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Japanese phrases
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Japanese phrases
A list of grammar related expressions


26. February 2002

Created by: Main contributors: Additional sentences:


Table of contents


1	Hopes, needs, feelings
1.1	Expressing what you/somebody know, hope or want
1.2	Personal feelings
2	Future and past
2.1	Future plans, try to, purpose (.. ni iku)
2.2	Having done, tried to, decided to
3	Adverbial phrases
3.1	Way of doing things
3.2	Time, before, while, after, whenever
3.3	Almost
3.4	Never and always
3.5	Ordinal numbers
3.6	Possibility
3.7	Skills
3.8	Easy/difficult, advantageous, substantial
3.9	Start and finish doing, completion
3.10	Movement (te kuru, te iku)
3.11	From now on, begin to (te iku, te kuru)
3.12	Considering or comparing something (same, different), in point of, unlike
3.13	Depending on
3.14	Directions
3.15	Facts, things generally accepted as
4	Conjunctional phrases
4.1	Reason and cause
4.2	In order to, for, to, so that
4.3	And, also, either, only (verbs and nouns/adjectives)
4.4	Even, even though, although
4.5	Limiting (Without, because not, not...but, but, instead of)
4.6	Whether
4.7	Than
4.8	Misc conjunctional
5	Adjectival phrases and pronouns
5.1	One
5.2	Some, something
5.3	Misc adjectives
5.4	Misc pronouns
6	Interacting with another person
6.1	Doing services for soneone, having services done
6.2	Allowance (No need to, don't have to, it's ok to)
6.3	Prohibitions
6.4	Obligations (must, have to)
6.5	Suggesting (ought to)
6.6	Asking permission
6.7	Asking favours
6.8	Imperative (Do...)
6.9	Let's, should we
6.10	Asking questions (ka, why)
6.11	Passive & causative
7	Insecure
7.1	Conditional (If, when, even if)
7.2	Assumptions
7.3	Like: looks like, seems like, sort of, such as
7.4	Hearsay and quoting
7.5	Checking (Was it ?)
7.6	Approximating
8	Changing the weight of the sentence
8.1	Emphasizing
8.2	Expressing gratitude
8.3	Especially humble forms
8.4	Especially polite/honorific forms
8.5	Habitual action
9	Slang
9.1	Abbreviations
9.2	Negative
9.3	Adverbial prefixes
10	Grammatical
10.1	Referencing
10.2	Strange particles
10.3	Nominalizing (no, koto, tokoro) and abstraction (koto: the fact that…)
10.4	Continuative and resultative
10.5	Other grammatical
11	Handy phrases
12	Special subjects
12.1	Verbs that take "o" as "about"
12.2	The many meaning of "nante"
12.3	The strange meaning og "natte iru"
12.4	Sonna ni / sore hodo
12.5	Yo and ne
12.6	The many usages of mo
12.7	The "ki" words
13	Unsorted
14	Comments
Verb forms



1 Hopes, needs, feelings

1.1 Expressing what you/somebody know, hope or want

Want to, wish to
V2-tai
V2-tai to omou.
I want to go.
Ikitai desu.
I wish to go there again.
Watashi wa mata soko e ikitai to omoimasu.
I believe that...
...Vlex to iu koto o shinjiteiru.
I believe that Mary lives in this town.
Watashi wa Mari ga kono machi ni sundeiru to iu koto o shinjiteimasu.
I know that...
...Vlex to iu koto o shitteiru.
I know that her parents live in this town.
Watashi wa kanojo no ryoushin ga kono machi ni sundeiru to iu koto o shitteimasu.
I hope that...
...Vlex to kitai shiteiru.
...Vlex darou to kitai shiteiru.
I hope that she likes sushi.
Watashi wa kanojo wa sushi ga suki de aru to kitai shiteimasu.
I hope to...
...V2-tai to omou.
I hope to see you again.
Watashi wa mata anata ni aitai to omoimasu.
I hope that...
Vtara ii (ne).
Vlex to ii (ne).
V4-ba ii (to omotteiru)

This construction is an expression of hoping or expecting of luck, and sometimes, fear of unluck.
If the event the speaker hopes will happen depends not on luck but on the listener's will, you usually use an imperative or begging sentence.
See also: te hoshii, te kudasai (hope)
I wish you could get a job in a good company!
Ii kaisha ni hairetara ii ne!
I hope so.
Sou da/naru to ii desu ne.
I hope it clears up tomorrow.
Ashita, hareru to ii ne.
I hope he can return safely (??).
Buji ni kaerereba ii kedo.
When you come to Japan too, I hope you won't have a bad experience. (?)
Anata mo nihon e kite iya na omoi o
shinakereba ii to omotteiru.
I hope this mail can at least be of a little help to you.
Kono mail ga sukoshi demo anata no yaku ni tateba ii to omotte imasu.
I hope you understand now.
Nafai ga wakaru to ii no dakeredo.
I hope that
Vte kudasai

This should be used with care, because the –te kudasai form could be putting too much pressure on the listener.
I hope you come to Paris and visit me.
Zehi Pari ni mo asobi ni kite kudasai.


Wish, hope, pray for that...
...to negau.
I hope it will turn out to be so.
Sou naran to negau.
Wish for (something)
...o negau.
I do not wish for fame.
Watashi wa yuumei o negawanai. (??)
I want to... (I am wanting to...)
...V2-tai to omotteiru
We all want to be his date.
Watashitachi wa minna kare no deeto no aite ni naritai to omotteimasu.
(somebody) wants to...
...Vte hoshii to omotteiru.
They want us to learn a lot from other countries.
Karera wa watashitachi ga hoka no kuni kara takusan manande hoshii to omotteimasu.
I need...
...ga hitsuyou da.
I need a good friend like you.
Watashi wa anata no you ni yoi yuujin ga hitsuyou desu.
I think that...
...Vlex to omoimasu.
I think that she likes Japanese food.
Watashi wa kanojo wa Nihon no tabemono ga suki de aru to omoimasu
I don't know what/where/who...
...ka shiranai.
I don't know what she likes.
Watashi wa kanojo ga nani ga suki de aru ka shiri-masen.
I'm sure...
Kitto ... deshou.
I'm sure he will come.
Kitto kare wa kuru deshou.
I'd like to have..., I want to have...
...ga hoshii da.
I'd like to have something to drink.
Watashi wa nanika nomu mono ga hoshii desu.

I want to have something to eat.
Watashi wa nani-ka taberu mono ga hoshii desu.
Wants, hopes
Vte hoshii (da)
Vte moraitai

Typically used when wanting someone else to do something
Can be used to express a strong hope
I want mom to buy it
Okaasan ni kattehoshii desu.
I want you to eat your vegetables.
Yasai o tabete hoshikatta desu.
Perhaps you want me to correct it into more accurate Japanese?
Anata wa motto seikaku ni nihongo ni naoshite hoshi no ka na?
I really hope it will clear up tomorrow.
Doushitemo ashita wa harete hoshii ne.
I want you to meet him.
Ano hito ni atte hoshii n' desu.
I want my child to grow fast.
Kodomo ni hayaku ookiku natte moraitai desu.

(It seems) someone wants something
V2-tai mitai desu
My brother wants to become an engineer.
Otouto wa enjinia ni naritai mitai desu.
I do not want you to do...
V1-nai de hoshii
V1-nai de moraitai
I do not want you to do such a thing.
Sonna koto wa shinaide hoshii.
I do not want you to talk about it to him.
Ano hito ni wa sore ni tsuite hanasanaide moraitai.
wish to, want to
V2-tagaru

Wish of someone else other than the speaker
Children always want to eat candy.
Kodomo wa itsumo okashi o tabetagarimasu.

Want to, wish to
you ni naritai
Everybody wants to be able to speak English.
Daredemo eigo ga hanaseru you ni naritai.

1.2 Personal feelings

I'm afraid that...
...nai ka to shinpai shiteiru.
I'm afraid you are tired.
Watashi wa anata ga tsukareteinai ka to shinpai-shiteimasu.
I'm afraid that you are hungry.
Watashi wa anata ga kuuhuku dewa nai ka to shinpai shiteimasu.
I'm looking forward to... (1)
... o tanoshimi ni matteimasu.
I'm looking forward to seeing you.
Anata ni au koto o tanoshimi ni matteimasu.
I'm looking forward to... (2)
... o tanoshimi ni shiteimasu.

I am glad to ...
...Vte ureshii desu.
I'm glad to hear that.
Watashi wa sore o kiite ureshii desu.
interested in ...
... ni kyoumi o motteiru
Denmaaku is a good place for people interested in sports.
Denmaaku wa supootsu ni kyoumi o motteiru hitobito ni totte yoi basho desu.
enjoy to...
tanoshiku ...
We enjoyed talking to each other.
Watashitachi wa tanoshiku hanashi-aimashita.
I cannot bear to...
Vte irarenai
I couldn't bear to look at it.
Totemo mite wa irarenakatta.
We will be in difficulty if you..., distress
Vte wa komaru
You distress me (inconvenience me) by doing such a thing.
Sonna koto o shite wa komarimasu.
Feel
... omoi o shita
I felt lonely at the pary, cause there was noone to talk to.
Hanashi-aite ga inai node paati dewa sabishii omoi o shita.
Can't help / irresistable / unbearable / badly
de naranai
I can't help feeling happy
Ureshikute naranai
My house is unbearably small
Watashi no ie wa semakute naranai
I got really mad because the TV set I just bought broke right away.
Kattekita bakari no terebi ga sugu kowareteshimai, hara ga tattenaranakatta.
It was fun to (be able to)...
... N ga dekite yokatta
It was fun taking to you today.
Kyou wa anata to hanashi ga dekite yokatta yo.
Have interest in, be conserned about
kanshin ga aru
Everybody is interested in diets.
Daietto wa minna kanshin ga aru.

2 Future and past

2.1 Future plans, try to, purpose (.. ni iku)

Try to, (go and ) do, do and see what happens
Vte miru
I tried studying French, but it was too difficult.
Furansugo o benkyou shite mimashita ga muzukashisugimashita.
I (went and) asked my foreign friends and...
Gaikokujin no tomodachi ni kiite mita keredo...
Shall we read this book (and see what kind of a book it is)?
Kono hon o yonde mimashou ka.
I went and thought about that thing.
Kono koto ni tuite kangaete mita
Gonna do, will do, intend to do
tsumori (da)
What are you gonna do tomorrow?
Ashita wa nani o tsumori?
Gonna do, plan to do, expect to do
yotei

(I) will do...
Vou
Vou to omou

The Vou form is the same form used for "Let's..."
I will go.
Watashi ga ikou.
I will do it.
Watashi ga shimashou.
The man who had had his horse stolen wanted to find a good horse and so he walked around and looked.
Uma o nusumareta hito wa ii uma o mitsukeyou to omotte, achira-kochira mite arukimashita.
??
Vou to omotteiru
Watashi wa jibun jishin no koto wo kakou to omotte iru. (zun18)
I am going to... too.
...Vou to mo shiteiru.
We are going to sell popcorn at baseball games, too.
Watashitachi wa yakyuu no shiai de poppukoon o urou to mo shiteimasu.
Let’s try to (Let’s do)
...Vou to shiteiru
Let’s try and understand the differences in our respective culture and life even better!!
Watashitachi otagai no bunka ya seikatu no chigai o yori yoku rikai shiaou to shite iru yo ne!!
Are you going to....?
...Vou to shiteiru ka?
Are you going to have a party tonight?
Konya anata wa paatii o hirakou to shiteimasu ka?
Hikaru wants to give Mokona a hug.
Hikaru wa Mokona o dakishimeyou to shiteiru.
(Go) do (something)...
... V2-nasai
Look it up in your dictionary.
Anata no jisho de sore o shirabenasai.
Trying to ...
Vou...to doryoku shiteiru.
I am trying to learn it.
Watashi wa sore o manabou to doryoku shiteimasu.
will not, will probably not, be probably not
Vlex/V2-mai


Mostly used in formal writing
V2 form is used for group-2 verbs only.
suru->sumai, kuru->komai
When mai expresses the speaker's conjecture, the informal equivalent is: nai darou
I decided not to do such a thing any more.
Sonna koto wa mou shimai to kesshin shita.
I will not ask any more favors of Hashimoto.
Mou Hashimoto ni wa nanimo tanomu-mai.
This problem is probably not very difficult for the students.
Kono mondai wa gakusei ni wa sore hodo muzukashiku wa aru-mai.
He probably won't listen to anyone.
Kare wa tabun dare no iu-koto mo kiku-mai.
I have a feeling that John knows the truth.
Jon ga shinsou o shitteiru no dewa aru-mai ka.
will probably not, be probably not
V2 wa shimai
Perhaps he won't look at such a thing.
Sonna mono wa mi wa shimai.

Try to...
...Vte goran nasai.

Cannot be used to people of higher status.
Used to kids and student.
Prøv at læse den næste sætning.
Tsugi no kotoba o yonde goran nasai.
Do something for a future purpose, leave it or let it go at that
Vte oku
I'll try to buy cakes because my friend will come.
Tomodachi ga kuru kara okashi o katte okimasu.
I answered thus, and let it go at that.
Sou kotaete okimashita.

Purpose
V2 ni Vmotion

-ni + verb of motion, indicates purpose.
Let's go to see the movie.
Eiga o mi ni ikimashou.
There are times when.., there are occasions when...
V3 koto ga aru

Compare with Vta koto ga aru
Do you have occasion to go to Japan?
Nihon ni iku koto ga arimasu ka?
There were times when
V3 koto ga atta
Formerly there were many occasions when I went to Japan.
Mukashi wa yoku nihon ni iku koto ga arimashita.
koto ni suru

you ni suru

2.2 Having done, tried to, decided to

Have done, Have tried to do
Vta koto ga aru
Vta koto aru

The latter is more informal
Have you ever been to Japan?
Nihon ni itta koto ga arimasu ka.
Have you ever beaten Ranma before?
Ranma o taoshita koto aru no ka?

Have you ever... (until now...)
Ima made ni... Vta koto ga aru ka?
Has your son ever come home late?
Anata no musuko wa ima made ni osoku
kitaku-shita koto ga arimasu ka?
I have never...
Ima made ichido mo... Vta koto ga nai.
No, he has never been late.
Iie, kare wa ima made ichido mo okureta koto ga arimasen.
Had done, had tried to do (past experience)
Vta koto ga atta
Until then I had never been to Japan.
Sore made Nihon ni itta koto ga arimasen deshita.

...Vou to shita

Had in mind to
...Vou to shiteita.
Kaoru had in mind to marry Kenshin.
Kaoru wa kenshin o kekkon shiyou to shiteita.
Determined to, make up one's mind
...to kesshin shita.
I am determined not to see him again.
Watashi wa nido (twice) to kare o au-mai to kesshin shita.
To resolve on
... o kesshin shita
What have you resolved on?
Anata wa nani o kesshin shita no ka?
Right?
ne?

