Japanese Adjectives — い and な Adjective Guide for JLPT N5

Japanese has two adjective types with different grammar rules. い-adjectives (like おおきい, ちいさい, たかい) end in い and conjugate by changing the ending. な-adjectives (like しずか, きれい, げんき) need な when placed before nouns. A common trap: きれい ends in い but is a な-adjective. Always check which type a new adjective belongs to.

Key Vocabulary

Example Sentences

• この りんご は おおきい です
  kono ringo wa ookii desu
  This apple is big
• この へや は しずか です
  kono heya wa shizuka desu
  This room is quiet
• あの レストラン は たかくない です
  ano resutoran wa takakunai desu
  That restaurant is not expensive
• きれいな はな
  kireina hana
  beautiful flower

Study Tips

• 1い-adjectives end in い and conjugate by changing the ending
• 2な-adjectives need な before nouns: しずかな へや (quiet room)
• 3Beware: きれい looks like い-adjective but is actually な-adjective
• 4Negative い: drop い, add くない — おおきい → おおきくない