JLPT N4 Vocabulary List — 86 Words & Phrases
N4 builds on the basics. It covers everyday vocabulary, more kanji and the core grammar needed to follow slow, simple conversations and read short texts about familiar topics. This vocabulary list is made for learners who have finished the basics and want to hold simple everyday conversations.
Below are 86 JLPT N4 vocabulary study entries, including しごと, かいしゃ, かいぎ, ざんぎょう. Words and phrases with their meanings, grouped around the situations this level focuses on.
How to use this list
- Study a few entries at a time and say each one aloud, then cover the meaning and test yourself.
- Learn words inside short sentences rather than alone — context makes them easier to recall.
- Review old entries on a schedule (spaced repetition) so they move into long-term memory.
JLPT N4 vocabulary — full list
| Word / phrase | Meaning, reading and notes |
|---|---|
| しごと | work / job |
| かいしゃ | company |
| かいぎ | meeting |
| ざんぎょう | overtime |
| しゃいん | company employee |
| じょうし | boss / supervisor |
| どうりょう | colleague |
| そつぎょう | graduation 🎓 |
| しけん | exam / test |
| せんぱい / こうはい | senior / junior |
| めんせつ | interview (job) |
| けいけん | experience |
| もくひょう | goal / target 🎯 |
| しょうらい | future / career path |
| かんどうする | to be deeply moved / impressed 🥹 |
| がっかりする | to be disappointed |
| わくわくする | to be excited / thrilled |
| どきどきする | heart pounding (excitement/nervousness) |
| いらいらする | to be irritated |
| はずかしい | embarrassing / shy |
| くやしい | frustrating / vexing |
| さびしい | lonely |
| つきあう | to date / go out with |
| けっこんする | to marry 💍 |
| やくそくする | to promise |
| しんじる | to believe / trust |
| あやまる | to apologise |
| ゆるす | to forgive |
| かんきょう | environment 🌍 |
| じしん | earthquake |
| たいふう | typhoon 🌀 |
| しゃかい | society |
| けいざい | economy |
| ぶんか | culture |
| でんとう | tradition |
| れんらくする | to contact |
| そうだんする | to consult / discuss |
| せつめいする | to explain |
| もうしこむ | to apply / sign up |
| かいけつする | to solve / resolve |
| もちもち | chewy and soft texture (mochi, fresh udon) |
| ふわふわ | fluffy and airy texture (pancakes, bread) |
| サクサク | crispy crunchy texture (tempura, toast) |
| とろとろ | melting soft texture (onsen egg, braised pork) |
| さっぱり | light and refreshing (soba, salad) |
| こい (濃い) | rich / strong flavour (thick soup, dark coffee) |
| お会計 | the bill / payment at a restaurant |
| 割り勘 | splitting the bill equally |
| おすすめ | recommendation. おすすめは？= what do you recommend? |
| 一口どうぞ | have a bite! / here, try some (sharing food) |
| ご注文はお決まりですか | "Have you decided your order?" (from restaurant staff) |
| 弁当 (bentou) | packed lunch / bento box 🍱 |
| 〜が痛い | my ~ hurts: 頭が痛い, お腹が痛い, のどが痛い |
| 風邪をひく | to catch a cold (fixed phrase — ひく, never する) |
| 怪我をする | けがをする — to get injured |
| 熱がある | to have a fever. Also 熱が出る |
| 気分が悪い | to feel unwell / nauseous |
| お大事に | get well soon / take care (to someone unwell) |
| 無理しないで | do not push yourself too hard |
| 薬局 (やっきょく) | pharmacy |
| 蒸し暑い | むしあつい — hot and humid (Japanese summer) |
| 梅雨 (つゆ) | the rainy season, June to mid-July |
| 暑い vs 熱い | 暑い = hot weather / 熱い = hot to the touch |
| 天気予報 | てんきよほう — weather forecast |
| 趣味 (しゅみ) | hobby. 趣味は何ですか = what are your hobbies? |
| 苦手 (にがて) | not good at / would rather avoid — softer than 下手 |
| ピアノを弾く | ひく — to play piano (弾く for keyboard/strings) |
| 写真を撮る | とる — to take a photo (撮る, not 取る) |
| 部活 (ぶかつ) | school club activity — often daily, a huge part of student life |
