Learn Japanese: JLPT N5 Writing – Write About a Place You Want to Visit

Introduction

The JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) has five levels, from N5 (New Cornerstone) to N1 (Master). The writing section for the N5 focuses on simple sentences and short paragraphs. A great way to practice is by writing about a place you’d like to visit! This article will guide you through how to do this effectively, using language suitable for the N5 level.

Understanding the Task

You’ll be asked to write a paragraph (around 60-80 words) describing a place you want to visit. The goal isn’t perfect grammar but clear communication. Focus on expressing your reasons and feelings about the location. Think of it like telling a friend where you dream of going.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

Here’s some helpful Japanese vocabulary and phrases, with English translations and pronunciation guides:

• 行きたい場所 (Ikikai Basho) – Place I want to go
• 〜に行きたい (～ ni ikitai) – Want to go to…
• 美しい (utsukushii) – Beautiful
• 静か (shizuka) – Quiet
• おいしい (oishii) – Delicious
• 食べ物が美味しい (tabemono ga oishii) – Food is delicious
• 夏 (natsu) – Summer
• 冬 (fuyu) – Winter
• 春 (haru) – Spring
• 秋 (aki) – Autumn
• おすすめ (osusume) – Recommendation
• 〜が好きです (～ ga suki desu) – I like…

Example Paragraph & Breakdown

Here’s an example paragraph, followed by a breakdown of the Japanese:

私は京都に行きたいです。京都は美しい町並みと、おいしい食べ物があります。夏には祇園祭があって、とても賑やかです。静かな庭園で抹茶を飲むのが好きです。友達におすすめしたい場所です。

Translation:

I want to go to Kyoto. Kyoto has beautiful townscapes and delicious food. In the summer, there is Gion Matsuri (a festival), which is very lively. I like drinking matcha in a quiet garden. It’s a place I would recommend to my friends.

Breaking Down the Japanese

• 私は京都に行きたいです。 (Watashi wa Kyoto ni ikitai desu.) – “I want to go to Kyoto.”
• 私 (watashi) – I
• は (wa) – topic marker
• 京都 (Kyoto) – Kyoto
• に (ni) – particle indicating destination
• 行きたい (ikitai) – want to go (desire form)
• です (desu) – polite ending
• 京都は美しい町並みと、おいしい食べ物があります。 (Kyoto wa utsukushii machibumi to, oishii tabemono ga arimasu.) – “Kyoto has beautiful townscapes and delicious food.”
• 京都 (Kyoto) – Kyoto
• は (wa) – topic marker
• 美しい (utsukushii) – beautiful
• 町並み (machibumi) – townscape, street scenery
• と (to) – and (connecting nouns)
• おいしい (oishii) – delicious
• 食べ物 (tabemono) – food
• が (ga) – subject marker
• あります (arimasu) – there is/are
• 夏には祇園祭があって、とても賑やかです。 (Natsu ni wa Gion Matsuri ga atte, totemo nigiaka desu.) – “In the summer, there’s Gion Matsuri, which is very lively.”
• 夏 (natsu) – Summer
• には (niwa) – in (used with seasons)
• 祇園祭 (Gion Matsuri) – Gion Festival
• が (ga) – subject marker
• あって (atte) – because there is/exists
• とても (totemo) – very
• 賑やか (nigiaka) – lively, bustling
• 静かな庭園で抹茶を飲むのが好きです。(Shizuka na teien de matcha o nomu no ga suki desu.) – “I like drinking matcha in a quiet garden.”
• 静か (shizuka) – Quiet
• な (na) – adjective modifier
• 庭園(teien)- Garden
• で (de) – particle indicating location
• 抹茶 (matcha) – Matcha (green tea)
• を (o) – direct object marker
• 飲む (nomu) – to drink
• のが (no ga) – subject form of “to like” (more natural than “suki da”)
• おすすめしたい場所です。(Osusume shitai basho desu.) – It’s a place I recommend.
• おすすめ(osusume) – recommendation
• したい(shitai) – want to do
• 場所 (basho) – place
• です (desu) – polite ending

Common Mistakes & Corrections

Mistake: Using too much complex grammar. Correction: Stick to simple sentence structures like those in the example.

Mistake: Forgetting particles. Correction: Carefully review and practice particle usage (like ni, wa, ga, de).

Practice!

Now it’s your turn! Choose a place you would like to visit – maybe somewhere in Japan or anywhere in the world – and write a short paragraph about it using the vocabulary and phrases you’ve learned.