Lesson 1: Japanese Greetings (あいさつ)
Learn how to greet people after a long time, talk about your duration in Japan, and describe your current activities.
In this lesson, you will learn how to exchange greetings with people you haven't seen in a long time, talk about how long you've been in Japan, and describe what you're currently doing in Japan (work, study, etc.).
Key topics:
- ・Greetings after a long time (おひさしぶりです, ひさしぶり)
- ・Talking about duration in Japan (にほんにきてどのぐらいですか？)
- ・Describing current activities (にほんではなにをしていますか？)
- ・Polite vs plain speech styles
- ・Using ___ています form for current actions
Vocabulary
1
しごとをする
shigoto o suru
仕事をする
to work in
Example
こうじょうで仕事をします.
Koujou de shigoto o shimasu.
I work in a factory.
2
かよう
kayou
通う
to go to (school, etc.)
Example
せんもんがっこうに通います.
Senmon gakkou ni kayoimasu.
I go to a vocational school.
3
つかれる
tsukareru
疲れる
to get tired
Example
まいにち疲れます.
Mainichi tsukaremasu.
I get tired every day.
4
なれる
nareru
慣れる
to get used to
Example
しごとに慣れました.
Shigoto ni naremashita.
I got used to the job.
5
はたらく
hataraku
働く
to work
Example
ホテルで働きます.
Hoteru de hatarakimasu.
I work at a hotel.
6
べんきょうする
benkyou suru
勉強する
to study
Example
日本語を勉強します.
Nihongo o benkyou shimasu.
I study Japanese.
7
つくる
tsukuru
作る
to make / to grow
Example
やさいを作ります.
Yasai o tsukurimasu.
I grow vegetables.
8
べんきょうになる
benkyou ni naru
勉強になる
to learn a lot
Example
このしごとは勉強になります.
Kono shigoto wa benkyou ni narimasu.
This work teaches me a lot.
9
いそがしい
isogashii
忙しい
busy
Example
今日はいそがしいです.
Kyō wa isogashii desu.
I'm busy today.
10
おもしろい
omoshiroi
面白い
interesting
Example
おもしろいほんです.
Omoshiroi hon desu.
It's an interesting book.
11
しんせつ
shinsetsu
親切
kind
Example
せんぱいは親切です.
Senpai wa shinsetsu desu.
My senior is kind.
12
たいへん
taihen
大変
tough
Example
けんせつのしごとは大変です.
Kensetsu no shigoto wa taihen desu.
Construction work is tough.
13
まあまあ
maamaa
-
okay / so-so
Example
せいかつはまあまあです.
Seikatsu wa maamaa desu.
My life is so-so.
14
たのしい
tanoshii
楽しい
fun / enjoyable
Example
パーティーはたのしいです.
Pātī wa tanoshii desu.
The party is enjoyable.
15
がくせい
gakusei
学生
student
Example
わたしは学生です.
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
I am a student.
16
せんもんがっこう
senmon gakkou
専門学校
vocational school
Example
専門学校にいきます.
Senmon gakkou ni ikimasu.
I go to a vocational school.
17
日本語がっこう
nihongo gakkou
日本語学校
Japanese language school
Example
日本語学校でべんきょうします.
Nihongo gakkou de benkyou shimasu.
I study at a Japanese language school.
18
けんせつ
kensetsu
建設
construction
Example
建設のげんばでしごとをします.
Kensetsu no genba de shigoto o shimasu.
I work at a construction site.
19
しりあい
shiriai
知り合い
familiar people
Example
あたらしい知り合いがふえました.
Atarashii shiriai ga fuemashita.
My familiarity increased.
20
ともだち
tomodachi
友だち
friends
Example
友だちにあいます.
Tomodachi ni aimasu.
I meet my friends.
21
プログラミング
puroguramingu
-
programming
Example
プログラミングをならいます.
Puroguramingu o naraimasu.
I learn programming.
22
ホテル
hoteru
-
hotel
Example
このホテルではたらきます.
Kono hoteru de hatarakimasu.
I work at this hotel.
23
こうじょう
koujou
工場
factory
Example
工場にいきます.
Koujou ni ikimasu.
I go to the factory.
