Beginning Japanese for Professionals: Book 3

18 Japanese words for the English verb ‘live’ There are several Japanese words that are translated as ‘live’ in English. Distinguish the subtle differences among them. sumu take a residence 住む typically preceded by a location + particle ni Nihon ni sunde imasu . I live in Japan. Eki no soba ni sumitai n desu kedo . I’d like to live near the station. kurasu spend everyday; refers to life-styles 暮らす preceded by description of how one spends everyday or does daily chores preceded by a location + particle de Amerika de tanoshiku kurashite imasu. I’m living a fun life in America. Tanoshiku kurashite imasu. I’m living happily. ikiru spend one’s life; stay alive; opposite of shinu ‘die’ 生きる Hyaku-sai made ikimashita . She lived up to age 100. Mada ikite imasu . He is still alive. Shinu ka ikiru ka . It’s a matter of life or death. seikatsu(-suru) make a living; lead a life of certain social-economic level; 生活する handle daily activities (similar to kurasu ) Kono shigoto de wa seikatsu dekimasen . You cannot live on this job. Nihon no seikatsu ga suki desu . I like the life (style) in Japan. Motto ii seikatsu ga shitai . I want a better standard of living. Grammar Notes 9-4-1 Mou and Mada : A Change or No Change in Status Earlier, we learned that when complemented on our language skills, we might respond by saying Mada mada desu . This is a humble response saying “not yet not yet” and implying that there is still a long way to go. Mada is often translated as ‘still’, or ‘(not) yet’ in a negative sentence. Its basic meaning is that there is no significant change in the situation. Wakarimashita ka. Did you understand it? Ie, mada wakarimasen. No I still don’t get it.