JLPT N1 Grammar Study Guide
Complete grammar study list for JLPT N1. Master all grammar patterns required for the N1 exam.
358 patterns
1
～敢えて（あえて）
dare to; daringly; deliberately; purposely
2
～あくまでも
to the end; persistently; absolutely; is still very
3
～案の定（あんのじょう）
just as one thought; as expected; sure enough
4
～あらかじめ
beforehand; in advance; previously
5
～あっての
which can exist solely due to the presence of; owes everything to
6
～ばこそ
precisely because; only because
7
～ばそれまでだ / たらそれまでだ
if… then it's over; that's all there is to it
8
～べからず / べからざる
must not; should not; do not
9
～べく
in order to; for the purpose of
10
～べくもない
cannot possibly; there is no way to
11
～べくして
as it is bound to happen; following the natural course
12
～びる / びて / びた
to seem to be; to appear; to behave as
13
～ぶり / っぷり
style; manner; way; the way one does something
14
～ぶる / ぶって / ぶった
to pretend; to act like; to assume the air of
15
～だに / だにしない
even; not even; just … alone
16
～だの～だの
and; and the like; and so forth
17
～だろうに
surely… but; should have (regret); must have been
18
～であれ / であろうと
whoever; whatever; however; even if
19
～であれ～であれ
whether [A] or [B]
20
～でもあり～でもある
to also be; both… and
21
～でも何でもない / くも何ともない
not in the least; nothing like that
22
～でなくてなんだろう
must be; is definitely; if it's not [X], what is it?
23
～ではあるまいか
isn't it; I wonder if it's not
24
～ではあるまいし
it's not like; it isn't as if
25
～では済まない
it doesn't end with just; it will take more than
26
～どうにも～ない
not by any means; no matter how hard one tries, cannot
27
～が早いか
no sooner than; as soon as
28
～が/も～なら、～も～だ
like father like son; both A and B are (equally bad/similar)
29
～がましい
look like; similar to; smacking of; bordering on
30
～がてら
while; on the same occasion; at the same time
31
～ごとき / ごとく / ごとし
like; as if; the same as (literary)
32
～ぐるみ
together with; -wide; including all of
33
～羽目になる（はめになる）
to end up in a situation where; to get stuck with (something unpleasant)
34
～ほどのことではない
it's not worth; no need to; not such a big deal
35
～ほうがましだ
would rather; better than (the alternative)
36
～放題（ほうだい）
as much as one pleases; to one's heart's content; leaving uncontrolled
37
～いかんだ / いかんでは / いかんによっては
depending on; in accordance with; whether or not
38
～いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず
regardless of; whether or not
39
～いかなる
any kind of; every; whatsoever; whatever
40
～いかに
how; in what way; how much; to what extent
41
～いかにも
indeed; really; truly; just like; very
42
～いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ
anyhow; anyway; either way; in any case
43
～じみた
to look like; to appear like; tainted with
44
～か否か（かいなか）
whether or not
45
～かと思いきや
contrary to expectations; thought it would be… but
46
～限りだ（かぎりだ）
extremely; to feel very strongly
47
～甲斐もなく（かいもなく）
despite one's efforts; even though; in vain
48
～可能性がある（かのうせいがある）
there's a possibility that; may; might
49
～からある / からする / からの
at least; as much as; as many as
50
～かれ～かれ
more or less; sooner or later; to some degree
51
～かたがた
while; at the same time; incidentally; for the purpose of
52
～かたわら
while; besides; at the same time; in addition to
53
～かつて
once; before; formerly; ever; never (with negative)
54
～嫌いがある（きらいがある）
to have a tendency to; a bad habit of
55
～切りがない（きりがない）
endless; there's no end to
56
～きっての
the most; the greatest of all
57
～極まる / 極まりない（きわまる / きわまりない）
extremely; utterly
58
～こそあれ
although; even though; there may be… but
59
～こそすれ
although; may indeed… but certainly not
60
～こそ～が / けれど
indeed… but; although (with emphasis)
61
～ことごとく
altogether; entirely; completely; every single one
62
～ことこの上ない / この上ない / この上なく
the most of all; nothing more … than; extremely
63
～こともあって
partly because; also because of
64
～ことなしに
without doing something
65
～ことのないように
so as not to; to make sure not to
