NAT-TEST 5Q key terms

Chinese characters used in Japanese writing. Each has readings (on'yomi from Chinese, kun'yomi native) and meanings. NAT-TEST 5Q tests recognition of their shapes, readings, and correct usage in words and sentences.

The cursive syllabary of 46 basic characters used for grammatical endings, particles, and words without kanji. Questions often ask you to choose the correct hiragana for an underlined kanji word.

The angular syllabary of 46 basic characters, used mainly for loanwords, foreign names, and onomatopoeia. Test items check whether you can read a katakana word and match it to its meaning or kanji equivalent.

The reading of a kanji derived from Chinese pronunciation, usually used in compounds of two or more kanji. Identifying on'yomi helps when choosing the correct reading of a compound in vocabulary questions.

The native Japanese reading of a kanji, often written with accompanying hiragana. A single kanji standing alone usually takes its kun'yomi, so this distinction guides reading questions.

The hiragana written after a kanji stem to complete a verb or adjective, such as the べ in 食べる. Choosing the right okurigana distinguishes verbs with the same kanji but different readings.

Words that sound identical but differ in meaning and usually in kanji, such as 橋 and 箸. Vocabulary items test whether context or kanji choice lets you pick the right word.

A word with the opposite meaning of another, such as 高い and 安い. Test questions may ask you to select the antonym of an underlined word from four choices.

A word close in meaning to another, such as 嬉しい and 楽しい. Items ask you to choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word, so nuance matters.

Loanwords borrowed into Japanese, mostly from English and usually written in katakana, such as テレビ or アルバイト. Questions test the meaning of these words and their difference from native synonyms.

A word formed by combining two or more words, such as 花見 or 買い物. Knowing how parts combine helps you read unfamiliar compounds and answer kanji-reading questions.

The surrounding words and situation that determine which meaning of a word is intended. Vocabulary and reading items often require choosing the option that fits the sentence context rather than a dictionary meaning.

A short grammatical particle attached to a word to mark its role, such as は for topic, が for subject, and を for object. Grammar items frequently test which particle fits a blank.

Particles that show the grammatical relation of a noun to the predicate, including が, を, に, で, と, へ, から, and より. Choosing the correct one depends on the verb and the intended meaning.

Particles that add nuance such as limit, contrast, or emphasis to a phrase, including は, も, だけ, しか, まで, and ほど. Items test combinations like しか with a negative predicate.

A particle placed at the end of a sentence to express the speaker's attitude or seek confirmation, such as か, ね, よ, and な. Questions check which ending matches the speaker's intent.

The way verbs, adjectives, and copula change form to show tense, polarity, politeness, or mood. Grammar items ask you to supply the correct conjugated form in a given sentence pattern.

The connective form of a verb ending in て or で, used for sequencing actions, giving reasons, and forming patterns like ている and てください. Mastery is essential for many grammar items.

The past or perfect form of a verb or adjective, such as 食べた or 高かった. It also appears in patterns like たことがある and たら, so recognizing its formation is tested.

An intransitive verb that describes an action or change without a direct object, such as 開く or 落ちる. Items test pairs like 開く and 開ける and the particles each takes.

A transitive verb that takes a direct object marked by を, such as 開ける or 落とす. Distinguishing it from its intransitive partner is a common grammar and vocabulary point.

Forms expressing conditions, including と, ば, たら, and なら. Each has different restrictions on the following clause, so items ask which conditional fits the sentence.

The passive form of a verb, built with れる or られる, used to describe an action received from someone or a suffering passive. Questions test formation and particle changes.

The causative form, built with せる or させる, meaning to make or let someone do something. Items test its formation and the choice between を and に for the person caused to act.

Politeness levels in Japanese, divided into 尊敬語 (respectful), 謙譲語 (humble), and 丁寧語 (polite). Grammar and reading items check whether you can choose the appropriate form for the situation.

Respectful language that raises the subject, often another person, using forms like いらっしゃる, おっしゃる, or お plus stem plus になる. Items test correct substitution for plain verbs.

Humble language that lowers the speaker's own action to show respect to the listener or a third party, using forms like 伺う, 申す, or お plus stem plus する. Items test correct usage.

Polite language marked by です and ます that shows courtesy to the listener without raising or lowering anyone. It forms the baseline style of most test passages and dialogues.

The grammatical marking of the speaker's attitude, such as conjecture, obligation, permission, or intention, expressed by endings like かもしれない, なければならない, and つもりだ. Items test which ending matches the meaning.

Words like これ, それ, あれ, and この that point to something in the text or situation. Reading items ask what a pronoun refers to, so tracking the antecedent is essential.

Words that link sentences or clauses and signal logical relations, such as しかし, だから, and また. Fill-in-the-blank items test whether you can infer the relation between two statements.

The main point or gist of a passage. Some reading items ask you to choose the statement that best summarizes the author's overall claim rather than a supporting detail.

The author's own view or claim, as opposed to reported facts or others' opinions. Items ask which option matches what the writer is arguing, so distinguishing the two is key.

A word or phrase repeated or emphasized in a passage that signals its central topic. Noticing keywords helps you locate the answer quickly and eliminate off-topic choices.

A reading task type in which you choose the option that agrees with what the passage actually states. The correct answer paraphrases the text, while wrong options distort or add information.

A short written note, often in the form of a schedule, notice, or message in listening and reading sections. Items ask you to extract specific details such as times, places, or names from it.

A listening task type in which you hear a situation and dialogue, then choose what the main speaker must do next. The question usually asks what action follows, so the final lines matter most.

A listening task type in which you hear a conversation and choose the point that answers a question given in advance. You should note key details like reasons, times, and preferences while listening.

A listening task type showing a situation with a speech bubble, where you choose the phrase the person would say. It tests appropriate set expressions for greetings, requests, and apologies.