After conquering JLPT N5, the N4 level is your next milestone on the path to Japanese fluency. It builds upon basic grammar and vocabulary, and starts testing your ability to understand everyday Japanese conversations and texts more deeply.

Preparing for JLPT N4 can feel challenging, but with the right strategy, resources, and mindset, it’s absolutely within reach. Whether you're learning for career, study, or personal goals, this guide will equip you with practical tips, proven study techniques, and motivational advice to help you ace the N4 exam with confidence.

Ready to level up your Japanese skills? Let’s dive in!

Understand the JLPT N4 Exam Structure

Before diving into the books, familiarize yourself with the test format. The JLPT N4 exam consists of three sections:

1. Vocabulary (Language Knowledge)

This section tests your ability to recognize and understand common Japanese words used in daily life. Expect questions involving word meanings, kanji readings, and context usage.

2. Grammar & Reading

You’ll be evaluated on your knowledge of basic grammar rules and your ability to comprehend written Japanese. This includes filling in blanks, interpreting short passages, and understanding sentence structure.

3. Listening Comprehension

This part checks how well you can understand spoken Japanese. You’ll listen to short dialogues or instructions and answer questions based on what you hear—no repeats, so concentration is key!

For those looking to master Kanji effectively, check out our guide on the best ways to learn Kanji in Delhi.

✅ Why This Matters

Understanding the format early helps you plan your preparation wisely. You can allocate time based on strengths and weaknesses, ensuring a well-rounded approach to passing JLPT N4.

???? Expand Your Vocabulary to 1500+ Words

The JLPT N4 level requires an expanded vocabulary compared to N5, with around 1,500 words. Here’s how you can approach this challenge effectively:

1. Focus on Everyday Activities

Learn words related to actions you perform daily, as they form the core of the N4 vocabulary:

• 起きる (okiru - to wake up)
  
   
• 寝る (neru - to sleep)
  
   
• 食べる (taberu - to eat)
  
   
• 行く (iku - to go)

These verbs are essential for basic conversations and will come up often.

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2. Emotions and Feelings

Understanding emotions is crucial for conversational fluency. Here are some key words to know:

• 嬉しい (ureshii - happy)
  
   
• 悲しい (kanashii - sad)
  
   
• 楽しい (tanoshii - fun)
  
   
• 怖い (kowai - scary)

These words help you express how you feel and understand others in various situations.

3. Places Around You

Familiarize yourself with places you'll commonly discuss or encounter:

• 駅 (eki - station)
  
   
• 学校 (gakkou - school)
  
   
• 病院 (byouin - hospital)
  
   
• 店 (mise - store)

Knowing these terms will enable you to navigate your surroundings and participate in basic conversations about daily activities.

✅ Tip: Use Flashcards and Apps

Apps like Anki and Memrise are excellent for daily vocabulary practice. They use spaced repetition, which helps reinforce words in your long-term memory. Setting aside just 10–15 minutes a day for reviewing vocabulary will make a significant difference.

For more details on EJU exam centers in India and how to register, check out our comprehensive guide on EJU Exam Eligibility.

???? Learn 300+ Kanji Effectively

At the JLPT N4 level, mastering around 300 Kanji characters is essential. Here’s how you can approach this task:

1. Numbers & Time

Knowing Kanji for numbers and time-related words will help you with daily conversations:

分 (fun) – minute

時 (ji) – hour

日 (hi) – day

月 (tsuki) – month

These Kanji are frequently used when discussing schedules, dates, and durations.

2. Action Verbs

Kanji related to actions form the backbone of daily activities and conversation:

飲 (nomu) – to drink

話 (hanasu) – to talk

食 (taberu) – to eat

見る (miru) – to see

These are essential for expressing daily tasks and interactions.

3. Common Nouns

Mastering Kanji for common nouns will help you understand and participate in conversations about people, places, and things:

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電話 (denwa) – phone

先生 (sensei) – teacher

学校 (gakkou) – school

家 (ie) – house

These words are used regularly and will come up in most basic conversations.

✍️ Pro Tip: Write Kanji by Hand

Writing Kanji by hand is one of the most effective ways to memorize them. Focus on practicing the correct stroke order and writing each character repeatedly. This helps reinforce the character in your memory, making recall much faster.

By writing out the characters, you're engaging multiple senses, which will improve retention.