Ne is used as ka.
Is it this?
Kore ne?
Yeah I guess so
darou ne

Have done
Vte kuru

The verb is a verb of learning or performing a skill.
This construct refers to the performance of an action beginning at any point in the past and continuing as far as the present, but not beyond.
I have learned it that way up to now.
Ima made sou naratte kimashita.
We really have exchanged a lot of mails.
Watashitachi takusan mail koukan shite kita ne
Decided
koto ni shita
I decided to go to Japan this summer.
Kotoshi no natsu nihon ni iku koto ni shimashita.
you ni shita

It is so that / it turned out so that, it has come about that... / It has been decided that..., it is arranged that...
koto ni naru
koto to naru
Actually I am going to meet friends after an interval of 5 years.
Jitsu ni 5nen buri ni tomodachi to au koto ni naru.
It is arranged that my brother will come to America.
Otouto ga amerika ni kuru koto ni narimashita
you ni naru

2.3 Facts, customs, things generally accepted as

It is the practice that..., it is customary that...
koto ni natteiru
koto to natteiru
It is customary that I go to my sister's every Sunday.
Mainichiyou ane no uchi ni iku koto ni natteimasu.
koto ni shiteiru
koto to shiteiru
I make it a practice to take a short walk every day.
Mainichi sukoshi sanpo suru koto ni shiteimasu.
I make it a practice to socialize only with rich people.
Kanemochi igai to wa tsukiawanai koto ni shiteiru.
It is so that, it is a rule that, it is generally accepted that
ni naru
This one is a wedding dress.
Kotchi ga wedding dress ni narimasu nee.
In fact
jitsu wa...
... jitsu wa ...
As a matter of fact I have never tried to take (that train) either.
Watashi mo jitu wa notta koto ga nai no da.

3 Adverbial phrases

3.1 Way of doing things

(do something) that way
sono you ni shite
I can make money that way, too.
Watashi wa sono you ni shite o kane o kasegu koto mo dekimasu.
As it is
Vta mama
Please tell me just as you think.
Omotta mama o itte kudasai.
(do something) too much / overdo
V2-sugiru
Astm-sugiru
V2-sugiteiru

ii -> yo
I think foreign candy is too sweet...
Gaikoku no o-kashi wa amasugiru to omou...
Tanaka eats too much meat.
Tanaka-san wa niku o tabesugimasu.
My parents think I am watching too much TV these days.
Ryoushin wa watashi ga chikagoro ooku no terebi o mi-sugiteiru to omotteimasu.
This apartment is too expensive for us.
Kono apaato wa watashitachi ni wa takasugiru.
This apartment is too good for Tom.
Kono apaato wa Tomu ni wa yosugiru.
I overate yesterday.
Kinou tabesugimashita.
Maybe it became a little too long.
Chotto nagaku narisugita ne.
She is too young to be doing her major.
Kanojo wa senkou suru no ni wakassugiru
There is a tendency to overdo...
V2-sugiru kirai ga aru
She has tendency to talk too much.
Ano hito wa hanashisugiru kirai ga aru.
As much as you like
hoshi dake
You can use it as much as you like
Anata ga hoshi dake tsukaeru
do something more, and do something else less
motto takusan ... shi, soshite yori sukunaku ... beki da
My parents say that I should study more and watch TV less.
Ryoushin wa watashi ga motto takusan benkyou-shi, soshite yori sukunaku terebi o miru beki-de-aru, to ii-masu
It’s not so much... as...
(to) yori
I am not so much scared as I am...
Osoreteiru tte yori, (?)
Method, way of doing
huu
How can you see it?
Donna huu ni mieta ka na?
So that’s how you say it in English.
Sou iu huu ni eigo de iu no ka.
how to
dono you ni ... Vtara ii ka...
He knows how to climb a tree.
Kare wa dono you ni ki ni nobottara yoi ka shitteimasu.
Learn how to ...
dono you ni ... Vte yatte ittara ii ka o manabu.

(maybe "yatte" is no necessary)
We are learning how to get along with each other.
Watashitachi wa dono you ni otagai ni oriatte yatte ittara yoi ka o manabimasu.
Do something in a frenzy / freely
V2-asaru

limited usage
It is rather implite to use about other persons, in that it implies they have for instance too many money, going about spending them like this...
Today I bought books in a frenzy in Kanda.
(I spent money freely buying books)
Kanda de hon o kaiasarimashita.
Start do something (involuntarily), suddenly do, do something out
V2-dasu
I push it out.
Oshidashimasu.
I started walking.
Arukidashimashita.
Suddenly the bird flew off.
Kotori wa satto tobidashimashita.
He started to run into town.
Machi no naka ni hashiridashimashita.
Keep doing
V2-doushi
Today I kept standing from morning till night.
Asa kara ban made kyou wa tachidoushi deshita.
Continue doing
V2-tsuzukeru
He continues studying.
Benkyou shitsuzukeru.

Way of doing, way to do
V2-you

V2 you is often used with the verbs aru or nai.
This is uneatable (Lit. : There is no way to eat such a thing.)
Sonna mono wa tabeyou ga nai.

Re-doing, doing again
V2-kaesu
I read it again.
Yomikaeshimashita.
Talk back.
Iikaesu.
Ao again, another time, once more
nido
I won’t let go again!
Nido to hanasanai ze!
Meeting twice like this, I wonder if it's destiny?
Nido to aeru nante, sadame ka na?
Again
mata
I hope to see you again.
Watashi wa mata anata ni aitai to omoimasu.
Further, more, other
mata
If there are other things you don’t understand...
Mata wakaranai tokoro ga attara...
Further
kore ijou
It is a mere waste of time to argue further with you.
Kore ijou kimi to giron o shitemo himatsubushi ni naru bakari da.
Manner, way, how to
V2-kata

The sino-japanese suru-verbs take on no before shikata
His way of speaking Japanese is a little funny.
Ano hito no Nihongo no hanashikata wa sukoshi okashii desu.
Please show me how to make this cake.
Keeki no tsukurikata o oshiete kudasai.
I don’t know how to write that kanji.
Sono kanji no kakikata ga wakaranai.
Please teach me how to study Japanese.
Nihongo no benkyou no shikata o oshiete kudasai.
Nothing can be done about it. / It can't be helped.
Shikata ga nai.
As one pleases/likes
omoi no mama ni

As...as
to onaji gurai
She canrun as fast as I can
Kanojo wa watashi to onaji gurai hayaku hashireru
Get to do / tend to do
Vpot
dekiru

It seems that things you get to do (are able to do) because of some other person/event, is marked by the potential form.

Cf. Zun4 / Zun8
From Richard I get to hear things about Belgium...
Richard kara wa, Belgium no koto ga kikeru...
It was really fun getting to talk to you and all.
Iroiro na hanashi mo dekita shi, kyou wa hontou ni tanoshikatta.
Since I can write mails in Japanese, I tend to write a lot.
Nihongo de mail ga kakeru kara, takusan kaku koto ga dekiru.
Tend to / be subject to /
V2-gachi
Because it is too hot, we tend to be lazy.
Amari atsui node namakegachi ni narimasu.
Tanaka tends to miss classes these days.
Tanaka-san wa saikin jugyou o yasumi-gachi da.
That’s a kind of misunderstanding which foreigners who stay in Japan for a short period of time are subject to.
Sore wa nihon no tankikan daizai shita gaikokujin ni ari gachi na gokai da.
Together
futari de
It was fun studying English and Japanese together.
Omoshiroi ne, futari de eigo to nihongo no benkyou shiteiru.
Together, mutually, with eachother
tagai ni
We are learning how to get along with each other.
Watashitachi wa dono you ni otagai ni oriatte yatte ittara yoi ka o manabimasu.
With a friend or something, to encourage eachother mutually, so you both inprove.
Yuujin nado to tagai ni hagemashi atte tomo ni koujyou suru koto.
Together with, and all
-goto
Eat an apple, skin and all.
Ringo o kawa-goto taberu.
No matter how/what...
(intterogative) ni ... demo
(intterogative) ni ... Vte mo
No matter how tough it is / No matter how hard things get / No matter how difficult/painful it is
Donna ni tsurakute mo
In Japan when you give a gift to someone, no matter how expensive it is you say “It’s really nothing, but... please”.
Nihon dewa okurimono o ageru toki ni donna ni takai mono o agete mo ”tsumaranai mono desuga, douzu” to iu.
But no matter how refined people are they still use this word.
Demo donna ni jouhin na hito demo kono kotoba o tsukau.
No matter how much he eats, he doesn't get big.
Ano hito wa donna ni tabete mo ookiku narimasen.
Actually I am satisifed no matter what job I undertake.
Tada, donna shigoto o shite mo jibun ga manzoku desu. (?)
Somehow
doumo
Somehow it seems I have come down with a cold
Doumo kaze o hiita mitai nan desu.
Seldom / rarely / least likely
metta ni ... Vnai
We seldom use the kanji for “flounder” in. In Japanese it is called “karei”.
”Flounder” no kanji wa metta ni tukawanai. Nihongo de "karei" to iu no.
It seldom snows in these parts.
Kono chihou dewa metta ni ame fa furanai.
Redoing
V2-naosu
I'll rewrite it.
Kakinaoshimasu.
Get used to doing
V2-nareru
When you get used to writing, Kanji gets easy, too.
Kakinareru to kanji mo yasashiku narimasu.
Fail to do
V2-otosu
I failed to see the mistakes.
Machigai o mi-otoshimashita.
Fail to... / Lose a chance to...
V2-sobireru
I missed a chance to say an important thing.
Daiji na koto o iisobiremashita.
Fail to do...
V2-sokonau
I missed hearing the lecture.
Kouen o kikisokonatta.
If ... in that way ...
V hi ni
If he works like that all the time, he will probably be exhausted and become ill.
Aa shigoto bakari shite iru hi ni wa tsukarekitte byooki ni natte shimau daroo.

3.2 Time, before, while, after, whenever

Have just
Vta tokoro [da]
Vta bakari

Tokoro emphasizes the situation, while bakari emphasizes the time.
I have just come.
Ima kita tokoro desu.
I had just started to learn Japanese then.
Sono toki wa nihongo o narai-hajimeta tokoro deshita.

I have just become...
Choudo ... ni natta tokoro da.
He has just become one year old.
Kare wa choudo issai ni natta tokoro desu.
Be about to do, (something) will happen
V3 tokoro da
If it is the end of you, then I will die too.
Anata no saigo dattara, boku mo shinu tokoro da.
We are about to go home now.
Mou kaeru tokoro desu.
I was just about to phone.
Choudo denwa o kakeru tokoro deshita.
Toda came just at the time when we were about to eat.
Taberu bakari no tokoro e Toda-san ga kimashita.
Be in the middle of, while, doing
Vte iru tokoro da

This can be used to describe the process that somebody are in doing something.
Whilst our children are studying...
Jibun no kodomo ga benkyou o shite iru tokoro...
Be in the middle of
saichuu
I am in the middle of writing a letter.
Tegami o kaiteiru saichuu desu.
I was in the middle of reading the comic.
Manga o yondeiru saichuu deshita.
In the act of
Vinf hazumi ni
Vinf hyoushi ni
He slipped in the act of descending the stairs.
Kaidan o oriru hazumi ni ashi o suberasemashita.
In the act of standing up, I spilled the tea.
Tachiagaru hyooshi ni ocha o koboshimashita.

at (some time)
no toki ni
A clergyman asked me at breakfast, "How do you like this country?"
Bokushi ga choushoku no toki ni watashi ni tazunemashita, "Kono kuni o dou omoimasu ka?"
(Ever) since
Vta toki kara
Ever since he chose the Koratta, it's been nothing but trouble.
Koratta o eranda toki kara, taihen na meiwaku desu.
It is about time to...
Soro-soro Vlex jikoku da.
It was about bedtime.
Soro-soro neru jikoku deshita.
Just
ima sakki
I just came home.
Ima sakki ie ni tsuita yo.
It’s not long since...
N ga mada asai
It’s not long since it was spring.
Haru ga mada asai.
before...
V1-nai mae ni
V1-nai uchi ni
Let's go out before it starts to rain.
Ame ga furanai mae ni dekakemashou.
Before it gets cold, we have to clean up the yard.
Samuku naranai uchi ni niwa o kirei ni shinakereba narimasen.
I think you should go to the store before you find the Katapii.
Katapii o mitsukeru mae ni, mise ni ikeba ii to omou.

While, though
V2-nagara
V2-tsutsu

Simultaneous state or action ot the same person.
tsutsu used mostly in written language
While I am listening to the radio, I smoke.
Rajio o kikinagara tabako o nomimasu.
Although I knew it was wrong, I let him do it.
Warui to shiritsutsu sasete shimaimashita.
He watch TV while he eats ice cream.
Aisukuriimu o tabetsutsu terebi o miteiru.
While my mother was out shopping, I was reading a book.
Haha ga kaimono ni itteiru aida, watakushi wa hon o yondeimashita.


While
Vlex aida
Please be quiet while dad is sleeping.
Otousan ga nete iru aida, shizuka ni shite kudasai.
For a period...
Vlex aida
I haven’t seen you for a long time
Nagai aida o-me ni kakarimasen deshita.
For a period
Vlex koto
I haven't seen you for a long time.
Nagai koto o-me ni kakarimasen deshita.
After...
Vta ato
N no ato de

Note the use of ta-form before ato de, even if the time referred to is the future.
After we ade we went outside.
Tabeta ato, dekakemashita.
He smiled after he killing Poppo.
Poppo o koroshita ato de, waratta.
Let's go out after eating dinner.
Gohan o tabeta ato de dekakemashou.
After..
Vte kara
After eating a meal, I go to school.
Gohan o tabete kara, gakkou e ikimasu.
I copy all of your mails and after that look up the words I do not understand.
Anata kara moratta mail wa zenbu kopii shite kara wakaranai tango wo shiraberu.

Have just / is just / almost
Vta/N bakari da
I have just eaten.
Ima tabeta bakari desu.
I think mom has just arrived.
Haha ga tsuita bakari da to omoimasu.
Just did ..., and ... (implies finality)
Vta kiri

?? Bedre ord en "just"
He just borrowed money and has not returned it yet.
Okane o karita kiri mada kaesanai.

As soon as
V2-shidai
Let's go as soon as we finish eating.
Tabeshidai ikimashou.
As soon as, when I thought that...
Vinf ka to omou to
Vinf ka to omottara
As soon as he came, he left.
Kita ka to omou to moo itte shimaimashita.
After doing, upon doing
Vta ue de
Let's decide after talking it over.
Hanashita ue de kimemashou.
In a row
renzoku
They showed it 3 years ina row from 1992 and on.
1992nen kara 3nen renzoku de shou o totteiru.
Since
Vte irai
Nihon ni itte irai Nihon ga suki ni narimashita.
Since I went to Japan, I came to like Japan.
Past, after
-sugi
It is past twelve.
12ji sugi da yo.
Twenty minutes past ten.
10ji 20pun-sugi
Until
made
I shall not go to bed until I’ve learn it off by heart
Kore o anki suru made nemasen.
Wait until you’re a bit bigger.
Mou chotto oukiku naru made matte kudasai.
Whenever, every time
V tabi ni
to itsumo

See also: baai
Whenever I take the train I leave something behind.
Densha ni noru tabi ni nanika wasuremono o shimasu yo.
Every time I visit this town, I remember my childhood.
Kono machi o tazuneru tabi ni, kodomo no koro o omoidasu.
Every time
Vinf goto ni

With each occurrence, progressive increase or decrease
Every time a birthday comes, we get one year older.
Otanjoubi ga kuru goto ni hitotsu toshi o torimasu.
Before
Vnai uchi ni
Let’s tidy up before mom gets home.
Okaasan ga kaettekonai uchi ni souji shimashou ne.
Eat it before it gets cold.
Samenai uchi ni tabete kudasai.
Whenever
N sae areba
Whenever I have time I study.
Hima sae areba benkyou o shiteiru.
At the same time /at once
ichido ni
No wonder, after doing so many in a row!
Anna kazu o ichido ni yaru n’ da mono.
Once you do...
Vta ga saigo
Vtara saigo
Vtara ga saigo
Once he goes, he'll never come back.
Itta ga saigo, kaette kimasen.

3.3 Almost

Almost
V2-sou ni naru
This morning I almost drowned in the pool.
Kesa puuru de oboresou ni narimashita.

