Japanese Lessons for Beginners

* If you find any unsuitable English, please correct it in Lang-8.
22. Announcement about Suspension / お休みのお知らせ

2010年2月8日 (月)


こんにちは。

Sorry, we have a sudden announcement.
突然ですが、お知らせです。

RATNA JAPAN is going to start as a corporation (a corporate juridical person).
RATNA JAPAN は、一般社団法人としてスタートすることになりました。

With this situation, we will work for the maintenance of our website and suspend this blog for a while.
それに伴い、ホームページのメンテナンスに入りますので、しばらくお休みさせていただきます。

We are planning to restart the lesson from Monday, April 12th.
次回は、4月12日(月)ぐらいから、再開を予定しています。

We are posting various articles including the ones for this blog in a native-correction site (SNS), "Lang-8".
このブログの投稿記事をはじめ、いろんなものをネイティブ添削サイト (SNS) "Lang-8" に投稿しています。

Lang-8 : Ray

We can learn a lot from there.
かなり勉強になります。

Please check it out, if you have time!
ヒマだったら覘いてみてください!

よろしくお願いします!


< Words / 単語 >

お休(やす)み : suspension ("お" is added to make the word soft)
突然(とつぜん) : suddenly
～ですが : ... but
お知(し)らせ : announcement, information
一般社団法人(いっぱんしゃだんほうじん) : corporation, incorporated, corporate juridical person
～として : as ...
スタートする : start
～ことになりました [～ことになる] : have come to ...
それ : that one, that thing
～に伴(ともな)い [伴う] : along with ...
ホームページ : website
メンテナンス : maintenance
入(はい)ります [入る] : enter (into a period)
～ので : because ...
しばらく : for a while
お休(やす)みさせていただきます [お休みさせていただく (お休みする)] : we will suspend (a polite form which is expressed by lowering the speaker itself)
次回(じかい) : next time
ぐらい : around, about
～から : from ...
再開(さいかい) : restart (a noun with an implication as a verb)
予定(よてい)しています [予定する] : plan ("予定" (a noun) + "する")
ブログ : blog
投稿記事(とうこうきじ) : articles that are posted
～をはじめ : including ...
いろんな : various
もの : material
ネイティブ : native (speaker)
添削(てんさく) : correction
サイト : site
投稿(とうこう)しています [投稿する] : be posting ("投稿" (a noun) + "する")
かなり : pretty much
勉強(べんきょう) : study, lesson (a noun with an implication as a verb)
勉強(べんきょう)になります [勉強になる] : I/we can learn (from there/you) ("勉強" (a noun) + "に" (a particle) + "なる" (become))
ヒマ : spare time (暇)
～だったら : if ...
覘(のぞ)いてみてください [覘いてみる ("覘く" + "みる")] : try to see
よろしくお願(ねが)いします! : Thank you for your attention!


We have added Japanese to our announcement as well.
Today's Japanese is an additional service, and this is a serious information!

We will see you in April again!

またね～!!

* If you find any unsuitable English, please correct it in Lang-8.
21. Words and Expressions - 日本のお正月 (Part 4)

2010年2月1日 (月)


こんにちは。

This is the last part of the story about "New Year in Japan."
Hope you are not bored yet enough to stop reading.


< 日本(にほん)のお正月(しょうがつ) (その4) >
< New Year in Japan (Part 4) >


お雑煮(ぞうに)は、お餅(もち)を入(い)れたお吸(す)い物(もの)で、地方(ちほう)によって作(つく)り方(かた)や中身(なかみ)が違(ちが)います。
"O-zooni" is a kind of soup with rice cake in it, and the way of cooking and its contents differ depending on the region.

お餅(もち)は、お雑煮(ぞうに)に入(い)れるほか、そのまま焼(や)いて、砂糖醤油(さとうじょうゆ)やきな粉(こ)などをつけて食(た)べることもあります。
As for the "mochi" (rice cakes), other than putting it into "o-zooni", we also eat them by roasting it directly and putting some "satoo-jooyu" (soy sauce mixed with sugar) or "kinako"(soybean flour) on it.

