JLPT N4 Foundation Guide

The JLPT N4 level marks an exciting transition from basic survival phrases to expressively communicating nuances, intentions, abilities, conditions, conjecture, and real-life scenarios. Japan Ready Coach provides a completed JLPT N4 Foundation Track featuring 100 core N4 kanji across 20 lessons, 200 high-frequency N4 vocabulary words across 20 units, 15 sentence builder grammar lessons, and 10 reading comprehension scenarios.

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Section 1: 100 JLPT N4 Foundation Kanji

These 100 characters are organized across 20 essential thematic categories: family relationships, occupations, movement, buildings, study, nature and food, body and mind, colors and light, seasons, times of day, towns and geography, transit, goods, services, order/inquiry, districts, health and medicine, transit states, time and distance, and society/arts.

Section 2: 200 JLPT N4 Vocabulary Words

Divided into Units 31 through 50, these words introduce polite and humble speech, action verbs, office terminology, transit, weather warnings, health and pharmacy, banking, housing, emotions, adverbs, transitive/intransitive pairs, polite requests, shopping, seasonal events, travel trouble, society and news, workplace procedures, geography, household tools, and compound connectives.

Unit 31: Polite and humble speech basics

Master foundational polite (丁寧) and humble (謙譲) expressions for social etiquette.

1. ございます - gozaimasu

   to be / to exist (polite)
   Say it like: goh-zye-mahs

2. よろしく - yoroshiku

   well / please treat favorably
   Say it like: yoh-roh-shee-koo

3. しょうちする - shouchisuru

   to acknowledge / understand (polite)
   Say it like: shoh-chee-soo-roo

4. もうしあげる - moushiageru

   to state / say (humble)
   Say it like: moh-shee-ah-geh-roo

5. いただく - itadaku

   to receive / eat (humble)
   Say it like: ee-tah-dah-koo

6. おそれいります - osoreirimasu

   excuse me / I am much obliged
   Say it like: oh-soh-reh-ee-ree-mahs

7. おじゃまする - ojamasuru

   to visit / intrude politely
   Say it like: oh-jah-mah-soo-roo

8. かしこまりました - kashikomarimashita

   certainly / understood (polite)
   Say it like: kah-shee-koh-mah-ree-mahsh-tah

9. いたします - itashimasu

   to do (humble)
   Say it like: ee-tah-shee-mahs

10. おります - orimasu

    to be / stay (humble)
    Say it like: oh-ree-mahs

Unit 32: Everyday action verbs

Action verbs for sending, selecting, searching, collecting, repairing, and assisting.

1. おくる - okuru

   to send / dispatch
   Say it like: oh-koo-roo

2. てつだう - tetsudau

   to help / assist
   Say it like: teh-tsoo-dah-oo

3. えらぶ - erabu

   to choose / select
   Say it like: eh-rah-boo

4. さがす - sagasu

   to look for / search
   Say it like: sah-gah-soo

5. みつける - mitsukeru

   to find / discover
   Say it like: meet-soo-keh-roo

6. あつめる - atsumeru

   to gather / collect
   Say it like: aht-soo-meh-roo

7. すてる - suteru

   to throw away / discard
   Say it like: soo-teh-roo

8. しらべる - shiraberu

   to look up / investigate
   Say it like: shee-rah-beh-roo

9. なおす - naosu

   to fix / repair
   Say it like: nah-oh-soo

10. つたえる - tsutaeru

    to convey / report
    Say it like: tsoo-tah-eh-roo

Unit 33: Campus, office, and organization

Workplace and university vocabulary for meetings, documents, schedules, overtime, and roles.

1. かいぎ - kaigi

   meeting / conference
   Say it like: kye-gee

2. しりょう - shiryou

   materials / documents
   Say it like: shee-ryoh

3. よてい - yotei

   plan / schedule
   Say it like: yoh-tay

4. ざんぎょう - zangyou

   overtime work
   Say it like: zahn-gyoh

5. けんきゅう - kenkyuu

   research / study
   Say it like: ken-kyoo

6. ぶちょう - buchou

   department manager
   Say it like: boo-choh

7. せんぱい - senpai

   senior colleague / upperclassman
   Say it like: sen-pye

8. こうはい - kouhai

   junior colleague / underclassman
   Say it like: koh-hye

9. しょうしゃ - shousha

   trading company
   Say it like: shoh-shah

10. うけつけ - uketsuke

    reception desk
    Say it like: oo-ket-soo-keh

Unit 34: Transit, bookings, and operations

Navigating trains, bullet trains, commuter passes, bookings, departures, and seat availability.

