Grammar

Japanese Grammar N4

Structured N4 grammar detail pages for long-term SEO and future learning flows.

〜と is a conditional pattern used for natural results, automatic actions, directions, and repeated facts.

〜ば is a conditional pattern meaning if. It often focuses on the condition that must be true for something else to happen.

〜たら is a flexible conditional pattern used for if, when, and after. It is common in daily conversation and works well with plans and requests.

〜てほしい (te hoshii) is used when you want someone else to do something. It expresses your wish about another person's action.

〜たがる and 〜ほしがる are used to describe another person's desire from the outside. They are useful when talking about what someone seems to want.

〜なら is used when making a condition based on a topic, assumption, or information already mentioned. It often appears in advice and recommendations.

〜つもりだ (tsumori da) expresses an intention or plan that the speaker has decided on. It is common for talking about future actions.

〜ようと思う (you to omou) expresses that you are thinking of doing something or have an intention to do it. It is softer than a firm plan.

〜ことにする (koto ni suru) means to decide to do or not do something. It focuses on the speaker's decision.

〜予定だ (yotei da) is used for plans or schedules. It often sounds more arranged or objective than a simple personal intention.

〜なければならない (nakereba naranai) means that something must be done. It is a standard N4 pattern for obligation.

〜なければいけない (nakereba ikenai) means that you have to do something. It is common in spoken Japanese and daily obligations.

〜なくてはいけない (nakute wa ikenai) means that something has to be done. It is another common N4 obligation pattern.

〜なくてもいい (nakutemo ii) means that you do not have to do something. It removes obligation and gives permission not to act.

〜てはいけない and 〜てはいけません express prohibition. They mean that doing something is not allowed.

〜てはだめ (te wa dame) means that doing something is not okay. It is a direct and common way to prohibit an action.

〜てもかまわない (te mo kamawanai) means that doing something is okay. It is a slightly formal permission pattern related to 〜てもいい.

〜ないでください and 〜てはいけない both stop an action, but they are not the same. One is a request, and the other expresses prohibition.