漢

JLPT N4 evergreen skill guide

Reviewed September 24, 2026

JLPT N4 Kanji Practice

漢字

Kanji questions sit inside Language Knowledge. They test readings in real words and, from N2 through N5, the correct written form for a word shown in kana. Handwriting is not tested.

What this skill tests

What to master for JLPT N4

Recognize common kanji compounds used in public places, schedules, work, health, and routine communication. Practice both reading and choosing the correct written form.

Containing test section

Language Knowledge (Vocabulary)

Official section time

25 minutes

Shared across the complete section, not reserved for kanji.

Scoring contribution

Language Knowledge and Reading: 0–120, minimum 38

There is no separate official kanji pass mark.

Official composition

JLPT N4 kanji question types

1

Kanji reading

Choose the correct kana reading for a kanji word in a sentence.

2

Orthography

Choose the correct kanji form for a word presented in kana.

Question types and containing-section time are based on the official JLPT composition. Item counts may vary. Verify the current format on the official test-sections page ↗.

Original mini sample

Try one kanji question

Not an official JLPT question

友だちとの 約束を わすれました。「約束」は どう よみますか。

  1. 1)やくそく
  2. 2)やっそく
  3. 3)ようそく
  4. 4)よそく
Show answer and explanation

Answer 1: やくそく. 約束 is read やくそく and means a promise or appointment.

Move from one item to a timed set

Targeted kanji drills

These sections contain vocabulary and kanji question groups. For focused review, mark the kanji items you miss, identify the distractor pattern, and retry them before moving to a new test.

Recommended next test

Practice Test 1

Vocabulary and kanji timed practice with instant answer feedback.

Start section →

Practice Test 2

Vocabulary and kanji timed practice with instant answer feedback.

Start section →

Practice Test 3

Vocabulary and kanji timed practice with instant answer feedback.

Start section →

Mistake-review workflow

Turn wrong answers into a short lesson

  1. 1. Finish a related section with immediate or delayed feedback.
  2. 2. Record the question type and why your chosen distractor looked plausible.
  3. 3. Use “Ask Keiko” on a missed question for a contextual explanation.
  4. 4. Retry the same pattern without notes, then test it in a new section.

JLPT N4 kanji questions

What kanji question types appear on JLPT N4?

The official composition lists Kanji reading, Orthography. Item counts can vary, so prepare for every listed type rather than predicting a fixed number of questions.

How much time does JLPT N4 allow for kanji?

Kanji does not receive a separate official time limit. It appears inside Language Knowledge (Vocabulary), which has 25 minutes in total. Practice pacing across the complete section.

Does JLPT N4 report a separate kanji score?

No separate kanji subscore is used for pass or fail. Its questions contribute to Language Knowledge and Reading: 0–120, minimum 38. You must also meet the overall pass mark and every other sectional minimum.

What should I do after the sample kanji question?

Open one related timed section, mark every uncertain answer, then review why each distractor fails. Use the next recommended test below or build a shorter custom diagnostic.

Original sample written for this site. It is not an official or licensed historical JLPT question. Format and timing were reviewed against official JLPT guidance on September 24, 2026.