You have finished N4 grammar. You can handle conditionals, keigo, passive and causative. You can be polite to a stranger and casual with a friend. And then you open an N3 reading passage and half the sentence is made of things you have never seen: わけではない, にもかかわらず, ようがない, ということだ.
Here is what actually changes at N3. At N5 you learned how to build a sentence. At N4 you learned how to shade it. At N3 you learn how to connect sentences, and how to hedge them.
That second one surprises people. A huge slice of N3 is devoted to not committing: とは限らない (not necessarily), わけではない (it's not that), ないことはない (it's not that you can't), ような気がする (I have a feeling). Japanese has an entire toolkit for saying something while leaving yourself room, and N3 is where you get it.
The other slice is connectives. に対して, にとって, について, によると, において. They all look alike, they all translate as small English prepositions, and getting them wrong is the single most common N3 mistake.
So this guide leads with the confusions, then lists all 112 N3 points by theme, each linked to a full page with eight audio examples and a quiz.
Explore all N3 grammar lessons →
Table of Contents
- The Differences That Actually Trip People Up
- The わけ Family
- Connectives and Relational Patterns
- Contrast and Concession
- Time and Sequence
- Certainty and Inference
- Appearance and Tendency
- Cause, Reason and Grounds
- Conditionals and Hypotheticals
- Obligation, Advice and Necessity
- Degree, Quantity and Limit
- Compound Verbs and Aspect
- Quoting, Explaining and Restating
- Difficulty and Negation
- Set Expressions
- How to Study N3 Grammar
The Differences That Actually Trip People Up
1. にとって vs に対して: viewpoint or target?
What they mean: にとって gives the standpoint a judgement is made from. に対して gives the thing an action is aimed at.
The test: にとって takes a judgement. に対して takes an action.
- 学生にとって難しい (difficult, as a student sees it)
- 学生に対して説明する (explain to the students)
Common mistake: 学生にとって説明する. You cannot act from a standpoint. If you can insert "as far as X is concerned," にとって is right. If someone is receiving something, use に対して.
Full explanation: にとって and に対して.
2. によると vs によって: one syllable, no shared meaning
What they mean: によると names where you heard something. によって means by, depending on, or due to.
- 天気予報によると雨だそうです (according to the forecast)
- 人によって意見が違う (opinions differ from person to person)
Common mistake: Ending a によると sentence flatly. 天気予報によると雨です is wrong, because you named a source and then stated the fact as your own. によると needs a reporting ending: そうです, とのことです, ということです or らしい.
Full explanation: によると and によって.
3. The わけ family: four patterns, one stem
What they mean: This is the single highest value cluster in N3, because the four look nearly identical and mean completely different things.
- わけだ that's why, no wonder. A conclusion you just reached.
- わけではない it's not that. A soft correction of an assumption.
- わけがない there's no way. A flat rejection.
- わけにはいかない I can't, for social reasons.
Common mistake: Confusing わけではない with わけがない. 難しいわけではない is "it's not that it's hard." 難しいわけがない is "there's no way it's hard." One softens, the other slams the door.
Full explanation: わけだ, わけではない, わけがない, わけにはいかない.
4. ところが vs ところで vs たところで
What they mean: Three patterns, one character apart, sharing nothing.
- ところが however. Something unexpected happened.
- ところで by the way. You are changing the subject.
- たところで even if. Doing it would be pointless.
Common mistake: ところが has a restriction the others do not. Its second clause must be a fact that happened, never a plan or a request. ところが行きましょう is wrong where でも行きましょう is fine.
Full explanation: ところが, ところで, たところで.
5. うちに vs 間に vs 最中に: three ways to say "while"
What they mean: They differ by what the timing implies.
- 間に during a period. Neutral.
- うちに during a period that is closing. Act now.
- 最中に at the peak of something, and you got interrupted.
留守の間に is simply "while they were out." 留守のうちに adds "before they get back." 会議の最中に means the phone rang and it was unwelcome.
Common mistake: Using 最中に for a state. 寝ている最中に is odd, because sleeping has no peak. Use 間に.
Full explanation: うちに, 間に, 最中に.
