2

(1)

amari (1)
too much, very, a lot
Amari always precedes the verb.

aru
to be, to exist (of inanimate things); to have
Thing + + place + +
Person/Place + () + thing + +

ii
good

ippai
full, many, a lot
ippai + V
ippai taberu - to eat a lot
ippai aru - there are a lot of
something

(1)
(1)

iru (1)
to exist (for animate, usually living, things)
Thing + + place + +
Person/Place + () + thing + +

(2)
(2)

iru (2)
-ing
V.te-form + iru ()

(2)

(1)

(2)

(1)

ka (2)

ka (1)

or

question particle
Sentence + ka(.

Noun + ka + Noun + ka
Verb. plain + ka
Adj-i + ka
Adj-na.stem + ka

10

(1)

(1)

kara(3)

kara(1)

so

from, since
Noun + kara ()

Verb + kara
I-adjective + kara
Na-adjective + da + kara
Noun + da + kara

11

kara(2)
after having done s.t.; since
te-form of Verb + kara +[main clause]

12

(1)
(1)

ga (1)
subject-marking particle

14
13

(2)
(2)

ga (2)
but, however
Sentence-1 + ga() + Sentence-2
Sentence-1 + ga()

Kurai
approximately, about
Number + Counter + kurai ()
Demonstrative Pronoun/Adjective + kurai (
Interrogative Pronoun + kurai ()

16
15

keredomo
although, though, but
clause + keredomo
V.plain/plain past + keredomo
i-adj + keredomo
na-adj + copula. plain/plain past + keredomo
noun + copula. plain/plain past + keredomo

kosoado kotoba
ko-, so-, a- & do- demonstrative pronouns
Kore Kochira this/here is When the
object is close to the speaker
Sore Sochira that/there When the
object is close to the person spoken to
Are Achira Over
there(that/location)When the object is far from the
both
Dore Dochira Which

17

18

Suru

to do

Da

Imperfective form -

be (copula)

Connective form -

Present: Da

Predicative form -

Present negative: ja nai

Attributive form -

Past: datta

Hypothetical form -

Past negative: ja nakatta

Imperative form -

19

20

Dake

Dar

only, just

Probably

Noun + dake ()

* Verb/i-Adj.inf +

Verb/i-Adj. inf + dake ()

na-Adj. stem + na dake()

* na-Adj.stem + ()

* Noun + ()

21

te iru

22

be doing something, be in a state created

before

Case i)
Dictionary form

Te-form

oyogu

oyoide

oyoide ru

taberu

tabete

tabete iru

suru

shite

shite iru

Te-form + iru

English

is swimming

Te-form

nureru

nurete

nurete iru

broken now

kowareru kowarete

kowarete iru

te kudasai
Please do something

is eating

* [te-from of a verb] kudasai.

is doing

Please do...

Case ii)
Dictionary form

Te-form + iru

English

(got wet and) still wet now

(got broken and) it is

24

23

te wa ikemasen/te wa dame da
you can't do
* te-form of a verb + /
* te-form of a verb +
= you can't do something, you should not do
something.

te mo ii
may; it is alright
(V / adj-i / adj-na , N + Copula).te mo ii
Verb:

tabete mo ii
may eat; it is alright to eat
adj-i:

tsumetakute mo ii
it is alright if s.t. is cold
adj-na:

shizuka de mo ii
it is alright if s.t. is quiet
Noun:

gakusei de mo ii
it is alright if s.o. is a student

25

te-kei
te-form - and, -ing

shinu shinde

yobu yonde

fumu funde
Class 2 verbs:
v.stem + te

deru dete
Irregular verbs:

kuru kite

suru shite
i-adjectives
final i becomes kute and can
function as "and" connecting
adjectives together or a
conjunction linking clauses
together.

Class 1 verbs:
u/tsu/ru-verbs:

kau katte

matsu matte

kaeru kaette
ku-verbs:

tsuku tsuite
Exception:

iku itte
gu-verbs:

oyogu oyoide
su-verbs:

korosu koroshite
nu/bu/mu-verbs:

26

(2)
(2)

de (2)
by, with, using
Noun + de()

27

28

(1)

(3)

(1)

(3)

de(1)

de (3)

at, in, on (place)

and, because

location + de ()

30

29

(4)
(4)

de (4)

desu
to be (copula)
Present: Desu

at, on

Present negative: De(wa) arimasen / Ja arimasen

Time + de ()

Past: Deshita
Past negative: De(wa) arimasen deshita / Ja arimasen
deshita

32

31

(2)
(2)

to (2)
and, with, as
Noun + to() + Noun

d
How
1 - state of something or someone:
Yamada-sensei wa d
desu ka? - How is Professor Yamada?
2- to suggest something:
Ocha wa d desu ka? - How
about tea? / Would you like some tea? / How is the
tea?
3- Kono ji o d
yomimasu ka? - How do you read this character?

33

34

dshite

doko

why

where?

" + Question"

doko

35

36

(1)

(1)

na (1)

nakute

don't do

is not - and -, do not do

Append na to the plain nonpast affirmative form of a verb:

Verb. inf. negative (without nai) + nakute

V.plain nonpast + na

i-Adj. stem + ku nakute

Class I - iku - to go
+ = - don't go!
iku + na = iku na - don't go!
Class II - miru - to look
+ = - don't look
miru + na = miru na - don't look
Class III - - to do
+ = - don't do

na-Adj. stem/Noun + de wa nakute/ja nakute

suru + na = suru na - don't do

37

na-keiyoushi no katsuyou
na-adjectives conjugation
Plain Nonpast:
(Kare wa shizuka da. He is quiet.)
Plain Nonpast Negative

38

(Kare wa shizuka de wa nai. He is not

quiet.)

ni

(Kare wa shizuka ja nai.)

in; at; on; to

*/jais a contraction of /de wa and is more colloquial

than /de wa
Plain Past:
Kare wa shizuka datta. He was quiet.
Plain Past Negative:
(Kare wa shizuka de wa nakatta. He
was not quiet.)

40
39

ni suru
decide on, make it
* Noun + ni suru ()

nie
to (place, etc)
place + ni ()
place + e ()

41

42

(1)

(1)

ne

no (1)

tag question (isn't it? right? eh?)

possessive particle

the particle ne is added to the end of the sentence

Object1 + + Object2

43

(2)

44

(2)

no (2)

one

wa

i-Adjective + i +

Topic maker, As for

na-Adjective + na +

[ A ] wa [ B ] desu.

Noun +

= [ A ] is [ B ].

Verb +

45

46

wa nan desu ka

What is---

to, towards

* [demonstrative pronoun or something] + wa nan

desu ka?

location/direction + e()

48

47

mash/(yo)u

mash ka

let's ~~; probably; i plan to

Class Dictionary form formal volitional
(masu stem + mash)

informal volitional

Shall I/we

iku

iki mash

ik

[ Verb.masu-stem + ]

nomu

nomi mash

nom

II

miru

mi mash

miy

II

taberu

tabe mash

tabey

III

suru

shi mash

shiy

49

masen ka, nai ka

50

Won't you.., Wouldn't you

* Verb. polite negative + ka ()?

Class

Dictionary form

formal negative

(masu stem + masen) + ka

English

iku

iki masen ka

won't you go

II

miru

mi masen ka

won't you see

III

suru

shi masen ka

won't you do

mada
still, not yet

* Verb. plain negative + ka ()?

Class

Dictionary form
English

informal negative + ka

iku

ikanai ka won't you go

II

miru

minai ka

III

suru

shinai ka won't you do

won't you see

51

52

made

made ni

until, up to, even

before, by, within

53

54

(2)

mo

(2)

also, in addition, too

mo

[Object1][property1/action1]

even, as many/much/long

[Object2][property1/action1]

55

56

mo~mo

both 1 and 2, neither 1 nor 2

already, anymore

57

58

ya

and

yo

AB

you know

AB

+ yo is attached to the end of the sentence.

A B C

59

60

wa

weak emphatic particle used by female

speakers

object-marking particle
Noun + o() + verb

61

62

kudasai

please

koto

Noun

thing(s); stuff; that

Verb.te-form

63

64

ninshou daimeishi

Zenzen

referential noun (personal pronouns)

(not) at all; absolutely not

watashi - I/me
watakushi - I/me
boku - I/me (masculine)
ore - I/me (masculine)
atashi - I/me (feminine)
anata - you
kimi - you (informal for intimate members only)
omae - you (informal for intimate members only)
kare - he/him
kanojo - she/her
Plural
watashitachi - we/us
watakushitachi - we/us
bokutachi - we/us (masculine)
oretachi - we/us (masculine)
atashitachi - we/us (feminine)
anatatachi - You (plural)
kimitachi - You (plural) (informal for intimate members only)
omaetachi - You (plural) (informal for intimate members only)
karera - they/them (masculine)

kanojora - they/them (feminine)

65

66

Dekiru

mae ni

can, be able to

before, in front of

Person/Thing noun

Verb.plain.nonpast

Person/Thing Verb.plain-nonpast

Noun

67

68

()

josuushi

doushi no katsuyou (kakokei)

Counters

Conjugation of verbs (plain past)

The number that precedes the counter is normally

from the "ichi", "ni", "san" counting system,
however, there are some counters that require use of
the "hitotsu", "futatsu", "mittsu" counting system
(minus the final "tsu").

