Japanese sentence patterns
Build sentences you can use. Clear explanations, reading, and examples for 16 foundational patterns.
Put the predicate at the end
Build a basic sentence with the action after its object.
Hiragana, katakana, and kanji
Learn words with their readings instead of assigning one sound to each kanji.
Count the sound beats
Keep long vowels, small っ, and ん distinct.
は and が: topic and subject
Notice what is being discussed and what information is being introduced.
Nouns with です
Identify someone or something politely.
の and this/that words
Build noun phrases in the right order.
Ask with か or a question word
Keep the sentence order in basic questions.
い-adjectives and な-adjectives
Use the correct ending before a noun and at the end of a sentence.
Godan, ichidan, and irregular verbs
Learn the group with each dictionary form.
Four basic polite verb forms
Choose time and polarity without a person table.
Plain negatives and past forms
Use plain forms inside grammar as well as casual conversation.
The て-form and requests
Connect verbs to useful endings.
に, で, へ, and と
Distinguish time, destination, action location, means, and company.
There is, and how many
Use existence verbs and learn complete number–counter combinations.
Action, state, or ability?
Choose ている, a potential form, or ことができる by meaning.
Permission, wishes, and plans
Use distinct endings for allowed actions, desires, and intentions.