Grammar

The affirmative and negative forms of polite style, the most basic polite way of speaking in Japanese.

The particle that marks the topic of a sentence and introduces what is being talked about.

Marks the subject, indicating who or what performs an action or holds a state.

Marks the object of an action.

Expresses a range of meanings including time, place, and purpose.

Expresses means, tool, or place.

Marks the direction of movement.

Expresses doing something together with someone, or quoting what was said.

The particle that expresses possession or a modifying relationship.

Expresses listing or addition, equivalent to 'also' or 'too'.

The system of demonstratives used for things, places, and directions.

Two ways to express existence, one for things and one for people and animals.

Words that describe where an object or person is located.

Conjugation and usage of i-adjectives.

Conjugation and usage of na-adjectives.

How Japanese verbs are grouped into godan, ichidan, and the irregular kuru and suru classes.

The rules for forming the masu-form of a verb.

The rules for forming the te-form of a verb.

The rules for forming the past (ta-form) of a verb.

The rules for forming the negative (nai-form) of a verb.

States an action politely in the affirmative.

Expresses a past action or state politely.

Makes a negative statement politely.

Politely invites someone to do something.

Politely suggests doing something together.

Expresses the wish to do something.

Expresses that you want something.

Asks someone to give you something.

Asks whether it is all right to do something.

Expresses that something must not be done.

Expresses that something must be done.

Offers someone advice or a recommendation.

Expresses the experience of having done something before.

Shows that an action is in progress right now.

Shows that a state continues or that something is done out of habit.

Shows a state that exists because someone did something on purpose.

Shows that something is done in advance, or left as it is.

Shows that an action is completed, often with a sense of regret.

Try doing something to see what it is like.

The basic expressions for giving and receiving.

Expresses a cause or a reason. 「から」marks a subjective reason and can be followed by a volitional form, a command or a suggestion, while 「ので」marks an objective cause and sounds gentler and more polite.

Marks a mild contrast (but) or sets up a topic before the main point. 「けど」is more common in speech, while 「が」is used more in writing.

Lists several reasons or causes and implies that there are others as well. It is often used to explain why someone does something.

Lists two or more representative actions, meaning 'doing this and that' or 'sometimes this, sometimes that'. It does not mean that only those actions are done.

Expresses having the ability to do something or the possibility of doing it. The verb takes the dictionary form.

Attaches to a verb stem (the masu-form without masu) to mean 1) easy to do (やすい) or 2) hard to do (にくい).

Attaches to a verb stem (the masu-form without masu) or to an adjective stem to show that a degree is excessive (too much, overly).

A guess based on what can be seen or on outward signs, meaning 'it looks as if...'.

Reports information heard from someone else, meaning 'they say' or 'I hear that'.

Expresses a simile (like ...) or a guess based on subjective impression (it seems ...). 「みたいだ」is more casual.

A guess based on objective information or reliable evidence, meaning 'apparently' or 'I hear'. It can also describe a typical trait (just like a ...).

Expresses a possibility, meaning 'maybe' or 'might'. In casual speech it is often shortened to 「かも」.

A polite guess meaning 'probably' or 'I suppose'. It sounds more certain than 「かもしれない」.

Expresses the purpose or goal of an action, meaning 'in order to'. The subject of both clauses is usually the same.

Expresses the purpose of bringing about a state or an ability, meaning 'so that ...'. The subjects of the two clauses do not have to be the same.

Expresses the order of actions. 「前に」follows the dictionary form, while 「後で」follows the ta-form.

Emphasizes the order in which actions happen, meaning 'after doing ...'. It stresses the period of time once the first action is finished.

Shows the same subject doing two actions at the same time, meaning 'while ...'. It stresses doing action A while doing action B.

Lists two or more representative actions. It usually appears as 「〜たり〜たりする」. It focuses on giving examples and implies that there are other similar actions.

Marks a contrast where the second clause goes against what the first clause would lead you to expect, with a tone of surprise, dissatisfaction or regret.

Expresses a hypothetical condition.

Gives advice or a judgment in response to what the other person has brought up.

Expresses a general condition or an incidental discovery.

Expresses concession: even if ... , still ...

Distinguishing how intransitive and transitive verbs are used.

Extended expressions for giving and receiving.

Expressing that you want someone to do something for you.

Expressing what a third person wants.

Expressing your own opinions and thoughts.

Quoting someone's words or what they said.

Showing the direction of movement — toward or away from the speaker.

Expressing a change from one state to another.

Expressing a choice or a decision.

Expressing a personal decision or an objective outcome.

Comparing two things.

Limiting the scope within which something holds.

Doing something to an excessive degree.

Expressing obligation — that you must do something (casual speech often uses 〜なくちゃ).

Honorific expressions for someone else's actions (れる / られる).

Humbly describing your own actions.

Passive expressions for receiving someone's action: direct passives, where the action falls directly on the subject, and indirect passives, where the subject is indirectly affected.

Causative expressions for making someone do something. The person made to do it is marked with 「に」.

