Learning N5 Japanese Grammar
Translated from the Vietnamese original. View the original.
N5 Japanese grammar
Japanese study material for everyone learning at N5.
Grammar material with worked examples for each grammar pattern.
We hope the material above is useful to you as a learner of Japanese.
1. ～ は～ : is, am, are; N1は～です is the verb “to be”
～は～ [description] ～N1はN2が～[description]
Explanation:
It separates the subject from the predicate. The description comes after は.
It makes the subject of the main clause.
Example:
“私（わたし）は日本（にほん）の料理（りょうり）が好（す）きです。
Watashi wa Nihon no ryōri ga sukidesu.”
I like Japanese food
山田（やまだ）さんは日本語（にほんご）が上手（じょうず）です。
Yamada-san wa nihongo ga jōzudesu.
Mr Yamada is good at Japanese
この家（いえ）はﾄﾞｱが大（おお）きいです
Kono ie wa doa ga ōkii desu
This house has a large door
Note:
When a question uses は, the answer uses は too, with the answer replacing the question word
Example:
“A: これは何ですか？
Kore wa nan desu ka?
What is this?”
“B: これは私の眼鏡(めがね）です。
Kore wa watashi no megane desu
This is my pair of glasses.”
2. ～も～ : too, as much as, even
Explanation:
Used to describe a thing / quality / action that is the same as one
mentioned before. (to avoid repeating the particle は / the verb over and over)
It expresses surprise at how much there is.
It expresses a degree that is out of the ordinary. (higher or lower)
Example:
山田さんは本を読むことが好きです。私も同じです
Yamada-san wa hon o yomu koto ga sukidesu. Watashi mo onajidesu
Mr Yamada likes reading. So do I
あなたの家には犬が９匹もいるんですか？
Anata no ie ni wa inu ga kyuu-hiki mo iru ndesu ka?
Your house has as many as 9 dogs!
昨日忙しくて寝る時間もありませんですた。
Kinō isogashikute nerujikan mo arimasendesuta.
Yesterday was so busy I didn't even have time to sleep.
Note:
“も” works much like “は” and “が”, so it does not stand next to
“は” or “が” when used with a subject は/が も ~
わたしもマイさんも今年日本に旅行したい。
Watashi mo Mai-san mo kotoshi Nihon ni ryokō shitai.
Both Mai and I want to travel to Japan this year
“も” can also follow other particles, just as “は” does
で/ と/ へ/ など も～
休日ですが、どこへも行けません。
Kyūjitsudesuga, doko e mo ikemasen.
It was a day off and yet I couldn't go anywhere.
3. ～でV : at, in, because of, by, with ( a period of time)
Explanation:
It expresses where an action takes place.
It expresses where an event takes place.
It expresses a cause
It expresses a method, a manner or a means.
It expresses what material a thing is made of.
It expresses a limited period of time.
Example:
“この仕事は明日で終りますか？
Kono shigoto wa ashita de owarimasu ka
Will this work be finished by tomorrow morning?”
“はしで食べます。
Hashi de tabemasu.
I eat with chopsticks”
“日本語でレポートを書きます。
Nihongo de repōto o kakimasu.
I write reports in Japanese”
“駅で新聞を買います。
Eki de shinbun o kaimasu
I buy the newspaper at the station”
4. ～に/ へ V : direction, place, point in time
Explanation:
Used for a point in time
Used for a place
Used for the person you are heading to
Example:
“明日、旅行に行きます。
Ashita, ryokō ni ikimasu.
Tomorrow I am going travelling”
“午後６時に帰ります。
Gogo roku-ji ni kaerimasu.
I will be home at 6 in the evening”
“このプレゼントをゆみさんに/ へ
Kono purezento o Yumi-san ni/ e
Please give this present to Yumi”
Note:
To say when an action happens, we add the particle [に] after the noun
of time. Use 「に」 with actions that take a short time. [に] is used
when the noun of time has a number with it, and is not used when there is no number
with it. With the days of the week, however, it may be used or left out
“日曜日（に）日本へ行きます。
Nichiyōbi (ni) Nihon e ikimasu.
On Sunday I am going to Japan”
With verbs of movement the particle [へ] is used after a noun of direction or place.
The particle [ へ] is pronounced [え」
5. ～に、～ : at, on (a point in time)
Explanation:
To say when some action happens, we add the particle 「に」 after the noun
of time. Use 「に」 for actions that take a short time. 「に」 is used when
the noun of time has a number with it. With the days of the week, however, 「に」 may be used
or left out
Example:
“7時に起きます。Shichi-ji ni okimasu.
I usually wake up at 7 o'clock.”
“２月１日に日本へ行きました。
Nigatsu tsuitachi ni Nihon e ikimashita
I came to Japan on 1 February.”
“週末（に）友達の家へ行きます。
Shūmatsu (ni) tomodachi no ie e ikimasu.
At the weekend I am going to a friend's house”
6. ～をV: marks the object of an action
Explanation:
The particle 「を」 marks the direct object of a transitive verb
Example:
水を飲みます。
Mizu o nomimasu.
I drink water
日本語を勉強します。
Nihongo o benkyō shimasu.
I study Japanese
音楽を聞きます.
Ongaku o kikimasu.
I listen to music
Note:
「を」 is pronounced like 「お」. 「を」 is only ever used as a particle and appears in no other word.
