JLPT N5 Kanji List: All 80 Kanji
Every kanji you need for the JLPT N5 exam, most common first. Tap one for its readings and example words, or learn them all free in short lessons with spaced review.
The 80 JLPT N5 Kanji
- 日sun
- 一one
- 国country
- 人person
- 年year
- 大big
- 十ten
- 二two
- 本book
- 中inside
- 長long
- 出go out
- 三three
- 時time
- 行go
- 見see
- 月moon
- 分minute
- 後behind
- 前front
- 生life
- 五five
- 間between
- 上above
- 東east
- 四four
- 今now
- 金gold
- 九nine
- 入enter
- 学study
- 高expensive
- 円circle
- 子child
- 外outside
- 八eight
- 六six
- 下below
- 来come
- 気spirit
- 小small
- 七seven
- 山mountain
- 話speak
- 女woman
- 北north
- 午noon
- 百hundred
- 書write
- 先ahead
- 名name
- 川river
- 千thousand
- 水water
- 半half
- 男man
- 西west
- 電electricity
- 校school
- 語language
- 土earth
- 木tree
- 聞hear
- 食eat
- 車car
- 何what
- 南south
- 万ten thousand
- 毎every
- 白white
- 天heaven
- 母mother
- 火fire
- 右right
- 読read
- 友friend
- 左left
- 休rest
- 父father
- 雨rain
The JLPT hasn't published an official list since 2010, so this is the list most courses and Jisho.org use, and Fuji has a card for every one. Tap any kanji for its readings, stroke order and example words, or see every kanji on Fuji.
Sitting the exam soon? Take a JLPT N5 practice test
About JLPT N5 Kanji
📚 80 Kanji Required
The JLPT N5 exam requires knowledge of 80 essential kanji, plus vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension.
🎯 Beginner Level
N5 is the easiest JLPT level, perfect for beginners who have studied Japanese for 3-6 months.
✅ Official Recognition
Pass the JLPT N5 to earn an official certification recognized worldwide by employers and universities.
What is the JLPT N5?
The JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) is an international standardized test of Japanese language proficiency. It has 5 levels: N1 (hardest) through N5 (easiest).
N5 is the beginner level. Passing the JLPT N5 demonstrates that you can:
- ✓ Read hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji
- ✓ Understand simple daily conversations
- ✓ Recognize 80 essential kanji characters
- ✓ Use basic grammar and sentence patterns
- ✓ Write simple sentences about familiar topics
How to Study JLPT N5 Kanji: 5 Proven Tips
1. Use Spaced Repetition for Retention
Don't try to memorize all 80 kanji at once. Use spaced repetition: review each kanji after 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month. This scientifically proven method locks kanji into long-term memory.
Fuji Learning approach: Quiz the same kanji cards repeatedly with increasing intervals until you master each one.
2. Learn Radicals First (The Building Blocks)
Most JLPT N5 kanji are built from common radicals. Learn the 50-60 most frequent radicals first, and you'll recognize patterns in dozens of kanji immediately.
Fuji Learning approach: Start with the "Nature's Poetry" and other radical-focused sets to build your foundation.
3. Study Kanji in Context (Don't Isolate)
Learning a kanji's meaning, on-yomi reading, kun-yomi reading, and common compounds is crucial. Don't just memorize the shape; understand how it's used in actual Japanese.
Fuji Learning approach: Each kanji card includes readings, meanings, etymology, and example words.
4. Practice Writing & Recognition Together
The JLPT N5 tests both recognition (reading) and limited production (writing). Practice both: read kanji quickly and write them when prompted.
Fuji Learning approach: Quiz formats test both recognition and recall.
5. Simulate the Real Exam
As you approach your exam date, take timed full-length practice tests under exam conditions. This builds speed and confidence.
Fuji Learning approach: Use our quiz feature as practice tests and track your accuracy.
Start Studying JLPT N5 Kanji Today
Ready to pass the JLPT N5? Use Fuji Learning to study the complete 80-kanji list with interactive quizzes and gamified learning:
- 1.Pick the JLPT N5 Essentials: Choose a pack focused on N5 kanji
- 2.Take Interactive Quizzes: Test your knowledge with immediate feedback
- 3.Build Your Jisho (Dictionary): Collect mastered kanji cards
- 4.Track Progress & Level Up: Earn XP and unlock achievements
Ready for the Next Level?
Once you've mastered the N5 kanji, level up to JLPT N4 with 166 additional kanji and more complex vocabulary. Progress from beginner to elementary Japanese!
Explore JLPT N4 Kanji →Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does it take to learn JLPT N5 kanji?
Most people can master the 80 JLPT N5 kanji in 3-6 months of consistent study (30 minutes daily). With Fuji Learning's gamified approach and spaced repetition, many learners do it faster.
Is JLPT N5 kanji enough to read Japanese?
JLPT N5 kanji gives you a foundation for reading. You'll recognize many kanji in newspapers, books, and websites, but you'll need N4+ kanji for full reading comprehension. Most conversational Japanese requires N4-N3 level.
Can I study kanji without learning hiragana and katakana first?
We recommend learning hiragana and katakana first (takes 2-4 weeks). Once you know the alphabets, you can confidently learn kanji and readings.
What's the difference between on-yomi and kun-yomi?
On-yomi (音読み) is the Chinese-derived reading. Kun-yomi (訓読み) is the native Japanese reading. Most JLPT N5 kanji have both. Learning both readings helps you recognize kanji in context.