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Here is a list of the grammar points likely encountered on level N4 of the Japanese Language Proficiency
Test. There is no official list, so it is possible that other grammar points may be seen. JLPT N5 grammar
is likely to be seen on the N4 test but are not listed again here -- see the N5 page.
~し
When you want to list reasons for multiple states or actions you can do so by adding 「し」 to the end of
each relative clause. It is very similar to the 「や」 particle except that it lists reasons for verbs and state-
of-being.
Verb-casual + し あそぶ し
い-adj + し おおきい し
な-adj + だし きれい だし
Noun + だし 女の子 だし
Example: 優しい(やさしい)し、格好いい(かっこいい)し、面白い(おもしろい)か
ら。 Because he's kind, attractive and interesting (among other things).
Example: 駅(えき)から近い(ちかい)し、車(くるま)でも来(こ)られるし、この
店(みせ)はとても便利(べんり)です。 Because it is near to the train station and can be
reached by car, this shop is very convenient.
Example: 値段(ねだん)も安い(やすい)し、味(あじ)もいいし、いつもこの店(み
せ)で食べ(たべ)ています。 Because the price is cheap and the taste is good, (I) always eat
at this shop.
Example: すしもあるし、カレーライスもあるし、いつもこの店(みせ)で食べ(たべ)
ています。 Because there are sushi and curry rice, (I) always eat at this shop.
そうです
てみる
It means to try to do something.
なら
Use of なら implies that the verb before なら (nara) succeeds the verb after なら (nara) in time. This is
the opposite of the conditional particle たら, which implies that the first verb will precede the second
verb.
Example: 友達(ともだち)が来る(くる)なら、私(わたし)はピザを注文(ちゅうも
ん)する。 If our friends come, I will order pizza (first).
(period)に(frequency)
Example: 一週(いっしゅ)間(かん)に一回(いっかい)日本語(にほんご)を勉強し
(べんきょうし)ます。 I study Japanese once a week.
Example: 一年(いちねん)間(かん)に三回(さんかい)イタリアへ行か(いか)なけ
ればなりません。 I have to go to Italy 3 times a year.
~がほしい
~がる
The 「~がる」 grammar is used when you want to make an observation about how someone is feeling.
This grammar is also used to observe very frankly on what you think someone other than yourself wants.
This involves the adjective 「欲しい」 for things one wants or the 「~たい」 conjugation for actions
one wants to do, which is essentially a verb conjugated to an i-adjective.
Example: 家(うち)に帰っ(かてっ)たら、すぐパソコンを使い(つかい)たがる。
(He) soon acts like wanting to use computer as soon as (he) gets home.
http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar/signs
~かもしれない
~たらどうですか
This construction is used for giving advice or suggesting a particular course of action (Advice…how
about…? Why don’t you…?)
It is made from the past tense short form of the verb. It should only be used when explicitly being
consulted about something, as it can be slightly critical. if someone is seeking your advice on a matter,
you can use ~たらどうですか.
Number+も
しかない
~ておく
~よう
It means "let's do (something)". This form is only used for ichidan verbs, for godan verbs see ~おう.
It means "let's do (something)". The 「お」 may become any syllable ending with an "o" (e.g. こ、ろ、
そ). This form is only used for godan verbs, for ichidan verbs see ~よう.
~てあげる
A は B に verb-て あげる means "A does something for B" (literally A "gives" the action specified in
the verb to B).
Example: 私(わたし)は山田(やまだ)さんに本(ほん)を買っ(かっ)てあげまし
た。 I bought this book for Yamada-san.
~てくれる
くれる means "to receive" but can only be referred to the person that is talking.
It must not be confused with もらう that can be used talking about everybody. For example these
sentences have the same meaning.
Example: 山田(やまだ)さんは私(わたし)に本(ほん)を買っ(かっ)てくれまし
た。 Yamada-san bought this book for me.
Example: 私(わたし)は山田(やまだ)さんに本(ほん)を買っ(かっ)てもらいまし
た。 I was bought this book byYamada-san.
~てもらう
~ていただけませんか
This is used when (1) requesting someone to (help) do something or (2) asking permission. This is a more
polite way of asking for something than ~てください.
~といいです
This means "I hope ~" or "It would be nice if ~"
~てすみません
Use the te-form to describe things you have done that you want to apologize for.
When you want to apologize for something you failed to do, you use ~なくて, the short, negative te-
form of a verb. To derive this form, first change the verb to the short, negative ~ない, then replace the
last い with くて.
~そうです
This phrase means, literally, "it is so." It is used to show agreement, and is a general filler. When そう is
used as a suffix, however, such as after a verb (note: you can only place it after the stem of a verb)、
noun, or adjective, it means that something is seeming to be a certain way.
~させる
~なさい
It's used for giving orders and commands. It is primarily chosen over the imperative conjugation for
politeness.
~ば/~れば
~ても
By simply using the te-form and the 「も」 particle, you are essentially saying, "even if you do X..."
Example: 全部(ぜんぶ)食べ(たべ)てもいいよ。 You can go ahead and eat it all. (lit: Even
if you eat it all, it's good, you know.)
