Conquer JLPT N4 Kanji — Master intermediate Japanese writing with smart strategies

After N5, JLPT N4 kanji is your next big step toward real Japanese fluency. This level introduces around 300–350 new kanji — enough to read short texts, signs, and everyday materials. It may look heavy, but with the right plan, you can conquer it efficiently and confidently.

Why N4 Kanji matters

• N4 kanji bridges beginner and intermediate Japanese — it’s where you start reading real Japanese.

• Most N4 words appear in daily conversation, books, and work-related texts.

• Mastering N4 kanji boosts your reading speed, vocabulary power, and confidence in both JLPT and real life.

Core strategy for mastering N4 Kanji

• Use context-based learning — study kanji through words, not isolation.

• Apply SRS (Spaced Repetition System) to review old kanji while adding new ones.

• Learn radicals and pattern recognition — many N4 kanji share visual parts (like 言, 念, 思).

• Focus on meaning, readings, and example vocabulary every time you learn a kanji.

• Keep writing — even digital learners should write by hand; it strengthens memory.

Effective daily plan (30–40 minutes)

• 5–10 min — review N5 + previous N4 kanji using flashcards or apps.

• 15–20 min — learn 5–7 new kanji with readings and example words.

• 10 min — write each kanji 3–5 times, read your example aloud, and make 1 sentence using it.

• Bonus — read one short paragraph daily and underline kanji you already know.

Smart learning techniques

• Group by meaning: Learn related kanji together (for example: 食, 飲, 料, 理 → all about food).

• Use mnemonics: Build mental stories that connect radical + meaning (e.g., 思 → heart + brain = to think).

• Compare similar kanji: Know the difference between 見 and 観, or 聞 and 問, to avoid confusion.

• Active recall testing: Try to write the kanji from memory after reading its meaning.

• Visual connection: Notice kanji in menus, posters, and TV subtitles; real-world use cements learning.

Tools and resources

• Anki or Kanji Study App — create custom decks for N4 kanji.

• WaniKani or Jisho.org — great for radicals and reading examples.

• N4 kanji books — practice sheets with stroke orders and example sentences.

• Short graded readers — apply your knowledge in simple stories.

Sample 8-week study path

• Weeks 1–2: Review N5 + learn 50 new kanji (daily life, nature, verbs).

• Weeks 3–4: 80 new kanji (time, directions, feelings).

• Weeks 5–6: 100 new kanji (society, school, work).

• Weeks 7–8: Final 100+ review, reading practice, and mock tests.

Total ≈ 300–350 kanji — strong for both JLPT and real-world usage.

Tips & Tricks

• Always learn kanji in context — one word per kanji.

• Write and say it aloud for multi-sensory learning.

• Don’t memorize all readings at once; focus on the ones used in common words.

• Review weekly, not just daily — long-term memory matters.

• Read short manga, blogs, or NHK Easy News to meet your kanji in action.

Avoid these mistakes

• Studying kanji as random shapes — always connect to meaning and word.

• Ignoring review sessions — forgetting happens fast without SRS.

• Memorizing readings without knowing when to use them.

Final advice

Consistency and curiosity win the kanji game. N4 kanji may look tough at first, but mastering them will unlock 80% of daily written Japanese. Study smart, stay regular, and test yourself — soon you’ll read and write Japanese with real confidence.