Master 66 JLPT N4 grammar patterns with clear explanations, examples, and practice exercises for Japanese learners.
66 grammar patterns
about, approximately, to the extent
Learn how to use 〜くらい/ぐらい to express approximation in Japanese.
casual quotation, I heard that
Learn how to use 〜って for casual quotation in Japanese.
could you please?
Learn how to use 〜てもらえませんか to make polite requests in Japanese.
depending on, by means of, due to
Learn how to use 〜によって to express "depending on" or "by means of" in Japanese.
cannot be, impossible that
Learn how to use 〜はずがない to express impossibility in Japanese.
about, concerning
Learn how to use 〜について to express "about" or "concerning" in Japanese.
please let me, please allow me to
Learn how to use 〜させてください to ask for permission in Japanese.
as (in the role of)
Learn how to use 〜として to express "as" or "in the capacity of" in Japanese.
the more... the more
Learn how to use 〜ば〜ほど to express "the more... the more" in Japanese.
that is why, so that means, no wonder
Learn how to use 〜わけだ to express logical conclusions in Japanese.
to be made to do (causative-passive)
Learn how to use 〜させられる to express being forced to do something in Japanese.
to start doing
Learn how to use 〜始める to express starting an action in Japanese.
to finish doing
Learn how to use 〜終わる to express finishing an action in Japanese.
to want to (third person)
Learn how to use 〜たがる to express that someone else wants to do something in Japanese.
hard to do, difficult to
Learn how to use 〜にくい to express that something is hard to do in Japanese.
to continue doing
Learn how to use 〜続ける to express continuing an action in Japanese.
easy to do
Learn how to use 〜やすい to express that something is easy to do in Japanese.
do (command)
Learn how to use 〜なさい to give commands in Japanese.
to show signs of, to appear
Learn how to use 〜がる to describe someone showing signs of a feeling in Japanese.
Try to / About to
〜ようとする expresses attempting to do something or being on the verge of doing something.
Want someone to do
〜てほしい expresses wanting someone else to do something for you. The person is marked with に.
Just did / Only / Nothing but
〜ばかり has multiple meanings: something just happened (with た-form), or "only/nothing but" (with nouns or verbs).
Completely / Unfortunately / Accidentally
〜てしまう expresses completion of an action, often with nuance of regret, something unfortunate, or something done accidentally.
Do not have to / It is okay not to
〜なくてもいい expresses lack of obligation - you do not have to do something.
About to / Just did / In the middle of
〜ところ indicates timing - about to do something, in the middle of doing, or just finished.
When / If (natural or habitual result)
〜と expresses natural or habitual consequences. Used when the result is inevitable or automatic.
I heard that / They say that
〜そうだ (伝聞) reports hearsay information. Different from 様態 そうだ which describes appearance.
It has been decided / It turns out that
〜ことになる expresses decisions made by external circumstances. Contrasts with ことにする (personal decision).
Do something for someone's benefit
〜てあげる expresses doing something for someone else's benefit. Part of the Japanese giving/receiving verb system.
Can do / Able to
Learn the Japanese potential form 可能形 (kanou-kei) for expressing ability. Essential grammar for saying what you can or cannot do.
Make/Let someone do
Learn the Japanese causative form 使役形 (shieki-kei) for making or letting someone do something. Essential for expressing permission and coercion.
Seems like / Appears to be / Like
Learn the Japanese pattern 〜ようだ/みたいだ (you da/mitai da) meaning seems like or appears to be. Used for inference and similes.
In order to / For the purpose of / Because of
Learn the Japanese pattern 〜ために (tame ni) meaning in order to or because of. Used for expressing purpose or cause.
Without doing / Instead of doing / Don't
Learn the Japanese pattern 〜ないで (naide) meaning without doing or don't. Used for negative requests and describing actions done without something.
Too much / Excessively
Learn the Japanese excess pattern 〜すぎる (sugiru) meaning too much or excessively. Used with verbs and adjectives.
