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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 箱 | はこ | noun | box | 箱の中に本があります。 | There is a book in the box. | |
| 粗筋 | あらすじ | noun | summary; outline | 話の粗筋を読む。 | I read the summary of the story. | |
| 紅茶 | こうちゃ | noun | black tea | 紅茶を飲みます。 | I drink black tea. | |
| 紙 | かみ | noun | paper | 紙に名前を書きます。 | I write my name on the paper. | |
| 細い | ほそい | adjective | thin; slender | この道は細いです。 | This road is narrow. | |
| 終る | おわる | verb | end; finish | 授業は3時に終わります。 | Class ends at 3 o'clock. | |
| 結婚 | けっこん | noun | marriage | 来年結婚します。 | I will get married next year. | |
| 結構 | けっこう | adjective | fine; okay | それで結構です。 | That is fine. | |
| 絵 | え | noun | picture | 絵をかきます。 | I draw a picture. | |
| 網 | あみ | noun | net | 魚を網で取る。 | We catch fish with a net. | |
| 緑 | みどり | noun | green | 緑のかばんを買いました。 | I bought a green bag. | |
| 締める | しめる | verb | to fasten; to tighten | ベルトを締めます。 | I fasten my belt. | |
| 練習 | れんしゅうする | verb | to practice | 毎日日本語を練習します。 | I practice Japanese every day. | |
| 置く | おく | verb | put; place | 本を机の上に置きます。 | I put the book on the desk. | |
| 習う | ならう | verb | to learn | 日本語を習います。 | I learn Japanese. | |
| 耳 | みみ | noun | ear | 耳が痛いです。 | My ear hurts. | |
| 聞く | きく | verb | to hear; to listen | 先生の話を聞きます。 | I listen to the teacher. | |
| 肉 | にく | noun | meat | 肉を食べます。 | I eat meat. | |
| 背 | せ | noun | height; stature | 彼は背が高いです。 | He is tall. | |
| 背広 | せびろ | noun | suit | 父は毎日背広を着ます。 | My father wears a suit every day. | |
| 脱ぐ | ぬぐ | verb | to take off (clothes/shoes) | 靴を脱ぎます。 | I take off my shoes. | |
| 自分 | じぶん | pronoun | oneself; myself | 自分でします。 | I will do it myself. | |
| 自動車 | じどうしゃ | noun | car | あの自動車は新しいです。 | That car is new. | |
| 自転車 | じてんしゃ | noun | bicycle | 自転車で学校へ行きます。 | I go to school by bicycle. | |
| 色 | いろ | noun | color | この色が好きです。 | I like this color. |
Free JLPT N5 Japanese Vocabulary List PDF and Flashcards
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