Category: N2 Nouns

Simple Noun Expressions かいがある Worth doingPlain form verb + かいがあるます Stem + がいがある 甲斐がある (かいがある) is a phrase meaning that something has value. In other words, its worth it. This expression may also be...

反面 On the Opposite Side, On the flip sidePlain form verb/い Adjective + 反面な Adjective + な反面Noun + の反面 反面 is a noun meaning “On the opposite side” or “on the other hand”Unlike 一方,...

もっとも もっとも is a な adjective/noun as well as a conjunction. It generally means “Logical” or “Natural”. This is not 最も, an adverb meaning “the most”. (See bottom). *もっとも is also an adverb, but...

げ Seemingly, Seeming Likeい Adjectives = い + げな Adjectives = な + げ げ is a な adjective that attaches primarily to other adjectives. It means “~Like” or “Seeming like”.It’s basically the same...

すら Even (Extreme Example) すら is a particle that marks an extreme example. Its meaning is similar to an emphasized “even“ in English. It is similar in meaning and usage to さえ, and can...

次第 次第 (しだい) is a suffixing noun with 4 meanings: Up to (Nouns + 次第) As soon as/According to (ます stem/verb noun + 次第) Gradual progression (次第に） (As a noun) Events to present (Mostly...

手前 Just Before/Have to becauseNoun + のてまえPlain form Verb + てまえ 手前 (てまえ) broadly speaking, has 2 meanings:  Noun + 手前: Just before (You/Them) Just before something (Physically or sequentially).  In front of a...

かのよう Almost as ifPlain form verb + かのようNouns + であるかのよう かのよう is a variation of よう.As you may guess from the か particle, its a less certain version of よう.It may also imply that...

つもり Strongly BelieveNoun + のつもりPlain form verb + つもり(Adjectives not really used, see below) つもり is a noun, and conjugates like a noun.It expresses “Strongly believing something to be true”. Its closest English equivalents...

もと “Origin” もと is a simple, yet really broad word. It means “Origin” but in practice it can mean: Base (Physical) Start (Time, or of an object) Under (Physically or influence) “Around” (From physical...