N4 grammar path
One stamp per pattern, unit by unit.
UNIT 1 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 2 · VERB FORMS
UNIT 3 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 4 · HONORIFIC LANGUAGE
UNIT 5 · TIME EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 6 · ADVERBS
UNIT 7 · VERB FORMS
UNIT 8 · TIME EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 9 · CONDITIONALS
UNIT 10 · ADVERBS
UNIT 11 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 12 · VERB FORMS
UNIT 13 · PARTICLES
UNIT 14 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 15 · HONORIFIC LANGUAGE
UNIT 16 · VERB FORMS
UNIT 17 · MODAL EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 18 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 19 · VERB FORMS
UNIT 20 · HONORIFIC LANGUAGE
UNIT 21 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 22 · SENTENCE ENDING PARTICLES
UNIT 23 · MODAL EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 24 · SENTENCE ENDING PARTICLES
UNIT 25 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 26 · ADVERBS
UNIT 27 · TIME EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 28 · GRAMMAR PATTERNS
UNIT 29 · ABILITY
UNIT 30 · GRAMMAR PATTERNS
UNIT 31 · VERB FORMS
UNIT 32 · ADVERBS
UNIT 33 · GRAMMAR PATTERNS
UNIT 34 · TIME EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 35 · HEARSAY & CONJECTURE
UNIT 36 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 37 · PARTICLES
UNIT 38 · VERB FORMS
UNIT 39 · MODAL EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 40 · CONDITIONALS
UNIT 41 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 42 · HONORIFIC LANGUAGE
UNIT 43 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 44 · COMPARISON
UNIT 45 · PURPOSE & MANNER
UNIT 46 · CONJUNCTIONS
UNIT 47 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 48 · HONORIFIC LANGUAGE
UNIT 49 · TIME EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 50 · VERB FORMS
UNIT 51 · HEARSAY & CONJECTURE
UNIT 52 · WORD FORMATION
UNIT 53 · VERB FORMS
UNIT 54 · CONJUNCTIONS
UNIT 55 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 56 · ADVERBS
UNIT 57 · CONJUNCTIONS
UNIT 58 · HEARSAY & CONJECTURE
UNIT 59 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 60 · TIME EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 61 · VERB FORMS
UNIT 62 · CONDITIONALS
UNIT 63 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 64 · GRAMMAR PATTERNS
UNIT 65 · TIME EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 66 · GIVING & RECEIVING
UNIT 67 · VERB FORMS
UNIT 68 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 69 · VERB FORMS
UNIT 70 · TIME EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 71 · HONORIFIC LANGUAGE
UNIT 72 · GIVING & RECEIVING
UNIT 73 · VERB FORMS
UNIT 74 · CONDITIONALS
UNIT 75 · GIVING & RECEIVING
UNIT 76 · VERB FORMS
UNIT 77 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 78 · CONDITIONALS
UNIT 79 · GRAMMAR PATTERNS
UNIT 80 · PARTICLES
UNIT 81 · TIME EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 82 · GRAMMAR PATTERNS
UNIT 83 · VERB FORMS
UNIT 84 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 85 · GRAMMAR PATTERNS
UNIT 86 · ADVERBS
UNIT 87 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 88 · PARTICLES
UNIT 89 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 90 · MODAL EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 91 · GRAMMAR PATTERNS
UNIT 92 · TIME EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 93 · CONJUNCTIONS
UNIT 94 · ADVERBS
UNIT 95 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 96 · ADVERBS
UNIT 97 · TIME EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 98 · ADVERBS
UNIT 99 · GRAMMAR PATTERNS
UNIT 100 · HEARSAY & CONJECTURE
UNIT 101 · MODAL EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 102 · EXPRESSIONS
UNIT 103 · PURPOSE & MANNER
UNIT 104 · TIME EXPRESSIONS
JLPT N4 grammar list
All 139 N4 grammar points with structure, examples and the patterns each one is confused with. Every point’s own page is free to read; a free account opens all 139 here.
