itteiru - have done

[danfernold7261]

Konnichiwa

I´ve stumbled upon something while using google translate (once again) and translating: "I have only done that once" and it was, according to google, watashi wa sono ichi-kai itte iru.

Now my questions are: where is "only" (dake)? Is it omitted?
And no.2: what word does "Itte" represent? (is itte iru some kind of grammactical structure?

Jizen ni arigatou gozaimasu

Dan Fernold

PS. I´ve checked internet now, and -ta koto ga aru, pops up. can you use this, or...? (on google translate it becomes Have you [verb]) isn´t that just the case when you add -ka?, (or maybe no? (informal))

[community.japanese]

Dan-san,
When we use "only" in Japanese, we have two options: "dake" and "shika ....nai".
We often use this "only" in negative connotation and it means we often use "shika....nai".

Now, as to Google Translate, I bet you know enough well that it's useless to discuss about its ability, so
I can't say anything for Google Translate at all. It simply doesn't work and gives you always a weird puzzle
as an answer.

I don't know why G.T. decided to use "itte iru". It means "(be) going" or "(be) saying". Please listen to our lessons
which cover "te-form" of verbs for more information.


Natsuko(奈津子),
Team JapanesePod101.com

[danfernold7261]

Will do. (and just so you know I willsubscribe on this site when I can afford it!)

about the [ta-form] koto ga aru, (which you mention in one of your lessons for: Have you ever....? or I´ve heard/not heard/seen/not seen etc.) I got that of thejapanesepage.com. Can you use that for I´ve [past-tense verb] once (before)?

arigatou gozaimasu

Dan Fernold

[community.japanese]

Dan-san,
thank you very much for considering the subscription!

You've heard it right; to say "I've (done)...", it's "...ta koto ga aru" with "ta-form".
This ta-form is also known as "past tense". Using this past form of verbs and "koto ga aru",
you can tell your experiences.
So, yes, you can also use this expression if you've done something once in past.
Like,
watashi wa, 1do nihon ni itta koto ga arimasu.
(I've been to Japan once.)


Natsuko(奈津子),
Team JapanesePod101.com

[danfernold7261]

Ok. So watashi wa ichido/ikkai dake osushi o tabeta koto ga arimasu, would work?

[community.japanese]

Dan-san,
yes, that works PERFECTLY

Natsuko(奈津子),
Team JapanesePod101.com

[danfernold7261]

Ok. Great.

ありがとうございます

Dan Fernold

[team.relationships]

Hello Dan,

We are happy we could help you!
If you have more questions, don't hesitate to write us!

Have a nice day!

Gergő
Team JapanesePod101.com