Almost only
hotondo

Almost all
hotondo no
On TV almost all rock singers are wearing make-up.
Terebi de hotondo no “rock singer” wa okeshou shiteiru.
Almost no...
hontondo ... nai



3.4 Never and always

Always
itsumo
The children always want to eat candy.
Kodomo wa itsumo okashi o tabetagarimasu.
Have never...
-ta tameshi ga (/wa) nai
He has never been mad.
Ano hito wa okotta tameshi ga arimasen.



3.5 Ordinal numbers

Most / best
Ichiban
What surprised me most was,...
Ichiban odoroita koto wa...
What is the best thing about such a job?
The best thing is the money I obtain, but really there are not many good things about it
Konna shigoto o shiteite, ichiban ii koto to wa nan desu ka?
O-kane ga hairu tte iu no ga ichiban ii koto desu kedo, amari ii koto wa nai desu.
Next to most / second to
nibanme ni
It is the second to largest bridge in the world.
Sekai de nibanme ni ooki hashi nan da.
become one of the ... (e.g. best)
ichiban ... no hitotsu ni naru
I hope that the city will become one of the safest cities in the world.
Watashi wa machi wa sekai-juu de ichiban anzen na toshi no hitotsu ni naru darou to kitai shiteimasu.

3.6 Possibility

As much as possible
Vpot dake V
dekiru dake V
Please speak as slowly as possible.
Dekiru dake yukkuri hanashite kudasai.
Please eat as much as you can eat.
Taberareru dake tabete kudasai.
Be possible to
V2-uru (?)

Negative of -uru is –enai
Such a thing cannot possibly occur.
Sonna koto ga ariuru hazu ga nai.
Is not possible
V2-enai
The positive of -enai is -uru
Such a thing can't be possible.
Sonna koto wa arienai.
Can't very well do something
V wake ni (wa/mo) ikanai
Just because I am tired, I can't very well sleep all the time.
Tsukareta kara to itte nete bakari iru wake ni mo ikimasen.

3.7 Skills, ability

Be good at
jouzu
umai

Be poor/bad at
nigate
I am no good at English.
Eigo wa nigate da.
Poor / unskillful / clumsy
heta
A badly painted picture.
Heta na e.
Make a mess.
Heta o yaru.
I am a terrible cook.
Watashi wa o-ryouri ga totemo heta desu.
It is possible to..., can
ga V4 -ru
Can you speak Japanese?
Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka?
It is possible to..., can
Vlex koto ga dekiru
Can you speak Japanese.
Nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekimasu ka.
I can't V anything
nanimo Vlex koto ga dekinai
I said, "I've just arrived and I can't say anything."
Watashi wa iimashita. "Watashi wa choudo tsuita tokoro de, nanimo iu koto ga dekimasen."


3.8 Easy/difficult, advantageous, substantial

Difficult to
V2-gatai
V2-nikui
V2-zurai

Opposite of yasui
Gatai is only used in writing
Only nikui can be used with intransitive verbs.
Zurai describes only undesireable situations.
This book is hard to read.
Kono hon wa yominikui desu.
A book which is difficult to read.
Yominikui hon
His behaviour is hard to understand.
Kare no koui ga rikai shigatai.
It’s hard to say that this project was a success.
Kono purojekuto wa seikou shita to wa iigatai.
This trip will be an unforgettable memory for me.
Kono ryokou wa watashi ni totte wasuregatai omide ni naru darou.
This door doesn’t open easily.
Kono to wa hirakinikui.
In this copy the letters are weak and hard to read.
Kono kopii wa ji ga usukute yomi zurai.
Be hard to...
V2-kaneru
It's hard to say, but...
Moushikanemasu ga...
Easy to...
V2-yasui

Opposite of nikui
I think Danish is a place where it is very easy to live. A country that treats old people good.
Denmaaku wa totemo sumiyasui tokoro da to omotteru. Toshiyori ni mo yasashii kuni.
This pen is easy to write with.
Kono pen wa kakiyasui desu.
A pen which is easy to write with.
Kakiyasui pen.

Shown (heard) to advantage
V2-bae

limited usage
That exhibition was much to look at.
Ano tenrankai wa mibae ga shita.
Music not pleasing to hear.
Kikibae no shinai ongaku.
Music pleasing to hear.
Kikibae no aru ongaku
Worth doing
V2-gai
Because that child can learn everything well, it is worth teaching him.
Ano ko wa nandemo yoku oboeru kara, oshiegai ga aru.
Be substantial
V2-de ga aru
??? Er dette korrekt???
It takes one a long time to read this book through.
Kono hon wa yomide ga arimasu.

3.9 Start and finish doing, completion

Start doing
V2-hajimeru
It is late so we have to start studying.
Mou osoi desu kara, benkyou shihajimenakute wa ikemasen.
Start doing [but soon interrupted]
V2-kakeru
When I started studying, my friend came.
Benkyou shikaketa tokoro e tomodachi ga kimashita.
Finish doing
V2-ageru

I finished doing that work.
Sono shigoto o shiagemashita.
finish / ... up
V2-hatasu
I used up all my money.
Okane o sukkari tsukaihatashita.
end up / be finished
V2-hateru
I was so busy that I was exhausted.
Kyou wa isogashikute tsukarehatete shimaimashita.
Finish doing / end
V2-owaru

Opposite of V2-hajimeru
I finally finished reading The Tale of Genji.
Genjimonogatari o yatto yomiowatta.
I have just finished eating my meal.
Choudo gohan o tabeowatta tokoro desu.
Start doing (with some effort)
V2 ni kakaru
He started comforting his mother right away.
Kare wa sassoku hahaoya o nagusame ni kakatta.
Completion or finality of an action / unfortunately did
Vte shimau

I completely forgot about it.
Wasurete shimaimashita.
Cut through/over.
Kichatta.
I finished typing all the necessary documents.
Hitsuyou na shorui o minna taipu shite shimaimashita.
I finished writing the homework composition.
Sakubun no shukudai o kaite shimatta.
I went and drank too much again yesterday.
Kinou mata nomisugite shimatta.
When I turn it into Japanese (mode), it freezes completely.
Nihongo ni shitara freeze shite shimau.
Iirrevocably / can't be undone / went and did without thinking / mistakenly did
Vte shimatta
V-chatta / V-jatta

The last is a contraction used in informal speech. The first is from “te wa” the other from “dewa
Even though it was mother's apple, I went and ate it!
Okaasan no ringo datta no ni, mo tabechatta!
I mistook it for being English.
Eigo ka to omochatta yo.
Finish up
V2-tsukusu
I sold everything that I had.
Motte iru mono o zenbu uritsukushimashita.

Be through, completely
V2-kiru
I was so busy all day today that I am now all tired out.
Kyou wa ichinichi-juu isogashikute tsukarekitte shimaimashita.

3.10 Movement (te kuru, te iku)

Do before you go / do while you are going
Vte iku

Tsurete iku is used to take a person or pet along, while motte iku is used to carry some object along.
Let's talk with the teacher and then go.
Sensei to hanashite ikimashou.
Bring (something)
Motte iku.
My parents will come and visit me.
Ryoushin ga tazunete ikimasu.
Saying that, he went out of the room.
Sou iinagara heya o dete ikimashita.
I took my child to school today.
Kyou kodomo o gakkou ni tsurete ikimashita.
Come...
Vte kuru

The verb should be a verb of motion.
The construct indicates an action towards the speaker.
See also: Vte iku
He came into the room.
Heya ni haitte kimashita.
Go and do...
...ni Itte kimasu.

3.11 From now on, begin to (te iku, te kuru)

Refers to the performance of an action from the present or some future point in time onwards
Vte iku
I'll do it that way from now on.
Kore kara sou shite ikimasu.
The language has changed (been transformed).
Kotoba wa kawatte iku.
Begin to
Vte kuru
It has begun to rain.
Ame ga futte kimashita.

3.12 Considering or comparing something (same, different), in point of, unlike

One as compared with or opposed to another
hou

Literally "direction", “side”.
Note: It is convenient to remember that when hou is used, adjectives should be translated as comparative.
This is better.
Kono hoo ga ii desu.
It is much faster to go by subway than to go by bus.
Chikatetsu de iku hoo ga basu de iku yori zutto hayai desu yo.
Considering / in comparison to
Vlex wariai ni
Vlex wari ni
N no wariai ni
N no wari ni
See also the adverbial wari ni
For (considering) one’s age...
Toshi no wariai ni...
the same
onaji
The same person has made that music.
Onaji hito ga ano ongaku o tsukutte iru yo.
different
chigau N
I went to three different karate clubs.
Mittsu no chigau karate no kurabu ni itteita n’ da.
When it comes to / in the matter of / in point of
N ni kakete
In learning he is superior to me.
Gakumon ni kakete wa kare wa boku yori ue da.
Unlike
to chigatte
Unlike flying fish mermaids are not fish.
Tobiou to chigatte ningyo wa sakana dewa nai.

3.13 Depending on

Depending on
ni yotte
I depends on the sentence and the person.
Bun ya hito ni yotte chigau yo.
I will decide, depending on whether or not he goes.
Ano hito ga iku ka ikanai ka ni yotte kimemasu.
Depend on, differ depending on
ni yotte chigau
It depends on the type of job I think.
Shokugyou ni yotte chigau to omou.

3.14 Directions

up
V2-agaru (intrans.)
V2-ageru (trans.)

Tachiagarimashita.
I stood up.
Booto o mizusoko kara hikiagemashita.
We pulled the boat up out of the water.
Do in/into
V2-komu
I wrote in the book.
Hon ni kakikomimashita.
I look up a word and write down its meaning for future reference.
Tango wo shirabete imi wo kakikonde oku no!
To settle firmly in the state of preceding
V2-komu
He sat down (and did not move).
Kare wa soko ni suwarikonda.

4 Conjunctional phrases

4.1 Reason and cause

As, in order to, that, because, therefore
Vte

i-adjctives get –kute added.
na-adjectives are followed by de.

See also: -te

This usage is somewhat similar to the English participal phrase, "Being warm, it is an easy place for people to live".

See also: 4.3
I am happy that the war is over.
Sensou ga owatte ureshii desu
Mr. Yamada won't come because he is sick.
Yamada-san wa byooki de, kimasen.
I feel fine cause the room is bright.
Kono heya wa akarukute, kimochi ga ii desu.
The doctor gives the patient medicin in order to cure the disease.
Isha wa byounin ni nusuri o yatte byouki o naoshimasu.
He is Japanese and therefore doesn't speak English.
Ano hito wa nihonjin de, eigo ga dekimasen.
Because this place is warm all year, it is very easy to live here.
Koko wa ichinen-juu atatakakute totemo sumiyasui desu.
I was really glad to hear what you told me!
Kiite yokatta yo, hontou ni.

!!!!!!!!!MORE HERE!!!!!!!!!!
And, and therefore
V2

This usage is more formal than using –te.
Desu -> deari
I read your letter and immediately wrote a reply.
O-tegami o yomi, sugu ni henji o kakimashita.
because, therefore, since
kara
Vinf kara

Kara is typically the speaker’s opinion, whereas node is a general reason.
Also it places emphasis more on the result, cf. node
I like you, so don't worry about it.
Kimi no koto wa suki dakara, ki ni suru na.
Please wait for me, because I will come (go) very soon.
Mou sugu iku kara matteite kudasai.


(implicit reason)
kara

Sometimes kara is an implicit reason, not translated with any words.
In Japan December is busy too. First of all you have to write New Year’s cards...
Nihon demo 12 gatu wa isogashii yo. Mazu nengajou o kakanakutewa ikenai kara ne...
and

kara
node

If there is an implicit reason, kara or node can be used for “and”
Before you wrote them in the hand, but today we use computer, which is very convenient.
Mukashi wa "hand writing" tte de kaite ita
keredo, ima wa pasokon de kaku kara raku ni natta yo.
He married a girl from a poor home, and kept on being poor.
Binbou na ie no musume-san o moraimashita node, aikawarazu binbou no mama deshita,
node

Kara is typically the speaker’s opinion, whereas node is a general reason
Because an important friend is dead, I'm sad.
Taisetsu na tomodachi wa shinjatta node, kanashinde iru.

Precisely because
kara koso

Emphatic
Precisely because I go, he goes too.
Watakushi ga iku kara koso, kare mo iku n desu.

Now that, since, if
kara ni wa
If you do it at all, do a good job.
Yaru kara ni wa ii shigoto o shinasai.
If you say so, it must be true.
Kimi ga iu kara ni wa hontou ni chigainai.

Just because
kara to itte
Just because I am tired, I can't very well sleep all the time.
Tsukareta kara to itte nete bakari iru wake ni mo ikimasen.
It’s not so that
wake dewa nai
It is not so that everybody each day ?? at a conbini
Minna ga mainichi conbini de sumasu wake dewa nai
There is no reason not to...
...V1-nai wake wa/ga nai.
There is no reason for him not to go, you know.
Ano hito ga ikanai wake wa nai desu yo.
It is so that / To... / When...
koto
“oosouji” is when you clean up places you do not normally clean.
“oosouji” tte wa itumo wa souji o shinai
tokoro made souji o suru koto.
In Japan it is so that prostitution is illegal. But in Denmark it is not.
Nihon dewa baishun wa ikenai koto. Demo Denmaaku dewa chigaun da ne.
It is so that / because
mono
mon

Explains reason
Mono indicating a reason like this, is only used in informal speech. Mon is yet more informal
I am impressed.
Erai mon da naa.
It's not that I don't...
-nai koto wa nai
It's not that I don't see movies; I don't see them very often.
Eiga o minai koto wa arimasen ga amari minai no desu.
It doesn't mean that I don't...
-nai wake dewa nai
It doesn't mean that I can't speak Japanese; but I can't speak it too well.
Nihongo ga hanasenai wake dewa nai ga, amari umaku wa hanasemasen.
Only because
Vta bakari ni
Only because I was ill, I couldn't attend my good friend's wedding.
Byouki datta bakari ni nakayoshi no tomodachi no kekkonshiki ni deraremasen deshita.
It is that...
...no? (a)
...no. (b)

The declarative sentence (b) is used by women and children only.
Also used for emotinal emphasis
See also no da
Why are you crying? Cause mommy's gone-
Doushite naiteiru no? O-kaasan ga inai no.
He is so gentle you know.
Ano hito wa yasashii no.
It is that...
...no da
...n’ da

This makes the sentence more emphatic too. The speaker is more interested in the answer, it is more than just a declarative sentence.
da + n’ -> nan
What are you doing?
Nani o shiteiru n’ desu ka?
I am studying Japanese.
Nihongo o benkyou shiteiru n’ desu.
It was quiet.
Shizuka datta n’ da.
He was a teacher.
Sensei nan da.
..., that's how it is.
...,sou desu ne.
I live in that red building over there.
Watashi wa ano akai tatemono ni sundeimasu, sou desu ne. (??)
Due to the fact that...
kankei jou
Due to the fact that it is cold here even in summer, plants do not grow well.
Koko wa natsu de mo kikou ga samui kankei jou, shokubutsu ga yoku sodachimasen.

