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1,000+ JLPT N3 Vocabulary List

Published 13 hours ago32 minute read
or just stepping into intermediate-level Japanese, you’re entering an exciting stage. The JLPT N3 vocabulary list includes around 3,750 words, which contain a mix of practical terms you’ll encounter in everyday conversations, at school, in the workplace, and even in formal settings. 

While N3 is often considered one of the more challenging JLPT levels, with a passing rate of only around 40%, success is absolutely within reach. The key lies in building a solid vocabulary foundation, mastering the 650 kanji that may appear, and staying consistent with mock exams and listening practice.

To help you stay on track, we’ve created a complete JLPT N3 vocabulary list, thoughtfully organized by theme. 

Note: This list includes only new vocabulary introduced at the JLPT N3 level. It does not cover words already studied in JLPT N4 and N5. If you’re just starting out or need a refresher, be sure to check out our full JLPT N4 Vocabulary List and JLPT N5 Vocabulary List to build a strong foundation before moving on.

Getting ready for the JLPT? Boost your chances of passing with Coto Academy’s JLPT Prep Course — designed for busy learners. With just 3 focused hours per week, you’ll turn your current Japanese skills into real test results in 3 months.

Nouns, or meishi (名詞),  make up a large portion of the vocabulary you’ll learn at the JLPT N3 vocabulary. In this list, we’ve sorted them alphabetically for easier reference.

If you’re using flashcard tools like Anki, we recommend you tag the nouns based on specific categories. Some JLPT N3 vocabulary books and pocket guides also organize words this way, which can be especially helpful for building vocabulary in context!

