Gallery Educator Edition Japanese Unit 2

Mango Educator Edition™
Japanese
Unit 2
Course Guide
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©2015 MA NGO LA NGUA GES All rights reserved.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents 2
Chapter 1: Welcome to Our Home! 3
Chapter 2: Family and Pets 23
Chapter 3: Work and Pastimes 38
Chapter 4: Dating 101 56
Chapter 5: Planning for the Weekend 75
Chapter 6: Weather and Land 93
Chapter 7: Cooking and Food Culture 115
Chapter 8: Shopping 138
Chapter 9: Bank and Post Office 160
Chapter 10: At the Hospital 186
Vocabulary Review 207
Phrase Review 247
Cultural Notes 300
Grammar Notes 316
Chapter 1: Welcome to Our Home!
いらっしゃい！
Chapter 1: Welcome to Our Home!
Conversational Goals Grammar Goals

Ask or Describe What or Who Is in a Certain Differentiate the Verbs ある and いる
Location Understand the Dependent Indefinite
Ask or Describe Where Something Is Pronoun の
Describe What Color Something Is Use the Disjunctive Subordinate Conjunction
Get Familiar with Japanese Houses and けど
Visiting Customs Use the Particle に to Indicate the Place of
Offer to Do Something for Someone Existence
Use ましょうか to Offer a Service ("Shall I
~?")
Conversation
English Japanese
ごめんください。
Hello.
(gomenkudasai.)
いらっしゃい！さあ、どうぞ。
Welcome! Now, please come in.
(irasshai! saa, doozo.)
おじゃまします。おおきいおうちですね。
Thank you. This is a big house, isn't it!
(ojama shimasu. ookii oochi desu ne.)
ふるいですけど。ちょっとうちのなかをごあんな
It's old, though. Shall I show you around the house いしましょうか。
a bit? (furui desu kedo. chotto uchi no naka o go-
an-nai shimashoo ka.)
ええ、ぜひおねがいします。
Yes, by all means.
(ee, zehi onegai shimasu.)
こちらはざしきです。そのとなりはぶつまです。
This is the drawing room. Next to it is the room
(kochira wa zashiki desu. sono tonari wa
with the family Buddhist altar.
butsuma desu.)
にわにちゃしつがあります。
There is a tea-ceremony room in the garden.
(niwa ni chashitsu ga arimasu.)
わあ、いけのなかにこいがたくさんいますね！
Wow, there are a lot of carp in the pond, aren't
(waa, ike no naka ni koi ga takusan imasu
there!
ne!)
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4
にしきごいです。あかいのやきんいろのやオレン
They are ornamental carp. There are red ones, ジいろのがいますよ。
gold ones, orange ones and others, you know. (nishikigoi desu. akai no ya kin-iro no ya
orenji-iro no ga imasu yo.)
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5
Hello (when announcing one's arrival at someone's
house).
English Japanese
Hello (when announcing one's arrival at ごめんください。
1
someone's house). (gomenkudasai.)
ごめんください is a common greeting used at the entrance of someone's house to announce
2
one's arrival. It literally means "Please forgive (me)," but it's equivalent to "Hello" in English!
いらっしゃい。
3 Welcome.
(irasshai.)
Did you remember いらっしゃいませ , a polite greeting to welcome customers at a store or

4 restaurant? We can use the same greeting to welcome visitors at our house. In a less formal
situation, we can simply say いらっしゃい .
ああ、ようこさん。いらっしゃい！
5 Oh, Yoko. Welcome!
(aa, yooko san. irasshai!)
6 Did you remember that we add さん after a person's name to be polite?
どうぞ。
7 Please come in.
(doozo.)
Do you remember that どうぞ is a versatile polite phrase that can mean "Here you go" or "Please
8
get in/out/on"? You can use it to usher a visitor into your place!
now (when encouraging some course of さあ
9
action) (saa)
10 Welcome! Now, please come in.
Thank you for inviting me in. おじゃまします。
11
(I'll hinder you.) (ojama shimasu.)
おじゃまします is a common phrase we can use when we enter someone's house in Japan. It
literally means "(I'll) hinder (you by my visit)." There is no exact match in English, but it's
12 something akin to "Thank you for inviting me in." Like ごめんください or すみません (as "Thank
you"), many Japanese phrases sound apologetic and self-effacing, reflecting the culture of
politeness and modesty.
こんにちは。おじゃまします。
13 Good afternoon. Thank you for inviting me in.
(konnichiwa. ojama shimasu.)
Thank you for your time and hospitality. おじゃましました。

14
(I hindered you.) (ojama shimashita.)
おじゃましました is the past form of おじゃまします . It means something like "I'm sorry for
15 having hindered you by my visit," but the English equivalent would be "Thank you for your time
and hospitality." It's a common phrase you can use when you are leaving someone's house.
Thank you for your time and hospitality. Good- おじゃましました。さようなら。
16
bye. (ojama shimashita. sayoonara.)
Continued on next page
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6
English Japanese
A typical Japanese house has a distinct entrance space called げんかん . It's a transition area
between outside and inside, with the "inside" clearly defined with a raised floor. You remove your
17 shoes here and step directly onto the hallway. Don't stand barefooted on the entrance floor;
that's considered "outside" even though it's indoors. Once up on the hallway, put on the house
slippers provided by the host and follow him or her.
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It's old, though. ふるいですけど。
English Japanese
ふるいですけど。
1 It's old, though.
(furui desu kedo.)
ふるい
2 old
(furui)
We can use ふるい (old) to describe various things including objects (as in an "old house"),
3 concepts (as in an "old belief"), and relationships (as in "old friends"). We shouldn't, however, use
it to talk about someone's age!
ふるいです。
4 It's old.
(furui desu.)
けど
5 though
(kedo)
～けど (though) is a plain version of ～が (..., but ...) and connects two contradictory sentences to
make them into a longer one. Like ～が , ～けど is attached to the end of the first half of the two-
6
part sentence. In conversations, the second half of the sentence is often omitted and only
implied.
As you may recall, Japanese people typically try hard not to appear vain or boastful. When they
receive compliments, they would invariably negate them or counter them with self-effacing
7
phrases. For example, when someone praises their house, they would counter with a negative
comment on it such as ふるいですけど (It's old, though).
うち
8 house
(uchi)
うち literally means "the inside," but it can be used to mean a "house," "(one's) home," "(one's
9 own) family," or more! うち is such a simple word, but it's one of the key terms that helps us
understand the Japanese culture and language.
おうち
10 house
(ouchi)
11 Did you remember that we can simply attach お to a word to make the expression more polite?
おおきいおうち
12 big house
(ookii ouchi)
おおきいおうちですね！
13 It's a big house, isn't it!
(ookii ouchi desu ne!)
しゃくや
14 rented house
(shakuya)
しゃくやですけど。
15 It's a rented house, though.
(shakuya desu kedo.)
にわ
16 garden/yard
(niwa)
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English Japanese
にわ is the outdoor space belonging to a residence. Its equivalent is a "garden" or "yard" in
17 English. Please note that we cannot use にわ to mean a particular garden plot such as a flower
garden or vegetable garden.
おにわ
18 garden
(oniwa)
ひろい
19 spacious
(hiroi)
ひろいおにわ
20 spacious garden
(hiroi oniwa)
わあ！
21 Wow!
(waa!)
わあ、ひろいおにわですね！
22 Wow, it's a spacious garden, isn't it!
(waa, hiroi oniwa desu ne!)
いえいえ。
23 No, no.
(ie ie.)
いえ is a shortened form of いいえ (no). When you want to lightly deny what has just been said (as
24
in a compliment), you can say いえいえ (no, no).
それほどでも。
25 Not so much.
(sore hodo demo.)
いえいえ、それほどでも。
26 No, no, not so much.
(ie ie, sore hodo demo.)
With a particular verbal expression comes a gesture that is often unique to the culture. When
27 Japanese people say いえいえ (no, no) as in the response to a compliment, they often wave one
or both hands before their chest with the palm facing their listener. Try it!
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9
Shall I show you around the house?
うちのなかをごあんないしましょうか。
English Japanese
1 Shall I show you around the house?
(uchi no naka o go-an-nai shimashoo ka.)
あんないする
2 to show around
(an-nai suru)
So far we have learned verbs in the polite form that ends with ます (as in はなします or "speak")
or ました (as in しました or "did"). Such a verb form is called the "ます -form." In this section, we
3 are going to start learning another form called the "dictionary form" that is used for dictionary
entries. It will not only help us find words easily in a dictionary, but also enable us to understand
the verb conjugation better!
あんないします
4 show around
(an-nai shimasu)
なか
5 inside
(naka)
うちのなか
6 the inside of the house
(uchi no naka)
Do you remember the expression えきのうら (literally, "backside of station"), in which えき
(station) indicates the place that is used as the base, and うら (the backside) is a word that
7
indicates a specific position? うちのなか (the inside of the house) uses the same pattern, "X の
Y."
I'll show you around the house. うちのなかをあんないします。
8
(I'll show you around the inside of the house.) (uchi no naka o an-nai shimasu.)
Did you add を after うちのなか ? It's the same を we used in the sentence にほんごをはなします
(I speak Japanese). The particle を is used to indicate the direct object of a verb. In うちのなかを
9
あんないします (I'll show you around the house), を indicates that うちのなか (literally, "the inside
of the house") is what the speaker will show around!
あんないしましょうか。
10 Shall I show you around?
(an-nai shimashoo ka.)
When we want to offer to do something to our listener, we can replace the verb ending ます with
11
ましょうか , as in あんないしましょうか (Shall I show you around?).
ごあんないしましょうか。
12 Shall I show you around?
(go-an-nai shimashoo ka.)
Did you remember that we sometimes need to use ご instead of お to make a certain word or
13
expression more polite? あんないします is one of these words!
Japanese people usually do not offer their guests a tour of their house as Americans often do,
unless the guests are staying overnight or the hosts are particularly proud of some features of
14 their house. Even then, the hosts would show their guests (who are "outsiders") only what is
considered as the "outer" areas of the house. The hostess, for example, might hate to have
people coming into her kitchen since it is considered one of the innermost areas of the house.
にわをごあんないしましょうか。
15 Shall I show you around the garden?
(niwa o go-an-nai shimashoo ka.)
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10
English Japanese
あける
16 to open
(akeru)
あけます
17 open
(akemasu)
あけましょうか。
18 Shall I open it?
(akemashoo ka.)
まど
19 window
(mado)
まどをあけましょうか。
20 Shall I open the window?
(mado o akemashoo ka.)
しめる
21 to close
(shimeru)
しめます
22 close
(shimemasu)
まどをしめましょうか。
23 Shall I close the window?
(mado o shimemashoo ka.)
ちょっとさむいですね。まどをしめましょう
It's a little bit cold, isn't it! Shall I close the か。
24
window? (chotto samui desu ne. mado o
shimemashoo ka.)
ぜひ
25 by all means
(zehi)
26 Yes, by all means, please.
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11
This is the Japanese-style drawing room.
こちらはざしきです。
English Japanese
1 This is the Japanese-style drawing room.
(kochira wa zashiki desu.)
こちら
2 this place
(kochira)
Do you remember こちら (this way), the word indicating a general direction? こちら and its
3 counterparts そちら (that way) and あちら (that way over there) can also be used as the polite
form for ここ (this place), そこ (that place), and あそこ (that place over there).
ざしき
4 Japanese-style drawing room
(zashiki)
ざしき is a Japanese-style drawing room with its floor covered by たたみ --thick, rectangle mats
made of tightly-woven dried stalks of plants called いぐさ (rushes). ざしき usually has sliding
5
doors. The ones covered with translucent white rice paper are called しょうじ . The ones that are
double-paned with thick paper or cloth and on which pictures are often painted are called ふすま .
Before you enter ざしき , take off your house slippers and leave them outside the room. Inside,
there is a low table, and you sit on square cushions called ざぶとん . In a formal situation, you
should sit せいざ -style, with your legs folded underneath your thighs and keeping your back
6
straight. If your feet are hurting you, you may say すみません to your host and discreetly change
your position. Please be aware, though, that sitting cross-legged will be frowned upon if you are a
woman!
ふろば
7 bathroom
(furoba)
A typical Japanese bathroom is quite different from one in the US. ふろば is literally a "bath
place." It's a room with a bathtub and a shower, and its tiled floor has a drainage hole. You wash
8 your body outside the bathtub before getting into it to keep the bathwater clean. When you are
done, don't drain the tub! Other members in the household usually share the same bathwater for
the day.
こちらはふろばです。おてあらいはそちらで
This is the bathroom. The restroom is that す。
9
way. (kochira wa furoba desu. otearai wa
sochira desu.)
おてあらい or トイレ in a typical Japanese house is a space separate from ふろば (the bathroom)
or せんめんじょ (the room with a bathroom sink). Japanese people take hygiene very seriously.
10
Inside おてあらい , you'll find a pair of "toilet" slippers. Put them on, leaving your house slippers
outside the door. When you come out, don't forget to leave the toilet slippers where they belong!
へや
11 room
(heya)
このへや
12 this room
(kono heya)
このへやはなんですか。
13 What is this room?
(kono heya wa nan desu ka.)
ぶつま
14 a room with the family Buddhist altar
(butsuma)
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12
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13
English Japanese
That room is the room with the family そのへやはぶつまです。
15
Buddhist altar. (sono heya wa butsuma desu.)
Many Japanese households have family Buddhist altars called ぶつだん , which hold mortuary
tablets (いはい ) for deceased family members. Contrary to the popular Western perception,
16 Japanese people do not worship the dead. Instead, they revere and honor their ancestors and try
to console their spirits by offering incense and prayer. In this sense, ぶつだん is a link between
the past and the present. The room with ぶつだん is called ぶつま .
となり
17 next-door
(tonari)
だいどころ
18 kitchen
(daidokoro)
next to the kitchen だいどころのとなり
19
(next-door of kitchen) (daidokoro no tonari)
If the context makes it clear that you are talking about the kitchen, だいどころの in the phrase だ
20 いどころのとなり (next to the kitchen) can be replaced with the "pointing" word その (that). Let's
try to use the shorter version in the next question!
そのとなり
21 next to it
(sono tonari)
Japanese-style family room ちゃのま
22
(space for tea) (chanoma)
ちゃのま (literally, "space for tea") or おちゃのま originally meant a room where tea was served
for guests, but it has become a Japanese-style family room where family members relax over a
23
cup of tea and watch TV. Usually, ちゃのま is next to the kitchen and used as the family dining
room as well.
こちらはだいどころです。そのとなりはちゃの
This is the kitchen. Next to it is the Japanese- まです。
24
style family room. (kochira wa daidokoro desu. sono tonari
wa chanoma desu.)
If you visit a Japanese home in winter, you may be ushered into a room with こたつ . こたつ is a
low table equipped with an electric space heater. The entire table is covered by a quilt to trap the
25
warm air in and keep your legs and feet toasty. It's a cozy space to spend time with your friends
and family on a cold day!
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14
English Japanese
1 There is a tea-ceremony room in the garden.
Do you remember the expression ここに ("here" or "at this place")? When we want to indicate the
2 place where something exists, we add the particle に after the place noun. It's equivalent to "at,"
"on," or "in" in English. Let's try that in the next question!
ある
3 to exist or to be (when referring to things)
(aru)
あります
4 there is (when referring to things)
(arimasu)
ちゃしつ
5 tea-ceremony room
(chashitsu)
ちゃしつ (literally, "tea room") is a space specifically designed to have a tea ceremony. A typical
ちゃしつ is a small structure built in a Japanese-style garden. It looks like a simple rustic hut, but
6 the simplicity is a well-calculated one! Guests go through the well-tended garden and enter ちゃ
しつ through a small door called にじりぐち . Inside, they enjoy not only green tea but also the
ambiance and hospitality carefully prepared and presented by the host.
ちゃしつがあります。
7 There is a tea-ceremony room.
(chashitsu ga arimasu.)
Did you add が after ちゃしつ and say ちゃしつがあります (There is a tea-ceremony room)? It's
8 the same が we learned to use in the sentence ほんやがあります (There is a bookstore). In these
sentences, the particle が is used to mark the subject of a verb.
げんかん
9 entrance hall
(genkan)
げんかんのとなり
10 the next-door of the entrance hall
(genkan no tonari)
11 In the following questions, let's assume that we are talking about the locations where things exist!
next to the entrance hall げんかんのとなりに
12
(at the next-door of the entrance hall) (genkan no tonari ni)
ひろいざしき
13 spacious Japanese-style drawing room
(hiroi zashiki)
げんかんのとなりにひろいざしきがあります。
There is a spacious Japanese-style drawing
14 (genkan no tonari ni hiroi zashiki ga
room next to the entrance hall.
arimasu.)
The pronunciation of なん (what) changes to なに depending on the word that comes after it. な
ん is used when it is followed by a counter as in なんじ (what time) or by a word that starts with
15
the "t" sound (such as と ), "d" sound (such as で ), or "n" sound (such as の ). In all other cases,
we use なに .
なにがありますか。
16 What is there?
(nani ga arimasu ka.)
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15
English Japanese
おしいれ
17 Japanese-style closet
(oshi-ire)
18 A typical おしいれ (Japanese-style closet) is two-tiered with paper-covered sliding doors.
おしいれのなか
19 the inside of the Japanese-style closet
(oshi-ire no naka)
in the Japanese-style closet おしいれのなかに
20
(at the inside of the Japanese-style closet) (oshi-ire no naka ni)
おしいれのなかになにがありますか。
21 What is in the Japanese-style closet?
(oshi-ire no naka ni nani ga arimasu ka.)
ふとん
22 Japanese-style bedding
(futon)
Japanese ふとん (futon) is different from the American version. The authentic ふとん is a set of a
23
thick cotton-filled mattress and a fluffy quilt. It's quite light, mobile, and comfortable!
There is Japanese-style bedding in the おしいれのなかにふとんがありますよ。
24
Japanese-style closet, you know. (oshi-ire no naka ni futon ga arimasu yo.)
ざしき , or any room with たたみ floor, is very versatile. During the day, the room can be used as
a drawing room, with a low table and ざぶとん (square cushions) as the furniture. At night, the
25 room can be turned into a bedroom with the table and ざぶとん set aside and ふとん spread on
the floor. When the morning comes, ふとん will be folded and put into おしいれ . Voila! The room
becomes a public space again!
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16
There are carp in the pond.
いけのなかにこいがいます。
English Japanese
1 There are carp in the pond.
(ike no naka ni koi ga imasu.)
to exist or to be (when referring to living いる
2
creatures) (iru)
Both ある and いる mean "to exist" or "to be (present)." While ある is used for things such as a
3 desk or a house, いる is primarily used to talk about the existence of living creatures including
people and animals.
います
4 there is (when referring to living creatures)
(imasu)
こい
5 carp
(koi)
こいがいます。
6 There are carp.
(koi ga imasu.)
Did you remember that we can use the same form of verbs and nouns to talk about both singular
7
and plural objects?
いけ
8 pond
(ike)
いけのなか
9 the inside of the pond
(ike no naka)
Traditional Japanese gardens have gained some popularity in North America as well as Europe.
The basic concept is to recreate natural landscapes so that people can enjoy their beauty
everyday at home throughout the year. The most popular center piece is a pond, often paired
10
with a miniature mountain adorned with trees, rocks, and stone lanterns. Some gardens
substitute white sand and pebbles for water, creating a simple yet profound world for Zen
meditation.
たくさん
11 plentifully
(takusan)
There are a lot of carp. こいがたくさんいます。
12
(There are carp plentifully.) (koi ga takusan imasu.)
わあ、いけのなかにこいがたくさんいますね。
13 (waa, ike no naka ni koi ga takusan
there!
imasu ne.)
What is there? (when referring to living なにがいますか。
14
creatures) (nani ga imasu ka.)
What is in the pond? (when referring to living いけのなかになにがいますか。
15
creatures) (ike no naka ni nani ga imasu ka.)
あかい
16 red
(akai)
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17
English Japanese
あかいこい
17 red carp
(akai koi)
くろい
18 black
(kuroi)
あかいこいとくろいこい
19 red carp and black carp
(akai koi to kuroi koi)
20 Did you remember that we can link two or more nouns or noun phrases with the particle と (and)?
いけのなかにあかいこいとくろいこいがいます
There are red carp and black carp in the pond, よ。
21
you know. (ike no naka ni akai koi to kuroi koi ga
imasu yo.)
こい (carp) are voracious and highly adaptive freshwater fish that have a long history of being
used as food in Asia and Europe. にしきごい (ornamental carp), however, are bred in northern
22 Japan exclusively for their beautiful colors and patterns. Today, にしきごい are a ubiquitous
presence in water gardens around the globe, entertaining people with their vivid beauty and
feeding frenzies!
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18
There are red ones, white ones, and others. (when
referring to living creatures)
あかいのやしろいのがいます。
English Japanese
There are red ones, white ones, and others. あかいのやしろいのがいます。
1
(when referring to living creatures) (akai no ya shiroi no ga imasu.)
あかいの
2 red one
(akai no)
の in あかいの is not a particle but a pronoun that is equivalent to "one" or "ones" in English. We
can use this kind of の only when we can reasonably assume that our listener understands what
3
we are talking about. When we are talking about carp, for example, あかいの means あかいこい
(red carp).
There are red ones. (when referring to living あかいのがいます。
4
creatures) (akai no ga imasu.)
しろい
5 white
(shiroi)
しろいの
6 white ones
(shiroi no)
あかいのとしろいの
7 red ones and white ones
(akai no to shiroi no)
あかいのやしろいの
8 red ones, white ones, and others
(akai no ya shiroi no)
や in あかいのやしろいの is a linking word that is used to list two or more nouns or noun phrases.
9 While と list all the items, や shows a few representative items, implying that there are more. あ
かいのやしろいの is equivalent to "red ones, white ones, and others."
いろ
10 color
(iro)
Do you remember that "brown" in Japanese is ちゃいろ (literally, "tea color")? Traditional Japanese
colors are often named after objects that represent the particular colors. For example, pink is も
11 もいろ (literally, "peach color"), yellowish brown is かきいろ (persimmon color), and sky-blue is そ
らいろ (sky color). Nowadays, however, younger generations prefer to use "borrowed" words such
as ピンク (pink) or ベージュ (beige) !
オレンジいろ
12 orange color
(orenji iro)
In Japanese, basic colors such as "red" or "white" have both nouns (あか or しろ ) and adjectives
13 (あかい or しろい ). Others, however, have nouns only. "Orange," for example, is オレンジいろ
(literally, "orange color").
orange-colored carp オレンジいろのこい
14
(carp in orange color) (orenji iro no koi)
Did you use the particle の and say オレンジいろのこい (literally, "carp in orange color")? This is
15 another instance of the "X の Y" pattern, in which the particle の indicates that the first noun X
"modifies" the second noun Y--that is, X is the information about Y.
きんいろ
16 gold color
(kin-iro)
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19
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20
English Japanese
きんいろのこい
17 gold-colored carp
(kin iro no koi)
きんいろの
18 gold-colored ones
(kin-iro no)
19 Notice that we don't say きんいろのの but simply say きんいろの to mean "gold-colored ones"!
にしきごい
20 ornamental carp
(nishikigoi)
にしき in にしきごい (ornamental carp) literally means a Japanese silk brocade known for its
21 gorgeous colors and intricate patterns. It's an apt name for carp adorned with vivid colors and
markings! The pronunciation of こい changes to ごい when combined with another word.
にしきごいです。あかいのやきんいろのやオレ
They are ornamental carp. There are red
ンジいろのがいます。
22 ones, gold-colored ones, orange-colored
(nishikigoi desu. akai no ya kin-iro no ya
ones, and others.
orenji-iro no ga imasu.)
こい (carp) are considered auspicious fish. Chinese legend has it that carp that could climb a big
water fall on the Yellow River would turn into dragons and fly through the sky--a great
23 achievement for a creature as small and insignificant as a fish! That's why we have こいのぼり --
colorful carp-shaped windsocks traditionally flown in May to wish success and good health for male
children in the family.
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The TV is in the living room.
テレビはリビングにあります。
English Japanese
The TV is in the living room. テレビはリビングにあります。
1
(As for TV, it exists in the living room.) (terebi wa ribingu ni arimasu.)
このへやにテレビがあります and テレビはこのへやにあります might sound similar, but their
functions are different. このへやにテレビがあります describes what is in a certain location (In this
room, there is a TV). テレビはこのへやにあります , on the other hand, tells where a certain thing
2
is located (As for the TV, it's in this room). Please note that the former uses the particle が to
mark the subject (テレビ ), while the latter uses the topic marker は to indicate テレビ as the
"topic" of the sentence.
Here's one of the basic rules on when to use the particle は or が . We use が if the subject is first
introduced in the conversation and use は if the subject is already introduced or otherwise known
3 to your listener. For example, when we want to inform our listener that there is a TV in the room,
we say このへやにテレビがあります because テレビ is a new piece of information. Then if we want
to talk about the said TV, we start our sentence with テレビは ... (As for the TV...).
リビング
4 living room
(ribingu)
リビングにあります。
5 It is in the living room.
(ribingu ni arimasu.)
リビングにあります (It is in the living room) can be rephrased as リビングです . They mean the
same, though リビングにあります more specifically denotes the existence of the object. In this
6
chapter, let's use あります to point out where things are. Please note that we need the particle
に to indicate the location when we use the verb あります as well as います .
テレビ
7 TV
(terebi)
つくえ
8 desk
(tsukue)
よこ
9 side
(yoko)
つくえのよこ
10 the side of the desk
(tsukue no yoko)
by the desk つくえのよこに
11
(at the side of the desk) (tsukue no yoko ni)
ほんだな
12 bookshelf
(hondana)
ほんだなはつくえのよこにあります。
13 The bookshelf is by the desk.
(hondana wa tsukue no yoko ni arimasu.)
どこにありますか。
14 Where is it?
(doko ni arimasu ka.)
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English Japanese
Did you notice that we need the particle に after the question word どこ (where) since we are
15
asking about the location of something, using the verb あります ?
しんぶん
16 newspaper
(shinbun)
あのう、しんぶんはどこにありますか。
17 Um, where is the newspaper?
(anoo, shinbun wa doko ni arimasu ka.)
テーブル
18 table
(teeburu)
うえ
19 topside or upper part
(ue)
テーブルのうえ
20 the topside of the table
(teeburu no ue)
on the table テーブルのうえに

21
(at the topside of the table) (teeburu no ue ni)
ああ、しんぶんはテーブルのうえにあります
よ。
22 Oh, the newspaper is on the table, you know.
(aa, shinbun wa teeburu no ue ni arimasu
yo.)
ねこ
23 cat
(neko)
ねこはどこにいますか。
24 Where is your cat?
(neko wa doko ni imasu ka.)
25 Did you remember to use the verb います to talk about a cat--a living creature?
ベッド
26 bed
(beddo)
した
27 underneath or lower part
(shita)
ベッドのした
28 the underneath of the bed
(beddo no shita)
under the bed ベッドのしたに

29
(at the underneath of the bed) (beddo no shita ni)
ねこはベッドのしたにいますよ。
30 The cat is under the bed, you know.
(neko wa beddo no shita ni imasu yo.)
Many modern houses in Japan incorporate Western-style rooms and furniture. Traditional ざしき
and ちゃのま are often replaced by Western-style リビング . Young people in particular prefer
wooden or carpet floor to たたみ , chairs and couches to ざぶとん , and beds to ふとん . Some
31
newer apartments and condos even have Western-style bathrooms. Though the appearance may
be different, there is one thing that never changes: people still take off their shoes at げんかん
(entrance hall)!
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Chapter 2: Family and Pets
家族とペット
Chapter 2: Family and Pets

Address Family Members Using Kinship Form Adjective Sentences
Words Understand the Prenominal Use of Adjectives
Comment on Pets Use the Counters for Age, People, and
Inquire about Someone's Family Members Animals
and Pets Use the Interrogatives だれ /どなた , なんさ
Talk about Personal Traits and Physical い /おいくつ , なんにん , なんびき
Attributes
Conversation
English Japanese
これはどなたですか。
Who is this?
(kore wa donata desu ka.)
ぼくのそぼです。
That's my grandmother.
(boku no sobo desu.)
おいくつですか。
How old is she?
(oikutsu desu ka.)
９６さいです。でも、まだまだげんきですよ。
She is 96. But, she's still full of energy, you know. (kyuujuu-roku sai desu. demo, mada mada
genki desu yo.)
それはなによりですね！
That's good to hear, isn't it!
(sore wa naniyori desu ne!)
ペットがいますか。
Do you have pets?
(petto ga imasu ka.)
ええ、いぬがにひきいます。
Yes, we have two dogs.
(ee, inu ga nihiki imasu.)
どんないぬですか。
What kind of dogs are they?
(don-na inu desu ka.)
あきたです。おおきいいぬですが、おとなしいで
す。
They are Akitas. They are big dogs, but gentle.
(akita desu. ookii inu desu ga, otonashii
desu.)
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Who is this person? このひとはどなたですか。
English Japanese
このひとはどなたですか。
1 Who is this person?
(kono hito wa donata desu ka.)
どなた
2 who/whom
(donata)
どなたですか。
3 Who is it?
(donata desu ka.)
ひと
4 person
(hito)
このひと
5 this person
(kono hito)
Do you remember that Japanese speakers tend to avoid using pronouns such as "you" or "she,"
and either omit them whenever the context makes the meaning clear or substitute real names
6 for them? Instead of using real names, we can also use generic noun phrases as substitutes.
Common substitutes for "he" or "she," for example, are このひと (this person), そのひと (that
person), and あのひと (that person over there).
おんな
7 female (for humans)
(on-na)
おんな (female) can also mean a "woman," but it sounds very rude to use the term to refer to
8
someone. Let's figure out an appropriate way to talk about a woman!
woman おんなのひと
9
(female person) (on-na no hito)
Did you connect the two nouns おんな (female) and ひと (person) with the noun-linking particle
10 の , using the now-familiar "X の Y" pattern? おんなのひと (literally, a "female person" or "a person
who is female") is the proper way to refer to a woman in general.
このおんなのひと
11 this woman
(kono on-na no hito)
おとこ
12 male (for humans)
(otoko)
man おとこのひと
13
(male person) (otoko no hito)
そのおとこのひと
14 that man
(sono otoko no hito)
そのおとこのひとはどなたですか。
15 Who is that man?
(sono otoko no hito wa donata desu ka.)
boy おとこのこ
16
(male child) (otoko no ko)
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English Japanese
We have learned that many traditional Japanese female names end with こ as in ようこ . こ
17 means a "child," and it's usually used in phrases such as おとこのこ (literally, a "male child") or あ
のこ (that child over there).
おんなのこ
18 girl
(on-na no ko)
あのおんなのこ
19 that girl over there
(ano on-na no ko)
だれ
20 who/whom
(dare)
Do you remember that there are two versions for the question word "where" in Japanese--the
polite どちら and the plain どこ ? Likewise, the polite question word どなた (who/whom) has the
plain counterpart だれ . As in the case of どこ , the "plain" label does not mean that it's used only
21
in casual conversations! As long as we use だれ in a sentence that ends with either です or ます ,
we are still talking in the polite form--only sounding less formal or respectful than when we use ど
なた .
あのおんなのこはだれですか。
22 Who is that girl over there?
(ano on-na no ko wa dare desu ka.)
しゃしん
23 photograph
(shashin)
このしゃしん
24 this photograph
(kono shashin)
このしゃしんのおとこのこ
25 the boy in this photograph
(kono shashin no otoko no ko)
Did you use の to connect このしゃしん (this photograph) and おとこのこ (boy)? It's another use
26
of the "X の Y" pattern, in which このしゃしん is the location where おとこのこ appears.
すみません。このしゃしんのおとこのこはだれ
Excuse me. Who is the boy in this ですか。
27
photograph? (sumimasen. kono shashin no otoko no
ko wa dare desu ka.)
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This is my grandmother. これはわたしのそぼです。
English Japanese
これはわたしのそぼです。
1 This is my grandmother.
(kore wa watashi no sobo desu.)
そぼ
2 grandmother
(sobo)
わたしのそぼ
3 my grandmother
(watashi no sobo)
We have so far learned that the "pointing" word これ and its counterparts それ and あれ are used
4 for things and not for people, right? Exceptions are when we are talking about people in
photographs!
そふ
5 grandfather
(sofu)
わたしのそふとそぼ
6 my grandfather and grandmother
(watashi no sofu to sobo)
ああ、それはわたしのそふとそぼですよ。
Oh, those are my grandfather and
7 (aa, sore wa watashi no sofu to sobo
grandmother, you know.
desu yo.)
あに
8 elder brother
(ani)
おとうと
9 younger brother
(otooto)
これはわたしのあにです。そしてそれはおとう
This is my elder brother, and that is my とです。
10
younger brother. (kore wa watashi no ani desu. soshite
sore wa otooto desu.)
ぼく
11 I/me
(boku)
Do you remember that there are different ways of referring to oneself other than わたし (I/me) in
Japanese? ぼく is used by male speakers. It's often used by boys, but adult men also use it
12
when they are in less formal (but not too casual) settings, such as among family members or
coworkers.
あね
13 elder sister
(ane)
いもうと
14 younger sister
(imooto)
あのう、これはぼくのあねです。いもうとじゃ
Um, this is my elder sister. She is not my ありません。
15
younger sister. (anoo, kore wa boku no ane desu. imooto
ja arimasen.)
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English Japanese
In Japanese schools and workplaces, younger members are expected to pay respect to older
members, calling them せんぱい (akin to "seniors"). In families, youngsters call their older siblings
16 not by their first names but by their family titles such as おねえさん (the polite form for "elder
sister") or おにいさん (the polite form for "elder brother"). Even parents use these titles when
talking about their older children in front of their younger ones!
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How old is your grandmother?
おばあさんはおいくつですか。
English Japanese
1 How old is your grandmother?
(obaasan wa oikutsu desu ka.)
Did you remember that we can omit personal pronouns such as "you" or "yours" whenever we can
2
reasonably assume that our listeners understand who we are talking about?
おいくつ
3 how old
(oikutsu)
4 How old is she?
(oikutsu desu ka.)
おばあさん
5 grandmother
(obaasan)
We have so far learned that the Japanese equivalent to "grandmother" is そぼ . When we want to
6 refer to someone else's grandmother or directly address our own grandmother, we should use
the polite term おばあさん to show our respect.
Asking an adult his or her age is a delicate matter in Japan. The notable exception, however, is
when asking the person's age is considered as a compliment. Traditionally, Japanese respect
7 elderly members of society, celebrating their longevity on けいろうのひ (Respect-for-the-Aged
Day) in September. Just be aware, though, that in a society with average life expectancy of 83,
the definition of "elderly" is quite different from what you think!
おじいさん
8 grandfather
(ojiisan)
すみません。おじいさんはおいくつですか。
9 Excuse me. How old is your grandfather?
(sumimasen. ojiisan wa oikutsu desu ka.)
きゅうじゅうろくさい
10 ninety-six years old
(kyuujuu roku sai)
Do you remember that Japanese uses different counting words to count different things? さい is
11
the counter for age and is equivalent to "years old" in English!
そふはきゅうじゅうろくさいです。
12 My grandfather is ninety-six years old.
(sofu wa kyuujuu roku sai desu.)
13 Did you use そふ , the "plain" word for "grandfather," to refer to your own?
なんさい
14 how old
(nansai)
なんさい is the "plain" version of おいくつ (how old). It's the combination of the question word な
15
ん (what) and the age counter さい .
なんさいですか。
16 How old is she?
(nansai desu ka.)
そのしゃしんのおんなのこ
17 the girl in that photograph
(sono shashin no on-na no ko)
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29
English Japanese
そのしゃしんのおんなのこはなんさいですか。
18 How old is the girl in that photograph? (sono shashin no on-na no ko wa nansai
desu ka.)
はっさい
19 eight years old
(hassai)
じゅうはっさい
20 eighteen years old
(juu hassai)
Did you notice that the pronunciation for the number eight (はち ) changes when it's combined
21 with さい ? A similar change happens when the number is "one" (いち） or "ten" (じゅう ). "One
year old," for example, is いっさい , and "ten years old" is じゅっさい .
にじゅういっさい
22 twenty-one years old
(nijuu issai)
いもうとはじゅうはっさいです。おとうとはに
My younger sister is eighteen years old. My じゅういっさいです。
23
younger brother is twenty-one years old. (imooto wa juu hassai desu. otooto wa
nijuu issai desu.)
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How many people are in your family?
ごかぞくはなんにんですか。
English Japanese
How many people are in your family? ごかぞくはなんにんですか。
1
(As for family, how many people are they?) (gokazoku wa nan-nin desu ka.)
かぞく
2 family
(kazoku)
ごかぞく
3 family
(gokazoku)
4 Notice that we need ご instead of お to politely say "family" in Japanese.
なんにん
5 how many people
(nan-nin)
6 にん in the question word なんにん is the counter for people.

なんにんですか。
7 How many people are they?
(nan-nin desu ka.)
ひとり
8 one person
(hitori)
ふたり
9 two people
(futari)
Although the counter for people is にん , we say ひとり for "one person" and ふたり for "two
10
people." These are two special cases that need to be memorized!
さんにん
11 three people
(san-nin)
よにん
12 four people
(yonin)
To count three or more people, we attach にん to the number, as in さんにん . The exception is
13
for "four people": the number four is よん , but we say よにん .
There are four people in my family. かぞくはよにんです。
14
(As for family, they are four people.) (kazoku wa yonin desu.)
ちち
15 father
(chichi)
はは
16 mother
(haha)
かぞくはよにんです。ちちとははとあにとわた
There are four people in my family: my father, しです。
17
my mother, my elder brother, and me. (kazoku wa yonin desu. chichi to haha to
ani to watashi desu.)
きょうだい
18 sibling
(kyoodai)
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English Japanese
Strictly speaking, きょうだい means "brother(s)," but it also means "sibling(s)" in general. If there
19
are only sisters, we can use the term しまい (sisters).
ごきょうだい
20 siblings
(gokyoodai)
How many siblings do you have? ごきょうだいはなんにんですか。
21
(How many are your siblings?) (gokyoodai wa nan-nin desu ka.)
There are two siblings in my family. きょうだいはふたりです。

22
(As for siblings, they are two.) (kyoodai wa futari desu.)
When we say きょうだいはふたりです in Japanese, it usually includes ourselves. To avoid a

23
misunderstanding, however, it's a good idea to list all the members!
きょうだいはさんにんです。あにとあねとわた
There are three siblings in my family. My elder しです。
24
brother, my elder sister and me. (kyoodai wa san-nin desu. ani to ane to
watashi desu.)
only child ひとりっこ

25
(one child) (hitorikko)
Do you remember that こ means a "child"? ひとりっこ literally means "one child." Did you notice
26
that the pronunciation slightly changes when ひとり and こ are combined?
わたしはひとりっこです。
27 I am the only child.
(watashi wa hitorikko desu.)
The concept of family has been rapidly changing in Japan. Three-generation households were
once common. The eldest son would take care of his parents in their old age, and younger
28 generations would learn to respect their elders by living with their grandparents. Now nuclear
families with fewer children are the norm, especially in urban society. The average size of family
in 1975 was 3.35. It shrank to 2.65 in 2008.
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Do you have pets? ペットがいますか。
English Japanese
1 Do you have pets?
いる
2 to have (when referring to living creatures)
(iru)
We have so far learned the verb いる as the equivalent of "to exist/to be" when we are talking
3
about people, animals, and other living creatures. いる can also mean "to have."
います
4 have (when referring to living creatures)
(imasu)
ペット
5 pet
(petto)
ペットがいます。
6 I have a pet.
(petto ga imasu.)
Did you notice that we need が after ペット and say ペットがいます (I have a pet)? Some verbs
7 require us to use が , not を , to mark their objects. It's the same が we used in the question ちず
がありますか (Do you have maps?).
As the number of children per household is decreasing in Japan, the number of pets seems to be
going up! It is said that almost half the Japanese households with two or more people have some
8 kind of pet. The most popular pets are dogs, followed by cats, fish, and birds. Among dogs, the
most popular breeds are Dachshund, Chihuahua, and Poodle--all small breeds, reflecting,
perhaps, the Japanese taste for dainty things and the size of Japanese houses!
9 Now let's figure out a simple way to answer the question, ペットがいますか (Do you have pets?)!
ええ、います。
10 Yes, I have them.
(ee, imasu.)
いいえ、いません。
11 No, I don't have any.
(iie, imasen.)
いぬ
12 dog
(inu)
いぬがいますか。
13 Do you have dogs?
(inu ga imasu ka.)
なんびき
14 how many (small animals, fish, or insects)
(nanbiki)
The counter for small animals (such as dogs and cats), fish, and insects is ひき . Please note that
the pronunciation of ひき changes just like ほん (the counter for thin, long objects), depending on
15
what word or number comes before it. When combined with the question word なん , it becomes び
き as in なんびき .
いぬがなんびきいますか。
16 How many dogs do you have?
(inu ga nanbiki imasu ka.)
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English Japanese
いぬがいっぴき
17 one dog
(inu ga ippiki)
いぬがにひき
18 two dogs
(inu ga nihiki)
いぬがさんびき
19 three dogs
(inu ga sanbiki)
いぬがさんびきいます。
20 I have three dogs.
(inu ga sanbiki imasu.)
ねこがろっぴき
21 six cats
(neko ga roppiki)
いぬがにひきとねこがろっぴきいます。
22 I have two dogs and six cats.
(inu ga nihiki to neko ga roppiki imasu.)
Did you know that animals in Japan speak Japanese? Japanese dogs, for example, don't bark
"bow-wow" but say ワンワン . Cats don't "meow" but say ニャアニャア . Cows bellow モー , sheep
23
bleat メェー , and crows croak カアカア . Roosters? They will wake you up with a loud コケコッ
コー while you are in Japan!
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What kind of dog is it? どんないぬですか。
English Japanese
1 What kind of dog is it?
どんないぬ
2 what kind of dog
(don-na inu)
When someone asks you どんないぬですか (What kind of dog is it?), he or she may be asking
3 about your dog's breed or characteristics such as its size, color, or disposition. Let's assume the
latter is the case here.
おおきいいぬ
4 a big dog
(ookii inu)
かわいい
5 cute
(kawaii)
かわいいねこ
6 a cute cat
(kawaii neko)
Have you noticed that both おおきい (big) and かわいい (cute) end with い ? So does あかい (red)
7 and しろい (white), right? In fact, the dictionary form of many adjectives in Japanese ends with
い . That's why we call this type of adjective the "い -adjective."
わあ、かわいいねこですね！
8 Wow, she is a cute cat, isn't she!
(waa, kawaii neko desu ne!)
おとなしい
9 gentle (as for animals)
(otonashii)
おとなしいいぬ
10 gentle dog
(otonashii inu)
あきたいぬ
11 the Akita
(akita inu)
The Chinese character for いぬ (dog) can be read as けん , and many people in Japan call the Akita
12
あきたけん . The official name for the breed, however, is あきたいぬ .
あきたいぬはおおきいですが、おとなしいいぬ
です。
13 The Akitas are big, but they are gentle dogs.
(akita inu wa ookii desu ga, otonashii inu
desu.)
きれい
14 beautiful
(kiree)
きれいないぬ
15 beautiful dog
(kireena inu)
Did you notice that we say きれいないぬ (beautiful dog) with な added after the adjective きれい ?
Even though きれい ends with い , it's a type of adjective different from い -adjectives such as おお
16 きい . Since this type of adjective always needs な when used before a noun to modify it, we call it
"な -adjective." There are not many な -adjectives that end with い . So, let's memorize きれい as a
な -adjective and use it accordingly!
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35
English Japanese
なまえはなんですか。
17 What is her name?
(namae wa nan desu ka.)
きれいないぬですね。なまえはなんですか。
She is a beautiful dog, isn't she! What is her
18 (kireena inu desu ne. namae wa nan
name?
desu ka.)
Some Japanese dog breeds have gained popularity in North America as well as in Europe. あきた
いぬ (the Akita) is a large dog originally bred for dog fighting in northern Japan that is highly loyal
19 and intelligent. しばいぬ (the Shiba) is an ancient breed used for hunting in mountains, smaller in
size but brave and patient. ちん (the Japanese Spaniel) is a small dog with a beautiful long coat,
playful yet quiet and affectionate.
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My grandmother is still full of energy.
そぼはまだまだげんきです。
English Japanese
1 My grandmother is still full of energy.
(sobo wa mada mada genki desu.)
げんき
2 full of energy
(genki)
げんき can be either a noun ("good health," "good cheer," or "vitality") or a な -adjective ("healthy,"
3
"fine," "cheerful," "spry," or "full of energy"). Here we use it as a な -adjective.
そぼはげんきです。
4 My grandmother is full of energy.
(sobo wa genki desu.)
Did you notice that げんき (which is a な -adjective) does not need な when it's used as the
5 sentence-ending word along with です as in げんきです ? Let's call sentences that end with an
adjective and です "adjective sentences"!
しずか
6 quiet
(shizuka)
そふはしずかです。
7 My grandfather is quiet.
(sofu wa shizuka desu.)
きびしい
8 strict
(kibishii)
ちちはちょっときびしいです。
9 My father is a little strict.
(chichi wa chotto kibishii desu.)
あかるい
10 cheerful
(akarui)
はははとてもあかるいです。
11 My mother is very cheerful.
(haha wa totemo akarui desu.)
おもしろい
12 funny
(omoshiroi)
はははとてもあかるいです。そして、おもしろ
いです。
13 My mother is very cheerful. And she is funny.
(haha wa totemo akarui desu. soshite,
omoshiroi desu.)
ひゃくさい
14 a hundred years old
(hyaku sai)
そぼはひゃくさいです。でも、まだまだげんき
My grandmother is a hundred years old. But, です。
15
she is still full of energy. (sobo wa hyaku sai desu. demo, mada
mada genki desu.)
なにより
16 most desirable
(nani yori)
That's good to hear. それはなによりです。

17
(That is most desirable.) (sore wa nani yori desu.)
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English Japanese
Japan is a country of longevity. Based on the government's 2010 estimate, people over 65
consist of 23% of the entire population--the highest rate in the world. Women generally live
18 longer than men: of 8,220,000 people over 80, about the two-thirds are female. Long life is a
blessing, but with the shrinking birth rate and the erosion of the traditional family arrangement,
how to take care of the aging population has become a serious challenge for society.
mangolanguages.com
38
Chapter 3: Work and Pastimes
仕事と余暇
Chapter 3: Work and Pastimes

Offer or Accept an Invitation Learn the Functions of Conjunction から and
Politely Decline an Invitation the Particle も
Share Likes and Dislikes Use the "ます -from + ましょう " Pattern for
Talk about Careers and Professions Invitation
Talk about Pastimes and Celebrations Use the "ます -from + ませんか " Pattern for
Invitation
Use the Particle が for Adjectives Describing
Preference & Ability
Conversation
English Japanese
We are going to have a cherry-blossom viewing あした、おはなみをします。
picnic tomorrow. (ashita, ohanami o shimasu.)
いっしょにいきませんか。
Won't you come with us?
(issho ni ikimasen ka.)
そうですね・・・。どんなメンバーですか。
Well..., who's going?
(soo desu ne.... don-na menbaa desu ka.)
かいしゃのひとたちや、スポーツジムのともだち
です。
My coworkers and my gym friends.
(kaisha no hitotachi ya, supootsu jimu no
tomodachi desu.)
ひとりはいしゃです。もうひとりはこうこうの
One of them is a doctor. The other is a high きょうしです。
school teacher. (hitori wa isha desu. moo hitori wa kookoo
no kyooshi desu.)
カラオケもありますか。
Are you going to have karaoke too?
(karaoke mo arimasu ka.)
もちろんです！みんなカラオケがすきですから。
Of course! 'Cause we all love karaoke. (mochiron desu! min-na karaoke ga suki
desu kara.)
わたしはカラオケはちょっと・・・。すみませ
ん。
I don't care for karaoke much.... I'm sorry.
(watashi wa karaoke wa chotto....
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39
sumimasen.)
それはざんねんですね。じゃあ、またこんど。
I'm sorry to hear that. Well, maybe next time.
(sore wa zan-nen desu ne. jaa, mata kondo.)
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40
We are going to have a cherry-blossom viewing
picnic tomorrow.
あした、おはなみをします。
English Japanese
We are going to have a cherry-blossom あした、おはなみをします。
1
viewing picnic tomorrow. (ashita, ohanami o shimasu.)
する
2 to do
(suru)
Do you remember the verb します (do) and its past form しました (did)? する (to do) is its
dictionary form. This verb is very versatile. It takes a wide range of nouns as its object, including
3
sports, events, games, chores, or other various activities, and it means that the activity is carried
out. The translation, therefore, varies depending on the object.
します
4 do
(shimasu)
おはなみ
5 cherry-blossom viewing picnic
(ohanami)
As in the case of おちゃ , people often say おはなみ with the polite-word maker お even in a casual
6
conversation.
はなみ or おはなみ (literally, "flower viewing") is a cherry-blossom viewing picnic, a very popular
spring activity in Japan. Contrary to the serene image the word might evoke, real はなみ is often
7
a quite boisterous outdoor party under bloomed cherry trees, where people eat, drink, and sing
with their coworkers, friends, and family!
We have a cherry-blossom viewing picnic. おはなみをします。
8
(We do a cherry-blossom viewing picnic.) (ohanami o shimasu.)
We are going to have a cherry-blossom おはなみをします。
9
viewing picnic. (ohanami o shimasu.)
あした
10 tomorrow
(ashita)
Please note that あした (tomorrow) is a noun, but it's often used as an adverb without any
11
accompanying particle.
Japanese people love to get together and enjoy food, drink, and karaoke! There are many
chances for celebration. In January, they celebrate the new year. In March, they hold send-off
parties for coworkers who are going to be transferred. In April, they have cherry-blossom-viewing
12
picnics as well as welcome parties for employees newly-transferred to their departments. But the
busiest season of all is December when they have a ぼうねんかい (forget-the-old-year party)
almost every night!
パーティー
13 party
(paatii)
to have a party パーティーをする

14
(to do party) (paatii o suru)
クリスマス
15 Christmas
(kurisumasu)
クリスマスパーティー
16 Christmas party
(kurisumasu paatii)
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41
mangolanguages.com
42
English Japanese
Japanese people have adopted Christmas from the West and celebrate it big time - though not for
religious reasons. Families celebrate it with artificial クリスマスツリー (Christmas trees) and
store-bought クリスマスケーキ (Christmas cakes). Friends celebrate it with boisterous クリスマ
17
スパーティー (Christmas parties), and couples celebrate it with expensive クリスマスプレゼント
(Christmas presents). And shop keepers? They celebrate it with lucrative クリスマスセール
(Christmas sales)!
あしたクリスマスパーティーをします。
18 We'll have a Christmas party tomorrow.
(ashita kurisumasu paatii o shimasu.)
なにをしますか。
19 What are you going to do?
(nani o shimasu ka.)
Did you use the question word なに instead of なん because the word that follows it is を , which
20
starts with neither the "t," "d," nor "n" sound?
きょう
21 today
(kyoo)
22 Like あした (tomorrow), きょう is a noun that is often used as an adverb.

きょうなにをしますか。
23 What are you going to do today?
(kyoo nani o shimasu ka.)
たんじょうび
24 birthday
(tanjoobi)
Until the early 1900s, Japanese people counted their age not based on their birthdays, but on the
number of New Year's Days they had. Consequently, people did not put much significance on
25
their birthdays back then. Today, it's a special day for many. Family members and close friends
often celebrate each other's birthday with バースデーケーキ (birthday cake) and gifts.
Let's assume that our listener knows that we are talking about our own mother in the following
26
questions. This means we can safely omit the pronoun わたしの (my).
ははのたんじょうび
27 my mother's birthday
(haha no tanjoobi)
きょうは、ははのたんじょうびです。
28 Today is my mother's birthday.
(kyoo wa, haha no tanjoobi desu.)
Did you notice that the sentence きょうは、ははのたんじょうびです (Today is my mother's
29 birthday) has the familiar "X は Y です " pattern, in which X is the topic of the sentence? Since きょ
う (today) is actually a noun, we can use it as the topic.
たんじょうびパーティー
30 birthday party
(tanjoobi paatii)
きょうは、ははのたんじょうびです。たんじょ
Today is my mother's birthday. We are going うびパーティーをします！
31
to have a birthday party! (kyoo wa, haha no tanjoobi desu.
tanjoobi paatii o shimasu!)
While most birthdays are private affairs, there is one special birthday celebrated nationwide in
32 Japan. The Emperor's birthday (てんのうたんじょうび ) is on December 23, and it's a national
holiday!
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Why don't you come with us?
English Japanese
Why don't you come with us? いっしょにいきませんか。
1
(Won't you go together?) (issho ni ikimasen ka.)
いく
2 to go
(iku)
いきます
3 go
(ikimasu)
いきません
4 don't go
(ikimasen)
いきません
5 won't go
(ikimasen)
why don't you go? いきませんか

6
(won't you go?) (ikimasen ka)
When you want to politely invite someone to do something, you replace the polite verb ending ま
7 す with the negative form ません and attach the question marker か . ～ませんか is equivalent to
"Why don't you ~?" or "Why don't we ~?" depending on the context.
いっしょに
8 together
(issho ni)
いっしょに consists of いっしょ (which means "being together") and the particle に . We can use
9 いっしょに with regular verbs such as いきます (go) or します (do) to mean "together" or "with
(someone)."
When we are going out and want to invite someone to join us, we say in English, "Why don't you
come with us?" When we want to issue the same invitation in Japanese, we need to say いっしょ
10 にいきませんか ("Why don't you go with us?"). In general, we use いく (to go) to describe the
movement in the direction away from the place where the speaker is as she or he speaks, while
くる (to come) is used to describe the movement toward the speaker.
あしたおはなみをします。いっしょにいきませ
We are going to have a cherry-blossom
んか。
11 viewing picnic tomorrow. Why don't you come
(ashita ohanami o shimasu. issho ni
with us?
ikimasen ka.)
しょくじ
12 meal
(shokuji)
しょくじする
13 to have a meal
(shokuji suru)
The generic verb する (to do) sometimes attaches itself directly to a common activity noun such
as しょくじ (a meal) or さんぽ (a walk) without using the particle を . The longer verbs thus
14 formed (as in しょくじする or さんぽする ) are called "compound verbs." In theory, it's possible
to create an infinite number of compound verbs in this way, but only well-established expressions
are considered grammatically legitimate verbs!
dine しょくじします
15
(have a meal) (shokuji shimasu)
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English Japanese
しょくじしませんか
16 why don't we dine?
(shokuji shimasen ka)
こんばん
17 tonight
(konban)
こん in こんばん means "this" or "now" (used only as a part of time expression) and ばん means
"evening" or "night." こんばん (tonight), therefore, literally means "this evening." If you are
18 wondering whether こんばん is related to the greeting こんばんは , which we use when we meet
someone after dark, you are right! The greeting, in fact, is derived from a sentence that begins
with こんばんは or "As for tonight."
こんばんいっしょにしょくじしませんか。
19 Why don't we dine together tonight?
(konban issho ni shokuji shimasen ka.)
みる
20 to watch or to look at
(miru)
みます
21 watch
(mimasu)
みませんか
22 why don't we watch?
(mimasen ka)
えいが
23 movie
(eega)
えいがをみませんか。
24 Why don't we watch a movie?
(eega o mimasen ka.)
あのう、あしたいっしょにえいがをみません
Um, why don't we watch a movie together か。
25
tomorrow? (anoo, ashita issho ni eega o mimasen
ka.)
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Let's go together. いっしょにいきましょう。
English Japanese
いっしょにいきましょう。
1 Let's go together.
(issho ni ikimashoo.)
いきましょう。
2 Let's go.
(ikimashoo.)
When you want to invite someone to do something with you or accept an invitation with
enthusiasm, we can replace the polite verb ending ます with ましょう , as in いきましょう . It's
3
equivalent to "Let's ~" in English. Compared with いきませんか (literally, "Won't you go?"), いきま
しょう sounds more positive and direct.
ぜひいっしょにいきましょう。
4 Let's go together by all means.
(zehi issho ni ikimashoo.)
いい
5 good
(ii)
It sounds good! いいですね！

6
(It is good, isn't it!) (ii desu ne!)
It sounds good! Let's go together by all いいですね！ぜひいっしょにいきましょう。

7
means. (ii desu ne! zehi issho ni ikimashoo.)
そうですね・・・。
8 Well....
(soo desu ne....)
When we don't want to give a straight answer right away or need time to think, we can buy time by
9
saying そうですね・・・ . It's equivalent to "Well...," "Let's see...," or "Let me think..." in English!
10 Sometimes you have to decline an invitation. Let's learn how to do it politely a la Japanese!
Today isn't good for me... きょうはちょっと・・・。
11
(Today is a little bit....) (kyoo wa chotto....)
そうですね・・・、きょうはちょっと・・・。
12 Well..., today isn't good for me...
(soo desu ne..., kyoo wa chotto....)
こんど
13 next time
(kondo)
Maybe next time. またこんど。

14
(Again next time.) (mata kondo.)
すみません。あしたはちょっと・・・。でも、
I'm sorry. Tomorrow isn't good for me.... But, またこんど！
15
maybe next time! (sumimasen. ashita wa chotto.... demo,
mata kondo!)
ざんねん
16 regrettable
(zan-nen)
ざんねんです。
17 It's regrettable.
(zan-nen desu.)
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46
English Japanese
18 Now, let's learn how to reply graciously when someone has declined your invitation!
I'm sorry to hear that. それはざんねんですね。
19
(That is regrettable, isn't it!) (sore wa zan-nen desu ne.)
ああ、それはざんねんですね。じゃあ、またこ
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Well then, maybe んど！
20
next time! (aa, sore wa zan-nen desu ne. jaa, mata
kondo!)
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Who will be there? どんなメンバーですか。
English Japanese
1
(What kind of members are they?) (don-na menbaa desu ka.)
メンバー
2 member
(menbaa)
ひとたち
3 people
(hitotachi)
Do you remember how to say "we" in Japanese? That's right, it's わたしたち . たち in わたしたち
and ひとたち is one of the several "plural markers." In general, we don't need to create the
4
specific plural form for Japanese nouns. However, personal pronouns (such as "we" or "you") and
"human" nouns (such as "people" or "children") are exceptions!
かいしゃ
5 company
(kaisha)
coworkers かいしゃのひとたち
6
(people of company) (kaisha no hitotachi)
スポーツジム
7 gym
(supootsu jimu)
スポーツジムのともだち
8 gym friends
(supootsu jimu no tomodachi)
かいしゃのひとたちやスポーツジムのともだち
They are my coworkers, gym friends, and です。
9
others. (kaisha no hitotachi ya supootsu jimu no
tomodachi desu.)
いしゃ
10 medical doctor
(isha)
ひとりはいしゃです。
11 One person is a doctor.
(hitori wa isha desu.)
きょうし
12 teacher
(kyooshi)
There are two words for "teacher" in Japanese: きょうし and せんせい . きょうし is a generic term
for the occupation. Use this word when you are describing your family members, your friends, or
13
yourself. If you want to show your respect to the person whom you are describing, as in the case
of introducing a teacher to someone else, use せんせい instead.
こうこう
14 high school
(kookoo)
こうこうのきょうし
15 high school teacher
(kookoo no kyooshi)
もうひとり
16 another person
(moo hitori)
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English Japanese
We can use もうひとり to mean either "another person" or "the other person," depending on the
17
context.
もうひとりはこうこうのきょうしです。
18 Another person is a high school teacher.
(moo hitori wa kookoo no kyooshi desu.)
One person is a doctor. Another person is a きょうしです。
19
high school teacher. (hitori wa isha desu. moo hitori wa
kookoo no kyooshi desu.)
かいしゃいん
20 company employee
(kaisha-in)
いん in かいしゃいん (company employee) means a "(staff) member" in Japanese. かいしゃいん ,

21 therefore, literally means a "company staff member." Please note that いん is always used with
other words, as in ぎんこういん (bank employee) or えきいん (station worker)!
かいしゃいん is a generic term for company employees, regardless of industry or gender. Male
22 company employees are often called サラリーマン (salary man). Female office workers are called
OL, the acronym for "office lady"!
みんな
23 all
(min-na)
Oh, they are all company employees, you ああ、みんなかいしゃいんですよ。

24
know. (aa, min-na kaisha-in desu yo.)
Among various occupations available in Japan, arguably the least popular among youth, but the
most ubiquitous in the adult world is サラリーマン (literary "salary man"). They are white-collar
salary-earners who work for a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, sales, finance,
25
and construction. Clean-shaven, dark-suit-clad, unhappy-looking men in packed commuter
trains--the term サラリーマン has negative connotations, but they are the backbone of Japan's
economic power!
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49
Are you going to have karaoke, too?
English Japanese
1 Are you going to have karaoke, too?
カラオケがあります。
2 We are going to have karaoke.
(karaoke ga arimasu.)
カラオケもあります。
3 We are going to have karaoke, too.
(karaoke mo arimasu.)
も in カラオケもあります is equivalent to "too," "also," or "either" in English. Please note that も is

4
a particle--that is, it usually appears right after a noun or a noun phrase!　
カラオケ (karaoke) once was a side entertainment for bar customers, but it has evolved into a
national pastime in Japan! Portable karaoke machines allow people to turn any gathering into a
5 karaoke party. Die-hard enthusiasts can also go to カラオケボックス (Karaoke Box), a place with
small sound-proof rooms where you and your friends can sing your hearts out without worrying
about other people's reactions!
もちろん
6 of course
(mochiron)
もちろんカラオケもあります。
7 Of course we have karaoke, too.
(mochiron karaoke mo arimasu.)
カラオケですか。もちろんです！
8 Karaoke? Of course!
(karaoke desu ka. mochiron desu!)
テニス
9 tennis
(tenisu)
I'll play tennis. テニスをします。

10
(I'll do tennis.) (tenisu o shimasu.)
ゴルフ
11 golf
(gorufu)
ゴルフをします。
12 I'll play golf.
(gorufu o shimasu.)
あしたテニスをします。ゴルフもします。
13 I'll play tennis tomorrow. I'll play golf, too. (ashita tenisu o shimasu. gorufu mo
shimasu.)
テニスもゴルフも
14 both tennis and golf
(tenisu mo gorufu mo)
15 X も Y も is equivalent to "both X and Y" or "neither X nor Y" in English.
きのう、テニスもゴルフもしました。
16 I played both tennis and golf yesterday.
(ki-noo, tenisu mo gorufu mo shimashita.)
パチンコ
17 Japanese pinball
(pachinko)
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50
English Japanese
パチンコ is a noisy pinball-meets-slot-machine game with colorful, mesmerizing designs. It's a
18 very popular form of entertainment for adults, and you'll see garishly decorated パチンコや
(pachinko parlors) in every town you visit in Japan!
マージャン
19 mahjong
(maajan)
マージャン is a Chinese game usually played with four participants. Though its popularity has
20 waned in the U.S., マージャン is still popular among Japanese men. Though not as visible as パチ
ンコや , you'll find じゃんそう (mahjong parlors) in most Japanese towns.
パチンコもマージャンも
21 neither Japanese pinball nor mahjong
(pachinko mo maajan mo)
ちちはパチンコもマージャンもしません。
My father plays neither Japanese pinball nor
22 (chichi wa pachinko mo maajan mo
mahjong.
shimasen.)
Did you notice that we use the expression "X も Y も " (neither X nor Y) with the negative form of
23 verb, but it does not form double-negative? It's similar to the usage of あまり ("not very much" or
"not very well").
Typical middle-aged Japanese businessmen or サラリーマン spend long hours with their
coworkers and/or clients. After a day's work they go out together to bars to entertain their clients
24 or each other. Some nights, they might prefer to play mahjong or Japanese pinball games (パチ
ンコ ). On the weekends, they may play golf with their clients on the company tab. When they
finally get home, tired サラリーマン usually take a nap or watch TV to relax!
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I like tennis. わたしはテニスがすきです。
English Japanese
1
(As for me, I like tennis.) (watashi wa tenisu ga suki desu.)
すきです
2 like
(suki desu)
When we want to say "(I) like" in Japanese, we say すきです . Please note that すき is a な -adjective
3
that is equivalent to "fond" or "favorite" in English.
テニスがすきです。
4 I like tennis.
(tenisu ga suki desu.)
Did you notice that we need to use the particle が to say テニスがすきです (I like tennis)? As in
5 the case of あります or います (have), すきです use が , not を , to mark the object. Let's
memorize "Xがすきです " (I like X) as a set phrase!
やきゅう
6 baseball
(yakyuu)
For Japanese males over 30, the most popular sport to watch on TV is やきゅう (baseball),
whether it's プロやきゅう (professional baseball) or こうこうやきゅう (high school baseball).
7
Younger men prefer サッカー (soccer), and women generally prefer フィギュアスケート (figure
skating) and バレーボール (volleyball).
だいすきです
8 love
(daisuki desu.)
だい in だいすきです literally means "big" or "great." When combined with すきです , it works like
9 "very much." The English equivalent of "Xがだいすきです ," therefore, is "(I) like X very much" or
"(I) love X"!
おっとはやきゅうがだいすきです。
10 My husband loves baseball.
(otto wa yakyuu ga daisuki desu.)
スポーツ
11 sports
(supootsu)
きらいです
12 hate
(kirai desu)
きらい is a な -adjective, which can mean "hateful," "disgusting," "offensive," or "detestable"--

