Quick answer: JLPT N5 expects roughly 700–800 basic words: everyday nouns, common verbs and adjectives, numbers, counters, time words and question words. Below are all 718 words in the Kantan JLPT N5 set, grouped by part of speech and topic, with readings and short meanings. There's no official JLPT vocabulary list, but if you know these words, you have the vocabulary N5 asks for.
Vocabulary is the backbone of the whole test. It's tested directly in the vocabulary section, and it decides how much of the reading and listening you can follow. For an overview of how N5 fits into the exam as a whole, see our complete JLPT guide.
Is there an official JLPT N5 vocabulary list?
No. Since the test was revised in 2010, the JLPT has not published official vocabulary or kanji lists for any level. Every N5 list you'll find, including this one, is put together from older test guidelines, past test content and teaching experience. That's why one book says 650 words and another says 800.
The core is the same everywhere. Words like 食べる, 学校, 大きい and 今日 are on every list. The differences are at the edges, and a few extra or missing words won't decide whether you pass. Check the official JLPT website for current details about the test itself.
How to read the tables
- Word is how the word is usually written. Words normally written in kana, like ちょっと or テレビ, appear in kana in both columns.
- Reading is given in hiragana, or in katakana for loanwords.
- Meaning gives the one or two most useful English meanings. Many words have more, but these are the ones to learn first.
- ～ marks a prefix, suffix or counter that attaches to another word, like ～さん in 田中さん.
Some N5 words are often written in kana even though they have kanji, such as 美味しい (おいしい) or 下さい (ください). You'll see both forms at this level, so it's worth recognizing each.
How many words of each type are on the list?
| Group |
Words |
| Nouns |
352 |
| Verbs and する nouns |
120 |
| Adjectives |
90 |
| Adverbs and time words |
48 |
| Pronouns and question words |
27 |
| Numbers, counters, prefixes and suffixes |
67 |
| Conjunctions and responses |
14 |
| Total |
718 |
Nouns make up about half the list, so they're split into topics below. Every other group is sorted in Japanese syllabary order (あ, い, う, え, お...).
JLPT N5 nouns by topic
Nouns are the easiest words to start with because you can use them right away with simple patterns like 〇〇です and 〇〇をください.
People, family and work (39)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 兄 |
あに |
older brother (my own) |
| 姉 |
あね |
older sister (my own) |
| 医者 |
いしゃ |
doctor |
| 妹 |
いもうと |
younger sister (my own) |
| 大勢 |
おおぜい |
many people; a crowd |
| お母さん |
おかあさん |
mother; mom |
| 奥さん |
おくさん |
(someone else's) wife; ma'am |
| おじいさん |
おじいさん |
grandfather; old man |
| 伯父 |
おじさん |
uncle |
| お父さん |
おとうさん |
father; dad |
| 弟 |
おとうと |
younger brother |
| 男 |
おとこ |
man; male (sex) |
| 男の子 |
おとこのこ |
boy |
| 大人 |
おとな |
adult; grown-up |
| お兄さん |
おにいさん |
older brother; young man |
| お姉さん |
おねえさん |
older sister; young woman |
| おばあさん |
おばあさん |
grandmother; old woman |
| 伯母さん |
おばさん |
aunt |
| おまわりさん |
おまわりさん |
police officer; cop (friendly) |
| 女 |
おんな |
woman; female (sex) |
| 女の子 |
おんなのこ |
girl |
| 家族 |
かぞく |
family |
| 方 |
かた |
person (polite); way of doing (~方) |
| 外国人 |
がいこくじん |
foreigner; foreign person |
| 学生 |
がくせい |
student |
| 兄弟 |
きょうだい |
siblings; brothers |
| 警官 |
けいかん |
police officer |
| 子供 |
こども |
child; kid |
| 仕事 |
しごと |
work; job |
| 先生 |
せんせい |
teacher; doctor (as a title) |
| 父 |
ちち |
(my) father; dad |
| 友達 |
ともだち |
friend |
| 名前 |
なまえ |
name |
| 二十歳 |
はたち |
twenty years old |
| 母 |
はは |
(my) mother; mom |
| 人 |
ひと |
person; people |
| 一人 |
ひとり |
one person; alone |
| 二人 |
ふたり |
two people; a pair (of people) |
| 両親 |
りょうしん |
parents; both parents |
Time, dates and numbers (53)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 秋 |
あき |
fall; autumn |
| 朝 |
あさ |
morning |
| 明後日 |
あさって |
the day after tomorrow |
| 明日 |
あした |
tomorrow |
| いくつ |
いくつ |
