JLPT N2 grammar list
166 core JLPT N2 grammar patterns, each paired with an example sentence and studied with real spaced repetition. Free, no signup, works in your browser.
N2 grammar is the formal, written register — the patterns of newspapers, business and structured argument (〜にあたって, 〜をはじめ, 〜にかかわらず, 〜ものの, and the rest). The list below is EverFlip's curated core, none of it repeated from N3; tap any group to study it with the forgetting-curve scheduling that times each review to memory.
N2 grammar I
Study these 21 →- 〜際に (on the occasion of / when)お降りの際は、足元にご注意ください。Please watch your step when you get off.
- 〜に際して (at the time of / on the occasion of)入学に際して、新しい教科書を買いそろえた。On the occasion of entering school, I bought a full set of new textbooks.
- 〜にあたって (when about to / on the occasion of)新事業を始めるにあたって、十分な調査を行った。When about to start the new business, we conducted thorough research.
- 〜をはじめ (starting with / including notably)この大学には、アジアをはじめ世界中から留学生が集まる。Students gather at this university from all over the world, starting with Asia.
- 〜にかかわらず (regardless of)経験の有無にかかわらず、誰でも応募できます。Regardless of whether you have experience or not, anyone can apply.
- 〜もかまわず (without caring about)彼は人目もかまわず、大声で泣き出した。Without caring about onlookers, he burst out crying loudly.
- 〜を問わず (regardless of / irrespective of)年齢を問わず、どなたでもご参加いただけます。Regardless of age, anyone is welcome to participate.
- 〜ずにはいられない (cannot help but)あの映画を見ると、誰もが泣かずにはいられない。When you watch that movie, no one can help but cry.
- 〜あげく (after all that / in the end)さんざん迷ったあげく、結局買わなかった。After agonizing over it endlessly, in the end I didn't buy it.
- 〜末に (after much / at the end of)長い議論の末に、ようやく結論が出た。After a long discussion, we finally reached a conclusion.
- 〜以上(は) (now that / since)約束した以上は、必ず守るべきだ。Now that you've promised, you should definitely keep your word.
- 〜ばかりに (simply because / on account of)一言よけいなことを言ったばかりに、彼を怒らせてしまった。Simply because I said one unnecessary word, I ended up angering him.
- 〜かのように (as if / as though)彼はまるで何も知らなかったかのように振る舞った。He behaved as if he had known nothing about it.
- 〜に相違ない (must surely be / undoubtedly)この筆跡から、犯人は彼に相違ない。Judging from this handwriting, the culprit is undoubtedly him.
- 〜にしろ〜にしろ (whether ... or)行くにしろ行かないにしろ、早く連絡してほしい。Whether you're going or not, I want you to let me know quickly.
- 〜得る (can / be possible)そんなことは、十分に起こり得る話だ。Such a thing is entirely possible to happen.
- 〜得ない (cannot / impossible)彼が嘘をつくなんて、ありえないことだ。It's impossible that he would tell a lie.
- 〜とたん(に) (the instant that / as soon as)ドアを開けたとたんに、猫が飛び出してきた。The instant I opened the door, the cat came leaping out.
- 〜が早いか (no sooner than / the moment)彼はベルが鳴るが早いか、教室を飛び出した。No sooner had the bell rung than he dashed out of the classroom.
- 〜や否や (as soon as / immediately upon)彼は家に着くや否や、ベッドに倒れ込んだ。As soon as he got home, he collapsed onto the bed.
- 〜次第で (depending on)明日の天気次第で、出発の時間を決めましょう。Let's decide the departure time depending on tomorrow's weather.
N2 grammar II
Study these 21 →- 〜にもかかわらず (in spite of / despite)悪天候にもかかわらず、試合は予定通り行われた。Despite the bad weather, the match was held as scheduled.
- 〜だけまし (at least it's better than / could be worse)給料は安いが、仕事があるだけましだ。The pay is low, but at least it's better than having no job at all.
- 〜だけのことはある (no wonder / it's worth it)さすがプロだけのことはあって、仕事が早い。He really lives up to being a pro — his work is fast.
