This page has a list of important grammatical patterns, rules, and phrases you need to know for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N4 (upper beginner level).

The lessons are grouped by what the grammar does, so you can study related patterns together. Most include example sentences with audio. New to grammar? Start with our Japanese grammar lessons.

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Advice, plans and ability

• ～ほうがいい: it would be better to; giving advice
• つもり: to intend to; talking about your plans
• ことが出来できる: to be able to
• ～ばいいですか: what should I do? asking for advice
• お～ください: please do (a polite, honorific request)

Guessing and expectations

• かもしれない: might; maybe
• はず: should be; is expected to be
• そう・よう・みたい・らしい・っぽい: five ways to say “it seems”

Saying “if”

• ～ば／～れば: the ば conditional
• 場合ばあい: if; in the case of
• と・ば・たら・なら: the four ways to say “if” and when to use each

Time and sequence

• あとで: later; after doing
• ながら: while doing
• ～たばかり: just finished doing
• まま: as it is; without changing
• ～っぱなし: leaving something as it is; to keep on doing
• 中ちゅう／中じゅう: while; throughout

“Although” and “in order to”

• のに: although; even though
• のに: in order to; for the purpose of

How much, how easy

• すぎる: too much
• ～やすい: easy to
• ～にくい: hard to
• どうも: very much; also “somehow, I’m not sure”

Naming, choosing and “only”

• という: called; named; such a
• または: or
• だけ・しか・ばかり・のみ: four ways to say “only”

Particles and verb forms

• に vs で: the two place particles
• ている・てある・ておく・てしまう: what the て-form is really doing
• の as “one”: using の in place of a noun

See it in context

• Grammar Breakdown: a passage from one of our biographies of great Japanese figures, explained grammar point by grammar point

More for N4

• JLPT N4 Kanji: the kanji you need for N4
• JLPT N4 Vocabulary: the vocabulary you need for N4

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