6. っぽい vs らしい: the same shape, opposite verdicts
What they mean: Both attach to a noun and describe a quality. One approves and one does not.
- 男らしい admirably manly, as a man should be
- 男っぽい mannish, has a masculine air
Common mistake: Calling someone 先生っぽい and thinking you complimented them. 先生らしい is a compliment. 先生っぽい means they merely give off teacher vibes.
Full explanation: っぽい and らしい.
7. べきだ vs ほうがいい vs ばいい: three kinds of "should"
What they mean: English uses "should" for all three. Japanese does not.
- ばいい you could just. Offering an option.
- ほうがいい you would be better off. Friendly advice.
- べきだ you ought to. A judgement about what is right.
Common mistake: Using べきだ with a superior. 休むべきです to your manager is close to a reprimand. 休んだほうがいいですよ is kind. The grammar is fine either way; the social temperature is not.
Full explanation: べきだ, ほうがいい, ばいい.
The わけ Family
Four patterns built on one stem. Nothing else in N3 rewards being learned as a set quite this much, because studying them one at a time is precisely what makes them blur.
The trick is to notice what each one does socially. わけだ is a realisation. わけではない is a polite correction. わけがない is blunt enough to be rude. わけにはいかない is how you decline something you are perfectly able to do.
わけだ
That's why, no wonder, it follows that. Built as Plain form + わけだ, な-adj + な + わけだ, Noun + という + わけだ.
三年留学していたのか。発音がいいわけだ。
He studied abroad for three years? No wonder his pronunciation is good.
わけではない
It doesn't mean that, not necessarily, it's not that ~. Built as Plain form + わけではない, な-adj + な + わけではない, Noun + という + わけではない.
嫌いなわけではありません。ただ苦手なんです。
It's not that I dislike it. I'm just not good at it.
わけがない
There's no way, impossible that, couldn't possibly. Built as Plain form + わけがない, な-adj + な + わけがない, Noun + の/という + わけがない.
そんな安い値段で買えるわけがない。
There's no way you can buy it at that price.
わけにはいかない
Can't (for social or moral reasons), mustn't, can't afford to. Built as Dictionary form + わけにはいかない, ない form + わけにはいかない (= have to).
約束したから、断るわけにはいかない。
I promised, so I can't very well refuse.
Connectives and Relational Patterns
This is the biggest block in N3 and the one with no N4 foundation under it. These patterns carry most of the connective load in written Japanese, which is why N3 reading passages feel suddenly dense.
Learn them in the confusable groups rather than alphabetically. について names a topic, にとって names a viewpoint, に対して names a target. によると cites a source, によって names a cause or a means. Once those five are separated, the rest fall into place quickly.
に対して
Toward, against, in contrast to. Built as Noun + に対して, Plain form + の + に対して.
客に対して失礼な態度を取ってはいけない。
You mustn't behave rudely toward a customer.
にとって
For, to, from the standpoint of. Built as Noun + にとって, Noun + にとっての + Noun.
私にとって家族が一番大切です。
For me, family is what matters most.
について
About, concerning, regarding. Built as Noun + について, Noun + についての + Noun.
日本の文化について研究しています。
I'm doing research on Japanese culture.
によると
According to, based on (a source). Built as Noun + によると / によれば + hearsay ending.
天気予報によると明日は雨だそうです。
According to the forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
によって
By, depending on, due to. Built as Noun + によって, Noun + による + Noun.
人によって考え方が違います。
Ways of thinking differ from person to person.
にしたがって・につれて
As ~ progresses, in proportion to, in accordance with. Built as Dictionary form / Noun + にしたがって, Dictionary form / Noun + につれて.
年を取るにつれて体力が落ちてきた。
As I've got older, my stamina has declined.
にしても
Even if, even though, whether ~ or. Built as Plain form + にしても, Noun + にしても.
忙しいにしても連絡ぐらいできるはずだ。
Even if you were busy, you could at least have called.
にしては
For a ~, considering that, given that. Built as Plain form + にしては, Noun + にしては.
初めてにしては上手ですね。
That's skilful, for a first try.
に反して
Contrary to, against, in opposition to. Built as Noun + に反して, Noun + に反する + Noun.