1. よやく - yoyaku

   reservation / booking
   Say it like: yoh-yah-koo

2. のりかえ - norikae

   train transfer
   Say it like: noh-ree-kah-eh

3. うんてんしゅ - untenshu

   driver (taxi/bus)
   Say it like: oon-ten-shoo

4. しんかんせん - shinkansen

   bullet train
   Say it like: sheen-kahn-sen

5. とっきゅう - tokkyuu

   limited express train
   Say it like: tohk-kyoo

6. ていきけん - teikiken

   commuter pass
   Say it like: tay-kee-ken

7. うんてん - unten

   driving / operation
   Say it like: oon-ten

8. しゅっぱつ - shuppatsu

   departure
   Say it like: shoop-pah-tsoo

9. つごう - tsugou

   convenience / circumstances
   Say it like: tsoo-goh

10. まんせき - manseki

    fully booked / all seats taken
    Say it like: mahn-seh-kee

Unit 35: Weather, nature, and safety warnings

Crucial vocabulary for weather warnings, typhoons, earthquakes, evacuation, and safety.

1. じしん - jishin

   earthquake
   Say it like: jee-sheen

2. たいふう - taifuu

   typhoon / storm
   Say it like: tye-foo

3. かじ - kaji

   fire (disaster)
   Say it like: kah-jee

4. ひじょう - hijou

   emergency / unusual
   Say it like: hee-joh

5. けいほう - keihou

   warning / alert
   Say it like: kay-hoh

6. こうずい - kouzui

   flood
   Say it like: koh-zoo-ee

7. あんぜん - anzen

   safety / secure
   Say it like: ahn-zen

8. きけん - kiken

   danger / hazardous
   Say it like: kee-ken

9. つなみ - tsunami

   tsunami / tidal wave
   Say it like: tsoo-nah-mee

10. ひなん - hinan

    evacuation
    Say it like: hee-nahn

Unit 36: Health, symptoms, and pharmacy

Vocabulary for fevers, pain, medical care, insurance, and drugstore visits.

1. ねつ - netsu

   fever / temperature
   Say it like: net-soo

2. いたみ - itami

   pain / ache
   Say it like: ee-tah-mee

3. ちりょう - chiryou

   medical treatment / therapy
   Say it like: chee-ryoh

4. ちゅうしゃ - chuusha

   injection / shot
   Say it like: choo-shah

5. ほけんしょう - hokenshou

   health insurance card
   Say it like: hoh-ken-shoh

6. けんこう - kenkou

   health / physical wellness
   Say it like: ken-koh

7. しょうじょう - shoujou

   medical symptoms
   Say it like: shoh-joh

8. しんさつ - shinsatsu

   medical examination
   Say it like: sheen-saht-soo

9. たいおんけい - taionkei

   clinical thermometer
   Say it like: tye-ohn-kay

10. やっきょく - yakkyoku

    pharmacy / drugstore
    Say it like: yahk-kyoh-koo

Unit 37: Banking, funds, and post office

Navigate bank counters, transfers, fees, postal parcels, and passbooks.

1. ぎんこういん - ginkouin

   bank employee
   Say it like: geen-koh-een

2. こうざ - kouza

   bank account
   Say it like: koh-zah

3. ふりこみ - furikomi

   bank transfer / bank payment
   Say it like: foo-ree-koh-mee

4. てすうりょう - tesuuryou

   service fee / commission
   Say it like: teh-soo-ryoh

5. りょうがえ - ryougae

   money exchange / change currency
   Say it like: ryoh-gah-eh

6. ゆうびんばんごう - yuubinbangou

   postal zip code
   Say it like: yoo-been-bahn-goh

7. こづつみ - kozutsumi

   postal parcel / package
   Say it like: koh-zoot-soo-mee

8. そうきん - soukin

   remittance / sending money
   Say it like: soh-keen

9. つうちょう - tsuuchou

   bank passbook
   Say it like: tsoo-choh

10. あんしょうばんごう - anshoubangou

    PIN / security number
    Say it like: ahn-shoh-bahn-goh

Unit 38: Housing, rent, and utility services

Apartment living, rent, heating, cooling, running water, and agency services.

