Common Japanese Mistakes Indian Learners Make: Part 2

Part 1

In Part 1, we looked at the use of あなた, English-derived katakana words and Japanese counters.
Part 2 examines three further challenges:

1. Confusing は and が
2. Translating word for word
3. Using casual Japanese in formal situations
   

4. Confusing は and が

The particles は and が can both appear near a subject, but they do not perform the same function.
At a beginner level, it is useful to remember:

• は often establishes the topic.
• が commonly identifies or focuses on the grammatical subject.

Their full use is more nuanced, so learners should study them through complete sentence patterns rather than treating them as interchangeable words.
Incorrect
犬が好きはです。
いぬが すきは です。
Inu ga suki wa desu.
The extra は is incorrect in this sentence. 
Correct
犬が好きです。
いぬが すきです。
Inu ga suki desu.
I like dogs. 
Fuller version
私は犬が好きです。
わたしは いぬが すきです。
Watashi wa inu ga suki desu.
As for me, I like dogs. 
Here, 私は introduces the topic, while 犬が occurs within the pattern 犬が好きです.

Learning point
Do not decide between は and が by translating both as a single English word. Learn common patterns such as:

• 私は学生です。
• 猫がいます。
  
• 日本語が好きです。

5. Translating word for word

A sentence that follows English word order or wording may be understandable but still sound incomplete or unnatural in Japanese.
Japanese has its own sentence patterns, preferred expressions, counters and suffixes, levels of formality and context-dependent omissions.
Less complete
私は20です。
わたしは にじゅうです。
Watashi wa nijū desu.
I am 20. The context may make the intended meaning understandable, but the complete expression should specify age. 
Clear and natural
私は二十歳です。
わたしは はたちです。
Watashi wa hatachi desu.
I am 20 years old. 
二十歳 has the special reading はたち when it refers to 20 years of age.
Learning point
Instead of translating each English word separately:

1. Identify the meaning of the complete sentence.
   
2. Recall the Japanese sentence pattern used for that meaning.
3. Add any required counter, particle or suffix.
4. Check whether part of the sentence would normally be omitted.

6. Using casual Japanese in formal situations

Japanese expressions change according to the speaker’s relationship with the listener and the situation.
Casual Japanese may be suitable with close friends. Polite です and ます forms are a safer starting point in many interactions with:

• Teachers
• Customers or clients
• Senior colleagues
• People not known well
• Strangers
• Business associates

Casual form
行く。
いく。
Iku.
I will go. 
Polite form
行きます。
いきます。
Ikimasu.
I will go. 
The casual form is not grammatically wrong. The issue is whether it suits the relationship and context.
Casual
分かった。
わかった。
Wakatta.
Understood. 
Polite
分かりました。
わかりました。
Wakarimashita.
I understand. 
Learning pointBefore speaking, ask:

• Who is the listener?
• How well do I know the listener?
• Is the situation formal or informal?

Would a です or ます form be more appropriate?

Quick review

1. Why is は different from が?
は often establishes a topic, while が commonly marks or focuses on a grammatical subject. Their precise use depends on the sentence and context.
2. Why can word-for-word translation cause problems?
Japanese may organise the same idea using different sentence patterns, particles, counters, omitted subjects and levels of politeness.
3. Is casual Japanese incorrect?
No. Casual Japanese is appropriate in many informal relationships and situations. The mistake is using an unsuitable level of formality for the context.
4. What is a safe starting point for beginners in formal situations?
The です and ます style is generally a useful starting point before studying more advanced honorific and humble expressions.

Practice

Which sentence clearly states that the speaker is 20 years old?

• A. 私は20です。
• B. 私は二十歳です。

Answer: B.
2. Which form is more suitable in a polite conversation?

• A. 行く。
• B. 行きます。

Answer: B.
3. Which sentence correctly expresses “I like dogs”?

• A. 犬が好きはです。
• B. 犬が好きです。

Answer: B.

Final takeaway

Natural Japanese develops through repeated exposure to complete examples. Focus on:

• Sentence patterns rather than individual translations
• Particles in context
• The relationship between speaker and listener
• Correct counters and suffixes
• Regular reading, listening and correction

Mistakes are useful when they help identify what needs more practice.

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