how many (things); how old (age) |
| 一日 |
いちにち |
one day; all day |
| 五日 |
いつか |
the fifth (day of the month); five days |
| 一昨日 |
おととい |
the day before yesterday (two days ago) |
| おととし |
おととし |
the year before last |
| 火曜日 |
かようび |
Tuesday |
| カレンダー |
カレンダー |
calendar |
| 今日 |
きょう |
today |
| キロ |
キロ |
kilogram; kilometer |
| 金曜日 |
きんようび |
Friday |
| グラム |
グラム |
gram |
| 月曜日 |
げつようび |
Monday |
| 九日 |
ここのか |
the ninth (day of the month); nine days |
| 時間 |
じかん |
time; hour(s) |
| 水曜日 |
すいようび |
Wednesday |
| 誕生日 |
たんじょうび |
birthday |
| 一日 |
ついたち |
the 1st (of the month) |
| 次 |
つぎ |
next; the following |
| 十日 |
とおか |
the 10th (of the month); ten days |
| 年 |
とし |
year; age (of a person) |
| 土曜日 |
どようび |
Saturday |
| 夏 |
なつ |
summer |
| 夏休み |
なつやすみ |
summer vacation; summer break |
| 七日 |
なのか |
the 7th (of the month); seven days |
| 日曜日 |
にちようび |
Sunday |
| 初め |
はじめ |
beginning; start |
| 二十日 |
はつか |
the 20th (of the month); twenty days |
| 春 |
はる |
spring (season) |
| 半 |
はん |
half; half past (the hour) |
| 半分 |
はんぶん |
half |
| 晩 |
ばん |
evening; night |
| 番号 |
ばんごう |
number (ID, phone, etc.) |
| 一月 |
ひとつき |
one month (length of time) |
| 昼 |
ひる |
noon; daytime |
| 二日 |
ふつか |
the 2nd (of the month); two days |
| 冬 |
ふゆ |
winter |
| 三日 |
みっか |
the 3rd (of the month); three days |
| 六日 |
むいか |
the 6th (of the month); six days |
| メートル |
メートル |
meter (unit of length) |
| 木曜日 |
もくようび |
Thursday |
| 休み |
やすみ |
day off; vacation |
| 夕方 |
ゆうがた |
evening; late afternoon |
| 昨夜 |
ゆうべ |
last night; yesterday evening |
| 八日 |
ようか |
the 8th (of the month); eight days |
| 四日 |
よっか |
the 4th (of the month); four days |
| 夜 |
よる |
night; evening |
| 来月 |
らいげつ |
next month |
| 来週 |
らいしゅう |
next week |
| 来年 |
らいねん |
next year |
Places and directions (50)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 入口 |
いりぐち |
entrance; way in |
| 上 |
うえ |
top; above |
| 後ろ |
うしろ |
back; behind |
| 映画館 |
えいがかん |
movie theater |
| エレベーター |
エレベーター |
elevator |
| お手洗い |
おてあらい |
restroom; bathroom |
| 会社 |
かいしゃ |
company; office (workplace) |
| 階段 |
かいだん |
stairs; staircase |
| 角 |
かど |
corner |
| 外国 |
がいこく |
abroad, overseas; a foreign country |
| 北 |
きた |
north |
| 喫茶店 |
きっさてん |
coffee shop; café |
| 銀行 |
ぎんこう |
bank |
| 国 |
くに |
country; nation |
| 公園 |
こうえん |
park |
| 交番 |
こうばん |
police box; small neighborhood police station |
| 先 |
さき |
ahead, beyond; earlier, before |
| 下 |
した |
below, under; bottom |
| 食堂 |
しょくどう |
cafeteria; dining hall |
| 外 |
そと |
outside; outdoors |
| そば |
そば |
near; beside |
| 大使館 |
たいしかん |
embassy |
| 建物 |
たてもの |
building |
| 近く |
ちかく |
nearby; the neighborhood |
| 地図 |
ちず |
map |
| 出口 |
でぐち |
exit; way out |
| 所 |
ところ |
place; spot |
| 図書館 |
としょかん |
library |
| 隣 |
となり |
next to; next door |
| 中 |
なか |
inside; in |
| 西 |
にし |
west |
| 橋 |
はし |
bridge |
| 東 |
ひがし |
east |
| 左 |
ひだり |
left; left side |
| 病院 |
びょういん |
hospital; clinic |
| プール |
プール |
swimming pool |
| 辺 |
へん |
area; nearby |
| ホテル |
ホテル |
hotel |
| ポスト |
ポスト |
mailbox; postbox |
| 前 |
まえ |
front; before |
| 町 |
まち |
town; city |
| 右 |
みぎ |
right; right side |
| 道 |
みち |
road, street; the way (to a place) |
| 南 |
みなみ |
south |
| 向こう |
むこう |
over there; the other side |
| 村 |
むら |
village |
| 門 |
もん |
gate |
| 郵便局 |
ゆうびんきょく |
post office |
| 横 |
よこ |
side; next to |
| レストラン |
レストラン |
restaurant |
School, study and hobbies (36)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 意味 |
いみ |
meaning; sense |
| 歌 |
うた |
song |
| 絵 |
え |
picture; drawing |
| 映画 |
えいが |
movie; film (cinema) |
| 英語 |
えいご |
the English language |
| 鉛筆 |
えんぴつ |
pencil |
| 音楽 |
おんがく |
music |
| 片仮名 |
かたかな |
katakana (script) |
| 紙 |
かみ |
paper |
| 漢字 |
かんじ |
kanji; Chinese characters used in Japanese |
| 学校 |
がっこう |
school |
| 教室 |
きょうしつ |
classroom |
| ギター |
ギター |
guitar |
| クラス |
クラス |
class (group of students) |
| 言葉 |
ことば |
word; language |
| 作文 |
さくぶん |
essay, composition; writing (a school assignment) |
| 雑誌 |
ざっし |
magazine |
| 宿題 |
しゅくだい |
homework |
| 辞書 |
じしょ |
dictionary |
| 字引 |
じびき |
dictionary (old-fashioned word) |
| 授業 |
