1
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to introduce yourself.
JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 初めまして。リサです。 Nice to meet you. I'm Risa.
(Hajimemashite, Risa desu.)
Word 1 初めまして Nice to meet you.
(hajimemashite)
Word 2 リサ Risa, person's first name
(Risa)
Word 3 です am
(desu)
Phrase 2 初めまして。田中リサと申します。 Nice to meet you. I'm Risa Tanaka
(Hajimemashite. Tanaka Risa to mōshimasu.)
Word 1 初めまして Nice to meet you.
(hajimemashite)
Word 2 田中リサ Risa Tanaka, person's full name
(Tanaka Risa)
Word 3 と quotation particle
(to)
Word 4 申します am called (humble form)
(mōshimasu)
Phrase 3 よろしくお願いします。 Please be kind to me.
(Yoroshiku onegai shimasu)
Word 1 よろしく regard
(yoroshiku)
Word 2 お願いします please
(onegai shimasu)
Phrase 4 よろしくお願いいたします。 Please be kind to me. (formal)
(Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu)
Word 1 よろしく regard
(yoroshiku)
Word 2 お願いいたします please (humble form)
(onegai itashimasu)
Cultural Insights
When introducing oneself in Japanese, the last or family name comes before the first
name. Also, the first name is not always included, and depends on the situation.
Finally, keep in mind that Japanese people usually don't shake hands.
2
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to greet someone when you arrive and when you
part.
JAPANESE ENGLISH IMPORTANT
Phrase おはようございます。 Good morning. Formal.
1
(Ohayō gozaimasu.)
Word 1 おはよう it originates from the word meaning "early" You can use t
informal way
(Ohayō)
Word 2 ございます polite phrase used to add the politeness to the
expression
(gozaimasu)
Phrase こんにちは。 Good day.
2
(Kon'nichi wa.)
Word 1 こんにちは hello, good day (daytime greeting)
(Kon'nichiwa)
Phrase またね！ See you! Informal.
3
(Mata ne!)
Word 1 また again
(mata)
Word 2 ね right?
(ne)
Phrase さようなら。 Goodbye.
4
(Sayōnara.)
Word 1 さようなら goodbye
(sayōnara)
Cultural Insights
In this lesson, we covered a few greetings. There are many more. For example,
when you leave your workplace, you would never say sayonara. Instead, we usually
say お疲れ様でした (Otsukaresamadeshita), which means something like "thank you for
working together."
3
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to thank other people in various ways.
REGISTER JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 informal ありがとう。 Thank you.
(Arigatō)
Word 1 ありがとう thank you
(arigatō)
Phrase 2 formal どうもありがとうございます。 Thank you very much.
(Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu.)
Word 1 どうも very much
(dōmo)
Word 2 ありがとう thank you
(arigatō)
Word 3 ございます polite phrase used to add the po
(gozaimasu)
Phrase 3 formal 本当にありがとうございます。 Thank you very much.
(Hontō ni arigatō gozaimasu.)
Word 1 本当に really
(hontō ni )
Word 2 ありがとう thank you
(arigatō)
Word 3 ございます polite phrase used to add the po
(gozaimasu)
Phrase 4 formal いろいろありがとうございます。 Thanks for everything.
(Iroiro arigatō gozaimasu.)
Word 1 いろいろ various
(iroiro)
Word 2 ありがとう thank you
(arigatō)
Word 3 ございます polite phrase used to add the po
(gozaimasu)
Cultural Insights
In Japanese, we often say どうも (dōmo), instead of "thank you." However, it's the
most casual way of saying "thank you" and sometimes it even sounds very rude. So
you have to be careful when you use it.
4
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to ask and answer the question "How are you?"
JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 元気ですか。 How are you? (lit. Are you fine?)
(Genki desu ka.)
Word 1 元気 fine
(genki)
Word 2 です are
(desu)
Word 3 か question marking particle
(ka)
Phrase 2 元気? How are you? (lit. Are you fine?)
(Genki?)
