About Japanese N5
N5 is the entry-level tier of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) — the certification Japanese learners and employers actually recognise. N5 covers roughly 800 vocabulary words and 100 kanji, which is the minimum needed to read simple sentences, introduce yourself, and get by in everyday situations in Japan. Every word in LangOria's N5 deck is paired with kanji readings, an English translation, and a real example sentence from the Tatoeba corpus. Mastering N5 is the foundation for N4, N3, and beyond.
N5 level outcomes
To complete this level: 9 can-do proofs · 8 real-world tasks · 75% overall mastery
- By the end of L1, the learner can 完成自我介绍、日常事务、简单问答和基本生存任务VocabularyGrammarListeningSpeakingReadingWritingPronunciationInteractionMediation
All 768 words at N5
Click any word to see its full breakdown: reading, translation, and a real example word.
How to study Japanese N5
Spend your first 3-4 months on N5. The 45–65-minute daily loop is enough — review the N5 deck with spaced repetition until your recall rate is above 90%, then start adding N4 vocabulary. Pair the deck with a structured textbook (Genki I or Minna no Nihongo) for grammar depth, and practice writing the kanji by hand at least once per day — handwriting builds character recognition that passive reading cannot. By the end of N5 you should be able to read simple Japanese sentences and hold a basic conversation.
Common questions about Japanese N5
How long does it take to pass JLPT N5?
With the 45–65-minute daily loop, most learners are ready in 2-4 months: roughly 800 words, about 100 kanji and the basic grammar patterns the exam tests.
Do I need to write kanji to pass N5?
No. The JLPT tests recognition, not handwriting — you need to read about 100 kanji in context. The deck shows each word with its kanji, kana reading and a real example sentence, which is exactly what the exam asks for.