JLPT N5 Vocabulary with Example Sentences for Daily Use

Konnichiwa, future Japanese speakers!

So, you’ve decided to tackle the JLPT N5? Fantastic choice! It’s the first exciting step on a rewarding journey. Maybe you’ve read our JLPT N5 Vocabulary Complete List: Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives & Flashcards and now you’re staring at a list of vocabulary words, wondering, “How do I actually use these?”

I’ve been there. We all have. A vocabulary list alone can feel like a collection of scattered puzzle pieces. You know they form a picture, but without the context—the example sentences—it’s hard to see the whole image.

That’s where this guide comes in. This isn’t just another JLPT N5 vocabulary with sentences list. This is your practical handbook for breathing life into those words. We’re going to transform them from abstract concepts into tools you can use in real conversations, today.

As your guide, I’ll share not just the translations, but the nuances, the tiny secrets behind the words, and the common pitfalls learners face. Let’s move beyond memorization and into actual communication.

Why Context is King: Beyond Rote Memorization

Before we dive in, let’s talk strategy. Our brains are wired for stories and connections, not for endless columns of data. Studying a word like たべます (tabemasu – to eat) is good. But learning:

私は朝ごはんにパンを食べます。
(Watashi wa asagohan ni pan o tabemasu.)
“I eat bread for breakfast.”

…is infinitely more powerful. This sentence gives you grammar (に for purpose), cultural insight (a common breakfast), and a practical phrase you can adapt immediately. That’s the goal here.

Your Daily Toolkit: Essential JLPT N5 Vocabulary with Sentences for Everyday Life

We’ve organized these words into scenarios you’ll encounter daily, making them easier to remember and use.

Part 1: The Absolute Fundamentals – Greetings & Polite Expressions

These words are your passport to positive interactions. Pronunciation and tone are everything here.

• こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello / Good afternoon
  • Insight: It’s often said with a slight nod. Remember, the final は is pronounced “wa,” not “ha.” This is a classic example of a particle-acting-as-word.
  • Example: こんにちは！元気ですか？ (Konnichiwa! Genki desu ka?) – “Hello! How are you?”
• ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) – Thank you
  • Insight: ございます makes it more formal and polite. With friends, ありがとう is fine. But for shopkeepers, teachers, or strangers, always use the full phrase. It shows respect.
  • Example: (When receiving change) ありがとうございます。 (Arigatou gozaimasu.) – “Thank you very much.”
• すみません (Sumimasen) – Excuse me / I’m sorry
  • Insight: This is arguably the most useful word in Japanese. Use it to get someone’s attention, to apologize for a minor bump, or to say “thank you” when someone goes out of their way for you (e.g., holds a door open).
  • Example: すみません、駅はどこですか？ (Sumimasen, eki wa doko desu ka?) – “Excuse me, where is the train station?”
• お願いします (Onegaishimasu) – Please / I kindly ask
  • Insight: This isn’t used exactly like “please” in English. It’s said when making a request or offering something. When handing your payment to a cashier, you say this. When asking a favor, you end your sentence with it.
  • Example: (Handing a menu to a waiter) お水お願いします。 (Omizu onegaishimasu.) – “Water, please.”

Part 2: Navigating Your Surroundings – Places & Directions

You’re out and about in Japan. These words will be your compass.

• 駅 (eki) – Station
  • Example: 新しい駅はとても大きいです。 (Atarashii eki wa totemo ookii desu.) – “The new station is very big.”
• トイレ (toire) – Toilet / Restroom
  • Insight: Borrowed from English “toilet,” this is the most common and understood word. You can also see お手洗い (otearai – polite) on signs.
  • Example: すみません、トイレはどこですか？ (Sumimasen, toire wa doko desu?) – “Excuse me, where is the restroom?”
• 右 (migi) – Right / 左 (hidari) – Left
  • Example: その信号を右に曲がってください。 (Sono shingou o migi ni magatte kudasai.) – “Please turn right at that traffic light.”
• まっすぐ (massugu) – Straight ahead
  • Example: この道をまっすぐ行きます。 (Kono michi o massugu ikimasu.) – “Go straight on this road.”

Part 3: The Heart of Conversation – People, Family, and Yourself

Talking about people is essential for building relationships.

• 私 (watashi) – I / Me
  • Insight: The standard, polite word for “I.” Men sometimes use 僕 (boku) in casual settings, and 俺 (ore) is very casual and masculine. For N5, stick with watashi.
  • Example: 私は学生です。 (Watashi wa gakusei desu.) – “I am a student.”
• 友達 (tomodachi) – Friend
  • Insight: Even though it ends with -dachi (which can imply a plural), it can mean one friend or multiple friends. Context tells you which.
  • Example: これは私の友達です。 (Kore wa watashi no tomodachi desu.) – “This is my friend.” / “These are my friends.”
• 家族 (kazoku) – Family
  • Example: 私の家族は四人です。 (Watashi no kazoku wa yo-nin desu.) – “My family has four people.”
• 先生 (sensei) – Teacher / Master (also Doctor)
  • Insight: This word is also used for doctors and politicians as a sign of respect. It’s not typically used to refer to oneself.
  • Example: 山田先生は優しいです。 (Yamada-sensei wa yasashii desu.) – “Yamada-sensei (Teacher/Dr. Yamada) is kind.”

