JLPT N4 Vocabulary

A step up from N5: words for talking about feelings, plans, work, school, and everyday trouble. Still no conjugation tables, just words grouped by where you'll actually need them.

Test Strategy: Particles

Both the N5 and N4 exams score out of 180 points total, split into two sections: Language Knowledge and Reading (120 points) and Listening (60 points). You need 90 out of 180 overall, but you also have to clear a minimum score in each section separately, so one strong section can't cover for a weak one.

That means every minute you spend memorizing grammar has to actually earn points on test day. Some particles are simple enough that a little study locks in the point almost every time. Others have so many overlapping jobs and native-speaker gray areas that even hours of study won't make you meaningfully faster than a guess. Spend your limited prep time where it pays off, and treat the rest as a quick guess you move past.

Learn These Solidly

"toward, in the direction of"
Marks where you're headed. One job, one meaning, low risk.
"from, since"
Marks a starting point in time or place. Rarely ambiguous.
"until, up to"
Marks an ending point, and pairs naturally with kara.
"and, with"
Connects nouns or marks who you did something with.
"object marker"
Marks the direct object of a verb. The rule barely changes across sentences.
"at, by means of"
Marks the location of an action or the tool or method used.

Skip When Unsure

"at, to, in, for, by..."
Handles time, direction, location, and indirect objects. So many jobs that it's easy to second-guess.
"topic marker"
Overlaps constantly with ga, and even native speakers disagree on which one feels right.
"subject marker"
The classic wa or ga confusion. Entire textbooks exist just to explain the difference.
"possessive, connector"
Looks simple but shifts meaning by context, including turning verbs into nouns.

If a question hinges on one of these four, take your best guess and move on. Chasing certainty here costs more time than it's worth.

Feelings and Opinions

"to think"
Use this to share an opinion, even a simple one.
"worry, concern"
Comes up when checking on someone or something.
"looking forward to"
Say this about upcoming plans or events.
"happy, glad"
A simple, natural reaction word.
"sad"
Comes up in everyday emotional conversation.
"feeling"
Used to talk about how something feels, physically or emotionally.
"to be surprised"
A very common reaction word.
"embarrassed"
Comes up often in casual conversation.
"unfortunate, a shame"
Use when something doesn't go as hoped.
"okay, fine"
One of the most useful words in the whole language.

Plans and Promises

"plan, schedule"
Comes up whenever making arrangements.
"convenience, availability"
Used when checking if a time works for someone.
"promise, appointment"
Comes up when confirming plans.
"preparation"
Use when talking about getting ready for something.
"to make it in time"
Comes up around trains and appointments.
"to change (a plan)"
Useful when a schedule shifts.
"to be late"
Comes up constantly with trains and meetings.
"to be free, available"
Use for people, seats, or time slots.
"to hurry"
Comes up when time is tight.
"to cancel"
Common with reservations and plans.

Work and School Situations

"meeting"
Common word in any office setting.
"work, job"
Comes up in almost every conversation about daily life.
"day off, vacation"
Use when talking about time away from work or school.
"homework"
Comes up around students and classes.
"exam"
Useful in school or certification conversations.
"to submit"
Comes up with paperwork and assignments.
"to contact"
One of the most useful daily verbs.
"to consult, discuss"
Use when you need advice or input.
"to explain"
Comes up whenever something needs clarifying.
"to try hard, do one's best"
Said constantly as encouragement.

Health and Trouble

"feeling unwell"
Say this when you need to explain you're not okay.
"to have a fever"
Useful at a pharmacy or clinic.
"medicine"
Comes up at pharmacies and hospitals.
"sickness, illness"
General word for being sick.
"to break (an object)"
Use when something stops working.
"to lose (an item)"
Comes up when you've misplaced something important.
"to be in trouble, at a loss"
Use when you genuinely don't know what to do.
"accident"
Comes up in news and travel delays.
"dangerous"
A word you'll hear as a warning.
"tough, difficult situation"
Used constantly to react to hard situations.

Everyday Life and Extras

"to move (residence)"
Comes up in conversations about life changes.
"contract"
Useful for apartments, phones, and services.
"convenient"
A very common compliment for tools, places, apps.
"inconvenient"
The natural opposite of benri.
"easy, simple"
Comes up when describing how easy something is.
"important"
Use for things or people that matter.
"necessary"
Comes up when explaining what's needed.
"to increase"
Used for numbers, amounts, or trends going up.
"to decrease"
The natural opposite of fueru.
"to continue"
Comes up when talking about habits or ongoing effort.