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JLPT N3 grammar list

151 core JLPT N3 grammar patterns, each paired with an example sentence and studied with real spaced repetition. Free, no signup, works in your browser.

N3 is where grammar stops being a list of set phrases and starts combining— conditionals, passives, and nuance-carrying patterns stack into longer sentences. The list below is EverFlip's curated core, grouped the way you'll learn it; tap any group to study it with the forgetting-curve scheduling that times each review to memory.

N3 grammar I

Study these 16 →
  • 〜ようになる (come to / reach the point of)毎日練習して、ピアノが弾けるようになりました。After practicing every day, I came to be able to play the piano.
  • 〜ようにする (make an effort to)健康のために、毎日野菜を食べるようにしています。For my health, I make an effort to eat vegetables every day.
  • 〜ことにする (decide to)来年から一人で住むことにしました。I've decided to live on my own starting next year.
  • 〜ことになる (it has been decided)来月、大阪に転勤することになりました。It has been decided that I'll be transferred to Osaka next month.
  • 〜はずだ (it should be / expected)彼はもう家を出たから、すぐに着くはずです。He already left home, so he should arrive soon.
  • 〜わけだ (that means / no wonder)電気が消えている。だれもいないわけだ。The lights are off. That means no one is here.
  • 〜とは限らない (not necessarily / not always)高いものが、いつもいいとは限らない。Expensive things are not necessarily always good.
  • 〜にちがいない (surely / no doubt)電気がついているから、彼は家にいるにちがいない。The lights are on, so he must be home.
  • 〜そうだ (hearsay / I heard that)天気予報によると、明日は雪が降るそうです。According to the weather forecast, it will snow tomorrow.
  • 〜そうだ (appearance / looks like)このケーキ、とてもおいしそうですね。This cake looks really delicious, doesn't it?
  • 〜らしい (seems / apparently)田中さんは来週、会社をやめるらしいです。Apparently Tanaka is going to quit the company next week.
  • 〜みたいだ (like / resembles / seems)あの雲は犬みたいな形をしています。That cloud has a shape like a dog.
  • 〜らしい (typical / fitting)今日はとても暑くて、夏らしい一日です。Today is very hot, a day that's truly summer-like.
  • 〜ば〜ほど (the more... the more)日本語は勉強すればするほど、おもしろくなります。The more you study Japanese, the more interesting it becomes.
  • 〜たびに (every time / whenever)この歌を聞くたびに、子どものころを思い出します。Every time I hear this song, I remember my childhood.
  • 〜うちに (while / before it changes)忘れないうちに、メモしておきましょう。Let's write it down before we forget.

N3 grammar II

Study these 17 →
  • 〜ても (even if)雨が降っても、試合は行います。Even if it rains, we will hold the match.
  • 〜のに (although / despite)たくさん勉強したのに、テストに落ちました。Even though I studied a lot, I failed the test.
  • 〜ものの (although / even though)申し込んだものの、まだ返事が来ない。Although I applied, I still haven't gotten a reply.
  • 〜わりに (considering / for)この店は安いわりに、料理がおいしい。For how cheap it is, this restaurant's food is delicious.
  • 〜まま (in the state of / unchanged)電気をつけたまま寝てしまった。I fell asleep with the lights left on.
  • 〜たとたん (the moment that)ドアを開けたとたん、猫が外に出た。The moment I opened the door, the cat went outside.
  • 〜るところだ (about to do)今から出かけるところです。I'm just about to go out now.
  • 〜ているところだ (in the middle of)今、宿題をしているところです。I'm in the middle of doing my homework right now.
  • 〜たところだ (just did)ちょうど駅に着いたところです。I've just arrived at the station.
  • 〜ばかり (nothing but)弟はゲームばかりしている。My little brother does nothing but play games.
  • 〜たばかり (just finished)ご飯を食べたばかりなので、おなかがいっぱいです。I just ate, so I'm full.
  • 〜つづける (continue doing)彼は三時間も走りつづけた。He kept running for three whole hours.
  • 〜だす (suddenly start)急に空が暗くなって、雨が降りだした。The sky suddenly got dark and it started raining.
  • 〜おわる (finish doing)この本を読みおわったら、貸してください。When you finish reading this book, please lend it to me.
  • 〜はじめる (begin doing)桜が咲きはじめました。The cherry blossoms have begun to bloom.
  • 〜きる (do completely)大きなケーキを一人で食べきった。I ate the whole big cake by myself.
  • 〜とおり (just as)先生が言ったとおりに、やってみました。I tried it just as the teacher said.

