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JLPT N3 Vocabulary
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N3
近寄る
ちかよる
Approaching something. Also, trying to interact closely with a person. Used in expressions such as 「危険だから近寄るな」「なかなか近寄りがたい人」.
AI-generated translation
N3
地球
ちきゅう
earth. The planet we live on.
AI-generated translation
N3
遅刻
ちこく
To be late for a set time. Example: 「学校に遅刻する」 (to be late for school).
AI-generated translation
N3
知識
ちしき
knowledge. Content one knows from learning or experience. Example: 「知識が豊富だ」 (to have abundant knowledge), 「専門知識」 (specialized knowledge).
AI-generated translation
N3
知人
ちじん
acquaintance. Someone one knows. Also used for a person not as close as a 「友人」 (friend).
AI-generated translation
N3
縮む
ちぢむ
The length or size of something becoming smaller. Also, the body becoming compact from cold or surprise. Used in expressions such as 「セーターが縮む」「寒さで体が縮む」.
AI-generated translation
N3
縮める
ちぢめる
Making the length, distance, or time of something shorter. Used in expressions such as 「時間を縮める」「距離を縮める」 in contexts of one's own action shortening something.
AI-generated translation
N3
ちっとも
ちっとも
Not even a little (with a negative). Always followed by a negative form. Example: 「ちっとも知らなかった」 (didn't know at all).
AI-generated translation
N3
地方
ちほう
A certain region within a country. Example: 「東北地方」 (the Tohoku region). Also used to mean an area away from a big city, as in 「地方に住む」 (to live in the countryside). The paired term is 「都会」 (city).
AI-generated translation
N3
ちゃんと
ちゃんと
properly. Neatly, correctly. 「ちゃんと片づける」「ちゃんと説明する」. When the form 「ちゃんとした」 modifies a following noun, it means being proper rather than careless, and trustworthy. 「ちゃんとした会社」「ちゃんとした服装」. Commonly used in spoken language.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
中央
ちゅうおう
center. The middle. Example: 「町の中央」 (the center of a town). Also used to mean the center of government, etc., as in 「中央政府」 (central government).
AI-generated translation
N3
中古
ちゅうこ
secondhand. An item that has been used before. Example: 「中古車」 (a used car). The antonym is 「新品」 (brand new).
AI-generated translation
N3
中心
ちゅうしん
The middle. Example: 「円の中心」 (the center of a circle). While 「中央」 refers to the physical middle of a place, 「中心」 is also broadly used for the most important part or person in something, as in 「チームの中心」 (the core of a team).
AI-generated translation
N3
調査
ちょうさ
To investigate something in order to clarify the actual state of affairs. Example: 「アンケート調査」 (a questionnaire survey).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
調子
ちょうし
The condition or state of one's body or a machine, etc. Example: 「体の調子がいい」 (feeling well physically). There is also the expression 「調子に乗る」 (to get carried away when things go well).
AI-generated translation
N3
頂上
ちょうじょう
summit. The very top of a mountain. Example: 「富士山の頂上」 (the summit of Mt. Fuji).
AI-generated translation
N3
貯金
ちょきん
savings. To save up money. Also, the money saved. Example: 「毎月1万円貯金する」 (to save 10,000 yen every month). The word 「預金」 is also used for depositing money in a bank.
AI-generated translation
N3
直接
ちょくせつ
directly. Without anything in between, firsthand. Example: 「本人に直接話す」 (to talk directly to the person). The antonym is 「間接」 (indirectly).
AI-generated translation
N3
治療
ちりょう
treatment. To take care of an illness or injury in order to cure it. Example: 「歯の治療」 (dental treatment).
AI-generated translation
N3
追加
ついか
To add something later. Example: 「注文を追加する」 (to add to an order).
AI-generated translation
N3
遂に
ついに
finally. At last, after a long time or various developments. 「遂に完成した」. When used with a negative form, it means that although one waited or searched, it never came about in the end. 「待っていたが遂に来なかった」「遂に見つからなかった」. Often written in hiragana as 「ついに」.
AI-generated translation
N3
通学
つうがく
To commute to school. Example: 「電車で通学する」 (to commute to school by train).
AI-generated translation
N3
通勤
つうきん
To commute to one's workplace. Example: 「通勤時間」 (commuting time).
AI-generated translation
N3
通行
つうこう
People or vehicles passing along a road. Example: 「通行止め」 (road closed), 「右側通行」 (keep to the right).
AI-generated translation
N3
通じる
つうじる
For a road, etc., to be connected so one can travel through. Example: 「この道は駅に通じている」 (this road leads to the station). Also used to mean that meaning or feeling is conveyed to the other person, as in 「日本語が通じる」 (Japanese is understood), 「話が通じない」 (the message doesn't get across).
AI-generated translation
N3
通信
つうしん
To exchange information by letter, phone, the internet, etc. Example: 「通信速度」 (communication speed).
AI-generated translation
N3
通訳
つうやく
To stand between people speaking different languages and translate on the spot. Also, the person who does this. Translating written text is called 「翻訳」 instead.
AI-generated translation
N3
捕まる
つかまる
To be caught so one cannot escape. Example: 「犯人が捕まる」 (the criminal is caught). When it means gripping something firmly, as in 「手すりにつかまる」 (to hold onto a handrail), it is usually written in hiragana. 「捕まえる」 is used when a person chases and seizes someone, while 「捕まる」 is used when the one pursued gets seized: compare 「犯人を捕まえる」 with 「犯人が捕まる」.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
つかむ
つかむ
To firmly grip and hold something with one's hand. Example: 「ロープをつかむ」 (to grab a rope). Also used to mean seizing an opportunity or someone's heart, as in 「チャンスをつかむ」 (to seize a chance). Written with the kanji 「掴む」, but since this kanji is not used in daily life, it is usually written in hiragana.
