#benkyogo
JLPT N3 Grammar - けど
Are you using it right??
Use this grammar point to instantly sound more native, and less robotic.
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
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Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N5 Grammar - てください
Are you using it right??
How do you ask someone to do something without sounding like a teacher? Hint: not like this!
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
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Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N3 Grammar - というより
Are you using it right??
Find out how to slightly and politely disagree with what someone has said about an opinion or situation in this episode of Bunpogo. We also cover the casual form,ていうか.
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
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Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N5 Grammar - しなければいけない・ならない
Are you using it right??
These double negatives are super confusing, but we explain the basics of the “have to”’s in this episode of Bunpogo!
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up
JLPT N3 Grammar - なんか
Are you using it right??
How do you fill the space between saying one word in Japanese and searching in your brain-dictionary to find the next one? Find out in episode 23 of bunpogo.
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N3 Grammar - いったい
Are you using it right??
We jump back into JLPT N3 grammar with いったい - translated as anything from “What on EARTH?!” to “What the f–?!” - but is it really that strong? And does anyone even say it??! Find out in the next 4 minutes…
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N4 Grammar - 〜でも
Are you using it right??
In this episode we tackle the differences between でしょう, だろう(ね),and だろ and look into gender differences in Japanese speech.
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N3 Grammar - がたい
Are you using it right??
If you think you heard かしら a bunch of times in anime, you’d be right. But did you then start using it? BIG mistake… find out why in episode 12 of Bunpogo!
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
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Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N2 Grammar - あるいは
Are you using it right??
In this episode we explore the 2 meanings of あるいは, but after all the hassle do we even use it??! Find out in 2 minutes how to say it in casual, formal and business situations.
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
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Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N3 Grammar - もしかしたら
Are you using it right??
In this episode we find out the difference between もしかしたら、 たぶん and おそらく. Find out how to use ‘maybe’ in business and casual settings in just 3 minutes!
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N2 Grammar - ということで
Are you using it right??
In this episode we take a look at the JLPT N2 grammar ‘ということは’. It’s a great phrase when you want to confirm what someone just said, or ask a question about some missing information. There are no Japanese subs in this video, as by N2 level you are expected to understand the content. But feel free to press CC for English subs during the tricky bits!
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N3 Grammar - 的（てき）
Are you using it right??
In this episode we take a look at the JLPT N3 grammar ‘的 (てき)’ and discover how in the 1990’s a media personality with a very interesting Wikipedia page changed the usage of 的 forever…
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N4 Grammar - 始める（はじめる）
Are you using it right??
In this episode we take a look at the JLPT N4 grammar ‘V(stem)はじめる’. So, you started studying Japanese 3 years ago but just how do you tell people about it?
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N5 Grammar - 上手（じょうず）
Are you using it right??
Find out how to use 上手 and talk about what you’re good at without sounding like an ass.
Welcome to Benkyogo!
————-
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS
- Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends
- Say anything rude to your Japanese boss
- Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
Check out the accompanying YouTube video here!
On Episode 2 of the Writing Business Japanese Series, we’re going to check inventory, or stock levels. This email can be used and adjusted when you’re looking to place an order for a large quantity of products from a company who you have been in touch with in the past, but want to make sure they have it in stock.
Subject: 〇〇の在庫についての問い合わせ
田中 様
いつもお世話になっております。
（株）BENKYOGOの山田です。
早速ですが、〇〇の在庫についてお問い合わせしたく
ご連絡させていただきました。
つきましては１００個注文したいのですが、
在庫はございますでしょうか。
急なお願いで大変恐縮ですが、折り返しご回答よろしくお願いいたします。
山田
Let’s take a look at the mail in more detail.
Subject: 〇〇の在庫についての問い合わせ
The subject line should be short and sweet. We use 問い合わせ here to mean ‘enquiry’. In an email’s subject, you can use the phrase [insert topic]についての問い合わせ to give a clear idea about what your enquiry is.
いつもお世話にっております。
This literally means something like “You’re taking care of me”, but in business terms it’s a standard greeting. “ーておます” is used here, which indicates this is a business relationship that is already established. If you are making a new connection, it is sometimes better to say ‘お世話になります’.
（株）BENKYOGOの山田です。
（株）here is the shortened version of 株式会社 – incorporated company. When talking about your own company, you can use the shortened version, but be sure to use the full version when referring to another company.
早速ですが、〇〇の在庫についてお問い合わせしたく
ご連絡させていただきました。
Once again we are using 問い合わせ, however, here we are using it as a verb. We are actually saying, “I want to enquire about…[insert topic], so I’ve contacted you”. However, in order to link the new sentences, we use the stem form of したい which becomes したく.
ご連絡させていただきました literally means “you have given me permission to contact you”, but in reality it is a polite way of saying “so, I’m contacting you.”
つきましては１００個注文したいのですが、
在庫はございますでしょうか。
State how many items you need. Then, ask if they have it in stock. ございます is both the humble and respectful form of ある – to have. Therefore you can say:
蔵庫がございます – “we have the stock”, when talking to a customer,
or 蔵庫はございますか – “do you have the stock?”, when talking to a vendor.
