You've passed JLPT N5 (or are considering skipping it) - now what? Understanding the differences between N5 and N4 is crucial for planning your study strategy. While N5 tests basic Japanese ability, N4 marks your transition to intermediate proficiency. This comprehensive guide breaks down every aspect of both levels so you can navigate your journey efficiently.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	N5	N4	Increase
Study Hours	150-300 hours	300-600 hours	2x
Vocabulary	~800 words	~1,500 words	1.9x
Kanji	~103 characters	~300 characters	2.9x
Grammar	~80 patterns	~200 patterns	2.5x
Test Time	105 minutes	125 minutes	20 min longer
Pass Rate	~70-80%	~60-70%	Lower
Passing Score	80/180 (44%)	90/180 (50%)	Higher threshold

Detailed Comparison by Section

1. Vocabulary Comparison

N5 Vocabulary:

• ~800 basic words
• Everyday objects and actions
• Simple descriptive language
• Survival Japanese level

Examples:

• 食べる (taberu) - to eat
• 水 (mizu) - water
• 大きい (ookii) - big
• 今日 (kyou) - today

N4 Vocabulary:

• ~1,500 words (+700 new)
• More nuanced expressions
• Abstract concepts introduced
• Workplace/academic vocabulary begins

New examples:

• 説明する (setsumei suru) - to explain
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - necessary
• 経験 (keiken) - experience
• 最近 (saikin) - recently

Key Difference: N5 vocabulary allows you to express basic needs. N4 vocabulary allows you to have simple conversations about experiences, opinions, and abstract ideas.

2. Kanji Comparison

N5 Kanji (103 characters):

• Basic strokes (1-8 typically)
• High-frequency characters
• Numbers, time, family, directions
• Foundation kanji

Most common N5 kanji: 一、人、日、本、大、小、山、川、田、中

N4 Kanji (300 total = 103 N5 + 197 new):

• More complex characters (up to 12+ strokes)
• Compound words increase
• More readings per character
• Abstract concepts

Examples of new N4 kanji:

• 答 (kotae/tou) - answer
• 質 (shitsu) - quality
• 問 (toi/mon) - question
• 題 (dai) - topic/problem
• 意 (i) - meaning/intention

Kanji Reading Complexity

N5 Kanji:

• Usually 1-2 readings
• Readings are common and regular
• Often just hiragana alternative exists

Example: 山 (yama - mountain)

• One main reading used in N5

N4 Kanji:

• 2-4 readings common
• Multiple onyomi/kunyomi
• More compound word usage

Example: 生 (sei/shou/nama/i...)

• 先生 (sensei) - teacher
• 学生 (gakusei) - student
• 生まれる (umareru) - to be born
• 生きる (ikiru) - to live
• 生 (nama) - raw

3. Grammar Comparison

N5 Grammar Patterns (~80):

• Basic sentence structures
• Present/past tense
• Positive/negative forms
• Simple particles
• Want/can express basic desires

Core N5 patterns:

• [Noun] は [Noun] です
• [Verb-ます] form
• [Verb-て] ください
• [Adjective] です
• [Noun] が あります/います

N4 Grammar Patterns (~200 = 80 N5 + 120 new):

• Intermediate structures
• Conditional forms (と、ば、たら、なら)
• Passive and causative introduced
• More complex particles
• Expressing reasons, conditions, results

New N4 patterns examples:

• ～てしまう (ended up doing)
• ～ておく (do in advance)
• ～てみる (try doing)
• ～ば conditional
• ～そうです (hearsay)

Complexity Increase:

Aspect	N5	N4
Sentence length	5-10 words	10-20 words
Clause types	Single clause	Multiple clauses
Conditionals	Simple "if" with たら	4 types of conditionals
Passive voice	Not tested	Basic passive
Causative	Not tested	Basic causative

4. Listening Section Comparison

N5 Listening:

• Very slow, clear pronunciation
• Short exchanges (2-4 sentences)
• Simple questions about time, place, action
• Vocabulary within N5 range
• Predictable situations

Example situation: "What time will they meet?" A: 明日、何時に会いますか。(What time shall we meet tomorrow?) B: 3時はどうですか。(How about 3 o'clock?)

