JAPANESE LANGUAGE

ROADMAP TO LEARN JAPANESE LANGUAGE

JLPT N5

🧭 What You Learn in JLPT N5 (Beginner Level)

JLPT N5 = Foundation Level
This level proves that you can understand some basic Japanese, especially when it’s slow, clear, and simple. It’s like unlocking the ABC’s of Japanese life and conversation — small steps, big confidence!

📚 1. Vocabulary – Around 800–1,000 Words

At N5, you’ll learn everyday vocabulary used in:

• Self-introduction (your name, age, nationality, hobbies)

• Family and friends (mother, father, siblings, etc.)

• Numbers, days, time (how to say the date, tell time, count)

• Basic daily routines (eat, sleep, go, come, do)

• Locations and places (school, home, station, park)

• Weather and nature (sunny, rainy, hot, cold, tree, mountain)

• Common objects (pen, book, phone, bag)

• Basic adjectives (big, small, hot, cold, pretty, expensive)

• Polite expressions (hello, thank you, sorry, excuse me)

This gives you just enough words to get by in Japan, ask simple questions, and start understanding things around you.

🧱 2. Grammar – Essential Patterns

N5 introduces the core grammar patterns that Japanese is built on. You’ll learn how to:

• Form simple sentences (I am a student. This is a book.)

• Use the "desu" and "masu" forms (polite form of speaking)

• Make yes/no and WH- questions (What is that? Where is the toilet?)

• Talk about time, days, and frequency (every day, sometimes, never)

• Use particles like:

  • wa (topic marker),

  • ga (subject marker),

  • o (object marker),

  • ni, de, e (time/place/direction)

• Connect adjectives and nouns (This book is interesting. That car is fast.)

• Make negatives and past tense (I didn’t eat. I went to school.)

• Give basic commands and invitations (Let’s go! Please wait.)

It’s like learning how to build Lego sentences — solid and simple!

🈷️ 3. Kanji – Around 100 Characters

You’ll learn the most essential Kanji, including:

• Numbers (1 to 10, 100, 1000)

• Days and months

• Basic nature words (sun, moon, water, tree)

• Common verbs and nouns (go, see, eat, mouth, hand)

• Everyday items and places (book, school, mountain, river)

You’ll also master Hiragana and Katakana, the two basic scripts.

Reading menus, signs, or a child’s book becomes totally possible!

👂 4. Listening – Everyday Language

You’ll be able to understand:

• Slow and clear sentences from native speakers

• People introducing themselves

• Short conversations about school, food, hobbies, or weather

• Basic questions and answers (Where are you going? What time is it?)

• Simple instructions (Please come in. Sit here.)

You’ll train your ears for daily life in Japan — just the basics, but a powerful start.

🗣️ 5. Speaking – Simple and Polite

You’ll practice speaking in situations like:

• Saying hello, goodbye, thank you

• Introducing yourself and asking for someone’s name

• Ordering food or buying something at a shop

• Asking and answering simple questions (What is this? Where is the station?)

• Talking about your likes, dislikes, and daily routine

You won’t be fluent yet, but you’ll be able to survive and smile through basic conversations.

📖 6. Reading – Easy Sentences

You’ll learn to read:

• Short, polite sentences using Hiragana, Katakana, and basic Kanji

• Notices, signs, and labels

• Simple menus, schedules, or descriptions

• Easy emails, texts, or school announcements

The reading won’t be fast, but it will feel exciting and real.

✍️ 7. Writing – The Basics

You’ll be able to write:

• Your name and self-introduction

• Short diary entries or messages

• Sentences about what you do, like, and feel

• Proper use of Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji

Writing is slower at this stage, but it’s all about practice and clarity.

🌍 8. Real-Life Skills – What You Can Do

By the end of N5, you can:

• Introduce yourself in Japanese

• Ask and answer simple everyday questions

• Read signs and menus with basic Kanji

• Talk about time, place, people, food, and plans

• Get around as a tourist or beginner in Japan

• Join a beginner-level Japanese class or language exchange

🎯 Why JLPT N5 Matters

• It’s the first step in mastering Japanese

• Builds your confidence

• Gets you used to Japanese sentence structure

• Helps you understand how the language “thinks”

• Prepares you for N4, where things get much richer

JLPT N4

🧭 What You Learn in JLPT N4 (Upper Beginner / Pre-Intermediate)

JLPT N4 = Functioning in Simple Japanese
This level shows that you can understand basic Japanese conversations, instructions, and writings, especially around daily life and common situations.