Conjugation of verbs to the plain past tense is similar to conjugation to the

te-form, with the only difference being that the last syllable becomes ta
rather than te.

In addition, the pronunciation of many counters

changes (according to Japanese pronunciation rules)
when a number is prefixed to it. For example, "hiki",
the counter for small animals, becomes "ippiki" for
one animal, "nihiki" for two animals, and "sanbiki"
for three animals.

Dictionary form

Te-form

Plain past tense

Translation

Class 1 verbs
(kau) (katte) (katta) To buy
(aruku) (aruite)
(oyogu)
To swim
(hanasu)
(matsu)

(aruita) To walk
(oyoide)

(oyoida)

(hanashite)
(hanashita) To speak
(matte) (matta) To wait

(shinu) (shinde) (shinda) To die

(tobu) (tonde) (tonda) To fly
(yomu) (yonde) (yonda)
(kaeru) (kaette) (kaetta)
Class 2 verbs
(taberu)
(tabete)
(iru) (ite)
(ita)
Class 3 verbs & irregular verbs
(suru) (shite)
(shita)
(kuru) (kite)
(kita)

To read
To return(home)
(tabeta) To eat
To exist
To do
To come

(iku)

(itte)

(itta)

To go

70
69

doushi no katsuyou (masu form)

doushi no katsuyou (jishokei)

Conjugation of verbs (plain nonpast)

Conjugation of verbs (masu form)

Conjugation of the plain non-past form of a verb is as follows.

Type of verb non-past

neg., non-past

past

neg.,past

volitional

Conjugation of the masu form of a verb is as follows;

Type of verb
neg.,past
Class I

neg., non-past

(kaki masu; to write)

(kaki mashita)

masendeshita)
Class II

non-past
volitional

past

(kaki masen)
(kaki

(kaki mash)

(mi masu; to see) (mi masen)

mashita) (mi masendeshita)

(mi

(mi mash)

Irregular (shi masu; to do) (shi masen)

(shi

mashita) (shi masendeshita) (shimash)

Class I
(kaku; to write)
(kakanakatta)
(kak)

(kakanai)

(kaita)

Class I
(nomu; to drink)
(nomanakatta)
(nom)

(nomanai)

(nonda)

Class I
(noru; to ride)
(noranakatta)
(nor)

(noranai)

(notta)

Class II
(minakatta)

(miru; to see)
(miy)

(minai)

(mita)

Class II
(nenakatta)

(neru; to sleep)
(ney)

(nenai)

(neta)

Class III(Irregular)
(shinakatta)

(suru; to do)
(shiy)

(shinai)

(shita)

Class III(Irregular)

(kuru; to come)

(konai)

(kita)

72
71

suki
to like
Noun + ()
Noun +
+ Noun

Kirai
Unlikable
Noun
Noun
Noun
Noun

73

74

Hitsuyou

need/necessary

shiji daimeishi (basho)

Adverbs of location

- I need / is necessary

75

76

Shijikeiyshi

demonstrative adjectives

demonstrative pronoun + noun

kakaru

kono bshi - this hat

sono inu - that dog
ano ie - that house (over there)
dono hon - Which book?

take (time/money)

78
77

Toki
when; at the time
Part of Speech;Past;Nonpast;Plus toki
verb.plain;;;+ toki
i-adjective;;;+ toki
na-adjective;+ datta;+ na;+ toki
noun;+ datta;+ no;+ toki

(1)
(1)

kuru (1)
to come
Imperfective form - (ko)
Continuative form - (ki)
Predicative form - (kuru)
Attributive form - (kuru)
Hypothetical form - (kure)
Imperative form - (koi)

79

(2)
(2)

kuru (2)
come about, come to
See kuru (1)

80

Mai
every

82

81

gimonshi

gimonbun

Interrogative words
(dare) - who

interrogative sentences

(nani/nan) - what
(nan no) - what [kind of]

Declarative sentences can be changed to yes-no questions

merely by adding the interrogative particle "ka" to the end
of the sentence. Thus, the declarative sentence "He likes
beer" () becomes "Does he like
beer?" by adding "ka", as seen in example sentence #1.

(itsu) - when
(doko) - where

Wh-questions are formed by using an interrogative word,

such as "nani" ("what"), in combination with "ka".
Examples can be found below.
There is a commonly used question form that places the
interrogative word at the end of the sentence, as seen in
example sentence #7 below.

(naze) - why
(ikaga) - how (polite)
(dou) - how
(doushite) - how/why
(douyatte) - how/why
(nande) - how/why
(dochira) - which/which one (of two alternatives)
(docchi) - which/which one (of two alternatives)
(dono) - which (of more than two alternatives)
(dore) - which one (of more than two alternatives)
(donna) - what kind of
(ikura) - how much
(ikutsu) - how many
(donogurai) - how long/how much
(dorekurai) - how long/how much

83

84

nado

Jibun

to name just one/a few; etc.; and so on

self, own

85

(3)

iru (3)
need
[ Noun ]

87

[noun] ga [adjective][noun]
one whose --- is [adjective]
* [noun] ga [i-adjective] [noun]
* [noun] ga [na-adjective. stem] na [noun]

86

Dare
who

88

,
,

-kute, -de
adjective conjunction
*****-te form of i-adjective*****
(1) Drop the final /i
(2) Add /kute
EnglishDictionary form-te form
small chiisai
chiisakute
old furui
furukute
interesting omoshiroi
omoshirokute
fun tanoshii
tanoshikute
cheerful akarui
akarukute
tasty oishii
oishikute
cheap yasui
yasukute
good ii
yokute (*exception!!)
*****-te form of na adjective*****
(1) Drop the final /na to get the dictionary form
(2) Add /de
EnglishDictionary form-te form
convenient benribenri de
well, fine genkigenki de

beautiful kireikirei de

89

te yokatta
was good; glad
V.te + yokatta
i-adjective kute + yokatta
na-adjective de + yokatta

90

wa doudesu ka
how is
We form this construction by simply adding what we
want to ask about as the subject before .
[what we want to know about]+

noun de + yokatta

91

92

v +

v +

dasu

v + you ni

to suddenly begin, to suddenly appear, ~out

so that

V.masu-stem + dasu

Phr1 + + Phr2

94

93

~
~

--ba yokatta
one should have done something
* -ba conditional form of a verb +

~h ga ~yori
more than
* Noun1 Noun2 X -- Noun1 is more X
than Noun2
* Verb1/i-Adj1 (plain) Verb2/i-Adj2 (plain,
nonpast) X
-- Verb1-ing/having Verb1-ed is more X than Verb2ing
-- being i-Adj1 is more X than being i-Adj2
* na-Adj1 na-Adj2 X
-- being na-Adj1 is more X than being na-Adj2

95

ageru
to give
Giver + + receiver + + object + +

96

o~kudasai
Polite request expression
o + Verb masu stem + kudasai

Do you know whether(or not) he is coming to school today?

(i-adj)

97

ka, ka d ka
if, whether or not
Embedded questions
An embedded question is a question that is inside
another statement or question, such as
Eki ga doko ka wakaranai /"I don't
know where the station is." There are two types of
embedded question, which are embedded whquestions and embedded yes/no questions. To make
embedded questions, we take a question, put it in the
informal form, put the particle after it, and
follow it with a verb.

Ano o-mise no rmen wa oishii ka(d ka), wakarimasen.

I don't know whether(or not) the ramen at that shop is good.
(noun)
Kono kutsu ga kare no ka(d ka), oboeteimasen.
I don't remember whether(or not) these shoes are his.
(na-adj)
Kono burando wa ymei ka(d ka), shitteimasu ka?
Do you know whether(or not) this brand is famous?
Informal WH-Question + + verb
Verb/i-adjective Sentenc
Question +

Doko ni aru ka

wakaru
"know where it is"

Dare ga kowashita ka

shitte iru
"know who broke it"

Dare ga ichiban tsuyoi ka

kimeru
"decide who is the strongest"

Dono mise ga yasukatta ka

oboete iru
"remember which shop is cheap"


Oishii ka (d ka)

shiraberu
"I'll find out whether (or not) it's delicious."

Geki ga omoshirokatta ka (d ka)

kiku
"I'll ask whether (or not) the play was interesting."
Yes or No Questions (nouns and na-adjective)

Ninki no mise ka (d ka)

shiraberu
"I'll find out whether (or not) it's a popular store."

Inu datta (d ka)

wakaranai
"I don't know if it was a dog (or not)."

Nihon de ymei ka (d ka)

wakaranai
"I don't know if it's famous in Japan (or not)."

Sono mise wa shizuka datta ka (d ka)

kiku
"I'll ask whether (or not) that store was quiet."

