JLPT N4 vocabulary list
496 phrases496 words, each with its reading, its meaning and a native clip. Tap a word to hear it on repeat; tap the sentence under it to hear the word in use.
Drill these words by ear- to meetI want to see you
- to match; to get alongwe get on
- outcheck-out is at ten
- bluethe one in the blue coat
- bright; lighta cheerful person
- autumn; fallautumn is my favourite
- to give upI will not give up
- to keep free; to emptyI will keep that day free
- to open (something)may I open the window?
- foot; legsomebody stood on my foot
- at one's feet; footingmind your step
- taste; flavorthey taste nothing alike
- to receive (money) for safekeeping; to holdplease keep my luggage
- sweatI have worked up a sweat
- to play; to have funI play in the park
- warm (weather)it is getting warmer
- headmy head hurts
- newthis one is just newer
- hot (weather)hot, is it not
- later; afterwhat happened after that
- later; afterwardsI will call back later
- older brother (one's own)taller than my older brother
- not much (with negative)the price is much the same
- rainit is raining
- grateful; welcomeI accept it gratefully
- thank youthank you as always
- to walkI walk from the station
- guidance; showing the wayinformation desk
- house; homeI am at home
- breathI am out of breath
- to go (well)it went well
- how many; how oldwhat is the score
- how muchhow much for one night?
- busyshe said she was busy
- to hurryhurry, te form
- painful; soreit hurts
- once; one timeI will try it once
- the most; number oneautumn is my favourite
- togethershall we go together?
- somedayone day I want to live in Japan
- alwaysthank you as always
- dogthere is a dog
- at any momentit looks like rain any moment
- to need; to be necessarypermission is needed
- to put in; to insertit is in the fridge, put there for you
- coloronly the colour differs
- superior; above; topI will ask my superior
- to receive; to acceptI hear it was received
- to receive; to catchI catch it
- behind; backthe very back seat
- carelessness; inadvertentlyit slipped my mind
- to hit; to strikeI hit it
- skillful; wellit went well
- to sellit is on sale
- jacket; coatI will not need a jacket
- rumorI heard it as a rumour
- luck; fortuneI was unlucky
- exercise; sportsI warm up first
- movie; filmI like watching films
- business; open (for business)open for business
- English (language)is there anyone who speaks English?
- stationI will wait at the station
- to choose; to selectI was chosen
- reserve; hesitationI will pass this time
- deliciouswhich is the tastiest
- support; cheeringI am rooting for you
- round tripreturn, please
- many; muchit is a bit too much
- mothershe takes after her mother
- to get up; to wake upI get up at seven
- to put; to leave (behind)it has been put on the desk
- to sendI will send an email
- to be lateit is running late
- to carry out; to hold (event)it will be held
- ahead of you; firstexcuse me for leaving first, formally
- close; regrettableso close, wasn't it
- to push; to pressI was pushed from behind
- care; help (polite)said to a business contact
- to be sorry to trouble (humble)I am much obliged
- teaI like tea
- to fall; to dropa wallet is lying there
- conveying (polite)I am telling you just in case
- sound; volumethere is no sound
- younger brotherI send my brother to the shops
- to drop; to loseI have dropped it
- to surprise; to startleI was given a start
- to be surprisedI was surprised
- same agewe are the same age
- stomach; bellymy stomach hurts
- to memorize; to rememberdo keep it in mind
- waiting (polite)one moment, please
- memory; recollectiona good memory
- to think; to feelI think
- interesting; funnyit is interesting
- parentI live with my parents
- to swimI can swim
- to call back; to turn backhe said he would call back
- to get offI get off here
- to end; to finishafter work is done
- musicI listen to music
- hot springhave you been to a hot spring
- mosquitoI have been bitten by a mosquito
- meeting; conferencethe meeting is at three
- shoppingI send my brother to the shops
- to buybuy, te form
- to return; to give backI will return it in a week
- to go home; to returngo home, te form
- faceyou look tired
- key; lockthe key, please
- to sweat (as in "ase o kaku")I have worked up a sweat
- confirmation; checkI check it last of all
- to hangI will call back later
- to be able to writeI cannot write it
- umbrellaI will take an umbrella
- to understand (very humble)certainly, to a customer
- cold (illness)I have caught a cold
- to tidy up; to put awayI will tidy it away first
- one wayone way, please
- to winwe won
- not necessarilythat is not necessarily so
- quite; considerablythere is a fair amount
- bag; briefcasecarrying a bag
- to put on (head)wearing a hat
- to mind; to carelater is fine
- paperit is written on the paper
- hairlong hair
- bodymy body aches
- he; boyfriendhe is a teacher
- to change (by itself)the price is much the same
- to think; to considerI will think it over
- relation; connectionstaff only
- nursing (care)nurse
- easy; simpleit looks easier than I expected
- foreign countryit is read abroad too
- studentI have the students read the book
- schoolI go to school
- to do one's best; to persevereI will do my best
- to be audible; can hearit is audible
- seasonspring is the best season
- ticketthe tickets are already bought
- yesterdaywhere did you go yesterday?
