JLPT N5 grammar list — every N5 pattern explained.
Foundations — your first JLPT grammar.
JLPT N5 is the entry level of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test. N5 grammar covers the essential patterns you need to form polite sentences, ask questions, talk about likes and dislikes, describe locations, and handle simple daily conversations. Most learners reach N5 within a few months of consistent study.
Topics covered at JLPT N5:
- core particles (は, が, を, に, で, へ, と, も, から, まで)
- です・ます polite forms
- い-adjectives and な-adjectives
- basic verb conjugations (present, past, negative, te-form)
- questions, suggestions, and invitations
- expressing want, desire, and ability
All JLPT N5 grammar lessons
ちゃいけない・じゃいけない: must not do
Learn how to use ちゃいけない・じゃいけない, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning must not do, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
だ・です: to be in Japanese
Learn how to use だ・です, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning to be in Japanese, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
だけ: only or just
Learn how to use だけ, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning only or just, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
だろう: probably or right?
Learn how to use だろう, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning probably or right?, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
で: at; by
Learn how to use で, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning at; by, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
でも: but or even
Learn how to use でも, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning but or even, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
でしょう: probably or right
Learn how to use でしょう, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning probably or right, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
どんな: what kind of
Learn how to use どんな, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning what kind of, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
どうして: why or how come
Learn how to use どうして, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning why or how come, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
どうやって: how to do something
Learn how to use どうやって, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning how to do something, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
があります: there is or have
Learn how to use があります, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning there is or have, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
がほしい: want something
Learn how to use がほしい, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning want something, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
がいます: there is someone
Learn how to use がいます, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning there is someone, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
が: subject marker
Learn how to use が, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning subject marker, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
ほうがいい: had better or should
Learn how to use ほうがいい, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning had better or should, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
い-adjectives: Japanese i-adjectives explained
Learn how to use い-adjectives, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning Japanese i-adjectives explained, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
一番（いちばん）: the most or number one
Learn how to use 一番（いちばん）, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning the most or number one, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
一緒に（いっしょに）: together with
Learn how to use 一緒に（いっしょに）, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning together with, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
いつも: always or usually
Learn how to use いつも, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning always or usually, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
じゃない・ではない: to not be
Learn how to use じゃない・ではない, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning to not be, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
か～か: or
Learn how to use か～か, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning or, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
か: question particle
Learn how to use か, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning question particle, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
から: because; since
Learn how to use から, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning because; since, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
方（かた）: the way of doing something
Learn how to use 方（かた）, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning the way of doing something, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
けど: but or although
Learn how to use けど, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning but or although, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
けれども: but or although
Learn how to use けれども, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning but or although, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
まだ: still or not yet
Learn how to use まだ, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning still or not yet, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
まだ～ていません: have not yet
Learn how to use まだ～ていません, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning have not yet, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
まで: until or as far as
Learn how to use まで, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning until or as far as, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
前に（まえに）: before or in front of
Learn how to use 前に（まえに）, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning before or in front of, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
ませんか: would you or shall we
Learn how to use ませんか, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning would you or shall we, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
ましょう: let’s or shall we
Learn how to use ましょう, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning let’s or shall we, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
ましょうか: shall I
Learn how to use ましょうか, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning shall I, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
も: too or also
Learn how to use も, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning too or also, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
もう: already or anymore
Learn how to use もう, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning already or anymore, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
な-adjectives: Japanese na-adjectives explained
Learn how to use な-adjectives, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning Japanese na-adjectives explained, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
なあ: sentence ending particle
Learn how to use なあ, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning sentence ending particle, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
ないで: without doing
Learn how to use ないで, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning without doing, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
ないでください: please don’t do
Learn how to use ないでください, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning please don’t do, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
ないといけない: must do
Learn how to use ないといけない, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning must do, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
なくてもいい: don't have to
Learn how to use なくてもいい, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning don't have to, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
なくちゃ: must do; gotta do
Learn how to use なくちゃ, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning must do; gotta do, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
なくてはいけない: must do; need to do
Learn how to use なくてはいけない, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning must do; need to do, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
なくてはならない: must do; have to do
Learn how to use なくてはならない, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning must do; have to do, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