13 anything that is the opposite of すき ("fond" or "favorite")! To say "(I) hate," we say きらいです . If
you want to emphasize your negative feelings even more, you can say だいきらいです !
つまはスポーツがきらいです。
14 My wife hates sports.
(tuma wa supootsu ga kirai desu.)
すきじゃありません
15 don't like
(suki ja arimasen)
Do you remember that Japanese people try to avoid strong statements especially when they have
to give a negative answer to a question? When we are asked about our preference, it's probably
16 better to avoid strong words such as きらい ("hate" or "dislike") even though that might be the
way you actually feel. One way to soften the impact of your statement is to use a negative form
such as すきじゃありません (I don't like).
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52
English Japanese
あまりすきじゃありません
17 don't like very much
(amari suki ja arimasen)
Did you remember that あまり ("not very" or "not much") is only used in a negative sentence, but
18
it does not make the sentence double-negative?
プロレス
19 professional wrestling
(puroresu)
おっともわたしも
20 neither my husband nor I
(otto mo watashi mo )
おっともわたしもプロレスがあまりすきじゃあ
Neither my husband nor I like professional りません。
21
wrestling very much. (otto mo watashi mo puroresu ga amari
suki ja arimasen.)
22 Now let's use the simple yet discreet way to give a negative answer.
I don't care for professional wrestling much... プロレスはちょっと・・・。
23
(Professional wrestling is a little bit....) (puroresu wa chotto....)
すもう
24 sumo wrestling
(sumoo)
I like sumo, but すもうはすきですが

25
(As for sumo, I like it, but) (sumoo wa suki desu ga)
Did you notice that we used the particle は instead of が in すもうはすきですが (I like sumo,
26 but...)? In a two-part sentence such as "I like X, but I don't like Y," we use the particle は for both
parts to emphasize that we are contrasting two things.
すみません。すもうはすきですが、プロレスは
I'm sorry. I like sumo, but I don't care for ちょっと・・・。
27
professional wrestling much.... (sumimasen. sumoo wa suki desu ga,
puroresu wa chotto....)
すもう is a form of wrestling with its roots in ancient Shinto rituals in Japan. In a すもう match,
two wrestlers (りきし ), who are clad only with stiff thongs called まわし , fight in a sandy ring called
28 どひょう . The one who successfully pushes the other off the ring or lets any part of the
opponent's body (except for his soles) touch the ground wins. The popularity of professional すも
う is said to be waning, but it's still holding up among older generations.
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Because we all like karaoke.
みんなカラオケがすきですから。
English Japanese
1 Because we all like karaoke.
(min-na karaoke ga suki desu kara.)
カラオケがすきです。
2 We like karaoke.
(karaoke ga suki desu.)
みんなカラオケがすきです。
3 We all like karaoke.
(min-na karaoke ga suki desu.)
から
4 because
(kara)
から connects two sentences together by appearing at the end of the first sentence and indicates
that the first sentence is the cause or reason for the second sentence. It's equivalent to
5
"because," "since" or "so" in English. In conversations, the second sentence (one that tells the
effect or result) is often omitted and only implied.
よく
6 often
(yoku)
よくマージャンをします。
7 I often play mahjong.
(yoku maajan o shimasu.)
おもしろい
8 enjoyable
(omoshiroi)
Do you remember that the equivalent of "funny" in Japanese is おもしろい ? おもしろい can also
9
mean "enjoyable" or "interesting."
おもしろいですから、よくマージャンをしま
す。
10 Because it is enjoyable, I often play mahjong.
(omoshiroi desu kara, yoku maajan o
shimasu.)
れんしゅう
11 a practice
(renshuu )
to practice れんしゅうする
12
(to do practice) (renshuu suru)
Did you notice that れんしゅうする (to practice) is a compound verb using the noun れんしゅう (a
13
practice) and the generic verb する (to do)?
れんしゅうします
14 practice
(renshuu shimasu)
まいにち
15 every day
(mai-nichi)
まいにちれんしゅうします。
16 I practice every day.
(mai-nichi renshuu shimasu.)
ゴルフがすきですから、まいにちれんしゅうし
ます。
17 Because I like golf, I practice it every day.
(gorufu ga suki desu kara, mai-nichi
renshuu shimasu.)
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English Japanese
あしたパーティーをします。
18 We are going to have a party tomorrow.
(ashita paatii o shimasu.)
どうして
19 why
(dooshite)
どうしてあしたパーティーをしますか。
20 Why are you going to have a party tomorrow?
(dooshite ashita paatii o shimasu ka.)
あしたは、ははのたんじょうびですから。
21 Because tomorrow is my mother's birthday.
(ashita wa, haha no tanjoobi desu kara.)
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Chapter 4: Dating 101
デート入門
Chapter 4: Dating 101

Ask or Tell the Time Add Counters for Time to Numbers
Inquire about Somebody's Habits Understand Different Functions of the Particle
Offer an Explanation と
Present Yourself Modestly Use the "な -adjective or Noun + なんです "
Strike Up a Conversation Form to Offer an Explanation
Use the Particle で to Indicate the Place of
Action
Conversation
English Japanese
すみません。ここ、だれかいますか。
Excuse me. Is someone sitting here?
(sumimasen. koko, dareka imasu ka.)
いいえ。どうぞ。
No. Go ahead.
(iie. doozo.)
どうもありがとう。すごいひとですね。
Thanks. It's terribly crowded, isn't it!
(doomo arigatoo. sugoi hito desu ne.)
ええ。おひとりですか。
Yes. Are you by yourself?
(ee. o-hitori desu ka.)
いいえ、ごうコンなんですが、ダンスがにがてな
No. As a matter of fact, I'm here for a blind date んです。
party, but I'm a poor dancer. (iie, gookon nandesu ga, dansu ga nigate
nandesu.)
へえ、ぼくもですよ。ぼくはたかしといいます。
Oh? Same here. My name is Takashi. What's おなまえは？
yours? (hee, boku mo desu yo. boku wa takashi to
iimasu. o-namae wa?)
ようこです。どうぞよろしく。
I'm Yoko. Nice to meet you.
(yooko desu. doozo yoroshiku.)
ここはうるさいですね。となりのカフェでコー
It's noisy here, isn't it! Why don't we have coffee or ヒーでものみませんか。
something at the cafe next door? (koko wa urusai desu ne. tonari no kafe de
koohii demo nomimasen ka.)
いいですね！そうしましょう。
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Sounds good! Let's do so.
(ii desu ne! soo shimashoo.)
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Is someone sitting here? ここ、だれかいますか。
English Japanese
1
(Is there someone here?) (koko, dare ka imasu ka.)
2 In everyday conversation, the particle に in ここに (here) is often omitted. Let's try it!
You have learned that Japanese people usually don't greet or talk to total strangers. Don't think,
however, that you'll be lonely while visiting Japan! It all depends on opportunities--where you are
3 and whom you are with. The easiest way to meet many people and make new friends is to visit
popular nightclubs, local festivals, or outdoor concerts, where various people gather together with
open minds and a common goal: to have fun!
だれか
4 someone or anyone
(dareka)
だれかいます。
5 There is someone.
(dareka imasu.)
Do you remember we used the particle が to mark the subject of verbs as in こいがいます (There
6 are carp)? In everyday conversations, the particle が is often omitted when the subject of the
sentence is だれか (someone) or its counterpart なにか (something).
だれかいますか。
7 Is there someone?
(dareka imasu ka.)
ここにだれかいますか。
8 Is there someone here?
(koko ni dareka imasu ka.)
あのう、すみません。ここ、だれかいますか。
9 Um, excuse me. Is someone sitting here? (anoo, sumimasen. koko, dareka imasu
ka.)
いません
10 there is not (when referring to living creatures)
(imasen)
だれも
11 no one
(daremo)
Please note that though だれも means "no one" or "nobody," it must be used with the negative
12
form of a verb in a sentence.
だれもいません。
13 There is no one.
(daremo imasen.)
14 Did you notice that we don't need the particle が after だれも ?
どうぞ。
15 Go ahead.
(doozo.)
So far, we have used どうぞ to mean "Here you go," "Please come in," or "Please get on." We can
16
also use どうぞ to allow someone to take an action. It's equivalent to "Go ahead" or "Please do"!
いいえ、だれもいません。どうぞ。
17 No, there is no one. Go ahead.
(iie, daremo imasen. doozo.)
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English Japanese
boyfriend かれ
18
(he/him) (kare)
Do you remember that Japanese people usually avoid using pronouns as long as the context
19 allows it? かれ literally means "he" or "him," but it is often used to mean a very special "he"--
(one's) boyfriend!
かれのせき
20 my boyfriend's seat
(kare no seki)
すみません。そこはかれのせきです。
21 I'm sorry. That is my boyfriend's seat.
(sumimasen. soko wa kare no seki desu.)
Did you use the pointing word そこ (that place) instead of それ (that thing) to point to せき (seat),
22
which is considered as a place rather than an object?
In Japanese, terms of endearment such as "Honey" or "Sweetheart" are almost non-existent.
Unmarried couples call each other by their first names or nicknames. Wives may call their
23 husbands あなた (literally, "You"), which is perhaps the closest thing to "Honey" in English. More
commonly, wives call their husbands おとうさん (Father) or パパ (Papa) while husbands call their
wives おかあさん (Mother) or ママ (Mom)--depending on how their children call them!
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Are you by yourself? おひとりですか。
English Japanese
おひとりですか。
1 Are you by yourself?
(ohitori desu ka.)
ひとり
2 being by oneself
(hitori)
Do you remember that we count people as ひとり (one person), ふたり (two people), さんにん
3 (three people), and so on? ひとり can also mean "(being) single," "(being) alone," or "(being) by
oneself"!
ひとりです
4 is/am/are by oneself
(hitori desu)
ひとりですか。
5 Are you by yourself?
(hitori desu ka.)
おひとり
6 being by oneself
(ohitori)
ええ、ひとりです。
7 Yes, I'm by myself.
(ee, hitori desu.)
いいえ、ひとりじゃありません。
8 No, I'm not by myself.
(iie, hitori ja arimasen.)
かれと
9 with my boyfriend
(kare to)
So far we have used the particle と as the Japanese equivalent of "and," as in ちちとはは (father
10 and mother). The same particle has another function: in the phrase かれと , と means "with" in
English!
かれといっしょです。
11 I'm together with my boyfriend.
(kare to issho desu.)
Did you notice that we don't need the particle に when we use the word いっしょ (being together)
12
along with です , as in かれといっしょです (I'm together with my boyfriend)?
かのじょ
13 girlfriend
(kanojo)
Like かれ ("[one's] boyfriend"; literally, "he" or "him"), かのじょ is the pronoun for "she" or "her,"
14
but is often used to mean "(one's) girlfriend"!
いいえ、ひとりじゃありません。かのじょと
No, I'm not by myself. I'm together with my いっしょですよ。
15
girlfriend, you know. (iie, hitori ja arimasen. kanojo to issho
desu yo.)
"Love" in Japanese is あい , and the standard translation for "I love you" is あいしています (literally,
"am loving"). This expression, however, sounds rather foreign to native speakers. The more
16 common and natural-sounding expression for confession of love is すきです (literally, "like").
Established Japanese couples, by the way, don't tell each other "I love you" as often as Americans
do. For most Japanese, true love is something that should be understood without words!
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Is this your first time to come to this place of
business?
このみせははじめてですか。
English Japanese
business? このみせははじめてですか。
1
(As for this place of business, is it for the first (kono mise wa hajimete desu ka.)
time?)
You have already learned that most Japanese don't walk up to a total stranger and introduce
themselves. If you want to make new friends in Japan, start with small talk. Commenting on your
2
surroundings (such as the weather or the size of the crowd) is an age-old icebreaker, and so is
asking about the person's familiarity with the particular place you are both in!
はじめて
3 for the first time
(hajimete)
It's my first time. はじめてです。

4
(It is for the first time.) (hajimete desu.)
みせ
5 store or place of business
(mise)
みせ is a generic term for a place of business that is open for customers, including retail stores,
restaurants, and bars. Native speakers often use the term whenever they assume that their
6 listeners understand which place of business they are talking about. It's one of those words that
is very simple and useful, but it's hard to find an English equivalent! For convenience, let's use a
"place of business" for its English translation even though it may sound a bit strange.
このみせ
7 this place of business
(kono mise)
ええ、はじめてです。
8 Yes, it's my first time.
(ee, hajimete desu.)
いいえ、はじめてじゃありません。
9 No, it's not my first time.
(iie, hajimete ja arimasen.)
にかいめ
10 the second time
(nikaime )
かいめ in にかいめ (the second time) is the counter indicating the status of the current action in
11 regard to the frequency. Please note that in order to say "(for) the first time" in Japanese, we
often say はじめて without using the combination of the number and the counter.
にかいめです。
12 This is my second time.
(nikaime desu.)
さんかいめ
13 the third time
(sankaime)
いいえ、はじめてじゃありません。さんかいめ
です。
14 No, it's not my first time. It's my third time.
(iie, hajimete ja arimasen. sankaime
desu.)
くる
15 to come
(kuru)
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English Japanese
きます
16 come
(kimasu)
よくきますか。
17 Do you come often?
(yoku kimasu ka.)
クラブ
18 night club
(kurabu)
Do you come to this club often? このクラブはよくきますか。
19
(As for this club, do you come often?) (kono kurabu wa yoku kimasu ka.)
ええ、よくきます。
20 Yes, I come often.
(ee, yoku kimasu.)
あまり ("not very" or "not much") can also mean "not very often." Let's use it in this way in the
21
next question!
いいえ、あまりきません。
22 No, I don't come very often.
(iie, amari kimasen.)
ときどき
23 sometimes
(tokidoki)
ときどききます。
24 I come sometimes.
(tokidoki kimasu.)
かれといっしょに
25 together with my boyfriend
(kare to issho ni)
The two expressions "X と " (with X) and "X といっしょに " (together with X) mean the same thing.
26 We can use them interchangeably to indicate that X is the person with whom you share an action,
such as going to a club or watching a movie.
I come sometimes together with my かれといっしょにときどききます。
27
boyfriend. (kare to issho ni tokidoki kimasu.)
だれと
28 with whom
(dare to)
だれときますか。
29 With whom do you come?
(dare to kimasu ka.)
かいしゃのひとたちやともだち
30 my coworkers, my friends, and others
(kaisha no hitotachi ya tomodachi)
かいしゃのひとたちやともだちときますよ。
I come with my coworkers, my friends, and
31 (kaisha no hitotachi ya tomodachi to
others, you know.
kimasu yo.)
From the 1970s to the early 1990s, the ディスコ (discotheque) was the rage all over Japan.
Today, the name of ディスコ has become a thing of the past. It's now called a クラブ (nightclub),
32 and that's the place young crowds gather for dancing. If you are planning to visit one, beware
that there is another kind of クラブ in Japan. These are expensive nightclubs staffed with kimono-
clad hostesses, where the bill for a sip of whiskey might bust your entire travel budget!
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As a matter of fact, I am a poor dancer.
ダンスがにがてなんです。
English Japanese
As a matter of fact, I am a poor dancer. ダンスがにがてなんです。
1
(As a matter of fact, I am poor at dancing.) (dansu ga nigate nandesu.)
にがて
2 poor at
(nigate)
にがて is a な -adjective we can use to describe our weak points. It's equivalent to "poor at" or
3
"weak in" in English!
にがてです。
4 I am poor at it.
(nigate desu.)
にがてなんです。
5 As a matter of fact, I am poor at it.
(nigate nandesu.)
When you say にがてです , you are simply stating (or "reporting") that you are not good at
something. When you say にがてなんです , however, you are offering the fact to your listener as
an explanation for your action or your previous remark. The ending なんです , attached to either
6
nouns, な -adjectives, or adverbs, adds the nuance of "as a matter of fact" or "to tell you the truth"
to the sentence. For the sake of convenience, let's call this mode of speech the "explanation
mode"!
ダンス
7 dancing
(dansu)
ダンスがにがてです。
8 I am poor at dancing.
(dansu ga nigate desu.)
Do you remember the expression にほんごがじょうずです (You are good at Japanese) or テニス
9 がすきです (I like tennis)? As in the case of じょうずです or すきです , we use the particle が to
indicate the object of にがてです --that is, what we are poor at --as in ダンスがにがてです .
スポーツがきらいです。
10 I hate sports.
(supootsu ga kirai desu.)
スポーツがきらいなんです。
11 As a matter of fact, I hate sports.
(supootsu ga kirai nandesu.)
12 neither tennis nor golf
テニスもゴルフもしません。スポーツがきらい
I play neither tennis nor golf. As a matter of なんです。
13
fact, I hate sports. (tenisu mo gorufu mo shimasen.
supootsu ga kirai nandesu.)
ごうコン
14 blind-date party
(gookon)
コンパ (a slang derived from the English word "company") is a form of a party popular with young
people, particularly college students. They go out to a pub or restaurant with classmates or club
15 members and enjoy each other's company over food and drinks. When コンパ is organized to
meet new people of the opposite sex, it's called a ごうどうコンパ (literally, "joint コンパ ") or ごう
コン in short. The closest English equivalent would be a "blind-date party"!
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English Japanese
ごうコンです。
16 It's a blind-date party.
(gookon desu.)
ごうコンなんです。
17 As a matter of fact, it's a blind-date party.
(gookon nandesu.)
ごうコンなんですが、ダンスがにがてなんで
As a matter of fact, it's a blind-date party, but す。
18
I am a poor dancer. (gookon nandesu ga, dansu ga nigate
nandesu.)
Me, too. わたしもです。

19
(I am too.) (watashi mo desu.)
へえ？
20 Oh?
(hee?)
へえ？ is a casual way to express your surprise or doubt. It's equivalent to "Indeed?" "Really?" or
21
"Oh?" in English!
22 Can you answer the next question using the casual "I" for a male speaker?
へえ、そうですか。ぼくもです。
23 Oh, is that so? Me, too.
(hee, soo desu ka. boku mo desu.)
Once upon a time, みあい or おみあい , chaperoned dates arranged by relatives or family friends
who acted as matchmakers, was the way to find one's better half in Japan. Today, less than 10%
24 of marriages go through such a traditional method while "love matches" have become the norm.
The concept of おみあい , however, seems to still be thriving. おみあいパーティー , organized
collective dating similar to speed dating in the US, has become a big business all over Japan!
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My name is Takashi. ぼくはたかしといいます。
English Japanese
1
(As for me, I am called Takashi.) (boku wa takashi to iimasu.)
You have met someone whom you want to be friends with. You approach him or her and strike up
an innocent conversation. After making small talk for some time, you are ready to introduce
2 yourself and find out the person's name. If you find yourself in such a scenario, it sounds more
natural and polite to tell your name in an indirect manner, using the expression わたしは X といい
ます . It's equivalent to "My name is X," but you are actually saying, "I'm called X"!
いう
3 to say
(yuu)
といいます
4 is/am/are called
(to iimasu)
Do you remember the expression 「うに」といいます (We call it "uni")? といいます is a common
expression we use to introduce the name of a thing or a person in somewhat indirect manner. It's
5
equivalent to "is/am/are called ~" or "we call (something) ~." Let's memorize it as a phrase so
that all we have to do is to insert the name before と !
たかしといいます。
6 I'm called Takashi.
(takashi to iimasu.)
ぼくはたかしといいます。おなまえは？
7 My name is Takashi. What's your name?
(boku wa takashi to iimasu. onamae wa?)
8 I'm Yoko. Nice to meet you.
Generally speaking, Japanese women prefer to be asked out by men rather than asking men out
themselves. It does not mean, however, that Japanese women are all shy and passive--especially
younger generations! In fact, as more women strive for economic independence, they have also
9
become more assertive in relationships. More men, on the other hand, are said to have become
gentler and more passive. Such males are sometimes called そうしょくけい --a "herbivorous
kind"!
Though we often get by without using any pronouns such as わたし (I or me) or あなた (you) in
10 Japanese, sometimes we have to be specific to avoid misunderstandings or mix-ups--especially in
relationships! In the following questions, let's clearly state whose boyfriend we are talking about!
わたしのかれ
11 my boyfriend
(watashi no kare)
My boyfriend's name is Ichiro. わたしのかれはいちろうといいます。

12
(As for my boyfriend, he is called Ichiro.) (watashi no kare)
すてき
13 wonderful
(suteki)
14 すてき is a な -adjective that means "wonderful," "lovely," or "nice."
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English Japanese
すてきなひと
15 a wonderful person
(sutekina hito)
16 Did you remember to add な and say すてきなひと since すてき is a な -adjective?
わたしのかれはいちろうといいます。すてきな
My boyfriend's name is Ichiro. He is a ひとですよ！
17
wonderful person, you know! (watashi no kare wa ichiroo to iimasu.
sutekina hito desu yo!)
In general, Japanese people are modest and try not to sound boastful. People in love, however,
18 can't help talking proudly about their partners--even in Japan! Such affectionate remarks are
called のろけ or おのろけ and are generally well-tolerated among good friends.
While mild のろけ (affectionate boasting about one's partner) is kindly received among friends,
public display of affection by couples is not well-tolerated in Japan. Holding hands is ok, but public
19 kissing and hugging would compel people around you to avert their eyes quickly or stare at you as
if you are characters from an American TV show. Either way, it's not very pleasant for any of the
parties involved. Let's do in Japan as the Japanese do and be modest in your actions!
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Why don't we have coffee or something at the cafe
next-door?
となりのカフェでコーヒーでものみませんか。
English Japanese
Why don't we have coffee or something at the
1 (tonari no kafe de koohii demo
cafe next-door?
nomimasen ka.)
のむ
2 to drink
(nomu)
のみます
3 drink
(nomimasu)
コーヒーをのみます。
4 I drink coffee.
(koohii o nomimasu.)
Why don't we have coffee? コーヒーをのみませんか。

5
(Why don't we drink coffee?) (koohii o nomimasen ka.)
カフェ
6 cafe
(kafe)
The Japanese term for "coffee shop" is きっさてん (literally, "drinking-tea shop"), but the term is
fast becoming obsolete while カフェ (cafe) has become quite popular. Strictly speaking, カフェ
7 and きっさてん are different: カフェ serves alcohol while きっさてん doesn't. However, even non-
alcohol coffee shops often call themselves カフェ or コーヒーハウス (coffee house), hoping to
create more sophisticated images with the use of the "borrowed" words!
cafe next-door となりのカフェ
8
(cafe at the next-door) (tonari no kafe)
Can you see the difference between となりのカフェ and カフェのとなり ? While となりのカフェ
(literally, "cafe at the next-door") describes the cafe in regard to its location, カフェのとなり
9
(literally, "the next-door of the cafe") indicates the location of something else in relation to the
cafe.
となりのカフェでコーヒーをのみませんか。
Why don't we have coffee at the cafe next-
10 (tonari no kafe de koohii o nomimasen
door?
ka.)
Did you notice that we need to use the particle で and say となりのカフェで ? This is the same
particle we learned to use in the sentence ここでおります (I'm getting off at this place). The
11 particle で attaches itself to a noun denoting a place, just as the particle に does, and works as
"at," "in," or "on" in English. While に indicates the place where something or someone exists, で
indicates the place where some action takes place.
コーヒーでも
12 coffee or something
(koohii demo)
When we want to give an example while making a suggestion, we use でも , instead of the particle
を , after the noun. For instance, when suggesting that someone join us for refreshments, we can
13 pick コーヒー (coffee) as an example out of other drinks available and say コーヒーでも , which
means "coffee or something" or "coffee, for example." Please note that this でも is different from
でも that means "but"!
コーヒーでものみませんか。
14 Why don't we have coffee or something?
(koohii demo nomimasen ka.)
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うるさい
15 noisy
(urusai)
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English Japanese
うるさいです。
16 It is noisy.
(urusai desu.)
ここはうるさいですね。
17 This place is noisy, isn't it!
(koko wa urusai desu ne.)
となりのみせ
18 the place of business next-door
(tonari no mise)
おちゃでも
19 tea or something
(ocha demo)
ここはうるさいですね。となりのみせでおちゃ
This place is noisy, isn't it! Why don't we have
でものみませんか。
20 tea or something at the place of business
(koko wa urusai desu ne. tonari no mise
next-door?
de ocha demo nomimasen ka.)
When people say おちゃでものみませんか (Why don't we have tea or something?), chances are
that they are not really thinking of a cup of green tea or even black tea. It's an idiomatic
21 expression native speakers use to mean "Let's have a break." It's also an age-old pick-up line
adopted by guys on the streets! Nowadays, young people often opt for the pseudo-verb おちゃす
る (literally, "to do tea"), saying おちゃしませんか or more casually, おちゃしない？
すごい
22 terrible or amazing
(sugoi)
terribly crowded すごいひと

23
(amazing person) (sugoi hito)
すごいひと can mean either an "amazing person" or "terribly crowded." Let's use it in the latter
24
sense here!
すごいひとですね。
25 It's terribly crowded, isn't it!
(sugoi hito desu ne.)
バー
26 bar
(baa)
bar across the street むかいのバー
27
(bar on the opposite side) (mukai no baa)
むかいのバー can mean either "the bar across the street" or "the bar across the hallway (or
28
aisle)."
カクテル
29 cocktail
(kakuteru)
すごいひとですね。むかいのバーでカクテルで
It's terribly crowded, isn't it! Why don't we have
ものみませんか。
30 cocktails or something at the bar across the
(sugoi hito desu ne. mukai no baa de
street?
kakuteru demo nomimasen ka.)
そうします。
31 I'll do so.
(soo shimasu.)
そうしましょう。
32 Let's do so.
(soo shimashoo.)
33 It sounds good! Let's do so.
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English Japanese
Generally speaking, Japanese women prefer paying their own way when they wine and dine with
friends--whether these friends are male or female. However, when asked out by men for the first
34
time, many women probably expect their dates to pay the whole tab. "Going Dutch" in Japanese
is わりかん . If you want to suggest to split the cost, you can say わりかんにしましょう !
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What time is it now? いま、なんじですか。
English Japanese
いま、なんじですか。
1 What time is it now?
(ima, nanji desu ka.)
what time なんじ

2
(what o'clock) (nanji)
3 じ in なんじ is the counter for the hour. It's equivalent to "o'clock" in English!
なんじですか。
4 What time is it?
(nanji desu ka.)
いま
5 now
(ima)
Asking the time is the simplest and most innocent way to strike up a conversation with a
6 stranger. It can also be a convenient segue for a safe retreat after you have decided that your
new acquaintance is not the right one for you!
さんじ
7 three o'clock
(sanji)
いま、さんじです。
8 It's three o'clock now.
(ima, sanji desu.)
よじ
9 four o'clock
(yoji)
10 Did you notice that the pronunciation of よん (four) changes when it's used to tell the hour?
はん
11 half (referring to time period)
(han)
よじはん
12 half past four
(yoji han)
ごご
13 afternoon or p.m.
(gogo)
ごごよじはん
14 half past four in the afternoon
(gogo yoji han)
しちじ
15 seven o'clock
(shichiji )
Some Japanese numbers have two different pronunciations. For example, we have so far learned
"seven" is なな , but the same number can be read as しち . In general, we can use both
16 pronunciations interchangeably, but sometimes we have to use a particular one, depending on
the counter that follows it. When we say "seven o'clock," for example, we have to say しちじ . Let's
memorize it and use it as it is!
ごぜん
17 morning or a.m.
(gozen)
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English Japanese
いま、ごぜんしちじです。
18 It's seven o'clock in the morning now.
(ima, gozen shichiji desu.)
くじ
19 nine o'clock
(kuji)
Like "seven," "nine" in Japanese has two pronunciations: きゅう and く . When we tell the hour, we
20
have to say くじ (nine o'clock). Let's memorize this one, too!
もう
21 already
(moo)
もうくじはんです。
22 It's already half past nine.
(moo kuji han desu.)
えっ !?
23 What!?
(e!?)
えっ !? もうじゅういちじですか。
24 What!? It's eleven o'clock already?
(e!? moo juuichiji desu ka.)
かえる
25 to go home
(kaeru)
26 かえる means "to return," but we often use it to mean "to go home."
かえります
27 go home
(kaerimasu)
すみませんが、かえります。
28 I'm sorry, but I'm going home.
(sumimasen ga, kaerimasu.)
おやすみなさい。
29 Good night.
(oyasuminasai.)
えっ !? もうじゅうにじですか。すみません
What!? It's twelve o'clock already? I'm sorry, が、かえります。おやすみなさい！
30
but I'm going home. Good night! (e!? moo juuniji desu ka. sumimasen ga,
kaerimasu. oyasuminasai!)
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Chapter 5: Planning for the Weekend
週末の計画
Chapter 5: Planning for the Weekend

Discuss Plans for the Weekend Form the "ます -form + たいです " Pattern
Make Appointments Recognize the "ます -form/Noun + に + い
Name the Days of the Week く /くる " Pattern
Remind Someone to Bring Something Use the Particle に to Indicate the Point of
Suggest What to Do or Where to Go Time of Action
Use the Particle へ to Indicate the Direction of
Movement
Conversation
English Japanese
ようこさん、しゅうまつよていがありますか。
Do you have any plans for the weekend, Yoko? (yooko san, shuumatsu yotee ga arimasu
ka.)
いいえ、とくにありません。
No, nothing in particular.
(iie, toku ni arimasen.)
じゃあ、どようびハイキングにいきませんか。
Well then, why don't we go for a hike on Saturday?
(jaa, do-yoobi haikingu ni ikimasen ka.)
いいですね。どこへいきたいですか。
Sounds good! Where do you want to go?
(ii desu ne. doko e ikitai desu ka.)
たかおさんはどうですか。とてもいいけしきです
How about Mt. Takao? It offers a very fine view, よ。
you know. (takaosan wa doo desu ka. totemo ii keshiki
desu yo.)
わかりました。おちゃとおべんとうがいりますね ?
OK. We need tea and box lunch, right? (wakarimashita. ocha to obentoo ga irimasu
ne?)
ぼうしとカメラもおわすれなく！
Don't forget your hat and camera, either!
(booshi to kamera mo owasurenaku!)
Let's meet at the Shinjuku Station at nine o'clock あさ、くじにしんじゅくえきであいましょう。

in the morning. (asa, ku-ji ni shinjuku eki de aimashoo.)
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Do you have any plans for the weekend?
しゅうまつよていがありますか。
English Japanese
1 Do you have any plans for the weekend?
(shuumatsu yotee ga arimasu ka.)
Until late 1980s, most businesses and schools in Japan were open for half a day on Saturdays.
Today, the しゅうきゅうふつか (two-day weekend) has become the norm, and the concept of a
2 weekend has expanded to include not only Saturdays and Sundays but also Friday evenings.
Though most Japanese calenders now start with Sundays, many people still think that the first day
of the week is Monday!
よてい
3 plan
(yotee)
よていがあります。
4 I have plans.
(yotee ga arimasu.)
しゅうまつ
5 weekend
(shuumatsu)
しゅうまつよていがあります。
6 I have plans for the weekend.
(shuumatsu yotee ga arimasu.)
Did you notice that we don't need any particle after しゅうまつ (weekend) to say "for the
7 weekend"? Most time expressions that do not include specific numbers such as the hour or the
date can be used as they are without particles equivalent to "at," "on," "in," or "for."
げつようび
8 Monday
(getsu-yoobi)
Japanese terms for the day of the week originate in the ancient Babylonian traditions that had
been transmitted to Japan through China in the ninth century. Each term corresponds to the
9 Japanese names for the sun, the moon, and five planets (Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and
Saturn). よう in ようび (the day of the week) literally means "to shine"--a reference to shining
stars--while び means "day." げつようび , therefore, literally means the "Moon-shining Day"!
ようこさん、げつようびよていがありますか。
10 Do you have plans for Monday, Yoko? (yooko san, getsu-yoobi yotee ga
arimasu ka.)
かようび
11 Tuesday
(ka-yoobi)
か in かようび (Tuesday) means "fire," and it corresponds to the Japanese term for Mars, かせい
12
(literally, "Fire Star").
すいようび
13 Wednesday
(sui-yoobi)
すい in すいようび (Wednesday) means "water," and it corresponds to the Japanese term for
14
Mercury, すいせい (literally, "Water Star").
もくようび
15 Thursday
(moku-yoobi)
もく in もくようび (Thursday) means "wood" or "tree," and it corresponds to the Japanese term
16
for Jupiter, もくせい (literally, "Wood Star").
きんようび
17 Friday
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17 Friday
(kin-yoobi)
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78
English Japanese
きん in きんようび (Friday) means "metal" or "gold," and it corresponds to the Japanese term for
18
Venus, きんせい ("Gold Star").
どようび
19 Saturday
(do-yoobi)
ど in どようび (Saturday) means "earth," "soil" or "dirt," and it corresponds to the Japanese term
20
for Saturn, どせい (literally, "Dirt Star").
にちようび
21 Sunday
(nichi-yoobi)
にち in にちようび (Sunday) means "the sun," just like in English! Please note, however, にち
itself cannot be used independently to mean the sun. Neither are the corresponding parts in
22
other days of the week such as げつ in げつようび or か in かようび , except for きん (gold) in きん
ようび !
Here is the simple, yet effective way to memorize all the Japanese terms for the days of the week:
say, "げつ , か (あ ), すい , もく , きん , ど (お ), にち " (the extra vowels are added after か and ど for
23 the sake of the rhythm). Repeat it, like a mantra, until it gets stuck in your head. Then, all you
need to do is to add ようび after each component. Make sure, though, to remember that this
"week mantra" starts with Monday!
ようじ
24 things to do
(yooji)
ようじがあります。
25 I have things to do.
(yooji ga arimasu.)
にちようびようじがありますか。
26 Do you have things to do on Sunday?
(nichi-yoobi yooji ga arimasu ka.)
いいえ、ありません。
27 No, I don't have any.
(iie, arimasen.)
とくに
28 in particular
(toku ni)
No, nothing in particular. いいえ、とくにありません。

29
(No, I don't have in particular.) (iie, toku ni arimasen.)
いそがしい
30 busy
(isogashii)
いそがしいです。
31 I'm busy.
(isogashii desu.)
ひま
32 free (when referring to one's schedule)
(hima)
I'm free on Friday. きんようびはひまです。

33
(As for Friday, I am free.) (kin-yoobi wa hima desu.)
そうですね・・・。どようびはいそがしいです
Well.... I'm busy on Saturday, but free on が、にちようびはひまです。
34
Sunday. (soo desu ne.... do-yoobi wa isogashii
desu ga, nichi-yoobi wa hima desu.)
Did you remember that we use the particle は as in "Xは・・・が、 Yは・・・ " (X is..., but Y is...)
35
when we contrast two statements in one sentence?
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English Japanese
In Japan, we officially have Happy Mondays! The ハッピーマンデーせいど (Happy Mondays
system) was introduced in the year 2000, and the government has since changed the dates of
four national holidays to Mondays in order to create three-day weekends. These blessed holidays
36
are せいじんのひ or "Coming-of-Age Day" in January, うみのひ or "Ocean Day" in July, けいろうの
ひ or "Respect-for-the-Aged Day" in September, and たいいくのひ or "Physical Education Day" in
October.
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Why don't we go to a mountain for a hike?
やまへハイキングにいきませんか。
English Japanese
1 Why don't we go to a mountain for a hike?
(yama e haikingu ni ikimasen ka.)
アウトドアライフ (outdoor life) has become fashionable among city dwellers in Japan.
Unfortunately, there are a very limited number of accessible nature spots close to home.
2 Whether on hiking trails, camping grounds, or fishing spots, those who try to escape the hubbub
of city life often find themselves trapped among similarly-minded crowds at their destinations and
stuck in traffic jams on the way to and from home!
いきませんか。
3 Why don't we go?
(ikimasen ka.)
やま
4 mountain
(yama)
やまへ
5 to a mountain
(yama e)
Do you remember the expression とうきょうえきまで (to Tokyo station)? Both まで and へ can
be used to indicate a destination, but while まで emphasizes the end of a movement, like "as far
6
as" in English, the particle へ puts more emphasis on the direction of movement as in "toward."
In this section, let's use へ as the equivalent of "to" in English!
やまへいきませんか。
7 Why don't we go to a mountain?
(yama e ikimasen ka.)
ハイキングに
8 for a hike
(haikingu ni)
We have learned to use the particle に to indicate a location where something exists, as in ここに
あります (It exists here). We can also use the particle に to express the purpose of movement
9 with verbs such as いく (to go), くる (to come), or かえる (to go home). In such a case, the noun
that comes before に is an activity noun like hiking or shopping. Sometimes, an event such as a
concert or a festival can be used before the particle に as well.
ハイキングにいきませんか。
10 Why don't we go for a hike?
(haikingu ni ikimasen ka.)
こうえんへいきませんか。
11 Why don't we go to the park?
(kooen e ikimasen ka.)
さんぽに
12 for a walk
(sanpo ni)
Why don't we go to the park for a walk on どようびこうえんへさんぽにいきませんか。

13
Saturday? (do-yoobi kooen e sanpo ni ikimasen ka.)
かわ
14 river
(kawa)
ともだちとかわへいきます。
15 I'm going to the river with my friends.
(tomodachi to kawa e ikimasu.)
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English Japanese
つり
16 fishing
(tsuri)
I'm going to the river with my friends for ともだちとかわへつりにいきます。

17
fishing. (tomodachi to kawa e tsuri ni ikimasu.)
にちようびともだちとかわへつりにいきます。
I'm going to the river with my friends for
18 fishing on Sunday. Why don't you come with
(nichi-yoobi tomodachi to kawa e tsuri ni
us?
ikimasu. issho ni ikimasen ka.)
If you want to try some fishing in Japan but have no idea where to go, try つりぼり or artificial
fishing ponds! There you can rent different kinds of fishing rods with all the necessary accessories
19 and catch various fish for an hourly fee. Some つりぼり are catch-and-release only; others allow
you to keep what you catch within a certain limit. Some places even rent barbecue pits where
you can cook the fish you've just caught.
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Let's go to the beach to swim.
うみへおよぎにいきましょう。
English Japanese
1 Let's go to the beach to swim.
(umi e oyogi ni ikimashoo.)
Japan is an island nation, and even the northern parts of the country have beaches open for
swimming in summer. Except for Okinawa, however, the swimming season is usually limited to
2 July and August. The short season means...crowded beaches! For example, えのしま , arguably
the most famous beach near Tokyo, is said to host more than three million people in one
summer!
およぐ
3 to swim
(oyogu)
およぎます
4 swim
(oyogimasu)
およぎにいきます
5 go to swim
(oyogi ni ikimasu)
We have learned that the particle に indicates the purpose of movement. The word that comes
before に can be either an activity noun or a verb! When we use a verb, simply drop ます from
6
the polite form and add に . For example, to say "I go to swim," we drop ます from およぎます
(swim) and say およぎにいきます .
およぎにいきましょう。
7 Let's go to swim.
(oyogi ni ikimashoo.)
うみ
8 ocean or sea
(umi)
うみ means the "ocean" or "sea," but we can also use it to mean the "beach" when we want to say
9
"Let's go to the beach" or "This beach is clean."
Let's go to the beach. うみへいきましょう。
10
(Let's go to the ocean.) (umi e ikimashoo.)
あそぶ
11 to play or to have fun
(asobu)
あそびます
12 have fun
(asobimasu)
あそびにいきます
13 go to have fun
(asobi ni ikimasu)
ゆうえんち
14 amusement park
(yuuenchi)
ゆうえんちへあそびにいきます。
15 We'll go to the amusement park to have fun.
(yuuenchi e asobi ni ikimasu.)
next Sunday こんどのにちようび

16
(Sunday of the next time) (kondo no nichi-yoobi)
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English Japanese
こんどのにちようび、ゆうえんちへあそびにい
Let's go to the amusement park to have fun きましょう。
17
next Sunday. (kondo no nichi-yoobi, yuuenchi e asobi
ni ikimashoo.)
Theme parks or テーマパーク are big business in Japan. They attract not only families with
children but also adults who cannot have enough of all the fun rides they offer! The most famous
18
ones are とうきょうディズニーランド (Tokyo Disneyland) and ディズニーシー (DisneySea) in う
らやす in Chiba Prefecture, which, combined, boast about 25,000,000 visitors a year.
あそびにくる
19 to come over for a visit
(asobi ni kuru)
あそびにくる literally means "to come to have fun," but we can use the phrase to mean "to come
20 over for a visit" when we invite others to our own home. In turn, we can say あそびにいく (literally,
"to go to have fun") when we go to someone's home for a visit!
あそびにきませんか。
21 Why don't you come over for a visit?
(asobi ni kimasen ka.)
こんどのどようび
22 next Saturday
(kondo no do-yoobi)
こんどのどようび、うちへあそびにきません
Why don't you come over to my house for a か。
23
visit next Saturday? (kondo no do-yoobi, uchi e asobi ni
kimasen ka.)
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Where do you want to go? どこへいきたいですか。
English Japanese
どこへいきたいですか。
1 Where do you want to go?
(doko e ikitai desu ka.)
いきたいです
2 want to go
(ikitai desu)
Here is another formula that uses the ます -form of a verb: when we want to express our desire to
do something, we drop ます from the polite form of the verb and add たいです . For example, い
3 きたいです means "(I) want to go." Please note that we cannot use ～たいです to describe the
desire of the third person. Neither can we use it when we are making offers or issuing invitations
as in "Would you like to have some coffee?"
どこへいきますか。
4 Where do you go?
(doko e ikimasu ka.)
Did you add へ after the question word どこ (where) and say どこへいきますか (Where do you
5
go)? We need the particle へ to indicate the destination, even when we are asking about it!
しゅうまつどこへいきたいですか。
6 Where do you want to go on the weekend?
(shuumatsu doko e ikitai desu ka.)
どこへおよぎにいきたいですか。
7 Where do you want to go to swim?
(doko e oyogi ni ikitai desu ka.)
なにをしたいですか。
8 What do you want to do?
(nani o shitai desu ka.)
ばん
9 evening
(ban)
きんようびのばん
10 Friday evening
(kin-yoobi no ban)
きんようびのばん、なにをしたいですか。
11 What do you want to do on Friday evening?
(kin-yoobi no ban, nani o shitai desu ka.)
みたいです
12 want to watch
(mitai desu)
なにをみたいですか。
13 What do you want to watch?
(nani o mitai desu ka.)
Now, for the next question, let's pretend that someone has suggested that you go to a movie
14
together. Can you come up with an enthusiastic response?
えいがですか。いいですね！なにをみたいです
A movie? It sounds good! What do you want to か。
15
watch? (eega desu ka. ii desu ne! nani o mitai
desu ka.)
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How about Mt. Takao? たかおさんはどうですか。
English Japanese
たかおさんはどうですか。
1 How about Mt. Takao?
(takaosan wa doo desu ka.)
Only a one-hour train ride from central Tokyo, たかおさん (Mt. Takao) offers popular day-hike trails
that award hikers with a nice view of ふじさん (Mt. Fuji). たかおさん is only about 2,000 ft. high,
2 but it's the starting point for the 1,000-mile-long Tokai Nature Trails. Besides well-preserved
forests and great views, points of interest include the tram and lift rides, a monkey park, a beer
garden, and a Buddhist temple with 1,200 years of history!
How about ~? どうですか。
3
(How is it?) (doo desu ka.)
We can use どうですか (literally, "How is it?") not only to ask how something is, but also to make a
4
suggestion, like saying "How about ~?" in English!
たかおさん
5 Mt. Takao
(takaosan)
Do you remember that the Japanese word for a "mountain" is やま ? The Chinese character for や
ま (山 ) is often read as さん when it's used in the names of mountains, as in たかおさん (Mt.
6
Takao). It may sound like a person's name, but さん in たかおさん and さん in ようこさん (Ms.
Yoko) are completely different things!
It offers a fine view, you know. いいけしきですよ。
7
(It is a fine view, you know.) (ii keshiki desu yo.)
たかおさんはどうですか。とてもいいけしきで
How about Mt. Takao? It offers a very fine すよ。
8
view, you know. (takaosan wa doo desu ka. totemo ii
keshiki desu yo.)
ゆうめい
9 famous
(yuumee)
10 ゆうめい ends with い , but it's a な -adjective that means "famous" or "well-known."
ビーチ
11 beach
(biichi)
ゆうめいなビーチ
12 famous beach
(yuumeena biichi)
えのしま
13 Enoshima
(enoshima)
えのしまはどうですか。とてもゆうめいなビー
How about Enoshima? It's a very famous チですよ。
14
beach, you know. (enoshima wa doo desu ka. totemo
yuumeena biichi desu yo.)
「しちにんのさむらい」
15 "Seven Samurai"
("shichi-nin no samurai")
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English Japanese
しちにんのさむらい (Seven Samurai), directed by くろさわあきら and starring みふねとしろう , is
one of the most popular Japanese films inside and outside Japan. Originally released in 1954, the
16 black-and-white film features the story of seven unemployed samurai warriors, or ろうにん , who
help poor villagers defend their livelihood against bandits. しちにんのさむらい inspired many
other works, including the popular American film, The Magnificent Seven.
おもしろいえいが
17 interesting movie
(omoshiroi eega)
「しちにんのさむらい」はどうですか。とても
How about "Seven Samurai"? It's a very おもしろいえいがですよ。
18
interesting movie, you know. ("shichi-nin no samurai" wa doo desu ka.
totemo omoshiroi eega desu yo.)
くろさわあきら is arguably the most famous and influential Japanese film director, nicknamed せ
かいのくろさわ (Kurosawa of the World). Born in 1910, くろさわ started his long career in 1943
19 and won numerous awards worldwide with highly acclaimed films such as らしょうもん
(Rashomon), いきる (Ikiru; literally, "To Live"), しちにんのさむらい (Seven Samurai), and らん
(Ran; literally, "War"). He died in 1998 at age 88.
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We need tea and a box lunch.
おちゃとおべんとうがいります。
English Japanese
1 We need tea and a box lunch.
(ocha to obentoo ga irimasu.)
Buying おべんとう (box lunch) is not an easy task in Japan: there are too many kinds to choose
from! If you just can't settle on a single kind, try the type called まくのうち (literally, "inside-the-
2 curtains"). Its name originates from the box lunch eaten by theater goers between acts during
the Edo period (1603-1868). A typical まくのうちべんとう has small おにぎり (rice balls) and
variety of savory pieces such as grilled fish, omelet, vegetables, pickles, and more!
いる
3 to need
(iru)
いります
4 need
(irimasu)
おちゃがいります。
5 We need tea.
(ocha ga irimasu.)
Did you notice that we need to use the particle が , not を , along with the verb いります (I need)?
As you have already learned, some verbs and adjectives need が to mark their objects, as in ペッ
6
トがいます (I have a pet) or テニスがすきです (I like tennis). Let's remember that いります is one
of them!
おべんとう
7 box lunch
(obentoo)
べんとう or おべんとう can be a bring-your-own lunch in general, or a meal-in-a box in particular.

If you don't have time to fix your own box lunch in the morning, you can buy one at any
8 convenience store, supermarket, or Japanese-style deli specialized for おべんとう . As is the case
with おちゃ (tea), many people say おべんとう , adding the polite-word maker お to avoid
sounding rude.
おちゃとおべんとう
9 tea and a box lunch
(ocha to obentoo)
You can buy various bottled teas in Japan, including りょくちゃ (green tea), こうちゃ (black tea),
10
and ウーロンちゃ (oolong tea or Chinese tea)!
OK. わかりました。
11
(I understood.) (wakarimashita.)
わかりました。おちゃとおべんとうがいります
ね？
12 OK. We need tea and a box lunch, right?
(wakarimashita. ocha to obentoo ga
irimasu ne?)
Did you remember that the sentence-ending particle ね can be used to seek a confirmation with a
13
rising intonation? It's equivalent to "..., right?" in English!
カメラ
14 camera
(kamera)
カメラとぼうしがいります。
15 We need a camera and a hat.
(kamera to booshi ga irimasu.)
カメラとぼうしもいりますよ。
16 We need a camera and a hat, too, you know.
(kamera to booshi mo irimasu yo.)
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English Japanese
Did you replace the particle が with the particle も to add the meaning of "also" or "too"? Also
17
remember that we can use も in a negative sentence, as in "either" in English!
おわすれなく！
18 Don't forget!
(owasurenaku!)
おわすれなく is a polite way to say "Don't forget!" in everyday conversation. It's based on the
19
negative form of the verb わすれる (to forget).
カメラとぼうしもおわすれなく！
20 Don't forget a camera and a hat, either!
(kamera to booshi mo owasurenaku!)
Many Japanese women hate getting suntan (ひやけ ). Besides putting on strong sunscreens (ひや
けどめ ), they wear long sleeves and even gloves in the summer heat. On top of that, many of
21 them carry black parasols (ひがさ ) to shade themselves. Lately, ひがさ for men are gaining
popularity among older men, who are trying to protect themselves not from suntan but from
heatstroke!
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Let's meet at the Shinjuku Station at nine o'clock in
the morning.
あさ、くじにしんじゅくえきであいましょう。
English Japanese
Let's meet at the Shinjuku Station at nine あさ、くじにしんじゅくえきであいましょう。
1
o'clock in the morning. (asa, ku-ji ni shinjuku eki de aimashoo.)
If you are planning to meet up with your friends at a station in Japan, be forewarned: Japanese
stations in urban areas are extremely crowded during morning and evening rush hours! With so
2 many people passing in every direction, it's almost impossible to spot someone unless you and
your friends are very specific about the meeting place. Also hard to spot are public phones, which
have become less and less needed in the age of cell phones!
あう
3 to meet
(au)
あいます
4 meet
(aimasu)
あいましょう。
5 Let's meet.
(aimashoo)
しんじゅくえき
6 Shinjuku station
(shinjuku eki)
しんじゅくえきであいましょう。
7 Let's meet at the Shinjuku Station.
(shinjuku eki de aimashoo.)
8 Did you remember to use the particle で to indicate the location where the action takes place?
あさ
9 morning
(asa)
Let's meet at the Shinjuku Station in the あさ、しんじゅくえきであいましょう。
10
morning. (asa, shinjuku eki de aimashoo.)
くじに
11 at nine o'clock
(ku-ji ni)
Here is another use for the particle に . When we indicate the point in time that an action takes
12
place, we need to use に after the time, as in くじに (at nine o'clock).
たべる
13 to eat
(taberu)
たべます
14 eat
(tabemasu)
おべんとうをたべましょう。
15 Let's eat box lunch.
(obentoo o tabemashoo)
こうえんでおべんとうをたべましょう。
16 Let's eat box lunch at the park.
(kooen de obentoo o tabemashoo.)
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English Japanese
じゅうにじはん
17 half past twelve
(juuni-ji han)
じゅうにじはんにこうえんでおべんとうをたべ
Let's eat box lunch in the park at half past ましょう。
18
twelve. (juuni-ji han ni kooen de obentoo o
tabemashoo.)
もくようび、えいがをみにいきます。
19 We are going to watch a movie on Thursday.
(moku-yoobi, eega o mi ni ikimasu.)
もくようび、なんじにえいがをみにいきます
What time are you going to watch a movie on か。
20
Thursday? (moku-yoobi, nan-ji ni eega o mi ni
ikimasu ka.)
Did you remember to add the particle に after the question word なんじ (what time) to find out
21
the point in time when an action (here going to a movie) takes place?
よじごろ
22 around four o'clock
(yo-ji goro)
When we mention approximate times, we add ごろ after the time, as in よじごろ . When we use
23
ごろ , we can omit the particle に that indicates the time of action.
よじごろいきます。
24 We are going around four o'clock.
(yoji goro ikimasu.)
ハチこうのまえ
25 front of Hachiko
(hachikoo no mae)
ハチこう is the name of a legendary dog, famous for his loyalty. The male Akita is said to have
come to the JR Shibuya Station in Tokyo every evening for almost ten years to patiently wait for
26 his master's return after the master, a university professor, had died at work. The bronze statue
of ハチこう now stands in front of Shibuya Station and is used by many people as a meeting
place. The nearest ticket gate of the station is also named ハチこうぐち (Hachiko Ticket Gate)!
よじごろいきます。ハチこうのまえであいま
We are going around four o'clock. Let's meet しょう。
27
in front of Hachiko. (yoji goro ikimasu. hachikoo no mae de
aimashoo.)
The real ハチこう died in 1935, but his legend has lived on and inspired many people all over
Japan and beyond. A Japanese movie called ハチこうものがたり (The Story of Hachiko) was
28
released in 1987. The movie was recently remade in Hollywood under the title "Hachiko: A Dog's
Story" starring Richard Gere and three Akitas!
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Chapter 6: Weather and Land
気候と地形
Chapter 6: Weather and Land

Describe the Land Form Comparison Sentences and Questions
Describe the Weather, Climate, and Seasons Form the Past Tense of Noun and Adjective
Discuss Your or Others' Assumption on Sentences
Something Use そうです to Express Your Observation
Make Small Talk on Excursions Use でしょう to Express Your Assumption
Use Proper Measurement for Temperature
and Distance
Conversation
English Japanese
つかれましたね。ちょっとやすみましょうか。
We are tired, aren't we! Shall we rest a little bit? (tsukaremashita ne. chotto yasumimashoo
ka.)
ええ。むしあついですね。いま、なんどぐらいで
Sure. It's stifling hot, isn't it! How hot do you think しょうか。
it is now, approximately? (ee. mushiatsui desu ne. ima, nando gurai
deshoo ka.)
たぶんさんじゅうどぐらいでしょう。きのうより
It's probably about thirty degrees, I think. It's すずしいですよ。
cooler than yesterday, you know. (tabun sanjuu do gurai deshoo. ki-noo yori
suzushii desu yo.)
ええ。きのうははれでしたから、とてもあつかっ
Yes. It was very hot yesterday, wasn't it, since it たですね。
was sunny. (ee. ki-noo wa hare deshita kara, totemo
atsukatta desu ne.)
ここからちょうじょうまで、どのくらいですか。
How far is it from here to the summit? (koko kara choojoo made, donokurai desu
ka.)
そうですね・・・。あといちキロぐらいです。
Well.... We have about one more kilometer to go.
(soo desu ne.... ato ichi kiro gurai desu.)
なんだか、あめがふりそうですね。
It kind of looks like it's going to rain, doesn't it!
(nandaka, ame ga furisoo desu ne.)
ええ、ちょっといそぎましょう！
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Yes. Let's hurry a little bit!
(ee, chotto isogimashoo!)
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Shall we rest a little bit? ちょっとやすみましょうか。
English Japanese
ちょっとやすみましょうか。
1 Shall we rest a little bit?
(chotto yasumimashoo ka.)
Here are some tips on how to use three similar phrases. We use やすみましょう (Let's rest) to
express our will to involve our listener directly or to enthusiastically support another person's
2 suggestion. We use やすみましょうか (Shall we rest?) when we want to prompt our listener to
start a mutual action. やすみませんか (Why don't we rest?) is a gentler invitation in the form of a
negative question, showing our respect to our listener's will.
やすむ
3 to rest
(yasumu)
やすみます
4 rest
(yasumimasu)
ちょっとやすみます。
5 We'll rest a little bit.
(chotto yasumimasu.)
やすみましょうか。
6 Shall we rest?
(yasumimashoo ka.)
Do you remember the expression タクシーをよびましょうか (Should I call a taxi?). We used the
7 verb ending ましょうか to offer a service to someone. Now, we can use the same ending when
we want to make a polite suggestion. It's equivalent to "Shall we ~?" in English!
つかれる
8 to tire oneself
(tsukareru)
つかれます
9 tire oneself
(tsukaremasu)
I'm tired. つかれました。

10
(I tired myself. ) (tsukaremashita.)
つかれましたね。
11 We are tired, aren't we!
(tsukaremashita ne.)
As you already know, Japanese people often end their sentences with ね , sharing their feelings or
opinions and seeking agreement or confirmation from their listeners. つかれましたね is another
12 example. In this expression, the tired speaker assumes that the other person is also tired and
seeks an agreement from him or her. It's a very common way of communicating in Japanese,
though the English equivalent--"We're tired, aren't we?"--may sound a bit strange!
We are tired, aren't we! Shall we rest a little
13 (tsukaremashita ne. chotto
bit?
yasumimashoo ka.)
むしあつい
14 stifling hot
(mushiatsui)
With the exception of northern regions, summer in Japan is hot and humid. むしあつい ("muggy"
15 or "stifling hot") is the very word that describes how you would feel out there! むし in むしあつい
derives from the verb むす ("to steam" or "to be muggy").
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English Japanese
きょうはむしあついです。
16 It's stifling hot today.
(kyoo wa mushiatsui desu.)
ひかげ
17 shade
(hikage)
ひかげでやすみましょうか。
18 Shall we rest in the shade?
(hikage de yasumimashoo ka.)
むしあついですね。ひかげでやすみましょう
It's stifling hot, isn't it! Shall we rest in the か。
19
shade? (mushiatsui desu ne. hikage de
yasumimashoo ka.)
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How hot do you think it is now?
いまなんどでしょうか。
English Japanese
How hot do you think it is now? いまなんどでしょうか。
1
(What degree do you think it is now?) (ima nando deshoo ka.)
For temperature, Japanese use the degree Celsius (℃) or せっし while Americans use the degree
2 Fahrenheit (°F) or かし . 0℃ is 32°F; 10℃ is 50°F; 20℃ is 68°F; and 30℃ is 86°F. In this course,
we'll use the degree Celsius as the Japanese do!
なんど
3 what degree
(nan-do)
4 The counter for the temperature in Japanese is ど . We can also use ど for the degree of an angle.
How hot is it? なんどですか。
5
(What degree is it?) (nan-do desu ka.)
6 We can use なんどですか (literally, "What degree is it?") to ask how hot or cold　 something is.
なんどでしょうか。
7 How hot do you think it is?
(nan-do deshoo ka.)
When we end our sentence with です , we imply that what we are saying is a fact. When we want to
avoid sounding definite and imply that what we are saying is only our assumption, we can end our
8 sentence with でしょう instead of です . To ask your listener his or her assumption, simply add
the question marker か and end the sentence with でしょうか . It's equivalent to "do you think?"
or "I wonder" in English.
むしあついですね。いまなんどでしょうか。
It's stifling hot, isn't it! How hot do you think it
9 (mushiatsui desu ne. ima nan-do deshoo
is now?
ka.)
さんじゅうど
10 thirty degrees
(sanjuu-do)
さんじゅうどぐらい
11 around thirty degrees
(sanjuu-do gurai)
Do you remember that we use ごろ to tell an approximate time as in よじごろ (around four
o'clock)? When we talk about the approximate amount of something (such as temperature, time,
12
distance, weight, or price), we use ぐらい after the number to mean "about," "around," or
"approximately." For example, さんじゅうどぐらい means "around thirty degrees."
さんじゅうどぐらいでしょう。
13 It's around thirty degrees, I think.
(sanjuu-do gurai deshoo.)
たぶん
14 probably
(tabun)
そうですね・・・。たぶんさんじゅうごどぐら
Well.... It's probably around thirty-five degrees, いでしょう。
15
I think. (soo desu ne.... tabun sanjuu-go-do gurai
deshoo.)
How cold is it, approximately? なんどぐらいですか。
16
(About what degree is it?) (nan-do gurai desu ka.)
さむいですね。いま、なんどぐらいでしょう
It's cold, isn't it! How cold do you think it is か。
17
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17
now, approximately? (samui desu ne. ima, nan-do gurai
deshoo ka.)
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English Japanese
れい
18 zero
(ree)
れいど
19 zero degrees
(ree-do)
"Zero" in Japanese can be either れい or ゼロ . When talking about the temperature, however, we
20
must use れい and say れいど (zero degrees).
えーっと・・・。
21 Let me see....
(eetto....)
When we want to signal our listeners that we are thinking, as in "Let me see..." in English, we can
22 say えーっと・・・ . It's similar to そうですね・・・ (Well...), but えーっと・・・ is more casual
and spontaneous!
In the next question, let's assume that someone has asked about the outside temperature, and
23
you are looking at a thermometer to find the information.
Let me see.... Wow, it's zero degrees, you えーっと・・・。わあ、れいどですよ !
24
know! (eetto.... waa, ree do desu yo!)
Winter in Japan is relatively mild, except for the northern interior regions where the lowest
temperature can be as low as -30℃. The average temperature for January is -4.1℃ in Sapporo,
25 5.8℃ in Tokyo, and 16.6℃ in Naha, Okinawa. That said, you may feel a lot colder than the
thermometer tells you while visiting Japan in winter months. It may be due to windiness, higher
humidity, or the lack of central heating systems in most private residences!
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It's cooler today than yesterday.
きょうはきのうよりすずしいです。
English Japanese
1 It's cooler today than yesterday.
(kyoo wa ki-noo yori suzushii desu.)
すずしい
2 cool
(suzushii)
Please note that we mainly use すずしい (cool) to describe the temperature of the air or the
3 climate with a positive connotation. Make sure not to use it as the equivalent of "cool" in
expressions like "He's so cool!"
すずしいです。
4 It's cool.
(suzushii desu.)
より
5 more than
(yori)
より is a particle that comes after the word used as the counterpart of a comparison. It's
6
equivalent to "than" or "more than" in English!
きのうより
7 more than yesterday
(ki-noo yori)
It's cooler than yesterday. きのうよりすずしいです。

8
(It is more cool than yesterday.) (ki-noo yori suzushii desu.)
Did you notice that in きのうよりすずしいです (It's cooler than yesterday), the adjective (すずし
9 い ) itself does not change its form? What tells us that this is a comparison sentence? That's
right! It's the particle より !
はる
10 spring
(haru)
ことし
11 this year
(kotoshi)
this spring ことしのはる

12
(spring of this year) (kotoshi no haru)
きょねん
13 last year
(kyo-nen)
last spring きょねんのはる

