N3 vocabulary (~3,750 cumulative words, ~2,250 new beyond N4) marks the shift from basic daily vocabulary to abstract, professional, and academic language. Many N3 words are Chinese-origin compound nouns (漢語, kango) — learning to recognize kanji components becomes essential. This page organizes all N3-level vocabulary by semantic domain.
How N3 Vocabulary Differs from N4
At N4, most vocabulary is concrete: food, directions, actions, simple adjectives. N3 introduces:
- Abstract nouns: 意識 (consciousness), 感覚 (sensation), 判断 (judgment)
- Formal/written equivalents of casual words: 利用する (riyou suru) instead of 使う (tsukau)
- Compound verbs: 取り上げる (toriageru, to take up/address), 乗り越える (norikoeru, to overcome)
- Four-character compounds (四字熟語): Begin appearing in N3 reading passages
1. Abstract and Intellectual Vocabulary
These nouns are essential for N3 reading passages and formal conversation.
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Notes |
| 意識 |
いしき |
ishiki |
consciousness; awareness |
意識する = to be aware of |
| 感覚 |
かんかく |
kankaku |
sensation; feeling; sense |
感覚的 = intuitive |
| 印象 |
いんしょう |
inshou |
impression |
第一印象 = first impression |
| 判断 |
はんだん |
handan |
judgment; decision |
判断する = to judge |
| 想像 |
そうぞう |
souzou |
imagination |
想像する = to imagine |
| 記憶 |
きおく |
kioku |
memory; recollection |
記憶する = to memorize |
| 理解 |
りかい |
rikai |
understanding; comprehension |
理解する = to understand |
| 認識 |
にんしき |
ninshiki |
recognition; awareness |
認識する = to recognize |
| 表現 |
ひょうげん |
hyougen |
expression; representation |
表現する = to express |
| 主張 |
しゅちょう |
shuchou |
assertion; claim; argument |
主張する = to assert |
| 観察 |
かんさつ |
kansatsu |
observation |
観察する = to observe |
| 分析 |
ぶんせき |
bunseki |
analysis |
分析する = to analyze |
| 発見 |
はっけん |
hakken |
discovery |
発見する = to discover |
| 創造 |
そうぞう |
souzou |
creation; creativity |
創造的 = creative |
| 発想 |
はっそう |
hassou |
idea; way of thinking |
発想力 = creative thinking |
| 概念 |
がいねん |
gainen |
concept; notion |
abstract usage |
| 論理 |
ろんり |
ronri |
logic; reasoning |
論理的 = logical |
| 矛盾 |
むじゅん |
mujun |
contradiction |
矛盾する = to contradict |
| 仮定 |
かてい |
katei |
assumption; hypothesis |
仮定する = to assume |
| 証拠 |
しょうこ |
shouko |
evidence; proof |
証拠を示す = to show evidence |
| 目標 |
もくひょう |
mokuhyou |
goal; target |
vs. 目的 (purpose) |
| 価値 |
かち |
kachi |
value; worth |
価値観 = values, worldview |
| 基準 |
きじゅん |
kijun |
standard; criterion |
基準を設ける = to set a standard |
| 限界 |
げんかい |
genkai |
limit; boundary |
限界を感じる = to feel a limit |
| 条件 |
じょうけん |
jouken |
condition; requirement |
条件を満たす = to meet conditions |
| 原則 |
げんそく |
gensoku |
principle; rule |
原則として = as a rule |
| 前提 |
ぜんてい |
zentei |
premise; precondition |
前提とする = to presuppose |
| 可能性 |
かのうせい |
kanousei |
possibility; potential |
可能性が高い = likely |
| 必然 |
ひつぜん |
hitsuzen |
inevitability; necessity |
必然的に = inevitably |
| 偶然 |
ぐうぜん |
guuzen |
chance; coincidence |
偶然に = by chance |
2. Social and Institutional Vocabulary
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Notes |
| 政治 |
せいじ |
seiji |
politics |
政治家 = politician |
| 経済 |
けいざい |
keizai |
economy; economics |
経済的 = economical |
| 環境 |
かんきょう |
kankyou |
environment |
環境問題 = environmental issues |
