもアニメが大好き」
Are these two both correct expressions for ‘Both of us like anime’? Which one is more natural to use?
Thank you in advance!
こんにちは、Kris
Yes, you can say both
私たちは二人ともアニメが大好きです。
and
私たちはどちらもアニメが大好きです。
For this particular example sentence, I would say 二人とも is more natural.
Hello Sensei,
Thank you as always
Can you check my sentences and tell my if there is anything weird?
I tried to translate some essay
A: 今朝はとても寒いと感じた
B: そうですね、早朝私の車のフロントガラスは霜に覆われました。学校に行く前に水でスプレーしなければならなかった
A: この１２月の上旬でこんな寒かったのはだれでも思わなかった、とくにカリフォルニアの地域。朝起きた時に温度は華氏35度。ベッドから上がったとき体が凍えました。私は寒い天気にかかった
B: 午後に降るそうな雨にしっかりして下さい、寒くてぬるぬる
A: 今日の午後に雨が降りそうなのでしょうか？
B: はい
Hi Keeiz,
OK, I will check them this time but for future I can check one or two simple sentences /per person here.
If I do that for you, I have to do for other people as well. Thank you for understanding. 
A: 今朝はとても寒いと感じた →Grammatically OK but if it is a conversation, 今朝はとても寒かったですね。 is more natural
B: そうですね、早朝私の車のフロントガラスは霜に覆われました。→ 覆われていました
学校に行く前に水でスプレーしなければならなかった→Stick to one form. Since you use です・ます in the previous sentences, なかったです is better.
And connect two sentences so that it sounds more natural. 覆われていたので〜
A: この１２月の上旬でこんな寒かったのはだれでも思わなかった、
→You can’t continue the sentence with 思わなかった、
誰も思わなかったですね。
とくにカリフォルニアの地域。
→？？ How about ここはカリフォルニアだし。 (casual ending but it gives a reason.)
朝起きた時に温度は華氏35度。
→ ~で+ (continue with the following sentence) ベッドから出たときに体が凍えそうになりました。
私は寒い天気にかかった
→？？？ I am sorry but I don’t get it.You mean you caught a cold? If so
風邪を引いてしまいました。
B: 午後に降るそうな雨にしっかりして下さい、寒くてぬるぬる
→？？？
A: 今日の午後に雨が降りそうなのでしょうか？
→〜降りそうですか？
B: はい
Sensei thank you very much and I’m sorry to make it long. Okay I will be careful to not bother you too much and make it short
私は寒い天気にかかった (Maybe this is the right one > 私は寒い天気に襲われた)
午後に降るそうな雨にしっかりして下さい、寒くてぬるぬる > This is rather hard to translate from English
(Brace yourself for the rain this afternoon. Cold and Wet) The speaker is talking to his friend that the rain will come, so his friend better prepare for cold and wet rain
(I can translate english to japanese but when it is english to japanese, I think it is really hard -_-)
Thank you again sensei
天気 means “the weather” so you can’t use with かかる or 襲う
No English translation but if you want to use the verb 襲う
寒さに襲われた。・寒気に襲われた might work.
I wonder if you meant…午後冷たい雨に濡れることを覚悟してください。
Note: I added the correction of ベッドから上がったとき in my previous comment so please check.
Maggie sensei, thank you very much for your help again
No problem!
マギー先生、すみません。また疑問がありますよ
さっぷりに何ですか? 教えてください
I have googled さっぷり, but I didn’t find anything.
こいつらと話していると、あまりのバカさっぷりに、自分も混乱してくる。。。
ばかな (な形容詞) →ばかさ(名詞）
「ぷり」についてはレッスンがあるので見てくださいね。→Click this link
ありがとうございました。チェックする!
どういたしまして. Hope it helps..
Maggie先生、こんにちは！
すみません、お願いがあるんですが、先生が例文をチェックしていただけませんか。
１．誰があなたに 日本語を教えますか。
２．山田先生は私に 日本語を教えます。
２つの例文は合っていますか。
先生、どうもありがとうございます。
こんにちはHa Thao
1. Who is going to teach you Japanese? Then yes.
2. If it is an answer for 1. 山田先生が is better.
Maggie先生、
はい、分かりました。
どうもありがとうございました。
どういたしまして
Hello Maggie-sensei,
Happy New Year! I wasn’t sure how to translate this, so I was hoping you could help me:
落ち着きがない
I read it as “lacking composure” or “unrefined”. It’s used in this sentence:
“とにかく声が大きくて、落ち着きがない（笑）。”
Hi Joji,
Happy New Year 2u2!
