Adjective Classes

i adjective ends in i (not i row, just i). Joins directly to nouns (ie atarashi kuruma)

na adjective everything else (including some that end in i, like kirei). Needs na to join with nouns (ie shizuka na machi)

Adjective Conjugation

Masu form

i adj i desu, ku arimasen (or ku nai desu), katta desu, ku arimasen deshita

(ie isogashii desu, isogashiku arimasen, isogashikatta desu, isogashiku arimasen deshita)

na adj desu, ja arimasen (or ja nai desu), deshita, ja arimasen deshita

(ie suki desu, suki ja arimasen, suki deshita, suki ja arimasen deshita)

Plain form

i adj i, kunai, katta, kunakatta

(ie isogashii, isogashikunai, isogashikatta, isogashikunakatta)

na adj da, ja nai (de nai), datta, ja nakatta (dewa nakatta)

(ie suki da, suki ja nai, suki datta, suki ja nakatta)

Te form

i adj drop i, replace with ku te

na adj add de

Conjunctive form

i adj drop i

na adj don't use na

Adverbial form

(turn adjective into adverb)

i adj drop i, replace with ku. (ie yasui -> yasuku. cheap->cheaply)

na adj drop na, replace with ni (ie shizuka na -> shizuka ni. quiet -> quietly).

Verb Classes

Class 1 everything else (including some that seem like they should be class 2, like kaeru)

Class 2 last character is ru, second to last character is from the i or e row

Class 3 irregular, suru and kuru

Verb Conjugation

Masu form masu, masen, mashita, masendeshita

Class 1 final character u row->i row + masu (ie kaku->kakimasu)

Class 2 drop ru replace with masu (ie miru->mimasu)

Class 3 suru->shimasu, kuru->kimasu

"conjunctive form" (aka "pre-masu form") is this form without the masu.

Plain form

Class 1 negatives u row->a row + nai or nakatta (ie kakanai, kakanakatta)

Class 1 past last syllable change to

u tsu ru tta (ie kau->katta, matsu->matta, wakaru->wakatta)

mu bu nu nda (ie yomu->yonda, yobu->yonda, shinu->shinda)

su shita (ie hanasu->hanashita)

ku ita (ie kaku->kaita)

gu ida (ie oyogu->oyoida)

Class 2 drop ru replace with nai, ta, or nakatta

Class 3 suru, shinai, shita, shinakatta; kuru, kinai, kita, kinakatta

Te form (used for a number of things)

just do plain past and change the final ta to te (or da to de). Miru->mite

Negative Te form 1

make plain non-past negative (ends in nai). Treat as i-adjective (change i to ku, add te). Miru->minakute

Negative Te form 2

make plain non-past negative (ends in nai). Add de. Miru->minaide

Potential form (to be able to do)

Class 1 u row->e row + ru then conjugate as if it's Class 2 (ie hanasu->hanaseru, hanaseta)

Class 2 change ru to rareru then conjugate as if it's Class 2 (ie miru->mirareru, mirareta)

Class 3 suru->dekiru, kuru->korareru

Alternately, you can show the ability to do something with the construction

Plain form + koto ga dekiru (ie hanasu koto ga dekimasu)

Volitional form (to intend to do something)

Class 1 u row->o row + u + to omou (ie kaku->kakou to omoimasu)

Class 2 ru -> you + to omou (ie miru->miyou to omoimasu)

Class 3 suru->shiyou to omou, kuru->koyou to omou

Alternately, you can show you intend to do something with the construction

Plain form + tsumori desu

Causative form (to make/allow someone to do something)

Class 1 u row->a row + seru (ie kaku->kakaseru)

Class 2 ru -> saseru (ie taberu->tabesaseru)

Class 3 suru->saseru, kuru->kosaseru

Causative forms conjugate like a class 2 verb. (ie kakasasenai, kakasaseta, etc)

Passive voice

Class 1 u row->a row + reru (ie kaku->kakareru) (if end in u make wa)

Class 2 ru -> rareru (taberu->taberareru)

Class 3 suru->sareru, kuru->korareru

Conjuate like it's Class 2 (ie kakareta).

N1 wa N2 ni (kara, niyotte) passive verb. N1 was V-ed by N2. (ie Tanakasan wa Mimurasan ni sasowareta. Tanaka was invited by Mimura.) Use kara instead of ni if N2 is a source (something is coming from N2). Use niyotte instead of ni if N2 is a medium through which something is done, or to put extra emphasis on N2 ("This painting was painted by Picasso"). Generally, it's safest to just stick with ni.

Blunt Command form

This is very blunt. Maybe a parent would say this to a misbehaving child. Adults generally wouldn't. Also, it's only good for positive commands. Can't say not to do something with this form.

Class 1 u row -> e row (ie hanasu->hanase. Speak, you worthless piece of meat!)

