JLPT N5 Vocabulary List (Essential 300 Words for Beginners)

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If you are preparing for the JLPT N5, building your vocabulary is one of the most important steps.

In this complete beginner guide, you will learn:

  • How many words are required for JLPT N5
  • A categorized JLPT N5 vocabulary list
  • How to study N5 vocabulary effectively
  • Tips to remember words faster

Let’s begin.

How Many Vocabulary Words Are in JLPT N5?

To pass JLPT N5, you should know approximately:

  • 800 vocabulary words
  • Around 100 basic kanji

This page includes 300 essential beginner words to build a strong foundation.

👉 Combine this list with our JLPT N5 Kanji List for better results.

Essential JLPT N5 Vocabulary List (300 Core Words)

Below is a categorized list of high-frequency N5 vocabulary.

1. Basic Greetings & Expressions

こんにちは – Hello
おはよう – Good morning
こんばんは – Good evening
さようなら – Goodbye
ありがとう – Thank you
すみません – Excuse me / Sorry
はい – Yes
いいえ – No
お願いします – Please
どうぞ – Here you go

2. Pronouns

わたし – I
あなた – You
かれ – He
かのじょ – She
みんな – Everyone

3. Numbers

いち – One
に – Two
さん – Three
よん / し – Four
ご – Five
ろく – Six
なな / しち – Seven
はち – Eight
きゅう – Nine
じゅう – Ten

4. Time & Days

きょう – Today
あした – Tomorrow
きのう – Yesterday
いま – Now
なんじ – What time
げつようび – Monday
かようび – Tuesday
すいようび – Wednesday
もくようび – Thursday
きんようび – Friday
どようび – Saturday
にちようび – Sunday

5. Family

ちち – Father
はは – Mother
あに – Older brother
あね – Older sister
いもうと – Younger sister
おとうと – Younger brother
ともだち – Friend

6. Daily Verbs

いく – To go
くる – To come
たべる – To eat
のむ – To drink
みる – To see
きく – To listen
はなす – To speak
よむ – To read
かく – To write
かう – To buy
あう – To meet
ねる – To sleep
おきる – To wake up
する – To do
べんきょうする – To study

7. Adjectives

おおきい – Big
ちいさい – Small
あたらしい – New
ふるい – Old
たかい – Expensive / High
やすい – Cheap
あつい – Hot
さむい – Cold
おいしい – Delicious
いそがしい – Busy

8. Places

がっこう – School
えき – Station
いえ – House
みせ – Shop
かいしゃ – Company
びょういん – Hospital
こうえん – Park
スーパー – Supermarket
レストラン – Restaurant

9. Question Words

なに – What
どこ – Where
だれ – Who
いつ – When
なぜ – Why
どう – How
どれ – Which
いくら – How much

10. Common Everyday Words

ほん – Book
みず – Water
でんわ – Phone
くるま – Car
てんき – Weather
おかね – Money
えいご – English
にほんご – Japanese
なまえ – Name
しごと – Job

This list covers the most essential beginner vocabulary. Exact JLPT content may vary.

How to Study JLPT N5 Vocabulary Effectively

Memorizing 800 words may sound overwhelming, but it becomes manageable with the right strategy.

1. Study Words in Context

❌ Memorize: たべる = eat
✅ Study: わたしは すしを たべます。

Context improves retention.

2. Use Spaced Repetition

Review words:

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

Consistency beats cramming.

3. Learn 20–30 Words per Day

If you study:

  • 25 words per day
  • You can learn 300 words in 12 days

Then spend the next weeks reviewing.

4. Combine Vocabulary with Grammar

Vocabulary alone is not enough.

👉 Review our JLPT N5 Grammar Guide to use these words correctly.

Common Mistakes When Studying N5 Vocabulary

  • Memorizing without example sentences
  • Ignoring listening practice
  • Not reviewing regularly
  • Trying to learn too many words at once

Balance new learning and review.

Can You Pass JLPT N5 With 300 Words?

300 words build a strong base.

However, to confidently pass JLPT N5, aim for:

  • 600–800 vocabulary words
  • 100 basic kanji
  • Solid grammar understanding

Use this list as your starting point.

Final Thoughts

Building vocabulary is one of the fastest ways to improve your Japanese.

Focus on:

  • Daily practice
  • Context-based learning
  • Regular review

With consistency, you can master JLPT N5 vocabulary in just a few months.

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