English sentences are generally arranged like SUBJECT - VERB - OBJECT. In Japanese, the basic structure is SUBJECT - OBJECT - VERBAL (verbal includes: verbs, be-verb, adjectives).
In english, for example, you say: "Today is Friday" or "Nicole ran to school". However, in Japanese, you have to say: "Today Friday is" and "Nicole to school ran".
More ... in English, the most important information tends to be given first, with less important items tacked on the end. In Japanese, less important items are gotten out of the way first, setting the stage for the important information which comes at the end.
So, let's imagine ...
In english, for example, you say: "Today is Friday" or "Nicole ran to school". However, in Japanese, you have to say: "Today Friday is" and "Nicole to school ran".
More ... in English, the most important information tends to be given first, with less important items tacked on the end. In Japanese, less important items are gotten out of the way first, setting the stage for the important information which comes at the end.
So, let's imagine ...
Nicole has just arrived at Tokyo airport. She'll be met there by Matsuzaka Tori , a teacher at the high school where Nicole will be teaching. Matsuzaka Tori arrives and talks to Nicole.
Tori: Sumimasen, Nicole san desu ka.
Excuse me, are you Mrs. Nicole?
Nicole: Hai, soo desu. Nicole desu.
Yes, that's me. I'm Nicole.
Tori: Hajimemashite, Tori desu . Yokohama Gakuin Kookoo no Tori desu. Nihon e yookoso!
Nice to meet you, I'm Tori. Tori from Yokohama High School. Welcome to Japan!
Nicole: Aa, Tori san, hajimemashite!
Ah, Mr. Tori, nice to meet you!
Grammar Explanations
1 . San - さん - Mr., Mrs., Miss and Ms.
The word san is the equivalent of Mr, Mrs, Miss and Ms. It's used as a term of respect after all names (it's even used after first names). But, since san is a term of respect to other people, you can't use it with your own name. Check the dialogues again:
Tori: Nicole san desu ka. (term of respect to Nicole)
Nicole: Hai, soo desu. Nicole desu. (Talking about herself, without san)
2 . Desu - です - "to be"
In the Japanese language isn't necessary to learn long lists of different verbs endings. The verb doesn't change with the person (like: I am, you are, he is, etc.). So, desu can mean all the persons. Therefore, the verb always comes at the end of sentence.
Examples:
Gakusei desu - (I) am a student
Amerikajin desu - (I) am an American
Enjinia desu - (He) is an enginner
Tori san desu ka. - Are (you) Mr. Tori?
3. Ka - か- question marker
When you want to form a question, you can simply add ka to the end of the sentence. Plus, you don't need to put a question mark ("?") and you don't need to make any other changes.
Examples:
Gakusei desu. - I am a student.
Gakusei desu ka. - Are you a student?
Tokyo desu. - (This) is Tokyo.
Tokyo desu ka. - Is (this) Tokyo?
However, sometimes you may found exchanges, like:
Yusuke: Shitsurei desu ga, Kanadajin desu ka.
Excuse me, but you are a Canadian?
Tifanny: Kanadajin? Iie, chigaimasu. Watashi wa Amerikajin desu.
Canadian? No, I'm not. I'm an American.
In the Japanese language isn't necessary to learn long lists of different verbs endings. The verb doesn't change with the person (like: I am, you are, he is, etc.). So, desu can mean all the persons. Therefore, the verb always comes at the end of sentence.
Examples:
Gakusei desu - (I) am a student
Amerikajin desu - (I) am an American
Enjinia desu - (He) is an enginner
Tori san desu ka. - Are (you) Mr. Tori?
3. Ka - か- question marker
When you want to form a question, you can simply add ka to the end of the sentence. Plus, you don't need to put a question mark ("?") and you don't need to make any other changes.
Examples:
Gakusei desu. - I am a student.
Gakusei desu ka. - Are you a student?
Tokyo desu. - (This) is Tokyo.
Tokyo desu ka. - Is (this) Tokyo?
However, sometimes you may found exchanges, like:
Yusuke: Shitsurei desu ga, Kanadajin desu ka.
Excuse me, but you are a Canadian?
Tifanny: Kanadajin? Iie, chigaimasu. Watashi wa Amerikajin desu.
Canadian? No, I'm not. I'm an American.
( ^ Matsuzaka Tori)
Dialogues in Hiragana
Tori: すみません, Nicole さんですか。
Nicole: はい, そおです。Nicole です。
Tori: はじめまして, Tori です。よこはまがくいんこおこおの Tori です。にほんえよおこそ！
Nicole: ああ, Tori さん。はじめまして！
