JLPT N5 tests about 80 grammar patterns. These are the building blocks of everything that comes after. Master them and N4-N3 grammar becomes much easier. Here are the essentials grouped by category.
Copula & Basic Sentences
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜です | is/am/are (polite) | 学生です (I’m a student) |
| 〜じゃないです | is not | 学生じゃないです (I’m not a student) |
| 〜でした | was | 学生でした (I was a student) |
| 〜ます | polite verb ending | 食べます (I eat) |
| 〜ません | polite negative | 食べません (I don’t eat) |
| 〜ました | polite past | 食べました (I ate) |
Essential Particles
| Particle | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| は | Topic marker | 私は田中です |
| が | Subject marker | 猫がいます |
| を | Object marker | 本を読みます |
| に | Direction/time/location | 学校に行きます |
| で | Location of action/means | 図書館で勉強します |
| の | Possession/connection | 私の本 |
| と | And/with | 友達と行きます |
| も | Also/too | 私も学生です |
| か | Question marker | 日本人ですか？ |
| から/まで | From/until | 9時から5時まで |
Key Grammar Patterns
Existence: あります / います
あります = for non-living things: 本があります (There is a book)
います = for living things: 猫がいます (There is a cat)
Want to: 〜たい
Verb stem + たい: 食べたい (I want to eat) · 行きたい (I want to go)
Conjugates like an i-adjective: 食べたくない (don’t want to eat)
Te-Form Uses
〜てください = please do: 見てください (please look)
〜ている = currently doing: 食べている (is eating)
〜てもいい = may I?: 帰ってもいいですか (may I go home?)
〜てはいけない = must not: 走ってはいけない (must not run)
Comparisons
AはBより〜 = A is more ~ than B
東京は大阪より大きい (Tokyo is bigger than Osaka)
AとBとどちらが〜 = which is more ~, A or B?
犬と猫とどちらが好きですか (Which do you like more, dogs or cats?)
How to Master N5 Grammar
- Learn patterns through example sentences — not abstract rules
- Review vocabulary with SRS — grammar patterns only stick when you know the words in them
- Write sample sentences using each pattern to test understanding
- Kanjijo’s N5 deck covers all 100+ kanji and 800 vocabulary items you need — essential foundation for grammar
Master N5 kanji and vocabulary with SRS flashcards, mnemonics, and writing practice. Free on iOS.