JLPT N4 Vocabulary List

Over 900 words with readings, romaji, and English meanings

JLPT N4 builds on the basics from N5 and turns them into Japanese you can actually use. It is the level where you can start describing your day, making plans, shopping, asking for directions, and holding a simple back-and-forth conversation.

What JLPT N4 covers

The vocabulary spreads out into everyday life: hobbies, travel and transport, weather, work and school routines, shopping and money, and feelings. You add around 700 new words, including plenty of useful loanwords. The kanji count roughly triples to about 300, so reading starts to feel less like sounding out hiragana one character at a time and more like reading real Japanese.

Grammar and particles at this level

N4 grammar revolves around the te-form. It links actions, makes requests, describes what someone is doing, and asks permission, and it takes real practice before it becomes automatic. Around it you will meet plain and casual speech for the first time, the potential form for saying what you can do, and how to make comparisons.

How to study N4

The te-form is the main thing to get right at N4. Drill it until the conjugation comes without thinking, because most of the grammar that follows assumes you already know it. Beyond that, start reading very simple material like graded readers or children’s stories, so new words show up in real sentences instead of sitting alone on a flashcard.

All N4 words

しまったしまった (かん)shimatta (kan)

Damn it!

～てしまう～(て) しまう～(te) shimau

to end up ~

考えるかんがえるkangaeru

to think (about); to consider

事ことkoto

thing(s), matter(s), fact

彼女かのじょkanojo

girlfriend; she

そんなsonna

such, like that, that sort of

気きki

spirit, mood

けれど; けれどもkeredo; keredomo

but, although

見えるみえるmieru

to be visible; -- polite verb meaning 来る (くる) --

君きみkimi

you (informal for men)

to take (an examination, interview, etc.); to receive

from now on, after this

～始める～はじめる～hajimeru

to start doing ~

生活せいかつするseikatsusuru

living, life; to live

to continue, to keep up

関係かんけいkankei

relation(ship), connection

生きるいきるikiru

to live

戻るもどるmodoru

to return (v.i.); to come back

変わるかわるkawaru

to change (v.i.), to be transformed, to vary

場所ばしょbasho

place, location

行うおこなうokonau

to carry out; to conduct (typically used in written language)

以上いじょうijou

more than; this is all

過ぎるすぎるsugiru

to exceed, to go beyond

場合ばあいbaai

case, situation

点てんten

mark, score, grade; point, dot

and (conj.), thereupon, because of that

時代じだいjidai

age, period, epoch, era

見つけるみつけるmitsukeru

to discover, to find (v.t.)

plan, project, schedule

可能性かのうせいkanousei

possibility

うまいumai

delicious; skillful; fortunate

最初さいしょsaisho

beginning, first

別べつbetsu

distinction, different

～ちゃん～chan

suffix for familiar (female) person

送るおくるokuru

to send, to dispatch

向かうむかうmukau

to face, to go towards

recently, nowadays, in recent years, most recent, latest

to recall, to remember

残るのこるnokoru

to remain (v.i.), to be left

terrible, awful, unfair, cruel

用ようyou

errand, task, business (to take care of)

驚くおどろくodoroku

to be surprised, to be astonished

進むすすむsusumu

to advance, to proceed

変えるかえるkaeru

to change, to alter, to vary

立てるたてるtateru

to stand (something) up, to erect (something)

to search, to seek, to look for

to be heard, to be audible

警察けいさつkeisatsu

police; police station

to resemble, to be similar

to convey (a message); to tell, to report

息子むすこmusuko

(humble) son

以外いがいigai

other than, with the exception of, excepting

確かたしかtashika

if I remember correctly; certain, definite

調べるしらべるshiraberu

to check; to look up; to inquire; to search

親おやoya

a parent

研究けんきゅうkenkyuu

study, research, investigation

plans, arrangement, schedule

to lead, to take (a person)

interest (in something)

