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How to say this statement in Japanese? 2015/1/21 16:03
Minna-San, Konichiwa!
I've just learnt the existential pronouns today (someone, anyone, anything etc..) and I came across some trouble trying to use it in some sentences with auxiliaries (etc Te form + suitable endings)

For example if I were to ask: "Are you going to eat anything?"
Am I right to say: "Anata wa nanika tabete okimasu ka?"
Or "Anata wa nanika tabemasu ka?"

If it was past tense (did you eat anything?), do I end it with ".....tabemashita ka"?

Great thanks for the help! :)
by Kou Sorata san  

Re: How to say this statement in Japanese? 2015/1/21 23:14
Am I right to say: "Anata wa nanika tabete okimasu ka?"
Or "Anata wa nanika tabemasu ka?


Both are correct, but with different meanings. `‚Ä‚¨‚­ adds the implication that the action is performed for a specific reason in preparation for something that will happen later. You could say H‚ׂè‚«‚Ü‚· for example if you know that the person you are talking to is not going to be able to eat anything for the rest of the day (the implication being that they should eat something now so they don't get hungry later).

H‚ׂ܂· is just a plain statement, without this implication, they could be eating simply because it's lunch time.
by Firas rate this post as useful

Re: How to say this statement in Japanese? 2015/1/21 23:45
thanks Firas San! That really did help, now I know I made such mistakes in my exercise hehe 😅
by Kou Sorata san rate this post as useful

Re: How to say this statement in Japanese? 2015/1/22 11:11
I have another bugging question, how will you say "Did you go anywhere yesterday?"

Am i right to say "Kyo wa dokoka ni ikimashita ka?"
by Kou Sorata san rate this post as useful

Re: How to say this statement in Japanese? 2015/1/25 12:17
"Did you go anywhere yesterday?"

It should be "Kinou wa dokoka ni ikimashitaka?" as "Kyo" means "today" and "Kinou" means "yesterday".

Good luck with your study!

by erina (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: How to say this statement in Japanese? 2015/1/25 17:28
Thanks Erina! :)
Btw, came across this statement:
'Tanaka-San no otaku de nanika atta rashii desu.'

meaning 'It seems that something has happened at Mr Tanaka's house."

If i wanted to say 'It seems that something has happened at Mr Tanaka's house at 4pm.'

is 'Tanaka-San no otaku de nanika gogo yo-ji atta rashii desu." correct?
by Kou Sorata san rate this post as useful

Re: How to say this statement in Japanese? 2015/1/25 18:30
I would say:
- Tanaka-san no otaku de, gogo yo-ji ni nanika atta rashii desu.

If you want to refer to something happening "at" a certain time, you would use "(time) ni."
And I would keep the two words "nanika atta" (something happened) together.
by AK rate this post as useful

Re: How to say this statement in Japanese? 2015/1/25 18:45
it is understandable.
but, separate into 3 parts like that:
gogo yoji ni
tanaka-san no otaku de
nanika atta rashii desu.

if you want to emphasize "4PM", put the word "gogo yoji ni" first.
gogo yoji ni tanaka-san no otaku de nanika atta rashii desu.

if you want to emphasize "Tanaka's house",
tanaka-san no otaku de gogo yoji ni nanika atta rashii desu.


by ken (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: How to say this statement in Japanese? 2015/1/25 21:50
Oooh man i forgot about the particle "ni".
Thanks guys! :)
by Kou Sorata san rate this post as useful

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