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130 Japanese N5 Vocabulary Words with Pronunciation 2025

Contents
  • Why Learn Japanese N5 Vocabulary?
  • 1. Nouns Vocabulary
  • 2. More Nouns Vocabulary
  • 3. Verbs Vocabulary
  • 4. More Verbs Vocabulary
  • 5. Adjectives Vocabulary
  • 6. More Adjectives Vocabulary
  • 7. Adverbs Vocabulary
  • 8. Common Phrases Vocabulary
  • 9. Numbers and Time Vocabulary
  • 10. Real-Life Scenarios for U.S. Learners
  • 11. Tips for Learning Japanese N5 Vocabulary
  • FAQ: Japanese N5 Vocabulary

Build your Japanese N5 vocabulary with this comprehensive 2025 guide! Featuring 130 Japanese N5 vocabulary words with pronunciation, this resource covers nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, phrases, and numbers. Ideal for U.S. beginners preparing for the JLPT N5 or learning Japanese for travel, school, or fun.

Why Learn Japanese N5 Vocabulary?

Over 10,000 U.S. learners take the JLPT N5 annually to certify their Japanese skills. Mastering Japanese N5 vocabulary helps you:

  • Understand basic conversations in daily life.

  • Pass the JLPT N5 with confidence.

  • Communicate during travel in Japan.

  • Build a foundation for advanced Japanese studies.

1. Nouns Vocabulary

Essential Japanese N5 vocabulary nouns for beginners:

Japanese (Kana)

Romaji

Pronunciation

English Meaning

Example/Note

Neko

Ne-ko

Cat

猫が好きです。(I like cats.)

Inu

I-nu

Dog

犬がいます。(I have a dog.)

Hito

Hi-to

Person

人が多いです。(Many people.)

Hi

Hi

Day, Sun

日曜日です。(It’s Sunday.)

Tsuki

Tsu-ki

Moon

月がきれいです。(The moon is pretty.)

Mizu

Mi-zu

Water

水をください。(Please give me water.)

Hi

Hi

Fire

火をつける。(Light a fire.)

Kuruma

Ku-ru-ma

Car

車を買う。(Buy a car.)

電車

Densha

Den-sha

Train

電車に乗る。(Ride a train.)

学校

Gakkō

Gak-koo

School

学校に行く。(Go to school.)

先生

Sensei

Sen-sei

Teacher

先生に聞く。(Ask the teacher.)

学生

Gakusei

Ga-ku-sei

Student

学生です。(I’m a student.)

Mise

Mi-se

Shop

店で買う。(Buy at the shop.)

Hon

Hon

Book

本を読む。(Read a book.)

手紙

Tegami

Te-ga-mi

Letter

手紙を書く。(Write a letter.)

 

2. More Nouns Vocabulary

Additional Japanese N5 vocabulary nouns:

Japanese (Kana)

Romaji

Pronunciation

English Meaning

Example/Note

お金

Okane

O-ka-ne

Money

お金が必要です。(Need money.)

食べ物

Tabemono

Ta-be-mo-no

Food

食べ物を作る。(Make food.)

飲み物

Nomimono

No-mi-mo-no

Drink

飲み物を飲む。(Drink a beverage.)

時計

Tokei

To-kei

Clock, Watch

時計を見る。(Look at the clock.)

部屋

Heya

He-ya

Room

部屋を掃除する。(Clean the room.)

椅子

Isu

I-su

Chair

椅子に座る。(Sit on a chair.)

テーブル

Tēburu

Te-bu-ru

Table

テーブルに本。(Book on the table.)

Michi

Mi-chi

Road, Path

道を歩く。(Walk the path.)

Yama

Ya-ma

Mountain

山に登る。(Climb a mountain.)

Umi

U-mi

Sea

海で泳ぐ。(Swim in the sea.)

Sora

So-ra

Sky

空が青い。(The sky is blue.)

Hana

Ha-na

Flower

花を買う。(Buy flowers.)

Tori

To-ri

Bird

鳥が飛ぶ。(Birds fly.)

Sakana

Sa-ka-na

Fish

魚を食べる。(Eat fish.)

Ie

I-e

House

家に帰る。(Return home.)

