Japanese Grammar N4: Complete JLPT N4 Grammar Study Guide
Last updated: February 15, 2026
So you passed JLPT N5 and now you're staring down N4. Good news: you already know how Japanese grammar works from a structural perspective. N4 just builds on that foundation with about 100 new grammar points that let you express more nuanced ideas like conditions, obligations, and giving and receiving. This guide covers all the essential grammar you need to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N4 level, with explanations and examples that actually make sense.
What is JLPT N4 and what do you need to achieve
JLPT N4 sits right in the beginner territory. You need to understand around 300 kanji, roughly 1,500 vocabulary words, and those 100-ish grammar points we mentioned. The test checks if you can handle everyday conversations and read simple texts about familiar topics.
Here's the thing: N4 expects you to understand Japanese used in daily situations. That means reading personal letters, following basic instructions, and catching the main points when people talk at natural speed about topics you know. The grammar gets more practical at this level because you start learning how to actually ask for things, explain obligations, and describe sequences of events.
The test itself has three sections.
- Language knowledge covers vocabulary and grammar together.
- Reading comprehension tests whether you can parse written Japanese.
- Listening checks if you understand spoken conversations and announcements.
You need to score well across all sections to pass.
Are Japanese grammar N4 and N5 the same
Nope. N5 teaches you the absolute basics like present and past tense, basic particles, and simple sentence structures. N4 takes those foundations and adds complexity.
At N5, you learned (To go) and (To eat). Pretty straightforward.
N4 introduces conditional forms, so now you're learning when to use , , or for different types of "if I go" situations. The grammar points build on each other.
N4 also brings in passive and causative forms, which N5 doesn't touch. You'll learn how to say "I was made to study" or "I had my friend do it." These structures show up constantly in real Japanese, so they're essential for moving past pure beginner level.
JLPT N4 grammar list: The essential patterns you need to master
Let me break down the major grammar categories you'll encounter. This covers the core patterns that show up on the test repeatedly.
Conditional forms: たら, ば, と, なら
This is where N4 gets interesting. Japanese has four main conditional patterns, and they each work differently.
- The たら form works for general conditions and hypotheticals. (If it rains, I won't go). You can use this for pretty much any "if" situation, which makes it the most versatile.
- The ば form expresses conditions where the result naturally follows. (If it's cheap, I'll buy it). This one feels more direct and certain.
- The と form shows automatic or habitual results. (When spring comes, flowers bloom). Think of it as "whenever X happens, Y happens."
- The なら form references a topic or situation someone mentioned. (If you're going to Japan, Kyoto is good). This responds to information you just heard.
Giving and receiving verbs: あげる, もらう, くれる
Japanese treats giving and receiving with way more precision than English. You need three different verbs depending on the direction of the action.
- あげる means you give something to someone else. (I gave a present to my friend). The movement goes away from you.
- もらう means you receive from someone. (I received a present from my friend). You're the recipient.
- くれる means someone gives to you or your in-group. (My friend gave me a present). This emphasizes the kindness directed toward you.
These verbs also attach to て-form verbs to show doing favors. (They helped me) versus (I helped them). The direction matters.
Particles and limitations: だけ, しか, も
N4 introduces particles that specify limits and quantities with more precision.
- だけ means "only" in a neutral way. (I drink only water). You're stating a limit without emotional weight.
- しか also means "only" but carries a sense of insufficiency. It always pairs with negative verbs. (I only have 1,000 yen). The implication: that's not enough.
- も adds emphasis to quantities. (I waited for three whole hours). This shows the amount feels significant.
Sequence and time expressions: 前に, 後で, てから
Describing when things happen gets more sophisticated at N4.
- means "before" and attaches to verbs in dictionary form. (I brush my teeth before sleeping).
- means "after" and takes the た form. (I take a walk after eating).
- てから also means "after" but emphasizes the sequence more strongly. (I'll play after doing homework). The first action must complete before the second starts.
Obligation and permission: なければならない, てもいい, てはいけない
N4 teaches you how to express rules and requirements.
