The JLPT N5 (Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 5) is the starting point for your Japanese certification journey. It tests basic Japanese ability - simple sentences, hiragana, katakana, and approximately 100 kanji. This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to pass the JLPT N5 in 3 months, even as a complete beginner.

What is JLPT N5?

JLPT N5 is the most basic level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, administered by the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES).

Test Format

Section	Time	Questions	Score
Language Knowledge (Vocabulary)	25 min	~30	60 points
Language Knowledge (Grammar) & Reading	50 min	~40	60 points
Listening	30 min	~30	60 points
Total	105 min	~100	180 points

Passing Score: 80/180 points (approximately 44%)

Section Pass Requirements: Must achieve at least 19 points in each of the three sections (no zeros allowed)

What N5 Tests

Reading & Writing:

• Hiragana (all 46 + modifications)
• Katakana (all 46 + modifications)
• ~100 kanji
• ~800 vocabulary words
• Basic particles and grammar structures

Listening:

• Simple conversations
• Essential information extraction
• Basic questions and responses
• Everyday situations

Language Competency:

• Read and understand typical expressions and sentences in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji
• Listen and comprehend conversations about everyday topics
• Understand essential information from short exchanges

Required Knowledge Checklist

Writing Systems (Must Master 100%)

• ✅ Hiragana: All 46 basic characters + dakuten/handakuten
• ✅ Katakana: All 46 basic characters + dakuten/handakuten
• ✅ Kanji: ~100 characters (see complete list below)

Grammar (80+ Essential Points)

Particles:

• は、が、を、に、へ、で、と、の、も、か、や、から、まで、ね、よ

Verb Conjugations:

• Dictionary form
• ます form (polite)
• て form
• ない form (negative)
• た form (past)

Sentence Patterns:

• [Noun] は [Noun] です
• [Noun] が あります/います
• [Place] に [Thing] が あります
• [Verb-ます stem] たいです (want to)
• [Adjective] です
• And 60+ more patterns

Vocabulary (~800 words)

• Common nouns (300+)
• Action verbs (150+)
• Adjectives (100+)
• Time expressions (50+)
• Numbers & counters (50+)
• Question words (20+)

Listening Skills

• Numbers and dates
• Prices and quantities
• Time expressions
• Simple directions
• Basic conversations

Complete JLPT N5 Kanji List (103 characters)

Here are all 103 kanji you need for N5, organized by category:

Numbers & Time (15 kanji)

一、二、三、四、五、六、七、八、九、十、百、千、万、円、年

Examples:

• 一つ (hitotsu) - one item
• 千円 (sen en) - 1000 yen
• 一年 (ichinen) - one year

Days & Time (13 kanji)

日、月、火、水、木、金、土、時、分、前、後、今、半

Examples:

• 月曜日 (getsuyoubi) - Monday
• 三時 (sanji) - 3 o'clock
• 今日 (kyou) - today

People & Family (10 kanji)

人、父、母、男、女、子、先、生、私、名

Examples:

• 父 (chichi) - father
• 先生 (sensei) - teacher
• 私 (watashi) - I/me

Places & Directions (12 kanji)

上、下、中、外、東、西、南、北、左、右、国、校

Examples:

• 上 (ue) - up/above
• 外 (soto) - outside
• 学校 (gakkou) - school

Actions & Movement (15 kanji)

見、聞、食、飲、読、書、話、行、来、入、出、買、売、会、言

Examples:

• 見る (miru) - to see
• 食べる (taberu) - to eat
• 行く (iku) - to go

Nature & Environment (8 kanji)

山、川、田、天、気、雨、花、林

Examples:

• 山 (yama) - mountain
• 天気 (tenki) - weather
• 花 (hana) - flower

Body & Physical (6 kanji)

目、耳、口、手、足、力

Examples:

• 目 (me) - eye
• 手 (te) - hand
• 力 (chikara) - power

Size & Amount (8 kanji)

大、小、高、安、多、少、長、新

Examples:

• 大きい (ookii) - big
• 高い (takai) - expensive/tall
• 新しい (atarashii) - new

Common Objects & Concepts (16 kanji)

本、車、店、語、学、文、字、電、話、午、休、何、毎、友、白、古

Examples:

• 本 (hon) - book
• 車 (kuruma) - car
• 電話 (denwa) - telephone

3-Month Study Plan

This intensive plan assumes 2-3 hours of daily study (180+ hours total).

