100 Most Common JLPT N5 Vocabulary Words You Must Memorize

Konnichiwa, future Japanese master!

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and learn Japanese. First of all, おめでとうございます (omedetō gozaimasu) – congratulations! This is an exciting first step on a incredibly rewarding journey. And if you’re aiming for the JLPT N5, you’re already on the right track.

You’ve probably read our pillar post, JLPT N5 Vocabulary Complete List: Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives & Flashcards, which gives you the big-picture strategy. You know the structure, the sections, and the study plan. But now, you’re thinking, “Okay, but where do I actually start?”

The answer, almost always, is vocabulary.

Think of vocabulary as the individual bricks you’ll use to build the house of your Japanese language skills. Without enough bricks, you can’t build anything solid. The JLPT N5 tests your ability to understand basic Japanese, and that all begins with recognizing and understanding these fundamental words.

This list isn’t just a random collection. These are the 100 most common JLPT N5 vocabulary words you’re virtually guaranteed to encounter on the exam and in everyday beginner conversations. I’ve compiled them not just as a list, but as a learning tool, complete with insights, memory tricks, and context that you won’t find in a standard textbook.

Let’s turn memorization from a chore into an adventure!

Before We Begin: How to Use This List for Maximum Effect

Don’t just read this list once and forget it. Here’s how to make these words stick:

1. Learn in Context: We’ve grouped words loosely by theme (like time, people, verbs) to help your brain create connections.
2. Sound is King: Japanese is all about pronunciation. Always listen to the audio for each word. Use a resource like Jisho.org (outbound link to a fantastic online dictionary) where you can click the speaker icon to hear a native pronunciation. Mimic it. Record yourself.
3. Make it Personal: Write sentences about your life. Instead of just “I eat bread,” try “I often eat bread with my friend on Sunday.” (これから、私はよく日曜日に友達とパンを食べます).
4. Use Spaced Repetition: Apps like Anki (outbound link) are brilliant for this. They show you words right before you’re about to forget them, cementing them into your long-term memory.
5. Don’t Overwhelm Yourself: Aim for 10-15 new words a day. Consistency is far more important than cramming.

Alright, 始めましょう (hajimemashō) – let’s begin!

The Absolute Essentials: Pronouns and People

These words are your anchors in a conversation. They help you point to who and what you’re talking about.

1. 私 (watashi) – I, me
   • Insight: The standard, polite way to say “I” for both genders. In casual contexts, men might use 僕 (boku) and women might use あたし (atashi), but stick with 私 for the JLPT N5.
2. あなた (anata) – You
   • Insight: Use this sparingly! Japanese often omits pronouns when it’s clear from context. Overusing あなた can sound strangely direct or even rude (like you’re pointing a finger). It’s often better to use the person’s name + さん (-san).
3. 彼 (kare) – He, boyfriend
4. 彼女 (kanojo) – She, girlfriend
5. 人 (hito) – Person
6. 先生 (sensei) – Teacher, master, doctor
   • Insight: Not just for school teachers! Use it for doctors, professors, and experts in a field. It’s a title of respect.
7. 学生 (gakusei) – Student
8. 友達 (tomodachi) – Friend
9. 名前 (namae) – Name

Getting Around: Places and Directions

The world is waiting to be explored! These words will help you navigate it.

10. ここ (koko) – Here
11. そこ (soko) – There (near the listener)
12. あそこ (asoko) – Over there
13. どこ (doko) – Where?
14. 国 (kuni) – Country
15. 家 (ie / uchi) – House, home
16. 学校 (gakkō) – School
17. 会社 (kaisha) – Company, office
18. 駅 (eki) – Station
19. 店 (mise) – Shop, store
20. 入口 (iriguchi) – Entrance
21. 出口 (deguchi) – Exit
    • Memory Trick: 出 (de) means “exit” or “to leave.” Think of it as your ticket out.
22. 右 (migi) – Right
23. 左 (hidari) – Left
24. 前 (mae) – Front, before
25. 後ろ (ushiro) – Back, behind
26. 上 (ue) – Up, on, above
27. 下 (shita) – Down, under, below
28. 中 (naka) – Inside
29. 外 (soto) – Outside

Talking About Time: Days, Months, and Moments

Time is a crucial framework for making plans and telling stories.

30. 時間 (jikan) – Time
31. 今 (ima) – Now
32. 今日 (kyō) – Today
33. 明日 (ashita) – Tomorrow
34. 昨日 (kinō) – Yesterday
35. 毎日 (mainichi) – Every day
36. 朝 (asa) – Morning
37. 昼 (hiru) – Daytime, noon
38. 夜 (yoru) – Night
39. 時 (ji) – O’clock
    • Usage: Add it after the number. 三時 (san-ji) = 3 o’clock.
40. 分 (fun/pun) – Minute
41. 週 (shū) – Week
42. 月曜日 (getsuyōbi) – Monday
43. 火曜日 (kayōbi) – Tuesday
44. 水曜日 (suiyōbi) – Wednesday
45. 木曜日 (mokuyōbi) – Thursday
46. 金曜日 (kin’yōbi) – Friday
47. 土曜日 (doyōbi) – Saturday
48. 日曜日 (nichiyōbi) – Sunday
    • Memory Trick: The days are named after elements: Moon, Fire, Water, Wood, Gold, Earth, Sun.
49. 年 (toshi/nen) – Year
50. 来年 (rainen) – Next year
51. 去年 (kyonen) – Last year

The Building Blocks: Numbers and Counters

Numbers are universal, but how you count objects in Japanese is unique. For a deep dive into this crucial topic, check out our guide on Complete JLPT N5 Vocabulary List with Meanings.

