Master 56 JLPT N2 grammar patterns with clear explanations, examples, and practice exercises for Japanese learners.
56 grammar patterns
without doing
Learn how to use 〜ことなく to express "without doing" in Japanese.
not in a position to, far from
Learn how to use 〜どころではない to express inability due to circumstances in Japanese.
since, now that, as long as
Learn how to use 〜以上は to express commitment based on circumstances in Japanese.
as expected of, befitting
Learn how to use 〜だけあって to express living up to expectations in Japanese.
will not, probably not, shall not
Learn how to use 〜まい to express negative volition or conjecture in Japanese.
on the occasion of, when
Learn how to use 〜にあたって to mark special occasions in Japanese.
filled with, putting (emotion) into
Learn how to use 〜を込めて to express putting emotion into something in Japanese.
seeming, -ish, appearing
Learn how to use 〜げ to describe appearances in Japanese.
if only I could, if it were possible
Learn how to use 〜ものなら to express wishful conditions in Japanese.
not to mention, of course
Learn how to use 〜はもちろん to express "not to mention" in Japanese.
do thoroughly, to the end
Learn how to use 〜ぬく to express doing something completely in Japanese.
even if, no matter
Learn how to use 〜たとえ〜ても to express "even if" in Japanese.
merely, only, nothing more than
Learn how to use 〜にすぎない to express "merely" or "only" in Japanese.
if only, as long as
Learn how to use 〜さえ〜ば to express "if only" in Japanese.
cannot help but, cannot resist
Learn how to use 〜ずにはいられない to express an irresistible urge in Japanese.
precisely because, it is because
Learn how to use 〜からこそ to emphasize reasons in Japanese.
Despite / In spite of
〜にもかかわらず means "despite" or "in spite of" — Y happens even though X would normally prevent it.
Regardless of / Irrespective of
〜を問わず means "regardless of" or "irrespective of" — X doesn't matter, Y applies to all.
In addition to / On top of
〜に加えて means "in addition to" or "on top of" — adding Y to an already existing X.
Along with / As well as / Together with
〜とともに means "along with," "together with," or "as X happens, Y also happens."
Only after / Not until / For the first time
〜てはじめて means "only after doing X" — you realize or understand Y for the first time after X happens.
Unless / Without doing
〜ないことには means "unless X" or "without doing X" — Y cannot happen unless X is done first.
Even if (futility) / No matter if
〜たところで expresses futility — even if you do X, it won't matter or change anything.
On the other hand / While
〜反面 presents a contrasting aspect — X is true, but on the other hand, Y is also true.
After all... / In the end (negative)
〜あげく means "after all that" with a negative result — despite effort or time, the outcome is bad.
After / At the end of / Finally
〜末に means "after (much effort/time)" — the result that comes at the end of a long process.
In accordance with / As
〜に従って means "in accordance with" or "following" — acting according to rules, or changing as something else changes.
Along with / Accompanying
〜に伴って means "along with" or "accompanying" — Y happens as a consequence or accompaniment of X.
As... / Along with
〜につれて expresses that as X changes, Y changes correspondingly — a parallel change.
Over / Throughout / Spanning
〜にわたって means "over" or "spanning" — covering an entire period, range, or area.
Based on / On the basis of
〜をもとに means "based on" or "using X as a basis" — X serves as the foundation or source material.
Through / Throughout / Via
〜を通じて means "through" or "throughout" — via a medium/method, or during an entire period.
Centered on / Focusing on
〜を中心に means "centered on" or "with X as the focus" — X is the main element around which others revolve.
Starting with / Including
〜をはじめ means "starting with X" or "including X" — lists X as a representative example of a larger group.
Not until after / Unless first
〜てからでないと means "not until after doing X" — Y cannot happen unless X is done first.
No way to / Can't possibly
〜ようがない expresses that there is no way or method to do something — it's impossible.
In / At (formal)
〜において is a formal expression meaning "in" or "at" — used for location, time, field, or situation.
Toward / Against / In contrast to
〜に対して means "toward," "against," or "in contrast to" — expressing direction of action or comparison.
Regarding / Concerning / About
〜に関して is a formal way to say "regarding" or "concerning" — used to introduce a topic.
When it comes to
〜にかけては means "when it comes to X" — used to highlight someone's strength or expertise in a particular area.
No way / Impossible / Can't possibly
〜っこない is a colloquial emphatic negative meaning "no way" or "can't possibly."
There's a risk/fear that
〜恐れがある expresses that there is a risk or possibility of something undesirable happening.
Might / Could (negative outcome)
〜かねない expresses that something undesirable might happen — "could possibly" with negative implication.
Unable to / Hesitate to / Find it difficult to
〜かねる expresses inability or reluctance to do something — polite way to decline or express difficulty.
Although / Even though
〜ものの means "although" or "even though" — acknowledges X but presents a contrasting result Y.
As long as / Unless / To the extent
〜限り expresses a condition or limit — "as long as X" or "unless X."
Depending on / As soon as
〜次第 has two meanings: "depending on X" (with noun) or "as soon as" (with verb stem).
After doing / Upon / In the process of
〜上で means "after doing X" or "in doing X" — an action is done after/based on another action.
On the other hand / While / At the same time
〜一方(で) presents contrasting or simultaneous aspects — "on the other hand" or "while at the same time."
Not only... but also
〜ばかりか means "not only X but also Y" — emphasizes that something extends beyond what was expected.
Far from / Let alone / On the contrary
〜どころか emphasizes that reality is the opposite of expectation — "far from X, actually Y."
It's certain that / Of course
〜に決まっている expresses strong certainty — "it's definitely the case" or "of course."
Left ... / Keep ...ing
〜っぱなし means leaving something in a state or continuously doing something without stopping. Often has negative nuance.
Not necessarily / Not always
〜とは限らない expresses that something is not always true or not necessarily the case. Used to counter assumptions.
Have no choice but to / Cannot help but
〜ざるを得ない expresses that you have no choice but to do something, even if you don't want to. A formal expression.
Must be / No doubt / Certainly
〜に違いない expresses strong certainty or conviction that something is true based on evidence or reasoning.
