JLPT N4 Reading: Understand Messages About Future Plans

The JLPT N4 reading section often tests your ability to understand simple messages about future plans. This isn’t about complex literature; it’s about everyday conversations and announcements where people are discussing what they intend to do. Let’s look at some practical ways to tackle this type of text.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

Here’s a breakdown of important words and phrases you’ll encounter:

• 未来 (mirai) – Future
• 予定 (yotei) – Plan, schedule
• ～つもりです (～tsumori desu) – “I intend to…” This is crucial! It’s the most common way to express future intentions at the N4 level.
• ～を考えます (～o kangaemasu) – “To consider…”
• ～について話します (～ni tsuite hanashimasu) – “To talk about…”
• 来週 (raishuu) – Next week
• 週末 (shuumatsu) – Weekend
• 今度 (kondo) – “Sometime,” “next time”

Example Dialogue 1: Making Plans with a Friend

Scenario: Two friends, Hana and Kenji, are chatting about their weekend plans.

Hana: ケンジさん、週末は何をする予定ですか？ (Kenji-san, shuumatsu wa nan o yotei desu ka?) – “Kenji, what do you have planned for the weekend?”

Kenji: うーん、まだ決めてないんです。来週の土曜日は映画を見に行きたい気分です。(Uun, mada kimete nai n desu. Raishuu no dochoubyou wa eiga o mi ni ikitai kibun desu.) – “Hmm, I haven’t decided yet. Next Saturday, I feel like going to see a movie.”

Hana: いいですね！　今度、一緒にどこか行かないで？(Ii desu ne! Kondo, issho ni dokoka ikanai de?) – “That’s great! Sometime, shall we go somewhere together?”

Kenji: 検討してみます。ありがとう！ (Kentou shite mimasu. Arigatou!) – “I’ll think about it. Thank you!”

Common Mistakes & Corrections

A frequent mistake is omitting the tsumori desu particle. Saying simply “映画を見たいです” (eiga o mitai desu – I want to see a movie) doesn’t convey your intention as strongly as “映画を見に行きたいです” (eiga o mi ni ikitai desu – I intend to go and see a movie).

Incorrect: ケンジさん、週末は何をするつもりですか？(Kenji-san, shuumatsu wa nan o tsumori desu ka?) – This is grammatically correct but less natural.

Correct: ケンジさん、週末は何をする予定ですか？ (Kenji-san, shuumatsu wa nan o yotei desu ka?) – Better! Uses the more common phrasing for expressing plans.

Example Dialogue 2: A Company Announcement

Scenario: A company is announcing a new training session.

Company Spokesperson: 皆様、来月15日に、新しい営業スキルについて学ぶための研修会が開催されます。(Minasama, raigetsu jūichi-nichi ni, atarashii eigyosuki ni tsuite manabu tame no kunshukai ga kai wa saremasu.) – “Everyone, on July 15th next month, a training session to learn new sales skills will be held.”

Company Spokesperson: ご参加の予定がある方は、事前に申し込みをお願いいたします。(Go-sanka no yotei ga aru kata wa, jizen ni moushikomi o onegai itashimasu.) – “Those of you who plan to attend, please register in advance.”

Tips for Success

• Focus on Key Words: Look for yotei (plan), tsumori desu (intend to), and dates.
• Don’t Translate Literally: Japanese sentence structure is different. Focus on understanding the meaning, not translating word-for-word.
• Practice Regularly: The more you read N4-level materials, the faster you’ll become accustomed to the language.

Good luck with your JLPT N4 reading preparation!