Word 1 元気 fine
(genki)
Phrase 3 はい、元気です Yes, I'm fine.
(Hai, genki desu.)
Word 1 はい yes
(hai)
Word 2 元気 fine
(genki)
Word 3 です am
(desu)
Phrase 4 いいえ、あまり。 Not so well.
(Iie, amari.)
Word 1 いいえ no
(iie)
Word 2 あまり not very
(amari)
Cultural Insights
To reply to the greeting "How are you?" in Japanese, people sometimes say お蔭様で
(O-kage-sama de), especially in a formal situation. It's almost the same as "I'm fine.
Thank you." in English. O-kage-sama de means something like "thanks to you."
5
Lesson Notes
Hide
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to apologize yourself and say that you are sorry.
JAPANESE ENGLISH IMPOR
Phrase 1 すみません Excuse me. / I'm sorry. Formal
(Sumimasen.)
Word 1 すみません excuse me, sorry
(sumimasen)
Phrase 2 どうもすみません。 Excuse me. / I'm sorry. Very po
(Dōmo sumimasen,)
Word 1 どうも very much
(dōmo)
Word 2 すみません excuse me, sorry
(sumimasen)
Phrase 3 ごめんなさい。 I'm sorry. This is
(Gomen'nasai.)
Word 1 ごめん Sorry
(gomen)
Word 2 なさい phrase to add politeness to the expression
(nasai)
Phrase 4 ごめん。 Sorry. Casual
(Gomen.)
Word 1 ごめん Sorry
(gomen)
Cultural Insights
When saying すみません (sumimasen) or ごめんなさい (gomen'nasai), Japanese people
often bow. When you lightly say "Excuse me," you just bow by lowering your head
slightly. On the other hand, when you deeply apologize to someone, you should
bend your head very low.
6
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to refuse politely an invite.
JAPANESE ENGLISH IMPO
Phrase 1 すみません、ちょっと…。 I'm sorry, but...
(Sumimasen, chotto...)
Word 1 すみません excuse me, sorry
(sumimasen)
Word 2 ちょっと a bit
(chotto)
Phrase 2 ごめんなさい、ちょっと…。 I'm sorry, but...
(Gomen’nasai, chotto...)
Word 1 ごめんなさい excuse me, sorry This i
(gomen’nasai)
Word 2 ちょっと a bit
(chotto)
Phrase 3 すみません、予定があります。 I'm sorry, but I have plans.
(Sumimasen, yotei ga arimasu.)
Word 1 すみません excuse me, sorry
(sumimasen)
Word 2 予定 plan
(yotei)
Word 3 が subject marking particle
(ga)
Word 4 あります as I have, as there is
(arimasu)
Phrase 4 ごめんなさい、予定があります。 I'm sorry, but I have plans.
(Gomen'nasai, yotei ga arimasu.)
Word 1 ごめんなさい excuse me, sorry This i
(gomen’nasai)
Word 2 予定 plan
(yotei)
Word 3 が subject marking particle
(ga)
Word 4 あります as I have, as there is
(arimasu)
Cultural Insights
The word ちょっと (chotto) means "a little" or "a bit," but it's also often used when
refusing in a roundabout way, like "I have small things and I'm sorry I have to refuse
your invitation." Of course, you can use it even if you don't have any plans.
7
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to ask and answer the question "Do you speak
English?"
JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 英語、話せますか。 Do you speak English?
(Eigo hanasemasu ka.)
Word 1 英語 English
(Eigo)
Word 2 話せます can speak
(hanasemasu)
Word 3 か question marking particle
(ka)
Phrase 2 英語、分かりますか。 Do you speak English? (alternative v
(Eigo, wakarimasu ka.)
Word 1 英語 English
(Eigo)
Word 2 分かります understand
(wakarimasu)
Word 3 か question marking particle
(ka)
Phrase 3 はい、分かります。 Yes, I speak English.
(Hai, wakarimasu.)