グループgroup
ハイキングhiking
メモmemorandum
アルバムalbum
コードcode,cord,chord
ユーモアhumor
ボールball,bowl
ソファーsofa,couch
ピクニックpicnic
バンbun,van
おやparents
カーcar
チャンスchance,opportunity
ノックknock
アイロンiron
マーケットmarket
ケースcase
パスpass, path
タオルtowel
パーセントpercent
ミスmistake, Miss
ダイヤdiagram, diamond, schedule
クリスマスChristmas
あいlove
合図あいずsignal
相手あいてcompanion, opponent
明かりあかりlight, brightness
握手あくしゅhandshake
あせsweat
辺りあたりvicinity, nearby
辺りあたりnearby
集まりあつまりgathering
あとtrace, mark
あなhole
誤りあやまりerror
あらしstorm
現れあらわれembodiment
哀れあわれpity
あんplan
暗記あんきmemorization
暗記あんきmemorization, learning by heart
stomach
委員いいんcommittee member
意外いがいunexpected (used as noun/adj)
意外いがいunexpected, surprising
行きいきgoing
いきbreath
勢いいきおいforce, energy
生き物いきものliving thing, creature
幾ついくつhow many?
意思いしintention, purpose
医師いしdoctor
維持いじmaintenance
意識いしきconsciousness, senses
いずみspring
以前いぜんbefore, ago
いたboard
偉大いだいgreatness
痛みいたみpain, ache, grief
痛みいたみpain, ache, sore, grief, distress
位置いちplace, situation, position, location
位置いちposition, location
市場いちばmarket
一番いちばんbest, number one
一家いっかfamily, household
一瞬いっしゅんmoment, instant
一生いっしょうwhole life
一層いっそうmuch more
一致いっちagreement
移動いどうmovement, migration
いねrice plant
居眠りいねむりdozing
いのちcommand,decree,life,destiny
違反いはんviolation
違反いはんviolation (of law), transgression, infringement, breach
衣服いふくclothes
居間いまliving room
依頼いらいrequest
以来いらいsince
以来いらいsince, henceforth
医療いりょうmedical treatment
いわrock, crag
祝いいわいcelebration
印刷いんさつprinting
印象いんしょうimpression
印象いんしょうimpression
うおfish
うおfish
うさぎrabbit,hare,cony
うしろback, behind, after
うそlie
うちinside
うちinside
うまhorse
うめplum,plum-tree,lowest (of a three-tier ranking system)
うわさrumour, report, gossip
うわさrumour, report, gossip, common talk
うんfortune, luck
運転うんてんdriving
運動うんどうexercise
永遠えいえんeternity
永久えいきゅうeternity
影響えいきょうinfluence
営業えいぎょうbusiness
衛星えいせいsatellite
笑顔えがおsmiling face
えさfeed
えんcircle,money
延期えんきpostponement
演技えんぎperformance
援助えんじょassistance, aid, support
演説えんぜつspeech
演奏えんそうmusical performance
遠慮えんりょdiffidence,restraint,reserve
老いおいold age
おうking, ruler, sovereign, monarch
おうking
王様おうさまking
王子おうじprince
横断おうだんcrossing
横断おうだんcrossing
覆うおおうto cover, to hide, to conceal, to wrap, to disguise
大家おおやrich family, distinguished family
大家おおやrich family, landlord
おきopen sea
おくinterior
おくinterior, inner part
汚染おせんpollution, contamination
男の人おとこのひとman
お腹おなかstomach
おにdemon, ogre
おびband, belt
思い出おもいでmemory
泳ぎおよぎswimming
泳ぎおよぎswimming
おわりthe end
おわりthe end
おんfavor, obligation
温度おんどtemperature
passable
かいcounter for occurrences
かいcounter for occurrences
かいmeeting
会員かいいんmember, the membership
会員かいいんmember
絵画かいがpainting
海外かいがいoverseas
会計かいけいaccount, finance, accountant
会計かいけいaccounting
外交がいこうdiplomacy
外交がいこうdiplomacy
開始かいしstart
解釈かいしゃくinterpretation
外出がいしゅつouting
香りかおりfragrance, scent
画家がかpainter, artist
価格かかくprice
化学かがくchemistry
かかりperson in charge
かぎkey
家具かぐfurniture
確実かくじつcertainty,reliability,soundness
学者がくしゃscholar
学者がくしゃscholar
学習がくしゅうstudy, learning
拡大かくだいmagnification,enlargement
かげshade, shadow, other side
かげshade, shadow, other side
過去かこthe past
かごbasket
貸しかしloan, lending
菓子かしsweets
菓子かしpastry
歌手かしゅsinger
歌手かしゅsinger
かずnumber
かたshoulder
かたshoulder
かたなsword
かたなsword, saber, knife, engraving tool
価値かちvalue
勝ちかちwin, victory
勝ちかちvictory
活気かっきliveliness
学期がっきterm (school)
学期がっきsemester
格好かっこうappearance, shape
活動かつどうactivity
活用かつようconjugation, practical use
活用かつようusage, application
かねgold
かぶstock, share
我慢がまんpatience
かみ(1) first volume, (2) superior quality, (3) governmental
かみgod
かみsuperior, first part
かみgod
かみなりthunder
髪の毛かみのけhair
科目かもくschool subject
火曜かようTuesday
からsky
からsky
かわriver
かわriver
かんcan, tin
考えかんがえthought, idea
感覚かんかくsensation, feeling
観客かんきゃくaudience
歓迎かんげいwelcome
観光かんこうsightseeing
観光かんこうsightseeing
観察かんさつobservation
感じかんじfeeling, impression
勘定かんじょうcalculation, counting, consideration
勘定かんじょうcalculation, counting, consideration
関心かんしんconcern, interest
感心かんしんadmiration
完成かんせいcompletion
感動かんどうbeing deeply moved, excitement, impression, deep emotion
感動かんどうdeep emotion
監督かんとくsupervision
管理かんりmanagement
完了かんりょうcompletion, conclusion
完了かんりょうcompletion
関連かんれんrelation, connection
記憶きおくmemory
気温きおんtemperature
気温きおんtemperature
機械きかいmachine
議会ぎかいparliament
期間きかんperiod
機関きかんengine, mechanism
企業きぎょうenterprise
機嫌きげんmood
気候きこうclimate
きしshore
記事きじnews article, report
生地きじbirthplace
生地きじcloth, fabric
技師ぎしengineer
記者きしゃreporter
期待きたいexpectation, hope
帰宅きたくreturning home
議長ぎちょうchairman
記入きにゅうentry, filling in forms
記念きねんcommemoration
寄付きふdonation
義務ぎむduty,obligation
疑問ぎもんdoubt, question
ぎゃくreverse, opposite
きゅうnine
きゅうglobe,sphere,ball
休憩きゅうけいrest, break
吸収きゅうしゅうabsorption
救助きゅうじょrescue
給料きゅうりょうsalary, wages
教科書きょうかしょtextbook
競技きょうぎmatch
供給きょうきゅうsupply,provision
教師きょうしteacher
教師きょうしteacher (classroom)
教授きょうじゅprofessor
強調きょうちょうemphasis
恐怖きょうふdread, terror
協力きょうりょくcooperation
強力きょうりょくherculean strength, mountain carrier-guide
強力きょうりょくpowerful
許可きょかpermission
きりfog, mist
切れきれpiece, cloth
議論ぎろんdebate
きんgold
ぎんsilver
禁煙きんえんno smoking
金額きんがくamount of money