14
(spring of last year) (kyo-nen no haru)
あたたかい
15 warm
(atatakai)
ことしのはるはきょねんのはるよりあたたかい
ですね。
16 This spring is warmer than last spring, isn't it!
(kotoshi no haru wa kyo-nen no haru yori
atatakai desu ne.)
なつ
17 summer
(natsu)
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English Japanese
なつのやま
18 mountains in summer
(natsu no yama)
あき
19 autumn
(aki)
あきのやまはなつのやまよりきれいですよ。
Mountains in autumn are more beautiful than
20 (aki no yama wa natsu no yama yori kiree
mountains in summer, you know.
desu yo.)
While Japanese people love the fragile beauty of さくら (cherry blossoms) in spring, they also love
the colorful displays of autumn leaves that paint the nation vivid red, yellow, and orange! On
21
sunny weekends, popular nature spots are filled with people enjoying "autumn-leaves viewing" or
もみじがり (literally, "red-leaves hunting") with their friends and family.
ふゆ
22 winter
(fuyu)
ほっかいどう
23 Hokkaido
(hokkaidoo)
Japan is an arc-shaped island country, consisting of four major "islands" and about 7,000 smaller
ones. These four major "islands" are (from north to south) ほっかいどう , ほんしゅう , しこく , and
24 きゅうしゅう . ほんしゅう , the largest, is a little bigger than Minnesota, while しこく , the
smallest, is slightly smaller than Vermont. Since they are all fairly large, people who live in them
don't consider themselves as living on islands!
ほっかいどうのふゆ
25 winter in Hokkaido
(hokkaidoo no fuyu)
きゅうしゅう
26 Kyushu
(kyuushuu)
ずっと
27 much more
(zutto)
ずっとさむいです。
28 It's much colder.
(zutto samui desu.)
ほっかいどうのふゆはきゅうしゅうのふゆより
The winter in Hokkaido is much colder than ずっとさむいです。
29
the winter in Kyushu. (hokkaidoo no fuyu wa kyuushuu no fuyu
yori zutto samui desu.)
Japan has four distinct seasons or しき . はる (spring) is warm and nice, and people enjoy おなはみ
(cherry-blossom viewing picnic) and other outdoor activities. なつ (summer) is hot and humid,
30 and the deafening chorus of cicadas fill the air. あき (autumn) is cool and crisp, and it's the
season for sports, cultural events, and もみじがり (autumn-leaves viewing). ふゆ (winter) is
relatively mild although the northern parts of Japan receive much snow.
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Which do you like better, the ocean or mountains?
うみとやまと、どちらがすきですか。
English Japanese
Which do you like better, the ocean or うみとやまと、どちらがすきですか。
1
mountains? (umi to yama to, dochira ga suki desu ka.)
The total area of Japan is slightly smaller than Montana. 73% of its land is mountains, and half of
the population lives in plains (へいや ) that occupy 14% of the land. Rivers (かわ ) are relatively
2 short, running down mountain sides and pouring into the surrounding seas, which include the にほ
んかい (Japan Sea), ひがしシナかい (East China Sea), オホーツクかい (the Sea of Okhotsk), and
たいへいよう (the Pacific Ocean).
どちら
3 which
(dochira)
Do you remember that we have so far used どちら as the polite version of どこ (where)? We can
4 also use どちら as the equivalent of "which" in English in a question asking our listener to
compare two things and choose one of them.
Which do you like better? どちらがすきですか。
5
(Which do you like?) (dochira ga suki desu ka.)
Did you remember that we use the particle が to indicate what we like? We also need to add が
6
after the question word どちら to say どちらがすきですか (Which do you like?).
the ocean or mountains (in a comparison うみとやまと
7
question) (umi to yama to)
To form a comparison question using the question word どちら , we mention two things by adding
8
the particle と after each word, as in "X と Y と ." It's the equivalent of "X or Y" in English.
うみのほうがすきです。
9 I like the ocean better.
(umi no hoo ga suki desu.)
When we want to pick one over the other in our answer to the comparison question, such as うみ
とやまと、どちらがすきですか (Which do you like better, the ocean or mountains?), we can use
10
the pattern "X のほうが・・・です ." Let's memorize the pattern and practice using it in a
conversation!
そうですね・・・。やまのほうがすきですよ。
11 Well.... I like mountains better, you know. (soo desu ne.... yama no hoo ga suki
desu yo.)
どちらも
12 both or neither
(dochira mo)
13 We can use どちらも in both affirmative and negative sentences.
どちらもすきです。
14 I like both.
(dochira mo suki desu.)
どちらもすきじゃありません。
15 I like neither.
(dochira mo suki ja arimasen.)
Did you notice that although どちらも is the equivalent of "neither," we have to use it along with
16
the negative sentence ending, as in どちらもすきじゃありません ?
ほっかいどうときゅうしゅうと、どちらがおお
きいですか。
17 Which is bigger, Hokkaido or Kyushu?
(hokkaidoo to kyuushuu to, dochira ga
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103
ookii desu ka.)
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104
English Japanese
ほっかいどうのほうがおおきいです。
18 Hokkaido is bigger.
(hokkaidoo no hoo ga ookii desu.)
あそさん
19 Mt. Aso
(asosan)
Japan has many volcanoes or かざん (literally, "fire mountain"), and that's why it also has so many
hot springs and earthquakes! あそさん (Mt. Aso) is an active volcano located in Kumamoto
20 Prefecture and is well-known for its huge caldera. The highest peak is 1,592 meters high. Visitors
can drive up to the main crater that is filled with turquoise-colored hot water and hike around it
when the wind is blowing the sulfurous gas away from the visitor access area.
ふじさん
21 Mt. Fuji
(fujisan)
ふじさん (Mt. Fuji) is 3,776 meters or 12,388 feet high and the tallest mountain in Japan. It's
located at the border of Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures and visible from Tokyo on clear
22
days. Though not as visibly active as あそさん , ふじさん is actually an active volcano, whose last
explosion was in 1707.
たかい
23 high or tall
(takai)
あそさんとふじさんと、どちらがたかいです
か。
24 Which is taller, Mt. Aso or Mt. Fuji?
(asosan to fujisan to, dochira ga takai
desu ka.)
ふじさんのほうがずっとたかいですよ。
25 Mt. Fuji is much taller, you know.
(fujisan no hoo ga zutto takai desu yo.)
ふじさん has long been considered a sacred mountain, and women couldn't climb it until 1800.
Today, anyone can drive half way up the mountain and hike the rest of the way to the summit,
26 using one of the four well-established routes. The official climbing season is July and August,
during which lodges and kiosks are available on the trails. Many people hike up the mountain at
night in order to watch the sunrise from the top!
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Which season do you like best?
きせつで、いつがいちばんすきですか。
English Japanese
Which season do you like best? きせつで、いつがいちばんすきですか。
1
(Among seasons, when do you like best?) (kisetsu de, itsu ga ichiban suki desu ka.)
The Japanese love of seasonal beauty is reflected in the famous four-season garden described in
the eleventh-century Japanese classic, げんじものがたり or "The Tale of Genji." This fictional
garden consists of four parts, each occupying a corner of the great mansion built by the
2
handsome (and rich) protagonist. Each part is designed to accentuate the beauty of an individual
season: flowers for spring, water and shade for summer, color-changing leaves for autumn, and
snow-clad pine trees for winter!
best or most いちばん
3
(number one) (ichiban)
When we want to compare more than three things and pick one as the highest (or the lowest)
4 ranking among them, we add いちばん (literally, the "number one") before the adjective. It's
equivalent to "(the) most" or "(the) best" in English.
いちばんすきです。
5 I like it best.
(ichiban suki desu.)
いつ
6 when
(itsu)
Which time period do you like best? いつがいちばんすきですか。

7
(When do you like best?) (itsu ga ichiban suki desu ka.)
きせつ
8 season
(kisetsu)
きせつで
9 among seasons
(kisetsu de)
In order to indicate the range of choices, we use the particle で as in きせつで (among seasons)
10
or にほんで (in Japan).
はるがいちばんすきです。
11 I like spring best.
(haru ga ichiban suki desu.)
なにがいちばんすきですか。
12 What do you like best?
(nani ga ichiban suki desu ka.)
にほんのはな
13 Japanese flowers
(nihon no hana)
にほんのはなで、なにがいちばんすきですか。
What do you like best among Japanese
14 (nihon no hana de, nani ga ichiban suki
flowers?
desu ka.)
さくら
15 cherry blossom
(sakura)
にほんのはなですか。さくらがいちばんすきで
す。
16 Japanese flowers? I like cherry blossoms best.
(nihon no hana desu ka. sakura ga
ichiban suki desu.)
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English Japanese
The Japanese people's fondness for cherry blossoms, or さくら , has a long history, but it was not
always "the flower" of Japan. Poems written in the eighth century praise plum blossoms or うめ
17 more often than さくら . The popularity of さくら increased around the tenth century, when the
Japanese began establishing their own cultural identity, leaving the Chinese influence behind.
Since then, さくら has come to symbolize spring as well as the Japanese spirit!
coldest いちばんさむい
18
(most cold) (ichiban samui)
Where is the coldest place? どこがいちばんさむいですか。

19
(Where is the coldest?) (doko ga ichiban samui desu ka.)
にほんで
20 in Japan
(nihon de)
にほんでどこがいちばんさむいですか。
21 Where is the coldest place in Japan? (nihon de doko ga ichiban samui desu
ka.)
そうですね・・・。ほっかいどうがいちばんさ
むいでしょう。
22 Well.... Hokkaido is the coldest, I think.
(soo desu ne.... hokkaidoo ga ichiban
samui deshoo.)
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Since yesterday was sunny, it was very hot.
きのうははれでしたから、とてもあつかったです。
English Japanese
きのうははれでしたから、とてもあつかったで
す。
1 Since yesterday was sunny, it was very hot.
(ki-noo wa hare deshita kara, totemo
atsukatta desu.)
はれ
2 sunny weather
(hare)
はれ is a noun that describes sunny or clear weather. That's the word you'll be looking for when
3 you watch the weather forecast on Japanese TV! You can also describe the same nice weather as
いいてんき (fine weather) in everyday conversations.
きょうははれです。
4 It is sunny today.
(kyoo wa hare desu.)
でした
5 was or were
(deshita)
きのうははれでした。
6 It was sunny yesterday.
(ki-noo wa hare deshita.)
あつかったです。
7 It was hot.
(atsukatta desu.)
Did you notice that the past form of あついです is different from the past form of はれです ? It's
because あついです is made of an い -adjective (あつい ) and です , while はれです consists of a
8
noun (はれ ) and です . If the sentence ends with an い -adjective and です , the past form takes the
same pattern as あつかったです : simply drop いです at the end and replace it with かったです !
Now, do you remember から ("because" or "since") that marks the sentence as the cause of the
9
subsequent sentence? Let's use it in the next question!
きのうははれでしたから、あつかったです。
10 Since it was sunny yesterday, it was hot. (kinoo wa hare deshita kara, atsukatta
desu.)
あめ
11 rain or rainy weather
(ame)
あめでした。
12 It was rainy.
(ame deshita.)
Japan receives much rainfall every year. The annual average is 1,718mm, about twice the world
average. Much of it falls during two distinct periods: June to mid-July and September. June to mid-
13 July is the rainy season called つゆ or ばいう (literally, "plum rain"), notorious for mold-yielding
mugginess. September rain is brought on by たいふう (typhoons), which often cause floods and
landslides.
すずしかったです。
14 It was cool.
(suzushikatta desu.)
きのうはあめでしたから、すずしかったです
Since it was rainy yesterday, it was cool, ね。
15
wasn't it! (ki-noo wa ame deshita kara,
suzushikatta desu ne.)
むしあつかったです。
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むしあつかったです。
16 It was stifling hot.
(mushiatsukatta desu.)
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English Japanese
くもり
17 cloudy weather
(kumori)
くもりでした。
18 It was cloudy.
(kumori deshita.)
It was cloudy in Tokyo. とうきょうはくもりでした。

19
(As for Tokyo, it was cloudy.) (tookyoo wa kumori deshita.)
とうきょうはくもりでしたが、むしあつかった
です。
20 It was cloudy in Tokyo, but it was stifling hot.
(tookyoo wa kumori deshita ga,
mushiatsukatta desu.)
きれいでした。
21 It was beautiful.
(kiree deshita.)
Did you notice that the past form of きれいです is different from the past form of あついです ? It's
22 because きれい is a な -adjective! If the sentence ends with a な -adjective and です , simply
replace です with でした !
ゆき
23 snow or snowy weather
(yuki)
ほっかいどうはゆきでした。
24 It was snowy in Hokkaido.
(hokkaidoo wa yuki deshita.)
さむかったです。
25 It was cold.
(samukatta desu.)
ほっかいどうはゆきでした。さむかったです
It was snowy in Hokkaido. It was cold, but it が、きれいでしたよ！
26
was beautiful, you know! (hokkaidoo wa yuki deshita. samukatta
desu ga, kiree deshita yo!)
Much of northern Japan receives heavy snowfall every year. The thick layers of snow that cover
these regions easily reach 2 meters (6.6ft) or more, and people struggle to stay ahead of the fast
27 accumulating snow. The famous Japanese novel ゆきぐに (Snow Country), written by the Nobel-
Prize winner かわばたやすなり , features a snowy mountain village as the backdrop for the
beautiful but sad story of a love triangle.
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How far is it from here to the summit?
English Japanese
ここからちょうじょうまで、どのくらいです
か。
1 How far is it from here to the summit?
(koko kara choojoo made, donokurai
desu ka.)
Because どのくらい can be used in many situations, you may find that some questions sound
rather vague. ちょうじょうまでどのくらいですか , for example, can be asking about the distance
2
to the summit or time that it takes to get there. In this section, let's assume that the question is
about the distance!
どのくらい
3 how far
(donokurai)
どのくらい is a very versatile question word that we can use to ask the amount or degree of
something, including distance, temperature, weight, duration of time, cost, and size. The
4
translation, therefore, can vary, depending on what measurement we are dealing with. To be
specific, we can use なん (what) plus the counter as in なんど for the temperature.
どのくらいですか。
5 How far is it?
(donokurai desu ka.)
ここから
6 from here
(koko kara)
ちょうじょう
7 summit
(choojoo)
ここからちょうじょうまで
8 from here to the summit
(koko kara choojoo made)
Did you use the particle まで , not へ , as the equivalent of "to" in the phrase "from here to the
summit"? When talking about the distance between two points, we use から (from) to indicate
9
the starting point and まで ("to" or "as far as") to indicate the end. Let's memorize "X から Y まで "
as a stock phrase! When the starting point is obvious, it's often omitted.
メートル
10 meter
(meetoru)
キロメートル
11 kilometer
(kiro-meetoru)
いちキロメートル
12 one kilometer
(ichi kiro-meetoru)
Japanese people use the metric system for measurement. One kilometer is equal to about 0.6
miles, and 1 meter is about 1.1 yards or 3.3 feet. When it's clear that we are talking about
13
distance and not weight, we can simply say キロ (kilo), as in いちキロ (one kilo), instead of saying
キロメートル (kilometer).
いちキロメートルぐらい
14 about one kilometer
(ichi kiro-meetoru gurai)
ここからちょうじょうまでいちキロメートルぐ
It's about one kilometer from here to the らいです。
15
summit. (koko kara choojoo made ichi kiro-
meetoru gurai desu.)
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English Japanese
あといちキロメートル
16 one more kilometer to go
(ato ichi kiro-meetoru)
あと is a word that points to a place that is behind, a time that comes later, or things that
17 remain. We can use あと before some numbers (such as distance, time, or quantity) to indicate
the remaining amount. あといちキロメートル , for example, means "one more kilometer to go"!
We have one more kilometer to go. あといちキロメートルです。
18
(It's one more kilometer to go.) (ato ichi kiro-meetoru desu.)
そうですね・・・。あとさんキロメートルぐら
Well.... We have about three more kilometers いでしょう。
19
to go, I think. (soo desu ne.... ato san kiro-meetoru
gurai deshoo.)
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It seems that it's going to rain. あめがふりそうです。
English Japanese
1
(Rain seems to fall. ) (ame ga furisoo desu.)
The Japanese are weather-conscious people who watch てんきよほう (weather forecasts)
religiously. It's not only the possibility of rain or shine that they care about. In the nation where
2 one in every five people suffers hay fever, getting かふんじょうほう (pollen info) is a matter of
survival. Weather forecasters also offer さくらじょうほう (cherry-blossoms info) to the viewers
so that they can plan when and where to have おはなみ (cherry-blossom viewing picnic)!
ふる
3 to fall (referring to rain or snow)
(furu)
ふります
4 fall (referring to rain or snow)
(furimasu)
It rains. あめがふります。
5
(Rain falls. ) (ame ga furimasu.)
When we describe a natural phenomenon, we use the particle が to mark the subject, as in あめが
6
ふります (literally, "Rain falls"). In this case, we can't replace が with the topic marker は .
ふりそうです
7 seems to fall (referring to rain or snow)
(furisoo desu.)
Do you remember the sentence ending でしょう , which implies that what we are telling is our
assumption? When we want to indicate that what we are telling is our conjecture based on
8 observation, we end the sentence with そうです instead. It's equivalent to "it seems" or "it looks"
in English. For regular verbs such as ふる (to fall), simply drop ます from the polite form and add
そうです to form the pattern, as in ふりそうです .
なんだか
9 somewhat
(nandaka)
なんだか is a phrase we can use in everyday conversations to express the vagueness of our
10 feelings or judgments. It's equivalent to "I don't know why, but ...," "somewhat," "a little," "kind of,"
or "somehow" in English!
なんだかあめがふりそうです。
11 It somewhat seems that it's going to rain.
(nandaka ame ga furisoo desu.)
いそぐ
12 to hurry
(isogu)
いそぎます
13 hurry
(isogimasu)
いそぎましょう。
14 Let's hurry.
(isogimashoo.)
なんだかあめがふりそうですね。ちょっといそ
It somewhat seems that it's going to rain, ぎましょう。
15
doesn't it! Let's hurry a little bit. (nandaka ame ga furisoo desu ne. chotto
isogimashoo.)
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English Japanese
やむ
16 to stop (when referring to rain or snow)
(yamu)
やみます
17 stop (when referring to rain or snow)
(yamimasu)
やみそうです
18 seems to stop (when referring to rain or snow)
(yamisoo desu)
It seems that it's going to stop snowing. ゆきがやみそうです。

19
(Snow seems to stop.) (yuki ga yamisoo desu.)
そろそろ
20 by and by
(soro soro)
Some Japanese adverbs mimetically describe movements with repeated words. そろそろ is one of
21 them, giving the listener a sense of slowness. The English equivalents include "slowly," "softly,"
"gradually," "(not right now but) soon," or "by and by."
We'd better be going. そろそろいきましょうか。
22
(Shall we go by and by?) (soro soro ikimashoo ka.)
そろそろいきましょうか literally means "Shall we go by and by?"ー a suggestion to start in a short

23 time. However, people sometimes use the same expression to hurry others in a polite way. In
that case, the English equivalent would be "It's about time for us to go" or "We'd better be going!"
ああ、ゆきがやみそうですね。そろそろいきま
Oh, it seems that it's going to stop snowing, しょうか。
24
doesn't it! We'd better be going. (aa, yuki ga yamisoo desu ne. soro soro
ikimashoo ka.)
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Chapter 7: Cooking and Food Culture
料理と食文化
Chapter 7: Cooking and Food Culture

Ask or Tell How to Cook Something Connect Two or More Verbs Using the て -
Ask or Tell What You or Others Are Doing form
Discuss What Is in a Dish or What It Is Made Identify Three Types of Verbs and Their
From Conjugation Patterns
Learn Common Local or Cultural Foods in Use the "て -form + います " Pattern for Action
Japan in Progress and Continuous State
Refer to Food Preparation Processes Use the Particle で to Indicate a Method or
Means
Conversation
English Japanese
もしもし、たかしさんですか。ようこです。い
Hello, is this Takashi? It's Yoko. What are you ま、なにをしていますか。
doing now? (moshi moshi, takashi san desu ka. yooko
desu. ima, nani o shite imasu ka.)
チキンカレーをつくっています。
I'm making chicken curry.
(chikin karee o tsukutte imasu.)
へえ。どうやってつくるんですか。
Oh? Tell me, how do you make it?
(hee. doo-yatte tsukurundesu ka.)
まずとりにくとやさいをいためて、みずをいれ
First, we sauté chicken and vegetables, add water, て、２０ぷんぐらいにます。
and cook for twenty minutes or so. (mazu tori-niku to yasai o itamete, mizu o
irete, nijuppun gurai nimasu.)
それからカレールーをいれて、しばらくよわびで
Then, we add the curry roux, and cook for a little にます。
while over low heat. (sore kara karee ruu o irete, shibaraku
yowabi de nimasu.)
おいしそうですね！
It sounds delicious, doesn't it!
(oishisoo desu ne!)
It's almost ready, you know. Why don't you come もうすぐできますよ。たべにきませんか。
over for a bite? (moo sugu dekimasu yo. tabe ni kimasen ka.)
えっ、いいんですか。じゃあ、デザートをもって
Oh, are you sure it's OK? Well then, I'll bring いきます。
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desserts. (e, iindesu ka. jaa, dezaato o motte
ikimasu.)
いいですね！じゃあ、まっています。
It sounds good! Well, I'll be waiting for you.
(ii desu ne! jaa, matte imasu.)
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What are you doing now?
いま、なにをしていますか。
English Japanese
1 What are you doing now?
(ima, nani o shite imasu ka.)
There are only two basic Group III verbs whose conjugation patterns we have to memorize: する
2 (to do) and くる (to come). The rest of Group III verbs are "compound" verbs based on these two,
and they conjugate just as the basic verbs do.
して
3 to do (in the "te"-form)
(shite)
In Japanese, there is a verb form called the て -form, which we can use in various verb phrases. To
4 create the て -form for a Group III (or irregular) verb, we simply delete ます from its polite form and
add て . The て -form for する (or します ) therefore is して .
しています
5 is/am/are doing
(shite imasu)
When we want to talk about some action or motion in progress, we use the て -form of the verb
6
followed by います . しています is equivalent to "is/am/are doing" in English!
していますか
7 are you doing?
(shite imasu ka)
なにをしていますか。
8 What are you doing?
(nani o shite imasu ka.)
もしもし
9 hello (for telephone calls)
(moshi moshi)
もしもし is an everyday expression we can use when we make a phone call, pick up the phone, or
make sure that the person on the other end of the phone line is still there. This funny sounding
10
phrase is derived from the verb もうす (humble version of "to say"). The English equivalent is
"Hello," but remember that もしもし is almost exclusively used during phone conversations!
11 In the next questions, let's pretend that you are making a phone call!
もしもし、たかしさんですか。ようこです。
12 Hello, is this Takashi? It's Yoko. (moshi moshi, takashi san desu ka. yooko
desu.)
もしもし、いちろうです。いま、なにをしてい
ますか。
13 Hello, it's Ichiro. What are you doing now?
(moshi moshi, ichiroo desu. ima, nani o
shite imasu ka.)
りょうり
14 cooking
(ryoori)
We can use りょうり to mean not only "cooking" but also "a dish" (as in おいしいりょうり or "a
15
tasty dish") or cuisine (as in にほんりょうり or "Japanese cuisine").
to cook りょうりする
16
(to do cooking) (ryoori suru)
りょうりします
17 cook
(ryoori shimasu)
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119
English Japanese
りょうりしています
18 is/am/are cooking
(ryoori shite imasu)
いま、うちでりょうりしています。
19 I am cooking at my house now.
(ima, uchi de ryoori shite imasu.)
しょくじしています
20 is/am/are having a meal
(shokuji shite imasu)
いま、ともだちとレストランでしょくじしてい
I am having a meal at the restaurant with my ます。
21
friends now. (ima, tomodachi to resutoran de shokuji
shite imasu.)
"Eating out" in Japanese is がいしょく (literally, "outside eating") and "cooking at home" is じすい
(literally, "self cooking"). Between these two options lies the thriving category of takeouts and
22 deliveries, providing the convenience and relative economy for busy Japanese people. The
concept, however, is not at all modern. The quick home delivery service called でまえ has been
around since the eighteenth century for the patrons of そばや (buckwheat noodle shops)!
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I am having supper now.
いま、ばんごはんをたべています。
English Japanese
I am having supper now. いま、ばんごはんをたべています。
1
(I am eating evening meal now.) (ima, bangohan o tabete imasu.)
The Japanese alphabet chart consists of five columns (or lines) and ten rows with the addition of
the single letter ん . The first row is all vowels, あいうえお , each of which heads each line, as in あ -
2 line or い -line. Each of the remaining rows is made of the combination of a vowel and a
consonant, in the order of k, s, t, n, h, m, y, r, w. The additional chart covers consonants g, z, d,
b, p. In other words, each row uses the same consonant, while each line uses the same vowel.
The conjugation pattern for Group II verbs involves a single "line" of the alphabet chart: either い -
line or え -line. For example, all the conjugated forms of the verb たべる (to eat) contain べ (which
3 belongs to the え -line), as in たべます and たべて . Because it involves a single line (or いちだん in
Japanese), the conjugation pattern for Group II verbs is called いちだんかつよう (single-line
conjugation).
たべて
4 to eat (in the "te"-form)
(tabete)
Forming the て -form for Group II verbs is easy! All you have to do is to drop ます from the polite-
5 form (or drop る from the dictionary form) and add て instead! So, the て -form for たべる or たべ
ます is たべて !
たべています
6 is/am/are eating
(tabete imasu)
supper ばんごはん
7
(evening meal) (ban gohan)
Do you remember that ごはん means "steamed rice" in Japan? Because steamed rice is the
8 staple food for Japanese people, they also use the same word to mean "meal" in general. ばんご
はん , therefore, literally means "evening meal"--that is, "supper"!
かける
9 to make (a telephone call)
(kakeru)
かけます
10 make (a telephone call)
(kakemasu)
The dictionary form for "to make (a telephone call)" is かける , and the polite form is かけます .
Can you tell what type of verb this is? That's right! It's Group II. We can easily tell that because
11
かけ in かけます matches perfectly with かけ in かける . We are now ready to figure out the て -
form of the verb!
かけて
12 to make (a telephone call) (in the "te"-form)
(kakete)
かけています
13 is/am/are making (a telephone call)
(kakete imasu)
でんわ can mean either a "telephone" as an instrument or a "telephone call." Let's use the word
14
in the latter meaning in the next question!
でんわをかけています。
15 I am making a telephone call.
(denwa o kakete imasu.)
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English Japanese
すみません。いま、でんわをかけています。
16 I'm sorry. I am making a telephone call now.
(sumimasen. ima, denwa o kakete imasu.)
みて
17 to watch (in the "te"-form)
(mite)
みています
18 is/am/are watching
(mite imasu)
いまテレビをみています。
19 I am watching TV now.
(ima terebi o mite imasu.)
ばんぐみ
20 program (for TV and radio)
(bangumi)
cooking show りょうりばんぐみ

21
(cooking program) (ryoori bangumi)
いまですか。りょうりばんぐみをみています
Now? I am watching a cooking show, you よ。
22
know. (ima desu ka. ryoori bangumi o mite
imasu yo.)
Among numerous cooking shows in Japan, arguably the most popular and influential was りょうり
のてつじん (literally, "Iron Man of Cooking"). The elaborate TV cook-offs ran between 1993 and
23 1999 and reportedly spent more than ¥840,000,000 (or about eight million dollars) on cooking
ingredients (しょくざい )! It has been shown in the United State under the title "Iron Chef" and
became the model for the American show called "Iron Chef America."
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I am making chicken curry.
English Japanese
1 I am making chicken curry.
Let's have a closer look at the Group I verb つくる . When we compare つくる and つくります , we
see that the first part つく is unchanged. Since the ます ending of つくります is a common
2 addition to all the polite forms, let's put it aside. Now, what is changed is the dictionary form
ending る , which becomes り in the polite form. り belongs to the い -line of the Japanese alphabet
chart, while る belongs to the う -line. Let's see whether other Group I verbs follow the pattern!
つくる
3 to make
(tsukuru)
つくります
4 make
(tsukurimasu)
Let's figure out which verb group つくる belongs to. Though つくる ends with る , what is left after
5 dropping ます from つくります does not match what comes before る in the dictionary form,
right? Therefore, this verb belongs not to Group II but to Group I.
つくって
6 to make (in the "te"-form)
(tsukutte)
How to make the て -form for Group I verbs is a little more involved than Group II or III: it depends
on the verb ending of the dictionary form. For the Group I verb whose dictionary form ends with
7
う or つ or る , drop the ending and add って . Since つくる is a Group I verb and ends with る , the
て -form will be つくって !
つくっています
8 is/am/are making
(tsukutte imasu)
チキンカレー
9 chicken curry
(chikin karee)
たく
10 to cook (rice)
(taku)
Can you tell what kind of verb たく (to cook [rice]) is? It does not belong to Group III, which
consists of only two verbs, する (to do) and くる (to come). Neither does it belong to Group II,
11
whose dictionary form always ends with る . Therefore, we can safely conclude that たく is a
Group I verb!
たきます
12 cook (rice)
(takimasu)
Let's compare たく and たきます . For this Group I verb, what is unchanged is た , and what is
changed is the dictionary form ending く , which becomes き in the polite form. き belongs to the
13
い -line of the Japanese alphabet chart, and く belongs to the う -line. So, we can tell that たく
follows the same basic conjugation pattern as つくる !
To make the て -form for the Group I verbs whose dictionary form ends with く , we drop く from
14
the dictionary form and add いて . Now, let's figure out the て -form for たく !
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English Japanese
たいて
15 to cook (rice) (in the "te"-form)
(taite)
I am cooking rice now. いま、ごはんをたいています。

16
(I am cooking steamed rice now.) (ima, gohan o taite imasu.)
If language is the window into a culture, then the existence of various Japanese verbs that mean
"to boil" or "to cook in liquid" tells us that that's probably been the primary cooking method for
17 generations in Japan! The verb たく is one of them, and it's almost exclusively used for cooking
rice as in ごはんをたく (to cook rice). Please note that ごはんをたく literally means "to cook
steamed rice," but it doesn't mean that you have to cook rice twice!
わかす
18 to boil (water)
(wakasu)
わかす (to boil) is used as the method for boiling water or some kind of liquid such as tea or soup.
19
We can't use it to say, for example, "to boil an egg (or potato)"!
わかします
20 boil (water)
(wakashimasu)
Let's examine one more Group I verb for the conjugation pattern. わかす does not end with る , so
we know that this is a Group I verb. When we compare わかす and わかします , the unchanged
21 part is わか , and the changed part is the dictionary form ending す , which is changed to し in the
polite form. し belongs to the い -line of the Japanese alphabet chart, while す belongs to the う -
line. So, わかす also follows the same conjugation pattern as つくる and たく !
For those Group I verbs whose dictionary form ends with す , we make the て -form by dropping the
22 verb ending す from the dictionary form and adding して . Now, what do you think the て -form for
わかす is?
わかして
23 to boil (water) (in the "te"-form)
(wakashite)
おゆ
24 hot water
(oyu)
25 The Japanese equivalent to "hot water" is ゆ , but most people say おゆ in everyday conversation!
I am boiling water. おゆをわかしています。
26
(I am boiling hot water.) (oyu o wakashite imasu.)
Just like ごはんをたく (to cook rice), おゆをわかす is a commonly used expression. Literally, it
27 means "to boil hot water," which sounds like a waste of energy, but it actually means "to boil
water"!
We have learned from our examination of three Group I verbs that the conjugation pattern for this
verb type involves at least two lines from the Japanese alphabet chart: the い -line and う -line. In
28
fact, most Group I verbs use all five lines to complete their conjugation pattern. That's why we call
the conjugation pattern for Group I verbs ごだんかつよう (five-line conjugation)!
いま、おゆをわかしています。おちゃでものみ
I am boiling water now. Why don't we have tea ませんか。
29
or something? (ima, oyu o wakashite imasu. ocha demo
nomimasen ka.)
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English Japanese
To make a perfect cup of English tea, we have to use boiling water. For most green tea, boiling
water would be too hot to draw out the best aroma and flavor. The rule of thumb is that the more
30 expensive the tea leaf is, the lower the water temperature and the longer the brewing time should
be. The lower temperature, however, does not mean half-boiled water! You have to boil fresh
water first and then let it cool down to the perfect temperature for your particular kind of tea.
come over to eat たべにきます
31
(come to eat) (tabe ni kimasu)
Did you remember that to tell the purpose of movement (in this case "to come"), we drop ます
32
from the polite form of verbs and add the particle に , as in たべにきます (come to eat)?
Why don't you come over for a bite? たべにきませんか。
33
(Won't you come to eat?) (tabe ni kimasen ka.)
ラーメン
34 ramen noodle soup
(raamen)
いま、ラーメンをつくっています。たべにきま
I am making ramen noodle soup now. Why せんか。
35
don't you come over for a bite? (ima, raamen o tsukutte imasu. tabe ni
kimasen ka.)
ラーメン (ramen noodle soup) is originally a Chinese dish, but Japanese people loved it so much
that not only did they adopt it as their own but also created unique regional brands or ごとうち
36 ラーメン . In Sapporo, for example, you'll enjoy the garlic-flavored さっぽろラーメン with the
miso-based soup. In Fukuoka, you'll find はかたラーメン featuring the milky "pork-bone" soup
garnished with pickled red ginger. They are all yummy, filling, and inexpensive!
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Tell me, how do you make chicken curry?
チキンカレーはどうやってつくるんですか。
English Japanese
Tell me, how do you make chicken curry? チキンカレーはどうやってつくるんですか。
1 (Tell me, as for chicken curry, how do you (chikin karee wa doo-yatte tsukurundesu
make it?) ka.)
カレーライス (curry and rice), or カレー for short, originally came to Japan as an English dish in
the late nineteenth century. As in the case of ラーメン , Japanese people loved it so much that
2 they adopted it as their own. Now it's one of the most popular home-cooked dishes in Japan! The
main ingredients are onions, potatoes, carrots, some type of meat, and カレールー --a solid
sauce-mix that contains curry powder, flour, and other spices.
どうやって
3 how (when asking the method)
(doo-yatte)
どうやってつくりますか。
4 How do you make it?
(doo-yatte tsukurimasu ka.)
どうやってつくるんですか。
5 Tell me, how do you make it?
(doo-yatte tsukurundesu ka.)
Do you remember the "explanation" mode of speech we used to say ダンスがにがてなんです (As
a matter of fact, I'm a poor dancer)? While using なんです after nouns, な -adjectives and
6 adverbs, we use んです after い -adjectives and verbs. When asking for an explanation for the
other person's current or future action, simply add んですか after the dictionary form of the verb,
as in つくるんですか . It adds to your question the nuance of "Tell me" or "I'm wondering."
やく
7 to broil
(yaku)
The verb やく can mean "to broil," "to roast," "to grill," "to barbecue," "to sear," "to bake," "to
8
toast," or even "to burn." It's very versatile, isn't it!
やきます
9 broil
(yakimasu)
さかなをやきます。
10 I broil fish.
(sakana o yakimasu.)
どうやってさかなをやきますか。
11 How do you broil fish?
(doo-yatte sakana o yakimasu ka.)
Tell me, how do you broil fish? さかなはどうやってやくんですか。

12
(Tell me, as for fish, how do you broil it?) (sakana wa doo-yatte yakundesu ka.)
おいしそうです。
13 It looks tasty.
(oishisoo desu.)
Do you remember that そうです in あめがふりそうです (It seems that it's going to rain) indicates
the speaker's judgment based on his or her observation? We can use the same ending with
adjectives as well to mean "it seems..." or "it looks...." For な -adjectives such as しずか (quiet),
14
simply add そうです to the dictionary form, as in しずかそうです (It seems quiet). For い -
adjectives such as おいしい , we drop the word-ending い and add そうです , as in おいしそうです
(It looks tasty).
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English Japanese
An observation can be made not only through our eyes, but also our ears or noses. Let's figure
15
out the next question!
おいしそうです。
16 It sounds tasty.
(oishisoo desu.)
おいしそうですね。どうやってつくるんです
It sounds tasty, doesn't it! Tell me, how do か。
17
you make it? (oishisoo desu ne. doo-yatte
tsukurundesu ka.)
どうやってたべるんですか。
18 Tell me, how do you eat it?
(doo-yatte taberundesu ka.)
しゃぶしゃぶ
19 shabu shabu
(shabu shabu)
しゃぶしゃぶですか。おいしそうですね。どう
Shabu shabu? It looks tasty, doesn't it! Tell やってたべるんですか。
20
me, how do you eat it? (shabu shabu desu ka. oishisoo desu ne.
doo-yatte taberundesu ka.)
しゃぶしゃぶ is a simple yet savory one-pot dish, eaten as you cook right on the dining table.
The main ingredients are thinly sliced beef or pork, often accompanied with tofu, mushrooms, and
various vegetables. You lift a piece of meat with your chopsticks, swish it back and forth in the pot
21
of simmering kelp broth or こんぶだし , and eat the cooked meat after dipping it in the citrus-
based sauce called ポンず . The dish is allegedly named after the sound of the meat swishing in
the pot!
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We sauté chicken and vegetables, and add water.
とりにくとやさいをいためて、みずをいれます。
English Japanese
とりにくとやさいをいためて、みずをいれま
We sauté chicken and vegetables, and add す。
1
water. (tori-niku to yasai o itamete, mizu o
iremasu.)
Did you get it right? Just as we can connect as many nouns as we like using the particle と , we
can, at least theoretically, connect an infinite number of verbs by using the て -form. This "て -form,
2
て -form" pattern indicates that the action is taking place in the order stated. Please note that the
last verb in the sentence remains in the ます -form.
いためる
3 to sauté
(itameru)
いためます
4 sauté
(itamemasu)
Can you figure out what type of verb いためる is by comparing it with the polite form, いためます ?
5
That's right! It's a Group II verb!
いためて
6 to sauté (in the "te"-form)
(itamete)
chicken (as meat) とりにく

7
(bird meat) (tori-niku)
やさい
8 vegetable
(yasai)
とりにくとやさい
9 chicken and vegetable
(tori-niku to yasai)
We have so far learned that we can use the particle と (and) to connect two or more nouns or
10 noun phrases, right? When we want to connect two or more verbs, however, we can't use the
particle と . Instead, we use the て -form of the verb!
とりにくとやさいをいためて
11 We sauté chicken and vegetables, and
(tori-niku to yasai o itamete)
いれる
12 to put in or to add
(ireru)
いれます
13 add
(iremasu)
いれる ("to put in" or "to add") becomes いれます in the polite form. Which verb group does いれ
14
る belong to? Group II, of course!
みずをいれます。
15 We add water.
(mizu o iremasu.)
にふん
16 two minutes
(ni-fun)
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128
English Japanese
ふん is the counter for minutes. We can use it to talk about the duration of time (as in "for twenty
minutes") or the point of time (as in "3:20"). Please note that the pronunciation of ふん
sometimes changes to ぷん , depending on what number or word comes before it. One to ten
17
minutes goes like this: いっぷん , にふん , さんぷん , よんぷん（ or よんふん） , ごふん , ろっぷん , な
なふん , はっぷん , きゅうふん , and じゅっぷん ! The question word is なんぷん (literally, "what
minute").
じゅっぷん
18 ten minutes
(juppun)
じゅっぷんぐらい
19 about ten minutes
(juppun gurai)
にる
20 to cook (in liquid)
(niru)
So far we have learned two verbs that are the equivalents of "to boil" or "to cook in liquid" in
English: たく for rice and わかす for water. にる also means "to boil" or "cook in liquid." We use に
21
る when cooking things like vegetables, meat, and fish in broth or any kind of seasoned liquid. For
boiling food in plain water, we have to use either ゆでる or ゆがく .
にます
22 cook (in liquid)
(nimasu)
じゅっぷんぐらいにます。
23 We cook for about ten minutes.
(juppun gurai nimasu.)
Do you remember that いれる ("to put in" or "to add") is a Group II verb? Now let's figure out its
24
て -form!
いれて
25 to put in or to add (in the "te"-form)
(irete)
みずをいれて
26 we add water, and
(mizu o irete)
にじゅっぷんぐらい
27 about twenty minutes
(nijuppun gurai)
We add water, and cook it for about twenty みずをいれて、にじゅっぷんぐらいにます。

28
minutes. (mizu o irete, nijuppun gurai nimasu.)
まず
29 first of all
(mazu)
Though the "て -form、て -form" pattern indicates the order of events, we can throw in some
30 "signaling" words to help our listeners understand what's going on! まず ("first" or "first of all") is
one of such signaling words, alerting the listeners that a series of events will follow.
First, we sauté chicken and vegetables, add て、にじゅっぷんぐらいにます。
31
water, and cook it for about twenty minutes. (mazu tori-niku to yasai o itamete, mizu o
それから
32 then
(sore kara)
カレールー
33 curry roux
(karee ruu)
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English Japanese
The word カレールー (curry roux) is made up of the English word "curry" and the French word
"roux." It's a solid mixture of curry powder, flour, and other spices neatly packaged in a small
34
box. There are various brands with different levels of spiciness. You can pick just one or mix
them together to create more complex flavors!
それからカレールーをいれます。
35 Then, we add the curry roux.
(sore kara karee ruu o iremasu.)
よわび
36 low heat
(yowabi)
よわび (low heat; literally, "weak fire") is the word that describes the level of heat for cooking
37 stoves. Other options include つよび (high heat; literally "strong fire"), ちゅうび (medium heat),
and とろび (slow heat).
over low heat よわびで
38
(by means of low heat) (yowabi de)
The particle で in the phrase よわびで indicates some kind of method or means for actions,
including cooking heat (as in "over low heat"), utensils (as in "with chopsticks"), communication
39
tools (as in "by phone" or "on TV"), transportation (as in "by bus"), language (as in "in Japanese"),
and so on. Very versatile, isn't it!
よわびでにます。
40 We cook it over low heat.
(yowabi de nimasu.)
しばらく
41 for a while
(shibaraku)
しばらくよわびでにます。
42 We cook it over low heat for a while.
(shibaraku yowabi de nimasu.)
それからカレールーをいれて、しばらくよわび
Then, we add the curry roux and cook over low でにます。
43
heat for a while. (sore kara karee ruu o irete, shibaraku
yowabi de nimasu.)
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130
How much water do you add?
どのくらいみずをいれますか。
English Japanese
1 How much water do you add?
(dono kurai mizu o iremasu ka.)
みずをいれますか。
2 Do you add water?
(mizu o iremasu ka.)
どのくらい
3 how much (for quantities)
(donokurai)
カップ
4 cup
(kappu)
The regular Japanese measuring cup (けいりょうカップ or カップ in short) is smaller than its
American counterpart. While the American cup holds 8 onces (or about 237 milliliters) of water,
5 the Japanese cup holds 200 milliliters. Japanese people also use a special cup for measuring
uncooked rice. The rice measuring cup can hold 180 milliliters or いちごう --the amount of
uncooked rice traditionally considered as one serving!
The counter for the measuring cup is the same as the counter for a coffee cup or a glass. Do you
6
remember what it is?
one cupful カップいっぱい
7
(one cup) (kappu ippai)
カップにはい
8 two cupfuls
(kappu ni-hai)
カップさんばい
9 three cupfuls
(kappu san-bai)
まず、みずをカップさんばいいれます。
10 First, we add three cupfuls of water.
(mazu, mizu o kappu san-bai iremasu.)
tablespoon おおさじ
11
(big spoon) (oosaji)
Japanese measuring spoons (けいりょうスプーン ) have two basic types: おおさじ (literally, "big
spoon") and こさじ (small spoon). おおさじ is equivalent to the "tablespoon" in English and holds
12
15 milliliters of water. こさじ is equivalent to the "teaspoon" and holds 5 milliliters of water. For
both types, we can use the counter はい .
おおさじよんはい
13 four tablespoonfuls
(oosaji yon-hai)
つぎに
14 next (when referring to the order of events)
(tsugi ni)
しょうゆ
15 soy sauce
(shooyu)
つぎに、しょうゆをおおさじよんはいいれま
Next, we add four tablespoonfuls of soy す。
16
sauce. (tsugi ni, shooyu o oosaji yon-hai
iremasu.)
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131
English Japanese
teaspoon こさじ
17
(small spoon) (kosaji)
こさじにはい
18 two teaspoonfuls
(kosaji ni-hai)
さとう
19 sugar
(satoo)
それから、さとうをこさじにはいいれます。
20 Then, we add two teaspoonfuls of sugar.
(sore kara, satoo o kosaji nihai iremasu.)
しお
21 salt
(shio)
ひとつまみ
22 one pinch
(hitotsumami)
しおをひとつまみいれます。
23 We add a pinch of salt.
(shio o hitotsumami iremasu.)
こしょう
24 pepper
(koshoo)
しょうしょう , the polite version of すこし (a little), is often used as a cooking term that is
25
equivalent to "a dash" in English. Let's try to use it in the next question!
こしょうをしょうしょういれます。
26 We add a dash of pepper.
(koshoo o shoo shoo iremasu.)
いちじかん
27 one hour
(ichi jikan)
じかん means "time" in general, but we can also use it as the counter for hours. Please don't mix
28 it up with the counter for the hour, じ . For example, いちじかん means "one hour," and いちじ
means "one o'clock"!
よわびでいちじかんにます。
29 We cook it for one hour over low heat.
(yowabi de ichi-jikan nimasu.)
さいご
30 the end or the last
(saigo )
We can use the noun さいご ("the end" or "the last") to talk about the end of a time period,
31
action, event, place, and so on.
lastly さいごに
32
(at the end) (saigo ni)
さいごにしおをひとつまみいれて、よわびでい
Lastly, we add a pinch of salt, and cook for ちじかんにます。
33
one hour over low heat. (saigo ni shio o hitotsumami irete,
yowabi de ichi-jikan nimasu.)
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132
English Japanese
Some Japanese cookbooks use exact measurements in grams and milliliters that require us to
own a scale. Many people, however, get by with less rigid definitions. For example, ひとつまみ (a
pinch) means the amount that our thumb, index finger and middle finger can pinch. しょうしょう
34
(a dash), on the other hand, means the amount that our thumb and index finger can pinch.
When we forget about measuring altogether and go with our experience (or instinct), it's called め
ぶんりょう --the "amount measured by eyes"!
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133
What is miso paste made from?
みそはなにからできていますか。
English Japanese
1 What is miso paste made from?
(miso wa nani kara dekite imasu ka.)
できる
2 to be made
(dekiru)
The verb できる has several meanings. Here, we use it as the equivalent of "to be made" in
3
English.
できます
4 is made
(dekimasu)
5 Can you tell what type of verb できる is? That's right! It's Group II.
できて
6 to be made (in the "te"-form)
(dekite)
できています
7 is being made
(dekite imasu)
When we are looking at something and want to ask or describe what it is made from, we use でき
ています instead of できます . できています (literally, "is being made") describes not the action in
8 progress but the continuing state resulting from what has happened in the past. That is,
someone has made something using certain ingredients, and as the result, the ingredients are
still in it. This is another function of the "て -form + います " pattern!
なにから
9 from what
(nani kara)
We have so far used から (from) to indicate the starting point as in ここから (from here). We can
10
also use から to indicate materials from which something is made.
What is it made from? なにからできていますか。
11
(From what is it being made?) (nani kara dekite imasu ka.)
みそ
12 miso paste
(miso)
だいず
13 soybeans
(daizu)
みそですか。だいずからできています。
14 Miso paste? It is made from soybeans.
(miso desu ka. daizu kara dekite imasu.)
みそもしょうゆも
15 both miso paste and soy sauce
(miso mo shooyu mo)
みそもしょうゆもだいずからできていますよ。
Both miso paste and soy sauce are made
16 (miso mo shooyu mo daizu kara dekite
from soybeans, you know.
imasu yo.)
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134
English Japanese
There are several basic Japanese seasonings. みそ is made from soybeans fermented with either
rice, wheat, or soybean itself. しょうゆ is also made from soybeans fermented with wheat. Both
17 みそ and しょうゆ contain a fairly large amount of しお (salt). す (vinegar), on the other hand, is
made from rice or grains. みりん is Japanese cooking wine made from sweet rice, and it's quite
sweet like さとう (sugar)!
ざいりょう
18 ingredient
(zai-ryoo)
ざいりょうはなんですか。
19 What are the ingredients?
(zai-ryoo wa nan desu ka.)
おやこどんぶり
20 "parent-child" rice bowl
(oyako donburi)
おやこどんぶりのざいりょう
21 the ingredients for the "parent-child" rice bowl
(oyako donburi no zai-ryoo)
あのう、おやこどんぶりのざいりょうはなんで
Um, what are the ingredients for the "parent- すか。
22
child" rice bowl? (anoo, oyako donburi no zai-ryoo wa nan
desu ka.)
たまご
23 egg
(tamago)
おやこどんぶりのざいりょうですか。ごはんと
The ingredients for the "parent-child" rice
とりにくとたまごですよ。
24 bowl? They are steamed rice, chicken, and
(oyako donburi no zai-ryoo desu ka.
eggs, you know.
gohan to tori-niku to tamago desu yo.)
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135
I'll bring desserts. デザートをもっていきます。
English Japanese
1
(I'll take desserts.) (dezaato o motte ikimasu.)
Do you remember that we use いく (to go) when we describe the movement in the direction away
from where we are as we speak, while くる (to come) is used to describe the movement toward
2 us? The same basic rule applies to the verb もっていく and its counterpart もってくる . For
example, when we tell our friends on the phone that we will bring desserts, we say デザートをもっ
ていきます because we are going to their house, moving away from where we are!
もっていく
3 to take (something with one)
(motte iku)
もっていく consists of two parts: the て -form of the Group I verb もつ (to hold or have) and the
4 Group I verb いく (to go). Here, let's use it as a compound verb equivalent to "to take
(something with)."
もっていきます
5 take (something with one)
(motte ikimasu)
デザート
6 dessert
(dezaato)
Traditional Japanese sweets or わがし are treats not only for our palate but also for our eyes!
They are so beautiful in shape and color that you almost regret that you have to eat them--until
7 you put them in your mouth...then all you can think of is their excellent taste! Typical ingredients
are rice flour and sweetened red-bean paste called あんこ . They should be accompanied by a
perfect cup of green tea!
できる
8 to be ready
(dekiru)
We have so far used できる to mean "to be made" as in みそはだいずからできています (Miso

9
paste is made from soybeans). We can also use できる to mean "to be ready."
できます
10 will be ready
(dekimasu)
もうすぐ
11 in no time
(moo sugu)
もうすぐできます。
12 It will be ready in no time.
(moo sugu dekimasu.)
もうすぐできますよ。たべにきませんか。
It will be ready in no time, you know. Why don't
13 (moo sugu dekimasu yo. tabe ni kimasen
you come over for a bite?
ka.)
いい ("good," "fine," or "OK") is a い -adjective. Do you remember how to turn it into the
14
"explanation" mode?
Are you sure it's OK? いいんですか。
15
(Tell me, is it OK?) (iindesu ka.)
えっ！いいんですか。じゃあ、デザートをもっ
Oh! Are you sure it's OK? Well then, I'll bring ていきます。
16
desserts. (e! iindesu ka. jaa, dezaato o motte
ikimasu.)
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English Japanese
まつ
17 to wait
(matsu)
Can you tell what type of verb まつ (to wait) is? That's right! Since it does not end with る , it's a
18 Group I verb! Now based on what you have learned about the conjugation pattern for Group I,
can you tell what the polite form for まつ is?
まちます
19 wait
(machimasu)
Now, まつ (to wait) is a Group I verb that ends with つ . Do you remember how to make the て -
20
form for Group I verbs whose dictionary form ends with う or つ or る , as in つくる (to make)?
まって
21 to wait (in the "te"-form)
(matte)
I'll be waiting for you. まっています。

22
(I am waiting.) (matte imasu.)
It sounds good! Well then, I'll be waiting for いいですね！じゃあ、まっています。

23
you. (ii desu ne! jaa, matte imasu.)
When visiting someone's house, Japanese people almost always take small gifts called おみやげ
with them. These gifts are usually some type of sweets or fruits (or drinks if it's a dinner party),
24 which the host can serve right away. Don't consider it as an obligation, but think of it as a
thoughtful gesture from guests, who naturally want to spare their host the anxiety of being caught
between the arrival of visitors and the bareness of his or her cupboard!
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Chapter 8: Shopping
買い物
Chapter 8: Shopping

Communicate Your Shopping Needs Communicate Desires Using the "Noun + が
Inquire about Store Hours and Location ほしいです " Pattern
Refer to Different Types of Stores Create the "て -form + ください " Pattern to
Request Someone to Do Something Make Requests
Understand Sizing in Japan Form the "い -Adjective + なります " Pattern to
Indicate Changes
Use the "て -form + います " Pattern to
Describe the Continuing State
Conversation
English Japanese
あれ、ようこさん、こんにちは。かいものです
か。
Oh, hello Yoko. Are you out shopping?
(are, yooko san, kon-nichiwa. kaimono desu
ka.)
ええ、すずしくなりましたから、ながそでのブラ
Yes. Since it's getting cooler, I'm looking for some ウスとセーターをさがしています。
long-sleeved blouses and sweaters. (ee, suzushiku narimashita kara, nagasode
no burausu to seetaa o sagashite imasu.)
でも、ちょうどいいのがありません。
But, I haven't found exactly what I want.
(demo, choodo ii no ga arimasen.)
しぶやのとうきょうプラザはどうですか。いま、
How about Tokyo Plaza in Shibuya? They are セールちゅうですよ。
having a sale now, you know. (shibuya no tookyoo puraza wa doo desu ka.
ima, seeruchuu desu yo.)
へえ、なんじまでですか。
Really? What time do they close?
(hee, nanji made desu ka.)
どようびはくじまでです。ばしょをしっています
They are open until 9 o'clock on Saturdays. Do か。
you know where it is? (do-yoobi wa ku-ji made desu. basho o shitte
imasu ka.)
いいえ、しりません。おしえてください。
No, I don't. Please tell me where.
(iie, shirimasen. oshiete kudasai.)
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ぼくもあたらしいふくがほしいんです。いっしょ
As a matter of fact, I want some new clothes, too. にいきましょう。
Let's go together. (boku mo atarashii fuku ga hoshiindesu.
issho ni ikimashoo.)
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The price of suits has gone down.
スーツがやすくなりました。
English Japanese
The price of suits has gone down. スーツがやすくなりました。
1
(Suits became inexpensive.) (suutsu ga yasuku narimashita.)
Did you notice that we needed to use the particle が to mark the subject of the sentence? We
can't use the topic marker は here because the whole sentence, スーツがやすくなりました (The
price of suits has gone down), is communicating a new piece of information; that is, the speaker
2
has "discovered" (or otherwise observed) some fact or phenomenon and is reporting it to the
listener for the first time in the conversation. It's similar to the case of あめがふりそうです (It
seems that it is going to rain).
なる
3 to become
(naru)
なります
4 become
(narimasu)
なりました
5 became
(narimashita)
やすい
6 inexpensive
(yasui)
やすい is equivalent to "inexpensive," "cheap," or "low (price)" in English. It doesn't, however,
7
necessarily carry a negative connotation as "cheap" often does.
やすくなります
8 become inexpensive
(yasuku narimasu)
We can describe how things change by using the "adjective plus なります " pattern. Please note
9 that if the adjective is an い -adjective such as やすい , we have to drop the ending い and instead
add く before なります as in やすくなります (become inexpensive).
The price has gone down. やすくなりました。
10
(It became inexpensive.) (yasuku narimashita.)
スーツ
11 suits
(suutsu)
セール
12 discount sale
(seeru)
having a sale セールちゅう

13
(in the middle of discount sale) (seeruchuu)
ちゅう attaches itself to nouns for events such as セール (a sale) or for activities such as さんぽ
(a walk), indicating that the event or activity is in progress. It's equivalent to "in the middle of" in
14
English, but it can be translated differently according to the context, as in "on (sale)," "under
(repair)," or "in (conversation)"!
いま、セールちゅうです。
15 They are having a sale now.
(ima, seeruchuu desu.)
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English Japanese
とうきょうプラザ
16 Tokyo Plaza
(tookyoo puraza)
しぶやのとうきょうプラザ
17 Tokyo Plaza in Shibuya
(shibuya no tookyoo puraza)
しぶや is one of the busiest shopping districts in Tokyo and quite popular among young
18 shoppers. As you may recall, this is the place where the statue of the famous Akita, ハチこう ,
stands. とうきょうプラザ , by the way, is a fictional shopping mall.
しぶやのとうきょうプラザはいまセールちゅう
です。スーツがやすくなりましたよ。
Tokyo Plaza in Shibuya is having a sale now.
19 (shibuya no tookyoo puraza wa ima
The price of suits has gone down, you know.
seeruchuu desu. suutsu ga yasuku
narimashita yo.)
セール (discount sale) is another popular "borrowed" word in Japan. Lately, traditional Japanese
20 terms such as うりだし (literally, "selling out") or やすうり (literally, "cheap selling") are replaced
by セール , バーゲン (bargain), or even "SALE" in the English spelling.
やすくなりません
21 won't become inexpensive
(yasuku narimasen)
Can't you lower the price? やすくなりませんか。

22
(Won't it become inexpensive?) (yasuku narimasen ka.)
もうすこし
23 a little more
(moo sukoshi)
もうすこしやすくなりませんか。
24 Can't you lower the price a little more?
(moo sukoshi yasuku narimasen ka.)
たかい
25 expensive
(takai)
それはたかいですね。もうすこしやすくなりま
That is expensive, isn't it! Can't you lower the せんか。
26
price a little more? (sore wa takai desu ne. moo sukoshi
yasuku narimasen ka.)
Generally speaking, you don't see many Japanese customers haggling for discounts. You may try,
however, some modest negotiations in open markets or friendly neighborhood stores selling fresh
27
products. Sometimes, shopkeepers may give you discounts for bulk purchases, or they might
throw in something extra as a おまけ (giveaway) if you are a good customer!
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I am looking for some long sleeve blouses.
ながそでのブラウスをさがしています。
English Japanese
1 I am looking for some long sleeve blouses. (nagasode no burausu o sagashite
imasu.)
さがす
2 to look for
(sagasu)
さがします
3 look for
(sagashimasu)
さがす is a Group I verb that ends with す like わかす (to boil water), right? Do you remember how
4
to make the て -form for the verb like this?
さがして
5 to look for (in the "te"-form)
(sagashite)
さがしています
6 am looking for
(sagashite imasu)
ブラウス
7 blouse
(burausu)
ブラウスをさがしています。
8 I am looking for a blouse.
(burausu o sagashite imasu.)
そで
9 sleeve
(sode)
ながそで
10 long sleeve
(nagasode)
The Japanese word for "long" is ながい . ながそで is the shortened form of ながいそで (literally,
11
"long sleeve"), but it's used as one word!
long sleeve blouse ながそでのブラウス
12
(blouse with long sleeves) (nagasode no burausu)
さがしていますか
13 are you looking for?
(sagashige imasu ka)
おさがしですか
14 are you looking for?
(osagashi desu ka)
おさがしですか is the polite form of さがしていますか (Are you looking for?). You'll hear the
15
phrase a lot in Japanese retail stores!
なにか
16 something
(nanika)
なにかおさがしですか。
17 Are you looking for something?
(nanika osagashi desu ka.)
Did you remember that we don't have to use the particle を after なにか (something) or だれか
18
(someone) in everyday conversation?
We have so far used the word はん (half) to talk about time, as in にじはん (half past two). We
19 can't use はん by itself, but we can combine it not only with time expressions but also with other
nouns. Let's try it in the next question!
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English Japanese
short sleeve はんそで
20
(half sleeve) (hansode)
はんそでの Tシャツ
21 short sleeve T-shirt
(hansode no tiishatsu)
はんそでの Tシャツをさがしています。
22 I am looking for some short sleeve T-shirts. (hansode no tiishatsu o sagashite
imasu.)
もの
23 thing
(mono)
summer item なつもの
24
(summer thing) (natsumono)
なつもの (literally, "summer thing") means any personal items made for summer including
25 clothes, shoes, and hats. Please note that we don't need to use the particle の to connect なつ
and もの since なつもの has gained the status of a single word!
やすいふゆもの
26 inexpensive winter item
(yasui fuyumono)
I am looking for some inexpensive winter やすいふゆものをさがしています。
27
items. (yasui fuyumono o sagashite imasu.)
すずしくなりました。
28 It has become cool.
(suzushiku narimashita.)
すずしくなりましたから、ながそでのブラウス
とセーターをさがしています。
Since it has become cool, I am looking for
29 (suzushiku narimashita kara, nagasode
some long sleeve blouses and sweaters.
no burausu to seetaa o sagashite
imasu.)
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They don't have what I really want.
ちょうどいいのがありません。
English Japanese
They don't have what I really want. ちょうどいいのがありません。
1
(They don't have one that is just right.) (choodo ii no ga arimasen.)
ちょうど
2 just
(choodo)
いい
3 right or suitable
(ii)
So far, we have been using いい as "fine" (as in いいてんき or "fine weather"), "good" (as in いいで
4 すね or "It sounds good"), or "okay" (as in いいですか or "Is it okay?"). We can also use いい to
mean "right" or "suitable." Let's use the word in this last way here!
ちょうどいい
5 just right
(choodo ii)
Do you remember that we can have の as a generic substitute for a noun as in あかいの (red
6
one)? Let's use it like this in the next question.
one that is just right ちょうどいいの
7
(just right one) (choodo ii no)
サイズ
8 size
(saizu)
the right size ちょうどいいサイズ

9
(just right size) (choodo ii saizu)
ちょうどいいサイズがありません。
10 They don't have the right size.
(choodo ii saizu ga arimasen.)
ちょっとちいさいです。
11 It's a little bit small.
(chotto chiisai desu.)
bigger size おおきいサイズ

12
(big size) (ookii saizu)
おおきいサイズがありますか。
13 Do you have a bigger size?
(ookii saizu ga arimasu ka.)
a pair of boots ブーツ

14
(boots) (buutsu)
このブーツはちょっとちいさいです。おおきい
This pair of boots is a little bit small. Do you サイズがありますか。
15
have a bigger size? (kono buutsu wa chotto chiisai desu.
ookii saizu ga arimasu ka.)
コート
16 coat
(kooto)
17 Do you remember that すてき (wonderful) can also be used to mean "nice" or "lovely"?
すてきなコート
18 nice coat
(sutekina kooto)
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English Japanese
みじかい
19 short
(mijikai)
そでがみじかいです。
20 The sleeves are short.
(sode ga mijikai desu.)
すてきなコートですが、そでがちょっとみじか
It's a nice coat, but the sleeves are a little bit いです。
21
short. (sutekina kooto desu ga, sode ga chotto
mijikai desu.)
かいもの
22 shopping
(kaimono)
Are you out shopping? かいものですか。

23
(Is it shopping?) (kaimono desu ka.)
あれ !
24 Ah!
(are!)
We can use あれ ! to show our surprise at something or some event that is unexpected. It's
25
equivalent to "Ah!" or "Oh!" in English.
あれ！ようこさん、こんにちは。かいものです
か。
26 Ah! Hello Yoko. Are you out shopping?
(are! yooko san, kon-nichiwa. kaimono
desu ka.)
winter coat ふゆのコート

27
(coat for winter) (fuyu no kooto)
ええ。ふゆのコートをさがしていますが、ちょ
Yes. I am looking for a winter coat, but they うどいいのがありません。
28
don't have what I really want. (ee. fuyu no kooto o sagashite imasu ga,
choodo ii no ga arimasen.)
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What is your shoe size? くつのサイズはなんですか。
English Japanese
くつのサイズはなんですか。
1 What is your shoe size?
(kutsu no saizu wa nan desu ka.)
Japanese shoe sizes are in centimeters or センチ , including half sizes. For women, American
sizes 7, 8, and 9 roughly match Japanese sizes 23.5, 24.5, and 25.5, respectively. For men,
2 American sizes 8, 9, and 10 are Japanese sizes 26, 27, and 28, respectively. In general, Japanese
(especially women) have smaller feet than Americans. If you wear a women's size 9 or larger, you
may have a difficult time finding a nice-looking pair of Japanese shoes!
くつ
3 shoes
(kutsu)
shoe size くつのサイズ

4
(size of shoes) (kutsu no saizu)
なんですか。
5 What is it?
(nan desu ka.)
にじゅうさんセンチ
6 twenty-three centimeters
(ni-juu-san senchi)
にじゅうろくてんごセンチ
7 twenty-six point five centimeters
(ni-juu-roku ten go senchi)
The decimal point in Japanese is read as てん (literally, a "dot" or "point") as in にじゅうろくてんご

8
(twenty-six point five).
When we are talking about our shoe size in Japan, we can often omit the word センチ
9
(centimeter). Let's try it in the next question.
くつのサイズですか。にじゅうろくてんごで
す。
10 My shoe size? It's twenty-six point five.
(kutsu no saizu desu ka. ni-juu-roku ten
go desu.)
ふく
11 clothes
(fuku)
ふく is a general term for "clothes." To be more specific, we can say ようふく for Western-style
12
clothes and わふく or きもの for traditional Japanese-style clothes.
ふくのサイズはなんですか。
13 What is your size for clothes?
(fuku no saizu wa nan desu ka.)
dress ワンピース
14
(one-piece) (wanpiisu)
ワンピース (literally, "one piece") is a one-piece dress with an above-floor hem length. A formal,
15
or otherwise fancy, long dress is called ドレス (literally, "dress").
きゅうごう
16 size nine
(kyuugoo)
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English Japanese
Japanese sizes for women's clothes are often indicated by odd numbers followed by the counter
for size, ごう . In general, Japanese dress sizes run small. For example, American sizes 6, 8, 10
17 roughly match Japanese sizes 9, 11, and 13, respectively. Please note that these sizes vary
depending on the manufacturer and design. When you buy clothes in Japan, make sure to try
them on before you buy!
きゅうごうのワンピース
18 size nine dress
(kyuugoo no wanpiisu)
きゅうごうのワンピースがありますか。
19 Do you have a size nine dress?
(kyuugoo no wanpiisu ga arimasu ka.)
medium size エムサイズ

20
(M-size) (emu saizu)
In addition to numbers, Japanese manufacturers use the letter sizes: XS (extra small), S (small),
21 M (medium), L (large), and XL or LL (extra large). The sizes bigger than XL are written as 3L,
4L, and so on.
みずぎ
22 swimsuit
(mizugi)
みずぎをさがしています。サイズは Mです。
I am looking for a swimsuit. My size is
23 (mizugi o sagashite imasu. saizu wa emu
medium.
desu.)
にほんのサイズ
24 Japanese sizes
(nihon no saizu)
にほんのサイズがわかりません。
25 I don't understand Japanese sizes.
(nihon no saizu ga wakarimasen.)
しちゃくしつ
26 fitting room
(shichaku-shitsu)
しちゃくしつがありますか。
27 Do you have a fitting room?
(shichaku-shitsu ga arimasu ka.)
うわぎ
28 jacket
(uwagi)
すてきなうわぎですが、にほんのサイズがわか
りません。しちゃくしつがありますか。
It's a nice jacket, but I don't understand
29 (sutekina uwagi desu ga, nihon no saizu
Japanese sizes. Do you have a fitting room?
ga wakarimasen. shichaku-shitsu ga
arimasu ka.)
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What time does that store close?
そのみせはなんじまでですか。
English Japanese
What time does that store close? そのみせはなんじまでですか。
1
(Until what time is that store?) (sono mise wa nan-ji made desu ka.)
We have so far used まで to indicate a destination as in とうきょうえきまで (to Tokyo Station) or

2 ちょうじょうまで (to the summit). We can also use まで to indicate the end point in time like
"until" in English!
なんじまで
3 until what time
(nan-ji made)
What time does it close? なんじまでですか。

4
(Until what time is it?) (nan-ji made desu ka.)
くつや
5 shoe store
(kutsu-ya)
Have you noticed that many Japanese terms for stores end with や ? や means a "store," "shop,"
or "place of business" in general. ほんや is a book store, くつや a shoe store, and ラーメンや a
6
ramen-noodle shop. Some stores and restaurants use や in their business names, as in しろきや
or たまや !
the station-front area えきまえ
7
(station front) (ekimae)
The area developed on the main entrance side of a train station is called えきまえ (literally,
"station-front"). It's a prime location for stores, restaurants, and hotels that cater to busy
8 commuters, business travelers, and tourists. Please note that, as in the case of なつもの
(summer item), we don't have to use the particle の to connect two nouns (えき and まえ )
because えきまえ is used as a single word!
えきまえのくつや
9 the shoe store in the station-front area
(ekimae no kutsu-ya)
えきまえのくつやはなんじまでですか。
What time does the shoe store in the station-
10 (ekimae no kutsu-ya wa nan-ji made desu
front area close?
ka.)
ゆうがた
11 evening (before dark)
(yuugata)
We have learned that ばん means "evening" and used it in expressions such as こんばんは (Good
evening) or ばんごはん ("evening meal" or "supper"). While we generally use ばん to mean the
12
time period after dark, we use ゆうがた to point to the time period between around four and
sunset.
ゆうがたろくじはん
13 half past six in the evening
(yuugata roku-ji han)
We can say ゆうがたろくじはん or ゆうがたのろくじはん . They mean the same--"half past six in
14
the evening"!
It is open until half past six in the evening. ゆうがたろくじはんまでです。
15
(It is until half past six in the evening.) (yuugata roku-ji han made desu.)
なんじから
16 from what time
(nan-ji kara)
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17 Did you remember that we can use から to indicate the starting point in time as well as in space?
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151
English Japanese
What are the store hours? なんじからなんじまでですか。
18
(From what time until what time is it?) (nan-ji kara nan-ji made desu ka.)
スーパー
19 supermarket
(suupaa)
えきまえのスーパーは、なんじからなんじまで
What are the store hours for the supermarket ですか。
20
in the station-front area? (ekimae no suupaa wa, nan-ji kara nan-ji
made desu ka.)
Large shopping malls have become ubiquitous sights in Japanese suburbs, catering to weekend
shoppers who arrive in their cars. For many people, however, grocery shopping is still a daily affair
21 performed on foot, by bicycle or by moped. In the evenings, shoppers crowd スーパー
(supermarkets) on the way home from work, taking advantage of the end-of-the-day discount
hours to find bargains for the dinner table!
よる
22 night
(yoru)
よる and ばん are sometimes used interchangeably, but there are certain distinctions. In general,
23 よる means after dark until sunrise. ばん is the early part of night when people are still awake and
active. The English equivalents would be "night" for よる and "evening (after dark)" for ばん .
よるじゅうじ
24 ten o'clock at night
(yoru juu-ji)
えきまえのスーパーは、あさくじからよるじゅ
The supermarket in the station-front area is
うじまでです。
25 open from nine o'clock in the morning until
(ekimae no suupaa wa, asa ku-ji kara
ten o'clock at night.
yoru juu-ji made desu.)
しょうてんがい
26 shopping district
(shootengai)
えきまえのしょうてんがいですか。どようびは
The shopping district in the station-front area?
よるくじまでです。
27 It is open until nine o'clock at night on
(ekimae no shootengai desu ka. do-yoobi
Saturdays.
wa yoru ku-ji made desu.)
Shopping at スーパー or デパート is convenient, but not as fun as browsing through the local しょ
うてんがい (shopping district), where many retail stores and fresh produce vendors congregate
along narrow streets. There, you can buy さかな (fish) at さかなや , にく (meat) at にくや , パン
28
(bread) at パンや , and とうふ (tofu) at とうふや --all fresh and inexpensive. Best of all, you'll be
able to have a little chat with friendly shopkeepers, which is a great way to get to know the
country and the culture better!
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Do you know the location? ばしょをしっていますか。
English Japanese
ばしょをしっていますか。
1 Do you know the location?
(basho o shitte imasu ka.)
しる
2 to know
(shiru)
しります
3 know
(shirimasu)
Can you tell what type of verb しる is? That's right! It's a Group I verb whose dictionary form ends
4
with る like つくる (to make). Do you remember how to make the て -form for these verbs?
しって
5 to know (in the "te"-form)
(shitte)
I know. しっています。
6
(I am knowing.) (shitte imasu.)
Please note that to say "I know" in Japanese, we have to say しっています . Like できています (it is
7 made), しっています describes not an action in progress, but a "continuing state" that has
resulted from some action taken in the past. Let's memorize it as a phrase!
ばしょ
8 location
(basho)
そのみせのなまえ
9 the name of that store
(sono mise no namae)
そのみせのなまえをしっていますか。
10 Do you know the name of that store?
(sono mise no namae o shitte imasu ka.)
ええ、しっています。
11 Yes, I know.
(ee, shitte imasu.)
いいえ、しりません。
12 No, I don't know.
(iie, shirimasen.)
Did you notice that the negative form of しっています (I know) is しりません (I don't know)? Let's
13
memorize both the affirmative and negative form of the verb しる as a pair!
ねだん
14 price
(nedan)
このコートのねだん
15 the price of this coat
(kono kooto no nedan)
このコートのねだんですか。しりません。いく
The price of this coat? I don't know. How much らですか。
16
is it? (kono kooto no nedan desu ka.
shirimasen. ikura desu ka.)
ケーキ
17 cake
(keeki)
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English Japanese
ケーキや
18 cake shop
(keeki-ya)
Japanese people, particularly women and children, often add the honorific title さん after the
19 names of stores as in ケーキやさん or ほんやさん . It's a friendly way to mention neighborhood
businesses. Let's try this in the next questions.
great cake shop おいしいケーキやさん
20
(tasty cake shop) (oishii keeki-ya san)
おいしいケーキやさん (literally, "tasty cake shop") may sound as if the cake shop is edible like a
21 gingerbread house. This, however, is a common way in Japanese to describe a great cake shop
that serves delicious cakes!
おいしいケーキやさんをしっていますか。
22 Do you know any great cake shop?
(oishii keeki-ya san o shitte imasu ka.)
ええ、しっています。えきまえのケーキやさん
Yes, I know. The cake shop in the station-front がいちばんですよ。
23
area is the best, you know. (ee, shitte imasu. ekimae no keeki-ya san
ga ichiban desu yo.)
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Please tell me the location.
ばしょをおしえてください。
English Japanese
1 Please tell me the location.
(basho o oshiete kudasai.)
おしえる
2 to teach or to tell
(oshieru)
おしえます
3 teach or tell
(oshiemasu)
おしえて
4 to tell (in the "te"-form)
(oshiete)
おしえてください。
5 Please tell me.
(oshiete kudasai.)
Do you remember that we used ください to mean "Please give me" in the sentence such as この
シャツください (Please give me this shirt)? When we want to ask or instruct someone to do
6
something, we use the "て -form plus ください " pattern as in おしえてください ("Please tell me" or
"Please teach me").
とうきょうプラザのばしょをおしえてくださ
い。
7 Please tell me the location of Tokyo Plaza.
(tookyoo puraza no basho o oshiete
kudasai.)
すみませんが、そのみせのなまえをおしえてく
Excuse me, but please tell me the name of ださい。
8
that store. (sumimasen ga, sono mise no namae o
oshiete kudasai.)
みせる
9 to show
(miseru)
みせます
10 show
(misemasu)
みせて
11 to show (in the "te"-form)
(misete)
みせてください。
12 Please show me.
(misete kudasai.)
すみませんが、そのセーターをみせてくださ
い。
13 Excuse me, but please show me that sweater.
(sumimasen ga, sono seetaa o misete
kudasai.)
つつむ
14 to wrap
(tsutsumu)
つつみます
15 wrap
(tsutsumimasu)
What group of verbs does つつむ belong to? That's right! It's a Group I verb. When the dictionary
16 form for a Group I verb ends with either む or ぶ or ぬ , we drop the last letter and add んで to
make the て -form. Can you figure out the て -form for つつむ ?
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つつんで
17 to wrap (in the "te"-form)
(tsutsunde)
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English Japanese
つつんでください。
18 Please wrap them.
(tsutsunde kudasai.)
すみませんが、いっしょにつつんでください。
19 Excuse me, but please wrap them together. (sumimasen ga, issho ni tsutsunde
kudasai.)
Here's the summary of the て -form formation for Group I verbs. If the dictionary form ends with
う or つ or る , like まつ (to wait), delete the last letter and add って as in まって . If the ending is
20 む or ぶ or ぬ , like つつむ (to wrap), delete it and add んで as in つつんで . For the す -ending like わ
かす (to boil water), replace it with して ; for the く -ending like たく (to cook rice), use いて ; and for
the ぐ -ending like いそぐ (to hurry), use いで .
Here is a little mantra to help you memorize how to form the て -form for Group I verbs, irregular
verbs, and Group II verbs, respectively. You can either repeat the following aloud or make a jingle
out of it ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" fits): うつる「って」 , むぶぬ「んで」 , す「して」 ,
21
く「いて」 , ぐ「いで」 , する「して」 , くる「きて」 , みる「みて」 . Please note that it lists
the whole て -form for the irregular verbs (する and くる ) and Group II verbs (みる is used as an
example), but only the verb endings for Group I verbs and their て -forms.
はこ
22 box
(hako)
We have learned that に is a versatile particle. Here's another use: when we use verbs such as
23 "to put in," "to get in," "to get on," or "to arrive," we use the particle に to indicate the goal. It's
equivalent to "at," "on," or "in" in English. Let's figure out the next question!
はこにいれてください。
24 Please put it in the box.
(hako ni irete kudasai.)
すみませんが、はこにいれて、つつんでくださ
Excuse me, but please put it in the box and い。
25
wrap it. (sumimasen ga, hako ni irete, tsutsunde
kudasai.)
Did you remember that we could use the て -form to connect two or more verbs to describe the
26
chain of events or actions?
Gift wrapping is a serious business in Japan. Let's take a box of sweets as an example. Each
sweet would be individually wrapped and placed in a box. The box then would be wrapped with a
27 pretty wrapping paper. Sometimes, the retail-store clerk wraps the already gift-wrapped box with
a signature wrapping paper of the store. Finally, the neatly wrapped box would be put in a
matching paper or plastic tote bag. Now your gift has as many layers as a Russian nesting doll!
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I want some new clothes too.
わたしもあたらしいふくがほしいです。
English Japanese
1 I want some new clothes too. (watashi mo atarashii fuku ga hoshii
desu.)
Please note that we can only use ほしいです (I want) or したいです (I want to do) to talk about our
own desires or to find out the desires of our listeners in casual conversation. We can't use them
2 to talk about the desires of the third person. Also, we shouldn't use these expressions when we
want to offer something or issue invitations. For example, if you want to invite your friend to have
some tea with you, you should say おちゃをのみませんか (Why don't we have some tea?) instead.
ほしい
3 to want
(hoshii)
4 ほしい is an い -adjective, but it functions as the equivalent of "to want" in English.

ほしいです
5 want
(hoshii desu)
あたらしい
6 new
(atarashii)
あたらしいふく
7 new clothes
(atarashii fuku )
あたらしいふくがほしいです。
8 I want some new clothes.
(atarashii fuku ga hoshii desu.)
Do you remember that we sometimes use the particle が , not を , to indicate the "object" of the
verb such as あります (I have) or the adjective such as すきです (I like)? When we use the
9 expression ほしいです (I want), we also need to use が to indicate what we want, as in あたらしい
ふくがほしいです (I want some new clothes). Let's memorize "Xがほしいです " (I want X) as a set
phrase!
あたらしいみずぎ
10 new swimsuit
(atarashii mizugi)
a pair of sandals サンダル

11
(sandal) (sandaru)
あたらしいみずぎとサンダルがほしいです。
12 I want a new swimsuit and a pair of sandals. (atarashii mizugi to sandaru ga hoshii
desu.)
あたたかいコートとブーツ
13 warm coat and a pair of boots
(atatakai kooto to buutsu)
あたたかいコートとブーツがほしいです。
14 I want a warm coat and a pair of boots. (atatakai kooto to buutsu ga hoshii
desu.)
さむくなりました。
15 It has become cold.
(samuku narimashita.)
さむくなりましたから、あたたかいコートと
Since it has become cold, I want a warm coat ブーツがほしいです。
16
and a pair of boots. (samuku narimashita kara, atatakai
kooto to buutsu ga hoshii desu.)
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kooto to buutsu ga hoshii desu.)
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English Japanese
ぼくもほしいんです。
17 As a matter of fact, I want it too.
(boku mo hoshiindesu.)
Did you remember that in order to add the nuance of "As a matter of fact..." to our statement, we
18
add んです after い -adjectives as well as verbs?
19 Let's go together.
ぼくもあたらしいふくがほしいんです。いっ
As a matter of fact, I want some new clothes しょにいきましょう。
20
too. Let's go together. (boku mo atarashii fuku ga hoshiindesu.
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Chapter 9: Bank and Post Office
銀行と郵便局
Chapter 9: Bank and Post Office

Ask or Grant Permission Apply the "て -form + もいいです " Pattern to
Ask or Tell the Date Grant Permission
Count Things Up to Ten Using the Traditional Understand Double Particles
Counting System Understand the Pattern "て -form + から +
Offer Your Services to Someone Verb"
Run Errands at the Bank and the Post Office Use the "Verb + ましょう " Pattern to Offer
Your Service
Use the Polite Past Negative Form of Verbs
Conversation
English Japanese
にもつがおおいですね。ひとつもちましょう。
You are carrying a lot of packages, aren't you! Let
(nimotsu ga ooi desu ne. hitotsu
me carry one for you.
mochimashoo.)
すみません。ゆうびんきょくまで、おねがいして
Thank you. May I ask you to carry it to the post もいいですか。
office? (sumimasen. yuubinkyoku made, o-
negaishite mo ii desu ka.)
ええ、かまいませんよ。アメリカまでですか。
Sure, I don't mind, you know. Are they for the
(ee, kamaimasen yo. amerika made desu
U.S.?
ka.)
ええ。かぞくやともだちへのクリスマスプレゼン
Yes. As a matter of fact, they are Christmas トなんです。
presents for my family and friends. (ee. kazoku ya tomodachi e no kurisumasu
purezento nandesu.)
こうくうびんでいくらぐらいかかるでしょうか。
About how much do you think it will cost to send
(kookuubin de ikura gurai kakaru deshoo
them by airmail?
ka.)
そうですね・・・。たぶんぜんぶでにまんえんち
Well.... Probably, it will cost close to twenty かくかかるでしょう。
thousand yen in total, I think. (soo desu ne.... tabun zenbu de niman en
chikaku kakaru deshoo.)
えっ、そんなに？すみませんが、さきにぎんこう
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Oh, that much? I'm sorry, but may I stop by at the によってもいいですか。
bank first? (e, son-na ni? sumimasen ga, saki ni ginkoo
ni yotte mo ii desu ka.)
りょうがえですか。それなら、ゆうびんきょくで
To exchange money? If so, you can do it also in もできますよ。
the post office, you know. (ryoogae desu ka. sore nara, yuubinkyoku
de mo dekimasu yo.)
へえ、しりませんでした。べんりですね。
Oh, I didn't know that. It's convenient, isn't it!
(hee, shirimasen deshita. benri desu ne.)
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Let me carry one of the packages for you.
にもつをひとつもちましょう。
English Japanese
1 Let me carry one of the packages for you.
(nimotsu o hitotsu mochimashoo.)
ひとつ or ふたつ is the original Japanese way of counting things. The combination of a number
2 and a counter as in いっぱい (one cup) or にほん (two bottles) is based on the Chinese tradition,
though they are perfectly blended into Japanese as many other Chinese-based vocabularies are!
もつ
3 to carry
(motsu)
もちます
4 carry
(mochimasu)
にもつ
5 package
(nimotsu)
We have so far learned that the word にもつ means "luggage." In fact, にもつ can be used to
6
mean "luggage," "baggage," "parcel," "pack," or "bag"--anything that has to be carried or sent.
にもつをもちます。
7 I will carry a package.
(nimotsu o mochimasu.)
ひとつ
8 one (item)
(hitotsu)
In Japanese, we use the combination of a number and a specific counter to count something,
right? There is an alternate way to count things up to 10. For example, we can use ひとつ to
9 count one item such as a key, an apple, a computer, a chair, a house, or even a planet, without
adding any counters. We can also use it to count an abstract thing such as an idea or a story.
Convenient, isn't it!
I will carry one of the packages. にもつをひとつもちます。
10
(I carry one package.) (nimotsu o hitotsu mochimasu.)
もちましょう。
11 Let me carry it for you.
(mochimashoo.)
We have so far used the "ます -form plus ましょう " pattern to invite someone to do something
12 with us, as in "Let's ~." We can use the same pattern to offer our service to someone. It's
equivalent to "Let me (do something) for you" in English.
おおい
13 many
(ooi)
You have many packages. にもつがおおいです。
14
(Packages are many.) (nimotsu ga ooi desu.)
You have many packages, don't you! Let me
15 (nimotsu ga ooi desu ne. hitotsu
carry one for you.
mochimashoo.)
ひとつ
16 one (item)
(hitotsu)
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English Japanese
ふたつ
17 two (items)
(futatsu)
みっつ
18 three (items)
(mittsu)
よっつ
19 four (items)
(yottsu)
いつつ
20 five (items)
(itsutsu)
むっつ
21 six (items)
(muttsu)
ななつ
22 seven (items)
(nanatsu)
やっつ
23 eight (items)
(yattsu)
ここのつ
24 nine (items)
(kokonotsu)
とお
25 ten (items)
(too)
To continue counting past ten using the Japanese counting system, like ひとつ or ふたつ , simply
26
use numbers with no counter, as in じゅういち or にじゅう !
にもつがいつつあります。
27 I have five packages.
(nimotsu ga itsutsu arimasu.)
いくつ
28 how many (items)
(ikutsu)
いくつありますか。
29 How many do you have?
(ikutsu arimasu ka.)
にもつがいくつありますか。
30 How many packages do you have?
(nimotsu ga ikutsu arimasu ka.)
にもつがよっつありますね。ふたつもちましょ
You have four packages, don't you! Let me う。
31
carry two for you. (nimotsu ga yottsu arimasu ne. futatsu
mochimashoo.)
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May I ask you to carry it to the post office?
ゆうびんきょくまで、おねがいしてもいいですか。
English Japanese
ゆうびんきょくまで、おねがいしてもいいです
May I ask you to carry it to the post office? か。
1
(May I request to the post office?) (yuubinkyoku made, onegai shite mo ii
desu ka.)
Now, let's assume that you have to take several packages to the post office. Can you figure out
2
how to ask someone politely to help you?
おねがい
3 a request
(onegai)
to request おねがいする
4
(to do a request) (onegai suru)
Do you remember the expression おねがいします which we use to order something in

restaurants, as in コーヒーおねがいします (Coffee, please)? おねがいする ("to request" or "to ask
5 for") is the dictionary form of おねがいします and consists of the noun おねがい (a "request" or
"wish") and the irregular verb する (to do). It's another compound verb! Can you figure out its て -
form?
おねがいして
6 to request (in the "te"-form)
(onegai shite)
May I ask you? おねがいしてもいいですか。

7
(May I request?) (onegai shite mo ii desu ka.)
When we want to ask for permission, we add もいいですか (equivalent to "May I~?" in English) to
the て -form of the verb, as in おねがいしてもいいですか (May I request?) おねがいしてもいいで
8
すか is a polite expression we can use in various situations. The translation, therefore, will vary
depending on the context.
9 In the next question, let's use the particle that indicates the final destination.
ゆうびんきょくまで
10 to the post office
(yuubinkyoku made)
よる
11 to stop by
(yoru)
よります
12 stop by
(yorimasu)
ぎんこうによります。
13 I will stop by at the bank.
(ginkoo ni yorimasu.)
Did you remember that we use the particle に to indicate the spot that is the goal or target of an
14
action?
Judging from the way the dictionary form (よる ) changes its shape in the polite form (よります ),
15 we can tell that よる (to stop by) is a る -ending Group I verb, right? Do you remember how to
make the て -form for it?
よって
16 to stop by (in the "te"-form)
(yotte)
よってもいいですか。
17 May I stop by?
(yotte mo ii desu ka.)
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166
English Japanese
さきに
18 first
(saki ni)
さきに is the expression we can use when we want to do something before doing other things. It's
19
equivalent to "first" or "before that" in English.
さきにぎんこうによってもいいですか。
20 May I stop by at the bank first?
(saki ni ginkoo ni yotte mo ii desu ka.)
そんなに
21 so much
(son-na ni)
えっ？！そんなに？すみませんが、さきにぎん
What?! So much? I'm sorry, but may I stop by こうによってもいいですか。
22
at the bank first? (e?! son-na ni? sumimasen ga, saki ni
ginkoo ni yotte mo ii desu ka.)
ええ、いいですよ。どうぞ。
23 Yes, sure. Please go ahead.
(ee, ii desu yo. doozo.)
かまいません。
24 I don't mind.
(kamaimasen.)
かまいません is the polite negative form of the verb かまう (to mind). Let's memorize it as a
25
useful expression that is equivalent to "I don't mind" in English.
No, I don't mind, you know. Let's go together. ええ、かまいませんよ。いっしょにいきましょ
26 (Yes, I don't mind, you know. Let's go う。
together.) (ee, kamaimasen yo. issho ni ikimashoo.)
Did you notice that we answer a yes/no question differently in Japanese? In English, we say "Yes" if
the answer is affirmative and "No" if the answer is negative, right? In Japanese, we say "Yes" if we
27 agree to the question and say "No" if we disagree, regardless of whether the question is in the
negative or affirmative form. So, if someone asks your permission and if you don't mind granting
it, then you should say ええ、かまいません (literally, "Yes, I don't mind")!
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As a matter of fact, they are presents for my family.
かぞくへのプレゼントなんです。
English Japanese
As a matter of fact, they are presents for my かぞくへのプレゼントなんです。
1
family. (kazoku e no purezento nandesu.)
Please note that we can use the particle の along with some particles such as へ (to), と (with), で
2 ("at," "on," or "in"), から (from), or まで ("to" or "as far as"), but we can't use it with other particles
such as が , を , or に .
プレゼント
3 a present
(purezento)
We can use the particle へ , which indicates the direction of movement, not only with the place
4 noun (as in とうきょうへ ) but also with a noun that denotes a person (or persons) to whom we
send something. Let's use it in the next question!
かぞくへ
5 to my family
(kazoku e)
かぞくへのプレゼント
6 presents for my family
(kazoku e no purezento)
We have been using the particle の to connect two nouns (or pronouns) as in にほんのはな
(Japanese flowers) or わたしのかれ (my boyfriend). The particle の sometimes attaches itself to
another particle, connecting the noun phrase such as かぞくへ (to my family) with a noun such as
7
プレゼント (presents). In the phrase かぞくへのプレゼント (presents for my family), の indicates
that かぞくへ is the explanation of プレゼント (or in other words, かぞくへ modifies プレゼント ).
For convenience, we can call the structure "double particles"!
かぞくへのプレゼントです。
8 They are presents for my family.
(kazoku e no purezento desu.)
かぞくやともだち
9 my family, friends, and others
(kazoku ya tomodachi)
かぞくやともだちへのクリスマスプレゼント
Christmas presents for my family, friends, and
10 (kazoku ya tomodachi e no kurisumasu
others
purezento)
ははへのたんじょうびプレゼント
11 a birthday present for my mother
(haha e no tanjoobi purezento)
おくる
12 to send
(okuru)
おくります
13 send
(okurimasu)
アメリカまでおくります。
14 I'll send it to America.
(amerika made okurimasu)
Here are some tips on how to use the particles まで , へ , and に that are the equivalents of "to"
when we talk about movement. まで emphasizes the end of the course, implying "as far as" or
"up to." へ , on the other hand, focuses on the direction of the movement, as in "toward" or "in the
15
direction of." に implies the goal (or target) of action, as in "to arrive at" or "to get into." Though
we can sometimes use these particles interchangeably, idiomatic usage often determines our
choice.
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169
English Japanese
ははへのたんじょうびプレゼントをアメリカま
I will send a birthday present for my mother to でおくります。
16
America. (haha e no tanjoobi purezento o amerika
made okurimasu.)
かのじょから
17 from my girlfriend
(ka-nojo kara)
Did you use the particle から (from)? から indicates the starting point or origin, and the origin can
18
be a time, a place, or even a person!
かのじょからのプレゼント
19 a present from my girlfriend
(ka-nojo kara no purezento)
ネクタイ
20 necktie
(nekutai)
このネクタイですか。かのじょからのプレゼン
トです。
21 This necktie? It's a present from my girlfriend.
(kono nekutai desu ka. ka-nojo kara no
purezento desu.)
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How much does it cost to send it to America by
airmail?
アメリカまでこうくうびんでいくらかかりますか。
English Japanese
アメリカまでこうくうびんでいくらかかります
How much does it cost to send it to America か。
1
by airmail? (amerika made kookuubin de ikura
kakarimasu ka.)
かかる
2 to cost
(kakaru)
かかります
3 cost
(kakarimasu)
いくらかかりますか。
4 How much does it cost?
(ikura kakarimasu ka.)
How much does it cost to send it to America? アメリカまでいくらかかりますか。

5
(How much does it cost to America?) (amerika made ikura kakarimasu ka.)
Please note that when we are talking about the mailing or traveling cost or time spent delivering
6
something, we use まで to indicate the final destination.
こうくうびん
7 airmail
(kookuubin)
こうくうびんで
8 by airmail
(kookuubin de)
9 Did you remember to use the particle で to indicate the method or means of action?
ふなびん
10 sea mail
(funabin)
すみません。カナダまでふなびんでいくらかか
Excuse me. How much does it cost to send it りますか。
11
to Canada by sea mail? (sumimasen. kanada made funabin de
ikura kakarimasu ka.)
ふなびんですか。にせんごひゃくえんかかりま
Sea mail? It costs two thousand five hundred す。
12
yen. (funabin desu ka. nisen gohyaku en
kakarimasu.)
てがみ
13 letter
(tegami)
The answers to いくらかかりますか (How much does it cost?) can be, for example, せんえんかか
14 ります (It costs one thousand yen) or せんえんです (It's one thousand yen). Both sentences
convey the same meaning. Let's try them both in the next question.
こうくうびんですか。はがきはななじゅうえん
です。てがみはひゃくじゅうえんかかります。
Airmail? As for the postcard, it is seventy yen.
15 (kookuubin desu ka. hagaki wa nanajuu
As for the letter, it costs a hundred ten yen.
en desu. tegami wa hyaku juu en
kakarimasu.)
そくたつ
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そくたつ
16 special delivery
(sokutatsu)
そくたつでおねがいします。いくらかかります
By special delivery, please. How much does it か。
17
cost? (sokutatsu de onegai shimasu. ikura
kakarimasu ka.)
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English Japanese
いくらかかるでしょうか。
18 How much do you think it will cost?
(ikura kakaru deshoo ka.)
Do you remember the sentence ending でしょう and its question form でしょうか that we can
use to talk about our assumption? So far we used them after a noun or an adjective, as in さん
19 じゅうどぐらいでしょう (It's about thirty degrees, I think) or どこがいちばんさむいでしょうか
(Where do you think is the coldest?) We can also use them after the dictionary form of verbs, as
in いくらかかるでしょうか (How much do you think it will cost?).
いくらぐらい
20 about how much
(ikura gurai)
こうくうびんで、いくらぐらいかかるでしょう
About how much do you think it will cost to か。
21
send it by airmail? (kookuubin de, ikura gurai kakaru deshoo
ka.)
にまんえんちかく
22 close to twenty thousand yen
(niman en chikaku)
We have so far used the word ちかく to describe a nearness in geography, as in えきのちかく
23 (near the station). We can also use ちかく to indicate a proximity in numbers, regardless of
whether they are measuring time or money.
ぜんぶで
24 in total
(zenbu de)
ぜんぶでにまんえんちかく
25 close to twenty thousand yen in total
(zenbu de niman en chikaku)
そうですね・・・。たぶんぜんぶでにまんえん
Well.... Probably, it will cost close to twenty ちかくかかるでしょう。
26
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How long does it take to send it by sea mail?
ふなびんでどのくらいかかりますか。
English Japanese
1 How long does it take to send it by sea mail?
(funabin de donokurai kakarimasu ka.)
Japanese post offices offer four options to send packages overseas. The fastest is EMS (Express
Mail Service), which delivers packages in 2 to 4 days worldwide. The second fastest is こうくうび
ん (airmail) that takes 3 to 6 days. エコノミーこうくうびん (economy airmail) or SALびん
2
(Surface Air Lifted), which uses the combination of land and air transportation, takes 6 to 13
days. The slowest but least expensive option is ふなびん (sea mail) that delivers packages in 1 to
3 months.
かかる
3 to take (when referring to time)
(kakaru)
We used かかる as the Japanese equivalent of "to cost" in the previous section. We can also use
4 the same verb to talk about time spent to carry out an action. It's the equivalent of "to take" in
English.
かかります
5 take (when referring to time)
(kakarimasu)
どのくらい is a versatile question word we can use to ask the amount or degree, as in "how far?"
6
or "how hot (or cold)?" Let's use it to ask about the period of time in this section.
どのくらいかかりますか。
7 How long does it take?
(donokurai kakarimasu ka.)
いっかげつ
8 one month
(ikkagetsu)
かげつ in いっかげつ (one month) is the counter for months when we are talking about a length of
time. Though the basic rule is to add the counter after a number as in にかげつ (two months) or
9
さんかげつ (three months), the pronunciation of certain numbers changes. いち (one) in いっかげ
つ is one of them!
いっかげついじょう
10 one month or more
(ikkagetsu ijoo)
ふなびんですか。いっかげついじょうかかりま
Sea mail? It takes one month or more, you すよ。
11
know. (funabin desu ka. ikkagetsu ijoo
kakarimasu yo.)
In addition to いっかげつ (one month), the pronunciation of the numbers "six" (ろく ), "eight" (は
12 ち ), and "ten" (じゅう ) also changes in a similar manner when combined with かげつ , the counter
for month. Let's see if you can figure them out!
ろっかげつ
13 six months
(rokkagetsu)
はっかげつ
14 eight months
(hakkagetsu)
じゅっかげつ
15 ten months
(jukkagetsu)
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English Japanese
In place of the generic question word どのくらい , we can use a more specific one, such as なんど
16 (literally, "what degrees") or なんメートル (literally, "what meters"). Let's figure out the question
word for "months"!
なんかげつ
17 how many months
(nan kagetsu)
アメリカまでふなびんでなんかげつかかるで
How many months do you think it takes to しょうか。
18
send it to America by sea mail? (amerika made funabin de nan kagetsu
kakaru deshoo ka.)
そうですね・・・。たぶんにかげつちかくかか
Well.... Probably it takes close to two months, I るでしょう。
19
think. (soo desu ne.... tabun nikagetsu chikaku
kakaru deshoo.)
いっしゅうかん
20 one week
(isshuukan)
しゅうかん in いっしゅうかん (one week) is the counter for "week" as a duration of time. If we
break down the word further, しゅう means "week," and かん literally means "in-between" or a
21 "range." (Do you remember the word いちじかん or "one hour"? It's the same かん as いっしゅう
かん !) Please note that the pronunciation of いち (one) is changed when it is combined with しゅ
うかん .
The pronunciation of はち (eight) and じゅう (ten) will change when these numbers are combined
22 with しゅうかん , the counter for "week" as the duration of time. Let's try to figure them out in the
next two questions!
はっしゅうかん
23 eight weeks
(hasshuukan)
じゅっしゅうかん
24 ten weeks
(jusshuukan)
25 Now, let's figure out the question word for "weeks"!
なんしゅうかん
26 how many weeks
(nanshuukan)
カナダまでこうくうびんでなんしゅうかんかか
How many weeks does it take to send it to りますか。
27
Canada by airmail? (kanada made kookuubin de nanshuukan
kakarimasu ka.)
それなら
28 if that's the case
(sore nara)
こうくうびんですか。それなら、いっしゅうか
Airmail? If that's the case, it's about one んぐらいです。
29
week. (kookuubin desu ka. sore nara,
isshuukan gurai desu.)
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I'd like to exchange some dollars with yen.
ドルをえんとりょうがえしたいんですが・・・。
English Japanese
ドルをえんとりょうがえしたいんです
1 I'd like to exchange some dollars with yen. が・・・。
(doru o en to ryoogae shitaindesu ga....)
りょうがえ
2 money exchange
(ryoogae)
to exchange (money) りょうがえする

3
(to do money exchange) (ryoogae suru)
りょうがえします
4 exchange (money)
(ryoogae shimasu)
りょうがえしたいです。
5 I want to exchange money.
(ryoogae shitai desu.)
I'd like to exchange money.

りょうがえしたいんですが・・・。
6 (As a matter of fact, I want to exchange
(ryoogae shitaindesu ga....)
money, but....)
We have already learned that in Japanese unfinished sentences are sometimes more polite than
complete sentences, as in おなまえは？ (literally, "As for name?") or どようびはちょっと・・・
7 (literally, "Saturday is a little bit..."). りょうがえしたいんですが is another example. It literally
means "As a matter of fact, I want to exchange some money, but..." It works, however, as the
equivalent of "I'd like to exchange some money."
ドルをりょうがえしたいんですが・・・。
8 I'd like to exchange some dollars.
(doru o ryoogae shitaindes ga....)
えんと
9 with yen
(en to)
the exchange rate レート

10
(a rate) (reeto)
レートはいくらですか。
11 How much is the exchange rate?
(reeto wa ikura desu ka.)
せんドル
12 one thousand dollars
(sen doru)
せんドルりょうがえしたいんですが・・・。い
I'd like to exchange one thousand dollars. How まレートはいくらですか。
13
much is the exchange rate now? (sen doru ryoogae shitaindesu ga.... ima
reeto wa ikura desu ka.)
eighty-five yen to the dollar いちドルはちじゅうごえん
14
(one dollar eighty-five yen) (ichi doru hachijuu-go en )
レートですか。いま、いちドルはちじゅうごえ
The exchange rate? It's eighty-five yen to the んです。
15
dollar now. (reeto desu ka. ima, ichi doru hachijuu-go
en desu.)
Where do you recommend? どこがいいですか。

16
(Where is good?) (doko ga ii desu ka.)
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177
English Japanese
トラベラーズチェックをりょうがえしたいんで
I'd like to exchange some traveler's cheques. すが・・・。どこがいいですか。
17
Where do you recommend? (toraberaazu chekku o ryoogae
shitaindesu ga.... doko ga ii desu ka.)
できる
18 to be able to do
(dekiru)
We have so far used the verb できる to mean "to be ready" as in もうすぐできます (It will be
ready in no time) and "to be made" as in みそはだいずからできています (Miso paste is made of
19
soybeans). We can also use できる to mean "to be able to do," using the particle が to mark the
object of the verb--that is, what we can do. Let's use it with this meaning here.
can do できます
20
(is/am/are able to do) (dekimasu)
ゆうびんきょくでできます。
21 You can do it at the post office.
(yuubinkyoku de dekimasu.)
ゆうびんきょくでもできます。
22 You can do it at the post office too.
(yuubinkyoku de mo dekimasu.)
Did you get it right? ゆうびんきょくでも (at the post office too) is another example of the
23 "double particles" structure--that is, adding a particle to the phrase that ends with a particle so
that the two particles appear back to back, as in かぞくへのプレゼント (presents for my family).
りょうがえですか。それなら、ゆうびんきょく
Money exchange? If that's the case, you can でもできますよ。
24
do it at the post office too, you know. (ryoogae desu ka. sore nara,
yuubinkyoku de mo dekimasu yo.)
しりませんでした。
25 I didn't know.
(shirimasendeshita.)
When we want to talk about actions we didn't perform or events that didn't happen, we can add で
26 した to the negative verb form ません , as in たべませんでした (I didn't eat) or しりませんでした (I
didn't know).
べんり
27 convenient
(benri)
へえ、しりませんでした。それはべんりです
ね。
28 Oh, I didn't know it. That is convenient, isn't it!
(hee, shirimasendeshita. sore wa benri
desu ne.)
おろす
29 to withdraw (money)
(orosu)
おろします
30 withdraw (money)
(oroshimasu)
おかね
31 money
(okane)
かね means "money," but people almost always say おかね to avoid sounding rude, as in the case
32
of おちゃ (tea).
おかねをおろしたいんですが。
33 I'd like to withdraw some money.
(okane o oroshitaindesu ga.)
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まどぐち
34 window or teller
(madoguchi)
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179
English Japanese
まど in まどぐち means a "window," and ぐち (or its regular form くち ) means a "mouth" or any
kind of opening. So, まどぐち literally means a "window opening." This is the term you will often
35 hear in banks, post offices, ticket counters, or government offices in Japan. For example, if
someone tells you さんばんまどぐちへどうぞ , the person is saying, "Please proceed to the
number 3 window."
このまどぐちでできますか。
36 Can I do it at this window?
(kono madoguchi de dekimasu ka.)
すみません。おかねをおろしたいんです
Excuse me. I'd like to withdraw some money. が・・・。このまどぐちでできますか。
37
Can I do it at this window? (sumimasen. okane o oroshitaindesu
ga.... kono madoguchi de dekimasu ka.)
Some large banks in Japan let you withdraw money at their counters with major credit cards and
your passport. However, the most convenient way to withdraw money is probably to use
38 international ATMs at post offices. Not only do they accept foreign-issued major credit cards, but
they also allow you to conduct business in English! Please be aware, though, these ATMs are not
available 24 hours a day. Also remember to get your PIN number before leaving home.
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The money will arrive four days after you remit it.
そうきんしてから、よっかでとどきます。
English Japanese
The money will arrive four days after you remit そうきんしてから、よっかでとどきます。
1 it. (sookin shite kara, yokka de
(After you remit it, it will arrive in four days.) todokimasu.)
とどく
2 to arrive
(todoku)
3 とどく means that something is delivered and arrives at the final destination.
とどきます
4 arrive
(todokimasu)
よっか
5 four days
(yokka)
When we are talking about the duration of time that is spent to do something, we can consider it
6
as the means used to complete the action. Now, can you figure out the next question?
よっかで
7 in four days
(yokka de)
よっかでとどきます。
8 It will arrive in four days.
(yokka de todokimasu.)
remittance そうきん
9
(sending money) (sookin)
to remit そうきんする
10
(to do remittance) (sookin suru)
そうきんして
11 to remit (in the "te"-form)
(sookin shite)
そうきんしてから
12 after you remit it
(sookin shite kara)
When we want to indicate that an action takes place upon completion of another, the action that
precedes the other one takes the pattern "て -form plus から ," as in そうきんしてから (after you
13
remit it). から in this case is equivalent to "after" or "since" in English. Please note that we can
use the same "て -form plus から " pattern regardless of when the action takes place.
いちにち
14 one day
(ichi-nichi)
にち in いちにち (one day) is the counter for day--for both the point of time (date) and the
duration of time. The basic rule is that we combine a number with にち , as in いちにち or じゅう
15 いちにち (eleven days). The exceptions are the numbers 2 to 10, 20, and any numbers that end
with 4 or 9. For these numbers, we use the pronunciation based on the original Japanese
numbers. Let's learn these exceptions.
ふつか
16 two days
(futsuka)
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181
English Japanese
みっか
17 three days
(mikka)
よっか
18 four days
(yokka)
いつか
19 five days
(itsuka)
むいか
20 six days
(muika)
なのか
21 seven days
(nanoka)
ようか
22 eight days
(yooka)
ここのか
23 nine days
(kokonoka)
とおか
24 ten days
(tooka)
そうきんしてから、とおかでとどきました。
The money arrived ten days after I had
25 (sookin shite kara, tooka de
remitted it.
todokimashita.)
When we use the "て -form plus から " pattern to indicate the completion of an action, the tense of
the first part of the sentence is not apparent because we use the て -form. We can, however,
26 determine it by the tense of the last verb that appears in the sentence. For example, in そうきん
してから、とおかでとどきました , the last verb とどきました is in the past form. Therefore, the
English equivalent would be "It arrived ten days after I had remitted it."
じゅうににち
27 twelve days
(juu-ni-nichi)
じゅうよっか
28 fourteen days
(juu-yokka)
じゅうくにち
29 nineteen days
(juu-ku-nichi)
はつか
30 twenty days
(hatsuka)
にじゅういちにち
31 twenty-one days
(nijuu-ichi-nichi)
two to three days ふつかからみっか

32
(two days to three days) (futsuka kara mikka)
Here is another function for the particle から ! When we want to indicate the range of time, we
33 can use から as in ふつかからみっか (two to three days) or いちじかんからにじかん (one to two
hours).
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English Japanese
おくって
34 to send (in the "te"-form)
(okutte)
おくってから
35 after you send it
(okutte kara)
そくたつですか。おくってから、ふつかから
Special delivery? It will arrive two to four days よっかでとどきますよ。
36
after you send it, you know. (sokutatsu desu ka. okutte kara, futsuka
kara yokka de todokimasu yo.)
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What is today's date? きょうのひづけはなんですか。
English Japanese
きょうのひづけはなんですか。
1 What is today's date?
(kyoo no hizuke wa nan desu ka.)
ひづけ
2 date (for calendar)
(hizuke)
きょうのひづけ
3 today's date
(kyoo no hizuke)
January いちがつ
4
(the first month) (ichi-gatsu)
5 The names of the months are easy! They are a combination of a number and がつ (month).
ついたち
6 the first day of the month
(tsuitachi)
In general, we can use the same terms to indicate the date and the number of days. For
example, ふつか can mean both "two days" and "the second day of the month." However, the
7
first day of the month is an exception! "One day" is いちにち , but "the first day of the month" is
ついたち .
いちがつついたち
8 January 1st
(ichi-gatsu tsuitachi)
いちがつついたち is しょうがつ or おしょうがつ (New Year's Day). For many people, おしょうが
つやすみ (New Year's Day holidays) starts on December 29th and lasts through January 3rd. They
9 spend the last few days of the year doing おおそうじ (literally, a "big cleaning") and preparing
tons of special dishes for the new year. When the new year arrives, they celebrate it by visiting
Shinto shrines, having big feasts, and enjoying the company of family and friends!
さんがつみっか
10 March 3rd
(san-gatsu mikka)
さんがつみっか (March 3rd) is ひなまつり (Doll's Festival). Traditionally, it's a day for girls, who
11 enjoy wearing a kimono and having a tea party in front of a gorgeous doll set created after the
fashion of the ancient court.
しがつ
12 April
(shi-gatsu)
Do you remember that the numbers 4, 7, and 9 have two ways of reading in Japanese and that we
13 sometimes use only one of them for a specific purpose? For example, the number 4 can be read
as よん or し , but we have to use し for "April" and say しがつ !
しがつよっか
14 April 4th
(shi-gatsu yokka)
ごがついつか
15 May 5th
(go-gatsu itsuka)
ごがついつか (May 5th) is こどものひ (Children's Day). Traditionally, it's a day for boys. Families
16 with boys celebrate the day by hoisting the colorful carp-shaped streamers and eating ちまき --
special rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves.
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English Japanese
しちがつ
17 July
(shichi-gatsu)
18 Though the number 7 can be read as なな or しち , we have to say しちがつ to mean "July."
しちがつなのか
19 July 7th
(shichi-gatsu nanoka)
しちがつなのか (July 7th) is たなばた , the Star Festival. Legend has it that this is the only day the
"star-crossed" lovers--a weaver and a cowboy who live on the opposite sides of the Milky Way, or
20
あまのがわ (literally, "river in the sky")--can meet, crossing a legendary bridge formed by
hundreds of magpies!
くがつ
21 September
(ku-gatsu)
The number 9 can be read as きゅう or く , but in the case of September, we always have to say
22
くがつ .
くがつここのか
23 September 9th
(ku-gatsu kokonoka)
なんがつ
24 what month
(nan-gatsu)
なんにち
25 what day
(nan-nichi)
what date なんがつなんにち

26
(what month what day) (nan-gatsu nan-nichi)
なんがつなんにち (literally, "what month what day") is the question word commonly used to ask
27
the calendar date.
すみません。きょうはなんがつなんにちです
か。
28 Excuse me. What date is it today?
(sumimasen. kyoo wa nan-gatsu nan-
nichi desu ka.)
きょうはじゅういちがつはつかです。
29 Today is November 20th.
(kyoo wa juu-ichi-gatsu hatsuka desu.)
たんじょうびはいつですか。
30 When is your birthday?
(tanjoobi wa itsu desu ka.)
たんじょうびですか。さんがつじゅうろくにち
ですよ。
31 My birthday? It's on March 16th, you know.
(tanjoobi desu ka. san-gatsu juu-roku-
nichi desu yo.)
プレゼントをおくりたいです。
32 I want to send a present.
(purezento o okuritai desu.)
ちちのたんじょうびはしがつにじゅうしちにち
です。にほんからプレゼントをおくりたいで
My father's birthday is on April 27th. I want to す。
33
send a present from Japan. (chichi no tanjoobi wa shi-gatsu ni-juu-
shichi-nichi desu. nihon kara purezento o
okuritai desu.)
Besides the everyday terms such as いちがつ or にがつ , Japanese has a traditional term for each
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185
month. じゅうがつ (October), for example, is also called かんなづき (literally, "the month without
gods"). This is because October is the month when all the gods in Japan (eight million of them)
34
are said to travel to the ancient Shinto shrine in いずも (located in Shimane Prefecture) for their
annual conference. For this reason, October in いずも is called かみありづき (the month with
gods)!
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Chapter 10: At the Hospital
病院にて
Chapter 10: At the Hospital

Describe Feelings of Pain or Illness Connect an Adjective Sentence with Another
Name Types of Medicine Sentence
Respond to Medical Questions Turn an Adjective into an Adverb
Understand Common Expressions Used in Understand the Order of Events Expressed by
Medical Clinics まえから and まえに
Use the "Period + に + Number +かい " to
Indicate Frequency
Use the "て -form + はいけません " Pattern to
Express Prohibition
Conversation
English Japanese
どうしましたか。
What seems to be the problem?
(doo shimashita ka.)
あたまがいたくて、さむけがします。
I have a headache and the chills.
(atama ga itakute, samuke ga shimasu.)
みっかまえからしょくよくもありません。
I have no appetite, either, since three days ago.
(mikka mae kara shokuyoku mo arimasen.)
ねつが３８どありますね。くちをおおきくあけて
You have a fever of 38 degrees, I see. Open your ください。
mouth wide, please. (netsu ga san-juu-hachi do arimasu ne. kuchi
o ookiku akete kudasai.)
のどがあかいですね。ただのかぜでしょう。
Your throat is red, I see. You have a common cold,
(nodo ga akai desu ne. tada no kaze
I think.
deshoo.)
かぜぐすりをだしますから、ねるまえににじょう
I'm going to prescribe cold medicine, so please のんでください。
take two tablets before going to bed. (kazegusuri o dashimasu kara, neru mae ni
ni-joo nonde kudasai.)
あのう、こんばん、おふろにはいってもいいです
か。
Um, may I take a bath tonight?
(anoo, konban, ofuro ni haitte mo ii desu
ka.)
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いいえ、きょうはいけませんよ。
No, not today.
(iie, kyoo wa ikemasen yo.)
きょうはくすりをのんで、はやくねてください。
Take your medicine and go to bed early today, おだいじに。
please. Take care. (kyoo wa kusuri o nonde, hayaku nete
kudasai. odaiji ni.)
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I have had no appetite since three days ago.
みっかまえから、しょくよくがありません。
English Japanese
みっかまえから、しょくよくがありません。
I have had no appetite since three days ago.
1 (mikka mae kara, shokuyoku ga
(I don't have appetite since three days ago.)
arimasen.)
しょくよく
2 appetite
(shokuyoku)
しょく in both しょくよく (appetite) and しょくじ (meal) means "eating." しょくよく literally
3
means an "eating desire," while しょくじ literally means an "eating affair"!
しょくよくがありません。
4 I don't have an appetite.
(shokuyoku ga arimasen.)
みっかまえから
5 since three days ago
(mikka mae kara)
The expression みっかまえから indicates that some action or state has begun three days ago,
has continued since, and is still happening as we speak. It is equivalent to "since three days ago"
6
or "for three days now." Please note that the word まえ is a noun, though its meaning in this
phrase is equivalent to "before" or "ago" in English.
What seems to be the problem? どうしましたか。
7
(How did you do?) (doo shimashita ka.)
かぜ
8 a cold
(kaze)
かぜをひく
9 to catch a cold
(kaze o hiku)
When we want to say "to catch a cold," we say かぜをひく in Japanese. The idiom is said to
10 originate in the ancient Chinese belief that people get sick when they "pull" (ひく ) the "evil spirit in
the wind" (かぜ ) into their body. Let's memorize this phrase as a whole unit.
かぜをひきました。
11 I have caught a cold.
(kaze o hikimashita.)
かぜをひいて
12 to catch a cold (in the "te"-form)
(kaze o hiite)
Do you remember that the "て -form plus います " pattern can be used to describe not only an
13 action in progress but also a "continuing state"--a state that has been continuing as the result of
some past action? In the next question, let's use this pattern to tell someone you have a cold!
かぜをひいています。
14 I have a cold.
(kaze o hiite imasu.)
ちょうし
15 condition
(chooshi)
おなかのちょうし
16 the condition of stomach
(onaka no chooshi)
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English Japanese
I have an upset stomach. おなかのちょうしがわるいです。
17
(The condition of stomach is bad.) (onaka no chooshi ga warui desu.)
おなかのちょうしがわるいです (literally, "The condition of stomach is bad") is a euphemism for

"I'm having diarrhea." In this case, おなか means the lower abdomen. If you specifically want to
18
mean the stomach (or the upper abdomen), use the Japanese term い and say いのちょうしがわ
るいです .
いっしゅうかんまえから、おなかのちょうしが
I have had an upset stomach since a week わるいです。
19
ago. (isshuukan mae kara, onaka no chooshi
ga warui desu.)
My stomach hurts. おなかがいたいです。

20
(Stomach is painful.) (onaka ga itai desu.)
いつから
21 since when
(itsu kara)
いつからおなかがいたいですか。
22 Since when has your stomach been hurting?
(itsu kara onaka ga itai desu ka.)
ごじかんまえからいたいです。
23 It has been hurting since five hours ago.
(go jikan mae kara itai desu.)
To answer the question いつからおなかがいたいですか (Since when has your stomach been
24
hurting?), we can also say, ごじかんまえからです (It has since five hours ago).
だいじょうぶでしょうか。
25 Do you think I am all right?
(daijoobu deshoo ka.)
みっかまえからおなかがいたいんです。だい
As a matter of fact, my stomach has been
じょうぶでしょうか。
26 hurting since three days ago. Do you think I
(mikka mae kara onaka ga itaindesu.
am all right?
daijoobu deshoo ka.)
The best thing about the Japanese health care system is that all the citizens are covered by
health insurance! There are two types: しゃかいほけん (Social Insurance) for those whose
27 employers participate in the program and こくみんけんこうほけん (National Health Insurance) for
the rest of the population. Foreigners can join the program as long as they are registered as
legal alien residents and are allowed to stay in Japan for more than one year.
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I have a headache and chills.
English Japanese
I have a headache and chills. あたまがいたくて、さむけがします。
1
(My head is painful, and I feel a chill.) (atama ga itakute, samuke ga shimasu.)
する
2 to feel, smell, or hear
(suru)
So far, we have been using the verb する to mean "to do." We can also use する to express what
we experience through our different senses (except for the faculty of sight). The English
3
equivalent would be "to feel," "to smell," or "to hear." In this usage, what is felt, smelled, or heard
is marked by the particle が .
さむけ
4 a chill
(samuke)
Do you remember that the Japanese word for "cold" is さむい ? け in さむけ (a chill) means
5
"feeling," so the word literally means a "cold feeling."
to have chills さむけがする
6
(to feel a chill) (samuke ga suru)
さむけがします。
7 I have chills.
(samuke ga shimasu.)
I have a headache. あたまがいたいです。

8
(My head is painful. ) (atama ga itai desu.)
いたくて
9 painful and
(itakute)
When we want to connect a sentence that ends with an い -adjective and です (as in いたいです or
10 "It's painful") with another sentence, we drop です and replace the adjective ending い with くて ,
as in いたくて . It's the equivalent of "It's painful, and ...."
I have a headache, and あたまがいたくて
11
(My head is painful, and) (atama ga itakute)
Many of the expressions used to describe medical conditions are established as idioms. Let's try
12
to memorize them as a whole, including the particles.
はきけ
13 nausea
(hakike)
はき in はきけ (nausea) is derived from the verb はく (to throw up). はきけ , therefore, literally
14
means a "throwing-up feeling."
I feel nauseous. はきけがします。
15
(I feel nausea.) (hakike ga shimasu.)
My stomach hurts, and I feel nauseous. おなかがいたくて、はきけがします。
16
(My stomach is painful, and I feel nausea.) (onaka ga itakute, hakike ga shimasu.)
めまい
17 dizziness
(memai)
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English Japanese
I feel dizzy. めまいがします。
18
(I feel dizziness.) (memai ga shimasu.)
くるしい
19 distressing
(kurushii)
While the word いたい describes direct pain such as a muscle pain or a headache, くるしい is
20
used to describe the strong sense of discomfort felt in the chest or the abdomen.
むね
21 chest
(mune)
I feel a pain in my chest. むねがくるしいです。

22
(Chest is distressing.) (mune ga kurushii desu.)
むねがくるしくて、めまいがします。
23 I feel a pain in my chest, and I feel dizzy. (mune ga kurushikute, memai ga
shimasu.)
でる
24 to come out
(deru)
でます
25 come out
(demasu)
nasal drip はなみず

26
(nose water) (hanamizu)
If you are wondering why Japanese people call nasal drips "flower water," please note that はな
27
(flower) and はな (nose) are completely different words even though they sound identical!
I have a runny nose. はなみずがでます。
28
(Nasal drips come out.) (hanamizu ga demasu.)
せき
29 cough
(seki)
I have a cough. せきがでます。

30
(A cough comes out.) (seki ga demasu.)
My throat hurts. のどがいたいです。

31
(My throat is painful.) (nodo ga itai desu.)
のどがいたくて、せきとはなみずがでます。
My throat hurts, and I have a cough and a しょくよくもありません。
32
runny nose. I don't have an appetite, either. (nodo ga itakute, seki to hanamizu ga
demasu. shokuyoku mo arimasen.)
In general, Japanese hospitals (びょういん ) and smaller private practices (generally called いいん )
adopt the "first-come, first-serve" system except for emergencies. Arrive early, otherwise you
33 end up sitting in the waiting room for long hours! For most private practices, you go straight to
specialists; no referrals are needed. For example, if you have pink eye, you go to がんか (eye
clinic). If you have the flu or suffer from a general malaise, try ないか (internal medicine clinic).
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What kind of pain is it? どんないたみですか。
English Japanese
どんないたみですか。
1 What kind of pain is it?
(don-na itami desu ka.)
いたみ
2 pain
(itami)
どんないたみ
3 what kind of pain
(don-na itami)
Do you remember that many expressions in Japanese are made of a pair of identical "words" that
4 mimic a sound or a motion, such as そろそろ (by and by)? Let's learn some of them in this
section so that you will be able to describe your pain more accurately in Japan.
ずきずきする
5 to throb with pain
(zuki zuki suru)
ずきずきします。
6 It throbs with pain.
(zuki zuki shimasu.)
きず
7 a wound
(kizu)
てのきず
8 a wound on my hand
(te no kizu)
てのきずがずきずきします。
9 The wound on my hand throbs with pain.
(te no kizu ga zuki zuki shimasu.)
がんがんする
10 to suffer from a splitting headache
(gan gan suru)
I have a splitting headache. あたまががんがんします。

11
(My head suffers from a splitting headache.) (atama ga gan gan shimasu.)
いたむ
12 to hurt
(itamu)
いたみます。
13 It hurts.
(itamimasu.)
しくしくいたむ
14 to have persistent dull pain
(shiku shiku itamu)
おなかがしくしくいたみます。
15 I have persistent dull pain in my stomach.
(onaka ga shiku shiku itamimasu.)
きりきりいたむ
16 to have excruciating pain
(kiri kiri itamu)
おなかがきりきりいたみます。
17 I have excruciating pain in my stomach.
(onaka ga kiri kiri itamimasu.)
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English Japanese
I burnt myself. やけどをしました。
18
(I did a burn.) (yakedo o shimashita.)
We learned the expressions やけどをしました and けがをしました in the previous unit. In these
19 cases, the verb する works like "suffer" in English. They are very commonly used expressions.
Let's memorize them as idioms.
てにやけどをしました。
20 I burnt my hand.
(te ni yakedo o shimashita.)
Did you remember that we use the particle に to indicate the part of the body that suffers the
21
injury, burn, or any other affliction?
ひりひりする
22 to burn (when referring to a pain)
(hiri hiri suru)
ひりひり is a painful sensation you feel on your skin when you get a bad sunburn or put medicine
23 on raw skin. Also, you feel it on your tongue after licking a hot pepper! The English equivalent of
the verb ひりひりする can be "to burn," "to feel irritated," or "to be tingling."
まだ
24 still or yet
(mada)
まだ、ひりひりします。
25 It still burns.
(mada, hiri hiri shimasu.)
きのう、てにやけどをしました。まだひりひり
します。
26 I burnt my hand yesterday. It still burns.
(ki-noo, te ni yakedo o shimashita. mada
hiri hiri shimasu.)
Japanese people are known to visit doctors for the slightest symptoms, but some people still try
natural remedies using what is available around their house or yard. アロエ (aloe) works for a
27 burn; so do the green leaves of びわ (Japanese medlar). こんにゃく (konjak jelly) is said to work
for kidneys, when eaten, and for muscle pains as a hot compress. And at the first sign of a cold?
Have some hot みそしる (miso soup) with chopped green onion and go to bed early!
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You have a fever of thirty-eight degrees, I see.
ねつがさんじゅうはちどありますね。
English Japanese
1 You have a fever of thirty-eight degrees, I see.
(netsu ga san-juu-hachi do arimasu ne.)
So far we have been using the sentence-ending particle ね to solicit an agreement from the
listener (as in "It's cold, isn't it!") or to request a confirmation from the listener (as in "Tempura
2
Special, right?"). We can also use it simply to air our observation in a matter-of-a-fact tone. In
this case, ね is equivalent to "...., I see" in English. Let's try it in the next question.
ねつがあります。
3 You have a fever.
(netsu ga arimasu.)
さんじゅうはちど
4 thirty-eight degrees
(san-juu-hachi do)
5 Please note the temperature here is in せっし or Celsius. 38℃ is equivalent to 100.4°F.
ねつがさんじゅうはちどあります。
6 You have a fever of thirty-eight degrees.
(netsu ga san-juu-hachi do arimasu.)
あがる
7 to go up
(agaru)
あがります
8 go up
(agarimasu)
ねつがあがりましたね。
9 The fever has gone up, I see.
(netsu ga agarimashita ne.)
さがる
10 to go down or to come down
(sagaru)
さがります
11 come down
(sagarimasu)
さんじゅうななどごぶ
12 thirty-seven point five degrees
(san-juu-nana do go bu)
When we talk about the body temperature, we often use ぶ to indicate decimal numbers. For
13 example, many people read 37.5 degrees as さんじゅうななどごぶ in Japanese. We can also say
さんじゅうななてんごど .
ねつがさんじゅうななどごぶまでさがりました
The fever has come down to thirty-seven ね。
14
point five degrees, I see. (netsu ga san-juu-nana do go bu made
sagarimashita ne.)
Let me take a peek at your throat. ちょっとのどをみせてください。

15
(Please show me your throat a little bit.) (chotto nodo o misete kudasai.)
のどがあかいですね。
16 Your throat is red, I see.
(nodo ga akai desu ne.)
Your throat is red, and you also have a fever, I のどがあかくて、ねつもありますね。

17
see. (nodo ga akakute, netsu mo arimasu ne.)
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195
English Japanese
ただの
18 common
(tadano)
ただのかぜ
19 a common cold
(tada no kaze)
ただのかぜでしょう。
20 It is a common cold, I think.
(tada no kaze deshoo.)
しんぱい
21 a worry
(shinpai)
22 しんぱい can be a noun (worry, anxiety, or care) or a な -adjective (worrisome).

