Basic Japanese Grammar – Basic Sentence Patterns

Basic Japanese Grammar – Basic Sentence Patterns Cheat Sheet

Sentence Structure

In this guide to Basic Japanese Grammar,  we will explain in broad terms the most used Japanese sentence patterns, how to alter them to change them from positive statements to negative statements, and how to ask questions while using them. We will continue this series with part II – Grammar Particles

Coto Academy is a Japanese language school located in Tokyo and Yokohama. With its small class sizes and flexible course schedule, we ensure the students find their community here in Japan and learn practical and useful daily-life Japanese by focusing on conversational practice.

Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns

In broad terms, Japanese sentences can be divided into the following three patterns.

Watashi wa Nihon-jin desu. I am a Japanese person. [Noun Phrase]
私は日本人です。
Meari-san wa isogashii desu. Mary-san is busy.  [Adjective phrase]
メアリーさんは忙しいです。
Tanaka-san wa ramen o tabemasu. Tanaka-san eats ramen. [Verb Phrase]
田中さんはラメンを食べます。

“Desu” has a similar function to “to be” in English and comes at the end of Noun and Adjective Phrases.  Verb Phrases end with [-masu].
“Wa” is a particle that denotes topics and subjects. (The particles “ga” and “mo” can also indicate a subject.  

Negative Sentences

Negative Sentences are made by modifying the end of a predicate, which is typically the last part of a sentence. This grammatical structure is why one must listen to the very end of a Japanese sentence to know whether it is negative or affirmative.

Watashi wa Nihon-jin jya-arimasen. I am not a Japanese person. [Neg. Noun Phrase]
私は日本人じゃありません.
Meari-San wa isogashiku nai desu.  Mary-San is not busy. [Negative Adjective Phrase]
メアリーさんは忙しくないです.   
Tanaka-San wa ramen o tabemasen. Tanaka-San does not eat ramen. [Neg. Verb Phrase]
田中さんはラーメンを食べません.

Interrogative Sentences (Questions)

Attach “ka” to the end of a Declarative Sentence to create an Interrogative Sentence.

Meari-san wa isogashii desu ka. Is Mary san busy?
メアリーさんは忙しいですか?
Tanaka-san wa ramen o tabemasu ka. Does Tanaka-San eat ramen?
田中さんはラーメンを食べますか?

Coto Japanese Academy is a Japanese school in Tokyo that provides small size group classes in a relaxed and fun environment.  If you are looking for a Japanese school in Tokyo that offers speaking-focused small-group courses – please visit us at www.cotoacademy.com

Is this helpful to you? More Basic Japanese Grammar Series
Basic Grammar Guide Part II
Basic Grammar Guide Part III
Basic Grammar Guide Part IV
30 Must-know JLPT N5 Grammar Points

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