Japanese Advanced Japanese Language Skills Syllabus

How many kanji and vocabulary words are approximately required for JLPT N1?

Approximately 2,000 kanji and around 10,000 vocabulary words are needed for N1 — corresponding roughly to the pre-2010 大学レベル/jōyō kanji coverage needed to read newspapers and abstract texts.

What are the sections (test components) of the JLPT for levels N1 and N2?

For N1 and N2 there are two timed sections: (1) 言語知識（文字・語彙・文法）・読解 — Language Knowledge (vocabulary/grammar) and Reading combined, and (2) 聴解 — Listening. (For N3–N5, Language Knowledge splits vocabulary from grammar/reading into separate parts.)

What is the scoring structure and passing threshold logic of the JLPT?

The JLPT is scored out of a total 180 points across three scoring sections (each 0–60): (1) Language Knowledge, (2) Reading, (3) Listening. To pass you must meet BOTH an overall pass mark AND a minimum sectional score (19/60 per section for most levels) — failing any single section fails the whole test even with a high total.

What overall pass mark is required for JLPT N1 versus N5?

Overall passing marks (out of 180): N1 = 100, N2 = 90, N3 = 95, N4 = 90, N5 = 80. In addition, each scoring section must meet its minimum (typically 19/60).

What does 読解 (dokkai) test on the JLPT, and name two common question formats.

読解 tests reading comprehension. Common formats include 内容理解 (content comprehension of short/medium/long passages), 情報検索 (information retrieval from ads/notices/schedules), and 主張理解 (understanding the author's argument/opinion in longer texts).

What is the difference between transitive (他動詞) and intransitive (自動詞) verbs, with a paired example relevant to JLPT grammar?

A 他動詞 (transitive) takes a direct object marked with を and expresses an action done to something; a 自動詞 (intransitive) describes something happening on its own, with the subject marked by が. Example pair: ドアを開ける (I open the door, transitive) vs. ドアが開く (the door opens, intransitive).

On the JLPT, what does the grammar point 〜わけではない mean?

〜わけではない means 'it doesn't (necessarily) mean that...' or 'it's not the case that...', partially negating an assumed conclusion. Example: 高いからといって、おいしいわけではない ('Just because it's expensive doesn't mean it's delicious').

Distinguish the advanced conjunctions 〜にもかかわらず and 〜くせに.

Both mean 'despite / even though'. 〜にもかかわらず is formal/neutral and simply concessive (雨にもかかわらず出発した). 〜くせに is colloquial and carries criticism, blame, or contempt toward the subject (知っているくせに教えてくれない = 'even though you know, you won't tell me'), and requires the same subject.

What is the meaning and typical use of the N1 grammar 〜ざるを得ない?

〜ざるを得ない means 'cannot help but / have no choice but to (do)', expressing an unavoidable action. It attaches to the ない-form stem of a verb (する becomes せざるを得ない). Example: 台風なので中止せざるを得ない.

Explain the difference between 〜ばかりに and 〜おかげで.

Both give a reason. 〜ばかりに expresses a reason leading to an undesirable/regrettable result ('simply because...', 油断したばかりに失敗した). 〜おかげで expresses a reason leading to a positive result ('thanks to...', あなたのおかげで成功した). The negative-cause counterpart of おかげで is せいで.

What is the causative-passive form in Japanese and what does it express?

The causative-passive (使役受身) combines causative + passive and expresses being made/forced to do something, often unwillingly. Formation: Group 1 → -せられる/-される (飲ませられる), Group 2 → -させられる (食べさせられる), する → させられる. Example: 上司にお酒を飲まされた ('I was made to drink alcohol by my boss').

In keigo, what is the correct way to express 'the section chief said' respectfully, and why is 言われた ambiguous?

Correct respectful form: 課長がおっしゃいました. 言われた is ambiguous because -れる/-られる can be either passive ('was told') or a mild respectful form, so おっしゃる is preferred in formal business writing to unambiguously honor the superior.

What is 二重敬語 (double keigo) and why is it generally considered incorrect?

二重敬語 is stacking two honorific transformations on one verb (e.g., お + ご覧になる + られる → ご覧になられる, or お召し上がりになる). It is generally regarded as excessive/incorrect because a single keigo transformation already suffices; one exception is fixed expressions like お召し上がりください that have become accepted.

Besides the JLPT, what is the BJT and what does it assess?

The BJT (Business Japanese Proficiency Test / ビジネス日本語能力テスト) assesses practical Japanese communication ability in business settings. It is a CBT scored 0–800 across six levels from J5 (lowest) up to J1+ (highest), focusing on listening and reading comprehension in workplace contexts rather than isolated grammar/vocabulary.

What is the 'J.TEST' (実用日本語検定) and how does it differ from the JLPT?

