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Question to Teacher: Where do you place ADVERBS in Japanese sentences?
Course 2 Lesson 7: Noboru's Family (About This Lesson)

Dazza666

Post Date: 2010-01-22 22:09:20

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2009 Dec 15

Questions: 4
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Hi,

I've learned that よく could possibly go in two different places (that i've seen) e.g.

よくとうきょうに　いきます

and

おさけを　よく　のみますか

Hi

this is RE: page 114/115 in Japanese from zero book 2

In the first sentence yoku is not placed directly in front of the verb and is used similarly to other adverbs i have seen (tokidoki) but in the second sentence yoku is used directly in front of the verb.

Is the location interchangeable or is it located differently because of the different particles に　を

thanks

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YesJapan Teacher (George)

Post Date: 2010-02-03 05:05:33

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1997 Aug 25

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Yes! Great observation!

In Japanese if you keep particles paired with the right word you can re-arrange almost anything.

The following sentences mean the same thing but are in different order:
(NOTE: Japanese sentences are translated in reverse since English puts the verb first in sentences)

1. Maitoshi no san gatsu ni tomodachi to JAL de nihon ni tobimasu.
I fly to Japan on JAL with my friend every year in March.

2. Tomodachi to maitoshi no san gatsu ni JAL de nihon ni tobimasu.
I fly to Japan on JAL every year in March with my friend.

3. JAL de maitoshi no san gatsu ni tomodachi to nihon ni tobimasu.
I fly to Japan with my friend every year in March with my friend.

4. Nihon ni tomodachi to maitoshi no san gatsu ni JAL de tobimasu.
I fly on JAL every year in March with my friend to Japan.

Now even though some of these orders don't sound very natural order wise none of them are incorrect.
As long as you keep the particles matched up with the proper words then the meaning is understood.

I hope this helps!

George
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