JLPT Guide / N4 Level

JLPT N4 Kanji, Vocabulary & Grammar Guide

An all-in-one guide to JLPT N4 kanji, vocabulary, and grammar

JLPT N4 is where the basics you learned at N5 turn into sentences you can actually use in daily life. This guide covers the estimated scope of JLPT N4 (how many kanji and words), sample N4 kanji and vocabulary lists, key grammar patterns, and an easy study plan you can stick with.

Written by Chiho Kamioka
Updated: 2026-01-14
JLPT N4 kanji and vocabulary flashcards
JLPT N4 kanji cards for 朝 (morning), 昼 (noon), and 夜 (night)

JLPT N4 at a Glance

  • Level: Basic level after JLPT N5
  • Kanji: About 300 characters
  • Vocabulary: Around 1,500 common words
  • Grammar: Core patterns for longer sentences (reasons, possibility, intention, and comparisons)
  • Goal: Understand simple explanations and short passages on everyday topics

Note: Numbers are approximate study targets.

How Many Kanji Do You Need for JLPT N4?

Most JLPT N4 learners aim for around 300 kanji. At this level, the challenge is not individual characters, but recognizing them quickly in common words and short texts. You do not need to handwrite kanji for the test, so focus on reading and meaning in context.

You will see many everyday kanji in practical topics, such as 音おん楽がく (music), 病びょう院いん (hospital), and 会社かいしゃ (company). The most efficient approach is to learn kanji as part of the vocabulary and phrases you actually use, rather than studying isolated characters.

Common JLPT N4 Words by Category

JLPT N4 words are best learned with the kanji they use. These categories highlight common N4 words you will see in everyday Japanese.

Daily Life & Actions

起おきる / 洗あらう / 歩あるく / 料りょう理り / 

Translation: get up, wash, walk, cooking

Kanji hints: 起 (wake), 洗 (wash), 歩 (walk), 料 (fee), 理 (reason)

Work & Study

会かい社しゃ / 社しゃ員いん / 仕し事ごと / 宿しゅく題だい

Translation: company, employee, work, homework

Kanji hints: 会 (meet), 社 (company), 員 (member), 仕 (do), 事 (thing), 宿 (lodging), 題 (topic)

Travel & Transportation

旅りょ行こう / 予よ定てい / 駅えき / 運うん転てん

Translation: travel, plan, station, driving

Kanji hints: 旅 (trip), 行 (go), 予 (in advance), 定 (fixed), 駅 (station), 運 (carry/operate), 転 (turn)

Feelings & Conditions

心こころ配ぱい / 安あん全ぜん / 変へん

Translation: worry, safe, strange

Kanji hints: 心 (heart/mind), 配 (worry), 安 (safe/peace), 全 (whole), 変 (change/strange)

Communication & Requests

説せつ明めい / 相そう談だん / 連れん絡らく

Translation: explanation, consult, contact

Kanji hints: 説 (explain), 明 (clear/bright), 相 (mutual), 談 (talk), 連 (connect), 絡 (contact)

Useful Ideas

便べん利り / 大たい切せつ

Translation: convenient, important

Kanji hints: 便 (convenience), 利 (benefit), 大 (big), 切 (important)

Sample JLPT N4 Kanji

Below is a sample of 36 kanji from the N4 range.  

