JLPT N5 Kanji: 何 (nani, nan) – what 何 Readings: カ (Onyomi), なに・なん (Kunyomi) Meaning: what 何 is one of the most frequently used question words in Japanese. It’s used…
???? Meaning The expression ~とばかりに is used to describe someone’s behavior or action as if they were saying something, even though they do not say it out loud. It’s often…
???? Meaning The expression ~たりとも is used to strongly deny something, even the smallest amount or unit. It means “not even one...” or “not even for a moment....” It is…
The JLPT N1 grammar pattern ~きらいがある is used to express a person or thing has a tendency to do something — typically something undesirable or negative. While not overly strong,…
The JLPT N1 grammar pattern ~極まる / ~極まりない expresses an extreme degree of a state or emotion. It is often used in formal or written contexts to show that something…
Welcome to today’s N1 grammar lesson! In this post, we’ll explore the expression ~かたわら, which is commonly used in formal or written Japanese to express doing two activities in parallel…
Introduction The Japanese grammar pattern ~かたがた (katagata) is an important expression that appears in JLPT N1 level Japanese. This formal expression serves multiple purposes in written and spoken Japanese, making…
Introduction For Japanese language learners preparing for the JLPT N1 exam, mastering nuanced grammar patterns is essential. One such pattern is ~がてら (gatera), which elegantly combines two actions or purposes…
April 26, 2025 | Japanese Language Expert | JLPT N1 Grammar What is ~ながらに(して)? The grammar pattern ~ながらに(して) is an advanced Japanese expression typically found in formal writing, literary works,…
Introduction The grammar pattern ~とばかり(に) is an N1 level expression used to describe actions that are performed in a way that gives a certain impression, or actions that appear as…
Introduction The grammar pattern ~んばかりだ is an N1 level expression used to describe actions that are on the verge of happening, situations that are about to occur, or emotions/conditions that…
Welcome to our deep dive into advanced Japanese grammar! Today we're exploring the N1-level grammar pattern ~ならいざしらず (nara iza shirazu), a sophisticated expression that will elevate your Japanese to a…
At the N1 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), you will encounter many grammar structures that are used in formal settings to express various meanings. One such grammar…
In the N1 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), you will encounter a variety of grammar structures that help express complex ideas. One such structure is ~に至るまで (ni…
At the N1 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), you’ll encounter grammar that helps express logical sequences and formal narrative flow. One such grammar structure is ~を皮切りに(して)・~を皮切りとして, which…
If you're aiming for N1 mastery, you'll come across grammar patterns that don’t often show up in everyday conversation—but that doesn’t make them any less important. One such pattern is…