文法JLPT N1 grammar
172 grammar patterns with meanings, usage and examples
- ～そばからsoba-kara As soon as; no sooner thanAn action is immediately repeated or undone, often frustratingly, rather than just any two successive events.
- ～くらいでkurai-de Over something as minor asTreats the reason as too minor to justify the response, often in advice or reproach.
- ～だにdani Even; justA literary form in expressions such as not even imagining or merely thinking, often with negation or a strong reaction.
- ～ためしがないtameshi-ga-nai Have never onceCritically asserts that something has never happened in one's experience, often about a bad habit.
- ～たらんとするtaran-to-suru Aspire to be; seek to becomeA literary, formal expression of aspiring to become or be worthy of a role.
- ～たるやtaruya When it comes to; as forIntroduces a topic followed by an emphatic evaluation of an exceptional degree.
- ～づくしzukushi All kinds of; an assortment ofAn assortment within one category, such as an all-fish menu; distinguish ずくめ for an overall state or series.
- ～（とい）ったらありゃしないttara-arya-shinai Unbearably; extremelyA strongly emphatic colloquial expression, often complaining; unsuitable for formal writing.
- ～つ～つtsu-tsu Now ... now; alternatelyAn older form used in fixed paired expressions, not freely combined verb stems.
- ～づめだzume-da Continuously; without a breakDescribes prolonged, often tiring activity, commonly working or walking without a break; spelled with づ.
- ～であれ～であれde-are-de-are Whether A or BFormally lists alternatives before a conclusion applying equally to both.
- ～てからというものte-kara-toiu-mono Ever sinceMarks a turning point after which a noticeably different state continues.
- ～てこそはじめてte-koso-hajimete Only after; only byEmphasizes a necessary condition for a result to become meaningful or possible.
- ～てしかるべきだte-shikaru-beki-da Ought to; it would be appropriate toStates what would be proper or socially expected, often criticizing an omission.
- ～ては、～てはtewa-tewa Repeatedly; doing and thenDescribes alternating repeated actions, distinct from the conditional use of Vては.
- ～て(は) かなわないtewa-kanawanai Cannot stand; be unbearable ifComplains about a situation affecting the speaker, often beyond their control.
- ～てはばからないte-habakaranai Have no hesitation in openlyOpenly says or does something without restraint, often implying excessive confidence or disregard.
- ～手前temae Now that; because of one's positionA prior statement or one's position before others creates an obligation to act consistently.
- ～てまで/～てまで～ないte-made Even going so far as toDescribes an extreme measure or sacrifice for a goal; the negative says it is not worth going that far.
- ～てみせるte-miseru Will definitely do; show that one canExpresses strong determination, distinct from literally demonstrating an action.
- ～でもしたらdemo-shitara If one were to; should ... happenIntroduces an alarming hypothetical action and its serious consequence, not a casual suggestion.
- ～でもなんでもないdemo-nandemo-nai Not at all; nothing of the kindStrongly denies an identity or na-adjective quality; i-adjectives use くもなんともない.
- ～といい～といいto-ii-to-ii Both ... and; in terms of bothUses two representative features to evaluate the whole, usually both favorably or both unfavorably.
- ～というか~というか／～といおうか～といおうかtoiu-ka-toiu-ka Whether to call it ... orSearches for the right description, qualifying an impression rather than choosing an action.
- ～というところだtoiu-tokoro-da At most; approximatelyEstimates an approximate level or upper limit, often suggesting no more than that.
- ～といったらないto-ittara-nai Words cannot express howAn emphatic exclamation about degree, often a feeling; distinct from exemplifying といった.
- ～といっても過言ではないto-ittemo-kagon-dewa-nai It is no exaggeration to saySupports a strong assessment as not exaggerated; it should be grounded in context.
- ～といわずto-iwazu Whether ... or; all overUses two examples to encompass every place or time, not just those two items.
- ～どおしだ（通しだ）dooshi-da Throughout; all the wayAn action continues for an entire period, commonly standing or walking throughout.
- ～ときたらto-kitara When it comes to; as for thatOften introduces a topic for a complaint rather than serving as a generally neutral topic marker.