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Japanese practice · English · Romaji · 日本語 · Explanation

Core study — one word at a time

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  1. Particles
    の — of / ’s / connecting nouns
    no
    の
    Example
    This is my book.
    Kore wa watashi no hon desu.
    Tip: Links two nouns. A の B ≈ “A’s B” or “B of A.”
  2. Particles
    は — topic marker (“as for…”)
    wa
    は
    Example
    I am a student.
    Watashi wa gakusei desu.
    Tip: Written は but pronounced wa as a particle. Marks what the sentence is about.
  3. Particles
    を — direct object marker
    o
    を
    Example
    I eat an apple.
    Ringo o tabemasu.
    Tip: Marks the thing the verb acts on. Pronounced o (not “wo”).
  4. Particles
    に — to / at / in / for
    ni
    に
    Example
    I go to school.
    Gakkō ni ikimasu.
    Tip: Destination, time point, or indirect object (“to someone”).
  5. Particles
    が — subject marker
    ga
    が
    Example
    There is a cat.
    Neko ga imasu.
    Tip: Often marks the subject, especially with existence verbs and new information.
  6. Particles
    と — and / with
    to
    と
    Example
    I go with a friend.
    Tomodachi to ikimasu.
    Tip: Joins nouns (“A and B”) or means “together with.”
  7. Particles
    で — at / by / with (place or means)
    de
    で
    Example
    I go by bus.
    Basu de ikimasu.
    Tip: Where an action happens, or the tool/means used.
  8. Particles
    て — te-form connector (“and then / -ing”)
    te
    て
    Example
    I eat and then sleep.
    Tabete, nemasu.
    Tip: Not a standalone word — the て-form links verbs/actions in sequence.
  9. Particles
    も — also / too
    mo
    も
    Example
    I will go too.
    Watashi mo ikimasu.
    Tip: Replaces は/が when adding “also.”
  10. Particles
    から — from / because
    kara
    から
    Example
    I came from home.
    Uchi kara kimashita.
    Tip: Starting point in space/time, or “because” after a reason.
  11. Particles
    か — question marker
    ka
    か
    Example
    What is this?
    Kore wa nan desu ka?
    Tip: Stick か on the end of a statement to make a yes/no (or open) question. Word order stays the same.
  12. Particles
    です — is / am / are (polite)
    desu
    です
    Example
    This is a book.
    Kore wa hon desu.
    Tip: Polite “to be.” Pattern: Noun は Noun/Adjective です.
  13. Particles
    だ — is / am / are (casual)
    da
    だ
    Example
    This is a book. (casual)
    Kore wa hon da.
    Tip: Casual counterpart of です (mainly after nouns / na-adjectives).
  14. Particles
    ない — not
    nai
    ない
    Example
    I don’t have money.
    Okane ga nai.
    Tip: Negative of ある, and the plain negative ending for many verbs/adjectives.
  15. Core verbs
    する — to do
    suru
    する
    Example
    I study.
    Benkyō o shimasu.
    Tip: Turns many nouns into verbs: 勉強する, 電話する, etc. Polite: します.
  16. Core verbs
    いる — to exist / be (people, animals)
    iru
    いる
    Example
    My friend is here.
    Tomodachi ga imasu.
    Tip: Living things. Polite: います. Pair with が.
  17. Core verbs
    ある — to exist / have (things)
    aru
    ある
    Example
    There is a book.
    Hon ga arimasu.
    Tip: Non-living things / possession. Polite: あります. Negative: ない.
  18. Core verbs
    なる — to become
    naru
    なる
    Example
    I want to become a doctor.
    Isha ni naritai.
    Tip: Often Noun / Adjective に なる = become X.
  19. Core verbs
    言う — to say
    iu
    言いう
    Example
    What do you say?
    Nani o iimasu ka?
    Tip: Polite: 言います. Very common in reported speech too.
  20. Core verbs
    思う — to think
    omou
    思おもう
    Example
    I think so.
    Sō omoimasu.
    Tip: Opinions and feelings. Polite: 思います.
  21. Core verbs
    見る — to see / watch
    miru
    見みる
    Example
    I watch a movie.
