JLPT N2 Grammar List: All 125 Patterns With Meanings and Examples
By the Kantan JLPT team · · 41 min read
Quick answer: JLPT N2 grammar is mostly about formal and written Japanese: the patterns you meet in news articles, business emails, notices and essays. It adds formal ways to say "when," "although," "because" and "regardless of," plus patterns for possibility, obligation, strong feelings and a handful of very casual spoken forms. Below are all 125 patterns in the Kantan JLPT N2 set, grouped by what they do, each with its meaning and an example sentence. There hasn't been an official JLPT grammar list since 2010, so other sources count and group N2 grammar differently, but if you know these well, you're in good shape for the exam.
N2 is where grammar stops being about new verb forms and starts being about nuance. Many patterns here translate to the same English word, such as "when," "although" or "since," and the exam rewards you for knowing which one fits. So alongside the tables, this page covers register (formal vs spoken) and the look-alike patterns that are easiest to confuse.
If you're coming straight from N3, the N3 grammar list is the level below this one, and many N2 patterns are formal versions of N3 ones. For how grammar fits into the exam as a whole, see our guide to Japanese grammar for the JLPT.
How do you say "when" formally at N2?
English "when" covers a lot of N2 grammar. These patterns are formal versions of 〜とき, and you'll see them on signs, in announcements and in business letters. They are not interchangeable. The section on similar patterns below shows how to tell them apart.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜上で (when, in terms of) | when (doing) ~ / for (the purpose of) ~ / in terms of ~ | 海外で 暮らす 上で、一番 大切なのは 健康だと 思う。 I think the most important thing when living abroad is your health. |
| 〜際（に） | when ~ / at the time of ~ / on the occasion of ~ (formal) | 会議室を 使用する 際は、事前に 予約して ください。 Please book the meeting room in advance when you want to use it. |
| 〜に際して | on the occasion of ~ / when (starting) ~ / at the time of ~ (formal) | 新店舗の 開店に 際して、社長が 挨拶を した。 The company president gave a short speech to mark the opening of the new store. |
| 〜にあたって | when (about to) ~ / on the occasion of ~ / in preparation for ~ (formal) | 一人暮らしを 始めるに あたって、必要な 家具を そろえた。 Before I started living on my own, I got all the furniture I'd need. |
| 〜折（に） | when ~ / on the occasion of ~ / at a (good) opportunity (polite) | 近くに お越しの 折には、ぜひ お立ち寄り ください。 If you're ever in the area, please do drop by. |
| 〜に先立って | before ~ / prior to ~ (as preparation) | 新商品の 発売に 先立って、店頭で 試食会が 開かれた。 Ahead of the new product's release, a tasting event was held in stores. |
| 〜ところを | (at a time) when ~ (polite apologies and thanks) / just when ~ (caught or interrupted) | お忙しい ところを、わざわざ お越し いただき ありがとうございます。 Thank you for taking the time to come all this way when you're so busy. |
How do you say "as soon as," "ever since" and "whenever"?
These patterns describe timing: one thing happening right after another, a change that has lasted since an event, or something that comes back every time. Watch who the subject is. 〜次第 is for your own planned next step, while 〜かと思うと describes something you saw happen.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜かと思うと／〜かと思ったら | just when ~, (suddenly) ~ / no sooner ~ than ~ | 電話が 鳴ったかと 思うと、父は 上着を 持って 家を 飛び出して いった。 The phone rang, and the next moment my father grabbed his jacket and rushed out of the house. |
| 〜か〜ないかのうちに | the moment ~ / just as ~ / almost before ~ (has finished) | 試合終了の 笛が 鳴るか 鳴らないかの うちに、観客が 立ち上がった。 The fans were on their feet almost before the final whistle had blown. |
| 〜次第 (as soon as) | as soon as ~ / once ~ (is done) | 詳しい 日程が 決まり次第、メールで お知らせします。 We'll email you as soon as the detailed schedule is set. |
| 〜てからというもの | ever since ~ (things have been completely different) | 犬を 飼い始めて からと いうもの、毎朝 散歩する ように なった。 Ever since we got a dog, I've been going for a walk every morning. |
| 〜きり (only, since) | only ~ / just ~ / since ~ (and then nothing more) | 祖父とは 去年の 正月に 会った きりだ。 The last time I saw my grandfather was last New Year's. |
| 〜につけ | whenever ~ (a feeling comes back) / whether ~ or ~ | 祖母の 手紙を 読むにつけ、子供の 頃が 懐かしく なる。 Whenever I read my grandmother's letters, I feel nostalgic for my childhood. |
| 〜たところ | when (I) did ~, (I found that ~) (I) did ~, and as a result ~ | 駅の 窓口で 聞いた ところ、財布が 届いて いた。 When I asked at the station office, I found that my wallet had been turned in. |
| 〜ついでに | while (you're) at it / while ~ anyway / on the way | コンビニに 行く ついでに、牛乳を 買って きて くれる？ Since you're going to the convenience store anyway, could you pick up some milk? |
How do you say "after all that" and "never got to"?
