Learn Minna no Nihongo (N5)

Study grammar, vocabulary, and dialogue flows from each chapter.

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Chapter 1: Introductions & Identifying People
Introductions and Identifying People. This chapter focuses on the most basic interactions: introducing yourself, asking for someone's name, nationality, and occupation, and identifying who someone is.

Particle は (wa) - The Topic Marker

Function: Indicates the topic of the sentence. It sets up what you are about to talk about.

Usage Pattern: N1 は N2 です。 (N1 wa N2 desu.)

Interpretation: "As for N1, it is N2." or "Speaking of N1, it is N2."

Example:

わたし は マイク です。 (Watashi wa Maiku desu.)

- As for me, I am Mike. / (I am Mike.)

Particle も (mo) - "Also," "Too"

Function: Indicates that what is stated about one item/person also applies to another. Replaces は.

Usage Pattern: Noun1 は Predicate です。 Noun2 も Predicate です。

Interpretation: If Noun1 is Predicate, Noun2 is *also* Predicate.

Example:

サントスさん は 学生 です。カリナさん も 学生 です。 (Santosu-san wa gakusei desu. Karina-san mo gakusei desu.)

- Mr. Santos is a student. Karina is also a student.

Particle の (no) - Possessive/Attributive Particle

Function: Shows possession, origin, or affiliation. In Ch.1, it's mainly used for affiliation.

Usage Pattern: N1 の N2

Interpretation: N2 of N1 / N1's N2 / N2 pertaining to N1.

Example:

IMC の 社員 (IMC no shain)

- An employee of IMC

Particle か (ka) - Question Marker

Function: Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.

Usage Pattern: Sentence ですか。

Interpretation: Turns a statement into a yes/no question.

Example:

お元気ですか。 (Ogenki desu ka.)

- Are you well?

Chapter 1 of 25