JLPT N3 How to gently deny a conclusion someone might jump to — “it's not that ~.” Meaning “It's not (necessarily) that ~ / it doesn't mean ~.” Softly denies an assumption. Formation Verb / い-adj (plain) + わけではない な-adj + な / Noun + の + わけではない Examples 甘いものが嫌いなわけではない。ただ、控えているだけだ。 Amai mono ga kirai na wake dewa nai. Tada, hikaete iru dake da. — It's not that I dislike sweets — I'm just cutting back. お金がないわけではないが、無駄遣いはしたくない。 Okane ga nai wake dewa nai ga, mudazukai wa shitakuna

JLPT N3 How to mark the target of an action or attitude — or to draw a contrast. Meaning “Toward ~ / in response to ~,” or “in contrast to ~.” Directs an action/feeling at something, or contrasts two things. Formation Noun + に対して Modifying a noun: Noun + に対する + Noun Examples お客様に対して、いつも丁寧に話す。 Okyakusama ni taishite, itsumo teinei ni hanasu. — I always speak politely toward customers. 兄は外向的なのに対して、弟は内気だ。 Ani wa gaikōteki na no ni taishite, otōto wa uchiki da. — In contrast to m

JLPT N3 One phrase, several jobs — “by,” “depending on,” or “due to.” Meaning “By ~ (agent / means), depending on ~ (variation), or due to ~ (cause).” Context decides which. Formation Noun + によって Variation: Noun + によって (+ 違う / さまざま) Examples この小説は有名な作家によって書かれた。 Kono shōsetsu wa yūmei na sakka ni yotte kakareta. — This novel was written by a famous author. (agent) 話し合いによって問題を解決した。 Hanashiai ni yotte mondai o kaiketsu shita. — We solved the problem through discussion. (means) 国

JLPT N3 How to say “about ~ / regarding ~” — naming the topic. Meaning “About ~ / concerning ~.” Marks the subject you're discussing, researching, or asking about. Formation Noun + について Modifying a noun: Noun + についての + Noun Examples 日本の歴史について、レポートを書いています。 Nihon no rekishi ni tsuite, repōto o kaite imasu. — I'm writing a report about Japanese history. その事件について、詳しく教えてください。 Sono jiken ni tsuite, kuwashiku oshiete kudasai. — Please tell me in detail about that incident. 環境問題についての

JLPT N3 How to state a role, status, or capacity — “as a ~.” Meaning “As ~ / in the capacity of ~.” Marks the role, position, or viewpoint someone acts from. Formation Noun + として Emphatic: Noun + としては / としても Examples 医者として、たばこはおすすめできません。 Isha to shite, tabako wa osusume dekimasen. — As a doctor, I can't recommend smoking. 彼は留学生として日本に来た。 Kare wa ryūgakusei to shite Nihon ni kita. — He came to Japan as an exchange student. 趣味としてギターを弾いています。 Shumi to shite gitā o hiite imasu. — I

JLPT N3 How to say you'll do a second thing while doing the first — “while I'm at it.” Meaning “While ~ / taking the opportunity of ~.” Do a secondary action on the occasion of a main one. Formation Verb (dictionary / た-form) + ついでに Noun + の + ついでに Examples 郵便局に行くついでに、コンビニで昼ご飯を買った。 Yūbinkyoku ni iku tsuide ni, konbini de hirugohan o katta. — While going to the post office, I bought lunch at the convenience store. 掃除するついでに、いらない服も捨てた。 Sōji suru tsuide ni, iranai fuku mo suteta.

