JLPT N4
Core Expansion
Build on your foundation. N4 expands your vocabulary, introduces more complex grammar patterns, and tests reading comprehension across everyday conversations and simple written texts.
What you'll master
Everything JLPT N4 tests
words
Vocabulary
~1,500 words across expanded topics: travel, health, shopping, weather, work, hobbies, emotions, nature. Includes all N5 words + ~700 new.
patterns
Grammar
~200 grammar patterns building on N5: conditional forms, volitional, passive, causative basics, giving/receiving, quoting speech.
kanji
Kanji
~300 kanji (cumulative with N5). Includes compound kanji used in everyday vocabulary, with readings, meanings, and example words.
8–12 months of consistent study
Strong N5 foundation significantly accelerates N4 prep. Listening isn't covered here — that's a job for real Japanese audio (podcasts, news), not another flashcard tool.
Study Timeline Calculator
How many hours per week can you dedicate to Japanese study?
Estimates based on JLPT official guidelines. Assumes focused study with regular review. Immersion and consistent daily practice significantly accelerate progress.
Sample questions
See What N4 Looks Like
Preview the types of questions you'll encounter on the real exam.
「けいけん」の意味は？
What does 「けいけん」 mean?
Tap to answer
雨が降った＿＿、試合は中止になった。
Choose the correct conjunction
Tap to answer
Vocabulary
N4 Vocabulary by Theme
692 curated words organized into 20 study themes
Honorifics & Polite Speech
People & Relationships
Communication & Social
Work & Business
Education & Knowledge
Home & Daily Life
Travel & Transportation
Health & Body
Food & Cooking
Nature & Weather
Emotions & Adjectives
Actions & Movement
Change & Process
Thinking & Mental
Society & Rules
Adverbs & Expressions
General Adjectives
General Counters
General Nouns
General Verbs
Get the Complete JLPT N4 Vocabulary PDF
All 692 JLPT N4 words with kanji, hiragana readings, and English meanings — organized across 20 themes. Print-ready. No signup, no email, no ads.
Level comparison
What N4 Adds Beyond N5
N4 nearly doubles your vocabulary and unlocks complex grammar that brings you closer to real conversation.
Foundation
Next level
New Grammar Concepts
N4 introduces grammar that lets you express conditions, intentions, and nuanced actions.
Scoring
Scoring & Certification
What you need to pass N4, how sections are weighted, and where it sits on the CEFR scale.
Passing score
90/ 180
Approximately 50% of total
You must also meet the sectional minimum for each section.
Pass rate
55.9%
December 2024 exam
Scores use Item Response Theory (IRT), so results are comparable across sessions.
CEFR equivalent
A2
Waystage / elementary user
Section Minimum Scores
Score at or above the minimum in every section, even if your total exceeds the passing score.
Study guide
How to Study for JLPT N4
Build on N5 foundations -- review weak areas first before adding new material
Learn て-form and its many uses: 〜ている, 〜てください, 〜てもいい, and more
Expand vocabulary through compound words and verb pairs to accelerate word acquisition
Practice reading short paragraphs, not just isolated sentences -- N4 tests connected text
Common mistake: mixing up ので (objective reason) with のに (despite). They sound similar but have opposite meanings
Exam day: in the reading section, answer questions in order -- they follow the passage chronologically at N4 level
Your Target
~300 kanji, ~1,500 words, ~200 grammar patterns
Learning path
Your Learning Journey
You've built the foundation. Now expand.
N4 — Core Expansion
Build on your foundation. N4 expands your vocabulary, introduces more complex grammar patterns, and tests reading comprehension across everyday conversations and simple written texts.
~1,500
Words
~300
Kanji
~200
Grammar
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Mock Exam
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Take a full-length N4 mock exam that mirrors the real JLPT - timed sections, authentic question formats, and a detailed score report.
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