    Eiga o mimasu.
    Tip: Polite: 見ます. Object usually takes を.
  22. Core verbs
    行く — to go
    iku
    行いく
    Example
    I’m going now.
    Ima ikimasu.
    Tip: Destination often marked with に or へ. Polite: 行きます.
  23. Core verbs
    来る — to come
    kuru
    来くる
    Example
    I’ll come tomorrow.
    Ashita kimasu.
    Tip: Irregular verb. Dictionary くる → polite きます → past きました.
  24. Core verbs
    使う — to use
    tsukau
    使つかう
    Example
    I use the phone.
    Denwa o tsukaimasu.
    Tip: Polite: 使います. High-frequency everyday verb.
  25. People & things
    私 — I / me
    watashi
    私わたし
    Example
    I am Tanaka.
    Watashi wa Tanaka desu.
    Tip: Polite/neutral “I.” Often dropped when clear from context.
  26. People & things
    人 — person
    hito
    人ひと
    Example
    That person is a teacher.
    Ano hito wa sensei desu.
    Tip: Also appears in compounds (日本人, 三人) with different readings.
  27. People & things
    こと — thing / matter (abstract)
    koto
    こと
    Example
    That’s a good thing.
    Sore wa ii koto desu.
    Tip: Abstract “thing/matter,” not a physical object. Also nominalizes verbs.
  28. People & things
    もの — thing (physical)
    mono
    もの
    Example
    What is that thing?
    Sono mono wa nan desu ka?
    Tip: Tangible objects. Contrast with abstract こと.
  29. People & things
    これ — this (one)
    kore
    これ
    Example
    This is a pen.
    Kore wa pen desu.
    Tip: Stands alone as a pronoun (“this one”). Near the speaker.
  30. People & things
    それ — that (one)
    sore
    それ
    Example
    That is mine.
    Sore wa watashi no desu.
    Tip: Near the listener, or something already mentioned.
  31. People & things
    この — this (before a noun)
    kono
    この
    Example
    This book is interesting.
    Kono hon wa omoshiroi desu.
    Tip: Must come before a noun: この + Noun. (これ stands alone.)
  32. People & things
    その — that (before a noun)
    sono
    その
    Example
    Who is that person?
    Sono hito wa dare desu ka?
    Tip: その + Noun. Pair with それ (standalone).
  33. People & things
    何 — what
    nani / nan
    何なに / 何なん
    Example
    What is this?
    Kore wa nan desu ka?
    Tip: なん before です/だ and some counters; なに in many other spots.
  34. Time & description
    今 — now
    ima
    今いま
    Example
    I’m going now.
    Ima ikimasu.
    Tip: Time words often need no particle when they set the timeframe.
  35. Time & description
    時 — time / when
    toki
    時とき
    Example
    When I was a child…
    Kodomo no toki…
    Tip: Also the kanji in clock times (三時 = さんじ) with reading じ.
  36. Time & description
    日 — day / sun
    hi
    日ひ
    Example
    It’s a nice day, isn’t it?
    Ii hi desu ne.
    Tip: Extremely common kanji; readings change in dates and compounds (日本, 毎日).
  37. Time & description
    年 — year
    toshi / nen
    年とし
    Example
    This year is 2026.
    Kotoshi wa nisen-nijūroku-nen desu.
    Tip: とし for “year/age” sense; ねん after numbers (2026年).
  38. Time & description
    大きい — big
    ōkii
    大おおきい
    Example
    It’s a big house.
    Ōkii ie desu.
    Tip: i-adjective. Comes before a noun or ends with です.
  39. Time & description
    小さい — small
    chiisai
    小ちいさい
    Example
    It’s a small dog.
    Chiisai inu desu.
    Tip: Pair opposite of 大きい. Same i-adjective pattern.
  40. Time & description
    家 — house / home
    ie / uchi
    家いえ
    Example
    I’m going home.
    Uchi ni kaerimasu.
    Tip: いえ = house/building; うち often = one’s home / household.
  41. Time & description
    所 — place
    tokoro
    所ところ
    Example
    It’s a nice place.
