JLPT N1 Grammar: all 167 patterns
N1 covers literary, formal and highly nuanced grammar found in newspapers, essays and formal speech.
Every JLPT N1 grammar pattern (167)
- 〜ないでください Please don't
- あっての B exists or has value only because A exists; A is an indispensable precondition for B ('B is only possible thanks to A')
- ものなら If it were possible to do A (though it is difficult or unlikely), I would want to do B. It expresses a wish about someth
- あかつきには When/once A (a hoped-for or significant event) has been achieved or has come to pass, then B (a result, plan, or promise
- ばかりか Not only A, but also B; A, and what is more, B.
- とき When..., At the time of...
- ばそれまでだ If A happens, that is the end of the matter: all previous effort or advantage becomes useless, or there is nothing more
- 前に Before doing something, Before (a certain event)
- ばこそ It is precisely because of A that B; A is strongly emphasized as the reason B is possible or true.
- べくもない There is no way to A / no hope of A: the situation is so far from A that A is out of the question.
- べからざる A … that must not be done; … that should not be allowed or tolerated (literary). With 欠[か]く it means "indispensable".
- べく In order to A, B (is done): A is the purpose, and B is a deliberate action taken to achieve it.
- べからず Must not do A; A is forbidden (a stern, classical prohibition)
- びる To take on the look, air or quality of A; to look or become A-ish (used only in a limited set of fixed words).
- ぶる To put on airs and act as if one were A (when one is not, or is overdoing it); to act pretentiously like A.
- だけではすまない Doing A is not going to suffice
- だの Things like A and B; A, B and so on. Lists examples one after another, usually to show complaint, criticism or annoyance
- だに With just A, B, Not even A
- でなくてなんだろう It's definitely A (and not something else)
- であれ,であろうと Whether it is A or B, …; no matter who/what it is, …; even if it is A, … (the same result holds regardless).
- ではあるまいし It's not as if (you/we/I) were A, so… ; you aren't A, so there's no need to… (used to criticize, scold or advise by poin
- どんなに~うが No matter what A, no matter how A
- がてら Doing A and, at the same time, taking the opportunity to do B as well; 'while (out) doing A, I also do B'.
- が早いか The moment A happens, B follows immediately: "as soon as A", "no sooner had A happened than B".
- ごとく,ごとき Like ~, as if ~, just as ~ (a literary equivalent of ようだ / ように)., N ごとき: 'a mere ~ like (N)'. It is used to look down on
- ぐるみ All of A, the entire A
- ぐらいのものだ Nobody or nothing but A (does or can do this); only A is like that., Used for something limited or small: all that one c
- 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 im
- はどうあれ No matter how/what A is (it makes no difference): whatever A may be, the main clause still holds.
- 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 tha
- いかんにかかわらず,いかんによらず Regardless of N; no matter what or how N is. The result or decision does not change whatever N is (for example a reason,
- いかんでは,いかんによっては Depending on N; it all depends on N (how N turns out will change the result or decision).
- 兼ねて Also for the purpose of A
- かれ~かれ Whether A or B; either way. Used in fixed phrases such as 'sooner or later', 'more or less / to some degree' and 'for be
- かぎりだ Very A
- からある,からの As much as A; a whole A; no less than A (emphasizes that the amount, size, weight, number or price is impressively large
- かたわら Besides doing A (the main occupation or activity), also doing B on the side; A and B are both carried on over a period o
- まみれ Covered or smeared all over with A, where A is something dirty or unpleasant. It is also used figuratively for being ste
- きりがない There's no end to ~; once you start doing or considering ~, it goes on without limit.
- 極まる Extremely A; utterly A; could not be more A (usually said of something undesirable).
- 極み/極まりない Nの極[きわ]み means “the height of N” or “the utmost degree of N.”, Adjな + 極[きわ]まりない means “extremely Adj” or “exceedingly Ad
- きらいがある Has a (bad) tendency to do or be A; tends to be A, in an undesirable way.
- こそあれ A does exist, but it is contrasted with B; B is often denied. It can also mean 'although A, ...' in a formal, written st
- こそすれ A is (or happens) – if anything – but B is certainly not the case; B is the opposite of what is expected from A.
- こそ~が Although A is B
- ことなしには Without doing A, it is impossible (or very difficult) to do/achieve B; unless A is done, B cannot happen.
- こととて Since / given that A (as an excuse or explanation); A is the circumstance that explains or excuses B.
- までもない There's no need to do A (because the result is obvious, already known, or not worth the effort).
- までだ/までのことだ Only A (will be done)
- まじき Unbecoming of or unworthy of someone in role or status A; behavior (B) that a person in that position must never engage
- も~なら、も~だ Both A/B and C/D are bad.
