JLPT N3 Vocabulary List

Over 3,100 words with readings, romaji, and English meanings

JLPT N3 sits between knowing some Japanese and being able to use it for real, and it is the level a lot of learners find hardest to reach. The support the beginner levels give you starts to fall away, and the amount of vocabulary jumps sharply.

What JLPT N3 covers

The words get more abstract and more grown-up: opinions and emotions, work and study vocabulary, the language of news headlines, and the nuance that lets you express how you feel about something, not just what happened. This is the biggest single jump in vocabulary at any level, around 2,200 new words, and the kanji count climbs to roughly 650.

Grammar and particles at this level

N3 grammar starts to carry nuance, not just plain meaning. You meet polite and humble language (keigo) properly, the full set of conditionals (ば, たら, なら and と, each used a little differently), and the passive and causative forms for describing things done to you or making someone do something. Sentences get longer, and how their parts fit together gets harder to follow.

How to study N3

N3 is where a lot of self-taught learners stall, usually from grinding vocabulary lists without doing much reading. The way through is to read a lot, at a level that is a little harder than feels comfortable. Learner news apps, simple blogs, and manga with furigana all work well. Words stick when you meet them in context, far more than from a flashcard on its own.

All N3 words

person (same as 人 (ひと))

いけないikenai

must not do, bad, wrong

為にためにtameni

for

それでもsoredemo

but (still), and yet, nevertheless

人間にんげんningen

human being, person

別にべつにbetsuni

(not) particularly, nothing

だけどdakedo

however

俺おれore

I (ego) (boastful first-person pronoun)

しかもshikamo

moreover, furthermore, besides, plus

other (esp. places and things)

得るえるeru

to get, to gain, to win, to learn

you (sing), presence (of a high personage)

unintentional, spontaneous

ずっとzutto

for a long time; all the time; consecutively

どうしてもdoushitemo

at any cost, no matter what, no matter how hard one tries

我々われわれwareware

ただtada

free of charge; just (~); only (~)

こんなにkonnani

so, like this, in this way

理解りかいrikai

understanding, comprehension

求めるもとめるmotomeru

to request, to ask for; to seek, to search for

相手あいてaite

partner; addressee; the person you are talking to

よりyori

twist, ply

方法ほうほうhouhou

method, means, technique

あるいはaruiha

or, perhaps

付けるつけるtsukeru

to attach, to join, to add

願うねがうnegau

to desire, to wish, to request

起こるおこるokoru

to occur, to happen

姿すがたsugata

figure, shape, appearance

事件じけんjiken

event, affair, incident

全てすべてsubete

all, the whole, entirely

身みmi

body, main part

何とかなんとかnantoka

somehow, anyhow, one way or another

情報じょうほうjouhou

information, (military) intelligence

認めるみとめるmitomeru

to recognize, to notice; to approve

事実じじつjijitsu

fact, truth, reality

守るまもるmamoru

to protect; to abide (by the rules)

possible, practicable, feasible

度たびtabi

counter for occurrences

always (same as いつも) (written expression)

何でもなんでもnandemo

by all means, everything

いるかiruka

dolphin (or other small toothed whales, incl. porpoises, belugas, etc.)

考えかんがえkangae

thinking, thought, ideas

人生じんせいjinsei

(human) life (e.g., conception to death)

目的もくてきmokuteki

purpose, goal, aim

繰り返すくりかえすkurikaesu

to repeat, to do something over again

considerably, fairly, quite

いつまでもitsumademo

forever, for good, eternally

行動こうどうkoudou

action, conduct, behavior

対するたいするtaisuru

to face, to confront, to oppose

状況じょうきょうjoukyou

state of affairs, situation

氏しshi

family name, lineage

失ううしなうushinau

to lose, to part with

示すしめすshimesu

to show, to indicate

離れるはなれるhanareru

(something, someone) separates; parts from; to be apart

数すうsuu

number, figure

そのうちsonouchi

before long, eventually, sooner or later

役やくyaku

role, position

感じかんじkanji

feeling, sense, impression

友人ゆうじんyuujin

friend (formal)

