+Join the Parts
Read the pieces from left to right. Each part connects to the next part.
noun + を + verb (te-form) + ください
Notation Guide
How to Read Lesson Pattern Lines
Each lesson puts a short pattern line above the examples, such as verb (te-form) + ください or noun + を + verb (te-form) + ください.
That line is a compact formula: word labels, verb forms, Japanese particles, and marks like + , ～ , and / . Lesson titles often use A and B for two slots. Use this page to look up each piece, then reread the pattern line on the lesson.
Quick Key
+join these partsnounnoun slotnoun1 / noun2two noun slotsA / Bexample slotsverbverb slot(te-form)required form～open slot01
Pattern Connectors
These marks show how the pieces of a pattern line fit together.
A, BExample Slots
A and B mark different words or phrases in the same sentence pattern. Prefer these letter slots in lesson titles and when two fills play different roles. They mean the same idea as noun1 and noun2.
A は B ですA も B ですA は B だった
noun1, noun2Numbered Same-Class Slots
Two different fills of the same word class. noun1 and noun2 are both nouns, not two different parts of speech.
noun1 + は + noun2 + です
～Open Slot
The lesson focuses on the visible ending or particle. The word or phrase before it changes by sentence.
～てください～から～ように
/Alternative
Either side can fit the pattern, depending on the sentence.
noun / na-adjective + でした か
( )Form Note
Parentheses explain which form or role the previous word needs.
verb (te-form)verb (dictionary form)
（ ）Optional Japanese Part
Japanese parentheses mark a part that can appear inside the expression.
～がため（に）～（で）すら
02
Word Labels
These labels mark the kind of word that fills a slot.
nounNoun
A person, place, thing, idea, or noun-like phrase.
noun + ですnoun + を + verb
proper noun / demonstrative + nounRole-Tagged Noun Slots
Words before noun (or locale equivalents) name the kind of noun for that slot, not a Japanese ending. Examples: proper noun, demonstrative, affiliation noun, category noun, schedule noun.
proper noun + は + noun + ですdemonstrative + は + noun + です
verbVerb
An action or state word. A form note may tell you which verb form to use.
verb (te-form)verb (dictionary form)
i-adjectiveI-Adjective
An adjective that ends in い, such as 高い or 新しい.
i-adjective + ですかi-adjective + ようだ
na-adjectiveNa-Adjective
An adjective that often needs な before a noun, such as 静か or 便利.
na-adjective + ですna-adjective + な + はずがない
adverbAdverb
A word or phrase that modifies the action, such as slowly, already, or not yet.
adverb + verb (te-form) + ください
question wordQuestion Word
A word such as what, who, where, when, why, or how.
question word + verb (te-form) + も
clause / sentenceClause or Sentence
A longer phrase or full sentence used before the grammar pattern.
clause + からsentence + のに
number / counterNumber or Counter
A number, amount, age, period, or counter phrase.
number + counterperiod + に
time / place / personCommon Slots
A slot for a time word, location word, person, pronoun, item, activity, or similar noun-like part.
time + にplace + で
03
Form Labels
A form label shows how the word should look before the next part attaches.
verb (te-form)Te-Form Verb
Use the verb form ending in て or で before the next expression.
待ってください読んでください
verb (dictionary form)Dictionary-Form Verb
Use the plain non-past verb form you see in a dictionary.
行く見るする
verb (nai-form)Nai-Form Verb
Use the plain negative verb form.
行かない見ないしない
verb-te / verb-nai / verb-taCompact Verb Labels
Some pattern lines use condensed labels. Read verb-te as verb (te-form), verb-nai as verb (nai-form), and verb-ta as verb (ta-form).
verb-masuverb-dictionary
verb (past form)Past-Form Verb
Use a past plain form, often ending in た or だ.
行った読んだ見た
verb (masu stem)Masu-Stem Verb
Use the part before ます.
行き読み食べ
ta-form / ba-form / tara-formNamed Form Labels
These labels stand for the Japanese form directly: ta-form is the た form, ba-form is the ば conditional form, and tara-form is the たら conditional form.
masu-formte-iru
verb (potential form)Potential Verb
Use the form that expresses ability or possibility.
読める食べられるできる
verb (passive form)Passive Verb
Use the form where the subject receives an action.
読まれる見られるされる
verb (causative form)Causative Verb
Use the form where someone causes or lets an action happen.
行かせる食べさせる
verb (volitional form)Volitional Verb
Use the form for intention, invitation, or “let’s”.
行こう食べよう
verb (tai-form)Tai-Form Verb
Use the wish form ending in たい.
行きたい食べたい
i-adjective + くKu-Form Adjective
Change the final い of an i-adjective to く before the next part.
高くない新しくなる
04
Verb Classes and Changes
Some verb-form lessons show how the verb changes before an ending attaches.
godan verbGodan Verb
A verb class whose final sound changes across rows before endings attach.
書く → 書きます読む → 読んで買う → 買わない
ichidan verbIchidan Verb
A verb class that often drops る before endings attach.
食べる → 食べます見る → 見て
irregular verbIrregular Verb
A verb or adjective with a special change. Learn it as the lesson shows.
する → しますくる → きますいい → よかった
u-verb / ru-verbEnding Labels
Older-style labels that point to the verb ending sound. The lesson example shows the exact change.
~u → ~i + ます~ru → ~ri + ます
→ / -> / ➔Changes To
The form on the left changes into the form on the right.
行く -> 行ってする → します
drop / remove / without / minusRemove This Part
Take away the written part before adding the next ending.
drop る + てます-form minus ます + に
pre-ます / masu stemPart Before ます
Use the verb part that remains after removing ます.
書きます → 書き食べます → 食べ
05
Japanese Pieces
Pattern lines keep Japanese particles and endings in Japanese. Those are the pieces the lesson teaches.
は / が / をParticles
Japanese particles stay visible in the pattern line. They mark roles such as topic, subject, or object.
A は B ですnoun + を + verb
に / で / へ / のMore Particles
These particles can mark destination, place, direction, possession, connection, and other roles explained in each lesson.
noun + に + 行きますnoun + の + noun
です / だSentence Endings
These are Japanese endings, not labels. Keep them as written.
noun + ですnoun + だ
ない / た / てForm Endings
These endings show negative, past, and connective forms inside many grammar patterns.
verb (nai-form) + はずがないverb (te-form) + ください
purpose / resultMeaning Role
Some English words inside a pattern line mark the role of a phrase, not a word class.
purposeresultreasonbenefitemotion
EX
Reading Pattern Lines
These examples match the pattern-line style on lesson pages.
verb (te-form) + くださいPut a verb into te-form, then add ください.
Example: 待ってください.noun + を + verb (te-form) + くださいUse a noun, add を, then use a te-form verb before ください.
Example: ドアを開けてください.A は B ですA is the topic, は marks it, and B is followed by です.
Example: これは本です.A も B ですA is an added topic, も marks it as “also”, and B is followed by です.
Example: 山田さんも学生です.noun1 + は + noun2 + ですTwo noun slots: topic noun, は, identity noun, then です.
Example: わたしは学生です.verb (dictionary form) + ことができるUse a dictionary-form verb before ことができる.
Example: 泳ぐことができる.～がため（に）Attach the studied expression after the changing left side; に may appear in the expression.
The lesson states when that optional に is natural.Next Step
Ready for Your First Lesson?
You can read the pattern line now. Open the curriculum map, pick a path that fits, and start a lesson that is already live.