Japanese Language Grammar

Japanese language grammar is distinguished by its Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) sentence structure and its agglutinative nature, where grammatical function is primarily indicated by particles that attach to the end of words. Instead of prepositions, these post-positional particles (known as 助詞, joshi) mark the topic, subject, object, and other relationships within a sentence. A central feature is the complex verb and adjective conjugation system, which changes not only for tense and negation but also for intricate levels of politeness and formality (敬語, keigo), reflecting the social context of the conversation. The grammar is also characterized by the frequent omission of subjects when understood from context and the absence of grammatical gender, articles, or noun plurals.

  1. Introduction to Japanese Grammar
    1. Core Characteristics
      1. Subject-Object-Verb Word Order
        1. Basic SOV Structure
          1. Word Order Flexibility
            1. Emphasis Through Word Order Changes
            2. Agglutinative Nature
              1. Stem and Suffix Structure
                1. Use of Affixes and Endings
                  1. Comparison with Other Language Types
                  2. Role of Particles
                    1. Function in Sentence Structure
                      1. Postpositional Nature
                      2. Context-Dependent Subject Omission
                        1. Ellipsis in Conversation
                          1. Pragmatic Use of Omission
                          2. Absence of Grammatical Gender and Articles
                            1. Lack of Definite and Indefinite Articles
                              1. Gender Neutrality in Nouns and Pronouns
                                1. Pluralization Methods
                              2. Japanese Writing Systems
                                1. Hiragana
                                  1. Syllabary Structure
                                    1. Usage in Native Words and Grammar
                                      1. Basic Character Set
                                      2. Katakana
                                        1. Syllabary Structure
                                          1. Usage in Loanwords and Foreign Names
                                            1. Usage for Emphasis
                                            2. Kanji
                                              1. Origins and Structure
                                                1. Onyomi Readings
                                                  1. Kunyomi Readings
                                                    1. Common Kanji
                                                      1. Kanji Compounds
                                                      2. Romaji
                                                        1. Hepburn System
                                                          1. Kunrei-shiki System
                                                            1. Uses and Limitations
                                                          2. Pronunciation and Sound System
                                                            1. Vowels and Consonants
                                                              1. Five Vowel Sounds
                                                                1. Consonant Inventory
                                                                  1. Syllable Structure
                                                                  2. Voiced and Unvoiced Sounds
                                                                    1. Dakuon
                                                                      1. Handakuon
                                                                      2. Long Vowels
                                                                        1. Written Indication
                                                                          1. Effect on Meaning
                                                                          2. Double Consonants
                                                                            1. Use of Small っ
                                                                              1. Pronunciation Differences
                                                                                1. Meaning Differences
                                                                                2. Palatalized Sounds
                                                                                  1. Use of Small ゃ
                                                                                    1. Use of Small ゅ
                                                                                      1. Use of Small ょ
                                                                                      2. Pitch Accent
                                                                                        1. Role in Word Meaning
                                                                                          1. Regional Variations
                                                                                            1. Common Patterns