お餅(もち)には、何(なに)も入(はい)っていない白餅(しろもち)のほか、黒豆(くろまめ)が入(はい)った豆餅(まめもち)、あんこが入ったあんころ餅(もち)などがあり、お正月(しょうがつ)の飾(かざ)りとして使(つか)われる「鏡餅(かがみもち)」というものもあります。
AmAmong the kinds of "mochi", other than plain "shiro-mochi", there are "mame-mochi" which has some black soybeans mixed within, "ankoro-mochi" which has "anko" (sweet bean paste) in it, and we also have something called "kagami-mochi" which is used as a decoration during the New Years.

お正月(しょうがつ)の飾(かざ)りとしては、門松(かどまつ)、注連縄(しめなわ)、鏡餅(かがみもち)などがあります。
As for the decorations during the New Year, there are "kado-matsu" (a pair of decorations for a gate which are made of bamboo and pine tree), "shime-nawa" (a decoration for the front door which is made of straw), "kagami-mochi" (a decoration for the house which is made of "mochi") and so on.


<< Words and Expressions / 単語(たんご)と表現(ひょうげん) >

* The sentences are fragmented to show their structure.
* The word order in English is following the word order in Japanese.
* Explanations of the grammar and vocabulary are written below the fragmented sentence.
* Basic form (dictionary form) for verbs are written in [ ] after the word in the original form from the sentence.


お雑煮は、/ お餅を / 入れた / お吸い物で、// 地方によって / 作り方や / 中身が / 違います。

"O-zooni" is / with rice cake / in it / a kind of soup, and // depending on the regions / the way of cooking and / its contents / differ.

(Subject) は、/ (Object for (Verb = Modifier for Noun 1)) を / (Modifier for Noun 1) / (Kata Benda 1) で、// (Noun 2) によって / (Noun 3) や / (Noun 4) が / (Verb)。

* 2 sentences are made into 1 sentence using "で".
* If this sentence is separated into 2 sentences, they become as follows...
お雑煮は、お餅を入れたお吸い物です。
(お雑煮は) 地方によって作り方や中身が違います。
* The second sentence is another explanation to explain the subject for the first sentence (お雑煮).
* "お餅を入れた" is a modifier for "お吸い物".

入(い)れた [入(い)れる] : put (something) in (past/condition form to explain a noun)
お吸(す)い物(もの) : soup ("お" is added to make the word soft)
地方(ちほう) : region
～によって : depending on ...
作(つく)り方(かた) : way of cooking
中身(なかみ) : contents
違(ちが)います [違(ちが)う] : differ (polite form)


お餅は、/ お雑煮に / 入れるほか、// そのまま / 焼いて、/ 砂糖醤油や / きな粉などを / つけて / 食べることも / あります。

As for the "mochi" (rice cakes), / into "o-zooni" / other than putting, // directly / by roasting, and / "satoo-jooyu" (soy sauce mixed with sugar) or / "kinako" (soybean flour) / putting / we also eat / (there is/are).

(Subject) は、/ (Place) に / (Verb 1) ほか、// (Modifier for Verb 2) / (Verb 2)、/ (Object 1) や / (Object 2) などを / (Verb 3) / (Verb 4) ことも / (Verb 5)。

* 2 sentences are made into 1 sentence using "ほか".
* If this sentence is separated into 2 sentences, they become as follows...
お餅は、お雑煮に入れます。
その他(ほか)に、(お餅は) そのまま焼いて、砂糖醤油やきな粉などをつけて食べることもあります。
* The second sentence is another explanation to explain the subject for the first sentence (お餅).
* A verb form "-て" (焼いて/つけて) is used to add another verb (つけて/食べる) after it.

～ほか : other than ...
そのまま : directly, as the way it is
焼(や)いて [焼(や)く] : roast ("-て" form to add another verb after it)
砂糖醤油(さとうじょうゆ) : "satoo-jooyu" (soy sauce mixed with sugar)
きな粉(こ) : "kinako" (soybean flour)
～など : ... and so on
つけて [つける] : put (something) on
～こともあります [～こともある] : also there are cases that ...


お餅には、/ 何も / 入っていない / 白餅のほか、/ 黒豆が / 入った / 豆餅、/ あんこが / 入った / あんころ餅などが / あり、// お正月の / 飾りとして / 使われる / 「鏡餅」というものも / あります。

Among the kinds of "mochi", / nothing / is put in / other than "shiro-mochi", / some black soybeans / which has mixed within / "mame-mochi", / "anko" (sweet bean paste) / which has in it / "ankoro-mochi" and so on / there are, // during the new years / as a decoration / which is used / something called "kagami-mochi" also / we have.

