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Japanese
FOR

DUMMIES

Audio Set
by Eriko Sato, PhD

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Japanese For Dummies Audio Set

Published by
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com
Copyright 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
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10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3

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About the Author

Eriko Sato earned her PhD in linguistics from the State
University of New York at Stony Brook and also teaches
Japanese in the Department of Asian and Asian American
Studies there. She has authored multiple books on the
Japanese language.

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Publishers Acknowledgments
Were proud of this book; please send us your comments
through our Dummies online registration form located at
www.dummies.com/register/.
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market
include the following:
Acquisitions, Editorial, and
Media Development
Project Editor:
Chad R. Sievers
Acquisitions Editor:
Lindsay Lefevere
Copy Editor: Vicki Adang
Editorial Program
Coordinator:
Erin Calligan Mooney
Technical Editor:
Atsushi Fukada, PhD
Audio Produced by:
Her Voice Unlimited, LLC
(hervoice@iquest.net)
Media Project Supervisor:
Laura Moss-Hollister
Media Development
Specialist: Kit Malone

Editorial Manager:
Michelle Hacker
Editorial Assistants:
Leeann Harney, David
Lutton, Joe Niesen
Cartoons: Rich Tennant
(www.the5thwave.com)
Composition Services
Project Coordinator:
Lynsey Osborn
Layout and Graphics:
Stacie Brooks,
Melissa K. Jester
Stephanie D. Jumper
Anniversary Logo Design:
Richard Pacifico
Proofreader: Todd Lothery

Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies

Kathleen Nebenhaus, Vice President and Executive
Publisher
David Palmer, Associate Publisher
Kristin Ferguson-Wagstaffe, Product Development
Director
Publishing for Technology Dummies
Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher
Composition Services
Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services

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Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................1
About This Audio Set.................................................1
Conventions Used in This Audio Set .......................2
Foolish Assumptions .................................................2
How This Audio Set Is Organized .............................3
Where to Go from Here..............................................3
Romanization ..............................................................3
Punctuation.................................................................6
Pitch Accents ..............................................................6

Lesson 1:1: Welcome and Overview of CD1:

The Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Lesson 1:2: Personal Pronouns and Formalities . . . . . 10
Respectful titles........................................................11

Lesson 1:3: Saying Hello and Goodbye. . . . . . . . . 12

Lesson 1:4: Saying and Replying to
How Are You? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Lesson 1:5: Introducing Yourself and
Talking about Where Youre From . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Lesson 1:6: Indispensable Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
People ........................................................................16
Places.........................................................................16
Emergency.................................................................17
Important items........................................................17

Lesson 1:7: Useful Expressions and Phrases . . . . . . . 18

Lesson 1:8: Question Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Lesson 1:9: Useful Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Lesson 1:10: An Overview of Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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Lesson 1:11: Talking about Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Asking about time ....................................................24
Time-related terms...................................................24

Lesson 1:12: The Calendar and Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

The days of the week ...............................................25
The months ...............................................................25
The days of the month ............................................26
Month and date-related questions
and answers..........................................................27

Lesson 1:13: Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Lesson 2:1: Introduction and Overview of CD2:
The Nitty-Gritty: Language Structure . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Lesson 2:2: Nouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Things in your room ................................................30
Locations...................................................................30
Transportation .........................................................31
Animals ......................................................................31
Foods and beverages ...............................................31

Lesson 2:3: Plain and Polite Family Terms. . . . . . . . . . 32

Older family members .............................................32
Younger family members.........................................33
Spouse .......................................................................33
Extended family members ......................................33

Lesson 2:4: Counters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Lesson 2:5: Demonstratives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Lesson 2:6: Adjectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Preference and desire ..............................................39
Colors.........................................................................40
Nationalities ..............................................................40

Lesson 2:7: Degrees of Adjectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Lesson 2:8: To Be or Not to Be: A Very
Important Verb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

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vii

Lesson 2:9: Verbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Irregular verbs ..........................................................45
Ru-verbs ....................................................................45
U-verbs.......................................................................45
Desu ...........................................................................46

Lesson 2:10: Verb Tenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Plain ...........................................................................47
Polite ..........................................................................48
Desu ...........................................................................48
Example sentences...................................................48

Lesson 2:11: Negatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Lesson 2:12: Particles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Particles for subjects and direct objects ..............52
Example sentences...................................................52

Lesson 2:13: Conjunctions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Example phrases and sentences
using conjunctions...............................................53

Lesson 2:14: Forming Simple Sentences . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Lesson 2:15: Introducing More Complete
Sentences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Lesson 3:1: Introduction and Overview of CD3:
Real-World Situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Lesson 3:2: At the Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
People around the office .........................................58
Office activities.........................................................58
Example sentences...................................................59

Lesson 3:3: On the Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Occupations..............................................................60
Work-related verbs...................................................61
Example sentences...................................................61

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Lesson 3:4: Making Small Talk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Lesson 3:5: Making Appointments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Lesson 3:6: Arranging Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Lesson 3:7: Asking for Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Lesson 3:8: Asking for and Getting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Lesson 3:9: At the Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Lesson 3:10: At the Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Lesson 3:11: At the Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Lesson 3:12: At the Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Mini-Dictionary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Japanese-English Mini-Dictionary ..........................75
English-Japanese Mini-Dictionary ..........................82

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Page 1

Introduction

ur planet has become wonderfully diverse, and our

world has become smaller than ever. We enjoy a variety of foods, arts, and fashions, and take advantage of amazing new technologies and products. When you speak the
language of people in other countries and understand their
culture, you can appreciate these experiences more fully.
When you speak their language, you can connect these wonderful things to your own life to develop new ideas, broaden
your horizons, and widen your career opportunities. When
you speak their language, you have unlimited opportunities
to find life-changing friendships. Are you ready for the reallife adventure?
If youre ready to start speaking Japanese, Japanese For
Dummies Audio Set is the most effective, convenient, and
friendliest tool you can use. The CDs give you a good start
to successfully studying a new foreign language.

About This Audio Set

Japanese For Dummies Audio Set enables you to quickly
familiarize yourself with the Japanese language and begin
communicating on a basic level with other Japanese speakers. By listening to the hour-long CDs and following along in
this booklet, you can set your own pace and explore the
topics that interest you. CD1 gives you the very basics of
Japanese; CD2 covers the languages structure; and CD3 presents the language in real-world situations.
By the way, you can play the CDs in this audio set on any CD
player, so you can listen in your car, on your home stereo,
or on your computer.

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Japanese For Dummies Audio Set

Conventions Used in This Audio Set

So that you can easily follow along with the CDs and this
booklet, I stuck to a few conventions:

The lesson numbers in this booklet correspond to

the track numbers on the CDs. So Lesson 1:3 corresponds to the third track of CD1, and Lesson 3:10
corresponds to the tenth track of CD3. Track 1 of
each CD is an introduction, which you can skip if
you want.

On the CDs, the narrator presents words and
phrases in English. Then a native Japanese speaker
says the words and phrases in Japanese. A pause
gives you time to say the word or phrase yourself.
Then the Japanese speaker repeats the word or
phrase and pauses to give you another chance to
repeat the word or phrase.

Japanese terms are set in italics in the booklet to
make them stand out.
The Tip icon indicates helpful information that aids
in your understanding of pronunciation, grammar,
and other elements of the language.

Foolish Assumptions
In producing this audio set, I had to make some assumptions about who you are and what you know:

You know no Japanese or if you took Japanese in

school, you dont remember very much of it.

Youre not looking for a product that will make you

fluent in Japanese; you just want to know some
words, phrases, and sentence constructions so you
can communicate basic information in Japanese.

You dont want to memorize a bunch of boring
grammar rules.

You want to have fun and learn a little bit of
Japanese at the same time.

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Introduction

How This Audio Set Is Organized

The booklet is divided into four parts, and the first three
parts each correspond to one of the CDs.

CD1: The Basics: This CD presents greetings, indispensable words and phrases, useful questions, an
overview of numbers and dates, and other basic
Japanese information.

CD2: The Nitty-Gritty Language Structure: This
CD introduces nouns, verbs, adjectives, counters,
and other parts of speech so you can develop an
understanding of how Japanese sentences are put
together.

CD3: Real-World Situations: On this CD, youre
introduced to vocabulary, phrases, and sentences
that youll find useful while working, traveling,
eating out, shopping, banking, and more.

Mini-Dictionary: The fourth part of this booklet is
a handy Japanese/English dictionary for quick reference on the go.

Where to Go from Here

Pop any of the CDs into your player and start listening and
repeating. CD1 is the place to begin if you know nothing
about Japanese. If you know a little bit (or just feel adventurous), check out the Table of Contents and jump to any
lesson that catches your eye, even if it happens to be on
CDs 2 or 3. Listen to the tracks that interest you, and discover Japanese at your own pace.

Romanization
Modern Japanese is written horizontally or vertically by combining two sets of syllabic alphabets called kana (hiragana
and katakana) and Chinese characters called kanji. Each kana
character represents a unique syllable sound, and each kana
system has 46 characters. By contrast, each kanji character

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represents a unique meaning (or meanings), and an average

Japanese person knows about 2,000 of them. Thats a lot, isnt
it? It takes some people days or weeks to learn kana and
some people months or years to learn kanji. Its important to
learn kana and kanji, but the main objective of Japanese For
Dummies Audio Set is to help you speak some Japanese with
authentic pronunciation today! Accordingly, this booklet uses
romanization rather than kana and kanji.
There are a number of different romanization (rmaji) systems in Japan, and which one is used depends on the situations, purposes, or preferences. Some systems faithfully
reflect the kana system, but they frequently misrepresent
the actual pronunciation. Other systems may not be faithful
to the kana system, but they succeed in representing the
actual sounds pretty closely. This booklet employs the
latter type, a version of the popular Hepburn system with
some modifications.
Long vowels are marked with macrons (that cute little line),
as in oksan (mother), otsn (father), and ybinkyoku (post
office). Two identical vowels in a row indicate a separation
because of internal structural reasons. For example, the
adjective ureshii (happy) ends with ii rather than with ibecause the second i changes depending on the form, as in
ureshiku and ureshikatta.
Another diacritic convention you should know is the apostrophe right after n. If the consonant n appears between two
vowels, it may or may not form a syllable with the following
vowel. If n doesnt form a syllable with the following vowel,
an apostrophe comes right after n to mark the separation
between them. For example, the Japanese word that means
prohibition of smoking is spelled as kinen (pronounced
keen-ehn), but the word that means commemoration is
spelled as kinen (pronounced kee-nehn). For Japanese, n is
a syllable, or a mora, more precisely, and is represented by
one kana character.

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Introduction

The romanization system adopted in this booklet represents

what you hear on the audio CDs, but you need to be aware
of some puzzling cases:

If you see a set of two identical consonants for

example, pp, bb, and ss pronounce the consonant a moment longer, just once. Dont pronounce
the same consonant twice. The letters sound like a
single consonant preceded by a brief pause. For
example, try saying school in Japanese, gakk
(pronounced gahk-kohh).

The Japanese r may sound like l, d, or something
between l and r to you. The Japanese r is made by
tapping the tip of the tongue behind the upper
teeth. It is similar to the brief flap sound in lettuce
or letter in American English. Make sure not to
pronounce the Japanese r like English r no curled
tongue! What is the number six in Japanese? Its
roku (pronounced roh-koo)!

