JLPT N5The Foundation
The first step in your JLPT journey. N5 tests basic Japanese comprehension — everyday vocabulary, simple grammar patterns, and short reading passages.
~800
Words
~103
Kanji
~80
Grammar
Beginner
Difficulty
What You'll Master
Everything JLPT N5 tests — and how JLPT Mastery prepares you.
Vocabulary
~800 words covering daily life: numbers, time, family, food, places, actions, adjectives, school vocabulary. All words include kanji, reading, meaning, and usage.
Grammar
~80 fundamental patterns: particles, verb conjugation, て-form, adjective conjugation, basic sentence structures. Patterns taught in context with real example sentences.
Kanji
80 essential kanji with on'yomi, kun'yomi readings, meanings, and vocabulary words. The foundation for reading Japanese text.
4–6 months of consistent daily practice
Listening not covered by JLPT Mastery — recommend supplementing with native audio resources.
Study Timeline Calculator
How many hours per week can you dedicate to Japanese study?
These estimates assume focused study with regular review. Immersion, native input, and consistent daily practice significantly accelerate progress.
Scoring & Certification
What you need to pass N5, how sections are weighted, and where it sits on the CEFR scale.
Passing score
80/ 180
Approximately 44% of total
You must also meet the sectional minimum for each section.
Pass rate
49.5%
December 2024 exam
Scores use Item Response Theory (IRT), so results are comparable across sessions.
CEFR equivalent
A1
Breakthrough / basic user
JLPT score reports include a CEFR reference level since Dec 2025.
Section Minimum Scores
Score at or above the minimum in every section, even if your total exceeds the passing score.
See What N5 Looks Like
Preview the types of questions you'll encounter.
「たべる」の意味は？
What does 「たべる」 mean?
Tap an option to check your answer
わたしは がっこう＿＿ いきます。
Fill in the particle
Tap an option to check your answer
N5 Vocabulary by Theme
647 curated words organized into 14 study themes
Numbers & Counters
Time & Dates
Family & People
Daily Actions
Adjectives
Food & Shopping
Places & Directions
School & Daily Life Objects
Pronouns & Expressions
Katakana Loanwords
Body, Clothing & Colors
Nature & Weather
Additional Verbs
Daily Life Nouns
Your Learning Journey
Every journey begins with a single step.
N5 — The Foundation
The first step in your JLPT journey. N5 tests basic Japanese comprehension — everyday vocabulary, simple grammar patterns, and short reading passages.
~800
Words
~103
Kanji
~80
Grammar
How to Study for JLPT N5
Master hiragana and katakana before anything else -- they are the foundation for all Japanese reading
Learn vocabulary by theme (food, time, family) rather than alphabetically -- thematic grouping improves retention
Focus on basic particles: は, が, を, に, で, へ -- these are essential for forming correct sentences
Practice simple sentence patterns daily using fill-in-the-blank exercises for grammar
Common mistake: confusing は (topic) with が (subject). Use は for contrast or known topics, が for new information or questions
Exam day: read all options before answering. N5 vocabulary questions often include similar-sounding distractors like おかし vs おかしい
Your Target
80 kanji, 647 words, 60 grammar patterns
Ready to start your N5 preparation?
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