JLPT Guide / N3 Level

JLPT N3 Study Guide: Kanji, Vocabulary & Grammar

JLPT N3 is where many learners meet the “intermediate wall.” This guide covers key N3 kanji, vocabulary, grammar, reading connectors, and a realistic study plan.

Written by Chiho Kamioka
 Updated: 2026-05-26
JLPT N3 kanji and vocabulary study cards for intermediate Japanese

JLPT N3 at a Glance

  • Level: Intermediate level between basic Japanese and advanced Japanese
  • Kanji: About 650 characters
  • Vocabulary: Around 3,500+ common words
  • Grammar: Patterns for nuance, conditions, contrast, intention, and indirect expression
  • Goal: Understand everyday Japanese in longer conversations and short written passages with some complexity

Note: Numbers are approximate study targets. The official JLPT does not publish exact kanji or vocabulary lists.

How Many Kanji Do You Need for JLPT N3?

Most JLPT N3 learners aim for around 650 kanji. At N3, the challenge is not simply memorizing more characters. You need to recognize kanji quickly inside longer words, phrases, announcements, emails, and reading passages.

Compared with N4, you will encounter more vocabulary made up of multiple kanji. For example, you may see words such as 状じょう況きょう (situation), 関かん係けい (relationship), 意い見けん (opinion), and 経けい験けん (experience). Understanding these words will help you follow conversations, explanations, and reading passages more easily.

Common JLPT N3 Words by Category

JLPT N3 vocabulary becomes more abstract than N4. The categories below show common N3-style words for situations, reasons, opinions, relationships, changes, and social information.

Situations, Reasons & Conditions

場ば合あい / 理り由ゆう / 条じょう件けん / 状じょう況きょう

Translation: case, reason, condition, situation

People, Feelings & Relationships

相あい手て / 気き持もち / 気き分ぶん / 関かん係けい

Translation: other person, feeling, mood, relationship

Opinions, Ideas & Explanation

考かんがえ / 意い味み / 表ひょう現げん / 説せつ明めい

Translation: idea, meaning, expression, explanation

Information, Society & Daily Life

情じょう報ほう / 資し料りょう / 生せい活かつ / 習しゅう慣かん

Translation: information, materials, daily life, custom

Change, Progress & Comparison

変へん化か / 進しん歩ぽ / 増ふえる / 比ひ較かく

Translation: change, progress, increase, comparison

Plans, Goals & Daily Decisions

予よ定てい / 約やく束そく / 目もく的てき / 決けつ定てい

Translation: schedule, promise, purpose, decision

Sample JLPT N3 Kanji

Below is a sample of 24 kanji that often appear in JLPT N3 reading passages, notices, explanations, and everyday conversations. At N3, it is more important to recognize kanji quickly in words and sentences than to memorize each character by itself.

KanjiRomajiHiraganaMeaningExample Word
比 hi / kura ひ・くら compare 比くらべる
較 kaku かく comparison 比ひ較かく
解 kai / to かい・と understand / solve 理り解かい
現 gen / arawa げん・あらわ appear / actual 現げん在ざい
結 ketsu / musu けつ・むす connect / result 結けっ果か
応 ō おう respond 対たい応おう
連 ren / tsu れん・つ connect / take along 連れん絡らく
続 zoku / tsuzu ぞく・つづ continue 続つづける
増 zō / fu ぞう・ふ increase 増ふえる
減 gen / he げん・へ decrease 減へる
変 hen / ka へん・か change 変かわる
認 nin / mito にん・みと recognize / admit 確かく認にんする
確 kaku / tashi かく・たし certain / confirm 確たしかめる
状 jō じょう condition / state 状じょう態たい
件 ken けん matter / case 条じょう件けん
常 jō / tsune じょう・つね usual / ordinary 日にち常じょう
決 ketsu / ki けつ・き decide 決きめる
定 tei / sada てい・さだ fixed / decide 予よ定てい
予 yo よ beforehand 予よ約やく
由 yū / yu ゆう・ゆ reason 理り由ゆう
経 kei / he けい・へ experience / pass through 経けい験けん
験 ken / gen けん・げん test / experience 試し験けん
報 hō / muku ほう・むく report / inform 情じょう報ほう
限 gen / kagi げん・かぎ limit 限かぎる

Study note: At JLPT N3 level, kanji becomes easier to remember when you learn it together with common words. For example, you can connect one kanji with words such as 理り解かい, 確かく認にん, and 情じょう報ほう.

Common N3 Kanji Mistakes

At N3, learners often know the meaning of each kanji but confuse similar words or similar-looking compounds. Study these as word pairs, not just characters.

