You have finished N5 grammar. You can make sentences, ask questions, and talk about what you did yesterday. Then N4 arrives and suddenly there are four ways to say "if," two identical-looking ways to say そう, and a whole system for being polite that nobody warned you about.
Here is the thing about N4: it is not harder than N5. It is finer. Most of what makes it difficult is not learning new patterns — it is telling apart patterns that look almost the same and mean quite different things.
So this guide leads with those seven, then teaches all 69 N4 points — each with what it means, how to build it, and a real example. Nothing on the N4 syllabus is left out.
Explore all N4 grammar lessons →
Table of Contents
- The Differences That Actually Trip People Up
- Verb Forms You Must Know
- The Four Conditionals
- Obligation, Permission and Prohibition
- Guessing and Reporting
- Intentions and Decisions
- Doing Things for People
- More Te-Form Patterns
- Connecting Ideas
- Time Expressions
- Comparison and Quantity
- Describing Things
- Keigo - Polite Japanese
- How to Study N4 Grammar
The Differences That Actually Trip People Up
1. The two そう — 降るそう vs 降りそう
What they mean: One reports what you heard. The other reports what you see.
How to tell them apart: Look at the verb form before そう.
- 雨が降るそうです — plain form → I heard it will rain
- 雨が降りそうです — ます stem → it looks like rain
Examples:
- 彼女は医者だそうです (Kanojo wa isha da sō desu) - "I hear she's a doctor" (hearsay keeps だ)
- おいしそうですね (Oishisō desu ne) - "That looks delicious" (appearance drops い)
Common mistake: Attaching them the same way. Hearsay keeps everything — 静かだそう. Appearance strips it — 静かそう. One kana apart, opposite claims.
Full explanation: そうです (I heard that) and そうです (looks like) — each with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
2. たら vs なら — the order changes
What they mean: Both are "if," but they place events differently in time.
How to use them:
- 日本に行ったらカメラを買います — go first, buy there
- 日本に行くならカメラを買います — buy first, then go
Common mistake: Treating なら as just another "if." It responds to something the other person raised — that is why it can put the second clause earlier in time.
3. ために vs ように — can you decide to do it?
What they mean: Both are "so that." The test is whether the outcome is under your control.
- 覚えるために — you can choose to memorise (volitional)
- 忘れないように — you cannot choose not to forget (outcome)
Common mistake: Using ために with a potential or negative verb. Also, ために needs the same subject in both clauses; ように does not.
Full explanation: ために and ように.
4. とき — the tense before it changes everything
What it means: "When." But the verb before とき is judged against the second clause, not against now.
Examples:
- 日本へ行くとき、カメラを買った - bought it before leaving, at home
- 日本へ行ったとき、カメラを買った - bought it after arriving, in Japan
Both sentences are in the past. Only the inner verb differs.
Common mistake: Using the past form because the sentence is past. Dictionary form means the action had not happened yet at that moment.
Full explanation: とき.
5. なる vs する — did it happen, or did you do it?
What they mean: なる is a change that happens. する is a change you drive.
- 話せるようになった — I became able to speak
- 毎日走るようにしている — I make a point of running
The same split runs through ことになる／ことにする.
Common mistake: Using ことにする for something decided by your company. Japanese often prefers ことになる even for your own decisions, because claiming a choice outright sounds self-assertive.
Full explanation: ようになる, ようにする, ことにする, ことになる.
6. だけ vs しか〜ない — the same number, opposite feeling
What they mean: Both are "only." One is neutral, one is a complaint.
- 千円だけあります - "I have 1,000 yen" (fine)
- 千円しかありません - "I've only got 1,000 yen" (not enough)
Common mistake: Over-using しか. It always takes a negative verb and always sounds disappointed. Use だけ unless you mean to complain.
Full explanation: だけ and しか〜ない.
7. Keigo — お持ちになる vs お持ちする
What they mean: One raises them, one lowers you. Both are polite; they point in opposite directions.
- お持ちになる — their action (honorific)
- お持ちする — my action (humble)
Common mistake: Using honorific forms about yourself — 私がいらっしゃいます is the classic keigo error. And when you speak to a customer, your own boss takes humble forms, because your group counts as you: 田中は席を外しております.
Full explanation: 尊敬語 and 謙譲語.
Verb Forms You Must Know
Potential Form
What it means: Ability/possibility — 'can do ~', 'able to ~'
How to use it: U-verbs: え-row + る | Ru-verbs: drop る + られる | する→できる
Example: 日本語が話せる？ — "Can you speak Japanese?"
