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JLPT Vocabulary List — N1 to N5

7,700+ exam-relevant words, each rated by how often they appear in real Japanese. Stop guessing which words to study first.

Level
Frequency
Script
Or add Japanese words from the reader.
12,953 words
Study 50 words

Why our list looks different

Fewer words, higher accuracy

Some books claim 8,000 N1 words. The truth: JLPT hasn't published an official word list since 2010. Those books pad their counts with loosely related vocabulary. Our 3,400 N1 core words are cross-referenced against historical exam patterns — these are the words that actually matter for passing.

★ Frequency ratings from real usage

Every word is rated ★1–5 based on how often it appears in novels, anime, drama, and visual novels (JPDB corpus, 280K+ entries). Within each JLPT level, the top 20% most-used words get ★★★★★. Study 5-star words first and you'll cover the most ground in the least time.

Mastery tracked by algorithm, not guesswork

We don't let you manually check off words as "known" — and that's on purpose. Your mastery is determined by the FSRS spaced repetition algorithm based on your actual recall performance. This prevents the common trap of marking words as learned when you've only seen them once. If you truly know a word, FSRS will confirm it through multiple successful reviews.

Frequently asked questions

How many words do I need for JLPT N1?

The core vocabulary for N1 is approximately 3,400 words. Combined with N2–N5 (which you should already know), that's roughly 7,700 words total. Our list covers all levels, prioritized by real-world frequency so you can focus on what matters most.

Why doesn't this list have 8,000+ N1 words like some textbooks?

Since JLPT stopped publishing official word lists in 2010, publishers set their own boundaries. Many include N2-level words or rarely-tested vocabulary to inflate their count. Our list is based on community-verified exam data — focused on the words you'll actually encounter on test day.

What do the star ratings mean?

Stars (★1–5) show how frequently a word appears in real Japanese media — novels, anime, drama, and visual novels. Within each JLPT level, the top 20% most common words get 5 stars. Studying higher-starred words first gives you the best return on your time investment.

Why can't I manually mark words as "known"?

Manual marking feels efficient but leads to false confidence. Research shows people routinely overestimate their vocabulary knowledge. Instead, our FSRS algorithm tracks your actual recall accuracy across multiple reviews. A word is marked as mastered only when the data confirms you genuinely remember it. This approach is slower to show progress but dramatically more reliable.

Can I use this now?

Yes. The full vocabulary list, search, frequency ratings, and spaced repetition are live, no signup required. Progress is saved in your browser; sign in to sync across devices. The product is in beta and the business model will be announced separately when it is ready.