Nutshell Grammar
Concisely explores important topics that you need to understand to get the most out of Satori Reader, with an emphasis on clear example sentences. (Ongoing--on brief hiatus)
Episode 1
Welcomes you to the series and jumps right into our first topic.
Notes: Covers "the same," "the same as X," and "the same X as Y."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers |  |
| Standard | Unread | 29448 |
Episode 2
Takes up the main way of saying that two things differ in Japanese.
Notes: Also looks at the use of chigau to mean "wrong."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 11459 |
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Episode 3
Lays the foundation for understanding the ubiquitous word for saying two things are alike.
Notes: You has a lot in store for us, but we'll take it one step at a time.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 7483 |
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Episode 4
Moves to the next step with you, using it before nouns.
Notes: Also considers the two slightly different meanings of a phrase like "a food like ramen."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 4782 |
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Episode 5
Looks at a way to say that two actions occur at the same time.
Notes: Also considers whether the order of the two actions is meaningful (hint: it is).
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 4419 |
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Episode 6
Lays the foundation for understanding another use of you to talk about "kinds" or "sorts."
Notes: This is the basis for the expressions kono/sono/ano/dono you na X.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 4002 |
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Episode 7
Builds on the previous lesson by using sentences before you na to create more elaborate kinds.
Notes: Also considers the difference between this and a plain relative clause.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 3484 |
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Episode 8
Takes up a special use of suru that turns up in expressions like oto ga suru, ki ga suru, and many more.
Notes: Also considers the question about the proverbial tree falling in the lonesome forest.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 3502 |
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Episode 9
Applies what we have learned in previous lessons to adverbial phrases, allowing you to talk about "running like the wind" or "eating like a horse."
Notes: Also considers you ni following full clauses, allowing you to create phrases like, "as I explained yesterday..."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 3237 |
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Episode 10
Introduces the use of no to stand in for a recently mentioned noun.
Notes: This will lay the foundation for an even more interesting pattern in the next lesson.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 3153 |
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Episode 11
Introduces a new pattern that utilizes the no from the last lesson.
Notes: Includes pairs of questions and answers that utilize the new pattern.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 2658 |
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Episode 12
Wraps up our discussion of no to stand in for a person, place, thing, time, or reason with lots of drill sentences.
Notes: Drills on reformulating both questions and statements.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 2521 |
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Episode 13
Builds on our previous discussions of you to introduce a new function: reporting information the speaker believes is reliable.
Notes: Also contains a lengthy note that breaks down the different permutations of past and present in "it seems" sentences.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 2607 |
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Episode 14
Explores a special case of sentences using "reliable information" you.
Notes: A rule and a sub-rule! But don't worry. We'll talk it through together.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 2367 |
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Episode 15
Explores one of the two big uses of sou, to report hearsay.
Notes: Also introduces an expression that means "according to (a source)."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 2295 |
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Episode 16
Eases into this topic by exploring a simple pattern that works everywhere, then introduces a new verb form that acts as a shortcut.
Notes: Also includes a comparison of similar verbs that conjugate differently.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 2569 |
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Episode 17
Continues our discussion by diving deeply into the standard way to use the potential in sentences.
Notes: Also notes a different way to use the potential that is gaining acceptance.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 2153 |
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Episode 18
Takes up alternate forms of the potential for seeing and hearing, with discussion of why and when these forms are used.
Notes: Also looks at the common combination kikoete kuru.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 2032 |
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Episode 19
Introduces an important new word and looks at the most basic use of it, which lays the foundation for other uses.
Notes: Includes the patterns tame da, tame no (noun), and tame ni (phrase).
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1959 |
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Episode 20
Expands on tame ni by looking at how it can connect two phrases: a purpose, and an action undertaken for that purpose.
Notes: Also contains a discussion of when this pattern is appropriate and when it is not. These principles will be elaborated on in the next lesson.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1897 |
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Episode 21
Takes up the final big use of the multi-talented word you: to connect an action deliberately taken to an outcome that is not directly controllable.
Notes: Also compares and contrasts to the similar (phrase) tame ni (phrase) pattern.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 2158 |
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Episode 22
Builds on the previous lesson by looking at several key patterns this you appears in.
Notes: By the end of this lesson, you will officially know all the main uses of this powerful little word!
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1937 |
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Episode 23
Takes up the first and easiest of the four main ways to form the conditional in Japanese.
