Japanese Grammar

JLPT N5 — Beginner

79 grammar points · 79 articles completed

はtopic marker がsubject marker をobject marker にdirection, time, location でlocation of action, means のpossessive, noun modifier もalso, too へdirection (toward)とand, with, quotation やand (non-exhaustive)かquestion marker からfrom, because までuntil, to よりthan (comparison)だけonly, just しかnothing but, only (+ negative)でもeven, or something ねconfirmation, right?よemphasis, assertion ですpolite copula (is/am/are)ますpolite verb ending ないnegative form (not)たpast tense てte-form connector ているprogressive / resultant state い-adjectivei-adjective usage & conjugation な-adjectivena-adjective usage くないnegative i-adjective じゃないnegative na-adj / noun かったpast i-adjective ましょうlet's (volitional polite)たいwant to do てくださいplease do ないでくださいplease don't てもいいmay, it's OK to てはいけないmust not, may not ことができるcan do, be able to けどbut, although が (conj)but (formal)しand also, giving reasons のでbecause (objective)つもりintend to, plan to と思うI think that ほうがいいshould, had better のが好きlike doing のが上手good at doing のが下手bad at doing なるto become するto do, to make あげるto give もらうto receive くれるto give (to me)なに/なんwhat どこwhere いつwhen だれwho どうhow なぜ/どうしてwhy いくらhow much (price)いくつhow many 〜つcounter (general)〜人counter (people)〜個counter (small objects)〜枚counter (flat things)〜本counter (long things)〜時o'clock 〜月month 〜日day of month すぎるtoo much やすいeasy to do にくいhard to do ながらwhile doing まだstill, not yet もうalready あまりnot very (+ negative)たことがあるhave done before たり〜たりdo things like A and B 前にbefore doing

後でafter doing

articles completed (79)

～後で

Afterwards / After (~Atode)

Master the Japanese grammar point 'atode' (after doing). Learn the rules for verbs and nouns, see real-world examples, and avoid common N5 mistakes.

n5verbsnouns

あまり

あまり — Not Very (+ Negative)

Learn how to use あまり (amari) with negative forms in Japanese to express 'not very' or 'not much.' N5 grammar with examples, mistakes, and JLPT tips.

adverbnegationdegree

まだ

まだ — Still, Not Yet

Learn Japanese まだ (mada) meaning 'still' or 'not yet'. N5 grammar with examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips for beginners.

adverbbasicn5

前に

前に (Mae ni) — Before Doing

Learn how to use 前に (mae ni) in Japanese to express 'before doing something'. Includes structure, examples, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

timebeforetemporal

もう

もう — Already, Not Anymore, One More

Master もう (mou) in Japanese: already, not anymore, and one more. Complete N5 grammar guide with 13 examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

adverbbasictime

ながら

ながら — While Doing Two Things at Once

Master ながら (nagara) grammar for JLPT N5: express simultaneous actions in Japanese. 14 examples with furigana, common mistakes, and exam tips.

verbsimultaneousn5

にくい

にくい — Hard To Do

Learn how to use にくい (nikui) in Japanese to say something is hard to do. Complete N5 grammar guide with examples, conjugations, and common mistakes.

verb-stemi-adjectivedifficulty

すぎる

すぎる — Too Much / Excessively

Learn すぎる (sugiru) in Japanese: how to say 'too much' or 'excessively'. N5 grammar with examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

suffixverb-suffixadjective-suffix

たことがある

たことがある — Have Done Before

Learn たことがある (ta koto ga aru) to express past experiences in Japanese. 15 example sentences, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 exam tips.

experiencepast-tenseverb

たり〜たり

たり〜たり — Do Things Like A And B

Learn how たり〜たり works in natural Japanese — representative actions, alternating states, formation rules, 15 furigana examples, and JLPT N5 tips.

verblistingalternating-states

やすい

やすい — Easy To Do

Learn how to use やすい in Japanese to say something is easy to do. N5 grammar guide with examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

i-adjectiveverb-suffixn5

あげる

あげる — To Give (Giving to Others)

Learn how to use あげる in Japanese to express giving. Master the difference from くれる and もらう with examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

verbgivingn5

し

し — Listing Reasons and Adding Points (And Also, What's More)

Learn Japanese grammar し (shi): how to list multiple reasons and add connected points. N5 level with examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

conjunctionreasonslisting

が (conj)

が (Conjunction) — But, However (Formal Contrast)

Learn how to use が as a conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however' in Japanese. Includes examples, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

conjunctioncontrastformal

〜枚

〜枚 — Counter for Flat Things

Learn 〜枚 (mai), the Japanese counter for flat thin objects like paper, shirts, and photos. Complete N5 guide with 13 examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

counterjosushinumbers

〜つ

〜つ — General Counter for Objects

Learn 〜つ, the native Japanese general counter for objects. Covers meaning, usage, all 10 forms, example sentences, and common mistakes for JLPT N5.

