Elite Japanese Study Guide: Directions and Transport (JLPT N4)

Navigating Japan’s world-class transit system and picturesque streets is a core milestone of the JLPT N4 level. This guide refines your ability to give and receive directions, use transit particles accurately, and sound natural to native speakers.

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1. Essential Vocabulary (語彙)

Mastering these spatial and transit terms is crucial before applying grammar rules.

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2. Key Grammar Patterns

Rule A: The Movement Particle を (Navigating Space)

In English, we walk through a park or turn at a corner. In Japanese, the particle を marks the space or route through, along, or out of which movement occurs.

$$\text{[Location/Obstacle]} + \mathbf{\text{を}} + \text{[Movement Verb (曲がる, 渡る, 通る)]}$$曲渡通

• 角を右に曲がってください。
  • Kado o migi ni magatte kudasai.
  • Please turn right at the corner.
  角右曲
• この道をまっすぐ行ってください。
  • Kono michi o massugu itte kudasai.
  • Please go straight along this street.
  道行

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Rule B: Giving Directions with the 〜と Conditional

To explain what a traveler will find after taking a specific action, use the と conditional (Dictionary Form + と). This indicates a natural, inevitable consequence: "If you do X, Y will naturally appear."

$$\text{[Verb (Dictionary Form)]} + \mathbf{\text{と}} + \text{[Result/State]}$$

• 橋を渡ると、左に交番があります。
  • Hashi o wataru to, hidari ni kouban ga arimasu.
  • If you cross the bridge, there will be a police box on your left.
  橋渡左交番
• まっすぐ行くと、突き当たりにコンビニが見えます。
  • Massugu iku to, tsukiatari ni konbini ga miemasu.
  • If you go straight, you will see a convenience store at the end of the street.
  行突当見

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Rule C: Boarding, Exiting, and Transferring

Using the correct particles with transport verbs is a common trap on the JLPT N4 exam. Memorize these pairings:

1. Get on: [Vehicle] に乗る (にのる) $\rightarrow$ に marks the target of entry.乗
2. Get off: [Vehicle] を降りる (をおりる) $\rightarrow$ を marks the point of departure.降
3. Transfer: [Station] で [A] から [B] に乗り換える乗換

• 東京駅で地下鉄に乗り換えてください。
  • Tōkyō-eki de chikate tsu ni norikaete kudasai.
  • Please transfer to the subway at Tokyo Station.
  東京駅地下鉄

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3. Real-World Dialogue (会話)

Read this natural conversation between a tourist (A) and a local (B) to see these rules in action.

• A: すみません、美術館へはどう行けばいいですか。
  • Sumimasen, bijutsukan e wa dō ikeba ii desu ka?
  • Excuse me, how can I get to the art museum?
  美術館行
• B: ああ、美術館ですね。この道をまっすぐ行くと、大きな交差点があります。
  • Ā, bijutsukan desu ne. Kono michi o massugu iku to, ōkina kōsaten ga arimasu.
  • Ah, the art museum. If you go straight down this street, there is a large intersection.
  美術館道行大
• A: はい、交差点ですね。
  • Hai, kōsaten desu ne.
  • Yes, the intersection.
  交差点
• B: その交差点を右に曲がって、２分ほど歩くと右側にありますよ。
  • Sono kōsaten o migi ni magatte, nifun hodo aruku to migigawa ni arimasu yo.
  • Turn right at that intersection, and if you walk for about two minutes, it will be on your right side.
  交差点右曲分

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4. Pro-Tip for N4 Success

When asked for directions in listening exams, map out the sequence mentally using 〜てから (after doing...).

• Example: 電車を降りてから、北口を出てください。 (After getting off the train, exit through the North Gate.)電車降北口出