N3 Particles List - Let’s Pass the JLPT!

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2024/01/15

Learn Japanese

Japanese particles include case particles (or case markers), parallel markers (or parallel particles), conjunctive particles, focus particles and compound case particles (or compound case markers).

In N4 Particles List, we explained Parallel Markers (並列助詞 Heiretsu Joshi) and Conjunctive Particles (終助詞 Shuu Joshi). This time, we will explain the usage and meaning of Japanese particles at the JLPT N3 level.

If you want to review the basic usage of Japanese particles, please check out the N5 Particles List.

Table of Contents

N3 Particles - Focus Particles and Compound Case Particles
N3 Particles List
How to Learn N3 Particles Easily
Things to be Aware of about N3 Particles
Challenge the N3 Particles Quiz!

N3 Particles - Focus Particles and Compound Case Particles

At the JLPT N3 level, in addition to the basic particles learnt at the JLPT N5 and N4 levels, Focus Particles and Compound Case Particles will also appear in questions.

Not only does the number of particles to learn increase at the N3 level, but their usage also becomes more difficult, so remember them well.

取り立て助詞 (toritate joshi) - Focus Particles

Focus particles add special meaning to words in a sentence. While case markers are particles that create structure in a sentence, focus particles are particles that decorate and add meaning to a sentence.

Focus particles include particles to indicate:

Subject or Contrast : は (wa) and なら (nara).
Addition and Enumeration : も (mo)
Limitation : だけ (dake), しか (shika), ばかり (bakari), こそ (koso)
Extreme Examples : さえ (sae), まで (made), でも (demo)
Evaluation : なんか (nanka), なんて (nante), くらい (kurai)

At the JLPT N3 level, focus particles こそ (koso), さえ (sae), なんか (nanka), なんて (nante), など (nado) and くらい (kurai) appear. Let’s look at their meaning and usage.

「こそ (koso)」: (for sure (emphasis preceding work); precisely; definitely ~)

Usage:
Noun + こそ

Example Sentence:
明日こそ早起きしたい。
(ashita koso hayaoki shitai)
- Tomorrow for sure, I want to wake up early.

「さえ (sae)」: (even; so much as; not even)

Usage:
Noun + (で) さえ (も)

Example Sentence:
子どもでさえその字は読める。
(kodomo de sae sono ji wa yomeru)
- Even a child can read this word.

「なんか (nanka)」、「なんて (nante)」、「など (nado) 」: (give examples; show modesty; make light of ~)

Usage:
Noun + なんか / なんで / など

Example Sentence:

私の英語力なんか彼にはまだ及ばない。
(watashi no eigoryoku nanka kare ni wa mada oyobanai)
- My English skills are still no match for him.
うわさなんて信じない。
(uwasa nante shinjinai)
- I don’t believe in things like rumours.
休みの日も予定があり家にいる時間などない。
(yasumi no hi mo yotei ga ari ie ni iru jikan nado nai)
- I have plans even on my days off, so I don’t have time for things like staying at home.

「くらい (kurai)」 / 「ぐらい (gurai)」: (approximately; about; around; to the extent ~)

Usage:

Verb (casual form) + くらい / ぐらい
Noun + ぐらい
Na-Adjective + な + くらい / ぐらい
I-Adjective + くらい / ぐらい

Example Sentence:

イベントの参加者は50人ぐらいだ。
(ibento no sankasha wa gojyuu-nin gurai da)
- The event has around 50 participants.
犬は猫と同じくらい可愛い。
(inu wa neko to onaji kurai kawaii)
- Dogs are as cute as cats.

複合格助詞 (fukugou kaku joshi) - Compound Case Particles

Basic case particles (or case markers) are used to form the structure of a sentence. Compound case particles work the same way - to form the structure of a sentence, but they are more complex as they are made up of multiple words.

Compound case particles can express objects, positions, places, methods, other parties, purposes, roles, etc. There are many compound case particles with a wide range of meaning and usages, so memorise them little by little.

Below we explain compound case particles at the N3 level.

「として (toshite)」: indicates role (as; in the role of ~)

Usage:
Noun + として

Example Sentence:
彼女は母親として子育てを一生懸命がんばっている。
(kanojo wa hahaoya toshite kosodate wo isshoukenmei ganbatteiru)
- She is trying her best as a mother to raise her children.

