JLPT · JLPT N5
JLPT N5: Vocabulary, Grammar, and Study Plan
The first JLPT level. Basic Japanese, around 800 words and 100 kanji. The floor of 'can hold a simple conversation.'
Overview
- Vocabulary target
- 800words
- Kanji target
- 100kanji
- Study hours
- 150-300 hours of study
What you can do at this level
- Read hiragana, katakana, and about 100 basic kanji
- Introduce yourself, your family, your job, your hometown
- Order food at a restaurant and ask for directions
- Read simple signs, menus, and app interfaces
- Hold a short, slow-paced conversation about daily life
Vocabulary examples
A small sample of the kind of words that appear at this level.
| Kanji | Kana | English |
|---|---|---|
| 水 | みず | water |
| 学校 | がっこう | school |
| 食べる | たべる | to eat |
| 大きい | おおきい | big |
| 今日 | きょう | today |
Grammar examples
N は N です
Basic 'A is B' sentence structure
私は学生です。 (I am a student.)
V-ます / V-ません
Polite present tense (affirmative and negative)
日本語を勉強します。 (I study Japanese.)
N が あります / います
Existence ('there is X')
机の上に本があります。 (There is a book on the desk.)
Study plan
- Week 1-2: Hiragana and katakana to full recognition.
- Month 1-2: Build vocabulary through the 200 core N5 words. Aim for 10 new words a day.
- Month 2-3: Expand to the full N5 list (~800 words). Add basic grammar patterns.
- Month 3-4: Start reading simple Japanese (NHK Web Easy, graded readers).
- Month 4-5: Take the JLPT N5 practice test. Identify weak areas and drill.
- Month 5-6: Sit the real N5 in July or December, or skip the certification and move to N4 prep.
Related guides
Inku's current curriculum focuses on N5 (complete) and N4 (expanding monthly). Start the 7-day free trial to see the full deck.