わざと

わざと means on purpose; intentionally. It is a JLPT N3 grammar pattern used to say someone did something deliberately, often with blame.

This grammar point often appears in neutral Japanese. If you want to say someone did something deliberately, often with blame, わざと is a useful pattern to learn.

What does わざと mean?

Use わざと when you want to say someone did something deliberately, often with blame.

Natural translations include:

• on purpose; intentionally
• on purpose
• on purpose / intentionally

The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer’s or speaker’s purpose first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context.

How to form わざと

わざと is an adverb that attaches directly to a verb.

Pattern: わざと + Verb

Examples of the pattern:

• わざと間違える
• わざと遅れる
• わざと忘れる

When is わざと used?

Use わざと in situations like:

• explaining grammar in context
• answering JLPT reading questions
• making natural Japanese sentences

Tone and register:

• neutral
• Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences

わざと example sentences

• 彼はわざと間違えたふりをした。 — He intentionally pretended to make a mistake.
• 弟はわざと私のペンを隠した。 — My younger brother hid my pen on purpose.
• わざと遅れたわけではありません。 — I did not arrive late on purpose.
• 彼女はわざと大きな声で話した。 — She intentionally spoke in a loud voice.
• 子供がわざと水をこぼした。 — The child spilled water on purpose.

After reading each sentence, ask what job わざと is doing: the action was done deliberately, often with blame. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

Nuance of わざと

The key nuance is a natural way to express “on purpose; intentionally” with the right context and tone.

This matters because わざと does more than match a single English phrase. It shows how the speaker frames the reason, comparison, intention, impossibility, distribution, or expected conclusion in the sentence.

For example:

• In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
• Compared with うっかり, it has a different focus and level of formality.

わざと vs うっかり

Both わざと and うっかり can appear in related situations, but they are different.

わざと:

• means on purpose; intentionally
• fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above

うっかり:

• うっかり means accidentally; わざと means intentionally

Quick contrast examples:

• Target: 彼はわざと間違えたふりをした。 — He intentionally pretended to make a mistake.
• Compare: Try replacing it with うっかり and check whether the nuance still matches.

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the sentence casual, formal, written, explanatory, or emotional? The tone often tells you which grammar point is natural.

Common mistakes with わざと

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Using わざと with the wrong form
• Confusing わざと with うっかり
• Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with わざと, then rewrite it with うっかり. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

Is わざと on the JLPT?

Yes. わざと is commonly taught as JLPT N3 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.

Practice questions for わざと

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Write one sentence using わざと.
• Contrast わざと with うっかり.
• Make a JLPT-style sentence where the context makes the meaning clear.

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear.

Learning path for わざと

To learn わざと efficiently, review the formation first, then contrast intention, attempt, refusal, and plans that changed.

1. First, make sure you can form わざと without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with ようとする and ようとしない. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences about trying, being about to do something, or deciding not to act; then check whether replacing わざと with つもりで changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• ようとする — because it helps contrast intention, attempt, and refusal to act.
• ようとしない — because it helps contrast intention, attempt, and refusal to act.
• つもりで — because it helps contrast intention, attempt, and refusal to act.
• つもりだった — because it helps contrast intention, attempt, and refusal to act.

Learn わざと with Hane

If you want to review わざと together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

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