Example: 雨(あめ)が降っ(ふっ)てもゴルフに行き(いき)ます。 I'll go to play golf
even if it rains.
Example: 先生(せんせい)でも、間違え(まちがえ)ます。 Even the teacher makes
mistakes.
~たら
Used to refer to conditional (if) dependence. If we say A ~たら B, that means B is valid, contingent
to fulfillment of A.
Example: 日本(にほん)に行っ(いっ)たら、着物(かいもの)を買い(かい)ます。 I
will buy a kimono if (and when) I go to Japan.
The initial た in ~たら comes from the short form past tense ending of predicates
Example: 天気(てんき)が良かっ(よかっ)たら、散歩(さんぽ)に行き(いき)ま
す。 If the weather is good, we will go for a walk.
Example: 日本(にほん)人(じん)だったら、この言葉(ことば)を知って(しって)
いるでしょう。 If the person is Japanese, they will probably know this word.
~なくてもいい
Example: 君(きみ)は今日(きょう)学校(がっこう)へ行か(いか)なくてもいい。
You don't have to go to school today.
Example: これを運ば(はこば)なくてもいい。 This doesn't have to be transported.
~みたい
~てしまう
Dictionary form+と
Typically used for an "if A then B" situation. Usually used when the situation can not be controlled.
Example: もし貴方(あなた)がこのケーキを食べる(たべる)と私(わたし)は怒る
(おこる)だろう! If you eat this cake, I will be angry!
~ながら
This form shows that two actions are happening at once, such as "the boy eats cake while he drinks
coffee." This form is used with the verb stem of a verb, and simply appended to the end. The emphasis is
stronger on the second verb in the series. The second verb in the series is also the verb which determines
the tense.
Example: 男の子(おとこのこ)はケーキを食べ(たべ)ながらコーヒーを飲ん(のん)
だ。 The boy drank coffee while he ate cake (note: here the emphasis is on the fact that he was
drinking coffee; the fact that he was eating cake wasn't the topic of interest.)
~ばよかった
This means wish I’d done or should have done. All verbs can regularly be turned into a ばよかった
sentence with no exception or irregularity. You form the ば-form based on the present tense short form.
Example: 学生(がくせい)のとき、勉強(べんきょう)すれば良かった(よかった)で
す。 I should have studied when I was a student.
Example: 薬(くすり)を飲め(のめ)ば良かった(よかった)です。 I should have taken
medicine.
~てくれてありがとう
~てよかった
This is used to express your gratitude for something you were able to do.
Example: 駅(えき)で久しぶり(ひさしぶり)に友達(ともだち)と会え(あえ)てよ
かった。 I'm glad I could meet my friend at the station after a long time.
Example: ジェットコースターに乗れ(のれ)てよかった。 It was good to ride the roller
coaster.
Example: 電車(でんしゃ)に間に(まに)合っ(あっ)てよかった。 I'm glad I was on
time for the train.
~はずです
~ないで
It means "don't do (something)". It might also be connected with "ください" to make it more polite.
~かどうか
When it's a yes/no question, you can append an optional 「どうか」 to represent the other choice.
Example: 田中(たなか)さんは、明日(あした)来る(くる)かどうか、分かり(わか
り)ますか? Do (you) know whether Tanaka-san is coming tomorrow or not?
http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/complete/embedded_questions
~という~
Example: クレヨンしんちゃんという漫画(まんが)は面白い(おもしろい)ですよ。 A
comic called Crayon Shinchan is really interesting.
~やすい
When used after the [stem], this indicates that an action is easy. As an い adjective, [conjugates as an い
adjective].
If used with after a verb in the infinitive, it means that the verb is hard to do. Basically the opposite of
yasui.
~られる
(Grp II) ~られる 食べる → 食べられる (be eaten)、 立てる → 立てられる (be built)
~てある
http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar/teform
~ているあいだに,~
Example: お風呂(おふろ)に入っ(はいっ)ている間(あいだ)に、電話(でんわ)が
ありました。 There was a phone call while I was taking a bath.
Example: 夕べ(ゆうべ)、寝(ね)ている間(あいだ)に、地震(じしん)がありまし
た。 There was an earthquake while I was asleep last night.
~く/ ~にする
This displays the changing of the state or condition of something. The change is done by the subject.
~てほしい
のに
Example: 私(わたし)は宿題(しゅくだい)を終えた(おえた)のにまだ寝られ(ねら
れ)ない。 Even though I've finished my homework I can't go to sleep yet.
Example: このケーキはまずいのに高い(たかい)。 This cake is expensive despite being
unappetizing.
Example: 彼女(かのじょ)はきれいなのにモテない。 Despite being beautiful she's not
popular.
~のような
Example: ある意味(いみ)で、スージーは私(わたし)のお母(おかあ)さんのような
ものだ。 In a way, Susie seems like my mother.
Example: 貴方(あなた)は天使(てんし)のような子(こ)だ。 You are an angel of a
child.
~のように
~させられる
Before we start: たべる 1. たべる -> たべ 2. たべ -> たべさせられる (is made to eat)
~ことにする
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