JLPT N4

Japanese grammar articles suitable for JLPT N4. In this section you’ll find grammar explanations, distinctions, and detailed breakdowns useful for learners studying Japanese at this level.

10 articles at this level

Series at this JLPT level: Grammar and Culture (4) Reading the Context (1) Understanding Nuance (4) Inside Grammar (1)

申し訳ありません (moushiwake arimasen): meaning, origin, history, and evolution

What does 申し訳ありません mean, and where does it come from? Learn about the meaning, origin, history, usage, and evolution of 申し訳がない, 申し訳ない, 申し訳ありません, and 申し訳ございません in modern Japanese.

7/18/2026 JLPT All levels Grammar and Culture
すでに・もう・今更 | Differences, Usage, and Nuances in Japanese

Learn the differences between すでに, もう, and 今更 in modern Japanese. Understand their meanings, usage, nuances, and when to use each through detailed explanations and practical examples.

6/28/2026 JLPT N4-N3 Reading the Context
Japanese verbs of going up and down: differences between 上がる, 登る, 乗る, 降りる, 下がる and others

An advanced guide to the main Japanese verbs that express going up, going down, raising, lowering, climbing, getting on a vehicle, and setting. 上がる, 上げる, 登る, 昇る, 乗る, 降りる, 下る, 下がる, 沈む and other Japanese verbs of ascent and descent. A complete explanation with nuances, examples, and real usage.

5/22/2026 JLPT All levels Understanding Nuance
Wakeru and Other Japanese Verbs for Divide, Separate, and Break

How do you say divide, separate, or break in Japanese? A guide to the meaning, usage, and differences between key Japanese verbs such as 分ける (wakeru), 分かれる (wakareru), 別れる, 割る, 折る, 裂く, 砕く, 千切る, 分裂する, and other transitive-intransitive pairs.

5/21/2026 JLPT All levels Understanding Nuance
すみません (Sumimasen): Meaning, Usage, and Differences from Gomennasai and Moushiwake Arimasen

What does すみません (sumimasen) mean in Japanese? Its origin in 済む, uses for “sorry,” “excuse me,” and “thank you,” and differences from ごめんなさい and 申し訳ありません.

5/14/2026 JLPT All levels Grammar and Culture
ほかに vs ほかにも: Difference, Usage, and Meaning in Japanese

What is the difference between ほかに and ほかにも? An in-depth analysis of meaning, usage, and nuance: from the neutral idea of 'besides' to inclusive addition. A clear explanation with examples and direct comparison.

4/20/2026 JLPT N4-N3 Understanding Nuance
Totemo vs Kanari vs Zuibun: Meaning and Usage in Japanese

What is the difference between とても (totemo), かなり (kanari), and ずいぶん (zuibun)? Meanings, usage, nuances, and examples of three ways to say “very” in Japanese.

4/16/2026 JLPT N4-N3 Understanding Nuance
Something, someone, some people in Japanese: 何か・誰か・何人か truly explained

How do you say ‘something’, ‘someone’, and ‘some people’ in Japanese? Discover the meaning of 何か, 誰か, and 何人か, and how the particle か creates indefiniteness. A clear and in-depth explanation.

4/14/2026 JLPT N4-N3 Inside Grammar
Na-Adjectives in Japanese: Origin, History, and Evolution

What is the origin of na-adjectives in Japanese? A historical and etymological explanation of Japanese na adjectives, the meaning of な, their evolution from classical copular forms such as なり and なる, and why they developed as a category distinct from i-adjectives.

3/17/2026 JLPT All levels Grammar and Culture
Arigatou Gozaimasu: Meaning, Origin, and How to Use It

The formation and history of one of the most widely known expressions of gratitude in the world.

3/1/2026 JLPT All levels Grammar and Culture