JLPT Grammar — 800+ Japanese Patterns
Browse N5–N1 grammar structures with Japanese patterns, romaji & usage notes · filter by level · save patterns · exam-ready.
N5
N4
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N2
N1
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🔊 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
ないものか /ないものだろうか
nai mono ka / nai mono darou ka
isn't there; can’t we…?; can’t I…?
N1
と言えなくもない
to ienaku mo nai
it can also be said that ~
N1
てもかまわない
temo kamawanai
it doesn't matter if ~
N3
では済まない
dewa sumanai
it doesn’t end with just ~
N1
わけではない
wake dewa nai
it doesn’t mean that~
N3
ことになる
koto ni naru
It has been decided that..; it turns out ~
N4
恐れがある
osore ga aru
it is feared that; to be in danger of
N2
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
とみえる / とみえて
to mieru / to miete
it seems that~
N3
といい / たらいい
to ii / tara ii
it would be nice if; should; I hope~
N3
てもどうにもならない
temo dou ni mo naranai
it's no use; can't do anything
N1
ほどのことではない
hodo no koto dewa nai
it's not worth; no need to ~
N1
に越したことはない
ni koshita koto wa nai
it’s best that, nothing better than
N2
だけましだ
dake mashi da
it’s better than; should feel grateful for
N2
ではあるまいし
dewa arumai shi
it’s not like; it isn’t as if ~
N1
なくはない
naku wa nai
it’s not that; I may (double negative)
N2
というわけではない
to iu wake dewa nai
it’s not that; it doesn’t mean that ~
N1
には当たらない
niwa ataranai
it’s not worth; there’s no need to ~
N1
も当然だ
mo touzen da
it’s only natural; no wonder
N2
甲斐がある
kai ga aru
it’s worth one’s efforts to do something
N2
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
ところ
tokoro
just about to; on the verge of doing ~
N4
案の定
an no jou
just as one thought; sure enough
N1
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
だけで
dake de
just by; just by doing
N4
たて
tate
just done; freshly done; newly done
N3
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
も同然だ
mo douzen da
just like; same as~
N1
かと思ったら
ka to omottara
just when; no sooner than
N2
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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.