---
type: Knowledge
title: Synthesized Japanese Class Notes
date: '2025-10-23'
---

# Synthesized Japanese Class Notes

This note is a synthesized compilation of all Japanese class notes from the `10-Input` folder. The content has been organized by topic for clarity and ease of reference.

79674766584:0173

## Grammar

### Parts of Speech

- **めいし (名詞)** - Noun
- **どうし (動詞)** - Verb
- **けいようし (形容詞)** - Adjective
- **じょし (助詞)** - Particle
- **しゅご (主語)** - Subject of a sentence

### Particles

- **か** - Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.
- **の** - Connects two nouns (Noun 1 + の + Noun 2), where Noun 1 modifies or describes Noun 2. Can also be used as a placeholder for aforementioned or unknown things.
- **に** - Indicates a specific point in time, purpose, or location of existence.
- **で** - Indicates the location where an action takes place or the means by which an action is done ("by").
- **も** - Means "also" or "too." Can be used to show surprise at a large quantity.
- **が** - Marks the subject of a sentence or the object of liking/disliking.
- **を** - Marks the direct object of a verb.
- **から / ので** - Both mean "because" or "so." ので is generally more formal/polite.
- **や** - Used to list things loosely, similar to saying "like" or "such as".
- **なら** - Conditional particle for hypothetical situations, contrasts, or providing information based on a premise ("if").

### Verb Conjugations

#### て-form (Te-form)

The て-form is used to connect verbs, make requests, and in many other grammatical patterns.

- **Rules:**
    - Verbs ending in **う, つ, る** → **って**
    - Verbs ending in **ぬ, む, ぶ** → **んで**
    - Verbs ending in **く** → **いて**
    - Verbs ending in **ぐ** → **いで**
    - Verbs ending in **す** → **して**
    - **Irregular:** する → して, くる → きて

- **Usages:**
    - **〜てください** - Please do...
    - **〜てもいいですか** - May I do...?
    - **〜てはいけません / 〜てはだめです** - You must not do...
    - **〜て〜て...** - To list activities in sequential order.
    - **〜ています** - Present continuous tense.
    - **まだ + 〜ていません** - I haven't done... yet.

#### Non-Polite (Plain) Form

- **のむ (to drink):** のまない (neg), のんだ (past), のまなかった (past-neg)
- **くる (to come):** こない (neg), きた (past), こなかった (past-neg)
- **ある (to exist):** ない (neg), あった (past), なかった (past-neg)

#### Volitional Form

Used to express intention or suggestion in a non-polite way.

- **Godan verbs (u-verbs):** Change the final 'u' sound to an 'o' sound and add 'u'. (e.g., 飲む → 飲もう)
- **Ichidan verbs (ru-verbs):** Replace the final 'る' with 'よう'. (e.g., 食べる → 食べよう)
- **Irregular:** する → しよう, くる → こよう

#### Potential Verbs

The potential form in Japanese is used to express **ability** or **possibility** (e.g., "can do," "is able to"). Once a verb is in its potential form, it functions grammatically as a **Group 2 (Ichidan) verb**.

##### How to Form Potential Verbs (Conjugation)

| Verb Group | Base Form (Dictionary) | Conjugation Rule | Potential Form (Plain) | Example |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Group 1** (Godan/U-verbs) | Ends in a U-row kana | Change the final U-sound to the equivalent **E-sound** and add **る** ($U \rightarrow E + る$) | $E-る$ verb | **話す** (hanasu - to speak) $\rightarrow$ **話せる** (hanaseru - can speak) |
| **Group 2** (Ichidan/Ru-verbs) | Ends in **る** (preceded by E or I sound) | Replace **る** with **られる** ($る \rightarrow られる$) | $られる$ verb | **食べる** (taberu - to eat) $\rightarrow$ **食べられる** (taberareru - can eat) |
| **Irregular** (する) | **する** (suru - to do) | Special exception | **できる** (dekiru - can do) | |
| **Irregular** (来る) | **来る** (kuru - to come) | Special exception | **来られる** (korareru - can come) | |

###### Note The ra-Drop (ranuki kotoba)
In casual speech, especially for Group 2 verbs, the *ら* (ra) is often dropped.
* **Standard:** 食べられる (taberareru)
* **Colloquial (Non-Standard):** 食べれる (tabereru)

---

##### Key Grammatical Usage Particle Change

The most important grammatical rule for potential verbs is the change in the direct object particle.