1. やちん - yachin

   apartment rent
   Say it like: yah-cheen

2. だんぼう - danbou

   indoor heating
   Say it like: dahn-boh

3. れいぼう - reibou

   air conditioning / room cooling
   Say it like: ray-boh

4. すいどう - suidou

   water supply / tap water
   Say it like: soo-ee-doh

5. でんきだい - denkidai

   electricity utility bill
   Say it like: den-kee-dye

6. ガスだい - gasudai

   gas utility bill
   Say it like: gah-soo-dye

7. げんかん - genkan

   entranceway / front foyer
   Say it like: gen-kahn

8. ごみばこ - gomibako

   trash bin / wastebasket
   Say it like: goh-mee-bah-koh

9. ふどうさん - fudousan

   real estate agency
   Say it like: foo-doh-sahn

10. ろうか - rouka

    hallway / corridor
    Say it like: roh-kah

Unit 39: Emotions, opinions, and reactions

Express personal feelings, relief, worry, agreement, and expectations.

1. あんしん - anshin

   relief / peace of mind
   Say it like: ahn-sheen

2. しんぱい - shinpai

   worry / anxiety
   Say it like: sheen-pye

3. いけん - iken

   opinion / view
   Say it like: ee-ken

4. さんせい - sansei

   agreement / approval
   Say it like: sahn-say

5. はんたい - hantai

   opposition / disagreement
   Say it like: hahn-tye

6. きぼう - kibou

   hope / wish
   Say it like: kee-boh

7. かんそう - kansou

   impression / personal review
   Say it like: kahn-soh

8. よろこび - yorokobi

   joy / delight
   Say it like: yoh-roh-koh-bee

9. がっかり - gakkari

   disappointment / feeling let down
   Say it like: gahk-kah-ree

10. どきどき - dokidoki

    heart-pounding / nervous excitement
    Say it like: doh-kee-doh-kee

Unit 40: Frequency and degree adverbs

Nuance your statements with precise modifiers for likelihood and extent.

1. かならず - kanarazu

   without fail / certainly
   Say it like: kah-nah-rah-zoo

2. ぜったいに - zettaini

   definitely / absolutely
   Say it like: zet-tye-nee

3. たいてい - taitei

   usually / mostly
   Say it like: tye-tay

4. ときどき - tokidoki

   sometimes / occasionally
   Say it like: toh-kee-doh-kee

5. けっして - kesshite

   never / by no means
   Say it like: kes-shee-teh

6. ずいぶん - zuibun

   considerably / quite a lot
   Say it like: zoo-ee-boon

7. なるべく - narubeku

   as much as possible / preferably
   Say it like: nah-roo-beh-koo

8. ほとんど - hotondo

   almost all / nearly
   Say it like: hoh-tohn-doh

9. だいぶ - daibu

   fairly / greatly
   Say it like: dye-boo

10. はっきり - hakkiri

    clearly / distinctly
    Say it like: hahk-kee-ree

Unit 41: Transitive and intransitive pairs

Crucial verb pairs to distinguish intentional actions from natural occurrences.

1. つづける - tsuzukeru

   to continue / keep doing
   Say it like: tsoo-zoo-keh-roo

2. つづく - tsuzuku

   to continue / go on
   Say it like: tsoo-zoo-koo

3. わかす - wakasu

   to boil water
   Say it like: wah-kah-soo

4. わく - waku

   to boil / reach a boil
   Say it like: wah-koo

5. つける - tsukeru

   to turn on / switch on
   Say it like: tsoo-keh-roo

6. きえる - kieru

   to go out / disappear
   Say it like: kee-eh-roo

7. おとす - otosu

   to drop something
   Say it like: oh-toh-soo

8. おちる - ochiru

   to fall / drop down
   Say it like: oh-chee-roo

9. こわす - kowasu

   to break / damage something
   Say it like: koh-wah-soo

10. こわれる - kowareru

    to break / get broken
    Say it like: koh-wah-reh-roo

Unit 42: Polite requests and interpersonal communication

Expressions for requesting favors, expressing gratitude, consulting, and greetings.

