N5 Standard Track

Overview

TABI-N5-STD 9 months Absolute Beginners

If you're not in a rush. If you don't know where to start. Pick this one.

Finishing Genki I gets you close enough to pass N5. Most self-studiers finish it in 4 to 6 months. But you need a bit more.

Learning Japanese is a long journey. N5 is just the first checkpoint. To keep going, you need more than grammar and vocabulary. You need the right tools, the right methods, and a habit that lasts.

That takes time to figure out. Everyone learns differently. You'll need to adjust, try things, find what works for you.

Nine months gives you that room. It's not rushed. It's not a leisurely walk either.

The Journey

  1. Week 1–2

    Kana Exploration

    Learn to read, write, and hear the building blocks of Japanese.

  2. Months 1–3

    Foundations: Genki Chapters 1–6

    Basic grammar, self-introductions, daily life vocabulary. Can be hard at the start. After that, quite manageable.

  3. Months 4–6

    Steady Climb: Genki Chapters 7–12

    Things get harder. て-form, casual speech, expressing wants. Giving and receiving is infamous, but it gets easier with exposure.

  4. Months 7–9

    Review and Reinforce

    Feeling confident? Sou Matome or an N5 Anki deck is enough. Not sure? Try a practice test, find your weak spots, and target them. Want a high score? Do it all.

  5. Final 2 weeks

    Rest

    No new material. Keep Anki. Trust your preparation.

What you’ll need

SALES PITCH

Everything for the 9-month journey. Start small, add more later.

Start with these

NOW
Genki I Bundle
T Buy at Tabi
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Genki I Textbook (3rd Edition)

Core textbook

✎

Genki I Workbook (3rd Edition)

Don’t skip. This is where grammar sticks.

βœ“

Genki I Answer Key (3rd Edition)

Essential for self-study

Get the bundle β†’
A
Anki
FREE*

Flashcard app. Use for kana practice first, then vocab retention. Desktop and Android free. iOS unfortunately expensive.

Add these later

MONTH 7+
総
Nihongo Sou Matome N5

Covers vocab, kanji, grammar, reading, and listening in one book.

Test Prep β€” free PDFs exist, paper versions if you prefer
πŸ“–
Official JLPT N5 Workbook Vol 2
OPTIONAL

More recent questions (2018). Real test format from the test makers.

πŸ“–
Official JLPT N5 Workbook Vol 1
OPTIONAL

Older (2012), still useful for extra practice.

For those who can’t stand Anki
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Hajimete no Nihongo N5 1000
OPTIONAL

1000 vocab words organised by theme. Good for paper-based review.

For grammar reinforcement
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TRY! N5
OPTIONAL

46 sentence patterns with practice questions. Includes audio.

Browse all N5 prep materials β†’
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About Anki

The vocabulary tool you’ll use daily

Anki is a free flashcard app that shows you words right before you'd forget them. It's the most efficient way to build vocabulary β€” 10–15 minutes a day is enough.

Getting started

  1. Download Anki from apps.ankiweb.net (free on desktop, paid on iOS, free on Android)
  2. Find a Genki deck β€” search ankiweb.net for β€œGenki 3rd edition”
  3. Import the deck β€” open Anki, click Import, select the file
  4. Do your reviews daily β€” that’s it

πŸ’‘ How it works

Each day, Anki shows you a mix of new words and old words due for review. Get it right, it goes away for a while. Get it wrong, it keeps coming back until it sticks. Once the queue is empty, you're done for the day. Close the app. Come back tomorrow.

Finding a deck

Go to ankiweb.net and search for β€œGenki 3rd edition”. Look for a deck that:

  • Matches your textbook edition
  • Is organised by chapter
  • Has sound files (helps with pronunciation)

Community-made decks come and go, so if one doesn't work, just search again. Or make your own β€” the vocab lists are in your textbook.

New to Anki? Read our visual interface guide β†’

πŸ’‘ Most people who β€œhate Anki” have never actually used it simply

Don’t optimise settings. Don’t customise cards. Just download a deck and press the buttons. You can get fancy later.

Weeks 1–2

Kana

Learn hiragana and katakana until you can read smoothly without pausing.

Don’t β€œhalf learn” kana. It slows down everything else.

Months 1–4

Lessons 1–6: Foundations

This might feel easy. Don’t rush. A wobbly foundation makes everything harder later.

These first six chapters cover the basics: self-introductions, counting, describing things, and daily life.

Months 5–8

Lessons 7–12: Build Momentum

This is where learners usually start feeling β€œstuck”. The fix is more input + small daily output.

Keep review tight. Don’t let old chapters pile up unfinished.

Month 9–10

Checkpoint

Do a full sweep: weak grammar points, weak vocab areas, and listening comfort.

Fix the biggest bottleneck first. Don’t try to β€œeven out everything”.

Month 11

Final Prep

Shift to exam-style practice. Time boxes, question patterns, and stamina.

Stop adding new resources. Execute the plan you already have.