JLPT N4 grammar

あげる

Give B to A (A is a third party, not yourself)

あなたは、 だれでも欲しい人にこの写真をあげてもいい。You may give this picture to whoever wants it.

いただく

A receives C from B: the giver is of a higher rank than the recipient.

お水をいただけますか。Could I get some water, please?

が する

Hear A; smell A; taste A

そのピアノはよい音がする。The piano has a good tone.

か どう か

Whether or not A

あの子供は顔を見ても、 男かどうか全然分からない。Even if I look at that child's face, I don't know if the child is a boy or not.

かい

Follows A; turning the sentence into a yes/no question (casual).

本当にできるのかい？Can you really do it?

かしら

I wonder A?

今日は暑くなるかしら？I wonder if today will get hot?

がっている

Expresses that someone else wants to do A (〜たがっている) or shows outward signs of feeling A (〜がっている).

ずっとパパの車に乗りたがってたのよね。今日は幼稚園まで車で送ってってよ。She's always wanted to ride in Daddy's (your) car, you know. Drive her to kindergarten today.

Note 1. Wants to A 2. Shows signs of state/condition A 3. Don't be A (afraid, shy, etc.)

かも しれない

Might A; maybe A; perhaps A

それは本当かもしれない。It may be true.

が聞こえる

Can be heard; is audible

あなたの言ったことが聞こえなかったよ。I didn't hear what you said.

くれる

A gives C to B (B is you, your friends, your family, etc.)

お願いだ！僕にチャンスをくれ。Come on! Give me a chance.

ござる ／ ございます

ござる is the polite form of ある.

お荷物はいくつございますか。How many pieces of baggage do you have?

ことがある

There are times when A (occurs/exists)

その二人は仲がとてもよいが、大喧嘩をすることがある。Those two get along very well, but there are times when they have big fights.

ことができる

1. Be able to A; can do A
2. Can A; be possible to A (possibility of the subject to do A)

あなたのおかげで、 私は早く終えることができました。Thanks to your help, I was able to finish early.

ことにする

1. Decide to A
2. To make a rule/habit of A

あの人はあまり好きじゃないので話さないことにする。I don't really like that person, so I've decided not to talk to them.

ことになる

1. To be decided that A; A is decided (by someone else)
2. Shows a natural/logical conclusion A

昨日の会議で、パーティーが２１日に行われることになりました。It was decided at the meeting yesterday to have the party on the 21st.

さ

Changes A into a noun

それの高さはどのくらいですか。How high is that?

し ( 〜 し )

A and ... (used to list reasons, with each reason followed by し)

早いし、安いし、うまい！それはどこの牛丼ですか？It was made quickly and is cheap and yummy. Where is this gyudon from?

しまう

1. To finish/complete A
2. A occurs (shows embarrassment / regret / disappointment over the action A)
3. To put away A

作文は書いてしまいましたか。Have you finished writing your composition?

すぎる

1. A is done too much
2. Too much A; A is excessive

昨日は食べすぎてお腹が痛くなりました。Yesterday I ate too much so my stomach hurt.

ずに

Without A..ing

ノックをせずに私の部屋に入ってくるな。Don't come into my room without knocking.

そう

1. A is spoken by/heard from someone/something else
2. It looks A; it seems like A

聞いた？ レッドソックスは昨日勝ったそうだ！Did you hear? (I heard) The Red Sox won yesterday!

それに

A. Furthermore, B

片付けは苦手。それに全部大事な物なの。I'm not good at tidying up. Besides, these are all important things.

〜 ちゃ 、 〜 じゃ

1. ちゃ is a casual form of ては
2. じゃ is a casual form of では

試験勉強をしなくちゃ。I have to prepare for the test.

だい

1. Turns sentence A into a question (casual).
2. Used by young males to make an assertion (ending in A)

なぜ君は僕に冷たいんだい？Why are you cold with me?

たことがある

Have done A before

あなたはここに来る前に雪を見たことがありましたか。Had you ever seen snow before you came here?

ため ( に )

1. Because of A; due to A
2. For the purpose/sake of A; in order to A

休校は雪のためであった。The closing of school was due to the snow.

たら

1. If A
2. When A; after A (then B)
3. When A, then B
4. How about A; why don't you A

私だったら、 ご飯だけおごってもらって、 後はさっさと帰るよ。If it was me, I would accept just the meal then hurry on home afterwards.

だろう

Probably A; I think A; it seems A; I wonder A

彼は多分失敗するだろう。He will probably fail.

だろうと思う

I think probably A

明日は雨が降るだろうと思う。I think it will probably rain tomorrow.

