How to Master JLPT N4 Paraphrases
Overview of JLPT N4 Paraphrases
For those of us in Nepal preparing for the December JLPT N4 — a key milestone for the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa — mastering every section is essential. The JLPT N4 exam tests your ability to understand basic Japanese across Reading, Listening, and Language Knowledge. Totaling 180 points with a pass mark of 90, the test requires knowledge of about 300 kanji, 1,500 vocabulary words, and 150 grammar points. Within the Language Knowledge section, which combined with Reading is scored out of 120 points (requiring a scaled score of 38 to pass), you will encounter the 言い換え類義 (Paraphrases) task. This sub-section typically features about 5 items.
In this task, you are given a source sentence containing a key expression wrapped in asterisks. Your goal is to choose the option among four rewritten sentences that preserves the exact meaning of the original expression. Just like Nepali uses postpositions and has an SOV structure similar to Japanese, success here relies on vocabulary substitution, recognition of standard polite versus plain forms, and an understanding of basic functional grammar.
Worked Example
Let us look at a standard N4-level paraphrase item.
Source Sentence: きょうの午後、図書館へ行くつもりです。
English Translation: I plan to go to the library this afternoon.
Options:
- きょうの午後、図書館へ行かなければなりません。
- きょうの午後、図書館へ行きたいと思います。
- きょうの午後、図書館へ行くことができます。
- きょうの午後、図書館へ行っていません。
Analysis:
- The target expression is 行くつもりです (plan to go).
- Option 1 uses なければなりません (must go), which expresses obligation, changing the meaning.
- Option 2 uses きたいと思います (think I will / want to go), which expresses a personal intention very close to an active plan, making it the correct paraphrase.
- Option 3 uses ことができます (can go), which expresses ability or possibility.
- Option 4 uses 行っていません (have not gone), which is past negative.
Therefore, Option 2 is the correct answer because つもり and 思う share overlapping intentional semantics at the N4 level.
Common Distractor Logic
Test writers use specific patterns to construct the three wrong answers. Recognizing these patterns will help you eliminate choices quickly:
- Polarity Reversal: Changing a positive verb form to a negative one, such as switching 知っています to 知りません.
- Modality Confusion: Swapping intentions (つもり) for obligations (なければならない), permissions (てもいい), or abilities (できる).
- Similar Kanji, Different Meaning: Using familiar kanji compounds that belong to a different semantic field or level, relying on visual recognition rather than comprehension.
Exam Timing Strategy
The Language Knowledge and Reading section has a total allocation of roughly 115 minutes. Because you must also complete vocabulary, grammar, and extensive reading passages, time management is critical on exam day in December.
- Allocate no more than 20 to 30 seconds per item for the Paraphrases task.
- Since there are 5 items, you should spend about 2 to 2.5 minutes total on this part.
- Read the source sentence, identify the core meaning of the underlined target expression, test it against each option, and select your answer immediately. Do not dwell on uncertain questions; mark them and move on.
Practice Routine for This Week
To build competence in paraphrase questions without relying on unauthorized or fake past papers, structure your study routine using your standard N4 vocabulary lists:
- Take 10 verbs or adjectives from your current N4 study deck.
- Write out their functional equivalents using grammar points learned so far (e.g., matching ～たい with ～つもりだ, or ～かもしれない with たぶん～だろう).
- Create your own mini-sentences and test yourself on whether changing the grammar alters the nuance.