Class 2 ru -> ro (ie okiru->okiro. Get up, you lazy good for nothing!)

Class 3 suru->shiro, kuru->koi

The one place where you're allowed to use this form is with "ganbare" (keep at it). Do that at a sporting event when you're cheering someone on.

Conditionals

Tara plain past form + ra

Suggestions, how about if you did? Plain past verb + ra + doudesuka. (ie Tanakasan ni hanashitemitara doudesuka? How about if you try talking with Tanakasan?)

Requests, suggestions, volition, prohibition. Tara clause + main clause. (ie Atarashi kuruma o kattara, misetekudasai. If (when) you buy a new car, please show it to me.)

If, when, after. Tara clause + main clause. To emphasize "if" over "when" start sentence with moshimo or moshi. (ie Moshimo ame ga futtara, pikunikku wa arimasen. If it rains there will be no picnic.)

Wish, regret, suggestion. Tara ii. (ie Ashita haretara ii desu ne. It will be good if its clear weather tomorrow.)

Hypothetical statements tara clause + main clause in past tense + to omou. (ie Motto okane ga attara, nihon e itta to omoimasu. I've I'd had more money, I would have gone to Japan.)

"When" for past events and actions (if main clause is past, tara clause means "when"). There's a sense of the action being unexpected. (ie Uchi ni kaettara, dare mo imasendeshita. When I went home, no one was there.)

To Plain nonpast (affrim or neg) + to

Factual statements that are true for everyone or true every time for someone. Whenever, when, if, as if. (ie Haru ni naru to atatakakunarimasu. When it becomes spring, it becomes warm. Osake wo nomu to kao ga akakunarimasu. Whenever I drink Sake, my face becomes red.)

Logical cause and effect relationships. Inevitable, natural, habitual consequence of an action. Whenever. (ie Benkyoshina to tesuto ga dekimasen. If you don't study, you won't be able to do the test.)

"I hope" ~to ii desu ne. (ie motto suzushikunaru to ii desu ne. I hope it becomes cooler (it would be good if it became cooler, wouldn't it?)).

to conditional + main clause with past ending. When (the event was unexpected). (ie eki ni iku to tomodachi ni aimashita. When I went to the train station I bumped into my friend.)

Special Constructions

n desu plain form + n desu Use this if you're giving an excuse, or you want to more involve the speaker. (ie shitsumon ga arun desu.) Also no desu. Plain is n da or no da.

mono da plain form + mono da (desu). Colloquial, shows a speakers strong emotional involvement with an event. Can be an excuse. Can be the additon of emotional intensity (usually conveyed with tone of voice in English). Can be "because" if used as an excuse. If used with a past tense verb, can be reminiscing. In extremely colloquial speech, "mono da" becomes "mon da."

I think plain form + to omou (omoimasu)

probably plain form + deshou

might plain form + kamoshiremasen

let's conjunctive form + mashou

I choose to do conjunctive form + mashou

Only, nothing but noun + bakari (ie koohii bakari nomu no wa warui desu. Drinking nothing but coffee is bad.)

Do only, nothing but te form + bakari (ie koohii wo nonde bakari wa warui desu. Only drinking coffee is bad.)

Not only A, but also B A dake de naku, B mo (ie Sumisu-san wa, nihongo dake de naku chugokugo mo hanasemasu. Smith can speak not only Japanese, but also Chinese.)

No wonder, so that's why S1, S2 plain form (or noun + to iu) wake desu (ie Mai nichi benkyoshiteimasu, jyouzu na wake desu. He studies every day, no wonder he's so good.)

In other words, to sum up plain form + to iu wake desu. (ie Tanakasan wa kubi ni natta to iu wake desu. In other words, Tanakasan was fired.)

change in state ni naru.

noun + ni naru.

na adj + ni naru. (no na)

i adj, drop i replace with ku + naru.

gradual change in state plain form verb + you ni naru

Unlike ni naru, which is a single occasion, this is the beginning of a new ability or habit, or a change that takes place gradually.

requests

for in group te form + kudasai, kuremasuka, kuremasenka

for out group te form + kudasaimasuka, kudasaimasenka, itadakemasuka, itadakemasenka

negative requests (please don't do)

negative te form 2 + one of the following: kure, (nothing), kudasai, kudasaimasenka. (ie Koko de tobako wo suwanaide kudasai. Please don't smoke here.)

"without doing" (ie Eigo wo tsukawanaide, hanashite kudasai. Please speak without using english.) If the following clause expresses emotions, judgements, or reasons, can use negative te form 1 (nakute) instead. (ie Sensei to hanasanakute, iin desu ka? Would it be good to not speak with the teacher?)

