JLPT N3 Grammar Study Guide

Complete grammar study list for JLPT N3. Master all grammar patterns required for the N3 exam.

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89 patterns

V-Stem次第

As soon as ～

～たとたん

Just as ～; when ～; as soon as ～

～ほど

To the extent that ～

V-るな

Don't ～

V-ろ (Command)

Imperative form. Gives a command.

～ために

For the purpose of ～; in order to ～. Gives the goal.

～て初めて

Only after ～; it was not until ～

～によって

Depending on ～

～ば～ほど

The more ～, the more ～

～ばかり

Only ～

～たばかり

Just ～; recently ～

～を始め

Starting with ～. Used to give one possible example.

～的

～al; ～ic; ～ive. Turns a noun into a na-adjective.

～さえ～ば

If only

～まま

As it is. Expresses the state during which.

～としたら

If (hypothetically) ～; in the case that ～

～たて

Just ～; freshly ～

～っぽい

Like ～; ～-ish; with ～ character

～に関して

In regards to ～; in relation to ～

ふり

Pretend to ～

おかげで

Thanks to ～; because of ～

つい～てしまう

～ without thinking; ～ unintentionally

V-ちゃう

End up ～. Conveys that one did something regrettably or completely. Short form of V-てしまう.

～さえ

Even ～. Gives an extreme example, implying that other cases are naturally true.

～に慣れる

Become used to ～

～に違いない

I am sure that ～; I absolutely think ～

V-ず

Without doing ～ Similar meaning to V-ないで.

～によると～によれば

According to ～

～代わりに

Instead of ～, in place of ～; in return for ～, in exchange for ～

～として

As ～. Gives a role, position, credential, etc.

～こそ

For sure ～. Puts emphasis on the preceeding N.

～ないうちに

Before ～ happens; before ～ starts.

～がち

Tends to ～; often ～; easily becomes ～

～と共に

Together with; at the same time

～たびに

Everytime ～. Expresses that each time something happens, something else happens.

～について

In regards to ～

～べき

Should ～. Very strong statement, usually expressing a personal value or social norm.

～べきではない

Should not ～. This is the negative of ～べき.

～ことはない

There is no need to ～

～はずがない

～ is not possible; I cannot ～.

めったに～ない

Rarely; hardly ever.

～わけです

Therefore ～; For this reason, ～. Expresses a result or effect.

～わけにはいかない

Must not ～; Cannot ～. Used when there is some existing reason you must not do something.

～ないわけにはいかない

Must ～. There is an existing reason you must do something.

～わけがない

～ cannot be; There is no way that ～

～ないわけがない

You can definitely ～; There is no reason ～ cannot be.

～とは限らない

～ is not necessarily true; ～ is not always true.

～ついでに

At the same time as ～; While you are ～.

～ように言われた。

I was told to ～.

～ということです (Hearsay)

I have heard that ～. Expresses hearsay.

～ということです (Conclusion)

That means that ～.

～ていく

1) To ～ and go (to another place). 2) To continue ～. An action/state will continue into the future. 3) ～ will progress. Something that has been progressing will continue to progress into the future. 4) ～ will stop/disappear. Due to ～, something will disappear or stop.

～てくる

1) ～ and come back. 2) To continue ～. An action/state from the past is continuing in the present. 3) ～ has become apparent. You are now able to see something that you could not before. 4) Has become ～. There has been some change and ～ has started.

NってN

The ～ called ～. This is a shortened, casual version of ～という～.

V-Stem出す

～ starts (suddenly)

V-ようとする

About to start to ～, will try to ～.

～こともある

Sometimes do ～; ～ occasionally happens.

～られてしまう

～ was done by someone else and it inconvenienced you. Using the passive form with Personに or Objectを has a strong negative connotation. られちゃう is the shortened, casual form of られてしまう.

～による～によって（方法）

Via ～. Expresses the means or method of doing something.

～に対する～に対して

In regards to ～, as for ～, towards ～, for ～. Often used for direct actions or feelings toward another person. Often used to address a problem or refute an opinion.

～につき～

～ per ～

～通り

In that way, in the same way as.

V-ちゃいけない

Must not ～. This is a shortened (and casual) form of V-てはいけない

V-なきゃいけない

Must ～. This is a shortened (and casual) form of V-なければいけない.

V-なくちゃいけない

Must ～. This is a shortened (and casual) form ov V-なくてはいけない

V-なきゃ

Must ～. This is the casual equivalent of V- なきゃいけない. いけない is left off in casual conversation where it is understood.

～っけ

It was ～, right? This is used to confirm something you are unsure about.

Nって

って has the same meaning as は. This substitution is used mainly in conversation.

～ほど～ない

Not as ～ as ～

V-Stem、～

This conjuction has the same meaning as "V-て、～". Often used in more formal situations.

～きる

Do ～ completely; do ～ to the end

～というと～といえば～といったら

As an example of ～; when speaking of ～. This pattern is often used to express a famous/well known example of ～.

～による～によって（理由・原因）

Resulting from ～. Expresses a reason.

～うちに

While ～; during ～. Something changes or occurs at the same time as ～.

～ばいいのに

Too bad it is not ～; If only it were ～. Expresses disappointment that the current situation is not as the speaker hoped.

～てもらってもいいですか？

Can I have you ～? This is a request that is less direct that ～てください. ～ていただいてもいいですか is the polite form of ～てもらってもいいですか.

～かのよう（に、な）

It seems like ～ (but it actually not)

～向け

Geared towards ～; made for ～

～最中（に）

While I was in the middle of ～; just as I was ～. Something happened (interrupted you) while you were in the middle of doing something.

～しかない

～ is the only option; have no choice but to ～.

～からこそ

Especially because ～

からといって

Just because …, does not mean … Eventhough …, you still should not …

～ぎみ

Feel (slightly) like ～. Often used to describe your physical or mental state.

～っぱなし

Leave in the state of ～. This has a negative connotation.

～とか～とか

～や～や. Indicates examples, etc.

～てはいけない

Must not ～

～なくてはいけない

Must ～

～でございます

Humble form of です

～だそうです

It seems that ～; I heard that ～. This expresses something you heard (or read).

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many grammar points are on JLPT N3?

JLPT N3 covers approximately 200-250 grammar points. Our study list covers all patterns tested on the exam.

How long does it take to learn JLPT N3 grammar?

Most students need 6-9 months of focused study to master N3 grammar, depending on study hours per day and prior knowledge.

What is the best way to study JLPT N3 grammar?

Start by understanding each grammar pattern in context with example sentences. Practice creating your own sentences, and review regularly using spaced repetition. Taking practice tests helps identify weak areas.

Is JLPT N3 grammar difficult?

N3 grammar introduces many intermediate patterns used in everyday Japanese.