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.
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.
Browse the Full List
| Word | Reading | Type | Meaning | Example | Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 寝る | ねる | verb | to sleep | もう寝ます。 | I will sleep now. | |
| 封筒 | ふうとう | noun | envelope | 封筒に手紙を入れます。 | I put the letter in an envelope. | |
| 小さい | ちいさい | adjective | small | 小さい犬がいます。 | There is a small dog. | |
| 小さな | ちいさな | adjective | small | 小さな家に住んでいます。 | I live in a small house. | |
| 少し | すこし | adverb | a little | 少し待ってください。 | Please wait a little. | |
| 少ない | すくない | adjective | few; little | 人が少ないです。 | There are few people. | |
| 居る | いる | verb | to exist; to be (living things) | 犬がいます。 | There is a dog. | |
| 山 | やま | noun | mountain | 山が見えます。 | I can see the mountain. | |
| 川 | かわ | noun | river | この川は大きいです。 | This river is big. | |
| 左 | ひだり | noun | left | 左に曲がってください。 | Please turn left. | |
| 差す | さす | verb | to hold up; to open | 傘を差します。 | I open an umbrella. | |
| 帰る | かえる | verb | go home; return | もう家に帰ります。 | I am going home now. | |
| 帽子 | ぼうし | noun | hat | 帽子をかぶります。 | I wear a hat. | |
| 年 | とし | noun | year; age | 弟は十歳の年です。 | My younger brother is ten years old. | |
| 広い | ひろい | adjective | wide; spacious | この部屋は広いです。 | This room is spacious. | |
| 店 | みせ | noun | shop; store | あの店は安いです。 | That store is cheap. | |
| 座る | すわる | verb | to sit | ここに座ってください。 | Please sit here. | |
| 庭 | にわ | noun | garden; yard | 庭で犬が遊んでいます。 | The dog is playing in the yard. | |
| 廊下 | ろうか | noun | hallway | 廊下を走らないでください。 | Please do not run in the hallway. | |
| 建物 | たてもの | noun | building | あの建物は新しいです。 | That building is new. | |
| 引く | ひく | verb | to pull | ドアを引きます。 | I pull the door. | |
| 弟 | おとうと | noun | younger brother | 弟は学生です。 | My younger brother is a student. | |
| 弱い | よわい | adjective | weak | 私は体が弱いです。 | I am physically weak. | |
| 強い | つよい | adjective | strong | この犬は強いです。 | This dog is strong. | |
| 弾く | ひく | verb | to play; to strum | ギターを弾きます。 | I play the guitar. |
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.
