JLPT Grammar — 800+ Japanese Patterns
Browse N5–N1 grammar structures with Japanese patterns, romaji & usage notes · filter by level · save patterns · exam-ready.
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📐 Grammar Patterns
🔊 Romaji
📝 Usage Notes
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〜ている te-iru · ongoing action〜てから te-kara · after doing〜たり〜たり tari tari · things like…〜ば -ba · conditional if〜ても -te mo · even if〜のに no ni · despite / for〜ために tame ni · in order to〜ように you ni · so that / to become〜らしい rashii · seems / apparently〜そうだ sou da · looks like / I heard〜ながら nagara · while doing〜さえ sae · even / as long as〜だけでなく dake de naku · not only…but〜によって ni yotte · by / depending on〜に対して ni taishite · towards / regarding〜わけではない wake de wa nai · it doesn't mean that〜にしては ni shite wa · for / considering〜ことにする koto ni suru · decide to〜ことになる koto ni naru · it's been decided〜ばかり bakari · just / only / nothing but〜かねない kane nai · might / could〜てしまう te shimau · end up doing / unfortunately〜はずだ hazu da · supposed to / expected〜ている te-iru · ongoing action〜てから te-kara · after doing〜たり〜たり tari tari · things like…〜ば -ba · conditional if〜ても -te mo · even if〜のに no ni · despite / for〜ために tame ni · in order to〜ように you ni · so that / to become〜らしい rashii · seems / apparently〜そうだ sou da · looks like / I heard〜ながら nagara · while doing〜さえ sae · even / as long as〜だけでなく dake de naku · not only…but〜によって ni yotte · by / depending on〜に対して ni taishite · towards / regarding〜わけではない wake de wa nai · it doesn't mean that〜にしては ni shite wa · for / considering〜ことにする koto ni suru · decide to〜ことになる koto ni naru · it's been decided〜ばかり bakari · just / only / nothing but〜かねない kane nai · might / could〜てしまう te shimau · end up doing / unfortunately〜はずだ hazu da · supposed to / expected
が早いか
ga hayai ka
no sooner than; as soon as ~
N1
どうにも〜ない
dou nimo~nai
not … by any means
N1
たりとも
tari tomo
not even; not any ~
N1
でも何でもない /くも何ともない
demo nan demo nai / kumo nan tomo nai
not in the least; nothing like that
N1
に限ったことではない
ni kagitta koto dewa nai
not limited to only ~
N1
にとどまらず
ni todomarazu
not limited to; not only… but also ~
N1
ないとも限らない
nai tomo kagiranai
not necessarily; maybe; might ~
N1
もさることながら
mo saru koto nagara
not only... but also ~
N1
うちに入らない
uchi ni hairanai
not really; can't be regarded as ~
N1
ないまでも
nai made mo
not to say; does not reach the level of~
N1
としたことが
toshita koto ga
of all people, who would have thought?
N1
ともあろうものが
tomo arou mono ga
of all people... (surprise)
N1
かつて
katsute
once; before; formerly; former; ex-
N1
を皮切りに
o kawakiri ni
one after another; starting with ~
N1
くらいのものだ
kurai no mono da
only (emphasis)
N1
ばこそ
ba koso
only because ~
N1
までだ / までのことだ
made da/no koto da
only; just; nothing else
N1
のやら〜のやら
no yara~no yara
or ~ (I don't know)
N1
というか〜というか
to iu ka~to iu ka
or rather; I mean ~
N1
もしくは
moshikuwa
or; otherwise
N1
さもないと
samonaito
otherwise; or else; if not ~
N1
こともあって
koto mo atte
partly because; also because of ~
N1
たことにする /たことになる
ta koto ni suru / ta koto ni naru
pretend to; contrary to the truth ~
N1
に先駆けて
ni sakigakete
prior to; being ahead of ~
N1
くらいなら
kurai nara
rather than (do ...)
N1
さも
samo
really (seem, appear, etc.); truly; as if ~
N1
によらず
ni yorazu
regardless of ~
N1
いかんにかかわらず /いかんによらず /いかんをとわず
ikan ni kakawarazu / ikan ni yorazu /ikan o towazu
regardless of; whether or not ~
N1
めく
meku
seems; show signs of ~
N1
はさておき
wa sateoki
setting aside ~
N1
ものとする
mono to suru
shall; to assume; understood as ~
N1
やしない
ya shinai
should do, but don't; there's no way ~
N1
まじき
majiki
should not; must not ~
N1
てしかるべきだ
te shikaru beki da
should; appropriate; natural to do ~
N1
を境に
o sakai ni
since ~ (indicates large change)
N1
ことのないように
koto no nai you ni
so as not to; to not ~
N1
Page 5 of 7 · JLPT: N1 · 145–180 of 243
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many JLPT grammar patterns are on this page? ▼
Over 800 grammar patterns covering all five JLPT levels from N5 to N1. Each card shows the Japanese pattern structure, romaji reading and usage notes explaining when and how to use it.
What do the JLPT levels mean for grammar? ▼
N5 grammar (around 60 patterns) covers basic forms like て-form, ます-form and simple particles. N4 adds more conjunctions. N3 introduces more complex clausal structures. N2 and N1 cover formal, literary and nuanced expressions used in academic and written Japanese.
How should I learn a new grammar pattern? ▼
First, read the usage notes to understand the meaning and context. Then look at the romaji to confirm pronunciation. Finally, write 2–3 example sentences with vocabulary you already know. Active production makes the pattern stick far better than passive review.
Can I save grammar patterns for review? ▼
Yes — click the ♡ heart on any card (free account required). Your saved patterns appear in your Saved Grammar page for repeated drilling during exam prep.
What is the difference between similar patterns like 〜ても and 〜のに? ▼
〜ても means "even if / even though" and is neutral in tone. 〜のに implies a sense of disappointment or contrast — the speaker expected a different result. Understanding these nuances is key for N3 and above, and the usage notes on each card explain the difference.