JLPT N4

N4 Vocabulary List

764 words · Free reference — click any word for details and examples.

kilometer, kilogram

〜によると

〜に対して

にたいして

toward, against, in contrast to

〜に比べて

にくらべて

compared to, in comparison with

〜のほうが

~ is more ~ (comparative)

counter for books, notebooks

ひき/びき/ぴき

counter for small animals

counter for machines, vehicles, large equipment

counter for number of times, occurrences

ほん/ぼん/ぽん

counter for long, thin things (pens, bottles, roads)

はい/ばい/ぱい

counter for cups, glasses, bowls

counter for flat things (paper, tickets, plates)

number (in order), No.

counter for birds, rabbits

counter for floors of a building

counter for large animals

えーてぃーえむ

ATM (automated teller machine)

to give (to someone of equal/lower status)

anime, animation

app (application)

not very (with neg.); too much

or, alternatively, perhaps

アルバイト

あるばいと

アレルギー

あれるぎー

that kind of, such (far from both)

that much (far), to such an extent

eventually, sooner or later, either

to receive (humble); to eat/drink (humble)

for the time being, just in case, more or less

until when, how long

always, usually, all the time

インターネット

いんたーねっと

noisy, loud, annoying

air conditioner

エスカレーター

えすかれーたー

エレベーター

えれべーたー

オートバイ

おーとばい

おかえりなさい

おかえりなさい

thanks to, owing to

おじいさん

おじいさん

grandfather (someone else's), old man

the day before yesterday

the year before last

おばあさん

おばあさん

grandmother (someone else's), old woman

お世話になっています

おせわになっています

Thank you for your continued support

お久しぶりです

おひさしぶりです

Long time no see (polite)

おたがいに

mutually, each other, together

おかいけい

bill, check (at restaurant)

souvenir, gift (from a trip)

おだいじに

Take care of yourself (said to someone who is sick)

おきゃくさん

guest, customer, visitor

Buddhist temple

お疲れ様でした

おつかれさまでした

Thank you for your hard work, Good work today

お腹がすく

おなかがすく

tea (Japanese green tea)

sweets, snacks, confectionery

おそうしき

お邪魔します

おじゃまします

Excuse me for intruding (said when entering someone's home)

alcohol, sake, alcoholic drink

to take (time/money), to hang; to be hung; to receive (phone call)

to take (time/money), to hang; to be hung; to receive (phone call)

to hang; to call (phone); to put on (glasses)

considerably, quite, fairly

properly, neatly, accurately

surely, certainly, definitely

to give (to me/in-group)

このように

このように

in this way, like this

garbage, trash, rubbish

trash can, rubbish bin

コンサート

こんさーと

this kind of, such

this much, so (to this extent)

ごしゅじん

husband (someone else's), master

ご苦労様でした

ごくろうさまでした

Thank you for your trouble (said to subordinates)

cooked rice; meal

as expected (of someone admirable), indeed

soccer, football

however, but (formal)

したがって

したがって

therefore, consequently (formal)

for a while, for some time

immediately, right away, soon

all along, continuously, much more

trousers, pants

スマートフォン

すまーとふぉん

because of, due to (negative cause), to blame

with much trouble, at great pains, rare opportunity

and, and then (adds parallel info)

そのように

そのように

in that way, like that

and then, after that

well then, in that case

moreover, besides, in addition

soon, about time, slowly

that kind of, such (near listener)

that much, so (to that extent)

generally, approximately, mostly

so, therefore, that's why

a lot, many, much

I'm home (said when returning home)

for example, for instance

occasionally, once in a while

gradually, little by little

chance, opportunity

properly, correctly, perfectly (colloquial)

exactly, just right, precisely

a little, a moment, somewhat (colloquial)

in other words, that is to say

can do, to be able to; to be completed

できるだけ

できるだけ

as much as possible, as ~ as possible

but, however (casual)

toilet, restroom

why, how come (casual)

thanks, somehow, no matter what I do

どうやって

どうやって

how, by what means

sometimes, from time to time

however, but (unexpected result)

by the way, incidentally

which, where (polite)

どのくらい

どのくらい

how much, how long, how far

rapidly, one after another, steadily

what kind of, what sort of

no matter how, however much

furthermore, additionally, still (formal)

quite, rather; not easily (with negative)

as much as possible, if possible

somehow, manage to

のどが渇く

のどがかわく

パーティー

ぱーてぃー

for the first time

パスワード

ぱすわーど

clearly, distinctly

terrible, awful, severe

プリンター

ぷりんたー

ボールペン

ぼーるぺん

almost, mostly, nearly (with neg: hardly)

serious, earnest, diligent

also, again, moreover

still, yet, not yet (with negative)

just like, as if, entirely (with negative)