無理むりmuri

unreasonable, impossible

不可能ふかのうfukanou

impossible

原因げんいんgen'in

cause, origin, source

夫おっとotto

husband

側がわgawa

side (of something, or taking someone's side); part

途中とちゅうtochuu

on the way, midway

喜ぶよろこぶyorokobu

to rejoice, to be delighted, to be glad

to escape, to run away

arrangement, appointment, promise

通るとおるtooru

to pass (by), to go through

普通ふつうfutsuu

common; usual

尋ねるたずねるtazuneru

to inquire (same as 質問する)

to be helpful, to be useful

連絡れんらくrenraku

communication, contact, connection

壁かべkabe

wall

申し上げるもうしあげるmoushiageru

(humble)to say, to tell

運ぶはこぶhakobu

to transport, to carry

business meeting; conference

迎えるむかえるmukaeru

to welcome; to meet; to greet

決まるきまるkimaru

to be set; fixed (v.i.)

important, valuable, serious matter

to increase, to multiply

the other day, recently

技術ぎじゅつgijutsu

technique, technology, skill

特別とくべつtokubetsu

special

高校; 高等学校こうこう; こうとうがっこうkoukou; koutougakkou

high school; senior high school

直すなおすnaosu

to correct (v.t.); to fix

(hon.) good, OK, all right

できるだけdekirudake

if at all possible, as much as possible

返事へんじhenji

reply, answer

試合しあいshiai

match, game, competition

反対はんたいhantai

oppose, opposition, resistance

出発しゅっぱつするshuppatsusuru

to gather (v.i.), to collect

-- extra-modest expression for たべる and のむ; humble expression for もらう --

慣れるなれるnareru

to grow accustomed to

集めるあつめるatsumeru

to collect, to gather (v.t.), to assemble

-- extra-modest (humble) expression for 言う (いう) --

血ちchi

blood

負けるまけるmakeru

to lose (a game) (v.i.), to be defeated

お礼おれいorei

expression of gratitude; thanking; gift of appreciation; bow

一部いちぶichibu

one part; one portion; one section

島しまshima

island

並ぶならぶnarabu

to line up, to stand in a line (v.i.)

訳わけwake

reason; explanation

将来しょうらいshourai

(in the) future; prospects

-- honorific expression for いく, くる, and いる --

useless, no good, hopeless

表おもてomote

surface; front; outside

星ほしhoshi

star

お嬢さんおじょうさんojousan

(someone's) daughter (polite)

to go back and forth; to commute

科学かがくkagaku

science

社長しゃちょうshachou

president of a company

用意よういyoui

preparation

ご存じごぞんじgozonji

knowing, acquaintance

急きゅうkyuu

urgent, sudden; steep

号ごうgou

number; edition; make; model

経済けいざいkeizai

economics, finance, economy

鳴るなるnaru

to sound, to ring (v.i.)

this evening, tonight

育てるそだてるsodateru

to raise (v.t.); to bring up

very soon; in a few moments; days

足りるたりるtariru

to be sufficient; to be enough

どういうdouiu

what kind of; what sort of; what

法律ほうりつhouritsu

law

案内あんないするannaisuru

information, guidance

good, advantage, in order to

仕方しかたshikata

way (of doing something)

世話せわするsewasuru

looking after; to look after

遠くとおくtooku

far away, distant

びっくりbikkuri

to be surprised; to be amazed; to be frightened; to be astonished

そろそろsorosoro

gradually, soon

倒れるたおれるtaoreru

to collapse, to break down

空くあくaku

to open, to become empty (vacant)

回すまわすmawasu

to turn; to rotate; to spin; to twist

condition, state, health

以下いかika

less than, below

伺ううかがうukagau

humble form of 行く (いく), 聞く (きく) and 来る (くる)

建てるたてるtateru

to build

安心あんしんanshin

peace of mind, relief

参るまいるmairu

humble expression for 行く and 来る

珍しいめずらしいmezurashii

unusual, rare

投げるなげるnageru

to pitch, to cast away

quickly and steadily; at a rapid pace

高たかtaka

quantity; amount; volume; number

to be found (v.i.), to be discovered

driver (by occupation)

entrance (to a house or a building)

たまにtamani

occasionally

がるgaru

to show signs of being; to feel; to think

習慣しゅうかんshuukan

custom (in reference to culture)