予想に反して売り上げが伸びた。
Contrary to expectations, sales rose.
に比べて
Compared to, in comparison with. Built as Noun + に比べて, Plain form + の + に比べて.
去年に比べて今年は暖かいです。
Compared with last year, this year is warm.
にかわって
Instead of, on behalf of, in place of. Built as Noun + にかわって / にかわり.
社長にかわってご挨拶いたします。
I will give the greeting on behalf of the president.
において
In, at, on. Built as Noun + において, Noun + における + Noun.
会議は本社において行われます。
The meeting will be held at head office.
に慣れる
To get used to, to become accustomed to. Built as Noun + に慣れる, Dictionary form + の + に慣れる.
新しい仕事に慣れましたか。
Have you got used to the new job?.
として
As, in the capacity of, in the role of. Built as Noun + として, Noun + としての + Noun.
留学生として日本に来ました。
I came to Japan as an exchange student.
ところが
However, but then, and yet. Built as Sentence. ところが + unexpected outcome.
晴れる予定でした。ところが大雨になりました。
It was forecast to be fine. However, it poured.
ところで
By the way, incidentally, changing the subject. Built as Sentence. ところで + new topic.
ところで、週末の予定は決まりましたか。
By the way, have you decided your plans for the weekend?.
上で
After doing, upon, in the course of. Built as た form + 上で, Noun + の + 上で.
資料を読んだ上でご返事します。
I'll reply after reading the materials.
上に
On top of that, besides, in addition to. Built as Plain form + 上に, な-adj + な + 上に, Noun + の + 上に.
この店は安い上においしいです。
This shop is cheap, and delicious on top of that.
と共に
Together with, along with, as ~ changes. Built as Noun + と共に, Dictionary form + と共に.
家族と共に暮らしています。
I live together with my family.
を中心に
Centred on, mainly, with ~ at the centre. Built as Noun + を中心に, Noun + を中心として, Noun + を中心とした + Noun.
若者を中心に人気が広がっている。
It is gaining popularity mainly among young people.
をはじめ
Starting with, including, ~ and others. Built as Noun + をはじめ, Noun + をはじめとする + Noun.
東京をはじめ各地で開催されます。
It will be held in Tokyo and elsewhere.
を込めて
With, putting (feeling) into, filled with. Built as Noun (emotion) + を込めて.
心を込めて作りました。
I made it with all my heart.
を通じて
Through, via, throughout (a period). Built as Noun + を通じて, Noun + を通して.
友人を通じて知り合いました。
We got to know each other through a friend.
は別として
Aside from, leaving aside, setting ~ apart. Built as Noun + は別として, かどうか + は別として.
値段は別として、品質はいいと思います。
Leaving the price aside, I think the quality is good.
の下で
Under, under the guidance of, under conditions of. Built as Noun + の下で, Noun + の下に.
先生の下で三年間学びました。
I studied under my teacher for three years.
Contrast and Concession
Japanese has roughly a dozen ways to say the second half did not follow from the first, and they differ mostly by how much blame, surprise or formality they carry.
くせに accuses. ものの concedes as a plain fact. にもかかわらず reports without feeling at all, which is why news writing prefers it. Picking the wrong one is not a grammar error, it is a tone error, and tone errors are the ones people actually notice.
くせに
Even though, despite (with criticism or contempt). Built as Plain form + くせに, な-adj + な + くせに, Noun + の + くせに.
知っているくせに、教えてくれなかった。
He knew perfectly well, and still wouldn't tell me.
にもかかわらず
Despite, in spite of, nevertheless. Built as Plain form + にもかかわらず, Noun + にもかかわらず.
悪天候にもかかわらず、試合は行われた。
Despite the bad weather, the match was held.
ながらも
Although, even while, but nevertheless. Built as ますstem + ながらも, い-adj + ながらも, な-adj / Noun + でありながらも.
狭いながらも快適な部屋です。
It's a small room, but a comfortable one.
ものの
Although, but, and yet. Built as Plain form + ものの, い-adj + ものの, な-adj + な + ものの, Noun + である + ものの.
買ったものの、一度も使っていない。
I bought it, but I've never used it once.
