15-Minute Japanese

1J5A-PMIANUNTEESE
L E A R N I N J U S T 12 W E E K S

MITSUKO MAEDA-NYE
SHIZUYO OKADA

CONTENTS

Senior Editors Angeles Gavira, Christine Stroyan How to use this book 4
US Executive Editor Lori Cates Hand 8
US Editor Kayla Dugger WEEK 1 10
Project Art Editor Vanessa Marr INTRODUCTIONS 12
Art Editor Shreya Anand Hello 14
Editor Kingshuk Ghoshal My family 16
Your relatives 18
Jacket Design Development Manager Sophie MTT To be/there is 20
Jacket Designer Suhita Dharamjit Review and repeat 22
Pre-Producer Robert Dunn 24
DTP Designer Anita Yadav WEEK 2 26
Producer Jude Crozier EATING AND DRINKING 28
Associate Publisher Liz Wheeler In the café 30
In the restaurant 32
Publishing Director Jonathan Metcalf Dishes 34
Language content for Dorling Kindersley by Requests 36
Review and repeat 38
g-and-w publishing 40
Produced for Dorling Kindersley by WEEK 3 42
MAKING ARRANGEMENTS 44
Schermuly Design Co. Days and months 46
This American edition, 2019 Time and numbers
First American edition, 2005 Appointments
Published in the United States by DK Publishing On the telephone
345 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014 Review and repeat
Copyright © 2005, 2013, 2019 Dorling Kindersley Limited
DK, a Division of Penguin Random House LLC WEEK 4
19 20 21 22 23 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 TRAVEL
At the station
001–309121–Jan/2019 To go and to take
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under the Taxi, bus, and subway
copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be On the road
reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, Review and repeat
or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without

the prior written permission of
the copyright owner.

Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited.
A catalog record for this book

is available from the Library of Congress.
ISBN 978–1–4654–7939–6
Printed and bound in China

A WORLD OF IDEAS:
SEE ALL THERE IS TO KNOW

www.dk.com

WEEK 5 WEEK 10 98
GETTING AROUND AT HOME 100
Around town 48 Home 102
Asking for directions 50 Inside the home 104
Sightseeing 52 The garden 106
At the airport 54 Animals
Review and repeat 56 Review and repeat

WEEK 6 WEEK 11 108
ACCOMMODATIONS SERVICES 110
Booking a room 58 Post office and bank 112
In the hotel 60 Repairs 114
Inns and spas 62 To come 116
Adjectives 64 Police and crime
Review and repeat 66 Review and repeat

WEEK 7 WEEK 12 118
SHOPPING LEISURE AND SOCIALIZING 120
Department store 68 Leisure time 122
Electronics store 70 Sports and hobbies 124
At the supermarket 72 Socializing 126
Clothes and shoes 74 Review and repeat
Review and repeat 76 Reinforce and progress

WEEK 8 MENU GUIDE 128
WORK AND STUDY
Jobs 78 E N G LI S H – JA PA N E S E 144
The office 80 DICTIONARY 158
At the conference 160
In business 82 HIRAGANA/KATAKANA TABLES
Review and repeat 84
86 Acknowledgments
WEEK 9
HEALTH 88
At the pharmacy 90
The body 92
With the doctor 94
In the hospital 96
Review and repeat

4 HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

How to use this book 122 WEEK 12 SHAKOHTEKI NA
BAMEN DE
The main part of this book is devoted to Warm up (1minute)
12 themed chapters broken down into Socializing
five 15-minute daily lessons, the last of Say “(your) husband” and
which is a revision lesson. So in just “(your) wife.” (pp.12–13) As a business guest, it’s more common to be inv
12 weeks, you will have completed the to a restaurant than to someone’s home. This is
course. A concluding reference section How do you say “lunch” partly practical—people often have long commu
contains a menu guide, an English-to- and “dinner” in Japanese? But if you’re staying for longer, you may be invite
Japanese dictionary, and tables (pp.20–21) for a meal or a party.
of Japanese characters.
Say “Sorry, I’m busy that
Warm up day.” (pp.32–33)
Each day starts with a warm-up that
encourages you to recall vocabulary or Useful phrases (3 minutes)
phrases you have learned previously.
The time in parentheses indicates the Learn these phrases and then
test yourself.
amount of time you are expected
to spend on each exercise. ディナーにいらっしゃい Would you
ませんか？ like to come
Useful phrases dinah ni irasshai for dinner?
Selected phrases relevant masenka
to the topic help you speak
水曜日はいかが What about
and understand. ですか？ Wednesday?
suiyoh bi wa
ikaga desuka

また今度誘ってください。 Perhaps another
mata kondo time.

sasotte kudasai

Cultural/Conversational tip Cultural tip When visiting a Japanese home, remember th
These panels provide additional
customary to remove your outdoor shoes at the door. Take a
insights into life in Japan and for the host or hostess. Flowers, a bottle of wine, or a presen
language usage. your home country will be very appreciated.

In conversation (6 minutes)

火曜日のディナーに すみません。火曜日は忙しい 木曜日はいかが
いらっしゃいませんか？ です。 ですか？
kayoh bi no dinah ni sumimasen. kayoh bi wa mokuyoh bi wa ikag
irasshai masenka? isogashih desu What about Thursd
Sorry. I’m busy on Tuesday.
Would you like to come HEA
96 WEEK 9for dinner on Tuesday? Kotae
Answers
Kotae FUKUSHU TO
Answers (Cover with flap) KURIKAESHI
Review and repeat
Clothing (3 minutes) Cloth

The body The body (4 minutes) Say the Japanese words for the numbered items ❶ ジャケ
of clothing. jyaket
❶ 頭 Name the numbered ❶ head ❶ jacket
atama body parts in Japanese. ❷ arm ❷ ネクタ
nekuta
❷ 腕 chest ❸ tie ❷
ude stomach ❹ ❸ パンツ
❻ skirt pantsu
❸ 胸 leg ❺
mune knee ❻ ❹ 靴
kutsu
❹ お腹
onaka ❺ ストッ
sutokk
❺ 脚
ashi ❻ スカー
sukaht
❻ 膝
hiza pants ❸

❼ 足 ❼ foot ❺ pantyhose
ashi

shoes ❹

How to use the flap On the phone On the phone (4 minutes) At the doctor (4 minutes) At th
The book’s cover flaps allow
you to conceal the Japanese so ❶ 大 和さんお願いします。 You are arranging an appointment. Follow the Say these phrases in Japanese. ❶ 脚が痛
that you can test whether you Yamato-san onegai conversation, replying in Japanese with the ashi ga
have remembered correctly. shimasu help of the numbered English prompts. ❶ I have a pain in my leg.
❷ Is it serious? ❷ 重い病
Review and repeat ❷ ゴ ープレス・ moshi moshi, japanihzu ❸ I have a heart condition. omoi b
A recap of selected elements プリンターの konekushon desu ❹ Will it hurt?
ジャック・ハント ❶ I’d like to speak to ❺ I’m pregnant. ❸ 心臓が
of previous lessons helps to と申します。 Mr. Yamato. shinzo
reinforce your knowledge. Gopress purintah dochira sama desuka
no Jack Hunt to ❷ Jack Hunt of ❹ 痛いで
mohshimasu Gopress Printers. itai de
sumimasenga, ima
❸ メッセージを hanashichu desu ❺ 妊娠し
伝えていただけ ❸ Can I leave a message? ninshi
ますか？ mochiron desu
messehji o tsutaete ❹ The meeting isn’t
itadake masuka on Tuesday.
wakarimashita
❹ ミーティングは ❺ Thank you very much.
火曜日では
ありません。
mihtingu wa kayoh bi
dewa arimasen

❺ ありがとう
ございます。
arigatoh gozaimasu

tsugi no kata dohzo りですか？
Kyoto eno hikohki wa
Next, please. yotei dohri desuka

H O W TAOsk: IUs thSeEfligThtHtoI S B O O K 5
Kyoto on time?