違いないちがいないchigainai

(phrase) sure, no mistaking it, for certain

気に入るきにいるkiniiru

to like, to be please

自身じしんjishin

oneself

実際じっさいjissai

in fact; in actuality

portion, section, part

許すゆるすyurusu

to permit, to allow, to approve

場ばba

place, field (physics)

to adjoin, to be attached, to adhere

to be hit, to be successful

描くえがくegaku

to draw, to depict, to describe

酒さけsake

alcohol, sake

完全かんぜんkanzen

perfection, completeness

以前いぜんizen

in the past; before

突然とつぜんtotsuzen

abruptly, suddenly, unexpectedly

愛するあいするaisuru

to love

結局けっきょくkekkyoku

after all, eventually

to abide (by the rules), to obey

残すのこすnokosu

to leave (behind, over), to save, to reserve

限るかぎるkagiru

to restrict, to limit, to confine

to turn towards, to point

とんでもないtondemonai

outrageous, No way!

現在げんざいgenzai

now (same as 今 (いま)), present, current

徐々にじょじょにjojoni

slowly, little by little

程度ていどteido

degree, amount, level

努力どりょくdoryoku

great effort, exertion, endeavor

あんなにannani

to that extent, to that degree

過ごすすごすsugosu

to pass, to spend (time)

したがってshitagatte

therefore, consequently

sharing with, participate in

振るふるfuru

to wave, to shake; to sprinkle; to cast (actor)

法ほうhou

Act (law: the X Act)

他人たにんtanin

unrelated person, stranger

影響えいきょうeikyou

influence, effect

無むmu

nothing, naught, zero

能力のうりょくnouryoku

ability, faculty

激しいはげしいhageshii

violent, vehement, intense

to chase, to run after

非常ひじょうhijou

emergency, extraordinary, unusual

助けるたすけるtasukeru

to help (v.t.), to save, to rescue

まあmaa

well (used when making a modest or hesitant statement)

幸せしあわせshiawase

happiness, blessing

出会うであうdeau

to meet by chance, to come across, to happen to encounter

全体ぜんたいzentai

whole, entirety, whatever (is the matter)

受け取るうけとるuketoru

to receive, to get, to accept

ちゃんとchanto

perfectly, properly, exactly

affirmation, confirmation

約やくyaku

approximately, about, some

加えるくわえるkuwaeru

to append, to sum up, to add (up)

暮らすくらすkurasu

to live, to get along

健康けんこうkenkou

health(y)

意識いしきishiki

consciousness, senses

敵てきteki

enemy, rival

期待きたいkitai

expectation, anticipation, hope

to appear (v.i.), to become visible; to express

to talk, to tell, to recite

老人ろうじんroujin

the aged, old person

腹はらhara

abdomen, belly, stomach

馬うまuma

horse; promoted bishop (in Japanese chess known as shogi)