Confusing 予よ定てい and 予よ想そう

予定 vs 予想

予よ定てい means “schedule” or “plan,” while 予よ想そう means “expectation” or “prediction.” Both begin with 予, but the meanings are different.

Confusing 変へん更こう and 変へん化か

変更 vs 変化

変へん更こう means “change” in the sense of modifying something, while 変へん化か means a natural change or transformation.

Confusing 経けい験けん and 実じっ験けん

経験 vs 実験

経けい験けん means “experience,” while 実じっ験けん means “experiment.” Both use 験, so learners sometimes confuse them.

Confusing 関かん係けい and 関かん心しん

関係 vs 関心

関かん係けい means “relationship,” while 関かん心しん means “interest.” Notice the second kanji.

At N3, it is often more helpful to review two or three similar compounds together than to memorize kanji one by one.

Sample JLPT N3 Vocabulary

Use these 30 high-frequency N3 words to practice reading longer, more natural Japanese sentences.
Read each example aloud, then try to explain the same idea in your own words.

Nouns

WordRomajiHiraganaMeaningExample Sentence
場合 baai ばあい case / situation 雨あめの 場ば合あいは、イベントを 中ちゅう止しします。
機会 kikai きかい opportunity / chance 日に本ほん語ごを 話はなす 機き会かいを 増ふやしたいです。
理由 riyū りゆう reason その 理り由ゆうを もう少し 説せつ明めいしてください。
意見 iken いけん opinion みんなの 意い見けんを 聞きいてから 決きめます。
原因 gen'in げんいん cause 失しっ敗ぱいの 原げん因いんを 考かんがえました。
結果 kekka けっか result 試し験けんの 結けっ果かは 来らい週しゅうわかります。
効果 kōka こうか effect この 勉べん強きょう方ほう法ほうは とても 効こう果かがあります。
計画 keikaku けいかく plan 夏なつ休やすみの 計けい画かくを 立たてています。
目的 mokuteki もくてき purpose / goal 勉べん強きょうの 目もく的てきを はっきりさせましょう。
内容 naiyō ないよう content メールの 内ない容ようを 確かく認にんしました。

Verbs

WordRomajiHiraganaMeaningExample Sentence
比べる kuraberu くらべる to compare 二つの 方ほう法ほうを 比くらべてみました。
選ぶ erabu えらぶ to choose 自じ分ぶんに 合あうクラスを 選えらびましょう。
伝える tsutaeru つたえる to tell / convey 先せん生せいに 希き望ぼうを 伝つたえました。
続ける tsuzukeru つづける to continue 毎まい日にち 少しずつ 勉べん強きょうを 続つづけています。
進む susumu すすむ to move forward / progress 読どっ解かいの 勉べん強きょうが 進すすみました。
変わる kawaru かわる to change N3になると、読よむ 文ぶんの 長ながさが 変かわります。
減る heru へる to decrease 練れん習しゅうすると 間ま違ちがいが 減へります。
確かめる tashikameru たしかめる to check / make sure 答こたえを 見みる前まえに、もう一いち度ど 確たしかめます。
間に合う maniau まにあう to be in time 締しめ切きりに 間まに合あいました。
断る kotowaru ことわる to refuse / decline 都つ合ごうが 悪わるかったので、誘さそいを 断ことわりました。

Adjectives & Adverbs

WordRomajiHiraganaMeaningExample Sentence
重要 jūyō じゅうよう important N3では 文ぶんの 流ながれを 理り解かいすることが 重じゅう要ようです。
普通 futsū ふつう normal / usually 日に本ほんでは それが 普ふ通つうです。
残念 zannen ざんねん unfortunate 残ざん念ねんですが、きょうは 参さん加かできません。
不安 fuan ふあん anxious / uneasy 長ながい文ぶんを 読よむとき、少し 不ふ安あんになります。
急に kyū ni きゅうに suddenly 日に本ほん語ごが 急きゅうに 難むずかしく 感かんじます。
特に toku ni とくに especially 特とくに 読どっ解かいが 難むずかしいです。
必ず kanarazu かならず always / without fail 新あたらしい 単たん語ごは 必かならず 例れい文ぶんで 覚おぼえます。
だんだん dandan だんだん gradually 毎まい日にち 読よむと、だんだん 速はやくなります。
なるべく narubeku なるべく as much as possible なるべく 毎まい日にち 日に本ほん語ごを 聞ききましょう。
つまり tsumari つまり in other words つまり、N3は 初しょ級きゅうから 中ちゅう級きゅうへ 進すすむための 大たい切せつなレベルです。

Core N3 Grammar Patterns

N3 grammar helps you connect ideas, explain reasons, describe changes, and express more natural opinions. These patterns are selected from Japonin’s N3 grammar list and often appear in reading passages and listening conversations.

