Learn Japanese with JapanesePod101.com. If you want to be taken seriously in Japan, you must at least learn to make simple requests in Japanese. Think of all the simple requests you make in a day: “One of these, please,” “Please, stop here,” and “Call me later.”Now imagine being stripped of this ability. Imagine not knowing how to ask someone for a simple favor or an explanation. It’s critical that you learn how to ask for favors and explanations in Japanese. Asking in Japanese makes all the difference in the world. In this Beginner Japanese lesson, you will learn how to ask for explanation using the Japanese phrase Setsumei shite kudasai. (please explain.) You will also discover how to use the Japanese word kudasai to ask someone to do something for you and the all-important Japanese suffix tachi.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 at 6:30 pm and is filed under Beginner Lessons (S4). You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Mina-san, what would you do if you were in Haruya’s shoe?
ah! I feel bad for Haruya. He sounded so nervous when talking with Tendo-san
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If I were him I’d try talking to Miu about her family and meeting with them all a different day. 大変そうだ。。。
I wonder if Haruya is now stuck on the ベランダ?
Charity-san, thanks for the comment!
And do you have access to our writers.
Haruya-san is definitely かわいそうですね。And very nice advice for our hero. 頑張って Haruya!
The lesson says there isn’t a comparable way to express 開けてください without explicitly stating “open the door” in English, but “open up!” would be very close. You know that the door is the direct object only by the context. Of course, it’s a much less formal construction than Haruya-san would be advised to use with his suitor’s father!
sir
pls help me i am oll ready learn jpn in jlpt level I so i not ander satnd in japnise kanji and gramer patern.
I think Haruya-chan needs to find a way to build some respect with Tendo-san, otherwise he might as well stay out on the ベランダ。
Love the quiz at the end of the PDF. Very useful.
I really like when you have similar Kanjis in the same conversation. Putting them side to side really helps compare, check similarities/differences and memorize them.
Now, about Haruya, this guy really need to show some presence. How can he tolerate being locked at a balcony??? I can’t believe this guy shows no attitude!!!
How about a revenge for next episode???
Does it really make sense Haruya is a professional Boxer?
Can a Pro Boxer really be so shy, nearly timid?
In a way i’d say the story is a bit flaw, not very believeable,
when it comes to his experiences.
Regards from Germany, i like your lessons anyway
satishさん、 do you mean jlpt level 4?
be sure to check out the jlpt level 4 and 3 practice tests in the learning center!
Mina-san
Komento arigatou gozaimasu. ![]()
I really like Ushijima-san’s (Kiri) voice. It sounds sooo funny.
Naomi and Peter,
Please keep up this format (Nihongo Dojo) of teaching after this series. Both of you (And who ever else is involved in this series) have put together a fantastic method of teaching Japanese. The introduction of essential verbs and grammar through the means of an interesting story make it a very enjoyable approach to studying the language.
Brian-san
ありがとうございます。Thank you so much for the kind comment!! ![]()
頑張ります。Ganbarimasu.
Haruyaさん is too impatient. He has yet to greet Tendouさん at all. It’s amazing how someone’s opinion of you can change if you take the time to talk to them and get to know them. He only blurts out, “Please let us get married!” I’m usually for the underdog, but there is a limit…
バロン-さん,
I know what you mean but we’ve all been in uncomfortable situations. You’ve got to feel sorry for the guy.
I just wanted to say that I agree with Brian about this being a really terrific series. Lots of fun and very high quality education at the same time. Much better than all the textbooks I’ve tried studying. I’ve been looking at some of the older series (such as the very long “Beginner” series), and it’s rather obvious that the pdfs have gotten much better over the years since this site has been around………I hope they’ll continue at this high level! I happen to enjoy languages, have studied several, including French, Hebrew (in which I’m fluent), and some Russian. None have been as enjoyable, although the others are all much easier.
Thank you Peter, Naomi and everyone else for making it so much fun to study Japanese.
Stuart
Stu,
Thanks so much for the kind words.
I want to be fluent in a second language!
PS: Textbooks are so old school.
バロン-san
そうですね。ハルヤさんは、まだまだですね。
Sou desu ne. Haruya-san wa madamada desu ne.
I agree. He has a lot to learn.
Stu-san
ありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.
Jkid-san
よろしくおねがいしますね。Yoroshiku onegaishimasu ne.
JKidさん, I do feel sorry for him. I’ve been though a similar situation, so I can empathize with his character. But it is rude to ask for such a huge thing without even properly introducing yourself first–even in America.
ハルヤさん、頑張りますよ。テンドウさん一緒に話して見たい。
バロンさん, Yeah it is pretty bad isn’t it?
I think he just needs to think first, count to ten and then speak
Is it just me, or do all Japanese men speak in a truly scary manner? In today’s lesson I find it almost impossible to understand the words spoken by Miu’s father and when he does speak it’s almost intimidating!
I’m very much enjoying the lessons however. Naomi Sensei is a brilliant teacher and her method of constantly repeating words and phrases over and over, and then giving very simple but somewhat similar examples really emphasises the point she is making.
And can someone tell me how to get a picture or icon in the box for the posts instead of just having a shadow of a head?
Tess Dasey-san
Sorry for this late reply.
You can get a picture by signing up for this site below.
Category: Beginner Lessons (S4) |
Grammar: kudasai | Function: Making a request in Japanese | Topic: Request | Politeness Level: casual, formal
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