Full explanation: Potential Form — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Volitional Form
What it means: Casual suggestion/intention — 'let's ~', 'I'll ~', 'shall we ~?'
How to use it: U-verbs: お-row + う | Ru-verbs: drop る + よう | する→しよう, くる→こよう
Example: 外に出ようよ。 — "Let's go outside."
Full explanation: Volitional Form — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Imperative Form
What it means: Direct command — 'Do it!', 'Go!'
How to use it: U-verbs: え-row | Ru-verbs: drop る + ろ | する→しろ | くる→こい
Example: 早く起きろ！ — "Wake up already!"
Full explanation: Imperative Form — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Negative Imperative
What it means: Negative command — 'Don't do ~!'
How to use it: Dictionary form + な
Example: 触るな！ — "Don't touch!"
Full explanation: Negative Imperative — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
なさい Form
What it means: Polite but firm command — 'Do ~' (parent/teacher tone)
How to use it: Verb stem (i-form) + なさい
Example: もう寝なさい。 — "Go to bed already."
Full explanation: なさい Form — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Passive Form
What it means: Something is done to the subject — 'was done', 'got ~ed'
How to use it: U-verbs: あ-row + れる | Ru-verbs: drop る + られる | する→される
Example: 財布を盗まれた。 — "My wallet was stolen."
Full explanation: Passive Form — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Causative Form
What it means: Make/let someone do something — 'make ~', 'let ~'
How to use it: U-verbs: あ-row + せる | Ru-verbs: drop る + させる | する→させる
Example: 好きにさせてよ。 — "Let me do what I want."
Full explanation: Causative Form — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Causative-Passive
What it means: Was forced/made to do something — 'was made to ~'
How to use it: U-verbs: あ-row + せられる | Ru-verbs: drop る + させられる
Example: 毎日野菜を食べさせられた。 — "I was made to eat vegetables every day."
Full explanation: Causative-Passive — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs in Japanese
What it means: Verbs that take objects (transitive) vs state-change verbs (intransitive)
How to use it: Transitive: subject が + object を + verb | Intransitive: subject が + verb
Example: 窓を開けてください。 — "Please open the window. (transitive — you do it)"
Full explanation: Transitive and Intransitive Verbs in Japanese — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
The Four Conditionals
たら
What it means: If ~, when ~, once ~
How to use it: Verb/い-adj [た form] + ら | な-adj/Noun + だったら
Example: 駅に着いたら電話してください。 — "Please call me when you arrive at the station."
Full explanation: たら — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
なら
What it means: If it's the case that ~, as for ~
How to use it: Noun / plain form + なら
Example: 日本に行くなら、京都がおすすめです。 — "If you're going to Japan, I recommend Kyoto."
Full explanation: なら — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
ば Form
What it means: If ~ (general conditional)
How to use it: Verbs: え-row + ば | i-adj: drop い + ければ | na-adj/noun: + であれば
Example: 安ければ買う。 — "If it's cheap, I'll buy it."
Full explanation: ば Form — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
と Conditional
What it means: If/when ~ (natural, inevitable result)
How to use it: [Clause in non-past] + と + [result]
Example: まっすぐ行くと、左に郵便局があります。 — "Go straight, and the post office will be on the left."
Full explanation: と Conditional — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Obligation, Permission and Prohibition
なければならない
What it means: Must ~, have to ~
How to use it: Verb [ない form, drop い] + ければならない／ければいけない
Example: 明日までに出さなければなりません。 — "I have to submit it by tomorrow."
Full explanation: なければならない — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
なくてもいい
What it means: Don't have to ~, it's fine not to ~
How to use it: Verb [ない-form] − い + くてもいいです
Example: 明日は来なくてもいいよ。 — "You don't have to come tomorrow."
Full explanation: なくてもいい — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
必要がある
What it means: Need to ~, it is necessary to ~
How to use it: Verb [dictionary] + 必要がある | Noun + が + 必要だ
Example: 予約する必要があります。 — "You need to make a reservation."
Full explanation: 必要がある — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Guessing and Reporting
かもしれない
What it means: Might ~, may ~, perhaps ~
How to use it: Plain form + かもしれない | な-adj/Noun (drop だ) + かもしれない
Example: 明日は雨が降るかもしれません。 — "It might rain tomorrow."
Full explanation: かもしれない — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
でしょう・だろう
What it means: Probably ~, I suppose ~, right?
How to use it: Plain form + でしょう／だろう | Noun / な-adj (drop だ) + でしょう
Example: 明日は晴れるでしょう。 — "It will probably be sunny tomorrow."
