JLPT N3 Kanji Verbs — Everyday Japanese

Nice list. For N3, I’d keep the same approach as before: kanji + furigana + meaning + easy mnemonic, but the examples should feel like things you'd actually hear or say in Japan.

A few of these verbs also have useful differences from N4 verbs, especially 決まる vs 決める, 間に合う vs 遅れる, 冷める vs 冷ます, and 認める vs 許す.

1. 育てる（そだてる）

育てる means to raise or grow something.

It can be used for children, animals, plants, and sometimes people you mentor.

Example

母はベランダで野菜を育てていて、夏になるとトマトやピーマンをよく料理に使っています。

My mother grows vegetables on the balcony, and when summer comes, she often uses tomatoes and green peppers in her cooking.

Fun Fact

育てる isn't only about children.

You can say:

• 子どもを育てる → raise a child
• 野菜を育てる → grow vegetables
• 犬を育てる → raise a dog
• 後輩を育てる → train/develop a junior coworker

2. 倒れる（たおれる）

倒れる means something falls over or someone collapses.

Example

昨日は仕事が忙しすぎて、帰ってからソファに座ったら、そのまま寝てしまいました。

Work was so busy yesterday that when I sat on the sofa after getting home, I ended up falling asleep right there.

For a person physically collapsing:

暑い日に無理をすると、熱中症で倒れることがあります。

If you push yourself too hard on a hot day, you can collapse from heatstroke.

3. 冷める（さめる）

冷める means something becomes cool or cold.

This is different from 冷ます（さます）, which means to cool something down.

スープが冷める
The soup becomes cold.

スープを冷ます
Cool the soup down.

Example

ラーメンの写真を撮っている間に、せっかくのラーメンが少し冷めてしまいました。

While I was taking a photo of my ramen, the ramen I was looking forward to ended up getting a little cold.

Very realistic problem in the Instagram era.

4. 焼く（やく）

焼く has several meanings depending on context:

• grill
• bake
• roast
• burn

Example

週末に友達とバーベキューをしたとき、私は肉を焼く係だったので、ずっとコンロの前にいました。

When I had a barbecue with my friends on the weekend, I was in charge of grilling the meat, so I stayed in front of the grill the whole time.

Fun Fact

You'll see 焼く everywhere in Japanese food vocabulary:

• 焼き肉 → grilled meat
• 焼き鳥 → grilled chicken
• 焼き魚 → grilled fish
• たこ焼き → takoyaki

5. 逃げる（にげる）

逃げる means to escape or run away.

Example

公園で犬と散歩していたら、急にリードが外れて、犬が走って逃げてしまいました。

While I was walking my dog in the park, the leash suddenly came off and my dog ran away.

6. 決まる（きまる）

This one is important because beginners often confuse it with 決める（きめる）.

決まる

Something gets decided.

来月の旅行の日程がやっと決まりました。

The schedule for next month's trip has finally been decided.

決める

Someone decides something.

みんなで話し合って、来月京都へ行くことを決めました。

After discussing it together, we decided to go to Kyoto next month.

Easy way to remember:

決まる = be decided

決める = decide

7. 見つける（みつける）

見つける means to find something.

Example

ずっと探していた財布を、昨日コンビニへ行ったときにバッグの中から見つけました。

I found the wallet I'd been looking for inside my bag when I went to the convenience store yesterday.

Notice:

探す = search for

見つける = find

探す → 🔎 → 見つける
search       find

8. 間に合う（まにあう）

This is a very useful Japanese expression.

間に合う means to make it in time.

Example

寝坊してしまったので、急いで準備しましたが、なんとか朝の電車に間に合いました。

I overslept, so I got ready in a hurry, but somehow I still made it in time for the morning train.

Fun Fact

Japanese people often say:

間に合った！

when they barely make it.

For example, running onto a train just before the doors close:

間に合った！

"I made it!"

9. 戻る（もどる）

戻る means to return or go back to a previous place or state.

Example

駅まで来たのに、スマホを家に忘れたことに気づいたので、もう一度家に戻りました。

I had already reached the station, but I realized I'd left my phone at home, so I went back home again.

10. 比べる（くらべる）

比べる means to compare.

Example

東京と大阪では雰囲気がかなり違うので、旅行する前にホテルの料金や交通費を比べてみました。

Tokyo and Osaka have quite different atmospheres, so before traveling, I compared hotel prices and transportation costs.

