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
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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
別に～ない
betsu ni~nai
not really, not particularly
N3
うちに入らない
uchi ni hairanai
not really; can't be regarded as ~
N1
どころではない
dokoro dewa nai
not the time for; far from
N2
はもちろん
wa mochiron
not to mention; not only; but also~
N3
ないまでも
nai made mo
not to say; does not reach the level of~
N1
ようとしない
you to shinai
not try to; not make an effort to~
N3
てはじめて
te hajimete
not until; only after [x] did I
N3
あまり～ない
amari~nai
not very, not much
N4
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
を
o / wo
object marker particle
N5
としたことが
toshita koto ga
of all people, who would have thought?
N1
ともあろうものが
tomo arou mono ga
of all people... (surprise)
N1
一方で
ippou de
on one hand, on the other hand
N2
わざと
wazato
on purpose; intentionally~
N3
かえって
kaette
on the contrary; rather; all the more
N2
に際して
ni saishite
on the occasion of; at the time of
N2
途中で
tochuu de
on the way; in the middle of~
N3
かつて
katsute
once; before; formerly; former; ex-
N1
を皮切りに
o kawakiri ni
one after another; starting with ~
N1
と考えられる
to kangaerareru
one can think that; it is conceivable that
N2
ている
te iru
ongoing action or current state
N5
くらいのものだ
kurai no mono da
only (emphasis)
N1
ばこそ
ba koso
only because ~
N1
に限って
ni kagitte
only; in particular~
N2
ばかりで
bakari de
only; just (negative description)
N3
だけ
dake
only; just; as much as
N5
までだ / までのことだ
made da/no koto da
only; just; nothing else
N1
きり
kiri
only; just; since; after
N3
ばかり
bakari
only; nothing but
N4
てばかりいる
te bakari iru
only; nothing but~
N3
か〜か
ka~ka
or
N5
Page 15 of 24 · JLPT: All · 505–540 of 831
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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.