JLPT N3 patterns for judgment, degree, and expression — the nuance an N3 candidate must read. · JLPT N3

• 〜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.