66
～こととて
because; since (formal/literary excuse)
67
～くらいなら
rather than (do something undesirable)
68
～くらいのものだ
only; the only one who (emphasis)
69
～までだ / までのことだ
just; nothing else to do but; only
70
～までもない / までもなく
there's no need to; it's not necessary to
71
～まじき
should not; must not; unbecoming of
72
～まくる
to do over and over; to do relentlessly
73
～まみれ
covered with; stained with; smeared with
74
～まるっきり
completely; absolutely; totally; not at all
75
～めく
to seem; to show signs of; to have the appearance of
76
～も同然だ（もどうぜんだ）
just like; same as; practically
77
～もさることながら
not only… but also; that goes without saying, but
78
～もしないで
without even doing
79
～もはや
already; now; no longer; not anymore
80
～もので
because; since; the reason is that
81
～ものを
if only; I wish; regret that something didn't happen
82
～ものと思われる / ものと見られる
it is thought that; it is believed/expected that
83
～ものとする
shall; it is assumed that; to be understood as
84
～ものとして
to assume; to suppose; on the presumption that
85
～もしくは
or; otherwise (formal)
86
～んばかりに
as if; as though; on the verge of
87
～んがために
in order to (literary/formal)
88
～ながらに / ながらの
while; as; in the state of; since birth
89
～ないまでも
even if not; although not quite; at least
90
～ないものでもない
it's not entirely impossible; it could be possible
91
～ないものか / ないものだろうか
isn't there; can't we; I wish we could
92
～ないとも限らない
not necessarily; it's possible that; might
93
～なくしては
without; cannot do without
94
～並み（なみ）
average; same level as; equal to; on par with
95
～なんという / なんと / なんて
how (beautiful, etc.); what a
96
～何しろ（なにしろ）
at any rate; after all; anyhow; because; as you know
97
～ならでは
distinctive of; uniquely applying to; special to
98
～ならいざしらず / はいざしらず
I don't know about… but; it may be one thing for… but
99
～なり
as soon as; right after
100
～なりに / なりの
in one's own way; suitable to
101
～なりとも
at least; even just a little
102
～なり～なり
whether A or B; either… or…; for example
103
～なしに / なしで
without; without doing
104
～に（列挙）
and; in addition to; the combination of
105
～に値する（にあたいする）
to be worth; to be worthy of; to deserve
106
～にあって
in (a situation); at; during; in the condition of
107
～に引き換え（にひきかえ）
compared to; in contrast to; unlike; whereas
108
～に至る / に至った（にいたる / にいたった）
to reach; to lead to; to come to (a conclusion/result)
109
～に至るまで（にいたるまで）
up to; as far as; everything from… to
110
～に至っても（にいたっても）
even at the point of; even though it has reached
111
～に至っては（にいたっては）
when it comes to; as for (emphasizing extreme case)
112
～に言わせれば（にいわせれば）
if you ask (someone); according to
113
～に限ったことではない（にかぎったことではない）
not limited to only; it's not just
114
～にかかっては / にかかったら / にかかると
when handled by; in the hands of
115
～にかかっている
to depend on; whether or not depends on
116
～にかこつけて
to use as a pretext; to use as an excuse
117
～にかまけて
to be too preoccupied with; to neglect other things because of
118
～に難くない（にかたくない）
not hard to; easy to (imagine, understand, guess)
119
～にまつわる
related to; associated with; concerning
120
～に則って（にのっとって）
in accordance with; based on; following
121
～に先駆けて（にさきがけて）
prior to; ahead of; pioneering
122
～に忍びない（にしのびない）
cannot bring oneself to; unable to bear
123
～にしたところで / としたところで
even if; even supposing that
124
～にして
at (a certain condition: time, age, position); only at; and also
125
～に即して（にそくして）
in keeping with; based on; according to
126
～に耐える / に耐えない（にたえる / にたえない）
worth doing; can endure / cannot bear
127
～に足らない / に足りない（にたらない / にたりない）
not worth; not worthy of
128
～に足る / に足りる（にたる / にたりる）
worthy of; worth doing
129
～に照らして（にてらして）
in light of; according to; in view of
130
～にとどまらず
not limited to; not only… but also
131
～には無理がある（にはむりがある）
it is unreasonable; unrealistic; too much to expect
132
～によらず
regardless of
133
～に～を重ねて（に～をかさねて）
through repeated/continuous (effort, work, etc.)