いりません
23 don't need
(irimasen)
There is no need to worry. しんぱいはいりません。
24
(As for a worry, you don't need it.) (shinpai wa irimasen.)
We have learned to use the particle が along with the verb いる (to need) as in みずがいります
(We need water), right? However, to say "Don't worry," we always use the particle は and say しん
25
ぱいはいりません (literally, "As for worry, you don't need it"). Let's learn it as an idiom. In
everyday conversations, you can omit the particle は and say しんぱいいりません .
ただのかぜでしょう。しんぱいはいりません
It is a common cold, I think. There is no need よ。
26
to worry, you know. (tada no kaze deshoo. shinpai wa
irimasen yo.)
27 Now, let's use しんぱい as a な -adjective in the next question.

ちょっとしんぱいです。
28 It is a little bit worrisome.
(chotto shinpai desu.)
けんさ
29 test or inspection
(kensa)
We can use けんさ to mean either a medical test such as a blood test, or an inspection such as a
30
baggage check.
to have a test けんさする
31
(to do a test) (kensa suru)
けんさしましょう。
32 Let's have some tests.
(kensa shimashoo.)
うーん
33 hmmm
(uun)
うーん can be a groan or a sound the speaker makes when he or she is considering some weighty
34 matter. It's like "Hmmm" in English. Please don't mix it up with うん , which is a casual way to say
"yes" in Japanese!
うーん、これはちょっとしんぱいですね。けん
Hmmm, this is a little bit worrisome, I see. さしましょう。
35
Let's have some tests. (uun, kore wa chotto shinpai desu ne.
kensa shimashoo.)
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196
English Japanese
Until recently, most Japanese doctors would avoid giving bad news to their patients in person.
They would instead tell the truth to the patients' family, who in turn might decide not to relay the
36 news to the patients. Today, the idea of "informed consent" has become more prevalent, but still
many doctors try to soften the impact of blunt truth by choosing roundabout expressions in their
explanation.
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197
Open your mouth wide, please.
くちをおおきくあけてください。
English Japanese
Open your mouth wide, please. くちをおおきくあけてください。
1
(Please open mouth widely.) (kuchi o ookiku akete kudasai.)
Here are some sound effects you'll be making when you are sick in Japan! If you have a dry
cough, you go コンコン ; if it's a wet cough, the sound changes to ゴホゴホ . When you have
congestion, your breath sounds like ゼーゼー , and your sneeze will come out as ハクション !
2
Speaking of sneezing, don't expect to receive a "Bless you!" while in Japan. The most likely
reaction you'll get from people around you upon sneezing is the discreet shifting of their position
away from you!
あけて
3 to open (in the "te"-form)
(akete)
あけてください。
4 Please open.
(akete kudasai.)
くち
5 mouth
(kuchi)
くちをあけてください。
6 Please open your mouth.
(kuchi o akete kudasai.)
おおきく
7 widely
(ookiku)
When we want to turn an い -adjective such as おおきい (big) into an adverb, we can drop the last
8 い and add く instead, as in おおきく .　おおきく can be translated as "widely," "deeply," "loudly,"
and so on depending on the context.
すう
9 to inhale
(suu)
いき
10 a breath
(iki)
You take a breath. いきをすいます。

11
(You inhale a breath.) (iki o suimasu.)
すって
12 to inhale (in the "te"-form)
(sutte)
いきをすってください。
13 Please take a breath.
(iki o sutte kudasai.)
Please take a deep breath. いきをおおきくすってください。

14
(Please inhale a breath deeply.) (iki o ookiku sutte kudasai.)
ねる
15 to sleep or to go to bed
(neru)
ねます
16 sleep or go to bed
(nemasu)
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198
English Japanese
ねて
17 to go to bed (in the "te"-form)
(nete)
ねてください。
18 Please go to bed.
(nete kudasai.)
はやい
19 fast or early (adjective)
(hayai)
はやくねてください。
20 Please go to bed early.
(hayaku nete kudasai.)
ねつがありますから、きょうははやくねてくだ
Since you have a fever, please go to bed early さい。
21
today. (netsu ga arimasu kara, kyoo wa hayaku
nete kudasai.)
うがい
22 gargling
(ugai )
to gargle うがいする
23
(to do gargling) (ugai suru)
よくうがいしてください。
24 Please gargle well.
(yoku ugai shite kudasai.)
Do you remember that うち can mean not only a "house," but also "(one's own) home"? Let's
25
use it in the next question!
のどがあかいですね。うちでよくうがいしてく
Your throat is red, I see. Please gargle well at ださい。
26
home. (nodo ga akai desu ne. uchi de yoku ugai
shite kudasai.)
Many Japanese firmly believe that うがい (gargling) is one of the most fundamental preventive
practices against common cold and flu. There are many うがいぐすり (literally, "gargling
27
medicine") on the shelves of drugstores, and parents diligently teach their children to do ガラガラ
ペッ！ ("Gargle, gargle, ptui!") as soon as they come home after being outside!
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Please take this medicine three times a day.
このくすりをいちにちにさんかいのんでください。
English Japanese
このくすりをいちにちにさんかいのんでくださ
い。
1 Please take this medicine three times a day.
(kono kusuri o ichi-nichi ni sankai nonde
kudasai.)
にほんじんのくすりずき (Japanese love of medicine) is a well-known fact. Serious about their

health, many people take multiple prescribed drugs even for a simple cold. In addition, they
2 spend a small fortune on alternative medicines, such as かんぽうやく (Chinese herbal medicine),
and various health supplements, such as あおじる (green-leaf juice), らんゆ (egg oil), and すっぽ
んエキス (the extract of Chinese soft-shelled turtle)!
のむ
3 to take (medicine)
(nomu)
We have so far used the verb のむ to mean "to drink." We can also use it to mean "to take
4
(medicine)."
のみます
5 take (medicine)
(nomimasu)
のんで
6 to take (medicine) (in the "te"-form)
(nonde)
のんでください
7 please take (medicine)
(nonde kudasai)
くすり
8 medicine
(kusuri)
このくすりをのんでください。
9 Please take this medicine.
(kono kusuri o nonde kudasai.)
さんかい
10 three times
(sankai)
11 かい in さんかい (three times) is the counter for occurrence.

いちにちにさんかい
12 three times a day
(ichi-nichi ni sankai)
When we want to describe how often we do something or how often something happens, we can
13 use the "(time period) に X かい " pattern. For example, to say "three times a day," we can say い
ちにちにさんかい in Japanese.
いちにちにいっかい
14 once a day
(ichi-nichi ni ikkai)
15 Did you notice that the pronunciation of いち (one) changes in いっかい (once)?
いちにちににかい
16 twice a day
(ichi-nichi ni nikai)
いちじょう
17 one tablet
(ichi-joo)
18 じょう is the counter for tablets of medicine.
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201
English Japanese
にじょう
19 two tablets
(ni-joo)
にじょうずつ
20 two tablets at a time
(ni-joo zutsu)
このくすりを、いちにちににかい、にじょうず
Please take this medicine twice a day, two つのんでください。
21
tablets at a time. (kono kusuri o, ichi-nichi ni nikai, ni-joo
zutsu nonde kudasai.)
しょくじのまえに
22 before a meal
(shokuji no mae ni)
まえに ("before" or "ago") is one of the expressions that indicate the order of events. When まえ
に (before) follows a noun, we need the particle の to connect the noun and まえに . Please note
23
that the nouns that come before まえに are those that either denote actions or events (such as a
walk or a concert) or imply actions (such as a bath or a meal).
しょくじのまえに、このくすりをいちじょうの
Please take one tablet of this medicine before んでください。
24
a meal. (shokuji no mae ni, kono kusuri o ichi-joo
nonde kudasai.)
にじかんまえに
25 two hours ago
(ni-jikan mae ni)
Please note that we don't need the particle の when まえに comes right after a time period as in
26
にじかんまえに (two hours ago).
にじかんまえにくすりをいちじょうのみまし
I took one tablet of the medicine two hours た。
27
ago. (ni-jikan mae ni kusuri o ichi-joo
nomimashita.)
しょくじのさんじゅっぷんまえに
28 thirty minutes before a meal
(shokuji no sanjuppun mae ni)
このあかいくすりは、しょくじのさんじゅっぷ
As for this red medicine, please take it thirty んまえにのんでください。
29
minutes before a meal. (kono akai kusuri wa, shokuji no
sanjuppun mae ni nonde kudasai.)
Here are some terminologies and their meanings regarding when to take medicine. If the
instruction says しょくぜん (before meals), you take it within thirty minutes before a meal; if it
says しょくご , you take it within thirty minutes after a meal. しょっかん (between meals) means
30
about two to three hours after your last meal, and ねるまえ (before going to bed) means thirty
minutes to one hour before your bedtime. If the instruction says とんぷく , you take it when the
symptom appears.
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Please take this cough medicine before going to
bed.
ねるまえに、このせきどめをのんでください。
English Japanese
Please take this cough medicine before going
1 (neru mae ni, kono sekidome o nonde
to bed.
kudasai.)
せきどめ
2 cough medicine
(sekidome)
どめ in せきどめ (cough medicine) derives from the verb とめる (to stop). せきどめ , therefore, is
3
literally a "cough stopper"!
このせきどめをのんでください。
4 Please take this cough medicine.
(kono sekidome o nonde kudasai.)
ねるまえに
5 before going to bed
(neru mae ni)
When we want to say that some action or event happens before another action or event, we use
6
the dictionary form of a verb before まえに , as in ねるまえに (before going to bed).
たべるまえに
7 before eating
(taberu mae ni)
ごちそう
8 a rich meal
(gochisoo)
ごちそう means a "feast," "banquet," "treat," or "rich meal." Do you remember that Japanese say
9
ごちそうさまでした after every meal? It literally means something like "I appreciated the feast"!
ごちそうをたべるまえに
10 before eating a rich meal
(gochisoo o taberu mae ni)
いぐすり
11 digestive medicine
(igusuri)
ごちそうをたべるまえに、いぐすりをのみまし
Before eating the rich meal, I took a digestive た。
12
medicine. (gochisoo o taberu mae ni, igusuri o
nomimashita.)
Please note that you can use the "dictionary form of the verb plus まえに " pattern regardless of
13 the tense of the sentence that follows the phrase. For example, when we want to say, "I took the
medicine before I ate," we can say, たべるまえにくすりをのみました .
ぬる
14 apply (medicine)
(nuru)
15 ぬる can mean "to paint" or "to apply (medicine, paint, or cosmetics)."

ぬるまえに
16 before applying (medicine)
(nuru mae ni)
なんこう
17 ointment
(nankoo)
なんこうをぬるまえに
18 before applying the ointment
(nankoo o nuru mae ni)
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English Japanese
あらう
19 to wash
(arau)
あらいます
20 wash
(araimasu)
あらって
21 to wash (in the "te"-form)
(aratte)
てをあらってください。
22 Please wash your hands.
(te o aratte kudasai.)
なんこうをぬるまえに、てをあらってくださ
Before applying the ointment, please wash い。
23
your hands. (nankoo o nuru mae ni, te o aratte
kudasai.)
だす
24 to serve
(dasu)
だす is a common verb with many meanings, but here we use it to mean "to serve" or "offer"
25 something, including tea, food, medicine, or prescriptions. The translation will vary depending on
the object.
だします
26 serve
(dashimasu)
しょほうせん
27 prescription
(sho-hoosen)
I will write a prescription. しょほうせんをだします。

28
(I will serve a prescription.) (sho-hoosen o dashimasu.)
かぜぐすり
29 cold medicine
(kazegusuri)
I will dispense a cold medicine. かぜぐすりをだします。

30
(I will serve a cold medicine.) (kazegusuri o dashimasu.)
Traditionally, Japanese doctors dispensed medicines directly to their patients, but since WWII the
government has promoted the division of labor between doctors and pharmacists. Today, it is
31 reported that more than 50% of doctors in Japan write "out-of-the-clinic" prescriptions (いんがい
しょほうせん ) so that their patients can take the prescriptions to pharmacies to get their
medicines. The rest of the doctors, however, still keep their own dispensaries.
The particle から that indicates the cause or the reason is often used even in cases where the
32 cause-effect relation between two sentences is not very clear. In such a case, the English
equivalent would be "X, so Y." Let's try this usage in the next question.
かぜぐすりをだしますから、ねるまえににじょ
I'll dispense a cold medicine, so please take うのんでください。
33
two tablets before going to bed. (kazegusuri o dashimasu kara, neru mae
ni ni-joo nonde kudasai.)
mangolanguages.com
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You must not drink alcoholic beverages.
おさけをのんではいけません。
English Japanese
1 You must not drink alcoholic beverages.
(osake o nonde wa ikemasen.)
In general, drinking alcohol or いんしゅ is not only well-accepted in society, but even encouraged
at social gatherings in Japan. Many people believe that drinking together promotes good
relationships, and it's common for businessmen to make a deal with their clients at bars and
2
restaurants. In such occasions, you may say, "No, thank you," but well-wishers would likely keep
nagging you to empty your glass. A good excuse, then, is to invoke ドクターストップ or your
doctor's order to stop drinking!
のんではいけません。
3 You must not drink.
(nonde wa ikemasen.)
We can use the "て -form plus はいけません " pattern to prohibit someone from doing something.
It's equivalent to "(You) must not...." Please note that this is a polite yet rather strong expression,
4
and you will probably hear it used by some authority figures, such as parents, teachers, and
doctors.
おさけ
5 alcoholic beverage
(osake)
おさけ (or さけ ) can mean either "rice wine" or "alcoholic beverages" in general. Please note that
6
many people say おさけ even in casual conversations, as in the case of おちゃ (tea).
たばこ
7 cigarette
(tabako)
I smoke cigarettes. たばこをすいます。

8
(I inhale cigarettes.) (tabako o suimasu.)
たばこをすってはいけません。
9 You must not smoke cigarettes.
(tabako o sutte wa ikemasen.)
ひどい
10 terrible
(hidoi)
You have a terrible cough. せきがひどいです。

11
(Cough is terrible.) (seki ga hidoi desu.)
せきがひどいですね。しばらくたばこをすって
You have a terrible cough, I see. You must not はいけませんよ。
12
smoke cigarettes for a while, you know. (seki ga hidoi desu ne. shibaraku tabako
o sutte wa ikemasen yo.)
Quitting smoking, or きんえん , has lately become a social trend in Japan. While Western anti-
smoking campaigns seem to focus on the health of smokers themselves, Japanese campaigns
13 tend to emphasize how one's smoking affects other people. For those who refuse to quit
smoking, the long list of たばこのマナー (cigarette-smoking etiquette) has been widely
propagated, offering detailed instructions on how to smoke without troubling others around them!
はいる
14 to get in
(hairu)
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English Japanese
はいります
15 get in
(hairimasu)
I take a bath. おふろにはいります。
16
(I get into a bath.) (ofuro ni hairimasu.)
Did you remember that of the three particles (まで , へ , and に） that function as the equivalent of
17 "to" in English, に emphasizes the "point of contact"? Let's memorize ～にはいる (to get into ~)
as an idiom.
はいって
18 to get in (in the "te"-form)
(haitte)
おふろにはいってもいいですか。
19 May I take a bath?
(ofuro ni haitte mo ii desu ka.)
あのう、こんばんおふろにはいってもいいです
か。
20 Um, may I take a bath tonight?
(anoo, konban ofuro ni haitte mo ii desu
ka.)
To take a bath or not to take a bath...that is an important question when you get sick in Japan.
Because most Japanese people have no central heating system at home, they are afraid of ゆざ
21
め --getting a chill after a bath--during cold winter days. Also, they are afraid that putting a sick
person into a hot tub would exacerbate the illness by wearing him or her out.
22 Let's figure out short answers to the question おふろにはいってもいいですか (May I take a bath?).
ええ、いいですよ。
23 Yes, you may, you know.
(ee, ii desu yo.)
いけません。
24 You must not.
(ikemasen.)
Instead of using the whole structure of the "て -form plus はいけません " pattern, we can use the
25 short version いけません to tell others not to do something. It's equivalent to "You must not" in
English.
No, not today, you know. いいえ、きょうはいけませんよ。
26
(No, as for today, you must not, you know.) (iie, kyoo wa ikemasen yo.)
きょうは、くすりをのんで、はやくねてくださ
Please take the medicine and go to bed early い。おだいじに。
27
today. Take good care of yourself. (kyoo wa, kusuri o nonde, hayaku nete
The Japanese love of medicines might originate in the old saying, かぜはまんびょうのもと (A cold
is the father of ten thousand illness). Yet, they also know that やまいはきから (Our illness mirrors
our mental state). They try to stay healthy by following the old advice, はらはちぶめにいしゃいら
28
ず (Eat less and you'll need no doctor), or はやねはやおきいしゃしらず (If you go to bed early and
get up early, you'll never see a doctor).　 Once they get sick, they may try ずかんそくねつ (Keep
your head cold and your feet warm) to get well soon!
mangolanguages.com
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Vocabulary Review
English Japanese
「しちにんのさむらい」
"Seven Samurai"
("shichi-nin no samurai")
おやこどんぶり
"parent-child" rice bowl
(oyako donburi)
あれ !
Ah!
(are!)
しがつ
April
(shi-gatsu)
にがてなんです。
As a matter of fact, I am poor at it.
(nigate nandesu.)
クリスマス
Christmas
(kurisumasu)
おわすれなく！
Don't forget!
(owasurenaku!)
えのしま
Enoshima
(enoshima)
きんようび
Friday
(kin-yoobi)
どうぞ。
Go ahead.
(doozo.)
おやすみなさい。
Good night.
(oyasuminasai.)
Hello (when announcing one's arrival at ごめんください。

someone's house). (gomenkudasai.)
ほっかいどう
Hokkaido
(hokkaidoo)
なんどでしょうか。
How hot do you think it is?
(nan-do deshoo ka.)
いくらかかるでしょうか。
How much do you think it will cost?
(ikura kakaru deshoo ka.)
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English Japanese
しりませんでした。
I didn't know.
(shirimasendeshita.)
かまいません。
I don't mind.
(kamaimasen.)
うみのほうがすきです。
I like the ocean better.
(umi no hoo ga suki desu.)
I'd like to exchange money.

りょうがえしたいんですが・・・。
(As a matter of fact, I want to exchange money,
(ryoogae shitaindesu ga....)
but....)
そうします。
I'll do so.
(soo shimasu.)
I'm tired. つかれました。

(I tired myself. ) (tsukaremashita.)
ぼく
I/me
(boku)
いたみます。
It hurts.
(itamimasu.)
あつかったです。
It was hot.
(atsukatta desu.)
January いちがつ
(the first month) (ichi-gatsu)
パチンコ
Japanese pinball
(pachinko)
ふとん
Japanese-style bedding
(futon)
おしいれ
Japanese-style closet
(oshi-ire)
ざしき
Japanese-style drawing room
(zashiki)
Japanese-style family room ちゃのま

(space for tea) (chanoma)
しちがつ
July
(shichi-gatsu)
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
きゅうしゅう
Kyushu
(kyuushuu)
もちましょう。
Let me carry it for you.
(mochimashoo.)
えーっと・・・。
Let me see....
(eetto....)
いきましょう。
Let's go.
(ikimashoo.)
いそぎましょう。
Let's hurry.
(isogimashoo.)
あいましょう。
Let's meet.
(aimashoo)
May I ask you? おねがいしてもいいですか。

(May I request?) (onegai shite mo ii desu ka.)
げつようび
Monday
(getsu-yoobi)
あそさん
Mt. Aso
(asosan)
ふじさん
Mt. Fuji
(fujisan)
たかおさん
Mt. Takao
(takaosan)
いえいえ。
No, no.
(ie ie.)
それほどでも。
Not so much.
(sore hodo demo.)
OK. わかりました。
(I understood.) (wakarimashita.)
へえ？
Oh?
(hee?)
どうぞ。
Please come in.
(doozo.)
mangolanguages.com
210
English Japanese
おしえてください。
Please tell me.
(oshiete kudasai.)
どようび
Saturday
(do-yoobi)
くがつ
September
(ku-gatsu)
あんないしましょうか。
Shall I show you around?
(an-nai shimashoo ka.)
やすみましょうか。
Shall we rest?
(yasumimashoo ka.)
にちようび
Sunday
(nichi-yoobi)
テレビ
TV
(terebi)
どうやってつくるんですか。
Tell me, how do you make it?
(doo-yatte tsukurundesu ka.)
Thank you for inviting me in. おじゃまします。

(I'll hinder you.) (ojama shimasu.)
Thank you for your time and hospitality. おじゃましました。

(I hindered you.) (ojama shimashita.)
もくようび
Thursday
(moku-yoobi)
とうきょうプラザ
Tokyo Plaza
(tookyoo puraza)
かようび
Tuesday
(ka-yoobi)
カラオケもあります。
We are going to have karaoke, too.
(karaoke mo arimasu.)
すいようび
Wednesday
(sui-yoobi)
いらっしゃい。
Welcome.
(irasshai.)
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211
English Japanese
そうですね・・・。
Well....
(soo desu ne....)
えっ !?
What!?
(e!?)
わあ！
Wow!
(waa!)
のんではいけません。
You must not drink.
(nonde wa ikemasen.)
いけません。
You must not.
(ikemasen.)
いき
a breath
(iki)
さむけ
a chill
(samuke)
かぜ
a cold
(kaze)
もうすこし
a little more
(moo sukoshi)
a pair of boots ブーツ

(boots) (buutsu)
a pair of sandals サンダル

(sandal) (sandaru)
れんしゅう
a practice
(renshuu )
プレゼント
a present
(purezento)
おねがい
a request
(onegai)
ごちそう
a rich meal
(gochisoo)
ぶつま
a room with the family Buddhist altar
(butsuma)
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English Japanese
しんぱい
a worry
(shinpai)
きず
a wound
(kizu)
いれます
add
(iremasu)
そうきんしてから
after you remit it
(sookin shite kara)
ごご
afternoon or p.m.
(gogo)
こうくうびん
airmail
(kookuubin)
おさけ
alcoholic beverage
(osake)
みんな
all
(min-na)
もう
already
(moo)
きせつで
among seasons
(kisetsu de)
ゆうえんち
amusement park
(yuuenchi)
もうひとり
another person
(moo hitori)
しょくよく
appetite
(shokuyoku)
ぬる
apply (medicine)
(nuru)
おさがしですか
are you looking for?
(osagashi desu ka)
よじごろ
around four o'clock
(yo-ji goro)
mangolanguages.com
213
English Japanese
さんじゅうどぐらい
around thirty degrees
(sanjuu-do gurai)
とどきます
arrive
(todokimasu)
くじに
at nine o'clock
(ku-ji ni)
あき
autumn
(aki)
バー
bar
(baa)
やきゅう
baseball
(yakyuu)
ふろば
bathroom
(furoba)
ビーチ
beach
(biichi)
きれい
beautiful
(kiree)
なりました
became
(narimashita)
から
because
(kara)
なります
become
(narimasu)
やすくなります
become inexpensive
(yasuku narimasu)
ベッド
bed
(beddo)
しょくじのまえに
before a meal
(shokuji no mae ni)
ねるまえに
before going to bed
(neru mae ni)
mangolanguages.com
214
English Japanese
ひとり
being by oneself
(hitori)
おひとり
being by oneself
(ohitori)
best or most いちばん

(number one) (ichiban)
たんじょうび
birthday
(tanjoobi)
くろい
black
(kuroi)
ごうコン
blind-date party
(gookon)
ブラウス
blouse
(burausu)
わかします
boil (water)
(wakashimasu)
ほんだな
bookshelf
(hondana)
どちらも
both or neither
(dochira mo)
both tennis and golf
はこ
box
(hako)
おべんとう
box lunch
(obentoo)
boy おとこのこ
(male child) (otoko no ko)
boyfriend かれ
(he/him) (kare)
やきます
broil
(yakimasu)
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215
English Japanese
いそがしい
busy
(isogashii)
ぜひ
by all means
(zehi)
そろそろ
by and by
(soro soro)
カフェ
cafe
(kafe)
ケーキ
cake
(keeki)
ケーキや
cake shop
(keeki-ya)
カメラ
camera
(kamera)
can do できます
(is/am/are able to do) (dekimasu)
こい
carp
(koi)
もちます
carry
(mochimasu)
ねこ
cat
(neko)
あかるい
cheerful
(akarui)
さくら
cherry blossom
(sakura)
おはなみ
cherry-blossom viewing picnic
(ohanami)
むね
chest
(mune)
chicken (as meat) とりにく

(bird meat) (tori-niku)
mangolanguages.com
216
English Japanese
チキンカレー
chicken curry
(chikin karee)
たばこ
cigarette
(tabako)
しめます
close
(shimemasu)
にまんえんちかく
close to twenty thousand yen
(niman en chikaku)
ふく
clothes
(fuku)
くもり
cloudy weather
(kumori)
コート
coat
(kooto)
カクテル
cocktail
(kakuteru)
コーヒーでも
coffee or something
(koohii demo)
かぜぐすり
cold medicine
(kazegusuri)
いろ
color
(iro)
きます
come
(kimasu)
さがります
come down
(sagarimasu)
でます
come out
(demasu)
ただの
common
(tadano)
かいしゃ
company
(kaisha)
mangolanguages.com
217
English Japanese
かいしゃいん
company employee
(kaisha-in)
ちょうし
condition
(chooshi)
べんり
convenient
(benri)
にます
cook (in liquid)
(nimasu)
たきます
cook (rice)
(takimasu)
りょうり
cooking
(ryoori)
すずしい
cool
(suzushii)
かかります
cost
(kakarimasu)
せき
cough
(seki)
せきどめ
cough medicine
(sekidome)
カップ
cup
(kappu)
カレールー
curry roux
(karee ruu)
かわいい
cute
(kawaii)
ダンス
dancing
(dansu)
ひづけ
date (for calendar)
(hizuke)
つくえ
desk
(tsukue)
mangolanguages.com
218
English Japanese
デザート
dessert
(dezaato)
いぐすり
digestive medicine
(igusuri)
セール
discount sale
(seeru)
くるしい
distressing
(kurushii)
めまい
dizziness
(memai)
します
do
(shimasu)
いぬ
dog
(inu)
いきません
don't go
(ikimasen)
すきじゃありません
don't like
(suki ja arimasen)
いりません
don't need
(irimasen)
dress ワンピース
(one-piece) (wanpiisu)
のみます
drink
(nomimasu)
たべます
eat
(tabemasu)
たまご
egg
(tamago)
やっつ
eight (items)
(yattsu)
ようか
eight days
(yooka)
mangolanguages.com
219
English Japanese
はっかげつ
eight months
(hakkagetsu)
はっしゅうかん
eight weeks
(hasshuukan)
はっさい
eight years old
(hassai)
じゅうはっさい
eighteen years old
(juu hassai)
あに
elder brother
(ani)
あね
elder sister
(ane)
おもしろい
enjoyable
(omoshiroi)
げんかん
entrance hall
(genkan)
ばん
evening
(ban)
ゆうがた
evening (before dark)
(yuugata)
まいにち
every day
(mai-nichi)
たかい
expensive
(takai)
ふります
fall (referring to rain or snow)
(furimasu)
かぞく
family
(kazoku)
ごかぞく
family
(gokazoku)
ゆうめい
famous
(yuumee)
mangolanguages.com
220
English Japanese
はやい
fast or early (adjective)
(hayai)
ちち
father
(chichi)
おんな
female (for humans)
(on-na)
さきに
first
(saki ni)
まず
first of all
(mazu)
つり
fishing
(tsuri)
しちゃくしつ
fitting room
(shichaku-shitsu)
いつつ
five (items)
(itsutsu)
いつか
five days
(itsuka)
ハイキングに
for a hike
(haikingu ni)
しばらく
for a while
(shibaraku)
はじめて
for the first time
(hajimete)
よっつ
four (items)
(yottsu)
よっか
four days
(yokka)
よっか
four days
(yokka)
よじ
four o'clock
(yoji)
mangolanguages.com
221
English Japanese
よにん
four people
(yonin)
じゅうよっか
fourteen days
(juu-yokka)
ひま
free (when referring to one's schedule)
(hima)
げんき
full of energy
(genki)
おもしろい
funny
(omoshiroi)
おにわ
garden
(oniwa)
にわ
garden/yard
(niwa)
うがい
gargling
(ugai )
おとなしい
gentle (as for animals)
(otonashii)
はいります
get in
(hairimasu)
かのじょ
girlfriend
(kanojo)
いきます
go
(ikimasu)
かえります
go home
(kaerimasu)
およぎにいきます
go to swim
(oyogi ni ikimasu)
あがります
go up
(agarimasu)
きんいろ
gold color
(kin-iro)
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English Japanese
ゴルフ
golf
(gorufu)
いい
good
(ii)
そふ
grandfather
(sofu)
おじいさん
grandfather
(ojiisan)
おばあさん
grandmother
(obaasan)
そぼ
grandmother
(sobo)
スポーツジム
gym
(supootsu jimu)
はん
half (referring to time period)
(han)
きらいです
hate
(kirai desu)
います
have (when referring to living creatures)
(imasu)
あそびます
have fun
(asobimasu)
having a sale セールちゅう

(in the middle of discount sale) (seeruchuu)
もしもし
hello (for telephone calls)
(moshi moshi)
たかい
high or tall
(takai)
こうこう
high school
(kookoo)
うーん
hmmm
(uun)
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
おゆ
hot water
(oyu)
おうち
house
(ouchi)
うち
house
(uchi)
どうやって
how (when asking the method)
(doo-yatte)
どのくらい
how far
(donokurai)
いくつ
how many (items)
(ikutsu)
なんびき
how many (small animals, fish, or insects)
(nanbiki)
なんかげつ
how many months
(nan kagetsu)
なんにん
how many people
(nan-nin)
なんしゅうかん
how many weeks
(nanshuukan)
どのくらい
how much (for quantities)
(donokurai)
なんさい
how old
(nansai)
おいくつ
how old
(oikutsu)
いそぎます
hurry
(isogimasu)
それなら
if that's the case
(sore nara)
もうすぐ
in no time
(moo sugu)
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English Japanese
とくに
in particular
(toku ni)
ぜんぶで
in total
(zenbu de)
やすい
inexpensive
(yasui)
ざいりょう
ingredient
(zai-ryoo)
なか
inside
(naka)
できます
is made
(dekimasu)
といいます
is/am/are called
(to iimasu)
しています
is/am/are doing
(shite imasu)
うわぎ
jacket
(uwagi)
ちょうど
just
(choodo)
キロメートル
kilometer
(kiro-meetoru)
だいどころ
kitchen
(daidokoro)
しります
know
(shirimasu)
きょねん
last year
(kyo-nen)
てがみ
letter
(tegami)
すきです
like
(suki desu)
mangolanguages.com
225
English Japanese
リビング
living room
(ribingu)
ばしょ
location
(basho)
ながそで
long sleeve
(nagasode)
さがします
look for
(sagashimasu)
だいすきです
love
(daisuki desu.)
よわび
low heat
(yowabi)
マージャン
mahjong
(maajan)
つくります
make
(tsukurimasu)
かけます
make (a telephone call)
(kakemasu)
おとこ
male (for humans)
(otoko)
おおい
many
(ooi)
しょくじ
meal
(shokuji)
いしゃ
medical doctor
(isha)
くすり
medicine
(kusuri)
あいます
meet
(aimasu)
メンバー
member
(menbaa)
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
メートル
meter
(meetoru)
みそ
miso paste
(miso)
おかね
money
(okane)
りょうがえ
money exchange
(ryoogae)
より
more than
(yori)
あさ
morning
(asa)
ごぜん
morning or a.m.
(gozen)
なにより
most desirable
(nani yori)
はは
mother
(haha)
やま
mountain
(yama)
くち
mouth
(kuchi)
えいが
movie
(eega)
ずっと
much more
(zutto)
nasal drip はなみず

(nose water) (hanamizu)
はきけ
nausea
(hakike)
ネクタイ
necktie
(nekutai)
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
いります
need
(irimasu)
あたらしい
new
(atarashii)
しんぶん
newspaper
(shinbun)
つぎに
next (when referring to the order of events)
(tsugi ni)
こんど
next time
(kondo)
となり
next-door
(tonari)
よる
night
(yoru)
クラブ
night club
(kurabu)
ここのつ
nine (items)
(kokonotsu)
ここのか
nine days
(kokonoka)
くじ
nine o'clock
(kuji)
じゅうくにち
nineteen days
(juu-ku-nichi)
きゅうじゅうろくさい
ninety-six years old
(kyuujuu roku sai)
だれも
no one
(daremo)
うるさい
noisy
(urusai)
いま
now
(ima)
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
さあ
now (when encouraging some course of action)
(saa)
うみ
ocean or sea
(umi)
もちろん
of course
(mochiron)
よく
often
(yoku)
なんこう
ointment
(nankoo)
ふるい
old
(furui)
ひとつ
one (item)
(hitotsu)
ひとつ
one (item)
(hitotsu)
いちにち
one day
(ichi-nichi)
いちじかん
one hour
(ichi jikan)
いっかげつ
one month
(ikkagetsu)
いっかげついじょう
one month or more
(ikkagetsu ijoo)
あといちキロメートル
one more kilometer to go
(ato ichi kiro-meetoru)
ひとり
one person
(hitori)
ひとつまみ
one pinch
(hitotsumami)
いちじょう
one tablet
(ichi-joo)
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
いっしゅうかん
one week
(isshuukan)
only child ひとりっこ

(one child) (hitorikko)
あけます
open
(akemasu)
オレンジいろ
orange color
(orenji iro)
にしきごい
ornamental carp
(nishikigoi)
over low heat よわびで

(by means of low heat) (yowabi de)
にもつ
package
(nimotsu)
いたみ
pain
(itami)
いたくて
painful and
(itakute)
パーティー
party
(paatii)
ひとたち
people
(hitotachi)
こしょう
pepper
(koshoo)
ひと
person
(hito)
ペット
pet
(petto)
しゃしん
photograph
(shashin)
よてい
plan
(yotee)
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
たくさん
plentifully
(takusan)
いけ
pond
(ike)
にがて
poor at
(nigate)
しょほうせん
prescription
(sho-hoosen)
かぞくへのプレゼント
presents for my family
(kazoku e no purezento)
ねだん
price
(nedan)
たぶん
probably
(tabun)
プロレス
professional wrestling
(puroresu)
ばんぐみ
program (for TV and radio)
(bangumi)
しずか
quiet
(shizuka)
あめ
rain or rainy weather
(ame)
ラーメン
ramen noodle soup
(raamen)
あかい
red
(akai)
あかいの
red one
(akai no)
あかいのやしろいの
red ones, white ones, and others
(akai no ya shiroi no)
ざんねん
regrettable
(zan-nen)
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
remittance そうきん
(sending money) (sookin)
しゃくや
rented house
(shakuya)
やすみます
rest
(yasumimasu)
いい
right or suitable
(ii)
かわ
river
(kawa)
へや
room
(heya)
しお
salt
(shio)
いためます
sauté
(itamemasu)
ふなびん
sea mail
(funabin)
きせつ
season
(kisetsu)
ふりそうです
seems to fall (referring to rain or snow)
(furisoo desu.)
おくります
send
(okurimasu)
だします
serve
(dashimasu)
ななつ
seven (items)
(nanatsu)
なのか
seven days
(nanoka)
しちじ
seven o'clock
(shichiji )
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
しゃぶしゃぶ
shabu shabu
(shabu shabu)
ひかげ
shade
(hikage)
くつや
shoe store
(kutsu-ya)
くつ
shoes
(kutsu)
かいもの
shopping
(kaimono)
しょうてんがい
shopping district
(shootengai)
みじかい
short
(mijikai)
みせます
show
(misemasu)
あんないします
show around
(an-nai shimasu)
きょうだい
sibling
(kyoodai)
ごきょうだい
siblings
(gokyoodai)
よこ
side
(yoko)
みっかまえから
since three days ago
(mikka mae kara)
むっつ
six (items)
(muttsu)
むいか
six days
(muika)
ろっかげつ
six months
(rokkagetsu)
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
サイズ
size
(saizu)
きゅうごう
size nine
(kyuugoo)
ねます
sleep or go to bed
(nemasu)
そで
sleeve
(sode)
ゆき
snow or snowy weather
(yuki)
そんなに
so much
(son-na ni)
だれか
someone or anyone
(dareka)
なにか
something
(nanika)
ときどき
sometimes
(tokidoki)
なんだか
somewhat
(nandaka)
しょうゆ
soy sauce
(shooyu)
だいず
soybeans
(daizu)
ひろい
spacious
(hiroi)
そくたつ
special delivery
(sokutatsu)
スポーツ
sports
(supootsu)
はる
spring
(haru)
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
むしあつい
stifling hot
(mushiatsui)
まだ
still or yet
(mada)
やみます
stop (when referring to rain or snow)
(yamimasu)
よります
stop by
(yorimasu)
みせ
store or place of business
(mise)
きびしい
strict
(kibishii)
さとう
sugar
(satoo)
スーツ
suits
(suutsu)
なつ
summer
(natsu)
ちょうじょう
summit
(choojoo)
すもう
sumo wrestling
(sumoo)
はれ
sunny weather
(hare)
スーパー
supermarket
(suupaa)
supper ばんごはん
(evening meal) (ban gohan)
およぎます
swim
(oyogimasu)
みずぎ
swimsuit
(mizugi)
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
テーブル
table
(teeburu)
tablespoon おおさじ
(big spoon) (oosaji)
のみます
take (medicine)
(nomimasu)
かかります
take (when referring to time)
(kakarimasu)
ちゃしつ
tea-ceremony room
(chashitsu)
おしえます
teach or tell
(oshiemasu)
きょうし
teacher
(kyooshi)
teaspoon こさじ
(small spoon) (kosaji)
とお
ten (items)
(too)
とおか
ten days
(tooka)
じゅっぷん
ten minutes
(juppun)
じゅっかげつ
ten months
(jukkagetsu)
じゅっしゅうかん
ten weeks
(jusshuukan)
テニス
tennis
(tenisu)
ひどい
terrible
(hidoi)
すごい
terrible or amazing
(sugoi)
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
けんさ
test or inspection
(kensa)
あきたいぬ
the Akita
(akita inu)
さいご
the end or the last
(saigo )
the exchange rate レート

(a rate) (reeto)
ついたち
the first day of the month
(tsuitachi)
the ocean or mountains (in a comparison うみとやまと

question) (umi to yama to)
にかいめ
the second time
(nikaime )
the station-front area えきまえ

(station front) (ekimae)
それから
then
(sore kara)
います
there is (when referring to living creatures)
(imasu)
あります
there is (when referring to things)
(arimasu)
いません
there is not (when referring to living creatures)
(imasen)
もの
thing
(mono)
ようじ
things to do
(yooji)
さんじゅうななどごぶ
thirty-seven point five degrees
(san-juu-nana do go bu)
こちら
this place
(kochira)
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
ことし
this year
(kotoshi)
けど
though
(kedo)
みっつ
three (items)
(mittsu)
みっか
three days
(mikka)
さんにん
three people
(san-nin)
さんかい
three times
(sankai)
いちにちにさんかい
three times a day
(ichi-nichi ni sankai)
つかれます
tire oneself
(tsukaremasu)
やまへ
to a mountain
(yama e)
とどく
to arrive
(todoku)
できる
to be able to do
(dekiru)
できる
to be made
(dekiru)
できて
to be made (in the "te"-form)
(dekite)
できる
to be ready
(dekiru)
なる
to become
(naru)
わかす
to boil (water)
(wakasu)
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
わかして
to boil (water) (in the "te"-form)
(wakashite)
やく
to broil
(yaku)
ひりひりする
to burn (when referring to a pain)
(hiri hiri suru)
もつ
to carry
(motsu)
かぜをひく
to catch a cold
(kaze o hiku)
しめる
to close
(shimeru)
くる
to come
(kuru)
でる
to come out
(deru)
あそびにくる
to come over for a visit
(asobi ni kuru)
にる
to cook (in liquid)
(niru)
たく
to cook (rice)
(taku)
たいて
to cook (rice) (in the "te"-form)
(taite)
かかる
to cost
(kakaru)
する
to do
(suru)
して
to do (in the "te"-form)
(shite)
のむ
to drink
(nomu)
mangolanguages.com
239
English Japanese
たべる
to eat
(taberu)
たべて
to eat (in the "te"-form)
(tabete)
to exist or to be (when referring to living いる

creatures) (iru)
ある
to exist or to be (when referring to things)
(aru)
ふる
to fall (referring to rain or snow)
(furu)
する
to feel, smell, or hear
(suru)
はいる
to get in
(hairu)
はいって
to get in (in the "te"-form)
(haitte)
いく
to go
(iku)
さがる
to go down or to come down
(sagaru)
かえる
to go home
(kaeru)
ねて
to go to bed (in the "te"-form)
(nete)
あがる
to go up
(agaru)
いる
to have (when referring to living creatures)
(iru)
しょくじする
to have a meal
(shokuji suru)
きりきりいたむ
to have excruciating pain
(kiri kiri itamu)
mangolanguages.com
240
English Japanese
しくしくいたむ
to have persistent dull pain
(shiku shiku itamu)
いそぐ
to hurry
(isogu)
いたむ
to hurt
(itamu)
すう
to inhale
(suu)
すって
to inhale (in the "te"-form)
(sutte)
しる
to know
(shiru)
しって
to know (in the "te"-form)
(shitte)
さがす
to look for
(sagasu)
さがして
to look for (in the "te"-form)
(sagashite)
つくる
to make
(tsukuru)
かける
to make (a telephone call)
(kakeru)
かけて
to make (a telephone call) (in the "te"-form)
(kakete)
つくって
to make (in the "te"-form)
(tsukutte)
あう
to meet
(au)
いる
to need
(iru)
あける
to open
(akeru)
mangolanguages.com
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English Japanese
あけて
to open (in the "te"-form)
(akete)
あそぶ
to play or to have fun
(asobu)
いれる
to put in or to add
(ireru)
いれて
to put in or to add (in the "te"-form)
(irete)
やすむ
to rest
(yasumu)
いためる
to sauté
(itameru)
いためて
to sauté (in the "te"-form)
(itamete)
いう
to say
(yuu)
おくる
to send
(okuru)
おくって
to send (in the "te"-form)
(okutte)
だす
to serve
(dasu)
みせる
to show
(miseru)
みせて
to show (in the "te"-form)
(misete)
あんないする
to show around
(an-nai suru)
ねる
to sleep or to go to bed
(neru)
やむ
to stop (when referring to rain or snow)
(yamu)
mangolanguages.com
242
English Japanese
よる
to stop by
(yoru)
よって
to stop by (in the "te"-form)
(yotte)
がんがんする
to suffer from a splitting headache
(gan gan suru)
およぐ
to swim
(oyogu)
のむ
to take (medicine)
(nomu)
のんで
to take (medicine) (in the "te"-form)
(nonde)
もっていく
to take (something with one)
(motte iku)
かかる
to take (when referring to time)
(kakaru)
おしえる
to teach or to tell
(oshieru)
おしえて
to tell (in the "te"-form)
(oshiete)
ずきずきする
to throb with pain
(zuki zuki suru)
つかれる
to tire oneself
(tsukareru)
まつ
to wait
(matsu)
まって
to wait (in the "te"-form)
(matte)
ほしい
to want
(hoshii)
あらう
to wash
(arau)
mangolanguages.com
243
English Japanese
あらって
to wash (in the "te"-form)
(aratte)
みて
to watch (in the "te"-form)
(mite)
みる
to watch or to look at
(miru)
おろす
to withdraw (money)
(orosu)
つつむ
to wrap
(tsutsumu)
つつんで
to wrap (in the "te"-form)
(tsutsunde)
きょう
today
(kyoo)
いっしょに
together
(issho ni)
あした
tomorrow
(ashita)
こんばん
tonight
(konban)
うえ
topside or upper part
(ue)
はつか
twenty days
(hatsuka)
にじゅうろくてんごセンチ
twenty-six point five centimeters
(ni-juu-roku ten go senchi)
ふたつ
two (items)
(futatsu)
ふつか
two days
(futsuka)
にじかんまえに
two hours ago
(ni-jikan mae ni)
mangolanguages.com
244
English Japanese
にふん
two minutes
(ni-fun)
ふたり
two people
(futari)
にじょう
two tablets
(ni-joo)
にじょうずつ
two tablets at a time
(ni-joo zutsu)
two to three days ふつかからみっか

(two days to three days) (futsuka kara mikka)
した
underneath or lower part
(shita)
やさい
vegetable
(yasai)
まちます
wait
(machimasu)
いきたいです
want to go
(ikitai desu)
あたたかい
warm
(atatakai)
でした
was or were
(deshita)
あらいます
wash
(araimasu)
みます
watch
(mimasu)
しゅうまつ
weekend
(shuumatsu)
なんにち
what day
(nan-nichi)
なんど
what degree
(nan-do)
mangolanguages.com
245
English Japanese
なんがつ
what month
(nan-gatsu)
what time なんじ

(what o'clock) (nanji)
いつ
when
(itsu)
どちら
which
(dochira)
しろい
white
(shiroi)
だれ
who/whom
(dare)
どなた
who/whom
(donata)
どうして
why
(dooshite)
おおきく
widely
(ookiku)
できます
will be ready
(dekimasu)
まど
window
(mado)
まどぐち
window or teller
(madoguchi)
ふゆ
winter
(fuyu)
かれと
with my boyfriend
(kare to)
おろします
withdraw (money)
(oroshimasu)
いきません
won't go
(ikimasen)
mangolanguages.com
246
English Japanese
すてき
wonderful
(suteki)
つつみます
wrap
(tsutsumimasu)
おとうと
younger brother
(otooto)
いもうと
younger sister
(imooto)
れい
zero
(ree)
mangolanguages.com
247
Phrase Review
English Japanese
Hello.
(gomenkudasai.)
Welcome! Now, please come in.
おじゃまします。おおきいおうちですね。
Thank you. This is a big house, isn't it!
(ojama shimasu. ookii oochi desu ne.)
ふるいですけど。ちょっとうちのなかをごあんな
It's old, though. Shall I show you around the house いしましょうか。
a bit? (furui desu kedo. chotto uchi no naka o go-
an-nai shimashoo ka.)
Yes, by all means.
こちらはざしきです。そのとなりはぶつまです。
This is the drawing room. Next to it is the room
(kochira wa zashiki desu. sono tonari wa
with the family Buddhist altar.
butsuma desu.)
わあ、いけのなかにこいがたくさんいますね！
there!
ne!)
They are ornamental carp. There are red ones, ジいろのがいますよ。
gold ones, orange ones and others, you know. (nishikigoi desu. akai no ya kin-iro no ya
orenji-iro no ga imasu yo.)
ああ、ようこさん。いらっしゃい！
Oh, Yoko. Welcome!
(aa, yooko san. irasshai!)
ふるいですけど。
It's old, though.
(furui desu kedo.)
おおきいおうちですね！
It's a big house, isn't it!
(ookii ouchi desu ne!)
しゃくやですけど。
It's a rented house, though.
(shakuya desu kedo.)
わあ、ひろいおにわですね！
Wow, it's a spacious garden, isn't it!
(waa, hiroi oniwa desu ne!)
mangolanguages.com
248
English Japanese
いえいえ、それほどでも。
No, no, not so much.
(ie ie, sore hodo demo.)
Shall I show you around the house?
(uchi no naka o go-an-nai shimashoo ka.)
うちのなか
the inside of the house
(uchi no naka)
I'll show you around the house. うちのなかをあんないします。

(I'll show you around the inside of the house.) (uchi no naka o an-nai shimasu.)
にわをごあんないしましょうか。
Shall I show you around the garden?
(niwa o go-an-nai shimashoo ka.)
まどをあけましょうか。
Shall I open the window?
(mado o akemashoo ka.)
まどをしめましょうか。
Shall I close the window?
(mado o shimemashoo ka.)
ちょっとさむいですね。まどをしめましょうか。
It's a little bit cold, isn't it! Shall I close the
(chotto samui desu ne. mado o
window?
shimemashoo ka.)
This is the Japanese-style drawing room.
(kochira wa zashiki desu.)
こちらはふろばです。おてあらいはそちらです。
This is the bathroom. The restroom is that way. (kochira wa furoba desu. otearai wa sochira
desu.)
このへやはなんですか。
What is this room?
(kono heya wa nan desu ka.)
That room is the room with the family Buddhist そのへやはぶつまです。

altar. (sono heya wa butsuma desu.)
next to the kitchen だいどころのとなり

(next-door of kitchen) (daidokoro no tonari)
こちらはだいどころです。そのとなりはちゃのま
This is the kitchen. Next to it is the Japanese-style です。
family room. (kochira wa daidokoro desu. sono tonari wa
chanoma desu.)
ちゃしつがあります。
There is a tea-ceremony room.
(chashitsu ga arimasu.)
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げんかんのとなり
the next-door of the entrance hall
(genkan no tonari)
next to the entrance hall げんかんのとなりに

(at the next-door of the entrance hall) (genkan no tonari ni)
げんかんのとなりにひろいざしきがあります。
There is a spacious Japanese-style drawing room
(genkan no tonari ni hiroi zashiki ga
next to the entrance hall.
arimasu.)
なにがありますか。
What is there?
(nani ga arimasu ka.)
おしいれのなか
the inside of the Japanese-style closet
(oshi-ire no naka)
in the Japanese-style closet おしいれのなかに

(at the inside of the Japanese-style closet) (oshi-ire no naka ni)
おしいれのなかになにがありますか。
What is in the Japanese-style closet?
(oshi-ire no naka ni nani ga arimasu ka.)
There is Japanese-style bedding in the Japanese- おしいれのなかにふとんがありますよ。

style closet, you know. (oshi-ire no naka ni futon ga arimasu yo.)
There are carp in the pond.
(ike no naka ni koi ga imasu.)
こいがいます。
There are carp.
(koi ga imasu.)
いけのなか
the inside of the pond
(ike no naka)
There are a lot of carp. こいがたくさんいます。

(There are carp plentifully.) (koi ga takusan imasu.)
わあ、いけのなかにこいがたくさんいますね。
there!
ne.)
なにがいますか。
What is there? (when referring to living creatures)
(nani ga imasu ka.)
What is in the pond? (when referring to living いけのなかになにがいますか。

creatures) (ike no naka ni nani ga imasu ka.)
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あかいこいとくろいこい
red carp and black carp
(akai koi to kuroi koi)
いけのなかにあかいこいとくろいこいがいます
There are red carp and black carp in the pond, よ。
you know. (ike no naka ni akai koi to kuroi koi ga imasu
yo.)
There are red ones, white ones, and others. (when あかいのやしろいのがいます。
referring to living creatures) (akai no ya shiroi no ga imasu.)
There are red ones. (when referring to living あかいのがいます。

creatures) (akai no ga imasu.)
あかいのとしろいの
red ones and white ones
(akai no to shiroi no)
orange-colored carp オレンジいろのこい

(carp in orange color) (orenji iro no koi)
きんいろのこい
gold-colored carp
(kin iro no koi)
They are ornamental carp. There are red ones,
ジいろのがいます。
gold-colored ones, orange-colored ones, and
(nishikigoi desu. akai no ya kin-iro no ya
others.
orenji-iro no ga imasu.)
The TV is in the living room. テレビはリビングにあります。

(As for TV, it exists in the living room.) (terebi wa ribingu ni arimasu.)
リビングにあります。
It is in the living room.
(ribingu ni arimasu.)
つくえのよこ
the side of the desk
(tsukue no yoko)
by the desk つくえのよこに

(at the side of the desk) (tsukue no yoko ni)
ほんだなはつくえのよこにあります。
The bookshelf is by the desk.
(hondana wa tsukue no yoko ni arimasu.)
どこにありますか。
Where is it?
(doko ni arimasu ka.)
あのう、しんぶんはどこにありますか。
Um, where is the newspaper?
(anoo, shinbun wa doko ni arimasu ka.)
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テーブルのうえ
the topside of the table
(teeburu no ue)
on the table テーブルのうえに

(at the topside of the table) (teeburu no ue ni)
ああ、しんぶんはテーブルのうえにありますよ。
Oh, the newspaper is on the table, you know. (aa, shinbun wa teeburu no ue ni arimasu
yo.)
ねこはどこにいますか。
Where is your cat?
(neko wa doko ni imasu ka.)
ベッドのした
the underneath of the bed
(beddo no shita)
under the bed ベッドのしたに

(at the underneath of the bed) (beddo no shita ni)
ねこはベッドのしたにいますよ。
The cat is under the bed, you know.
(neko wa beddo no shita ni imasu yo.)
これはどなたですか。
Who is this?
(kore wa donata desu ka.)
ぼくのそぼです。
That's my grandmother.
(boku no sobo desu.)
How old is she?
(oikutsu desu ka.)
９６さいです。でも、まだまだげんきですよ。
She is 96. But, she's still full of energy, you know. (kyuujuu-roku sai desu. demo, mada mada
genki desu yo.)
それはなによりですね！
That's good to hear, isn't it!
(sore wa naniyori desu ne!)
Do you have pets?
ええ、いぬがにひきいます。
Yes, we have two dogs.
(ee, inu ga nihiki imasu.)
What kind of dogs are they?
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あきたです。おおきいいぬですが、おとなしいで
す。
They are Akitas. They are big dogs, but gentle.
(akita desu. ookii inu desu ga, otonashii
desu.)
このひとはどなたですか。
Who is this person?
(kono hito wa donata desu ka.)
どなたですか。
Who is it?
(donata desu ka.)
woman おんなのひと
(female person) (on-na no hito)
このおんなのひと
this woman
(kono on-na no hito)
man おとこのひと
(male person) (otoko no hito)
そのおとこのひとはどなたですか。
Who is that man?
(sono otoko no hito wa donata desu ka.)
おんなのこ
girl
(on-na no ko)
あのおんなのこ
that girl over there
(ano on-na no ko)
あのおんなのこはだれですか。
Who is that girl over there?
(ano on-na no ko wa dare desu ka.)
このしゃしんのおとこのこ
the boy in this photograph
(kono shashin no otoko no ko)
すみません。このしゃしんのおとこのこはだれで
すか。
Excuse me. Who is the boy in this photograph?
(sumimasen. kono shashin no otoko no ko
wa dare desu ka.)
これはわたしのそぼです。
This is my grandmother.
(kore wa watashi no sobo desu.)
わたしのそぼ
my grandmother
(watashi no sobo)
わたしのそふとそぼ
my grandfather and grandmother
(watashi no sofu to sobo)
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English Japanese
ああ、それはわたしのそふとそぼですよ。
Oh, those are my grandfather and grandmother,
(aa, sore wa watashi no sofu to sobo desu
you know.
yo.)
これはわたしのあにです。そしてそれはおとうと
This is my elder brother, and that is my younger です。
brother. (kore wa watashi no ani desu. soshite sore
wa otooto desu.)
あのう、これはぼくのあねです。いもうとじゃあ
Um, this is my elder sister. She is not my younger りません。
sister. (anoo, kore wa boku no ane desu. imooto ja
arimasen.)
How old is your grandmother?
(obaasan wa oikutsu desu ka.)
すみません。おじいさんはおいくつですか。
Excuse me. How old is your grandfather?
(sumimasen. ojiisan wa oikutsu desu ka.)
そふはきゅうじゅうろくさいです。
My grandfather is ninety-six years old.
(sofu wa kyuujuu roku sai desu.)
なんさいですか。
How old is she?
(nansai desu ka.)
そのしゃしんのおんなのこ
the girl in that photograph
(sono shashin no on-na no ko)
そのしゃしんのおんなのこはなんさいですか。
How old is the girl in that photograph? (sono shashin no on-na no ko wa nansai
desu ka.)
いもうとはじゅうはっさいです。おとうとはに
My younger sister is eighteen years old. My じゅういっさいです。
younger brother is twenty-one years old. (imooto wa juu hassai desu. otooto wa nijuu
issai desu.)
How many people are in your family? ごかぞくはなんにんですか。

(As for family, how many people are they?) (gokazoku wa nan-nin desu ka.)
なんにんですか。
How many people are they?
(nan-nin desu ka.)
There are four people in my family. かぞくはよにんです。

(As for family, they are four people.) (kazoku wa yonin desu.)
かぞくはよにんです。ちちとははとあにとわたし
There are four people in my family: my father, my です。
mother, my elder brother, and me. (kazoku wa yonin desu. chichi to haha to ani
to watashi desu.)
How many siblings do you have? ごきょうだいはなんにんですか。

(How many are your siblings?) (gokyoodai wa nan-nin desu ka.)
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There are two siblings in my family. きょうだいはふたりです。
(As for siblings, they are two.) (kyoodai wa futari desu.)
きょうだいはさんにんです。あにとあねとわたし
There are three siblings in my family. My elder です。
brother, my elder sister and me. (kyoodai wa san-nin desu. ani to ane to
watashi desu.)
わたしはひとりっこです。
I am the only child.
(watashi wa hitorikko desu.)
ペットがいます。
I have a pet.
(petto ga imasu.)
いぬがいますか。
Do you have dogs?
(inu ga imasu ka.)
いぬがなんびきいますか。
How many dogs do you have?
(inu ga nanbiki imasu ka.)
いぬがいっぴき
one dog
(inu ga ippiki)
いぬがにひき
two dogs
(inu ga nihiki)
いぬがさんびき
three dogs
(inu ga sanbiki)
いぬがさんびきいます。
I have three dogs.
(inu ga sanbiki imasu.)
ねこがろっぴき
six cats
(neko ga roppiki)
いぬがにひきとねこがろっぴきいます。
I have two dogs and six cats.
(inu ga nihiki to neko ga roppiki imasu.)
わあ、かわいいねこですね！
Wow, she is a cute cat, isn't she!
(waa, kawaii neko desu ne!)
あきたいぬはおおきいですが、おとなしいいぬで
す。
The Akitas are big, but they are gentle dogs.
(akita inu wa ookii desu ga, otonashii inu
desu.)
なまえはなんですか。
What is her name?
(namae wa nan desu ka.)
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English Japanese
きれいないぬですね。なまえはなんですか。
She is a beautiful dog, isn't she! What is her
(kireena inu desu ne. namae wa nan desu
name?
ka.)
My grandmother is still full of energy.
(sobo wa mada mada genki desu.)
そぼはげんきです。
My grandmother is full of energy.
(sobo wa genki desu.)
そふはしずかです。
My grandfather is quiet.
(sofu wa shizuka desu.)
ちちはちょっときびしいです。
My father is a little strict.
(chichi wa chotto kibishii desu.)
はははとてもあかるいです。
My mother is very cheerful.
(haha wa totemo akarui desu.)
はははとてもあかるいです。そして、おもしろい
です。
My mother is very cheerful. And she is funny.
(haha wa totemo akarui desu. soshite,
omoshiroi desu.)
そぼはひゃくさいです。でも、まだまだげんきで
My grandmother is a hundred years old. But, she す。
is still full of energy. (sobo wa hyaku sai desu. demo, mada mada
genki desu.)
That's good to hear. それはなによりです。

(That is most desirable.) (sore wa nani yori desu.)
We are going to have a cherry-blossom viewing あした、おはなみをします。

picnic tomorrow. (ashita, ohanami o shimasu.)
Won't you come with us?
(issho ni ikimasen ka.)
そうですね・・・。どんなメンバーですか。
Well..., who's going?
(soo desu ne.... don-na menbaa desu ka.)
かいしゃのひとたちや、スポーツジムのともだち
です。
My coworkers and my gym friends.
(kaisha no hitotachi ya, supootsu jimu no
tomodachi desu.)
One of them is a doctor. The other is a high きょうしです。
school teacher. (hitori wa isha desu. moo hitori wa kookoo
no kyooshi desu.)
Are you going to have karaoke too?
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English Japanese
もちろんです！みんなカラオケがすきですから。
Of course! 'Cause we all love karaoke. (mochiron desu! min-na karaoke ga suki
desu kara.)
わたしはカラオケはちょっと・・・。すみませ
ん。
I don't care for karaoke much.... I'm sorry.
(watashi wa karaoke wa chotto....
sumimasen.)
それはざんねんですね。じゃあ、またこんど。
I'm sorry to hear that. Well, maybe next time.
(sore wa zan-nen desu ne. jaa, mata kondo.)
We have a cherry-blossom viewing picnic. おはなみをします。

(We do a cherry-blossom viewing picnic.) (ohanami o shimasu.)
to have a party パーティーをする

(to do party) (paatii o suru)
あしたクリスマスパーティーをします。
We'll have a Christmas party tomorrow.
(ashita kurisumasu paatii o shimasu.)
なにをしますか。
What are you going to do?
(nani o shimasu ka.)
きょうなにをしますか。
What are you going to do today?
(kyoo nani o shimasu ka.)
ははのたんじょうび
my mother's birthday
(haha no tanjoobi)
きょうは、ははのたんじょうびです。
Today is my mother's birthday.
(kyoo wa, haha no tanjoobi desu.)
きょうは、ははのたんじょうびです。たんじょう
Today is my mother's birthday. We are going to びパーティーをします！
have a birthday party! (kyoo wa, haha no tanjoobi desu. tanjoobi
paatii o shimasu!)
あしたおはなみをします。いっしょにいきません
We are going to have a cherry-blossom viewing か。
picnic tomorrow. Why don't you come with us? (ashita ohanami o shimasu. issho ni
ikimasen ka.)
しょくじしませんか
why don't we dine?
(shokuji shimasen ka)
こんばんいっしょにしょくじしませんか。
Why don't we dine together tonight?
(konban issho ni shokuji shimasen ka.)
えいがをみませんか。
Why don't we watch a movie?
(eega o mimasen ka.)
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Um, why don't we watch a movie together あのう、あしたいっしょにえいがをみませんか。
tomorrow? (anoo, ashita issho ni eega o mimasen ka.)
Let's go together.
ぜひいっしょにいきましょう。
Let's go together by all means.
(zehi issho ni ikimashoo.)
It sounds good! いいですね！

(It is good, isn't it!) (ii desu ne!)
いいですね！ぜひいっしょにいきましょう。
It sounds good! Let's go together by all means.
(ii desu ne! zehi issho ni ikimashoo.)
Today isn't good for me... きょうはちょっと・・・。
(Today is a little bit....) (kyoo wa chotto....)
そうですね・・・、きょうはちょっと・・・。
Well..., today isn't good for me...
(soo desu ne..., kyoo wa chotto....)
すみません。あしたはちょっと・・・。でも、ま
I'm sorry. Tomorrow isn't good for me.... But, たこんど！
maybe next time! (sumimasen. ashita wa chotto.... demo,
mata kondo!)
I'm sorry to hear that. それはざんねんですね。

(That is regrettable, isn't it!) (sore wa zan-nen desu ne.)
ああ、それはざんねんですね。じゃあ、またこん
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Well then, maybe next ど！
time! (aa, sore wa zan-nen desu ne. jaa, mata
kondo!)

(What kind of members are they?) (don-na menbaa desu ka.)
coworkers かいしゃのひとたち
(people of company) (kaisha no hitotachi)
スポーツジムのともだち
gym friends
(supootsu jimu no tomodachi)
かいしゃのひとたちやスポーツジムのともだちで
す。
They are my coworkers, gym friends, and others.
(kaisha no hitotachi ya supootsu jimu no
tomodachi desu.)
ひとりはいしゃです。
One person is a doctor.
(hitori wa isha desu.)
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こうこうのきょうし
high school teacher
(kookoo no kyooshi)
もうひとりはこうこうのきょうしです。
Another person is a high school teacher.
(moo hitori wa kookoo no kyooshi desu.)
ああ、みんなかいしゃいんですよ。
Oh, they are all company employees, you know.
(aa, min-na kaisha-in desu yo.)
カラオケがあります。
We are going to have karaoke.
(karaoke ga arimasu.)
もちろんカラオケもあります。
Of course we have karaoke, too.
(mochiron karaoke mo arimasu.)
カラオケですか。もちろんです！
Karaoke? Of course!
(karaoke desu ka. mochiron desu!)
I'll play tennis. テニスをします。

(I'll do tennis.) (tenisu o shimasu.)
ゴルフをします。
I'll play golf.
(gorufu o shimasu.)
あしたテニスをします。ゴルフもします。
I'll play tennis tomorrow. I'll play golf, too. (ashita tenisu o shimasu. gorufu mo
shimasu.)
きのう、テニスもゴルフもしました。
I played both tennis and golf yesterday.
(ki-noo, tenisu mo gorufu mo shimashita.)
パチンコもマージャンも
neither Japanese pinball nor mahjong
(pachinko mo maajan mo)
ちちはパチンコもマージャンもしません。
My father plays neither Japanese pinball nor
(chichi wa pachinko mo maajan mo
mahjong.
shimasen.)