じゅぎょう |
class, lesson; lecture |
| スポーツ |
スポーツ |
sport; sports |
| 生徒 |
せいと |
student, pupil (school) |
| 大学 |
だいがく |
university; college |
| 机 |
つくえ |
desk |
| テスト |
テスト |
test; exam |
| ノート |
ノート |
notebook |
| 平仮名 |
ひらがな |
hiragana (Japanese script) |
| 文章 |
ぶんしょう |
writing; sentences |
| ペン |
ペン |
pen |
| ページ |
ページ |
page |
| 本 |
ほん |
book |
| ボールペン |
ボールペン |
ballpoint pen |
| 万年筆 |
まんねんひつ |
fountain pen |
| 問題 |
もんだい |
problem; question (on a test) |
| 留学生 |
りゅうがくせい |
international student; student studying abroad |
Home and everyday things (46)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| アパート |
アパート |
apartment; apartment building |
| 家 |
いえ |
house (the building); home |
| 椅子 |
いす |
chair |
| うち |
うち |
home; house |
| お風呂 |
おふろ |
bath; bathtub |
| 鍵 |
かぎ |
key; lock |
| 家庭 |
かてい |
home; household |
| 花瓶 |
かびん |
vase; flower vase |
| 玄関 |
げんかん |
entrance hall; front door area |
| コップ |
コップ |
glass, cup (for drinking) |
| 写真 |
しゃしん |
photo; picture |
| シャワー |
シャワー |
shower |
| 新聞 |
しんぶん |
newspaper |
| ストーブ |
ストーブ |
heater; space heater |
| スプーン |
スプーン |
spoon |
| 石鹸 |
せっけん |
soap |
| 台所 |
だいどころ |
kitchen |
| 茶碗 |
ちゃわん |
rice bowl; teacup |
| 手紙 |
てがみ |
letter (mail) |
| テレビ |
テレビ |
TV; television |
| テーブル |
テーブル |
table |
| テープ |
テープ |
tape; cassette tape |
| テープレコーダー |
テープレコーダー |
tape recorder |
| 電気 |
でんき |
electricity; light (an electric lamp) |
| 戸 |
と |
door; sliding door |
| トイレ |
トイレ |
toilet; restroom |
| 時計 |
とけい |
clock; watch |
| ドア |
ドア |
door |
| ナイフ |
ナイフ |
knife |
| ニュース |
ニュース |
news |
| 庭 |
にわ |
garden; yard |
| 灰皿 |
はいざら |
ashtray |
| 葉書 |
はがき |
postcard |
| 箱 |
はこ |
box; case |
| 封筒 |
ふうとう |
envelope |
| 部屋 |
へや |
room |
| ベッド |
ベッド |
bed |
| ペット |
ペット |
pet |
| 本棚 |
ほんだな |
bookshelf; bookcase |
| マッチ |
マッチ |
match (for lighting) |
| 窓 |
まど |
window |
| ラジオ |
ラジオ |
radio |
| ラジオカセ |
ラジオカセ |
radio cassette player; boombox |
| 冷蔵庫 |
れいぞうこ |
refrigerator; fridge |
| レコード |
レコード |
record (vinyl); record (best result) |
| 廊下 |
ろうか |
hallway; corridor |
Food and drink (35)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 朝御飯 |
あさごはん |
breakfast |
| 飴 |
あめ |
candy; hard candy |
| お菓子 |
おかし |
sweets; snacks |
| お酒 |
おさけ |
alcohol; sake (rice wine) |
| お皿 |
おさら |
plate; dish (to put food on) |
| お茶 |
おちゃ |
tea; green tea |
| お弁当 |
おべんとう |
boxed lunch; bento |
| カップ |
カップ |
cup; mug |
| カレー |
カレー |
curry; curry and rice |
| 牛肉 |
ぎゅうにく |
beef |
| 牛乳 |
ぎゅうにゅう |
milk; cow's milk |
| 果物 |
くだもの |
fruit |
| 紅茶 |
こうちゃ |
black tea |
| コーヒー |
コーヒー |
coffee |
| 御飯 |
ごはん |
meal; cooked rice |
| 魚 |
さかな |
fish |
| 砂糖 |
さとう |
sugar |
| 塩 |
しお |
salt |
| 醤油 |
しょうゆ |
soy sauce |
| 食べ物 |
たべもの |
food; something to eat |
| 卵 |
たまご |
egg |
| 鶏肉 |
とりにく |
chicken (as food) |
| 肉 |
にく |
meat |
| 飲み物 |
のみもの |
something to drink; beverage |
| 箸 |
はし |
chopsticks |
| バター |
バター |
butter |
| 晩御飯 |
ばんごはん |
dinner; supper (the evening meal) |
| パン |
パン |
bread |
| 昼御飯 |
ひるごはん |
lunch |
| フォーク |
フォーク |
fork |
| 豚肉 |
ぶたにく |
pork |
| 水 |
みず |
water |
| 野菜 |
やさい |
vegetable; vegetables |
| 夕飯 |
ゆうはん |
dinner; evening meal |
| 料理 |
りょうり |
cooking; dish |
Body and health (16)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 足 |
あし |
leg or foot |
| 頭 |
あたま |
head; mind |
| お腹 |
おなか |
stomach; belly |
| 顔 |
かお |
face; look (expression) |
| 風邪 |
かぜ |
a cold (illness) |
| 体 |
からだ |
body; health (physical condition) |
| 薬 |
くすり |
medicine; drug |
| 口 |
くち |
mouth |
| 声 |
こえ |
voice |
| 背 |
せい |
height (of a person); stature |
| 手 |
て |
hand; arm |
| 歯 |
は |
tooth; teeth |
| 鼻 |
はな |
nose |
| 病気 |
びょうき |
illness, sickness; being sick |
| 耳 |
みみ |
ear |
| 目 |
め |
eye; eyes |
Weather, nature and animals (17)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 雨 |
あめ |
rain |
| 池 |
いけ |
pond |
| 犬 |
いぬ |
dog |
| 海 |
うみ |
sea; ocean |
| 風 |
かぜ |
wind; a breeze |
| 川 |
かわ |
river; stream |
| 木 |
き |
tree; wood |
| 曇り |
くもり |
cloudy weather; clouds |
| 空 |
そら |
sky; the air above |
| 天気 |
てんき |
weather; nice weather |
| 鳥 |
とり |
bird |
| 動物 |
どうぶつ |
animal |
| 猫 |
ねこ |