The Japanese f may sound a bit too soft to you,
because it is pronounced without using the upper
teeth. Pronounce it by bringing the upper lip and
the lower lip close to each other, and blowing air
between them gently. Note that the Japanese f
occurs only before the vowel u, as in Fujisan
(Mount Fuji).

The sequence ts at the beginning of a word may be
hard for you to hear or pronounce because this
sequence never starts a word in English, but it
does in Japanese. Try pronouncing the Japanese
word tsukue (desk; pronounced tsoo-koo-eh). If it is
hard, say the English word cats in your head.
When youre about to finish saying ts in cats,
start pronouncing tsukue. I hope you succeeded!

You may not be able to hear the vowels i and u
clearly. These vowels tend to be whispered or
devoiced when they are between two voiceless consonants such as p, t, k, s, sh, ch, ts, and h, or when
they are at the end of a word and preceded by a

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voiceless consonant. This happens quite frequently, especially in fast or normal-speed speech.
For example, ashita (tomorrow; pronounced ahshee-tah) may sound like ashta to you, and Ii desu
(Its fine; pronounced ee-ee deh-soo) may sound
like Ii des to you.

The sequence of vowels ei usually sounds like a
long vowel (). For example, the word sensei
(teacher; pronounced sehn-sehh) usually sounds
like sens.

The consonant g sometimes sounds nasalized,
especially when it occurs between vowels, as in
Ikaga desu ka (How is it?; pronounced ee-kah-gah
deh-soo kah). It is more common among women
than among men. Dont think that the Japanese
person has a cold when you hear a nasalized g.

The consonant n may sound like m when followed
by p, b, or another m. For example, tenpura (tempura; pronounced ten-poo-rah) sounds like tempura.
Similarly, the n followed by k or g, as in gink (bank;
pronounced geen-kohh), sounds like its being articulated back in the mouth.

Punctuation
In this booklet, the question mark (?) and the exclamation
mark (!) arent used except when they help you understand
short phrases. Other punctuation systems employed in this
booklet, including capitalization, periods, and commas, are
pretty much like in English.

Pitch Accents
Japanese words dont have a stress accent, and Japanese
phrases and sentences may sound pretty plain or monotone
to you because of that. However, Japanese words can have a
pitch accent. If a word has an accent on one of the syllables
(or moras units that coincide with kana characters), the

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Introduction

pitch abruptly falls from high to low right after it. For example, the word anata (you; pronounced ah-nah-tah) has an
accent on the second syllable na, and the entire pitch pattern
is low-high-low. By contrast, the word watashi (I; pronounced
wah-tah-shee) doesnt have an accent, so the entire pitch pattern of this word is low-high-high. Because pitch accents vary
depending on the dialect, you dont need to be too conscious
about it. Just listen to the CDs and imitate the general overall
intonation of each phrase and sentence.

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Lesson 1:1

Welcome and Overview

of CD1: The Basics

elcome to Japanese For Dummies Audio Set. This

set consists of three audio CDs for you to have fun
while learning Japanese. You can listen to this audio-based
program while driving, walking, relaxing, or any time that
is convenient for you. You can take your time, repeat
words and phrases, and repeat any track until you feel
comfortable.
On each lesson youll hear a word or phrase in English,
then the Japanese version, then a pause for you to repeat
and practice. Then youll hear another repetition of the
Japanese version with another pause for you to practice
again.
On disc one, you start off with essential words and phrases
that you cant live without. Master their pronunciations
and use them for getting around your favorite Japanese
towns or for making small talk with your Japanese friends
in your neighborhood. We encourage you to listen, repeat,
and have fun.

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Lesson 1:2

Personal Pronouns
and Formalities

he personal pronouns in Japanese are

watashi

you (singular)

anata

he

kare

she

kanojo

we

watashi-tachi

you (plural)

anata-tachi

they (masculine)

karera

they (feminine)

kanojora

they (masculine, feminine, or mixed group)

karera

In Japanese conversations, pronouns are often

dropped, and the use of anata especially is
avoided. If anata cant be dropped, its replaced by
the persons name. For example, instead of saying,
Hey, Ken. Is this your book?, the Japanese say
something like, Hey, Ken. Is this Kens book? It
may sound strange to you, but it is perfectly fine
and is preferred for Japanese.

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Lesson 1:2

11

Respectful titles
polite/neutral respectful title

san

Mr. Smith

Sumisu-san

Michael

Maikeru-san

Ms. Tanaka

Tanaka-san

Sandra

Sandora-san

formal respectful title

sama

Mr. Smith

Sumisu-sama

Ms. Tanaka

Tanaka-sama

Place a respectful title after other peoples names,

but not after your own name. San is the most
commonly used respectful title placed after other
peoples family names or given names, regardless
of their gender or marital status. Sama is a formal
respectful title that you use after family names of
your clients, customers, or those to whom respect
is due. When addressing your superiors, place
their job titles, if available, after their family name,
instead of using respectful titles.
Some job-related titles can be placed after a
persons name instead of a generic respectful title
such as san. For example, if Mr. Brown is your
teacher, address him as Buraun-sensei. Sensei
means teacher.

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Page 12

Lesson 1:3

Saying Hello
and Goodbye
Good morning. (formal)

Ohay gozaimasu.

Good morning. (informal)

Ohay.

Good afternoon, or Hi.

Konnichiwa.

Good evening.

Konbanwa.

Say Ohay gozaimasu to your superior instead of

Ohay. Dont forget to bow when you greet him.
See you tomorrow.

Mata ashita.

Goodbye.

Saynara.

Good night.

Oyasumi nasai.

Say Shitsurei shimasu when youre parting from

your superior. Its literal meaning is I will be rude.
The idea in this context is Excuse my rudeness of
leaving you.

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Lesson 1:4

Saying and Replying

to How Are You?

he Japanese phrase equivalent to How are you? is

Genki desu ka, which literally means Are you well?

How are you? (formal)

O-genki desu ka.

How are you? (informal)

Genki?

Yes, Im fine.

Hai, genki desu.

Well, so-so.

, mm desu.

How about you, Mike?

Maiku-san wa?

Yes, Im fine, too.

Hai, watashi mo genki desu.

The particle mo in Watashi mo genki desu means

also.

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Page 14

Lesson 1:5

Introducing Yourself and

Talking about Where
Youre From
How do you do?

Hajimemashite.

I am Mr. Smith.

Watashi wa Sumisu desu.

It is a pleasure to make
your acquaintance.

Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.

Nice to meet you.

Yoroshiku.

Likewise.

Kochira koso.

What is your name?

O-namae wa nan desu ka.

Your name?

O-namae wa?

My name is John Brown.

Watashi no namae wa Jon

Buraun desu.

Where are you from?

Dochira kara desu ka.

Im from San Francisco.

San Furanshisuko kara desu.

Where were you born?

Go-shusshin wa?

I was born in Tokyo.

Shusshin wa Tky desu.

I grew up in Osaka.

saka de sodachimashita.

Where do you live?

Doko ni sunde imasu ka.

I live in Boston.

Bosuton ni sunde imasu.

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Lesson 1:6

Indispensable Words
Yes.

Hai.

Yes, it is.

Hai, s desu.

Yes, I agree with you.

Hai, s desu ne.

Of course!

Mochiron.

Maybe.

Tabun.

No.

e.

No, it isnt.

e, s ja arimasen.

Oh, I see.

, s desu ka.

Hai shows agreement, and e shows disagreement.

They correspond to yes and no in English if the
question is affirmative, but they become reversed
when the question is negative.
Please.

Dzo.

Please come in.

Dzo haitte kudasai.

You can just say Dzo to encourage someone to do

something understood in the context.
Thank you very much.

Dmo arigat gozaimasu.

Thanks. (informal)

Arigat.

Oh, its nothing.

e.

Youre welcome.

D itashimashite.

No, thank you.

e, ii desu.

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CD1: The Basics

Sorry!

Gomennasai.

Im sorry.

Sumimasen.

Excuse me.

Chotto sumimasen.

Chotto literally means a little, but its used to

soften the expression in Chotto sumimasen.

People
friend

tomodachi

family

kazoku

relative

shinseki

adult

otona

child

kodomo

man

otoko no hito

boy

otoko no ko

woman

onna no hito

girl

onna no ko

baby

akachan

Places
airport

kk

bank

gink

bus stop

basu-tei

cafe

kissaten

consulate

ryjikan

embassy

taishikan

hospital

byin

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Lesson 1:6
hotel

hoteru

house

ie

library

toshokan

pharmacy

yakkyoku

police station

keisatsusho

post office

ybinkyoku

restaurant

resutoran

restroom

otearai

school

gakk

store

mise

train station

eki

travel agency

ryok-gaisha

Emergency
police officer

keisatsukan

doctor

isha

nurse

kangoshi

Please help.

Tasukete kudasai.

Thief!

Dorob.

Important items
passport

pasupto

money

o-kane

credit card

kurejitto kdo

ID

mibun-shmeisho

drivers license

unten-menkyosh

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Lesson 1:7

Useful Expressions
and Phrases
I dont understand
Japanese.

Nihongo ga wakarimasen.

I dont speak Japanese

well.

Nihongo ga amari hanasemasen.

Can you say it again?

M ichido itte kudasai.

One more time, please. M ichido onegai shimasu.

Slowly, please.

Yukkuri onegai shimasu.

Help me, please.

Chotto tasukete kudasai.

Do you understand
English?

Eigo ga wakarimasu ka.

How do you say train Train wa Nihongo de nan desu ka.

in Japanese?
I dont know.

Chotto wakarimasen.

Wakarimasen can mean either I dont know or I

dont understand. When you mean I dont know,
add chotto to soften it.
Are you all right?

Daijbu desu ka.

Yes, Im all right.

Hai, daijbu desu.

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Lesson 1:8

Question Words
Who?

Dare?

What?

Nani?

Where?

Doko?

Why?

Dshite?

When?

Itsu?

How?

D?

How much?

Ikura?

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Lesson 1:9

Useful Questions

ll the Japanese questions end in the particle ka regardless of whether it is a content question or a yes-no
question.
Who is that person
over there?

Ano hito wa dare desu ka.

What is this?

Kore wa nan desu ka.

What is that over there?

Are wa nan desu ka.

Is that Mount Fuji?

Are wa Fujisan desu ka.

What is your name?

O-namae wa nan desu ka.

Where is the restroom?

Otearai wa doko desu ka.

Where are you from?

Dochira kara kimashita ka.

When is your birthday?

Tanjbi wa itsu desu ka.

When will you go (there)?

Itsu ikimasu ka.

What time do you close?

Nan-ji ni shimarimasu ka.

At what time does

the train leave?

Densha wa nan-ji ni
demasu ka.

When is checkout time?

Chekkuauto wa nan-ji desu ka.

How much is this?

Kore wa ikura desu ka.

