Contents
Introduction
JLPT is a mandatory certificate for foreigners who want to work or study in Japan. With JLPT, you can get special opportunities while living in Japan.
In addition, the JLPT has predetermined levels. To master it, you need to find the most suitable book. Read more about the JLPT in general and JLPT N4 by clicking on the following button:
This article will discuss the 10 most popular and strongest books to pass JLPT N4. JLPT N4 is the second-lowest level after JLPT N5. In addition, please read more about the JLPT N5 and what you need for learning at this lowest-JLPT level by clicking on the following button:
Also, if you need reference to find the best books for JLPT exam preparation in other levels, please click the button below!
Then, please jump into the following articles to get also about “JLPT Guides, Kanji Lists & Vocabulary Lists“
- JLPT Levels: A Comprehensive Guidance For You
- Get Ready for JLPT N4: 100 Kanji List
- Ready for N5? JLPT Guides & List of 100 Kanji
- 700+ JLPT N5 Vocabulary | The Most Complete Lists
We hope you’ll continue to follow other articles to expand your horizons and understanding about the JLPT. After reading this article, I’m looking forward for your suggestions and impressions in the comment column below.
Please keep scrolling down to find the Top 10 Most Popular and Strongest Textbooks on Passing JLPT N4!
About JLPT N4 Exam
JLPT N4 is a level that tests your understanding of basic Japanese, upper level than N5. Specifically, similar to the JLPT N5, the JLPT N4 tests the learners’ understanding in 5 different areas:
- Grammar (文法 / bunpou)
- Vocabulary (語彙 / goi)
- Kanji (漢字 / kanji)
- Reading Comprehension (読解力 / dokkai ryoku)
- Listening Comprehension (聴解力 / Chōkai ryoku)
In addition, the JLPT N4 exam consists of three sections: language knowledge, other language
knowledge plus reading, and listening. Read the details in the next section.
(1) Language Knowledge (30 minutes)
In the language knowledge section, you will be tested in 5 aspects as follows:
| 1. Kanji Reading | Test reading words written in kanji. |
| 2. Orthography | Test kanji for words written in hiragana. |
| 3. Contextually-defined expressions | Test words whose meaning is apparent from the context. |
| 4. Paraphrases | Test words and expressions with similar meanings. |
| 5. Usage | Test the use of words in sentences. |
(2) Language Knowledge & Reading (60 minutes)
Then, in the language knowledge plus reading section, you will be tested on your understanding of the grammar and reading comprehension with the details as follows:
| 1. Sentential grammar 1 (selecting grammar form) | Test your judgment about grammar formats that go with sentences. |
| 2. Sentential grammar 2 (sentence composition) | Test a syntactically correct and meaningful sentence structure. |
| 3. Text grammar | Test judgment about the suitability of sentences for text flow. |
| 4. Comprehension (short passages) | Test your understanding of the content by reading a simple original text of about 100-200 characters on topics and situations from your studies, everyday life, and job. |
| 5. Comprehension (mid-size passages) | Test your understanding of the content by reading a simple original text of about 450 characters on topics and situations of daily life. |
| 6. Information retrieval | Test the ability to extract necessary information from original materials such as notices (approx. 400 characters). |
(3) Listening (35 minutes)
In the third part, listening comprehension, you’ll be tested on your understanding of the topics expressed through verbal utterances, as follows:
| 1. Task-based comprehension | Test understanding of content by listening to a coherent text (test ability to extract the necessary information to solve specific problems and understand appropriate actions). |
| 2. Comprehension of key points | Test understanding of content by listening to a coherent text (test ability to narrow down points based on necessary information presented in advance). |
| 3. Verbal expressions | Test the ability to choose appropriate verbal expressions by listening to the circumstances while looking at the illustrations. |
| 4. Quick response | Test the ability to select the appropriate answers by listening to short utterances such as questions |
Grammar Drill JLPT N4
The goal of the JLPT N4 for the grammar section is to understand about 55 grammar rules. This grammar covers the upper elementary and intermediate levels of Japanese. Specifically, your understanding and application of the following rules will be tested:
- Basic particles usage and their application
- Basic grammatical structure and word form
- Formal and casual conjugations of verbs and adjectives
- Forms of verbs and adjectives in past and present tense
Please read the list of the following first 2 Best Books below to master JLPT N4.
