N3 grammar
Every N3 grammar point (330 in total) with usage notes, example sentences and English translations. Free to read, practise them in the Japanana app.
- Vてform + てもらえませんか/ていただけませんか/てもらえないでしょうか/ていただけないでしょうかてもらえませんか + ていただけませんか are used when politely asking someone to do something. てもらえないでしょうか + ていただけないでしょうか sound even politer and softer.
- のようだ・-のような・-のようにNの + (ようだ/ようなN/ようにV・いA・なA)
- を-と言うN1をN2と言う
- という-N1というN2
- じゃなくて,-N1じゃなくて、N2 Indicate a piece of information is wrong and following that to present the correct information
- のだ / -のではない
- たら、-たVたら、(N/A)た
- というのは-のことだ ・ -というのは...ということだNというのは(Nの/S plain form という) + ことだ
- という-S plain form + というN (noun expressing utterance or thought such as 話、噂、考え、意見)
- ように言う / 注意する / 伝える / 頼む(V dic form/Vない form ない)ように+V(言う、注意する、伝える、頼む)
- みたいだ・-みたいな・-みたいにNの + (みたいだ/みたいなN/みたいにV・いA・なA) the same as ようだ, but みたいだ is less formal
- V(さ)せてform + もらえませんか/いただけませんか/もらえないでしょうか/いただけないでしょうかいただけませんか is politer than もらえませんか, and いただけないでしょうか is politer than いただけませんか
- ことにする / ことにしている(V/Vないformない) ことにする / ことにしている
- ことになる + ことになっている(V/Vないformない) ことになる / ことになっている
- てほしい・ないでほしい(Vて/Vないformないで) + ほしい indicates wishing that someone else (N) would do something (V)
- なさそう negative (looks like そうです)(いA い->-く/な~~だ~~->では(じゃ)/N~~だ~~->では(じゃ)) なさそう The negative form of そうだ (looks like そうです) Indicates something does not appear to be A or is not thought to be A
- そうもない negative (I heard そうです)Vますform ~~-ます~~ そうもない The negative form of そうだ (I heard そうです) Indicates the prediction that V will probably not occur
- ということだ (reported speech)S plain form + ということだ is a reported speech expression when reporting what someone else said or what people in general say
- ...の + ...の?S plain form + の is an informal form of ...のですか, used when conversing with someone you are on familiar terms with.
- ちゃう -とく -てるVてしまう -> Vちゃう This form is used to express an action that has been done completely or to convey regret or disappointment over an action that shouldn’t have happened but did.
- Causative-passiveUsually, to express N1 does V not through their own volition, but because they were made to do so by someone else.
- であるN / なA ~~な~~ + である means the same as -だ but is more formal. It is often used in writing.
- suspended formMarks a succession or concurrency of events, in the same way as (V1て, V2)
- (た)がる / たがっているWhen N appears to want something, it's like たい but in the third person. If it is in the present moment, use たがっている.
- こと / ということWhen a particle or other part of speech is appended to a sentence, the form こと + particle is used to nominalize the sentence. The sentence before こと becomes the plain form.
- んじゃない?(V / いA / なA / N ~~だ~~ -> な) んじゃないですか / んじゃない It is used in informal conversation when saying what the speaker is thinking.
- たところに/でVerbs indicating motion, such as [行く、渡る、曲がる、出る], are used in the たform + ところ to indicate the position arrived at after the motion has taken place
- V (よ)う + とする/しないV(よ)うに (volitional form) とする / しない.
- のだろうか(V/ いA/ なA ~~だ~~->だ/ N~~だ~~->だ) + のだろうか Expression 「Xのだろうか」 is used when asking oneself whether X is true or not
- だろうか ... だろうと思う(V/ いA/ なA->~~だ~~/ N->~~だ~~) + だろう Is used in sentences in the plain style. It is used to express one's opinion conjecturally rather than definitely
- との/での/からの/までの/へのIf の is added to a particle to modify its noun and the particle is に, it becomes への instead.
- て...って (quoting)The と used for quoting can become て or って in spoken language
- って... (topic)(S (plain form) / N plain form ~~-だ~~) + って... is used when:
- つもりはない (negative intention)negative of つもりです and means has no intention of
- つもりだった (past volition)(V / V ないform -ない) + つもりだった
- たつもり -ているつもり(Vた / Vている / い -い / な -な / Nの) + つもり The person thicks that something is X
- てばかりいる -ばかり-ているVて form + ばかりいる / Nばかり + Vている
- ...とかN + S (plain form) + とか ...とか...とか is used when enumerating several similar examples. It can also combine entire sentences
- ...てくる (advent of a condition)Vて form + くる indicates that a new event has happened, that consequently something has become perceptible
- .-てくる (approach) .-ていく (withdraw)Vて form + くる / いく
- .-てくる (approach) .-ていく (withdraw)Vて form + くる / いく
- なくてはならない/いない -なくてもかまわない(Vない-form ~~-ない~~ / いA ~~-い~~->く / なA で/は / N で/は) + (なくてはならない/いけない) / なくてもかまわない
- なくちゃ / なきゃ [いけない]In informal conversation (must do/ have to do)
- だけだ [ただ] ...だけでいいN + だけ / (V/いA/なA plain form -だ -> な) + だけだ / だけでいい
- かな (sentence-final particle)(V / いA / なA ~~-だ~~/ N ~~-だ~~) かな
- なんかN なんか indicates that the speaker disparages X, attaching little importance to it.