100

kashira
I wonder
V.plain/plain past + kashira
+ au + kashira - I wonder if someone will meet.
+ atta + kashira - I wonder if someone met.
i-adj /past + kashira
oishii kashira - I wonder if something is delicious
oishikatta kashira - I wonder if something was
delicious
na-adj /past + kashira
shiawase kashira - I wonder if someone/somthing is
happy
shiawase datta - I wonder if someone/something
was happy
noun /past + kashira
sensei kashira - I wonder if someone is a teacher
sensei datta kashira - I wonder if someone was a
teacher

101

102

(1)

kamoshirenai

(1)

might

garu (1)

Verb. inf +

show signs of

I-adjective. inf +

Adj-i stem + garu ()

Na-adjective.stem +

Adj-na stem + garu ()

Noun +

103

104

(1)

(2)

(1)

(2)

kureru (1)

kureru (2)

to give

to do something for someone else's sake

Noun + +

Verb.te-form +

106

105

go/o itadaku

sa

receive some benefit from someone's action

nominalizer for adjectives

* go () + stem of suru verb + itadaku ()

(to contact)

(; to propose)

* o () + masu stem of verb + itadaku ()
(;to wait)()
(to drink); ()

107

This suffix is commonly used with i-adjectives, but

can also sometimes be used with na-adjectives. To
use this suffix with an i-adjective, drop the final i and
append sa. For na-adjectives, just append sa to the
na-adjective. See the chart below.
Adjective

English add -sa English

nagai long

naga sa length

hiroi wide

hiro sa width

tsuyoi strong

tsuyo sa strength

benri convenient

benri sa convenienc

This usage of the causative, we use with several specific verbs that express a
psychological change or an emotional response, such as (, "to cry"), (
, "to laugh"), (, "to feel happy"), (, "to feel sad"),
(, "to get mad"), (, "to be relieved"), etc.
All verbs we use in the emotional responsive causative are intransitive, and the one
performing the action is always marked by o.
Examples:
1.

saseru
causative
The causative form has two meanings according to context:
The "coercive causative," meaning, "make or force
someone or something to do something"
The "permissive causative," meaning, "let someone or
something do something"

Sobo no shi wa watashitachi o kanashiamaseta.

"My grandmother's death made us feel sad."
2.
Sono eiga no saigo wa, kando- de hitobito o nakaseta.
"The last part of that movie makes people cry with emotion
FORMATION:
For class 1 verbs, drop the final -u, and add-aseru.
For class 2 verbs, drop the final -ru, and add-saseru.
The two class 3 verbs, suru and kuru, become saseru and kosaseru, respectively.
Class 1 Verb
Causative Form
- - ikaseru - "make/let someone go"
- - hanasaseru - "make/let someone speak"
- - kawaseru - "make/let someone buy"
Class 2 Verb

Sentence structure:
(1)__ ____ tado-shi(transitive verb)
__ wa __ ni __ o transitive verb

Causative Form
- - tabesaseru - "make/let someone eat"
- - oboesaseru - "make/let someone learn"
- - kaesaseru - "make/let someone change"
Class 3 Verb

(2)____/ jido-shi(intransitive verb)

__ wa __ ni/o intransitive verb

Causative Form
- - saseru - "make/let someone do"
- - kosaseru - "make/let someone come"
*In verbs that end in -u, the -u changes to -w, which changes it into () in the causative.

108

109

shi

shika

and, so, among others, etc., not only

(nothing) but

V.plain + shi

Noun +

i-Adj.inf + shi

Number + counter +

na-Adj + /da shi/datta shi

Noun + particle +

Noun + /da shi/datta shi

Verb +

110

shikamo
moreover; furthermore; besides; on top of
that; what's more;

111

Jan

Sentence-1Sentence-2

sentence ending expression

i-Adjective + ku +

[sentence] + jan

Noun + de +
Verb.masu- stem / Verb.te-form

112

113

sugu

zutsu

at once; soon; right away; immediately

by; at a time

115
114

zuni
without doing something
Verb.negative. stem +

sei
because of; due to
Noun + +
Verb/i-adjective. inf +

116

(1)
(1)

Ashita, Miyazaki-san wa Takaosan ni haikingu ni iku s desu.

Mr/Ms Miyazaki is going hiking at Mt. Takao tomorrow.
[!
]
wen wa sugee bijin to kekkon shita s da yo.
I've heard that Peter married a smokin' hot woman. [vulgar!be careful of
how you use it]
(i-adj)

s da (1)
I've heard that
Verbs and -i adjectives
[ informal form of a verb ]
[ informal form of -i adjective ]
- sanpo suru s da

Dizunsh wa, totemo tanoshii s desu.

I heard that Disney Sea is really fun.
JLPT
Kotoshi no JLPT wa, muzukashikatta s desu.
Apparently the JLPT this year was tough.
(na-adj)

Konkai no purojekuto wa kantan da s da.

- benky shinai s da

This project looks easy to do.

- omoshirokatta s da

- samukunai s da
-na Adjectives and Nouns
- ninki da s da
- jzu datta s da
- sensei da s da
- nihon-go no hon de wa nai s da

Tsuma ga sono tomodachi ni atta no wa, hisashiburi datta s da.

It was apparently a while since my wife had seen that friend.
(noun)

Kare wa dokoka no kaisha no shach da sda.

It seems that he's the president of some company.

Ano oba-san wa 30-nen mae wa ymei na joy datta s desu.

I heard that old lady was a famous actress 30 years ago.

118

(2)
(2)

s da (2)
look like, appear, seem, like

I-adjectives: Drop the Final i + so da

- atsui atsu - - atsus da
- atarashii atarashi - - atarashis
da
* There are two i-adjectives that are exceptions and don't follow
the rule.
"good" - - ii - - yosa s da
"doesn't exist" - - nai - - nasa s da
Na-adjectives: Dictionary Form + so da
- genki - - genki s da
- raku - - raku s da
EXAMPLES:
(Verb)

Kon'ya no raibu niwa takusan no okyaku ga atsumari s da.

It looks like a lot of people are going to come to tonight's concert.
(i-adj)

Ano atari wa yoku kuruma ga tru node urusas desu.

Many cars pass through that area, so it seems like it'd be noisy.
(na-adj)

Kanojo no o-t-san wa majime s desu.

My girlfriend's father looks like a serious person.

 NOTES:

119

soko de
therefore
Sentence-1Sentence-2

120

sore ga
well, despite what you might think

122
121

sorezore
each; respectively

sore demo
but; nevertheless; in spite of that
Sentence-1Sentence-2

123

124

sore to

sore ni

and; also; in addition; as well

in addition; moreover; furthermore

Noun-1 Noun-2 ...Noun-3

Clause-1 Clause-2

Sentence-1Sentence-2

Sentence-1Sentence-2

125

126

sore mo

zo

in addition

i'm telling you; dammit

127

128

tai

want to do something

Verb Class;Dictionary Form;Masu Stem;Tai Construction;English

tada

Class I;Nomu;nomi;nomitai;want to drink

Class II;taberu;tabe;tabetai;want to eat

only; just; simply; that's all

Class III;suru;shi;shitai;want to do

+ ONE + counter

Plain; Negative; Past affirmative; Past negative

+ Noun +

; ;

+ Verb/i-Adj. inf +

nomitainomitakunai; nomitakatta; nomitakunakatta

+ na-Adj. stem + / +

tabetai; tabetakunai; tabetakatta; tabetakunakatta

shitai; shitakunai; shitakatta; shitakunakatta

129

Ashita hima dattara, shoppingu ni ik!

If you happen to be free tomorrow, let's go shopping!
2
Ame ga futtara, kuruma de mukae ni ikimasu.
If it rains, I'll pick you up by car.

3
Samukattara danb o tsukete mo ii desu yo.

tara
tara conditional (if, when, after)

If you're cold, you may turn on the heater.

4
Watashi ga anata dattara, ikanai desu.
If I were you, I wouldn't go.
5
Okane ga attara Nihon e ikimasu.
If I had money, I would go to Japan.
6
Nemukattara, nete mo ii desu.
If you are tired, it's okay to sleep.
7
Shiawase dattara, watashi wa nanimo iimasen.
If he/she is happy, I won't (don't) say anything.
8
Gakusei dattara nyjry wa mury desu.
If you're a student, there is no entrance fee.
NOTES:
1) The tense of the sentence is determined by the tense of the main

clause.

131

130

tari

tara d desu ka
how about; why don't you
* Tara conditional form of a verb + d desu ka (
)

and
Dictionary form

Past plain form

Add ri

--tari

132

133

dai

dake de

dai interrogative particle

just by doing ~~

134

dake de naku

135

not only - but also

ppanashi

Verb/i-Adj.inf + dake de naku

continue, leave

na-Adj.stem + na dake de naku

Verb.masu-stem

Noun + dake de naku

137

136

tsumari
that is to say; namely; in other words; what
I mean is

tsumori
plan to do something
1) V.inf + tsumori (copl).

2) adj-na.stem + tsumori (copl).

3) adj-i.inf.nonpast + tsumori (copl).

4) n + no tsumori (copl).