Three patterns describe how something ended after a long process. The key difference is the mood of the result: good or bad, bad only, or something that never happened at all.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜た末（に） | after (a long process of) ~ / in the end, after ~ | 何日も 悩んだ 末に、留学を あきらめる ことに した。 After agonizing over it for days, I decided to give up on studying abroad. |
| 〜あげく | after (all) ~, in the end (something bad happened) | 一時間も 待たされた あげく、注文と 違う 料理が 出て きた。 After making us wait a whole hour, they brought out the wrong dish. |
| 〜ずじまい | ended up never ~ing / never got to ~ (with regret) | 旅行の 間は 雨ばかりで、有名な 山は 見ずじまいだった。 It rained the whole trip, so I never got to see the famous mountain. |
How do you say "not only … but also" at N2?
At N3 you learned 〜だけでなく. N2 adds formal versions that widen the scope, and one look-alike, 〜に限って, that means something quite different.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜に限って | only (on / for) ~ / ~ of all times (someone) would never ~ | 傘を 持って いない 日に 限って、雨が 降る。 It always rains on the one day I don't have an umbrella. |
| 〜に限らず | not only ~ (but also) / not just ~ | この 公園は 子どもに 限らず、大人にも 人気が ある。 This park is popular not just with kids but with adults, too. |
| 〜のみならず | not only ~ (but also ~) (formal) | この 問題は 日本のみならず、世界全体に 関わる ものだ。 This issue affects not only Japan but the entire world. |
| 〜にとどまらず | not just ~ / going beyond ~ / not limited to ~ | その 歌手の 人気は 国内に とどまらず、アジア各国に 広がって いる。 The singer's popularity isn't limited to Japan. It has spread across Asia. |
| 〜も〜ば〜も | both ~ and ~ / not only ~ but also ~ | この 町には 海も あれば 山も ある。 This town has both the sea and the mountains. |
How do you say "based on," "in line with" and "in response to"?
These patterns link an action to a standard, a plan, a change or someone else's wishes. Almost all of them follow a noun with に or を, so learning them as fixed chunks, like 〜に基づいて or 〜を契機に, is the fastest route.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜に基づいて | based on ~ / in accordance with ~ | 医師は 検査の 結果に 基づいて 治療の 方針を 決める。 Doctors decide on a course of treatment based on test results. |
| 〜に沿って | along ~ / in line with ~ / following ~ (a plan or someone's wishes) | 海岸に 沿って 細い 道が 続いて いる。 A narrow path runs along the coast. |
| 〜に応じて | according to ~ / depending on ~ / in response to ~ | この 学校では、生徒の レベルに 応じて クラスを 分けて いる。 At this school, students are placed in classes according to their level. |
| 〜に反して | contrary to ~ / against ~ | 専門家の 予想に 反して、新人の 選手が 優勝した。 Contrary to the experts' predictions, a rookie won the championship. |
| 〜に応えて | in response to ~ / to meet (expectations or requests) | 選手たちは ファンの 声援に 応えて、見事に 逆転した。 Spurred on by the fans' cheers, the players pulled off a stunning comeback. |
| 〜を契機に／〜をきっかけに | with ~ as a turning point / taking ~ as an opportunity / triggered by ~ | 入院した のを きっかけに、父は タバコを やめた。 Being hospitalized was what finally got my dad to quit smoking. |
| 〜に伴って | along with ~ / as ~ (changes), ~ (also changes) / because of ~ | 気温の 上昇に 伴って、熱中症で 運ばれる 人が 増えて いる。 As temperatures rise, more people are being taken to the hospital with heatstroke. |
| 〜のもとで／〜のもとに | under ~ (someone's guidance, a condition or a principle) | 兄は 有名な 料理人の もとで 十年 修業した。 My brother trained for ten years under a famous chef. |
| 〜に向けて | toward ~ (a goal) / in preparation for ~ / aimed at ~ | 来月の 大会に 向けて、毎日 夜遅くまで 練習して いる。 We're practicing late into the night every day for next month's tournament. |
How do you mark a topic, place or range formally?
This group covers formal versions of particles you already know, such as で and について, and patterns for how far something reaches in time or space. Our guide to Japanese particles is a good refresher if で, に and を still trip you up.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜をめぐって | over ~ / concerning ~ (an issue that people argue or compete about) | 新しい 空港の 建設を めぐって、住民の 意見が 分かれて いる。 Residents are divided over the construction of a new airport. |
| 〜において | in ~ / at ~ / in the area of ~ (formal) | 現代社会に おいて、インターネットは 欠かせない ものだ。 In modern society, the internet is something we can't do without. |
| 〜から〜にかけて | from ~ through ~ / from ~ to ~ (a rough span of time or area) | 今夜から 明日の 朝に かけて、強い 雨が 降る 見込みです。 Heavy rain is expected from tonight through tomorrow morning. |
| 〜にわたって | over (a whole period or area) / throughout ~ | 祭りは 三日間に わたって 行われる。 The festival is held over three days. |
| 〜にかかわる | affect ~ / be a matter of ~ (something important) | 小さな けがでも、放って おくと 命に かかわる ことが ある。 Even a small injury can become life-threatening if you leave it untreated. |
| 〜に当たる | corresponds to ~ / is equivalent to ~ / falls on ~ | 田中さんは 私の 母の いとこに 当たる 人です。 Mr. Tanaka is my mother's cousin. |
How do you say "regardless of," "without" and "setting aside"?