N4 Listening:

• Natural speed (still slower than native)
• Longer conversations (4-8 sentences)
• Multiple information points
• Inferences required
• More varied situations

Example situation: "Why can't the woman go to the party?" [Longer conversation about schedule conflicts, requiring inference from context]

Key Differences:

Feature	N5	N4
Speech speed	100-120 mora/min	140-160 mora/min
Background info	Explicitly stated	Must be inferred
Speaker number	Usually 2	2-3 speakers
Audio plays	2 times	2 times (but faster)

5. Reading Section Comparison

N5 Reading:

• 50-100 character passages
• Heavy furigana usage
• Simple notices, emails, short messages
• One main idea per passage
• Direct questions

Example passage: "Short email about meeting time and location" Question: What time is the meeting?

N4 Reading:

• 150-300 character passages
• Less furigana (N5 kanji usually don't have it)
• Articles, letters, instructions
• Multiple ideas per passage
• Inference questions

Example passage: "Article about environmental issue with opinion and facts" Question: What does the author think about X?

Text Types:

N5	N4
Signs	News articles (simple)
Menus	Blog posts
Short emails	Formal letters
Simple notes	Instructions
Advertisements	Short stories

6. Test Format Comparison

N5 Format:

Section	Time	Questions	Points
Vocabulary	25 min	~30	60
Grammar/Reading	50 min	~40	60
Listening	30 min	~30	60
Total	105 min	~100	180

Pass requirement: 80/180 (44%) + minimum 19 in each section

N4 Format:

Section	Time	Questions	Points
Vocabulary	30 min	~35	60
Grammar/Reading	60 min	~45	60
Listening	35 min	~35	60
Total	125 min	~115	180

Pass requirement: 90/180 (50%) + minimum 19 in each section

Key Changes:

• ⏱️ 20 minutes longer overall
• 📈 Higher passing threshold (50% vs 44%)
• 📝 More questions in all sections
• 🎯 Questions are more complex

The Difficulty Jump Explained

Why N4 Feels So Much Harder

1. Exponential Knowledge Required

• Not linear progression
• Grammar patterns build on each other
• Vocabulary becomes contextual

2. Less Furigana Support You must recognize N5 kanji without help, while learning new N4 kanji.

3. Speed Requirements Reading and listening speeds increase significantly.

4. Inference Required Can't rely on direct statements - must read between the lines.

5. Complex Grammar Stacking Multiple grammar patterns in one sentence: N5: 図書館に行きました。(I went to the library.) N4: 図書館に本を返しに行ったんですが、閉まっていました。 (I went to return a book to the library, but it was closed.)

Study Hour Reality Check

Common misconception: "N5 took me 3 months, so N4 will take 3 months."

Reality:

Preparation Level	N5 Time	N4 Time
Complete beginner	3-6 months	6-12 months
N5 passer	N/A	6-9 months
Heritage speaker	1-2 months	3-6 months
Intensive study	1-3 months	4-6 months

Should You Skip N5 and Go Straight to N4?

Skip N5 if:

• ✅ You've studied Japanese for 300+ hours already
• ✅ You can read hiragana, katakana, and 100+ kanji fluently
• ✅ You understand basic grammar (particles, verb conjugations)
• ✅ You can hold basic conversations
• ✅ You're self-motivated and don't need external validation
• ✅ You want to save time and test fees

Take N5 if:

• ✅ You're a complete beginner (< 150 hours)
• ✅ You need external motivation/deadlines
• ✅ You want confidence before attempting N4
• ✅ Your school/employer requires progressive certification
• ✅ You want to understand the JLPT format
• ✅ You struggle with self-assessment

Self-Assessment Test

Can you do these without looking anything up?