cat |
| 花 |
はな |
flower; blossom |
| 晴れ |
はれ |
sunny weather; clear skies |
| 山 |
やま |
mountain |
| 雪 |
ゆき |
snow |
Transportation and travel (13)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 駅 |
えき |
station |
| 切符 |
きっぷ |
ticket (train, bus) |
| 車 |
くるま |
car; vehicle (with wheels) |
| 交差点 |
こうさてん |
intersection; crossing |
| 自転車 |
じてんしゃ |
bicycle; bike |
| 自動車 |
じどうしゃ |
automobile; car |
| タクシー |
タクシー |
taxi; cab |
| 地下鉄 |
ちかてつ |
subway; metro |
| 電車 |
でんしゃ |
train |
| 荷物 |
にもつ |
luggage; baggage |
| バス |
バス |
bus |
| 飛行機 |
ひこうき |
airplane |
| 旅行 |
りょこう |
trip; travel |
Shopping, money and clothes (31)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| いくら |
いくら |
how much (price); how much |
| 上着 |
うわぎ |
jacket; coat |
| お金 |
おかね |
money |
| 買い物 |
かいもの |
shopping; purchase |
| 傘 |
かさ |
umbrella |
| かばん |
かばん |
bag; briefcase |
| カメラ |
カメラ |
camera |
| 切手 |
きって |
postage stamp |
| 靴 |
くつ |
shoes |
| 靴下 |
くつした |
socks |
| コート |
コート |
coat; overcoat |
| 財布 |
さいふ |
wallet; purse |
| シャツ |
シャツ |
shirt |
| スカート |
スカート |
skirt |
| ズボン |
ズボン |
pants; trousers |
| 背広 |
せびろ |
business suit; men's suit |
| セーター |
セーター |
sweater |
| たばこ |
たばこ |
cigarette; tobacco |
| デパート |
デパート |
department store |
| ネクタイ |
ネクタイ |
necktie; tie |
| ハンカチ |
ハンカチ |
handkerchief |
| フィルム |
フィルム |
film (for a camera) |
| 服 |
ふく |
clothes; clothing |
| 帽子 |
ぼうし |
hat or cap |
| ボタン |
ボタン |
button |
| ポケット |
ポケット |
pocket |
| 店 |
みせ |
shop, store; place of business, such as a restaurant |
| 眼鏡 |
めがね |
glasses; eyeglasses |
| 八百屋 |
やおや |
vegetable store; greengrocer |
| 洋服 |
ようふく |
clothes; Western-style clothing |
| ワイシャツ |
ワイシャツ |
dress shirt; white collared shirt |
Colors (8)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 青 |
あお |
blue; green (traffic light, plants) |
| 赤 |
あか |
red (the color) |
| 色 |
いろ |
color |
| 黄色 |
きいろ |
yellow (the color) |
| 黒 |
くろ |
black (the color) |
| 白 |
しろ |
white (the color) |
| 茶色 |
ちゃいろ |
brown (the color) |
| 緑 |
みどり |
green; greenery |
Other useful nouns (8)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 一緒 |
いっしょ |
together; the same |
| たて |
たて |
length; vertical |
| 日本 |
にほん |
Japan |
| 話 |
はなし |
talk; story |
| パーティー |
パーティー |
party |
| 外 |
ほか |
other; another |
| 本当 |
ほんとう |
truth; real |
| 物 |
もの |
thing; object |
JLPT N5 verbs
Verbs are grouped by conjugation type, because the group tells you how to make the ～ます, ～て and ～ない forms. If the groups are new to you, read our guide to Japanese verb groups. Nouns marked with する, like 勉強, become verbs when you add する: 勉強する (to study).
Godan verbs (group 1) (78)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 会う |
あう |
to meet; to see (a person) |
| 開く |
あく |
to open (by itself); to be open |
| 遊ぶ |
あそぶ |
to play; to have fun |
| 洗う |
あらう |
to wash |
| 在る |
ある |
to be (things, places); to exist |
| 有る |
ある |
to have; there is (things) |
| 歩く |
あるく |
to walk |
| 言う |
いう |
to say; to tell |
| 行く |
いく |
to go |
| 要る |
いる |
to need; to be needed |
| 歌う |
うたう |
to sing |
| 売る |
うる |
to sell |
| 置く |
おく |
to put; to place |
| 押す |
おす |
to push; to press |
| 泳ぐ |
およぐ |
to swim |
| 終る |
おわる |
to end; to finish |
| 買う |
かう |
to buy |
| 返す |
かえす |
to return (something); to give back |
| 帰る |
かえる |
to go home; to return |
| かかる |
かかる |
to take (time); to cost (money) |
| 書く |
かく |
to write; to draw |
| 貸す |
かす |
to lend; to rent out |
| かぶる |
かぶる |
to put on (a hat); to wear (on the head) |
| 聞く |
きく |
to listen (to); to hear |
| 切る |
きる |
to cut; to slice |
| 曇る |
くもる |
to become cloudy; to cloud over |
| 消す |
けす |
to turn off (a light, TV); to erase |
| 困る |
こまる |
to be in trouble; to be at a loss |
| 咲く |
さく |
to bloom; to blossom |
| 差す |
さす |
to open (an umbrella); to hold up (an umbrella) |
| 死ぬ |
しぬ |
to die |
| 閉まる |
しまる |
to close, to be closed (by itself); to shut |
| 知る |
しる |
to know; to find out |
| 吸う |
すう |
to smoke (a cigarette); to breathe in |
| 住む |
すむ |
to live (in a place); to reside |
| 座る |
すわる |
to sit; to sit down |
| 立つ |
たつ |
to stand; to stand up |
| 頼む |