(As for me, I like tennis.) (watashi wa tenisu ga suki desu.)
テニスがすきです。
I like tennis.
(tenisu ga suki desu.)
おっとはやきゅうがだいすきです。
My husband loves baseball.
(otto wa yakyuu ga daisuki desu.)
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つまはスポーツがきらいです。
My wife hates sports.
(tuma wa supootsu ga kirai desu.)
おっともわたしも
neither my husband nor I
(otto mo watashi mo )
おっともわたしもプロレスがあまりすきじゃあり
Neither my husband nor I like professional ません。
wrestling very much. (otto mo watashi mo puroresu ga amari suki
ja arimasen.)
I don't care for professional wrestling much... プロレスはちょっと・・・。

(Professional wrestling is a little bit....) (puroresu wa chotto....)
I like sumo, but すもうはすきですが

(As for sumo, I like it, but) (sumoo wa suki desu ga)
すみません。すもうはすきですが、プロレスは
I'm sorry. I like sumo, but I don't care for ちょっと・・・。
professional wrestling much.... (sumimasen. sumoo wa suki desu ga,
puroresu wa chotto....)
Because we all like karaoke.
(min-na karaoke ga suki desu kara.)
カラオケがすきです。
We like karaoke.
(karaoke ga suki desu.)
みんなカラオケがすきです。
We all like karaoke.
(min-na karaoke ga suki desu.)
よくマージャンをします。
I often play mahjong.
(yoku maajan o shimasu.)
おもしろいですから、よくマージャンをします。
Because it is enjoyable, I often play mahjong. (omoshiroi desu kara, yoku maajan o
shimasu.)
まいにちれんしゅうします。
I practice every day.
(mai-nichi renshuu shimasu.)
ゴルフがすきですから、まいにちれんしゅうしま
す。
Because I like golf, I practice it every day.
(gorufu ga suki desu kara, mai-nichi renshuu
shimasu.)
あしたパーティーをします。
We are going to have a party tomorrow.
(ashita paatii o shimasu.)
どうしてあしたパーティーをしますか。
Why are you going to have a party tomorrow?
(dooshite ashita paatii o shimasu ka.)
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あしたは、ははのたんじょうびですから。
Because tomorrow is my mother's birthday.
(ashita wa, haha no tanjoobi desu kara.)
すみません。ここ、だれかいますか。
Excuse me. Is someone sitting here?
(sumimasen. koko, dareka imasu ka.)
いいえ。どうぞ。
No. Go ahead.
(iie. doozo.)
どうもありがとう。すごいひとですね。
Thanks. It's terribly crowded, isn't it!
(doomo arigatoo. sugoi hito desu ne.)
ええ。おひとりですか。
Yes. Are you by yourself?
(ee. o-hitori desu ka.)
いいえ、ごうコンなんですが、ダンスがにがてな
No. As a matter of fact, I'm here for a blind date んです。
party, but I'm a poor dancer. (iie, gookon nandesu ga, dansu ga nigate
nandesu.)
へえ、ぼくもですよ。ぼくはたかしといいます。
Oh? Same here. My name is Takashi. What's おなまえは？
yours? (hee, boku mo desu yo. boku wa takashi to
iimasu. o-namae wa?)
I'm Yoko. Nice to meet you.
ここはうるさいですね。となりのカフェでコー
It's noisy here, isn't it! Why don't we have coffee or ヒーでものみませんか。
something at the cafe next door? (koko wa urusai desu ne. tonari no kafe de
koohii demo nomimasen ka.)
Sounds good! Let's do so.

(Is there someone here?) (koko, dare ka imasu ka.)
だれかいますか。
Is there someone?
(dareka imasu ka.)
ここにだれかいますか。
Is there someone here?
(koko ni dareka imasu ka.)
あのう、すみません。ここ、だれかいますか。
Um, excuse me. Is someone sitting here?
(anoo, sumimasen. koko, dareka imasu ka.)
いいえ、だれもいません。どうぞ。
No, there is no one. Go ahead.
(iie, daremo imasen. doozo.)
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かれのせき
my boyfriend's seat
(kare no seki)
すみません。そこはかれのせきです。
I'm sorry. That is my boyfriend's seat.
(sumimasen. soko wa kare no seki desu.)
おひとりですか。
Are you by yourself?
(ohitori desu ka.)
ひとりですか。
Are you by yourself?
(hitori desu ka.)
ええ、ひとりです。
Yes, I'm by myself.
(ee, hitori desu.)
いいえ、ひとりじゃありません。
No, I'm not by myself.
(iie, hitori ja arimasen.)
かれといっしょです。
I'm together with my boyfriend.
(kare to issho desu.)
いいえ、ひとりじゃありません。かのじょといっ
No, I'm not by myself. I'm together with my しょですよ。
girlfriend, you know. (iie, hitori ja arimasen. kanojo to issho desu
yo.)

business? このみせははじめてですか。
(As for this place of business, is it for the first (kono mise wa hajimete desu ka.)
time?)
ええ、はじめてです。
Yes, it's my first time.
(ee, hajimete desu.)
いいえ、はじめてじゃありません。
No, it's not my first time.
(iie, hajimete ja arimasen.)
にかいめです。
This is my second time.
(nikaime desu.)
さんかいめ
the third time
(sankaime)
いいえ、はじめてじゃありません。さんかいめで
No, it's not my first time. It's my third time. す。
(iie, hajimete ja arimasen. sankaime desu.)
よくきますか。
Do you come often?
(yoku kimasu ka.)
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Do you come to this club often? このクラブはよくきますか。
(As for this club, do you come often?) (kono kurabu wa yoku kimasu ka.)
ええ、よくきます。
Yes, I come often.
(ee, yoku kimasu.)
いいえ、あまりきません。
No, I don't come very often.
(iie, amari kimasen.)
かれといっしょに
together with my boyfriend
(kare to issho ni)
かれといっしょにときどききます。
I come sometimes together with my boyfriend.
(kare to issho ni tokidoki kimasu.)
だれときますか。
With whom do you come?
(dare to kimasu ka.)
かいしゃのひとたちやともだち
my coworkers, my friends, and others
(kaisha no hitotachi ya tomodachi)
かいしゃのひとたちやともだちときますよ。
I come with my coworkers, my friends, and others,
(kaisha no hitotachi ya tomodachi to kimasu
you know.
yo.)
As a matter of fact, I am a poor dancer. ダンスがにがてなんです。

(As a matter of fact, I am poor at dancing.) (dansu ga nigate nandesu.)
ダンスがにがてです。
I am poor at dancing.
(dansu ga nigate desu.)
スポーツがきらいです。
I hate sports.
(supootsu ga kirai desu.)
スポーツがきらいなんです。
As a matter of fact, I hate sports.
(supootsu ga kirai nandesu.)
neither tennis nor golf
テニスもゴルフもしません。スポーツがきらいな
I play neither tennis nor golf. As a matter of fact, I んです。
hate sports. (tenisu mo gorufu mo shimasen. supootsu
ga kirai nandesu.)
ごうコンです。
It's a blind-date party.
(gookon desu.)
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ごうコンなんですが、ダンスがにがてなんです。
As a matter of fact, it's a blind-date party, but I
(gookon nandesu ga, dansu ga nigate
am a poor dancer.
nandesu.)
Me, too. わたしもです。

(I am too.) (watashi mo desu.)
へえ、そうですか。ぼくもです。
Oh, is that so? Me, too.
(hee, soo desu ka. boku mo desu.)

(As for me, I am called Takashi.) (boku wa takashi to iimasu.)
たかしといいます。
I'm called Takashi.
(takashi to iimasu.)
ぼくはたかしといいます。おなまえは？
My name is Takashi. What's your name?
(boku wa takashi to iimasu. onamae wa?)
わたしのかれ
my boyfriend
(watashi no kare)
My boyfriend's name is Ichiro. わたしのかれはいちろうといいます。

(As for my boyfriend, he is called Ichiro.) (watashi no kare)
わたしのかれはいちろうといいます。すてきなひ
My boyfriend's name is Ichiro. He is a wonderful とですよ！
person, you know! (watashi no kare wa ichiroo to iimasu.
sutekina hito desu yo!)
Why don't we have coffee or something at the
(tonari no kafe de koohii demo nomimasen
cafe next-door?
ka.)
コーヒーをのみます。
I drink coffee.
(koohii o nomimasu.)
Why don't we have coffee? コーヒーをのみませんか。
(Why don't we drink coffee?) (koohii o nomimasen ka.)
cafe next-door となりのカフェ

(cafe at the next-door) (tonari no kafe)
となりのカフェでコーヒーをのみませんか。
Why don't we have coffee at the cafe next-door?
(tonari no kafe de koohii o nomimasen ka.)
コーヒーでものみませんか。
Why don't we have coffee or something?
(koohii demo nomimasen ka.)
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ここはうるさいですね。
This place is noisy, isn't it!
(koko wa urusai desu ne.)
となりのみせ
the place of business next-door
(tonari no mise)
ここはうるさいですね。となりのみせでおちゃで
This place is noisy, isn't it! Why don't we have tea ものみませんか。
or something at the place of business next-door? (koko wa urusai desu ne. tonari no mise de
ocha demo nomimasen ka.)
すごいひとですね。
It's terribly crowded, isn't it!
(sugoi hito desu ne.)
bar across the street むかいのバー

(bar on the opposite side) (mukai no baa)
すごいひとですね。むかいのバーでカクテルでも
It's terribly crowded, isn't it! Why don't we have
のみませんか。
cocktails or something at the bar across the
(sugoi hito desu ne. mukai no baa de
street?
kakuteru demo nomimasen ka.)
いま、なんじですか。
What time is it now?
(ima, nanji desu ka.)
なんじですか。
What time is it?
(nanji desu ka.)
いま、さんじです。
It's three o'clock now.
(ima, sanji desu.)
ごごよじはん
half past four in the afternoon
(gogo yoji han)
いま、ごぜんしちじです。
It's seven o'clock in the morning now.
(ima, gozen shichiji desu.)
もうくじはんです。
It's already half past nine.
(moo kuji han desu.)
えっ !? もうじゅういちじですか。
What!? It's eleven o'clock already?
(e!? moo juuichiji desu ka.)
すみませんが、かえります。
I'm sorry, but I'm going home.
(sumimasen ga, kaerimasu.)
えっ !? もうじゅうにじですか。すみませんが、か
What!? It's twelve o'clock already? I'm sorry, but えります。おやすみなさい！
I'm going home. Good night! (e!? moo juuniji desu ka. sumimasen ga,
kaerimasu. oyasuminasai!)
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ようこさん、しゅうまつよていがありますか。
Do you have any plans for the weekend, Yoko? (yooko san, shuumatsu yotee ga arimasu
ka.)
いいえ、とくにありません。
No, nothing in particular.
(iie, toku ni arimasen.)
じゃあ、どようびハイキングにいきませんか。
Well then, why don't we go for a hike on Saturday?
(jaa, do-yoobi haikingu ni ikimasen ka.)
いいですね。どこへいきたいですか。
Sounds good! Where do you want to go?
(ii desu ne. doko e ikitai desu ka.)
たかおさんはどうですか。とてもいいけしきです
How about Mt. Takao? It offers a very fine view, よ。
you know. (takaosan wa doo desu ka. totemo ii keshiki
desu yo.)
わかりました。おちゃとおべんとうがいりますね ?
OK. We need tea and box lunch, right? (wakarimashita. ocha to obentoo ga irimasu
ne?)
ぼうしとカメラもおわすれなく！
Don't forget your hat and camera, either!
(booshi to kamera mo owasurenaku!)
Let's meet at the Shinjuku Station at nine o'clock あさ、くじにしんじゅくえきであいましょう。

in the morning. (asa, ku-ji ni shinjuku eki de aimashoo.)
Do you have any plans for the weekend?
(shuumatsu yotee ga arimasu ka.)
よていがあります。
I have plans.
(yotee ga arimasu.)
しゅうまつよていがあります。
I have plans for the weekend.
(shuumatsu yotee ga arimasu.)
ようこさん、げつようびよていがありますか。
Do you have plans for Monday, Yoko? (yooko san, getsu-yoobi yotee ga arimasu
ka.)
ようじがあります。
I have things to do.
(yooji ga arimasu.)
にちようびようじがありますか。
Do you have things to do on Sunday?
(nichi-yoobi yooji ga arimasu ka.)
I'm free on Friday. きんようびはひまです。

(As for Friday, I am free.) (kin-yoobi wa hima desu.)
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そうですね・・・。どようびはいそがしいです
が、にちようびはひまです。
Well.... I'm busy on Saturday, but free on Sunday.
(soo desu ne.... do-yoobi wa isogashii desu
ga, nichi-yoobi wa hima desu.)
Why don't we go to a mountain for a hike?
(yama e haikingu ni ikimasen ka.)
やまへいきませんか。
Why don't we go to a mountain?
(yama e ikimasen ka.)
ハイキングにいきませんか。
Why don't we go for a hike?
(haikingu ni ikimasen ka.)
こうえんへいきませんか。
Why don't we go to the park?
(kooen e ikimasen ka.)
Why don't we go to the park for a walk on どようびこうえんへさんぽにいきませんか。

Saturday? (do-yoobi kooen e sanpo ni ikimasen ka.)
ともだちとかわへいきます。
I'm going to the river with my friends.
(tomodachi to kawa e ikimasu.)
ともだちとかわへつりにいきます。
I'm going to the river with my friends for fishing.
(tomodachi to kawa e tsuri ni ikimasu.)
にちようびともだちとかわへつりにいきます。
I'm going to the river with my friends for fishing on いっしょにいきませんか。
Sunday. Why don't you come with us? (nichi-yoobi tomodachi to kawa e tsuri ni
ikimasu. issho ni ikimasen ka.)
Let's go to the beach to swim.
(umi e oyogi ni ikimashoo.)
およぎにいきましょう。
Let's go to swim.
(oyogi ni ikimashoo.)
Let's go to the beach. うみへいきましょう。

(Let's go to the ocean.) (umi e ikimashoo.)
あそびにいきます
go to have fun
(asobi ni ikimasu)
ゆうえんちへあそびにいきます。
We'll go to the amusement park to have fun.
(yuuenchi e asobi ni ikimasu.)
next Sunday こんどのにちようび

(Sunday of the next time) (kondo no nichi-yoobi)
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こんどのにちようび、ゆうえんちへあそびにいき
Let's go to the amusement park to have fun next ましょう。
Sunday. (kondo no nichi-yoobi, yuuenchi e asobi ni
ikimashoo.)
あそびにきませんか。
Why don't you come over for a visit?
(asobi ni kimasen ka.)
こんどのどようび
next Saturday
(kondo no do-yoobi)
こんどのどようび、うちへあそびにきませんか。
Why don't you come over to my house for a visit
(kondo no do-yoobi, uchi e asobi ni kimasen
next Saturday?
ka.)
どこへいきたいですか。
Where do you want to go?
(doko e ikitai desu ka.)
どこへいきますか。
Where do you go?
(doko e ikimasu ka.)
しゅうまつどこへいきたいですか。
Where do you want to go on the weekend?
(shuumatsu doko e ikitai desu ka.)
どこへおよぎにいきたいですか。
Where do you want to go to swim?
(doko e oyogi ni ikitai desu ka.)
なにをしたいですか。
What do you want to do?
(nani o shitai desu ka.)
きんようびのばん
Friday evening
(kin-yoobi no ban)
きんようびのばん、なにをしたいですか。
What do you want to do on Friday evening?
(kin-yoobi no ban, nani o shitai desu ka.)
なにをみたいですか。
What do you want to watch?
(nani o mitai desu ka.)
えいがですか。いいですね！なにをみたいです
A movie? It sounds good! What do you want to か。
watch? (eega desu ka. ii desu ne! nani o mitai desu
ka.)
たかおさんはどうですか。
How about Mt. Takao?
(takaosan wa doo desu ka.)
How about ~? どうですか。

(How is it?) (doo desu ka.)
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It offers a fine view, you know. いいけしきですよ。
(It is a fine view, you know.) (ii keshiki desu yo.)
えのしまはどうですか。とてもゆうめいなビーチ
How about Enoshima? It's a very famous beach, ですよ。
you know. (enoshima wa doo desu ka. totemo
yuumeena biichi desu yo.)
「しちにんのさむらい」はどうですか。とてもお
How about "Seven Samurai"? It's a very もしろいえいがですよ。
interesting movie, you know. ("shichi-nin no samurai" wa doo desu ka.
totemo omoshiroi eega desu yo.)
We need tea and a box lunch.
(ocha to obentoo ga irimasu.)
おちゃがいります。
We need tea.
(ocha ga irimasu.)
おちゃとおべんとう
tea and a box lunch
(ocha to obentoo)
わかりました。おちゃとおべんとうがいります
ね？
OK. We need tea and a box lunch, right?
(wakarimashita. ocha to obentoo ga irimasu
ne?)
カメラとぼうしがいります。
We need a camera and a hat.
(kamera to booshi ga irimasu.)
カメラとぼうしもいりますよ。
We need a camera and a hat, too, you know.
(kamera to booshi mo irimasu yo.)
カメラとぼうしもおわすれなく！
Don't forget a camera and a hat, either!
(kamera to booshi mo owasurenaku!)
しんじゅくえきであいましょう。
Let's meet at the Shinjuku Station.
(shinjuku eki de aimashoo.)
あさ、しんじゅくえきであいましょう。
Let's meet at the Shinjuku Station in the morning.
(asa, shinjuku eki de aimashoo.)
おべんとうをたべましょう。
Let's eat box lunch.
(obentoo o tabemashoo)
こうえんでおべんとうをたべましょう。
Let's eat box lunch at the park.
(kooen de obentoo o tabemashoo.)
じゅうにじはんにこうえんでおべんとうをたべま
しょう。
Let's eat box lunch in the park at half past twelve.
(juuni-ji han ni kooen de obentoo o
tabemashoo.)
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もくようび、えいがをみにいきます。
We are going to watch a movie on Thursday.
(moku-yoobi, eega o mi ni ikimasu.)
もくようび、なんじにえいがをみにいきますか。
What time are you going to watch a movie on
(moku-yoobi, nan-ji ni eega o mi ni ikimasu
Thursday?
ka.)
よじごろいきます。
We are going around four o'clock.
(yoji goro ikimasu.)
ハチこうのまえ
front of Hachiko
(hachikoo no mae)
よじごろいきます。ハチこうのまえであいましょ
We are going around four o'clock. Let's meet in う。
front of Hachiko. (yoji goro ikimasu. hachikoo no mae de
aimashoo.)
We are tired, aren't we! Shall we rest a little bit? (tsukaremashita ne. chotto yasumimashoo
ka.)
ええ。むしあついですね。いま、なんどぐらいで
Sure. It's stifling hot, isn't it! How hot do you think しょうか。
it is now, approximately? (ee. mushiatsui desu ne. ima, nando gurai
deshoo ka.)
たぶんさんじゅうどぐらいでしょう。きのうより
It's probably about thirty degrees, I think. It's すずしいですよ。
cooler than yesterday, you know. (tabun sanjuu do gurai deshoo. ki-noo yori
suzushii desu yo.)
ええ。きのうははれでしたから、とてもあつかっ
Yes. It was very hot yesterday, wasn't it, since it たですね。
was sunny. (ee. ki-noo wa hare deshita kara, totemo
atsukatta desu ne.)
How far is it from here to the summit? (koko kara choojoo made, donokurai desu
ka.)
そうですね・・・。あといちキロぐらいです。
Well.... We have about one more kilometer to go.
(soo desu ne.... ato ichi kiro gurai desu.)
なんだか、あめがふりそうですね。
It kind of looks like it's going to rain, doesn't it!
(nandaka, ame ga furisoo desu ne.)
Yes. Let's hurry a little bit!
(ee, chotto isogimashoo!)
ちょっとやすみましょうか。
Shall we rest a little bit?
(chotto yasumimashoo ka.)
きょうはむしあついです。
It's stifling hot today.
(kyoo wa mushiatsui desu.)
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ひかげでやすみましょうか。
Shall we rest in the shade?
(hikage de yasumimashoo ka.)
むしあついですね。ひかげでやすみましょうか。
It's stifling hot, isn't it! Shall we rest in the shade? (mushiatsui desu ne. hikage de
yasumimashoo ka.)
How hot do you think it is now? いまなんどでしょうか。
(What degree do you think it is now?) (ima nando deshoo ka.)
How hot is it? なんどですか。

(What degree is it?) (nan-do desu ka.)
It's stifling hot, isn't it! How hot do you think it is むしあついですね。いまなんどでしょうか。
now? (mushiatsui desu ne. ima nan-do deshoo ka.)
さんじゅうどぐらいでしょう。
It's around thirty degrees, I think.
(sanjuu-do gurai deshoo.)
そうですね・・・。たぶんさんじゅうごどぐらい
Well.... It's probably around thirty-five degrees, I でしょう。
think. (soo desu ne.... tabun sanjuu-go-do gurai
deshoo.)
How cold is it, approximately? なんどぐらいですか。

(About what degree is it?) (nan-do gurai desu ka.)
さむいですね。いま、なんどぐらいでしょうか。
It's cold, isn't it! How cold do you think it is now,
(samui desu ne. ima, nan-do gurai deshoo
approximately?
ka.)
えーっと・・・。わあ、れいどですよ !
Let me see.... Wow, it's zero degrees, you know!
(eetto.... waa, ree do desu yo!)
It's cooler today than yesterday.
(kyoo wa ki-noo yori suzushii desu.)
It's cooler than yesterday. きのうよりすずしいです。
(It is more cool than yesterday.) (ki-noo yori suzushii desu.)
this spring ことしのはる

(spring of this year) (kotoshi no haru)
last spring きょねんのはる

(spring of last year) (kyo-nen no haru)
ことしのはるはきょねんのはるよりあたたかいで
すね。
This spring is warmer than last spring, isn't it!
(kotoshi no haru wa kyo-nen no haru yori
atatakai desu ne.)
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なつのやま
mountains in summer
(natsu no yama)
あきのやまはなつのやまよりきれいですよ。
Mountains in autumn are more beautiful than
(aki no yama wa natsu no yama yori kiree
mountains in summer, you know.
desu yo.)
ほっかいどうのふゆ
winter in Hokkaido
(hokkaidoo no fuyu)
ずっとさむいです。
It's much colder.
(zutto samui desu.)
ほっかいどうのふゆはきゅうしゅうのふゆより
The winter in Hokkaido is much colder than the ずっとさむいです。
winter in Kyushu. (hokkaidoo no fuyu wa kyuushuu no fuyu
yori zutto samui desu.)
うみとやまと、どちらがすきですか。
Which do you like better, the ocean or mountains?
(umi to yama to, dochira ga suki desu ka.)
Which do you like better? どちらがすきですか。

(Which do you like?) (dochira ga suki desu ka.)
そうですね・・・。やまのほうがすきですよ。
Well.... I like mountains better, you know. (soo desu ne.... yama no hoo ga suki desu
yo.)
どちらもすきです。
I like both.
(dochira mo suki desu.)
どちらもすきじゃありません。
I like neither.
(dochira mo suki ja arimasen.)
ほっかいどうときゅうしゅうと、どちらがおおき
いですか。
Which is bigger, Hokkaido or Kyushu?
(hokkaidoo to kyuushuu to, dochira ga ookii
desu ka.)
ほっかいどうのほうがおおきいです。
Hokkaido is bigger.
(hokkaidoo no hoo ga ookii desu.)
あそさんとふじさんと、どちらがたかいですか。
Which is taller, Mt. Aso or Mt. Fuji? (asosan to fujisan to, dochira ga takai desu
ka.)
ふじさんのほうがずっとたかいですよ。
Mt. Fuji is much taller, you know.
(fujisan no hoo ga zutto takai desu yo.)
Which season do you like best? きせつで、いつがいちばんすきですか。

(Among seasons, when do you like best?) (kisetsu de, itsu ga ichiban suki desu ka.)
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いちばんすきです。
I like it best.
(ichiban suki desu.)
Which time period do you like best? いつがいちばんすきですか。

(When do you like best?) (itsu ga ichiban suki desu ka.)
はるがいちばんすきです。
I like spring best.
(haru ga ichiban suki desu.)
なにがいちばんすきですか。
What do you like best?
(nani ga ichiban suki desu ka.)
にほんのはな
Japanese flowers
(nihon no hana)
にほんのはなで、なにがいちばんすきですか。
What do you like best among Japanese flowers? (nihon no hana de, nani ga ichiban suki desu
ka.)
にほんのはなですか。さくらがいちばんすきで
す。
Japanese flowers? I like cherry blossoms best.
(nihon no hana desu ka. sakura ga ichiban
suki desu.)
Where is the coldest place? どこがいちばんさむいですか。

(Where is the coldest?) (doko ga ichiban samui desu ka.)
にほんでどこがいちばんさむいですか。
Where is the coldest place in Japan?
(nihon de doko ga ichiban samui desu ka.)
そうですね・・・。ほっかいどうがいちばんさむ
いでしょう。
Well.... Hokkaido is the coldest, I think.
(soo desu ne.... hokkaidoo ga ichiban samui
deshoo.)
きのうははれでしたから、とてもあつかったで
す。
Since yesterday was sunny, it was very hot.
(ki-noo wa hare deshita kara, totemo
atsukatta desu.)
きょうははれです。
It is sunny today.
(kyoo wa hare desu.)
きのうははれでした。
It was sunny yesterday.
(ki-noo wa hare deshita.)
きのうははれでしたから、あつかったです。
Since it was sunny yesterday, it was hot. (kinoo wa hare deshita kara, atsukatta
desu.)
きのうはあめでしたから、すずしかったですね。
Since it was rainy yesterday, it was cool, wasn't it! (ki-noo wa ame deshita kara, suzushikatta
desu ne.)
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It was cloudy in Tokyo. とうきょうはくもりでした。
(As for Tokyo, it was cloudy.) (tookyoo wa kumori deshita.)
とうきょうはくもりでしたが、むしあつかったで
す。
It was cloudy in Tokyo, but it was stifling hot.
(tookyoo wa kumori deshita ga,
mushiatsukatta desu.)
ほっかいどうはゆきでした。
It was snowy in Hokkaido.
(hokkaidoo wa yuki deshita.)
ほっかいどうはゆきでした。さむかったですが、
It was snowy in Hokkaido. It was cold, but it was きれいでしたよ！
beautiful, you know! (hokkaidoo wa yuki deshita. samukatta desu
ga, kiree deshita yo!)
どのくらいですか。
How far is it?
(donokurai desu ka.)
ここからちょうじょうまで
from here to the summit
(koko kara choojoo made)
いちキロメートルぐらい
about one kilometer
(ichi kiro-meetoru gurai)
ここからちょうじょうまでいちキロメートルぐら
いです。
It's about one kilometer from here to the summit.
(koko kara choojoo made ichi kiro-meetoru
gurai desu.)
We have one more kilometer to go. あといちキロメートルです。

(It's one more kilometer to go.) (ato ichi kiro-meetoru desu.)
そうですね・・・。あとさんキロメートルぐらい
Well.... We have about three more kilometers to でしょう。
go, I think. (soo desu ne.... ato san kiro-meetoru gurai
deshoo.)

(Rain seems to fall. ) (ame ga furisoo desu.)
It rains. あめがふります。
(Rain falls. ) (ame ga furimasu.)
なんだかあめがふりそうです。
It somewhat seems that it's going to rain.
(nandaka ame ga furisoo desu.)
なんだかあめがふりそうですね。ちょっといそぎ
It somewhat seems that it's going to rain, doesn't ましょう。
it! Let's hurry a little bit. (nandaka ame ga furisoo desu ne. chotto
isogimashoo.)
It seems that it's going to stop snowing. ゆきがやみそうです。

(Snow seems to stop.) (yuki ga yamisoo desu.)
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We'd better be going. そろそろいきましょうか。
(Shall we go by and by?) (soro soro ikimashoo ka.)
ああ、ゆきがやみそうですね。そろそろいきま
Oh, it seems that it's going to stop snowing, しょうか。
doesn't it! We'd better be going. (aa, yuki ga yamisoo desu ne. soro soro
ikimashoo ka.)
もしもし、たかしさんですか。ようこです。い
Hello, is this Takashi? It's Yoko. What are you ま、なにをしていますか。
doing now? (moshi moshi, takashi san desu ka. yooko
desu. ima, nani o shite imasu ka.)
I'm making chicken curry.
へえ。どうやってつくるんですか。
Oh? Tell me, how do you make it?
(hee. doo-yatte tsukurundesu ka.)
First, we sauté chicken and vegetables, add water, て、２０ぷんぐらいにます。
and cook for twenty minutes or so. (mazu tori-niku to yasai o itamete, mizu o
それからカレールーをいれて、しばらくよわびで
Then, we add the curry roux, and cook for a little にます。
while over low heat. (sore kara karee ruu o irete, shibaraku
yowabi de nimasu.)
おいしそうですね！
It sounds delicious, doesn't it!
(oishisoo desu ne!)
It's almost ready, you know. Why don't you come もうすぐできますよ。たべにきませんか。
over for a bite? (moo sugu dekimasu yo. tabe ni kimasen ka.)
えっ、いいんですか。じゃあ、デザートをもって
Oh, are you sure it's OK? Well then, I'll bring いきます。
desserts. (e, iindesu ka. jaa, dezaato o motte
ikimasu.)
いいですね！じゃあ、まっています。
It sounds good! Well, I'll be waiting for you.
(ii desu ne! jaa, matte imasu.)
What are you doing now?
(ima, nani o shite imasu ka.)
していますか
are you doing?
(shite imasu ka)
なにをしていますか。
What are you doing?
(nani o shite imasu ka.)
もしもし、たかしさんですか。ようこです。
Hello, is this Takashi? It's Yoko. (moshi moshi, takashi san desu ka. yooko
desu.)
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English Japanese
もしもし、いちろうです。いま、なにをしていま
すか。
Hello, it's Ichiro. What are you doing now?
(moshi moshi, ichiroo desu. ima, nani o shite
imasu ka.)
りょうりしています
is/am/are cooking
(ryoori shite imasu)
いま、うちでりょうりしています。
I am cooking at my house now.
(ima, uchi de ryoori shite imasu.)
しょくじしています
is/am/are having a meal
(shokuji shite imasu)
いま、ともだちとレストランでしょくじしていま
I am having a meal at the restaurant with my す。
friends now. (ima, tomodachi to resutoran de shokuji
shite imasu.)
I am having supper now. いま、ばんごはんをたべています。

(I am eating evening meal now.) (ima, bangohan o tabete imasu.)
でんわをかけています。
I am making a telephone call.
(denwa o kakete imasu.)
すみません。いま、でんわをかけています。
I'm sorry. I am making a telephone call now.
(sumimasen. ima, denwa o kakete imasu.)
いまテレビをみています。
I am watching TV now.
(ima terebi o mite imasu.)
いまですか。りょうりばんぐみをみていますよ。
Now? I am watching a cooking show, you know. (ima desu ka. ryoori bangumi o mite imasu
yo.)
I am cooking rice now. いま、ごはんをたいています。

(I am cooking steamed rice now.) (ima, gohan o taite imasu.)
I am boiling water. おゆをわかしています。

(I am boiling hot water.) (oyu o wakashite imasu.)
いま、おゆをわかしています。おちゃでものみま
I am boiling water now. Why don't we have tea or せんか。
something? (ima, oyu o wakashite imasu. ocha demo
nomimasen ka.)
come over to eat たべにきます

(come to eat) (tabe ni kimasu)
Why don't you come over for a bite? たべにきませんか。

(Won't you come to eat?) (tabe ni kimasen ka.)
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English Japanese
いま、ラーメンをつくっています。たべにきませ
I am making ramen noodle soup now. Why don't んか。
you come over for a bite? (ima, raamen o tsukutte imasu. tabe ni
kimasen ka.)
チキンカレーはどうやってつくるんですか。
Tell me, how do you make chicken curry?
(chikin karee wa doo-yatte tsukurundesu
(Tell me, as for chicken curry, how do you make it?)
ka.)
どうやってつくりますか。
How do you make it?
(doo-yatte tsukurimasu ka.)
さかなをやきます。
I broil fish.
(sakana o yakimasu.)
どうやってさかなをやきますか。
How do you broil fish?
(doo-yatte sakana o yakimasu ka.)
Tell me, how do you broil fish? さかなはどうやってやくんですか。

(Tell me, as for fish, how do you broil it?) (sakana wa doo-yatte yakundesu ka.)
おいしそうですね。どうやってつくるんですか。
It sounds tasty, doesn't it! Tell me, how do you
(oishisoo desu ne. doo-yatte tsukurundesu
make it?
ka.)
どうやってたべるんですか。
Tell me, how do you eat it?
(doo-yatte taberundesu ka.)
しゃぶしゃぶですか。おいしそうですね。どう
Shabu shabu? It looks tasty, doesn't it! Tell me, やってたべるんですか。
how do you eat it? (shabu shabu desu ka. oishisoo desu ne.
doo-yatte taberundesu ka.)
とりにくとやさいをいためて、みずをいれます。
We sauté chicken and vegetables, and add water. (tori-niku to yasai o itamete, mizu o
iremasu.)
とりにくとやさい
chicken and vegetable
(tori-niku to yasai)
とりにくとやさいをいためて
We sauté chicken and vegetables, and
(tori-niku to yasai o itamete)
みずをいれます。
We add water.
(mizu o iremasu.)
じゅっぷんぐらいにます。
We cook for about ten minutes.
(juppun gurai nimasu.)
みずをいれて
we add water, and
(mizu o irete)
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English Japanese
We add water, and cook it for about twenty みずをいれて、にじゅっぷんぐらいにます。
minutes. (mizu o irete, nijuppun gurai nimasu.)
First, we sauté chicken and vegetables, add water, て、にじゅっぷんぐらいにます。
and cook it for about twenty minutes. (mazu tori-niku to yasai o itamete, mizu o
それからカレールーをいれます。
Then, we add the curry roux.
(sore kara karee ruu o iremasu.)
よわびでにます。
We cook it over low heat.
(yowabi de nimasu.)
しばらくよわびでにます。
We cook it over low heat for a while.
(shibaraku yowabi de nimasu.)
How much water do you add?
(dono kurai mizu o iremasu ka.)
みずをいれますか。
Do you add water?
(mizu o iremasu ka.)
まず、みずをカップさんばいいれます。
First, we add three cupfuls of water.
(mazu, mizu o kappu san-bai iremasu.)
つぎに、しょうゆをおおさじよんはいいれます。
Next, we add four tablespoonfuls of soy sauce.
(tsugi ni, shooyu o oosaji yon-hai iremasu.)
それから、さとうをこさじにはいいれます。
Then, we add two teaspoonfuls of sugar.
(sore kara, satoo o kosaji nihai iremasu.)
しおをひとつまみいれます。
We add a pinch of salt.
(shio o hitotsumami iremasu.)
こしょうをしょうしょういれます。
We add a dash of pepper.
(koshoo o shoo shoo iremasu.)
よわびでいちじかんにます。
We cook it for one hour over low heat.
(yowabi de ichi-jikan nimasu.)
さいごにしおをひとつまみいれて、よわびでいち
Lastly, we add a pinch of salt, and cook for one じかんにます。
hour over low heat. (saigo ni shio o hitotsumami irete, yowabi de
ichi-jikan nimasu.)
What is miso paste made from?
(miso wa nani kara dekite imasu ka.)
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English Japanese
What is it made from? なにからできていますか。
(From what is it being made?) (nani kara dekite imasu ka.)
みそですか。だいずからできています。
Miso paste? It is made from soybeans.
(miso desu ka. daizu kara dekite imasu.)
みそもしょうゆも
both miso paste and soy sauce
(miso mo shooyu mo)
みそもしょうゆもだいずからできていますよ。
Both miso paste and soy sauce are made from
(miso mo shooyu mo daizu kara dekite imasu
soybeans, you know.
yo.)
ざいりょうはなんですか。
What are the ingredients?
(zai-ryoo wa nan desu ka.)
おやこどんぶりのざいりょう
the ingredients for the "parent-child" rice bowl
(oyako donburi no zai-ryoo)
あのう、おやこどんぶりのざいりょうはなんです
Um, what are the ingredients for the "parent- か。
child" rice bowl? (anoo, oyako donburi no zai-ryoo wa nan
desu ka.)
おやこどんぶりのざいりょうですか。ごはんとと
The ingredients for the "parent-child" rice bowl?
りにくとたまごですよ。
They are steamed rice, chicken, and eggs, you
(oyako donburi no zai-ryoo desu ka. gohan
know.
to tori-niku to tamago desu yo.)

(I'll take desserts.) (dezaato o motte ikimasu.)
えっ！いいんですか。じゃあ、デザートをもって
Oh! Are you sure it's OK? Well then, I'll bring いきます。
desserts. (e! iindesu ka. jaa, dezaato o motte
ikimasu.)
あれ、ようこさん、こんにちは。かいものです
か。
Oh, hello Yoko. Are you out shopping?
(are, yooko san, kon-nichiwa. kaimono desu
ka.)
ええ、すずしくなりましたから、ながそでのブラ
Yes. Since it's getting cooler, I'm looking for some ウスとセーターをさがしています。
long-sleeved blouses and sweaters. (ee, suzushiku narimashita kara, nagasode
no burausu to seetaa o sagashite imasu.)
でも、ちょうどいいのがありません。
But, I haven't found exactly what I want.
(demo, choodo ii no ga arimasen.)
しぶやのとうきょうプラザはどうですか。いま、
How about Tokyo Plaza in Shibuya? They are セールちゅうですよ。
having a sale now, you know. (shibuya no tookyoo puraza wa doo desu ka.
ima, seeruchuu desu yo.)
へえ、なんじまでですか。
Really? What time do they close?
(hee, nanji made desu ka.)
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どようびはくじまでです。ばしょをしっています
They are open until 9 o'clock on Saturdays. Do か。
you know where it is? (do-yoobi wa ku-ji made desu. basho o shitte
imasu ka.)
いいえ、しりません。おしえてください。
No, I don't. Please tell me where.
(iie, shirimasen. oshiete kudasai.)
ぼくもあたらしいふくがほしいんです。いっしょ
As a matter of fact, I want some new clothes, too. にいきましょう。
Let's go together. (boku mo atarashii fuku ga hoshiindesu.
The price of suits has gone down. スーツがやすくなりました。

(Suits became inexpensive.) (suutsu ga yasuku narimashita.)
いま、セールちゅうです。
They are having a sale now.
(ima, seeruchuu desu.)
しぶやのとうきょうプラザ
Tokyo Plaza in Shibuya
(shibuya no tookyoo puraza)
しぶやのとうきょうプラザはいまセールちゅうで
す。スーツがやすくなりましたよ。
Tokyo Plaza in Shibuya is having a sale now. The
(shibuya no tookyoo puraza wa ima
price of suits has gone down, you know.
seeruchuu desu. suutsu ga yasuku
narimashita yo.)
Can't you lower the price? やすくなりませんか。

(Won't it become inexpensive?) (yasuku narimasen ka.)
もうすこしやすくなりませんか。
Can't you lower the price a little more?
(moo sukoshi yasuku narimasen ka.)
それはたかいですね。もうすこしやすくなりませ
That is expensive, isn't it! Can't you lower the んか。
price a little more? (sore wa takai desu ne. moo sukoshi yasuku
narimasen ka.)
I am looking for some long sleeve blouses.
(nagasode no burausu o sagashite imasu.)
ブラウスをさがしています。
I am looking for a blouse.
(burausu o sagashite imasu.)
long sleeve blouse ながそでのブラウス

(blouse with long sleeves) (nagasode no burausu)
さがしていますか
are you looking for?
(sagashige imasu ka)
なにかおさがしですか。
Are you looking for something?
(nanika osagashi desu ka.)
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はんそでの Tシャツ
short sleeve T-shirt
(hansode no tiishatsu)
はんそでの Tシャツをさがしています。
I am looking for some short sleeve T-shirts.
(hansode no tiishatsu o sagashite imasu.)
やすいふゆものをさがしています。
I am looking for some inexpensive winter items.
(yasui fuyumono o sagashite imasu.)
すずしくなりましたから、ながそでのブラウスと
Since it has become cool, I am looking for some セーターをさがしています。
long sleeve blouses and sweaters. (suzushiku narimashita kara, nagasode no
burausu to seetaa o sagashite imasu.)
They don't have what I really want. ちょうどいいのがありません。

(They don't have one that is just right.) (choodo ii no ga arimasen.)
one that is just right ちょうどいいの

(just right one) (choodo ii no)
the right size ちょうどいいサイズ

(just right size) (choodo ii saizu)
ちょうどいいサイズがありません。
They don't have the right size.
(choodo ii saizu ga arimasen.)
ちょっとちいさいです。
It's a little bit small.
(chotto chiisai desu.)
おおきいサイズがありますか。
Do you have a bigger size?
(ookii saizu ga arimasu ka.)
このブーツはちょっとちいさいです。おおきいサ
This pair of boots is a little bit small. Do you have イズがありますか。
a bigger size? (kono buutsu wa chotto chiisai desu. ookii
saizu ga arimasu ka.)
そでがみじかいです。
The sleeves are short.
(sode ga mijikai desu.)
すてきなコートですが、そでがちょっとみじかい
It's a nice coat, but the sleeves are a little bit です。
short. (sutekina kooto desu ga, sode ga chotto
mijikai desu.)
Are you out shopping? かいものですか。

(Is it shopping?) (kaimono desu ka.)
あれ！ようこさん、こんにちは。かいものです
か。
Ah! Hello Yoko. Are you out shopping?
(are! yooko san, kon-nichiwa. kaimono desu
ka.)
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winter coat ふゆのコート
(coat for winter) (fuyu no kooto)
ええ。ふゆのコートをさがしていますが、ちょう
Yes. I am looking for a winter coat, but they don't どいいのがありません。
have what I really want. (ee. fuyu no kooto o sagashite imasu ga,
choodo ii no ga arimasen.)
くつのサイズはなんですか。
What is your shoe size?
(kutsu no saizu wa nan desu ka.)
shoe size くつのサイズ

(size of shoes) (kutsu no saizu)
なんですか。
What is it?
(nan desu ka.)
にじゅうさんセンチ
twenty-three centimeters
(ni-juu-san senchi)
くつのサイズですか。にじゅうろくてんごです。
My shoe size? It's twenty-six point five. (kutsu no saizu desu ka. ni-juu-roku ten go
desu.)
ふくのサイズはなんですか。
What is your size for clothes?
(fuku no saizu wa nan desu ka.)
きゅうごうのワンピース
size nine dress
(kyuugoo no wanpiisu)
きゅうごうのワンピースがありますか。
Do you have a size nine dress?
(kyuugoo no wanpiisu ga arimasu ka.)
みずぎをさがしています。サイズは Mです。
I am looking for a swimsuit. My size is medium. (mizugi o sagashite imasu. saizu wa emu
desu.)
にほんのサイズ
Japanese sizes
(nihon no saizu)
にほんのサイズがわかりません。
I don't understand Japanese sizes.
(nihon no saizu ga wakarimasen.)
しちゃくしつがありますか。
Do you have a fitting room?
(shichaku-shitsu ga arimasu ka.)
すてきなうわぎですが、にほんのサイズがわかり
ません。しちゃくしつがありますか。
It's a nice jacket, but I don't understand Japanese
(sutekina uwagi desu ga, nihon no saizu ga
sizes. Do you have a fitting room?
wakarimasen. shichaku-shitsu ga arimasu
ka.)
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What time does that store close? そのみせはなんじまでですか。
(Until what time is that store?) (sono mise wa nan-ji made desu ka.)
What time does it close? なんじまでですか。

(Until what time is it?) (nan-ji made desu ka.)
えきまえのくつや
the shoe store in the station-front area
(ekimae no kutsu-ya)
えきまえのくつやはなんじまでですか。
What time does the shoe store in the station-front
(ekimae no kutsu-ya wa nan-ji made desu
area close?
ka.)
ゆうがたろくじはん
half past six in the evening
(yuugata roku-ji han)
It is open until half past six in the evening. ゆうがたろくじはんまでです。

(It is until half past six in the evening.) (yuugata roku-ji han made desu.)
What are the store hours? なんじからなんじまでですか。

(From what time until what time is it?) (nan-ji kara nan-ji made desu ka.)
えきまえのスーパーは、なんじからなんじまでで
What are the store hours for the supermarket in すか。
the station-front area? (ekimae no suupaa wa, nan-ji kara nan-ji
made desu ka.)
えきまえのスーパーは、あさくじからよるじゅう
The supermarket in the station-front area is open
じまでです。
from nine o'clock in the morning until ten o'clock
(ekimae no suupaa wa, asa ku-ji kara yoru
at night.
juu-ji made desu.)
えきまえのしょうてんがいですか。どようびはよ
The shopping district in the station-front area? It is るくじまでです。
open until nine o'clock at night on Saturdays. (ekimae no shootengai desu ka. do-yoobi wa
yoru ku-ji made desu.)
ばしょをしっていますか。
Do you know the location?
(basho o shitte imasu ka.)
そのみせのなまえ
the name of that store
(sono mise no namae)
そのみせのなまえをしっていますか。
Do you know the name of that store?
(sono mise no namae o shitte imasu ka.)
ええ、しっています。
Yes, I know.
(ee, shitte imasu.)
このコートのねだん
the price of this coat
(kono kooto no nedan)
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このコートのねだんですか。しりません。いくら
The price of this coat? I don't know. How much is ですか。
it? (kono kooto no nedan desu ka. shirimasen.
ikura desu ka.)
great cake shop おいしいケーキやさん

(tasty cake shop) (oishii keeki-ya san)
おいしいケーキやさんをしっていますか。
Do you know any great cake shop?
(oishii keeki-ya san o shitte imasu ka.)
ええ、しっています。えきまえのケーキやさんが
Yes, I know. The cake shop in the station-front いちばんですよ。
area is the best, you know. (ee, shitte imasu. ekimae no keeki-ya san ga
ichiban desu yo.)
Please tell me the location.
(basho o oshiete kudasai.)
とうきょうプラザのばしょをおしえてください。
Please tell me the location of Tokyo Plaza. (tookyoo puraza no basho o oshiete
kudasai.)
すみませんが、そのみせのなまえをおしえてくだ
Excuse me, but please tell me the name of that さい。
store. (sumimasen ga, sono mise no namae o
oshiete kudasai.)
すみませんが、そのセーターをみせてください。
Excuse me, but please show me that sweater. (sumimasen ga, sono seetaa o misete
kudasai.)
すみませんが、いっしょにつつんでください。
Excuse me, but please wrap them together.
(sumimasen ga, issho ni tsutsunde kudasai.)
はこにいれてください。
Please put it in the box.
(hako ni irete kudasai.)
すみませんが、はこにいれて、つつんでくださ
Excuse me, but please put it in the box and wrap い。
it. (sumimasen ga, hako ni irete, tsutsunde
kudasai.)
I want some new clothes too.
(watashi mo atarashii fuku ga hoshii desu.)
あたらしいふくがほしいです。
I want some new clothes.
(atarashii fuku ga hoshii desu.)
あたらしいみずぎとサンダルがほしいです。
I want a new swimsuit and a pair of sandals.
(atarashii mizugi to sandaru ga hoshii desu.)
あたたかいコートとブーツ
warm coat and a pair of boots
(atatakai kooto to buutsu)
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English Japanese
あたたかいコートとブーツがほしいです。
I want a warm coat and a pair of boots.
(atatakai kooto to buutsu ga hoshii desu.)
さむくなりましたから、あたたかいコートとブー
Since it has become cold, I want a warm coat and ツがほしいです。
a pair of boots. (samuku narimashita kara, atatakai kooto to
buutsu ga hoshii desu.)
ぼくもほしいんです。
As a matter of fact, I want it too.
(boku mo hoshiindesu.)
You are carrying a lot of packages, aren't you! Let
(nimotsu ga ooi desu ne. hitotsu
me carry one for you.
mochimashoo.)
すみません。ゆうびんきょくまで、おねがいして
Thank you. May I ask you to carry it to the post もいいですか。
office? (sumimasen. yuubinkyoku made, o-
negaishite mo ii desu ka.)
ええ、かまいませんよ。アメリカまでですか。
Sure, I don't mind, you know. Are they for the
(ee, kamaimasen yo. amerika made desu
U.S.?
ka.)
ええ。かぞくやともだちへのクリスマスプレゼン
Yes. As a matter of fact, they are Christmas トなんです。
presents for my family and friends. (ee. kazoku ya tomodachi e no kurisumasu
purezento nandesu.)
こうくうびんでいくらぐらいかかるでしょうか。
About how much do you think it will cost to send
(kookuubin de ikura gurai kakaru deshoo
them by airmail?
ka.)
そうですね・・・。たぶんぜんぶでにまんえんち
Well.... Probably, it will cost close to twenty かくかかるでしょう。
えっ、そんなに？すみませんが、さきにぎんこう
Oh, that much? I'm sorry, but may I stop by at the によってもいいですか。
bank first? (e, son-na ni? sumimasen ga, saki ni ginkoo
りょうがえですか。それなら、ゆうびんきょくで
To exchange money? If so, you can do it also in もできますよ。
the post office, you know. (ryoogae desu ka. sore nara, yuubinkyoku
de mo dekimasu yo.)
へえ、しりませんでした。べんりですね。
Oh, I didn't know that. It's convenient, isn't it!
(hee, shirimasen deshita. benri desu ne.)
Let me carry one of the packages for you.
(nimotsu o hitotsu mochimashoo.)
にもつをもちます。
I will carry a package.
(nimotsu o mochimasu.)
I will carry one of the packages. にもつをひとつもちます。

(I carry one package.) (nimotsu o hitotsu mochimasu.)
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You have many packages. にもつがおおいです。
(Packages are many.) (nimotsu ga ooi desu.)
にもつがいつつあります。
I have five packages.
(nimotsu ga itsutsu arimasu.)
いくつありますか。
How many do you have?
(ikutsu arimasu ka.)
にもつがいくつありますか。
How many packages do you have?
(nimotsu ga ikutsu arimasu ka.)
にもつがよっつありますね。ふたつもちましょ
You have four packages, don't you! Let me carry う。
two for you. (nimotsu ga yottsu arimasu ne. futatsu
mochimashoo.)
ゆうびんきょくまで、おねがいしてもいいです
May I ask you to carry it to the post office? か。
(May I request to the post office?) (yuubinkyoku made, onegai shite mo ii desu
ka.)
ぎんこうによります。
I will stop by at the bank.
(ginkoo ni yorimasu.)
よってもいいですか。
May I stop by?
(yotte mo ii desu ka.)
さきにぎんこうによってもいいですか。
May I stop by at the bank first?
(saki ni ginkoo ni yotte mo ii desu ka.)
えっ？！そんなに？すみませんが、さきにぎんこ
What?! So much? I'm sorry, but may I stop by at うによってもいいですか。
the bank first? (e?! son-na ni? sumimasen ga, saki ni ginkoo
ええ、いいですよ。どうぞ。
Yes, sure. Please go ahead.
(ee, ii desu yo. doozo.)
ええ、かまいませんよ。いっしょにいきましょ
No, I don't mind, you know. Let's go together.
う。
(Yes, I don't mind, you know. Let's go together.)
(ee, kamaimasen yo. issho ni ikimashoo.)
As a matter of fact, they are presents for my かぞくへのプレゼントなんです。

family. (kazoku e no purezento nandesu.)
かぞくへのプレゼントです。
They are presents for my family.
(kazoku e no purezento desu.)
かぞくやともだち
my family, friends, and others
(kazoku ya tomodachi)
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かぞくやともだちへのクリスマスプレゼント
Christmas presents for my family, friends, and
(kazoku ya tomodachi e no kurisumasu
others
purezento)
ははへのたんじょうびプレゼント
a birthday present for my mother
(haha e no tanjoobi purezento)
アメリカまでおくります。
I'll send it to America.
(amerika made okurimasu)
ははへのたんじょうびプレゼントをアメリカまで
I will send a birthday present for my mother to おくります。
America. (haha e no tanjoobi purezento o amerika
made okurimasu.)
かのじょからのプレゼント
a present from my girlfriend
(ka-nojo kara no purezento)
このネクタイですか。かのじょからのプレゼント
です。
This necktie? It's a present from my girlfriend.
(kono nekutai desu ka. ka-nojo kara no
purezento desu.)
アメリカまでこうくうびんでいくらかかります
How much does it cost to send it to America by か。
airmail? (amerika made kookuubin de ikura
kakarimasu ka.)
いくらかかりますか。
How much does it cost?
(ikura kakarimasu ka.)
How much does it cost to send it to America? アメリカまでいくらかかりますか。

(How much does it cost to America?) (amerika made ikura kakarimasu ka.)
すみません。カナダまでふなびんでいくらかかり
Excuse me. How much does it cost to send it to ますか。
Canada by sea mail? (sumimasen. kanada made funabin de ikura
kakarimasu ka.)
ふなびんですか。にせんごひゃくえんかかりま
す。
Sea mail? It costs two thousand five hundred yen.
(funabin desu ka. nisen gohyaku en
kakarimasu.)
こうくうびんですか。はがきはななじゅうえんで
Airmail? As for the postcard, it is seventy yen. As す。てがみはひゃくじゅうえんかかります。
for the letter, it costs a hundred ten yen. (kookuubin desu ka. hagaki wa nanajuu en
desu. tegami wa hyaku juu en kakarimasu.)
そくたつでおねがいします。いくらかかります
By special delivery, please. How much does it か。
cost? (sokutatsu de onegai shimasu. ikura
kakarimasu ka.)
こうくうびんで、いくらぐらいかかるでしょう
About how much do you think it will cost to send it か。
by airmail? (kookuubin de, ikura gurai kakaru deshoo
ka.)
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close to twenty thousand yen in total
(zenbu de niman en chikaku)
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How long does it take to send it by sea mail?
(funabin de donokurai kakarimasu ka.)
どのくらいかかりますか。
How long does it take?
(donokurai kakarimasu ka.)
ふなびんですか。いっかげついじょうかかります
よ。
Sea mail? It takes one month or more, you know.
(funabin desu ka. ikkagetsu ijoo kakarimasu
yo.)
アメリカまでふなびんでなんかげつかかるでしょ
How many months do you think it takes to send it うか。
to America by sea mail? (amerika made funabin de nan kagetsu
kakaru deshoo ka.)
そうですね・・・。たぶんにかげつちかくかかる
Well.... Probably it takes close to two months, I でしょう。
think. (soo desu ne.... tabun nikagetsu chikaku
kakaru deshoo.)
カナダまでこうくうびんでなんしゅうかんかかり
How many weeks does it take to send it to ますか。
Canada by airmail? (kanada made kookuubin de nanshuukan
kakarimasu ka.)
こうくうびんですか。それなら、いっしゅうかん
ぐらいです。
Airmail? If that's the case, it's about one week.
(kookuubin desu ka. sore nara, isshuukan
gurai desu.)
ドルをえんとりょうがえしたいんですが・・・。
I'd like to exchange some dollars with yen.
(doru o en to ryoogae shitaindesu ga....)
りょうがえしたいです。
I want to exchange money.
(ryoogae shitai desu.)
ドルをりょうがえしたいんですが・・・。
I'd like to exchange some dollars.
(doru o ryoogae shitaindes ga....)
レートはいくらですか。
How much is the exchange rate?
(reeto wa ikura desu ka.)
せんドルりょうがえしたいんですが・・・。いま
I'd like to exchange one thousand dollars. How レートはいくらですか。
much is the exchange rate now? (sen doru ryoogae shitaindesu ga.... ima
reeto wa ikura desu ka.)
eighty-five yen to the dollar いちドルはちじゅうごえん

(one dollar eighty-five yen) (ichi doru hachijuu-go en )
レートですか。いま、いちドルはちじゅうごえん
The exchange rate? It's eighty-five yen to the です。
dollar now. (reeto desu ka. ima, ichi doru hachijuu-go en
desu.)
Where do you recommend? どこがいいですか。

(Where is good?) (doko ga ii desu ka.)
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トラベラーズチェックをりょうがえしたいんです
I'd like to exchange some traveler's cheques. が・・・。どこがいいですか。
Where do you recommend? (toraberaazu chekku o ryoogae shitaindesu
ga.... doko ga ii desu ka.)
ゆうびんきょくでできます。
You can do it at the post office.
(yuubinkyoku de dekimasu.)
ゆうびんきょくでもできます。
You can do it at the post office too.
(yuubinkyoku de mo dekimasu.)
へえ、しりませんでした。それはべんりですね。
Oh, I didn't know it. That is convenient, isn't it! (hee, shirimasendeshita. sore wa benri desu
ne.)
おかねをおろしたいんですが。
I'd like to withdraw some money.
(okane o oroshitaindesu ga.)
このまどぐちでできますか。
Can I do it at this window?
(kono madoguchi de dekimasu ka.)
すみません。おかねをおろしたいんです
Excuse me. I'd like to withdraw some money. Can I が・・・。このまどぐちでできますか。
do it at this window? (sumimasen. okane o oroshitaindesu ga....
kono madoguchi de dekimasu ka.)
The money will arrive four days after you remit it. そうきんしてから、よっかでとどきます。
(After you remit it, it will arrive in four days.) (sookin shite kara, yokka de todokimasu.)
よっかでとどきます。
It will arrive in four days.
(yokka de todokimasu.)
The money arrived ten days after I had remitted そうきんしてから、とおかでとどきました。

it. (sookin shite kara, tooka de todokimashita.)
そくたつですか。おくってから、ふつかからよっ
Special delivery? It will arrive two to four days after かでとどきますよ。
you send it, you know. (sokutatsu desu ka. okutte kara, futsuka
kara yokka de todokimasu yo.)
きょうのひづけはなんですか。
What is today's date?
(kyoo no hizuke wa nan desu ka.)
きょうのひづけ
today's date
(kyoo no hizuke)
すみません。きょうはなんがつなんにちですか。
Excuse me. What date is it today? (sumimasen. kyoo wa nan-gatsu nan-nichi
desu ka.)
きょうはじゅういちがつはつかです。
Today is November 20th.
(kyoo wa juu-ichi-gatsu hatsuka desu.)
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たんじょうびはいつですか。
When is your birthday?
(tanjoobi wa itsu desu ka.)
たんじょうびですか。さんがつじゅうろくにちで
すよ。
My birthday? It's on March 16th, you know.
(tanjoobi desu ka. san-gatsu juu-roku-nichi
desu yo.)
プレゼントをおくりたいです。
I want to send a present.
(purezento o okuritai desu.)
ちちのたんじょうびはしがつにじゅうしちにちで
す。にほんからプレゼントをおくりたいです。
My father's birthday is on April 27th. I want to
(chichi no tanjoobi wa shi-gatsu ni-juu-
send a present from Japan.
shichi-nichi desu. nihon kara purezento o
okuritai desu.)
どうしましたか。
What seems to be the problem?
(doo shimashita ka.)
I have a headache and the chills.
(atama ga itakute, samuke ga shimasu.)
みっかまえからしょくよくもありません。
I have no appetite, either, since three days ago.
(mikka mae kara shokuyoku mo arimasen.)
ねつが３８どありますね。くちをおおきくあけて
You have a fever of 38 degrees, I see. Open your ください。
mouth wide, please. (netsu ga san-juu-hachi do arimasu ne. kuchi
o ookiku akete kudasai.)
のどがあかいですね。ただのかぜでしょう。
Your throat is red, I see. You have a common cold,
(nodo ga akai desu ne. tada no kaze
I think.
deshoo.)
かぜぐすりをだしますから、ねるまえににじょう
I'm going to prescribe cold medicine, so please のんでください。
take two tablets before going to bed. (kazegusuri o dashimasu kara, neru mae ni
ni-joo nonde kudasai.)
あのう、こんばん、おふろにはいってもいいです
か。
Um, may I take a bath tonight?
(anoo, konban, ofuro ni haitte mo ii desu
ka.)
いいえ、きょうはいけませんよ。
No, not today.
(iie, kyoo wa ikemasen yo.)
きょうはくすりをのんで、はやくねてください。
Take your medicine and go to bed early today, おだいじに。
please. Take care. (kyoo wa kusuri o nonde, hayaku nete
I have had no appetite since three days ago. みっかまえから、しょくよくがありません。

(I don't have appetite since three days ago.) (mikka mae kara, shokuyoku ga arimasen.)
しょくよくがありません。
I don't have an appetite.
(shokuyoku ga arimasen.)
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かぜをひきました。
I have caught a cold.
(kaze o hikimashita.)
かぜをひいて
to catch a cold (in the "te"-form)
(kaze o hiite)
かぜをひいています。
I have a cold.
(kaze o hiite imasu.)
おなかのちょうし
the condition of stomach
(onaka no chooshi)
I have an upset stomach. おなかのちょうしがわるいです。

(The condition of stomach is bad.) (onaka no chooshi ga warui desu.)
いっしゅうかんまえから、おなかのちょうしがわ
るいです。
I have had an upset stomach since a week ago.
(isshuukan mae kara, onaka no chooshi ga
warui desu.)
My stomach hurts. おなかがいたいです。

(Stomach is painful.) (onaka ga itai desu.)
いつからおなかがいたいですか。
Since when has your stomach been hurting?
(itsu kara onaka ga itai desu ka.)
ごじかんまえからいたいです。
It has been hurting since five hours ago.
(go jikan mae kara itai desu.)
だいじょうぶでしょうか。
Do you think I am all right?
(daijoobu deshoo ka.)
みっかまえからおなかがいたいんです。だいじょ
As a matter of fact, my stomach has been hurting うぶでしょうか。
since three days ago. Do you think I am all right? (mikka mae kara onaka ga itaindesu.
daijoobu deshoo ka.)
to have chills さむけがする

(to feel a chill) (samuke ga suru)
さむけがします。
I have chills.
(samuke ga shimasu.)
I have a headache. あたまがいたいです。

(My head is painful. ) (atama ga itai desu.)
I have a headache, and あたまがいたくて

(My head is painful, and) (atama ga itakute)
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I feel nauseous. はきけがします。
(I feel nausea.) (hakike ga shimasu.)
My stomach hurts, and I feel nauseous. おなかがいたくて、はきけがします。
(My stomach is painful, and I feel nausea.) (onaka ga itakute, hakike ga shimasu.)
I feel dizzy. めまいがします。

(I feel dizziness.) (memai ga shimasu.)
I feel a pain in my chest. むねがくるしいです。

(Chest is distressing.) (mune ga kurushii desu.)
むねがくるしくて、めまいがします。
I feel a pain in my chest, and I feel dizzy.
(mune ga kurushikute, memai ga shimasu.)
I have a runny nose. はなみずがでます。

(Nasal drips come out.) (hanamizu ga demasu.)
I have a cough. せきがでます。

(A cough comes out.) (seki ga demasu.)
My throat hurts. のどがいたいです。

(My throat is painful.) (nodo ga itai desu.)
のどがいたくて、せきとはなみずがでます。しょ
My throat hurts, and I have a cough and a runny くよくもありません。
nose. I don't have an appetite, either. (nodo ga itakute, seki to hanamizu ga
demasu. shokuyoku mo arimasen.)
どんないたみですか。
What kind of pain is it?
(don-na itami desu ka.)
てのきず
a wound on my hand
(te no kizu)
てのきずがずきずきします。
The wound on my hand throbs with pain.
(te no kizu ga zuki zuki shimasu.)
I have a splitting headache. あたまががんがんします。

