文法JLPT N2 grammar
141 grammar patterns with meanings, usage and examples
- ～でいいですde-ii Be fine with; sufficeAccepts an option as sufficient; depending on context it can sound like settling for it.
- ～やむをえずyamu-wo-ezu Unavoidably; reluctantlyIntroduces an action forced by circumstances, usually an unwelcome one.
- ～ではないだろうかdewa-nai-darou-ka Might it not be; perhapsSoftens an opinion or proposal by presenting it as a rhetorical question.
- ～せめてsemete At leastStates a minimum wish or request when a better outcome is unavailable.
- ～ものですから／～ものだからmono-dakara Because; the thing isExplains circumstances behind an outcome, often as an excuse; excessive use can weaken a formal apology.
- ～が気になるga-ki-ni-naru Be concerned about; be on one's mindDescribes something drawing attention or causing concern; 気にする focuses more on taking something to heart.
- ～思うようにomou-you-ni As one wishes; as expectedOften occurs with a negative to describe a result that fails to meet expectations; affirmative use means as one wishes.
- ～さすが（に）sasuga-ni As expected; even so at this pointCan praise someone as living up to expectations or acknowledge that a limit has finally been reached.
- ～もののmono-no Although; even thoughConcedes the first fact before stating an unexpected limitation, mainly in written language.
- ～一方、～一方で（は）ippou-de On the one hand; whileContrasts two sides or situations; distinguish dictionary verb plus 一方だ for a one-directional trend.
- ～それにしてもsore-ni-shitemo Even so; neverthelessAcknowledges earlier context before introducing a strong reaction or assessment.
- ～を～にまかせるwo-ni-makaseru Leave something to; entrustEntrusts handling or decisions to someone; leaving an outcome to chance is a related use, not blaming someone.
- ～かねるkaneru Be unable to; find it difficult toPolitely expresses inability or reluctance to comply, rather than a lack of learned skill.
- ～たちまちtachimachi In an instant; very soonEmphasizes a rapid change, often one that seems sudden or unexpected.
- ～なにしろ（何しろ）nanishiro After all; you seeIntroduces a salient reason explaining a statement or situation, often with personal emphasis.
- ～とうてい toutei Cannot possibly; by no meansPairs with a negative to strongly deny feasibility; more formal than とても～ない.
- ～にのぼるni-noboru Amount to; reachUsed with quantities to emphasize a substantial total, rather than the ordinary physical act of climbing.
- ～次第だ shidai-da That is why; the circumstances arePolitely explains the background leading to a present situation; distinguish verb stem plus 次第 meaning as soon as.
- ～あげく ageku After much; in the end unfortunatelyUsually introduces an unfortunate outcome after a lengthy or difficult process; 末 can also introduce a positive result.
- ～あまり amari So much that; from excessiveAn excessive feeling or action causes a result, often unintended; distinguish あまり～ない meaning not very.
- ～以上 ijou-wa Now that; sinceDraws a duty or natural conclusion from an accepted fact; this differs from numerical 以上.
- ～いっぽうだippou-da Keep becoming; steadily moreDescribes a continuing trend in one direction, often an unwelcome one; not a contrast between two sides.
- ～上に ue-ni Besides; on top ofAdds two qualities or reasons pointing in the same direction, usually both positive or both negative.
- ～上で ue-de In doing; in terms ofSets the sphere of an activity or consideration; past verb plus 上で instead means after completing a prior step.
- ～恐れがある osore-ga-aru There is a risk that; mayObjectively warns of an adverse possibility, commonly in reports and notices.
- ～か～ないかのうちに ka-nai-ka-no-uchi-ni Just as; before even finishingEvents occur so close together that the first may not have fully finished; commonly describes actual events.
- ～かける／～かけだ／～かけの kakeru Be partway through; start toDescribes an action begun but not finished; some combinations can also mean almost doing something.
- ～かと思うと／～かと思ったら ka-to-omou-to No sooner than; just whenDescribes a sudden change after an observed event, rather than the speaker's own planned decision.
- ～かのようだ／～かのような／～かのように ka-no-you-da As if; as thoughCompares something to an appearance that need not be true; に modifies actions and な modifies nouns.
- ～からいって kara-itte Judging from; in terms ofIntroduces the criterion or evidence for an assessment, not a literal source of speech.