| Term | Definition |
| noun desu ka | or blank (for questions) |
| dewa nai/ dewa arimasen | negative sentences for da/ desu (dewa may be ja) |
| noun mo | also, too (particle) |
| noun mo noun mo | both/ and, neither nor |
| datta/ deshita | past tense for da/ desu |
| dewa nakatta/ dewa arimasen deshita | past negative tense of dewa nai/ dewa arimasen (dewa may be ja) |
| arimasu/ imasu | to exist inanimate/ animate (ga replaces wa) |
| aru/ iru | to exist inanimate/ animate (not polite) (ga replaces wa) |
| arimasen/ imasen | not to exist inanimate/ animate (wa may replace ga) |
| nai/ inai | not to exist inanimate/ animate (not polite) (wa may replace ga) |
| arimashita/ imashita | to exist past inanimate/ animate (ga replaces wa) |
| atta/ ita | to exist past inanimate/ animate (not polite) (ga replaces wa) |
| arimasen deshita/ imasen deshita | not to exist past inanimate/ animate (ga may replaces wa) |
| nakatta/ inakatta | not to exist past inanimate/ animate (not polite) (ga may replaces wa) |
| noun ya noun | others exist as well |
| subject marker | counters come after? |