Notes: Also includes related patterns that this to appears in, such as the pattern for expressing a hope or suggesting a course of action.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1924 |
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Episode 24
Introduces the next of the big four conditionals.
Notes: Also includes a section on a special use of this conditional: "if it is X (that you mean / that you want to talk about)."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1755 |
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Episode 25
Continues our conditional journey with a broadly useful verb ending.
Notes: Also offers an explanation for why calls to action mostly do not appear with this conditional.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1705 |
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Episode 26
Introduces the next conditional on our journey.
Notes: Includes several common patterns this conditional is used in.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1710 |
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Episode 27
Breaks down the places where -tara can mean "when."
Notes: Also includes a special rule about connecting two events in the past.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1548 |
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Episode 28
Lays down the law on how to say that an action is prohibited.
Notes: Also closes a loop by connecting this pattern to the "may I" pattern. "No, you may not."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1659 |
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Episode 29
Flips the script on the previous pattern, allowing us to say that if something is not done, it would be bad.
Notes: Also introduces two styles of contraction commonly seen in these sentences.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1603 |
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Episode 30
Introduces the patterns for saying a person ought or ought not do something.
Notes: Also considers the difference between this pattern and another common pattern for suggesting a course of action.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1461 |
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Episode 31
Looks at a word that helps you zero in on one thing by excluding it from a negative statement about everything else.
Notes: Includes a look at the "there is nothing but to do" pattern as well.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1522 |
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Episode 32
Introduces the causative and shows how to derive it from the dictionary form of any verb.
Notes: Also briefly considers the philosophical question: What really is the difference between causing and allowing?
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 2783 |
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Episode 33
Explains how to use the causative in sentences, including different ways of naming the "causee."
Notes: Also considers ways of differentiating causing and allowing.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1571 |
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Episode 34
Examines common combinations of the causative with the verbs of wanting, giving, and receiving.
Notes: Starts gently and works up to "We humbly receive your graciously allowing us to take the day off."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1423 |
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Episode 35
Looks at the last big use of the causative: speaking of making an intransitive verb happen, which essentially converts it into a transitive verb.
Notes: Also touches on an alternative form for the causative.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1363 |
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Episode 36
Introduces "conjecture" sou and explains how to use it with verbs, conjugating adjectives, and na- and no- adjectives.
Notes: Also contrasts this sou to "hearsay" sou and to "reliable information" you.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1281 |
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Episode 37
Looks at using sou phrases with na to describe a noun, and with ni to modify a verb.
Notes: Also looks at a pattern that appears to mean "doing a certain way" but which actually means "acting/behaving in a certain way.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1142 |
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Episode 38
Takes up a few special rules about using sou with yoi, nai, and when making negative conjectures.
Notes: Also considers the difference between "It looks like it is not very interesting" and "It doesn't look like it is very interesting."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1085 |
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Episode 39
Investigates an extremely common colloquial equivalent of you da.
Notes: Also helps to sidestep a common mistake learners make with this word.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1169 |
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Episode 40
Introduces a word that marks the preceding as information that the speaker has heard from diffuse sources.
Notes: Also briefly discusses a secondary use to mark a conclusion being inferred.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1118 |
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Episode 41
Follows up on the previous lesson with another important use of rashii as a suffix that means "exemplifying the characteristics of (the foregoing)."
Notes: Also examines how to tell apart the two uses.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1024 |
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Episode 42
Introduces a simple pattern for naming a list of activities or states, with several important uses.
Notes: Also considers some twists on the standard pattern.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1195 |
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Episode 43
Eases into an important topic with some brief theory before showing how to create the passive from the dictionary form of any verb.
Notes: You're learning the passive! This is big!
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1336 |
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Episode 44
Walks through conjugating the passive to other forms, such as the past, negative, and so on.
Notes: Includes a look at the progressive forms, which (just like on the active side) can mean two different things.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1136 |
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Episode 45
Expands our capabilities by looking at using the passive in longer sentences.
Notes: Also briefly explains the meaning of the grammatical term "agent."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1112 |
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Episode 46
Provides a chance to integrate and review before pushing on.
Notes: Provides 16 pairs of sentences that start easy and get progressively more complex.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1088 |
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Episode 47
Builds on what we have learned so far with a new twist.