    Ii tokoro desu.
    Tip: Generic “place.” Also appears in set phrases (ところだ, etc.).
  42. Package & label
    賞味期限 — best-before date
    shōmi kigen
    賞味期限しょうみきげん
    Example
    Check the best-before date.
    Shōmi kigen o kakunin shite kudasai.
    Tip: Quality date — usually fine a little past if stored well. Different from 消費期限.
  43. Package & label
    消費期限 — use-by date
    shōhi kigen
    消費期限しょうひきげん
    Example
    The use-by date is tomorrow.
    Shōhi kigen wa ashita desu.
    Tip: Safety date — common on fresh food. Don’t stretch this one.
  44. Package & label
    原材料 — ingredients
    genzairyō
    原材料げんざいりょう
    Example
    Look at the ingredients list.
    Genzairyō o mite kudasai.
    Tip: On packs as 原材料名. Often a long comma-separated list.
  45. Package & label
    内容量 — net contents / amount
    naiyōryō
    内容量ないようりょう
    Example
    The net contents are 500 ml.
    Naiyōryō wa gohyaku miri desu.
    Tip: How much is in the pack (g / ml / 個). Near the barcode area on many foods.
  46. Package & label
    保存方法 — storage method
    hozō hōhō
    保存方法ほぞんほうほう
    Example
    Store in the refrigerator.
    Reizōko de hozon shite kudasai.
    Tip: Label heading. Often 直射日光を避け… or 冷蔵 / 冷凍.
  47. Package & label
    冷凍 — freezing / frozen
    reitō
    冷凍れいとう
    Example
    Please freeze it.
    Reitō shite kudasai.
    Tip: On packs and freezer aisle signs. Pair with 解凍 (thaw).
  48. Package & label
    解凍 — thawing / defrost
    kaitō
    解凍かいとう
    Example
    Thaw it in the refrigerator.
    Reizōko de kaitō shite kudasai.
    Tip: Common on frozen food directions. Microwave: レンジで解凍.
  49. Store & checkout
    特売 — special sale
    tokubai
    特売とくばい
    Example
    Eggs are on special.
    Tamago ga tokubai desu.
    Tip: Big in-store sign word. Often with a red price ticket.
  50. Store & checkout
    割引 — discount
    waribiki
    割引わりびき
    Example
    It’s 20% off.
    Ni-wari biki desu.
    Tip: 割 = 10% unit (一割 = 10%). Stickers near evening markdowns.
  51. Store & checkout
    税込 — tax included
    zeikomi
    税込ぜいこみ
    Example
    The price includes tax.
    Kakaku wa zeikomi desu.
    Tip: Opposite vibe: 税抜 (before tax). Shelf tags often show both.
  52. Store & checkout
    レジ袋 — shopping bag (at checkout)
    rejibukuro
    レジ袋ぶくろ
    Example
    Do you need a bag?
    Rejibukuro wa irimasu ka?
    Tip: Checkout question. Bags usually cost a little; いりません = no thanks.
  53. Store & checkout
    産地 — place of origin
    sanchi
    産地さんち
    Example
    Where is this from?
    Sanchi wa doko desu ka?
    Tip: On produce and meat. Often a prefecture name.
  54. Recipe steps
    混ぜる — to mix / stir
    mazeru
    混まぜる
    Example
    Mix well.
    Yoku mazete kudasai.
    Tip: Very common recipe verb. Polite: 混ぜます / 混ぜて.
  55. Recipe steps
    茹でる — to boil (in water)
    yuderu
    茹ゆでる
    Example
    Boil for three minutes.
    San-pun yudete kudasai.
    Tip: Food in hot water. 沸かす is more “bring liquid to a boil.”
  56. Recipe steps
    焼く — to grill / bake / fry
    yaku
    焼やく
    Example
    Bake for ten minutes.
    Jup-pun yaite kudasai.
    Tip: Broad heat-cook verb (grill, bake, pan-fry). Context decides.
  57. Recipe steps
    炒める — to stir-fry / sauté
    itameru
    炒いためる
    Example
    Stir-fry the vegetables.