30 of 139 N4 points · tap for the full guide
Expressions· 11
- たことがある — Have Done (Experience)[Verb ta-form] + ことがある / ことがないStates that you have (or have never) done something at least once in your life — past experience, not a simple past action. Roughly 'I have (ever)…
- つもりだ — Intention / Plan[Verb dictionary form] + つもりだ / [Verb nai-form] + つもりだStates a firm intention or plan to do something. Stronger and more considered than a passing wish — 'I intend/plan to ~'.
- ほうがいい — Had Better / Should[Verb ta-form] + ほうがいい (do it) / [Verb nai-form] + ほうがいい (don't do it)Gives advice that one option is better — 'you'd better ~ / it's better to ~'. Carries real weight: it implies a downside if the advice is ignored.
- てほしい — Want someone (else) to do something[Verb te-form] + ほしい / ほしいですCombined with the te-form of a verb (てほしい), it expresses the speaker's desire for someone else to perform that action for the speaker. Distinct from…
- だけで — Just by doing / With just[Verb plain / Noun] + だけでExpresses that a result comes from only one action or condition. "Just by X" or "with only X." Emphasizes that minimal effort or a single condition…
- ではないか / じゃないか — Isn't it? (rhetorical)[Plain form] + ではないか (formal) / じゃないか (casual)A rhetorical question or exclamation expressing realization, surprise, or a bid for agreement. The speaker asserts something they believe true and…
- が必要だ (がひつようだ) — Need / Necessary[Person/situation] は/に [Thing] が 必要だ／必要ですExpresses that something is needed or necessary. The needed item takes が; the person or situation that needs it takes は or に.
- がする — Involuntary sense perception[Sensation noun] が するExpresses involuntary sensory perception — what one smells, hears, tastes, or physically feels from the environment. The perceived sensation takes が.
- がり(屋) — Prone to feeling / Overly sensitive to (suffix)[い-adj stem (がる form)] + がり(屋)A suffix added to the stem of certain sensation adjectives to describe a person who readily or unusually feels that state, physiologically or…
- 必要がある — Need to / Necessary to (do)[Verb dictionary form] + 必要がある／必要がありますExpresses that it is necessary to perform an action. More formal than なければならない; common in written Japanese and formal speech.
- じゃないか — Isn't it? / Come on! (casual)[Plain form] + じゃないかThe casual version of ではないか. Expresses rhetorical questions, realization, mild surprise, or a bid for agreement; can also carry light accusation or…
Verb Forms· 5
- Potential Form — Can / Be Able To (Verbs)U-verb: final -u → -eru (読む→読める). Ru-verb: drop る + られる (食べる→食べられる). Irregular: する→できる, 来る→来られる.Conjugates a verb to mean 'can / be able to do it'. It expresses ability or possibility built directly into the verb.
- がる／がっている — Describing Others' Feelings[い-adj stem / 〜たい stem] + がる (habitual) / がっている (right now)Attached to emotion adjectives to describe the OUTWARD signs of a third person's feelings, since you cannot directly claim to know another's inner…
- 〜出す (だす) — Abrupt Eruptions[Verb masu-stem] + 出すA compound-verb suffix expressing the sudden, spontaneous, or uncontrolled start of an action. It implies the action broke out unexpectedly.
- 〜始める (はじめる) — Intentional Beginnings[Verb masu-stem] + 始めるA compound-verb suffix expressing the start of an action. Unlike 出す, this is usually a calm, neutral, or intentional beginning.
- 意向形 (いこうけい) — Volitional Form (Let's / I'll)u-verb: -u → -ō | ru-verb: drop る + よう | する → しよう, くる → こようThe plain volitional form expresses intent or invitation — the casual equivalent of ましょう. Used in patterns like 〜と思う (I think I'll...) and 〜とする (be…
Honorific Language· 4
- でございます — Is (formal polite copula)[Noun / な-adj] + でございますThe formal/humble equivalent of です. Used in customer service, formal announcements, and business settings as part of the keigo (honorific language)…
- ございます — Formal あります (to exist / have)[Noun] が ございます / [Place] に ございますThe highest-formality equivalent of あります (existence/possession of inanimate things). Used identically in customer service, formal business, and…
- いらっしゃる — The Honorific Trinity (いる／行く／来る)[Respected subject] が/は いらっしゃる (polite: いらっしゃいます)A core sonkeigo (respectful) verb that elevates the listener's actions. Remarkably, it is the respectful equivalent of THREE verbs: いる (to…
- いたします (いたす) — The Humble する (kenjōgo)[Suru-noun / お+verb-stem] + いたしますThe humble (kenjōgo) form of する (to do). Used exclusively to lower YOUR OWN actions, showing respect to the listener — roughly 'I humbly do [action].'