「について (ni tsuite) 」: indicates object or movement (concerning; regarding; about; on~)

Usage:
Noun + について

Example Sentence:
私は大学で日本文化について勉強している。
(watashi wa daigaku de nihon bunka ni tsuite benkyoushiteiru)
- I am studying (about) Japanese culture at university.

「にとって (ni totte)」: indicates perspective・position (to; for; concerning; as far as … is concerned; regarding ~)

Usage:
Noun + にとって (は / も)

Example Sentence:
妹にとってぬいぐるみは宝物だ。
(imouto ni totte nuigurumi wa takaramono da)
- As far as my sister is concerned, stuffed toys are her treasures.

N3 Particles List

At the JLPT N3 level, many particles are memorised not as a single word, but as a set with words that come before and/or after. Understanding what these particles mean will also help in reading long passages.

Let’s learn the meaning and usages of these particles to prepare for the JLPT examinations.

Particle	Meaning	How to Use	Example Sentence
いくら～ても ikura~temo	no matter how ~	いくら＋Verb (ても form) いくら＋Noun + でもいくら＋な-adjective + でもいくら＋い-adjective + いくても	いくら眠っても疲れがとれない。 (ikura nettemo tsukare ga torenai) - No matter how much I sleep, I’m still tired. いくら高くても価値のあるものは欲しい。 (ikura takakutemo kachi no aru mono wa hoshii) - No matter how expensive it is, I want something of value.
から〜にかけて kara~ni kakete	through; from [A] to [B]	Noun(A)から Noun(B)にかけて	今日から明日にかけて雨が降るそうだ。 (kyou kara ashita ni kakete ame ga furusou da) - It looks like it will rain from today to tomorrow.
きり kiri	only; just; since; after ~	Verb (た form)＋きり Noun＋っきり	彼女とは一度話したきり会っていない。 (kanojo towa ichido hanashitakiri atteinai) - I have not met here since we spoke once. 家には母と私の2人っきりだ。 (ie niwa haha to watashi no futarikkiri da) - There is only my mom and I, the 2 of us, at home.
くせに kuseni	and yet; though; in spite of; despite ~	Verb (dictionary form)＋くせに Noun + の＋くせにな-adjective + な＋くせにい-adjective＋くせに	彼はお金持ちのくせにあまり買い物をしない。 (kare wa okanemochi no kuseni amari kaimono wo shinai) - Despite being rich, he doesn’t buy much.
くらい / ぐらい kurai / gurai	approximately; about; around; to the extent ~	Verb (casual form)＋くらい / ぐらい Noun＋ぐらいな-adjective + な＋くらい / ぐらいい-adjective＋くらい / ぐらい	イベントの参加者は50人ぐらいだ。 (ibento no sankasha wa gojyuu-nin gurai da) - The event has around 50 participants. 犬は猫と同じくらい可愛い。 (inu wa neko to onaji kurai kawaii) - Dogs are as cute as cats.
こそ koso	for sure (emphasise preceding word); precisely; definitely ~	Noun＋こそ	明日こそ早起きしたい。 (ashita koso hayaoki shitai) - Tomorrow for sure, I want to wake up early.
こと koto	(must) do	Verb (dictionary form)＋こと Verb (ない form)＋こと	仕事を休む時は必ず上司に連絡すること。 (shigoto wo yasumu toki wa kanarazu joushi ni renrakusuru koto) - Always notify your superior when absent from work. 家を出るときは鍵を忘れないこと。 (ie wo deru toki wa kagi wo wasurenai koto) - Always lock up when leaving the house.
さえ sae	even; so much as; not even	Noun＋（で）さえ（も）	子どもでさえその字は読める。 (kodomo de sae sono ji wa yomeru) - Even a child can read this word.
さえ～ば sae~ba	if only; as long as ~	Verb ます (stem form) ＋さえすれば	この電車に乗りさえすれば目的地まで行けます。 (kono densha ni nori sae sureba mokutekichi made ikemasu) - As long as you get on this train, you can reach your destination.