| 文明 |
ぶんめい |
bunmei |
civilization |
文明社会 = civilized society |
| 制度 |
せいど |
seido |
system; institution |
社会制度 = social system |
| 規則 |
きそく |
kisoku |
rules; regulations |
規則を守る = to follow rules |
| 組織 |
そしき |
soshiki |
organization; structure |
組織的 = organized |
| 団体 |
だんたい |
dantai |
group; organization |
団体行動 = group action |
| 責任 |
せきにん |
sekinin |
responsibility |
責任を取る = to take responsibility |
| 義務 |
ぎむ |
gimu |
obligation; duty |
義務教育 = compulsory education |
| 権利 |
けんり |
kenri |
right; entitlement |
権利を主張する = to assert rights |
| 法律 |
ほうりつ |
houritsu |
law |
法律に従う = to follow the law |
| 規制 |
きせい |
kisei |
regulation; control |
規制する = to regulate |
| 税金 |
ぜいきん |
zeikin |
tax |
税金を払う = to pay taxes |
| 選挙 |
せんきょ |
senkyo |
election |
選挙に立候補する = to run for election |
| 投票 |
とうひょう |
touhyou |
voting |
投票する = to vote |
| 政策 |
せいさく |
seisaku |
policy |
政策を立てる = to establish policy |
| 民主主義 |
みんしゅしゅぎ |
minshu shugi |
democracy |
|
| 人口 |
じんこう |
jinkou |
population |
人口増加 = population increase |
| 少子化 |
しょうしか |
shoushika |
declining birthrate |
Important N3 topic |
| 高齢化 |
こうれいか |
koureika |
aging of society |
高齢化社会 = aging society |
| 文化 |
ぶんか |
bunka |
culture |
文化的 = cultural |
| 伝統 |
でんとう |
dentou |
tradition |
伝統を守る = to preserve tradition |
| 習慣 |
しゅうかん |
shuukan |
custom; habit |
習慣になる = to become a habit |
| 社会 |
しゃかい |
shakai |
society |
社会問題 = social issues |
| 国際 |
こくさい |
kokusai |
international |
国際社会 = international community |
| 外交 |
がいこう |
gaikou |
diplomacy |
外交的 = diplomatic |
| 貿易 |
ぼうえき |
boueki |
trade |
貿易摩擦 = trade friction |
| 輸出 |
ゆしゅつ |
yushutsu |
export |
輸出する = to export |
| 輸入 |
ゆにゅう |
yunyuu |
import |
輸入する = to import |
3. Work and Career Vocabulary
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Notes |
| 職業 |
しょくぎょう |
shokugyou |
occupation; profession |
職業訓練 = vocational training |
| 採用 |
さいよう |
saiyou |
hiring; adoption |
採用する = to hire |
| 退職 |
たいしょく |
taishoku |
retirement; resignation |
退職する = to retire/resign |
| 出張 |
しゅっちょう |
shucchou |
business trip |
出張する = to go on a business trip |
| 残業 |
ざんぎょう |
zangyou |
overtime work |
残業する = to work overtime |
| 昇進 |
しょうしん |
shoushin |
promotion |
昇進する = to get promoted |
| 上司 |
じょうし |
joushi |
supervisor; boss |
vs. 部下 (subordinate) |
| 部下 |
ぶか |
buka |
subordinate; staff under one |
|
| 同僚 |
どうりょう |
douryou |
colleague; coworker |
|
| 顧客 |
こきゃく |
kokyaku |
customer; client |
顧客サービス = customer service |
| 業務 |
ぎょうむ |
gyoumu |
business operations; duties |
業務を行う = to perform duties |
| 担当 |
たんとう |
tantou |
in charge; responsible person |
担当者 = person in charge |
| 報告 |
ほうこく |
houkoku |
report; reporting |
報告する = to report |
| 連絡 |
れんらく |
renraku |
contact; communication |
連絡する = to contact |
| 相談 |
そうだん |
soudan |
consultation; discussion |
相談する = to consult |
| 提案 |
ていあん |
teian |
proposal; suggestion |
提案する = to propose |
| 確認 |
かくにん |
kakunin |
confirmation; verification |
確認する = to confirm |
| 締め切り |
しめきり |
shimekiri |
deadline |
締め切りに間に合う = to meet deadline |
| 契約 |
けいやく |
keiyaku |
contract; agreement |
契約する = to sign a contract |
| 交渉 |
こうしょう |
koushou |
negotiation |
交渉する = to negotiate |
| 会議 |
かいぎ |
kaigi |
meeting; conference |
会議を開く = to hold a meeting |
| 資料 |
しりょう |
