Unlock Japanese: Reading Apartment & Household Notices (JLPT N4)
The JLPT N4 exam focuses heavily on reading comprehension, and a huge chunk of that involves understanding everyday notices – especially those you’d find in an apartment building or local shop. This article will give you practical strategies and vocabulary to tackle these situations.
Why Apartment Notices are Key for N4 Reading
Japanese apartment notices (住居まいおり・物件情報 – juumi mai ori ・ bunkigijō) use a surprisingly consistent format. They’re filled with essential information about rules, fees, services, and contact details. Mastering these will give you a strong foundation for the N4 reading section.
Essential Vocabulary
- まあいおり (mai ori): Notice, announcement
- 物件 (bunkigijō): Property, building information
- 賃料 (chirei): Rent
- 共益費 (kyōyakushi): Common area charges (water, electricity, etc.)
- 管理会社 (kanri-gaisha): Management company
- 留守電 (omusho den): Answering machine
- 営業時間 (seigai jikina): Business hours
- 禁止 (kinshi): Prohibited, forbidden
Common Phrases You’ll Encounter
- 「お客様におかれましては」 (“Okashiki-na okaremitara”) – “To our esteemed customers” (a polite opening)
- 「ご留意ください」(“Go ryūi kudasai”) – “Please note” / “Take note”
- お願い申し上げます (‘Inoyoi moushiagemasu’) – Please be aware/ We ask you to
- ご連絡 (gorenraku) – Contact, communication
Example Notice & Breakdown
<img src="Read More” alt=”Example Apartment Notice (Replace with actual image)” width=”400″>
Let’s look at a simplified example:
住居まいおり 〇〇マンション [Image of building] お客様におかれましては、 ご留意ください。 1. 賃料: 50,000円 2. 共益費: 10,000円 (水道光熱費込み) 3. 物件情報: 1K (洋室1部屋) 4. 営業時間: 平日9時~17時 5. 管理会社: 株式会社〇〇 6. 연락처: 03-1234-5678
Translation:
- Notice
- 〇〇 Mansion
- Rent: ¥50,000
- Common Area Charges: ¥10,000 (including water, electricity, and gas)
- Apartment Type: 1K (Western-style room with one bedroom)
- Business Hours: Weekdays 9am – 5pm
- Management Company: 株式会社〇〇 (Kabushiki-gaisha 〇〇 – Limited Liability Company 〇〇)
- Contact Number: 03-1234-5678
Common Mistakes & Corrections
- Mistake: Saying “Watashi wa…” (I am…) at the beginning of a response.
Correction: When responding to a notice, simply acknowledge it with a polite phrase like “Arigatou gozaimasu” (Thank you). - Mistake: Misunderstanding ‘共益費’ – it’s not just for water and electricity. It includes other common areas.
Correction: Pay attention to the specific details about what “kyōyakushi” covers.
Tips for Success
- Look for Key Words: Focus on words like 賃料 (rent), 共益費 (common fees), 禁止 (prohibited).
- Break it Down: Don’t try to read the whole notice at once. Read each section individually.
- Practice with Real Notices: Find sample apartment notices online or in Japanese publications and practice reading them. (There are many free PDF examples available on websites dedicated to JLPT preparation.)
Good luck with your N4 Reading exam! By focusing on these common notice situations, you’ll significantly improve your ability to understand real-world Japanese.



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