JLPT N4 nature and weather vocabulary covers 25 essential words — landscape features, sky phenomena, natural disasters, and common animals. This vocabulary expands significantly on N5, adding words like 地震 (earthquake) and 台風 (typhoon) that are essential for understanding Japanese news and daily conversation.

This article is part of our JLPT N4 Complete Vocabulary Guide. Practice all 25 words with the N4 Nature & Weather deck in Onigiri Anki.

Landscape & Terrain (9)

These words describe natural features found in Japanese parks, countryside, and travel destinations.

branch枝eda

この枝は長いです。 — The branch is long.

grass草kusa

草は緑です。 — The grass is green.

leaf葉ha

机の上に葉が一枚あります。 — There is one leaf on the desk.

woods林hayashi

林の中を歩きました。 — We walked through the woods.

forest森mori

家の近くに大きい森があります。 — There is a big forest near my house.

lake湖mizuumi

友だちと湖へ行きました。 — I went to the lake with my friend.

shore岸kishi

私たちは岸を歩きました。 — We walked along the shore.

stone石ishi

道に石があります。 — There is a stone on the road.

sand砂suna

浜に砂があります。 — There is sand on the beach.

Sky, Weather & Disasters (8)

Japan experiences frequent typhoons and earthquakes — this vocabulary is essential for understanding weather forecasts and safety announcements.

star星hoshi

空に星が見えます。 — I can see a star in the sky.

moon月tsuki

今夜は月が明るいです。 — The moon is bright tonight.

sun太陽taiyou

太陽は空の高いところにあります。 — The sun is high in the sky.

air空気kuuki

この部屋の空気はきれいです。 — The air in this room is clean.

typhoon台風taifuu

明日、台風が来ます。 — A typhoon is coming tomorrow.

earthquake地震jishin

地震は強かったです。 — The earthquake was strong.

cloud雲kumo

空に雲があります。 — There is a cloud in the sky.

fire (disaster)火事kaji

火事がとなりの家にうつりました。 — The fire spread to the next house.

Animals & Elements (8)

Common animals and natural elements round out N4 nature vocabulary, often appearing in reading passages about farms and countryside life.

insect虫mushi

テーブルの上に虫がいます。 — An insect is on the table.

horse馬uma

あの馬はとても速いです。 — That horse is very fast.

cow牛ushi

あの畑に牛がいます。 — There is a cow in the field.

pig豚buta

友だちは豚が好きです。 — My friend likes pigs.

mouse / rat鼠nezumi

台所で鼠を見ました。 — I saw a mouse in the kitchen.

light光hikari

部屋に光が入りました。 — Light came into the room.

fire火hi

火を見ました。 — I saw a fire.

weather forecast天気予報tenki yohou

天気予報では、あした雨がふります。 — The weather forecast said it will rain tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is earthquake and typhoon vocabulary on the JLPT?

Japan experiences frequent earthquakes and typhoons, so this vocabulary is practically essential for anyone living in or visiting Japan. The JLPT includes 地震 and 台風 because they appear regularly in news broadcasts, safety announcements, and everyday conversation.

What is the difference between 林 and 森?

林 (hayashi) refers to a smaller wooded area or grove, often man-planted. 森 (mori) refers to a larger, denser forest, often natural. Both are tested on the N4 and commonly confused by learners.

Practice All 25 N4 Nature & Weather Words

Import the N4 Nature & Weather deck into Onigiri Anki and master landscape, weather, and animal vocabulary with spaced repetition.

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JLPT N4 Nature & Weather Vocabulary: 25 Essential Words (2026)