Welcome to Lesson 8!
Ready to sound more like a native speaker in casual situations and get a deeper understanding of core Japanese grammar? Lesson 8 at gokigen japanese blog introduces you to essential concepts that bridge the gap between polite textbook Japanese and everyday conversation.
The main goals of this lesson are to enable you to:
- Use casual expressions using the short form (plain form) of verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
- Understand and describe changes using adjectives and nouns.
- Understand and correctly use the difference between the subject particles は (wa) and が (ga).
Key grammar and vocabulary you will learn include:
- Japanese Short Forms (Plain Forms): Learn the present and past plain forms for all word types you’ve studied – verbs, い-adjectives, な-adjectives, and nouns. These forms are used in informal settings, with friends and family, and are building blocks for more advanced grammar.
- Mastering は (Wa) vs が (Ga): Tackle one of the most challenging but rewarding aspects of Japanese grammar! This lesson provides a clear explanation of the fundamental differences between these two crucial subject particles, helping you choose the right one and understand the nuances of Japanese sentences.
- Describing Change (〜くなる / 〜になる): Learn how to express that something “becomes” or “gets” a certain state. You’ll use 〜くなる (~kunaru) with い-adjectives and 〜になる (~ni naru) with な-adjectives and nouns (e.g., 部屋が静かになりました – The room became quiet).
By the end of Lesson 8, you’ll feel more comfortable speaking in casual situations, understand conversations better, and have a clearer grasp of the subtle but important differences between は and が. These are vital steps on your path to fluency!
Explore the articles linked below to start using Japanese short forms, clarify は vs が, and learn to describe changes!