These patterns say a factor doesn't matter, is ignored, or is left out of the picture. The near-identical pair 〜を問わず and 〜にかかわらず comes up often in job ads and event notices.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜を問わず | regardless of ~ / no matter ~ / whether ~ or not | この イベントは 年齢を 問わず、どなたでも 参加できます。 Anyone can join this event, regardless of age. |
| 〜にかかわらず | regardless of ~ / whether ~ or not | 天候に かかわらず、大会は 予定どおり 行われます。 The tournament will be held as planned regardless of the weather. |
| 〜もかまわず | without caring about ~ / paying no attention to ~ | 彼は 雨に 濡れるのも かまわず、迷子の 犬を 探し続けた。 Paying no attention to getting soaked, he kept searching for the lost dog in the rain. |
| 〜はともかく | ~ aside / setting ~ aside / regardless of ~ | 駅から 遠いのは ともかく、家賃の 割に 部屋が 広くて 気に 入って いる。 Being far from the station aside, I like the place because the rooms are big for the rent. |
| 〜ならともかく | ~ would be one thing, but / if it were ~, maybe, but | 子どもなら ともかく、大人が こんな ことで 泣くなんて。 A kid, maybe, but a grown adult crying over something like this? |
| 〜を抜きにして／〜抜きで | without ~ / leaving ~ out | 冗談抜きで、この 店の ラーメンは 最高だよ。 No kidding, this shop's ramen is the best. |
| 〜ことなく | without (ever) ~ing (formal) | 彼女は だれにも 頼る ことなく、一人で 店を 開いた。 She opened her shop on her own, without relying on anyone. |
How do you give reasons and natural results at N2?
Plain から and ので still work at N2, but these patterns add a point of view. Some say "since this is true, I must act," some say "this result is no surprise," and some blame a single cause for something going wrong.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜からには | now that ~ / since ~ (I should / must ~) | 大会に 出る からには、優勝を 目指したい。 If we're going to enter the tournament, I want to go for the title. |
| 〜以上（は） | since ~ / now that ~ / as long as ~ (is the case) | 会費を 払って いる 以上、会員と して 意見を 言う 権利は ある はずだ。 Since I'm paying the membership fee, I should have the right to speak up as a member. |
| 〜上は | now that ~ / since ~ (I must / should ~) | 代表に 選ばれた 上は、チームの ために 全力を 尽くす つもりだ。 Now that I've been chosen to represent us, I intend to give my all for the team. |
| 〜だけに | precisely because ~ / as you'd expect from ~ / all the more because ~ | 毎日 練習して きた だけに、負けた ショックは 大きかった。 I'd practiced every single day, so losing hit me all the harder. |
| 〜だけあって | as you'd expect of ~ / being ~, it's no surprise that ~ (praise) | 料理学校を 出た だけあって、兄の 料理は 本格的だ。 As you'd expect from someone who went to cooking school, my brother cooks like a real chef. |
| 〜ばかりに | just because ~ / simply because ~ (something bad happened) | 余計な ことを 言った ばかりに、彼女を 怒らせて しまった。 Just because I said something I shouldn't have, I made her angry. |
| 〜のことだから | knowing ~ / since it's ~ (we're talking about), (surely ~) | 時間に 厳しい 田中さんの ことだから、もう 着いて いるだろう。 Knowing how punctual Tanaka is, he's probably already there. |
| 〜につき | due to ~ (in notices) / per ~ (for each) | 本日は 店内改装中に つき、休業と させて いただきます。 We will be closed today for interior renovations. |
| 〜あまり（に） | so ~ that (something unusual or bad happens) / out of too much ~ | 娘は うれしさの あまり、泣き出して しまった。 My daughter was so happy that she burst into tears. |
How do you say "although" and "but" at N2?
