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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N1
📐 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
ともなく / ともなしに
tomo naku/nashi ni
somehow; without knowing/thinking
N1
かれ〜かれ
kare~kare
sooner or later; more or less
N1
ってば / ったら
tteba / ttara
speaking of; I told you already
N1
を限りに
o kagiri ni
starting from; the last time
N1
ぶり / っぷり
buri / ppuri
style; manner; way
N1
に〜を重ねて
ni~o kasanete
success after continuous (effort)
N1
なりに / なりの
nari ni / nari no
suitable; in one's own way/style
N1
さぞ
sazo
surely; certainly; no doubt; indeed ~
N1
というわけだ
to iu wake da
that's why; no wonder ~
N1
た弾みに /た拍子に
ta hazumi ni / ta hyoushi ni
the moment [A], unintentionally caused something to happen
N1
きっての
kitte no
the most / greatest … of all
N1
ことこの上ない / この上ない / この上なく
koto kono ue nai / kono ue nai / kono ue naku
the most of all; the best; nothing is more ... than ~
N1
には及ばない
niwa oyobanai
there is no need to; no match for ~
N1
術がない
sube ga nai
there is no way / means; cannot do ~
N1
までもない / までもなく
made mo nai/naku
there's no need to; not necessary to ~
N1
とはいえ
towa ie
though; although; nonetheless
N1
を経て
o hete
through; by way of; after; via ~
N1
でもあり〜でもある
demo ari~demo aru
to also be; both… and ~
N1
ものとして
mono toshite
to assume; to suppose ~
N1
を踏まえて
o fumaete
to be based on; to take into account ~
N1
にまつわる
ni matsuwaru
to be related to; to concern with ~
N1
を控えて
o hikaete
to be soon; the time has come to ~
N1
にかまけて
ni kamakete
to be too busy; to focus only on ~
N1
に値する
ni atai suru
to be worth; to be worthy of ~
N1
じみた
jimita
to become; to appear like; to look like ~
N1
まくる
makuru
to do over and over again
N1
損なう / 損ねる /損じる
sokonau / sokoneru/ sonjiru
to fail to; miss a chance
N1
限りだ
kagiri da
to feel strongly
N1
羽目になる
hame ni naru
to get stuck with (unpleasant)
N1
にもほどがある
nimo hodo ga aru
to go too far
N1
そびれる
sobireru
to miss a chance; to fail to do ~
N1
を押して /を押し切って
o oshite /o oshikitte
to overcome (opposition)
N1
びる / びて / びた
biru / bite / bita
to seem to be; to appear; to behave as ~
N1
をいいことに
o ii koto ni
to take advantage of ~
N1
あくまでも
akumade mo
to the end; persistently; is still very ~
N1
思いをする
omoi o suru
to think; to feel ~
N1
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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.