Japanese Grammar

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終わるTo finish doing A; to complete the action of A (all the way through).JLPT N4Secondary Verb

すら,ですらEven N; not even N. N is raised as an extreme or minimal example, which implies that everything else naturally follows ("even X ..., let alone Y").JLPT N1(Not)only , (Not) even

っこないThere's no way that A (will happen / is possible); A is out of the question. This expresses the speaker's strong conviction.JLPT N2Potential, Possibility

ておくDo somethingJLPT N4Secondary Verb

てさしあげるTo do something for a superior or respected person (humble form of 〜てあげる). It is used when the speaker, or someone in the speaker's group, performs the action.JLPT N3Give and take advice

ござる／ございますVery polite, formal form of ある: 'there is / we have / it is located (at)'. It is used for inanimate things, mainly in customer service and business speech.JLPT N4Honorifics

そういえばCome to think of it, A; that reminds me, A; speaking of which, A. The speaker remembers or raises something A that is connected to what was just said or to the situation.JLPT N3Considering, Concerning

ところをIn the middle of / at the time of situation A, (an action or feeling is directed at that situation). Used for polite apologies or thanks, and for being seen, caught or helped while doing A.JLPT N1Time, Situation

ただしHowever; provided that; note that. B adds a condition, limit, exception or caution to the statement A.JLPT N2Contrast,Surprise

なりAs soon as A happens, B happens immediately. B is usually a sudden or unexpected action.JLPT N1Time, Situation

ことからBecause of the fact that A, B. Used for the origin of a name, for reaching a conclusion from evidence ('judging from the fact that A, B'), or for a factual reason behind a result.JLPT N2Reason, Result, Response

ばこそIt is precisely because of A that B; A is strongly emphasized as the reason B is possible or true.JLPT N1Reason, Result, Response

てこそOnly by doing A (or only when A is the case) can the result be achieved or the real value be understood; A is the indispensable condition.JLPT N2Reason, Result, Response

てはいけないMust not do A; doing A is not allowed (a prohibition based on rules, manners or the speaker's authority).JLPT N5Can, Should, Must

そこでSo; and so; in response to that situation. B is a deliberate action or measure taken because of A.JLPT N2Considering, Concerning

ようになる／なくなるCome to be able to do something, or come to do something as a new habit. It describes a change from an earlier state. With the negative forms, it means come to not do something, or no longer do or be able to do it.JLPT N4Time, Situation

とは/というのはExplains or defines a word or concept: 'A (is) B', 'A means B', 'A refers to B'.JLPT N2Adjectival, Descriptions

でしょうProbably ...; I expect that ...; ... will likely be... (a polite conjecture, spoken with falling intonation)., ..., right? / ..., isn't it? (asking the listener to confirm something, spoken with rising intonation).JLPT N5Miscellaneous

に加えて／に加えIn addition to A (not only A), B as well.JLPT N2Lists, Examples

それがBut / and yet (contrary to what you'd expect from A), B. It introduces a surprising or disappointing fact that overturns the expectation set up in the previous sentence.JLPT N2Contrast,Surprise

やるTo give B to A (to feed, water, or give something to an animal, a plant, or a junior)JLPT N4Give and take advice

もさることながらA is of course true (a given), but B is even more so / B as well. B is usually the point the speaker really wants to emphasise.JLPT N1Conditional, While

うる／えないExpresses that something can happen or can be the case (it is possible in principle). 得[え]ない means it cannot happen or is impossible.JLPT N2Potential, Possibility

と共にTogether with / along with (a person or group), As A changes, B changes too; at the same time as A, B happens, A is both X and Y (two qualities or roles at once)JLPT N2Information, Report

んだいA casual, masculine-sounding way to ask a question, usually with a question word, asking for an explanation or information about something.JLPT N3Sentence Endings

てくるSomething has gradually changed or developed up to now (and is still in progress). It can also mean an action or state has started, or has continued from the past up to the present.JLPT N4Secondary Verb

ほどTo the extent that ~: B is so strong/high that it reaches the degree of A., Not as ~ as ~: A is not as B as N (N ほど ~ない)., The more ~, the more ~: as A increases, B increases too (~ば~ほど)., About ~, approximately ~ (after a quantity or time).JLPT N3Information, Report

を込めてWith A poured into it; doing something with (feelings, effort, strength, etc.) invested in itJLPT N2Will, Decision, “Doing”

だらけだFull of, covered with, or packed with A; usually an undesirable or excessive amount of A.JLPT N2Degree, Level, Amount

