Minna no Nihongo Elementary I is the first volume of a two-volume beginner series from 3A Corporation, covering 25 lessons to N5 level. This is the Third Edition, published in October 2025. The main text is written entirely in Japanese. There is no English anywhere inside it.
Each lesson follows a set structure: vocabulary list, sentence patterns with example sentences, a situational dialogue, and exercises that move from mechanical pattern drills through to freer communicative practice, closing with a listening comprehension task. Around 1,000 vocabulary items are introduced across the 25 lessons. Grammar moves through core N5 structures: verb conjugation in masu form and te-form, い and な adjectives, particles, basic clause connections, and giving and receiving expressions. The introduction covers Japanese pronunciation, classroom language, and everyday greetings.
This book requires the separately sold Translation and Grammar Notes to be usable for learners who can't read Japanese explanations. Without it, you have a book full of Japanese with no instruction. For self-study, both are needed from lesson one. The main text also does not teach hiragana or katakana. You need to know both before you start.
Minna no Nihongo is the standard textbook at Japanese language schools across Japan and is widely used at schools in Australia and New Zealand. It covers more ground than GENKI by the end, but it's built for classroom use. Pair work and role-play exercises assume a teacher and partner. For speaking practice when studying alone, you'll need an iTalki tutor or conversation partner.
This is a very new release. If you're enrolled in a class or school, check with your teacher before ordering to confirm whether they're running the Third Edition or the Second Edition. The two editions are not supplementary-material compatible.