Word 1 はい yes
(hai)
Word 2 分かります understand
(wakarimasu)
Phrase 4 いいえ、分かりません。 No, I don't speak English.
(Iie, wakarimasen.)
Word 1 いいえ no
(iie)
Word 2 分かりません do not understand
(wakarimasen)
Cultural Insights
In Japan, when you want to ask something in English, it'd be better to ask this
question first - "Do you speak English?" Because many Japanese people are so
kind, they may feel really confused and sorry if they cannot reply to you well in
English.
8
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to ask someone's age and to say yours.
REGISTER JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 formal 何歳ですか。 How old are you?
(Nan-sai desu ka.)
Word 1 何歳 how old
(nan-sai)
Word 2 です are
(desu)
Word 3 か question marking pa
(ka)
Phrase 2 informal 何歳? How old are you?
(Nan-sai?)
Word 1 何歳 how old
(nan-sai)
Phrase 3 17 歳です。 I am 17.
(Jū nana-sai desu.)
Word 1 17（じゅうなな） seventeen
(jū nana)
Word 2 歳 years old
(sai)
Word 3 です am
(desu)
Phrase 4 秘密です。 It's a secret.
(Himitsu desu.)
Word 1 秘密 secret
(himitsu)
Word 2 です roughly means 'to b
(desu)
Cultural Insights
In Japan, sometimes it's important to know the age of your friends or co-workers.
Usually, you should talk in a formal way when speaking to your seniors and
superiors. However, be sure not to ask about age at first, especially to women!
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to use adjectives in simple sentences.
REGISTER JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 formal 嬉しいです。 I'm happy.
(Ureshii desu.)
Word 1 嬉しい happy
(ureshii)
Word 2 です am
(desu)
Phrase 2 formal 寂しくないです。 I'm not lonely.
(Sabishiku nai desu.)
Word 1 寂しくない not lonely
(sabishiku nai )
Word 2 です am
(desu)
Phrase 3 formal 元気です。 I'm fine.
(Genki desu.)
Word 1 元気 fine, energetic
(genki)
Word 2 です am
(desu)
Phrase 4 formal ピーターさんはかっこいいです。 Peter, you're han
(Pītā-san wa kakkoii desu.)
Word 1 ピーターさん Peter (with a polit
(Pītā-san)
Word 2 は topic marking par
(wa)
Word 3 かっこいい cool, attractive; i-A
(kakko ii)
Word 4 です are, is
(desu )
Cultural Insights
In Japanese, あなた (anata) is not used the same way "you" is used in English. It's
more common and polite to say the name of the person, followed by san. For
example, when you're talking to someone named Suzuki, you can say 鈴木さんは可愛い
です。 (Suzuki-san wa kawaii desu.) meaning "You, Ms. Suzuki, are pretty."
10
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to ask how much something costs.
REGISTER JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 formal これはいくらですか。 How much does th
(Kore wa ikura desu ka.)
Word 1 これ this
(kore)
Word 2 は topic marking partic
(wa)
Word 3 いくら how much
(ikura)
Word 4 です is
(desu)
Word 5 か question marking p
(ka)
Phrase 2 informal これ、いくら？ How much does th
(Kore, ikura ?)
Word 1 これ this
(kore)
Word 2 いくら how much
(ikura)
Phrase 3 じゃあ、これをください。 Okay, I'll take it.
(Jā, kore o kudasai.)
Word 1 じゃあ well, then
(jā)
Word 2 これ this
(kore)
Word 3 を object marking part
(o)
Word 4 ください please give me
(kudasai)
Phrase 4 すみません、ちょっと高いです。 No, thanks. It's too
(Sumimasen, chotto takai desu.)
Word 1 すみません excuse me, sorry
(sumimasen)
Word 2 ちょっと a bit
(chotto)
Word 3 高い expensive
(takai)
Word 4 です is
(desu)
Cultural Insights
In Japan, there are many household goods stores called "100-yen shops" where you
can buy everything for one coin before tax. You don't even need to ask "How
much?", これはいくらですか。 (Kore wa ikura desu ka) there, right?
