I2 - Lesson 5
In this lesson, we'll learn how to use verb + nagara as conjunction to indicate when a person is doing two things simultaneously. We'll also learn to use tari to list actions and situations. We'll also use shi to list out reasons. Lastly, the lesson will briefly touch on mitai, which is to liken something to something else.
Verb（ます） + ながら
Verb （ます）+ ながら is used as a conjunction to indicate when a person is doing two things simultaneously.
Examples
I listen to music while working.
音楽を聞きながら、働きます。
He drinks coffee while reading email.
彼はコーヒーをのみならがら、Eメールを読む。
- In this sentence pattern, the later action in the sentence is the main action.
...たり...
たり is used to mention some presentative (actions or situations) out of many. You can use たり to list out a few things (non-exhaustive) that you've done over the weekend or things you did while you're on a vacation.
Another usage of たり is to indicate a repeat of opposite actions or situations. It is usually used to describe an unstable situation (E.g. Stock prices going up and down).
Structure
Use verbs, adjectives or nouns in its dictionary た form + り and end the sentence with します or です.
Example of たり as a list
(Listing 2 actions)
On weekends, I play with my cat, watch Netflix etc.
週末は猫に遊んだり、Netflixを見たり、します。
(Listing 3 actions)
In Japan, I did snowboarding, sightseeing, shopping and so on.
日本ではスノボルドルフしたり、見物したり、買い物したり、しました。
(Listing 1 action)
Q: What do you do when you're free?
Q: 暇とき、どうしますか？
A: I read a book or something.
A: 本を読んだりします。
Example of たり to describe an unstable situation
The light in the room keeps coming on and off.
部屋の明かりはついたり、消えたりしています。
After lunch, sometimes I'm busy and sometimes I'm free.
私は御飯を食べた後で、忙しかったり、暇だったりです。
In Singapore, sometimes it's raining and sometimes it's sunny.
シンガポールでは、雨が降ったり、晴れだったりです。
Q: Do you exercise everyday?
Q: 毎日運動しますか？
A: No, sometimes I exercise, sometimes I don't.
Q: したり、しなかったりです。
- You'll typically list 2 actions or sitations using たり.
- You'll need to change all verb, adjective and noun to its dictionary た form.
- When opposite meanings are used with たり, it indicates that the action or situation has repeated many times. It is usually used for an unstable action or situation.
...し...
し is used to express a list of reasons. It is very much like から(because) except that し expresses a list of reasons.
Structure
Dictionary form + し + hence, cause of action.
Examples
(Listing 2 reasons)
The weather is hot and I want to rest, I want to stay at home.
今日天気も暑いし、休みたいし、家にいたいです。
(Listing 3 actions)
There's no time, I haven't take a shower and I don't feel well, I think I don't want to go.
時間がないし、シャワーを浴びないし、気分が悪いし、行きたくないと思います。
(Listing 1 action)
I couldn't meet because I was busy at work.
仕事の物も忙しいし、会えなかったです。
- In the case of 1 reason, it hints at other reasons the speaker would like to add.
- Change the word before し into dictionary form.
。。。見たい
見たい is used to express a resemblance of something(s) or some person(s) to something else.
Structure
名詞(Noun) + 見たいです。
Examples
The design looks like an iPhone.
このデザインはアイフォン見たいです。
Her skin is as white as snow.
彼女の肌は雪見たいに白いです。
This is a very busy city. It's just like Tokyo.
このまちは賑やかですね。東京見たいですね。
Flowers like snow.
雪見たいな花。
- 見たい has the same inflection pattern as a na-adjective.