JLPT N4 adverbs, time expressions, and connectors total 60 words — the largest supporting-vocabulary category on the exam. These words don't carry core meaning on their own, but they shape degree, timing, and logical flow — essential for both reading comprehension and natural-sounding speech.

This article is part of our JLPT N4 Complete Vocabulary Guide. Practice all 60 words with the N4 Adverbs & Time deck in Onigiri Anki.

Time Expressions (12)

These words position events in time — essential for understanding narrative sequence in N4 reading passages.

recently最近saikin

最近、いそがしいです。 — I have been busy recently.

the first / the beginning最初saisho

最初はきんちょうしました。 — At first, I was nervous.

the last / the end最後saigo

これが最後の電車です。 — This is the last train.

future将来shourai

将来のために、がんばりたいです。 — I want to work hard for my future.

long ago昔mukashi

昔、この町は小さかったです。 — Long ago, this town was small.

the other dayこの間kono aida

この間、友だちに会いました。 — I met my friend the other day.

a little while agoさっきsakki

さっき、パンを買いました。 — I bought bread a little while ago.

next time / this time今度kondo

今度、一緒に行きましょう。 — Let's go together next time.

these daysこの頃konogoro

この頃、仕事で忙しいです。 — These days, I am busy with work.

very soonもうすぐmousugu

電車はもうすぐ来ます。 — The train will arrive very soon.

soon / it's about timeそろそろsorosoro

そろそろ帰ります。 — It is about time to go home.

finally / at lastやっとyatto

やっと宿題が終わりました。 — I finally finished my homework.

Degree & Frequency Adverbs (12)

These adverbs modify how much or how often — several require a negative verb ending, a common N4 grammar trap.

not at all (with negative)全然zenzen

全然わかりません。 — I don't understand it at all.

quite / veryずいぶんzuibun

この店はずいぶん人気です。 — This shop is quite popular.

considerablyだいぶdaibu

日本語がだいぶ上手になりました。 — I got much better at Japanese.

extremely非常にhijou ni

このスープは非常に熱いです。 — This soup is extremely hot.

mostly / almost allほとんどhotondo

私は朝ごはんをほとんど食べません。 — I almost never eat breakfast.

occasionallyたまにtama ni

たまに映画を見ます。 — I occasionally watch movies.

quite / not easily (with negative)なかなかnakanaka

このむずかしい文はなかなか分かりません。 — I can't quite understand this difficult sentence.

not a bit (with negative)ちっともchittomo

ちっとも寒くありません。 — I don't feel it at all.

usually大抵taitei

大抵、7時に朝ごはんを食べます。 — I usually eat breakfast at seven.

roughly / mostly大体daitai

会議は大体三時に始まります。 — The meeting starts at about three o'clock.

many times何度もnando mo

答えを何度も見ました。 — I checked the answer many times.

with all one's effort一生懸命isshoukenmei

彼女は一生懸命勉強します。 — She studies hard.

Manner Adverbs (8)

These describe the way an action is performed — clearly, firmly, suddenly — adding nuance to N4-level sentences.

definitely / without fail必ずkanarazu

傘を必ず持ってきてください。 — Please be sure to bring your umbrella.

surelyきっとkitto

きっと今夜勉強します。 — I will surely study tonight.

clearlyはっきりhakkiri

はっきり言ってください。 — Please say it clearly.

completelyすっかりsukkari

部屋はすっかりきれいになりました。 — The room became completely clean.

firmly / properlyしっかりshikkari

しっかり勉強してください。 — Please study properly.

rapidly / steadilyどんどんdondon

子どもたちはどんどん大きくなります。 — The children are growing up rapidly.

suddenly急にkyuu ni

急に雨がふりました。 — Suddenly, it started to rain.

as much as one canできるだけdekiru dake

できるだけ勉強します。 — I will study as much as I can.

Connectors & Conjunctions (8)

Sentence connectors link ideas across sentences — critical for understanding longer N4 reading passages and formal writing.

however / butけれどもkeredomo

行きたかったけれども、忙しかったです。 — I wanted to go, but I was busy.

and soそれでsore de

雨が降りました。それで、試合は中止になりました。 — It rained, and so the game was canceled.

then / thereuponするとsuruto

彼に電話しました。すると、彼がここに来ました。 — I called him, and then he came here.

besidesそれにsore ni

この本はおもしろいです。それに、安いです。 — This book is interesting, and besides, it is cheap.

thereforeだからdakara

雨が降りました。だから、家にいました。 — It was raining, so I stayed home.

by the wayところでtokorode

ところで、日本料理は好きですか。 — By the way, do you like Japanese food?

for example例えばtatoeba

例えば、朝に果物を食べます。 — For example, I eat fruit in the morning.

of courseもちろんmochiron

もちろん、手伝います。 — Of course, I'll help you.

Adverbs That Require a Negative Verb

Several N4 adverbs must be paired with a negative verb ending — using them with a positive verb is a common exam mistake. 全然 (zenzen), ちっとも (chittomo), and なかなか (nakanaka, in its negative sense) all follow this pattern: 全然わかりません (I don't understand at all) is correct; 全然わかります is not.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between だから and それで?

Both mean "therefore/so," but だから (dakara) is more casual and direct, often used in spoken conversation. それで (sorede) is slightly more neutral and commonly used to connect narrative events in writing.

Can 全然 be used with positive meaning?

Traditionally 全然 requires a negative verb (全然わかりません). In casual modern speech, some younger speakers use 全然 with positive adjectives (全然いい, "totally fine"), but this is informal and not the standard N4 exam usage.

Practice All 60 N4 Adverbs & Time Words

Import the N4 Adverbs & Time deck into Onigiri Anki and master time expressions, adverbs, and connectors with spaced repetition.

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JLPT N4 Adverbs, Time Expressions & Connectors: 60 Essential Words (2026)