11
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to read prices.
JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 一円。 One yen.
(Ichi-en.)
Word 1 一 one
(ichi)
Word 2 円 yen
(en)
Phrase 2 十円。 Ten yen.
(Jū-en.)
Word 1 十 ten
(jū)
Word 2 円 yen
(en)
Phrase 3 五千五百十円。 Five thousand five hundred and
(Go-sen go-hyaku jū-en.)
Word 1 五千 five thousands
(go-sen)
Word 2 五百 five hundreds
(go-hyaku)
Word 3 十 ten
(jū)
Word 4 円 yen
(en)
Phrase 4 二千六百七十円。 Two thousand six hundred and
(Ni-sen ro-ppyaku nana-jū-en.)
Word 1 二千 two thousands
(ni-sen )
Word 2 六百 six hundreds
(ro-ppyaku)
Word 3 七十 seventy
(nana-jū)
Word 4 円 yen
(en)
Cultural Insights
The Japanese currency has 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500-yen coins and 1,000, 2,000,
5,000, and 10,000-yen bills. The coins are called 一円玉 (ichi-en dama), 五百円玉 (go-
hyaku-en dama) and so on. On the other hand, the bills are called 千円札 (sen-en
satsu), 一万円札 (ichi-man-en satsu) and so on.
12
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to ask and answer the question "What are you
doing?"
REGISTER JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 formal 何をしていますか。 What are you doing?
(Nani o shite imasu ka.)
Word 1 何 what
(nani)
Word 2 を object marking particle
(o)
Word 3 しています am, are, is doing
(shite imasu)
Word 4 か question marking parti
(ka)
Phrase 2 informal 何してるの？ What are you doing?
(Nani shiteru no?)
Word 1 何 what
(nani)
Word 2 してる are doing
(shiteru)
Word 3 の question marking parti
(no)
Phrase 3 勉強しています。 I am studying.
(Benkyō shite imasu.)
Word 1 勉強 study
(benkyō)
Word 2 しています am, are, is doing
(shite imasu)
Phrase 4 何もしていません。 I'm not doing anythin
(Nani mo shite imasen. )
Word 1 何も anything
(nanimo)
Word 2 していません am, are, is not doing
(shite imasen)
Cultural Insights
If you've ever been to Japan, you might wonder what someone just standing around
is doing. There are some unique jobs, for example guides at elevators, parking lots,
or banks and ATMs. They assist people or vehicles so that business can carry on
smoothly.
13
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to ask who someone is.
REGISTER JAPANESE ENGLIS
Phrase 1 formal これはだれですか。 Who is
(Kore wa daredesu ka.)
Word 1 これ this
(kore)
Word 2 は topic m
(wa)
Word 3 だれ who
(dare)
Word 4 です is
(desu)
Word 5 か questio
(ka)
Phrase 2 informal あの人は誰? Who is
(Ano hito wa dare ?)
Word 1 あの人 that per
(Ano hito)
Word 2 は topic m
(wa)
Word 3 誰 who
(dare)
Phrase 3 私です。 It's me.
(Watashi desu.)
Word 1 私 I
(watashi)
Word 2 です am
(desu)
Phrase 4 私の友達です。 (That) i
(Watashi no tomodachi desu. )
Word 1 私の my
(watashi no)
Word 2 友達 friend
(tomodachi)
Word 3 です is
(desu)
Cultural Insights
In colloquial Japanese, people often use the word うちの (uchi no) instead of 私の
(watashi no). Uchi no originally means "inside." So it's used to refer to a group or
member of the group that you belong to, like うちの会社 (uchi no kaisha), meaning "my
company," or うちの父 (uchi no chichi), meaning "my father."
14
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to ask when someone is leaving.
REGISTER JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 formal いつ出かけますか。 When are you le
(Itsu dekakemasu ka.)
