π Japan’s trains are something else. Train service is incredible. Fairly smooth ride, some noise but not where you would need ear protection and always on time! β
γγγγ
θ¨η»
They have a plan
- You must be wondering where the verb is in the Japanese sentence and itβs actually θ¨η»γγ. There are many nouns that become verbs when γγ is attached.
- It could also be read as θ¨η»οΌγοΌγγ, which places more emphasis on the noun than the action.
γ²γγ γ« γ»γ
JRζ±ζ₯ζ¬γθ¨η»
JR East Japan has a plan
- The space after JRζ±ζ₯ζ¬ separates it, defining it as the topic of the sentence; it’s what the rest of the sentence is about.
- It’s common to see a space or comma where the γ― particle would be.
γγγγ γ€γ
JRζ±ζ₯ζ¬γδ½Ώγθ¨η»
JR East Japan has a use plan
- Whenever you see a plain/casual/dictionary form of a verb in front of a noun, the verb or verb phrase modifies that noun. In other words, itβs giving more details!
- You can think of it as answering the question: what kind of plan?
γγγγγγ γγ
JRζ±ζ₯ζ¬γ2030εΉ΄γγδ½Ώγθ¨η»
JR East Japan has a use plan starting 2030
- 2030εΉ΄ is in number+counter format. This counter is for years.
- Itβs uncommon to hear a number without a counter if youβre specifying a number of something.
- γγ ends the phrase. English prepositions are Japanese postpositions.
- While γγ normally translates to “from,” it sounds a little awkward in English. We can say the same thing using “starting” in this case.
- You could also say “starting from the year 2030.” Depending on what you’re translating this gives a narrative quality to the wording.
γγγγ γ§γγγ
JRζ±ζ₯ζ¬γι»θ»γ2030εΉ΄γγδ½Ώγθ¨η»
JR East Japan plans to use (electric) trains starting 2030
- The particle γ marks the noun that is being acted on by the subject/topic.
- Someone is doing something (the verb) to something (the noun).
γγγγ γ―γ
JRζ±ζ₯ζ¬γθ΅°γι»θ»γ2030εΉ΄γγδ½Ώγθ¨η»
JR East Japan plans to use trains that run starting 2030
- This sentence has two modifying phrases! One nested inside the other.
- θ΅°γ is describing ι»θ» since it is right in front of that noun.
γγγγ γγ γ
JRζ±ζ₯ζ¬γζ°΄η΄ γ§θ΅°γι»θ»γ2030εΉ΄γγδ½Ώγθ¨η»
JR East Japan plans to use trains that run on hydrogen starting 2030
γ§ marks what is being used to do something (if the βwhatβ is a non-location noun).