4.2 In order to, for, to, so that

For / to
no ni
Pencils are used to write kanji with
Enpitsu wa ji o kaku no ni tsukaimasu.
I think it will help you learn about how it is to goto Japan and live.
Nihon de seikatsu shiteiku no ni yaku ni tatsu to omou.
In order to / for / because of
tame ni

(can be used only if the two subjects are the same, else use you ni)
Haruko ran outside to meet her father.
Haruko wa kanojo no chichi ni au tame ni soto ni mukatte hashiri-demashita.
Watashi wa kazoku no tame ni hatarakimasu.
I work for my family.
I was late because of the snow.
Yuki no tame ni okuremashita (?)
So that / in order to
you ni
I am taking care of my self so that I don't catch a cold.
Kaze o hikanai you ni ki o tsukete imasu.
Mr. Smith speaks English slowly so that I can understand.
Boku ga wakaru you ni Sumisu-san wa yukkuri eigo o hanashite kureta.
At exams I pray to the Gods in order to pass my exam.
Juken no tomi kamisama ni pass suru you ni inoru.
For
you (no)
There are many dictionaries. The one for the computer is expensive.
Jisho ga takusan ne. Pasokon you no wa takai yo.
In order not to
V1-nai you ni

I get up early in order not to be late for school.
Gakkou ni okurenai you ni hayaku okimasu.
For
to shite wa
Johnson is good at Japanese for a first year student.
Jonson-san wa nihongo no ichinensei to shite wa nihongo ga jouzu da.
For a Japanese apartment, this is on of the bigger ones.
Kore wa Nihon no apaato to shite wa ookii hou desu.
To (someone)
(someone) ni totte
Today will be an unforgettable day for me.
Kyou wa watashi ni totte wasurerarenai hi ni naru deshou.
It is difficult for me to write letters.
Tegami o kaku koto wa watashi ni totte muz ukashii desu.
It is a treasure to me.
Watashi ni totte takaramono da yo!
For
ni wa

This apartment is too expensive for us.
Kono apaato wa watashitachi ni wa takasugiru.
This desk is too big for my room
Kono tsukue wa watashi no heya ni wa ookisugiru.
Intended for
muke
A book intended for kids.
Kodomo muke no hon.
To the extent that, so ... as, so ... that
Vinf kurai
N gurai
N kurai
There is nobody as nice as him.
Ano hito kurai shinsetsuna hito wa imasen.
I wish I spoke as well English as Mr. Smiley....
Sumairi-san kurai eigo ga jouzu ni hanasereba ii no desu ga...
To such a degree that / so (much) that
Vlex hodo
It is so easy that even a child can do it.
Kodomo demo dekiru hodo kantan desu.
The bird is so scared that it isn't able to eat anything.
Kotori wa taberu koto ga dekinai hodo kowai desu.
He has so much money that he can afford to throw it away (He has money to the extent that he throws it away).
Ano hito wa suteru hodo okane ga arimasu.

4.3 And, also, either, only (verbs and nouns/adjectives)

And
to

And between two or more nouns

And (amongst other)
ya

And between two or more nouns

And their
to no
First telle me about Mr. Yamada, Mr. Katou and how they met.
Mazu, yamada-san to katou-san to no deai o oshiete kudasai.
And, then, after
Vte
Vte wa

Conjunction for sequence of actions
See also uner cause

See also: 4.1
I went home and made dinner.
Uchi e kaette, shokuji o shimashita.
I ate and then came.
Tabete kimashita.
Sephiroth robbed the Sando of his life, and returned to his castle.
Sephiroth wa Sando no inochi o ubatte, shiro ni kaetta.
(ubau = snatch)
We went to the library, and studied.
Toshokan ni itte, benkyou shimashita.
Even during the vacation I am busy, because we'll have exams right after the Christmas vacation is over.
Kurisumasu no yasumi ga owatte sugu shiken ga aru kara yasumi-chuu mo isogashii.
Everyday he went gathering firewood in the woods, bundled it on his 3 donkeys and went to sell it.
Mainichi, mori no naka de takigi o atsumete wa, kore o 3tou no roba ni tsunde uri ni ikimashita.

Do... and
Vte ori
Vte ite

Vte ori is more format than Vte ite. It can only be used in writing. Here it does not express special politeness.
Father is travelling in Tokyo now, and Mother remains in Kyoto.
Chichi wa ima Toukyou ni ryokou shite ori, haha wa Kyouto ni nokotte orimasu.
This entrance is for employees only and other (ordinary) people cannot enter here.
Kono iriguchi wa juugyouin senyou ni natte ori, ippan no hito wa koko kara wa hairenai.

While / doing
Vte

Conjunction for simultaneous actions
He is laughing while reading.
Hon o yonde waratte imasu.
Pass the time reading a magazine
Zasshi o yonde hima o tsubusu
Explaining
Vte

How the action of the main verbs is performed
I went by (riding a) train.
Densha ni notte ikimashita.
Me and my brother competed in running
Oniisan to watashi ga hashitte kyousou o shimashita.
Another one is when you describe the ordering in a competition. (description of the counter -chaku)
Hoka ni mo kyousou o shite junban o iu
toki ni tukau koto wa aru.
I could feel calmed down hearing the sounds of the street.
Michi no oto ga kikoete ochitsuketa.
and, and what is more
ga

In this case ga has loset its adversative (contrastive) implication, in which case it is best to translate it as "and".
The first sentence is a preliminary to the second or the second is supplementing the first.
Excuse me, but how could I get to the station?
Sumimasen ga, eki wa dou ikeba ii n deshou ka?
She is good-looking and what is more, clever.
Kanojo wa kiryou mo ii ga, atama mo ii.
Kyoto is pretty and Nikko too is very nice.
Kyouto mo kirei da ga, nikkou mo nakanaka ii.
about, considering, and
da kedo
desu ga

It servers as a link functioning to introduce a topic, and does not mean “but” or “however” in this case.
The last is more formal

About what we were talking about the other day... I think it's a good opportuniy and I definately want to give it a try.
Sakki no hanashi da kedo, chansu da kara yappari yatte miyou to omou no.
About your kid's school, what do you (parents) have in mind?
Okosan no shingaku mondai desu ga, goryoushin wa dou iu okangae desu ka?
not only ... but / as well as / furthermore
nominarazu
Moreover he told me I was a fool.
Nominarazu kare wa boku o baka to itta.
He is both (at once) a poet and a painter.
Kare wa shijin-taru no nominarazu gaka de mo aru.
Both... and... / Neither...nor...
...mo ...mo
... V2 mo ... V2 mo suru
Both Mr. Tanaka and Mr. Katou works in the department store.
Tanaka-san mo Katou-san mo depaato ni tsutometeimasu.
The house is neither big nor small.
Uchi wa hiroku mo semaku mo nai.
He reads Japanese and writes it as well.
Ano hito wa Nihongo o yomi mo kaki mo shimasu.
Do both ... and ... / not only ... but also ...
V2-mo sureba V2 mo suru
He not only eats a lot, but drinks a lot, too.
Ano hito wa yoku tabe mo sureba nomi mo shimasu.
Not only...
V bakari dewa nai
Not only did he go to Japan, but he also went to Taiwan.
Nihon e itta bakari dewa naku Taiwan e mo ikimashita.
Not only... but not ... either.
... V1-nai bakari dewa naku ... mo V1-nai.
... V1-nai dake dewa naku ... mo V1-nai.
Not only does he not smoke cigarettes, he doesn't drink sake either.
Ano hito wa tabako o nomanai bakari dewa naku, osake mo nomimasen.
Not only does this child not eat rice, he does not drink water either.
Kono kodomo wa gohan o tabenai dake dewa naku, mizu mo nomimasen.

Far from... but, not at all... but
dokoro ka
I was so busy today that not only I was unable to read (far from having time to read), but I didn't even have time to eat.
Kyou wa amari isogashikute hon o yomu dokoro ka, gohan o taberu hima mo arimasendeshita.
not too..., and not too... / neither too... , nor too...
... suginai shi, ... suginai
... suginakute, ... suginai
... sugiru wake demo naku, ... sugiru wake demo nai.
... sugimo shinai shi, ... sugi mo shinai.
It’s not too hot and it’s not too cold.
Atsukusuginai shi, samusuginai.
It’s not too hot and it’s not too cold.
Atsukusuginakute, samukusuginai.
It’s not that it is too hot and it’s not that it is too cold either.
Atsukusugiru wake demo naku, samusugiru wake demo nai.
It’s neither too hot, nor is it too cold.
Atsusugimo shinai shi, samusugi mo shi nai.
Only, can only do
shika ... nai
Tomorrow morning I think I will only be able to talk until 7 o’clock
Ashita no asa wa 7ji made shika hanasenai to omou.
They are lending it at the library too, but there are only few.
Toshokan demo karirareru kedo, sukoshi shika nai.
I can only read your messages and history.
Anata no message mo history de shika yomenai wa.
Only / just / simply
dake
Vlex dake
See also: shika, bakari

I am just looking.
Miru dake desu.
This car isn't fast, it is only pretty.
Ano kuruma wa hayakunakute, kirei dake desu.
I only dated Yukiko, that's all.
Yukiko-san to wa deeto shita dake desu.
Only
Vlex bakari
He only eats, and doesn't do the work.
Taberu bakari de shigoto wa shimasen.
And / furthermore
shi
I also gonna do jogging.
Jogging mo aru shi
And... and...
...shi ...shi
Used for emphasis
It gets plenty of sun, it's close to the station – you've really found yourself a nice place!
Hiatarai mo ii shi, eki kara chikai shi, ii heya o mitsuketa ne.
My head hurts and I've got the chills. I think I may be coming down with a cold.
Atama wa itai shi, samuke wa suru shi, doumo kaze o hiita mitai nan desu.
...you know., ...and all, ...and everything., ...and stuff.
...shi

Implies that there is more which is not being siad, or that there are numerous other reasons that would support your claim.
It was really fun getting to talk to you and stuff.
Iroiro na hanashi mo dekita shi, kyou wa hontou ni tanoshikatta.
Shall we begin the meeting now? We are already behind schedule and all.
Sorosoro kaigi o hajimemashou ka? Teikoku mo sugite iru koto desu shi.
Not only does (somebody) not..., (somebody (else)) does not... either
-nai shi...nai
Not only is Mr. Yamamoto not coming, Mr. Kimura isn't coming either.
Yamamoto-san mo konai shi Kimura-san mo konai desu.
Amongst other things / and so on / such things as / typical action
Vta-ri (suru)

(Vtari)
“Oshougatsu” is that you prepare to meet the New Year and so on...
“Oshougatu” tte wa New Year o mukaeru junbi o shitari...
I was waiting for my friend to come, doing things like reading the newspaper.
Shinbun o yondari shite tomodachi ga kuru no o matteita.
During the summer we do such things as go to the seashore to swim.
Natsu wa umi ni oyogi ni ittari shimasu.

Action in alternation,
Now doing this, now doing that / doing both this and that
Vta-ri ... Vta-ri suru
Yesterday I played and studied.
Kinou asondari benkyou shitari shimashita.

Does not always...
Vta-ri Vnakatta-ri

Same verb
Tom does not always come. (sometimes he comes wometimes he doesn’t).
Tomu wa kitari konakattari suru.
Soshite

And
V2
He read a book and ate.
Hon o yomi, gohan o tabeta.
And
V1-zu

Used in written language.
kuru –> kezu
suru –> sezu

Or maybe, or
aruiwa
matawa
From the following or the next to the following month...
Moushikomi no yokugetsu mata wa yokuyokugetsu kara...
As well as, furthermore
sorekara
To all of you, teachers as well as fellow students...
Senseigata sorekara doukyuusei no minna-san ni...
Besides, moreover, also, and, as well as
katsu
Necessary and sufficient conditions.
Hitsuyou katsu juubun na jouken.
Be both interesting as well as instructive.
Omoshiroku katsu yuueki dearu.
Besides
ue
Besides learning the language, this is an important thing.
Gogaku o manabu ue demo taisetsu na koto desu ne.
And, or, what with... and
-yara

Only when...
Vte koso
Only when he can play such difficult music beautifully, can we say he is a great musician.
Sonna muzukashii kyoku ga utsukushiku hikete koso, idai na ongakuka to ieru.
That of doing only, doing nothing but
V2-ppanashi
I was nothing but trouble to you.
Gomeiwaku no kakeppanashi deshita.


4.4 Even, even though, although, almost, to the extent

Even
sae
Even in Japanese it is difficult.
Nihongo de sae muzukashii.
He cannot even write his own name.
Namae sae kakenai
Even
made
“oosouji” is when you clean up even at the places you don’t normally clean.
“oosouji” tte wa itumowa souji o shinai
tokoro made souji o suru koto...
To such an extent that / even / at least
Vlex gurai
Vlex kurai
There are even more expensive books.
Motto takai hon ga aru kurai desu.
When you move into an apartment ot something I think you should at least give greetings to your nieghbors. (?)
Apaato nado ni hikkoshitara tonari no hito gurai ni wa aisatu o shite oku beki kamo ne.
At new year we at least go to the shinto shrine.
Shinen ni jinja ni iku gurai da yo.
To the extent that..., practically, almost
V3 bakari
It was so sad that my heart almost broke.
Kanashikute mune ga sakeru bakari deshita.
Even
demo

Don't even do
V2 mo shinai
She didn't even look at it.
Mi mo shinakatta.
Even / even if
Vte mo
V7-tte (-tatte)

The tatte-form is typical for spoken language.
And they even have heated box-lunch.
Obentou o atatamete mo kureru shi ne.
Even if you go, I won't go
Anata ga itte mo watakushi wa ikimasen.
Even you have different roles, you can create an equal relationship.
Yakuwaribuntan shitatte taitou na kankei wa kizukeru yo.
As much as / Even
mo
There were two cards?
Nimai mo kaado ga atta. (?)
Even though / Even if
Vta tokoro de
Yonda tokoro de wakaranai deshou.
Even if he reads it, he will not understand it.
Although / since / despite (the fact that) / but
no ni

Often the corresponding English is left blank.
Even though I study kanji every day, I cannot memorize them very well. (or: I study kanji everyday, but I obviously cannnot memorize them)
Mainichi kanji o benkyou shiteiru no ni yoku oboerarenai.
Now it is summer, aren't those clothes more for winter?
Ima natsu na no ni chotto kono fuku fuyuppoku nai?
...you know
no ni

This usage of no ni is the same as the one above. But the clause normally coming after no ni is left out. For instance because it is obvious.
I am saying I will give it to you. (Lit. Although I am saying that I will give it to you)
Sekkaku ageru to iu no ni.
Sorry for (our talks) always getting so long. You must have become tired.
Itumo nagaku natte shimatte gomen nasai. Anata nemui no ni.
Even going to the extent of...
Vte made
Do you want to do such a thing, even at the expense of other people (even going to the extent of using other people's money)?
Hito no okane o tsukatte made sonna koto ga shitai desu ka?
Although
V2-nagara
Although he knew, he didn't tell me anything.
Shitteinagara nani mo iimasendeshita.
I know I have said it before but... / Though I have said it before...
Mae ni mo hanashita you ni
I have said it before, that currently the unemployment rate is very high.
Mae ni mo hanashita you ni... Ima shitugyou-ritu ga totemo takai desu.

4.5 Limiting (Without, because not, not...but, but, instead of)

Without, instead of doing
V1-naide
V1-zu ni

zu ni can only be used when naide has the implications of "and". That is not for naide kudasai for instance.
zu ni is used in written jp and formal speech.
suru -> se zu ni
See also: nakute
Yesterday I went to the university without eating breakfast.
Kinou asagohan o tabenaide daigaku e ikimashita.
Instead of going to school, I stayed home today.
Kyou gakkou ni ikanaide uchi ni imashita.
Mr. Katou didn't go to Osaka; he went to Kyoto.
Katou-san wa Oosaka ni ikanaide Kyouto ni ikimashita.
Please read it without usng the dictionary.
Jisho o tsukawazu ni yonde kudasai
Not being able to...
V4-zu

This is the potential verb in its nai form. But this is the same as the potential form because the potential form is a vowel-stem verb. Ex. Taberu -> taberareru -> taberarenai -> taberare-zu
Unable to defeat Brock, all the pokemon fainted.
Brock o taosezu, zen pokemon ga taorechatta.
(taosu = defeat, taoreru = faint/collapse)
because not
V1-nakute

Can only be used if it indicates a cause for human emotion.
Lately I haven't been able to eat, and I am having trouble (because of it).
Chikagoro gohan ga taberarenakute komatte imasu.
I felt ashamed because I couldn't speak English.
Boku wa eigo ga hanasenakute hazukashikatta.
not ... but ...
... nakute ... desu.

