Lesson 4- Getting Around Part 2

So, last time we started to learn about how to ask for assistance when navigating around town. The phrases discussed in the previous lesson will definitely be of use, yet, expressing oneself is only half the equation. In this lesson we will be exploring some of the responses that might be offered to us when asking about the places we want to go to.

So let’s start with some basic direction terminology:

Iku = Go
Aruku = Walk
Massugu = Straight
Hidari = left
Migi = right
Magaru = turn
Kara = from
Made = until
Soshite = then (and then)

These are the very basics and after you have got the hang of these we’ll discuss time and distance in a direction giving situation (next lesson). For now let’s start with an example:

You might have noticed that ‘iku’ and ‘magaru’ appeared in a different form than their basic dictionary form in the above example. This is your introduction to the conjugated ‘-te’ and ‘-masu’ forms of Japanese verbs. Before we move on it is important to understand the uses and limitations of these verb forms.
In essence, by converting ‘iku’ to ‘itte’ the speaker is requesting you do something (in this case go somewhere). For example if I were to ask you to “Do your homework”, I would use the following sentence:

Note: there are grammatical rules for conjugating the ‘-te’ form of a verb but as this is your fourth lesson, these rules won’t be introduced here. Take a look at our conjugating verbs pages located here

The other form that you would have noticed was the ‘-masu’ form. This form is used to express an action now or in the future and is considered a ‘polite’ form. These 2 forms are perhaps the most commonly used forms in basic Japanese conversation.

For now, just try to remember these:

‘-te’ form of ‘iku’ (itte) and ‘aruku’ (aruite)
‘-masu’ form of ‘magaru’ (magarimasu)

We’ll be visiting this grammar point one more time in this lesson and LOTS more in the future so don’t worry you’ll get loads of practice!!

Ok, let’s see if you can tackle one on your own (you might need to revisit last lesson to brush up on the vocabulary).

Chances are the person you asked for directions will assume that you can speak Japanese which, however nice for the ego, won’t be very helpful SO, you might get bombarded with light speed instructions. Now remember I said we were going to revisit the ‘-te’ form of verbs a bit later in the lesson. Well, we have arrived.

So the person you requested help from turns and unleashes their lighting fast response at which point (and only if you didn’t catch what they said) you can hit them with this:

The new words you can use:
yukkuri = slowly
hanasu = speak

(Remember when making a request you can use the ‘-te’ form of the verb so, ‘hanasu’ becomes ‘hanashite’)

Now, if your conversation starts going pear-shaped then you might want to use the Japanese that you learned in the first lesson of this series.

Let’s call it a day and resume next time with some important additions to this lesson; namely, time and distance.

And remember if you want to get serious about the process for conjugating verbs check our ‘Conjugating Japanese Verbs”, pages.

Next Lesson - Getting Around Pt.3

Answer
<Nlit>　 “From the bank walk straight until you reach the post office, then turn right.”

The following are some recommendations which will help kickstart your journey towards fluency: