JLPT N3 Grammar Study Guide
Complete grammar study list for JLPT N3. Master all grammar patterns required for the N3 exam.
89 patterns
1
V-Stem次第
As soon as ～
2
～たとたん
Just as ～; when ～; as soon as ～
3
～ほど
To the extent that ～
4
V-るな
Don't ～
5
V-ろ (Command)
Imperative form. Gives a command.
6
～ために
For the purpose of ～; in order to ～.
Gives the goal.
7
～て初めて
Only after ～; it was not until ～
8
～によって
Depending on ～
9
～ば～ほど
The more ～, the more ～
10
～ばかり
Only ～
11
～たばかり
Just ～; recently ～
12
～を始め
Starting with ～. Used to give one
possible example.
13
～的
～al; ～ic; ～ive. Turns a noun into
a na-adjective.
14
～さえ～ば
If only
15
～まま
As it is. Expresses the state during
which.
16
～としたら
If (hypothetically) ～; in the case that
～
17
～たて
Just ～; freshly ～
18
～っぽい
Like ～; ～-ish; with ～ character
19
～に関して
In regards to ～; in relation to ～
20
ふり
Pretend to ～
21
おかげで
Thanks to ～; because of ～
22
つい～てしまう
～ without thinking; ～
unintentionally
23
V-ちゃう
End up ～. Conveys that one did
something regrettably or completely.
Short form of V-てしまう.
24
～さえ
Even ～. Gives an extreme
example, implying that other cases
are naturally true.
25
～に慣れる
Become used to ～
26
～に違いない
I am sure that ～; I absolutely think
～
27
V-ず
Without doing ～
Similar meaning to V-ないで.
28
～によると～によれば
According to ～
29
～代わりに
Instead of ～, in place of ～; in
return for ～, in exchange for ～
30
～として
As ～. Gives a role, position,
credential, etc.
31
～こそ
For sure ～. Puts emphasis on the
preceeding N.
32
～ないうちに
Before ～ happens; before ～ starts.
33
～がち
Tends to ～; often ～; easily
becomes ～
34
～と共に
Together with; at the same time
35
～たびに
Everytime ～. Expresses that each
time something happens, something
else happens.
36
～について
In regards to ～
37
～べき
Should ～. Very strong statement,
usually expressing a personal value
or social norm.
38
～べきではない
Should not ～. This is the negative
of ～べき.
39
～ことはない
There is no need to ～
40
～はずがない
～ is not possible; I cannot ～.
41
めったに～ない
Rarely; hardly ever.
42
～わけです
Therefore ～; For this reason, ～.
Expresses a result or effect.
43
～わけにはいかない
Must not ～; Cannot ～. Used when
there is some existing reason you
must not do something.
44
～ないわけにはいかない
Must ～. There is an existing
reason you must do something.
45
～わけがない
～ cannot be; There is no way that
～
46
～ないわけがない
You can definitely ～; There is no
reason ～ cannot be.
47
～とは限らない
～ is not necessarily true; ～ is not
always true.
48
～ついでに
At the same time as ～; While you
are ～.
49
～ように言われた。
I was told to ～.
50
～ということです (Hearsay)
I have heard that ～. Expresses
hearsay.
51
～ということです (Conclusion)
That means that ～.
52
～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.
53
～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.
54
NってN
The ～ called ～. This is a
shortened, casual version of
～という～.
55
V-Stem出す
～ starts (suddenly)
56
V-ようとする
About to start to ～, will try to ～.
57
～こともある
Sometimes do ～; ～ occasionally
happens.
58
～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.
59
～による～によって （方法）
Via ～. Expresses the means or
method of doing something.
60
～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.
61
～につき～
～ per ～
62
～通り
In that way, in the same way as.
63
V-ちゃいけない
Must not ～.
This is a shortened (and casual)
form of V-てはいけない
64
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.
65
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
66
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.
67
～っけ
It was ～, right?
This is used to confirm something
you are unsure about.
68
Nって
って has the same meaning as は.
This substitution is used mainly in
conversation.
69
～ほど～ない
Not as ～ as ～
70
V-Stem、～
This conjuction has the same
meaning as "V-て、～". Often used
in more formal situations.
71
～きる
Do ～ completely; do ～ to the end
72
～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 ～.
73
～による～によって （理由・原因）
Resulting from ～. Expresses a
reason.
74
～うちに
While ～; during ～. Something
changes or occurs at the same time
as ～.
75
～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.
76
～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.
77
～かのよう（に、な ）
It seems like ～ (but it actually not)
78
～向け
Geared towards ～; made for ～
79
～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.
80
～しかない
～ is the only option; have no choice
but to ～.
81
～からこそ
Especially because ～
82
からといって
Just because …, does not mean …
Eventhough …, you still should not
…
83
～ぎみ
Feel (slightly) like ～. Often used to
describe your physical or mental
state.
84
～っぱなし
Leave in the state of ～. This has a
negative connotation.
85
～とか～とか
～や～や. Indicates examples, etc.
86
～てはいけない
Must not ～
87
～なくてはいけない
Must ～
88
～でございます
Humble form of です
89
～だそうです
It seems that ～; I heard that ～.
This expresses something you heard (or read).
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.