JLPT N3 Grammar

The N3 patterns that add nuance and register: conjecture, concession, nominalizers, and keigo. Each has a plain-English explanation and two natural examples. Tap a pattern to expand it; mark what you know. Also see N4 grammar.

0/35 learnedExpand allQuiz N3 →漢かんFurigana on

Conditionals

条件0/4

〜ばif (general / hypothetical condition)

〜ならif it's the case that; if you're talking about

〜てもeven if; even though

〜てもかまわないit's fine even if; I don't mind if

Guessing and hearsay

推量・伝聞0/6

〜そうだ（様態）looks like; seems (from appearance)

〜そうだ（伝聞）I hear that; they say that

〜ようだit seems; it appears (based on evidence)

〜らしいseems; apparently (from what one heard)

〜かもしれないmight; maybe

〜にちがいないmust be; I'm sure that

Contrast and concession

逆接0/4

〜のにeven though; despite (with surprise or complaint)

〜くせにeven though; and yet (critical)

〜たところでno matter how much; even if (it won't help)

〜もののalthough; even though (formal)

Cause and purpose

原因・目的0/4

〜ために（原因）because of; due to

〜ようにso that; in order to (a state or ability)

〜せいでbecause of (blaming a bad result)

〜おかげでthanks to; owing to (a good result)

Nominalizers and explanation

名詞化・説明0/4

〜わけだthat's why; no wonder; it follows that

〜はずだshould be; is supposed to be (expectation)

〜べきだshould; ought to (strong advice)

〜ということだI hear that; it means that

Time and change

時・変化0/4

〜うちにwhile; before (a state changes)

〜たびにevery time; whenever

〜ままas it is; leaving (a state unchanged)

〜ところだabout to / in the middle of / just did

Degree and extent

程度・限定0/4

〜ば〜ほどthe more... the more...

〜ほどto the extent that; so... that

〜ばかりnothing but; only; just (did)

〜だけでなくnot only... but also

Passive, causative, honorific

受身・使役・敬語0/5

〜られる（受身）passive: is done (to someone)

〜させる（使役）causative: make / let someone do

〜させられる（使役受身）be made to do (against one's will)

お〜になる（尊敬語）honorific: (someone respected) does

お〜する（謙譲語）humble: I do (for someone respected)