This is a complete list of the Japanese grammar rules needed to study for and pass the N3 Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
Although there is no official JLPT N3 grammar list, most grammar points that have been featured on previous tests are included in this list.
Each lesson is arranged in English romaji alphabetical order. In total, there are over 182 grammar lessons that you need to know in order to pass the N3.
Click on the lesson link for detailed notes about grammar structure, how-to-use, conjugations, example sentences, interactive aids, and more.
Bonus downloads for supporters on Patreon:
- Printable PDF N3 grammar list / N3 kanji list
- Ebook – N3 Grammar Master Complete Study Guide
- N3 grammar flashcard batch download, and more!
| # | Grammar Lesson | 文法レッスン | Grammar Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | kesshite~nai | 決して～ない（けっして～ない） | never; by no means ~ |
| 42 | kirenai | 切れない（きれない） | unable to do; too much to finish/complete |
| 43 | kiri | きり | only; just; since; after ~ |
| 44 | kiru | 切る（きる） | to do something completely to the end |
| 45 | kke | っけ | a casual suffix to confirm something you are trying to remember |
| 46 | komu | 込む（こむ） | to do something for a long time or to move something inside |
| 47 | koso | こそ | for sure (emphasize preceding word); precisely; definitely ~ |
| 48 | koto | こと | (must) do |
| 49 | koto kara | ことから | from the fact that ~ |
| 50 | koto ni natteiru | ことになっている | to be expected to; to be scheduled to; it has been decided as a rule that |
| 51 | koto wa nai | ことはない | there is no need to; (something) never happens; there is no possibility that ~ |
| 52 | koto wa~ga | ことは～が | although; but ~ |
| 53 | kurai / gurai | くらい・ぐらい | approximately; about; around; to the extent ~ |
| 54 | kuse ni | くせに | and yet; although; despite the fact that ~ |
| 55 | maru de | まるで | as if; as though; just like ~ |
| 56 | masaka | まさか | there's no way; that's impossible; you must be joking |
| 57 | metta ni~nai | めったに～ない | hardly; rarely; seldom |
| 58 | mo~ba~mo | も～ば～も | and; also; as well; either/or; neither/nor |
| 59 | moshika shitara | もしかしたら | perhaps; maybe; perchance; by any chance ~ |
| 60 | moshimo~tara | もしも〜たら | if; in the case; supposing ~ |
| 61 | muke | 向け（むけ） | intended for; aimed at ~ |
| 62 | muki | 向き（むき） | suitable for ~ |
| 63 | mushiro | むしろ | rather; instead; better ~ |
| 64 | nagara mo | ながらも | but; although; despite ~ |
| 65 | nai koto wa nai | ないことはない | can do; is not impossible to ~ |
| 66 | naito | ないと | must do; unless/if you don't ~ |
| 67 | nakanaka | なかなか | very; quite; pretty; rather; just not ~ |
| 68 | nanka / nante / nado | なんか / なんて / など | give examples; show modesty; make light of ~ |
| 69 | naosu | 直す（なおす） | to do something again; to do over |
| 70 | naru beku | なるべく | as much as possible |
| 71 | nazenara | なぜなら | because; the reason is; if you want to know why |
| 72 | ndatte | んだって | I hear that; heard that ~ |
| 73 | ni chigai nai | に違いない（にちがいない） | I’m sure/ certain; no doubt that ~ |
| 74 | ni hanshite | に反して（にはんして） | against; contrary to; in contrast to ~ |
| 75 | ni kakete | にかけて | over (a period); through; concerning; regarding ~ |
| 76 | ni kan suru / ni kan shite | に関する / に関して（にかんする / にかんして） | about; regarding; related to ~ |
| 77 | ni kawatte / ni kawari | にかわって / にかわり | instead of; replacing; on behalf of ~ |
| 78 | ni kurabete | に比べて（にくらべて） | compared to; in comparison to ~ |
| 79 | ni nareru | に慣れる（になれる） | to be used to something |
| 80 | ni oite / ni okeru | において / における | in; at (place); regarding; as for; in relation to ~ |
JLPT N3 Grammar List total: (182)
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Nihongo So-matome: JLPT N3 Grammar
In my opinion, this is the best book for studying JLPT N3 grammar. This is the book I used and it helped me pass the JLPT on my first try. It covers all of the JLPT N3 Grammar in 6 weeks, with an easy to follow study schedule. There are translations in English (and other languages), but most of the book and explainations are written in Japanese.
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Tobira Gateway to Intermediate Japanese
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