JLPT N3 Adverbs & Connectors: 60 Essential Words (2026)
Complete JLPT N3 adverbs and connecting words vocabulary with readings and example sentences.
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JLPT N3 adverbs and connectors total 60 words — the largest supporting-vocabulary category at N3. These words shape degree, timing, manner, and logical flow between sentences — critical for both listening comprehension and understanding longer written passages.
This article is part of our JLPT N3 Complete Vocabulary Guide. Practice all 60 words with the N3 Adverbs & Connectors deck in Onigiri Anki.
Degree Adverbs (10)
These words express intensity and degree — essential for expressing nuance beyond simple "very" or "a little."
特にこのレストランが好きです。 — I particularly like this restaurant.
今日は相当疲れています。 — Today, I am considerably tired.
この部屋はずっと広いです。 — This room is much bigger.
このかばんはかなり重いです。 — This bag is quite heavy.
その部分はさっぱりわかりません。 — I don't understand that part at all.
まったく分かりません。 — I don't understand it at all.
今日は多少疲れています。 — I feel somewhat tired today.
このホテルはわりと安いです。 — This hotel is relatively cheap.
その料理は意外とおいしかったです。 — The food was unexpectedly delicious.
日本語への興味はますます強くなっています。 — My interest in Japanese is growing more and more.
Time Adverbs (10)
Time-related adverbs describe sequence, suddenness, and duration — essential for narrative and news-style N3 passages.
彼は常に時間通りに来ます。 — He always arrives on time.
再び会いたいです。 — I want to see you again.
電車はすでに出発しました。 — The train has already left.
ついに試験に合格しました。 — I finally passed the exam.
ようやく宿題が終わりました。 — I at last finished my homework.
天気は次第に暖かくなりました。 — The weather gradually got warmer.
突然、雨が降り始めました。 — Suddenly, it started to rain.
人が次々と部屋に入ってきました。 — People came into the room one after another.
しばらく待ってください。 — Please wait for a while.
電車は間もなく着きます。 — The train will arrive soon.
Manner Adverbs (10)
These describe how an action is done — secretly, on purpose, in advance — adding precision to N3-level sentences.
直接言ってください。 — Please tell me directly.
うっかり傘を忘れました。 — I carelessly forgot my umbrella.
こっそりクッキーを食べました。 — I secretly ate a cookie.
彼はわざとドアをけりました。 — He kicked the door on purpose.
彼はわざわざ私のためにここまで来ました。 — He came all the way here especially for me.
つい財布を持ってくるのを忘れました。 — I just forgot to bring my wallet.
遅れるときは、あらかじめ教えてください。 — Please tell me in advance if you will be late.
早速始めます。 — I will start right away.
宿題をさっさと終えてください。 — Please finish your homework quickly.
せっかく来たので、楽しみたいです。 — I came all this way, so I want to enjoy it.
Sentence Connectors (10)
Connectors link ideas across sentences and are essential for following the logic of longer N3 reading passages.
つまり、今日は行けません。 — In other words, we cannot go today.
この部屋は使えます。ただし、大きな声で話さないでください。 — You can use this room. However, please do not speak loudly.
一方は静かですが、もう一方はにぎやかです。 — One side is quiet, while the other side is lively.
安かったし、しかもおいしかったです。 — It was cheap, and moreover it was delicious.
一生けん命勉強しました。ところが、テストに落ちました。 — I studied hard; however, I failed the test.
雨が降っていました。そこで、タクシーに乗りました。 — It was raining, so I took a taxi.
雨が降りました。そのため、試合は中止になりました。 — It rained, and therefore the game was canceled.
結局、家にいました。 — In the end, I stayed home.
彼はまるで何も知らないようでした。 — He looked as if he knew nothing.
とにかく、もう帰りましょう。 — Anyway, let's go home now.
ところが vs しかし: Two Ways to Say "However"
しかし (shikashi, learned earlier) is the neutral, standard word for "however." ところが (tokoroga) implies surprise or an unexpected turn of events — it's used when the outcome contradicts what you'd naturally expect: 一生けん命勉強しました。ところが、テストに落ちました (I studied hard; however, [surprisingly] I failed).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between わざと and わざわざ?
わざと (wazato) means "on purpose/intentionally" — often with a negative connotation (he kicked the door on purpose). わざわざ (wazawaza) means "especially/going out of one's way" — usually positive, describing extra effort taken for someone (he came all this way especially for me).
How important are connectors for the N3 reading section?
Very important — N3 reading passages are longer and more complex than N4/N5, and connectors like つまり, ところが, and そのため signal the logical relationship between sentences. Missing these words often leads to misunderstanding the overall argument of a passage.
Practice All 60 N3 Adverbs & Connectors
Import the N3 Adverbs & Connectors deck into Onigiri Anki and master degree, time, and logical-flow vocabulary with spaced repetition.