shiryou |
materials; documents |
資料を準備する = to prepare materials |
| 計画 |
けいかく |
keikaku |
plan; project |
計画を立てる = to make a plan |
| 予算 |
よさん |
yosan |
budget |
予算を組む = to form a budget |
| 売上 |
うりあげ |
uriage |
sales; revenue |
売上が上がる = sales increase |
| 利益 |
りえき |
rieki |
profit; benefit |
利益を上げる = to increase profit |
| 損失 |
そんしつ |
sonshitsu |
loss; damage |
損失を出す = to incur a loss |
| 投資 |
とうし |
toushi |
investment |
投資する = to invest |
| 経営 |
けいえい |
keiei |
management; administration |
経営者 = manager/executive |
| 起業 |
きぎょう |
kigyou |
starting a business |
起業する = to start a business |
4. Academic Vocabulary
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Notes |
| 論文 |
ろんぶん |
ronbun |
thesis; academic paper |
論文を書く = to write a paper |
| 実験 |
じっけん |
jikken |
experiment |
実験する = to experiment |
| 調査 |
ちょうさ |
chousa |
investigation; survey |
調査する = to investigate |
| 統計 |
とうけい |
toukei |
statistics |
統計データ = statistical data |
| 証明 |
しょうめい |
shoumei |
proof; demonstration |
証明する = to prove |
| 考察 |
こうさつ |
kousatsu |
examination; consideration |
考察する = to examine |
| 結論 |
けつろん |
ketsuron |
conclusion |
結論を出す = to draw a conclusion |
| 引用 |
いんよう |
inyou |
citation; quotation |
引用する = to cite/quote |
| 仮説 |
かせつ |
kasetsu |
hypothesis |
仮説を立てる = to form a hypothesis |
| 研究 |
けんきゅう |
kenkyuu |
research; study |
研究する = to research |
| 発表 |
はっぴょう |
happyou |
presentation; announcement |
発表する = to present |
| 評価 |
ひょうか |
hyouka |
evaluation; assessment |
評価する = to evaluate |
| 比較 |
ひかく |
hikaku |
comparison |
比較する = to compare |
| 定義 |
ていぎ |
teigi |
definition |
定義する = to define |
| 理論 |
りろん |
riron |
theory |
理論的 = theoretical |
| 原因 |
げんいん |
genin |
cause; origin |
vs. 理由 (reason) |
| 影響 |
えいきょう |
eikyou |
influence; effect |
影響を与える = to influence |
| 結果 |
けっか |
kekka |
result; outcome |
結果として = as a result |
| 過程 |
かてい |
katei |
process; course |
研究の過程 = research process |
| 方法 |
ほうほう |
houhou |
method; way |
方法を考える = to think of a method |
| 目的 |
もくてき |
mokuteki |
purpose; objective |
目的を達成する = to achieve a goal |
| 背景 |
はいけい |
haikei |
background; context |
背景を説明する = to explain background |
| 課題 |
かだい |
kadai |
task; issue; challenge |
課題を解決する = to solve an issue |
| 問題 |
もんだい |
mondai |
problem; question |
問題を提起する = to raise an issue |
| 解決 |
かいけつ |
kaiketsu |
solution; resolution |
解決する = to solve |
| 提示 |
ていじ |
teiji |
presentation; indication |
提示する = to present/indicate |
| 資料 |
しりょう |
shiryou |
materials; data |
資料を集める = to gather data |
| 根拠 |
こんきょ |
konkyo |
basis; grounds |
根拠を示す = to show grounds |
| 反論 |
はんろん |
hanron |
counterargument |
反論する = to counter |
| 要点 |
ようてん |
youten |
main point; key point |
要点をまとめる = to summarize |
5. Emotional and Psychological Vocabulary
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Notes |
| 悩み |
なやみ |
nayami |
worry; trouble; concern |
悩む = to worry |
| 不安 |
ふあん |
fuan |
anxiety; unease |
不安になる = to become anxious |
| 緊張 |
きんちょう |
kinchou |
tension; nervousness |
緊張する = to be nervous |
| 感動 |
かんどう |
kandou |
being moved; deep impression |
感動する = to be moved |
| 失望 |
しつぼう |
shitsubou |
disappointment |
失望する = to be disappointed |
| 喜び |
よろこび |
yorokobi |
joy; delight |
喜ぶ = to be pleased |
| 怒り |
いかり |
ikari |