禁止きんしprohibition,ban
金銭きんせんmoney, cash
金属きんぞくmetal
金属きんぞくmetal
近代きんだいmodern times
緊張きんちょうtension
筋肉きんにくmuscle
金融きんゆうfinance
金曜きんようFriday
くさりchain
くせhabit
くだpipe, tube
くだpipe, tube
組合くみあいunion
くもりcloudiness, cloudy weather, shadow
くらいrank, about
くらいgrade, rank, about
暮らしくらしliving, livelihood
暮れくれyear end,sunset,nightfall,end
くんnative reading
ぐんarmy
軍隊ぐんたいarmy, troops
軍隊ぐんたいarmy
訓練くんれんtraining
under, below, beneath
below
けいplan
敬意けいいrespect
経営けいえいmanagement
計画けいかくplan
景気けいきcondition, state, business (condition)
景気けいきeconomy
経験けいけんexperience
傾向けいこうtendency, trend, inclination
傾向けいこうtendency
警告けいこくwarning
刑事けいじdetective
掲示けいじnotice
掲示けいじnotice, bulletin
芸術げいじゅつart
芸術げいじゅつ(fine) art, the arts
契約けいやくcontract
経由けいゆvia, route through
怪我けがinjury, hurt
化粧けしょうmakeup
結果けっかresult
欠陥けっかんdefect
決心けっしんdetermination
欠席けっせきabsence
決定けっていdecision
欠点けってんfault
欠点けってんfaults, defect, weakness
月曜げつようMonday
結論けつろんconclusion
けんeaves
けんprefecture
けんticket
見解けんかいopinion
現金げんきんcash
言語げんごlanguage
健康けんこうhealth
健康けんこうhealth, sound, wholesome
現在げんざいpresent, now
現実げんじつreality
現象げんしょうphenomenon
現状げんじょうpresent condition
現状げんじょうpresent condition, existing state, status quo
現代げんだいmodern times, nowadays
建築けんちくconstruction,architecture
見当けんとうestimate, guess
現場げんばscene
憲法けんぽうconstitution
権利けんりright,privilege
word, language
恋人こいびとlover, sweetheart
恋人こいびとlover
幸運こううんgood fortune
講演こうえんlecture
硬貨こうかcoin
効果こうかeffect
高価こうかhigh price
合格ごうかくsuccess (exam)
航空こうくうaviation
光景こうけいscene
攻撃こうげきattack
広告こうこくadvertisement
後者こうしゃthe latter
構成こうせいcomposition
強盗ごうとうrobbery
工場こうばfactory
幸福こうふくhappiness
公平こうへいfairness, justice
考慮こうりょconsideration
こおりice
誤解ごかいmisunderstanding
語学ごがくlanguage learning
呼吸こきゅうbreath,respiration
故郷こきょうhometown
国語こくごnational language
国語こくごnational language
黒板こくばんblackboard
黒板こくばんblackboard
克服こくふくconquest, overcoming
国民こくみんnational, people, citizen
国民こくみんnation, citizens
穀物こくもつgrain, cereal
こしhip
故障こしょうbreak-down, failure
個人こじんindividual, private person
国家こっかnation, country
国会こっかいNational Diet,parliament,congress
国境こっきょうborder
骨折こっせつbone fracture
ことthing, matter
ことわざproverb
こなpowder
小麦こむぎwheat
小麦こむぎwheat
小屋こやhut
今回こんかいthis time
今後こんごfrom now on,hereafter
困難こんなんdifficulty
今日こんにちtoday
婚約こんやくengagement
混乱こんらんconfusion
difference,variation
さいoccasion
財産ざいさんproperty, assets
最中さいちゅうin the middle of
才能さいのうtalent
裁判さいばんtrial
材料ざいりょうmaterials
盛りさかりserving, helping
作業さぎょうtask, work
さくlast (year/day)
作品さくひんwork, opus
作品さくひんwork, opus, performance, production
作物さくもつcrops, agricultural produce
座席ざせきseat
さつlabel, ticket
作家さっかwriter
作曲さっきょくcomposition
作曲さっきょくcomposition, setting (of music)
砂漠さばくdesert
左右さゆうleft and right, influence
さらplate
騒ぎさわぎuproar
参考さんこうreference
酸素さんそoxygen
酸素さんそoxygen
散歩さんぽwalk, stroll
four
family name, lineage
poem
幸せしあわせhappiness,good fortune,luck,blessing
時期じきseason
刺激しげきstimulus
資源しげんresources
支出ししゅつexpenditure
事情じじょうcircumstances
自然しぜんnature
自然しぜんnature, spontaneous
思想しそうthought, idea
したtongue
支度したくpreparation
しち・ななseven
失業しつぎょうunemployment
実験じっけんexperiment
実行じっこうexecution, practice
実際じっさいactual condition, status quo
実施じっしimplementation
指導しどうguidance
しなgoods, item
芝生しばふlawn
支払しはらいpayment
死亡しぼうdeath
資本しほんcapital
姉妹しまいsisters
事務じむoffice work
しもbelow
しもfrost
借金しゃっきんdebt
邪魔じゃまhindrance, obstacle
しゅうsandbank
じゅうgun
じゅうten
周囲しゅういsurroundings
収穫しゅうかくharvest
週間しゅうかんweek
宗教しゅうきょうreligion
重視じゅうしserious consideration
就職しゅうしょくemployment
就職しゅうしょくfinding employment, inauguration
修正しゅうせいcorrection
渋滞じゅうたいcongestion, delay
住宅じゅうたくresidence, housing
集団しゅうだんgroup, mass
集中しゅうちゅうconcentration,focusing the mind
収入しゅうにゅうincome
修理しゅうりrepair
主義しゅぎprinciple
宿泊しゅくはくlodging
手術しゅじゅつsurgery
首相しゅしょうPrime Minister
手段しゅだんmeans, way
主張しゅちょうclaim, assertion
出席しゅっせきattendance,presence
出発しゅっぱつdeparture
出版しゅっぱんpublication
首都しゅとcapital city
需要じゅようdemand
種類しゅるいkind
じゅんorder
瞬間しゅんかんmoment
順調じゅんちょうfavorable, going well
順番じゅんばんorder
使用しようuse
しょうchapter, medal
しょうprize, award
しょうprize, award
しょうsmall
じょうsuperior quality
障害しょうがいobstacle
奨学金しょうがくきんscholarship
上京じょうきょうproceeding to the capital (Tokyo)
上京じょうきょうproceeding to the capital (Tokyo)
条件じょうけんcondition, term
条件じょうけんconditions, terms
正午しょうごnoon
正午しょうごnoon, mid-day
少女しょうじょlittle girl
少々しょうしょうa little, small amount
症状しょうじょうsymptoms, condition
招待しょうたいinvitation
上達じょうたつimprovement, advance, progress
冗談じょうだんjoke
冗談じょうだんjest, joke
承知しょうちconsent, acceptance
承認しょうにんapproval
商人しょうにんmerchant
少年しょうねんboy
商売しょうばいtrade,business,commerce,transaction,occupation
消費しょうひconsumption
情報じょうほうinformation
女王じょおうqueen
しょくemployment
しょくjob
職業しょくぎょうoccupation, profession
植物しょくぶつplant
食物しょくもつfood, foodstuff
食欲しょくよくappetite (for food)
食欲しょくよくappetite (for food)
食糧しょくりょうprovisions,rations
書斎しょさいstudy room
女子じょしgirl
書物しょもつbooks
書類しょるいdocuments
知らせしらせnotice
しりbuttocks
しるしmark,symbol,evidence
進学しんがくadvancement to university
神経しんけいnerve, sensitivity
神経しんけいnerve
真剣しんけんseriousness
信仰しんこうreligious belief
信号しんごうtraffic lights, signal, semaphore
信号しんごうtraffic light
人工じんこうartificial
深刻しんこくserious
深刻しんこくserious
