Japanese Grammar

JLPT N4 — Elementary

41 grammar points · 41 articles completed

ている (extended)habitual, state, result てあるresultant state (intentional)ておくdo in advance てしまうcompletely, regrettably てみるtry doing ばif (conditional)たらif/when (conditional)ならif (contextual)と (conditional)when/if (natural result)受身形 (passive)passive voice 使役形 (causative)make/let someone do 使役受身形causative-passive てあげるdo for someone (give)てもらうhave someone do (receive)てくれるsomeone does for me ようにするtry to, make sure to ようになるcome to be able to ことにするdecide to ことになるit's been decided ことがあるhave experienced, sometimes なければならないmust, have to なくてもいいdon't have to はずだshould be, expected to ようだseems like, appears らしいit seems, apparently そうだ (様態)looks like (appearance)そうだ (伝聞)I heard that (hearsay)みたいだlooks like, seems かもしれないmight, perhaps でしょうprobably, right?のにalthough, despite てもeven if, even though ためにin order to, because of ようにso that, in order to お〜になるhonorific verb form お〜するhumble verb form ところだabout to / in the middle of / just did ばかりjust did, nothing but てからafter doing 間にwhile, during 代わりにinstead of

articles completed (41)

ば

The ~Ba Conditional Form: Usage and Rules

Learn how to use the ~ba conditional in Japanese. This N4 guide covers conjugation rules, nuances, and common pitfalls with clear examples.

conditionalverb conjugationadjectives

ばかり

Bakari (ばかり) — Just Did, Nothing But

Learn how to use the N4 grammar ばかり (bakari). This guide covers expressing 'nothing but' and 'just finished' with clear examples and structure tips.

particleverb formN4

でしょう

Expressing Probability and Seeking Confirmation with Deshou

Learn how to use the Japanese grammar point でしょう (deshou) to express probability and seek confirmation. Perfect for JLPT N4 learners.

presumptiveprobabilitypolite

ている (extended)

Mastering ~Te Iru: Beyond the Continuous Tense

Go beyond the basics of ~te iru. Learn how to describe habits, resultative states, and professional status for the JLPT N4 exam with clear examples.

はずだ

Understanding はずだ: Expressing Logical Expectations

Master Japanese grammar はずだ (hazu da). Learn how to express logical expectations and 'should' based on evidence with clear examples and N4 tips.

n4grammarexpectation

お〜になる

Respectful Japanese: The お〜になる Form

Learn how to use the Japanese honorific form お〜になる (O ~ ni naru). This N4 guide covers formation rules, business etiquette, and common mistakes to avoid.

keigohonorificspoliteness

お〜する

Humble Action: The O... Suru Form

Master the Japanese humble form お〜する (o... suru). Learn when to lower your own actions to show respect to teachers, bosses, and clients with this N4 guide.

keigohumblebusiness japanese

そうだ (伝聞)

Hearsay (I heard that): Souda

Master the Japanese N4 hearsay pattern 〜そうだ. Learn how to report news, rumors, and information from others with clear examples and easy-to-follow rules.

hearsayverbsadjectives

代わりに

Substitution & Trade-offs: kawari ni

Master the Japanese grammar 'kawari ni' (代わりに). This N4 guide explains how to express substitution, exchanges, and trade-offs with clear examples.

substitutionexchangeN4

間に

Using 間に (ma ni) to Describe Actions During a Timeframe

Master the N4 grammar point 間に (ma ni). Learn how to describe actions happening within a specific time window with clear examples and practice tips.

N4grammartime

かもしれない

Using かもしれない (kamoshirenai) to Express Possibility

Learn how to use かもしれない (kamoshirenai) to express 'might' or 'maybe' in Japanese. See clear rules for nouns and adjectives with N4-level examples.

probabilityuncertaintyn4

ことがある

Experience and Occasional Actions: Using ことがある

Learn how to use ことがある to describe past experiences and occasional habits. This guide covers grammar rules, examples with furigana, and common N4 mistakes.

verbexperiencefrequency

ことになる

ことになる — It Has Been Decided

Learn Japanese grammar ことになる (koto ni naru) — 'it has been decided.' N4 guide with examples, rules, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

decisionformalN4

ことにする

Making Personal Decisions: ~ことにする

Learn how to use ことにする (koto ni suru) to express personal decisions and resolutions in Japanese. Clear examples for JLPT N4 level learners.

そうだ (様態)

The Grammar of Appearance: Using ～そうだ

Master the Japanese grammar ～そうだ (sou da) for visual impressions. This N4 guide covers conjugations, negative forms, and the common 'hearsay' trap with 15 examples.

n4adjectivesverbs

使役形 (causative)

The Causative Form: How to Say 'Make' or 'Let'

Master the Japanese causative form (shieki-kei). Learn how to conjugate verbs to express 'make' or 'let', manage tricky particle rules, and avoid common N4 mistakes.

causativeverbsN4

みたいだ

Mitai da: Expressing Similarities and Guesses

Master ～みたいだ (mitai da) to express 'looks like' or 'seems like' in Japanese. Learn how to use it for guesses, metaphors, and examples with this N4 guide.

conjecturesimilecomparison

なければならない

Mastering Japanese Obligations: なければならない

Learn how to use なければならない (must/have to) for the JLPT N4. Master its structure, formal vs. casual nuances, and see 15 natural example sentences with audio-ready romaji.

verbsobligationconjugation

なくてもいい

Don't Have To / No Need To

Learn how to use 〜なくてもいい (nakute mo ii) in Japanese to express a lack of obligation. Includes conjugation rules for verbs and adjectives with N4 examples.

n4verbsadjectives

なら

なら (Nara): Contextual Conditional — If / If That's the Case

Master the Japanese conditional なら (nara) at JLPT N4. Learn when to use 'if that's the case' with clear examples, comparisons to たら and ば, and JLPT tips.

conditionaln4grammar

のに

Expressing Contrast and Regret with のに (noni)

Master the Japanese grammar point のに (noni). Learn how to express surprise, regret, and complaints when results don't match expectations with examples and tips.

conjunctioncontrastemotion

受身形 (passive)

Mastering the Japanese Passive Voice (Ukemi-kei)

Master Japanese passive voice (Ukemi-kei) for the JLPT N4. Learn conjugation rules, the 'suffering passive,' and how to use the correct particles.

passive voiceukemiverbs

らしい

Mastering らしい: 'Apparently' and 'Typical Of'

Master the N4 grammar point らしい (rashii). Learn how to express hearsay, rumors, and typical characteristics with natural Japanese examples.

n4conjecturehearsay

使役受身形

Mastering the Causative-Passive: 'I Was Made to Do It'

Master the Japanese Causative-Passive (使役受身形). Learn how to express being forced to act with N4 grammar rules, conjugation charts, and natural examples.

verb conjugationshieki ukemicausative-passive

ために

Tame ni — Expressing Purpose, Benefit, and Cause

Master the Japanese grammar ために (tame ni). Learn how to express goals, benefits, and reasons with clear examples and JLPT N4 tips.

grammarN4particle

たら

Mastering the Japanese Conditional: ~たら (If / When)

Master the Japanese conditional ~tara. Learn how to express 'if' and 'when' with grammar rules, formation charts, and 15 practical N4 examples.

conditionalgrammarn4

てあげる

Doing Something for Someone: ~te ageru

Learn how てあげる works in Japanese — when to use it, when to avoid it, and how it differs from てくれる and てもらう. JLPT N4 grammar with examples.

benefactiveverbsgiving

てある

Resultant State (Intentional) - Te-aru

Learn how to use the Japanese N4 grammar point 〜てある to describe intentional states and preparations. Includes clear examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

verbsN4state

てから

Sequence and Starting Points: Using てから (te kara)

Learn how to use the Japanese grammar point 'te kara' (after doing) to describe sequences and starting points. Includes JLPT N4 examples, structure, and common pitfalls.

n4grammarverbs

てくれる

Mastering ~te kureru: How to Express Gratitude in Japanese

Master the Japanese grammar ~te kureru. Learn how to express gratitude when someone does a favor for you or your family. Perfect for N4 learners.