- なんてV いA なA N + なんて
- (さ)せる (emotional causative)In addition to being used to express making someone else do something, the causative form is also used to describe evoking an emotion. In this case the verb used is an intransitive verb that indicates emotion such as 「泣く、びっくりする、楽しむ、驚く」and the person in whom the emotion is provoked is indicated by を。
- (さ)せられる -せれる (passive of emotional causative)The emotional causative can also be used in the passive.
- ...なら...(V / いA / なA ~~・だ~~/ N ~~・だ~~) plain form -> なら. XならY is used to recommend or ask about Y when the listener thinks of doing X or is in a state of X. X can be a noun, verb, or adjective.
- あいだ、 ...あいだに、...Vている / Nの + (あいだ / あいだに).
- まで、 ...までに、...N / V + まで / までに
- によって (varies)XによってY, Y indicates that something varies depending on X. Usually used with 違う、変わる、さまざまだ
- たまま, ...-のままVたform / Nの + まま indicates doing Y in the state pertaining after an action V has taken place or indicated by a noun. It is used in cases where Y is not usually done in the situation described.
- からだ (cause / reason)S (plain form) + からだ
- お ~~-ます~~ですThe respectful form of the -している form of a verb. It is used as respectful way of describing an ongoing action or the state remaining as the result of an action.
- てもかまわない(Vて form / いA ~~い~~ -> -くて / なA で / N で) もかまわない indicates allowing or giving permission to do something. An interrogative sentence is used to ask permission to do something. Same as [-てもいい], it is more formal.
- ...-ほど-ない ...ほどではない (comparison)(N / V plain) ほど (いA -い -> く + ない / なA - ~~だ~~ + ではない) Indicates that both A and B are X, but A is less than B
- ほど-はない / いない (comparison)N ほど (いA / な -なA) N + はない / いない means X that X is the pinnacle of whatever is indicated by Y
- ため[に]、 ...・...ためだ (cause / reason)(S plain form / いA / なA -な / Nの) + (ため(に)+ ためだ). In [Xために, Y], X is a cause or reason, and Y is what happened. This is used in writing and is more formal ten から and ので. When the result is stated first, and the cause or reason is given as a predicate, the construction becomes [Y(の)はXためだ].
- たら / -ば, ...た (counterfactual usage)Vたら/Vば、...た The sentence usually ends with a conjectural expression like のに
- はずが / はない(V / いA / な ~~-だ~~ -> な / N ~~-だ~~ -> の) + はずが / はない Negatives form of はずだ, means impossible or out of question. It is used for strongly denying something based on sound reasoning.
- はずだった(V / いA / な ~~-だ~~ -> な / N ~~-だ~~ -> の) + はずだった Past form of はずだ, means the speaker thinks that someone had been bound to happen. It is used most often when a result has turned out to be different from what had been expected.
- ことが / もある(V / Vない / いA -い / なAな / Nの) + ことが / もある -> means that an event occasionally happens or a situation sometimes arises.
- た結果、...の結果、...(Vた form / Nの) + 結果 (result)
- 出す (compound verbs)Vます form + 出す means the action indicated by V commences, e.g.
- 始める -終わる -続ける (compound verbs)These show V beginning, ending and continuing
- 忘れる -合う -換える (compound verbs)V忘れる means to forget to do V / V合う means that several people or things do V with each other / V換える means to change something by doing V, or to do V differently
- ということになるということになる is used to sum up several items of information and state the implications of a situation
- てくる -ていく (change)-てくる indicates arriving at a present situation through a process of change
- たら [どう]?Vたら
- より...ほうが?(V/いA/なA~~・な~~/N) + より + (V/いA/なA~~・な~~/Nの) + ほうが
- らしいNらしい [N1らしいN2] indicates that N2 possesses a typical quality or property of N1:
- らしい (reported speech/conjecture)(V / いA / なA ~~-だ~~/ N ~~-だ~~) + らしい
- としてNとして Indicates a qualification, position or perspective
- ず[に] ... (attendant circumstances, means)Vないform ~~ない~~ + ず[に]... Indicates attendant circumstances or means. It is the same as ないで but is more in the written than in the spoken style.
- ず、 ... (cause / reason, parataxis)Vないform ~~ない~~ + ず
- ている (experience / record, history)-ている
- もの / もんだから(V / いA / んA / N) + もの / もんだあから
- たり -たり(Vたり / いA -> ~~-い~~かったり / なA -> ~~-な~~だったり / N + だ -> ~~-だ~~だったり)
- っぱなしVます-form -~~ます~~ + っぱなし Indicates the undesirable lengthy continuation of a situation that normally would be terminated promptly
- おかげで、...おかげだ(V / いA / なA ~~-だ~~->な / N ~~-だ~~->の) + (おかげで / おかげだ) is used when a favourable result (Y) is produced by a particular cause (X).
- せいで、...せいだ(V / いA / なA ~~-だ~~->な / N ~~-だ~~->の) + (おかげで / おかげだ) is used when a unfavourable result is produced.