1. おねがい - onegai

   favor / polite request
   Say it like: oh-neh-gah-ee

2. おれい - orei

   gratitude / thank-you gesture
   Say it like: oh-ray

3. へんじ - henji

   reply / answer
   Say it like: hen-jee

4. れんらく - renraku

   getting in touch / contact
   Say it like: ren-rah-koo

5. そうだん - soudan

   consultation / asking advice
   Say it like: soh-dahn

6. せつめい - setsumei

   explanation / description
   Say it like: set-soo-may

7. しょうかい - shoukai

   introduction / presenting someone
   Say it like: shoh-kye

8. あいさつ - aisatsu

   formal greeting
   Say it like: eye-saht-soo

9. おいわい - oiwai

   celebration / gift celebration
   Say it like: oh-ee-wah-ee

10. おみまい - omimai

    get-well visit / sympathy inquiry
    Say it like: oh-mee-mah-ee

Unit 43: Shopping, receipts, and returns

Store vocabulary for receipts, exchanges, discounts, inventory, and warranties.

1. レシート - reshiito

   sales register receipt
   Say it like: reh-shee-toh

2. りょうしゅうしょ - ryoushuusho

   formal handwritten receipt
   Say it like: ryoh-shoo-shoh

3. へんぴん - henpin

   returned goods / returning merchandise
   Say it like: hen-peen

4. こうかん - koukan

   product exchange / trade
   Say it like: koh-kahn

5. ねびき - nebiki

   price discount / markdown
   Say it like: neh-bee-kee

6. ざいこ - zaiko

   inventory / items in stock
   Say it like: zye-koh

7. はいたつ - haitatsu

   home delivery service
   Say it like: hye-taht-soo

8. ほしょうしょ - hoshousho

   written warranty certificate
   Say it like: hoh-shoh-shoh

9. しちゃく - shichaku

   trying on clothes / fitting
   Say it like: shee-chah-koo

10. つりせん - tsurisen

    returned change money
    Say it like: tsoo-ree-sen

Unit 44: Seasonal events and cultural traditions

Traditional holidays, cherry blossoms, fireworks, summer robes, and shrine visits.

1. おしょうがつ - oshougatsu

   New Year holiday
   Say it like: oh-shoh-gaht-soo

2. はなみ - hanami

   cherry blossom viewing picnic
   Say it like: hah-nah-mee

3. はなび - hanabi

   fireworks display
   Say it like: hah-nah-bee

4. まつり - matsuri

   traditional community festival
   Say it like: maht-soo-ree

5. ゆかた - yukata

   light summer cotton kimono
   Say it like: yoo-kah-tah

6. こうよう - kouyou

   autumn foliage coloration
   Say it like: koh-yoh

7. おぼん - obon

   summer ancestor honoring festival
   Say it like: oh-bohn

8. ぼうねんかい - bounenkai

   year-end party celebration
   Say it like: boh-nen-kye

9. はつもうで - hatsumoude

   first shrine visit of the year
   Say it like: haht-soo-moh-deh

10. せつぶん - setsubun

    spring-welcoming bean throwing day
    Say it like: set-soo-boon

Unit 45: Travel delays, lost items, and inquiries

Handle transport accidents, traffic jams, service pauses, and lost belongings.

1. じこ - jiko

   accident / traffic incident
   Say it like: jee-koh

2. じゅうたい - juutai

   road traffic jam / congestion
   Say it like: joo-tye

3. ちえん - chien

   rail or transit delay
   Say it like: chee-en

4. うんきゅう - unkyuu

   service transit cancellation
   Say it like: oon-kyoo

5. ぬすまれる - nusumareru

   to have something stolen
   Say it like: noo-soo-mah-reh-roo

6. まごつく - magotsuku

   to be confused / lost in direction
   Say it like: mah-goht-soo-koo

7. まいご - maigo

   lost child / separated traveler
   Say it like: mye-goh

8. おとしもの - otoshimono

   dropped / lost property
   Say it like: oh-toh-shee-moh-noh

9. といあわせ - toiawase

   information desk inquiry
   Say it like: toh-ee-ah-wah-seh

10. つうやく - tsuuyaku

    spoken language interpretation
    Say it like: tsoo-yah-koo

Unit 46: Society, news, and current events

Follow news reports, social topics, governance, and community discussions.

