第９課・上級へのとびら Grammar From 文法ノート

Front 1

この漢字の書き方は、覚えても覚えなくてもいいです。

Back 1

Whether you memorize the way to write this kanji or not, it' fine.

Hint 1

V–te も V–nai なくても

"Whether V or not"

Front 2

犬は外でトイレをするから、天気がよくてもよくなくても、毎日散歩に連れて行かなくてはいけない。

Back 2

Dogs go to the bathroom outside, so whether the weather is good or not, you must take them out for a walk with you.

Hint 2

A–te も A–nai なくても

"whether A or not"

Front 3

この映画は子供でも子供 {じゃ/で} なくても、楽しめます。

Back 3

Whether you are a kid or not, this movie is enjoyable.

Hint 3

{ANa/ANo/N} でも {ANa/ANo/N} {じゃ／で} なくても

"whether X or not"

Front 4

このアパートは家賃が安いから、静かでも静か {じゃ/で} なくても、借りようと思っています。

Back 4

This apartment's rent is cheap, so whether it is quiet or not I think I will rent it.

Hint 4

{ANa/ANo/N} でも {ANa/ANo/N} {じゃ／で} なくても

"whether X or not"

Front 5

日本の代表的な伝統系能に、能と狂言がある。前者は悲劇で後者は喜劇だ。

Back 5

Among the traditional performing arts of Japan are Noh and Kyougen. The former is a tragedy and the latter is a comedy.

Hint 5

前者は（〜）{V–te/A–te/ANa で/N で/}、後者は〜

"The former ~, and the latter ~"

This sentence structure is used to refer separately to the two things, people, etc. mentioned in the previous sentence.

Front 6

この大学には、韓国、中国、台湾、といったアジアの国々からの留学生がたくさんいる。

Back 6

In this university, there are many exchange students from asian countries, such as Korea, China, and Taiwan.

Hint 6

N1 {や／、} N2 {や／、} といった {N/NP}

"like; such as N"

といった X is used to present examples of X. X is always a noun or noun phrase.

といった may be preceded by nouns, noun phrases and sentences.
*
If preceded by nouns, 2+ nouns are presented
**
If preceded by sentences or phrases, only one sentence or phrase is presented.

などのN and のような N are similar in meaning, but they are usually not preceded by sentences.

Front 7

日本語が上手に話せるようになるには、丁寧な話し方やくだけた話し方、敬語といったスピーチレベルが違う話し方の練習もしなければならない。

Back 7

In order to become able to speak Japanese skillfully, you must practice the different levels of speech like polite speaking, humble speaking and honorific speaking.

Hint 7

Phr1(、Phr2,~)といった {N/NP}

[in this structure, Phr could also be a sentence]

"like; such as N"

といった X is used to present examples of X. X is always a noun or noun phrase.

といった may be preceded by nouns, noun phrases and sentences.
*
If preceded by nouns, 2+ nouns are presented
**
If preceded by sentences or phrases, only one sentence or phrase is presented.

などのN and のような N are similar in meaning, but they are usually not preceded by sentences.

Front 8

日本に留学したいと思う一方、外国に住むことに不安もある。

Back 8

While I think I want to be an exchange student in Japan, I'm a little nervous about living in a foreign country.

Hint 8

S1　一方（で）、S2.

"While; when; at the same time; on the other hand"

The conjunction 一方 is used to present two contrastive situations or two concurrent states, events or actions.

一方 is usually used in written language.

Front 9

勉強が忙しい一方で、学費のためにアルバートもしなければならないから、毎日本当に大変です。

Back 9

I'm very busy with studying, at the same time, I have to work at my part time job to pay my tuition so every day is difficult.

Hint 9

S1　一方（で）、S2.

"While; when; at the same time; on the other hand"

The conjunction 一方 is used to present two contrastive situations or two concurrent states, events or actions.

一方 is usually used in written language.

Front 10

日本語を勉強してみたいと思う。一方、フランス語もいいね。

Back 10

I think I would like to learn Japanese. On the other hand, French is nice too.

Hint 10

S1. 一方(で) 、S2.
[S1 could be a VN]

"On the other hand,"

The conjunction 一方 is used to present two contrastive situations or two concurrent states, events or actions.

一方 is usually used in written language.

Front 11

将来は、ヨーロッパ、あるいは、アジアで仕事ができたらいいと思っている。

Back 11

In the near future, I think it will be good if I can work in either europe or asia.

Hint 11

N1(、N2、〜）あるいは Nn

"or; either ~ or ~"

あるいは is used to connect alternatives. It is usually used in formal speech or written language.

Front 12

メールを出すか、あるいは、電話をするか、どちらでもいいが、とにかく連絡しなくてはいけない。

Back 12

Either send a letter or place a call, either is fine, but for now you must get in contact.

Hint 12

S1 か、あるいは、S２ か

"or; either ~ or ~"

あるいは is used to connect alternatives. It is usually used in formal speech or written language.

