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This is a list of
words that I think make a difference between the beginner and the
Intermediate. Each of these words are powerpacked with meaning
and usage. Click the 
for sound files.
LET'S START!
1. やっぱり yappari (or yahari) -
MEANINGS : As expected, of course!, just as suspected
EXAMPLES:
yappari ko-ra ga suki.
Of course! I like cola.USAGE # 1 Maybe you haven't had a cola for a long time and it tastes good. So this means 'remembering' something that you like or dislike after experiencing it again. やっぱり
yappari
I should have known! (as expected)USAGE # 2 When you catch someone doing something sneaky
2. でしょう deshou -
MEANINGS : Isn't that right? You agree don't you?
EXAMPLES: いいでしょう。
ii deshou.
This is good, isn't it? Isn't this good?This can be used in a variety of situations. Eating cake, choosing the right clothes...
nihongo ga muzukashii, deshou?
Japanese is difficult, right?In this case it is used as a kind of tag on to make sure people agree with your position.
chotto abunai deshou.
It's a little dangerous, isn't it?In this case the deshou is used mainly to soften the feel of the sentence. Instead of saying, "That's dangerous!" it has a feel of, "It's a little dangerous, isn't it?"
3. ね ne - I believe, I suppose, isn't it? Don't you think so?
NOTE: You can see by the many translations above that this one-letter word is packed with vitamin enriched POWER! I think the use of ne may be a shibboleth for non-native speakers, as for correct usage.
EXAMPLES:
atsui desu ne.
It's hot, isn't it.This little guy's meaning changes with the intonation of the speaker.
4. にくい ・ やすい nikui (something is difficult) / yasui - (something is easy)
USAGE : Attach this after -masu form of verbs. (The -masu form is just taking the polite masu form and dropping the -masu. That's all... Example: tabemasu -> tabe + nikui = tabenikui [difficult to eat])
EXAMPLES: このステーキは食べにくいです。
kono sute-ki wa tabe nikui desu.
This steak is hard to eat.Take the -masu form of a verb (taberu -> tabemasu), drop the masu (tabe-) and add 'nikui' or 'yasui' (tabenikui = hard to eat; tabeyasui = easy to eat)
kono pasokon wa tsukaiyasui desu.
This computer is easy to use.tsukaimasu ('to use' masu form) --> tsukai- --> tsukai+yasui pasokon is a mix of Personal + Computer
5. なるほど naruhodo - I see, I understand, indeed
MEANINGS :
EXAMPLES:
kono botan o oseba, dorinku ga dete kimasu.
If you push this button, the drink will come out.ああ、なるほど。
aa naruhodo.
Oh, I see.Whenever something is explained and you see the logic, naruhodo is used. It is also used to show that you agree with the speaker's explanation or thoughts.
6. きのせい ki no sei - just my imagination
MEANINGS :
EXAMPLES:
ima no oto wa nan darou?
What was that sound just now?気のせい、でしょう？
ki no sei, deshou?
It's just your imagination, isn't it?This useful phrase can be used in a variety of situations where you let your imagination get the best of you. The ki in kinosei is 気 which has many meanings, but in this case it perhaps means one's heart or feelings.
7. 念のため nen no tame - just in case, just to make sure
MEANINGS :
EXAMPLES: たぶん電気を消したけど、念のためにも一度チェックします。
tabun denki o keshita kedo, nen no tame ni mo ichi do chekku shimasu.
I am pretty sure I turned off the lights, but just in case I will check one more time.Not too difficult just use it when you want to say 'just in case.'
nen no tame ni, kusuri o wasurenaide ne.
Just in case, don't forget the medicine.Here the ne is added to give a soft touch.
8. つもり tsumori - plan, intention, going to do (something)
MEANINGS :
EXAMPLES:
bi-chi e iku tsumori desu.
I am planning to go to the beach.plain (dictionary form) verb + tsumori
9. つまり tsumari - that is, to put it plainly
MEANINGS :
EXAMPLES:
tsumari, han nin wa anata desu.
To put it together, the criminal is you.You can use tsumari when summing up something that you have already said or bringing a conclusion to what you said.
10. できるだけ dekiru dake - as much as one can; as much as possible
MEANINGS :
EXAMPLES:
dekiru dake takusan tabete ne.
If you can, please eat a lot.Here again the ne is used to soften the sentence.
11. なるべく narubeku - as ~ as one can; if possible
MEANINGS :
EXAMPLES:
naru beku hayaku kite kudasai.
Please come as fast as possible.
12. わざと wazato - on purpose, purposely
MEANINGS :
EXAMPLES: わざと でしょう。
wazato deshou.
(I) did it on purpose, you know.This phrase can be useful when covering up a mistake to make it look like it was intended. I saw a juggler in Yokohama once who after dropping a lit torch belted out this phrase, 'wazato deshou!'
anata wa wazato uso o tsukimashita ka?
Did you intentionally lie?
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Last updated:
Sunday, August 13, 2000