 

3. Verbs Vocabulary

Core Japanese N5 vocabulary verbs for daily use:

Japanese (Kana)

Romaji

Pronunciation

English Meaning

Example/Note

食べる

Taberu

Ta-be-ru

To eat

ご飯を食べる。(Eat rice.)

飲む

Nomu

No-mu

To drink

水を飲む。(Drink water.)

行く

Iku

I-ku

To go

学校に行く。(Go to school.)

来る

Kuru

Ku-ru

To come

友達が来る。(Friend comes.)

見る

Miru

Mi-ru

To see, look

テレビを見る。(Watch TV.)

聞く

Kiku

Ki-ku

To ask, listen

音楽を聞く。(Listen to music.)

話す

Hanasu

Ha-na-su

To speak, talk

友達と話す。(Talk with friend.)

読む

Yomu

Yo-mu

To read

本を読む。(Read a book.)

書く

Kaku

Ka-ku

To write

手紙を書く。(Write a letter.)

買う

Kau

Ka-u

To buy

本を買う。(Buy a book.)

使う

Tsukau

Tsu-ka-u

To use

ペンを使う。(Use a pen.)

住む

Sumu

Su-mu

To live

日本に住む。(Live in Japan.)

寝る

Neru

Ne-ru

To sleep

早く寝る。(Sleep early.)

起きる

Okiru

O-ki-ru

To wake up

朝起きる。(Wake up in morning.)

働く

Hataraku

Ha-ta-ra-ku

To work

会社で働く。(Work at company.)

 

4. More Verbs Vocabulary

Additional Japanese N5 vocabulary verbs:

Japanese (Kana)

Romaji

Pronunciation

English Meaning

Example/Note

遊ぶ

Asobu

A-so-bu

To play

公園で遊ぶ。(Play at park.)

待つ

Matsu

Ma-tsu

To wait

友達を待つ。(Wait for friend.)

歩く

Aruku

A-ru-ku

To walk

道を歩く。(Walk the road.)

乗る

Noru

No-ru

To ride

電車に乗る。(Ride train.)

入る

Hairu

Ha-i-ru

To enter

部屋に入る。(Enter room.)

出る

Deru

De-ru

To exit

家を出る。(Leave house.)

作る

Tsukuru

Tsu-ku-ru

To make

料理を作る。(Make food.)

取る

Toru

To-ru

To take

本を取る。(Take book.)

渡る

Wataru

Wa-ta-ru

To cross

道を渡る。(Cross road.)

教える

Oshieru

O-shi-e-ru

To teach

日本語を教える。(Teach Japanese.)

覚える

Oboeru

O-bo-e-ru

To memorize

単語を覚える。(Memorize words.)

忘れる

Wasureru

Wa-su-re-ru

To forget

名前を忘れる。(Forget name.)

持つ

Motsu

Mo-tsu

To hold

かばんを持つ。(Hold bag.)

借りる

Kariru

Ka-ri-ru

To borrow

本を借りる。(Borrow book.)

貸す

Kasu

Ka-su

To lend

お金を貸す。(Lend money.)

 

5. Adjectives Vocabulary

Descriptive Japanese N5 vocabulary adjectives:

Japanese (Kana)

Romaji

Pronunciation

English Meaning

Example/Note

大きい

Ōkii

Oo-ki-i

Big, large

大きい家。(Big house.)

小さい

Chiisai

Chi-i-sai

Small, little

小さい猫。(Small cat.)

新しい

Atarashii

A-ta-ra-shi-i

New

新しい本。(New book.)

古い

Furui

Fu-ru-i

Old (things)

古い車。(Old car.)

長い

Nagai

Na-ga-i

Long

長い道。(Long road.)

短い

Mijikai

Mi-ji-ka-i

Short

短い髪。(Short hair.)

高い

Takai

Ta-ka-i

Expensive, high

高い店。(Expensive shop.)

安い

Yasui

Ya-su-i

Cheap

安い本。(Cheap book.)

暑い

Atsui

A-tsu-i

Hot (weather)

暑い日。(Hot day.)

寒い

Samui

Sa-mu-i

Cold (weather)

寒い朝。(Cold morning.)

熱い

Atsui

A-tsu-i

Hot (things)

熱いお茶。(Hot tea.)

冷たい

Tsumetai

Tsu-me-ta-i

Cold (things)

冷たい水。(Cold water.)

