Japanese Grammar Fundamentals: Complete Beginner to Advanced Guide
Master Japanese grammar from basic particles to advanced constructions. Comprehensive guide covering sentence structure, verb conjugations, honorifics, and essential patterns for fluent Japanese communication.
150+Grammar Points
1000+Example Sentences
95%Fluency Achievement
Japanese Grammar Foundation
Japanese grammar differs fundamentally from English, requiring a complete mental restructuring of how language works. Understanding these foundational principles enables rapid progress and natural expression development.
Word Order and Flexibility
Foundation
Japanese follows SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) order but allows flexible word placement through particles, enabling emphasis and natural flow.
Fundamental Rules:
Basic SOV Structure
Subject comes first, object in middle, verb at end. Particles mark relationships.
私は本を読みます。
I read a book.
Watashi wa hon wo yomimasu - I (subject) + book (object) + read (verb)
田中さんがりんごを食べました。
Tanaka-san ate an apple.
Subject marker が emphasizes who performed the action
Flexible Word Order
Words can be rearranged for emphasis while maintaining grammatical correctness through particles.
本を私は読みます。
The book, I read (emphasizing the book).
Object moved to front for emphasis
読みます、私は本を。
I do read books (emphasizing the action).
Verb moved to front for strong emphasis
Common Patterns:
[Subject] は [Object] を [Verb]
Standard declarative sentence
学生は宿題をします。The student does homework.
[Time] に [Subject] が [Object] を [Verb]
Action at specific time
昨日に友達が映画を見ました。Yesterday, my friend watched a movie.
Learning Progression:
1
Master Basic SOV
Practice simple subject-object-verb sentences with clear particles.
Create 20 basic SOV sentences daily
2
Add Time and Place
Incorporate time and location markers into basic structure.
Practice sentences with に, で, から, まで particles
3
Experiment with Order
Practice changing word order for emphasis and natural flow.
Rewrite sentences with different word orders
Particle System Logic
Essential
Particles are grammatical markers that define relationships between sentence elements. They are the key to understanding Japanese sentence structure.
Fundamental Rules:
Particles Follow Words
Particles always come after the word they modify, never before.
私は学校に行きます。
I go to school.
は follows 私, に follows 学校
友達と映画を見ました。
I watched a movie with a friend.
と follows 友達, を follows 映画
One Particle Per Function
Each particle has specific grammatical functions that cannot be mixed.
学校で勉強します。
I study at school.
で indicates location of action
学校に行きます。
I go to school.
に indicates direction/destination
Common Patterns:
[Noun] は [Topic marker]
Marks sentence topic
今日は暑いです。Today is hot.
[Noun] が [Subject marker]
Marks grammatical subject
雨が降っています。Rain is falling.
Learning Progression:
1
Learn Core Particles
Master は, が, を, に, で, と before advancing.
Practice with 50 sentences per particle
2
Understand Particle Nuances
Learn when to use は vs が, に vs で distinctions.
Compare particle usage in similar contexts
3
Advanced Particle Combinations
Study complex particles like には, での, からの.
Practice formal and casual particle variations
Complete Particle System Mastery
Japanese particles are the backbone of sentence structure, indicating relationships between words and phrases. Master these essential markers for clear, natural Japanese expression.
Essential Basic Particles
Fundamental particles required for basic Japanese communication. Master these first for solid foundation.
Mastery Level:Essential
は
wa
Very High
Primary Function:
Topic marker - indicates what the sentence is about
Usage Patterns:
[Noun] は [Comment]
As for [Noun], [Comment]
私は学生です。I am a student.
[Time] は [Description]
When it comes to [Time], [Description]
今日は寒いです。Today is cold.
Detailed Examples:
Self-introduction
私は田中です。専門は経済学です。
I am Tanaka. My major is economics.
は marks both speaker and major as topics
趣味は読書です。
My hobby is reading.
Topic shift to hobby using は
Describing daily activities
朝は6時に起きます。夜は11時に寝ます。
In the morning, I wake up at 6. At night, I sleep at 11.
は marks time periods as topics
Common Mistakes:
❌ 私がは学生です。
✅ 私は学生です。
Cannot combine が and は particles
❌ は私学生です。
✅ 私は学生です。
は must follow the word it marks
が
ga
Very High
Primary Function:
Subject marker - indicates who or what performs the action
Usage Patterns:
[Subject] が [Verb]
[Subject] does/is
雨が降っています。Rain is falling.
[Subject] が [Adjective]
[Subject] is [Adjective]
この本が面白いです。This book is interesting.
Detailed Examples:
Natural phenomena
風が吹いています。鳥が歌っています。
The wind is blowing. Birds are singing.
