JLPT N4 Syllabus 2026 — Full Topic-by-Topic Breakdown

The JLPT N4 is the second level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, designed to measure basic Japanese comprehension. You need roughly 300 hours of study to pass. The exam covers five sections: Vocabulary, Kanji, Grammar, Reading, and Listening. Here's exactly what's tested in each, with weightage estimates and practical study tips.

Vocabulary (約25% of total score)

You'll be tested on about 1,500 words. The exam expects you to know readings, meanings, and usage in context.

What's tested:

• Nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and common expressions
• Words from daily life: shopping, travel, work, school
• Loanwords (gairaigo) that appear in N4 textbooks

Study tips:

• Use spaced repetition apps (Anki, Quizlet) daily — 10 new words per day
• Group words by theme (e.g., weather, food, emotions)
• Practice writing sentences with new vocabulary

Kanji (約15% of total score)

You need to know approximately 300 kanji characters. The test checks both reading (on'yomi and kun'yomi) and meaning.

What's tested:

• Kanji from N5 plus additional N4 list
• Readings in compounds and isolated words
• Common radicals for recognition

Study tips:

• Learn kanji by radical components, not stroke order alone
• Use mnemonics for tricky characters
• Read graded readers (N4 level) to see kanji in context

Grammar (約25% of total score)

You'll be tested on around 100 grammar patterns. The exam focuses on sentence structure, particles, and verb conjugations.

What's tested:

• Verb groups (ru-verbs, u-verbs, irregular)
• Te-form, ta-form, nai-form, potential, passive, causative
• Particles: は, が, を, に, で, へ, と, から, まで, より
• Sentence patterns: 〜ている, 〜てしまう, 〜なければならない, 〜たほうがいい, 〜てもいい, 〜なくてはいけない
• Relative clauses, comparisons, giving/receiving verbs

Study tips:

• Master one pattern per day with 5 example sentences
• Use grammar workbooks (e.g., "Japanese Sentence Patterns for JLPT N4")
• Take a free JLPT N4 demo mock to find out where you stand: Try the demo →

Reading (約20% of total score)

You'll read passages of 200–400 characters and answer comprehension questions. Topics include notices, emails, short stories, and explanatory texts.

What's tested:

• Understanding main ideas and details
• Inferring meaning from context
• Identifying writer's opinion or intention

Study tips:

• Read 1–2 short articles daily (NHK News Easy, children's books)
• Practice skimming for key information
• Time yourself: 15 minutes per passage

Listening (約15% of total score)

You'll hear short conversations and monologues. Questions test comprehension of daily situations.

What's tested:

• Understanding spoken vocabulary and grammar
• Grasping the gist of conversations
• Identifying speakers' intentions

Study tips:

• Listen to Japanese podcasts (N4 level) or anime with subtitles
• Practice shadowing: repeat sentences aloud
• Use JLPT listening apps with timed drills

Overall Exam Structure

• Total time: 105 minutes (Vocabulary + Kanji + Grammar: 60 min, Reading: 25 min, Listening: 20 min)
• All questions are multiple-choice
• Passing score: approximately 60% overall, with at least 30% in each section

How to Prepare in 3 Months

• Month 1: Focus on vocabulary and kanji — learn 10 words and 3 kanji daily
• Month 2: Grammar patterns and reading practice — 2 patterns per day, read 1 passage
• Month 3: Listening drills and full mock tests — take at least 5 practice exams

See JLPT N4 mock-test packs and pricing: View plans →

Where to Next?

• Take a free JLPT N4 mock test to assess your current level
• Browse our JLPT N4 study guides for detailed grammar and kanji lists
• Check official JLPT N4 exam dates — registration deadlines vary by country