N4 Nouns List (Part 4) - Let’s Pass the JLPT!

Continuing from N4 Nouns List (Part 3), in Part 4, you will learn nouns related to daily life that are divided into 6 categories of people, home & living, body & sensations, clothing, food & drinks, and things. They total up to 126 nouns that correspond to the JLPT N4 level. Study the meaning and usage of each noun. 

Table of Contents

1. N4 Nouns List - People
2. N4 Nouns List - Home & Living
3. N4 Nouns List - Body & Sensations
4. N4 Nouns List - Clothing
5. N4 Nouns List - Food & Drinks
6. N4 Nouns List - Things

Nouns related to “daily life” are common words in everyday conversation. Remembering their meaning and usages will help not only in preparing for the JLPT exams, but also in everyday life. Even if you do not understand the grammar or sentence, knowing the subject nouns will help you grasp the context of conversation or clarify what you want to say, which is helpful in communicating. 

N4 Nouns List - People

These nouns are related to “people” and are commonly used when introducing family members or asking about family structure. Furthermore, some of these terms are used in social life and in the news, so keep them in mind. 

Example Sentences Using N4 “People” Nouns

1. 公園で泣いているあかちゃん（赤ちゃん）を見ました。
(kouen de naiteiru akachan o mimashita)
- I saw a crying baby in the park. 

2. 私のりょうしん（両親）は、背が高いです。
(watashi no ryoushin wa, se ga takai desu)
- My parents are tall. 

3. 私のむすこ（息子）は、大学生です。
(watashi no musuko wa, daigakusei desu)
- My son is a university student. 

4. 私のむすめ（娘）は、ピアノが得意です。
(watashi no musume wa, piano ga tokui desu)
- My daughter is good at piano. 

5. 一人でバスに乗っているこ（子）がいました。
(hitori de basu ni notteiru ko ga imashita)
- There was a child riding the bus alone.

6. 私のそぼ（祖母）は、80歳です。
(watashi no sobo wa, 80-sai desu)
- My grandmother is 80 years old. 

7. 私のそふ（祖父）は、警察官でした。
(watashi no sofu wa, keisatsukan deshita)
- My grandfather was a police officer. 

8. こくみん（国民）の祝日の日は、学校は休みです。
(kokumin no shukujitsu no hi wa, gakkou wa yasumi desu)
- Schools are closed on public holidays. 

N4 “People” Nouns List

Note : Kanji in BOLD need to be remembered at the N4 level.

Writer's Pick

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

Life in Japan

What is Tori no Ichi (酉の市)? The Rooster Market Festival in Japan

Japanese Culture

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

Life in Japan

Japan Autumn Flowers: When and Where to See Them

Japanese Culture

A 3-Day Kyoto Itinerary to See Kyoto Autumn Leaves

Travel in Japan

N4 Nouns List - Home & Living

These nouns are related to “home & living”, best used to describe your home and living situation, or talking about familiar things in your house. Learning nouns related to the house will help you deal with problems in your dwelling and to make requests. 

Example Sentences Using N4 “Home & Living” Nouns

1. 荷物を送りたいので、じゅうしょ（住所）を教えてください。
(nimotsu o okuritai node, juusho o oshietekudasai)
- I want to send you a package, so please tell me your address.

2. 来週、ひっこし（引っ越し）をする予定です。
(raishuu, hikkoshi o suru yotei desu)
- I have plans to move next week.

3. 私のマンションは、駅の近くです。
(watashi no manshon wa, eki no chikaku desu)
- My apartment is close to the station. 

4. 家を出るときは、かぎ（鍵）を閉めます。
(ie o deru toki wa, kagi o shimemasu)
- Lock the door when leaving the house. 

5. 月曜日は、燃えるごみの日です。
(getsuyoubi wa, moeru-gomi no hi desu)
- Mondays are burnable rubbish days. 

6. 和室には、たたみ（畳）があります。
(washitsu niwa, tatami ga arimasu)
- Japanese-style rooms have tatami flooring. 

7. 出かける前に、かがみ（鏡）を見ます。
(dekakeru mae ni, kagami o mimasu)
- I check myself in the mirror before going out. 

8. まぶしいので、カーテンを閉めます。
(mabushii no de, ka-ten o shimemasu)
- I close the curtains because it is too bright. 

N4 “Home & Living” Nouns List

Note: There is no Kanji to be remembered at this level. 

N4 Nouns List - Body & Sensations

These nouns are related to “body and sensations”, mainly used to describe body parts and the five senses. Remembering these nouns can help you to communicate symptoms for when injured or ill. 

Example Sentences Using N4 “Body & Sensations” Nouns

1. 私は、朝起きたらすぐにかお（顔）を洗う。
(watashi wa, asa okitara suguni kao o arau)
- I wash my face as soon as I get up in the morning. 

2. 私は、和菓子の甘いあじ（味）が好きです。
(watashi wa, wagashi no amai aji ga suki desu)
- I like the sweetness of traditional Japanese sweets. 

3. 友人のやさしさにこころ（心）から感謝した。
(yuujin no yasashisa ni kokoro kara kanshashita)
- I am thankful from the bottom of my heart for my friend’s kindness. 

4. 私の兄はちから（力）が強くてたくましい。
(watashi no ani wa chikara ga tsuyokute takumashii)
- My brother is strong and sturdy. 

5. 祖母が病気でにゅういん（入院）しました。
(sobo ga byouki de nyuuinshimashita)
- My grandmother was hospitalized due to sickness. 

