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Lesson 4 Basic Japanese Grammar -

Japanese grammar is quite simple and straight forward but very different from English grammar so most English speakers find it
rather confusing. For instance, in Japanese the verb always comes at the end. The best thing you can do when learning Japanese
is to learn it from the bottom up and not compare it to English grammar.

The Japanese language uses what we will refer to as particles to mark the various parts of the sentence. The main particles are:
(These particles will be described in more detail below)
wa
(as mentioned in Lesson 1, the Hiragana "ha" is pronounced "wa" when it immediately follows topic marker
the topic)
ga subject marker
wo
(pronounced "o")
direct object marker

direction marker, time marker, indirect

ni object marker
e
(as mentioned in Lesson 1, the Hiragana "he" is pronounced "e" when it immediately follows a direction marker
place or direction)
The particles "wa" () and "ga" (): The particle "wa" marks the topic of the sentence and the particle "ga" marks the subject of
the sentence. In the example, "I know where you live" (watashi wa anata ga doko ni sunde iru ka shitte iru), "I" would be the topic
while "you" would be the subject.

Not all Japanese sentences have both a topic and subject and, in many cases, the topic is implied in Japanese (for example, the "I"
(watashi wa) would be left out of this sentence because it is implied that since I am talking I am the one that knows where you live).
Many Japanese books and teachers teach that "wa" and "ga" are the same thing and it doesn't matter which you use when. This is
not the case but I wouldn't worry too much about keeping them straight at first - it will come with time.

The particle "wo" (): The particle "wo" (or "o") marks the direct object of a Japanese sentence. In the example, "I'm going to take
her home" (watashi wa kanojo wo ie ni okuru), "her" would be the direct object.

The particle "ni" ( ): The particle "ni" can be used to mark the direction, time, or the indirect object of a Japanese sentence.

An example of a direction marker can be seen in the previous example "I'm going to take her home" (watashi wa kanojo wo
ie ni okuru). In this case, the "ni" acts like a "to" - "I'm going to take her 'to' home". The particle "e" ( ) can be used in this way as
well but usually implies more of a general direction as opposed to a specific place.

The particle "ni" is also used to mark time in a Japanese sentence. For example, "I'm leaving at 3 o'clock" (watashi wa
sanji ni hanareru).

The final use for the particle "ni" in Japanese grammar is that of indirect object marker. In the example, "I was taken home by him"
(watashi wa kare ni ie made okurareta), "him" is the indirect object.

Note: The "watashi wa" in all of the example sentences used above would normally be left out as it is implied.
Lesson 5 Numbers, Time, and Days of the Week
Before we get too much further into Japanese grammar and verb conjugation, I thought it would be a good idea to teach Japanese
numbers, time, days of the week, etc.
Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
English Meaning

ichi one
ni two
san three
shi (yon after 10) four
go five
roku six
shichi (nana after 10) seven
hachi eight
kyuu nine
juu ten
hyaku hundred
Numbers after 10 are a piece of cake once you know 1 through 10. 11 is simply ten with a one after it, (, juuichi), 12
- juuni, 13 - juusan, 14 - juuyon, etc. 20 is simply (, nijuu), 21 - nijuuichi, and so forth.

Put these numbers in front of the character for time and you've got the time of the day.
Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
English Meaning

ichiji one o'clock

niji two o'clock
nijihan two thirty ( means half)
nijiyonjuugofun 2:45 ( means minute)
...etc.
Now just put the character for moon after a number and you've got a month.
- Kanji - Hiragana Romaji English Meaning
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(English Letters)
ichigatsu January
nigatsu February
sangatsu March
shigatsu April
...etc.
Japanese days of the week don't follow such an easy pattern but here they are anyway along with some other time-related words.
Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
English Meaning

nichiyoubi Sunday ( - sun/day)

getsuyoubi Monday ( - moon)
kayoubi Tuesday ( - fire)
suiyoubi Wednesday ( - water)
mokuyoubi Thursday ( - tree/wood)
kinyoubi Friday ( - gold)
doyoubi Saturday ( - dirt)
kyou Today
ashita Tomorrow
kinou Yesterday
ototoi the day before yesterday
the day after tomorrow (a small "tsu"
asatte
() makes a double consonant)
kesa this morning
konban this evening
ima now

Lesson 6 Verb Conjugation Godan Verbs -

Now, before you can start making up sentences of your own, you need to learn how to conjugate Japanese verbs. Verbs are the
most important part of the Japanese sentence. Often times Japanese people will leave out everything but the verb.