N2 has many ways to say "although." They differ in formality and in what they imply about the second half: surprise, a let-down, or a correction of what you just said.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜ながら（も） (although) | although ~ / while ~ (still ~) / despite ~ | 彼は 事情を 知って いながら、何も 教えて くれなかった。 Even though he knew what was going on, he didn't tell me anything. |
| 〜つつ（も） | although ~ / while (knowing / thinking) ~, still ~ (written) | 早く 寝なければと 思いつつも、つい 夜ふかしを して しまう。 I know I should go to bed early, but I always end up staying up late. |
| 〜ものの | although ~ / ~, but (things didn't go as expected) | 試験には 合格した ものの、本当に やって いけるか 不安だ。 I passed the exam, but I'm worried about whether I can really keep up. |
| 〜とはいえ | although ~ / even though ~ / that said, ~ | 連休とは いえ、店の 仕事が ある ので 遠出は できない。 It may be a long weekend, but I have work at the shop, so I can't go anywhere far. |
| 〜にもかかわらず | despite ~ / in spite of ~ / even though ~ | 平日の 夜にも かかわらず、会場は 満員だった。 Even though it was a weeknight, the venue was full. |
| 〜といっても | although (I say) ~ / it's true that ~, but (not as much as it sounds) | 英語が 話せると いっても、旅行で 困らない 程度です。 I say I can speak English, but only enough to get by when traveling. |
| 〜ことは〜が | it's true that ~, but ~ (it does ~, but not completely) | 招待状は 届いた ことは 届いたけど、まだ 返事を して いない。 The invitation did arrive, but I haven't replied yet. |
| 〜反面 | while ~, on the other hand ~ (two sides of one thing) | 一人暮らしは 自由な 反面、寂しい ときも ある。 Living alone gives you freedom, but it can also be lonely. |
| 〜に引き換え | in contrast to ~ / unlike ~ | 何でも 手伝って くれる 夫に 引き換え、息子たちは 家事を 全然 しない。 Unlike my husband, who helps with everything, my sons don't do any housework at all. |
How do you say "even if" and "whether or not"?
These patterns cover hypothetical cases: whatever happens, the conclusion stays the same. 〜たところで adds the sense that trying would be pointless.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜にしろ／〜にせよ | even if ~ / whether ~ or ~ / whatever ~ | 冗談に しろ、人を 傷つける ような ことは 言う べきでは ない。 Even as a joke, you shouldn't say things that hurt people. |
| たとえ〜ても | even if ~ / no matter (if) ~ | たとえ 親に 反対されても、私は 留学する つもりだ。 Even if my parents are against it, I'm going to study abroad. |
| 〜であれ | whether ~ / no matter (who / what) ~ / even if ~ (formal) | 理由は どうで あれ、暴力は 許されない。 Whatever the reason, violence is never acceptable. |
| 〜たところで | even if ~ (it won't help) / no matter how much ~ | 今から 急いだ ところで、もう 間に合わないよ。 Even if we hurry now, we won't make it. |
How do you make conditions like "as long as" and "unless"?
N4 gave you 〜ば, 〜たら, 〜と and 〜なら. These N2 conditions are more emotional or more emphatic: a firm rule, a necessary first step, a wish for the impossible, or a warning.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜限り (as long as, as much as) | as long as ~ / as far as ~ / as much as (possible) | この 会社に いる 限り、全力で 頑張る つもりです。 As long as I'm with this company, I intend to give it my all. |
| 〜ない限り | unless ~ / as long as ~ doesn't happen | よほどの ことが ない 限り、試合は 予定どおり 行われます。 Unless something serious happens, the game will go ahead as planned. |
| 〜ないことには | unless ~ (first), (nothing can happen) / without ~ | 実物を 手に 取って みない ことには、買うか どうか 決められない。 I can't decide whether to buy it until I've held the real thing in my hands. |
| 〜ものなら | if (one) could ~ / if it were possible to ~ | 飛べる ものなら、今すぐ 飛んで 行って 家族に 会いたい。 If I could fly, I'd fly over right now to see my family. |
| 〜ようものなら | if (you) ever ~, (something terrible will happen) | うちの 父は 厳しくて、門限を 一分でも 過ぎようものなら 大変だ。 My dad is strict, so if I'm even one minute past curfew, I'm in big trouble. |
| 〜くらいなら | rather than ~ (I'd prefer ~) / if it means ~, (it's better to ~) | あの 人に 頭を 下げる くらいなら、会社を 辞めた ほうが ましだ。 I'd rather quit my job than bow my head to that guy. |
How do you say something could, can't or won't happen?
This group is about possibility. Two pairs need special care: 〜かねない and 〜かねる look alike but mean "might" and "can't," and 〜得る is read うる or える depending on the form.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜かねない | could (easily) ~ / there's a risk of ~ (something bad) | 寝不足の まま 運転すると、事故を 起こしかねない。 Driving when you haven't slept enough could easily cause an accident. |
| 〜かねる | cannot ~ / find it hard to ~ (often a polite refusal) | 申し訳ございませんが、個人情報に ついては お答えしかねます。 We're sorry, but we're unable to answer questions about personal information. |
| 〜得る／〜得ない | can ~, ~ is possible / cannot ~, ~ is impossible | 大きな 地震は、日本の どこでも 起こり得る。 A major earthquake can happen anywhere in Japan. |
| 〜ようがない | there's no way to ~ / can't possibly ~ | 名前も 顔も 覚えて いないので、探しようが ない。 I don't remember their name or face, so there's no way to look for them. |
| 〜ものか | no way (I'll) ~ / I'll never ~ | 料理も 接客も ひどかった。あんな 店、二度と 行くものか。 The food and the service were both awful. I'm never going back there. |
| 〜っこない | there's no way ~ / ~ will never ~ (casual) | こんなに たくさんの 宿題、今夜中に 終わりっこないよ。 There's no way I'll finish this much homework tonight. |
| 〜がたい | very hard to ~ / can hardly bring oneself to ~ | 彼が 約束を 破ったとは 信じがたい。 It's hard to believe he broke his promise. |
| 〜まい | will not ~ (firm resolve) / probably won't ~ (written) | あんな 店には もう 二度と 行くまい。 I'll never go to a shop like that again. |
How do you say "have no choice but to," "can't help" and "no need to"?
