文法JLPT N1 grammar
172 grammar patterns with meanings, usage and examples
- ～と言ったらto ittara Speaking of; as for; indescribablyIntroduce a topic, often emphasizing an especially strong feeling or degree. In expressions such as sono samusa to ittara, it suggests something too s...
- ～にあってni atte In; under particular circumstances; in the position ofSet a particular circumstance, period, or position in which an event takes place. This is a formal expression, not a direct equivalent of because. Dis...
- ～あえてaete Dare to; deliberately despite objectionsDescribes deliberately choosing an action despite difficulty or expectations; あえて～ない means deliberately refraining.
- ～にいたるまで（至るまで）ni-itaru-made Even as far as; down toEmphasizes a range extending even to a minor detail or an unexpected endpoint; formal.
- 〜めくmeku Have the air of; become likeA lexical suffix found in established combinations such as 春めく and 謎めく, not freely attached to every noun.
- 〜かたわらkatawara While also; alongsideDescribes a sustained main activity alongside a secondary pursuit, rather than two momentary actions.
- ～と思いきやto-omoikiya Just when one thought; contrary to expectationIntroduces a reality sharply different from what was expected, often in narrative.
- 〜が早いかga-hayai-ka No sooner than; the instantDescribes near-simultaneous actions in a narrative, not an instruction about what to do next.
- ただ〜のみtada-nomi Nothing but; onlyFormally limits a statement to one thing; ただ and のみ can reinforce each other.
- 〜なりnari As soon asOften describes the same person's immediate and somewhat unexpected second action.
- ごとき／ごとくgotoki-gotoku Like; as thoughごとく is adverbial and ごとき modifies nouns; literary or formal, sometimes self-deprecating in 私ごとき.
- 〜がてらgatera While also; on the occasion ofCombines a secondary purpose with an outing or main action, usually by the same person.
- 〜を皮切りにwo-kawakiri-ni Starting with; beginning withMarks the first in a subsequent series of similar events, not just any starting point.
- ～をもってwo-motte By means of; as ofFormal: can mark a means or a cutoff time. It does not replace every use of で.
- ～が最後ga-saigo Once ... then inevitablyWarns that an action will trigger a severe or irreversible consequence.
- ～まみれmamire Covered in; smeared withTypically describes dirt or liquid covering a surface, in combinations such as mud, blood, or sweat.
- ～とあればto-areba If it is for; if the case isPresents a special condition that justifies doing something otherwise difficult or exceptional.
- ～ともなるとtomo-naru-to When it comes to; once reachingIntroduces a notable stage or scale at which circumstances change significantly.
- ～なくしては～ないnakushite-wa Without; not possible withoutFormally emphasizes an indispensable condition: without A, B cannot be achieved.
- ～なしにnashi-ni Without; omittingDescribes omitting an expected element or step; なしには commonly introduces a negative conclusion.
- ～ならではnaradewa Unique to; only possible withUsually praises a distinctive quality unique to a person or place, rather than making a neutral restriction.
- ～に足るni-taru Worthy of; sufficient toFormally judges something worthy of a standard such as trust or attention.
- ～とあってto-atte Because it is; given thatGives a special actual circumstance as the reason for an understandable response; unlike hypothetical とあれば.
- ～べくbeku In order to; with the intention ofA literary way to state purpose or intention, usually with the same agent in both clauses.
- ～かたがたkatagata While also; partly toFormally combines two purposes, especially visiting, thanking, or offering greetings.
- ～たところでta-tokoro-de Even if one did; would not helpHypothesizes an action and judges it ineffective or unable to change the outcome; not a factual past event.
- ～であれ／であろうと／だろうが／であろうが／～あろうとなかろうとde-are-darou-ga Whether; even ifIntroduces concessive conditions or alternatives that do not change the conclusion; attachment varies by word class.
- ～にたえないni-taenai Cannot bear; be deeplyWith verbs it means unbearable; with nouns such as gratitude it can express an overwhelming positive feeling.
- ～を限りにwo-kagiri-ni As of; ending withMarks the final point of an activity or state; distinguish 声を限りに meaning at the top of one's voice.
- ～ところをtokoro-wo Although you are; at a time whenOften thanks or apologizes for imposing on someone in a particular situation; it can also mean catching someone in the act.