11. 間違える（まちがえる）

間違える means to make a mistake or get something wrong.

Example

日本語で話しているとき、漢字の読み方を間違えてしまって、友達に笑われました。

When I was speaking Japanese, I got the reading of a kanji wrong and my friend laughed at me.

Useful Difference

間違える = make a mistake

間違う = be wrong / make a mistake

You'll hear both, but 間違える often focuses on the action of getting something wrong.

And of course:

間違えました。

is a very useful phrase when you're learning Japanese.

12. 調べる（しらべる）

調べる means to look something up, check, or investigate.

Example

知らない漢字があったら、スマホですぐ読み方と意味を調べるようにしています。

Whenever there's a kanji I don't know, I make it a habit to immediately look up its reading and meaning on my phone.

This is probably one of the most useful verbs for language learners.

13. 続ける（つづける）

続ける means to continue doing something.

Example

毎日長い時間勉強するのは大変なので、仕事が終わったあとに十五分だけでも日本語の勉強を続けるようにしています。

Studying for a long time every day is difficult, so after work, I try to keep studying Japanese even if it's only for fifteen minutes.

14. 伝える（つたえる）

伝える means to convey or tell information to someone.

Example

会社に遅れることを伝えるために、朝早く上司にメッセージを送りました。

I sent my manager a message early in the morning to let them know that I would be late to work.

Fun Fact

伝える feels slightly different from simply 言う.

言う
→ say

伝える
→ convey information/message to someone

For example:

彼に「ありがとう」と言った。

I said "thank you" to him.

彼に予定を伝えた。

I told him about the schedule.

15. 訪ねる（たずねる）

訪ねる has two meanings depending on the context:

1. Visit someone/place
2. Ask someone something

Example

久しぶりに東京へ行ったので、昔住んでいた町を訪ねてみることにしました。

Since I went to Tokyo for the first time in a while, I decided to visit the neighborhood where I used to live.

But:

駅員さんに道を訪ねました。

This usage means asked the station staff for directions.

16. 迎える（むかえる）

迎える means to go meet someone or welcome someone.

Example

仕事が終わったあと、駅まで子どもを迎えに行くことになっているので、今日はあまり遅くまで残業できません。

After work, I'm supposed to go pick up my child at the station, so I can't work overtime too late today.

You'll also see:

新しい年を迎える

to welcome the new year.

This is why 迎える isn't only "pick someone up."

17. 認める（みとめる）

This word has several meanings:

• acknowledge
• recognize
• admit
• approve

Example

最初は自分の間違いを認めたくなかったけど、友達に説明してもらって、やっぱり自分が間違っていたと分かりました。

At first I didn't want to admit my mistake, but after my friend explained it to me, I realized that I really was wrong.

Fun Fact

This word can sound quite serious.

For example:

彼の実力を認める。

means:

Recognize his ability.

It's common when talking about someone's skills or achievements.

18. 届ける（とどける）

届ける means to deliver or submit something.

Example

ネットで注文した荷物が今日届く予定なので、仕事から帰るまでに宅配便が来ないかちょっと心配です。

A package I ordered online is supposed to arrive today, so I'm a little worried that the delivery person might come before I get home from work.

Notice the difference:

届く
= something arrives

届ける
= someone delivers something

Example

荷物が届きました。

The package arrived.

荷物を届けました。

I delivered the package.

19. 許す（ゆるす）

許す means to forgive or allow/permit something.

Example

友達が約束の時間に一時間も遅れたけど、ちゃんと謝ってくれたので、今回は許しました。

My friend was an hour late for our appointment, but they properly apologized, so I forgave them this time.

It can also mean permission:

母は私が一人で旅行することを許してくれました。

My mother allowed me to travel alone.

20. 外れる（はずれる）

外れる can mean something comes off, becomes detached, or misses the expected target.

Example

電車の中でイヤホンをしていたら、片方が耳から外れて、座席の下に落ちてしまいました。

While I was wearing earphones on the train, one side came out of my ear and fell under the seat.

It can also be used for predictions:

天気予報が外れました。

The weather forecast was wrong.

21. 遅れる（おくれる）

遅れる means to be late or delayed.

Example

朝、電車が遅れていたので、会社に着くのがいつもより遅くなってしまいました。

The train was delayed this morning, so I ended up arriving at work later than usual.

Useful Difference

遅れる
→ be late / be delayed

間に合う
→ make it in time

They often appear together:

電車が遅れたけど、なんとか間に合った。

The train was delayed, but I somehow made it in time.