ときたらSpeaking of A (a person or thing the speaker knows well), B — used to bring up A as a topic and express the speaker's complaint, exasperation or amazement about it.JLPT N1Considering/ Concerning

としたところで、としたってEven if ~ / Even supposing ~ (it makes no difference or won't help). With N: even N / even from N's position, ~. それにしたって: even so, ~.JLPT N1Considering/ Concerning

とかI heard that A; apparently A (casual, reporting hearsay without being fully sure of the details)JLPT N3Information, Report

なおAlso; note that; in addition (adds supplementary information, a caveat, an exception or a reminder after the main statement)JLPT N2Miscellaneous

～がほしいI want ~JLPT N5Asking and Telling

ては初めてOnly after (doing or experiencing) A did/does B; not until A did B.JLPT N3Time, Situation

かも知れないMight A, maybe A, perhaps A. The speaker thinks A is possible but is not sure.JLPT N4Sentence Endings

~前にBefore N/Vる(occurs/happens)JLPT N5Time

だけどBut; however; although. It links two contrasting statements in casual speech. It can join two clauses, or open a new sentence meaning 'Even so, …'.JLPT N4Contrast

わけにはいかないVるわけにはいかない: cannot / must not do A (because of circumstances, duty or common sense), even if you want to. Vないわけにはいかない: cannot avoid doing A, so one has to do A.JLPT N3Needs, Requirement

っぱなしTo leave something as it is after doing it (without putting it back or finishing up); to keep on doing something or stay in a state continuously without change. Usually negative.JLPT N2Adjectival, Descriptions

は疎かNot to mention A, even B...; B, let alone A. In the usual negative construction, A is the obvious, more extreme case that goes without saying, and even B, a lesser or easier case, is also so (usually not achieved). In affirmative constructions, B may instead be the more extensive or extreme case.JLPT N1(Not)only , (Not) even

ねばならないMust do A; have to do A; A is necessary or obligatory.JLPT N2Needs, Requirements

てみせるTo show (the action) AJLPT N1Will, Decision, Doing

しか~ないOnly A; nothing or no one except A. The negative verb stresses that A is small, limited or not enough.JLPT N4Degree. Level, Amount

なら~なりIf A/B is the case...JLPT N1Conditional, While

～ましょう。Let's do V (together) – an invitation or proposal. With か, ～ましょうか means 'Shall I/we do V?' – an offer or suggestion.JLPT N5Verb suffixes

にすぎないOnly A; No more than AJLPT N2(Not)only, (Not) even

まだStill; something still exists or is still happening, Not yet; an expected action has not happenedJLPT N5Miscellaneous

ことは~がIt is true that A (I admit it, to some extent), but C. The speaker concedes A and then adds a contrasting or less satisfying point.JLPT N3Contrast

ままにDoing B following A or just as A directs, or being led by A (an instruction, someone's wishes, a feeling or a natural flow) without resisting.JLPT N2Adjectival, Descriptions

きりがないThere's no end to ~; once you start doing or considering ~, it goes on without limit.JLPT N1Adjectival, Descriptions

なくてもいいYou don't have to do A; it is not necessary to do A., A doesn't need to be X; it is fine even if it isn't X.JLPT N4Can, Should, Must

のもと／をもとBased on A; using A (a story, data, experience, a model, etc.) as the basis or source for making or judging something. (Nをもとに), Under A: under the guidance or supervision of a person, or under a system, law or condition. (Nのもとで)JLPT N1Based/focused/depending on

使役受け身ImperativeJLPT N4Causative, Passive, Volitional

きるTo do A completely, all the way to the end, or use up the entire amount; きれる (the potential form) means to be able to do A completely, and きれない means cannot do it all.JLPT N2Potential, Possibility

一方だKeeps on getting more and more …; a change continues steadily in one direction without reversing.JLPT N2Miscellaneous

つ~つDoing A and B alternately, back and forth, or to each other (A and B are opposite actions, or an action and its passive). Used in set phrases.JLPT N1Information, Report

はさておきSetting A aside (for now), B; leaving A out of consideration and turning to B. B is usually the more pressing or more important matter, or a change of topic.JLPT N1Miscellaneous

はずだJLPT N5

てもいいIt is all right to do A; you may do A. As a question (～てもいいですか), it asks for permission: "May I ...?" With adjectives and nouns, it means "A is acceptable / A will do". With the negative (～なくてもいい), it means "you don't have to".JLPT N5Can, Should, Must

Japanese Grammar

All 623 grammar points, by JLPT level

JLPT N5 (78)

JLPT N4 (101)

JLPT N3 (112)

JLPT N2 (165)

JLPT N1 (167)