Here naide cannot be used.
I am not a student but a teacher.
Watashi wa gakusei dewa nakute sensei desu.
Get by without doing something
V1-nai de sumu.
Because our teacher was absent today, we got by without studying.
Kyou sensei ga yasunda node benkyou shinaide sumimashita.
Instead of ...
... Vlex kawari ni...
...V1-nai. Sono kawari ni...

Sim. to : ...V1-nai kara...
Maybe V1-nai kawari ni can be used with similar (not opposite) meaning.
I am not going to Japan. Instead I am going to France.
Nihon e ikimasen. Sono kawari ni Furansu e ikimasu.
Instead of going to Japan, I'll go to France.
Nihon e iku kawari ni Furansu e iku.
In place of, replacing, on behalf of
...ni kawatte
...ni kawarimashite

For immediate, on-the-spot substitution use no kawari ni.
In place of Prof. Yamada, who was ill, Prof. Suzuki taught us.
Byouki no Yamada-sensei ni kawatte Suzuki-sensei ga oshietekudasatta.
After the war plastic became available replacing glass.
Sengo garasu ni kawatte purasuchikku ga dete kita.
On behalf of everyone present here, let me say word of greeting.
Goshusseki no mina-sama ni kawarimashite, hitokoto go-aisatso o nobesasete itadakimasu.
(noberu = to state / express)
In stead of...
...no kawari ni

For replacement use instead ni kawatte
In economy class they use plastic wares instead of glass wares.
Ekonomi kurasu dewa garasu no shokki no kawari ni purasuchikku no shokki ga deru.
But in fact...
Shikashi jitsu wa...

But, however
ga

But, however
kedo
keredo
keredomo

More colloquial than ga
He has money, but he is stingy and doesn’t spend it all.
Ano hito wa okane ga aru keredemo kechi de chittomo tsukaimasen.
but / because
datte
But, do you want to know everything?
Datte, subete o shiraitai desu ka?
You will find a girlfriend soon enough, cause you are a very nice person.
Anata dattara sugu ni kobito ga mitsukaru. Datte anata wa totemo ii hito da mono.
Except / other than / besides / as well as / but
Vlex/N igai (ni/wa)

Na bedore igai becomes de aru

Igai and hoka are sometimes used the same way. But igai is a dependent noun, which means it must be preceeded by another noun/verb.
Everybody except Tanaka knows it.
Tanaka-san igai no hito wa minna sono koto o shitteimasu.
Do you speak any other foreign languages besides Japanese?
Nihongo igai (ni) nanika gaikokugo ga hanasemasu ka?
I have nothing to enjoy other than drinking.
Watashi ni wa sake o nomu igai (ni) nanimo tanoshimi ga nai.
There is nothing to do but wait here.
Koko de motteiru igai nai.
This sentence contain a few kanji errors, but other than that it is perfect.
Kono bun wa sukoshi kanji no machigai ga aru ga, sore igai wa kanzen da.
Besides the fact that it is convenient...
Benri de aru igai ni...
As well as taking a walk I take (other) light exercises every day.
Watashi wa sanpo igai ni mo mainichi karui undou o shiteiru.
I will lend you anything but money.
O-kane igai nara (/dattara/de areba) nandemo kashite agerou.
I make it a practice to socialize only with rich people.
Kanemochi igai to wa tsukiawanai koto ni shiteiru.
Except for Mr. Tanaka (Except that Mr. Tanaka comes), perhaps nobody will come.
Tanaka-san ga kuru igai wa dare mo konai deshou.

4.6 Whether

Whether
ka
I don't know when Mrs. Tanaka will come.
Tanaka-san ga itsu kuru ka shirimasen.
Whether ... or not
V3 ka Vnai ka
Vlex/A ka dou ka

Used primarily with positive verbs
He didn't say whether or not he was able to phone us.
Denwa ga dekita ka dou ka iimasen deshita.
I don't know wheter it is expensive or not.
Takai ka dou ka wakaranai desu.
I don't think it matters whether you are a student or not.
Gakusei dearu ka dou ka, kamawanai to omoimasu.
I don't know whether he is going or not.
Iku ka ikanai ka shirimasen.
Whether or
Vte mo V1-nakute mo
It doesn't matter whether you do such a thing or not.
Konna koto wa shite mo shinakute mo kamaimasen.

4.7 Than

Rather than...
...yori mo
Rather than going by taxi...
Takushi de iku yori mo... (??)

4.8 Misc conjunctional

till
made
I could not drink till I got a hangover because the party was in Jylland and I had to bring my car.
Paati wa Jylland de atte, kuruma o motte ikanakucha ikenakattakara futsukayoi ni narumade nomenakatta.

5 Adjectival phrases and pronouns

5.1 One

one
hitotsu
I too have one thing I would like to ask...
Watashi mo hitotsu kikitai koto ga atta....
Some, one, a certain
aru

This has nothing to do with the aru/arimasu verb.
One day he suddenly called on me.
Aru hi kare ga totsuzen tazunete kita.
I have an appointment to meet a certain person.
Watashi wa aru hito to au yakusoku ga arimasu.
In some/one sense...
Aru imi de...
In one sense, your decision is right.
Aru imi de kimi no handan wa tadashii.

5.2 Some, something

Some
ikuraka no
ikutsuka no
Some kanji are difficult.
Ikutsuka no kanji wa muzukashii yo
Some, a part
Ichibu no
It is only some people I think, but it is still a problem!
Ichibu no hito dake dato omou keredo, korewa mondai da yo!
Some people
nanninka

Some
-ka (no)

About some mails.
Nantsuu-ka no mail no koto.
Some bread.
Ikuraka no pan.
Now I will try to write some sentences.
Kore kara ikutsuka kotoba o kaitemimasu.
Something
nanika
I think you can learn something by observing the differences in customs.
Shuukan no chigai o mitomete sono chigai kara nanika o manabu koto ga dekiru to omoimasu.

5.3 Misc adjectives

(something) is important
...juuyou da.
It is important for us to read newspapers.
Shinbun o yomu koto wa watashitachi ni totte juuyou desu.
Is important
... ga ichiban
... ga daiji
(Taking care of your) Health is important.
Kenkou ga ichiban da yo.
When you are busy it is important to “heal” (relax).
Isogashii toki iyashi ga daiji da wa.
plenty of
-kkusu
Plenty of free time today and tomorrow
Kyou mo ashita mo himakkusu
The first
hajimete no
“Hatsuhinode” is the first sun of the year.
Hatsuhinode wa sono toshi no hajimete no taiyou

5.4 Misc pronouns

these ...
korera no ...
Different languages are spoken by the people living in these buildings.
Kotonatta gengo ga korera no tatemono ni sundeiru hitobito ni yotte hanasareteimasu.

6 Interacting with another person

6.1 Doing services for soneone, having services done

Do for someone
Vte sashiageru
Vte ageru
Vte yaru

The politeness is decreasing.
Shall I draw you a map?
Chizu o kaite agemashou ka?
I will teach you Japanese.
Anata ni nihongo o oshiete agemasu.
I think I will show it to my friend.
Tomodachi ni misete yarou to omoimasu.
I read a book (did a favor in reading a book) to my friend.
Tomodachi ni hon o yonde agemashita.
I did a favor in buying a book for my child.
Kodomo ni hon o katte yarimashita.

Having (something) done by someone / receiving someone’s favor
Vte morau
Vte itadaku

Morau is less formal
Tomorrow I will have the teacher tell me.
Ashita sensei ni oshiete itadakimasu.
Could I have you call back tonight?
Konban denwa o shite itadakimasu ka?
At the barbershop people have their hair cut, and their beard trimmed amongst other things.
Rihatsuten dewa hito wa kami o katte morattari, hige o sotte morattari shimasu.
(I am fortunate that) my teacher taught me English.
Sensei ni eigo o oshiete itadakimashita.
(I am fortunate that) my sister made a dress for me.
Ane ni youfuku o tsukutte moraimashita.


Someone does something (for you) / be given a favor
Vte kureru
Vte kudasaru

Kudasaru is the most polite
My teacher was kind enough to lend me a book.
Sensei ga watakushi ni hon o kashite kudasaimashita.
My younger sister made a dress for me.
Imouto ga youfuku o tsukutte kuremashita.
-te (-de) kureru = -te (-de) kudasaru


6.2 Allowance (No need to, don't have to, it's ok to)

You may... / you can..
Vte mo ii
You may eat this alright.
Sore o tabete mo ii desu yo.
No need to / don't have to
...made mo nai
I guess I don't have to explain then.
Setsumei suru made mo nai ka na.
It is so obvious that no explanation is necessary.
Sore wa setsumei suru made mo naku akiraka na koto da.
Needless to say,
Iu made mo nai...
Needless to say, George Washington was the first president of America.
Iu made mo naku, George Washington wa Amerika no shodai daitouryou da.
It goes without saying that he was respected by everybody.
Kare ga minna ni sonkei sareta no wa iu made mo nai.
Need not, do not have to
V1-nakute mo ii

You don't have to read that book.
Sono hon wa yomanakute mo ii desu.
Is it ok?
ii ka na?
Now I think I will go out shopping.. is it ok with you?
Kore kara shopping ni iku yo... ii ka na
Ok
ii desu.
kamawanai yo.

It doesn't matter even if you...
Vte mo kamawanai
Even if you quit, it doesn't matter.
Yamete mo kamaimasen.

Is ok / will do
de mo (ii)
As long as it has white meat any fish will do.
Shiromi sakana de ari sae sureba donna mono de mo yoroshii.
There is no need to
Vinf ga mono wa nai
There is no need to think it out.
Kufuu suru ga mono wa nai.
There is no need to, it's not worth...
Vinf hodo no koto wa nai
It's not worth being so mad about, is it?
Sonna ni okoru hodo no koto wa nai deshou.

6.3 Prohibitions (must not, should not)

Don't ... (emphatic)
...-nai you ni.
Don't worry. I'll help you.
Shinpai shinai you ni. Watashi wa anata o tetsudaimashou.
Don't be afraid.
Osorenai you ni.
Don't be scared.
Obienai you ni.
Please don't...
V1-nai de kudasai.
Please don't eat it.
Tabenai de kudasai.

Must not / is not good
dame
In Japan it is ok to make a sound when you eat noodles. But in foreign countries it is not.
Nihon dewa raamen o taberu toki ni oto o dashite mo ii, demo gaikoku dewa dame.
May not / must not
Vte wa ikenai
Vte wa naranai
You may not look.
Mite wa ikemasen.
We must not use English in our Japanese class.
Nihongo no kurasu dewa eigo o tsukatte wa naranai no desu.
A thing that should not be...
Vinf bekarazaru N
It's a thing which should not be permitted.
Sore wa yurusubekarazaru koto da.
You must not
V2 (?) bekarazu

Negative of bekari (beshi), prohibition in bungotai (literary form) don't, must not
Don't enter!
Hairi bekarazu.

6.4 Obligations (must, have to)

(I) must...
V1-nakereba naranai

Often used with the first and third person
Because you have a test tomorrow, I have to study hard today.
Ashita shiken ga aru kara, kyou benkyou shinakereba narimasen.
Must, have to, should
V1-neba naranai

Similar to -nakereba naranai
Note that when used on adjectives the second form differs slightly from nakereba naranai.
The second form is used in written Japanese or formal speech.
suru -> se
To know Japan one has to go to Japan at least once.
Nihon o shitu tame ni wa ichido wa nihon e ikaneba naranai.
We should get rid of racial prejudice.
Jinshuhenken o naku seneba naranai.
From now on Japan has to lead the world.
Nihon wa korekara sekai o riido seneba naranai.
One's ideals should be high.
Risou wa takaku araneba naranai.
We have to be cautious about this issue.
Kono mondai ni kanshite wareware wa shinchou dearaneba naranai.
(kan suru = to concern, ni kanshite = concerning)
(You) must...
V1-nakereba ikenai

Often used with the second person
You must study hard!
Yoku benkyou shinakereba ikemasen yo.
Have to...
Vnai to ikenai
Cause I have to make a lunch box
Obentou o tsukuranai to ikenai no da.
Have to / will
V1-nakucha
Astm-nakucha (ja nakucha)

Informal form
Tomorrow I have to get up early.
Ashita wa "hayaoki" shinakucha.
The futon have to be big too.
Futon mo ookiku nakucha.

6.5 Suggesting (ought to)

You ought to... / it's better to / you should
...Vta hou ga ii
You'd better go home early.
Hayaku kaetta hou ga ii desu.
You should study every day.
Mainichi benkyou suru hou ga ii desu.
Normally it is better the cheaper, right?
Futsuu wa yasui hou ga ii desu, ne.
It is probably best if the bottle is empty.
Bin wa kara no hou ga ii deshou.
When you get ill you should contact your doctor
Byouki no toki ni wa o-isha ni kakeru hou ga ii desu.
You'd better not... / You'd better stop...
...yameta hou ga ii

It's better not to...
...V1-nai hou ga ii
It's better not to go today.
Kyou wa ikanai hou ga ii desu yo.
Can't very well not do something
V1-nai wake ni (wa) ikanai
I couldn't very well not help them.
Tetsudawanai wake ni wa ikimasen deshita.
You should just... / Why don’t you
V4-ba ii
All you have to do (in order to be cured) is eat your medicin.
Kusuri o yomeba ii n’ desu.
If you don't want to die, why don't you go back?
Shinitaku nakattara, kaereba ii ja nai ka?
I must...
V4-ba ii

(Strong) suggestion to one self
Reciting history is pretty difficult I think. I must take care not letting out any characters when sending it to you.
Rekishi wo kataru no wa kanari muzukashii to omoimasu. Ji ga zurenaide okuru koto ga dekireba ii no dakedo.
You should just
V2 sae sureba ii
You just have to press the button.
Botan o oshi sae sureba ii.
All you have to do is work hard.
Kimi wa tada isshoukenmei benkyou shi sae sureba ii no da.
I should have / It would have been better if (I) had...
V4-ba yokatta
I should have eaten earlier.
Hayaku tabereba yokatta desu.
(You) should / ought to / must
Vif beki N
Vif beki da
Attributive form of beshi of bungotai (literary form)
Suru -> suru beki or subeki
Kuru -> kuru beki or kubeki
You should study some more.
Motto benkyou suru beki desu.
I guess it’s something you ought to welcome.
Kangei suru beki mono darou.
This is a book you ought to read.
Kore wa yomu beki hon da.
You should go tomorrow.
Ashita iku beki desu.
This kind of thing should not be done now.
Konna koto wa ima subeki koto dewa nai.

V4-ba ii

Should
Vtara ii

Is to be
V1-setara ii
V1-sasetara ii (for vowel stem verbs)
sasetara ii
But which one is to be prefered?
Dochira o yuusen sasetara ii no kashira.
What about.. ? / Have you thought of...?
... Vtara dou ka na?
... Vtara dou?
... Vte wa dou ka na?
What about cleaning up?
Souji o shitara dou?
Foreigners can receive a Japanese test. Have you thought about trying to take it?
Gaikokujin ga nihongo no test wo ukerareru no. Tameshite mitara dou ka shira?
What about trying to recommend her jogging?
Jogging o susumete mite wa dou kana?
...what to do about...
...ni tsuite nani o suru beki ka...
The government discussed what to do about it.
Seihu wa sore ni tsuite nani o suru beki ka o giron shimashita.