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Lesson 1:10

An Overview of Numbers
1

ichi

ni

san

shi

go

roku

shichi

hachi

ky

10

11

jichi

12

jni

13

jsan

14

jshi

15

jgo

16

jroku

17

jshichi

18

jhachi

19

jky

20

nij

21

nijichi

22

nijni

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CD1: The Basics

23

nijsan

30

sanj

31

sanjichi

32

sanjni

40

yonj

50

goj

60

rokuj

70

nanaj

80

hachij

90

kyj

99

kyjky

100

hyaku

999

kyhyakukyjky

1,000

sen
When you read the numbers one after another in
order, you commonly use this pronunciation of
numbers. However, the number 4 can be read as
shi or yon, and the number 7 can be read as shichi
or nana. Likewise, the number 14 can be read as
jshi or jyon, the number 17 can be read as
jshichi or jnana, and the number 19 can be read
jky or jku. Furthermore, when the numbers are
followed by suffixes (counters) such as ji (oclock)
and mai (sheets of), many numbers are often read
differently, as shown in Lesson 1:11 and Lesson 2:4.
The Japanese number system is quite logical. For
example, 11 is j-ichi, which is 10 (j) plus 1 (ichi).
21 is ni-j-ichi, which is 2 (ni) times 10 (j) plus 1
(ichi). 999 is ky-hyaku-ky-j-ky, which is 9 (ky)
times 100 (hyaku), plus 9 (ky) times 10 (j), plus 9
(ky).

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Lesson 1:11

Talking about Time

oclock

ji

hour

jikan

minute

fun
Fun (minute) alternates with pun when following
certain numbers including 1 and 3.

second

by

half past (of time)

han

a.m.

gozen

p.m.

gogo

1 oclock

ichi-ji

2 oclock

ni-ji

3 oclock

san-ji

4 oclock

yo-ji

5 oclock

go-ji

6 oclock

roku-ji

7 oclock

shichi-ji

8 oclock

hachi-ji

9 oclock

ku-ji

10 oclock

j-ji

11 oclock

jichi-ji

12 oclock

jni-ji

7:15

shichi-ji jgo-fun

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CD1: The Basics

10:55 (5 minutes to 11)

11 a.m.

jichi-ji go-fun mae

gozen jichi-ji
The 24-hour clock is used in timetables for trains
in Japan. For example, 2:15 p.m. is 14:15 (jyo-ji
jgo-fun).

Asking about time

What time is it now?

Ima nan-ji desu ka.

Its 11:15.

Jichi-ji jgo-fun desu.

From what time?

Nan-ji kara desu ka.

Until what time?

Nan-ji made desu ka.

Its from 2 to 5.

Ni-ji kara go-ji made desu.

At what time are you leaving?

Nan-ji ni demasu ka.

Ill leave at 3.

San-ji ni demasu.

How many hours does it take?

Nan-jikan kakarimasu ka.

It takes two hours.

Ni-jikan kakarimasu.

Time-related terms
morning

asa

noon

hiru

evening

ban

night

yoru

afternoon

gogo

today

ky

tomorrow

ashita

yesterday

kin

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Lesson 1:12

The Calendar and Dates

The days of the week
All of the days of the week in Japanese end in ybi.
Monday

getsuybi

Tuesday

kaybi

Wednesday

suiybi

Thursday

mokuybi

Friday

kinybi

Saturday

doybi

Sunday

nichiybi

The months
All of the months in Japanese end in gatsu, which follows
numbers from 1 to 12.
January

ichi-gatsu

February

ni-gatsu

March

san-gatsu

April

shi-gatsu

May

go-gatsu

June

roku-gatsu

July

shichi-gatsu

August

hachi-gatsu

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CD1: The Basics

September

ku-gatsu

October

j-gatsu

November

jichi-gatsu

December

jni-gatsu

The days of the month

The days of the month in Japanese are full of irregularities.
the first

tsuitachi

the second

futsuka

the third

mikka

the fourth

yokka

the fifth

itsuka

the sixth

muika

the seventh

nanoka

the eighth

yka

the ninth

kokonoka

the tenth

tka

the 11th

jichi-nichi

the 12th

jni-nichi

the 13th

jsan-nichi

the 14th

jyokka

the 15th

jgo-nichi

the 16th

jroku-nichi

the 17th

jshichi-nichi

the 18th

jhachi-nichi

the 19th

jku-nichi

the 20th

hatsuka

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Lesson 1:12
the 21st

nijichi-nichi

the 22nd

nijni-nichi

the 23rd

nijsan-nichi

the 24th

nijyokka

the 25th

nijgo-nichi

the 26th

nijroku-nichi

the 27th

nijshichi-nichi

the 28th

nijhachi-nichi

the 29th

nijku-nichi

the 30th

sanj-nichi

the 31st

sanjichi-nichi

Month and date-related

questions and answers
What is todays date?

Ky wa nan-nichi desu ka.

Today is the 16th.

Ky wa jroku-nichi desu.

What day is it today?

Ky wa nanybi desu ka.

Its Monday.

Getsuybi desu.

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Lesson 1:13

Directions
far

ti

close

chikai

next to

tonari

in front of

mae

behind

ushiro

nearby

chikaku

east

higashi

west

nishi

south

minami

north

kita

right

migi

left

hidari

intersection

ksaten

street, road

michi

corner

kado

bridge

hashi

to go straight

massugu iku

to turn right

migi ni magaru

to turn left at the intersection

ksaten o hidari ni magaru

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Lesson 2:1

Introduction and Overview

of CD2: The Nitty-Gritty:
Language Structure

elcome to Japanese For Dummies Audio Set, disc

two. On this CD, youll hear Japanese nouns, verbs,
adjectives, and other important words, and learn how to
put them together to make a sentence.

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Lesson 2:2

Nouns

apanese nouns are very simple. They dont have a

singular/plural distinction or a masculine/feminine
distinction. In addition, they dont have to be preceded
by articles like a or the.
You may wonder how the Japanese would know
whether there is a dog or there are multiple dogs
when they hear Inu (dog). Actually, they just have
to guess from the context, or they just have to
ask how many.

Things in your room

bed

beddo

book

hon

TV

terebi

clock

tokei

sofa

sof

table

tburu

newspaper

shinbun

Locations
town

machi

country

kuni

village

mura

neighborhood

kinjo

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Lesson 2:2

Transportation
airplane

hikki

boat

fune

bus

basu

car

kuruma

subway

chikatetsu

taxi

takush

train

densha

Animals
bird

tori

cat

neko

cow

ushi

dog

inu

fish

sakana

pig

buta

Foods and beverages

apple

ringo

black tea

kcha

bread

pan

coffee

kh

cooked rice

gohan

egg

tamago

pizza

piza

soup

spu

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Lesson 2:3

Plain and Polite

Family Terms

amily terms have a plain form and a polite form. Use the
plain form to refer to your own family members in front
of others. Use the polite form to refer to someone elses
family members. For example, my father would be watashi
no chichi and Ms. Yamadas father would be Yamada-san
no otsan. Chichi is the plain form and otsan is the polite
form. My father met Ms. Yamadas father would be Watashi
no chichi wa Yamada-san no otsan ni aimashita. Plain forms
and polite forms are also called humble forms and respectful
forms.

Older family members

father (plain)

chichi

father (polite)

otsan

mother (plain)

haha

mother (polite)

oksan

older brother (plain)

ani

older brother (polite)

onsan

older sister (plain)

ane

older sister (polite)

onsan

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Lesson 2:3

33

Younger family members

younger brother (plain)

otto

younger brother (polite)

ottosan

younger sister (plain)

imto

younger sister (polite)

imtosan

son (plain)

musuko

son (polite)

musukosan

daughter (plain)

musume

daughter (polite)

musumesan

child (plain)

kodomo

child (polite)

okosan

Spouse
husband (plain)

otto

husband (polite)

goshujin

wife (plain)

tsuma

wife (polite)

okusan

In conversations, shujin is often used instead of

otto to refer to ones own husband, and kanai is
often used instead of tsuma to refer to ones own
wife.

Extended family members

grandfather (plain)

sofu

grandfather (polite)

ojsan

grandmother (plain)

sobo

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CD2: The Nitty-Gritty: Language Structure

grandmother (polite)

obsan

uncle (plain)

oji

uncle (polite)

ojisan

aunt (plain)

oba

aunt (polite)

obasan

When addressing your older family members

(other than your spouse), use the polite form.
When addressing your younger family members or
your spouse, use their first name or nickname.
Wives often address their husbands with anata,
which literally means you, but actually means
something like honey or dear in English. You
really have to understand the difference between
addressing and referring; otherwise, whats
discussed here becomes contradictory to what
was stated earlier in this section. Addressing is
when youre talking to the person and calling him
or her, mostly to get attention. Referring is when
you arent talking to the person, but talking about
him or her to someone else.

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Lesson 2:4

Counters

he quantity of an item is expressed by a numeral and

a short suffix, called a counter. A counter in Japanese
is equivalent to a word like sheet, as in a sheet of paper
in English. Interestingly, you need a counter even for counting books, pens, people, and animals. For example, there
are two books and two pens means Hon ga ni-satsu to
pen ga ni-hon arimasu. Ni-satsu means two for bound
items like books, and ni-hon means two for long cylindrical items like pens. Of course, ni means two. The
following are some common counters with the numerals
one, two, and three. Watch out for some irregular sound
changes.
one, two, three . . .
for flat items like
paper

ichi-mai, ni-mai, san-mai . . .

one, two, three . . .

for mechanical
items like cars

ichi-dai, ni-dai, san-dai . . .

one, two, three . . .

for bound items
like books

is-satsu, ni-satsu, san-satsu . . .

one, two, three . . .

for long cylindrical
items like pens

ip-pon, ni-hon, san-bon . . .

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CD2: The Nitty-Gritty: Language Structure

one, two, three . . .

for animals like
dogs

ip-piki, ni-hiki, san-biki . . .

one, two, three . . .

for people

hito-ri, futa-ri, san-nin . . .

one, two, three . . .

for a variety of items
like apples and
erasers

hito-tsu, futa-tsu, mit-tsu . . .

Most counters follow numerals with Chinese origin

as in ichi-mai and ichi-dai, but some follow native
Japanese numerals as in hito-tsu and hito-ri.

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Lesson 2:5

Demonstratives

or referring to visible items, you can use the demonstrative adjectives kono, sono, and ano along with the
common noun. Kono is for an item near the speaker, sono is
for an item near the listener, and ano is for an item far from
both the speaker and the listener.
this book

kono hon

that book (near you)

sono hon

that book (over there)

ano hon

this dog

kono inu

that person (over there)

ano hito

that wallet (near you)

sono saifu

this building

kono tatemono

For referring to things and animals without using a specific

common noun, use the following demonstrative pronouns.
this one

kore

that one near you

sore

that one over there

are

When referring to people, dont use the demonstrative pronouns kore, sore, and are, but use the
demonstrative adjective along with a common
noun, as in ano gakusei (that student) and kono
hito (this person).

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Lesson 2:6

Adjectives

apanese has two types of adjectives: i-type and na-type.

