JLPT grammar levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).
No matching grammar points.
N4
- 〜しか〜ないNeutralA limiting expression used with a negative predicate: (1) "only / nothing but," often stressing that the amount or range is small; (2) after a verb's dictionary form, しかない means "there is no choice but to…," showing that no other option exists.
- 〜たほうがいいNeutralGives advice or a recommendation: 'you had better…', 'you should…'. It suggests that doing the action is the better choice for the listener, often in a specific situation.
- 〜ていただくFormalHumble form of 〜てもらう: (1) to receive the favor of having someone, usually a superior or customer, do something for you; (2) in request forms such as 〜ていただいてもよろしいでしょうか, to politely ask someone to do something.
- 〜と言うNeutralIntroduces what someone says: (1) quotes their words directly or reports them indirectly; (2) in と言われている, reports what is said without naming a speaker.
- 〜ないほうがいいNeutral(1) Gives advice or a recommendation against doing something: 'you'd better not ~' or 'it's better not to ~'. Avoiding the action is expected to lead to a better result; (2) With adjectives and nouns, it states that it is preferable for something not to be a certain way.
- 〜ように言うNeutralReports an instruction, request, or piece of advice given to someone: 'tell someone to do / not to do something.' The person being told is marked with に.
- いらっしゃるFormalAn honorific (尊敬語) verb that raises the person being talked about: (1) to be/stay (for いる); (2) to come (for 来る); (3) to go (for 行く). It is used for the actions of teachers, superiors, customers and others you respect.
- おきにNeutralMarks regular spacing between repeated actions or placements. 一日おきに means every other day, while 20ページおきに means every 20 pages; the count does not always work the same way across units.
- かいCasualA sentence-final question particle for casual yes/no questions. It adds a soft, friendly tone and is typically used by men or older speakers when talking to equals or people of lower status.
- かしらCasualSentence-final particle for wondering about something, roughly 'I wonder…'. (1) A soft, musing question, often self-directed, expressing doubt or a tentative concern; (2) after a negative form, a gentle request or wish (e.g. 〜てくれないかしら).
- がするNeutral(1) Reports a smell, sound, taste, or voice that is perceived; (2) expresses a bodily sensation, such as nausea.
- かどうかNeutralかどうか turns a yes/no question into an embedded clause meaning “whether or not.” It can be used with verbs such as 分かる and 確認する.
- かなCasualSentence-final particle for wondering aloud or asking oneself: (1) "I wonder …", expressing uncertainty or light doubt, sometimes as a soft question half-addressed to the listener; (2) with a negative verb (〜ないかな), a casual hope that something will happen.
- かもしれないNeutralExpresses that something is possible but uncertain: 'may,' 'might,' 'perhaps.' The speaker is not confident and allows that the opposite could also be true.
- がるNeutralAttached to adjectives of feeling or desire, がる turns them into verbs that describe how someone else shows that feeling through words, looks, or behavior: (1) showing signs of a feeling; (2) showing that they want something (欲しがる).
- ございますFormalA very polite (丁寧語) verb used in formal speech: (1) a polite form of ある, meaning 'there is / to have'; (2) as でございます, a formal polite copula replacing です; (3) after sound-changed い-adjectives, a formal polite way to state a quality.
- ことができるNeutralExpresses that something can be done: (1) a person's ability to do something; (2) that something is possible or allowed because of the circumstances.
- ことにするNeutralExpresses a conscious decision by the subject to do or not do something. The subject is often the speaker, but it can also be another person or an organization. The past form ことにした reports a decision already made, and ことにする announces a decision being made now.
- ことになるNeutral(1) Indicates that something has been decided or arranged, typically presented as settled by others or by circumstances rather than as a deliberate personal choice; (2) expresses that a situation turns out to be, or logically amounts to, a certain result or conclusion.
- さCasualA casual sentence-final particle. (1) It states something as obvious or a matter of course, often with resignation or a shrug; (2) it adds a self-assured, confident tone to the speaker's assertion.
- させてくださいNeutralA polite request for permission to do something oneself: "please let me ~" / "allow me to ~". It is used (1) to ask permission or time for one's own action, and (2) to eagerly volunteer for a task.
- させられるNeutralCausative-passive: (1) the subject is made to do something by someone else, usually against their will, with the person applying pressure marked by に; (2) the subject is made to feel or think something by an event or experience, as in 考えさせられる.
- させるNeutralThe causative form shows that someone causes another person to act: (1) makes them do something; (2) lets or allows them to do it. Context determines which sense is intended.