マンション

まんしょん

condominium, apartment (larger)

already; anymore (with negative)

very soon, almost, nearly

of course, certainly

more, even more

to receive, to get (from someone)

finally, at last

as expected, after all (colloquial)

as expected, after all, also

slowly, leisurely, at ease

finally, at last (with effort)

よろしくお願いします

よろしくおねがいします

Please treat me well / I'm counting on you / Nice to meet you (formal)

on purpose, intentionally

expressly, going out of one's way

いちねんじゅう

throughout the year, all year round

いっぽうで

on the other hand, at the same time

いちにちじゅう

all day long, throughout the day

いっしょに

together, at the same time

いっぱんてき

general, common, typical

polite, courteous, careful

ていねいに

politely, carefully, neatly

strong, sturdy, durable, healthy

じょうひん

elegant, refined

skilled, good at (someone else's skill)

vulgar, crude, coarse

poor at, unskilled

anxiety, uneasiness, worry

mysterious, strange, wonder

せかいじゅう

throughout the world, all over the world

care, looking after, help

りょうしん

to line up, to stand in a row (intrans.)

to line up, to arrange (trans.)

round, circular

mainly, primarily, chiefly

久しぶりに

ひさしぶりに

for the first time in a long while

transfer (trains/buses)

乗り換える

のりかえる

to transfer (trains/buses)

vehicle, means of transport

to ride, to board

to dry (intrans.)

plan, schedule, appointment

よやくする

to reserve, to make a reservation

こうさてん

intersection, crossroads

今のところ

いまのところ

for now, at the moment, so far

tonight, this evening

こんしゅう

work, job, business

to be attached, to arrive at, to light up

to attach, to turn on, to apply

above, more than, or more, that is all

below, less than, or less, the following

before, previously, in the past

after, from now on, hereafter

きゅうけい

きゅうじつ

day off, holiday

to meet, to see (a person)

かいしゃいん

company employee

meeting, conference

to convey, to tell, to transmit

to be conveyed, to be transmitted (intrans.)

to live, to reside

じゅうしょ

many times, over and over

つくりかた

how to make, recipe

composition, essay, writing

つかいかた

how to use, usage

convenient, handy

to believe, to trust

traffic light, signal

times (multiplication)

to borrow, to rent

healthy, health

to work, to labor

healthy, energetic, in good spirits

older brother (my own)

きょうだい

siblings, brothers and sisters

せんしゅう

にゅういんする

to be hospitalized

not at all (with neg.); completely (colloquial positive)

all, entirely, everything

こうむいん

government employee, civil servant

具合が悪い

ぐあいがわるい

to feel unwell, not in good condition

the first, the beginning

the last, the end

recently, lately

photograph, photo

cold (to the touch), cold-hearted

れいぞうこ

refrigerator, fridge

ticket (transport)

りようする

to use, to make use of, to utilize

sashimi, sliced raw fish

splitting the bill, going Dutch

どりょくする

to make an effort, to work hard

to move (trans.), to operate

to move (intrans.)

doctor, physician

じゅうぶん

enough, sufficiently, fully

そつぎょうする

そつぎょうしき

graduation ceremony

vocabulary, word

はくぶつかん

dangerous, risky

dangerous, risky

thick (object), warm (hearted)

strict, severe, harsh

さんかする

to participate, to join

はんたいに

on the contrary, conversely, in opposition

しゅうにゅう

income, earnings

to take out, to retrieve

to receive; to take (exam)

reception, front desk

だいどころ

right (direction)

かくえきていしゃ

local train (stops at every station)

ごうかくする

to pass (exam), to qualify

over there, the other side, opposite

surroundings, around

miso (fermented soybean paste)

problem, question, issue

to be pleased, to rejoice

こまらせる

to trouble, to cause difficulty for

to be troubled, to be in difficulty

subway, underground train

region, local area, province

case, situation, occasion

to increase (intrans.)

to break, to destroy (trans.)

to break, to be broken (intrans.)

to change (trans.)

to change (intrans.)

foreign country

がいこくじん

foreigner, foreign national

だいじょうぶ

all right, okay, fine

important, serious, precious

important, precious, valued

terrible, awful; very (adv.)