52. 一 (ichi) – One
53. 二 (ni) – Two
54. 三 (san) – Three
55. 四 (shi / yon) – Four
    • Insight: Four has two readings. し (shi) is often avoided because it’s a homophone for “death.” You’ll hear よん (yon) more frequently.
56. 五 (go) – Five
57. 六 (roku) – Six
58. 七 (shichi / nana) – Seven
    • Insight: Similar to four, しち (shichi) can sound like another unpleasant word, so なな (nana) is very common.
59. 八 (hachi) – Eight
60. 九 (kyū / ku) – Nine
61. 十 (jū) – Ten
62. 百 (hyaku) – Hundred
63. 千 (sen) – Thousand
64. 万 (man) – Ten thousand
    • Insight: This is a big conceptual difference! In Japanese, 10,000 (一万 – ichi-man) is a single unit. It takes some getting used to.
65. 円 (en) – Yen (Japanese currency)
66. いくら (ikura) – How much?
67. ～人 (～nin) – Counter for people
    • Usage: 一人 (hitori) – 1 person, 二人 (futari) – 2 people, 三人 (sannin) – 3 people. Note the exceptions for 1 and 2!

The Action Heroes: Essential Verbs

Verbs bring your sentences to life. These are some of the most common and useful ones. Remember, for the JLPT N5, you need to know both the dictionary (masu-stem) form and the polite ～ます (~masu) form.

68. です (desu) – Is, am, are (copula)
    • Insight: This isn’t technically a verb, but it acts like one. It’s the polite, declarative “is.” The plain form is だ (da).
69. あります (arimasu) – There is (for inanimate objects/plants)
70. います (imasu) – There is (for living things, people, animals)
    • This distinction is critical for the JLPT N5! You must know the difference. Book vs. Cat. Pen vs. Person.
71. します (shimasu) – To do
72. 行きます (ikimasu) – To go
73. 来ます (kimasu) – To come
74. 帰ります (kaerimasu) – To return home
75. 食べます (tabemasu) – To eat
76. 飲みます (nomimasu) – To drink
77. 見ます (mimasu) – To see, to look, to watch
78. 聞きます (kikimasu) – To hear, to listen; to ask
79. 読みます (yomimasu) – To read
80. 書きます (kakimasu) – To write
81. 買います (kaimasu) – To buy
82. 売ります (urimasu) – To sell
83. 会います (aimasu) – To meet
84. わかります (wakarimasu) – To understand
85. 知ります (shirimasu) – To know
86. あります (arimasu) – To have (for inanimate objects)
    • Insight: To say “I have a book,” you say 本があります (Hon ga arimasu), which literally means “As for me, a book exists.” The possessive is implied by the context.
87. 休みます (yasumimasu) – To rest, to take a day off

Describing Your World: い-adjectives and な-adjectives

Adjectives add color and detail. Japanese has two main types, and telling them apart is a key N5 skill.

い-adjectives (end in い before the noun)

88. 大きい (ōkii) – Big
89. 小さい (chiisai) – Small
90. 新しい (atarashii) – New
91. 古い (furui) – Old (not age, but objects)
92. いい / 良い (ii / yoi) – Good
93. 悪い (warui) – Bad
94. 熱い (atsui) – Hot (objects, weather)
95. 冷たい (tsumetai) – Cold (objects, touch)
96. 高い (takai) – High, expensive
97. 安い (yasui) – Cheap
98. 難しい (muzukashii) – Difficult
99. 易しい (yasashii) – Easy, gentle
    • Note: For “easy,” 簡単 (kantan – a な-adjective) is also extremely common.
100. 白い (shiroi) – White
101. 黒い (kuroi) – Black

な-adjectives (need な before a noun)

102. 元気な (genki na) – Healthy, lively, energetic
     * How are you? お元気ですか？ (O-genki desu ka?) is the standard greeting.
103. きれいな (kirei na) – Beautiful, clean
104. 静かな (shizuka na) – Quiet
105. 好きな (suki na) – Liked, beloved
     * Usage: 私は猫が好きです (Watashi wa neko ga suki desu) – I like cats. Note the particle が (ga) is used, not を (o).
106. 嫌いな (kirai na) – Disliked
107. 大好きな (daisuki na) – Really liked, to love
108. 簡単な (kantan na) – Simple, easy

Beyond the List: Making These Words Stick for the JLPT and Life

Memorizing this list is a huge accomplishment, but the real goal is to use them. Here’s how to integrate them:

• Create Flashcards: Physical or digital. Put the Japanese word on one side, the reading and meaning on the other.
• Think in Mini-Sentences: Don’t just learn “tabemasu = to eat.” Learn “ご飯を食べます (gohan o tabemasu) = I eat a meal.” This teaches you the correct particle (を – o) at the same time.
• Label Your Home: Put sticky notes on things in your house: つくえ (tsukue) on your desk, まど (mado) on the window. Constant passive exposure works wonders.
• Find a Language Partner: Use an app like HelloTalk or Tandem to try using these words in simple chats. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes!

For more practical study methods, our post on JLPT N5 Vocabulary with Example Sentences for Daily Use is a great next step.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!

Learning these 100 most common JLPT N5 vocabulary words is your first major milestone. It’s a challenging but incredibly satisfying task. Remember, language learning is a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate small victories—every word you remember is a step closer to fluency.

This list, combined with a solid understanding of basic grammar from our pillar post, will give you the confidence not just to pass the JLPT N5, but to actually start understanding and using Japanese in the real world.

がんばってください (Ganbatte kudasai)! – Do your best!

Ready for the next challenge? Once you’ve mastered these words, it’s time to tackle the flash cards. Head over to our guide on JLPT N5 Vocabulary Flashcards (Anki + PDF) to continue your studies!