134
～にもほどがある
there is a limit to; to go too far
135
～にも増して（にもまして）
more than; even more than; above
136
～には当たらない（にはあたらない）
not worth; no need to; does not apply
137
～には及ばない（にはおよばない）
there is no need to; no match for
138
～の至り（のいたり）
utmost; the height of; extremely (formal)
139
～の極み（のきわみ）
the height of; the utmost; extremely
140
～のなんのって
extremely; indescribably; beyond words
141
～のやら / ものやら / ことやら
I wonder; unsure; I don't know
142
～のやら～のやら
whether… or…; I'm not sure if… or
143
～を踏まえて（をふまえて）
based on; taking into account
144
～を経て（をへて）
through; by way of; after; via
145
～を控えて（をひかえて）
approaching; ahead of; on the verge of
146
～をいいことに
to take advantage of
147
～を顧みず（をかえりみず）
without regard to; regardless of; despite
148
～を限りに（をかぎりに）
starting from; as of (ending); the last time
149
～を兼ねて（をかねて）
also for the purpose of; serving as both
150
～を皮切りに（をかわきりに）
starting with; one after another beginning with
151
～を機に（をきに）
taking the opportunity of; as a turning point
152
～を禁じ得ない（をきんじえない）
cannot help but; cannot refrain from
153
～をものともせずに
in defiance of; not deterred by; without fearing
154
～をもって / をもちまして
by means of; with; as of (time/deadline)
155
～をおいて～ない
only; there is no other but; nobody/nothing else but
156
～を押して / を押し切って（をおして / をおしきって）
to push through; to overcome (opposition/difficulty)
157
～を境に（をさかいに）
since; from that point on (indicating a major change)
158
～を余儀なくされる（をよぎなくされる）
to be forced to; to have no choice but to
159
～をよそに
despite; without regard to; ignoring
160
～を前提として（をぜんていとして）
on the assumption that; with the intention of
161
～思いをする（おもいをする）
to have a (certain) feeling; to experience
162
～折に（おりに）
when; at the time; on the occasion of
163
～およそ
about; roughly; approximately; completely
164
～さ（終助詞）
ending particle indicating assertion or casualness
165
～さも
really; truly; as if
166
～さもないと
otherwise; or else; if not
167
～さぞ
surely; certainly; no doubt; I can only imagine
168
～始末だ（しまつだ）
end up; in the end (negative result)
169
～そばから
as soon as; right after (often implying repetition/futility)
170
～そびれる
to miss a chance to; to fail to do
171
～損なう / 損ねる / 損じる（そこなう / そこねる / そんじる）
to fail to do; to do something wrong; to miss the chance
172
～術がない（すべがない）
there is no way; there is no means to
173
～すら / ですら
even (with emphasis); let alone
174
～た弾みに / た拍子に（たはずみに / たひょうしに）
the moment; when (accidentally/inadvertently caused something)
175
～たことにする / たことになる
to pretend that; to treat as if (contrary to truth)
176
～たところで
even if; no matter (who, what, when, where, why, how)
177
～たつもりはない
have no intention of having done; didn't mean to
178
～ただ～のみだ
all one can do is; can do nothing but; only
179
～ためしがない
has never happened; there is no precedent for
180
～たら最後 / たが最後（たらさいご / たがさいご）
if you do… (there will be a negative result); once you do… it's over
181
～たら～たで
if (something happens), then naturally; in the case of… should
182
～たら～ところだ
if (counterfactual), then would have been
183
～たりとも
not even; not any (emphasis on small quantity)
184
～たるもの / たる
those who are; in the capacity of… should
185
～て敵わない（てかなわない）
can't bear; unbearable; can't stand
186
～てからというもの
ever since; from the time that
187
～てみせる
I'll show you; I'll definitely do; I'm determined to
188
～てしかるべきだ
should; it is appropriate; it is only natural to
189
～て済むことではない（てすむことではない）
cannot be resolved by; is not enough to solve
190
～てやまない
always; continuously; never stop; sincerely
191
～手前（てまえ）
considering; out of concern for appearances; before
192
～てもどうにもならない
it's no use; can't do anything about it
193
～ても差し支えない（てもさしつかえない）
