Master 58 JLPT N3 grammar patterns with clear explanations, examples, and practice exercises for Japanese learners.
58 grammar patterns
looks like, appears to be
Learn how to use 〜ように見える to describe appearances in Japanese.
due to, per, because of
Learn how to use 〜につき to express reasons or rates in Japanese.
although, even while, despite
Learn how to use 〜ながらも to express contrast in Japanese.
about to, half-done, in the middle of
Learn how to use 〜かける to express incomplete actions in Japanese.
as, according to, in the way
Learn how to use 〜とおり to express "as" or "according to" in Japanese.
because (excuse/explanation)
Learn how to use 〜ものだから to give reasons or excuses in Japanese.
it means that, I heard that
Learn how to use 〜ということだ to report or explain in Japanese.
full of, covered with
Learn how to use 〜だらけ to express "full of" in Japanese.
should, ought to (advice)
Learn how to use 〜ことだ to give advice in Japanese.
do nothing but, keep doing
Learn how to use 〜てばかりいる to express doing only one thing in Japanese.
instead of, in exchange for
Learn how to use 〜かわりに to express "instead of" in Japanese.
precisely, indeed, emphasis
Learn how to use 〜こそ for emphasis in Japanese.
only, since then, just
Learn how to use 〜きり to express "only" or "since then" in Japanese.
now that, since, as long as
Learn how to use 〜からには to express commitment in Japanese.
even
Learn how to use 〜さえ to express "even" for emphasis in Japanese.
for, considering
Learn how to use 〜にしては to express "for" or "considering" in Japanese.
What X means is / The reason is
〜というのは introduces a definition, explanation, or reason for something.
Perhaps because / Maybe due to
〜せいか means "perhaps because" — expresses uncertainty about whether X is the cause.
Because of (negative cause)
〜せいで means "because of" for negative outcomes — blames something for a bad result.
Targeted at / Designed for
〜向け means "targeted at" or "designed for" — indicates something is intentionally made for a specific audience.
Can't help / Unbearably / Extremely
〜てしょうがない expresses that a feeling or urge is so strong you can't control it.
From the fact that / Because
〜ことから indicates the reason or origin of something — "from the fact that" or "because of."
While / Before it's too late
〜うちに means "while" or "before the situation changes" — do something before an opportunity passes.
In the middle of / Right in the midst of
〜最中に means "right in the middle of" — something happens during the peak or crucial moment of an activity.
Suitable for / Intended for
〜向き means "suitable for" or "intended for" a particular group or purpose.
Slight tendency / A bit / -ish
〜気味 expresses a slight tendency or degree of something, often regarding health or conditions.
Tend to / Prone to (negative)
〜がち expresses a tendency toward something, usually negative or undesirable.
Can't help but feel / Extremely
〜てならない expresses that a feeling arises naturally and can't be suppressed.
Unbearably / Extremely / Can't stand
〜てたまらない expresses that a feeling or sensation is so intense you can't bear it.
It's expected that / It's scheduled that
〜ことになっている expresses that something is scheduled, expected, or a rule/custom.
Not impossible / Somewhat
〜ないことはない is a double negative meaning "it's not that I don't/can't" — a hesitant, qualified affirmative.
Considering / For / Despite
〜わりに expresses that something is unexpected given a certain condition — "considering X, Y is surprising."
Even if (hypothetical)
〜としても expresses "even if" for hypothetical situations — even assuming X were true, Y would still apply.
Even if / Even so / Whether...or
〜にしても means "even if" or "even so," acknowledging a condition while stating the result remains the same.
Just because... doesn't mean
〜からといって means "just because X doesn't mean Y" — used to argue against an expected conclusion.
Tell someone to
〜ように言う is used to report that someone told/asked another person to do something.
I wish / If only
〜ばいいのに expresses a wish that something would happen or that someone would do something, often implying mild frustration.
No need to / Don't have to
〜ことはない expresses that there is no need to do something, often used to reassure someone.
The moment / As soon as
〜たとたん expresses that something happened immediately after another action, often unexpectedly.
While at it / On the occasion of
〜ついでに means doing something extra while you're already doing something else — taking advantage of an opportunity.
Make it a habit to / Make it a rule to
〜ことにしている expresses a personal habit, rule, or policy you've decided to follow regularly.
Cannot afford to / Must not
〜わけにはいかない expresses that you cannot do something due to social, moral, or circumstantial reasons, even if you might want to.
Used to / Should / It's natural that
〜ものだ has multiple meanings: nostalgia about the past, stating what's natural or expected, or giving advice about what one should do.
There's no way / Impossible
〜わけがない strongly denies the possibility of something. It expresses that something is impossible or out of the question.
Even though / Despite (critical)
〜くせに expresses criticism or frustration that someone does something despite a contradictory quality or situation.
-ish / Seems like / Tends to
〜っぽい is a suffix meaning "-ish" or "seems like," often implying something has characteristics of X or tends toward X.
What was it again? / Remind me
〜っけ is a casual sentence ending used when trying to recall something or asking for confirmation about forgotten information.
To the extent that / So...that / About
〜ほど expresses degree - so much that, to the extent of. Also for approximation and comparisons.
Should / Ought to (moral obligation)
〜べき expresses moral obligation - what one should or ought to do. Stronger than ほうがいい.
Thanks to / Because of (positive)
おかげで expresses thanks to or because of for positive outcomes. Contrasts with せいで for negative results.
As is / Without changing
〜まま expresses as is or without changing. Describes doing something while a previous state continues unchanged.
Although / Despite
〜のに expresses although or despite, often with disappointment or frustration. Shows unexpected contrast between expectation and result.
Just did something
〜たばかり expresses that something just happened very recently. Emphasizes the recency of a completed action.
Intend to / Think I will
〜ようと思う expresses intention or planning to do something. Uses the volitional form to show what one is thinking of doing.
Without doing something
〜ずに means without doing something. A more formal alternative to 〜ないで, formed by replacing ない with ず.
Should have done / I wish I had
〜ばよかった expresses regret about not doing something in the past. Translates to "I should have..." or "I wish I had..." when reflecting on missed opportunities.
It does not mean that / It is not the case that
〜わけではない partially denies something without completely rejecting it. Means "it's not that..." and adds nuance when correcting assumptions or softening statements.
Accidentally doing something regrettable
ちゃう and じゃう are casual contractions of てしまう, expressing that something happened accidentally, regrettably, or completely. Common in manga and everyday Japanese speech.