JLPT N3 How to say something happened the very instant something else did. Meaning “The moment ~ / as soon as ~.” Right after the first action, a second (often surprising) one happened. Formation Verb (た-form) + とたん(に) Examples ベッドに入ったとたん、眠ってしまった。 Beddo ni haitta totan, nemutte shimatta. — The moment I got into bed, I fell asleep. 窓を開けたとたんに、強い風が入ってきた。 Mado o aketa totan ni, tsuyoi kaze ga haitte kita. — The moment I opened the window, a strong wind blew in. 名前を呼ばれたとたん、彼は立ち上がっ

JLPT N3 How to say there's no other option — “I have no choice but to ~.” Meaning “Have no choice but to ~ / can only ~.” The action is the only option left. Formation Verb (dictionary) + しかない Noun + しかない = there is only ~ Examples 終電を逃したから、歩いて帰るしかない。 Shūden o nogashita kara, aruite kaeru shika nai. — I missed the last train, so I have no choice but to walk home. 誰も手伝ってくれないなら、一人でやるしかない。 Dare mo tetsudatte kurenai nara, hitori de yaru shika nai. — If no one will help, I'll jus

JLPT N3 How to say “as long as (just) ~, then …” — one condition is all you need. Meaning “If only ~ / as long as ~.” Highlights the single condition that's enough for the result. Formation Noun + さえ + [verb ば-form] Verb (ます-stem) + さえすれば い-adj: 〜く + さえあれば; な-adj: 〜で + さえあれば Examples お金さえあれば、世界中を旅行できる。 Okane sae areba, sekaijū o ryokō dekiru. — As long as I have money, I can travel the world. ボタンを押しさえすれば、動きます。 Botan o oshi sae sureba, ugokimasu. — As long as you just press th

JLPT N3 How to say “even though,” but with a tone of criticism or complaint. Meaning “Even though ~ / despite ~.” Like のに, but it adds blame, contempt, or annoyance. Formation Verb / い-adj (plain) + くせに な-adj + な + くせに; Noun + の + くせに Examples 知っているくせに、教えてくれない。 Shitte iru kuse ni, oshiete kurenai. — He knows, yet he won't tell me. お金があるくせに、いつもおごらない。 Okane ga aru kuse ni, itsumo ogoranai. — Even though he has money, he never treats anyone. 新人のくせに、態度が大きい。 Shinjin no kuse ni, ta

JLPT N3 How to say “every time ~ happens, …” — a repeated pairing of two events. Meaning “Every time ~ / whenever ~.” Each time one thing happens, the other happens too. Formation Verb (dictionary) + たびに Noun + の + たびに Examples 祖母に会うたびに、お小遣いをくれる。 Sobo ni au tabi ni, okozukai o kureru. — Every time I see my grandmother, she gives me pocket money. この写真を見るたびに、学生時代を思い出す。 Kono shashin o miru tabi ni, gakusei-jidai o omoidasu. — Every time I see this photo, I remember my school day

JLPT N3 How to say “while a state lasts” or “before it changes” — do it now, while you still can. Meaning “While ~ / before ~ changes.” Act during a favorable state; or note a change that creeps in while doing something. Formation Verb (dictionary / ている / ない-form) + うちに い-adj + うちに; な-adj + な + うちに; Noun + の + うちに Examples 若いうちに、いろいろな国を旅行したい。 Wakai uchi ni, iroiro na kuni o ryokō shitai. — I want to travel to many countries while I'm young. 明るいうちに、家に帰りましょう。 Akarui uchi ni, ie

JLPT N3 How to say “the more ~, the more …” — two things changing together. Meaning “The more ~, the more ….” A proportional relationship between two changes. Formation Verb (ば-form) + Verb (dictionary) + ほど い-adj: 〜ければ + 〜い + ほど な-adj: 〜なら(ば) + な + ほど Examples 練習すればするほど、上手になる。 Renshū sureba suru hodo, jōzu ni naru. — The more you practice, the better you get. 考えれば考えるほど、分からなくなる。 Kangaereba kangaeru hodo, wakaranaku naru. — The more I think, the less I understand. 給料は高ければ高いほどい