Expressing being forced to do something, with two grammatical layers: the causative form plus the passive form.

Emphasizes that an action is finished, often with a tone of regret or of something that cannot be undone. In casual speech it contracts to 「〜ちゃう / 〜じゃう」.

Feelings that arise on their own and cannot be held back — an emotion or sensation so strong it cannot be controlled.

Says that, based on objective facts or logical reasoning, something should be a certain way. The speaker is fairly confident.

Explains a reason, how something came about, or a natural consequence. 「わけだ」 means no wonder or that's why, and 「わけではない」 means it is not that.

Expresses use, purpose, or a standard of evaluation. It follows the dictionary form of a verb and describes what something is used for or evaluates the act of doing something.

Expresses a cause or reason, mostly in written or formal contexts. The second half is usually a negative result.

Expresses cause, means, method, or basis. It is mostly used in written language and can mean depending on, by means of, or by someone.

Marks the topic being talked or thought about. It is followed by verbs of cognition such as thinking, investigating, or explaining.

From someone's standpoint or perspective; as far as someone is concerned.

Shows a qualification, status, or standpoint; describes doing something in a certain capacity or role.

Marks the target an action is directed at, or contrasts two things.

Expresses the speaker's strong conviction, concluding on some basis that something must be so.

Expresses an extremely strong assertion by the speaker; more colloquial and stronger than 「に違いない」.

Expresses possibility. In casual speech the shortened forms 「かもね」 and 「かも」 are common.

Raises a topic and draws out an association related to it, or confirms what the other person means.

A conjunction used when switching topics; it moves from the current topic to a new one.

Marks a topic change or a fresh start. Often used to wrap up a topic, move to the next stage, or begin an action.

Shows two actions happening at the same time; the formal, written equivalent of 「ながら」. It can also mean although.

Contrasts two opposing or different things or aspects. It can follow a dictionary-form verb or a noun plus の.

Shows limitation or degree, emphasizing that an action or state happens frequently or takes up most of something.

Shows degree. 「〜ば〜ほど」 means the more..., the more...; 「〜ほど…ない」 means not as ... as.

Shows an approximate degree or a minimum limit; it can indicate how slight something is (at least) or how great (...to the point of).

Shows a limited scope, equivalent to only or just. It also appears in set phrases such as 「〜だけあって」.

Means only..., used together with a negative form. It carries a nuance of insufficiency or not being enough.

Shows a negative reason or negative coordination; the first clause is the cause or reason for the second.

Shows doing the second action while not doing the first.

The written form of 「ないで」, used in formal writing or literary style.

Shows possibility or impossibility. It attaches to the masu-stem of a verb to form a compound verb.

Means it is difficult to do something. It attaches to the masu-stem of a verb and is often used to politely decline or express difficulty.

In written language, means it is difficult to do something. It has a strongly literary tone and is often used for abstract evaluations.

Expresses gradually reaching a certain state or habit, or a change from impossible to possible.

Expresses a settled arrangement or outcome; shows that a decision or result has been fixed.

Expresses exclamation, a natural law, or an essential characteristic; shows the inherent nature of things or a matter of course.

Expresses that one ought morally to do something; shows what should be done from the standpoint of social norms or morality.

Recalls something one often did or used to do in the past; it carries a tone of nostalgia or reflection.

Expresses a change that began at some point in the past and continues up to the present; spatially, movement from far to near.

Expresses a change that continues from now into the future; spatially, movement from near to far.

A written-style contrastive expression meaning even though.

Expresses contrast: the first clause is acknowledged, but the expected result does not follow.

A written-style contrastive expression used to acknowledge the first clause while offering a different view.

A written-style expression marking a place, era, or field.

Expresses being about or concerning something.

Indicates that something is grounded in or founded on a particular thing.

Expresses a dispute or controversy centered on a particular issue.

Indicates that as the first thing changes, the second thing changes too.

Expresses a proportional change: as one thing changes, another changes along with it.

Indicates acting in accordance with what the first clause states.

Expresses only or merely, with a belittling or modest tone.

Emphasizes that something is precisely or nothing other than what is stated.

Expresses a negative intention or a negative conjecture.

Expresses worry about a possible bad outcome.

Expresses having a certain tendency, most often a negative one.

Expresses having a slight tendency toward or feeling of something.

In casual speech, expresses tending to have a certain characteristic.

Expresses having a slight tendency toward something, usually something negative.

The polite honorific form used to describe the actions of a superior.

A humble expression meaning please allow me to do something.

Emphasizes a causal relationship: B exists only because of A.

A strong negation expressing something that should never be done.

Expresses that as soon as something is done, something else happens immediately.

Expresses that once something happens, it can never be undone.

Expresses doing something while ignoring or disregarding others' feelings.

Expresses that something is easy to do or to imagine.

Emphasizes a merit or charm that is particular to something.

Expresses no matter what, a written-style concessive.

Expresses if it is the case that, often with a sense of special circumstances.

Expresses doing something while someone is right in the middle of an important moment.