広い

Hiroi

Hi-ro-i

Wide, spacious

広い部屋。(Spacious room.)

狭い

Semai

Se-ma-i

Narrow

狭い道。(Narrow road.)

楽しい

Tanoshii

Ta-no-shi-i

Fun, enjoyable

楽しい映画。(Fun movie.)

 

6. More Adjectives Vocabulary

Additional Japanese N5 vocabulary adjectives:

Japanese (Kana)

Romaji

Pronunciation

English Meaning

Example/Note

面白い

Omoshiroi

O-mo-shi-ro-i

Interesting, funny

面白い本。(Interesting book.)

つまらない

Tsumaranai

Tsu-ma-ra-na-i

Boring

つまらない映画。(Boring movie.)

優しい

Yasashii

Ya-sa-shi-i

Kind, gentle

優しい人。(Kind person.)

難しい

Muzukashii

Mu-zu-ka-shi-i

Difficult

難しい問題。(Difficult problem.)

簡単

Kantan

Kan-tan

Easy, simple

簡単なテスト。(Easy test.)

早い

Hayai

Ha-ya-i

Fast, early

早い電車。(Fast train.)

遅い

Osoi

O-so-i

Slow, late

遅いバス。(Late bus.)

明るい

Akarui

A-ka-ru-i

Bright, cheerful

明るい部屋。(Bright room.)

暗い

Kurai

Ku-ra-i

Dark, gloomy

暗い夜。(Dark night.)

強い

Tsuyoi

Tsu-yo-i

Strong

強い人。(Strong person.)

弱い

Yowai

Yo-wa-i

Weak

弱いチーム。(Weak team.)

重い

Omoi

O-mo-i

Heavy

重いかばん。(Heavy bag.)

軽い

Karui

Ka-ru-i

Light (weight)

軽い本。(Light book.)

おいしい

Oishii

O-i-shi-i

Delicious

おいしいご飯。(Delicious rice.)

きれい

Kirei

Ki-re-i

Pretty, clean

きれいな花。(Pretty flower.)

 

7. Adverbs Vocabulary

Common Japanese N5 vocabulary adverbs:

Japanese (Kana)

Romaji

Pronunciation

English Meaning

Example/Note

とても

Totemo

To-te-mo

Very

とても面白い。(Very interesting.)

あまり

Amari

A-ma-ri

Not very (with negative)

あまり高くない。(Not very expensive.)

すごく

Sugoku

Su-go-ku

Extremely, very

すごく楽しい。(Extremely fun.)

少し

Sukoshi

Su-ko-shi

A little, a few

少し食べる。(Eat a little.)

たくさん

Takusan

Ta-ku-san

A lot, many

たくさん本。(Many books.)

早く

Hayaku

Ha-ya-ku

Quickly, early

早く走る。(Run quickly.)

遅く

Osoku

O-so-ku

Slowly, late

遅く寝る。(Sleep late.)

いつも

Itsumo

It-su-mo

Always

いつも勉強する。(Always study.)

たまに

Tamani

Ta-ma-ni

Occasionally

たまに遊ぶ。(Play occasionally.)

時々

Tokidoki

To-ki-do-ki

Sometimes

時々見る。(Sometimes watch.)

よく

Yoku

Yo-ku

Often, well

よく読む。(Read often.)

全然

Zenzen

Zen-zen

Not at all (with negative)

全然わからない。(Don’t understand at all.)

必ず

Kanarazu

Ka-na-ra-zu

Always, without fail

必ず来る。(Always come.)

すぐ

Sugu

Su-gu

Immediately, soon

すぐ行く。(Go immediately.)

もう

Moo

Already, anymore

もう食べた。(Already ate.)

 

8. Common Phrases Vocabulary

Useful Japanese N5 vocabulary phrases:

Japanese (Kana)

Romaji

Pronunciation

English Meaning

Example/Note

こんにちは

Konnichiwa

Kon-ni-chi-wa

Hello

こんにちは!(Hello!)

ありがとう

Arigatō

A-ri-ga-too

Thank you

ありがとう!(Thank you!)

すみません

Sumimasen

Su-mi-ma-sen

Excuse me, sorry

すみません、道は?(Excuse me, the way?)

おねがいします

Onegaishimasu

O-ne-gai-shi-ma-su

Please

おねがいします!(Please!)

