Cheat Sheets

Quick memory aids for points you've already studied in the grammar lessons

Particles

は vs が: Topic vs Subject

The #1 source of confusion in Japanese. Learn when to mark the topic and when to mark the subject.

Three particles that all feel like "at" or "to", but each has a different job.

"Until" vs "by [deadline]": one tiny particle makes all the difference.

Verbs

Things use ある, living beings use いる. Learn the rule and its edge cases.

All verbs you need for N5, sorted by conjugation class (Ichidan, Godan, irregular) with て-form patterns.

Adjectives

How each type modifies nouns, conjugates, and forms adverbs.

Demonstratives

これ/それ/あれ/どれ and all their friends. A full reference for the demonstrative word family.

The polite direction words: guiding people, referring to someone politely, and choosing between two options.

The casual, direct form: everyday speech with friends, strong nuance, and common idioms.

Time

Telling time, days, months, and relative words like yesterday/today/tomorrow.

Three ways to express "before" and "after", with different tense rules for each.

Connectors

いつも, よく, たいてい, ときどき, あまり, ぜんぜん. How often, and which word fits where.

Five ways to say "but/however", each with a different formality, position, and feel.

Verbs

ていく・てくる・てある・てみる・てしまう・ておく. Same base, totally different meanings.

ことがある vs ことにする vs ことになる vs ことができる: look-alike structures with very different meanings.

Connectors

Both mean "because" but から is direct and casual, ので is softer and more polite.

How to say "you should" and "it would be good if", and when each sounds natural.

More N3 sheets coming soon

More N2 sheets coming soon

More N1 sheets coming soon

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