JLPT N5 is where real Japanese starts. You’ve nailed the kana, and now you’re ready for words that actually do useful work-ordering food, talking about your day, asking simple questions. This list packs roughly 800 practical N5 words you’ll meet on the exam and in daily chats, not dusty textbook fillers. Pair these words with JLPT N5 grammar to build complete beginner sentences.
Every entry gives you a straightforward meaning and a natural example sentence, so you see how the word behaves in the wild-not just a lonely translation. Audio playback is baked right in, because your ears need practice just as much as your eyes. Tap, listen, repeat.
Ready to give your Japanese study a little boost? Scroll all the way to the bottom for the free printable JLPT N5 Japanese vocabulary list PDF and the free downloadable printable JLPT N5 Japanese flashcards—nice, tidy, and perfect for quick review.
Want more than one list? Browse our Japanese section for more Yak Yacker study pages, printable lists, and quiz-friendly review material.
Quick Quiz
Think you’ve already memorised a few N5 words? Give the quiz a quick spin-it’s a low‑stress way to spot which ones still need a second look.
Keep building your Japanese
Choose a practical next step when you are ready.
Browse the Full List
| Word | Reading | Type | Meaning | Example | Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 八百屋 | やおや | noun | greengrocer | 八百屋で野菜を買います。 | I buy vegetables at the greengrocer. | |
| 公園 | こうえん | noun | park | 公園で遊びます。 | I play in the park. | |
| 六 | ろく | number | six | 六時に起きます。 | I get up at six o'clock. | |
| 六つ | むっつ | counter | six | 卵を六つ買いました。 | I bought six eggs. | |
| 六日 | むいか | noun | the 6th day; six days | 六日に東京へ行きます。 | I will go to Tokyo on the sixth. | |
| 円い | まるい | adjective | round | この皿は円いです。 | This plate is round. | |
| 写真 | しゃしん | noun | photo; picture | 写真を撮ります。 | I take a photo. | |
| 冬 | ふゆ | noun | winter | 冬は寒いです。 | Winter is cold. | |
| 冷たい | つめたい | adjective | cold | 水が冷たいです。 | The water is cold. | |
| 冷蔵庫 | れいぞうこ | noun | refrigerator | 冷蔵庫に牛乳があります。 | There is milk in the refrigerator. | |
| 凡ゆる | あらゆる | adjective | all; every | あらゆる方法を試す。 | I try every method. | |
| 出かける | でかける | verb | go out | 友だちと出かけます。 | I go out with my friend. | |
| 出す | だす | verb | to take out; to hand in | ゴミを出します。 | I take out the trash. | |
| 出る | でる | verb | go out | 外に出ます。 | I go outside. | |
| 出口 | でぐち | noun | exit | 出口はあそこです。 | The exit is over there. | |
| 分かる | わかる | verb | to understand | 日本語が分かります。 | I understand Japanese. | |
| 切る | きる | verb | to cut | 紙を切ります。 | I cut paper. | |
| 切手 | きって | noun | stamp | 切手を買います。 | I buy a stamp. | |
| 切符 | きっぷ | noun | ticket | 切符をください。 | Please give me a ticket. | |
| 初め | はじめ | noun | beginning | 初めはむずかしいです。 | The beginning is difficult. | |
| 初めて | はじめて | adverb | for the first time | 初めて日本へ行きました。 | I went to Japan for the first time. | |
| 前 | まえ | noun | front; before | 店の前で会いましょう。 | Let's meet in front of the store. | |
| 勉強 | べんきょうする | verb | to study | 毎日日本語を勉強します。 | I study Japanese every day. | |
| 動物 | どうぶつ | noun | animal | 動物が好きです。 | I like animals. | |
| 勤める | つとめる | verb | work for | 父は会社に勤めています。 | My father works for a company. |
Free JLPT N5 Japanese Vocabulary List PDF and Flashcards
Grab the purple button for the JLPT N5 Japanese vocabulary list and the teal button for the JLPT N5 Japanese flashcards. Both downloads are 100% free, with no signup required.