- 〜ものなら (if (by some chance) you could)できるものなら、もう一度あの頃に戻りたい。If I could, I'd like to go back to those days once more.
- 〜ものか (absolutely not / as if I would)あんな失礼な店に、二度と行くものか。As if I'd ever go to such a rude shop again!
- 〜ことだ (you should / the best thing is to)風邪を早く治したいなら、ゆっくり休むことだ。If you want to get over your cold quickly, the best thing is to rest well.
- 〜上は (now that / since [you've decided])引き受けた上は、最後まで責任を持ってやり遂げる。Now that I've taken it on, I'll see it through to the end responsibly.
- 〜というものだ (that's what it means to / that's just)困っている人を助けるのが、人情というものだ。Helping people in trouble is just what human kindness is.
- 〜というものではない (it's not the case that / not necessarily)お金さえあれば幸せだというものではない。It's not the case that you're happy just as long as you have money.
- 〜にこたえて (in response to / meeting)ファンの期待にこたえて、彼は見事に優勝した。In response to the fans' hopes, he splendidly won the championship.
- 〜にほかならない (is nothing other than / is precisely)彼の成功は、日々の努力の結果にほかならない。His success is nothing other than the result of daily effort.
- 〜に決まっている (must surely / of course)そんな話、嘘に決まっているじゃないか。A story like that is obviously a lie, isn't it?
- 決まって (always / without fail)父は日曜になると、決まって庭仕事をする。When Sunday comes, my father invariably does yard work.
- 〜をきっかけに (taking ... as an opportunity / triggered by)入院をきっかけに、彼は健康に気を使うようになった。His hospitalization became the trigger for him to start caring about his health.
- 〜ないことはない (it's not that you can't / it's possible)急げば、終電に間に合わないことはない。If we hurry, it's not impossible to catch the last train.
- 〜てしょうがない (can't help feeling / unbearably)国にいる家族のことが、心配でしょうがない。I can't help worrying about my family back home.
- 〜てたまらない (unbearably / can't stand it)新しいゲームが欲しくてたまらない。I want the new game so badly I can't stand it.
- 〜てならない (can't help but feel / extremely)あの時の判断が正しかったのか、悔やまれてならない。I can't help but feel deep regret over whether my decision then was right.
- 〜次第だ (the situation is that / that's why)以上のような理由で、計画を変更した次第です。For the reasons above, the situation is that we changed the plan.
- 〜ぬきで (without / leaving out)今日は仕事の話ぬきで、楽しく飲みましょう。Today, let's drink and have fun without any talk of work.
- 〜をぬきにして (leaving aside / setting aside)冗談をぬきにして、真剣に話し合おう。Setting jokes aside, let's discuss this seriously.
N2 grammar III
Study these 21 →- 〜つつある (be in the process of / gradually)町の人口は年々減りつつある。The town's population is gradually declining year by year.
- 〜にわたって (over / spanning / throughout)工事は三年にわたって続けられた。The construction continued over a span of three years.
- 〜をめぐって (concerning / over (a dispute))遺産の相続をめぐって、兄弟が争っている。The siblings are quarreling over the inheritance.
- 〜のもとで (under / under the guidance of)厳しい先生のもとで、彼は技術を磨いた。Under a strict teacher, he honed his skills.
- 〜からして (judging from / even (just) from)あの態度からして、彼は反省していないようだ。Judging just from that attitude, he doesn't seem to be reflecting on it.
- 〜はもとより (not only ... but also / let alone)彼は漢字はもとより、ひらがなも書けない。He can't write hiragana, let alone kanji.
- 〜にとどまらず (not limited to / extending beyond)被害は一国にとどまらず、世界中に広がった。The damage was not limited to one country but spread worldwide.
- 〜だの〜だの (things like ... and ... (complaints))彼は暑いだの寒いだのと、いつも文句ばかり言う。He's always complaining about things like it's too hot or too cold.
- 〜といい〜といい (whether ... or ... / both ... and)この服は色といいデザインといい、申し分ない。This outfit is perfect, both in color and in design.
- 〜げ (look / seem (appearance suffix))子供たちは楽しげに公園で遊んでいた。The children were playing happily in the park, looking like they were having fun.
