Tobira Lesson 2 Grammar

∼なければ｛いけない／ならない｝

Express the idea of obligation. ならない is commonly used when the speaker states their sense of obligation. いけない is used when the sense of obligation is directed toward the hearer.

"have to"

"must"

"should"

casual: なきゃならないー＞なきゃなんない

∼なくては｛いけない／ならない｝

Express the idea of obligation. ならない is commonly used when the speaker states their sense of obligation. いけない is used when the sense of obligation is directed toward the hearer.

"have to"

"must"

"should"

casual: なくちゃならないー＞なくちゃなんない

∼など

The given list is not exhaustive. や is used to connect nouns.

N1やN2など

N1, N2, among others

N1やN2などのN3

N1やN2など、N3

N3, such as/like N1 and N2

NはNPの｛一つ／一人｝だ

Describe X while indicating that X is not the only example, object, person, etc.

"X is one of the~"

Nにとって

mean to X/for X in a context where something (or someone) is important to X, or is necessary, useful, good, difficult, etc. for X.

X is often a person, a geographic unit, or an organization.

"for"

"to"

Nの代（か）わりに

Used to present something/one that is replacing or has replaced something/one.

When the context is clear, Nounの can be omitted.

"in place of"

"instead of"

"to make up for"

∼ため｛に｝ [purpose]

When preceded by a Noun or the non-past form of a verb, it indicates purpose, or reason/cause.

Nのため（に）also indicates benefit.

"in order to"

"to"

"for the purpose of"

"for"

"for the sake of"

∼ため｛に｝ [reason; cause]

When preceded by an i-adj or a na-adj, or the past form of a verb, indicates reason or cause.

"because"

"due to"

AかBか

Used to present alternatives.

When Bか is followed by a case particle (が、を、へ、に、で、と）the second か is usually dropped.

"either A or B"

"whether A or B"

∼｛でしょ（う）／だろ（う）｝

Casual.

Tag question

"isn't it?"; "wasn't it?"; "aren't they?"; "is he?"; "are they?"

Nounが見られる

Formal.

the passive or potential form of 見る.

"(something) is observed"; "(one) can observe/see"

Verbようになる

Indicates a gradual change over a certain period of time.

"come to (be able to) V"; "not V now"; "not V any more"

また（∼も）

Casual.

"also"; "as well"; "additionally"; "in addition"; "moreover"

Verb必要がある （ひつよう）

"it is necessary to Verb"; "must Verb"; "have to Verb"

Verb必要はない （ひつよう）

"it is not necessary to Verb"; "there is no need to Verb"; "don't have to Verb"

∼場合（は／には） （ばあい）

時 can be used in place of 場合; however 場合 cannot replace 時 when it refers to a specific time and does not mean "case; occasion; situation".

"if"; "when"; "in case"

A｛では／じゃ｝なく（て）B

Used to indicate that a certain piece of information is wrong and, following that, to present the correct information.

では is used in written language

じゃ is used in spoken language

"Not A, but B."

｛何／いく｝＋Counter＋か

Only use いく with いくつ and いく人.

いく is not commonly used in modern Japan.

何 cannot be used with つ.

"some"