Every word comes with furigana, romaji, and an original example sentence from real life in Japan.
3524 words · JLPT N3
JLPT N3 vocabulary
Words 1–10
riyou
use / utilization
このアプリは無料で利用できます。
この あぷり は むりょう で りよう できます。
kono apuri wa muryou de riyou dekimasu.
You can use this app for free.
Think of 利用 as “putting something to useful use.” When you 利用 an app, service, or system, you are not just touching it — you are using it for a purpose. 使用 is plainer hands-on use; 活用 is using something to its full potential.
Read the full tip →shiyou
use
この機能を使用するにはログインが必要です。
この きのう を しよう する に は ろぐいん が ひつよう です。
kono kinou o shiyou suru ni wa roguin ga hitsuyou desu.
You need to log in to use this feature.
使用 is the practical “use” of a tool, feature, or device. Imagine pressing a button, opening a function, or using equipment at work. 利用 leans toward services you benefit from; 使用 is the plain physical act.
Read the full tip →katsuyou
practical use
日本語の知識を仕事で活用したいです。
にほんご の ちしき を しごと で かつよう したい です。
nihongo no chishiki o shigoto de katsuyou shitai desu.
I want to make practical use of my Japanese knowledge at work.
活用 means using something well, not just using it. Think of taking your Japanese, your experience, or your data and making it actively useful. It is 使用 with the volume turned up.
Read the full tip →oubo
application (for a job)
日本のIT企業に応募しました。
にほん の IT きぎょう に おうぼ しました。
nihon no IT kigyou ni oubo shimashita.
I applied to a Japanese IT company.
応募 feels like “responding to an opportunity.” When a job is open and you send your application, you are answering that chance. 募集 is the company casting the net; 応募 is you swimming into it.
Read the full tip →boshuu
recruitment
この会社はエンジニアを募集しています。
この かいしゃ は えんじにあ を ぼしゅう しています。
kono kaisha wa enjinia o boshuu shiteimasu.
This company is recruiting engineers.
募集 is the “now hiring” poster — a company or group openly gathering people or entries. 応募 is your reply to it, and 採用 is the happy ending.
Read the full tip →saiyou
hiring
来月から新しい社員を採用します。
らいげつ から あたらしい しゃいん を さいよう します。
raigetsu kara atarashii shain o saiyou shimasu.
We will hire a new employee from next month.
採用 is the company side of the story. 応募 is when you apply; 採用 is when the company chooses and hires someone. It also works for ideas — a proposal that gets adopted is 採用された.
Read the full tip →mensetsu
interview
金曜日に二次面接があります。
きんようび に にじ めんせつ が あります。
kin'youbi ni niji mensetsu ga arimasu.
I have a second interview on Friday.
面接 is the face-to-face test — the interview room, the questions, your rehearsed 自己紹介. A way to hold it: face (面) making direct contact (接).
Read the full tip →taishoku
resignation
先輩は先月、会社を退職しました。
せんぱい は せんげつ、かいしゃ を たいしょく しました。
senpai wa sengetsu, kaisha o taishoku shimashita.
My senior colleague left the company last month.
退職 is stepping out of a company for good — resignation or retirement. The letter you hand in is a 退職届.
Read the full tip →shukkin
going to work
毎朝八時半に出勤しています。
まいあさ はちじはん に しゅっきん しています。
maiasa hachijihan ni shukkin shiteimasu.
I go in to work at eight thirty every morning.
出勤 is clocking in — physically showing up for work. Its evening mirror is 退勤, and the trip between home and office is 通勤.
Read the full tip →taikin
leaving work
今日は六時に退勤しました。
きょう は ろくじ に たいきん しました。
kyou wa rokuji ni taikin shimashita.
I left work at six today.
退勤 is walking out the office door at the end of the day — off the clock. It pairs with 出勤 like sunset with sunrise.
Read the full tip →Full-level practice
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Start final setRandomly selected from the full N3 vocabulary level, with four answer choices for every question.
Start final setRandomly selected from the full N3 vocabulary level, with four answer choices for every question.
Start final setRandomly selected from the full N3 vocabulary level, with four answer choices for every question.
Start final setRandomly selected from the full N3 vocabulary level, with four answer choices for every question.
Start final setRandomly selected from the full N3 vocabulary level, with four answer choices for every question.
Start final setRandomly selected from the full N3 vocabulary level, with four answer choices for every question.
Start final setRandomly selected from the full N3 vocabulary level, with four answer choices for every question.
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