6.6 Asking permission

Vte ii

Informal
Can I taste your pizza?
Anata no piza no aji o mite ii desu ka?
May I...?. (I'd like to...) -nai you ni : in order not to
Gakkou ni okurenai you ni hayaku okimasu.
I get up early in order not to be late for school.

o-V2 ga shitai no desu ga?
Hello. May I speak to Junichi?
Konnichi wa. Junichi to o-hanashi ga shitai no desu ga?

6.7 Asking favours

Tell somebody to...
... Vlex you ni to iu.
They often tell us to work harder.
Karera wa shibashiba yori nesshin ni hataraku you ni to watashitachi ni iimasu.
ask (someone) to (do something) for (someone else)
(someone) ni (someone else) no tame ni Vlex you ni tanomu.
They asked me to sing a Japanese song for them.
Karera wa watashi ni karera no tame ni Nihon no uta o utau you ni tanomimashita.


6.8 Imperative (Do...)

Do...
V4

Kuru -> koi
Suru -> seyo (in connection with other verb)
Suru -> yare (from yaru, which is more colloquial)
Let loose!
Hanase!
Stop it!
Yame!
Shut up!
Damare!
Study!
Benkyou seyo!
Mild imperative
Vte kudasai
Vte

Using just Vte is informal language
Please eat.
Tabete kudasai.
Wait a moment.
Chotto matte.
(May you) Have sweet dreams!
Suteki na yume o mite ne!
Come tomorrow, OK?
Ashita kite ne.
Polite imperative
o-V2 kudasai
Please drink.
O-nomi kudasai.
More polite imperative than o-kudasai
o-V2 kudasaimase
Would you please sit down.
O-kake kudasaimase.
Polite imperative
V2-nasai
O-V2-nasai

Polite imperative used by superiors to their inferiors, like mother to child or teacher to student
Eat more!
Motto takusan tabenasai.
Read!
Oyominasai.
Don’t play, study.
Asobanaide, benkyou shinasai.
Come home early, ok?
Hayaku uchi ni kaette kinasai yo.
An imperative suffix used by men on a friendly level in modern Japanese
V2-tamae

Read that book.
Ano hon o yomitamae.

Imperative
V2 na

Derived from -nasai
Think about it.
Kangaete mina.
Negative imperative Do
V3 na
Don’t think about it.
Kangaete miru na.
Abrupt imperative used by men
Vte kure

Kore o shite kure.
Do this (for me).


6.9 Let's, should we

Let's
Vou...

suru->shiyou
As it is already late, let's go home.
Mou osoi kara, kaerou.
There is a test tomorrow so let's study.
Ashita shiken desu kara, benkyou shiyou yo.
Should we
Vou ka
Should we meet at 2 o'clock?
Niji ni aimashou ka?


6.10 Asking questions (ka, why)

Normal question
ka?

Note: Traditionally there was no question mark in Japanese, but around 1887 it made its first appearance, and in contemporary Japanese it is quite frequently used.
Who is coming?
Dare ga kimasu ka?
Do you go to school tomorrow?
Ashita gakkoo ni ikimasu ka.
Informal question
-kke
At what time?
Nanji dakke?
What is this?
Kore nan dakke?
Equal to ka
kai

Somewhat dialectic
Is it you Dee? It is open.
Dee kai? Aiteru yo.
Equak to desu ka
dai

Somewhat dialectic
Why do you feel sorry for Dee?
Doushite Dee ga kawaisou nan dai?
...isn't it? , isn’t it so that?, It is so that... isn’t it?, might (dk: mon ikke, nok)
... no dewa nai (ka) ?
... no ja nai (ka)?
... n' ja nai (ka) ?
... ja nai (ka)?

Espresses your unreserved meaning.
Formal form: no ja nai desu ka?
Isn't it going the long way around, taking this route?
Kono michi, toumawari nan ja nai?
I thought you might be cold so I brought you this cardigan.
Samui n’ ja nai ka to omotte, kaadegan o motte kita.
I think it is ok like this, right? This ought to be ok, right.
Kore de ii ja nai ka?

Dubitative form
no ja nai darou ka?

Espresses your reserved meaning.

Why is X Y ?
X wa naze Y desu ka?
Why is the sun yellow in your picture?
Anata no shashin no naka dewa taiyou wa naze kiiroi desu ka?
rhetorical question
ka
Do you think he would do such a thing. (No, he wouldn't!)
Ano hito ga sonna koto o suru mono desu ka.

6.11 Passive & causative

(something) is (done) by (someone).
(something) ga (someone) ni yotte Vpassive.
Different languages are spoken by the people living in these buildings.
Kotonatta gengo ga korera no tatemono ni sundeiru hitobito ni yotte hanasareteimasu.
(something done) by (someone)
(someone) ni yotte Vpassive (object) o....
Please eat the apple cooked by Junichi.
Junichi ni yotte ryouri sareta ringo o tabete kudasai.
Using passive
The man who had had his car stolen
Kuruma o nusumareta hito
The car that I have had stolen
Watashi ga nusumareta kuruma
The car that was stolen by a thief
Dorobou ni nusumareta kuruma
I have had my car stolen by a thief.
Watashi wa dorobou ni kuruma o nusumarete shimaimashita.
I don't want to be eaten by that monster!
Ano bakemono ni taberaretaku nai yo!
Right now they are selling them with all sorts of scents. (talking about incense)
Ima wa iroirona kaori no mono ga urarete iru no.
Before you can be loved by another man you must first love yourself.
Hoka no dansei ni aisareru mae ni jibun no koto o suki ni naranakereba naranai.
passive + -teiru
I read a book where there was written something about the life in Denmark.
Denmaaku no seikatsu ni tsuite kakareteiru hon o yonda yo.
Causative
Make some one do
V1-seru (saseru)

Saseru for the vowel-stem verbs.
Please let me know (tell me) your address.
Go-juusho o shirasete kudasai.
Causative
Let someone do
V1-seru (saseru)

Saseru for the vowel-stem verbs.
Won’t you (or: please) let me do it this time?
Konkai, ore ni yarasete kurenai ka?
being...
sarete
The salary is being cut too.
"Salary" mo "cut" sarete iru shi.

7 Insecure

7.1 Conditional (If, when, even if, as long as)

If
nara
Vlex to iu (no) nara
If you don't go, I won't go either.
Anata ga ikanai nara watakushi mo ikimasen.
If you insist on studying more (harder) I won’t stop you
Motto benkyou o suru to iu no nara tome wa shinai.
And in case of... / If it is...
nara
And in case of simple English, everybody knows it
(Everybody knows simple English)
Kantan na eigo nara daredemo shitte
iru shi.
When, as
Vlex to
A to (/ da to)
When you see this movie, you will understand how things were in Japan 40 or 50 years ago.
Kono eiga o miru to, nihon no 40 ka 50 nen mae no koto ga wakaru yo.
As I read your mail, (I see that) you seem so busy.
Anata no mail o yomu to, totemo isogashisou da ne.
If it is close to the station it is much more expensive I guess.
Eki ni chikai tokoro dato motto takai ka mo ne.
When you are young you learn fast.
Wakai to oboeru no ga hayai yo.
When I study I don’t get tired.
Benkyou shiteiru to nemuku naranai
When I think about the Japanese meaning, I don’t think you say it like this.
Nihongo no imi wo kangaeru to, kono you ni wa iwanai ne.
When you are young you learn fast.
Wakai to oboeru no ga hayai yo
When, if
V4-ba

Kuru -> kureba.
Desu -> naraba.

With i-adjectives –kereba is added to the stem
-eba is used to say "if something were to happen”.
If you hurry you will be in time.
Isogeba maniaimasu.
If you only eat a little ice cream it is ok.
Aisukuriimu wa sukoshi dake tabereba ii desu.
If it is with him, it is ok to go.
Ano hito naraba issho ni itte mo ii desu.
I will stop when I want to stop.
Watashi wa yameyou to omoeba yamemasu.
If it is cheap then buy it.
Yasukereba kaimasu.
If / when
Vtara
moshi ... Vtara

Vtara is used to say "if a certain condition occurs".

Note that “it would be x if y” / “I will be x if y” is just written x Vtara y
If you don't want to die, why don't you go back?
Shinitakunakattara, kaereba ii ja nai ka?
If he shows up, we'll all be eaten!
Aitsu ga kitara, minna ga taberareru n’ desu!
I think it would be interesting if Pikachu became a human.
Pikachu wa ningen ni nattara, omoshiroi da to omou yo!
If you win, I'll be happy!
Anata ga kattara, ureshii desu!
If you come to Japane, I wish to meet you.
Moshi anata ga nihon e kitara watashi wa kare to au deshou.
If you want to learn English in Japan, it is very expensive.
Nihon de eigo o narattara totemo takai no yo.
Remeber when I asked you for some pizza, and you said "no way"?
Anata ni pizza wo choudai to ittara “dame” to itta no o oboete iru?
if (it is/were so that), maybe
moshi ... Vtara
If it were so that you smelled of sweat, I wouldn't like you.
Moshi anata ga ase no nioi ga shitara, kirai ni naru.
Maybe I should use "ga" not "ni".
Moshi "ni " dewa naku "ga" o tukatta ra....
What if say your family found out, what would happen them you think?
Moshi sono kazoku ga shittara, donna koto naru to omoimasu ka? (?)
If not...
V1-nakattara
If you don't finish it today, it will be too late.
Kyou owaranakattara mou ososugimasu yo.
If not...
V1-nakereba

Unless..., if not...
V1-nai to
Unless you get up early tomorrow morning, you won't be on time for the seven-o'clock train.
Ashita no asa hayaku okinai to shichi-ji no kisha ni maniaimasen yo.
Even if you don't...
V1-nakute mo
(V1-naku to mo)
I heard that cats won't die, even if they don't eat for many days.
Neko wa nannichikan mo tabenakute mo shinanai sou desu.
When
toki

Could be read as “At the moment where...”
On the way to Japan I will buy it.
Nihon ni iku toki sore o kaimasu.
When I get to Japan I will buy it.
Nihon ni itta toki sore o kaimasu.
Please tell me when you go out.
Dekakeru toki shirasete kudasai.
When
Vta toki

Sometimes the past form is used when present would be used in English. Especially for hypothertical situations?
“Yoteigai”... You use it when something you didn’t consider or didn’t expect happens.
“Yoteigai”... Kangaeteinakatta koto ya yoki shiteinakatta koto ga okita toki ni tsukaimasu.
If only..., as long as...
V2 sae sureba

Emphatic.
See also V2 sae sureba ii
If only I had money, I would go to Japan this year, but...
Okane ga ari sae sureba kotoshi Nihon e iku n’ desu ga...
As long as it has white meat any fish will do.
Shiromi sakana de ari sae sureba donna mono de mo yoroshii.
So long as...
Vinf ijou (wa)
So long as we live we have to do something.
Ikiteiru ijou wa nani ka shinakereba naranai.
If I were to..., then...
to shitara...
moshi ... to shitara...

Conjunctive
If you were to buy a car, what color would you like?
Kuruma o kau to shitara, donna iro ga ichiban desu ka?
If I were to start writing mails only in English, (I would need to)...
Moshi eigo dake de mail o kakanakute wa ikenai to shitara...
Every time, whenever / in case, when
Vinf baai
N no baai

The event that precedes baai cannot be a real (alredy happened) event. Only a suppostitional one.
baai means "case". sono baai means "in that case".

See also: toki
Why do you bring an umbrella everyrime we go out together?
Doushite, issho ni dekakeru baai, kasa o mitte kimasu ka?
If it rains the hiking will be cancelled.
Ame ga futta baai wa hainkingu wa chuushi desu.
In case of fire don't use the elevator.
Kasai no baai wa erebeetaa o tsukawanaide kudsai.
When we go to Japan, we'll go by airplane.
Nihon ni iku baai, hikooki de ikimasu.
Conditional, if, in case...
Vta baai (wa)

Similar to -tara
If it rains, we won't go.
Ame ga futta baai wa ikimasen.

When
Vta tokoro ga
Vta ga

Often the following clause expresses something contrary to normal expectations
When I ate raw fish, it tasted good – to my surprise.
Osashimi o tabeta tokoro ga oishii deshita.

If, even if, though, although
tatoe...
Even as a joke...
Tatoe joudan demo..
Even so..
Tatoe sou de atte mo...
No matter what may happen...
Tatoe donna koto ga atte mo...
Even if it were true, what would it matter?
Tatoe sore ga jijitsu to shite tokoro de, dou da to iu no da.

7.2 Assumptions

Should, supposed to expected to, assume
hazu
When do you expect your guests to arrive?
O-kyakusan wa nanji ni kuru hazu desu ka?
They should have left yesterday night.
Yuube shuppatsu shita hazu desu.
Spanish should be easy.
Supeingo wa kantan na hazu desu.
The bus isn't supposed to arrive yet.
Mada basu ga kuru hazu wa nai desu.
The flowers shouldn't be white.
Kono hana wa shiroi hazu wa arimasen.

It is expected that...
Vlex koto ni natteiru

Unexpected
yoteigai
Unexpected expenses
Yoteigai no shuppi
Something unexpected happened
Yoteigai no dekigoto
This was a rather unexpected picture.
Kore wa nanka yoteigai shashin da. (?)
There is no reason not to..., it's likely that...
V1-nai hazu wa nai.
There is no reason for him not to understand this. (It is likely that he understands this)
Ano hito ni kore ga wakaranai hazu wa arimasen.
It is not likely that..., there is no reason to expect that...
Vinf hazu ga (/wa) nai
There is no reason to expect that he would say such a thing.
Ano hito ga sonna koto o iu hazu ga nai.
(Somebody/thing) is/will probably, presume / wonder
Vinf darou
Vou
John will probably come.
Jon-san ga kuru deshou.
Jon-san ga kimashou.
It will probably rain tomorrow.
Ashita ame ga furu deshou.
He has probably already gone home.
Mou kaetta deshou.
I presume Mr. Kawaguchi got tired.
Kawaguchi-san wa tsukareta deshou.
I wonder if he spoke any Japanese.
Nihongo o hanashita deshou ka.
He is probably home now.
Ima kare wa uchi ni iru darou.
Will you ... ?
Vinf darou
Indicates a light question, when the statement ends with a rising tone.
You are going tomorrow, aren't you?
Ashita irassharu deshoo.

I think that
to omou
koto to omou
I think Mr. Yamada comes today.
Kyou yamada-san ga kuru koto to omoimasu.
(I) will probably do...
Vou to omou
I think I will probably go to sleep early tonight.
Konban hayaku neyou to omoimasu.
Certainly
tashika ni
see adverbs.
Will probably, I think, I may, maybe, I guess
ka mo shirenai
ka mo
no ka mo
ka shira

Used to express something you think but are not sure of.
Ka shira is used by women.
I may go tomorrow.
Ashita iku ka mo shiremasen.
It will probably clear up tomorrow.
Ashita wa hareru ka mo shirenai.
I think he already went home.
Mou kaetta ka mo shiremasen.
I don't know yet, but I it is probably cheap.
Mada wakaranai keredomo, yasui ka mo shiremasen.
I think he might have been a teacher before.
Mae wa sensei datta ka mo shirenai.
I guess I can’t do it.
Dekinai ka mo...
The Japanese buildings are not built well, I guess...
Nihon no tatemono no tsukurikata wa warui no ka mo...

I wonder if, do you think
ka na
ka naa
ka shira
ka shiran

Ka shira(n) is used by women only
I wonder if his wife is coming too.
Okusan mo kuru ka shira.
I wonder if it is finished already.
Mou owatta ka na.
Maybe your friend wants to come too, what do you think?
O-tomodachi mo ikitai ka na.
Do you think it would be ok to drop by now?
Kore kara sotchi e itte mo ii ka naa?
I wonder if he can speak Japanese well? (Used by women)
Ano hito wa Nihongo ga yoku hanaseru ka shiran.
It is not impossible, it may be...
V1-nai to wa kagiranai
It may be that such a thing could happen too.
Sonna koto mo okoranai to wa kagiranai.

