-
Expresses a visual or expected action that occasionally does not occur / There are times when….does not happen.
Short Form (Negative) + ことがある
- けんじさんはよしゅうしをないことがある。
- There are times when Kenji does not prepare for class.
-
Activites as examples / Leaves room for things unsaid. If more than one り, add するafter the last one.
Short Form (Past) + り。。。りする
- きのうのばん、私はテレビを見たり、音楽を聞いたり、しゅくだいをしたりしていました。
- Last night, I watched TV, listened to music, and did homework.
- 私はテレビを見たりしていた。
- I watched TV and stuff.
-
Indicates the purpose of or the motive for an action / I did “this,” so “that” would happen.
Short Form + ように + (Sentence B)
- 大きくなるようによく食べて下さい。
- Please eat well as to grow up big.
-
Indicates the purpose of or the motive for an action / I did “this,” so “that” would not happen.
Short Form (Negative) + ように + (Sentence B)
- 忘れないようにメモをとった。
- I made a note so that I would not forget.
-
Expresses achievement of an ability or potential / Reached a point / can now do… / someone is now able to do something after a long period of time / expresses a change in a situation, state, or event.
Short Form + ようになる
- 子供は自分で部屋をかたずけるようになりました。
- My child has reached the point where she cleans her room herself.
-
Someone no longer does something after a long period of time / Expresses a change in a situation, state, or event (i.e. no longer does).
Short Form (Negative) + ようになる
- はやしさんはたばこをすわないようになりました。
- Mr. Hayashi has reached a point where he no longer smokes.
-
Gives advice or recommendation / critical overtone/ implies the activity should have already been completed / how about…? / Sometime どうis dropped.
Short Form (Past) + らどうですか
- 先生に聞いたらどうですか
- How about asking your teacher?
-
Something seems to be the case based on information / Follows verb or adjective in any form / sometimes replaces みたい.
Short Form + よう
- このきかいはこわれたようです。
- It seems that this machine is broken.
-
Something seems to be the case / Is an い-adjective.
Short Form + らしい
- ともこさんは新しい車を買ったらしい。
- I hear that Tomoko bought a new car.
-
Connects two facts / “A,” contrary to expectations, “B” also / “B,” despite the fact “A” (but) / expresses “to” and “in order to” / indicates purpose for which an action is taken or a condition exists / noun and な-adjectives = なのに
Short Form + のに + (Sentence B)
- この会社はお金があるのに、きゅうりょうはひくいです。
- The company is rich, but its workers’ salaries are low.
-
Expresses a suggestion that involves an action by both the speaker and the listener.
- Short Form (Negative) + でおこう
- Short Form (Negative) + でおきましょう
- 今こんでいるから地下鉄にのらないでおこう。
- Let’s not take the subway because it is crowded.
-
”B” is valid only upon the fulfillment of “A” / “If” sentences (hypothetical & actual) / when “A” happens, “B” will happen (cause & effect) / similar to なら& ば
Short Form (Past) + ら + (Sentence B)
- 電話したら、彼は来るでしょう。
- If you call him, he will probably come.
-
Expresses exclamation of admiration, frustration, or strong emotions / used when talking to oneself / a short negative command not to do something and often used as a last resort.
-
“If” sentences and expresses a condition / verbs and い–adjectives are sometimes ~のなら / な-adjectives don’t need の before なら
Short Form + なら + (Sentence B)
- 急ぐなら、次の電車に乗ることができるよ。
- If we hurry we’ll be able to make the next train.
-
Gives reasons for the situation / is similar to からbut more formal / when のでfollows a noun or な–adjective, なis in between.
Short Form + ので
- いつも日本語で話すので、日本語が上手になりました。
- My Japanese has improved because I always speak Japanese.
- 今日は日曜日なので、銀行は休みです。
- Banks are closed because today is Sunday.
-
Whenever the situation described by the predicate holds, another thing happens / cause & effect / Whenever “A” happens, “B” also happens.
Short Form + と+ (Sentence B)
- 私はそばを食べると病気になる。
- I get sick whenever I eat buckwheat noodles.
- まっすぐ行くとりつりんこうえんが見えます。
- If you go straight you’ll see Ritsurin Park
-
Suggests activity / Gives advice / if you don’t do…you will be in trouble / you better… /you ought to… / it would be best if you…
Short Form (Past) + ほうがいいです
- もっと野菜を食べたほうがいいですよ。
- You better eat more vegetables.
-
If you do …you will be in trouble / You shouldn’t do…
Short Form (Negative) + ほうがいいです
- じゅぎょうを休まないほうがいいですよ。
- It is better not to skip classes.
-
Apologetic tone / invites an explanation or clarification
Short Form + んです
- トイレに行きたいんです。
- I want to go to the bathroom (so tell me where it is).
-
Makes a prediction or analysis
- Short Form Adjective +でしょうと思います
- Short Form Adjective +だろうと思います
- たけしさんはきょうみがあるだろうと思います。
- I think Takeshi would be interested in it.
-
Please tell someone not to do something / Makes an indirect request / person being asked the favor + に
Short Form (Negative) + ように言って下さい
- 子供たちにおそくまで起きていないように言って下さい。
- Please tell the children not to stay up late.
-
Please tell someone to do something / Makes an indirect request / person being asked the favor + に
Short Form + ように言って下さい
- たけしさんに来るように言って下さい。
- Please tell Ms. Takeshi to come.
-
Something is supposed to be the case / believe something to be true or likely / firm expectations that something will be the case / I’m sure…
Short Form + はずです
- これからぶっかがあがるはずです。
- I’m sure prices will go up from now on.
-
Speaks about past actions / makes additional statements about the subject of the sentence / not only…but also…
Short Form (Past) + ばかりでなく...も
- 今日は買い物をしたばかりでなく映画も見ました。
- Today, not only did I do some shopping, but I also watched a movie.
-
Something was supposed to be the case but turned out otherwise.
Short Form + はずでした
- ぜんしゅう電話をもらうはずでしたが、電話がありませんでした。
- I was supposed to receive a call last week, but I didn’t.
-
I Hear… / I Heard… / Informal speech, used instead of そうです/ short form of そうです/ after short form + ん（だ）,~って becomes て.
Short Form + って
- けんじさん、今日急がしって。あしたしけんがあるんだって。
- Kenji said he is busy today. He says he has an exam tomorrow.
-
You hope something nice happens to someone else.
Short Form + といいですね
- 雨がふらないといいですね。
- I hope it doesn’t rain.
-
When “A” happens, “B” will happen / Short form can be past or present / nouns get のbefore 時= 子供の時(when I was a child) / present tense when events happen at the same time / sentence A (time reference) + 時+ sentence B (main event).
Short Form + 時+ (Sentence B)
- 東京に行く時、ビザをとります。
- I will get the visa issued when I get to Tokyo.
- さびしい時，友だちに電話します。
- I call up friends when I am lonely.
-
You hope something nice happens for your own good.
Short Form + といいんですが
- 八時の電車に乗れるといいんですが。
- I hope I can ride the 8 o’clock train.
|
|
