N5 Grammar Collected
Translated from the Vietnamese original. View the original.
N5 grammar collected
Here is N5 Japanese grammar collected
We hope this material is useful to anyone studying and revising for the JLPT N5
1. ~ は ~ : is, am, at (a particle)
~ は~ [ the information being conveyed] (a noun)
~ N1 は N2 が
How it is used:
は separates the subject from the predicate in a sentence.
は stands before the information to be conveyed
It stands before the topic you want to speak about ( before a 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。
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。
Mr Yamada is good at Japanese.
この家(いえ)はドアが大(おお)きいです
This house has a large door.
Note:
When the asker begins with は, the answerer must begin with は too, with the answer replacing the question word.
Example:
A: これは何ですか?
What is this?
B: これは私の眼鏡(めがね)です。
This is my pair of glasses.
2. ~も~ : too, as much as, even
How it is used:
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 or how often something happens or exists.
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
Mr Yamada likes reading. So do I.
あなたの家には犬が9もいるんですか?
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。
Yesterday was so busy I didn't even have time to sleep.
Note:
“も” works much like “は” and “が”, and does not stand next to “は” or “が” when used with a subject.
は/が も ~
Both Mai and I want to travel to Japan this year
わたしはもマイさんはも今年日本に旅 行したい。
“も” can also follow other particles, just as “は” does
で/ と/ へ/ など も~
休日ですが、どこへもい行けません。
It was a day off and yet I couldn't go anywhere.
3. ~ で~ : at, in, because of, by, with ( a period of time)
How it is used:
_It expresses where an action takes place.
_It expresses where an event takes place.
Example:
I buy the newspaper at the station
駅で新聞を買います。
_It expresses a method, a manner or a means.
_It expresses what material a thing is made of
Example:
I eat with chopsticks
はしで食べます。
I write reports in Japanese
日本でレポートを書きます。
_It expresses a limited period of time.
Example:
Can this work be finished by tomorrow morning?
この仕事は明日で終りますか?
4. ~ に/ へ ~ : direction, place, point in time
What it does:
_Used for a point in time.
Example:
Tomorrow I am going travelling
明日、旅行に/ へ行きます。
I will be home at 6 in the evening
午後6時に帰ります。
_Used for a place
_Used for the person you are heading to
Example:
Please give this present to Yumi
このプレゼントをゆみさんに/ へ
Note:
To say when an action happens, you can add the particle [に] after the noun of time. Use 「に」 with actions that take a short time. [に] is used only 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, [に] may be used or left out
Example:
On Sunday I am going to Japan
日曜日「に」日本へ行きます。
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)
How it is used :
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:
I usually wake up at 7
時に起きます。
I came to Japan on 1 February.
２月１日に日本へ行きました。
At the weekend I am going to a friend's house
週末「に」友達の家へ行きます。
Note:
To say when an action happens, you can add the particle [に] after the noun of time. Use 「に」 with actions that take a short time. [に] is used only 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, [に] may be used or left out
Example:
On Sunday I am going to Japan
日曜日「に」日本へ行きます。
With verbs of movement the particle [へ] is used after a noun of direction or place.
The particle [ へ] is pronounced [え」
6. ~ を ~ :marks the object of an action
How it is used:
The particle 「を」 marks the direct object of a transitive verb.
Example:
I drink water
水を飲みます。
I study Japanese
日本語を勉強します。
I listen to music
音楽を聞きます.
Note:
「を」 is pronounced like 「お」. 「を」 can only ever be used as a particle.
7. ~ と ~ : with
What it does:
The particle 「と」 is used to mark anyone (a person or an animal) doing something together with you.
Example:
I go for a walk with a friend
公園に友達と散歩します。
I go on a business trip to America with a colleague
同僚 とアメリカへ出張 します。
Note:
When the action is done alone, use 「ひとりで」. In that case the particle 「と」 is not used
I go to the supermarket alone
ひとりでスーパーへ行きます。
8.~ に ~ : two senses, to ~, from ~
How it is used:
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。
Mr Yamada gave flowers to Ms Kimura
マイさんに本を貸しました。
I lent Mai a book
みみちゃんに英語を教えます。
I teach Mimi English
会社に電話をかけます。
I phone the company.
