101 Japanese Nouns: Circumstances, Conjugations, and a Checklist of Widespread Nouns

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When studying a language, it’s vital to know the elements that make it up, like important Japanese components of speech known as meishi (名詞), or Japanese nouns.

This text introduces vital grammar factors associated to nouns in Japanese, together with an inventory of 101 of the commonest Japanese nouns. 

Well mannered prefixes for Japanese nouns

In the event you’re aware of Japanese honorifics, you recognize that exhibiting respect is particularly vital in Japanese tradition. This courtesy shouldn’t be solely proven to individuals however to sure nouns!

The 2 well mannered prefixes that go in entrance of Japanese nouns are お (o) and ご (go).

There’s no definitive rule for whether or not you utilize o or go with a specific noun, however there’s a common sample. A one-kanji phrase typically makes use of o and a two-kanji phrase typically makes use of go. You possibly can see this respectively within the phrases お水 (o-mizu; water) and ご住所 (go-jūsho; deal with).

Some phrases virtually at all times embrace the well mannered suffix. That is vital with the phrase for cash: o-kane (お金). 

One other factor to think about is whether or not you’re referring to one thing associated to you or another person. You by no means use the well mannered suffix for your self, as that may come throughout as boastful. Nevertheless, it’s good manners to make use of the well mannered suffix for different individuals, comparable to when asking somebody’s title with o-namae (お名前).

Conjugations of Japanese nouns

Japanese verb conjugations are extra plentiful and general extra intuitive since we even have verb conjugations in English, like previous tense and current participles (when a verb ends with -ing). 

Japanese adjectives and nouns additionally require conjugations to specific concepts like “it was…” and “it’s not…” If you recognize the principles for conjugating na-adjectives, you really already know find out how to conjugate nouns in Japanese!

Since nouns don’t have a constant ending sound, there’s no sample for altering the ending (not like with verbs and i-adjectives). As a substitute, one thing is just connected to the noun.

Listed here are the commonest noun conjugations:

Japanese nouns that develop into verbs

One of the crucial continuously used verbs in Japanese is suru, that means “to do.” Not solely does it have a broad definition, however it may be paired with quite a lot of nouns to create new verbs! These pairs [noun + suru] are generally known as suru verbs.

When conjugating suru verbs, solely the suru half is affected and the noun is untouched. As suru is an irregular verb, its conjugations typically look completely different from the unique phrase.

We’ll show with the noun ryōri (料理), that means “cooking,” which turns into “to cook dinner” as a suru verb. Listed here are examples the place suru is added, after which conjugated into completely different kinds:

Do Japanese nouns have completely different instances?

Some languages convey relationships between nouns in a sentence by completely different noun instances. For instance, instances can point out whether or not a noun is a topic, a direct object, an oblique object, or if it’s possessive. One language identified for having noun instances is German, with 4 instances.

Whereas noun instances in English are unusual, they’re current in pronouns. “I” is a topic, “me” is a direct or oblique object, and “my/mine” is possessive.   

Nevertheless, Japanese doesn’t have noun instances, which implies no phrases get altered to make clear the function of a noun in a sentence. As a substitute, that info is expressed by particles in Japanese. 

• The particles は (wa) and が (ga) are positioned after a topic.
• The particle を (o) is positioned after a direct object.
• The particle の (no) signifies possession.

In sentences the place somebody is directing an motion at somebody/one thing else, the particle は (wa) or が (ga) marks the topic, and に (ni) marks the oblique object. For instance:

• Tanaka-san wa Yamada-san ni agemashita. (田中さんは山田さんにあげました。) = Mr. Tanaka gave [it] to Mr. Yamada.

Whereas the next sentence sounds unnatural to English audio system, it means the identical because the earlier sentence:

• Yamada-san ni Tanaka-san ga agemashita. (山田さんに田中さんがあげました。) = To Mr. Yamada, Mr. Tanaka gave [it].

You possibly can take away the topic or the oblique object and, simply primarily based on the particles used, nonetheless work out if somebody is the giver or receiver:

• Tanaka-san ga agemashita. (田中さんがあげました。) = Mr. Tanaka gave [it].
• Yamada-san ni agemashita. (山田さんにあげました。) = (Somebody) gave [it] to Mr. Yamada.

Plural Japanese nouns

In English, it’s virtually at all times obvious if the noun is singular or plural. Most frequently that is decided by whether or not there’s an “s” on the finish of a phrase. 

Just a few instances exist in English the place singular and plural kinds look the identical, however the addition of a phrase comparable to “a” or “the” can make clear the standing. (An instance could be the distinction between “I see a fish” and “I see fish.”) These sorts of phrases are known as “articles,” and languages like Spanish have particular and indefinite articles for that reason.

Nevertheless, Japanese neither modifications the type of the phrase nor consists of articles. The overwhelming majority of Japanese nouns by default are ambiguous as to whether or not they’re singular or plural. For instance, neko may imply “cat” or “cats.”

There are uncommon nouns in Japanese which can be plural by nature. This consists of phrases like hitobito (人々) that means “individuals” and kuniguni (国々) that means “international locations.” Nevertheless, moreover correct nouns, no inherently singular nouns exist in Japanese. 

