JLPT Guide / N1 Grammar

JLPT N1 Grammar Examples: 〜にとどまらず, 〜をふまえて, 〜なくしては

Learn how JLPT N1 grammar is used to talk about technology, society, and the future in Japanese. This guide introduces three useful N1 grammar patterns: 〜にとどまらず, 〜をふまえて, and 〜なくしては.

  • Learn advanced JLPT N1 grammar meanings
  • Practice expressing opinions about society and technology in Japanese
Written by Chiho Kamioka
Updated: 2026-06-28
JLPT N1 grammar examples about robots in real Japanese

〜にとどまらず: Meaning and Examples

One useful N1 pattern is 〜にとどまらず (ni todomarazu). It means “not limited to...” or “not only...”. This expression is used when an influence, change, or situation goes beyond one area and spreads further.

Simple Way to Say It

AIやロボットの活用かつようは、工場こうじょうだけでなく、医療いりょうや教育きょういくの分野ぶんやにも広ひろがり始はじめています。

The use of AI and robots is beginning to spread not only to factories, but also to fields such as medicine and education.

N1 Way to Explain It

AIやロボットの活用かつようは、工場こうじょうにとどまらず、医療いりょうや教育きょういくの分野ぶんやにも広ひろがり始はじめています。

The use of AI and robots is not limited to factories; it is beginning to spread to fields such as medicine and education.

Notice: “だけでなく” simply adds another example. 〜にとどまらず adds a more formal and analytical tone. It is useful when the speaker wants to show that the influence or effect is wider than expected.

Conversation Example 1

A: 最近さいきん、ロボットやAIのニュースをよく見みますね。

B: そうですね。今いまは工場こうじょうでの利用りようにとどまらず、介護かいごや医療いりょう、教育きょういくなどにも広ひろがりつつあります。

A: たしかに、生活せいかつに近ちかいところでも使つかわれるようになってきましたね。

A: Recently, I often see news about robots and AI.
B: Yes. Their use is no longer limited to factories; it is gradually spreading to fields such as caregiving, medicine, and education.
A: That is true. They are beginning to be used in areas closer to our daily lives.

Conversation Example 2

A: 自動運転じどううんてんがさらに広ひろがったら、私わたしたちの社会しゃかいはどのように変かわると思おもいますか。

B: 移動手段いどうしゅだんの変化へんかにとどまらず、物流ぶつりゅうや地方ちほうの暮くらしにも大おおきな影響えいきょうがあると思おもいます。特とくに地方ちほうでは、車くるまを運転うんてんできない人ひとの生活せいかつを支ささえる手段しゅだんになるかもしれません。

A: If self-driving technology spreads further, how do you think our society will change?
B: I think the impact will not be limited to changes in everyday transportation. It will also greatly affect logistics, life in rural areas. Especially in rural areas, it may become a way to support people who cannot drive.

〜をふまえて: Meaning and Examples

Another useful N1 pattern is 〜をふまえて (o fumaete). It means “based on...” or “taking ... into account.” This expression is often used when you make a decision, give an opinion, or explain an idea based on facts, background, experience, or social conditions.

Simple Way to Say It

人手不足ひとでぶそくを考かんがえると、今後こんごはロボットの活用かつようを検討けんとうする必要ひつようがあります。

When we think about labor shortages, we need to consider using robots in the future.

N1 Way to Explain It

人手不足ひとでぶそくをふまえて、今後こんごはロボットの活用かつようを検討けんとうする必要ひつようがあります。

Taking labor shortages into account, we need to consider using robots in the future.

Notice: “〜を考えると” is a simple way to say “when we think about...” 〜をふまえて sounds more formal and shows that the speaker is using facts, background, or current conditions as the basis for an opinion or decision.

Conversation Example 1

A: 介護かいごの現場げんばでは、ロボットの導入どうにゅうが進すすんでいるそうですね。

B: はい。深刻しんこくな人手不足ひとでぶそくをふまえて、ロボットの導入どうにゅうは今後こんごさらに必要ひつようになると思おもいます。ただ、人ひととの関かかわりをどう残のこすかも大切たいせつだと思おもいます。

A: たしかに、便利べんりさと人間にんげんらしさのバランスが大切たいせつですね。

A: I hear that robots are being introduced in caregiving settings.
B: Yes. Taking the serious labor shortage into account, I think the introduction of robots will become even more necessary. However, I also think it is important to consider how to preserve human connection.
A: That is true. The balance between convenience and human warmth is important.

Conversation Example 2

A: 日本にほんで自動運転じどううんてんが注目ちゅうもくされているのは、なぜだと思おもいますか。

B: 高齢化こうれいかが進すすむ状況じょうきょうをふまえて、高齢者こうれいしゃが安心あんしんして移動いどうできる手段しゅだんとして期待きたいされているのだと思おもいます。

A: Why do you think self-driving technology is attracting attention in Japan?
B: Taking into account the situation of an aging society, I think it is expected to become a way for older adults to travel safely and independently.

〜なくしては: Meaning and Examples

Another useful N1 pattern is 〜なくしては (nakushite wa). It means “without...” or “without ... it is impossible to...”. This expression is used to say that something is absolutely necessary for another thing to happen.