木村さんは山田さんに花をもらいました。
Ms Kimura received flowers from Mr Yamada.
マイさんにざっしを借りました。
I borrowed a magazine from Mai.
チンさんに中国語を習います。
I learn Chinese from Mr Chin
木村さんは山田さんから花をもらいました。
Ms Kimura received flowers from Mr Yamada.
9. ~と~ : and
Explanation:
To join two nouns we use the particle 「と」
Example:
野菜と肉を食べます。
I eat vegetables and meat
休みは日土曜日と日曜日です。
The days off are Saturday and Sunday.
10. ~ が~ : but
How it is used:
「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:
Thai food is delicious but spicy.
タイ料理はおいしいですが、辛いです。
It is raining
雨が降っています
Note:
「が」 is used in 「しつれいですが」 or 「すみませんが」 to open a remark, so it no longer joins two sentences and only carries the sense of leading on.
Example:
Excuse me, what is your name?
しつれですが、お名前は?
Excuse me, could you help me?
すみませんが、手伝ってもらえませんか?
11.~ から ~ : from ~ to ~
Explanation:
「から」 marks the starting point in time at a place, and 「まで」 marks the end point and time at a place.
「から」 and 「まで」 need not go 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:
I work from 8 to 5 in the afternoon.
9時から午後5時まで働きます。
It takes 3 hours to go from Tokyo to Osaka.
大阪から東京まで3 時間かかります。
I work from 8
8時から働きます。
The bank is open from 7.30 to 4.30 in the afternoon
銀行は7時30から4時30までです。
The lunch break starts at 11.30
昼休みは11時30からです。
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:
My Japanese is not very good
私の日本語はあまり上手ではありません。
It is not very cold today
今日の天気はあまり寒くないです。
I don't know much English
英語あまりが分かりません。
13. ～ 全然～ない ～： not ~ at all.
Explanation:
It is an adverb of degree. When it modifies a verb it goes before the verb.
It carries the sense of not…at all, and always goes with a negative sentence.
Example:
I have no money.
お金が全然ありません。
I don't understand at all.
全然分かりません
Note:
「全然」 can also be used to modify an adjective.
Example:
This book is not interesting at all
この本は全然面白くないです。
14. ~なかなか~ない: try as you might, for ages
Explanation:
~なかなか~ない is an adverb of degree; when it carries meaning for a verb it is placed before the verb.
It expresses that doing something takes a good deal of time and effort and is very hard to bring off.
Example:
I just can't get to sleep.
なかなか寝ません。
This problem cannot be solved straight away.
この問題はなかなか解けない。
15. ~ ませんか~ :Won't you ….with me( do it for me)?
How it is used:
This kind of pattern is used to invite or suggest that the listener do something together with you.
Example:
Won't you come and eat with me?
いっしょに食べませんか?
Won't you come travelling with me?
いっしょに旅行へ行きませんか?
Could you pass me the salt?
塩を作ってくれませんか?
Let's go and sing karaoke!
いっしょにカラオケへ行きませんか
16. ~があります~: There is
How it is used:
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 fixed things that cannot move, such as furniture and plants.
Example:
There is a computer on the desk
テーブルの上にコンピュータがあります
Walk about 1km and there will be a supermarket
1キロくらい行くと、スーパーがあります。
I have money
お金があります。
Is there any difference between your opinion and hers?
あなたと彼女の意見には違いがありますか?
17. ~がいます~: There is
What it does:
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:
There is a girl
女の子がいます。
There are 5 dogs
五匹犬がいます。
There is someone who wants to see you
あなたに会いたいという人がいます。
There are 25 people in this class
このクラスには25人がいます。
There are rare animals in Vietnam
ベトナムには珍しい動物がいます。
18. ~ 動詞+ 数量 ~ : matching a verb of quantity
What it does:
Usually ~ 動詞+ 数量 ~ is placed before the verb it modifies, except for counters of time.
Example:
I bought 4 oranges
みかんを4つ買いました。
There are 2 foreign members of staff
外国人の社員がいます。
I ate 2 apples
りんごを4つ食べました。
19. ~に~回: To do ~ times in a given period of time.
