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.
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.
Browse the Full List
| Word | Reading | Type | Meaning | Example | Translation | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ポスト | ポスト | noun | mailbox; post box | 手紙をポストに入れます。 | I put the letter in the mailbox. | |
| ボタン | ボタン | noun | button | ボタンを押します。 | I press the button. | |
| ホテル | ホテル | noun | hotel | ホテルに泊まります。 | I stay at a hotel. | |
| ほんとう | ほんとう | noun | truth; real | それはほんとうです。 | That is true. | |
| まずい | まずい | adjective | bad-tasting; unpleasant | このスープはまずいです。 | This soup tastes bad. | |
| また | また | adverb | also; again | また明日会いましょう。 | Let's meet again tomorrow. | |
| まだ | まだ | adverb | not yet | まだ食べていません。 | I haven't eaten yet. | |
| まっすぐ | まっすぐ | adverb | straight | まっすぐ行ってください。 | Please go straight. | |
| マッチ | マッチ | noun | match | マッチで火をつけます。 | I light a fire with a match. | |
| みんな | みんな | pronoun | everyone; all | みんなで写真を撮りました。 | We all took a photo together. | |
| メートル | メートル | counter | meter | この川は三メートルです。 | This river is three meters. | |
| もう | もう | adverb | already; now | もう行きます。 | I'm going now. | |
| もう一度 | もういちど | expression | once more; again | もう一度お願いします。 | Please once more. | |
| もっと | もっと | adverb | more | もっと食べてください。 | Please eat more. | |
| やる | やる | verb | to do; to give | 宿題をやります。 | I do my homework. | |
| ゆっくりと | ゆっくりと | adverb | slowly; leisurely | ゆっくりと歩きます。 | I walk slowly. | |
| よい | いい | adjective | good | この本はいいです。 | This book is good. | |
| よい | よい | adjective | good | 今日はよい天気です。 | The weather is good today. | |
| よく | よく | adverb | well; often | よく勉強します。 | I study well. | |
| より | より | particle | than; by | 今日は昨日より寒いです。 | Today is colder than yesterday. | |
| より | ほう | noun | way; direction | このほうがいいです。 | This way is better. | |
| ラジオ | ラジオ | noun | radio | 毎朝ラジオを聞きます。 | I listen to the radio every morning. | |
| ラジオカセット | ラジオカセット | noun | radio cassette player | 古いラジオカセットがあります。 | I have an old radio cassette player. | |
| ラジカセ | ラジカセ | noun | radio cassette player | ラジカセで音楽を聞きます。 | I listen to music on a radio cassette player. | |
| りっぱ | りっぱ | adjective | fine; splendid | りっぱな家ですね。 | That is a splendid house. |
Free JLPT N5 Japanese Vocabulary List PDF and Flashcards
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