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
N3
N2
N1
📐 Grammar Patterns
🔊 Romaji
📝 Usage Notes
⭐ Save & Review
〜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
に至る / に至った
ni itaru / ni itatta
leads to; come to a conclusion
N1
っぱなし
ppanashi
leaving (something) on / still in use
N3
はおろか
wa oroka
let alone; needless to say ~
N1
ましょう
mashou
let's ~; shall we ~
N5
ようではないか
you dewa nai ka
let’s do (something); why don’t we~
N2
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
ごとき/ごとく/ごとし
gotoki/gotoku/gotoshi
like; as if; the same as ~
N1
ように / ような
you ni / you na
like; as; similar to
N4
といった
to itta
like; such as~
N2
とっくに
tokku ni
long ago; already; a long time ago
N2
がましい
gamashii
look like; sound like; somewhat like ~
N1
そうだ
sou da [2]
looks like; appears like
N4
げ
ge
looks like; seems like; appears to
N2
から作る
kara tsukuru
made from; made with
N4
可能性がある
kanousei ga aru
may/might; there’s a possibility that ~
N1
じゃない
janai
maybe; most likely; confirmation
N3
でしかない
de shika nai
merely; nothing but; no more than
N2
かもしれない
kamo shirenai
might; perhaps; indicates possibility
N4
一方だ
ippou da
more and more; continue to
N3
一応
ichiou
more or less; pretty much; roughly
N2
以上に
ijou ni
more than; not less than; beyond
N2
にも増して
nimo mashite
more than…; above ~
N1
しかも
shikamo
moreover; furthermore; what’s more~
N2
込む
komu
Move inside; do a long time
N3
でなくてなんだろう
denakute nan darou
must be; is definitely ~
N1
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
なくてはいけない
nakute wa ikenai
must do; need to do
N5
なくてはならない
nakute wa naranai
must do; need to do
N5
なくちゃ
nakucha
must do; need to; gotta do
N5
ないと
naito
must do; unless/if you don't~
N3
てからでないと
te kara de nai to
must first do; cannot do without~
N3
ちゃいけない・じゃいけない
cha ikenai / ja ikenai
must not do (spoken Japanese)
N5
わけにはいかない
wake niwa ikanai
must not; cannot afford to; must~
N3
Page 13 of 24 · JLPT: All · 433–468 of 831
📐 How to master JLPT grammar patterns
🎯
Study one level at a time
Select your target level with the pills above. Trying to learn N1 grammar before mastering N4 will slow you down significantly.
✍️
Write your own example sentences
For each pattern, write 2–3 sentences using vocabulary you already know. Active creation is far more effective than passive reading.
💾
Save patterns you struggle with
Click ♡ on any card you don't know well. Review your saved list daily — targeted repetition beats cramming.
🔍
Search by usage situation
Type a keyword like "even if", "although" or "despite" to find patterns by meaning and quickly compare similar structures.
❓ 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.