#intermediate japanese
Japanese Study Group Discord
hi guys ^-^ if you’re wondering about the discord I made a little while back, it’s still up and running! all that’s left is finding some more japanese learning fanatics to join.
of course it will be a constant work in progress, but the dream is that maybe someday it will be filled with a variety of people with the same common goal, all trying to help each other out in the process of helping themselves.
We are currently accepting staff applications and are offering special roles to certain active or more advanced learners. We hope you consider joining! Having a sense of community is so important when it comes to taking on huge goals such as learning Japanese.
I’m also working on getting native speakers to join, so although for now it will be mostly english speakers, hopefully we can change that soon! I look forward to you seeing the server grow into a flourishing community of positivity, motivation, and belief in one another!
JLPT N4 Grammar - 〜そうだ・〜らしい
Are you using it right??
We discuss the nuances and differences of two very similar grammar points… do you already know which one is used way more than the other?
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N5 Grammar - てください
Are you using it right??
How do you ask someone to do something without sounding like a teacher? Hint: not like this!
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N4 Grammar - がり・がる
Are you using it right??
Although they sound similar, the differences between がり and がる exist!! We explore them in this episode of Bunpogo.
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N1 Grammar - ぐるみ
Are you using it right??
Is a shady company conspiring to defraud innocent old ladies? Learn how to use the N1 grammar point ぐるみ in this episode of Bunpogo!————-
Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N5 Grammar - 〜たい
Are you using it right??
Tell people what you want without sounding like a nagging child in this episode of Bunpogo, JLPT5! The grammar point is… 〜たい.
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N1 Grammar - までだ
Are you using it right??
I was just kidding!! Or was I? Find out about the difference between までだ and だけだ in our 20th Episode of Bunpogo!
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N4 Grammar - 〜でも
Are you using it right??
In this episode we tackle the differences between でしょう, だろう(ね),and だろ and look into gender differences in Japanese speech.
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N5 Grammar - だろう
Are you using it right??
In this episode we tackle the differences between でしょう, だろう(ね),and だろ and look into gender differences in Japanese speech.
————-
Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N1 Grammar - こそすれ
Are you using it right??
How did the JLPT go for you? If, like Nani, you feel like you failed miserably… we’re still here to help you for next Summer. In this episode we take a look at the JLPT N1 grammar こそすれ and find out more about Nani’s cat.
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N2 Grammar - どうせ
Are you using it right??
In this episode we take a look at the JLPT N2 grammar どうせ and find out what angry mums and guilty boyfriends have in common.
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N1 Grammar - ごとく・ごとく
Are you using it right??
In this episode we take a look at the JLPT N1 grammar ごとく/ごとき and what makes it different from our comfortable, 分かりやすい「のような・のように」…
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N2 Grammar - あるいは
Are you using it right??
In this episode we explore the 2 meanings of あるいは, but after all the hassle do we even use it??! Find out in 2 minutes how to say it in casual, formal and business situations.
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
Welcome to Benkyogo!
Click CC for English subs!
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Do you always fall back on Katakana when you don’t know the Japanese word? Do you struggle to understand all the ways to say 「やばい」? "The game called Haa" and “No Katakana” help you practice speaking dynamic Japanese. Recently these card games have taken Japan by storm, but haven’t quite made it over into the Gaijin stratosphere… until now.
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Visithttp://www.benkyogo.co.uk for more hints and tips to study Japanese.
⛩ Visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo for language printables.
JLPT N1 Grammar - きらいがある
Are you using it right??
In this episode we take a look at the JLPT N1 grammar ‘きらいがある’. It’s easy enough to understand, but when you use it in real life are people shocked? We find out that not all N1 grammar is used in daily life, in fact most of it is worth forgetting… There are no Japanese subs in this video, as by N1 level you are expected to understand the content. But feel free to press CC for English subs during the tricky bits!
————-
Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N2 Grammar - ということで
Are you using it right??
In this episode we take a look at the JLPT N2 grammar ‘ということは’. It’s a great phrase when you want to confirm what someone just said, or ask a question about some missing information. There are no Japanese subs in this video, as by N2 level you are expected to understand the content. But feel free to press CC for English subs during the tricky bits!
————-
Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
JLPT N4 Grammar - 始める（はじめる）
Are you using it right??
In this episode we take a look at the JLPT N4 grammar ‘V(stem)はじめる’. So, you started studying Japanese 3 years ago but just how do you tell people about it?
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Welcome to Benkyogo!
In our ぶんぽうご Real Japanese Grammar series, Nani and Mani are deep diving into the textbook grammar required for the JLPT, throwing out the stuff you’ll never use, and teaching you how to speak authentically whilst expressing your own personality.
⭕️ You WILL:
- Understand grammar in real life context- Be told when and where to forget the BS - Get to listen to 2 random people free-talking about Japanese grammar
❌ You WON’T:
- Sound boring when talking to your Japanese friends - Say anything rude to your Japanese boss - Speak like you’re fresh outta your favourite anime
We don’t claim to be experts, we’re just 2 Japanese speakers (one native, one second language) chatting about the DO’s and DON’T’s of Japanese grammar in the 21st century. Keep up, textbooks!!
————-
Check out https://benkyogo.co.uk/ for detailed hints, tips and resources to self-study Japanese.
⛩Check out our store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/benkyogo
What is the JLPT? 日本語能力試験: Ultimate Guide to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test
Example Questions (official site): https://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/forlear…
What is the Kanji Kentei?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEl5N…
Benkyogo Store: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Benkyogo
Instagram: @benkyogo
丁寧語 - Polite Keigo
敬語 (けいご・keigo) is respectful speech in Japanese. 敬語 is based in the social hierarchy that has carried over into modern Japanese society from ancient times. There are three forms of 敬語 - teineigo,sonkeigo, and kenjougo.
丁寧語 (ていねいご・teineigo) is polite Japanese. This is the simplest form of 敬語, using regular grammar and with a structure similar to casual speech. Thus, this is the form of 敬語 first taught to Japanese language learners. This means using the です and ～ます forms rather than the dictionary forms.
です comes after nouns, adjectives, and adverbs at the end of a sentence.
ます is added to the stem of verbs.
Casual vs. Polite
ます系 ます form
Casual → Polite
する → します to do
行く (いく) → 行きます (いきます) to go
言う (いう) → 言います (いいます) to say
です系 copula です
Casual → Polite
本だ (ほんだ) → 本です (ほんです) (it is) a book
猫だった (ねこだった) → 猫でした (ねこでした) (it was) a cat
暑い (あつい) → 暑いです (あついです) it is hot
Example Sentences
I am going to buy a book.
Casual: 本を買いに行く。(ほん を かい に いく)
丁寧語: 本を買いに行きます。(ほん を かい に いきます)
The mobile phone is broken.
Casual: 携帯が壊れた。(けいたい が こわれた)
丁寧語: 携帯が壊れました。(けいたい が こわれました)
What is this?
Casual: これは何だ？(これ は なん だ)
丁寧語:こちらは何ですか？(こちら は なん です か)
See also: Basic Keigo