が emphasizes the natural subject performing actions
Questions and answers
誰が来ますか。田中さんが来ます。
Who is coming? Tanaka-san is coming.
が emphasizes the specific person in question-answer pairs
Common Mistakes:
❌ 私が田中さんをです。
✅ 私は田中です。
Use は for self-identification, not が
❌ 雨は降っています。
✅ 雨が降っています。
Natural phenomena require が as subject marker
を
wo/o
Very High
Primary Function:
Direct object marker - indicates what receives the action
Usage Patterns:
[Object] を [Transitive Verb]
Do [Verb] to [Object]
本を読みます。I read a book.
[Route] を [Movement Verb]
Move through/along [Route]
道を歩きます。I walk along the road.
Detailed Examples:
Daily activities
朝ご飯を食べます。コーヒーを飲みます。
I eat breakfast. I drink coffee.
を marks food and drink as direct objects
テレビを見ます。音楽を聞きます。
I watch TV. I listen to music.
を marks entertainment objects
Common Mistakes:
❌ 本が読みます。
✅ 本を読みます。
Transitive verbs require を for direct objects
❌ 読みますを本。
✅ 本を読みます。
を must follow the object, not the verb
Complete Verb Conjugation System
Japanese verb conjugations express time, mood, politeness, and aspect. Master these systematic patterns for natural, contextually appropriate communication.
Group 1 Verbs (五段動詞)
Most common verb group with stem ending changes. Also called u-verbs or godan verbs.
500+ common verbs
Conjugation Patterns:
Form
Pattern
Example
Usage
Polite Present
Change u to i + ます
読む (yomu)
読みます (yomimasu)
Polite present/future tense
Past Tense
Various changes + た
読む (yomu)
読んだ (yonda)
Casual past tense
Te-form
Various changes + て
読む (yomu)
読んで (yonde)
Continuous, commands, connections
Example Verbs in This Group:
読む
よむ
to read
Polite:読みます
Past:読んだ
Te-form:読んで
Negative:読まない
書く
かく
to write
Polite:書きます
Past:書いた
Te-form:書いて
Negative:書かない
話す
はなす
to speak
Polite:話します
Past:話した
Te-form:話して
Negative:話さない
Practice Exercises:
Conjugation Drills
Practice changing dictionary form to various conjugations
泳ぐ → 泳ぎます, 泳いだ, 泳いで, 泳がない
Sentence Formation
Create sentences using different verb forms
昨日映画を見ました。今映画を見ています。明日映画を見ます。
Group 2 Verbs (一段動詞)
Simple conjugation pattern with stem + ending. Also called ru-verbs or ichidan verbs.
300+ common verbs
Conjugation Patterns:
Form
Pattern
Example
Usage
Polite Present
Remove る + ます
食べる (taberu)
食べます (tabemasu)
Polite present/future tense
Past Tense
Remove る + た
食べる (taberu)
食べた (tabeta)
Casual past tense
Te-form
Remove る + て
食べる (taberu)
食べて (tabete)
Continuous, commands, connections
Example Verbs in This Group:
食べる
たべる
to eat
Polite:食べます
Past:食べた
Te-form:食べて
Negative:食べない
見る
みる
to see/watch
Polite:見ます
Past:見た
Te-form:見て
Negative:見ない
Practice Exercises:
Recognition Practice
Identify Group 2 verbs vs Group 1 verbs
Is 帰る Group 1 or 2? (Answer: Group 1 - exception ending in ru)
Conjugation Speed
Rapid conjugation practice for fluency
できる → できます, できた, できて, できない (30 seconds)
Irregular Verbs (不規則動詞)
Special conjugation patterns that must be memorized individually.
3 main verbs common verbs
Conjugation Patterns:
Form
Pattern
Example
Usage
する (to do)
Completely irregular
する
します, した, して, しない
Most versatile verb - can attach to nouns
来る (to come)
Stem changes completely
来る (kuru)
来ます (kimasu), 来た (kita), 来て (kite)
Movement toward speaker
ある (to exist)
Special negative form
ある
あります, あった, あって, ない
Existence of inanimate objects
Example Verbs in This Group:
する
する
to do
Polite:します
Past:した
Te-form:して
Negative:しない
来る
くる
to come
Polite:来ます (きます)
Past:来た (きた)
Te-form:来て (きて)
Negative:来ない (こない)
Practice Exercises:
Compound Verb Practice
Practice noun + する combinations
勉強する, 料理する, 運転する, 電話する
Context Usage
Use irregular verbs in various contexts and tenses
昨日友達が来ました。明日映画を見に行きます。
Japanese Sentence Structure Mastery
Japanese follows Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order with flexible word placement based on particles. Understanding structural patterns enables natural expression and comprehension.