た方がいい

It would be better to A

もう一度考えた方がいいです。It would be better to think it over once more.

つもりだ

1. Plan to A; be going to A; intend to do A
2. Supposed to be A; intended to be A; assumed to be A
3. Intending to A

何をするつもりですか？ 変なことは止めてください！What are you going to do? Please don't do anything weird!

てあげる

Do B for someone

ダイエット？じゃ、僕が君の分を代わりに食べてあげる。You are on a diet? Then I'll eat your portion for you!

ていく

Do A and go away; 2. Continue doing A or change gradually from now on.

手術が終わったので、 これから痛みが消えていくよ。The surgery is finished, so the pain will begin to disappear.

Note 1. To get to A 2. To go on A..ing

ていただく

B does C for A

あなたの机を使わせていただけますか。Could I use (would you let me use) your desk?

てくる

1. To come to A
2. To continue A..ing; to have become A

学校で習う漢字は前よりむずかしくなってきている。The kanji I learn at school have gotten more difficult than before.

てくれてありがとう

Thank you for doing A

今日は私の誕生日パーティーに来てくれてありがとう。Thank you for coming to my birthday party today.

てくれる

A does B for C (C is you, your friends, your family, etc.)

先生なのに私の質問に答えてくれなかった。Even though she is the teacher, she didn't answer my question.

でござる ／ でございます

でござる is the polite form of である.

交換台でございます。This is the operator.

てはいけない

1. May not A; must not A
2. In order to avoid A; A would be bad, and so…

お父さんに逆らってはいけない。Don't go against your father.

てみる

Try to A

あのシャツを着てみなさい。Try on that shirt.

でも

1. Any A (anywhere, anybody, anytime, etc.)
2. Even A
3. A or something
4. Even if I have to A, by all means A

いつでもそれを使ってください。You may use it any time.

ても、〜でも

Even if A

たとえ土砂降りでも行かなければならない。I have to go even if it rains cats and dogs.

てもいい

It is alright to A; the subject may A; it's alright if A (condition)

そう心配しなくてもいいよ。You don't have to worry so much.

てもかまわない

1. It doesn't matter if A is done
2. Doesn't matter if A (isn't done); don't mind if A (isn't done)

ステレオを掛けてもかまわないかい。Mind if I play the stereo?

てもらう

B does C for A

あなたに宿題を手伝ってもらいたかった。I wanted you to help me with my homework.

てやる

Do B for someone (below you)

いいことを教えてやる。I'll tell you something good. (e.g. a secret)

て下さる

A does C for B (B is you, your friends, your family, etc.)

女王様が私を思いっきり踏みつけて下さいました。The Queen was kind enough to trample me with all her might.

て差し上げる

Do B for someone (above you)

もしよかったら、 手伝って差し上げましょうか？If it's all right, can I help you?

て置く

1. To do A in advance; do A as preparation for something else
2. To leave as is in the state A

あなたの名前と住所を書き留めておきましょう。I will write down your name and address.

て頂けないでしょうか?

Could you please A for me?

１０００円札を崩していただけませんか。Could you change a ¥1,000 note?

て欲しい

1. I want (person, thing) A to B (action)
2. Want A to not B
3. Would love for A to (not) happen

この書類を今すぐ彼女に届けて欲しい。I want you to take this paper to her right away.

と (思う、言う、考える)

That A

私は彼を親友の一人だと考えています。I think of him as one of my good friends.

と と 、 どちら が 〜

Which is more C; A or B

これとあれとでは、 どちらが安いのですか。Which is cheaper, this or that?

ということ

1. Changes sentence/phrase A into a noun
2. Presents information A; A is heard (and repeated in this sentence)

彼は運転が得意だということです。I hear he's good at driving.

どうしても

No matter what, A; by any means necessary A

それはどうしても我慢できない。I can not stomach it.

とか〜とか

A, B, etc.

パチンコとか競馬とか、そんなデートはいやよ！I don't want a date with stuff like pachinko or horse racing!

ところ

1. About to A
2. Be now A...ing (be in the middle of doing A)
3. Just finished A; Have been A...ing
4. After A is done, the results of A are B

しおりさんが発表するところだからよく聞きなさい。Shiori is about to present, so listen well.

ない方がいい

It would be better to not A

彼女は今怒っているので話さない方がいい。She's angry right now, so it's better to not speak to her.

なくてはいけない

Must do A; have to A

だけど、 明日はお客さんとも会わなくちゃいけないし。But I also have to meet a client tomorrow, so...

なくてもいい

Don't have to A

そんなに緊張しなくてもいいですよ。There's no need to be that tense.