You're no longer just learning words — you're learning how to use them together in real, meaningful ways.

📚 1. Vocabulary – Around 1,500 Words

You expand your vocabulary from N5 to include:

• Daily life expressions: hospital, bank, bus stop, salary, etc.

• Feelings and emotions: happy, sad, angry, tired, worried

• School and work life: class, homework, meeting, manager

• More verbs and adjectives: arrive, wear, think, explain, important, convenient

• Daily actions: clean, fix, call, help, choose

• Basic directions and locations: in front, behind, next to, across, intersection

• Seasons and activities: autumn, festival, holiday, travel, fireworks

• Simple adverbs: usually, often, already, still, just now, slowly, suddenly

You start using words to talk about your world in a deeper way.

🧱 2. Grammar – Making More Complex Sentences

At N4, grammar gets more expressive and allows you to:

• Combine multiple ideas in one sentence
  (e.g. “I want to go shopping, but I have no money.”)

• Talk about hopes, intentions, and possibilities
  (e.g. “I want to become a teacher.” / “I think it will rain.”)

• Use casual speech alongside polite forms

• Talk about what happened before or after something else
  (e.g. “After I eat, I study.” / “Before sleeping, I read.”)

• Use must, can, should, may, must not

• Use grammar for inviting, requesting, suggesting

• Use common patterns like:

  • 〜たり〜たりする (doing things like A and B)

  • 〜たほうがいい (you’d better…)

  • 〜すぎる (too much)

  • 〜なければならない (must)

  • 〜かもしれない (might)

  • 〜と思う (I think...)

  • 〜から・ので (because...)

You're building real conversation power — expressing reasons, giving advice, showing preference, and more.

🈷️ 3. Kanji – Around 300 Characters

You’ll know around 300 basic Kanji, including:

• More verbs and nouns: walk, run, write, sell, drink, learn

• Time and quantity words: week, minute, year, how many, enough

• Places and transport: train station, airport, hospital, store

• Simple adjectives: hot, cold, long, short, near, far

• Useful combinations: telephone, student, teacher, homework, entrance

Now you can read menus, instructions, and short stories with ease.

👂 4. Listening – Everyday Conversations

At N4, you can follow:

• Slower natural speech in conversations

• Common social exchanges at restaurants, stores, schools

• People talking about their plans, feelings, and preferences

• Instructions for tasks or directions

• Short announcements or classroom conversations

Your listening gets more responsive and interactive, not just passive.

🗣️ 5. Speaking – Day-to-Day Flow

You can now handle:

• Basic phone conversations

• Telling stories about your day or past events

• Asking for help or information politely

• Making suggestions and expressing preferences

• Talking about your routine, hobbies, weekend plans, and more

• Explaining problems: “I lost my wallet.” / “I’m not feeling well.”

• Using polite or casual tone depending on who you’re talking to

You’re becoming more independent and expressive in conversation!

📖 6. Reading – Short Paragraphs and Dialogue

You’ll be able to read:

• Simple narratives and stories

• Notes, schedules, announcements

• Emails or messages from friends or teachers

• Dialogues from manga or textbooks

• Simple instructions or advertisements

You’re developing real reading flow — no longer decoding word by word.

✍️ 7. Writing – Expressing Yourself Simply

At N4, you can:

• Write short paragraphs about your experiences or thoughts

• Send basic messages and emails

• Write descriptions, explanations, or requests

• Use correct grammar and Kanji in context

You’re now writing with clarity, structure, and real purpose.

🌍 8. Real-Life Skills – What You Can Do

By the end of N4, you can:

• Navigate a simple conversation in Japanese with confidence

• Communicate at school, work, or in daily errands

• Read short articles, signs, and social media posts

• Travel in Japan with ease: ask directions, order food, buy tickets

• Handle basic daily life in Japanese society as a beginner resident or student

🎯 Why JLPT N4 Is a Big Deal

• It proves you’re past the beginner stage

• You’re using Japanese to communicate, not just study

• You can now learn from Japanese content (manga, songs, simple shows)

• It prepares you for N3, where Japanese becomes more natural and complex

JLPT N3

🇯🇵 JLPT N3 – The Bridge to Real Japanese Fluency 🏯

N3 is the halfway point in your Japanese journey — where things go from “I understand some stuff” to “I can survive and even thrive in everyday Japanese!”
You're no longer just learning textbook Japanese — you’re stepping into the language people actually use.