- しCasualLists reasons or features while implying there may be more: (1) stacks several points ('and what's more…') that lead to a conclusion; (2) gives one reason as a representative example, suggesting other unstated reasons.
- じゃないかCasualA sentence-final expression that is not a real negative question. It (1) asserts something the speaker has noticed or realized, often with surprise, inviting agreement; (2) after a volitional form, makes a strong invitation or call to action; (3) reproaches or reminds the listener of something obvious.
- すぎるNeutralExpresses that an action or state goes beyond an appropriate or desirable level: 'too much', 'too ~'. It usually implies an undesirable result, though in casual speech it can also express enthusiastic praise: (1) doing an action to excess; (2) a quality being excessive.
- そうだNeutralExpresses hearsay: the speaker is passing on information heard or read from another source, 'I hear that…' or 'they say that…'. The source is often stated with によると or では.
- そうに / そうなNeutralExpresses an impression based on how someone or something appears. (1) そうに describes how an action looks; (2) そうな describes a noun by its apparent quality; (3) with a verb stem, it can suggest that something looks about to happen.
- それでもNeutralA conjunction meaning "even so" or "nevertheless." It introduces a fact or action that happens despite the situation just described, often one that goes against what the listener would expect.
- そんなにNeutralそんなに means “that much” or “to that extent,” pointing to a degree understood from context. (1) With a negative, it means “not that ~”; (2) with an action, it can describe doing something to that extent.
- たがるNeutralExpresses that someone other than the speaker wants to do something, judged from their outward behavior or signs: (1) someone is visibly showing a desire; (2) someone habitually tends to want to do something.
- だけでNeutral(1) 'Just by (doing) X' / 'merely X': X alone is enough to bring about the result that follows; (2) with nouns, 'with only X' / 'by X alone'.
- たところNeutralExpresses that an action has just been completed at the moment of speaking. It emphasizes the point in time immediately after the action finished.
- たばかりNeutralIndicates that an action or event happened only a short time ago. The speaker judges how recent it feels, so it can be days or even months ago. It often explains a present situation: "(I) just did X."
- たらNeutral(1) A conditional meaning 'if' or 'when/once'; with actions or events, the main clause follows once the condition is realized, while with states it simply means 'if'. (2) With a past-tense main clause, 'when I did X, (I found that) Y', describing a discovery or unexpected result.
- たらどうCasualMakes a gentle suggestion to the listener: "Why don't you ~?" or "How about ~ing?" Literally, it means "how would it be if you did ~?"
- ってCasualA casual spoken particle with several uses: (1) naming, "a ~ called ~" (= という, also っていう); (2) marking a topic, "as for ~ / speaking of ~" (= というのは / は); (3) quoting, "that …" before 言う, 聞く etc. (= と); (4) at the end of a sentence, reporting hearsay, "I hear that … / they say …".
- づらいNeutralAttached to a verb, づらい means that doing the action is difficult for the person involved: (1) emotionally awkward or uncomfortable; (2) physically difficult or uncomfortable.
- てあげるNeutralDoing something as a favor for someone else. The person doing the favor can be the speaker, someone on the speaker's side, or a third person helping another third person. The receiver is not the speaker.
- てあるNeutralDescribes a state that results from someone's deliberate action, usually with the nuance that it was done on purpose or in preparation. The agent is typically not mentioned.
- ていくNeutral(1) Describes a change or action that continues or progresses from now into the future, often gradually; (2) describes doing something and then going, or movement away from the speaker.
- ていただけませんかFormalA polite, deferential request meaning “Could you please …?” It asks someone to do something for the speaker.
- ているところNeutralExpresses that someone is right in the middle of an action at a particular moment: (1) what was happening when something else occurred; (2) what one is doing right now, used to explain one's present situation.
- ておく / とくNeutral(1) Doing something in advance to prepare for a later need or event; (2) doing something and leaving the result in place, or leaving a situation as it is.
- てくるNeutral(1) Describes a change or process that has been developing gradually up to the present; (2) describes doing an action somewhere and then returning, or an action or movement directed toward the speaker.
- てくれるNeutralUsed when someone else does something for the speaker or the speaker's in-group. It presents the action as a favor or kindness received, often with a sense of gratitude.
- でございますFormalA very polite form of the copula です/だ, meaning 'is / am / are', used in formal and service settings: (1) to state one's name or identity; (2) to present or describe something to a customer or guest.
- てしまう / ちゃうNeutralAttached to a verb, it marks an action as (1) fully completed or done with; (2) done unintentionally or with regret, often translated as 'end up doing' or 'go and do.' ちゃう / じゃう is the casual contraction.
