Shows the use and conjugation of 10 i-adjectives. Shows how to use these before a noun, and conjugation of past/present and affirmative/negative. Useful for those starting to use adjectives.
Same as above, but for na-adjectives.
A schematic view of verb conjugations and usages, at beginner level - i.e., the forms and usages we covered in Japanese I and Japanese for Busy People I. One page per verb, showing:- dictionary form; ~masu form; ~tai form; ~te form and ~nai form, with usage for each. 13 common verbs, including 9 godan (Group 1) verbs with different final vowels, 3 ichidan (Group 2) verbs and 1 irregular (Group 3).
Table of 100+ verbs, showing dictionary, pre -masu, -te and pre -nai forms. The list is sorted by verb group, using the Japanese names (一段 for Group II and 五段 for Group I). 五段 verbs are also sorted by the final vowel, so verbs with the same vowel changes are grouped together to aid recognition and memorisation of the patterns. (Updated 14/11/05)
11 verbs that look like 一段 (Type II) but are in fact 五段 (Type I).
A view of where we are at the end of Japanese I. In the centre circle are the verb forms we have covered; dotted around the outside are those I'm aware of from tables in dictionaries etc. but haven't studied. The dictionary form and the plain past we've touched on but not used much, so they touch the edge of the centre circle without being inside it. Somewhere on the edge should be a menacing 'Here be Dragons'. Over time, the centre circle will expand as currently unknown forms become known. The threat of dragons on the periphery will recede.
A list of verb pairs - i.e., verbs with similar sound and related meaning. This is a new list for me, and so far the pairs could be defined as transitive/intransitive. The Japan Times' Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar (appendix 3, page 585) has a list of transitive/intransitive verb pairs, in groups with the same ending changes.
(Updated 15/10/05). A list of some verbs formed with する. I would imagine the number of these must be vast; these are just the ones I've come across so far. Whether/where to use を in these compounds seems to be partly down to context. The Japan Times' 'Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar' states that a Sino-Japanese compound + する can be a transitive verb (e.g. 日本語を勉強する); equally, the Sino-Japanese compound can be the direct object of する (e.g. 日本語の勉強をする).
An exercise sheet to use with a study partner, face-to-face or over the phone. This covers ways of describing people, including using the game 'Guess Who?'
An exercise sheet to use with a study partner, face-to-face or over the phone. Covers dates, days of the week and relative times (next month etc.). Culminates in the thrilling game of 'Birthday Battleships'.