- strict; severetraining is hard
- feeling; moodI feel unwell
- to be decidedthat is what was decided
- to decideI have not decided yet
- feeling; moodit feels good
- sudden; urgentit rained suddenly
- emergency (medical)ambulance
- siblings; brothershow many brothers and sisters
- permissionpermission is needed
- last yearhotter than last year
- to wear; to put onwhat will you wear?
- to run out; to be cutI am out of breath
- no smokingno smoking
- prohibition; banit is forbidden
- muscleI have stiff muscles
- milkbread and milk
- medicine; drugmedicine, please
- to give (honorific); please givemedicine, please
- shoesshoes that walk well
- to become cloudycloudy weather
- darkit is getting dark
- to comparelet us compare them
- detailed; knowledgeableI will give you the detail later
- policeplease call the police
- marriageI am married
- to kickI kick it
- matter; caseI have been told about that
- fight; quarrelI fought with my brother a lot
- healthit is for my health
- well; healthyyou look well
- strictly prohibitedno outdoor shoes
- cashcash only
- principle; ruleas a rule, no
- childthe older one is five
- like this; this wayI have decided to do it this way
- parkI play in the park
- construction workthis road is being worked on
- hereyou must not eat here
- breakdown; out of orderout of order
- this yearthis winter is a long one
- childwhen I was a child
- to be troubled; to have a problemthat would be awkward
- to be crowded; to be congestedthe road is busy
- from now onit will keep improving
- to fall down; to tripI fell over
- to break (something)I have broken it
- to break; to be brokenfragile, handle with care
- this timeI will pass this time
- this much; soso much as this
- coatthe one in the blue coat
- coffeecoffee, tea and so on
- later date; another dayI will be in touch another day
- meal; cooked riceI eat rice
- recently; latelyhow have you been lately
- last; endI check it last of all
- first; beginningI do this one first
- wallet; purseI have lost my wallet
- ahead; firstthis one first, please
- to sting; to bite (insect)I have been bitten by a mosquito
- to invite; to ask alongI was invited
- photography; filmingno photography
- cold (weather)it is cold, so I am going home
- to make noisethe neighbours made a racket
- to touchyou must not touch
- participationI would like to take part
- regrettable; too badregrettably we cannot
- match; gamedid you see today's game
- saltI put in too much salt
- to scoldI was told off
- quietI would prefer a quiet room
- firmly; reliablythey have their head on
- rudeness; excuse megoodbye, ending a call
- oops; darn (in "shimatta")oh no, said to yourself
- to close (by itself)the shop is shut
- photographmay I take a photo?
- weekthree times a week
- weekendwhat do you do at weekends?
- departureand then we set off
- hobbywhat do you do for fun?
- a little; a moment (polite)one moment, please
- acknowledgment; consentunderstood, at work
- mealwe are in the middle of a meal
- appetiteI have no appetite
- usedo not use
- to check; to look upI will look into it beforehand
- mark; signit has been marked
- may; might (in "kamoshirenai")I thought it might be so
- kind; helpfulthey were kind to me
- worry; concernI am worried
- trust; confidenceyou can rely on them
- hindrance; disturbanceI was got in the way of
- enough; sufficientthat is plenty
- class; lessonquiet during the lesson
- order; turnin order, please
- preparationhave it ready beforehand
- freedom; freelyplease help yourself
- skillful; good atI want to get good at it
- youngest childthe youngest child
- liking; fond ofI like tea
- to be free; to be vacantare there seats free?
- right away; immediatelyI will be right back
- wonderful; splendidit is wonderful
- excuse me; sorrysorry, it is all right
- to live; to resideI live there
- to sitsit, te form
- overhead; above one's headmind your head
- height (of a person); backtaller than my older brother
- coughI have a cough
- seatare there seats free?
