JLPT N1 Grammar Study Guide

Complete grammar study list for JLPT N1. Master all grammar patterns required for the N1 exam.

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358 patterns

～敢えて（あえて）

dare to; daringly; deliberately; purposely

～あくまでも

to the end; persistently; absolutely; is still very

～案の定（あんのじょう）

just as one thought; as expected; sure enough

～あらかじめ

beforehand; in advance; previously

～あっての

which can exist solely due to the presence of; owes everything to

～ばこそ

precisely because; only because

～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

～べからず / べからざる

must not; should not; do not

～べく

in order to; for the purpose of

～べくもない

cannot possibly; there is no way to

～べくして

as it is bound to happen; following the natural course

～びる / びて / びた

to seem to be; to appear; to behave as

～ぶり / っぷり

style; manner; way; the way one does something

～ぶる / ぶって / ぶった

to pretend; to act like; to assume the air of

～だに / だにしない

even; not even; just … alone

～だの～だの

and; and the like; and so forth

～だろうに

surely… but; should have (regret); must have been

～であれ / であろうと

whoever; whatever; however; even if

～であれ～であれ

whether [A] or [B]

～でもあり～でもある

to also be; both… and

～でも何でもない / くも何ともない

not in the least; nothing like that

～でなくてなんだろう

must be; is definitely; if it's not [X], what is it?

～ではあるまいか

isn't it; I wonder if it's not

～ではあるまいし

it's not like; it isn't as if

～では済まない

it doesn't end with just; it will take more than

～どうにも～ない

not by any means; no matter how hard one tries, cannot

～が早いか

no sooner than; as soon as

～が/も～なら、～も～だ

like father like son; both A and B are (equally bad/similar)

～がましい

look like; similar to; smacking of; bordering on

～がてら

while; on the same occasion; at the same time

～ごとき / ごとく / ごとし

like; as if; the same as (literary)

～ぐるみ

together with; -wide; including all of

～羽目になる（はめになる）

to end up in a situation where; to get stuck with (something unpleasant)

～ほどのことではない

it's not worth; no need to; not such a big deal

～ほうがましだ

would rather; better than (the alternative)

～放題（ほうだい）

as much as one pleases; to one's heart's content; leaving uncontrolled

～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

～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

～いかなる

any kind of; every; whatsoever; whatever

～いかに

how; in what way; how much; to what extent

～いかにも

indeed; really; truly; just like; very

～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

～じみた

to look like; to appear like; tainted with

～か否か（かいなか）

whether or not

～かと思いきや

contrary to expectations; thought it would be… but

～限りだ（かぎりだ）

extremely; to feel very strongly

～甲斐もなく（かいもなく）

despite one's efforts; even though; in vain

～可能性がある（かのうせいがある）

there's a possibility that; may; might

～からある / からする / からの

at least; as much as; as many as

～かれ～かれ

more or less; sooner or later; to some degree

～かたがた

while; at the same time; incidentally; for the purpose of

～かたわら

while; besides; at the same time; in addition to

～かつて

once; before; formerly; ever; never (with negative)

～嫌いがある（きらいがある）

to have a tendency to; a bad habit of

～切りがない（きりがない）

endless; there's no end to

～きっての

the most; the greatest of all

～極まる / 極まりない（きわまる / きわまりない）

extremely; utterly

～こそあれ

although; even though; there may be… but

～こそすれ

although; may indeed… but certainly not

～こそ～が / けれど

indeed… but; although (with emphasis)

～ことごとく

altogether; entirely; completely; every single one

～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

～こともあって

partly because; also because of

～ことなしに

without doing something

～ことのないように

so as not to; to make sure not to

～こととて

because; since (formal/literary excuse)

～くらいなら

rather than (do something undesirable)

～くらいのものだ

only; the only one who (emphasis)

～までだ / までのことだ

just; nothing else to do but; only

～までもない / までもなく

there's no need to; it's not necessary to

～まじき

should not; must not; unbecoming of

～まくる

to do over and over; to do relentlessly

～まみれ

covered with; stained with; smeared with

～まるっきり

completely; absolutely; totally; not at all

～めく

to seem; to show signs of; to have the appearance of

～も同然だ（もどうぜんだ）

just like; same as; practically

～もさることながら

not only… but also; that goes without saying, but

～もしないで

without even doing

～もはや

already; now; no longer; not anymore

～もので

because; since; the reason is that

～ものを

if only; I wish; regret that something didn't happen

～ものと思われる / ものと見られる

it is thought that; it is believed/expected that

～ものとする

shall; it is assumed that; to be understood as

～ものとして

to assume; to suppose; on the presumption that

～もしくは

or; otherwise (formal)

～んばかりに

as if; as though; on the verge of

～んがために

in order to (literary/formal)

～ながらに / ながらの

while; as; in the state of; since birth

～ないまでも

even if not; although not quite; at least

～ないものでもない

it's not entirely impossible; it could be possible

～ないものか / ないものだろうか

isn't there; can't we; I wish we could

～ないとも限らない

not necessarily; it's possible that; might

～なくしては

without; cannot do without

～並み（なみ）

average; same level as; equal to; on par with

～なんという / なんと / なんて

how (beautiful, etc.); what a

～何しろ（なにしろ）

at any rate; after all; anyhow; because; as you know

～ならでは

distinctive of; uniquely applying to; special to

～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

～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 ~

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many grammar points are on JLPT N1?

JLPT N1 covers approximately 300+ grammar points. Our study list covers all patterns tested on the exam.

How long does it take to learn JLPT N1 grammar?

Most students need 12-18 months of focused study to master N1 grammar, depending on study hours per day and prior knowledge.

What is the best way to study JLPT N1 grammar?

Start by understanding each grammar pattern in context with example sentences. Practice creating your own sentences, and review regularly using spaced repetition. Taking practice tests helps identify weak areas.

Is JLPT N1 grammar difficult?

N1 grammar is the most advanced, featuring literary and highly formal expressions.