7. ～とV : to do something with someone
Explanation:
We use the particle 「と」 to mark someone (a person or an animal) who performs an
action together with you.
Example:
“公園に友達と散歩します。
Kōen ni tomodachi to sanpo shimasu.
I walk to the park with a friend”
“同僚とｱﾒﾘｶへ出張します。
Dōryō to amerika e shutchō shimasu.
I go on a business trip to America with a colleague”
Note:
When the action is done alone, use 「ひとりで」.
In that case no particle is used
“ひとりでｽｰﾊﾟｰへ行きます。
Hitori de sūpā e ikimasu.
I go to the supermarket alone”
8．～にV: to ～, from ～
Explanation:
Verbs such as 「あげます」、「かします」、「おしえます」 need a person as the recipient (to give, to lend, to teach). We put the particle [に] after the noun for that person
With verbs such as 「おくります」、「でんわをかけます」 the recipient need not be a person but can also be a place (a noun). In that case, as well as [に], we can use the particle [へ]
Verbs such as 「もらいます」、「かります」、「ならいます」 express the action from the receiver's side. When these verbs are used in a sentence whose subject is the receiver, we add the particle [に] after the noun for
the other party. In sentences with these verbs we can use 「から」 in place of [に]. In particular, when the other party is not a person but an organisation (a company or a school, say), [に] is not used and 「から」 is used instead
Example:
山田さんは木村さんに花をあげました。
Yamada-san wa Kimura-san ni hana o agemashita.
Mr Yamada gave flowers to Ms Kimura
ﾏｲさんに本を貸しました。
Mai-san ni hon o kashimashita.
I lent Mai a book
みみちゃんに英語を教えます。
Mi mi-chan ni eigo o oshiemasu.
I teach Mimi English
会社に電話をかけます。
Kaisha ni denwa o kakemasu.
I phone the company
木村さんは山田さんに花をもらいました。
Kimura-san wa Yamada-san ni hana o moraimashita.
Ms Kimura received flowers from Mr Yamada.
ﾏｲさんにざっしを借りました。
Mai-san ni zasshi o karimashita.
I borrowed a magazine from Mai.
チンさんに中国語を習います。
Chin-san ni chūgokugo o naraimasu.
I learn Chinese from Mr Chin
9. ～と～: and
Explanation:
To join two nouns we use the particle 「と」
Example:
野菜と肉を食べます。
Yasai to niku o tabemasu.
I eat vegetables and meat.
休みの日は土曜日と日曜日です。
Yasumi no hi wa doyōbi to nichiyōbidesu.
The days off are Saturday and Sunday.
10. ～ が～: but
Explanation:
「が」 is a connecting particle meaning “but”. Using 「が」 to join two sentences (clauses) gives us one sentence.
To describe a natural phenomenon we put 「が」 before that subject.
Example:
“ﾀｲ料理はおいしいですが、辛いです。
Tai ryōri wa oishīdesuga, karaidesu.
Thai food is delicious but spicy.”
“雨が降っていますが，テストがありますので学校へ行きます．
Ame ga futte imasu ga, tesuto ga arimasu node, gakkou e ikimasu.
It is raining, but I am going to school because there is a test.”
Note:
「が」 in 「しつれいですが」 or 「すみませんが」 opens a remark, so it no longer joins two sentences; it only carries the sense of leading on.
しつれいですが、お名前は？
Shitsurei desuga, onamae wa?
Excuse me, what is your name?
“すみませんが、手伝ってもらえませんか？
Sumimasen ga, tetsudatte moraemasen ka?
Excuse me, could you help me?”
11. ～から～まで : from ～ to ～
Explanation:
「から」 marks the starting point in time or place, and 「まで」 marks the end point in place or time.
「から」 and 「まで」 need not appear together; each can also be used on its own.
[です」 can be used with 「から」、「まで」 and 「～から～まで」
Example:
９時から午後５時まで働きます。
Ku-ji kara gogo go-ji made hatarakimasu.
I work from 8 to 5 in the afternoon.”
“大阪から東京まで３時間かかります。
Ōsaka kara Tōkyō made san-jikan kakarimasu.
It takes 3 hours from Tokyo to Osaka.”
８時から働きます。
Hachi-ji kara hatarakimasu.
I work from 8
“銀行は７時３０から４時３０までです。
Ginkō wa shichi-ji 3sanjuppun kara yo-ji sanjuppun madedesu.
The bank is open from 7.30 to 4.30 in the afternoon”
“昼休みは１１時３０からです。
Hiruyasumi wa juuichi-ji sanjuppun karadesu.
The lunch break starts at 11.30”
12. ～あまり～ない : not very ～
Explanation:
「あまり」 is an adverb of degree. When it modifies an adjective it goes before the adjective.
「あまり」 is an adverb of degree. When it modifies a verb it goes before the verb
Example:
“私の日本語はあまり上手ではありません。
Watashi no nihongo wa amari jōzude wa arimasen.
My Japanese is not very good”
“今日の天気はあまり寒くないです。
Kyō no tenki wa amari samukunaidesu.
It is not very cold today”
“英語あまりが分かりません。
Eigo amari ga wakarimasen.
I don't know much English”
13. 全然Vない Not at all …
Explanation:
It means not at all (to have nothing, to do nothing) and always goes with a negative sentence.
