初めて is used for a 'first (for the first time)' whilst 始める is used for 'starting/beginning' ex: 1) 初めてのデート -> first date 2) 始めてよろしいでしょうか。-> OK. Can I start? The difference can easily be distinguished when you learn the grammar. (ex: ～し始める; ～の初め）

Actually, it means: Today was hot, but not hot enough for me to turn on the cooler. You should note this: ”～といっても”. It is generally being translated as "but; however; although". It's another advanced grammar. Keep up the good work ^^

I can't quite agree with 果報者. You see, your example is not really about the word ともかく, but rather ～はともかく. This is a wholly different grammar. Translation: Let's skip my speaking, what I'm not good at is writing. ～はともかく means that you want to skip the current topic and move to the next (let's not talk about X, but rather Y). It doesn't really have a good translation, so you must suffice with something that's rather close. Hope this helps :D

1. I can't possible help someone else with his work. I won't be able to do mine either. 2. I finally went to the sea, yet it was cold and I couldn't swim at all. 3. My mother was hospitalized in the end of the year, so there was no (Happy) New Year at all. 4. The night before I moved, I couldn't eat at all, and I couldn't pack before it became late. This grammar is quite interesting. It is supposed to be for the JLPT Lvl2. Its literal meaning is : "(could) not (do something) at all". It is somehow similar to ～どころか (literal meaning: the total opposite of the thing you said) so beware :D I hope this helps ^^

Some other uses: ～ば： 1. "If/in case that": in case of common knowledge or some form of condition. a) 春になれば、花が咲く。: If it becomes Spring, the flowers will start to bloom. - It is similar to と. But be wary! While と has a meaning of "when", ～ば is more like "if/in case that". b) ゆっくる話せば分かります。 If you speak slowly, I will understand. - There's the condition. 2. Things that are always the same. - 父は私の顔を見れば「勉強しろ」という。-> My father always tells me "study" when he sees me. 3. ～ばよかった. (A feeling of regret) - あの靴を買えばよかった。-> I should have bought those shoes. ～たら： 1. When A..., ...something B. 日本へ着いたら、すぐに手紙を下さい。-> When you arrive in Japan, write me right away. 2. If condition 今度沢近さんが行ったら、私も行くつもりです。-> If Sawachika-san goes next time, I'm thinking of going also. 3. If I were～ 私が鳥だったら、～ -> If I were a bird, I would～ 4. Recommendations and Advices もっとゆっくり食事をしたら。-> You should eat more slowly.　（that wasn't the literal meaning) Well, those are the general uses, I think.頑張って：Ｄ

Quite an interesting question. First of all, let's translate, shall we? Translation: （１） a. If it isn't possible to finish today, I'll also be troubled. b. If you can't do it today, finish it tomorrow by all means, please. （２） a. If the weather is fine tomorrow, I want to dry the futon, at least. b. If the weather is fine tomorrow, why don't we go for a drive? （３） a. If I had money, I would return my loans. b. If I had money, I would go around the world. A brief explanation: As you can see, all sentences have an "if/in case that" meaning. But, what's the main difference, you ask? 1. When you use ～ば, you can't do it with a noun, or a な-adjective. 2. ～ば is always in present tense, while ～たら isn't bind to that rule. - You wrote the examples yourself. Look at them ^^ 3. In case of ～たら, the first sentence is always before the second. - If I didn't have money, how would I possibly be able to go around the world? 4. Still, do remember that when you use ～ば、you don't have an act of free will. - やればいいんだろう？ -> It's alright as long as I do it, isn't it? (You forced me to do it) 5. With ～ば, there can't be any requests, commands or linear events. 午後になれば、コーヒーを飲みに行きましょう。: That one is WRONG! (There can't be any linear events) I'll write the rest in a separate post, since you can't use more than 2000 characters, it seems.

It means "There and here" (or "Here and there"). Those two are shortenings for : あちら (achira),　こちら (kochira) JAM Project, huh? I like them, also. ^^ (maybe because of Super Robot Wars Alpha series ? :D )

と is used for many grammar patterns. For example: 1. 僕と彼… "boku to kare..." - He and I... - It basically means "and". 2. ～砂糖を入れると甘く成る。 "satou wo iretu to amaku naru." - When you put sugar in, it becomes sweet. - In case of common knowledge. phenomena, or obvious events. 3.1 先生と相談しました。 "sensei to soudan shimashita." - I consulted with the teacher. [two-sided] 3.2 先生に相談しました。 "sensei ni soudan shimashita." - I asked the teacher (for advice). [one-sided] 3.3 香織さんと会った。 "Kaori-san to atta." - I met Kaori-san (we had an appointment) 3.4 香織さんに会った。 "Kaori-san to atta." - I met Kaori-san (a coincidence) - You understood, correct ? ^_^ 4. 舞さんと言う人と会った。 "Mai-san to iu hito to atta." - I met with a person named Mai. - The speaker thinks that his partner doesn't know the person in question. 5. 「どこかにご飯食べに行こう」と彼女が言いました。 "「dokoka ni gohan tabe ni ikou」to kanojo ga iimashita." - 'Let's go eat somewhere,' she said. - After quotes. (NOTE: You can use って, as well) 6. ナガノさんはイケメンと言うかハンサムだ。 "Nagano-san ha ikemen to iu ka hansamu da." - Nagano-san is good-looking and handsome. ( - Not quite the exact translation, but it can't be interpreted well in English. You'll understand the meaning in time. (NOTE: Same as above)