JLPT N3 grammar doesn’t have to feel like a dry textbook march. This list pulls together about 150 of the patterns you’ll actually need to sound more human in Japanese-less robot, more you. Each one comes with a straightforward meaning and a real-life example sentence so you can see how it works in a natural conversation, not just a stiff grammar explanation.
At N3, you’re past the basics and ready to twist your sentences in new ways: expressing reasons, making comparisons, talking about things you’ve heard, and handling those tricky “if” situations. This collection skips the dusty patterns nobody uses and focuses on the grammar that shows up in daily chats, TV shows, and JLPT exams alike. Pair these patterns with JLPT N3 vocabulary for more complete exam preparation.
Grammar goblins beware: this page is packed with JLPT N3 Japanese Grammar, and you’ll want to SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM for the good stuff. There you’ll find the free printable JLPT N3 Japanese Grammar vocabulary list PDF and the free downloadable printable JLPT N3 Japanese Grammar flashcards, ready for your study session.
Use this list as a starting point, then keep going in the Yak Yacker Japanese section for more words, phrases, and study-friendly reference pages.
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| Word | Meaning | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ～からいうと | speaking from | 歴史からいうと重要だ。 | Speaking historically, it's important. |
| ～からして | judging from | 見た目からして優しそう。 | Judging from appearance, seems kind. |
| ～からすると | from the standpoint of | 経験からすると難しい。 | From experience, it's difficult. |
| ～からには | now that | 約束したからには守る。 | Now that I promised, I'll keep it. |
| ～ことがある | sometimes | 遅れることがある。 | I'm sometimes late. |
| ～ことができる | can do | 泳ぐことができる。 | I can swim. |
| ～ことにする | decide to | 行くことにした。 | I decided to go. |
| ～ことになる | it is decided that | 来月引っ越すことになる。 | It's decided we'll move next month. |
| ～ことはない | no need to | 心配することはない。 | There's no need to worry. |
| ～ざるを得ない | cannot help but | 認めざるを得ない。 | I can't help but admit it. |
| ～ずにはいられない | can't help but | 思わずにはいられない。 | Can't help but think. |
| ～たところ | when; after doing | 帰ったところ、雨が降っていた。 | When I got home, it was raining. |
| ～たらよかった | wish I had | もっと勉強したらよかった。 | I wish I had studied more. |
| ～っぱなし | left as is | 開けっぱなし | Left open. |
| ～っぽい | -ish; seems like | 子供っぽい | Childish. |
| ～てもかまわない | don't mind if | 使ってもかまわない。 | I don't mind if you use it. |
| ～てもしょうがない | no use ~ing | 泣いてもしょうがない。 | No use crying. |
| ～ということだ | I hear that; it means | 明日休みだということだ。 | I hear tomorrow is a day off. |
| ～というのは | the thing called; means | 人生というのは長い。 | Life is long. |
| ～というより | rather than | 寒いというより涼しい。 | Rather cool than cold. |
| ～といえば | speaking of | 日本といえば桜だ。 | Speaking of Japan, cherry blossoms. |
| ～といった | such as | 東京といった大都市 | Big cities such as Tokyo. |
| ～ところだ | about to / just did | 今から出るところだ。 | I'm just about to leave. |
| ～ところだった | almost (did) | 危うく忘れるところだった。 | I almost forgot. |
| ～として | as (role) | 教師として働く。 | Work as a teacher. |
Free JLPT N3 Japanese Grammar Vocabulary List and Printable Flashcards
Grab the purple vocab-list button for the JLPT N3 Japanese Grammar vocabulary list, or tap the teal flashcards button for the JLPT N3 Japanese Grammar flashcards. Both downloads are 100% free and need no signup.
