Learn JLPT N5 Minna no Nihongo Lesson 23

Lesson 23 focuses on expressing time, conditions, and sequences of events in Japanese. The key grammar points include verb-dictionary form + とき (toki) to indicate “when” or “at the time of,” verb-dictionary form + と for natural or automatic results, movement verbs in sentences, and using が to describe a noun’s state. These structures help learners connect actions, describe timing, and talk about routines clearly.

1) Verb + とき — “when / at the time of”

The pattern verb + とき is used to indicate the time when an action occurs. The verb before とき can be in dictionary form for present/future actions or plain past form depending on whether the action is ongoing, habitual, or completed.

Examples (hiragana):

「ねるとき、でんきを けします。」 — When I sleep, I turn off the light.

「がっこうへ いくとき、バスに のります。」 — When I go to school, I take the bus.

「しゅくだいを したとき、テレビを みました。」 — When I did my homework, I watched TV.

Notes:

とき helps learners connect two events and indicate when something happens.

Use the dictionary form for present/future actions and the た-form for past actions.

2) Verb + と — “when / if (automatic or habitual result)”

Use verb-dictionary form + と to express that when one action happens, another action automatically or habitually occurs. This is used for general truths, natural results, or repeated events.

Examples (hiragana):

「ボタンを おすと、ドアが あきます。」 — When you press the button, the door opens.

「たべると、すぐ おなかが いっぱいになります。」 — When I eat, I get full quickly.

「まっすぐ いくと、こうさてんに つきます。」 — If you go straight, you reach the intersection.

Notes:

The verb before と is in dictionary form.

と is not used for voluntary decisions; it emphasizes natural consequences or habitual actions.

3) Using が to describe a noun’s state

The particle が is used to describe the state, condition, or existence of a noun, emphasizing what something or someone is like.

Examples (hiragana):

「へやが きれいです。」 — The room is clean.

「こどもが うれしそうです。」 — The child looks happy.

「あめが ふっています。」 — It is raining.

Notes:

が focuses on the state of the noun, unlike は, which marks the topic.

This is useful for describing conditions, appearances, and situations naturally.

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Summary

Lesson 23 teaches learners how to:

Use verb + とき to indicate when an action occurs

Use verb + と for automatic, habitual, or natural results

Use が to describe a noun’s state clearly

Mastering these patterns allows learners to connect actions and events naturally, describe routines and sequences clearly, and talk about states or conditions in everyday Japanese. After this lesson, students can confidently express timing, consequences, and conditions in their sentences, making Japanese more precise and fluent.