Differences in Parts of Speech between Japanese and English②
Table of Contents
1. Differences in Parts of Speech between Japanese and English②
2. Particles
3. Auxiliary Verbs
4. Attributive Words
5. Adjectival Verbs (な Adjectives)
6. Summary
7. Similer Articles
8. Comment
Q: Are there parts of speech that Japanese and English share, and others that they don’t?
A: Since Japanese and English have different grammatical structures, some parts of speech are shared while others do not correspond.
Here, we will compare not only the differences in the parts of speech themselves but also their functions and usage.
This time, we will focus on the parts of speech unique to Japanese—particles, auxiliary verbs, and attributive words—and explain their characteristics.
| ① Parts of speech common to both Japanese and English | Nouns, verbs, adjectives (い adjectives), adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, interjections |
| ② Parts of speech found only in English | Articles, plural noun endings |
| ③ Parts of speech found only in Japanese | Particles, auxiliary verbs, attributive words, な adjectives (adjectival nouns) |
Differences in Parts of Speech
between Japanese and English①
Particles
In Japanese, particles such as “は,” “が,” “を,” and “よ” are used to show the relationships between words.
For those who want to learn more about
the usage of Japanese particles,
this e-book is highly recommended!
For example, the most basic function of the particle “を” is to indicate the object that receives an action.
Even in sentences with the same meaning, English does not use a particle like “を.”
How to Use the Particle “を”
[Examples]
りんごを食べます。
I eat an apple.
⇒ In English, no particle is placed between eat and an apple.
In this sentence, the particle “を” indicates that “りんご” (an apple) is the object of the action “食べる” (to eat).
雨が降っていますよ。
It’s raining.
⇒ The particle “が” is a case particle that marks the subject of the action “降っている” (is falling), which is “雨” (rain).
The particle “よ” is a sentence-ending particle used to convey new information to the listener.
大阪はたこやきが有名です。
In Osaka, takoyaki is famous.
⇒ In this sentence, “は” marks the topic (what the sentence is about), while “が” marks the focus within that topic.
Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs are words that add meaning to predicates (verbs and adjectives) or nouns.
Unlike English auxiliary verbs such as can or must, Japanese auxiliary verbs conjugate together with the main verb or adjective.
[Examples of Auxiliary Verbs]
れる・られる (passive, respectful, potential)
せる・させる (causative)
たい・たがる (desire or wish) and others
[Examples]
この公園ではBBQができませんが、西広場ではできますよ。
You can’t have a BBQ in this park, but you can in the west square.
卒業したら日本に留学したいです。
After I graduate, I want to study abroad in Japan.
子どもに野菜を食べさせました。
I made my child eat vegetables.
Attributive Words
An attributive word is an independent word that modifies a noun (substantive) but does not conjugate.
It must always be used together with a noun and cannot form a sentence on its own.
[Examples of Attributive Words]
この・その・あの／大きな・おかしな・あらゆる・ある etc.
[Examples]
〇 この時計はいくらですか。
✕ このはいくらですか。
How much is this watch?
⇒ “この” must always be used together with a noun like “時計.”
おかしな話を聞いたんだけど、本当なのかな。
I heard a strange story, but I wonder if it’s true.
⇒ “おかしな” modifies the noun “話.”
あらゆる手段を使って、解決方法を考えました。
I thought about solutions using every possible means.
⇒ “あらゆる” modifies the noun “手段.”
Adjectival Verbs (な Adjectives)
Japanese adjectives are divided into two types: い adjectives and な adjectives.
Unlike い-adjectives, な-adjectives do not change form (conjugate), which is one of their defining features.
This type of adjective does not exist in English.
| Grammar Term (for Japanese Learners) | Example: しずか (quiet) |
|---|---|
| ① 未然 (Negative form) | ー |
| ② 連用 (Past / Negative form) | しずかだった／しずかじゃない (was quiet / not quiet) |
| ③ 終止 (Dictionary form) | しずかだ (quiet) |
| ④ 連体 (Attributive form) | しずかな (modifying a noun) |
| ⑤ 仮定 (Conditional form) | しずかなら (if it is quiet) |
| ⑥ 命令 (Imperative form) | ― |
[Examples]
この図書館はいつも静かだ。
This library is always quiet.
⇒ Unlike い adjectives, the plain form (basic form) of a な adjective ends with “だ.”
この有名なレストランのシェフはフランス人だ。
The chef of this famous restaurant is French.
⇒ When modifying a noun, “な” is added, as in “有名なレストラン.”
大変なら手伝いましょうか。
If it’s difficult, shall I help you?
⇒ The adjective itself does not conjugate; instead, the auxiliary “なら” is added after “大変な” to form the conditional expression.
Summary
[Parts of Speech Found Only in Japanese]
- Particles, Auxiliary Verbs, Attributive Words, Adjectival Verbs (な Adjectives)
[Particles]
- Particles such as “は,” “が,” “を,” and “よ” indicate the relationship between words.
- Each particle has a different role and meaning within the sentence.
[Auxiliary Verbs]
- Auxiliary verbs are words that add meaning to verbs, adjectives, or nouns.
- Examples include “れる・られる” (passive, respectful, potential) and “たい・たがる” (desire).
- Unlike in English, Japanese auxiliary verbs conjugate together with the main verb or adjective.
[Attributive Words]
- Attributive words modify nouns and do not conjugate.
- Examples include “この,” “その,” “大きな,” and “あらゆる.”
- They must always be used in combination with a noun.
[Adjectival Verbs (な Adjectives)]
- Japanese adjectives are divided into two types: い adjectives and な adjectives.
- Unlike い adjectives, な adjectives do not change form and represent a part of speech that does not exist in English.
Similer Articles
- Must-Know for Foreigners Working in Japan: Do You Really Need a Hanko (Personal Seal)?
- Differences in Parts of Speech between Japanese and English②
- Differences in Parts of Speech between Japanese and English①
- Learning the Forms of Japanese from Classical Literature
- Idioms Using “頭” ② – Useful in Everyday Conversations
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