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Learn JLPT N5 Kanji: A Beginner’s 4-Week Self-Study Guide

Ready to master the JLPT N5 kanji and unlock the basics of Japanese reading and writing? The JLPT N5 is the first level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, covering about 100 foundational kanji used in everyday life, such as 一 (いち ichi, one), 日 (にち nichi / ひ hi, day/sun), and 車 (しゃ sha / くるま kuruma, car). This self-contained 4-week guide is designed for beginners to teach themselves all N5 kanji without needing external apps, books, or websites. Using simple mnemonics, vocabulary, flashcards, and pen-and-paper practice, you’ll learn to recognize, read, write, and use these kanji confidently. Let’s get started!

Why Learn JLPT N5 Kanji?

Kanji are the Chinese characters used in Japanese for nouns, verbs, and adjectives. The N5 kanji are the building blocks of the language, covering essentials like:

  • Numbers: 一 (いち ichi, one), 二 (に ni, two)
  • Days: 日 (にち nichi / ひ hi, day/sun), 月 (げつ getsu / つき tsuki, month/moon)
  • People: 人 (じん jin / にん nin / ひと hito, person), 女 (じょ jo / おんな onna, woman)
  • Nature: 山 (やま yama, mountain), 川 (かわ kawa, river)
  • Objects: 車 (しゃ sha / くるま kuruma, car), 家 (か ka / いえ ie, house)

By learning these ~100 kanji, you’ll be able to:

  • Read simple signs, menus, and texts.
  • Write basic Japanese sentences.
  • Build a foundation for further Japanese study.

This guide spreads the kanji over 4 weeks, teaching ~25 kanji per week with daily lessons (30–45 minutes) and a review day. All you need is a pen, paper (grid paper is ideal for writing practice), and optional flashcards (make your own with index cards).

Kanji Basics

Before we dive in, here’s what you need to know about kanji:

  • Meaning: Each kanji represents an idea (e.g., 一 [いち ichi] = one, 山 [やま yama] = mountain).
  • <-apps**: The Chinese-derived reading, used in compound words (e.g., 一 = いち ichi).
    Kun’yomi: The Japanese reading, used when the kanji stands alone (e.g., 日 = ひ hi).
  • Stroke Order: The correct way to write kanji, ensuring neatness and legibility.
  • N5 Kanji: About 100 characters covering numbers, days, people, places, and actions.

Tip: Always learn kanji in context (e.g., in vocabulary or sentences) to understand their use.

The 4-Week Study Plan

We’ll learn ~100 kanji over 4 weeks, tackling 25 kanji per week. Each week focuses on a theme (e.g., numbers, people) and includes daily lessons with mnemonics, vocabulary, and practice activities. You’ll use mnemonics to memorize shapes, practice writing on paper, and learn vocabulary to see kanji in action. Days 6 and 7 of each week are dedicated to consolidating and reviewing the week’s kanji with detailed activities. Below is the full plan, including all N5 kanji grouped by theme, with readings in hiragana and romaji for each new kanji.

Week 1: Numbers, Days, and Time (25 Kanji)

Goal: Learn kanji for numbers, days of the week, and time-related concepts.

Kanji List:

  • Numbers:
    • 一 (いち ichi, one)
    • 二 (に ni, two)
    • 三 (さん san, three)
    • 四 (し shi / よん yon, four)
    • 五 (ご go, five)
    • 六 (ろく roku, six)
    • 七 (しち shichi / なな nana, seven)
    • 八 (はち hachi, eight)
    • 九 (きゅう kyuu, nine)
    • 十 (じゅう juu, ten)
  • Larger Numbers:
    • 百 (ひゃく hyaku, hundred)
    • 千 (せん sen, thousand)
    • 万 (まん man, ten thousand)
  • Days/Time:
    • 日 (にち nichi / ひ hi, day/sun)
    • 月 (げつ getsu / つき tsuki, month/moon)
    • 火 (か ka / ひ hi, fire)
    • 水 (すい sui / みず mizu, water)
    • 木 (もく moku / き ki, tree)
    • 金 (きん kin / かね kane, gold/money)
    • 土 (ど do / つち tsuchi, soil)
    • 曜 (よう you, day of the week)
    • 週 (しゅう shuu, week)
    • 時 (じ ji / とき toki, time)
    • 分 (ふん fun / ぶん bun, minute)
    • 秒 (びょう byou, second)

Daily Plan (30–45 minutes):

