N4 Adjectives List - Let’s Pass the JLPT!

You have most likely already studied the basic i-adjectives and na-adjectives for the N5 level and how to conjugate them. Here’s 60 more adjectives that you should know to pass the N4 JLPT! 

Table of Contents

1. Review of い and な Adjectives
2. N4 I-adjectives
   1. N4 I-adjectives List
3. N4 Na-adjectives
   1. N4 Na-adjectives List

Review of い and な Adjectives

As most people studied い and な adjectives when starting to learn Japanese, we will just briefly recap about them. 

As we stated in our N5 adjectives article, Japanese adjectives are generally split into 2 types. 

1. い形容詞 (i-keiyoushi) - adjectives that end with 「い i」. They often describe emotions or feelings.

2. な形容詞 (na-keiyoushi) or 形容動詞 (keiyoudoushi) - adjectives tha require 「な na」 between the adjective and noun to modify the noun. They often describe a state or condition. 

By learning more of these adjectives, you will be able to express feelings and conditions in a much more detailed way than the N5 level. A little more kanji memorization is required for adjectives, but not too much more than N5. We compiled a list of 60 adjectives you will need to know for the N4 level. 

Writer's Pick

Discussion on the Hassles of Visa Renewal in Japan: "No.1 Most Relucta...

Life in Japan

Introducing Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan - What is it like in Kumamoto...

Life in Japan

10 Must-See Japan Autumn Festivals

Japanese Culture

A 3-Day Kyoto Itinerary to See Kyoto Autumn Leaves

Travel in Japan

Autumn in Japan: Weather, Events, Festivals and Places to Visit

Japanese Culture

N4 I-adjectives

い-adjectives cover a range of emotions, as well as tastes, touch, etc.

You can use them on their own to describe how you’re feeling, or you can add a noun directly after to indicate what you are describing. 

For example, you would describe bitter coffee as にがいコーヒー (nigai ko-hi) in a sentence, but would simply say “にがい” in reaction when drinking it. 

Here’s how to conjugate い-adjectives. For specific explanations, please check the N5 adjectives article.

N4 I-adjectives List

Without further ado, here are 27 N4 level い-adjectives. 

The ones in bold are adjectives where you should also know the kanji characters for the word. 

N4 Na-adjectives

な‐形容詞 or na-adjectives - also known as 形容動詞 (keiyoudoushi) - are often used to describe the state/condition people or situations are in. 

They also require a な (na) in between the adjective and the noun. 

You might exclaim “かんたん！” when seeing the equation 1+1 but would describe it as “かんたんな もんだい” (kantan na mondai - an easy question). 

Here is a brief review of how you would conjugate na-adjectives. Check the N5 adjectives article for more detailed explanations. 

N4 Na-adjectives List

And here is our list of 33 na-adjectives you need to know for the N4. 

Again, the ones in bold are adjectives where you should also know the kanji characters for the word.