1. せいじ - seiji

   politics / government
   Say it like: say-jee

2. けいざい - keizai

   economy / economics
   Say it like: kay-zye

3. ニュース - nyuusu

   news report
   Say it like: nyoo-soo

4. ほうこく - houkoku

   report / briefing
   Say it like: hoh-koh-koo

5. じけん - jiken

   incident / case
   Say it like: jee-ken

6. しみん - shimin

   citizen / city resident
   Say it like: shee-meen

7. ほうりつ - houritsu

   law / legislation
   Say it like: hoh-reet-soo

8. せいふ - seifu

   government / administration
   Say it like: say-foo

9. しゃかい - shakai

   society / public community
   Say it like: shah-kye

10. こくさい - kokusai

    international / global
    Say it like: kohk-sye

Unit 47: Workplace tasks, procedures, and assignments

Essential terms for meetings, office schedules, duties, and workplace routines.

1. ていしゅつ - teishutsu

   submission / turning in
   Say it like: tay-shoot-soo

2. じゅんび - junbi

   preparation / setup
   Say it like: joon-bee

3. けいかく - keikaku

   plan / project schedule
   Say it like: kay-kah-koo

4. せきにん - sekinin

   responsibility / duty
   Say it like: seh-kee-neen

5. きそく - kisoku

   rule / regulation
   Say it like: kee-soh-koo

6. めいれい - meirei

   order / command
   Say it like: may-ray

7. けいやく - keiyaku

   contract / formal agreement
   Say it like: kay-yah-koo

8. しょるい - shorui

   documents / official papers
   Say it like: shoh-roo-ee

9. じむしょ - jimusho

   office / clerical workplace
   Say it like: jee-moo-shoh

10. しゅっちょう - shucchou

    business trip
    Say it like: shoot-choh

Unit 48: Geography, terrain, and regional travel

Geographical features, forests, coastlines, lakes, and station exits.

1. はやし - hayashi

   grove / copse
   Say it like: hah-yah-shee

2. みずうみ - mizuumi

   lake
   Say it like: mee-zoo-oo-mee

3. かいがん - kaigan

   seashore / coast
   Say it like: kye-gahn

4. たいりく - tairiku

   continent
   Say it like: tye-ree-koo

5. たに - tani

   valley
   Say it like: tah-nee

6. ひがしぐち - higashiguchi

   east exit / east entrance
   Say it like: hee-gah-shee-goo-chee

7. にしぐち - nishiguchi

   west exit / west entrance
   Say it like: nee-shee-goo-chee

8. きたぐち - kitaguchi

   north exit / north entrance
   Say it like: kee-tah-goo-chee

9. みなみぐち - minamiguchi

   south exit / south entrance
   Say it like: mee-nah-mee-goo-chee

10. けしき - keshiki

    scenery / scenic view
    Say it like: keh-shee-kee

Unit 49: Household furnishings, appliances, and tools

Living spaces, furniture, cleaning tools, and home electronics.

1. かぐ - kagu

   furniture
   Say it like: kah-goo

2. どうぐ - dougu

   tool / utensil
   Say it like: doh-goo

3. ほんだな - hondana

   bookshelf / bookcase
   Say it like: hohn-dah-nah

4. ほうき - houki

   broom
   Say it like: hoh-kee

5. ぞうきん - zoukin

   wiping cloth / cleaning rag
   Say it like: zoh-keen

6. しゅうり - shuuri

   repair / servicing
   Say it like: shyoo-ree

7. せんたくき - sentakuki

   washing machine
   Say it like: sen-tah-koo-kee

8. そうじき - soujiki

   vacuum cleaner
   Say it like: soh-jee-kee

9. かがみ - kagami

   mirror
   Say it like: kah-gah-mee

10. ひきだし - hikidashi

    drawer / pull-out tray
    Say it like: hee-kee-dah-shee

Unit 50: Compound verbs and sentence connectives

Express multi-step actions and smooth conversational transitions.

