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JLPT N1 Grammar: ～とばかりに (As if to say…)
???? 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…
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JLPT N1 Grammar: ～と思いきや (I thought…, but actually…)
Meaning The expression ～と思いきや is used when something turns out to be different from what the speaker expected. It means "I thought..., but actually..." or "Contrary to what I thought..."…
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JLPT N1 Grammar: ～といえども (Even though… / Even if…)
???? Meaning The expression ～といえども is used in formal Japanese to express contradiction or exception. It is similar to "even though," "even if," or "although" in English. It emphasizes that…
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JLPT N1 Grammar ～とはいえ | Meaning, Usage, Examples, Practice
???? Meaning The grammar pattern ～とはいえ is used to acknowledge a fact or statement, but then present a contrasting or unexpected situation. It is often translated as "though it is…
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【JLPT N1 Grammar】～ではあるまいし – “It’s not like… so…”
???? ～ではあるまいし is a conversational N1-level Japanese grammar pattern used to give mild criticism, logical reasoning, or persuasive advice. It literally means "It’s not like... so..." and is used when…
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【JLPT N1 Grammar】～でなくてなんだろう – It Must Be… / Nothing But…
???? ～でなくてなんだろう is an advanced JLPT N1 grammar pattern used to strongly assert that something can only be described a certain way. It translates to "it must be..." or "nothing…
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JLPT N1 ～と相まって – Along with / Combined with
???? ～と相まって is an advanced JLPT N1 grammar expression that means "together with," "combined with," or "along with." It indicates that two or more elements work together to produce a…
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JLPT N1 ～かたわら – Besides / While doing…
???? ～かたわら is a JLPT N1 grammar structure used to express doing one main activity while also engaging in another side activity. It often shows that someone leads a double…
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JLPT N1 ～かのように – As if… / Just like…
The Japanese grammar pattern ～かのように is used when comparing a situation to another in a figurative way. It often implies that something seems a certain way, although it’s not actually…
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JLPT N1 Grammar: ～かれ～かれ – Whether… or…
The grammar pattern ～かれ～かれ is used to express “whether A or B, something is true” — often implying that, regardless of the specific degree or type, something is unavoidable. This…
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JLPT N1 Grammar: ～きらいがある — Tends to (a negative tendency)
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,…
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Mastering JLPT N1 Grammar: ～極まる／極まりない (きわまる／きわまりない)
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…
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[Japanese Grammar N1] ～んばかりだ: Expressing Actions on the Verge of Happening
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…
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[JLPT N1 Grammar] ～かたわら – While Doing A, Also Doing B
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…
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Japanese Grammar N1: ～かたがた (katagata) – Meaning, Usage, and Examples
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…
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Japanese Grammar: ～がてら (gatera) – Meaning, Usage, and Examples
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…
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Japanese Grammar N1: ～きらいがある (kirai ga aru) – Meaning, Usage, and Examples
Introduction For Japanese language learners preparing for the JLPT N1 examination, mastering nuanced grammar patterns is essential. One such pattern is ～きらいがある (kirai ga aru), which allows speakers to express…
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Japanese N1 Grammar: Understanding ～ながらに（して）
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,…
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[Japanese Grammar N1] ～とばかり（に）: Expressing Actions That Appear As If
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…
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JLPT N1 Grammar: ～に至るまで – Up Until / To The Point of / As Far As
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…