anger; rage |
怒る = to get angry |
| 恥 |
はじ |
haji |
shame; embarrassment |
恥ずかしい = embarrassing |
| 後悔 |
こうかい |
koukai |
regret; remorse |
後悔する = to regret |
| 満足 |
まんぞく |
manzoku |
satisfaction |
満足する = to be satisfied |
| 不満 |
ふまん |
fuman |
dissatisfaction; complaint |
不満を持つ = to have complaints |
| 期待 |
きたい |
kitai |
expectation; hope |
期待する = to expect/hope |
| 嫉妬 |
しっと |
shitto |
jealousy; envy |
嫉妬する = to be jealous |
| 孤独 |
こどく |
kodoku |
loneliness; solitude |
孤独感 = sense of loneliness |
| 幸福 |
こうふく |
koufuku |
happiness; bliss |
幸福感 = sense of happiness |
| 苦しみ |
くるしみ |
kurushimi |
suffering; pain |
苦しむ = to suffer |
| 悲しみ |
かなしみ |
kanashimi |
sadness; sorrow |
悲しむ = to be sad |
| 恐れ |
おそれ |
osore |
fear; apprehension |
恐れる = to fear |
| 羨ましい |
うらやましい |
urayamashii |
envious; jealous |
|
| 誇り |
ほこり |
hokori |
pride |
誇りに思う = to feel proud |
| 感謝 |
かんしゃ |
kansha |
gratitude; thanks |
感謝する = to be grateful |
| 信頼 |
しんらい |
shinrai |
trust; confidence |
信頼する = to trust |
| 尊敬 |
そんけい |
sonkei |
respect; admiration |
尊敬する = to respect |
| 同情 |
どうじょう |
doujou |
sympathy; compassion |
同情する = to sympathize |
| 感情 |
かんじょう |
kanjou |
emotion; feeling |
感情的 = emotional |
| 意欲 |
いよく |
iyoku |
motivation; drive |
意欲的 = motivated |
| 好奇心 |
こうきしん |
koukishin |
curiosity |
好奇心が強い = very curious |
| 自信 |
じしん |
jishin |
confidence; self-confidence |
自信を持つ = to have confidence |
| 勇気 |
ゆうき |
yuuki |
courage; bravery |
勇気を出す = to summon courage |
| 我慢 |
がまん |
gaman |
patience; endurance |
我慢する = to endure/put up with |
6. Verbs — Actions and Processes
6a. Cognitive and Communication Verbs
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Type |
| 判断する |
はんだんする |
handan suru |
to judge; to decide |
suru |
| 認める |
みとめる |
mitomeru |
to acknowledge; to admit |
v1 |
| 否定する |
ひていする |
hitei suru |
to deny; to negate |
suru |
| 主張する |
しゅちょうする |
shuchou suru |
to assert; to claim |
suru |
| 説得する |
せっとくする |
settoku suru |
to persuade; to convince |
suru |
| 反論する |
はんろんする |
hanron suru |
to counterargue; to object |
suru |
| 指摘する |
してきする |
shiteki suru |
to point out; to indicate |
suru |
| 強調する |
きょうちょうする |
kyouchou suru |
to emphasize; to stress |
suru |
| 要求する |
ようきゅうする |
youkyuu suru |
to demand; to request |
suru |
| 提案する |
ていあんする |
teian suru |
to propose; to suggest |
suru |
| 了解する |
りょうかいする |
ryoukai suru |
to understand; to acknowledge |
suru |
| 承認する |
しょうにんする |
shounin suru |
to approve; to authorize |
suru |
| 拒否する |
きょひする |
kyohi suru |
to refuse; to reject |
suru |
| 批判する |
ひはんする |
hihan suru |
to criticize |
suru |
| 評価する |
ひょうかする |
hyouka suru |
to evaluate; to assess |
suru |
| 比較する |
ひかくする |
hikaku suru |
to compare |
suru |
| 判明する |
はんめいする |
hanmei suru |
to become clear; to turn out |
suru |
| 解明する |
かいめいする |
kaimei suru |
to clarify; to elucidate |
suru |
| 発見する |
はっけんする |
hakken suru |
to discover |
suru |
| 証明する |
しょうめいする |
shoumei suru |
to prove; to demonstrate |
suru |
6b. Movement and Physical Actions
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Type |
| 向かう |
むかう |
mukau |
to head toward; to face |
v5 |
| 近づく |
ちかづく |
chikadzuku |
to approach; to get close |
v5 |
| 離れる |
はなれる |
hanareru |
to separate; to move away |
v1 |
| 通り過ぎる |
とおりすぎる |
toori sugiru |