When theyre placed right before a noun, i-type adjectives end in i, and na-type adjectives end in na. For example,
yasashii hito means a kind person and kireina hito means
a pretty person. In both cases, an adjective is followed by
a noun hito (person), and you can easily tell that yasashii is
an i-type adjective and kireina is a na-type adjective. When
they arent followed by a noun, but by desu to form a sentence predicate, i remains, but na must be removed. For
example, Ano hito wa yasashii desu means That person is
kind, and Ano hito wa kirei desu means That person is
pretty. In this example, its not as easy to see whether the
adjective is i-type or na-type. The following are adjectives
listed in the latter form, which is more frequently used in
simple conversations. For your convenience, na-type adjectives are marked in the parentheses.
big

kii desu

small

chsai desu

expensive

takai desu

inexpensive/cheap

yasui desu

easy

kantan desu (na-type)

difficult

muzukashii desu

fast

hayai desu

slow

osoi desu

good

ii desu

bad

warui desu

happy

ureshii desu

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Lesson 2:6
sad

kanashii desu

hot

atsui desu

cold (weather)

samui desu

delicious

oishii desu

awful (taste)

mazui desu

interesting

omoshiroi desu

boring

tsumaranai desu

long

nagai desu

short

mijikai desu

pretty

kirei desu (na-type)

ugly

minikui desu

quiet

shizuka desu (na-type)

loud

urusai desu

short (for a person)

se ga hikui desu

tall (for a person)

se ga takai desu

young

wakai desu

39

Japanese has an adjective that means old, which

is furui, but it only applies to objects as in furui ie
(old house) and furui kutsu (old shoes), but doesnt
apply to people or animals. If you want to say
someone is old, use the verb phrase, toshi ga itte
imasu (old/aged).

Preference and desire

A persons preferences and desires are most commonly
expressed by adjectives rather than verbs in Japanese.
to like

suki desu (na-type)

to dislike

kirai desu (na-type)

to want

hoshii desu

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CD2: The Nitty-Gritty: Language Structure

Colors
Some colors are expressed by adjectives, although others
are expressed by nouns.
black

kuroi desu

blue

aoi desu

red

akai desu

white

shiroi desu

yellow

kiiroi desu

Nationalities
Japanese

Nihonjin

American

Amerikajin

British

Igirisujin

Chinese

Chgokujin

French

Furansujin

Spanish

Supeinjin

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Lesson 2:7

Degrees of Adjectives

apanese adjectives dont have comparative or superlative forms, like smaller and smallest in English. To show a
comparative idea, just add the adverb motto (more) or add
the item being compared along with the particle yori (than).
To show a superlative idea, just add the adverb ichiban (the
most).
cheaper

motto yasui

cheaper than pizza

piza yori yasui

cheapest

ichiban yasui

more expensive

motto takai

more expensive than sushi

sushi yori takai

most expensive

ichiban takai

more difficult than French

Furansugo yori muzukashii

most difficult

ichiban muzukashii

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Lesson 2:8

To Be or Not to Be:
A Very Important Verb

he English verb to be expresses either identification

(John is a student) or existence (There is a book).
To be in the sense of identification in English corresponds to desu in Japanese. To say A is B, say A
wa B desu, in which wa is the topic particle.

Im American.

Watashi wa Amerikajin desu.

My mom is Japanese.

Haha wa Nihonjin desu.

Im a student.

Watashi wa gakusei desu.

My dad is a lawyer.

Chichi wa bengoshi desu.

They are busy.

Karera wa isogashii desu.

Japanese is easy.

Nihongo wa kantan desu.

English is hard.

Eigo wa muzukashii desu.

This is a dictionary.

Kore wa jisho desu.

To be in the sense of existence in English corresponds to arimasu or imasu in Japanese. Arimasu is

for an inanimate item, and imasu is for an animate
item.

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Lesson 2:8
There is a pen.

Pen ga arimasu.

There is a cat.

Neko ga imasu.

There are many students.

Gakusei ga takusan imasu.

43

Ga in the previous three sentences is the subject

marking particle. See Lesson 2:12 for more details.
Mount Fuji is in Japan.

Fujisan wa Nihon ni arimasu.

John is at the restaurant.

Jon wa resutoran ni imasu.

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Lesson 2:9

Verbs

apanese sentence predicates take either a plain form or a

polite form depending on the formality of the context.
The plain form is short and is used in an informal context.
The polite form is slightly longer and is used in a polite or
neutral speech-style context. Accordingly, verbs have plain
forms and polite forms among other forms. But dont think
that you dont need to know the plain form if youre speaking only in polite-neutral speech style. The verbs in the
plain form must be used even in polite contexts if certain
elements such as modals follow them. So, its important to
know both the plain form and the polite form for each verb.
The plain form (present affirmative) or the dictionary form
ends in a syllable: ru, ku, gu, su, tsu, u, mu, nu, or bu, as in
taberu (eat). The polite form (present affirmative) ends in
the polite suffix masu, as in tabemasu (eat).
Verbs are classified into irregular verbs, which are suru (do)
and kuru (come), and regular verbs, which are either ruverbs or u-verbs. If the verbs dictionary form ends in ru, try
removing ru from the plain form and masu from its polite
counterpart. If the remaining portions are identical, it is a
ru-verb. Otherwise, its a u-verb. If the verbs dictionary
form doesnt end in ru, its a u-verb without any question.
Now, youll hear both the plain form and the polite form of
each verb. Listen and pronounce two forms one after the
other.

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Lesson 2:9

45

Irregular verbs
do

suru (plain), shimasu (polite)

come

kuru (plain), kimasu (polite)

Ru-verbs
eat

taberu (plain), tabemasu (polite)

exist/be (animate)

iru (plain), imasu (polite)

look

miru (plain), mimasu (polite)

sleep

neru (plain), nemasu (polite)

U-verbs
buy

kau (plain), kaimasu (polite)

carry

hakobu (plain), hakobimasu (polite)

drink

nomu (plain), nomimasu (polite)

exist/be (inanimate)

aru (plain), arimasu (polite)

go

iku (plain), ikimasu (polite)

listen

kiku (plain), kikimasu (polite)

read

yomu (plain), yomimasu (polite)

run

hashiru (plain), hashirimasu (polite)

speak

hanasu (plain), hanashimasu (polite)

swim

oyogu (plain), oyogimasu (polite)

understand

wakaru (plain), wakarimasu (polite)

wait

matsu (plain), machimasu (polite)

work

hataraku (plain), hatarakimasu

(polite)

write

kaku (plain), kakimasu (polite)

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CD2: The Nitty-Gritty: Language Structure

Many verbs are created by adding the verb suru (do) after a
word of Chinese origin.
study

benky suru (plain), benky shimasu

(polite)

invite

shtai suru (plain), shtai shimasu

(polite)

graduate

sotsugy suru (plain), sotsugy

shimasu (polite)

get married

kekkon suru (plain), kekkon shimasu

(polite)

Desu
Desu (to be), introduced in Lesson 2:8, is very different from
other verbs. For example, unlike other verbs, desu can never
be pronounced independently without being preceded by
another word. Just know that desu is the polite form, and its
plain counterpart is da.

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Lesson 2:10

Verb Tenses

erbs in the present form express habitual or future

actions, and verbs in the past form express past actions.

Plain
Verbs in the plain affirmative present form all end in the
vowel u, but their past counterparts all end in the syllable ta
or da.
eat or will eat

taberu

ate

tabeta

drink or will drink

nomu

drank

nonda

write or will write

kaku

wrote

kaita

buy or will buy

kau

bought

katta

do or will do

suru

did

shita

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Polite
Verbs in the polite affirmative present form end in masu, but
their past counterparts end in mashita.
eat or will eat

tabemasu

ate

tabemashita

drink or will drink

nomimasu

drank

nomimashita

do or will do

shimasu

did

shimashita

Desu
The past tense of desu (to be) is deshita, and its plain counterparts are da and datta.

Example sentences
I will go to the library
tomorrow.

Watashi wa ashita toshokan ni

ikimasu.

I went to the library

yesterday.

Watashi wa kin toshokan ni

ikimashita.

Emily bought shoes

yesterday.

Emir-san wa kin kutsu o

kaimashita.

Ken played tennis

yesterday.

Ken-san wa kin tenisu o

shimashita.

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Lesson 2:11

Negatives

egative verbs and adjectives have masen in their

polite form and nai in their plain form. The following
examples are all in the polite form. Note that pronouns are
commonly dropped in Japanese.
(I) dont know.

Wakarimasen.

(I) cant.

Dekimasen.

(I) cant swim.

Oyogemasen.

(I) am not going (there).

Ikimasen.

(I) couldnt go (there).

Ikemasendeshita.

(I) will not work tomorrow.

Ashita wa hatarakimasen.

(It) is not delicious.

Oishiku arimasen.

(I) dont like (it).

Suki ja arimasen.

(I) am not American.

Amerikajin ja arimasen.

Ja that appears before arimasen in negative sentences can be dewa. For example, the above two
sentences can be Suki dewa arimasen or
Amerikajin dewa arimasen.
(I) dont eat meat.

Niku wa tabemasen.

(I) dont have money.

Okane ga arimasen.

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Lesson 2:12

Particles

nglish prepositions are placed before a noun, as in to

Tokyo. Their Japanese counterparts are placed after
the noun, as in Tky ni. So, they are actually postpositions
and are generally called particles. Unfortunately, there is no
one-to-one correspondence between English prepositions
and Japanese particles. In addition, a simple English preposition may have to be expressed by a combination of a few
elements in Japanese.
from

kara

(Im) from America.

Amerika kara desu.

on

ni

(Ill) go (there) on Monday.

Getsuybi ni ikimasu.

on; above

no ue ni

(Its) on the table.

Tburu no ue ni arimasu.

for

no tame ni

(Ill) study for the exam.

Shiken no tame ni benky

shimasu.

to

ni

(Ill) go to Tokyo.

Tky ni ikimasu.

in

ni

(He) is in Tokyo.

Tky ni imasu.

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Lesson 2:12

51

in

de

(Ill) study in Tokyo.

Tky de benky-shimasu.

at

de

(Ill) eat at the restaurant.

Resutoran de tabemasu.

at

ni

(He) arrived at Boston.

Bosuton ni tsukimashita.

by

de

(I) went there by bus.

Basu de ikimashita.

with

de

(I) eat with chopsticks.

Hashi de tabemasu.

with

to

(Ill) study with Mike.

Maiku-san to benky-shimasu.

of

no

(This) is the key of the car.

Kuruma no kagi desu.

As you can see in these examples, one-to-one correspondence between English prepositions and
Japanese particles is rarely attainable. You must
think about the relation between the relevant item
and the action. For example, in Tokyo can be
either Tky ni or Tky de depending on whether
someone is just being there or someone is doing
something there. If someone is doing something
at/in some location, the particle de is used. If someone/something is being somewhere, the particle ni
is used. If someone is involved in some moving
action such as going, coming, and arriving,
the destination of the movement is also marked by
the particle ni, which would be to or at in
English. If someone is using something as a method
or tools for the given action, the item being used is
marked by the particle de in Japanese, which
would be either by or with in English.

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Particles for subjects and direct objects

The particle for the subject is ga, and the particle for the
direct object is o. There is no English translation for them.
Emily invited Tom.

Emir-san ga Tomu-san o shtai

shimashita.

Rachelle bought a car.

Reicheru-san ga kuruma o
kaimashita.

The subject particle ga is often replaced by the

topic particle wa because the subject usually also
functions as the topic of the sentence when there
is no other phrase functioning as the topic.

Example sentences
Because every noun phrase is marked by some particle, the
order among them in a sentence can be free.
Susan broke the camera.