たのむ |
to ask (someone to do); to request |
| 出す |
だす |
to take out; to send (a letter) |
| 違う |
ちがう |
to be different; to be wrong |
| 使う |
つかう |
to use |
| 着く |
つく |
to arrive; to reach |
| 作る |
つくる |
to make; to cook |
| 飛ぶ |
とぶ |
to fly; to jump |
| 止まる |
とまる |
to stop; to come to a stop |
| 取る |
とる |
to take; to pick up |
| 撮る |
とる |
to take (a photo); to film |
| 鳴く |
なく |
to make a sound (animal); to chirp, to bark, to meow |
| 無くす |
なくす |
to lose (an item); to misplace |
| 習う |
ならう |
to learn (from someone); to take lessons |
| 並ぶ |
ならぶ |
to line up; to stand in a row |
| なる |
なる |
to become; to turn into |
| 脱ぐ |
ぬぐ |
to take off (clothes, shoes) |
| 登る |
のぼる |
to climb; to go up |
| 飲む |
のむ |
to drink |
| 乗る |
のる |
to ride; to get on (a vehicle) |
| 入る |
はいる |
to enter; to go in |
| はく |
はく |
to put on (pants, shoes, socks); to wear (on the legs or feet) |
| 走る |
はしる |
to run |
| 始まる |
はじまる |
to begin; to start |
| 働く |
はたらく |
to work; to labor |
| 話す |
はなす |
to speak; to talk |
| 貼る |
はる |
to stick on; to paste |
| 引く |
ひく |
to pull; to draw (a line) |
| 弾く |
ひく |
to play (piano, guitar, etc.) |
| 吹く |
ふく |
to blow (wind); to blow (on something) |
| 降る |
ふる |
to fall (rain, snow) |
| 曲る |
まがる |
to turn (a corner); to bend |
| 待つ |
まつ |
to wait; to wait for |
| 磨く |
みがく |
to brush (one's teeth); to polish, to shine |
| 持つ |
もつ |
to hold; to carry |
| 休む |
やすむ |
to rest; to take a day off |
| やる |
やる |
to do (casual); to give (to an inferior) |
| 呼ぶ |
よぶ |
to call; to invite |
| 読む |
よむ |
to read |
| 分かる |
わかる |
to understand; to know |
| 渡す |
わたす |
to hand over; to give |
| 渡る |
わたる |
to cross (a street, bridge); to go across |
Ichidan verbs (group 2) (31)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 開ける |
あける |
to open (something) |
| 上げる |
あげる |
to give; to raise |
| 浴びる |
あびる |
to take (a shower); to bathe in |
| 居る |
いる |
to be (people, animals); to stay |
| 入れる |
いれる |
to put in; to insert |
| 生まれる |
うまれる |
to be born |
| 起きる |
おきる |
to get up; to wake up |
| 教える |
おしえる |
to teach; to tell |
| 覚える |
おぼえる |
to memorize; to remember (keep in mind) |
| 降りる |
おりる |
to get off (a vehicle); to go down |
| かける |
かける |
to make (a phone call); to put on (glasses) |
| 掛ける |
かける |
to hang (up); to put on (glasses) |
| 借りる |
かりる |
to borrow; to rent |
| 消える |
きえる |
to go out (light, fire); to disappear |
| 着る |
きる |
to wear (on the upper body); to put on (a shirt, coat) |
| 答える |
こたえる |
to answer (a question); to respond |
| 締める |
しめる |
to tie, to fasten; to put on (a necktie, belt) |
| 閉める |
しめる |
to close (something); to shut |
| 食べる |
たべる |
to eat |
| 疲れる |
つかれる |
to get tired; to be tired |
| つける |
つける |
to turn on (a light, TV); to attach |
| 勤める |
つとめる |
to work for (a company); to be employed |
| 出かける |
でかける |
to go out; to leave (home) |
| できる |
できる |
to be able to, can; to be done, finished |
| 出る |
でる |
to go out, to leave; to come out, to appear |
| 並べる |
ならべる |
to line up (things); to arrange |
| 寝る |
ねる |
to sleep; to go to bed |
| 晴れる |
はれる |
to clear up; to be sunny |
| 見せる |
みせる |
to show; to let someone see |
| 見る |
みる |
to see; to watch |
| 忘れる |
わすれる |
to forget; to leave (something) behind |
Irregular verbs and する nouns (group 3) (11)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 来る |
くる |
to come |
| 結婚 |
けっこん |
marriage; to get married (with する) |
| コピーする |
コピーする |
to copy; to make a photocopy |
| 散歩 |
さんぽ |
walk, stroll; to take a walk (with する) |
| 質問 |
しつもん |
question; to ask a question (with する) |
| する |
する |
to do; to make |
| 洗濯 |
せんたく |
laundry; washing (clothes) |
| 掃除 |
そうじ |
cleaning; to clean (with する) |
| 電話 |
でんわ |
telephone; phone call |
| 勉強 |
べんきょう |
study; to study (with する) |
| 練習 |
れんしゅう |
practice; to practice (with する) |
JLPT N5 adjectives
い-adjectives end in い and conjugate on their own (高い → 高くない). な-adjectives take な before a noun (静かな部屋, a quiet room). Watch out for きれい and きらい: they end in い but are な-adjectives. Pre-noun words like この and どんな come directly before a noun and never change form.
