Language/Japanese/Grammar/Prepositions-and-Postpositions

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Japanese → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Prepositions and Interjections → Prepositions and Postpositions

Introduction

In this lesson, we will delve into the fascinating world of prepositions and postpositions in the Japanese language. Prepositions and postpositions are essential elements of sentence structure that indicate the relationship between words, phrases, and clauses. Understanding their usage and differences from European languages is crucial for mastering Japanese grammar. Throughout this lesson, we will explore various examples and cultural insights to enhance your comprehension and provide you with a solid foundation in this aspect of the Japanese language.

Prepositions and Postpositions

Definition and Usage

Prepositions and postpositions are particles in the Japanese language that serve a similar purpose to those found in European languages. However, there are some key differences in their usage and placement. Prepositions typically come before the noun or noun phrase they modify, while postpositions come after. It's important to note that the distinction between prepositions and postpositions is not always clear-cut in Japanese, as some particles can function as both depending on the context.

Common Prepositions and Postpositions

Let's take a look at some common prepositions and postpositions in Japanese, along with their usage and examples:

から (kara)

The preposition から (kara) is used to indicate the starting point or origin of an action or movement. It can also be used to express the reason or cause behind something. Here are some examples:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
東京から	Tōkyō kara	From Tokyo
木村さんからの手紙	Kimura-san kara no tegami	A letter from Mr. Kimura
明日から	Ashita kara	From tomorrow

まで (made)

The postposition まで (made) is used to indicate the endpoint or destination of an action or movement. It can also be used to express the extent or limit of something. Here are some examples:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
学校まで	Gakkō made	To school
日本まで	Nihon made	To Japan
５時まで	Go-ji made	Until 5 o'clock

の間に (no aida ni)

The postposition の間に (no aida ni) is used to indicate the period of time during which an action takes place. Here are some examples:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
仕事の間に	Shigoto no aida ni	During work
昼休みの間に	Hiruyasumi no aida ni	During lunch break
旅行の間に	Ryokō no aida ni	During the trip

Cultural Insights

Japanese culture places great importance on maintaining harmony and preserving relationships. This cultural value is reflected in the language, including the use of prepositions and postpositions. Japanese speakers often choose their words and expressions carefully to convey their intentions and emotions while respecting the feelings of others. Understanding the cultural context can greatly enhance your communication skills in Japanese.

In addition, regional variations in the usage and understanding of prepositions and postpositions can be observed throughout Japan. For example, the particle で (de) can be used in the Kansai dialect to indicate the starting point of an action, similar to the preposition から (kara) in standard Japanese. It's fascinating to explore these regional nuances and learn from the diversity within the Japanese language.

Practice Exercises

Now, let's apply what we have learned through some practice exercises. Choose the correct particle to complete each sentence:

1. タクシー __ 東京駅 __ 乗ります。 (Takushī __ Tōkyō-eki __ norimasu.) A. から (kara) B. まで (made) C. の間に (no aida ni)

2. １０月 __ １２月 __ 旅行します。 (10-gatsu __ 12-gatsu __ ryokō shimasu.) A. から (kara) B. まで (made) C. の間に (no aida ni)

3. 日本 __ カナダ __ 飛行機で行きます。 (Nihon __ Kanada __ hikōki de ikimasu.) A. から (kara) B. まで (made) C. の間に (no aida ni)

Solutions: 1. A 2. B 3. A

Explanation: 1. タクシーから東京駅まで乗ります。 (Takushī kara Tōkyō-eki made norimasu.) "We will take a taxi from Tokyo Station."

2. １０月から１２月まで旅行します。 (10-gatsu kara 12-gatsu made ryokō shimasu.) "We will travel from October to December."

3. 日本からカナダへ飛行機で行きます。 (Nihon kara Kanada e hikōki de ikimasu.) "We will go from Japan to Canada by plane."

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the lesson on prepositions and postpositions in Japanese. You now have a solid understanding of their usage and differences from European languages. Remember to practice using them in context to further enhance your language skills. In the next lesson, we will explore the topic of emphasis and intensification using interjections and adverbs. Keep up the great work!

Table of Contents - Japanese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Hiragana Basics

• Hiragana Reading and Writing Practice
• Introduction to Japanese Sentence Structure
• Particle は and が
• Verb Conjugation
• Noun and Adjective Modification
• Question Words and Phrases

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Greetings and Introductions

• Greetings
• Introducing Yourself and Others
• Describing People
• Counting Numbers and Time
• Basic Food and Drink Terminology
• Daily Activities and Hobbies
• Basic Directions and Transportation

  ---

Geography and History

• Introduction to Japanese Geography
• Brief History of Japan
• Traditional Arts and Customs
• Popular Culture and Entertainment

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Conjugation
• Adjective Types and Usage
• Adverb Types and Usage
• Comparison and Superlative
• Adjective and Adverbial Modification

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Family and Social Relations

• Family Members and Titles
• Social Etiquette and Expressions
• Basic Workplace and Business Terminology
• Shopping and Consumer Culture

  ---

Religion and Philosophy

• Shinto and Buddhism
• Zen and Samurai Culture
• Contemporary Spiritual Movements

  ---

Particles and Conjunctions

• Particles に and で
• Particles へ and を
• Particles も and しか
• Conjunctions and Compound Sentences
• Conditional and Hypothetical Sentences

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Travel and Tourism

• Basic Travel and Tourism Vocabulary
• Famous Tourist Attractions and Landmarks
• Japanese Hospitality and Service Culture

  ---

Education and Science

• Educational System and Vocabulary
• Traditional and Modern Science and Technology
• Natural Disasters and Risk Prevention

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Prepositions and Interjections

• Prepositions and Postpositions
• Emphasis and Intensification
• Exclamation and Impression Expressions

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Arts and Media

• Film and Theater Terminology
• Music and Dance Terminology
• Art and Literature Terminology

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Politics and Society

• Basic Political Vocabulary
• Social Issues and Controversies
• Japanese Business and Work Culture

Sources

• prepositions in Japanese - Grammar - Kanshudo
• Japanese particles - Wikipedia

Other Lessons

• Plural 複数
• Plurals
• Introduction to Japanese Sentence Structure
• Noun and Adjective Modification
• Give your Opinion
• Nouns
• Adjectives 形容詞
• Future Tense
• Particle は and が
• Pronouns

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