This repository contains all study materials and resources for preparing for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), structured from beginner-level content to more advanced topics.
You can download most of them from here.
Highly recommended (just pick any):
- Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese and its workbook series
- Minna no Nihongo series
Others I picked up as a beginner:
- Beginning Japanese for Professionals (by Emiko Konomi)
- Teach Yourself Japanese (by J. C. Dunn and S. Yanada)
- Remembering the Kanji (by James W. Heisig)
- The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Course (by Andrew Scott Conning)
- Duolingo [Google Play Store // App Store] - a highly recommended app. It’s effective for building foundational skills in Hiragana, Katakana, and even Kanji. The lessons follow a well-structured pace that keeps learning engaging without overwhelming. It provides solid practice in grammar and listening. Best of all, it’s free to use, making it accessible to everyone, although after making some mistakes (3-4), you need to wait some time to use it again. A subscription is available to access unlimited practice sessions. Recommend! 🎉
- LingoDeer [Google Play Store // App Store] - a language learning app tailored for Asian languages, including Japanese. It offers structured lessons with a focus on grammar, sentence structure, and pronunciation, making it ideal for building a solid foundation. Again, most content is locked behind a paywall. Highly recommend! 🎉
- Anki Flashcards - haven't tried yet, but I heard only positive opinions so far.
- WaniKani to learn kanji.
- KanjiStudy
- Nihongo Ichiban:
- Complete list of vocabulary for the JLPT N5. They have one for each level, just replace n5 with the desired level.
- JLPT Sensei:
- Vocabulary lists for all levels which include about the following: nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, pre-noun adjectivals, particles and katakana words. These all can be downloaded if you're their Patreon members. Again, the link redirects to the N5 level, just replace it with your desired level in the URL.
- Drops [Google Play Store // App Store] - good for learning new words, practicing reading and listening. Most content is locked behind paywall. If you want an interactive app to learn vocab, go for it, otherwise you're not missing out on too much.
- Tab of Words by WKei. Website: https://wkei.github.io/the-tab-of-words
- JapaneseTab by Anupya. Chrome Store: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/japanesetab/jndamehabjcbgopalgabjpplldmjnnfn -- the link is currently broken, but you can still install it until it gets fixed. The tutorial can be found here: Anupya/JapaneseTab#10
JLPT level kanji lists: A comprehensive list of words required for the JLPT N5/N4/N3/N2/N1 exams.
- JLPT Sensei:
- Though the downloadable kanji list is only for Patreon members, the site still nicely lists the required kanji lists:
- They also have a vocabulary list for all levels which includes about the following: nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, pre-noun adjectivals, particles and katakana words. These all can be downloaded if you're their Patreon members.
- Top 100 most frequent kanji characters
- Nihongo Ichiban's complete list of kanji for JLPT N5.
- Kanshudo's 100 most frequent kanji characters with additional details. You can also organize these into study cards/quizzes.
- List of kanji radicals to learn by Sylhare. Website: https://sylhare.github.io/kanji
Digital and printable flashcards for memorization.
- Printable flashcards by Makemeunsee. The design was inspired by White Rabbit flashcards. Each card has a ton on useful information: stroke order, similar kanjis, onyomi and kunyomi readings, radicals etc. It is automatically generated so you can generate your own sets but pre-generated ones are also available for download here. You can find card decks organized by levels and JLPT levels.
Writing and usage exercises to reinforce vocabulary, hiragana, katakana and kanji.
- Japanese Lessons:
- Hiragana/katakana printable practice sheets: for hiragana, for katakana, and the blank sheet is also downloadable.
- Kanji writing sheets complete with handwriting instructions.
- Nihongo Ichiban:
- Kana-sensei by Laffachan. Website: https://laffachan.github.io/kana-sensei
- Type Kana by Furudean. Website: https://type-kana.furudean.com/
- JapanesePod101
- NHK Easy News - practice Japanese on real news
- JLPT Sensei's free practice test with audio: https://jlptsensei.com/downloads/jlpt-n5-practice-test/
- [Game] Nihongo Shooter by ubershmekel. Fast paced Japanese learning by shooting the correct word definitions. Website: https://ubershmekel.github.io/nihongo-shooter/