counternumbersnative-japanese

〜本

〜本: Counter for Long, Cylindrical Objects

Learn 〜本, the Japanese counter for long objects like pens, bottles, and trees. Includes pronunciation rules, examples, and JLPT N5 tips.

countern5numbers

〜人

〜人: Counting People in Japanese

Learn to count people in Japanese using 〜人. Master the special readings ひとり and ふたり, plus regular にん forms. Essential grammar for JLPT N5.

counternumberspeople

〜個

〜個: Counter for Small Objects

Learn 〜個 (ko), the essential Japanese counter for small compact objects like apples and eggs. Includes pronunciation guide, 15 examples, and JLPT N5 tips.

counternumbersn5

だけ

だけ — Only, Just, Merely

Learn how to use だけ (dake) in Japanese to express 'only' or 'just'. Clear explanations, 15 example sentences with furigana, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

particlebasicn5

〜日

Days of the Month: 〜日

Master Japanese day-of-month expressions with 〜日. Learn irregular readings like ついたち and はつか, with example sentences and JLPT N5 tips.

datetimenumbers

でも

でも — Even, Or Something

Learn Japanese grammar でも (demo): meaning 'even,' 'or something,' 'but,' and 'any~.' N5 level with examples, mistakes, and JLPT tips.

particleconjunctionbasic

です

です — Polite Copula (Is/Am/Are)

Learn how to use です (desu), the Japanese polite copula meaning 'is/am/are'. Essential N5 grammar with examples, mistakes, and JLPT tips.

copulapolitebasic

ほうがいい

ほうがいい — Should, Had Better

Learn how to use ほうがいい (hou ga ii) in Japanese to give advice and recommendations. Complete N5 grammar guide with examples and JLPT tips.

grammarn5advice

いくつ

いくつ — How Many / How Old

Learn how to use いくつ (ikutsu) in Japanese to ask 'how many' or 'how old'. N5 grammar guide with 15 examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

question-wordinterrogativequantity

いくら

How to Use いくら (Ikura): Asking About Price in Japanese

Learn how to use いくら (ikura) in Japanese — the essential N5 question word for asking about prices. Includes examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

question-wordshoppingprice

どう

どう — How

Learn how to use どう (dou) in Japanese. Master asking about conditions, opinions, and offers. Essential N5 grammar with 15 examples and mistake guide.

question wordadverbinterrogative

い-adjective

い-Adjective — Usage & Conjugation

Learn how to use and conjugate Japanese い-adjectives. Covers present, past, negative forms with examples, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

adjectivei-adjectiveconjugation

から

から (kara) — From, Because

Master から (kara) in Japanese — use it to mean 'from' for location/time and 'because' for reasons. Complete N5 guide with 14 examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

particlebasicreason

けど

けど — But, Although (Casual Conjunction)

Learn how to use けど (kedo) in Japanese — the casual 'but/although' conjunction. Includes usage rules, 14 example sentences with furigana, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

conjunctioncasualcontrast

ことができる

ことができる — Can Do, Be Able To

Learn ことができる (koto ga dekiru) — a key N5 grammar pattern meaning 'can do' or 'be able to'. Examples, mistakes, and JLPT tips included.

abilitypotentialn5

くれる

くれる — To Give (To Me)

Learn how to use くれる (kureru) in Japanese — the verb for 'to give' when someone gives something to you. Examples, mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

givingreceivingverb

まで

まで — Until, To (Extent Particle)

Learn how to use the Japanese particle まで (made) meaning 'until' and 'to'. Includes 14 example sentences with furigana, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

particlebasictime

ましょう

ましょう — Let's Do Something Together (Volitional Polite)

Learn how to use ましょう (mashou) in Japanese to say 'Let's do something.' Formation, example sentences, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

verbvolitionalpolite

ます

ます — Polite Verb Ending

Learn ます (masu), the Japanese polite verb ending for N5. Covers meaning, formation, 12+ example sentences, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

verbpolitemasu-form

〜月

〜月 — Expressing Months in Japanese

Learn how to say the months of the year in Japanese using 〜月 (〜がつ). Includes all 12 months, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

monthstimedates

もらう

もらう — To Receive

Learn how to use もらう (morau) to express receiving in Japanese. Full guide with example sentences, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

verbgiving-receivingbasic

な-adjective

Na-Adjective (な形容詞) — Complete Usage Guide

Master Japanese な-adjectives with clear explanations, full conjugation tables, 15 example sentences with furigana, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

adjectivena-adjectiven5

ない

ない — Negative Form (Not)

Learn how to use ない (nai) in Japanese to express negation. Covers verb negative forms, adjective negatives, and common usage patterns for JLPT N5.

