Volume 2 · Chapter 08
Relative Clauses
Describe nouns with mini-sentences before them.
English uses “that” and “who.” Japanese puts the full descriptor before the noun.
The core shape is:
mini sentence + noun
That means:
- the book I bought yesterday
- the person I met at the station
- the card I am using
Why this works
The clause before the noun keeps all the meaning:
- It is the person I met at the station.
- It is the store I went to yesterday.
- It is the pass I use now.
Build three versions
- Start with a sentence:
私はカードを受け取りました。 - Turn it into noun modifier:
私が受け取ったカード - Put it in context:
受付で受け取ったカードです。
- It is the document I got at reception.
- It is the ticket my friend gave me.
- It is the book I borrowed last week.
Useful hearing strategy
When you hear a noun preceded by two or more parts, mark where the final noun ends.
- The grammar before the last noun is acting as a modifier.
- The final noun is usually the thing being defined.
Mini scenario
Randomized practice
Relative Clause Practice
-
Meaning
昨日買った本です。
It is the book I bought yesterday.
-
Meaning
駅で会った人です。
It is the person I met at the station.
-
Meaning
私が使っているカードです。
It is the card I am using.
-
Meaning
友達がくれた本です。
It is the book my friend gave me.
-
Say it
Say the ticket I bought yesterday.
昨日買った切符です。
-
Say it
Say the card I received at reception.
受付でもらったカードです。
-
Say it
Say the store I visited yesterday.
昨日行った店です。
-
Say it
Say the room I will use.
これから使う部屋です。
-
Read it
Read 先週借りた本です。
It is the book I borrowed last week.
-
Read it
Read 今使っているパスです。
It is the pass I use now.
-
Read it
Read 市役所で受けた案内です。
It is the guidance I received at city hall.
-
Listen
Where is the main noun in 明日使うアプリですか？
アプリ is the noun being modified.
-
Trap
本を買った昨日です。
Natural order is 昨日買った本。
-
Trap
会った人で駅です。
That is not the modifier structure. Use 駅で会った人です。