Level guide · Updated October 2026

JLPT N5

Basic Japanese: hiragana, katakana, everyday phrases and simple sentences.

Can-do statement (official): Read and understand typical expressions and sentences written in hiragana, katakana and basic kanji. Follow slow, short conversations about daily life and the classroom.

At a glance

Vocabulary	about 800 words
Kanji	about 100 kanji
Study hours	325 to 600 hours (lower end with a kanji background)
Test time	90 minutes
Pass mark	80 / 180; sectional minimums: 38 / 120 on language knowledge and reading combined, 19 / 60 on listening
Typical pass rate	around 45 to 50%

Sections and timing

言語知識（文字・語彙） Vocabulary	20 min
言語知識（文法）・読解 Grammar and reading	40 min
聴解 Listening	30 min

Question types

Every N5 paper follows the same layout. Learn what each 問題 asks and the paper stops being a surprise.

文字・語彙

問題1 漢字読み Kanji reading
問題2 表記 Orthography
問題3 文脈規定 Contextual words
問題4 言い換え類義 Paraphrase

文法・読解

問題1 文の文法1 Grammar form
問題2 文の文法2 Sentence ordering ★
問題3 文章の文法 Text grammar
問題4 短文 Short passages
問題5 中文 Mid-length passage
問題6 情報検索 Information retrieval

聴解

問題1 課題理解 Task
問題2 ポイント理解 Point
問題3 発話表現 Utterance (pictures)
問題4 即時応答 Quick response

Practise every one of these question types in full N5 mock tests: one free, and 5 more for ¥5,500 once.

Full JLPT mock tests and practice drills

Sit a complete N5 mock test in your browser under exam timing and get an estimated score out of 180, pass or fail against every section minimum, and a review of every answer. Between tests, practise one skill at a time with 20-question kanji, vocabulary and grammar drills that show the answer and an explanation after each question. One mock test and one drill per skill are free; the rest of a level is ¥5,500 once, no subscription.

Take the free N5 mock test See all levels

Item counts per 問題 shift by one or two between sessions. Format checked against jlpt.jp in October 2026.