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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 焦る | あせる | verb | to be impatient; to be flustered | 焦らずに待ってください。 | Please wait without rushing. | |
| 煩い | うるさい | adjective | noisy; annoying | 外がうるさいです。 | It is noisy outside. | |
| 熱い | あつい | adjective | hot | お茶が熱いです。 | The tea is hot. | |
| 牛乳 | ぎゅうにゅう | noun | milk | 毎朝牛乳を飲みます。 | I drink milk every morning. | |
| 牛肉 | ぎゅうにく | noun | beef | 牛肉を食べます。 | I eat beef. | |
| 物 | もの | noun | thing; object | これは何の物ですか。 | What is this thing? | |
| 犬 | いぬ | noun | dog | 犬がいます。 | There is a dog. | |
| 狭い | せまい | adjective | narrow; small | この道は狭いです。 | This road is narrow. | |
| 猫 | ねこ | noun | cat | 猫がベッドの上にいます。 | The cat is on the bed. | |
| 玄関 | げんかん | noun | entrance | 玄関で靴をぬぎます。 | I take off my shoes at the entrance. | |
| 現われ | あらわれ | noun | appearance; sign | 春の現われが見える。 | We can see signs of spring. | |
| 現われる | あらわれる | verb | to appear; to emerge | 月が現われる。 | The moon appears. | |
| 甘い | あまい | adjective | sweet | このお菓子は甘いです。 | This snack is sweet. | |
| 甘える | あまえる | verb | to act spoiled | 子どもが母に甘える。 | The child acts spoiled with his mother. | |
| 甘口 | あまくち | noun | mild taste; sweet taste | このカレーは甘口です。 | This curry is mild. | |
| 生まれる | うまれる | verb | to be born | 赤ちゃんが生まれました。 | A baby was born. | |
| 生徒 | せいと | noun | student | あの生徒は元気です。 | That student is energetic. | |
| 男 | おとこ | noun | man | あの男は先生です。 | That man is a teacher. | |
| 男の子 | おとこのこ | noun | boy | 男の子が公園で遊んでいます。 | A boy is playing in the park. | |
| 町 | まち | noun | town; city | この町は大きいです。 | This town is big. | |
| 留学生 | りゅうがくせい | noun | international student | 彼は留学生です。 | He is an international student. | |
| 番号 | ばんごう | noun | number | 電話番号を教えてください。 | Please tell me your phone number. | |
| 疲れる | つかれる | verb | get tired | 今日はとても疲れました。 | I got very tired today. | |
| 病気 | びょうき | noun | illness; sickness | 彼は病気です。 | He is sick. | |
| 病院 | びょういん | noun | hospital | 病院へ行きます。 | I go to the hospital. |
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.
