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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.