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
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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
からして
kara shite
judging from; based on; since; from
N2
からすると
kara suru to
judging from; considering
N2
ところを見ると
tokoro o miru to
judging from; seeing that~
N2
か～ないかのうちに
ka~nai ka no uchi ni
just as; right after; as soon as
N2
からと言って
kara to itte
just because; even if; even though~
N2
ことにはならない
koto niwa naranai
just because… doesn’t mean~
N2
かと思ったら
ka to omottara
just when; no sooner than
N2
ようではないか
you dewa nai ka
let’s do (something); why don’t we~
N2
といった
to itta
like; such as~
N2
とっくに
tokku ni
long ago; already; a long time ago
N2
げ
ge
looks like; seems like; appears to
N2
でしかない
de shika nai
merely; nothing but; no more than
N2
一応
ichiou
more or less; pretty much; roughly
N2
以上に
ijou ni
more than; not less than; beyond
N2
しかも
shikamo
moreover; furthermore; what’s more~
N2
てはならない
tewa naranai
must not; cannot; should not~
N2
て当然だ
te touzen da
natural; as a matter of course
N2
ぬ
nu
negative verb conjugation (traditional)
N2
それにしても
sore ni shitemo
nevertheless; at any rate; even so
N2
っこない
kkonai
no chance of; definitely not possible
N2
に過ぎない
ni suginai
no more than; just; merely; only~
N2
のももっともだ
no mo motto mo da
no wonder; …is only natural
N2
全く～ない
mattaku~nai
not at all~
N2
に限らず
ni kagirazu
not just; not only.. but also~
N2
少しも～ない
sukoshi mo~nai
not one bit; not even a little~
N2
のみならず
nominarazu
not only; besides; as well as~
N2
ばかりか
bakari ka
not only.. but also; as well as
N2
どころではない
dokoro dewa nai
not the time for; far from
N2
ろくに～ない
roku ni~nai
not well; not enough; improperly
N2
にほかならない
ni hoka naranai
nothing but; none other than~
N2
何も～ない
nani mo~nai
nothing; (not) ~ at all
N2
てこそ
te koso
now that; since (something happened)
N2
上は
ue wa
now that; since; as long as~
N2
からには
kara niwa
now that; since; so long as; because
N2
一方で
ippou de
on one hand, on the other hand
N2
かえって
kaette
on the contrary; rather; all the more
N2
Page 4 of 6 · JLPT: N2 · 109–144 of 195
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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.