1. それなら - sorenara

   if so / in that case
   Say it like: soh-reh-nah-rah

2. ですから - desukara

   therefore / and so
   Say it like: deh-soo-kah-rah

3. ところで - tokorode

   by the way / incidentally
   Say it like: toh-koh-roh-deh

4. そのうえ - sonoue

   furthermore / moreover
   Say it like: soh-noh-oo-eh

5. はじめに - hajimeni

   to start with / first of all
   Say it like: hah-jee-meh-nee

6. さいごに - saigoni

   finally / in conclusion
   Say it like: sye-goh-nee

7. とりかえる - torikaeru

   to exchange / replace
   Say it like: toh-ree-kah-eh-roo

8. はなしあう - hanashiau

   to discuss together / talk over
   Say it like: hah-nah-shee-ah-oo

9. おもいだす - omoidasu

   to remember / recall
   Say it like: oh-moy-dah-soo

10. まにあう - maniau

    to be on time / make it
    Say it like: mah-nee-ah-oo

Section 3: 15 N4 Grammar Lessons (Sentence Builders 1, 2 & 3)

Lessons 26 through 40 introduce essential N4 sentence structures, each illustrated with three kana-only worked examples.

Lesson 26: Potential form (〜られます / 〜えます)

Express ability or possibility by conjugating verbs into their potential forms.

Structure note: Group 1 verbs change the final -u sound to -eru (のむ -> のめる / のめます). Group 2 verbs replace -ru with -rareru (たべる -> たべられる / たべられます). The direct object often takes が instead of を.

Lesson 27: Volitional form (〜よう / 〜おう)

Express mutual invitations ('let's...') or personal intentions in informal and mental-intent patterns.

Structure note: Group 1 verbs change the final -u to -ou (いこう, やすもう). Group 2 verbs replace -ru with -you (たべよう, おきよう). Pairing with とおもいます expresses 'I think I will...'.

Lesson 28: Conditional form (〜たら)

Express 'if' or 'when' a specific condition or prerequisite is met.

Structure note: Formed by adding ら to the plain past form: ふった -> ふったら (if it rains), あった -> あったら (if there is). The main clause follows afterwards.

Lesson 29: Giving and receiving (あげる・くれる・もらう)

Express giving items to others (あげる), receiving items (もらう), and others giving to you (くれる).

Structure note: わたしは [person] に [item] をあげます (I give to person). [person] はわたしに [item] をくれます (Person gives to me). わたしは [person] に [item] をもらいます (I receive from person).

Lesson 30: Hearsay and appearance (〜そうです)

Report hearsay ('I heard that...') with plain forms, or describe appearance ('looks...') with stems.

Structure note: Plain form + そうです reports hearsay ('I heard it will rain' = ふるそうです). Stem of adjective + そうです expresses how something looks ('looks delicious' = おいしそうです).

Lesson 31: Passive voice basics (〜れます / 〜られます)

Express actions done to a subject by another actor, often used when affected by an action or event.

Structure note: Group 1 verbs replace the final -u with -aremasu (かく -> かかれます, よむ -> よまれます). Group 2 verbs replace -ru with -raremasu (たべる -> たべられます, ほめる -> ほめられます). The agent who performs the action is marked with に.

Lesson 32: Causative voice basics (〜せます / 〜させます)

Express making or letting someone perform an action.

Structure note: Group 1 verbs change the final -u to -asemasu (よむ -> よませます). Group 2 verbs change -ru to -sasemasu (たべる -> たべさせます). The person made or allowed to act is marked with に.

Lesson 33: Conditional form (〜ば)

State conditions and natural consequences: 'if X happens, then Y follows'.

Structure note: Verbs change the final -u vowel to -e and add ば (いけば, のめば, たべれば). For i-adjectives, drop い and add ければ (よければ, やすければ).

Lesson 34: Doing too much (〜すぎます)

Express doing an action to excess, or an adjective exceeding a desirable limit.

Structure note: Attach すぎます to verb stems (たべすぎます, のみすぎます) or drop い / な from adjectives (たかすぎます, しずかすぎます). It carries a clear nuance of unintended excess or discomfort.

Lesson 35: Easy or hard to do (〜やすい / 〜にくい)

Describe how easy or difficult something is to perform by attaching やすい or にくい to the verb stem.

Structure note: Attach directly to the verb stem (わかりやすい, つかいやすい, よみにくい, たべにくい). The compound functions grammatically as an i-adjective.