といっても
Although I say, but it's not much, even so. Built as Plain form + といっても, Noun + といっても.
料理ができるといっても、卵を焼くだけです。
I say I can cook, but it's only frying eggs.
からといって
Just because ~ doesn't mean, simply because. Built as Plain form + からといって + negative conclusion.
安いからといって品質が悪いとは限らない。
Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's poor quality.
割に
Considering, for a ~, despite being. Built as Plain form + 割に, な-adj + な + 割に, Noun + の + 割に.
値段の割においしいです。
It tastes good for the price.
どころか
Far from, let alone, not only ~ but actually. Built as Plain form + どころか, な-adj / Noun + どころか.
上手どころか、プロ級の腕前です。
Good? He's practically professional.
たとえ〜ても
Even if, no matter how, whatever happens. Built as たとえ + て-form + も, たとえ + Noun/な-adj + でも.
たとえ失敗しても後悔しません。
Even if I fail, I won't regret it.
たところで
Even if, no use doing, it won't help to. Built as た form + ところで + negative or futile result.
急いだところで間に合わないでしょう。
Even if we hurry, we won't make it.
というのに
Even though, despite the fact that, and yet. Built as Plain form + というのに, Noun / な-adj + だ + というのに.
まだ四月だというのに真夏のような暑さだ。
It's only April, and yet it's as hot as midsummer.
一方で
On the other hand, while, at the same time. Built as Plain form + 一方で, な-adj + な + 一方で, Noun + である + 一方で.
この仕事は大変な一方で、やりがいもある。
The job is demanding, but on the other hand it's rewarding.
Time and Sequence
These place one event against another, and the choice between them carries real meaning rather than being stylistic.
うちに says the window is closing. 最中に says you were interrupted at the peak. たとたん says it caught you by surprise, and it will not accept a plan or a request in the second clause. ごとに counts the cycle while おきに counts the gap, so 三日ごとに is every three days and 三日おきに is every fourth.
うちに
While, during, before it changes. Built as Dictionary form / ている / い-adj / な-adj + な / Noun + の + うちに.
熱いうちに召し上がってください。
Please eat it while it's hot.
たびに
Every time, whenever, each time. Built as Dictionary form + たびに, Noun + の + たびに.
彼に会うたびに元気をもらいます。
Every time I meet him I come away with more energy.
たとたん
The moment, just as, no sooner than. Built as た form + とたん(に).
立ち上がったとたん、めまいがした。
The moment I stood up, I felt dizzy.
際に
When, on the occasion of, at the time of. Built as Dictionary form / た form + 際に, Noun + の + 際に.
ご利用の際にはお知らせください。
Please inform us when you use it.
最中に
Right in the middle of, while ~ is at its peak. Built as ている + 最中に, Noun + の + 最中に.
会議の最中に電話が鳴った。
The phone rang right in the middle of the meeting.
途中で
On the way, partway through, midway. Built as Dictionary form + 途中で, Noun + の + 途中で.
帰る途中で買い物をしました。
I did some shopping on the way home.
てはじめて
Only after, not until, it was only when. Built as て form + はじめて.
失ってはじめて大切さが分かる。
You only realise how precious it is once it's gone.
てからでないと
Unless you do ~ first, not until ~ is done. Built as て form + からでないと / からでなければ + negative.
相談してからでないと決められません。
I can't decide until I've consulted them.
ごとに
Every, each, at intervals of. Built as Noun + ごとに, Dictionary form + ごとに.
三日ごとに水をやってください。
Please water it every three days.
ぶりに
After an interval of, for the first time in. Built as Time period + ぶりに, Time period + ぶりの + Noun.
三年ぶりに友達に会いました。
I met my friend for the first time in three years.
Certainty and Inference
Japanese grades confidence far more finely than English does. Read these as one ladder rather than five separate entries.
ような気がする is a hunch. かもしれない is a real possibility. はず means you have a reason to expect it. に違いない is your own firm inference. に決まっている appeals to common sense, and it carries an edge: aimed at someone's question it reads as "why are you even asking," so it is fine with friends and wrong at work.