###### Particle Change: を (o) $\rightarrow$ が (ga)

When a transitive verb is put into the potential form, the direct object particle usually changes from **を** (*o*) to **が** (*ga*).

| Verb Form | Example Sentence | Meaning |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Non-Potential** | 私は**日本語を**話します。 | I speak Japanese. |
| **Potential** | 私は**日本語が**話せます。 | I **can** speak Japanese. |

> **Tip:** While **が** is grammatically correct and preferred in formal writing, you may frequently hear **を** used with potential verbs in casual conversation.

---

##### Alternative Expression of Potential

You can express potential without conjugating the verb into its unique form by using the phrase **～ことができる** (koto ga dekiru), which means "the thing/action of {verb} can be done."

* **Formula:** Plain Form of Verb + **ことができる**

| Method               | Example                  | Meaning               |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Potential Verb**   | 日本語**が** **話せます**。       | I can speak Japanese. |
| **Alternative Form** | 日本語を **話す** **ことができます**。 | I can speak Japanese. |

#### Transitive (他動詞) and Intransitive (自動詞) Verbs - *Updated: 2025-12-31*
This is a fundamental concept in Japanese grammar that distinguishes between verbs that require a direct object and those that do not.

- **Transitive Verbs (他動詞 - tadoushi)**:
    - An action done *by* a subject *to* an object.
    - The object is marked with the particle **を (o)**.
    - *Example: 私が電気**を**つけます。* (I turn on the light.)
- **Intransitive Verbs (自動詞 - jidoushi)**:
    - An action that happens *on its own*. There is no direct object.
    - The subject is marked with the particle **が (ga)**.
    - *Example: 電気**が**つきます。* (The light is on.)
- **Common Pairs**: Many verbs come in pairs. Learning them together is an effective way to master their usage. When using Intransitive Verbs, its usually best to use ～ている form, because the thing is in a state of being whatever.
		
| **Transitive (他動詞)** | **Intransitive (自動詞)** | **English Meaning**          |
| -------------------- | ---------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| **開ける** (あける)        | **開く** (あく)            | To open                      |
| **閉める** (しめる)        | **閉まる** (しまる)          | To close                     |
| **入れる** (いれる)        | **入る** (はいる)           | To put in / To enter         |
| **出す** (だす)          | **出る** (でる)            | To take out / To go out      |
| **点ける** (つける)        | **点く** (つく)            | To turn on (light/appliance) |
| **消す** (けす)          | **消える** (きえる)          | To turn off / To disappear   |
| **壊す** (こわす)         | **壊れる** (こわれる)         | To break                     |
| **汚す** (よごす)         | **汚れる** (よごれる)         | To make dirty / To get dirty |
| **落とす** (おとす)        | **落ちる** (おちる)          | To drop / To fall            |
| **沸かす** (わかす)        | **沸く** (わく)            | To boil (water)              |
| 割る (わる)              | 割れる (われる)              | To shatter                   |
| 折る (おる)              | 折れる (おれる)              | To Fold                      |
| 無くす (なくす)            | 無くなる (なくなる)            | To lose an object            |

### Adjective Conjugations

#### い-Adjectives

- **Negative:** Replace い with **くない**.
- **Past:** Replace い with **かった**.
- **Past Negative:** Replace い with **くなかった**.
- **Connecting (Te-form):** Replace い with **くて**.

