N1 Grammar List

つ～つ (tsu~tsu) Meaning: indicates two contrasting actions; two contrasting actions How to use the:  V1ますつ + V2ますつ Explain: Repeatedly describe the opposite action Example sentences: 1, 彼に会おうか会うまいかと悩んで、家の前を行きつ戻りつしていた。 Kare ni aou ka aumai ka to nayande,-ka no mae o yukitsu modoritsu shite ita. I was wondering if I should go see …

ためしがない (tameshi ga nai) Meaning: is never the case; has never happened How to use the: Verb-casual, past + めしがない Explain: Used when expressing a mood of criticism and discontent Example sentences: 1, 彼女は約束の時間を守ってためしがない。 Kanojo wa yakusoku no jikan o mamotte tameshi ga nai. Never did she keep her promise …

だに (dani) Meaning: even How to use the: Verb-dictionary form + だに Noun + だに Explain: A often goes with the verb 考 え る 、 想像 、 思 い 出 す。 The B often means suffering and fear Example sentences: 1, このような事故が起きるとは想像だにしなかった。 Kono yōna jiko ga okiru to wa …

そばから (soba kara) Meaning: as soon as How to use the: Verb-dictionary form + そばから Verb-casual, past + そばから Explain: Just do something, then immediately Describe the same thing repeated Example sentences: 1, 聞いたそばから忘れてしまう。 Kiita soba kara wasureteshimau. After hearing that, I forgot it 2, 片付けるそばから子供がおもちゃを散らかす。 katazukeru soba kara kodomo …

ないではおかない (nai dewa okanai) Meaning: will definitely; cannot not How to use the: Verb-ないform + ではおかない Explain: 必 ず A す る You must do A. You can’t do A. Example sentences: 1, この作品は読む者の胸を打たないではおかないだろう。 Kono sakuhin wa yomu mono no mune o utanai dewa okanaidarou. This work will definitely make …

ずじまい (zu jimai) Meaning: never; did not (have the chance to); Haven’t done A (regrettable action/state) How to use the: Verb-ないform (－ない) + ずじまい Explain: Express feelings of regret, regret, disappointment. Example sentences: 1, 夏休みの前にたくさん本を借りたが、結局読まずじまいで、先生にしかられた。 Natsuyasumi no mae ni takusan hon o karitaga, kekkyoku yomazu jimaide, sensei ni shikara reta. …

じみた (jimita) Meaning: to look like How to use the: Noun + じみた + Noun Explain: Don’t want to see something like that and see something. Similar to the sentence pattern ～めく, which is often used with negative meanings. Example sentences: 1, 少しずつ春じみたきた。 Sukoshizutsu haru jimitakita. It was gradually tinged …

こととて (kototote) Meaning: because; since How to use the: Verb-casual + こととて Noun/なadj + のこととて Explain: With the form [A こ と と て B] it means that because of A, becoming B is of course no other way. It also meant something like that but … Example sentences: 1, …

くらいなら (kurai nara) Meaning: rather than How to use the: Verb-dictionary form + くらいなら/ぐらいなら Explain: In the form of [A く ら い な ら B], if you choose which side, B side is better than A. Use when the speaker wants to emphasize the A side is not like. …

かれ～かれ (kare~kare) Meaning: sooner or later; more or less How to use the: いadj(－い) + かれ + いadj(－い) + かれ Explain: Using adjectives with opposite meanings, to say anyway, the mention is the same. Example sentences: 1, 遅かれ早かれ、山田さんも来るでしょう。 Osokare hayakare, Yamada-san mo kurudeshou. Sooner or later Yamada will come. 2, …