If you have read my post Speak Japanese - the importance of verbs you’ll know that Japanese often speak with just verbs, dropping the subject or object if they are understood by both the speaker and listener. For this reason Japanese speakers can come across as being very vague or indirect to a Western mindset or way of thinking.
I still struggle to understand my beautiful, lovey wife at times. She will often say a word or two, usually a verb, and drop all context - the subject and object. It is not that I don’t understand the word or words she says. There is just no reference for me to work out what her point is. Then I’ll have to ask for more detail to work out what she wants to communicate. This a general trait Japanese conversation. Japanese are quite conscious of how they present or say things to avoid conflict or confrontation. It is also a habitual trait that Japanese develop at a very young age. More often that not saying less communicates more in Japanese culture.
So it is really important to learn verbs and understand and accept how Japanese communicate. Learn as many verb forms and verbs as you can. So get started on the plain form basic Japanese verbs video lesson below. If you find it helpful leave a comment or if you have any questions on learning Japanese ask away.
