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N5 · 初級 · Beginner

N5 essential words
& phrases

801 words and phrases for the Beginner level. This list combines vocabulary and grammar so you learn them together, the way you'd actually use them.

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Term
ああ
ああ

Like that way over there; also an interjection expressing realization, agreement, or emotion.

間
あいだ, ま, かん

Interval, space, or gap between things in time, distance, or relationships.

会う
あう

To meet or see someone, or to encounter an undesirable situation.

青
あお

Blue, green (e.g., traffic lights), or unripe/inexperienced.

青い
あおい

Blue, green (vegetation/traffic lights), pale complexion, or inexperienced.

赤
あか

The color red, a financial deficit, or complete (in set phrases).

赤い
あかい

Red (adjective)

赤ちゃん
あかちゃん

baby; infant

明るい
あかるい

Bright, cheerful, promising, or knowledgeable about a subject.

上がる
あがる

To rise, go up, or increase; also implies entering a home, getting nervous, rain stopping, or finishing a task.

秋
あき

Autumn or fall

開く
あく, ひらく

To open (by itself), to spread open, or to hold an event.

明けましておめでとうございます
あけましておめでとうございます

Polite greeting meaning Happy New Year

開ける
あける

To open an object, make space, or begin a new period.

上げる
あげる

To raise, lift, increase, or give.

朝
あさ

Morning

朝ごはん
あさごはん

Breakfast

明後日
あさって, みょうごにち

The day after tomorrow.

足
あし, そく

Leg or foot, but also refers to transportation or running pace.

明日
あした, あす, みょうにち

Tomorrow; readings vary based on formality.

彼処
(あそこ)
あそこ

Over there (distant from both speaker and listener), that extent, or genitals.

遊ぶ
あそぶ

To play or hang out for fun, or to be left unused

暖かい
あたたかい, あったかい

Pleasant warmth regarding weather, air temperature, or colors

頭
あたま, とう

Physical head, mind, top, or counter for large animals

新しい
あたらしい

New, fresh, recent, or up-to-date.

暑い
あつい

Hot (weather or air temperature); passionate; trending or popular.

熱い
あつい

Hot to the touch, or characterized by intense passion and enthusiasm.

後
あと, ご, のち

After, later, behind, or the remaining part.

貴方
(あなた)
あなた, あんた

Standard ‘you’ often avoided as impersonal, or ‘dear’ used by a wife to her husband

兄
あに, にい

Humble term for one’s own older brother.

姉
あね, ねえ

Older sister, specifically referring to one’s own unless honorifics are added.

あの
あの

Refers to something distant from both parties (pre-noun), or serves as ‘um’ or ‘excuse me’ to get attention.

あの方
あのかた

Polite term for that person

あのね
あのね

Informal interjection to get attention or start a topic, like ‘hey, listen’ or ‘you know’

危ない
あぶない

Dangerous, risky, or an exclamation meaning “Watch out!”

甘い
あまい

Sweet-tasting; lenient, naive, or insufficiently strict.

余り
(あまり)
あまり, あんまり

Not very, too much, or remainder.

雨
あめ, あま

Rain or rainy weather.

飴
あめ

Hard candy, sweets, or cough drops.

洗う
あらう

To wash or clean something with water.

有難う
(ありがとう)
ありがとう

Casual expression of gratitude meaning ‘thank you’ or ‘thanks’.

有難うございます
(ありがとうございます)
ありがとうございます

Polite expression for ‘thank you’ regarding present or ongoing actions

有る
(ある)
ある

To exist (inanimate), to have, or to take place

歩く
あるく

To walk

アイス
アイス

Means ice cream or iced drinks, not ice cubes.

アルバイト
アルバイト

Part-time job or side job