#### な-Adjectives

- **Negative:** Add **じゃありません**.
- **Past:** Add **でした**.
- **Past Negative:** Add **じゃありませんでした**.
- **Connecting (Te-form):** Add **で**.

### Sentence Structures

- **Making Invitations**
    - **〜ませんか？** - Polite invitation ("Would you like to...?").
    - **〜ましょう** - Suggestion ("Let's...").
    - **〜ましょうか？** - Suggestion/Offer ("Shall we...? / Shall I...?").

- **Expressing "I think" (と思います)**: Place と思います after a phrase in the non-polite tense. Nouns & な-Adjectives require だ.

- **Quoting Someone (と言います / って言いました)** - *Updated: 2025-11-25*: Use 「 」 for direct quotes followed by と言います. A less formal equivalent is `〜って言いました` which requires the preceding verb to be in plain form.
    - *Example (Formal)*: *A-sanが”明日は休む”って言いました* (A-san said, "I'm off tomorrow.")
    - *Example (Informal)*: *A-sanが「会議は午後からだ」って* (A-san said, "The meeting is from the afternoon.")

- **Hearsay (そうです)** - *Added: 2025-11-20*: Used to report information heard from another source. It is appended to the plain form of verbs and い-adjectives. For な-adjectives and nouns, add だ before そうです.
    - **Citing a Source**: To mention where you heard the information, use the pattern: `[Source] + によると`.
    - *Example: 天気予報によると今日は雨が降るそうです。* (According to the weather forecast, I heard it will rain today.)

- **Making Comparisons**: **A の方が B より ADJ です** - A is more ADJ than B.

- **Expressing Superlatives**: **[Category] の中で [Question Word] が一番 [ADJ] ですか？** - Within [Category], which/what/who is the most [ADJ]?

- **Expressing Intention (つもりです)**: Use a non-polite verb followed by つもりです to state you plan to do something.

- **Expressing "to Become" (になる or くなる)**:
    - **Noun / な-Adjective + になる**
    - **い-Adjective (stem) + くなる**

- **Expressing "I want to" (たい)**: Change the ます form of a verb to 〜たい. Conjugates like an い-adjective.

- **Expressing someone else wants (たがる)**: To describe observations of another person's desire.

- **Stating Purpose**: Use the verb stem + に + verb of motion (e.g., 行きます, 来ます).

- **Expressing "Probably" (でしょう)**: Used for predictions.

- **Expressing Preparation (ておく)**: Indicates something was done in preparation.

- **Making Suggestions (たらどうですか)**: Suggests trying an action.

- **Polite Questions (んです)**: Makes a question less direct and more polite.

- **Listing Activities Loosely (たりたりする)**: Lists example activities without a specific order.

- **Expressing Experience (たことがあります)**: Use the past tense (た-form) of a verb followed by ことがあります.

- **Expressing "Too much" (すぎる)**: Add すぎる to the verb or adjective stem.

- **Giving Advice (方がいい)**: "It would be better to..."

- **Multiple Reasons Why (し)**: Used to list multiple reasons for a result.

- **Expressing "Seems to be" (そうです)**: Used to describe an impression based on appearance.

- **Trying To (〜てみる)** - *Added: 2025-11-20*: To express the idea of trying something out, conjugate a verb to its て-form and then append the verb みる.
    - *Example: この服は着てみてもいいですか？* (Is it okay if I try on these clothes?)
    - *Example: 沖縄のがまを見てみたい。* (I want to try to see the caves in Okinawa.)

- **Noun Modification**: Use a plain form verb before a noun to modify it.

- **Difficulty Suffix (-にくい)**: To express that something is difficult to do, add **-にくい** to the verb stem (pre-ます form).

