302 Answered Questions for the topic Japanese

Japanese Grammar Punctuation

06/08/19

Usage of commas in Japanese sentences?
This might sound like a strange question, but how does the usage of commas differ when used in Japanese compared to English? I believe `りんご、オレンジとバナナ` wouldn't work, but that it's OK to list like... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/08/19

The differences between ～がたい、〜にくい、〜づらい?
I was wondering what the differences are between these three: ～がたい、〜にくい、〜づらい They all seem to be some sort of variant of "Hard to do ~". But it seems they are used with different verbs and/or... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/07/19

Why is the topic marker often used in negative statements (ではない, ～とは思わない)?
What function does は provide in statements such as 本ではない or 本だとは思わない? I notice the は after と is often left out, at least if a Google search for 思わない is any indication, but there still seems to be a... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1
Japanese Grammar Usage

06/07/19

What are the fundamental differences between the ～と一緒に and the ～とともに fragments?
I'm accustomed to saying `together with` using the `~ to issho ni` fragment, but I've been noticing that some people I talk to phrase this using `~ totomo ni` instead. i.e. 彼女と一緒に日本へ来た。 ... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/05/19

correctness of い adjective + です?
Generally, in all Japanese language classes, the rule you're taught is that です does not follow い adjectives. Instead, い adjectives can act like stative verbs, and as such terminate a sentence by... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1
Japanese Grammar Usage

06/05/19

Can 何で mean "how"?
Looking at <a href="http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar/verbparticles">this</a>, it seems that when the word 何 is used with the で particle, it roughly translates into "by means... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •2

06/05/19

When going somewhere, is there any difference between e (へ) and ni (に)?
Can you use へ and に interchangeably, as in 北海道へ行く and 北海道に行く? Are there any subtle differences in the use of these two?
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •2
Japanese Grammar Meaning

06/03/19

What does 彼女は私ほど自分のことを好きじゃない mean?
Consider the following > 彼女は私ほど自分のことを好きじゃない。 My attempt is as follows - A: She does not love herself as much as I love myself. - B: She does not love herself as much as she loves me. -... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •2

06/02/19

How to use から and だから as conjunctions?
Recently I was studying the use of から and だから as conjunctions. Could anyone explain why one is used in these examples while the other is not? Are there rules as to whether から and だから can follow a... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/02/19

Does 今度 mean "this time" or "next time"?
1. My dictionary gives many meanings for 今度, they include "this time" as well as "next time". How can it mean both? Since it is 今 in it, shouldn't it only mean "this time"? 2. Also, I am confused... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •2
Japanese Grammar Adverbs

06/02/19

Can totemo be used with daisuki or daikirai?
**totemo** means "very" **suki** means "like" **daisuki** means "like very much" If I really like something can I use `totemo totemo daisuki desu`?
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/02/19

Understand the difference between [dictionary/ない ＋ ようとする] and [volitional ＋ にする]?
I have come across a couple of concepts that seem relatively similar, but I would like an understanding on their differences, if any. The first is the dictionary/ない form + ようとする. And the other is... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1
Japanese Grammar Nuances Slang

06/02/19

What’s the difference between [v] たとしても and just the plain ても?
What’s the difference between [v] たとしても and just the plain ても? Example: > (1) 説明書を読んでも分かりにくい > (2) 説明書を読んだとしても分かりにくい
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1
Japanese Grammar Words Usage

06/02/19

Do Japanese parents address their son as musuko?
In America, parents can address their son as son. For example, "Son, could you open the window for me?" Do Japanese parents address their son as 息子？Thanks.
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1
Japanese Grammar Jlpt

06/02/19

How does the use of いかんによっては in this question determine one answer over another?
In my JLPT practise book, in a section explaining the use of `いかんによっては`, which roughly means "depending on", they have the following question: >... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/02/19

Why is 一緒に correct and 一緒で incorrect?
This is a mistake I habitually make, even though I know what the right form is. Earlier tonight, I wanted to tell my friend "Let's go together!", so I sent a mail saying: >... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/02/19

Unifying concept for noun-adjectives of the pattern Xかな?
Consider these: - ～か： >- 静か >- 愚か >- 厳か - ～やか: >- 穏やか >- 鮮やか >- 賑やか - ～らか: >- 柔らか >- 滑らか >- 明らか There are many more that I've not listed. The か/やか/らか at... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/02/19

How to use 〜かのよう{に・な・だ}?
I understand fine how to use 〜(の)よう{に・な・だ}, but I'm not sure when or how you can add in the か. Here's an example from my book: > ４月になって雪が降るなんて、まるで冬が戻って来たかのようです。 How is this different than if... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

06/01/19

Is た形 required when using 自動詞 as an adjective?
From the grammar book I learned that when 自動詞 is being used as an adjective, it should change its form to the た形, for example: - 優れ{すぐれ}**た**学生 - 拗れ{こじれ}**た**話し But can I say 優れ**る**学生 or... more
Follows • 2
Expert Answers •1

06/01/19

How do you say "if and only if" in Japanese?
I would like to know how to express mandatory conditions in Japanese. Since Japanese distinguishes between different types of languages, I should probably ask more precisely: What is the right way... more
Follows • 2
Expert Answers •1

05/30/19

The use of -さん when answering about oneself?
If someone says, > あなた は Chris-さん です か。 > Are you Chris? Do you answer > Chris です Or > Chris-さん です
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1
Japanese Grammar Modality

05/30/19

Usage of plain i-adjectives or た form (悪かったｖ悪い、良かったｖいい etc）?
Example: > 美人じゃなくて悪かったですね！ (sarcastic) compared to someone who is using a room and is told `あんまり広い部屋じゃなくて悪いな` Or for example the difference between 無事でよかった and I can't think of the... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1
Japanese Grammar Meaning Usage

05/29/19

what is the difference between ごとに and おきに?
Both ごとに and おきに appear to mean "repeatedly at intervals". What is the difference between these two expressions?
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1
Japanese Grammar Jlpt

05/28/19

What is the meaning of 「読むには読んだ」?
I have the following sentence and I can't find any material pointing out the usage of this grammar. > 薦められた本を**読むには読んだ**が、よく理解できなかった。 In general, what is the usage of 「VるにはVた」?
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

05/28/19

How does the present tense work in a relative clause?
> そんなわけで、まだ日も暮れない夕方の通学路を、駅に向かってゆっくりと歩く俺と加藤。 I encountered this quote in a light novel and am stuck on how to interpret it. It feels like 歩く should be "walking" in this context, but it is not... more
Follows • 1
Expert Answers •1

Still looking for help? Get the right answer, fast.

Ask a question for free

Get a free answer to a quick problem.
Most questions answered within 4 hours.

OR

Find an Online Tutor Now

Choose an expert and meet online. No packages or subscriptions, pay only for the time you need.