JLPT Vocabulary Lists
Free vocabulary lists for all five JLPT levels, covering more than 10,000 Japanese words from N5 up to N1. Every word comes with readings, meanings, and examples, and each level has a breakdown of what it covers and how to study it.
What is the JLPT?
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, or JLPT, is the standard certification for non-native Japanese ability. It is run by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services, and it is the qualification most schools, universities, and employers recognise. There are five levels. N5 is the entry point and N1 is the most advanced, with N4, N3, and N2 in between.
How the test works
The JLPT runs twice a year, in July and December, at test sites in Japan and around the world. Every level is multiple choice, with no speaking or writing section, which surprises a lot of people the first time. You are tested in three areas: language knowledge, which covers vocabulary and grammar, then reading, then listening. To pass you need both a total above the threshold and a minimum score in each section, so being strong in one area will not make up for a weak one. Vocabulary runs through all three, which is why it is the part worth building first.
Vocabulary and kanji by level
| Level | New words | Cumulative | Kanji |
|---|---|---|---|
| N5 | ~800 | ~800 | ~100 |
| N4 | ~700 | ~1,500 | ~300 |
| N3 | ~2,200 | ~3,700 | ~650 |
| N2 | ~2,300 | ~6,000 | ~1,000 |
| N1 | ~4,000 | ~10,000+ | ~2,000 |
These are approximate. The JLPT has not published official word lists since 2010, so counts vary a little between sources.
Which level should you start with?
If you are new to Japanese, start at N5. If you already know some, the easiest way to place yourself is by what you can read. If you can handle a few hundred kanji and everyday conversation, N3 is probably your level, and it is the most common first exam people actually sit. If you can get through news and novels with only the occasional dictionary check, you are closer to N2. For what it is worth, most people aiming to work in Japan study toward N2, while university and research usually call for N1.
Frequently asked questions
How many words are on the JLPT in total?
Cumulatively, passing N1 means knowing something on the order of 10,000 words and around 2,000 kanji. Each level adds a chunk on top of the last, from roughly 800 words at N5 up to several thousand more by N1.
Which JLPT level should I start with?
If you are new to Japanese, start at N5. If you already read some kanji and can handle everyday conversation, N3 is usually the right level to aim at, and it is the most common first exam people actually sit.
How is the JLPT scored?
Every level is multiple choice and split into sections for language knowledge, reading, and listening. You need both a total above the pass mark and a minimum in each section, so you cannot pass by being strong in one area and weak in another.
Is there a speaking or writing section?
No. The JLPT tests reading and listening only. There is no spoken interview and nothing you have to handwrite, which surprises a lot of first-time test takers.
How often is the JLPT held?
Twice a year, in early July and early December, although some countries only offer one of the two sittings. Registration opens a few months ahead and tends to close early.