Level test · 30 questions · About 20 minutes

Japanese N4 Test

Everyday conversation, around 300 kanji and the grammar that connects sentences.

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Japanese N4 level test
Question 1 of 30
01 · The level

What the N4 level means

N4 is basic everyday Japanese: you read short passages on familiar topics written with basic vocabulary and kanji. You understand everyday conversations spoken at a slightly slow pace, at home, at work and in shops. Grammar grows to plain forms, the て-form, potential and conditional forms, so you can connect ideas in longer sentences.

KanjiWordsStudy hours
about 300about 1,500about 300 to 600

Commonly cited estimates for learners at this level.

02 · What the test covers

What this N4 test covers

  • VocabularyEveryday vocabulary for work, travel, health and family life.
  • KanjiKanji in common words and simple notices, such as 予約 and 住所.
  • Grammarて-form, potential and conditional forms, たい, ている and giving permission.
  • ReadingShort emails, notices and descriptions of daily life.
  • ListeningEveryday conversations at a slightly slow pace.
03 · Sample questions

Sample N4 questions

Three practice questions in the style of the N4 test, one each for vocabulary, kanji and grammar, with answers.

Question 1 · Vocabulary · N4

This shirt was a little (    ), so I changed it for a bigger size.

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Answer: 1, きつい. きつい means "tight", the word for clothes that are too small.

Question 2 · Kanji · N4

If you take the express, you will get there in ten minutes. Choose the reading of 急行.

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Answer: 1, きゅうこう. 急行 is read きゅうこう and means "express train": 急 is きゅう and 行 is こう in this word.

Question 3 · Grammar · N4

Because it rained, the match was called off.

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Answer: 1, たので. たので gives the reason for the result: it rained, so the match was called off.

04 · Your result

How your N4 result is decided

  • ✓30 questions at the N4 level across vocabulary, kanji, grammar, reading and listening.
  • ✓21 or more correct answers out of 30 (70%): your result is "N4 reached". Below 21: your result is "N4 in progress".
  • ✓3 parallel forms for each level, so a second attempt in the same browser uses a different form.
  • ✓A certificate with your result, and a bilingual report with your result in each category, issued right after checkout.
05 · CEFR

N4 and the CEFR

N4 matches CEFR A2 (Elementary). The N levels are International Test Limited's reference levels, aligned to the CEFR.

N levelCEFRBand
N5A1Beginner
N4A2Elementary
N3B1Intermediate
N2B2Upper intermediate
N1C1Advanced

Not sure of your level? The online Japanese test places you anywhere from N5 to N1 in about 30 minutes. See all Japanese levels compared side by side.

06 · Level tests

Other level tests

07 · FAQ

N4 test FAQ

How is N4 different from N5?

N4 builds on N5 with about three times as many kanji, a wider everyday vocabulary and grammar that links sentences, such as the て-form, potential and conditional forms. Conversations are longer and a little faster.

How many kanji are there at N4?

A commonly cited estimate is about 300 kanji, together with about 1,500 words. The test uses the kanji that appear in everyday notices, messages and conversations.

How is the 21 out of 30 result decided?

Each of the 30 questions counts once. With 21 or more correct answers, which is 70%, your result is N4 reached; below that, your result is N4 in progress, and your report shows which categories to focus on next.

Is this the JLPT N4?

Japanese Proficiency Test is an independent assessment operated by International Test Limited and is not affiliated with the JLPT. JLPT is a trademark of the Japan Foundation and JEES. This N4 Test checks Japanese at the N4 level in 30 questions and about 20 minutes, with a bilingual report issued right after checkout.

Can I take the N4 Test again?

Yes. There are three parallel forms for each level, and your next attempt in the same browser uses a form you have not taken yet.