Processing keyword: だれも～ないです (dare mo ~ nai desu)

Japanese Grammar Point: だれも～ないです (dare mo ~ nai desu)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the Japanese grammar pattern だれも～ないです (dare mo ~ nai desu), which is used to express that "no one" does something. This structure is essential for making negative statements about people in Japanese. By mastering this grammar point, you'll be able to communicate more precisely and understand others better in various contexts.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning and Usage

• だれも～ないです translates to "No one does ~" or "There isn't anyone who ~".
• It is used when you want to indicate that nobody performs a certain action or that something doesn't apply to anyone.
• This pattern combines だれも (dare mo), meaning "anyone" or "everyone", with a negative verb form to create the meaning of "no one".

Structure

The basic structure of the grammar point is:

だれも + Verb (negative form) + です。

• だれも (dare mo): "no one"
• Verb (negative form): The negative form of the verb describing the action
• です (desu): Politeness marker (optional in casual speech)

Formation Diagram

Let's break down the formation with a visual aid:

Sentence Formation with だれも～ないです

[だれも]    +    [Verb in Negative Form]    +    [です]
  No one              does not ~                 Politeness Marker

Example with the Verb "見る" (みる - miru - to see)

Component	Japanese	Function
Subject	だれも	No one
Verb (negative form)	見ません	Does not see
Politeness Marker	です	Polite sentence ending (optional)
Full Sentence	だれも見ません。	No one sees.

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3. Comparative Analysis

Similar Grammar Points

It's helpful to compare だれも～ないです with similar expressions to understand its unique usage.

Comparison Table

Expression	Meaning	Usage	Example Sentence	Translation
だれも～ない	No one ~	Negative statements about people	だれも来ません。	No one comes.
だれか	Someone	Indefinite positive statements	だれかが来ました。	Someone came.
だれでも	Anyone	Statements applicable to everyone	だれでも参加できます。	Anyone can participate.
みんな	Everyone	Collective positive statements	みんなが笑っています。	Everyone is laughing.

Key Differences

• だれも～ない vs. みんな:
  • だれも～ない is used with negative verbs to mean "no one".
  • みんな is used with positive verbs to mean "everyone".
• だれも in positive sentences is rare and can be confusing. It's better to use みんな or 全員 (ぜんいん - zen'in) when you mean "everyone".

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4. Examples in Context

To fully grasp this grammar point, let's look at examples in different contexts.

Formal Speech

1. だれもその答えがわかりません。
   • Dare mo sono kotae ga wakarimasen.
   • Translation: "No one knows the answer."
2. だれも彼の提案に賛成しませんでした。
   • Dare mo kare no teian ni sansei shimasen deshita.
   • Translation: "No one agreed with his proposal."
3. だれも会議に出席していないです。
   • Dare mo kaigi ni shusseki shite inai desu.
   • Translation: "No one is attending the meeting."

Informal Speech

1. だれも手伝ってくれない。
   • Dare mo tetsudatte kurenai.
   • Translation: "No one helps me."
2. だれも気にしないよ。
   • Dare mo kinishinai yo.
   • Translation: "No one cares."
3. だれも来なかったんだ。
   • Dare mo konakattan da.
   • Translation: "No one came."

Written Language

1. 事故の原因をだれも知らない。
   • Jiko no gen'in o dare mo shiranai.
   • Translation: "No one knows the cause of the accident."
2. だれもその小説の結末を予想できなかった。
   • Dare mo sono shōsetsu no ketsumatsu o yosō dekinakatta.
   • Translation: "No one could predict the ending of that novel."

Spoken Language

1. だれも文句はありませんか？
   • Dare mo monku wa arimasen ka?
   • Translation: "Does no one have complaints?"
2. だれもこのことについて話していないの？
   • Dare mo kono koto ni tsuite hanashite inai no?
   • Translation: "Is no one talking about this?"

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5. Cultural Notes

Politeness and Formality

• です (desu) and ます (masu) forms are used to add politeness.
• In casual conversation, the です can be omitted.
  • Formal: だれも知りません。
  • Casual: だれも知らない。

Social Context

• Using だれも～ない is a straightforward way to express negation regarding people.
• In group-oriented Japanese culture, it's important to be sensitive when making negative statements about others.

Idiomatic Expressions

• だれもかれも (dare mo kare mo): An idiom meaning "everyone" or "everybody".
  • Example: だれもかれも忙しい。
    • Dare mo kare mo isogashii.
    • "Everyone is busy."
• Note that だれもかれも is an exception where だれも is part of an idiom and doesn't follow the usual negative pattern.

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Using a Positive Verb After だれも
   • Incorrect: だれも来ます。
     • Dare mo kimasu.
     • Intended Meaning: "Everyone comes."
     • Issue: Using だれも with a positive verb can be confusing, as だれも typically pairs with negative verbs.
     • Correct: みんな来ます。
       • Minna kimasu.
       • "Everyone comes."
2. Confusing だれも with だれか
   • だれも (dare mo): "No one" (with a negative verb)
   • だれか (dare ka): "Someone"
   • Tip: Remember that も with a negative verb means "no one", while か indicates an indefinite "someone".
3. Forgetting the Negative Verb Form
   • Incorrect: だれも知ります。
     • Dare mo shirimasu.
     • Issue: Without the negative verb form, the sentence doesn't convey "no one".
     • Correct: だれも知りません。
       • Dare mo shirimasen.
       • "No one knows."

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device: Think of だれも + Negative Verb = "No one does ~".
• Practice Verb Conjugation:
  • Familiarize yourself with negative forms of verbs.
  • Create sentences using different verbs with だれも.

Negative Verb Conjugation Example

Let's look at the verb 行く (iku - to go):

Verb Form	Japanese	Meaning
Plain Form	行く	To go
Negative Form	行かない	Do not go
Polite Form	行きます	To go
Polite Negative	行きません	Do not go
Example Sentence:

• だれも行きません。
  • Dare mo ikimasen.
  • "No one goes."

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• だれも～ないです is used to express that no one does something.
• The structure combines だれも with a negative verb form.
• Avoid using positive verbs after だれも; use みんな or 全員 for "everyone" with positive verbs.
• Differentiate between だれも ("no one") and だれか ("someone").

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Translate to Japanese: "No one is listening."
   • Answer: だれも聞いていません。
     • Dare mo kiite imasen.
2. Identify the Error: だれも食べます。
   • Error: Using a positive verb after だれも.
   • Correction: だれも食べません。
     • Dare mo tabemasen. ("No one eats.")
3. Choose the Correct Expression: How do you say "Someone is there"?
   • Answer: だれかがいます。
     • Dare ka ga imasu.

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By understanding and practicing だれも～ないです, you'll enhance your ability to express negative statements about people in Japanese accurately and naturally. Keep practicing with different verbs, and soon this structure will become a natural part of your Japanese communication.

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