| 応援する | おうえんする — to cheer for / support a team |
| 〜ませんか | polite invitation that leaves room to decline |
| 〜んですが | softening opener for a request: 開きたいんですが |
| 振り込む | ふりこむ — to transfer money into an account |
| 印鑑 / 判子 | いんかん / はんこ — personal seal used instead of a signature |
| 窓口 (まどぐち) | service counter. 何番の窓口ですか？ |
| 交番 (こうばん) | neighbourhood police box — go here for lost property |
| 番組（ばんぐみ） | TV programme / show |
| 配信（はいしん） | streaming / distribution |
| 一気見（いっきみ） | binge-watching |
| 字幕（じまく） | subtitles |
| 吹き替え（ふきかえ） | dubbing (dubbed version) |
| もしもし | Hello? (on the phone only) |
| 電話をかける | to make a phone call |
| 電話を切る | to hang up |
| 既読（きどく） | "read" status on a message |
| かけ直す | to call back |
Practice questions
Test yourself with 6 sample questions from the JLPT N4 vocabulary quiz in the app. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. What does わくわくする mean?
- To be nervous
- To be angry
- To be excited/thrilled
- To be sleepy
Show answer
Answer: To be excited/thrilled
わくわく = excited anticipation. Japanese onomatopoeia for feelings are used constantly.
2. せんぱい/こうはい describes what?
- Senior/junior relationship
- Family hierarchy
- Teacher/student
- Boss/employee
Show answer
Answer: Senior/junior relationship
せんぱい (senior) / こうはい (junior) — a fundamental social hierarchy in Japanese society.
3. What does する-verb mean for vocabulary?
- You need fewer words
- All verbs end in する
- Nouns become verbs with する
- する replaces ます
Show answer
Answer: Nouns become verbs with する
Noun + する = verb. Learn the noun, get the verb free: そうだん → そうだんする (consult).
4. もちもち, ふわふわ, サクサク describe?
- Tastes
- Colours
- Textures
- Temperatures
Show answer
Answer: Textures
These are texture words! もちもち = chewy-soft, ふわふわ = fluffy, サクサク = crispy. Using them sounds impressively native.
5. お会計をおねがいします is?
- May I order?
- Where is the toilet?
- What is recommended?
- The bill, please.
Show answer
Answer: The bill, please.
お会計 = the bill. おねがいします = please. THE phrase for asking for the check at a Japanese restaurant.
6. お大事に is said to?
- Someone who is unwell
- Someone starting a new job
- Someone leaving on holiday
- Someone who just ate
Show answer
Answer: Someone who is unwell
お大事に = get well soon. Universal in Japan for anyone who is ill — say it and reply with ありがとうございます.
Study JLPT N4 vocabulary in the free app
A Star Japanese turns this list into lessons, flashcards with spaced repetition, quizzes and listening practice with real Japanese voices — plus timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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More JLPT N4 study lists
Frequently asked questions
Is this the official JLPT N4 vocabulary list?
There is no single official vocabulary list for the JLPT, so this is a study list built from the A Star Japanese JLPT N4 lessons. It focuses on what learners at this level are most likely to meet.
How should I study the JLPT N4 vocabulary?
Study a few entries at a time and say each one aloud, then cover the meaning and test yourself. Learn words inside short sentences rather than alone — context makes them easier to recall. Review old entries on a schedule (spaced repetition) so they move into long-term memory.
How can I practise JLPT N4 vocabulary for free?
Download A Star Japanese for free on iPhone or Android. It has lessons, flashcards with spaced repetition, quizzes, listening practice with real Japanese voices and timed JLPT mock exams — with no ads.