日本語 - Other Stuff

Collection of references that I feel are useful to have at a glance. This is an incomplete list that will be updated over time. I intend to provide examples and explanations for each thing here as well, but that will come with time.

Particles

Particles are the core of Japanese Grammar and indicate the function of words in a sentence.

は - Context Marker

Marks the context of a sentence. (Example to be added).

も - Also Context Marker

も like the は particle sets the context of a sentence. However も must be used to change an existing context to say that sentence is ALSO TRUE for this new context. (Example to be added).

が - Subject Marker

Marks the subject or actor of a sentence. (Example to be added).

を - Direct Object Marker

を is used to mark the direct object of a verb. The "Direct Object" is the Noun that the Verb acts upon.

Given the English sentence "A Drinks Coffee."

Sentence Subject - A
Noun - Coffee
Verb - Drinks

In Japanese you would formulate this sentence as:

(Sentence Subject)が(Noun)を(Verb)

A が コーヒー を のみます

In this example since Coffee is the Noun being Drunk, it is the Noun being acted upon, so therefore it is marked with the を particle.

で - Where/Method Marker

で has A few uses:

  1. Marks the location that an action takes place.
  2. Marks the Method (or Tool) used to complete an action.
に - Time/Heading/Purpose Marker

に is a very versatile particle. Deffs need to expand on this one.

へ - Heading Marker

In What Direction did/will someone/something go.

か - Question Marker

Marks the sentence as a question. This has other uses as well that need to be included (Example to be added).

と - And/Quoting Marker

と can be used like "AND" in english to join ideas. When using と to join ideas it must be a complete list.

と can also be used to mark a quote.

や - And Marker for incomplete lists.

Just like the と marker but its use implies there are more items than those listed.

の - Possession Marker

The main use of の is to show possession of a Noun. There are other uses also that need to be captured.

Sentence Enders

Sentence enders are hiragana you will often find added to the end of sentences to add a certain feel to the sentence.

か - Question Marker

This makes the sentence a question. (Example to be added).

の - Question Marker

This makes the sentence a question. Seen less often than か for this purpose. (Example to be added).

かい - Soft Question Marker

Same as か to form a question but this is less formal and "softer". (Example to be added).

ね - Agreement

This indicates the specter expects the listener to agree with the statement of the sentence and is seeking confirmation of the listeners agreement. (Example to be added).

よ - Explanatory

Adds an explanatory tone implying the information given is expected to be new to the recipient. (Example to be added).

な - Self Directing

Directs the sentence at oneself. (Example to be added).

だい - Soft Question Marker

Same as かい but for だ ending sentences. (Example to be added).

ぜ - Strong Emphasis

Adds strong emphasis almost like a verbal exclamation mark. (Example to be added).

ぞ - Strong Emphasis

Adds strong emphasis almost like a verbal exclamation mark. (Example to be added).

さ - Soft Emphasis

Similar to ぜ and ぞ but is a bit softer. (Example to be added).

から - Explanation

Marks the sentence as providing a reason or explanation. Usually followed by by a sentence of what is being explained. (Example to be added).

し - Multiple Explanation

Similar to から but is generally used to combine reasons. A single し implies the reason stated is not the only reason. (Example to be added).

ちょうだい - Informal Request

Informal way of making a request. (Example to be added).