A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns (Kodansha Dictionary) (Paperback)

~ Naoko Chino (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns is a fundamental learning tool for all students of the Japanese language, whether they be unblemished beginners or scarred veterans. With both types of struggling student, as well as for all the gradations that fall in between, there is a strong tendency, in the heat of battle, to lose sight of the essential nature of the Japanese sentence. It is for just such people that this dictionary has been created, to help them keep their eyes fixed firmly on the target and not be led astray.

The dictionary contains fifty of the most fundamental Japanese sentence patterns as well as sixty-nine variations. This number covers all the patterns that are needed for levels 3 and 4 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Each pattern and variation is clearly defined by a formula given in Japanese, romanization, and English. Each is exemplified by sample sentences (both in single sentences and in dialogues), and each is represented in both polite and informal usage.

By means of this approach, the essential nature of the Japanese sentence is clarified, and once that has been done, the many patterns and variations fall easily into place. The simple, undisguised truth is that there are only three types of sentence in Japanese, and all of the convolutions and complications that distract and bemuse the student are nothing more than modifications of these three fundamental types. The study of the Japanese sentence need not be as difficult as it is seems.

A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns may be used as a reference book to look up individual patterns for the purpose of learning, confirming, or reapproaching them, or it may be used as a textbook to be read from beginning to end, providing an overview of the Japanese sentence while buttressing the student's grasp of individual patterns. Naoko Chino, the author of the best-selling All about Particles and Japanese Verbs at a Glance, has again presented one of the more forbidding aspects of the language in a way that is both approachable and eminently comprehensible.

Main Features Fifty of the Most Common Basic Patterns Sixty-nine Variations of the Basic Patterns Formulas Delineating Basic Pattern Structure Definitions of Terms Used in the Formulas Polite Example Sentences and Dialogues Informal Example Sentences and Dialogues Commentary on Individual Usages All the Basic Patterns Needed for Levels 3 & 4 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test

About the Author

Naoko Chino is a lecturer at Sophia University, Tokyo, and the author of All About Particles and Japanese Verbs at a Glance.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha International; 1st edition (January 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770026080
• ISBN-13: 978-4770026088
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #352,575 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent supplement, August 9, 2002

By	Richard A. Weaver (lawrenceville, GA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'd highly recommend this book to beginning / intermediate students of Japanese. Although it's not suitable as a stand-alone introduction to Japanese, it's an excellent supplement to whatever text or course you're using (I'm using Jorden's Japanese - The Spoken Language).

It recognizes that there are only 3 basic sentence types in Japanese (Nominal, Adjectival, and Verbal), and even the most complex sentences are just an elaboration of one or another of these sentence types. The author presents 50 sentence patterns, with over 60 variations. Each pattern and variation is explained (in English!), and for each pattern, there are a number of sample sentences in Japanese script, romanization (Hepburn), and an English translation. Included in these representative sentences are many short dialogues, as well. The majority use the distal-style, but there are a good number illustrating the plain / direct style as well.

By internalizing these basic patterns, I think the learner will develop a sound basis for continued progress in Japanese. I'm glad I bought it.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid reference book for beginning/intermediate students, September 5, 2004

By	Zack Davisson "japanreviewed.com" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is exactly what it says it is, "A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns." Like all dictionaries, it is a reference book designed to supplement other methods of language learning, rather than being a text book on its own. After all, you don't learn English by reading the Dictionary!

As a reference book, it is excellent. It breaks down the Japanese language into 3 basic sentence patterns (Nominal, Adjectival, and Verbal), then shows possible variations. As it is a grammar reference, the book assumes that one is fluent in grammatical English as well, and that the readers know a participle from a predicate. Along with the basic patterns, the book demonstrates how formality/informality and men's/women's languages can influence the shape of a Japanese sentence. There are many example dialogs, showing the same conversation from a few viewpoints.

As with all decent Japanese texts, it uses Japanese kana, in this case complete kanji, when writing Japanese, then provides a romaji translation. I don't think that this is a good reference for learning new vocabulary, but a few words might be picked up here and there.

All in all, "A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns" provides a good resource for what can be a confusing element of the Japanese language. Sometimes having something explained in a different manner can help it to click, and even when deciphering longer sentences, it is good to know that they will fit the variation of one of the three patterns.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful book!, January 25, 2001

By	Juanita (Newport News, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This is one of the best Japanese grammar books that I have seen! I'm teaching myself Japanese, so this book is very useful for me. I especially like the way the example sentences are shown: Japanese script on the top, roomaji in the middle, and the English translation of the example sentence on the bottom. Formal and informal sentence patterns are shown, which is another reason why I like this book. (Most Japanese grammar books that I've seen only show the formal sentences.) The author gives detailed explanations of the sentence patterns. The formulas that she uses to clarify the sentence patterns are especially useful. This book is a must-have for anyone studying Japanese!