it's okay if; there's no problem if; can (permission)
194
～ても知らない（てもしらない）
if you keep doing that, don't come crying to me; I don't care
195
～と相まって（とあいまって）
together with; combined with; coupled with
196
～とあれば
if it is the case that; if (special condition)
197
～とあって
because of; due to the fact that; since
198
～とばかりに
as if to say; as though
199
～といえども
even if; even though; despite being
200
～と言えなくもない（といえなくもない）
one could say that; it's not that one can't say
201
～といい～といい
both… and; not only… but also; whether… or
202
～といったらない
extremely; indescribably; nothing more… than this
203
～という（全て）
every single; all without exception
204
～というか～というか
or rather; or perhaps I should say; I mean
205
～というもの（期間）
during; for; over a period of time
206
～というところだ / といったところだ
at best; roughly; about; no more than
207
～というわけだ
that's why; this means; that is to say
208
～というわけではない
it's not that; it doesn't mean that
209
～といわず～といわず
both; not just A or B, but all over; everywhere
210
～ときている
because (of that quality); what's more; to make matters worse
211
～とみると
as soon as one realizes; upon judging that
212
～と見るや（とみるや）
at the sight of; upon seeing; as soon as
213
～となると / となれば
when it comes to; if that happens; in such a case
214
～とされる
is considered; it is said that; is regarded as
215
～ときたら
when it comes to; speaking of (often with criticism)
216
～ところを
although (it is a certain condition); even though; while (in the act of)
217
～ともあろうものが
of all people; for someone of such standing to (surprise/criticism)
218
～ともなく / ともなしに
without intending to; unconsciously; aimlessly
219
～ともすれば
apt to; tend to; liable to; prone to
220
～とも～とも
unable to tell whether A or B; cannot determine if
221
～とりわけ
especially; above all; particularly
222
～としたことが
of all people (surprise at someone's mistake)
223
～とっさに
at once; right away; instinctively; on the spur of the moment
224
～とて
even; even if; even though (literary)
225
～とは
the fact that; I'm surprised that; I didn't know that
226
～とはいえ
though; although; be that as it may; nonetheless
227
～とは比べものにならない（とはくらべものにならない）
can't compare with; incomparable to
228
～とは打って変わって（とはうってかわって）
completely different from; in stark contrast to
229
～いかんで/いかんによっては
depending on; based on
230
～いかんにかかわらず
regardless of; no matter what
231
～かぎりだ
extremely ~; ~ to the utmost (emotional emphasis)
232
～が最後/たら最後
once ~ happens, it's all over; if ~ happens, there's no going back
233
～極まる/極まりない
extremely; utterly; ~ to the extreme
234
～くせして
even though; despite (with contempt or criticism)
235
～こそあれ/こそすれ
although there may be ~; may ~ but certainly not
236
～ことだし
since; because (giving a reason for a decision)
237
～ごとき/ごとく
like; as if; such as (literary)
238
～ずじまい
ended up not doing ~; never got around to ~
239
～ずにはおかない/ないではおかない
cannot help but ~; inevitably causes ~
240
～ずにはすまない/ないではすまない
must ~; cannot avoid doing ~; feel obligated to ~
241
～すら
even (emphasizing an extreme or unexpected case)
242
～たりとも～ない
not even one; not a single ~
243
～たる
as a ~; in the capacity of ~ (demands befitting behavior)
244
～だに
just ~ alone; even merely ~ (literary, often with negative emotions)
245
～てこそ
only by doing ~; it is precisely because ~ that
246
～てまで
to the extent of ~; going so far as to ~
247
～ともなると/ともなれば
when it comes to (a high level/status); once you reach the level of ~
248
～ながらに/ながらの
while remaining in the state of ~; from the state of ~
249
～なくもない
it's not that ~ isn't possible; there is some possibility of ~
250
～なりに/なりの
in one's own way; to the best of one's ability; befitting ~
251
～にかたくない
not hard to ~; easy to ~ (imagine, understand, etc.)