"without doing things like" tari shinai de (ie Tonari no hito no cotae wo mitari shinaide kudasai. Please don't do things like look at your neighbor's answers.)

continuing action, state of being te form + iru (ie someone is drinking right now = nondeimasu)

have the experience of doing

do have plain past affirmative + koto ga aru (arimasu)

don't have plain past affirmative + koto ga nai (arimasen)

there are times when plain nonpast + koto ga aru

desire for objects hoshii

1st person Watashi wa atarashi kuruma ga hoshii desu.

Direct question Tanaka-san wa atarashi kuruma ga hoshii desu ka? (talking to Tanaka)

3rd person Tanaka-san wa atarashi kuruma wo hoshigatteiru to omoimasu.

Indirect question Tanaka-san wa atarashi kuruma wo hoshigatteimasu ka? (asking someone else)

In 3rd person hoshigaru is habitual desire, hoshigatteiru is what you want right now.

desire to do something

1st person, direct question conjunctive form + tai (conjugates like an i adjective)

3rd person, indirect question conjunctive form + tagaru (tagatteiru)

desire for someone to do something

A ni te form verb + hoshii (hoshii desu, hoshiin desu). I want A to do (verb). Can replace hoshi with moraitai or itadakitai. Often end it kedo... to soften it. (ie terebi wo tsukete hoshiin desu kedo... I'd like for you to turn on the tv but...)

desire for someone NOT to do something

A ni negative te form verb (nai de) + hoshi (moraitai, itadakitai). "I want you not to do this."

A ni te form verb + hoshikunai (moraitakunai, itadakitakunai). "I don't want you to do this." (Despite how it sounds in English, the latter is stronger in Japanese.)

tell someone to do something

person asked + ni + clause ending in plain, no-past verb + you ni + verb expressing command, request, suggestion, advice. (ie Sumisusan ni sugu uchi e kaeru you ni itte kudasai. Please tell Smith to go home immediately.)

so that, in such a way that

plain, non-past potential form of a verb (or potential verb) + you ni + clause. (ie Gakusei ga yomeru you ni, kanji ni furigana wo futta. So that the students could read it, I put furigana above the kanji.)

plain, non-past negative from of a verb + you ni + clause. (ie Kaigi ni okurenai you ni, eki kara takushii de itta. So that I wouldn't be late for the meeting, I took a taxi from the station.)

asking permission to do something

conjunctive form + tain desu ga yoroshii (or ii) desu ka.

too much, to overdo

verb conjunctive form + sugiru (ie nomisugiru, tabesugimashita)

i adj drop i and add sugiru (ie isogashii->isogashisugiru)

na adj drop na and add sugiru (ie hima na->himasugiru)

quoting speech what was said, but in plain form + to iimashita

called X X to iu (ie company called Microsoft becomes mikurosofuto to iu kaisha)

called in language A wa X wo Y to iu (ie "the japanese call this taiko" becomes nihonjin wa core wo taiko to iu)

X is needed X ga iru (irimasu)

to decide on X X ni suru

to decide to do X plain form verb + koto ni suru

someone else decided to do X plain form verb + koto ni naru

to finish doing something te form + shimau (shimaimasu)

to regret doing something te form + shimau (shimaimashita) (not with negative)

to do something in advance, ahead of time, for later te form + oku (okimasu)

to leave something undone for the time being negative te form 2 + oku (ie, miruku wa mada aru kara kawanaide okimashita. Because we still had milk, I didn't buy any.)

to leave/keep (open, closed, turned on, etc) te form + oku (okimasu)

still plain past tense verb (plain i adj, na adj + na, noun + no) + mama (de). (ie Terebi wo tsuketa mama de, neteshimaimashita. I slept with the TV still on.) (ie 2 Fudangi no mama de, shitsureishimasu. Excuse me for still being in casual clothes.)

The way of (how to) conjunctive form + kata (is a noun) (ie kono kanji no yomikata ga wakarimasen. I don't know how to read this kanji.)

I wonder... (casual speech) plain form + kashira (if female) or plain form + kana (if male)

give it a try (and see how it goes) te form + miru

tried (and failed) plain volitional form + to + shita (ie sushi wo tabeyou to shimashita. I tried to eat sushi (and I just couldn't)).

am trying plain volitional form + to + shite iru (ie sushi wo tabeyo to shite imasu. I'm trying to eat this sushi.)

Just as I was about to plain volitional form + to + shitara/shita toki/shita tokoro (ie ofuru ni hairou to shita toki, denwa ga arimashita. Just as I was about to get into the bath, the phone rang.)

I expect, is expected plain from adj or verb (or noun + no) + hazu desu. (ie Tanaka-san wa kuru hazu desu. I expect Tanka to come.) Can mean I expect that, is expected to, I am sure that, ought to, no wonder, is supposed to, I assume that. However, usually the person being talked about can not be watashi. So it can not be "I'm expected to do this." I can have no part in whether or not it will happen. This is more, "He told me he's coming, so I expect him to be here soon."

