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Nihongo Online School > Tips for More Effective Studying > JLPT N5 Kanji List: Essential Guide for Beginners
JLPT N5 Kanji List: Essential Guide for Beginners
2024/08/23
Director: Kotaro Muramoto
Principal of Nihongo Online School
In September 2019, he founded "Nihongo Online School". Since then, has been teaching Japanese online lessons, with a total of over 1,000 students.
He has designed an individualized curriculum based on student’s needs and study goal. And is conscious of making the classes speech-centered in order to improve students’ speaking skills.
The school asks students to submit homework assignments worth 2 hours per lesson to improve faster. By supporting students with these features, students are able to efficiently improve Japanese language skills.
Master the foundation of Japanese writing with this comprehensive guide to JLPT N5 kanji. This article presents a detailed breakdown of the 80+ characters you need to know, organized by category for easy learning.
Discover each kanji’s meaning, readings, and example words, along with effective memorization techniques and insights into the On’yomi and Kun’yomi reading systems. Whether you’re preparing for the JLPT N5 exam or simply building your Japanese language skills, this guide provides the tools you need to confidently tackle basic kanji.
Contents
- 1 JLPT N5 Kanji List
- 1.1 1. Kanji related to Numbers
- 1.2 2. Kanji related to Time
- 1.3 3. Kanji related to People and Family
- 1.4 4. Kanji related to Directions and Positions
- 1.5 5. Kanji related to Actions
- 1.6 6. Kanji related to Places and Transportation
- 1.7 7. Kanji related to Nature and Environment
- 1.8 8. Kanji related to Qualities and Quantities
- 1.9 9. Other Kanji
- 2 Tips for Memorizing Kanji
- 3 Understanding Kanji Readings
- 4 What to Focus on for JLPT N5 Beyond Kanji
JLPT N5 Kanji List
| Kanji | Meaning | On’yomi | Kun’yomi | Example Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 一 | one | イチ (ichi) | ひと- (hito-) | 一日 (ichinichi): one day |
| 二 | two | ニ (ni) | ふた- (futa-) | 二月 (nigatsu): February |
| 三 | three | サン (san) | み- (mi-) | 三人 (sannin): three people |
| 四 | four | シ (shi) | よ- (yo-) | 四季 (shiki): four seasons |
| 五 | five | ゴ (go) | いつ- (itsu-) | 五月 (gogatsu): May |
| 六 | six | ロク (roku) | む- (mu-) | 六日 (muika): sixth day |
| 七 | seven | シチ (shichi) | なな- (nana-) | 七時 (shichiji): seven o’clock |
| 八 | eight | ハチ (hachi) | や- (ya-) | 八月 (hachigatsu): August |
| 九 | nine | キュウ、ク (kyuu, ku) | ここの- (kokono-) | 九日 (kokonoka): ninth day |
| 十 | ten | ジュウ (juu) | とお (too) | 十分 (juubun): enough |
| 百 | hundred | ヒャク (hyaku) | – | 百円 (hyakuen): 100 yen |
| 千 | thousand | セン (sen) | – | 千円 (sen’en): 1000 yen |
| 万 | ten thousand | マン (man) | – | 一万 (ichiman): 10,000 |
| Kanji | Meaning | On’yomi | Kun’yomi | Example Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 年 | year | ネン (nen) | とし (toshi) | 今年 (kotoshi): this year |
| 月 | month, moon | ゲツ、ガツ (getsu, gatsu) | つき (tsuki) | 一月 (ichigatsu): January |
| 日 | day, sun | ニチ、ジツ (nichi, jitsu) | ひ (hi) | 日曜日 (nichiyoubi): Sunday |
| 時 | time, hour | ジ (ji) | とき (toki) | 時間 (jikan): time |
| 分 | minute, part | フン、ブン (fun, bun) | わ- (wa-) | 五分 (gofun): five minutes |
| 半 | half | ハン (han) | なか- (naka-) | 半年 (hannen): half a year |
| 午 | noon | ゴ (go) | – | 午後 (gogo): afternoon |
| 前 | before | ゼン (zen) | まえ (mae) | 午前 (gozen): morning |
| 後 | after | ゴ、コウ (go, kou) | あと (ato) | 午後 (gogo): afternoon |
| 今 | now | コン (kon) | いま (ima) | 今日 (kyou): today |
| Kanji | Meaning | On’yomi | Kun’yomi | Example Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 人 | person | ジン、ニン (jin, nin) | ひと (hito) | 日本人 (nihonjin): Japanese person |
| 男 | man | ダン、ナン (dan, nan) | おとこ (otoko) | 男の子 (otokonoko): boy |
| 女 | woman | ジョ (jo) | おんな (onna) | 女の人 (onnanohito): woman |
| 子 | child | シ、ス (shi, su) | こ (ko) | 子供 (kodomo): child |