急なお願いで大変恐縮ですが、折り返しご回答よろしくお願いいたします。
Finally we apologise for the sudden request (急なお願い) and request their response (折り返しご回答).
折り返し means return, and is used most commonly in the phrase – 折り返しお電話いただけますか。- “could you call me back?”
Here it means, could you return your answer to my enquiry? i.e. can you reply to me?
在庫 stock, inventory
問い合わせ enquiry
お世話になる: I’m indebted to you
株式会社 incorporated company
（株）short for 株式会社
早速 sudden
ご連絡 contact (formal)
注文 order
ございます keigo form of the verb ある
急なお願い sudden request
大変 extremely
恐縮 sorry
折り返し return
ご回答 (your) reponse (polite)
Welcome to Benkyogo!
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Links mentioned in this video
Reddit scripts: https://tinyurl.com/y37qspoo
Text mining: https://textmining.userlocal.jp/
Read the blog post here: https://benkyogo.co.uk/?p=320
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⛩ Visit the Benkyogo blog for more ways to learn Japanese!
https://www.benkyogo.co.uk/
～ば～ほど
Grammar 文法:
えばform of the verb + Verb in plain form + ほど
e.g.
食べれば＋食べるほど
Meaning 意味：
This is quite a complicated pattern to get your head round. It translates when used in a sentence as ‘the more…, the more…“, “the less… the less” and so on. It is used when expressing the idea that the more times you do one thing, the more you will get the same consequence.
Examples 例え：山は登れば登るほど、気温が低くなる。
The higher you climb the mountain, the lower the temperature gets.お礼の手紙を出すのは早ければ早いほどいい。
When writing a thank you letter, the sooner you write it, the better.あの人の話は聞けば聞くほどわからなくなる。
The more you listen to that person’s story, the less you understand.
⛩ VisitBenkyogo.co.uk for more ways to learn Japanese
Watch Benkyogo on YouTube.
Benkyogo Store: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Benkyogo
Post link
VERB STEM + 始める - BEGIN TO DO SOMETHING, START TO DO SOMETHING——————————————————————–
See all JLPT N4, N3, and N2 grammar revision points HERE
——————————————————————–Grammar 文法：
Verb (stem) + 始める
- The stem of a verb is the masu-form of the verb without the ます ending. E.g. 食べます -> 食べ, 飲みます -> 飲み, 行きます -> 行き.
- Add 始める to the end of these stems to form the meaning ‘begin to’.
Meaning 意味：This grammar point is used when you are describing a verb that begins to be enacted. For example, to begin to walk, to begin to talk, to begin to study, and so on.
Examples 例え：
日本では、冬になると 雪 が 降り始めます。
In Japan, when it becomes winter, snow begins to fall.
- 降り始めます is made from the verb 降る (to fall), the stem of which is 降り, with 始めます added.
私の妹 は １歳 の 時、歩き始めました。
When my little sister was 1 year old, she began to walk.
- 歩く -> 歩き -> 歩き始めます
⛩ VisitBenkyogo.co.uk for more ways to learn Japanese
Watch Benkyogo on YouTube.
Benkyogo Store: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Benkyogo
Post link
X は Y で｛有名だ／知られている｝ - X IS FAMOUS/KNOWN FOR Y
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See all JLPT N4, N3, and N2 grammar revision points HERE
——————————————————————————————————Grammar 文法：
X は NOUN で ｛有名だ／知られている｝
OR
X は SENTENCE (plain form*) こと で ｛有名だ／知られている｝
- 有名だ = famous for, 知られている = known for
- The ‘plain form’ of a sentence is a sentence that ends in the dictionary form of a verb (e.g. 食べる), with noun/な-adjectives ending in だ (e.g. 学生だ or 静かだ), and with い adjectives ending with the final ‘い’ attached to the adjective (e.g. おいしい）
- 有名だ and 知られている can often be used interchangeably dependent on context.
Meaning 意味：This grammar point is used to express that ‘X’ (the topic of discussion) is famous for either a thing (noun) or a certain phrasal noun (e.g. having something, doing something, and so on).
Examples 例え：
ラスベガス は たくさんホテル がある こと で 有名です。
Las Vegas is famous for having many Hotels.
- Make sure you don’t forget ‘こと’ after a sentence when using this structure.
熊(bears) は 冬眠する(to hibernate) こと で 知られています。
Bears are known for hibernating.ロンドン は バッキンガム宮殿 で 有名です。
London is famous for Buckingham Palace.
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⛩ VisitBenkyogo.co.uk for more ways to learn Japanese
Watch Benkyogo on YouTube.
Benkyogo Store: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Benkyogo
Post link
～ たがる／～ほしがっている - ACT LIKE/ACT LIKE YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING/ACT LIKE YOU WANT SOMETHING
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See all JLPT N4, N3, and N2 grammar revision points HERE
——————————————————————————————————Grammar 文法：
いadjective: ーい, +がる e.g. 怖い -> 怖がる
なadjective: ーな, +がる e.g. 静かな -> 静かがる
Verb (past た form) + がる
Noun を／が ほしがっている
- たがる (conjugated from たい - to want) and ほしがっている (from ほしい - to want an object) are used when describing when someone acts as if they want to do something (in the case of たがる) or want something specific e.g. an object (in the case of ほしがっている
Meaning 意味：This grammar point is used when you are guessing how someone is acting or what someone wants based purely on observation.
