JLPTN3Intermediate12 min read

JLPT N3 Intermediate Grammar Mastery

JLPT N3 中級文法マスター

Bridge to advanced Japanese with this N3 guide. Master complex conjugation patterns and intermediate grammar for the JLPT N3.

The JLPT N3 marks the transition from basic to intermediate Japanese. At this level, you'll encounter more complex sentence structures, formal expressions, and nuanced grammar. This guide focuses on the conjugation patterns and grammar essential for N3 success.

Causative-Passive Form(使役受身形)

N3 introduces the causative-passive, expressing "was made to do":

毎日野菜を食べさせられた。
まいにちやさいをたべさせられた。
mainichi yasai wo tabesaserareta.
I was made to eat vegetables every day.
TypeCausativeCausative-Passive
Godan書かせる書かせられる / 書かされる
Ichidan食べさせる食べさせられる
するさせるさせられる
!

The short causative-passive (書かされる) is common in casual speech.

Complex Conditional Patterns(複雑な条件表現)

N3 expands conditional usage:

  • 〜ば〜ほど: The more... the more...
  • 〜ないことには: Unless...
  • 〜としたら/とすれば: If we assume that...
練習すればするほど、上手になる。
れんしゅうすればするほど、じょうずになる。
renshuu sureba suru hodo, jouzu ni naru.
The more you practice, the better you become.

Formal & Written Expressions(書き言葉・敬語)

N3 begins introducing formal patterns:

  • 〜において: In / at (formal location)
  • 〜に対して: Toward / regarding
  • 〜によって: By means of / depending on
  • 〜に関して: Regarding / concerning
この問題に関しては、後で話しましょう。
このもんだいにかんしては、あとではなしましょう。
kono mondai ni kanshite wa, ato de hanashimashou.
Regarding this problem, let's talk later.

N3 Vocabulary & Kanji(N3語彙・漢字)

N3 requirements:

  • Vocabulary: ~3,750 words total
  • Kanji: ~650 characters total
  • Reading: Newspaper articles, simple novels

Essential N3 Patterns(N3必須パターン)

Must-know grammar for N3:

  • 〜ようにする: Try to / make effort to
  • 〜わけだ: That's why / no wonder
  • 〜ことになる: It's been decided that
  • 〜ことにする: Decide to
  • 〜ばかり: Just did / nothing but

Summary

N3 essentials:

  • Master causative-passive (〜させられる)
  • Learn complex conditional patterns
  • Study formal/written expressions
  • Build vocabulary to 3,750+ words

Ready to Practice?

Practice intermediate conjugation with N3 vocabulary in our drill!

Start Practicing →