完全な文
kanzen na bun
In Japanese, "a full sentence" is said as 完全な文 (kanzen na bun).
The phrase is used to describe a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 完全 (kanzen), meaning "complete" or "perfect" and 文 (bun), meaning "sentence".
Which one should you use?
While 完全な文 specifically emphasizes the completeness of the sentence, the term 文章 (bunshō) is a more common general term used for a sentence or a passage of text.
How does it change in a sentence?
完全 (kanzen) is a na-adjective, so it requires the particle な (na) to modify the noun 文 (bun).
How do you pronounce it?
kanzen na bun
Did you know?
- The character 文 (bun) is the root for many words related to writing, but in ancient China, it specifically referred to 'patterns' or 'decorations' on a garment before it meant 'literature'.
- Because Japanese is a pro-drop language, a 'complete sentence' can consist of nothing more than a single verb, like 食べた (tabeta), meaning 'ate'.
- Japanese has several types of 'sentence-ending particles' that add emotion or nuance. Without these, a 完全な文 might be grammatically correct but feel cold or robotic to a native speaker.
Examples in context
- これは完全な文ではありません。Kore wa kanzen na bun de wa arimasen.This is not a full sentence.
- 完全な文を書くのは難しいです。Kanzen na bun o kaku no wa muzukashii desu.Writing a full sentence is difficult.
- 完全な文を一つ作ってください。Kanzen na bun o hitotsu tsukutte kudasai.Please make one full sentence.
Example conversation
Yota is asking Misaki for help with his Japanese homework.
- 陽太 Yotaここを完全な文にしたいです。koko o kanzen na bun ni shitai desu.I want to make this into a full sentence.
- 美咲 Misaki主語が足りないよ、陽太。shugo ga tarinai yo, yota.You are missing the subject, Yota.
- 陽太 Yota本当だ！どう直せばいいですか？honto da! dou naoseba ii desu ka?You're right! How should I fix it?
- 美咲 Misakiここに「私は」を入れてね。koko ni watashi wa irete ne.Put 'I' right here.