診察しんさつmedical examination
人生じんせいhuman life
親戚しんせきrelative
心臓しんぞうheart
心配しんぱいworry,concern,anxiety,care
審判しんぱんreferee, judgment
親友しんゆうclose friend
親友しんゆうclose friend, buddy
信用しんようtrust
信頼しんらいtrust
心理しんりmentality
人類じんるいmankind, humanity
diagram, figure
水準すいじゅんlevel
水準すいじゅん(1) water level, (2) level, standard
推薦すいせんrecommendation
睡眠すいみんsleep
すうnumber
数字すうじnumeral
姿すがたappearance, figure, shape
スキースキーskiing
すじmuscle, line
頭痛ずつうheadache
全てすべてeverything, all
すみcorner
せいgender, sex
所為せいcause, reason
せいheight
せいraw, draft
ぜいtax
世紀せいきcentury
世紀せいきcentury, era
成功せいこうsuccess
生産せいさんproduction, manufacture
生産せいさんproduction, manufacture
正式せいしきdue form, official, formality
正式せいしきofficial
精神せいしんmind, soul, heart
成績せいせきgrades, performance
製造せいぞうmanufacturing
贅沢ぜいたくluxury, extravagance
成長せいちょうgrowth
制度せいどsystem, institution
青年せいねんyouth, young man
製品せいひんmanufactured goods
政府せいふgovernment
生命せいめいlife
生命せいめいlife, existence
せきcough
責任せきにんresponsibility
石油せきゆoil, petroleum
世間せけんsociety
せつtheory
設備せつびfacility
絶滅ぜつめつextinction
世話せわlooking after, help, aid, assistance
世話せわhelp, assistance
ぜんgood, virtue
全員ぜんいんall members
専攻せんこうmajor, special study
全国ぜんこくnationwide
先日せんじつthe other day
前者ぜんしゃthe former
選手せんしゅplayer,team
前進ぜんしんprogress
全体ぜんたいwhole, entirety, whatever (is the matter)
全体ぜんたいwhole
騒音そうおんnoise
騒音そうおんnoise
増加ぞうかincrease
増加ぞうかincrease, addition
掃除そうじcleaning, sweeping
掃除そうじcleaning, sweeping
想像そうぞうimagination, guess
想像そうぞうimagination
装置そうちequipment
速度そくどspeed
そこbottom, sole
組織そしきorganization, tissue, structure
そでsleeve
そばside
そんloss, disadvantage
尊敬そんけいrespect
尊重そんちょうesteem
rice field
rice field
だいtitle, theme, topic
だいstand
体育たいいくphysical education
体温たいおんbody temperature
大会たいかいconvention, tournament
大会たいかいconvention, tournament, mass meeting, rally
大気たいきatmosphere
大気たいきatmosphere
代金だいきんprice
退屈たいくつboredom, tedium
滞在たいざいstay
大使たいしambassador
対象たいしょうtarget, subject
大臣だいじんcabinet minister
大戦たいせんgreat war
態度たいどattitude, manner
大半たいはんmajority,mostly,generally
代表だいひょうrepresentative
逮捕たいほarrest,apprehension
太陽たいようsun
大陸たいりくcontinent
互いたがいeach other, mutual
たからtreasure
たからtreasure
たくhome
たくhouse, home, husband
他人たにんanother person, unrelated person, outsider, stranger
他人たにんanother person
たねseed, cause
たばhandbreadth,bundle
たびtravel, trip
たびcounter for occurrences
たびcounter for occurrences
たまbullet, shot
たまball, sphere, coin
たまball
駄目だめno good
試しためしtrial, test
だんstep, rank, level
単位たんいunit, credit (in school)
単語たんごword, vocabulary
男子だんしboy
単純たんじゅんsimplicity
団体だんたいgroup
担当たんとうperson in charge
地下ちかbasement, underground
近頃ちかごろlately, recently, nowadays
地球ちきゅうthe earth
地球ちきゅうEarth
知事ちじprefectural governor
知識ちしきknowledge
父親ちちおやfather
知能ちのうintelligence, brains
知能ちのうintelligence, brains
地平線ちへいせんhorizon
地方ちほうregion
ちゃtea
ちゃtea
ちゅうinside,middle,among
中央ちゅうおうcentre, central, center, middle
中央ちゅうおうcenter
中学ちゅうがくmiddle school
中古ちゅうこsecondhand
駐車ちゅうしゃparking (e.g. car)
昼食ちゅうしょくlunch
中心ちゅうしんcenter, core
注目ちゅうもくattention, notice
調査ちょうさinvestigation, survey
頂上ちょうじょうsummit, top
貯金ちょきんsavings
貯金ちょきん(bank) savings
著者ちょしゃauthor,writer
通学つうがくcommuting to school
通信つうしんcorrespondence, communication, news, signal
通信つうしんcommunication
疲れつかれtiredness, fatigue
疲れつかれtiredness, fatigue
つきmoon, month
付き合いつきあいassociation, socializing, fellowship
包みつつみbundle, package, parcel, bale
包みつつみparcel
務めつとめduty
勤めつとめduty,responsibility,task
つばさwings
つみcrime, fault, indiscretion
抵抗ていこうresistance
提出ていしゅつsubmission
程度ていどdegree
停留所ていりゅうじょbus stop
適度てきどmoderate
適用てきようapplication
哲学てつがくphilosophy
徹底てっていthoroughness, completeness
徹底てっていthoroughness
鉄道てつどうrailroad
徹夜てつやall-night vigil
手間てまtime, labor
デモデモdemonstration
典型てんけいtype, pattern
典型てんけいtype, pattern, archetypal
電子でんしelectron
テントテントtent
伝統でんとうtradition
伝統でんとうtradition, convention
天然てんねんnature
counter for occurrences
問いといquestion
同一どういつidentity,sameness,similarity
動詞どうしverb
同時どうじsame time
投票とうひょうvoting
投票とうひょうvoting, poll
同様どうようsame kind
同僚どうりょうcolleague
道路どうろroad
都会とかいcity
ときtime, moment
どくpoison, toxicant
どくpoison
得意とくいspecialty
読書どくしょreading
独身どくしんsingle life
特徴とくちょうfeature, characteristic
特徴とくちょうfeature, characteristic
独特どくとくuniqueness
独立どくりつindependence
都市としcity
都市としtown, city, municipal, urban
年月としつきyears and months
年寄としよりold person
土地とちland, lot, soil
ともfriend
土曜どようSaturday
努力どりょくeffort
どろmud
name, reputation
内容ないようsubject, contents, matter, substance, detail, import
内容ないようcontents, subject, detail
なかrelation,relationship
仲間なかまcomrade, companion
眺めながめview, outlook
流れながれstream
なぞriddle
納得なっとくconsent,assent,understanding
なみwave
なわrope
匂いにおいsmell
にちday
日常にちじょうdaily life
日曜にちようSunday
日本にっぽんJapan
日本にっぽんJapan
入院にゅういんhospitalization
入学にゅうがくschool admission
人気にんきpopularity, sign of life
人間にんげんhuman being
root
願いねがいwish
ねずみmouse
ねずみ(1) mouse, rat, (2) dark gray, slate color
値段ねだんprice
値段ねだんprice, cost
熱心ねっしんenthusiasm (also adj-na)
熱心ねっしんzeal, enthusiasm
熱帯ねったいtropics
年間ねんかん(period of a) year
年月ねんげつmonths and years
年代ねんだいera, period
field
field
のうability
農家のうかfarm family
農民のうみんfarmer
能力のうりょくability
