にほんご

tags

Japan

Resources

Particles

は - Topic (“as for”, “about”)

topic (possibly new) of conversation. If the topic has already been raised, は can often be omitted.

も - Inclusive topic (“also”):

used very similarly to は, but introduces an additional topic

と - Inclusion (“and”)

combine multiple nouns and treat them as a single noun, e.g. ナイフとフォークでステーキを食べた

indicate an action was done together with someone/something else, e.g. 友達と話した

also used for quoting, e.g. このドレスは別に可愛くないと思う (this dress is not particularly cute, I think)

や and とか - Vague listing (“things like … etc”)

similar to と but suggests that there are other things not mentioned, or that some things mentioned might not apply

とか is more colloquial than や but means the same thing.

の - “Of”, kinda

possession ('s)

その is short for それの

この is short for これの

あの is short for あれの

explanation

が - Subject (Tae Kim: “identifier”, “the one”, “the thing”)

object of desire e.g. ジュースが欲しいです

with 好き, e.g. ボブは魚が好きだ

something unspecified e.g. the answer to a question (whether asking or answering)

を - Direct object

direct object of action, e.g. えいが を みました

Cannot be combined with other particles! e.g. 日本語をは、習う is incorrect.

Intransitive verbs cannot have a direct object, e.g. 電気を消える should be 電気が消える or 電気は消える.

で - Context (“by way of”)

location (time or place) of action

Compared to に, で is used where an action could be sensibly discussed without specifying a location, but the location is useful supplementary information.

Compared to に, で focuses on action more than existence.

means of action

に - Target

destination or postposition (time or place) of an action

Compared to で, に is used where there is a necessary sense of “direction” to the action, where discussing the action wouldn't make sense without specifying a destination/object.

Compared to で, に focuses on existence more than action.

to (direction, state), toward, into

for (purpose)

because of (reason), for, with

by, from

as (i.e. in the role of)

per, in, for, a (e.g. "once a month")

へ - Direction

Similar to に but emphasizes journeying toward the target rather than necessarily arriving at it

へ is pronounced as え when used as a particle

から - From

e.g. アリスは、アメリカからきた

Often used with まで e.g, 宿題を今日から明日までする

まで - Up to

Adjectives

な-adjectives

Apply to a noun using な e.g. 静かな人 = quiet person

Same conjugation rules as nouns

い-adjectives

Generally written as kanji followed by い

The whole point is to allow conjugation without changing the kanji

Some (rare) adjectives of this form are な-adjectives, though

e.g. 嫌い, きれい (綺麗 or 奇麗)

Do not add な to apply to a noun, just slap them together

Never attach だ to い-adjectives

Exception: いい conjugates like よい and かっこいい conjugates like かっこよい

Verbs

する (do)

来る (くる) (come)

Godan (五段) verbs (“u-verbs”)

Ichidan (一段) verbs (“ru-verbs”)

て-form

“and then”: Links multiple verbs to describe several activities, e.g. ほん を よんで ねます

Final verb in the list is conjugated normally, shows the tense for all of them

と has a similar function for nouns

Frequencies

Positive

よく: often

たいてい: usually

ときどき: sometimes

Negative

別に (べつに): not particularly

あまり: not much

ぜんぜん: never

Courtesies

Greetings

すみません: Excuse me, pardon me (for getting attention)

おはよう: Good morning. Used all day in some work contexts

こんにちは: Good day

こんばんは: Good evening

いよう: Hi

ようこそ: Welcome

いらっしゃいませ: Welcome (used by shopkeepers etc, no response expected)

さよなら: Goodbye

いってらっしゃい: Have a good day, take care, see you

いってまいります: Goodbye, I'm off, see you later

Nice to meet you: よろしく

More polite: どうぞよろしく

Another option specifically for first meeting: はじめまして

May I: もいいですか

Use with て-form, e.g. みず を のんで も いい ですか (Is it OK if I drink water?), ここ に すわって も いい ですか (May I sit here?)

Please: 下さい

To ask for a noun: + をください, e.g. みずを下さい

To ask for an action: て-form + ください, e.g. なまえ を かいて ください

Can also indicate that something is permitted (“please, go ahead”)

Use どうぞ at the beginning for emphasis: どうぞ すし を たべて ください

Can do _ を 下さいませんか to be extra polite (like polite invitation form)

Please: お願いします

What is the difference between 下さい kudasai and お願いします onegaishimasu

下さい (give me, do for me) is more direct and familiar: asking for concrete objects, simple and specific actions, straightforward requests easily expected in context

お願いします (request, wish) is more formal and abstract: requesting somewhat nebulous services, asking for things you couldn't get or do yourself

Thank you: 有り難う (ありがとう)

For something currently being done: ありがとうございます

For something already done (e.g. thanking after a meal): ありがとうございました

Also ごちそうさま(でした) = delicious meal (was)

You're welcome: どういたしまして

Here you go, go ahead, help yourself, please: どうぞ

Use when giving permission, accepting a request, handing something to someone

Let's eat: 頂きます (いただきます)

More casual, like “dig in”: 召し上がれ (めしあがれ)