252
～に堪えない/に堪える
unbearable; cannot endure ~ / worthy of ~; can withstand ~
253
～にしのびない
cannot bear to ~; too painful to ~
254
～には当たらない
there is no need to ~; it doesn't warrant ~
255
～に他ならない
nothing but ~; none other than ~; precisely because of ~
256
～にひきかえ
in contrast to ~; compared to ~ (opposite result)
257
～にもまして
even more than ~; above all
258
～の至り
the height of ~; the utmost ~ (formal expression of emotion)
259
～のみならず
not only ~ but also
260
～はおろか
let alone ~; not to mention ~
261
～はさておき
setting aside ~; leaving ~ aside for now
262
～始末だ
end up ~ing (negative outcome); to make matters worse
263
～べからず/べからざる
must not ~; should not ~ (prohibition, literary)
264
～までだ/までのことだ
just have to ~; all one can do is ~; simply ~
265
～までもない/までもなく
there is no need to ~; it goes without saying that ~
266
～をおいて
apart from ~; there is no one/thing other than ~
267
～を禁じ得ない
cannot help feeling ~; cannot suppress ~
268
～を皮切りに
starting with ~; beginning with ~ (and continuing)
269
～をもって
with ~; by means of ~; as of ~ (formal)
270
～を余儀なくされる
to be forced to ~; to have no choice but to ~
271
～んがため
in order to ~; for the sake of ~ (literary)
272
～ともあろう
someone of the stature of ~; for someone as important as ~
273
～と思いきや
just when you thought ~; contrary to expectations
274
～ずにはいられない/ないではいられない
cannot help but ~; cannot resist ~ing
275
～に足る/に足りない
worthy of ~; sufficient to ~ / not worthy of ~
276
～に即して/に則して
in accordance with ~; based on ~; in line with ~
277
～を踏まえて
based on ~; taking ~ into account; in light of ~
278
～を経て
through ~; after going through ~; via ~
279
～を限りに
as of ~; starting from ~ (ending point); with ~ as the last
280
～を物ともせず
in defiance of ~; undaunted by ~; not fazed by ~
281
～に至る/に至っては
to reach the point of ~; as for ~ (extreme case); even ~
282
～に越したことはない
it would be best to ~; nothing better than ~; ideally ~
283
～にかけては
when it comes to ~; in the area of ~ (unrivaled)
284
～に先立って/に先立ち
prior to ~; before ~ (formal)
285
～にして初めて
only after reaching ~; only when one becomes ~
286
～ば～で
if ~, then that brings its own ~; whether ~ or not, there are issues
287
～ばそれまでだ
if ~ happens, then it's all over; that would be the end of it
288
～ものがある
there is something ~ about it; it has a quality of ~
289
～ものなら
if it were possible to ~; if one could ~ (unlikely wish / warning)
290
～ようが/ようと
no matter how much ~; even if ~; regardless of ~
291
～ようが～まいが
whether ~ or not; regardless of whether ~ or not
292
～ようにも～ない
even if one wants to ~, one cannot; unable to ~ even if trying
293
～よりほかない
there is no choice but to ~; have no option but ~
294
～を兼ねて
also serving as ~; combining ~ with ~; doubling as ~
295
～をもってしても
even with ~; even using ~; despite having ~
296
～を押して
in spite of ~; despite ~; pushing through ~
297
～ならいざしらず
if it were ~, that'd be one thing, but; ~ might be understandable, but
298
～ならまだしも
if it were ~, it would still be acceptable, but; ~ would be fine, but
299
～に至るまで
all the way to ~; up to and including ~; even extending to ~
300
～手前
since ~; because of the position of ~; having ~ (obligation to follow through)
301
～たるや
the ~ is truly; when it comes to ~ (emphatic, impressive degree)
302
～つ～つ
alternately ~ing and ~ing; doing ~ and ~ back and forth
303
～てしかるべき
it is only natural that ~; ~ is to be expected; should rightfully ~
304
～ても差し支えない
it is all right to ~; there is no problem with ~; it doesn't matter if ~
305
～てはかなわない
it would be unbearable if ~; I can't stand it when ~
306
～てはばからない
to not hesitate to ~; to openly ~; to have no qualms about ~
307
～ても始まらない
there's no point in ~; it's no use ~ing
308
～と相まって
combined with ~; together with ~ (producing a greater effect)
309
～としたところで/としたって
even if ~; even assuming that ~
310
～ともなしに
without really intending to ~; absentmindedly ~
311
～と言わず～と言わず
not just ~ but also ~; ~ and ~ alike; everywhere including ~ and ~
312
～ないでもない
it's not that I don't ~; there is some possibility of ~
313
～ないものか
isn't there a way to ~?; I wish ~; can't ~ somehow?
