文法JLPT N5 grammar
61 grammar patterns with meanings, usage and examples
- ～はha As for; marking the topicIntroduces what the sentence is about and can contrast one topic with another. The information following は says something about that topic.
- ～もmo Also; too; even; as many asAdds another item to an existing statement or emphasizes an unexpectedly large amount. With question words and a negative predicate, it can express no...
- ～でde At; by; with; because ofMarks the location of an action, its means or instrument, a cause, or a limit in time or quantity. Interpret it together with the noun and predicate.
- ～をwo Marking the object of an actionIdentifies what an action directly affects. It can also mark a route traversed or a place left, as in 公園を歩く and 家を出る.
- ～に/へnihe To; toward; marking a destinationに and へ can both introduce a destination with movement verbs. に often focuses on the endpoint, while へ highlights direction. Some other verbs can...
- ～ にni At a specified timeMarks the time at which an event occurs. It commonly follows clock times, dates and other definite points in time.
- động từ thểて (～V+て)tekei The Japanese te-form; connecting actionsThe te-form links actions and combines with many auxiliaries, including ください, いる, みる and おく. Its conjugation depends on the verb group and e...
- ～といっしょにtoissyoni Together withDescribes doing something together with another person or, where appropriate, an animal. The phrase emphasizes shared participation.
- ～とto With; andWith an action verb, と can mark a companion. Between nouns it joins named items as an explicit list.
- ～がga Marking the subject; marking ability or preferenceIdentifies the subject of a statement, often presenting new information or answering who or what. が also appears with predicates of preference, under...
- ～から～までkara-made From; until; from one point to anotherMarks starting and ending points in time or space. Either part can be used alone when the other is understood.
- ～あまり～ないamari-nai Not very; not much; not oftenSoftens or limits the degree, amount or frequency of a negative statement. The intended English translation depends on the adjective or verb.
- ～全然～ないzenzen-nai Not at all; completely notEmphasizes the complete absence of an action, quality or amount. It is stronger than あまり with a negative predicate.
- ～なかなか～ないnakanaka-nai Not easily; still not, despite waiting or effortDescribes an expected or desired result that is slow or difficult to occur. It often conveys frustration, persistence or difficulty.
- ～ませんかmasenka Would you like to?; shall we?Makes an invitation or suggestion in a polite way. It asks whether the listener would join in the proposed action.
- ～がありますgaarimasu There is; there are; haveStates the existence or availability of an inanimate thing, event or abstract item. The location can be omitted when it is clear.
- ～がいますgaimasu There is; there are; living beings existStates the existence or presence of people or animals. The location is marked by に and the existing being by が.
- ～助詞＋数量dongtusoku Using quantity and countersPlaces a quantity expression with the noun and action it measures. Japanese uses counters such as 人, 冊, 本 and 個 depending on what is counted.
- ～に～回(かい)ni-kai A number of times per periodStates how frequently an action occurs within a time interval, such as twice a week or three times a month.
- ～ましょうmasyou Let us; shall weInvites the listener to act together or proposes a joint action. The context supplies who is included.
- ～ましょうかmasyouka Shall I?; shall we?Offers to do something for the listener or asks whether a proposed joint action is suitable. Context and the subject distinguish shall I from shall we...
- ～がほしいgahoshi Want somethingExpresses a desire to have a thing or asks about the listener's wish. ほしい conjugates like an い-adjective.
- ～たいtai Want to doExpresses a wish to perform an action. It is most directly used for the speaker's own desire or to ask the listener's desire.
- ～へ～を～に行くhe-wo-niiku Go or come somewhere to do somethingCombines a movement verb with the purpose of the trip. A suitable activity noun, such as 買い物, can also appear before に.
- ～てくださいtekudasai Please doMakes a request or instruction for the listener to perform an action. It can be made more considerate by adding an introductory apology or explanation...
- ～ないでくださいnaidekudasai Please do notRequests that the listener refrain from an action. Keep the negative verb form before でください.
- ～てもいいです、てもいいですかtemoiidesu May; be allowed to; may I?Grants permission or asks whether an action is permitted. The question form is commonly used before borrowing, using or doing something.
- ～てはいけませんtehaikemasen Must not; it is prohibitedExpresses a rule or prohibition against an action. It is common in notices and instructions.
- ～なくてもいいですnakutemoiidesu Do not have to; it is not necessary toIndicates that an action is optional or unnecessary. It releases someone from a requirement rather than forbidding the action.
- ～なければなりませんnakerebanarimasen Must; have toExpresses a necessity, rule or obligation. Although the construction contains negative forms, the overall meaning is that the action must be performed...