Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
Common position words
Japanese often builds location phrases with a noun, then の, then a position word. This creates meanings such as on, under, in front of, behind, and inside. These words are extremely common in beginner reading.
Target signal
つくえのうえ
on the desk / above the desk
うえ marks a higher position such as on or above.
Vocabulary notes
- つく
- to stick to; to be attached
- つく
- to sigh; to let out a sigh
- の
- of; 's
Compare in context
いえのまえ
in front of the house
まえ marks the front side of something.
Vocabulary notes
- いえ
- house
- まえ
- before
- の
- of; 's
Section 2 of 3
Reading full location phrases
Position phrases often appear before に in existence sentences. Read the phrase as one chunk, then connect it to あります or います.
Target signal
いすのしたにねこがいます。
There is a cat under the chair.
いすのしたに is the location chunk before います.
Vocabulary notes
- います
- there is; exists (animate)
- いす
- chair
- いま
- now
Preview
かばんはベッドのうえにあります。
The bag is on the bed.
ベッドのうえに tells you where the bag is.
Vocabulary notes
- あります
- there is; there are
- かばん
- bag
- ベッド
- bed
Section 3 of 3
Chunk the whole location phrase
Do not separate the position word too early. Read noun + の + position word together first, then move to に and the existence verb. This makes beginner location sentences much easier to scan.
Target signal
としょかんのうしろにこうえんがあります。
There is a park behind the library.
としょかんのうしろ is one complete location phrase.
Vocabulary notes
- あります
- there is; there are
- こうえん
- park
- こう
- like this; this way
Preview
かばんのなかにペンがあります。
There is a pen inside the bag.
なか means inside, so read かばんのなか as one chunk.
Vocabulary notes
- あります
- there is; there are
- かばん
- bag
- ペン
- pen