JLPT N5 Kanji List (Complete Beginner Guide)

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If you are preparing for the JLPT N5, learning kanji is an essential step.

In this complete beginner guide, you will learn:

  • How many kanji are required for JLPT N5
  • A structured JLPT N5 kanji list
  • How to study N5 kanji effectively
  • Practical tips for exam success

Let’s begin.

How Many Kanji Are in JLPT N5?

JLPT N5 requires knowledge of approximately:

  • 100 basic kanji
  • Around 800 vocabulary words

These kanji are commonly used in everyday life in Japan.

At the N5 level, you are expected to recognize kanji — not necessarily write them perfectly.

Complete JLPT N5 Kanji List

Below is a categorized JLPT N5 kanji list to help you study efficiently.

Numbers

一 (one)
二 (two)
三 (three)
四 (four)
五 (five)
六 (six)
七 (seven)
八 (eight)
九 (nine)
十 (ten)
百 (hundred)
千 (thousand)
万 (ten thousand)

Time & Days

日 (day/sun)
月 (month/moon)
火 (fire)
水 (water)
木 (tree)
金 (gold/money)
土 (earth)
年 (year)
時 (time)
分 (minute)
今 (now)
週 (week)

Directions & Positions

上 (up)
下 (down)
左 (left)
右 (right)
中 (inside)
外 (outside)
前 (before/front)
後 (after/back)
東 (east)
西 (west)
南 (south)
北 (north)

People & Family

人 (person)
男 (man)
女 (woman)
子 (child)
父 (father)
母 (mother)
友 (friend)
先 (previous)
生 (life)

Common Verbs & Actions

行 (go)
来 (come)
見 (see)
聞 (listen)
話 (speak)
食 (eat)
飲 (drink)
買 (buy)
読 (read)
書 (write)

Places & Daily Life

学 (study)
校 (school)
会 (meet)
社 (company)
店 (shop)
駅 (station)
電 (electricity)
車 (car)
山 (mountain)
川 (river)
天 (heaven/weather)
気 (spirit/energy)

Note: This list covers the most common N5 kanji categories. Exact test content may vary.

How to Study JLPT N5 Kanji Effectively

Many beginners make the mistake of memorizing kanji randomly.

Here is a smarter approach.

1. Learn Kanji with Vocabulary

Instead of studying kanji alone:

❌ Memorize: 行 = go
✅ Study: 行く (いく) – to go

Kanji + word = stronger memory.

👉 Review our JLPT N5 Vocabulary List to combine both.

2. Focus on Recognition First

For JLPT N5:

  • Reading is more important than writing
  • Practice recognizing kanji in sentences

Do not stress about perfect handwriting.

3. Study 10–15 Kanji per Day

If you study:

  • 15 kanji per day
  • You can finish 100 kanji in one week

Then spend the next weeks reviewing.

4. Use Spaced Repetition

Review kanji:

  • After 1 day
  • After 3 days
  • After 1 week

Repetition prevents forgetting.

Common Mistakes When Studying N5 Kanji

  • Trying to memorize all readings at once
  • Ignoring vocabulary context
  • Not reviewing regularly
  • Studying too many at once

Keep it simple and consistent.

Do You Need to Write Kanji for JLPT N5?

No.

JLPT N5 tests:

  • Reading
  • Recognition
  • Listening comprehension

Writing kanji is not required for the exam.

However, writing helps long-term retention.

Final Study Strategy for N5 Kanji

To pass JLPT N5 confidently:

  1. Master basic grammar
  2. Learn essential vocabulary
  3. Recognize 100 key kanji
  4. Practice reading short passages

Kanji is only one part of the test.

If you combine it with grammar and vocabulary, passing becomes much easier.

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