Let me paint a picture you might recognize: You’re breezing through N4 grammar drills, but the moment you hit a mock test, you freeze. A sentence like “彼はそのニュースを聞いて＿＿＿表情になった” (“He made a ___ expression after hearing the news”) stares back, and your mind goes blank. Was it 嬉しい (happy)? 悲しい (sad)? Or 複雑 (complicated)?
Vocabulary is the glue that holds JLPT N4 together. Miss key words, and even perfect grammar won’t save you. But here’s the good news: The N4 test repeats the same 800-ish words across exams. Master these, and you’ll unlock not just passing scores—but confidence in real-world Japanese.
I passed the N4 on my second try (yep, I failed the first time by obsessing over kanji alone). Here’s everything I wish I’d known, including the full 800-word list, strategies that work, and tools to make memorizing fun.
Why N4 Vocabulary Is Your Golden Ticket
The JLPT N4 tests your ability to handle everyday conversations and basic written texts. While N5 focuses on survival phrases (“Where’s the bathroom?”), N4 dives into:
- Detailed scenarios: Shopping returns, describing symptoms to a doctor, planning trips.
- Nuanced emotions: 寂しい (lonely), がっかり (disappointed), 安心 (relieved).
- Compound verbs: 引き出す (to withdraw money), 話し合う (to discuss).
The Hard Truth: N4 vocabulary is 2x larger than N5’s. But with smart strategies, you can learn it in 8-12 weeks.
The 4 Types of N4 Vocabulary (And How to Tackle Them)
The 800 N4 words fall into four categories. Focus on these in order of priority:
1. Everyday Nouns (300+ Words)
These appear constantly in listening and reading sections. Examples:
- 交通 (transportation)
- 相談 (consultation)
- 状況 (situation)
- 地域 (region)
Pro Tip: Group related nouns. For example, learn 天気 (weather) with 雨 (rain), 晴れ (sunny), and 台風 (typhoon).
2. Action Verbs (200+ Words)
N4 loves verbs that describe daily routines or changes. Key examples:
- 届ける (to deliver)
- 増える (to increase)
- 諦める (to give up)
- 準備する (to prepare)
Hack: Pair verbs with their common particles. E.g., を出る (to leave a place), に乗る (to ride a vehicle).
3. Adjectives & Adverbs (150+ Words)
These add flavor to sentences. Critical ones include:
- 意外な (unexpected)
- 確かに (certainly)
- しっかり (steadily)
- 急に (suddenly)
Watch Out: Many N4 adjectives end in ～的 (てき), like 具体的 (concrete) or 積極的 (proactive).
4. “Test-Specific” Terms (150+ Words)
These words rarely come up in daily life but love appearing on exams:
- 調査 (survey)
- 原因 (cause)
- 影響 (influence)
- 賛成 (agreement)
Strategy: Use flashcards for these. Apps like Anki let you drill them quickly.
5 Strategies to Learn 800 Words Without Burning Out
1. The 15-Minute Flashcard Rule
Studying for hours? That’s a myth. Research shows short, frequent sessions boost retention.
- Do This: Use Tofugu’s N4 Deck for 15 minutes daily. Focus on 10 new words + 20 reviews.
2. Context Over Cramming
Memorizing 単語帳 (word lists) alone is like learning piano scales without playing songs.
- Try This: Read NHK Easy News articles. Highlight N4 words you spot. Not sure? Check the JLPT Sensei N4 List.
3. Harness “Useless” Time
- Commuting? Listen to Nihongo Switch’s N4 Podcast.
- Cooking? Stick Post-its with words like 切る (to cut) or 沸かす (to boil) on appliances.
4. Master the “Forgotten 20%”
About 150 N4 words account for 80% of test questions. Prioritize high-frequency terms like:
- 場合 (case/situation)
- 最近 (recently)
- 必要 (necessary)
Resource: The Shin Kanzen Master N4 Vocabulary book highlights these. (Affiliate link)
5. Speak to Remember
Use new words in absurd sentences. Example:
“冷蔵庫が壊れたので、宇宙でピザを食べます。”
(“Since the fridge broke, I’ll eat pizza in space.”)
Why it works: Weirdness sticks.
The Complete JLPT N4 Vocabulary List (800 Words)
Here’s a categorized snapshot. Download the full list as a PDF here (with kanji, kana, and English meanings).
Essential Nouns (Partial List)
- 意見 (いけん) – opinion
- 卒業 (そつぎょう) – graduation
- 法律 (ほうりつ) – law
- 温度 (おんど) – temperature
- 表情 (ひょうじょう) – facial expression
*(… 300+ more)*
Key Verbs (Partial List)
- 説明する (せつめいする) – to explain
- 比べる (くらべる) – to compare
- 選ぶ (えらぶ) – to choose
- 壊れる (こわれる) – to break down
- 申し込む (もうしこむ) – to apply
*(… 200+ more)*
Must-Know Adjectives/Adverbs
- 特別な (とくべつな) – special
- 十分 (じゅうぶん) – sufficient
- 直接 (ちょくせつ) – directly
- たまに – occasionally
- ぜんぜん – not at all
*(… 150+ more)*
Get the full 800-word list with examples →
Top 3 Resources to Nail N4 Vocabulary
- Shin Kanzen Master N4 Vocabulary
- Why: Breaks down words by theme (e.g., “Work,” “Health”) and includes practice quizzes.
- Buy on Amazon (Affiliate link)
- JapanesePod101 N4 Pathway
- Why: Audio lessons teach words in dialogues (e.g., “At the Post Office”).
- Free 7-Day Trial
- WaniKani (Levels 10-20)
- Why: Gamifies kanji/vocab learning. Covers 70% of N4 kanji compounds.
- Start Here
FAQs
Q: Can I pass N4 without knowing all 800 words?
A: Yes, but aim for 90%. Skipping “test-specific” terms like 経済 (economy) risks missing 2-3 questions.
Q: How long to study N4 vocabulary?
A: 8-12 weeks, 20 minutes daily. Use spaced repetition to avoid burnout.
Q: Any free N4 practice tests?
A: Yes! The JLPT Official Workbook has free vocabulary sections.
Final Tip: Embrace the Chaos
My first N4 attempt failed because I treated vocabulary like a checklist. The game-changer? Using words in wild, personal contexts. Write a diary entry about your day using 悩む (to worry) and 解決 (solution). Text a friend using おすすめ (recommendation).
Remember: The goal isn’t perfection—it’s recognizing words when it counts.
がんばって！ (And when you pass, treat yourself to a ご褒美 (reward)—maybe that Japanese snack box from Amazon you’ve been eyeing!)
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