Basic Japanese

Level 1 - Sample

How do you do? I'm Smith.

Greetings

Greeting phrases

wa-desu structure

Hai, Iie - Yes, No question

What is this?

This and That

Kore, sore & are

Nan - What

Dare no - Whoes

I'm going to my office today.

Going & Coming

ikimasu, kimasu, kaerimasu - to go, to come, to return

Densha de - by car

Tomodachi to - with my friend

Level 1

How do you do? I'm Smith.

Greetings

Greeting phrases

wa-desu structure

Hai, Iie - Yes, No question

What is this?

This and That

Kore, sore & are

Nan - What

Dare no - Whoes

What time is it now?

Days & Time

Numbers & Time words

Nan-ji desu ka? - what time is it?

Nan-yoobi desu ka? - what day is it?

How much is this?

Shopping & Eating Out

Ikura desu ka? - how much is it?

Ichi, ni, san & hitotsu, futatsu, mittsu

Kono, sono, ano

Useful phrases

Where is a bank?

Asking Directions & Taxis

Doko desu ka? - Where is it?

koko, soko, asoko - here and there

migi, hidari, mae, etc. - right and left

I'm going to my office today.

Going & Coming

ikimasu, kimasu, kaerimasu - to go, to come, to return

Densha de - by car

Tomodachi to - with my friend

What did you do yesterday?

Daily Activities

tabemasu, nomimasu, kaimasu - to eat, drink, buy, etc.

doko de - place marker : in, at,

itsumo, taitei, yoku - frequency

The summer in Japan is hot.

Big & Small - Adjectives

i-Adjectives & na-Adjectives

totemo, amari - very, not very

donna - what kind, what type or what is it like?

Is there a bank nearby?

Existence & Ownership

Imasu & arimasu - to be at : expressing an existence

Imasu & arimasu - to have : expressing an ownership

ni-ga structure & wa-ni structure

I like football.

Like, Dislike & Therefore, So, Because

suki desu - I like

kara & dakara - Therefore, So, Because

kedo & dakedo, demo - But, however

I want to go to Kyoto.

want & want to do

hoshii desu - I want

tai desu - I want to do

Verb Stem + ni ikimasu - to go to do

dokoka, dokonimo - somewhere, nowhere

Shall we go to lunch?

Invitation

ikimashoo! - Let's go

ikimasen ka? & ikimashoo ka? - Shall we go?

Nani ga ii desu ka? - What would you like?

Tokyo is bigger than Osaka.

Comparison - bigger, smaller & biggest

[A] yori, [B] no hoo ga ookii - [B] is bigger than [A]

[A] to [B] to dochira ga ookii - which is bigger A or B?

ichiban ookii - biggest

Level 1 TopicShot

Trains and Buses

Buying tickets

Checking train and bus destinations

Enquiring about the time and fare required to get to a destination

Other useful expressions in situations at the train station and the bus terminal

Japanese Inns (Ryokans) and Hotels

Vocabulary relevant to accommodation

Reserving rooms

Checking charges

Other useful expressions in situations at the ryokan or hotel

At the restaurant

Ordering a dish and a drink

Asking about a menu

Other useful expressions in situations at eating/drinking establishments

Shopping

Enquiring about accessories in the electronics shop

Checking stock and availability

Checking the delivery date

Other useful expressions for situations in the shop

Asking for directions

Useful expressions when asking for directions on the street

Useful instructions to give to a taxi driver

Family

Addressing family members

Ages of family members

Telling how one's family are

Illnesses and injuries

Expressions related to illnesses

Vocabulary handy to use in the hospital

Appendices

Numbers

Time Words

Number Counters

Frequency & Degree

Family Members

Colors & Measurement

Adjective List

Verb List

Transitive & Intransitive

Vocabulary