Japanese Basics

Your essential guide to Japanese grammar and usage

Browse the topics below to get started. On any page, tap the menu in the bar above to jump to another topic.

What You'll Learn

Comprehensive coverage across five areas, from writing systems to grammar patterns.

Foundation

12 topics

Writing systems, kana & kanji, pronunciation, sentence structure, particles, polite vs. plain forms, and more.

Conjugations

14 topics

All major verb conjugation forms, plus adjective and noun conjugation.

Patterns

19 topics

Grammar patterns for comparisons, desire, conjunctions, conditionals, and honorifics (keigo).

Everyday Essentials

8 topics

Numbers, counters, dates & time, directions, family terms, and units of measurement.

Quick Reference

2 topics

Interactive verb conjugation tables and a particle reference with labeled usage examples.

Built-in Word Lookup — Search for word definitions on any page — no need to leave your current topic.