form is setsumei-shite inai (-shite imasen).
Sensei wa sono riyū o seito ni setsumei-shite iru (-shite imasu or -shite orimasu).
The teacher is explaining the reason to the student.
(b) Denotes present participle construction, corresponding to a clause.
Sensei wa sono riyū o seito ni setsumei-shite, shorui o watashita.
Explaining the reason to the student, the teacher handed the document to him.
(c) Denotes a request or polite command when combined with the fixed form of kudasai. The negative form is setsumei-shinaide kudasai.
Sono riyū o setsumei-shite kudasai.
Please explain the reason.
shi + tai
Denotes a wish or desire, conveying the idea of wanting to do something. The negative form is setsumei-shitakunai (-shitaku arimasen).
Sensei wa sono riyū o seito ni setsumei-shitai (-shitai desu).
The teacher wants to explain the reason to the student.
shi + nagara
Denotes the idea of doing two (or more) things simultaneously, as in “during the time that," "at the same time," or "while."
Sensei wa sono riyū o seito ni setsumei-shinagara, kokuban ni e o kaku (kakimasu).
The teacher draws a picture on the blackboard while he explains the reason to the student.
su + re
Denotes supposition or condition in conjunction with the particle ba, often with moshi placed at the beginning of a sentence, corresponding to the "if" clause in English. The negative form is setsumei-shinakereba.
Moshi sensei ga sono riyū o seito ni setsumei-sureba, mondai wa okoranai darō.
There will be no problem if the teacher explains the reason to the student.
se + yo
Denotes the imperative mood, conveying the idea of ordering someone to do something; interchangeable with shi + ro, which is often used in spoken Japanese. The negative form is setsumei-suruna (-shinaide kudasai).
Sono riyū o setsumei-seyo (-shiro).
Explain the reason.
*Note that this is a real command form and should not be used in normal conversations. If you want to ask someone to do something, always use the shi + te form plus kudasai.
dekiru
Denotes the potential form of suru; namely, the ability to do something. The negative form is setsumei-dekinai (-dekimasen).
* Although dekiru is used more often as a stand-alone verb, compounds with dekiru are hyphenated in this book to indicate its usage as the potential form of suru.
Sensei wa sono riyū o seito ni setsumei-dekiru (-dekimasu).
The teacher can explain the reason to the student.
1
Entering Japan
THE SITUATION
To legally enter Japan you must deal with the necessary formalities, such as immigration papers, customs declaration, and quarantine inspection. Most officials normally speak some English, but don't miss this opportunity to practice. Don't miss out on any chances to speak Japanese—even before you chakuriku-suru (land) at the airport!
Of course, if you mitsunyūkoku-suru (enter illegally) into Japan, compound-suru verbs are still applicable should you have to mikkō-suru (stow away), or tōsō-suru (escape, run away). Beware, however, of the tragic fate that awaits illegal entrants. Immigration officials or police may taiho-suru (arrest) such individuals, and finally tsuihō-suru (expel, deport), or even kankin-suru (imprison) them.
But let's go back to the average situation of entering Japan. The immigration officers' main job is to kensa-suru (to check, to examine). The officer examines your passport and visa. If they are not in order, he may kyohi-suru (refuse) your entry. If they are in order, he will shōnin-suru (admit) you and natsuin-suru (stamp) your passport. Following this procedure, you must tsūkan-suru (clear) your personal effects. If you try to mitsuyu-suru (smuggle) narcotics or guns, police dogs will hakken-suru (discover) them without fail.
If you have two kilograms of gold bars, for example, you must shinkoku-suru (declare) them according to import laws, and the customs officer will kazei-suru (impose a tax) on them accordingly.
If you unfortunately suffer from cholera or yellow fever, the quarantine officer will shōdoku-suru (sterilize) all your belongings and may kakuri-suru (isolate) you. Also, if you hatsunetsu-suru (are feverish) or geri-suru (have diarrhea), then the doctor in charge will shinsatsu-suru (examine) you carefully. If there are no problems, customs will kyoka-suru (permit) you to enter Japan legally.
But don't jump into a taxi or limousine bus just yet. First, ryōgae-suru (change money) at the bank inside the airport. As a Japanese proverb says, Isogaba maware (Make haste slowly)!
DIALOGUE
TOURIST: Sumimasen ga, nimotsu wa doko de kensa-suru no desu ka?
Excuse me, but where do you check our baggage?
CUSTOMS OFFICIAL: Koko desu. Nanika shinkoku-suru mono wa arimasu ka?
Right here. Is there anything to declare?
TOURIST: Rorekkusu no kin dokei o motte imasu ga.
I have a gold Rolex watch.
CUSTOMS OFFICIAL: Kore ni wa kazei-saremasu yo. Ano madoguchi de nōzei-shite kudasai.
This article is taxed. Please pay the tax at the window over there.
Finishing the customs clearance, the tourist moves to the immigration counter.
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL: Pasupōto o teiji-shite kudasai.
Please show your passport.
TOURIST: Hai, dōzo.
Yes, sure.
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL: Donna mokuteki de rainichi-sare-mashita ka?
What is your purpose for visiting Japan?
TOURIST: Kankō-suru/Shigoto-suru tame ni rainichi-shimashita.
I came to sightsee/to work.
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL: Nan nichi kan/Nan kagetsu kan taizai-shimasu ka?
How many days/How many months are you staying?
TOURIST: Itsuka kan/kyūkagestu kan no taizai o yotei-shite imasu.
I plan a five-day stay/a nine-month