(My head suffers from a splitting headache.) (atama ga gan gan shimasu.)
おなかがしくしくいたみます。
I have persistent dull pain in my stomach.
(onaka ga shiku shiku itamimasu.)
おなかがきりきりいたみます。
I have excruciating pain in my stomach.
(onaka ga kiri kiri itamimasu.)
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I burnt myself. やけどをしました。
(I did a burn.) (yakedo o shimashita.)
てにやけどをしました。
I burnt my hand.
(te ni yakedo o shimashita.)
まだ、ひりひりします。
It still burns.
(mada, hiri hiri shimasu.)
きのう、てにやけどをしました。まだひりひりし
ます。
I burnt my hand yesterday. It still burns.
(ki-noo, te ni yakedo o shimashita. mada hiri
hiri shimasu.)
You have a fever of thirty-eight degrees, I see.
(netsu ga san-juu-hachi do arimasu ne.)
ねつがあります。
You have a fever.
(netsu ga arimasu.)
さんじゅうはちど
thirty-eight degrees
(san-juu-hachi do)
ねつがさんじゅうはちどあります。
You have a fever of thirty-eight degrees.
(netsu ga san-juu-hachi do arimasu.)
ねつがあがりましたね。
The fever has gone up, I see.
(netsu ga agarimashita ne.)
ねつがさんじゅうななどごぶまでさがりました
The fever has come down to thirty-seven point ね。
five degrees, I see. (netsu ga san-juu-nana do go bu made
sagarimashita ne.)
Let me take a peek at your throat. ちょっとのどをみせてください。

(Please show me your throat a little bit.) (chotto nodo o misete kudasai.)
のどがあかいですね。
Your throat is red, I see.
(nodo ga akai desu ne.)
Your throat is red, and you also have a fever, I のどがあかくて、ねつもありますね。

see. (nodo ga akakute, netsu mo arimasu ne.)
ただのかぜ
a common cold
(tada no kaze)
ただのかぜでしょう。
It is a common cold, I think.
(tada no kaze deshoo.)
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There is no need to worry. しんぱいはいりません。
(As for a worry, you don't need it.) (shinpai wa irimasen.)
ただのかぜでしょう。しんぱいはいりませんよ。
It is a common cold, I think. There is no need to
(tada no kaze deshoo. shinpai wa irimasen
worry, you know.
yo.)
ちょっとしんぱいです。
It is a little bit worrisome.
(chotto shinpai desu.)
うーん、これはちょっとしんぱいですね。けんさ
Hmmm, this is a little bit worrisome, I see. Let's しましょう。
have some tests. (uun, kore wa chotto shinpai desu ne. kensa
shimashoo.)
Open your mouth wide, please. くちをおおきくあけてください。

(Please open mouth widely.) (kuchi o ookiku akete kudasai.)
くちをあけてください。
Please open your mouth.
(kuchi o akete kudasai.)
You take a breath. いきをすいます。

(You inhale a breath.) (iki o suimasu.)
いきをすってください。
Please take a breath.
(iki o sutte kudasai.)
Please take a deep breath. いきをおおきくすってください。

(Please inhale a breath deeply.) (iki o ookiku sutte kudasai.)
はやくねてください。
Please go to bed early.
(hayaku nete kudasai.)
ねつがありますから、きょうははやくねてくださ
Since you have a fever, please go to bed early い。
today. (netsu ga arimasu kara, kyoo wa hayaku
nete kudasai.)
よくうがいしてください。
Please gargle well.
(yoku ugai shite kudasai.)
のどがあかいですね。うちでよくうがいしてくだ
Your throat is red, I see. Please gargle well at さい。
home. (nodo ga akai desu ne. uchi de yoku ugai
shite kudasai.)
このくすりをいちにちにさんかいのんでくださ
い。
Please take this medicine three times a day.
(kono kusuri o ichi-nichi ni sankai nonde
kudasai.)
このくすりをのんでください。
Please take this medicine.
(kono kusuri o nonde kudasai.)
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いちにちにいっかい
once a day
(ichi-nichi ni ikkai)
いちにちににかい
twice a day
(ichi-nichi ni nikai)
このくすりを、いちにちににかい、にじょうずつ
Please take this medicine twice a day, two tablets のんでください。
at a time. (kono kusuri o, ichi-nichi ni nikai, ni-joo zutsu
nonde kudasai.)
しょくじのまえに、このくすりをいちじょうのん
Please take one tablet of this medicine before a でください。
meal. (shokuji no mae ni, kono kusuri o ichi-joo
nonde kudasai.)
にじかんまえにくすりをいちじょうのみました。
I took one tablet of the medicine two hours ago. (ni-jikan mae ni kusuri o ichi-joo
nomimashita.)
しょくじのさんじゅっぷんまえに
thirty minutes before a meal
(shokuji no sanjuppun mae ni)
このあかいくすりは、しょくじのさんじゅっぷん
As for this red medicine, please take it thirty まえにのんでください。
minutes before a meal. (kono akai kusuri wa, shokuji no sanjuppun
mae ni nonde kudasai.)
Please take this cough medicine before going to
(neru mae ni, kono sekidome o nonde
bed.
kudasai.)
このせきどめをのんでください。
Please take this cough medicine.
(kono sekidome o nonde kudasai.)
たべるまえに
before eating
(taberu mae ni)
ごちそうをたべるまえに
before eating a rich meal
(gochisoo o taberu mae ni)
ごちそうをたべるまえに、いぐすりをのみまし
Before eating the rich meal, I took a digestive た。
medicine. (gochisoo o taberu mae ni, igusuri o
nomimashita.)
ぬるまえに
before applying (medicine)
(nuru mae ni)
なんこうをぬるまえに
before applying the ointment
(nankoo o nuru mae ni)
てをあらってください。
Please wash your hands.
(te o aratte kudasai.)
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Before applying the ointment, please wash your なんこうをぬるまえに、てをあらってください。
hands. (nankoo o nuru mae ni, te o aratte kudasai.)
I will write a prescription. しょほうせんをだします。

(I will serve a prescription.) (sho-hoosen o dashimasu.)
I will dispense a cold medicine. かぜぐすりをだします。

(I will serve a cold medicine.) (kazegusuri o dashimasu.)
You must not drink alcoholic beverages.
(osake o nonde wa ikemasen.)
I smoke cigarettes. たばこをすいます。

(I inhale cigarettes.) (tabako o suimasu.)
たばこをすってはいけません。
You must not smoke cigarettes.
(tabako o sutte wa ikemasen.)
You have a terrible cough. せきがひどいです。

(Cough is terrible.) (seki ga hidoi desu.)
せきがひどいですね。しばらくたばこをすっては
You have a terrible cough, I see. You must not いけませんよ。
smoke cigarettes for a while, you know. (seki ga hidoi desu ne. shibaraku tabako o
sutte wa ikemasen yo.)
I take a bath. おふろにはいります。

(I get into a bath.) (ofuro ni hairimasu.)
おふろにはいってもいいですか。
May I take a bath?
(ofuro ni haitte mo ii desu ka.)
あのう、こんばんおふろにはいってもいいです
Um, may I take a bath tonight? か。
(anoo, konban ofuro ni haitte mo ii desu ka.)
ええ、いいですよ。
Yes, you may, you know.
(ee, ii desu yo.)
きょうは、くすりをのんで、はやくねてくださ
Please take the medicine and go to bed early い。おだいじに。
today. Take good care of yourself. (kyoo wa, kusuri o nonde, hayaku nete
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Cultural Notes
ごめんください is a common greeting used at the entrance of someone's house to announce one's
arrival. It literally means "Please forgive (me)," but it's equivalent to "Hello" in English!
Did you remember いらっしゃいませ , a polite greeting to welcome customers at a store or restaurant?
We can use the same greeting to welcome visitors at our house. In a less formal situation, we can simply
say いらっしゃい .
おじゃまします is a common phrase we can use when we enter someone's house in Japan. It literally
means "(I'll) hinder (you by my visit)." There is no exact match in English, but it's something akin to
"Thank you for inviting me in." Like ごめんください or すみません (as "Thank you"), many Japanese
phrases sound apologetic and self-effacing, reflecting the culture of politeness and modesty.
おじゃましました is the past form of おじゃまします . It means something like "I'm sorry for having
hindered you by my visit," but the English equivalent would be "Thank you for your time and hospitality."
It's a common phrase you can use when you are leaving someone's house.
A typical Japanese house has a distinct entrance space called げんかん . It's a transition area between
outside and inside, with the "inside" clearly defined with a raised floor. You remove your shoes here and
step directly onto the hallway. Don't stand barefooted on the entrance floor; that's considered "outside"
even though it's indoors. Once up on the hallway, put on the house slippers provided by the host and
follow him or her.
As you may recall, Japanese people typically try hard not to appear vain or boastful. When they receive
compliments, they would invariably negate them or counter them with self-effacing phrases. For
example, when someone praises their house, they would counter with a negative comment on it such as
ふるいですけど (It's old, though).
うち literally means "the inside," but it can be used to mean a "house," "(one's) home," "(one's own)
family," or more! うち is such a simple word, but it's one of the key terms that helps us understand the
Japanese culture and language.
With a particular verbal expression comes a gesture that is often unique to the culture. When Japanese
people say いえいえ (no, no) as in the response to a compliment, they often wave one or both hands
before their chest with the palm facing their listener. Try it!
Japanese people usually do not offer their guests a tour of their house as Americans often do, unless the
guests are staying overnight or the hosts are particularly proud of some features of their house. Even
then, the hosts would show their guests (who are "outsiders") only what is considered as the "outer"
areas of the house. The hostess, for example, might hate to have people coming into her kitchen since it
is considered one of the innermost areas of the house.
ざしき is a Japanese-style drawing room with its floor covered by たたみ --thick, rectangle mats made of
tightly-woven dried stalks of plants called いぐさ (rushes). ざしき usually has sliding doors. The ones
covered with translucent white rice paper are called しょうじ . The ones that are double-paned with thick
paper or cloth and on which pictures are often painted are called ふすま .
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Before you enter ざしき , take off your house slippers and leave them outside the room. Inside, there is a
low table, and you sit on square cushions called ざぶとん . In a formal situation, you should sit せいざ -
style, with your legs folded underneath your thighs and keeping your back straight. If your feet are
hurting you, you may say すみません to your host and discreetly change your position. Please be aware,
though, that sitting cross-legged will be frowned upon if you are a woman!
A typical Japanese bathroom is quite different from one in the US. ふろば is literally a "bath place." It's a
room with a bathtub and a shower, and its tiled floor has a drainage hole. You wash your body outside
the bathtub before getting into it to keep the bathwater clean. When you are done, don't drain the tub!
Other members in the household usually share the same bathwater for the day.
おてあらい or トイレ in a typical Japanese house is a space separate from ふろば (the bathroom) or せん
めんじょ (the room with a bathroom sink). Japanese people take hygiene very seriously. Inside おてあら
い , you'll find a pair of "toilet" slippers. Put them on, leaving your house slippers outside the door. When
you come out, don't forget to leave the toilet slippers where they belong!
Many Japanese households have family Buddhist altars called ぶつだん , which hold mortuary tablets (いは
い ) for deceased family members. Contrary to the popular Western perception, Japanese people do not
worship the dead. Instead, they revere and honor their ancestors and try to console their spirits by
offering incense and prayer. In this sense, ぶつだん is a link between the past and the present. The
room with ぶつだん is called ぶつま .
ちゃのま (literally, "space for tea") or おちゃのま originally meant a room where tea was served for
guests, but it has become a Japanese-style family room where family members relax over a cup of tea
and watch TV. Usually, ちゃのま is next to the kitchen and used as the family dining room as well.
If you visit a Japanese home in winter, you may be ushered into a room with こたつ . こたつ is a low table
equipped with an electric space heater. The entire table is covered by a quilt to trap the warm air in and
keep your legs and feet toasty. It's a cozy space to spend time with your friends and family on a cold
day!
ちゃしつ (literally, "tea room") is a space specifically designed to have a tea ceremony. A typical ちゃし
つ is a small structure built in a Japanese-style garden. It looks like a simple rustic hut, but the simplicity
is a well-calculated one! Guests go through the well-tended garden and enter ちゃしつ through a small
door called にじりぐち . Inside, they enjoy not only green tea but also the ambiance and hospitality
carefully prepared and presented by the host.
A typical おしいれ (Japanese-style closet) is two-tiered with paper-covered sliding doors.
Japanese ふとん (futon) is different from the American version. The authentic ふとん is a set of a thick
cotton-filled mattress and a fluffy quilt. It's quite light, mobile, and comfortable!
ざしき , or any room with たたみ floor, is very versatile. During the day, the room can be used as a
drawing room, with a low table and ざぶとん (square cushions) as the furniture. At night, the room can
be turned into a bedroom with the table and ざぶとん set aside and ふとん spread on the floor. When
the morning comes, ふとん will be folded and put into おしいれ . Voila! The room becomes a public space
again!
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Traditional Japanese gardens have gained some popularity in North America as well as Europe. The basic
concept is to recreate natural landscapes so that people can enjoy their beauty everyday at home
throughout the year. The most popular center piece is a pond, often paired with a miniature mountain
adorned with trees, rocks, and stone lanterns. Some gardens substitute white sand and pebbles for
water, creating a simple yet profound world for Zen meditation.
こい (carp) are voracious and highly adaptive freshwater fish that have a long history of being used as
food in Asia and Europe. にしきごい (ornamental carp), however, are bred in northern Japan exclusively
for their beautiful colors and patterns. Today, にしきごい are a ubiquitous presence in water gardens
around the globe, entertaining people with their vivid beauty and feeding frenzies!
Do you remember that "brown" in Japanese is ちゃいろ (literally, "tea color")? Traditional Japanese colors
are often named after objects that represent the particular colors. For example, pink is ももいろ
(literally, "peach color"), yellowish brown is かきいろ (persimmon color), and sky-blue is そらいろ (sky
color). Nowadays, however, younger generations prefer to use "borrowed" words such as ピンク (pink) or
ベージュ (beige) !
にしき in にしきごい (ornamental carp) literally means a Japanese silk brocade known for its gorgeous
colors and intricate patterns. It's an apt name for carp adorned with vivid colors and markings! The
pronunciation of こい changes to ごい when combined with another word.
こい (carp) are considered auspicious fish. Chinese legend has it that carp that could climb a big water
fall on the Yellow River would turn into dragons and fly through the sky--a great achievement for a
creature as small and insignificant as a fish! That's why we have こいのぼり --colorful carp-shaped
windsocks traditionally flown in May to wish success and good health for male children in the family.
Many modern houses in Japan incorporate Western-style rooms and furniture. Traditional ざしき and ちゃ
のま are often replaced by Western-style リビング . Young people in particular prefer wooden or carpet
floor to たたみ , chairs and couches to ざぶとん , and beds to ふとん . Some newer apartments and
condos even have Western-style bathrooms. Though the appearance may be different, there is one thing
that never changes: people still take off their shoes at げんかん (entrance hall)!
Do you remember that there are different ways of referring to oneself other than わたし (I/me) in
Japanese? ぼく is used by male speakers. It's often used by boys, but adult men also use it when they
are in less formal (but not too casual) settings, such as among family members or coworkers.
In Japanese schools and workplaces, younger members are expected to pay respect to older members,
calling them せんぱい (akin to "seniors"). In families, youngsters call their older siblings not by their first
names but by their family titles such as おねえさん (the polite form for "elder sister") or おにいさん (the
polite form for "elder brother"). Even parents use these titles when talking about their older children in
front of their younger ones!
Asking an adult his or her age is a delicate matter in Japan. The notable exception, however, is when
asking the person's age is considered as a compliment. Traditionally, Japanese respect elderly members
of society, celebrating their longevity on けいろうのひ (Respect-for-the-Aged Day) in September. Just be
aware, though, that in a society with average life expectancy of 83, the definition of "elderly" is quite
different from what you think!
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The concept of family has been rapidly changing in Japan. Three-generation households were once
common. The eldest son would take care of his parents in their old age, and younger generations would
learn to respect their elders by living with their grandparents. Now nuclear families with fewer children are
the norm, especially in urban society. The average size of family in 1975 was 3.35. It shrank to 2.65 in
2008.
As the number of children per household is decreasing in Japan, the number of pets seems to be going
up! It is said that almost half the Japanese households with two or more people have some kind of pet.
The most popular pets are dogs, followed by cats, fish, and birds. Among dogs, the most popular breeds
are Dachshund, Chihuahua, and Poodle--all small breeds, reflecting, perhaps, the Japanese taste for
dainty things and the size of Japanese houses!
Did you know that animals in Japan speak Japanese? Japanese dogs, for example, don't bark "bow-wow"
but say ワンワン . Cats don't "meow" but say ニャアニャア . Cows bellow モー , sheep bleat メェー , and
crows croak カアカア . Roosters? They will wake you up with a loud コケコッコー while you are in Japan!
The Chinese character for いぬ (dog) can be read as けん , and many people in Japan call the Akita あきた
けん . The official name for the breed, however, is あきたいぬ .
Some Japanese dog breeds have gained popularity in North America as well as in Europe. あきたいぬ
(the Akita) is a large dog originally bred for dog fighting in northern Japan that is highly loyal and
intelligent. しばいぬ (the Shiba) is an ancient breed used for hunting in mountains, smaller in size but
brave and patient. ちん (the Japanese Spaniel) is a small dog with a beautiful long coat, playful yet quiet
and affectionate.
Japan is a country of longevity. Based on the government's 2010 estimate, people over 65 consist of
23% of the entire population--the highest rate in the world. Women generally live longer than men: of
8,220,000 people over 80, about the two-thirds are female. Long life is a blessing, but with the shrinking
birth rate and the erosion of the traditional family arrangement, how to take care of the aging population
has become a serious challenge for society.
はなみ or おはなみ (literally, "flower viewing") is a cherry-blossom viewing picnic, a very popular spring
activity in Japan. Contrary to the serene image the word might evoke, real はなみ is often a quite
boisterous outdoor party under bloomed cherry trees, where people eat, drink, and sing with their
coworkers, friends, and family!
Japanese people love to get together and enjoy food, drink, and karaoke! There are many chances for
celebration. In January, they celebrate the new year. In March, they hold send-off parties for coworkers
who are going to be transferred. In April, they have cherry-blossom-viewing picnics as well as welcome
parties for employees newly-transferred to their departments. But the busiest season of all is December
when they have a ぼうねんかい (forget-the-old-year party) almost every night!
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Japanese people have adopted Christmas from the West and celebrate it big time - though not for
religious reasons. Families celebrate it with artificial クリスマスツリー (Christmas trees) and store-
bought クリスマスケーキ (Christmas cakes). Friends celebrate it with boisterous クリスマスパーティー
(Christmas parties), and couples celebrate it with expensive クリスマスプレゼント (Christmas presents).
And shop keepers? They celebrate it with lucrative クリスマスセール (Christmas sales)!
Until the early 1900s, Japanese people counted their age not based on their birthdays, but on the
number of New Year's Days they had. Consequently, people did not put much significance on their
birthdays back then. Today, it's a special day for many. Family members and close friends often
celebrate each other's birthday with バースデーケーキ (birthday cake) and gifts.
While most birthdays are private affairs, there is one special birthday celebrated nationwide in Japan. The
Emperor's birthday (てんのうたんじょうび ) is on December 23, and it's a national holiday!
かいしゃいん is a generic term for company employees, regardless of industry or gender. Male company
employees are often called サラリーマン (salary man). Female office workers are called OL, the
acronym for "office lady"!
Among various occupations available in Japan, arguably the least popular among youth, but the most
ubiquitous in the adult world is サラリーマン (literary "salary man"). They are white-collar salary-earners
who work for a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, sales, finance, and construction. Clean-
shaven, dark-suit-clad, unhappy-looking men in packed commuter trains--the term サラリーマン has
negative connotations, but they are the backbone of Japan's economic power!
カラオケ (karaoke) once was a side entertainment for bar customers, but it has evolved into a national
pastime in Japan! Portable karaoke machines allow people to turn any gathering into a karaoke party.
Die-hard enthusiasts can also go to カラオケボックス (Karaoke Box), a place with small sound-proof
rooms where you and your friends can sing your hearts out without worrying about other people's
reactions!
パチンコ is a noisy pinball-meets-slot-machine game with colorful, mesmerizing designs. It's a very
popular form of entertainment for adults, and you'll see garishly decorated パチンコや (pachinko parlors)
in every town you visit in Japan!
マージャン is a Chinese game usually played with four participants. Though its popularity has waned in
the U.S., マージャン is still popular among Japanese men. Though not as visible as パチンコや , you'll find
じゃんそう (mahjong parlors) in most Japanese towns.
Typical middle-aged Japanese businessmen or サラリーマン spend long hours with their coworkers and/or
clients. After a day's work they go out together to bars to entertain their clients or each other. Some
nights, they might prefer to play mahjong or Japanese pinball games (パチンコ ). On the weekends, they
may play golf with their clients on the company tab. When they finally get home, tired サラリーマ
ン usually take a nap or watch TV to relax!
For Japanese males over 30, the most popular sport to watch on TV is やきゅう (baseball), whether it's プ
ロやきゅう (professional baseball) or こうこうやきゅう (high school baseball). Younger men prefer サッ
カー (soccer), and women generally prefer フィギュアスケート (figure skating) and バレーボール
(volleyball).
Do you remember that Japanese people try to avoid strong statements especially when they have to give
a negative answer to a question? When we are asked about our preference, it's probably better to avoid
strong words such as きらい ("hate" or "dislike") even though that might be the way you actually feel.
One way to soften the impact of your statement is to use a negative form such as すきじゃありません (I
don't like).
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すもう is a form of wrestling with its roots in ancient Shinto rituals in Japan. In a すもう match, two
wrestlers (りきし ), who are clad only with stiff thongs called まわし , fight in a sandy ring called どひょう .
The one who successfully pushes the other off the ring or lets any part of the opponent's body (except for
his soles) touch the ground wins. The popularity of professional すもう is said to be waning, but it's still
holding up among older generations.
You have learned that Japanese people usually don't greet or talk to total strangers. Don't think,
however, that you'll be lonely while visiting Japan! It all depends on opportunities--where you are and
whom you are with. The easiest way to meet many people and make new friends is to visit popular
nightclubs, local festivals, or outdoor concerts, where various people gather together with open minds
and a common goal: to have fun!
In Japanese, terms of endearment such as "Honey" or "Sweetheart" are almost non-existent. Unmarried
couples call each other by their first names or nicknames. Wives may call their husbands あなた (literally,
"You"), which is perhaps the closest thing to "Honey" in English. More commonly, wives call their
husbands おとうさん (Father) or パパ (Papa) while husbands call their wives おかあさん (Mother) or ママ
(Mom)--depending on how their children call them!
"Love" in Japanese is あい , and the standard translation for "I love you" is あいしています (literally, "am
loving"). This expression, however, sounds rather foreign to native speakers. The more common and
natural-sounding expression for confession of love is すきです (literally, "like"). Established Japanese
couples, by the way, don't tell each other "I love you" as often as Americans do. For most Japanese, true
love is something that should be understood without words!
You have already learned that most Japanese don't walk up to a total stranger and introduce
themselves. If you want to make new friends in Japan, start with small talk. Commenting on your
surroundings (such as the weather or the size of the crowd) is an age-old icebreaker, and so is asking
about the person's familiarity with the particular place you are both in!
From the 1970s to the early 1990s, the ディスコ (discotheque) was the rage all over Japan. Today, the
name of ディスコ has become a thing of the past. It's now called a クラブ (nightclub), and that's the
place young crowds gather for dancing. If you are planning to visit one, beware that there is another kind
of クラブ in Japan. These are expensive nightclubs staffed with kimono-clad hostesses, where the bill for
a sip of whiskey might bust your entire travel budget!
コンパ (a slang derived from the English word "company") is a form of a party popular with young people,
particularly college students. They go out to a pub or restaurant with classmates or club members and
enjoy each other's company over food and drinks. When コンパ is organized to meet new people of the
opposite sex, it's called a ごうどうコンパ (literally, "joint コンパ ") or ごうコン in short. The closest English
equivalent would be a "blind-date party"!
Once upon a time, みあい or おみあい , chaperoned dates arranged by relatives or family friends who
acted as matchmakers, was the way to find one's better half in Japan. Today, less than 10% of marriages
go through such a traditional method while "love matches" have become the norm. The concept of おみ
あい , however, seems to still be thriving. おみあいパーティー , organized collective dating similar to speed
dating in the US, has become a big business all over Japan!
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You have met someone whom you want to be friends with. You approach him or her and strike up an
innocent conversation. After making small talk for some time, you are ready to introduce yourself and
find out the person's name. If you find yourself in such a scenario, it sounds more natural and polite to
tell your name in an indirect manner, using the expression わたしは X といいます . It's equivalent to "My
name is X," but you are actually saying, "I'm called X"!
Generally speaking, Japanese women prefer to be asked out by men rather than asking men out
themselves. It does not mean, however, that Japanese women are all shy and passive--especially
younger generations! In fact, as more women strive for economic independence, they have also become
more assertive in relationships. More men, on the other hand, are said to have become gentler and
more passive. Such males are sometimes called そうしょくけい --a "herbivorous kind"!
In general, Japanese people are modest and try not to sound boastful. People in love, however, can't
help talking proudly about their partners--even in Japan! Such affectionate remarks are called のろけ or
おのろけ and are generally well-tolerated among good friends.
While mild のろけ (affectionate boasting about one's partner) is kindly received among friends, public
display of affection by couples is not well-tolerated in Japan. Holding hands is ok, but public kissing and
hugging would compel people around you to avert their eyes quickly or stare at you as if you are
characters from an American TV show. Either way, it's not very pleasant for any of the parties involved.
Let's do in Japan as the Japanese do and be modest in your actions!
The Japanese term for "coffee shop" is きっさてん (literally, "drinking-tea shop"), but the term is fast
becoming obsolete while カフェ (cafe) has become quite popular. Strictly speaking, カフェ and きっさて
ん are different: カフェ serves alcohol while きっさてん doesn't. However, even non-alcohol coffee shops
often call themselves カフェ or コーヒーハウス (coffee house), hoping to create more sophisticated
images with the use of the "borrowed" words!
When people say おちゃでものみませんか (Why don't we have tea or something?), chances are that they
are not really thinking of a cup of green tea or even black tea. It's an idiomatic expression native
speakers use to mean "Let's have a break." It's also an age-old pick-up line adopted by guys on the
streets! Nowadays, young people often opt for the pseudo-verb おちゃする (literally, "to do tea"), saying
おちゃしませんか or more casually, おちゃしない？
Asking the time is the simplest and most innocent way to strike up a conversation with a stranger. It can
also be a convenient segue for a safe retreat after you have decided that your new acquaintance is not
the right one for you!
Until late 1980s, most businesses and schools in Japan were open for half a day on Saturdays. Today, the
しゅうきゅうふつか (two-day weekend) has become the norm, and the concept of a weekend has
expanded to include not only Saturdays and Sundays but also Friday evenings. Though most Japanese
calenders now start with Sundays, many people still think that the first day of the week is Monday!
Japanese terms for the day of the week originate in the ancient Babylonian traditions that had been
transmitted to Japan through China in the ninth century. Each term corresponds to the Japanese names
for the sun, the moon, and five planets (Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn). よう in ようび (the
day of the week) literally means "to shine"--a reference to shining stars--while び means "day." げつよう
び , therefore, literally means the "Moon-shining Day"!
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In Japan, we officially have Happy Mondays! The ハッピーマンデーせいど (Happy Mondays system) was
introduced in the year 2000, and the government has since changed the dates of four national holidays
to Mondays in order to create three-day weekends. These blessed holidays are せいじんのひ or
"Coming-of-Age Day" in January, うみのひ or "Ocean Day" in July, けいろうのひ or "Respect-for-the-Aged
Day" in September, and たいいくのひ or "Physical Education Day" in October.
アウトドアライフ (outdoor life) has become fashionable among city dwellers in Japan. Unfortunately,
there are a very limited number of accessible nature spots close to home. Whether on hiking trails,
camping grounds, or fishing spots, those who try to escape the hubbub of city life often find themselves
trapped among similarly-minded crowds at their destinations and stuck in traffic jams on the way to and
from home!
If you want to try some fishing in Japan but have no idea where to go, try つりぼり or artificial fishing
ponds! There you can rent different kinds of fishing rods with all the necessary accessories and catch
various fish for an hourly fee. Some つりぼり are catch-and-release only; others allow you to keep what
you catch within a certain limit. Some places even rent barbecue pits where you can cook the fish you've
just caught.
Japan is an island nation, and even the northern parts of the country have beaches open for swimming in
summer. Except for Okinawa, however, the swimming season is usually limited to July and August. The
short season means...crowded beaches! For example, えのしま , arguably the most famous beach near
Tokyo, is said to host more than three million people in one summer!
Theme parks or テーマパーク are big business in Japan. They attract not only families with children but
also adults who cannot have enough of all the fun rides they offer! The most famous ones are とうきょ
うディズニーランド (Tokyo Disneyland) and ディズニーシー (DisneySea) in うらやす in Chiba Prefecture,
which, combined, boast about 25,000,000 visitors a year.
Only a one-hour train ride from central Tokyo, たかおさん (Mt. Takao) offers popular day-hike trails that
award hikers with a nice view of ふじさん (Mt. Fuji). たかおさん is only about 2,000 ft. high, but it's the
starting point for the 1,000-mile-long Tokai Nature Trails. Besides well-preserved forests and great views,
points of interest include the tram and lift rides, a monkey park, a beer garden, and a Buddhist temple
with 1,200 years of history!
しちにんのさむらい (Seven Samurai), directed by くろさわあきら and starring みふねとしろう , is one of
the most popular Japanese films inside and outside Japan. Originally released in 1954, the black-and-
white film features the story of seven unemployed samurai warriors, or ろうにん , who help poor villagers
defend their livelihood against bandits. しちにんのさむらい inspired many other works, including the
popular American film, The Magnificent Seven.
くろさわあきら is arguably the most famous and influential Japanese film director, nicknamed せかいのく
ろさわ (Kurosawa of the World). Born in 1910, くろさわ started his long career in 1943 and won
numerous awards worldwide with highly acclaimed films such as らしょうもん (Rashomon), いきる (Ikiru;
literally, "To Live"), しちにんのさむらい (Seven Samurai), and らん (Ran; literally, "War"). He died in 1998
at age 88.
Buying おべんとう (box lunch) is not an easy task in Japan: there are too many kinds to choose from! If
you just can't settle on a single kind, try the type called まくのうち (literally, "inside-the-curtains"). Its
name originates from the box lunch eaten by theater goers between acts during the Edo period (1603-
1868). A typical まくのうちべんとう has small おにぎり (rice balls) and variety of savory pieces such as
grilled fish, omelet, vegetables, pickles, and more!
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べんとう or おべんとう can be a bring-your-own lunch in general, or a meal-in-a box in particular. If you
don't have time to fix your own box lunch in the morning, you can buy one at any convenience store,
supermarket, or Japanese-style deli specialized for おべんとう . As is the case with おちゃ (tea), many
people say おべんとう , adding the polite-word maker お to avoid sounding rude.
You can buy various bottled teas in Japan, including りょくちゃ (green tea), こうちゃ (black tea), and
ウーロンちゃ (oolong tea or Chinese tea)!
Many Japanese women hate getting suntan (ひやけ ). Besides putting on strong sunscreens (ひやけどめ ),
they wear long sleeves and even gloves in the summer heat. On top of that, many of them carry black
parasols (ひがさ ) to shade themselves. Lately, ひがさ for men are gaining popularity among older men,
who are trying to protect themselves not from suntan but from heatstroke!
If you are planning to meet up with your friends at a station in Japan, be forewarned: Japanese stations in
urban areas are extremely crowded during morning and evening rush hours! With so many people
passing in every direction, it's almost impossible to spot someone unless you and your friends are very
specific about the meeting place. Also hard to spot are public phones, which have become less and less
needed in the age of cell phones!
ハチこう is the name of a legendary dog, famous for his loyalty. The male Akita is said to have come to
the JR Shibuya Station in Tokyo every evening for almost ten years to patiently wait for his master's
return after the master, a university professor, had died at work. The bronze statue of ハチこう now
stands in front of Shibuya Station and is used by many people as a meeting place. The nearest ticket
gate of the station is also named ハチこうぐち (Hachiko Ticket Gate)!
The real ハチこう died in 1935, but his legend has lived on and inspired many people all over Japan and
beyond. A Japanese movie called ハチこうものがたり (The Story of Hachiko) was released in 1987. The
movie was recently remade in Hollywood under the title "Hachiko: A Dog's Story" starring Richard Gere
and three Akitas!
With the exception of northern regions, summer in Japan is hot and humid. むしあつい ("muggy" or
"stifling hot") is the very word that describes how you would feel out there! むし in むしあつい derives
from the verb むす ("to steam" or "to be muggy").
For temperature, Japanese use the degree Celsius (℃) or せっし while Americans use the degree
Fahrenheit (°F) or かし . 0℃ is 32°F; 10℃ is 50°F; 20℃ is 68°F; and 30℃ is 86°F. In this course, we'll
use the degree Celsius as the Japanese do!
Winter in Japan is relatively mild, except for the northern interior regions where the lowest temperature
can be as low as -30℃. The average temperature for January is -4.1℃ in Sapporo, 5.8℃ in Tokyo, and
16.6℃ in Naha, Okinawa. That said, you may feel a lot colder than the thermometer tells you while
visiting Japan in winter months. It may be due to windiness, higher humidity, or the lack of central heating
systems in most private residences!
While Japanese people love the fragile beauty of さくら (cherry blossoms) in spring, they also love the
colorful displays of autumn leaves that paint the nation vivid red, yellow, and orange! On sunny
weekends, popular nature spots are filled with people enjoying "autumn-leaves viewing" or もみじがり
(literally, "red-leaves hunting") with their friends and family.
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Japan is an arc-shaped island country, consisting of four major "islands" and about 7,000 smaller ones.
These four major "islands" are (from north to south) ほっかいどう , ほんしゅう , しこく , and きゅうしゅ
う . ほんしゅう , the largest, is a little bigger than Minnesota, while しこく , the smallest, is slightly smaller
than Vermont. Since they are all fairly large, people who live in them don't consider themselves as living
on islands!
Japan has four distinct seasons or しき . はる (spring) is warm and nice, and people enjoy おなはみ
(cherry-blossom viewing picnic) and other outdoor activities. なつ (summer) is hot and humid, and the
deafening chorus of cicadas fill the air. あき (autumn) is cool and crisp, and it's the season for sports,
cultural events, and もみじがり (autumn-leaves viewing). ふゆ (winter) is relatively mild although the
northern parts of Japan receive much snow.
The total area of Japan is slightly smaller than Montana. 73% of its land is mountains, and half of the
population lives in plains (へいや ) that occupy 14% of the land. Rivers (かわ ) are relatively short, running
down mountain sides and pouring into the surrounding seas, which include the にほんかい (Japan Sea), ひ
がしシナかい (East China Sea), オホーツクかい (the Sea of Okhotsk), and たいへいよう (the Pacific
Ocean).
Japan has many volcanoes or かざん (literally, "fire mountain"), and that's why it also has so many hot
springs and earthquakes! あそさん (Mt. Aso) is an active volcano located in Kumamoto Prefecture and is
well-known for its huge caldera. The highest peak is 1,592 meters high. Visitors can drive up to the main
crater that is filled with turquoise-colored hot water and hike around it when the wind is blowing the
sulfurous gas away from the visitor access area.
ふじさん (Mt. Fuji) is 3,776 meters or 12,388 feet high and the tallest mountain in Japan. It's located at
the border of Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures and visible from Tokyo on clear days. Though not as
visibly active as あそさん , ふじさん is actually an active volcano, whose last explosion was in 1707.
ふじさん has long been considered a sacred mountain, and women couldn't climb it until 1800. Today,
anyone can drive half way up the mountain and hike the rest of the way to the summit, using one of the
four well-established routes. The official climbing season is July and August, during which lodges and
kiosks are available on the trails. Many people hike up the mountain at night in order to watch the
sunrise from the top!
The Japanese love of seasonal beauty is reflected in the famous four-season garden described in the
eleventh-century Japanese classic, げんじものがたり or "The Tale of Genji." This fictional garden consists
of four parts, each occupying a corner of the great mansion built by the handsome (and rich)
protagonist. Each part is designed to accentuate the beauty of an individual season: flowers for spring,
water and shade for summer, color-changing leaves for autumn, and snow-clad pine trees for winter!
The Japanese people's fondness for cherry blossoms, or さくら , has a long history, but it was not always
"the flower" of Japan. Poems written in the eighth century praise plum blossoms or うめ more often than
さくら . The popularity of さくら increased around the tenth century, when the Japanese began
establishing their own cultural identity, leaving the Chinese influence behind. Since then, さくら has
come to symbolize spring as well as the Japanese spirit!
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Japan receives much rainfall every year. The annual average is 1,718mm, about twice the world
average. Much of it falls during two distinct periods: June to mid-July and September. June to mid-July is
the rainy season called つゆ or ばいう (literally, "plum rain"), notorious for mold-yielding mugginess.
September rain is brought on by たいふう (typhoons), which often cause floods and landslides.
Much of northern Japan receives heavy snowfall every year. The thick layers of snow that cover these
regions easily reach 2 meters (6.6ft) or more, and people struggle to stay ahead of the fast accumulating
snow. The famous Japanese novel ゆきぐに (Snow Country), written by the Nobel-Prize winner かわばたや
すなり , features a snowy mountain village as the backdrop for the beautiful but sad story of a love
triangle.
Japanese people use the metric system for measurement. One kilometer is equal to about 0.6 miles,
and 1 meter is about 1.1 yards or 3.3 feet. When it's clear that we are talking about distance and not
weight, we can simply say キロ (kilo), as in いちキロ (one kilo), instead of saying キロメートル
(kilometer).
The Japanese are weather-conscious people who watch てんきよほう (weather forecasts) religiously. It's
not only the possibility of rain or shine that they care about. In the nation where one in every five people
suffers hay fever, getting かふんじょうほう (pollen info) is a matter of survival. Weather forecasters also
offer さくらじょうほう (cherry-blossoms info) to the viewers so that they can plan when and where to
have おはなみ (cherry-blossom viewing picnic)!
"Eating out" in Japanese is がいしょく (literally, "outside eating") and "cooking at home" is じすい
(literally, "self cooking"). Between these two options lies the thriving category of takeouts and deliveries,
providing the convenience and relative economy for busy Japanese people. The concept, however, is not
at all modern. The quick home delivery service called でまえ has been around since the eighteenth
century for the patrons of そばや (buckwheat noodle shops)!
Do you remember that ごはん means "steamed rice" in Japan? Because steamed rice is the staple food
for Japanese people, they also use the same word to mean "meal" in general. ばんごはん , therefore,
literally means "evening meal"--that is, "supper"!
Among numerous cooking shows in Japan, arguably the most popular and influential was りょうりのてつ
じん (literally, "Iron Man of Cooking"). The elaborate TV cook-offs ran between 1993 and 1999 and
reportedly spent more than ¥840,000,000 (or about eight million dollars) on cooking ingredients (しょく
ざい )! It has been shown in the United State under the title "Iron Chef" and became the model for the
American show called "Iron Chef America."
If language is the window into a culture, then the existence of various Japanese verbs that mean "to boil"
or "to cook in liquid" tells us that that's probably been the primary cooking method for generations in
Japan! The verb たく is one of them, and it's almost exclusively used for cooking rice as in ごはんをたく
(to cook rice). Please note that ごはんをたく literally means "to cook steamed rice," but it doesn't mean
that you have to cook rice twice!
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To make a perfect cup of English tea, we have to use boiling water. For most green tea, boiling water
would be too hot to draw out the best aroma and flavor. The rule of thumb is that the more expensive
the tea leaf is, the lower the water temperature and the longer the brewing time should be. The lower
temperature, however, does not mean half-boiled water! You have to boil fresh water first and then let it
cool down to the perfect temperature for your particular kind of tea.
ラーメン (ramen noodle soup) is originally a Chinese dish, but Japanese people loved it so much that not
only did they adopt it as their own but also created unique regional brands or ごとうちラーメン . In
Sapporo, for example, you'll enjoy the garlic-flavored さっぽろラーメン with the miso-based soup. In
Fukuoka, you'll find はかたラーメン featuring the milky "pork-bone" soup garnished with pickled red
ginger. They are all yummy, filling, and inexpensive!
カレーライス (curry and rice), or カレー for short, originally came to Japan as an English dish in the late
nineteenth century. As in the case of ラーメン , Japanese people loved it so much that they adopted it as
their own. Now it's one of the most popular home-cooked dishes in Japan! The main ingredients are
onions, potatoes, carrots, some type of meat, and カレールー --a solid sauce-mix that contains curry
powder, flour, and other spices.
しゃぶしゃぶ is a simple yet savory one-pot dish, eaten as you cook right on the dining table. The main
ingredients are thinly sliced beef or pork, often accompanied with tofu, mushrooms, and various
vegetables. You lift a piece of meat with your chopsticks, swish it back and forth in the pot of simmering
kelp broth or こんぶだし , and eat the cooked meat after dipping it in the citrus-based sauce called ポン
ず . The dish is allegedly named after the sound of the meat swishing in the pot!
So far we have learned two verbs that are the equivalents of "to boil" or "to cook in liquid" in English: たく
for rice and わかす for water. にる also means "to boil" or "cook in liquid." We use にる when cooking
things like vegetables, meat, and fish in broth or any kind of seasoned liquid. For boiling food in plain
water, we have to use either ゆでる or ゆがく .
The word カレールー (curry roux) is made up of the English word "curry" and the French word "roux." It's a
solid mixture of curry powder, flour, and other spices neatly packaged in a small box. There are various
brands with different levels of spiciness. You can pick just one or mix them together to create more
complex flavors!
よわび (low heat; literally, "weak fire") is the word that describes the level of heat for cooking stoves.
Other options include つよび (high heat; literally "strong fire"), ちゅうび (medium heat), and とろび (slow
heat).
The regular Japanese measuring cup (けいりょうカップ or カップ in short) is smaller than its American
counterpart. While the American cup holds 8 onces (or about 237 milliliters) of water, the Japanese cup
holds 200 milliliters. Japanese people also use a special cup for measuring uncooked rice. The rice
measuring cup can hold 180 milliliters or いちごう --the amount of uncooked rice traditionally considered
as one serving!
Japanese measuring spoons (けいりょうスプーン ) have two basic types: おおさじ (literally, "big spoon")
and こさじ (small spoon). おおさじ is equivalent to the "tablespoon" in English and holds 15 milliliters of
water. こさじ is equivalent to the "teaspoon" and holds 5 milliliters of water. For both types, we can use
the counter はい .
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Some Japanese cookbooks use exact measurements in grams and milliliters that require us to own a
scale. Many people, however, get by with less rigid definitions. For example, ひとつまみ (a pinch) means
the amount that our thumb, index finger and middle finger can pinch. しょうしょう (a dash), on the
other hand, means the amount that our thumb and index finger can pinch. When we forget about
measuring altogether and go with our experience (or instinct), it's called めぶんりょう --the "amount
measured by eyes"!
There are several basic Japanese seasonings. みそ is made from soybeans fermented with either rice,
wheat, or soybean itself. しょうゆ is also made from soybeans fermented with wheat. Both みそ and
しょうゆ contain a fairly large amount of しお (salt). す (vinegar), on the other hand, is made from rice or
grains. みりん is Japanese cooking wine made from sweet rice, and it's quite sweet like さとう (sugar)!
Traditional Japanese sweets or わがし are treats not only for our palate but also for our eyes! They are so
beautiful in shape and color that you almost regret that you have to eat them--until you put them in your
mouth...then all you can think of is their excellent taste! Typical ingredients are rice flour and sweetened
red-bean paste called あんこ . They should be accompanied by a perfect cup of green tea!
When visiting someone's house, Japanese people almost always take small gifts called おみやげ with
them. These gifts are usually some type of sweets or fruits (or drinks if it's a dinner party), which the host
can serve right away. Don't consider it as an obligation, but think of it as a thoughtful gesture from
guests, who naturally want to spare their host the anxiety of being caught between the arrival of visitors
and the bareness of his or her cupboard!
しぶや is one of the busiest shopping districts in Tokyo and quite popular among young shoppers. As you
may recall, this is the place where the statue of the famous Akita, ハチこう , stands. とうきょうプラザ ,
by the way, is a fictional shopping mall.
セール (discount sale) is another popular "borrowed" word in Japan. Lately, traditional Japanese terms
such as うりだし (literally, "selling out") or やすうり (literally, "cheap selling") are replaced by セール , バー
ゲン (bargain), or even "SALE" in the English spelling.
Generally speaking, you don't see many Japanese customers haggling for discounts. You may try,
however, some modest negotiations in open markets or friendly neighborhood stores selling fresh
products. Sometimes, shopkeepers may give you discounts for bulk purchases, or they might throw in
something extra as a おまけ (giveaway) if you are a good customer!
なつもの (literally, "summer thing") means any personal items made for summer including clothes,
shoes, and hats. Please note that we don't need to use the particle の to connect なつ and もの since な
つもの has gained the status of a single word!
Japanese shoe sizes are in centimeters or センチ , including half sizes. For women, American sizes 7, 8,
and 9 roughly match Japanese sizes 23.5, 24.5, and 25.5, respectively. For men, American sizes 8, 9,
and 10 are Japanese sizes 26, 27, and 28, respectively. In general, Japanese (especially women) have
smaller feet than Americans. If you wear a women's size 9 or larger, you may have a difficult time finding
a nice-looking pair of Japanese shoes!
ふく is a general term for "clothes." To be more specific, we can say ようふく for Western-style clothes
and わふく or きもの for traditional Japanese-style clothes.
ワンピース (literally, "one piece") is a one-piece dress with an above-floor hem length. A formal, or
otherwise fancy, long dress is called ドレス (literally, "dress").
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Japanese sizes for women's clothes are often indicated by odd numbers followed by the counter for size,
ごう . In general, Japanese dress sizes run small. For example, American sizes 6, 8, 10 roughly match
Japanese sizes 9, 11, and 13, respectively. Please note that these sizes vary depending on the
manufacturer and design. When you buy clothes in Japan, make sure to try them on before you buy!
Have you noticed that many Japanese terms for stores end with や ? や means a "store," "shop," or
"place of business" in general. ほんや is a book store, くつや a shoe store, and ラーメンや a ramen-
noodle shop. Some stores and restaurants use や in their business names, as in しろきや or たまや !
The area developed on the main entrance side of a train station is called えきまえ (literally, "station-
front"). It's a prime location for stores, restaurants, and hotels that cater to busy commuters, business
travelers, and tourists. Please note that, as in the case of なつもの (summer item), we don't have to use
the particle の to connect two nouns (えき and まえ ) because えきまえ is used as a single word!
Large shopping malls have become ubiquitous sights in Japanese suburbs, catering to weekend shoppers
who arrive in their cars. For many people, however, grocery shopping is still a daily affair performed on
foot, by bicycle or by moped. In the evenings, shoppers crowd スーパー (supermarkets) on the way
home from work, taking advantage of the end-of-the-day discount hours to find bargains for the dinner
table!
Shopping at スーパー or デパート is convenient, but not as fun as browsing through the local しょうてん
がい (shopping district), where many retail stores and fresh produce vendors congregate along narrow
streets. There, you can buy さかな (fish) at さかなや , にく (meat) at にくや , パン (bread) at パンや , and
とうふ (tofu) at とうふや --all fresh and inexpensive. Best of all, you'll be able to have a little chat with
friendly shopkeepers, which is a great way to get to know the country and the culture better!
Gift wrapping is a serious business in Japan. Let's take a box of sweets as an example. Each sweet would
be individually wrapped and placed in a box. The box then would be wrapped with a pretty wrapping
paper. Sometimes, the retail-store clerk wraps the already gift-wrapped box with a signature wrapping
paper of the store. Finally, the neatly wrapped box would be put in a matching paper or plastic tote bag.
Now your gift has as many layers as a Russian nesting doll!
Japanese post offices offer four options to send packages overseas. The fastest is EMS (Express Mail
Service), which delivers packages in 2 to 4 days worldwide. The second fastest is こうくうびん (airmail)
that takes 3 to 6 days. エコノミーこうくうびん (economy airmail) or SALびん (Surface Air Lifted), which
uses the combination of land and air transportation, takes 6 to 13 days. The slowest but least expensive
option is ふなびん (sea mail) that delivers packages in 1 to 3 months.
Some large banks in Japan let you withdraw money at their counters with major credit cards and your
passport. However, the most convenient way to withdraw money is probably to use international ATMs at
post offices. Not only do they accept foreign-issued major credit cards, but they also allow you to
conduct business in English! Please be aware, though, these ATMs are not available 24 hours a day.
Also remember to get your PIN number before leaving home.
しちがつなのか (July 7th) is たなばた , the Star Festival. Legend has it that this is the only day the "star-
crossed" lovers--a weaver and a cowboy who live on the opposite sides of the Milky Way, or あまのがわ
(literally, "river in the sky")--can meet, crossing a legendary bridge formed by hundreds of magpies!
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Besides the everyday terms such as いちがつ or にがつ , Japanese has a traditional term for each month.
じゅうがつ (October), for example, is also called かんなづき (literally, "the month without gods"). This is
because October is the month when all the gods in Japan (eight million of them) are said to travel to the
ancient Shinto shrine in いずも (located in Shimane Prefecture) for their annual conference. For this
reason, October in いずも is called かみありづき (the month with gods)!
The best thing about the Japanese health care system is that all the citizens are covered by health
insurance! There are two types: しゃかいほけん (Social Insurance) for those whose employers participate
in the program and こくみんけんこうほけん (National Health Insurance) for the rest of the population.
Foreigners can join the program as long as they are registered as legal alien residents and are allowed to
stay in Japan for more than one year.
In general, Japanese hospitals (びょういん ) and smaller private practices (generally called いいん ) adopt
the "first-come, first-serve" system except for emergencies. Arrive early, otherwise you end up sitting in
the waiting room for long hours! For most private practices, you go straight to specialists; no referrals
are needed. For example, if you have pink eye, you go to がんか (eye clinic). If you have the flu or suffer
from a general malaise, try ないか (internal medicine clinic).
Japanese people are known to visit doctors for the slightest symptoms, but some people still try natural
remedies using what is available around their house or yard. アロエ (aloe) works for a burn; so do the
green leaves of びわ (Japanese medlar). こんにゃく (konjak jelly) is said to work for kidneys, when eaten,
and for muscle pains as a hot compress. And at the first sign of a cold? Have some hot みそしる (miso
soup) with chopped green onion and go to bed early!
Until recently, most Japanese doctors would avoid giving bad news to their patients in person. They would
instead tell the truth to the patients' family, who in turn might decide not to relay the news to the
patients. Today, the idea of "informed consent" has become more prevalent, but still many doctors try to
soften the impact of blunt truth by choosing roundabout expressions in their explanation.
Here are some sound effects you'll be making when you are sick in Japan! If you have a dry cough, you
go コンコン ; if it's a wet cough, the sound changes to ゴホゴホ . When you have congestion, your breath
sounds like ゼーゼー , and your sneeze will come out as ハクション ! Speaking of sneezing, don't expect
to receive a "Bless you!" while in Japan. The most likely reaction you'll get from people around you upon
sneezing is the discreet shifting of their position away from you!
Many Japanese firmly believe that うがい (gargling) is one of the most fundamental preventive practices
against common cold and flu. There are many うがいぐすり (literally, "gargling medicine") on the shelves
of drugstores, and parents diligently teach their children to do ガラガラペッ！ ("Gargle, gargle, ptui!") as
soon as they come home after being outside!
にほんじんのくすりずき (Japanese love of medicine) is a well-known fact. Serious about their health,
many people take multiple prescribed drugs even for a simple cold. In addition, they spend a small
fortune on alternative medicines, such as かんぽうやく (Chinese herbal medicine), and various health
supplements, such as あおじる (green-leaf juice), らんゆ (egg oil), and すっぽんエキス (the extract of
Chinese soft-shelled turtle)!
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Here are some terminologies and their meanings regarding when to take medicine. If the instruction
says しょくぜん (before meals), you take it within thirty minutes before a meal; if it says しょくご , you
take it within thirty minutes after a meal. しょっかん (between meals) means about two to three hours
after your last meal, and ねるまえ (before going to bed) means thirty minutes to one hour before your
bedtime. If the instruction says とんぷく , you take it when the symptom appears.
Traditionally, Japanese doctors dispensed medicines directly to their patients, but since WWII the
government has promoted the division of labor between doctors and pharmacists. Today, it is reported
that more than 50% of doctors in Japan write "out-of-the-clinic" prescriptions (いんがいしょほうせん ) so
that their patients can take the prescriptions to pharmacies to get their medicines. The rest of the
doctors, however, still keep their own dispensaries.
In general, drinking alcohol or いんしゅ is not only well-accepted in society, but even encouraged at social
gatherings in Japan. Many people believe that drinking together promotes good relationships, and it's
common for businessmen to make a deal with their clients at bars and restaurants. In such occasions,
you may say, "No, thank you," but well-wishers would likely keep nagging you to empty your glass. A
good excuse, then, is to invoke ドクターストップ or your doctor's order to stop drinking!
Quitting smoking, or きんえん , has lately become a social trend in Japan. While Western anti-smoking
campaigns seem to focus on the health of smokers themselves, Japanese campaigns tend to emphasize
how one's smoking affects other people. For those who refuse to quit smoking, the long list of たばこのマ
ナー (cigarette-smoking etiquette) has been widely propagated, offering detailed instructions on how to
smoke without troubling others around them!
To take a bath or not to take a bath...that is an important question when you get sick in Japan. Because
most Japanese people have no central heating system at home, they are afraid of ゆざめ --getting a chill
after a bath--during cold winter days. Also, they are afraid that putting a sick person into a hot tub would
exacerbate the illness by wearing him or her out.
The Japanese love of medicines might originate in the old saying, かぜはまんびょうのもと (A cold is the
father of ten thousand illness). Yet, they also know that やまいはきから (Our illness mirrors our mental
state). They try to stay healthy by following the old advice, はらはちぶめにいしゃいらず (Eat less and
you'll need no doctor), or はやねはやおきいしゃしらず (If you go to bed early and get up early, you'll
never see a doctor).　 Once they get sick, they may try ずかんそくねつ (Keep your head cold and your
feet warm) to get well soon!
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Grammar Notes
Did you remember that we add さん after a person's name to be polite?

