Grammar– category –
Japanese grammar for English speakers. Particles, verb conjugation, sentence patterns, conditionals, and nuanced expressions organized by JLPT level N5 to N1. Browse by level: N4/N5, N2/N3, N1/N2. By topic: Particles, Verb Conjugation, Conditionals, Sentence Patterns. Full overview at the Japanese Grammar Hub.
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“chijin” vs. “shiriai”：What’s The Difference Between These
How do you describe someone you know but are not particularly close to? In English we might say "an acquaintance," but Japanese has two words for this: 知人（ちじん） and 知り合い（しりあい）. Both refer to someone you know without being... -
“chiisai” vs. “chiisana”：Have You Noticed Their Difference?
If you have studied Japanese adjectives, you have probably noticed that 小さい（ちいさい） and 小さな（ちいさな） both seem to mean "small" — and both appear before nouns. So what is the difference? Is one more polite? More literary? Mor... -
一人 or 単独: Which is Better in Daily Conversations?
Trying to say "alone" in Japanese? You will quickly run into two options: 一人（ひとり） and 単独（たんどく）. Both can mean "alone" or "by oneself," yet they are used in very different situations. Getting them confused can make you soun... -
だんだん and じょじょに: What is The Difference in Nuance
When something changes gradually in Japanese, you have two natural words to reach for: だんだん and 徐々に（じょじょに）. Both mean "gradually" or "little by little," but one is the everyday casual word you will use with friends, while t... -
“chii”, “tachiba” and “ichi”：Don’t Get Confused About These
Japanese has three words that all relate to "position" or "status" — 地位（ちい）, 立場（たちば）, and 位置（いち） — and learners often struggle to tell them apart. All three can be translated as "position" in English, yet they each poi... -
“damasu” and “gomakasu”：Which Do You Feel Much Worse?
Both 騙す（だます） and 誤魔化す（ごまかす） involve being dishonest with someone, and both get translated as "to deceive" or "to trick" in English. But they describe different kinds of dishonesty — and using the wrong one can either und... -
たいてい and たいがい: A little Difference Between These
When you want to say "mostly," "usually," or "in general" in Japanese, two words come up: 大抵（たいてい） and 大概（たいがい）. Both are read with the kanji for "large" (大) and both describe something that is true most of the time. But... -
結構です vs 大丈夫です: Which Is the Politer Way to Refuse in Japanese?
結構です and 大丈夫です both appear in refusal situations — but only 結構です is unambiguous. Learn when each expression works and why Japanese hosts keep offering when you say 大丈夫. -
担当 vs 担任: How to Use These Japanese Words Correctly
At my Japanese company I hear 担当 and 担任 all the time, but I'm never sure which one applies. Are they interchangeable? Not quite! 担当 (tantou) is for any assigned responsibility — used in workplaces, businesses, and general life. 担... -
短所 vs 長所: How to Talk About Weaknesses and Strengths in Japanese
In a Japanese job interview I have to talk about my 長所 and 短所, but I always mix them up — which is strengths and which is weaknesses? Great question to sort out before your interview! 長所 (chousho) = strengths / good points. 短所 (t...