Kamera o Szan-san ga
kowashimashita.

I will go to Boston on Monday. Watashi wa getsuybi ni

Bosuton ni ikimasu.
I ate sushi with Mike.

Watashi wa Maiku-san to
sushi o tabemashita.

John is a student of Japanese. Jon-san wa Nihongo no

gakusei desu.

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Lesson 2:13

Conjunctions
and

to

or

ka

not only/but also

dakedewa naku...mo

because

kara

but

ga

although

keredomo

if

moshi...tara

unless

nai kagiri

Example phrases and sentences

using conjunctions
the boy and the girl

otoko no ko to onnano ko

the soup or the salad

spu ka sarada

Not only students but

also professors

Gakusei dakedewa naku

kyju mo

Because its expensive,

I wont buy it.

Takai desu kara, kaimasen.

Its expensive,
but Ill buy it.

Takai desu ga, kaimasu.

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Lesson 2:14

Forming Simple Sentences

The sky is blue.

Sora wa aoi desu.

I am going home.

Watashi wa uchi ni kaerimasu.

The restroom is
on your right.

Otearai wa migi ni arimasu.

The coffee is very hot.

Kh wa totemo atsui desu.

This suitcase is heavy.

Kono stsuksu wa omoi desu.

That boy is my cousin.

Ano otoko no ko wa watashi no

itoko desu.

Sandra is pretty.

Sandora-san wa kirei desu.

Tom didnt come to class.

Tomu-san wa kurasu ni
kimasendeshita.

I like sushi.

Watashi wa sushi ga suki desu.

I want money.

Watashi wa okane ga hoshii

desu.

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Lesson 2:15

Introducing More
Complete Sentences
The library is new, pretty,
and spacious.

Toshokan wa atarashikute,
kireide, hiroi desu.

Lets shop for two hours

and then go to a movie.

Ni-jikan kaimono o shite, eiga

o mimash.

We will be eating dinner

at 7 oclock.

Bangohan wa shichi-ji ni
tabemasu.

This restaurant is the best

restaurant in this town.

Kono resutoran wa kono

machi de ichiban ii
resutoran desu.

I would like to buy this

sweater.

Kono st o kudasai.

I need to clean today.

Ky wa sji o shinakute wa
ikemasen.

May I go home?

Uchi ni kaette mo ii desu ka.

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Lesson 3:1

Introduction and Overview

of CD3: Real-World
Situations

elcome to Japanese For Dummies Audio Set, disc

three. On this disc, you discover authentic Japanese
phrases and expressions commonly used in a variety of
daily-life contexts, like at the office, on the street, at the
bank, and at the restaurant.

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Lesson 3:2

At the Office
chair

isu

computer

pasokon

desk

tsukue

notebook

nto

office

jimusho

pen

pen

pencil

enpitsu

telephone

denwa

People around the office

president

shach

general manager

buch

manager

kach

boss

jshi

colleague

dry

subordinate

buka

secretary

hisho

Office activities
appointment

yakusoku

attachment

tenpu

conference

kaigi

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Lesson 3:2
deadline

shimekiri

e-mail

mru

estimate

mitsumori

meeting

uchiawase

proposal

teian

Web site

uebusaito

to discuss

hanashi-au

to solve

kaiketsu suru

59

Example sentences
Were going to have a
conference call at 2 oclock.

Ni-ji ni denwa kaigi

o shimasu.

May I borrow a pen and

notebook?

Pen to nto o karitemo ii

desu ka.

Give me a piece of paper,

please.

Kami o ichi-mai kudasai.

Where is the conference room?

Kaigishitsu wa doko
desu ka.

Is that person Mr. Yamada?

Ano hito wa Yamada-san

desu ka.

The printer isnt working.

Purint ga kosh shite

imasu.

Please make a copy of this.

Kore o kop shite kudasai.

Send me an e-mail.

Mru o okutte kudasai.

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Lesson 3:3

On the Job
Occupations
bartender

btend

carpenter

daiku

doctor

isha

driver

untenshu

electrician

denkigishi

firefighter

shbshi

flight attendant

furaitoatendanto

gardener

niwashi

journalist

jnarisuto

lawyer

bengoshi

nurse

kangoshi

police officer

keisatsukan

professor

kyju

singer

kashu

tailor

tr

teacher

kyshi

waiter

ueit

waitress

ueitoresu

writer

sakka

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Lesson 3:3

61

Some occupation terms have a plain form and a

polite form. The plain form is used for you or your
familys occupation, while the polite form is used
for other peoples occupation. For example, isha
(doctor) is a plain form, but oishasan (doctor) is a
polite form.

Work-related verbs
to build

tateru

to clean

sji-suru

to deliver

haitatsu-suru

to drive

unten-suru

to plant

ueru

to repair

shri-suru

Example sentences
Police officers can help.

Keisatsukan ga tasukete
kuremasu.

That nurse was very kind.

Ano kangoshi-san wa totemo

shinsetsu deshita.

Will you recommend an

electrician?

Denkigishi o shkai-shite
kuremasen ka.

I do not need a gardener.

Niwashi wa irimasen.

I want to become a doctor

in the future.

Shrai isha ni nari-tai desu.

My father is a teacher.

Watashi no chichi wa kyshi

desu.

Do you know a good lawyer?

Ii bengoshi o shirimasen ka.

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Lesson 3:4

Making Small Talk

What is your profession?

Oshigoto wa nan desu ka.

How old are you?

Nan-sai desu ka.

What do you like to do

for fun?

Shumi wa nan desu ka.

Do you play sports?

Suptsu wa shimasu ka.

I play golf.

Gorufu o shimasu.

Really?

Hont desu ka.

I play soccer.

Sakk o shimasu.

Are you Mr. Brown?

Buraun-san desu ka.

Yes, Im Mr. Brown.

Hai, Buraun desu.

My name is Mark.

Watashi no namae wa Mku

desu.

Im from the United States.

Amerika kara desu.

Where in the United States

are you from?

Amerika no dochira kara

desu ka.

I am from Florida.

Furorida kara kimashita.

Im from Montreal, Canada. Kanada no Montoriru kara

desu.
I am a student.

Watashi wa gakusei desu.

When is your wedding

anniversary?

Kekkon-kinenbi wa itsu desu ka.

It is February 14th.

Ni-gatsu jyokka desu.

How many children do

you have?

Okosan wa nan-nin
irasshaimasu ka.

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Lesson 3:4

63

I have one child.

Watashi wa kodomo ga hito-ri

imasu.

What is your childs

name?

Okosan no o-namae wa nan

desu ka.

How is your mother?

(formal)

Oksama wa o-genki desu ka.

The O in O-genki desu ka is a polite prefix.

The replies to O-genki desu ka (How are you?) arent
usually super-positive, but relatively positive,
slightly negative, or modest, especially in adults
conversations in Japanese.
Yes, thanks to everyones
help.

Hai, okagesama de.

What kind of food do

you like?

Donna tabemono ga suki

desu ka.

This restaurant is
my favorite.

Kono resutoran wa watashi

no okiniiri desu.

I am very sorry.

Dmo sumimasen.

I will see you later.

Dewa, mata.

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Lesson 3:5

Making Appointments
Will you be free tonight?

Konban wa hima desu ka.

Yes, Ill be free.

Hai, hima desu.

Will you be available

tomorrow afternoon?

Ashita no gogo wa aite imasu ka.

I have a class tomorrow

afternoon.

Ashita no gogo wa kurasu ga

arimasu.

Im a bit busy tomorrow.

Ashita wa chotto isogashii desu.

Can we do it on a
different day?

Chigau hi ni dekimasen ka.

I am available this
afternoon.

Ky no gogo wa aiteimasu.

Do you want to go to the

movies on Friday?

Kinybi ni eiga o mini

ikimasen ka.

I am not free on Friday.

Kinybi wa tsug ga warui desu.

How about Sunday?

Nichiybi wa d desu ka.

Can we schedule the

meeting for 10:00
Wednesday morning?

Suiybi no asa j-ji ni uchiawase

o shitemo ii desu ka.

We should all go to the

park tomorrow.

Ashita wa minna de ken ni iku

beki desu.

Lets have dinner

together on
Saturday.

Doybi ni isshoni bangohan

o tabemash.

Please come to pick me

up at 6 oclock.

Roku-ji ni mukaeni kite kudasai.

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Lesson 3:5
Why dont we meet at
the lobby?

Rob de machiawase
shimasen ka.

I would like to make

an appointment to
see you.

Menkai no o-yakusoku o
itadakitai n-desu ga.

65

When expressing your desire, you can end your

sentence with n-desu ga, as in the previous example. The last syllable ga is actually the conjunction
particle but discussed on CD2. Make sure to pronounce it with a prolonged falling intonation.
Ending a sentence with n-desu ga is useful for naturally eliciting a response from the other person.

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Lesson 3:6

Arranging Travel
I would like to reserve a
ticket.

Chiketto o yoyaku shitai

n-desu ga.

How about a 7 oclock

flight?

Shichi-ji no bin wa d desu ka.

I would like to purchase

two tickets to Tokyo.

Tky made no chiketto o

ni-mai onegaishimasu.

We have three suitcases

and two handbags.

Stsuksu ga mit-tsu to
handobaggu ga futa-tsu
arimasu.

I do not have any

excess baggage.

Chka tenimotsu wa arimasen.

Can this be a carry-on?

Kore wa kinai mochikomi

tenimotsu ni dekimasu ka.

Do you have any discounts

for students?

Gakusei waribiki wa
arimasu ka.

How early should I arrive?

Dore gurai mae ni tsukanakute

wa ikemasen ka.

How far is the hotel from

the train station?

Hoteru wa eki kara dore gurai

ti desu ka.

Which hotel is cheaper?

Dono hoteru ga yasui desu ka.

How much does the

ticket cost?

Chiketto wa ikura desu ka.

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Lesson 3:7

Asking for Directions

May I ask you for directions?

Michi o kiite mo ii desu ka.

Where is the hotel?

Hoteru wa doko desu ka.

Where is the ATM?

ATM wa doko desu ka.

(Its) over there.

Asoko desu.

Do you know the restaurant

called Benten?

Benten to iu resutoran o
shirimasen ka.

What street is the movie

theater on?

Eigakan wa dono tri ni

arimasu ka.

Is the school far from here?

Gakk wa koko kara ti

desu ka.

How many minutes by

taxi approximately?

Takush de nan-pun gurai

desu ka.

Can we go there by subway?

Chikatetsu de ikemasu ka.

How do I get to the museum? Hakubutsukan ni wa dyatte

iku n-desu ka.
Could you repeat that,
please?

M ichido onegaishimasu.

Could you speak slower,

please?

Yukkuri onegaishimasu.

The movie theater is on

your right.

Eigakan wa migi ni arimasu.

Where is Sakura Hotel

located?

Sakura Hoteru wa doko

desu ka.

The hotel is next to the

train station.

Hoteru wa eki no tonari desu.

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CD3: Real-World Situations

(It) is north of the

university.

Daigaku no kita desu.

(It) is south of the university. Daigaku no minami desu.

(It) is between the bank
and the post office.

Gink to ybinkyoku no
aida desu.

The museum is about one

kilometer from here.