- みたいです(V / いA / なA ~~-だ~~ / N ~~-だ~~) + みたいです。Indicates a guess from how a situation looks (e.g. something's external appearance)
- どちらかといえば、-ほうだ(V / いA / な ~~-だ~~->な) + ほうだ。どちらかと言えば、Xほうだ is used to indicate that a subject is strictly speaking, not completely X, but could be described as being X on the whole, without definitely committing oneself as to wether it is X or not.
- ますように/ませんようにますように / ませんように indicates wishing, hoping or praying that something will or will not happen. It is often used together with [どうか] or [どうぞ] when talking to oneself, or as a warning to someone else
- (で/から)できる(で/から)できる. から indicates that the material(s) from which something is made is not immediately obvious. できる is used in generic statements while できてりる is used when describing something specific.
- は-で{有名だ/知られている}Either a noun or a sentence (S+こと) occurs before で to state what X is known for or the reason that X is famous. X is famous for Y. X is known because Y.
- ます; い-adjective + くThe ます stem of a verb and the steam of an I adjective + く indicate that the sentence is continuing. This use is generally restricted to written language. In spoken language the the form of verb or and i adjective is commonly used.
- は S と言われているThis structure is used to introduce something commonly said about something or someone.
- は S と言われているThis structure is used to introduce something commonly said about something or someone.
- といえばSpeaking of - / Talk about a story or a thing registers in one's mind
- だけ{でなく(て)/じゃなく(て)}、-もNot only-, but also -
- は-の(一つ/一人)だX is one of the -
- Nounにとってto X; for X
- また(-も)In addition to the meaning again, また expresses the meaning "also" or "additionally"
- {何/いく} + Counter + かWhen combining 何 or いく with a counter and か the meaning becomes "some".
- 他に(も);他(に)はNの他に(も) is an adverbial phrase meaning "in addition to N."
- (-と)同じ{ぐらい/くらい}The particle ぐらい/くらい "approximately" often occurs with 同じ to mean "about the same". About as - as, about the same - as -
- Noun+型N+型だ Usually used to describe the style, pattern, model, design.
- なるべくAs much/often as possible. Usually before a verb
- ようとした{が/けれど/ら}V-vol とした、the past form of V- volとする is used:
- 毎-のように毎+Xのように(X=time word):毎{週/月/年/回}のように almost every-
- など(は) / -なんてThings/people/etc. like-
- Sentence(の/ん) {ではないだろうか/ではないでしょうか/じゃないか}The ending indicates the speaker's conjecture and is used to express an opinion in an indecisive fashion. I think that -; Isn't it that -?
- Sentenceと言える{だろう/でしょう}This pattern is used when the speaker is quite certain his/her statement is correct, but wants to soften the statement so as not to appear to assertive. Formal expression.
- Question word -てもWhen ても is used with a question word, the phrase means "no matter" or "without regard to". No matter what/who/when/where/how
- うちにWhen someone does something before a situation or state changes. 間に is used in similar situations, but it cannot be used with negatives forms of verbs. Another difference between the two phrases is that うちに always implies that it is not possible, easy or a good idea to something after the time specified by the うちに clause. However, this is not always the case with 間に. Thus, if it is not a problem for the speaker to go to Japan after finishing his Japanese class, 間に should be used. While - still -ないうちに = before (something happens)
- Number + Counterあたり"Per". Per -; a -; for a -
- SentenceのはXの方だIt is X that S. Used to emphasise that it is X that makes proposition in S true.
- SentenceのはXの方だIt is X that S. Used to emphasise that it is X that makes proposition in S true.
- Number(+Counter)({ぐらい/くらい})は;Noun(だけ)はWhen the particle は follows a quantifier it adds the meaning "at least".
- NさえVerbばNounさえ with a verb conditional form is used when the condition presented in the clause is the only condition to make the statement in the main clause true. さえ replaces the particles が and を in this structure. When other particles are used the stay though.
- ついにThe adverb つに indicates that something happens or something expected doesn't happens after:
- {Noun/Adjective}化(する)The suffix 化 is affixed to nouns and adjectives and adds the meaning "-ization" as in "mechanisation" and "digitisation"
- ところがところが is a sentence-initial conjunction used when something takes place which is unexpected from the preceding context. The sentence after ところが represents an event or action the speaker cannot control, as shown in the following examples.
- に違いないThis structure indicates that the speaker is certain that something is true or is the case. Must, I'm sure/certain that; It is certain that
- をもとにとしてCompound particle meaning "based on". して here is optional. The noun modification form it をもとした. "As a basis" or "based on"
- Nounと(同じて/違って)The comparison phrases 同じて and 違って mean "just like -" and "unlike -", respectively.
- Sentenceたらいいのに(なあ)I wish; I hope
- (ような)気がするI feel that-, I have a feeling that-
- に気がつくnotice (that -); realise that -
- (Verb-non-past) -ように(と){願う/祈る}hope that, pray that
- NounもVerbば、NounもVerbSome do - and others do -; do - and - among other things
- それぞれEach; one's own; in one's own way
- 真(っ) + i-Adjective-stem/NounVery; pure; totally; right; mid-
- わけだThe reason is that; It means that -; That's why -
- NounでよければXでよければ presents a condition for doing something. It is also used when the speaker politely offers something to the hearer.
