About Japanese Pre Noun Adjectival(連体詞)
Pre Noun Adjectival, in Japanese, are words used to modify or describe nouns in more detail. They are independent words that do not conjugate and primarily function as adjectival modifiers.
Example: "Please look at that mountain" or "big mountain." In these examples, the pre noun adjectival are used to describe the noun "mountain" in more detail.
Examples of Pre Noun Adjectival
Pre Noun Adjectival modify (describe in detail) the word immediately following them.
- この雑誌
- あらゆる角度から検証する
- 大きな古時計
- わが国
- たいした男だ
List of Pre Noun Adjectival
Here is a list of examples of Pre Noun Adjectivals:
この、その、あの、どの、わが、大きな、小さな、おかしな、いろんな、たいした、とんだ、ある、あらゆる、いわゆる、きたる
Imagine the kind of words that would follow each adnominal as you review the list.
Next, we will explain specific memory and differentiation methods for pre noun adjectival.
Memory Method for Pre Noun Adjectival (Types of Pre Noun Adjectival)
Pre Noun Adjectival can be divided into five categories. A method to remember this is to note that words ending in 「た・だ・の・る・な」 are Pre Noun Adjectivals.
Remember that pre noun adjectivals are words that modify nouns and do not conjugate.
Some pre noun adjectivals have the "〜no" or "〜na" attached to them. Classifying these can help grasp their characteristics more easily.
Types and Examples of Pre Noun Adjectival
"〜no" type: this, that, the one over there, which "〜ga" type: our "〜na" type: big, small, funny, various "〜ta(dai)" type: significant, considerable "〜ru" type: certain, every, so-called, coming
Difference Between pre noun adjectivals and Adjectives
The pre noun adjectival "big" (大きな) can be easily confused with the adjective "big" (大きい), so be careful.
Example:
- 大きいコップがある。
- 彼は私に大きな影響を与えた。
What is the difference between "big" (大きい) and "big" (大きな)?
Grammatically, "big" (大きい) is an adjective, and "big" (大きな) is an pre noun adjectival.
A way to differentiate them is that "big" (大きい) conjugates, as in "bigger" or "biggest."
Conjugation means the form of the word changes.
It can be combined with a verb or used at the end of a sentence.
On the other hand, "big" (大きな) can only be used before a noun and does not conjugate, so it is an adnominal, not an adjective.
In high school Japanese grammar exams, "big" (大きな) does not fit the conjugation patterns "ka・ro・ka・ri・i・ke・re," so it is considered an adnominal, not an adjective.
There are only about ten adnominals, so it is recommended to memorize them.
"Big" (大きい) and "big" (大きな) have similar uses, which makes it difficult to understand that they are different parts of speech.
Therefore, we will provide a supplementary explanation of the differences in the usage and imagery of "big" (大きい) and "big" (大きな).
In fact, if you look up "big" (大きな) and "big" (大きい) in a Japanese web dictionary, you will find the following example sentences:
・Big (大きい): 大きい箱 大きい事件 体の大きい人
・Big (大きな): 大きな格差 大きな計画 問題の大きな捉え方 大きな原因
Actually, "big" (大きな) tends to be used with abstract words that are not visible and are perceived through the senses, while "big" (大きい) tends to be used with concrete words.
This difference is subtle and difficult to explain to people whose native language is not Japanese.
It's just a one-letter difference, but the nuance changes depending on which one you use in a sentence.
For example,
大きな時計 (a big clock) 大きい時計 (a big clock)
Depending on whether you use "na" or "i," the impression received changes.
Using "big" (大きな) evokes an image of a specific clock in front of you, while "big" (大きい) evokes a more general image of a clock.
The following is an example from a famous professor, but it is a word taught by a university professor.
"Big" (大きな) is ultimately used to imagine a visible object. "Big" (大きい) represents something general.
Usage of Pre Noun Adjectivals
Pre Noun Adjectivals create a concrete image of words, so they are often used in daily conversation.
Also, during exams, being able to use Pre Noun Adjectivals correctly will improve your reading and writing skills.
Summary of Pre Noun Adjectivals
Pre Noun Adjectivals are words that modify nouns, are independent, and do not conjugate.
The main Pre Noun Adjectivals include "this, that, the one over there, which, our, big, small, funny, various, significant, considerable, certain, every, so-called, coming."
Pre Noun Adjectivals can be divided into five categories: "〜no" type, "〜ga" type, "〜na" type, "〜ta(dai)" type, and "〜ru" type.
"Big" (大きな) and "big" (大きい) are different parts of speech.
"Big" (大きい) and "big" (大きな) have subtle differences, but remember to use "big" (大きな) with abstract words and "big" (大きい) with concrete words.