残りのこりremaining
望みのぞみwish, desire
のちlater, after
はいash
梅雨ばいうrainy season
パイプパイプpipe, tube
はかgrave
博士はかせPhD
拍手はくしゅapplause
莫大ばくだいenormous (amount)
爆発ばくはつexplosion, eruption
破産はさん(personal) bankruptcy
はしedge
始まりはじまりbeginning
はたflag
はたけfield
二十はたち20 years old
働きはたらきwork, labor
発見はっけんdiscovery, detection, finding
発見はっけんdiscovery
発行はっこうpublication issue
発展はってんdevelopment,growth
発明はつめいinvention
発明はつめいinvention
はねcounter for birds
はばwidth
はばwidth, breadth
母親ははおやmother
場面ばめんscene, setting
はらbelly
はらfield, plain, prairie, tundra, moor, wilderness
はらplain, field
はりneedle, hand (e.g. clock)
はりneedle
反抗はんこうresistance
犯罪はんざいcrime
判断はんだんjudgement
犯人はんにんcriminal
被害ひがいdamage
被害ひがいdamage
悲劇ひげきtragedy
飛行ひこうaviation
非常ひじょうemergency, extraordinary, unusual
非常ひじょうemergency
美人びじんbeautiful woman
ひたいforehead
日付ひづけdate
日付ひづけdate, dating
必死ひっしdesperation
否定ひていnegation
一言ひとことsingle word
人込みひとごみcrowd
独りひとりalone
批評ひひょうcriticism
微妙びみょうsubtlety (also adj-na)
微妙びみょうdelicate, subtle
費用ひようcost, expense
ひょうtable (e.g. Tab 1), chart, list
びょうsecond (60th min)
びょうsecond (60th min)
表現ひょうげんexpression, presentation, representation (math)
表現ひょうげんexpression
表情ひょうじょうfacial expression
表情ひょうじょうfacial expression
平等びょうどうequality, evenness
評判ひょうばんfame, reputation, popularity, arrant
評判ひょうばんreputation
表面ひょうめんsurface
ひんitem, product, elegance
びんbottle
便びんway, means
便びんway, means
negative prefix
part, dividing
nothing
不安ふあんanxiety
風景ふうけいscenery
夫婦ふうふmarried couple
武器ぶきweapon
服装ふくそうgarments
ふくろbag
ふしjoint, section, tune
不思議ふしぎmystery
不自由ふじゆうinconvenience, disability
婦人ふじんwoman
不正ふせいinjustice
舞台ぶたいstage (theater)
双子ふたごtwins
普段ふだんusually, habitually, ordinarily, always
普段ふだんusually, habitual
ふちedge, rim (or fate in some context)
物質ぶっしつmaterial, substance
ふでbrush
ふねship,boat
部分ぶぶんsection, part
不満ふまんdissatisfaction, displeasure, discontent, complaints, unhappiness
不満ふまんdissatisfaction
プランプランplan
ぶんpart, segment
ぶんsentence
ぶんsentence
分析ぶんせきanalysis
文明ぶんめいcivilization
平均へいきんequilibrium, balance, average, mean
変化へんかchange, transformation
勉強べんきょうstudy
変更へんこうchange,modification,alteration
弁当べんとうlunch box
ほうside
ほうlaw
ぼうrod, stick
冒険ぼうけんadventure
宝石ほうせきgem, jewel
放送ほうそうbroadcasting
放送ほうそうbroadcast, broadcasting
豊富ほうふabundance
方々ほうぼうpeople, various places
ほおcheek
ほかother
ほかoutside
誇りほこりpride
保存ほぞんpreservation
ほどextent
歩道ほどうfootpath,walkway,sidewalk
ほとけBuddha,the dead
ほりmoat
本当ほんとうtruth
本人ほんにんthe person himself
space,time
迷子まいごlost child
まくcurtain, act
負けまけdefeat
まごgrandchild
真面目まじめserious, diligent
間違いまちがいmistake
まつりfestival
真似まねmimicry
まるcircle, full (month), perfection, purity, suffix for ship names
まるcircle, perfection, suffix for ship names
満足まんぞくsatisfaction
body, main part, oneself, sword
body, oneself
fruit, result
見送りみおくりsend-off
味方みかたally
見事みごとsplendid, admirable
見舞いみまいenquiry, expression of sympathy
土産みやげsouvenir
みやこcapital
明後日みょうごにちday after tomorrow
みんなall,everyone,everybody
nothing, naught, nil, zero
nothing, none
迎えむかえmeeting, welcome
虫歯むしばcavity, tooth decay
無駄むだfutility,uselessness
夢中むちゅうtrance,ecstasy,delirium
むねbreast,chest
無料むりょうfree, no charge
sprout
明確めいかくclarity (noun use)
命令めいれいcommand
迷惑めいわくnuisance
めし(sl) meals,food
綿めんcotton, padding
綿めんcotton
免許めんきょlicense
申し訳もうしわけexcuse
毛布もうふblanket
目標もくひょうmark, objective, target
木曜もくようThursday
木曜もくようThursday
文字もじcharacter
もとbasis
もとorigin
もとprime
物語ものがたりstory, legend
物事ものごとthings
模様もようpattern
文句もんくphrase, complaint
文句もんくcomplaint, phrase
文字もんじletter (of alphabet), character
文字もんじcharacter (written)
やくrole, position
やくapproximately
役割やくわりrole
家賃やちんrent
厄介やっかいtrouble, burden, care
厄介やっかいtrouble, burden, care, bother
宿やどinn
唯一ゆいいつonly, sole, unique
唯一ゆいいつonly, unique
勇気ゆうきcourage
有効ゆうこうvalidity
友情ゆうじょうfriendship
友人ゆうじんfriend
有能ゆうのうcapable
郵便ゆうびんmail,postal service
ゆかfloor
ゆかfloor
愉快ゆかいpleasant
行きゆきgoing
輸出ゆしゅつexport
輸入ゆにゅうimportation,import,introduction
evening, night
夜明けよあけdawn
ようway,manner
要求ようきゅうdemand
用心ようじんcare, precaution, guarding, caution
様子ようすappearance
様子ようすaspect, state, appearance
要素ようそelement
要点ようてんmain point, gist
曜日ようびday of the week
予期よきexpectation
予算よさんestimate, budget
予算よさんbudget
予測よそくprediction, estimation
世の中よのなかsociety, the world
予報よほうforecast
予防よぼうprevention
読みよみreading
余裕よゆうsurplus, composure, margin
余裕よゆうsurplus, composure, margin, room, time, allowance, scope, rope
喜びよろこびjoy
よんfour
らくease, comfort
利益りえきprofit, gain
理解りかいunderstanding
りくsix (used in legal documents)
理想りそうideal
りつrate, ratio, proportion, percentage
留学りゅうがくstudy abroad
流行りゅうこうtrend, fashion
りょうquantity, amount
料金りょうきんfee
れいgratitude
れいexample
礼儀れいぎmanners, etiquette
冷静れいせいcomposure
れつqueue,line,row
列車れっしゃtrain
連想れんそうassociation (of ideas), suggestion
労働ろうどうlabor, work
論争ろんそうcontroversy, dispute
論争ろんそうcontroversy, dispute
論文ろんぶんthesis, paper
論文ろんぶんthesis, essay, treatise, paper
ring, circle
別れわかれparting, farewell
わきside
わきside
綿わたcotton
話題わだいtopic
話題わだいtopic, subject
笑いわらいlaugh, laughter, smile
笑いわらいlaughter
悪口わるくちabuse, slander
我々われわれwe
我々われわれwe
わんbay
わんbay, gulf, inlet

