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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“sukoshi” vs. “shōshō”：Do You Know Which is Used As Casual?
Whether you are at a restaurant asking for a little less salt, or on the phone asking a client to wait just a moment, Japanese has exactly the right word for "a little" — if you know which one to reach for. 少 (shōshō) look and sound sim... -
テンパる vs. ショック: The Easiest Way to Understand
We all have those moments — the presentation slides go blank, your train is cancelled, or you get an unexpected test result. In Japanese, there are two go-to words for those panicked, shocked moments: テンパる (tenparu) and ショック (sho... -
“gohan” vs. “shokuji”: An Easy Way to Use Them You Gotta Know
Picture this: your Japanese friend texts "ご飯 (shokuji) is a small step that makes a big impression. 今日のご飯、何にする？(What shall we have for our meal today?) [casual] 食事はよろしいですか？(Would you have time for a meal?) [formal... -
正直 vs. ぶっちゃけ: Magical Words to Get New Friends
Have you ever wanted to say "honestly" in Japanese but weren't sure which word fits? Native speakers switch between 正直 (shoujiki) and ぶっちゃけ (bucchake) constantly — but the choice reveals register and relationship. Get this right a... -
未来 (Mirai) vs 将来 (Shourai): Two Ways to Say Future in Japanese
未来 and 将来 both mean future in Japanese — but they work in completely different contexts. 将来 is your plannable personal future; 未来 is the distant, philosophical horizon. Learn the rule, the compounds, and the key difference. -
“shōgo vs. yūgata vs. shin’ya”：How Do Native Speakers Use These?
You already know 午前 (shinya — midnight/late night). Getting these right makes your Japanese sound much more native. 今日か。 (Shall we have lunch at noon today?) いいよ。夕方でね。 (Sure. I can be back by evening, so don't stay ou... -
午前 vs 午後 in Japanese: Gozen, Gogo, and Every Time-of-Day Word You Need
午前 means AM and 午後 means PM in Japanese — but native speakers also use 朝, 昼, 夕方, 夜, and 深夜 depending on context. This guide covers all time-of-day words, the 24-hour clock, 正午 and 真夜中, scheduling phrases, and natural conversation examples. -
Difference Between TALK, SPEAK, SAY in Japanese
When you try to describe a conversation in Japanese, you quickly run into a problem: there are three common verbs that all seem to mean "to talk" or "to say." Native speakers choose between 話す (iu) based on subtle but important differe... -
へんこう vs しゅうせい vs ていせい：You Should Know The Way to Use
When you need to say something was changed, modified, or corrected in Japanese, you have three main options: 変更する. Dictionaries often list them as synonyms, but native speakers use them in distinct situations. Getting them right will... -
What is The Difference Between “simekiri” and “kigen”?
Miss a 締 (kigen) pass and things just... expire. Both words relate to time running out, but they are used in very different situations. Once you understand the one key distinction between them, choosing the right word will always be eas...