314
～ながらも
although; even though; while ~ nevertheless
315
～なくして(は)
without ~; if not for ~
316
～なればこそ
precisely because ~; it is exactly because ~ that
317
～に言わせれば
if you ask ~; according to ~ (personal opinion)
318
～はもとより
not only ~; ~ goes without saying, and also
319
～ひとり～だけでなく
not only ~; not just limited to ~
320
～拍子に
the moment ~; just as ~ happened (accidental trigger)
321
～ぶる
to act like ~; to pretend to be ~; to put on airs of ~
322
～からある/からする
as much as ~; no less than ~ (emphasizing large quantity)
323
～きらいがある
to have a tendency to ~; to be inclined to ~ (negative tendency)
324
～ことこの上ない
extremely ~; nothing more ~ than this; ~ beyond compare
325
～ざるを得ない
cannot help but ~; have no choice but to ~
326
～だけあって/だけのことはある
as expected of ~; it's no wonder that ~; true to the fact that ~
327
～だけに
precisely because ~; all the more because ~
328
～たなり/たきり
since ~ (and never changed back); has been ~ ever since
329
～てはいられない
cannot keep ~ing; cannot afford to continue ~
330
～とみるや
the moment one sees/realizes that ~; upon noticing that ~
331
～ないことには
unless ~; if ~ doesn't happen, then
332
～ないことはない
it's not that ~ isn't possible; it is somewhat possible
333
～なしには
without ~; if not for ~
334
～にあたって/にあたり
on the occasion of ~; when ~; at the time of ~ (formal)
335
～に限ったことではない
not limited to ~; not only a matter of ~
336
～のことだから
knowing ~; given that it's ~ (we can expect)
337
～は言うに及ばず
not to mention ~; ~ goes without saying, and also
338
～ゆえ(に)
because of ~; due to ~ (literary/formal)
339
～かぎりでは
as far as ~; to the extent that ~
340
～もの(だ)
used to ~; would often ~ (nostalgia about the past)
341
～にしたって
even for ~; even if ~; even from the standpoint of ~
342
～ずくめ
entirely ~; nothing but ~; all ~
343
～てなんぼ
only has value when ~; the whole point is to ~
344
～ものか/ものですか
absolutely not; no way; as if I would ~
345
～ならともかく
if it were ~ that'd be fine, but; ~ aside
346
～とはうらはらに
contrary to ~; in contrast to ~; opposite to ~
347
～を境に
from the turning point of ~; since ~; with ~ as the boundary
348
～ともすると/ともすれば
apt to ~; tend to ~; liable to ~ (undesirable tendency)
349
～ただ～のみ
all one can do is ~; nothing but ~; only ~
350
～にしてからが
even ~; if even ~ is like that (then others surely are too)
351
～に準じて
in accordance with ~; following the same standards as ~
352
～を境にして
with ~ as the dividing line; starting from the point of ~
353
～て済む（てすむ）
to be resolved by ~; to get away with ~
354
～てなくてなんだろう
if this isn't ~, then what is it?; this is definitely ~
355
～ではないか
let's ~; why don't we ~ (formal suggestion)
356
～なくはない
it's not that ~ isn't; not impossible
357
～抜きで（ぬきで）
without; leaving out; excluding
358
～やいなや
as soon as; the moment ~