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Start here · Pre-N5

Small stories.
Your first Japanese.

One small scene at a time. Read 50 short stories in kana, meet familiar words again, and build towards N5.

10 units · 2–3 minutes per story · No account needed

Finding your place…

Before your first story

You do not need N5 grammar. These stories use hiragana and katakana. If the characters are still new, keep the kana guide nearby.

Open the kana guide →
Six helpful expressions
これ
this thing
わたし
I; me
あなた
you
はい
yes
いいえ
no
どうぞ
here you are; please go ahead

Japanese often leaves out “I” and “you” when the speaker is clear. You can tap words in every story for help.

01

Unit 1 0/5 read

Names and belongings

Identify things and owners

  1. 01あやのペンAya’s Pen2 min
  2. 02ほんとかばんThe Book and the Bag2 min
  3. 03はこのねこThe Cat in the Box2 min
  4. 04おちゃではありませんIt Is Not Tea2 min
  5. 05せんせいですかAre You the Teacher?2 min
02

Unit 2 0/5 read

Small details

Describe colors, size, and temperature

  1. 06あかいペンThe Red Pen2 min
  2. 07しゃしんのねこThe Cat in the Photograph2 min
  3. 08おおきいはこThe Big Box2 min
  4. 09あたたかいおちゃWarm Tea2 min
  5. 10きいろいはなのコップThe Cup with Yellow Flowers2 min
03

Unit 3 0/5 read

Where is it?

Locate something with あります / います

  1. 11つくえのしたUnder the Desk2 min
  2. 12まどのそばのいすThe Chair by the Window2 min
  3. 13へやのちいさいねこThe Small Cat in the Room2 min
  4. 14きのしたのいぬThe Dog under the Tree2 min
  5. 15ドアのうしろBehind the Door2 min
04

Unit 4 0/5 read

What we like

Understand すきです and a simple choice

  1. 16たまごのパンEgg Bread2 min
  2. 17どちらがすきですかWhich Do You Like?2 min
  3. 18コーヒーとぎゅうにゅうCoffee and Milk2 min
  4. 19えのプレゼントA Drawing as a Gift2 min
  5. 20あやとけんのジュースDrinks for Aya and Ken2 min
05

Unit 5 0/5 read

Everyday actions

Read supplied polite present verbs

  1. 21ほんのねこThe Cat in the Book2 min
  2. 22えんぴつのてがみA Letter in Pencil2 min
  3. 23あさのパンMorning Bread2 min
  4. 24かぜとドアThe Breeze and the Door2 min
  5. 25いえにかえりますGoing Home2 min
06

Unit 6 0/5 read

A small next step

Follow an action to a destination or result

  1. 26ほんのばしょA Place for the Book3 min
  2. 27えきのまえでIn Front of the Station3 min
  3. 28ちいさいプレゼントA Small Present3 min
  4. 29みせのねこThe Shop Cat3 min
  5. 30みちのちずThe Map on the Street3 min
07

Unit 7 0/5 read

Try another way

Understand a negative and a repair

  1. 31かさがありませんNo Umbrella3 min
  2. 32ラジオのこえA Voice on the Radio3 min
  3. 33もういちどOne More Time3 min
  4. 34はやいバスThe Fast Bus3 min
  5. 35ちずをみせますShowing the Map3 min
08

Unit 8 0/5 read

Numbers and plans

Use a count, a time, or a day

  1. 36みっつのコップThree Cups3 min
  2. 37さんにんのしゃしんA Photograph of Three People3 min
  3. 38にじのおちゃTea at Two3 min
  4. 39きょうはやすみClosed Today3 min
  5. 40カレンダーのカードThe Card on the Calendar3 min
09

Unit 9 0/5 read

What happened

Read supplied polite past forms

  1. 41あまいプレゼントA Sweet Present3 min
  2. 42ふるいほんのカードA Card in an Old Book3 min
  3. 43でんしゃのまどThe Train Window3 min
  4. 44こうえんのいすA Seat in the Park3 min
  5. 45いっしょにうたいますSinging Together3 min
10

Unit 10 0/5 read

Read together

Follow a supplied request in a connected scene

  1. 46でんわのばんごうThe Telephone Number3 min
  2. 47チーズのサンドイッチThe Cheese Sandwich3 min
  3. 48ゆうがたのかげAn Evening Shadow3 min
  4. 49あやのほんをよみますReading Aya’s Book3 min
  5. 50わたしたちのほんOur Book3 min

Your next chapter

When these start to feel familiar

N5 stories bring longer scenes, more words, and kanji with reading help. You can take that step whenever you feel ready.

Explore N5 stories →