Moving beyond N5
If you've passed N5 (or reached that level), congratulations — you've built a solid foundation. N4 grammar builds on everything you know and adds patterns that let you express more complex ideas.
The jump from N5 to N4 feels bigger than it actually is. Many N4 patterns are extensions of N5 ones. Let's break down the most important ones.
The essential N4 grammar patterns
1. ～ている (ongoing state / habitual action)
You probably know ている as "currently doing" from N5. At N4, you'll use it more naturally to express ongoing states and habits.
Example: 東京に住んでいます (I live in Tokyo) Example: 毎日、日本語を勉強しています (I study Japanese every day)
Tip
Many ている patterns describe states that feel like adjectives in English. 「結婚している」means "is married" — it's a state, not an action in progress.
2. ～てから (after doing)
Connects two actions in sequence. Unlike just using て-form, てから emphasizes that the first action must be completed before the second begins.
Example: 朝ごはんを食べてから、学校に行きます (After eating breakfast, I go to school)
3. ～たり～たりする (doing things like A and B)
Lists multiple actions as examples, implying there are more. Much more natural than listing everything.
Example: 週末は映画を見たり、本を読んだりします (On weekends, I do things like watch movies and read books)
4. ～ないで (without doing)
Negative version of て-form. Express doing something without doing something else.
Example: 朝ごはんを食べないで、学校に行きました (I went to school without eating breakfast)
5. ～なければならない (must / have to)
The famous Japanese "triple negative" that actually means a positive obligation. It's long, but you'll hear it everywhere.
Example: 明日までにレポートを書かなければなりません (I have to write the report by tomorrow)
Note
In casual speech, this is often shortened to ～なきゃ or ～ないと. The full form is important for the test, but know the casual forms for conversation.
6. ～と思う (I think that)
Express opinions and thoughts. Essential for natural conversation.
Example: 日本語は面白いと思います (I think Japanese is interesting)
7. ～ことがある (have the experience of)
Talk about past experiences using the past tense + ことがある.
Example: 日本に行ったことがあります (I have been to Japan)
8. ～ようにする (try to / make an effort to)
Express intentional effort toward a habit or goal.
Example: 毎日、日本語を話すようにしています (I'm trying to speak Japanese every day)
9. Conditional forms: ～たら / ～ば / ～と / ～なら
N4 introduces multiple conditional patterns. Each has nuances:
- たら: General "if/when" — most versatile
- ば: Hypothetical "if" — more formal
- と: Natural consequence "whenever"
- なら: "If it's the case that" — responds to new information
Example (たら): 雨が降ったら、家にいます (If it rains, I'll stay home)
10. ～てあげる / ～てもらう / ～てくれる (giving and receiving actions)
One of the trickiest N4 concepts. Japanese has different verbs for giving/receiving depending on social relationships.
- てあげる: I do something for someone (giving the action outward)
- てもらう: Someone does something for me (receiving the action)
- てくれる: Someone does something for me (from their perspective, giving)
to teach / to tell
to deliver
Study strategy for N4 grammar
1. Learn patterns through examples, not rules. Read 3-5 example sentences for each pattern. Your brain will extract the pattern naturally.
2. Practice making your own sentences. For each pattern, write 2-3 sentences about your own life. Personal sentences stick better than textbook examples.
3. Don't memorize all at once. Focus on 2-3 patterns per week. Use them in conversation before adding more.
4. Notice patterns in the wild. As you consume Japanese media, start recognizing these patterns. Each recognition strengthens your understanding.
How Japanese SenSei teaches N4 grammar
Your AI teacher introduces N4 patterns naturally through conversation. When you encounter a new pattern, you'll see it used in a real context, get a brief explanation, and then use it yourself. Spaced repetition ensures you review patterns at the right intervals.
The result? Grammar that sticks because you've used it, not just studied it.
Ready to start learning?
Japanese SenSei teaches you through real conversation on Telegram — free to start, no app download needed.