Advanced Grammar — Part 1

Advanced particle expressions, comparison patterns, and formal grammar structures for JLPT N2–N1 Japanese.

Particle Expressions

上N〜にしては

if compared to normal

Indicates a deviation from what one would normally expect

田中(たなか)さんはアメリカ人(じん)にしては背(せ)が高(たか)い。

Mr. Tanaka is tall for a Japanese person.

上N〜にしても

even considering

Expresses extent or length of time
Can combine two alternatives: A にしても B にしても

ローマは一日にしてならず。

Rome was not built in a day.

上N〜の割にはVERB〜割には

considering how

Presents an observation which counters expectations
Shows a different outcome than expected given the circumstances

この子供(こども)は年(とし)の割(わり)には大人(おとな)っぽい。

This child is mature for their age.

上N〜において

in / at / when it comes to

Identifies a place or time of occurrence
Identifies a point in a spectrum

この車(くるま)は安全性(あんぜんせい)において世界一(せかいいち)だ。

This car is the best in the world when it comes to safety.

上N〜をおいて（ほかに）ない

no one / nothing other than

Expresses that there is no alternative

上硬N〜にて

at / in (formal)

Identifies a location or specific setting/time of an event

上N〜に対して

toward / against / in contrast to

Identifies the object of a feeling, attitude, or action
Not the directional meaning — does not replace に for movement

国民(こくみん)は政府(せいふ)に対(たい)して不満(ふまん)を抱(いだ)いている。

The people feel dissatisfied toward the government.

上N〜によって

by means of / depending on / by (passive)

Method: by means of
Rate of change: depending upon
Causing entity: by (in a passive construction)

多(おお)くのビルが火事(かじ)によって焼(や)けた。

Many buildings burned down because of the fire.

上N〜によると / 〜によれば

according to

Identifies an information source (topic must be a different entity)

新聞(しんぶん)によると、最近(さいきん)犯罪率(はんざいりつ)が下(さ)がった。

According to the newspaper, the crime rate has gone down recently.

上N〜にわたって

continuing over / spanning

Identifies something which covers two or more spans of space or time

今日(きょう)から水曜日(すいようび)にわたって大雨(おおあめ)が降(ふ)るでしょう。

Strong rain is expected to fall from today through Wednesday.

上N〜にかけては

when it comes to

Indicates a field in which someone excels

上N〜に限って

only happens when

Often implies ironic or unfortunate timing

上N〜に限らない

not limited to

Others may also apply; not exclusively X

上N〜にもかかわらず

regardless of / in spite of

The result is different from what would be expected

上N〜にかかわらず

regardless of variations in

Applies regardless of which option or variation

上N〜を問わず

regardless of / no matter

Does not matter which; applies in all cases

上N〜を通じて / 〜を通して

through / by way of

Going through an intermediary, period, or channel

旅行(りょこう)会社(がいしゃ)を通(とお)して予約(よやく)した。

Booked through a travel agency.

上N〜をもとにして

based on

Using as a foundation or basis

上書VERB〜ものの

although / even though

Concessive conjunction — the second clause contrasts with the first

Comparison

上N〜わりに

surprisingly / for the amount

A logical but surprising outcome given the circumstances

上N〜に比べて

compared to

Direct comparison between two things

上N〜くせに

even though (negative nuance)

Shows contempt or dissatisfaction toward the subject

上N〜としては

for / if in the role of

上N〜にしたら

from the perspective of

Concession

VERB〜のに

even though / in spite of

Expresses disappointment or surprise at an unexpected result

約束(やくそく)したのに来(こ)なかった。

Even though he promised, he did not come.

上書VERB〜ものの

although / but

Literary concessive — the second clause contrasts with the first

上書VERB〜つつ（も）

even though / while doing

While doing A, also doing B — often contradictory actions

Accordance

〜ように

as / in such a way

Outcome matches a prior expectation or pattern

上N〜通りに

exactly as / in the manner of

The exact manner of an action matching a model or instruction

先生(せんせい)が言(い)った通(とお)りにやった。

I did exactly as the teacher said.

Variation and Progress

上N〜一方（で）

on one hand / while also

Expresses two different or contrasting things happening simultaneously
Can also indicate a continuing trend

Inference

Direct Inference

〜らしい

it seems (based on evidence)

Which (best), one — after another (interest)
Blend of (speaker), described in detail

〜ようだ / 〜みたいだ

it appears that (based on observation)

ようだ is more formal; みたいだ is spoken

Indirect Inference

〜そうだ (hearsay)

I heard that

Reported speech — information obtained secondhand

Icons & Badges Reference

Usage Icons

話Used primarily in spoken Japanese

書Used primarily in written Japanese

男Used mostly by men

女Used mostly by women

子Used mostly by children

古Old / Archaic expression

硬Used in formal / stiff situations

!Use with caution (not for superiors)

!!Vulgar / expresses anger or disapproval

上Advanced (JLPT N2–N1)

★Reference-only (beyond JLPT scope)

↓Footnote

✕Incorrect usage

○Correct usage

Form Badges

NNoun

NONoun followed by the particle の

NANoun followed by な

TIMENoun indicating time

LOCNoun indicating location/place

ADJAdjective (i-adjective or na-adjective)

i-ADJi-Adjective (e.g. 高い)

na-ADJna-Adjective (e.g. 元気な)

VERB"Nounable" verb form

PASTPast-tense verb (〜た、〜ていた、etc.)

-U/-TAPresent or past verb (non-negative)

NAINegative form

-U/NAIPresent tense verb (regular or negative)

VERB+の"Nounable" verb form followed by の

SURUSuru-verb stem word (noun)

Verb Form Suffixes

-IVerb -I form (連用形)

-UVerb -U form (終止形)

-EVerb -E form (仮定形)

-OUVerb -OU form (意志形)

-TEVerb -TE form (て形)

-TAVerb -TA form (た形)

-TE+たVerb -TE form + past