〜うちに

忘わすれないうちに、新あたらしい単たん語ごを 復ふく習しゅうしましょう。

〜ことになる

来らい月げつから N3クラスを 受うけることになりました。

〜ことにする

毎まい日にち 10分ぷん、漢かん字じを 練れん習しゅうすることにしました。

〜ばかりでなく

N3では 文ぶん法ぽうばかりでなく、語ご彙いや読どっ解かいの力ちからも 大たい切せつです。

〜たびに

この文ぶん法ぽうを 見みるたびに、前まえのレッスンを 思おもい出だします。

〜てからでないと

基き本ほんを 覚おぼえてからでないと、長ながい文ぶんを 読よむのは 難むずかしいです。

〜というより

この問もん題だいは 難むずかしいというより、読よみにくいです。

〜とは限らない

知しっている単たん語ごが 多おおいからといって、読どっ解かいが 簡かん単たんになるとは限かぎりません。

〜ないことはない

この文ぶんは 読よめないことはありませんが、少すこし時じ間かんがかかります。

〜わけではない

N3に 合ごう格かくしたら、すぐに 何なんでも 話はなせるわけではありません。

For more natural examples, see our guide to JLPT N3 grammar examples in real Japanese.

N3 Connectors That Improve Reading Speed

At N3, connectors become more important in reading. They help you understand reasons, results, added information, conditions, contrasts, examples, and conclusions in longer passages.

WordMeaning / Use
そこで
sokode
 so / therefore, leading to an action
そのため
sono tame
 because of that / as a result
その結果
sono kekka
 as a result
その上
sono ue
 moreover / in addition
しかも
shikamo
 moreover / besides, with emphasis
さらに
sarani
 furthermore / even more
ただし
tadashi
 however / but with a condition or limitation
ところが
tokoroga
 however / unexpectedly
一方
ippō
 on the other hand
それに対して
sore ni taishite
 in contrast to that
つまり
tsumari
 in other words / that means
例えば
tatoeba
 for example
なぜなら
nazenara
 because / used before giving a reason

Examples

  • 時間じかんが あまり ありませんでした。そこで、タクシーで 行いくことに しました。
  • 毎日まいにち 漢字かんじを 練習れんしゅうしました。その結果、テストで 高たかい 点てんが 取とれました。
  • 天気てんきは よくなると 思おもっていました。ところが、午後ごごから 雨あめが 降ふり始はじめました。
  • 日本にほんには 有名ゆうめいな 食たべ物ものが たくさん あります。例えば、寿司すしや ラーメンです。

Tip: In N3 reading, underline connectors first. They often show whether the next sentence gives a reason, result, added information, condition, contrast, example, or conclusion.

N3 Reading and Listening Strategy

Many N3 learners say, “I know the grammar, but I cannot read fast enough,” or “I understand the words, but listening feels too quick.” This is normal at the intermediate level.

For reading

  • Look for connectors first.
  • Find the topic and conclusion.
  • Do not translate every word into English.
  • Practice short texts repeatedly until your speed improves.

For listening

  • Listen for the situation first.
  • Catch who, when, where, and what changed.
  • Pay attention to contrast words like でも and しかし.
  • Review transcripts after listening.

Mini Quiz: Can You Follow N3 Reading Flow?

These quick questions review N3 connectors, vocabulary, grammar, and reading strategies introduced above.

Q1. Choose the best connector: 「時間じかんが あまり ありませんでした。＿＿、電車でんしゃで 行いくことに しました。」

  1. 例えば
  2. そこで
  3. ちなみに
Show Answer

Answer: ② そこで
It shows a situation leading to an action.

Q2. What does 「理由りゆう」 mean?

  1. result
  2. reason
  3. schedule
Show Answer

Answer: ② reason

Q3. Choose the best connector for contrast: 「兄あには 外そとで 遊あそぶのが 好すきです。＿＿、弟おとうとは 家いえで 本ほんを 読よむのが 好すきです。」

  1. さらに
  2. 一方
  3. その結果
Show Answer

Answer: ② 一方
It compares two different situations.

Q4. Choose the best connector: 「この 店みせは 安やすいです。＿＿、サービスも とても 良よいです。」

  1. つまり
  2. しかも
  3. ただし
Show Answer

Answer: ② しかも
It adds another strong positive point.

