JLPT N5 Study Guide: Grammar, Vocabulary & Practice
JLPT N5 文法と活用
Pass JLPT N5 with confidence. Complete grammar guide covering verb conjugation, particles, and 100 essential kanji with practice exercises.
The JLPT N5 is the first step in your Japanese learning journey. This guide covers the essential grammar patterns and conjugation forms you need to know. With about 100 basic verbs and 50 adjectives, N5 focuses on everyday communication.
What's Tested in N5(N5で出題される内容)
The N5 tests your ability to understand basic Japanese:
- Vocabulary: ~800 words
- Kanji: ~100 characters
- Grammar: Basic sentence structures and particles
- Conjugation: Present, past, negative, polite forms
Essential N5 Verbs(N5必須動詞)
These are the most important verb categories for N5:
| Type | Examples | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Godan (う-verbs) | 行く、書く、話す、読む、買う | ~60 |
| Ichidan (る-verbs) | 食べる、見る、起きる、寝る | ~30 |
| Irregular | する、くる | 2 |
Basic Conjugation Forms(基本活用形)
For N5, you need to master these forms:
| Form | Example (食べる) | Example (書く) |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 食べる | 書く |
| Polite (ます) | 食べます | 書きます |
| Negative (ない) | 食べない | 書かない |
| Past (た) | 食べた | 書いた |
| Te-form (て) | 食べて | 書いて |
Focus on polite forms (ます/ません/ました) first—they're most common in N5!
N5 Adjective Conjugation(N5形容詞の活用)
N5 covers two types of adjectives:
| Type | Present | Negative | Past |
|---|---|---|---|
| い-adjective (高い) | 高い | 高くない | 高かった |
| な-adjective (静か) | 静かだ | 静かじゃない | 静かだった |
Key Grammar Patterns(重要な文法パターン)
Essential N5 grammar you should know:
- 〜ます/〜ません: Polite present/negative
- 〜ました/〜ませんでした: Polite past
- 〜て: Te-form for connecting actions
- 〜ている: Progressive/state
- 〜たい: Want to do
N5 Study Tips(勉強のコツ)
How to prepare effectively:
- Daily practice: 15-20 minutes of conjugation drills
- Focus on patterns: Learn verb groups, not just individual words
- Use flashcards: Review vocabulary consistently
- Practice listening: Get used to natural speed
The N5 is about recognition. You don't need to produce everything perfectly—focus on understanding first.
✓Summary
N5 essentials:
- Master polite forms (ます/ません)
- Learn basic conjugation (past, negative, te-form)
- Study 100 kanji and 800 vocabulary words
- Practice conjugation patterns regularly
Ready to Practice?
Practice N5 verbs and adjectives with our conjugation drill. Filter by JLPT N5 to focus your study!
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