JLPT N5 vs N4
N5 covers basic comprehension. N4 expands into everyday conversation with nearly double the vocabulary and more complex grammar.
N5N4
Vocabulary~800 words~1,500 words
Kanji~103~300
Grammar patterns~80~200
ReadingShort passages, signsConversations, simple texts
Study hours (cumulative)350–400550–600
DifficultyBeginnerElementary
Which should you take?
If you're starting from zero, take N5 first to build a solid foundation. If you already know hiragana, katakana, and basic sentence patterns, consider starting directly with N4.