Simple Way to Say It

人間にんげんの判断はんだんがなければ、AIやロボットを安全あんぜんに活用かつようすることはできません。

Without human judgment, we cannot use AI and robots safely.

N1 Way to Explain It

人間にんげんの判断はんだんなくしては、AIやロボットを安全あんぜんに活用かつようすることはできません。

Without human judgment, AI and robots cannot be used safely.

Notice: “〜がなければ” is a simple way to say “without...” 〜なくしては sounds stronger and more formal. It emphasizes that something is essential and that the result cannot happen without it.

Conversation Example 1

A: AIがもっと発展はってんしたら、人間にんげんの判断はんだんはあまり必要ひつようなくなるのでしょうか。

B: そうとは言いえないと思おもいます。どれほど技術ぎじゅつが進すすんでも、人間にんげんの判断はんだんなくしては、安全あんぜんで信頼しんらいできる社会しゃかいは作つくれません。

A: たしかに、最後さいごに責任せきにんを持もつのは人間にんげんですよね。

A: If AI develops further, will human judgment become less necessary?
B: I do not think we can say that. No matter how advanced technology becomes, without human judgment, we cannot create a safe and trustworthy society.
A: That is true. In the end, humans are the ones who bear responsibility.

Conversation Example 2

A: 自動運転じどううんてんは、もうすぐ普及ふきゅうするのでしょうか。

B: しっかりした安全基準あんぜんきじゅんや法律ほうりつなくしては、広ひろく普及ふきゅうすることは難むずかしいと思おもいます。

A: Do you think self-driving technology will become common soon?
B: Without clear safety standards and laws, I think it will be difficult for it to become widely adopted.

JLPT N1 Grammar Meaning Summary

Here is a quick review of the meaning of the three JLPT N1 grammar patterns introduced in this guide.

〜にとどまらず (ni todomarazu) means “not limited to...” or “not only...”. It is used when an influence, change, or situation goes beyond one area.

〜をふまえて (o fumaete) means “based on...” or “taking ... into account.” It is used when you explain an opinion or decision based on facts, background, or experience.

〜なくしては (nakushite wa) means “without...” or “without ... it is impossible to...”. It is used when something is essential for another thing to happen.

Practice N1 Grammar with Japonin Teachers

At Japonin, advanced learners study JLPT N1 grammar step by step with professional Japanese teachers. N1 grammar is often used in essays, news, opinion writing, workplace communication, and discussions about society.

In lessons, a teacher can help you understand not only the meaning of each grammar pattern, but also the nuance, formality, and situation where it sounds natural. 

If you would like to study N1 grammar in a structured way, Japonin’s JLPT N1 grammar lessons can help you review advanced grammar and practice using it in natural contexts.

Meet Our Japanese Teachers

Japonin teachers are experienced Japanese-language professionals who help advanced learners understand N1 grammar patterns and practice using them naturally in real communication.

Yamamoto Hiroshi, Japanese language instructor

YAMAMOTO Hiroshi

  • 10+ years of total teaching experience
  • Passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test

View Profile

Yokozuka Noriko, Japanese language instructor

YOKOZUKA Noriko

  • 21+ years of total teaching experience
  • Completed Japanese teacher training while in graduate school

View Profile

Hayashi Ayumi, Japanese language instructor

HAYASHI Ayumi

  • 13+ years of total teaching experience
  • Registered Japanese Language Teacher

View Profile

JLPT N1 Grammar FAQ

What does 〜にとどまらず mean?

〜にとどまらず means “not limited to...” or “not only...”. It is used when an influence, change, or situation goes beyond one area and spreads to others.

What does 〜をふまえて mean?

〜をふまえて means “based on...” or “taking ... into account.” It is used when you explain an opinion, plan, or decision based on facts, background, experience, or current conditions.

What does 〜なくしては mean?

〜なくしては means “without...” or “without ... it is impossible to...”. It is used when you want to emphasize that something is essential or absolutely necessary.

Is JLPT N1 grammar used in conversation?

Some N1 grammar patterns sound formal, but many are used in discussions, workplace communication, interviews, presentations, news, and opinion-based conversations. Patterns such as 〜にとどまらず and 〜をふまえて are useful when talking about society, work, and current issues.

How can I practice JLPT N1 grammar naturally?

It is helpful to practice N1 grammar through topics that require explanation and opinion, such as technology, work, education, social change, and culture. In Japonin lessons, teachers can help you understand the nuance of each expression and practice using it in natural contexts.

Since 2006, Japonin has helped over 6,000 learners worldwide study Japanese online with support from our experienced Japanese language teachers.

Chiho Kamioka, Founder of Japonin

Written by Chiho Kamioka Founder of Japonin JLPT Guide Editor

When you study JLPT N1 grammar, it is important not only to understand the meaning of each pattern, but also to see how it is used in real communication. In this guide, I used examples about robots, self-driving cars, AI, and society to help you practice thinking and expressing your opinions in Japanese.

Ready to use N1 grammar in real conversation?

Try two 50-minute live lessons with Japonin teachers.
Practice advanced JLPT N1 grammar patterns with real feedback.

Try 2 Free Live Lessons