Now that you have learned some nouns, the next will be Japanese verb. JLPT N3 level, you’ll start seeing a wider variety of them, including more complex conjugations, formal expressions, and verbs used in both casual and professional settings. 

This is also where you might be introduced to many compound verbs and more nuanced

In this list, we’ve organized verbs alphabetically. But as you study, it’s helpful to group them by function or form, such as , irregular verbs, or by usage patterns like , , or

できるto be able to
愛するあいするto love
明けるあけるto dawn, to become daylight
暖かい(い-adj)あたたかいwarm, mild
当たるあたるto be hit
扱うあつかうto handle
当てるあてるto hit
浴びるあびるto bathe, to shower
表すあらわすto express, to reveal
有るあるto be, to have
抱くいだくto hold, to embrace
頂くいただくto receive (humble)
祝ういわうto celebrate
引退いんたいto retire
受け取るうけとるto receive
動かすうごかすto move, to shift
失ううしなうto lose
疑ううたがうto doubt, to distrust, to be suspicious of
撃つうつto attack
訴えるうったえるto sue, appeal
うなるうなるto groan
奪ううばうto snatch away
売れるうれるto be sold
描くえがくto draw, paint
追い付くおいつくto catch up, to overtake
追うおうto chase
応じるおうじるto respond
終えるおえるto finish
覆うおおうto cover
恐れるおそれるto fear
溺れるおぼれるto drown
及ぼすおよぼすto exert, to cause
居るおるto be (animate)
下すおろすto lower
降ろすおろすto take down, to drop
飼うかうto raise
替えるかえるto replace, to exchange
抱えるかかえるto carry (in arms)
輝くかがやくto shine, to glitter
罹るかかるto suffer
掛かるかかるto take (time/money), to hang
限るかぎるto limit
描くかくto draw
隠すかくすto hide
隠れるかくれるto hide, to disappear
欠けるかけるto be lacking
囲むかこむto surround, to encircle
稼ぐかせぐto earn
数えるかぞえるto count
語るかたるto talk
被るかぶるto suffer
刈るかるto cut (hair), to mow (grass), to harvest
感じるかんじるto feel
関するかんするto concern
効くきくto be effective
気付くきづくto notice
食うくうto eat (vulgar, male)
暮らすくらすto live, to get along
狂うくるうto go mad, to get out of order
加えるくわえるto add
決定するけっていするto determine
行動するこうどうするto act, to behave
凍るこおるto freeze
越すこすto go over, to pass
異なることなるto differ
断ることわるto refuse, to decline
殺すころすto kill
叫ぶさけぶto shout, to cry
避けるさけるto avoid, to ward off, to avert
支えるささえるto support
指すさすto point, to put up umbrella, to play
誘うさそうto invite, to tempt
覚ますさますto awaken
覚めるさめるto wake up
従うしたがうto obey, to follow, to accompany
支配するしはいするto control
支払うしはらうto pay
しまうしまうto finish
示すしめすto show
占めるしめるto occupy, to account for
処理するしょりするto process
信頼するしんらいするto trust
空くすくto be empty
救うすくうto rescue from, to help out of
優れるすぐれるto excel
勧めるすすめるto recommend
進めるすすめるto advance, to promote
注ぐそそぐto pour
育つそだつto grow up
備えるそなえるto provide
対するたいするto confront
倒すたおすto beat, to bring down
確かめるたしかめるto confirm
助けるたすけるto help
戦うたたかうto fight
叩くたたくto strike
立ち上がるたちあがるto stand up
経つたつto pass, to lapse
黙るだまるto be silent
頼るたよるto rely on, to depend on
通じるつうじるto communicate, lead to
捕まるつかまるto be caught
就くつくto take (position), to settle in
注ぐつぐto pour (into), to irrigate, to pay
付けるつけるto attach, to join, to add, to append
繋ぐつなぐto connect
適するてきするto suit
通り過ぎるとおりすぎるto pass through
解くとくto unfasten
届くとどくto reach
飛ばすとばすto skip over, to omit
留めるとめるto fasten, to turn off
取れるとれるto come off
流すながすto drain
眺めるながめるto view, to gaze at
流れるながれるto stream, to flow
怠けるなまけるto neglect
悩むなやむto be troubled, to worry
成るなるto become
為るなるto become
似合うにあうto suit, to match
握るにぎるto grasp, to mold (sushi)
濡れるぬれるto get wet
願うねがうto desire, to wish, to request
残すのこすto leave
除くのぞくto remove
伸ばすのばすto lengthen, to stretch, to grow (beard)
伸びるのびるto stretch
昇るのぼるto rise, ascend
計るはかるto measure
吐くはくto vomit
履くはくto wear (lower body)
外すはずすto remove
話し合うはなしあうto discuss
放すはなすto release
離すはなすto separate
省くはぶくto omit
貼るはるto stick, paste
引っ張るひっぱるto pull
広がるひろがるto spread
含むふくむto include
防ぐふせぐto defend
振るふるto shake
震えるふるえるto shiver
吠えるほえるto bark, to roar
微笑むほほえむto smile
任せるまかせるto entrust
増すますto increase, to grow
学ぶまなぶto learn
招くまねくto invite
守るまもるto protect, to obey
満ちるみちるto be full, to expire
見るみるto see
向けるむけるto turn toward
結ぶむすぶto tie, bind
申し込むもうしこむto apply
燃えるもえるto burn
持ち上げるもちあげるto raise, to lift up
戻すもどすto return
基づくもとづくto be based on
貰うもらうto receive
to hire
言うゆうto say
譲るゆずるto hand over
許すゆるすto allow
酔うようto get drunk
横切るよこぎるto cross
止すよすto quit
論じるろんじるto argue, to debate
分けるわけるto divide
割るわるto divide, to cut, to break, to halve

