How to Approach JLPT N4 Text Grammar Questions

2026-10-18

Understanding the Task

Whether you are preparing for the December JLPT N4 for your Specified Skilled Worker visa or aiming for your 150-hour certificate for a student visa, the Language Knowledge section is vital. In the 'Text Grammar' (文章の文法) section, you are presented with a short passage. One part contains a blank space marked with a number (e.g., （　①　）). Your goal is to select the correct word from four options that fits the logical flow.

Since Nepali and Japanese are both SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) languages and use postpositions (particles), you already have an advantage in understanding Japanese sentence structure. You must be familiar with approximately 300 kanji and 1500 vocabulary words to navigate these texts comfortably.

The Logic of Connectors

Most N4 questions rely on your understanding of conjunctions (接続詞). Words like 'しかし' (but), 'ですから' (therefore), or 'それに' (in addition) dictate the direction of the paragraph. When you see a blank, look at the sentence before and after it. If the second sentence expresses a negative outcome despite a positive effort, you know you need a contrastive conjunction.

Worked Example

Read the following passage:

昨日、新しいレストランへ行きました。料理はとてもおいしかったです。店の人も親切でした。（　①　）、また行きたいです。

1. しかし
2. ですから
3. それでも
4. まだ

Analysis: The first two sentences describe positive experiences. The final sentence expresses a desire to return. Since the conclusion follows naturally, option 2 'ですから' (therefore) is the correct choice. 'しかし' (1) would imply a contradiction, which does not fit here.

Translation: Yesterday, I went to a new restaurant. The food was very delicious. The staff was also kind. Therefore, I want to go again.

Common Distractor Patterns

Test makers include distractors that are grammatically correct in isolation but logically incorrect for the paragraph. Always read the entire paragraph before selecting your answer.

Timing and Exam Strategy

• Time Allocation: The Language Knowledge and Reading section is 115 minutes. Aim to complete the Text Grammar section in 5 to 7 minutes. Do not spend more than 1 minute on a single question.
• First Pass: Read the whole passage quickly to grasp the main theme.
• Elimination: If unsure, eliminate the two options that clearly do not fit. This increases your odds from 25% to 50%.
• Review: Re-read the passage with your chosen answer to ensure it sounds natural.

Weekly Study Routine

To improve your performance:

1. Daily Reading: Read one short Japanese news article (e.g., NHK News Web Easy) and focus on how sentences connect.
2. Practice Sets: Practice identifying the 'key' word that determines the connection.
3. Grammar Review: Ensure you can use basic N4 conjunctions (ですから, ですが, また, そして, ところが) in your own sentences.