You want some water. But...to the staff: "Mizu, nomimasu!" This means "I will drink water." It's your declaration. It's not a request.
The staff won't say, "...Yes, here you go." The formula for a request is this: Te-form + kudasai. "Kudasai" means "please give me." In other words, "please give me your action," that's what it means.
That's why it's polite. Let's try it. "Misemasu" -> "Misete kudasai." "Kikimasu" -> "Kiite kudasai." "Machimasu" -> "Matte kudasai." Now, back to the restaurant.
"Sumimasen, omizu o motte kite kudasai." Perfect. With this, you won't have trouble anymore. At convenience stores, stations, and hotels. You can use it all over Japan.
This is the first magic trick. Let's change the scene. You're currently at a temple in Kyoto. It's very beautiful. You want to take a picture. But...you're not sure if it's okay.
There are many rules in Japan. If you do something without asking, you'll get scolded. So first, you ask. The second magic trick. Te-form + mo + ii desu ka. Let's break it down.
"~te"... an action. "mo"... "even if." "ii desu ka"... Is it okay? So it means, "Is it okay even if I do this?" That's what it means. "Shashin o torimasu" -> "Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?"
"Koko ni suwarimasu" -> "Koko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka?" "Toire o tsukaimasu" -> "Toire o tsukatte mo ii desu ka?" If the answer is OK: "Hai, ii desu yo." If not: "Sumimasen, ~te wa ikemasen." For example: "Sumimasen, koko de shashin o totte wa ikemasen."
"Ikemasen" is stronger than "dame desu." It's a rule. It's prohibited. In Japan, asking before acting is fundamental. Just this will make your impression completely different.
This is the second magic trick. The last magic trick. Personally, this is the most important one. I have a question. What is "tabemasu" in English? ...It's "I eat," right?
Or "I will eat." Then what about "I am eating"? "Eating right now." Is it "tabemasu"? No, it's not. "Tabemasu" is not "now."
It's a habit or the future. Now! Right now, eating. "Tabete imasu." "Imasu" means "to exist." "To exist in a state of eating."
That's why it's "I am eating." "Benkyou shimasu" -> "Ima, benkyou shite imasu." "Hashirimasu" -> "Ima, hashitte imasu." And one more thing. "Kekkon shimasu." This means "I will marry."
It's a future event. But what about people who are already married? "Kekkon shite imasu." "I am married." That state has continued. This also uses "~te imasu."
"Tokyo ni sumimasu" -> "Tokyo ni sunde imasu." "Kono hito o shirimasu" -> "Kono hito o shitte imasu." Just by having "~te imasu," your Japanese will change from "robot" to "human." Today's three magic tricks, once again.
1: ~te kudasai. When making a request. 2: ~te mo ii desu ka. When getting permission. 3: ~te imasu. When talking about the present moment.
With just these three, your Japanese will become completely different. Now, for homework. In the comments, use "~te imasu," and write what you are doing right now.
For example: "Kono douga o mite imasu." "Nihongo o benkyou shite imasu." "Beddo de nete imasu." ...Anything is OK. I will check them.
And I've put a practice sheet in the description box. If you want to practice more, or want to talk to me directly, please book through the Preply link. I'll release the next video soon.
"Nihongo o benkyou shite imasu." ...You can already say this, right? Well then, ciao ciao.