1. Minna no Nihongo Series
Minna no Nihongo is one of the most popular and powerful Japanese textbooks for school classes, non-basic Japanese learners, and individuals around the world.
Minna no Nihongo has 2 levels, beginner and intermediate. For each of these levels, there are 2 volumes and other very comprehensive companion books. The following is the name of the Minna no Nihongo series
- Minna no Nihongo Beginner I (初級 I – Shokyū I)
- Minna no Nihongo Beginner II (初級 II – Shokyū II)
- Minna no Nihongo Intermediate I (中級 I – Chūkyū I)
- Minna no Nihongo Intermediate II (中級 II – Chūkyū II)
Especially for JLPT N4, we recommend you to study intensively and complete the book Minna no Nihongo Beginner II (初級 II – Shokyū II) with all accompanying books. Of course, if you haven’t finished studying the previous edition, the Minna no Nihongo Beginner I (初級 I – Shokyū I) and all its companions, you need to finish them first.
According to most JLPT N4-N5 participants, Minna no Nihongo Beginner I- II are sufficient to cover JLPT N4 and N5. However, you still need to add practice questions from other JLPT textbooks, which we will also reveal below.
2. Dictionary of Japanese Grammar Series
If you want to understand a lot and in detail, you can also use this grammar dictionary to prepare for JLPT N4. Not only JLPT N4 but also JLPT N3 is covered in the basics and intermediate levels.
The Dictionary of Japanese Grammar has 3 series: basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. All series contain detailed explanations in English and Japanese with the following details:
- A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar: 200 grammatical concepts that form the basis of the Japanese language.
- A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar: about 200 grammatical terms that form the intermediate level of the Japanese language.
- A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar: 230 grammatical rules that form the advanced level of the Japanese language.
Kanji & Vocabulary Drill JLPT N4
In total, you need to master about 1500 vocabulary and 300 kanji to pass the JLPT N4.
The 1500 vocabulary words for JLPT N4 include nouns, verbs, adjectives, and foreign language absorption words in katakana.
On the other hand, For JLPT N4 Kanji, you need to conquer 200 more kanji than for JLPT N5. The kanji tested at the N4 level cover a slightly broader topic than for JLPT N5.
3. Kanji Tamago: Pre-Intermediate
Kanji Tamago’s book is perfect for anyone who wants to explore kanji that are commonly used in everyday life. By studying this book, you can have a strong weapon to pass JLPT N5 and N4.
Kanji Tamago’s book has 2 series: for beginner and pre-intermediate. The Pre-Intermediate book is very suitable for JLPT N4 preparation. Kanji Tamago’s book has the following content:
- 15 chapters with comprehensive kanji explanations
- Writing exercises and visuals
- 4 additional training units
- CD
4. Kanji Master JLPT N4
If you like quizzes and learning kanji to pass JLPT N4 in a structured and non-boring way, this book is perfect for you.
This book also has 4 other series that cover all JLPT tests. Specifically, in this Kanji Master JLPT N4 book, there are 9 chapters with topics that are very close to everyday life topics which will have the potential to show up in the JLPT N4 test.
The Kanji Master JLPT N4 book contains:
- 9 units on different topics.
- Translation in English, Chinese and Vietnamese
- Lots of activities and exercises
- Review test
- Fun quiz game
5. Elementary Kanji Workbook or Flashcards (1026 kanji)
To master JLPT N4, as well as all other levels in Japanese, you must master kanji.
For this, practice is a must. To support your process of mastering JLPT N4 Kanji and also the higher JLPT levels, we would also like to recommend this workbook titled Elementary Kanji or Flashcards (1026 Kanji).
