文法JLPT N1 grammar
172 grammar patterns with meanings, usage and examples
- ～ところだったtokoro-datta Almost; nearlyAn event almost occurred but was avoided, often with 危うく or もう少しで.
- ～とてtote Even; even ifA literary or old-fashioned concession, uncommon in ordinary modern conversation.
- ～とばかり（に）to-bakari-ni As if to sayInfers an unspoken message from someone's expression or action without claiming it was said aloud.
- ～とみるやto-miru-ya As soon as one seesDescribes an immediate response to an observed situation, often in a narrative about someone else.
- ～ともあろうものがtomo-arou-mono-ga Of all people; someone of your standingReproaches conduct unworthy of someone's status or expected competence; can sound harsh.
- ～とも～ともつかぬ／ともつかないtomo-tsukanu Indistinguishable as; hard to tell whetherDescribes an ambiguous state or sound that cannot be clearly classified, not simple indecision.
- ～ともなく／～ともなしにtomo-naku Without intending to; absentmindedlyDescribes an action without a clear intention; with question words it can indicate an unspecified person or place.
- ～ないまでもnai-made-mo Even if not quite; at leastSets a lesser minimum B even if the ideal A is not reached.
- ～などもってのほかだnado-motte-no-hoka-da Be out of the questionStrongly condemns something as beyond acceptable limits, not merely unnecessary.
- ～なまじ～（ものだ）からnamaji-kara Precisely because one has a littleA little ability or an incomplete advantage leads to an adverse result; not a neutral causal expression.
- ～並みnami On a par with; at the level ofCompares something with the typical level of a group, without necessarily praising it.
- ～ならいざしらずnara-iza-shirazu It might be different for ... butAllows that A might be understandable while rejecting or questioning B.
- ～ならまだしもnara-mada-shimo If it were only; might be acceptable forContrasts a milder, possibly tolerable case with a more serious actual one.
- ～なり～なりnari-nari Either ... or; for exampleSuggests alternative examples and leaves a suitable choice open; distinct from immediate-action なり.
- ～なりに／～なりのnari-ni In one's own way; as best one canRecognizes an approach suited to one's own position or ability, without claiming perfection.
- ～に至ってni-itatte Only upon reaching; when it comes toMarks a final or extreme stage; with 初めて it means only then, and with は it singles out a case.
- ～にいわせればni-iwasereba If you ask; in someone's opinionIntroduces a characteristically personal opinion rather than an exact quotation.
- ～に（は）及ばないniwa-oyobanai No need to; be no match forWith an action it means unnecessary; with a comparison target it means not reaching that level.
- ～にかかってはni-kakatte-wa In someone's hands; when handled byIntroduces someone's characteristic ability or way of handling things, approvingly or critically according to context.
- ～に限ったことではないni-kagitta-koto-dewa-nai Not limited toStates that a problem or feature also occurs elsewhere, beyond the case under discussion.
- ～にかまけてni-kamakete Be preoccupied with; neglect other things forBeing preoccupied with one thing leads to neglecting another duty, often critically.
- ～にしてはじめてni-shite-hajimete Only at; only withEmphasizes the exceptional stage, ability, or status required to achieve a result.
- ～にしのびないni-shinobinai Cannot bear to; have no heart toCannot bear an action or sight for emotional or compassionate reasons, rather than physical inability.
- ～にたえるni-taeru Withstand; be worthy ofCan mean withstanding an impact or meeting a standard for viewing, reading, or evaluation; spelling depends on sense.
- ～にてらして（に照らして）ni-terashite In light of; against a standardEvaluates something against rules, facts, or experience as a standard, not literal illumination.
- ～によらずni-yorazu Regardless of; without relying onCan disregard a distinction or mean not relying on a method; context determines the sense.
- ～ぬ間にnu-ma-ni Before; while not yetA literary form of ない間に, taking advantage of a period before a change or before being noticed.
- ～はいわずもがなだwa-iwazu-mogana Needless to say; not to mentionTreats A as obvious before extending to B; in a different construction it can mean something better left unsaid.
- ～ばこそba-koso Precisely because; only becauseEmphasizes the real reason, often explaining something seemingly contradictory, not a normal hypothetical condition.
- ～はさておきwa-sateoki Setting aside; leaving asideTemporarily puts a topic aside to focus on a priority, often as a transition.