Is not supposed to, is not expected to plain form negative sentence + hazu desu (ie Tanaka-san wa paatii ni ikanai hazu desu. I don't expect that Tanaka is going to the party.)

There's no way, it's impossible that plain form sentence + hazu ga nai (ie Tanaka-san wa paatii ni iku hazu wa nai. There's no way that Tanaka is going to the party.) Very strong, so not very polite.

te form + iku

do something and then leave that place

do something while moving away from where you are

te form + kuru

do something and then move toward the speaker

go away do something and then come back

do something while moving toward the speaker

something has already started happening

Tokoro expressions

About to do plain nonpast verb + tokoro desu. (ie Ima choudo dekakeru tokoro desu. I'm just about to leave.)

In the process of doing te form verb + iru + tokoro desu. (ie Ima repooto wo yonde iru tokoro desu. I'm reading the report right this second.) Te form + iru is also in the process of doing. Adding the tokoro puts the emphasis on this instant in time. Without it, the emphasis is on the action. Nihongo wo benkyo shite imasu. I'm in the process of studying japanese, but maybe I've been doing it for years. I probably don't mean that the books are open right this second. Nihongo wo benkyo shite iru tokoro desu. I'm studying japanese right this second.

Has just done past affirmative verb + tokoro desu. (ie Choudo kita tokoro desu. I just arrived.)

Has recently done past affirmative verb + bakari desu. (ie Sen shuu, kita bakari desu. I just arrived last week.) (not to be confused with te form + bakari, which is "only")

Simultaneous actions conjunctive form + nagara, clause 2. Clause 2 is the main one. (ie ongaku o kikinagara, benkyoushimasu. I listen to music while I'm studying.)

Go in order to do conjunctive form + ni + motion verb (to go, to come, to return, to leave, to enter, to go out). (ie honya e hon o kai ni ikimashita. I went to the bookstore to buy a book.)

Purpose (for, in order to do) noun + no + tame ni (ie Tanaka-san no tame ni bangohan wo tsukurimashita. I made dinner for Tanaka.)

Purpose (for, in order to do) plain non-past verb + tame ni (ie nihongo wo benkyou suru tame ni nihon e ikimashita. I went to Japan to study Japanese. Not I studied Japanese so that I could go to Japan. That would be: nihon e iku tame ni nihongo wo benkyoushimashita.) (ie2 Koohii wo nomu tame ni Starbucks ni hairimashita. I went into Starbucks to drink coffee.

Purpose adjectival phrase noun no (plain, non-past verb) + tame ni + no (ie kore wa kodomo no tame ni no gaamu desu. This is a game for children.) (ie2 kore wa occha wo nomu tame ni no chawan desu. This is a cup for drinking tea.)

I heard, they say plain forms + sou desu (ie San Francisco no buka wa takai sou desu. They say (I heard that) prices are high in San Francisco. Noda-san ni yoruto, San Fran no buka wa takai sou desu. According to Noda-san, . . . Noda-san no hanashi de wa, San Fran no buka wa takai sou desu. In Noda-san's story, . . . )

Whether or not plain forms + kadouka. (However, no da for na adj non-past affirmative. It's too hard to pronounce da kadouka.) (ie Ame ga furu kadouka wakarimasen. I don't know whether or not it will rain.) In casual conversation the douka is often dropped.

Embedded question interrogative plain form clause + ka + main clause. (ie sumisu-san wa doko e itta ka wakarimasen. I don't know where Smith went.)

Easy to do conjunctive form + yasui. Conjugates like an i adjective. (ie suniikaa wa hakiyasui, the sneakers are easy to wear.)

Hard to do conjuctive form + nikui. Conjugates like an i adjective. (ie kono ryouri wa tsukainikui desu. This dish is hard to make.)

Can't and Must

All forms end in one of the following:

ikemasen (ikenai) must (not) ...

narimasen (naranai) must (not) ... (implies someone else decided)

damedesu (dameda) it would be bad if ...

komarimasu (komaru) I'll be in trouble if you ...

Prohibition (must not) te form + (particle) wa + one of the above. (ie Koko shashin wo tottewa komarimasu. I'll be in trouble if you take pictures here (so please don't). Tabako wo suttewa ikenai koto ni natteimasu. It is a rule that you must not smoke here.) If colloquial, tewa becomes cha.

Admonishment (must) negative te form 1 + (particle) wa + one of above. In other words, it's a double negative. "You must do" is really "you must not, not do." (ie Yoyaku o shinakute wa narimasen. It's been decided that I must make a reservation.)

Admonishment (need to) "ba form." plain past negative (nai), drop i, replace with kereba + one of the above. This is really interchangeable with nakutewa, but it feels a bit more colloquial. I think of it as "need to" rather than "must." (ie Shukudai wo shinakereba ikemasen. I need to do my homework.)