失礼しつれいshitsurei

discourtesy, impoliteness; Excuse me

出席しゅっせきするshussekisuru

circumstances, convenience

complexity, complication

久しぶりひさしぶりhisashiburi

it has been a long time; for the first time in a long time

文章ぶんしょうbunshou

sentence, text

おっしゃるossharu

-- honorific expression for いう --

格好かっこうkakkou

appearance, manner, shape, form, posture

踏むふむfumu

to step on, to tread on

地震じしんjishin

earthquake

やはり; やっぱりyahari; yappari

as I thought, absolutely

やはりyahari

as expected; sure enough; just as one thought

office work; clerical work; administration; business

虫むしmushi

insect

両方りょうほうryouhou

both sides, both parties

下げるさげるsageru

to lower (v.t.); to hang

道具どうぐdougu

tool

両手りょうてryoute

both hands; both arms

to be broken, to break

多数たすうtasuu

large number (of); many

中学生ちゅうがくせいchuugakusei

middle school student

市民しみんshimin

citizen

よろしくよろしく (かん)yoroshiku (kan)

best regards, please remember me

病やまいyamai

illness; disease

生産せいさんするseisansuru

production; to produce

弾くひくhiku

to play (a string instrument or piano)

older brother; elder brother

田舎いなかinaka

rural, countryside

業ぎょうgyou

work; business; company; agency

噛むかむkamu

to bite, to chew

大量たいりょうtairyou

large quantity; massive (quantity); mass (e.g. mass production, mass transit, mass destruction)

私自身わたしじしんwatashijishin

to disappear, to get lost

痛むいたむitamu

to hurt; to ache; to feel a pain

ってtte

you said; he said; she said; they said

飾るかざるkazaru

to decorate, to adorn

棚たなtana

shelves, rack

男女だんじょdanjo

men and women; man and woman; both sexes; both genders

治るなおるnaoru

to get better; to recover from illness (v.i.)

以内いないinai

within, less (no more) than

quarrel; brawl; fight; squabble

to put (things) side by side; to line up

to break, to break down

締めるしめるshimeru

to tie, to fasten, to tighten

senior members of a group

会場かいじょうkaijou

venue, meeting place

なさるnasaru

-- honorific expression for する --

光るひかるhikaru

to shine, to glitter

丁寧ていねいteinei

polite, courteous, careful

滑るすべるsuberu

to slide, to slip

役立つやくだつyakudatsu

to be useful; to be helpful; to serve the purpose

画面がめんgamen

screen (of a TV, computer, etc.)

to get down, to go; come down

地上ちじょうchijou

above ground; on the ground; earth's surface

折るおるoru

to snap, to break; to bend

to fire (gun, arrow, questions, etc.); to shoot; to hit (e.g. baseball); to break wind

社員しゃいんshain

company employee

遠慮えんりょするenryosuru

restraint, reserve, hesitate

止むやむyamu

to cease, to stop

向けむけmuke

intended for ...; oriented towards ...; aimed at ...

doubt; question; uncertainty; skepticism

proof; evidence; sign; testimony

代わりかわりkawari

substitute, replacement

承知しょうちするshouchisuru

consent, acceptance

騒ぐさわぐsawagu

to make noise, to clamor

おもちゃomocha

a toy

陥るおちいるochiiru

to fall into (e.g. a hole)

砂すなsuna

sand

移るうつるutsuru

to move (from a house); to transfer (from a department); to shift

貼るはるharu

to post; to paste; to attach

柔らかいやわらかいyawarakai

soft (in reference to texture), tender

折れるおれるoreru

to break, to be folded, to give in; to turn (a corner)

届けるとどけるtodokeru

to deliver (v.t.)

熊くまkuma

bear (any mammal of family Ursidae)

最悪さいあくsaiaku

worst

何事なにごとnanigoto

what; what sort of thing

北海道ほっかいどうhokkaidou

Hokkaido (island, prefectural-level administrative unit)

ちっともchittomo

not at all (neg. verb)

乾くかわくkawaku

to get dry

褒めるほめるhomeru

to praise; to say nice things

line (of text); row; verse

植えるうえるueru

to plant

姉さんねえさんneesan

older sister; elder sister

英国えいこくeikoku

United Kingdom; Britain; Great Britain

仲良くなかよくnakayoku

on good terms (with); on friendly terms (with); (getting along) well; in harmony

輸入ゆにゅうyunyuu

import

魔法まほうmahou

magic; witchcraft; sorcery; spell

直るなおるnaoru

to be fixed

うんun

yes (informal), all right (ok)

congratulation, celebration

泥棒どろぼうdorobou

thief; burglar

持ち主もちぬしmochinushi

owner; proprietor; possessor (e.g. of talent, beauty, etc.)