139

138

temo

te ageru

even if; although

to do for
Doer + + receiver + + V.te-form +

Verbs and i-adjectives:

(te-form of the verb/adj) +
Nouns and na-adjectives:
(noun or dictionary form of na-adj) +

140

141

(5)

(5)

te morau

de (5)

to receive an action

for, in, per, over

(Reciever) wa (Giver) ni verb.te-form +

measurement of time + de

142

143

(1)

(1)

desh

demo (1)

Probably

even

* Verb/i-Adj. inf + desh

Noun + demo()

* na-Adj. stem/Noun + + desh

Interrogative-word + demo()

144

(2)

145

(2)

demo (2)

or something

de gozaimasu

Noun +

be, (polite) copula

Noun + particle +

146

(1)

147

(3)

(1)

to (1)

(3)

to conditional

to (3)

Conditional .
(verb : i/na adjective : noun + copula) +
This construction is used to create a conditional
sentence in the pattern sentence1 sentence2. If the
condition in Phr1 is fulfilled, sentence2 will take
place. Sentence1 should be in the plain present tense.

quote-marker
Quotation+ to + verb (like such verbs as iu,
kangaeru, omou)

149

148

to iu

toka

called ~, that ~

such as X and Y, something like

1) [noun A] [noun B] = "B called A"

2) [clause] [noun*] = noun that ~

toka - 'and, or' with the nuance of 'among other things'

Construction:
N + toka N + toka...

that tomorrow's meeting will be postponed

Toyota toka Honda toka

Toyota and Honda (among others)

the news that he is going to move

the feeling that he wants her to come back

V1.plain + toka (Vn.plain + toka) + V

Taberu toka nomu toka suru.

To eat and drink (among other things)

151
150

to naru
to be; to become
Noun

to omou
I think ~
Informal: [ Phrase (informal) + to omou ]
Formal: [ Phrase (informal) + to omoimasu ]

152

153

doumo

dochira ga ii

I don't know why but; I tried but; for some

reason

which is better

Dmo is used as a regular adverb. It precedes the

verb or adjective it modifies.

[ dochira (which) + ga (subject-marking particle) + ii

(good)] + [ desu ka (used to make the sentence
polite) ]

154

(2)
(2)

na (2)
for sure, for real
i-Adjective + i +
Na-adjective + da +
Noun + da +

155

nai de
without doing something
negative form of verb + de ()

Verb.plain

156

157

nai to ikenai

(1)

must

(1)

plain negative + to ikenai

nagara (1)

nomu - nomanai to
ikenai must drink something
taberu - tabenai to
ikenai - must eat something
suru - shinai to ikenai must do something

while
[Verb-1] masu stem + + [Verb-2]

158

nakute mo ii
don't have to
(V / adj-i).neg.te mo ii
(adj-na / N) + Copula.neg.te mo ii
Verb:

tabenakute mo ii
it is alright to not eat
adj-i:

tsumetakunakute mo ii
it is alright if s.t. is not cold
adj-na:

shizuka ja nakute mo ii
it is alright if s.t. is not quiet
Noun:

gakusei ja nakute mo ii
it is alright if s.o. is a student

159

naku naru
become no more
* Verb. negative stem + naku naru
(okoru); (); don't get angry any
more
(yomu)() ; don't read any more
* i-Adjective.stem + ku + naku naru
(hoshoi) isn't slim any more
(tanoshii) isn't happy any more
* noun/na-adjective.stem + de wa/ja + naku naru
(kodomo) / isn't a kid any more
(kantan na) / isn't easy any
more

161
160

nakereba naranai
have to, need to, must, should
Verb. negative + nakereba naranai
i-Adj. stem + ku nakereba naranai
na-Adj.stem/Noun + de nakereba naranai

(1)
(1)

nara (1)
if (nara conditional)
i-Adjective. inf + nara
na-Adjective. stem + nara
Noun + nara
Verb. inf + nara

163

162

(2)
(2)

nara(2)
speaking of ~
* Noun +

naru
to become
noun + ni + naru
i-adj -> ku + naru
na-adj -> ni + naru
noun
noun
Meaning
Construction
Meaning
(byki)
ill
(byki ni naru)
to become ill
(otona)
adult
(otona ni naru)
to become an adult
i-adjective
i-adjective
Meaning
Construction
Meaning
(omoshiroi)
interesting (omoshiroku naru)
to become interesting
(tanoshii)
fun
(tanoshiku naru)
to become fun
na-adjective
na-adjective
Meaning
Construction
Meaning
(hima) free(time) (hima ni naru) to become free
(shiawase)
happy
(shiawase ni naru)
to become happy

164

165

nikui

ni shite wa

difficult/impossible to do

considering that, for

Verb.masu-stem +

Standard Comparison

167

(3)
(3)
166

no (3)
to do, doing, that clause
* Verb. plain + no()
; to run

no

;to eat

sentence ending particle

* i-Adjective. plain + no ()

[non past casual form] + no

; to be cheap
to be old
* na-Adjective. stem/Noun + na/datta + no()
; to be easy
being a kid

169
168

noni

no da

Although

the reason is

i-Adjective.plain + noni()

[Verb/Adj-i].plain +

Verb.plain + noni()

[Adj-na.stem/Noun] + (/)

na-Adjective, stem + na + noni()

Noun + na + noni()

170

171

hazu

should be, ought to be

wa?

[ Noun ]

inferred question

[ Adjective + ]

Noun + wa ?

[ Verb + ]

172

ba
if (~ba conditional)
The conditional form of verbs is obtained by converting the final \"-u\" of
the dictionary form into a \"-e\" and attaching \"ba\". This conjugation also
holds true for Group 1 and Group 2 verbs, as well as the irregular
verbs \"kuru\" and \"suru\".
(\"iku\") -> (\"ike\") -> (\"ikeba\")
(\"taberu\") -> (\"tabere\") -> (\"tabereba\")
(\"kuru\") -> (\"kure\") -> (\"kureba\")
(\"suru\") -> (\"sure\") -> (\"sureba\")
The conditional form of -i adjectives (including the \"-nai\" negative form
of adjectives and verbs) is obtained by dropping the final -i and
adding \"kereba\".
(\"yasui\") -> (\"yasu\") -> (\"yasukereba\")
(\"ikanai\") -> (\"ikana\") ->
(\"ikanakereba\")
The conditional form of -na adjectives and nouns is formed by suffixing
them with \"de areba\", the conditional form of the \"de aru\" copula.
(\"shinsetsu\") -> (\"shinsetsu de areba\")
(\"gakusei\") -> (\"gakusei de areba\")

173

bakari
about to, just did, just, only
V.plain.nonpast bakari
V.plain.past bakari
Vte-form bakari iru
n (prt) bakari
Quantifier bakari

175

174

(2)
(2)

hoshii (2)
to want someone to do something
te-form of Verb + hoshii
- want someone to do something
The party that the subject wants to do something is
marked with the particle ni.

mama
as is, unchanged, remain
Verb.informal.past + mama ()

oita mama
leaving s.t. as is
V.informal.negative.nonpast + mama ()

(doa o) shimenai mama

leaving the door unclosed
adj-i + mama ()

samui mama
as cold as s.t. is
adj-na.stem() + mama ()

kirei na mama
as clean/pretty as s.t. is
noun + no()+ mama ()

mukashi no mama
leaving s.t. as it was

177
176

mitai da

maru de

looks like; similar to

quite, as if, practically

Noun +

Verb/i-Adj.inf +
na-Adj.stem + ()

178

179

morau

yasui

to receive, get, receive

easily

[ (Receiver) wa (Giver) ni (object) o morau ]

Verb. masu stem + yasui()

180

181

yatto

yappari

finally, at last, barely

as expected

183

182

you ni/na

like, resembling

yaru
send; give; do

To use the you ni/na construction with a noun, simply

place the particle no after the noun, followed by you ni/na.
Part of speech;Example;Plain present/past;Add you ni/na
verb;taberu;taberu/tabeta;you ni/na
i-adj;oishii;oishii/oishikatta;you ni/na
na-adj;hima;hima na/hima datta;you ni/na
noun;Nihon;Nihon no/Nihon datta;you ni/na
We also have the construction "A wa B no you da" or "A
wa B no you desu" which simply means "A is
like/resembles B."

185

184

rashii

yori

seems like, looks like, I hear/heard, like

something/someone

than

Formation

A + wa() + B + yori () + X

V.informal + rashii

A is X'er than B

i-adjective + rashii
na-adjective + rashii
noun + rashii

186

rareru
able to do something (potential)
Verb. masu stem + rareru ()

Direct passive voice takes either the direct or indirect

object of the equivalent active sentence, and uses it as the
grammatical subject. The particle ni is normally used to
indicate the agent (the doer of the action), however, when
one wishes to place additional stress on the agent, ni yotte
may be used. kara may also be used to indicate the agent in
cases where a physical object has been given from the
agent.

187

(1)
(1)

rareru (1)
passive voice

188

Sensei ni shikarareta.
I was scolded by my teacher.
Indirect passive voice has no easy English equivalent. It is
similar in meaning to the colloquial form "to up and do
something to me". (See example below.) It is used to
indicate that an (often negative) influence has had some
effect on the (usually human) subject. Because this passive
is often used when the speaker is showing empathy for
something that happens to the subject that is outside of
his/her realm of control, this passive form is often called
"the troubled passive" ( , "meiwaku no
ukemi"). Consider the following sentence as an example of
its usage and translation.

Tsuma ni nigerareta.
My wife up and left me.

ichiban
most, -est
ichiban + adjective
ichiban kawaii - cutest
ichiban ganko - most stubborn

189

koto ga aru
have done, sometimes occurs
Verb.plain-past
Verb.plain-nonpast

190

koto ga dekiru
can, able to
Verb.plain-nonpast

191

192

koto ni suru

koto ni naru

decide to

it has been decided that

V.plain.nonpast

Verb.plain-nonpast

194

193

kan-kei

Potential Form

hajimete

Making the potential form (which means "can" or

"able to") of a verb depends on the verb class.

first time doing something

Verb
Noun

Watashi wa oyogemasen.
I can't swim.