Month 1: Foundation

Week 1-2: Writing Systems

• Days 1-7: Master all hiragana
• Days 8-14: Master all katakana
• Daily practice: 30 minutes reading, 30 minutes writing

Week 3-4: Basic Grammar & First 30 Kanji

• Learn particles: は、が、を、に、で、へ、と
• Master: です/ます forms
• Learn numbers kanji: 一 through 万
• Vocabulary: 200 essential words

Resources:

• KanaDojo Kana Training
• Genki I Textbook (Lessons 1-3)
• Anki N5 vocabulary deck

Month 2: Core Content

Week 5-6: Grammar Patterns & 30 More Kanji

• Verb conjugations (て、た、ない forms)
• Want/Can/Must expressions
• Time expressions and counters
• People & place kanji

Week 7-8: Intermediate Grammar & 30 More Kanji

• Adjective conjugations
• Comparison structures
• Giving/Receiving verbs
• Action kanji

Daily Routine:

• Morning (45 min): Grammar study
• Afternoon (45 min): Kanji practice
• Evening (60 min): Vocabulary + reading practice
• Before bed (30 min): Listening practice

Month 3: Practice & Refinement

Week 9-10: Final Kanji & Advanced Grammar

• Remaining 13 kanji
• Complex sentence structures
• Polite vs. casual forms
• Review weak areas

Week 11: Mock Tests

• Take 3 full practice tests
• Review all mistakes thoroughly
• Identify patterns in errors
• Focus study on weak sections

Week 12: Final Review

• Kanji speed drills
• Grammar pattern review
• Vocabulary flashcard marathon
• Listening practice daily

Final Week Schedule:

• Mon: Vocabulary review (all 800 words)
• Tue: Grammar review (all patterns)
• Wed: Kanji review (all 103 characters)
• Thu: Mock test #4
• Fri: Weak point focus
• Sat: Light review + relaxation
• Sun: TEST DAY

Essential Grammar Patterns (Top 50)

Basic Sentence Structures

1. [Noun] は [Noun] です Meaning: [Noun] is [Noun] Example: わたしはがくせいです (I am a student)

2. [Noun] は [Adjective] です Meaning: [Noun] is [Adjective] Example: やまはたかいです (The mountain is tall)

3. [Noun] が あります/います Meaning: There is [Noun] / [Noun] exists Example: ほんがあります (There is a book) - for objects Example: ねこがいます (There is a cat) - for living things

4. [Place] に [Thing] があります/います Meaning: [Thing] is at/in [Place] Example: つくえのうえにほんがあります (There's a book on the desk)

5. [Noun] を [Verb] Meaning: Do [Verb] to [Noun] (direct object marker) Example: すしをたべます (I eat sushi)

Particles

6. は (wa) - Topic marker Example: わたしは (As for me...)

7. が (ga) - Subject marker Example: だれがきますか (Who is coming?)

8. を (wo/o) - Object marker Example: ほんをよみます (Read a book)

9. に (ni) - Time, location, direction marker Example: 9じにいきます (Go at 9 o'clock)

10. で (de) - Location of action, method marker Example: こうえんであそびます (Play at the park)

Verbs

11. [Verb-ます stem] ます Meaning: Polite present/future form Example: たべます (eat/will eat)

12. [Verb-ます stem] ません Meaning: Polite negative Example: たべません (don't eat/won't eat)

13. [Verb-ます stem] ました Meaning: Polite past Example: たべました (ate)

14. [Verb-ます stem] ませんでした Meaning: Polite past negative Example: たべませんでした (didn't eat)

15. [Verb-て form] ください Meaning: Please do [Verb] Example: まってください (Please wait)

16. [Verb-て form] います Meaning: Currently doing / Habitual action Example: べんきょうしています (I'm studying)

17. [Verb-て form] もいいですか Meaning: Is it okay to [Verb]? Example: しゃしんをとってもいいですか (Is it okay to take photos?)

