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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| いちばん | いちばん | adverb | the most | これがいちばん好きです。 | I like this the most. | |
| いつ | いつ | question word | when | いつ来ますか。 | When will you come? | |
| いつも | いつも | adverb | always | 私はいつも朝ごはんを食べます。 | I always eat breakfast. | |
| いろいろ | いろいろ | adverb | various; many kinds of | いろいろな本を読みます。 | I read various kinds of books. | |
| ええ | ええ | expression | yes | ええ、わかりました。 | Yes, I understand. | |
| エレベーター | エレベーター | noun | elevator | エレベーターで上がります。 | I go up by elevator. | |
| おいしい | おいしい | adjective | delicious | このケーキはおいしいです。 | This cake is delicious. | |
| おなか | おなか | noun | stomach; belly | おなかがすきました。 | I am hungry. | |
| おばあさん | おばあさん | noun | grandmother | おばあさんは元気です。 | My grandmother is well. | |
| おまわりさん | おまわりさん | noun | police officer | おまわりさんがいます。 | There is a police officer. | |
| おもしろい | おもしろい | adjective | interesting; funny | この映画はおもしろいです。 | This movie is interesting. | |
| お兄さん | おにいさん | noun | older brother | お兄さんは学生です。 | My older brother is a student. | |
| お姉さん | おねえさん | noun | older sister | お姉さんは歌が上手です。 | My older sister is good at singing. | |
| お弁当 | おべんとう | noun | boxed lunch | お弁当を食べます。 | I eat a boxed lunch. | |
| お手洗い | おてあらい | noun | toilet; restroom | お手洗いはどこですか。 | Where is the restroom? | |
| お母さん | おかあさん | noun | mother | お母さんは家にいます。 | My mother is at home. | |
| お父さん | おとうさん | noun | father | お父さんは家にいます。 | My father is at home. | |
| お皿 | おさら | noun | plate; dish | お皿を洗います。 | I wash the dishes. | |
| お茶 | おちゃ | noun | tea | お茶を飲みます。 | I drink tea. | |
| お菓子 | おかし | noun | sweets; snack | お菓子を食べます。 | I eat snacks. | |
| お酒 | おさけ | noun | alcohol; sake | 父はお酒が好きです。 | My father likes alcohol. | |
| お金 | おかね | noun | money | お金がありません。 | I don't have money. | |
| お風呂 | おふろ | noun | bath | お風呂に入ります。 | I take a bath. | |
| かかる | かかる | verb | take time; cost | この仕事は時間がかかります。 | This work takes time. | |
| かぎ | かぎ | noun | key | かぎを持っています。 | I have a key. |
Free JLPT N5 Japanese Vocabulary List PDF and Flashcards
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