This is a complete list of the Japanese grammar rules needed to study for and pass the N4 Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
Although there is no official JLPT N4 grammar list, most grammar points that have been featured on previous tests are included in this list.
Each lesson is arranged in English romaji alphabetical order. In total, there are over 131 grammar lessons that you need to know in order to pass the N4.
Click on the lesson link for detailed notes about grammar structure, how-to-use, conjugations, example sentences, interactive aids, and more.
Bonus downloads for supporters on Patreon:
- Printable PDF N4 grammar list / N4 kanji list
- Ebook – N4 Grammar Master Complete Study Guide
- N4 grammar flashcard batch download, and more!
| # | Grammar Lesson | 文法レッスン | Grammar Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | aida | 間（あいだ） | while; during; between |
| 2 | aida ni | 間に（あいだに） | while/during~ something happened |
| 3 | amari~nai | あまり～ない | not very, not much~ |
| 4 | ato de | 後で（あとで） | after~; later |
| 5 | ba | ば | conditional form; If [A] then [B] |
| 6 | baai wa | 場合は（ばあいは） | in the event of; in the case that |
| 7 | bakari | ばかり | only; nothing but~ |
| 8 | dake de | だけで | just by; just by doing |
| 9 | dasu | 出す（だす） | to suddenly begin; to suddenly appear~ |
| 10 | de gozaimasu | でございます | to be (honorific) |
| 11 | demo | でも | ... or something; how about~ |
| 12 | dewa nai ka | ではないか | right?; isn't it? |
| 13 | ga hitsuyou | が必要（がひつよう） | need; necessary |
| 14 | ga suru | がする | to smell; hear; taste |
| 15 | gari | がり | someone tends to; has a tendency to; has a sensitivity to~ |
| 16 | garu; gatteiru | がる・がっている | to show signs of; to appear; to feel, to think |
| 17 | gozaimasu | ございます | to be, to exist (the polite form of いる/ある) |
| 18 | hajimeru | 始める（はじめる） | to start; to begin to~ |
| 19 | hazu da | はずだ | it must be; it should be (expectation) |
| | |||
| 20 | hazu ga nai | はずがない | cannot be (impossible) |
| 21 | hitsuyou ga aru | 必要がある（ひつようがある） | need to; it is necessary to |
| 22 | ikou kei - volitional form | 意向形 （いこうけい） | volitional form; let's do~ |
| 23 | irassharu | いらっしゃる | to be; to come; to go (polite version) |
| 24 | itashimasu | いたします | to do (polite form of する) |
| 25 | janai ka | じゃないか | right? isn't it? let's~; confirmation |
| 26 | ka dou ka | かどうか | whether or not~ |
| 27 | ka shira | かしら | I wonder~ |
| 28 | kai | かい | turns a sentence into a yes/no question |
| 29 | kamo shirenai | かもしれない | might; perhaps; indicates possibility |
| 30 | kana | かな | I wonder; should I? |
| 31 | kara tsukuru | から作る（からつくる） | made from; made with |
| 32 | kitto | きっと | surely; undoubtedly; almost certainly; most likely |
| 33 | koro / goro | 頃（ころ / ごろ） | around; about; when |
| 34 | koto | こと | Verb nominalizer |
| 35 | koto ga aru | ことがある | there are times when |
| 36 | koto ga dekiru | ことができる | can; able to |
| 37 | koto ni naru | ことになる | It has been decided that..; it turns out that.. |
| 38 | koto ni suru | ことにする | to decide on |
| 39 | ku suru | くする | to make something ~ |
| 40 | kyuu ni | 急に（きゅうに） | quickly; immediately; hastily; suddenly; abruptly; unexpectedly~ |
JLPT N4 Grammar List total: (132)
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