Lesson 22: More Direction
In Lesson 20, we learned a few directions: Migi (Right), Hidari (Left), Saki (in Front), and Ushiro (In back), along with a few phrases that can be helpful when talking about direction. You might think you don't need to know any other directions. But what if the place you want to go is on the other side of a building? Or the item you want the shop keeper to show you is on top of the cabinet? Or you left your homework under your books? There are still some more directions you need to learn.
Starting at the top, Ue (Oo-eh) is "on top". And Shita or Sh'ta (Sh-tah) is "Under" or "Beneath". Here's how you can use these words: First, what is it that the item is on top of or under? Lets say a table, Teeburu (Te-eh-boo-roo) in Japanese. Next is the particle no, because it's the table's top or bottom we are talking about, and "no" shows that something belongs to something else. Then the Ue, Shita, or other location words we've learned or are going to learn. The particle ni refers to locations. On top of, under, beside, inside, in front, in back, etc, are all locations. Now, what are we talking about? What is the item? Our subject? Since we're Pizza Cats fans, we'll say there is a Pizza - Piza on top of the table, and a Cat - Neko, under the table. Next the particle ga, to show this is what we are talking about. Finally, "Arimas'", or "Imas'". You've learned "Arimas'" already, "Imas'" is the same thing, but you use it when you are talking about people or animals. Put it all together now:
Teeburu no ue ni piza ga arimas'.
Teeburu no sh'ta ni neko ga imas'.
Try making a few of your own sentences using some of these words:
| Car=Kuruma |
On top=Ue |
Book=Hon |
| Refridgerator=Reizouko |
Under=Sh'ta |
Food=Tabemono |
| Box=Hako |
Beside=Soba |
Teacher=Sensei |
| House=Uchi |
Inside=Naka |
Mouse=Nezumi |
| School=Gakkou |
Outside=Soto |
Flower=Hana |
You can use the directions you learned in Lesson #20, and some of the other Japanese words you've learned to make up even more sentences. If you want to turn Migi and Hidare into a location instead of a direction, just add "gawa" (gah-wah) to it. "Gawa" means "side", so Migi = Right, Migi gawa = Right side. Hidare = Left, Hidare gawa = Left side. "Just use the formula: "_____ no _____ ni _____ ga arimas'/imas'." Remember, it's "Arimas'" for things, and "Imas'" for people and animals. Ganbatte!