Full explanation: でしょう・だろう — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
はず
What it means: Should be, supposed to be, expected to
How to use it: Plain form + はず | な-adj + な + はず | Noun + の + はず
Example: 彼は三時に来るはずです。 — "He should be here at three."
Full explanation: はず — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
そうです（伝聞）
What it means: I hear that ~, they say that ~
How to use it: Plain form + そうです
Example: 明日は雨が降るそうです。 — "I hear it's going to rain tomorrow."
Full explanation: そうです（伝聞） — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
そうです（様態）
What it means: Looks ~, seems ~, about to ~
How to use it: Verb [ます stem] + そう | い-adj [drop い] + そう | な-adj + そう
Example: このケーキ、おいしそうですね。 — "This cake looks delicious."
Full explanation: そうです（様態） — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
ようだ
What it means: It seems ~, it appears ~, like ~
How to use it: Plain form + ようだ | な-adj + な + ようだ | Noun + の + ようだ
Example: 雨が降ったようです。 — "It seems it rained."
Full explanation: ようだ — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
みたい
What it means: Seems like ~, looks like ~ (casual)
How to use it: Plain form + みたい | な-adj / Noun (drop だ) + みたい
Example: 雨が降ったみたい。 — "Looks like it rained."
Full explanation: みたい — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
らしい
What it means: Apparently ~ / typical of ~
How to use it: Plain form + らしい | な-adj / Noun (drop だ) + らしい
Example: 田中さんは会社を辞めるらしい。 — "Apparently Tanaka is leaving the company."
Full explanation: らしい — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
かどうか
What it means: Whether ~ or not
How to use it: Plain form + かどうか | な-adj / Noun (drop だ) + かどうか
Example: 彼が来るかどうか分かりません。 — "I don't know whether he's coming."
Full explanation: かどうか — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Intentions and Decisions
つもり
What it means: Intend to ~, plan to ~
How to use it: Verb [dictionary form] + つもり | Verb [ない form] + つもり
Example: 来年日本に行くつもりです。 — "I intend to go to Japan next year."
Full explanation: つもり — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
予定
What it means: Be scheduled to ~, plan to ~
How to use it: Verb [dictionary] + 予定だ | Noun + の + 予定だ
Example: 来週出張する予定です。 — "I'm scheduled to go on a business trip next week."
Full explanation: 予定 — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
ことにする
What it means: Decide to ~
How to use it: Verb [dictionary / ない] + ことにする
Example: 来年日本に行くことにしました。 — "I've decided to go to Japan next year."
Full explanation: ことにする — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
ことになる
What it means: It has been decided that ~, it turns out that ~
How to use it: Verb [dictionary / ない] + ことになる
Example: 来月大阪に転勤することになりました。 — "It's been decided that I'll transfer to Osaka next month."
Full explanation: ことになる — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
ようになる
What it means: Come to ~, reach the point of ~
How to use it: Verb [dictionary / potential / ない] + ようになる
Example: 日本語が話せるようになりました。 — "I've become able to speak Japanese."
Full explanation: ようになる — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
ようにする
What it means: Try to ~, make sure to ~, make a point of ~
How to use it: Verb [dictionary / ない] + ようにする
Example: 毎日運動するようにしています。 — "I make a point of exercising every day."
Full explanation: ようにする — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Doing Things for People
てあげる・てくれる・てもらう
What it means: Do something for someone / have someone do something
How to use it: Verb [て-form] + あげる／くれる／もらう
Example: 友達が空港まで送ってくれました。 — "My friend drove me to the airport."
Full explanation: てあげる・てくれる・てもらう — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
てくれない・ていただけませんか
What it means: Could you ~? Would you ~?
How to use it: Verb [て-form] + くれない／くれませんか／もらえませんか／いただけませんか
Example: ちょっと手伝ってくれない？ — "Could you give me a hand?"
Full explanation: てくれない・ていただけませんか — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
てくれてありがとう・てすみません
What it means: Thank you for ~ing / sorry for ~ing
How to use it: Verb [て-form] + くれてありがとう | Verb [て-form] + すみません
Example: 手伝ってくれてありがとう。 — "Thanks for helping me."
Full explanation: てくれてありがとう・てすみません — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
てほしい
What it means: I want (someone) to do ~
How to use it: Person に + Verb [て-form] + ほしい
Example: 彼に早く来てほしい。 — "I want him to come early."
Full explanation: てほしい — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
More Te-Form Patterns
てみる
What it means: Try doing ~ (to see what it's like)
How to use it: Verb [て-form] + みる
Example: 新しいレストランに行ってみた。 — "I tried going to a new restaurant."