It's all right not to plain negative te form (nakute) + mo + ii (kamawanai, daijoubu).

Shinakute mo ii = it's alright not to do. Ookikunakute mo ii = it doesn't have to be big. Hansamu denakute mo ii = he doesn't have to be handsome. Toyota denakute mo ii = it doesn't have to be a Toyota.

It's completely unnecessary plain, non-past verb + koto wa nai (koto wa arimasen).

Command conjunctive + nasai. Not as blunt as blunt command form, but the above are more polite. (ie a mother might say to her child: Yasai wo tabenasai. Eat your vegitables.) Only good for positve. Can't say "don't do" with this form.

Blunt negative command plain form + na. (ie Wataruna. Don't cross.) You'll see this on a sign (it's compact) but you'll almost never have a chance to use it. Some males in extremely colloquial situations use plain form + na + yo.

Te mo expressions

Ask Permission te form + mo + one of the following: ii, ii desu ka, kamaimasenka (don't mind?), ii deshouka, yoroshii deshouka. (ie Koko de, tobako wo sutte mo ii desu ka? Is it all right if I smoke here?)

Give Permisison te form + mo + one of the following: ii yo, ii desu (yo), kamaimasen (yo). (ie Koko de, tobako wo sutte mo kamaimasen yo. I don't mind if you smoke here.)

Even if adj/noun te form + mo ii kara, + wish/command/request/desire. (ie Ichidode mo ii kara, nihon e ikitai. Even if its just once, I want to go to Japan.)

Even if/Even though/No matter adj/noun/verb te form + mo (ie Kyou ame ga futemo pikuniiku e ikimasu. Even if it rains, we're going on a picnic today.)

Is it okay even if? verb te form + mo + one of the following: ii desu ka, kamaimasenka, ii deshouka, yoroshii deshouka. (ie Miika yasumi wo totte mo yoroshiideshouka? Is it alright even if I take off 3 days?)

All right no matter (w) interrogative + te form mo ii. (ie Nani wo tabete mo ii desu yo. It's all right no matter what we eat. Doko e itte mo ii desu. It's all right no matter where we go.)

You don't have to do negative te form 1 + mo ii desu. (ie Shukudai wo shinakute mo ii desu. You don't have to do the homework.)

Hou ga ii expressions

Endings in decreasing severity (increasing politeness) desu yo, deshou, to omoimasu, n ja arimasenka, kamoshiremasen ne.

You'd better do past affirmative verb + hou ga ii + ending. (ie Hyaku ryoukan wo yoyaku shita hou ga ii to omoimasu. I think you'd better make a reservation at the inn early.)

You'd better not do nonpast negative form + hou ga ii + ending. (ie Koko de shashin wo totanai hou ga ii desu yo. You'd better not take a picture here.)

Transitive and Intransitive verb expressions

Transitive (tadoushi) verbs take a direct object (object wo transitive verb). (ie denki wo tsukeru. Turn on the lights). Usually class 2 (exceptions: kesu (turn something off) and okosu (wake someone up))

Intransitive (jidoushi) verbs have a subject but no object. (ie denki ga tsuku. The lights turn on.) Usually class 1 (exceptions: kieru (something turned off) and okiru (woke up))

Has been done (for a reason) transitive verb te form + aru. Even though it's a transitive verb, it takes ga, not wo. (ie denki ga keshite arimasu. Those lights were turned off for a reason.) Note, this uses non-past aru even though the meaning is past tense. We're presently in the state of having done this.

Was done intransitive verb te form + iru. Intransitive verb, so it takes ga, not wo. As with the above, we have non-past iru even though the english meaning is past tense. Again, it's "we're presently in the state of this action having been done." Who did the action (and why) is unknown, all we know is that it was done. (ie denki ga kiete imasu. The lights are off. (I walked in and found the lights off))

Is happening right now transitive verb te form + iru. Transitive verb, so it takes wo. (ie denki wo keshite imasu. I'm in the process of turning off the lights.)

Analogy and Exemplification "like"

N2 that is (looks) like N1 N1 no you na N2 (ie Oshiro no you na uchi desu ne. The house is like a castle.)

Describing the appearance of people and things If N2 is kao (face), katachi (shape), iro (color), kakkou (appearance), then N1 no you na N2 wo shite imasu. If N2 is aji (taste), nioi (smell), ki, kimochi, kanji (all = feeling) then N1 no you na N2 ga suru.

N1 is (adjective) like N2 or N1 does something (verb) like N2 N1 wa N2 no you ni verb/adjective (ie Sumisu-san wa, Nihonjin no you ni nihongo wo hanasu. Smith speaks Japanese like a Japanese person.)

N1 is like N2 N1 wa N2 no you desu (ie Sumisu-san wa nihonjin no you desu. Smith is like a Japanese person.)