(Noun 1) には、/ (Object 2) も / (Modifier for Noun 2) / (Noun 2) のほか、/ (Object 3) が / (Modifier for Noun 3) / (Noun 3)、/ (Object 4) が / (Modifier for Noun 4) / (Noun 4) などが / (Verb 1)、// (Modifier for Noun 5) の / (Noun 5) として / (Modifier for Noun 6) / (Noun 6) というものも / (Verb 2)。

* 2 sentences are made into 1 sentence using "あり".
* "あり" is a verb form ending with a vowel "-い" (い段) which is used to add another sentence after it.
* If this sentence is separated into 2 sentences, they become as follows...
お餅には、何も入っていない白餅のほか、黒豆が入った豆餅、あんこが入ったあんころ餅などがあります。
(また、) お正月の飾りとして使われる「鏡餅」というものもあります。
* The first sentence is an explanation of "Noun 1" (お餅), and the second sentence is to add another explanation to the first sentence.
* "何も入っていない" is a modifier for "白餅".
* "黒豆が入った" ais a modifier for "豆餅".
* "あんこが入った" is a modifier for "あんころ餅".
* "お正月の飾りとして使われる" is a modifier for "「鏡餅」というもの".
* The quotation mark 「 」 is used in Japanese as the mark " ".

何(なに)も～ない : nothing ... at all
入(はい)っていない [入(はい)る + いない] : not put in
白餅(しろもち) : "shiro-mochi" (plain "mochi")
～のほか : other than ...
黒豆(くろまめ) : black soybean
豆餅(まめもち) : "mame-mochi" ("mochi" which has some black soybeans mixed within)
あんこ : "anko" (sweet bean paste)
あんころ餅(もち) : "ankoro-mochi" ("mochi" which has "anko" in it)
あり [ある] : there is/are (a verb form ending with a vowel "-い" (い段) which is used to add another sentence after it)
飾(かざ)り : decoration
～として : as ...
使(つか)われる [使(つか)う] : menggunakan (bentuk pasif)
鏡餅(かがみもち) : "kagami-mochi" (a decoration for the new year time which is made of "mochi")
～というもの : something which is called ...


お正月の / 飾りとしては、/ 門松、/ 注連縄、/ 鏡餅などが / あります。

The New Year / as the decorations, / "kado-matsu", / "shime-nawa", / "kagami-mochi" and so on / there are.

(Modifier for Subject) の / (Subject) としては、/ (Noun 1)、/ (Noun 2)、/ (Noun 3) などが / (Verb)。

* "お正月の" is a modifier for "飾り".
* "～など" is used to enumerate nouns as "... and so on".

～としては : as ... ("～として" + a particle "は")
門松(かどまつ) : "kado-matsu" (a pair of decorations for a gate which are made of bamboo and pine tree)
注連縄(しめなわ) : "shime-nawa" (a decoration for the front door which is made of straws)


We have finished at last!
お疲れさまでした～。
(There is no expression for this in English!)

Keep it up!

またね～!!

* If you find any unsuitable English, please correct it in Lang-8.
20. Words and Expressions - 日本のお正月 (Part 3)

2010年1月25日 (月)


こんにちは。

How are you?

Now, we are going to start studying the continuation of the story "New Year in Japan".

The third part for this week is as follows.


< 日本(にほん)のお正月(しょうがつ) (その3) >
< New Year in Japan (Part 3) >


お正月(しょうがつ)には特別(とくべつ)な料理(りょうり)があります。
We have food specially prepared for the New Year.

おせち料理(りょうり)、おとそ、お雑煮(ぞうに)、お餅(もち)などです。
They are "osechi-ryoori", "otoso", "o-zooni", "o-mochi" and so on.

おせち料理(りょうり)は、年末(ねんまつ)の間(あいだ)に作(つく)っておいて、お正月(しょうがつ)に食(た)べます。
We make the "osechi-ryoori" during the end of year, and eat it during the new years.

おとそは、お正月(しょうがつ)に長寿(ちょうじゅ)を願(ねが)って呑(の)まれるお酒(さけ)で、日本酒(にほんしゅ)に薬草(やくそう)などを浸(ひた)して作(つく)ります。
"Otoso" is one of the sake that is drank during the New Year wishing for a long life. We make it by soaking some medicinal hearbs into "nihon-shu" (sake).