What it does:
It expresses how often something is done within a period of time
Example:
I watch a film twice a month
私は 一月に2回映画を見ます。
I study Japanese 4 days a week
私は 一週間に4回日本語を勉強します
20. ~ましょう~: let's ~
Explanation:
It expresses urging one another to do something together.
Example:
Let's take a short break
ちょっと、休みましょう。
Let's finish here
では、終わりましょう。
Note:
It appears in the pattern normally used to invite the listener to do something together.
A: Let's have lunch together
いっしょに 昼ごはん を食べませんか?
B: Yes, let's go
ええ、食べましょう。
21. ~ ましょうか?~ :Shall I ~(do something) for you
How it is used:
It expresses asking permission to do something to help someone else
Example:
That's heavy, isn't it. Let me carry it for you
重いですね。待ちましょうか?
I'm tired; shall we take a short break?
疲れました、ちょっと休みましょうか?
Note:
~ ましょうか?~ is usually used in patterns inviting, asking or persuading the other person to do something together.
22. ~ がほしい~: To want
What it does:
This pattern expresses the speaker's wish to own something, or to connect with and get to know someone.
It is also used to ask about the listener's wishes. The object the person wants is marked by the particle [が]. [ほしい] is an [い] adjective
Example:
I want money
私はお金がほしいです
I want friends
私は友達が欲しいです。
What do you want most right now?
今、何が一番欲しいですか？
Note:
Being an い adjective, the negative of 「ほしい」 is 「ほしくない」, meaning not to want.
Example:
Do you want children?
子供がほしいですか?
No, I don't
いいえ、欲しいくないです。
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. ~たい~: To want
Explanation:
A verb in the 「ます」 form joined with 「たい」 is how you say you “want to do” something. This is used to express the speaker's own wish and to ask the listener's.
Apart from 「を」 no particle can replace 「が」. The 「たい」 verb form conjugates like an 「い」 adjective
Example:
I want to go to Japan
日本へ行きたいです。
I want to eat sushi
寿司を食べたいです。
My tooth hurts, so I don't want to eat anything
歯が痛いですから、何も食べたくないです。
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 「ｺｰﾋｰが飲みませんか?」
24. ~へ~を~に行きます・来ます: To go to…(some place) in order to do something
What it does:
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:
I go to Japan to study the culture.
日本へ文化の勉強に来ました。
I go to the supermarket to do the shopping.
スーパーへ買い物に行きます
I go to a restaurant to have dinner.
レストランーヘ晩御飯を食べに行きます
Note:
Before [に] you can also put nouns for organised events such as a festival or a concert. In that case the speaker's purpose is to watch the festival, listen to the music and so on….
Example:
Tomorrow I am going to Tokyo to see the festival
明日東京のお祭りに行きます。
25. ~てください~: Please
What it does:
This pattern is used when the speaker wants to ask, instruct or advise the listener. When speaking to someone of higher standing, you should not use it with the sense of an instruction.
Example:
Excuse me, please tell me how to read this kanji.
すみませんが、この漢字の読み方を教えてください。
Please write your address and name here
ここに住所と名前を書いてください。
Do come and visit me
ぜひ遊びに来てください。
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. ~ ないでください: please don't / do not
How it is used:
This pattern is used to ask someone not to do something.
Example:
I'm fine, so don't worry about me
私は元気ですから、心配しないでください
Please don't take photographs here
ここで写真を撮らないでください。
Please don't smoke in the hospital
病院でタバコを吸わないでください。
27. ~ てもいいです~: May do ~:
How it is used:
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:
You may read books ( here )
本を読んでもいいです。
May I smoke?
ﾀﾊﾞｺを吸ってもいいですか?
May I take this book?
この本をもらってもいいですか?
……Yes, you may. Please do
ええ、いいですよ。どうぞ。
……Sorry. I'm afraid not
すみません。ちょっと。。。
28. ~ てはいけません~: Must not do ~
How it is used:
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:
You may not park here. This is a no-parking area.
ここで車に止めてはいけません。駐車禁止ですから。
May I smoke here?
ここでタバコを吸ってはいけませんか?