    Yasai o itamemasu.
    Tip: Pan + a little oil. Different from 焼く (grill/bake/fry more broadly).
  58. Recipe steps
    沸かす — to bring to a boil (liquid)
    wakasu
    沸わかす
    Example
    Boil the water.
    Oyu o wakashite kudasai.
    Tip: For liquid (water, milk). 茹でる = cook food in that boiling water.
  59. Recipe steps
    冷ます — to let cool
    samasu
    冷さます
    Example
    Let it cool a little.
    Sukoshi samashite kudasai.
    Tip: Active “cool it down.” Related: 冷める (cool by itself).
  60. Amounts & glue
    大さじ — tablespoon
    ōsaji
    大おおさじ
    Example
    Two tablespoons of soy sauce.
    Shōyu ōsaji ni-hai.
    Tip: Often written 大さじ2. Pair with 小さじ (teaspoon).
  61. Amounts & glue
    小さじ — teaspoon
    kosaji
    小こさじ
    Example
    One teaspoon of salt.
    Shio kosaji ichi-hai.
    Tip: Smaller spoon measure. Recipes love 大さじ / 小さじ pairs.
  62. Amounts & glue
    ～ずつ — each / … at a time
    …zutsu
    ～ずつ
    Example
    Add a little at a time.
    Sukoshi zutsu irete kudasai.
    Tip: Glue after an amount: 一つずつ, 2分ずつ. “Each / bit by bit.”
  63. Amounts & glue
    予熱 — preheat
    yonetsu
    予熱よねつ
    Example
    Preheat the oven to 180°C.
    Ōbun o hyaku-hachijū-do ni yonetsu shite kudasai.
    Tip: Oven / toaster steps. Often 予熱する as one verb chunk.
  64. Amounts & glue
    火を止める — turn off the heat
    hi o tomeru
    火ひを止とめる
    Example
    Turn off the heat.
    Hi o tomete kudasai.
    Tip: End-of-step phrase. 火 = cooking heat / burner.
  65. Ingredients
    醤油 — soy sauce
    shōyu
    醤油しょうゆ
    Example
    Add a little soy sauce.
    Shōyu o sukoshi iremasu.
    Tip: Also written しょうゆ. On almost every savory Japanese label and recipe.
  66. Ingredients
    味噌 — miso
    miso
    味噌みそ
    Example
    I make miso soup.
    Miso-shiru o tsukurimasu.
    Tip: Fermented soybean paste. Fridge aisle + many ready-meal labels.
  67. Ingredients
    みりん — mirin (sweet cooking wine)
    mirin
    みりん
    Example
    Add mirin too.
    Mirin mo iremasu.
    Tip: Sweet rice wine for cooking. Often next to 醤油 / 酒 in recipes (合わせ調味料).
  68. Ingredients
    だし — dashi (soup stock)
    dashi
    だし
    Example
    Make it with dashi.
    Dashi de tsukurimasu.
    Tip: Also 出汁. Packets say だしの素. The “broth” behind a lot of Japanese taste.
  69. Ingredients
    酢 — vinegar
    su
    酢す
    Example
    Mix in the vinegar.
    Su o mazemasu.
    Tip: Rice vinegar is 米酢 (こめず). Shows up in sushi rice and dressings.
  70. Ingredients
    片栗粉 — potato starch / katakuriko
    katakuriko
    片栗粉かたくりこ
    Example
    Thicken with katakuriko.
    Katakuriko de toromi o tsukemasu.
    Tip: Common thickener on Japanese recipes/packs. Mix with water first (水溶き).
  71. Ingredients
    ごま油 — sesame oil
    goma-abura
    ごま油あぶら
    Example
    Finish with sesame oil.
    Goma-abura o tarashimasu.
    Tip: Often ごま油 or 胡麻油 on bottles. A little at the end for aroma.
  72. Ingredients
    小麦粉 — wheat flour
    komugiko
    小麦粉こむぎこ
    Example
    Coat with flour.
    Komugiko o tsukemasu.
    Tip: On packs and frying recipes. Allergy line often lists 小麦.

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