Grammar & Usage– category –
This category focuses on Japanese grammar as it is actually used by native speakers.
Instead of isolated rules, articles explain how grammar choices change meaning, tone, and nuance in real sentences.
It is ideal for learners who feel that “the grammar is correct, but sounds unnatural.”
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Japanese Sentence Connectors（接続助詞） Explained by Function (A Complete Guide from Beginner to Advanced)
What are Japanese sentence connectors (接続助詞)? Japanese sentence connectors (接続助詞) are a part of speech you need to speak fluently in Japanese. They are used to connect one sentence to another. If you only speak in short, separate... -
Japanese Prefixes for Beginners: How Prefixes（接頭辞） Change Meaning and Nuance (N5–N4)
Japanese prefixes (接頭辞) don’t change grammar — they change nuance. This N5–N4 guide explains what prefixes really are, how お〜 / ご〜, 大〜 / 小〜, and 超〜 work, and why some words that look like prefixes are not treated as such in real Japanese. -
〜にくい vs 〜づらい: Why Japanese Has Two “Hard to Do” Expressions
Japanese has two expressions for “hard to do”: にくい and づらい. This article takes a deeper look at how they differ in meaning, emotion, and grammatical stability — and why each sounds natural (or unnatural) in different contexts. -
How to Form Negative Sentences in Japanese② Verbs (Group 1, 2, and 3)Beginner Guide
A beginner-friendly guide to Japanese verb negatives. Learn how to form negative verbs by Group 3, 2, and 1, and how to use them naturally in sentences with から / ので / が / けど. -
How to Form Negative Sentences in Japanese① Nouns, na-Adjectives, and i-Adjectives
Learn how to form negative sentences in Japanese with clear, beginner-friendly explanations. This guide covers nouns, na-adjectives, and i-adjectives, common mistakes, and natural examples. -
5 Japanese Sentence Connectors You Learn at Intermediate (N3–N2): と・ば・なら・のに・ため
Confused about と・ば・なら・のに・ため? This intermediate guide (N3–N2) explains how Japanese sentence connectors really work, with clear rules, common mistakes, and natural examples. -
What Is the Difference Between は and が? Japanese は and が for Beginners (Level 2)
In Level 2, learn the difference between は and が by focusing on what is already shared and how to identify who someone is. A beginner-friendly guide for N5–N4 learners. -
Japanese は and が for Beginners. Just Make Simple Sentences First (Level 1)
Confused about the は(ha) and が(ga) difference in Japanese? This beginner-friendly guide shows how to make simple, natural sentences first—without comparing は and が yet. -
Understanding Japanese Compound Words（複合語）: Structure, Grammar, and Meaning Explained
Japanese compound words are not random vocabulary. Learn how nouns, verbs, and adjectives combine to create meaning—and make Japanese vocabulary easier to understand and remember. -
7 Basic Japanese Sentence Connectors You Need to Make Complex Sentences (Beginner | N5–N4)
Learn 7 essential Japanese sentence connectors like から, ので, けど, が, とき, たら, and て. A clear beginner-friendly guide for N5–N4 learners to make natural Japanese complex sentences. -
How to Use the Japanese Conjunction “〜し” – Grammar, Examples, and Meaning— Explained by a Native Japanese Teacher
Learn how to use the Japanese conjunction “〜し” to connect reasons, traits, and feelings. Includes 4 key grammar uses, examples, and teaching tips from a native instructor. -
Japanese Parts of Speech Explained: The Complete 品詞 (Hinshi) Guide for Beginners
Curious about Japanese grammar? This beginner-friendly guide introduces the 10 parts of speech (品詞), with examples, negative forms, and basic usage notes.
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