No, you may not
いいえ。吸ってはいけません。
Note:
With the question [the てもいいですか? verb form], when you want to stress that the answer is no, refusing, 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 someone of higher standing or position than you
Miss, may we talk here?
先生、ここで話してもいいですか?
No, you may not
いいえ、いけません。
29. ~ なくてもいいです~:You don't have to, you needn't ~
Explanation:
This pattern expresses that someone does not have to do something.
Example:
You needn't come tomorrow
明日来なくてもいいです。
You needn't do it
しなくてもいいです。
There's no need to hurry like that
急がなくてもいいです。
30. ~ なければなりません~: Must~
How it is used:
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:
I have to take my medicine
薬を飲まなければなりません。
Every day I have to study Japanese for an hour
毎日一時間日本語を勉強しなければなりません。
The teacher does not know Vietnamese, so I have to speak Japanese
先生はベトナム語が分かりません、日本語が話さなければなりません。
31. ~ないといけない~: Must ~
Explanation:
The verb in the 「ない」 form joined with 「といけない」
Example:
I have to write the report in English
英語でﾚﾎﾟｰﾄを書かないといけない。
I have to study hard to pass and graduate
卒業に合格ために、一生懸命勉強しないといけない。
To write the report I have to read this document
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。
Note:
This pattern can also be used to ask “do I have to…?”
Example:
So how many years do I have to study?
では、どうのくらい何時間勉強しないといけないか?
32. ~ なくちゃいけない~: Can't not (must)
How it is used:
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:
I have to eat
食べなくちゃいけない。
I have to sleep before 10
10時前に寝なくちゃいけない。
I have to study every day
毎日勉強しなくちゃいけない。
Note:
This pattern is the equivalent of the pattern なくてはいけない。
In speech, however, people use the pattern 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」( not only )
Example:
I'm telling only you
あなただけにお知らせします。
I don't mind losing to anyone else, but I don't want to lose to him
あの人にだけは負けたくない。
You may just look without buying
見るだけ買わなくてもいいです。
34. ~から~: 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:
I was so busy in the morning that I didn't eat breakfast
朝忙しいですから、朝ごはんを食べません。
Do you watch the news in the morning?
毎朝、ニュースを見ませんか?
No, because I don't have time
いいえ、時間がありませんから。
35. ~のが~: Turning a verb into a noun
Explanation:
In this pattern the adjectives used are those of taste, skill and ability, for instance すてき(な)、きらい(な)、じょうず「な」、へた「な」、はやい、おそい。。。
Example:
I like listening to music
私は音楽を聞くのがすきです
She speaks Japanese well
彼女は日本語を話すのが上手です。
I like keeping dogs
私は犬を育てるのが好きです。
Japanese people walk fast
日本人は歩くのが速いです。
36. ~のを~: Turning a verb into a noun
How it is used:
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 is used to ask whether the listener knows the content given before it.
Example:
I forgot to buy the medicine
薬を買うのを忘れました。
I forgot to close the window
窓を閉めるのをわすれました。
Do you know the new teacher called Mei?
新先生のめいさんが名前のを知っていますか?
Did you know Mai has had her baby?
マイさんに赤ちゃんが生まれたのを知っていますか?
37. ~のは~ : Turning a verb 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:
The rainiest month of the year is August.
１年で一番雨が多いのは８月です。
Eating together is such fun.
いっしょに食事のは楽しいです。
I was born in a small country district of Vietnam.
私は生まれたのはﾍﾞﾄﾅﾑの小さな町です。
38. ~もう~ました~: Have already done ~
How it is used:
~もう~ました~ is used to express a completed action
Example:
Have you finished your homework yet?
もう宿題をしましたか?
Have you had dinner yet?
もう晩御飯を食べましたか?
39. ~まだ~ていません。: Have not yet done ~
How it is used:
It expresses an action not yet completed but which you intend to do.
Example:
Have you eaten? Not yet
ご飯を食べましたか? いいえ、まだ食べていません。
Have you read this book? Not yet.
この本は、まだ読んでいませんか? いいえ、まだです。
The cause of the accident is still unclear
事故の原因は、まだ分かっていません。
I have never been abroad yet.