You often translate 落ち着きがない →”restless”
Thank you very much for your help!
You’re very welcome!
Hi sensei
what is the meaning/function of う分
is the translation correct?
Eg sentence >> かかと は こぶし う分 開ける
Translation >> at the heel, make enough space to put your fist
kakato = heel
wa = topic marker
kobushi = fist
ufun???/ubun?? = ???
akeru = to make roon /space
Note i got this from sumo exercise
どうも ありがとう ございます
Hello soleyman
Where did you find the sentence? Hand written?
I think either it’s a typo or you read it wrong.
かかとはこぶし一*つ分開ける (Or could be 二、三..)
number + counter + 分（ぶん) = as ~ as ~/ just to fit number+counter / equivalent to number+counter
In this case, use a fist to measure the length or space
こぶし一つ分= kobushi hitotsu bun = the space of one fist
こぶし二つ分 = kobushi futatsu bun = the space of two fists
ありがとう sensei
You are right. Now I understand.
It was printed up to down.
一つ = is the correct reading, I read as う
ほんとありがとう
Good! Problem solved!
どういたしまして❤️
Maggie sensei, can you please suggest a book on Japanese grammar that contains detailed explanation of each pattern.
It depends on your level but I think, “the Dictionary of Japanese Grammar” explains all the details pretty well.
Hi, Sensei
I’m having trouble understanding this part ”何かちょっとしたことでこの” what does it mean?
”あなたの周りにも、何かちょっとしたことでこの「いじける」ような言動を取ったままの状態がしばらく続いてしまうような人はいらっしゃらないでしょうか？”
Thank you in advance, Sensei
Hello Read Umineko,
That means
to be sulky (to be in a bad mood) by something trivial
Thanks so much for answering Maggie sensei. I think I understand どう better now 何と is still really confusing.
You see, I read on weblio辞書 (online Japanese dictionary) that 何と has 3 definitions
(Copied from dictionary):
１ どのように。どんなふうに。どう。「これは何としたことか」
「何とご返事したらよいでしょう」
But would you say that どう返事したら良いでしょう is more natural? Is the dictionary being too formal or is これは何としたことか an unnatural thing to say?
(Second definition copied)
２ 感心・失望などの気持ちを強調して表す。なんて。「何と美しい花だ」「何と愚かな人だ」
I think I get this second definition. It’s like なんて for exclamatory sentences right? That makes me wonder if you can use なんと as a contraction for 何という in the same way as なんて as well…
３ 反語を表す。どうして。反応を探ったりするときに用いる語。どうだ。「何と、これでもか」
Well this definition from the dictionary hits me completely by surprise!
I’m sorry if this question is like asking you to create A whole new lesson on 何と in the comments room! (Sorry!) It’s just that I really want to understand 何と.
I realise that the と particle means “and then” like “XするとY” so I thought 何と meant “With What~X” but it seems there are many other uses. I really want to be able to use it in a way that isn’t unnatural.
You are right. There are quite a few ways of using なんと
1. 何とご返事したらよいでしょうか？ means 何と（言って）返事したら〜
And yes, you can also say どう返事したら
何と is more formal
You don’t say 何としたことですか
but you say これは何としたことか (This か is to express one’s surprised feelings and not a question)
It is a literal expression so you rarely hear that in conversation.
2. なんて and なんと
なんと is more literal
3. なんとこれでもか is an expression and it is usually used as a quote
何とこれでもかというくらいたくさんの花が咲いていた。
So many flowers were blooming
The more common one is これでもかというくらい・ほど〜
As you said, the space of this comment section is limited so maybe I should stop here. 😉
Hi Maggie sensei! Thanks so much for answering my last question!
It was really helpful and I had no idea なんだか had that pattern of use since other sites I read said it is the same as なんか, so thank you!
Anyway, I also have another big question about なんと which is really bugging me, that is…
何ですか means “what is it” and
どうですか means how is it
(or rather how are you?)
So 何 is WHAT and
どう is HOW…
1. And Yet
何ということですか
どういうことですか
mean the same right? I feel like there is a slight difference though
2. If I wanted to say “I want to win no matter what I have to do”
何としても勝ちたい
どうしても勝ちたい
Are the same? Or does a slight nuance exist? They can’t be the same right?
3. Come to think about it, my confusion between 何と and
どう leads to other questions as well
何としたらいい？
(What should I do?)