い-adjectives (61)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 青い |
あおい |
blue; pale (face) |
| 赤い |
あかい |
red |
| 明るい |
あかるい |
bright; well-lit |
| 暖かい |
あたたかい |
warm (weather); mild |
| 新しい |
あたらしい |
new; fresh |
| 厚い |
あつい |
thick (book, coat) |
| 暑い |
あつい |
hot (weather) |
| 熱い |
あつい |
hot (to the touch) |
| 危ない |
あぶない |
dangerous; look out! |
| 甘い |
あまい |
sweet; lenient |
| いい |
いい |
good; fine |
| 忙しい |
いそがしい |
busy |
| 痛い |
いたい |
painful; sore |
| 薄い |
うすい |
thin; light (color) |
| うるさい |
うるさい |
noisy; loud |
| 美味しい |
おいしい |
tasty, delicious |
| 多い |
おおい |
many; a lot of |
| 大きい |
おおきい |
big (in size), large |
| 遅い |
おそい |
slow; late |
| 重い |
おもい |
heavy (in weight); serious (illness, problem) |
| 面白い |
おもしろい |
interesting; funny |
| 辛い |
からい |
spicy; hot (taste) |
| 軽い |
かるい |
light (in weight); minor, slight |
| 可愛い |
かわいい |
cute; adorable |
| 黄色い |
きいろい |
yellow |
| 汚い |
きたない |
dirty; messy |
| 暗い |
くらい |
dark (without light); gloomy (mood) |
| 黒い |
くろい |
black; dark-colored, tanned |
| 寒い |
さむい |
cold (weather, air) |
| 白い |
しろい |
white |
| 少ない |
すくない |
few; little, not much |
| 涼しい |
すずしい |
cool (pleasantly); refreshing |
| 狭い |
せまい |
narrow; small (space) |
| 高い |
たかい |
expensive, pricey; high, tall (in height) |
| 楽しい |
たのしい |
fun; enjoyable |
| 小さい |
ちいさい |
small (in size), little |
| 近い |
ちかい |
near; close |
| つまらない |
つまらない |
boring; dull |
| 冷たい |
つめたい |
cold (to the touch); cold (unfriendly) |
| 強い |
つよい |
strong (wind, person, etc.); powerful |
| 遠い |
とおい |
far; distant |
| ない |
ない |
there isn't, not have; not (negative) |
| 長い |
ながい |
long |
| 温い |
ぬるい |
lukewarm (not hot or cold enough) |
| 早い |
はやい |
early; soon |
| 速い |
はやい |
fast (in speed); quick |
| 低い |
ひくい |
low; short (in height) |
| 広い |
ひろい |
wide; spacious |
| 太い |
ふとい |
thick; fat |
| 古い |
ふるい |
old (not new); dated, out of date |
| 欲しい |
ほしい |
to want (something); wanted |
| 細い |
ほそい |
thin; slender |
| まずい |
まずい |
bad-tasting; awkward |
| 丸い |
まるい |
round (circle- or ball-shaped) |
| 短い |
みじかい |
short |
| 難しい |
むずかしい |
difficult; hard |
| 易しい |
やさしい |
easy; simple |
| 安い |
やすい |
cheap; inexpensive |
| 弱い |
よわい |
weak |
| 若い |
わかい |
young |
| 悪い |
わるい |
bad; wrong |
な-adjectives (21)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 嫌 |
いや |
unpleasant; disliked |
| 色々 |
いろいろ |
various; all kinds of |
| 同じ |
おなじ |
the same; identical (to) |
| 嫌い |
きらい |
disliked, not liked; to dislike (something) |
| 綺麗 |
きれい |
pretty; beautiful |
| 結構 |
けっこう |
fine, good enough; no thank you (I'm fine) |
| 元気 |
げんき |
healthy, well; energetic, lively |
| 静か |
しずか |
quiet; calm, peaceful |
| 上手 |
じょうず |
good at; skillful |
| 丈夫 |
じょうぶ |
strong, sturdy; healthy |
| 好き |
すき |
liked; favorite |
| 大切 |
たいせつ |
important; precious |
| 大変 |
たいへん |
hard, tough; terrible, serious |
| 大丈夫 |
だいじょうぶ |
okay, all right; safe |
| 大好き |
だいすき |
really like; love (a thing or person) |
| にぎやか |
にぎやか |
lively; busy |
| 暇 |
ひま |
free time; free (not busy) |
| 下手 |
へた |
bad at; unskilled |
| 便利 |
べんり |
convenient; handy |
| 有名 |
ゆうめい |
famous; well-known |
| りっぱ |
りっぱ |
splendid; fine |
Pre-noun words (この, その, あの...) (8)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| あの |
あの |
that (over there); um, er |
| 大きな |
おおきな |
big; large |
| この |
この |
this (near me) |
| こんな |
こんな |
this kind of; such (as this) |
| その |
その |
that (near the listener); the ... (already mentioned) |
| 小さな |
ちいさな |
small, little (used before a noun) |
| どの |
どの |
which (of three or more) |
| どんな |
どんな |
what kind of; what sort of |
JLPT N5 adverbs and time words
Time words like 今日, 毎日 and 来週 usually work without a particle: 明日行きます (I'll go tomorrow), not 明日に行きます.
Time words and adverbial nouns (23)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 後 |
あと |
after; later |
| 一番 |
いちばん |
the most; best |
| 今 |
いま |
now; the present |
| 昨日 |
きのう |
yesterday |
| 去年 |
きょねん |
last year |
| 今朝 |
けさ |
this morning |
| 今年 |
ことし |
this year |
| 今月 |
こんげつ |
this month |
| 今週 |
こんしゅう |
this week |
| 今晩 |
こんばん |
this evening (of today); tonight |
| 午後 |
ごご |
afternoon; p.m. (after noon) |
| 午前 |
ごぜん |
a.m. (before noon); morning |
| さ来年 |
さらいねん |
the year after next |
| 先月 |
せんげつ |
last month |
| 先週 |
せんしゅう |
last week |
| 全部 |
ぜんぶ |
all; everything |
| 沢山 |
たくさん |
a lot, many; plenty |
| 毎朝 |
まいあさ |
every morning |
| 毎月 |
まいげつ |
each month, monthly |
| 毎週 |
まいしゅう |
every week; weekly |
| 毎日 |
まいにち |
every day |
| 毎年 |
まいねん |
every year; yearly |
| 毎晩 |
まいばん |
every evening; every night |
Adverbs (25)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| 余り |
あまり |
not very (with negative); not much |
| いかが |
いかが |
how (polite); how about...? |
| いつも |
いつも |
always; usually |
| すぐに |
すぐに |
right away; immediately |
| 少し |
すこし |
a little; a few |
| そう |
そう |
so, that way; yes, that's right |
| 多分 |
たぶん |
probably; maybe, perhaps (fairly likely) |
| 段々 |
だんだん |
gradually; little by little |
| 丁度 |
ちょうど |
exactly; just |
| ちょっと |
ちょっと |
a little; a moment |
| 時々 |
ときどき |
sometimes; now and then |
| とても |
とても |
very; really |
| どう |
どう |
how; what about |
| どうして |
どうして |
why; how |
| どうぞ |
どうぞ |
please (go ahead); here you are |
| どうも |
どうも |
thanks; very (with thanks or sorry) |
| なぜ |
なぜ |
why |
| 初めて |
はじめて |
for the first time; first |
| また |
また |
again; also |
| まだ |
まだ |
still; not yet (with negative) |
| まっすぐ |
まっすぐ |
straight; straight ahead |
| もう |
もう |
already; anymore (with negative) |
| もっと |
もっと |
more; even more |
| ゆっくりと |
ゆっくりと |
slowly; taking one's time |
| よく |
よく |
often; well |
JLPT N5 pronouns and question words
This group includes the こ・そ・あ・ど words: こ for things near the speaker, そ for things near the listener, あ for things far from both, and ど for questions.