If you wish to make a noun explicitly plural, you possibly can connect a suffix. Probably the most typically relevant one is ~tachi (~達). You could possibly translate ~tachi as “a gaggle together with [noun].”

Principally, although, Japanese individuals don’t depend on these particular nouns or suffixes to find out if a noun is singular or plural. They both infer from context, or say the precise quantity utilizing a Japanese counter. Counters are repeatedly used with Japanese nouns, as they’re needed any time you wish to specify quantities.

Japanese nouns listing

The farther you go in your Japanese studying journey, the extra vital it’s to construct up your vocabulary. These 101 widespread Japanese nouns will provide help to talk on a regular basis concepts.

In the event you’d wish to shortly be taught extra Japanese nouns with an English twist, check out our listing of 280 Japanese loanwords derived from English.

Japanese nouns for food and drinks

One of many principal methods individuals join is thru meals. Speaking about meals and studying find out how to order meals in Japanese are nice locations to start out mastering the language!

Japanese nouns for individuals

Outdoors of common dialog, it’s helpful to know phrases for describing individuals when shopping for tickets for actions and occasions like museums and theme parks. It’s because kodomo costs, otona costs, and even gakusei costs can fluctuate.

Japanese nouns for animals

Japan is understood for loving cute issues, therefore all of the cute Japanese phrases and why its animal cafes are so common. Neko cafes are the commonest, however there are inu cafes and even kapibara (カピバラ; capybara) cafes!

Japanese nouns for nature

There are numerous lovely sights to understand in Japan! Many locations reference nature of their names, comparable to Yamanashi prefecture, the place fujisan (富士山; Mt. Fuji) is situated.

Japanese nouns for transportation and navigation

One of the crucial vital issues to be ready for when visiting one other nation is discovering your approach round. Whereas it will possibly take some getting used to, the practice system in Japan is indispensable.

Japanese nouns for areas

Japan, or nihon, is a superb place to discover. Whether or not you’re at present navigating or relaying your travels, you’ll need to have the ability to describe fundamental areas.

*Apart from basho, one other phrase for location is tokoro. Nevertheless, tokoro can also be utilized in different contexts (such because the phrase tokoro de that means “by the best way”), which makes it extra ambiguous. 

Japanese nouns for time

For planning for journey or with pals, it’s essential to know find out how to categorical time. Understanding time phrases can also be elementary for sharing anecdotes, which is a good ability for Japanese conversations.

Japanese nouns for climate

Summer season is the height vacationer season, but it surely’s additionally when the season of ame comes! You’ll want to carry a kasa!

Japanese nouns for hobbies and trip

Speaking about hobbies is an effective way to attach with individuals. Japanese individuals typically get excited when vacationers learn about well-known Japanese works and creators!

Japanese nouns for procuring

Many issues draw guests to Japan, together with scrumptious meals and delightful sights. Procuring is one other factor Japanese tradition enjoys. In the event you’d wish to reap the benefits of the offers, attempt utilizing beneficial Japanese journey phrases.

Japanese nouns targeted on language expertise

As a overseas language learner, you’ll discover that the subject of language studying itself comes up continuously! Folks shall be joyful to share ideas, and these phrases will help you perceive their recommendation. 

The phrase hantai, or “reverse,” is a sensible time period for increasing your vocabulary! Additionally, when you overlook a phrase, it’s possible you’ll keep in mind its hantai and nonetheless be capable of talk pretty easily.

Japanese nouns that develop into suru verbs

Suru verbs are combos of [noun + suru]. They’re handy for Japanese learners, as you possibly can mainly double your vocabulary by studying a single noun! 

In the event you’re uncertain find out how to say a selected verb in Japanese, generally you possibly can take a mortgage phrase, attempt altering it right into a suru verb, and be completely understood! For instance, gēmu suru means “to play video games.”

When assembly a gaggle of Japanese individuals for the primary time, you’re certain to be requested to offer a jikoshōkai (自己紹介; self-introduction). It’s an ideal thought to organize what you’ll say, together with your shigoto (仕事; job) and shumi (趣味; hobbies).

The suru verb variations of those nouns would develop into the next:

• ryokō suru = to journey
• junbi suru = to organize
• keiken suru = to expertise
• kaimono suru = to buy groceries
• denwa suru = to make a cellphone name
• hanashi o suru = to inform a narrative/to speak
• shōkai suru = to introduce
• shigoto suru = to work
• kaigi suru = to carry a gathering
• ryōri suru = to cook dinner
• chūmon suru = to order (meals/drink)
• renshū suru = to observe
• shitsumon suru = to ask a query 

Go Past Japanese Nouns With Rosetta Stone

There are various fascinating nuances to Japanese nouns, comparable to utilizing honorifics, particles, and counters. However even when you don’t know all the principles, you possibly can shortly begin utilizing on a regular basis nouns in Japanese to start speaking in significant methods.

When studying Japanese, lots of your early kotoba shall be nouns, and also you’ll be examined in your hatsuon as you go! With Rosetta Stone, you begin studying a language with fundamental constructing blocks and bite-sized classes, all utilizing a Dynamic Immersion studying technique that’s ideally suited for internalizing a language with out rote memorization.