AI-generated translation
N3
付き合う
つきあう
To be closely involved with someone. Also used to mean being in a romantic relationship, as in 「彼と付き合っている」 (dating him). Also used to mean acting together to match someone else, as in 「買い物に付き合う」 (to go along with someone shopping).
AI-generated translation
N3
次々
つぎつぎ
One after another, continuously. Example: 「新しい店が次々にできる」 (new shops open one after another). Also used in the form 「次々と」.
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
着く
つく
arrive. To reach one's intended destination. Example: 「駅に着く」 (to arrive at the station).
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
作る
つくる
make. To newly create something that did not exist. Example: 「りょうりを作る」 (to make food/cook).
AI-generated translation
N3
伝わる
つたわる
For information or feelings to reach the other person. Example: 「気持ちが伝わる」 (feelings get across). Also used for heat or sound spreading, or for something being passed down since long ago, as in 「昔から伝わる話」 (a story handed down from long ago). 「伝える」 is used when a person conveys something to another, while 「伝わる」 is used when it reaches the receiver: compare 「気持ちを伝える」 with 「気持ちが伝わる」.
AI-generated translation
N3
つながる
つながる
For separated things to become connected. Example: 「電話がつながる」 (a call connects), 「道が駅につながる」 (a road leads to the station). Also used to mean being related, as in 「事件につながる話」 (a story connected to an incident). Written with the kanji 「繋がる」, but since this kanji is not used in daily life, it is usually written in hiragana. 「つなぐ」 is used when a person joins things together, while 「つながる」 is used when they end up connected: compare 「電話をつなぐ」 with 「電話がつながる」.
AI-generated translation
N3
つなぐ
つなぐ
To join separated things together into one. Example: 「手をつなぐ」 (to hold hands), 「ロープをつなぐ」 (to tie a rope together). Written with the kanji 「繋ぐ」. 「つなぐ」 is used when a person joins things together, while 「つながる」 is used when they end up connected: compare 「電話をつなぐ」 with 「電話がつながる」.
AI-generated translation
N3
常に
つねに
always. All the time, no matter when. Example: 「常に努力する」 (to always make an effort). A literary word; in spoken language, 「いつも」 is normal.
AI-generated translation
N3
角
つの
horn. The hard, pointed thing growing from the head of an animal such as a cow or deer. Used as in "二本の角" (two horns) or "角が生える" (horns grow). The same "角" read as "かど" is a different word meaning a place where a road turns or the pointed edge of an object.
AI-generated translation
N3
潰れる
つぶれる
For something to lose its shape from being pressed. Example: 「箱が潰れる」 (a box gets crushed). Also used to mean a company or shop being unable to continue, as in 「会社が潰れる」 (a company goes under). 「潰す」 is used when a person or force presses and breaks something, while 「潰れる」 is used when it breaks from being pressed: compare 「箱を潰す」 with 「箱が潰れる」.
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
つまらない
つまらない
Not fun, not interesting. The antonym is 「面白い」 (interesting).
AI-generated translation
N3
つまり
つまり
In other words, in short. Used when summarizing something said before in short form. Example: 「母の妹、つまり私のおばです」 (my mother's younger sister, in other words, my aunt).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
詰まる
つまる
For something to become full and blocked. Example: 「鼻が詰まる」 (one's nose gets stuffy), 「予定が詰まっている」 (one's schedule is packed). 「言葉に詰まる」 means to suddenly be unable to find words. 「詰める」 is used when a person packs things in without gaps, while 「詰まる」 is used when something becomes full and blocked: compare 「予定を詰める」 with 「予定が詰まる」.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
積む
つむ
To pile things up on top of each other. Example: 「荷物を積む」 (to load luggage). Also used to mean building up experience repeatedly, as in 「経験を積む」 (to gain experience).
AI-generated translation
N3
爪
つめ
nail. The hard part growing at the tip of a finger. Example: 「爪を切る」 (to cut one's nails).
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
詰める
つめる
To pack things into a container without any gaps. Example: 「かばんに服を詰める」 (to pack clothes into a bag). Also used to mean narrowing a gap, as in 「席を詰める」 (to move seats closer together). 「詰める」 is used when a person packs things in without gaps, while 「詰まる」 is used when something becomes full and blocked: compare 「予定を詰める」 with 「予定が詰まる」.
AI-generated translation
N3
梅雨
つゆ
The rainy season that continues around June. Example: 「梅雨入り」 (the start of the rainy season). Also read 「ばいう」 (as in 「梅雨前線」, the seasonal rain front).
AI-generated translation
N3, N5
強い
つよい
A state where strength is great. The antonym is 「弱い」 (weak).
AI-generated translation
N3
辛い
つらい
hard, painful. The state of being distressing and hard to endure. Used for both physical and emotional suffering, as in "毎日の練習が辛い" (daily practice is hard) or "別れが辛い" (parting is painful). It is often written in kana as "つらい". The same "辛い" read as "からい" is a different word meaning a taste that stings the mouth.
AI-generated translation
N2, N3
出会う
であう
To happen to meet a person or come across something. Example: 「駅で先生に出会った」 (happened to meet the teacher at the station), 「いい本に出会う」 (to come across a good book).
AI-generated translation
N3
提案
ていあん
proposal. To put forward an idea or plan. Example: 「新しい計画を提案する」 (to propose a new plan).
AI-generated translation
Vocabulary data on this site is based on the JMdict/EDICT project (© Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group, CC BY-SA 4.0). JLPT level classification is our own assessment using AI (Claude) and is not an official JLPT standard.