to pass by; to go past |
v1 |
| 乗り越える |
のりこえる |
nori koeru |
to overcome; to get over |
v1 |
| 取り組む |
とりくむ |
tori komu |
to tackle; to work on |
v5 |
| 引き受ける |
ひきうける |
hiki ukeru |
to take on; to undertake |
v1 |
| 向き合う |
むきあう |
muki au |
to face; to confront |
v5 |
| 逃げる |
にげる |
nigeru |
to escape; to flee |
v1 |
| 追いかける |
おいかける |
oi kakeru |
to chase; to pursue |
v1 |
| 落ち着く |
おちつく |
ochitsuku |
to calm down; to settle |
v5 |
| 転ぶ |
ころぶ |
korobu |
to fall over; to tumble |
v5 |
| 倒れる |
たおれる |
taoreru |
to fall; to collapse |
v1 |
| 震える |
ふるえる |
furueru |
to tremble; to shake |
v1 |
| 渡る |
わたる |
wataru |
to cross (bridge/road) |
v5 |
6c. Change and State Verbs
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Type |
| 変化する |
へんかする |
henka suru |
to change; to vary |
suru |
| 増加する |
ぞうかする |
zouka suru |
to increase |
suru |
| 減少する |
げんしょうする |
genshou suru |
to decrease |
suru |
| 発展する |
はってんする |
hatten suru |
to develop; to advance |
suru |
| 成長する |
せいちょうする |
seichou suru |
to grow; to develop |
suru |
| 拡大する |
かくだいする |
kakudai suru |
to expand; to enlarge |
suru |
| 縮小する |
しゅくしょうする |
shukushou suru |
to reduce; to scale down |
suru |
| 回復する |
かいふくする |
kaifuku suru |
to recover; to restore |
suru |
| 悪化する |
あっかする |
akka suru |
to worsen; to deteriorate |
suru |
| 改善する |
かいぜんする |
kaizen suru |
to improve; to better |
suru |
| 解決する |
かいけつする |
kaiketsu suru |
to solve; to resolve |
suru |
| 達成する |
たっせいする |
tassei suru |
to achieve; to accomplish |
suru |
| 失敗する |
しっぱいする |
shippai suru |
to fail |
suru |
| 成功する |
せいこうする |
seikou suru |
to succeed |
suru |
| 継続する |
けいぞくする |
keizoku suru |
to continue; to maintain |
suru |
7. Adjectives — Descriptive and Evaluative
7a. i-Adjectives (〜い)
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Notes |
| 激しい |
はげしい |
hageshii |
intense; fierce; violent |
|
| 細かい |
こまかい |
komakai |
detailed; fine; precise |
|
| 厳しい |
きびしい |
kibishii |
strict; severe; harsh |
|
| 穏やかな |
おだやかな |
odayaka na |
calm; gentle; mild |
(na-adj) |
| 鋭い |
するどい |
surudoi |
sharp; acute; keen |
|
| 鈍い |
にぶい |
nibui |
dull; slow; blunt |
|
| 悲しい |
かなしい |
kanashii |
sad; sorrowful |
|
| 恐ろしい |
おそろしい |
osoroshii |
fearful; frightening |
|
| 惜しい |
おしい |
oshii |
regrettable; a waste |
|
| 羨ましい |
うらやましい |
urayamashii |
envious; jealous |
|
| 懐かしい |
なつかしい |
natsukashii |
nostalgic; dear |
|
| 珍しい |
めずらしい |
mezurashii |
rare; unusual; uncommon |
|
| 著しい |
いちじるしい |
ichijirushii |
remarkable; striking |
|
| 激しい |
はげしい |
hageshii |
intense; violent |
|
| 眠い |
ねむい |
nemui |
sleepy |
|
| 悔しい |
くやしい |
kuyashii |
frustrating; mortifying |
|
| 恥ずかしい |
はずかしい |
hazukashii |
embarrassed; shy |
|
| 煩わしい |
わずらわしい |
wazurawashii |
troublesome; annoying |
|
| 疑わしい |
うたがわしい |
utagawashii |
doubtful; suspicious |
|
| 正しい |
ただしい |
tadashii |
correct; right |
|
7b. na-Adjectives (〜な)
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Notes |
| 複雑 |
ふくざつ |
fukuzatsu |
complex; complicated |
|
| 単純 |
たんじゅん |
tanjun |
simple; straightforward |
|
| 曖昧 |
あいまい |
aimai |
vague; ambiguous |
|
| 明確 |
めいかく |
meikaku |
clear; definite; explicit |
|
| 適切 |
てきせつ |
tekisetsu |
appropriate; suitable |
|
| 不適切 |
ふてきせつ |
futekisetsu |
inappropriate; unsuitable |
|
| 深刻 |
しんこく |
shinkoku |