18. [Verb-ます stem] たいです Meaning: Want to [Verb] Example: たべたいです (I want to eat)

19. [Verb-ます stem] ましょう Meaning: Let's [Verb] Example: いきましょう (Let's go)

20. [Verb-ます stem] に いきます Meaning: Go to do [Verb] Example: たべにいきます (Go to eat)

Adjectives

21. [い-Adjective] です Meaning: Is [Adjective] Example: たかいです (It's expensive)

22. [い-Adjective-く] ないです Meaning: Is not [Adjective] Example: たかくないです (It's not expensive)

23. [い-Adjective-く] なりました Meaning: Became [Adjective] Example: さむくなりました (It became cold)

24. [な-Adjective] です Meaning: Is [Adjective] Example: きれいです (It's beautiful)

25. [な-Adjective] では/じゃ ありません Meaning: Is not [Adjective] Example: げんきじゃありません (I'm not well)

Questions

26. [Sentence] か Meaning: Question marker Example: にほんじんですか (Are you Japanese?)

27. なに/なん Meaning: What Example: なにをたべますか (What will you eat?)

28. どこ Meaning: Where Example: どこにいきますか (Where will you go?)

29. だれ Meaning: Who Example: だれがきますか (Who is coming?)

30. いつ Meaning: When Example: いつですか (When is it?)

[Patterns 31-50 continue with time expressions, comparison structures, existence verbs, etc.]

Vocabulary Strategy

Core Categories to Master

1. Numbers (1-10,000)

• 一、二、三... (ichi, ni, san...)
• 十、百、千、万 (10, 100, 1000, 10,000)

2. Time Expressions

• Days: 月曜日、火曜日 (Monday, Tuesday...)
• Months: 一月、二月 (January, February...)
• Times: 一時、二時 (1 o'clock, 2 o'clock...)

3. Common Verbs (Top 100)

• ある (aru) - to exist
• いる (iru) - to exist (living)
• 食べる (taberu) - to eat
• 飲む (nomu) - to drink
• 行く (iku) - to go
• 来る (kuru) - to come
• する (suru) - to do
• 見る (miru) - to see
• 聞く (kiku) - to listen/ask
• 話す (hanasu) - to speak

4. Essential Adjectives

• 大きい (ookii) - big
• 小さい (chiisai) - small
• 高い (takai) - expensive/tall
• 安い (yasui) - cheap
• いい (ii) - good
• 悪い (warui) - bad
• 新しい (atarashii) - new
• 古い (furui) - old

5. Daily Life Nouns

• 家 (ie) - house
• 学校 (gakkou) - school
• 駅 (eki) - station
• 店 (mise) - shop
• 本 (hon) - book
• 車 (kuruma) - car
• 水 (mizu) - water
• 食べ物 (tabemono) - food

Vocabulary Learning Techniques

1. Spaced Repetition (SRS)

• Use Anki or KanaDojo's built-in SRS
• Review schedule: 1 day → 3 days → 7 days → 14 days → 30 days

2. Word Families Learn related words together:

• 見る (miru - see) → 見せる (miseru - show) → 見える (mieru - be visible)

3. Context Sentences Never learn words in isolation:

• 本 (hon) → 本を読みます (hon wo yomimasu - I read a book)

4. Audio Association Listen to pronunciation while studying:

• Use Forvo for native pronunciation
• Watch Japanese content with subtitles

Listening Section Strategy

The listening section is often the hardest for beginners. Here's how to prepare:

Question Types

Type 1: Task-based Comprehension

• Listen to instructions
• Select appropriate action
• Common topics: directions, schedules, requests

Type 2: Point Comprehension

• Listen for specific information
• Extract key details (time, place, person)
• Focus on numbers, dates, locations

