Learn N3 Grammar – Week 5 Day 6

Learn N3 Grammar – Week 5 Day 6
A roundup of the most commonly used N3 grammar.
Below is the most commonly used N3 grammar for anyone taking the JLPT

I. Pattern ~だけど (~dakedo)
* Meaning: but; however; yet; even so
* Usage: clause a. だけど clause b. The contents of a and b contrast.

Examples
1. 旅行に行きたい。だけど、行けない。
Ryokou ni ikitai. Dakedo ikenai.
I want to go travelling. But I cannot…

2. よくカラオケに行く。だけど歌は下手だ。
Yoku karaoke ni iku. Dakedo uta wa heta da.
I often go to karaoke. But I am a terrible singer.

II. Pattern ~ですから (~desu kara)
* Meaning: so, therefore, that is why
* Usage: clause a. ですから clause b. Where a is the cause or reason, and clause
b is the natural result or the speaker’s judgement.

Examples
1. 天気予報では午後から雨だそうです 。 ですから、傘を持って行ったほうがいいです よ 。
Tenki yohou dewa gogo kara ame da sou desu. Desu kara kasa wo motte itta hou ga ii desu yo.
The weather forecast says it looks like rain this afternoon. So you had better take an umbrella.

2. 明日から旅行に行きます。ですから、申し訳ありませんが、来週のパー テ ィーには出席できません。
Ashita kara ryokou ni ikimasu. Desu kara moushiwake arimasen ga, raishuu no paatii ni washusseki dekimasen.
I am going travelling from tomorrow. So I am very sorry, but I will not be able to come to next week’s party.

III. Pattern ~ところが (~tokoro ga)
* Meaning: but, whereas
* Usage: clause a. ところが clause b. Where a is an expectation or plan, and b is the reality, an unexpected result.

Examples
1. 昨夜はコンサートに行くつもりだっ た 。ところが病気で行けなくなった。
Sakuya wa konsaato ni iku tsumori datta. Tokoro ga byoukide ikenakunatta.
Last night I meant to go to a concert, but I fell ill and could not go.

2. 田中さんは私より若いと思っていた 。 ところが私より5 歳も年上だった。
Tanaka-san wa watashi yori to omotte ita. Tokoro ga watashi yori 5sai mo toshiue datta.
I thought Mr Tanaka was younger than me. But in fact he is five years older.

3. みんなが和子をクラス委員に選んだ 。 ところが彼女はいやだと言った.
Minna ga Kazuko o kurasu iin ni eranda. Tokoro ga kanojo wa iya da to itta.
Everyone chose Kazuko as class representative, but she turned it down.

4. 父は弟には優しい。ところが僕には厳しい
Chichi wa otouto ni wa yasashii tokoro ga boku ni wa kibishii.
My father is easy on my younger brother but strict with me.

IV. Pattern ~ところで (~tokoro de)
* Meaning: by the way; now; incidentally
* Usage:

Examples
1. 明日、試験でしょ。頑張ったね。ところで、来週の月曜日は空いてる？
Ashita, shiken desho? ganbatte ne. Tokoro de, raishuu no getsuyoubi wa aiteru?
You have an exam tomorrow, right? Good luck. By the way, are you free next Monday?

2. もうすぐ、今年も終わりですね。ところで、お正月はどうなさいますか？
Mousugu, kotoshi mo owari desu ne. Tokoro de, oshougatsu wa dou nasaimasu ka?
The year is nearly over, is it not. So what are you doing for New Year?