These patterns cover obligation, irresistible urges and advice. The first few all translate as "have to," but they explain why in different ways: circumstances, social duty, or simply having no other option.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜ざるを得ない | have no choice but to ~ / can't help but ~ | 台風が 近づいて いる ため、明日の 試合は 中止せざるを 得ない。 With a typhoon approaching, we have no choice but to cancel tomorrow's game. |
| 〜ないわけにはいかない | have to ~ / can't get out of ~ing (out of duty) | 親友の 結婚式だから、忙しくても 行かない わけには いかない。 It's my best friend's wedding, so I have to go even if I'm busy. |
| 〜ずにはいられない | can't help ~ing / can't stop oneself from ~ing | 娘の 初めての 発表会では、涙を 流さずには いられなかった。 At my daughter's first recital, I couldn't help shedding tears. |
| 〜てならない | can't help feeling ~ / terribly ~ (a feeling) | 一人で 留学して いる 娘の ことが 心配で ならない。 I can't stop worrying about my daughter, who's studying abroad on her own. |
| 〜よりほか（は）ない | have no choice but to ~ / all one can do is ~ | 終電を 逃して しまったので、歩いて 帰る より ほか ない。 I missed the last train, so I have no choice but to walk home. |
| 〜てはいられない | can't afford to (keep) ~ / can't just ~ | 締め切りが 明日だから、寝ては いられない。 The deadline is tomorrow, so I can't afford to sleep. |
| 〜には及ばない | there's no need to ~ / ~ isn't necessary | 軽い かぜですから、わざわざ 病院に 行くには 及びません。 It's just a mild cold, so there's no need to go all the way to the hospital. |
| 〜までもない | there's no need to ~ (it's obvious) / it goes without saying | 健康の ために 睡眠が 大切な ことは、言う までも ない。 It goes without saying that sleep is important for your health. |
| 〜に越したことはない | it's best to ~ / nothing beats ~ (if possible) | 家は 駅に 近いに 越した ことは ないが、家賃が 高く なる。 Of course it's best to live near the station, but the rent goes up. |
| 〜に限る | ~ is the best / nothing beats ~ | 疲れた 日は、温かい お風呂に 入って 早く 寝るに 限る。 On days when you're worn out, the best thing is to take a hot bath and go to bed early. |
How do you express wishes, regret and strong feelings?
These patterns add emotion to a sentence: a heartfelt wish, an exclamation, a feeling stated up front, or frustration that someone didn't do the obvious thing.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜たいものだ | I'd really like to ~ / I do hope to ~ | いつか 世界一周の 旅に 出て みたい ものだ。 Someday I'd really love to take a trip around the world. |
| 〜ことか | how (very) ~! / so many times ~! | 合格の 知らせを 聞いた とき、どんなに うれしかった ことか。 You can't imagine how happy I was when I heard I'd passed. |
| 〜ことに (feeling) | to my ~ (surprise, regret, etc.) / ~ly (surprisingly, sadly, etc.) | 驚いた ことに、十年ぶりに 会った 友人は 全然 変わって いなかった。 To my surprise, the friend I saw for the first time in ten years hadn't changed a bit. |
| 〜ないものか | isn't there some way to ~? / if only ~ could happen | 毎朝の 満員電車、なんとか ならない ものか。 Isn't there something that can be done about these packed trains every morning? |
| 〜ものを | if only ~ (someone) could have ~, but (regret or complaint) | 相談して くれれば 手伝った ものを、彼は 一人で 悩んで いた。 I would have helped if he'd only asked, but he struggled with it all alone. |
How do you give a point of view or bring up a topic?