Koko kara hakubutsukan

made yaku ichi-kiromtoru
desu.

The measurement units used in Japan are different

than those used in the United States. For expressing the distance between two locations, Japanese
commonly uses kiromtoru (kilometer) instead of
mile. One kilometer is 0.621 miles.
Turn right, and it is the
first street on your left.

Migi ni magatte, hidari no

hito-tsu-me no michi desu.

Go straight and you will

find it.

Massugu iku to arimasu.

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Lesson 3:8

Asking for and

Getting Help
Will you help me?

Tasukete kudasasimasen ka.

Help!

Tasukete!

Do you have any aspirin?

Asupirin wa arimasu ka.

I have a headache.

Atama ga itai desu.

I cannot breathe.

Iki ga dekimasen.

She fell down the stairs.

Kanojo wa kaidan kara

ochimashita.

He is feeling sick and has

a high fever.

Kare wa kibun ga warukute,

netsu ga arimasu.

Where is the hospital?

Byin wa doko desu ka.

Which hospital is the

closest?

Dono byin ga ichiban chikai

desu ka.

Please call the ambulance.

Kykysha o yonde kudasai.

We are lost and cant find

the hotel.

Mayotte shimatte, hoteru ga

mitsukarimasen.

I am staying at the
Jackson Hotel.

Jakuson hoteru ni tomatte

imasu.

Ive been robbed.

Hittakuri ni aimashita.

Thief!

Dorob!

Fire!

Kaji!

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CD3: Real-World Situations

Please call the police.

Keisatsu o yonde kudasai.

Where is the consulate?

Ryjikan wa doko desu ka.

What is the embassys

phone number?

Taishikan no denwa bang

wa nan-ban desu ka?

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Lesson 3:9

At the Restaurant
What would you like to
order?

Go-chmon wa.

I would like to have

sukiyaki, please.

Sukiyaki o onegaishimasu.

How about a beverage?

O-nomimono wa.

Beer, please.

Bru o onegaishimasu.

Do you serve orange juice?

Orenji jsu wa arimasu ka.

I would like some water,

please.

O-mizu o kudasai.

What kind of vegetables

do you have?

Donna yasai ryri ga

arimasu ka.

What kind of fish is available? Donna sakana ryri ga

arimasu ka.
What is todays special?

Ky no supesharu wa nan
desu ka.

I will have ice cream for

dessert.

Dezto wa aisukurmu o
onegaishimasu.

Please eat.

Dzo meshiagatte kudasai.

May I have some more?

M sukoshi onegaishimasu.

I would like milk and sugar

for my coffee.

Kh ni wa miruku to sat o
onegaishimasu.

Is it okay?

Ii desu ka.

Yes, its fine.

Hai, ii desu.

I would like to make a

reservation.

Yoyaku o shitai n-desu ga.

Check please.

O-kanj onegaishimasu.

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Lesson 3:10

At the Hotel
What rooms do you have
available?

Donna taipu no heya ga

arimasu ka.

Id like a single room.

Shinguru rmu o
onegaishimasu.

Id like a full bed.

Furu saizu no beddo o

onegaishimasu.

Does it have air conditioning? Eakon wa arimasu ka.

You need to check out by
12 oclock.

Chekku-auto wa jni-ji
made desu.

We want to cancel our

reservation.

Yoyaku o kyanseru shitai

n-desu ga.

Where is the gym located?

Jimu wa doko ni arimasu ka.

What time does the

restaurant close?

Resutoran wa nan-ji ni
shimarimasu ka.

Room service, please.

Rmu sbisu o
onegaishimasu.

Id like to order a sandwich.

Sandoicchi o onegaishimasu.

The concierge will be

down shortly.

Konsheruju ga mamonaku
mairimasu.

We dont have any rooms

available right now.

Tadaima kshitsu wa
gozaimasen.

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Lesson 3:11

At the Bank
What is the exchange rate
today?

Ky no kawase rto wa
ikura desu ka.

Todays exchange rate is

122 yen for 1 dollar.

Ky no kawase rto wa
ichi-doru hyaku-nij-ni-en
desu.

How much can I change?

Ikura kaeraremasu ka.

I would like to exchange

$100.

Hyaku-doru rygae shitai

n-desu ga.

I would like to open a

savings account.

Futs yokin kza o hirakitai

n-desu ga.

Personal checks are rarely used in Japan. So, if

youre going to Japan, youre very likely to open a
regular savings account rather than a checking
account.
How many branches do
you have?

Shiten wa ikutsu arimasu ka.

Do you have any branches

in the U.S.?

Amerika ni wa shiten ga
arimasu ka.

I would like to buy

travelers checks.

Toraberzu chekku o kaitai

n-desu ga.

Id like to cash this

travelers check.

Kono toraberzu chekku o

genkin ni shitai n-desu ga.

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Lesson 3:12

At the Store
Welcome!

Irasshaimase!

What are you looking for?

Nani o o-sagashi desu ka.

I am looking for a black

dress.

Kuroi doresu o sagashite

imasu.

How about this one?

Kore wa ikaga desu ka.

Ikaga is the polite version of the question word d

(how).
I like that one over there.

Are ga ii desu.

May I try it on?

Kite mite mo ii desu ka.

Where is the fitting room?

Shichakushitsu wa doko desu ka.

This one is too small.

Kore wa chsasugimasu.

This one is too big.

Kore wa kisugimasu.

Do you have this in

size large?

Kore no eru-saizu wa
arimasu ka.

Ill take this one.

Kore o kudasai.

This one, please.

Kore o onegai shimasu.

How much is this shirt?

Kono shatsu wa ikura desu ka.

I would like to purchase

this skirt.

Kono sukto o kudasai.

This watch is expensive.

Kono tokei wa takai desu.

May I pay by credit card?

Kurejitto kdo de haratte mo ii

desu ka.

May I return this item?

Kore o henpin shite mo ii

desu ka.

When will the sale start?

Sru wa itsu kara desu ka.

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Mini-Dictionary
Japanese-English Mini-Dictionary
aida (ah-ee-dah): between
aisu kurmu (ah-ee-soo kooreee-moo): ice cream
aka (ah-kah): red
akeru (ah-keh-roo): to open
ame (ah-meh): rain
Amerika (ah-meh-ree-kah):
America
Amerikajin (ah-meh-reekah-jeen): American
person
anata (ah-nah-tah): you
ao (ah-oh): blue
apto (ah-pahh-toh): apartment
are (ah-reh): that one over
there
arigat (ah-ree-gah-tohh):
thanks
aruku (ah-roo-koo): to walk
asa (ah-sah): morning
ashi (ah-shee): foot
ashita (ah-shee-tah): tomorrow
asoko (ah-soh-koh): over
there
atama (ah-tah-mah): head
atarashii (ah-tah-rah-sheee):
new

basu (bah-soo): bus

beddo (behd-doh): bed
bengoshi (behn-goh-shee):
lawyer
benky suru (behn-kyohh
soo-roo): to study
bru (beee-roo): beer
bshi (bohh-shee): hat
burausu (boo-rah-oo-soo):
blouse
butaniku (boo-tah-nee-koo):
pork
byin (byohh-een): hospital
byki (byohh-kee): illness
chairo (chah-ee-roh): brown
chikaku (chee-kah-koo):
near
chikatetsu (chee-kah-tehtsoo): subway
chiketto (chee-keht-toh):
ticket
chippu (cheep-poo): tip
chsai (cheee-sah-ee): small
chizu (chee-zoo): map
chzu (cheee-zoo): cheese
chshoku (chohh-shohkoo): breakfast
chshoku (chooo-shohkoo): lunch

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Mini-Dictionary

daidokoro (dah-ee-doh-kohroh): kitchen

daigaku (dah-ee-gah-koo):
university
dare (dah-reh): who
dareka (dah-reh-kah):
somebody
deguchi (deh-goo-chee): exit
demo (deh-moh): but
densha (dehn-shah): train
denwa (dehn-wah):
telephone
denwa-bang (dehn-wahbahn-gohh): telephone
number
depto (deh-pahh-toh):
department store
dezto (deh-zahh-toh):
dessert
d (dohh): how
doko (doh-koh): where
dore (doh-reh): which one
dry (dohh-ryohh):
co-worker
doybi (doh-yohh-bee):
Saturday
eiga (ehh-gah): movie
eigo (ehh-goh): English
Furansu (foo-rahn-soo):
France
furui (foo-roo-ee): old
gakk (gahk-kohh): school
gekij (geh-kee-johh):
theater
genkin (gehn-keen): cash

getsuybi (geh-tsoo-yohhbee): Monday

gink (geen-kohh): bank
go (goh): five
go-gatsu (goh-gah-tsoo):
May
gohan (goh-hahn): cooked
rice
gorufu (goh-roo-foo): golf
gyniku (gyooo-nee-koo):
beef
gyny (gyooo-nyooo): milk
hachi (hah-chee): eight
hachi-gatsu (hah-chee-gahtsoo): August
hairu (hah-ee-roo): to enter
haisha (hah-ee-shah):
dentist
hakubutsukan (hah-kooboo-tsoo-kahn): museum
hana (1) (hah-nah): flower
hana (2) (hah-nah): nose
hanasu (hah-nah-soo):
to speak
harau (hah-rah-oo): to pay
hataraku (hah-tah-rah-koo):
to work
heya (heh-yah): room
hi (hee): day
hidari (hee-dah-ree): left
higashi (hee-gah-shee): east
hikki (hee-kohh-kee):
airplane
hisho (hee-shoh): secretary
hiza (hee-zah): knee

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Japanese-English Mini-Dictionary
hon (hohn): book
hoshii (hoh-sheee): to want
hoteru (hoh-teh-roo): hotel
hyaku (hyah-koo): hundred
ichi (ee-chee): one
ichi-gatsu (ee-chee-gahtsoo): January
ie (ee-eh): house
ii (eee): good
iku (ee-koo): to go
ikura (ee-koo-rah):
how much
ima (ee-mah): now
imto (ee-mohh-toh):
younger sister
inaka (ee-nah-kah):
countryside
inu (ee-noo): dog
iriguchi (ee-ree-goo-chee):
entrance
iro (ee-roh): color
isha (ee-shah): physician
itoko (ee-toh-koh): cousin
itsu (ee-tsoo): when
itsumo (ee-tsoo-moh):
always
jaketto (jah-keht-toh): jacket
jiko (jee-koh): accident
jnzu (jeeen-zoo): jeans
jitensha (jee-tehn-shah):
bicycle
j (jooo): ten
j-gatsu (jooo-gah-tsoo):
October

77

jgo (jooo-goh): fifteen

jgyin (jooo-gyohh-een):
employee
jhachi (jooo-hah-chee):
eighteen
jichi (jooo-ee-chee): eleven
jichi-gatsu (jooo-ee-cheegah-tsoo): November
jky (jooo-kyooo):
nineteen
jni (jooo-nee): twelve
jni-gatsu (jooo-nee-gahtsoo): December
jroku (jooo-roh-koo):
sixteen
jsan (jooo-sahn): thirteen
jshi (jooo-shee): fourteen
jshichi (jooo-shee-chee):
seventeen
jsho (jooo-shoh): address
jsu (jooo-soo): juice
kaban (kah-bahn): bag
kaeru (kah-eh-roo): to return
kagi (kah-gee): key
kaisha (kah-ee-shah):
company
kaishain (kah-ee-shah-een):
company employee
kaku (kah-koo): to write
kami (1) (kah-mee): hair
kami (2) (kah-mee): paper
kangoshi (kahn-goh-shee):
nurse
kanojo (kah-noh-joh): she

