Category: grammar
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〜うちに and 〜うちから: Expressing Timing and Gradual Change
The expression 〜うち is a versatile and essential part of Japanese grammar, used to describe actions and changes tied to specific timeframes or stages of life. To understand its uses, it’s helpful to first look at the original meaning of the word 内 (うち). 内…
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「着く時にメッセージしてね」When should you message?
Do you know when you’re supposed to message if someone says: 「着く時に連絡してね (つくときに れんらくしてね)」? Should you message before arriving or after arriving? The answer lies in the form of the verb used with 時 (とき). Understanding whether to use the dictionary form or the た-form is key to expressing timing…
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Avoid saying 仕事に行った前 : Understanding 前,後, 時 and 頃
Have you ever said something like 仕事に行った前(しごとに いったまえ) to mean “before I went to work”? If so, you’re not alone! This is a common mistake Japanese learners make when trying to use 前 (まえ), 後 (あと), 時 (とき), and 頃 (ころ) to talk about time. In this article, we’ll learn the proper grammar so you can…
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“地震(じしん)が起(お)これる”: No. Avoid the Literal Translation of “Can Happen”
Do you know how to say “Earthquake can happen” in Japanese? For many English speakers learning Japanese, it can feel natural to directly translate “can happen” as “起これる” (おこれる). However, this translation doesn’t sound correct or natural in Japanese and can even cause misunderstandings. In this…
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日本語ってさ、ふしぎだよね。: Casual Expressions with 〜さ
The expression 「〜さ」 softens the speaker’s emotions or seeks light confirmation or empathy from the listener. It is used in friendly, casual conversations, giving a somewhat informal impression. However, if not used carefully, it may come across as rude depending on the situation and the…
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‘That’s Not What I Meant!’ : How to Use 〜わけじゃない Like a Native
The expression “〜わけじゃない” is used to deny or clarify a statement by saying “It’s not that…”. This pattern allows the speaker to express that while something might appear to be true, it’s not entirely the case. In other words, it implies that the situation is…
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‘Some People’ in Japanese? : Expressing Vague Quantities
When expressing vague quantities in Japanese—whether referring to people, objects, or animals—different phrases and patterns can be used depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey. From “some” and “a few” to “several” and “tens of,” these expressions often involve subtle variations…
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Mastering Conditionals: と, たら, ば, なら, and Beyond!
The Japanese expressions “〜と,” “〜たら,” “〜ば,” and “〜なら” are all used to indicate hypothetical situations or conditions, but each has its own unique nuances. Depending on the context, they may be interchangeable, but subtle differences can affect the overall meaning. By understanding how to differentiate…
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オーストラリアにはカンガルーがいます。But Why Not オーストラリアには犬がいます。
Particles in Japanese are often compared to English prepositions (e.g., in, on, at, by). However, Japanese also has combined particles that give a more nuanced meaning. In this article, we’ll focus on the location particles に and で. But be careful—I’m not referring to a…
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Nuances of もし(も)/ もしかして/ ひょっとして/ もしかすると/ひょっとすると
In Japanese, adverbs like もし and もしも are often used to express hypothetical or conditional situations, while other adverbs like もしかして, ひょっとして, もしかすると, and ひょっとすると are used to express uncertainty or speculation. Although these words may seem similar at first, they each have subtle differences in meaning and usage. Let’s break them down: 1. もし…
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I hope that ~ : Using 〜と いいです(ね)
When learning Japanese, one common phrase you’ll encounter is “I hope that ~,” which can be expressed using 〜と良いです(ね). This phrase is a versatile and polite way to convey your wishes or hopes for something to happen. Understanding 〜と良いですね The phrase 〜と良いです(〜といいです) is used to…
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Using 〜んだから Correctly? : 〜だから vs 〜んだから
In Japanese, the phrases 〜(だ)から and 〜んだから are often used to express reasons or causes, but they carry different nuances and levels of emphasis. Knowing when and how to use these forms can help you convey your thoughts more effectively in various situations, whether in…
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〜づらい, 〜にくい, 〜ぐるしい and 〜がたい
Quiz: How would you express “It’s difficult to sleep because it’s noisy outside“? There are several ways to say “difficult to sleep” in Japanese, depending on the nuance. The answer is at the bottom of this page. Meanings of 辛(つらい) , 難(むずかしい / にくい /…
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〜にとって vs 〜として vs 〜には: Differences
Introduction Japanese learners often struggle with the distinctions between 「〜にとって」 and 「〜として」 because both can be translated as “for” or “to” in English. However, their meanings are quite different. In this article, we’ll explore these expressions and their proper usage. We’ll also look at 「〜には」,…
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Where Do You Place the も-Particle?
The も-particle in Japanese is used to indicate that something is in addition to something else, similar to the English word “also” or “too.” The placement of も in a sentence depends on what it is modifying. Common mistake: The も-particle never comes at the…
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NOMINALIZER の vs こと
Nominalizer is similar to Gerund (-ing Form) in English: In English, nominalizers are similar to the gerund form (verbs ending in “-ing”) where verbs are turned into nouns. For example, “eating” in “I like eating” is a gerund. In Japanese, this function is served by…