negative-formverb-conjugationadjective

ないでください

ないでください — Please Don't

Learn ないでください (naide kudasai): the N5 grammar for polite negative requests in Japanese. Meaning, structure, 15 examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

negativerequestpolite

なる

なる — To Become

Learn how to use なる (naru) in Japanese to express 'to become.' Covers い-adjective, な-adjective, and noun patterns with 13 examples and JLPT N5 tips.

verbchangebecoming

ね

ね — Seeking Confirmation or Sharing Feelings

Learn how to use the Japanese particle ね (ne) to seek confirmation, share feelings, and soften statements. Full guide with examples for N5 learners.

particlesentence-endingconfirmation

くない

Negative I-Adjective: くない (ku nai)

Learn くない, the negative form of Japanese い-adjectives. Clear examples, common mistakes, conjugation tables, and JLPT N5 tips included.

adjectivei-adjectivenegative

じゃない

じゃない — Negative Form for Nouns and Na-Adjectives

Master じゃない, the essential informal Japanese negative for nouns and na-adjectives. Full guide with 15 examples, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

negativenounna-adjective

のが下手

Bad At Doing — のが下手

Learn のが下手 (no ga heta): how to say you're bad at doing something in Japanese. N5 grammar with examples, mistakes, and JLPT tips.

abilityna-adjectivenominalizer

のが上手

のが上手 — Good At Doing

Master のが上手 (no ga jouzu) — the N5 Japanese grammar for expressing skill at actions. Full guide with examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

abilityadjectivenominalizer

のが好き

のが好き — Like Doing

Learn the Japanese N5 grammar pattern のが好き (no ga suki) to express liking activities. Covers meaning, structure, examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

nominalizationna-adjectivepreference

ので

ので — Because (Objective Reason)

Master Japanese grammar ので (node): expressing objective reasons politely. Full guide with examples, structure tables, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

conjunctionreasonbecause

〜時

〜時 — O'Clock

Learn to use 〜時 (ji) to tell time in Japanese. Covers all hour readings, irregular forms for 4, 7, 9 o'clock, the に particle, AM/PM, and N5 exam tips.

timecountertelling-time

かった

Past Tense of I-Adjectives — かった

Master かった, the past tense of Japanese い-adjectives. Clear explanations, 14 example sentences with furigana, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

adjectivepast-tensei-adjective

しか

しか — Nothing But, Only (Negative)

Learn the Japanese particle しか (shika) meaning 'only/nothing but' with negative verbs. JLPT N5 grammar with examples, mistakes, and cultural notes.

particlebasicnegative

する

する — To Do, To Make

Learn する (suru), one of the most essential Japanese verbs meaning 'to do.' Master its conjugations, compound verbs, and usage at JLPT N5 level.

verbirregular-verbsuru-verb

た

た — Past Tense in Japanese

Master the Japanese past tense with た. Learn conjugation rules for all verb groups, adjectives, and nouns with examples for JLPT N5 learners.

past-tenseverb-conjugationadjective

たい

たい — Want To Do

Learn Japanese grammar たい (tai) to express what you want to do. Complete N5 guide with conjugations, 15 examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

desireverb-endingi-adjective

て

Te-Form Connector: Linking Actions, States, and Reasons

Master the Japanese te-form (て/で) — the essential connector for linking actions, describing cause and effect, and building natural sentences at JLPT N5.

te-formconnectorverb-conjugation

ている

ている — Progressive and Resultant State

Learn Japanese ている grammar for N5 — progressive actions, resultant states, and habitual activities explained with 15 examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

verbprogressiveresultant-state

てください

てください — Please Do

Learn てください (te kudasai), the essential N5 Japanese grammar for making polite requests. Formation rules, 15 examples with furigana, and JLPT tips.

requestpolitete-form

てはいけない

てはいけない — Must Not, May Not

Learn てはいけない (te wa ikenai), a core N5 grammar pattern used to express prohibition. Includes structure, examples, and common mistakes.

prohibitionmust-notte-form

てもいい

てもいい — May, It's Ok To

Learn how to use てもいい in Japanese to express permission and acceptability. Includes examples, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

permissionte-formbeginner

と思う

と思う — I Think That

Learn と思う (to omou): how to express opinions and thoughts in Japanese. Full guide with formation rules, 15 example sentences, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

expressionverbopinion

つもり

つもり — Intend To, Plan To

Learn how to use つもり (tsumori) in Japanese to express intentions and plans. Examples, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips included.

intentionplanverb

なに/なん

なに / なん — What (Japanese Interrogative Pronoun)

Master なに (nani) and なん (nan), Japanese for 'what.' Learn when to use each form with 15 example sentences, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

interrogativepronounquestion

いつ

いつ — When: Complete Guide to Asking About Time in Japanese

Master いつ (when) in Japanese. Complete N5 guide with 15 example sentences, common mistakes, cultural notes, and JLPT exam tips.