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Mini-Dictionary

kantan (kahn-tahn): easy

kao (kah-oh): face
kare (kah-reh): he
karend (kah-rehn-dahh):
calendar
kasa (kah-sah): umbrella
kau (kah-oo): buy
kaybi (kah-yohh-bee):
Tuesday
keisatsu (kehh-sah-tsoo):
police
kin (kee-nohh): yesterday
kinybi (keen-yohh-bee):
Friday
kirei (kee-rehh): beautiful
kiiro (keee-roh): yellow
kita (kee-tah): north
kitte (keet-teh): stamp
kodomo (koh-doh-moh):
child
ken (kohh-ehn): park
kh (kohh-heee): coffee
kk (kohh-kohh): high
school
koko (koh-koh): here
konban (kohn-bahn):
tonight
kongetsu (kohn-geh-tsoo):
this month
konnichiwa (kohn-nee-cheewah): hello/good
afternoon
konsh (kohn-shooo):
this week
kore (koh-reh): this one

ksaten (kohh-sah-tehn):
intersection
kotoshi (koh-toh-shee):
this year
kubi (koo-bee): neck
kuchi (koo-chee): mouth
kudamono (koo-dah-mohnoh): fruit
ku-gatsu (koo-gah-tsoo):
September
kk (kooo-kohh): airport
kuni (koo-nee): country
kurai (koo-rah-ee): dark
kurejitto kdo (koo-reh-jeettoh kahh-doh): credit card
kuro (koo-roh): black
kuru (koo-roo): to come
kuruma (koo-roo-mah): car
kusuri (koo-soo-ree):
medicine
kutsu (koo-tsoo): shoe
ky (kyohh): today
kykai (kyohh-kah-ee):
church
kyonen (kyoh-nehn):
last year
ky (kyooo): nine
kykysha (kyooo-kyoooshah): ambulance
mae (mah-eh): front
matsu (mah-tsoo): to wait
me (meh): eye
midori (mee-doh-ree): green
migi (mee-gee): right

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Japanese-English Mini-Dictionary
mikan (mee-kahn):
mandarin orange
mimi (mee-mee): ear
minami (mee-nah-mee):
south
mise (mee-seh): store
mizu (mee-zoo): water
mizuumi (mee-zoo-oo-mee):
lake
mokuybi (moh-koo-yohhbee): Thursday
moshimoshi (moh-shee-mohshee): hello (telephone)
mune (moo-neh): chest
mura (moo-rah): village
muzukashii (moo-zoo-kahsheee): difficult
namae (nah-mah-eh): name
nana (nah-nah): seven
nani (nah-nee): what
nanika (nah-nee-kah):
something
neko (neh-koh): cat
neru (neh-roo): to sleep
netsu (neh-tsoo): fever
ni (nee): two
nichiybi (nee-chee-yohhbee): Sunday
ni-gatsu (nee-gah-tsoo):
February
Nihon (nee-hohn): Japan
Nihongo (nee-hohn-goh):
Japanese language
Nihonjin (nee-hohn-jeen):
Japanese person

79

niku (nee-koo): meat

nimotsu (nee-moh-tsoo):
luggage
nishi (nee-shee): west
nomu (noh-moo): to drink
oboeru (oh-boh-eh-roo):
to remember
o-cha (oh-chah): tea
odoru (oh-doh-roo): to
dance
ohay (oh-hah-yohh):
good morning
o-kane (oh-kah-neh): money
oksan (oh-kahh-sahn):
mother
kii (ohh-keee): big
o-kome (oh-koh-meh):
uncooked rice
oku (oh-koo): to put
omoshiroi (oh-moh-sheeroh-ee): interesting
onsan (oh-nehh-sahn):
older sister
onsan (oh-neee-sahn):
older brother
onna (ohn-nah): female
onna no hito (ohn-nah noh
hee-toh): woman
osoi (oh-soh-ee): late
sutoraria (ohh-soo-tohrah-ree-ah): Australia
otoko (oh-toh-koh): male
otoko no hito (oh-toh-koh
noh hee-toh): man
otsan (oh-tohh-sahn):
father

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Mini-Dictionary

otto (oh-tohh-toh):
younger brother
owaru (oh-wah-roo): to end
oyasuminasai (oh-yah-soomee-nah-sah-ee): good
night
pan (pahn): bread
pasupto (pah-soo-pohhtoh): passport
raigetsu (rah-ee-geh-tsoo):
next month
rainen (rah-ee-nehn):
next year
raish (rah-ee-shooo):
next week
resutoran (reh-soo-tohrahn): restaurant
ringo (reen-goh): apple
roku (roh-koo): six
roku-gatsu (roh-koo-gahtsoo): June
ryjikan (ryohh-jee-kahn):
consulate
ryok (ryoh-kohh): trip
ryri (ryohh-ree): cooking
ryshsho (ryohh-shoooshoh): receipt
saifu (sah-ee-foo): wallet
sakana (sah-kah-nah): fish
sakk (sahk-kahh): soccer
san (sahn): three
san-gatsu (sahn-gah-tsoo):
March
sarada (sah-rah-dah): salad
sat (sah-tohh): sugar

saynara (sah-yohh-nahrah): goodbye

sengetsu (sehn-geh-tsoo):
last month
sensei (sehn-sehh): teacher
sensh (sehn-shooo):
last week
st (sehh-tahh): sweater
shach (shah-chohh):
company president
shashin (shah-sheen):
photograph
shatsu (shah-tsoo): shirt
shi (shee): four
shichi (shee-chee): seven
shichi-gatsu (shee-chee-gahtsoo): July
shi-gatsu (shee-gah-tsoo):
April
shinbun (sheen-boon):
newspaper
shiro (shee-roh): white
shitsumon (shee-tsoomohn): question
shizuka (shee-zoo-kah): quiet
shokuji (shoh-koo-jee): meal
shomei (shoh-mehh):
signature
sh (shooo): week
shumi (shoo-mee): hobby
shuppatsu (shoop-pahtsoo): departure
soko (soh-koh): there near
you
sore (soh-reh): that one
near you

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Japanese-English Mini-Dictionary
soto (soh-toh): outside
suiybi (soo-ee-yohh-bee):
Wednesday
sukto (soo-kahh-toh): skirt
suki (soo-kee): to like
spmketto (sooo-pahhmahh-keht-toh):
supermarket
suru (soo-roo): to do
stsu (sooo-tsoo): suit
stsuksu (sooo-tsoo-kehhsoo): suitcase
suwaru (soo-wah-roo): to sit
down
taberu (tah-beh-roo): to eat
taishikan (tah-ee-sheekahn): embassy
taiy (tah-ee-yohh): sun
takai (tah-kah-ee):
expensive
takush (tah-koo-sheee): taxi
te (teh): hand
tegami (teh-gah-mee): letter
terebi (teh-reh-bee): TV
ti (tohh-ee): far
tomodachi (toh-moh-dahchee): friend
tonari (toh-nah-ree):
next door
toriniku (toh-ree-nee-koo):
chicken
toru (toh-roo): to take
totemo (toh-teh-moh): very
tsukau (tsoo-kah-oo): to use
tsuku (tsoo-koo): to arrive

81

tsukuru (tsoo-koo-roo): to
make
ude (oo-deh): arm
uma (oo-mah): horse
umi (oo-mee): ocean
unten suru (oon-tehn sooroo): to drive
uru (oo-roo): to sell
urusai (oo-roo-sah-ee): noisy
ushiro (oo-shee-roh): behind
utau (oo-tah-oo): to sing
wain (wah-een): wine
wanpsu (wahn-peee-soo):
dress
warui (wah-roo-ee): bad
watashi (wah-tah-shee): I
yama (yah-mah): mountain
yasai (yah-sah-ee): vegetable
yasui (yah-soo-ee): cheap
yasumi (yah-soo-mee):
vacation
yomu (yoh-moo): to read
yoyaku (yoh-yah-koo):
reservation
yubi (yoo-bee): finger
ybinkyoku (yooo-beenkyoh-koo): post office
yuki (yoo-kee): snow
yshoku (yooo-shoh-koo):
dinner
zenzen (zehn-zehn): not at
all
zubon (zoo-bohn): pants

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Mini-Dictionary

English-Japanese Mini-Dictionary
accident: jiko (jee-koh)
address: jsho (jooo-shoh)
airplane: hikki (hee-kohhkee)
airport: kk (kooo-kohh)
always: itsumo (ee-tsoomoh)
ambulance: kykysha
(kyooo-kyooo-shah)
America: Amerika (ah-mehree-kah)
American person:
Amerikajin (ah-meh-reekah-jeen)
apartment: apto (ah-pahhtoh)
apple: ringo (reen-goh)
April: shi-gatsu (shee-gahtsoo)
arm: ude (oo-deh)
arrive: tsuku (tsoo-koo)
August: hachi-gatsu (hahchee-gah-tsoo)
Australia: sutoraria (ohhsoo-toh-rah-ree-ah)
bad: warui (wah-roo-ee)
bag: kaban (kah-bahn)
bank: gink (geen-kohh)
beautiful: kirei (kee-rehh)
bed: beddo (behd-doh)
beef: gyniku (gyooo-neekoo)
beer: bru (beee-roo)

behind: ushiro (oo-shee-roh)

between: aida (ah-ee-dah)
bicycle: jitensha (jee-tehnshah)
big: kii (ohh-keee)
black: kuro (koo-roh)
blouse: burausu (boo-rahoo-soo)
blue: ao (ah-oh)
book: hon (hohn)
bread: pan (pahn)
breakfast: chshoku
(chohh-shoh-koo)
brother, younger: otto (ohtohh-toh)
brother, older: onsan (ohneee-sahn)
brown: chairo (chah-ee-roh)
bus: basu (bah-soo)
but: demo (deh-moh)
buy: kau (kah-oo)
calendar: karend (kahrehn-dahh)
car: kuruma (koo-roo-mah)
cash: genkin (gehn-keen)
cat: neko (neh-koh)
cheap: yasui (yah-soo-ee)
cheese: chzu (cheee-zoo)
chest: mune (moo-neh)
chicken: toriniku (toh-reenee-koo)
child: kodomo (koh-dohmoh)

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English-Japanese Mini-Dictionary
church: kykai (kyohh-kahee)
coffee: kh (kohh-heee)
color: iro (ee-roh)
come: kuru (koo-roo)
company: kaisha (kah-eeshah)
company employee: kaishain
(kah-ee-shah-een)
company president: shach
(shah-chohh)
consulate: ryjikan (ryohhjee-kahn)
cooking: ryri (ryohh-ree)
country: kuni (koo-nee)
countryside: inaka (ee-nahkah)
cousin: itoko (ee-toh-koh)
co-worker: dry (dohhryohh)
credit card: kurejitto kdo
(koo-reh-jeet-toh kahhdoh)
dance (v.): odoru (oh-dohroo)
dark: kurai (koo-rah-ee)
day: hi (hee)
December: jni-gatsu (jooonee-gah-tsoo)
dentist: haisha (hah-ee-shah)
department store: depto
(deh-pahh-toh)
departure: shuppatsu
(shoop-pah-tsoo)

