JLPT Grammar

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N1 〜たところで even if ~ (it won't change the outcome)

N1 〜が早いか as soon as ~ (almost simultaneously)

N1 〜きらいがある Indicates an undesirable tendency or trait. Written with the kanji 「嫌い」 (dislike). Similar to 「〜しがちだ」, but distinctively carries a tone of criticism or concern. Used with verbs and nouns.

N1 〜からある／〜からする／〜からの Emphasizes that a quantity, size, or price exceeds expectations. 「〜からある」 is typically used for weight or length, 「〜からする」 for prices, and 「〜からの」 for numbers of people.

N1 〜たりとも〜ない Cites the smallest quantity or unit and strongly denies that even that exists or is permitted. Followed by a negative form such as 「〜ない」.

N1 〜だに Means "even just doing ~" or "even ~," expressing that merely thinking of something stirs strong emotions such as fear or disgust. Mainly attaches to a limited set of verbs like 「想像する」 (imagine), 「考える」 (think), 「思い出す」 (recall).

N1 〜にして Indicates that even at such a high stage or special position something unexpected occurs, or that something is achieved only upon reaching that stage. It also has a usage expressing a very short span of time, as in 「一瞬にして」 (in an instant).

N1 〜をもって Indicates a means or method, or a deadline or cut-off point. A formal expression used in official greetings and announcements. In the form 「〜をもってすれば」, it also expresses the condition "if one uses that means or ability, a good result can be expected."

N1 〜あっての Expresses a strong relationship of dependence: precisely because one thing exists, another can hold true.

N1 〜をおいて〜ない Emphasizes that apart from a certain thing, there exists nothing else that satisfies the condition or that can be highly evaluated. It is used when highly valuing something as irreplaceable, as in 「彼をおいて他にいない」. A related expression is 「何をおいても」, meaning "before anything else, first of all," which differs in that it speaks of priority.

N1 〜ならでは（の） Expresses a wonderful quality or value unique to a particular person, place, or thing. Used in contexts of high praise.

N1 〜たるもの Expresses the obligation or mindset that a person in such a superior position or status naturally ought to behave a certain way, or must not do certain things. Attached to a noun, as in 「教師たる者」, it states the attitude befitting that position. It also has a usage in the form 「〜たるに値する／値しない」, judging whether someone is worthy of that position or evaluation. It shares the same origin as 「〜たる〜」, which links one noun to another.

N1 〜ともあろうものが Expresses surprise, anger, or exasperation that a person of great ability or social standing acted foolishly in a way unbefitting their position. Whereas 「〜たるもの」 preaches the proper mindset, this is used to criticize an actual disappointing action.

N1 〜ときたら Takes up a familiar person or thing as a topic and emphasizes dissatisfaction, criticism, or exasperation toward it.

N1 〜ともなると／〜ともなれば Indicates that upon reaching a special stage or situation different from the usual, such a state naturally follows.

N1 〜の至いたり Expresses a feeling at its utmost extreme, "feeling extremely ~." Mostly a formal expression for emotions such as joy, honor, or embarrassment, used in greetings and letters. Attaches to a limited set of nouns, as in 「光栄の至り」 (the height of honor) or 「赤面の至り」 (utterly mortifying).

N1 〜の極きわみ Indicates that something or a state has reached the highest possible degree. Used in both good and bad senses; a formal expression attaching to nouns to emphasize an extreme degree, as in 「ぜいたくの極み」 (the height of luxury) or 「感激の極み」 (the height of emotion).

N1 〜極きわまる／〜極きわまりない Indicates that a degree is extreme beyond compare. Mostly used to strongly condemn an undesirable state, attaching to the stem of na-adjectives, as in 「失礼極まる」 (extremely rude) or 「危険極まりない」 (utterly dangerous).

N1 〜限りだ Expresses that the speaker's present feeling is as strong as can be. Attaches to emotion i-adjectives to state the extreme of that feeling, as in 「うれしい限りだ」 (couldn't be happier) or 「うらやましい限りだ」 (terribly envious).

N1 〜といったらない／〜といったらありはしない Indicates that the degree is so extreme it cannot be put into words. Emphasizes an extreme emotion or state, used in emotionally charged situations of admiration, exasperation, or dissatisfaction. 「といったらありはしない」 is a more colloquial, emphatic form.

N1 〜にたえない Indicates that something is too painful to watch or hear to be endured. 「たえない」 is written 「堪えない」, meaning unable to bear. Typically appears as 「見るに堪えない」 (unbearable to watch) or 「聞くに堪えない」 (unbearable to hear). Also used for an emotion welling up uncontrollably, as in 「感謝に堪えない」 (deeply grateful).

N1 〜てやまない Indicates holding a certain feeling strongly and endlessly. 「やまない」 is written 「止まない」, meaning "does not cease." Used only with a limited set of emotion verbs such as 「願う」 (wish), 「祈る」 (pray), 「愛する」 (love). A formal, written-style expression.

