N3 Nouns List (Part 2) - Let’s Pass the JLPT!

In N3 Nouns List Part 2, we will study Japanese nouns from these 3 categories - “People”, “Things”, “World, Places, Events”. There are many words that refer to things and people around you that often appear in news and articles, so remember them well. 

There are altogether 49 nouns in this part. Understand the meaning and usage of each noun. 

Table of Contents

1. N3 Nouns List - People
2. N3 Nouns List - Things
3. N3 Nouns List - World, Places, Events

N3 Nouns List - People

At the JLPT N3 level, students learn people-related nouns for introducing family members and to refer to themselves and others. Keep in mind that at the N3 level, Kanji becomes more important and appears more frequently in test questions, so be sure not to memorise only the definitions but also the Kanji. 

Example Sentences Using N3 “People” Nouns

1. 私の父親 (Chichioya)は北海道出身です。
(Watashi no chichioya wa Hokkaido shusshin desu.)
- My father is from Hokkaido.

2. 私の母親 (Hahaoya)はよく笑う人です。
(Watashi no hahaoya wa yoku warau hito desu.)
- My mother is someone who laughs a lot.

3. 男子 (Danshi)トイレは3階にあります。
(Danshi toire wa sankai ni arimasu.)
- The men’s toilet is on the 3rd floor.

4. 女子 (Joshi)の参加者は少なかった。
(Joshi no sankasha ha sukunakatta.)
- There were few female participants.

5. 契約には本人 (Honnin)確認が必要です。
(Keiyaku niwa honnin kakunin ga hitsuyou desu.)
- Identity verification is required for contracts. 

6. 彼女の一家 (Ikka)はお店を経営している。
(Kanojo no ikka wa omise wo keieishiteiru.)
- Her family runs a shop.

7. 私の味方 (Mikata)は姉と妹です。
(Watashi no mikata wa ane to imouto desu.)
- My allies are my older sister and younger sister.

8. 子どもの成長 (Seichou)はとても早い。
(Kodomo no seichou wa totemo hayai.)
- Children grow up very fast. 

N3 “People” Nouns List

Note: Pay particular attention to remembering Kanji in BOLD.

N3 Nouns List - Things

With nouns related to Things, we will learn about items around us. Some Kanji have multiple readings, so be careful when memorising them.

品 (Hin [Pin] / Shina) 

品 (Hin / Pin) is used to express something elegant or sophisticated. When used in reference to someone, it is a compliment on someone’s character or qualities, such as to praise their good manners.

• 彼は品 (Hin) のある青年だ。
  (Kare wa hin no aru seinen da.)
  - He is a classy young man. 

• この料理は店長おすすめの一品(Ippin)です。
  (Kono ryouri wa tenchou osusume no ippin desu.)
  - This is the recommended dish by the shop manager.

品 (Shina) is used to refer to a thing. When wanting to describe a thing in a more polite manner, such as when introducing a product to a customer, we use 品 (Shina) instead of 物 (Mono) that also means thing. The expression 品物 (Shinamono) is often used.

•  この品 (Shina)は昨日売り切れてしまいました。
  (Kono shina wa kinou urikireteshimaimashita.)
  - This item was sold out yesterday. 

• 品物 (Shinamono) を大切に扱います。
  (Shinamono wo taisetsu ni atsukaimasu.)
  - Treat items with care. 

Example Sentences Using N3 “Things” Nouns

1. 日本に来た記念 (Kinen)として着物を買いました。
(Nihon ni kita kinen toshite kimono wo kaimashita.)
- I bought a kimono as a souvenir for coming to Japan.

2. 書類 (Shorui)を整理するのに時間がかかった。
(Shorui wo seirisuru noni jikan ga kakatta.)
- It took a long time to organise the documents.

3. この品は本物 (Honmono)かどうか分からない。
(Kono shina wa honmono ka douka wakaranai.)
- I cannot tell if this item is a genuine article or not.

4. 会場には多くの作品 (Sakuhin)が並べられています。
(Kaijou ni wa ooku no sakuhin ga naraberareteimasu.)
- There are many works on display at the venue. 

5. 会社の新しい製品 (Seihin)は子どもに大人気だ。
(Kaisha no atarashii seihin wa kodomo ni daininki da.)
- The company’s new product is very popular with children.

6. スーパーへ食品 (Shokuhin)を買いに行きました。
(Su-pa- he shokuhin wo kai ni ikimashita.)
- I went to the supermarket to buy foodstuffs. 

7. 倉庫には古い書物 (Shomotsu)が残っていた。
(Souko niwa furui shomotsu ga nokotteita.)
- There were old books left in the warehouse. 

8. 夜道は暗いので明かり (Akari)が必要だ。
(Yomichi wa kurai no de akari ga hitsuyou da.)
- The street at night is dark, so we need lights. 

N3 “Things” Nouns List

Note: Pay particular attention to remembering Kanji in BOLD.

N3 Nouns List - World, Places, Events

Many World and Event-related nouns are used in news, websites, and business settings, so knowing them will make communication easier. In addition, many nouns that express Places can be found on the streets, so they are useful in daily life. Pay attention to the Kanji and how they are read.

Example Sentences Using N3 “World, Places, Events” Nouns

1. 国内 (Kokunai)で初めて旅行に行った場所は、京都だ。
(Kokunai de hajimete ryokou ni itta bashou wa, Kyouto da.)
- The first place I travelled to domestically was Kyoto. 

2. 海外 (Kaigai)の文化と日本の文化を比べてみる。
(Kaigai no bunka to Nihon no bunka wo kurabetemiru.)
- Try comparing overseas culture and Japanese culture. 

3. 議会を進行するのは議長 (Gichou)の役目だ。
(Gikai wo shinkousuru nowa gichou no yakume da.)
- The speaker has the role of running the assembly. 

4. この果物は全国 (Zenkoku)で売られている。
(Kono kudamono wa zenkoku de urareteiru.)
- This fruit is sold all over the country.

5. 私は都会 (Tokai)よりも田舎が好きです。
(Watashi wa tokai yorimo inaka ga suki desu.)
- I like the countryside more than the city.

6. 高速 (Kousoku)道路を運転するときは気を付けましょう。
(Kousokudouro wo untensuru toki wa ki wo tsukemashou.)
- Let’s be careful when driving on the highway. 

7. 彼は大会 (Taikai)で良い成績を残した。
(Kare wa taikai de yoi seiseki wo nokoshita.)
- He achieved good results in the tournament.

8. 選手の入場 (Nyuujou)は10時からです。
(Senshu no nyuujou wa jyuuji kara desu.)
- Entry for players is at 10 o’clock. 

N3 “World, Places, Events” Nouns List

Note: Pay particular attention to remembering Kanji in BOLD.

That concludes Part 2 of JLPT N3 Nouns, please continue on to Part 3.