JLPT N3 mind and communication verbs cover 43 essential words — cognitive verbs (thinking, believing, doubting), emotional-response verbs, and formal communication verbs. This vocabulary is essential for expressing opinions and nuanced reactions at the N3 level.

This article is part of our JLPT N3 Complete Vocabulary Guide. Practice all 43 verbs with the N3 Mind & Communication deck in Onigiri Anki.

Thinking & Cognition (10)

These verbs describe mental processes — noticing, confirming, believing — core vocabulary for expressing thought processes on the N3.

confirmation確認kakunin

予約を確認してください。 — Please confirm your reservation.

to compare比べるkuraberu

値段を比べてから買います。 — I compare prices before buying.

to admit / recognize認めるmitomeru

彼は間違いを認めました。 — He admitted his mistake.

to feel感じるkanjiru

文化の違いを感じました。 — I felt the difference in culture.

to notice気づくkizuku

間違いに気づきました。 — I noticed the mistake.

doubt疑うutagau

その話を疑いました。 — I doubted that story.

believe, trust信じるshinjiru

私は彼の話を信じています。 — I believe his story.

to confirm / to make sure確かめるtashikameru

パスポートの有効期限を確かめてください。 — Please make sure of your passport's expiration date.

imagination想像souzou

想像より大変でした。 — It was harder than I imagined.

to learn学ぶmanabu

私は毎日日本語を学びます。 — I am learning Japanese every day.

Emotional Response (10)

Verbs describing emotional reactions and personal responses — worrying, hoping, giving up — frequently tested in N3 reading.

worry悩むnayamu

試験のことで悩んでいます。 — I worry about my exam.

give up諦めるakirameru

彼は試合を諦めました。 — He gave up on the match.

like気に入るki ni iru

このケーキが気に入りました。 — I liked this cake.

to panic / to be flustered慌てるawateru

遅れて、慌てました。 — I was flustered because I was late.

to hope for望むnozomu

私は平和な未来を望みます。 — I hope for a peaceful future.

wish, hope願うnegau

あなたの成功を願います。 — I hope for your success.

to taste / to savor味わうajiwau

私たちは新鮮な果物を味わいました。 — We tasted fresh fruit.

to refuse断るkotowaru

誘いを断りました。 — I refused the invitation.

invite誘うsasou

友だちが映画に誘ってくれました。 — My friend invited me to a movie.

to nodうなずくunazuku

彼女はだまってうなずきました。 — She nodded silently.

Formal Communication (10)

These verbs describe more formal or literary ways of communicating — stating, expressing, indicating — common in written N3 Japanese.

to express表すarawasu

彼は意見をはっきり表しました。 — He expressed his opinion clearly.

tell語るkataru

彼は自分の夢を語りました。 — He told us about his dream.

state述べるnoberu

先生はルールについて述べました。 — The teacher stated the rules.

to show; to indicate示すshimesu

この看板は駅への道を示しています。 — This sign indicates the way to the station.

accept受け入れるukeireru

私は彼の意見を受け入れました。 — I accepted his opinion.

to invite (formally) / to cause招くmaneku

彼女は私を家に招きました。 — She invited me to her house.

dispute争うarasou

二人の友だちは席を争いました。 — The two friends competed for the seat.

observation観察kansatsu

公園で鳥を観察しました。 — I observed the birds in the park.

to employ / to hire雇うyatou

その会社は新しい先生を雇いました。 — The company hired a new teacher.

misunderstanding誤解gokai

私たちの間に誤解がありました。 — There was a misunderstanding between us.

語る vs 述べる vs 話す: Levels of Formality

話す (hanasu, learned earlier) is the general, everyday verb for "to speak." 語る (kataru) is more literary/narrative — telling a story or sharing personal experience. 述べる (noberu) is formal — stating an opinion or fact, often in writing or official contexts. N3 tests recognizing which register fits a given passage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 疑う and 疑問 (from the abstract concepts list)?

疑う (utagau) is the verb "to doubt/suspect" — an action. 疑問 (gimon) is the noun "a question/doubt" — a state of uncertainty. Related but grammatically distinct: あの話を疑いました (I doubted that story) vs 疑問があります (I have doubts/questions).

Why does N3 separate "mind" verbs from other verb categories?

Cognitive and communication verbs share grammatical patterns (often followed by と思う, と言う, quotation particles) and appear together in reading passages about opinions, reactions, and interpersonal exchanges — grouping them aids efficient study.

Practice All 43 N3 Mind & Communication Verbs

Import the N3 Mind & Communication deck into Onigiri Anki and master cognitive and communication vocabulary with spaced repetition.

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JLPT N3 Mind & Communication Verbs: 43 Essential Words (2026)