なる: to become
Learn how to use なる, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning to become, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
んです: to explain or emphasize
Learn how to use んです, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning to explain or emphasize, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
ね: isn't it; right
Learn how to use ね, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning isn't it; right, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
に/へ: to; toward
Learn how to use に/へ, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning to; toward, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
に行く: go to do
Learn how to use に行く, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning go to do, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
に: destination; time
Learn how to use に, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning destination; time, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
にする: to decide on
Learn how to use にする, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning to decide on, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
のです: to explain or emphasize
Learn how to use のです, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning to explain or emphasize, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
のが下手: to be bad at doing something
Learn how to use のが下手, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning to be bad at doing something, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
のが上手: to be good at doing something
Learn how to use のが上手, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning to be good at doing something, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
のが好き: to like doing something
Learn how to use のが好き, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning to like doing something, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
の中で[A]が一番: out of this group; A is the best
Learn how to use の中で[A]が一番, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning out of this group; A is the best, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
の: possessive particle
Learn how to use の, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning possessive particle, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
ので: because; since
Learn how to use ので, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning because; since, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
お / ご: polite or honorific prefix
Learn how to use お / ご, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning polite or honorific prefix, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
をください: please give me
Learn how to use をください, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning please give me, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
を: object marker particle
Learn how to use を, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning object marker particle, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
しかし: but; however
Learn how to use しかし, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning but; however, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
それから: and then; after that
Learn how to use それから, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning and then; after that, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
そして: and; and then
Learn how to use そして, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning and; and then, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
すぎる: too much
Learn how to use すぎる, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning too much, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
たことがある: have done something before
Learn how to use たことがある, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning have done something before, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
たい: want to do
Learn how to use たい, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning want to do, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
たり〜たり: do such things as A and B
Learn how to use たり〜たり, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning do such things as A and B, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
てある: has been done; resulting state
Learn how to use てある, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning has been done; resulting state, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
ている: ongoing action or current state
Learn how to use ている, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning ongoing action or current state, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
てから: after doing
Learn how to use てから, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning after doing, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
てください: please do
Learn how to use てください, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning please do, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
てはいけない: must not; may not
Learn how to use てはいけない, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning must not; may not, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
てもいいです: it is OK to; may I
Learn how to use てもいいです, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning it is OK to; may I, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
と: and; with
Learn how to use と, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning and; with, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
とき: when; at the time
Learn how to use とき, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning when; at the time, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
とても: very; extremely
Learn how to use とても, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning very; extremely, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
つもり: plan to; intend to
Learn how to use つもり, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning plan to; intend to, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
はどうですか: how about; how is
Learn how to use はどうですか, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning how about; how is, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
は vs が: the beginner-friendly difference
Learn how to use は vs が, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning the beginner-friendly difference, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
は: topic marker
Learn how to use は, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning topic marker, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
は〜より・・・です: is more than
Learn how to use は〜より・・・です, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning is more than, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
や: and; or
Learn how to use や, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning and; or, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
よ: you know; emphasis
Learn how to use よ, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning you know; emphasis, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
より～ほうが: more than
Learn how to use より～ほうが, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning more than, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
FAQ about JLPT N5 grammar
What grammar points are on the JLPT N5?
JLPT N5 covers core particles (は, が, を, に, で, へ, と, も, から, まで), です・ます polite forms, い-adjectives and な-adjectives, and other patterns. Kanjiru's N5 grammar archive currently has 85 lessons explaining each pattern with structure, meaning, example sentences, nuance, common mistakes, and comparisons to similar grammar.
How long does it take to learn JLPT N5 grammar?
Most learners spend a few months on JLPT N5 grammar with daily review. Using short practice sessions — like the games in the Kanjiru iOS app — speeds up recall because grammar gets mixed with kanji, vocabulary, and reading practice instead of being studied in isolation.
Where should I start with JLPT N5 grammar?
Start with the most common patterns in the list below — particles, です・ます forms, basic verb endings, and i-adjective/na-adjective conjugations. Each lesson is short and focused, and Kanjiru's practice games help you actually use what you read.
Practice JLPT N5 grammar with Kanjiru
The Kanjiru iOS app turns kanji, kana, vocabulary, grammar, and reading into short practice rounds. Pair the lessons above with quick games to make N5 patterns stick.