6. ねつ（熱）が出たので、今日は休みます。
(netsu ga deta node, kyou wa yasumimasu)
- I am taking the day off because of a fever. 

7. 山道で転んで、足からち（血）が出ました。
(yamamichi de koronde, ashi kara chi ga demashita)
- A fall on the mountain trail caused my leg to bleed.

8. 家の外から大きなおと（音）が聞こえました。
(ie no soto kara ookina oto ga kikoemashita)
- I heard a loud sound coming from outside the house. 

N4 “Body & Sensation” Nouns List

Note : Kanji in BOLD need to be remembered at the N4 level.

N4 Nouns List - Clothing

These nouns are related to “clothing” and are mainly used to describe types of clothing and miscellaneous items.

Example Sentences Using N4 “Clothing” Nouns

1. 洗濯したようふく（洋服）をたたみます。
(sentakushita youfu o tatamimasu)
- I fold the laundered clothes. 

2. 旅行に行く前に、新しいしたぎ（下着）を買いました。
(ryokou ni iku mae ni, atarashii shitagi o kaimashita)
- I bought new underwear before going on the trip.

3. お祝いの日にきもの（着物）を着ます。
(oiwai no hi ni kimono o kimasu)
- I wear kimono on festive occasions. 

4. 運動するときはいつもスニーカーをはいている。
(undousuru toki wa itsumo suni-ka- o haiteiru)
- I always wear sneakers when exercising. 

5. 今日は面接があるので、スーツを着ました。
(kyou wa mensetsu ga aru node, su-tsu o kimashita)
- I wore a suit today because I have an interview. 

6. やぶれたところからいと（糸）が出ています。
(yabureta tokoro kara ito ga deteimasu)
- There are threads sticking out from the tear. 

7. 自分の好きなアクセサリーを選ぶのが楽しみです。
(jibun no sukina akusesari- o erabu no ga tanoshimi desu)
- I enjoy picking out accessories that I like. 

8. 仕事の時は、黒いくつした（くつ下）をはいています。
(shigoto no toki wa, kuroi kutsushita o haiteimasu)
- I wear black socks to work. 

N4 “Clothing” Nouns List

Note : Kanji in BOLD need to be remembered at the N4 level.

N4 Nouns List - Food & Drinks

“Food and drinks” nouns are often used when grocery shopping, dining out, etc. At the N4 level, you will find basic nouns that are commonly used, so remember them well.

Example Sentences Using N4 “Food & Drinks” Nouns

1. しょくりょうひん（食料品）が安い店で買い物をします。
(shokuryouhin ga yasui mise de kaimono o shimasu)
- I shop in shops where groceries are cheap.

2. いつも7時にちょうしょく（朝食）を食べます。
(itsumo 7-ji ni choushoku o tabemasu)
- I always eat breakfast at 7 o’clock. 

3. 今日のゆうしょく（夕食）はカレーにします。
(kyou no yuushoku wa kare- ni shimasu)
- Today’s dinner is curry. 

4. みそ（味噌）は、大豆からできています。
(miso wa, daizu kara dekiteimasu)
- Miso is made from soybeans. 

5. 私の好きなわしょく（和食）は、寿司です。
(watashi no sukina washoku wa, sushi desu)
- My favourite Japanese food is sushi. 

6. このようしょく（洋食）屋のパスタは美味しいです。
(kono youshoku-ya no pasuta wa oishii desu)
- This Western-style restaurant’s pasta is delicious. 

7. 日本人の主食は、こめ（米）です。
(nihonjin no shusoku wa kome desu)
- Japanese staple food is rice. 

8. 私は、なま（生）の野菜が苦手です。
(watashi wa, nama no yasai ga nigate desu)
- I do not like raw vegetables. 

N4 “Food” Nouns List

Note : Kanji in BOLD need to be remembered at the N4 level.

N4 Nouns List - Things

These nouns are the names of “things” around us. At the N4 level, we will introduce the names of familiar objects that we often see in our daily lives.

Example Sentences Using N4 “Things” Nouns

1. しなもの（品物）をもらったお礼に手紙を書きました。
(shinamono o moratta orei ni tegami o kakimashita)
- I wrote a letter to thank them for the goods received.

2. どうぐ（道具）を使って棚をつくりました。
(dougu o tsukatte tana o tsukurimashita)
- I made a shelf using tools. 

3. 私は会社から借りたパソコンを使っています。
(watashi wa kaisha kara karita pasokon o tsukatte imasu)
- I am using a computer loaned from the company. 

4. バスでお年寄りにせき（席）をゆずりました。
(basu de otoshiyori ni seki o yuzurimashita)
- I gave up my seat to an elderly on the bus. 

5. お金を払うためにレジに並びます。
(okane o harau tame ni reji ni narabimasu)
- I lined up for the check-out counter to make payment. 

6. 昨日会社にわすれもの（忘れ物）をしました。
(kinou kaisha ni wasuremono o shimashita)
- I left something behind at the company yesterday. 

7. 誕生日に友人からプレゼントをもらいました。
(tanjoubi ni yuujin kara purezento o moraimashita)
- I received a present from a friend on my birthday.

8. 友人の子どもにおもちゃをあげました。
(yuujin no kodomo ni omocha o agemashita)
I gave a toy to my friend’s child. 

N4 “Things” Nouns List

Note : Kanji in BOLD need to be remembered at the N4 level.