Front 13

バスがなかなか来ない。授業に遅れてしまいそうだ。

Back 13

The bus is not readily coming. It seems I'll be late to class.

Hint 13

なかなか V–nai ない

"not easily; not readily; difficult to~; slow to; to refuse to"

なかなか with V–nai is usually used when something desirable doesn't happen easily or when something that is supposed to happen doesn't happen.

Front 14

来週、母の弟、つまり、叔父が中国から遊びに来ます。

Back 14

Next week, my mom's little brother, that is to say, my uncle is coming from China to play.

Hint 14

N1/NP1, つまり、N2/NP2
"That is (to say); in other words; namely; (that) means; you mean ~?"

つまりis used to rephrase or restate what has just been mentioned or stated.

Front 15

登校拒否というのは、つまり、いじめなど理由で学校に行かなくなるという意味です。

Back 15

toukoukyohi (truancy) means, namely, to stop going to school because of reasons like bullying.

Hint 15

N/NP （というの）は、つまり〜{だ／（という）ことだ}
"That is (to say); in other words; namely; (that) means; you mean ~?"

つまりis used to rephrase or restate what has just been mentioned or stated.

Front 16

将来、小学校の先生になりたいと思っています。そこで、ボランティアで子供達を教えてみることにしました。

Back 16

In the near future, I think I want to become an elementary school teacher. Because of that, I decided to try volunteering to teach children.

Hint 16

S1, そこで, S2.

"Because of that; therefore; so"

そこで is used to indicate and action (to be) taken because of the situation presented in S1.

それで may replace そこで

そこで may only replace それで when S2 is a controllable action.

ex.　寒かった。それで、見に来た人が少なかった。
only それで can be used here.

Front 17

私はウニ以外の寿司は、何でも食べられる。

Back 17

I can eat any sushi except sea urchin.

Hint 17

{N1/DemP} 以外の N2
"but; except; other than; besides"

X以外のY　means "Y, excluding X." のY is often omitted.

Front 18

それ以外の日

Back 18

any day but that one

Hint 18

{N1/DemP} 以外の N2
"but; except; other than; besides"

X以外のY　means "Y, excluding X." のY is often omitted.

Front 19

週末は、勉強以外に、テニスをしたり映画を見たりします。

Back 19

On the weekends, besides studying I play tennis and watch movies.

Hint 19

{N/DemP} 以外に

"Besides N/DemP"

X以外に means "besides X" and に is sometimes omitted.

Front 20

どんなに大変でも、日本語の勉強は決してやめない。

Back 20

No matter how difficult, I will definitely not stop my Japanese studies.

Hint 20

決してV–nai { ない／なかった}
決して V–masu {ません／ませんでした}

"Never; by no means; not~ at all; not ~ in the least; definitely not"

expresses strong negation of an idea, situation, possibility, etc. or strong prohibition

Front 21

今日の試験は決してやさしくありませんでしたが、みんなよくできていました。

Back 21

Today's test was by no means easy, but every one did well.

Hint 21

決して A–nai {ない／なっかた／ありません／ありませんでした}

This grammar expresses strong negation of an idea, situation, possibility, etc. or strong prohibition.

Front 22

彼は決して悪い人間ではない。ちょっとわがままだけだ。

Back 22

He is not a bad person at all. He is just a little selfish.

Hint 22

決して{ANa/ANo/N}　{では/じゃ} { ない／なかった／ありません／ありませんでした}

Front 23

アルバイトで忙しいという理由で、学校を休む学生がいます。

Back 23

Because they are busy with part time jobs, there are students taking a break from school.

Hint 23

S–plain という理由で

"because"

(lit. for the reason that~) is used to present the reason for a state, event, or action stated in the main clause.

The phrase is usually used in written language.

Front 24

これらの問題についてもっと話し合ってみる必要がある。

Back 24

We need to try to talk together more with regard to problems like these.

Hint 24

Demonstrative pronounら
"these; those; they; –s; and others"
[plural dem. pronouns can be used in polite speech]

The plural marker ら is often used with demonstrative pronouns and certain personal pronouns.
plural personal pronouns are not used in polite speech.

Front 25

彼らが言っていることはよく分からない。

Back 25

I don't really understand the things those guys are saying.

Hint 25

Personal pronoun ら

"these; those; they; –s; and others"
[plural dem. pronouns can be used in polite speech]

The plural marker ら is often used with demonstrative pronouns and certain personal pronouns.
plural personal pronouns are not used in polite speech.

Front 26

男の子が興味を持つオタク文化に対して、カワイイ文化は女の子に人気があるようだ。

Back 26

Boys are interested in otaku culture; one the other hand, girls are interested in the "cute" culture.

Hint 26

Nに対して
"whereas; on the other hand; in contrast"

に対して is used when contrasting two actions, states, situations, etc.

Front 27

日本語は文法が難しいのに対して、中国語は発音が難しい。

Back 27

Japanese grammer is difficult, whereas in Chinese, pronunciation is difficult.