These patterns frame a sentence: whose view it is, what topic you're picking up, or what you're about to praise or complain about.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜といえば | speaking of ~ / when you think of ~ | 日本の 冬と いえば、やっぱり こたつで 食べる みかんだ。 When you think of winter in Japan, it has to be mandarin oranges eaten at the kotatsu. |
| 〜といったら | talk about ~! / the ~ was incredible (strong emotion) | 山頂から 見た 朝日の 美しさと いったら、言葉に できない ほどだった。 The sunrise from the summit was so beautiful that words can't describe it. |
| 〜としては | as for ~ / from ~'s position / for a ~ (compared with others of its kind) | 会社と しては、この 条件を 受け入れる ことは できません。 As a company, we cannot accept these terms. |
| 〜にしてみれば | from ~'s point of view / for ~ (putting oneself in their shoes) | 親に して みれば、子どもの 一人暮らしは 心配な ものだ。 From a parent's point of view, a child living alone is naturally a worry. |
| 〜からすると／〜からすれば／〜から見ると | from the standpoint of ~ / judging from ~ | 外国人からすると、日本の ごみの 分け方は 複雑だろう。 From a foreigner's point of view, the way Japan sorts trash must seem complicated. |
| 〜にかけては | when it comes to ~ / in (a skill or field), (no one beats ~) | 計算の 速さに かけては、彼に かなう 人は いない。 When it comes to doing math fast, no one can touch him. |
| 〜ときたら | when it comes to ~ (complaining) / as for ~, honestly | うちの 息子と きたら、休みの 日は 昼まで 寝て いる。 Honestly, my son sleeps until noon on his days off. |
How do you describe, judge and downplay things?
N2 essays and editorials lean heavily on these patterns. They let a writer shrink something (〜にすぎない), insist on it (〜にほかならない), soften a claim (〜とも言える) or report a common view (〜とされる).
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜にすぎない | merely ~ / only ~ / nothing more than ~ | 今回の 成功は、たまたま 運が よかったに すぎません。 This success was nothing more than a stroke of luck. |
| 〜にほかならない | nothing other than ~ / it is precisely ~ | 彼が 合格できたのは、毎日の 努力の 結果に ほかならない。 His passing the exam was the result of his daily effort and nothing else. |
| 〜かのようだ | as if ~ / as though ~ (when it isn't actually true) | 彼は 何も 知らない かのように、平気な 顔を して いた。 He looked completely unbothered, as if he knew nothing about it. |
| 〜とも言える | you could also say ~ / it could be said that ~ | 失敗は、成功への 第一歩とも 言える。 You could even say that failure is the first step toward success. |
| 〜というより | rather than ~ / not so much ~ as ~ / more ~ than ~ | あの 店の カレーは、辛いと いうより 甘い 感じだ。 The curry at that place is more sweet than spicy. |
| 〜というものだ／〜というものではない | that is (truly) what ~ is / it's not true that ~ just because ~ | 困って いる ときに 助け合うのが 友達というものだ。 Helping each other when you're in trouble is what friends are for. |
| 〜とされる | is said to be ~ / is considered (to be) ~ | この 寺は 八世紀に 建てられたと されて いる。 This temple is believed to have been built in the eighth century. |
| 〜ものがある | there is something ~ about it / it really is ~ (a strong impression) | 若い 選手たちの 成長には 目を 見張る ものが ある。 The young players' progress is truly remarkable. |
| 〜からして | even ~ (to begin with) / judging just from ~ | この 映画は 題名からして 怖そうだ。 Even the title of this movie sounds scary. |
How do you show degree and trends?
These patterns say how far something goes: so much that, far from, out of the question, or steadily moving in one direction.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜ほどだ | so (much) ~ that ~ / to the point of ~ | 昨日の 暑さは、外を 歩けない ほどだった。 Yesterday it was so hot you could barely walk outside. |
| 〜どころか | far from ~ / let alone ~ / not only not ~ but (actually) ~ | 薬を 飲んだのに、熱は 下がる どころか 夜に なって さらに 上がった。 I took medicine, but far from going down, my fever went up even more that night. |
| 〜どころではない | this is no time for ~ / ~ is out of the question | 引っ越しの 準備で 忙しくて、花見どころでは ない。 I'm so busy getting ready to move that cherry blossom viewing is out of the question. |
| 〜ばかりだ | keeps getting ~ (usually worse) / just keeps ~ing | 薬を 飲んでも、咳は ひどく なる ばかりだ。 Even with medicine, my cough just keeps getting worse. |
| 〜つつある | be in the process of ~ / be steadily ~ing | この 地域では、若い 人の 数が 年々 減りつつ ある。 In this area, the number of young people is falling year by year. |
What word endings appear in N2 grammar?
A few N2 patterns are endings that attach to adjectives, nouns or verb stems to build new words. They only work with a limited set of words, so learn the common combinations rather than adding them freely.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜み (noun from adjective) | ~ness (a noun for a quality that is sensed or felt) | この トマトは 甘みが 強くて、そのまま 食べても おいしい。 These tomatoes are really sweet, so they taste great even on their own. |
| 〜げ | looking ~ / seeming ~ (from someone's appearance) | 子どもたちは 公園で 楽しげに 遊んで いた。 The children were playing happily in the park. |
| 〜めく | show signs of ~ / have a touch of ~ / ~-like | 三月に 入って、日差しも 少しずつ 春めいて きた。 Now that it's March, the sunlight is gradually starting to feel like spring. |
| 〜抜く | ~ through to the end / ~ thoroughly (despite difficulty) | 足が 痛かったが、最後まで 走り抜いた。 My legs were hurting, but I ran all the way to the finish. |
What casual spoken grammar is on JLPT N2?