- **Receiving Favors (てもらいます)**: Used when the subject receives a favor or action from someone else. The subject is the one receiving. *Example: 私は先生に日本語を教えてもらいます。 (I receive teaching of Japanese from the teacher.)*

- **Polite Requests (ていただけませんか)**: A very polite way to ask someone to do something. Added to the て-form of a verb. *Example: このコンピュータを教えていただけませんか？ (Would you please teach me about this computer?)*

- **Expressing Hope (といいですね or といいんですが)**:
    - **For Others (〜といいですね / 〜といいね)**: Expresses hope for someone else. *Example: 早くよくなるといいですね (I hope you get better soon.)*
    - **For Oneself (〜といいんですが / 〜といいんだけど / 〜といいな)**: Expresses hope for oneself. *Example: すてきな人と結婚できるといいんですが (I hope I can marry a wonderful person.)*

- **Expressing "When" (とき)**: Added to the plain form of a verb to create a time-referencing clause. The tense of the verb before とき indicates the timing.
    - **Present Tense + とき**: Main action occurs *during* the clause action. *Example: 会社に行く時に友達を会いました。 (I met my friend on the way to work.)*
    - **Past Tense + とき**: Main action occurs *after* the clause action was completed. *Example: パリに行った時にこのかばんを買いました。 (When I went to Paris, I bought this bag.)*

- **Expressing Apology (てすみませんでした)**: Used to apologize for an action. For not doing something, use the negative て-form (なくて).
    - *Example*: パーティーへ行かなくて、すみませんでした (I'm sorry I couldn't go to the party.)

- **Conditionals and Sequencing**:
    - **Conditional "If" (〜たら / 〜なら)** - *Updated: 2025-11-25*: `〜たら` is a common conditional formed with the past-tense plain form (た-form). `〜なら` is used for hypotheticals or contrasts based on a premise.
        - *Example (たら)*: もしたくさんお金が**あったら**、新しい車を買います。 (If I had a lot of money, I would buy a new car.)
        - *Example (なら)*: 車のことなら、彼が詳しいです。 (If it's about cars, he knows a lot.)
    - **Natural Consequence "When/If" (と)** - *Updated: 2026-01-14*: Used for natural, inevitable consequences. The verb before と is present tense. This form cannot be followed by expressions of will or requests.
        - **Special Note**: This pattern is for natural consequences. If you want to express your own will, desire, or make a request after the condition (e.g., using `～たいです`, `～てください`), you should use the `～たら` conditional form instead.
        - *Example: 冬になると寒くなります。* (When winter comes, it gets cold.)
    - **Sequential Action "After" (〜てから)** - *Added: 2025-12-23*: Emphasizes that one action happens only after another is completed.
        - *Example: シャワーを浴びてから、ご飯を食べます。* (After I take a shower, I will eat.)

- **Expressing "Looks Like" (〜みたいです)** - *Added: 2025-12-11*: Used to make comparisons or observations.
    - *Example (Comparison)*: *彼の頭はコンピュータみたいです。* (His brain is like a computer.)
    - *Example (Observation)*: *雨が降ったみたいです。* (It looks like it rained.)

- **"Before" an Action (前に)** - *Added: 2025-12-11*: Indicates an action happens before another. The verb before 前に is always dictionary form.
    - *Example: ご飯を食べる前に、手を洗います。* (Before you eat, wash your hands.)

- **"No Need To" (〜なくてもいいです)** - *Added: 2025-12-04*: Expresses that there is no necessity to do an action. Formed from the negative `ない` form.
    - *Example: 日曜日は早く起きなくてもいいです。* (On Sundays, it's okay to not wake up early.)

- **Completion or Regret (〜てしまいます)** - *Added: 2026-01-08*: Can express completion of an action, or disappointment/regret about an action.
    - *Example (Completion)*: レポートを書いてしまいます。 (I have to finish writing the report.)
    - *Example (Regret)*: 財布が無くなってしまいました。 (My wallet is gone [and I'm sad about it].)

