Master 32 JLPT N5 grammar patterns with clear explanations, examples, and practice exercises for Japanese learners.
32 grammar patterns
until, up to, even
Learn how to use 〜まで to express "until" or "even" in Japanese.
only, just
Learn how to use 〜だけ to express "only" or "just" in Japanese.
should, had better
Learn how to use 〜方がいい to give advice or suggestions in Japanese.
nothing but, only
Learn how to use 〜しか〜ない to express "nothing but" or "only" in Japanese.
must, have to
Learn how to use 〜ないといけない to express obligation in Japanese.
may I?, is it okay to?
Learn how to use 〜てもいいですか to ask for permission in Japanese.
when
Learn how to use 〜時 to express "when" in Japanese.
after
Learn how to use 〜後で to express "after" in Japanese.
shall I?, shall we?
Learn how to use 〜ましょうか to offer help or make suggestions in Japanese.
good at, skilled at
Learn how to use 〜が上手 to express being good at something in Japanese.
like
Learn how to use 〜がすき to express liking something in Japanese.
bad at, unskilled at
Learn how to use 〜が下手 to express being bad at something in Japanese.
dislike
Learn how to use 〜がきらい to express disliking something in Japanese.
to become
Learn how to use 〜になる to express becoming something in Japanese.
won't you?, would you like to?
Learn how to use 〜ませんか to make polite invitations in Japanese.
already did
Learn how to use もう〜た (mou~ta) to express "already did" in Japanese.
have not yet, still have not
Learn how to use まだ〜ていない (mada~teinai) to express "have not yet done" in Japanese.
not very, not much
Learn how to use あまり〜ない (amari~nai) to express "not very" or "not much" in Japanese.
Go/Come to do
〜に行く/来る expresses going or coming somewhere to do an action.
Please don't
〜ないでください is used to politely ask someone not to do something.
Want (something)
〜ほしい expresses wanting something. The desired object is marked with が. Different from たい which is for wanting to do actions.
Before doing
〜前に expresses doing something before another action. The verb before 前に is always in dictionary form.
Let's do / Shall we
〜ましょう is the volitional form used to suggest doing something together or offer to do something.
After doing
〜てから expresses doing one action after completing another. The first action must finish before the second begins.
Probably / I suppose / Right?
Learn the Japanese probability pattern 〜でしょう/だろう (deshou/darou) meaning probably or I suppose. Used for conjecture and seeking confirmation.
It is that... / The thing is...
Learn the Japanese explanatory pattern 〜んです/のです (n desu). Essential for giving context, asking for reasons, and adding emotional emphasis.
A is more... than B
Learn the Japanese comparison pattern 〜より〜の方が (yori no hou ga) meaning A is more than B. Essential grammar for making comparisons.
But / Although
〜けど expresses but or although. けれども is the formal version.
Because (reason)
〜から expresses because, giving reasons in a direct and subjective way.
Want to do
〜たい expresses want to do. Attaches to verb stems and conjugates like an い-adjective.
Please do
〜てください is the polite request form meaning please do. Use ないでください for please do not.
Ongoing action or resulting state
〜ている expresses ongoing actions (I am eating) or resulting states (The door is open). One of the most essential Japanese grammar patterns.