Type 3: General Comprehension

• Understand overall meaning
• Grasp main idea of conversation
• Identify speaker relationships

Type 4: Quick Response

• Short question, immediate answer
• Tests natural conversational flow
• Fastest section (only hear once)

Practice Resources

Daily Listening (30 minutes minimum):

• JapanesePod101 (Newbie lessons)
• NHK Easy News (with transcript)
• Anime with Japanese subtitles
• YouTube Japanese learning channels

Key Tips:

• Don't try to understand every word
• Listen for keywords (nouns, numbers, time)
• Predict answers before hearing options
• Practice without looking at transcripts first

Reading Section Strategy

Question Types

Type 1: Understanding Written Passages

• Short texts (50-100 characters)
• Comprehension questions
• Topics: emails, notes, advertisements

Type 2: Information Retrieval

• Charts, schedules, menus
• Find specific information
• Quick scanning required

Type 3: Grammar in Context

• Fill in the blank
• Choose correct particle/verb form
• Tests practical grammar knowledge

Reading Speed Tips

Target Speed: 50-75 characters per minute

Practice Method:

1. 01First read: Understand overall meaning
2. 02Second read: Answer questions
3. 03Review: Check unknown words

Recommended Practice:

• Graded readers (Level 0-1)
• NHK Easy News articles
• Children's books (elementary level)
• Manga with furigana

Practice Test Resources

Official Practice Materials

1. JLPT Official Website

• Sample questions (free)
• Test format explanation
• Listening samples

2. JLPT Workbooks

• TRY! N5 (with CD)
• Nihongo Sou Matome N5
• Shin Kanzen Master N5

3. Online Practice Tests

• JTest4You (free practice tests)
• JLPT Sensei practice questions
• Japanesetest4you.com

Mock Test Schedule

Take full mock tests under real conditions:

Week 11:

• Mock Test #1 (Monday)
• Review mistakes (Tue-Wed)
• Mock Test #2 (Thursday)
• Review mistakes (Fri-Sun)

Week 12:

• Mock Test #3 (Monday)
• Review mistakes (Tue-Wed)
• Light review (Thu-Sat)
• Rest (Sunday before test)

Test Day Strategy

One Week Before

• ✅ Confirm test location and time
• ✅ Prepare transportation
• ✅ Print admission ticket
• ✅ Prepare pencils, eraser, watch
• ✅ Light review only (no new material)

Day Before Test

• ✅ Review weak points lightly
• ✅ Go to bed early
• ✅ Prepare everything you need
• ✅ No heavy studying (rest your brain!)

Test Day

Bring:

• Admission ticket
• Photo ID (passport, driver's license)
• Pencils (2-3, #2/HB)
• Eraser
• Watch (no smart watches)
• Water (check test center rules)

Don't Bring:

• Phones (must be turned off)
• Dictionaries
• Study materials

During the Test

Time Management:

• Vocabulary: ~30-45 seconds per question
• Grammar/Reading: ~60-90 seconds per question
• Listening: Follow audio timing

Strategy:

1. 01Easy questions first
2. 02Skip difficult ones (mark to return)
3. 03Guess if you don't know (no penalty)
4. 04Check bubbles are filled correctly

Guessing Strategy: When you don't know the answer:

• Eliminate obviously wrong choices
• Look for grammar clues
• Choose the most natural-sounding option
• Never leave blanks!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Ignoring Listening Practice

Many students focus only on reading/writing and fail the listening section.

Solution: Listen to Japanese for 30 minutes every single day, even as background audio.

Mistake #2: Memorizing Grammar Rules Without Context

Grammar patterns memorized in isolation are easily forgotten.

Solution: Learn every grammar pattern with 3-5 example sentences. Create your own sentences.

Mistake #3: Not Timing Practice Tests

Students often run out of time on test day.

Solution: Take at least 3 timed mock tests before the real exam.

Mistake #4: Neglecting Katakana

Katakana appears frequently, especially in the reading section.

Solution: Practice katakana daily, especially loanwords from English.

Mistake #5: Skipping Review

Cramming new material without reviewing old material leads to forgetting.