- **Multi-tasking (〜ながら)** - *Added: 2026-01-14*: Connects two actions happening simultaneously. Added to the verb stem (pre-ます form). The second verb is the main action.
    - *Example: 音楽を聴きながら、仕事をしています。* (While listening to music, I am working.)
    - *Example: テレビを見て、クッキーを食べながら、携帯を使います。* (I watch TV, eat cookies, and use my phone.)
    - *Example: タバコを吸いながら、歩きます。* (While smoking tobacco, I walk.)

- **Prayers or Hopes (〜ように)** - *Added: 2025-12-31*: Used to express a wish or prayer. Often used with the potential form.
	- *Example: 健康でいられますように。* (I hope I can stay healthy.)

## Vocabulary

### Nouns

- **Nouns (General):**
	- 交通事項 (こうつうじこ) -> Traffic Accident
	- 太陽 (たいよう) -> Sun
	- 歯 (は) -> Teeth
	- 真冬 (まふゆ) -> Mid-Winter
	- 初詣 (はつもうで) -> First visit of the year to a shrine
	- 健康 (けんこう) -> Health
	- 聖なる力 (せいなるちから) -> Holy Spirit
	- 硝子 (ガラス) -> Glass
- **People & Titles:** うんてんしゅ (driver), おとしより (elderly person), かいしゃいん (office worker), きょうだい (spiritual brother), ちょうろ (elder), 安愛がかり (あんないがかり) - Greeter, お金持ち (rich person), 奥さん (おくさん) - Wife (someone else's), 旦那さん (だんなさん) - Husband (someone else's)
- **Places:** おうこくかいかん (Kingdom Hall), くうこう (airport), こうえん (park), しやくしょ (city hall), としょかん (library), びじゅつかん (art museum), ゆうびんきょく (post office)
- **Time & Frequency:** あさって (day after tomorrow), いちにちじゅう (all day), おととい (two days ago), こんど (next time), しょうがつ / しんねん (New Years), まいしゅう (every week), 将来 (しょうらい) - near future
- **Food & Drink:** ごはん (rice/meal), しお (salt), すきやき (sukiyaki), やきにく (BBQ), やしょく (late night snack), 洋食 (ようしょく) - Western food
- **Objects & Concepts:** いさん (heritage), えんぴつ (pencil), かばん (bag), くるま (car), けいたい (cell phone), しごと (work), しつもん (question), せいしょ (Bible), でんしゃ (train), りょこう (trip/travel), 洋食 (ようしょく) - Western food, 合格発表 (ごうかく はっぴょう) - pass exam announcement, 給料 (きゅうりょう) - salary, 実現 (じつげん) - achievement/realization, 公開講演 (こうかいこうえん) - public talk, 緊張 (きんちょう) - nervousness, 区域 (くいき) - Congregation Territory, 忍耐 (にんたい) - Patience (from God), 基地 (きち) - Military Base, 遅刻 (ちこく) - Delay, 宿題 (しゅくだい) - Homework, 教科書 (きょうかしょ) - Text Book, 日の出 (ひので) - Sunlight, 離島 (りとう) - Small islands off a big island, 天気予報 (てんきよほう) - Weather report, 嵐 (あらし) - Storm
- **Natural Phenomena:** - 2025-11-25: 断水 (だんすい) - Water Main/Cut, 地震 (じしん) - Earthquake, 洗濯 (せんたく) - Laundry
- **Other:** 軍隊 (ぐんたい) - Military, おく - Billion, 自動チェックイン (じどうチェックイン) - Self Check-in

### Vocabulary - 2026-01-08
- **線路 (せんろ)** - Line, usually refers to the tracks at a station
- **試合 (しあい)** - Sports Match
- **遅れる (おくれる)** - To be late
- **着く (つく)** - To arrive

### Vocabulary - 2026-01-14

- 少しずつ -> ずつ means "little by little"
- 自由 -> じゆう -> Freedom
- 上手くいく -> うまい + いく -> Smoothly Go
- 自動販売機 -> じどうはんばいき -> Automatic Selling Machine -> Vending
- 歯医者 -> はいしゃ -> Dental Clinic
- 風邪をひく -> かぜをひく ->  To get a cold
	- But most use なる、インフルエンザになる
	- Can also use かかる, which means "to suffer". インフルエンザにかかる
- 年を取る -> To grow old
- 使う -> つかう -> to use

