JLPT N4 is the next level after N5. It means “able to understand basic Japanese.”
If you’ve passed N5, the wall to N4 is relatively low. Keep studying at the same pace and you’ll reach N4 level in 3-6 months.
This guide covers what you need to pass N4, how it differs from N5, study methods, and test strategies.
What N4 Level Means
N4 means “able to understand basic Japanese.”
Specifically:
- Can understand basic Japanese used in everyday situations
- Can read texts written with basic vocabulary and kanji
- Can understand everyday conversations if spoken slowly
One step beyond N5 — you can handle simple daily conversations. Enough not just for travel, but for short stays in Japan.
What You Need to Pass N4
| Item | Target |
|---|---|
| Kanji | About 300 characters (3x N5) |
| Vocabulary | About 1,500 words (about 2x N5) |
| Grammar | About 110 points (about 3x N5) |
| Study time | 300-400 hours (cumulative) |
If you’ve passed N5, an additional 150-200 hours of study will get you to passing level. With twice-weekly lessons plus self-study, expect 3-6 months from N5.
What Changes from N5 to N4?
1. Kanji Triples
From about 100 characters in N5 to about 300 in N4. A big jump.
Examples of new kanji:
- Verbs: 走、歩、持、届、届、届、届、届、届
- Adjectives: 忙、若、強、弱、暗、明
- Nouns: 町、市、県、届、届、届、届、届、届、届
Add 5-10 characters daily.
2. Grammar Gets More Complex
N4 introduces grammar patterns that didn’t exist in N5.
Examples of new N4 grammar:
- 〜てしまう (completion / regret)
- 〜ておく (preparation)
- 〜てある (resulting state)
- 〜ようにする (making something a habit)
- 〜ことにする (making a decision)
- Passive form (〜られる)
- Causative form (〜させる)
- Conditional forms (〜たら, 〜ば, 〜と, 〜なら)
Passive and causative forms are where many learners struggle.
3. Reading Gets Longer
N5 had short texts, but N4 has somewhat longer passages. You need the ability to read practical texts like emails, letters, and notices.
4. Listening Gets Faster
Slightly faster than N5, with longer conversations.
Test Structure
The N4 test has 3 sections:
| Section | Content | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Language Knowledge (Characters/Vocabulary) | Hiragana, katakana, kanji readings, vocabulary | 25 min |
| Language Knowledge (Grammar) / Reading | Grammar, reading comprehension | 55 min |
| Listening | Listening comprehension | 35 min |
Total: About 115 minutes (excluding breaks)
Passing score: 90 or more out of 180 total, plus minimum scores in each section
Section-by-Section Strategies
Characters and Vocabulary
What’s tested:
- Kanji readings
- Kanji writing (which kanji to use)
- Vocabulary meanings
- How to use vocabulary
- Synonyms and antonyms
Strategies:
- Perfect N5 kanji, then add new ones
- Learn verbs with their conjugations
- Be aware of differences between similar words
Grammar
What’s tested:
- Sentence grammar (choosing correct forms)
- Sentence construction (reordering)
- Grammar in context (choosing grammar that fits)
Strategies:
- Master passive and causative forms
- Learn to distinguish conditional forms (〜たら, 〜ば, 〜と, 〜なら)
- Understand the differences between 〜てしまう, 〜ておく, and 〜てある
Reading
What’s tested:
- Short passage comprehension
- Medium passage comprehension
- Information retrieval (finding info from notices, ads)
Strategies:
- Get used to email and letter formats
- Practice identifying what demonstratives (これ, それ, あれ) refer to
- Practice with a timer
Listening
What’s tested:
- Task comprehension (understanding what to do)
- Point comprehension (catching specific information)
- Verbal expressions (choosing appropriate responses)
- Quick response (responding to short exchanges)
Strategies:
- Get used to slightly faster speed than N5
- Don’t miss what comes after でも and やっぱり
- Make it a habit to read the choices first
Recommended Materials
Textbooks
- Genki II – Continuation of Genki I, covers N4 level
- Minna no Nihongo Beginner II – Standard at Japanese language schools
Grammar
- Nihongo So-matome N4 Grammar – Grammar compiled compactly
- Shin Kanzen Master N4 Grammar – Detailed explanations and practice
Vocabulary and Kanji
- Nihongo So-matome N4 Kanji/Vocabulary – Learn kanji and vocabulary together
- Anki – Make your own decks or use shared ones
Practice Tests
- Official JLPT Practice Test N4 – Same format as the real test
- Shin Kanzen Master N4 series – Section-by-section preparation
Sample Study Schedule (4 Months After Passing N5)
Month 1: Grammar Foundation
- Genki II Lessons 13-16
- 5-10 new N4 kanji daily
- 15 new words daily
Month 2: Applied Grammar
- Genki II Lessons 17-20
- Focus intensively on passive and causative forms
- Start listening practice
Month 3: Reading and Listening
- Genki II Lessons 21-23
- 1-2 reading problems daily
- Daily listening practice
Month 4: Practice and Review
- Take practice tests
- Intensively review weak points
- Practice with time management in mind
Prepare for N4 with Nihon GO!
Nihon GO! offers study materials and mock tests to help you prepare for N4.
Free materials:
- N4 grammar explanations
- N4 vocabulary lists
- Practice questions
JLPT Mock Tests:
- Same format as the real test
- 3 free tests per level
- 90-day unlimited access for £9.99
Fill the gaps that self-study can’t cover with private lessons. All teachers hold government-certified qualifications, have lived in Japan, and have professional work experience there.
Take a mock test → Book a lesson →
Common Mistakes at N4
1. Not reviewing N5 N4 builds on N5. If your N5 grammar and kanji are shaky, N4 will crumble.
2. Putting off passive and causative forms This is the N4 wall. Don’t avoid it — tackle it early.
3. Running out of time on reading N4 has more reading. If you don’t practice reading fast, you won’t finish.
4. Neglecting listening N4 listening is definitely faster than N5. Build a daily listening habit.
5. Being vague about particles Distinguishing に, で, を, and へ still appears on N4. In fact, particle mistakes continue all the way to N1. If you leave this vague, you’ll struggle forever.
Beyond N4
After passing N4, next is N3. N3 is “daily conversation level,” and the wall from N4 is somewhat higher.
From N3 onwards, self-study alone gets tough. To understand cultural background and nuance differences, we recommend learning from a native teacher.
Related Articles
- JLPT N5 Complete Guide
- JLPT N3 Complete Guide
- How Long Does It Take to Learn Japanese?
- Can You Pass JLPT Through Self-Study?
Written by Ayaka Uchida – CEO of A-Digital Works, founder of Nihon GO! World. All teachers hold government-certified qualifications, have lived in Japan, and have professional work experience there.