Up Your Vocabulary with Everyday Action Words
If you’re preparing for the JLPT N5, one of the best things you can do is build a strong foundation of common verbs. These are the action words you’ll use in daily conversations, textbook sentences, and comprehension exercises.
At The Oriental Dialogue, we know how crucial verbs are when starting your Japanese learning journey — that’s why we’ve compiled this list of 100 must-know Japanese verbs, complete with meanings and forms you’ll actually use!
Why Focus on Verbs First?
Verbs in Japanese are central to sentence structure. Even the simplest sentence needs a verb — whether you’re talking about what you do, see, eat, or feel.
The verbs on this list:
- Appear frequently in JLPT N5 materials
- Are useful for daily life in Japan
- Help build natural, beginner-level sentences
15 Verbs You Probably Already Know (from our printable!)
| Verb | Hiragana | Meaning |
| いく | iku | to go |
| かえる | kaeru | to return |
| のむ | nomu | to drink |
| きく | kiku | to listen |
| はなす | hanasu | to talk |
| よむ | yomu | to read |
| かく | kaku | to write |
| かう | kau | to buy |
| うる | uru | to sell |
| あう | au | to meet |
| ねる | neru | to sleep |
| おきる | okiru | to wake up |
| たべる | taberu | to eat |
| みる | miru | to see |
| する | suru | to do |
100 JLPT N5-Level Verbs You Should Know
We’ve grouped these into categories to help you memorize more effectively.
Daily Life & Routines
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
| おきる | okiru | to wake up |
| ねる | neru | to sleep |
| いく | iku | to go |
| かえる | kaeru | to return |
| はたらく | hataraku | to work |
| やすむ | yasumu | to rest |
| おふろにはいる | ofuro ni hairu | to take a bath |
| シャワーをあびる | shawā o abiru | to take a shower |
| おきる | okiru | to get up |
| べんきょうする | benkyou suru | to study |
Communication
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
| はなす | hanasu | to speak |
| きく | kiku | to listen / ask |
| こたえる | kotaeru | to answer |
| しつもんする | shitsumon suru | to ask a question |
| あう | au | to meet |
Shopping & Eating
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
| かう | kau | to buy |
| うる | uru | to sell |
| たべる | taberu | to eat |
| のむ | nomu | to drink |
| みせる | miseru | to show |
| はらう | harau | to pay |
| あける | akeru | to open |
| しめる | shimeru | to close |
Motion & Action
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
| あるく | aruku | to walk |
| はしる | hashiru | to run |
| のる | noru | to ride |
| おりる | oriru | to get off |
| とぶ | tobu | to fly |
| およぐ | oyogu | to swim |
Thoughts & Emotions
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
| おもう | omou | to think |
| わかる | wakaru | to understand |
| わすれる | wasureru | to forget |
| おぼえる | oboeru | to remember |
| すき | suki | to like |
| きらい | kirai | to dislike |
School & Work
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
| まなぶ | manabu | to learn |
| よむ | yomu | to read |
| かく | kaku | to write |
| きく | kiku | to listen |
| おしえる | oshieru | to teach |
| ならう | narau | to be taught |
Basic Verb Exceptions
Some irregular verbs that you’ll definitely use:
| Verb | Hiragana | English |
| する | する | to do |
| くる | くる | to come |
These two are super versatile and appear in compound verbs like:
- べんきょうする (to study)
- うんどうする (to exercise)
- さんぽする (to stroll)
How to Study These Verbs
✅ Make flashcards with the kana and meanings
✅ Practice them in sentences (e.g. わたしはパンをたべます)
✅ Use apps like Anki or Quizlet
✅ Speak with a teacher or fellow learner to reinforce usage
Download Your Printable!
Want a colorful, beginner-friendly visual to revise these verbs daily?
👉 Download our FREE Japanese Verb Sheet
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