Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
i-Adjectives: Negative and Past
For i-adjectives, change the final い to くない for the negative and to かった for the past. The negative past is formed with くなかった.
Target signal
この へやは せまくないです。
This room is not narrow.
Notice how Adjective Negatives and Past Forms shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- せまくない
- not narrow
- ないで
- without doing; instead of doing
- この
- this
Compare in context
きのうは さむかったです。
It was cold yesterday.
Notice how Adjective Negatives and Past Forms shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- さむかった
- was cold
- きのう
- yesterday
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Compare in context
その テストは むずかしくなかったです。
That test was not difficult.
Notice how Adjective Negatives and Past Forms shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- むずかしくなかった
- was not difficult
- テスト
- test
- その
- that
Section 2 of 3
na-Adjectives: Negative and Past
For na-adjectives, use ではありません for the negative and でした for the past. For the past negative, use ではありませんでした.
Target signal
この まちは しずかでは ありません。
This town is not quiet.
Notice how Adjective Negatives and Past Forms shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- しずか
- quiet
- ません
- polite negative verb ending
- この
- this
Preview
しけんは かんたんでした。
The exam was easy.
Notice how Adjective Negatives and Past Forms shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- かんたん
- easy; simple
- しけん
- exam; test
- でした
- was; were (polite)
Preview
その 店は べんりでは ありませんでした。
That shop was not convenient.
Notice how Adjective Negatives and Past Forms shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- でした
- was; were (polite)
- ません
- polite negative verb ending
- した
- did
Section 3 of 3
Reading in Context
When you read a short description, adjective endings tell you whether the writer is talking about now or about the past. Watch the endings closely: い, くない, かった, ではありません, and でした.
Target signal
ホテルは きれいでしたが、へやは ひろくなかったです。
The hotel was clean, but the room was not spacious.
Notice how Adjective Negatives and Past Forms shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ひろくなかった
- was not spacious; was not wide
- きれいでした
- was clean; was pretty
- きれい
- pretty; neat
Preview
きのうの どうろは しずかでは ありませんでした。
The road yesterday was not quiet.
Notice how Adjective Negatives and Past Forms shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- きのうの
- yesterday's
- きのう
- yesterday
- しずか
- quiet