Particle Practice

[TheAristocrat]

Hi,
I'm just curious to know if it would acceptable for me to post sentences, in Romanji I might add, with the aim of getting a hang of particle usage. And perhaps forming a discussion from the sentences given? I must add before hand that I am only just starting to move into forming sentences. I've had a lot of difficulty with particles, but I think I'm now at a point where I can start using them more. I'd appreciate greatly tapping into expertise here.

Regards

[furrykef]

Sure, go ahead.

One tip, though: It's "romaji", not "romanji". So literally the name is "Rome characters", not "Roman characters".

[TheAristocrat]

A very late reply! But here it is ( been without a PC for far to long x.x)

- I went in the car: I (wa) car (ni) went.
- I went by car: I (wa) car (de) went. [car = means/implement]
- It is made from wood: Wood (de) made. [difference between 'de' & 'kara'?]
- John gave me an apple: John (wa) I (ga) apple (ni) gave.
- I walked home from town: I (wa) home (ni) town (yori) walked.
- If you are hungry then eat an apple: Hungry (nara) apple (o) eat.
- There are apples in my garden: Garden (ni) (wa) apples (ga) is.
- I was bitten by a dog: I (wa) dog (ni) bitten.

[NileCat]

- John gave me an apple: John (wa) I (ga) apple (ni) gave.

Only this sentence doesn't sound correct to me.

John gave me an apple: John(wa or ga) I (ni) apple (wo) gave.

[seanvol]

On the topic of that, expressing the act of giving is generally very hard for learners of Japanese to understand, so if you don't mind I'd like to try and give you an example, as it would be easier to just show you the words you'd use in this case:

I think a common way of saying "x gave me y" in Japanese is

person (wa) object (ga) gave

gave would be くれた (kureta) here; the informal past tense form of くれる (kureru). I know you're trying to learn the structure of sentences here rather than necessarily the actual words, but this element of Japanese is so particular (and important) that I felt you just needed to see the example. Mainly because that's just one of several ways to express the act of giving in Japanese. When you're more familiar with the writing system of Japanese (i.e. learn kana), I suggest you look here.

Hope I didn't confuse you, I still have trouble with this myself.

[NocturnalOcean]

I think a common way of saying "x gave me y" in Japanese is

person (wa) object (ga) gave

The object should be marked with を not が.

[TheAristocrat]

Just a quick question, I hate to bombard you guys with lots of questions and other such posts, but I was thinking of posting all of my particle questions and practice attempts here in order to keep this thread as the base of particle progression for myself, one that would be helpful to others too seeing as it's all in one thread. Would everyone be alright with that? I also appologize for my complete ineptitude with particles, it's the last thing I have to get to grips with and really want to nail this, I appreciate the base of knowledge on this forum, and appreciate your taking the time to help me and critiquing my sentences.

Best regards

[furrykef]

Sure, go ahead.