How long does it take you to reach N1, N2, N3, N4, N5 level?
How long does it take you to reach N1, N2, N3, N4, N5 level?
How long does it take you to reach N1, N2, N3, N4, N5 level? JLPT is the most popular exam for foreigners who are learning Japanese. In the past, when the old proficiency system named “kyu” was in use, The Japan International Cooperation Agency announced the amount of time that a beginner has to spend in studying to pass a particular level :
4kyu ~ 150 hours – 3kyu ~ 300 hours – 2kyu ~ 600 hours – 1kyu ~ 900 hours
When that system was no longer used, they established an equivalent one :
4kyu -> N5 – 3kyu -> N4
Between 3kyu and 2kyu is N3
2kyu -> N2 – 1kyu -> N1
Reference : compare old jlpt and new jlpt. In terms of content, the new JLPT tends to be more close to actual everyday life in comparison with the old JLPT
So how long how long to learn Japanese to reach N1, N2, N3, N4, N5 level?
According to the comparison above, we can see the similarity in terms of time of studying that you are supposed to pass a JLPT level :
4kyu ~ N5 ~ 150 hours
3kyu ~ N4 ~300 hours
N3 stays between 3kyu and 4kyu -> perhaps it takes us about 450 hours ~ 500 thours ;).
2kyu ~ N2 ~600 hours
1kyu ~ N1 ~900 hours
See the following table
Explaination : If you spend 5 hours at class and 10 hours self study per week, or 60 hours per month. You are required to study in
N5 ~ 2 months and a half.
N4 ~ 5 months
N3 ~ 7 months and a half
N2 ~ 10 months N1 ~ 15 months
It’s the same with other rows.
That’s what they have said. It seems to be very suspicious and might only be possible with ones who really study with 100% energy. In fact, many Vietnamese must do it in much longer time, even twice outweight . Especially at N2, N1 level.
Reference : Road to Japanese proficiency
How many hour a day are you studying?
– If you study less than 1 hour a day. It’s Ok if you have already passed N1 or N2. But if you are under N3, it’s a big problem. It’s difficult for you to get improved. You should clearly identify your goal so that you can have more motivation to try ;). (See more: Set goal to learn Japanese).
– From 1 – 2 hours. You must have much concerned about Japanese language. However, if your purpose is to use Japanese in work and daily life, you need to pay more attention to it. Or it will take you much more time to reach the higher levels. Try to increase it to 2 – 3 hours a day. Let’s find an appropriate japanese study method that may help you to be more interested in studying 🙂
– From 2 – 8 hours a day. You’re really focusing on Japanese. Studying Japanese has become a part of your daily life. You should keep this regular routine so that you can progess quickly 😉
– More than 8 hours, even 10 hours a day. Many people with high determination can do this, especially when the examination is close. Let’s use some interesting ways in your study to increase the study efficiency, and avoid stress as well 😀
Above is the post How long does it take you to reach N5, N4, N3, N2, N1 levels? You may like : Methods of studying Japanese.
i want to be update with new post…
Yes, Ravi Verma. We will try to post new post everyday. Which level you are now?
Thank you for explanation
Hello sensei, please update “Learn Minna no nihongo” Lesson 38 to Lesson 50. Arigatou gozaimasu. 🙂
ok Leez Thawatt, we will create lesson 38 to 50 and public soon !