しかない shikanai	have no choice but ~	Verb (dictionary form)＋しかない / しかなかった / しかありません	傘を忘れてしまったのでコンビニで買うしかない。 (kasa wo wasurete shimatta node konbini de kau shikanai) - I forgot my umbrella, and so had no choice but to buy one at the convenience store.
たって tatte	even if; even though; no matter how ~	Verb (casual, た form)＋って	今から走ったって電車には間に合わない。 (ima kara hashittatte densha niwa maniawanai) - Even if I started running now, I wouldn’t make it for the train.
たものだ ta mono da	used to do; would often do	Verb (た form)＋ものだ	子どものころはよく親に𠮟られたものだ。 (kodomo no koro wa yoku oya ni shikarareta monoda) - I used to often get scolded by my parents as a child.
っけ kke	a casual suffix to confirm something you are trying to remember	Noun + (だ / だった)＋っけな-adjective + (だ / だった)＋っけい-adjective + いかった＋っけ	テストの日はいつだったっけ？ (tesuto no hi wa itsu dattakke?) - What day was the test? 駅はこんなに遠かったっけ？ (eki wa konnani tookattakke?) - Was the train station this far?
といい / たらいい to ii / tara ii	it would be nice if; should; I hope ~	Verb (casual) + と＋いい Verb (た form) + ら＋いい	私のことを覚えているといいな。 (watashi no koto wo oboeteiru to ii na) - It would be nice if you could remember me. また今度話せたらいいな。 (mata kondo hanasetara ii na) - It would be nice if we could talk again.
として toshite	as; in the role of ~	Noun＋として	彼女は母親として子育てを一生懸命がんばっている。 (kanojo wa hahaoya toshite kosodate wo isshoukenmei ganbatteiru) - She is trying her best as a mother to raise her children.
とは限らない towa kagiranai	not necessarily so; is not always true	Verb (casual)＋とは限らない Noun + だ＋とは限らない	彼が試合に出場するとは限りません。 (kare ga shiai ni shutsujousuru to ha kagirimasen) - There’s no guarantee he’ll be in the game. すべての子どもが甘いものが好きだとは限らない。 (subete no kodomo ga amaimono ga suki da towa kagiranai) - Not all children like sweets.
ながらも nagara mo	but; although; despite ~	Verb (て form) + い＋ながらい-adjective＋ながら	古いながらも居心地のいい家だ。 (furui nagara mo igokochi no ii ie de) - It’s an old but comfortable house.
なんか / なんて / など nanka / nante / nado	give examples; show modesty; make light of ~	Noun＋なんか/なんて/など	私の英語力なんか彼にはまだ及ばない。 (watashi no eigoryoku nanka kare ni wa mada oyobanai) - My English skills are still no match for him. うわさなんて信じない。 (uwasa nante shinjinai) - I don’t believe in things like rumours. 休みの日も予定があり家にいる時間などない。 (yasumi no hi mo yotei ga ari ie ni iru jikan nado nai) - I have plans even on my days off, so I don’t have time for things like staying at home.
にしては ni shite wa	for; considering it’s (something or someone)	Verb (casual)＋にしては Noun＋にしては	あの子は小学生にしてはとても背が高い。 (ano ko wa shougakusei ni shite wa totemo se ga takai) - That child is very tall for an elementary school student.
にしても ni shite mo	even if; even though; regardless of ~	Verb (casual)＋にしても	夜出かけるにしても9時までには帰ってきなさい。 (yoru dekakeru ni shite mo kuji made niwa kaettekinasai) - Even if you go out at night, be back by 9 o’clock.
について ni tsuite	concerning; regarding; about; on ~	Noun＋について	私は大学で日本文化について勉強している。 (watashi wa daigaku de nihon bunka ni tsuite benkyoushiteiru) - I am studying (about) Japanese culture at university.
にとって ni totte	to; for; concerning; as far as ... is concerned; regarding ~	Noun＋にとって（は/も）	妹にとってぬいぐるみは宝物だ。 (Imouto ni totte nuigurumi wa takaramono da) - As far as my sister is concerned, stuffed toys are her treasures.