- 結構The adverb 結構 indicates that the speaker feels that the degree/level/amount/etc. of something is not high but is higher than average. Fairly, pretty, rather, quite
- なかなかThe adverb なかなか is synonymous with 結構. The major difference is that なかなか is not usually used with adjectives and adverbs with negative meanings. Note that なかなか also indicates that the speaker is impressed by the way something/someone or someone or the way someone does something.
- そう言えばThat reminds me; Now I remember; indeed
- は-となっているとなっている indicates that what is stated in the preceding sentence is something beyond the speakers control. AはBとなっている (B has to include Number+Counter) Happen to be; It turns out that; It's been decided that -;
- Sentence {では/それでは/じゃ}、Sentence。では is an abbreviated form of それでは。それでは literally means "if that is the case" and それ refers to what is stated in the preceding sentences.
- その上Used when the speaker wants to emphasise an additional piece of information. その上 on top of that; In addition (to that); what's more; besides
- Noun(Particle)さえさえ is an emphatic particle. In non-conditional clauses it means "even". When さえ is used, the particle が never occurs, を usually does not occur, へ and the directional に are optional, and the other particles including the locational に、で、と and から，are mandatory. Even
- 向けThe suffix 向け adds the meaning "made for; for the use; of; directed toward" 向け is often affixed to nouns which refer to people, countries and organisations.
- ない-は {ない/いない}This construction is used to create sentences containing double negatives. VないNは is equivalent to "all Ns V". There is no N which/who does not V.
- XはYに当たる;Yに当たるXN1はN2に当たる in this context means "be equivalent to; correspond to". It is often used to contrast words/phrases in two languages or organisations/professional titles in two countries.
- (という)傾向が{ある/見られる}This construction is used when someone or something has a tendency to do something. It is commonly used in written language and formal speech. という is optional.
- (もし)Sentenceとしたら、Means assume/suppose that S. Thus, Sとしたら literally means "if I/we/you suppose that S".
- くせにAlthough -; In spite of the fact that -; And yet -
- (という)わけ{ではない/じゃない}Is used to deny a statement. The use of という does not change the statements meaning. It's not that -; It doesn't mean that -; It's not the case that
- NounはNoun{と/に}関係があるThis sentence pattern is used to show that X is related in some way to Y. The particle after the first noun can be either と or に. When this pattern is used in relative clauses, の is commonly used after 関係 in place of が.
- (こと)によって (cause)によって indicates the cause, the means, or the agent in passive sentences. Because, because of, due to
- ば-ほどThis structure is used when the more something happens or is in some state, the more another thing happens or in some state.
- さてAt the start of the sentence (No casual conversations)
- Nを中心(と/に)するNを中心{と/に}する literally means "to make N the center". Usually in 2 forms:
- 逆-逆 is used to indicate the X's way of doing something is the opposite of Y' way of doing it or that the way X is or the way X happens is the opposite of the way Y is o the way Y happens.
- 点点 is used to mean "point" (in the sense of a single fact, idea, or opinion in an argument, discussion)
- ますますますます occurs with verbs, the adverbial forms of adjectives and adverbs. It indicates that something happens to an even greater degree than before. ますます is not used for future controllable actions, as seen below. More and more; increasingly; even more; even
- ことは-{が/けれど}This structure is used when the speaker admits a proposition is true but wants to qualify the proposition with an additional remark. It is certainly true that - but; indeed -, do V -
- どんどんどんどん expresses the idea that something proceeds from one stage to another or continues to happen at a fast pace with no delay, or that someone keeps doing something with no hesitation. In some situations both ますます and どんどん can be used. At a fast pace; one after another; keep V-ing vigorously
- たびにexpresses the idea that each time someone does something, something else takes place. When たびに is modified by a noun, the noun refers to an action, event or certain time. Every time; each time; on every
- とうとうindicates that an expected situation has occurred after an extended period of time. The adverb ついに is similar to とうとう and can be used in place of of とうとう。ついに is more formal. Finally; at (long) last; eventually; in the end; after all
- ても-なくてもXてもXなくても means whether X or not. Whether - or not
- 前者は-,後者は-This sentence structure is used to refer separately to the two things, people, etc. mentioned in the previous sentence. The former - and the latter -
- といったNounといったX is used to present examples of X. X is always a noun or a noun phrase. Nouns, phrases or sentences can precede といった. When nouns proceed といった, usually two or more nouns are presented, but when sentences or phrases precede といった, usually only one sentence or phrase is presented. などのN and のようなN are similar to といったN, but they are usually preceded by nouns or noun phrases, not by sentences. Like; Such as
- 一方(で),; Sentence 一方(で)The conjunction 一方 is used to present two contrastive situations or two concurrent states, events or actions. 一方 can be used as either an sentence initial conjunction or a sentence final conjunction. In the latter case, で may follow いっぽう. 一方 is usually used in written language.
- あるいはあるいは is used to connect alternatives. It is usually used in formal speech or written language.
- なかなか-(Vないform)ないなかなか with the negative form of a verb means "not easily" or "not readily". Usually, it is used when something desirable doesn't happen easily or when something that is supposed to happen doesn't happen. Not easily; not readily; difficult to -; slow to; to refuse to
- つまりつまり is used to rephrase or restate what has just been mentioned or stated.