Lesson 36: Contextual conditional (〜なら)

Express conditions based on conversational context or a known topic: "if it is true that...", "as for...".

Structure note: Attaches directly to nouns and plain-form verbs without だ (にほんごなら, いくなら). Often used to offer advice, recommendations, or restrictions on a topic introduced by the listener.

Lesson 37: Concession and contrast (〜ても / 〜でも)

Express "even if" or "even though": an action or outcome stands regardless of opposing circumstances.

Structure note: Formed by adding も to the te-form of verbs, adjectives, and nouns: ふる -> ふっても, たかい -> たかくても, あめ -> あめでも.

Lesson 38: Decisions and arrangements (〜ことにする / 〜ことになる)

Distinguish personal decisions (〜ことにする, "I decided to...") from external outcomes or group arrangements (〜ことになる, "it was decided that...").

Structure note: Both attach to the dictionary form or negative form of verbs. 〜ことにする reflects an intentional choice; 〜ことになる reflects external decisions, schedules, or company rules.

Lesson 39: Indirect questions (〜か / 〜かどうか)

Embed questions inside larger sentences: "tell me whether..." or "I do not know who/when/where...".

Structure note: Use plain form + か for clauses containing question words (どこへいくか). Use plain form + かどうか for yes/no clauses ("whether or not").

Lesson 40: Conjectures and appearances (〜ようです / 〜みたいです)

Make reasoned conjectures based on sensory evidence or impression: "it seems that...", "it looks like...".

Structure note: 〜ようです is formal/written conjecture; 〜みたいです is common in conversational speech. Attaches to plain verbs directly (ふるようだ), and nouns with の (あめのようだ) or directly with みたい (あめみたいだ).

Section 4: 10 JLPT N4 Reading Scenarios

These 10 reading scenarios present practical Japanese passages combining potential, volitional, passive, conditional, evaluation, contextual conditions, concession, decision-making, indirect questions, and conjectures with realistic comprehension checks.

Scenario 1: にほんごがはなせます

Key Vocabulary & Clues:

• まいにち — every day
• はなせるようになりました — became able to speak
• らいしゅう — next week
• とうきょう — Tokyo

Comprehension Checks:

1. What is the speaker now able to do?
   • Speak Japanese (Correct)
   • Speak French
   • Drive a train

   Explanation: はなせるようになりました means became able to speak Japanese.

2. Where will the speaker travel next week?
   • Tokyo (Correct)
   • Kyoto
   • Osaka

   Explanation: とうきょうへいきます indicates going to Tokyo next week.

Scenario 2: いっしょにいこう

Key Vocabulary & Clues:

• やすみ — day off / holiday
• いっしょに — together
• えいが — movie / film
• みにいこうとおもいます — think I will go see

Comprehension Checks:

1. What does the speaker plan to do tomorrow?
   • Go see a movie with a friend (Correct)
   • Study at home all day
   • Clean the office

   Explanation: えいがをみにいこうとおもいます expresses the intent to go see a movie.

2. Why is the speaker able to go tomorrow?
   • Tomorrow is a day off (Correct)
   • Work was cancelled
   • School finished early

   Explanation: あしたはやすみです means tomorrow is a day off.

Scenario 3: せんせいにほめられたこと

Key Vocabulary & Clues:

• スピーチコンテスト — speech contest
• ほめられました — was praised
• うれしかったです — was glad / happy

Comprehension Checks:

1. What happened to the speaker at the contest?
   • Was praised by the teacher (Correct)
   • Forgot the words
   • Arrived late

   Explanation: せんせいにほめられました means was praised by the teacher.

2. How did the speaker feel about the outcome?
   • Very glad / happy (Correct)
   • Embarrassed
   • Disappointed

   Explanation: とてもうれしかったです means was very happy.

Scenario 4: てんきがよければ

Key Vocabulary & Clues:

• てんきがよければ — if the weather is good
• こうえん — park
• ピクニック — picnic
• あめがふれば — if it rains

Comprehension Checks:

1. What will the speaker do if the weather is good?
   • Have a picnic in the park (Correct)
   • Stay indoors all day
   • Shop for winter clothes

   Explanation: こうえんでピクニックをします means have a picnic in the park.