Should be / Supposed to / Expected to
Learn the Japanese expectation pattern 〜はず (hazu) meaning should be or supposed to. Used for logical expectations based on evidence.
Intend to / Plan to
Learn the Japanese intention pattern 〜つもり (tsumori) meaning intend to or plan to. Used for expressing personal plans and intentions.
Apparently / I heard that / Typical of
Learn the Japanese grammar pattern 〜らしい (rashii) meaning apparently or typical of. Used for hearsay information or describing characteristic qualities.
Doing things like X and Y
Learn the Japanese grammar pattern 〜たり〜たりする (tari tari suru) for listing example activities. Used to express doing things like X and Y.
And also / Not only... but also
Learn the Japanese grammar pattern 〜し (shi) for listing multiple reasons. Used to connect facts or qualities that support a conclusion.
Looks like / Seems like (appearance)
〜そうだ (様態) expresses appearance - looks like or seems based on visual observation.
Even if / Even though
〜ても means even if or even though, expressing that the result is unchanged.
If (conditional)
〜ば is a conditional meaning if. Often used for general truths and hypotheticals.
If / When (conditional)
〜たら is a conditional meaning if or when. Formed by adding ら to the past tense.
I think that
〜と思う expresses I think that, used for stating opinions and thoughts.
Called / That says / Known as
という is used for naming (called), quoting (that says), or defining (the fact that). Essential for introducing names and concepts.
Passive voice
Japanese passive voice (受身形) expresses receiving an action. Also used for the suffering passive when negatively affected by something.
Might / Maybe
かもしれない expresses possibility, meaning might or maybe. Shortened to かも in casual speech.
Because / Since
〜ので expresses because or since in a soft, objective way. More polite than から for giving reasons.
While doing
〜ながら expresses doing two actions at the same time, meaning while doing. Attaches to the verb stem.
Can / Be able to
〜ことができる expresses ability, meaning can or be able to. A formal alternative to potential verb forms.
Have the experience of / Sometimes
〜ことがある expresses past experience (have done) with た-form, or occasional occurrence (sometimes) with dictionary form.
Must not / Is forbidden
〜てはいけない expresses prohibition, meaning must not or is forbidden. Contracts to ちゃいけない or ちゃだめ in casual speech.
May / Is allowed to
〜てもいい expresses permission, meaning may or is allowed to. Used for asking and giving permission.
Must / Have to
〜なければならない expresses must or have to. Common casual forms include なきゃ and ないと.
Try doing something
〜てみる means to try doing something to see what happens. Combines て-form with 見る to express experimentation or giving something a go.
Doing in advance / Leaving as is
〜ておく expresses doing something in advance for future benefit or leaving something as is. Contracts to 〜とく in casual speech.
Resulting state from intentional action
〜てある indicates a state resulting from someone intentionally performing an action. Used with transitive verbs to show preparation or purposeful arrangement.
Change up to now / Coming and doing
〜てくる expresses changes that have occurred up to now, emergence of states, or physical movement toward the speaker.
Come to do / Become able to
〜ようになる expresses coming to do something or becoming able to do it. Describes gradual changes in ability or habit over time.
Continuing into the future / Going and doing
〜ていく expresses actions continuing into the future or physical movement away. Combines て-form with 行く to show progression.
So that / In order to
〜ように expresses purpose meaning so that or in order to. Used with potential verbs, negatives, or states beyond direct control.
Someone does a favor for you
〜てくれる expresses that someone does something beneficial for you or your in-group. Emphasizes the giver's kindness rather than your receipt of the favor.
Deciding to do something
〜ことにする expresses making a personal decision about an action. Used when you consciously choose to do something, often a significant life choice or firm decision.
Making an effort to do something
〜ようにする expresses making a conscious effort or trying to ensure something happens. Used for building habits, changing behavior, or committing to ongoing actions.
Receiving a favor from someone
〜てもらう expresses receiving a favor or benefit from someone else's action. The person doing the action is marked with に, emphasizing you as the beneficiary.