Hint 27

Sのに対して
"whereas; on the other hand; in contrast"

に対して is used when contrasting two actions, states, situations, etc.

Front 28

私の知っている限り、外国人が使いやすい日本語の辞書はないんですよ。

Back 28

As far as I know, there are no Japanese dictionaries that are easy for foreigners to use.

Hint 28

V–plain 限り
"as long as; as far as; while; until; unless; as much as; as much as (one can)"

this grammar is used when something is the case or is true as long as the condition in X holds true. It is also used to indicate the extent to which one can do something or one knows something. (as far as one can; as far as one knows)

Front 29

私はこの仕事が終わらない限り、家に帰ることが出来ない。

Back 29

Until this job is finished, I can't return home.

Hint 29

V–plain 限り
"as long as; as far as; while; until; unless; as much as; as much as (one can)"

this grammar is used when something is the case or is true as long as the condition in X holds true. It is also used to indicate the extent to which one can do something or one knows something. (as far as one can; as far as one knows)

Front 30

本当である限り
本当でない限り

Back 30

As long as it's true...
As long as it isn't true...

Hint 30

ANoで {ある／ない}
V–plain 限り
"as long as; as far as; while; until; unless; as much as; as much as (one can)"

this grammar is used when something is the case or is true as long as the condition in X holds true. It is also used to indicate the extent to which one can do something or one knows something. (as far as one can; as far as one knows)

Front 31

雨が強く降ってきたにもかかわらず、サッカーの試合は続けられた。

Back 31

Despite the fact that it came to rain fiercely, the soccer match continued.

Hint 31

X にもかかわらず Y
where X is
{V/A}–plain

ANa {な／じゃない／だった／じゃなかった}

N {の／じゃない／だった／じゃなかった}

"in spite of (the fact that ~); despite (the fact that ~); although; though; nevertheless"

This construction is used to mean "Y in spite of X." It is used when Y is the case even though Y is not usually expected from X.

Front 32

せっかく日本語を３年も勉強したのだから、ぜひ一度、日本に行ってみたいです。

Back 32

I took the trouble to study Japanese for as many as 3 years, so at least once I want to try going to Japan.

Hint 32

せっかく V {のだから/のに}
"with effort; at great pain; take the trouble to do ~; ~, which is a rare occasion/event/etc."

せっかく is used in 2 situations:
(1) when the speaker/writer does something with a lot of effort or at great pain ad therefore he/she wants to make use of it; or, in spite of the effort or pain, he/she cannot make use of it.
(this is the case here)

Front 33

せっかくケーキを焼いたのに、誰も食べてくれなかったから、がっかりした。

Back 33

Even though I took the trouble to bake a cake, nobody ate it and I was disappointed.

Hint 33

せっかく V {のだから/のに}
"with effort; at great pain; take the trouble to do ~; ~, which is a rare occasion/event/etc."

せっかく is used in 2 situations:
(1) when the speaker/writer does something with a lot of effort or at great pain ad therefore he/she wants to make use of it; or, in spite of the effort or pain, he/she cannot make use of it.
(this is the case here)

Front 34

せっかくの野球の試合が雨で中止になってしまった。

Back 34

The rare baseball match was called off for rain.

Hint 34

せっかくのN
"with effort; at great pain; take the trouble to do ~; ~, which is a rare occasion/event/etc."

せっかく is used in 2 situations:
(2) when a given opportunity is rare and therefore he/she wants to make use of it; or, in spite of their opportunity, he/she cannot make use of it

Front 35

せっかくですが、今日は仕事が忙しくて。

Back 35

This is a rare (event, invitation, etc), but I'm busy with work today...

Hint 35

せっかく{ですが／ですけど／だけど／etc}

"with effort; at great pain; take the trouble to do ~; ~, which is a rare occasion/event/etc."

せっかく is used in 2 situations:
(2) when a given opportunity is rare and therefore he/she wants to make use of it; or, in spite of their opportunity, he/she cannot make use of it

Front 36

春と言っても、寒くてまだセーターを着ている。

Back 36

Even though they say it is spring, it is cold and we are still wearing sweaters.

Hint 36

{ANa/N} + {だ／じゃない／だった／じゃなかった} {と／って} 言っても

"although ~ say/said that ~; even though ~ say/said that ~"

Front 37

この文法は難しいと言っても、全部分からないわけではない。

Back 37

Even though they said this grammar was hard, it's not like I can't understand all of it.

Hint 37

{V/A}–plain {と/って} 言っても

"although ~ say/said that ~; even though ~ say/said that ~"

Its used to clarify what has just been said in order to avoid misunderstanding. って is used in place of と in casual conversation or writing.

Front 38

予定が思うように進まないので、とても困っています。

Back 38

Plans are not proceeding as wished; it's very troubling.

Hint 38

思うように〜ない
[–>typically, ~ is V–potential]

"not ~ as one wishes"

This phrase means that something is not in accord with the speaker's/writer's (or the subject's) wish or desire.
The verb potential form is usually used in this structure.)