{"id":823,"date":"2024-09-21T07:10:45","date_gmt":"2024-09-20T22:10:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/?p=823"},"modified":"2024-09-21T07:10:45","modified_gmt":"2024-09-20T22:10:45","slug":"what-are-the-standards-n1-to-n5-of-the-japanese-language-proficiency-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/?p=823","title":{"rendered":"What are the standards N1 to N5 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“Japanese Language Proficiency Test has been doubled in past 10 years as exams progress in Asia” , according to the article of 2024\/09\/19 Alterna<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a test designed to measure Japanese language knowledge and communication skills for people whose native language is not Japanese. The exam is divided into five levels (N1 to N5), with N1 being the most difficult and N5 being the easiest. Each level is evaluated based on various aspects of Japanese, such as “characters\/vocabulary,” “grammar\/reading comprehension,” and “listening comprehension.” Below, we will explain the standards from N1 to N5 in an easy-to-understand manner using specific examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

N1: Most difficult level<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

N1 is the most advanced level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and indicates that you have the Japanese language skills required by Japanese universities and companies. Advanced vocabulary, complex grammar, ability to read difficult documents, and ability to listen to news and lectures are required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specific criteria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Vocabulary\/Kanji: <\/strong>Contains many specialized vocabulary and difficult kanji. Students are required to understand and use expressions that appear in newspapers, academic papers, specialized books, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Grammar\/Reading: <\/strong>Requires the ability to understand long and complex sentences and combinations of various sentence patterns. Advanced reading comprehension is required to understand the background of claims and opinions in literary works and editorials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Listening comprehension:<\/strong> Requires the ability to understand and grasp the main points of television news, business meetings, and lectures. It is necessary to understand the speaker’s intentions, emotions, and the logical flow of complex content. It is fast-paced and includes specialized topics and multi-speaker discussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Achievement target<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Generally, approximately 2,000 hours or more of study is required to pass N1. Additionally, knowledge of at least 10,000 vocabulary words and 2,000 kanji characters is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

N2: Practical business level<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

N2 is a level that is sufficient for general communication in business and university settings. Although it is not as advanced as N1, it requires the ability to understand and use a wide range of Japanese, from everyday conversations to business documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specific criteria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Vocabulary\/Kanji: <\/strong>You are required to understand and use vocabulary and kanji that appear in newspapers, magazines, and business documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Grammar\/Reading:<\/strong> Requires the ability to understand relatively long texts, editorials, and novels. You are required to understand the context of newspaper articles, business documents, explanatory texts, etc., and understand the author’s argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Listening comprehension: <\/strong>You are required to be able to understand somewhat specialized content and fast-paced conversations, such as news, business conversations, and university lectures. It is important to accurately listen to the speaker’s intentions and feelings and summarize the main points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Achievement target<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Approximately 1,200 to 1,800 hours of study are required to pass N2. Knowledge of approximately 6,000 vocabulary words and approximately 1,000 kanji characters is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

N3: Ability to respond to everyday conversations and general situations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

N3 is an intermediate level and indicates the ability to respond to everyday situations and slightly specialized conversations. You need the ability to understand vocabulary and expressions that are commonly used in daily life, as well as sentences of a certain length.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specific criteria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Vocabulary\/Kanji: <\/strong>Students are required to understand and use vocabulary and kanji that appear in daily conversations and common texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Grammar\/Reading:<\/strong> Requires the ability to read simple editorial texts and texts related to daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Listening comprehension: <\/strong>The ability to understand everyday conversations and conversations with slightly more complex content is required. The ability to listen to the gist of conversations and accurately understand information is also required. The goal is to be able to understand the content of news and interviews that are relatively fast in speed and content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Achievement target<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Approximately 600 to 1,000 hours of study are required to pass N3. Knowledge of approximately 3,500 vocabulary words and approximately 650 kanji characters is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

N4: Understanding basic daily conversation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

N4 indicates the ability to understand basic everyday conversations and sentences and communicate using simple expressions at a beginner to intermediate level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specific criteria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Vocabulary\/Kanji:<\/strong> Students are required to understand and use vocabulary and kanji that frequently appear in daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Grammar\/Reading: <\/strong>Must be able to understand simple sentences and short sentences about everyday events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Listening comprehension: <\/strong>Must be able to understand slowly spoken everyday conversations and simple explanations of familiar topics. This is the level at which you can answer simple questions, listen to instructions, and take action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Achievement target<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Approximately 300-600 hours of study is required to pass N4. Knowledge of approximately 1,500 vocabulary words and approximately 300 kanji characters is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

N5: The most basic understanding of Japanese<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

N5 is the most basic level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and is aimed at people who are just starting to learn Japanese. The ability to understand simple Japanese expressions, basic vocabulary, and kanji is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specific criteria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Vocabulary\/Kanji:<\/strong> Students are required to understand and use basic vocabulary and kanji that are often used in daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Grammar\/Reading: <\/strong>Students are required to understand simple greetings and everyday expressions, and be able to read and understand short sentences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Listening:<\/strong> Must be able to understand simple conversations and instructions that are spoken slowly. You are expected to be able to understand basic everyday conversations and answer simple questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Achievement target<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Approximately 150-300 hours of study is required to pass N5. Knowledge of approximately 800 vocabulary words and approximately 100 kanji characters is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, from N1 to N5, is set according to the learner’s ability to understand Japanese. N1 requires advanced Japanese language skills and the ability to understand business and academic content. On the other hand, N5 is the elementary stage of learning Japanese, and is the level at which you understand basic vocabulary and expressions used in daily life. Learners can measure the improvement of their Japanese language ability by choosing the appropriate level of exam according to their Japanese language ability and purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan Immigration News<\/h2>\n\n\n