  • Day 1: Introduction to Kanji
    • Understand that kanji are characters with meanings and multiple readings (on’yomi/kun’yomi).
    • Learn stroke order basics: Write left to right, top to bottom, and complete horizontal strokes before vertical ones.
    • Make flashcards: Write each kanji on one side, meaning and readings (in hiragana and romaji) on the back.
    • Practice: On paper, draw a 3×3 grid and write 一 (いち ichi) 9 times (one stroke: left to right).
  • Day 2: Numbers 1–5 (一, 二, 三, 四, 五)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 一 (いち ichi): “One horizontal line = one.”
      • 二 (に ni): “Two horizontal lines = two.”
      • 三 (さん san): “Three horizontal lines = three.”
      • 四 (し shi / よん yon): “A window with four corners.”
      • 五 (ご go): “A stick figure with five fingers.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 一人 (ひとり hitori, one person)
      • 二人 (ふたり futari, two people)
      • 三時 (さんじ sanji, three o’clock)
    • Practice:
      • Write each kanji 10 times in a grid, following stroke order:
        • 一: One stroke, left to right.
        • 二: Two strokes, top then bottom.
        • 三: Three strokes, top to bottom.
        • 四: Five strokes (top, left, bottom, right, middle).
        • 五: Four strokes (top, middle, left, bottom).
      • Read aloud: いち ichi, に ni, さん san, よん yon, ご go.
      • Write: わたし は (watashi wa, I) 三時 (さんじ sanji) に おきます (okimasu, wake up).
      • Make flashcards for kanji and vocab.
  • Day 3: Numbers 6–10 (六, 七, 八, 九, 十)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 六 (ろく roku): “A person with a hat, six is lucky.”
      • 七 (しち shichi / なな nana): “A bent seven shape.”
      • 八 (はち hachi): “A split path, like the number eight.”
      • 九 (きゅう kyuu): “A hook with nine curves.”
      • 十 (じゅう juu): “A cross for ten.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 十日 (とおか tooka, tenth day)
      • 八時 (はちじ hachiji, eight o’clock)
    • Practice: Write each kanji 10 times, read vocab aloud, and quiz yourself with flashcards.
  • Day 4: Days (日, 月, 火, 水, 木)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 日 (にち nichi / ひ hi): “A sun rising over the horizon.”
      • 月 (げつ getsu / つき tsuki): “A crescent moon.”
      • 火 (か ka / ひ hi): “Flames flickering.”
      • 水 (すい sui / みず mizu): “Water flowing between banks.”
      • 木 (もく moku / き ki): “A tree with branches.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 日曜日 (にちようび nichiyoubi, Sunday)
      • 月曜日 (げつようび getsuyoubi, Monday)
      • 水道 (すいどう suidou, water supply)
    • Practice: Write kanji, read sentences: 今日 (きょう kyou, today) は 火曜日 (かようび kayoubi, Tuesday) です。
  • Day 5: More Days/Time (金, 土, 曜, 週, 時)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 金 (きん kin / かね kane): “A king (王) under a roof, rich with gold.”
      • 土 (ど do / つち tsuchi): “Soil on a foundation.”
      • 曜 (よう you): “Sun (日) with wings, day of the week.”
      • 週 (しゅう shuu): “A cycle of days.”
      • 時 (じ ji / とき toki): “Sun (日) marking time in a temple.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 金曜日 (きんようび kinyoubi, Friday)
      • 一週間 (いっしゅうかん isshuukan, one week)
    • Practice: Write and read aloud.
  • Day 6: Consolidation with Compounds and Sentences
    • Goal: Combine kanji into compounds and sentences to deepen understanding.
    • Activities:
      • Compound Practice: Write and read these compounds:
        • 十分 (じゅっぷん juppun, ten minutes)
        • 木曜日 (もくようび mokuyoubi, Thursday)
        • 三百 (さんびゃく sanbyaku, three hundred)
        • 五分 (ごふん gofun, five minutes)
        • 土曜日 (どようび doyoubi, Saturday)
      • Sentence Writing: Write 5 sentences combining kanji, e.g.:
        • わたし は 一時 (いちじ ichiji) に 寝ます (ねます nemasu, sleep).
        • 日曜日 (にちようび nichiyoubi) は やすみます (yasumimasu, rest).
        • 千円 (せんえん sen’en) を もっています (motteimasu, have).
        • 六時 (ろくじ rokuji) に おきます (okimasu, wake up).
        • 月 (つき tsuki, moon) を 見ます (みます mimasu, look at).
      • Flashcard Review: Go through all 25 kanji flashcards, focusing on compounds like 一日 (いちにち ichinichi, one day).
      • Drawing Exercise: Draw a simple clock with numbers 1–12 using kanji (一 to 十二 [じゅうに juuni]) and label times like 三時 (さんじ sanji).
    • Practice: Write each compound 5 times, read sentences aloud, and quiz yourself on readings.
  • Day 7: Comprehensive Review
    • Goal: Test and reinforce all 25 kanji through varied activities.
    • Activities:
      • Writing Quiz: Randomly select 15 kanji from the week and write them from memory, checking stroke order.
      • Reading Quiz: Write down 10 vocabulary words (e.g., 日曜日, 三時) and read them aloud, then write their meanings in English.
      • Sentence Creation: Write a short paragraph (5 sentences) using at least 10 kanji, e.g., “わたし は (watashi wa) 日曜日 (にちようび nichiyoubi) に 五時 (ごじ goji) に おきます (okimasu). 学校 (がっこう gakkou) へ 行きません (ikimasen, don’t go). 千円 (せんえん sen’en) で 本 (ほん hon, book) を かいます (kaimasu, buy)…”
      • Kanji Bingo: Create a 5×5 grid with the week’s kanji. Call out meanings or readings (e.g., “one,” いち ichi) and mark the corresponding kanji.
      • Mix and Match: Write kanji on one side of paper slips, meanings and readings on others, and match them (e.g., 一 to “one/いち ichi”).
    • Practice: Spend 10 minutes on each activity, focusing on weak areas identified during quizzes.