Word 1 いつ when
(itsu)
Word 2 出かけます leave
(dekakemasu)
Word 3 か question marking
(ka)
Phrase 2 informal いつ出かけるの？ When are you le
(Itsu dekakeru no.)
Word 1 いつ when
(itsu)
Word 2 出かける to go out
(dekakeru)
Word 3 の question particle
(no)
Phrase 3 あと二時間で出かけます。 I leave in two ho
(Ato ni-jikan de dekakemasu.)
Word 1 あと more
(ato)
Word 2 二時間 two hours
(ni-jikan)
Word 3 で in
(de)
Word 4 出かけます leave
(dekakemasu)
Phrase 4 二時に出かけます。 I leave at two o'c
(Ni-ji ni dekakemasu.)
Word 1 二時 2 o’clock
(ni-ji)
Word 2 に time marking par
(ni)
Word 3 出かけます leave
(dekakemasu)
Cultural Insights
The Japanese are generally said to be very punctual. Public transportation especially
must be on time to the minute. For example, if the train is late by even one minute,
they always make an announcement to apologize for the delay.
15
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to ask where someone is going.
REGISTER JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 formal どこに行きますか。 Where are you going?
(Doko ni ikimasu ka.)
Word 1 どこ where
(doko)
Word 2 に to
(ni)
Word 3 行きます go
(ikimasu)
Word 4 か question marking partic
(ka)
Phrase 2 informal どこにいくの？ Where are you going?
(Doko ni iku no?)
Word 1 どこ where
(doko)
Word 2 に to
(ni)
Word 3 行く to go
(iku)
Word 4 の casual question marke
(no)
Phrase 3 スーパーに行きます。 I'm going to the supe
(Sūpā ni ikimasu.)
Word 1 スーパー supermarket
(sūpā)
Word 2 に to
(ni)
Word 3 行きます go
(ikimasu)
Phrase 4 仕事に行きます。 I'm going to work.
(Shigoto ni ikimasu.)
Word 1 仕事 work
(shigoto)
Word 2 に to
(ni)
Word 3 行きます go
(ikimasu)
Cultural Insights
If you're going to a secret place, or when you don't want to tell someone your
destination, you can simply answer ちょっとそこまで (Chotto soko made). It literally
means "Just around the corner," but actually it doesn't have an exact meaning. It's a
set phrase.
15
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to ask and understand basic directions.
JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 駅はどこですか。 Where is the station?
(Eki wa doko desu ka.)
Word 1 駅 station
(eki)
Word 2 は topic marking particle
(wa)
Word 3 どこ where
(doko)
Word 4 です is
(desu)
Word 5 か question marking parti
(ka)
Phrase 2 ここをまっすぐです。 It's straight over here
(Koko o massugu desu.)
Word 1 ここ here
(koko)
Word 2 を place of motion markin
(o)
Word 3 まっすぐ straight
(massugu)
Word 4 です is
(desu)
Phrase 3 右に曲がってください。 Turn right.
(Migi ni magatte kudasai.)
Word 1 右 right
(migi)
Word 2 に to
(ni)
Word 3 曲がって turn
(magatte)
Word 4 ください please
(kudasai)
Phrase 4 左に曲がってください。 Turn left.
(Hidari ni magatte kudasai.)
Word 1 左 left
(hidari)
Word 2 に to
(ni)
Word 3 曲がって turn
(magatte)
Word 4 ください please
(kudasai)
Cultural Insights
Recently, Japan has been implementing measures to become a tourism nation. One
of the more noticeable measures include changing road sign displays. In the past,
place names were written in both Romanized Japanese and English, for example
Mount Fuji-san. After the change, the signs will include only the correct English
translation. So, Mt. Fuji-san will become Mt. Fuji and Shibuya-eki Sta., will become
simply Shibuya Sta.
16
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to ask and answer why.
JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 どうして遅れましたか。 Why are you late?
(Dōshite okuremashita ka.)
Word 1 どうして why
(dōshite)
Word 2 遅れました to be late (past tense)
(okuremashita)
Word 3 か question marking particle
(ka)
Phrase 2 電車に乗れませんでしたから。 Because I missed the train.