???? Additional Tips for Learning Kanji:

Use flashcards (physical or apps like Anki) for spaced repetition to reinforce learning. Break Kanji into smaller groups (e.g., numbers, verbs, nouns) and focus on mastering one group at a time. Practice reading Kanji in context through graded reading materials or simple Japanese texts.

???? Master N4 Grammar Points

N4 grammar builds on the basics learned in N5 and introduces more complex structures. Here are some key grammar points to master:

1. 〜ながら (While doing something)

This structure allows you to express two actions happening at the same time.

• Example: 音楽を聞きながら勉強する (Ongaku wo kikinagara benkyou suru) – "I study while listening to music."
   

2. 〜つもり (Intention)

Use this grammar point to express your intentions or plans.

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• Example: 来週、東京に行くつもりです (Raishuu, Toukyou ni iku tsumori desu) – “I plan to go to Tokyo next week.”
   

3. 〜でしょう / 〜だろう (Probably / I suppose)

This expression is used to indicate a probability or make a guess.

• Example: 今日は雨が降るでしょう (Kyou wa ame ga furu deshou) – "It will probably rain today."
  
   
• Example: 彼は学生だろう (Kare wa gakusei darou) – “He is probably a student.”
   

???? Recommended Books for N4 Grammar:

• Minna no Nihongo II: This book provides a thorough breakdown of N4 grammar and offers plenty of practice exercises.
  
   
• Genki II: A great resource for mastering grammar with structured lessons and lots of example sentences.
  
   
• Tae Kim’s Grammar Guide: Available online for free, this guide covers both basic and more advanced grammar points.
   

???? Improve Your Listening Skills

Improving your listening comprehension is crucial not only for the JLPT N4 exam but also for real-life communication. Here are a few ways to boost your listening skills:

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1. Listen to NHK Easy News or JLPT N4 Audio Samples

NHK Easy News provides short, simple news stories in Japanese, perfect for beginners and intermediate learners. Listening to these regularly will help you get used to the speed and rhythm of native Japanese speech.

2. Watch Japanese Dramas or Anime with Japanese Subtitles

Watching Japanese media with subtitles is a great way to improve both listening and reading comprehension. Start with shows or anime that are slower-paced, and gradually work your way up.

3. Try Shadowing

Shadowing is a technique where you repeat what you hear immediately after listening to it. This helps with pronunciation, fluency, and understanding the rhythm of the language.

???? Apps to Enhance Listening:

• Pimsleur: Offers audio-based language learning, focusing heavily on listening and pronunciation.
  
   
• JapanesePod101: Provides a wide variety of audio lessons and podcasts tailored to learners at different levels, including N4.
   

By consistently practicing these strategies, you'll improve both your grammar and listening skills, ensuring you're well-prepared for the JLPT N4 exam.

Reading is essential for enhancing comprehension and reinforcing vocabulary and grammar. Regular practice helps you build a deeper understanding of Japanese in context. Here are some practical reading resources to incorporate into your study routine:

​For detailed information on JLPT exam centers across India, including addresses and contact details, refer to our comprehensive guide on JLPT Exam Centers in India.

1. Tadoku (Graded Readers)

These are specially designed books that match your language proficiency level. For N4, start with Tadoku’s books aimed at beginner-intermediate learners. They often come with furigana (hiragana over kanji) to help with kanji recognition.

2. Children’s Books or Manga

Children’s books are written in simple language and provide helpful context for new words. Manga can also be a fun and engaging way to practice reading. Choose manga with furigana to make it easier to follow.

3. N4 Practice Passages from JLPT Sensei or JLPT.jp

Use N4-level reading passages from websites like JLPT Sensei and JLPT.jp. These provide structured reading practice and often come with comprehension questions to test your understanding.

Pro Tip: Even 10–15 minutes of reading each day will steadily improve your reading skills over time!

Build a Personalized Study Schedule

A well-structured study schedule is vital for consistent progress. Having a clear plan helps avoid last-minute cramming and reduces stress. Here's a sample weekly study plan to follow:

Sample Weekly Plan:

• Mon–Fri: Focus on grammar, kanji, and vocabulary. Allocate 30–45 minutes per session.
  
   
• Saturday: Dedicate the day to listening practice and reading comprehension exercises. Aim for an hour or more of active listening and reading.
  
   
• Sunday: Take a full mock test and review any weak areas. Focus on improving those sections the next week.