The Elementary kanji workbook contains:
- 1026 Kanji
- Each page with a new set of kanji
- Sentences and phrases for practice
- The pages can be cut into flashcards to practice the kanji
Do JLPT N4 Practice Test with Complete Sets
To pass the JLPT N4, practice, practice, practice is the key to success. Above all, practice all aspects that will be tested.
Below we would like to recommend books with complete sets. The following books are very well known and have received very good reviews among JLPT fighters.
All of the books listed below have complete sets for all levels of the JLPT test. Starting from N5 to N1. With a lot of questions in each, super complete and easy to discuss.
Please choose one of the complete sets of your JLPT N4 preparation book below!
6. New Kanzen Master JLPT N4
New Kanzen Master is a special book series for JLPT exam preparation at all levels. You can get 5 books in 1 book set. In 1 set of New Kanzen Master of JLPT N4 you will get:
- New Kanzen Master JLPT N4: Grammar
This book focuses on grammar, sentence structure, and explanations of the basic forms of verbs also adjectives, and their correct use in sentences. - New Kanzen Master JLPT N4: Listening Comprehension
With this book, you will learn how to process information from longer segments. - New Kanzen Master JLPT N4: Reading Comprehension
The book will help you master long sentences, unlock the meaning of unfamiliar words, understand text structure, and read different types of texts. - New Kanzen Master JLPT N4: Kanji
With this book, you will learn 278 kanji at the N4 level. This book will help you to grasp how each Kanji is used in the actual situation with the theoretical side of kanji. - New Kanzen Master JLPT N4: Vocabulary
Each chapter consists of a basic exercise and a practical exercise section. Using this book, you can test your skills with questions in the same format as the actual exam.
7. Nihongo So-Matome JLPT N4
If you want to do JLPT N4 preparation exercises with daily lessons, the complete set of Nihongo So-Matome JLPT N4 books is perfect for you.
Similar to the previous book, Nihongo So-Matome is also a set of books specifically for JLPT preparation at all levels. For JLPT N4 level, Nihongo So-Matome has 2 books, as follows:
- Nihongo So-Matome JLPT N4: Kanji and Words
If you study this book consistently at 2 pages/day, you will be able to learn the 200 kanji characters and 300 Japanese vocabulary words found in both daily life and the JLPT N4 in just six weeks! - Nihongo So-Matome JLPT N4: Reading, Grammar, and Listening
This book contains 42 daily reading, grammar, and listening comprehension lessons in Japanese with practice and review tests with answers. Also an audio CD for pronunciation practice.
8. JLPT N4 Official Practice Workbook
This book is highly recommended for those who want to practice the JLPT N4 under real JLPT test conditions. This book contains:
- 34 questions on vocabulary and kanji with objectives that can be solved in 30 min
- 25 grammar and 10 reading questions with targets that can be solved in 50 min
- 21 listening comprehension questions to be solved in 35 min
9. Speed Master JLPT N4
If you already have a strong understanding of the JLPT N4 material but want to increase the speed of answering the questions, then this 1 book set of Speed Master JLPT N4 books is perfect for you.
In 1 complete set, you will get 4 books as follows:
- Speed Master JLPT N4: Reading
- Speed Master JLPT N4: Grammar
- Speed Master JLPT N4: Listening
- Speed Master JLPT N4: Vocabulary
10. Drill and Drill JLPT N4
If you have a limited budget but still want to have the best book to practice JLPT N4, this JDrill and Drill JLPT N4 book will be very helpful for you.
This book is also specially made with questions that are very similar to the original JLPT N4 test. The answers and discussions given were very complete.
Conclusion
Finally, We’d like to ask you to review the 10 Most Powerful Textbooks again to Pass JLPT N4 that we’ve described above. We also appreciate any comments and suggestions for our improvement. We wish you success in passing JLPT N4!
Insights other than the technical aspects of JLPT will also help you develop a deeper understanding of Japanese learning. Please visit the link below to get everything you need to learn Japanese on your own!
