Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Build N4 vocabulary and kanji base
4 weeks
JLPT N4 requires approximately 1,500 vocabulary items and 300 kanji (up from 100 at N5). Kanji are now tested in reading and grammar sections — N4 learners must recognise kanji in context, not just kana. Focus new kanji study on the Joyo kanji Grade 1–3 subset and on kunyomi/onyomi readings for the highest-frequency N4 items. Vocabulary expansion at this level focuses on verbs and adjectives that collocate with N4 grammar patterns.
Proof required
Complete a 100-item N4 vocabulary and kanji practice set (from any free resource) and submit a photo of your completed answers with a score of 75% or above, plus a one-page kanji study log showing your SRS review history for the past 2 weeks.
What gets checked
- 75% or above on a 100-item N4 vocabulary/kanji practice set
- Kanji answers written with correct stroke count — not approximated
- 2-week SRS or flashcard study log showing regular daily or near-daily review
Common mistakes
- Treating kanji as optional at N4 level — N4 reading passages use kanji without furigana for the most common 300 characters
- Studying vocabulary without SRS — N4 vocabulary volume is too high for pure repetition without spaced review
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Check that the kanji in answers are correctly formed — common error is substituting a visually similar character
- The SRS log should show consistent review, not a burst in the two days before submission
- N4 vocabulary scope: learners should be able to explain the meaning of common N4 words without switching to English
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Master N4 grammar — potential, causative, passive, conditional
4 weeks
N4 grammar introduces the four major verb derivation forms: potential (食べられる — can eat), causative (食べさせる — make/let eat), passive (食べられる — be eaten), and conditional forms (たら for temporal/conditional, ば for hypothetical condition, と for natural consequence, なら for supposition). These four alone account for a large proportion of N4 grammar questions. Also essential: ながら (simultaneous actions), てあげる/てもらう/てくれる (giving/receiving verbs), and te-form continuative patterns.
Proof required
Submit a handwritten grammar summary (photo or scan, at least 1 page) covering: (1) potential vs. passive form disambiguation with two example pairs, (2) conditional form choice (たら/ば/と/なら) with one example each showing different usage contexts, (3) two original sentences using ながら — your own examples.
What gets checked
- Potential and passive forms correctly distinguished — these look identical for ichidan verbs (食べられる) and the disambiguation must be by context, not form
- All four conditional forms shown with examples using different trigger contexts (sequential event vs. hypothetical vs. natural law vs. supposition)
- ながら sentences use verbs that co-occur naturally — not physically impossible simultaneous actions
Common mistakes
- Conflating potential and passive for ichidan verbs — this is the highest-frequency N4 grammar trap and requires explicit contextual disambiguation practice
- Memorising conditional examples without understanding trigger context — the exam tests new sentences, not the textbook examples
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- The potential/passive pair examples should both use the same ichidan verb (e.g. 食べられる as potential vs. passive) to demonstrate contextual disambiguation
- Conditional examples must use different trigger types — two examples both using たら, for instance, does not satisfy the requirement
- ながら sentences: both actions must be genuinely simultaneous (音楽を聴きながら勉強する) — not sequential (食べたあとに寝る is not ながら)
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Pass JLPT N4 and hold a 10-minute Japanese conversation
2 weeks
Submit your official JLPT N4 score report showing a passing result. Because JLPT N4 tests only reading and listening — not speaking — also record a 10-minute unscripted conversation with a native or near-native Japanese speaker. At N4 level, conversations should go beyond simple self-introduction to include discussing preferences, past events, plans, and basic opinions. Both parties should be speaking and responding throughout.
Proof required
Submit (1) your official JLPT N4 score report showing a passing result, AND (2) a video recording of a 10-minute unscripted conversation with a native or near-native Japanese speaker, with both sides audible throughout.
What gets checked
- Official JLPT N4 score report showing a passing result (total score ≥ 90/180 with no section below section threshold)
- Conversation recording is at least 10 minutes and genuinely interactive
- Conversation goes beyond self-introduction — topics include past events, preferences, or opinions
Common mistakes
- Passing the written exam but never practising speaking — N4 grammar and vocabulary provide the foundation for conversation, but speaking must be practised separately
- Preparing a fixed topic script for the conversation recording — the proof requires responsive, unscripted language use
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Verify the score report is an official JLPT document showing N4 level and the required passing score
- The conversation should demonstrate use of N4 grammar in natural speech — て-form connections, simple conditionals, and basic past-tense narration are N4 markers
- Both speakers must be audible — a conversation where only one side can be heard does not satisfy the bilateral communication requirement
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