- てすみませんNeutralApologizes for something the speaker did or caused: 'I'm sorry for ~.' (1) apologizing for trouble one caused; (2) apologetically thanking someone for a favor that put them out.
- ではないかWritten(1) A rhetorical 'isn't it?' that states something the speaker regards as obvious, often with surprise or reproach; (2) most often in the form のではないか, a tentative guess: 'I think it may be…'.
- てほしいNeutralExpresses the speaker's wish that someone else would do something, or that a situation would come about: (1) 'I want (someone) to do ~'; (2) 'I hope ~ happens.'
- てみるNeutralTry doing something to see what it is like or what happens. (1) Doing, or proposing to do, an action as a trial or experiment; (2) in the past tense, reporting what you found out after actually trying it.
- てもNeutralConcessive 'even if / even though': the main clause holds regardless of, or contrary to what one would expect from, the condition. (1) hypothetical 'even if'; (2) factual 'even though'; (3) with question words or どんなに/いくら, 'no matter what/how'.
- てやるCasual(1) Doing something for someone of equal or lower status, or for an animal or plant, stated casually or bluntly; (2) doing something with strong determination, or out of spite to someone's disadvantage.
- てよかったNeutralExpresses the speaker's gladness or relief about something that actually happened: "I'm glad that…" or "It's a good thing that…". It is often used when a hoped-for outcome was achieved or a bad outcome was avoided.
- といい / たらいいNeutral(1) Expresses the speaker's hope that something will happen or be the case: 'I hope…', 'it would be nice if…'; (2) with のに, a wish tinged with dissatisfaction, regret or worry, often about something contrary to reality: 'if only…'; (3) also gives or asks for advice: 'you should…', 'what should I do?'
- というNeutral(1) Links a name or label to a noun: "(a) N called/named ~"; (2) with と + the verb 言う, reports speech or thought: "say that ~"; (3) connects a clause to a noun such as 話 or ニュース that states its content: "the ~ that …".
- ということNeutralTurns a clause into a noun phrase meaning “the fact that …” or “the idea of …”. It presents the clause's content as a piece of information or a concept that can then be discussed, known, or evaluated.
- ところNeutralMarks what stage an action is at: (1) just about to do it; (2) in the middle of doing it; (3) having just done it. It is often followed by だ/です, or by に to describe a moment that is interrupted.
- と思うNeutral(1) States what the speaker thinks, believes, or guesses; (2) in a question such as と思いますか, asks what the listener thinks.
- なくてはいけない / なくてはならないNeutralExpresses obligation or necessity: "must" or "have to." It literally means "if one does not do X, it is not acceptable." (1) It can express a need arising from personal circumstances; (2) it can also state a general rule or duty.
- なくてもいいNeutralExpresses that something is not necessary: (1) after a verb, 'don't have to / need not do'; (2) with ない meaning 'not have', 'it's fine without (something)'. In question form it asks whether one may skip or do without something.
- なければいけない / なければならないNeutralExpresses obligation or necessity, "must" or "have to"; literally "if one does not do X, it won't do": (1) a need arising from one's situation, such as a deadline; (2) a duty, rule, or general obligation. なければならない sounds more formal; なければいけない is more common in everyday speech.
- なさいNeutralAttached to a verb, it forms a gentle but firm command. (1) Spoken instructions from someone with authority, such as a parent or teacher, to someone under their care; (2) written directions, such as exam questions.
- なさるFormalHonorific (尊敬語) equivalent of する, used to show respect for the person doing the action. (1) to do (respectful); (2) with に, to decide on or choose something (respectful form of 〜にする).
- などNeutral(1) 'Such as', 'and so on', 'etc.': marks items as examples from a larger set, often after a list with や; (2) softens a suggestion or statement by presenting something as just one possibility ('something like').
- ならNeutralMarks a condition or assumption, often one just mentioned or inferred: (1) 'if (it is the case that) …'; (2) 'if you are going to …', introducing advice or a suggestion; (3) after a noun, 'as for …', picking up a topic.
- にくいNeutralAttaches to a verb to mean that an action is hard to do: (1) difficult to do, often because of a feature of the object or situation; (2) not likely to happen, or not prone to something.
- のにNeutral(1) Links two clauses when the second is contrary to what the first leads you to expect: "even though, despite." It often carries surprise, frustration, or disappointment. (2) At the end of a sentence, it expresses regret or dissatisfaction that something did not turn out as hoped.
- の中でNeutralMeans "among" or "out of" a group, set, or range. It is typically paired with 一番 to single out one member as the most or best.
- ばNeutralA conditional meaning "if". It presents a condition and the result that follows when it holds: (1) a condition that brings about a result; (2) a hypothetical state on which the speaker's decision depends.
