Private Japanese Lessons, a group of Japanese teachers which I run make an animation series. This series is full of helpful Japanese learning tips. Every episode is only around 10 minutes long with simple explanations. You may find useful information within, which you won't find in textbooks.
Here is the first episode. If you're interested, please go to our YouTube channel!
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Minako: Shall we start today's topic of "ndesu" now? May pepole say it is difficult.
Bruce: Yes, unfortunately I struggle with it a lot.
Minako: Firstly, let's check the grammar.
Bruce: Actually, I am okay with the grammatical rules. It's the short form plun "N", right? Iku ndesu. Ikanai ndesu. Itta ndesu. Ikanakatta ndesu.
Minako: Exactly. And "N" comes with "desu". Then how about an i-adjective like "takai"?
Bruce: Takai ndesu. Takakunai ndesu. Takakatta ndesu. Tanakunakatta ndesu.
Minako: Correct. How about a na-adjective like "hima na"?
Bruce: Hima nandesu. Hima janai ndesu. Hima datta ndesu. Hima janakatta ndesu.
Minako: Na-adjectives takes "nandesu". However, the negative and past forms of na-adjectives take just "ndesu". Lastly, how about a noun like "shigoto"?
Bruce: Shigoto nandedsu. Shigoto janai ndesu. Shigoto datta ndesu. Shigoto janakatta ndesu.
Minako: Perfect! You used "noun + nandesu" correctly. Nound and na-adjectives use the same pattern.
Bruce: Yes, I know. I do unerstand the grammar, but I'm not sure how or when I shoudl use it.
Minako: Let's learnd two of these meanings today. Remember them as the "curiosity N" and the "please understand me N".
Bruce: Hmm...interesting.
Minako: "N" is just a single letter, but you can actually put various feeling into it.
Bruce: Like surprised, upset or happy?
Minako: Yes. There are all different feelings, but they can be expressed with "N".
Bruce: Whad does that mean?
Minako: We use the curiosity "N" when the speaker feels surprised or interested to see someone's situation. A question with "ndesu" can express "I want to kno about it!", "I wanto to ask about it!" or "Please tell me about it!".
Bruce: OK.
Minako: And we use the "please understand me N" when we are looking for the listener's empathy. For example, you can express "oh, please understand my pain!"
Bruce: Hmm...
Minako: I know desnse explanations are hard to understand. So, listen to the following conversation. Tanaka is talking with a doctor.
Doctor: dou shimashita ka? (What is the problem?)
Tanaka: koronda ndesu. (I fell over.)
Doctor: 2 shukan gurai de yoku naru hazu desu. (You shourl be fine in two weeks.)
Tanaka: shumatsu kara ski ni iku yotei nandesu ga. (I have a plan to go skiing this weekend.)
Doctor: sore wa muri desu ne. (Ah, sorry, but you can't do that.)
Minako Then, this time, let's focus on "N". The doctore asks "dou shimashita ka?"
Bruce: She doesn't use "ndesu".
Minako: Her job is to ask the symptoms and to diagnose. It's not her curiosity.
Bruce: That's why she is not asking with the "curiosity N".
Minako: Yes. As for Tanaka, he desperately wants the doctor to understand his situation.
Bruce: So, he usese the "please understand me N".
Minako: That's right. In Tanaka's second line, he really wants to go skiing. The "ndesu" shows us his inner voice which is asking "Please, is there any way I can go?"
Bruce: He wants to say "please understand my situation. I really want to go, right?" However, we just don't say things like this in English.
Minako: Exactly. That's why "ndedsu" is hard to understand. I hope you'll understand it better with the next dialogue. Tanaka and his colleague Yamada are talking.
Yamada: Dou shita ndesu ka? (What happened to you?)
Tanaka: Koronda ndesu. (I fell over.)
Yamada: Ski ni ikeru ndesu ka? (Are you able to go skiing?)
Tanaka: Ikenai ndesu. (I can't.)
Minako: Let's analyze this line by line. Compare with the doctor. Yamada was surprised to see Tanak injured. What happened to you? Where did you get injured? She wants to ask a lot of questions.
Buruce: Indeed. Yamada is really curious and asks "dou shita ndesu ka?"
Minako: Yes. And Tanaka answers back with the "please understand me N". So, the next line... Why do you think Yamad uses "ndesu" here?
Bruce: She wants to know what Tanaka's plan is for the weekend skiing.
Minako: That's right. So, why is Tanaka replying with "N"?
Bruce: This one is the "please understand me N". Tanaka shows his disappointment with "N". I think I am getting there.
Minako: OK! Let's practice more.
Bruce: Sure.
Minako: For example, if I gave you some buscuits, but you were not eating them, I woudl be curious about why and ask you something like this. Nande cookie o tabenai ndesu ka? (Why aren't you eating the buiscuits?)
Bruce: Tamago allergy nandesu. (I'm allergic to eggs.)
Minako: Good! Zenzen taberarenai ndesu ka? (You can't eat them at all?) Kodomo no toki kara tabeta koto ga nai ndesu ka? (You haven't tried since childhood?)
Bruce: Sou nandesu. (Yes, that's right.)
Minako: Good! I asked you many questions, but always be aware that "ndesu ka?" is a quetsion with extra curiosity. If you ask too many questions, it might be seen as a rude or pushy.
Bruce: I will be careful.
Minako: Now, Bruce. Try a question of your own. What are you curisous about?
Bruce: Well, let's see... Minako, koibito wa iru ndesu ka? (Do you have a boyfriend?)
Minako: That's a very natural way of using "ndesu ka?"
Bruce: Umm...that was a real question.
Minako: Well, I'm looking for a boyfriend at the moment.
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