Top 10 Grammar Points to Master Before the JLPT July Exam 2025 (N5–N1 Levels)
The JLPT July exam tests not only your vocabulary and kanji knowledge but also heavily emphasizes grammar. Grammar is one of the most important components of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Whether you’re preparing for N5 as a beginner or aiming for N1 as an advanced learner, grammar plays a crucial role in both the reading and listening sections.
JLPT Grammar Overview: Understanding the Exam Structure
The JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) assesses grammar as part of the Language Knowledge section, which includes vocabulary and grammar comprehension. From N5 to N1, grammar questions increase in complexity—from basic sentence patterns to nuanced expressions and formal structures.
Test-takers are evaluated on their ability to understand sentence structure, use correct particles, and apply grammar in context. Mastery of grammar is essential not only for multiple-choice questions but also for reading and listening comprehension.
JLPT July 2025 – Quick Snapshot
- JLPT July 2025 Registration: Closed in April–May 2025
- JLPT Exam Date: Tentatively scheduled for Sunday, July 6, 2025
- JLPT Login: Use your login credentials to check your hall ticket and exam updates
- Test Centers in India: Available in major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Bangalore, and others
Top 10 JLPT Grammar Points to Master (Grouped by Level)
Each JLPT level emphasizes specific grammar patterns crucial for passing. N5 and N4 focus on foundational forms like verb conjugations, particles, and basic sentence endings.
N3 to N1 introduces increasingly complex structures, including conditionals, passive forms, and advanced conjunctions. Mastering these level-specific grammar points greatly improves accuracy in both comprehension and usage.
1. ～です／～ます (JLPT N5)
The ～です／～ます forms are the polite endings used in Japanese for both verbs and non-verbs. These are essential for beginners as they form the foundation of respectful and proper communication, especially in formal situations or when speaking with strangers, teachers, or elders.
- ～です is used after nouns and adjectives to make polite statements.
Example:
学生です。(Gakusei desu) – I am a student.
静かです。(Shizuka desu) – It is quiet. - ～ます is the polite present/future tense form used with verbs.
Example:
食べます (tabemasu) – I eat / I will eat
行きます (ikimasu) – I go / I will go
2. ～てください (JLPT N5)
The ～てください form is used to make polite requests in Japanese. It combines the て-form of a verb with ください, which literally means “please.” This construction is commonly used when asking someone to do something in a respectful and non-commanding way.
- It’s frequently used in everyday conversation, classroom instructions, and signs.
- The verb must first be changed into its て-form, then followed by ください.
Examples:
待ってください (matte kudasai) – Please wait
見てください (mite kudasai) – Please look/watch
書いてください (kaite kudasai) – Please write
Mastering this pattern is key to giving polite instructions and making gentle requests in Japanese.
3. ～たり～たりする (JLPT N4)
The ～たり～たりする grammar pattern is used to list multiple actions or states, usually to imply that these are examples and not a complete list. It is often used to describe habitual actions, past events, or contrasting behaviors.
- Verbs are changed into their た-form, followed by り, and the pattern ends with します (or another form of する).
- It’s commonly translated as “do things like A and B” or “sometimes A, sometimes B.”
Structure:
Verb (た-form) + り + Verb (た-form) + り + する
Example:
泳いだり、休んだりします。
(Oyoidari, yasundari shimasu) – I do things like swimming and resting.
This pattern helps add variety and nuance when talking about activities or experiences.
4. ～ながら (JLPT N4)
The ～ながら grammar pattern is used to express that two actions are happening at the same time. It is beneficial for describing multitasking or background activities.
- The first verb is put into its ます-stem (the verb stem before ます), and then ながら is added.
- The action that comes after ながら is usually the main action, while the action before ながら happens simultaneously in the background.
Structure:
Verb (ます-stem) + ながら + Main verb
Example:
音楽を聞きながら、勉強します。
(Ongaku o kikinagara, benkyou shimasu) – I study while listening to music.
This pattern is useful in both spoken and written Japanese, helping to describe daily routines or habitual actions involving multitasking.
5. ～ようと思う (JLPT N3)
The grammar pattern ～ようと思う is used to express a personal intention, plan, or decision that the speaker is considering or has just made. It conveys a sense of “I’m thinking of doing…” or “I plan to…”, and is often used for future actions based on one’s own will.
- It uses the volitional form of the verb (e.g., 行こう, 食べよう) followed by と思う (to omou), which means “to think.”
- This expression shows internal thought or a soft resolution, and it’s slightly less direct than saying “I will.”
Structure:
Verb (volitional form) + と思う
Example:
日本に行こうと思います。
(Nihon ni ikou to omoimasu) – I am thinking of going to Japan.
It’s a useful pattern when expressing personal goals or future plans in a humble or tentative manner.
Curious about how the JLPT is structured? Dive into a detailed breakdown of test sections and scoring on this JLPT Exam Structure Explained page.
