Dekiru Nihongo Chuukyuu Grammar Notes
Unit 5 Grammar: Causes, Outcomes, and Formal Directives
~によって / ~により / ~による: Indicates a cause or reason. Used in slightly formal contexts.
Example: A train delay of approximately due to an accident.
~おそれがある: Indicates a risk or possibility of an undesirable event occurring. Formal expression.
~そうにないんですが: Used when a speaker feels that a scheduled or expected action is difficult to achieve.
~とか(で): Used for hearsay or when information is vague/unconfirmed.
~てしまったようなんです: A vague or polite way to express that something (usually negative) might have happened.
~ところに / ~ところへ / ~ところを: At the exact moment a situation occurs or is observed.
Example: Being discovered by one's mother while reading manga instead of studying.
~につにつれて: As one thing changes, another thing gradually changes as well. Cannot be used with expressions of will or intention.
~ものだ / ~ものではない: Expresses natural tendencies or what is considered "common sense." Often used by superiors giving advice.
~とおり(に) / ~どおり(に): To do something exactly according to a template, instruction, or expectation.
~際: A formal substitute for "when" or "in the case of." Used in announcements and explanations.
~こと: Used in written notices (schools/organizations) to issue commands or rules.
~まま: A state that continues unchanged.
~だらけ: Expresses that a surface is covered in something unpleasant (e.g., mud, scars, or mistakes).
Unit 6 Grammar: Proportions, Comparisons, and Specific Perspectives
~に囲まれている: To be surrounded by something.
Example: Japan is surrounded by the sea.
~を占める: To occupy a specific portion or ratio of a whole.
Example: Forests occupy about of Japan's land area.
~がち: A tendency to do something frequently (usually negative).
~に比べ(て): Used for direct comparisons between two items.
Example: The average annual temperature in Okinawa is higher than in Hokkaido.
~に備えて: Preparation made in advance to avoid trouble later.
~に代わって / ~に代わり: Substitution; something new replacing the old.
~のような / ~のように: Used to give examples for better visualization.
~として: In the capacity, role, or status of.
~に限る: Expresses the speaker's subjective opinion that something is the "best" option.
~を中心に: Focusing on something or treating it as the most important element.
~をはじめ: Introducing a representative example from a group.
~を通して / ~を通じて: Throughout a specific period or duration.
~ことから: Expressing an origin or reason for a name or situation.
~といえば / ~というと: Bringing up the first thing that comes to mind regarding a topic.
Unit 7 Grammar: Conditions, Surprises, and Emphasis
~どころではない: Used to strongly state that one cannot do something due to lack of time or circumstances.
~たところ: Indicates that a certain result was discovered after doing an action.
~ことになった: Indicates a decision made by others or a group consensus.
~限り: As long as a certain condition continues.
~かなと思って: Used to hesitantly or politely invite or suggest something.
~にしては: Expresses that something is different from what was expected given a specific fact.
Example: Living in Japan for but struggling with certain aspects.
~につき: Corresponds to "per" or "for each" unit.
Example: discount per person.
~もんだ / ~ものだ: Expresses deep emotion, surprise, or a strong desire.
~ながら(も): Indicates contradiction (meaning "even though"). Both clauses must have the same subject.
~につけ: Every time one sees, hears, or thinks of something, a specific emotion arises.
~さえ: Emphasis indicating that even a basic or extreme example is true.
~に反して: Contrary to expectations, rules, or predictions.
~うちに: While a situation continues, a change occurs.
~からして: Judging even from a single aspect, it is clear (usually describing a trait or quality).
Unit 8 Grammar: Personal Reasons, Blame, and Regret
~のことなんですが: Used to introduce a specific topic or business when starting a conversation.
~(さ)せていただけませんか: A polite request for permission to perform an action.
~ものですから / ~ものだから: Used to provide personal reasons or excuses.
~おかげで: Expresses gratitude for a positive result caused by someone or something.
~くせに: Expresses dissatisfaction or criticism towards someone's behavior (meaning "despite").
~せいで / ~せいか: Indicates a cause for a negative result.
~にきまっている: Strongly stating that something is definitely true or certain.
~(さ)せる: Causative form expressing an emotional reaction caused by something.
~ことはない: Indicates that there is no necessity to do something.
~のことになると: When the topic changes to a specific subject, a person's behavior changes.
~にしたら: From the standpoint or perspective of another person.
~たびに: Every time a specific action occurs, another thing happens.
~ば / ~なら / ~た、~のに: Expressing regret or a different outcome that would have happened under different conditions.