Kanji ga kakemasu ka.

Can you write kanji (Chinese characters)?

Ashita pt ni korareru?
Can you come to the party tomorrow?

Boku wa sakana ga taberarenai.

I cant eat fish.

195

196

meishi shshokusetsu

meireikei

Modifying Clause

imperative (strongest)

[ (modifying sentence) + (noun) ]

Class I Verb imperative conjugation - the final syllable/mora of a

verb in its dictionary form is changed from the u-column to its
corresponding e-column. e.g. u -> e / ku -> ke
nomu - to drink
/ nomu -> nome - Drink!
/ iku -> ike - Go!
Class II Verb imperative conjugation - ro is appended to the masu
stem
kangaeru - to think
-> / kangaerukangaero - Think!
-> / mirumiro - Look!
Class III Verb imperative conjugation - suru and kuru, Class III
verbs with the highest frequency, are conjugated as follows
suru - to do - ro is appended to the masu stem
-> / suru -> shiro - do it
kuru - to come - has a unique conjugation
/ kurukoi - Come! *Please note that is read

ko.i, and can be deducted by context.

197

baai

198

in the case, if

V.pln + baai
- wasureru baai
- wasureta baai
N + no/datta baai
/ - gakusei no/datta baai
adj-i baai

hajimeru
begin to, start to
Verb.masu-stem +

- hayai baai
- hayakatta baai
adj-na na/datta baai
/ - hitsuy na/datta baai

199

200

tabi ni

ato de

every time; whenever

after, later

Verb.plain-nonpast +

Vplain.past +

Noun +

Noun +

201

ishikei
Volitional form
Class-1 verbs are converted from dictionary form to volitional
form by dropping the final "u" and adding "ou".
(asobu) -> (asobou)

202

buri
for the first time in...

Class-2 verbs are converted by dropping the final "ru" and adding
"you".

The suffix buri is attached directly to the measurement of

time.

(taberu) -> (tabeyou)

ikkagetsu-buri - First time in a month

Irregular verbs are converted as follows:

rokukkagetsu-buri - First time in

six month (half an year)

(suru) -> (shiyou) or (seyou)

(kuru) -> (koyou)

ichinen-buri - First time in a year

The volitional form of the polite "masu" verb suffix is "mashou".

(ikimasu) -> (ikimashou)

203

kata
way of, manner, how to

204

[ Vmasu stem + kata ]

h ga ii

Class I Verb: iku - to go

had better, should

ikikata - way of going/manner of going

Verb.plain-past

Class II Verb: taberu - to eat

Verb.plain-nonpast

tabekata - way of eating/manner of eating

Verb.negative-nonpast

Class III Verb: suru - to do

shikata - way of doing/manner of doing

205

(1)

hoshii (1)
to want something
Noun + ga hoshii ( )

2. In expressions such as "sou da", "you da" and "rashii" which

cause a double "seems to" effect, when combined with "garu":
Kare wa ~~ wo hoshigatte iru you desu.
"He seems to seem to want something."
3. In direct quotes, where the "seems to" is misplaced:
"Maaku wa ~~ wo hoshigatte iru tte."
"Mark said 'I seem to want ~~.'"
4. In expressions of explanation. That means using the "n", "kara",
"node", etc.
5. When using past tense.
EXAMPLES:
1.
Watashi wa rmen o tabetai desu.
I want to eat ramen.
2.
Pt mo rmen o tabetagatte imasu.
Peter wants to eat ramen, too.
3.
Watashi wa bru o nomitai desu.
I want to drink beer.
4.
Pt mo bru o nomitagatte imasu.
Peter wants to drink beer, too.
5.
Kudaranai jdan o yamete hoshii.
I want you to quit telling stupid jokes.

206

yokubou no arawashikata
expressing desire

208

ki
feel like
Verb plain form + ki
Noun + ge*
yaru ki - will (to do something)
- no will (to do something)
- become motivated, become willing
*There are certain set phrases describing one's physical
feeling in which the Kanji character is read ge not ki.
e.g. hakige / samuge.

6.

209

naosu
to redo/correct something
V.masu stem + naosu
Class I - yaru ->yari ->
yarinaosu
Class II - kangaeru ->kangae ->
kangaenaosu

210

hodo
to the extent of/that, about
Noun
Verb.plain-nonpast

Class III - suru ->shi ->

shinaosu

212
211

iku
go on -ing, continue on
Verb.te-form

sugiru
too much
Verb.masu-stem
Adjective-stem

213

aida (ni)
during, while, between
Noun-phrase + no + aida (ni)
te-form of Verb + iru + aida (ni)
i-Adj/na-Adj + aida (ni)

214

itadaku
humble polite form of morau - to receive

INTRODUCTION:
Aida is a noun meaning both the entire space between, as in
(gyou to gyou to no aida, the space between the lines) and the
entire time period, as in (natsu no aida, the whole of summer).
When used together with ni (see (1)), it corresponds to either of the
English phrases at some point during or somewhere between. Use of ni
usually implies that only part of the time or space is occupied. Please refer
to example sentences #4 and #5 for a concrete example.

[Reciever] wa [Giver] ni [object] o itadaku

[Reciever] wa [Giver] ni verb.te-form itadaku

Aida can also be used to refer to a relationship between two people, as in

examples #6 and #7.
Aida follows adjectives, verbs in present progressive (~te iru) form,
adjectives, and nouns or noun phrases with the particle no.

216
215

itadakemasen ka
could I get
Noun
Verb.te-form

koro / goro
around, about
Time
Verb.masu-stem
Noun

217

~ku suru
Adverbial form of adjective + suru
I-adjectives
Change i into ku, and attach suru.
I-adjective
suzushii - suzushiku suru - To cool off
hosoi - hosoku suru - To make it thin
Na-adjectives
Put ni before suru.
Na-adjective
kirei - kirei ni suru - To clean
shiawase - shiawase ni suru - To make one
happy

218

~ku naru
Adverbial form of adjective + naru

219

te aru
to exist in a state caused by someone or
somethings actions
Verb.te-form + aru
Aru is a verb meaning to have or to be. When it follows the
~te form of another verb, it acts as an auxiliary, and functions
similar to the English passive perfect form to have been done. It
indicates that the subject now exists in a state caused by
something/someone elses prior actions. The reasons for its use are
also similar to the English passive: the causing agent is
unimportant or unknown.

220

-te oku
do in advance, do in preparation
Verb.te-form +

222

221

~te shimau
completely; thoroughly; unfortunately
[ Verb.te-form + ]

--te miru
try to do something
V.te + miru
Class1: au-> atte + miru = attemiru (try to meet)
Class2: taberu-> tabete + miru = tabetemiru (try to
eat)
Class3: suru -> shite + miru = shitemiru (try to do)

224
223

~ni iku
purpose for going somewhere
[ Verb masu-stem ni iku / ikimasu ]

~y ni suru
to make an effort to do [verb]
* [Verb; dictionary form]y ni suru
* [Verb; nai form]y ni suru

225

~y ni naru
It has come to be that~
* [Verb; dictionary form]y ni naru
* [Verb; nai form]y ni naru

226

-
-

-gai ga aru
Worth it to do ~
Masu Stem +

228
227

-
-

ppoi

darake

-y, -ish

covered in; full of

Adjective.stem +

Noun +

Noun +
Verb.masu-stem +

229

bahodo
the, the
Verb.ba-conditional same-verb-repeated
V.ba conditional + (same) V + hodo
adj-i.ba conditional + (same) adj + hodo
adj-na + areba (ba conditional of verb aru) + aru +
hodo

230

bakari ka
not only~ but also
Adjective Adjective
Noun Noun
Verb.plain Verb.plain

232

231

(2)
(2)

amari (2)

irassharu
to come, to go, to be

due to an excess of, because

"Irassharu" conjugates in line with the other irregular

"-aru" honorific verbs: "i", rather than "ri", is used in
constructing the "-masu" form and its derivatives.

Noun + +

Dictionary form:

Verb.inf +

Simple past:
Polite form:
Polite past:

234

233

ue(ni)
as well, in addition, besides, not onlybut
also
Sentence + ue (ni) ()

uchi ni
while, before, during
V.inf.nonpast + uchi ni
iru uchi ni - while s.o. is there
yomanai uchi ni - before s.o. reads
yonde iru uchi ni - while s.o. is reading
i-adj.nonpast + uchi ni
wakai uchi ni - while s.o. is young
na-adj.nonpast + na + uchi ni
nigiyaka na uchi ni - which it is lively
noun + no + uchi ni
ky no uchi ni - before the end of the day

235

okage de
thanks to something, someone or an action
or state
i-Adjective, inf +
na-Adj. stetm/Noun + /
Verb.plain +

236

kai
Informal question particle

238
237

kaette
on the contrary, rather, surprisingly

gatai
hard to, can hardly, difficult to
Verb.masu-stem +

239

240

gachi

prone to, likely to

* Noun +

* Verb.masu-stem +
()
()

koto da
"the important thing to do is..."
~[verb]

241

sae
even; if only; if just; as long as; the
only thing need is
i) Noun +
ii) Noun + Prt. +
iii) te-form of Verb +

242

sasuga
as might be expected; after all; naturally

iv) Verb. masu +

v) i-Adj. stem +
vi) na-Adj.stem / N + +

243

244

semete

at the very least

i) Number + Counter

s ni naru

at least three times

ii) N {}

almost; it appeared as if something was

going to happen

{} at least
a conversation

Verb.masu-stem + s ni naru ()

iii) N Prt.
at least to my mother

245

sono ue
furthermore, in addition

246

sore dokoro ka
on the contrary; far from that; as a matter
of fact

248
247

tame

tada no

therefore; in order to

usual; ordinary; common; plain

* Noun + ()

+ Noun

* Verb/i-Adj, inf +
* na-Adj, stem + /

249

dakara to itte
just because, however, that said, be that as
it may

250

daga
but, however, yet, nevertheless

Sentence A + +Sentence B

251

chinami ni
incidentally, by the way
+ sentence.