には niwa	for the purpose of; in order to ~	Verb (dictionary form)＋には	学校が完成するにはまだ時間がかかる。 (gakkou ga kanseisuru niwa mada jikan ga kakaru) - It will take some time for the school to be completed.
ばいい ba ii	should; can; it’d be good if ~	Verb (ば conditional form)＋いい	学校までどうやって行けばいいですか？ (gakkou made douyatte ikeba ii desuka?) - How should I get to school?
ば～のに ba~noni	would have; should have; if only ~	Verb (conditional form)＋のに Noun + なら＋のにな-adjective + なら＋のにい-adjective + いければ＋のに	このお菓子、もっと量が多ければ買うのに。 (kono okashi, motto ryou ga ookereba kau noni) - I would have bought this candy if the quantity was larger. テストが簡単ならよかったのに。今回はとても難しかった。 (tesuto ga kantan nara yokatta noni, konkai wa totemo muzukashikatta) - If only the test was easier. It was so hard this time.
ば～ほど ba~hodo	the more… the more ~	Verb (ば conditional form)+ ほどな-adj + なほどい-adj + ほど	スポーツは、練習すれば練習するほど上手になる。 (supo-tsu wa, renshuusureba renshuusuru hodo jyouzu ni naru) - The more you practise at sports, the better you get at it. 駅に近ければ近いほど通勤に便利だ。 (eki ni chikakereba chikai hodo tsuukin ni benri da) - The nearer you are to the station, the more convenient your work commute will be.
は別として wa betsu toshite	aside from; apart from; except for; whether or not ~	Noun＋(かどうか)＋は別として	テストの結果は別として、よく頑張ったと思う。 (tesuto no kekka wa betsu toshite, yoku ganbatta to tomou) - Putting aside the results of the test, I think I did my best. 雨かどうかは別として、皆でイベントを楽しみたいです。 (ameka douka wa betsu toshite, minna de ibento wo tanoshimitaidesu) - Regardless of whether it rains or not, I want everyone to enjoy the event.
ほど hodo	degree; extent; bounds; upper limit	Verb (casual, non-past)＋ほど Noun＋ほどな-adjective + な＋ほどい-adjective＋ほど	私の父は休む暇がないほど忙しい人です。 (watashi no chichi wa yasumu hima ga nai hodo isogashii hito desu) - My father is so busy to the extent he has no time to rest. 今日ほど寒かった日はなかった。 (kyou hodo samukatta hi wa nakatta) - There has never been a colder day than today.
ほど～ない hodo~nai	is not as… as ~	Noun + ほど＋Verb (ない form) Noun + ほど＋Adjective (ない form)	日本語のカタカナは漢字ほど難しくありません。 (nihongo no katakana wa kanji hodo muzukashiku arimasen) - Japanese katakana is not as difficult as kanji. キリンほど背の高い動物はいない。 (kirin hodo se no takai doubutsu wa inai) - There is no animal as tall as giraffes.
も～ば～も mo~ba~mo	and; also; as well; either/or; neither/nor	Noun(A)+ も＋Verb (ば form) ＋Noun(B) + も	彼女はスポーツもできれば勉強もできる。 (kanojo wa supo-tsu mo dekireba benkyou mo dekiru) - She can do sports as well as study.
もしも〜たら moshimo~tara	if; in the case; supposing ~	もしも＋Verb (た form) + ら	もしも休暇があったら、海外旅行に行きたいです。 (moshimo kyuuka ga attara, kaigai ryokou ni ikitaidesu) - If there were holidays, I would like to travel abroad.
よりも yorimo	in comparison to; rather than; more than ~	Verb (casual)＋よりもNoun＋よりも	外出するよりも家で過ごす方が好きだ。 (gaishutsusuru yorimo ie de sugosu hou ga suki da) - I would rather rest at home than go out. 私は見た目よりも性格を重視する。 (watashi wa mitame yorimo seikaku wo juushisuru) - I value personality more than appearance.
【数量】 + は (suuryou) + wa	at least ~	数量 (quantity; volume; amount)＋は	毎日30分間は会話の練習をするようにしています。 (mainichi sanjyu-pun-kan wa kaiwa no renshuu wo suru you ni shiteimasu) - I try to practise conversing for at least 30 minutes a day.