Note, "maru de" is often used with these sentences to emphasize "just like." (ie Sumisu-san wa maru de nihonjin no you desu. Smith is just like a Japanese person.)

Do something (V2) like V1 V1 (plain form) you ni V2 (ie sensei ga kaku you ni kakinasai. You must write the way the teacher does.)

A N that seems to be acting like V V you na N (ie nani ka ii koto ga aru you na ki ga suru. I have a feeling that things will be okay.

Note, in all cases "(no) you" can be replaced with "mitai" (a na adjective) if the speech is colloquial.

It seems like, it appears that plain form verb, adj, or noun + you (mitai) desu. This is based on the speaker's first hand or reliable information. (ie Sumisu-san wa kaze wo hiita you desu. Smith seems to have caught a cold. (You see him sneezing and carrying around a lot of tissues.)) Past tense is okay. Non-past na adj needs na. Noun needs no.

It feels like, it seems like, it appears conjunctive form + sou desu. This is based on instinct, or your first impression. Not a lot of contious thought goes into it. (ie Kono keeki wa omoshisou desu ne. This cake looks delicious. (It looks good, but you don't have any real information to tell you that it's tasty. You just figure that's so.)) This can NOT be past tense. Note, do not confuse this with plain from + sou desu. That's "I heard."

Causation

N1 forces N2 to do (intransitive verbs) N1 ga (wa) N2 wo causitive intransitive verb. (ie Bucho wa Takada-san wo kaigi e ikaseta. The department head made Takada go to the meeting.)

N1 allows N2 to do (intransitive verbs) N1 ga (wa) N2 ni causitive intransitive verb. (ie Bucho wa Takada-san ni kaigi e ikaseta. The department head allowed Takada to go to the meeting.)

N1 makes/allows N2 to do N3 (transitive verbs) N1 ga (wa) N2 ni N3 wo causitive transitive verb. When the verb is transitive (takes a direct object) the grammar doesn't tell enough whether it's "force" or "allow." Must get that from context. (ie Bucho wa Takada-san ni purezenteeshon wo saseta. The department chief made (let?) Takada do the presentation. ie2 Yamaguchi-san wa Satomi-san ni shichiuu wo tsukaraseta. Yamaguchi let (made?) Satomi make stew.)

Please let me do Te form of causative verb + kudasai (ie Watashi ni sono shigoto wo sasetekudasai. Please let me do that work.) Of course, can be more polite with kudasaimasenka, etc.

Please don't let (intransitive) N1 ni negative te form 2 causative intransitive verb + kudasai. (ie Tanaka-san ni toukyou e ikasenaidekudasai. Please don't let Tanaka go to Tokyo.)

Please don't make (intransitive) N1 wo negative te form 2 causative intransitive verb + kudasai. (ie Tanaka-san wo toukyou e ikasenaidekudasai. Please don't make Tanaka go to Tokyo.)

Please don't let (make) someone do something (transitive) N1 ni N2 wo negative te form 2 of causative transitive verb + kudasai. (ie Musuko ni amaimono wo tabesasenaidekudasai. Please don't let my son eat sweet things.)

Contrary to expectations

Even though Sentence 1 ending in plain form verb (i adj, na adj + na, noun + na) + no ni sentence 2. (ie Takusan benkyoushita no ni tesuto wa dekimasen deshita. Even though I studied a lot, I couldn't do the test.)

But you promised S1 no ni. When you leave off the second sentence, it shows resentment or dissapointment. (ie Puresento wo katte kuru to itta no ni. But you said you'd buy me a present!)

You should have (I wish you would have) to conditional, tara conditional, ba conditional + ii (yokatta) + no ni. (ie chizu wo kaite agetara yokatta no ni. You should have given him a map.) (ie Motto yasai wo taberu to ii no ni. I wish you'd eat more vegetables.)

Colloquial Speech Contractions

tewa becomes cha (ie, tabete wa ikenai->tabecha ikenai = you can't eat)

te shimau/te shimashita becomes chau/chatta (ie, wasureteshimatta->wasurechatta = damn, I forgot!)

dewa becames jaa (ie, suki dewa arimasen->suki jaa arimasen = don't like)

nakereba becomes nakya (ie tabenakereba ikenai->tabenakya ikenai = you must eat)

Misc

multiple actions in a row use te form for all but the last.

do things like such and such plain past (verb or adj) + ri, plain past (verb or adj) + ri + suru or desu (ie natsu yasumi wa hon wo yondari, haikingu ni ittari shiyou to omoimasu. During summer vacation I plan to read books and go hiking, among other things.)

sometimes this, sometimes that plain past (verm or adj) + ri, contrastive plain past (verb or adj) + ri + suru or desu (usually desu). (ie asagohan wo tabetari, tabetanakattari desu. Sometimes I eat breakfast, sometimes I don't.)

some interrogative + ka (nani ka, etc)

every interrogative + mo + affirmative

no interrogative + mo + negative

any interrogative + demo

gerunds add no or koto to end of plain form phrase

Nihongo de hanasu koto ga muzukashii desu.