still; much more; (not) yet

気持ち悪いきもちわるいkimochiwarui

bad feeling

顔色かおいろkaoiro

complexion; one's colour; one's color

奴隷どれいdorei

slave; servant

体調たいちょうtaichou

physical condition; state of health; shape

焼けるやけるyakeru

to burn, to be roasted

party; group; troop; company

department (division) manager

中学校ちゅうがっこうchuugakkou

junior high school pupil

叱るしかるshikaru

to scold

米国べいこくbeikoku

(United States of) America; USA; US

to grow cold, to cool down

many years; a long time

one's house; one's home; one's family

隅すみsumi

corner

昼間ひるまhiruma

daytime, during the day

最新さいしんsaishin

latest; newest; late-breaking (news)

使い方つかいかたtsukaikata

way of using (something); way to use; how to use; usage

差し上げるさしあげるsashiageru

-- humble expression for あげる --

天使てんしtenshi

angel

なるべくnarubeku

if possible, as much as possible

故障こしょうするkoshousuru

breakdown

お気に入りおきにいりokiniiri

favorite; favourite; pet (e.g. teacher's pet)

ソフトsofuto

soft; soft hat; software

various countries; various regions; various provinces

引っ越すひっこすhikkosu

to move to a new place of residence

愛すあいすaisu

to love

暮れるくれるkureru

to get dark, to come to an end

芸術家げいじゅつかgeijutsuka

artist

通つうtsuu

authority; expert; connoisseur; well-informed person

目撃もくげきmokugeki

witnessing; observing; sighting

東京都とうきょうとtoukyouto

tokyo metropolis

鶏にわとりniwatori

chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus); domestic chicken

気持ちいいきもちいいkimochiii

feeling good

青ざめるあおざめるaozameru

to become pale; to turn pale

品物しなものshinamono

goods

レポート; リポートrepooto; ripooto

to lie down; to stretch out

(someone else's) house; home -- polite word for 家 (いえ) --

正月しょうがつshougatsu

New Year, New Year's Day

the West, Western countries

スマホsumaho

smartphone; smart phone

英えいei

United Kingdom; Britain

校長こうちょうkouchou

principal, headmaster

左側ひだりがわhidarigawa

left side; left-hand side

外見がいけんgaiken

outward appearance; looks

look!; see!; here!; there!

郊外こうがいkougai

suburb, outskirts

曇るくもるkumoru

to become cloudy, to become dim

やる気やるきyaruki

will (to do something); drive; motivation; enthusiasm

用事ようじyouji

business to take care of; tasks; errands

兄ちゃんにいちゃんniichan

(one's) older brother

belief; faith; conviction

(many) trees; every tree; all kinds of trees

一度いちどichido

once, one time

何枚なんまいnanmai

how many flat objects

fox (esp. the red fox, Vulpes vulpes)

sushi; range of dishes made with vinegared rice combined with fish, vegetables, egg, etc.

二倍にばいnibai

double

病人びょうにんbyounin

sick person; patient; invalid

just like; (virtually) no different from; (almost) the same as; as good as (e.g. dead, settled)

坂さかsaka

slope, hill

気楽きらくkiraku

carefree; comfortable; at ease

写すうつすutsusu

to copy (v.t.); to photograph

この頃このごろkonogoro

these days, nowadays

一行いちぎょうichigyou

(one) line; (one) row

calling on someone who is ill, visit

振る舞いふるまいfurumai

behavior; behaviour; conduct

今頃いまごろimagoro

about this time; about now

割合わりあいwariai

rate, ratio, percentage

沸くわくwaku

to boil, to grow hot

～によると～(に) よると～(ni) yoruto

according to ~

コンピュータ; コンピューターkonpyuuta; konpyuutaa

computer

色んないろんなironna

various; a variety of; all sorts of; many (different)

separation (e.g. of rubbish when recycling); classification; discrimination; division