N3 grammar III

Study these 16 →
  • 〜てあげる (do for someone)私は友達に日本語を教えてあげました。I taught my friend Japanese (as a favor to them).
  • 〜てくれる (do for me)母が私にセーターを買ってくれました。My mother bought me a sweater (for my benefit).
  • 〜てもらう (have someone do for me)先生に手紙を直してもらいました。I had my teacher correct my letter.
  • 〜させる (causative: make/let do)先生は学生に漢字を書かせました。The teacher made the students write kanji.
  • 〜られる / 〜される (suffering passive)弟に私のケーキを食べられました。My younger brother ate my cake (and I'm annoyed).
  • 〜させられる (causative-passive)子供のとき、毎日ピアノを練習させられました。When I was a child, I was made to practice piano every day.
  • 〜てある (resultant state)壁に地図がはってあります。A map has been put up on the wall (and is still there).
  • 〜ておく (do in advance)旅行の前に、ホテルを予約しておきます。I'll reserve a hotel in advance before the trip.
  • 〜てしまう (completely / regret)大切な書類をなくしてしまいました。I (unfortunately) lost an important document.
  • 〜ても (no matter / even if)いくら待っても、彼は来ませんでした。No matter how long I waited, he didn't come.
  • 〜さえ〜ば (if only)お金さえあれば、その車が買えます。If only I had money, I could buy that car.
  • 〜について (about / concerning)日本の文化について研究しています。I am researching Japanese culture.
  • 〜によって (depending on / by means of)国によって習慣が違います。Customs differ depending on the country.
  • 〜として (as / in the role of)彼は医者として働いています。He works as a doctor.
  • 〜にとって (for / to someone)私にとって、家族が一番大切です。For me, family is the most important thing.
  • 〜に対して (toward / against)お客様に対して、丁寧に話さなければなりません。You must speak politely toward customers.

N3 grammar IV

Study these 17 →
  • 〜せいで (because of / due to [negative cause])電車が遅れたせいで、会議に間に合わなかった。Because the train was late, I didn't make it to the meeting in time.
  • 〜せいか (perhaps because of)年のせいか、最近すぐに疲れてしまう。Maybe because of my age, I get tired easily these days.
  • 〜おかげで (thanks to [positive cause])先生のおかげで、試験に合格できました。Thanks to my teacher, I was able to pass the exam.
  • 〜ために (in order to / for the purpose of)日本語を上達させるために、毎日新聞を読んでいる。In order to improve my Japanese, I read the newspaper every day.
  • 〜ためには (in order to [achieve], what's needed is)夢をかなえるためには、努力を続けるしかない。In order to make your dream come true, there's no choice but to keep working hard.
  • 〜ように (so that / in such a way that)後ろの人にも聞こえるように、大きな声で話した。I spoke in a loud voice so that the people in the back could hear too.
  • 〜ないように (so as not to / to avoid)風邪をひかないように、暖かくして寝てください。Please dress warmly when you sleep so that you don't catch a cold.
  • 〜ないと (have to / if you don't [...it'll be bad])もう時間がないから、急がないと電車に乗り遅れるよ。There's no time left, so if we don't hurry we'll miss the train.
  • 〜からには (now that / since [you've decided to])やると言ったからには、最後まで責任を持ってやります。Now that I've said I'll do it, I'll see it through with full responsibility.
  • 〜上で (after / upon [doing], then)契約書の内容をよく確認した上で、サインしてください。Please sign after carefully checking the contents of the contract.
  • 〜なら (if [that's the case] / if it's [a question of])温泉に行くなら、北海道がおすすめですよ。If you're going to a hot spring, I recommend Hokkaido.
  • 〜から〜にかけて (from ... through / over [range])今夜から明日の朝にかけて、雪が降るそうだ。They say it will snow from tonight through tomorrow morning.
  • 〜ことだから (since it's [a known person], so naturally)まじめな彼のことだから、きっと約束を守るだろう。Since he's such a serious person, he'll surely keep his promise.
  • 〜だけに (precisely because / all the more because)彼は長年練習してきただけに、演奏がすばらしい。Precisely because he has practiced for many years, his performance is wonderful.
  • 〜ないことには (unless [you do], [nothing happens])自分で試してみないことには、本当の良さはわからない。Unless you try it yourself, you won't understand its true value.
  • 〜につれて (as / in proportion as [something changes])年を取るにつれて、体力が落ちてきた。As I get older, my physical strength has been declining.
  • 〜にしたがって (as / in accordance with [a change])山を登るにしたがって、気温が下がっていった。As I climbed the mountain, the temperature gradually dropped.