Bus ni noru no ga suki desu.

skills Tanaka-san wa nihongo ga jyouzu desu.

Iie, nihongo ga heta desu.

relative clause use plain form and ga instead of wa

negative questions "Is it not hard?" "Yes it's not hard." "No, it is hard."

Comparatives and Superlatives

<comp> is an adjective, or an adverb + verb (no desu then)

X wa Y yori <comp> (desu). X is more <comp> than Y.

X no hou ga Y yori <comp> (desu). X is more <comp> than Y.

X to Y to dochira no hou ga <comp> (desu) ka? Which is more <comp> X or Y?

X to Y to Z no naka de, X ga ichiban <comp> (desu). Between X, Y, and Z, I like X the best.

X wa Y to onaji gurai <comp> (desu). X and Y are about the same.

X wa Y hodo <negative form of comp>. X is not as <comp> as Y. (ie Toyota wa Lexus hodo takaku arimasen. Toyotas are not as expensive as Lexus.)

Toki expressions When or while

noun + no + toki (ie kodomo no toki, when I was a child)

i adj + toki (ie niku ga yasui toki, when meat is cheap)

na adj + na + toki (ie hima na toki, when I'm free)

plain nonpast verb + toki main verb happens before toki expression. (ie tennis wo suru toki sasottekudasai. Please invite me when you play tennis (invite me first, then play.))

plain past verb + toki main verb happens after toki expression. (ie Tokyo e itta toki, camera o kau. When I go to Tokyo, I'm going to buy a camera (buy it in Tokyo).

volitional form + to shita toki When I was about to do

Before and After

mae = before

ato = after (time), ushiro (behind), go (with time expresions (ie gogo rokuji))

Noun no mae ni (ie hirugohan no mae ni tomodachi ni aimashita. I met with a friend before lunch).

Noun no ato (de) the de is optional. (ie hirugohan no ato de, tomodachi ni aimashita. After lunch, I met with a friend.)

Plain non-past verb + mae ni + main clause

The tenses of these are similar to the toki clauses. Main clause happens before the first part, so the first part is non-past (tense of sentence is in main clause). (ie Nihon e iku mae ni camera o kaimashita. Before I went to Japan, I bought a camera).

Plain past afirm verb + ato de + main clause

Main clause happens after first part, so first part is in past tense. (ie Nihon e itta ato de, camera o kaimashita. After I went to Japan, I bought a camera.)

~ato sugu ni Right after. (Right before is still just mae ni)

te form + kara After, right after.

In all of the above, you must have control over both parts. Can't be "after it rains" because you don't have control of the rain.

Tara conditional If it's clear this means "when" instead of "if", this carries an "after" connotation. This one you don't have to have control of both.

Time expression + mae ni Ago. (ie Ichi nen mae ni... one year ago)

Time expression + go ni in. (ie Juppun go ni... in ten minutes)

Indefinite pronouns "Do you have any red ones?"

plain forms + no (note that na adj uses "na" and not "da" for non-past affirmative)

noun (ie "dare no hon desu ka? Watashi no desu." Whose book is this? (no is a particle) It's mine. (no makes "I" an indefinate pronoun.)

i adj (ie say we've already mentioned sweaters. Then "akai no ga arimasu ka?" Do you have any red ones?)

na adj (ie say you're looking at apartments and the one they're showing has noisy neighbors. Then you might say "shizuka na no ga arimasu ka?" Are there any quiet ones?")

verb (ie, Which person? "Akai kimono kite iru no desu." The one wearing the red kimono.)

Giving and receiving verbs

X gives Z to Y X ga/wa Y ni Z wo giving verb

sashiageru from in group outward to higher status. (ie Watashi wa bucho ni ochuugen wo sashiagemashita. I gave a mid-year gift to my department chief.)

ageru from in group outward to equivalent status, or from out group to out group equivalent status. (ie Watashi wa imouto ni tanjyoubi iwai wo agemashita. I gave a birthday present to my younger sister.)

yaru from in group outward to much lower status (pets, plants, etc). (ie Imouto wa hana ni mizu wo yarimashita. My sister gave water to the flowers. (My sister watered the flowers))

kudasaru from out group higher status inward. (ie Bucho wa watashi ni keikkon iwai wo kudasaimashita. The department chief gave me a wedding present.)

kureru from out group inward. Equal or lower status. (ie Tomodachi wa imouto ni presento wo kuremashita. My friend gave a present to my sister.)