どうしたらいい？
(What should I do?)
(How should I do???)
何としたことですか
(What “thing” happened)
どうしたことですか
(What “thing” happened)
Are these all perfectly interchangeable??? I feel like they are different and どう is more natural???
4. And finally, according to dictionary,
なんと ことですか
is accepted to mean what kind of matter is this (what happened?)
and it makes me think it is a contraction for
なんと いう ことですか
and you can’t say どうこと
you have to have どういうこと(a “thing” called what) to make sense right?
So I come to think 何と is used as An Exclamation and a Contraction for 何という but then I read the dictionary and it says
何と=どう They are synonyms
HOW CAN THAT BE?????
I’m sorry if this qusetion is too long but I am just so confused. Thank you for reading.
1) 何ということですか is not the same as どういうことですか？
You say 何ということですか・何ということだ when you express your disbelief. Oh no../ How could it happened../ I can’t believe it happened. ,etc.
You use どういうことですか？ What do you mean (by that?) When you want to know the real intention of what you just heard.
If you want to know what is happened, you don’t use 何とっz言う小
2) They are more or less the same.
3) 何としたらいい？ (What should I do?) →Not natural
どうしたらいい？
(What should I do?)
(How should I do???)
→Natural.
何としたことですか
(What “thing” happened)
→Not natural. You can say 何があったのですか？ or どうしたのですか？
どうしたことですか
(What “thing” happened)
→Not natural. The same as above. 何があったのですか？ or どうしたのですか？
４）
なんと ことですか is not natural
You use なんと〜ことか (It is a very literal expression and you don’t hear that in conversation
Ex.朝の空気のなんと冷たいことか
How cold the air it is in the morning.
So as I mentioned in (1) どういうことですか？ means “What do you mean? “ works but not なんと〜か？
Hi Maggie sensei! I have been reading this site and it is SO helpful!
But anyway I have been trying to learn some new things and was wondering if you could help me.
So just to see if i’m right, please correct me if the meaning is wrong…
1. 何かしたい
I want to do something (anything really)
2. 何とかしたい
I gotta to do something, I really want to do something (I can’t just do nothing!)
3. なんとなくしたい
I dunno why but I want to do it (for no particular reason, not knowing why but for whatever)
4. 何だかしたい
For some reason I want to do it (I don’t exactly understand why but i want to do it)
You wouldn’t say
なんだかしたい to mean
(I want to do something)
You would say
なんかしたい (なにかしたい)
(I want to do something)
but rather, if you saw someone else doing something and you felt for some reason that you ALSO wanted to do it,
You would say なんだかしたい right?
Thank you for reading!
Hello Georgy,
Good interpretation!!
Just one additional information.
なんだか is often use with したくなってきた to express the change of your feelings.
何だかしたくなってきた
(After you saw someone else doing something and felt like doing it) Somehow I have an urge to do something
Hello sensei,
Thank you as always
I have a question about something
Let’s say we have 2 form (Positive sentence and negative sentences)
1. 彼は動くなくなった (This is negative)
2. 彼は動くなった (This is positive)
Please correct number 2, thanks
Hello keeiz
1. 彼は動くなくなった (This is negative)→動かなくなった
2. 彼は動くなった (This is positive)→動けなくなった
thank you sensei
Hello Sensei,
Thank you for your lesson
Can you correct this sentence if I’m wrong?
ここからパソコンの画面がよく見えないので画面を少し後ろに屈んでもいいでしょうか？
HI Malik,
The first part is OK but what do you mean by 画面を少し後ろに屈んでもいいでしょうか？
屈む means ”to bend down (talking about the body)”. You use it when you talk about one’s body and not 画面. And you can’t bend down 後ろ(behind).
I want to say that I want to bend the screen a little to the back so I can see it clearly
パソコンの画面は私の視線を合わせるように少し画面を後ろに（Bend)する
I was confused whether to use
屈む
曲がる
斜めにする
or any other correct which is verb
(Please teach me sensei)
How about
ここからパソコンの画面がよく見えないので画面を少し上に向けてもいいでしょうか？ (When you ask for the permission to bend it to the back)
ここからパソコンの画面がよく見えないので画面を少し上に向けていただけませんか？ (When you ask someone to do that.)
Thank you sensei I understand
Btw in this case can i use ずらす?
画面を後ろにずらす
and yes i will also use
上に向けて
Hmm I think people will understand what you mean but when you move the whole screen manually, ずらす might sound confusing.