serious; grave; severe |
|
| 軽微 |
けいび |
keibi |
minor; trivial |
|
| 緊急 |
きんきゅう |
kinkyuu |
urgent; emergency |
|
| 慎重 |
しんちょう |
shinchou |
careful; cautious |
|
| 積極的 |
せっきょくてき |
sekkyokuteki |
positive; proactive |
|
| 消極的 |
しょうきょくてき |
shoukyokuteki |
passive; negative |
|
| 効果的 |
こうかてき |
koukateki |
effective |
|
| 具体的 |
ぐたいてき |
gutaiteki |
concrete; specific |
|
| 抽象的 |
ちゅうしょうてき |
chuushouteki |
abstract |
|
| 論理的 |
ろんりてき |
ronriteki |
logical |
|
| 感情的 |
かんじょうてき |
kanjouteki |
emotional |
|
| 一般的 |
いっぱんてき |
ippanteki |
general; common |
|
| 特殊 |
とくしゅ |
tokushu |
special; unique |
|
| 平均的 |
へいきんてき |
heikinnteki |
average; typical |
|
8. Time and Sequence Expressions
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Notes |
| 現在 |
げんざい |
genzai |
present; now |
formal for 今 |
| 現代 |
げんだい |
gendai |
modern times; contemporary |
現代社会 = modern society |
| 将来 |
しょうらい |
shourai |
future |
vs. 未来 (more distant future) |
| 以来 |
いらい |
irai |
since; ever since |
~て以来 = since doing ~ |
| 以前 |
いぜん |
izen |
before; formerly |
|
| 以後 |
いご |
igo |
after; from now on |
|
| 当時 |
とうじ |
touji |
at that time; in those days |
|
| 今後 |
こんご |
kongo |
hereafter; in the future |
|
| 最近 |
さいきん |
saikin |
recently; lately |
|
| 近年 |
きんねん |
kinnen |
recent years |
more formal than 最近 |
| 一時 |
いちじ |
ichiji |
temporarily; at one time |
|
| 当面 |
とうめん |
toumen |
for the time being; at present |
|
| 時期 |
じき |
jiki |
time; period; season |
時期が来る = the time comes |
| 期間 |
きかん |
kikan |
period; duration |
期間を設ける = to set a period |
| 段階 |
だんかい |
dankai |
stage; phase; step |
段階的に = step by step |
| 過程 |
かてい |
katei |
process; course |
変化の過程 = process of change |
| 順序 |
じゅんじょ |
junjo |
order; sequence |
順序を守る = to follow order |
| 手順 |
てじゅん |
tejun |
procedure; steps |
手順通りに = according to procedure |
| やがて |
— |
yagate |
soon; before long; eventually |
|
| 徐々に |
じょじょに |
jojo ni |
gradually; little by little |
|
| 突然 |
とつぜん |
totsuzen |
suddenly; abruptly |
|
| 急に |
きゅうに |
kyuu ni |
suddenly; quickly |
|
| いつの間にか |
いつのまにか |
itsu no ma ni ka |
before one knows it |
|
| そのうち |
— |
sono uchi |
before long; eventually |
|
9. Location, Direction, and Spatial Vocabulary
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Notes |
| 範囲 |
はんい |
han'i |
range; scope; extent |
範囲を広げる = to expand scope |
| 地域 |
ちいき |
chiiki |
area; region; district |
地域社会 = local community |
| 周辺 |
しゅうへん |
shuuhen |
surroundings; vicinity |
周辺環境 = surrounding environment |
| 境界 |
きょうかい |
kyoukai |
boundary; border |
境界線 = boundary line |
| 中心 |
ちゅうしん |
chuushin |
center; core |
中心的 = central |
| 内側 |
うちがわ |
uchigawa |
inside; inner side |
|
| 外側 |
そとがわ |
sotogawa |
outside; outer side |
|
| 表面 |
ひょうめん |
hyoumen |
surface; exterior |
表面的 = superficial |
| 内部 |
ないぶ |
naibu |
inside; interior |
内部問題 = internal problem |
| 外部 |
がいぶ |
gaibu |
outside; exterior |
外部からの圧力 = external pressure |
| 上下 |
じょうげ |
jouge |
up and down; upper and lower |
|
| 前後 |
ぜんご |
zengo |
before and after; approximately |
|
| 左右 |
さゆう |
sayuu |
left and right; influence |
左右される = to be influenced |
10. Nature, Environment, and Science
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Notes |
| 気候 |
きこう |
kikou |
climate |
気候変動 = climate change |
| 温度 |
おんど |