- そこでそこで is used to indicate an action taken because of the situation presented in the previous sentence. それで can be used in place of そこで; however そこで can replace それで only when the action in S2 is controllable. Because of that, therefore, so
- 以外{のNoun/に}But; except; other than; besides
- Sentenceという理由でという理由で is used to present the reason for a state, event or action started in the main clause.
- らThe plural marker ら is often used with demonstrative pronouns and certain personal pronouns. Personal pronouns with ら are not used in situations where politeness must be shown.
- に対してに対して is used when contrasting two actions, states, situations, etc. Whereas; on the other hand; in contrast
- にもかかわらずXにもかかわらずY means "Y in spite of (the fact that) X". This sentence construction is used when Y is the case even though Y is usually not expected from X. In spite of; despite; although; though; nevertheless -> Express suprised feeling by unexpected result
- せっかくせっかく is used in the following situations:
- {と/って}言ってもと言っても is used when clarifying what has just been said in order to avoid misunderstanding. って is used in place of と in casual conversation or writing. Although-, say/said that-, even though -, say/said that-
- 思うように-ないThis phrase means that something is not in accord with the speakers/writer's wish or desire. The potential form is usually used in this structure. Not - as one wishes
- ほど-The particle ほど is used to express the degree of a state. When a sentence precedes ほど, the element just before ほど is a verb. To the extend that; so -that- (almost); to (this/that) degree
- Sentenceというという indicates that what is said in the preceding sentence is not firsthand information. It is said that -; They say that -
- Nounに合わせて; Noun1にあったNoun2The literal meaning of Xに合わせて is "fitting/matching/adjusting something to X". It is often used to mean "making something suitable for X" or "according to X"
- まるで-よう{に/な/だ}This structure is sued to introduce a simile, I.e. to describe a thing, person, action, etc. By comparing it with a similar thing, person, action, etc まるで is an emphatic marker.
- 言うでもない;-は言うまでなく,-もThis phrase is used when the speaker mentions something obvious or something assumed to be known to the hearer. It is commonly used in written language. Needless to say; It goes without saying that; It is obvious that -;
- Nounまで(も)-Nounまで(も) is used to present something which is considered to be beyond one's expectation or imagination. Even; to even
- NounでもNounでもXでもYでも is used to provide examples for the statement in the sentence is/a the logical consequence of what is stated in the preceding sentence. It is usually used in written language.
- したがってしたがって indicated that the following statement is a/the logical consequence of what is stated in the preceding sentence. It is usually used in written language. Therefore; accordingly; consequently
- (という)のは事実だS(という)のは事実だ is used when the speaker wants to claim that something is true or is a fact, or when he/she admits that something is true or is a fact. The presence of という does not change the meaning. It is {true/a fact} that -
- Nounという点から考えるとという点から考えると is used to indicate someone's view from the standpoint of X. Examples of X include business, environment, education, etc. To view from the standpoint of -; from the perspective of -
- Sentence上にThe conjunction 上に introduces additional information emphatically. In addition to-; besides -; not only - but also;
- ことにことに is used to express the speaker's feeling or subjective judgement about what is said in the main clause. ことに can only be used with a limited set of words. It is - that; I am/We are - that -; To my -
- Sentence. だが、 Sentenceだが is a disjunctive conjunction. The preceding sentence and the following sentence present contrastive statements or opposing ideas. But; however
- Noun に対してThe compound particle に対して is used to mark something/to/toward/about which one does something, or mark someone to/toward whom one does something or owes something. In different contexts:
- Verb-non-past こと(は)ないすることはない means "there is no need to do -." In casual conversations は may drop. Don't have to -; Don't need to -; It's not necessary to -; There is no need to -
- かというとquestion word + かというと literally means "If I were to tell you who/what/when/etc." In general this phrase is used to emphasise the information which follows or to delay the providing information in order to keep the hearer in suspense or to stall while recalling it.
- それならそれなら literally means "if that's the case." それ meaning "that" refers to the speaker's previous statement or the statement which was just mad by the hearer.
- 少なくない少なくない double negative meaning -> "many; much" Cannot modify nouns!
- を通してを通して indicates a medium (X) through which someone does something or happens. X can be things, people, activities or actions.
- Noun1からNoun2にかけてXからYにかけて indicates a span of time or space and is used primarily in written language.
- Nounで言うとで言うと is used to restate something according to a different system or framework (e.g. calendar, a measurement system, a language) "In terms of, in, according to, from the viewpoint of"
- 各+NounA prefix which adds the meaning "each; various". When the referent of the noun after 各 is not known, it means "various" "each-; various"
- XばかりでなくY(も)This structure is similar to XだけでなくY(も) and means "not only X but also Y".
- Noun+風風 is a suffix and is added to nouns to make no-adjectives. X風means "X style/type" or "look like X".