はい。予定通りです。 どの搭乗口ですか？
hai. yotei dohri desu dono tohjyoh guchi
L E I S U R E A N D S O C I A L I Z I N G Yes1,2it3’s on time. desuka

Words to remember (3 Ask: Which gate is it?

minutes)

Familiarize yourself with these words and test Instructions
yourself using the flap. repeEaanactdh(i4nemtxreionrductuiescse)edis numbered
with
vited party パーティー Match and
s pahtih
utes.
ed 招待者 invitation 招待 iMnsattrcuhctthioennsu. Imnbseormede
shohtai sha shohtai citaesmess, tmo othre iJnapfoarnmesaetion is
hat it’s gwivoerndsaibnotuhtetphaenlealn. guage
a gift hostess gift お土産
nt from お客 omiyage
okyaku
ga desuka guest Read it You can now distinguish the three Japanese p❶oi搭nt乗be券ing covered.
day? character sets and recognize some basic recurring tohjyoh ken
boarding ❶ words. Use the tables on pp.158–159 to look back over
ALTH 97 pass the lessons and see how much more you can read. JRuT❷❸anhepdeacチpパadsehaneriスケsekisutpestpポッteaaotnnトoーhsdectトolrhsipohtwewlptohyrekosu,
s (Cover with flap) ap❹nredsスsueg-ーnitvstツeuuktケsiepehーfssuuスflosrigns,
thing ticket ❷ Put into practice (2 minutes) dc❺heacカkriapaーhhctteトoerrins.g Japanese
ケット
tto passport ❸ Join in this conversation.
土曜日にパーティーを開く はい、素敵ですね！
タイ ご招待ありがとう のですが、お暇ですか？ hai, suteki desune
ai ございます。 doyoh bi ni pahtih o hiraku
ツ goshohtai arigatoh gozaimasu no desuga, ohima desuka
u Thank you for inviting us. We are having a party on
Saturday. Are you free?
ッキング
kingu Say: Yes, how nice!
ート
to ああよかった！ 何時に伺い ku-koh
ah yokatta ましょうか？ airport
he doctor
痛いです。 That’s great! nanji ni ukagai mashohka
a itai desu
病気ですか？ Say: At what time Read it Here’s another
byohki desuka should we arrive?
が弱いです。 example of two kanji
oh ga yowai desu characters combining to
ですか？ make a separate meaning:
esuka 空 (ku, sky) +
しています。
in shite imasu Wor港ds(ktooh,rpeomrt)e. mber (4 minutes)

❹ suitcase ❺ cart Familiarize yourself with these
words and test yourself by
はい、素敵ですね！ ご主人もご一緒に。 何時に伺いましょうか？ tchoencreigahliJTtnaewgpxiattthnhseettysJhaeleepssacconrveipesret on
hai, suteki desune goshujin mo goissho ni nanji ni ukagai mashohka flap.
Yes, how nice! Please bring your husband. At what time should
we arrive?
and easy-to-read
pronunciation are
shown, along with
the English translation.

In conversation 部屋から海が見えますか？
Illustrated dialogues heya kara umi ga mie masuka
reflecting how Does the room have
vocabulary and a ocean view?
phrases are used in
everyday situations Say it (2 minutes)
appear throughout
the book. Do you have any single rooms?
For two nights.
Say it Is dinner included?
In these exercises,

you are asked to
apply what you
have learned using
different vocabulary.

Cultural tip Japanese hotel r

slippers as a matter of course. Y

6 HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 144 DICTIONARY

Dictionary DICTIONARY
A mini-dictionary provides English to Japanese
ready reference from English
to Japanese for 2,500 words. The plural is normally the same as the singular in Japanese. In general, Japanese
descriptive words, or adjectives, may change depending on how they are used.
Some of these adjectives are followed by (no) or (na). If a noun is used following
such a word, then the no or na must be put after the adjective: kanojo wa kireh desu
(she is pretty); kanojo wa kireh na jyoseh desu (she is a pretty girl).

128 MENU GUIDE A anniversary kinenbi Australia Ohsutoraria
another (different) betsu (no) Australian (person)
MENU GUIDE about: about 16
jyu-roku kurai (further) moh hitotsu (no) ohsutoraria jin
This guide lists the most common terms you may answering machine (adj) ohsutoraria no
encounter on Japanese menus. Dishes are divided accelerator akuseru automatic jidoh
into categories, and the Japanese script is displayed accident jiko rusuban denwa away: is it far away?
clearly to help you identify items on a menu. accommodations heya antifreeze futohzai tohi desuka go away!
accountant kaikehshi antique store kottoh hin ten atchi e itte
Appetizers and soups ache itami antiseptic bohfuzai/ awful hidoi
across from: across from ax ono
Menu guide hamu ハム ham shohdokuzai axle shajiku
Use this guide as ohdoburu オードブル hors d’oeuvres the hotel hoteru no hantai apartment apahto
otsumami おつまみ Japanese appetizer gawa appetite shokuyoku B
a reference for tsukidashi つきだし Japanese appetizer actor haiyu apple ringo
identifying popular ise-ebi 伊勢えび lobster adapter (electrical) application form baby akachan
meron メロン melon adaputa baby wipes bebih waipu
Japanese dishes minestorohne ミネストローネ minestrone address jyu-sho mohshkomisho back ushiro
on the menu. kuruma-ebi 車えび shrimp adhesive tape serotehpu appointment (go)yoyaku;
smohku sahmon スモークサーモン smoked salmon admission charge (upper back, body) senaka
misoshiru みそ汁 soup made with nyujoh ryoh apo (lower back, body) koshi
fermented bean paste after ato apricot anzu backpack ryukku sakku
tomato supu トマトスープ tomato soup afternoon gogo April shi gatsu bacon behkon
aftershave lotion architecture (field of study) bacon and eggs
Egg dishes afutah-shehbu-rohshon behkon-eggu
again mata kenchiku gaku bad warui
against hantai are: you are very kind bakery pan ya
agenda kaigi jikoh balcony barukonih
air conditioning eakon anata wa totemo shinsetsu ball bohru (dance) butohkai
air freshener ea-furesshnah desu we are British ball-point pen bohru-pen
air hostess ea-hosutesu watashi tachi wa igirisu jin banana banana
air mail ea mehru desu they are Japanese band (musicians) bando
airline kohku-gaisha karera wa nihonjin desu bandage hohtai
airplane hikohki arm ude bandage (for cut)
airport ku-koh arrivals tohchaku bansohkoh
alcohol arukohru art ahto; bijutsu bank ginkoh
all zembu that’s all, thanks art gallery bijutsukan bar bah
arigatoh, sore de zenbu desu artist geijutsuka bar of chocolate
almost hotondo as: as soon as possible itachoko
alone hitori de dekiru dake hayaku barbershop riyoh in
already sudeni ashtray haizara bargain bahgen
always itsmo Asia Ajia baseball yakyu
am: I am British asleep: he’s asleep basement chika
watashi wa igirisu jin desu kare wa nemutte imasu basin (sink) sen-mendai
ambulance kyu-kyu-sha aspirin aspirin basket kago
America Amerika asthmatic: I’m asthmatic bath ofuro/basu to take
American (person) amerika zensoku mochi desu a bath ofuro ni hairu
jin (adj) amerika no at: at the post office bathroom basu (ru-mu);
and (with nouns) to yu-bin kyoku de ofuroba
(with verbs) soshite at night yoru battery batteri; denchi
ankle ashikubi at 3 o’clock san ji ni beach hamabe/kaigan
ATM “ATM”
attic yane ura
attractive miryokuteki (na)
August hachi gatsu
aunt oba(san)

behkon-eggu ベーコンエッグ bacon and eggs
tamago 卵 egg
medama-yaki 目玉焼き fried eggs
hamu-eggu ハムエッグ ham and eggs
tamago-yaki 卵焼き Japanese omelet
omuretsu オムレツ omelet
omuraisu オムライス rolled omelet filled
with rice

Pronunciation guide

Most Japanese sounds will already be familiar to you, and the pronunciation guide
given for all words and phrases in 15-Minute Japanese is designed to be natural to
read. However, a few sounds require additional explanation:

r a Japanese r is pronounced like a cross between an
ih English r and l
eh ee as in sheep
oh long eh, like a longer version of the sound in they
final u long o as in motor
the final u written on the end of words, such as desu
(is/are) and (ga/a) arimasu (there is/are), is only
slightly pronounced and often sounds more like a
double letter (e.g. dess).

The Japanese language is based on syllables rather than individual letters. Each
syllable is pronounced with roughly equal stress.

HOW TO USE THE AUDIO APP 7

How to use the audio app

All the numbered exercises in each your 15-minute lessons using the book
lesson, apart from the Warm ups at the only, and then go back and work with
beginning and the Say it exercises at the audio and the book together,
the end, have recorded audio, available repeating the text in the gaps provided
via a free app. The app also includes a and then recording yourself. Or you can
function to record yourself and listen combine the book and the audio right
to yourself alongside native speakers. from the beginning, pausing the app to
read the instructions on the page as you
To start using the audio with the need to. Try to say the words aloud, and
book, first download the DK 15-Minute practice enunciating properly. Detailed
Language Course app on your smart– instructions on how to use the app are
phone or tablet from the App Store or available from the menu bar in the app.
Google Play. Open the app and scan the
QR code on the back of this book to add Remember that repetition is vital
it to your Library. As soon as the QR code to language learning. The more
is recognized, the audio will download. often you listen to a conversation
or repeat an oral exercise, the more
There are two ways in which you can the language will sink in.
use the audio. The first is to read through

Menu, Help/How
to Use, Your Library

JAPANESE 1 Getting started JAPANESE 2 Lessons week
The list of weeks by week
Each numbered
will open when the Jikan to suhji exercise in a lesson
audio has been Time and numbers

downloaded. From is listed in the app
as it appears in the
here, you can tap into book. Tap on an
each week’s lessons.
exercise to start.

When all the lessons A check mark
in a week have been indicates when
completed, the week an exercise has
button will be filled been completed.
with color and
show a check mark,
so you can track
your progress.

