JLPT N5: Question Words - Who, What, When, Where, Why, How - MLC Japanese

Learn JLPT N5 5W1H question words: dare (who), nani (what), itsu (when), doko (where), naze (why), dou (how). Free examples, audio, practice + KANA/Romaji worksheets with answers available for download! Start at MLC Japanese.

JLPT N5 5W1H Question Words: Dare, Itsu, Nani/Nan, Naze/Doushite/Nande, Doko,Dou/Douyatte

Master Japanese question words for JLPT N5: dare (who), itsu (when), nani/nan (what), naze/doushite/nande (why), doko (where), dou/douyatte (how). Learn with practical examples like "Toire wa doko desu ka?" (Where is the toilet?) and "Douyatte Nihongo o benkyou shimashita ka?" (How did you learn Japanese?). Essential for conversations!


Quick Reference Table

Japanese questions use specific words unlike English—'dare' for people, 'doko' for places."

JLPT N5 5W1H Quick Reference Table: dare, nani, itsu, doko, naze/doushite, dou
  • Who だれ dare
  • When いつ itsu
  • What なに/なん nan/nani
  • Why なぜ naze, どうして doushite, なんで nande
  • Where どこ doko
  • How どう dou, どうやって douyatte

Usage Examples

  • あのひとは だれですか。Ano hito wa dare desu ka. = Lit. Who is that person?
  • なにを のみますか。Nani o nomimasu ka.= Lit. Wha do you drink?
  • なぜですか。Naze desu ka.= Lit. Why?
    どうしてですか。Doushite desu ka.
    なんでですか。Nande desu ka.
  • トイレは どこですか。Toire wa doko desu ka.= Lit. Where is toilet?
  • コーヒーは どうですか。Koohii wa dou desu ka.= Lit. How about coffee?
    あしたの てんきは どうですか。Ashita no tenki wa dou desu ka.= Lit. How is the weather tomorrow?
  • どうやって にほんごを べんきょうしましたか。Douyatte Nihongo o benkyou shimashita ka.= Lit. How did you learn Japanese?

Free Download: 5W1H Worksheets (Kana & Romaji)

Download our free JLPT N5 worksheets in Kana and Romaji versions. Includes practice exercises for who/what/when/where/why/how with answer keys. Perfect for self-study!

Interrogatives

Updated Jan 2026 - JLPT N5 5W1H mastery enhanced with:
• Enhanced page layout and clearer explanations