ondo |
temperature |
温度が上がる = temperature rises |
| 湿度 |
しつど |
shitsudo |
humidity |
高湿度 = high humidity |
| 大気 |
たいき |
taiki |
atmosphere; air |
大気汚染 = air pollution |
| 地震 |
じしん |
jishin |
earthquake |
地震が起きる = earthquake occurs |
| 洪水 |
こうずい |
kouzui |
flood |
洪水になる = to flood |
| 台風 |
たいふう |
taifuu |
typhoon |
台風が来る = typhoon comes |
| 干ばつ |
かんばつ |
kanbatsu |
drought |
|
| 自然災害 |
しぜんさいがい |
shizen saigai |
natural disaster |
|
| 資源 |
しげん |
shigen |
resources |
天然資源 = natural resources |
| エネルギー |
— |
enerugii |
energy |
再生可能エネルギー = renewable energy |
| 汚染 |
おせん |
osen |
pollution; contamination |
水質汚染 = water pollution |
| 植物 |
しょくぶつ |
shokubutsu |
plant; vegetation |
植物学 = botany |
| 動物 |
どうぶつ |
doubutsu |
animal |
動物学 = zoology |
| 生物 |
せいぶつ |
seibutsu |
living thing; organism |
生物学 = biology |
| 化学 |
かがく |
kagaku |
chemistry |
化学物質 = chemical substance |
| 物理 |
ぶつり |
butsuri |
physics |
物理学 = physics |
| 宇宙 |
うちゅう |
uchuu |
universe; space |
宇宙開発 = space development |
| 地球 |
ちきゅう |
chikyuu |
Earth |
地球温暖化 = global warming |
| 海洋 |
かいよう |
kaiyou |
ocean; marine |
海洋汚染 = ocean pollution |
11. Health and Medicine
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Notes |
| 症状 |
しょうじょう |
shoujou |
symptom |
症状が出る = symptoms appear |
| 治療 |
ちりょう |
chiryou |
treatment; therapy |
治療する = to treat |
| 手術 |
しゅじゅつ |
shujutsu |
surgery; operation |
手術を受ける = to undergo surgery |
| 診断 |
しんだん |
shindan |
diagnosis |
診断する = to diagnose |
| 検査 |
けんさ |
kensa |
examination; test |
検査を受ける = to be examined |
| 予防 |
よぼう |
yobou |
prevention |
予防する = to prevent |
| 回復 |
かいふく |
kaifuku |
recovery |
回復する = to recover |
| 入院 |
にゅういん |
nyuuin |
hospitalization |
入院する = to be hospitalized |
| 退院 |
たいいん |
taiin |
leaving hospital |
退院する = to be discharged |
| 健康 |
けんこう |
kenkou |
health |
健康的 = healthy |
| 体力 |
たいりょく |
tairyoku |
physical strength |
体力をつける = to build stamina |
| 精神 |
せいしん |
seishin |
mind; spirit; mental |
精神的 = mental/psychological |
| 疲労 |
ひろう |
hirou |
fatigue; exhaustion |
疲労がたまる = fatigue accumulates |
| 栄養 |
えいよう |
eiyou |
nutrition; nourishment |
栄養をとる = to get nutrition |
| 生活習慣 |
せいかつしゅうかん |
seikatsu shuukan |
lifestyle habits |
生活習慣病 = lifestyle disease |
12. Numbers, Quantity, and Measurement
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Notes |
| 割合 |
わりあい |
wariai |
ratio; proportion |
割合が増える = ratio increases |
| 比率 |
ひりつ |
hiritsu |
ratio; rate |
|
| 程度 |
ていど |
teido |
degree; extent; level |
ある程度 = to some extent |
| 以上 |
いじょう |
ijou |
more than; at least |
30以上 = 30 or more |
| 以下 |
いか |
ika |
less than; at most |
30以下 = 30 or less |
| 最大 |
さいだい |
saidai |
maximum; largest |
最大限 = to the greatest extent |
| 最小 |
さいしょう |
saishou |
minimum; smallest |
最小限 = to the minimum |
| 平均 |
へいきん |
heikin |
average; mean |
平均的 = average |
| 合計 |
ごうけい |
goukei |
total; sum |
合計する = to total up |
| 約 |
やく |
yaku |
approximately; about |
約100人 = about 100 people |
| 〜倍 |
〜ばい |
~bai |
~times (multiplier) |
2倍 = twice |
| 〜割 |
〜わり |
~wari |
~tenths (10% per unit) |
3割 = 30% |
| 〜分の〜 |
〜ぶんの〜 |
~bun no ~ |
fraction |
3分の1 = one-third |
13. Connective and Discourse Words
These words are especially important for N3 reading comprehension — they signal how ideas relate.
