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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Common は vs が Mistakes English Speakers Make (And How to Fix Them)
At a GlanceWhat is は (wa)?The topic marker — tells the reader what the sentence is about. Often refers to something already known.What is が (ga)?The subject marker — identifies who does something, or answers "who/which?" Introduces new... -
ます Form vs Dictionary Form: Japanese Verb Basics Explained
You open your textbook and see 食べます (tabemasu) — then your dictionary shows 食べる (taberu). Same verb, completely different ending. Which one do you actually use when you speak? This is one of the first real confusions for Japanese ... -
を, に, で: How to Use Japan’s Three Most Confusing Particles
If you've ever stared at a Japanese sentence and wondered, "Wait — is that に or で?" you're not alone. を, に, and で are three of the most common particles in Japanese, and they're also among the trickiest for English speakers. English... -
Expressing Regret in Japanese: ばよかった, なければよかった, and 残念だ
PatternFormMeaningばよかったverb ば-form + よかった“I should have done X” / “If only I had done X”なければよかっ... -
Japanese Volitional Form: Let’s, ようとする, and Polite Invitations
FormPlainPoliteMeaningU-verb (ご)飲もう飲ましょうLet’s drink / I will drinkRU-verb (よう)食べよう食べましょ... -
The Japanese ば-Form: Complete Guide to the ば Conditional
PointDetailsForm nameば-form (ba conditional)UsageHypothetical “if” — condition leads to resultNuanceFormal/literary; implies general truth or adviceConjugation: u-verbChange u-sound to e-sound + ば (歩... -
ている vs てある: The Complete Deep-Dive Guide (With Examples)
ている vs てある explained thoroughly: ongoing action vs deliberate preparation, particle differences, verb compatibility, and side-by-side comparisons. Essential N4 grammar guide. -
Japanese Dictionary Form: The Plain Form Every Learner Must Master
The Japanese dictionary form (plain form) explained clearly: what it is, all three verb groups, how to use it in casual speech and grammar patterns. Essential for N5-N4 learners. -
Japanese Causative-Passive: させられる (Saserareru) — Complete Guide
Learn the Japanese causative-passive form (saserareru) — how to conjugate it, when to use it, and how it differs from plain passive. Essential for N3/N4 grammar. -
あげる vs くれる vs もらう: The Complete Guide to Japanese Giving and Receiving Verbs
Master the three Japanese giving/receiving verbs — ageru, kureru, morau — with clear direction rules, te-form patterns, and politeness levels. Essential grammar for all learners.