- 〜ものがある (there is something ... / really is)彼の歌声には、人を引きつけるものがある。There is something captivating about his singing voice.
- 〜どうにか / 〜なんとか (somehow manage to)締め切りには、どうにか間に合わせることができた。I somehow managed to make the deadline in time.
- 〜てこそ (only after / it is precisely by doing)苦労を経験してこそ、人の痛みが分かる。It is only after experiencing hardship that you understand others' pain.
- 〜ことなく (without ever / without doing)彼は一度も休むことなく、十年間働き続けた。He kept working for ten years without ever taking a single break.
- 〜抜きには (without / leaving out — cannot proceed)皆さんの協力抜きには、この成功はありえなかった。Without everyone's cooperation, this success would have been impossible.
- 〜にしたところで (even ... / even in the case of)専門家にしたところで、未来を正確に予測はできない。Even an expert cannot accurately predict the future.
- 〜とあって (because of the special circumstance that)連休とあって、駅は旅行客でごった返していた。Because it was a long holiday, the station was packed with travelers.
- 〜たところ (upon doing / when I did, it turned out)問い合わせたところ、商品は在庫切れだった。When I inquired, it turned out the item was out of stock.
- 〜とあれば (if it is the case that / if (it's for that))子供のためとあれば、どんな苦労もいとわない。If it's for my child, I won't begrudge any hardship.
- 〜まみれ (covered/smeared with)子供たちは泥まみれになって遊んでいた。The children were playing, covered all over in mud.
- 〜こそすれ (it may ... but / does indeed ... yet)彼は感謝こそすれ、君を恨んだりはしないだろう。He may be grateful, but he surely won't resent you.
N2 grammar IV
Study these 20 →- 〜ぶりに (after an interval of / for the first time in)十年ぶりに故郷の町を訪れた。I visited my hometown for the first time in ten years.
- 〜ことに (to one's (emotion), ...)驚いたことに、彼は全ての試験に合格していた。To my surprise, he had passed all of the exams.
- 〜くせして (even though / despite (reproach))知らないくせして、彼は知ったかぶりをする。Even though he doesn't know, he pretends he does.
- 〜かと思えば (just when / no sooner ... than)泣いていたかと思えば、もう笑っている。Just when she was crying, she's already laughing again.
- 〜ものを (if only ... (regret/reproach))早く言ってくれれば手伝ったものを。If only you'd told me sooner, I would have helped.
- 〜ところを (at a time when / (sorry to trouble) when)お忙しいところを、お時間をいただき恐縮です。I'm sorry to take your time when you're so busy.
- 〜べく (in order to (formal/written))真相を確かめるべく、彼は現地へ向かった。In order to ascertain the truth, he headed to the site.
- 〜べからず (must not / forbidden (formal sign))ここにごみを捨てるべからず。Do not throw away trash here.
- 〜ながらに (while remaining / as one is)彼女は涙ながらに当時の出来事を語った。She recounted the events of that time in tears.
- 〜ずにすむ (manage without having to / be spared)友達が車を貸してくれたので、タクシーを使わずにすんだ。A friend lent me a car, so I was spared having to take a taxi.
- 〜かぎりだ (extremely / couldn't be more (emotion))一人で年を越すなんて、寂しいかぎりだ。Spending New Year's alone — it couldn't be lonelier.
- 〜きらいがある (tend to / have a (bad) tendency to)彼は物事を悪いほうに考えるきらいがある。He has a tendency to think about things in a negative way.
- 〜とは (the fact that ... / to think that)まさか彼が犯人だったとは、信じられない。To think that he was the culprit — it's unbelievable.
- 〜こそあれ (there may be ... but / although there is)多少の不満こそあれ、全体的には満足している。There may be some minor dissatisfaction, but overall I'm satisfied.
- 〜ともなると (when it comes to / once you reach)社長ともなると、責任の重さが違う。Once you become company president, the weight of responsibility is different.
- 〜にせよ〜にせよ (whether ... or ...)賛成するにせよ反対するにせよ、理由を述べてほしい。Whether you agree or disagree, please state your reasons.