| 父 | father | フ (fu) | ちち (chichi) | お父さん (otousan): father |
| 母 | mother | ボ (bo) | はは (haha) | お母さん (okaasan): mother |
| 友 | friend | ユウ (yuu) | とも (tomo) | 友達 (tomodachi): friend |
| Kanji | Meaning | On’yomi | Kun’yomi | Example Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 上 | up, above | ジョウ (jou) | うえ (ue) | 上手 (jouzu): skilled |
| 下 | down, below | カ、ゲ (ka, ge) | した (shita) | 下手 (heta): unskilled |
| 中 | middle, inside | チュウ (chuu) | なか (naka) | 中国 (chuugoku): China |
| 外 | outside | ガイ、ゲ (gai, ge) | そと (soto) | 外国 (gaikoku): foreign country |
| 左 | left | サ (sa) | ひだり (hidari) | 左手 (hidarite): left hand |
| 右 | right | ウ、ユウ (u, yuu) | みぎ (migi) | 右側 (migigawa): right side |
| 北 | north | ホク (hoku) | きた (kita) | 北海道 (hokkaidou): Hokkaido |
| 南 | south | ナン (nan) | みなみ (minami) | 南国 (nangoku): tropical country |
| 東 | east | トウ (tou) | ひがし (higashi) | 東京 (toukyou): Tokyo |
| 西 | west | セイ、サイ (sei, sai) | にし (nishi) | 西日本 (nishinihon): Western Japan |
| Kanji | Meaning | On’yomi | Kun’yomi | Example Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 見 | see | ケン (ken) | み.る (mi.ru) | 見る (miru): to see |
| 聞 | hear, ask | ブン、モン (bun, mon) | き.く (ki.ku) | 聞く (kiku): to hear, to ask |
| 読 | read | ドク、トウ (doku, tou) | よ.む (yo.mu) | 読む (yomu): to read |
| 書 | write | ショ (sho) | か.く (ka.ku) | 書く (kaku): to write |
| 話 | speak | ワ (wa) | はな.す (hana.su) | 話す (hanasu): to speak |
| 食 | eat | ショク、ジキ (shoku, jiki) | た.べる (ta.beru) | 食べる (taberu): to eat |
| 飲 | drink | イン (in) | の.む (no.mu) | 飲む (nomu): to drink |
| 来 | come | ライ (rai) | く.る (ku.ru) | 来る (kuru): to come |
| 行 | go | コウ、ギョウ (kou, gyou) | い.く (i.ku) | 行く (iku): to go |
| 入 | enter | ニュウ (nyuu) | はい.る (hai.ru) | 入る (hairu): to enter |
| 出 | exit | シュツ (shutsu) | で.る (de.ru) | 出る (deru): to exit |
| Kanji | Meaning | On’yomi | Kun’yomi | Example Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 国 | country | コク (koku) | くに (kuni) | 外国 (gaikoku): foreign country |
| 町 | town | チョウ (chou) | まち (machi) | 町内 (chouai): neighborhood |
| 校 | school | コウ (kou) | – | 学校 (gakkou): school |
| 車 | car, vehicle | シャ (sha) | くるま (kuruma) | 電車 (densha): train |
| 駅 | station | エキ (eki) | – | 駅前 (ekimae): in front of the station |
| Kanji | Meaning | On’yomi | Kun’yomi | Example Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 山 | mountain | サン (san) | やま (yama) | 富士山 (fujisan): Mt. Fuji |
| 川 | river | セン (sen) | かわ (kawa) | 川口 (kawaguchi): river mouth |
| 田 | rice field | デン (den) | た (ta) | 田舎 (inaka): countryside |
| 土 | soil, earth | ド、ト (do, to) | つち (tsuchi) | 土曜日 (doyoubi): Saturday |
| 木 | tree, wood | モク、ボク (moku, boku) | き (ki) | 木曜日 (mokuyoubi): Thursday |
| 水 | water | スイ (sui) | みず (mizu) | 水曜日 (suiyoubi): Wednesday |
| 火 | fire | カ (ka) | ひ (hi) | 火曜日 (kayoubi): Tuesday |
| 金 | gold, money | キン、コン (kin, kon) | かね (kane) | 金曜日 (kinyoubi): Friday |
| 天 | heaven, sky | テン (ten) | あめ (ame) | 天気 (tenki): weather |
| 雨 | rain | ウ (u) | あめ (ame) | 雨天 (utten): rainy weather |
| Kanji | Meaning | On’yomi | Kun’yomi | Example Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 大 | big | ダイ、タイ (dai, tai) | おお- (oo-) | 大きい (ookii): big |
| 小 | small | ショウ (shou) | ちい- (chii-) | 小さい (chiisai): small |
| 長 | long | チョウ (chou) | なが- (naga-) | 長い (nagai): long |
| 高 | high, expensive | コウ (kou) | たか- (taka-) | 高い (takai): high, expensive |
| 安 | cheap, safe | アン (an) | やす- (yasu-) | 安い (yasui): cheap |
| 多 | many | タ (ta) | おお- (oo-) | 多い (ooi): many |
| 少 | few | ショウ (shou) | すく- (suku-) | 少ない (sukunai): few |
| 新 | new | シン (shin) | あたら- (atara-) | 新しい (atarashii): new |
| 古 | old | コ (ko) | ふる- (furu-) | 古い (furui): old |
| 白 | white | ハク、ビャク (haku, byaku) | しろ (shiro) | 白い (shiroi): white |
9. Other Kanji
| Kanji | Meaning | On’yomi | Kun’yomi | Example Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 本 | book, origin | ホン (hon) | もと (moto) | 日本 (nihon): Japan |
| 名 | name | メイ、ミョウ (mei, myou) | な (na) | 名前 (namae): name |