< Words and Expressions / 単語(たんご)と表現(ひょうげん) >

* Sentences are fragmented to show their structure.
* The word order in English is following the word order in Japanese.
* Explanations of the grammar and vocabulary are written below the fragmented sentence.
* Basic form (dictionary form) for verbs are written in [ ] after the word in the original form from the sentence.


お正月には / 特別な / 料理が / あります。

For the New Year / special / food / there is (are).

(Period) には / (Modifier for Subject) な / (Subject) が / (Verb) 。

* The period/time is told first before explaining something that is done during the time.
* A modifier (特別な) is placed before the word to be explained (料理).

～には : during ..., for ... (a particle to show a period/time)
特別(とくべつ)な : special
料理(りょうり) : food


おせち料理、/ おとそ、/ お雑煮、/ お餅などです。

"Osechi-ryoori", / "otoso", / "o-zooni", / "o-mochi" and so on.

(Object 1)、/ (Object 2)、/ (Object 3)、/ (Object 4) などです。

* The subject ("特別な料理" which is told before this sentence) is not told because it is clear.
* "～など" is used to enumerate nouns as "... and so on".

おせち料理(りょうり) : "osechi-ryoori" (special food for New Year)
おとそ : "otoso" (a kind of alcohol drink (sake) to celebrate New Year, "お" is added to make the word soft)
お雑煮(ぞうに) : "o-zooni" (a kind of soup with "mochi" in it, "お" is added to make the word soft)
お餅(もち) : "o-mochi" (rice cake, "お" is added to make the word soft)
～など : ... and so on


おせち料理は、/ 年末の / 間に / 作っておいて、// お正月に / 食べます。

"Osechi-ryoori" / the end of year / during / we make, and // during the new years / eat.

(Object) は、/ (Modifier for Time 1) の / (Time 1) に / ((Verb 1-1) + (Verb 1-2))、// (Time 2) に / (Verb 2)。

* 2 sentences are connected using a verb form "-て" (作っておいて).
* A verb "作っておく" is composed of 2 verbs "a verb (作る) + a verb (おく)".
* The verb form "-て" (作って/おいて) is used to add another verb (おく/食べる) after it.
* The subjects for both of the two sentences (Japanese People) is not told because it is clear.

年末(ねんまつ) : end of year
間(あいだ) : during
作(つく)っておいて [作(つく)る + おく] : have cooked beforehand [作(つく)る (cook, make) + おく (complete doing something beforehand)]


おとそは、/ お正月に / 長寿を / 願って / 呑まれる / お酒で、// 日本酒に / 薬草などを / 浸して / 作ります。

"Otoso" is / during the New Year / for a long life / wishing / which is drunk / one of sake, and // into "nihon-shu" (sake) / some medicinal hearbs / by soaking / (we) make it.

(Subject 1 = Object 2-2) は、/ (Time) に / (Object 1) を / (Verb 1-1) / (Verb 1-2 = Modifier for Noun) / (Noun) で、// (Place) に / (Object 2-1) を / (Verb 2-1) / (Verb 2-2)。

* 2 sentences are made into 1 sentence using "で".
* The subject for the first sentence (おとそ) is used as an object for the second sentence.
* The subject for the second sentence (Japanese people) is not tole because it is clear.
* If this sentence is separated into 2 sentences, they become as follows...
おとそは、お正月に長寿を願って呑まれるお酒です。
(日本人は)日本酒に薬草などを浸して(おとそを)作ります。
* A verb form "-て" (願って/浸して) is used to add another verb (呑まれる/作ります) after it.

長寿(ちょうじゅ) : long life
願(ねが)って [願(ねが)う] : wish ("-て" form to add another verb after it)
呑(の)まれる [呑(の)む] : drink (passive form) (Usually, Kanji "飲む" is more common rather than "呑む".)
お酒(さけ) : sake (a Japanese alcohol, "お" is added to make the word soft)
～で : ... and (a conjunction added after a noun to continue the sentence)
薬草(やくそう) : medicinal hearbs
浸(ひた)して [浸(ひた)す] : soak ("-て" form to add another verb after it)
作(つく)ります [作(つく)る] : make (polite form)


How was the lesson this time?
Hope you have come to figure out the structures of Japanese sentences.

We will continue this next week.

Okay, see you!

また来週!!

* If you find any unsuitable English, please correct it in Lang-8.
19. Words and Expressions - 日本のお正月 (Part 2)

2010年1月18日 (月)


こんにちは。

How are you doing?

