The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N5 is the entry-level certification for Japanese learners worldwide. Passing N5 proves you have foundational reading and listening ability in Japanese โ and it is the first milestone on the path toward N1, the highest JLPT level. This complete guide covers everything you need to know: the test format, what to study, how long to prepare, and the best resources available in 2026.
What Is the JLPT N5?
The JLPT is administered by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES). It has five levels, N5 through N1, with N5 being the easiest and N1 the most difficult.
| Level | Description | Approximate Study Hours |
|---|---|---|
| N5 | Basic Japanese โ simple expressions, familiar topics | 150โ200 hours |
| N4 | Basic Japanese โ everyday situations | 300โ600 hours |
| N3 | Intermediate โ everyday topics at natural speed | 600โ900 hours |
| N2 | Upper intermediate โ near-newspaper level | 1,000โ1,800 hours |
| N1 | Advanced โ complex texts, natural conversation | 2,000โ4,000 hours |
N5 requires approximately 150โ200 hours of study for most beginners. At 1 hour per day, that is 5โ7 months. At 2 hours per day, you could be ready in 3โ4 months.
N5 Test Format
The JLPT N5 has three sections:
| Section | Content | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Knowledge (Vocabulary) | Vocabulary, kanji readings | 25 min | 60 points |
| Language Knowledge (Grammar) + Reading | Grammar, sentence structure, reading passages | 50 min | 60 points |
| Listening | Spoken passages and questions | 30 min | 60 points |
Passing score: You need a total score of 80/180 points (44%) to pass, AND a minimum score in each section (19/60 for Language Knowledge sections, 19/60 for Listening). You can fail by passing overall but falling below the section minimum.
What You Need to Know for N5
Vocabulary: ~800 Words
The N5 vocabulary list comprises approximately 800 words. These are high-frequency everyday words covering basic nouns (food, family, numbers, time, places), common verbs (eat, drink, go, come, see, buy, make), and adjectives (big, small, good, bad, new, old).
Kanji: 100 Characters
N5 requires knowledge of approximately 100 kanji. These include the most common characters for numbers, days of the week, basic nouns (mountain, river, person, mouth, hand, tree, fire, water), and simple verbs. You need to recognize their readings (on-yomi and kun-yomi) in context.
Key N5 kanji groups:
- Numbers: ไธไบไธๅไบๅ ญไธๅ ซไนๅ็พๅไธ
- Time: ๅนดๆๆฅๆๅ
- Nature: ๅฑฑๅทๆฐด็ซๆจๅ็ฉบ
- People/body: ไบบๅฃๆ็ฎ่ณๅฃ
- Directions: ไธไธๅทฆๅณไธญๅๅพ
- Common verbs: ้ฃ่ฆ่ๆธ่ชญ่ฉฑ
Grammar: ~100 Core Patterns
N5 grammar covers the foundational structures of Japanese. You must know:
- Core particles: ใฏใใใใใใซใใงใใจใใใใฎใใธใใใใใพใง
- Verb conjugation: dictionary form, masu-form (polite present), te-form, ta-form (past), nai-form (negative)
- Adjective conjugation: i-adjectives and na-adjectives in present and past
- Sentence structures: ~ใงใ/~ใพใ, ~ใใ (want to), ~ใฆใใ (ongoing action), ~ใฆใใ ใใ (please do), ~ใพใใใ (won't you?), ~ใพใใใ (let's), ~ใใ (because), ~ใ (but)
- Question formation and question words: ใใคใใฉใใใ ใใใชใซใใฉใใใฉใใใชใ
Listening
N5 listening passages are short and slow-paced, covering simple everyday scenarios: shopping, asking directions, making plans, describing daily activities. The key is familiarity with the polite speech register (masu/desu forms) spoken clearly.
12-Week N5 Study Plan
Weeks 1โ2: Script Mastery
Before anything else, master hiragana and katakana completely. You cannot read JLPT questions without them. Hiragana takes most learners 1 week, katakana another week. Use mnemonics (Leyo's scripts module includes visual memory aids) and writing drills.
