JLPT N3 Grammar Examples and Meanings in Real Japanese
Learn useful JLPT N3 grammar examples, including 〜てくる, 〜ことにしている, and 〜らしいです. See meanings, natural examples, and everyday conversations.
- Learn useful JLPT N3 grammar meanings
- See natural examples and short conversations
- Practice understanding how N3 grammar works in daily Japanese
How JLPT N3 Grammar Helps You Sound More Natural
At the JLPT N3 level, grammar patterns help you explain changes, habits, and information you heard from other people. These expressions are useful when you want to move beyond simple sentences and sound more natural in daily Japanese.
However, it is not always enough to know the basic meaning of a grammar pattern. Even when a sentence is grammatically correct, it may not sound natural if the situation does not match the expression. To use N3 grammar well, it is helpful to learn the situations where Japanese speakers often use it.
In this guide, you will learn three useful patterns: 〜てくる, 〜ことにしている, and 〜らしいです.
〜てくる: Meaning and Examples
One useful N3 pattern is 〜てくる (te kuru). It can show that something has gradually changed up to the present. This is very common when talking about society, daily life, the weather, your feelings, or your ability.
Basic Sentence
キャッシュレスで払う人が多いです。
Many people pay without cash.
Natural N3 Sentence
最近、キャッシュレスで払う人が多くなってきました。
Recently, more people have started paying without cash.
Notice: The basic sentence describes the current situation. The N3 sentence shows how the situation has changed over time.
Conversation Example 1
A: 最近、現金で払う人が少なくなりましたね。
B: そうですね。キャッシュレスで払う人が多くなってきました。
A: Fewer people pay with cash these days.
B: Yes. More people have started paying without cash.
Conversation Example 2
A: 最近、朝と夜は少し涼しくなりましたね。
B: そうですね。だんだん秋らしくなってきましたね。
A: It has become a little cooler in the mornings and evenings recently.
B: Yes. It has gradually started to feel like autumn.
〜ことにしている: Meaning and Examples
Another useful N3 pattern is 〜ことにしている (koto ni shite iru). This is used when you talk about something you have decided to do regularly, or something you try to keep as a personal rule.
Basic Sentence
夜はスマホを見ません。
I do not look at my phone at night.
Natural N3 Sentence
寝る前はスマホを見ないことにしています。
I make it a rule not to look at my phone before going to bed.
Notice: The basic sentence simply says what you do not do. The N3 sentence shows that this is a habit or personal rule.
Conversation Example 1
A: 最近、よく眠れていますか。
B: はい。よく眠れるように、寝る前はスマホを見ないことにしているんです。
A: それはいいですね。
A: Have you been sleeping well recently?
B: Yes. I try not to look at my phone before going to bed so I can sleep better.
A: That sounds good.
Conversation Example 2
A: 健康のために、何かしていますか。
B: はい。週に3回、ピラティスをすることにしています。
A: すごいですね。
A: Do you do anything for your health?
B: Yes. I try to do Pilates three times a week.
A: That’s impressive.
〜らしいです: Meaning and Examples
Another useful N3 pattern is 〜らしいです (rashii desu). This is used when you share information you heard, read, or learned from another source, especially when you are not speaking from direct personal experience.
Basic Sentence
あのレストランでは、ロボットが料理を運びます。
Robots carry the food at that restaurant.
Natural N3 Sentence
あのレストランでは、ロボットが料理を運ぶらしいです。
I heard that robots carry the food at that restaurant.
Notice: The basic sentence states the information directly. The N3 sentence shows that the speaker heard or learned the information from another source.
Conversation Example 1
A: あのレストラン、行ったことがありますか。
B: まだありません。ロボットが料理を運ぶらしいですよ。
A: えっ、おもしろそうですね。
A: Have you been to that restaurant?
B: Not yet. I heard that robots carry the food there.
A: Wow, that sounds interesting.
Conversation Example 2
A: えっ、その動画、AIで作ったんですか。
B: はい。AIで映画も作れるらしいですよ。
A: すごいですね。
A: Wow, did you make that video with AI?
B: Yes. I heard that people can even make movies with AI.
A: That’s amazing.
JLPT N3 Grammar Meaning Summary
Here is a quick review of the meaning of the three JLPT N3 grammar patterns introduced in this guide.
〜てくる (te kuru) means that something starts and continues up to now, or that a change becomes noticeable over time.
〜ことにしている (koto ni shite iru) means that someone has made a personal rule or habit and tries to continue doing it.
〜らしいです (rashii desu) means that the speaker is sharing information they heard, read, or learned from another source.
Practice N3 Grammar with Japonin Teachers
At Japonin, students study 185 JLPT N3 grammar patterns step by step. Teachers help learners understand not only the meaning of each pattern, but also when and how to use it in real communication, so they can express ideas and respond more naturally in Japanese.
If you would like to study N3 grammar in a structured way, Japonin’s JLPT N3 grammar lessons can help you review common N3 patterns and practice using them in real situations.
Meet Our Japanese Teachers
Japonin teachers are experienced Japanese-language professionals who help students understand grammar patterns and practice using them in real communication.
HAYASHI Ayumi
- 13+ years of total teaching experience
- Registered Japanese Language Teacher
OOSAWA Miki
- 14+ years of total teaching experience
- Passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test
TAKASE Chiharu
- 16+ years of total teaching experience
- Registered Japanese Language Teacher
JLPT N3 Grammar FAQ
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