に違いない
Must be, I'm sure that, there's no doubt. Built as Plain form + に違いない, な-adj / Noun + (である) + に違いない.
電気がついている。家にいるに違いない。
The lights are on. He must be home.
に決まっている
Bound to be, obviously, of course it is. Built as Plain form + に決まっている, な-adj / Noun + に決まっている.
そんな話は嘘に決まっています。
A story like that is obviously untrue.
とは限らない
Not necessarily, not always, it isn't always the case. Built as Plain form + とは限らない, Noun + とは限らない.
高いものがいいとは限りません。
Expensive things aren't necessarily good.
そうにない
Unlikely to, shows no sign of, doesn't look like it will. Built as ますstem + そうにない / そうもない.
今日中に終わりそうにありません。
It doesn't look like it will be finished today.
ような気がする
I have a feeling that, it seems to me, somehow I think. Built as Plain form + ような気がする, Noun + の + ような気がする.
どこかで会ったような気がします。
I have a feeling we've met somewhere before.
Appearance and Tendency
Almost every pattern in this group is quietly unflattering, and that is the lesson rather than an accident.
がち, だらけ and っぱなし are never compliments. っぽい merely observes where らしい approves. If you want to say something positive about how a thing seems, you usually need a different pattern entirely.
っぽい
-ish, -like, tends to. Built as Noun / ますstem / い-adj stem + っぽい.
子供っぽい言い方はやめなさい。
Stop talking in such a childish way.
がち
Tends to, prone to, often does (unwanted). Built as ますstem + がち, Noun + がち.
冬は風邪を引きがちです。
I tend to catch colds in winter.
だらけ
Covered in, full of, riddled with. Built as Noun + だらけ.
机が埃だらけです。
The desk is covered in dust.
っぱなし
Leaving something as it is, keep ~ing without stopping. Built as ますstem + っぱなし.
電気をつけっぱなしにしないでください。
Please don't leave the lights on.
ふりをする
To pretend, to act as if, to feign. Built as Plain form + ふりをする, な-adj + な + ふりをする, Noun + の + ふりをする.
寝たふりをしていました。
I was pretending to be asleep.
Cause, Reason and Grounds
The good and bad split is the thing to get right here. おかげで credits a welcome outcome, せいで blames an unwelcome one, and ため stays neutral.
This is not a grammar rule so much as a social one. 雨のおかげで中止になった is grammatically fine and reads as sarcasm, because a cancellation is not something you thank the rain for. In a report or an apology, reach for ため.
おかげで
Thanks to, owing to (a good outcome). Built as Plain form + おかげで, な-adj + な + おかげで, Noun + の + おかげで.
先生のおかげで合格できました。
Thanks to my teacher, I passed.
せいで
Because of, owing to (a bad outcome), it's ~'s fault. Built as Plain form + せいで, な-adj + な + せいで, Noun + の + せいで.
事故のせいで遅刻しました。
I was late because of an accident.
こそ
Precisely, exactly, it is ~ that. Built as Noun + こそ, Plain form + からこそ, て-form + こそ.
今度こそ合格してみせます。
This time I really will pass.
なぜなら
Because, the reason is, this is due to. Built as Statement. なぜなら + reason + からだ / からです.
参加できません。なぜなら出張があるからです。
I can't attend, because I have a business trip.
以上は
Now that, since, given that ~, naturally. Built as Plain form + 以上（は）, Noun + である + 以上（は）.
引き受けた以上は、最後までやります。
Now that I've taken it on, I'll see it through to the end.
ことから
From the fact that, because of, which is why it's called. Built as Plain form + ことから, な-adj + な + ことから.
指紋が残っていたことから犯人が特定された。
The culprit was identified from the fingerprints left behind.
Conditionals and Hypotheticals
N4 gave you たら, ば, と and なら. N3 adds the variants that let you reason rather than simply predict.
とすれば supposes something and works out what follows. ば〜のに names the outcome you missed because the condition did not hold. ばよかった is the regret itself. And note that ばよかった works in both directions: whatever you regret, you put the opposite into the ば form.
ば〜ほど
The more ~, the more ~. Built as Verb [ば form] + dictionary form + ほど.