N2 isn't all formal. The listening section uses everyday conversation, and these patterns show up when people complain, insist or list things in a hurry.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜ってば | I told you, ~! / I said ~! (impatient) / hey, ~! (calling someone) | もう 子どもじゃ ないんだから、一人で 大丈夫だってば。 I'm not a kid anymore. I told you, I'll be fine on my own. |
| 〜じゃないか | isn't it ~! (surprise, blame) / I told you ~! / let's ~! (with volitional) | だから 言った じゃないか。傘を 持って いけって。 See, I told you! I said to take an umbrella. |
| 〜だの〜だの | ~ and ~ and so on (listing, often complaints) | 兄は 部屋が 狭いだの 駅から 遠いだのと、文句ばかり 言って いる。 My brother keeps complaining that his room is too small, that it's too far from the station, and so on. |
| 〜やら〜やら | ~ and ~ (among other things) / what with ~ and ~ | 引っ越しの 準備やら 仕事の 引き継ぎやらで、今週は 本当に 忙しい。 What with getting ready to move and handing over my work, this week has been really hectic. |
Formal vs spoken: how does register work at N2?
Most N2 grammar sits at the formal end of Japanese. That matters for two reasons. In reading, these patterns tell you what kind of text you're in. In grammar questions, a formal pattern in a casual sentence, or the other way around, is often the wrong answer.
Many N2 patterns have a plain everyday partner that means about the same thing. Knowing the pairs helps you read faster and avoid sounding stiff when you speak.
| Formal / written | Everyday equivalent | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 〜際（に） | 〜とき | when |
| 〜に先立って | 〜前に | before |
| 〜において | 〜で | in, at |
| 〜のみならず | 〜だけでなく | not only |
| 〜にすぎない | 〜だけだ | merely |
| 〜にもかかわらず | 〜のに | despite |
| 〜つつ（も） | 〜ながら（も）, 〜けど | although |
| 〜につき | 〜ので, 〜ため | because of (in notices) |
| 〜ざるを得ない | 〜しかない, 〜なければならない | have no choice but to |
| 〜よりほか（は）ない | 〜しかない | have no option but to |
| 〜には及ばない | 〜なくてもいい | there's no need to |
| 〜であれ | 〜でも | whoever, whatever |
A few patterns sound out of place in conversation, even polite conversation. 〜につき for "because," 〜において and 〜に先立って belong on signs, in reports and in speeches. 〜ものを, 〜げ and 〜めく are a bit literary.
At the other end, some N2 patterns are strictly casual: 〜ってば, 〜っこない, 〜ときたら, 〜だの〜だの and 〜もんか (the spoken form of 〜ものか). 〜どころじゃない is the everyday form of 〜どころではない, and 〜じゃないか becomes 〜ではないか in speeches and essays. Use the casual ones only with friends and family.
Business Japanese mixes both. Fixed phrases like 決まり次第ご連絡します, お答えしかねます, お忙しいところを and ご心配には及びません are polite and very common at work, so they're worth learning as whole phrases.
Which N2 grammar patterns are easy to confuse?
The JLPT often tests the difference between patterns that share an English translation. These are the groups worth studying side by side.
〜際に, 〜に際して, 〜にあたって, 〜折に and 〜に先立って
All five can translate as "when" or "on the occasion of."
- 〜際（に） is the neutral formal "when," common in instructions: ご利用の際は…. It's for specific actions, not feelings.
- 〜に際して is more formal and marks a special, one-time event such as signing a contract or opening a store.
- 〜にあたって is very close to 〜に際して but leans toward preparing for or committing to a step forward.
- 〜折（に） is a polite "when" for a pleasant or convenient occasion, common in letters. It isn't used for accidents or bad news.
- 〜に先立って means "before," for things done ahead of an important event.
〜からには, 〜以上（は） and 〜上は
All three mean "now that" or "since," followed by a duty or resolve. 〜からには is the most common in speech, 〜以上 sounds more logical and is often tied to a role (プロである以上), and 〜上は is the most formal. Don't mix 〜上は up with 〜上で, which means "when doing" or "in terms of."
〜にもかかわらず, 〜にかかわらず and 〜を問わず
The も changes everything. 〜にもかかわらず means "despite" one fact (大雨にもかかわらず). 〜にかかわらず means "regardless of" a range or a pair of opposites (天候にかかわらず). 〜を問わず is almost the same as 〜にかかわらず but mostly follows nouns, while 〜にかかわらず can also follow pairs like 参加するしない.
〜かねない and 〜かねる
〜かねない means a bad result might happen: 事故を起こしかねない. 〜かねる means the speaker can't do something, usually as a polite refusal: お答えしかねます. The ない ending does not make かねない negative.
〜た末（に） and 〜あげく
Both mean "after a long process." 〜た末 can lead to a good or bad result. 〜あげく is used almost only for bad ones, often with frustration.
