Japanese Lesson 4 - Prepositions and Directions

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This first lesson teaches many important aspect of Japanese like prepositions, vocabulary list about directions and finally common phrases about how to introduce yourself. I will try to give examples using both vocabulary and grammar. That way it will be easy for you to see the words when they are separate and when they are in a sentence. Going through the whole page should take about 30 min. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at Japanese Classes.

Prepositions

Prepositions are used in almost every sentence. They can be a great tool to link words with each other. For example by simply knowing how to use "to", "with", "from", "after" you can expand your conversation scope. In short, a preposition describes a relationship between words in a sentence, for example: I agree with you.

Below is a list of 27 prepositions that you might come across or use very often. The table contains 3 columns (English, Japanese, and Audio). Make sure you repeat each word after hearing it by either clicking on the audio button or by reading the pronunciation. That should help with memorization as well as improving your pronunciation.

Prepositions List in Japanese

Prepositions	Japanese	Audio
In front of	前に [mae ni]
Behind	後ろに [ushiro ni]
Before	前に [mae ni]
After	後ろに [ushiro ni]
Inside	の内側で [no uchigawa de]
With	と [to]
Without	なしで [nashi de]
Outside	の外側で [no sotogawa de]
On top of	上に [ue ni]
Under	下に [sita ni]
About (in regards to)	約 [yaku]
Against	に対して [nitaisite]
And	と [to]
As (similar to)	として [tosite]
Between	の間に [no aida ni]
But	しかし [shikashi]
For	のために [no tame ni]
From	から [kara]
In	の中で [no naka de]
Instead of	代わりに [kawari ni]
Near	の近くに [no chikaku ni]
Of	の [no]
Or	または [matawa]
Since	から [kara]
So	そう [soo]
To	に [ni]
Until	まで [made]

Now we will try to implement some of the prepositions above into full Japanese sentences. That way you will be able to use the word not only by itself but embedded in a structure.

Japanese Prepositions in a Sentence

English	Japanese	Audio
Can I practice Italian with you?	私はあなたとイタリア語を練習できますか？ [Watasi wa anata to Itaria go wo renshuu dekimasu ka?]
I speak French but with an accent	私はフランス語を話しますがなまりがあります。 [Watasi wa Furansu go wo hanasi masu ga namari ga arimasu.]
I was born in Miami	私はマイアミで生まれました。 [Watasi wa Maiami de umare masita.]
I'm from Japan	私は日本出身です。 [Watasi wa nihon shusshin desu.]
The letter is inside the book	手紙は本の内側にあります。 [Temami wa hon no uchigawani arimasu.]
The pen is under the desk	ペンは机の下にあります。 [Pen wa tsukue no sita ni arimasu.]
Directions
Can I help you?	どうかされましたか？ [Douka sare masitaka?]

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact me If you simply want to ask a question, please Japanese contact form on the header above.

Vocabulary List about Directions

Below is a list of 28 words and sentences related to directions that you might need when lost or asking for help. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to travel from point A to point B by following directions.

Giving Directions in Japanese

Directions	Japanese	Audio
Can you help me?	お願いがあるのですが？ [Onegai ga aru no desuga?]
Can you show me?	見せてもらえますか？ [Misete morae masuka?]
Come with me!	私について来てください。 [Watashi ni tsuite kite kudasai.]
Downtown (city center)	繁華街（町の中心地域） [hannka gai (machi no chuusin chiiki)]
Excuse me! (to ask someone)	すみません！（人に尋ねごとをする場合） [Sumimasen! (Hito ni tazume-goto wo suru baai)]
Go straight	真直ぐ行ってください。 [Massugu itte kudasai.]
How can I get to the museum?	博物館への道順を教えてもらえませんか？ [Hakubutsu kann eno michijun wo oshiete moraemasen ka?]
How long does it take to get there?	そこへ行くのに時間はいくらかかりますか？ [Sokohe yuku noni jikan wa ikura kakari masuka?]
I'm lost	道に迷ってしまった。 [Michi ni mayotte simatta.]
I'm not from here	ここから来たのではありません。 [Koko kara kita no dewa arimasen.]
It's far from here	ここからは遠いです。 [Koko kara wa tooi desu.]
It's near here	ここから近くです。 [Koko kara chikaku desu.]
One moment please!	ちょっと待って！ [Chotto matte!]
Turn left	左にまがる。 [Hidari ni magaru]
Turn right	右にまがる。 [Migi ni magaru]
Far	遠い [tooi]
Here	ここ [koko]
Left	左 [hidari]
Right	右 [migi]
Near	近い [chikai]
Straight	真直ぐ [massugu]
There	そこ [soko]
To drive	運転すること [unten suru koto]
To turn	曲がること [magaru koto]
To walk	歩くこと [aruku koto]
Traffic light	交通信号 [koutsuu singou]
Transportation	交通 [koutsuu]

Daily Conversation in Japanese

Finally, a couple sentences to help you know how to introduce yourself in Japanese. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Japanese Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Japanese

English	Japanese	Audio
Do you speak English?	英語を話せますか？ [eigo o hanase masuka?]
Just a little	少しだけ [sukoshi dake]
What's your name?	あなたの名前は？ [anata no namae wa?]
My name is (John Doe)	私の名前はジョン・ドーです。 [Watasi no namae ha jon-do desu.]
Mr... / Mrs. ... / Miss...	Aさん、Bさん、Cさん [A san, B san, C san]
Nice to meet you!	初めまして！ [hajime mashite!]
You're very kind!	ご親切に、ありがとうございます！ [go shinsetsuni arigatougozaimasu!]

Fun Facts

Language Quote: The language of a society changes slowly but steadily with the result that an educated person will not be able to read or understand words in his language written 500 years ago. Do you feel like you can't talk to your parents? Maybe it's because you belong to the Niger-Congo family. More than 1,400 languages are spoken by different members of this family from Africa..

Congratulations! You finished your 4th lesson in Japanese about prepositions, and directions. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Japanese Lesson 5. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Japanese homepage.

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