question-wordinterrogativetime

どこ

どこ — Where (Location Question Word)

Learn どこ (doko), the Japanese word for 'where'. Complete N5 guide with examples, structure, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

question-wordlocationinterrogative

だれ

だれ — Who (Interrogative Pronoun for People)

Learn how to use だれ (dare), the Japanese word for 'who'. Includes meaning, structure, 12+ example sentences with furigana, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

interrogativepronounquestion-word

なぜ/どうして

なぜ／どうして — How to Ask 'Why' in Japanese

Learn なぜ and どうして, the two Japanese words for 'why.' Covers formality differences, sentence structure, 13 examples, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 exam tips.

question-wordinterrogativebasic

よ

よ — Emphasis and Assertion

Learn how to use よ (yo), the Japanese sentence-ending particle for emphasis and assertion. Examples, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

particlesentence-endingemphasis

より

より (yori) — Than: Making Comparisons in Japanese

Learn how to use より (yori) for comparisons in Japanese. Meaning, structure, 13 example sentences with furigana, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

particlecomparisonbasic

で

で — Location of Action & Means

Learn the Japanese particle で (de) for N5: how to express where an action happens and what tool or means you use. Examples, mistakes, and JLPT tips.

particlebasiclocation

へ

へ — Direction Particle (Toward)

Learn the Japanese particle へ (e) for expressing direction and movement toward a destination. Master N5 grammar with examples, mistakes, and JLPT tips.

particledirectionmovement

が

が — Subject Marker

Learn how to use the Japanese particle が (ga) as a subject marker. Includes meaning, structure, 14 examples with furigana, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

particlebasicsubject-marker

か

か — Question Marker

Learn how to use か (ka), the Japanese question marker particle. Complete N5 grammar guide with examples, structure, and JLPT tips.

particlequestionbasic

も

も (mo) — Also, Too

Learn the Japanese particle も (mo): 'also,' 'too,' negative constructions, and AもBも. 15 examples, common mistakes, and JLPT N5 tips.

particlebasicn5

に

に (ni) — Direction, Time, and Location Particle

Learn the Japanese particle に (ni) for direction, time, and location. N5 grammar with 12+ example sentences, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

particlebasicdirection

の

の — Possessive & Noun Modifier Particle

Master Japanese particle の (no) for possession and noun modification. N5 grammar guide with 13 examples, common mistakes, and JLPT exam tips.

particlebasicpossession

と

と — And, With, and Quotation

Learn the Japanese particle と (to): use it to mean 'and', 'with', and as a quotation marker. N5 grammar guide with examples and JLPT tips.

particlebasiclisting

は

は — Topic Marker

Master the Japanese topic marker は (wa) at JLPT N5. Full guide with meaning, structure, furigana examples, common mistakes, and exam tips.

particletopic-markerbasic

を

を (wo) — Object Marker Particle

Learn the Japanese particle を (wo): how to mark direct objects, common mistakes, and 12+ example sentences with furigana and romaji.

particlebasicobject-marker

や

や — Non-Exhaustive And (Listing Particle)

Learn how to use the Japanese particle や (ya) to make non-exhaustive lists. Compare with と, avoid common mistakes, and master this N5 grammar.

particlelistingnon-exhaustive

Grammar Comparison (X vs Y)

20 comparisons · 16 articles completed

は vs がに vs では vs もから vs のでけど vs のにに vs へと vs やだけ vs しかている vs てあるば vs たら vs ならようだ vs らしい vs みたいだそうだ (様態) vs そうだ (伝聞)あげる vs もらう vs くれるために vs ようにことにする vs ことになるおかげで vs せいでわけだ vs はずだほど vs くらいについて vs に関して vs に対してうちに vs 間に

あげる vs もらう vs くれる

あげる vs もらう vs くれる — Giving and Receiving

Master the nuances of あげる, もらう, and くれる. This comprehensive guide clarifies the differences in perspective and usage for giving and receiving actions in Japanese.

ほど vs くらい

ほど vs くらい — Degree

Master the nuances of Japanese grammar with ほど (hodo) and くらい (kurai). Understand their differences in expressing degree, extent, and approximation for JLPT success.

おかげで vs せいで

おかげで vs せいで — Because of

Master the nuanced differences between おかげで and せいで in Japanese. Learn when to use each to express 'because of' with positive or negative connotations through detailed explanations and examples.

ために vs ように

ために vs ように — Purpose

Comprehensive comparison of ために and ように for expressing purpose in Japanese. Learn when to use each with detailed explanations, examples, and common mistakes.

そうだ (様態) vs そうだ (伝聞)

Master the difference between そうだ (様態) and そうだ (伝聞) in Japanese grammar. Learn to express appearances and reported information correctly with clear explanations, examples, and quizzes.

ようだ vs らしい vs みたいだ