N3 grammar
N3-level grammar points, each linking to an existing explanation on Tae Kim's guide, Imabi, or Tofugu. The explanations live on those sites; this page only indexes what each point is and where to read about it. See docs/sources for why these sources and not others.
Progress tracking isn't available in this browser, so the checkboxes below are disabled. Expresses strong conviction that something must be true. Softly denies a conclusion the listener might otherwise draw, "it's not that..." Expressions for describing a tendency toward something or visible signs of a state. Attaches to a verb/adjective stem to describe visible signs that something is about to happen. Attaches to a verb stem to mean "while doing" or, in some uses, "even though". Expressions for actions happening at a precise moment, "the instant that...". Expressions for stating something seems to be the case, or was heard secondhand. Expresses that a state remains unchanged while another action happens. The honorific prefixes added to nouns to show politeness or respect. Sentence patterns used in formal, business, or written Japanese, beyond everyday polite speech. Expressions for comparing options and for saying something depends on a factor. Additional negative-form patterns beyond the basic 〜ない negation. How generic nouns are used to nominalize clauses and build many common expressions. A casual, emphatic way to say something is impossible or won't happen. Expresses what should or ought to be done, a matter of obligation or expectation.Certainty and emphasis
Time and manner
Register and formality
Comparison, degree, and reasoning