Notes: The difference between the direct and indirect passive corresponds roughly to the difference between "A ball was thrown to me" and "I was thrown a ball."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1153 |
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Episode 48
Shows how the indirect passive can even be used with intransitive verbs.
Notes: This special use is almost exclusively reserved for human-on-human drama.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1021 |
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Episode 49
Puts what we have learned in the previous two lessons to the test.
Notes: You're reaching the peak of Mount Passive!
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1020 |
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Episode 50
Takes a look at a simple way to "upgrade" any verb to an honorific.
Notes: Also looks at two different ways to perform the upgrade when the verb is in a progressive form.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1003 |
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Episode 51
Shows how to combine the causative and passive to create sentences such as the classic "I was made to eat nattou."
Notes: Also looks at the question of whether to use the short or long causative.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 923 |
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Episode 52
Looks at a particle that allows you to list one or more reasons that all point to the same conclusion.
Notes: Also considers how shi differs from kara.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 946 |
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Episode 53
Takes up the first three of five major uses of this ubiquitous pattern.
Notes: Using the pattern with verbs of motion and verbs of communication can give valuable information about the speaker's point of view.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1211 |
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Episode 54
Considers two more figurative uses of the pattern.
Notes: This pattern visualizes change as movement coming toward the speaker.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 982 |
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Episode 55
Offers 15 sentences showcasing all five of the different senses we've seen, in random order.
Notes: We hope the pattern is "coming to make sense" to you.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 900 |
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Episode 56
Introduces the mirror pattern to -te kuru, starting with a literal sense.
Notes: Have no fear -- this one is much simpler!
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 989 |
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Episode 57
Considers a more figurative sense: an action or change that continues into the future.
Notes: Wraps up with a review of both major senses.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 804 |
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Episode 58
Explains a pattern that focuses on the state of an item, with (usually) no focus on who made it that way.
Notes: Also considers a variation that suggests who put things in that state.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 799 |
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Episode 59
Looks at a simple pattern that focuses on the order of events.
Notes: Also considers how this differs from just using the -te form by itself.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 779 |
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Episode 60
Examines a pattern for saying that you do a verb in preparation, in anticipation of a future need.
Notes: Also looks at a common contraction of the pattern.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 828 |
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Episode 61
Introduces a secondary sense of the previous pattern.
Notes: Also discusses a recurring theme about the relationship between causing and allowing in Japanese.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 791 |
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Episode 62
Explores how to use this suffix with verbs, conjugating adjectives, and na- and no-adjectives.
Notes: Also considers a common pattern for creating nouns that mean "eating too much," "sleeping too much," and so on.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 763 |
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Episode 63
Introduces a special negative form primarily used to create phrases that mean "without (verb)ing."
Notes: Also discusses an additional purpose of this form used mostly in writing.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 1056 |
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Episode 64
Returns to a topic we discussed earlier in this series to look at one more sense.
Notes: Also looks at the question of if and when the particle ni is required after tame.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 738 |
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Episode 65
Introduces a conjunction that indicates that something is contrary to the speaker's expectations or hopes.
Notes: Also gives an example of the kind of sentence noni cannot be used in.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 582 |
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Episode 66
Introduces "the noni of lament" and considers several patterns it can appear in.
Notes: Also breaks down a common pattern in which the "B" part of the A noni B pattern is replaced by a reaction word.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 575 |
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Episode 67
Introduces a pattern for saying that an action is just about to start, has just ended, or is underway at the moment.
Notes: Also considers how this pattern can mean that an action nearly occurred.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 626 |
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Episode 68
Expands on what we learned in the previous lesson with a use that means "a scene."
Notes: Also looks at when this tokoro can be replaced by no.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 580 |
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Episode 69
Introduces the first major use of hodo: with nouns to say "(not) as much as X."
Notes: Also walks through a simple exercise to help make hodo sentences easier to understand if you ever get stuck.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 619 |
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Episode 70
Moves on to using hodo with phrases to describe a noteworthy or incredible extent.
Notes: Includes the cross-cultural classic "I was so embarrassed that I wanted to die."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 545 |
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Episode 71
Looks at some additional very useful patterns using hodo.
Notes: Includes examples that mean "it was not as much as I thought / anticipated / imagined."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 543 |
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Episode 72
Wraps up our introduction to hodo with a useful pattern that links one increasing action or quality with another.
Notes: Wraps up with five meta review sentences.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| Standard | Unread | 684 |