6. ～てしまう (JLPT N3)
The grammar pattern ～てしまう has two primary uses in Japanese:
- Completion of an action – indicating that something has been done completely or thoroughly.
- Regret or unintended outcome – expressing that something happened unintentionally or unfortunately, often with a sense of disappointment or mistake.
- It’s formed by taking the て-form of a verb and adding しまう or its polite form しまいます (past: しまいました).
- In casual speech, it’s often contracted to ～ちゃう / ～じゃう (e.g., 食べちゃった).
Structure:
Verb (て-form) + しまう
Example:
食べてしまいました。
(Tabete shimaimashita) – I ate it all / I ended up eating it (possibly with regret).
This structure is especially useful in conversations when discussing completed tasks, mistakes, or unplanned situations.
7. ～わけではない (JLPT N2)
The expression ～わけではない is used to partially deny or clarify a misunderstanding, especially when rejecting an absolute statement or correcting an assumption. It translates roughly as “It’s not that…” or “That doesn’t necessarily mean…” in English.
- It softens the denial and often adds nuance, indicating that while something may be true to some extent, it’s not entirely accurate or not always the case.
- Commonly used with verbs, adjectives, or even entire ideas to provide contrast or clarification.
Structure:
Plain form (Verb/Adjective) + わけではない
Example:
行かないわけではない。
(Ikanai wake dewa nai) – It’s not that I won’t go. (Implying: I might go under certain conditions.)
This pattern is useful for polite conversations where nuance and clarification are important, especially at intermediate to advanced levels.
8. ～とは限らない (JLPT N2)
The grammar pattern ～とは限らない is used to express that something is not always true or there are exceptions to what might normally be assumed. It often translates as “not necessarily…” or “doesn’t always mean that…”
- This structure is valuable when you want to add nuance, especially when presenting balanced or critical viewpoints.
- It is commonly used in written and formal speech to challenge generalizations or soften strong claims.
Structure:
Plain form + とは限らない
Example:
高いからといって、いいとは限らない。
(Takai kara to itte, ii to wa kagiranai) – Just because it’s expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good.
This expression is essential for intermediate to advanced learners aiming to express exceptions, doubt, or nuanced opinions.
9. ～ざるを得ない (JLPT N1)
The expression ～ざるを得ない is used to convey that you are compelled to do something, even if you don’t want to. It literally means “cannot avoid doing” or “have no choice but to…” and carries a formal, somewhat strong tone.
- It is formed by taking the ない-form of a verb (without ない) and adding ざるを得ない.
- Exception: For the verb する, it becomes せざるを得ない.
Structure:
Verb (ない-form without ない) + ざるを得ない
Example:
行かざるを得ない。
(Ikazaru o enai) – I have no choice but to go.
This pattern is commonly used in formal writing or serious conversations where you want to express obligation due to circumstances beyond your control.
10. ～にたえる／～にたえない (JLPT N1)
The expression ～にたえない is used to indicate that something is unbearable, intolerable, or unworthy of enduring. It’s most often used in formal or literary Japanese, and appears with verbs or nouns related to emotional or sensory experiences.
There are two main usages:
- ～にたえない: to express that something is so bad it cannot be endured (e.g., too painful to watch/listen/read).
- 感謝・感激・悲しみ + にたえない: to express a strong emotion that is difficult to contain, like “I cannot express enough gratitude.”
Structure:
Verb (dictionary form) / Noun + にたえない
Example:
聞くにたえない話。
(Kiku ni taenai hanashi) – A story too painful to hear.
This expression is important at the N1 level for understanding formal writing, essays, and nuanced emotional language.
Just starting your JLPT journey? Explore this JLPT Preparation Guide for Beginners to discover effective study plans and resource recommendations.
Final Grammar Tips Before JLPT Exam 2025
- Focus on grammar points that are commonly tested in past years’ exams.
- Use JLPT-level specific grammar workbooks or online tools for targeted revision.
- Do not try to learn completely new grammar structures just 2–3 days before the exam. Instead, reinforce what you already know.
- Practice with mock tests and previous year papers to understand how grammar is applied in reading and listening sections.
- Study examples in context rather than isolated explanations to better understand nuance and usage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When is the JLPT exam date 2025?
The JLPT July 2025 exam is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, July 6, 2025. Always confirm the date through the official JLPT website or your test center.
2. What is the JLPT exam 2025 registration last date?
For the July session, registration ended in May 2025. For the December 2025 session, the last date is expected around September–October 2025.
3. Where can I find my JLPT registration status?
You can check your registration status, download your hall ticket, and view your test center details by logging in via your JLPT account on the official registration portal.
4. Can I take the JLPT exam in Delhi?
Yes. JLPT Delhi is a recognized and popular test center in India, along with other cities like Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, and Mumbai.
5. Should I revise grammar or vocabulary more in the last week?
Both are important, but grammar often carries more weight in the reading comprehension and sentence structure sections. Prioritize reviewing key grammar patterns while continuing light vocabulary practice.