You use ずらす for example when you move the chart on the screen up/down/right/left to see well.
Another possibility other than 上に向ける, you san say 上の方に少し傾ける
先生
ご教示ありがとうございます
機会があればまたお尋ねいたします
よろしくお願いします
どういたしまして！
またいつでも聞いてください。☺️
Hello maggie sensei,
Thank you as always
I have a question about 二親等
If i have a grandfather so He is my 二親等?
What is considered 二親等 in a family?
Hi keeiz
Yes, your grandfather is your 二親等
It refers to two generation from you.
Your parents, your grandparents, your children, and your grandchildren including your spouse’s parents, grandparents.
Hello Sensei
Thank you very much for your help
Anytime!
Maggie先生、こんにちは！
私はThao と申します。
先生のwebsiteを見て、いろいろ知識を受けます。
先生のおかげで、本当にありがとうございました。
私は４つの例文があります。正しいかどうかわかりません。先生がチェックしていただけませんか。宜しくお願いします。
①私は友達にプレゼントをもらいました。
⓶私が友達にプレゼントをもらいました。
⓷私はプレゼントをもらいました。
④私がプレゼントをもらいました。
私 は／が～もらう：どんな時、使いますか。
相手は私に聞いたとき：
誰がThaoさんに日本語を教えますか。
答えるとき、
「私は」と「私が」どちらが正しいですか。
先生は私に 教えていただけないでしょうか。
どうもありがとうございます。
こんにちは Thaoさん
①私は友達にプレゼントをもらいました。 OK
⓶私が友達にプレゼントをもらいました。
⓷私はプレゼントをもらいました。 OK
④私がプレゼントをもらいました。
⓶④ 私が〜
間違いではないです。
誰がもらったか、他の人ではなくて「私」ですと強調するときにそう言うこともあります。
たとえば、聞いている人が、誰がプレゼントをもらったかよく聞こえなかったとき、わからなかったときに、使います。一般的に、私は〜さんにプレゼントをもらいました。という話題を出すときは「は」を使います。
It is not a mistake. You only say that when you emphasize who got the present.
For example, the listener wasn’t sure who got the present,
I said “I” got the present…私がもらいました(Not other people. I got it.)
In this sense, it is possible to use が but in general, if you are talking about the fact that you got a present (from someone) you use は
Maggie先生、こんにちは！
先生がコメントを返事してくれて、本当にありがとうございました。その問題は分かりました。
すみません、もう1つの問題があります。
数字です。
4円：よんえん と よえん
9時：くじ と きゅうじ
7枚、7台：しちまい／しちだい と ななまい／ななだい
どちらも 使いますか。
どれが 自然な日本語ですか。
先生が教えていただけませんか。
どうもありがとうございます。
4円：よんえん と よえん → よえん
9時：くじ と きゅうじ → くじ
77枚、7台：しちまい／しちだい と ななまい／ななだい→ 「ななまい」 「ななだい」が、主流ですが、「しちまい」「しちだい」でも大丈夫です。
先生、はい 分かりました。
どうもありがとうございました。
どういたしまして
Hello Maggie sensei!
I’m a bit confused with the usage of ちゃんと.. Is there no proper way to translate this in english?
Thank you!
Hi ru
ちゃんと is a casual way to say きちんと・しっかりと
So it depends on the context but you often translate it as “properly”
Hi maggi sensei, is 個人的 use to pertaining to yourself? can i say 個人的の目標 ?
Hello Mei,
Yes, you can use 個人的 when you talk about yourself.
But one thing. 個人的の→個人的な
個人的な目標
Hello sensei can i ask you something
“I am about to laugh hard” > it means he doesn‘t laugh in the end but almost
“私は爆笑しているところです”
I tried to translate it to japanese is that right?
しているところ means “middle of doing something”
about to ~ is そうになる
爆笑しそうになった (In this case the past tense is more natural)
Thank you very much sensei you are lifesaver
Anytime! 😉
hello sensei
what do you think is the best way to memorise japanese grammar?
i usually make flashcards to memorise vocabulary (using Anki) but i’m not sure how to implement grammar into these flashcards. are there any other methods that i can do in order to remember grammar syntax/phrases?
thank you!
Hello kenani
I don’t know if you are already doing it but why don’t you write a few sentences using the grammar patterns that you learned? You write sentences and read them aloud. You can use all the vocabulary that you memorize using Anki.
Also You write English translation aside and try translating it in Japanese.
Good luck!
