JLPT N3 time and quantity vocabulary covers 37 essential words — precise time-reference terms (以前, 以降, 以来) and quantity/proportion vocabulary. This category is essential for expressing exact timing and amounts with the precision N3 reading passages require.

This article is part of our JLPT N3 Complete Vocabulary Guide. Practice all 37 words with the N3 Time & Quantity deck in Onigiri Anki.

Time Periods & References (10)

These words describe past, present, future, and relative time — the grammatical building blocks for describing timelines.

period; term期間kikan

このコースの期間は三か月です。 — The course period is three months.

past過去kako

過去を忘れて、前に進みたいです。 — I want to forget the past and move on.

present; now現在genzai

現在は忙しいです。 — I am busy right now.

future未来mirai

未来のことを考えたいです。 — I want to think about the future.

before; previously以前izen

以前、そこへ行きました。 — I went there before.

after; since以降ikou

来月以降はここで働きます。 — From next month on, I will work here.

since; ever since以来irai

去年以来、ここに住んでいます。 — I have lived here since last year.

from now on今後kongo

今後は毎日英語を勉強したいです。 — From now on, I want to study English every day.

immediately before直前chokuzen

会議の直前に彼に電話しました。 — I called him immediately before the meeting.

immediately after直後chokugo

試験の直後に緊張しました。 — I felt nervous immediately after the exam.

Specific Time Points (10)

Precise moments and time-related concepts — common in N3 narrative reading passages describing sequences of events.

the day当日toujitsu

当日はチケットを持ってきてください。 — Please bring your ticket on the day.

early morning早朝souchou

早朝に家を出ます。 — I leave home in the early morning.

midnight真夜中mayonaka

真夜中に寝ました。 — I went to bed at midnight.

moment, instant瞬間shunkan

電車が着いた瞬間、ほっとしました。 — I was relieved at the moment the train arrived.

an instant一瞬isshun

一瞬で空が暗くなりました。 — In an instant, the sky became dark.

deadline締切shimekiri

レポートの締切は明日です。 — The report deadline is tomorrow.

time limit期限kigen

このレポートの期限を教えてください。 — Please tell me the deadline for this report.

in the middle of最中saichuu

彼は授業の最中に電話をかけてきました。 — He called me in the middle of class.

simultaneously; at the same time同時douji

彼は同時に話して笑いました。 — He spoke and laughed at the same time.

every time毎回maikai

毎回この映画を見ると、泣きます。 — Every time I see this movie, I cry.

Quantity & Proportion (10)

These words express amounts, proportions, and counts — essential vocabulary for describing statistics and measurements.

whole; entire全体zentai

全員で公園に行きました。 — The whole class went to the park.

all members全員zenin

全員がその計画に賛成しました。 — All members agreed with the plan.

half半分hanbun

半分だけ食べてください。 — Please eat only half.

degree; extent程度teido

雨は外に出にくい程度に強かったです。 — The rain was so heavy that it was difficult to go out.

most part; majority大部分daibubun

仕事の大部分は昼までに終わりました。 — Most of the work was finished by noon.

order; sequence順番junban

順番に待ってください。 — Please wait in order.

number of times回数kaisuu

私に電話した回数は何回ですか。 — How many times have you called me?

first half前半zenhan

前半は勉強しました。 — I studied in the first half.

second half後半kouhan

後半で点を取りました。 — We scored in the second half.

second秒byou

十秒待ってください。 — Please wait ten seconds.

以前 vs 以降 vs 以来: Three Time Connectors

These three words all use 以 (i, based on) but point in different time directions: 以前 (izen) = before a point in time. 以降 (ikou) = from a point onward. 以来 (irai) = ever since a point (continuing to now). Distinguishing these is a classic N3 grammar/vocabulary point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 期間 and 期限?

期間 (kikan) means a period/duration of time — a span with a beginning and end. 期限 (kigen) means a deadline — a specific end-point by which something must happen. コースの期間 (course duration) vs レポートの期限 (report deadline).

How is 以来 different from just using から (from)?

以来 (irai) specifically implies a continuous state or action from a past point up to now: 去年以来、住んでいます (I have lived here since last year, continuously). から is more general and doesn't necessarily imply continuity.

Practice All 37 N3 Time & Quantity Words

Import the N3 Time & Quantity deck into Onigiri Anki and master precise timing and quantity vocabulary with spaced repetition.

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JLPT N3 Time & Quantity Vocabulary: 37 Essential Words (2026)