JLPT N2 grammar: 30 points explained
The 30 JLPT N2 grammar points explained in English with examples.
Level N2: practice is in Premium
All 30 points of this level are free to look up. To remember them — quizzes, spaced reviews at the right time, mock exams —, N3 → N1 practice is in KanaLearn Premium.
Discover Premium〜わけにはいかない
Moral or social impossibility ("I can't afford to, I can't very well").
〜わけがない
Logical impossibility ("there's no way that").
〜ものの
Concession ("although, it's true that … but").
〜にもかかわらず
Opposition ("despite, in spite of").
〜に違いない
The speaker's certainty ("must be, no doubt").
〜に沿って
"along" or "in line with".
〜をきっかけに
The starting point of a change ("prompted by, taking … as a chance").
〜に関して
The topic dealt with ("concerning, regarding").
〜に基づいて
Basis ("based on").
〜ば〜ほど
Progression ("the more …, the more …").
〜ことになっている
An established rule or schedule ("is supposed to, it's the rule that").
〜ざるを得ない
Forced obligation ("have no choice but to").
〜にしては
A gap with what's expected ("for a …").
〜からこそ
Stressing the cause ("precisely because").
〜っぱなし
A state left as it is ("leave … and not deal with it").
〜かねない
A negative risk ("could well, might end up").
〜次第
Immediately after ("as soon as").
〜に限らず
Extension ("not only, not limited to").
〜うちに
Before a change ("while, before … changes").
〜あげく
An often negative outcome after a long process ("after much …, in the end").
〜ことはない
No need ("there's no need to").
〜ようがない
Impossibility for lack of means ("there's no way to").
〜にかけては
Field of excellence ("when it comes to").
〜を問わず
Regardless of a criterion ("regardless of, no matter").
〜はもちろん
Something obvious, then more ("not to mention, … of course, and also").
〜につれて
Parallel change ("as").
〜に反して
Contrary to an expectation ("contrary to").
〜どころか
Reversal ("far from, on the contrary").
〜に過ぎない
Minimizing ("it's nothing but, merely").
〜ものだ
Recalling a past habit, or a general truth.
Remember them for good
Quizzes, writing, listening and spaced reviews: KanaLearn has you review each word at the right time. Free, no ads.
Start for free