- Noun+共にN共に indicates that someone does something or that something happens with N. "With; along with; as"
- ずつThe number/amount X+ずつ indicated that someone does something (or something happens) with X as the unit(e.g. the teacher teaches ten new kanji a week; the woman gave three chocolates to each child)。"per/a, at a time, each, (little) by (little)
- Noun1からNoun2に至るまでThis construction indicates a span of time or space and emphasises the size of that span at the same time. It can also be used for other than spatial or temporal spans. "From X all the way through Y; from X even to Y"
- Noun+同士X同士 indicates that Xs do something together, that Xs do something to/for/against each other, or that someone puts Xs together in some way. "Each other, between, among, together, with"
- VerbべきThe auxiliary べき expresses the speaker's strong judgement that one should do something. The form of する before べき can be either す or する (i.e, すべき or するべき) "should; ought to"
- Nounからするとからすると introduces the source or basis for the speaker's conjecture or judgement. The information can be any sort, including visual information (shape, colour) and verbal information (explanation, conversation). "Judging from -"
- Verbぬぬ is a verb negative ending in Classical Japanese and is equivalent to ない in meaning and form. For example, 言わぬ is equivalent to 言わない. In modern Japanese, it often appears in set phrases. "Not"
- Nounの上で; Noun上(で)Nの上(うえ)で and N上(じょう) indicate that the speaker's statement refers only to N. The phrase is commonly used in written language. "In terms of; from the viewpoint of -, as far as - is concerned, according to -
- おそらく (-だろう)おそらく means "probably" and usually occurs with the conjecture auxiliaries だろう or でしょう。
- 全く全く is used for emphasis in affirmative sentences. It is often used to express speaker's emotion. In negative sentences まったく indicates complete negation. It is used with verbs (often potential verbs) and i-adjectives in negative sentences. まったく-(という)わけだはない
- いったいいったい is an intensifier used with questions. It usually occurs immediately preceding the question word, but in may appear in other locations before the question word, as seen in Ex 2. "(What, who, where, how, etc.) on earth
- Sentenceとされているとされている is used to introduce a commonly-accepted idea or belief. "It is thought/believed/considered that -; -is considered/believed to-"
- 第一(の/に)第一 modifies either verbs with に or nouns with or without の, and means "first". It is also used as a predicate with だ or です. "First, first o all, to begin with; the first; the primary"
- Nounに{関する/関して}Means "related to" but is also used to mean "with regard to, concerning" に関する modifies nouns and に関して modifies verbs. について is similar in meaning to に関して, but is less formal and is used in both written and spoken language. "With regard to, regarding, concerning, about, on, related to"
- 考えられない考えられない is preceded by either nouns or sentences (unimaginable, unthinkable, inconceivable)
- 生かす生かす literally means "to keep alive," but it is also used to mean "to make most of one's ability, skills, experience, etc.," "to utilize to the fullest a special property of something," or "to take advantage of an opportunity."
- SentenceことからSことから is used to express a reason "Because, from the fact that-"
- NounなしNounなし means "without X" and is used with で to modify verbs, with の to modify noun, and with だ form a predicate. "Without -, with no -"
- こそこそ emphasis the preceding word, phrase or clause. When こそ is used, the particles は, が and を drop. "The very -; It is that -; in particular; precisely; definitely"
- Verb-masu 込むCompound verb 込む can be mean the following:
- さ(あ)さ occurs after phrases, clauses or sentences in very casual conversation. One function is to catch the hearer's attention, but it is also used as a filler with no meaning.
- NounでもあるXはYでもある is used to introduce the second property of X when X has more than one property. Note that XもYだ is used when someone/something else is also Y. "Be also"
- ずっとずっと means that a state or action is ongoing, from one point in time to another point in time. "All the time, all along; all the way, all through -; throughout -; ever (since); never (since)"
- Number1, Number2 + CounterTwo successive numbers are used to indicate an approximate number or amount.
- まま-まま indicates that the state of X remains unchanged or that someone does something without changing the current state of X.
- 代The suffix 代 is used with ten or its multiples to describe someone's approximate age, or with ten or its multiples and 年 to refer to a certain decade.
- (の)姿姿 means "appearance; figure". It is used to describe someone's external appearance, i.e., someone's form or physical appearance in certain clothing; or the way someone appears he/she is doing something.
- Verbては, VerbThe construction VerbてはVerb is used when a set of actions is repeated over a period of time. VerbてはVerb can be repeated
- VerbたものだVたものだ is used to describe in a nostalgic fashion what someone did or what happened in the past "used to -; wold"
- だんだんだんだん is used to indicate that a state changes gradually. Thus, it often occurs with -ていく, -てくる and -くなる, -になる, -ようになる. "Gradually, little by little, bit by bit"
- につれてXにつれて indicates that something takes place as X occurs. X can be either a verb or the steam of a する-verb "as -; with -"
- Verb(ますform)上げる上げる forms compound verbs, adding meaning such as "finish something up", "upward" or "to a great extend" The meaning is determined by the preceding verb.
- Verb(ますform)がけにがけに with the mass-stems of motion verbs like 行く,来る and 帰る means "on one's way"
- だけでN/V だけで is used to express the idea that just X or just doing X is fine or good enough, or that one can do something just with X or by doing X. "Just with -; just by V-ing; just V-ing (is fine/enough/etc.); just N (is fine/enough/etc.)
- にはには indicates purpose in general statements (often stating the speaker's judgement about an action in terms of its effectiveness, convenience, necessity, etc.). には can also mean "when". Verbs or noun precede には. Note that when ために is used, the predicate in the main clause describe an action. "To; In order to; for; the purpose of; when"
- だいたいだいたい means "most; almost; nearly (all); approximate" The meaning changes depending on what だいたい modified, as seen in 英訳
- Nounに{おける/おいて}The compound particle における indicates the place or time of an action, event or state. The pre-verbal form is において. Both are used only in formal language. "In; at; on; during"
- もまたIn this usage もまた means the same as も; However, it is more emphatic and formal than も. また has several meanings, but in this use また is synonymous with も. "As well, also, too"
- なんだThe literal meaning of なんだ is "What is X?". However it can also be used as an interjection to express the speaker's slight surprise.