N3 grammar V

Study these 16 →
  • 〜とき(に) (when / at the time of)日本に住んでいたとき、よく地震を経験しました。When I was living in Japan, I often experienced earthquakes.
  • 〜ところに/ところへ (just when / right at the moment)出かけようとしたところに、電話がかかってきた。Just as I was about to go out, the phone rang.
  • 〜うえに (on top of / in addition to)彼は頭がいいうえに、性格もやさしい。On top of being smart, he also has a kind personality.
  • 〜一方で (on one hand / meanwhile)兄は活発な一方で、弟はとても静かだ。While my older brother is energetic, my younger brother is very quiet.
  • 〜反面 (on the other hand / the flip side)この仕事は給料がいい反面、ストレスも多い。This job pays well, but on the other hand it's also very stressful.
  • 〜くせに (even though / despite — with reproach)彼は何も知らないくせに、いつも文句ばかり言う。Even though he doesn't know anything, he's always just complaining.
  • 〜にしては (considering / for — contrary to expectation)彼は初めてにしては、料理がとても上手だ。Considering it's his first time, he cooks very well.
  • 〜ながらも (even though / although)貧しいながらも、彼らは幸せに暮らしている。Even though they are poor, they live happily.
  • 〜つつ (while / although — formal)体に悪いと知りつつ、つい甘い物を食べてしまう。Even though I know it's bad for my health, I end up eating sweets.
  • 〜かわりに (instead of / in exchange for)今日は忙しいので、私のかわりに彼が会議に出ます。Since I'm busy today, he will attend the meeting instead of me.
  • 〜あいだに (during / while — within a period)母が出かけているあいだに、部屋を掃除した。While my mother was out, I cleaned the room.
  • 〜あいだ (throughout / the whole time)夏休みのあいだ、ずっと田舎に滞在していた。Throughout the summer vacation, I stayed in the countryside.
  • 〜とともに (along with / at the same time as)年をとるとともに、記憶力が弱くなってきた。As I get older, my memory has been getting weaker.
  • 〜次第 (as soon as — formal)会議が終わり次第、ご連絡いたします。I will contact you as soon as the meeting is over.
  • 〜かと思うと (no sooner than / just when)赤ちゃんは泣いたかと思うと、すぐに笑い出した。No sooner had the baby started crying than it began to laugh.
  • 〜ついでに (while at it / on the same occasion)買い物に行くついでに、手紙を出してきます。While I'm out shopping, I'll mail the letter too.

N3 grammar VI

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  • 〜ほど (to the extent that / so...that)彼は立っていられないほど疲れていた。He was so tired that he couldn't stand up.
  • 〜くらい/ぐらい (to the extent of / so...that)泣きたいくらい悲しいニュースだった。It was such sad news that I wanted to cry.
  • 〜だけでなく (not only...but also)彼女は英語だけでなく、フランス語も話せる。She can speak not only English but also French.
  • 〜ばかりでなく (not only...but also)彼は勉強ばかりでなく、スポーツも得意だ。He is good not only at studying but also at sports.
  • 〜に比べて (compared to)去年に比べて、今年は雨が多い。Compared to last year, there is more rain this year.
  • 〜に関して (regarding / concerning)この問題に関して、何か意見はありますか。Do you have any opinions regarding this problem?
  • 〜の代わりに (instead of / in place of)肉の代わりに魚を食べることにしている。I make a point of eating fish instead of meat.
  • 〜とすれば (supposing that / if)明日試験があるとすれば、今夜は勉強しなければならない。Supposing there's an exam tomorrow, I have to study tonight.
  • 〜わけではない (it doesn't mean that / not necessarily)高いものがいつもいいわけではない。It's not the case that expensive things are always good.
  • 〜わけがない (there's no way that)あんな難しい問題が、子供に解けるわけがない。There's no way a child could solve such a difficult problem.
  • 〜ほど〜ない (not as...as)今年の冬は去年ほど寒くない。This winter is not as cold as last year.
  • 〜というより (rather than / more like)彼は厳しいというより、冷たい人だ。He's a cold person rather than a strict one.
  • 〜に過ぎない (no more than / merely)それは私の個人的な意見に過ぎない。That is no more than my personal opinion.
  • 〜どころか (far from / let alone)彼は謝るどころか、私を怒鳴った。Far from apologizing, he yelled at me.
  • 〜ことはない (there's no need to)そんなに心配することはないよ。There's no need to worry that much.
  • 〜だらけ (full of / covered in)子供たちは泥だらけになって遊んでいた。The children were playing, covered in mud.
  • 〜さえ (even)忙しくて、昼ご飯を食べる時間さえなかった。I was so busy that I didn't even have time to eat lunch.

