JLPT N5 Speaking: Talk About What You Want to Do

The JLPT N5 speaking test is all about simple conversations – expressing your wants and needs in everyday situations. Don’t worry about perfect grammar! Focus on getting your message across clearly. This article will guide you through the basics, giving you useful phrases, examples, and tips.

Key Phrases & Vocabulary

Here’s a list of essential phrases to get you started:

• Watashi wa… desu. (私は…です。) – I am…
• Nani o oneginai? (何をしたい？) – What do you want to do?
• ~tai yo. (~たいよ。) – I want to do… (Adding “yo” makes it more polite and conversational.)
• Me ga ichiban suki desu. (目が一番好きです。) – I like [something] the most.
• Mata, … wa dame desu. (また、…はダメです。) – Also, … is not okay./I don’t want to…
• … o shite hoshii yo. (~をしたいよ。) – I want to do…
• Nani ga shinaide? (何をしていない？) – What are you doing? (Used when asking someone what they’re up to)

Common Situations & Dialogue Examples

Let’s look at some practical situations:

1. Asking about a friend’s plans

You: “Nani o oneginai?” (What do you want to do?)

Friend: “Watashi wa eiga o mite hoshii yo.” (私は映画を見てほしいよ。) – I want to watch a movie.

You: “Ii desu ne!” (いいですね！) – That’s good! / It sounds good!

2. Expressing your own desire

You: “Watashi wa kaisha ni tsutsuma shite hoshii yo.” (私は会社に就職したいよ。) – I want to get a job in a company.

You: “Nani o shinaide?” (何をしていない？)

Friend: “Ganbatte!” (頑張って！) – Good luck!

3. Saying what you don’t want to do

You: “Mata, onsen wa dame desu.” (また、温泉はダメです。) – Also, I don’t want to go to an Onsen.

Friend: “Chotto dake…” (ちょっとだけ…) – Just a little bit…

Common Mistakes & Corrections

Here are some common mistakes beginners make and how to fix them:

• Using complex grammar: Stick to simple sentence structures. Instead of “Watashi wa eiga o miru no ga atatakai desu,” say “Eiga o mite hoshii yo.” (映画を見てほしいよ。)
• Forgetting particle “yo”: Adding “yo” makes your speech sound more natural and conversational.
• Overusing adjectives: Simple verbs are often better than trying to describe everything with adjectives.

Tips for the N5 Speaking Test

Here are some quick tips to help you succeed:

• Listen carefully: Pay attention to what your partner is saying and respond appropriately.
• Speak clearly: Enunciate your words, even if you make mistakes.
• Don’t be afraid to use repetition: If you’re struggling to find the right phrase, repeat a simpler one.
• Focus on understanding & responding – it’s not about flawless grammar!

Practice these phrases and examples regularly. The more you speak, the more confident you’ll become! Good luck!