# JLPT N4: Elementary

> N4 is the second JLPT level, certifying that you can read passages on familiar everyday topics written in basic vocabulary and kanji, and follow conversations about daily life well enough to grasp the content when they are spoken slowly.

- Framework: JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test), Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES)
- Typical vocabulary: About 1,500 words and 300 kanji (pre-2010 bands; no official list is published today)
- Study to reach this level: 575-1,000 hours, or 400-700 with a kanji-using background
- Next level: JLPT N3

## What you can do at JLPT N4

- Read passages on familiar daily topics written in basic vocabulary and kanji
- Follow conversations about daily life spoken slowly and grasp the content
- Describe your plans, past experiences and preferences in connected sentences
- Write a short diary entry or email to a friend
- Understand simple announcements and instructions at work or school

## FAQ

### What does JLPT N4 mean?

N4 is the second JLPT level, certifying that you can read passages on familiar everyday topics written in basic vocabulary and kanji, and follow conversations about daily life well enough to grasp the content when they are spoken slowly.

### What can you do at JLPT N4?

At JLPT N4 you can typically: Read passages on familiar daily topics written in basic vocabulary and kanji; Follow conversations about daily life spoken slowly and grasp the content; Describe your plans, past experiences and preferences in connected sentences; Write a short diary entry or email to a friend; Understand simple announcements and instructions at work or school.

### How long does it take to reach JLPT N4?

Reaching JLPT N4 from a standing start typically takes 575-1,000 hours, or 400-700 with a kanji-using background. A learner at this level generally has an active vocabulary of About 1,500 words and 300 kanji (pre-2010 bands; no official list is published today). These are guides, not guarantees: prior languages, study intensity and how much you speak all move the number substantially.

### How do you practise at JLPT N4 with NativePal?

NativePal generates its content at the level you select, so at JLPT N4 your reading lessons, vocabulary and speaking prompts are pitched here rather than at a generic average. Reading lessons produce stories written for N4, with every word tappable for a translation and a comprehension quiz at the end. Vocabulary lessons and the spaced-repetition flashcards draw on words appropriate to the level, and Speaking Practice scores your pronunciation on individual sounds, stress and rhythm, fluency and connected speech.

### What comes after JLPT N4?

JLPT N3 is the next level up. N3 is the middle JLPT level and the bridge between basic and advanced Japanese, certifying that you can read everyday written material, grasp newspaper headlines, and follow coherent conversations spoken at near-natural speed on daily topics.

## More

- [JLPT levels explained](https://nativepal.app/levels/jlpt/)
- [All proficiency frameworks](https://nativepal.app/levels/)
- [All supported languages](https://nativepal.app/languages.html)