Japanese Proficiency Levels: What is the JLPT?
If you’re studying Japanese, you’ve probably seen the JLPT, or levels like N5, N4, N3, N2, N1 mentioned somewhere. This article will explain what these levels mean and where they come from.
About the JLPT
For Japanese students, the most common way to assess a student’s level is through standards set by the “Japanese Language Proficiency Test” (more commonly known as the “JLPT”). Most resources are categorized according to these levels, so it is helpful to understand how levels are determined.
💡Tip: Due to the cost of travel and exam fees ($135 USD), I recommend that students wait until they are at least around N3 level and feel confident that they can pass.
There are no official vocabulary or grammar lists for the JLPT, but many resources utilize information from past exams to create predictive lists. It is important to know that the JLPT only tests reading and listening skills — speaking and writing are not a part of the exam.
How is the JLPT categorized?
The JLPT is split into five levels: N5, N4, N3, N2, and N1 (from lowest to highest degree of proficiency). Take a look at the descriptions of each level below, quoted directly from the official JLPT website.
N5: The ability to understand some basic Japanese.
Approximately 80 kanji and 800 words
Reading: “One is able to read and understand typical expressions and sentences written in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji” (JLPT)
Listening: “One is able to listen and comprehend conversations about topics regularly encountered in daily life and classroom situations, and is able to pick up necessary information from short conversations spoken slowly” (JLPT )
N4: The ability to understand basic Japanese.
Approximately 250 kanji and 1,500 words
Reading: “One is able to read and understand passages on familiar daily topics written in basic vocabulary and kanji” (JLPT)
Listening: “One is able to listen and comprehend conversations encountered in daily life and generally follow their contents, provided that they are spoken slowly” (JLPT)
N3: The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree.
Approximately 650 kanji and 3,750 words
Reading: “One is able to read and understand written materials with specific contents concerning everyday topics. One is also able to grasp summary information such as newspaper headlines. In addition, one is also able to read slightly difficult writings encountered in everyday situations and understand the main points of the content if some alternative phrases are available to aid one’s understanding.” (JLPT)
Listening: “One is able to listen and comprehend coherent conversations in everyday situations, spoken at near-natural speed, and is generally able to follow their contents as well as grasp the relationships among the people involved.” (JLPT)
N2: The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree.
Approximately 1,000 kanji and 6,000 words
Reading: “One is able to read materials written clearly on a variety of topics, such as articles and commentaries in newspapers and magazines as well as simple critiques, and comprehend their contents. One is also able to read written materials on general topics and follow their narratives as well as understand the intent of the writers” (JLPT)
Listening: “One is able to comprehend orally presented materials such as coherent conversations and news reports, spoken at nearly natural speed in everyday situations as well as in a variety of settings, and is able to follow their ideas and comprehend their contents. One is also able to understand the relationships among the people involved and the essential points of the presented materials” (JLPT)
N1: The ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances.
Approximately 2,200 kanji and 10,000 words
Reading: “One is able to read writings with logical complexity and/or abstract writings on a variety of topics, such as newspaper editorials and critiques, and comprehend both their structures and contents. One is also able to read written materials with profound contents on various topics and follow their narratives as well as understand the intent of the writers comprehensively” (JLPT)
Listening: “One is able to comprehend orally presented materials such as coherent conversations, news reports, and lectures, spoken at natural speed in a broad variety of settings, and is able to follow their ideas and comprehend their contents comprehensively. One is also able to understand the details of the presented materials such as the relationships among the people involved, the logical structures, and the essential points” (JLPT)
If you would like assistance finding resources or assessing your approximate JLPT level, please email savannahlong@soralanguageservices.com, or schedule a session with Savannah.
A note to those considering taking the exam:
Proof of JLPT level is typically only required for those seeking jobs in Japan or looking to work in the language industry. These positions will most likely require N1 certification. As such, passing N3 or a lower level is not likely to bring you much tangible benefit, unless you need proof of some knowledge, not mastery. Good luck on your journey!