- なければならない expresses strong obligation. (I must study every day). You can shorten this to in casual speech.
- てもいい grants permission. (May I take photos here?). This shows up constantly when asking what's allowed.
- てはいけない expresses prohibition. (You must not talk in the library). The rules are clear with this pattern.
Passive and causative forms
These grammar structures let you flip who's doing what in a sentence.
- Passive form shows something happening to the subject.
- For る-verbs, change る to られる.
- For う-verbs, change the う-column to あ-column plus れる.
- (I was praised by the teacher). The focus shifts to the person receiving the action.
- Causative form means making someone do something.
- For る-verbs, change る to させる.
- For う-verbs, change to あ-column plus せる.
- (I make my child eat vegetables). You're causing the action to happen.
- Causative-passive combines both: being made to do something. (I was made to work overtime). This expresses that you had no choice.
Adjectives and verb conjugations
N4 expects you to handle more complex conjugations smoothly.
You need to connect adjectives to verbs using (To become).
- い-adjectives drop い and add く: (It became warm).
- な-adjectives add に: (I became healthy).
The volitional form expresses intention or suggestion.
- For る-verbs, change る to よう.
- For う-verbs, change to お-column plus う.
- (Let's go together). You'll see this paired with to express plans.
Common mistakes to avoid when learning N4 grammar
- People confuse similar-looking patterns all the time. (Even if) versus (If you do... it's bad) look alike but mean completely different things. Pay attention to these subtle differences.
- Particle mistakes kill your score. Using instead of or mixing up and changes the entire meaning. N4 tests whether you understand how particles function in complex sentences.
- Forgetting verb conjugations under pressure happens to everyone. You know how to make the causative form when studying, but blank during the test. Drill conjugations until they're automatic. Speed matters when you're working through 60 questions in limited time.
- Overthinking questions wastes time. Your first instinct about which grammar pattern fits is usually correct. Second-guessing yourself leads to changing right answers to wrong ones. Trust your preparation.
How to practice JLPT N4 grammar effectively
Memorizing grammar lists doesn't work. Your brain needs context to remember patterns.
- Create example sentences for each grammar point using vocabulary you already know. If you're learning , write sentences about your actual daily life. (If I have time, I watch anime). Personal examples stick better than textbook sentences.
- Read native content at your level. Graded readers and NHK Easy News use N4 grammar naturally. When you spot a pattern you studied, that reinforces the lesson way more than drilling flashcards. You see how Japanese speakers actually use the structure.
- Do practice problems regularly. The JLPT loves testing subtle differences between similar grammar points. You need to train yourself to spot whether a sentence needs or , or . Mock tests expose your weak spots.
- Track grammar you encounter in the wild. When watching shows or reading manga, note which N4 patterns appear most often. Some structures like and show up constantly. Others appear less frequently but still matter for the test.
Guide to the study timeline for N4 grammar
Most people need three to six months to cover N4 grammar thoroughly, assuming you already passed N5. That gives you time to learn each pattern, practice it in context, and review weak areas.
- Spend the first two months working through all the grammar points systematically. Learn five to ten new patterns per week, create example sentences, and do practice exercises. This builds your foundation.
- Month three focuses on practice tests and reading comprehension. Apply the grammar you learned to actual test-format questions. Identify which patterns you confuse or forget under test conditions.
- The final months before the test are for review and refinement. Go back to grammar points you struggled with. Take full-length practice tests to build stamina. The listening section especially requires practice to keep up with native speech speed.
Anyway, if you want to see N4 grammar in action while watching Japanese shows or reading articles, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up words and grammar instantly in context. Way more efficient than pausing every five seconds to check a dictionary. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.
FAQs
What? Drilling kanji and grammar every day is too dry?😵💫
Don't beat yourself down. This happens to every language learner. That's why most experienced learners pair immersion with textbook learning. It is impossible to rote memorize every grammar point by reciting the whole textbook. Instead, acquisition comes naturally when you learn a grammar point and see it in use in media content.
If you consume media in Japanese, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. Period.
Find the way that suits you the best!