JLPT N4 Vocabulary 17-22 min

Reading N4 Verbs Kanji Vocabulary for N4 | Examples & Quiz

Study Reading N4 Verbs Kanji for N4 with Japanese words, romaji, English meanings, example sentences, pronunciation support, and beginner practice.

Knowing how to quickly recognize key action verbs by kanji drastically improves your reading speed for the JLPT.

2

Understand the core meaning first

Main Japanese

教える

oshieru

English Meaning

To teach / inform

Nepali Meaning

सिकाउनु / जानकारी दिनु

Romaji

oshieru

Level

JLPT N4

Complete lesson list
Japanese Romaji Meaning Audio
教える oshieru To teach / inform
答える kotaeru To answer
始まる hajimaru To begin / start
終わる owaru To end / finish
働く hataraku To work
動く ugoku To move
3

Use Reading N4 Verbs Kanji correctly

Simple Explanation

Use this vocabulary when the situation matches the meaning. First connect the Japanese sound to the meaning, then use it inside a short sentence.

Sentence Structure

教える (oshieru) = To teach / inform

Start with this simple structure before making longer sentences.

When To Use

Use it in beginner reading, short answers, daily-life examples, and JLPT review questions where the topic appears naturally.

When Not To Use

Do not force it into every sentence. If another word, particle, or grammar pattern expresses the idea more naturally, choose that instead.

Teacher note: Do not rush through Reading N4 Verbs Kanji. If you can explain the main idea simply, recognize it quickly, and use it once on your own, the lesson is already creating real growth.
  • Japanese learners grow faster when they notice how this topic appears in everyday routines, classroom language, and common study examples.
  • Even simple vocabulary lessons become more memorable when students connect them to real situations instead of treating them like a word list only.
Open the full beginner explanation

High-Frequency Verb Kanji

You must recognize these instantly:

  • 教える (Oshieru): To teach
  • 答える (Kotaeru): To answer
  • 始まる (Hajimaru): To begin
  • 終わる (Owaru): To end
  • 働く (Hataraku): To work
  • 集める (Atsumeru): To collect / To gather

Identifying the Okurigana

'Okurigana' are the hiragana characters that 'spill out' from the kanji. Pay attention to them! For example:

  • 乗る (no-ru: to ride)
  • 終わる (o-waru: to end)
4

Memorize the reusable pattern

Pattern 1

教える (oshieru) = To teach / inform

Pattern 2

教える + です

Pattern 3

教える + を / が + verb

Pattern 4

Time or place + particle + 教える

5

Read, repeat, and understand the usage

Example 1

授業が始まる。

Jugyou ga hajimaru.

English

Class begins.

Nepali

कक्षा सुरु हुन्छ।

  • Focus: 授業が始まる。
  • Meaning: Class begins.
  • Role: Use it as the key lesson item.

Example 2

先生に答える。

Sensei ni kotaeru.

English

Answer the teacher.

Nepali

शिक्षकलाई उत्तर दिनुहोस्।

  • Focus: 先生に答える。
  • Meaning: Answer the teacher.
  • Role: Use it as the key lesson item.
6

Avoid the beginner traps

Mistake 1

Wrong

Memorize only: "To teach / inform"

Correct

Read 教える, say the meaning, then use it in one short sentence.

Trying to memorize Reading N4 Verbs Kanji only by translation instead of noticing how it appears in real Japanese patterns.

Mistake 2

Wrong

Memorize only: "To teach / inform"

Correct

Read 教える, say the meaning, then use it in one short sentence.

Reviewing the list once and assuming the lesson is finished without testing recall later.

Mistake 3

Wrong

Memorize only: "To teach / inform"

Correct

Read 教える, say the meaning, then use it in one short sentence.

Skipping speaking or writing practice, which makes the lesson harder to use actively.

7

Turn passive reading into active memory

Task 1

Fill in the blank

Complete the sentence: 教える means To teach / inform.

Task 2

Multiple choice

Choose the best meaning for 教える before checking the lesson list.

Task 3

Sentence building

Make one short beginner sentence using 教える. Keep it simple.

Task 4

Translation practice

Translate this idea into Japanese: To teach / inform.

Extra practice prompts

  1. Write two original sentences that use Reading N4 Verbs Kanji naturally.
  2. Review the lesson once without notes, then check what you missed.
  3. Explain the main meaning of this topic in simple English as if teaching another beginner.

Self-check before moving on

  • Can I explain the main purpose of Reading N4 Verbs Kanji without reading the notes?
  • Can I use at least one example from this lesson in my own sentence?
  • Can I come back tomorrow and still remember the key meaning or pattern?
8

Check your understanding

Q1. What does 教える mean?

Q2. What does 答える mean?

Q3. What does 始まる mean?

Q4. What does 終わる mean?

Q5. What does 働く mean?

Q6. What does 動く mean?

Q7. What does 授業が始まる。 mean?

Q8. What does 先生に答える。 mean?

Show answer key
  1. To teach / inform
  2. To answer
  3. To begin / start
  4. To end / finish
  5. To work
  6. To move
  7. Class begins.
  8. Answer the teacher.
9

Use the lesson outside flashcards

Conversation Example

A: 教える?

B: はい、教えるです。

oshieru - To teach / inform

Classroom Example

A teacher may ask you to read, choose, or explain 教える during a beginner review.

Daily Life Example

Use 教える when the meaning "To teach / inform" appears in a simple real situation.

Use Reading N4 Verbs Kanji in a short real-life scene

Imagine you are studying or interacting in a simple daily situation where JLPT N4 Japanese is enough. Your goal is to use this lesson clearly and naturally, not perfectly.

  1. Create one short scene that includes Reading N4 Verbs Kanji.
  2. Say or write two useful lines connected to the topic.
  3. Review what felt difficult and repeat the scene one more time with better accuracy.
11

Common beginner questions

What if I get verbs ending in 'su' and 'ru' confused?

Verbs ending in 'su' are usually transitive (you do them to objects). Verbs ending in 'ru' are often intransitive (they happen on their own).

12

What to remember

Key Point

Reading N4 Verbs Kanji becomes useful when you can recognize it, explain it simply, and use it in one short sentence.

Pattern

教える (oshieru) = To teach / inform

3 must-remember examples

  • 授業が始まる。 - Class begins.
  • 先生に答える。 - Answer the teacher.