How to Learn N3 Particles Easily

At the N3 level, the particle は (wa) can be used as「Quantity + は」to mean ”少なくとも (sukunakutomo) - at least ~”. It is often used to express a habit or action that you are mindful of. Note that the usage of the particle は (wa) in this case is different from the は (wa) that connects to a subject noun, such as「私は (watashi wa) - I am」.

As for the N3 level particle「きり (kiri) - only; just; since; after ~)」, it has the meaning of limiting the scope of the word it is attached to. It is also used to explain the limited range of situations from the point between after きり comes into place and the present.

When attached to a verb, the formula is presented as「Verb た Form + きり」. And when attached to a noun, it is 「Noun + っきり」- be careful not to miss out the small っ.

Things to be Aware of about N3 Particles

Some Japanese particles carry negative connotations. Be careful when using it in conversation as it may make your conversation partner uncomfortable.

くせに (kuseni)

くせに is an expression used to judge, criticise, or insult someone based on your own prejudices. It is not malicious and can be used in a slight teasing manner. This is a casual expression so avoid using it in business settings and formal conversation.

Usage:

Verb (dictionary form) + くせに
Noun + の + くせに
Na-Adjective + な + くせに
I-Adjective + くせに

Example Sentence:

本当は悲しいくせに彼女は強がって泣かないようにしている。
(hontou wa kanashii kuseni kanojo wa tsuyogatte nakanai youni shiteiru)
- Even though she is sad, she is forcing herself not to cry.
子どものくせに大人と同じテレビ番組を見たがる。
(kodomo no kuseni otona to onaji terebi bangumi wo mitagaru)
- Even though they’re children, they want to watch the same TV programmes as adults.

ば~のに (ba~noni)

ば~のに is used to express regret or dissapointment. のに at the end of the sentence is used to express dissatisfaction or desire for something unattainable.

Usage:

Verb (ば conditional form) + のに
Noun + なら + のに
Na-Adjective + な + のに
I-Adjective + ければ + のに

Example Sentence:

もっと時間があればいっぱい遊べたのに。
(motto jikan ga areba ippai asobeta noni)
- If only I had more time, I could have played more.
駅が近ければもっと便利なのに。
(eki ga chikakereba motto benri na noni)
- If only the station was nearer, it would be more convenient.
自分の意見を言えばよかったのに。
(jibun no iken wo ieba yokatta noni)
- If only I had expressed my own opinions.

Challenge the N3 Particles Quiz!

Let’s try answering these JLPT N3 Particles example questions.

問題：（　）に入る助詞はどれですか。１・２・３・４の中から最もよいものを一つえらんでください。

① いくら安く（　　）、気に入らないものは買わないようにしている。
1．て　　2．ても　　3．って　　4．で

② 昨日から今日に（　　）雨が降り続いている。
1．ついて　2．おいて　3．かけて　4．しては

③ 人と話せば話す（　　）会話が上手になります。
1．から　2．と　3．には　4．ほど

④ 駅から会社までどうやって行け（　）いいですか？
1．ば　2．たら　3．と　4．かも

【Quiz Translation and Answers】

Check how you did in the short quiz!

問題：（　）に入る助詞はどれですか。１・２・３・４の中から最もよいものを一つえらんでください。
(mondai: （　）ni ireru joshi wa dore desuka。 1・2・3・4 no naka kara motomo yoi mono o hitotsu erande kudasai)
- Which particle should be used to fill in（　）? Choose the best from 1・2・3・4 .

① いくら安く（2. ても）、気に入らないものは買わないようにしている。
(ikura yasuku temo, ki ni iranai mono wa kawanai you nishiteiru)
- No matter how cheap it is, I endeavour not to buy anything I don’t like.

② 昨日から今日に（3. かけて）雨が降り続いている。
(kinou kara kyou ni kakete ame ga furitsuzuiteiru)
- The rain continues to fall from yesterday to today.

③ 人と話せば話す（4. ほど）会話が上手になります。
(hito to hanaseba hanasu hodo kaiwa ga jyouzu ni narimasu)
- The more you talk to people the better you will get at conversing.

④ 駅から会社までどうやって行け（1. ば）いいですか？
(eki kara kaisha made douyatte ikeba ii desuka?)
- How should I get to the station from here?

Quiz Answers: [2], [3], [4], [1]