Hey there, future JLPT N4 superstar! 🎌 Let me guess: you’re excited to prove your Japanese skills but slightly panicked about the cost of prep books, courses, and tutors. Trust me, I’ve been there. When I first decided to take the N4, I was a broke student surviving on instant ramen. The idea of shelling out $100+ for study materials made me sweat more than a Tokyo summer.
But here’s the good news: I passed using only free resources, and so can you. In this guide, I’ll spill all my secrets—no fancy textbooks or pricey apps required. Let’s turn your “I can’t afford this” into “I aced this!”
Why Bother with the JLPT N4?
Picture this: You’re watching your favorite anime, and suddenly—you understand a joke without subtitles. Or maybe you’re ordering ramen in Osaka, and the chef nods approvingly at your Japanese. The N4 isn’t just a certificate; it’s your ticket to these little victories.
Whether you’re:
- Planning to work or study in Japan (konnichiwa, new adventure!),
- Tired of relying on subtitles for Demon Slayer marathons,
- Or just want to impress your friends with sushi-menu fluency…
The N4 proves you’re no longer a beginner. And guess what? You can prep for it without selling your soul to the Amazon textbook gods.
What’s the JLPT N4 Like? (No Sugarcoating!)
Let’s demystify the exam. The N4 tests three areas:
- Vocab & Grammar (30 mins): Think kanji readings, sentence structure, and particles (yes, は and が will haunt you).
- Reading (60 mins): Short texts, like emails or notices. Pro tip: If you’ve ever decoded a confusing Twitter thread, you’ve got this.
- Listening (35 mins): Conversations about daily life. Imagine eavesdropping on someone’s chat at a café—but actually understanding it.
You need 90/180 points to pass. Sounds doable, right? But here’s the catch: Time management is everything. I once spent 10 minutes staring at a single kanji and nearly missed the listening section. Learn from my mistakes!
Free Resources That Feel Like Cheat Codes
1. Vocabulary & Kanji: No Flashcards, No Problem
- Tae Kim’s Grammar Guide (link):
This free gem breaks down grammar like a patient sensei. I lived on his explanations of ～てもいい (may I…) and ～なければならない (must…). Bookmark this. - Anki’s N4 Deck (link):
Anki’s spaced repetition is magic. I drilled 15 words daily during my commute. Pro tip: Add funny example sentences (“The cat must not eat sushi”) to make it stick. - NHK Easy News (link):
Simplified news articles with furigana and audio. I’d read one each morning with my coffee. Bonus: You’ll sound smart discussing “weather trends” in Japanese.
My #1 Hack: Write new words on sticky notes and plaster them around your room. Your microwave will forever remind you that あつい means “hot.”
2. Grammar: Conquer Particles Without Tears
Let’s be real: Particles (は, が, を) are the ultimate trolls. But these tools help:
- JLPT Sensei’s N4 Grammar List (link):
A lifeline! I printed this and highlighted my nemeses (looking at you, ～たら). - Bunpro (link):
Their free SRS drills saved me during lunch breaks. I’d practice while waiting for my ramen—multitasking at its finest.
Aha Moment: I finally grasped ～てもいい by imagining my strict Japanese teacher letting me eat snacks in class (“Tabemono o tabemo mo ii desu ka?”).
3. Reading: From Manga to Mastery
- Tadoku Free Books (link):
These graded readers are like training wheels. Start with Level 2 (The Cat Who Loved Sushi)—it’s oddly heartwarming. - Reddit’s r/LearnJapanese (link):
Join the community! I found free PDFs of old JLPT papers here. Just avoid the rabbit hole of “Which textbook is best?” debates.
Game Changer: Time yourself. I’d set a 10-minute timer for short texts. If I finished early, I’d reward myself with… more studying. (Kidding. It was chocolate.)
4. Listening: Train Your Ears Without Boredom
- JapanesePod101’s Free Tier (link):
Their dialogues are less “textbook robotic” and more “actual humans talking.” I’d listen while jogging—turns out, panting and repeating phrases burns extra calories. - JLPT N4 Listening Playlist (YouTube):
Mock tests with answer keys. I’d play these while cooking, shouting answers over sizzling tofu. My roommate thought I was insane. Worth it.
Pro Tip: Watch slice-of-life anime without subtitles (Shirokuma Cafe is perfect). You’ll pick up casual phrases and life lessons from a polar bear barista.
5. Mock Tests: Because Winging It is a Terrible Idea
- JLPT Official Practice Workbook (link):
The holy grail. I took this test at my kitchen table, timer ticking, dog judging my life choices. It’s the closest to the real deal. - JLPT Sensei’s Practice Test (link):
Free, instant scoring, and brutally honest. My first attempt? Let’s just say humility is a great teacher.
My 60-Day “No Excuses” Study Plan
Here’s the exact schedule I used (adaptable for busy humans!):
Weeks 1-3: Build Your Foundation
- Morning (15 mins): Anki flashcards (coffee mandatory).
- Lunch Break (10 mins): 1 NHK Easy News article (bonus points for reading aloud).
- Evening (20 mins): 1 Tae Kim grammar lesson + sticky-note kanji session.
Weeks 4-6: Level Up
- Commute (20 mins): JapanesePod101 listening.
- Post-Dinner (30 mins): Tadoku story + highlight unfamiliar words.
- Weekends: Reddit PDF practice tests (because Saturdays are for winners).
Weeks 7-8: Crunch Time
- Full Mock Tests Every Saturday: Mimic exam conditions—no phone, no snacks, just you and the timer.
- Daily Weakness Attack: Struggling with particles? Spend 15 mins drilling them.
3 Mistakes That Almost Failed Me (Don’t Repeat!)
- Ignoring Kanji: I thought “I’ll just wing the readings.” Big mistake. Use WaniKani’s free trial or drown in 漢字 regret.
- Cramming Listening: You can’t binge-listen the night before. Daily immersion > panic.
- Skipping Timed Practice: The first time I timed myself, I wrote an essay on “My Favorite Ramen” instead of answering the question. Don’t be me.
Budget-Friendly Upgrades (If You Really Want to Spend)
If you’ve got a little cash, these are worth it:
- “Shin Kanzen Master N4” (Amazon): The grammar section is chef’s kiss.
- “Sou Matome N4” (Amazon): Perfect for visual learners.
- iTalki Lessons (link): Practice speaking for $5/hour. I booked a tutor to rant about は vs. が—it helped.
Disclosure: These are affiliate links. If you buy, I earn a tiny commission (aka ramen money). Thanks!
You’ve Got This! Final Pep Talk
Prepping for the JLPT N4 is like training for a marathon—but instead of running, you’re binge-learning particles. Stay consistent, celebrate small wins (“I understood a meme in Japanese!”), and remember: Every expert was once a beginner who didn’t quit.
FAQs (From My Inbox)
Q: Can I pass in 3 months if I study 1 hour daily?
A: Absolutely! Focus on weak spots and take weekly mock tests.
Q: Is the listening section scary?
A: Only if you’re unprepared. Train with YouTube playlists until you dream in Japanese.
Q: Are free resources really enough?
A: 100%. I did it, my students did it—you can too. Paid stuff just adds polish.
Ready to Start?
Grab your Anki deck, blast some J-pop, and 頑張って (ganbatte)!
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Thank you very much! for the comment.
Good https://is.gd/tpjNyL
Thank you very much! for the comment.