Tip: Use tools like Notion, Trello, or a physical planner to track your progress and stay organized.

For detailed information on JLPT exam centers in India, including addresses and contact details, refer to our comprehensive guide on JLPT Exam Centers in India.

Take JLPT N4 Mock Tests Regularly

Simulating the actual JLPT test environment will help you get accustomed to the time constraints and question formats. Here are the key benefits of mock tests:

Why Mock Tests are Important:

• Get used to time limits: Practice pacing yourself during each section.
  
   
• Identify weak areas: Mock tests reveal which sections you need to focus on.
  
   
• Reduce exam-day anxiety: Familiarizing yourself with the test format helps reduce stress on the day of the exam.

Resources for Free Mock Exams:

• JLPT Official Website: Offers practice exams that follow the official JLPT format.
  
   
• JLPT Sensei: Provides mock tests and other resources for N4 preparation.
  
   
• Nihongo-Pro.com: Another great site for free practice tests.

Use the Right Learning Apps

Technology can significantly speed up your learning process. Here are some excellent apps for mastering N4 content:

Best Apps for JLPT N4:

• LingoDeer: Interactive lessons focusing on grammar, vocabulary, and kanji. Ideal for beginners and intermediate learners.
  
   
• WaniKani: A fun and efficient app for learning kanji using a spaced repetition system.
  
   
• Bunpro: A comprehensive grammar app that covers key N4 grammar points.
  
   
• Tae Kim’s Guide: A free app with detailed grammar explanations and example sentences.

Tip: Choose 2–3 apps that suit your learning style and stay consistent in using them.

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Practice Active Recall & Spaced Repetition

Active recall and spaced repetition are two techniques that make your study sessions more effective. Here’s how you can implement them:

Active Recall Techniques:

• Quiz yourself regularly: After studying, test yourself on what you've learned.
  
   
• Use spaced repetition: Flashcards are an excellent tool for this method. Apps like Anki use spaced repetition to help you memorize vocabulary and kanji efficiently.
  
   
• Teach someone else: Teaching someone else reinforces your own understanding.
   

Join Japanese Study Communities

Being part of a study group or community can help keep you motivated and exposed to new resources. Here are some platforms where you can connect with fellow JLPT N4 learners:

Recommended Study Communities:

• Reddit: Join r/LearnJapanese for discussions, tips, and advice.
  
   
• Discord: Participate in Japanese learning servers for real-time chat and support.
  
   
• Facebook Groups: There are many Facebook groups dedicated to JLPT learners where you can ask questions and share study materials.

Final Tips for Exam Day

When the exam day arrives, stay calm and organized. Here are a few practical tips for success:

Before the Exam:

• Reach early: Arrive at the exam center early so you have time to settle in.
  
   
• Bring your ID and exam voucher: Make sure you have the required documents.

During the Exam:

• Stay calm: If you don’t understand a question, don’t panic. Move on and return to it later.
  
   
• Use every minute wisely: Focus on the reading section and pace yourself through the test.
  
   
• Listen carefully: The listening section is only played once, so be attentive!

By following these tips, you’ll set yourself up for success in the JLPT N4 exam. Good luck!

For more details on how to check your JLPT results, check out our complete guide on JLPT overseas result.

???? Summary

The JLPT N4 serves as a crucial stepping stone toward mastering intermediate Japanese. With consistent effort, a well-planned study routine, and the right resources, passing the N4 exam is achievable. Focus on mastering over 1,500 vocabulary words and 300 Kanji characters, while deeply understanding the essential grammar patterns. Incorporate listening practice through shadowing techniques and real-life media like Japanese dramas or podcasts.

❓ FAQs on JLPT N4 Preparation

Q1. How long does it take to prepare for JLPT N4?

On average, 300–400 hours of study is needed, depending on your language background and consistency.

Q2. Can I pass JLPT N4 without taking N5?

Yes, you can. However, it’s recommended to have N5-level knowledge first.

Q3. Do I need to take a coaching class for N4?

Not necessarily. Many learners pass with self-study, but classes can help with structure and motivation.

Q4. Is JLPT N4 enough to get a job in Japan?

For entry-level part-time jobs, N4 might help. But N3 or N2 is usually preferred for full-time roles.

Q5. What happens if I fail the exam?

Don’t worry—you can retake it. Learn from your mistakes and improve next time.