Example:
“お金が全然ありません。
Okane ga zenzen arimasen.
I have no money.”
“全然分かりません
Zenzen wakarimasen
I don't understand at all.”
Note:
“「全然」 can also modify an adjective
この本は全然面白くないです。
Kono hon wa zenzen omoshirokunai desu.
This book is not interesting at all”
14. ～なかなか～ない try as you might, you can't do it
Explanation:
It is an adverb of degree; when it carries meaning for a verb it goes before the verb.
It expresses that doing something takes time and effort and is hard to bring off
“Example:
なかなか寝られません。
Nakanaka neraremasen.
I just can't get to sleep.”
“この問題はなかなか解けない。
Kono mondai wa nakanaka hodokenai.
I just can't solve this problem.”
15. Vませんか？ Won't you …. with me?
Explanation:
This pattern is used to invite or suggest that the listener do something with you.
Example:
“いっしょに食べませんか？
Issho ni tabemasen ka?
Won't you come and eat with me?”
“いっしょに旅行へ行きませんか？
Issho ni ryokō e ikimasen ka?
Won't you come travelling with me?”
“塩を取ってくれませんか？
Shio o totte kuremasen ka?
Could you pass me the salt?”
“いっしょにｶﾗｵｹへ行きませんか
Issho ni karaoke e ikimasen ka
Let's go and sing karaoke”
16. ～があります。 There is (an inanimate thing) somewhere
Explanation:
This pattern is used to talk about where a thing is and that it exists. The thing is the subject of the sentence and is marked by the particle 「が」
「があります」 is used for things that cannot move, such as furniture and plants
Example:
“ﾃｰﾌﾞﾙの上にｺﾝﾋﾟｭｰﾀがあります
Tēburu no ue ni konpyūta ga arimasu
There is a computer on the desk”
１ｷﾛくらい行くと、ｽｰﾊﾟｰがあります。
Walk about 1km and there will be a supermarket
お金があります。
Okane ga arimasu.
(I) have money
“あなたと彼女の意見には違いがありますか？
Anata to kanojo no iken ni wa chigai ga arimasu ka?
Is there any difference between your opinion and hers?”
17. ～がいます：There is (an animate being) somewhere
Explanation:
This pattern is used to talk about where a person or animal is and that they exist. The person or animal is the subject of the sentence and is marked by the particle 「が」
「がいます」 is used for things that can move, such as people and animals
Example:
女の子がいます。
Onnanoko ga imasu.
There is a girl
犬が五匹います。
Inu ga go-hiki imasu.
There are 5 dogs
“あなたに会いたいという人がいます。
Anata ni aitai to iu hito ga imasu.
There is someone who says they want to see you”
“このｸﾗｽには２５人がいます。
Kono kurasu ni wa nijuugo-nin ga imasu.
There are 25 people in this class”
“ベトナムには珍しい動物がいます。
Betonamu ni wa mezurashii dōbutsu ga imasu.
There are rare animals in Vietnam”
18. ～動詞(V)＋数量(number)～： expressing quantity
Explanation:
Usually the counter goes before the verb it modifies, except for counters of time.
Example:
“みかんを４つ買いました。
Mikan o yotsu kaimashita.
I bought 4 oranges”
“外国人の社員が二人います。
Gaikoku hito no shain ga futari imasu.
There are 2 foreign members of staff”
“りんごを４つ食べました。
Ringo o yotsu tabemashita.
I ate all 4 apples”
19. [time] に～回： To do ～ times in a period of time.
Explanation;
It expresses how often something is done within a period of time
Example:
“私は一カ月に２回映画を見ます。
Watashi wa ikkagetsu ni ni-kai eiga o mimasu.
I watch a film twice a month”
“私は一週間に４回日本語を勉強します。
Watashi wa isshūkan ni yon-kai nihongo o benkyō shimasu.
I study Japanese 4 days a week”
20. ～ましょう: let's ～
Explanation: It expresses urging one another to do something together.
Example:
ちょっと、休みましょう。
Chotto, yasumimashou.
Let's take a short break
では、終わりましょう。
Dewa, owarimashou.
Right then, let's finish here
Note:
It appears in the pattern normally used to invite the listener to do something together
“A: いっしょに 昼ごはん を食べませんか？
Issho ni hiru gohan o tabemasen ka?
A: let's have lunch together”
B: ええ、食べましょう。
Ee, tabemashou
B: yes, let's go
21. ～ ましょうか？～ ：Shall I do ～ for you
* Explanation: It expresses asking permission to help someone.
* Example:
“重いですね。持ちましょうか？
Omoidesu ne. Mochimashou ka?
That's heavy, isn't it. Let me carry it for you”
疲れました、ちょっと休みましょうか？
I'm tired; shall we take a short break?
* Note: Used in the pattern normally used to invite the listener to do something together.
22. ～がほしい： To want ～
* Explanation: This pattern expresses the speaker's wish to have some thing or person.
It is also used to ask about the listener's wishes. The object of the wish is marked
by the particle [が]. [ほしい] is an [い] adjective
*Example:
“私はお金がほしいです
Watashi wa okane ga hoshii desu
I want money”
“私は友達が欲しいです。
Watashi wa tomodachi ga hoshii desu
I want friends”
“今、何が一番欲しいですか？
Ima, nani ga ichiban hoshii desu ka?