Full explanation: てみる — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
ておく
What it means: Do ~ in advance, prepare by doing ~
How to use it: Verb [て-form] + おく | Casual: とく
Example: 旅行の前にホテルを予約しておいた。 — "I booked a hotel before the trip."
Full explanation: ておく — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
てある
What it means: Something has been done (on purpose), is in a state of ~
How to use it: Transitive verb [て-form] + ある
Example: テーブルの上に手紙が置いてある。 — "There's a letter placed on the table (someone put it there)."
Full explanation: てある — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
てしまう
What it means: Finish doing ~, did ~ (unfortunately/by accident)
How to use it: Verb [て-form] + しまう | Casual: ちゃう / じゃう
Example: ケーキを全部食べてしまった。 — "I ate all the cake. (completion + maybe regret)"
Full explanation: てしまう — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
てよかった
What it means: I'm glad/relieved that ~
How to use it: Verb [て-form] + よかった
Example: 日本に来てよかった。 — "I'm glad I came to Japan."
Full explanation: てよかった — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Connecting Ideas
し
What it means: And ~, and what's more ~ (listing reasons)
How to use it: Plain form + し
Example: この店は安いし、おいしいです。 — "This shop is cheap, and the food is good."
Full explanation: し — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
ながら
What it means: While doing ~
How to use it: Verb [ます stem] + ながら
Example: 音楽を聞きながら勉強します。 — "I study while listening to music."
Full explanation: ながら — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
ために
What it means: In order to ~ / because of ~
How to use it: Verb [dictionary] + ために | Noun + の + ために
Example: 日本へ行くためにお金を貯めています。 — "I'm saving money to go to Japan."
Full explanation: ために — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
ように
What it means: So that ~, in such a way that ~
How to use it: Verb [dictionary / ない / potential] + ように
Example: 忘れないようにメモします。 — "I take notes so I won't forget."
Full explanation: ように — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Even Though
What it means: Even though ~, despite ~ (unexpected contrast)
How to use it: Verb/い-adj (plain) + のに | な-adj/Noun + なのに
Example: いっぱい勉強したのに試験に落ちた。 — "Even though I studied a lot, I failed the exam."
Full explanation: Even Though — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Because (Polite)
What it means: Because ~ (softer, more polite than から)
How to use it: Verb/い-adj (plain) + ので | な-adj/Noun + なので
Example: 今日は誕生日なので、ケーキを食べたいです。 — "Because today is my birthday, I want to eat cake."
Full explanation: Because (Polite) — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Even If
What it means: Even if ~, still ~ (concessive conditional)
How to use it: Verb te-form + も | い-adj: drop い + くても | な-adj + でも | Noun + でも
Example: 雨が降っても、テニスをする。 — "I'll play tennis even if it rains."
Full explanation: Even If — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
だけでなく
What it means: Not only ~ but also ~
How to use it: Noun / plain form + だけでなく … も
Example: 英語だけでなく、日本語も話せます。 — "I can speak not only English but Japanese too."
Full explanation: だけでなく — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Time Expressions
とき
What it means: When ~, at the time of ~
How to use it: Plain form + とき | な-adj + な + とき | Noun + の + とき
Example: 子どもの時、よく川で遊びました。 — "When I was a child, I often played in the river."
Full explanation: とき — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
間に
What it means: While ~, during ~
How to use it: Verb [ている] / Noun + の + 間に | 間 without に for the whole span
Example: 寝ている間に地震がありました。 — "There was an earthquake while I was asleep."
Full explanation: 間に — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
ところだ
What it means: About to ~ / in the middle of ~ / just ~
How to use it: Dictionary + ところ | ている + ところ | た + ところ
Example: 今出かけるところです。 — "I'm just about to head out."
Full explanation: ところだ — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
たばかり
What it means: Have just ~ (as the speaker feels it)
How to use it: Verb [た form] + ばかり
Example: 日本に来たばかりです。 — "I've only just come to Japan."
Full explanation: たばかり — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
はじめる・おわる・つづける
What it means: Start doing / finish doing / keep doing
How to use it: Verb [ます stem] + 始める／終わる／続ける
Example: 日本語を勉強し始めました。 — "I've started studying Japanese."
Full explanation: はじめる・おわる・つづける — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
ことがある
What it means: Have done ~ before, have the experience of ~
How to use it: Verb [た-form] + ことがある
Example: 富士山に登ったことがあります。 — "I've climbed Mt. Fuji before."
