How Many Words in Japanese Vocabulary to Pass JLPT?

How many words in Japanese vocabulary should you learn to pass each JLPT level? This is one of the most common questions learners ask when preparing for the exam. Let’s break down the estimated word counts required for JLPT N5 through N1 with Mazii, explain why vocabulary matters, and share practical strategies to grow your word power effectively.

How Many Words in Japanese Vocabulary to Pass JLPT?

Here’s an approximate breakdown of how many words you need to know to pass each level:

Note: These are not official JLPT numbers. The JLPT does not publish exact vocabulary requirements. These estimates are based on study guides, exam prep books, and learner experience.

1. JLPT N5 Vocabulary (800-1,000 words)

• Covers basic greetings, numbers, time, colors, days, family, food, and common verbs.
• Focus is on daily survival Japanese: ordering food, asking for directions, introducing yourself.
• Example words: 食べる (taberu - to eat), 行く (iku - to go), 学校 (gakkou - school), 今日 (kyou - today).

Study Tip: Use beginner-friendly apps like LingoDeer or Duolingo, and focus on high-frequency words.

>> Read more: 700+ Japanese N5 Vocabulary: Ultimate List for JLPT Success

2. JLPT N4 Vocabulary (1,500-2,000 words)

• Expands into more verbs, adjectives, and casual expressions.
• Reading passages are longer, requiring recognition of compound words (熟語 / jukugo).
• You’ll be expected to handle short conversations and simple written materials.
• Example words: 病院 (byouin - hospital), 遊ぶ (asobu - to play), 自転車 (jitensha - bicycle).

Study Tip: Read children’s books or manga for exposure to natural word usage.

>> Read more: 960+ Japanese N4 Vocabulary: Your Complete N4 Word Checklist

3. JLPT N3 Vocabulary (3,000-4,000 words)

• Acts as a transition level from beginner to intermediate.
• Requires mastery of daily life + workplace/school contexts.
• Listening becomes harder: you’ll need to catch fast, natural speech.
• Example words: 社会 (shakai - society), 経験 (keiken - experience), 必要 (hitsuyou - necessary).

Study Tip: Start reading NHK Easy News (やさしい日本語ニュース) for practical input.

>> Read more: 780+ Japanese N3 Vocabulary List: Essential JLPT Words to Learn

4. JLPT N2 Vocabulary (6,000-7,000 words)

• Covers advanced vocabulary used in TV, newspapers, and business settings.
• Reading materials include essays and opinion texts.
• Listening involves fast conversations with multiple speakers.
• Example words: 解決 (kaiketsu - solution), 影響 (eikyou - influence), 判断 (handan - judgment).

Study Tip: Use flashcards (like Anki) and practice timed reading.

5. JLPT N1 Vocabulary (10,000-15,000+ words)

• Requires near-native comprehension of complex articles, literature, and formal Japanese.
• Includes idioms, proverbs, academic words, and nuanced expressions.
• Example words: 至急 (shikyuu - urgent), 適切 (tekisetsu - appropriate), 主張 (shuchou - assertion).

Study Tip: Read novels, editorials, and listen to Japanese podcasts for real-life vocabulary exposure.

>> Read more: Japanese N1 Vocabulary: 1100+ Must-Know Words for JLPT

How to Build Vocabulary Effectively

Building Japanese vocabulary for JLPT isn’t just about memorizing lists—it’s about making words stick and being able to use them naturally. Here are the best strategies and tools to boost your word power:

1. Use Spaced Repetition Systems (SRS)

• The brain forgets quickly without review. SRS makes learning efficient by showing words just before you’re likely to forget them.
• Keep it consistent, review 20-30 new words daily instead of cramming.

2. Learn Vocabulary in Context

• Instead of memorizing isolated words, study them inside real sentences.
• Example: Rather than just 学ぶ (manabu - to learn), practice: 日本語を学ぶ (nihongo o manabu - to learn Japanese).
• How to do it:
  • Use graded readers or manga.
  • Rely on dictionary apps that provide example sentences.

Pro Tip with Mazii: Mazii is one of the most powerful Japanese dictionary + learning apps. It not only gives you meanings and kanji details but also shows real example sentences, JLPT word tags, and context. You can even build your own wordbooks for JLPT levels and practice with quizzes inside the app.

If you’re serious about passing JLPT, start by downloading Mazii Web, Appstore or CH Play and create a daily study habit.

>> Read more:

• 5 Best Japanese Vocab Apps for All Learners 2025
• How to Memorize Japanese Vocabulary Fast: 5 Best Ways

3. Combine Kanji + Vocabulary

• Many JLPT words are kanji compounds. Learning kanji alongside vocabulary makes recognition faster.
• Example: 知 (know) → 知識 (knowledge), 知人 (acquaintance), 知る (to know).

4. Immerse with Input (Read, Watch, Listen)

• Reading: Start with Mazii News, then move to novels.
• Watching: Anime, dramas, YouTube channels with Japanese subtitles.
• Listening: Podcasts like JapanesePod101 or JLPT audio drills.
• Why it works: Exposure in real contexts builds automatic recognition.

5. Practice Actively (Speak + Write)

• Speak: Use new words in real or simulated conversations (HelloTalk, italki).
• Write: Keep a short daily diary in Japanese.
• Example: 昨日、友達と映画を見た。("Yesterday, I watched a movie with a friend.")

6. Group Words by Theme

• Grouping helps retention (e.g., Food, Emotions, Transportation).
• At N3-N1, also learn synonyms and antonyms: 増加 (increase) ↔ 減少 (decrease)

👉 Mazii’s Wordbooks let you organize vocabulary by JLPT level or by your own themes, making review much more efficient.

7. Review Frequently

• Daily review: 10-15 minutes with flashcards or Mazii quizzes.
• Weekly review: Focus on words you keep forgetting.
• Monthly review: Take JLPT practice tests to measure progress.

To pass JLPT, you need to recognize and use vocabulary naturally. Apps like Mazii make this journey easier by giving you wordbooks by JLPT level, example sentences, kanji breakdowns, and self-tests.

Conclusion

So, how many words in Japanese vocabulary do you need to pass the JLPT? The answer varies by level: around 1,000 for N5, 2,000 for N4, 4,000 for N3, 7,000 for N2, and up to 15,000 or more for N1. But remember, success isn’t just about the number of words you memorize, it’s about recognizing them instantly, understanding them in context, and being able to use them naturally.

With smart tools like Mazii, spaced repetition, and daily input from reading and listening, you can steadily build the vocabulary you need.