JLPT Grammar

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N3 〜さえ〜ば Expresses that if just one single condition is met, that alone is sufficient for what follows to hold. Out of many possible elements, it singles out just that one point and emphasizes that it alone is necessary and sufficient. Used with a nuance of "as long as at least that condition exists."

N3 〜こそ Strongly picks out the word immediately before it, highlighting it as being that very thing and no other. Expresses the speaker singling out and emphasizing what they consider most important. As in "this time for sure" or "this very thing," it conveys the feeling of "precisely this."

N3 〜くせに Expresses, with a tone of criticism or mockery, that reality contradicts what would naturally be expected from what was just stated. Close to "〜のに" but carries the speaker's dissatisfaction or contempt toward the other person; a somewhat casual expression.

N3 〜にしては Expresses that the degree expected from a certain standard does not match reality. States surprise or evaluation that, considering that position or condition, the result is unexpected. Used as in "skilled for a beginner."

N3 〜わりに（は） Expresses that the degree naturally expected from a certain matter does not match the actual degree. It states an evaluation that, given that condition, the result is unexpected. Used as in "looks young for their age," pointing out the gap between the standard and the reality.

N3 〜といっても Expresses that reality is not as significant as what would be imagined from what was just said, adding the actual situation afterward as a correction. It shows the gap between the impression given by words and reality, so as not to overstate things. Used as in "though I call it cooking, it's something simple."

N3 〜からといって Expresses that, even though there is such a reason, it does not necessarily follow that the natural conclusion holds; this is stated afterward as a correction. It raises a seemingly reasonable ground while stating that the ground alone is not enough to reach the conclusion. Followed by a negative-toned statement.

N3 〜としたら／〜とすれば／〜とすると Expresses assuming a matter to be true and then stating the conclusion that follows from that case. It draws out a result from an assumption, in the sense of "if that were so, then naturally this follows." "〜とすると" is also used when naturally proceeding from a premise.

N3 〜うちに／〜ないうちに Expresses doing another action without missing the chance, while a certain state continues. "〜ないうちに" means doing something while a state has not yet occurred, in order to act before it becomes too late. It focuses on the time span before a state changes.

N3 〜とたん（に） Expresses that, the very moment a certain action occurs, another matter follows immediately after. It carries a sense of unexpectedness, where the next event occurs unexpectedly just as the previous action finishes or almost finishes, as in "the moment I stood up."

N3 〜際（に） Expresses the occasion or opportunity when something is done. A somewhat formal expression indicating the scene or point in time when an act takes place. As in "〜際は," it takes up a specific occasion to state something.

N3 〜ところに／〜ところへ Expresses that, right in the midst of a certain scene or situation, another matter appears or intervenes. It describes that, just while doing something or being in a certain state, another event happens with good or bad timing.

N3 〜ついでに Expresses doing something else together by taking advantage of the occasion of one action. Used when one also takes care of another errand while doing the main one, without extra trouble.

N3 〜せいで／〜せいか Expresses that there is an undesirable cause or responsibility behind a result. "〜せいで" identifies the cause specifically with a tone of blame or regret, while "〜せいか" expresses that, though not certain, that may be the cause, with a tone of speculation.

N3 〜おかげで Expresses that a favorable outcome has a cause or benefit behind it. Used with gratitude, as in "〜のおかげで," to state the reason for a good result. It can also be used ironically for a bad result.

N3 〜ように（目的） Expresses a purpose: doing something aiming for that outcome to occur. Attached to non-volitional verbs, or to potential/negative forms, it states that one does something so that a certain state will be realized. Distinguished from "〜ために," which follows volitional actions.

N3 〜について／〜に関して Indicates taking up that matter as the topic or object of discussion. "〜に関して" is somewhat more formal than "〜について." In the form "〜に関する" it also modifies a noun.

N3 〜に対して／〜に対する Indicates the person or target that an action or emotion is directed toward. In the form "〜に対する" it also modifies a noun. It is also used to contrast two matters, as in "〜であるのに対して" (whereas ~).

N3 〜だらけ A suffix expressing a state covered or filled with undesirable things. As in "covered in mud" or "full of mistakes," it describes being full of something in a critical or disapproving tone. Attaches to a noun.

N3 〜がち A suffix expressing that something tends to happen often, or that there is a tendency toward it. Mostly used for undesirable tendencies, as in "tends to be late" or "prone to getting sick." Attaches to the -masu stem of a verb or to a noun.

N3 〜ぎみ A suffix expressing that such a tendency or state is slightly noticeable. As in "feeling a bit like a cold coming on" or "gaining a bit of weight," it describes a slight leaning toward that state. Attaches to the -masu stem of a verb or to a noun.

N3 〜っぽい A suffix expressing that a certain quality or tendency is strongly felt. Attached to a noun it means "seems like ~," as in "childish," and attached to a verb it means "tends to ~ easily," as in "forgetful." A casual expression.

N3 〜きる／〜きれない Attached to the -masu stem of a verb, this expresses completing an action fully to the end, as in "read through to the end" or "use up completely." The "〜きれない" form expresses that something cannot be done completely because the quantity or degree is too great.

N3 〜かけ（の）／〜かける Attached to the -masu stem of a verb, this expresses a state where an action has progressed partway but is not yet complete. It describes something left midway, as in "a book I'm partway through reading," or that an action was started but then stopped, as in "started to say it but stopped."

N3 〜くらい／〜ぐらい Uses an example to indicate the degree of something. It has an extreme, hyperbolic use similar to "so tired I could die," which emphasizes the degree by exaggeration, and a minimal-degree use like "at least say hello," which shows the lowest acceptable amount.

N3 〜ほど Expresses an extreme degree of an action or state by citing an extreme example or comparison. 「死ぬほど疲れた」 means being so tired that one feels close to dying. Attached to a noun, as in 「山ほどある」, it indicates a very large quantity. At the end of a sentence it takes the form 「〜ほどだ」.

N3 〜ば〜ほど Repeats the same verb or adjective in the pattern 「〜ば」+「〜ほど」 to express that as the degree of one thing increases, another changes in proportion to it. Verbs take the form 「読めば読むほど」, i-adjectives 「近ければ近いほど」, and na-adjectives 「簡単なら簡単なほど」 or 「簡単であればあるほど」. The 「ば」 part can be omitted, so that 「〜ほど」 alone expresses the same proportional meaning.