- 〜にしても (even if / even granting that)冗談にしても、言っていいことと悪いことがある。Even as a joke, there are things you should and shouldn't say.
- 〜つもりで (with the intention/assumption of)新人のつもりで、一から勉強し直すことにした。Treating myself as a newcomer, I decided to study again from scratch.
- 〜あっての (only because there is ... (it exists))お客様あっての商売だということを忘れてはいけない。You must never forget that business exists only thanks to the customers.
- 〜からこそ (precisely because)君を信頼しているからこそ、厳しいことを言うんだ。It's precisely because I trust you that I say harsh things.
N2 grammar V
Study these 21 →- 〜上で (after / upon doing, in order to)契約書をよく読んだ上で、サインしてください。Please sign after reading the contract carefully.
- 〜限り(は) (as long as / so far as)私が知っている限り、彼はそんな人ではない。As far as I know, he isn't that kind of person.
- 〜ことか (how ... ! / how much)この日をどれほど待っていたことか。How long I have waited for this day!
- 〜ことに(は) (to one's [emotion], ...)驚いたことに、彼はもう仕事を辞めていた。To my surprise, he had already quit his job.
- 〜最中に (right in the middle of)会議の最中に、急に電話が鳴りだした。Right in the middle of the meeting, the phone suddenly started ringing.
- 〜次第 (as soon as [formal])詳細が決まり次第、改めてご連絡いたします。As soon as the details are decided, we will contact you again.
- 〜せいで (because of / due to [negative])電車が遅れたせいで、会議に間に合わなかった。Because the train was late, I couldn't make it to the meeting in time.
- 〜せいか (perhaps because)年のせいか、最近物忘れがひどい。Perhaps because of my age, I've been very forgetful lately.
- 〜だけあって (as expected of / fitting that)さすが一流ホテルだけあって、サービスが素晴らしい。As expected of a first-class hotel, the service is wonderful.
- 〜だけに (precisely because / all the more)期待していただけに、結果には失望した。Precisely because I had high hopes, I was disappointed by the result.
- 〜たび(に) (every time / whenever)この曲を聞くたびに、学生時代を思い出す。Every time I hear this song, I remember my student days.
- 〜だらけ (full of / covered in)子供たちは泥だらけになって遊んでいた。The children were playing, covered in mud.
- 〜ついでに (while at it / on the occasion of)買い物のついでに、郵便局にも寄ってきた。While I was out shopping, I also stopped by the post office.
- 〜っぱなし (leaving [something] as it is)電気をつけっぱなしにして出かけてしまった。I went out leaving the lights on.
- 〜て以来 (ever since)東京に引っ越して以来、一度も故郷に帰っていない。Ever since I moved to Tokyo, I haven't been back home even once.
- 〜てからでないと (not until / unless [you do] first)説明書を読んでからでないと、使い方が分からない。Unless I read the manual first, I can't figure out how to use it.
- 〜どころか (far from / on the contrary)彼は反省するどころか、また同じことを繰り返した。Far from reflecting on it, he repeated the same thing again.
- 〜ところに (just when / at the moment)出かけようとしたところに、お客さんが来た。Just as I was about to leave, a visitor arrived.
- 〜とともに (together with / as ... [changes])経済の発展とともに、人々の生活も豊かになった。Along with economic development, people's lives also became more affluent.
- 〜ないことには (unless / without [doing], nothing)実際に見てみないことには、何とも言えない。Unless I actually see it, I can't say anything for sure.
- 〜において (in / at / regarding [formal])現代社会において、情報の管理は極めて重要だ。In modern society, the management of information is extremely important.
N2 grammar VI
Study these 21 →- 〜に応じて (according to / in response to)収入に応じて、税金の額が変わる。The amount of tax changes according to your income.
- 〜にかけては (when it comes to / in terms of)料理にかけては、彼女の右に出る者はいない。When it comes to cooking, no one can surpass her.
- 〜に比べて (compared to)去年に比べて、今年は雨が少ない。Compared to last year, there is less rain this year.
- 〜に加えて (in addition to)強風に加えて、大雨まで降り出した。In addition to the strong wind, heavy rain even began to fall.
