Manda Monophobia
I'd like some one on one explanations/lessons about verb conjugation. I'm using
Free Japanese Lessons to do lessons on for now. but if possible I'd like some help and someone to challenge the knowledge i obtain about verb conjugation.
particularly- I learn by using my knowledge in context..
Like if i were to be tested over the use of
漢字 ひらがな Romaji Verb Base
話す はなす hanasu (to speak)
話さ はなさ hanasa Base 1
話し はなし hanashi Base 2
話す はなす hanasu Base 3
話せ はなせ hanase Base 4
話そう はなそう hanasou Base 5
話して はなして hanashite Base "te"
話した はなした hanashita Base "ta"
I would want to have a way to remember each base- and be able to use each form in a sentence.
I wouldn't really suggest learning it by their different bases:
(1) There are many different grammar points for a lot of the bases.
Ex. Take 話した, then there's also 話したら, 話したい, 話したがる, 話したり, etc.
(2) Base 1 "話さ" has no meaning by itself.
So don't memorize by bases.
I think it would be good if you start learning individual grammar points. If you still want to learn by remembering each base, then I will list out the (most) common grammar point used for each base.
Base 1 話さない (doesn't speak) negative
Base 2 話します (speaks/will speak) polite
Base 3 話す (speaks/will speak) dictionary/informal
Base 4 話せる (can speak) potential
Base 5 話そう (let's speak) volitional
て-form 話して (speak) *one function is for linking sentences
た-form 話した (spoke) past
Here are some example sentences:
日本語（にほんご）で話（はな）さないと勉強（べんきょう）にならないよ。
If you don't speak in Japanese, you won't learn it.
山田先生（やまだせんせい）と話（はな）しました。
I spoke with Yamada-sensei.
英語（えいご）で話（はな）せるようになりたいです。
I want to become able to speak English.
英語（えいご）で話（はな）そう！
Let's speak in English!
友達（ともだち）と話（はな）して、マックに行（い）こうと決（き）めた。
I talked with my friend and decided to go to McDonald's.
If you are looking for textbooks, I would recommend Genki I, publisher The Japan Times. My friends have all used this before and they all think it's a great textbook (first year university). The topics in the book are geared towards foreign students wanting to go on university exchange to Japan, so if you find that irrelevant to you (because you just plan on going there for travel, maybe work, or just something else), then I'm sure there are other good textbooks you might want to check out. I heard that Minna no Nihongo is another good textbook, but I've never used it before so I can't comment on it.
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