JLPT N4 · VocabularyMarch 2026

JLPT N4 Vocabulary: 100 Essential Words to Know

JLPT N4 introduces ~1,500 words — here are 100 of the most important, grouped by category so you can study them in meaningful clusters.

Actions & Verbs

WordReadingMeaning
決めるきめるto decide
続けるつづけるto continue
連絡するれんらくするto contact
準備するじゅんびするto prepare
乗り換えるのりかえるto transfer (transport)
片付けるかたづけるto tidy up
確認するかくにんするto confirm/check
比べるくらべるto compare
迎えるむかえるto welcome/go to meet
断ることわるto refuse/decline

Emotions & States

WordReadingMeaning
心配しんぱいworry, concern
安心あんしんrelief, peace of mind
驚くおどろくto be surprised
悲しいかなしいsad
嬉しいうれしいhappy, glad
恥ずかしいはずかしいembarrassed, ashamed
寂しいさびしいlonely
緊張するきんちょうするto be nervous
楽しみたのしみlooking forward to (something)
ほっとするほっとするto feel relieved

Time Expressions

WordReadingMeaning
〜間〜かんfor (a duration of time)
〜ごろ〜ごろaround (time/place)
〜まで〜までuntil
そのうちそのうちbefore long, soon
もうすぐもうすぐvery soon, almost
〜おきに〜おきにevery (interval)
最近さいきんrecently, lately
以前いぜんbefore, formerly
今後こんごfrom now on, henceforth
その後そのご / そのあとafter that

Adjectives & Descriptions

WordReadingMeaning
真面目まじめserious, diligent
親切しんせつkind, helpful
便利べんりconvenient
不便ふべんinconvenient
安全あんぜんsafe
危険きけんdangerous
正直しょうじきhonest
丁寧ていねいpolite, careful
急ぐいそぐto hurry
遅れるおくれるto be late/delayed

Discourse & Connectors

WordReadingMeaning
それにそれにmoreover, in addition
だからだからso, therefore
ところでところでby the way
でもでもbut, however (casual)
それでもそれでもeven so, nevertheless
たとえばたとえばfor example
というのはというのはthe reason is, that is to say
まずまずfirst of all
それからそれからand then, after that
最後にさいごにfinally, last

How to Study N4 Vocabulary Effectively

  1. Learn in semantic clusters — studying related words together (emotions group, time expressions group) creates stronger memory associations.
  2. Write example sentences — for each new word, write one sentence using it. Check it with ZISTICA MOJIIQ.
  3. Use spaced repetition (SRS) — Anki with a JLPT N4 vocabulary deck. Review daily, even for 5 minutes.
  4. Notice patterns — many N4 verbs are 〜する compounds: 準備する, 確認する, 連絡する. Learn the noun + する pattern as one unit.

Practice N4 Words in Real Sentences

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