N3 grammar VII

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  • ~べきだ (should / ought to)約束したのだから、彼は来るべきだ。Since he made a promise, he ought to come.
  • ~べきではない (should not / ought not to)人の悪口を言うべきではない。You should not speak ill of others.
  • ~がちだ (tend to / prone to)冬は風邪をひきがちだから、気をつけてください。In winter people tend to catch colds, so please be careful.
  • ~っぽい (-ish / has the quality of)彼は子供っぽいところがあって、すぐに怒る。He has a childish side and gets angry easily.
  • ~がたい (hard to / difficult to)彼の説明は理解しがたいものだった。His explanation was hard to understand.
  • ~かねる (cannot bring oneself to / unable to)その条件では、お引き受けいたしかねます。Under those conditions, I am unable to accept.
  • ~ぎみ (slightly / a touch of)最近、疲れぎみで集中できない。Lately I've been a bit tired and can't concentrate.
  • ~ようとする (try to / be about to)ドアを開けようとしたとき、電話が鳴った。Just as I was about to open the door, the phone rang.
  • ~にくい (hard to do)この薬は苦くて飲みにくい。This medicine is bitter and hard to swallow.
  • ~やすい (easy to do)このペンは書きやすくて気に入っている。This pen is easy to write with and I like it.
  • ~かねない (might / could possibly)無理をすると、体を壊しかねない。If you overdo it, you could ruin your health.
  • ~ざるをえない (have no choice but to)台風が来たので、旅行を中止せざるをえない。Since a typhoon is coming, we have no choice but to cancel the trip.
  • ~ないわけにはいかない (cannot not do / must)上司の命令だから、行かないわけにはいかない。It's an order from my boss, so I can't not go.
  • ~ものだ (should / ought to (general truth))年上の人には、敬語を使うものだ。One should use polite language with people older than oneself.
  • ~っぱなし (leave (something) as it is)電気をつけっぱなしで出かけてしまった。I went out leaving the lights on.
  • ~がる (show signs of / appear to feel)子供は注射を怖がって泣いていた。The child was scared of the injection and crying.
  • ~一方だ (keep increasingly / only get more)彼の病気は悪化する一方だ。His illness only keeps getting worse.
  • ~ものだから (because / the reason is that)道が込んでいたものだから、遅れてしまった。Because the roads were crowded, I ended up being late.
  • ~恐れがある (there is a risk/fear that)大雨で川が氾濫する恐れがある。There is a risk that the river will flood due to the heavy rain.

