Grammar reference

Japanese grammar reference by JLPT level

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がSubject and identifying markerN5

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は・がChoice guide

Choosing the topic or subject markerChoose by the job you want the marked phrase to do. は sets the frame—what you are talking about—or contrasts one choice with another. が points out who or what acts, exists, or has the quality being described. It also marks the target in certain learned expressions of preference, skill, and understanding. Because these jobs are different, both particles can appear naturally in one sentence.4 points · N5

が・けど・しかし・でも・それでも・ところが・それなのにDiscourse guide

Choosing a contrast connectorChoose in two steps: first decide whether to attach the contrast to the first clause or begin a new sentence; then decide what kind of turn the second statement makes. It may simply qualify the first point, push back conversationally, remain true despite an obstacle, reveal an unexpected development, or express a jarring failure of expectation.6 points · N5–N4–N3–N2

がほしい・たい・てほしい・たがるSystem guide

Talking about wants and desiresChoose the form by asking two questions: what is wanted, and who would perform the action? Use がほしい for a desired thing, たい for an action you want to perform, and てほしい for an action you want someone or something else to perform. When describing another person's apparent wish to act, use たがる from an observer's viewpoint.4 points · N5–N4

にくい・づらい・がたい・かねるChoice guide

Choosing how to express difficultyChoose according to the source of the barrier. にくい gives a broad, neutral assessment; づらい brings out strain felt by the person acting; がたい makes a severe formal judgment; and かねる says that a role, policy, responsibility, or careful judgment prevents the action. The first two overlap, so treat this as a practical guide rather than a rigid scale.4 points · N4–N2

気ぎ味み・がち・っぽい・傾けい向こうがある・きらいがあるChoice guide

Choosing how to describe a tendencyChoose by asking three questions: Is this a mild condition visible now, a pattern that keeps recurring, or a broader trend supported by observations? Then consider tone. 気味 marks a slight current sign, がち an often undesirable recurring pattern, っぽい a casual resemblance or disposition, 傾向がある an analytical trend, and きらいがある a formally criticized fault or bias.5 points · N3–N2–N1

より・のほうが・一いち番ばん・どちらが・ほど～ない・に比くらべて・と同おなじで・と違ちがって・と同おなじくらいSystem guide

Building comparisons, superlatives, and equality statementsStart by deciding what kind of comparison you are making. Are you comparing two items, choosing the highest member of a group, saying that one falls short, claiming that something has no equal, or describing sameness? Then name the scale—price, speed, size, frequency, preference, or another quality. The comparison form organizes the items; the final description supplies the actual direction.10 points · N5–N3

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119 grammar points