Japanese Lessons – Grammar, JLPT Reading, Idioms & More

Conversation lessons

Asking for directions

はるさんハウスはどこですか Where is Haru-san House?

Tam from Vietnam is looking for “Haru-san House,” the share house where she’ll be staying in Tokyo.

Introducing yourself with name and occupation

タムです。学生です I’m Tam. I’m a student.

The residents of "Haru-san House" take Tam there after running into her on the street.

Saying where you're from

ベトナムから来ました I’m from Vietnam.

A welcome party is held for Tam from Vietnam at the share house where she's staying. Kaito has prepared a table full of good things to eat.

Saying what you're going to do

大学で日本語を勉強します I’m going to study Japanese at a university.

Tam is chatting with her new friend Mi Ya, a photographer from China. Mi Ya's room is filled with pictures from around Japan.

Saying how you studied Japanese

ラジオで勉強しました I studied by listening to the radio.

It's Tam's first day of classes at the university. The robot landlady Haru-san notices she's nervous.

Checking where public transportation is headed

この電車は池袋に行きますか Does this train go to Ikebukuro?

It's Tam’s first day to go to her university. She’s at the station, but she’s not sure the train she’s about to board is the right one.

Asking someone to speak more slowly

ゆっくり話してください Please speak slowly.

Tam is eating lunch at her university's cafeteria. Another student, a Japanese woman, comes over and starts talking to her.

Introducing friends and others

友達のあやかさんです This is my friend, Ayaka-san.

Tam and her friend Ayaka have come to the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. They're meeting up with Mi Ya, who lives in "Haru-san House."

Asking the names of things you don't know

これは何ですか What is this?

Tam from Vietnam has come to the basement deli of a department store, called a "depa-chika." She's accompanied by her housemate Kaito and his American friend Mike.

#10

Asking how much something costs

このドライヤーはいくらですか How much is this hair dryer?

Tam has come to an electronics store with her friend Ayaka. Tam wants to buy a hair dryer.

#11

Asking whether what you want is available

お守りはありますか Do you have any lucky charms?

Tam has come to Asakusa in Tokyo with Chinese photographer Mi Ya. They're looking around the souvenir shops on “Nakamise Street.”

#12

Expressing impressions and explaining things -- Part 1

かわいいお守りですね This is a cute amulet, isn't it?

Tam and Chinese photographer Mi Ya are at Sensoji Temple in Tokyo's Asakusa area. They’re at a counter where amulets are sold.

#13

Saying what you want to do

雪が見たいです I want to see the snow.

Tam is in the living room of “Haru-san House,” talking with the robot landlady Haru-san and Chinese photographer Mi Ya.

#14

Saying what you want to try

日本へ行ってみたいです I want to go to Japan someday.

Tam worked as a volunteer at a school in Vietnam. One day, Yuuki came from Japan to play the piano for the children.

#15

Telling the taxi driver your destination

猿の温泉までお願いします To the monkey hot spring, please.

Photographer Mi Ya from China is on a photo shoot in Nagano. She’s trying to get to Jigokudani Yaen Koen by taxi.

#16

Expressing impressions and explaining things -- Part 2

有名な温泉です This is a famous hot spring.

Mi Ya is at a hot spring in Nagano famed for the wild monkeys that bathe there. A Japanese couple strikes up a conversation with her.

Vocabulary
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