7 key grammar patterns
#1L18_G1
1. Dictionary Form of V (Vる)
Sentence Pattern
Nhóm 1: V[-i]ます → V[-u]
Nhóm 2: Vます → Vる
Nhóm 3: します → する / きます → くる
The dictionary form (Vる) is the basic, casual form of V used in informal speech or as part of other grammar patterns.
Group 1: change the last sound of V from the [い] row to the [う] row.
Group 2: drop [ます] from V and add [る].
Group 3: します becomes する, きます becomes くる.
Group 1: change the last sound of V from the [い] row to the [う] row.
Group 2: drop [ます] from V and add [る].
Group 3: します becomes する, きます becomes くる.
Example Sentences (2)
書きます ⇒ 書く
→ Write (Polite ⇒ Dictionary form)
食べます ⇒ 食べる
→ Eat (Polite ⇒ Dictionary form)
#2L18_G2
2. できる (Expressing Ability)
Sentence Pattern
N が できます
Vる こと が できます
Can do ~ (Expresses personal ability).
For V, [こと] must be added after the V dictionary form (Vる) to turn it into an N phrase.
For V, [こと] must be added after the V dictionary form (Vる) to turn it into an N phrase.
Example Sentences (3)
日本語が できます。
→ I can speak Japanese.
絵を 描く ことが できます。
→ I can draw pictures.
料理が できます。
→ I can cook.
#3L18_G3
3. できる (Expressing Possibility/Permission)
Sentence Pattern
N が できます
Vる こと が できます
Can / It is possible to do ~
Describes the possibility or permission to do something based on the situation or environment, rather than personal ability.
Describes the possibility or permission to do something based on the situation or environment, rather than personal ability.
Example Sentences (3)
カードで 払う ことが できます。
→ You can pay by card.
銀行で お金を 換える ことが できます。
→ You can exchange money at the bank.
新幹線で 食べる ことが できます。
→ You can eat on the bullet train.
#4L18_G4
4. わたしの しゅみ (My Hobby)
Sentence Pattern
Sở thích của tôi は N です
Sở thích của tôi は Vる こと です
My hobby is ~.
Use an N or the dictionary form of a V (Vる) + [こと] to talk about your hobbies. The phrase [Vること] acts as an N expressing the action.
Use an N or the dictionary form of a V (Vる) + [こと] to talk about your hobbies. The phrase [Vること] acts as an N expressing the action.
Example Sentences (3)
あなたの 趣味は 何ですか。
→ What is your hobby?
旅行です。
→ It's traveling.
私の 趣味は 映画を 見る ことです。
→ My hobby is watching movies.
#5L18_G5
5. ～ まえに (Before...)
Sentence Pattern
N の 前 に、～
Vる 前 に、～
Khoảng thời gian 前 に、～
Before doing something / Before a certain time / [Amount of time] ago.
Note: N take [の], V are in the dictionary form (Vる), and Time Durations connect directly to [前に] without [の].
Note: N take [の], V are in the dictionary form (Vる), and Time Durations connect directly to [前に] without [の].
Example Sentences (4)
2時の 前に、 彼は ここに 来ました。
→ He came here before 2 o'clock.
2時間 前に、 彼は ここに 来ました。
→ He came here 2 hours ago.
いつ この 薬を 飲みますか。
寝る 前に 飲みます。
寝る 前に 飲みます。
→ When do you take this medicine? I take it before sleeping.
会議の 前に、 レポートを 準備しました。
→ Before the meeting, I prepared the report.
#6L18_G6
6. なかなか (Not easily / Takes a long time)
Sentence Pattern
なかなか + Vない
Not easily / Takes a long time to happen.
Used only with negative V to emphasize that a situation is difficult to achieve, takes a long time, or is not progressing as expected.
Used only with negative V to emphasize that a situation is difficult to achieve, takes a long time, or is not progressing as expected.
Example Sentences (3)
彼女に 会いたいですが、 なかなか 会えません。
→ I want to see her, but I can't seem to meet her easily.
バスが なかなか 来ません。
→ The bus is taking forever to come.
ハノイで なかなか 雪を 見る ことが できません。
→ In Hanoi, you can hardly ever see snow.
#7L18_G7
7. ぜひ (By all means / Definitely)
Sentence Pattern
ぜひ + Vたいです
ぜひ + Vて ください
ぜひ + Vます
Definitely / Really want to.
Expresses a strong hope or desire (used with Vたい), or emphasizes an invitation or request (used with Vてください).
Expresses a strong hope or desire (used with Vたい), or emphasizes an invitation or request (used with Vてください).
Example Sentences (3)
ぜひ 日本へ 行きたいです。
→ I really want to go to Japan.
ぜひ 遊びに 来て ください。
→ Please definitely come and visit.
明日の パーティーへ 来ませんか。
はい、ぜひ 行きます。
はい、ぜひ 行きます。
→ Won't you come to tomorrow's party? Yes, I will definitely go.