252

kke
particle indicating forgotten information

254

253

te wa

if; when; because

tsutsu
-ing; while; although
Verb.masu-stem +

1) te form of V
when/if one sleep; to sleep
2) te form of Adj(i/na)
when/if s.t./s.o is small
3) N
if s.o. is cold

256

255

de arou

probably

de aru
be (formal, written Japanese copula)

[V, adj-i].inf +

Adj-na.stem +

Noun +

258
257

tokoro ga

tt

and then; however, but

in the end, never

Verb.plain-past +
Sentence-1Sentence-2

260
259

tokoro de
even if
Verb.plain-past +

to naru to
if ~~ is true; where ~~ is concerned
Noun +
Clause +

261

262

to wa kagiranai

not always; not necessarily

totomoni

Informal clause +

as well as; with; at the same time

Usually, you use to wa kagiranai () or to mo

kagiranai () in the form, "clause + "

Noun +

or "clause + " to mean that what is described in the

preceding clause is not necessarily the case or not necessarily true.

Verb.plain-nonpast +

Formation:

Noun/Adj(na)stem + +

The clause preceding to wa kagiranai or to mo kagiranai should be

in the informal form. is the negative form of the verb
, which means "to limit." So literally, it means, "not limited to
[what is described in the clause]."

Adj(i)inf-nonpast +

263

264

to iu noni

to iu yori

but; although; in spite of

rather than; morethan

265

to itte mo
although; I say that, but...
Word +
Phrase +

266

dse
anyway, at any rate, might as well

Sentence-1 + + Sentence-2.

267

dokoro ka
not only, far from, much less
i-Adj, inf nonpast +
na-Adj, stem/Noun +

268

donna ni ~~ koto ka
how incredibly ~!
+ i-Adjective. inf. +
+ na-Adjective.stem + /

269

(2)
(2)

nagara (2)
but, while, although
i-Adjective + i +
na-Adjective
Noun

270

nasai
command
Verb.masu-stem

Verb.masu-stem

271

ni chigainai

272

there is no mistaking that, certainly

beki

Verb.inf + ni chigainai

should, ought to, must

Adj-i.inf + ni chigainai

Verb-plain.nonpast +

Noun/Adj-na. stem + (datta) ni chigainai

273

274

mono

mono nara

because, how, used to, should like

if one can do something

Sentence +

Verb. potential non-past form + mono nara

275

276

wake da (1)

wake da (2)

the reason is that, for that reason

In other words...

Verb.informal-form +

Verb.informal-form +

i-Adjective. informal form +

i-Adjective. informal form +

na-Adjective/Noun + / +

na-Adjective/Noun + / +

277

278

wake da (3)

wake da ga

Explaining a situation

As you know...

Verb.informal-form +

Verb.informal-form +

i-Adjective. informal form +

i-Adjective. informal form +

na-Adjective/Noun + / +

na-Adjective/Noun + / +

280

279

ipp
more and more
Verb.plain-nonpast +

()
()
()()

ipp de (wa)tahou de (wa)

on the one hand, on the other hand
1) AB (On the one hand, there's
A. But on the other hand, there's B.)
2) AB (A. But on the other hand, there's
also B.)

282
281

j
about, as relates to, because of, -wise
Noun +

ue de
upon; after
Verb.plain-past
Noun

283

284

ij

igai

since, now that, once, as long as

outside of, other than, besides

Veb. inf +

Noun

N +

Noun

286
285

shitagatte
therefore; accordingly; consequentl
Sentence-1 Sentence-2

eru/uru
possible; -able
Verb.masu-stem + ()
Verb.masu-stem + ()

287

288

tokoro

about to, in the midst of, just did, almost did

-Adjective
na-Adjective + na +
Noun + no +
Verb.plain
NOTES: This expression is usually written in hiragana
only.
"Tokoro" and "toki" differ in that the former represents a
state, while the latter represents a time.

shidai
depending on; as soon as
Noun
Verb.masu-stem

290
289

itashimasu
to do (humble version)

iu made mo naku
needless to say; not to mention
Noun-phrase

291

292

wake ga nai

wake de wa nai

there is no reason why

doesn't mean that; not necessarily

i-Adjective + i +

i-Adjective + i +

na-Adjective + na +

na-Adjective + na +

Noun

Noun + +

Verb.plain- form

Verb.plain-form +

293

wake ni wa ikanai
can't very well; have no choice but to
[ Verb.plain + ]

294

gyaku ni
contrary to one's expectation, conversely

295

296

()

tri (ni)

sai

the same way as; (in) the way; as

when; if; on the occasion of

i-Adjective + i + ()

Noun

na-Adjective + na + ()

Verb.plain-nonpast

Noun ()

Verb.plain-past

Verb.plain ()

Noun

298
297

no ni taishite

while one of them is ---, the other is ---

manner; style

* Noun + / + [main clause]

* Verb/i-adj.plain + [main clause]

299

300

~kiru

~kai ga aru

to finish doing something completely

Worth it to~

[ Verb masu-stem + kiru() ]

V + kai ga aru (V + )

301

302

mamire

atte no

covered in

thanks to, without whom we could not exist

Noun +

A + + B

304

303

ikanimo
no matter how you slice it, indeed, quite

ikan
depending on, regardless of
Noun()
Noun()
Noun()Noun()
Noun()
Noun()Noun()

Noun()Noun()

305

katagata
at the same time, while you're at it
Noun

306

ka to omottara
one thing happens right after another

307

gatera
at the same time
Noun +
Verb.masu-stem +

308

ga hayai ka
as soon as, before I knew it
Verb.plain-nonpast +

310
309

to iedomo

ga saigo

even if, although, in spite of

if, when

Noun/na-Adj.stem +

V.plain-past +

i-Adjective +
Verb.plain +

311

312

toka de

to shita koto ga

or something

(I), of all people...

Clause for reason(verb. inf) + + Result

[pronoun/person's name + to shita koto ga + (action

that unlike the person)]

314
313

tomo
no matter may be; even if;
Verb.volitional-form +
i-Adjective, stem + +

ni suginai
nothing more than, merely, just, only
Counter +
Noun +
Verb.plain-nonpast +

315

316

ya ina ya

kari ni

as soon as, before I knew it

tentative supposition, "supposing that..."

A B

We often use together with the conditional

, as in , or in a sentence structure
such as .
means "to assume something." So
literally means "if one assumes that
~," and we can translate it as "supposing that" or
"if." literally means "one assumes
that, and," and we can translate it as "let's say
~."
In most cases, we can use both of them to mean the
same thing, but if there is any difference in the
nuance, sounds more like a tentative

assumption than .

317

318

()

kirai ga aru

totan (ni)

to have the bad habit of

the moment; as soon as; then

Verb.plain-nonpast +

Verb.plain-past ()

Noun + +

Verb.tara-conditional ()

319

320

kagiri da

~kiri

very

"since"

i-adjective

[ Informal past verb + kiri ]

321

322

~to iu ten de

in that, in terms of

~ni kagiru

The aspect being focused on comes before to iu ten

de (). This aspect can be a full sentence
or a noun (certain type).

There's nothing like~

[Aspect (sentence/noun)] + to iu ten de (

[ (Item A) +wa ( (Item that goes best

with Item A) +ni kagiru () ]

) + Main clause

323

/
/

go/onasaru
honorific
go/o(/) + Verb masu stem + nasaru ()
(raiten suru; to come to the shop)

(kekkon suru; to get married)

(hikkoshi suru; to move)

324

iwayuru
so-called, what we call

325

+ masu stem of verb

+
+ masu stem of verb +

o + masu stem of verb + negaimasu

please do something

326

* " + masu stem of verb + " : Please do something.

oni naru

* " + masu stem of verb + ": Can you please do

something?

honorific

- () - -

* + Verb masu stem +

Please let me know.

Could you please let me know?

(hanasu; to speak);

- - -

Please read.
Could you please read?
- - -

Please wait.
Could you please wait?

(taberu; to eat);

327

,
,

o--, go
honorific prefix
* o()+ noun(o-namae, name), (o-miyage,
souvenir), (o-sushi, sushi)
* o()+ i-adjective: (o-isogashii, busy); (outsukushii, beautiful)
* o()+ na-adjective: (o-kirei, beautiful), (ojzu, good at)
* go()+ noun: (go-jsho, address), (goryshin, parents), (go-byki, sick)
* go()+ na-adjective: (go-shinsetsu, kind), (goteinei, polite)
(* i-adjectives are Japanese origin words, so they are not preceded
by go().)

