The Handbook of Japanese Adjectives and Adverbs
For beginners learning Japanese, mastering adjectives and adverbs can be particularly challenging. Unlike in English, Japanese adjectives conjugate, requiring learners to memorize multiple forms before constructing more complex sentences. While adverbs don’t conjugate, they rely on particles to define their grammatical relationships and often carry nuanced meanings that are hard to interpret—and may not even translate as adverbs in English.
These parts of speech are crucial for adding expressiveness and color to the language. This compact and user-friendly guide introduces the foundational aspects of Japanese adjectives and adverbs with clarity, helping students speak Japanese with both accuracy and flair.
Book Structure
The book is split into two main sections: the first focusing on adjectives, and the second on adverbs. Each section begins with a concise introduction offering a general overview of the content.
Adjectives Section
- Part 1: Covers conjugation rules for i-adjectives, na-adjectives, and basic auxiliary forms.
- Part 2: Presents commonly used sentence structures involving adjectives.
Adverbs Section
Organized by category, this section explores adverbs used to express:
- Time
- Quantity
- Degree
- Conditions or circumstances
- Onomatopoeia and mimetic expressions (natural sounds/actions)
Features
- Clear and concise English explanations for each grammar point
- Multiple example sentences for practical understanding
- Periodic exercises to test comprehension
- Appendix with quick-reference vocabulary lists for easy review
Designed to complement The Handbook of Japanese Verbs, this unique reference manual offers a long-lasting resource for learners aiming to develop natural and expressive Japanese communication.