KanjiRomajiHiraganaMeaningExample Word
習 shū / nara しゅう・なら learn 習ならう
教 kyō / oshi きょう・おし teach 教おしえる
住 jū / su じゅう・す live / reside 住すむ
知 chi / shi ち・し know 知しる
作 saku / tsuku さく・つく make 作つくる
止 shi / to し・と stop 止とまる
通 tsū / tō つう・とお pass / commute 通とおる
乗 jō / no じょう・の ride 乗のる
降 kō / o こう・お get off / fall 降おりる
待 tai / ma たい・ま wait 待まつ
持 ji / mo じ・も hold / have 持もつ
押 ō / o おう・お push 押おす
引 in / hi いん・ひ pull 引ひく
歩 ho / aru ほ・ある walk 歩あるく
走 sō / hashi そう・はし run 走はしる
急 kyū / iso きゅう・いそ hurry 急いそぐ
座 za / suwa ざ・すわ sit 座すわる
写 sha / utsu しゃ・うつ copy / photograph 写うつす
思 shi / omo し・おも think 思おもう
切 setsu / ki せつ・き cut 切きる
売 bai / u ばい・う sell 売うる
合 gō / a ごう・あ fit / match 合あう
考 kō / kanga こう・かんが consider 考かんがえる
貸 tai / ka たい・か lend 貸かす
借 shaku / ka しゃく・か borrow 借かりる
開 kai / a かい・あ open 開あく
閉 hei / shi へい・し close 閉しめる
送 sō / oku そう・おく send 送おくる
帰 ki / kae き・かえ return 帰かえる
着 chaku / tsu ちゃく・つ arrive 着つく
起 ki / o き・お wake up 起おきる
寝 shin / ne しん・ね sleep 寝ねる
旅 ryo / tabi りょ・たび trip / travel 旅たび
始 shi / haji し・はじ begin 始はじめる
終 shū / o しゅう・お end 終おわる
洗 sen / ara せん・あら wash 洗あらう

Common N4 Kanji Mistakes

At N4, learners often confuse similar-looking kanji. Here are a few common examples and simple memory tips.

Mixing up 借か and 貸か

借 vs 貸

借かりる is “to borrow,” and 貸かす is “to lend.” A quick trick is to learn them as a pair with example sentences.

Confusing 待まつ and 持もつ

待 vs 持

待まつ (wait) has the “temple” part. 持もつ (hold) has the “hand” idea. Connect each kanji to the meaning, not just the shape.

Confusing 開あく and 閉しめる

開 vs 閉

開あく is “open,” and 閉しめる is “close.” Study them as a pair and always connect each kanji to an action.

Mixing up 起おきる and 寝ねる

起 vs 寝

起おきる is “wake up,” and 寝ねる is “sleep.” Make a tiny daily-life scene in your head: wake up → sleep.

When you notice these patterns early, reading N4 passages becomes much smoother.

JLPT N4 Vocabulary: How Many Words?

Many learners aim for around 1,500 vocabulary words for JLPT N4. This includes more verbs, adjectives, and everyday expressions than N5. The best strategy is to focus on high-frequency words you meet in reading and listening practice, not just long lists.

  • Daily-life topics (shopping, travel, health, work routines)
  • Short explanations (rules, instructions, announcements)
  • Common feelings and opinions (worry, relief, preference)

Sample JLPT N4 Vocabulary (30 High-Frequency Words + Simple Sentences)

Use these 30 high-frequency N4 words to practice making simple, natural sentences.
Read each example aloud, then change one detail (time, place, person) to make your own.

Nouns

WordRomajiHiraganaMeaningExample Sentence
約束 yakusoku やくそく promise / appointment 彼かれと土ど曜よう日びに会あう約やく束そくをしました。
住所 jūsho じゅうしょ address 住じゅう所しょを 書かいてください。
用事 yōji ようじ errand / something to do きょうは 用よう事じが あります。
予約 yoyaku よやく reservation レストランを 予よ約やくしました。
理由 riyū りゆう reason 理り由ゆうを 教おしえてください。
交通 kōtsū こうつう traffic / transportation この町まちは 交こう通つうが 便べん利りです。
駐車場 chūshajō ちゅうしゃじょう parking lot 駐ちゅう車しゃ場じょうは あそこです。
出発 shuppatsu しゅっぱつ departure 7時じに 出しゅっ発ぱつします。
習慣 shūkan しゅうかん habit / custom 毎まい日にち運うん動どうする習しゅう慣かんが あります。
趣味 shumi しゅみ hobby 趣しゅ味みは 写しゃ真しんです。

Verbs

WordRomajiHiraganaMeaningExample Sentence
選ぶ erabu えらぶ to choose 好すきなものを 選えらびます。
間違える machigaeru まちがえる to make a mistake 番ばん号ごうを 間ま違ちがえました。
片付ける katazukeru かたづける to tidy up 部へ屋やを 片かた付づけます。
手伝う tetsudau てつだう to help 料りょう理りを 手て伝つだいます。
通る tōru とおる to pass through この道みちを 通とおります。
届ける todokeru とどける to deliver 手て紙がみを 届とどけます。
泊まる tomaru とまる to stay (overnight) きょうは ホテルに 泊とまります。
止める tomeru とめる to stop ここで バスを 止とめてください。
続ける tsuzukeru つづける to continue 日に本ほん語ごの 勉べん強きょうを 続つづけています。
間に合う maniau まにあう to be in time 3時じの電でん車しゃに 間まに合あいませんでした。