They are very big on leaving out the obvious and sometimes not so obvious which can get confusing at times. There are only 3
types of verbs in the Japanese language and they each follow a pattern that is very simple and very rarely has any exceptions. Most
Japanese verbs fall into the first group, the Godan ( ) verbs. These verbs always conjugate the same way with only one
exception. These verbs have five changes that follow the order of the Japanese vowels (i.e. the characters for that section of the
hiragana chart), hence the name Godan (meaning 5 levels or steps), and then the "te" and "ta" forms that are common to all verbs.
The chart below shows how to conjugate Japanese Godan verbs:
Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

hanasu (to speak)

hanasa Base 1
hanashi Base 2
hanasu Base 3
hanase Base 4
hanasou Base 5
hanashite Base "te"
hanashita Base "ta"
Base 1: Base 1 cannot be used by itself but becomes the plain form negative simply by adding -nai. (ex. hanasanai - I won't say
anything.) If the verb ends in (u) then the end for Base 1 becomes (wa). (ex. au (Base 1) -> awa)
(Plain form is what people use when talking to a friend. It would not be proper to use in a business environment. We will go over the
polite form in lesson 8.)

Base 2: Base 2 is, in most cases, a noun when used by itself but is primarily used with the polite form of the verb.

Base 3: Base 3 is the main form (the one that would be found in the dictionary) and is also the plain form present/future tense.

Base 4: Base 4 is most often used as "if verb" by adding -ba. (ex. hanaseba - If he'd just say something.) It can also be used by
itself as a command form but it is extremely rude and I recommend not using it at all.

Base 5: Base 5 is used by itself as the "let's" form. (ex. hanasou - Let's talk.) We will get into other ways it's used in later lessons.

Base "te": Base "te" can be used by itself as a plain form command. It is not rude but should only be used with close friends and
children. By adding kudasai it becomes the polite form command. Base "te" can also be used in other ways that we will get into in
later lessons.

Base "ta": Base "ta" is merely Base "te" with an "a" sound on the end instead of an "e" sound. It is mainly used by itself as the plain
form past tense. (ex. hanashita - I talked.) We will get into other ways it's used in later lessons.

Notice: There is one thing that you'll need to learn in order to conjugate the "te" and "ta" forms correctly. Basically, for all Godan
verbs ending in (u), (tsu), or (ru); the (u), (tsu), or (ru) becomes (tte) in the "te" form and (tta) in the "ta"
form. (ex. katsu (to win) -> katte (Win!), katta (We won!))

For all Godan verbs ending in (bu), (mu), or (nu); the (bu), (mu), or (nu) becomes (nde) in the "te" form and
(nda) in the "ta" form. (ex. yomu (to read -> yonde (Read it.), yonda (I read it.))
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For all Godan verbs ending in (ku), the (ku) becomes (ite) in the "te" form and (ita) in the "ta" form. (ex. aruku (to
walk) -> aruite (Walk!), aruita (I walked here.)) The only exception to this rule is for the verb iku (to go) which becomes ,
(itte/itta).

For all Godan verbs ending in (gu), the (gu) becomes (ide) in the "te" form and (ida) in the "ta" form. (ex. oyogu (to
swim) -> oyoide (Swim!), oyoida (I swam.))

For all Godan verbs ending in (su), the (su) becomes (shite) in the "te" form and (shita) in the "ta" form. (ex. hanasu
(to talk) -> hanashite (Say something!), hanashita (I talked (to him).))

