Learn N3 Grammar – Week 4 Day 5

Learn N3 Grammar – Week 4 Day 5
A roundup of the most commonly used N3 grammar.
Below is the most commonly used N3 grammar for anyone taking the JLPT

I. Pattern ~っけ (~kke)
* Meaning: used in speech. Expresses recalling something and wanting to confirm it
* Usage: put the verb, adjective or noun into the plain form and add っけ. However
the forms ~でしたっけ or ~ましたっけ are also used.

Examples
1. 彼にはまだパーティーの場所を知らせていなかったっけ。
Kare ni wa mada paatii no basho wo shirasete inakattakke.
I do not think I told him where the party is, did I.

2. 「学生時代は楽しかったね。」 「 そ うそう、一緒によく卓球したっけね。」
“Gakusei jidai wa tanoshikatta ne.” “Sou sou, issho ni yoku takkyuu shitakke ne”
"School days were fun, were they not." "Yes, we often played table tennis together, did we not."

3. あのレストランで送別会しない。あ そ こ 50 人入れるほど広かったっけ。
Ano resutoran de soubetsukai shinai. Asoko 50nin ireru hodo hirokattakke.
Why not hold the farewell party at that restaurant. I think it holds about 50 people; it is very roomy.

4. そうだ。今日はお母さんの誕生日だっけ。
Souda. Kyou wa okaasan no tanjoubi dakke.
Oh yes, today is Mum’s birthday, is it not.

II. Pattern ~しかない (~shika nai)
* Meaning: there is no other way than ~ ; have to ~
* Usage: Ｖる＋しかない

Examples
1. 事故で電車が動かないから、歩いて行くしかない。
Jiko de densha ga ugokanai kara, aruite iku shika nai.
The trains are not running because of an accident, so there is no choice but to walk.

2. だれにも頼 めないから、自分でやるしかありません。
Dare ni mo tanomenai kara, jihun de yaru shika arimasen.
There is nobody to ask, so I will just have to do it myself.

3. 約束したのだから、行くしかないだろう。
Yakusoku shita no dakara, iku shika nai darou.
I promised, so I have to go.

III. Pattern ~んだって (~n datte)
* Meaning: (I) heard that ~. Used to pass on to a third party information you heard somewhere, without your own judgement.
* Usage: put the verb, adjective or noun into the short form and add んだって. You may also see ~までだって, からだって, だけだって

Examples
1. 「田中さん、結婚してるんだって」 「へー、知らなかった」
“Tanaka-san, kekkon shite run datte” “E, shiranakatta”
"I heard Mr Tanaka is married" "Really, I did not know that"

2. 試験の範囲は、教科書の最初から50 ページまでだって。
Shiken no hani wa kyoukasho no saisho kara 50 peeji made datte.
I heard the exam covers up to page 50 of the textbook.

3. 雨が 降るんだって。
Ame ga furun datte.
I heard it is going to rain.

4. 彼女は みんなの前で 歌うのが 好きではないんだって。
Kanojo wa minna no mae de utau no ga suki dewanain datte.
I hear she does not like singing in front of people.

* Note: women often use ですって (desutte)

IV. Pattern んだもん (~n damon)
* Meaning: because… This is a spoken word, often used by women and children.
* Usage: put the verb, adjective or noun into the short form and add んだもん. んだ can also be left out.

Examples
1. 「一人で行ける。」 「うん、大丈 夫 、地図を持っているんだもん。 」
“Hitori de ikeru?” “Un, daijoubu, chizu wo motte irun da mon”
"Can you go on your own?" "Yes, no problem, because I have a map."

2. 電話はあしたにしたほうがいいんじ ゃ ない。もう遅いんだもん。
Denwa wa ashita ni shita hou ga iin janai? Mou osoin da mon.
Why not call tomorrow instead. Because it is late.

3. 「手伝ってあげようか。」 「いい よ 。一人でできるもん。」
“Tetsudatte ageyou ka?” “Ii yo. Hitori de dekiru mon”
"Shall I help you?" "No, it is fine, because I can do it on my own."

4. 多少のいたずらはしかたありません よ 。子供なんだもん。
Tashou no itazura wa shikata arimasen yo. Kodomonan da mon.
There is nothing to be done if they are a bit naughty. Because they are children.