Inanis_Vault/20-Knowledge/Synthesized-Japanese-Class-Notes.md

type, title, date

type	title	date
Knowledge	Synthesized Japanese Class Notes	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)

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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.

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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