Grammar Foundations

JLPT N5 Nouns & Particles

Master essential nouns and the particle system that forms the backbone of Japanese grammar. Learn how particles connect words to create meaningful sentences.

Essential N5 Nouns
Key nouns you need to know for JLPT N5
KanjiKanaRomajiMeaning
日本人にほんじんnihonjinJapanese person
日曜日にちようびnichiyoubiSunday
休みの日やすみのひyasumi no hiday off, holiday
学生がくせいgakuseistudent
先生せんせいsenseiteacher
本ほんhonbook
人ひとhitoperson
家いえiehouse
車くるまkurumacar
水みずmizuwater
時間じかんjikantime
友達ともだちtomodachifriend
食べ物たべものtabemonofood
飲み物のみものnomimonodrink
仕事しごとshigotowork, job
学校がっこうgakkouschool
病院びょういんbyouinhospital
銀行ぎんこうginkoubank
お金おかねokanemoney
電話でんわdenwatelephone

Essential Particles (助詞)

Particles are the building blocks of Japanese sentences. They show the relationship between words and are crucial for proper sentence structure.

は (wa)
Topic marker
Marks the topic of the sentence

Examples:

私は学生です。(I am a student.)
これは本です。(This is a book.)
が (ga)
Subject marker
Marks the grammatical subject

Examples:

犬がいます。(There is a dog.)
誰が来ましたか？(Who came?)
を (wo/o)
Direct object marker
Marks the direct object of transitive verbs

Examples:

本を読みます。(I read a book.)
コーヒーを飲みます。(I drink coffee.)
に (ni)
Direction/Time/Location
Indicates direction, time, or specific location

Examples:

学校に行きます。(I go to school.)
7時に起きます。(I wake up at 7 o'clock.)
で (de)
Location of action/Method
Indicates where an action takes place or method

Examples:

図書館で勉強します。(I study at the library.)
日本語で話します。(I speak in Japanese.)
の (no)
Possession/Modification
Shows possession or connects nouns

Examples:

私の本 (my book)
日本の文化 (Japanese culture)
💡 Particles Study Tips

は vs が:

  • • は marks what you are talking about (topic)
  • • が marks who or what does the action (subject)
  • • は is for general statements, が for specific identification

に vs で:

  • • に shows destination or specific time
  • • で shows location where action happens
  • • に = "to/at", で = "in/at" (for actions)
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