Common Japanese Grammar Patterns – Part 2

Some common Japanese grammar patterns – Part 2
Basic Japanese grammar patterns

76. Used to (do something)
（～た）ものだ。
mono = something natural, the way things normally are
~ shita mono da = used to do something.
大学生時代授業をサボってゲームをやったものだ。
In my student days I often skipped class to play games.

77. Freshly made, just done
～たて（～立て）
Verb (drop “masu”) + tate = just made, freshly cooked, still hot
できたてのご飯です。
This is freshly cooked rice.

これは焼きたてのパンです。
This is freshly baked bread.

78. About, approximately
～ぐらい
Noun + gurai = about
釣った魚はとても大きくて5キロぐらいです。
The fish I caught was huge, about 5 kilos.

79. On the contrary
かえって（反って）
kaette = on the contrary
株で大もうけしようとして、かえって損をした。
I meant to make big money on shares, but instead I lost money.

80. Looks, seems (by sight)
～っぽい
ppoi = looks like (visually)
あなたは日本人っぽいね。
You look rather Japanese, don't you.

この財布は安っぽいです。
This wallet looks cheap.

やってみたがだめっぽい。
I tried, but it doesn't look like it'll work.

このシャツは白っぽい。
This shirt looks white.

81. Surely not
まさか
masa = exactly, correct; masaka = surely not
まさか彼は犯人なのか。
Surely he isn't the culprit?

82. Once (you do something), that's it
～（た）きり
kiri = limit, only
彼は自分の部屋へ入ったきり何があっても出てこない。
Once he goes into his room that's it; whatever happens he won't come out.

83. What on earth
一体（いったい）
ittai = what on earth
あなたが私に言ったのは一体なんだろう？
What on earth is this thing you're telling me?

84. Pretend
～ふり（振り）
furi = pretend, act as if
彼は何も知らないふりをした。
He pretended he knew nothing at all.

85. Apparently
どうやら
douyara = apparently (emphasis, usually with “rashii” or “you” at the end)
彼はどうやら正しいようだ。
Apparently he is right.

86. Finally
ついに
tsuini = finally
彼はついに経営をやめた。
He finally gave up the business.

87. Even
さえ
sae = even
この問題は子供さえ解決できる。
Even children can solve this problem.

88. Surely, definitely
～に違いない（～にちがいない）
～に違いがない
chigai = wrong, different; chigainai = no mistake
彼は密輸したに違いない。
He must have been smuggling.

89. Just can't manage to (do something)
なかなか
naka = inside, nakanaka = just can't manage to
なかなか解決方法を考え出せなかった。
I just can't come up with a solution.

90. Because of (reason, cause)
～ために
tame = because of
台風のため、旅をやめた。
Because of the typhoon I cancelled my trip.

91. For the sake of (someone's benefit)
～ために
tame = for
祖国のため、命を犠牲にしてもかまわない。
For my country I wouldn't hesitate to give my life.

92. Without (doing something)
～ず
zu = without doing
チケットを買わずに映画館に入った。
I went into the cinema without buying a ticket.

93. According to (what someone says)
～によると
yoru = depend on, according to, based on; “to”: say that…
Usually used with “sou da” at the end.
天気予報によると、明日大雨が降るそうだ。
According to the weather forecast it will rain heavily tomorrow.

94. Instead of
～代わりに（～かわりに）
海に行く代わりに、登山するのはいかがでしょうか。
How about going hiking instead of going to the beach?

95. It's (you) who
こそ
koso = it is ~ who
あなたこそ間違えたのだ。
You're the one who's wrong.

96. No matter what
どうしても
doushite mo = no matter how
どうしても漢字を覚えられない。
No matter what I do, I can't remember kanji.

97. Tend to (a bad habit or tendency)
～がち
gachi = tend to, be prone to
若者は自慢しがちだ。
Young people tend to be arrogant.

98. At most
せいぜい
seizei = at most
あの婦人はせいぜい40歳です。
That woman is 40 at most.

99. Limited to, only for
限る（かぎる）
kagiru = be limited to
このサウナは女性に限る。
This sauna is for women only.

100. Together with
～とともに
tomo = together, ~ to tomo ni = together with ~
友達とともにバーに行った。
I went to the bar together with a friend.

101. Every time
～たび
旅行するたびポストカードを買う。
Every time I travel I buy postcards.

101. Only, no more than
～に過ぎない
suginai = no more than (sugiru = exceed)
それは遊びに過ぎない。
That's nothing more than a game.

102. With an air of
～げ
Adjective (drop “i”, “na”) + ge: with an air of
彼は悲しげに事情を述べた。
He told the story with a pained look.

103. With the intention of
～つもりで
tsumori = intend, tsumori de = with the intention of
お金を稼ぐつもりで家を出た。
I left home intending to earn money.

104. Suitable for
～向き（～むき）
muku = face towards, Noun + “muki” = suitable for
このシャツは若者向きです。
This shirt is suitable for young people.

105. For use by
～用（～よう）
you = for use, usage: Noun + “用”
このお風呂は女性用です。
This Japanese bath (ofuro) is for women.

106. Aimed at
～向け（～むけ）
mukeru = direct something at (transitive), Noun + “muke” = aimed at
この映画館は青少年向けです。
（これは青少年向けの映画館です。）
This cinema is aimed at teenagers

See also:
Mimi kara Oboeru N4 Grammar
Minna no Nihongo Grammar, All 50 Lessons