練習すればするほど上手になります。
The more you practise, the better you get.
ばいい・たらいい
Should, can just, it would be good if. Built as ば form + いい, たら + いい.
分からなければ聞けばいいですよ。
If you don't know, you can just ask.
ばよかった
Should have, I wish I had, if only I'd. Built as ば form + よかった, ければ + よかった.
もっと早く出ればよかった。
I should have left earlier.
ば〜のに
If only ~ then, it would have been ~ if. Built as ば form + ~のに, たら + ~のに.
お金があれば買えるのに。
If only I had the money, I could buy it.
とすれば・としたら
Supposing, if we assume, in that case. Built as Plain form + とすれば / としたら / とすると.
彼が来ないとすれば誰が司会をしますか。
Supposing he doesn't come, who will chair it?.
もしかしたら
Maybe, possibly, it might just be that. Built as もしかしたら / もしかすると / もしかして + ~かもしれない.
もしかしたら雨が降るかもしれません。
It might possibly rain.
Obligation, Advice and Necessity
Three of these mean roughly "should" and one means roughly "need not," and the distance between them is entirely social.
The pair worth drilling is ことはない against てはいけない. 謝ることはない means you needn't apologise. 謝ってはいけない means you must not. They are nearly opposite intentions and one character of difference will not save you.
べきだ
Should, ought to, must (morally). Built as Dictionary form + べきだ, する → すべき / するべき.
約束は守るべきです。
You ought to keep your promises.
ことはない
There's no need to, it's not necessary to, never happens. Built as Dictionary form + ことはない.
心配することはありません。
There's no need to worry.
ないことはない
It's not impossible, it's not that ~ isn't, it can be done, in a way. Built as ない form + ことはない, い-adj + くない + ことはない.
食べられないことはないですが、苦手です。
It's not that I can't eat it, but I'm not fond of it.
ずにはいられない
Can't help doing, can't stop oneself from. Built as ない form (drop ない) + ずにはいられない, する → せずにはいられない.
おかしくて笑わずにはいられなかった。
It was so funny I couldn't help laughing.
ないと
Have to, must, if you don't, (it'll be bad). Built as ない form + と (+ いけない / だめ, often dropped).
もう行かないと。
I've got to go now.
ものだ
That's how it is, used to, should. Built as Dictionary form / た form / い-adj / な-adj + な + ものだ.
時間は早く過ぎるものです。
Time passes quickly. That is just how it is.
Degree, Quantity and Limit
English flattens distinctions that Japanese keeps carefully separate. だけ is a neutral limit, ばかり is a complaint about the imbalance, しか regrets that it is not enough, and のみ is simply だけ in writing.
ばかり is worth extra attention because it does three unrelated jobs, and the difference that matters most is 食べたばかり (just ate) against 食べてばかりいる (does nothing but eat). One た is the whole distinction.
ばかり
Nothing but, only, just. Built as Noun + ばかり, て form + ばかりいる, Plain form + ばかりだ.
甘いものばかり食べています。
He eats nothing but sweets.
さえ
Even, not even, let alone. Built as Noun + さえ, Noun + でさえ, ますstem + さえすれば.
子供さえ知っていることです。
It's something even a child knows.
さえ〜ば
If only, as long as, all you need to do is. Built as Noun + さえ + ば form, ますstem + さえすれば, て form + さえいれば.
お金さえあれば買えるのですが。
If only I had the money, I could buy it.
も〜ば〜も
Both ~ and ~, not only ~ but also. Built as Noun + も + ば form + Noun + も.
彼は頭もよければ性格もいい。
He is both clever and good-natured.
のみ
Only, nothing but, solely. Built as Noun + のみ, Plain form + のみ.
会員のみご利用いただけます。
Use is restricted to members only.
しか〜ない
Only ~, nothing but ~ (and it isn't enough). Built as Noun + しか + negative verb.
千円しかありません。
I only have a thousand yen.
だけでなく
Not only ~ but also ~. Built as Noun / plain form + だけでなく … も.
英語だけでなく、日本語も話せます。
I can speak not only English but Japanese too.
