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: B1
B1 Writing System Verified

Intermediate Kanji: The Next 200 (100-300)

Mastering these 200 kanji unlocks daily Japanese life, enabling you to read menus, SNS, and news.

  • • Intermediate kanji transition from physical object...
  • • Radicals act as meaning-hints (e.g., heart for emo...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Writing System Verified

Kanji Readings: On-yomi (The Chinese Sound)

If you see Kanji glued together without hiragana, switch to On-yomi readings.

  • • On-yomi is the Chinese-derived sound reading.
  • • Used mainly in multi-Kanji compound words.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Writing System Verified

Mastering Kun-yomi: The Native Japanese Readings of Kanji

Kun-yomi represents the native Japanese heart of Kanji, used primarily for isolated nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

  • • Kun-yomi are native Japanese readings used for sta...
  • • Look for okurigana (Hiragana tails) to identify na...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Writing System Verified

Kanji Compound Logic: Subject-Verb & Verb-Object

Don't memorize compounds blindly; decode the internal logic (Subject-Verb, Verb-Object) to guess meanings instantly.

  • • Kanji compounds follow logical patterns.
  • • Modifier+Noun: Left describes Right.
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Writing System Verified

Japanese Okurigana Rules (送り仮名の付け方)

Okurigana are the vital 'kana tails' that make Japanese verbs and adjectives grammatically functional and readable.

  • • Kana suffixes following kanji to indicate inflecti...
  • • Essential for verbs and adjectives to show tense a...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Advanced Verbs Verified

Japanese Potential Form: Can you do it? (Suru/Kuru)

Mastering the irregular potential forms `できる` and `{来|こ}られる` lets you express ability and possibility in natural Japanese.

  • • Suru becomes Dekiru (can do); Kuru becomes Korarer...
  • • Always use the particle 'ga' instead of 'o' with D...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Advanced Verbs Verified

Formal Ability: Using 'Koto Ga Dekiru' (Can Do)

Use `koto ga dekiru` to express ability or possibility formally, turning the action into a noun phrase.

  • • Formation: Dictionary Form + koto ga dekiru
  • • Means 'can do' or 'is possible to do'
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Advanced Verbs Verified

Japanese Passive Form: U-Verbs (Ukemi-kei)

Master the U-to-A shift to express how actions impact you, especially when things go slightly wrong.

  • • U-verbs: Change final `-u` to `-a` then add `-reru...
  • • Special Rule: Verbs ending in plain `u` change to...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Advanced Verbs Verified

Japanese Passive Form: ru-verbs (～られる)

The passive ～られる form shifts focus to the one receiving the action, not the one doing it.

  • • For ru-verbs, drop the final る and add られる.
  • • Used to show an action was done to the subject.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Advanced Verbs Verified

Japanese Direct Passive: Being Acted Upon (直接受身)

The direct passive shifts focus to the receiver, often highlighting how they were affected by an action.

  • • Focuses the sentence on the receiver of the action...
  • • Formed by changing verbs to their passive 'reru' o...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Advanced Verbs Verified

Indirect Passive: The 'Suffering' Passive

Use the Indirect Passive to express that someone else's action negatively affected you or caused you trouble.

  • • Subject is the 'victim' of the action.
  • • Implies annoyance, inconvenience, or suffering.
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Advanced Verbs Verified

Japanese Passive Voice: Being Affected by Others (に)

Use `に` to identify who performed the action in Japanese passive sentences, often highlighting personal impact or feelings.

  • • Mark the person doing the action (the agent) with...
  • • Change verbs to their passive form: U-verbs use `-...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Conditionals Verified

The 'If/When' Conditional (~tara)

Use ~たら to say 'once A happens, B follows,' whether as a hypothetical if or a certain when.

  • • Used for 'if' or 'when' after an action is complet...
  • • Formed by adding 'ra' to the plain past (ta-form).
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Conditionals Verified

Japanese 'To': The Inevitable If

Use `～と` for machine-like logic where result B automatically and inevitably follows action A.

  • • Connects A and B where B is an inevitable result.
  • • Used for machines, nature, directions, and habits.
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Conditionals Verified

The More... The More (～ば～ほど)

Repeat a word in its conditional and dictionary forms with 'hodo' to show how things change together.

  • • Used to describe proportional change (the more X,...
  • • Requires repeating the same verb or adjective twic...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Volitional & Imperative Verified

Let's! Japanese Volitional Form (~you)

The volitional form is your essential tool for making casual suggestions and expressing personal intentions in Japanese.

  • • Used to express 'Let's' or 'I shall' in casual sit...
  • • Formed by changing the final vowel to the 'o' colu...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Volitional & Imperative Verified

Thinking of Doing: Intentions (～ようと思う)

Use `～ようと思う` to share your personal, not-yet-finalized plans and intentions in a natural, conversational way.

  • • Used to express personal intentions or plans curre...
  • • Combines the verb's volitional form with と思う or...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Volitional & Imperative Verified

Stop! Negative Commands with ～な (na)

The blunt negative imperative `～な` turns any dictionary verb into an immediate, forceful 'Don't!' command.

  • • Used to give strong, blunt negative commands (Don'...
  • • Formed by adding `な` (na) directly to the diction...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Particles Verified

Only / Nothing But (shika~nai)

Use `しか～ない` when 'only' feels like 'not enough,' always pairing it with a negative verb.

  • • Used to express 'only' with a strong sense of insu...
  • • Must always be paired with a negative verb at the...
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:

Build Accurate Sentences

Move beyond memorized phrases. Understand the rules so you can create original, correct sentences in any situation.

Pass Language Exams

Grammar is tested in every major language exam — IELTS, DELE, DELF, JLPT, HSK, TOPIK, and more. Our CEFR-aligned curriculum maps directly to exam requirements.

Understand Native Speakers

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

Progress Faster

Students who study grammar systematically reach fluency faster than those who rely on immersion alone. Structure accelerates learning.

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.

4

Track & Progress

Your progress is saved automatically. Complete chapters, unlock new levels, and watch your grammar mastery grow.

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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