JLPT Grammar — 800+ Japanese Patterns
Browse N5–N1 grammar structures with Japanese patterns, romaji & usage notes · filter by level · save patterns · exam-ready.
N5
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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
と聞いた
to kiita
I heard...
N4
てほしい
te hoshii
I want you to; need you to~
N4
かしら
ka shira
I wonder
N4
かな
kana
I wonder; should I?
N4
てよかった
te yokatta
I’m glad that..
N4
てすみません
te sumimasen
I’m sorry for
N4
たら
tara
if, after, when
N4
なら
nara
if; in the case that ~
N4
場合は
baai wa
in the event of; in the case that
N4
ているところ
teiru tokoro
in the process of doing
N4
の中で
no naka de
in, among
N4
ことになる
koto ni naru
It has been decided that..; it turns out ~
N4
と言われている
to iwarete iru
it is said that...
N4
はずだ
hazu da
it must be; it should be (expectation)
N4
らしい
rashii
it seems like; I heard; apparently~
N4
ところ
tokoro
just about to; on the verge of doing ~
N4
だけで
dake de
just by; just by doing
N4
たところ
ta tokoro
just finished doing, was just doing
N4
たばかり
ta bakari
just finished; something just occurred
N4
みたいな
mitai na
like, similar to
N4
みたいに
mitai ni
like, similar to
N4
みたいだ
mitai da
like, similar to, resembling
N4
ように / ような
you ni / you na
like; as; similar to
N4
そうだ
sou da [2]
looks like; appears like
N4
から作る
kara tsukuru
made from; made with
N4
かもしれない
kamo shirenai
might; perhaps; indicates possibility
N4
なければいけない
nakereba ikenai
must do something; have to do something
N4
なければならない
nakereba naranai
must do something; have to do something
N4
って
tte
named; called
N4
必要がある
hitsuyou ga aru
need to; it is necessary to
N4
が必要
ga hitsuyou
need; necessary
N4
なかなか～ない
nakanaka~nai
not easy to; struggling to; not able to~
N4
あまり～ない
amari~nai
not very, not much
N4
ばかり
bakari
only; nothing but
N4
受身形
ukemi kei
passive form; passive voice
N4
がり
gari
personality; tend to~; sensitivity towards~
N4
Page 2 of 4 · JLPT: N4 · 37–72 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.