Advanced Grammar — Part 2
Extent expressions, exclusivity patterns, miscellaneous grammar, noun expressions, and adjective patterns.
Extent Expressions
上N〜まで
even so far as
- Something surprising, in addition to other (non-surprising) things
- Not used only to express an endpoint or limit
田中先生は、友達にまで借金をしている。
Mr. Tanaka even borrows money from friends.
上N〜までは
as far as (with a negative)
- Sets a limit — used with a negative result
大阪には住んだことがあるが、京都までは行ったことがない。
I have lived in Osaka, but I have never been as far as Kyoto.
上VERB〜まで（も）ない
there is no need to even
- X is unnecessary — no need to go that far
言うまでもない。
It goes without saying.
上VERB〜くらいなら
instead of / rather than
- If it is as bad as doing X, then Y would be preferable
上N〜さえ
even (unexpected element)
- Identifies an unusual and unexpected element
- Replaces は, が, を — follows other particles
先生でさえこの問題は解けない。
Even the teacher could not solve this problem.
上N〜さえ...ば
if only
- If only X, then everything will be fine
Basis and Expectation
上N〜だけあって
not unusual considering
- Identifies the basis or cause of expectations
- Followed by an admission matching those expectations (subjective)
値段が高いだけあって、品質がいい。
As you would expect from the high price, the quality is good.
上N〜だけに
precisely because / all the more
- Similar to だけあって, but can also precede an unexpected result
上VERB〜だけのことはある
as one would expect
- Same meaning as だけあって — confirms justified expectations
Contradiction and Uniqueness
上VERB〜反面
while being (contradiction)
- Simultaneously holds two contrasting qualities
この仕事はやりがいがある反面、大変だ。
This job is rewarding, but at the same time demanding.
上VERB〜一方
while being (contradiction)
- Same meaning — but can also be followed by a continuing trend
上N〜ならではの
unique to / only possible in
- Something you can only get from a particular source
これは京都ならではの味だ。
This is a flavor unique to Kyoto.
上N〜として
as (in the role of)
- In the capacity of; regarded as
彼は医者として働いている。
He is working as a doctor.
Exclusivity Patterns
Only
N〜だけ
only / nothing other than
- Most basic form of only — limit is imposed by the speaker
N〜しか...ない
only (with negative)
- Emphasizes the insufficiency or limitation
N〜ばかり
only / nothing but
- Disproportionate or excessive amount
Not Only, But Also
上N〜だけでなく
not only... but also
上N〜ばかりでなく / ばかりか
not only... but also
上硬N〜のみならず
not only... but also (formal)
Not Even, Much Less
上N〜はおろか
let alone / much less
- X is out of the question, let alone Y
漢字はおろか、ひらがなさえ読めない。
He cannot even read hiragana, let alone kanji.
上硬N〜すら
even (formal)
- Formal equivalent of さえ — highlights an extreme or unlikely element
上N〜どころか
far from / let alone
- The reality is completely opposite to what was expected
Miscellaneous Grammar
上N〜といえば
speaking of
- When X is mentioned, Y immediately comes to mind
上VERB〜と思いきや
thought that... but actually
- Expected one thing but the opposite happened
とにかく
anyway / in any case
- Used to redirect or summarize regardless of details
上とかく
tend to / be inclined to
- Often carries a negative connotation
上硬N〜をもって
with / by means of (formal)
- Formal expression for instrument, means, or deadline
上N〜あるまじき
unbecoming of / should not
- Behavior that is inappropriate or unacceptable for the stated role
Expressions with Nouns
N〜なんかN〜なんて
something like (dismissive)
- Used when making a negative judgment or being humble
- Can replace は, が, を particles
- なんて is more emphatic than なんか
私なんかにはとても無理です。
Something like that is impossible for someone like me.
Noun Modifier Patterns
- N + という — called / known as
- N + といった — such as / like
- N + からして — judging from
- N + にしろ / にせよ — whether it be... or...
- Same meaning, older forms may also appear.
i-Adjective Patterns
i-Adjective Review
i-Adjectives drop い before adding conjugation endings.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Negative | 〜くない | 高くない (not expensive) |
| Past | 〜かった | 高かった (was expensive) |
| Neg. Past | 〜くなかった | 高くなかった (was not expensive) |
| Adverb | 〜く | 高く (expensively) |
| Conditional | 〜ければ | 高ければ (if expensive) |
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