The J.TEST (Test of Practical Japanese) is a certification held roughly six times a year that scores test-takers on a continuous points scale and assigns a grade based on the score from a single test, unlike the JLPT's fixed pass/fail levels. It emphasizes practical/real-world Japanese and includes a wide difficulty range in one exam (A–D level and E–F level versions).

What is 漢検 (Kanji Kentei) and what does its level structure test?

漢検 (日本漢字能力検定) is the Japan Kanji Aptitude Test, aimed largely at native and advanced learners. It has 12 levels from 10級 (easiest, ~80 kanji) up to 1級 (hardest, ~6,000 kanji), testing reading, writing, stroke order, radicals, four-character idioms (四字熟語), and kanji compounds.

What does the passive form indicate when used as the 'suffering/adversative passive' (迷惑の受身)?

The adversative passive expresses that the subject was negatively affected by an action, even an intransitive one. Example: 雨に降られた ('I was rained on / suffered from the rain') or 子供に泣かれた ('I was troubled by the child crying'). The affected person is the subject (が), the cause is marked with に.

In formal writing, what is the difference between である体 and です・ます体?

である体 (常体) is the plain/declarative style ending in だ/である, used for essays, reports, academic papers, and newspapers (objective, impersonal). です・ます体 (敬体) is the polite style used for letters, business communication, and speeches. A single document should not mix the two styles.

What is 拝啓 paired with when the letter's purpose is condolence or urgent matters requiring extra formality?

For maximum formality (formal requests, apologies) 謹啓 opens and 敬白/謹白 closes. For letters omitting formalities due to urgency, 前略 opens (skipping the seasonal greeting) and 草々 closes. 拝啓/敬具 is the standard neutral-formal pairing.

How do you humbly refer to giving something to a superior, and receiving something from a superior?

Giving to a superior: 差し上げる (humble form of あげる). Receiving from a superior: いただく / 頂戴する (humble form of もらう). When a superior gives to you, use くださる (respectful form of くれる).

What is the meaning of the business phrase 取り急ぎ (toriisogi)?

取り急ぎ means 'in haste / just a quick note', used at the end of a brief email or letter to acknowledge that it is being sent quickly without full formalities, e.g., 取り急ぎご連絡まで ('just a quick note to inform you').

Explain the grammar 〜を余儀なくされる and give the nuance.

〜を余儀なくされる is formal N1 grammar meaning 'to be forced/compelled into (an unavoidable situation)', expressing that external circumstances leave no choice. Example: 資金不足で、計画の中止を余儀なくされた ('Due to lack of funds, they were forced to cancel the plan').

What is the difference between のみならず and だけでなく?

Both mean 'not only... but also'. のみならず is the formal/written (硬い) equivalent used in essays and formal writing, while だけでなく is the neutral spoken/standard form. Example: 学生のみならず、教員も参加した.

On the JLPT listening (聴解) section, what are the typical task types?

Typical N1/N2 listening tasks include 課題理解 (task-based comprehension: what to do next), 要点理解 (grasping the key point), 概要理解 (understanding the overall gist/theme), 即時応答 (immediate quick response), and 統合理解 (integrated comprehension of longer conversations comparing information).

What is the polite/humble way to ask for someone's name in a business setting, and why avoid 名前は何ですか?

Use お名前を頂戴できますでしょうか or 失礼ですが、お名前を伺ってもよろしいでしょうか. 名前は何ですか is grammatically fine but too blunt/casual for business; keigo and cushioning phrases are expected when addressing customers or superiors.

Distinguish 〜とともに, 〜にしたがって, and 〜につれて when expressing simultaneous/proportional change.

All express 'as X happens, Y changes'. 〜につれて and 〜にしたがって emphasize gradual proportional change (年をとるにつれて/にしたがって記憶力が落ちる). 〜とともに can mean 'together with' or 'at the same time as' and is more formal, also usable for one-time simultaneous events (経済成長とともに).

What is 御中 (onchū) and when is it used in addressing business mail?

御中 is an honorific suffix appended to a company or department name (not an individual) when addressing an envelope or document, e.g., 〇〇株式会社 営業部 御中. When addressing a specific person you use 様 instead, and you never combine 御中 with 様.

What does the advanced expression 〜てからでないと / 〜てからでなければ mean?

It means 'unless X is done first / not until X is done', indicating that a following action or state is impossible without first completing X. Example: 会員登録してからでないと、ご利用いただけません ('You cannot use it unless you register first').

What is the correct humble expression for 'I have received your email / document', and which verb is used?

メールを拝見しました (for reading — 拝見する is the humble form of 見る) or 確かに頂戴いたしました / 拝受いたしました for formally acknowledging receipt of a document. 拝受 and 拝見 both use the humble 拝 prefix indicating one performs the action toward a respected party.