83

dessert: dezto (deh-zahhtoh)

dinner: yshoku (yoooshoh-koo)
difficult: muzukashii (moozoo-kah-sheee)
do: suru (soo-roo)
dog: inu (ee-noo)
dress: wanpsu (wahn-peeesoo)
drink (v.): nomu (noh-moo)
drive (v.): unten suru (oontehn soo-roo)
ear: mimi (mee-mee)
east: higashi (hee-gah-shee)
easy: kantan (kahn-tahn)
eat: taberu (tah-beh-roo)
eight: hachi (hah-chee)
eighteen: jhachi (jooo-hahchee)
eleven: jichi (jooo-ee-chee)
embassy: taishikan (tah-eeshee-kahn)
employee: jgyin (jooogyohh-een)
end (v.): owaru (oh-wah-roo)
English: eigo (ehh-goh)
enter: hairu (hah-ee-roo)
entrance: iriguchi (ee-reegoo-chee)
exit: deguchi (deh-goochee)
expensive: takai (tah-kah-ee)
eye: me (meh)

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Mini-Dictionary

face: kao (kah-oh)

far: ti (tohh-ee)
father: otsan (oh-tohhsahn)
February: ni-gatsu (nee-gahtsoo)
female: onna (ohn-nah)
fever: netsu (neh-tsoo)
fifteen: jgo (jooo-goh)
finger: yubi (yoo-bee)
fish: sakana (sah-kah-nah)
five: go (goh)
flower: hana (hah-nah)
foot: ashi (ah-shee)
four: shi (shee)
fourteen: jshi (jooo-shee)
France: Furansu (foo-rahnsoo)
Friday: kinybi (keen-yohhbee)
friend: tomodachi (toh-mohdah-chee)
front: mae (mah-eh)
fruit: kudamono (koo-dahmoh-noh)
go: iku (ee-koo)
golf: gorufu (goh-roo-foo)
good: ii (eee)
good afternoon: konnichiwa
(kohn-nee-chee-wah)
goodbye: saynara (sahyohh-nah-rah)
good morning: ohay (ohhah-yohh)

good night: oyasuminasai

(oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sahee)
green: midori (mee-doh-ree)
hair: kami (kah-mee)
hand: te (teh)
hat: bshi (bohh-shee)
he: kare (kah-reh)
head: atama (ah-tah-mah)
hello: konnichiwa (kohnnee-chee-wah)
hello (telephone): moshimoshi (moh-shee-mohshee)
here: koko (koh-koh)
high school: kk (kohhkohh)
hobby: shumi (shoo-mee)
horse: uma (oo-mah)
hospital: byin (byohh-een)
hotel: hoteru (hoh-teh-roo)
house: ie (ee-eh)
how: d (dohh)
how much: ikura (ee-koorah)
hundred: hyaku (hyah-koo)
I: watashi (wah-tah-shee)
ice cream: aisu kurmu (ahee-soo koo-reee-moo)
illness: byki (byohh-kee)
interesting: omoshiroi (ohmoh-shee-roh-ee)
intersection: ksaten (kohhsah-tehn)

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jacket: jaketto (jah-keht-toh)
January: ichi-gatsu (ee-cheegah-tsoo)
Japan: Nihon (nee-hohn)
Japanese language: Nihongo
(nee-hohn-goh)
Japanese person: Nihonjin
(nee-hohn-jeen)
jeans: jnzu (jeeen-zoo)
juice: jsu (jooo-soo)
July: shichi-gatsu (sheechee-gah-tsoo)
June: roku-gatsu (roh-koogah-tsoo)
key: kagi (kah-gee)
kitchen: daidokoro (dah-eedoh-koh-roh)
knee: hiza (hee-zah)
lake: mizuumi (mee-zoo-oomee)
last month: sengetsu (sehngeh-tsoo)
last week: sensh (sehnshooo)
last year: kyonen (kyohnehn)
late: osoi (oh-soh-ee)
lawyer: bengoshi (behn-gohshee)
left: hidari (hee-dah-ree)
letter: tegami (teh-gah-mee)
like: suki (soo-kee)
luggage: nimotsu (nee-mohtsoo)

85

lunch: chshoku (choooshoh-koo)

make: tsukuru (tsoo-kooroo)
male: otoko (oh-toh-koh)
man: otoko no hito (oh-tohkoh noh hee-toh)
map: chizu (chee-zoo)
March: san-gatsu (sahn-gahtsoo)
May: go-gatsu (goh-gahtsoo)
meal: shokuji (shoh-koo-jee)
meat: niku (nee-koo)
medicine: kusuri (koo-sooree)
milk: gyny (gyooo-nyooo)
Monday: getsuybi (gehtsoo-yohh-bee)
money: o-kane (oh-kah-neh)
morning: asa (ah-sah)
mother: oksan (oh-kahhsahn)
mountain: yama (yah-mah)
mouth: kuchi (koo-chee)
movie: eiga (ehh-gah)
museum: hakubutsukan
(hah-koo-boo-tsoo-kahn)
name: namae (nah-mah-eh)
near: chikaku (chee-kahkoo)
neck: kubi (koo-bee)
new: atarashii (ah-tah-rahsheee)

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newspaper: shinbun (sheenboon)

next door: tonari (toh-nahree)
next month: raigetsu (rahee-geh-tsoo)
next week: raish (rah-eeshooo)
next year: rainen (rah-eenehn)
nine: ky (kyooo)
nineteen: jky (joookyooo)
noisy: urusai (oo-roo-sah-ee)
north: kita (kee-tah)
nose: hana (hah-nah)
not at all: zenzen (zehnzehn)
November: jichi-gatsu
(jooo-ee-chee-gah-tsoo)
now: ima (ee-mah)
nurse: kangoshi (kahn-gohshee)
ocean: umi (oo-mee)
October: j-gatsu (jooo-gahtsoo)
old: furui (foo-roo-ee)
one: ichi (ee-chee)
open: akeru (ah-keh-roo)
orange (mandarin orange):
mikan (mee-kahn)
outside: soto (soh-toh)
over there: asoko (ah-sohkoh)
pants: zubon (zoo-bohn)

paper: kami (kah-mee)

park: ken (kohh-ehn)
passport: pasupto (pahsoo-pohh-toh)
pay: harau (hah-rah-oo)
photograph: shashin (shahsheen)
physician: isha (ee-shah)
police: keisatsu (kehh-sahtsoo)
pork: butaniku (boo-tahnee-koo)
post office: ybinkyoku
(yooo-been-kyoh-koo)
put: oku (oh-koo)
question: shitsumon (sheetsoo-mohn)
quiet: shizuka (shee-zookah)
rain: ame (ah-meh)
read: yomu (yoh-moo)
receipt: ryshsho (ryohhshooo-shoh)
red: aka (ah-kah)
remember: oboeru (oh-boheh-roo)
reservation: yoyaku (yohyah-koo)
restaurant: resutoran (rehsoo-toh-rahn)
return: kaeru (kah-eh-roo)
rice, cooked: gohan (gohhahn)
rice, uncooked: o-kome (ohkoh-meh)

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right: migi (mee-gee)
room: heya (heh-yah)
salad: sarada (sah-rah-dah)
Saturday: doybi (dohyohh-bee)
school: gakk (gahk-kohh)
secretary: hisho (hee-shoh)
sell: uru (oo-roo)
September: ku-gatsu (koogah-tsoo)
seven: shichi (shee-chee)
seventeen: jshichi (joooshee-chee)
she: kanojo (kah-noh-joh)
shirt: shatsu (shah-tsoo)
shoe: kutsu (koo-tsoo)
signature: shomei (shohmehh)
sing: utau (oo-tah-oo)
sister, older: onsan (ohnehh-sahn)
sister, younger: imto (eemohh-toh )
sit down: suwaru (soo-wahroo)
six: roku (roh-koo)
sixteen: jroku (jooo-rohkoo)
skirt: sukto (soo-kahh-toh)
sleep: neru (neh-roo)
small: chsai (cheee-sah-ee)
snow: yuki (yoo-kee)
soccer: sakk (sahk-kahh)

87

somebody: dareka (dah-rehkah)

something: nanika (nah-neekah)
south: minami (mee-nahmee)
speak: hanasu (hah-nah-soo)
stamp: kitte (keet-teh)
store: mise (mee-seh)
study: benky suru (behnkyohh soo-roo)
subway: chikatetsu (cheekah-teh-tsoo)
sugar: sat (sah-tohh)
suit: stsu (sooo-tsoo)
suitcase: stsuksu (soootsoo-kehh-soo)
sun: taiy (tah-ee-yohh)
Sunday: nichiybi (neechee-yohh-bee)
supermarket: spmketto
(sooo-pahh-mahh-kehttoh)
sweater: st (sehh-tahh)
take: toru (toh-roo)
taxi: takush (tah-koo-sheee)
tea: o-cha (oh-chah)
teacher: sensei (sehn-sehh)
telephone: denwa (dehnwah)
telephone number: denwabang (dehn-wah-bahngohh)
ten: j (jooo)

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thanks: arigat (ah-ree-gahtohh)

that one near you: sore
(soh-reh)
that one over there: are (ahreh)
theater: gekij (geh-keejohh)
there near you: soko (sohkoh)
thirteen: jsan (jooo-sahn)
this month: kongetsu (kohngeh-tsoo)
this one: kore (koh-reh)
this week: konsh (kohnshooo)
this year: kotoshi (koh-tohshee)
three: san (sahn)
Thursday: mokuybi (mohkoo-yohh-bee)
ticket: chiketto (chee-kehttoh)
tip: chippu (cheep-poo)
today: ky (kyohh)
tomorrow: ashita (ah-sheetah)
tonight: konban (kohn-bahn)
train: densha (dehn-shah)
trip: ryok (ryoh-kohh)
Tuesday: kaybi (kah-yohhbee)
TV: terebi (teh-reh-bee)
twelve: jni (jooo-nee)
two: ni (nee)

umbrella: kasa (kah-sah)

university: daigaku (dah-eegah-koo)
use: tsukau (tsoo-kah-oo)
vacation: yasumi (yah-soomee)
vegetable: yasai (yah-sah-ee)
very: totemo (toh-teh-moh)
village: mura (moo-rah)
wait: matsu (mah-tsoo)
walk (v.): aruku (ah-roo-koo)
wallet: saifu (sah-ee-foo)
want: hoshii (hoh-sheee)
water: mizu (mee-zoo)
Wednesday: suiybi (soo-eeyohh-bee)
week: sh (shooo)
west: nishi (nee-shee)
what: nani (nah-nee)
when: itsu (ee-tsoo)
where: doko (doh-koh)
which one: dore (doh-reh)
white: shiro (shee-roh)
who: dare (dah-reh)
wine: wain (wah-een)
woman: onna no hito (ohnnah noh hee-toh)
work (v.): hataraku (hahtah-rah-koo)
write: kaku (kah-koo)
yellow: kiiro (keee-roh)
yesterday: kin (kee-nohh)
you: anata (ah-nah-tah)