Unit 9 Grammar: Judgments, Confirmation, and Degree
~がたい: Something is psychologically difficult to do (not used for physical inability).
~ように: Doing something (roughly) the same as a model or instruction.
~とともに: As one thing changes, another changes simultaneously (formal).
~をもとに: Creating something based on hints, materials, or experiences.
~でしょう? / ~だろう?: Seeking confirmation or agreement from the listener.
~っけ?: Used to confirm information that the speaker is unsure they remember correctly.
~というわけだ / ~わけだ: Stating a natural conclusion or expressing understanding after an explanation.
~っこない: Strong subjective denial; believing something is absolutely impossible.
~もん / ~んだもん: Used for personal excuses or reasons, often sounding slightly childish.
~ほど / ~くらい: Expressing the degree of a state by using an example.
~ところだった: Expresses that something almost happened but was avoided at the last moment.
~てたまらない: Expresses an unbearable physical sensation or strong emotion.
~わけではない: Partial negation; not implying that something is always or entirely true.
Unit 10 Grammar: Humble Expressions and Evaluations
~といったら: Expresses surprise or admiration about the extreme degree of something.
とても~ない: Strong subjective judgment that something is impossible regardless of the method.
~はもちろん / ~はもとより: Stating that something is obvious, and other things are also true. Formal version is ~はもとより.
~(さ)せていただきます: A humble way of stating one's own scheduled action.
ご・お~いたします: A humble form of "to do" (suru), more polite than "o/go…shimasu."
~つもりだ: Used when one thought they had done something, but the reality was different.
~ように思う: A polite way to express an opinion or observation without being too direct.
~ております: Humble form of "~te imasu."
~かねます: Expressing an inability to do something due to circumstances, despite wanting to. Common in service industries.
~ことに(は): Highlighting an emotion by stating it before the factual outcome.
~だけあって / ~だけのことはある: Praising something for meeting high expectations or specific conditions.
~ついでに: Taking advantage of an existing plan to perform an additional, secondary action.
Unit 11 Grammar: Contrastive Definitions and Gradual Changes
~ということだ / ~とのことだ: Hearsay expression used to report information.
~に対して: Used to highlight clear differences between two subjects.
Example: A class with females compared to males.
~ものの / ~とはいうものの: Although something is true, there is a caveat.
~といっても: Although something is true, the actual scale or degree is not very significant.
~とは~ことだ: A formal way to define a noun or concept (written style).
~にしても: Stating that even if something is a fact, the speaker's feeling/opinion remains.
~つつある: Indicates that a change is currently in progress. Formal expression.
~結果: Stating how a situation turned out based on a previous action or condition.
~づらい: Feeling psychological difficulty or pain when performing an action.
~んだから: Using shared knowledge as a reason to confirm or prompt an action.
~からすると: Judging from a specific standpoint or set of criteria.
~というより(も): Stating that one description is more accurate than another.
~のではないでしょうか: A roundabout way of expressing one's own opinion.
Unit 12 Grammar: Trends, Responses, and Limitations
~にしても~にしても: Regardless of which case is chosen, the result is the same.
~ばかりだ / ~一方だ: Indicates a specialized trend that continues without stopping. "Bakari da" often refers to negative trends.
~気味: A subjective feeling that a state has changed slightly (often negative).
~からといって: Stating that a specific reason alone is not enough to guarantee a certain conclusion.
~に応じ(て): Indicates that one thing changes in balance or response to another.
~さえ~ば: Expresses that as long as one condition is met, nothing else is needed.
~に対して / ~に対する: Directed at a target or opponent.
Example: A survey conducted on .
~やら~やら: Listing multiple examples of events or items.
~なんて / ~なんか / ~など: Expressing disdain or that something is of low value.
~として~ない: Strong negation; not even a single instance exists.
~というものだ: Expressing a subjective but "natural" evaluation or impression.
~とは限らない: Stating that something is not necessarily true in every case.
Questions & Discussion
Station Announcement Regarding Delays: Q: "I apologize for the train delay caused by…" A: "…due to a personal accident/accident, the delay was approximately ."
Inquiry at the Office: Student: "Excuse me, sensei, regarding the…" Sensei: "Yes, what is it?"
Health and Hospitalization Dialogue: A: "I'm taking a day off because I have a fever of ." B: "For a fever of , you should definitely go to the hospital."
Humble Requests in the Workplace: Student: "Because I have to go to the bank, could I please be allowed to leave early?" Sensei: "I understand. That is fine."
Service Interaction (Airplane): Passenger: "What time does the flight from Bangkok arrive?" Staff: "I apologize, but I cannot answer that here. Please ask at that counter."