What do you want most right now?”
* Note:
Being an い adjective, the negative of 「ほしい」 is 「ほしくない」, meaning not to want.
“子供がほしいですか? いいえ、欲しいくないです。
Kodomo ga hoshīdesu ka? Īe, hoshī kunaidesu.
Do you want children? No, I don't.”
The pattern cannot be used to express a third person's wish.
The pattern cannot be used to offer the listener something or to invite them to do something.
For instance, to offer the listener coffee you do not say
[ｺｰﾋｰが欲しいですか?」 but 「ｺｰﾋｰはいかがですか?」
23. Vたい To want to do something
* Explanation:
When a verb is used with , we call it the form of the verb. For instance in
「かいます」, 「かい」 is called the ます」 of 「かいます」
The verb form 「ます たい」. This is how you say you “want to do” something.
It expresses the speaker's own wish and asks the listener's.
Apart from 「を」 no particle can replace 「が」.
The verb form 「ます たい」 conjugates like an 「い」 adjective
* Example:
“日本へ行きたいです。
Nihon e ikitaidesu.
I want to go to Japan”
“寿司を食べたいです。
Sushi o tabetaidesu.
I want to eat sushi”
“歯が痛いですから、何も食べたくないです。
Ha ga itai desu kara, nani mo tabetakunai desu.
My tooth hurts, so I don't want to eat anything”
* Note:
The pattern 「たいです」 cannot be used to express a third person's wish.
The pattern [the たいです verb form] cannot be used to offer the listener something or to invite them to do something.
For instance, to offer the listener coffee you do not say
[ｺｰﾋｰが飲みたいですか?」 but 「ｺｰﾋｰを飲みませんか?」
24. PlaceへPurposeをVに行く To go to …. in order to do something
*Explanation:
A verb in the [ます] form or a noun placed before the particle [に] expresses the purpose of 「いきます」 .
The noun before [に] must be a noun of action.
*Example:
“日本へ文化の勉強に来ました。
Nihon e bunka no benkyō ni kimashita.
I came to Japan to study the culture”
“ｽｰﾊﾟｰへ買い物に行きます
Sūpā e kaimono ni ikimasu
I go to the supermarket to do the shopping”
“ﾚｽﾄﾗﾝーヘ晩御飯を食べに行きます
Resutoran̄he ban gohan o tabe ni ikimasu
I go to a restaurant to have dinner”
*Note:
Before [に] you can also put nouns for organised events such as a festival or a concert.
25. ～てください Please (do something) (asking the other person to do something)
*Explanation:
This pattern is used when the speaker wants to ask, instruct or advise the listener.
When speaking to a superior, do not use it with the sense of an instruction.
*Example:
“すみませんが、この漢字の読み方を教えてください。
Sumimasen ga, kono kanji no yomikata o oshietekudasai.
Excuse me, please tell me how to read this kanji.”
“ここに住所と名前を書いてください。
Koko ni jūsho to namae o kaite kudasai.
Please write your address and name here”
“ぜひ遊びに来てください。
Zehi asobi ni kite kudasai.
Do come and visit me”
*Note:
When asking someone to do something, すみませんが always goes before – てください as in example 1; that is more polite than – てください on its own
26. Vないてください： please don't / do not
*Explanation;
This pattern is used to ask someone not to do something.
*Example:
“私は元気ですから、心配しないでください
Watashi wa genki desukara, shinpai shinaide kudasai
I'm fine, so don't worry about me”
“ここで写真を撮らないでください。
Koko de shashin o toranaide kudasai.
Please don't take photographs here”
“病院でﾀﾊﾞｺを吸わないでください。
Byōin de tabako o suwanaide kudasai.
Please don't smoke in the hospital”
27. Vてもいいです（か）： May I do something?
*Explanation:
This pattern expresses permission to do something.
Turn this pattern into a question and you have a request for permission.
When answering, take care to refuse tactfully.
*Example:
“本を読んでもいいです。
Hon o yonde mo īdesu.
You may read books ( here )”
“ﾀﾊﾞｺを吸ってもいいですか?
Tabako o sutte mo īdesu ka?
May I smoke?”
“この本をもらってもいいですか?
Kono hon o moratte mo īdesu ka?
May I take this book?”
ええ、いいですよ。どうぞ。
Ee, īdesu yo. Dōzo…
Yes, you may. Please do
すみません。ちょっと・・・
Sumimasen. Chotto….
Sorry. I'm afraid not
28. Vてはいけません Must not do something
*Explanation:
This pattern carries the sense of “forbidden” or “may not” do something.
It is used to answer the question [the てもいいですか? verb form]
*Example:
“ここで車に止めてはいけません。駐車禁止ですから。
Koko de kuruma ni tomete wa ikemasen. Chūsha kinshidesukara
You may not park here. This is a no-parking area.
“ここでﾀﾊﾞｺを吸ってもいいですか?
Koko de tabako o sutte mo ii desu ka?
May I smoke here?”
“いいえ。吸ってはいけません。
Īe. Sutte wa ikemasen.
No, you may not”
*Note:
With the question [the てもいいですか? verb form], when you want to stress the answer
no, you can drop [the ては verb form] and simply answer [ いいえ, いけません」
This answer is not used with a superior
“先生、ここで話してもいいですか?