なければならない

Must do A; have to A

明日試験があるから徹夜で勉強しなければならない。There's a test tomorrow, so I need to stay up all night and study.

なさい

Do A (instruction)

出かける前に部屋の掃除をしなさい。Clean your room before you head out.

など , なんて , なんか

1. ～など: marks an example or a non-exhaustive list (A and the like)
2. ～なんか／～なんて: singles out A as an example, often with a dismissive or surprised tone

この店は食料品、例えばバター、チーズ、砂糖などを売っている。This store sells groceries such as butter, cheese, and sugar.

なら

1. If A is the case/situation
2. As for A

アメリカへ行くつもりなら、英語をしっかりとやり直しなさい。If you are intending to go to America, brush up your English.

にいく

Go (somewhere) in order to A

私の町は店がほとんどないのでよく東京へ買い物をしに行きます。There are hardly any stores in my town, so I often go to Tokyo to shop.

にくい

A is hard/difficult to do

あなたの質問は答えにくい。Your question is hard to answer.

にくる

Come (here) in order to A

君は手伝いに来てくれたの？ ありがとう、 助かりました！You came to help me? Thanks a lot!

に帰る

1. Return (home) in order to A
2. Return to A

冬休み中、 実家へ家族に会いに帰る大学生は多い。There are a lot of college students who return home during the winter holidays to see their families.

の 、 〜 こと

Changes A into a noun

妹の歌を聞くのは楽しかった。It was fun listening to my little sister's song.

ので

Because A; since A

父は母と会話をしたくないので、 休日はいつもゴルフしに行きます。My dad always goes to play golf on his days off because he doesn't want to speak to my mother.

のに

1. Even though A; in spite of A
2. In order to A; in the process of doing A

婚約しているのにキスを拒否された。Even though we're engaged she wouldn't let me kiss her.

の上では

From the standpoint of A; according to A; as far as A is concerned

仕事の上では、 彼は全く問題がない。He's not a problem at all at work.

ばかり

1. Do only A; do nothing but A
2. A just finished/ended/occurred.
3. Shows a continual/continuing negative change A
4. Around/about A; Approximately A

ゆうこちゃんは笑ってばかりだね。泣いたところを一回も見たことがない。Yuuko is always smiling. I haven't seen her crying a single time.

はず

It should be A; it ought to be A

彼女は宿題を終えてしまったはずだ。She should have finished her homework by now.

はずがない

Cannot be A; should not be A (when describing a situation, not the actions of the subject)

彼はそれを見たはずがない。He cannot have seen it.

ほど

1. So much B that it's like A
2. There is nothing as B as A.
3. The more A, B
4. About A; around A (approximation)

島国に住んでいるのかと思うほどシーフードを食べる。They eat so much seafood that you'd think they lived in an island country.

ほど 〜 ない

A is not as C as B

月は太陽ほど明るくない。The moon is not as bright as the sun.

まで

1. Until A; up to A; as far as A
2. Even A

水が腰まで来た。The water came up to my waist.

までに

By A; by the time A

いつまでに必要ですか。By when do you need it?

まま

The situation A remains unchanged

あなたはそのことを言わないままにして置く方が良い。It would be better if that remains unsaid.

もらう

A receives C from B. もらう marks the recipient’s perspective; use いただく when the speaker wishes to show humility toward the giver.

ばあちゃんの形見に、入れ歯をもらった。I got some false teeth that were left by my grandmother as a memento.

Note 1. A receives C from B: the giver is of the same/lower rank of the recipient.

V-よう と する

Be about to A; Try to A

ジェーンはまさに家から出ようとしていた。Jane was about to leave the house.

V-ようと思う

I think I will A

外国に行こうと思っている。I'm thinking I'll go abroad.

やすい

A is easy to do

日本人はいつでも、箸の方がたべやすいです。For Japanese people, it's always easier to use chopsticks when they eat.

やる

Give B to A (A is an animal, plant, or someone below you in ranking)

今日と明日は畑に肥料をやらなきゃなぁ。Today and tomorrow I have to fertilize the field.

ようだ

1. It seems/looks like A
2. As A; Like A

彼は少し疲れているようだ。He looks a bit tired.

ようにする

Try to A; make sure to A

ねぇ、なるべく早く帰るようにするから、ご飯食べないで待っててよ。Hey, I'll try to get home as soon as possible, so please wait for me before you eat.

ようになる ／ なくなる

1. Come to A (transition over time)
2. Come to be unable to A, come to no longer be A

漢字が上手に書けるようになって、 うれしかった。I was delighted to have learned how to write kanji skillfully.

ように言う

Tell someone to do A

医者は彼に酒の量を減らすように言った。His doctor told him to cut down on drinking.