Before diving in, make sure you’re already familiar with the difference between い-adjectives and な-adjectives, as JLPT N3-level adjectives go beyond the usual simple words like “kawaii” or “senpai.”

As always, list is organized alphabetically for easy reference, but for more effective study, try grouping adjectives by themes such as feelings, appearance, or degree.

JapaneseKanaEnglish Translation
かわいらしいlovely
うまいdelicious
かわいそうpitiable
いいgood
もっともnatural, most reasonable
すてきlovely, dreamy
きついtight, intense
愛するあいするto love
暖かいあたたかいwarm
新たあらたnew
偉大いだいgreat
うるさいうるさいnoisy, fussy
嬉しいうれしいhappy
穏やかおだやかcalm, gentle
快適かいてきcomfortable
賢いかしこいwise
硬いかたいhard
完全かんぜんperfect
気の毒きのどくpitiful
奇妙きみょうstrange
巨大きょだいgigantic
臭いくさいodour, stench
苦しいくるしいpainful, difficult
濃いこいthick, dense, strong
高価こうかhigh-priced
豪華ごうかwonderful, gorgeous, splendor, pomp, extravagance
最終さいしゅうlast, final
最低さいていleast, worst
親しいしたしいintimate
重大じゅうだいserious, important
上等じょうとうsuperior
新鮮しんせんfresh
慎重しんちょうprudent, cautious
すごいすごいamazing, terrific
素晴らしいすばらしいwonderful
鋭いするどいsharp, pointed
せいregular, correct
正確せいかくaccurate
積極的せっきょくてきproactive
粗末そまつcrude
大抵たいていusually
単なるたんなるmere
辛いつらいpainful
適切てきせつappropriate
典型的(な)てんけいてきtypical (implied from 典型)
得意とくいproud/specialty
苦手にがてpoor at, dislike
激しいはげしいviolent, intense
必死ひっしdesperate (can be treated as na-adjective)
等しいひとしいequal
不自由ふじゆうinconvenient (also noun)
不利ふりdisadvantageous
豊富ほうふabundant
真面目まじめserious, honest (also noun)
貧しいまずしいpoor, needy
真っ赤まっかdeep red
真っ直ぐまっすぐstraight
満ちるみちるto be full, to expire
みょうstrange
面倒めんどうtroublesome
有利ゆうりadvantageous
豊かゆたかabundant
よいよいgood, nice, pleasant
容易よういeasy, simple
宜しいよろしい(hon) good, OK
立派りっぱsplendid, fine
冷静れいせいcalm

Adverbs play a key role in adding detail and nuance to your sentences, helping you describe how, when, where, and to what extent actions occur. In JLPT N# vocabulary, you’ll find a wider range of adverbs that let you express subtle differences in timing, frequency, degree, and manner

