Learn Minna no Nihongo Grammar – Lesson 29

Learn Minna no Nihongo Grammar – Lesson 29
Let’s study N5-level Japanese grammar, lesson by lesson, following the Minna no Nihongo textbook.

Lesson 29:
1. Vています : describes the state that results from the action of the verb
1.1. N が V ています
• Usage: Describes the state of a thing. When you simply describe the state you can see in front of you, the verb or the thing in that state is marked by the particle が.
• Examples:
まどが 閉まっています。
Mado ga shima tte imasu.
The window is shut
(-> the window is in a closed state, perhaps because of the wind or because someone closed it)

いすが 壊れています。
Isu ga kowarete imasu.
The chair is broken
(-> the chair is in a broken state, perhaps because someone broke it)

ふくろが 破れています。
Fuku ro ga yaburete imasu.
The bag is torn
(-> the bag is in a torn state, perhaps because it caught on something or someone tore it)

窓のガラスが 割れていますから、危ないです。
Mado no garasu ga warete imasukara, abunaidesu.
The window glass is broken, so it is dangerous.
(-> the glass is in a broken state, perhaps because someone threw a stone at it)

• Note: To describe a state in the past, use Vていました
今朝道が 込んでいました。
Kesa michi ga konde imashita.
The roads were packed this morning.

1.2. N は V ています
• Usage:
– When you want to make clear that the doer of the action is the topic of the sentence.
– The demonstratives「この」「その」「あの」 are often used to point out what is being talked about.
• Examples:
このいすは 壊れています。
Kono isu wa kowarete imasu.
This chair is broken

その皿は 割れています。
Sono sara wa warete imasu.
That plate is broken

あの皿は 汚れていますから、洗ってください。
Ano sara wa yogorete imasukara, aratte kudasai.
That plate over there is dirty, please wash it.

2. Vてしまいます: to finish (doing something); to have (unfortunately) done something
2.1. V てしまいました／V ていしまいます: the completion of an action
a. Vていしまいました: have finished, have completed (an action in the past)
• Usage: used to stress that the action really is complete; it is usually preceded by adverbs such as もう、ぜんぶ.
• Examples:
宿題は もう やってしまいました。
Shukudai wa mō yatte shimaimashita.
I have finished all my homework.

お酒を 全部飲んでしまいました。
Osake wo zenbu nonde shimaimashita.
I drank all the sake.

b. Vていしまいます : will finish, will complete (an action in the future)
• Usage: expresses the completion of an action in the future.
• Examples:
明日までに レポートを 書いてしまいます。
Ashita made ni repōto wo kaite shimaimasu.
I will have finished writing the report by tomorrow.

2.2. Vてしまいました: to have (unfortunately) done something
• Usage: expresses the speaker’s regret or sense of having made a mistake in an unfortunate situation.
• Examples:
パスポートを 無くしてしまいました。
Pasupōto wo nakushite shimaimashita.
I have lost my passport.

電車に かばんを 忘れてしまいました。
Densha ni kaban wo wasurete shimaimashita.
I left my bag on the train.

スーパーで 財布を 落としてしまいました。
Sūpā de saifu wo oto shite shimaimashita.
I dropped my wallet at the supermarket.