To the extent, as long as, as far as, as ... as, while
Vlex kagiri

Adjectives cannot be used in front of kagiri. Use instead uchi wa.

See also: aida wa, uchi wa
I will run as fast as I can possibly do.
Dekiru kagiri, hayaku hashirimasu.
I will try my best.
Dekiru kagiri, yattemimasu.
As far as I know he is a nice enough person.
Watashi ga shitteiru kagiri, yasashii hito desu.
As long as I am here you don't have to worry.
Watashi ga koko ni iru kagiri shinpai wa muyou desu.
While you are an educator, you shouldn't say things like that.
Kyouiku-sha dearu kagiri sonna koto wa kuchi ni subeki dewa nai.
As far as I can remember he is not married yet.
Watashi ga oboeteiru kagiri kare wa mada kekkon shiteimasen yo.
As long as you tell no one, I don’t mind.
Dare ni mo iwanai kagiri kamaimasen.
Assume
Vta koto ni suru
Let's assume that we were here.
Koko ni ita koto ni shimashou.
I am under the impression that...
Vta tsumori (da)
I am under the impression that I mailed the letter, but...
Tegami o dashita tsumori desu ga...
Speaker's conjecture (tentative)
V1 no
V1-n'
(??)
I hope it will turn out to be so.
Sou naran to negau.
Problem, doubt, question

gimon
There is no doubt about that .
Sono ten wa gimon wa nai.
Be in doubt (?)
Gimon ni omou
There is some doubt ...
... gimon da, ...gimon ga aru
There is some doubt wether he will succeed or not
Kare wa seikou suru ka dou ka wa gimon da
Doubtful, questionable
Gimon no

7.3 Like: looks like, seems like, sort of, such as

Look as if it will / it seems (imminent) / I am afraid I
V2-sou da/na
Astm-sou da/na

ii -> yosa
nai -> nasa

Expresses the speaker’s conjecture based on visual information. The conjecture concerns an event which might take place in the future or the present, and thus cannot be used to describe a past event or state.
It can also describe the speaker’s conjecture about his own future based on what he feels.
sou da (with this meaning) cannot be preceded by a noun or noun+da, in that case use rashii.
It looks like rain.
Ame ga furisou desu.
The sky looks like it will rain.
Ame ga furisou na soramoyou desu.
That car looks expensive.
Ano kuruma wa takasou desu.
It looks like this house will fall down if there’s a strong wind.
Kono ie wa tsuyoi kaze ga fuitara taore sou desu.
This apartment looks good.
Kono apaato wa yosa sou da.
It looks like there is no problem.
Mondai wa nasa sou da.
I am afraid I can’t eat all this cake.
Boku wa kono keeki o nokoshi sou da.
Sounds cool!
Omoshirosou desu ne!
(seems) it is
sou da

You cannot express how others feel or are, so you use sou or similar expreesions (garu)
You are writing mails, and christmas preparations, you are really busy.
Mail o kaitari, kurisumasu no junbi, chou isogashisou dane.
Doesn’t seem to / doesn’t look as if / I am afraid I ... not
sou ni mo nai
sou mo nai

The V2-verb before sou da cannot be negative. Instead this construction is used.
It doesn’t seem that the students can solve this problem.
Kono mondai wa gakusei ni wa dekisou ni mo nai.
I am afraid I cannot understand it.
Watashi ni wa rikai dekisou ni mo nai.
you ni
you no

It seems (like)...
... you desu.
It seems the teacher explained it to you very detailed.
Sensei wa daibu kuwashiku oshiete kureta you desu ne!!
So ...
.. sou desu ne
So you are reading a book about Japanese culture.
Nihon no bunka ni tsuite kakareteiru hon o yondeiru sou desu ne.
mitai

mitai

You can use mitai like sou to express how others feel or are.
My friend’s son only just started at karate. Therefore he does not know so much yet.
Tomodocahi no musuko ga karate o hajimeta BAKARI da. Dakara mada yoku shiranai mitai.
rashii

It looks as if one won't even do...
V2-sou mo nai
V2-sou ni nai
It looks as if he won't even come today.
Ano hito wa kyou kisou mo arimasen.
Seem to / feel
Astm-garu

Is used for adjectives that normally express what the other person feels/thinks. A verb is been created that expresses what one presumes that the other person feels/thinks.
Cannot be used to people of higher status.
Ofteb the –te iru form is used.
The children seem to be freezing.
Kodomo ga samugatteimasu.
My little sister (seem to) want a doll.
Imouto wa ningyou o hoshigatteiru.
seem
V2-ge

Seeming condition of others
He looked at me with a face that seemed to hold some meaning.
Totemo imi arige na kao o shite watakushi o mimashita.
Appears as if
Vte mieru
When I wear this dress, I look fat (it appears as if I were fat).
Kono youfuku o kiru to futotte miemasu.
Give the impression of
kanji ga suru
You give the impression of being more grown-up. (You seem much more mature)
Motto otona no kanji ga suru
...and such, like
nado
As I expected it seems they had a lot of troubles as they rented their house and such. (?)
Yahari ie o kariru toki nado totemo kurou shita you dayo.
Also the working situation for women in (okeru) Japan, like for instance that the number of women that work until pension age gradually has increased, is changing.
Teinen made tsutomeru josei no kazu ga shidai ni fuetekiteiru nado, Nihon ni okeru josei no roudoujoukyou mo kawaritsutsu aru.
Such as, like
nante

nante + to iu -> nante iu
A role division such as “man is out, women is home” is feudalistic!
Otoko wa soto, onna wa uchi nante iu yakuwaribuntan, houken-teki da yo.
Like..., as...
As I promoised you yesterday, I will...
Kinou yakusoku shita touri, ...
Like / and such / and so on
toka
Have you tried wagashi (Japanese candy)? Like sweet bean paste.
Wagashi (nihon no okashi) tabeta koto ga aru? An toka.
In Japan you wear it at parties and such too.
Nihon dewa party toka ni mo kiru yo
sort of
you na
I think A and B has the same sort of meaning.
A to B to, onaji you na imi da to omou.
a little, kind of, somewhat, on the ... side
Astm-me
When I bought these trousers, I thought they were a little (too) loose, but now they're just right.
Kono zubon, katta toki ni wa yurume da to omtta kedo, choudo yoku natchatta yo.
There are some things I need to do, so could I go home a little early today?
Kyou wa youji ga aru node hayame ni kaerasete kudasai.

7.4 Hearsay and quoting

(somebody) says that...
Vlex to iu koto o iimasu.
Our government leaders say that the Japanese are hard workers.
Watashitachi no seihu no riidaa wa nihonjin ga doryokuka dearu to iu koto o iimasu.
I have heard that...
to iu koto o kiita.
I have heard that Japan is very beautiful.
Watashi wa Nihon ga totemo utsukushii to iu koto o kikimashita.
Being told, is said
to iwarete
They are unstoppable, even though they are being told to stop.
Yamerarenai, yamero to iwarete mo.
No matter what is said now, I feel like it will hurt.
Ima wa nani iwarete mo, kizutsukeru sonna ki ga suru.
That time, if you had told me "I hate you",...
Ano toki "kirai da" to iwarete itara,...
??
Iwarete
Just saying it isn't proof!
Iwarete mirya (mireba) shouko nai yo na.
I hear that / I heard that / People say that
Vinf sou da
A sou da
I heard that Mr. Yamakawa is studying French.
Yamakawa-san wa furansugo o benkyou shiteiru sou da.
I hear that meat in Japan is very expensive.
Nihon no niku wa totemo takai sou da.
I heard that Toshiko speaks very good English.
Toshiko-san wa eigo ga totemo jouzu da sou desu.
I heard that Tora is a teacher of English.
Tora-san wa eigo no sensei da sou da.
I hear that / heard that / understand that
-tte
I heard that she has already gone to Osaka.
Ano kata mou Oosaka e irasshatta n' desu tte.
It seems...
...to omowareru
On the other hand it seems that among Japanese, esepecially the younger people, Western and Chinese is the most popular, doesn't it.
Ippou nihonjin, toku ni wakai hito ni wa seiyouryouri ya chuugokuryouri no hou ga ninki ga aru no dewa nai ka to omowareru.

7.5 Checking (Was it ?)

Was it ... ? / I just wanted to be sure that it was ...
de ii no?
Was it 5 o’clock japanese time? Or was it when it was 5 in Denmark?
5ji wa nihon jikan de ii no ka na? Soretomo denmaku de 5ji na no ka na?


7.6 Approximating

About / approximate
Vta/N bakari da

gurai

Ca.
yaku


8 Changing the weight of the sentence

8.1 Emphasizing

For sure / on the other hand
koso

Emphasizes the previous word
To heal (recover), for sure this is important at busy times.
Iyashi, isogashii toki koso kore ga daiji da wa.
(No) I on the other hand says thank you!
Kochira koso arigatou.
... you ni
Don’t catch a cold or anything!
Kaze nado hikanai you ni ne!
Emphatic negative
V2 wa shinai

There isn't any such thing.
Sonna mono wa ari wa (arya) shinai.
How...!
...koto
How that man eats.
Ano hito wa yoku taberu koto.

8.2 Expressing gratitude

Thank you for ... –ing
...Vte kudasatte arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you for calling.
Denwa shite kudasatte arigatou gozaimasu.

8.3 Especially humble forms

humble form
o-V2 desu
The company chief is calling for you.
Shachou ga o-yobi desu.
humble form
o-V2 itasu
I will bring it immediatley.
Sugu o-mochi itashimasu.
Shall I lend you an umbrella?
Kasa o o-kashi itashimashou ka?
I called you.
O-denwa o o-kake itashimashita.


8.4 Especially polite/honorific forms

High form of honorific
o-asobasu
She sat down.
Osuwari asobashimashita.
Honorific
o-V2 ni naru
The teacher wrote some words on the blackboard.
Sensei ga kokuban ni ikutsuka no kotoba o o-kaki ni narimashita. (?)
Dad, have you read this book?
Otousan, kono hon o o-yomi ni narimashita ka?
Colloquial honorific
o-V2 da

Similar to o-V2 ni naru

Perhaps you are busy, since you not only have your schoolwork, but you have children, too.
Anata wa gakkou no oshigoto mo oari da shi, kodomo-san mo oari da kara oisogashii deshou.
to do

nasaru
Should it be with milk? (?)
Milk wa dou nasaimasu ka?
Irassharu = kuru, iku, suru

The te-form can be either: irasshatte or irashite
Where are you going?
Doko e irassharun desu ka ?
Please come to my country too.
Watashi no kuni ni mo irashite kudasai.

no hou

Used for polite indirectness to avoid precision and bluntness in a context where politeness is asked for.
How are things at work?
O-shigoto no hou wa ikaga desu ka?
Do you take milk in your coffee?
Koohii ni miruku no hou wa o-ire shimasu ka?

8.5 Habitual action

Used to
Vta mono da

Habitual occurrence in the past
I often used to fight with my little brother when I was little.
Chiisai toki watakushi wa yoku otouto to kenka shita mono desu.




9 Slang

9.1 Abbreviations

ssu
A less formal version for desu
Used typically in the sports world.
You always welcome a party, don't you.
Paati wa itudemo ureshiissu nee.

9.2 Negative

Negative
V1-n'
Sou wa ikan.
It won't work out that way.
(negative suffix) frequently contracted to -n as in arimasen.
-nu

Example: -ka mo shirenu = -ka mo shirenai

9.3 Adverbial prefixes

Extra, more, deep, (etc.)
mono-

Adds a meaning o
Really fantastic...
Monosugoku...
Immensed in deep thoughts.
Mono-omoi ni fuketteiru.

10 Grammatical

10.1 Referencing

to

tte

so called
to iu no
We do so called shrine visit
“O-miyamairi” to iu no o suru

to iu no wa

about
ni tsuite
It is interesting to learn about foreign cultures.
Gaikoku no bunka ni tsuite manabu koto wa omoshiroi desu.
about
no koto

Note that no koto no does not exist.

About (that)...
to iu koto
I read in a book, about you not rinsing your plates.
Kon o yonda... O-sara o susuganai to iu koto.

ni tsuite no

about...
...tte

talk about something (N) at a place (P)
N no hanashi o P de shita
We talked about yakitori over ICQ.
Yakitori no hanashi wo ICQ de shita.
Concerning, with regard to, about, on
ni kanshite
ni kanshite wa
ni kanshi
ni kanshimashite
ni kanshimashi

ni kanshimashite is more formal than ni kanshite
Formal equivalent of e.g. ni tsuite.
See also: no koto
With regard to that issue, we are not yet at the stage where we can announce anything.
Sono ken ni kanshimashite wa, mada happyou dekiru dankai dewa arimasen.
(happyou suru = announce, dankai = stage)
There was a lot of criticism concerning Mr. Yoshioka's presentation at the conference.
Sono gakkai de Yoshioka-shi no happyou ni kanshite ooku no hihan ga nasareta.
(hihan = criticism)
(Something) Concerning, with regard to, about, on (something)
...ni kansuru N

Formal equivalent of ni tsuite no.
Last week a conference on litterature was held in Tokyo.
Senshuu, Toukyou de bungaku ni kansuru gakkai ga hirakareta.
(hiraku = to open (a festival etc.))

10.2 Strange particles

ne used as wa
I was supposed to come here with fiancé, but...
Atashi ne, koko ni wa kare to issho ni kuru hazu datta n’ da kedo...
Emphasizing thoughts or opinions
sa

Casual usage
If I can’t do it today, I will do it tomorrow.
Kyou dekinakereba, ashita suru sa.
There is nothing left to do but give up.
Akirameru tori shikata ga nai sa.
Indicates a strong reaction
sa
What nonsense you are saying!
Nani o baka na koto o itteiru no sa.
I’ll have nothing to do with such a guy.
Nani sa, anna yatsu.
Used to hold the attention of the listener
sa
The book I borrowed the other day, I finished it.
Kono aida karita hon sa, mou yonjatta.
With mr. Tanaka, at the ginza, we went to see a movie.
Tanaka-san to sa, ginza de sa, eiga michatta.
Emphatic
(za), ze, zo as male endings similar to yo

Somewhat dialectic male ending. Should only be used to close friends. ze is softer than zo.
Be carefult with zo it might be rude.
zo is not used for invitations or requests.
-We are not supposed to go here.
-It's ok.
-Koko wa tachi de kinshi da ze (?)
-Daijoubu za
Well let’s go now.
Sorosoro dekakeyou ze.
Well let’s be off now.
Sorosoro dekakeru zo.
You can be sure I will be back tomorrow.
Ashita mata kuru ze.
If you do such things you will fail.
Sonna koto o suru to shippai suru zo.
This is difficult, I tell you.
Kore wa muzukashii zo.
By, at
nite
Eating dinner, at a restaurant in a small town.
Shokuji toaru, chiisana machi no resutoran nite.