Part 4: Describing Your World – Adjectives & Opposites

Adjectives add color and detail to your speech. Learn these in pairs—it’s easier!

• 大きい (ookii) – Big / 小さい (chiisai) – Small
  • Example: これは大きいかばんです。それ小さいです。 (Kore wa ookii kaban desu. Sore wa chiisai desu.) – “This is a big bag. That one is small.”
• 新しい (atarashii) – New / 古い (furui) – Old
  • Example: 私は新しい車が欲しいです。 (Watashi wa atarashii kuruma ga hoshii desu.) – “I want a new car.”
• いい (ii) / 良い (yoi) – Good
  • Insight: いい is the common spoken form. 良い is the dictionary form you’ll see in writing. Its opposite is…
  • 悪い (warui) – Bad
  • Example: 今日はいい天気です。 (Kyou wa ii tenki desu.) – “Today is good weather.” / 天気が悪いです。 (Tenki ga warui desu.) – “The weather is bad.”
• 楽しい (tanoshii) – Fun
  • Example: 日本語の勉強は楽しいです！ (Nihongo no benkyou wa tanoshii desu!) – “Studying Japanese is fun!”

Part 5: The Action Plan – Common Verbs for Daily Life

Verbs are the engines of your sentences. Here are the N5 powerhouses, conjugated to the polite -masu form.

• します (shimasu) – To do
  • Insight: This verb is a workhorse. It’s used with countless nouns to make them into verbs: べんきょうします (to study), サッカーします (to play soccer).
  • Example: 明日、勉強をします。 (Ashita, benkyou o shimasu.) – “Tomorrow, I will study.”
• 行きます (ikimasu) – To go
  • Example: 日曜日に公園に行きます。 (Nichiyoubi ni kouen ni ikimasu.) – “On Sunday, I will go to the park.”
• 見ます (mimasu) – To see / To watch
  • Example: 今晚、テレビで映画を見ます。 (Konban, terebi de eiga o mimasu.) – “Tonight, I will watch a movie on TV.”
• 食べます (tabemasu) – To eat / 飲みます (nomimasu) – To drink
  • Example: 友達と昼ごはんを食べます。 (Tomodachi to hirugohan o tabemasu.) – “I will eat lunch with my friend.” / お茶を飲みます。 (Ocha o nomimasu.) – “I drink tea.”

From Knowing to Using: How to Truly Internalize Vocabulary

Knowing the words is one thing; owning them is another. Here’s how to make that happen:

1. Say Them Out Loud: Read every example sentence aloud. Your mouth needs to learn the movements as much as your brain needs to learn the meaning.
2. Personalize the Sentences: Change the examples to be about YOU. Instead of “I eat bread,” try “I eat rice” (ごはんを食べます). This creates a stronger memory hook.
3. Think in Small Scenarios: While washing dishes, think “I wash a cup” (コップを洗います). While walking, think “I go to the station” (駅に行きます). This builds fluency.
4. Use Spaced Repetition Flashcards (SRS): Apps like Anki are brilliant for this. They show you words just as you’re about to forget them, cementing them into your long-term memory. Don’t just put the word on the card—put the example sentence.

Test Your Knowledge: JLPT N5 Vocabulary Quiz!

Let’s see how you’re doing! Try to complete these sentences with the correct word. (Answers at the bottom).

1. _______(Excuse me)、これはいくらですか？ (How much is this?)
2. 私は毎朝コーヒーを_______。(I drink coffee every morning.)
3. _______ (Turn right) あの角で。 (at that corner.)
4. これは_______ですね！おいしいです！ (This is good! It’s delicious!)

(Answers: 1. すみません, 2. 飲みます, 3. 右に曲がって, 4. いい)

Your Journey Continues: Beyond N5 Vocabulary

Mastering this JLPT N5 vocabulary with sentences is a huge accomplishment that will open many doors. But remember, vocabulary is just one piece of the puzzle. To truly form sentences, you need grammar.

I highly you explore our other resources to build a solid foundation:

• Complete JLPT N5 Vocabulary List with Meanings– Deep dive into the vocabulary used in so many of our examples here.
• The Ultimate JLPT N5 Complete Guide 2025: Syllabus, Study Plan, and How to Master the Test – If you’re just starting out, this guide will set you up for success.

For further reading on the JLPT itself, the official JEES website is the best source for test information.

頑張ってください！ (Ganbatte kudasai!)
Do your best! I know you can do it. Keep practicing, keep speaking, and soon these words will feel like second nature. What word are you finding most useful? Let me know in the comments!