- ものを Even though A, (unfortunately/contrary to what was expected) B. The speaker expresses regret, dissatisfaction or reproac
- 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 emp
- まだしも A (the milder or more acceptable case) might be tolerable or understandable, but B (the more extreme case) is not. "A is
- ものとして Treating A as true or as a premise (whether or not it really is), and acting or reasoning on that basis; "on the assumpt
- んばかり Looks as if about to A; almost A; as if (someone) were A-ing. It describes a vivid appearance, gesture or degree, often
- まい／まいか 1) Negative conjecture: 'probably not A / surely not A' (= Aないだろう)., 2) Negative volition: 'I will not A / let's not A'
- んがため In order to do A (the subject does B with that goal in mind). A formal, literary way of saying 'in order to'.
- なりとも At least (a little bit) of A (usually a small amount), One of A (used for showing one example out of a set/group)
- なり~なり A or B
- なりに,なりの,それなり In A's own way, in a(n) A way
- 並み On par with A; at the same level or degree as A (as good, as much, as bad as A).
- なしに Without A; without doing A. With なしには + a negative, it means 'can't … without A'.
- なくして Without A, B is impossible / cannot happen / would not exist.
- なら~なり If A/B is the case...
- ないものでもない/ないでもない A is not completely impossible
- ならでは B is only possible at/with A; If it's not A, B is impossible
- ないまでも Even if not (as far as) A, at least B. A is a higher level that may not be reached, and B is a lesser level that should
- ならいざしらず A may be understandable or acceptable, but B (a more extreme or different case) is not. Used to say 'leaving A aside, B
- なり As soon as A happens, B happens immediately. B is usually a sudden or unexpected action.
- ながらに,ながらの,ながらにして Expresses doing something in the manner or condition of A, or despite being A, e.g. 'in tears', 'just as in the old days
- に難くない It is not difficult to imagine / understand / guess ~; one can easily imagine ~ (a negative expression meaning "it is ea
- に即して In accordance with A; based on A; in line with A (an actual fact, situation, rule or law).
- によらず Regardless of A; irrespective of A. The result or the speaker's action stays the same whatever A is.
- にもまして Even more than A; more than anything/anyone/anywhere. A already has the quality in question, and B has it to an even hig
- にひきかえ Unlike A, B; in contrast to A, B. It sets up two things or situations that are clearly opposite.
- には及ばない There is no need to V; it is not necessary to V., (N) is unnecessary; there is no need for N., (Something) cannot match
- にかかわる Relating to A, concerning A
- にいたって Only when a situation reaches the extreme stage of A (does something happen, or is it realized), As for the extreme case
- に至るまで Right down to A; even A; everything up to and including A (A is the far or extreme end of a range)., With time words: al
- には及ばない There is no need to A
- にとどまらず Not only A, but also (something broader or more); not limited to A, but extending beyond it.
- にたえる/にたえない Too awful, pitiful or poor to bear to see/hear/read; not worth doing (VDict + にたえない, mainly 見[み]る・聞[き]く・読[よ]む)., Cannot
- にして At the time A, While A, At the stage/point A, B happens (B is important change/first time)
- にあって, Trong suốt thời gian During time/situation A
- に先駆けて Ahead of A; before A; doing something before others or before an upcoming event, often as a pioneer.
- のやら 'I wonder (what/when/why/how...)' or 'I have no idea ...', said with worry, exasperation or bemusement. The doubled form
- のやら I wonder A B, I don't know A B, It can't be said to be only A or B (opposites)..
- 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. (
- の+ 至り Very A
- めく To show signs of A; to have the appearance or qualities of A
- しまつだ Describes the bad, regrettable final result of a series of problems: 'it ended up with (someone) doing ~', 'it came to t
- そばから No sooner than A happens, B happens (again and again). B undoes or spoils A, or makes it pointless.
- 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 (
- たるもの (A) 'Anyone who is a N / One who is a N (should…)': a person in a certain role or status is expected to live up to it. (
- たら~たで If A happens or is the case, that has its own separate complications (or aspects) to deal with; A is fine in itself, but
- たが最後 Once A happens, there is no going back and B inevitably follows. B is usually something bad or unavoidable.
- ただ~のみだ Only A
- たりとも Not even one A; not the slightest bit of A (emphatic 'not even' for the smallest unit)
- ただ~のみならず Not only A, but also B. A is stated as one case, and B adds a further, often more important or surprising, case.
- たところで Even if A, although A (is done)
- のみならず Not only A, but also B. B is added to A.
- てからというもの Ever since A happened, B (a state or habit that has continued and is very different from before).
- ては Since A, because of A, Every time that A happens, B, Doing A, then B, A, then B, etc.
- ては Since A, because of A, Every time that A happens, B, Doing A, then B, A, then B, etc.
- てやまない To keep feeling, hoping or thinking A deeply and sincerely; to never stop ~ing (used with verbs of emotion or thought).
- てみせる To show (the action) A
- とも~とも Whether A or B
- というか~というか (not sure if it's) A or B
- と相まって Along with A
- とばかりに As if to say 'A'; with an air or attitude that clearly says A. The attitude is shown through behaviour, a look or a gest
- 折には On the occasion of A; when A happens or when the chance of A arises (formal, polite).