より

1. A is C-er than B; A is more C than B (comparison).
2. A is not as C as B

ピカチューはあなたより頭がいいみたいだなぁ。It seems like Pikachu is smarter than you.

より〜の方が〜

1. B is more C than A
2. A is more C than B

この自転車よりもそのバイクの方がかっこいい！That motorbike is cooler than this bicycle.

らしい

1. I heard that A; it seems like A; it appears that A
2. Just like A; typical of A

彼は大変眠いらしい。He seems to be very sleepy.

んです

1. The reason/explanation is A
2. Do / don’t do A

君の気持ちは受け取りました。でも私結婚してるんです。I understand how you feel, but I'm married, you see.

んですが

Introduces a request, invitation, or asking for permission

この自動販売機、動かないんですが。This vending machine isn't working.

Causative

1. Make (somebody) A, this is coercive or forced onto the object of the sentence.
2. Allow (somebody) to A, this is permission from the subject to the object.
3. Make (somebody) A, because of the subject; the object is caused to A

お母さん、いや！私は先週やったので、今度はお兄さんに片付けさせて。No, Mom! I did it last week, so make (my) brother clean up this time.

Causative Passive

Be made to do A

給食の時、生徒は先生に野菜を全部食べさせられました。During school lunch, the students were forced by the teacher to eat all of the vegetables.

Conditional Form

If A

外国人が日本で運転したければ国際免許が必要だ。If foreigners want to drive in Japan, an international driver's license is needed.

Humble verbs

1. Humble form of A
2. Humble form of する verbs

旦那のカードをお借りしてバッグを買った。I borrowed my husband's credit card and bought a bag.

Imperative

Do A (command)

早く食え！ そして、 さっさと学校に行け！Hurry up, eat, then quickly head off to school!

Passive

1. Be A-ed (Passive tense), when the action is directed at the subject.
2. A is done, A happens
3. A does B

この車は十年前に作られました。This car was made ten years ago.

Potential

1. Can A; be able to A (ability of the subject)
2. Can A; be possible to A (possibility of the subject to do A)

この謎は解けない！もう、諦める！I can't solve this riddle. I give up!

Prohibitive

Don't A

ここでは走るな。Don't run here.

Respectful verbs

Respectful form of A

さあ、お召し上がりください。Alright, please eat!

Volitional

Let's A

お母さんは五年前に 「 いつか旅行に行こう 」 といったのに、 まだどこにも行ってない！Even though Mom said "Let's go on a trip someday" five years ago, we still haven't gone anywhere!

下さる

Someone gives B to A (A is the speaker, the speaker's friends, family, etc.), showing respect for the giver; honorific form of くれる

校長先生はお土産を下さいました。The principal gave me a souvenir.

Note 1. Give B to A (A is you, your friends, your family, etc.)

見える

1. Can be seen; is visible
2. Looks (like) A; looks similar to A

何も見えないので電気をつけてください。I can't see anything so please turn on the lights.

合う

To do A together/mutually

アランと私はしばらくの間お互いに見つめ合った。Alan and I looked at one another for a while.

差し上げる

Humbly give B to A (A is someone other than oneself, treated with respect); humble form of あげる

飲み物を差し上げましょうか。May I offer you a drink?

Note 1. Give B to A (humble; A is someone other than yourself, usually of higher status)

始める

To begin to A; A begins

晩ご飯を食べた後、 テレビを見始めました。After I ate dinner I began to watch TV.

終わる

To finish A; A ends

朝ご飯を食べ終わったあとでお風呂に入りました。I took a bath after I finished eating breakfast.

出す

1. A (suddenly) begins
2. To A out

昨日授業の後に雨が降りだしました。Yesterday it started to rain after class finished.

続ける

A continues; To continue to A

そのように勉強し続けたらすぐに上手になるでしょう？If you continue to study like that, soon you'll get really good, right?

中（ちゅう）／中（じゅう）

1. Throughout A; all over A; during the course of A
2. During A (period of time); in the middle of A
3. Action A is currently ongoing/in the middle of

6月中、日本では雨ばかり降っています。During June, it rains almost every day in Japan.

必要

1. It is not necessary for A to be done.
2. There is a need to A; A is necessary
3. A is necessary

夏休みだから学校へ行く必要はないんだ。It's summer vacation so there's no need to go to school.

方（かた）

How to A; Way/style of A

日本の漫画の読み方は右から左だ。The way to read a Japanese comic is from right to left.

例えば

For example, A

キャンプに必要な物、例えば寝袋を忘れないこと。Don't forget the things you need for camping, for example, sleeping bags.