(Densha ni noremasen deshita kara. )
Word 1 電車 train
(densha)
Word 2 に place marking particle
(ni)
Word 3 乗れませんでした couldn't ride
(noremasen deshita)
Word 4 から because
(kara)
Phrase 3 どうして早く帰りますか。 Why do you leave early?
(Dōshite hayaku kaerimasu ka.)
Word 1 どうして why
(dōshite)
Word 2 早く early
(hayaku)
Word 3 帰ります to leave, to go back
(kaerimasu)
Word 4 か question marking particle
(ka)
Phrase 4 電車の時間ですから。 To not miss the train. (Lit. It’s t
(Densha no jikan desu kara.)
Word 1 電車 train
(densha)
Word 2 の of
(no)
Word 3 時間 time
(jikan)
Word 4 です is
(desu)
Cultural Insights
As you learned already, Japanese people are punctual, especially in formal
situations. Generally, you are supposed to arrive at work and be prepared 5 or 10
minutes ahead of time. So even if your train delays a bit, you shouldn't be late, and
mentioning it isn't a good excuse!
17
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to talk about possession.
REGISTER JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 formal ペンを持っていますか。 Do you have a pe
(Pen o motte imasu ka.)
Word 1 ペン pen
(pen)
Word 2 を object marking par
(o)
Word 3 持って have
(motte)
Word 4 います am, are, is
(imasu)
Word 5 か question marking p
(ka)
Phrase 2 informal ペン、持ってる？ Do you have a pe
(Pen, motte ru?)
Word 1 ペン pen
(pen)
Word 2 持って have
(motte)
Word 3 る am, are, is (inform
(ru)
Phrase 3 はい、持っています。 Yes, I have one.
(Hai, motte imasu.)
Word 1 はい yes
(hai)
Word 2 持って have
(motte)
Word 3 います am, are, is
(imasu)
Phrase 4 はい、どうぞ。 Yes, here you are
(Hai, dōzo.)
Word 1 はい yes
(hai)
Word 2 どうぞ here you are
(dōzo)
Cultural Insights
If you ask Japanese people, お守りを持っていますか。(Omamori o motte imasu ka), "Do
you have omamori?", many people would say はい、持っています。(Hai, motte imasu.)
meaning "Yes, I have." Omamori is usually a tiny and flat bag shaped charm, made
of a textile. It's used for praying for the success of some important examination or
game, safety while driving or sailing, and so on. You can buy omamori at shrines and
temples for yourself or to give them to someone special to you.
19
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to state essential negative statements.
JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 ペンを持っていません。 I don't have a p
(Pen o motte imasen.)
Word 1 ペン pen
(pen)
Word 2 を object marking p
(o)
Word 3 持っていません don't have (polite
(motte imasen)
Phrase 2 時間がありません。 I don't have tim
(Jikan ga arimasen.)
Word 1 時間 time
(jikan)
Word 2 が subject marking
(ga)
Word 3 ありません there is not
(arimasen)
Phrase 3 知りません。 I don't know.
(Shirimasen.)
Word 1 知りません do not know.
(shirimasen)
Phrase 4 分かりません。 I don't understa
(Wakarimasen.)
Word 1 分かりません do not understan
(wakarimasen)
Cultural Insights
If you ask Japanese people for information about their country, such as the
population, the area, or the GDP, some might say 分かりません (wakarimasen)
meaning "I don't know." It's said that Japanese people are not very familiar with
internal affairs. How about you?
20
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to ask and answer affirmatively to the question.
REGISTER JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 formal チョコレートは好きですか。 Do you like ch
(Chokorēto wa suki desu ka.)
Word 1 チョコレート chocolate
(chokorēto)
Word 2 は topic marking p
(wa)
Word 3 好き to like, likable
(suki)
Word 4 です am, are, is
(desu)
Word 5 か question marki
(ka)
Phrase 2 informal 甘いものは好き? Do you like sw
(Amai mono wa suki?)
