Page 37 - Easy Japanese - Learn to Speak Japanese Quickly! (TUTTLE)

GRAMMAR NOTE The Phrase Particle Mo
The particle mo indicates similarities and performs the opposite function of that
performed by the particle wa. The particle mo means “too” or “also” with an

affirmative predicate (nouns, verbs and adjectives) and “either” when used with
a negative predicate. It can be attached to a subject, or other elements like the
object, time expressions or locations that will be introduced in Lesson 3.
Satō-san mo heta desu. Ms. Sato is bad at (it), too. (Someone

else is bad.)
Eigo mo jozu ja nai (I’m) not good at English, either.
desu. (There are other things I’m bad at.)

CULTURAL NOTE Foreign Words in Japanese

Japanese has borrowed words and phrases from other languages. The majority of
Japanese loanwords these days come from English. When words are borrowed,
they go through some changes. First, their pronunciations change to fit the
Japanese sound system, i.e., Mr. Hill becomes Hiru-san. Make sure you learn
how your name is pronounced in Japanese. Second, these words usually become

nouns in Japanese, regardless of what they were in their original language.
Third, their meaning in Japanese may be different. Fourth, they are written in
Katakana with a few exceptions using the English alphabet, i.e., “Wi-Fi” in
Japanese is still “Wi-Fi”.
If the original words or phrases are long, they get abbreviated and become

very different words from the original (sumaho for “smartphone”). It’s common
to abbreviate two-word phrases by taking the first two syllables from each and
combine them to make four syllable words (pasokon for “personal
computer”—n is a syllable on its own).

CULTURAL NOTE Aizuchi: How to be a Good Listener

When you participate in a Japanese conversation you are expected to give
frequent feedback and show that you are engaged and paying attention.
Feedback includes nodding, making appropriate facial expressions, and using
short expressions such as Hai, Ā, sō desu ka, and others. All these are called
Aizuchi.
You will hear Japanese speakers using hai and see them nodding equally
frequently. Nodding means “I’m listening”, but it doesn’t necessarily mean “I