- ほらThe interjection ほら is used to draw the hearer's attention to something. "Look!; See?; Come on!"
- を除いて除く means "to remove; to get rid of." を除いて is used as a compound particle meaning "except." "Except (for); with the exception of-; but -"
- すなわちすなわち is used to rephrase something that has just been mentioned. "That is; i. e., namely"
- 一応一応 is used when an action/state is tentative or not quite complete, perfect or satisfactory. It is also used when an action is taken as a precaution. "For the time being; for now; tentatively; although not perfectly; sort of; just in case"
- 左右する左右する means "to influence" or "to govern." It is commonly used in written language. "Influence, govern"
- (期間の表現)に入るNに入る literally means "enter N," but when N is a sound indicating a time period, the phrase means "N begins". The most common form is Nに入り or Nに入って（から）, meaning "since/after N began"
- を問題にする;-が問題にされる;-が問題になるXを問題にする means "to bring X up as an issue" or "to question X." This phrase is often used in the passive form Xが問題にされる. Xが問題になる is also common. The meaning is the same as that of the passive version.
- 未だに未だに indicates that someone or something is in the same state as he/she/it was some time ago. 未だ(に) is used primarily in written language. In spoken language まだ is used. "Still, (not -) yet"
- いかに-かThis structure occurs as an embedded interrogative sentence, where いかに means "how (much)" or "in what way" いかに is commonly used in written language
- しかしながらしかしながら is a disjunctive conjunction and appears only in sentence-initial position. It is a highly formal expression and is usually used in written language. "However; but"
- かなりかなり indicates that the degree of something is not extremely high but is higher than average. "Considerably; rather; quite; fairly; pretty; quite a lot"
- Noun次第When 次第 is affixed to noun, it means "depend on."
- とは限らないXとは限らない means "it's not necessarily the case that X." だ before とは is optional.
- ちゃんと、きちんとちゃんと and きちんと both indicate that someone does something neatly, properly, regularly or without fail. ちゃんと is more colloquial than きちんと. "Neatly, tidily, properly, adequately, in good order, regularly, without fail"
- 少なくても-は少なくても means "at least". It can be used with a noun or a number. When 少なくても is used with a noun, は often follow the noun (or the particle after the noun), indicating the noun is under focus. When は follows a number (+ a counter), it emphasizes the number. "At (the) least; to say the least"
- もVerbば,-もVerbThis structure is used to present actions or states (usually two) as examples of possible or past actions/states. In many cases the action/states are contrastive ones. "Some do - and others do -; Do - and - among other things; Sometimes - and sometimes -; There are times when - and times when -; - and also -; - and - as well"
- のうち(で)Xのうち(で) is used to indicate the total entity (X) when presenting a part or portion of X. "In; of; among"
- 後(の)NounWhen followed by a number (+ counter) or a noun, means "the remaining" or "the rest of". Here, の after 後 is optional. This use of 後 should be distinguished from 後 in the following example, where 後 means "-more". In this use, の cannot occur after 後.
- 何より(も)何より(も) means "before everything" or "than anything else", depending on the context. "Before everything; above all; first of all; more than anything else; the most -"
- に従ってに従って literally means "following." In some contexts, it means "in accordance with" "In accordance with -; Complying with -; Following -"
- たった(の) Number (+Counter)たった(の) is used to emphasise the small amount or number of something "only"
- 何から何まで何から何まで means "all". It is more emphatic than 全部、全て or みんな. 何から何まで can be used with 全部, すべて or みんな. "Anything and everything, all, all kinds"
- かえってかえって is used when an opposite result comes about, contrary to one's expectation. "On the contrary; rather"
- と同時にと同時に means that something takes place at the same time as other actions or events, or that something is the case while something else also the case. "As soon as; the moment; at the same time; also; as well"
- Sentenceっけっけ is a question marker. It is used only in very casual conversation. Note that after the non-past forms of verbs, adjectives and -ない, んだ must be used before っけ.
