Japanese N5 Grammar Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Presentation covers all N5 level Japanese grammar.
• Uses examples from over 60 video games.
• Focus on detailed explanations and context.

Expressing Prohibition

• cha ikenai: Colloquial version of tewa ikenai.
  • Example: irecha ikenai (must not put in).
• ja ikenai: Used when the verb's te-form ends in a de sound.
  • Example: shinja ikenai (must not die).

Casual and Emotional Speech

• cha/ja dame/da instead of ikenai for more casual or emotional speech.
  • Example: shinja dame (must not die).

Verb Conjugation and Use

• Desu (です): Used at the end of sentences to state something is.
  • Example: ōkī desu (is big).
  • Past form: deshita (was/were).
• Da (だ): Casual version of desu.
• Dakara (だから): Expresses reason for something.
  • Example: dakara (that's why).

Expressing Quantity and Probability

• Dake (だけ): Means "only", "just", or "as much as".
• Deshou (でしょう): Indicates probability or speculation (polite).
  • Example: ii deshou (probably okay).
• Daro (だろう): Casual version of deshou.

Location and Method

• De (で): Expresses location or method of an action.
  • Example: gakkō de benkyō (study at school).
• Demo (でも): Used as "but" or "however".

Asking Questions

• Donna (どんな): Asks about characteristics (what kind of).
• Doushite (どうして): Asks why or for what reason.
• Douyatte (どうやって): Asks how something is done.

Subject Marker

• Ga (が): Marks the subject of a sentence.
  • Example: gōng naru (the bell rings).

Existence and Wanting

• Aru (ある): For non-living existence.
• Iru (いる): For living things.
• Hoshii (ほしい): To want something.

Adjective Conjugation

• i-Adjectives: Ends in e sound; conjugate by modifying the ending.
  • Example: oishii to oishikatta (was delicious).
• na-Adjectives: Use na to connect to nouns.
  • Example: genki na (energetic).

Verb Forms

• Negative Form: ja nai or dewa nai for formal.
• Question Form: Add ka to ask questions.

Expressing Intention and Obligation

• Hou ga ii (方がいい): Better to do something.
• Naito ikenai (ないといけない): Must do something.
• Nakucha ikenai (なくちゃいけない): Casual must do.

Expressing Non-Obligation

• Nakutemo ii (なくてもいい): Don’t need to do something.

To Become

• ni naru (になる): To become.
  • Example: tsuyoku naru (to become strong).

Emphasizing Facts

• no desu (のです): Emphasizes explanation or reason.
  • Example: muzukashii no desu (it is difficult).

Sentence Endings

• Ne (ね): Seeks agreement (isn't it? right?).
• Na (な): Casual reflection or confirmation.

Using Particles

• ni (に): Indicates direction, location, or purpose.
• o (を): Marks the object of an action.
• to (と): Connects nouns, means "with" or to quote.
• ya (や): Lists multiple items without being exhaustive.
• wa (は): Topic marker, shows contrast.

Expressing Comparisons

• Yori (より): Used for comparisons (more than).

Giving Suggestions

• Mashou (ましょう): Let's do something.
• Masenka (ませんか): Would you like to do something?

Other Key Expressions

• Totemo (とても): Very.
• Toki (時): When or at the time of.
• Tari (たり): Lists various actions or states.
• Sugi (すぎ): Too much.

Complex Structures

• Te form + aru (てある): Indicates a state resulting from an action.
• Te iru (ている): Continuous or ongoing action.
• Te kudasai (てください): Please do something.

Expressing Possibility

• temo ii (てもいい): It’s okay to do something.

Ending Emphasis

• Yo (よ): Adds emphasis (you know).

Conclusion

• Comprehensive review to ensure understanding of N5 grammar.
• Encouraged to use these notes as a reference for further study.