JLPT N4 Comprehensive Overview 2025: Difficulty, Content, and Effective Study Strategies

JLPT N4 is an exam that tests your basic Japanese knowledge for everyday conversations. This article explains what kinds of questions you can expect, who this level is suitable for, and offers study tips and effective learning strategies to help you pass the exam.

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test, also known as the JLPT, is a worldwide standardized exam designed to assess the Japanese ability of non-native speakers. The test has five levels, ranging from N1 to N5, with N1 being the most difficult and N5 being the easiest.

According to the Japan Foundation and JEES Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Guidebook, N4 corresponds to the ability to understand basic Japanese used in everyday life to some extent.

More specifically, candidates are expected to manage basic conversations relevant to daily life and to read and write simple passages. Typical real-life contexts featured on the exam include shopping at a supermarket, discussing weekend plans with friends, and inquiring about train schedules.

The estimated study time required for this level is approximately 150 to 300 hours.
This level is particularly suitable for learners who have successfully passed N5 or have completed studies equivalent to the N5 level.

Now, let’s take a look at who typically aims for the JLPT N4 level:

・Learners who have studied Japanese for about six months to one year
・Those who have passed N5 and wish to continue advancing
・Individuals planning to pursue further education at a vocational school or college in Japan
・Full-time employees or technical trainees working in Japan

Based on my experience teaching learners at this level, students are generally able to engage in basic everyday communication and are beginning to broaden their range of activities in daily life through Japanese. Many express sentiments such as, “I’ve finally started to understand Japanese,” or “I’m beginning to enjoy speaking Japanese.”

However, some learners may feel confused about how to use particles or how sentences are structured, as the grammar introduced at this stage becomes more complex.

The test is structured into the following three sections:
・Language Knowledge (Characters and Vocabulary)
・Language Knowledge (Grammar and Reading Comprehension)
・Listening Comprehension

The duration for each section is as follows:
・Language Knowledge (Characters and Vocabulary): 30 minutes
・Language Knowledge (Grammar and Reading Comprehension): 60 minutes
・Listening Comprehension: 35 minutes

To pass this level, evaluation is based on both the overall score and the scores of each individual section. Candidates are required to surpass the minimum passing score for each section while also achieving a certain minimum total score across the entire exam.

In this section, you will be tested on reading and writing all hiragana, katakana, and kanji, as well as the usage of vocabulary. Below is an example of the type of question you may encounter:

Example Question:
Choose the correct kanji for the underlined word.
「田中さんの　(1)あねは　(2)ぎんこうで　はたらいて　います。」
– Tanaka-san’s older sister works at a bank.
(1)あね:
1. 兄 2. 姉 3. 弟 4. 妹
(2)ぎんこう:
1. 銀行 2. 金行 3. 銀校 4. 金校

Answers:
(1): 2
(2): 1

Foreign students from countries where kanji are not used often devote an excessive amount of time to studying them. Maintaining a balanced approach—one that includes adjectives, adverbs, and Japan-specific katakana vocabulary alongside kanji—is essential for overall language development.

The texts presented in the JLPT N4 reading section can be broadly categorized into four types: diaries, letters, passages related to social topics, and public notices. In the case of notices, for instance, examinees may be required to identify the nature of the notice or determine the intended audience.

For a more comprehensive explanation of effective strategies for this section, please refer to the article “How to Master the JLPT N4 Reading Questions.”

In the JLPT N4 listening section, examinees are required not only to comprehend the spoken content but also to consider appropriate actions or responses based on the information provided. Although the audio is relatively slow, many learners initially find it challenging because particles and sentence endings can sound weak or unclear.

The listening tasks include choosing the appropriate answer or response in situations such as greetings, asking someone for information, requesting permission, and more.

The key to success in this section is identifying essential key phrases within the audio. In particular, information related to when, where, who, and what is often crucial for arriving at the correct answer.

From my experience teaching Japanese, one key observation is that a solid accumulation of basic knowledge greatly influences success at the N4 level. If learners progress to N4-level content without being fully confident in N5 fundamentals, they often find that their studies become significantly more challenging.

Below are three common difficulties that learners frequently encounter:

Many learners report that using particles with similar meanings or functions—such as に (ni), で (de), を (wo), and と (to)—is particularly challenging.
For instance, it is important to recognize that the required particle changes depending on the verb used, as seen in:
・日本へ行きます。 (I am going to Japan.)
・日本で勉強します。 (I study in Japan.)

Memorizing verb conjugations can also be challenging, as Japanese verbs undergo many forms such as the te-form, nai-form, and ta-form. This can be especially difficult for learners whose native languages have fewer or simpler verb conjugation patterns.

Many learners find it difficult to identify where a sentence ends, as Japanese sentence endings are relatively short and there are no distinct breaks between words.

In addition to addressing these three difficulties—such as grammar, vocabulary memorization, and particles—it is also important to actively use what you have learned in daily life. For example, you can practice phrases with a partner in class or engage in conversational exercises during online lessons. Expressing what you wish to communicate helps deepen your understanding of Japanese and reinforces your learning.

At TCJ, we provide a curriculum designed to strengthen the overall Japanese proficiency of learners aiming to pass the JLPT. One of the greatest advantages of our program is the ability to build practical Japanese skills applicable to daily life while developing all four core abilities—reading, listening, speaking, and writing—in a well-balanced manner through in-person classes or private lessons.

In group classes, students study grammar, reading comprehension, and listening comprehension for their respective levels, working alongside classmates and motivating one another toward individual goals.
In private lessons, instructors offer personalized and attentive guidance tailored to each student’s needs, helping them overcome specific weaknesses and deepen their understanding.

We also offer study plans that support a smooth progression to higher levels, such as N3 and N2, making it easier to maintain consistency and continue improving.

At TCJ, we support every individual’s Japanese learning journey, enabling you to enjoy daily life and pursue work in Japan with confidence.

References

・Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES), JLPT Guidebook
・Official JLPT Website (https://www.jlpt.jp/)
・Pattern-Based Thorough Drills for the JLPT N4 (ALC Publishing)
　(パターン別 徹底ドリル 日本語能力試験 N4)