JLPT N4 Textbooks
The N4 is the second level you can take for the JLPT. On this page you will find the JLPT N4 textbooks needed to pass the exam.
More Textbooks:
About the JLPT N4
According to the official website, at this level you should have “the ability to understand basic Japanese“.
Reading
At N4, you should be able to read and understand passages on familiar daily topics written in basic vocabulary and kanji.
Listening
At N4 you need to be able to listen and comprehend conversations encountered in daily life and generally follow their contents if spoken slowly.
JLPT N4 Textbooks
There are two kinds of books that you can get to help you prepare for the JLPT N4.
Textbooks, which will teach you all the material you need to know for the exam. They generally cover all paper sections and have an audio CD for listening practice.
Workbooks, which don’t teach you, but give you a TONNE of mock exam questions you can practice your knowledge with.
Shin Kanzen Master N4 (Textbooks)
Bundle (Discount)
Buy all the books in a bundle to get a discount!Grammar
About:
- Covers all Grammar section material for the JLPT N4
- In-depth explanations for grammar structures
- Review of basic grammar points like particles, verb and adjective forms
- Includes mock exam questions with answers
Reading
About:
- Covers all Reading section material for the JLPT N4
- Techniques and strategies for how to read different Japanese texts
- Examples of different written material – letters, essays, pamphlets, etc.
- Includes mock exam questions with answers
Listening
About:
- Covers all Listening section material for the JLPT N4
- Techniques and strategies for how to understand spoken Japanese
- 2 Audio CDs with listening material covering all exam questions
- Includes mock exam questions with answers
Kanji
About:
- Covers all Kanji section material for the JLPT N4
- Lean all 278 Kanji required for the N4 level
- Get a deeper understanding of how each kanji is used in the context of sentences other printed media
- Includes mock exam questions with answers
Vocabulary
About:
- Covers vocabulary section material for the JLPT N4
- Part 1 - Jitsuroku Yoseihen (practical training)
- Part 2 - Mogi Shiken (mock test)
- Each chapter contains basic exercises and practice questions
Nihongo So-Matome N4 (Textbooks)
Bundle (Discount)
Buy all books in the Nihongo So-Matome N4 series at a discount!Kanji & Words
About:
- Covers all the material for the Grammar, Reading, and Listening sections on the JLPT N4
- Split into 6 Chapters, presented as daily lessons
- Takes about 6 weeks to complete (1 Chapter per week)
- Includes audio CD for the Listening section
- Contains practice exam questions and answers
Reading, Grammar & Listening
About:
- Covers material for the Kanji and Vocabulary section of the JLPT N4
- Teaches the 200 Kanji and 300 Vocabulary needed for this level
- Split into 6 Chapters, presented as daily lessons
- Takes about 6 weeks to complete (1 Chapter per week)
- Included practice exam questions and answers
Try! JLPT N4 (Textbook)
About:
- Covers all aspects of the JLPT N4 – Vocabulary, Kanji, Grammar, Reading, and Listening
- Lessons are in Japanese, but the English translation is provided so you can check your understanding
- Includes audio CD and scripts for Listening section
- Each lesson has practice exam questions and answers
JLPT N4 Tettei Drill (Workbook)
About:
- Covers all sections of the JLPT N4 – Vocabulary, Kanji, Grammar, Reading, and Listening
- Contains practice exam questions that closely resemble the real exam
- Hundreds of questions and mock exam with answers and detailed explanations
JLPT N4 Official Practice Workbook
About:
- Lots of questions that cover all sections of the JLPT
- Vocabulary and Kanji – 34 Questions
- Grammar and Reading – 35 Questions
- Listening – 21 Questions
- Audio CD for Listening section
- Includes answer key
N4/N5 Goukaku Dekiru (Workbook)
About:
- Part 1 – Get familiar with JLPT format with 863 questions
- Part 2 – Review and test with several mock exams for N5 and N4
- Audio CD and scripts for Listening sections
- Answer key and explanations for some harder questions
Listening Resources
JapanesePod 101
The JLPT N4 is more difficult than JLPT N5.
The vocabulary and grammar used in the conversations aren’t difficult either, but your ears might not be accustomed to listening and processing spoken Japanese at the same time.
I highly recommend signing up to a Free Account for JapanesePod101 and go through the Absolute Beginner lessons.
You don’t need to print out the lessons or do the worksheets since the material is already covered in the textbooks above. Instead, you want to train your ears by listening to as much Japanese as possible!
General Japanese Resources
Other than the above JLPT N4 textbooks, at this level it is recommended that you also have general Japanese learning resources.
You can use other general textbooks such as the Genki series, or Minna no Nihongo series.
Make sure you are also comfortable with reading and understanding hiragana and katakana.
You can find resources like this in the General Japanese Resources page.
More JLPT Information
There are five levels in the JLPT. They are N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5. N5 is the easiest, while N1 is the most difficult.
The JLPT is only an approximate measure of your understanding of the Japanese language. You are tested in terms of Reading and Listening. Speaking and Writing is NOT part of the exam.
N4 and N5 tries to measure your language skills for basic communication, mainly learnt in the classroom from a teacher.
N1 and N2 try to measure your skills in a range of realistic situations found in everyday life.
N3 is the bridge between N4/5 and N1/2.
You can find out more information about the JLPT from the Official JLPT Website.