政府せいふseifu

government, administration

face, mug, surface, side or facet, corner, page

詳しいくわしいkuwashii

detailed; full; accurate

change, variation, shift

抱くいだくidaku

to hold (v.t.) (written expression), to embrace, to harbor

活動かつどうkatsudou

action, activity

流れるながれるnagareru

to flow, to be washed away

plot of land, lot, soil

to contain, to include

so (conj.), accordingly

letter (of alphabet), character

述べるのべるnoberu

to state, to express, to mention

作品さくひんsakuhin

work, opus, production

一生いっしょうisshou

throughout (one's) life

隠すかくすkakusu

to hide, to conceal

記憶きおくkioku

memory, recollection, remembrance

最高さいこうsaikou

highest, supreme, the most

扱うあつかうatsukau

to treat, to handle, to deal with

様子ようすyousu

aspect, state, appearance

王おうou

king

元もとmoto

origin, original; former

again, once more, a second time

ところがtokoroga

however, while, even if

息いきiki

breath

同様どうようdouyou

identical, same (kind), like

知識ちしきchishiki

knowledge, information

今回こんかいkonkai

now, this time, lately

不思議ふしぎfushigi

mystery, curiosity

望むのぞむnozomu

to desire, to wish for; to view

解決かいけつkaiketsu

settlement, solution, resolution

発見はっけんhakken

discovery, detection, finding

希望きぼうkibou

hope, wish, aspiration

to let pass, to overlook, to continue

知れるしれるshireru

to become known; to come to light; to be discovered

地球ちきゅうchikyuu

the earth

お互いおたがいotagai

mutual, reciprocal, each other

環境かんきょうkankyou

environment, circumstance

subject, contents, detail

際さいsai

on the occasion of, circumstances

機械きかいkikai

machine, machinery

奴やつyatsu

(vulg.) fellow, guy, chap

旅たびtabi

travel, trip, journey

茶ちゃcha

tea

感情かんじょうkanjou

emotion(s), feeling(s), sentiment

立場たちばtachiba

standpoint, position, situation

to exceed, to cross over, to cross

to notice, to recognize, to become aware of

額がくgaku

amount; frame

避けるさけるsakeru

to avoid (physical contact); to ward off, to avert

腰こしkoshi

hip, waist

人物じんぶつjinbutsu

character, personality, talented man

決定けっていkettei

decision, determination

地域ちいきchiiki

area, region

個人こじんkojin

individual, private person

触れるふれるfureru

to touch, to feel, to violate

種たねtane

seed; material; cause

調査ちょうさchousa

survey; investigation

文ぶんbun

sentence

性格せいかくseikaku

character, personality

選手せんしゅsenshu

player selected for a team (usually athletic)

関するかんするkansuru

to concern, to be related

仲間なかまnakama

company, fellow, colleague, associate

次第しだいshidai

order; circumstances; immediate(ly)

to come out, to fall out, to be omitted

要するにようするにyousuruni

in a word, after all, in short …

とにかくtonikaku

anyhow, at any rate, anyway

国民こくみんkokumin

national, people, citizen

to extract, to omit, to unplug

一方いっぽうippou

on the other hand; meanwhile

感謝かんしゃkansha

thanks, gratitude

乗せるのせるnoseru

to place on (something), to take on board

当時とうじtouji

at that time, in those days (same as そのころ)

分けるわけるwakeru

to divide, to separate

正確せいかくseikaku

accurate, punctuality, exact

平和へいわheiwa

peace

方向ほうこうhoukou

direction, course, way

異なることなるkotonaru

to differ, to vary

食うくうkuu

(male) (vulg.) to eat

調子ちょうしchoushi

condition, state, tune, tone

減るへるheru

to decrease (in size or number), to diminish

我慢がまんgaman

patience, endurance, perseverance

それともsoretomo

or, or else

戦うたたかうtatakau

to fight, to compete, to battle

やっぱりyappari

after all, anyway

不ふfu

un(~), non(~), negative prefix

地方ちほうchihou

area, locality, region

既にすでにsudeni

already (same as もう)

お願いしますおねがいしますonegaishimasu

Please (lit., I request)

無駄むだmuda

futility, uselessness

提案ていあんteian

proposal, proposition, suggestion

ますますmasumasu

increasingly (same as もっと), more and more

戻すもどすmodosu

to restore, to put back, to return

～敗はいhai

counter for loss, defeat

なぜならnazenara

because

表現ひょうげんhyougen

expression, presentation

to tie, to bind, to link

要求ようきゅうyoukyuu

request, demand

取れるとれるtoreru

to come off, to be taken off

主張しゅちょうshuchou

claim, insistence, assertion

不安ふあんfuan

anxiety, uneasiness

常つねtsune

usual state of things

作業さぎょうsagyou

work, operation, manufacturing

罪つみtsumi

crime, fault, indiscretion

contract, compact, agreement

宇宙うちゅうuchuu

universe, cosmos, space

時期じきjiki

time, season, period

商品しょうひんshouhin

commodity, merchandise

信用しんようshin'you

confidence, dependence

一体いったいittai

one object; body; what on earth?; generally

to take up, to pick up; to confiscate

引っ張るひっぱるhipparu

to pull, to stretch, to drag

断ることわるkotowaru

to refuse, to decline, to dismiss

除くのぞくnozoku

to remove, to exclude, to except

城しろshiro

castle

流すながすnagasu

to drain, to float, to shed (e.g., blood, tears)

信頼しんらいshinrai

reliance, trust, confidence

携帯けいたいkeitai

carrying something; mobile telephone

to be puzzled, to be perplexed, to lose one's way

If that's the case..., If so..., That being the case...

