From N5 to N4 in six months: a study plan

How to move from N5 to N4: what is new, and how to study it step by step.

N4 builds directly on N5. You need about 300 kanji, 1,500 words and new grammar such as plain forms, conditionals and polite speech.

What is new at N4

• Plain (casual) verb forms: 行く, 行かない, 行った
• Conditionals: 〜たら, 〜ば, 〜と, 〜なら
• Potential, passive and causative forms
• Polite speech (keigo): いらっしゃる, 申す

Six-month plan

1. Month 1: review N5 and learn all verb forms.
2. Months 2–3: new grammar, 15 words and 5 kanji a day.
3. Month 4: reading practice every day.
4. Month 5: listening at natural speed, shadowing.
5. Month 6: one timed mock test every week.

Study with our N4 page or join the N4 course.