JLPT N3 action and handling verbs form the largest verb category on the exam — 82 verbs describing physical actions, object manipulation, cooking processes, and movement. This guide covers 40 of the highest-frequency verbs across four practical categories.

This article is part of our JLPT N3 Complete Vocabulary Guide. Practice all 82 verbs with the N3 Verbs 1 deck in Onigiri Anki.

Physical Actions with Hands (10)

These verbs describe hand-based physical actions — holding, gripping, pulling — common in N3 descriptive passages.

hold in one's arms抱くdaku

彼女は赤ちゃんを抱きました。 — She held the baby in her arms.

kick蹴るkeru

彼はボールを蹴りました。 — He kicked the ball.

grasp; hold握るnigiru

彼はマイクをしっかり握りました。 — He held the microphone tightly.

to grab; to seizeつかむtsukamu

このかばんをつかんでください。 — Please hold this bag.

to pull引っ張るhipparu

いすを引っ張ってください。 — Please pull the chair.

to press down; to hold押さえるosaeru

紙を手で押さえてください。 — Please hold the paper down with your hand.

hit; strike; clap叩くtataku

父はコンサートで手を叩きました。 — My father clapped his hands at the concert.

let go; release放すhanasu

私の手を放してください。 — Please let go of my hand.

lift持ち上げるmochiageru

重い箱を持ち上げました。 — I lifted the heavy box.

to touch触るsawaru

これに触らないでください。 — Please do not touch this.

Object Handling (10)

Verbs describing manipulation of objects — tying, wrapping, folding — everyday actions frequently tested at N3.

tie結ぶmusubu

このひもを強く結んでください。 — Please tie this string tightly.

wind up巻くmaku

タオルを頭に巻きました。 — I wound the towel around my head.

wrap包むtsutsumu

プレゼントを包みました。 — I wrapped the present.

fold; close upたたむtatamu

わたしは毎朝、服をたたみます。 — I fold my clothes every morning.

assemble組み立てるkumitateru

新しい棚を組み立てました。 — We assembled the new shelf.

untie; undoほどくhodoku

彼女はひもをほどきました。 — She untied the string.

to divide; to break割るwaru

チョコレートを小さく割ってください。 — Please break the chocolate into small pieces.

to peel offはがすhagasu

シールをはがしてください。 — Please peel off the sticker.

to pack; to stuff詰めるtsumeru

かばんに荷物を詰めてください。 — Please pack your bag.

to put back戻すmodosu

本を本棚に戻してください。 — Please put the book back on the shelf.

Cooking Verbs (10)

N3 introduces specific cooking-method verbs — essential for recipe instructions and food-preparation passages.

to stir-fry炒めるitameru

母は野菜を炒めます。 — My mother stir-fries vegetables.

to simmer煮るniru

スープを長く煮ます。 — We simmer the soup for a long time.

to boil茹でるyuderu

野菜を茹でています。 — I am boiling the vegetables.

to chop刻むkizamu

玉ねぎを細かく刻んでください。 — Please chop the onions finely.

to mix混ぜるmazeru

砂糖とミルクを混ぜてください。 — Please mix the sugar and milk.

to deep-fry揚げるageru

魚を揚げます。 — I deep-fry the fish.

to wipe拭くfuku

テーブルを拭きました。 — I wiped the table.

to spillこぼすkobosu

机にコーヒーをこぼしました。 — I spilled coffee on the desk.

to pour注ぐsosogu

彼女はコップに水を注ぎました。 — She poured water into a glass.

to steam蒸すmusu

野菜を蒸します。 — They steam the vegetables.

Movement & Protection (10)

These verbs describe falling, colliding, and protective actions — common in narrative and safety-related N3 passages.

fall down転ぶkorobu

階段で転びました。 — I fell down on the stairs.

jump in飛び込むtobikomu

その男の子は川に飛び込みました。 — The boy jumped into the river.

to calm down; to settle落ち着くochitsuku

試験のあとで、やっと落ち着きました。 — After the exam, I finally calmed down.

to collideぶつかるbutsukaru

自転車が車にぶつかりました。 — My bike collided with a car.

to move (something)動かすugokasu

その机をあちらに動かしてください。 — Please move the desk over there.

to protect / to keep (a promise)守るmamoru

約束を守ります。 — I will keep my promise.

to support支えるsasaeru

家族が私を支えてくれます。 — My family supports me.

to rescue救うsukuu

消防士が子どもを救いました。 — The firefighter rescued the child.

to knock down倒すtaosu

強い風が木を倒しました。 — The strong wind knocked down the tree.

to advance / to proceed with進めるsusumeru

会議を明日に進めます。 — We will proceed with the meeting tomorrow.

Cooking Verbs: Choosing the Right Method

Japanese distinguishes cooking methods precisely: 煮る (niru, to simmer in liquid), 茹でる (yuderu, to boil), 蒸す (musu, to steam), 炒める (itameru, to stir-fry), and 揚げる (ageru, to deep-fry). Each method has a distinct verb — mixing them up is a common N3 vocabulary error.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between つかむ and 握る?

つかむ (tsukamu) means to grab/seize something, often quickly or forcefully. 握る (nigiru) means to grip/hold firmly, often for a sustained period (like holding a microphone or making rice balls). The distinction is about duration and firmness of the grip.

Why does N3 have so many cooking verbs?

Cooking-related passages are common in N3 reading — recipes, restaurant reviews, and daily-life narratives. Precise cooking verbs let you describe food preparation accurately, which the exam tests through both vocabulary and reading comprehension.

Practice All 82 N3 Action & Handling Verbs

Import the N3 Verbs 1 deck into Onigiri Anki and master physical action vocabulary with spaced repetition.

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JLPT N3 Verbs — Actions & Handling: 82 Essential Verbs (2026)