Do you remember that どうぞ is a versatile polite phrase that can mean "Here you go" or "Please get
in/out/on"? You can use it to usher a visitor into your place!
We can use ふるい (old) to describe various things including objects (as in an "old house"), concepts (as
in an "old belief"), and relationships (as in "old friends"). We shouldn't, however, use it to talk about
someone's age!
～けど (though) is a plain version of ～が (..., but ...) and connects two contradictory sentences to make
them into a longer one. Like ～が , ～けど is attached to the end of the first half of the two-part
sentence. In conversations, the second half of the sentence is often omitted and only implied.
Did you remember that we can simply attach お to a word to make the expression more polite?
にわ is the outdoor space belonging to a residence. Its equivalent is a "garden" or "yard" in English.
Please note that we cannot use にわ to mean a particular garden plot such as a flower garden or
vegetable garden.
いえ is a shortened form of いいえ (no). When you want to lightly deny what has just been said (as in a
compliment), you can say いえいえ (no, no).
So far we have learned verbs in the polite form that ends with ます (as in はなします or "speak") or まし
た (as in しました or "did"). Such a verb form is called the "ます -form." In this section, we are going to
start learning another form called the "dictionary form" that is used for dictionary entries. It will not only
help us find words easily in a dictionary, but also enable us to understand the verb conjugation better!
Do you remember the expression えきのうら (literally, "backside of station"), in which えき (station)
indicates the place that is used as the base, and うら (the backside) is a word that indicates a specific
position? うちのなか (the inside of the house) uses the same pattern, "X の Y."
Did you add を after うちのなか ? It's the same を we used in the sentence にほんごをはなします (I
speak Japanese). The particle を is used to indicate the direct object of a verb. In うちのなかをあんない
します (I'll show you around the house), を indicates that うちのなか (literally, "the inside of the house") is
what the speaker will show around!
When we want to offer to do something to our listener, we can replace the verb ending ます with ましょう
か , as in あんないしましょうか (Shall I show you around?).
Did you remember that we sometimes need to use ご instead of お to make a certain word or expression
more polite? あんないします is one of these words!
Do you remember こちら (this way), the word indicating a general direction? こちら and its counterparts
そちら (that way) and あちら (that way over there) can also be used as the polite form for ここ (this
place), そこ (that place), and あそこ (that place over there).
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If the context makes it clear that you are talking about the kitchen, だいどころの in the phrase だいどこ
ろのとなり (next to the kitchen) can be replaced with the "pointing" word その (that). Let's try to use the
shorter version in the next question!
Do you remember the expression ここに ("here" or "at this place")? When we want to indicate the place
where something exists, we add the particle に after the place noun. It's equivalent to "at," "on," or "in" in
English. Let's try that in the next question!
Did you add が after ちゃしつ and say ちゃしつがあります (There is a tea-ceremony room)? It's the
same が we learned to use in the sentence ほんやがあります (There is a bookstore). In these sentences,
the particle が is used to mark the subject of a verb.
In the following questions, let's assume that we are talking about the locations where things exist!
The pronunciation of なん (what) changes to なに depending on the word that comes after it. なん is
used when it is followed by a counter as in なんじ (what time) or by a word that starts with the "t" sound
(such as と ), "d" sound (such as で ), or "n" sound (such as の ). In all other cases, we use なに .
Both ある and いる mean "to exist" or "to be (present)." While ある is used for things such as a desk or a
house, いる is primarily used to talk about the existence of living creatures including people and animals.
Did you remember that we can use the same form of verbs and nouns to talk about both singular and
plural objects?
Did you remember that we can link two or more nouns or noun phrases with the particle と (and)?
の in あかいの is not a particle but a pronoun that is equivalent to "one" or "ones" in English. We can use
this kind of の only when we can reasonably assume that our listener understands what we are talking
about. When we are talking about carp, for example, あかいの means あかいこい (red carp).
や in あかいのやしろいの is a linking word that is used to list two or more nouns or noun phrases. While
と list all the items, や shows a few representative items, implying that there are more. あかいのやしろ
いの is equivalent to "red ones, white ones, and others."
In Japanese, basic colors such as "red" or "white" have both nouns (あか or しろ ) and adjectives (あかい
or しろい ). Others, however, have nouns only. "Orange," for example, is オレンジいろ (literally, "orange
color").
Did you use the particle の and say オレンジいろのこい (literally, "carp in orange color")? This is another
instance of the "X の Y" pattern, in which the particle の indicates that the first noun X "modifies" the
second noun Y--that is, X is the information about Y.
Notice that we don't say きんいろのの but simply say きんいろの to mean "gold-colored ones"!
このへやにテレビがあります and テレビはこのへやにあります might sound similar, but their functions
are different. このへやにテレビがあります describes what is in a certain location (In this room, there is a
TV). テレビはこのへやにあります , on the other hand, tells where a certain thing is located (As for the TV,
it's in this room). Please note that the former uses the particle が to mark the subject (テレビ ), while the
latter uses the topic marker は to indicate テレビ as the "topic" of the sentence.
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Here's one of the basic rules on when to use the particle は or が . We use が if the subject is first
introduced in the conversation and use は if the subject is already introduced or otherwise known to your
listener. For example, when we want to inform our listener that there is a TV in the room, we say このへ
やにテレビがあります because テレビ is a new piece of information. Then if we want to talk about the
said TV, we start our sentence with テレビは ... (As for the TV...).
リビングにあります (It is in the living room) can be rephrased as リビングです . They mean the same,
though リビングにあります more specifically denotes the existence of the object. In this chapter, let's
use あります to point out where things are. Please note that we need the particle に to indicate the
location when we use the verb あります as well as います .
Did you notice that we need the particle に after the question word どこ (where) since we are asking
about the location of something, using the verb あります ?
Did you remember to use the verb います to talk about a cat--a living creature?
Do you remember that Japanese speakers tend to avoid using pronouns such as "you" or "she," and
either omit them whenever the context makes the meaning clear or substitute real names for them?
Instead of using real names, we can also use generic noun phrases as substitutes. Common substitutes
for "he" or "she," for example, are このひと (this person), そのひと (that person), and あのひと (that
person over there).
おんな (female) can also mean a "woman," but it sounds very rude to use the term to refer to someone.
Let's figure out an appropriate way to talk about a woman!
Did you connect the two nouns おんな (female) and ひと (person) with the noun-linking particle の , using
the now-familiar "X の Y" pattern? おんなのひと (literally, a "female person" or "a person who is female")
is the proper way to refer to a woman in general.
We have learned that many traditional Japanese female names end with こ as in ようこ . こ means a
"child," and it's usually used in phrases such as おとこのこ (literally, a "male child") or あのこ (that child
over there).
Do you remember that there are two versions for the question word "where" in Japanese--the polite どち
ら and the plain どこ ? Likewise, the polite question word どなた (who/whom) has the plain counterpart だ
れ . As in the case of どこ , the "plain" label does not mean that it's used only in casual conversations! As
long as we use だれ in a sentence that ends with either です or ます , we are still talking in the polite form-
-only sounding less formal or respectful than when we use どなた .
Did you use の to connect このしゃしん (this photograph) and おとこのこ (boy)? It's another use of the
"X の Y" pattern, in which このしゃしん is the location where おとこのこ appears.
We have so far learned that the "pointing" word これ and its counterparts それ and あれ are used for
things and not for people, right? Exceptions are when we are talking about people in photographs!
Did you remember that we can omit personal pronouns such as "you" or "yours" whenever we can
reasonably assume that our listeners understand who we are talking about?
We have so far learned that the Japanese equivalent to "grandmother" is そぼ . When we want to refer to
someone else's grandmother or directly address our own grandmother, we should use the polite term お
ばあさん to show our respect.
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Do you remember that Japanese uses different counting words to count different things? さい is the
counter for age and is equivalent to "years old" in English!
Did you use そふ , the "plain" word for "grandfather," to refer to your own?
なんさい is the "plain" version of おいくつ (how old). It's the combination of the question word なん (what)
and the age counter さい .
Did you notice that the pronunciation for the number eight (はち ) changes when it's combined with さい ?
A similar change happens when the number is "one" (いち） or "ten" (じゅう ). "One year old," for
example, is いっさい , and "ten years old" is じゅっさい .
Notice that we need ご instead of お to politely say "family" in Japanese.
にん in the question word なんにん is the counter for people.
Although the counter for people is にん , we say ひとり for "one person" and ふたり for "two people."
These are two special cases that need to be memorized!
To count three or more people, we attach にん to the number, as in さんにん . The exception is for "four
people": the number four is よん , but we say よにん .
Strictly speaking, きょうだい means "brother(s)," but it also means "sibling(s)" in general. If there are
only sisters, we can use the term しまい (sisters).
When we say きょうだいはふたりです in Japanese, it usually includes ourselves. To avoid a
misunderstanding, however, it's a good idea to list all the members!
Do you remember that こ means a "child"? ひとりっこ literally means "one child." Did you notice that
the pronunciation slightly changes when ひとり and こ are combined?
We have so far learned the verb いる as the equivalent of "to exist/to be" when we are talking about
people, animals, and other living creatures. いる can also mean "to have."
Did you notice that we need が after ペット and say ペットがいます (I have a pet)? Some verbs require
us to use が , not を , to mark their objects. It's the same が we used in the question ちずがありますか
(Do you have maps?).
Now let's figure out a simple way to answer the question, ペットがいますか (Do you have pets?)!
The counter for small animals (such as dogs and cats), fish, and insects is ひき . Please note that the
pronunciation of ひき changes just like ほん (the counter for thin, long objects), depending on what word
or number comes before it. When combined with the question word なん , it becomes びき as in なんびき .
When someone asks you どんないぬですか (What kind of dog is it?), he or she may be asking about your
dog's breed or characteristics such as its size, color, or disposition. Let's assume the latter is the case
here.
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Have you noticed that both おおきい (big) and かわいい (cute) end with い ? So does あかい (red) and し
ろい (white), right? In fact, the dictionary form of many adjectives in Japanese ends with い . That's why
we call this type of adjective the "い -adjective."
Did you notice that we say きれいないぬ (beautiful dog) with な added after the adjective きれい ? Even
though きれい ends with い , it's a type of adjective different from い -adjectives such as おおきい . Since
this type of adjective always needs な when used before a noun to modify it, we call it "な -adjective."
There are not many な -adjectives that end with い . So, let's memorize きれい as a な -adjective and use it
accordingly!
げんき can be either a noun ("good health," "good cheer," or "vitality") or a な -adjective ("healthy," "fine,"
"cheerful," "spry," or "full of energy"). Here we use it as a な -adjective.
Did you notice that げんき (which is a な -adjective) does not need な when it's used as the sentence-
ending word along with です as in げんきです ? Let's call sentences that end with an adjective and です
"adjective sentences"!
Do you remember the verb します (do) and its past form しました (did)? する (to do) is its dictionary
form. This verb is very versatile. It takes a wide range of nouns as its object, including sports, events,
games, chores, or other various activities, and it means that the activity is carried out. The translation,
therefore, varies depending on the object.
As in the case of おちゃ , people often say おはなみ with the polite-word maker お even in a casual
conversation.
Please note that あした (tomorrow) is a noun, but it's often used as an adverb without any accompanying
particle.
Did you use the question word なに instead of なん because the word that follows it is を , which starts
with neither the "t," "d," nor "n" sound?
Like あした (tomorrow), きょう is a noun that is often used as an adverb.
Let's assume that our listener knows that we are talking about our own mother in the following
questions. This means we can safely omit the pronoun わたしの (my).
Did you notice that the sentence きょうは、ははのたんじょうびです (Today is my mother's birthday) has
the familiar "X は Y です " pattern, in which X is the topic of the sentence? Since きょう (today) is actually
a noun, we can use it as the topic.
When you want to politely invite someone to do something, you replace the polite verb ending ます with
the negative form ません and attach the question marker か . ～ませんか is equivalent to "Why don't you
~?" or "Why don't we ~?" depending on the context.
いっしょに consists of いっしょ (which means "being together") and the particle に . We can use いっしょ
に with regular verbs such as いきます (go) or します (do) to mean "together" or "with (someone)."
When we are going out and want to invite someone to join us, we say in English, "Why don't you come
with us?" When we want to issue the same invitation in Japanese, we need to say いっしょにいきません
か ("Why don't you go with us?"). In general, we use いく (to go) to describe the movement in the
direction away from the place where the speaker is as she or he speaks, while くる (to come) is used to
describe the movement toward the speaker.
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The generic verb する (to do) sometimes attaches itself directly to a common activity noun such as しょ
くじ (a meal) or さんぽ (a walk) without using the particle を . The longer verbs thus formed (as in しょく
じする or さんぽする ) are called "compound verbs." In theory, it's possible to create an infinite number
of compound verbs in this way, but only well-established expressions are considered grammatically
legitimate verbs!
こん in こんばん means "this" or "now" (used only as a part of time expression) and ばん means
"evening" or "night." こんばん (tonight), therefore, literally means "this evening." If you are wondering
whether こんばん is related to the greeting こんばんは , which we use when we meet someone after dark,
you are right! The greeting, in fact, is derived from a sentence that begins with こんばんは or "As for
tonight."
When you want to invite someone to do something with you or accept an invitation with enthusiasm, we
can replace the polite verb ending ます with ましょう , as in いきましょう . It's equivalent to "Let's ~" in
English. Compared with いきませんか (literally, "Won't you go?"), いきましょう sounds more positive and
direct.
When we don't want to give a straight answer right away or need time to think, we can buy time by saying
そうですね・・・ . It's equivalent to "Well...," "Let's see...," or "Let me think..." in English!
Sometimes you have to decline an invitation. Let's learn how to do it politely a la Japanese!
Now, let's learn how to reply graciously when someone has declined your invitation!
Do you remember how to say "we" in Japanese? That's right, it's わたしたち . たち in わたしたち and ひと
たち is one of the several "plural markers." In general, we don't need to create the specific plural form for
Japanese nouns. However, personal pronouns (such as "we" or "you") and "human" nouns (such as
"people" or "children") are exceptions!
There are two words for "teacher" in Japanese: きょうし and せんせい . きょうし is a generic term for the
occupation. Use this word when you are describing your family members, your friends, or yourself. If you
want to show your respect to the person whom you are describing, as in the case of introducing a teacher
to someone else, use せんせい instead.
We can use もうひとり to mean either "another person" or "the other person," depending on the context.
いん in かいしゃいん (company employee) means a "(staff) member" in Japanese. かいしゃいん ,
therefore, literally means a "company staff member." Please note that いん is always used with other
words, as in ぎんこういん (bank employee) or えきいん (station worker)!
も in カラオケもあります is equivalent to "too," "also," or "either" in English. Please note that も is a
particle--that is, it usually appears right after a noun or a noun phrase!　
X も Y も is equivalent to "both X and Y" or "neither X nor Y" in English.
Did you notice that we use the expression "X も Y も " (neither X nor Y) with the negative form of verb, but
it does not form double-negative? It's similar to the usage of あまり ("not very much" or "not very well").
When we want to say "(I) like" in Japanese, we say すきです . Please note that すき is a な -adjective that is
equivalent to "fond" or "favorite" in English.
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Did you notice that we need to use the particle が to say テニスがすきです (I like tennis)? As in the case
of あります or います (have), すきです use が , not を , to mark the object. Let's memorize "Xがすきです "
(I like X) as a set phrase!
だい in だいすきです literally means "big" or "great." When combined with すきです , it works like "very
much." The English equivalent of "Xがだいすきです ," therefore, is "(I) like X very much" or "(I) love X"!
きらい is a な -adjective, which can mean "hateful," "disgusting," "offensive," or "detestable"--anything that
is the opposite of すき ("fond" or "favorite")! To say "(I) hate," we say きらいです . If you want to
emphasize your negative feelings even more, you can say だいきらいです !
Did you remember that あまり ("not very" or "not much") is only used in a negative sentence, but it does
not make the sentence double-negative?
Now let's use the simple yet discreet way to give a negative answer.
Did you notice that we used the particle は instead of が in すもうはすきですが (I like sumo, but...)? In a
two-part sentence such as "I like X, but I don't like Y," we use the particle は for both parts to emphasize
that we are contrasting two things.
から connects two sentences together by appearing at the end of the first sentence and indicates that
the first sentence is the cause or reason for the second sentence. It's equivalent to "because," "since" or
"so" in English. In conversations, the second sentence (one that tells the effect or result) is often omitted
and only implied.
Do you remember that the equivalent of "funny" in Japanese is おもしろい ? おもしろい can also mean
"enjoyable" or "interesting."
Did you notice that れんしゅうする (to practice) is a compound verb using the noun れんしゅう (a
practice) and the generic verb する (to do)?
In everyday conversation, the particle に in ここに (here) is often omitted. Let's try it!
Do you remember we used the particle が to mark the subject of verbs as in こいがいます (There are
carp)? In everyday conversations, the particle が is often omitted when the subject of the sentence is だ
れか (someone) or its counterpart なにか (something).
Please note that though だれも means "no one" or "nobody," it must be used with the negative form of a
verb in a sentence.
Did you notice that we don't need the particle が after だれも ?
So far, we have used どうぞ to mean "Here you go," "Please come in," or "Please get on." We can also
use どうぞ to allow someone to take an action. It's equivalent to "Go ahead" or "Please do"!
Do you remember that Japanese people usually avoid using pronouns as long as the context allows it? か
れ literally means "he" or "him," but it is often used to mean a very special "he"--(one's) boyfriend!
Did you use the pointing word そこ (that place) instead of それ (that thing) to point to せき (seat), which
is considered as a place rather than an object?
Do you remember that we count people as ひとり (one person), ふたり (two people), さんにん (three
people), and so on? ひとり can also mean "(being) single," "(being) alone," or "(being) by oneself"!
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So far we have used the particle と as the Japanese equivalent of "and," as in ちちとはは (father and
mother). The same particle has another function: in the phrase かれと , と means "with" in English!
Did you notice that we don't need the particle に when we use the word いっしょ (being together) along
with です , as in かれといっしょです (I'm together with my boyfriend)?
Like かれ ("[one's] boyfriend"; literally, "he" or "him"), かのじょ is the pronoun for "she" or "her," but is
often used to mean "(one's) girlfriend"!
みせ is a generic term for a place of business that is open for customers, including retail stores,
restaurants, and bars. Native speakers often use the term whenever they assume that their listeners
understand which place of business they are talking about. It's one of those words that is very simple
and useful, but it's hard to find an English equivalent! For convenience, let's use a "place of business" for
its English translation even though it may sound a bit strange.
かいめ in にかいめ (the second time) is the counter indicating the status of the current action in regard to
the frequency. Please note that in order to say "(for) the first time" in Japanese, we often say はじめて
without using the combination of the number and the counter.
あまり ("not very" or "not much") can also mean "not very often." Let's use it in this way in the next
question!
The two expressions "X と " (with X) and "X といっしょに " (together with X) mean the same thing. We can
use them interchangeably to indicate that X is the person with whom you share an action, such as going
to a club or watching a movie.
にがて is a な -adjective we can use to describe our weak points. It's equivalent to "poor at" or "weak in" in
English!
When you say にがてです , you are simply stating (or "reporting") that you are not good at something.
When you say にがてなんです , however, you are offering the fact to your listener as an explanation for
your action or your previous remark. The ending なんです , attached to either nouns, な -adjectives, or
adverbs, adds the nuance of "as a matter of fact" or "to tell you the truth" to the sentence. For the sake
of convenience, let's call this mode of speech the "explanation mode"!
Do you remember the expression にほんごがじょうずです (You are good at Japanese) or テニスがすきで
す (I like tennis)? As in the case of じょうずです or すきです , we use the particle が to indicate the object
of にがてです --that is, what we are poor at --as in ダンスがにがてです .
へえ？ is a casual way to express your surprise or doubt. It's equivalent to "Indeed?" "Really?" or "Oh?" in
English!
Can you answer the next question using the casual "I" for a male speaker?
Do you remember the expression 「うに」といいます (We call it "uni")? といいます is a common
expression we use to introduce the name of a thing or a person in somewhat indirect manner. It's
equivalent to "is/am/are called ~" or "we call (something) ~." Let's memorize it as a phrase so that all we
have to do is to insert the name before と !
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Though we often get by without using any pronouns such as わたし (I or me) or あなた (you) in Japanese,
sometimes we have to be specific to avoid misunderstandings or mix-ups--especially in relationships! In
the following questions, let's clearly state whose boyfriend we are talking about!
すてき is a な -adjective that means "wonderful," "lovely," or "nice."
Did you remember to add な and say すてきなひと since すてき is a な -adjective?
Can you see the difference between となりのカフェ and カフェのとなり ? While となりのカフェ (literally,
"cafe at the next-door") describes the cafe in regard to its location, カフェのとなり (literally, "the next-
door of the cafe") indicates the location of something else in relation to the cafe.
Did you notice that we need to use the particle で and say となりのカフェで ? This is the same particle we
learned to use in the sentence ここでおります (I'm getting off at this place). The particle で attaches
itself to a noun denoting a place, just as the particle に does, and works as "at," "in," or "on" in English.
While に indicates the place where something or someone exists, で indicates the place where some
action takes place.
When we want to give an example while making a suggestion, we use でも , instead of the particle を ,
after the noun. For instance, when suggesting that someone join us for refreshments, we can pick コー
ヒー (coffee) as an example out of other drinks available and say コーヒーでも , which means "coffee or
something" or "coffee, for example." Please note that this でも is different from でも that means "but"!
すごいひと can mean either an "amazing person" or "terribly crowded." Let's use it in the latter sense
here!
むかいのバー can mean either "the bar across the street" or "the bar across the hallway (or aisle)."
Generally speaking, Japanese women prefer paying their own way when they wine and dine with friends--
whether these friends are male or female. However, when asked out by men for the first time, many
women probably expect their dates to pay the whole tab. "Going Dutch" in Japanese is わりかん . If you
want to suggest to split the cost, you can say わりかんにしましょう !
じ in なんじ is the counter for the hour. It's equivalent to "o'clock" in English!
Did you notice that the pronunciation of よん (four) changes when it's used to tell the hour?
Some Japanese numbers have two different pronunciations. For example, we have so far learned "seven"
is なな , but the same number can be read as しち . In general, we can use both pronunciations
interchangeably, but sometimes we have to use a particular one, depending on the counter that follows
it. When we say "seven o'clock," for example, we have to say しちじ . Let's memorize it and use it as it is!
Like "seven," "nine" in Japanese has two pronunciations: きゅう and く . When we tell the hour, we have to
say くじ (nine o'clock). Let's memorize this one, too!
かえる means "to return," but we often use it to mean "to go home."
Did you notice that we don't need any particle after しゅうまつ (weekend) to say "for the weekend"?
Most time expressions that do not include specific numbers such as the hour or the date can be used as
they are without particles equivalent to "at," "on," "in," or "for."
か in かようび (Tuesday) means "fire," and it corresponds to the Japanese term for Mars, かせい (literally,
"Fire Star").
すい in すいようび (Wednesday) means "water," and it corresponds to the Japanese term for Mercury, す
いせい (literally, "Water Star").
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もく in もくようび (Thursday) means "wood" or "tree," and it corresponds to the Japanese term for
Jupiter, もくせい (literally, "Wood Star").
きん in きんようび (Friday) means "metal" or "gold," and it corresponds to the Japanese term for Venus,
きんせい ("Gold Star").
ど in どようび (Saturday) means "earth," "soil" or "dirt," and it corresponds to the Japanese term for
Saturn, どせい (literally, "Dirt Star").
にち in にちようび (Sunday) means "the sun," just like in English! Please note, however, にち itself
cannot be used independently to mean the sun. Neither are the corresponding parts in other days of the
week such as げつ in げつようび or か in かようび , except for きん (gold) in きんようび !
Here is the simple, yet effective way to memorize all the Japanese terms for the days of the week: say,
"げつ , か (あ ), すい , もく , きん , ど (お ), にち " (the extra vowels are added after か and ど for the sake of
the rhythm). Repeat it, like a mantra, until it gets stuck in your head. Then, all you need to do is to add
ようび after each component. Make sure, though, to remember that this "week mantra" starts with
Monday!
Did you remember that we use the particle は as in "Xは・・・が、 Yは・・・ " (X is..., but Y is...) when we
contrast two statements in one sentence?
Do you remember the expression とうきょうえきまで (to Tokyo station)? Both まで and へ can be used
to indicate a destination, but while まで emphasizes the end of a movement, like "as far as" in English,
the particle へ puts more emphasis on the direction of movement as in "toward." In this section, let's use
へ as the equivalent of "to" in English!
We have learned to use the particle に to indicate a location where something exists, as in ここにありま
す (It exists here). We can also use the particle に to express the purpose of movement with verbs such
as いく (to go), くる (to come), or かえる (to go home). In such a case, the noun that comes before に
is an activity noun like hiking or shopping. Sometimes, an event such as a concert or a festival can be
used before the particle に as well.
We have learned that the particle に indicates the purpose of movement. The word that comes before に
can be either an activity noun or a verb! When we use a verb, simply drop ます from the polite form and
add に . For example, to say "I go to swim," we drop ます from およぎます (swim) and say およぎにいきま
す.
うみ means the "ocean" or "sea," but we can also use it to mean the "beach" when we want to say "Let's
go to the beach" or "This beach is clean."
あそびにくる literally means "to come to have fun," but we can use the phrase to mean "to come over
for a visit" when we invite others to our own home. In turn, we can say あそびにいく (literally, "to go to
have fun") when we go to someone's home for a visit!
Here is another formula that uses the ます -form of a verb: when we want to express our desire to do
something, we drop ます from the polite form of the verb and add たいです . For example, いきたいです
means "(I) want to go." Please note that we cannot use ～たいです to describe the desire of the third
person. Neither can we use it when we are making offers or issuing invitations as in "Would you like to
have some coffee?"
Did you add へ after the question word どこ (where) and say どこへいきますか (Where do you go)? We
need the particle へ to indicate the destination, even when we are asking about it!
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Did you remember to use the question word なに along with the object marker を ?
Now, for the next question, let's pretend that someone has suggested that you go to a movie together.
Can you come up with an enthusiastic response?
We can use どうですか (literally, "How is it?") not only to ask how something is, but also to make a
suggestion, like saying "How about ~?" in English!
Do you remember that the Japanese word for a "mountain" is やま ? The Chinese character for やま (山 )
is often read as さん when it's used in the names of mountains, as in たかおさん (Mt. Takao). It may
sound like a person's name, but さん in たかおさん and さん in ようこさん (Ms. Yoko) are completely
different things!
ゆうめい ends with い , but it's a な -adjective that means "famous" or "well-known."
Did you notice that we need to use the particle が , not を , along with the verb いります (I need)? As you
have already learned, some verbs and adjectives need が to mark their objects, as in ペットがいます (I
have a pet) or テニスがすきです (I like tennis). Let's remember that いります is one of them!
Did you remember that the sentence-ending particle ね can be used to seek a confirmation with a rising
intonation? It's equivalent to "..., right?" in English!
Did you replace the particle が with the particle も to add the meaning of "also" or "too"? Also remember
that we can use も in a negative sentence, as in "either" in English!
おわすれなく is a polite way to say "Don't forget!" in everyday conversation. It's based on the negative
form of the verb わすれる (to forget).
Did you remember to use the particle で to indicate the location where the action takes place?
Here is another use for the particle に . When we indicate the point in time that an action takes place, we
need to use に after the time, as in くじに (at nine o'clock).
Did you remember to add the particle に after the question word なんじ (what time) to find out the point
in time when an action (here going to a movie) takes place?
When we mention approximate times, we add ごろ after the time, as in よじごろ . When we use ごろ , we
can omit the particle に that indicates the time of action.
Here are some tips on how to use three similar phrases. We use やすみましょう (Let's rest) to express
our will to involve our listener directly or to enthusiastically support another person's suggestion. We use
やすみましょうか (Shall we rest?) when we want to prompt our listener to start a mutual action. やすみま
せんか (Why don't we rest?) is a gentler invitation in the form of a negative question, showing our respect
to our listener's will.
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Do you remember the expression タクシーをよびましょうか (Should I call a taxi?). We used the verb
ending ましょうか to offer a service to someone. Now, we can use the same ending when we want to
make a polite suggestion. It's equivalent to "Shall we ~?" in English!
As you already know, Japanese people often end their sentences with ね , sharing their feelings or opinions
and seeking agreement or confirmation from their listeners. つかれましたね is another example. In this
expression, the tired speaker assumes that the other person is also tired and seeks an agreement from
him or her. It's a very common way of communicating in Japanese, though the English equivalent--"We're
tired, aren't we?"--may sound a bit strange!
The counter for the temperature in Japanese is ど . We can also use ど for the degree of an angle.
We can use なんどですか (literally, "What degree is it?") to ask how hot or cold　 something is.
When we end our sentence with です , we imply that what we are saying is a fact. When we want to avoid
sounding definite and imply that what we are saying is only our assumption, we can end our sentence
with でしょう instead of です . To ask your listener his or her assumption, simply add the question
marker か and end the sentence with でしょうか . It's equivalent to "do you think?" or "I wonder" in
English.
Do you remember that we use ごろ to tell an approximate time as in よじごろ (around four o'clock)?
When we talk about the approximate amount of something (such as temperature, time, distance, weight,
or price), we use ぐらい after the number to mean "about," "around," or "approximately." For example,
さんじゅうどぐらい means "around thirty degrees."
"Zero" in Japanese can be either れい or ゼロ . When talking about the temperature, however, we must
use れい and say れいど (zero degrees).
When we want to signal our listeners that we are thinking, as in "Let me see..." in English, we can say
えーっと・・・ . It's similar to そうですね・・・ (Well...), but えーっと・・・ is more casual and
spontaneous!
In the next question, let's assume that someone has asked about the outside temperature, and you are
looking at a thermometer to find the information.
Please note that we mainly use すずしい (cool) to describe the temperature of the air or the climate with
a positive connotation. Make sure not to use it as the equivalent of "cool" in expressions like "He's so
cool!"
より is a particle that comes after the word used as the counterpart of a comparison. It's equivalent to
"than" or "more than" in English!
Did you notice that in きのうよりすずしいです (It's cooler than yesterday), the adjective (すずしい ) itself
does not change its form? What tells us that this is a comparison sentence? That's right! It's the
particle より !
Do you remember that we have so far used どちら as the polite version of どこ (where)? We can also
use どちら as the equivalent of "which" in English in a question asking our listener to compare two things
and choose one of them.
Did you remember that we use the particle が to indicate what we like? We also need to add が after the
question word どちら to say どちらがすきですか (Which do you like?).
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To form a comparison question using the question word どちら , we mention two things by adding the
particle と after each word, as in "X と Y と ." It's the equivalent of "X or Y" in English.
When we want to pick one over the other in our answer to the comparison question, such as うみとやま
と、どちらがすきですか (Which do you like better, the ocean or mountains?), we can use the pattern "X
のほうが・・・です ." Let's memorize the pattern and practice using it in a conversation!
We can use どちらも in both affirmative and negative sentences.
Did you notice that although どちらも is the equivalent of "neither," we have to use it along with the
negative sentence ending, as in どちらもすきじゃありません ?
When we want to compare more than three things and pick one as the highest (or the lowest) ranking
among them, we add いちばん (literally, the "number one") before the adjective. It's equivalent to "(the)
most" or "(the) best" in English.
In order to indicate the range of choices, we use the particle で as in きせつで (among seasons) or にほん
で (in Japan).
はれ is a noun that describes sunny or clear weather. That's the word you'll be looking for when you
watch the weather forecast on Japanese TV! You can also describe the same nice weather as いいてんき
(fine weather) in everyday conversations.
Did you notice that the past form of あついです is different from the past form of はれです ? It's because
あついです is made of an い -adjective (あつい ) and です , while はれです consists of a noun (はれ ) and で
す . If the sentence ends with an い -adjective and です , the past form takes the same pattern as あつ
かったです : simply drop いです at the end and replace it with かったです !
Now, do you remember から ("because" or "since") that marks the sentence as the cause of the
subsequent sentence? Let's use it in the next question!
Did you notice that the past form of きれいです is different from the past form of あついです ? It's
because きれい is a な -adjective! If the sentence ends with a な -adjective and です , simply replace です
with でした !
Because どのくらい can be used in many situations, you may find that some questions sound rather
vague. ちょうじょうまでどのくらいですか , for example, can be asking about the distance to the summit
or time that it takes to get there. In this section, let's assume that the question is about the distance!
どのくらい is a very versatile question word that we can use to ask the amount or degree of something,
including distance, temperature, weight, duration of time, cost, and size. The translation, therefore, can
vary, depending on what measurement we are dealing with. To be specific, we can use なん (what) plus
the counter as in なんど for the temperature.
Did you use the particle まで , not へ , as the equivalent of "to" in the phrase "from here to the summit"?
When talking about the distance between two points, we use から (from) to indicate the starting point and
まで ("to" or "as far as") to indicate the end. Let's memorize "X から Y まで " as a stock phrase! When the
starting point is obvious, it's often omitted.
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あと is a word that points to a place that is behind, a time that comes later, or things that remain. We
can use あと before some numbers (such as distance, time, or quantity) to indicate the remaining
amount. あといちキロメートル , for example, means "one more kilometer to go"!
When we describe a natural phenomenon, we use the particle が to mark the subject, as in あめがふりま
す (literally, "Rain falls"). In this case, we can't replace が with the topic marker は .
Do you remember the sentence ending でしょう , which implies that what we are telling is our
assumption? When we want to indicate that what we are telling is our conjecture based on observation,
we end the sentence with そうです instead. It's equivalent to "it seems" or "it looks" in English. For
regular verbs such as ふる (to fall), simply drop ます from the polite form and add そうです to form the
pattern, as in ふりそうです .
なんだか is a phrase we can use in everyday conversations to express the vagueness of our feelings or
judgments. It's equivalent to "I don't know why, but ...," "somewhat," "a little," "kind of," or "somehow" in
English!
Some Japanese adverbs mimetically describe movements with repeated words. そろそろ is one of them,
giving the listener a sense of slowness. The English equivalents include "slowly," "softly," "gradually," "(not
right now but) soon," or "by and by."
そろそろいきましょうか literally means "Shall we go by and by?"ー a suggestion to start in a short time.
However, people sometimes use the same expression to hurry others in a polite way. In that case, the
English equivalent would be "It's about time for us to go" or "We'd better be going!"
There are only two basic Group III verbs whose conjugation patterns we have to memorize: する (to do)
and くる (to come). The rest of Group III verbs are "compound" verbs based on these two, and they
conjugate just as the basic verbs do.
So far, we have been learning two forms of verbs, the dictionary form and the ます -form (that is, the
polite form). Let's start paying close attention to how these two forms are related so that we'll be able to
identify the three types of Japanese verbs: Group I, Group II, and Group III.
する (to do) belongs to Group III, or "irregular," verbs. It's called "irregular" because the way this verb
conjugates (that is, how it changes form according to the different usage, as in する becoming します in
the polite form) has no pattern that matches with the conjugation pattern of other verbs. We just have to
memorize how this verb conjugates!
In Japanese, there is a verb form called the て -form, which we can use in various verb phrases. To create
the て -form for a Group III (or irregular) verb, we simply delete ます from its polite form and add て . The
て -form for する (or します ) therefore is して .
When we want to talk about some action or motion in progress, we use the て -form of the verb followed
by います . しています is equivalent to "is/am/are doing" in English!
もしもし is an everyday expression we can use when we make a phone call, pick up the phone, or make
sure that the person on the other end of the phone line is still there. This funny sounding phrase is
derived from the verb もうす (humble version of "to say"). The English equivalent is "Hello," but
remember that もしもし is almost exclusively used during phone conversations!
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In the next questions, let's pretend that you are making a phone call!
We can use りょうり to mean not only "cooking" but also "a dish" (as in おいしいりょうり or "a tasty
dish") or cuisine (as in にほんりょうり or "Japanese cuisine").
The Japanese alphabet chart consists of five columns (or lines) and ten rows with the addition of the
single letter ん . The first row is all vowels, あいうえお , each of which heads each line, as in あ -line or い -
line. Each of the remaining rows is made of the combination of a vowel and a consonant, in the order of
k, s, t, n, h, m, y, r, w. The additional chart covers consonants g, z, d, b, p. In other words, each row uses
the same consonant, while each line uses the same vowel.
The conjugation pattern for Group II verbs involves a single "line" of the alphabet chart: either い -line or
え -line. For example, all the conjugated forms of the verb たべる (to eat) contain べ (which belongs to
the え -line), as in たべます and たべて . Because it involves a single line (or いちだん in Japanese), the
conjugation pattern for Group II verbs is called いちだんかつよう (single-line conjugation).
たべる (to eat) is a Group II verb. Group II verbs are sometimes called "る -verbs" because the dictionary
form of all Group II verbs ends with る . The problem is that the dictionary form of some Group I verbs
also ends with る ! It's important to determine whether the verb belongs to Group I or II because these
two groups conjugate differently. Let's learn how to identify verb types, using たべる as our example.
A quick and sure way to determine whether a verb belongs to Group II is to compare the dictionary form
and the polite-form. First, drop ます from the polite form. If what is left matches what comes before る in
the dictionary form, then the verb is a Group II verb. For example, たべ in たべます and たべ in たべる
match perfectly, right? Therefore, we can conclude that たべる is a Group II verb!
Forming the て -form for Group II verbs is easy! All you have to do is to drop ます from the polite-form (or
drop る from the dictionary form) and add て instead! So, the て -form for たべる or たべます is たべて !
The dictionary form for "to make (a telephone call)" is かける , and the polite form is かけます . Can you
tell what type of verb this is? That's right! It's Group II. We can easily tell that because かけ in かけます
matches perfectly with かけ in かける . We are now ready to figure out the て -form of the verb!
でんわ can mean either a "telephone" as an instrument or a "telephone call." Let's use the word in the
latter meaning in the next question!
Let's figure out the verb type of みる (to watch). What is left after dropping ます from みます is み , and
it's identical to what comes before る in みる , right? So, we can tell that this verb also belongs to Group
II!
Let's have a closer look at the Group I verb つくる . When we compare つくる and つくります , we see
that the first part つく is unchanged. Since the ます ending of つくります is a common addition to all the
polite forms, let's put it aside. Now, what is changed is the dictionary form ending る , which becomes り
in the polite form. り belongs to the い -line of the Japanese alphabet chart, while る belongs to the う -
line. Let's see whether other Group I verbs follow the pattern!
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Let's figure out which verb group つくる belongs to. Though つくる ends with る , what is left after
dropping ます from つくります does not match what comes before る in the dictionary form, right?
Therefore, this verb belongs not to Group II but to Group I.
How to make the て -form for Group I verbs is a little more involved than Group II or III: it depends on the
verb ending of the dictionary form. For the Group I verb whose dictionary form ends with う or つ or る ,
drop the ending and add って . Since つくる is a Group I verb and ends with る , the て -form will be つくっ
て!
Can you tell what kind of verb たく (to cook [rice]) is? It does not belong to Group III, which consists of
only two verbs, する (to do) and くる (to come). Neither does it belong to Group II, whose dictionary form
always ends with る . Therefore, we can safely conclude that たく is a Group I verb!
Let's compare たく and たきます . For this Group I verb, what is unchanged is た , and what is changed is
the dictionary form ending く , which becomes き in the polite form. き belongs to the い -line of the
Japanese alphabet chart, and く belongs to the う -line. So, we can tell that たく follows the same basic
conjugation pattern as つくる !
To make the て -form for the Group I verbs whose dictionary form ends with く , we drop く from the
dictionary form and add いて . Now, let's figure out the て -form for たく !
わかす (to boil) is used as the method for boiling water or some kind of liquid such as tea or soup. We
can't use it to say, for example, "to boil an egg (or potato)"!
Let's examine one more Group I verb for the conjugation pattern. わかす does not end with る , so we
know that this is a Group I verb. When we compare わかす and わかします , the unchanged part is わか ,
and the changed part is the dictionary form ending す , which is changed to し in the polite form. し
belongs to the い -line of the Japanese alphabet chart, while す belongs to the う -line. So, わかす also
follows the same conjugation pattern as つくる and たく !
For those Group I verbs whose dictionary form ends with す , we make the て -form by dropping the verb
ending す from the dictionary form and adding して . Now, what do you think the て -form for わかす is?
The Japanese equivalent to "hot water" is ゆ , but most people say おゆ in everyday conversation!
Just like ごはんをたく (to cook rice), おゆをわかす is a commonly used expression. Literally, it means "to
boil hot water," which sounds like a waste of energy, but it actually means "to boil water"!
We have learned from our examination of three Group I verbs that the conjugation pattern for this verb
type involves at least two lines from the Japanese alphabet chart: the い -line and う -line. In fact, most
Group I verbs use all five lines to complete their conjugation pattern. That's why we call the conjugation
pattern for Group I verbs ごだんかつよう (five-line conjugation)!
Did you remember that to tell the purpose of movement (in this case "to come"), we drop ます from the
polite form of verbs and add the particle に , as in たべにきます (come to eat)?
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Do you remember the "explanation" mode of speech we used to say ダンスがにがてなんです (As a
matter of fact, I'm a poor dancer)? While using なんです after nouns, な -adjectives and adverbs, we use
んです after い -adjectives and verbs. When asking for an explanation for the other person's current or
future action, simply add んですか after the dictionary form of the verb, as in つくるんですか . It adds to
your question the nuance of "Tell me" or "I'm wondering."
The verb やく can mean "to broil," "to roast," "to grill," "to barbecue," "to sear," "to bake," "to toast," or
even "to burn." It's very versatile, isn't it!
Do you remember that そうです in あめがふりそうです (It seems that it's going to rain) indicates the
speaker's judgment based on his or her observation? We can use the same ending with adjectives as
well to mean "it seems..." or "it looks...." For な -adjectives such as しずか (quiet), simply add そうです to
the dictionary form, as in しずかそうです (It seems quiet). For い -adjectives such as おいしい , we drop
the word-ending い and add そうです , as in おいしそうです (It looks tasty).
An observation can be made not only through our eyes, but also our ears or noses. Let's figure out the
next question!
Did you get it right? Just as we can connect as many nouns as we like using the particle と , we can, at
least theoretically, connect an infinite number of verbs by using the て -form. This "て -form, て -form"
pattern indicates that the action is taking place in the order stated. Please note that the last verb in the
sentence remains in the ます -form.
Can you figure out what type of verb いためる is by comparing it with the polite form, いためます ? That's
right! It's a Group II verb!
We have so far learned that we can use the particle と (and) to connect two or more nouns or noun
phrases, right? When we want to connect two or more verbs, however, we can't use the particle と .
Instead, we use the て -form of the verb!
いれる ("to put in" or "to add") becomes いれます in the polite form. Which verb group does いれる
belong to? Group II, of course!
ふん is the counter for minutes. We can use it to talk about the duration of time (as in "for twenty
minutes") or the point of time (as in "3:20"). Please note that the pronunciation of ふん sometimes
changes to ぷん , depending on what number or word comes before it. One to ten minutes goes like this:
いっぷん , にふん , さんぷん , よんぷん（ or よんふん） , ごふん , ろっぷん , ななふん , はっぷん , きゅうふん ,
and じゅっぷん ! The question word is なんぷん (literally, "what minute").
Do you remember that いれる ("to put in" or "to add") is a Group II verb? Now let's figure out its て -form!
Though the "て -form、て -form" pattern indicates the order of events, we can throw in some "signaling"
words to help our listeners understand what's going on! まず ("first" or "first of all") is one of such
signaling words, alerting the listeners that a series of events will follow.
The particle で in the phrase よわびで indicates some kind of method or means for actions, including
cooking heat (as in "over low heat"), utensils (as in "with chopsticks"), communication tools (as in "by
phone" or "on TV"), transportation (as in "by bus"), language (as in "in Japanese"), and so on. Very
versatile, isn't it!
The counter for the measuring cup is the same as the counter for a coffee cup or a glass. Do you
remember what it is?
しょうしょう , the polite version of すこし (a little), is often used as a cooking term that is equivalent to
"a dash" in English. Let's try to use it in the next question!
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じかん means "time" in general, but we can also use it as the counter for hours. Please don't mix it up
with the counter for the hour, じ . For example, いちじかん means "one hour," and いちじ means "one
o'clock"!
We can use the noun さいご ("the end" or "the last") to talk about the end of a time period, action, event,
place, and so on.
The verb できる has several meanings. Here, we use it as the equivalent of "to be made" in English.
Can you tell what type of verb できる is? That's right! It's Group II.
When we are looking at something and want to ask or describe what it is made from, we use できていま
す instead of できます . できています (literally, "is being made") describes not the action in progress but
the continuing state resulting from what has happened in the past. That is, someone has made
something using certain ingredients, and as the result, the ingredients are still in it. This is another
function of the "て -form + います " pattern!
We have so far used から (from) to indicate the starting point as in ここから (from here). We can also
use から to indicate materials from which something is made.
Do you remember that we use いく (to go) when we describe the movement in the direction away from
where we are as we speak, while くる (to come) is used to describe the movement toward us? The same
basic rule applies to the verb もっていく and its counterpart もってくる . For example, when we tell our
friends on the phone that we will bring desserts, we say デザートをもっていきます because we are going
to their house, moving away from where we are!
もっていく consists of two parts: the て -form of the Group I verb もつ (to hold or have) and the Group I
verb いく (to go). Here, let's use it as a compound verb equivalent to "to take (something with)."
We have so far used できる to mean "to be made" as in みそはだいずからできています (Miso paste is
made from soybeans). We can also use できる to mean "to be ready."
いい ("good," "fine," or "OK") is a い -adjective. Do you remember how to turn it into the "explanation"
mode?
Can you tell what type of verb まつ (to wait) is? That's right! Since it does not end with る , it's a Group I
verb! Now based on what you have learned about the conjugation pattern for Group I, can you tell what
the polite form for まつ is?
Now, まつ (to wait) is a Group I verb that ends with つ . Do you remember how to make the て -form for
Group I verbs whose dictionary form ends with う or つ or る , as in つくる (to make)?
Did you notice that we needed to use the particle が to mark the subject of the sentence? We can't use
the topic marker は here because the whole sentence, スーツがやすくなりました (The price of suits has
gone down), is communicating a new piece of information; that is, the speaker has "discovered" (or
otherwise observed) some fact or phenomenon and is reporting it to the listener for the first time in the
conversation. It's similar to the case of あめがふりそうです (It seems that it is going to rain).
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やすい is equivalent to "inexpensive," "cheap," or "low (price)" in English. It doesn't, however, necessarily
carry a negative connotation as "cheap" often does.
We can describe how things change by using the "adjective plus なります " pattern. Please note that if
the adjective is an い -adjective such as やすい , we have to drop the ending い and instead add く before
なります as in やすくなります (become inexpensive).
ちゅう attaches itself to nouns for events such as セール (a sale) or for activities such as さんぽ (a walk),
indicating that the event or activity is in progress. It's equivalent to "in the middle of" in English, but it can
be translated differently according to the context, as in "on (sale)," "under (repair)," or "in (conversation)"!
さがす is a Group I verb that ends with す like わかす (to boil water), right? Do you remember how to
make the て -form for the verb like this?
The Japanese word for "long" is ながい . ながそで is the shortened form of ながいそで (literally, "long
sleeve"), but it's used as one word!
おさがしですか is the polite form of さがしていますか (Are you looking for?). You'll hear the phrase a lot
in Japanese retail stores!
Did you remember that we don't have to use the particle を after なにか (something) or だれか
(someone) in everyday conversation?
We have so far used the word はん (half) to talk about time, as in にじはん (half past two). We can't use
はん by itself, but we can combine it not only with time expressions but also with other nouns. Let's try it
in the next question!
So far, we have been using いい as "fine" (as in いいてんき or "fine weather"), "good" (as in いいですね or
"It sounds good"), or "okay" (as in いいですか or "Is it okay?"). We can also use いい to mean "right" or
"suitable." Let's use the word in this last way here!
Do you remember that we can have の as a generic substitute for a noun as in あかいの (red one)? Let's
use it like this in the next question.
Do you remember that すてき (wonderful) can also be used to mean "nice" or "lovely"?
We can use あれ ! to show our surprise at something or some event that is unexpected. It's equivalent to
"Ah!" or "Oh!" in English.
The decimal point in Japanese is read as てん (literally, a "dot" or "point") as in にじゅうろくてんご
(twenty-six point five).
When we are talking about our shoe size in Japan, we can often omit the word センチ (centimeter). Let's
try it in the next question.
In addition to numbers, Japanese manufacturers use the letter sizes: XS (extra small), S (small), M
(medium), L (large), and XL or LL (extra large). The sizes bigger than XL are written as 3L, 4L, and so
on.
We have so far used まで to indicate a destination as in とうきょうえきまで (to Tokyo Station) or ちょう
じょうまで (to the summit). We can also use まで to indicate the end point in time like "until" in English!
We have learned that ばん means "evening" and used it in expressions such as こんばんは (Good
evening) or ばんごはん ("evening meal" or "supper"). While we generally use ばん to mean the time
period after dark, we use ゆうがた to point to the time period between around four and sunset.
We can say ゆうがたろくじはん or ゆうがたのろくじはん . They mean the same--"half past six in the
evening"!
Did you remember that we can use から to indicate the starting point in time as well as in space?
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よる and ばん are sometimes used interchangeably, but there are certain distinctions. In general, よる
means after dark until sunrise. ばん is the early part of night when people are still awake and active. The
English equivalents would be "night" for よる and "evening (after dark)" for ばん .
Can you tell what type of verb しる is? That's right! It's a Group I verb whose dictionary form ends with る
like つくる (to make). Do you remember how to make the て -form for these verbs?
Please note that to say "I know" in Japanese, we have to say しっています . Like できています (it is
made), しっています describes not an action in progress, but a "continuing state" that has resulted from
some action taken in the past. Let's memorize it as a phrase!
Did you notice that the negative form of しっています (I know) is しりません (I don't know)? Let's
memorize both the affirmative and negative form of the verb しる as a pair!
Japanese people, particularly women and children, often add the honorific title さん after the names of
stores as in ケーキやさん or ほんやさん . It's a friendly way to mention neighborhood businesses. Let's
try this in the next questions.
おいしいケーキやさん (literally, "tasty cake shop") may sound as if the cake shop is edible like a
gingerbread house. This, however, is a common way in Japanese to describe a great cake shop that
serves delicious cakes!
Do you remember that we used ください to mean "Please give me" in the sentence such as このシャツ
ください (Please give me this shirt)? When we want to ask or instruct someone to do something, we use
the "て -form plus ください " pattern as in おしえてください ("Please tell me" or "Please teach me").
What group of verbs does つつむ belong to? That's right! It's a Group I verb. When the dictionary form
for a Group I verb ends with either む or ぶ or ぬ , we drop the last letter and add んで to make the て -
form. Can you figure out the て -form for つつむ ?
Here's the summary of the て -form formation for Group I verbs. If the dictionary form ends with う or つ
or る , like まつ (to wait), delete the last letter and add って as in まって . If the ending is む or ぶ or ぬ , like
つつむ (to wrap), delete it and add んで as in つつんで . For the す -ending like わかす (to boil water),
replace it with して ; for the く -ending like たく (to cook rice), use いて ; and for the ぐ -ending like いそぐ
(to hurry), use いで .
Here is a little mantra to help you memorize how to form the て -form for Group I verbs, irregular verbs,
and Group II verbs, respectively. You can either repeat the following aloud or make a jingle out of it
("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" fits): うつる「って」 , むぶぬ「んで」 , す「して」 , く「いて」 , ぐ
「いで」 , する「して」 , くる「きて」 , みる「みて」 . Please note that it lists the whole て -form for
the irregular verbs (する and くる ) and Group II verbs (みる is used as an example), but only the verb
endings for Group I verbs and their て -forms.
We have learned that に is a versatile particle. Here's another use: when we use verbs such as "to put
in," "to get in," "to get on," or "to arrive," we use the particle に to indicate the goal. It's equivalent to "at,"
"on," or "in" in English. Let's figure out the next question!
Did you remember that we could use the て -form to connect two or more verbs to describe the chain of
events or actions?
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Please note that we can only use ほしいです (I want) or したいです (I want to do) to talk about our own
desires or to find out the desires of our listeners in casual conversation. We can't use them to talk about
the desires of the third person. Also, we shouldn't use these expressions when we want to offer
something or issue invitations. For example, if you want to invite your friend to have some tea with you,
you should say おちゃをのみませんか (Why don't we have some tea?) instead.
ほしい is an い -adjective, but it functions as the equivalent of "to want" in English.
Do you remember that we sometimes use the particle が , not を , to indicate the "object" of the verb such
as あります (I have) or the adjective such as すきです (I like)? When we use the expression ほしいです (I
want), we also need to use が to indicate what we want, as in あたらしいふくがほしいです (I want some
new clothes). Let's memorize "Xがほしいです " (I want X) as a set phrase!
Did you remember that in order to add the nuance of "As a matter of fact..." to our statement, we add ん
です after い -adjectives as well as verbs?
ひとつ or ふたつ is the original Japanese way of counting things. The combination of a number and a
counter as in いっぱい (one cup) or にほん (two bottles) is based on the Chinese tradition, though they
are perfectly blended into Japanese as many other Chinese-based vocabularies are!
We have so far learned that the word にもつ means "luggage." In fact, にもつ can be used to mean
"luggage," "baggage," "parcel," "pack," or "bag"--anything that has to be carried or sent.
In Japanese, we use the combination of a number and a specific counter to count something, right?
There is an alternate way to count things up to 10. For example, we can use ひとつ to count one item
such as a key, an apple, a computer, a chair, a house, or even a planet, without adding any counters. We
can also use it to count an abstract thing such as an idea or a story. Convenient, isn't it!
We have so far used the "ます -form plus ましょう " pattern to invite someone to do something with us, as
in "Let's ~." We can use the same pattern to offer our service to someone. It's equivalent to "Let me (do
something) for you" in English.
To continue counting past ten using the Japanese counting system, like ひとつ or ふたつ , simply use
numbers with no counter, as in じゅういち or にじゅう !
Now, let's assume that you have to take several packages to the post office. Can you figure out how to
ask someone politely to help you?
Do you remember the expression おねがいします which we use to order something in restaurants, as in
コーヒーおねがいします (Coffee, please)? おねがいする ("to request" or "to ask for") is the dictionary
form of おねがいします and consists of the noun おねがい (a "request" or "wish") and the irregular verb す
る (to do). It's another compound verb! Can you figure out its て -form?
When we want to ask for permission, we add もいいですか (equivalent to "May I~?" in English) to the て -
form of the verb, as in おねがいしてもいいですか (May I request?) おねがいしてもいいですか is a polite
expression we can use in various situations. The translation, therefore, will vary depending on the
context.
In the next question, let's use the particle that indicates the final destination.
Did you remember that we use the particle に to indicate the spot that is the goal or target of an action?
Judging from the way the dictionary form (よる ) changes its shape in the polite form (よります ), we can
tell that よる (to stop by) is a る -ending Group I verb, right? Do you remember how to make the て -form
for it?
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さきに is the expression we can use when we want to do something before doing other things. It's
equivalent to "first" or "before that" in English.
かまいません is the polite negative form of the verb かまう (to mind). Let's memorize it as a useful
expression that is equivalent to "I don't mind" in English.
Did you notice that we answer a yes/no question differently in Japanese? In English, we say "Yes" if the
answer is affirmative and "No" if the answer is negative, right? In Japanese, we say "Yes" if we agree to
the question and say "No" if we disagree, regardless of whether the question is in the negative or
affirmative form. So, if someone asks your permission and if you don't mind granting it, then you should
say ええ、かまいません (literally, "Yes, I don't mind")!
Please note that we can use the particle の along with some particles such as へ (to), と (with), で ("at,"
"on," or "in"), から (from), or まで ("to" or "as far as"), but we can't use it with other particles such as が ,
を , or に .
We can use the particle へ , which indicates the direction of movement, not only with the place noun (as in
とうきょうへ ) but also with a noun that denotes a person (or persons) to whom we send something.
Let's use it in the next question!
We have been using the particle の to connect two nouns (or pronouns) as in にほんのはな (Japanese
flowers) or わたしのかれ (my boyfriend). The particle の sometimes attaches itself to another particle,
connecting the noun phrase such as かぞくへ (to my family) with a noun such as プレゼント (presents).
In the phrase かぞくへのプレゼント (presents for my family), の indicates that かぞくへ is the
explanation of プレゼント (or in other words, かぞくへ modifies プレゼント ). For convenience, we can
call the structure "double particles"!
Here are some tips on how to use the particles まで , へ , and に that are the equivalents of "to" when we
talk about movement. まで emphasizes the end of the course, implying "as far as" or "up to." へ , on the
other hand, focuses on the direction of the movement, as in "toward" or "in the direction of." に implies
the goal (or target) of action, as in "to arrive at" or "to get into." Though we can sometimes use these
particles interchangeably, idiomatic usage often determines our choice.
Did you use the particle から (from)? から indicates the starting point or origin, and the origin can be a
time, a place, or even a person!
Please note that when we are talking about the mailing or traveling cost or time spent delivering
something, we use まで to indicate the final destination.
Did you remember to use the particle で to indicate the method or means of action?
The answers to いくらかかりますか (How much does it cost?) can be, for example, せんえんかかります
(It costs one thousand yen) or せんえんです (It's one thousand yen). Both sentences convey the same
meaning. Let's try them both in the next question.
Do you remember the sentence ending でしょう and its question form でしょうか that we can use to
talk about our assumption? So far we used them after a noun or an adjective, as in さんじゅうどぐらい
でしょう (It's about thirty degrees, I think) or どこがいちばんさむいでしょうか (Where do you think is the
coldest?) We can also use them after the dictionary form of verbs, as in いくらかかるでしょうか (How
much do you think it will cost?).
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We have so far used the word ちかく to describe a nearness in geography, as in えきのちかく (near the
station). We can also use ちかく to indicate a proximity in numbers, regardless of whether they are
measuring time or money.
We used かかる as the Japanese equivalent of "to cost" in the previous section. We can also use the
same verb to talk about time spent to carry out an action. It's the equivalent of "to take" in English.
どのくらい is a versatile question word we can use to ask the amount or degree, as in "how far?" or "how
hot (or cold)?" Let's use it to ask about the period of time in this section.
かげつ in いっかげつ (one month) is the counter for months when we are talking about a length of time.
Though the basic rule is to add the counter after a number as in にかげつ (two months) or さんかげつ
(three months), the pronunciation of certain numbers changes. いち (one) in いっかげつ is one of them!
In addition to いっかげつ (one month), the pronunciation of the numbers "six" (ろく ), "eight" (はち ), and
"ten" (じゅう ) also changes in a similar manner when combined with かげつ , the counter for month. Let's
see if you can figure them out!
In place of the generic question word どのくらい , we can use a more specific one, such as なんど
(literally, "what degrees") or なんメートル (literally, "what meters"). Let's figure out the question word for
"months"!
しゅうかん in いっしゅうかん (one week) is the counter for "week" as a duration of time. If we break
down the word further, しゅう means "week," and かん literally means "in-between" or a "range." (Do you
remember the word いちじかん or "one hour"? It's the same かん as いっしゅうかん !) Please note that
the pronunciation of いち (one) is changed when it is combined with しゅうかん .
The pronunciation of はち (eight) and じゅう (ten) will change when these numbers are combined with
しゅうかん , the counter for "week" as the duration of time. Let's try to figure them out in the next two
questions!
Now, let's figure out the question word for "weeks"!
We have already learned that in Japanese unfinished sentences are sometimes more polite than
complete sentences, as in おなまえは？ (literally, "As for name?") or どようびはちょっと・・・ (literally,
"Saturday is a little bit..."). りょうがえしたいんですが is another example. It literally means "As a matter
of fact, I want to exchange some money, but..." It works, however, as the equivalent of "I'd like to
exchange some money."
We have so far used the verb できる to mean "to be ready" as in もうすぐできます (It will be ready in no
time) and "to be made" as in みそはだいずからできています (Miso paste is made of soybeans). We can
also use できる to mean "to be able to do," using the particle が to mark the object of the verb--that is,
what we can do. Let's use it with this meaning here.
Did you get it right? ゆうびんきょくでも (at the post office too) is another example of the "double
particles" structure--that is, adding a particle to the phrase that ends with a particle so that the two
particles appear back to back, as in かぞくへのプレゼント (presents for my family).
When we want to talk about actions we didn't perform or events that didn't happen, we can add でした to
the negative verb form ません , as in たべませんでした (I didn't eat) or しりませんでした (I didn't know).
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かね means "money," but people almost always say おかね to avoid sounding rude, as in the case of お
ちゃ (tea).
まど in まどぐち means a "window," and ぐち (or its regular form くち ) means a "mouth" or any kind of
opening. So, まどぐち literally means a "window opening." This is the term you will often hear in banks,
post offices, ticket counters, or government offices in Japan. For example, if someone tells you さんばん
まどぐちへどうぞ , the person is saying, "Please proceed to the number 3 window."
とどく means that something is delivered and arrives at the final destination.
When we are talking about the duration of time that is spent to do something, we can consider it as the
means used to complete the action. Now, can you figure out the next question?
When we want to indicate that an action takes place upon completion of another, the action that
precedes the other one takes the pattern "て -form plus から ," as in そうきんしてから (after you remit it).
から in this case is equivalent to "after" or "since" in English. Please note that we can use the same "て -
form plus から " pattern regardless of when the action takes place.
にち in いちにち (one day) is the counter for day--for both the point of time (date) and the duration of
time. The basic rule is that we combine a number with にち , as in いちにち or じゅういちにち (eleven
days). The exceptions are the numbers 2 to 10, 20, and any numbers that end with 4 or 9. For these
numbers, we use the pronunciation based on the original Japanese numbers. Let's learn these
exceptions.
When we use the "て -form plus から " pattern to indicate the completion of an action, the tense of the first
part of the sentence is not apparent because we use the て -form. We can, however, determine it by the
tense of the last verb that appears in the sentence. For example, in そうきんしてから、とおかでとどき
ました , the last verb とどきました is in the past form. Therefore, the English equivalent would be "It
arrived ten days after I had remitted it."
Here is another function for the particle から ! When we want to indicate the range of time, we can use か
ら as in ふつかからみっか (two to three days) or いちじかんからにじかん (one to two hours).
The names of the months are easy! They are a combination of a number and がつ (month).
In general, we can use the same terms to indicate the date and the number of days. For example, ふつ
か can mean both "two days" and "the second day of the month." However, the first day of the month is
an exception! "One day" is いちにち , but "the first day of the month" is ついたち .
いちがつついたち is しょうがつ or おしょうがつ (New Year's Day). For many people, おしょうがつやすみ
(New Year's Day holidays) starts on December 29th and lasts through January 3rd. They spend the last
few days of the year doing おおそうじ (literally, a "big cleaning") and preparing tons of special dishes for
the new year. When the new year arrives, they celebrate it by visiting Shinto shrines, having big feasts,
and enjoying the company of family and friends!
さんがつみっか (March 3rd) is ひなまつり (Doll's Festival). Traditionally, it's a day for girls, who enjoy
wearing a kimono and having a tea party in front of a gorgeous doll set created after the fashion of the
ancient court.
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Do you remember that the numbers 4, 7, and 9 have two ways of reading in Japanese and that we
sometimes use only one of them for a specific purpose? For example, the number 4 can be read as よん
or し , but we have to use し for "April" and say しがつ !
ごがついつか (May 5th) is こどものひ (Children's Day). Traditionally, it's a day for boys. Families with
boys celebrate the day by hoisting the colorful carp-shaped streamers and eating ちまき --special rice
dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves.
Though the number 7 can be read as なな or しち , we have to say しちがつ to mean "July."
The number 9 can be read as きゅう or く , but in the case of September, we always have to say くがつ .
なんがつなんにち (literally, "what month what day") is the question word commonly used to ask the
calendar date.
しょく in both しょくよく (appetite) and しょくじ (meal) means "eating." しょくよく literally means an
"eating desire," while しょくじ literally means an "eating affair"!
The expression みっかまえから indicates that some action or state has begun three days ago, has
continued since, and is still happening as we speak. It is equivalent to "since three days ago" or "for three
days now." Please note that the word まえ is a noun, though its meaning in this phrase is equivalent to
"before" or "ago" in English.
When we want to say "to catch a cold," we say かぜをひく in Japanese. The idiom is said to originate in
the ancient Chinese belief that people get sick when they "pull" (ひく ) the "evil spirit in the wind" (かぜ )
into their body. Let's memorize this phrase as a whole unit.
Do you remember that the "て -form plus います " pattern can be used to describe not only an action in
progress but also a "continuing state"--a state that has been continuing as the result of some past
action? In the next question, let's use this pattern to tell someone you have a cold!
おなかのちょうしがわるいです (literally, "The condition of stomach is bad") is a euphemism for "I'm
having diarrhea." In this case, おなか means the lower abdomen. If you specifically want to mean the
stomach (or the upper abdomen), use the Japanese term い and say いのちょうしがわるいです .
To answer the question いつからおなかがいたいですか (Since when has your stomach been hurting?), we
can also say, ごじかんまえからです (It has since five hours ago).
So far, we have been using the verb する to mean "to do." We can also use する to express what we
experience through our different senses (except for the faculty of sight). The English equivalent would be
"to feel," "to smell," or "to hear." In this usage, what is felt, smelled, or heard is marked by the particle が .
Do you remember that the Japanese word for "cold" is さむい ? け in さむけ (a chill) means "feeling," so
the word literally means a "cold feeling."
When we want to connect a sentence that ends with an い -adjective and です (as in いたいです or "It's
painful") with another sentence, we drop です and replace the adjective ending い with くて , as in いたく
て . It's the equivalent of "It's painful, and ...."
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Many of the expressions used to describe medical conditions are established as idioms. Let's try to
memorize them as a whole, including the particles.
はき in はきけ (nausea) is derived from the verb はく (to throw up). はきけ , therefore, literally means a
"throwing-up feeling."
While the word いたい describes direct pain such as a muscle pain or a headache, くるしい is used to
describe the strong sense of discomfort felt in the chest or the abdomen.
If you are wondering why Japanese people call nasal drips "flower water," please note that はな (flower)
and はな (nose) are completely different words even though they sound identical!
Do you remember that many expressions in Japanese are made of a pair of identical "words" that mimic
a sound or a motion, such as そろそろ (by and by)? Let's learn some of them in this section so that you
will be able to describe your pain more accurately in Japan.
We learned the expressions やけどをしました and けがをしました in the previous unit. In these cases,
the verb する works like "suffer" in English. They are very commonly used expressions. Let's memorize
them as idioms.
Did you remember that we use the particle に to indicate the part of the body that suffers the injury,
burn, or any other affliction?
ひりひり is a painful sensation you feel on your skin when you get a bad sunburn or put medicine on raw
skin. Also, you feel it on your tongue after licking a hot pepper! The English equivalent of the verb ひりひ
りする can be "to burn," "to feel irritated," or "to be tingling."
So far we have been using the sentence-ending particle ね to solicit an agreement from the listener (as
in "It's cold, isn't it!") or to request a confirmation from the listener (as in "Tempura Special, right?"). We
can also use it simply to air our observation in a matter-of-a-fact tone. In this case, ね is equivalent to
"...., I see" in English. Let's try it in the next question.
Please note the temperature here is in せっし or Celsius. 38℃ is equivalent to 100.4°F.
When we talk about the body temperature, we often use ぶ to indicate decimal numbers. For example,
many people read 37.5 degrees as さんじゅうななどごぶ in Japanese. We can also say さんじゅうなな
てんごど .
しんぱい can be a noun (worry, anxiety, or care) or a な -adjective (worrisome).
We have learned to use the particle が along with the verb いる (to need) as in みずがいります (We need
water), right? However, to say "Don't worry," we always use the particle は and say しんぱいはいりません
(literally, "As for worry, you don't need it"). Let's learn it as an idiom. In everyday conversations, you can
omit the particle は and say しんぱいいりません .
Now, let's use しんぱい as a な -adjective in the next question.
We can use けんさ to mean either a medical test such as a blood test, or an inspection such as a
baggage check.
うーん can be a groan or a sound the speaker makes when he or she is considering some weighty
matter. It's like "Hmmm" in English. Please don't mix it up with うん , which is a casual way to say "yes" in
Japanese!
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When we want to turn an い -adjective such as おおきい (big) into an adverb, we can drop the last い and
add く instead, as in おおきく .　おおきく can be translated as "widely," "deeply," "loudly," and so on
depending on the context.
Do you remember that うち can mean not only a "house," but also "(one's own) home"? Let's use it in
the next question!
We have so far used the verb のむ to mean "to drink." We can also use it to mean "to take (medicine)."
かい in さんかい (three times) is the counter for occurrence.
When we want to describe how often we do something or how often something happens, we can use the
"(time period) に X かい " pattern. For example, to say "three times a day," we can say いちにちにさんか
い in Japanese.
Did you notice that the pronunciation of いち (one) changes in いっかい (once)?
じょう is the counter for tablets of medicine.
まえに ("before" or "ago") is one of the expressions that indicate the order of events. When まえに
(before) follows a noun, we need the particle の to connect the noun and まえに . Please note that the
nouns that come before まえに are those that either denote actions or events (such as a walk or a
concert) or imply actions (such as a bath or a meal).
Please note that we don't need the particle の when まえに comes right after a time period as in にじかん
まえに (two hours ago).
どめ in せきどめ (cough medicine) derives from the verb とめる (to stop). せきどめ , therefore, is literally
a "cough stopper"!
When we want to say that some action or event happens before another action or event, we use the
dictionary form of a verb before まえに , as in ねるまえに (before going to bed).
ごちそう means a "feast," "banquet," "treat," or "rich meal." Do you remember that Japanese say ごちそ
うさまでした after every meal? It literally means something like "I appreciated the feast"!
Please note that you can use the "dictionary form of the verb plus まえに " pattern regardless of the tense
of the sentence that follows the phrase. For example, when we want to say, "I took the medicine before I
ate," we can say, たべるまえにくすりをのみました .
ぬる can mean "to paint" or "to apply (medicine, paint, or cosmetics)."
だす is a common verb with many meanings, but here we use it to mean "to serve" or "offer" something,
including tea, food, medicine, or prescriptions. The translation will vary depending on the object.
The particle から that indicates the cause or the reason is often used even in cases where the cause-
effect relation between two sentences is not very clear. In such a case, the English equivalent would be
"X, so Y." Let's try this usage in the next question.
We can use the "て -form plus はいけません " pattern to prohibit someone from doing something. It's
equivalent to "(You) must not...." Please note that this is a polite yet rather strong expression, and you
will probably hear it used by some authority figures, such as parents, teachers, and doctors.
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おさけ (or さけ ) can mean either "rice wine" or "alcoholic beverages" in general. Please note that many
people say おさけ even in casual conversations, as in the case of おちゃ (tea).
すう can mean "to breathe," "to inhale," or "to smoke." Please note that when we use すう as the
equivalent of "to smoke," we need to specify what is smoked, as in cigarettes or cigars.
Did you remember that of the three particles (まで , へ , and に） that function as the equivalent of "to" in
English, に emphasizes the "point of contact"? Let's memorize ～にはいる (to get into ~) as an idiom.
Let's figure out short answers to the question おふろにはいってもいいですか (May I take a bath?).
Instead of using the whole structure of the "て -form plus はいけません " pattern, we can use the short
version いけません to tell others not to do something. It's equivalent to "You must not" in English.
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Conversational Goals Grammar Goals

Did you remember いらっしゃいませ , a polite greeting to welcome customers at a store or

Thank you for your time and hospitality. おじゃましました。

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on the table テーブルのうえに

under the bed ベッドのしたに

Conversational Goals Grammar Goals

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6 にん in the question word なんにん is the counter for people.

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There are two siblings in my family. きょうだいはふたりです。

When we say きょうだいはふたりです in Japanese, it usually includes ourselves. To avoid a

only child ひとりっこ

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That's good to hear. それはなによりです。

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Conversational Goals Grammar Goals

to have a party パーティーをする

22 Like あした (tomorrow), きょう is a noun that is often used as an adverb.

why don't you go? いきませんか

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It sounds good! いいですね！

It sounds good! Let's go together by all いいですね！ぜひいっしょにいきましょう。

Maybe next time. またこんど。

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いん in かいしゃいん (company employee) means a "(staff) member" in Japanese. かいしゃいん ,

Oh, they are all company employees, you ああ、みんなかいしゃいんですよ。

も in カラオケもあります is equivalent to "too," "also," or "either" in English. Please note that も is

I'll play tennis. テニスをします。

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きらい is a な -adjective, which can mean "hateful," "disgusting," "offensive," or "detestable"--

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I like sumo, but すもうはすきですが

Conversational Goals Grammar Goals

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It's my first time. はじめてです。

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Me, too. わたしもです。

My boyfriend's name is Ichiro. わたしのかれはいちろうといいます。

14 すてき is a な -adjective that means "wonderful," "lovely," or "nice."

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Why don't we have coffee? コーヒーをのみませんか。

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terribly crowded すごいひと

what time なんじ

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Conversational Goals Grammar Goals

Let's meet at the Shinjuku Station at nine o'clock あさ、くじにしんじゅくえきであいましょう。

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No, nothing in particular. いいえ、とくにありません。

I'm free on Friday. きんようびはひまです。

Why don't we go to the park for a walk on どようびこうえんへさんぽにいきませんか。