- と言わせれば On the view of
- とはくらべ物にならない X cannot be compared with A, because the two differ enormously in quality, degree or scale (X is far better, or far wors
- 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 co
- 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
- といえども Even (though/if) A, still B: A does not change B or lead to the expected result. With a noun, it means “even A” or “even
- とはいえ Although A (A is true), still / nevertheless B. B goes against what A would lead you to expect.
- と思いきや Even though A (was thought/expected), different result B
- とは裏腹 Contrary to A; in contrast to A; the opposite of what A would suggest. A is an expectation, prediction, appearance, word
- といったところだ Gives a rough, summarizing picture of the level, amount or state of A: "about…", "roughly…", "…or so", "that's about it"
- といったらない/といったらありはしない Extremely A; so A that it is hard to put into words. The speaker strongly emphasizes their own feeling or evaluation.
- とあれば If/given that A (a special, serious or extreme situation), then B. B is usually a strong resolve, an obligation or a nat
- とみえる It seems that A; apparently A (a judgment based on something the speaker has seen or observed)
- といわず A and B alike; whether A or B; without distinguishing between A and B (the same thing applies to everything in that rang
- といい~といい Both A and B; whether you look at A or B, (the same judgment applies). Two aspects of one subject are cited as examples,
- ときている Given that A (as it is); with A being the case (so naturally B)., A, and on top of that / to make matters worse (or bett
- 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 apo
- ともなると,ともなれば When (the time/situation) A
- とみると As soon as/whenever A (is realized/noticed/understood)
- ともなく,ともなしに Doing A without thinking about it/intending to; To do A mindlessly
- 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)
- うが~うが No matter whether A or B; regardless of A or B (the result or the speaker's attitude does not change).
- うと~まいと,うが~まいが Whether or not A (happens / is done), B; regardless of whether A or not. The result or the speaker's stance in B stays t
- うものなら If (someone) were to do A, a serious, undesirable result B would follow. A is something extreme or best avoided, and B i
- うにも~ない Even if A is attempted/thought about, A can't be done (there is no way to A)
- うか~まいか Whether to do A or B (do or not do)
- をかわきりに Starting with A (the first of a series), and then similar things follow or spread one after another.
- をもって(すれば) With the means/ability/strength A, B is done, A marks the end of something happening (polite)
- を踏まえて Based on A; taking A into account; in light of A. A fact, result, opinion, or experience is used as the premise for what
- をよそに Paying no heed to A; ignoring A; in disregard of A; despite A (A is usually other people's worry, expectation, oppositio
- を境に A is set as a border/limit
- をおいて~ない No one/nothing other than A (can/is…); A is the only one that fits. 'There is nobody but A.'
- をかぎりに With A as the last time: A is the final day/period, and after A something that had continued stops for good ('after A, n
- をもって(すれば) With the means/ability/strength A, B is done, A marks the end of something happening (polite)
- を経て After going through A (a period, process or stage); via / by way of A (a place or step)
- を機に Use A as an opportunity
- を余儀なくされる Must do A
- を禁じ得ない Cannot suppress or hold back a feeling or reaction (N) that arises from what one sees or hears; "can't help feeling N".
- をものともせず Defying A; undaunted by A; in spite of A (a hardship, danger or obstacle). It describes someone facing a difficulty with
- や、やいなや As soon as A, B; the moment A happened, B followed immediately.
- ゆえに Because of A; because A; owing to A (a formal, literary 'because'). As a sentence-initial conjunction, ゆえに can also mean
- ざる B that does not do A / B that is not A-ed (literary form of ～ない before a noun)
- ずくめ Nothing but A; entirely A; full of A (a situation or appearance made up completely of A).
- ずとも Even without doing A; there is no need to do A (for B to hold).
- ずにはすまない/ないではすまない One cannot get away without doing A. Given the situation, A has to be done (it would not be acceptable otherwise).
- ずにはおかない/ないではおかない Will inevitably A / is bound to A: (1) a thing or event inevitably produces a reaction or feeling in people; (2) the spe
- ずじまい End up never doing A (even though one intended to or it was expected); A never happened in the end, which leaves a feeli
- かたがた Doing A and B at the same time; combining A with B. One action (usually going or visiting) serves both purposes: "as a w
- でも差し支えない It is acceptable / no problem even if A; A is fine too. A formal way to say that something is allowed or does not matter
- とみられる It is thought/believed that A (an objective judgment or estimate based on evidence); A is believed to be ...
- とされる It is regarded/considered/said to be A; A is generally held to be the case (often without specifying who holds the view)
- とあって Given the special situation of A, (naturally) B. A is a notable circumstance, and B is the noticeable result or state th
- にはあたらない There is no need to A / A is not warranted: it is not something that deserves A (surprise, blame, praise, worry, etc.).
- にたる,にたりる Enough to/for A, Sufficient for A, Worthy of A
- ものとする Shall / is to be / is to (do): states a rule, stipulation or arrangement, usually in formal documents. In explanations i
- ゃしない Doesn't/won't/can't do A at all; a strong, colloquial denial (a contracted, emphatic form of ～はしない).