使用しようshiyou

use (same as 使うこと (つかうこと)), application, employment, utilization

閉じるとじるtojiru

to close (e.g., book, eyes), to shut

評価ひょうかhyouka

assessment, evaluation

伸ばすのばすnobasu

to extend, to stretch, to reach out

夫婦ふうふfuufu

married couple, husband and wife

実行じっこうjikkou

practice, execution (e.g., program), realization

眺めるながめるnagameru

to view, to gaze at

恐れるおそれるosoreru

to fear, to be afraid of

to shine, to glitter, to sparkle

表情ひょうじょうhyoujou

facial expression

切れるきれるkireru

to cut well, to be sharp; to break (off)

飛び出すとびだすtobidasu

to jump out, to rush out, to fly out

新たあらたarata

new, fresh

回復かいふくkaifuku

recovery (from illness), rehabilitation, restoration

海外かいがいkaigai

foreign, abroad, overseas

teaching, instruction; professor

手段しゅだんshudan

means, way, measure

主義しゅぎshugi

doctrine, cause, principle

否定ひていhitei

negation, denial

発表はっぴょうhappyou

announcement; publication; presentation

恐ろしいおそろしいosoroshii

terrible, dreadful

議論ぎろんgiron

argument, discussion, dispute

局きょくkyoku

office, bureau, station(TV, radio)

duty, obligation, responsibility

to hold or carry under or in the arms

広がるひろがるhirogaru

to spread (out), to extend, to stretch, to reach to, to get around

circumstances, situation, reasons

不足ふそくfusoku

insufficiency, shortage

苦労くろうkurou

hardship; suffering

魅力みりょくmiryoku

charm, fascination, appeal

書類しょるいshorui

documents, official papers

to invite (someone to do something with you); to tempt, to lure

犯罪はんざいhanzai

crime

直接ちょくせつchokusetsu

direct, immediate, firsthand

before long, soon, at length

協力きょうりょくkyouryoku

cooperation, collaboration

育つそだつsodatsu

to be brought up, to grow (up)

企業きぎょうkigyou

industry, business, undertaking

目標もくひょうmokuhyou

mark, objective, target

普段ふだんfudan

in everyday situations, usually, ordinarily

案あんan

plan, scheme, proposal

支配しはいshihai

rule, control, direction

正直しょうじきshoujiki

honesty, integrity, frankness

しゃべるshaberu

to talk, to chat, to chatter (same as 話す (はなす))

自己じこjiko

self, oneself

指導しどうshidou

leadership, guidance, coaching

構うかまうkamau

to care about

記録きろくkiroku

record, minutes, document

緊張きんちょうkinchou

tension, mental strain, nervousness

利益りえきrieki

profits, gains

ええとeeto

let me see, well, er...

actual spot, scene, field

犯人はんにんhannin

offender, criminal

きちんとkichinto

precisely, accurately

言語げんごgengo

language

笑顔えがおegao

smile (on one's face)

経営けいえいkeiei

management, administration

生命せいめいseimei

life

組織そしきsoshiki

organization; structure; tissue

用いるもちいるmochiiru

to use, to make use of

優れるすぐれるsugureru

to surpass, to outstrip, to excel

実現じつげんjitsugen

implementation, materialization, realization

疑問ぎもんgimon

question, problem, doubt

差すさすsasu

to raise (stretch out) hands, to raise (e.g., umbrella)

末すえsue

the end of, powder

積極的せっきょくてきsekkyokuteki

positive, active, proactive

袋ふくろfukuro

bag, sack

財産ざいさんzaisan

property, fortune, assets

完成かんせいkansei

complete, completion; perfection

target; object (of worship, study, etc.); subject (i.e., of taxation)

without change, as it is (e.g., now)

