文法JLPT N3 grammar
73 grammar patterns with meanings, usage and examples
- 〜とても〜ないtotemo nai Cannot possibly do; be quite unable to do something.Emphasizes that an action is beyond what is possible in the situation. It often expresses a strong personal judgment of difficulty or inability. This...
- 〜てはじめてte hajimete Only after doing something did one realizeThe first event enables a realization, understanding or experience that was not possible before. The second part often contains 気づく, 分かる or 知る...
- ～によってni yotte By; through; because of; depending onThe meaning depends on context: a means or method, a cause, variation between cases, or the agent in a passive sentence. により is common in formal wr...
- N+をはじめo hajime Including; notably; starting withNames a representative member before referring to a wider group. The named item is a prominent example, not necessarily the first event in chronologic...
- ～は～くらいですwa kurai desu About; approximately; to the extent ofUse kurai or gurai after an amount to give an approximation. After a clause, it describes the degree of the main situation. The expression is not rest...
- ～さえ～ばsae ba As long as; if only a minimum condition is metHighlights a sufficient or crucial condition: if this one requirement is met, the desired result follows. It can also express regret that a basic cond...
- ～ほどhodo To the extent that; so much thatUses an action, state or comparison as a measure of degree. The following clause describes an intensity such as being unable to move or concentrate.
- ～ままmama While remaining in a state; unchangedDescribe a state that remains unchanged during another action. V-ta mama maintains the resulting state of an action, while V-nai mama means something...
- ～わざわざwazawaza To go out of one's way to do somethingEmphasize the extra effort or time deliberately spent on an action. It often expresses gratitude for someone's trouble, but can also describe unnecess...
- ～としたらto shitara If we suppose that; if it were the case thatIntroduces an imagined situation or accepts a proposition temporarily in order to consider its consequences. The second part may be a question, judgme...
- ～たものだta mono da Used to; would often do in the pastLooks back on a repeated action or familiar experience, often with nostalgia. It describes something that used to happen, not a single isolated event.
- ～たてtate Freshly done; newly completedDescribes a fresh state immediately after an action, especially food, a newly acquired skill or a new relationship. It is common in fixed combinations...
- ～ぐらいgurai Approximately; to the extent that; at leastGurai, interchangeable with kurai, marks an approximate amount or degree. In expressions such as namae gurai, it can present something as a minimum or...
- ～かえってkaette Contrary to expectations; instead; ratherUse this adverb when the actual result runs against an expectation or original intention. The unexpected result can be positive or negative. It does n...
- ～っぽいppoi Like; having a tendency to; having a noticeable qualityForm an i-adjective describing a resemblance, a noticeable quality, or a tendency. Common combinations include kodomoppoi, wasureppoi, and okorippoi....
- ～まさかmasaka Surely not; never expected; it cannot be thatExpress disbelief, surprise, or the view that something is very unlikely. It can also stand alone as an exclamation. Masaka does not by itself create...
- ～ふりをするfuri o suru Pretend to; act as ifDescribes deliberately behaving as though something were true when it is not. Negative forms such as 知らないふりをする mean pretending not to know.
- ～すでにsude ni Already; by that timeAn adverb indicating that a state or action has already been established by the relevant time. It can refer to the present or to an earlier point in a...
- ～ついtsui Unintentionally; before one can stop oneselfDescribes an unplanned or impulsive action, often followed by regret. The person acts through habit, distraction or temptation rather than a deliberat...
- ～むしろmushiro Rather; instead; if anythingChooses a more accurate, preferable or unexpected description over another possibility. It can correct an initial impression as well as compare two al...
- ～に違いないni chigai nai Must be; surely; there is no doubt thatExpresses a strong conclusion based on evidence or reasoning. It conveys the speaker's confidence, such as concluding that someone must be wealthy bec...
- ～ずzu Without doing; not doingA negative form often used in writing or formal speech. Zu ni means performing an action without doing another one first; zu can also connect a negati...
- ～によるとni yoru to According to a sourceIntroduce the source of information heard or read, such as a report, forecast, or another person. The following clause commonly uses a hearsay ending....
- ～代わり（に）kawari ni Instead of; in return for; on the other handExpress substitution, an exchange, or a compensating contrast. In substitution, the following person or action takes the place of the first. With adje...
- ～としてto shite As; in the capacity ofStates a role, qualification, status or standpoint under which someone acts or something is considered. としての modifies a following noun.
- ～こそkoso Precisely; it is this that; because of this very reasonAdds strong emphasis to the preceding element, identifying it as especially important. からこそ emphasizes the very reason that makes the following si...
- ～ないうちにnai uchi ni Before something happens; while it has not yet happenedDo something while a situation still holds, before a change or an often unwanted event occurs. The expression emphasizes using the remaining opportuni...
- ～どうしてもdoushitemo No matter what; by any means; simply cannotWith an affirmative expression, emphasize a strong wish or necessity. With a negative, express inability despite effort. The negative use should not b...
- ～がちgachi Tend to; be prone toDescribe a recurring tendency, usually an undesirable one. It can also follow nouns such as byouki and rusu. Unlike gimi, which often describes a slig...
- ～とともに～to tomo ni Together with; at the same time as; as something changesThe main uses are together with someone or something, having another quality or action at the same time, and a change accompanying another change. The...