Tae Kim Guide to Japanese Grammar Index
Index of Japanese grammar points based on the Tae Kim Guide, covering essential concepts for learners. It includes columns for example sentences, readings, translations, definitions, and notes. Key topics range from basic grammar and state-of-being to verb conjugations and the use of particles. Each entry is organized by chapter, unit, and lesson, making it a valuable resource for studying Japanese. This comprehensive guide is suitable for both beginners and intermediate learners looking to enhance their understanding of the language.
Content article
The Tae Kim Guide to Japanese Grammar Index covers numerous grammatical points, with a total of 60 entries detailing various aspects of Japanese grammar.
In the Basic Grammar section, the guide begins with simple declarative sentences such as "魚。" (さかな。), meaning "Fish." This foundational statement is followed by the negative form, "魚じゃない。" (さかなじゃない。), which translates to "Is not fish." The guide progresses to past tense with "魚だった。" (さかなだった。), meaning "Was fish." As learners advance, they encounter the topic particle "は" in "アリスは学生？／うん、学生。" (アリスはがくせい。／うん、がくせい), translating to "Are you (Alice) student? / Yeah, I am." This section also introduces the inclusive particle "も" in "アリスは学生？／うん、トムも学生。" (アリスはがくせい？／うん、トムもがくせい。), which means "Yes, and Tom is also a student."
The guide continues with adjectives, showcasing both na-adjectives and i-adjectives, such as "静かな人。" (しずかなひと。) meaning "Quiet person," and "高いビル。" (たかいビル。), translating to "Tall building." The nuances of price are explored in "値段があんまりよくない。" (ねだんがあんまりよくない。), which means "Price isn't very good."
Verbs are introduced in the next chapter, with "食べる。" (たべる。) meaning "Eat." This section elaborates on verb classifications and negative forms, as seen in "アリスは食べない。" (アリスはたべない。), which translates to "As for Alice, does not eat." The past tense is explored with "ご飯は、食べた。" (ごはんは、たべた。), meaning "As for meal, ate."
Particles used with verbs are prominently featured, such as in "魚を食べる。" (さかなをたべる。), meaning "Eat fish," where the direct object particle "を" is highlighted. The guide also explains the target particle "に" in "ボブは日本に行った。" (ボブはにほんにいった。), translating to "Bob went to Japan," and the directional particle "へ" in "ボブは日本へ行った。" (ボブはにほんへいった。), which means "Bob headed towards Japan."
As the guide transitions into more complex structures, it discusses descriptive subordinate clauses, illustrated by "学生じゃない人は、学校に行かない。" (がくせいじゃないひとは、がっこうにいかない。), meaning "Person who is not a student do not go to school." The use of noun-related particles is also examined, such as in "スプーンとフォークで魚を食べた。" (スプーンとフォークでさかなをたべた。), which translates to "Ate fish by means of fork and spoon."
In the Essential Grammar section, the guide introduces polite forms with sentences like "明日、大学に行きます。" (あした、だいがくにいきます。), meaning "Tomorrow, go to college." The guide also covers addressing people, as seen in "私の名前はキムです。" (わたしのなまえはキムです。), translating to "My name is Kim."
The question marker section provides examples such as "お母さんはどこですか。母は買い物に行きました。" (おかあさんはどこですか。はははかいものにいきますた。), which means "Where is (your) mother? / (My) mother went shopping." The guide also explores the potential form with "漢字は書けますか？" (かんじはかけますか？), translating to "Can you write kanji?"
The guide wraps up with compound sentences, illustrated by "私の部屋は、きれいで、静かで、とても好き。" (わたしのへやは、きれいで、しずかで、とてもすき。), meaning "My room is clean, quiet, and I like it a lot." This section delves into expressing causation and contradiction, such as in "デパートに行きましたが、何も欲しくなかったです。" (デパートにいきましたが、なにもほしくなかったです。), which translates to "I went to the department store but there was nothing I wanted."