A Linguistics Workbook, 4th Edition

Name

Section

4.25 Special Topic 5: Reflexive (Japanese)

In this exercise you will be exploring the use of the Japanese reflexive zibun in

embedded (subordinate) clauses. Examine sentences 1-3 and answer the questions

that follow.

In these examples the particle -wa marks the subject of the verb of the main

clause of the sentence, and -ga marks the subject of the embedded clause.

la. Taroo-wa Hanako-ga zibun-o aisiteiru to omotteimasu.

"Taro thinks that Hanako loves herself." or

"Taro thinks that Hanako loves him (Taro)."

b. Taroo-wa zibun-ga Hanako-o aisiteiru to omotteimasu.

"Taro thinks that he (Taro) loves Hanako."

2a. Taroo-wa Hanako-ga zibun-o mita to itta.

"Taro said that Hanako saw herself." or

"Taro said that Hanako saw him (Taro)."

b. Taroo-wa zibun-ga Hanako-o mita to itta.

"Taro said that he (Taro) saw Hanako."

3a. Taroo-wa Hanako-ga zibun-o hihansita to sinziteiru.

"Taro believes that Hanako criticized herself." or

"Taro believes that Hanako criticized him (Taro)."

b. Taroo-wa zibun-ga Hanako-o hihansita to sinziteiru.

"Taro believes that he (Taro) criticized Hanako."

Questions

A. Provide the Japanese equivalents to the English words below by filling in the

blanks.

Japanese form English gloss

1. "thinks"


2. "believes"


3. "said"


4. "that"