X receives Z from Y (Y can not be watashi) X ga/wa Y ni/kara Z wo receiving verb

itadaku from out group higher status inward. (ie Watashi wa bucho kara eigaken wo itadakimashita. My bucho gave me movie tickets.)

morau from out group same or lower status inward. (ie Watashi wa tomodachi ni tokei wo maraimashita. I received a watch from my friend.)

X receives the favor Y of doing Z for him X ga/wa Y ni te form verb (Z) + itadaku/morau

Sensei ni nihongo wo oshiete itadakimashita. The teacher did me the favor of teaching me Japanese (and I appreciated it).

X kindly does Z for Y X ga/wa Y ni te form verb (Z) + kudasaru/kureru

(ie Sensei wa (watashi ni) nihongo wo oshiete kudasaimashita. The teacher did me the favor of teaching me Japanese (and I appreciate it).)

Above two are largely interchangeable.

Thank you for doing te form verb + itadakimashite arigatou gozaimashita

(ie Watashi no hokukusho wo kaite itadakimashite arigatou gozaimashita. Thank you for writing my report for me.)

Can I ask you to do Z for me? te form verb (Z) + moraemasenka/itadakemasenka

Note that this uses the potential form of morau/itadaku. (ie Kono hokokusho wo mite itadakemasenka? Can I ask you to look over this report for me?)

Will you please do Z for me? te form verb (Z) + kuremasenka/kudasaimasenka

Not that this does NOT use the potential form of the giving verbs. (ie Kono hokokusho wo mite kudasaimasenka. Would you please look over this report for me?)

Constructions using Interrogatives

For asking questions about something the person you're talking to has mentioned. X to iu nowa + interrogative + (no) koto desu ka. (ie Oseibo to iu no wa donna gifuto no koto desu ka. What kind of gift is "oseibo"?) The "no" in parens is used if the preceding word is a noun.

To answer the above questions. X to iu no wa + one of the following answers: noun no koto desu, adjective/verb koto desu, adjective/verb to iu koto desu. (ie Oseibo to iu no wa, ichi nen no owari ni osewa ni natta kata ni sashi ageru gifto no koto desu. Oseibo is a gift you give at the end of the year to people who have taken care of you.)

Alternatives to "to iu nowa" "to wa" is the shortened form. "little tsu te iu no wa" is more colloquial, and "little tsu te" is the shortened colloquial form.

Particles

end of sentence

ka question mark, speaker doesn't know

ne confirmation, speaker thinks he knows, but isn't sure

yo exclamation point, speaker is sure

topic and subject

wa (use ha syllable) topic, "Talking about X," negatives, comparisons, listener already knows this subject (redundant).

ga grammatical subject, new information, listener doesn't know this subject

mo also (replaces wa and ga) (ie watashi mo suki desu)

location, direction, and time

de the means by which an action happens (ie bus de shigoto e ikimasu), where an action takes place

ni where something is, the direction one goes, when an action happens (ie 6ji ni kaerimasu)

e (use he syllable), the direction (destination) one travels (to) (can use ni as well) (ie tokyo e ikimasu)

kara from, either from a place or from a time, starting point of action

made until a time (ie kaigi wa 2ji kara 3ji made desu), ending point of action

made ni deadline, do it by this time.

direct object

o (use wo syllable) if the verb does an action on something, that thing affected is marked with wo. (ie watashi wa sushi o taberu, what do I eat? I eat sushi. Sushi is the direct object.)

possesives and noun joiners

no a possesive, a way to join two nouns together (ie watashi no hon, nihongo no kurasu, onna no hito)

to and (ie sushi to sashimi ga suki desu), with (tomodachi to eiga wo mimasu), that (ie atsui to omoimasu, "I think that it's hot,") that/quote marker (ie Tanaka-san wa atsui da to iimashita, "Tanka said that it's hot", "Tanaka said 'it's hot'")

shi and, more emphatic than to or te form joiners. "What's more" or "Not only, but also." Takes plain forms. (ie Nakamura-san wa, kireidashi, yasashiishi, totemo ii hito desu.) All things joined are of equal weight.

ya and when there are more than you're listing (ie sushi ya sashimi ga suki desu, "I like sushi and sashimi, and other similar things")

ka or

sentence joiners particles in between sentences

ga but

demo but

shikashi however

keredo (also keredomo, kedo) although, however

kara because, goes on the end of the sentence that tells why, (ie kaigi ga arun desu kara osaki ni shitsureishimasu)

node because, similar to kara

shi because, similar to kara and node. Takes plain form.

others

mo when used with number + counter + mo it means "as many as", X mo Y mo + afirmative means "both", X mo Y mo + negative means "neither"

mou mou + affirmative means "already," mou + negative means "(not) anymore"

mada mada + affirmative means "still," mada + negative means "(not) yet"

me (kanji for eye) attached to a counter, this makes it a cardinal number. First, second, etc. (ie ichi nichi me. The first day).

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