JLPT N5 Greetings & Expressions: All 30 Essential Phrases (2026)
Complete JLPT N5 greetings and set expressions — all 30 essential Japanese phrases with readings, contexts, and example sentences for the exam.
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JLPT N5 greetings and set expressions include all 30 essential phrases that Japanese people use every day. Unlike vocabulary you look up in a dictionary, greetings must be recalled instantly — in the right situation, at the right politeness level. This guide covers all 30 phrases with context and usage notes.
This article is part of our JLPT N5 Complete Vocabulary Guide. Practice all 30 phrases with the N5 Greetings deck in Onigiri Anki.
Basic Greetings (10)
These greetings are tested in N5 listening scenarios — "what does the speaker say?" is a core question type.
こんにちは、はじめまして。 — Hello, nice to meet you.
おはようございます、先生。 — Good morning, teacher.
こんばんは、みなさん。 — Good evening, everyone.
おやすみなさい、お母さん。 — Good night, Mom.
さようなら、また明日。 — Goodbye, see you tomorrow.
じゃあ、また。 — See you later.
はじめまして。 — Nice to meet you.
お元気ですか。 — How are you?
はい、わかりました。 — Yes, I understood.
いいえ、私は学生ではありません。 — No, I am not a student.
Courtesy Expressions (10)
Politeness expressions appear in N5 dialogue questions about making requests, apologizing, and responding.
どうもありがとうございます。 — Thank you very much.
どういたしまして。 — You're welcome.
すみません、駅はどこですか。 — Excuse me, where is the station?
ごめんなさい、おそくなりました。 — I'm sorry for being late.
お願いします。 — Please.
水をください。 — Please give me water.
どうぞ。 — Here you go.
いらっしゃいませ。 — Welcome.
お誕生日、おめでとうございます。 — Happy birthday.
ちょっと待ってください。 — Please wait a moment.
Daily Ritual Expressions (10)
These set phrases are uniquely Japanese — they don't translate word-for-word but carry deep cultural meaning.
いただきます。 — I'm going to eat.
ごちそうさまでした。 — Thank you for the meal.
学校へ行ってきます。 — I'm off to school.
いってらっしゃい。 — Have a good day.
ただいま。 — I'm home.
お帰りなさい。 — Welcome home.
はじめまして、よろしくお願いします。 — Nice to meet you, please be kind to me.
もしもし、田中です。 — Hello, this is Tanaka.
しつれいします、はいってもいいですか。 — Excuse me, may I come in?
どうもありがとうございます。 — Thank you very much.
5 Cultural Notes on Japanese Greetings
- いただきます is not optional. Said before every meal — at home, at restaurants, even at your desk. The N5 tests whether you know when to say it.
- Two levels of ありがとう. ありがとう is casual; ありがとうございます is formal. On the N5 exam, context determines which is appropriate.
- すみません is multipurpose. It means "excuse me," "sorry," and "thank you for the trouble." Read the context to determine which sense applies.
- いってきます/ただいま pairs. These exchange phrases always come in pairs — leaving/returning. The N5 tests whether you know the correct response to each.
- もしもし is phone-specific. You only say もしもし when answering or calling someone. Using it face-to-face is wrong — this distinction appears on the N5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is おはよう or おはようございます more common on the N5?
Both appear, but おはようございます (formal) is more common in N5 dialogues set in schools and workplaces. おはよう is used between close friends and family.
What is よろしくお願いします used for?
It expresses goodwill at the start of a relationship — after はじめまして when meeting someone, when asking a favor, or when starting a new project. There is no direct English translation.
Practice All 30 N5 Greetings
Import the N5 Greetings deck into Onigiri Anki and drill all 30 phrases until every situation triggers the right expression automatically.