- ばいいUsed to make a recommendation or suggestion. -ばいい, -たらいい, -といい
- てしょうがない(Vって / いAくて / なAで / V(たい) たくて) Expresses a situation arising from some strong emotion or feeling that cannot be controlled
- たまらない(Vって / V(たい) たくて / いAくて / なAで ) + たまらない Used to express a strong feeling about something. [たまらない] means to not be able to endure something
- でならない(Vって / V(たい) たくて / いAくて / なAで ) + ならない Used to express a strong feeling about something, or a state of affairs that cannot be controlled
- つもりだったのに(Vって / V(たい) たくて / いAくて / なAで ) + ならない Used to express a strong feeling about something, or a state of affairs that cannot be controlled
- 最中に(Vっている / Nの) + 最中に Used when something unexpected happens
- のことNの + ことに Used to express various types of information pertaining to
- わけじゃない(V/いA/なAで/Nな) + わけじゃない Used to express "it doesn't necessarily mean that -"
- に違いない(V/いA/なA~~-だ~~/N~~-だ~~) + に違いない Used to express the speaker's strong conviction based on some solid foundation
- Vったって(Vたって/いAくたって/なAだって/Nだって) conversational expression for [-ても/でも]
- かわりに(V/Nの) + かわりに/かわりのN
- に加えて(N) + に加え(て) Used to express "not only -" or "in addition to-"
- おそれがある(V/Nの) + おそれがある Used to express the possibility of an unpleasant or undesirable occurrence
- に決まっている(V/いA/なA~~-だ~~/N~~-だ~~) + に決まっている
- に過ぎない(V/Vて/Vた/N) + に過ぎない Used to express the fact that something is "just -", and implies that what is being mentioned has no real value, or is a small figure
- どんなにXことかどんなに + (V/Vた/いA/いAかった/なAな/なAだった) + ことか Used to indicate the speaker's expectations about someone being extremely happy, worried, sad or etc
- ばと思う / ば(いい)と思うUsed to express the speaker's wishes or desires. [-ばいいのに] is used to indicate regret that the actual situation is different from what one would have liked
- ないことはないSomething can be done
- しかないUsed to express the fact that there is no other way, and that this is the only thing one can do
- こめてこめて Used to refer to something done wholeheartedly and with care
- を通じて/通して"Through"
- をめぐってmeans "about - from various perspectives"
- てもらえない(かな)Used to make a casual request (of a close friend or family member)
- ても仕方(が)ないUsed to express acceptance of an unsatisfactory outcome
- 際(に)Formal expression of 時
- にわたってUsed to express a long time or a wide scope
- とはUsed to define the subject in question
- のも当然だUsed to acknowledge something obvious. Also used in the form
- わけがないUsed to emphasise the fact that something is impossible, of that there is no good reason to believe that it would be possible
- ように感じたUsed to express one's feeling. Also used to make a gentle assertion
- ばよかったUsed to express regret about past
- たら、かえってUsed to express regret about past
- ってColloquial expression used to convey information heard from someone else
- においてA formal version of で
- とするAssuming - and speaking based on that assumption (普通) + とする
- (もし)XとしてもAn expression that means "Even if we assume-"
- せてほしいExpression to ask for permission to do something. (ませ/させ + てほしい/てください)
- てはじめてmeans "- happens, and then (one realises)... for the first time
- から言ってUsed to mean "judging something by looking at -"
- XてからでないとXないMeans "you can't ... until you -"
- Xにしては/XわりにMeans "Considering that -" unexpectedly
- にかわってAn expression that means "In the place of..."
- とともにMeans "together" or "at the same time"
- にともなってMeans "along with an incident or change like -, change like ... happens"
- 仮面As expression that means "It has an aspect that -, but on the contrary"
- いくらXてもInterrogative form -ても used to express the fact the outcome doesn't change no matter what the conditions are
- ままにするTo carry on with the same condition without changing it (Vた/Vない/今の) + ままにする
- といってもUsed after to qualify what has been said by mentioning the negatives, such as "the fact is.../ yet...", "only..." to show that the outcome is not sufficient or ideal
- ところだUsed to indicate the stage of a certain action
- わけにはいかないUsed to make a strong denial
- かねないUsed to express fear or anxiety (ますform~~-ます ~~) + かねない
- に反し(て)against; contrary to
- に限らずUsed to mean "not limited just to that range, but applicable to a much wider scope"
- ついでに「のついでに…」means "to do ... as well while doing -" The main purpose is -
- わけだUsed to express feelings like "No wonder -" or "It is natural that -" when the reason behind something is made clear
- からといって／からって／からとてUsed to mean "only for that reason"
- 気味だUsed to mean "to have a tendency to". Mostly used to refer to negative situations
- だらけUsed to mean "full of-"
- かけのUsed to mean "still in the middle of doing"
- ものだUsed to mean "should do/ to do- is natural"
- ものではないUsed to mean "should don't"
- 一方だUsed to refer to change that is progressing only in one direction
- がちtend to; tendency to; frequently; often; to do something easily
- からこそprecisely because ~ Noun だ / Verb からこそ
- 一たてUsed to indicate that what is being described occured just after a certain scenario and possess the properties of being 新鮮だ, 未熟だ (fresh, immature) or the like
- たとえ-てもIndicates that an extreme example is being hypothetically postulated, and the consequences stated after it will ensue even in such a case. It includes the nuance どんな場合であっても-, implying that the same consequences will also ensure in all other situations similar to the extreme example
- たりしないIndicates that nothing extreme is going to be done. Although 普通は-する is normally expected, the unexpected follow on -しない appears. -たりしない implies that nothing analogous to - is going to be done, either
- んだってExpression combining んだ(のだ) and って(そうだ).
- ながらXながらY connects X and Y in the paradoxical relationship 'X but Y', contradicting the prediction or expecation Xならは普通はYない. X can be a motion verb, the ている form or a stative verb, or the ない form. V ますform ~~ます~~ / N/なA / いA + ながら
- つまりつまり is used together with the sentence terminator ということだ to indicate that the preceding explanation is being summarized in an easily-understood way.
- よねis used when seeking to elicir an emphatetic response by reconforming something that both the speaker and the listener already know and share a common understanding of
- げ"Seems like". Not used with superiors! This expression is used to describe someone's feeling by saying "it looks like that" いA~~い~~/なA~~だ~~ + げ