What would you say when you want to ask the front desk staff for the hotel's Wi-Fi password? ホテルの部屋でインターネットを使いたいので、フロントでWi-Fiのパスワードを聞きたい。何と言いますか。

Wi-Fiのパスワードを教えていただけますか。

What should you say to your uncle after he treats you to a nice meal? 叔父にごちそうになった後、お礼を言います。何と言いますか。今日は美味しい料理をごちそうさまでした。本当に嬉しかったです。

叔父さん、今日はごちそうしてくれてありがとう。すごく美味しかったです。

What do you say to the municipal office to request the collection of a large piece of furniture? 古くなった机を捨てたいので、市役所に電話して収集の申し込みをします。何と言いますか。

粗大ゴミの収集をお願いしたいのですが。

What would you say in the following situation? You are standing on an escalator, but people behind you want to walk up. You want to politely ask your friend to move to the side. エスカレーターで急いでいる人の邪魔にならないよう、一緒に乗っている友人に端に寄るよう注意するときの言葉です。

後ろの人のために、少し端に寄ろうか。

What would you say when checking the expiration date of emergency food rations stored at home? 家に用意してある非常食の賞味期限を確認したいとき、何と言いますか。

この非常食の賞味期限はいつまでですか。

Choose what you should say in the following situation. 会社の研修中、講師が使った専門用語の意味が分からなかったので、その場で質問します。何と言いますか。

すみません、今の言葉の意味をもう少し詳しく教えていただけますか。

Choose the most appropriate expression. You are at a convenience store and the clerk asks if you need a plastic bag, but you have your own reusable bag. 店員「お弁当を温めますか。あと、袋はいりますか。」あなた：

袋は持っていますので、大丈夫です。

Mastering JLPT N3 Verbal Expressions (Hatsuwa Hyogen)

2026-10-18

Understanding the N3 Verbal Expressions Section

Whether you are preparing for the annual December JLPT or aiming for the JFT-Basic in Kathmandu, the 'Verbal Expressions' (発話表現) section is crucial. Found within the Language Knowledge sub-test, it tests your ability to choose the correct Japanese utterance based on context. Since Japanese, like Nepali, is an SOV language that relies heavily on particles (postpositions), you will find that understanding the 'flow' of the sentence is key to selecting the most natural and socially appropriate phrase.

Key Strategies for Success

To succeed, you must master the distinction between casual, polite (desu/masu), and honorific (keigo) language. The N3 level assumes a vocabulary of 3,750 words and 650 kanji. Always identify the relationship: Is the speaker talking to a superior, a customer, or a friend?

Worked Example

Situation: You are at a store in Japan. You want to ask the clerk if a shirt comes in a different size.

Options:

すみません、これのサイズを変えてください。
すみません、これのサイズ違いはありますか。
すみません、これのサイズは変えられますか。

Analysis: Option 2 is the most natural way to inquire about stock. Option 1 sounds like a command, while Option 3 is less common than the standard query for inventory.

Analyzing Distractors

Distractors catch students who rely on literal translation. Often, one option is too informal, and another is grammatically correct but pragmatically strange. Look for 'cushioning' language like 'すみません' (Excuse me) or 'もしよろしければ' (If you don't mind).

Timing and Routine

Language Knowledge has a 30-minute limit. Since Verbal Expressions only have four items, spend no more than 30 seconds per question. If stuck, choose the most polite option; it is safer than being rude.

Study Routine for This Week:

Monday: Review 20 common keigo phrases (kenjougo and sonkeigo).
Wednesday: Practice 10 'situational' dialogues choosing between 'casual' and 'polite' responses.
Friday: Time yourself on 10 practice questions to ensure you stay under 5 minutes total.