Here are some Godan verbs. Try conjugating them on a piece of paper using what you have just learned. Click here for the
answers.
Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
English Meaning

au to meet
katsu to win
uru to sell
asobu to play
nomu to drink
shinu to die
aruku to walk
oyogu to swim
kesu to erase, turn off
to go
iku (Remember the exception for Bases
"te"and "ta")

Answer:
Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

au (to meet)
awa Base 1
ai Base 2
au Base 3
ae Base 4
aou Base 5
atte Base "te"
atta Base "ta"

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

katsu (to win)

kata Base 1
kachi Base 2
katsu Base 3
kate Base 4
katou Base 5
katte Base "te"
katta Base "ta"

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

uru (to sell)

ura Base 1
uri Base 2
uru Base 3
ure Base 4
urou Base 5
utte Base "te"
utta Base "ta"

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

asobu (to play)

asoba Base 1
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asobi Base 2
asobu Base 3
asobe Base 4
asobou Base 5
asonde Base "te"
asonda Base "ta"

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

nomu (to drink)

noma Base 1
nomi Base 2
nomu Base 3
nome Base 4
nomou Base 5
nonde Base "te"
nonda Base "ta"

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

shinu (to die)

shina Base 1
shini Base 2
shinu Base 3
shine Base 4
shinou Base 5
shinde Base "te"
shinda Base "ta"

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

aruku (to walk)

aruka Base 1
aruki Base 2
aruku Base 3
aruke Base 4
arukou Base 5
aruite Base "te"
aruita Base "ta"

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

oyogu (to swim)

oyoga Base 1
oyogi Base 2
oyogu Base 3
oyoge Base 4
oyogou Base 5
oyoide Base "te"
oyoida Base "ta"

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

kesu (to erase, turn off)

kesa Base 1
keshi Base 2
kesu Base 3
kese Base 4
kesou Base 5
keshite Base "te"
keshita Base "ta"
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Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

iku (to go)

ika Base 1
iki Base 2
iku Base 3
ike Base 4
ikou Base 5
itte Base "te"
itta Base "ta"

Lesson 7 Verb Conjugation Continued Ichidan Verbs -

The second group of Japanese verbs are called Ichidan ( ) verbs. It is usually an Ichidan verb if it ends with the sound "iru" or
"eru". Some well used Japanese verbs which appear to be Ichidan but are really Godan are listed here. Ichidan verbs also follow a
simple conjugation pattern that is somewhat similar to that of the Godan verbs. Below is a verb conjugation chart for Japanese
Ichidan verbs:

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

taberu (to eat)

tabe Base 1
tabe Base 2
taberu Base 3
tabere Base 4
tabeyou Base 5
tabete Base "te"
tabeta Base "ta"

Base 1 and Base 2: As you can see, Base 1 and 2 are the same. Just like with the Godan verbs, a negative can be made by
adding -nai (ex. tabenai - I will not eat.) and this base, or root form, is also used for the formal form of the verb.

Base 3: Base 3 is the same as with Godan verbs.

Base 4: Base 4, however, can not be used by itself like with Godan verbs. It is only used for "if verb" by adding -ba. (ex. tabereba - If
I eat it...) It is not the low command form for Ichidan verbs. The low command form for Ichidan verbs is Base 1 + (ro).

Base 5: Base 5 is the same as with Godan verbs.

Base "te" and Base "ta": The Base "te" and "ta" forms for Ichidan verbs are a lot easier than with Godan verbs. Simply take off the
"ru" and add a "te" for Base "te" and a "ta" for Base "ta". These have the same functions as with Godan verbs.

Here are some Ichidan verbs. Try conjugating them on a piece of paper using what you have just learned. Click here for the
answers.

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
English Meaning

iru to exist (animate), to be somewhere

miru to see
neru to sleep
kiru to wear, put on
dekiru can do
oboeru to remember

answer
Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

iru (to exist (animate), to be somewhere)

i Base 1
i Base 2
iru Base 3
ire Base 4
iyou Base 5
ite Base "te"
ita Base "ta"
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Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

miru (to see)

mi Base 1
mi Base 2
miru Base 3
mire Base 4
miyou Base 5
mite Base "te"
mita Base "ta"

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

neru (to sleep)

ne Base 1
ne Base 2
neru Base 3
nere Base 4
neyou Base 5
nete Base "te"
neta Base "ta"

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

kiru (to wear, put on)

ki Base 1
ki Base 2
kiru Base 3
kire Base 4
kiyou Base 5
kite Base "te"
kita Base "ta"

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

dekiru (can do)

deki Base 1
deki Base 2
dekiru Base 3
dekire Base 4
dekiyou Base 5
dekite Base "te"
dekita Base "ta"