Weeks 3โ5: Core Vocabulary Sprint
Use Leyo's N5 vocabulary deck (spaced repetition) to learn 15โ20 new words per day. Cover all 800 N5 words. Simultaneously, begin building kanji recognition โ 5 new kanji per day gets you through the 100 in 3 weeks.
Weeks 6โ8: Grammar Foundation
Work through N5 grammar systematically. For each pattern, learn 3โ5 example sentences, not just the rule. Use Leyo's grammar lessons plus a reference book like the Genki I textbook or the Nihongo So-Matome N5 Grammar book.
Weeks 9โ10: Listening Practice
Begin daily JLPT N5 listening practice. Resources:
- Official JLPT practice tests (available on jlpt.jp)
- Nihongo no Mori (YouTube channel with free N5 lessons)
- Leyo's listening comprehension exercises
- JapanesePod101 JLPT N5 series
Aim for 30 minutes of N5-level listening per day.
Weeks 11โ12: Practice Tests and Review
Complete at least 3 full-length JLPT N5 practice tests under timed conditions. Analyze every wrong answer. Identify your weakest grammar patterns and vocabulary gaps, and do a targeted review sprint on those specific areas.
Best Resources for JLPT N5 (2026)
| Resource | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Leyo | App | Vocabulary SRS, grammar, AI conversation |
| Genki I (textbook) | Textbook | Structured grammar + vocabulary |
| Nihongo So-Matome N5 | Workbook | Exam-format grammar and reading drills |
| JLPT Sensei (jlptsensei.com) | Website | Free vocabulary and grammar lists by level |
| Official JLPT Practice Tests | Exam prep | Authentic test format practice |
| Nihongo no Mori (YouTube) | Video | Free N5 grammar video explanations |
| Wanikani (levels 1โ3) | App | Kanji SRS with mnemonics |
Common N5 Exam-Day Mistakes to Avoid
- Running out of time on reading. The grammar + reading section is 50 minutes and dense. Practice time management โ skip questions you are unsure of and return to them.
- Ignoring the listening section. Many learners focus heavily on grammar and vocabulary but underestimate listening. A failed listening section can mean failing overall even with high grammar scores.
- Misreading kanji in context. The same kanji can have different readings depending on context. Practice readings within words, not in isolation.
- Not practicing with authentic test format. The JLPT question style is distinctive. Practice with real or close-to-real materials so the format is familiar on exam day.
When and Where to Take the JLPT
The JLPT is held twice per year globally โ typically in July and December. Registration typically opens 3โ4 months before the exam date. Test sites are available in approximately 85 countries worldwide. Check jlpt.jp for exact dates and registration information for your country.
After N5: What's Next?
Passing N5 puts you at approximately A1โA2 on the CEFR scale. From N5, the typical progression is:
- N4 (6โ12 months after N5) โ ~1,500 vocabulary words, ~300 kanji, broader grammar
- N3 (1โ2 years after N4) โ functional conversational Japanese
- N2 (2โ3 years after N3) โ professional/academic use, required by many Japanese companies
- N1 (2โ4 years after N2) โ near-native comprehension
Frequently Asked Questions
Is JLPT N5 difficult?
For learners who have studied consistently for 5โ7 months, N5 is achievable. The test is designed as an entry-level certification. Hiragana, katakana, and the 800 vocabulary words are the core requirements. Most focused learners who use spaced repetition and practice tests pass on their first attempt.
Can you pass JLPT N5 without speaking Japanese?
Yes โ the JLPT tests only reading and listening comprehension, not speaking or writing production. You can pass without ever speaking Japanese. However, speaking practice (via tools like Leyo's AI conversation partner) dramatically accelerates overall language development and makes the grammar and vocabulary feel more natural.
How many people pass JLPT N5?
According to JLPT statistics, approximately 50โ55% of test-takers pass N5 globally. Preparation quality is the primary differentiator โ learners who use structured study plans and practice tests pass at significantly higher rates.
Is JLPT N5 useful for employment?
N5 alone has limited direct employment value, but it demonstrates initiative and begins building a credential. N2 and N1 are the levels Japanese employers and graduate schools typically require for professional and academic purposes. Think of N5 as milestone 1 on a multi-year journey.