- 〜にしたがって (as / in accordance with)山を登るにしたがって、気温が下がっていった。As we climbed the mountain, the temperature gradually dropped.
- 〜にしては (considering / for [a])彼は新人にしては、落ち着いて対応している。For a newcomer, he is handling things very calmly.
- 〜に過ぎない (is nothing more than / merely)それは単なる言い訳に過ぎない。That is nothing more than a mere excuse.
- 〜につけ (whenever / every time [emotion])この写真を見るにつけ、亡き母を思い出す。Whenever I look at this photo, I think of my late mother.
- 〜にとって (for / to [from the standpoint of])子供にとって、遊びは大切な学びの場だ。For children, play is an important place of learning.
- 〜抜きで (without / leaving out)今日は仕事の話は抜きで、楽しく飲みましょう。Today, let's drink and have fun without any talk of work.
- 〜のみならず (not only ... but also)彼は日本語のみならず、中国語も流暢に話す。He speaks not only Japanese but also Chinese fluently.
- 〜ばかりか (not only ... but even)彼は遅刻したばかりか、謝りもしなかった。Not only was he late, but he didn't even apologize.
- 〜はもちろん (not to mention / of course)週末はもちろん、平日も予約でいっぱいだ。Not to mention weekends, it's fully booked on weekdays too.
- 〜反面 (on the other hand / while)この仕事は給料がいい反面、責任も重い。This job pays well, but on the other hand the responsibility is heavy too.
- 〜べき (should / ought to)学生は勉強に専念するべきだ。Students ought to devote themselves to their studies.
- 〜まい (will not / probably not / won't [intend to])あんな店には二度と行くまい。I will never go to a shop like that again.
- 〜向きだ (suited to / facing)この本は内容がやさしく、初心者向きだ。This book has simple content and is suited to beginners.
- 〜向けだ (intended for / aimed at)このアニメは子供向けに作られている。This anime is made for children.
- 〜も〜ば〜も (both ... and / what with ... and)彼は頭もよければ、性格もいい。He is both smart and has a good personality.
- 〜ものだ (used to / it's natural that)子供のころは、よくこの川で泳いだものだ。When I was a child, I used to swim in this river a lot.
- 〜やら〜やら (what with ... and ... [and so on])引っ越しの日は、荷造りやら掃除やらで大忙しだった。On moving day, I was swamped with packing and cleaning and all sorts of things.
N2 grammar VII
Study these 21 →- 〜きり (since / only that, and nothing after)彼とは去年会ったきり、一度も連絡を取っていない。I haven't been in touch with him at all since I met him last year.
- 〜あまり (out of [excessive emotion] / so much that)緊張のあまり、声が震えてしまった。Out of sheer nervousness, my voice ended up trembling.
- 〜にかわって (instead of / on behalf of)病気の社長にかわって、副社長が会議に出席した。On behalf of the ill president, the vice-president attended the meeting.
- 〜を契機に (taking ... as a turning point / triggered by)入院を契機に、彼は健康に気を使うようになった。Taking his hospitalization as a turning point, he became mindful of his health.
- 〜をもとに (based on / on the basis of)この映画は実際の事件をもとに作られている。This movie is made based on an actual incident.
- 〜を込めて (with [feeling] put into)感謝の気持ちを込めて、手紙を書いた。I wrote a letter with feelings of gratitude put into it.
- 〜ぬきには (without / cannot be done leaving out)彼の協力ぬきには、このプロジェクトは成功しなかった。Without his cooperation, this project would not have succeeded.
- 〜ほど (to the extent that / the more ...)彼は立っていられないほど疲れていた。He was so tired that he could barely stand.
- 〜ことなしに (without [doing])努力することなしに、成功は得られない。Without making an effort, success cannot be obtained.
- 〜こと (must / be sure to [written instruction])提出物は期限までに必ず出すこと。Be sure to submit your assignments by the deadline.
- 〜にあって (in [the situation of] / being in)この非常時にあって、冷静さを失ってはならない。In this state of emergency, we must not lose our composure.
- 〜ながらも (although / even while)彼は貧しいながらも、明るく暮らしている。Although he is poor, he lives cheerfully.