Compound Verbs and Aspect
Attach a second verb to a ますstem and you get a new verb. 読み切る is to read all the way through. 読みかけ is to have started and stopped.
Eight of these suffixes share one attachment rule, so learning the rule once beats memorising them individually. The pair to keep apart is かける against そうになる: かける means it began and stopped, そうになる means it never began at all.
切る・切れない
Do completely, finish entirely, can't finish. Built as ますstem + 切る / 切れる / 切れない.
長い本をやっと読み切りました。
I finally read the whole long book through.
込む・合う・直す
Into, mutually, and again: three suffixes that attach to a verb stem. Built as ますstem + 込む / 合う / 直す.
プールに飛び込みました。
I jumped into the pool.
かける
Half-done, partway, on the verge of. Built as ますstem + かける / かけた / かけの.
読みかけの本が机にあります。
There's a half-read book on the desk.
一方だ
Keeps ~ing, continues to, more and more. Built as Dictionary form + 一方だ.
物価は上がる一方です。
Prices just keep going up.
そうになる
Almost, nearly, was about to. Built as ますstem + そうになる / そうになった.
階段で転びそうになりました。
I nearly fell on the stairs.
て済む
It's enough to, you can get away with, it ends with just. Built as て form + 済む, Noun + で + 済む, ないで + 済む.
電話で済みましたので安心しました。
A phone call was all it took, so I was relieved.
Quoting, Explaining and Restating
These manage a conversation rather than describe the world. They pick up a word just said, relabel something, restate a conclusion, or name the grounds for a judgement.
と言えば is worth singling out because it does something ところで cannot. ところで abandons the current topic. と言えば hooks onto a word from it and follows that thread, which is a much more natural way to move a conversation along.
ということだ
It means that, in other words, I hear that. Built as Plain form + ということだ, Plain form + とのことだ.
返事がないということは断られたということだ。
No reply means we were turned down.
と言えば・というと
Speaking of, that reminds me, when it comes to. Built as Noun / Plain form + と言えば / というと / というのは.
京都と言えば紅葉が有名ですね。
Speaking of Kyoto, it's famous for autumn leaves.
というより
Rather than, more like, it's not so much ~ as. Built as Plain form / Noun / な-adj + というより.
寒いというより痛いです。
It's not so much cold as painful.
なんて・なんか
Such a thing as, things like, (dismissive or surprised). Built as Noun / Plain form + なんて, Noun + なんか.
勉強なんてしたくありません。
Study? I'd rather not.
とおりに
Just as, exactly as, in the way that. Built as Dictionary / た form + とおりに, Noun + の + とおりに, ますstem + どおりに.
説明書のとおりに組み立てました。
I assembled it exactly as the manual described.
Difficulty and Negation
Japanese separates the awkward from the impossible more carefully than English does. にくい is fiddly, がたい is barely bearable, and ようがない means no method exists at all.
The last group here is a set of adverbs that simply demand a negative verb. 決して, めったに, 全く, 別に and 必ずしも cannot appear with an affirmative predicate. なかなか is the exception that also lives an affirmative life, where it turns into a compliment.
がたい
Hard to, almost impossible to, difficult to bring oneself to. Built as ますstem + がたい.
信じがたい話ですね。
That's a story that's hard to believe.
ようがない
There's no way to, it can't be done, nothing can be done. Built as ますstem + ようがない / ようもない.
連絡先が分からないので連絡しようがありません。
I don't have their details, so there's no way to get in touch.
ずに
Without doing, instead of doing. Built as ない form (drop ない) + ずに, する → せずに.
朝ごはんを食べずに出かけました。
I went out without eating breakfast.
決して・めったに・なかなか
Never, rarely, not easily. Built as Adverb + ~ない (the negative is obligatory).
このご恩は決して忘れません。
I will never forget your kindness.
Set Expressions
These behave as units rather than as rules you assemble, and several are the polite machinery of everyday Japanese.
ことになっている is the one to learn first. It lets you refuse by pointing at a rule rather than at yourself, which is exactly why shop staff and office workers reach for it constantly. Nobody is blamed and nobody is exercising authority over you.
てしょうがない
Unbearably, extremely, can't stand how ~ it is. Built as て form + しょうがない / しかたがない, な-adj + で + しょうがない.