外国には、まだ一度も行っていません。
The cold has not cleared up yet.
風邪はまだよくていません。
40. ~より~: Compared with…
How it is used:
It expresses a comparison
Example:
Japan is bigger than Vietnam
日本はﾍﾞﾄﾅﾑより大きです。
This winter is colder than last winter
今年の冬は昨年よりも寒い。
Note:
N1 は N2 より is not used with an adjective in the negative.
Example:
Sushi is cheaper than tempura, isn't it?
寿司は天ぷらより安いですか?
No, tempura is more expensive
いいえ、天ぷらは寿司より高いです。
Do not say 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
How it is used:
It takes N2 as the standard for comparison and says N1 does not match N2
Example:
Vietnam is not as cold as Japan
ﾍﾞﾄﾅﾑは日本ほど寒くない。
Mr Yamada does not speak English as well as Mr Tanaka
山田さんは田中さんほど英語を話するが上手ではありません。
42. ~と同じ~: The same as ~, similar to~
Explanation:
It expresses that two things are the same in both nature and form.
Example:
This book has the same publisher as that one.
この本はあの本と出版社が同じだ。
Give me the same dish as the one that person is eating.
あの人が食べているのと同じものをください。
This cassette player is the same as the one at my house.
このステレオはうちのと同じだ。
43. ~のなかで ~ がいちばん~: The most … among
Explanation:
Used to mark the range of comparison among 3 or more things
Example:
Of the seasons of the year, the one I like best is spring.
季節の中で、春が一番好きです。
Of the 3 sisters I am the thinnest
３人姉妹のなかで、私が一番細いです。
44. ~く/ ~ になる~: To become, to turn
Explanation:
It expresses that an action will bring about some result in the future.
Example:
This July I will become a master's graduate.
今年の7月に博士になります。
This room has become warmer
今部屋はもっと暖かくなる。
From next year, 10 March will become a school holiday.
来年から3月10日は休校日になります。
45. ~も~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.
Example:
Even if it is cheap I won't buy it.
安くても、買いません。
However many times I read it I can't remember it
何回も、覚えません。
However handy a phone may be, I still don't use one
便利でも、携帯電話を使わない。
Even when I'm hungry I don't eat
お腹がすいた、食べません。
Even when I'm free I don't go out
暇ても、遊びません。
46. ~たり。。。~たりする: Doing ~ and ~
Explanation:
Used to list several actions or qualities of a thing
Example:
I like walking and listening to music
私は歩かったり、音楽を聞かったりする好きです。
Last week I went to the supermarket and the bookshop
先週私はスーパーに行ったり、書店に行ったりしました。
This bag is big and heavy
このかばん大きかったり、重かったりするかばん。
That person is always friendly and cheerful
あの人は親切だったり、朗らかった人です。
He is handsome and clever
彼はハンサムだったり、賢かった人です
47. ~ている~: Still doing
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 (that is, 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.
Example:
I am studying Japanese
日本語を勉強している。
I live in Vietnam
私はベトナムに住んでいます。
My younger sister is at upper secondary school
妹は高学校で勉強しています。
The supermarket sells flowers
ｽｰﾊﾞｰで花を売っています。
I know Mei
私は明さんを知っています。
My elder sister works in Đồng Nai
姉さんはドンナィで働いています。
I use a phone made by a Japanese company
日本製の携帯電話を使っています。
Note:
We use this pattern to answer when asked 「おしごとはなんですか?」
48. ~ることがある~: Sometimes, now and then
Explanation:
It expresses something that does not happen regularly, only now and then.
Example:
Do you often watch films?
映画を見ることがありませんか?
I go to the supermarket a few times a month
私は月に何回スーパーに行くことがあります。
49. ~ないことがある~: Is there ever a time when you don't …?
Explanation:
It expresses something that does not happen regularly, only now and then.
Example:
Do you often watch films?
映画を見ることがありませんか?
I go to the supermarket a few times a month
私は月に何回ｽｰﾊﾟｰに行くことがあります。
50. ~たことがある~: To have done before
Explanation:
Used for an action that has happened at some point in the past
Example:
I read that book when I was a child.
