JLPT N5 and JLPT N4 grammar together create the true foundation of the Japanese language for beginners. JLPT N5 grammar teaches how Japanese sentences are formed in their most basic and polite structure. JLPT N4 grammar teaches how those basic sentences are expanded to express reasons, conditions, contrast, experience, and personal thoughts. JLPT N5 grammar focuses on facts and actions without emotion or explanation. JLPT N4 grammar focuses on connecting ideas and adding meaning beyond simple facts.

A typical JLPT N5 sentence only describes what is happening in a neutral way.

For example, わたしはまいにちにほんごをべんきょうします expresses a simple daily action. Watashi wa mainichi nihongo o benkyou shimasu means I study Japanese every day. This sentence shows topic marking, object marking, and polite verb usage without any emotional or logical expansion. Another JLPT N5 sentence such as きのうえきでともだちにあいました simply reports a past event. Kinou eki de tomodachi ni aimashita means I met a friend at the station yesterday. This sentence contains time, place, and action, but it does not explain reason, feeling, or result.

JLPT N5 grammar cannot naturally explain why an action happened or what condition caused it. For example, あめがふっています only states the weather. Ame ga futte imasu means It is raining. This sentence cannot explain decisions or emotions related to the rain.

JLPT N4 grammar begins exactly where JLPT N5 grammar stops. JLPT N4 grammar allows the speaker to explain cause and result clearly. For example, あめがふっていたからいえにいました explains both situation and action. Ame ga futte ita kara ie ni imashita means Because it was raining, I stayed at home. This sentence connects two ideas using logical grammar that does not exist in JLPT N5.

JLPT N4 grammar also allows contrast and unexpected results to be expressed. For example, いそがしかったのにやすみました shows emotional contrast. Isogashikatta noni yasumimashita means I was busy, but I rested. This sentence shows the speaker’s feeling that the result is surprising or against expectation.

Conditional grammar is another major difference between JLPT N5 and JLPT N4.

JLPT N5 grammar cannot imagine unreal or future conditions. JLPT N4 grammar can express imagined situations clearly. For example, じかんがあればにほんごをべんきょうします shows a conditional thought. Jikan ga areba nihongo o benkyou shimasu means If I have time, I will study Japanese.

JLPT N4 grammar also introduces experience-based expressions that are impossible in JLPT N5.

For example, にほんにいったことがあります explains life experience. Nihon ni itta koto ga arimasu means I have been to Japan. This sentence does not focus on time but on experience itself.

More complex JLPT N4 grammar allows multiple ideas in one sentence. For example, つかれていたからはやくねたほうがいいとおもいました connects reason, suggestion, and thought. Tsukarete ita kara hayaku neta hou ga ii to omoimashita means Because I was tired, I thought it would be better to sleep early.

- JLPT N5 grammar teaches learners how to build sentences correctly.

- JLPT N4 grammar teaches learners how to think in Japanese.

- JLPT N5 grammar answers what happened.

- JLPT N4 grammar answers why it happened, what might happen, or why it is surprising.

Learners who memorize JLPT N5 grammar can understand Japanese. Learners who understand JLPT N4 grammar can explain themselves in Japanese. Mastering both levels deeply creates a strong bridge to higher Japanese levels.

Jlpt N5 and Jlpt N4 Grammar Explained Deeply | Complete Beginners Guide