Volume 2 · Chapter 05
Adjectives
Describe what things are like and how to use i/na forms.
Japanese adjective learning is mostly pattern repetition. Focus on meaning first, then form.
い-adjectives
These usually end in い.
- It is expensive.
- It is cheap.
- It is near.
- It is far.
Before a noun, they stay with い:
- It is an expensive station (not a natural phrase, grammar-focused).
- It is an expensive hotel.
- It is a nearby store.
な-adjectives
These need な before nouns and usually stay with です in plain statements.
- It is quiet.
- It is convenient.
- It is necessary.
- It is okay.
Before a noun:
- It is a quiet room.
- It is a convenient place.
Negatives and past
- It is not expensive.
- It is not cheap.
- It is not convenient.
- It is not okay.
- It was expensive.
- It was not expensive.
- It was convenient.
- It was quiet.
Mini pattern map
- i-adjective:
いkeeps base in noun modification. - na-adjective: insert
なbefore noun. - Negative: replace final with
くないです(i-adj),じゃないです(na-adj in survival style). - Past:
でしたfor both sets in polite speech.
Try these in order:
- This is expensive.
- This is not expensive.
- This place is convenient.
- This place is not convenient.
- The station is close.
- This room was quiet.
Randomized practice
Adjective Practice
-
Meaning
高いです。
It is expensive.
-
Meaning
安いです。
It is cheap.
-
Meaning
近いです。
It is near.
-
Meaning
遠いです。
It is far.
-
Meaning
静かです。
It is quiet.
-
Meaning
便利です。
It is convenient.
-
Meaning
高くないです。
It is not expensive.
-
Say it
Say this is expensive.
これは高いです。
-
Say it
Say this room is quiet.
この部屋は静かです。
-
Say it
Say this place is convenient.
この場所は便利です。
-
Say it
Say this was convenient.
ここは便利でした。
-
Say it
Say it was not expensive.
高くなかったです。
-
Read it
Read 便利じゃないです。
It is not convenient.
-
Read it
Read 静かな部屋です。
It is a quiet room.
-
Say it
Say this is convenient and cheap.
これは便利で安いです。
-
Trap
静かないです。
This is incorrect. Use 静かです and 静かな for noun + adjective.
-
Trap
高いいです。
Do not double い. Use 高いです。