- explanationthe instructions are posted up
- teacherhe is a teacher
- not at all; entirelycompletely different
- all; everythingI ate the lot
- consultation; discussionI will ask upstairs
- therethey are laid out there
- that one; that sidethat one is handier
- before long; eventuallyyou will see in time
- as it isit has been left as it was
- vacancy; emptyrooms available
- that's all; only thatthat is all of it
- to that extent; not so (with negative)not especially
- soon; about time toI should be getting home
- such; that kind ofso that is what happened
- that much; soit is not that dear
- great; significant (with negative: not much)it is not a great deal
- a lot; manyso much as this
- certain; surehe certainly said so
- to be saved; to be helpedthat would help me a lot
- to help; to saveplease help me
- no entry; keep outstaff only
- to buildit was built
- looking forward to; pleasureI am looking forward to it
- to ask (a favor); to requestI was asked to do it
- probably; maybeI think it will probably be fine
- occasional; rarewe meet now and then
- to try; to testI will try it once
- to be enoughthat is plenty
- person in chargeis the person in charge there?
- all right; OKare you all right?
- to take out; to put outit has been put outside
- no good; not allowedit is fine even if it fails
- graduallyit is getting warmer
- smalla photo from when I was small
- checkcheck-out is at ten
- near; closewhich is the nearest station
- to differ; to be wrongthat is not it
- lateness; being lateI was late
- caution; attentionfragile, handle with care
- cancellation; suspensionit was called off
- parkingno parking
- breakfastis breakfast included?
- receiving (humble)I accept it gratefully
- exactly; justit has just left
- eldest sonthe eldest son
- directlyI will ask them myself
- a little; a momentthat would be awkward
- teamwhich team do you follow
- to use; to spendmay I use it?
- fatigue; tirednessthe tiredness has gone
- to get tiredI am tired
- month; moononce a month
- nextI get off at the next stop
- to be included; to be attachedis breakfast included?
- to arriveI arrived three days ago
- deskit has been put on the desk
- to makeit was made
- to attach; to be carefulplease be careful
- to convey; to tellI will pass it on
- to be conveyed; to get throughthe message got garbled
- to continue; to lasthow long does it last
- to continue (something)I will keep at it
- trifling; boringit is dull
- to take (someone) alongI will take you along
- handdo not touch
- restroom; washroomthe lavatory, on a sign
- to help; to assistlet me help
- weatherthe weather is fine
- to go outI will ring before I set off
- to come out; to leaveI have a cough
- electricity; lightthe light is on
- trainthe train is delayed
- signal; radio wavesthe signal is bad
- telephone; phone callphone number
- TokyoI go as far as Tokyo
- on the day; same daya ticket on the day
- farschool was a long way off
- as; way; streetjust as always
- score; pointswhat is the score
- especially; in particularnothing wrong that I can see
- on the way; midwayI am only part way through
- veryit was very good
- next to; neighborthe neighbours made a racket
- to jumpI jump
- to stay (overnight)I stay the night
- friendI meet a friend
- to take (a photo)may I take a photo?
- to be relieved; to come offthe tiredness has gone
- tool; equipmentno equipment needed
- please; go aheadregards, casually
- single; unmarriedI am single
- wearing shoes (indoors)no outdoor shoes
- which (of two); wherewhich of the two do you prefer
- which; how (much)how long does it last
- which onewhich of the three
- to make (someone) cryI made them cry
- not easily (with negative); quitethey are taking their time
- longthis winter is a long one
- to lose (something)I have lost my wallet
- to throwI throw it
- nostalgic; fondly rememberedit takes me back
- nameyour name, please
- to learn (from someone)I want to learn Japanese
- to line up; to stand in lineplease queue
- to line up; to arrangethey are laid out there
- to get used toyou will get used to it
- what (is written)what does it say
- Japanone day I want to live in Japan
- Japanese personas for me, I am Japanese
- never againit will not happen again
- Japanese (language)I want to learn Japanese
- luggage; baggageplease keep my luggage
- to resemble; to be similarthey are alike
- pricethe price is high
- fever; heatI have a fever
- sleepyyou look sleepy
- to be able to sleepI cannot sleep
- to sleep; to go to bedI want to sleep a bit longer
- care; attentionI will take it just in case
- to remain; to be leftsome is still left
- throatmy throat hurts
- to climbI climb
- to drinkdrink, te form
- to miss (a train)I missed it
- toothmy tooth hurts
- looking at (humble)allow me to look at it
- to be needed; to enterI will not need a jacket
- to enter; to go inmay I come in?
