Are you preparing for the JLPT and learning the N2 grammar now? In total, there are around 200 grammar lessons that you need to know in order to pass the JLPT N2, including grammars you have learned from lower levels.
This article explains 30 of the must-know grammar points for JLPT N2 that have been featured on previous tests, from the meaning to sentence structures and sentence examples!
1. っぽい (poi)
This grammar point is used to express something that “has a strong tendency of~” or simply put, it means “like” or “ish”. For example, you can add this grammar point at the back of the noun-て form to make them adjective-forms.
こども ＋ っぽい ＝ こどもっぽい (Childish)
2. がち (gachi)
がち is usually used for something negative or to express a tendency to do something. For example, 疲れがち which means tend to be tired easily as compared to 疲れ, which just means tired.
3. ていられない (te irarenai)
You may use this grammar point if you have no time to do something or do not find the activity time-worthy. This grammar point means you “can’t afford” or “can’t” do something.
For example, のんびりしてはいられない means I can’t afford to slack off. You add the noun-て form in front of the grammar point.
4. てはならない (tewanaranai)
てはならない is more subjective. It means must not, cannot or should not. You can use this grammar point with a verb-て form and add the grammar at the back of the verb.
For example, 忘れ＋てはならない which means never forget.
5. ねばならない (nebanaranai)
This grammar point means you have to do something or there is something that you must do. Add this grammar point to a verb-ない form. When you add in the grammar point, be sure to remove the ない at the back of the verb.
6. ずにはいられない (zu ni wa irarenai)
This grammar point describes naturally irrepressible actions. It means “can’t help but do something” or “have to do something”. This grammar point can only be used in writing.
When spoken, it is changed to 「…ないではいられない」 instead. This grammar point is being added to a verb-ない form. When placing the grammar point, remove the ない at the back of the verb.
7. ないではいられない (nai de wa irarenai)
This grammar point means you “can’t help it but feel” or you “can’t help but do”. You need to place this grammar point with a verb-ない form. You do not need to take out the ない when placing the grammar point at the back.
8. ないこともない (nai koto mo nai)
This means you “can do something” or “something is not impossible to do”. Another way to put it is “it isn’t the case that ~ not ~.”
For example, I can eat natto, but I don’t like it very much. You can eat natto, but if given another kind of food, you would not pick natto because you don’t like it very much.
9. しょうがない (shou ga nai)
You may have heard this used in a sentence before in dramas or anime. しょうがない means “there is no other way but…” or “very, extremely.”
Note that しょうがない is a contraction of しようがない, which is used in informal spoken conversations.
10. てたまらない (tetamaranai)
This grammar point comes from the word たまる, which means to endure something. With the ない at the back, the word comes in a negative form. This means “cannot endure something”.
Verbs and い adjectives would use the てたまらない while な adjectives would use でたまらない。
11. は抜きにして (wa nuki ni shite)
This grammar point is used in both positive and negative situations. For positive situations, rather than は抜きにして, we use 抜きに。As for negative situations, we use 抜きで。
12. てばかりはいられない (te bakari wa irarenai)
Based on the word ばかり, we change it into a て form to express that one cannot do something repeatedly. The grammar point can be written in two ways; てばかりはいられない and てばかりもいられない。
13.まだしも (mada shimo)
This grammar point is used when comparing with different opinions and choosing a better opinion. For example, if we say [A]まだしも, [B], it means [A] is better or more preferred than [B]. Another way we can look at it is [B] is disliked over [A]
14. ものの (mono no)
This grammar point is normally used to express a contradiction. For example, [A]ものの + [B] means you want to go to [A] but you have something on [B].
15. ものだから (mono da kara)
ものだから is used when saying the reason is … for something which is unavoidable. For example, “the dog ate my homework, therefore (ものだから), I can’t turn in my homework.
16. ものなら (mono nara)
This is used when saying if [A] is possible, then [B]. Simply put, it is either impossible or very unlikely to be done. For example, (if I can go, then..) or (if I can return this, then…).
17. 気味 (kimi)
気味 means something looks like or seems to be in a certain way.
For example, 疲れ気味 which means seems tired. You can add the grammar point with any noun or verb ます form. When you add 気味 with a verb ます form, be sure to take out ます before adding in.
