JLPT N4 - Elementary Level
Build upon N5 foundations with more kanji, complex grammar patterns, and expanded vocabulary for daily conversations and basic reading.
Study Materials
N4 Study Lists
Complete, searchable lists of every kanji, grammar point, and vocabulary word for the N4 exam. Free, printable, and ready to study.
Take a Full Mock Test
JLPT N4 Mock Tests
10 full-length, timed practice papers modelled on the official JEES format. Each mock runs ~85 minutes with around 66 questions covering kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Submit to get a per-section breakdown and a pass/fail read scaled to the official JLPT cutoffs.
Practice Tests
Assess your N4 knowledge with targeted quizzes
Free Tools for N4
Hand-picked tools to support your N4 preparation. Free, no signup, mobile friendly.
Particle Quiz
Practice wa, ga, wo, ni, de with fill-in-the-blank questions.
Try it free →Verb Conjugator
Conjugate any Japanese verb in all forms.
Try it free →JLPT Grammar Quiz
Practice JLPT grammar with instant feedback.
Try it free →Vocabulary by Topic
Browse JLPT vocabulary across 25 topics.
Try it free →Furigana Generator
Add hiragana readings above kanji words.
Try it free →Kana Practice Quiz
Test your hiragana and katakana reading speed.
Try it free →JLPT Countdown Timer
Track exactly how much study time you have until the next JLPT.
Try it free →JLPT Study Planner
Build a personalized JLPT schedule from your target date.
Try it free →Using N4 for studying in Japan
N4 is the planning checkpoint. English-taught programs accept you now; Japanese-taught ones want N3+ next year.
English-taught Master's in Japan 2027
The current list of English-track Master's programs — fields, fees, JLPT/TOEFL minimums.
Read the guide →MEXT Scholarship 2027 complete guide
Step-by-step MEXT 2027 application: timeline, documents, embassy vs. university track.
Read the guide →How to reach N3 in 6 months
The N4 → N3 sprint plan that gets kenkyusei applications across the line.
Read the guide →Plan Your JLPT N4 Exam
Register on time, build a study plan, and know what to expect on exam day. All free.
How to Register for the JLPT (2026)
Deadlines, fees, photo specs, and what to do if seats fill up — for Japan and 90+ overseas test sites.
Read the guide →Reading Your JLPT Score Report
Decode your JLPT score report section by section and learn what to study next.
Read the guide →JLPT Time Management Tips
Minute-by-minute pacing for vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening at every level.
Read the guide →JLPT Listening: 7 Strategies to Pass
Note-taking shortcuts, distractor traps to avoid, and pacing tips for all 5 question types.
Read the guide →JLPT N4 frequently asked questions
The questions that Google users most often ask about JLPT N4, answered with the same structure as our FAQPage schema.
What is the JLPT N4 passing score?
To pass N4 you need a total of at least 90 out of 180, plus a minimum section score: at least 38 out of 120 on the Language Knowledge + Reading composite, and at least 19 out of 60 on Listening. Scaled scoring means a raw correct-answer count does not directly map to a final score; difficult questions are worth more. That is why two learners with the same raw total can end up with different scaled totals. Always confirm the current passing criteria on jlpt.jp because occasional adjustments do happen.
How do I prepare for JLPT N4?
Target roughly 300–600 hours of total study from N5 to N4 in-progress. The N4 vocabulary count is about 1 500 words and kanji count is about 300, both manageable in 3–6 months alongside listening practice. The most common N4 failure point is grammar — the grammar set roughly doubles from N5, and patterns like the potential form, causative, and conditional all appear. Use the linked JLPT Grammar Quiz filtered to N4 and review a past paper each weekend in the final two months before the test.
What are the JLPT N4 test dates for 2026?
JLPT N4 is held on the same two days as all other JLPT levels: the first Sunday of July (July 5, 2026) and the first Sunday of December (December 6, 2026). Registration opens roughly three to four months before each test date. Exact dates can vary slightly by country — always confirm with your local test site. Use the linked JLPT Countdown Timer to see exactly how many days until your target date and plan backwards from there.
Where can I find JLPT N4 listening practice?
Listening is the single biggest reason people fail N4, so treat it as a daily practice area. Start with slow-spoken NHK Easy News (news.web-japan.org or NHK WEB EASY), which is tuned to roughly N4 comprehension speed. For exam-specific format practice, work through the listening sections of the past papers in the Test Series links on this page. Fifteen to twenty minutes per day of active-listening practice (transcribe as you go) is worth more than an hour of passive listening.
Is JLPT N4 hard compared to N5?
N4 is noticeably harder than N5, primarily because the grammar set roughly doubles and sentences in reading and listening are longer and more complex. Kanji load doubles (300 vs 100) and vocabulary doubles (1 500 vs 800). Most learners who are comfortable at N5 need 3–6 additional months of focused study to sit N4 with confidence. The jump from N4 to N3 is larger still, so solidifying N4 before moving up is usually the more efficient route.