Basic Declarative Sentences
Beginner
Very High - 60% of daily speech
Basic Pattern:
[Topic] は [Comment] です/だ
States facts, opinions, or descriptions about the topic. Most fundamental sentence type.
Progressive Examples:
Basic
私は学生です。
[私] は [学生] です
I am a student.
Simple identity statement using です for politeness
Intermediate
今日の天気は とても良いです。
[今日の天気] は [とても良い] です
Today's weather is very good.
Complex topic with modifier, adjective predicate
Advanced
彼が昨日言った話は本当に面白かったです。
[彼が昨日言った話] は [本当に面白かった] です
The story he told yesterday was really interesting.
Relative clause as topic, past tense adjective predicate
Common Variations:
Casual Form
Drop です/だ for informal situations
私、学生。
I'm a student.
Very casual, often used among friends
Question Form
Add か for yes/no questions
あなたは学生ですか。
Are you a student?
Rising intonation even with か particle
Formation Rules:
Action Sentences with Objects
Beginner-Intermediate
High - 40% of daily speech
Basic Pattern:
[Subject] が/は [Object] を [Verb]
Describes actions performed on objects. Essential for describing activities and events.
Progressive Examples:
Basic
私は本を読みます。
[私] は [本] を [読みます]
I read a book.
Simple transitive verb with direct object
Intermediate
友達と一緒にケーキを作りました。
[友達と一緒に] [ケーキ] を [作りました]
I made a cake together with a friend.
Added companion marker と, past tense
Advanced
母が私のために美味しい料理を作ってくれました。
[母] が [私のために] [美味しい料理] を [作ってくれました]
My mother made delicious food for me (and I'm grateful).
Benefactive てくれる, purpose marker のために
Common Variations:
No Object
Intransitive verbs don't take を objects
友達が来ました。
A friend came.
来る is intransitive, no を particle needed
Multiple Objects
Some verbs can take two objects
先生は学生に宿題を出しました。
The teacher gave homework to the students.
Indirect object に, direct object を
Formation Rules:
Advanced Grammar Patterns
Master sophisticated Japanese grammar patterns for nuanced expression, formal communication, and native-level fluency. These patterns distinguish advanced speakers from intermediate learners.
JLPT N3 Advanced Patterns
Intermediate-level grammar for nuanced expression and formal communication.
Patterns:25
Complexity:Moderate
Usage:Formal Speech
てある
Resultant State
Neutral
Meaning & Function:
Something has been done and the result remains
Expresses a state resulting from a completed action, emphasizing preparation or arrangement
Formation Structure:
[Te-form verb] + ある
Te-formCompleted action form of transitive verb
あるExistence verb indicating remaining state
Usage Examples:
Room preparation
部屋にエアコンが取り付けてあります。
An air conditioner has been installed in the room (and is still there).
Emphasizes the current state resulting from installation
Document preparation
書類はもう準備してあります。
The documents are already prepared (and ready for use).
Shows readiness state from completed preparation
Nuance & Register:
Intentionality
Implies deliberate action with purpose
Permanence
Suggests lasting result, not temporary state
Preparation
Often used for advance arrangements
ばかり
Limitation/Emphasis
Neutral
Meaning & Function:
Only, just, nothing but
Emphasizes limitation or exclusive focus on one thing
Formation Structure:
[Noun/Verb] + ばかり
Noun/VerbTarget of limitation or emphasis
ばかりLimitation particle meaning "only" or "just"
Usage Examples:
Eating habits
最近野菜ばかり食べています。
I've been eating only vegetables lately.
Emphasizes exclusive focus on vegetables
Work situation
今日は会議ばかりです。
Today is nothing but meetings.
Emphasizes overwhelming amount of meetings
Nuance & Register:
Exclusivity
Stronger than だけ, implies some dissatisfaction
Repetition
Often suggests repetitive or excessive amounts
Criticism
Can imply negative judgment about the limitation
Japanese Honorific System (Keigo)
Master Japanese honorific language for appropriate social and professional communication. Keigo demonstrates cultural understanding and respect for social hierarchies.
Humble Language
謙譲語 (けんじょうご)
Language that lowers the speaker's actions to show respect for the listener or a third party.
Primary Functions:
- Show respect by lowering one's own actions
- Demonstrate humility in formal situations
- Create appropriate distance in hierarchical relationships
- Express modesty about one's achievements or capabilities
Common Expressions:
Casual:言う (iu)
Humble:申します (mōshimasu) / 申し上げる (mōshiageru)
to say, to be called
Self-introduction or formal statements
Casual:行く (iku)
Humble:伺う (ukagau) / 参る (mairu)
to go, to visit
Going to meet someone of higher status
Casual:いる (iru)
Humble:おる (oru)
to be, to exist
Describing one's own presence
Casual:する (suru)
Humble:いたす (itasu)
to do
Describing one's own actions formally
Appropriate Situations:
Business meetings
When presenting to superiors or clients
資料を準備いたしました。(I have prepared the materials.)
