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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| テーブル | テーブル | noun | table | テーブルの上に花があります。 | There are flowers on the table. | |
| テープレコーダー | テープレコーダー | noun | tape recorder | テープレコーダーで聞きます。 | I listen with a tape recorder. | |
| できる | できる | verb | can do; be able to | 日本語ができます。 | I can speak Japanese. | |
| テスト | テスト | noun | test | 明日テストがあります。 | There is a test tomorrow. | |
| では | では | expression | then; in that case | では、始めましょう。 | Then, let's begin. | |
| デパート | デパート | noun | department store | デパートで買い物をします。 | I shop at the department store. | |
| でも | でも | conjunction | but; however | 行きたいです。でも、時間がありません。 | I want to go. But I don't have time. | |
| テレビ | テレビ | noun | television | テレビを見ます。 | I watch TV. | |
| ドア | ドア | noun | door | ドアを開けます。 | I open the door. | |
| トイレ | トイレ | noun | toilet | トイレはどこですか。 | Where is the toilet? | |
| どう | どう | adverb | how | これはどうですか。 | How about this? | |
| どうして | どうして | question word | why | どうして来ませんでしたか。 | Why didn't you come? | |
| どうぞ | どうぞ | expression | please; here you are | どうぞ座ってください。 | Please sit down. | |
| どうも | どうも | adverb | very; thanks | どうもありがとうございます。 | Thank you very much. | |
| どこ | どこ | question word | where | どこへ行きますか。 | Where are you going? | |
| どちら | どちら | question word | which; where | どちらの本ですか。 | Which book is it? | |
| どっち | どっち | question word | which; where | どっちがいいですか。 | Which is better? | |
| とても | とても | adverb | very | この映画はとてもおもしろいです。 | This movie is very interesting. | |
| どなた | どなた | question word | who | あの人はどなたですか。 | Who is that person? | |
| どの | どの | question word | which | どの本を読みますか。 | Which book will you read? | |
| とり肉 | とりにく | noun | chicken meat | 今日はとり肉を食べます。 | I will eat chicken today. | |
| どれ | どれ | question word | which one | どれがいいですか。 | Which one is good? | |
| ナイフ | ナイフ | noun | knife | ナイフを使います。 | I use a knife. | |
| なぜ | なぜ | question word | why | なぜ来なかったのですか。 | Why didn't you come? | |
| など | など | particle | etc.; and so on | りんごなどを買いました。 | I bought apples and so on. |
Free JLPT N5 Japanese Vocabulary List PDF and Flashcards
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