Pronouns, "this and that" words and question words (27)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| あそこ |
あそこ |
over there; that place |
| あちら |
あちら |
that way (over there); over there |
| あっち |
あっち |
over there; that way (casual) |
| あなた |
あなた |
you |
| あれ |
あれ |
that (over there); huh? |
| いつ |
いつ |
when |
| ここ |
ここ |
here (near the speaker); this place |
| こちら |
こちら |
this way, this direction; this one (polite) |
| こっち |
こっち |
this way, over here; this one (casual) |
| これ |
これ |
this (thing near me) |
| 自分 |
じぶん |
oneself; myself |
| そこ |
そこ |
there (near you); that place |
| そちら |
そちら |
that way (near you); there (polite) |
| そっち |
そっち |
that way (near you, casual); that one (of two) |
| それ |
それ |
that (near the listener); that thing |
| 誰 |
だれ |
who |
| 誰か |
だれか |
someone; somebody |
| どこ |
どこ |
where?; which place |
| どちら |
どちら |
which (of two, polite); where (polite) |
| どっち |
どっち |
which one (of two, casual); which way (casual) |
| どなた |
どなた |
who (polite) |
| どれ |
どれ |
which one (of three or more) |
| 何 |
なん |
what |
| 皆さん |
みなさん |
everyone; all of you |
| みんな |
みんな |
everyone, everybody; all (of a group) |
| 私 |
わたくし |
I (formal); me (formal) |
| 私 |
わたし |
I; me |
JLPT N5 numbers, counters, prefixes and suffixes
Numbers have two sets: the Chinese-derived いち, に, さん and the native ひとつ, ふたつ, みっつ, used for counting things. Some numbers also have two readings, like よん and し for 4, or なな and しち for 7. Counters are where most beginners slip, so learn each one with a few numbers, like 一本 (いっぽん), 二本 (にほん), 三本 (さんぼん).
Numbers (26)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| ゼロ |
ゼロ |
zero |
| 零 |
れい |
zero |
| 一 |
いち |
one |
| 一つ |
ひとつ |
one (thing); one item |
| 二 |
に |
two |
| 二つ |
ふたつ |
two (things); two items |
| 三 |
さん |
three |
| 三つ |
みっつ |
three (things); three items |
| 四 |
し |
four |
| 四つ |
よっつ |
four (things); four items |
| 五 |
ご |
five |
| 五つ |
いつつ |
five (things); five years old |
| 六 |
ろく |
six; 6 |
| 六つ |
むっつ |
six (things); six items |
| 七 |
しち |
seven |
| 七つ |
ななつ |
seven (things); seven years old |
| 八 |
はち |
eight |
| 八つ |
やっつ |
eight (things); eight items |
| 九 |
きゅう |
nine |
| 九 |
く |
nine |
| 九つ |
ここのつ |
nine (things); nine years old |
| 十 |
じゅう |
ten |
| 十 |
とお |
ten; ten things |
| 百 |
ひゃく |
hundred; 100 |
| 千 |
せん |
thousand |
| 万 |
まん |
ten thousand; 10,000 |
Counters (10)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| ～台 |
～だい |
counter for machines and vehicles |
| ～度 |
～ど |
~ times (how often); ~ degrees (temperature) |
| ～日 |
～にち |
day of the month (the ~th); ~ days (counter) |
| ～人 |
～にん |
counter for people (3 or more) |
| ～年 |
～ねん |
year ~ (calendar year); ~ years (counter) |
| ～杯 |
～はい |
counter for cups, glasses, bowls |
| ～匹 |
～ひき |
counter for small animals; counter for fish and insects |
| ～分 |
～ふん |
~ minutes; counter for minutes |
| ～本 |
～ほん |
counter for long thin things (pens, bottles) |
| ～枚 |
～まい |
counter for flat things (paper, shirts) |
Prefixes and suffixes (31)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| ～円 |
～えん |
yen (Japanese money); ~ yen |
| お～ |
お～ |
honorific or polite prefix |
| ～回 |
～かい |
~ times (how often); counter for occurrences |
| ～階 |
～かい |
~th floor; counter for floors |
| ～か月 |
～かげつ |
~ months (length of time); counter for months |
| ～月 |
～がつ |
month (January = 1月); name-of-month suffix |
| ～がる |
～がる |
to show signs of (a feeling); to seem to want/feel ~ (said of others) |
| ～側 |
～がわ |
side (as in left side, this side); -side |
| ～くらい |
～くらい |
about, around (an amount); as much as, to the extent of |
| ～個 |
～こ |
counter for small objects (apples, eggs) |
| ～ころ |
～ころ |
around (a point in time); about, when |
| ～語 |
～ご |
-language (as in Japanese language); word |
| ～歳 |
～さい |
-years old; counter for age |
| ～冊 |
～さつ |
counter for books and magazines |
| ～さん |
～さん |
Mr., Ms. (polite name suffix) |
| ～週間 |
～しゅうかん |
weeks (duration); counter for weeks |
| ～時 |
～じ |
o'clock |
| ～時間 |
～じかん |
hours (duration); counter for hours |
| ～中 |
～じゅう |
throughout, all through (all day); all over (a place) |
| ～人 |
～じん |
person from (a country); -ian, -ese (as in Japanese) |
| ～すぎ |
～すぎ |
past, after (a time); too much, over- |
| ～ずつ |
～ずつ |
each, apiece; at a time (one by one) |
| ～たち |
～たち |
plural suffix for people (we, children, etc.) |
| ～だけ |
～だけ |
only ~; just ~ |
| ～中 |
～ちゅう |
during ~; in the middle of ~, now ~ing (e.g., on the phone) |
| ～時 |
～とき |
when ~; at the time of ~ |
| ～など |
～など |
~ and so on; things like ~ |
| 何～ |
なん～ |
how many ~; what ~ (with counters) |
| ～番 |
～ばん |
number ~ (in a sequence); ~th in order |
| ～前 |
～まえ |
~ ago; before ~ (time) |
| ～屋 |
～や |
~ shop, ~ store (e.g. bookstore); person who runs a ~ shop |
