JLPT N5 Kanji List: 121 Beginner Kanji Grouped by Theme
Study 121 beginner kanji in 13 useful themes, with a practical order for readings, vocabulary, writing, and JLPT N5 review.
How many kanji should you learn for JLPT N5? You will see different answers because the JLPT does not publish a fixed official kanji list. Most beginner courses teach roughly 80 to 120 essential characters. This teacher-organized list uses 121 kanji so you can cover the common N5 range with useful daily vocabulary.
The characters are arranged in 13 themes instead of a random frequency list. Learn one group at a time, read the kanji inside real words, and review the group before moving on.
What the JLPT N5 kanji section actually tests
JLPT questions ask you to recognize kanji readings and choose the right written form in context. You do not handwrite answers during the exam. Writing practice is still valuable because producing a character from memory makes small differences easier to notice when you read.
121 beginner kanji in 13 themes
| Theme | Kanji | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Numbers | 一 二 三 四 五 六 七 八 九 十 百 千 円 | 13 |
| Calendar | 月 火 水 木 金 土 日 年 毎 週 | 10 |
| People | 人 子 男 女 父 母 | 6 |
| Body | 口 目 耳 手 足 体 力 | 7 |
| Position | 上 下 左 右 大 小 中 外 前 後 | 10 |
| School | 学 校 先 生 本 名 友 語 | 8 |
| Nature | 山 川 田 石 雨 夕 岩 音 | 8 |
| Plants and animals | 林 森 花 竹 犬 牛 魚 | 7 |
| Food | 米 肉 茶 好 物 | 5 |
| Time | 今 何 分 半 方 時 間 午 | 8 |
| City | 町 寺 東 西 南 北 車 電 駅 店 会 社 | 12 |
| Adjectives | 高 安 多 少 新 古 明 暗 長 元 気 | 11 |
| Verbs | 見 立 入 出 休 行 来 言 帰 書 読 話 聞 食 飲 買 | 17 |
Important: this is a practical preparation list, not an official JLPT syllabus. Different textbooks may move a few characters between N5 and N4.
How to study each group
1. Learn the meaning before every reading
Start by recognizing the main idea of each character. For 山, connect the shape with “mountain.” Do not try to memorize every possible reading on the first day.
2. Learn readings through words
Study 山 as 山（やま）, 富士山（ふじさん）, and 火山（かざん）. Words tell you which reading is useful and prevent isolated flashcard knowledge.
3. Write with the correct stroke order
Look at the numbered model, trace it slowly, then cover the model and write it from memory. Check proportion as well as stroke order.
The order itself is not random — see the seven stroke-order rules for beginners before you start a new theme.
The first twenty characters are already drawn out stroke by stroke in the JLPT N5 kanji stroke-order reference.
4. Review the complete theme
After a group, mix reading, writing, similar-kanji questions, and a short passage. The mistakes show you which characters need another practice session.
Start with the Numbers group
The free sample contains all 13 number kanji, two practice pages per character, vocabulary, example sentences, a complete review test, and the answer key.
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Practice all 121 kanji
The full printable workbook gives every kanji two pages: stroke order and writing on the first page, then four vocabulary words and an example sentence on the second. Each of the 13 groups ends with a review test and an online quiz.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official JLPT N5 kanji list?
No fixed official list is published for the current JLPT. Use several reliable N5 resources and focus on reading common beginner vocabulary in context.
Should I memorize every on'yomi and kun'yomi?
No. Learn the readings that appear in common N5 words first. Add another reading when you meet it in a useful word or sentence.
Do I need to write kanji to pass N5?
The test does not require handwriting, but short writing sessions can strengthen recognition and help you distinguish similar forms.
Continue with JLPT N5 grammar and vocabulary lessons.