We will continue studying the sentences from the story "New Year in Japan".

From this time, we will write explanations about the grammar and vocabulary together with the fragmented sentence for you to be able to reference more easily.

The second part for this week is as follows.


< 日本(にほん)のお正月(しょうがつ) (その2) >
< New Year in Japan (Part 2) >


お正月(しょうがつ)には、お店(みせ)や会社(かいしゃ)はほとんどが休(やす)みになり、人々(ひとびと)は家(いえ)で家族(かぞく)とゆっくり過(す)ごしたり、実家(じっか)に帰(かえ)って両親(りょうしん)に新年(しんねん)の挨拶(あいさつ)をしたりします。
During the new year period, most shops and companies are closed, and people spend their time in their homes with their families, or visit their parents to give new year's greetings.

お正月(しょうがつ)になると、友(とも)だちや知(し)り合(あ)いから年賀状(ねんがじょう)が届(とど)きます。
During New Year's Day, we get New Year cards from our friends and acquaintances.

12月(じゅうにがつ)のうちに年賀状(ねんがじょう)を書(か)いて出(だ)しておくと、郵便局(ゆうびんきょく)はそれをお正月(しょうがつ)に届(とど)けてくれます。
If we have written and posted New Year cards during December, the post office will deliver them during the New Year period.

新年(しんねん)の挨拶(あいさつ)は「あけまして、おめでとうございます」と言(い)います。
For the new year's greeting, we say "Akemashite, omedetoo-gozaimasu".


< Words and Expressions / 単語(たんご)と表現(ひょうげん) >

* Sentences are fragmented to show their structure.
* The word order in English is following the word order in Japanese.
* Explanations on the grammar and vocabulary are written below the fragmented sentence.
* Basic form (dictionary form) for verbs are written in [ ] after the word in the original form from the sentence.


お正月には、// お店や / 会社は / ほとんどが / 休みになり、// 人々は / 家で / 家族と / ゆっくり / 過ごしたり、/ 実家に / 帰って / 両親に / 新年の / 挨拶を / したり / します。

During the new year period, // shops and / companies / most / are closed, // and people / in their homes / with their families / (relaxing) / spend their time, / their parents' home / (or) go back to / to their parents / new year's / greetings / to give / (do).

(Period) には、// (Subject 1-1) や / (Subject 1-2) は / (Modifier for Verb 1) が / ((Noun) + に (Verb 1))、// (Subject 2) は / (Place 2-1) で / (Person 2-1) と / (Modifier for Verb 2-1) / (Verb 2-1) たり、/ (Place 2-2) に / (Verb 2-2) て / (Person 2-2) に / (Modifier for Object 2) の / (Object 2) を / (Verb 2-3) たり / します。

* Period/time is told first before explaining something that is done during the time.
* 2 sentences are connected with a verb form "休みになり" (from "休みになる"), whose suffix is changed to become a verb ending with the vowel "い" (い段), and add a Japanese comma (、).
* The verb "休みになる" is composed of "a noun (休み) + に + a verb (なる)".
* "や" is used to enumerate some nouns ("Subject 1-1" (お店) and "Subject 1-2" (会社)).
* A modifier is put before the word to be explained.
* "～たり、～たり(する)" is used to enumerate some verbs ("Verb 2-1" (過ごす) and "Verb 2-3" (挨拶をする)) with their suffixes changed.
* The verb form "-て" (帰って) is used to add another verb (挨拶をする) after it.

～には : at/during ... (a particle to show a period/time)
お店(みせ) : a shop ("o" is added to make the word soft)
～や : ... and/or (a particle to enumerate some nouns)
会社(かいしゃ) : company
ほとんど : most of, almost all
～が : (a particle to be added to a subject)
休(やす)み : a day off, a holiday
～になり [～になる] : become ... (a form to add another sentence)
家(いえ) : house, home
～で : at/in ... (a particle to show a place)
家族(かぞく) : family
～と : with ... (a particle to be added to a noun)
ゆっくり : in a relaxing situation, sitting back
過(す)ごし [過(す)ごす] : spend time (a form to add "～たり")
～たり、～たり : do ..., and/or do ... (an idiom to enumerate some verbs with their suffixes changed)
実家(じっか) : parents' home
帰(かえ)って [帰(かえ)る] : go back (a form to add another verb)
両親(りょうしん) : parents (father and mother)
～の : (a particle to be added to a noun to explain the next noun)
挨拶(あいさつ) : greeting


お正月に / なると、// 友だちや / 知り合いから / 年賀状が / 届きます。

New Years / after becoming, // our friends and / from acquaintances / New Year cards / come.

