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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ～ようにする | try to; make sure to | 早く寝るようにする。 | I try to sleep early. |
| ～ようになった | came to be able / started to | 話せるようになった。 | I came to be able to speak. |
| ～ように言う | tell someone to | 来るように言った。 | I told them to come. |
| ～わけだ | no wonder; that explains it | 忙しいわけだ。 | No wonder you're busy. |
| ～わけではない | does not mean that | 嫌いなわけではない。 | It's not that I dislike it. |
| ～をはじめ | starting with | 田中さんをはじめ多くの人が来た。 | Many came, starting with Tanaka. |
| ～をめぐって | concerning; around | 問題をめぐって議論する。 | Debate around the issue. |
| ～を中心に | centered on | 東京を中心に広がる。 | Spread centered on Tokyo. |
| ～を込めて | filled with | 愛を込めて作る。 | Make with love. |
| ～を通して | through | 経験を通して学ぶ。 | Learn through experience. |
| ～一方だ | more and more (trend) | 悪化する一方だ。 | It keeps getting worse. |
| ～一方で | on the other hand | 一方で問題もある。 | On the other hand, there are problems. |
| ～上で | after; upon | 確認した上で決める。 | Decide after confirming. |
| ～向き | suited for | 子供向きの本 | A book suited for children. |
| ～向け | intended for | 初心者向け | For beginners. |
| ～最中に | in the middle of | 食事中に電話が鳴った。 | The phone rang during the meal. |
| ～末に | after a long time | 悩んだ末に決めた。 | Decided after much worry. |
| ～次第 | as soon as; depending on | 着次第連絡する。 | Contact as soon as I arrive. |
| ～気味 | feel like; -ish | 風邪気味だ。 | I feel like I'm catching a cold. |
| ～限り | as long as | 生きている限り希望がある。 | As long as alive, there's hope. |
| Kanji | Meaning | Example Sentence | Rōmaji |
| Pattern | Example | Rōmaji | English |
| Point | Use It For | Quick Tip | |
| Vない + こともある | sometimes do not | Shūmatsu wa soto ni denai koto mo aru. | |
| Vる + ことがある | sometimes do | Tomodachi to yoru gohan o taberu koto ga aru. |
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.
