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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 来週 | らいしゅう | noun | next week | 来週、試験があります。 | I have an exam next week. | |
| 東 | ひがし | noun | east | 東の空が明るい。 | The eastern sky is bright. | |
| 果物 | くだもの | noun | fruit | 果物をよく食べます。 | I often eat fruit. | |
| 楽しい | たのしい | adjective | fun; enjoyable | 今日は楽しいです。 | Today is fun. | |
| 横 | よこ | noun | side; beside | 机の横にかばんがあります。 | There is a bag beside the desk. | |
| 橋 | はし | noun | bridge | 橋を渡ります。 | I cross the bridge. | |
| 次 | つぎ | noun | next | 次の駅で降ります。 | I will get off at the next station. | |
| 欲しい | ほしい | adjective | want; desired | 水が欲しいです。 | I want water. | |
| 欺く | あざむく | verb | to deceive; to trick | 人を欺くのはよくない。 | It is not good to deceive people. | |
| 歌 | うた | noun | song | きれいな歌ですね。 | That's a beautiful song. | |
| 歌う | うたう | verb | to sing | みんなで歌います。 | We all sing together. | |
| 止まる | とまる | verb | to stop | 車が止まります。 | The car stops. | |
| 歩く | あるく | verb | to walk | 毎日歩きます。 | I walk every day. | |
| 歩み | あゆみ | noun | walking | 毎日の歩みが大切だ。 | Daily walking is important. | |
| 歩む | あゆむ | verb | to walk | 駅まで歩む。 | I walk to the station. | |
| 歯 | は | noun | tooth | 歯をみがきます。 | I brush my teeth. | |
| 死ぬ | しぬ | verb | to die | 魚が死にました。 | The fish died. | |
| 毎年 | まいねん | adverb | every year | 毎年旅行します。 | I travel every year. | |
| 毎年 | まいとし | adverb | every year | 毎年花を見ます。 | I see flowers every year. | |
| 毎日 | まいにち | adverb | every day | 毎日学校へ行きます。 | I go to school every day. | |
| 毎晩 | まいばん | adverb | every night | 毎晩本を読みます。 | I read a book every night. | |
| 毎月 | まいげつ | adverb | every month | 毎月お金を払います。 | I pay money every month. | |
| 毎月 | まいつき | adverb | every month | 毎月本を買います。 | I buy a book every month. | |
| 毎朝 | まいあさ | adverb | every morning | 毎朝パンを食べます。 | I eat bread every morning. | |
| 毎週 | まいしゅう | adverb | every week | 毎週日本語を勉強します。 | I study Japanese every week. |
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.