Say, for example, someone is grinning ear to ear. You could say ‘She’s acting like she’s happy right now!’. (幸せがる) [happy is an adjective]
In terms of wanting something, your girlfriend could be making hints at how much she loves roses near valentines day. You could use this to say ‘Boy, she’s really acting like shewants some roses for Valentines day!’ （X を/が ほしがっている) [when a specific object is wanted, use ほしがっている]Examples 例え：
彼 は 怖がる！
He’s acting all scared!
- 怖い is conjugated here, as we are talking about an adjective
彼女 は いつも 泳ぎたがる・・・
She always acts like she wants to go swimming…
- + たがる is used because it is the conjugated form of ‘泳ぎたい’ - want to go swimming. It’s a verbal action, not an adjective or specific object of desire.
妻 は ルイヴィトンのバッグ を ほしがっているんだけど、そんなもん、買えないでしょう！
My wife is acting like she wants a Louis Vuitton Bag, but I can’t afford things like that!
- + ほしがっている is used instead of たがる because we are talking about what she wants, not what she wants to do (using a verb).
⛩ VisitBenkyogo.co.uk for more ways to learn Japanese
Watch Benkyogo on YouTube.
Benkyogo Store: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Benkyogo
Post link
Welcome to Benkyogo!
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Links mentioned in this video
CSS Template: https://pastebin.com/n6BUFaWy
Gradient Generator: https://cssgradient.io/
Free Stock Photos: https://www.pexels.com/
Benkyogo Blog Post: https://tinyurl.com/y73eg45f
View this template working on the mobile Anki app: https://imgur.com/gallery/NPJSfPc
Benkyogo Store: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Benkyogo
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⛩ Visit Benkyogo.co.uk for more ways to learn Japanese
Welcome to Benkyogo! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Drama’s mentioned in this video:
- Hana Yori Dango (花より男子)
- Kekkon Dekinai Otoko (結婚できない男)
- Densha Otoko (電車男)
- Gokusen (ごくせん)
- GTO
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Check out the accompanying YouTube video here. Make sure to look at all the key vocabulary at the end of this post.
On Episode 1 of the Writing Business Japanese Series, we’re looking at how to ask for a quotation. This email can be used and adjusted when you’re looking to get a quote for a certain number of products from a company who you have been in touch with in the past. If it’s the first time emailing, be sure to introduce yourself!
Let’s take a look at the mail in full.
Subject: お見積もりのお願い
山田 様
いつもお世話にっております。
早速ですが、弊社では新たな製品の購入を検討しております。
つきましては、下記の内訳でお見積もりをいただければ幸いです。
記
品名：〇〇
数量：〇〇個以上
お手数ですが、本日中にお送りいただければ幸いです。
お忙しいところ恐縮ですが、よろしくお願いいたします。べんきょうご
Now let’s look in a little more detail.
Subject: お見積もりのお願い
The subject line should be short and sweet. In this case, ‘request for a quote’.
いつもお世話にっております。
This literally means something like “You’re taking care of me”, but in business terms it’s a standard greeting. “ーておます” is used here, which indicates this is a business relationship that is already established. If you are making a new connection, it is sometimes better to say ‘お世話になります’.
早速ですが、弊社では新たな製品の購入を検討しております。
The next sentence is “Sorry for getting right to it, but we’re considering purchasing some of your new items.” The key word here is 早速ですが, which is a way of indicating that you are about to jump right into the main topic of the email.
つきましては、下記の内訳でお見積もりをいただければ幸いです。
記
品名：〇〇
数量：〇〇個以上
The recipient needs to know what they’re quoting for, so you have to give them an itemized breakdown (内訳). By using ‘下記’, you’re saying that you want a quote for the following. When using 下記, you must follow the sentence by starting a list with ‘記’, otherwise the person doesn’t know where to look. So literally, “I’d like a quote with the breakdown as follows, below the 記’
お手数ですが、本日中にお送りいただければ幸いです。
You can include a deadline. Although お送りいただければ幸いです sounds like a tentative deadline, it’s always best to just follow the deadline, and apologise if you can’t make it. Remember, Japanese people aren’t often direct when making requests…
お忙しいところ恐縮ですが、よろしくお願いいたします。
The final keyword is ‘恐縮’ - this means ‘I’m terribly sorry’ and is used frequently at the end of business emails to politely say sorry for taking up the recipient’s time.
KEY WORD LIST
お世話になる: I’m indebted to you
早速 sudden
弊社 our company (formal)
新たな new
製品 product
購入する purchase
検討する considering
下記 the following
内訳 itemized
幸い appreciative
品名 product name
数量 quantity
以上 that’s all
お手数ですが、 sorry to trouble you,
本日中 within today, by the end of today
お忙しいところ while you’re busy
恐縮 sorry
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