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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N3
N2
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
だけに
dake ni
being the case; precisely because
N2
その上
sono ue
besides; in addition; furthermore~
N2
ほうがましだ
hou ga mashi da
better than; would rather ~
N1
といい〜といい
to ii~to ii
both ... and; whether it be ... or ~
N1
といわず〜といわず
to iwazu~to iwazu
both; not only A or B, but (overall) ~
N1
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
もっとも
motto mo
but then; although; though~
N2
こそ「〜が・けれど」
koso~ga/keredo
but; although (emphasis)
N1
ながらも
nagara mo
but; although; despite
N3
ものの
monono
but; although; even though~
N2
しかし
shikashi
but; however
N5
でも
demo
but; however
N5
けど
kedo
but; however; although
N5
けれども
keredo mo
but; however; although
N5
ぜひ
zehi
by all means; certainly; definitely
N4
によって / による
ni yotte / ni yoru
by means of; due to; because of~
N3
をもって /をもちまして
o motte /o mochimashite
by means of; with; on / at / as of (time)
N1
ちなみに
chinamini
by the way; incidentally
N2
ところで
tokoro de
by the way~
N3
までに
made ni
by; by the time; indicates time limit
N4
という
to iu
called; named; that
N4
ても差し支えない
temo sashitsukaenai
can ~; it’s okay if ~ (compromise)
N1
ただ〜のみだ
tada~nomi da
can do nothing but; only ~
N1
に足る / に足りる
ni taru/tariru
can do; worthy; worth doing
N1
ないことはない
nai koto wa nai
can do~; is not impossible to~
N3
をおいて〜ない
o oite~nai
can only be; no alternative, only ~
N1
ことができる
koto ga dekiru
can; able to
N4
得る
eru / uru
can; to be able to; is possible to~
N2
て敵わない
te kanawanai
can't bear to; unable to; troublesome to
N1
とは比べものにならない
towa kurabemono ni naranai
can't compare with ~
N1
てたまらない
te tamaranai
can't help but; dying to; extremely~
N2
てならない
te naranai
can't help but; dying to; extremely~
N2
てしょうがない
te shou ga nai
can't help but~; very; extremely
N3
てはいられない
tewa irarenai
can’t afford to; unable to~
N2
ずにはいられない
zuni wa irarenai
can’t help but feel; can’t help but do
N3
Page 5 of 24 · JLPT: All · 145–180 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.