(Noun) に / (Verb 1) と、// (Person 1) や / (Person 2) から / (Subject) が / (Verb 2)。

* The verb "お正月になる" is composed of "a noun (お正月) + に + a verb (なる)".
* "～(になる)と" is used to show "after (becomeing) ...".
* "や" is used to enumerate some nouns ("Person 1" (友だち) and "Person 2" (知り合い)).

～になると : after becoming ..., when ... comes
友(とも)だち : friend
知(し)り合(あ)い : aquaintance
～から : from ... (a particle)
年賀状(ねんがじょう) : New Year card
届(とど)きます [届(とど)く] : (something) comes, receive (something)


12月のうちに / 年賀状を / 書いて / 出しておくと、// 郵便局は / それを / お正月に / 届けてくれます。

During December / New Year cards / if we have written / and posted, // the post office / them / during the New Year period / will deliver.

(Period) のうちに / (Object 1) を / (Verb 1) / (Verb 2) と、// (Subject) は / (Object 2) を / (Time) に / (Verb 3)。

* "～のうちに" is used to show a period when something is done.
* "(Verb)と" is used to connect 2 sentences with the meaning of "if/when we do something".
* The subject for the first sentence (we) is not told because it is clear.
* The verb form "-て" (書いて/出して/届けて) is used to add another verb (出しておく/おく/くれる) after it.
* The verb "出しておく" is composed of 2 verbs ("出す" + "おく").
* The verb "届けてくれる" is composed of 2 verbs ("届ける" + "くれる").

～のうちに : during ...
書(か)いて [書(か)く] : write (a form to add another verb)
出(だ)しておく [出(だ)す + おく] : complete posting beforehand [出(だ)す (post, send) + おく (complete doing something beforehand)]
～と : if/when something is done ... (a conjunction to add another sentence)
郵便局(ゆうびんきょく) : post office
それ : that one
届(とど)けてくれます [届(とど)ける + くれる] : deliver [届(とど)ける (deliver) + くれる (someone does it for us)]


新年の / 挨拶は / 「あけまして、おめでとうございます」と / 言います。

The new year's / for greeting, / "Akemashite, omedetoo-gozaimasu" / we say.

(Modifier for Object 1) の / (Object 1) は / (Object 2) と / (Verb)。

* The subject of the sentence (we) is not told because it is clear.
* A particle "は" is used to show the "Object 1" (挨拶).

～と : (a particle to be added to an object)
言(い)います [言(い)う] : say


How was the lesson today?
Was it a little difficult?

A long sentence like the first one maybe looks complicated, but we can get its structure if we fragment it.

We will continue it next week.

Bye-bye!

さようなら。

* If you find any unsuitable English, please correct it in Lang-8.
18. Words and Expressions - 日本のお正月 (Part 1)

2010年1月11日 (月)


こんにちは。

From this time, we don't add any Romaji to the sentences.
You must be able to read Hiragana and Katakana already.
We still add Hiragana for you to read Kanji.

We will give you some explanations for the sentences that we have learned last week.
We will divide the story of last week into some parts to explain the words and grammar in some following lessons.
It's still January, so we hope you don't mind even if we talk about new year.

The first part for this week is as follows.


< 日本(にほん)のお正月(しょうがつ) (その1) >
< New Year in Japan (Part 1) >


日本(にほん)では、お正月(しょうがつ)の習慣(しゅうかん)をとても大切(たいせつ)にしています。
In Japan, we cherish our New Year customs very much.

1月(いちがつ)1日(ついたち)は「元旦(がんたん)」、1月(いちがつ)1日(ついたち)～(から)3日(みっか)は「3ヶ日(さんがにち)」と呼(よ)ばれます。
January 1st is called "gantan", and the period from January 1st to 3rd is called "san-ga-nichi".

この新年(しんねん)の時期(じき)のことを「お正月(しょうがつ)」と言(い)います。
We call this new-year period "o-shoogatsu".

新(あたら)しい年(とし)が明(あ)けると、人々(ひとびと)は神社(じんじゃ)に初詣(はつもうで)に出(で)かけます。
After the new year comes, people visit shrines for new year's greetings.