Word 1 甘いもの sweets
(amai mono )
Word 2 は topic marking p
(wa)
Word 3 好き to like, likable
(suki)
Phrase 3 はい、好きです。 Yes I like it.
(Hai, suki desu.)
Word 1 はい yes
(hai)
Word 2 好き to like, likable
(suki)
Word 3 です am, are, is
(desu)
Phrase 4 はい、大好きです。 Yes, I love it.
(Hai, daisuki desu.)
Word 1 はい yes
(hai)
Word 2 大好き to love, really l
(daisuki)
Word 3 です am, are, is
(desu)
Cultural Insights
Most Japanese people would definitely like 温泉 (onsen) or "hot springs." Even those
who usually just take quick showers probably like onsen. In Japan, there is a
countless number of onsen everywhere. Why don't you try visiting onsen when you
come to Japan?
21
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to say that you don't like something.
Japanese English
Phrase 1 キャラメルは苦手です。 I don't like caram
(Kyarameru wa nigate desu.)
Word 1 キャラメル caramel
(kyarameru)
Word 2 は topic marking pa
(wa)
Word 3 苦手 poor at, not good
(nigate)
Word 4 です am, are, is
(desu)
Phrase 2 キャラメルは好きではありません。 I don't like caram
(Kyarameru wa suki de wa arimasen.)
Word 1 キャラメル caramel
(kyarameru)
Word 2 は topic marking pa
(wa)
Word 3 好き to like, likable
(suki)
Word 4 ではありません am, are, is not
(de wa arimasen)
Phrase 3 キャラメルは嫌いです。 I hate caramel.
(Kyarameru wa kirai desu.)
Word 1 キャラメル caramel
(kyarameru)
Word 2 は topic marking pa
(wa)
Word 3 嫌い to dislike, dislikab
(kirai)
Word 4 です am, are, is
(desu)
Phrase 4 キャラメルは大嫌いです。 I really hate cara
(Kyarameru wa wa daikirai desu.)
Word 1 キャラメル caramel
(kyarameru)
Word 2 の nominalization pa
(no)
Word 3 は topic marking pa
(wa)
Word 4 大嫌い to hate very muc
(daikirai)
Cultural Insights
Japanese people tend to avoid saying negative words such as 嫌いです (kirai desu)
and 大嫌いです (daikirai desu). They usually prefer euphemistic and indecisive
expressions. So it's better to use 苦手です (nigate desu), meaning "be bad at," unless
you have good reasons to dislike something.
22
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to order at a restaurant or coffee shop.
JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 メニュー、ありますか。 Can you show me the menu? (Lit. Do you have a m
(Menyū, arimasu ka.)
Word 1 メニュー menu
(menyū)
Word 2 あります as you have, as there is
(arimasu)
Word 3 か question marking particle
(ka)
Phrase 2 おすすめは何ですか。 What do you recommend?
(O-susume wa nan desu ka.)
Word 1 おすすめ recommendation
(o-susume)
Word 2 は topic marking particle
(wa)
Word 3 何 what
(nan)
Word 4 です am, are, is
(desu)
Word 5 か question marking particle
(ka)
Phrase 3 コーヒー、ください。 Coffee, please.
(Kōhī, kudasai.)
Word 1 コーヒー coffee
(kōhī)
Word 2 ください please give me
(kudasai)
Phrase 4 コーヒー、お願いします。 I would like a coffee.
(Kōhī, onegai shimasu.)
Word 1 コーヒー coffee
(kōhī)
Word 2 お願いします please
(onegai shimasu)
Cultural Insights
In some rāmen shops or eateries in Japan, there are vending machines for meal
tickets. It's a self-ordering system where you buy a ticket at the machine and give it
to a server.
23
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to ask for the bill and check the change.
JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 お会計、お願いします。 The bill, please.
(O-kaikei, onegai shimasu.)