- to put on (shoes, pants)may I try these on, of shoes
- to runthey ran off
- to begin; to startit has already started
- to begin; to startthe message is to start without them
- to workI work there
- announcement; presentationwhen will it be announced
- story; talkit is something I was told
- to speak; to talkspeak, te form
- to be able to speakI can speak a little Japanese
- early; fastthe earliest train is
- fast; quickthe train is faster than the bus
- spring (season)spring has come
- to stick; to pastethe instructions are posted up
- to clear up; to be sunnytomorrow should be fine
- halfabout half
- busI go by bus
- numberphone number
- breadbread and milk
- draw; tieit is a draw
- to catch (a cold)do not catch cold
- to catch (a cold); to pullI have caught a cold
- low; short (height)they are short
- beard; mustachehe has a beard
- long time no seeit has been a long time
- only childan only child
- free time; leisurewhen I have time free
- table; chart; frontit has been put outside
- to open (by itself)the window is open
- hospitalwhere is the hospital?
- to increaseit has been increasing
- Mount FujiI have climbed Mount Fuji
- to step onsomebody stood on my foot
- winterthis winter is a long one
- to fall (rain, snow)it is raining
- to touchdo not touch
- bathwhere is the bath?
- roomI would prefer a quiet room
- reply; answerI will answer tomorrow
- studyI study while working
- convenientthat one is handier
- penthis is a pen
- method; wayis there an easier way
- to barka dog barked at me
- insuranceinsurance card
- wanted; desiredI want water
- almost; nearlynearly identical
- to praiseI was praised
- bookI read a book
- today (formal)today only
- the person himself; oneselfthe person said so themselves
- hat; capwearing a hat
- between; intervalI read while waiting
- every morningI run every morning
- every weekI go every week
- every dayI practise every day
- to lose (a game)we lost
- serious; earnestconscientious
- to keep (someone) waitingI was kept waiting
- towna good town to live in
- to be mistaken; to errthe message got garbled
- to mistake; to get wrongI have the wrong number
- to waitwait, te form
- windowmay I open the window?
- to get lost; to hesitateI cannot make up my mind
- to be visible; can seeit is visible
- to brush (teeth); to polishI brush my teeth before bed
- shortshort hair
- shop; storethe shop is shut
- road; wayI do not know the way
- three (things)which of the three
- to approve; to acknowledgeit has been approved
- easy to see; clearit is easier to see now
- distinguishing; telling apartI cannot tell them apart
- to pick up; to welcomeI will come and collect you
- hot and humid; muggyit is hot and wet
- impossible; unreasonableI pushed them too hard
- glassesthe one wearing glasses
- rarely; seldom (with negative)I hardly ever go
- dizzinessI feel dizzy
- memo; noteI will make a note of it
- emailI will send an email
- once more; againplease say that again
- a little moreI want to sleep a bit longer
- bringing in (items)do not bring in
- morehave you anywhere quieter
- to return; to go backI would like to go back to then
- promise; appointmentI forgot our arrangement, and I am sorry
- vegetablesI make the children eat vegetables
- kind; gentleI think they are kind
- cheap; inexpensiveit is cheaper than this
- to take leave (passive/honorific)they took the day off on me
- holiday; day off; restapparently they are closed
- to rest; to take a day offI want to rest
- to lose weight; to get thinI have lost a little weight
- mountainthe highest mountain in Japan
- to stop (rain)the rain has stopped
- to quit; to stopI think I will not
- championship; victorythey took the title
- slowlyslowly, please
- goodit is better than it was
- to call; to summonplease call the police
- to be able to readI can read it
- reservation; appointmentI would like to book
- fine; all right (polite)would that be all right
- best regards; kindlyI leave it in your hands
- reasonthe main reason is
- amount; quantityit is not a great deal
- parents (both)my parents were strict
- travel; tripI want to travel
- absence (from home)look after it while I am out
- refrigeratorit is in the fridge, put there for you
- practiceI practise every day
- contact; communicationI will be in touch another day
- youngthey look young
- lost item; something left behindI have left something behind
- to hand over; to giveI will leave them a note
- to laughI was laughed at
- to make (someone) laughdo not make me laugh