18. もの (mono)
This is used when you want to explain a reason for something. However, this expression is usually used most by girls and children. You add the reason with もの when you want to justify what you said.
19. でならない (denaranai)
This is used to describe an emotion that is beyond control or used to describe “extremely”. でならない is mostly used for emotions, wishes, and feelings.
The grammar point is usually used in writing and is an old way used in spoken language.
20. ないことはない (nai koto wa nai)
This grammar point is used when something is not impossible to do. Another meaning would be “it isn’t the case that.. not..”.
For example, in the above example, “it’s not that I can’t drive, I just don’t do it very often”. You can do it, but you just do not do it often.
21. 何といっても (nanto ittemo)
何といっても is used to emphasize the most important or undeniable aspect of a situation. It means “after all” or “no matter what you say,” highlighting something that stands out above all else.
For example, “何といっても彼が一番だ” means “No matter what, he’s the best.”
Use: Emphasizes the most important point
Example:
何といっても健康が一番大切だ。
After all, health is the most important.
22. ～ような気がする (you na ki ga suru)
～ような気がする expresses a personal feeling or hunch about something. It translates roughly to “I feel like…” or “It seems that…” and is often used when you’re uncertain but have a subjective impression.
23. ～ことにする (koto ni suru)
～ことにする indicates that someone has made a decision or chosen a course of action. It literally means “to make it a thing to…” and is used for deliberate decisions,
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Example:
彼は嘘をついているような気がする。
I feel like he’s lying.
24. 以外の (igai no)
Structure: Noun + 以外の + noun
以外の means “except for” or “other than” and is used to exclude something from a group or list.
Example:
彼以外の人は全員来ました。
Everyone except him came.
25. ～に気をつける (～ni ki o tsukeru)
Structure: Noun + に気をつける
The use of this JLPT N2 grammar means “to be careful about” or “pay attention to” something.
Example:
健康に気をつけてください。
Please take care of your health.
26. ～限り (～gakiri)
Structure: Verb plain form / Noun + の + 限り
～限り is used to indicate a limitation or boundary. In English, you can translate it as “as long as” or “as far as.”
Example:
知っている限り、彼は無実です。
As far as I know, he is innocent.
27. ～ことなく (koto naku)
Structure: Verb dictionary form + ことなく
ことなく expresses not doing an action or a state not occurring.
Example:
彼は一度も休むことなく働いた。
He worked without taking a single break.
28. ～にもかかわらず (ni mo kakawarazu)
Structure: Verb / adjective / noun + にもかかわらず
“にもかかわらず” means “despite” or “in spite of.” It’s used when the result goes against expectations or is surprising, and it often conveys the speaker’s sense of surprise, disappointment, or irony.
Example:
雨にもかかわらず、彼は来ました。
He came despite the rain.
29. ～にすぎない (ni suginai)
Structure: Verb / noun + にすぎない
にすぎない means “nothing more than,” “no more than,” or “merely.” It is used to downplay or minimize the importance or value of something. In other words, something is not as important as it might seem.
Example:
それはうわさにすぎない。
That’s nothing more than a rumor.
30. とともに (to tomo ni)
Structure: Noun / verb (dictionary form) + とともに
The JLPT N2 grammar point とともに (to tomoni) has multiple uses, but all generally relate to the idea of “together with,” “at the same time,” or “as something happens.”
Example:
インターネットの普及とともに、情報の流れが速くなった。」
As the internet became widespread, the flow of information sped up.
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FAQ
Can I rely only on grammar study to pass JLPT N2?
No, grammar is essential, but you also need vocabulary, kanji, listening, and reading comprehension skills. Combining all these areas will give you the best chance to pass the exam.
How many JLPT N2 grammars are there?
There are around 200 grammar points commonly recognized at the JLPT N2 level. These include a wide range of patterns, from basic conjunctions and conditionals to more complex expressions of nuance.
How can I effectively study JLPT N2 grammar?
Focus on learning grammar in context with example sentences, practice reading passages that use N2 grammar, do targeted exercises, and review with flashcards or quizzes. Regularly practicing listening and speaking also helps solidify your understanding.
Planning to take the JLPT N2 by yourself? Don’t forget to read our useful guide on: