- Easy News | Easy Japanese

알파벳

수업

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.

#17

Telling people what you’re doing now

日本を旅行しています I've been traveling around Japan.

Mi Ya is on a photo shoot in Nagano. She meets a Japanese couple, and they go to a soba restaurant.

#18

Expressing impressions of what you've experienced

すごく楽しかったです It was really fun.

Mi Ya is in the living room of “Haru-san House,” telling Tam and Haru-san, the robot landlady, about her trip to Nagano.

#19

Saying what you want to buy

手袋が欲しいんですが I'd like a pair of gloves.

Tam is planning to travel to Hokkaido with Mi Ya and Kaito. She's come to buy some gloves to prepare for the trip.

#20

Asking someone not to put something in your food

わさびは入れないでください Please don't put wasabi in.

Tam and Mi Ya are in Hokkaido, in the city of Sapporo. They enter a restaurant to enjoy fresh seafood.

#21

Describing where you are

時計台の中にいます I'm in the clock tower.

Tam and Mi Ya are in Hokkaido. They’re meeting up with Kaito at the Sapporo Clock Tower.

#22

Inviting someone to do something together -- Part 1

写真を撮りましょう Let's take a photo.

Tam, Mi Ya, and Kaito are in front of a huge snow sculpture at the snow festival in Sapporo.

#23

Saying what you like

私はこの猫が好きです I like this cat.

Tam, Ayaka, and Mike have come to a café where customers can play with cats.

#24

Explaining what you can't eat

生卵は食べられません I can't eat raw eggs.

At Haru-san House, Kaito has made a typical Japanese breakfast for everyone.

#25

Saying you're not feeling well

のどが痛いんです My throat hurts.

Tam doesn't seem to feel well. Haru-san's electronic sensor detects a problem.

#26

Expressing multiple impressions -- Part 1

この卵焼き、甘くておいしいです This Japanese omelet is sweet and delicious.

Tam and her housemates have come to a park for cherry blossom viewing.

#27

Asking which one to choose

どれが一番おいしいですか Which one is the most tasty?

Kaito takes Tam to a ramen shop. She suddenly remembers Yuuki, a music student she met in Vietnam.

#28

Asking for permission

写真を撮ってもいいですか May I take photos here?

Mi Ya has come to Kamakura. A piano recital is being held at a temple.

#29

Saying what you've done

ピアノの演奏を聴きに行きました I went to listen to a piano recital.

Mi Ya shows Tam the photos she took at a piano recital in Kamakura. Tam takes a look and is surprised.

#30

Expressing a variety of past and future actions

一緒に歌ったり、踊ったりしました We sang songs and danced together.

Tam has come to a café with Mi Ya. Tam talks about her memories of a music student, Yuuki.

#31

Inviting someone to do something together -- Part 2

一緒に行きませんか Why don't we all go together?

Mike, an American who loves Japanese culture, has come to "Haru-san House" to discuss a travel plan.

#32

Asking how to get to your destination

忍者博物館まで、どう行ったらいいですか How can I get to the Ninja Museum?

Mike and Kaito head to the Ninja Museum in Mie Prefecture. Mike is wearing a ninja outfit.

#33

Asking how long something will take

どのくらい待ちますか How long does it take to get in?

Kaito and Mike have arrived safely at the Ninja Museum. They decide to give ninja stars a try.

#34

Saying what you’ve experienced

読んだことあります I've read it.

Tam and Mike have come to a manga café to enjoy its huge collection of manga and magazines.

#35

Expressing past or future actions in sequence

大涌谷に行って、黒たまごが食べたいです I want to go to Owakudani and then eat a black egg.

Tam and Ayaka are on a train to Hakone, a popular tourist spot near Tokyo.

#36

Asking about the time

お風呂は何時から何時までですか From what time to what time can we use the bath?

Tam and Ayaka arrive at a hot spring inn in Hakone. An attendant leads them to their room.

#37

Saying something is wrong

テレビがつかないんですが・・・ The TV won't turn on…

Tam and Ayaka seem to be having a problem in their room at a hot spring inn in Hakone.

#38

Comparing two things

外のほうがいいです I prefer outside.

Tam and Ayaka are taking a sightseeing cruise on Lake Ashinoko in Hakone.

#39

Describing a mistake you’ve made

財布を落としてしまいました I lost my wallet.

Tam has a problem. As soon as she returns to Haru-san House, she asks the robot landlady for help.

#40

Explaining the reason

初めてだったから、びっくりしました Since it was my first earthquake, I was startled.

Tam, Mi Ya, and Haru-san were relaxing at "Haru-san House" when something unusual happened.

#41

Asking whether something you want to do is possible

チケットを買うことができますか Can we buy tickets?

Mi Ya calls out to Tam. She seems to have found some news.

#42

Expressing your intent or plans

悠輝さんに渡すつもりです I'm going to give them to Yuuki-san.

Tam and Mi Ya have come to a recital by Yuuki, a pianist Tam admires.

#43

Expressing impressions of what you see

元気そうですね You look well.

Tam and Mi Ya go visit Yuuki at his dressing room after his recital.

#44

Telling someone what you've heard

またコンサートがあるそうです I've heard he's giving another recital.

Tam was finally able to meet Yuuki again. She tells Haru-san and Kaito how it went.

#45

Making a request politely

日本語をチェックしてもらえませんか Would you check the Japanese?

Tam seems to want to ask a favor of the robot landlady, Haru-san.

#46

Expressing multiple impressions -- Part 2

小さいけどきれいですね It's small but beautiful.

The residents of "Haru-san House" are on a trip to Kyoto. They're about to check in at an inn that uses a "machiya."

#47

Asking how to do something

どうやってするんですか How do you do it?

The residents of "Haru-san House" are visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto.

#48

Saying what you want to do in the future

卒業したら、日本で働きたいです When I graduate, I want to work in Japan.

The residents of "Haru-san House" have arrived at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto. Tam reveals her dreams.

#49

Information application

お名前を教えていただけますか。Can I have your name please?

Tam wants to wear a kimono and walk the streets of Kyoto.

#50

Reported speech

広島へ行くかどうかはまだ決まっていませんか？Have you decided to go to Hiroshima yet?

Everyone from Haru-san's house returned to Tokyo after their trip to Kyoto and shared interesting experiences.

#51

Describe contrast

予算を計画したのに、出費が予想以上に多かったです。Despite planning, spending still exceeded expectations.

Tam decided to adjust her spending plan after the trip

#52

Talk about intentions or plans

ボランティア活動に参加する予定です。Tam plans to participate in volunteer activities.

Tam participated in a volunteer activity in Japan and was supported by friends.

#53

In case

参加する場合はどうすればいいですか？I want to participate, what do I need to do?

Tam went to a local volunteer activity center and learned about support activities for the elderly

#54

A purpose

ボランティア活動に参加するために、中古の自転車を買おうと考えています。I'm thinking about buying a used bicycle to participate in volunteer activities.

Tam can refer to second-hand stores or online second-hand markets

#55

Follow instructions

信号や標識のとおりに進んでください。Please follow signs and directions.

Tam wants to know what to note when cycling in Japan

#56

Shows level

「フォー」と「バインセオ」とても食べやすいです。Pho and banh xeo are very easy to eat.

Tam wants to serve dishes like pho and banh xeo at the food festival.

#57

Shows level

辛すぎ料理が食べられません。I can't eat too spicy food.

Tam wants to ask Kaito for instructions on how to cook Japanese dishes for the upcoming food festival.

#58

Give your opinion

鍋や包丁は欠かせないはずだ。A pot and knife are an absolute must.

There's a cooking festival coming up, Tam wants to invite Kaito to buy cooking utensils.

#59

Describe an action that just happened

食べ物を出したばかりなのに、みんながたくさん食べに来ました。I just sold food and people came to eat a lot.

Today is the day of the cooking festival, Tam and his friends are supported by many people

#60

Feel

もし焦げ臭いがしたら、電源を切ってください。If you feel a burning smell, turn off the circuit breaker.

Tam was popularized by the neighborhood group on fire prevention and fighting knowledge

#61

Talk about plans

電力を節約できる炬燵を使うと思っています。I plan to buy an energy-saving heating table.

Tam wants to buy a heating table for next winter

#62

List more than two actions

これでお茶会を開くのも楽しみですね。Tam can open a tea party and enjoy it.

At the nursing home, Tam was instructed by her grandmother how to make tea

#63

Doing something is difficult

普通の靴だと歩きづらいから、登山靴や防寒着も持っていった方が良さそうです。If you wear normal shoes, it will be difficult to walk, so it seems like you should bring hiking shoes and warm clothes.

Tam wants to invite Yuuki to go climbing in the neighboring city on the weekend

#64

Express your wishes

お互いの夢がかないますように。Hope each other's wishes will come true.

Tam and Yuuki saw a shooting star and made a wish together.

#65

Describe the level of emotions

スタジオジブリの新作『君たちはどう生きるか』が気になって仕方ないんだ。I can't stop being curious about Studio Ghibli's new movie.