注文ちゅうもんchuumon

order, request

申し訳ないもうしわけないmoushiwakenai

inexcusable, I am sorry

問うとうtou

to ask, to question

傾向けいこうkeikou

tendency, trend, inclination

国家こっかkokka

state, country, nation

逆ぎゃくgyaku

reverse, opposite

疑ううたがうutagau

to doubt, to distrust

瞬間しゅんかんshunkan

moment, second

悩むなやむnayamu

to agonize, to be troubled

計算けいさんkeisan

calculation, reckoning

感覚かんかくkankaku

sense, sensation

握るにぎるnigiru

to grasp, to seize, to mold sushi

presentation, submission, filing

肌はだhada

skin

進めるすすめるsusumeru

to advance, to promote, to hasten

諦めるあきらめるakirameru

to give up, to abandon

勧めるすすめるsusumeru

to urge (someone) to do (something), to recommend

桜さくらsakura

cherry blossom, cherry tree

予想よそうyosou

expectation, anticipation, prediction

control, management (e.g., of a business)

much, considerably (same as 大変 (たいへん)), greatly

frequently, repeatedly, eagerly

救うすくうsukuu

to rescue from, to help out of

まさかmasaka

by no means

任せるまかせるmakaseru

to entrust to another, to leave to

攻撃こうげきkougeki

attack, strike, offensive

生物せいぶつseibutsu

living thing, organism

話し合うはなしあうhanashiau

to discuss, to talk together

いわゆるiwayuru

the so-called, so-to-speak

詩しshi

poem; poetry

備えるそなえるsonaeru

to prepare, to furnish, to store

確かめるたしかめるtashikameru

to ascertain, to make sure

処理しょりshori

processing, treatment, disposition

出来事できごとdekigoto

incident happening, event

もったいないmottainai

wasteful; more than one deserves, unworthy of

difference, variation

至るいたるitaru

to come, to arrive

支えるささえるsasaeru

support, hold, sustain

世の中よのなかyononaka

society, the world

興奮こうふんkoufun

excitement, stimulation

集中しゅうちゅうshuuchuu

concentration, focusing the mind

賞しょうshou

prize, award

勇気ゆうきyuuki

courage, bravery, boldness

外すはずすhazusu

to unfasten, to remove

未来みらいmirai

future (life tense)

似合うにあうniau

to suit (a person), to match (clothing), (something) becomes (someone)

覆うおおうoou

to cover, to hide, to conceal

機能きのうkinou

function, faculty

中央ちゅうおうchuuou

central, center, middle

unexpected, surprising

伸びるのびるnobiru

to extend, to make progress, to grow

地位ちいchii

(social) position, status

期間きかんkikan

period, term

隠れるかくれるkakureru

to hide, to be hidden

assigning (allotment of) parts, role, duties

影かげkage

shade, shadow, other side

to thrust, to strike; to poke

周囲しゅういshuui

surroundings, circumference, environs

宗教しゅうきょうshuukyou

religion

巻くまくmaku

to wind, to coil, to roll

最終さいしゅうsaishuu

last, closing

先日せんじつsenjitsu

the other day, a few days ago

隊たいtai

party, troops

小学生しょうがくせいshougakusei

elementary school pupil

なりnari

or something; for instance ... (though there are other suitable options)

礼れいrei

expression of gratitude; bow

change, modification, alteration

人類じんるいjinrui

mankind, humanity

豊かゆたかyutaka

abundant, wealthy, plentiful, rich

訴えるうったえるuttaeru

to complain, to appeal, to sue (a person)

頼るたよるtayoru

to rely on, to have recourse to, to depend on

訪問ほうもんhoumon

call, visit

上るのぼるnoboru

to ascend, to go up, to climb

確実かくじつkakujitsu

certainty, reliability, soundness

consent, assent, understanding

supervision, control, (movie) director

雰囲気ふんいきfun'iki

atmosphere (e.g., musical), mood, ambiance

to surround, to encircle

範囲はんいhan'i

extent, scope, range

一致いっちitchi

agreement; conformity

癖くせkuse

a habit (often a bad habit), peculiarity

光景こうけいkoukei

scene, spectacle

婦人ふじんfujin

woman (same as 女性 (じょせい)、女の人 (おんなのひと))

巨大きょだいkyodai

huge, gigantic, enormous

位くらいkurai

grade, rank, about

検査けんさkensa

inspection, examination

今後こんごkongo

from now on, hereafter

thick (as of color, liquid), dense, strong

職しょくshoku

employment

同士どうしdoushi

one another, companion, comrade

rarely (with neg. verb), seldom

lamplight, light (in general)