🧠 What You’ll Learn at JLPT N3

📚 Vocabulary – ~3,500 Words

You’ll expand your word bank to include:

• Work, school, travel, and health

• Emotions and abstract terms (hope, worry, responsibility)

• More verbs, adjectives, and expressions used in daily life and media

• Words from public signs, announcements, blog posts, and manga

🧱 Grammar – Real-World Sentence Power

Now you're forming sentences that sound natural and nuanced:

• Expressing intentions, requests, guesses, and contrasts

• Using conditionals (if/then), comparisons, and polite variations

• Understanding and using particles and auxiliary verbs with ease

• You’ll speak and write more like a native, less like a phrasebook

🈷️ Kanji – 650–700 Characters

At this level, you’ll recognize:

• Kanji from transportation, menus, daily instructions

• Compound Kanji words (like "hospital", "company", "homework")

• Enough to read manga, short blogs, signs, and basic articles

👂 Listening – Everyday Conversations

You’ll understand:

• Regular-speed conversations between native speakers

• Public announcements and basic workplace or school dialogues

• Main points of short interviews, news, and drama clips

🗣️ Speaking – Confident Interaction

You’ll be able to:

• Talk about your past, present, and future

• Express thoughts, opinions, and feelings

• Ask for and give advice, directions, and suggestions

• Participate in everyday conversations naturally

📖 Reading – Beyond Beginner Texts

You’ll comfortably read:

• Short essays, descriptions, blog posts

• Instructions, flyers, and basic narrative texts

• Manga and light novels with some support

✍️ Writing – Clear and Polite

You’ll write:

• Personal experiences and opinions

• Basic formal messages (like emails or requests)

• Daily-life writing — diary entries, summaries, thank-you messages

🌟 What JLPT N3 Can Help You Do

• Travel in Japan independently

• Handle real-life conversations and casual chats

• Enjoy Japanese content (anime, vlogs, manga) with less reliance on subtitles

• Work part-time in Japan or study short-term

• Feel confident to level up to JLPT N2, where fluency begins

JLPT N2

🇯🇵 JLPT N2 – Deep Dive into the Upper-Intermediate Level of Japanese

N2 is considered an advanced level, and it’s widely accepted in professional and academic settings. Many Japanese universities and companies recognize N2 as the minimum requirement for foreign students and workers.

At this stage, you’re expected to:

• Understand natural, fast-paced spoken Japanese

• Read newspapers, essays, and formal documents

• Express thoughts with clarity, structure, and nuance

• Discuss abstract topics and understand indirect meaning

📚 1. Vocabulary – 6,000+ Words

N2 will expand your vocabulary bank to a more professional and academic level. You’ll learn:

• Vocabulary used in news reports, research, and formal articles

• Terms related to social issues, business, culture, and technology

• Complex emotional and descriptive words (e.g., anxiety, efficiency, reputation)

• Multiple ways to express a similar idea with varying tone and nuance

• Idiomatic expressions and set phrases used by native speakers

This is when you start understanding not just what is said, but how it’s being said — which tone, intent, and context.

🧱 2. Grammar – Structure and Subtlety

N2 grammar makes your Japanese sound much more native and refined. It includes:

a. Advanced Expressions of Reason & Result

• Phrases like: “Given that…”, “Considering that…”, “That being the case…”

b. Nuanced Conditionals and Hypotheticals

• Dealing with “What if?”, “Even if…”, “Had I known…”

c. Formal and Bookish Patterns

• Used in reports, instructions, and academic texts

d. Cause-Effect with Tone

• Conveying responsibility, criticism, admiration, and more through phrasing

e. Passive, Causative, and Honorific Usage

• Using passive forms naturally in longer sentences

• Switching between humble and honorific forms based on the speaker/listener relationship

You’ll learn to say the same idea in different ways, depending on who you're talking to — adding depth and flexibility to your speech and writing.