Week 2: People and Places (25 Kanji)

Goal: Learn kanji for people, family, school, and locations.

Kanji List:

  • People:
    • 人 (じん jin / にん nin / ひと hito, person)
    • 男 (だん dan / おとこ otoko, man)
    • 女 (じょ jo / おんな onna, woman)
    • 子 (し shi / こ ko, child)
    • 父 (ふ fu / とう tou, father)
    • 母 (ぼ bo / はは haha, mother)
    • 友 (ゆう yuu / とも tomo, friend)
  • School:
    • 学 (がく gaku, study)
    • 校 (こう kou, school)
    • 生 (せい sei / なま nama, life/student)
  • Places:
    • 山 (さん san / やま yama, mountain)
    • 川 (せん sen / かわ kawa, river)
    • 田 (でん den / た ta, rice field)
    • 道 (どう dou / みち michi, road)
    • 町 (ちょう chou / まち machi, town)
    • 村 (そん son / むら mura, village)
    • 国 (こく koku / くに kuni, country)
    • 京 (きょう kyou, capital)
  • Directions/Body:
    • 東 (とう tou, east)
    • 西 (せい sei, west)
    • 南 (なん nan, south)
    • 北 (ほく hoku, north)
    • 口 (こう kou / くち kuchi, mouth)
    • 目 (もく moku / め me, eye)
    • 耳 (じ ji / みみ mimi, ear)

Daily Plan:

  • Day 1: People (人, 男, 女, 子, 父, 母)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 人 (じん jin / にん nin / ひと hito): “A person with two legs.”
      • 男 (だん dan / おとこ otoko): “A man with strength (力) in a field (田).”
      • 女 (じょ jo / おんな onna): “A woman sitting gracefully.”
      • 子 (し shi / こ ko): “A child with arms open.”
      • 父 (ふ fu / とう tou): “A father with crossed arms.”
      • 母 (ぼ bo / はは haha): “A mother with nurturing curves.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 子供 (こども kodomo, child)
      • 父親 (とうさん tousan, father)
      • 友達 (ともだち tomodachi, friend)
    • Practice: Write kanji 10 times, read: わたし の (watashi no, my) 友達 (ともだち tomodachi) は 学生 (がくせい gakusei, student) です。
  • Day 2: School (学, 校, 生)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 学 (がく gaku): “A child (子) learning under a roof.”
      • 校 (こう kou): “A school with trees (木) by the gate.”
      • 生 (せい sei / なま nama): “A sprout of life.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 学校 (がっこう gakkou, school)
      • 大学生 (だいがくせい daigakusei, university student)
    • Practice: Write and read aloud.
  • Day 3: Geography (山, 川, 田, 道)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 山 (さん san / やま yama): “Three peaks like a mountain.”
      • 川 (せん sen / かわ kawa): “Three lines flowing like a river.”
      • 田 (でん den / た ta): “A rice field with sections.”
      • 道 (どう dou / みち michi): “A road leading forward.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 火山 (かざん kazan, volcano)
      • 川口 (かわぐち kawaguchi, river mouth)
    • Practice: Write kanji, read sentences: 今日 (きょう kyou, today) は 火曜日 (かようび kayoubi, Tuesday) です。
  • Day 4: Places (町, 村, 国, 京)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 町 (ちょう chou / まち machi): “A town with fields (田) and streets.”
      • 村 (そん son / むら mura): “A village with trees (木).”
      • 国 (こく koku / くに kuni): “A country enclosed like a jewel.”
      • 京 (きょう kyou): “A capital with a grand structure.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 東京 (とうきょう Toukyou, Tokyo)
      • 日本 (にほん Nihon, Japan)
    • Practice: Write and read aloud.
  • Day 5: Directions/Body (東, 西, 南, 北, 口, 目, 耳)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 東 (とう tou): “Sun (日) rising behind a tree (木) in the east.”
      • 西 (せい sei): “A bird settling in the west.”
      • 南 (なん nan): “A cross with boundaries, pointing south.”
      • 北 (ほく hoku): “Two people back-to-back, facing north.”
      • 口 (こう kou / くち kuchi): “An open mouth.”
      • 目 (もく moku / め me): “An eye with pupils.”
      • 耳 (じ ji / みみ mimi): “An ear with curves.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 東口 (ひがしぐち higashiguchi, east exit)
      • 目白 (めじろ mejiro, white eyes)
    • Practice: Write kanji, read sentences.
  • Day 6: Consolidation with Compounds and Sentences
    • Goal: Reinforce kanji through compounds and creative writing.
    • Activities:
      • Compound Practice: Write and read these compounds:
        • 人口 (じんこう jinkou, population)
        • 男女 (だんじょ danjo, men and women)
        • 学生 (がくせい gakusei, student)
        • 山川 (やまかわ yamakawa, mountains and rivers)
        • 町道 (ちょうどう choudou, town road)
      • Sentence Writing: Write 5 sentences, e.g.:
        • わたし の 父 (とう tou) は 東京 (とうきょう Toukyou) に います。
        • 子供 (こども kodomo) は 学校 (がっこう gakkou) へ 行きます (いきます ikimasu).
        • 日本 (にほん Nihon) の 山 (やま yama) は きれい (kirei, beautiful) です。
        • 東 (とう tou) から 日 (ひ hi) が 出ます (でます demasu, rise).
        • わたし は 友達 (ともだち tomodachi) と 話します (はなします hanashimasu, talk).
      • Flashcard Drill: Review all 25 kanji, focusing on both on’yomi and kun’yomi (e.g., 人: じん jin, ひと hito).
      • Drawing Exercise: Draw a simple map with labels like 東 (とう tou, east), 西 (せい sei, west), 山 (やま yama), 川 (かわ kawa).
    • Practice: Write each compound 5 times, read sentences aloud, and spend 10 minutes on flashcards.
  • Day 7: Comprehensive Review
    • Goal: Test and solidify knowledge through diverse activities.
    • Activities:
      • Writing Quiz: Write 15 random kanji from the week, checking stroke order.
      • Reading Quiz: Write 10 vocabulary words (e.g., 学校, 東京) and read them aloud, then write their meanings.
      • Paragraph Writing: Write a 5-sentence paragraph using 10 kanji, e.g., “わたし は (watashi wa) まち (machi, town) に すみます (sumimasu, live). やま (yama, mountain) の ちかく (chikaku, near) に かわ (kawa, river) が あります。わたし の 友達 (ともだち tomodachi) は 学生 (がくせい gakusei) です…”
      • Kanji Bingo: Create a 5×5 grid with the week’s kanji. Call out meanings or readings (e.g., “mountain,” やま yama) and mark the kanji.
      • Mix and Match: Write kanji and meanings/readings on paper slips and match them (e.g., 山 to “mountain/やま yama”).
      • Oral Practice: Read 5 sentences aloud, focusing on correct pronunciation of readings.
    • Practice: Spend 10 minutes on each activity, revisiting any kanji you struggle with.

Week 3: Objects and Actions (25 Kanji)

Goal: Learn kanji for everyday objects and actions like eating and going.

Kanji List:

  • Objects:
    • 車 (しゃ sha / くるま kuruma, car)
    • 門 (もん mon, gate)
    • 間 (かん kan / ま ma, interval)
    • 家 (か ka / いえ ie, house)
    • 店 (てん ten, shop)
  • Actions:
    • 食 (しょく shoku / たべる taberu, eat)
    • 飲 (いん in / のむ nomu, drink)
    • 見 (けん ken / みる miru, see)
    • 聞 (ぶん bun / きく kiku, hear)
    • 行 (こう kou / いく iku, go)
    • 来 (らい rai / くる kuru, come)
    • 入 (にゅう nyuu / はいる hairu, enter)
    • 出 (しゅつ shutsu / でる deru, exit)
    • 書 (しょ sho / かく kaku, write)
    • 読 (どく doku / よむ yomu, read)
    • 話 (わ wa / はなす hanasu, speak)
  • Body/Other:
    • 手 (しゅ shu / て te, hand)
    • 足 (そく soku / あし ashi, foot)
    • 心 (しん shin / こころ kokoro, heart)
    • 力 (りょく ryoku / ちから chikara, power)
    • 気 (き ki, spirit)
    • 円 (えん en, yen/circle)
    • 名 (めい mei / な na, name)
    • 字 (じ ji, character)
    • 犬 (けん ken / いぬ inu, dog)