だいがくいん

graduate school

てんきよほう

weather forecast

husband (my own)

しっぱいする

to fail, to make a mistake

失礼します

しつれいします

Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt, Goodbye (polite)

back (of room/building), interior, depths

wife (someone else's)

しょうがくきん

younger sister (my own)

older sister (my own)

to begin, to start (intrans.)

to begin, to start (trans.)

first train, first departure

daughter (my own), young woman

disliked, hated

child, children

stability, steadiness

relief, peace of mind

あんしんする

to feel relieved, to feel at ease

ていきけん

commuter pass, season ticket

actually, to tell the truth

しゅくだい

homework, assignment

to sleep, to go to bed

specialty, major, expertise

しょうらい

future (personal future)

a little, a bit

to wear (shoes, pants, skirt)

こうじょう

ingenuity, devising ways, effort

left (direction)

差し上げる

さしあげる

to give (humble, to superior)

futon, Japanese bedding

hope, wish, desire

to return (home), to go back

weekday, ordinary day

fine, all right, unconcerned

beginning of the year, New Year's

year end, end of the year

to spread, to extend (intrans.)

to spread, to widen (trans.)

store clerk, shop assistant

corridor, hallway

to withdraw (money), to pull out

to pull; to play (string instrument); to look up (dictionary)

to move (house)

younger brother (my own)

えいきょう

influence, effect, impact

やくにたつ

to be useful, to be of use

he, him; boyfriend

she, her; girlfriend

待ち合わせ

まちあわせ

meeting up, rendezvous

regret, remorse

good at (one's own skill), proud

しんぱいする

to worry, to be anxious

certainly, without fail, always

necessary, needed

scary, frightening

思いきって

おもいきって

resolutely, boldly, taking the plunge

sudden, urgent, steep

to hurry, to rush

suddenly, all of a sudden; suddenly, all at once

suddenly, all of a sudden; suddenly, all at once

きゅうこう

恥ずかしい

はずかしい

embarrassed, ashamed, shy

worry, trouble, concern

to worry, to be troubled

meaning, significance

love, affection

to feel, to sense

gratitude, thankfulness

attitude, manner, behavior

なつかしい

nostalgic, dear (to one's memory)

せいこうする

grades, results, performance

to return, to go back

help, assistance

this side, just before

しゅじゅつ

surgery, operation

closet (Japanese-style)

to push, to press

to wipe, to dry

to pick up, to find

to throw away, to discard

そうじする

to clean (a room)

じゅぎょう

lesson, class, lecture

to search for, to look for

expenditure, expenses

to teach, to tell

きょうかしょ

さんぽする

to take a walk, to stroll

cooking, cuisine, dish

りょうりする

to refuse, to decline

しんかんせん

Shinkansen, bullet train

method, way, means

りょこうする

にほんじゅう

all over Japan, throughout Japan

the day after tomorrow

じこくひょう

timetable, schedule

usually, normally, in ordinary times

normal, ordinary, usual

free time, not busy, idle

あたたかい

warm (weather, climate)

to turn, to bend

how to write, way of writing

documents, papers

famous, well-known

clothes, clothing

period (of time), duration

real, true, genuine

ざいりょう

ingredients, materials

らいしゅう

やわらかい

unexpectedly, surprisingly, contrary to expectations

cherry blossom, cherry tree

rainy season, tsuyu

various, diverse, all kinds of

state, situation, appearance, manner

おうだんほどう

crosswalk, pedestrian crossing

opportunity, chance, occasion

to stop (intrans.)

to stop (trans.), to turn off

correct, right, proper

しょうがつ

New Year (period)

accurate, precise, exact

unfortunate, regrettable, disappointing

ざんぎょう

to notice, to realize, to come to one's senses

to mind, to worry about, to care about

気をつけて

きをつけて

Take care, be careful

feeling, mood (physical/mental)

feeling, mood, sensation

air temperature

to make dirty (trans.)

to get dirty (intrans.)

to be decided, to be settled

to decide, to determine

to recover, to be cured

to cry, to weep

ちゅうしゃ

injection, shot

ちゅういする

to pay attention, to warn, to caution

ちゅうもん

order (food/goods)

せんたくする

せんたくき

washing machine

overseas, abroad

to erase, to turn off, to extinguish

しょうきょくてき

passive, negative, reluctant

to mix, to blend, to stir

to decrease, to reduce (intrans.)

to hand over, to pass to

to cross, to go over

hot spring, onsen

preparation, arrangement

じゅんびする

manga, comic book

to get wet (intrans.)

