勤めます vs. 働きます

[Maxful]

Thanks for the help, masaegu san.

[Maxful]

Originally Posted by masaegu

No, that is not how you ask someone if he is going to work that day. That is if you do, it sounds like the person has a very unconventional lifestyle where he just decides every morning (by asking his own mood) whether he is working on that day or not.

We just don't use the word 働く in that situation. We would use phrases like:

今日会社でしょう？
今日仕事でしょう？
今日お勤めでしょう？
今日仕事行くんでしょう？
今日会社行くんでしょう？
今日会社行くの、行かないの？
今日仕事あるんでしょう？
今日会社あるんでしょう？

Hi, masaegu san, what if that person doesn't work on a daily basis (like maybe he works only 2 to 3 days a week). In that case, do you think is possible to ask him if he is working today by saying 今日は働きますか?

Also, do those phrases you mentioned all come with the same meaning which is "Are you working today, Mr. Tanaka?"? If not, do you mind translating it?

[Maxful]

By the way, masaegu san. Why is "要る" supported by particle "が" and not "を"?

For example: 僕はビザが要る。(I need a visa)

Also, when referring to "I use chopsticks to eat sushi" , am I right to say "すしを食べに箸を使う。"?

[KyleGoetz]

Originally Posted by Maxful

By the way, masaegu san. Why is "要る" supported by particle "が" and not "を"?

For example: 僕はビザが要る。(I need a visa)

Also, when referring to "I use chopsticks to eat sushi" , am I right to say "すしを食べに箸を使う。"?

No. You should read up on how to use 〜ために. すしを食べるためにはしを使う I suppose.

[halfthishalfthat]

Originally Posted by Maxful

By the way, masaegu san. Why is "要る" supported by particle "が" and not "を"?

For example: 僕はビザが要る。(I need a visa)

「要る」 does not directly translate to "to need" in English.

In English, "need" takes a direct object. In Japanese, it does not.

What do I need? I need a visa.
Here the answer to "what" is the direct object.

But you can't say "What do I 「要る」?"
This is because 「要る」 is more accurately translated as "to be needed", so whatever "is needed" would take the particle 「が」.

So here, you do not 「要る」 the visa, but the visa is the one doing the「要る」-ing. Haha, forgive my Japinglish but I hope that clears it up for you!

[masaegu]

Originally Posted by Maxful

Hi, masaegu san, what if that person doesn't work on a daily basis (like maybe he works only 2 to 3 days a week). In that case, do you think is possible to ask him if he is working today by saying 今日は働きますか?

Yes and no.

Native speakers don't say it; That's for sure.

If you say it, it will be understand but you will sound very foreign.

Also, do those phrases you mentioned all come with the same meaning which is "Are you working today, Mr. Tanaka?"? If not, do you mind translating it?

Same meaning. I never said "Mr. Tanaka", though.

[masaegu]

Originally Posted by Maxful

By the way, masaegu san. Why is "要る" supported by particle "が" and not "を"?

For example: 僕はビザが要る。(I need a visa)

The only reason is that it's an intransitive verb. I thought I had already spent quite some time explaining specifically to you the difference between transitive and intransitive....

A person cannot いる anything. Something may いる.

(Better writers would seldom use that kanji 要 to write the word.)

Likewise, a person cannot 降る anything. Things (rain, snow, etc.) can 降る.

You cannot 集まる anything. Things (stamps, CD's, paintings, etc.) can 集まる.
________________

You said "For example: 僕はビザが要る。(I need a visa)"

"I need a visa" is only a translation. The "literal" translation would be "As for me, a visa is necessary."

[Maxful]

Thanks for the help, guys. Didn't know that "いります" is a intransitive verb untill now.

[Maxful]

Originally Posted by masaegu

今日会社でしょう？
今日仕事でしょう？
今日お勤めでしょう？
今日仕事行くんでしょう？
今日会社行くんでしょう？
今日会社行くの、行かないの？
今日仕事あるんでしょう？
今日会社あるんでしょう？

Hi masaegu san, am I right that sentences number 6 and 7 can also mean "Are you working or not today?" and "Do you have to work today?"?

[masaegu]

#6 means "Are you going to the office today or not?"

#7 means "You work today, don't you?"