Master the Leap: JLPT N3 Vocabulary Essential Review Guide

Welcome to your N3 Vocabulary Review! The transition from N4 to N3 is a major milestone. You are moving away from purely conversational, concrete words and stepping into the realm of abstract concepts, formal expressions, and nuanced compound verbs.

This guide focuses on high-yield vocabulary categories that frequently appear in the JLPT N3 exam.

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1. The Transitive vs. Intransitive Trap (自動詞 と 他動詞)

N3 reading and listening sections heavily test your ability to distinguish between intransitive verbs (actions happening on their own, using the particle が) and transitive verbs (actions performed by an agent, using the particle を).

Contextual Example:

• Intransitive: 体重（たいじゅう）が増えました。
  (My weight increased [on its own].)体重増
• Transitive: 貯金（ちょきん）を増やしたいです。
  (I want to increase my savings [active effort].)貯金増

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2. High-Yield Compound Verbs (複合動詞)

Compound verbs are created by combining the Masu-stem of a verb with another verb. Mastering these is a shortcut to sounding natural and acing the N3.

Pattern A: 〜出す（だす - to start suddenly / to bring out）

• 動き出す (うごきだす): To start moving.動出
• 急に雨が降り出した。 (It suddenly started to rain.)急雨降出

Pattern B: 〜切る（きる - to do completely / to finish）

• 売り切れる (うりきれる): To be completely sold out.売切
• この小説は一日で読み切った。 (I finished reading this novel in one day.)小説一日読切

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3. Abstract Societal Vocabulary (社会的な言葉)

N3 reading passages often discuss lifestyle, environment, and work. You must memorize these abstract nouns:

1. 効果 (こうか) - Effect / Effectiveness
   • Example: この薬は風邪に効果があります。 (This medicine is effective against colds.)薬風邪効果
   効果薬風邪
2. 解決 (かいけつ) - Resolution / Solution
   • Example: トラブルを解決するために話し合いました。 (We talked to resolve the trouble.)解決話合
   解決話合
3. 管理 (かんり) - Management / Control
   • Example: 健康（けんこう）を管理することは大切です。 (Managing your health is important.)健康管理大切
   管理健康大切

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4. Confusing Homophones (同音異義語)

Kanji recognition is vital because many words sound identical but have different meanings and characters.

「かえる」

• 変える: To change (e.g., 予定を変える - to change plans).変予定
• 換える: To exchange/replace (e.g., 電池を換える - to replace batteries).換電池
• 帰る: To return home.帰

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5. Practice Challenge

Test your knowledge by choosing the correct word for each sentence. (Answers below)

1. 部屋の温度を [ 下げる / 下がる ] ために、エアコンをつけました。部屋温度下
2. 売り場でチケットが [ 売り出した / 売り切れた ] ので、買えませんでした。売場出切買
3. 地球温暖化（ちきゅうおんだんか）の問題を [ 解決 / 管理 ] しなければならない。地球温暖化問

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Answer Key & Explanations

1. 下げる (さげる - Transitive): Because of the particle を, you need the transitive verb meaning "to lower (something)."下
2. 売り切れた (Sold out): The tickets were sold out, which is why you couldn't buy them.売切
3. 解決 (Resolution): You "resolve" global warming issues, you do not "manage/administer" (管理) them in this context.解決管理