Passing the JLPT N4 represents the transition from basic survival phrases to genuine elementary Japanese comprehension. At this stage, you begin reading short stories, simple newsletters, and understanding conversations spoken at near-normal speeds.
However, the volume of vocabulary and grammar increases significantly compared to N5. Many students struggle to retain N4 Kanji and vocabulary list items when using standard SRS flashcards alone.
Below, you can access our Interactive N4 Study List. Mark the Kanji and Vocabulary words you already know, click them to view full dictionary definitions, and see your N4 Mastery Gauge advance!
What is Tested in the JLPT N4?
The N4 exam expands upon the foundational concepts of N5:
- Language Knowledge (Vocabulary): Assessing your recognition of compound words, basic transitive/intransitive verbs, and diverse daily nouns.
- Language Knowledge (Grammar & Reading): Evaluating your understanding of potential (〜る/られる), passive (〜れる/られる), and causative (〜せる/させる) forms, alongside compound conjunctions (like 〜ながら or 〜ておく). Reading passages also double in length.
- Listening: Comprehending elementary spoken situations, following instructions, and answering contextual queries.
To master N4, you must see verbs conjugated in various ways and learn how to parse them in real-time.
Interactive N4 Kanji & Vocabulary Tracker
Use our interactive elementary study tracker below to check off the N4 characters and vocabulary you've learned. Tap any item to open the Yomimaru Popover Dictionary, which displays Hiragana readings, pitch accents, grammatical parts of speech, English meanings, and contextual example sentences.