The levels from N5 to N2
N5 to N2 are the names of a scale in common use. What stands on this page is this project’s own reading of it — not an official assessment and not a certificate.
N5
First steps
Read hiragana and katakana, introduce yourself, build simple sentences with です and ます.
What you can do at this level
- read and write hiragana and katakana
- introduce yourself and others politely
- understand numbers, the time, dates and prices
- say what you do, did and want to do
- ask and answer simple questions with か
Grammar at this level
Writing Japanese, The basic sentence, Particles, Verbs, Adjectives and adverbs, Using the te-form, Wanting and intending …
N4
Foundations
The te-form, requests and permission, talking about your day.
What you can do at this level
- ask for things and ask permission
- switch between polite and plain speech
- talk about experiences and intentions
- give reasons and conditions
- read simple texts with common kanji
Grammar at this level
Writing Japanese, Particles, Verbs, Adjectives and adverbs, Using the te-form, Wanting and intending, Giving and receiving …
N3
Intermediate
Tell a connected story, give reasons for an opinion, read everyday texts.
What you can do at this level
- understand and form the passive and causative
- express guesses and things you have heard
- give and weigh reasons for an opinion
- recognise the everyday forms of polite language
- read shorter everyday texts on your own
Grammar at this level
Particles, Conditions, Probability and hearsay, Passive and causative, Expressions (N3)
N2
Upper intermediate
Follow newspaper articles and conversations at work, say exactly what you mean.
What you can do at this level
- understand the gist of newspaper articles and reports
- speak respectfully and humbly at work
- express stance, limitation and emphasis
- tell spoken style from written style
- give a longer argument a clear structure