N3 grammar VIII

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  • ~によると (according to ~ / based on a source [hearsay])天気予報によると、明日は雨が降るそうです。According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
  • ~ということだ (I hear that ~ / it is said that ~ [reported info])メールによると、会議は来週に延期されたということだ。According to the email, the meeting has been postponed to next week.
  • ~をもとに(して) (based on ~ / using ~ as the material/basis)この映画は実際の事件をもとに作られました。This movie was made based on a real incident.
  • ~に基づいて (based on ~ / on the basis of ~)このレポートは調査の結果に基づいて書かれている。This report is written based on the results of the survey.
  • ~ことから (from the fact that ~ / judging from ~)窓が開いていることから、誰かが部屋に入ったとわかった。From the fact that the window was open, I knew someone had entered the room.
  • ~を中心に(して) (centered on ~ / focusing mainly on ~)会議では新製品の販売戦略を中心に話し合った。At the meeting, we discussed mainly the sales strategy for the new product.
  • ~から見ると (seen from ~ / from the standpoint of ~)親から見ると、子供はいつまでも子供だ。From a parent's point of view, a child is always a child.
  • ~から言うと (speaking in terms of ~ / from the viewpoint of ~)結論から言うと、この計画は成功する可能性が高い。To put it in terms of the conclusion, this plan has a high chance of success.
  • ~からすると (judging from ~ / considering ~)あの様子からすると、彼はまだ怒っているようだ。Judging from his manner, he still seems to be angry.
  • ~どおり(に) (just as ~ / exactly in accordance with ~)先生の指示どおりに実験を進めてください。Please carry out the experiment just as the teacher instructed.
  • ~に沿って (along ~ / in line with ~)マニュアルに沿って手続きを進めてください。Please carry out the procedure in line with the manual.
  • ~に応じて (according to ~ / in response to ~)収入に応じて税金の額が変わります。The amount of tax changes according to your income.
  • ~を通じて (through ~ / by means of [an intermediary])友人を通じて彼女と知り合いました。I got to know her through a friend.
  • ~を通して (through ~ / throughout the whole of ~)この地方は一年を通して雨が多い。This region has a lot of rain throughout the whole year.
  • ~からといって (just because ~ [it doesn't follow that...])日本に住んでいるからといって、漢字が全部読めるわけではない。Just because I live in Japan doesn't mean I can read all the kanji.
  • ~ぬく (to do ~ thoroughly / to the very end)どんなに苦しくても、最後まで走りぬくつもりだ。No matter how hard it gets, I intend to run all the way to the end.
  • ~やら~やら (what with ~ and ~ [a jumble of things])引っ越しの日は荷物やら掃除やらで一日中忙しかった。On moving day I was busy all day, what with the luggage and the cleaning.

N3 grammar IX

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  • ~ばかりか (not only... but also)彼は英語ばかりか、中国語も話せる。He can speak not only English but also Chinese.
  • ~のみならず (not only... but also)この問題は日本のみならず、世界中で深刻だ。This problem is serious not only in Japan but all over the world.
  • ~に加えて (in addition to)雨に加えて、風も強くなってきた。In addition to the rain, the wind has gotten strong too.
  • ~きり (only / since then, with no change after)彼とは去年会ったきり、一度も連絡していない。I met him last year and haven't contacted him once since.
  • ~限り (as far as / to the extent that)私が知っている限り、彼は約束を破らない人だ。As far as I know, he is a person who doesn't break promises.
  • ~たて (just-made / freshly done)焼きたてのパンはとてもおいしい。Freshly baked bread is very delicious.
  • ~まい (will not / won't ever again)もう二度と、あんな失敗はするまいと決めた。I decided I would never make such a mistake again.
  • ~こそ (precisely / it is exactly... that)今度こそ、絶対に試験に合格してみせる。This time for sure, I will definitely pass the exam.
  • ~に限って (of all times / only when it comes to)急いでいる時に限って、電車が遅れる。Of all times, it's exactly when I'm in a hurry that the train gets delayed.
  • ~ことか (how... ! (strong emotion))あなたに会えて、どんなにうれしいことか。How happy I am to be able to meet you!
  • ~どころではない (not the time/situation for)仕事が忙しくて、旅行どころではない。I'm so busy with work that it's no time for travel.
  • ~わけにはいかない (cannot do (for social/moral reasons))大事な会議があるので、今日は休むわけにはいかない。I have an important meeting, so I can't take the day off today.
  • ~ようがない (there's no way to)連絡先がわからないので、知らせようがない。I don't know the contact details, so there's no way to let them know.
  • ~に限る (nothing beats / best to)疲れた時は、ゆっくり寝るに限る。When you're tired, nothing beats getting plenty of sleep.
  • ~だけあって (as expected of / fittingly)彼は留学していただけあって、英語が上手だ。As expected of someone who studied abroad, he's good at English.
  • ~あまり (so much that / out of excessive...)緊張のあまり、何も話せなくなってしまった。Out of too much nervousness, I became unable to say anything.

A curated core of the highest-yield N3 items — not the full N3 list (the JLPT hasn't published an official one since 2010). Every card is checked against the N3 level before it counts.

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