Check out’ Basic Japanese Adverbs to Know

JapaneseKanaEnglish Translation
まさにexactly
それぞれeach
どんなwhat kind of
もしもif
いずれeventually
いらいらirritation
どこかsomewhere
かもしれないperhaps
がっかりdisappointed
ただonly
おそらくmaybe
あいにくunfortunately
そのうちeventually
いつもalways
しきりにfrequently, eagerly
ややa little, somewhat
たびたびrepeatedly
どうしてもno matter what
およそapproximately
ゆっくりslowly
ふとsuddenly, unexpectedly
さっぱりfeeling refreshed, neatly, clearly
なかなかvery, considerably, not easily (with negative)
いつでもalways, at all times
それともor, or else
むしろrather
あちこちhere and there
ばったりwith a crash, suddenly
かなりfairly, quite
のんびりcarefree
まさかno way
ぴったりperfectly
まるでentirely
だけどhowever
そしてand
ますますincreasingly
ちゃんとproperly
じっとfirmly, patiently
さてnow then
よりmore (comparison)
どうhow
ではthen, well
余りあまりnot much
あんなにあんなにto that extent
一度にいちどにall at once
いつかいつかsomeday
いつまでもいつまでもforever
今にもいまにもany moment
言わばいわばso to speak
思わずおもわずunintentionally
必ずしもかならずしも(not) necessarily
急にきゅうにsuddenly
偶然ぐうぜんby chance, unexpectedly
ぐっすりぐっすりsound asleep
更にさらにfurthermore, again
じきimmediately
したがってしたがってtherefore
実にじつにtruly
しばしばしばしばoften
随分ずいぶんquite, extremely
ずっとずっとthroughout
既にすでにalready
精々せいぜいat best, at most
是非ぜひcertainly
そっくりそっくりexactly like, identical
そっとそっとquietly, gently
それとそれとand then, also
だからだからso, therefore
多少たしょうsomewhat
ただonly, free of charge
直ちにただちにimmediately
たったたったonly, merely
たっぷりたっぷりfull, plenty
たとえたとえeven if
偶々たまたまby chance
遂についにfinally
次々つぎつぎone by one
つまりつまりin short, in brief
どんなにどんなにhow much
にっこりにっこりsmile sweetly
年中ねんじゅうyear-round, always
一人一人ひとりひとりone by one, each
まだまだstill, yet
全くまったくentirely, completely
もちろんもちろんof course
最ももっともmost
やがてやがてsoon
やはりやはりstill, also, after all
要するにようするにin short

The JLPT N3 vocabulary section doesn’t just test your knowledge of word meanings. Ot also challenges your understanding of context and appropriate usage. This means you’ll encounter not only individual words but also common expressions and set phrases.

In addition, we group loanwords (often written in katakana) here, even though most of them are nouns. The good news is that if you already know English, learning these loanwords can be much easier since many are borrowed directly from English or other languages.

Read More: 30 English Loanwords that Come from Japanese

JapaneseKanaEnglish Translation
ところがhowever
はあ(interjection)
(particle)
それ(interjection, pronoun)
ケチstingy person
ベルトbelt
ボートboat
ゴールgoal
ミルクmilk
ワインwine
ボーイboy
キャンプcamp
プラスplus
トラックtruck
スタイルstyle
トップtop
あっ(interjection)
いちmarket
スイッチswitch
セットset
ごめんなさいsorry
other
がらpattern/handle (ambiguous, multiple meanings)
よるとaccording to
でもbut, however
あんまりnot very, remainder
そのままas it is, unchanged
そこでso, accordingly
そうso
こんにちはhello, good day
いわゆるso-called
しかもmoreover, furthermore
ところでby the way
わざとon purpose
おまえyou (casual, rough)
センターcenter
プロprofessional
チーズcheese
これらthese
ざっとroughly
またagain, and
ジーンズjeans
スピーチspeech
わがままselfishness
クラシックclassical music
コンピューターcomputer
クリームcream
オフィスoffice
トランプplaying cards
スープsoup
チームteam
しゃべるto chat (colloquial, often kana only)
あしたあしたtomorrow
ありがとうありがとうthank you
あるいはあるいはor, possibly
いただきますいただきますexpression before meals
インクインクink
うん(感)うんfortune, luck
honorific prefix
おめでとうおめでとうcongratulations!
カードカードcard
くもりcloudy weather
グラスグラスglass
グランドグランドgrand, ground, gland
しまったしまったDamn it! (interjection)
みませんすみませんsorry, excuse me
そのそのthat (determiner)
デートデートdate (romantic)
できればできればif possible
通りとおりas per, street
トンネルトンネルtunnel
無しなしwithout
なぜならなぜならbecause
ノーノーno
ハンサムハンサムhandsome
ビデオビデオvideo
non-, un- (prefix)
ペンキペンキpaint (loanword from Dutch)
ホームホームplatform
ぼんやりぼんやりabsent-mindedly, vaguely
まあまあyou might say
マスターマスターbar owner, master
よろしく(感)よろしくbest regards, properly
ライターライターlighter, writer
ラケットラケットracket

Thinking of taking the JLPT again or aiming for a higher level to boost your career in Japan? Pass the JLPT with Coto Academy’s JLPT prep courses. This special preparation class covers exam practices and all test sections, including how to master the reading, grammar, kanji, and listening. Our teachers are highly specialized in teaching JLPT, and you’ll learn alongside motivated peers!

Join the hundreds of successful students who’ve improved their JLPT results with Coto. See our past JLPT success rate story.

Currently, we offer an in-person JLPT prep course in Tokyo and Yokohama, and an online JLPT lecture course

Interested? Fill out the form below for a free level check. Our staff will get in touch with you!

JLPT N3 vocabulary includes about 3,500 to 3,750 words. This typically includes vocabulary you have learned in JLPT N5 and JLPT N4.

You should study approximately 600 to 650 kanji for JLPT N3.

Typically, JLPT N3 can help you get part-time jobs that require intermediate Japanese, but it may not be enough for many full-time professional positions. For that, you would typically need JLPT N2 and above. 

How do I find my JLPT result?

Can I pass JLPT N3 in 5 months?

Yes, with focused and consistent study, passing the JLPT N3 in 5 months is definitely achievable. This requires setting a clear study schedule, regularly practicing vocabulary, grammar, kanji, listening, and reading comprehension.

Check out our guides for the upcoming JLPT:

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