Grammar– category –
The backbone of natural Japanese. Browse 1,000+ grammar articles covering particles, verb conjugation, sentence patterns, conditionals, and nuanced expressions. Organized by JLPT level: grammar-n4-n5, grammar-n2-n3, grammar-n1-n2. See also: /japanese-grammar-guide/ for a curated starting point.
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支払う vs 5 means of 払う: What’s the difference?
At a Glance WordReadingCore Meaning 払うharauto pay / to brush away (broad) 支払うshiharauto pay money (formal, financial) 現金払いgenkin baraicash payment カード払いkaado baraicard payment 分割払いbunkatsu baraiinstallment payment At a ... -
Natives Speakers Avoid Using “shinu” Instead of “nakunaru”
Talking about death in Japanese can feel uncomfortable even for native speakers. That is why the Japanese language has a spectrum of expressions — from blunt and direct to gentle and respectful. Learning which word to use and when is not... -
“hakkiri” vs. “shikkari”：A Simple Guide To Telling The Difference
はっきり (hakkiri) and しっかり (shikkari) are two of the most commonly confused adverbs in Japanese. Both end in り, both describe how you do something — yet they paint completely different pictures. はっきり is about clarity; しっかり ... -
“sarigenaku” vs. “nanigenaku”: A Quick Guide How To Use
Both さりげなく and 何気なく can be translated as "casually" — but they carry a crucial difference in intention. Using the wrong one can completely change what you are implying about a person's actions. Yuka: What's the difference betwee... -
ケチ vs. せこい vs. せつやく: Which Is Really Better?
When someone watches every penny, are they ケチ, せこい, or 節約-minded? All three words relate to money and spending, but calling the wrong person by the wrong term can be surprisingly rude — or surprisingly flattering. Let's learn the ...