### Verbs

- **あう (会う)** - To meet
- **あるく (歩く)** - To walk
- **いく (行く)** - To go
- **うんてんする (運転する)** - To drive
- **およぐ (泳ぐ)** - To swim
- **かう (飼う)** - To keep (a pet)
- **きく (聴く)** - To listen
- **する (suru)** - To do
- **たべる (食べる)** - To eat
- **でかける (出かける)** - To go out
- **はなす (話す)** - To speak
- **まつ (待つ)** - To wait
- **よむ (読む)** - To read
- **差 (さ)** - Range (suffix for adjectives)
- **安愛する (あんないする)** - To guide
- **届ける (とどける)** - To deliver/forward
- **説明する (せつめいする)** - To explain
- **診る (みる)** - To examine (medical)
- **探す (さがす)** - To look for
- **連れていく (つれていく)** - To bring someone
- **出来る (できる)** - to be able to
- **昇進する (しょうしん する)** - to be promoted
- **出世する (しゅっせ する)** - to be promoted (more impactful)
- **慣れる (なれる)** - To get Used to
- **心開く (こころひらく)** - Open Minded/Open Hearted
- **成長する (せいちょうする)** - To grow in size
- **見送る (みおくる)** - To send off, to see off
- **出迎える (でむかえる)** - To go to entrance, and welcome other person
- **誘う (さそう)** - to invite
- **困る (こまる)** - To get in trouble
- **年を取る (としをとる)** - To become old
- **着く (つく)** - to arrive
- **官憲します (かんけんします)** - To do an expedition
- **切る (きる)** - to turn off/cut off
- **消す (けす)** - to turn off/make disappear
- **出す (だす)** - 2025-12-23: To put out, to submit (Transitive)
- **下す (くだす)** - to lower
- **戻る (もどる)** - To go back

### Adjectives

- **い-Adjectives:** あたらしい (new), あつい (hot), いそがしい (busy), おいしい (delicious), おおきい (big), さむい (cold), ちいさい (small), むずかしい (difficult), やさしい (easy/kind), やすい (cheap), 悲しい (かなしい) - Sad (serious), 我慢強い (がまんづよい) - Patient, 使いやすい (つかいやすい) - To be useful, 上手い (うまい) - 2025-12-23: Smoothly, skillful, 懐かしい (なつかしい) - 2025-12-23: Nostalgic
- **な-Adjectives:** かんたん (easy), きれい (pretty/clean), げんき (healthy), しずか (quiet), じょうず (skilled), すき (likeable), べんり (convenient), ゆうめい (famous), 残念 (ざんねん) - Disappointed/Too bad
- **Like/Dislike Scale:** 大好き (love) > 好き (like) > 嫌い (dislike) > 大嫌い (hate)

### Adverbs & Expressions

- **あまり + negative** - Not often
- **じつは** - Actually
- **ずっと** - Much / A lot
- **ぜんぜん + negative** - Not at all
- **たくさん** - A lot
- **ときどき** - Sometimes
- **ゆっくり** - Slowly
- **喜んで (よろこんで)** - With joy/pleasure
- **頭がぼうっとします** - My head feels foggy

## Phrases & Greetings

- **おはよう** - Good morning
- **よろしくお願いします** - Nice to meet you
- **おだいじに** - Take care (when someone is sick)
- **ただいま** - I'm home
- **おかえり** - Welcome back
- **行ってきます (いってきます)** - I'm leaving
- **お帰りなさい (おかえりなさい)** - Welcome Back (more formal)
- **いただきます** - Said before eating
- **おなかがすきます** - I'm hungry
- **のどがかわきました** - I'm thirsty