Adjectives & Adverbs

WordRomajiHiraganaMeaningExample Sentence
簡単 kantan かんたん easy / simple この問もん題だいは 簡かん単たんです。
大変 taihen たいへん tough / hard きょうは ちょっと 大たい変へんです。
有名 yūmei ゆうめい famous ここは とても 有ゆう名めいです。
危険 kiken きけん dangerous そこは 危き険けんかもしれません。
十分 jūbun じゅうぶん enough / sufficient 十じゅう分ぶんな時じ間かんが あります。
自由 jiyū じゆう free / freedom きょうは 自じ由ゆうな時じ間かんが あります。
一生懸命 isshōkenmei いっしょうけんめい very hard 一いっ生しょう懸けん命めい 勉べん強きょうしています。
ほとんど hotondo ほとんど almost / mostly きょうは ほとんど 雨あめでした。
もちろん mochiron もちろん of course もちろん 行いきます。
やっと yatto やっと at last / finally やっと 終おわりました。

Core N4 Grammar Patterns

N4 grammar helps you connect ideas and express reason, intention, and comparison. Here are high-frequency patterns to focus on.

〜ながら (while)

音おん楽がくを 聞ききながら 勉べん強きょうします。

〜てしまう (finish / regret)

宿しゅく題だいを 忘わすれてしまいました。

〜そうだ (looks like)

このケーキは おいしそうです。

〜かもしれない (maybe)

明あしたは 雨あめが 降ふるかもしれません。

〜たほうがいい (should)

早はやく 寝ねたほうがいいです。

〜なくてもいい (do not have to)

きょうは 行いかなくてもいいです。

These are only a few examples of N4 grammar patterns. To understand how some N4 expressions are different, you can also read our guide to JLPT N4 grammar examples in real Japanese, with meanings, natural examples, and short travel conversations.

N4 Connectors You’ll See All the Time

These connectors appear often in JLPT N4 reading and listening. If you can spot them, you can follow the flow of sentences much faster.

WordMeaning / Use
それで
sorede 
 so / because of that (result, next step)
それでも
soredemo 
 even so / nevertheless
また
mata 
 also / in addition (context dependent)
では
dewa 
 then / well then (transition)
ところで
tokorode 
 by the way (topic shift)
ところが
tokoroga 
 however / but (unexpected turn)
すると
suruto
 then / and then (event → result / discovery)
やっぱり
yappari 
 as expected / after all

Examples

  • 雨あめでした。それで、 家いえにいました。
  • ところで、 きょうは 何なにをしますか。
  • ドアを 開あけました。すると、先せん生せいが いました。

Tip: In reading, underline connectors. They often signal the answer direction (reason, contrast, result, sequence).

Mini Quiz: Can You Read These N4 Words and Grammar?

Try these quick questions to check your JLPT N4 reading and grammar basics.

Q1. What is the correct reading?

予よ定てい

  1. よてい
  2. よたい
  3. よでい
Show Answer

Answer: ① よてい

Q2. Choose the best word: 「コンビニは＿＿です。」(Convenience stores are convenient.)

  1. 便べん利り
  2. 必ひつ要よう
  3. 予よ定てい
Show Answer

Answer: ① 便べん利り

Q3. Which sentence correctly uses 「〜ながら」?

  1. 本ほんを 読よみながらです。
  2. 音おん楽がくを 聞ききながら 勉べん強きょうします。
  3. 駅えきを ながら 行いきます。
Show Answer

Answer: ②

Q4. What does 「心しん配ぱい」 mean?

  1. travel
  2. worry
  3. convenient
Show Answer

Answer: ② worry

A Simple Study Plan for JLPT N4 (4–8 Months)

N4 is very achievable if you keep a steady rhythm. Here is a simple roadmap many learners use.

