Level test · 30 questions · About 20 minutes

Japanese N5 Test

Hiragana, katakana, around 100 kanji and the phrases you use every day.

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Japanese N5 level test
Question 1 of 30
01 · The level

What the N5 level means

N5 is the first level of Japanese: you read hiragana, katakana and a small set of everyday kanji. You understand short, simple sentences about yourself, your family, daily routines and familiar places. In listening, you follow slow, clear conversations about everyday life, such as shopping, times and directions.

KanjiWordsStudy hours
about 100about 800about 150 to 300

Commonly cited estimates for learners at this level.

02 · What the test covers

What this N5 test covers

  • VocabularyBasic words for people, places, time, numbers and daily routines.
  • KanjiReadings of beginner kanji such as 日, 月, 木 and 学校.
  • GrammarParticles は, が, を, に and で, and polite ます forms.
  • ReadingShort notes, signs and simple messages.
  • ListeningSlow, clear conversations about everyday situations.
03 · Sample questions

Sample N5 questions

Three practice questions in the style of the N5 test, one each for vocabulary, kanji and grammar, with answers.

Question 1 · Vocabulary · N5

Every day I (    ) the bus to school.

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Answer: 1, のって. のって is the て-form of のる, "to ride", the verb used with バスに.

Question 2 · Kanji · N5

We swim in this river. Choose the reading of 川.

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Answer: 1, かわ. On its own, 川 is read かわ and means "river".

Question 3 · Grammar · N5

Yesterday I studied (    ) the library.

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Answer: 1, で. で marks the place where an action happens, here the library where we studied.

04 · Your result

How your N5 result is decided

  • ✓30 questions at the N5 level across vocabulary, kanji, grammar, reading and listening.
  • ✓21 or more correct answers out of 30 (70%): your result is "N5 reached". Below 21: your result is "N5 in progress".
  • ✓3 parallel forms for each level, so a second attempt in the same browser uses a different form.
  • ✓A certificate with your result, and a bilingual report with your result in each category, issued right after checkout.
05 · CEFR

N5 and the CEFR

N5 matches CEFR A1 (Beginner). The N levels are International Test Limited's reference levels, aligned to the CEFR.

N levelCEFRBand
N5A1Beginner
N4A2Elementary
N3B1Intermediate
N2B2Upper intermediate
N1C1Advanced

Not sure of your level? The online Japanese test places you anywhere from N5 to N1 in about 30 minutes. See all Japanese levels compared side by side.

06 · Level tests

Other level tests

07 · FAQ

N5 test FAQ

What does the N5 Test cover?

Vocabulary, kanji, grammar, reading and listening at the N5 level: hiragana and katakana, around 100 kanji, basic particles and ます forms, short notes and slow everyday conversations.

How many kanji and words are there at N5?

Commonly cited estimates are about 100 kanji and about 800 words. The test checks the kanji and vocabulary that appear in everyday beginner Japanese.

Is this the JLPT N5?

Japanese Proficiency Test is an independent assessment operated by International Test Limited and is not affiliated with the JLPT. JLPT is a trademark of the Japan Foundation and JEES. This N5 Test checks Japanese at the N5 level in 30 questions and about 20 minutes, with a bilingual report issued right after checkout.

What do I get after the N5 Test?

A certificate with your result, and a bilingual report in Japanese and English that shows whether you have reached N5, your correct answers out of 30 and your result in each category, issued right after checkout.

Should I take the N5 Test or the full test?

Take the N5 Test when N5 is your goal and you want to confirm it. Take the full Japanese test to find your level anywhere from N5 to N1, with a certificate.