苦いにがいnigai

bitter

致すいたすitasu

-- extra-modest expression for する --

水道すいどうsuidou

water service, water line

(manufacturing) industry

overcoat; over, exceeding, exaggeration

警察署けいさつしょkeisatsusho

police station

叫び声さけびごえsakebigoe

shout; yell; scream; cry

走り回るはしりまわるhashirimawaru

advanced age; old age

大嫌いだいきらいdaikirai

hating; strongly disliking

力いっぱいちからいっぱいchikaraippai

with all one's strength

金曜きんようkin'you

Friday

おごるogoru

to be proud; to be haughty; to be arrogant; to be conceited

専念せんねんsennen

absorption; giving undivided attention; devoting oneself (to)

大分だいぶdaibu

fairly well, to a large extent, considerably, pretty much

art gallery, art museum

お金持ちかねもち; おかねもちkanemochi; okanemochi

to exchange, to replace

お子さんおこさんokosan

(someone else's) child (polite)

掲示板けいじばんkeijiban

bulletin board

なるほどnaruhodo

I see; I now understand

learning; acquisition (of a skill, knowledge, etc.)

疑わしいうたがわしいutagawashii

doubtful; questionable; uncertain; disputable

山頂さんちょうsanchou

summit (of a mountain)

カバンkaban

bag

晒すさらすsarasu

to expose (to the sun, public, danger, etc.)

視力しりょくshiryoku

eyesight; vision; visual acuity

hair style; coiffure; hairdo

見返すみかえすmikaesu

to show someone what one can do

fame; reputation; renown

茶屋ちゃやchaya

tea shop

多額たがくtagaku

large (amount of money); huge; hefty; expensive

新型しんがたshingata

new type; new style; new model; new strain (e.g. infectious disease)

共通点きょうつうてんkyoutsuuten

common point

建て～だて～date

~ storied, separate housing

奈良ならnara

Nara (city, prefecture)

三角形さんかくけいsankakukei

triangle

裕福ゆうふくyuufuku

wealthy; rich; affluent; well-off

隣人りんじんrinjin

neighbour; neighbor; (people in the) neighbourhood; neighborhood

拝見はいけんするhaikensuru

(humble) (polite) seeing, look at

presence of other people; (in) public; (in) front of others

dismissal (of an employee); discharge; firing; layoff

株式会社かぶしきがいしゃkabushikigaisha

refugee; displaced person

堅; 硬; 固いかたいkatai

solid, hard, firm

召し上がるめしあがるmeshiagaru

-- honorific form of 食べる (たべる) and 飲む (のむ) --

忍耐にんたいnintai

endurance; perseverance; patience

～について～(に) ついて～(ni) tsuite

one's original intention; one's initial enthusiasm

卒業式そつぎょうしきsotsugyoushiki

graduation ceremony

早起きはやおきhayaoki

getting up early; early rising

救急きゅうきゅうkyuukyuu

first-aid; emergency (aid)

電報でんぽうdenpou

売り場うりばuriba

place where things are sold

殺人者さつじんしゃsatsujinsha

murderer

民主みんしゅminshu

democracy; popular sovereignty

innocence; being not guilty

お笑いおわらいowarai

comedy

洞ほらhora

hollow; cavity; hole; cave

花瓶かびんkabin

(flower) vase

大雨おおあめooame

heavy rain; torrential rainfall; downpour

field; plain; prairie; moor

木の葉このはkonoha

leaf (of a tree); tree leaves; foliage

japanese style alcohol

well; properly; suitably

thoughtless; reckless; careless; rash

to that degree; extent

お持ち帰りおもちかえりomochikaeri

takeout

生物学せいぶつがくseibutsugaku

lodging, boarding house

乗り物のりものnorimono

vehicle

怠け者なまけものnamakemono

lazy person; lazy fellow; slothful person

to be started, to be switched on

食料品しょくりょうひんshokuryouhin

foodstuff, groceries

善悪ぜんあくzen'aku

right and wrong; good and evil

辞典じてんjiten

encyclopedia, reference book

寛ぐくつろぐkutsurogu

to relax; to feel at home

cherry-blossom viewing

展覧会てんらんかいtenrankai

exhibition

禁ずるきんずるkinzuru

to forbid; to ban; to prohibit

feast, treating (someone)

