Japanese Grammar Hub

Understand Japanese Grammar Faster

Browse the grammar system by level and category, then open clear explanations with practical examples.

187 Total Rules
47 Chapters
6 CEFR level
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Understand Japanese Grammar Faster

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Active filters: CEFR level: A2
A2 Adjectives Verified

Japanese I-Adjective Adverbs (～く form)

Convert I-adjectives to adverbs by swapping `い` for `く` to describe actions or changes.

  • • Replace the final `い` with `く` to create adverbs...
  • • Adverbs modify verbs or describe a change in state...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Adjectives Verified

Connecting Japanese Adjectives: and/because (～くて)

Connect multiple `い`-adjectives by replacing the final `い` with `くて` to sound more natural and descriptive.

  • • Drop the final `い` and add `くて` to connect adje...
  • • Functions like the English word 'and' or implies '...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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A2 Adjectives Verified

Connecting Na-Adjectives: The Te-form (～で)

The Na-adjective Te-form uses `で` (de) to connect descriptions like "and", keeping your sentences flowing naturally.

  • • Drop the `な` (na) and add `で` (de).
  • • Connects two or more descriptive ideas smoothly.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Adjectives Verified

Totemo vs. Sugoku: How to Say "Very" Like a Local

Use `totemo` for general politeness and `sugoku` to sound more expressive and casual in daily conversation.

  • • `Totemo` is the standard "very" (polite/safe).
  • • `Sugoku` is the casual "super" (conversational).
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Adjectives Verified

Not Very / Not Much (amari~nai)

Always pair `あまり` with a negative ending to say something is 'not very' or 'not much'.

  • • Used to mean 'not very' or 'not much' in Japanese.
  • • Always must be paired with a negative verb or adje...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Adjectives Verified

Comparing Things: More Than (より, yori)

Attach `より` to the baseline and `のほうが` to the winner to easily compare anything in Japanese.

  • • Use `より` after the item you are comparing agains...
  • • Use `のほうが` after the item that is 'more' or 'b...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Advanced Verbs Verified

Ongoing Actions & States: ている (te iru) Form

The ている (te iru) form is one of the most important and frequently used patterns in Japanese. It is formed by combining the te-form of a verb with いる (to exist for animate things). In polite speec...

  • • te-form + いる = ている (ongoing action or resulti...
  • • Action verbs: 食べている = is eating (progressive)
5 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Expressions & Patterns Verified

Polite Requests: てください (te kudasai) — "Please do..."

てください (te kudasai) is the standard way to make polite requests in Japanese — equivalent to "please do..." in English. It is formed by taking the te-form of a verb and adding ください. This patter...

  • • te-form + ください = please do...
  • • Used everywhere: restaurants, shops, work, school
4 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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A2 Expressions & Patterns Verified

Expressing Desire: たい (tai) — "I want to..."

The たい (tai) form expresses the speaker's desire to do something — "I want to..." It is formed by taking the masu-stem of a verb and adding たい. 食べます → 食べたい (want to eat), 行きます → 行きた...

  • • masu-stem + たい = I want to do...
  • • Conjugates like い-adjective: たくない, たかった
4 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Expressions & Patterns Verified

Expressing Ability: ことができる (koto ga dekiru) — "Can do..."

ことができる (koto ga dekiru) is a formal and versatile way to express ability — "can do" or "to be able to." It is formed by taking the dictionary form (plain present) of a verb + ことができる. 食べ...

  • • Dictionary form + ことができる = can do / able to
  • • More formal than potential form (食べられる)
4 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Expressions & Patterns Verified

Obligation: なければならない (nakereba naranai) — "Must do..."

なければならない (nakereba naranai) expresses obligation — "must do" or "have to do." It is formed from the negative stem of a verb: drop ない from the plain negative form, add なければならない. 食べ...

  • • ない form stem + なければならない = must/have to
  • • Polite: なければなりません
5 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Particles Verified

Japanese Agreement Particle: Right? (ne)

Use `ね` to turn dry facts into shared social experiences by inviting the listener to agree with you.

  • • Used at the end of sentences to seek agreement or...
  • • Functions like 'right?', 'isn't it?', or 'don't yo...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Particles Verified

Strong Assertion & Masculine Emphasis (zo)

Use `ぞ` to add masculine-coded, high-energy assertiveness to casual statements or self-motivation.

  • • Adds strong, assertive emphasis.
  • • Commonly used by male speakers.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Particles Verified

Japanese Particle さ (sa): Assertive Emphasis & Fillers

Use `さ` to sound casual and assertive, punctuating obvious facts or keeping conversational flow as a filler.

  • • Adds assertive emphasis, implying 'obviously' or '...
  • • Works as a mid-sentence filler like 'like' or 'you...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Expressions & Patterns Verified

Expressing Desire: "I want to..." (～tai)

Drop 'masu', add 'tai' to say what YOU want to do, treating the whole word like an adjective.

  • • Expresses "I want to [verb]"
  • • Attaches to the verb stem (drop -masu)
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Adjectives Verified

Expressing Desire for Objects (～ほしい)

Use `[Object] ga hoshii` to express that you want a specific thing in Japanese.

  • • Use `hoshii` to say you want a physical object or...
  • • It functions as an i-adjective, not a verb.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Expressions & Patterns Verified

Saying "They want to..." (～tagaru)

Use ～たがる (tagaru) to describe third-person desires based on their behavior, acting as an observer rather than a mind-reader.

  • • Turns 'I want' into 'They want'
  • • Based on observing behavior/actions
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Counters & Numbers Verified

Counting Long Objects (~本 hon)

Use ~本 for long, skinny things, remembering the sound changes for 1, 3, 6, 8, and 10.

  • • Used for long, cylindrical, or skinny objects like...
  • • The counter name ~本 (hon) changes to -pon or -bon...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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Why Learn Japanese Grammar?

Grammar is the foundation of language fluency. Without understanding grammar patterns, you can memorize vocabulary but struggle to form correct sentences. Here's why structured grammar study matters:

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Knowing grammar helps you parse complex sentences, understand nuance, and follow conversations even when speakers use advanced constructions.

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How Our Japanese Grammar Course Works

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Choose Your Level

Start with your CEFR level — from A0 Zero Point to C2 Mastery. Not sure? Begin at A0 and progress at your own pace.

2

Study Structured Chapters

Each chapter covers a grammar topic with clear explanations, pattern tables, and real-world example sentences.

3

Practice with Exercises

Test your understanding with interactive exercises — fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, sentence building, and translation practice.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Japanese Grammar

SubLearn covers 187 Japanese grammar rules organized across 6 CEFR proficiency levels (from A1 to C2), spanning 47 structured chapters. Each rule includes clear explanations, real-world examples, and interactive practice exercises.

Our Japanese grammar curriculum covers CEFR levels from A1 to C2. Each level is designed to match your current proficiency — beginners start with basic sentence patterns at A1, while advanced learners tackle nuanced structures at C1-C2.

Yes! All Japanese grammar rules, explanations, and examples are completely free to access. You can browse the full curriculum, read detailed explanations, and practice with exercises at no cost.

Grammar is organized into 47 thematic chapters following the CEFR framework. Each chapter groups related rules together — for example, verb tenses, sentence structure, or particles — so you can learn related concepts in a logical sequence.

Yes! Create a free account to track which grammar rules you've studied, see your progress across all CEFR levels, and pick up exactly where you left off. Your learning progress syncs across devices.

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