Japanese Nouns




Definition: The noun is used to identify a person, place, thing, or idea. In Japanese all nouns not have gender and usually the singular and plural form are the same.

Examples:
  • English

    pencil, the pencil, a pencil,pencils,the pencils

  • Japanese

    鉛筆 = Enpitsu

The Japanese have the following rules for the use of nouns:

  1. For Nouns Referring to People

    If you use a noun referring to people, you must use the suffix たち (tachi) that indicate the plural form.

    Singular Japanese Romanji Plural Japanese Romanji
    Woman 女性 Josei Women 女性たち Josei-tachi
    Man 男 Otoko Men 男たち Otoko-tachi
    Child 子供 Kodomo Childen 子供たち Kodomo-tachi
    Girl 少女 Shōjo Girls 少女たち Shōjo-tachi

  2. The Suffix "ya" (や) and The Suffix "ka" (か)

    • The suffix ya (や) is used for the store where the objects are sold or the person who sells them.

    • The suffix ka (か) is used for the person who is an expert or specialist in the designated subject.
    3. Basic noun Noun with や (ya) or か (ka)
    English Japanese English Japanese
    flower 花
    hana    		 flower shop , florist 花 屋
    hanaya
    meat 肉
    niku    		 butcher shop, butcher 肉 屋
    nikuya
    novel 小 説
    shōsetsu    		 novelist 小 説 家
    shōsetsuka
    book 本
    hon    		 bookstore clerk, bookseller 本 屋 さ ん
    honya-san
    If you talk about a shopkeeper or clerk, you have to use the honorific san (さん).

  3. For Compound Nouns

    When you use two nouns together, you form a compound noun are joined by the particle no.

    4. Basic noun Noun with や (ya) or か (ka)
    English Japanese English Japanese
    japanese / class 日本語 / クラス
    nihongo / kurasu    		 Japanese class 日本語のクラス
    nihongo no kurasu
    apartment / building アパート / ビル
    apāto / biru    		 Apartment building アパートのビル
    apāto no biru





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