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JLPT N4 PREPARATION

Turn your beginner Japanese into solid JLPT N4 skills.

Strengthen grammar, vocabulary, kanji, reading and listening while tracking the areas that need more practice.

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01 / Your learning path

Build on your beginner Japanese

Strengthen grammar and vocabulary

Move beyond the first beginner patterns with broader grammar, useful vocabulary and sentence-level comprehension.

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Build N4 kanji recognition

Use dictionary and kanji study tools to connect characters with readings, vocabulary and example usage.

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Practise comprehension

Combine reading and listening practice with review so you can recognise Japanese faster and more confidently.

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PUBLIC MINI-LESSON / FOLLOWING A CHANGE OF PLAN

Read beyond the first detail

A longer sentence often gives a reason, a condition or a sequence before its main point. This original activity practises following those connections. It is teaching material, not an official N4 item or a level assessment.

A message from a study partner

土曜日は図書館で勉強するつもりでしたが、図書館が休みなので、駅の近くのカフェで勉強しましょう。私は仕事が終わってから行くので、２時半ごろになります。先に入って、席を取っておいてください。

Helpful readings: 図書館（としょかん） library; 近く（ちかく） nearby; 仕事（しごと） work; 席（せき） seat. First identify the final meeting place. Then find the reason for changing it and the action requested from the reader.

  1. Where will the two people study?
  2. Why are they not using the original place?
  3. Will the writer arrive at exactly 2:30?
  4. What should the reader do before the writer arrives?
Answers with evidence from the message
  1. At a café near the station. カフェで勉強しましょう is the new proposal; the library was the original plan.
  2. The library is closed. 休みなので gives that reason.
  3. The writer expects to arrive around 2:30. ごろ makes the time approximate; it is not a promise of an exact arrival.
  4. Go inside first and secure a seat. 取っておいてください asks for preparation in advance.

Unpack three useful patterns

PatternMeaning hereAnother example
つもりでしたがThere was an intention, but something changed.歩くつもりでしたが、バスに乗りました。 I intended to walk, but took the bus.
終わってからOne action happens after another is finished.食べてから、出かけます。 I will go out after eating.
取っておいてDo something in preparation for later.明日の資料を読んでおきます。 I will read tomorrow’s materials in advance.

Change the message yourself

Rewrite just the reason and the meeting time: the library is far away (遠い), and the writer will arrive around three. Keep the rest of the situation the same.

One possible revision

図書館が遠いので、駅の近くのカフェで勉強しましょう。３時ごろになります。

With the い-adjective 遠い, attach ので directly. With the noun 休み in the original, use なので. This small difference affects how the reason connects.

Continue with connectors and sequencing or ability and intention. For the organiser’s actual question formats and audio, use the official JLPT practice materials.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is JLPT N4 harder than N5?

Yes. N4 builds on the N5 foundation and requires broader grammar, vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Should I finish N5 first?

A strong N5 foundation makes N4 study much easier, especially for grammar, kanji and reading speed.

Does the site include kanji practice?

Yes. JP From Zero includes kanji dictionary and study tools that support progressive Japanese learning.