328

+[]
+[]

o-- no + [noun]
someone who does something(honorific)
the polite prefix o() + verb. masu stem no() + noun
plainmasu stem; o + masu stem + no + noun
; customers who are
standing
() ; passengers who are
getting on
() ; books which you are reading
() ; something which you are
using

330

(2) ;
329

(2) ;

garu (2); --ta garu

a person other than the speaker wants to do

something

kanenai

* Masu stem of a verb + ta garu

might do something

(miru)()(mi masu) (mi tai)

(mi ta garu)

[masu stem of a verb] + kanenai

(taberu)()(tabe masu) (tabe tai)

(tabe ta garu)
(iku)()(iki masu) (iki tai)
(iki ta garu)
* drop "i" sound from "tai" and add "garu

331

koso
the very --, It is -- that --. Particularly
* Noun + koso()
rainen koso; definitely next year

332

//
//

go/o-- itasu/suru
honorific
* / + Verb masu stem + /

* Noun + particle + koso ()

(motsu; to have)/

; ie de koso; particularly at home

(matsu; to wait); /

* te-form of verb + koso ()

(annnai suru; to show the way);

/

ganbatte koso; only if someone tries hard

* Clause + koso ()
anata ga suki da kara koso; precisely
because I like you

(shoukai suru; to introduce);

/

334

333

/)

fukugou doushi

(/)

sasete moraitai(no desu ga/n desu

ga)
I would like you to let me do something
* Causative of verb (-- sasete) + morai tai
* Causative of verb (-- sasete) + morai tai no/n desu
ga

compound verbs
Compound verbs are extremely common in Japanese. They are
formed by affixing a verb in plain form to the masu stem of
another verb. The final verb usually indicates the manner in which
the first is performed.
Take, for example, (tobikoeru), which means "to fly
over". The base verb, (tobu), means "to fly", and the final
verb, (koeru), means "to go over". The compound verb
gains its meaning in this manner. Another compound verb that
uses (koeru) is (norikoeru), which means "to
climb over".
Other commonly used suffixes used to create compound verbs
include (dasu), which means "to start quickly or
appear/disappear suddenly", and (komu), which means "to
enter something".

335

336

sonna

hindo no fukushi

no way, come on

Adverbs of frequency

337

kana
I wonder
V.inf + kana
+ iku + kana - I wonder if someone go.
+ itta + kana - I wonder if someone went.
i-adj. inf + kana
samui kana - I wonder if something is cold
samukatta kana - I wonder if something was
cold
na-adj. stem + (datta) kana
nigiyaka kana - I wonder if
somewhere/somthing is lively
nigiyaka datta kana - I wonder if
somewhere/something was lively
noun + (datta) kana
sensei kana- I wonder if someone is a teacher
sensei datta kana - I wonder if someone was
a teacher

338

kazu
number

ky

900

kyhyaku

1000

sen

j-ichi

2000

ni-sen

3000

san-zen

13

j-san
yon-sen

4000

14

j-yon
go-sen

5000

15

j-go

6000

roku-sen

16

j-roku

nana-sen

7000

17

j-nana
ha-ssen

8000

18

j-hachi
ky-sen

9000

19

j-kyuu
ichi-man

10,000

20

ni-j
ni-man

20,000

10
11
12

j-ni

340

hiteikei
Negative form

 (kuru) -> (kimasen)

"Suru" becomes "shimasen".
(suru) -> (shimasen)
i-adjective:
(muzukashii) -> [] (muzukashiku
[wa] arimasen)
na-adjective:
(kantan) -> []
(kantan de [wa] arimasen/kantan ja arimasen)
INTRODUCTION:
Construction of the negative form of Japanese verbs, equivalent to
the English "not ~~", varies depending on verb type and level of
politeness.
The plain negative is formed by suffixing the auxiliary "nai" to the
imperfective form of the verb as outlined below. The polite
negative is formed by suffixing "masen" to the masu stem of the
verb.
The negative form of i-adjectives is created by negating the
adverbial form. Therefore, the plain form ends in "nai", and the
polite form in "arimasen". The negative form of na-adjectives is
created by negating the noun form. The plain negative form of naadjectives, therefore, ends in "de nai", and the polite negative form
in "de arimasen".
When not used inside a relative clause, the topic-marking particle
"wa" may be added before the "nai" or "arimasen" in order to add
emphasis. Use of "wa" in this manner is extremely common for
na-adjectives, so much so that it has become the standard form. As
per Japanese pronunciation rules, the "de wa" is often contracted
to "ja" in informal Japanese.

341

kawari ni
instead of, but
Noun +
Verb.inf +
i-Adj.inf +
na-Adj.stem + / +

every [one of you]". Example: "houdoukankeisha-kakui" (

, "each and every one of you newspeople")

342

Keishou
honorific pronouns & suffixes
Honorific titles are used when the speaker wishes to show
respect for the listener or a third party to whom he is
referring. In Japanese, honorific titles are used either as
suffixes (such as "san") or as pronouns, replacing the
person's name entirely. In this case, it is usually the
person's job title or the honorific word "sensei" that is
used.
The Japanese make frequent use of honorific titles. While
the majority are terms of respect, such as "sama", there are
others, such as "chan", that are used as terms of
endearment.

"Ky" ( ) is an honorific suffix attached to the names/titles of public

officials and nobles from the Heian to the Edo period. In modern-day
Japanese it is used to refer to those who are part of the nobility of foreign
countries. For example, those who have been knighted. In this sense, it
corresponds with the English "sir". Example: "Eruton Jon-kyou" (
, Sir Elton John)
"Heika" () is an honorific suffix used to refer to a king, queen, emperor
or empress. In Japan, it is also used to refer to other members of the royal
family, such as the grand empress dowager and the empress dowager.
Example: Tennou-heika (, His Imperial Majesty, The Emperor)
"Denka" ( ) is an honorific suffix/pronoun used to refer to male
members of royalty of equal or lower status than the Crown Prince.
Example: "koutaishi-denka" ( , His Imperial Highness, The
Crown Prince) Spouses of "denka"-ranking male members of a royal family
(whose position is indicated by the use of "hi" ( ) after the official
Imperial position of their husband) also receive the honorific "denka".
Example: "koutaishihi-denka" (, Her Imperial Highness, The
Crown Princess)
"Kakka" () is an honorific suffix/pronoun used to refer to those of high
position, such as nobility, presidents/prime ministers, ambassadors and
high-ranking military officials. Example: "daitouryou-kakka" (,
Mr. President)
"Geika" ( ) is an honorific suffix/pronoun used to refer to religious
clerics (i.e. monks, priests, etc.) of the extremely high rank, such as the
Pope. Example: Darai Rama-geika ( , His Eminence,
The Dalai Lama)
"Daika" () is an honorific suffix/pronoun used to refer to high-ranking
religious clerics who do not qualify as "geika", such as monks or priests.
Example: Tanaka-daika (, His Holiness, Monk Tanaka)
"Seika" () is an honorific suffix/pronoun used to refer to high-ranking
Christian ministers (not Catholic priests). Example: Jonson-seika (
, His Holiness, Minister Johnson)

Rank: "taisa" ( , general), "kanshi skan" ( ,

Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police), "shb
skan" (, fire commissioner), "kisei" (, master of
the game go), "kudan" ( , a ninth-dan ranked player of the
game "go")
Qualification: "bengoshi" ( , [defense] attorney),
"kenchikushi" ( , architect), "untenshi" ( ,
driver/train conductor), "hanji" (, judge)
The word "senshu" ( , athlete) is used as an honorific suffix
for professional athletes, except in the case of baseball pitchers,
whose names are suffixed with "toushu" ( , pitcher). Sumo
wrestlers of juuryou and makuuchi status are given the honorific
suffix "sekitori" ( ). Yokozuna, the grand sumo champions,

343

bun

take the honorific suffix/pronoun "yokozuna" ().

~worth; an amount corresponding to

EXAMPLES:
1
Yuki-chan to Manabu-kun wa Mizuno-san no okosama desu.
Yuki and Manabu are Mr. Mizuno's children.
2

Counter bun
Counter bun no noun
Noun bun

Honda-sensen wa,Sakura chgaku no Yoshioka-kch to yaky no

Matzui-senshu no kao ga niteru to itta.
Mr. Honda said that Principal Yoshioka of Sakura junior high
school looks like Matsui who is a baseball player.