🈷️ 3. Kanji – 1,000+ Characters

By N2, you’ll be familiar with:

• Most Kanji used in daily newspapers, signage, forms, and formal documents

• Complex Kanji compounds found in academic texts, business writing, and technical material

• Characters with multiple meanings and readings, based on context

• Kanji from older Japanese expressions and proverbs

You’ll not only recognize Kanji, but also start to predict meanings of unfamiliar compound words based on the characters they contain.

👂 4. Listening – Fast, Natural, and Varied

At N2, you’ll be able to understand spoken Japanese in a wide variety of situations:

• TV news, radio shows, and presentations

• Conversations that include slang, idioms, and implied meaning

• Instructions and opinions delivered with speed, emotion, or subtle tone

• Discussions involving more than two people — picking up changes in topic and perspective

This level strengthens your ability to grasp the speaker’s intent, attitude, and relationship dynamics through tone and phrasing.

🗣️ 5. Speaking – Confident and Versatile

You’ll now be able to:

• Give presentations or describe situations in detail

• Join discussions on social issues, hobbies, or opinions

• Adapt your tone for formal interviews, customer interactions, or debates

• Use rhetorical questions, sarcasm, and humor in conversation

• Rephrase ideas if someone doesn’t understand — a huge marker of fluency!

People will see you as someone who can not only speak Japanese, but speak it naturally, clearly, and appropriately.

📖 6. Reading – Long Texts and Abstract Content

N2 reading introduces you to the real world of native materials:

• Newspapers and magazine articles

• Editorials and opinion essays

• Formal reports, letters, or academic summaries

• Instructions, contracts, and manuals

You’ll understand topic shifts, tone of voice, author’s opinion, and the overall flow of logic in a piece of writing.

✍️ 7. Writing – Structured and Polished

By N2, your writing can handle:

• Formal emails, requests, and apologies

• Opinion essays on complex topics

• Reports or journal entries with solid paragraph structure

• Use of linking phrases, formal transitions, and grammatical accuracy

This is where your writing becomes professional, appropriate, and expressive.

🌍 8. What You Can Do with JLPT N2

With N2 under your belt, you can:

✅ Work in Japan in non-technical or general roles
✅ Apply to Japanese universities or graduate schools
✅ Join study abroad programs or exchange programs
✅ Fully enjoy Japanese TV shows, interviews, and news
✅ Read and understand most magazines, websites, blogs, and newspapers
✅ Hold your own in deep conversations with native speakers

🎯 Why JLPT N2 Matters

• It proves you’re capable of handling real-life, unfiltered Japanese

• It's often required for work visas, school admissions, and professional jobs

• It prepares you for JLPT N1, the final and most advanced level

• It unlocks deep cultural understanding — jokes, references, proverbs, and more

JLPT N1

🇯🇵 JLPT N1 – Complete Guide to the Advanced Mastery Level of Japanese

🧠 1. What Is JLPT N1?

N1 is the highest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. It proves that you can:

• Understand complex Japanese in practically all settings

• Read and comprehend academic, legal, or technical texts

• Keep up with native-speed conversations, including subtle tones and emotions

• Use the language professionally, persuasively, and confidently

In short: if you pass N1, you can live, work, study, or create in Japanese nearly as well as a native speaker.

📚 2. Vocabulary – 10,000+ Words

At N1, your vocabulary includes:

• Terms used in academic papers, legal documents, and media editorials

• Vocabulary related to politics, economy, law, science, and philosophy

• Rare synonyms, proverbs, idiomatic expressions, and figurative language

• Expressions of subtle emotion, sarcasm, irony, and nuance

• Regional or culturally specific vocabulary

You’ll recognize how different words can alter tone, register, or implication — a key aspect of native fluency.

🧱 3. Grammar – Native-Level Flexibility and Precision

N1 grammar is where everything becomes refined, advanced, and layered.

You’ll master:

a. Highly Formal Constructions

• Used in news, business writing, academic reports, and government speech

b. Subtle Grammar for Nuance

• Grammar that shows emphasis, indirectness, formality, or bias

• Phrases like “not only... but also...”, “it is not that... but rather...”, “as if...”

c. Passive and Honorifics at a High Level

• Full mastery of humble and respectful forms, used in real-world service and business situations

d. Grammar with Multiple Interpretations

• Learning to understand which nuance is intended based on context, tone, and audience

You won’t just know grammar rules — you’ll know when, how, and why to use them appropriately.

