Introduction: Words Connect Our Hearts and Sentence Structures
Hello, everyone! In upper elementary school, you get more and more chances to talk with many different people—not just your friends, but also teachers and members of your community—and to write longer compositions, don't you?
"I know what I want to say, but I can't seem to get my point across clearly..."
"When I talk to adults, I'm never quite sure which words I should use..."
Have you ever experienced this? It might seem a bit tricky at first, but don't worry! Once you learn how to arrange your words (sentence structure) and how to show consideration to others (honorific language / keigo), you will be able to express your thoughts neatly and accurately. Let’s enjoy learning this step by step!
*You already learned the basics of "subjects and predicates" as well as "modifiers" in lower and middle elementary grades. In upper grades, we will master how to put them together even better and learn everyday honorific language.
Chapter 1: Level Up Your Sentence Structure!
1. Word Modification and Word Order
In a sentence, when one word explains, describes, or connects to another word, we call this word modification (kakari-kata).
Just changing the word order slightly can make a sentence harder to understand, or sometimes even change its meaning completely!
[Let’s Look at an Example]
"Aoi tori no hane o hirotta." (青い鳥の羽を拾った。)
When you read this sentence, which meaning do you think of?
① I picked up a feather from a blue bird. (The bird is blue.)
② I picked up a blue feather of a bird. (The feather is blue.)
Sentences that can be read both ways like this can confuse the reader. To avoid misunderstandings, the basic rule is to place the modifier (the word that describes or explains) as close as possible to the word it describes.
[How to Improve It]
・When you want to say the bird is blue: "Aoi tori no, hane o hirotta." (Add a Japanese comma "、" like this: 「青い鳥の、羽を拾った。」) or 「羽を拾ったのは、青い鳥だ。」 ("The one whose feather I picked up was a blue bird.")
・When you want to say the feather is blue: 「鳥の青い羽を拾った。」 (Place "blue [青い]" right before "feather [羽]".)
[Key Points]
・Place the modifying word as close as possible to the word being modified.
・When a sentence becomes long, inserting a comma ("、" / tōten) at meaning breaks makes the modification relationships clear.
2. Watch Out for "Twisted Sentences" (Mismatched Structures)
The most common mistake when writing is a twisted sentence (bun no nejire), where the beginning and the end of the sentence do not match up. This happens especially when the subject and predicate are placed too far apart.
[A Common Mistake]
"Watashi no yume wa, itsuka sekaijū o tabi shite takusan no hito to tomodachi ni naritai desu."
(私の夢は、いつか世界中を旅してたくさんの人と友だちになりたいです。)
Did you notice what sounds awkward?
The sentence starts with "My dream is..." (subject), but ends with "...I want to become friends" (predicate). Since a "dream" is not a person, the dream itself cannot "want to become" something!
[The Correct Way to Fix It]
"Watashi no yume wa, itsuka sekaijū o tabi shite takusan no hito to tomodachi ni naru koto desu."
(私の夢は、いつか世界中を旅してたくさんの人と友だちになることです。)
Now, the beginning and the end match perfectly: "My dream is to become... (Yume wa ~ koto desu)"!
3. Connecting Sentences (Conjunctions)
Instead of just listing short sentences one after another, connecting them properly according to their relationships (such as cause-and-effect or contrast) makes your writing persuasive and easy to understand.
・Cause and Effect (dakara [so], sono tame [therefore]): The first sentence causes what happens in the second sentence.
"Ashita wa ensoku desu. Dakara, hayaku nemasu." ("Tomorrow is our field trip. Therefore, I will go to bed early.")
・Contrast (shikashi [however], demo [but]): Connects opposite ideas or something unexpected.
"Ame ga futte imashita. Shikashi, shiai wa okonawaremashita." ("It was raining. However, the match was held.")
・Addition and Parallel (mata [also], sore ni [moreover]): Lists things side by side or adds more information.
"Kono hon wa omoshiroi desu. Sore ni, shashin mo takusan arimasu." ("This book is interesting. Moreover, it has many photos.")
[Quick Tip!]
If you string too many connecting words like "~ node, ~ dakara, ~ keredo, ~" into a single sentence, it becomes too long and the structure breaks down. When you feel your message isn't coming across clearly, be brave and end the sentence with a period ("。")! That is the secret to good writing!
Chapter 2: Spoken Language vs. Written Language
In upper elementary school, you are expected to choose your words carefully depending on whether you are chatting with friends or giving a presentation and writing a composition.
・Spoken Language (Kōgo): Words used in conversation. They sound friendly and convey emotions easily, but if written directly in an essay, they can appear too casual.
・Written Language (Bunsyōgo): Words used in essays, newspapers, and reports. These are refined expressions designed so that anyone reading them can understand the exact meaning.
[Examples of How to Switch]
・"Yappari" \(\rightarrow\) "Yahari" (as expected / after all)
・"Ironna" \(\rightarrow\) "Iroirona" (various)
・"Sugoku" \(\rightarrow\) "Taihen" or "Totemo" (very / greatly)
・"~ dakedo" \(\rightarrow\) "~ desu ga" or "~ de aru ga" (although / but)
[Key Points]
While spoken words sound natural in everyday conversation, being mindful to use written language in research presentations and book reports will make your writing much more convincing!