N1 〜を禁きんじ得えない Expresses being unable to suppress an emotion that naturally wells up at some event. A formal expression attaching to emotion nouns, as in 「涙を禁じ得ない」 (cannot hold back tears) or 「怒りを禁じ得ない」 (cannot suppress anger).

N1 〜ものを Expresses dissatisfaction, regret, or reproach that one could originally have done so, but in reality it did not turn out that way. It is used with a feeling of regret toward a result that runs counter to expectations, as in 「〜ばよかったものを」. The sentence is sometimes left unfinished at the end, as in 「黙っていればよかったものを」, leaving a lingering sense of dissatisfaction or regret.

N1 〜といえども Expresses strong concession, "even if it is ~." A stiff, written-style expression stating that even such a position or case is no exception. More formal than 「〜とはいえ」.

N1 〜と思いきや Expresses surprise that, contrary to what one thought, reality differed from expectation. A somewhat colloquial expression stating that the speaker's prediction was off.

N1 〜にひきかえ Contrasts two things and states that one differs greatly from the other. Usually takes the former as a baseline and rates the latter higher or lower; a contrastive expression carrying the speaker's subjective judgment. 「ひきかえ」 is written 「引き換え」.

N1 〜にもまして Takes something as a baseline and indicates a degree exceeding even that. Emphasizes a degree surpassing the object of comparison, as in 「以前にもまして」 (more than before) or 「何にもまして」 (more than anything).

N1 〜はさておき Indicates setting a matter aside for the moment and moving to another topic. Often used as a lead-in when getting to the main point.

N1 〜ならいざ知らず／〜はいざ知らず States "if it were the case of ~ that would be another matter, but it is not," provisionally granting a special case while contrasting it with a different reality. Often followed by surprise or criticism.

N1 〜をよそに Indicates acting while disregarding and ignoring the concern, opposition, or inconvenience of those around. Often carries the speaker's critical viewpoint.

N1 〜をものともせず（に） Describes confronting something while treating difficulties or obstacles as no problem at all. Often stated positively and admiringly, depicting a strong attitude undefeated by adversity.

N1 〜にしたところで／〜にしたって States that even taking up that position or case, the conclusion does not change. Shows that even the example cited is no exception. 「〜にしたって」 is the colloquial form.

N1 〜であれ／〜であろうと Expresses the concessive condition "no matter what ~, the conclusion does not change." Attaches to question words (何であれ whatever, 誰であれ whoever) or a single noun. A stiff, written-style expression.

N1 〜ところを Presents the premise "even though it is such a situation," then states something contrary to it or a feeling of apology. Also used in greetings, as in 「お忙しいところを」 (while you are busy).

N1 〜こそあれ Means "there may be ~, but," granting a matter and then stating a judgment in opposition to it. A stiff, written-style concessive expression; either an affirmative or negative conclusion may follow.

N1 〜ないまでも States "even if it doesn't reach that point, at least to this extent." Presents a high standard while proposing a lower level as the minimum line.

N1 〜なくして（は） Expresses a strong necessary condition, "without it, nothing holds." Followed by a negative, stating "without ~, it cannot be realized." A stiff, written-style expression.

N1 〜とあれば Expresses the condition "if it is such a circumstance." Assumes a special case, often followed by strong will or resolve, "for that, one will of course do this."

N1 〜（よ）うものなら Expresses an extreme hypothesis, "if one were to do such a thing, it would be disastrous." Used with caution or exaggeration that even doing so slightly invites grave consequences.

N1 〜が最後／〜たら最後 States that once one does it, an irreversible bad result follows. Expresses the strong assertion that once it is set off, an undesirable situation is sure to ensue.

N1 〜や否や／〜や Indicates that as soon as one thing happens, the next follows almost simultaneously. 「〜や」 is stiffer and more literary. A written-style expression for the swiftness of successive actions.

N1 〜なり Indicates that as soon as one action is done, the next action or state immediately occurs. A literary expression, often used when the subject of the first clause takes an unexpected action.

N1 〜そばから Indicates that no matter what one does, a situation immediately and repeatedly negates it. Mostly used for the frustrating situation where effort goes to waste.

N1 〜にあって（は） Means "being placed in that special situation, setting, or era." A stiff, written-style expression highlighting the setting, "precisely because it is such a situation."

N1 〜を限りに Indicates taking a certain time as a cut-off, after which something ends or stops. Marks a boundary with a point in time as the last, as in 「今日を限りに」 (as of today onward).

N1 〜を皮切かわきりに（して） Indicates that, taking something as the first trigger or starting point, things unfold one after another. Mostly used for scenes where activities or events spread in succession.

N1 〜に至いたるまで Indicates extending to an extreme range or degree. In the form 「〜から…に至るまで」, it emphasizes covering a wide range thoroughly.

N1 〜かたわら「かたわら」 is written 「傍ら」, meaning "beside." Indicates carrying out another activity in parallel, alongside one's main activity. A formal, written-style expression for continuing a secondary activity beside one's main work.

N1 〜がてら Indicates doing another action while at it, on the occasion of one action. A colloquial expression for getting something else done along with one's main purpose.