impossible, unreasonable, overdoing

to bake, to grill, to burn

ぎゅうにく

especially, particularly

special, particular

じょうきょう

situation, circumstances, state of affairs

narrow, small (space)

entrance hall, front door

めずらしい

rare, unusual, uncommon

かんきょう

environment, surroundings

way of living, lifestyle

life, living, daily life

せいかつひ

living expenses, cost of living

countryside, rural area

もうしこむ

to apply for, to sign up for

りゅうがく

studying abroad

illness, disease, sickness

しょうじょう

to fix, to correct, to repair

相変わらず

あいかわらず

as usual, as always, same as ever

consultation, discussion, advice

そうだんする

to consult, to discuss

serious, earnest

ねむくなる

to become sleepy

dazzling, glaring, bright

glasses, spectacles

to wear, to put on (upper body)

change of clothes, changing clothes

to inform, to notify

けんきゅうしゃ

hard, stiff, tough

certainly, surely, indeed

かくにんする

to confirm, to check, to verify

to polish, to brush (teeth)

society, social

grandmother (my own)

grandfather (my own)

せっきょくてき

positive, active, assertive

suddenly, unexpectedly

to laugh, to smile

answer, response

saving, economy, frugality

approximately, about

promise, appointment

obedient, honest, gentle

detailed, fine, small

しょうかい

introduction, referral

しょうかいする

to end, to finish (intrans.)

しゅうでん

economy, economics

けっこんする

けっこんしき

wedding ceremony

けっきょく

in the end, after all, eventually

result, outcome

きゅうりょう

picture, painting, drawing

to continue, to last (intrans.)

to continue, to keep doing (trans.)

きんちょう

tension, nervousness

れんしゅう

practice, exercise, drill

れんしゅうする

くりかえす

to repeat, to do over and over

びじゅつかん

to learn (from a teacher)

しゅうかん

elderly person, old person

かんがえる

to think, to consider

かんがえかた

way of thinking, perspective

to be audible, can be heard

to raise, to bring up, to cultivate

to take off (clothes, shoes)

confidence, self-confidence

by oneself, on one's own

じてんしゃ

interest, curiosity

various, all sorts of

young person, youth

poor at (one's own), not one's strong point

luggage, baggage

to fall, to drop (intrans.)

to drop, to lose (something)

thin, pale, weak (taste)

行ってきます

いってきます

I'm heading out (said when leaving home)

行ってらっしゃい

いってらっしゃい

Take care, see you later (response to 行ってきます)

to put on (hat, helmet over head)

complicated, complex

to be visible, to appear, to seem

to memorize, to remember

corner (of street)

medical examination, checkup

はなしかた

way of speaking, manner of speech

to recognize, to admit, to acknowledge

たんじょうび

explanation, description

せつめいする

how to read, reading (of kanji)

to investigate, to look up

thesis, paper, essay

あきらめる

to give up, to resign oneself

tofu, bean curd

to lose, to be defeated

to lend, to loan

lively, bustling, noisy

luxury, extravagance

to wake up; to occur

to occur, to happen

hobby, interest

to fall down, to tumble

light (in weight), mild

spicy, hot (taste)

nearby, close, soon

neighborhood, vicinity

to return (something), to give back

to get lost; to hesitate, to be unsure

たいいんする

to be discharged from hospital

to send, to see off

on the way, midway, in the middle of

to commute, to attend regularly

to let pass, to pass through, to show in

to pass through, to go along

contact, communication, message

れんらくする

to contact, to get in touch

しゅうまつ

to advance, to proceed, to progress

to play, to enjoy oneself

うんどうする

to exercise, to work out

うんてんする

うんてんしゅ

to pass, to exceed, to go too far

far away, a distant place

suitable, appropriate; sloppy, careless (colloquial)

to choose, to select

city, urban area

to close, to shut (trans.)

to open (intrans./trans.)

to be in time (for)

relationship, connection, relation

to get off, to alight

stairs, staircase

to gather, to assemble (intrans.)

to collect, to gather (trans.)

むずかしい

電子レンジ

でんしれんじ

でんわばんごう

quiet, calm, peaceful

じゅんばん

order, turn, sequence

to leave in someone's care, to deposit

to do one's best, to persevere

りょうしゅうしょ

to ask (a favor), to request, to order (food)

airplane, aircraft

food, things to eat

drink, beverage

ちゅうしゃじょう

parking lot, parking place

to be surprised, to be astonished

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