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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."

particular特にtoku ni

特にこのレストランが好きです。I particularly like this restaurant.

considerably相当soutou

今日は相当疲れています。Today, I am considerably tired.

much moreずっとzutto

この部屋はずっと広いです。This room is much bigger.

fairly; quiteかなりkanari

このかばんはかなり重いです。This bag is quite heavy.

not at allさっぱりsappari

その部分はさっぱりわかりません。I don't understand that part at all.

entirely / (not) at allまったくmattaku

まったく分かりません。I don't understand it at all.

somewhat多少tashou

今日は多少疲れています。I feel somewhat tired today.

relativelyわりとwarito

このホテルはわりと安いです。This hotel is relatively cheap.

unexpectedly意外とigai to

その料理は意外とおいしかったです。The food was unexpectedly delicious.

more and moreますますmasumasu

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.

always常にtsune ni

彼は常に時間通りに来ます。He always arrives on time.

again再びfutatabi

再び会いたいです。I want to see you again.

alreadyすでにsudeni

電車はすでに出発しました。The train has already left.

finallyついにtsuini

ついに試験に合格しました。I finally passed the exam.

at lastようやくyouyaku

ようやく宿題が終わりました。I at last finished my homework.

gradually次第にshidaini

天気は次第に暖かくなりました。The weather gradually got warmer.

suddenly突然totsuzen

突然、雨が降り始めました。Suddenly, it started to rain.

one after another次々tsugitsugi

人が次々と部屋に入ってきました。People came into the room one after another.

for a whileしばらくshibaraku

しばらく待ってください。Please wait for a while.

soon; before long間もなくmamonaku

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.

directly直接chokusetsu

直接言ってください。Please tell me directly.

carelesslyうっかりukkari

うっかり傘を忘れました。I carelessly forgot my umbrella.

secretlyこっそりkossori

こっそりクッキーを食べました。I secretly ate a cookie.

on purposeわざとwazato

彼はわざとドアをけりました。He kicked the door on purpose.

especiallyわざわざwazawaza

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.

unintentionally / justついtsui

つい財布を持ってくるのを忘れました。I just forgot to bring my wallet.

in advanceあらかじめarakajime

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.

at once早速sassoku

早速始めます。I will start right away.

quickly; promptlyさっさとsassato

宿題をさっさと終えてください。Please finish your homework quickly.

with much effort / speciallyせっかくsekkaku

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.

in other wordsつまりtsumari

つまり、今日は行けません。In other words, we cannot go today.

howeverただしtadashi

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.

on the other hand一方ippou

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.

moreoverしかもshikamo

安かったし、しかもおいしかったです。It was cheap, and moreover it was delicious.

however / to one's surpriseところがtokoroga

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.

thereuponそこでsokode

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.

thereforeそのためsono tame

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.

after all結局kekkyoku

結局、家にいました。In the end, I stayed home.

as if / completelyまるでmarude

彼はまるで何も知らないようでした。He looked as if he knew nothing.

anywayとにかくtonikaku

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.