[Lucid:]

it was. I was really bad at it though. XD I was always better at grammar than vocab.

[Demonskid]

I'll probably be better at vocab.. grammar fails D:

[Lucid:]

Japanese grammar is easier than English grammar. :3

[Demonskid]

I hope so >< I fail at english grammar

[Lucid:]

nah, you're.....okayish at English grammar. 8D
<3
you're better than many internet-dwellers, at any rate.

[Demonskid]

._. *remembers one fanfic on AFF.net and shivers* I guess I'm okish

[Azrael]

just a hint with kanji I guess. While it's always good to know the most common pronunciations, don't forget to learn the lesser-used ones as well. And never forget to learn the chinese readings along with the Japanese readings.

For anyone with an iPhone/iPod touch then you should get the app "Kanji" it's orange and... just is named kanji. Anyway you can make lists and then push the study button and it works just like flash cards >3<' I love it.

[Demonskid]

D: i need a ipod touch.. or a smart phone... or something ><

[Azrael]

well flashcards work just as well s'long as you have all the readings still, but the app is just more convenient for me. XD

[shinkamalei]

Oh so sorry for not being here! I think it's long overdue for another little lesson no? (fyi the quiz-type item - the first link - I will post up is a review on the old and a practice of using adjectives and this will also include translating (do not worry - in both hiragana and romaji))

So for today's lesson we will be showing how to say it isn't, was, and wasn't (using desu). AND IT WILL BE LONG FORM! aka formal.

THIS IS USING NOUNS FOR B!! BIG NOTE - IF USING I-ADJECTIVES IT CHANGES!! THIS WILL BE COVERED IN THE NEXT INSTALLMENT!

Pt 1!!! - Past Affirmative (aka past tense)
PrAf: AはBです。　A wa B desu. (present affirmative AKA present tense)
PaAf: AはBでした。　A wa B deshita. (Past affirmative)

You see what I changed? The ending.. Well for the sake of this I will call it a 'verb' even though it really isn't, Changed~ So to make a regular sentence past you change it from です(desu) To でした(deshita)。

Pt2!!! -　Present Negative (aka negative)
PrAf: AはBです。A wa B desu.
PrNe: AはBじゃないです。 A wa B ja nai desu.
PrNe2: AはBじゃありません。 A wa B ja arimasen.

In order to change a positive simple sentence to negative you simply add じゃない(ja nai) after the noun in position B. If you put it where A is （before the は）not only does it sound funny but it isn't correct either.

Option 2: In this option you change the です(desu) to あります(arimasu). That is the verb to be (inanimate objects) and to have (not the same as to own though). And then we change the あります(arimasu) to ありません(arimasen). This will make it negative. You also make sure there is a じゃ(ja) following the noun.

Pt3!!! - Past Negative (no aka)
PrAf:　AはBです。　A wa B desu.
PaNe:　AはBじゃなかったです。　A wa B ja nakatta desu.
PaNe２：　AはBじゃありませんでした。　A wa B ja arimasen deshita.

So ask you can see the じゃない (ja nai) became じゃなかった(ja nakatta)。 Do you see the difference? If not, the ending い(i) of the じゃない(ja nai) became かった(katta).　Now that is using the first option as shown in pt 2 as well.

Option 2: We take the じゃありません(ja arimasen) and combine it with the past affirmative that was shown in part 1. So you take present negative + past affirmative and you get past negative!

For you ease this is how it lines up using the example This is paper （And all of it subsequent forms)

これはかみです。 Kore wa kami desu.
This is paper.
これはかみでした。 Kore wa kami deshita.
This was paper.
これはかみじゃないです・これはかみじゃありません。 Kore wa kami ja nai desu/ja arimasen.
This is not paper.
これはかみじゃなかったです・これはかみじゃありませんでした。 Kore wa ja nakatta desu/ja arimasen deshita.
This was not paper.

EDIT: So I will post up two things later tonight - 1 will be a homework type thing over this. The other will be a mini quiz of last weeks stuff. I will try to put doing this stuff weekly into my calendar ok? Then maybe we can get a weekly quiz (or daily if you want. We have 2 daily quizzes in my class) and a homework type thing that I do more often and it's a lot more simple. And maybe a monthly test?

Of course romaji, hiragana/romaji, and hiragana only would be available. What do you all think?

[Ashurato]

Shinkamalei-sensei!! Sugoku tanomoshii! <3

[shinkamalei]

>////< Thank you ashurato-san! ちょっと恥ずかしい～ (A little embarassing). But thanks. I think it's good to pass on good teachings and honestly I would be doing a lot wrong if not for my teacher, kazuko-sensei.

[Demonskid]

;w; you are so helpful <3 *reads*

[Ashurato]

I think it's a wonderful thing you're doing, shinkamalei. I'm sure people like DK *stares at the hungry-wolf expression on DK's face* really appreciate it.

[shinkamalei]

you're welcome DK. I check back here everyday but just briefly (check for new comments and/or msgs). If you have any questions - you can PM me. Or anyone else. <3 I will soon be graduating 1st year japanese and I get to be my teacher's TA <3333 Which is a first at my college!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! /excited

@ashurato:
lol well I hope I am really able to help. All the information that is taught to me by the international students, all my own blunders, and all the things my teacher has taught me I will try to pass on. <3 And if I make a mistake - please feel free to correct me. ^^;

[Ashurato]

Will do~ If either of you get stuck on something, just feel free to ask.
Also, are these "lesson" posts being archived? *checks the front page*

Yep, good job!