Daily Plan:

  • Day 1: Objects (車, 門, 間, 家, 店)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 車 (しゃ sha / くるま kuruma): “A cart with wheels.”
      • 門 (もん mon): “A gate with two doors.”
      • 間 (かん kan / ま ma): “A space between gates under the sun.”
      • 家 (か ka / いえ ie): “A house with a roof.”
      • 店 (てん ten): “A shop under a roof.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 車道 (しゃどう shadou, road)
      • 本屋 (ほんや honya, bookstore)
    • Practice: Write: わたし は (watashi wa) 家 (いえ ie) に います (imasu, am).
  • Day 2–3: Actions (食, 飲, 見, 聞, 行, 来)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 食 (しょく shoku / たべる taberu): “A lid over food to eat.”
      • 飲 (いん in / のむ nomu): “A mouth drinking from a container.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 食べる (たべる taberu, eat)
      • 見る (みる miru, see)
    • Practice: Write: わたし は ご飯 (ごはん gohan, rice) を 食べます (たべます tabemasu).
  • Day 4: More Actions (入, 出, 書, 読, 話)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 入 (にゅう nyuu / はいる hairu): “Entering through a door.”
      • 出 (しゅつ shutsu / でる deru): “Exiting through a gate.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 書く (かく kaku, write)
      • 話す (はなす hanasu, speak)
    • Practice: Write and read aloud.
  • Day 5: Body/Other (手, 足, 心, 力, 気, 円, 名, 字, 犬)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 手 (しゅ shu / て te): “A hand with fingers spread.”
      • 円 (えん en): “A round yen coin.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 手紙 (てがみ tegami, letter)
      • 名前 (なまえ namae, name)
    • Practice: Write and read aloud.
  • Day 6: Consolidation with Compounds and Sentences
    • Goal: Strengthen kanji usage through compounds and creative exercises.
    • Activities:
      • Compound Practice: Write and read these compounds:
        • 食事 (しょくじ shokuji, meal)
        • 飲水 (いんすい insui, drinking water)
        • 見物 (けんぶつ kenbutsu, sightseeing)
        • 手足 (てあし teashi, hands and feet)
        • 書店 (しょてん shoten, bookstore)
      • Sentence Writing: Write 5 sentences, e.g.:
        • わたし は 車 (くるま kuruma) で 行きます (いきます ikimasu).
        • 家 (いえ ie) で ご飯 (ごはん gohan) を 食べます (たべます tabemasu).
        • 犬 (いぬ inu) を 見ます (みます mimasu).
        • 手紙 (てがみ tegami) を 書きます (かきます kakimasu).
        • 店 (みせ mise, shop) に 行きます (いきます ikimasu).
      • Flashcard Drill: Review all 25 kanji, focusing on verbs like 食べる (たべる taberu), 見る (みる miru).
      • Story Exercise: Write a short story (3–5 sentences) using 5 kanji, e.g., “わたし は 家 (いえ ie) で 本 (ほん hon, book) を 読みます (よみます yomimasu). 犬 (いぬ inu) が ちかく (chikaku, near) に います…”
    • Practice: Write each compound 5 times, read sentences aloud, and spend 10 minutes on flashcards.
  • Day 7: Comprehensive Review
    • Goal: Test and reinforce knowledge through diverse activities.
    • Activities:
      • Writing Quiz: Write 15 random kanji from the week, checking stroke order.
      • Reading Quiz: Write 10 vocabulary words (e.g., 手紙, 書店) and read them aloud, then write their meanings.
      • Dialogue Writing: Write a short dialogue (5 lines) using 10 kanji, e.g.:
        • A: どこ へ 行きます (いきます ikimasu) か?
        • B: 店 (みせ mise) へ 行きます (いきます ikimasu).
        • A: 何 (なに nani, what) を かいます (kaimasu, buy) か?
        • B: 本 (ほん hon) を かいます (kaimasu).
        • A: いい 本 (ほん hon) です ね!
      • Kanji Bingo: Create a 5×5 grid with the week’s kanji. Call out meanings or readings (e.g., “eat,” たべる taberu) and mark the kanji.
      • Mix and Match: Write kanji and meanings/readings on paper slips and match them (e.g., 車 to “car/くるま kuruma”).
      • Oral Practice: Read the dialogue aloud, focusing on pronunciation.
    • Practice: Spend 10 minutes on each activity, revisiting weak areas.

Week 4: Adjectives and Nature (25 Kanji)

Goal: Learn kanji for adjectives, colors, and nature.