眠くてしょうがないです。
I'm unbearably sleepy.
ても構わない
I don't mind if, it's fine to, no objection. Built as て form + も構わない, な-adj / Noun + でも構わない.
先に帰っても構いません。
You're welcome to leave ahead of me.
ている場合じゃない
This is no time to be ~ing, you can't afford to be doing this. Built as ている + 場合じゃない / 場合ではない.
笑っている場合じゃないですよ。
This is really no time to be laughing.
ことになっている
It is arranged that, the rule is, it's scheduled to. Built as Dictionary / ない form + ことになっている.
会議は毎週月曜日に行うことになっています。
The meeting is held every Monday as a rule.
代わりに
Instead of, in place of, in exchange for. Built as Dictionary / た form + 代わりに, Noun + の + 代わりに.
バスの代わりに電車で行きました。
I went by train instead of by bus.
から〜にかけて
From ~ to, through, over the span of. Built as Noun + から + Noun + にかけて.
夕方から夜にかけて雨が降るでしょう。
Rain is expected from the evening through the night.
向け・向き
Aimed at, intended for, suited to. Built as Noun + 向け, Noun + 向き.
子供向けの番組を作っています。
We make programmes aimed at children.
次第
As soon as, depending on, it's up to. Built as ますstem + 次第, Noun + 次第, Noun + 次第で.
到着し次第ご連絡いたします。
I will contact you as soon as I arrive.
Attempt and Appearance Verbs
Three verb patterns that sit slightly apart from the rest.
ようとする describes an attempt with the outcome left open, which is what separates it from てみる: 食べてみた means you ate it, 食べようとした means you went to. And てごらん needs a register warning. It descends from the honorific ご覧になる but the short form is not honorific at all, so it is what an adult says to a child and wrong aimed upward.
ようとする
Try to, attempt to, be about to. Built as Volitional form + とする.
ドアを開けようとしたが鍵がかかっていた。
I tried to open the door but it was locked.
ように見える
Looks like, appears to be, seems (visually). Built as Plain form + ように見える, Noun + の + ように見える, な-adj + な + ように見える.
元気なように見えますが、実は疲れています。
He looks well, but he's actually exhausted.
てごらん
Try doing, go on, have a go. Built as て form + ごらん, て form + ごらんなさい.
これを食べてごらん。おいしいよ。
Go on, try this. It's good.
How to Study N3 Grammar
Learn the confusable groups as groups. This matters more at N3 than at any level before it. わけだ, わけではない, わけがない and わけにはいかない only make sense against each other. So do について, にとって and に対して. Studying one in isolation is what creates the confusion in the first place, because each is defined largely by what it is not.
Stop translating and start noticing the attitude. A lot of N3 does not change what a sentence means, only how the speaker feels about it. くせに and のに describe the same contrast; one of them is an accusation. っぽい and らしい describe the same quality; one of them is a compliment. The English translation will be identical and completely useless for choosing.
Watch what the pattern demands after it. N3 is full of patterns that open a frame the ending has to close. によると needs a reporting form. からといって needs a negative conclusion. たとたん refuses anything intentional. もしかしたら wants かもしれない. Half of the mistakes at this level are not the pattern itself but a second half that does not match.
Read something real. N3 is the level where reading stops being an exercise and starts being possible. News aimed at learners, essays, blog posts. The connectives block exists almost entirely to make written Japanese work, so you will not feel why you learned it until you are reading something that was not written for a textbook.
Test yourself constantly. Every point above has a quiz on its page, or you can mix all 257 topics in the grammar quiz, which now holds 1,488 questions across N5, N4 and N3.
What N3 Actually Buys You
N5 gave you sentences. N4 gave you nuance. N3 gives you the ability to follow an argument.
That is the honest description. After N3 you can read a news article aimed at adults, follow a discussion where people disagree politely, and say something without fully committing to it, which turns out to be most of how Japanese conversation actually works.
You will still meet words you do not know. That is a vocabulary problem, and it is a much easier problem than the one you just finished solving.
Next: browse the full grammar reference, or go back and check your N4 foundations before pushing on.