Sensei, koko de hanashite mo īdesu ka?
Miss, may we talk here?”
いいえ、いけません。
Īe, ikemasen.
No, you may not
29. Vなくてもいいです You don't have to, you needn't ～ (do something)
*Explanation:
This pattern expresses that someone does not have to do something
*Example:
“明日来なくてもいいです。
Ashita konakute mo īdesu.
You needn't come tomorrow”
“しなくてもいいです。
Shinakute mo īdesu.
You needn't do it”
“急がなくてもいいです。
Isoganakute mo īdesu.
There's no need to hurry”
30. Vなければなりません Must do something
*Explanation:
This pattern expresses that someone must do something regardless of the wishes
of the person doing it. Note that the pattern does not carry a negative meaning
*Example:
“薬を飲まなければなりません。
Kusuri o nomanakereba narimasen.
I have to take my medicine”
“毎日一時間日本語を勉強しなければなりません。
Mainichi ichijikan nihongo o benkyō shinakereba narimasen.
Every day I have to study Japanese for an hour”
“先生はベトナム語が分かりません。日本語を話さなければなりません。
Sensei wa Betonamu-go ga wakarimasen. Nihongo o hanasanakereba narimasen
The teacher does not know Vietnamese, so I have to speak Japanese”
31. ～ないといけない Must (do something)
* Explanation: The verb in the 「ない」 form joined with 「といけない」
*Example:
英語でﾚﾎﾟｰﾄを書かないといけない。
Eigo de repōto o kakanaito ikenai.
I have to write the report in English
卒業に合格するために、一生懸命勉強しないといけない。
Sotsugyō ni gōkaku suru tame ni, isshōkenmei benkyō shinaito ikenai.
I have to study hard to pass and graduate
ﾚﾎﾟｰﾄを書くためにはこの書類を読まないといけない。
Repōto o kaku tame ni wa kono shorui o yomanaito ikenai.
To write the report I have to read this document
32. Vなくちゃいけない Can't not (= must do something)
* Explanation: The ない verb form, with い dropped and replaced by なくちゃいけない
It means that something needs to be done.
*Example:
“食べなくちゃいけない。
Tabenakucha ikenai.
I have to eat”
“10時前に寝なくちゃいけない。
Juuji mae ni nenakucha ikenai.
I have to sleep before 10”
“毎日勉強しなくちゃいけない。
Mainichi benkyō shinakucha ikenai.
I have to study every day”
*Note:
This pattern is the pattern なくてはいけない。 but in speech, with TEWA shortened to CHA.
In spoken Japanese people use なくちゃいけない to express it
33. ～だけ: Only ～
* Explanation: It expresses that apart from that there is nothing else
It also expresses a negative sense 「だけでなく」( no longer )
*Example:
あなただけにお知らせします。
Anata dake ni oshirase shimasu.
I'm telling only you
あの人にだけは負けたくない。
Ano hito ni dake wa maketakunai.
That one person is the one I don't want to lose to
見るだけで買わなくてもいいです。
Mirudake de kawanakute mo īdesu.
You may just look without buying
34. Phrase1からPhrase2： Because ～, ～
* Explanation: Used to join two sentences into one. Sentence 1 gives the reason for sentence 2. You can also join the two sentences first and then attach sentence 1 with 「から」
*Example:
朝忙しいですから、朝ごはんを食べません。
Asa isogashīdesukara, asa gohan o tabemasen.
I was so busy in the morning that I didn't eat breakfast
毎朝、ﾆｭｰｽを見ませんか?
Maiasa, nyūsu o mimasen ka?
Do you watch the news in the morning?
いいえ、時間がありませんから。
Īe, jikan ga arimasenkara.
No, because I don't have time
35. Vのが～：Turning a verb into a noun / to like (doing something)
* Explanation: In this pattern the adjectives used are those of taste, skill and ability,
such as すき（な） liked、きらい（な） hated、じょうず「な」 good at、へた「な」 poor at、はやい fast、おそい slow, …
*Example:
私は音楽を聞くのがすきです
Watashi wa ongaku o kiku no ga sukidesu
I like listening to music
彼女は日本語を話すのが上手です。
Kanojo wa nihongo o hanasu no ga jōzudesu.
She speaks Japanese well
私は犬を育てるのが好きです。
Watashi wa inu o sodateru no ga sukidesu.
I like keeping dogs
日本人は歩くのが速いです。
Nihonjin wa aruku no ga hayaidesu.
Japanese people walk fast
36. Vのを～：Turning a verb into a noun
* Explanation: To turn a verb into a noun with the verb わすれました you use the dictionary form （辞書形）, meaning to forget
To turn a verb into a noun with the verb 知っていますか? you use the plain form （普通形）, meaning Do you know…? The pattern asks whether the listener knows the content given before it
*Example:
薬を買うのを忘れました。
Kusuri o kau no o wasuremashita.
I forgot to buy the medicine
窓を閉めるのをわすれました。
Mado o shimeru no o wasuremashita.
I forgot to close the window
ﾏｲさんに赤ちゃんが生まれたのを知っていますか?
Mai-san ni akachan ga umareta no o shitte imasu ka?
Did you know Mai has had her baby?
