JLPT Grammar — 800+ Japanese Patterns
Browse N5–N1 grammar structures with Japanese patterns, romaji & usage notes · filter by level · save patterns · exam-ready.
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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
ないではいられない
nai dewa irarenai
can’t help but feel; can’t help but do
N2
を禁じ得ない
o kinji enai
can’t help but; can’t refrain from ~
N1
てばかりはいられない
te bakari wa irarenai
can’t keep doing~
N2
はずがない
hazu ga nai
cannot be (impossible)
N4
に忍びない
ni shinobinai
cannot bring oneself (to do)
N1
なくしては
nakushite wa
cannot do without ~
N1
ざるを得ない
zaru o enai
cannot help (doing); have no choice but
N2
べくもない
beku mo nai
cannot possibly be ~
N1
とても～ない
totemo~nai
cannot possibly be; hardly~
N3
に足らない/に足りない
ni taranai/tarinai
cannot; not worthy; not worth doing ~
N1
っけ
kke
casual suffix to confirm something
N3
させる
saseru
causative form; to make/let somebody do
N4
させられる
saserareru
causative-passive; to be made to do ~
N4
に決まっている
ni kimatte iru
certainly; I’m sure/certain that
N2
的
teki
change noun into na-adjective
N3
そう言えば
sou ieba
come to think of it~
N2
に引き換え
ni hikikae
compared to; in contrast to; unlike ~
N1
に比べて
ni kurabete
compared to~; in comparison to~
N3
まるっきり
marukkiri
completely; totally; (not) at all ~
N1
をめぐって
o megutte
concerning; in regard to~
N2
について
ni tsuite
concerning; regarding; about; on
N3
ば
ba
conditional form; If [A] then [B]
N4
さて
sate
conjunction: well; now; then
N3
て / で
te / de
conjunctive; so; because of [A], [B]...
N4
手前
temae
considering; before; one’s standpoint
N1
割に
wari ni
considering; relatively; unexpectedly
N3
ばかりだ
bakari da
continue to (go in negative direction)
N2
続ける
tsuzukeru
continue to; keen on
N4
かと思いきや
ka to omoikiya
contrary to expectations
N1
逆に
gyaku ni
conversely; on the contrary
N2
ということ
to iu koto
convert phrase into noun
N4
ていただけませんか
te itadakemasen ka
could you please
N4
まみれ
mamire
covered with; stained; smeared with ~
N1
中
chuu / juu
currently; during; throughout
N3
敢えて
aete
dare to; deliberately; purposely ~
N1
ほど
hodo
degree; extent; bounds; upper limit
N3
Page 6 of 24 · JLPT: All · 181–216 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.