verb-te formbenefactivegiving and receiving

てみる

Try Doing Something and See: Understanding ~te miru

Learn how to use the JLPT N4 grammar ～てみる (te miru) to talk about trying new things or testing results in Japanese with our clear guide and examples.

n4verbsauxiliary verbs

てもらう

てもらう — Have Someone Do / Receive a Favor

Learn てもらう (te morau) — how to express having someone do a favor for you in Japanese. N4 grammar with 14 examples, common mistakes, and JLPT tips.

giving-receivingbenefactiven4

ておく

Preparation and Foresight: ~te oku

Master the Japanese grammar point ~te oku (ておく). Learn how to express preparation, future measures, and maintaining a state for JLPT N4.

verbsN4preparation

てしまう

Mastering Japanese Regret and Completion: ～てしまう

Master the Japanese grammar ~te shimau. Learn how to express accidental actions (regret) and total completion with clear N4 examples and casual contractions like ~chau.

verbsauxiliaryregret

ても

Using 'Temo': How to Say 'Even If' and 'Even Though' in Japanese

Learn how to use the Japanese grammar 'temo' to express concessions like 'even if' or 'even though'. Includes conjugation tables, N4 examples, and common mistakes.

conjunctionconditionn4 grammar

ところだ

Capturing the Moment: Using Tokoro da

Master the Japanese grammar 'tokoro da' to express 'about to,' 'currently doing,' and 'just finished' with this clear N4 guide and examples.

verbtimeaspect

と (conditional)

と (Conditional) — When/If (Natural Result)

Learn Japanese grammar と conditional (N4): express natural results, habitual conditions & discoveries. Examples, mistakes, JLPT tips included.

conditionalparticlenatural-result

ようだ

Mastering ようだ (Youda): How to Express Logical Conjecture

Learn how to use the Japanese grammar point ようだ (you da) to make inferences based on evidence. Includes structure, examples, and comparisons with ～そうです and ～らしい.

conjectureappearancen4

ようになる

Mastering 〜ようになる: Describing Changes in Ability and Habit

Learn how to use 〜ようになる to describe changes in ability and habits. This N4 guide covers structure, potential forms, and common mistakes with clear examples.

verbchange of statepotential

ようにする

Making an Effort with ようにする (youni suru)

Master the Japanese grammar ようにする (youni suru) to express habits, effort, and polite requests. Learn the difference between ようにする and ようとする.

verbefforthabit

ように

ように (You ni) — So That, In Order To

Master ように (you ni) — the essential N4 grammar for expressing 'so that' and 'in order to' in Japanese. Learn structure, examples, and JLPT tips.

grammarn4purpose

Grammar Comparison (X vs Y)

20 comparisons · 16 articles completed

は vs がに vs では vs もから vs のでけど vs のにに vs へと vs やだけ vs しかている vs てあるば vs たら vs ならようだ vs らしい vs みたいだそうだ (様態) vs そうだ (伝聞)あげる vs もらう vs くれるために vs ようにことにする vs ことになるおかげで vs せいでわけだ vs はずだほど vs くらいについて vs に関して vs に対してうちに vs 間に

あげる vs もらう vs くれる

あげる vs もらう vs くれる — Giving and Receiving

Master the nuances of あげる, もらう, and くれる. This comprehensive guide clarifies the differences in perspective and usage for giving and receiving actions in Japanese.

ほど vs くらい

ほど vs くらい — Degree

Master the nuances of Japanese grammar with ほど (hodo) and くらい (kurai). Understand their differences in expressing degree, extent, and approximation for JLPT success.

おかげで vs せいで

おかげで vs せいで — Because of

Master the nuanced differences between おかげで and せいで in Japanese. Learn when to use each to express 'because of' with positive or negative connotations through detailed explanations and examples.

ために vs ように

ために vs ように — Purpose

Comprehensive comparison of ために and ように for expressing purpose in Japanese. Learn when to use each with detailed explanations, examples, and common mistakes.

そうだ (様態) vs そうだ (伝聞)

Master the difference between そうだ (様態) and そうだ (伝聞) in Japanese grammar. Learn to express appearances and reported information correctly with clear explanations, examples, and quizzes.

ようだ vs らしい vs みたいだ