How to Say ‘I was an English teacher in America.’ in Japanese
アメリカで英語の先生をしていました。
amerika de eigo no sensei o shi te i mashi ta
[ah-meh-ree-kah de eh-goh noh sen-SAY oh shee te ee mah-shee tah]
Phrase Breakdown
アメリカで
amerika de
in America
で (de) marks the place where an action happens. Pronounced 'Amerika de'.
アメリカで勉強しました。
I studied in America.
Words in this phrase
アメリカ
amerika
[ah-meh-ree-kah]
America; the United States
The katakana word for America or the U.S. It is often used when saying where you are from.
アメリカからきました。
I came from America.
で
de
[de]
at; in
Indicates a location where an action takes place.
公園で遊びます。
I play at the park.
英語の先生を
eigo no sensei o
an English teacher (as the object)
英語の先生 (eigo no sensei) means 'English teacher'. を (o) marks it as what you 'did', meaning the job you had.
英語の先生を探しています。
I'm looking for an English teacher.
Words in this phrase
英語
eigo
[eh-goh]
English
Refers to the English language.
英語が少し話せます。
I can speak a little English.
の
no
[noh]
of
A linking particle connecting nouns, like 'of' or showing description.
前の方が見やすいです。
The front area is easier to see from.
先生
sensei
[sen-SAY]
teacher
Title for teachers, doctors, and experts; can be used playfully for someone teaching you.
先生、質問があります。
Teacher, I have a question.
を
o
[oh]
object marker
The particle を marks the direct object of a verb.
チケットを二枚ください。
Two tickets, please.
していました。
shi te i mashi ta
worked as.
The whole sentence means 'I worked as an English teacher in America.'
銀行員をしていました。
I worked as a bank employee.
Words in this phrase
し
shi
[shee]
do
し is the stem of する, meaning to do.
予約しします。
I do the reservation.
て
te
[te]
te-form ending
Connects actions in sequence, like 'and' or 'then'.
ドアが開いて、入ります。
The door opens, and then I go in.
い
i
[ee]
to be; ongoing state
Part of ている, which shows an ongoing condition or action.
最近疲れているようです。
It seems you have been tired lately.
まし
mashi
[mah-shee]
polite past stem
Part of the polite past ending in a verb phrase.
昨日は多くのことを学びました。
I learned many things yesterday.
た
ta
[tah]
past tense ending
This ending completes the polite past tense form.
空席がございまし た。
There were vacant seats.
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