Category: N2 Grammar

ぬ and ざる This page briefly explains two older versions of the ない verb ending; ぬ and ざる.*These endings are more or less the same thing, with very subtle differences that you shouldn’t worry...

たまえ Light Command“Do me a favor and…”ます stem + たまえ たまえ (給え) literally means “give me”. The thing “given” is a favor/cooperation. This is an uncommon type of light/calm command. The other person is...

まい Not Likely, Don’t intend toDictionary form verb + まい一段 Verbs – ます stem + まい or Dictionary + まいする – すまいくる – こまい まい is the negative volitional form. It is old Japanese,...

Other て Form Expressions This page covers some miscellaneous て form expressions that weren’t hard enough for their own page. てでも I’d do anything, even…/Even if I have to てでも is a more extreme...

Natural or Strong Emotion This page deals with expressions that express natural and strong emotions: てならない – No choice but to てしょうがない – Can’t help but  てたまらない – Can’t bear it てとうぜん – Naturally...

ては ては is the て form of a verb or adjective, + は. It is a pretty hard piece of grammar to define. It has a variety of usages and is somewhat common.Generally speaking...