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
さ
sa
-ness ; nominalizer for adjective
N4
でも
demo
... or something
N4
全然～ない
zenzen~nai
(not) at all
N4
は〜が… は
wa~ga... wa
[A] but [B]; however; comparison
N4
のは〜だ
nowa~da
[A] is [B]; the reason for [A] is [B]
N4
後で
ato de
after ~; later
N4
のに
noni
although, in spite of, even though
N4
とか～とか
toka~toka
among other things; such as; like
N4
し
shi
and; and what’s more; emphasis
N4
ようだ
you da
appears; seems; looks as if
N4
頃
koro / goro
around; about; when
N4
まま
mama
as it is; current state; without changing
N4
も
mo
as many as; as much as; up to; nearly
N4
さすが
sasuga
as one would expect; as is to be expected
N4
やっと
yatto
at last; finally; barely; narrowly
N4
または
matawa
both; or; otherwise; choice of [A] or [B]
N4
それでも
sore demo
but still; and yet; even so
N4
ぜひ
zehi
by all means; certainly; definitely
N4
までに
made ni
by; by the time; indicates time limit
N4
という
to iu
called; named; that
N4
ことができる
koto ga dekiru
can; able to
N4
はずがない
hazu ga nai
cannot be (impossible)
N4
させる
saseru
causative form; to make/let somebody do
N4
させられる
saserareru
causative-passive; to be made to do ~
N4
ば
ba
conditional form; If [A] then [B]
N4
て / で
te / de
conjunctive; so; because of [A], [B]...
N4
続ける
tsuzukeru
continue to; keen on
N4
ということ
to iu koto
convert phrase into noun
N4
ていただけませんか
te itadakemasen ka
could you please
N4
づらい
zurai
difficult to do
N4
にくい
nikui
difficult to do
N4
なさい
nasai
do this (soft/firm command)
N4
な
na
don’t ~ (order somebody to not do ~)
N4
やすい
yasui
easy to; likely to; prone to; a tendency to~
N4
ても
temo
even; even if; even though
N4
そうだ
sou da [1]
I heard that; it is said that
N4
Page 1 of 4 · JLPT: N4 · 1–36 of 131
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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.