Chapter 3: Master Everyday Honorific Language (Keigo)!
1. Why Do We Use Honorific Language?
Words have the power to build connections between people.
Keigo is an important tool for showing respect (consideration and esteem) to others so that everyone can communicate comfortably and pleasantly.
In upper elementary school, let's learn to understand and distinguish the three main types of everyday honorifics: respectful language (sonkeigo), humble language (kenjōgo), and polite language (teineigo).
2. The Three Types of Keigo
① Respectful Language (Sonkeigo)
・Meaning: Words used to elevate the actions, possessions, and state of the person you are speaking to or an elder/superior.
・Whose action?: The other person's action!
・Patterns: Use patterns like "o (go) ~ ni naru", "~ reru / rareru", or special honorific words.
・Examples: The teacher speaks (Sensei ga "ohanashi ni naru"); the principal comes (Kōchō-sensei ga "korareru").
② Humble Language (Kenjōgo)
・Meaning: Words used to show modesty regarding your own actions (or your group's actions), thereby elevating the other person.
・Whose action?: Your own action!
・Patterns: Use patterns like "o (go) ~ suru", "~ itasu", "~ mōshiageru", or special humble words.
・Examples: I will carry the luggage (Watashi ga nimotsu o "omochi suru"); I ask the teacher a question (Sensei ni shitsumon o "mōshiageru").
③ Polite Language (Teineigo)
・Meaning: Words used to speak politely and courteously to the listener.
・Patterns: End sentences with "~ desu", "~ masu", or "~ gozaimasu", or add polite prefixes like "o-" or "go-" to nouns.
・Examples: "Kyō wa hare desu." (It is sunny today.); "Hon o yomimasu." (I read a book.); "o-cha" (tea); "go-han" (rice/meal).
3. Must-Know Special Honorific Forms!
Some frequently used verbs change their forms completely into special honorific words. Once you memorize these, you will become great at keigo in no time!
[To go / To come (Iku / Kuru)]
・Respectful (the other person): Irassharu, Oide ni naru
・Humble (yourself): Mairu, Ukagau
[To say (Iu)]
・Respectful (the other person): Ossharu
・Humble (yourself): Mōsu, Mōshiageru
[To eat (Taberu)]
・Respectful (the other person): Meshiagaru
・Humble (yourself): Itadaku
[To see / To look (Miru)]
・Respectful (the other person): Goran ni naru
・Humble (yourself): Haiken suru
[To know (Shitte iru)]
・Respectful (the other person): Gozonji da
・Humble (yourself): Zonjite iru, Zonjiagete iru
[To meet (Au)]
・Respectful (the other person): (Oai ni naru, etc.)
・Humble (yourself): Ome ni kakaru
[To do (Suru)]
・Respectful (the other person): Nasaru
・Humble (yourself): Itasu
Chapter 4: Check for Common Keigo Mistakes!
[Common Mistake ①] Using humble language for the other person's action
× "Sensei, kono hon o itadakimashita ka?"
"Itadaku" is a humble word used for your own actions. When a teacher (the other person) eats or receives something, use respectful language instead!
○ "Sensei, kono hon o meshiagarimashita ka?" (for food) or "o-uketori ni narimashita ka?" (for receiving a book)
[Common Mistake ②] Using respectful language for your own action
× "Watashi ga kōchō-shitsu e irasshaimasu."
"Irassharu" is a respectful word that elevates the other person's actions. When you move or go somewhere yourself, use humble language!
○ "Watashi ga kōchō-shitsu e ukagaimasu (or mairimasu)."
[Common Mistake ③] Overusing honorifics (Double honorifics / Nijū-keigo)
× "Sensei ga osshararemashita."
Adding another respectful ending "~ rareru" onto "ossharu" (which is already respectful) is a very easy trap to fall into.
○ "Sensei ga osshaimashita." This is plenty polite on its own!
[Tips for Telling Them Apart]
If the subject is the other person (such as a teacher or guest) \(\rightarrow\) Respectful Language (Sonkeigo)
If the subject is yourself (I / we) \(\rightarrow\) Humble Language (Kenjōgo)
Checking "Whose action is this?" is the number-one key to avoiding mistakes!
Summary Review Points
1. Sentence Structure
・Place modifying words close to the words they describe.
・Check that the subject and predicate connect properly and that the sentence isn't twisted.
・If a sentence gets too long, divide it appropriately using punctuation marks like commas ("、") and periods ("。").
2. Spoken and Written Language
・In presentations and essays, make a conscious effort to use written language, such as changing "yappari" \(\rightarrow\) "yahari" and "sugoku" \(\rightarrow\) "taihen".
3. Everyday Keigo
・Respectful Language (Sonkeigo): Elevates the other person (ossharu, goran ni naru, meshiagaru).
・Humble Language (Kenjōgo): Lowers yourself modestly to honor the other person (mōsu, haiken suru, itadaku, ukagau).
・Polite Language (Teineigo): Speaks courteously to the listener (~ desu, ~ masu).
Grammar rules and keigo are wonderful tools of kindness to ensure your thoughts and facts reach others accurately. Try practicing them out loud, little by little, in your daily school life and everyday greetings!