Containing test section
漢
JLPT N5 evergreen skill guide
Reviewed September 24, 2026JLPT N5 Kanji Practice
漢字
Kanji questions sit inside Language Knowledge. They test readings in real words and, from N2 through N5, the correct written form for a word shown in kana. Handwriting is not tested.
What this skill tests
What to master for JLPT N5
Read and recognize the most common beginner kanji for numbers, time, family, school, directions, weather, and everyday actions. Learn each character inside useful words.
Official section time
20 minutes
Shared across the complete section, not reserved for kanji.
Scoring contribution
Language Knowledge and Reading: 0–120, minimum 38
There is no separate official kanji pass mark.
Official composition
JLPT N5 kanji question types
1
Kanji reading
Choose the correct kana reading for a kanji word in a sentence.
2
Orthography
Choose the correct kanji form for a word presented in kana.
Question types and containing-section time are based on the official JLPT composition. Item counts may vary. Verify the current format on the official test-sections page ↗.
Original mini sample
Try one kanji question
毎朝、川の そばを 歩きます。「川」は どう よみますか。
- 1)かわ
- 2)やま
- 3)みち
- 4)うみ
Show answer and explanation
Answer 1: かわ. 川 is read かわ here and means “river.”
Move from one item to a timed set
Targeted kanji drills
These sections contain vocabulary and kanji question groups. For focused review, mark the kanji items you miss, identify the distractor pattern, and retry them before moving to a new test.
Recommended next test
Practice Test 1
Vocabulary and kanji timed practice with instant answer feedback.
Start section →Practice Test 2
Vocabulary and kanji timed practice with instant answer feedback.
Start section →Practice Test 3
Vocabulary and kanji timed practice with instant answer feedback.
Start section →Mistake-review workflow
Turn wrong answers into a short lesson
- 1. Finish a related section with immediate or delayed feedback.
- 2. Record the question type and why your chosen distractor looked plausible.
- 3. Use “Ask Keiko” on a missed question for a contextual explanation.
- 4. Retry the same pattern without notes, then test it in a new section.
Recommended progression
What to do after this guide
JLPT N5 kanji questions
What kanji question types appear on JLPT N5?
The official composition lists Kanji reading, Orthography. Item counts can vary, so prepare for every listed type rather than predicting a fixed number of questions.
How much time does JLPT N5 allow for kanji?
Kanji does not receive a separate official time limit. It appears inside Language Knowledge (Vocabulary), which has 20 minutes in total. Practice pacing across the complete section.
Does JLPT N5 report a separate kanji score?
No separate kanji subscore is used for pass or fail. Its questions contribute to Language Knowledge and Reading: 0–120, minimum 38. You must also meet the overall pass mark and every other sectional minimum.
What should I do after the sample kanji question?
Open one related timed section, mark every uncertain answer, then review why each distractor fails. Use the next recommended test below or build a shorter custom diagnostic.
Original sample written for this site. It is not an official or licensed historical JLPT question. Format and timing were reviewed against official JLPT guidance on September 24, 2026.