37. [V/A]のは～ : Turning a verb or adjective into a noun
* Explanation: In this pattern 「の」 stands in for a noun denoting a thing, a person, a place and so on, in order to state the topic of the sentence.
*Example:
１年で一番雨が多いのは８月です。
Ichi-nen de ichiban ame ga ōi no wa hachigatsu desu.
The rainiest month of the year is August.
いっしょに食事するのは楽しいです。
Issho ni shokuji suru no wa tanoshīdesu.
Eating together is fun
私が生まれたのは日本の小さな町です。
Watashi ga umareta no wa Nihon no chīsana machidesu.
I was born in a small town in Japan
38. もう～ました： Have already done something
* Explanation: It expresses a completed action
*Example:
もう宿題をしましたか?
Mō shukudai o shimashita ka?
Have you done your homework yet?
もう晩御飯を食べましたか?
Mō ban gohan o tabemashita ka?
Have you had dinner yet?
39. まだ～ていません。： Have not yet done something
* Explanation: It expresses an action not yet completed but which you intend to do.
*Example:
ご飯を食べましたか? いいえ、まだ食べていません。
Gohan o tabemashita ka? Īe, mada tabete imasen.
Have you eaten? No, not yet
この本は、まだ読んでいませんか? いいえ、まだです。
Kono hon wa, mada yonde imasen ka? Īe, madadesu.
Have you read this book? No, not yet.
事故の原因は、まだ分かっていません。
Jiko no gen’in wa, mada wakatte imasen.
The cause of the accident is still unclear
外国には、まだ一度も行っていません。
Gaikoku ni wa, mada ichido mo itte imasen.
I have never been abroad yet.
風邪はまだよくなっていません。
Kaze wa mada yoku natte imasen.
The cold has not cleared up yet.
40. N1はN2よりA： N1 is more A (adjective) than N2
* Explanation: It expresses a comparison
*Example:
日本はベトナムより大きです。
Nihon wa Betonamu yori ōkidesu.
Japan is bigger than Vietnam
今年の冬は昨年よりも寒い。
Kotoshi no fuyu wa sakunen yori mo samui.
This winter is colder than last winter
*Note:
N1 は N2 より is not used with an adjective in the negative.
寿司は天ぷらより安いですか?
Sushi wa tenpura yori yasuidesu ka?
Sushi is cheaper than tempura, isn't it?
No, tempura is more expensive
Correct いいえ、天ぷらは寿司より高いです。Īe, tenpura wa sushi yori takaidesu.
Sai いいえ、天ぷらは寿司より安くありません。
To make it negative, use the opposite adjective rather than the negative form
of the adjective.
41.～ほど～ない Not as … as
Explanation: It takes N2 as the standard for comparison and says N1 does not match N2
ベトナムは日本ほど寒くない。
Betonamu wa Nihon hodo samukunai.
Vietnam is not as cold as Japan
山田さんは田中さんほど英語を話すのが上手ではありません。
Yamada-san wa Tanaka-san hodo eigo o hanasu no ga jōzude wa arimasen.
Mr Yamada does not speak English as well as Mr Tanaka
42. ～と同じ+です: The same as, similar to
Explanation: It expresses that two things are the same in both nature and form.
この本はあの本と出版社が同じだ。
Kono hon hā no hon to shubbansha ga onajida.
This book has the same publisher as that one.
あの人が食べているのと同じものをください。
Ano hito ga tabete iru no to onaji mono o kudasai.
Give me the same dish as the one that person is eating.
このｽﾃﾚｵはうちのと同じだ。
Kono sutereo wa uchi no to onajida.
This cassette player is the same as the one at my house.
43. N1のなかでN2がいちばんA： Of all the N1 (fish), N2 (salmon) is the most A (delicious)
Explanation: Used to mark the range within which something is the most of its kind
季節の中で、春が一番好きです。
Kisetsunonakade, haru ga ichiban sukidesu.
Of the seasons of the year, the one I like best is spring.
３人姉妹のなかで、私が一番細いです。
Sannin shimai no naka de, watashi ga ichiban hosoidesu.
Of the 3 sisters I am the thinnest
44. A｛い｝く/ A｛な｝になる。 To become, to turn
Explanation: It expresses that an action will bring about some result in the future.
今年の７月に博士になります。
Kotoshi no shichi-gatsu ni hakase ni narimasu.
This July I will become a doctor.
今部屋はもっと暖かくなる。
Ima heya wa motto atatakaku naru.
This room will become warmer
来年から３月１０日は休校日になります。
Rainen kara sangatsu touka wa kyūkō-bi ni narimasu.
From next year, 10 March will become a school holiday.
45. AもVない Even though ~, still not
Explanation: This pattern expresses a contrary condition, used when in a given situation an action ought to be done but is not, when something ought to happen but does not, or when a result runs against what people normally expect.
安くても、買いません。
Yasukute mo, kaimasen.
Even if it is cheap I won't buy it.
何回読んでも、覚えません。
Nankai yondemo, oboemasen.
However many times I read it I can't remember it
便利でも、携帯電話を使わない。
Benri demo, keitaidenwa o tsukawanai.
Mobile phones are handy, but I don't use one
お腹がすいても食べません。
Onakagasuite mo tabemasen.
Even when I'm hungry I don't eat
暇ても、遊びません。Himate mo, asobimasen.
