Chapter 3: Understanding Demonstratives and Conversational Vocabulary

Chapter 3: Understanding Demonstratives and Conversational Vocabulary

1. The Use of Koko, Soko, Asoko (Here, There, and Over There)

Demonstratives in Japanese

• Demonstratives are essential in Japanese for indicating locations. The basic terms used are:
      - これ (kore) - This
      - それ (sore) - That
      - あれ (are) - That (over there)
      - ここ (koko) - Here
      - そこ (soko) - There
      - あそこ (asoko) - Over there
      - どこ (doko) - Where
      - こちら (kochira) - Here (polite)
      - そちら (sochira) - There (polite)
      - あちら (achira) - Over there (polite)

Example Sentence

• ここは しょくどうです (Koko wa shokudō desu)
      - Translation: This is a canteen/dining hall.

Vocabulary Related to Locations

• うけつけ (uketsuke) - reception desk
• じむしょ (jimusho) - office
• かいぎしつ (kaigishitsu) - conference room, meeting room
• トイレ (toire) / おてあらい (otearai) - toilet

2. Asking for Locations

How to Ask

To inquire about the location of something, use:

• (A) は どこですか？(Where is A?)
• (A) は どちらですか？(Where is A? - polite)

Vocabulary Integration

• Utilize ここ (koko), そこ (soko), or あそこ (asoko) when gesturing or indicating nearby objects.

Example Dialogues

• Q: トイレはどこですか。 (Toire wa doko desu ka?)
    - A: あそこです。 (Asoko desu.)
• Vocabulary Introduced: じどうはんばいき (jidou hanbaiki) - vending machine

Practical Usage with Floor Identifiers

• Discussing place locations may also involve identifying floors:
      - １かい (ikkai) - 1st floor
      - ２かい (nikai) - 2nd floor
      - ３がい (sangai) - 3rd floor
      - ちか１かい (chika ikkai) - basement 1

Example Sentence

• Q: くつはどこですか。 (Kutsu wa doko desu ka?) (as at a department store)
    - A: ２かいです。 (Nikaisu.)

3. Uses of Doko & Dochira

• Beyond general location inquiries, どこ (doko) and どちら (dochira) hold importance in cultural interaction when asking about origins or affiliations.

Example

• “おくにはどちらですか” (Okuni wa dochira desu ka?) - Where is your country?
• Vocabulary: くに (kuni) - country
    - This word also conveys the notion of someone's origin.

Sample Response

• Q: ミラーさんのおくにはどちらですか。 (Mirā-san no okuni wa dochira desu ka?)
    - A: アメリカです。 (Amerika desu.)

List of Countries and Their Origins

1. サントスさん (Santos) - Brazil
2. ワットさん (Watto) - England
3. シュミットさん (Schmidt) - Germany
4. カリナさん (Karina) - Indonesia

4. Asking for Prices and Large Numbers

Pricing Inquiry Phrase

• To inquire about prices, the phrase used is:
      - いくらですか (Ikura desu ka) - How much is it?

Numeric Vocabulary

Large Numbers in Japanese:

• 100 - ひゃく (hyaku)
• 1,000 - せん (sen)
• 10,000 - いちまん (ichiman)
• 20,000 - にまん (niman)
• 30,000 - さんまん (sanman)
• 100,000 - じゅうまん (juuman)

Sample Price Inquiry

• Q: このかばんはいくらですか。 (Kono kaban wa ikura desu ka?)
    - A: 7,300（ななせん さんびゃく）えんです。(nanasen sanbyaku en desu.)

Vocabulary for Context

• インドネシア (Indonesia)
• ネクタイ (necktie)
• イタリア (Italy)
• スイス (Switzerland)

5. Counting Floors in Japanese

Acceptable Forms for Counting Floors

• Various ways to label floors:
      - １かい (ichikai, ikkai) - 1st floor
      - ２かい (nikai) - 2nd floor
      - ３がい (sangai) - 3rd floor
      - Observations: Usage varies slightly, where 3rd floor may alternatively be referred as ３かい.

Practical Application in Dialogue

• Dialogue Example: これをください (Kore o kudasai) - Please give me this.
• Vocabulary for Retail Contexts:
      - いらっしゃいませ (Irasshaimase) - welcome (common greeting in shops)
      - すみません (Sumimasen) - excuse me
      - ください (Kudasai) - please give me (e.g., それをください - Please give me that.)

Assessment Questions

1. What is Maria after?
2. What did she buy?
3. How much was the item that Maria bought?

Closing Remarks

• Understanding these basic conversational tools is critical for everyday interactions in Japan, particularly in areas like shopping and navigation. Mastering demonstratives and numeric expressions will enhance overall fluency and communication efficiency in various contexts.