Solution: Follow spaced repetition schedule. Review old material is more important than new material.

Study Resources Checklist

Textbooks (Choose 1-2)

• Genki I - Comprehensive, widely used
• Minna no Nihongo I - Japanese explanations, traditional method
• Marugoto A1 - Communicative approach, online resources
• Japanese From Zero! 1-3 - Beginner-friendly, progressive

Workbooks (Choose 1-2)

• TRY! N5 - Grammar focus with practice tests
• Nihongo Sou Matome N5 - All-in-one, compact
• Shin Kanzen Master N5 - Comprehensive, skill-focused

Apps & Websites

Vocabulary:

• KanaDojo - Interactive vocabulary training
• Anki - Spaced repetition flashcards
• Memrise - Gamified vocabulary

Grammar:

• Bunpro - Grammar SRS
• JLPT Sensei - Free grammar explanations
• Tae Kim's Guide - Free grammar guide

Kanji:

• WaniKani - Kanji learning system
• Kanji Study (app) - Writing practice
• RTK (Remembering the Kanji) - Mnemonic method

Listening:

• JapanesePod101 - Structured audio lessons
• NHK Easy News - Simple news with audio
• YouTube channels (Japanese Ammo, JapanesePod101)

Reading:

• NHK Easy News - Simple articles
• Watanoc - Graded news
• Tadoku - Graded readers

Practice Tests

• JLPT Official Sample Questions (free online)
• JTest4You (free online tests)
• Past papers (if available in your region)

After Passing N5

Immediate Next Steps

Week 1-2 After Test:

• Take a break! Rest from intense studying
• Continue casual exposure (anime, music)
• Reflect on what worked/didn't work

Month 1 After Test:

• Start N4 preparation if you passed
• Continue N5 review if you didn't pass
• Focus on weak areas identified in test

N5 → N4 Transition

What Changes:

• Vocabulary: 800 → 1,500 words (~700 new words)
• Kanji: 103 → 300 characters (~197 new kanji)
• Grammar: 80 → 200 patterns (~120 new patterns)
• Complexity: Simple → Intermediate sentences

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to prepare for N5?

Complete beginners: 3-6 months with 2-3 hours daily study Heritage speakers: 1-2 months reviewing writing systems and grammar Intensive study: 1-2 months with 5-6 hours daily

Can I skip N5 and go straight to N4?

Yes, if you already have ~300-500 hours of study. However, N5 provides a good confidence builder and certification baseline.

Is N5 worth taking?

Yes if:

• You need motivation/external deadlines
• You want official certification
• Your school/employer requires it
• You're testing your readiness for N4

Maybe not if:

• You're self-motivated and prefer N4 directly
• Cost is a concern ($60-150 depending on location)
• No testing center in your area

What percentage of test-takers pass N5?

Approximately 70-80% of test-takers pass N5 globally (varies by country and preparation level).

How many questions can I miss and still pass?

You need 80/180 points (44%). This means you can miss approximately 55-60 questions and still pass, but you must score at least 19 points in each section.

Can I use romaji on the test?

No. The entire test is in Japanese characters (hiragana, katakana, kanji). Answers are multiple choice, so you don't need to write, but you must be able to read all three scripts.

Conclusion

Passing JLPT N5 is achievable for dedicated beginners willing to commit 2-3 hours daily for 3 months. The key is consistent, structured study that covers all four skills: reading, writing, listening, and grammar.

Your 3-Month Action Plan:

1. 01Month 1: Master hiragana, katakana, and 200 core words + basic grammar
2. 02Month 2: Learn all 103 kanji, expand to 800 words, master grammar patterns
3. 03Month 3: Practice tests, weak area focus, and final review

Remember:

• Consistency beats intensity
• Practice all four skills daily
• Use spaced repetition for retention
• Take timed mock tests
• Don't cram - review regularly

Start your N5 preparation today with KanaDojo's structured learning path and join thousands of successful test-takers!

がんばってください！(Ganbatte kudasai - Do your best!)

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