Magical Power of Suru. Nobuo Sato
Explain the reason.
*Note that this is a real command form and should not be used in normal conversations. If you want to ask someone to do something, always use the shi + te form plus kudasai.
dekiru
Denotes the potential form of suru; namely, the ability to do something. The negative form is setsumei-dekinai (-dekimasen).
* Although dekiru is used more often as a stand-alone verb, compounds with dekiru are hyphenated in this book to indicate its usage as the potential form of suru.
Sensei wa sono riyū o seito ni setsumei-dekiru (-dekimasu).
The teacher can explain the reason to the student.
1
Entering Japan
THE SITUATION
To legally enter Japan you must deal with the necessary formalities, such as immigration papers, customs declaration, and quarantine inspection. Most officials normally speak some English, but don't miss this opportunity to practice. Don't miss out on any chances to speak Japanese—even before you chakuriku-suru (land) at the airport!
Of course, if you mitsunyūkoku-suru (enter illegally) into Japan, compound-suru verbs are still applicable should you have to mikkō-suru (stow away), or tōsō-suru (escape, run away). Beware, however, of the tragic fate that awaits illegal entrants. Immigration officials or police may taiho-suru (arrest) such individuals, and finally tsuihō-suru (expel, deport), or even kankin-suru (imprison) them.
But let's go back to the average situation of entering Japan. The immigration officers' main job is to kensa-suru (to check, to examine). The officer examines your passport and visa. If they are not in order, he may kyohi-suru (refuse) your entry. If they are in order, he will shōnin-suru (admit) you and natsuin-suru (stamp) your passport. Following this procedure, you must tsūkan-suru (clear) your personal effects. If you try to mitsuyu-suru (smuggle) narcotics or guns, police dogs will hakken-suru (discover) them without fail.
If you have two kilograms of gold bars, for example, you must shinkoku-suru (declare) them according to import laws, and the customs officer will kazei-suru (impose a tax) on them accordingly.
If you unfortunately suffer from cholera or yellow fever, the quarantine officer will shōdoku-suru (sterilize) all your belongings and may kakuri-suru (isolate) you. Also, if you hatsunetsu-suru (are feverish) or geri-suru (have diarrhea), then the doctor in charge will shinsatsu-suru (examine) you carefully. If there are no problems, customs will kyoka-suru (permit) you to enter Japan legally.
But don't jump into a taxi or limousine bus just yet. First, ryōgae-suru (change money) at the bank inside the airport. As a Japanese proverb says, Isogaba maware (Make haste slowly)!
DIALOGUE
TOURIST: Sumimasen ga, nimotsu wa doko de kensa-suru no desu ka?
Excuse me, but where do you check our baggage?
CUSTOMS OFFICIAL: Koko desu. Nanika shinkoku-suru mono wa arimasu ka?
Right here. Is there anything to declare?
TOURIST: Rorekkusu no kin dokei o motte imasu ga.
I have a gold Rolex watch.
CUSTOMS OFFICIAL: Kore ni wa kazei-saremasu yo. Ano madoguchi de nōzei-shite kudasai.
This article is taxed. Please pay the tax at the window over there.
Finishing the customs clearance, the tourist moves to the immigration counter.
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL: Pasupōto o teiji-shite kudasai.
Please show your passport.
TOURIST: Hai, dōzo.
Yes, sure.
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL: Donna mokuteki de rainichi-sare-mashita ka?
What is your purpose for visiting Japan?
TOURIST: Kankō-suru/Shigoto-suru tame ni rainichi-shimashita.
I came to sightsee/to work.
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL: Nan nichi kan/Nan kagetsu kan taizai-shimasu ka?
How many days/How many months are you staying?
TOURIST: Itsuka kan/kyūkagestu kan no taizai o yotei-shite imasu.
I plan a five-day stay/a nine-month stay.
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL: Nihon de shigoto-suru toki wa, kyoka ga hitsuyō desu. Rōdō kyokasho o shutoku-shite imasu ka?
In order to work in Japan, you need a permit. Have you obtained a work permit?
TOURIST: Hai, achira no Nihon taishikan de hakkō-shite moraimashita.
Yes, it was issued by the Japanese Embassy over there.
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL: Chotto sore o haiken-dekimasu ka?
Can I see it for a moment?
TOURIST: Hai, kore desu.
Yes, here it is.
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL: Donna shigoto ni jūji-shite imasu ka?
What kind of business are you engaged in?
TOURIST: Konpyūtā o yunyū-shite, Nihon de hanbai-shimasu. Kono biza de nyūkoku-dekimasu ka?
I import computers and sell them in Japan. Can I enter your country with this visa?
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL: Mondai wa arimasen ga, moyori no shiyakusho de sugu gaikokujin tōroku o shite kudasai. Tsugi no kata dōzo.
No problem, but please complete your alien registration soon at the nearest city office. Next person, please.
STRUCTURES AND SYNONYMS
teiji-suru 提示する teiji (indication, show) + suru
• to show, to indicate, to exhibit
Compare with miseru 見せる to show
Toranku no nakami o misete kudasai.
Please show me the contents of your baggage.
haiken-suru 拝見する haiken (look, inspection) + suru
• to look, to inspect
Compare with miru 見る to see, look; shiraberu 調べる to inspect, to check
Chotto pasupōto o mitai no desu ga.
I'd like to see your passport for a minute.
rainichi-suru 来日する rainichi (come to Japan) + suru
• to come to Japan
*Nichi 日 is the abbreviation for Japan.
Compare with Nihon ni kuru 日本にくる to come to Japan; hōnichi-suru 妨日する to visit Japan
Kare wa kyonen san kai hōnichi-shimashita.
Last year he visited Japan three times.
kankō-suru 観光する kankō (sightseeing) + suru
• to see the sights
Compare with ryokō-suru 旅行する to travel, to tour, to make a journey
Amerika o san shūkan ryokō-shimasu.
I'll travel in America for three weeks.
shigoto-suru 仕事する shigoto (work, job, task) + suru
• to work, to do one's job, to do business
Compare with hataraku 働く to work
Chichi wa maiban jū-ji made hatarakimasu.
Dad works until ten every night.
taizai-suru 帯在する taizai (stay, sojourn) + suru