JLPT N5 VS JLPT N4

COMPLETE BEGINNER GUIDE FOR JAPANESE LEARNERS

WHAT IS JLPT AND WHY IT MATTERS

JLPT stands for Japanese Language Proficiency Test. It is the most recognized Japanese language test in the world. There are five levels in total. Among them, N5 and N4 are beginner levels. N5 is the starting point. N4 is the next step after N5. Understanding the difference between these two levels helps you: study correctly, avoid confusion, pass the exam faster.

BASIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JLPT N5 AND JLPT N4

JLPT N5 focuses on basic understanding of Japanese. It teaches you how Japanese sentences work. JLPT N4 focuses on using Japanese more naturally. It expands what you learned in N5. N5 is about building the base. N4 is about strengthening and applying the base.

JLPT N5 LEVEL EXPLAINED

JLPT N5, WHO IS THIS LEVEL FOR

JLPT N5 is for: absolute beginners, learners who just started Japanese, students who know only basic words.. If you are new, N5 is mandatory.

JLPT N5 VOCABULARY

In JLPT N5, you study basic daily vocabulary. You learn words related to:

- family

- food

- time

- places

- simple actions

The goal is recognition, not fluency. You should understand words when you see or hear them.

JLPT N5 GRAMMAR

N5 grammar teaches sentence foundation. You learn: basic verb forms, present and past tense, polite speech, simple questions, basic sentence order..

Sentences are: short, direct, clear. There is no emotional or complex expression..

JLPT N5 PARTICLES

Particles are introduced in JLPT N5. You learn: basic topic marking, object marking, location and direction, simple joining..

At this stage, you only learn basic usage, not deep meaning.

JLPT N5 KANJI

JLPT N5 includes around 100 basic kanji.

These kanji are: very common, used in daily life, easy to recognize..

You are tested mainly on reading, not writing.

JLPT N5 READING AND LISTENING

Reading passages are: very short, simple, clear.

Listening is: slow, clearly pronounced, based on daily conversation.

HOW TO CONQUER JLPT N5

To pass JLPT N5: master hiragana and katakana, memorize basic vocabulary, understand sentence structure, practice particles daily, listen to beginner Japanese every day.

Consistency is more important than speed.

JLPT N4 LEVEL EXPLAINED

JLPT N4 , WHAT CHANGES FROM N5

JLPT N4 assumes you already know N5 completely. At this level: sentences become longer, grammar becomes expressive, listening becomes faster..

JLPT N4 VOCABULARY

Vocabulary increases greatly in N4. You learn:

- more verbs and adjectives

- situation-based expressions

- daily life and social vocabulary

- Words are tested in context, not alone.

JLPT N4 GRAMMAR

Grammar is the biggest challenge in N4. You study:

- condition expressions

- reasons and results

- permission and prohibition

- comparison

- experience expressions

Grammar now shows: feelings, reasons, contrast.

JLPT N4 PARTICLES

Particles become very important in N4. You must understand: difference between similar particles, how meaning changes by context, combined particle usage..

Memorization alone does not work anymore.

JLPT N4 KANJI

Kanji count increases to around 300 characters. Kanji appear: inside sentences, in short paragraphs, as compound words, Reading speed becomes very important.

JLPT N4 READING AND LISTENING

Reading includes: short stories, emails, explanations

Listening includes: normal speaking speed, daily conversation, work and travel situations

HOW TO CONQUER JLPT N4

To pass JLPT N4: revise N5 grammar deeply, learn grammar with many examples, read Japanese daily, listen without subtitles, focus strongly on particles.

Understanding matters more than memorizing.

COMMON PROBLEMS LEARNERS FACE

Many learners fail because:

- they skip N5 basics

- they memorize grammar rules only

- they ignore listening practice

- they underestimate particles

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STUDY

For JLPT N5: about 2 to 3 months with daily study

For JLPT N4: about 4 to 6 months after N5

Time depends on your consistency.

WHICH LEVEL SHOULD YOU START WITH

- If you are a beginner, start with JLPT N5.

- If you already know basics, move to JLPT N4.

If N4 feels difficult, return to N5 and strengthen basics.

FINAL SUMMARY

- JLPT N5 teaches:, foundation, basic vocabulary, simple grammar, basic kanji

- JLPT N4 teaches: expanded vocabulary, expressive grammar, deeper particle usage, faster reading and listening

MASTER JLPT N5 FIRST , THEN CONFIDENTLY CONQUER JLPT N4

JLPT N5 VS JLPT N4: FULL DIFFERENCE, WHAT TO STUDY, AND HOW TO PASS BOTH LEVELS