寄せるよせるyoseru

to collect, to gather, to put aside

職業しょくぎょうshokugyou

occupation, business

命令めいれいmeirei

order, command, decree

arrest, apprehension, capture

つまりtsumari

namely; in other words; in short

奇妙きみょうkimyou

strange, queer, curious

simultaneous(ly), same time

偶然ぐうぜんguuzen

(by) chance, unexpectedly

辞めるやめるyameru

to retire

幸福こうふくkoufuku

happiness, blessedness

感動かんどうkandou

being deeply moved, excitement

検討けんとうkentou

consideration, examination, investigation

商売しょうばいshoubai

trade, business, commerce

撃つうつutsu

to attack, to shoot

仲なかnaka

relation, relationship

poor (at), weak (in), dislike (of)

苦しむくるしむkurushimu

to suffer, to groan, to be worried

丘おかoka

hill, height

解くとくtoku

to unfasten; answer, solve

嫌うきらうkirau

to hate, to dislike, to loathe

収入しゅうにゅうshuunyuu

income, revenue

成績せいせきseiseki

grade (i.e., on a test), academic record

to raise; to list, to cite

破るやぶるyaburu

to tear; to violate; to defeat

不満ふまんfuman

dissatisfaction, discontent, complaints

膝ひざhiza

knee, lap

沈むしずむshizumu

to sink; to feel depressed

震えるふるえるfurueru

to shiver, to shake, to quake

質しつshitsu

quality, nature (of person)

perhaps, maybe, by some chance

材料ざいりょうzairyou

ingredients, material

列れつretsu

queue, line, row

広げるひろげるhirogeru

to spread, to extend, to expand, to enlarge

assistance, aid, support

rate, ratio, percentage

次々つぎつぎtsugitsugi

in succession, one by one

いつのまにかitsunomanika

before one knows

大会たいかいtaikai

convention, (big) tournament, mass meeting

小屋こやkoya

hut, cabin, shed

慌てるあわてるawateru

to become confused、to panic

地下ちかchika

basement, underground

world, society, generation

日常にちじょうnichijou

ordinary, regular, everyday

発展はってんhatten

development, growth, progress

超えるこえるkoeru

to exceed, to cross over, to cross

上司じょうしjoushi

one's superior

大勢おおぜいoozei

great number of people

構成こうせいkousei

organization, composition

恋人こいびとkoibito

lover; sweetheart; girlfriend

数字すうじsuuji

numeral, figure

資格しかくshikaku

qualifications, requirements, capabilities

discomfort, disability, inconvenience

実みmi

fruit, seed, good result

必ずしもかならずしもkanarazushimo

(not) always, (not) necessarily

代表だいひょうdaihyou

representative, delegation

尊敬そんけいsonkei

respect, reverence, honor

重大じゅうだいjuudai

serious, important

満ちるみちるmichiru

to be full, to mature

middle school, junior high school

夢中むちゅうmuchuu

crush, crazy, be hooked on

温かいあたたかいatatakai

warm

少々しょうしょうshoushou

a little; short (time) (formal for 少し (すこし))

速度そくどsokudo

speed, velocity, rate

表面ひょうめんhyoumen

surface, outside, face

鋭いするどいsurudoi

pointed, sharp

慎重しんちょうshinchou

careful, prudent, cautious

doctorate, PhD., doctor

to pile up, to put something on another, to heap up

full, in plenty, ample

位置いちichi

place, position

昼食ちゅうしょくchuushoku

lunch (same as 昼ご飯 (ひるごはん))

to be handed down, to be transmitted

care, protection, shelter

運うんun

fortune, luck

当たり前あたりまえatarimae

usual, common, obvious

characteristic(s); feature(s); trait(s)

one's line of sight; one's gaze; one's eyes (looking); glance

見事みごとmigoto

splendid, magnificent

販売はんばいhanbai

sale, selling, marketing

旦那だんなdanna

master (of house), husband (informal)