| 気 | spirit, mind | キ、ケ (ki, ke) | – | 元気 (genki): healthy, energetic |
| 生 | life, birth | セイ、ショウ (sei, shou) | い- (i-) | 学生 (gakusei): student |
| 先 | before, ahead | セン (sen) | さき (saki) | 先生 (sensei): teacher |
| 何 | what | カ (ka) | なに (nani) | 何か (nanika): something |
| 円 | circle, yen | エン (en) | まる (maru) | 円い (marui): round |
| 電 | electricity | デン (den) | – | 電話 (denwa): telephone |
Tips for Memorizing Kanji
Memorizing kanji can be challenging, but with the right strategies, it becomes more manageable and even enjoyable. Here are some effective tips.
- Use mnemonics: Create vivid mental images or stories that connect the kanji’s shape, meaning, and readings.
- Practice writing regularly: Writing kanji helps reinforce muscle memory and improves recognition.
- Use flashcards: Create flashcards with the kanji on one side and its meanings and readings on the other.
- Learn kanji in context: Study kanji within vocabulary words and sentences to understand their usage better.
- Use spaced repetition: Review kanji at increasing intervals to optimize long-term retention.
- Group similar kanji: Learn kanji with similar radicals or meanings together to create associations.
- Utilize online resources and apps: Many digital tools can make kanji learning more interactive and efficient.
Understanding Kanji Readings
Kanji characters typically have two types of readings: On’yomi and Kun’yomi. Understanding these reading systems is crucial for mastering kanji.
What is On’yomi?
On’yomi (音読み), or “sound reading,” is derived from the Chinese pronunciation of the character. These readings are typically used in compound words where two or more kanji are combined. On’yomi readings are usually written in katakana in dictionaries.
For example:
- 学校 (がっこう, gakkou) – school
- 新聞 (しんぶん, shinbun) – newspaper
What is Kun’yomi?
Kun’yomi (訓読み), or “meaning reading,” is the native Japanese reading of the kanji. These readings are often used when the kanji stands alone or is combined with hiragana. Kun’yomi readings are usually written in hiragana in dictionaries.
For example:
- 食べる (たべる, taberu) – to eat
- 高い (たかい, takai) – high, expensive
Understanding these reading systems will help you pronounce kanji correctly in different contexts and expand your vocabulary more effectively. Remember that some kanji may have multiple On’yomi and Kun’yomi readings, and the appropriate reading often depends on the specific word or context in which the kanji is used.
What to Focus on for JLPT N5 Beyond Kanji
While kanji is an important aspect of JLPT N5, there are several other areas you need to focus on to succeed.
- Vocabulary:
- Learn approximately 800 basic vocabulary words
- Focus on words commonly used in daily life situations
- Use flashcards or vocabulary lists for efficient memorization
- Grammar:
- Master basic particle usage (は、が、を, etc.)
- Learn conjugations of verbs and adjectives in present and past tenses
- Practice forming and understanding simple sentences
- Reading:
- Develop skills to read and understand short, simple texts
- Practice reading hiragana and katakana fluently
- Work on comprehending basic sentences and paragraphs
- Listening:
- Train your ear to understand slow, clear speech in everyday situations
- Practice listening to short conversations and dialogues
- Focus on grasping key information from audio materials
- Hiragana and Katakana:
- Ensure you can read and write both syllabaries accurately and quickly
- Practice reading words written in hiragana and katakana without furigana
- Test-taking Strategies:
- Familiarize yourself with the JLPT N5 test format
- Practice time management for each section of the exam
- Learn techniques for eliminating wrong answers in multiple-choice questions
Remember, while speaking isn’t tested on the JLPT, developing basic conversation skills can enhance your overall language proficiency and make your study more practical and engaging.
See Also: Study Guide for the JLPT N5 Exam
