N5 is the introductory JLPT level. It assesses understanding of basic written and spoken Japanese.

The idea

The test has vocabulary (20 minutes), grammar and reading (40), and listening (about 30). Take every section. To pass, reach 80/180 overall, at least 38/120 in language knowledge and reading, and 19/60 in listening. Times can change. Practise vocabulary in sentences, short texts and listening; use the official sample questions for the current format.

Patterns to compare
Test sectionTime
文字もじ・語彙ごい２０分ぷん
文法ぶんぽう・読解どっかい４０分ぷん
聴解ちょうかい約やく３０分ぷん

Examples

  • 私わたしは学生がくせいです。I am a student.
  • 毎日まいにち、本ほんを読よみます。I read a book every day.
  • 朝あさ、学校がっこうへ行いきます。I go to school in the morning.
  • 駅えきで友達ともだちに会あいます。I meet a friend at the station.
  • 冷つめたい水みずをください。Cold water, please.
  • 明日あしたは雨あめですか。Will it rain tomorrow?

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

The test does not directly assess speaking or writing. The JLPT no longer publishes an official vocabulary or kanji list, so lesson labels are estimates rather than promises of test content.

Try it yourself

  1. Which polite ending completes a noun sentence? 「です／ます」

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    です

    です politely completes a noun sentence; ます follows a verb stem.

  2. Which particle marks the object being read? 「を／に」

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    を

    を marks the thing read, the object of 読みます.

  3. Which particle marks the direction to school? 「へ／を」

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    へ

    へ marks the direction of travel towards school.

Use it today

Time a short reading, then listen to a beginner dialogue and note the key information. Check the official site for current rules.