{"id":62814,"date":"2024-08-16T10:25:25","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T01:25:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cotoacademy.com\/basic-japanese-grammar-guide-1\/"},"modified":"2025-03-26T15:36:36","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T06:36:36","slug":"basic-japanese-grammar-guide-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cotoacademy.com\/ja\/basic-japanese-grammar-guide-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Japanese Grammar – Basic Sentence Patterns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sentence Structure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In broad terms, Japanese sentences can be divided into the following three patterns.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Watashi wa Nihon-jin desu.<\/span> I am a Japanese person. [Noun Phrase]<\/span>
\u79c1\u306f\u65e5\u672c\u4eba\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span>
Meari-san wa isogashii desu. Mary-san is busy.  [Adjective phrase]<\/span>
\u30e1\u30a2\u30ea\u30fc\u3055\u3093\u306f\u5fd9\u3057\u3044\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/span>
Tanaka-san wa ramen o tabemasu. Tanaka-san eats ramen. [Verb Phrase]<\/span>
\u7530\u4e2d\u3055\u3093\u306f\u30e9\u30e1\u30f3\u3092\u98df\u3079\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDesu\u201d<\/b> has a similar function to <\/span>\u201cto be\u201d <\/b>in English, and comes at the end of Noun and Adjective Phrases.  Verb Phrases end with [-masu].<\/span>
\u201cWa\u201d is a particle that denotes topics and subjects. (The particles \u201cga\u201d and \u201cmo\u201d can also indicate a subject.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Negative Sentences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Negative Sentences are made by modifying the end of a predicate, which is typically the last part of a sentence.  This grammatical structure is the reason that one must listen to the very end of a Japanese sentence to know whether it is negative or affirmative.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Watashi wa Nihon-jin <\/span>jya-arimasen<\/b>. I <\/span>am not<\/b> a Japanese person. <\/span>[Neg. Noun Phrase]<\/span>
\u79c1\u306f\u65e5\u672c\u4eba<\/span>\u3058\u3083\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093.<\/b>
Meari-San wa isogashi<\/span>ku nai desu<\/b>.  Mary-San <\/span>is not<\/b> busy. <\/span>[Negative Adjective Phrase]<\/span>
\u30e1\u30a2\u30ea\u30fc\u3055\u3093\u306f\u5fd9\u3057<\/span>\u304f\u306a\u3044\u3067\u3059.   <\/b>
Tanaka-San wa ramen o tabe<\/span>masen.<\/b> Tanaka-San <\/span>does not<\/b> eat ramen.<\/span> [Neg. Verb Phrase]<\/span>
\u7530\u4e2d\u3055\u3093\u306f\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3\u3092\u98df\u3079<\/span>\u307e\u305b\u3093.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Interrogative Sentences (Questions)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attach <\/span>\u201cka\u201d<\/b> to the end of a Declarative Sentence to create an Interrogative Sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Meari-san wa isogashii desu <\/span>ka.<\/b>        <\/b>Is Mary san busy?<\/span>
\u30e1\u30a2\u30ea\u30fc\u3055\u3093\u306f\u5fd9\u3057\u3044\u3067\u3059<\/span>\u304b\uff1f<\/b>
Tanaka-san wa ramen o tabemasu <\/span>ka.<\/b>        Does Tanaka-San eat ramen?<\/span>
\u7530\u4e2d\u3055\u3093\u306f\u30e9\u30fc\u30e1\u30f3\u3092\u98df\u3079\u307e\u3059<\/span>\u304b?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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 provides speaking focused small group classes – please visit us at www.cotoacademy.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is this helpful to you? More Basic Japanese Grammar Series
Basic Grammar Guide Part II
<\/a>Basic Grammar Guide Part III<\/a>
Basic Grammar Guide Part IV
<\/a>30 Must-know JLPT N5 Grammar Points<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start taking Japanese lessons and master basic Japanese grammar!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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