Complete JLPT N5 Grammar Guide

Master all essential grammar points in logical learning order

November 18, 2025•15 min read

Whether you're preparing for the JLPT N5 exam or building your foundation in Japanese, mastering grammar is essential. This comprehensive guide presents all N5 grammar points in their optimal learning sequence, from basic sentence structure to complex conversational patterns.

Unlike random grammar lists, this guide follows a pedagogically sound progression that builds naturally on previous concepts. You'll start with fundamental structures like describing things with です, move through essential particles and verbs, and progress to more nuanced expressions. Each grammar point includes authentic Japanese examples with translations to help you understand real-world usage.

Interactive Features

Use the search box to find specific grammar points instantly, filter by section to focus on particular topics, and click any grammar card to reveal detailed examples and usage notes.

How to Use This Guide Effectively

For Beginners

Start with Section 1 and work through each section in order. The progression is designed to build naturally, with each new grammar point reinforcing and expanding on previous concepts. Spend time with the examples, practicing pronunciation and memorizing the patterns before moving forward.

For JLPT Preparation

Use the search function to quickly review specific grammar points you're struggling with. The filter buttons let you focus on particular sections for targeted study. Try creating your own sentences using each pattern, and consider keeping a grammar journal where you note down challenging points.

Study Tips

  • Review 5-10 grammar points per study session
  • Create example sentences for each pattern you learn
  • Practice grammar in context through reading and listening
  • Return to earlier sections regularly to reinforce learning

Key Takeaways

  • Master the copula です and basic sentence structure to identify and describe people, things, and places—the foundation of all Japanese sentences.
  • Learn essential particles (は, が, を, に, で, へ, も, と) as they mark grammatical relationships and are critical for forming meaningful sentences.
  • Understand verb conjugations including dictionary form, polite (ます) form, て-form, and た-form—these are the building blocks for expressing actions and requests.
  • Distinguish between い-adjectives and な-adjectives and practice their conjugations in both polite and plain forms for describing qualities and states.
  • The て-form is your gateway to complex expressions: making requests (～てください), describing ongoing actions (～ています), and connecting multiple actions in sequence.

1. The Absolute Basics: Describing People and Things

These points cover how to form basic statements, ask questions, and use "this/that/where" to identify people and objects around you. This is the foundation for every sentence.

2. Existence, Possession, and Describing Location

Talk about what exists and where. This section introduces あります/います (to be/have), location particles, and adverbs of quantity, allowing you to describe your surroundings and what you possess.

3. Core Particles and Basic Actions

This section is crucial. Essential particles like を (object), に/へ (destination), and learn to talk about basic actions like going, coming, liking, and disliking. This unlocks full, meaningful sentences.

4. Adjectives and Simple Declarations

Learn the two types of adjectives (い and な), how to conjugate them into past and negative forms (polite and plain), and how to use them to modify nouns.

5. Verb Forms and Sequential Actions (The TE-Form Core)

The て-form is a gateway to complex sentences. Learn verb groups, conjugations (dictionary, ます, て, etc.), and how to use the て-form to make requests, ask for permission, describe ongoing actions, and connect sentences.

6. Intermediate Action Patterns

Express what you *want* to do (〜たい), what you *can* do (〜ことができます), describe past experiences (〜たことがあります), and list multiple activities (〜たり〜たり).

7. Conjunctions, Groupings, and General Questions

Learn how to list items (と, や), show reason (から), contrast (が/けど), and ask more detailed questions (どんな, どう, どこか, etc.) to make your speech flow naturally.

8. Counters and Conversational Elements

Time, dates, and counting various objects (people, flat things, long things, etc.). You'll also learn conversational particles (ね, よ), comparisons, and other key points for natural, real-world Japanese.

Practice These Grammar Points

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