🇯🇵 Japanese · JLPT N4

Essential Kanji in Japanese · JLPT N4

20 Japanese words and phrases for essential kanji, at JLPT N4 level. Each entry shows the word, how to read it, what it means, and a full example sentence with translation.

  1. 家 いえ ie
    house; home; family

    家族

    かぞく

    family

  2. 少 すく suku
    few; little

    少年

    しょうねん

    boy; juvenile

  3. 多 おお ō
    many; much

    多分

    たぶん

    probably; perhaps

  4. 早 はや haya
    early; fast

    早朝

    そうちょう

    early morning

  5. 自 じ ji
    self; oneself

    自分

    じぶん

    oneself; myself

  6. 場 ば ba
    place; location; scene

    会場

    かいじょう

    venue; event site

  7. 地 ち chi
    ground; earth; land

    地図

    ちず

    map

  8. 親 おや oya
    parent; intimate

    両親

    りょうしん

    parents

  9. 考 かんが kanga
    think; consider

    参考

    さんこう

    reference

  10. 思 おも omo
    think; feel

    不思議

    ふしぎ

    mysterious; strange

  11. 教 おし oshi
    teach; religion

    教室

    きょうしつ

    classroom

  12. 知 し shi
    know; knowledge

    知識

    ちしき

    knowledge

  13. 道 みち michi
    road; way; path

    道路

    どうろ

    road; street

  14. 用 よう yō
    use; business; errand

    用意

    ようい

    preparation

  15. 意 い i
    mind; meaning; intention

    意味

    いみ

    meaning

  16. 味 あじ aji
    taste; flavor

    趣味

    しゅみ

    hobby; interest

  17. 動 うご ugo
    move; motion

    動物

    どうぶつ

    animal

  18. 業 ぎょう gyō
    business; industry; occupation

    授業

    じゅぎょう

    class; lesson

  19. 音 おと oto
    sound; noise; tone

    音楽

    おんがく

    music

  20. 楽 たの tano
    fun; comfort; music

    楽

    らく

    easy; comfortable

Practice essential kanji in a real Japanese conversation

Word lists get you to recognition. To actually use these, you need someone to say them to. Start a Japanese roleplay and work them into the conversation.

Try it free in your browser

No sign-up. 5 free messages, right here on this page.

Essential Kanji at other levels