N5 Japanese Grammar Summary

Introduction

• Video aims to teach all N5-level Japanese grammar.
• Uses over 100 examples from 60+ video games.
• Hosted by Matt in a "video game textbook" format.

Expressing Prohibition

• Cha Ikenai: Colloquial version of "tewa ikenai"; used for verbs ending in "te".
  • Example: "Irete" (to put in) becomes "erecha ikenai".
• Ja Ikenai: Used with verbs ending in "de".
  • Example: "Shinu" (to die) becomes "shinja ikenai".
• More formal: Shows rules or common knowledge.

Casual and Emotional Expressions

• Cha/Jya Dame: More casual/emotional version of "ikenai".
  • Example: Direct emotional declarations, e.g., "You must not die here."

Desu and Da

• Desu: Polite sentence ending; indicates state of being.
  • Example: "Orky desu" (is big).
• Da: Casual version of "desu"; used in informal settings.

Expressing Reason

• Dakara: Means "therefore" or "so"; expresses reason.
  • Example: "Dakara pizza tabayo" (Let's eat pizza, therefore).

Usage of Dake

• Means "only" or "just"; also "as much as".
  • Example: "Hitori dake" (only one person).

Expressing Probability

• Deshou: Polite speculation, "probably".
  • Example: "E deshou" (probably good).
• Darou: Casual version of "deshou".

Particle De

• Indicates location of an action, means/method, or starts a new sentence.
  • Example: "High jaw de" (at/in Hyrule castle).

Expressing Contradiction

• Demo: Similar to "but" or "however"; used to contrast ideas.
  • Example: "Pizzaga suki demo" (I like pizza, but).

Asking Questions

• Doshter: Used to ask "why" or "how".
  • Example: "Doshter game gasuki" (Why do you like games?).

Noun Modifiers

• Dono: Asks "what kind of" or "which."
  • Example: "Dono pizza ga suki deska" (What kind of pizza do you like?).

Subject Marker Ga

• Marks the subject or emphasizes the subject of the sentence.
  • Example: "Konbini ga aru" (There is a convenience store nearby).

Expressing Existence

• Aru: Used for non-living things.
  • Example: "Terebi aru" (There is a TV here).
• Eru: For living things.
  • Example: "Sotoday eru" (Someone waiting outside).

Expressing Desire

• Hoshi: Means "to want something".
  • Example: "Pizzaga hoshi" (I want pizza).

Expressing Preference

• Ichiban: Means "most" or "best".
  • Example: "Ichiban suki" (most favorite).

Togetherness

• Ishoni: Means "together".
  • Example: "Ishoni ikimasu" (We will go together).

Expressing Habit

• Itsumo: Means "always".
  • Example: "Itsumo natsukashii" (Always nostalgic).

Expressions of Negation

• Jyanai: Casual form of "dewanai"; means "is not".
  • Example: "Ningen jyanai" (I am not human).

Question Marker Ka

• Ends a sentence with a question.
  • Example: "Nihonjin deska" (Are you Japanese?).

Expressing From/Origin

• Kara: Indicates origin or reasoning.
  • Example: "Tokyo kara" (From Tokyo).

Expressing Method

• Kata: Means "way of doing".
  • Example: "Tabekata" (way of eating).

Expressing Politeness

• Kudasai: Means "please do".
  • Example: "Mate kudasai" (Please wait).

Expressing Obligation

• Naito ikenai: Means "must do".
  • Example: "Naito nigeru" (Must escape).

Comparisons

• Yori: Means "more than"; used for comparisons.
  • Example: "Pizzawa sarada yori oishii" (Pizza is more delicious than salad).

Expressing Probability or Speculation

• Deshou/Darou: Used to express probability; "probably".
  • Example: "E deshou" (It's probably okay).

Expressing Point of Action

• Ni: Indicates location, means, or direction.
  • Example: "Nihon ni iku" (Go to Japan).

Phrasal Particles

• No: Shows possession or turns verbs into nouns.
  • Example: "Watashi no" (my), "Arunoga" (the thing that exists).

Expressing Progression or Change

• Te form + iru: Indicates ongoing action or state.
  • Example: "Benkyo shiteiru" (I am studying).

Expressing Intensity

• Totemo: Means "very".
  • Example: "Totemo atsui" (It's very hot).

Expressing Intention

• Tsumori: Indicates intention or plan.
  • Example: "Miru tsumori" (I plan to watch).

Summary

• All grammar points are covered with video game examples for context.
• Encouraged to support and engage with the creator's content on Patreon.