Q4. What does 「〜ないことはない」 mean in this sentence?

この 漢字かんじは 難むずかしいですが、 読よめないことはありません。

  1. I cannot read it at all.
  2. I can read it, although it is difficult.
  3. I do not want to read it.
Show Answer

Answer: ②
「〜ないことはない」 means “it is not impossible” or “I can, although there is some difficulty.”

JLPT N3 Study Plan: 6–12 Months

A realistic N3 study plan depends on your current level, study time, and whether you already passed N4. Many learners need 6 to 12 months to build enough vocabulary, reading speed, and listening confidence.

PeriodMain GoalWhat to Study
Months 1–2 Review N4 and close gaps Review basic grammar, N4 kanji, common verbs, particles, and short reading passages.
Months 3–5 Build N3 vocabulary and grammar Study N3 words in sentences, practice grammar patterns, and read short texts every week.
Months 6–8 Improve reading and listening speed Practice timed reading, listening with transcripts, and connector-based reading strategies.
Months 9–12 Test practice and weak-point review Take practice tests, review mistakes, and focus on the sections where your score is weakest.

If you study several times a week and already have a strong N4 foundation, you may progress faster. If reading is your weak point, give yourself more time.

Best Japonin Lessons for JLPT N3 Learners

Japonin offers flexible online Japanese lessons taught by experienced professional teachers. For N3 learners, the best lesson depends on your current level, weak point, and study goal.

JLPT N3 Prep Course NEW

For final preparation, Japonin will offer a JLPT N3 preparation course starting in June 2026. This course is recommended if you want structured practice before the test.

View JLPT N3 Course Details

Private Lessons

Recommended if you need a customized study plan, speaking practice, or support for work and daily life in Japan.

View Private Lesson Details

Teacher tip: For N3, try to combine input and output. Read a short passage, check the grammar and vocabulary, then explain the topic in your own words. This helps N3 knowledge become usable Japanese.

JLPT N3 FAQ

How many kanji do I need for JLPT N3?

A common study target is around 650 kanji. The exact number is not officially published, so focus on reading common N3 kanji in words and short texts.

Is JLPT N3 much harder than N4?

Yes, many learners feel a big jump from N4 to N3. N3 includes longer sentences, more abstract vocabulary, faster listening, and grammar with more nuance.

Why does JLPT N3 feel difficult even if I know the grammar?

At N3, understanding individual grammar points is not enough. Learners also need to follow sentence flow, connectors, nuance, and longer reading passages more naturally.

How long does it take to pass JLPT N3?

Many learners need around 6 to 12 months after N4, depending on study time, reading speed, listening practice, and vocabulary review.

Can I speak Japanese if I pass N3?

N3 can support everyday communication, but passing the test does not automatically mean fluent speaking. Speaking needs separate practice with real conversation, feedback, and repeated use.

What should I study first for N3?

Start by reviewing N4 grammar and kanji first, then gradually build N3 vocabulary in sentences. After that, add reading passages and listening practice every week.

Meet Our JLPT N3 Teachers

Japonin teachers are certified Japanese-language professionals with years of experience teaching learners from beginner to advanced levels.

Takase, Japanese language instructor

TAKASE Chiharu

  • 16+ years of total teaching experience
  • Registered Japanese Language Teacher

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Hayashi, Japanese language instructor

HAYSHI Ayumi

  • 13+ years of total teaching experience
  • Registered Japanese Language Teacher

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Ishibashi, Japanese language instructor

ISHIBASHI Kaori

  • 20+ years of total teaching experience
  • Passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test

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Build Your JLPT N3 Skills With Japonin (JOI) Teachers

All Japonin (JOI) teachers are certified professionals with an average of 15+ years of teaching experience.
Through conversation-based lessons, you’ll strengthen practical JLPT N3 grammar, vocabulary, and reading skills while learning how Japanese is naturally used in everyday conversations and real situations.

Japonin teacher helping a JLPT N3 student

Since 2006, Japonin (JOI) has helped over 6,000 learners worldwide study Japanese online through expert guidance from our certified and experienced teachers.

Chiho Kamioka, Founder of Japonin Online Institute

Written by Chiho Kamioka Founder JLPT Guide Editor

JLPT N3 is an important bridge from basic Japanese to more natural communication. At this level, learners begin to understand longer sentences, everyday explanations, common opinions, and more nuanced grammar used in real conversations. Building strong N3 skills helps you move beyond simple phrases and follow Japanese in daily life, study, and work situations with more confidence.