Even when I'm free I don't go out
46. V1たりV2たりする: Sometimes V1, sometimes V2
Explanation: Used to list several actions or qualities of a thing
私は歩かったり、音楽を聞かったりするのが好きです。
Watashi wa aruka ttari, ongaku o kika ttari suru no ga sukidesu.
I like walking and listening to music
先週私はｽｰﾊﾟｰに行ったり、書店に行ったりしました。
Senshū watashi wa sūpā ni ittari, shoten ni ittari shimashita.
Last week I went to the supermarket and to the bookshop
47. Vている Doing something (the continuous form)
Explanation: It expresses an action in progress.
It expresses a state (the result of an action) that remains and continues in the present.
It is used to talk about customs and habits (behaviour repeated over a long time). For a habit or behaviour in the past, use the form 「ていました」
It is used to talk about someone's occupation or circumstances.
日本語を勉強している。
Nihongo o benkyō shite iru.
I am studying Japanese
私はベトナムに住んでいます。
Watashi wa Betonamu ni sunde imasu.
I live in Vietnam
妹は高校で勉強しています。
Imōto wa kōkō de benkyō shite imasu.
My younger sister is at upper secondary school
スーパーで花を売っています。
Sūpā de hana o utte imasu.
I sell flowers at a supermarket.
私は明さんを知っています。
Watashi wa Akira-san o shitte imasu.
I know Akira.
姉さんは工場で働いています。
Nēsan wa kōjō de hataraite imasu.
My elder sister works at a factory.
日本製の携帯電話を使っています。
Nihon-sei no keitaidenwa o tsukatteimasu.
I use a phone made in Japan.
48. Vdicことがある Sometimes, now and then (do something)
Explanation: It expresses something that does not happen regularly, only now and then.
映画を見ることがありませんか?
Eiga o miru koto ga arimasen ka?
Do you ever watch films?
私は月に何回かｽｰﾊﾟｰに行くことがあります。
Watashi wa tsuki ni nan-kai ka sūpā ni iku koto ga arimasu.
I go to the supermarket a few times a month
49. Vないことがある Sometimes not (do something)
Explanation: It expresses something that does not happen regularly, only now and then.
朝ごはんを食べないことがありますか?
Asa gohan o tabenai koto ga arimasu ka?
Do you ever skip breakfast?
勉強していてどこへも行かないことがありませんか?
Benkyō shite ite doko e mo ikanai koto ga arimasen ka?
Do you ever study all the time and not go anywhere?
50. Vたことがある To have done (something) before
Explanation: Used for an action that has happened at some point in the past
その本は子供の頃読んだことがあります。
Sono hon wa kodomo no koro yonda koto ga arimasu.
I read that book when I was a child.
林さんにこれまで２度お会いしたことがあります。
Hayashi-san ni kore made ni-do o ai shita koto ga arimasu.
Up to now I have met Yahashi twice.
これだけ練習していても、時々失敗することがある。
Kore dake renshū shite ite mo, tokidoki shippai suru koto ga aru.
Even with all this practice, there are still times when I fail.
Note: To ask “have you ever ~?” we add the particle [か] after the pattern:
日本へ行ったことがありますか?
Nihon e itta koto ga arimasu ka?
Have you ever been to Japan?
51. ～や～など (For example) such as … and … (an incomplete list)
Explanation: The particle 「や」 is used when we want to list nouns. 「や」 lists only a few representative items (two nouns or more).
We can use the particle 「など」 at the end of the nouns to make clear that there are other items besides those named.
机の上に本やペンなどがあります。
Tsukue no ue ni hon ya pen nado ga arimasu.
On the desk there are books, pens and so on
袋の中にお金や写真などがあります。
Fukuro no naka ni okane ya shashin nado ga arimasu.
In the bag there is money, photos, …
52. ～ので～： Because ～, ～
Explanation: It gives an objective, natural, self-evident reason leading to the result.
Using 「ので」 makes the tone gentle and soft, so the second half of the sentence is not put in the imperative or the prohibitive.
雨が降りそうなので試合は中止します。
Ame ga ori-sōnanode shiai wa chūshi shimasu.
It looks like rain, so the match will be stopped
もう遅いのでこれで失礼いたします。
Mō osoinode kore de shitsurei itashimasu.
It is late, so I will take my leave
風邪をひいたので会社を休みました。
Kaze o hītanode kaisha o yasumimashita.
I had a cold, so I took the day off work
Note: Telling 「ので」 and 「から」 apart
⇨「ので」 is used to give an objective reason
バスが遅れたので、遅刻しました。
Basu ga okuretanode, chikoku shimashita.
The bus was late, so I arrived late
⇨「から」 is used to give a subjective reason
お腹がすいたから、たくさん食べました。
Onakagasuita kara, takusan tabemashita.
I was hungry, so I ate a lot
53. ～まえに～ : In front of … (space) / Before (time)
Explanation: With a verb: this pattern expresses that the action of verb 2 happens before the action of verb 1. Verb 1 is always in the dictionary form, whether verb 2 is in the past or the future.
With a noun: when 「まえに」 follows a noun we must add 「の」 straight after the noun. The noun before 「まえに」 is one that expresses or implies an action.
With a counter (a length of time): with a counter (a length of time) 「の」 is not added
私のまえに鈴木さんが座っていた。
Watashi no mae ni Suzuki-san ga suwatte ita.