Time Expressions· 3
- 間 (あいだ) — Throughout a Duration[Verb ている / い-adj / Noun + の] + 間Expresses that an action or state continues throughout the ENTIRE span of another event. Both clauses run in parallel for the whole period.
- 間に (あいだに) — A Point Within a Window[Verb ている / Noun + の] + 間にIndicates that a specific, often momentary event occurs at SOME point within a duration — once during the period, not throughout it.
- あとで — After (with a time gap)[Verb plain-past (た) / Noun + の] + あとでExpresses that one action follows another, allowing a vague gap in between. Looser and less immediate than てから.
Adverbs· 2
- あまり〜ない — Not very / Not muchあまり + [negative verb / negative adjective]Expresses that something is true only to a small degree. Always paired with a negative predicate. Softer than 全然〜ない (not at all).
- ばかり — Nothing but / Only[Noun] + ばかり | [Verb て-form] + ばかり + いるMeans 'nothing but [X]', implying an overwhelming, monotonous, or exclusive focus on one thing — often with a critical nuance.
Conditionals· 2
- ば — The Provisional / Hypothetical Conditionalu-verb: final -u → -eba | ru-verb: drop る + れば | い-adj: drop い + ければ | な-adj/Noun: + なら(ば)A hypothetical/general conditional, ideal for natural consequences, universal truths, and advice: 'If X, then (naturally) Y.'
- 場合は (ばあいは) — In the case of / If[Plain form / Noun + の / な-adj + な] + 場合は (／場合に)A formal conditional meaning 'in the case of / if [situation] arises'. More specific and official-sounding than たら or ば; common in rules and…
Particles· 1
Modal Expressions· 2
- はずだ / はずがない — The Logical Calculation (Should be)[Plain form / Noun + の / な-adj + な] + はずだ / はずがないExpresses a strong logical conviction based on evidence or calculation. It is not just a guess (like でしょう), but a conclusion that "if things follow…
- はずがない — There's no way / Cannot possibly be[Plain form] + はずがない / はずはないThe negative counterpart of はずだ. Strongly denies a possibility based on logic, facts, or knowledge of someone's character.
- かどうか — Whether or not
- かしら — I wonder (feminine)
- かい — Really? / Is that so? (masculine casual)
- かもしれない — Might / Maybe (possibility)
- かな — I wonder / I hope (self-wondering)
- から作る vs で作る — Made from / Made of
- きっと — Surely / Certainly / I'm sure
- 頃 / ごろ — Around / About (approximate time)
- こと — Nominalizer (turning verbs into nouns)
- ことがある — Have experienced / Sometimes happens
- ことができる — Can do / Be able to
- ことになる — It has been decided / It turns out
- ことにする — Decide to / Make it a rule to
- くする / にする — Make something become (a quality)
- 急に (きゅうに) — Suddenly / All of a sudden
- 〜方 (かた) — Way / Method of doing (how-to)
- までに — By / No later than (deadline)
- みたい(だ) — Seems like / Looks like (casual inference)
- みたいに / みたいな — Like / As (casual simile)
- など — And so on / Such as / Etcetera
- ながら — While doing (simultaneous actions, same subject)
- ないで — Without doing / Instead of doing
- なければいけない — The Must Loop (Obligation)
- なくてはいけない — The Formal Pressure (Must)
- なくてもいい — The Optional Exit
- なら — The Contextual "If" (Assumption)
- なさい — Do (firm command / instruction)
- なさる — Honorific "する"
- 〜にくい — Hard to do (Structural Difficulty)
- の中で一番 — Among / The most ... of all
- のに (purpose) — In order to / For the purpose of
- のに (concessive) — The Frustrated "Despite"
- のように / のような — The Formal Comparison