初(はつ)日(ひ)の出(で)を見(み)るのを楽(たの)しみにしている人(ひと)もたくさんいます。
Also there are many people who are looking forward to seeing the first sunrise of the new year.


< Words and Expressions / 単語(たんご)と表現(ひょうげん) >

～では : in ... (a particle to show a place where somehing is done)
お正月(しょうがつ) : new-year period
習慣(しゅうかん) : a custom, a practice, a habit
とても : very much
大切(たいせつ)にする : cherish, consider important, set a high value on ...
元旦(がんたん) : (a common word for "Januari 1st")
3ヶ日(さんがにち) : the first three days of the new year (a common word for the period from Januari 1st to 3rd)
呼(よ)ばれる : be called (the passive form of "呼(よ)ぶ")
新年(しんねん) : new year
時期(じき) : period
～のこと : a thing that ... (It is used to clarify something.)
言(い)う : say, call
新(あたら)しい : new
年(とし) : year
明(あ)ける : open, begin, dawn
(～する)と : after (doing ...) (a conjunction)
人々(ひとびと) : people (Kanji "々" is used to show the Kanji before it repeated. Reading of the second "人" (々) changes into "びと". When a noun is repeated, it becomes the plural.)
神社(じんじゃ) : a shrine
初詣(はつもうで) : the first visit to a shrine at the new year time
出(で)かける : go out (to do something or to visit somewhere)
初(はつ)日(ひ)の出(で) : the first sunrise of the new year
楽(たの)しみにする : look forward
人(ひと) : person
～も : ... too (a particle)
たくさん : many


< Grammar / 文法(ぶんぽう) >

* Sentences are fragmented to show their structure.
* The word order in English is followed the word order in Japanese.


日本では、/ お正月の / 習慣を / とても / 大切にしています。
In Japan, / New Year / customs / very much / we cherish.

(Name of Place) では、/ (Modifier 1) の / (Object) を / (Modifier 2) / (Verb)。

* The place is told first to show there is something there.
* The subject (Japanese people) is not told because it's already clear.
* "Modifier 1" (お正月の) is for the "Object" (習慣), and "Modifier 2" (とても) is for the "Verb" (大切にしています).


1月1日は / 「元旦」、/ 1月1日～3日は / 「3ヶ日」と / 呼ばれます。
January 1st / "gantan", / and the period from January 1st to 3rd / "san-ga-nichi" / is (are) called.

(Subject 1) は / (Object 1)、/ (Subject 2) は / (Object 2) と / (Verb)。

* The verb is in the passive form, and it is used for both of the two (subjects + objects).


この / 新年の / 時期のことを / 「お正月」と / 言います。
This / new-year / period / "o-shoogatsu" / we call.

(Demonstrative) / (Modifier) の / (Object 1) のことを / (Object 2) と / (Verb)。

* There are two modifiers (including the "demonstrative") to explain "Object 1" (時期).
* The subject is not told because it is clear.


新しい / 年が / 明けると、/ 人々は / 神社に / 初詣に / 出かけます。
New / year / after comes, / people / shrines / for new year's greetings / visit.

(Adjective) / (Subject 1) が / (Verb 1) と、/ (Subject 2) は / (Place) に / (Purpose) に / (Verb 2)。

* "～と" is used to show "after (something is completed)".
* Two sentences are connected with the conjunction "～と".
* There are two objects in the second sentence to show "place" and "purpose".


初日の出を / 見るのを / 楽しみにしている / 人も / たくさん / います。
The first sunrise of the new year / to seeing / who are looking forward / people also / many / there are.

(Object 1) を / (Object 2) のを / (Modifier 1) / (Subject) も / (Modifier 2) / (Verb)。

* "Object 1" (初日の出) is the object for the "Object 2" (verb "見る").
* "～の" is used to make the verb (見る) an object.
* From the beginning until "人も" is the subject of the sentence.
* "Modifier 1" (楽しみにしている) is to explain the "Subject" (人), and "Modifier 2" (たくさん) is to explain the "Verb" (います).


How was it?
Have you understood the structure in the sentences above?

The word orders in Japanese are like this.
We have to get used to the usage of particles in a proper way to make sentences.
Just try to read those sentences repeatedly to get the rhythm and word orders in Japanese.

Okay, that's all for today.
Next time, we will learn the continuation of this week.

また来週!!