Full explanation: ことがある — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Comparison and Quantity
Comparing & Advice
What it means: X is more ~ than Y / You should ~
How to use it: X のほうが Y より adjective | Verb た-form + ほうがいい
Example: 私のほうが背が高い。 — "I'm taller."
Full explanation: Comparing & Advice — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
ほど
What it means: To the extent that ~, about ~, not as ~ as
How to use it: Noun / Verb [plain] / い-adj + ほど
Example: 死ぬほど疲れました。 — "I'm dead tired."
Full explanation: ほど — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
ば〜ほど
What it means: The more ~, the more ~
How to use it: Verb [ば form] + dictionary form + ほど
Example: 練習すればするほど上手になります。 — "The more you practise, the better you get."
Full explanation: ば〜ほど — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
どちらが
What it means: Which of the two ~?
How to use it: A と B と、どちらが + adjective + ですか
Example: コーヒーと紅茶と、どちらが好きですか。 — "Which do you prefer, coffee or tea?"
Full explanation: どちらが — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
しか〜ない
What it means: Only ~, nothing but ~ (and it isn't enough)
How to use it: Noun + しか + negative verb
Example: 千円しかありません。 — "I only have a thousand yen."
Full explanation: しか〜ない — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
数量＋も
What it means: As many as ~, as much as ~
How to use it: Quantity + も | Quantity + しか + negative
Example: 三時間も待ちました。 — "I waited a full three hours."
Full explanation: 数量＋も — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Describing Things
やすい・にくい
What it means: Easy to ~ / hard to ~
How to use it: Verb [ます stem] + やすい／にくい
Example: この本は字が大きくて読みやすいです。 — "This book has large print and is easy to read."
Full explanation: やすい・にくい — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
がる
What it means: Shows signs of ~, appears to feel ~
How to use it: い-adj [drop い] / な-adj + がる | たい → たがる
Example: 弟は新しいゲームをほしがっている。 — "My brother wants a new game."
Full explanation: がる — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Adjective + する
What it means: To make something ~ (change a state)
How to use it: い-adj: drop い + くする | な-adj + にする
Example: 音楽は私たちの生活を楽しくする。 — "Music makes our lives more enjoyable."
Full explanation: Adjective + する — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Adjectives as Nouns
What it means: Use の to replace a noun after an adjective (a big one, the red one)
How to use it: い-adj + の | な-adj + なの | noun + の
Example: 新しいのがほしい。 — "I want a new one."
Full explanation: Adjectives as Nouns — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
連体修飾
What it means: The person who ~, the thing that ~
How to use it: Clause [plain form] + Noun
Example: 昨日買った本はとても面白いです。 — "The book I bought yesterday is very interesting."
Full explanation: 連体修飾 — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
でできる
What it means: Made of ~, made from ~
How to use it: Material + で + できる／作られる
Example: この机は木でできています。 — "This desk is made of wood."
Full explanation: でできる — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
Keigo - Polite Japanese
尊敬語
What it means: Raising the other person's actions
How to use it: お + ます stem + になる | special verbs | れる／られる
Example: 先生はもういらっしゃいましたか。 — "Has the teacher arrived yet?"
Full explanation: 尊敬語 — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
謙譲語
What it means: Lowering your own actions
How to use it: お + ます stem + する | special verbs
Example: 明日、そちらへ参ります。 — "I'll come to you tomorrow."
Full explanation: 謙譲語 — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
ございます
What it means: Polite forms of ある and です
How to use it: ございます (= あります) | でございます (= です)
Example: お手洗いは２階にございます。 — "The restrooms are on the second floor."
Full explanation: ございます — with 8 audio example sentences and a quiz.
How to Study N4 Grammar
Learn the pairs together, never separately. そう and そう, たら and なら, ために and ように, なる and する. Studying one in isolation is what creates the confusion — you only understand each by seeing what it is not.
Read for the nuance, not the translation. Half of N4 translates into the same English. "Should" is はず and べき. "Only" is だけ and しか. "If" is four different patterns. The English will not help you choose; the situation will.
Say the polite forms out loud. Keigo is muscle memory, not knowledge. いらっしゃいます and おっしゃいます need to arrive without thinking.
Test yourself constantly. Every grammar point above has a quiz on its page, or you can mix all 148 topics in the grammar quiz — 834 questions covering N5 and N4.
Once you have these, you can read most things aimed at learners, hold a real conversation, and handle polite situations without freezing. That is what N4 actually buys you.
Next: fit these into a schedule with the JLPT N4 study plan, browse the full grammar reference, or go back and shore up your N5 foundations.