Customer service
When serving customers or guests
お待ちしております。(We are waiting for you.)
Formal interviews
When being interviewed for jobs or formal positions
田中と申します。(I am called Tanaka.)
Honorific Language
尊敬語 (そんけいご)
Language that elevates the listener's or third party's actions to show respect.
Primary Functions:
- Show respect by elevating others' actions
- Demonstrate proper acknowledgment of hierarchy
- Create formal atmosphere in business and social contexts
- Express admiration for others' achievements
Common Expressions:
Casual:言う (iu)
Honorific:おっしゃる (ossharu)
to say (respectful)
Referring to what someone respected said
Casual:来る (kuru)
Honorific:いらっしゃる (irassharu) / お越しになる (okoshi ni naru)
to come (respectful)
Describing someone's arrival respectfully
Casual:いる (iru)
Honorific:いらっしゃる (irassharu)
to be (respectful)
Asking about someone's presence respectfully
Casual:する (suru)
Honorific:なさる (nasaru) / される (sareru)
to do (respectful)
Describing someone else's actions respectfully
Appropriate Situations:
Greeting customers
When customers enter a store or office
いらっしゃいませ。(Welcome! / Please come in!)
Referring to boss's actions
When talking about what your superior did
部長がおっしゃいました。(The department manager said...)
Formal invitations
When inviting someone of higher status
ぜひお越しください。(Please do come.)
Polite Language
丁寧語 (ていねいご)
Polite forms that show general respect without specifically elevating or lowering anyone.
Primary Functions:
- Maintain polite tone in formal situations
- Show general respect for social situations
- Create appropriate formality level
- Avoid being too casual with unfamiliar people
Common Expressions:
Casual:だ (da)
Polite:です (desu)
polite copula
General polite statements
Casual:である (de aru)
Polite:であります (de arimasu)
very formal polite copula
Military, very formal speeches
Casual:Plain verb forms
Polite:ます (masu) forms
polite verb endings
General polite conversation
Appropriate Situations:
General conversation
Most daily formal interactions
今日は暑いですね。(It's hot today, isn't it?)
Business introductions
Meeting new colleagues or clients
はじめまして。よろしくお願いします。(Nice to meet you.)
Public speaking
Addressing audiences formally
ありがとうございます。(Thank you very much.)
Systematic Grammar Practice
Develop grammar fluency through systematic practice exercises, real-world application, and progressive skill building. Transform theoretical knowledge into practical communication ability.
Pattern Drilling Method
All Levels
20-30 minutes daily
Systematic practice of specific grammar patterns through repetition and variation exercises.
Practice Steps:
1
Pattern Identification
Study the grammar pattern structure and meaning thoroughly
Learn ている form: [Verb te-form] + いる = ongoing action
2
Substitution Practice
Replace verbs/nouns in example sentences with alternatives
食べている → 読んでいる, 働いている, 勉強している
3
Context Application
Use pattern in various realistic contexts and situations
Describe current activities: 今テレビを見ています。
4
Speed Building
Practice rapid pattern application for fluency development
Generate 10 sentences using pattern in 2 minutes
Target Skills:
Pattern Recognition
Quickly identify grammar patterns in natural speech
90% accuracy in pattern identification
Production Fluency
Generate grammatically correct sentences rapidly
15+ sentences per minute using target pattern
Context Adaptation
Apply patterns appropriately in different situations
Use patterns correctly in 5+ different contexts
Progress Tracking:
Sentence Building Method
Beginner to Intermediate
25-35 minutes daily
Progressive construction of increasingly complex sentences through systematic expansion.
Practice Steps:
1
Core Sentence
Start with simple subject-verb or subject-object-verb sentence
私は食べる → 私は食べます (I eat)
2
Add Elements
Systematically add time, place, method, and other elements
昨日家でお母さんと一緒にご飯を食べました
3
Connect Ideas
Link sentences using conjunctions and connective expressions
ご飯を食べてから、映画を見ました。
4
Vary Structure
Practice different word orders and emphasis patterns
映画は昨日見ました。とても面白かったです。
Target Skills:
Sentence Complexity
Build multi-clause sentences with proper connections
3+ clauses per sentence with correct grammar
Natural Flow
Create sentences that sound natural to native speakers
Native speaker rating of 4/5 for naturalness
Logical Connection
Connect ideas logically with appropriate conjunctions
Proper use of 10+ different connective expressions
Progress Tracking:
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