Kanji List:

  • Adjectives:
    • 大 (だい dai / おおきい ookii, big)
    • 小 (しょう shou / ちいさい chiisai, small)
    • 高 (こう kou / たかい takai, high)
    • 安 (あん an / やすい yasui, cheap)
    • 長 (ちょう chou / ながい nagai, long)
    • 新 (しん shin / あたらしい atarashii, new)
    • 古 (こ ko / ふるい furui, old)
    • 多 (た ta / おおい ooi, many)
    • 少 (しょう shou / すこし sukoshi, few)
    • 早 (そう sou / はやい hayai, early)
  • Colors:
    • 白 (はく haku / しろい shiroi, white)
    • 黒 (こく koku / くろい kuroi, black)
    • 青 (せい sei / あおい aoi, blue)
    • 赤 (せき seki / あか aka, red)
  • Nature:
    • 雨 (う u / あめ ame, rain)
    • 雪 (せつ setsu / ゆき yuki, snow)
    • 風 (ふう fuu / かぜ kaze, wind)
    • 花 (か ka / はな hana, flower)
    • 空 (くう kuu / そら sora, sky)
  • Other:
    • 先 (せん sen / さき saki, before)
    • 後 (ご go / あと ato, after)
    • 内 (ない nai / うち uchi, inside)
    • 外 (がい gai / そと soto, outside)
    • 中 (ちゅう chuu / なか naka, middle)
    • 半 (はん han, half)

Daily Plan:

  • Day 1–3: Adjectives (大, 小, 高, 安, 長, 新, 古, 多, 少, 早)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 大 (だい dai / おおきい ookii): “A big person with arms wide.”
      • 小 (しょう shou / ちいさい chiisai): “A small dot between lines.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 大きい (おおきい ookii, big)
      • 小学校 (しょうがっこう shougakkou, elementary school)
    • Practice: Write and read aloud.
  • Day 4: Colors (白, 黒, 青, 赤)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 白 (はく haku / しろい shiroi): “A ray of white light from the sun (日).”
      • 青 (せい sei / あおい aoi): “Blue like the moon over a field.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 白い (しろい shiroi, white)
      • 青空 (あおぞら aozora, blue sky)
    • Practice: Write and read aloud.
  • Day 5: Nature/Other (雨, 雪, 風, 花, 空, 先, 後, 内, 外, 中, 半)
    • Mnemonics:
      • 雨 (う u / あめ ame): “Drops falling from a cloud.”
      • 空 (くう kuu / そら sora): “The sky above a cave.”
    • Vocabulary:
      • 雨 の 日 (あめのひ ame no hi, rainy day)
      • 花見 (はなみ hanami, flower viewing)
    • Practice: Write and read aloud.
  • Day 6: Consolidation with Compounds and Sentences
    • Goal: Deepen understanding through compounds and creative writing.
    • Activities:
      • Compound Practice: Write and read these compounds:
        • 大人 (おとな otona, adult)
        • 小さい (ちいさい chiisai, small)
        • 高校 (こうこう koukou, high school)
        • 安全 (あんぜん anzen, safety)
        • 長時間 (ちょうじかん choujikan, long time)
      • Sentence Writing: Write 5 sentences, e.g.:
        • やま (yama, mountain) は 大きい (おおきい ookii) です。
        • 白い (しろい shiroi) ゆき (yuki, snow) が 降ります (ふります furimasu, fall).
        • 青い (あおい aoi) 空 (そら sora) を 見ます (みます mimasu).
        • 雨 (あめ ame) の 日 (ひ hi) は 家 (いえ ie) に います。
        • わたし は 早く (はやく hayaku, early) 寝ます (ねます nemasu).
      • Flashcard Drill: Review all 25 kanji, focusing on adjectives like 大きい (おおきい ookii), ちいさい (chiisai, small).
      • Drawing Exercise: Draw a scene with labels like 大 (おおきい ookii, big) やま (yama, mountain), 小 (ちいさい chiisai, small) 花 (はな hana, flower), 青 (あおい aoi, blue) 空 (そら sora, sky).
    • Practice: Write each compound 5 times, read sentences aloud, and spend 10 minutes on flashcards.
  • Day 7: Comprehensive Review
    • Goal: Test and solidify knowledge through diverse activities.
    • Activities:
      • Writing Quiz: Write 15 random kanji from the week, checking stroke order.
      • Reading Quiz: Write 10 vocabulary words (e.g., 青空, 花見) and read them aloud, then write their meanings.
      • Story Writing: Write a short story (5 sentences) using 10 kanji, e.g., “やま (yama, mountain) は 大きい (おおきい ookii) です。白い (しろい shiroi) ゆき (yuki, snow) が あります。わたし は 早く (はやく hayaku) 行きます (いきます ikimasu)。花 (はな hana, flower) を 見ます (みます mimasu)。空 (そら sora, sky) は 青い (あおい aoi) です。”
      • Kanji Bingo: Create a 5×5 grid with the week’s kanji. Call out meanings or readings (e.g., “big,” おおきい ookii) and mark the kanji.
      • Mix and Match: Write kanji and meanings/readings on paper slips and match them (e.g., 大 to “big/おおきい ookii”).
      • Oral Practice: Read the story aloud, focusing on pronunciation.
    • Practice: Spend 10 minutes on each activity, revisiting weak areas.

