ふと
🃏 Flashcard
ふと
futo
Tap to reveal usage
suddenly; accidentally; unexpectedly
N3
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N3
Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast
Reading
futo
Post ID
50835
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
suddenly; accidentally; unexpectedly
📖 How to use it
Adverb meaning 'suddenly' or 'unexpectedly', often used for thoughts, memories, or noticing something.
Attaches to
Standalone adverb; placed before a verb or clause. No conjugation needed.
ふと describes something happening without intention or clear reason, like a thought popping into your head, a memory surfacing, or noticing something by chance. It suggests a light, momentary action or realization, not a deliberate or forceful one.
Use it with verbs like 思う (to think), 見る (to see), or 気がつく (to notice). It often appears in past tense sentences about sudden realizations or memories. In speech, it's natural and not overly formal, though it's slightly more common in written narratives or reflective conversation.
ふと昔のことを思い出した。
Futo mukashi no koto o omoidashita.
I suddenly remembered something from the past.
窓の外をふと見ると、雨が降っていた。
Mado no soto o futo miru to, ame ga futte ita.
When I happened to look outside the window, it was raining.
ふと気がついたら、もう夜になっていた。
Futo ki ga tsuitara, mō yoru ni natte ita.
Before I knew it, it had already become night.
Not 突然 (totsuzen)
突然 means 'suddenly' and implies an abrupt, often dramatic change. ふと is softer and implies something happens unintentionally or by chance, like a fleeting thought.
Register
Neutral; used in both speech and writing, but more common in reflective or narrative contexts.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
ふと
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat ふと three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using ふと. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N3 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern ふと mean?
▼
Suddenly; accidentally; unexpectedly
What JLPT level is ふと?
▼
Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use ふと in a sentence?
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Attach ふと (futo) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is ふと formal or casual Japanese?
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ふと is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.
How can I remember ふと long-term?
▼
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.