Test 1: Reading Read this without hesitation: 私は毎日日本語を勉強します。学校で日本人の先生に教えてもらいます。

Test 2: Grammar Make grammatically correct sentences with:

• [Verb-て form] + います
• [Noun] が 欲しいです
• [Verb-ます stem] + たいです

Test 3: Listening Understand this spoken at normal speed (imagine hearing it): "明日の会議は10時から12時までです。場所は2階の会議室です。"

Results:

• ✅ All easy? Consider starting N4 prep
• ⚠️ Some difficult? Take N5 first
• ❌ Very difficult? Start from basics (pre-N5)

N5 to N4 Transition Strategy

Month 1-2: Bridge Period

Goals:

• Review all N5 content (ensure 90%+ mastery)
• Learn first 50 N4 kanji
• Add 200 N4 vocabulary words
• Introduction to N4 grammar patterns

Daily routine:

• 30 min: N5 review (maintain foundation)
• 60 min: New N4 kanji (10 per week)
• 45 min: N4 vocabulary (20 per day)
• 30 min: N4 grammar (1-2 patterns per day)
• 30 min: Listening practice

Month 3-4: Core Learning

Goals:

• Learn next 75 N4 kanji
• Add 300 more vocabulary words
• Master 50 new grammar patterns
• Increase reading speed

Daily routine:

• 15 min: Morning kanji review
• 90 min: New content (kanji + vocab)
• 60 min: Grammar pattern practice
• 45 min: Reading practice
• 30 min: Listening practice

Month 5-6: Advanced Content

Goals:

• Final 72 N4 kanji
• Complete vocabulary list
• Master all grammar patterns
• Practice test-taking strategies

Daily routine:

• 30 min: Review weak areas
• 60 min: Complete remaining content
• 90 min: Practice test sections
• 45 min: Reading native materials
• 30 min: Listening practice

Month 7-8: Practice & Polish

Goals:

• Take 4-6 full practice tests
• Identify and strengthen weak areas
• Achieve target scores consistently
• Build test-taking stamina

Weekly routine:

• Mon: Vocabulary focus
• Tue: Kanji focus
• Wed: Grammar focus
• Thu: Full practice test
• Fri: Review test mistakes
• Sat: Reading practice
• Sun: Listening practice

Key N4 Grammar Points Not in N5

Here are some essential N4 grammar patterns you'll need to master:

1. ～てしまう (Completion/Regret)

Meaning: Completely finish / Unfortunately did Example:

• 宿題をやってしまいました。(I finished the homework completely.)
• 忘れてしまいました。(I unfortunately forgot.)

2. ～ておく (Preparation)

Meaning: Do something in advance Example:

• 明日のために勉強しておきます。(I'll study in advance for tomorrow.)

3. ～てみる (Try doing)

Meaning: Try to do something Example:

• この料理を食べてみます。(I'll try eating this dish.)

4. ～ば conditional

Meaning: If [condition] Example:

• 雨が降れば、行きません。(If it rains, I won't go.)

5. ～そうです (Hearsay)

Meaning: I heard that... Example:

• 明日は雨が降るそうです。(I heard it will rain tomorrow.)

6. ～ようです (Appearance)

Meaning: It seems/appears that... Example:

• 彼は忙しいようです。(He seems busy.)

7. ～くなる / ～になる (Change of state)

Meaning: Become [adjective/noun] Example:

• 暖かくなりました。(It became warm.)
• 学生になりました。(I became a student.)

8. Passive form basics

Meaning: Be [verb]ed by someone Example:

• 先生にほめられました。(I was praised by the teacher.)

9. ～なければなりません (Obligation)

Meaning: Must do Example:

• 宿題をしなければなりません。(I must do homework.)

10. ～てくる/～ていく (Directional)

Meaning: Do and come/go Example:

• 買ってきます。(I'll go buy and come back.)

Study Resource Comparison

N5 Resources

Textbooks:

• Genki I (Chapters 1-6)
• Minna no Nihongo I (Lessons 1-12)
• Japanese From Zero! (Books 1-3)

Workbooks:

• TRY! N5
• Nihongo Sou Matome N5

N4 Resources

Textbooks:

• Genki I (Ch 7-12) + Genki II (Ch 1-6)
• Minna no Nihongo I (L 13-25) + II (L 26-35)
• Tobira Gateway (Introductory chapters)

Workbooks:

• TRY! N4
• Nihongo Sou Matome N4 (series)
• Shin Kanzen Master N4

Additional N4 Resources:

• Japanese Graded Readers Level 2-3
• NHK Easy News (without furigana)
• Anime with Japanese subtitles

Common Mistakes in N5 → N4 Transition

Mistake #1: Rushing Through N5 Review

Problem: Weak N5 foundation causes N4 struggles Solution: Spend first month ensuring 90%+ N5 mastery

Mistake #2: Focusing Only on New Content

Problem: Forget N5 knowledge while learning N4 Solution: Daily N5 review (15-20 minutes minimum)

Mistake #3: Underestimating Time Requirements

Problem: Planning 3-4 months when 6-8 is realistic Solution: Double your initial time estimate

Mistake #4: Neglecting Listening Practice

Problem: N4 listening speed increase is significant Solution: Daily listening practice (30+ minutes)

Mistake #5: Not Taking Practice Tests

Problem: Content knowledge ≠ test-taking ability Solution: Take 4-6 full practice tests before exam

Mistake #6: Learning Kanji in Isolation

Problem: Can't read compound words despite knowing individual kanji Solution: Learn kanji within vocabulary words

Mistake #7: Ignoring Weak Areas

Problem: Focus on comfortable topics, avoid difficult ones Solution: Spend extra time on lowest-scoring sections

Practice Test Score Expectations

N5 Practice Test Scores

Before serious study:

• Vocabulary: 15-20/60
• Grammar/Reading: 10-15/60
• Listening: 15-20/60
• Total: 40-55/180

After 2 months study:

• Vocabulary: 40-45/60
• Grammar/Reading: 35-40/60
• Listening: 35-40/60
• Total: 110-125/180

Test-ready (pass likely):

• Vocabulary: 45-55/60
• Grammar/Reading: 40-50/60
• Listening: 40-50/60
• Total: 125-155/180

N4 Practice Test Scores

After passing N5:

• Vocabulary: 20-25/60
• Grammar/Reading: 15-20/60
• Listening: 20-25/60
• Total: 55-70/180

After 4 months N4 study:

• Vocabulary: 40-45/60
• Grammar/Reading: 35-40/60
• Listening: 35-40/60
• Total: 110-125/180

Test-ready (pass likely):

• Vocabulary: 45-55/60
• Grammar/Reading: 45-50/60
• Listening: 45-50/60
• Total: 135-155/180

Beyond N4: What's Next?

N4 → N3 Jump

The N3 jump is even bigger than N5 → N4:

• Vocabulary: 1,500 → 3,750 words (2.5x)
• Kanji: 300 → 650 characters (2.2x)
• Grammar: 200 → 400 patterns (2x)
• Study time: 600 → 1,200+ hours (2x)

Alternative Paths

Option 1: N5 → N4 → N3 → N2 → N1

• Traditional progressive path
• ~4-7 years from N5 to N1
• Steady, manageable progress

Option 2: N5 → N3 (skip N4)

• Possible with strong self-study
• Saves test fees and time
• Higher risk of gaps in knowledge

Option 3: N5 → Immersion → Higher levels

• Move to Japan or intensive immersion
• Language school or work environment
• Fastest path for dedicated learners

Conclusion: Making Your Decision

Take N5 first if:

• You're a beginner (< 200 hours study)
• You need structure and validation
• You want to understand JLPT format
• You have 6+ months before next JLPT

Skip to N4 if:

• You've studied 300+ hours already
• You're confident in N5 content
• You're time-constrained
• You're highly self-motivated

Key Takeaways:

• ✅ N4 is approximately 2x harder than N5
• ✅ Plan 6-9 months for N5→N4 transition
• ✅ Maintain N5 knowledge while learning N4
• ✅ Practice tests are essential
• ✅ Listening and reading speed increase significantly

Whether you're preparing for N5, N4, or planning your path from one to the other, consistent daily practice is the key to success. Use resources like KanaDojo to track your progress and maintain motivation throughout your journey.

がんばってください！(Ganbatte kudasai - Do your best!)

---

Related Articles:

• JLPT N5 Complete Study Guide (2026)
• JLPT N4 Kanji Complete List
• JLPT N3 Grammar: 100 Essential Points
• Japanese Study Schedule Guide