JLPT N4 society and culture vocabulary covers 45 essential words spanning abstract social concepts (社会, 経済, 政治), media terms, and Japanese cultural traditions (花見, 花火, 着物). This is the vocabulary that opens up understanding of Japanese news, culture, and social life.

This article is part of our JLPT N4 Complete Vocabulary Guide. Practice all 45 words with the N4 Society & Culture deck in Onigiri Anki.

Society & Abstract Concepts (9)

These abstract nouns appear in N4 reading passages discussing broader social topics beyond daily conversation.

culture文化bunka

日本の文化に興味があります。 — I'm interested in Japanese culture.

society社会shakai

現代社会は複雑です。 — Modern society is complex.

economy経済keizai

日本の経済は回復しています。 — The Japanese economy is recovering.

hobby趣味shumi

趣味は料理です。 — My hobby is cooking.

habit / custom習慣shuukan

早起きの習慣があります。 — I have a habit of waking up early.

politics政治seiji

彼は政治に興味があります。 — He is interested in politics.

law法律houritsu

私たちは法律を守らなければなりません。 — We must follow the law.

world世界sekai

世界はとても広いです。 — The world is very big.

population人口jinkou

この町の人口は増えています。 — The population of this city is increasing.

Media & Communication (9)

Vocabulary for news, opinions, and rules — essential for understanding formal N4 reading passages and discussions.

newspaper company新聞社shinbunsha

あの新聞社は大きいです。 — That newspaper company is big.

broadcast放送housou

テレビでサッカーの試合を放送しました。 — The TV station broadcast a soccer game.

TV program番組bangumi

私は毎晩この番組を見ます。 — I watch this program every night.

rule / regulation規則kisoku

規則を守ってください。 — Please follow the rules.

experience経験keiken

この仕事でいい経験をしました。 — I had good experience at this job.

opinion意見iken

あなたの意見を聞かせてください。 — Please tell me your opinion.

reason理由riyuu

理由を教えてください。 — Please tell me the reason.

greeting挨拶aisatsu

私は今朝先生に挨拶しました。 — I greeted my teacher this morning.

promise約束yakusoku

友達と約束をしました。 — I made a promise with my friend.

Culture & Traditions (9)

Uniquely Japanese cultural events and objects — this vocabulary connects language learning directly to Japanese customs.

festivalお祭りomatsuri

家族とお祭りに行きました。 — I went to the festival with my family.

cherry blossom viewing花見hanami

今週末に花見に行きます。 — We will go cherry blossom viewing this weekend.

fireworks花火hanabi

夏に花火を見ました。 — We watched fireworks in the summer.

kimono着物kimono

妹は着物を着ました。 — My sister wore a kimono.

manga / comics漫画manga

寝る前に漫画を読みます。 — I read manga before bed.

novel小説shousetsu

本屋で小説を買いました。 — I bought a novel at the bookstore.

literature文学bungaku

彼は文学が好きです。 — He likes literature.

concertコンサートkonsaato

友だちとコンサートに行きました。 — I went to a concert with my friend.

partyパーティーpaatii

うちでパーティーをしました。 — We had a party at my house.

Sports & International (8)

Sports and international relations vocabulary rounds out the N4 society category.

match / game試合shiai

その試合はとてもおもしろかったです。 — The game was very interesting.

judo柔道juudou

兄は毎週柔道を習っています。 — My brother practices judo every week.

swimming水泳suiei

土曜日に水泳をします。 — I swim on Saturday.

fishing釣りtsuri

川で釣りをしました。 — I went fishing in the river.

competition競争kyousou

競争は昼に始まります。 — The competition starts at noon.

international国際kokusai

ここは国際空港です。 — This is an international airport.

trade貿易boueki

日本は外国と貿易をしています。 — Japan trades with foreign countries.

exhibition展覧会tenrankai

友だちと展覧会に行きました。 — I went to the exhibition with my friend.

Seasonal Culture: 花見 and 花火

花見 (hanami, cherry blossom viewing) happens in spring; 花火 (hanabi, fireworks) is a summer tradition, often paired with festivals (お祭り). Both words share 花 (hana, flower) — 花見 literally means "flower viewing," and 花火 means "flower fire," describing how fireworks bloom in the sky.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 趣味 (hobby) important for the N4?

趣味 is one of the most common N4 conversation topics — self-introductions, small talk, and reading passages about personal interests all use this word. It appears far more often than its simple definition suggests.

What is the difference between 経験 and 経済?

These words look similar but are unrelated: 経験 (keiken) means experience (something you have done). 経済 (keizai) means economy (a financial system). Careful reading of kanji and context is needed to avoid confusing them on the exam.

Practice All 45 N4 Society & Culture Words

Import the N4 Society & Culture deck into Onigiri Anki and master abstract and cultural vocabulary with spaced repetition.

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JLPT N4 Society & Culture Vocabulary: 45 Essential Words (2026)