JLPT N5 Writing: Write How You Travel Somewhere

The JLPT N5 writing exam asks you to write a short passage about a real-life experience. One common topic is describing your travel experiences. This article will guide you through writing a simple, effective response, focusing on useful phrases and vocabulary that beginners can use. Don’t aim for perfect grammar – focus on conveying your message clearly!

Understanding the Task

You’ll be given a prompt, such as: “Write about how you went to a new place recently.” or “Describe your last trip.” The key is to respond in the first person (I/me) and stick to simple sentences. Aim for around 80-120 words.

Essential Japanese Phrases & Vocabulary

Here’s a breakdown of useful phrases and vocabulary, with pronunciations indicated where relevant:

• Greetings & Introductions:
• おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) – Good morning.
• こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello / Good afternoon.
• こんばんは (Konbanwa) – Good evening.

• Travel Phrases:
• 行きました (Ikimashita) – I went. (Past tense of 行く – iku – to go)
• 駅に行きました (Eki ni ikimashita) – I went to the station.
• バスに乗りました (Basu ni norimashita) – I took a bus.
• 電車に乗りました (Denwa ni noborimashita) – I took a train.
• 観光しました (Kankou shimashita) – I toured/visited for tourism.
• 景色を見ました (Keshiki o mimashita) – I saw the scenery.
• おいしかったです (Oishikatta desu) – It was delicious.

• Descriptive Words:
• きれい (kirei) – beautiful / clean
• すごい (Sugoi) – amazing / incredible
• ちょっと (chotto) – a little / slightly

Example Passage & Breakdown

Let’s build an example passage, broken down to show how it works:

先日、友達と大阪に行きました。(Senjitsu, tomodachi to Oosaka ni ikimashita.) – Recently, I went to Osaka with a friend.

新大阪駅でバスに乗りました。(Shin-Oosaka eki de basu ni norimashita.) – At Shin-Osaka Station, I took a bus.

道頓堀は、すごい場所でした。 (Dotonbori wa, sugui basho deshita.) – Dotonbori was an amazing place.

たくさん食べました。お好み焼きがとてもおいしかったです。(Takusan tabemashita. Omochiyaaki ga totemo oishikatta desu.) – I ate a lot. The okonomiyaki was very delicious.

友達と、すごく楽しかったです。(Tomodachi to, sugoku tanoshikatta desu.) – I had a really fun time with my friend.

(Total words: Approximately 110)

Common Mistakes & Corrections

• Overusing Complex Grammar: Avoid complicated sentence structures. Stick to simple “~masu” forms and the plain past tense (ikimashita).
• Incorrect Verb Conjugation: Ensure you’re using the correct past tense form for verbs. “行きます” (Ikimasu) – I go – becomes “行きました” (Ikimashita) – I went.
• Lack of Detail: While brevity is key, adding a little detail makes your writing more engaging and shows you’re describing something specific. For example, instead of just “食べました” (Tabemashita – I ate), say “ラーメンを食べました” (Ramen o tabemashita – I ate ramen).

Tips for Success

• Focus on the Basics: Concentrate on mastering key travel phrases and simple sentence structures.
• Practice Regularly: Write short paragraphs about your daily activities or imagined trips using these vocabulary and grammar points.
• Don’t Worry About Perfection: The N5 exam prioritizes communication over flawless writing. Aim for clarity and accuracy.

Good luck with your JLPT N5 writing!