JLPT N4 Japanese Reading Practice
JLPT N4 Japanese reading practice sits between beginner scripts and mid-level nuance: everyday actions, small favors, soft emotion, and slightly longer sentences. Read the free samples below, review the vocabulary, then generate more practice in Yomigi.
傘を買った帰り道
帰り道、空が暗くなってきました。傘を家に忘れていたので、コンビニで傘を買いました。でも店を出ると、雨はもうやんでいました。少し悔しかったけれど、駅まで歩きながら、青い空を見て笑ってしまいました。
帰り道、空が暗くなってきました。傘を家に忘れていたので、コンビニで傘を買いました。でも店を出ると、雨はもうやんでいました。少し悔しかったけれど、駅まで歩きながら、青い空を見て笑ってしまいました。Summary
On the way home the sky darkens. The narrator realizes they left their umbrella at home, buys one at a convenience store, then steps outside to find the rain has already stopped—and laughs at the blue sky on the walk to the station.
Key Vocabulary
- 帰り道かえりみちthe way home / return trip
- 忘れていたわすれていたhad forgotten / left behind (past progressive of 忘れる)
- やんでいましたやんでいましたhad stopped (for rain; from 止む)
- 悔しかったくやしかったwas frustrating / annoying / vexing
- 歩きながらあるきながらwhile walking
- 笑ってしまいましたわらってしまいましたended up laughing (unintentional / spontaneous nuance)
Grammar Notes
- 〜ので for reason
- 忘れていたので explains why they bought an umbrella—soft cause, common in everyday narration.
- もう + completed state
- 雨はもうやんでいました marks that the rain had already finished by the time they left the shop.
- 〜てしまう
- 笑ってしまいました adds a spontaneous “ended up …” feeling, not only plain 笑いました.
Comprehension
01Why did the narrator buy an umbrella?Reveal AnswerHide Answer
Because they had left their umbrella at home (傘を家に忘れていた).
02What was the weather like when they left the store?Reveal AnswerHide Answer
The rain had already stopped.
03How did the narrator feel afterward?Reveal AnswerHide Answer
A little frustrated at first, then they laughed while looking at the blue sky.
More N4 Reading
Who This Level Is For
You can follow simple past events and everyday scenes.
You want slightly longer sentences without jumping to dense essays.
You still need dictionary help for less common verbs and adjectives.
Reading Tips
Track who did what — subjects are often omitted in Japanese.
Guess from context before opening the vocabulary list.
Re-read after one lookup pass to feel the rhythm.