JLPT N-5

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JLPT Guide/JLPT N5 Grammar

Here is a list of the grammar points likely encountered on level N5 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. This list is taken from several years' old
official test specifications. However, the test changes slightly from year to year, and occasionally some extra terms are included.

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This means "is", "am", or "are" (depending on the situation), though the meaning in English is a lot broader than in Japanese. Some other words (
and ) also mean "is", depending on the situation.

Example: I am Mike.
Example: This is a pen.

This means "too", "and", or "also".

Example: He likes soccer. I like soccer, too.

Example: Ken ate both cake and cookies.

This means "at" or "in", and is used when specifying where something happens.

Example: Emi studies math at school.

/
This means "to", and is used when describing a destination.

Example: Rieko went to Rome.


This is a general use preposition. It can mean "in", "at", "to", "for", and other general prepositional phrases, depending on the context.

Example: Please give the book to that person.

Example: In winter, it snows.

This denotes the object of an action.

Example: That cat ate the fish.

This means "Won't you ~ ?" or "Shall we ~ ?". It's an invitation.

Example: Won't you have some cake?

Example: Won't you (shall we) watch a movie?

This denotes a topic.

Example: She is happy.

This means "there is". It is used for non-living things (use for living things).

Example: There is a ball on the desk.

Example: Is there a present in the box?


This means "there is" or "is" and is used for living things.

Example: There are two children under the tree over there.
Example: Is Mr. Tanaka in the classroom?"

This is a particle used to link nouns in a complete list.

Example: The salad was made from lettuce, carrot, and radish.

This is a polite volitional phrase, meaning "I'll" or "let's".

Example: Let's eat!

This is a polite volitional phrase used for suggestions.

Example: How about we eat?

This is used to link verb copulas, ending in "" or "", to "", making it into a request.

Example: Please speak in Japanese.

Example: Please go with him.


This is used to link verb copulas to "" meaning "it's enough" or "it's good". It can be used as a request for permission.

Example: May I cook?

This is used to link copulas to "", meaning "it's not good". It is used to scold or otherwise disapprove.

Example: Sarah's handwriting is not great yet.

"", meaning "No you must not..." This is formed by using the te-form. -form + ...

Example:You must not park the car here.

Phrase meaning "from".

Example: This train goes from San Jose to San Francisco.

, when used after the form of a verb, indicates that an action is ongoing (progressive tense, marked in English by "ing",) or in a certain state.

Example: I am reading.
Example: The door is open.
Example: I am married.
Example: The children are running.


It means to go somewhere or to go do something.

Example: I go swimming.
Example: He went to study.
Example: She's going to Tokyo.

This means "please don't do", used in place of a "-te" form of a verb.

Example: Please don't eat this apple.

Example: Please don't read that book

It means to like doing something.

Example: I like watching anime.

Example: She likes singing.

It means to be good at something.

Example: She's good at singing.

Example: ? Are you good at swimming?


It means to be bad at something.

Example: I'm bad at dancing.

Example: He's bad at studying.

It means that someone hasn't done something yet.

Example: I haven't decided yet.

Example: He hasn't returned yet.

It means that something is more (interesting/expensive/etc.) than something else.

Example: This book is more expensive than that newspaper.

Example: Library is quieter than school.

It means the best from something or the most (new/old/expensive/likeable/etc.).

Example: This book is the best book in that library.

Example: From these sweets I like cookies the most.


This means a plan or an intent of doing something.

Example: I'm going to go see a movie.

Example: ? What are you going to study?

/
It means to become (smart/tall/etc.). If used with -na adjectives it's adj+, for -i adjectives it's adj+.

Example: That woman became beautiful.

Example: This bicycle became old.

V stem +
Creates the polite 'want to do' form of a verb
Example - I want to eat some cake - - Boku-wa kki-o tabetai desu.

It makes a list of activities or attributes. It means something like "this and that/sometimes this and sometimes that/in some parts this in other parts that".
With nouns or -na adjectives it becomes " ".

Example: Yesterday I was reading a book and eating sweets.

Example: That movie is interesting in some parts and boring in other parts.
Example: She's nice and beautiful.


It indicates that something has (or hasn't ever) happened in the past.

Example: I've been to Tokyo.

Example: I've never heard of this.

This is a particle used to link nouns in an incomplete list.

Example: There are cats and dogs and monkeys (among other things) at the zoo.

It accents the sentence's content or softens a request or an order. It may be also said as "~". With -na adjectives and nouns it becomes "~
".

Example: I'm busy right now.

Example: I'm cleaning right now.
Example: Do you play tennis? (at all, not right now)

It means "too much" or "too (big/small/expensive/etc.)".

Example: Mr. Yamada eats too much.

Example: I bought too much food.
Example: This shirt is too big.


It means "it's better" or "it would be better", it may be also used to say that something should (or shouldn't) be done.

Example: You should buy this book.

Example: I shouldn't eat that cake.

It means "because" or "so". The cause is more impartial (like because a building is red or tall) than with "" or "" where it's more subjective
(like because you think an apple tastes good). With nouns and -na adjectives it becomes "".

Example: I'm not buying this book, because it's expensive.

Example: I've seen this movie so let's watch a different one.
Example: She isn't coming because she's sick.

It means that something has to be done (lit: it's bad not to do it).

Example: You have to finish your homework. (It's not good for you to not finish your homework.)

It means something like "isn't it/aren't you/aren't I/etc." or "right?". It's used when the speaker isn't sure about something or in rhetorical questions.

Example: You'll come back before 7 o'clock, right?

Example: ? It's a book, isn't it?
Example: ? That building isn't normal, is it?
Example: ? He can't swim, can he?


It means "before doing (something)" or "ago" (like 3 days ago).

Example: Please wash your hands before eating.

Example: I came back an hour ago.

It means to do something after doing something else.

Example: Please speak after thinking.

Example: I had a meal after washing my hands.