3 Audio for JAPANESE 4 Record yourself JAPANESE
exercises When you are Jikan to suhji
Tap the play in the Your recordings
button to hear Jikan to suhji Time and numbers
Time and numbers screen, you can
1時
instructions, then record yourself oicnhei joi ’clock
the exercise. You １時5分
can pause the audio 1時 reading the words or ifcivhei jpiagsot ofunne
oicnhei joi ’clock participating in the 1時15分
at any point, and １時5分 conversations with qicuhai rjitejyrup-agsot founne
return to it. ficivhei jpiagsot ofunne 1時２０分
1時15分 native speakers, itcwhei njitnyipjyausptpounne
qicuhai rjitejyrup-agsot founne then listen back (and 1時半
1時２０分 rerecord if desired). ihcahlif jpi ahsatnone
ticwhei njitnyipjyausptpounne 1時４5分
You can tap any 1時半 Add recording iqcuhai rjiteyrotnojytuw-ogo fun
part of the exercise hicahlif jpi ahsatnone Play recording
to play the audio 1時４5分
from that point. qicuhai rjiteyrotnojytuw-ogo fun

8 WEEK 1 KONNICHIWA

Warm up (1minute) Hello

The Warm Up panel The Japanese bow is famous: the lower the bow, the
appears at the beginning more respectful. Traditionally, there would not be any
of each topic. Use it to contact in the form of a handshake or kisses. With the
reinforce what you have increasing Western influence, the Japanese now often
already learned and to shake hands, sometimes bowing at the same time,
prepare yourself for especially when meeting foreigners.
moving ahead with the
new subject.

Words to remember (6 minutes) こんにちは。
konnichiwa
Say these expressions aloud. Hide the text on Hello!
the left with the cover flap and try to remember
the Japanese for each. Check your answers.

おはようございます。 Good morning.
ohayo gozaimasu
こんばんは。 Good evening.
konbanwa

私の名前は...です。 My name is …
watashi no namae

wa…desu

どうぞ、よろしく。 Pleased to
dohzo yoroshiku meet you.

さようなら。 Goodbye. (formal)
sayohnara

さよなら。 Goodbye.
sayonara (informal)

ではまたあした。 See you tomorrow.
dewa mata ashita

In conversation: formal (3 minutes)

こんにちは。 こんにちは。私の名前はロバ どうぞ、よろしく。
私の名前は岡田です。 ート・バーカーです。 dohzo yoroshiku
konnichiwa. watashi no konnichiwa. watashi no namae Pleased to meet you.
namae wa Okada desu wa Robahto Barker desu
Hello. My name is Okada.
Hello. My name is Robert
Barker.

INTRODUCTIONS 9

Put into practice (2 minutes)

Join in this conversation. Read the Japanese beside the pictures on the left
and then follow the instructions to make your reply. Then test yourself by
concealing the answers with the cover flap.

こんばんは。 こんばんは。
konbanwa konbanwa

Good evening.
Say: Good evening.

私の名前は前田美樹朗です。 どうぞ、よろ
watashi no namae wa しく前田さん。
Maeda Mikiro desu dohzo yoroshiku

My name is Maeda Mikiro. Maeda-san
Say: Pleased to meet you,

Maeda-san.

Conversational tip The Japanese usually introduce

themselves using either just the family name—Okada—or
the family name followed by the first name—Maeda
Mikiro. But they are used to hearing Western names the
other way: Robert Barker. It’s not common to ask
someone their name directly, so listen carefully to the
introductions. When talking to/about others, you should
add the honorific san, but don’t use san when talking
about yourself. Levels of formality are built into the
Japanese language, and it takes time to acquire a feel for
this. This program will introduce you to polite, but not
overformal, Japanese.

In conversation: informal (3 minutes)

ではまたあした？ はい、ではまたあした。 さよなら。
dewa mata ashita Hai, dewa mata ashita sayonara
See you tomorrow? Yes, see you tomorrow. Goodbye.

10 WEEK 1 WATASHI NO
KAZOKU
Warm up (1minute)
My family
Say “hello” and
“goodbye” in Japanese. Japanese has two sets of vocabulary for family
(pp.8–9) members, depending on whether you are talking
about your own or someone else’s. This lesson
Now say “My name concentrates on talking about your own family.
is ….” (pp.8–9) As chichi means my father, musume my daughter,
etc., there is no need for a separate word
Say “Pleased to meet meaning my.
you, Maeda-san.” (pp.8–9)

Match and repeat (5 minutes)

Look at the numbered family members in this scene and match them with the
vocabulary list at the side. Read the Japanese words aloud. Now, hide the list
with the cover flap and test yourself.

❶ 祖母 ❶ my grandmother ❸ my father
sobo ❷ my grandfather

❷ 祖父
sofu

❸ 父
chichi

❹ 母
haha

❺ 息子
musuko

❻ 娘
musume

❻ my daughter ❹ my mother

❺ my son

Conversational tip Japanese distinguishes between

little and big sister or brother. You will find all the relevant
words in section 4. The word kyohdai (siblings) is used to
refer to your brothers and sisters as a group: kyohdai ga yo
nin imasu (I have four siblings).

INTRODUCTIONS 11

Words to remember: relatives (4 minutes)

The numbers opposite are one 一
“general” numerals used for two ichi
mathematical functions or for three 二
money. The Japanese use a four ni
system of “classifiers” to count five 三
specific things. These vary with san
the nature of what is being six 四
counted—for example, its shape seven shi/yon
(long and thin, round and flat, eight 五
etc.). A beginner can get away go
with using the general numbers, nine 六
but it’s useful to know the ten roku
classifiers used for people eleven 七
to talk about your family: twelve shichi/nana
八
一人 hitori 1 person hachi
二人 futari 2 people 九
三人 san nin 3 people kyu
四人 yo nin 4 people 十
五人 go nin 5 people jyu
六人 roku nin 6 people 十一
七人 shichi nin 7 people jyu-ichi
八人 hachi nin 8 people 十二
九人 kyu nin 9 people jyu-ni
十人 jyu nin 10 people

Words to remember: numbers (5 minutes)

妻 夫 Look at these words and say them aloud. Hide the text
tsuma otto on the right with the cover flap and try to remember
my wife my husband the Japanese. Check your answers and repeat if
necessary. Then practice the phrases below.

my big sister/ 姉/妹
my little sister ane/imohto

my big brother/ 兄/弟
my little brother ani/otohto

my siblings 兄弟
kyohdai

This is my wife. これは私の妻です。
kore wa watashi no
tsuma desu

結婚しています。 I have four children. 子供が四人います。
kekkon shite imasu kodomo ga yo nin imasu
I’m married.

We have two 娘が二人います。
daughters. musume ga futari imasu

12 WEEK 1 SHINSEKI

Warm up (1minute) Your relatives

Say the Japanese for as Japanese has more respectful terms when referring
many members of (your to someone else’s relatives. Your mother is okahsan;
own) family as you can. your is understood. Likewise, it’s not common to use
(pp.10–11) his or her, but to specify a name (+ san)—for example,
kore wa Akkiko-san no otohsan desu (This is her
Say “I have two sons.” [Akiko’s] father).
(pp.10–11)

Words to remember (5 minutes)

There are different words for referring to family members in Japanese.
Here are the more respectful terms for someone else’s family.

お母さん mother
okahsan
お父さん father
otohsan
息子さん son
musuko san

娘さん daughter
musume san

奥さん wife
okusan
ご主人 husband
goshujin
子供さん children
kodomo san
ご兄弟 siblings
go kyohdai

これはお母さんですか？
kore wa okahsan desuka
Is this your mother?

In conversation (4 minutes)

これはご主人ですか？ そうです。そして 子供さんはいますか？
kore wa goshujin desuka これは私の父です。 kodomo san wa imasuka
Is this your husband? sodesu. soshite kore wa Do you have any children?
watashi no chichi desu
That’s right. And this is
my father.

INTRODUC TIONS 13

Conversational tip Forming a question in Japanese is

straightforward. Generally, you add the question marker か ka
to the end of a sentence: a-re wa musuko san desu (That’s your
son); a-re wa musuko san desuka (Is that your son?). In less
formal spoken Japanese, the question marker is sometimes
dropped: a-re wa musuko san.

Useful phrases (3 minutes)

Read these phrases aloud several times and try to
memorize them. Conceal the Japanese with the
cover flap and test yourself.

Do you have any ご兄弟はいらっしゃい
siblings? (formal) ますか？
go kyohdai wa irasshai
masuka

Do you have any 兄弟いる？
siblings? (informal) kyohdai iru

Is this your father? これはお父さんですか？
kore wa otohsan desuka

Is that your son? (formal) あれは息子さんですか？
a-re wa musuko san desuka

This is Akiko’s daughter. これは明子さんの娘
さんです。
kore wa Akiko-san no
musume san desu

Is that your little sister? あれは妹？
(informal) a-re wa imohto

いいえ、でも妹がいます。 Say it (2 minutes)
ihe, demo imohto ga imasu
No, but I have a Is this your wife?
little sister.
Is that your little
brother?

Do you have a son?
(informal)

This is Akiko’s
mother.

14 WEEK 1 DESU/GA ARIMASU

Warm up (1minute) To be/there is

Say “See you tomorrow.” The most common verb in Japanese is desu, meaning
(pp.8–9) is, are, or am. The u is pronounced only slightly,
often making it sound more like dess. Desu is
Say “I’m married” placed at the end of a sentence and does not
(pp.10–11) and change depending on the subject (I, you, he, etc.):
“Is this your wife?” watashi wa Robahto desu (I’m Robert).
(pp.12–13)

Useful phrases with desu (2 minutes)

Notice that you’ll often find the marker は wa or が ga after the subject
of a sentence. The word order is: subject + wa/ga (subject marker)
+ rest of sentence + desu.

私は日本人です。 I’m Japanese.
watashi wa nihonjin desu

今10時です。 It’s ten o’clock.
ima jyuji desu

あなたはお医者 Are you a doctor?
さんですか？

anata wa oisha san desuka
明子さんは学生です。 Akiko is a student.
Akiko-san wa gakusei
desu

Read it It’s not as difficult to decipher Japanese 私はイギリス人です。
watashi wa igirisu jin desu
script as it may at first appear. The most important I’m British.
thing to appreciate initially is that typical Japanese
sentences consist of a mixture of three different
character systems:
1. Kanji: Traditional Chinese characters imported into
Japanese, e.g. 車 kuruma (car), 母 haha (my mother).
Kanji represent an idea, rather than a particular sound.
2. Hiragana: Japanese characters representing
syllables, e.g. で de, れ re. Hiragana is often used
for grammatical words such as です desu (is),
あれ a-re (that).
3. Katakana: A second syllabary mainly used for
foreign loan words, e.g. アメリカ amerika (America),
ケーキ kehki (cake).

INTRODUCTIONS 15

Useful phrases: talking about what you have (5 minutes)

An informal and straightforward way to talk about what you have is to use the
expression (ga/wa) arimasu, literally meaning there is. This changes to (ga/wa)
imasu when talking about people rather than objects.

名刺があります。 I have three children. 子供が三人います。
meishi ga arimasu My son has a car. kodomo ga san
I have a business card. nin imasu
I have a little sister. 息子には車が
Do you have any あります。
children? musuko niwa kuruma
ga arimasu
妹がいます。
imohto ga imasu
子供さんはいますか？
kodomo san wa
imasuka

Negatives (3 minutes)

Negative sentences are made in different ways in Japanese but sometimes use
the negative phrase arimasen. Learn these phrases and then test yourself by
concealing the answers with the cover flap.

We’re not American. アメリカ人ではありません。
amerika jin dewa arimasen

I don’t have a car. 車がありません。
kuruma ga arimasen

Put into practice (4 minutes)

Join in this conversation. Read the Japanese beside the pictures on the left
and then follow the instructions to make your reply. Then test yourself by
concealing the answers with the cover flap.

こんばんは。 こんばんは。私は
konbanwa ロバートです。
konbanwa. watashi wa
Good evening. Robahto desu

Say: Good evening.
I’m Robert.

どうぞよろしく。 名刺があります。
dohzo yoroshiku meishi ga arimasu
Pleased to meet you.

Say: I have a business card.

16 WEEK 1 FUKUSHU TO KURIKAESHI

Kotae Review and repeat
Answers (Cover with flap)
How many? (2 minutes)
How many?
Hide the answers with the cover flap. Then say these
❶ 三 Japanese numbers aloud. Check you have
san remembered the Japanese correctly.

❷ 九 ❷❸
kyu
❶
❸ 四
shi/yon ❺ ❻
❹
❹ 二
ni ❼
❽❾
❺ 八
hachi

❻ 十
jyu

❼ 五
go

❽ 七
shichi/nana

❾ 六
roku

Hello Hello (4 minutes)

❶ こんばんは。 You meet someone in a formal situation.
私の名前は...です。 Join in the conversation, replying in Japanese
konbanwa. watashi no following the English prompts.
namae wa…desu
konbanwa. watashi no namae wa Maeda
❷ どうぞ、よろしく。 Mikiro desu
dohzo yoroshiku ❶ Answer the greeting and give your name.
kore wa watashi no tsuma desu
❸ 息子が二人います。 ❷ Say “Pleased to meet you.”
子供さんはいます kodomo san wa imasuka
か？ ❸ Say “I have two sons. Do you have any children?”
musuko ga futari kodomo ga yo nin imasu
imasu. kodomo san wa ❹ Say “Goodbye” formally.
imasuka

❹ さようなら。
sayohnara

INTRO DUC TI O N S 17

Kotae
Answers (Cover with flap)

Be or have (5 minutes) Be or have

Fill in the blanks with desu (to be) or arimasu/ ❶ です
imasu (there is/are used to mean has/have). desu
Then check you have remembered correctly.
❷ います
❶ watashi wa nihonjin imasu
❷ ani ga
❸ anata wa gakusei ❸ です
desu
san ka
❹ Sarah-san wa igirisu ❹ です
desu
jin
❺ watashi no namae wa ❺ です
desu
Okada
❻ meishi ga ❻ あります
❼ kore wa watashi arimasu

no otto ❼ です
❽ musume ga desu
❽ います
futari imasu

Family (4 minutes) Family

Say the Japanese for each of the numbered family ❶ 祖母
members. Check you have remembered the sobo
Japanese correctly.
❷ 祖父
❶ my grandmother ❸ my father sofu
❷ my grandfather
❸父
chichi

❹母
haha

❺ 息子
musuko

❻娘
musume

my daughter ❻ ❺ my son ❹ my mother

18 WEEK 2 KAFE DE

Warm up (1minute) In the café

Count up to ten. You will find different types of cafés in
(pp.10–11) Japan: there are traditional cafés, the
most common of which is called an-mitsu
Remind yourself how kissa; and Western-style coffee houses,
to say “hello” and simply called kafe or kissaten. These
“goodbye.” (pp.8–9) cafés are very popular, particularly
among younger Japanese.
Ask “Do you have
any children?” (pp.14–15)

Words to remember (5 minutes) 紅茶
kohcha
Look at the words below and say them out aloud a (red) tea
few times. Conceal the Japanese with the cover flap
and try to remember each one in turn. Practice the
words on the right as well.

ココア hot chocolate
kokoah
ミルクティー tea with milk
miruku tih

お茶 (green) tea
ocha
サンドイッチ sandwich
sando icchi

Cultural tip The generic Japanese word for tea is cha.

In a regular café, Japanese green tea would be called ocha,
sencha, or ryokucha. Western-style tea is known as
kohcha (red tea).

In conversation (4 minutes)

コーヒーをお願い 他にご注文は？ ケーキはありますか？
します。 hoka ni gochumon wa kehki wa arimasuka
koh-hi o onegai shimasu Anything else? Do you have any cakes?
A coffee, please.

ケーキ EATING AND DRINKING 19
kehki
cake Useful phrases (5 minutes)
砂糖
satoh Learn these phrases. Read the English under the
sugar pictures and say the phrase in Japanese as shown
コーヒー on the right. Then cover up the answers on the
koh-hi right and test yourself.
coffee
コーヒーをお願い
します。
koh-hi o onegai shimasu

A coffee, please.

他にご注文は？
hoka ni gochumon wa

Anything else?

ケーキもお願いします。
kehki mo onegai shimasu

A cake, too, please.

いくらですか？
ikura desuka

How much is that?

はい、ございます。 じゃケーキをお願い 800円です。
hai, gozaimasu します。いくらですか？ happyaku yen desu
Yes, certainly. jya kehki o onegai shimasu. That’s 800 yen.
ikura desuka
Then I’d like a cake. How
much is that?

20 WEEK 2 RESUTORAN DE

Warm up (1minute) In the restaurant

Say “A coffee, please.” There are different types of eating places in Japan.
(pp.18–19) In a bar or café, you can find snacks or a light meal.
Say “I don’t have a car.” A ryohteh serves traditional Japanese food.
(pp.14–15) Department stores often house relaxed resutoran
Ask “Do you have any on the upper floors, open until about 10 p.m. and
cakes?” (pp.18–19) serving both international and Japanese dishes.

Words to remember (3 minutes) bowl ❼

Familiarize yourself with these words ❺ spoon
and test yourself using the flap.

メニュー menu
menyu

ワインリスト wine list
wain risuto
スターター appetizers

stahtah
メインコース entrées

mein kohsu
デザート desserts
dezahto
朝食 breakfast

chohshoku
昼食 lunch

chu-shoku
夕食 dinner

yu-shoku

❹ fork ❻ chopsticks

In conversation (4 minutes)

四人用のテーブルは空いて 予約なさっていますか？ はい。バーカーで
いますか？ yoyaku nasatte imasuka 予約しています。
yonin yoh no tehburu wa Do you have a hai. Barker de yoyaku
aite imasuka reservation? shite imasu
Do you have a table Yes, in the name
for four? of Barker.

EATING AND DRINKING 21

Match and repeat (5 minutes)

Look at the numbered items in this table setting and match them
with the Japanese words on the right. Read the Japanese words aloud.
Now, conceal the Japanese with the cover flap and test yourself.

❶ glass ❶ グラス
gurasu
napkin ❷
❷ おしぼり
oshibori

❸ 皿
sara

❹ フォーク
fohku

❺ スプーン
supuun

❻ おはし
ohashi

❼ ボール
bohru

Useful phrases (2 minutes)

Practice these phrases and then test yourself using
the cover flap to conceal the Japanese.

What type of sushi どんな種類の寿司
do you have? がありますか？
don-na shurui no sushi
ga arimasuka

plate ❸ Where can I pay? どこで払えますか？
doko de harae
masuka

席はどこがよろしいです 窓際の席をお願いします。 はい。こちらへどうぞ。
か？ madogiwa no seki o onegai hai. kochira e dohzo
seki wa doko ga yoroshii shimasu Very well. Here you are.
desuka Near a window, please.
Where would you like
to sit?

22 WEEK 2 TABEMONO

Warm up (1minute) Dishes

Say “I’m married” A typical meal in Japan would consist of rice and
(pp.10–11) and “I’m miso soup, together with a variety of fish, meat,
British.” (pp.14–15) and vegetable dishes. The meal is served with
pickles and other condiments, such as ginger and
Ask “Do you have any horseradish. Dessert is usually a selection of fruit.
siblings?” (pp.12–13) Sweet desserts are not very common.

Say “A sandwich, please.”
(pp.18–19)

Cultural tip In restaurants and food courts, tehshoku (set menus)

are popular, particularly at lunchtime. These consist of a soup, rice,
pickles, and other dishes of your choice—all presented on a tray.

Match and repeat (4 minutes)

Look at the numbered items and match them to the
Japanese words in the panel on the left.

❶ 果物 ❷ mushrooms fruit ❶
kudamono
rice ❸
❷ きのこ ❺ soup
kinoko

❸ 米
kome

❹ 野菜
yasai

❺ スープ
supu

❻ 麺類
men rui

❼ 魚
sakana

❽ 肉
niku

❾ シーフード
shifudo

fish ❼ ❽ meat

EATING AND DRINKING 23

Words to remember: cooking methods (3 minutes)

Familiarize yourself with この魚は生のですか？
these words. kono sakana wa nama
no desuka
fried 揚げた Is this fish raw?
ageta

grilled 焼いた
yaita

roasted ローストした
rohsuto shita

boiled ゆでた
yudeta

steamed 蒸した
mushita

raw 生の
nama no

Say it (2 minutes) Words to remember: drinks (3 minutes)

What’s Yakitori? Familiarize yourself with these words.
A beer, please. water 水
Is this fish grilled? mizu

vegetables ❹ mineral water ミネラルウォーター
mineraru wohtah

sake お酒
osake

wine ワイン
wain

beer ビール
bihru

fruit juice フルーツジュース
furutsu jyusu

Useful phrases (2 minutes)

noodles ❻ Practice these phrases and then test yourself.

I’m vegetarian. ベジタリアンです。
bejitarian desu

I’m allergic to nuts. ナッツ類でアレルギー反応を起こ
します。
nattsu rui de arerugih hannoh
o okoshimasu

What’s ちり鍋とは何ですか？
Chirinabe? chirinabe towa nan desuka

❾ seafood

24 WEEK 2 SHITE KUDASAI

Warm up (1minute) Requests

What are “breakfast,” The simplest way to ask for something in Japanese
“lunch,” and “dinner” is to say what you want, followed by o—onegai
in Japanese? (pp.20–21) shimasu (please). You can use this in almost any
situation. However, if you really want to impress—
Say “I’m vegetarian” and for example, in a business situation—you could use
“What’s Sukiyaki?” in the polite formula itadake masuka.
Japanese. (pp.22–23)

Basic requests (6 minutes)

Here are some phrases using (o) onegai shimasu for
making basic requests in Japanese. Learn these phrases
and then test yourself by using the cover flap.

紅茶をお願いします。 (I’d like) some tea, please.
kohcha o onegai shimasu

ケーキをお願いします。 (I’d like) a cake, please.
kehki o onegai shimasu

フォークをお願いします。 (I’d like) a fork, please.
fohku o onegai shimasu

３人用のテーブル (I’d like) a table for
をお願いします。 three, please.
san nin yoh no tehburu
o onegai shimasu

メニューをお願いします。 (I’d like) the menu, please.
menyu o onegai shimasu

キャンディをお願いします。 (I’d like) some
kyandih o onegai shimasu candy, please.

満タンでお願いします。 Fill it up, please.
mantan de onegai shimasu (A full tank, please.)

大和さんおねがい
します。
Yamato-san onegai shimasu
(I’d like) Mr. Yamato, please.

Read it Japanese kanji ideograms came from Chinese and are still used

today. Some kanji are simple and resemble the item they describe, like
the character for people: 人 (jin/nin), but many are quite intricate. The
restaurant sign to the left is written in kanji. The three vertical characters
say jyun bi chu (preparation in progress)—a polite way of saying closed!

EATING AND DRINKING 25

Polite requests (4 minutes)

In a business situation, you may want to appear
ultra-polite, especially if you’re talking to someone
senior to yourself. Learn these phrases and then test
yourself by using the cover flap.

Would you please 手伝っていただけ
help me? ますか？
tetsudatte itadake
masuka

Could I have your ここにサインを
signature here, please? いただけますか？
koko ni sain o
itadake masuka

Could I have your 電話番号を教えて
phone number, please? いただけますか？
denwa bangoh o oshiete
itadake masuka

Put into practice (4 minutes)

Join in this conversation. Read the Japanese beside the
pictures on the left and then follow the instructions to
make your reply in Japanese. Test yourself by hiding
the answers with the cover flap.

こんばんは。予約 いいえ、でも３人用の
なさっていますか？ テーブルをお願いします。
konbanwa. yoyaku ihe, demo san nin yoh no

nasatte imasuka tehburu o onegai shimasu
Good evening. Do you

have a reservation?
Say: No, but I’d like a

table for three.

お飲物は何になさい ビールをお願い
ますか？ します。

onomimono wa nani bihru o onegai shimasu
ni nasai masuka

What would you
like to drink?

Say: A beer, please.

26 WEEK 2 FUKUSHU TO KURIKAESHI

Kotae Review and repeat
Answers (Cover with flap)
What food? (4 minutes) ❷ vegetables
What food?
Name the numbered items.
❶ スープ ❶ soup
supu
❸ fish
❷ 野菜
yasai meat ❹

❸ 魚 glass ❺
sakana

❹ 肉
niku

❺ グラス
gurasu

❻米
kome

This is my … This is my … (4 minutes)

❶ これは私の夫 Say these phrases in
です。 Japanese.
kore wa watashi no ❶ This is my husband.
otto desu ❷ This is my daughter.
❸ These are my
❷ これは私の娘
です。 siblings.
kore wa watashi no
musume desu

❸ これは私の兄弟
です。
kore wa watashi no
kyohdai desu

I’d like … I’d like … (3 minutes)

❶ ケーキをお願いします。 Say “I’d like” the following:
kehki o onegai
shimasu ❹ tea cake ❶

❷ 砂糖をお願いします。 sugar ❷
satoh o onegai
shimasu coffee ❸

❸ コーヒーをお願い
します。
koh-hi o onegai
shimasu

❹ 紅茶をお願いします。
kohcha o onegai
shimasu

EATING AND DRINKING 27

Kotae
Answers (Cover with flap)

rice ❻ chopsticks ❼ What food?
napkin ❾
❽ noodles ❼ おはし
ohashi
❿ beer
❽ 麺類
men rui

❾ おしぼり
oshibori

❿ ビール
bihru

Restaurant (4 minutes) Restaurant

You arrive at a restaurant. Join in the ❶ 3人用のテーブルは
conversation, replying in Japanese where 空いていますか？
you see the English prompts. san nin yoh no tehburu
wa aite imasuka
konbanwa
❶ Do you have a table for three? ❷ はい。バーカーで
予約しています。
yoyaku nasatte imasuka hai. Barker de yoyaku
❷ Yes, in the name of Barker. shite imasu

seki wa doko ga yoroshii desuka ❸ 窓際の席をお願いし
❸ Near a window, please. ます。
madogiwa no seki o
kochira no hoh e dohzo onegai shimasu
❹ The menu, please.
❹ メニューをお願い
mochiron gozaimasu します。
❺ Do you have a wine list? menyu o onegai
shimasu

❺ ワインリストは
ありますか？
wain risuto wa
arimasuka

28 WEEK 3 HIZUKE TO
TOSHITSUKI
Warm up (1minute)
Days and months
How do you say “I have
four children”? (pp.10–11) The most important holiday of the year in Japan
is the three-day New Year Holiday (shohgatsu
Now say “We’re not sanganichi). The Japanese usually spend this
British” and “I don’t with family. Christmas is also celebrated, but
have a car.” (pp.14–15) more often spent with friends.

What is Japanese for “my
mother”? (pp.10–11)

Words to remember: days of the week (5 minutes)

Familiarize yourself with these words and 明日お会いしましょう。
test yourself using the flap. ashita oai shimashoh
We meet tomorrow.
月曜日 Monday 今日予約があります。
getsuyoh bi kyoh yoyaku ga arimasu
I have a reservation for today.
火曜日 Tuesday
kayoh bi

水曜日 Wednesday
suiyoh bi

木曜日 Thursday
mokuyoh bi

金曜日 Friday
kin-yoh bi

土曜日 Saturday
doyoh bi

日曜日 Sunday
nichiyoh bi

今日 today
kyoh
明日 tomorrow
ashita
昨日 yesterday
kinoh

Useful phrases: days (2 minutes)

Learn these phrases and then test yourself using the cover flap.
ミーティングは火曜日では The meeting isn’t

ありません。 on Tuesday.
mihtingu wa kayoh bi

dewa arimasen
日曜日に仕事をします。 I work on Sundays.

nichiyoh bi ni shigoto
o shimasu

MAKING ARRANGEMENTS 29

Words to remember: months of the year (5 minutes)

Japanese months are named simply January 一月
1 month, 2 month, etc. February ichi gatsu
私たちの記念日は七月です。 二月
March ni gatsu
watashi tachi no kinenbi April 三月
wa shichi gatsu desu May san gatsu
Our anniversary is in July. June 四月
クリスマスは十二月です。 July shi gatsu
kurisumasu wa jyu-ni 五月
gatsu desu August go gatsu
Christmas is in December. September 六月
roku gatsu
October 七月
November shichi gatsu
December 八月
next month hachi gatsu
last month 九月
ku gatsu
十月
jyu gatsu
十一月
jyu-ichi gatsu
十二月
jyu-ni gatsu
来月
rai getsu
先月
sen getsu

Useful phrases: months (2 minutes)

Learn these phrases and then test yourself using
the cover flap.

My children are on 子供たちは八月は
vacation in August. 休みです。
kodomo tachi wa hachi
gatsu wa yasumi desu

My birthday 私の誕生日は六月
is in June. です。
watashi no tanjyoh bi wa
roku gatsu desu

30 WEEK 3 JIKAN TO SUHJI

Warm up (1minute) Time and numbers

Count in Japanese from When telling the time in Japanese, the hour comes
one to twelve. (pp.10–11) first—for example, ichi ji (one o’clock), ni ji (two o’clock),
Say “Do you have a etc., followed by the minutes: go fun (five minutes),
reservation?” (pp.20–21) jippun (ten minutes). Mae is added for times before
Say “The meeting isn’t on the hour: ni ji nippun mae (ten to two, literally
Wednesday.” (pp.28–29) two o’clock ten minutes before).

Words to remember: time (4 minutes)

Memorize how to tell the time in Japanese.

1時 one o’clock
ichi ji

１時5分 five past one
ichi ji go fun

1時15分 quarter past one
ichi ji jyu-go fun

1時２０分 twenty past one
ichi ji nijyuppun

1時半 half past one
ichi ji han

1時４5分 quarter to two
ichi ji yonjyu-go fun (“one forty-five”)

２時1０分前 ten to two
ni ji jippun mae

Useful phrases (2 minutes)

Learn these phrases and then test yourself using the
cover flap.

今何時ですか？ What time is it?
ima nanji desuka

朝食は何時がいい At what time do you
ですか？ want breakfast?
chohshoku wa nanji
ga iidesuka

１２時に予約を I have a reservation for
入れています。 twelve o’clock.
jyu-ni ji ni yoyaku o
ireteimasu

MAKING ARRANGEMENTS 31

Words to remember: higher numbers (6 minutes)

Japanese numbers are very eleven 十jyu一-ichi
logical. To count above ten,
the individual numbers are twelve 十jyu二-ni
simply added together. So
11 is jyu-ichi (ten-one), 15 thirteen 十jyu三-san
is jyu-go (ten-five), etc. Be
careful, though, to put the fourteen j十yu四-shi/jyu-yon
numbers in the right order:
go-jyu is 50 (five-ten), nana-jyu fifteen 十jyu五-go
is 70 (seven-ten). Units are
added directly after the tens: sixteen 十jyu六-roku
68 is roku-jyu hachi; 25 is
ni-jyu go, and so on. seventeen j十yu七-shichi
Pay special attention to
the number 10,000, which eighteen 十jyu八-hachi
is man or ichi-man. A
million is hyaku-man (one nineteen j十yu九-kyu
hundred-ten thousands).
twenty 二ni-十jyu
五千円です。
go-sen yen desu thirty 三san十-jyu
That’s 5,000 yen.
forty 四yon十-jyu
Say it (2 minutes)
fifty 五go-十jyu
twenty-five
ninety-two sixty 六rok十u-jyu
two hundred
twenty thousand seventy 七na十na-jyu
five to ten
half past eleven eighty h八a十chi-jyu
That’s 700 yen.
ninety 九kyu十-jyu

hundred 百hyaku

three hundred 三san百-byaku

one thousand 千sen

ten thousand 一ich万i-man

two hundred n二i-十jyu万-man
thousand

one million h百ya万ku-man

32 WEEK 3 APO/(GO)YOYAKU

Warm up (1minute) Appointments

Say the days of the week. The Japanese are eager to find out about the status
(pp.28–29) of someone they meet for the first time. This is in
order to judge the level of respect due and appropriate
Say “three o’clock.” formality of the language. The most common way
(pp.30–31) of establishing status is by the virtually obligatory
exchange of business cards (meishi).
What’s the Japanese for
“today,” “tomorrow,” and
“yesterday”? (pp.28–29)

Useful phrases (5 minutes)

Learn these phrases and then test yourself.

明日お会い Shall we meet
しましょうか？ tomorrow?
ashita oai shimashohka

どなたとですか？ With whom? ようこそ。
donata to desuka (formal) yohkoso
いつお暇ですか？ When are Welcome.
itsu ohima desuka you free?

すみません。 Sorry. I’m
その日は忙しいです。 busy that day.
sumimasen. sonohi wa

isogashih desu
木曜日はどうですか？ How about

mokuyoh bi wa doh Thursday?
desuka

大丈夫です。 That’s good
daijyohbu desu for me.

In conversation (4 minutes)

こんにちは。アポを入れて どなたとですか？ 田中さんとです。
いるのですが。 donata to desuka Tanaka-san to desu
konnichiwa. apo o With whom? With Mr. Tanaka.
ireteiru no desuga
Hello. I have
an appointment.

MAKING ARR ANGEMENTS 33

Put into practice (5 minutes)

Practice these phrases. Then cover up the text on the right and say the
answering part of the dialogue in Japanese. Check your answers
and repeat if necessary.

木曜日にお会いしましょうか？ すみません。
mokuyoh bi ni その日は忙しいです。

oai shimashohka sumimasen. sonohi wa
Shall we meet on Thursday? isogashih desu

Say: Sorry. I’m busy
that day.

いつお暇ですか？ 火曜日の午後なら空いて
itsu ohima desuka います。
kayoh bi no gogo nara
When are you free? aite imasu

Say: On Tuesday in
the afternoon.

私も大丈夫です。 何時がよろしいですか？
watashi mo daijyohbu desu nanji ga yoroshih desuka

That’s good for me, too.
Ask: At what time?

Read it It’s useful to recognize some common Japanese signs you might see around a

building. The signs below are a combination of two kanji characters. Madoguchi means
literally window mouth!

uketsuke madoguchi
(reception) (information desk)

そうですか。 ３時ですが。 どうぞ、おかけください。
何時のご予約ですか？ san ji desuga dohzo okake kudasai
sohdesuka. nanji no At three o’clock. Take a seat, please.
goyoyaku desuka
Very good. What time is
the appointment?

34 WEEK 3 DENWA DE

Warm up (1minute) On the telephone

How do you say The Japanese answer the telephone with moshi
“sorry”? (pp.32–33) moshi (hello), rather than konnichiwa. If you will be
Ask “Shall we meet using your own cellphone in Japan, note that you can
tomorrow?” (pp.32–33) use it for data only (using roaming, or a local SIM card).
Say “(I’d like) a cake, In order to make calls to Japanese numbers, you will
please.” (pp.24–25) need to rent a Japanese phone.

❸ telephone

Match and repeat (6 minutes)

Match the numbered items to the Japanese ❶ charger
in the panel below and test yourself.

❶ チャージャー
chahjyah

❷ 留守番電話
rusuban denwa

❸ 電話
denwa

❹ SIMカード
simu cardo

❺ 携帯
kehtai

❻ イヤフォン
iyafon

earbuds ❻ ❺ cellphone

In conversation (4 minutes)

もしもし、ジャパニーズ もしもし、 どちら様ですか？
コネクションです。 岡田さんをお願いします。 dochira sama desuka
moshi moshi, japanihzu moshi moshi, Okada-san Who’s speaking?
konekushon desu o onegai shimasu
Hello. This is Japanese Hello. (I’d like to speak to)
Connection. Ms. Okada, please.

❹ SIM card MAKING ARRANGEMENTS 35

SIMカードをください。 Useful phrases (4 minutes)
simu cardo o kudasai
I want to buy a SIM card, Practice these phrases. Then test yourself using
please. the cover flap.

❷ answering ゴープレス・プリンターの番
machine 号を教えてください。
Gopress purintah no
bangoh o oshiete kudasai

I’d like the number for
Gopress Printers.

岡田さんをお願いします。
Okada-san o onegai
shimasu

(I’d like to speak to) Mr./
Ms. Okada, please.

メッセージを伝えて
いただけますか？
messehji o tsutaete
itadake masuka

Can I leave a message?

すみません、
番号を間違えました。
sumimasen, bangoh o
machigae mashita

Sorry, I have the
wrong number.

ゴープレス・プリンターの前 すみません。ただ今 岡田さんの方から連絡
田美樹朗と申します。 話し中です。 いただけますか？
Gopress purintah no Maeda sumimasen. tadaima Okada-san no hokara
Mikiro to mohshimasu hanashichu desu renraku itadake masuka
Maeda Mikiro of I’m sorry. The line is busy. Can Ms. Okada call me
Gopress Printers. back, please?

36 WEEK 3 FUKUSHU TO KURIKAESHI

Kotae Review and repeat
Answers (Cover with flap)
Sums (4 minutes) Telephones (3 minutes)
Sums
Say the answers to What are the numbered
❶ 十六 these sums out loud in items in Japanese?
jyu-roku Japanese. Then check
you have remembered cellphone ❶
❷ 三十九 correctly.
san-jyu kyu ❸ SIM card
❶ 10 + 6 = ?
❸ 五十三 ❷ 14 + 25 = ?
go-jyu san ❸ 66 – 13 = ?
❹ 40 + 38 = ?
❹ 七十八 ❺ 90 + 9 = ?
nana-jyu hachi ❻ 20 – 3 = ?

❺ 九十九
kyu-jyu kyu

❻ 十七
jyu-shichi

To want To want (3 minutes)

❶ します Fill the blanks in the requests with the correct word.
shimasu
❶ Yamato-san onegai .
❷ お願い
onegai ❷ kyandih o shimasu.

❸ ますか ❸ koko ni sain o itadake .
masuka
❹ tetsudatte masuka.
❹ いただけ
itadake ❺ bihru o shimasu.

❺ お願い ❻ san yoh no tehburu o onegai shimasu.
onegai

❻ 人
nin

MAKING ARR ANGEMENTS 37

Kotae
Answers (Cover with flap)

telephone ❹ Telephones
answering ❷
machine ❶ 携帯
kehtai

❷ 留守番電話
rusuban
denwa

❸ SIMカード
simu cardo

❹ 電話
denwa

❺ イヤフォン
iyafon

❺ earbuds

When? (2 minutes) When?

What do these sentences mean? ❶ See you tomorrow.
❶ dewa mata ashita ❷ I work on Saturday.
❷ doyoh bi ni shigoto o shimasu ❸ My birthday
❸ watashi no tanjyoh bi wa go gatsu desu
❹ kyoh yoyaku ga arimasu is in May.
❹ I have a reservation

for today.

Time (3 minutes) Time

Say these times in Japanese. ❶ 1時
ichi ji
❶❷
❷ 1時５分
❹❺ ichi ji go fun

❸ 1時１５分
ichi ji jyu-go fun

❹ 1時２０分
❸ ichi ji nijyuppun

❺ 1時半
ichi ji han

❻ ２時1０分前
ni ji jippun mae

❻

38 WEEK 4 EKI DE

Warm up (1minute) At the station

Count to 100 in tens. Japan is famous for its clean, fast, and reliable
(pp.10–11 and pp.30–31) train services. The network covers the entire
Ask “What time is it?” country, and there are different types of trains:
(pp.30–31) local futsu and kaisoku commuter trains, kyuko
Say “half past one.” and tokkyu express trains; and the famous
(pp.30–31) shinkansen high-speed intercity “bullet” trains.

Words to remember (3 minutes) 改札口
kaisatsu
Learn these words and then test yourself. サイン 乗客
guchi sain jyohkyaku
駅 station ticket sign passenger
eki barrier

電車 train
densha

プラットホーム platform
purattohohmu

チケット ticket
chiketto

片道 one-way
katamichi

往復 round-trip
ohfuku

一等 / 二等車 first/second
ittoh/nitoh sha class

乗り換え change
norikae (trains)

この駅は混んでいます。
kono eki wa konde imasu
This station is crowded.

In conversation (4 minutes)

京都行きを二枚おねがい 往復ですか？ はい。席の予約が
します。 ohfuku desuka 必要ですか？
Kyoto iki o nimai Is that round-trip? hai. seki no yoyaku ga
onegai shimasu hitsuyo desuka
Two to Kyoto, please. Yes. Do I need to make
seat reservations?

TR AVEL 39

Useful phrases (5 minutes)

Learn these phrases and then test yourself using
the cover flap.

How much is a ticket 長崎行きのチケット
to Nagasaki? はいくらですか？
Nagasaki iki no chiketto
wa ikura desuka

Can I use a credit card? クレジットカード
が使えますか？
kurejitto kahdo ga
tsukae masuka

大阪への電車は遅れて Do I have 乗り換えしなければ
います。 to change? いけませんか？
Osaka eno densha wa norikae shinakereba
okurete imasu ikemasenka
The train for Osaka is late.
Which platform does 電車はどのプラットホーム
the train leave from? から発車しますか？
densha wa dono
purattohohmu kara
hassha shimasuka

What time does the 電車は何時に発車しますか？
train leave? densha wa nanji ni
hassha shimasuka

Say it (2 minutes) Cultural tip You might need to buy your train tickets

This train is crowded. from machines. These machines can be complicated to
How much is a ticket navigate, and you may need someone
to Osaka? to help you. But all the destinations are
written in phonetic katakana characters,
as well as kanji, to help children (and
foreigners) to read the signs.

いいえ。一万円に クレジットカード はい。電車はプラット
なります。 が使えますか？ ホーム１番から発車します。
ihe. ichiman-yen kurejitto kahdo ga hai. densha wa
ni narimasu tsukae masuka purattohohmu ichiban
No. That’s 10,000 yen. Can I use a credit card? kara hassha shimasu
Yes. The train leaves
from platform one.

40 WEEK 4 IKU/NORU

Warm up (1minute) To go and to take

How do you say Iku (to go) and noru (to take) are essential verbs
“train”? (pp.38–39) you will need as you find your way around. Japanese
verbs do not change according to the subject, but
What are “tomorrow” do have different endings for the tense (present/past)
and “yesterday” in or mood (requesting/wanting, etc.). Note also that
Japanese? (pp.28–29) the verb usually comes at the end of a sentence.

Count from 10 to 20.
(pp.30–31)

Iku/noru: to go and to take (6 minutes)

The basic verb (iku/noru) can be used by itself, but often an ending is added. The
present tense of Japanese verbs generally ends in -masu: ikimasu (go, am/are/is
going) and the negative in -masen: ikemasen (don’t go, am not/aren’t/isn’t going).
The “wanting” mood ends in -tai: noritai (want to take).

どこ行くの？ Where are you going?
doko iku no (informal)

どこに行かれるの Where are you going?
ですか？ (formal)

doko ni ikareru
no desuka

今日は自転車に I’m taking my bicycle
乗ります。 today.
kyoh wa jitensha
ni norimasu

バスで仕事に I go to work by bus.
行きます。

basu de shigoto
ni ikimasu

タクシーでは仕事に I don’t go to work by taxi.
行きません。

takushih dewa
shigotoni ikimasen

電車に乗りたい I want to take the train.
です。

densha ni noritai desu

富士山に行きます。
fujisan ni ikimasu
I’m going to Mount Fuji.

Cultural tip Taxis in Japan are often yellow or green. There’s usually a light

at the bottom right of the windshield: green for occupied and red for available.
The taxis are usually scrupulously clean—drivers even wear white gloves. Back

doors are remote-controlled by the driver, so be careful
you don’t get knocked over as you reach for the
handle. Tips are not usual.

TR AV EL 41

Past and future (6 minutes)

The ending -mashita shows a verb is in the past: norimashita (took), ikimashita
(went). There is no special form for the future. Instead, the present tense can be
used with a time indicator, e.g. ashita (tomorrow).

タクシーに乗りました。 I took a taxi.
takushih ni
norimashita

富士山に電車で行きました。 I went to Mount Fuji
fujisan ni densha by train.
de ikimashita

明日地下鉄に乗ります。 I’ll take the subway
ashita chikatetsu tomorrow.
ni norimasu

明日バスで仕事に行きます。 I’ll go to work by
ashita basu de shigoto bus tomorrow.
ni ikimasu

Put into practice (2 minutes)

Cover the text on the right and complete the dialogue
in Japanese.

どこに行かれるのですか？ 駅に行きます。
doko ni ikareru no desuka eki ni ikimasu

Where are you going?
Say: I’m going to the station.

地下鉄に乗りたい いいえ、バスに乗り
ですか？ たいです。

chikatetsu ni noritai desuka ihe, basu ni noritai desu
Do you want to take
the subway?
Say: No, I want to
take the bus.

三十四番のバス どうもありがとう
ですよ。 ございます。

san-jyu yon ban no dohmo arigatoh
basu desuyo gozaimasu

That’ll be bus number 34.
Say: Thank you very much.

42 WEEK 4 TAKUSHIH, BASU,
CHIKATETSU
Warm up (1minute)
Taxi, bus, and
Say “I want to go to the subway
station.” (pp.40–41)
Ask “Where are you On buses, you generally take a ticket from a machine
going?” (pp.40–41) as you get on. At the end of your journey, a chart will
What’s 45 in Japanese? indicate how much you have to pay.
(pp.30–31)

Words to remember (4 minutes)

Familiarize yourself with these words.

バス bus
basu

タクシー taxi
takushih

地下鉄 subway
chikatetsu

バス停 bus station
basu teh

タクシー乗り場 taxi stand
takushih noriba

地下鉄の駅 subway
chikatetsu no eki station

運賃 fare
unchin

線 line/route 88番のバスはここで
sen 停まりますか？
hachijyu-hachi ban no basu
wa kokode tomarimasuka
Does the number 88
stop here?

In conversation: taxi (2 minutes)

秋葉原までお願い わかりました。 ここで降ろしてください。
します。 wakarimashita kokode oroshite kudasai
Akihabara ma-de Very well. Can you drop me
onegai shimasu here, please?
To Akihabara, please.

TR AVEL 43

Useful phrases (4 minutes)

Learn these phrases and then test yourself using
the cover flap.

A taxi to Ginza, please. 銀座までのタクシーを
お願いします。
Ginza ma-de no takushih
o onegai shimasu

What time is the next 空港行きの次のバスは何
bus to the airport? 時ですか？
ku-koh iki no tsugi no basu
wa nanji desuka

How do you get 浅草にはどうやって行けば
to Asakusa? いいですか？
Asakusa niwa dohyatte
ikeba iidesuka

Please wait for me. ちょっと待って
ください。
chotto matte kudasai

Cultural tip Tokyo, Osaka, and Say it (2 minutes)

other major cities have extensive To the station, please.
and efficient metro systems. The
different lines (sen) have names A taxi to the airport,
such as yamanote-sen (a circular please.
line which links the network). Fares
vary depending on distance. How do you get to
Akihabara?
In conversation: bus (2 minutes)

博物館へ行きますか？ はい。あまり遠くないですよ。 どこでおりるか教えて
hakubutsu kan e hai. amari tohku もらえますか？
ikimasuka naidesuyo doko de oriru ka oshiete
Do you go to Yes. It’s not very far. mora-e masuka
the museum? Can you tell me when
to get off?

44 WEEK 4 DOHRO DE

Warm up (1minute) On the road

How do you say “A coffee, Gairaigo is a special term used to refer to the many
please”? (pp.14–15) foreign words imported into Japanese, mainly from
Say “my father,” “my sister,” English. In some areas of life, such as modern
and “my parents.” (pp.12–13) machinery and computers, gairaigo is dominant.
Say “I’m going to Ginza.” Pay attention, though, to the particularly Japanese
(pp.40–41) way of pronouncing the words.

Match and repeat (4 minutes) Cultural tip Japan is one of

Match the numbered items to the list the few countries that drives
below, then test yourself. on the left, unlike the US. Many
highways are toll roads and can
❶ フロントガラス be expensive.
furonto garasu
❶ windshield
❷ ボンネット
bon-netto ❷ hood

❸ バンパー bumper ❸
banpah

❹ タイヤ
taiya

❺ ヘッドライト
heddo raito

❻ ドア
doa

❼ 車輪
shahrin

❽ トランク
toranku

❾ サイドミラー
saido mirah

❹ tire ❺ headlights

Road signs (2 minutes)

一方通行 徐行 最低速度
ippoh tsu-koh jyokoh saiteh sokudo
One way Proceed Minimum
slowly speed limit

TRAVEL 45

Useful phrases (4 minutes)

Learn these phrases and then test yourself using
the cover flap.

The engine won’t start. エンジンがかかり
ません。
enjin ga kakari masen

Fill it up, please. 満タンお願いします。
(A full tank, please.) mantan onegai shimasu

Say it (1minute) Words to remember (3 minutes)

Diesel, please. Familiarize yourself with these words, then
The car won’t start. test yourself using the flap.

❾ side mirror driver’s license 運転免許証
unten menkyosho
❽ trunk
gasoline ガソリン
gasorin

diesel ディーゼル
dihzeru

oil オイル
oiru

engine エンジン
enjin

flat tire パンク
panku

❻ door ❼ wheel Read it Road signs are often in Japanese

characters only. If you’re driving, familiarize
yourself with the Japanese script for your
destination, as well as the more common
signs, such as 止まれ tomare (stop).

止まれ 進入禁止 駐車禁止
tomare shin-nyu kinshi chu-sha kinshi
Stop No entry No parking

46 WEEK 4 FUKUSHU TO KURIKAESHI

Kotae Review and repeat
Answers (Cover with flap)
Transportation (3 minutes)
Transportation
Name the transportation type in Japanese.
❶ バス ❶ bus
basu

❷ タクシー
takushih

❸ 車
kuruma

❹ 自転車
jitensha

❺ 地下鉄
chikatetsu

taxi ❷

Go and take Go and take (4 minutes)

❶ 行きます Use the correct form of the verb in parentheses to
ikimasu fill the blanks.

❷ 乗りたい ❶ fujisan ni . (iku)
noritai
❷ densha ni desu. (noru)
❸ 行く
iku ❸ doko no. (iku)

❹ 行かれる ❹ doko ni no desuka. (iku)
ikareru
❺ ashita chikatetsu ni . (noru)
❺ 乗ります
norimasu ❻ kinoh takushih ni . (noru)

❻ 乗りました
norimashita

❸ car Questions TR AVEL 47
❹ bicycle
(4 minutes) Kotae
subway ❺ Answers (Cover with flap)
How do you ask these
questions in Japanese? Questions

❶ “Do you have ❶ ケーキはあります
any cakes?” か？
kehki wa arimasuka
❷ “Do you have
any children?” ❷ 子供さんはいます
か？
❸ “What time is it?” kodomo san wa
❹ “Do you go to imasuka

the station?” ❸ 今何時ですか？
❺ “Where are you ima nanji desuka

going?” (informal) ❹ 駅へ行きますか？
❻ “Can I use a eki e ikimasuka

credit card?” ❺ どこ行くの？
doko iku no

❻ クレジットカード
が使えますか？
kurejitto kahdo ga
tsukae masuka

Tickets (4 minutes) Tickets

You’re buying tickets at a train station. Join in the ❶ 大阪行きを二枚お願
conversation, replying in Japanese following いします。
the numbered English prompts. Osaka iki o nimai
onegai shimasu
konnichiwa
❶ Two to Osaka, please. ❷ いいえ。片道をお願
いします。
ohfuku desuka ihe. katamichi o
❷ No. One-way, please. onegai shimasu

ichiman-yen ni narimasu ❸ 電車は何時に発車
❸ What time does the train leave? しますか？
densha wa nanji ni
ni ji jippun mae desu hassha shimasuka
❹ Which platform does the train leave from?
❹ 電車はどのプラット
purattohohmu wa ホームから発車しま
ichiban desu すか？
❺ Thank you densha wa dono
very much. purattohohmu kara
hassha shimasuka

❺ どうもありがとう
ございます。
dohmo arigato
gozaimasu

48 WEEK 5 MACHI DE

Warm up (1minute) Around town

Ask “Do you go to the To talk about features or facilities, you can use the
museum?” (pp.42–43) phrases ga/wa arimasu (there is/are) and ga/wa arimasen
What are “station” and (there isn’t/aren’t). Notice the word order is the opposite
“ticket” in Japanese? to English: hashi no chikaku ni suimingu pu-ru ga arimasu
(pp.38–39) = bridge/near to/swimming pool/there is (There’s a
swimming pool near the bridge).

Match and repeat (4 minutes)

Match the numbered locations to ❸ department
the words in the panel. store

❶ 横断歩道 ❶ crosswalk
ohdan hodoh

❷ 橋
hashi

❸ デパート
depahto

❹ 駐車場
chusha jyo

❺ 噴水
funsui

❻ 広場
hiroba

❼ 博物館
hakubutsu kan

❽ 映画館
eiga kan

❷ bridge

Words to remember (4 minutes)

Familiarize yourself with these words
and test yourself using the cover flap.

ガソリンスタンド gas station
gasorin sutando

観光案内所 tourist
kankoh an-naijyo information
center

スイミングプール swimming pool ❻ square
suimingu pu-ru

ネットカフェ internet café
netto kafeh

❽ movie theater