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

oboeru (to remember)

oboe Base 1
oboe Base 2
oboeru Base 3
oboere Base 4
oboeyou Base 5
oboete Base "te"
oboeta Base "ta"

Irregular Verbs The

last type of verbs are the Irregular verbs but there are only 2 of them in the entire language so just memorize their charts below. The
first one is suru (to do something). Many nouns can be used as a verb simply by putting "suru" right after them. It is probably the
most used of all Japanese verbs. The second Irregular verb is kuru (to come).
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Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

suru (to do)

shi Base 1
shi Base 2
suru Base 3
sure Base 4
shiyou Base 5
shite Base "te"
shita Base "ta"

The functions for these bases are the same as for the Godan verbs except that Base 4 can only be used as the "if verb".
The rude command form is "Shiro".

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
Verb Base

kuru (to come)

ko Base 1
ki Base 2
kuru Base 3
kure Base 4
koyou Base 5
kite Base "te"
kita Base "ta"

The functions for these bases are the same as for the Godan verbs except that Base 4 can only be used as the "if verb".
The rude command form is "Koi" and really should only be used on animals.

Lesson 8 Using the Verb Bases Using Verb Bases

Now that you know about 30 Japanese verbs and can conjugate them, I'll show you what you can do with those verb bases. You
may want to regularly refer to Lesson 6and Lesson 7 while learning these. The following chart applies to all Japanese verbs unless
otherwise noted.

Romaji
- Hiragana (English Letters)
English Meaning

Base 1 + Base 1 + nai plain form negative (will not verb)

Base 1 + Base 1 + nakatta plain form past negative (did not verb)
Base 2 + Base 2 + masu polite form present/future tense
Base 2 + Base 2 + mashita polite form past tense
Base 2 + Base 2 + masen polite form negative (will not verb)
Base 2 + Base 2 + masen deshita polite form past negative (did not verb)
Base 2 + Base 2 + tai want to verb (add (desu) to make it polite)
Base 3 Base 3 plain form present/future tense
Base 4 + Base 4 + ba if verb
plain form can verb (Godan verbs only)
Base 4 + Base 4 + ru
(verb now becomes an Ichidan verb)
Base 4 + Base 4 + masu polite form can verb (can be changed like above)
try to verb
Base 5 + Base 5 + to suru
(this suru is the same verb learned in lesson 7 (to do something))
want someone else to verb
Base "te" + Base "te" + hoshii
(hoshii is an adjective which will be covered in the next lesson)
Base "te" Base "te" plain form command
Base "te" + Base "te" + kudasai polite form command
plain form presently verbing
Base "te" + Base "te" + iru
(this iru is the same verb learned in lesson 7 (to exist (animate))
Base "te" + Base "te" + imasu polite form presently verbing (can be changed like above)
Base "ta" Base "ta" plain form past tense
Base "ta" + Base "ta" + ra if and when I verb (similar to Base 4 + ba)
do such things as...
Base "ta" + Base "ta" + ri suru
(this suru is also the same verb learned in lesson 7 (to do something))
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Lesson 9 Descriptive Words Adjectives and Adverbs

There are two different types of Japanese words that can be used to modify nouns (adjectives) and verbs (adverbs).
One group is much like what we would call an adjective but they can also be conjugated to modify verbs as well. We
will refer to these as "dv" (for "descriptive verb"). These are often referred to as "true adjectives" or "i-adjectives". The
other group can, in most cases, stand alone like a noun but can also be used to modify nouns and verbs. We will
refer to these as "dn" (for "descriptive noun"). These are often referred to as "quasi adjectives" or "na-adjectives".

All adjectives in the "dv" group always end with (i). No exceptions. These are placed in front of a noun in order to
modify it. For example:

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
English Meaning

akai kuruma red car

These adjectives can be conjugated to form different tenses, turned into adverbs (modify verbs), etc. The conjugation rules for "true"
Japanese adjectives are as follows:

Romaji
- Hiragana (English Letters)
English Meaning

modifies a verb (adverb form)

drop the drop the "i"
(akaku natta -> became red)
and add and add "ku"
(naru is the verb "to become")
present tense negative
drop the drop the "i"
(akakunai -> is not red)
and add and add "kunai"
(becomes a new "dv")
drop the drop the "i" past tense
and add and add "katta" (akakatta -> was red)
past tense negative
drop the drop the "i"
(akakunakatta -> was not red)
and add and add "kunakatta"
(This one might take a little practice saying.)