JLPT N3 Two ways to give a cause — one grateful, one blaming. Meaning “Thanks to ~” (good result) vs “because of ~” (bad result). Both give a cause, with opposite feelings. Formation Verb / い-adj (plain) + おかげで / せいで な-adj + な + …; Noun + の + … Examples 先生のおかげで、合格できました。 Sensei no okage de, gōkaku dekimashita. — Thanks to my teacher, I passed. 雨のせいで、試合が中止になった。 Ame no sei de, shiai ga chūshi ni natta. — Because of the rain, the match was cancelled. 手伝ってくれたおかげで、早く終わった。 Tetsudatt

JLPT N3 How to express surprise or frustration — “even though.” Meaning “Even though ~ / although ~ / despite ~.” Marks an unexpected or disappointing contrast. Formation Verb / い-adj (plain) + のに な-adj + な + のに; Noun + な + のに Examples 一生懸命勉強したのに、試験に落ちた。 Isshōkenmei benkyō shita noni, shiken ni ochita. — Even though I studied hard, I failed the exam. まだ4月なのに、もう暑い。 Mada shi-gatsu na noni, mō atsui. — Even though it's only April, it's already hot. 約束したのに、彼は来なかった。 Yakusoku shita

JLPT N3 How to express a purpose (“in order to”) or a cause (“because of”). Meaning “In order to ~ / for the sake of ~,” or “because of ~.” Purpose or reason. Formation Verb (dictionary) + ために = purpose Noun + の + ために = for the sake of / because of Past / fact + ために = because of (cause) Examples 日本語を学ぶために、日本へ来た。 Nihongo o manabu tame ni, Nihon e kita. — I came to Japan in order to learn Japanese. 家族のために働いている。 Kazoku no tame ni hataraite iru. — I work for my family. 事故のために、電車が

JLPT N3 How to say something seems a certain way, based on your own impression. Meaning “It seems ~ / it looks like ~ / it's as if ~.” Your own judgment from what you see or sense. Formation Verb / い-adj (plain) + ようだ な-adj + な + ようだ; Noun + の + ようだ Casual: 〜みたい (Noun / な-adj + みたい) Examples 誰かいるようだ。 Dareka iru yō da. — It seems someone is here. 彼は疲れているみたい。 Kare wa tsukarete iru mitai. — He looks tired. (casual) 外は雨のようだ。 Soto wa ame no yō da. — It looks like it's raining outs

JLPT N3 How to report something you heard or gathered — “apparently.” Meaning “It seems ~ / apparently ~ / I heard ~.” Passes on information from an outside source. Formation Verb / い-adj (plain) + らしい な-adj / Noun (drop だ) + らしい Examples 駅前に新しいカフェができたらしい。 Ekimae ni atarashii kafe ga dekita rashii. — Apparently a new café opened by the station. 明日は雪が降るらしいよ。 Ashita wa yuki ga furu rashii yo. — I heard it's going to snow tomorrow. 彼は学生時代、有名だったらしい。 Kare wa gakusei-jidai, yūmei d

JLPT N3 How to say something should be true, based on reason or evidence. Meaning “Should ~ / ought to ~ / is supposed to ~.” A logical expectation — not permission. Formation Verb / い-adj (plain) + はず な-adj + な + はず; Noun + の + はず Examples 電車は10時に着くはずです。 Densha wa jū-ji ni tsuku hazu desu. — The train should arrive at ten. 彼はもう空港に着いているはずだ。 Kare wa mō kūkō ni tsuite iru hazu da. — He should have arrived at the airport by now. こんなに練習したんだから、大丈夫なはず。 Konna ni renshū shita n dakar

JLPT N3 The satisfying “ah, that explains it” — linking a reason to something you already noticed. Meaning “No wonder ~ / that's why ~.” You've just learned a reason, and it explains a result you already observed. Formation Verb / い-adj (plain) + わけだ な-adj + な + わけだ; Noun + という + わけだ Examples 道理で寒いわけだ。窓が開いていた。 Dōri de samui wake da. Mado ga aite ita. — No wonder it's cold — the window was open. 十年も日本に住んでいるのか。日本語がぺらぺらなわけだ。 Jūnen mo Nihon ni sunde iru no ka. Nihongo ga perapera