Intermediate-level Japanese grammar
This section gathers the grammar books designed to make the leap to the intermediate level. It is the moment when the structures become more complex and the nuances that give the language its naturalness appear, and these materials are designed to accompany that step with detailed explanations and plenty of practice.
Sentence patterns and expressions
The core of the category are the books of sentence patterns (bunkei) and expressions at the intermediate level, such as the Nihongo no Bunkei to Hyogen series (Chukyu e Iko, Chukyu o Manabo), Dondon Tsukaeru! Nihongo Bunkei Training - Chukyu or Level Up Japanese Grammar. There are also books that teach you to distinguish similar structures by comparing them with one another, something especially useful at this level, and reference works such as A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar for resolving doubts.
Keigo, nuances and natural Japanese
At the intermediate level, keigo or honorific language and the register appropriate to each situation become important. Here you will find books focused on keigo and on the Japanese of specific situations (hotel, shop, customer service), as well as materials for mastering informal conversation and small talk, or for understanding the nuances that Japanese people themselves use.
Grammar with manga and for the exam
For more enjoyable learning, there is no shortage of methods that teach grammar through manga, such as Manga de Yoku Wakaru! (N2) or Learning with Manga. And those preparing the Noken JLPT will find books specific to the N3 and N2 levels, such as the Grammar Buddy or JLPT Points and Practice series, which work on the exam grammar step by step.