It's not as easy to recognize "dn" adjectives but I will point them out in the vocabulary lists. Sometimes you'll even find
a "dn" that ends in (i) (ex. kirei - pretty). As mentioned before, these words can, in most cases, be used by
themselves like a noun (ex. shizen - nature). By adding a (na) to the end of these words they can be used to
modify a noun (ex. shizen na kankyou -> a natural environment). And by adding a (ni) to the end of these words
they can be used to modify a verb as an adverb (ex. shizen ni aruku -> to walk naturally).

Here's a list of some commonly used "dv" and "dn" adjectives:

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
English Meaning

akai (dv) red

kiiroi (dv) yellow
aoi (dv) blue
kuroi (dv) black
shiroi (dv) white
omoshiroi (dv) interesting, funny
atsui (dv) hot
samui (dv) cold
ookii (dv) big
chiisai (dv) small
shizen (dn) nature
kirei (dn) pretty, clean
shitsurei (dn) rude
shizuka (dn) quiet
tokubetsu (dn) special
genki (dn) in good spirits
hen (dn) weird, strange
jouzu (dn) skillful
shinsetsu (dn) kind, nice
suteki (dn) "cool", good looking

Lesson 10 Meeting Someone New and Other Common Japanese Phrases

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Meeting Someone New

We are often asked by our students learning Japanese how to introduce yourself to a Japanese person. This interaction is normally
very formal and filled with a few bows. Below is a typical Japanese conversation/introduction between two people meeting for the
first time:
Japanese
English Meaning
(In Kanji, Hiragana, and Romaji)

Person 1: Hello. Nice to meet you.
Konnichi wa. Hajimemashite.

Nice to meet you.
Person 2: How are you?
Hajimemashite. O-genki desu ka?

Person 1: I am fine.
Hai, genki desu.
______
My name is ______.
Person 1: ______ What is your name?
Watashi wa ______ to moushimasu. Anata no o-namae wa?
______ My name is ______.
Person 2: ______ Pleased to make your
Watashi wa ______ to iimasu. Yoroshiku o-negai shimasu. acquaintance.

Pleased to make your
Person 1: acquaintance.
Yoroshiku o-negai shimasu.

Explanation: "Hajimemashite" literally means "it is a beginning" but would be the equivalent of "Nice to meet you" in English. It
would only be used the first time meeting someone. As learned in Lesson 9, "genki" means "in good spirits". "O-genki desu ka" is
literally asking "Are you in good spirits?". This is the most common way of asking "How are you?" in Japanese. The other person
responds "Yes, I am in good spirits". "Mousu" is the ultra polite form of the verb "iu" (to say). Both people are literally saying "I am
said/called _____". "Namae" is the word for "name". An "o" is added in front of it (and other words throughout this exchange) to
show respect. This is not done when talking about yourself. "Yoroshii" means "good/fine" and "negai" is a wish or request.
"Yoroshiku o-negai shimasu" literally means "I request/wish kindly of you". It is basically like saying "Please treat me well". It can be
used in other situations as well - such as when asking for a favor.

Other Common Japanese Phrases

We are often asked how to say "I love you" in Japanese. This would be "Anata o ai shite imasu" BUT be advised that the Japanese
typically don't use the word for love ( - - ai) when talking about their feelings for someone else (not even a boyfriend,
girlfriend, spouse, child, parent, etc.). They would typically say "Anata no koto ga suki desu" or "Anata ga daisuki desu". "Suki" is
Japanese for "like" and "daisuki" means "favorite". This may seem strange but this is just what they say for "I love you".

Romaji
- Kanji - Hiragana (English Letters)
English Meaning

tanjoubi omedetou
gozaimasu
Happy Birthday!

akemashite
omedetou Happy New Year!
gozaimasu
omedetou
gozaimasu
Congratulations!

Good night.
oyasuminasai (used when someone
is going to bed)
gomennasai I'm sorry.
sumimasen Excuse me.
toire wa doko Where is the
desu ka bathroom?
I am hungry.
onaka ga suite
imasu
("My stomach is
empty.")