Nihongo Nihongo
10 Japanese N3 Adverbs You Should Know
1. 既に – すでに – sude ni
Meaning: Already (doing); already
Use: Used to emphasize what has been done (does not mention whether it has been done or not, but only says that the action has been done)
Example sentences:
すでにやった
already done
2. 更に – さらに – sara ni
Meaning: furthermore; moreover
Use: Used to add things, things that already exist
Example sentences:
更にこういう問題もある
There is one more problem like this
3. 一体 – いったい – ittai
Meaning: (what) the heck
Use: Used for emphasis in interrogative sentences. Like: Where the hell are you? What the hell are you?
Example sentences:
君は一体誰なんだ
What the hell are you?
かれはいったいどこにいるのかしら
Where the hell is he?
4. 精々- せいぜい – seisei
Meaning: at the most; to the utmost
Use: Used to indicate a highest or lowest limit in the situation in question (usually used in sentences expressing the subjective assessment of the speaker)
Example sentences:
こんな安っぽいシャツはせいぜい千円ぐらいだ
This shirt looks so cheap, about 1000 yen at most
5. 度に – たびに – tabi ni
Meaning: each time; every time; on the occasion of
Use: Used to emphasize the meaning of something related to the time being talked about
Example sentences:
日本へ行くたびに必ず昔住んでいたところに寄る
Every time I go to Japan, I have to visit the place where I used to live
6. 序に – ついでに – tsuide ni
Meaning: incidentally; on the occasion; By the way
Use: Used to express the desire to talk more about something
Example sentences:
ついでにもうひとつ言いたい
By the way, I want to say one more thing
私はたばこを買うついでに、散歩に行く
By the way, when I went to buy cigarettes, I went for a walk
7. つい – tsui
Meaning: unintentionally; by mistake
Use: Used to emphasize the fact that something has been done wrongly (usually with no good results).
Example sentences:
ドラマを見ようと思ったが、つい寝てしまった
I thought I was going to watch a drama, but I fell asleep
8. お陰で – おかげで – okage de
Meaning: thanks to …; because of …
Use: Used to express gratitude from the speaker
Example sentences:
あなたのお陰で私は幸せになった
Thanks to you, I’m so happy
9. せいで – sei de
Meaning: Because; error at
Use: Used to express the idea of blaming others, other things (implying blame)
Example sentences:
あなたのせいで私の人生はぼろぼろになった
Because of you, you ruined my life
10. わざわざ – wazawaza
Meaning: intentionally; kindly
Use: Used to express the speaker’s gratitude to the listener
Example sentences:
わざわざお手伝いくださいましてまことにありがとうございます
I sincerely thank you for your kindness in helping me
Read more: N3 Adverb List