Study Techniques

  1. Mnemonics: Use visual stories to memorize kanji shapes (e.g., 川 [かわ kawa] = “Three flowing lines like a river”).
  2. Flashcards: Make your own with index cards (kanji on one side, meaning/readings in hiragana and romaji on the other). Review daily, shuffling to test recall.
  3. Writing Practice: Use grid paper (draw 3×3 grids) to write each kanji 10–20 times, following stroke order.
  4. Vocabulary Context: Learn kanji in words (e.g., 火山 [かざん kazan, volcano]) and sentences to see how they’re used.
  5. Fun Activities:
    • Kanji Bingo: Write kanji on a 5×5 grid, call out meanings/readings, and mark matches.
    • Sentence Building: Write 3–5 sentences daily with new kanji.
    • Matching Game: Write kanji and meanings on paper slips, then match them.
  6. Progress Tracking: Keep a notebook to list learned kanji and check off each day’s progress.

Assessment

  • Weekly Quizzes:
    • Recognition: Match 10 kanji to their meanings/readings using flashcards.
    • Writing: Write 10 random kanji from the week.
    • Reading: Read 3–5 sentences with week’s kanji.
  • Final Project (End of Week 4): Write a 5–7 sentence paragraph using at least 20 kanji, e.g., “わたし は (watashi wa) ちいさい (chiisai, small) まち (machi, town) に すみます (sumimasu, live). やま (yama, mountain) の ちかく (chikaku, near) に かわ (kawa, river) が あります。わたし は 早く (はやく hayaku, early) 学校 (がっこう gakkou, school) へ 行きます (いきます ikimasu, go)…”
  • Oral Practice: Read vocabulary and sentences aloud to practice pronunciation.

Repetition Strategies for Long-Term Retention

To ensure the N5 kanji stick in your memory, incorporate these repetition strategies after completing the 4-week plan:

  • Daily Flashcard Review: Spend 10–15 minutes daily reviewing flashcards from all weeks. Shuffle them to keep it challenging. Focus on both on’yomi and kun’yomi readings.
  • Weekly Writing Practice: Once a week, write 20 random kanji from the 100 learned, checking stroke order. Write a short sentence for each to reinforce context.
  • Sentence Creation: Write 5–10 sentences weekly using different kanji combinations, e.g., “わたし は (watashi wa) 新しい (あたらしい atarashii, new) 本 (ほん hon, book) を 読みます (よみます yomimasu, read).”
  • Kanji Bingo Rotation: Create new bingo cards every two weeks with different kanji combinations. Play with a friend or self-test by calling out meanings or readings.
  • Story Writing: Write a short story (5–7 sentences) every two weeks using 15–20 kanji. Vary the themes (e.g., a day at school, a trip to the mountains).
  • Oral Practice: Read sentences or stories aloud daily to practice pronunciation and reinforce readings.
  • Randomized Quizzes: Weekly, pick 10 kanji randomly and test yourself on writing, reading, and creating a vocabulary word for each.

Complete List of JLPT N5 Kanji Learned

Here are the ~100 kanji you’ve learned, organized by week, with primary readings:

  • Week 1: Numbers, Days, and Time
    • 一 (いち ichi), 二 (に ni), 三 (さん san), 四 (し shi / よん yon), 五 (ご go), 六 (ろく roku), 七 (しち shichi / なな nana), 八 (はち hachi), 九 (きゅう kyuu), 十 (じゅう juu)
    • 百 (ひゃく hyaku), 千 (せん sen), 万 (まん man)
    • 日 (にち nichi / ひ hi), 月 (げつ getsu / つき tsuki), 火 (か ka / ひ hi), 水 (すい sui / みず mizu), 木 (もく moku / き ki), 金 (きん kin / かね kane), 土 (ど do / つち tsuchi), 曜 (よう you), 週 (しゅう shuu), 時 (じ ji / とき toki), 分 (ふん fun / ぶん bun), 秒 (びょう byou)
  • Week 2: People and Places
    • 人 (じん jin / にん nin / ひと hito), 男 (だん dan / おとこ otoko), 女 (じょ jo / おんな onna), 子 (し shi / こ ko), 父 (ふ fu / とう tou), 母 (ぼ bo / はは haha), 友 (ゆう yuu / とも tomo)
    • 学 (がく gaku), 校 (こう kou), 生 (せい sei / なま nama)
    • 山 (さん san / やま yama), 川 (せん sen / かわ kawa), 田 (でん den / た ta), 道 (どう dou / みち michi), 町 (ちょう chou / まち machi), 村 (そん son / むら mura), 国 (こく koku / くに kuni), 京 (きょう kyou)
    • 東 (とう tou), 西 (せい sei), 南 (なん nan), 北 (ほく hoku), 口 (こう kou / くち kuchi), 目 (もく moku / め me), 耳 (じ ji / みみ mimi)
  • Week 3: Objects and Actions
    • 車 (しゃ sha / くるま kuruma), 門 (もん mon), 間 (かん kan / ま ma), 家 (か ka / いえ ie), 店 (てん ten)
    • 食 (しょく shoku / たべる taberu), 飲 (いん in / のむ nomu), 見 (けん ken / みる miru), 聞 (ぶん bun / きく kiku), 行 (こう kou / いく iku), 来 (らい rai / くる kuru), 入 (にゅう nyuu / はいる hairu), 出 (しゅつ shutsu / でる deru), 書 (しょ sho / かく kaku), 読 (どく doku / よむ yomu), 話 (わ wa / はなす hanasu)
    • 手 (しゅ shu / て te), 足 (そく soku / あし ashi), 心 (しん shin / こころ kokoro), 力 (りょく ryoku / ちから chikara), 気 (き ki), 円 (えん en), 名 (めい mei / な na), 字 (じ ji), 犬 (けん ken / いぬ inu)
  • Week 4: Adjectives and Nature
    • 大 (だい dai / おおきい ookii), 小 (しょう shou / ちいさい chiisai), 高 (こう kou / たかい takai), 安 (あん an / やすい yasui), 長 (ちょう chou / ながい nagai), 新 (しん shin / あたらしい atarashii), 古 (こ ko / ふるい furui), 多 (た ta / おおい ooi), 少 (しょう shou / すこし sukoshi), 早 (そう sou / はやい hayai)
    • 白 (はく haku / しろい shiroi), 黒 (こく koku / くろい kuroi), 青 (せい sei / あおい aoi), 赤 (せき seki / あか aka)
    • 雨 (う u / あめ ame), 雪 (せつ setsu / ゆき yuki), 風 (ふう fuu / かぜ kaze), 花 (か ka / はな hana), 空 (くう kuu / そら sora)
    • 先 (せん sen / さき saki), 後 (ご go / あと ato), 内 (ない nai / うち uchi), 外 (がい gai / そと soto), 中 (ちゅう chuu / なか naka), 半 (はん han)

Final Words

Congratulations! By completing this 4-week plan, you’ve mastered the ~100 JLPT N5 kanji, equipping you to read and write basic Japanese. You can now recognize everyday words like 日曜日 (にちようび nichiyoubi, Sunday), 食べる (たべる taberu, eat), and 大きい (おおきい ookii, big). Keep practicing with flashcards, writing, and sentence creation to maintain your skills.

Where to Go from Here: Progressing to JLPT N4

The JLPT N4 is the next step, building on your N5 foundation. It includes:

  • Kanji: Approximately 200 additional kanji (total ~300), covering more complex concepts like 毎 (まい mai, every), 社 (しゃ sha, company), and 体 (たい tai / からだ karada, body).
  • Vocabulary: Around 1,500 words, including more verbs, adjectives, and compound words (e.g., 毎日 [まいにち mainichi, every day], 会社 [かいしゃ kaisha, company]).
  • Grammar: More advanced structures, such as verb conjugations (e.g., te-form, potential form), particles (e.g., に for purpose), and simple conditional sentences.
  • Reading: Longer passages, such as short emails or advertisements.
  • Listening: Basic conversations and announcements.

How to Prepare for N4:

  • Kanji Study: Use a similar 4–6 week plan to learn ~200 new kanji, grouping them by themes (e.g., time, actions, places). Continue using mnemonics, flashcards, and writing practice.
  • Vocabulary Expansion: Learn 20–30 new words weekly, focusing on N4 vocabulary lists. Write sentences to practice usage.
  • Grammar Practice: Study N4 grammar points like te-form (e.g., 食べて [たべて tabete, eating]) and practice with simple texts.
  • Reading and Listening: Practice reading short Japanese texts (e.g., signs, menus) and listen to basic conversations (try mimicking native speakers).
  • Resources: Create your own study materials, such as flashcards and notebooks, or seek out N4 practice tests in libraries or bookstores.
  • Study Groups: Join a local or online study group to practice speaking and share tips.

By building on your N5 skills, you’ll be ready to tackle the N4, opening up more complex Japanese texts and conversations. Keep your notebook and flashcards handy, practice daily, and celebrate your progress. がんばって (ganbatte, good luck) on your Japanese journey!


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