- お〜になる — Honorific Action Template
- 〜おきに — The Gap Logic (Intervals)
- 〜終わる (おわる) — Finish doing / Done with
- られる (Potential) — Physics of Ability
- られる (Passive) — The Victim Form
- らしい — Evidence-Based Hearsay / True Nature
- 〜さ — Noun form of adjectives (degree/level)
- させる (Causative) — Make / Let Someone Do
- させられる (Causative-Passive) — Forced to Do
- し — And also / What's more (listing reasons)
- しかない — Only / No choice but to
- そんなに — That much / To that extent
- それでも — Even so / Nevertheless / Still
- 〜そう (appearance) — Looks like / Seems (direct perception)
- そうだ (hearsay) — I hear that / Reportedly
- そうだ (seem) — Looks / Appears (immediate perception)
- 〜すぎる — Too much / To excess
- たばかり — Just did (subjective recency)
- 〜たがる — (Third person) wants to do
- たら — The versatile conditional (once / if / when)
- たらどう(ですか) — Why don't you… (suggestion)
- 〜たり〜たり — Do things like… and… (representative actions)
- たところ — Just finished (this very moment)
- てあげる — Do something (as a favor) for someone
- てある — The Intentional Remnant
- てほしい — Wanting Someone Else to Do Something
- ていく — As Time Goes On / Going Away Doing
- ているところ — In the Middle of Doing
- ていただけませんか — Could You Please (Very Polite Request)
- てくれる — Someone Does a Favor for Me (Inward)
- てくる — Come Doing / Has Been Doing (Toward Now)
- てみる — Try Doing (and See)
- ても / でも — Even If / Even Though
- てもらう — Getting/Having Someone Do a Favor (Received)
- ておく — Do in Advance / Leave as Is
- てしまう — Completely Done / Regrettably Did
- てすみません — Sorry for Doing (Something)
- てよかった — Glad That / Good Thing I Did
- と — If/When (Automatic-Result Conditional)
- ということ — The Fact That / Meaning That
- とか〜とか — Things Like / Such As (Casual Listing)
- とき — When / At the Time Of
- ところ — About To / In the Middle / Just Finished (Timing)
- と思う — I think / I believe
- 〜続ける (つづける) — Keep doing / Continue
- 〜やすい — Easy to do / Prone to
- 予定だ (よていだ) — Planned / Scheduled to
- ようになる — Come to / Become able to (gradual change)
- ようにする — Make effort to / Try to (habitual effort)
- ようと思う — I'm thinking of / I intend to
- 全然 (ぜんぜん) — Absolutely not / Not at all / (casual: totally)
- [Period]に[Frequency]回 — [N] times per [period]
- たらどうですか — Why don't you / How about (polite suggestion)
- Number + も — As many/much as (emphasis on quantity)
- といい / といいですね — I hope / It would be nice if
- ばよかった — I wish I had / Should have
- てくれてありがとう — Thank you for doing (gratitude for action)
- はずです — Should be / Ought to (expectation)
- という — Called / Named / The fact that
- ている間に — While doing (another event occurred)
- それで — So / Because of that / And then
- だが — But / However (formal written)
- それに — In addition / Moreover
- たとえば — For example / For instance
- んだけど — But / The thing is... (explanation)
- とうとう — Finally / At last / In the end
- ごとに — Every / Each / At each
- まず — First / First of all / To begin with
- という意味 — Meaning / That means
- みたいだ — Seems like / Appears to (casual inference)
- でしょう — Probably / Right? (conjecture)
- てくれない — Won't you do (for me) / casual request
- てくれませんか — Would you please do (for me)
- ために — Purpose / Benefit (in order to / for the sake of)
- ように — Goal / Hope (so that ...)
- うちに — While / Before (window of opportunity)
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