Hello sensei
Thank you for your hardwork
Can you please check the sentence and correct it if wrong
私は宿題をやるのはとても怠けるだ
(I want to say, “I am too lazy to do my homework”)
Hello keeiz
In Japanese a lazy person is 怠け者 and to be lazy is 怠ける
The most natural translation will be
（私は）宿題をするのが面倒くさい。
If you want to use the word 怠ける, you can also say
私は怠け者なので宿題をするのが面倒くさい。・宿題をしたくない。
Hello sensei
Thank you for your answer
Can I also say like this?
宿題をするのはだるいです
It is very conversational but yes, some people (especially young people) say that.
Alright thank you very much for your help
Anytime, keeiz!
Hello sensei
Rei Bun = 宿題 の 丸付け は 誰がする
Q1 What is the meaning of 丸付け
宿題 = homework
誰がする = who does it
Q2 Is this interpretation correct [ Who does the homework? ]
ありがとう
Ps are you in Japan now?
Hello soleyman
丸付け（丸をつける) means to check one’s answers.
You circle the answers (丸つけ） that are correct and if the answer is wrong, you write X ( = バツ） in Japan.
So it means “Who check the answers of homework?”
Yes, I live in Japan. ☺️
Hello Sensei
Thank you for your teaching
Please correct these sentences if there is a mistake
１．人を幸せにする方法
２．人を幸せさせる方法
３．人を幸せにさせる方法
Thank you very much
Hello keeiz
1. OK
2 and 3 are not natural.
Sensei I feel kind of confused with this usage of 結構 at the beginning of a sentence
as in ”結構、目覚めるのは天国とかだったりして?”
or ” 結構、ガチの凍らせ方。”
What does it mean? ”quite” just doesn’t seem right.
Thank you very much.
結構、目覚めるのは天国とかだったりして?
This 結構 is very conversational one. I think the writer used it as 案外・意外に (unexpectedly) you say that when you make a joke which is kind of extreme.
結構〜だったりして = You know what? It could be ~
As for the second one, I think the translation “quite or pretty” work.
Pretty serious way to freeze
Hello, Sensei.
I was listening to a game song and then I read the video description that was this sentence here:
”色々とヤバいゲームですが、面白いことには変わりないので、興味を持った方は是非ご購入くださいｗ”
However, some parts like ””色々とヤバいゲームですが” and ”面白いことには変わりない”.
I think ”色々とヤバイ” means ”Yabai in many ways”, but I’m not entirely sure though.
And ”面白いことには変わりない” what does it mean? is ことには some kind of grammar I don’t have any knowlodge about?
Hello Read Umineko,
色々とヤバいゲーム Yes, your translation is right. Yabai in many ways.
As you may know, yabai has many interpretations. It could be negative or positive. (Since it uses が = but, it probably means negative, such as controversial, scary, dangerous, etc.)
面白いことには変わりない the literal translation is “The fact remains that it is a fun game. ” = It is a fun game for sure.
Hope it helps.
Hi again, Sensei,
I was wondering why 変わりない and not 変わらない
As always, thank you sensei for clearing up my doubts.
Hello again,
They mean the same 変わり is a noun form and 変わらない is a verb.
When you report the situation.
(The situation hasn’t changed. ）
Ex. 状況に、変わりないです/変わりありません = 状況は変わっていないです。
There won’t be any difference even you do ~ . ~ をしても変わらないです = 変わりはありません。
The difference is,
You use 変わりない (polite 変わりありません） for greetings
Ex. お変わりありませんか？ (How have you been?)
more casual 最近、変わりない？
You don’t say 変わらない？ 変わっていない？ for greeting
なるほどね、ありがとうございました
☺️どういたしまして
Konnichiwa maggie sensei,I have a doubt in this sentence
“私は 子どもの頃 たった一枚の絵からアニメーションの世界(と)出会うことになりました”
Why と particle is used here?What role it plays?
Hello Ramya
For the verb 会う or 出会う you can use the particle either に and と
〜に会う・〜に出会う
〜と会う・〜と出会う
The nuance difference is に is one way and と is both way.
In this case アニメーションの世界 is not a person but I guess the writer feels close to the animation world.
Arigatou gozaimasu Maggie sensei
どういたしまして☺️
みなさん、明けましておめでとうございます！
Happy New Year, everyone!
今年もよろしくお願いします！
マギー先生、明けましておめでとうございます !😊😊😊
明けましておめでとうございます！！今年もよろしくね！