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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Japanese Verb Groups Explained: U-verbs, Ru-verbs, and Irregular Verbs (Complete Guide)
Master the three Japanese verb groups — U-verbs (Group 1), Ru-verbs (Group 2), and irregular verbs — so you can conjugate ANY verb correctly. Essential foundation for all Japanese grammar. -
temo ii vs te wa ikenai Permission and Prohibition N4 Grammar Guide
Can I sit here? You can't park here. May I open the window? — these everyday situations all require knowing how to express permission and prohibition in Japanese. Two grammar patterns handle most of this: 〜てもいい (te mo ii) and 〜ては... -
Japanese Passive Voice (受け身形): The Complete Guide for English Speakers
Master the Japanese passive voice (受け身形) — including the tricky "suffering passive" that has no English equivalent. Clear rules, examples, and practice quizzes for N4/N3 learners. -
ように vs ために: How to Express Purpose in Japanese
Learn the difference between ように and ために — both mean 'in order to' but follow different verb rules. Covers volitional vs non-volitional verb distinction with clear examples. -
Nai-Form Japanese: How to Make Any Verb Negative
Learn the Japanese nai-form (ない form) for all three verb groups. Covers negative present, past, requests (ないでください), obligation, and permission patterns. -
Japanese Sentence Structure: SOV for English Speakers
Why Japanese word order is SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) and what that means for English speakers. Covers particles, subject dropping, and modifiers before nouns. -
Japanese Potential Form: られる vs できる (Can You…?)
Learn how to say 'can' in Japanese using the potential form られる/れる and できる. Includes conjugation rules, particle shift (を→が), and ら抜き explained. -
Te-Form Japanese: 10 Uses Every Learner Must Know
Master the Japanese te-form: conjugation rules for all verb groups plus 10 essential uses including requests, ongoing actions, permission, and more. -
yon vs shi, nana vs shichi: Which Japanese Number Reading to Use
The number 4 in Japanese can be yon or shi. The number 7 can be nana or shichi. If you've tried memorizing Japanese numbers and wondered why there are two readings for the same number — this guide finally explains the rule. Hint: it depe... -
Transitive vs Intransitive Verbs in Japanese: 他動詞 vs 自動詞
One of the most consistent sources of confusion for English-speaking Japanese learners: transitive and intransitive verb pairs. Japanese has verbs that come in pairs — 開ける (to open something) and 開く (to open by itself). Use the wron...