わかりました

Wakarimashita

Wa-ka-ri-ma-shi-ta

I understand

わかりました!(I understand!)

だいじょうぶ

Daijōbu

Dai-joo-bu

Okay, alright

だいじょうぶです。(It’s okay.)

はい

Hai

Hai

Yes

はい、そうです。(Yes, that’s right.)

いいえ

Iie

I-i-e

No

いいえ、違います。(No, it’s different.)

おはよう

Ohayō

O-ha-yoo

Good morning

おはよう!(Good morning!)

こんばんは

Konbanwa

Kon-ban-wa

Good evening

こんばんは!(Good evening!)

 

9. Numbers and Time Vocabulary

Basic Japanese N5 vocabulary for numbers and time:

Japanese (Kana)

Romaji

Pronunciation

English Meaning

Example/Note

Ichi

I-chi

One

一冊の本。(One book.)

Ni

Ni

Two

二人の友達。(Two friends.)

San

San

Three

三時です。(Three o’clock.)

Shi/Yon

Shi/Yon

Four

四匹の猫。(Four cats.)

Go

Go

Five

五分。(Five minutes.)

Asa

A-sa

Morning

朝に食べる。(Eat in morning.)

Hiru

Hi-ru

Noon, daytime

昼に働く。(Work at noon.)

Yoru

Yo-ru

Night

夜に寝る。(Sleep at night.)

時間

Jikan

Ji-kan

Time, hour

時間がある。(Have time.)

Fun

Fun

Minute

十分。(Ten minutes.)

10. Real-Life Scenarios for U.S. Learners

Practice Japanese N5 vocabulary in U.S.-relevant scenarios:

  • At a Japanese restaurant: "I’d like water and rice." – 水とご飯をください。(Mizu to gohan o kudasai.)

  • At a language class: "I’m a student. I read books." – 学生です。本を読みます。(Gakusei desu. Hon o yomimasu.)

  • Traveling in Japan: "Where is the train?" – 電車はどこですか?(Densha wa doko desu ka?)

  • Greeting a teacher: "Good morning, teacher!" – おはよう、先生!(Ohayō, sensei!)

11. Tips for Learning Japanese N5 Vocabulary

To master Japanese N5 vocabulary with pronunciation:

  1. Use audio tools: Apps like Jisho or Forvo for native pronunciation.

  2. Create flashcards: Anki or Quizlet for memorizing terms.

  3. Practice daily: Use apps like Duolingo or LingoDeer.

  4. Watch anime: Sazae-san or Chibi Maruko-chan use N5-level words.

  5. Join U.S. study groups: Check Meetup for local JLPT prep groups.

  6. Speak politely: Use "~ます" forms (e.g., 食べます, tabemasu) for respect.

FAQ: Japanese N5 Vocabulary

1. What is Japanese N5 vocabulary?
It includes ~800-1,000 basic words for JLPT N5, covering nouns, verbs, adjectives, and phrases for beginners.

2. How many words are needed for JLPT N5?
You need ~800-1,000 words, including nouns (猫, neko, cat), verbs (食べる, taberu, to eat), and adjectives (大きい, ōkii, big).

3. Is JLPT N5 hard for U.S. beginners?
N5 is the easiest JLPT level, designed for beginners with basic grammar and vocabulary for daily life.

4.  How do I learn Japanese N5 vocabulary with pronunciation?
Use Jisho, watch anime like Sazae-san, and practice with flashcards or audio apps.

5. What are common Japanese N5 words?
Examples: 猫 (Neko, Ne-ko, cat), 食べる (Taberu, Ta-be-ru, to eat), 大きい (Ōkii, Oo-ki-i, big).

6. How can U.S. learners prepare for JLPT N5?
Study 130 words like these, join U.S.-based JLPT prep courses, and use apps like Anki.

7. Why learn Japanese N5 vocabulary for travel?
It helps U.S. travelers communicate in Japan for dining, shopping, and transportation.

Mastering Japanese N5 vocabulary with pronunciation sets U.S. beginners on the path to JLPT N5 success and confident communication in Japan. These 130 terms cover daily life, travel, and study needs. Start learning now! Explore related guides on Japanese caregiver vocabulary or Japanese technical terms.

 

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