Category: Grammar

ようがない There’s no way to…ます stem + ようがない ようがない is an interesting application of よう, which here functions as a noun meaning “way”.This makes it nearly identical to かた. ようがない expresses “There is no way...

ようでは No good based onDictionary Form Verb + ようではない Form Verb + ようではている Form Verb + ようでは ようでは expresses that some bad result is expected based on some fact.This pattern is really an application...

かねる Unable to doます stem + かねる (兼ねる) かねる has many meanings, but the one we’re going to discuss here is its usage as a suffix.As a suffix, it means “Unable”.This suffix is mostly...

得る Possibleます stem + える/うる 得る (える or うる) is an old Japanese verb form/word meaning “possible”.It may be pronounced either える or うる in the affirmative.In the negative, it will always be えないThis...

もあれば～もある A and BAもWordば + BもWord(Verbs, Nouns, Adjectives and Negatives OK) AもあればBもある literally means “If there’s A, there’s also B”*However, the answer to the “If” part is always yes. This effectively makes it mean...

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...