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
Usage |
| 一方 |
いっぽう |
ippou |
on the other hand; meanwhile |
contrast |
| その一方で |
そのいっぽうで |
sono ippou de |
on the other hand |
contrast |
| それに対して |
それにたいして |
sore ni taishite |
in contrast; in response |
contrast |
| また |
— |
mata |
also; moreover |
addition |
| さらに |
— |
sara ni |
furthermore; in addition |
addition |
| それに加えて |
それにくわえて |
sore ni kuwaete |
in addition to that |
addition |
| したがって |
— |
shitagatte |
therefore; consequently |
result |
| その結果 |
そのけっか |
sono kekka |
as a result |
result |
| ただし |
— |
tadashi |
however; provided that |
condition |
| もっとも |
— |
mottomo |
however; although |
concession |
| むしろ |
— |
mushiro |
rather; instead |
contrast |
| かえって |
— |
kaette |
on the contrary; if anything |
reversal |
| 確かに〜が |
たしかに〜が |
tashika ni ~ ga |
certainly ... but |
concession |
| 〜とはいえ |
〜とはいえ |
~ to wa ie |
although; even though |
concession |
| 〜にもかかわらず |
— |
~ ni mo kakawarazu |
despite; in spite of |
contrast |
| つまり |
— |
tsumari |
that is; in other words |
summary |
| すなわち |
— |
sunawachi |
namely; that is |
formal summary |
| 要するに |
ようするに |
you suru ni |
in short; to sum up |
|
| 例えば |
たとえば |
tatoeba |
for example |
example |
| 具体的には |
ぐたいてきには |
gutaiteki ni wa |
specifically; concretely |
example |
14. Common Compound Nouns (重要な複合名詞)
N3 introduces many compound nouns critical for reading comprehension:
| Compound |
Reading |
Romaji |
Components |
Meaning |
| 地球温暖化 |
ちきゅうおんだんか |
chikyuu ondanka |
Earth + warming |
global warming |
| 少子高齢化 |
しょうしこうれいか |
shoushi koureika |
few children + aging |
declining birthrate + aging |
| 情報化社会 |
じょうほうかしゃかい |
jouhouka shakai |
information society |
information society |
| 国際化 |
こくさいか |
kokusaika |
internationalization |
globalization |
| 多文化共生 |
たぶんかきょうせい |
tabunka kyousei |
multicultural coexistence |
multicultural coexistence |
| 環境問題 |
かんきょうもんだい |
kankyou mondai |
environment + problem |
environmental issues |
| 経済成長 |
けいざいせいちょう |
keizai seichou |
economy + growth |
economic growth |
| 人口減少 |
じんこうげんしょう |
jinkou genshou |
population + decrease |
population decline |
| 社会保障 |
しゃかいほしょう |
shakai hoshou |
social security |
social security |
| 生活水準 |
せいかつすいじゅん |
seikatsu suijun |
living standards |
standard of living |
15. Frequently Confused N3 Words
These pairs appear on the exam and are commonly mixed up:
| Word A |
Word B |
Difference |
| 理由 (riyuu — reason/cause) |
原因 (genin — cause/factor) |
理由 = given reason; 原因 = underlying cause |
| 目的 (mokuteki — purpose) |
目標 (mokuhyou — goal/target) |
目的 = why you do something; 目標 = what you aim for |
| 機会 (kikai — opportunity) |
場合 (baai — case/situation) |
機会 = chance to do something; 場合 = when/if situation occurs |
| 変える (kaeru — to change sth) |
変わる (kawaru — to change intrans) |
transitive vs. intransitive pair |
| 増やす (fuyasu — to increase sth) |
増える (fueru — to increase intrans) |
transitive vs. intransitive pair |
| 続ける (tsuzukeru — to continue sth) |
続く (tsuzuku — to continue intrans) |
transitive vs. intransitive pair |
| 利用する (riyou suru — to use/utilize) |
使う (tsukau — to use) |
利用 is more formal/functional |
| 実現する (jitsugen suru — to realize/achieve) |
達成する (tassei suru — to accomplish) |
実現 = becoming real; 達成 = completing a goal |
| 主張 (shuchou — assertion) |
意見 (iken — opinion) |
主張 is stronger, more forceful |
| 同僚 (douryou — colleague) |
仲間 (nakama — friend/companion) |
同僚 = professional context; 仲間 = informal group |
Vocabulary by JLPT Question Type
Kanji Reading Questions (漢字読み)
Focus on: 経済、政治、環境、判断、認識、影響、統計
Kanji Writing Questions (漢字書き)
Focus on: 感謝、確認、連絡、相談、説明
Contextual Fill-in (文脈規定)
Practice: abstract nouns used in context — 条件、基準、限界、可能性
Synonyms/Substitution (言い換え類義語)
Common pairs: 利用する→使う、判断する→決める、依頼する→お願いする
Usage Questions (用法)
Check: which sentence correctly uses 期待、満足、不安 etc.