- 〜かねる (cannot / be unable to [do])その件については、私には判断しかねます。Regarding that matter, I am unable to make a judgment.
- 〜かねない (might well / could end up [negative])そんな無理をすると、体を壊しかねないよ。If you push yourself like that, you could well ruin your health.
- 〜ものの (although / even though)免許は取ったものの、車を運転する機会がない。Although I got my license, I have no chance to drive a car.
- 〜にわたる (extending over / spanning [noun])三日間にわたる会議がようやく終わった。The conference spanning three days has finally ended.
- 〜からといって (just because ... doesn't mean)高いからといって、品質がいいとは限らない。Just because it's expensive doesn't mean the quality is good.
- 〜うちに (while / before [it changes])温かいうちに、どうぞ召し上がってください。Please eat it while it's still warm.
- 〜どおり (just as / in accordance with)工事は予定どおりに進んでいる。The construction is proceeding just as planned.
- 〜にともなって (accompanying / along with)人口の増加にともなって、住宅問題が深刻化した。Along with the increase in population, the housing problem became serious.
- 〜ことから (from the fact that / because)この地域は雪が多いことから、雪国と呼ばれている。Because it gets a lot of snow, this region is called snow country.
N2 grammar in context
Study these 20 →- 天気予報では晴れと言っていた＿、午後から急に大雨が降り出した。にもかかわらずDespite the forecast saying it would be sunny, it suddenly started pouring in the afternoon.
- 彼は謝る＿、こちらのせいだと言い張ってきた。どころかFar from apologizing, he insisted that it was my fault.
- ベルが鳴った＿、生徒たちは教室を飛び出していった。とたんにThe moment the bell rang, the students dashed out of the classroom.
- 郵便局へ行く＿、この手紙も出してきてくれませんか。ついでにWhile you're going to the post office, could you mail this letter too?
- ご入会＿、本人確認書類のご提示をお願いいたします。に際してUpon joining, we ask that you present identification documents.
- この地方では、りんご＿、さまざまな果物が栽培されている。をはじめIn this region, a variety of fruits are grown, starting with apples.
- 彼の説明は理屈は通っている＿、どこか納得できない部分が残る。もののAlthough his explanation is logically sound, some part of it remains unconvincing.
- 引き受けた＿、最後まで責任を持ってやり遂げるつもりだ。からにはNow that I've taken it on, I intend to see it through to the end with full responsibility.
- 値段が高い＿、品質さえ良ければ買う客は必ずいる。としてもEven if the price is high, there will always be customers who buy it as long as the quality is good.
- 調査が進む＿、新たな問題が次々と明らかになってきた。につれてAs the investigation progressed, new problems came to light one after another.
- 三時間も待たされた＿、担当者は現れず会議は中止になった。あげくAfter being kept waiting for three whole hours, in the end the person in charge never showed and the meeting was cancelled.
- この資料を＿、来週までに企画書を作成してください。もとにBased on this material, please prepare the proposal by next week.
- 彼女は忙しい＿、毎週ボランティア活動を欠かさない。わりにFor someone so busy, she never misses her weekly volunteer activities.
- 経験の有無を＿、やる気のある方なら誰でも応募できます。問わずRegardless of whether you have experience, anyone with motivation can apply.
- 準備さえ＿、本番でそれほど緊張することはないだろう。しておけばAs long as you've made the preparations, you probably won't be so nervous on the day.
- 新製品は発売された＿、わずか一日で完売してしまった。とたんにThe moment the new product went on sale, it sold out in just a single day.
- あの一言が原因で、二人の関係は悪化する＿だった。一方Because of that one remark, the relationship between the two of them did nothing but worsen.
- 面接の結果は、合格か不合格か＿、来週中に通知される。を問わずThe interview result, whether pass or fail, will be communicated within next week.
- 彼は会社員として働く＿、夜は小説を書き続けている。かたわらAlongside working as a company employee, he continues to write novels at night.
- 緊張の＿、面接で自分の名前さえ言い間違えてしまった。あまりOut of sheer nervousness, I even misstated my own name in the interview.
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