What Is CEFR A1 Level in Japanese?

2026/05/23

CEFR A1 is the first level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. In Japanese, it marks the point where a complete beginner starts being able to use the language in simple situations. 

This article covers what CEFR is, how to assess your current CEFR level for Japanese language, and what you can concretely do once you reach CEFR A1 in Japanese.

Understanding the Common European Framework Levels

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages was created by the Council of Europe in 2001 as a shared international standard for measuring language proficiency. Rather than testing what you know about a language, CEFR focuses on what you can do with it, through what are called Can-Do statements.

The Common European Framework spans six levels across three groups:

Group	Levels	Profile
Basic User	A1, A2	Beginner
Independent User	B1, B2	Intermediate
Proficient User	C1, C2	Advanced to Mastery

CEFR evaluates all four language skills :  listening, reading, speaking, and writing. This is a meaningful distinction when it comes to Japanese-specific tests, which we’ll address below.

Is CEFR Actually Used for Japanese Language Learning?

Although it was originally designed for European languages, CEFR is now a standard for Japanese language learning. Official Japanese institutions are even integrating it:

• Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs released the Framework of Reference for Japanese Language Education, mirroring the same six-level structure from A1 to C2
  
• The Marugoto textbook series, used worldwide, is structured entirely around CEFR language levels
  
• Since December 2025, the JLPT includes a CEFR reference for Japanese level on official score reports, following a rigorous linking process conducted by international experts

How to Find Out Your CEFR Language Level in Japanese

The most straightforward way to assess your CEFR Japanese  level is to take one of the official Japanese language proficiency tests : 

• JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) :  the most widely recognized exam globally, offered in five levels from N5 (beginner) to N1 (advanced).
  
• JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese) : a computer-based test targeting A1 and A2 levels, primarily designed for foreign nationals seeking to work or live in Japan.
  
• JLCT (Japanese Language Capability Test) : a structured Japanese language test with a direct CEFR correspondence table, from A1 (JCT5) to C1 (JCT1).
  

CEFR Level	JLPT	JFT-Basic	JLCT
A1	N5	✓	JCT5
A2	N4	✓	JCT4
B1	N3	—	JCT3
B2	N2	—	HCT2
C1	N1	—	JCT1
C2	—	—	—

For a full breakdown of how each JLPT score maps to a specific CEFR level for Japanese, see our dedicated article on CEFR and JLPT correspondence.

What Can You Do With CEFR A1 Japanese Proficiency?

The official Council of Europe defines CEFR A1 level as follows:

“Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.” 

In concrete terms, at CEFR A1 in Japanese you can:

Skill	What you can do	Example
Speaking	Introduce yourself and others (name, nationality, age, where you live, occupation)	“はじめまして、マリアです。フランスからきました。としは28さいです。エンジニアです。どうぞよろしく。”
Daily interactions	Greet, thank, apologize, and make simple requests	“おはようございます” “ありがとうございます” “すみません、これをみっつください” “おてあらいはどこですか？”
Reading	Read hiragana, katakana, and simple signs or menus written in kana	Reading “ラーメン 800えん” on a restaurant menu Understanding “いりぐち” (entrance) and “でぐち” (exit) signs at a station Reading “おてあらい” on a door sign
Listening	Follow simple conversations on familiar topics when the speaker talks slowly and clearly	“おなまえは？” “どこからきましたか？” “これはいくらですか？”
Reading comprehension	Extract basic information from short texts, schedules, or forms,  especially with visual support	Reading a train timetable showing “とうきょう 9じ15ふん” Understanding a short message like “あしたは10じにきてください”
Describing	Talk about your immediate environment (people you know, things you have, daily facts)	“わたしのへやにテレビとパソコンがあります”“あにはとうきょうにすんでいます” “まいにちコーヒーをのみます。”

How to Reach the A1 CEFR Level in Japanese

Reaching Japanese CEFR A1 requires a combination of good materials, a structured study plan, and live instruction.

At Nihongo Online School, our CEFR A1 Japanese course develops all four skills simultaneously: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Depending on the student’s goals, the instructor selects the most appropriate CEFR A1 textbook: Marugoto (fully CEFR-oriented textbook) or Minna no Nihongo (widely used in Japanese language schools worldwide).

The program totals 150 hours (50 hours of live lessons with a professional teacher and 100 hours of guided self-study) and covers 25 progressive lessons. Active speaking practice and listening comprehension are at the center of every session, to build Japanese skills usable in daily life.

Example of CEFR A1 Japanese curriculum for beginners

Lesson	Topic	What you’ll be able to do
1	Hiragana & Katakana	Read, write, and pronounce both phonetic scripts
2	Hello	Exchange greetings, give a simple self-introduction
3	What is it?	Ask about things and express ownership
4	Please give me this one	Ask for locations, do basic shopping
5	What time is it?	Talk about schedules, days, and times
6	Do you go to Japan?	Get around using transport
7	Shall we go together?	Make plans, talk about daily routines
8	Excuse me	Ask how to say something in Japanese
9	How are you?	Talk about your daily life
10	I like Japan!	Express likes, dislikes, and preferences

Discover our full article about how many hours it takes to reach each CEFR level in Japanese.