2. What will the speaker do if it rains?
   • Read a book at home (Correct)
   • Go swimming
   • Travel to Hokkaido

   Explanation: あめがふれば、いえでほんをよみます indicates reading at home if it rains.

Scenario 5: あたらしいスマホ

Key Vocabulary & Clues:

• あたらしい — new
• スマホ — smartphone
• がめん — screen
• つかいやすい — easy to use

Comprehension Checks:

1. What did the speaker purchase yesterday?
   • A new smartphone (Correct)
   • A bicycle
   • A portable radio

   Explanation: あたらしいスマホをかいました means bought a new smartphone.

2. Why is the device easy to use?
   • The screen is spacious / wide (Correct)
   • It was very cheap
   • It has physical keys

   Explanation: がめんがひろくて explains that the screen is spacious, making it easy to use.

Scenario 6: きょうとへいくなら

Key Vocabulary & Clues:

• らいげつ — next month
• いくなら — if you are going
• しんかんせん — bullet train
• いまなら — if it is now
• やすくかえます — can buy cheaply

Comprehension Checks:

1. What is recommended if travelling to Kyoto next month?
   • Taking the bullet train (Correct)
   • Driving an express bus
   • Staying home

   Explanation: しんかんせんがべんりです recommends the bullet train.

2. Why should tickets be purchased now?
   • They can be bought cheaply (Correct)
   • Seats are almost gone
   • The station office closes early

   Explanation: いまなら、きっぷがやすくかえます explains tickets can be purchased at a discount right now.

Scenario 7: あめがふっても

Key Vocabulary & Clues:

• マラソンたいかい — marathon competition / race
• ふっても — even if it rains
• ちゅうしになりません — will not be cancelled
• あたたかいふく — warm clothing

Comprehension Checks:

1. What will happen if it rains on Sunday?
   • The marathon will proceed without cancellation (Correct)
   • The race will be postponed to next week
   • Only indoor running will take place

   Explanation: あめがふってもちゅうしになりません indicates the race is not cancelled even in the rain.

2. What advice is given to the participants?
   • Wear warm clothing so they do not catch a cold (Correct)
   • Bring two pairs of running shoes
   • Arrive three hours early

   Explanation: あたたかいふくをきてください advises wearing warm clothes.

Scenario 8: まいにちあるくことにしました

Key Vocabulary & Clues:

• けんこうのために — for the sake of health
• さんぽする — to take a walk
• ことにしました — decided to
• あるいていきます — go on foot

Comprehension Checks:

1. What did the speaker decide to do every day?
   • Go for a walk every day (Correct)
   • Run a 10k race
   • Take the bus everywhere

   Explanation: まいにちさんぽすることにしました means decided to walk every day.

2. How does the speaker plan to travel to the station?
   • Walk on foot instead of riding the bus (Correct)
   • Ride a bicycle
   • Call a taxi

   Explanation: バスにのらないで、あるいていきます means walking on foot without taking the bus.

Scenario 9: パーティーにくるかどうか

Key Vocabulary & Clues:

• こんばん — this evening
• くるかどうか — whether or not he will come
• わかりません — do not know
• れんらくしてみます — will try contacting

Comprehension Checks:

1. What is uncertain regarding Tanaka?
   • Whether he will attend tonight's party (Correct)
   • What kind of food he prefers
   • Where his office is located

   Explanation: たなかさんがくるかどうかわかりません expresses uncertainty about his attendance.

2. How will the speaker find out?
   • By calling him on the telephone (Correct)
   • By sending a postal letter
   • By asking his manager tomorrow

   Explanation: でんわでれんらくしてみます indicates contacting him by phone.

Scenario 10: かいぎをしているようです

Key Vocabulary & Clues:

• ドアがしまっています — the door is shut
• なかで — inside
• はなしあっているようです — it seems they are discussing together
• ぶちょう — department manager

Comprehension Checks:

1. What is the state of the meeting room door?
   • The door is closed / shut (Correct)
   • The door is wide open
   • The room key is missing

   Explanation: ドアがしまっています means the door is shut.

2. What seems to be happening inside?
   • The manager and Tanaka seem to be discussing inside (Correct)
   • The staff are eating lunch
   • Nobody is inside the room

   Explanation: ぶちょうとたなかさんがはなしあっているようです indicates they appear to be conferring inside.

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