345
344

ja nai ka
right?

tamae
please
Verb.masu-stem +

346

koto nashi ni
without doing
Verb.plain-nonpast +

347

gion/gitaigo
Onomatopoeia & Mimesis

348

(2)

349

(2)

(1)

to suru(2)

(1)

feel; look

to suru(1)

sound symbolism +

assume that; regard as; let

(s.o. feels relieved)

351
350

to iu koto wa
that; the fact that

to iu no wa/to wakoto da

Sentence.inf

mean; the mean of is; what means is

the fact that there is a

reply

352

to iu f ni
in such a way that; in such a fashion to
suggest
Sentence + to iu f ni

353

to dji ni
at the same time; at the time

354

355

ten (de)

te hajimete

point; respect; regard; aspect

not until; only after; for the first time

356

357

tashikaniga

sore wa

indeedbut; certainlybut; i admit that

naturally; of course; for sure

358

359

soko o

s ka to itte

but; in spite of that

that said; yeah but

360

361

te wa ikaga desu ka

te wa d desu ka

would you like to do somethin

How about if

Verb(-te form) + wa ikaga desu ka

Verb(-te form) + wa d desu ka

Verb(-te form) + mite wa ikaga desu ka

Verb(-te form) + mite wa d desu ka

" + verb. plain past + " is an expression to

be used to express the speaker's regret or disappointment
(i) when the speaker took the time or made an effort to do
something in vain, (ii) when any other person took the time
or made some effort in vain or (iii) when something which
seldom occurs took place but it could not be made use of.
" + verb. plain + " is the speaker's wish
to make use of a rare occasion or a good opportunity.
EXAMPLES:
362

Sekkaku oishii ryri o tsukutta noni, kare wa kaette

konakatta.

Although I put effort into cooking delicious food, he didn't

come home.

sekkaku

with effort, take the trouble to do

Sekkaku musume ni ai ni kite kureta noni, inakute

suimasen.

Although you came all this way to see her, I'm sorry to tell
you that she is out.

Sekkaku Hokkaido ni iku no da kara, oishii kani o tabetai.

Since I'm going all the way to Hokkaido, I want to eat
good crab.

364

363

nante

--ba ta

things like / something like

Counter factual conditional

* [Verb/Adj, Conditional form] + [Verb, past]
Hashireba, ma ni atta.If
you had run, you could have made it.
Kureba, aeta.; If you had come,
you could have met (someone).
Yasukereba, katta.; If it had
been cheaper, I would have bought it.

* Verb. plain non-past + nante()

;
;
* Noun + nante()

;
* Adjective. adverbial + nante()

365

o ii koto ni ~suru
to take advantage of --- to do something
* Noun +
* Verb/i-adjective. plain + +

366

tara ii
if someone does something, it would be
alright.
* -tara form of a verb +

* na-adjective. stem + + +

367

/
/

tai no da kedo/da ga
I want to do something, and can you ask for
some help or is it OK?
* Verb. masu stem of a verb + ()

* Verb. masu stem of a verb + ()

( or can be pronounced as or
in a conversation.)

368

te kara dewa osoi

it is too late when something takes place
* te-form of verb +
te-form of verb +

te-form of verb +

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369

-te orareru
Honorific

tte

* te-form of verb + orareru ()

speaking of

(suwaru, to sit down)(suwatte)

* Noun + tte()

* Verb/i-adj. plain nonpast + tte()(= to iu no

(nomu, to drink)(nonde)

wa())

(miru, to see)(mite)
(suru, to do); (shite);

371

372

nanka

--zaru o enai

thing like/something like

can't help doing,there is no option but to do

* Noun + nanka ()

* Verb. negative (without nai) + zaru o enai (

)

* Noun + particle + nanka ()

Plain nonpast; Negative; Negative(without nai) +

;English
(); ; can't help
running
; () ; ; can't help
drinking
; ; can't help seeing
; ; * ; can't help doing
(*Please note that in the case of the verb , irregularly

 comes before .)

373

374

ni koshita koto wa nai

-- is best

* Verb. plain non-past +

ni mo hodo ga aru

How could can [anyone] be as ~ as

it's best to be careful

* i-Adjective. plain non-past +

cheap is best
* Noun +

* Noun + ni mo hodo ga aru()

* Verb, non-past plain + ni mo hodo ga aru(
)
* i-Adjective, non-past plain + ni mo hodo ga aru(
)

rich is best

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375

te orimasu
is doing or keep in a state (humble)
* te form of a verb + orimasu ()

hodo no --wa nai

is not so -- as [something]
* [noun 1] hodo no [noun 2] wa nai
* [noun 1] hodo no [noun 2] wa negative form of a
verb

377

y to omou
I think I will do something
* Volitional form + to omotte iru ()
Volitional form + to om ()
/; I
think/am thinking that I'm going to eat
/; I think/am
thinking that I'm going to read

378

,
,

n da kedo, no desu ga
---, but --* --n da kedo, [main clause]
--no desu ga, [main clause]

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379

tari shite
Something might happen
Verb. inf. past +

y da
it seems that
* Verb/i-adj. plain + y da.
* Noun/na-adj.stem + no + y da.

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381

totemo nai

ni yoru to/ ni yorimasu to

not possibly

according to

* totemo + verb. nagative potential form

* --ni yorimasu to
+ --s desu ()

; totemo taberarenai; can not

possibly eat

+ --to iu koto desu ()

totemo kangaerarenai; can

not possibly think

+ opinion/judgment etc

; totemo aenai; can not possibly

meet/see

+ --to no koto desu ()

* --ni yoru to + hearsay expressions/opinion or judgment

+ --s da()
+ --to iu koto da()
+ --to no koto da()
+ opinion/judgment etc

383

384

ni tsuki

~y ni iu

per

to tell (someone) to do

* [Number (A) + counter] + "ni tsuki" + [number (B)

+ counter]

Informal verb verb (expressing a request or

command, such as )
(benky suru)
(y ni)
(iu)
"to tell (someone) to study"
(tamago o kau)
(y ni)
(tanomu)
"to ask (someone) to buy eggs"
(ashita kuru)
(y ni)
(tsutaeru)
"to tell (someone) to come tomorrow"
(shigoto o suru)

 (y ni)
(meirei suru)
"to order(someone) to do his job"

385

nantoka
Somehow
+ verb = somehow do something

386

muki
suitable for ~

388

(1)
(1)
387

muke
exclusively for

mono da (1)
used to
Formation:
* Verb, plain past + mono da used to do
something)
Dictionary
Plain past Plain past + mono da Translation


used to eat

used to go
* i/na-adj, plain past + mono da ( used to do
something)
Dictionary
Plain past Plain past + mono da Translation

used to be cheap

used to be beautiful

389

(2)
(2)

390

mono da(2)

norm
* Verb, plain non-past + mono da one should
do something

say hello

one should

one should apologize

tadashi
however
[sentence A] + + [sentence B]

*Verb, plain non-past negative + mono da

one should not do something

one should not cry

one should not be late

391

392

jidshi tadshi

mi

Intransitive/Transitive Verb

Body

something> transitive verb

The basic meaning of is of course "body," but it has another

meaning besides "physical body," which is "a person by oneself."
We also use to indicate the main part of something. For

something> intransitive verb

example, we call the meaty part of a fish you can eat , as

opposed to the skin or bones that you can't eat.
Mi ni oboe ga aru () literally means "remember
something with one's body." But, in this case, we use to
indicate "oneself," and this phrase means "a person remembers
doing something." Please note that we use this phrase in a
situation where a person has done something bad or is being
blamed or accused.
Mi kara deta sabi ( ) literally means "rust from
one's body." In this case, we use sabi ( ) in a figurative way to
indicate "bad karma" or "payment for one's bad actions or
behavior." So, we can use this phrase in a situation where someone
does something bad and as a result he or she gets in trouble, and
we could say to mean that the person got

what he or she deserved.

393

neko
cat
Out of idiomatic expressions that use the names of animals, many
expressions use the word , meaning "cat." People believe this is
the case because many people keep cats as pets, and they have
become a big part of our daily lives.
refers to a voice that people use
when they are trying to fawn on or suck up to someone, much like
the sound cats make when they are petted on the head. It is
common for some women to make their voice higher and sweetersounding when asking for something from someone else, and this
is what we refer to as .
We use to describe a person who
hides his or her real personality and behaves like a quiet and
docile person. is the same verb that we use in
, meaning "to wear a hat," so it means "to wear
something on one's head." It is believed that this expression came
to be because on the outside, a cat looks like a gentle, obedient
creature, but on the inside, it is actually thought to be greedy and
tricky.

394

tame
for the benefit of

396
395

tatte

te mo hajimaranai

even if

there is no point in doing something.

* Verb informal past +

[te form of a verb] + mo + hajimaranai

* i adverbial adjective +
* na adjective stem/noun +

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397

~dokoro ja nai
doing something (or being in a certain
state) is not possible at all because the
situation is too bad to allow it

kakokei
past tense
Verb + no datta
Noun + datta
I-adjective + datta
Na-adjective + datta In the case of a verb, you
should use the past form of no da, which is no datta.
We often shorten this to n datta in conversation.

400

399

kenjgo

humble expressions
There are two types of humble verbs - Regular and Irregular

Irregular humble verbs

to exist (animate) - iru - oru - orimasu

~ba, sumu

to go - iku - mairu - mairimasu

"if you [verb], everything will be fine"

to say - iu - msu - mshimasu

to come - kuru

ba conditional + sumu ()

to do - suru - itasu - itashimasu

to eat - taberu - itadaku - itadakimasu
to drink - nomu
to exist (inanimate) - aru - gozaru - * gozaimasu
to ask - kiku - ukagau - ukagaimasu
to visit - tazuneru
*The masu form of gozaru is irregular. It's not not gozarimasu but
gozaimasu.

401

node
because

402

2
2

2
2
2

403

404