Foundations

Build the knowledge every JLPT level takes for granted.

Foundations is the general knowledge every JLPT level assumes — the writing system, and the basic grammatical machinery N5 Grammar is built on. It sits underneath every level rather than belonging to one.

What Foundations covers

• Kana

  Hiragana and Katakana forms used throughout Japanese, including the marks and combinations that build on them.

  Hiragana

  113

  Katakana

  136

  Study Kana flashcards

  Flashcards are for study. Your record changes when you answer graded practice questions.

• Grammar basics

  The basic machinery N5 Grammar builds on: plain forms, the polite past, and putting a modifier in front of a noun.

  Basics

  4

  Practise grammar basics

  Answers here build your Foundations record. They are kept separate from your N5 Grammar record.

• Kanji

  Learn Kanji meanings and readings through real vocabulary.

  N5-aligned

  79

  Learn how Kanji readings work

  The JLPT does not publish a fixed modern Kanji list. These level groupings are estimates used to organize study.

Foundations tools

• Practice Kana

  Graded questions that build your record.

• Kana progress

  What your graded Kana practice shows so far.

• Kanji flashcards

  See a Kanji, flip it, hear its readings and words.