Tips on which similar grammar point to use in answers

Bunpro
#1

Does anyone have tips for figuring out which Japanese grammar point it’s looking for when the English is the same/similar? For example, ‘must do’ might be

  • なくてはいけない
  • なくてはならない
  • なくちゃ
  • ないと
  • なければいけない
  • なければならない
  • べき

I’ll have a prompt like " 覚えにくいけど、[must remember]" but entering “おぼえないと” is wrong because it wanted おぼえなければいけません. Sometimes it says it wants another grammar point so I cycle through the ones I know, but sometimes it says wrong, but both cases are frustrating.

I had similar problems for several of the keigo ones, but eventually figured out what English hints it was using for each point, but since the only way to see those hints is to look at the card (and then inevitably fail it) I’m having a hard time figuring out if they’re subtly trying to clue one or the other grammar point in the ‘must’ set.

2 Likes
#2

I’m glad I’m not the only one struggling with these particular grammar points, especially double negatives! There are so many ways to say almost the same thing. I’ve had to write out a list of the different variations on a notepad to try and make sense of it but it’s not sticking well so far.

#3

If it is causing too much confusion, it might be a good idea to switch the reviews to reading mode for those grammar points. That’s how I have been dealing with it for now.

1 Like
#4

I don’t have a solution, but if you believe certain sentences should be accepted, please report it as an Alternative Answer.

If it’s a case where it’s not actually an acceptable answer, the staff will usually tell you why, which may help solidify your understanding of that grammar point’s nuances.

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5 Likes
#5

Oh neat, I didn’t realize you could set that per card (as opposed to per deck). I’ll try that, thanks!

I went to the page for the grammar point in the deck (eg なければいけない (JLPT N4) | Bunpro) , and clicking the gear on the side under “Review Type” let me change it.

1 Like
#6
  1. I also use reading mode for grammar (and fill-in for vocab)
  2. I also found showing the hint for these grammar points cleared it up immediately back when I was doing fill-in for grammar. Use shift + spacebar to toggle through your hint types until you get the lil grey sentence.
#7

there are several points like this and honestly its the only thing about bunpro that drives me up the wall 🥲🥲🥲