Word 1 お会計 check, bill
(o-kaikei)
Word 2 お願いします please
(onegai shimasu)
Phrase 2 お会計はどこですか。 Where can I pay the bill? (Lit.
(O-kaikei wa doko desu ka.)
Word 1 お会計 check, bill
(o-kaikei)
Word 2 は topic marking particle
(wa)
Word 3 どこ where
(doko)
Word 4 です is
(desu)
Word 5 か question marking particle
(ka)
Phrase 3 すみません、おつりが違います。 Excuse me, the change is wro
(Sumimasen, o-tsuri ga chigaimasu.)
Word 1 すみません sorry, excuse me
(sumimasen)
Word 2 おつり change
(o-tsuri)
Word 3 が subject marking particle
(ga)
Word 4 違います is wrong
(chigaimasu)
Phrase 4 おつりはいりません。 Keep the change. (Lit. I don't
(O-tsuri wa irimasen.)
Word 1 おつり change
(o-tsuri)
Word 2 は topic marking particle
(wa)
Word 3 いりません do not need
(irimasen)
Cultural Insights
Generally, there's no tradition of tipping in Japan. So if you silently leave your tip on
the table after paying at restaurant, they might think you have forgotten your money!
So it'd be better to have a word with the staff or to give them your tip directly.
24
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to invite someone out.
REGISTER JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 formal 金曜日の夜、予定はありますか。 Do you have
(Kin-yōbi no yoru, yotei wa arimasu ka.)
Word 1 金曜日の夜 Friday night
(kin-yōbi no yoru)
Word 2 予定 plan
(yotei)
Word 3 は topic marking
(wa)
Word 4 あります there is
(arimasu)
Word 5 か question mar
(ka)
Phrase 2 informal 金曜日の夜、あいてる？ Are you free
(Kin-yōbi no yoru, aite ru?)
Word 1 金曜日 Friday
(kin-yōbi)
Word 2 の of
(no)
Word 3 夜 night
(yoru)
Word 4 あいてる to have free t
(aite ru)
Phrase 3 映画に行きます。 I'm going to
(Eiga ni ikimasu.)
Word 1 映画 movies
(eiga)
Word 2 に to
(ni)
Word 3 行きます go
(ikimasu)
Phrase 4 一緒に行きませんか。 Will you join
(Issho ni ikimasen ka.)
Word 1 一緒に together
(issho ni)
Word 2 行きません not to go
(ikimasen)
Word 3 か question mar
(ka)
Cultural Insights
Japanese people have many drinking parties at work or with friends at the end of the
year, New Year's, cherry blossom season, to welcome or send-off someone, and
even on ordinary days. Even if you cannot drink at all, many restaurants have
recently started serving non-alcoholic cocktails. Give it a try!
25
Lesson Notes
Hide
Lesson Focus
In this lesson you will learn how to understand the basic vocabulary on the phone.
JAPANESE ENGLISH
Phrase 1 もしもし Hello. (answering the p
(Moshi moshi.)
Word 1 もしもし hello (on the telephone)
(moshi moshi)
Phrase 2 リサです。 This is Risa.
(Risa desu.)
Word 1 リサ Risa, person first name
(Risa)
Word 2 です am
(desu)
Phrase 3 ピーターさんはいますか。 May I talk to Peter?
(Pītā san wa imasu ka.)
Word 1 ピーター Peter
(Pītā)
Word 2 さん polite name suffix
(san)
Word 3 は topic marking particle
(wa)
Word 4 います to be (animate), to exist;
(imasu)
Word 5 か question marking particl
(ka)
Phrase 4 またあとで電話します。 I'll call again later.
(Mata ato de denwa shimasu.)
Word 1 また again
(mata)
Word 2 あとで later
(ato de)
Word 3 電話 phone
(denwa)
Word 4 します to do
(shimasu)
Cultural Insights
The expression もしもし (moshi moshi) is very common when you give or receive a
call. However, in formal situations like in business, people don't use it. Instead, they
say はい (hai) or ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu) followed by the company's
name or their family name.