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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| この | この | determiner | this | この本はおもしろいです。 | This book is interesting. | |
| コピーする | コピーする | verb | to copy | この紙をコピーします。 | I will copy this paper. | |
| これ | これ | pronoun | this | これは私の本です。 | This is my book. | |
| こんな | こんな | adjective | like this | こんな本が好きです。 | I like books like this. | |
| さあ | さあ | expression | well; now then | さあ、始めましょう。 | Well then, let's begin. | |
| さ来年 | さらいねん | noun | the year after next | さ来年、日本へ行きます。 | I will go to Japan the year after next. | |
| しかし | しかし | conjunction | however; but | 行きたいです。しかし、時間がありません。 | I want to go. However, I don't have time. | |
| じゃ | じゃ | expression | well then; if so | じゃ、行きましょう。 | Well then, let's go. | |
| じゃ | じゃあ | expression | well then; then | じゃあ、また明日。 | Well then, see you tomorrow. | |
| じゃあ | じゃ | expression | well then; so | じゃ、行きましょう。 | Well then, let's go. | |
| じゃあ | じゃあ | expression | well then; so | じゃあ、また明日。 | Well then, see you tomorrow. | |
| シャツ | シャツ | noun | shirt | このシャツは青いです。 | This shirt is blue. | |
| シャワー | シャワー | noun | shower | 朝シャワーを浴びます。 | I take a shower in the morning. | |
| しょうゆ | しょうゆ | noun | soy sauce | しょうゆをください。 | Soy sauce, please. | |
| スカート | スカート | noun | skirt | そのスカートは長いです。 | That skirt is long. | |
| すぐに | すぐに | adverb | immediately; right away | すぐに行きます。 | I will go right away. | |
| ストーブ | ストーブ | noun | stove; heater | ストーブをつけます。 | I turn on the heater. | |
| スプーン | スプーン | noun | spoon | スプーンを使います。 | I use a spoon. | |
| スポーツ | スポーツ | noun | sports | スポーツが好きです。 | I like sports. | |
| ズボン | ズボン | noun | pants; trousers | ズボンをはきます。 | I put on pants. | |
| スリッパ | スリッパ | noun | slippers | スリッパをはきます。 | I put on slippers. | |
| する | する | verb | to do | 宿題をします。 | I do my homework. | |
| セーター | セーター | noun | sweater | 寒いのでセーターを着ます。 | It's cold, so I wear a sweater. | |
| せっけん | せっけん | noun | soap | せっけんで手を洗います。 | I wash my hands with soap. | |
| ゼロ | ゼロ | noun | zero | 答えはゼロです。 | The answer is zero. |
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.
