Welcome to the JLPT N5 guide for aspiring Japanese learners whose primary goal is to pass the JLPT N5 exam in record time. This guide helps you achieve success by focusing solely on the essentials required to conquer the N5 level in just 30 days However, there’s a crucial commitment needed on your part: prepare to dedicate 4-5 hours daily to studying Japanese. With the right focus and resources, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish in just one month.
Important Notes:- N5 Guide:
This guide is specifically tailored for fast-paced learning aimed at passing the JLPT N5. If you’re aiming for a more relaxed or comprehensive study experience, we recommend following our General Japanese Learning Guide instead.
- Prerequisite Knowledge:
This guide assumes that you already have a foundational understanding of Hiragana and Katakana (Japan’s basic phonetic alphabets) and some very basic knowledge of Japanese. Why is this prerequisite so important? Quite simply, if you’re a complete beginner, mastering Hiragana and Katakana alone could take up to two weeks, which would cut into the time needed to prepare for the full N5 exam within 30 days. In order to optimize this one-month timeline, it's essential that you have these building blocks firmly in place.
*If you still need to learn Hiragana and Katakana, please visit our dedicated page to start your Kana journey.
To pass the JLPT N5 exam, your key targets are clear:
- 800 Vocabulary Words
- 80 Kanji Characters
- Basic Grammar Knowledge
At first glance, this may seem like an overwhelming task, but rest assured, with the right strategies and resources, it’s entirely achievable—even in just one month. Traditional study methods might take longer, so instead, we’ll use efficient tools and techniques to fast-track your learning.
Study Approach: How Will We Tackle This?
One of the most effective ways to master Japanese quickly is through Immersion. This means integrating Japanese into your daily life by consuming as much Japanese content as possible, whether it’s anime, podcasts, manga, or novels. By “living” the language, you’ll naturally improve your comprehension and recall.
Step 1: Get Started with Anki
Download Anki, a powerful flashcard tool that uses a Spaced Repetition System (SRS) to help you retain what you learn. SRS ensures that words and concepts stay fresh in your memory, making it a key tool for accelerated learning. Anki isn’t just any flashcard app—it’s a game-changer for fast-tracking language acquisition. Check out the setup guide on Anki to optimize your experience and learn the key settings you’ll need for this journey.
Decks to Use:Download the “JLPT Tango N5” and “Pass JLPT N5 Kanji” decks. These decks are tailored for N5 prep, focusing on vocabulary and kanji, and even include audio to enhance your listening skills.
Why These Decks?Passing the JLPT N5 involves three main sections: Vocabulary, Grammar, and Listening. The Tango N5 deck includes audio prompts to help you Learn Vocabulary and build listening comprehension—one of the most overlooked but essential parts of the exam. The kanji deck provides targeted practice with kanji characters, so you can tackle the Vocabulary section with confidence.
Key Anki Tips:- Use only two buttons in Anki: “Again” if you can’t recall the card correctly and “Good” if you can.
- Set your daily review goals: 30 cards for Tango N5 and 5 cards for the Kanji deck. Consistency is crucial to covering all required material within the 30-day timeframe.
Step 2: Immerse Yourself in Japanese Content
Immersion will accelerate your learning by reinforcing vocabulary, kanji, and sentence patterns in real-life contexts.
Here’s how to make the most of it:Watch Anime, Manga, or Novels: For Japanese content, use sites like animelon.com for streaming anime or click here for reading manga and novels.
Listen to Japanese Podcasts: Podcasts are a powerful passive immersion tool. While you’re taking breaks or doing chores, play a Japanese podcast in the background to familiarize yourself with native speech.
For daily use, download Akibi (an offline Japanese dictionary app) on your phone, or use jisho.org on your computer for quick reference
30-Day Study Plan: Make Every Hour Count
Daily Goal: Dedicate a minimum of 4 hours each day to Japanese. Here’s a suggested daily routine to maximize efficiency:
Early Start: Start your day at 5 or 6 AM. This quiet morning period is ideal for reviewing your Anki cards, taking around 45 minutes to an hour. On the first day, you’ll start with 30 new vocabulary words.
Daily Grammar Practice: Once you finish Anki, dive into grammar practice. For beginners, I recommend the “ToKini Andy” Genki playlist on YouTube, covering one lesson per day.
Japanese Podcasts for Passive Listening: During breaks or daily activities, keep listening to Japanese podcasts. This passive immersion builds comprehension skills and reinforces the vocabulary you’ve learned.
After the First 10 Days:By this point, you’ll have built up a strong foundation in vocabulary and kanji. Now it’s time to add exam-focused practice:
Practice JLPT N5 Level Questions: Access JLPT mock exams on YukiQuiz or download previous year’s questions (PYQs) to practice in a test-like setting. Consistent daily practice will sharpen your exam skills and increase your confidence.
Review and Refine: Continue daily immersion with reading and listening, allowing your brain to make connections between your vocabulary knowledge and real-world Japanese usage.
By following this guide, you’ll confidently master over 900 vocabulary words, 100+ kanji characters, and essential grammar points, as well as fine-tune your listening skills for exam day.
Best of luck on your journey to passing the JLPT N5!