The Handbook of Japanese Adjectives and Adverbs (A Kodansha Dictionary) - Softcover

ADJECTIVES

Introduction

This section deals with some of the main features of Japanese adjectives as well as their similarities to and differences from English adjectives. You are advised to read it carefully before moving on to the main text.

Types of Adjectives

Japanese adjectives may be divided into two types: (a) i-adjectives, which end with i, and (b) na-adjectives, which end with na. I-adjectives are Japanese in origin while na-adjectives are mostly Chinese-origin words.

atarashii XXX new
isogashii XXX busy
omoshiroi XXX interesting
shizukana XXX quiet
sukina XXX favorite
benrina XXX convenient

Noun Modifiers

When used as noun modifiers, Japanese adjectives, like their English counterparts, precede the nouns they modify. Foreign words used as adjectives in Japanese become na-adjectives.

(a) okii ie

XXXXX

a big house

kuroi kuruma

XXXXX

a black car

(b)kireina hana

XXXXX

a pretty flower

genkina hito

XXXXX

a healthy person

modanna biru

XXXXX

a modern building

yuniikuna aidia

XXXXX

a unique idea

Adjectival Predicates

I-adjectives, when used as predicates, behave like verbs. For example, when okii XXX (big) or kuroi XXX (black) is used as a predicate, it means "is big" or "is black," not just "big" or "black."

Tanaka-san no ie wa okii.

XXXXXXX

Mr. Tanaka's house is big.

Watashi no kuruma wa kuroi.

XXXXXXX

My car is black.

Na-adjectives, when used as predicates, behave like nouns. That is, the stem form (the form without na) must be followed by the copula (be-verb) da, as must an ordinary noun. For this reason, na-adjectives are sometimes called "nominal (nounlike) adjectives" or "adjectival nouns."

Kono hana wa kirei da.

XXXXXXX

This flower is pretty.

Yamada-san wa genki da.

XXXXXXX

Miss Yamada is healthy.

Some na-adjectives can be used as nouns when functioning as the subject or object of a sentence.

anzenna asobiba

XXXXXXX

a safe playground

Kodomo ni totte anzen ga taisetsu da.

XXXXXXX

Safety is important for children.

zeitakuna kurashi

XXXXXXX

luxurious living

Sonna zeitaku wa dekinai.

XXXXXXX

I can't afford such a luxury.

Exceptions: The i-adjectives okii XXX (big), chiisai XXX (small) and okashii XXX (funny) may be used as na-adjectives when modifying certain nouns such as those given in the examples below.

okina koen XXX a big park
chiisana ike XXX a small pond
okashina hanashi XXX a funny story

Auxiliary Adjectives

Auxiliary adjectives are adjectives that are attached to other adjectives or verbs. Some are i-adjectives (Examples 1, 2, 3, 4), while others are na-adjectives (Examples 5, 6).

1. Ano resutoran wa takai rashii.

XXXXXXX

That restaurant seems to be expensive.

2. Kono mondai wa judai kamoshirenai.

XXXXXXX

This problem might be serious.

3. Fuji-san ni noboritai.

XXXXXXX

I want to climb Mt. Fuji.

4. Kono kigu wa tsukaiyasui.

XXXXXXX

This utensil is easy to use.

5. Kono pai wa oishiso da.

XXXXXXX

This pie looks delicious.

6. Sumisu-san wa sumo ga sukina yo da.

XXXXXXX

Mr. Smith appears to like sumo.

In addition to auxiliary adjectives, there are also auxiliary verbs. These, too, can attach to adjectives.

(a) Kono heya wa semasugiru.

XXXXXXX

This room is too small.

(b) Kare wa majime sugiru.

XXXXXXX

He is too serious.

Tenses of Adjectives Japanese adjectives conjugate and have two tenses: present and past. The same adjectival form is used to express both present and future tenses.

(a) Shiken wa yasashii.

XXXXXXX

The exam is/will be easy.

Shiken wa yasashikatta.

XXXXXXX

The exam was easy.

(b)Tetsuzuki wa kantan da.

XXXXXXX

The procedure is/will be simple.

Tetsuzuki wa kantan datta.

XXXXXXX

The procedure was simple.

Levels of Speech

Japanese adjectives have plain, polite and superpolite forms or levels of speech. The plain form is used among family and friends, as well as in publications. The polite form is used among adults who are not close friends. The super-polite form is seldom used by younger speakers except in such greetings as o-hayo gozaimasu XXXXXXX (Good morning) or o-medeto gozaimasu XXXXXXX (Congratulations).

"It is interesting."

(a) Plain for i-adjectives

Omoshiroi.

XXX

Polite form for i-adjectives

Omoshiroi desu.

XXX

Superpolite form for i-adjectives

Omoshiro gozaimasu.

XXX

(b) Plain form for na-adjectives

Kantan da.

XXX

Polite form for na-adjectives

Kantan desu.

XXX

Superpolite form for na-adjectives

Kantan de gozaimasu.

XXX

The Japanese language is said to be rich in modifiers -- adjectives and adverbs. If you pick up a book or magazine and read a page or two, you will see how adjectives go with nouns, and adverbs with verbs, to convey accurate, vivid descriptions. In fact, these modifiers add indispensable nuance and flavor to the language.

The purpose of this book is to help students obtain a basic knowledge of Japanese adjectives and adverbs so that they may use them effectively in sentences.

Adjectives are presented in two parts. Part I deals with the conjugations of the two types of adjectives -- i-adjectives and na-adjectives -- and of some of the basic auxiliary adjectives. A conjugation practice follows the description of each adjective or group of adjectives. Part II deals with the usage of various adjectival forms. Each usage is illustrated with example sentences, and practices are provided every few lessons to allow you to test your understanding. Adverbs are presented by grouping them according to what they express -- time, quantity, degree, circumstance and so forth. Each adverb is illustrated with examples sentences, and practices are provided every few lessons.

It is my wish that this book will prove useful, that you will come to better understand the meanings of Japanese adjectives and adverbs and be able to express yourself in "true Japanese."

I thank my editors, Shigeyoshi Suzuki and Michael Staley at Kodansha International, for making the publication of this book possible.