How Many Japanese Words Do You Know?
Take this free 2-minute test to estimate your Japanese vocabulary size and discover your JLPT/CEFR level.
Japanese Vocabulary Size Test
You'll see 50 japanese words. For each one, mark whether you know its meaning. We'll estimate your total vocabulary size.
50 words
From 10 frequency bands
~2 minutes
Quick and easy
CEFR level
A1 through C2
Be honest! Only mark "I know this" if you can recall the meaning without guessing. The test works best when you answer truthfully — overestimating will skew your results.
Science-Based
Uses adaptive frequency sampling from a 10,000-word corpus to accurately estimate your total vocabulary size from just 50 words.
JLPT + CEFR Mapping
See where you fall on both the JLPT N5-N1 and CEFR A1-C2 scales, plus how many words to reach the next level.
Share Your Results
Get a shareable results card to show friends and track your progress over time as your vocabulary grows.
Understanding Your Japanese Vocabulary Size
Japanese vocabulary acquisition is uniquely challenging because learners must master three writing systems: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Vocabulary size is one of the strongest predictors of overall proficiency, and the JLPT exam levels are closely tied to vocabulary knowledge.
This test works by showing you words sampled from different frequency bands of the Japanese language, drawn from the Balanced Corpus of Contemporary Written Japanese (BCCWJ). By checking which words you recognize, we estimate your total vocabulary size.
At the JLPT N5-N4 level (up to ~1,500 words), you can handle basic daily situations. At N3-N2 (1,500-6,000 words), you can follow conversations, read news, and express yourself on familiar topics. At N1 and beyond (6,000+ words), you can engage with literature, academic papers, and nuanced expression.
The best way to grow your vocabulary is through extensive reading and listening at your level — what linguists call comprehensible input. Lenguia is built around this principle, offering stories, articles, and podcasts tailored to your proficiency level.
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Vocabulary Milestones for Japanese Learners
800 words
Basic greetings, numbers, time, simple daily expressions
JLPT N5 Level
1,500 words
Simple conversations, basic reading of everyday topics
JLPT N4 Level
3,500 words
Follow everyday conversations, read simple articles and manga
JLPT N3 Level
6,000 words
Read newspapers, follow broadcasts, handle business situations
JLPT N2 Level
8,500 words
Understand complex texts, nuanced conversation, academic writing
JLPT N1 Level
10,000+ words
Engage with any text, understand literary and specialized language
Near-Native
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Methodology
This test uses adaptive frequency sampling. Words are organized into 10 frequency bands representing the most common 10,000 words, and 5 words are randomly sampled from each band to create a 50-word test. Your recognition rate per band is extrapolated to estimate total vocabulary size.
The word lists were curated to approximate frequency rankings informed by established corpora and frequency research. They are not direct exports from any single corpus, but are designed to span a realistic difficulty range from everyday vocabulary to rare and literary terms.
CEFR vocabulary thresholds are approximate estimates based on research by Paul Nation and the Council of Europe CEFR framework. For Japanese and Mandarin, level mappings additionally reference JLPT and HSK standards respectively.
This is an estimation tool for fun and self-assessment. Results are approximate and should not be treated as a certified proficiency measurement.