🈷️ 4. Kanji – 2,000+ Characters

You’ll be expected to know nearly all the Jōyō Kanji — the full set used in:

• Newspapers, magazines, official documents, and university texts

• Advanced compound words used in science, politics, philosophy, and literature

• Words where pronunciation and meaning change dramatically depending on context

Your Kanji skills now include:

• Understanding Kanji with multiple meanings or readings

• Reading without furigana support

• Being able to guess meanings of new compound words

👂 5. Listening – Natural, Fast, and High-Level Content

N1 listening tests your ability to understand:

• Fast, multi-speaker conversations with varying tones and viewpoints

• Lectures, debates, announcements, and abstract discussions

• Conversations with sarcasm, indirectness, cultural references

• Emotionally charged or subtle exchanges where meaning is implied

You’ll be expected to:

• Follow long passages without getting lost

• Understand the purpose, attitude, and perspective of each speaker

• Catch logical flow, contradictions, and argument structures

🗣️ 6. Speaking – Near-Native Expression

While the JLPT doesn’t directly test speaking, if you're N1-ready, you should be able to:

• Speak about complex ideas — from politics to psychology

• Explain your thoughts in organized, fluent paragraphs

• Use the right level of formality for each situation

• Handle negotiations, interviews, or public speaking

• Use humor, irony, or persuasive techniques effectively

Native speakers may not even realize Japanese isn’t your first language in many situations.

📖 7. Reading – Full Fluency in Written Japanese

By N1, you can read and understand:

• Editorials, essays, and literary works

• University-level textbooks and reports

• Government documents, regulations, or technical manuals

• Long-form fiction and nonfiction with abstract or layered meaning

You’ll be expected to:

• Understand overall themes, author's tone, and point of view

• Identify implications, nuance, and unspoken assumptions

• Read complex material with depth and insight

✍️ 8. Writing – Advanced and Polished

Although not tested on the JLPT, writing skills at this level would include:

• Writing research papers, reports, or essays

• Drafting formal emails, business letters, and applications

• Using advanced linking words, transitions, and tone control

• Expressing ideas with depth, subtlety, and sophistication

You can write like a native speaker — just with your own voice and ideas.

🌏 9. What You Can Do in Real Life with JLPT N1

With JLPT N1, you can:

✅ Work in professional fields in Japan — including offices, media, and education
✅ Enroll in Japanese universities or grad programs
✅ Read and understand any news article, novel, or academic paper
✅ Watch films, documentaries, and dramas without subtitles
✅ Handle legal, financial, or bureaucratic paperwork
✅ Interpret, translate, or teach Japanese
✅ Blend naturally into Japanese society and conversations

🎯 Why N1 Is the Gold Standard

• It proves full functional fluency

• It opens the door to high-level jobs and study opportunities

• It’s often required for government, medical, and legal roles

• It gives you the tools to engage with Japanese culture and thought at the deepest level

Learning Japanese is like embarking on a cultural odyssey, where each JLPT level (N5 to N1) marks a meaningful milestone on your journey. From mastering Hiragana to unraveling the mysteries of Kanji, every step brings you closer to Japan’s rich traditions, cutting-edge innovations, and unique artistry. With each achievement, you’ll unlock new skills that make exploring everything from manga to tea ceremonies a truly immersive and unforgettable experience.

Why Learn Japanese Through JLPT?

Let’s be real—learning Japanese can feel like navigating a sushi menu blindfolded, while kanji characters quietly judge you from the corner. But fear not—the JLPT is your personal guide through the land of Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji chaos. 🍱🗾

JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) is the official way to track your Japanese skills. Think of it as a level-up system—from saying konnichiwa with confidence to chatting about anime plot holes, business meetings, or the subtle beauty of a haiku.

Each level (N5 to N1) unlocks new abilities—like understanding native conversations, reading manga without Google, and impressing your friends with words like otsukaresama. Oh, and if you dream of working or studying in Japan, having a JLPT certificate is basically your golden ticket.