Top 100 JLPT N5 Vocabulary List by Category

Top 100 JLPT N5 Vocabulary List by Category

2026 Nov 09

How long does it take to pass JLPT N5? How to prepare for JLPT N5? What is the JLPT N5 difficulty? Don’t worry! We have made this top 100 JLPT N5 word list with BOTH hirakana and kanji.

This blog is meant to help you learn the words so you can succeed on your coming JLPT exam! If you are still not confident, please check out our JLPT course! You can also find part-time course, which allows you to select courses by topic!

Study the JLPT Smarter with Coto Academy!

Getting ready for the JLPT? Boost your chances of passing with Coto Academy’s JLPT Prep Course — designed for busy learners. This class is perfect for students who plan to take the JLPT exam and work optimally towards their objectives. We offer two flexible options: a year-round JLPT course and an intensive 3-month sprint course timed perfectly before test day. What makes these classes stand out is the teachers, who specialize in teaching JLPT. They will give you tips and techniques you simply won’t get from self-study.

Here, you will learn everything, including mock tests, reading practices, and explanations on Japanese grammar, vocabulary, kanji, and more! Join our class today!

Colors in Japanese

1黒いくろいblack
2茶色ちゃいろbrown
3色いろcolour
4緑みどりgreen
5赤いあかいred
6白いしろいWhite
7黄色いきいろいyellow
8黄色きいろyellow
9青いあおいblue
10鳥とりbird
11猫ねこcat
12犬いぬdog
13魚さかなFish
14耳みみear
15頭あたまhead
16目めeye
17歯はtooth
18口くちmouth, opening
19帽子ぼうしhat
20上着うわぎjacket
21服ふくclothes
22靴くつShoes
23 シャツShirt
24洋服ようふくwestern-style clothes
25お父さんおとうさん(honorable) father
26お母さんおかあさん(honorable) mother
27お兄さんおにいさん(honorable) older brother
28お姉さんおねえさん(honorable) older sister
29奥さんおくさん(honorable) wife
30兄あに(humble) older brother
31姉あね(humble) older sister
32兄弟きょうだい(humble) siblings
33妹いもうと(humble) younger sister
34伯母さん/叔母さんおばさんAunt
35子供こどもChild
36家族かぞくFamily
37伯父/叔父おじいさんgrandfather, male senior citizen
38 おばあさんgrandmother, female senior-citizen

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39牛乳ぎゅうにゅうMilk
40お酒おさけalcohol, rice wine
41牛肉ぎゅうにくBeef
42紅茶こうちゃblack tea
43 バターbutter
44飴あめcandy
45とり肉とりにくchicken meat
46 カレーCurry
47夕飯ゆうはんdinner
48果物くだものFruit
49お茶おちゃgreen tea
50お風呂おふろBath
51お手洗いおてあらいbathroom
52玄関げんかんentry hall
53部屋へやroom
54階段かいだんStairs
55掃除そうじするto clean, to sweep
56窓まどwindow
57橋はしbridge
58道みちstreet
59銀行ぎんこうBank
60映画館えいがかんcinema
61喫茶店きっさてんcoffee lounge
62会社かいしゃCompany
63 デパートdepartment store
64食堂しょくどうdining hall
65大使館たいしかんembassy
66外国がいこくforeign country
67庭にわgarden
68図書館としょかんlibrary
69地図ちずmap
70大学だいがくuniversity
71村むらvillage
72公園こうえんPark
73交番こうばんpolice box
74郵便局ゆうびんきょくpost office
75花はなflower
76川/河かわRiver
77水みずwater
78空そらSky
79春はるspring
80夏なつsummer
81木きtree, wood
82秋あきautumn
83晴れはれclear weather
84曇りくもりcloudy weather
85雪ゆきsnow
86冬ふゆwinter
87山やまmountain
88海うみsea
89風かぜWind
90飛ぶとぶto fly,to hop
91起きるおきるto get up
92持つもつto hold
93待つまつto wait
94歩くあるくto walk
95洗うあらうto wash
96出すだすto put out
97休むやすむto rest
98言ういうto say
99歌ううたうto sing
100話すはなすto speak

For the next step after memorizing JLPT N5 vocabularies, you can learn the JLPT N5 kanji to move forward, as well as essential JLPT N5 grammar points!

If you already passed JLPT N5, you can find JLPT N1, N2, N3, and N4 courses here!

If you wish to have an in-person class with experienced instrutors, check out our courses and fill out the inquries below if you have any questions!

4 Steps to Increase Your Chances of Passing the JLPT

As the statistics show, the JLPT is a challenging hurdle. However, with the right strategy, you can maximize your likelihood of success. Here are three critical approaches to implement in your study routine:

1. Study Months in Advance

The vast scope of the JLPT—spanning thousands of vocabulary words, complex grammar patterns, reading comprehension, and fast-paced listening—cannot be mastered through last-minute cramming. Designing a structured study schedule months in advance allows you to steadily build a solid foundation without burning out.

2. Do Lots of Mock Exams

Familiarity breeds confidence. To excel on test day, it is vital to take numerous timed mock exams. Practicing under real test conditions helps you internalize critical time-management strategies, condition your mental stamina, and expose your weak areas so you can patch them before the real thing.

3. Study the JLPT with Coto Academy

While preparing for the JLPT outside of Japan is completely valid, living and studying in Japan gives you an immense advantage. Constant exposure to daily local life naturally opens up endless opportunities to read and speak in real-world scenarios.

Furthermore, studying in Japan grants you access to structured, specialized language institutions like Coto Academy. By enrolling in our proven programs, you aren’t just guessing how to study. You are tapping into a system that boasts a 74.76% student pass rate, which is more than double the national average (35.06%).

4. Self-Study with J-Standard

Prefer to study on your own schedule? Try J-Standard, Coto Academy’s all-in-one JLPT learning platform for N5 to N2. Watch pre-recorded grammar videos, test yourself with vocabulary quizzes, and build your skills at your own pace.

Try J-Standard for Free for 14 Days

As long as you are motivated to pass the exam, leverage the best available resources, and embrace the challenge, you too can become JLPT-certified. With Coto’s methodology behind you, you might just be the tipping point that raises the national average next year!

Coto Academy Teachers

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Coto Academy Teachers

Coto Academy's teaching team is built on three departments: teaching faculty, quality assurance, and learning development, working together to deliver a consistent, high-quality learning experience. Many instructors have lived abroad or bring professional experience from outside the classroom, offering hands-on instruction for students at every level, from complete beginners to those preparing for the JLPT.