JLPT N5 na-Adjective Usage
Learn the essential usage patterns for na-adjectives in JLPT N5. Master how to use な with nouns and as predicates with です.
Basic Usage Patterns
きれい (kirei - beautiful)
Before Nouns:きれいな花
kirei na hana
beautiful flower (Use な when modifying nouns)
As Predicate Present:きれいです
kirei desu
It is beautiful (Drop な when used as predicate)
As Predicate Past:きれいでした
kirei deshita
It was beautiful
Negative:きれいではありません
kirei dewa arimasen
It is not beautiful
📝 Usage Rules
Modifying Nouns
na-adjective + な + noun
Example: 元気な人 (genki na hito)
Always use な when directly modifying a noun
As Predicate
na-adjective + です
Example: 元気です (genki desu)
Drop な when used as predicate with です
Negative Form
na-adjective + ではありません
Example: 元気ではありません
Standard negative form
Past Tense
na-adjective + でした
Example: 元気でした (genki deshita)
Past positive form
🔍 Key Usage Points
With Nouns
静かな図書館
quiet library
有名な歌手
famous singer
Always use な between adjective and noun
As Predicate
図書館は静かです
The library is quiet
歌手は有名です
The singer is famous
No な when used as predicate
⚠️ Common na-Adjectives
きれい (beautiful)
Usually written in hiragana
きれいな部屋 (beautiful room)
部屋がきれいです (The room is beautiful)
大丈夫 (okay)
Often used alone
大丈夫です (It's okay)
大丈夫な人 (person who is okay)
💡 Grammar Study Tips
Practice Methods:
- • Practice switching between noun modification and predicate use
- • Create pairs of sentences: "きれいな花" vs "花がきれいです"
- • Focus on when to use/drop な
- • Practice with abstract concepts (emotions, states)
Common Mistakes:
- • Don't forget な when modifying nouns
- • Don't add な when using as predicate
- • Remember many can be written in hiragana
- • Practice distinguishing from i-adjectives
Vocabulary Note: For complete lists of na-adjectives by theme, visit the na-adjectives vocabulary section.