Sitting in front of me is Ms Suzuki
駅のまえに大きなマンションが建った。
Eki no mae ni ōkina manshon ga tatta
A large block of flats has gone up in front of the station.
寝る前に音楽を聞きます。
Nerumae ni ongaku o kikimasu.
Before going to sleep I usually listen to music.
結婚するまえに、一度ゆっくり仲間と旅行してみたい。
Kekkon suru mae ni, ichido yukkuri nakama to ryokō shite mitai.
Before I get married, I want to go travelling with my close friends at least once, at leisure
先生は１時間まえに、出かけました。
Sensei wa ichi-jikan mae ni, dekakemashita.
The teacher went out an hour ago
54. ～てから：After ～
Explanation: This pattern expresses that the action of verb 2 is done after the action of verb 1 has finished. The tense of the sentence is set by the tense of the last verb.
夏休みになってから一度も学校に行っていない。
Natsuyasumi ni natte kara ichido mo gakkō ni itte inai.
Since the summer holidays began I have not once been to school
国へ帰ってから、大学で働きます。
Kuni e kaette kara, daigaku de hatarakimasu.
After returning home I worked at a university
授業が終わってから，ｽｰﾊﾟｰへ行きました。
Jugyō ga owatte kara, sūpā e ikimashita.
After the lesson finished I went to the supermarket
55. ～たあとで： After having …
Explanation: This pattern expresses that event 2 happens after event 1.
この本は見たあとで、私に貸してください。
Kono hon wa mita ato de, watashi ni kashite kudasai.
After you finish reading this book, lend it to me
仕事が終わったあとで、カラオケにいきませんか?
Shigoto ga owatta ato de, karaoke ni ikimasen ka?
Shall we go and sing karaoke after work?
Note: Close to 「Vてから」, but this pattern does not express the unbroken sequence that Vてから does.
56. ～とき： When (something happens, doing something)
Explanation: It expresses a state or an event happening at the same time
V- る時 (before). The action in the second clause happens before the action in the first
V- た時 (after). Only after one action is done does another happen.
暇な時は、どんなことをして過ごしますか?
Himana toki wa, don’na koto o shite sugoshimasu ka?
What do you usually do when you are free?
東京へ行くとき夜行バスを使っていた。
Tōkyō e iku toki yokōbasu o tsukatte ita.
When I went to Tokyo I took the night bus
火事や地震が起きたとき、エレベータを使用しないでください。
Kaji ya jishin ga okita toki, erebēta o shiyō shinaide kudasai.
When a fire or an earthquake happens, please do not use the lift
57. ～でしょう？ ～ isn't it? Perhaps ～?
Explanation: Surely it is ~, isn't it?
Said with a rising tone to confirm the listener's agreement, when the speaker thinks the listener knows about the topic and expects them to agree.
あなたは、学生さんでしょうか?
Anata wa, gakusei-sandeshou ka?
You are a student, aren't you?
58. 多分～でしょう Probably …
Explanation: Used when the speaker sees the likelihood as 90% or more.
多分その本はおもしろいでしょう!
Tabun sono hon wa omoshiroideshou!
That book must be very good.
夏休み田舎へ帰らないでしょう!
Natsuyasumi inaka e kaeranaideshou!
You probably won't go home this summer holiday.
59. ～と思います : I think that
Explanation: We use the particle 「と」 to mark the content of 「おもいます」
Used to express a guess or a judgement:
When judging or considering something negative in meaning, the part before 「と」 will be negative.
Used to give an opinion:
When you want to ask someone about something, use the pattern 「～についてどうおもいますか」 and note that 「と」 is not needed after 「どう」
How to express agreement or disagreement with someone.
今日は雨が降らないと思います。
Kyō wa ame ga furanai to omoimasu.
I don't think it will rain today.
先生は来ると思います。
Sensei wa kuru to omoimasu.
I think the teacher will come.
彼の言ったことはうそだと思います。
Kare no itta koto wa usoda to omoimasu.
I think what he said is a lie.
確か、机の上に置いたともいます。
Tashika, tsukue no ue ni oitatomo imasu.
I'm fairly sure I did put it on the desk.
コンピューターは便利ですね。
Konpyūtā wa benridesu ne.
Computers are handy, aren't they
ええ、私もそう思います。
Ee, watashi mo sō omoimasu.
Yes, I think so too
私はそう思いません。
Watashi wa sō omoimasen.
I don't think so
60. ～と言います : To say that
Explanation: We use the particle 「と」 to mark the content of 「いいます」
For a direct quotation we leave the quoted part as it is and put it inside 「」
For an indirect quotation we use the plain form before 「と」 . The tense of the quoted part does not depend on the tense of the sentence.
ご飯を食べるまえに「いただきます」といいます。
Gohanwotaberu mae ni “itadakimasu” to īmasu.
Before eating, people usually say “itadakimasu” (thank you for the meal)
彼は「あの子は妹だ」と言いました。
Kare wa “anoko wa imōtoda” to iimashita.
He said that girl was his younger sister
あの人は私のことを馬鹿だと言いました。
Ano hito wa watashi no koto o bakada to iimashita.
That person called me an idiot
See also:
Learning 512 Basic Kanji – Lesson 1
Learning the Basic Particles in Japanese N5