9 key grammar patterns
#1L6_G1
Part 1: N を V (Transitive Verbs)
Sentence Pattern
N を V
N を V (Transitive Verbs)
[を] (wo): A particle used to indicate the direct object of an action.
The noun placed before [を] is the object that receives the action of the verb, directly modifying it.
[を] (wo): A particle used to indicate the direct object of an action.
The noun placed before [を] is the object that receives the action of the verb, directly modifying it.
Example Sentences (2)
わたしは パンを たべます。
→ I eat bread.
みずを のみます。
→ I drink water.
#2L6_G2
Part 2: N を します (To do N)
Sentence Pattern
N を します
N を します (To do N)
[N を します]: To do, play, or hold N.
The verb [します] (to do) takes a wide range of nouns as its object. It indicates performing the action implied by the noun.
[N を します]: To do, play, or hold N.
The verb [します] (to do) takes a wide range of nouns as its object. It indicates performing the action implied by the noun.
Example Sentences (4)
しごとを します。
→ To work.
サッカーを します。
→ To play soccer.
パーティーを します。
→ To hold a party.
でんわを します。
→ To make a phone call.
#3L6_G3
Part 3: Interrogative Word 何(なに)
Sentence Pattern
Interrogative Word 何
[何 ] (nani): What?
Both [何 ] and [何 ] mean "what", but [何 ] is usually placed directly before a verb (with the object particle を).
Do not use [何 に] (nanni) in written language.
[
Both [
Do not use [
Example Sentences (2)
A: ゆうべ、なにを しましたか。
B: えいがを みました。
B: えいがを みました。
→ A: What did you do last night? B: I watched a movie.
A: けさ、なにを たべましたか。
B: なにも たべませんでした。
B: なにも たべませんでした。
→ A: What did you eat this morning? B: I didn't eat anything.
#4L6_G4
Part 4: 何(なん) vs 何(なに)
Sentence Pattern
Both [何 ] and [何 ] mean "what".
Use [何 ] (nan) when the following word starts with a 't', 'd', or 'n' sound (e.g., 何 で, 何 の) or when it precedes a counter (e.g., 何歳 , 何時 ).
In all other cases, use [何 ] (nani).
Note: [何 で] can mean "by what means" or "why". To avoid confusion, you can use [何 で] specifically to ask "by what means/vehicle".
Use [
In all other cases, use [
Note: [
Example Sentences (3)
なんの ほんですか。
→ What kind of book is it?
テレーザちゃんは なんさいですか。
→ How old is little Teresa?
なにを たべますか。
→ What will you eat?
#5L6_G5
Part 5: Particle で (At, In)
Sentence Pattern
N で V
N で V
[どこで] (dokode): Where? At what place?
The particle [で] (de) is used to indicate the location where an action takes place.
[どこで] (dokode): Where? At what place?
The particle [で] (de) is used to indicate the location where an action takes place.
Example Sentences (2)
わたしは うちで ごはんを たべます。
→ I eat a meal at home.
やまださんは としょかんで ほんを よみます。
→ Mr. Yamada reads books in the library.
#6L6_G6
Part 6: Particle と
Sentence Pattern
だれと / N と V
だれと / N と V
[だれと] (dare to): Together with whom?
The particle [と] (to) means "together with".
[だれと] (dare to): Together with whom?
The particle [と] (to) means "together with".
Example Sentences (2)
あした こいびとと えいがを みます。
→ Tomorrow I will watch a movie with my lover.
A: だれと ベトナムへ きましたか。
B: かぞくと きました。
B: かぞくと きました。
→ A: Who did you come to Vietnam with? B: I came with my family.
#7L6_G7
Part 7: ～ Vませんか (Won't you ~?)
Sentence Pattern
～ Vませんか
[一緒 に] ～ Vませんか: Won't you do ~ together?
Used to invite or suggest someone to do an action together.
The negative form [Vませんか] here does not mean a literal negation; it is a polite invitation.
It is used when the speaker is unsure if the listener will agree or not.
To enthusiastically accept the invitation, you answer with [Vましょう] (Let's V).
Used to invite or suggest someone to do an action together.
The negative form [Vませんか] here does not mean a literal negation; it is a polite invitation.
It is used when the speaker is unsure if the listener will agree or not.
To enthusiastically accept the invitation, you answer with [Vましょう] (Let's V).
Example Sentences (2)
A: こんしゅうのにちようび、 いっしょに はなみを しませんか。
B: いいですね。いきましょう。
B: いいですね。いきましょう。
→ A: Shall we go cherry blossom viewing together this Sunday? B: That sounds great. Let's go.
A: あした いっしょに いなかへ かえりませんか。
B: すみません、ちょっと。。。
B: すみません、ちょっと。。。
→ A: Won't you go back to the hometown with me tomorrow? B: I'm sorry, but...
#8L6_G8
Part 8: ～ Vましょう (Let's ~)
Sentence Pattern
～ Vましょう
[Vましょう]: Let's V.
Used to actively suggest or invite the listener to do something.
Also used to enthusiastically respond to or accept someone else's suggestion/invitation.
Note: Both [ましょう] and [ませんか] are used to invite, but [ませんか] leaves more room for the listener to refuse and is more polite, while [ましょう] is friendlier and more direct.
Used to actively suggest or invite the listener to do something.
Also used to enthusiastically respond to or accept someone else's suggestion/invitation.
Note: Both [ましょう] and [ませんか] are used to invite, but [ませんか] leaves more room for the listener to refuse and is more polite, while [ましょう] is friendlier and more direct.
Example Sentences (2)
ちょっと 休みましょう。
→ Let's take a little rest.
A: いっしょに ばんごはんを たべませんか。
B: ええ、たべましょう。
B: ええ、たべましょう。
→ A: Won't you eat dinner with me? B: Yes, let's eat.
#9L6_G9
Part 9: ～ か。 (Receiving New Information)
Sentence Pattern
～ か。
[～ か。]: Oh, I see / Is that so.
When pronounced with a falling intonation at the end of a sentence, it is not a question.
Instead, it indicates that the speaker has received and understood new information.
It is used similarly to [そうですか] (Is that so?).
When pronounced with a falling intonation at the end of a sentence, it is not a question.
Instead, it indicates that the speaker has received and understood new information.
It is used similarly to [そうですか] (Is that so?).
Example Sentences (1)
A: 日曜日 京都へ 行きました。
B: 京都ですか。いいですね。
B: 京都ですか。いいですね。
→ A: I went to Kyoto on Sunday. B: Kyoto, huh? That's nice.