〜だけに, 〜だけあって and 〜ばかりに
〜だけあって praises a result you'd expect: 料理学校を出ただけあって. 〜だけに can lead to a good or bad result, and often means "all the more because." 〜ばかりに blames one cause for something going wrong.
〜に限って, 〜に限らず and 〜に限る
Same kanji, three meanings. 〜に限って is "of all times" or "only." 〜に限らず is "not only." 〜に限る is "nothing beats ~." Add 〜限り (as long as) and 〜ない限り (unless), and you have five patterns built on 限る.
〜ものなら and 〜ようものなら
〜ものなら follows the potential form and expresses a wish for something nearly impossible: 時間を戻せるものなら. 〜ようものなら follows the volitional form and warns that a small action would cause big trouble.
〜ざるを得ない, 〜ないわけにはいかない and 〜よりほか（は）ない
All mean "have to." 〜ざるを得ない is about outside circumstances forcing you, 〜ないわけにはいかない is about social duty or what people expect of you, and 〜よりほか（は）ない simply says no other option is left.
〜にかけては and 〜から〜にかけて
〜にかけては introduces a skill someone is great at: ダンスにかけては誰にも負けない. 〜から〜にかけて marks a rough span of time or space: 今夜から明日の朝にかけて.
〜どころか and 〜どころではない
〜どころか links two clauses: "far from ~" or "let alone ~." 〜どころではない ends a sentence and says something is out of the question right now.
How should you study N2 grammar?
- Learn patterns in pairs and groups. Since many patterns share an English meaning, study them next to their look-alikes. The comparisons above are a good starting list.
- Notice what comes in the second half. A lot of N2 patterns restrict what follows: 〜次第 needs a plan or request, 〜ないことには needs a negative, 〜にかけては needs praise. Grammar questions test exactly this.
- Learn the connection, not just the meaning. Know whether a pattern follows a noun, a dictionary form, a た-form or a ない-form. 〜上で and 〜たうえで are a good example of why.
- Read real formal text. News articles, notices and company websites are full of N2 grammar. Spotting patterns in the wild is the best review there is, and it trains your reading speed too.
- Pace yourself. Five patterns a day, with regular review, gets you through all 125 in under a month, then the real work is reviewing them until the differences feel natural.
- Practice in the exam format. N2 grammar questions ask you to pick the right form, put sentence pieces in the right order, and fill gaps in a passage. Our guide to the JLPT test format explains each question type.
N2 grammar shares a test period with vocabulary and reading, so it also affects your sectional score. Our article on the JLPT passing score explains why the sectional minimums matter.
What are common N2 grammar mistakes?
- Treating 〜にもかかわらず and 〜にかかわらず as the same. One means "despite," the other "regardless of."
- Reading 〜かねない as a negative. ✗ "won't happen" → ✓ "could easily happen."
- Using 〜次第 for past events. ✗ 駅に着き次第、雨が降った → ✓ 駅に着くとすぐに、雨が降った. 〜次第 is for plans and requests.
- Using 〜得る for skills. ✗ 泳ぎ得る → ✓ 泳ぐことができる. 〜得る is about whether something is possible at all.
- Using 〜際に with feelings. ✗ さびしい際に → ✓ さびしいときに.
- Writing しざるを得ない. The する form is せざるを得ない.
- Using formal patterns in casual speech. 〜につき or 〜において in a chat with friends sounds like a notice board.
Frequently asked questions
How many grammar points are on the JLPT N2?
There's no official number, because the JLPT hasn't published a grammar list since 2010. Textbooks and apps split patterns in different ways, so counts vary a lot. The Kantan JLPT N2 set has 125 patterns.
Is N2 grammar hard?
It's a big step up from N3. The forms themselves are simple, but there are many of them, they're mostly formal, and many look alike. Most learners find the hardest part is choosing between near-synonyms, not remembering meanings.
What's the difference between N3 and N2 grammar?
N3 grammar is mostly everyday expressions with nuance. N2 adds the formal and written versions of many of them, such as 〜際に for 〜とき or 〜にすぎない for 〜だけだ, plus patterns typical of news and essays. You need N3 grammar first, since many N2 patterns build on it. If you want to check your base, see the N4 grammar list and the N3 grammar list.
How long does it take to learn N2 grammar?
Learning the meanings of 125 patterns takes about a month at five a day. Getting comfortable with them in reading and listening takes longer. Our JLPT study plan has a realistic timeline for N2 as a whole.
Do I need kanji to study N2 grammar?
Yes. N2 example sentences, like real N2 texts, use a lot of kanji, and many patterns contain kanji themselves (〜に基づいて, 〜に伴って, 〜を契機に). The N2 kanji list covers the characters you'll need.
Study N2 grammar in Kantan JLPT
This list comes from the N2 grammar set in Kantan JLPT, which teaches the 125 patterns in 25 short units of five. In the app, each pattern comes with its formation, notes on usage and look-alikes, and several example sentences, and fill-in-the-blank reviews bring back the ones you miss. If you're still deciding whether N2 is the right goal, JLPT levels explained compares what each level expects.