WACE Japanese: Second Language ATAR key terms

A grammar pattern used to ask for or give permission, meaning 'it is okay to do ~'. It often appears when seeking approval or stating that something is allowed.

A grammar pattern expressing prohibition, meaning 'you must not do ~'. It is used to state rules or strong negative commands.

A grammar pattern expressing obligation, meaning 'must do ~'. It indicates that something is necessary or required by rules or circumstances.

A grammar pattern meaning 'do not have to do ~'. It indicates that an action is not required, often used to give permission not to do something.

A grammar pattern used to express past experience, meaning 'have done ~ before'. It is used to talk about things one has experienced at least once.

A grammar pattern meaning 'have never done ~'. It negates past experience and is often used to say that one has not had a certain experience.

A grammar pattern meaning 'while doing ~'. It connects two actions that are performed simultaneously by the same subject.

A grammar pattern meaning 'during the time that ~' or 'while ~'. It indicates that something happens within a certain period or while a state continues.

A grammar pattern meaning 'while ~' or 'before ~ changes'. It suggests doing something before a state changes or within a limited time.

A grammar pattern meaning 'before ~ happens' or 'while ~ has not yet happened'. It is used to urge action before a negative change occurs.

A grammar pattern meaning 'before doing ~'. It is used to indicate that one action is done prior to another.

A grammar pattern meaning 'after doing ~'. It indicates that one action occurs after another is completed.

A grammar pattern meaning 'after ~'. It is used to express that something happens after a previous action or event.

A grammar pattern meaning 'it looks like ~' or 'it seems ~'. It is used to express a judgment based on visual appearance or impression.

A grammar pattern meaning 'it seems like ~' or 'it appears that ~'. It is used to express a conjecture based on evidence or observation.

A grammar pattern meaning 'it seems ~' or 'apparently ~'. It is used when making a conjecture based on hearsay or indirect information.

A grammar pattern meaning 'I heard that ~' or 'they say that ~'. It is used to report information obtained from another source.

A grammar pattern meaning 'it means that ~' or 'I heard that ~'. It is used to explain a meaning or to convey hearsay.

A grammar pattern meaning 'that is why ~' or 'no wonder ~'. It is used to express a logical conclusion or to show understanding of a situation.

A grammar pattern meaning 'should be ~' or 'ought to be ~'. It expresses a strong expectation based on reasoning or evidence.

A grammar pattern meaning 'must be ~' or 'there is no doubt that ~'. It expresses a strong conviction or certainty about something.

A grammar pattern meaning 'might be ~' or 'perhaps ~'. It is used to express possibility or uncertainty about a situation.

A grammar pattern meaning 'probably ~' or 'right?'. It is used to express conjecture or to seek agreement from the listener.

A grammar pattern meaning 'probably ~' or 'right?'. It is the plain form of でしょう and is used to express conjecture or seek confirmation.

A grammar pattern used to describe a state that results from an intentional action by someone, often translated as 'has been done'. It emphasizes the resulting state.

A grammar pattern meaning 'to do something in advance' or 'to leave something as is'. It indicates preparing for the future or maintaining a state.

A grammar pattern meaning 'to do something completely' or 'to do something regrettably'. It expresses completion or a sense of regret.

A grammar pattern meaning 'to try doing ~'. It is used when attempting something to see what it is like or what the result will be.

A grammar pattern meaning 'to try to do ~' or 'to be about to do ~'. It expresses an attempt or an intention to do something.

A grammar pattern meaning 'intend to do ~' or 'plan to do ~'. It is used to express one's intention or plan.

A grammar pattern meaning 'be scheduled to ~' or 'plan to ~'. It is used to talk about a plan or schedule that has been decided.

A grammar pattern meaning 'to decide to do ~'. It expresses a decision made by the speaker.

A grammar pattern meaning 'it has been decided that ~'. It is used when a decision is made by someone else or by circumstances, not by the speaker.

A grammar pattern meaning 'to come to do ~' or 'to reach the point where ~'. It expresses a change in ability or habit over time.

A grammar pattern meaning 'to try to do ~' or 'to make sure to do ~'. It expresses making an effort to do something regularly.

A grammar pattern meaning 'to make it a rule to do ~'. It expresses a habit or custom that one has decided to follow.

A particle meaning 'only' or 'just'. It can indicate that something is the only thing, or that an action has just been completed.

A particle meaning 'only' or 'as much as'. It is used to limit the extent or quantity of something.

A particle meaning 'only' or 'nothing but', used with a negative verb. It emphasizes that there is no alternative or that something is the only option.