Introduction
Lesson 22 introduces how to modify nouns using sentences in Japanese. This is an important grammar point that allows learners to describe people, objects, events, and plans more precisely. By combining verbs or adjectives with nouns, you can create sentences that sound natural and convey more detailed information.
1) Noun Modification with Sentences
In Japanese, a sentence can be placed before a noun to modify it. This allows you to explain what is happening, who is involved, or what the noun refers to. The sentence used for modification is usually in the dictionary form for verbs or plain form for adjectives and nouns.
Examples (hiragana):
ใใใใใ ใคใใฃใ ใฆใใฟใ โ the letter that I wrote
ใใใใ ใใ ใใ ใใ ใใ โ the homework that I will do tomorrow
ใใใฎใ ใใฃใ ใปใใ โ the book that I bought yesterday
Notes:
The verb or adjective comes before the noun.
Use the dictionary form for present and future actions. For past actions, use the plain past form.
This structure works for both affirmative and negative sentences.
2) Using Sentences to Describe Time or Events
Lesson 22 also focuses on using sentences to explain time, appointments, or errands. This is very common in daily life when talking about schedules or plans. Words like ใใใ (time), ใใใใ (appointment), and ใใใ (task/errand) are often modified by a preceding sentence.
Examples (hiragana):
ใใใใใซ ใใใ ใใ ใใใใ โ the class that ends at three oโclock
ใใใใ ใใ ใใใใใ โ the appointment that I have tomorrow
ใใใใ ใใ ใใใใ โ the errand that I will do today
Notes:
The sentence before the noun gives context or details about the noun.
This helps make your communication clear and specific.
3) Negative Form for Noun Modification
When describing nouns in the negative, use the plain negative form of the verb before the noun.
Examples (hiragana):
ใใในใชใ ใฒใใใฏใใ โ the lunch that I will not eat
ใใใพใชใ ใปใใ โ the book that I do not read
ใใใใชใ ใใใใใ โ the appointment that I will not attend
Notes:
Negative forms follow the same pattern as positive forms.
This allows learners to describe what is not happening or what someone is not doing.
4) Past and Future Actions
Past actions are described using the plain past form before the noun. Future actions use the dictionary form. This helps learners talk about completed tasks, planned events, or future appointments clearly.
Examples (hiragana):
ใใใฎใ ใใ ใใ ใใ ใใ โ the homework I did yesterday
ใใใใ ใใ ใใใใ โ the movie I will go to tomorrow
ใใใฃใ ใใฃใ ใใ ใใฎใ โ the fruit I bought just now
Notes:
This pattern works for both affirmative and negative sentences, past and future.
It is very useful for daily conversation, schedules, and describing plans.
Summary
Lesson 22 teaches learners how to use sentences to modify nouns effectively. By placing verbs or adjectives before a noun, learners can:
Describe actions or events related to a noun
Explain times, appointments, or errands
Use past, present, and negative forms naturally
Mastering this structure allows learners to speak and write with more detail and clarity, making Japanese sentences more natural and precise.