JLPT N5 conjunctions, responses and set phrases
Conjunctions, responses and set phrases (14)
| Word |
Reading |
Meaning |
| ああ |
ああ |
ah!; oh! |
| いいえ |
いいえ |
no (in answers); oh, not at all (modest reply) |
| ええ |
ええ |
yes; yeah |
| 下さい |
ください |
please give me; please (do) (after a te-form) |
| さあ |
さあ |
well, come on (urging); hmm, I wonder (unsure) |
| しかし |
しかし |
however; but (formal, mostly written) |
| じゃ |
じゃ |
well then; so (casual) |
| そうして |
そうして |
and then; and so |
| それから |
それから |
after that; and then |
| それでは |
それでは |
well then; in that case |
| では |
では |
well then; so |
| でも |
でも |
but; however |
| はい |
はい |
yes; here (roll call) |
| もしもし |
もしもし |
hello (on the phone) |
How can you learn 718 words efficiently?
About 700 words sounds like a lot, but it's very manageable with a steady routine. Here's what works:
- Learn about 10 new words a day. At that pace you'll cover the whole list in about 10 weeks, with time left for review. Ten a day is small enough to keep up on busy days, which matters more than big bursts.
- Use spaced repetition. Review each word just before you're likely to forget it: after a day, then a few days, then a week or more. This is far more efficient than rereading lists. Our JLPT study plan explains how to fit reviews into a daily routine.
- Learn words in context. A word in a sentence is easier to remember than a word on its own, and it shows you which particle goes with it.
- Start with high-use groups. People, time words, the こ・そ・あ・ど words and the most common verbs (する, 来る, 行く, 食べる, 見る) appear constantly, so they pay off fastest.
- Learn the kanji and the reading together. The test asks you to read words like 学校 and to choose the right kanji for words like がっこう. Our N5 kanji list covers the kanji behind most of these words.
- Pair vocabulary with grammar. Words only become useful when you can put them in sentences. Work through the N5 grammar list alongside this one.
For example, learning 乗る with its particle is much more useful than learning it alone:
バスに乗ります。
Basu ni norimasu. I take the bus.
毎日、駅で電車に乗ります。
Mainichi, eki de densha ni norimasu. I get on the train at the station every day.
Which N5 words are easy to mix up?
A few sets on this list look or sound alike:
- 暑い, 熱い and 厚い: all read あつい. 暑い is hot weather, 熱い is hot to the touch, and 厚い means thick.
- 早い and 速い: both read はやい. 早い is early, 速い is fast.
- ある and いる: ある is for things and places, いる is for people and animals.
- 着る and はく: 着る is for clothes on the upper body, はく for pants, skirts, socks and shoes.
- 取る and 撮る: both read とる. 撮る is only for photos and video.
- 引く and 弾く: both read ひく. 弾く is for playing instruments like the piano or guitar.
- 一日: いちにち means one day or all day, but ついたち means the 1st of the month.
How does the JLPT N5 test vocabulary?
At N5, vocabulary questions ask you to read words written in kanji, choose the right kanji for a word written in hiragana, pick the word that fits a sentence, and choose a sentence that means about the same as another. Everything is multiple choice, so recognition is what counts. Vocabulary also carries the reading and listening sections, where you'll hear and see these words in short, everyday situations. For more on the question types, see the JLPT test format guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many words do you need for JLPT N5?
There's no official number. Most estimates put N5 at roughly 700–800 words. The Kantan JLPT N5 set has 718, which covers the words you're most likely to meet at this level.
How long does it take to learn the N5 vocabulary?
At about 10 new words a day, around two and a half months. Learning faster is possible, but reviews pile up quickly, so a steady pace usually works better.
Do I need to know the kanji for every word?
You need to recognize the common ones, because the test includes kanji reading questions. Words usually written in kana, like ちょっと or たばこ, are fine to learn in kana. Many N5 words also use kanji from later levels; for those, recognizing the word in hiragana is often enough at N5.
Should I learn katakana words separately?
No. Learn them alongside the others. Loanwords like テレビ, バス and コーヒー are easy wins once you can read katakana, and they're tested just like other words.
Learn the N5 vocabulary in Kantan JLPT
This list is the N5 vocabulary set from Kantan JLPT. In the app, every word comes with example sentences, links to its kanji, and spaced-repetition reviews that bring back the words you miss. When you're ready to check your progress, N5 mock tests include vocabulary questions in the JLPT style. For a bigger picture of your next steps, the complete JLPT guide covers everything from registration to results.