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Let’s learn Japanese with Erwin’s quote from Attack on Titan (進撃の巨人, Shingeki no Kyojin).

Video

Erwin’s Quote

Japanese: 兵士よ、怒れ！兵士よ、叫べ！兵士よ、戦え！
Romaji: heishi yo, ikare! heishi yo, sakebe! heishi yo, tatakae!
English: My soldiers, rage! My soldiers, shout! My soldiers, fight!

Analysis

兵士よ

兵士 means “soldier”.

The particle よ following a noun is used when calling one’s name in a dramatic way. It’s a literary expression which is often used in songs, poems, prayers or classical stories so you hardly hear it in daily conversation.

In this scene he’s also trying to encourage everyone by addressing them as soldiers.

怒れ 叫べ 戦え

These are all the verbs in imperative form, used for giving strong commands.

怒（いか）れ is the imperative form of 怒（いか）る meaning “to rage”.

叫べ is the imperative form of 叫ぶ meaning “to shout”.

戦え is the imperative form of 戦う meaning “to fight”.

Japanese verbs are divided into three groups and all these verbs belong to Group 1.

Group 1 Verbs

The dictionary form of Group 1 verbs end with the vowel “u”. To make the imperative form, simply change the last vowel “u” to the vowel “e”.

 Dictionary form

• 話す (hanasu) – “to speak”
• 聞く (kiku) – “to listen”
• 書く (kaku) – “to write”
• 読む (yomu) – “to read”
• 待つ (matsu) – “to wait”

Imperative form

• 話せ (hanase)
• 聞け (kike)
• 書け (kake)
• 読め (yome)
• 待て (mate)

Group 2 Verbs

The dictionary form of Group 2 verbs end with “eru” or “iru”. To make the imperative form, change the last vowel “u” to the vowel “o”. 

 Dictionary form

• 開ける (akeru) – “to open”
• 出る (deru) – “to exit”
• 寝る(neru) – “to sleep”
• 着る (kiru) – “to wear”
• 信じる (shinjiru) – “to believe”

Imperative form

• 開けろ (akero)
• 出ろ (dero)
• 寝ろ (nero)
• 着ろ (kiro)
• 信じろ (shinjiro)

Group 3 Verbs

There are only two verbs in Group 3. Their verb forms are irregular so you just have to remember each of them.

Dictionary form

• 来る (kuru) – “to come”
• する (suru) – “to do”

Imperative form

• 来い (koi)
• しろ (shiro)

Examples

Noun + よ (used to call one’s name in a dramatic way)

おお、心こころの友ともよ！待まっていたぞ。

ō, kokoro no tomo yo! matte ita zo.

Oh, my confidant! I was waiting for you.

(Calling friends in a poetic way)

神かみよ、私わたしたちの罪つみをお許ゆるしください。

kami yo, watashitachi no tsumi o oyurushi kudasai.

Our Lord, please forgive us our sins.

(Praying to God)

少年しょうねんよ、大志たいしを抱いだけ。

shōnen yo, taishi o idake.

Boys, be ambitious.

(Famous historical quote of the American professor William Smith Clark)

Verb Imperative Form

Group 1 (the last vowel: “u” → “e”)

この薬くすりを飲のめ。

kono kusuri o nome.

Take this medicine.

まっすぐ歩あるけ。

massugu aruke.

Walk straight forward.

そこで止とまれ。

soko de tomare.

Stop there.

Group 2 (the last vowel: “u” → “o”)

早はやく食たべろ。

hayaku tabero.

Eat quickly.

おい、起おきろ！

oi, okiro!

Hey, wake up!

俺おれを見みろ。

ore o miro.

Look at me.

Group 3 (irregular)

こっちに来こい。

kocchi ni koi.

Come here.

黙だまって勉強べんきょうしろ。

damatte benkyō shiro.

Shut up and study.

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