22. 拾う（ひろう）

拾う means to pick something up from the ground.

Example

道を歩いていたら、前を歩いていた人が財布を落としたので、拾って渡してあげました。

While I was walking down the street, the person in front of me dropped their wallet, so I picked it up and gave it back to them.

23. 飾る（かざる）

飾る means to decorate or display something.

Example

正月になると、家の玄関に小さな飾りを置いたり、部屋にお正月らしいものを飾ったりします。

When New Year comes around, we put small decorations by the entrance and decorate the room with New Year-themed things.

Fun Fact

飾る is especially useful when talking about Japanese seasonal culture.

Examples:

• クリスマスツリーを飾る
• 雛人形を飾る
• こいのぼりを飾る
• お正月の飾りを飾る

24. 誘う（さそう）

誘う means to invite someone to do something together.

Example

仕事のあと、同僚から「今日は早く帰れそうだから、一緒にラーメンを食べに行かない？」と誘われました。

After work, my coworker invited me to get ramen together, saying, "Looks like we can leave early today, so wanna go get ramen?"

This is very different from simply asking someone.

You're inviting them to join you.

25. 断る（ことわる）

断る means to refuse or decline.

Example

友達に飲みに誘われたけど、明日の朝が早いので、今回は悪いけど断ることにしました。

My friend invited me out for drinks, but I have to get up early tomorrow, so I decided to decline this time.

Fun Fact

Japanese communication often tries to avoid saying a very direct:

いいえ。

Instead, people might say:

ちょっと…

Literally "a little..."

But depending on the context, ちょっと… can actually mean:

Sorry, I don't think I can.

Very useful cultural nuance.

26. 流れる（ながれる）

流れる means to flow or run.

It can be used for:

• water
• rivers
• music
• TV programs
• time

Example

カフェでゆっくりコーヒーを飲んでいたら、好きな曲が流れてきたので、なんとなく気分がよくなりました。

While I was relaxing and drinking coffee at a café, one of my favorite songs started playing, and somehow it put me in a good mood.

27. 寄せる（よせる）

寄せる means to bring something closer or gather something toward a place.

Example

電車に乗るときは、ほかの人が通れるように、荷物を自分のほうへ寄せておきました。

When getting on the train, I moved my luggage closer to myself so that other people could get through.

Useful Expression

机を壁に寄せる。

Move the desk closer to the wall.

28. 触る（さわる）

触る means to touch.

Example

この美術館では展示されている作品に触ってはいけないので、写真を撮るときも少し離れて見るようにしています。

At this museum, you're not allowed to touch the exhibits, so even when taking photos, I try to look at them from a little distance.

Fun Fact

You'll often see:

触らないでください。

"Please don't touch."

29. 慣れる（なれる）

慣れる means to get used to something.

Example

日本に引っ越してきたばかりのころは、毎朝満員電車に乗るのが大変でしたが、三か月ぐらい生活しているうちに、少しずつ慣れてきました。

When I first moved to Japan, taking a packed train every morning was difficult, but after living there for about three months, I gradually got used to it.

Fun Fact

A very natural phrase:

慣れてきました。

It means:

I'm starting to get used to it.

You'll hear this a lot when someone is adapting to a new job, school, city, or lifestyle.

30. 過ぎる（すぎる）

過ぎる means to pass or go past something.

It can also mean too much when attached to another verb or adjective.

Example

昨日は友達と話していたら時間が過ぎるのが早くて、気がついたら終電の時間になっていました。

Yesterday, I was talking with my friend and time passed so quickly that before I knew it, it was already time for the last train.

Another very common usage:

このラーメンはちょっと辛すぎます。

This ramen is a little too spicy.

Here:

辛い + すぎる
↓
辛すぎる
too spicy

Quick Review: Useful Pairs

One Last Thing

A lot of N3 vocabulary starts becoming interesting because one Japanese verb can cover several meanings depending on the context.

For example:

伝える

isn't simply "tell."

荷物を届ける

isn't simply "deliver."

新年を迎える

isn't simply "pick someone up."

And that's exactly why I think vocabulary should be learned through sentences and situations, rather than just a Japanese → English word list.

If I can associate a word with a small scene in my head—waiting for a train, grabbing ramen with a coworker, visiting a shrine, or rushing because I'm about to miss the last train—the word becomes much easier to remember.