JLPT N5 is where kanji stop being intimidating squiggles and start becoming real tools. This list gathers around 103 of the most practical N5 kanji – the ones that show up on street signs, in simple manga, and in your first real conversations. No ancient poetry characters, just the everyday building blocks you’ll use again and again. Use the JLPT N5 study guide to combine these kanji with a balanced plan.
Each kanji comes with a straightforward meaning and a natural example sentence, so you see it in action instead of staring at a lonely character. The examples use common N5 vocabulary, which means you’re reinforcing grammar and reading at the same time – that’s a double win.
Ready to give your kanji a friendly little workout? Scroll to the bottom of this article to grab the free printable JLPT N5 Kanji vocabulary list PDF and the free downloadable printable JLPT N5 Kanji flashcards.
Use this list as a starting point, then keep going in the Yak Yacker Japanese section for more words, phrases, and study-friendly reference pages.
Quick Quiz
Think you’ve locked these N5 kanji into memory? Give the quick quiz below a try – no stress, just a friendly way to spot which ones need another look.
Keep building your Japanese
Choose a practical next step when you are ready.
Browse the Full List
| Kanji | Reading | Meaning | Example Reading | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 千 | せん | thousand | せん | thousand |
| 午 | ご | noon; midday | ごご | afternoon |
| 半 | はん | half | はんぶん | half |
| 南 | みなみ | south | みなみ | south |
| 友 | とも | friend | ともだち | friend |
| 右 | みぎ | right | みぎ | right |
| 名 | な | name | なまえ | name |
| 四 | よん | four | よん | four |
| 国 | こく | country | にほんこく | the nation of Japan |
| 土 | つち | soil; earth | つち | soil |
| 塩 | しお | salt | 塩 | salt |
| 外 | そと | outside | そと | outside |
| 大 | だい / おお | big; large | おおきい | big |
| 天 | てん / あま | sky; heaven | てんき | weather |
| 女 | おんな | woman | おんな | woman |
| 妹 | いもうと | younger sister | いもうと | younger sister |
| 姉 | あね | older sister | あね | older sister |
| 嫌 | いや | unpleasant; dislike | いや | unpleasant |
| 子 | こ | child | こども | child |
| 学 | がく | study; learning | がくせい | student |
| 小 | ちいさい | small | ちいさい | small |
| 山 | やま | mountain | やま | mountain |
| 川 | かわ | river | かわ | river |
| 左 | ひだり | left | ひだり | left |
| 年 | ねん | year | いちねん | one year |
