Page 434 - Basic Japanese
P. 434
Some expressions that require a verb + a direct object in
English are equivalent to Japanese expressions with a
subject + a verb:
Furansugo ga wakarimasu.
French is clear. = I understand French.
Oyogu koto ga dekimasu.
Fact of swimming is possible. = I can swim.
O-kane ga irimasu.
Money is necessary. = I need money.
The person who understands, is able to do, or needs is
usually marked by the particle wa as in Watashi wa Furansugo
ga wakarimasu, Watashi wa oyogu koto ga dekimasu, and Watashi wa
o-kane ga irimasu. However, you can have the particle ni, as
you can see in the following sentences.
Watashi ni wa Furansugo ga wakarimasu.
I understand French.
Watashi ni wa oyogu koto ga dekimasu.
I can swim.
Watashi ni wa o-kane ga irimasu.
I need money.
Following are additional examples where you can see the
particle ni in a similar context:
