Predicate ＜Verb＞

A predicate is a word that expresses “what to do” or “what kind of thing” in a sentence. Walked”, “went out”, and “ate” are examples of predicates. In this article, we will explain what predicates are and how to recognize them with examples and lists.

Example sentences of predicates

ほりえ　　　　　             はし 

堀江 さんが 走る。

hori e  san ga  hashiru

Mr. Horie runs.

かれ　        おおぐ

彼は 大食いだ。

karewa oogui da

He’s a big eater.

  あ  べ　　　  　             かちょう

阿部さんは 課 長 だ。

abe san wa  kacyou da

Mr. Abe is the section chief.

 やま  なか

山  中 さ ん が い る。

yamanaka san ga i ru

Mr. Yamanaka is there.

Predicates express the meaning of “how, what, what, and are” in a sentence. Predicates can be easily found at the end of a sentence. Predicates describe in detail the state of the subject.

Basic Japanese sentence patterns (1) What is/what to do

In this sentence pattern, the predicate is a verb that expresses the meaning of “what to do” in the sentence.

 

さかな　          およ

 魚  が  泳 ぐ。

sakanagaoyogu

Fish swim.

いとう　　　　　          く 　

伊藤さんが来る。

  i to   san  ga ku ru

Mr. Ito is coming.

Basic Japanese sentence patterns (2) What is/what kind of

In this sentence pattern, the predicate is an adjective or adjectival verb that expresses the meaning of “what is” in the sentence.

かの じょ

彼 女 は き れ い だ。

kanojyo wa ki re i da

She is beautiful.

ゆう ひ　　      うつく

夕日 が 美しい。

yuuhi ga utukushi i

The sunset is beautiful.

Basic Japanese sentence patterns (3) What is/what isn't

In this sentence pattern, the predicate is noun + auxiliary verb to express the meaning of “what” in the sentence.

かれ　        せい   じ   か

彼 は 政治家 だ。

karewa se i ji ka da

He is a politician.

かのじょ　   　がくせい

彼女 は 学生です。

kanojyowa gakuseidesu

She is a student.

Thank you for reading!  ありがとう。　Namu Shinnyo ■