精通せいつうseitsuu

being well versed (in); being well acquainted (with); being familiar (with); having a thorough knowledge (of)

first day of the month; the first of the month

(hon.) to give, to confer

the same company; the said firm

分別ふんべつfunbetsu

discretion; prudence; good sense; judgement

大雪おおゆきooyuki

heavy snow; heavy snowfall

当社とうしゃtousha

this company; this firm

芸人げいにんgeinin

comedian

～学部～がくぶ～gakubu

department of a university

lost article, something forgotten

留守番電話るすばんでんわrusubandenwa

fluent (in a language); flowing

shy; bashful; timid; reserved

to treat (someone) to (something); to give (someone) a treat; to buy (someone a meal, drink, etc.)

(with te-form verb) please do for me

way; destination; reason

東西南北とうざいなんぼくtouzainanboku

to soak, to moisten, to pickle

鼻歌はなうたhanauta

humming

ゴミgomi

rubbish; trash; garbage; refuse

review (of lessons), revision

appointed time; timetable; schedule

very, considerably, quite

変人へんじんhenjin

an eccentric

ワイシャツwaishatsu

shirt (lit: white shirt), business shirt

入学試験にゅうがくしけんnyuugakushiken

entrance exam

嫌疑けんぎkengi

suspicion

立ち入り禁止たちいりきんしtachiirikinshi

example sentence; illustrative sentence; model sentence

おつりotsuri

change; balance of money returned to the purchaser

train station employee

last train (of the day)

食中毒しょくちゅうどくshokuchuudoku

preparation of lessons (for class)

to keep (a person) waiting

存知ぞんじzonji

knowing; being aware (of)

ハマるhamaru

to fit; to get into; to go into; to be fitted with (e.g. door with a window)

part-time job; side job

献花けんかkenka

flower offering; floral tribute; laying flowers

私立大学しりつだいがくshiritsudaigaku

private college

早寝はやねhayane

go to bed early

東アジアひがしあじあhigashiajia

in the prefecture; prefectural

by the end of the year

北アメリカきたあめりかkitaamerika

消化不良しょうかふりょうshoukafuryou

really, (is that) so; yes, right

faithful; devoted; loyal; honest

to descend, to drop, to fall

しめたしめた (かん)shimeta (kan)

I've got it, all right, fine

別冊べっさつbessatsu

separate volume, extra issue

-- extra-modest expression for いる --

rate; ratio; proportion

発売中はつばいちゅうhatsubaichuu

aversion to hot foods

past; to exceed, ~ too much

Mr. (junior) ~, master ~

入館料にゅうかんりょうnyuukanryou

回転ずしかいてんずしkaitenzushi

rotating sushi

田代島たしろじまtashirojima

tashirojima (cat island)

one hundred million yen

～区～く～ku

~ district, ~ ward, ~ borough

～ございます～gozaimasu

to be (polite), to exist

～家～か～ka

person who is specialized in ~

いくら～てもikura～temo

however much one may ~

けんかするkenkasuru

quarrel

けがするkegasuru

injury (to animate object), hurt

回る、回すまわる、まわすmawaru,mawasu

to go around, to revolve

～目～め～me

number ~ sequence, ~nd; ~th

四十二階よんじゅうにかいyonjuunikai

それはいけませんねそれはいけませんね (かん)sorehaikemasenne (kan)

that's not good

しつれいしましたしつれいしました (かん)shitsureishimashita (kan)

Excuse me., I'm sorry.

三番目さんばんめsanbanme

the third thing

小さい順ちいさいじゅんchiisaijun

increasing order

第二章だいにしょうdainishou

chapter two

JLPT N4 questions

Why does N4 have fewer new words than N5?

Because much of N4 is about combining and conjugating words you already know rather than learning entirely new ones. The exam adds around 700 new vocabulary items, bringing the cumulative total to roughly 1,500.

How many kanji are in N4?

About 300 cumulative, including the roughly 100 from N5. That is enough to start reading short, simple texts without constant lookups.

Can I skip N4 and study for N3?

Many people do, especially if they only care about the higher certificates. But the N4 grammar, the te-form above all, is essential. Skip the exam if you like, but do not skip the material.

Other JLPT levels

JLPT N5 JLPT N3 JLPT N2 JLPT N1