滞在たいざいtaizai

stay, sojourn

思い出おもいでomoide

memories, recollections, reminiscence

美人びじんbijin

beautiful person (woman)

each, every, respectively

便びんbin

way, means; flight

加わるくわわるkuwawaru

to join in, to accede to

不幸ふこうfukou

unhappiness, sorrow, misfortune

占めるしめるshimeru

to take up; to account for

tight, close, intense

売れるうれるureru

to be sold

図ずzu

figure, drawing, illustration

離すはなすhanasu

to part, to separate

殴るなぐるnaguru

to strike; to hit; to punch

建設けんせつkensetsu

construction, foundation

真剣しんけんshinken

seriousness, earnestness

集団しゅうだんshuudan

group, mass

品しなshina

thing, article, goods

独立どくりつdokuritsu

independence (e.g., Ind. Day), self-support

midnight, dead of night

現象げんしょうgenshou

phenomenon

すれ違うすれちがうsurechigau

to pass by one another

親しいしたしいshitashii

intimate, close (e.g., friend)

深刻しんこくshinkoku

serious

吐くはくhaku

to throw up, to vomit

roughly, in round numbers

to defend (against), to protect, to prevent

全国ぜんこくzenkoku

the entire nation, country-wide, nation-wide

秒びょうbyou

second (60th min)

機関きかんkikan

engine; institution, organization

稼ぐかせぐkasegu

to earn income, to labor

to arise, to ascend, to go up

借金しゃっきんshakkin

debt, loan, liabilities

riddle, puzzle, enigma

guarantee, assurance, warranty

a species, a kind, a variety

冷静れいせいreisei

calm, coolness

爆発ばくはつbakuhatsu

explosion, detonation, eruption

相当そうとうsoutou

considerably, fairly; worth ~

営業えいぎょうeigyou

business, trade, management

模様もようmoyou

pattern, figure, design

建築けんちくkenchiku

construction, architecture

記念きねんkinen

commemoration, memory

to raise, to lift up, to flatter

多少たしょうtashou

a little (same as 少し (すこし))

desperation, frantic, inevitable result

更にさらにsarani

furthermore, moreover

狂うくるうkuruu

to go mad, to get out of order

収めるおさめるosameru

to store to pay, to supply

消費しょうひshouhi

consumption, expenditure

to get tired of, to lose interest in

偉大いだいidai

greatness

倒すたおすtaosu

to throw down, to beat

詰めるつめるtsumeru

to pack, to shorten, to work out (details)

success, passing (e.g., exam)

住民じゅうみんjuumin

inhabitants, residents

埋めるうめるumeru

to bury, to fill up, to fill (a seat, a vacant position)

注目ちゅうもくchuumoku

notice, attention, observation

自動じどうjidou

automatic, self-motion

tough; physically strenuous

resolution, resignation, readiness

equilibrium, balance, average

emphasis, stress, stressed point

鬼おにoni

ogre, demon, 'it' (e.g.,in a game of tag)

中止ちゅうしchuushi

suspension, stoppage, discontinuance

演奏えんそうensou

musical performance

寧ろむしろmushiro

rather, better, instead

学者がくしゃgakusha

scholar

区別くべつkubetsu

distinction, differentiation, classification

越すこすkosu

to go over (e.g., with audience)

consideration, taking into account

批判ひはんhihan

criticism

開始かいしkaishi

start, commencement, beginning

王様おうさまousama

king

一時いちじichiji

for a time, temporarily

候補こうほkouho

candidacy

維持いじiji

maintenance, preservation

欠けるかけるkakeru

to be lacking

解釈かいしゃくkaishaku

explanation, interpretation

金属きんぞくkinzoku

metal

製品せいひんseihin

manufactured goods, finished goods

像ぞうzou

statue, image

JLPT N3 questions

Why is N3 considered the hardest jump?

The vocabulary roughly doubles compared to everything below it, around 2,200 new words, and the grammar shifts from stating facts to expressing nuance. Many learners plateau here simply because the volume is so much larger.

How many words and kanji does N3 need?

Roughly 2,200 new words for about 3,700 cumulative, and around 650 kanji. It is a serious step up from N4.

Is N3 enough to work in Japan?

For many service and casual roles, yes, and a lot of employers treat it as a baseline. More demanding professional work usually expects N2 or above.

Other JLPT levels

JLPT N5 JLPT N4 JLPT N2 JLPT N1