  • Step 1: Review N5 basics (particles, て-form, core verbs)
  • Step 2: Learn core N4 grammar patterns (reason, intention, comparison)
  • Step 3: Build vocabulary to ~1,500 words and kanji to ~300 by studying in context
  • Step 4: Practice short reading and listening daily (10–20 minutes)
  • Step 5: Do JLPT-style questions weekly and review mistakes

Consistency is more important than long study sessions. Even 20–30 minutes per day can be enough if you keep going.

Best Japonin Lessons to Reach JLPT N4

Reaching JLPT N4 is easier when you study with the right support. Use our JLPT course for step-by-step practice, or take Private Lessons to focus on the areas you want to improve most.

JLPT N4 Preparation Course

Best if you want structured JLPT-style practice, reading/listening drills, and systematic review.

View JLPT N4 course details

Private Lessons (One-to-One)

Ideal for fixing weak points (grammar, reading strategy, listening accuracy) and getting feedback quickly.

Learn more about Private Lessons

▶ Start with 2 Free Lessons

JLPT N4 FAQ

How many kanji are required for JLPT N4?
Many learners aim for about 300 kanji for JLPT N4. You mainly need to recognize kanji in words and short passages.
How many vocabulary words are in JLPT N4?
A common study target is around 1,500 words. Focus on high-frequency words you meet in reading and listening practice.
Is there an official list of N4 kanji or vocabulary?
No. The JLPT does not publish an official list. However, most textbooks and courses teach very similar core items, so you can study with confidence.
How long does it take to reach JLPT N4?
Many learners reach N4 in about 4–8 months with steady study, depending on your pace and time available.
Do I need to write N4 kanji by hand?
No. Writing is not required on the JLPT. Focus on recognizing kanji in words, sentences, and short passages.

Meet Our Teachers

Our JLPT N4 teachers help you build on your N5 foundation and start using Japanese in longer, everyday sentences with confidence.

Yukiko Takane, JLPT N4 instructor

TAKANE Yukiko

  • 16 years of teaching experience
  • Completed Japanese Teacher Training Course

Beginner 2 Grammar (N4)
First, I explain the key points of the sentence pattern we’ll study that day. Then we practice conjugating the verbs and adjectives used with it and apply them in context. At the end of class, you’ll work on practice exercises to review the key points. These also help you prepare for the JLPT.

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Miki Oosawa, Beginner 1 instructor

OOSAWA Miki

  • 14 years of teaching experience
  • Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test (passed)

JLPT N4 Kanji
This class is recommended for learners who can read some kanji but haven’t practiced writing much and want to study JLPT N4 kanji and vocabulary. We’ll check stroke order with animations and practice writing on paper. You’ll also learn words that use each kanji to build your vocabulary.

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Hiroshi Yamamoto, JLPT N4 instructor

YAMAMOTO Hiroshi

  • 10 years of teaching experience
  • Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test (passed)

Beginner 2 Grammar (JLPT N4)
You will learn the basic grammar patterns commonly used in everyday Japanese. Explanations are supported with some English, and key points are also explained in simple Japanese. Most words on the slides include furigana to help with reading. Lessons focus on understanding when and how the day’s grammar is used in real-life situations.

After each lesson, you will receive lesson notes explaining the grammar and vocabulary covered in class.

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Build Your JLPT N4 Skills With Japonin (JOI) Teachers

All Japonin (JOI) teachers are certified professionals with an average of 15+ years of teaching experience.
Through conversation-based lessons, you’ll build practical JLPT N4 grammar and vocabulary while improving listening and reading with short, level-appropriate materials.

Japonin teacher with beginner student

Since 2006, Japonin (JOI) has helped over 6,000 learners worldwide study Japanese online through expert guidance from our certified and experienced teachers.

Chiho Kamioka, Founder of Japonin Online Institute

Written by Chiho Kamioka Founder JLPT Guide Editor

JLPT N4 is a meaningful milestone after N5. It is where Japanese starts to connect, and basic phrases grow into longer sentences you can actually use. With core grammar patterns, a wider range of vocabulary, and more kanji, everyday Japanese becomes easier to follow step by step.