- ばかりNeutralAttached to a number or quantity, ばかり means "about" or "approximately." It gives a rough amount, length of time, or distance, and before 前 it tells roughly how long ago something happened.
- はずがないNeutralExpresses the speaker's strong conviction that something cannot possibly be true or happen: (1) a judgment of impossibility based on known facts or reasoning; (2) firm disbelief or denial, often an emotional reaction to a claim or rumor, as in そんなはずがない！
- はずだNeutralExpresses the speaker's confident expectation based on some reason or known facts: 'should be', 'is supposed to', 'must be'. It can also express sudden understanding, as in 'no wonder'.
- までにNeutralMarks a deadline: something must happen no later than a stated time or event, 'by' or 'by the time.' (1) by a set time or date; (2) by the time some event happens.
- ままNeutralIndicates that a state stays unchanged while something else happens or continues: (1) doing something with a prior state still in place; (2) with する/なる, leaving something in a state, or something remaining in a state, as it is.
- みたいだCasual(1) Resemblance or simile: 'like', 'similar to'; (2) Conjecture based on what the speaker sees, hears or senses: 'seems', 'looks like'.
- みたいに/みたいなCasualCasual expression meaning "like": (1) compares something to what it resembles ("like a child"); (2) names a representative example of a category ("a big city like Tokyo"). みたいに works adverbially, modifying a later verb or adjective; みたいな works adjectivally, modifying a noun.
- やすいNeutralAttached to a verb stem, it means (1) something is easy to do, or (2) something readily happens or is prone to a certain change or condition.
- ようだNeutral(1) Expresses the speaker's inference from what they observe or sense: "it seems / it looks like"; (2) Describes resemblance: "like / as if."
- ようと思うNeutral(1) States the speaker's intention to do something, often an idea formed around the time of speaking: "I think I'll…"; (2) with と思っている, describes an intention held for some time, including someone else's.
- ようにするNeutral(1) Making a conscious effort to do, or not do, something, often as a habit: 'try to', 'make a point of'. ようにしている describes an ongoing practice; (2) arranging things so that a certain result or state comes about.
- ようになるNeutralExpresses a change in ability, habit, or state: (1) coming to be able to do something, used with potential verbs; (2) starting to do something regularly, or a situation changing into a new pattern.
- ように見えるNeutralExpresses that something looks or appears a certain way, based mainly on what the speaker sees: (1) it appears to be so, often with a hint that reality may differ; (2) with まるで, it looks just like something else.
- らしいNeutral(1) Expresses a conclusion the speaker draws from hearsay or other evidence without claiming certainty: "apparently," "I hear," "it seems"; (2) attached directly to a noun, it can mean "typical of" or "befitting" that noun.
- 間にNeutralMarks a period within which something happens or is completed. It can mean “while,” “during,” or “within the time that.”
- 急にNeutralAn adverb meaning 'suddenly' or 'all of a sudden', used when a change or action happens abruptly and unexpectedly. It can also mean 'at short notice'.
- 後でNeutralMeans "after ~": it marks an action or event that comes first, with the main clause describing what happens afterward. It is attached to a verb in た-form or to a noun with の.
- 始めるNeutralAttached to a verb stem, 始める means 'to begin doing' something: (1) the moment an action gets under way; (2) the start of an ongoing or habitual activity from some point in time. It works with deliberate actions and with natural events.
- 終わるNeutralAttached to a verb stem, 終わる means "to finish doing" something. It marks that an action has been carried through to its end.
- 出すNeutralAttached to a verb's ます-stem, 〜出す marks a sudden or unexpected start: (1) someone suddenly bursts into an action, such as crying; (2) a natural phenomenon or event begins abruptly, such as rain.
- 場合はFormal"In the case that ~" or "if ~." It singles out a situation as a case to be dealt with: (1) a rule or outcome that applies in that case; (2) what someone should do in that case. The situation may be hypothetical or may already hold for some people.
- 続けるNeutralAttached to a verb, 続ける means 'to keep doing' or 'to continue doing' something: (1) an action that goes on without stopping over a stretch of time; (2) an effort that is kept up or persisted in, often until some end point.
- 必要があるNeutralSays that doing something is necessary: "need to (do)" or "it is necessary to (do)". It presents the necessity as an objective requirement set by a deadline, rule, situation, or goal.
- 予定だNeutralExpresses that something is planned or scheduled. The plan is presented as an arrangement or expected course of events rather than a mere wish, though it need not be final. Often translated 'plan to', 'be scheduled to', 'be due to', or 'be supposed to'.