10.3 Nominalizing (no, koto, tokoro) and abstraction (koto: the fact that...)

koto

Changes an action into a noun.
Is largely interchangeable with no but not in a certain number of set phrases.
I like to swim (lit. swimming).
Oyogu koto ga suki.
no

The fact
no koto
Since the fact that you are so bright, I guess you probably already know it.
Atama no ii Nafai no koto dakara kitto shitte iru to omou.
Is it this ... ?
no koto da ka?
You mean this star basketball player of ours?
Watashitachi no basuketto booru no hanagata senshu no koto desu ka?
(making things a bit abstract) Like
to iu
Rather than doing something like just translating the English version...
Eigoban kara yakusu to iu yori mo...
Times, places, things, when
tokoro
If you use only a dictionary, you won’t be able to understand the details. (.. understand when it comes to details)
Jisho dake dewa komakai tokoro made wa rikai dekinai.
If there are other things you don’t understand...
Mata wakaranai tokoro ga attara mail de....
to find that...
...to iu koto ni ki ga tsuku.
They found that their dog was not around.
Karera wa inu ga shuui ni inai to iu koto ni ki ga tsukimashita.
To do ... is ...
... to wa ...
That find Hayama's house, isn't that a miracle?
Hayama no ie o mitsukeru to wa kiseki ka?

10.4 Continuative and resultative

Be doing
Vte iru

Continuative or resultative
The standard usage is for continuing action.
With verbs of movement it means: "Has/is done"
Daddy is reading the newspaper.
Otousan wa ima shinbun o yonde imasu.
What are you doing?
Nani o shite imasu ka?
He is currently in (gone to) Denmark.
Kare wa ima Denmaaku e itte imasu.
I am wearing glasses.
Megane o kakete iru.
The window is closed.
Mado ga shimatte imasu.
The door was open.
Doa ga aite imashita.
I wasn't tired.
Tsukarete imasendeshita.
Continuative
V2-tsutsu aru
A typhoon is approaching Kyuushuu.
Taifuu ga kyuushuu ni sekkin shitsutsu aru.
The working situation for women is changing. (Ref.: The working situation for women has changed)
Josei no roudoujoukyou wa kawaritsutsu aru.
(ref.: Josei no roudoujoukyou wa kawatteiru)
Is done / have done
Vte aru


Describes an action which has occurred and is still in force

noget med transitive/intranstitive
The window is open (The window has been opened and is still open).
Mado ga akete arimasu.
I already wrote the letter.
Tegami wa mou kaite arimasu.
There is painted various things on the picture.
E ni wa iroiro no mono ga kaite arimasu.
In the furniture-shop bookcases and chests of drawers are lined up.
Kageya ni wa tansu ya honbako nado ga narabete arimasu.
Is done
mou
It is finished.
Mou owatta
Now it is past 12 so I guess better go to sleep.
Mou 12ji o sugite iru kara neta hou ga ii ka na.

10.5 Other grammatical

?? (you can almost ignore this I think)
(noun)-taru


11 Handy phrases



...don't you?
...sou deshou?
You like this music, don't you?
Anata wa kono ongaku ga suki desu, sou deshou?
How...!
Nante ... na!
How pretty!
Nante kirei na!
What a... !
Nante... deshou!
What a beautiful day!
Nante uraraka na hi deshou!
What a wonderful son!
Nante subarashii musuko deshou!
Why not?
Mochiron iinja arimasen ka?
..., isn't it?
..., sou darou?
It's your cow, isn't it?
Sore wa anata no meushi desu, sou deshou?
Anyway,
Nani mo ka mo
Anyway, it's all her fault.
Nani mo kamo aitsu ga warui n’ da.


At that point...
Soko de...

(So) then...
Sore de...

That being the case...
Sou iu wake de...

Then..., So...
De...

Contraction of either: soko de, sore de or sou iu wake de etc.
Can either be an encouragement to your conversational partner to continue speaking or it can be used to explain.
So, how was she doing?
De, kanojo, genki datta?
Train service has been stopped.
So when is it going to start up again?
Densha ga tomatte orimasu.
De, itsu ugoku n’ desu ka?
I come home, see, and the door is locked. So I had no choice but to wait outside.
Kaette kitara doa ni kagi ga kakatte iru no yo. De, shikata ga nai kara soto de matteta no.
...or something like that.
...toka ne.

What on earth, really, in fact
Ittai
Dear, what are you telling him now?!
Anata, ittai ima kare ni nani o itteru no?!
Oh,...
Nanda,...
A fire?! ... Oh, in the fireplace.
Hi datte?! ...Nanda, danro ni ka.
Yes indeed, oh my
Iya / iyaa

iya normally means “no” or “disgusting” or similar.
Yes indeed, bonsai is a fine pursuit.
Iyaa, bonsai mo ii desu na.
Funny you should mention it,...
Tokoro de dokkoi,...

How goes with... ?
... wa dou?
How goes with karate practice?
Karate no renshuu wa dou?
I was thinking...
Kangaete mite...

And..
..shi ne.
And the apartment prices are high...
Apaato dai wa takai shi ne...


with all that...
... no sei de
I can't do anything with all that noisy music.
Watashi wa ano souzoushii ongaku no sei de nanimo suru koto ga dekimasen."
I have known you for ...
Shiriai ni natte ... ni naru.
We have known each other for a month now.
Watashitachi wa shiriai ni natte ikkagetsu ni
narimasu.
Become more and more...
masumasu ... Vte kita.
Tonight it has become even more colder.
Konban wa masumasu samuku natte kimashita ne.
Remember that...
Vta oboe ga aru
I don't remember if I read about such a thing.
Sonna koto o yonda oboe wa arimasen.

Don't know (what, etc.) to do...
interrogative Vtara ii ka wakaranai
interrogative Veba ii ka wakaranai
I don't know what to do.
Dou shitara ii ka wakaranai.
I don't know where to go.
Doko e ittara ii ka wakaranai.


You do that too?
Anata mo sou?

Colloquial

Draw attention
hito no me o hiku
An eye-catching poster
me o hiku posutaa
You wouldn’t...
Vpot-negative
I hadn’t thought you were (just) 20 years. You give the impression of being much older.
20sai ni wa omoenai. Motto otona no kanji ga suru.
It makes me sick to
Vlex to iyaninaru
It makes me sick to think about it.
Sore o omoidasu to iyaninaru.
Through all / In all
N juu
In all of Japan
Nihon-juu
Through the whole year
Ichinen-juu
Don't give up...
... o akiramenaide
Don't give up your dreams.
Yume o akiramenaide...
There is something...
... tokoro ga aru
There is something cute about her.
Kawaii tokoro ga aru n’ da ze.
enthusiasm
nesshin
You are really entusiastic in studying!
Sugoku benkyou nesshin ne!
Fall, drop
ochiru
All the apples have fallen off the tree
Ringo wa zenbu ki kara ochita
The trees outside are loosing their leaves
Soto no ki wa ha ga ochiteimasu
Run out of
V2-kireru
Although they just started selling it yesterday, it is already sold out.
Kinou uridashita no ni, mou urikirete shimaimashita.
Survival of the fittest
Jakuniku kyoushoku

Kill time
hima o tsubusu

Useful ...
yaku ni tatsu N
This is a very useful commodity.
Sore wa totemo yaku ni tatsu mono desu
To differ
sa ga/wa aru
chigau
There is not really much difference I think
Amari sa wa nai to omou kedo
Experience
keiken
keiken suru
keiken ga aru
keiken ni naru
I want to experience many different things.
Takusan iroiro na koto o keiken shitai.
This is the coldest weather I have ever experienced (I have never experienced anything like this cold)
Konna samusa wa koremade ni keiken shita koto ga nai.
I know what it is like to lose a child.
Watashi wa kodomo o nakushita tsurai keiken ga aru.
I am new to this kind of work.
Watashi was kou iu shigoto ni wa keiken ga nai.
It is almost impossible, I know from my own experience.
Boku no keiken kara suru to sore wa hotondo fukanou da ne.
I think this will be a very good experience (for you).
Totemo ii keiken ni naru to omou yo.
People that haven’t experienced it don’t know I think, how truly hard it is to study while having a part time job.
Keiken no nai hito wa wakaranai ka mo shiremasen ga arubaito o shi nagara benkyou suru no wa hontou ni taihen desu.
younger + older
He is two years younger than me.
Watashi yori futatsu shita. (shita = “under” I think)
Put together / collected
matomete
Dishes and bowls for instance are collected under the term “tableware”
Sara toka bowl o matomete “shokki” to iu no da.
Don't know how (what, etc.)
(interrogative word) Vte ii (no) ka wakaranai
I don't know how to find difficult characters.
Muzukashii ji o dou shite mitsukete ii ka wakaranai.
I don’t know...
...wa yoku wakaranai

Cannot help
Vte shiyou ga nai
Vte shou ga nai (?)
I couldn't help crying hard.
Nakete shiyou ga nakatta.
Manage to do
Vte nokeru
Hidoku muzukashii shigoto o umaku shite noketa.
I managed to do a very difficult job well.
Part (of), portion
bubun
“Toro” is that part of the tuna’s meat that is rich on fat.
“Toro” wa maguro no niku no abura no ooi bubun no koto.
Pretend
furi o suru
He always pretends no to see me, even if he does see me.
Kare wa watakushi o mite mo itsumo minai furi o shimasu.

Personally
kojinteki ni
To know personally
Kojinteki ni shiru
Personal opinion
Kojinteki iken
Endure, tolerate / have patience
gaman suru
I endured the pain
Itai no o gaman shita
I cannot tolerate the noise
Souon ga gaman (limit) dekinai
I have come to the end of my patience
Mou gaman no genkai desu
Imagine
souzou suru
The scenery there was different from what I had imagined.
Soko no keshiki wa souzou shite ita mono to chigatte ita.
I cannot imagine life without water.
Mizu no nai seikatsu nado souzou dekinai.
Irritate / be nercous
iraira suru
His rude manners irritates me.
Ano hito no burei na taido ni wa iraira suru.

Special subjects

12.1 Verbs that take “o” as “about”

Worry
Komatteiru
What are you worried about?
Nani o komatteiru? (?)


12.2 “Ni” acting as “wa” (and others)


If you want to do that, you may do it.
Anata ni sore o suru ki ga areba shite mo ii desu.

12.3 The many meaning of “nante”

what / how
nante
I wonder how it is said in English.
Eigo dewa nante iu no kana
Like
nante
It’s not like I am lying!
Uso nante ittenai!
How...!
Nante ... na!
How pretty!
Nante kirei na!
What a... !
Nante... (deshou)!
What a beautiful day!
Nante uraraka na hi deshou!
What a wonderful son!
Nante subarashii musuko deshou!
What a fatnastic person you are!
Nante sugoi hito!
There is no such thing as... / there is no.. or anything
...nante nai yo
There is no password or anything.
Password nante nai yo.
There is no such things as ghosts.
Inai yo, yuurei nante.

12.4 The strange meaning og “natte iru”

is
natte iru
Now I will try and write som “palindromes”. To read them is interesting (this is (became) a palindrome too!)
Korekara ikutsuka "kaibun" o aitemiru kara.
Yo mu no ta no mu yo (koremo kaibun ni natte iru no yo)

12.5 Sonna ni / sore hodo

really
sonna ni
Is Pikachu's energy really that low?
Pikachu no kiryoku wa sonna ni hikui desu ka?
really not
sonna ni ... Vnai
xxx and yyy are really not that different. (almost the same)
xxx to yyy... sonna ni kawaranai.
sore hodo ... Vnai
The quality isn’t that much different.
Hinshitsu wa sorehodo kawaranai.

12.6 Yo and ne

It is.. / It is like... / ...you see
... yo.

Yeah,...
... ne.

Yeah, it is / Yeah, ... you see
... yo ne.


12.7 The many usages of mo

too

mo

In place of ga as “is both”

mo
There are at least both a low fat and a normal milk.
Milk mo low fat milk to futsuu no milk gurai dayo.
As much as / even

mo
There were two cards?
Nimai mo kaado ga atta. (?)
mo with the word motto

motto ... mo

mo used in negated sentences

mo ... Vnai



12.8 The “ki” words

Be interested in
... no ki ga aru

Want to / be in the mood to / feel inclined toward doing
ki ga aru
ki ga muku
If you want to do that, you may do it.
Anata ni sore o suru ki ga areba shite mo ii desu.
Not be interested in
... no ki ga nai

To get along with
ki ga au

Be timid / be afraid
ki ga chiisai

Become distracted
ki ga chiru

Have little patience / quick-tempered
ki ga mijikai

Hot-headed, hot-tempered
ki ga hayai

To have a hunch (that) / have a feeling that, feel like
N no ki ga suru
A ki ga suru
V3 ki ga suru
You have a hunch that this is not true. (a description of “usoppoi”)
Hontou dewa nai you na ki ga suru.
I don’t feel like going to school today.
Kyou wa gakkou e iku ki ga shimasen.
To mind / To care about / To worry
ki ni suru
I have never really given much thought to such things.
Sonna koto o amari ki ni shita koto ga nai kara.
Don’t mind / be indifferent to
ki ni shinai

Like / be pleased with
... ga ki ni iru

Ki ni iteiru sounds like ki niteru
Cindy likes Randy you know.
Shindi wa ki ni iteiru n’ desu yo, Randi no koto!
Well, that’s why I like him.
Ma, sonna tokoro mo ki ni iteiru n’ dakedo iu. (?)
Be worried over, feel anxious / to be on one’s mind / be bothered by
... ga ki ni naru
... ga ki ni kakaru
Do you mind it
Ki ni naru n’ desu yo?
I am somehow worried.
Nanka, ki ni natteiru za
To change one’s mind
ki ga kawaru

thoughtful, care for, tactful / smart / sensible
ki ga kiku ‹C‚ª—˜‚-

Come to feel like doing, by time feel like doing
V3 ki ni natte kuru
Since it is getting warm, I am beginning to feel like working in the garden.
Atatakaku natte kita node, niwa de hataraku ki ni natte kimashita.
To hurt one’s feelings / be offended
ki ni sawaru

Be dissatisfied
ki ga sumanai

Be reluctant to do
ki ga susumanai

Pay attention (to) / take care, be careful
(... ni) ki o tsukeru

Notice that
...ni ki ga tsuku

Faint
ki o ushinau

Irresolute / hesitating / have a weak personality
ki ga yowai

Care for
ki ni shiteiru
He must care for you too.
Kare, anata no koto ki ni shiteiru.
Don’t care
ki ni shiteinai
ki ni shinaide

Not as cold as betsu ni .. nai

Don't worry about...
... ki ni shinaide ii.
Don't worry about replying.
Henji wa ki ni shinaide ii desu.
In your/my imagination
ki no sei
It is just in your imagination.
Ki no sei da yo.
Pretentious
kidori
Pretentious person
Kidori-ya


13 Unsorted

As might be expected
Vinf dake ni
Vinf dake atte
That he is somewhat weak in the head might be expected from the fact that he is always bragging about strange things.
Ano otoko wa itsumo okashina koto o jiman suru dake ni doko ka tarinai.
Far from, no time to
dokoro dewa nai
dokoro no hanashi dewa nai
dokoro no sewagi dewa nai
I was so busy that I couldn't go shopping (far from having time to go shopping).
Isogashikute kaimono ni iku dokoro dewa nakatta.






14 Comments

Verb forms

Base
Eksempel
Beskrivelse
V1
a (kawa-nai)
Negative base
V2
i (kai-masu)
Infinitiv / masu-form / ”Continuative base”
V3 / Vlex
u (kau)
Dictionary form / Informal non-past
V4
e (kae-ba)
Conditional base
V5 / Vou
ou (kaou)
Conjectural base
V6 / Vte
te (katte-iru)
te-form
V7 / Vta
ta (katta)
Informal past



Vinf

A verb in its informal form (fx kuru, kita, konai, konakatta,
but not the V5-form)
Vpot

Potential form, V2-(ra)reru (korareru, dekiru, kawareru, taberareu)
Astm

Adjective stem (hoshi, aka, kirei)
N

Noun



Vtara

Equal to Vta + ra
Vnai

Equal to V1 + nai
Veba

Equal to V4 + ba


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