その本あら子供の頃読んだことがあります。
Up to now I have met Yahashi twice.
やはしさんにはこれまでに2度お会いしたことがあります。
Even with all this practice, there are still times when I fail.
これだけ練習していても、時として失敗することがある。
I have been to Đà Lạt
私はダラトに行ったことがあります。
Note:
To ask “have you ever ~?” we add the particle [か] after the pattern.
Example:
Have you ever been to Japan?
日本へ行ったことがありますか?
51. ~や~など: Such as…and…
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.
Example:
On the desk there are books and pens.
机の上に本やペンなどがあります。
In the bag there is money and photos.
袋の中にお金や写真などがあります。
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.
Example:
It looks like rain, so the match will be put off
雨が降りそうなので試合は中止します。
It is late, so I will take my leave
もう遅いのでこれで失礼いたします。
I had a cold, so I took the day off work
風邪をひいたので会社を休みました。
Note:
Telling 「ので」 and 「から」 apart:
「ので」 is used to give an objective reason
VD:
The bus was late, so I arrived late
ﾊﾞｰｽが遅れたので、遅刻しました。
「から」 is used to give a subjective reason
VD:
I was hungry, so I ate a lot
お腹がすいたから、たくさん食べました。
53. ~まえに~ : before ~
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
Example:
Sitting in front of me is Ms Sato
私のまえに砂糖さんが座っていた。
A large block of flats has gone up in front of the station.
駅のまえに大きなマンションが建った。
Before going to sleep I usually listen to music.
寝る前に音楽を聞きます。
Before I get married, I want to go travelling with my close friends at least once, to my heart's content
結婚するまえには、一度ゆっくり仲間と旅行てもしてみたい。
The teacher went out an hour ago
先生1時間まえに、出かけました。
54. ~てから: After ~, since ~
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.
Example:
Since the summer holidays began I have not once been to school
夏休みになってから一度も学校に行っていない。
After returning home I worked at a university
国へ帰ってから、大学で働きます。
Note:
As we see in the third example, we use it to mark the subject of the subordinate clause. The verb that follows is a verb of action.
55 . ~たあとで: After ~
Explanation:
This pattern is used to express that what verb 2 shows happens after what verb 1 shows has happened.
Example:
After you finish reading this book, lend it to me
この本、あなたが見たあとで、私にも貸してください。
Shall we go and sing karaoke after work?
仕事のあとで、カラオケにいきませんか?
Note:
Compared with 「the てから verb form」, this pattern makes the order of events in time clearer.
56. ~とき: When ~
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.
Example:
What do you usually do when you are free?
暇な時は、どんなことをして過ごしますか?
When I went to Tokyo I took the night bus
東京へ行くとき夜行ﾊﾞｰｽを使っていった。
When a fire or an earthquake happens, please do not use the lift
火事や地震が起こったときには、エレベータを使用しないでください。
57. ~でしょう?~: ~ isn't it?
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.
Example:
You are a student, aren't you?
あなたは、学生さんでしょうか?
58. ~多分 ~ でしょう~: Surely ~, probably ~
Explanation:
Used when the speaker sees the likelihood as 90% or more.
Example:
That book must be very good.
多分その本はおもしろいでしょう!
You probably won't go home this summer holiday.
夏休みに田舎へ帰らないでしょう!
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」. This is how you express agreement or disagreement with someone.
Example:
I don't think it will rain today.
今日は雨が降らないと思います。
I think the teacher will come.
先生は来いと思います。
I think what he said is a lie.
彼の言ったことはうそだと思います。
I'm sure I put it on the desk.
確か、机の上に置いたともいます。
Yes, I think so too
ええ、私そうも思います。
I don't think so
私はそうも思いません。
60. ~と言います : To say ~
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.
Example:
Before eating, people usually say [enjoy your meal].
ご飯を食べるまえに「いただきます」といいました。
He said that girl was his younger sister.
彼は「その子を妹だ」と言います
People say I am a pretty girl.
皆さんは｢きれいな人です｣と言います。
Download the N5 grammar : Here
See also:
60 Common N5 Grammar Patterns
A Beginner's Japanese Verb Table N5, N4