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Basic Japanese
Basic Japanese
Formal Verbs Present/Future Tense Past Tense Progressive Tense Negative Present/Future Negative Past Tense Command Form Negative Command Potential Form
= can/ able to
(U-Verbs) (RU-Verbs)
Informal Verbs
+ + + + + + + + + +
Verb Usages
Present/Future Tense Past Tense Progressive Tense Negative Present/Future Negative Past Tense Command Form
(U-Verbs) Usually considered rude! (RU-Verbs)
If...
+ + +
+ + +
DOUBLE MEANING
If not... + +
+ + +
WA - Topic Marker
Marks the topic of a sentence. (non-grammatical) Contrasts one option or thing against others. Used when elaborating on things already known to the listener.
DAKE
Marks a limited amount or extent of something. (not more than) Used with (and other potential verbs) to mean as ~ as possible
Must/have to...
After...
Negative Command Potential Form Want to... Dont want to... Lets...
Shall we.../Shall I ~ for you?
(U-Verbs) (RU-Verbs)
+ + + + +
DOUBLE MEANING
Passive Form
= to be ~ed
(U-Verbs) (RU-Verbs)
+ + + + + +
+ + + + +
Before... Because... In order to... While... (at the same time) Even if/when... (permissible) May... Try to... to do and see the result
to make an effort
(U-Verbs) (RU-Verbs)
(U-Verbs) (RU-Verbs)
Causative Form
= to allow/force someone to ~
(U-Verbs) (RU-Verbs)
+ +
+ +
Must not... To do in advance... To do too much... To do... and so on. To (irreversibly) do...
Combination Verb Chaining Phrases
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + VERB 2 + PHRASE 2
GA - Subject Marker
Marks the subject of a verb. (grammatical) Separates / calls out one option or thing from others. Used when adding new things/information to a conversation. Used when describing specific things with adjectives. Marks objects of potential-form verbs. (can/able to) Connects clauses with a meaning of but or despite.
SHIKA
Marks an extent or amount which presents a problem for the speaker. Always used with a negative verb form.
HODO
Marks a degree or extent of something. (not small) Marks an approximate number or length of time. Marks the greater element in a negative comparison.
Mr. Tanaka (is the one who) has the money. (with him now)
YORI
Marks the lesser element in a positive comparison. From ~ (when closing a private letter)
O - Object Marker
Marks the object of a verb. With verbs of motion, shows where the motion occurs.
DEMO
Marks a possibility or suggestion. Turns interrogative words into any~ words. (Used as an interjection) means even so/but/however
Conjugating Verbs
Hiragana
U-VERB . . . . .
RU-VERB . . . . . . .
A I U E O KA KI KU KE KO GA GI GU GE GO SA SHI SU SE SO ZA JI ZU ZE ZO TA CHI TSU TE TO DA JI ZU DE DO NA NI NU NE NO HA HI FU HE HO BA BI BU BE BO PA PI PU PE PO MA MI MU ME MO YO YU YA RA WA
RI RU N
RE RO WO
NI - The Aiming Particle Marks an indirect object (the person/thing an action is done for/directed toward) Marks a destination, direction or specific place for an action. (to/at) Marks a specific point in time (ie. Monday / 3pm / 1972 / July) Marks a period of time that something repeats in. (ie. twice a week) Marks direct objects for: (to become), (to meet), (to ride)
KURAI
Alternate form:
Means only, or to the exclusion of other things Can be pronounced / for emphasis.
(to go) in TE/TA-form becomes / EXCEPTIONS ending for verbs ending in is The (to need), (to enter), (to know), (to cut) U-VERBS (THAT LOOK LIKE RU-VERBS) (to go home), (to slide), (to kick)
Forms of (to be) Caution!
Katakana
A I U E O KA KI KU KE KO GA GI GU GE GO SA SHI SU SE SO ZA JI ZU ZE ZO TA CHI TSU TE TO DA JI ZU DE DO NA NI NU NE NO HA HI FU HE HO BA BI BU BE BO PA PI PU PE PO MA MI MU ME MO YO YU YA RA WA
When quoting speech, can become (informal) TO - The Glue Particle Marks a person that an action is done with. Links nouns to create a complete and group. Marks quoted speech or phrasal objects: (to think), (to write) Shows a natural/predictable if-then relationship between clauses. Marks onomatopaeic words. (words that mimic sounds)
Phrasal object
BAKARI
KARA
Marks a starting place or time. Marks a source of information. Marks an ending place or time. When followed by , means by/before
And group
FORMAL
Present Tense Past Tense Probable Negative Present Tense Negative Past Tense Negative Probable
INFORMAL
SO
RI RU N
to speak in whispers
MADE
TSU SHI
RE RO WO
KA
DE - The Enabling Particle Marks a place, area, or length of time inside which something occurs. Marks a method, tool or circumstance under which something happens. Marks a material or substance; composition.
Comparison
Give/Receive
Superior/Outsider
JLPT Level N5 Kanji
(Total: 103)
Marks the greater element in a positive comparison ( marks the lesser element). Can take past tense verbs even for non-past sentences.
Give
Subject
Receive
is very direct. If youre unsure, it is safer to use When noun-ified, changes to before , and before
MO - Even/Also Marker
Used with other particles to add a meaning of also/too or even.
( replaces , , and completely, but follows all other particles)
Adjectives
Whether or not
Informal Humble
i-ADJECTIVES
. . . . . . . . . .
NOUN FORM ADVERB FORM
NA-ADJECTIVES
NOUN FORM ADVERB FORM
tree
back river
learn
Insider/Familiar
fast speed quickly fast and... was fast not fast wasnt fast if fast if not fast too fast
person
up
child down
man left
woman
right foot
sun in
moon
out
fire inside
year
money
big
small half
eye
hand friend
ear
Yen
book
front
few car
street
About/Regarding
Adjectives that end in are i-Adjectives, except where the final is part of a kanji.
mouth father
go
now
store
north
east
understand
west rest
mother
come drink
see
noon say
week language
what
buy
Marks a sentence as a question. Links nouns to create an or group. Turns interrogative words into some~ words. (who) + = (someone) Shows possession. ( = my/mine) Combines two nouns.
Note: the final noun becomes the primary meaning. = the companys car = a car company
Conjunctions
(between phrases)
In order to
Conjunctive Adverbs
(start a sentence)
hear
meet name
electricity
new
read
write safety
each
eat station
school
live company
stand country
high
sky
long fish
Drop from NA-Adjectives if followed by a form of (good) always conjugates as It is possible (but uncommon) to add to a NA-Adjective to create a noun (ie. ) : Noun-able form (a form that can be changed into a noun with or )
interval
rain
NO
YA
previous white
heaven
spirit
Also, ... Therefore (so), ... However (but), ... However (but), ... However (but), ... However (but), ...
: also marks objects of (understand), (want), and (like). : (today), (tomorrow), (yesterday), etc. do not take .
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