Features of Futaba's Lessons
Man-to-Man Lesson
The Man-to-Man Lessons will be based on each students’s language needs, speed, and education level, and will be easy to continue in the long run.
Taught by experienced Japanese Language Teachers
All the teachers have experienced working in a Japanese company. Therefore, you will learn common sense in Japanese society as well as business manners and habits.
Learning "Gokan" (linguistic sense)
By learning “Gokan” (linguistic sense) which is not explained in the textbook, you can become closer to speaking Japanese natively.
ABOUT “GOKAN”
“Gokan” refers to the small differences and degree of subtle impacts and words and phrases have.
As many foreigners come to Japan to find jobs, the majority of them study Japanese to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test or the Study Abroad Test, so they do not have the opportunity to learn “Gokan”.
Therefore, there are unintentionl miscommunications and rude word choices that are the consequences.
At Futaba, we teach “Gokan” at every Japanese level, so that these subtle differences will allow you to be able to communcate in Japanese at a higher level.
Examples of "Gokan"
"gokan" for "だけ dake" and "しかありません shika arimasen" - both different terms for "only"
In English, the word for “only” that also includes the feeling of disapointment
(in Japanese, 「しか ありません」) does not exist. Whether you are disapointed or not, the sole word of “only” is used in English.
However, among Japanese people, from the phrase「しか ありません」, you can understand that the speaker is dissapointed.
For example, at a home party, a friend who enjoys wine wants to drink wine had this occurance.
If you open the refrigerator, there is only one bottle of wine.
In this situation, telling their friend, they said, “There is only one bottle of wine in the refriderator.” (using だけ) or “There is only one bottle of wine.” (usingしか) gives two different impressions to this friend.
“There is only one bottle of wine in the refrigerator.” (using だけ) just describes the situation of the matter.
However, “There is only one bottle of wine in the refrigerator.” (usingしか) describes that the speaker is disappointed about the situation.
In English, the phrase that express “the feeling of disappointment” , such as “しか ありません” in Japanese, does not exist.
The phrase “There is only one bottle of wine in the refrigerator” just describes the situation of the matter and not the feeling of disappointment.
As explained above, differences in subtle nuance such as “Gokan” exists in Japanese. You may be mistaken by being unconscious about “Gokan”.
Let's check your Sense of the Japanese Language!! "Gokan"
You invite your friend to a home party
You are thinking about inviting an acquantiance you just met to a home party.
However, this is your second time meeting the person.
Yet, you are thinking of getting to know the person better as a friend.
How would you express your intention through your invitation
Please pick the most suitable sentence from A to C below.
A “I am planning to host a party this weekend, if you would like to, would you like to come?” いらっしゃいますか？
B “I am planning to host a party this weekend, would you like to go?” 来ますか？
C “I am planning to host a party this weekend, would you like to come?” 来ませんか？
[Answer]C
Because the person you are talking to is neither a senior nor a person whom you have just met for the first time, it would be too polite to use A“いらっしゃる”.
When we compare B the affirmative form “来ますか？” and C negative forms “来ませんか？”、using the B affirmative form will give an impression that you are talking as a superior.
Thus, the answer is C.
Asking a question to your Boss
You have a question for your superior at work.
How would you communicate to your boss?
Please pick the most suitable sentence from A to C below.
A “Boss, I have a question now, are you okay with time?”
B “Boss, I have a question now, do you have time at the moment?”
C “Boss, I have a question now, could I have some time?”
[Answer]B
Since the other person is your superior, it is best to communicate politely.
A give off a rude impression.
The “もらえますか？” in C “お時間もらえますか？” is just a normal polite phrase.
In this case, as you are talking to a Superior, B “お時間よろしいですか？” would be the most suitable honorific form to use.
Asking your colleague to do some work
You would like to ask your colleague to prepare some documents for a meeting.
You know them very well in their private life too.
How would you ask him/her for this favor?
Please pick the most suitable sentence from A to C below.
A “〇〇-san, I am very sorry, but could you please make the documents for the meeting next week?”
B “〇〇-san, I hate to ask you this, but please make the documents for the meeting next week”
C “〇〇-san, if you could make the documents for the meeting next week, that would really help me.”
[Answer]C
Even though he/she is your colleague, you know him/her pretty well in private life too. Therefore, A would be too polite.
You might think that B is fine in this case, yet if compared to C, C will sound better to have the other person willingly do a favor for you.
No matter how well you know the other person, B is too causal for the setting, thus C would be a best phrase to maintain your friendly relationship.
Therefore, the answer is C.
By learning "Gokan"...
- You will be able to communicate in Japanese effectively
- Speaking in Japanese will be more fun
- You will be able to enjoy and confidently speak in Japanese with Japanese people