24
しゅふ
shufu
主夫 / 主婦()
househusband / housewife
Example
かれは主夫です.
Kare wa shufu desu.
He is a househusband.
25
かいご
kaigo
介護
caregiving
Example
介護のしごとをしています.
Kaigo no shigoto o shiteimasu.
I do caregiving work.
26
せんぱい
senpai
先輩
senior colleagues
Example
先輩にこたえをききます.
Senpai ni kotae o kikimasu.
I ask the senior for the answer.
27
こうはい
kouhai
後輩
junior colleagues
Example
後輩をおしえます.
Kouhai o oshiemasu.
I teach my juniors.
28
せいかつ
seikatsu
生活
life
Example
にほんの生活をたのしみます.
Nihon no seikatsu o tanoshimimasu.
I enjoy life in Japan.
29
やさい
yasai
野菜
vegetable
Example
野菜をかいます.
Yasai o kaimasu.
I buy vegetables.
30
レストラン
resutoran
-
restaurant
Example
このレストランでたべます.
Kono resutoran de tabemasu.
I eat at this restaurant.
31
いっかげつ
ikkagetsu
1か月
one month
Example
1か月まちます.
Ikkagetsu machimasu.
I will wait for one month.
32
にかげつ
nikagetsu
2か月
two months
Example
2か月べんきょうしました.
Nikagetsu benkyou shimashita.
I studied for two months.
33
よんかげつ
yonkagetsu
4か月
four months
Example
4か月まえにはじまりました.
Yonkagetsu mae ni hajimarimashita.
It started four months ago.
34
はっかげつ
hakkagetsu
8か月
eight months
Example
8か月またれますか.
Hakkagetsu mataremasu ka?
Can I wait eight months?
35
じゅっかげつ
jukkagetsu
10か月
ten months
Example
10か月にほんにいます.
Jukkagetsu Nihon ni imasu.
I have been in Japan for ten months.
36
せんしゅう
senshuu
先週
last week
Example
先週やすみました.
Senshuu yasumimashita.
I rested last week.
37
せんげつ
sengetsu
先月
last month
Example
先月からにはたらきます.
Sengetsu kara hatarakimasu.
I work from last month.
38
きょねん
kyonen
去年
last year
Example
去年にほんにきました.
Kyonen Nihon ni kimashita.
I came to Japan last year.
39
はんとし
hantoshi
半年
half a year
Example
半年まちました.
Hantoshi machimashita.
I waited for half a year.
40
じゅうにかげつ
juunikagetsu
12か月
twelve months / one year
Example
12か月まちました.
Juunikagetsu machimashita.
I waited for twelve months.
41
ちょうど
choudo
-
just / exactly
Example
ちょうどいちねんまえにはじめました.
Choudo ichinen mae ni hajimemashita.
I started exactly one year ago.
42
まだ
mada
-
not yet
Example
まだしごとがおわりません.
Mada shigoto ga owarimasen.
Work is not yet finished.
43
なんとか
nantoka
-
somehow / a little bit
Example
日本語をなんとかはなします.
Nihongo o nantoka hanashimasu.
I can speak Japanese a little bit.
44
もう
mou
-
already
Example
もうしごとがおわりました.
Mou shigoto ga owarimashita.
Work is already finished.
Conversation
1
おひさしぶりです.
O-hisashiburi desu.
Long time no see. (polite)
Example Usage
こちらこそ、おひさしぶりです.
Kochira koso, o-hisashiburi desu.
Likewise, long time no see.
2
どんな仕事ですか.
Donna shigoto desu ka.
What kind of work is it?
Example Usage
こうじょうで仕事をします.
Koujou de shigoto o shimasu.
I work in a factory.
3
どのぐらい？
Dono gurai?
How long? (since you came to Japan)
Example Usage
どのぐらい かかりますか.
Dono gurai kakarimasu ka.
How long does it take?
4
なにをしているの？
Nani o shite iru no?
What are you doing? (in Japan)
Example Usage
日本で働いています.
Nihon de hataraite imasu.
I am working in Japan.
5
しごとは？
Shigoto wa?
How's work?
Example Usage
いそがしいです.
Isogashii desu.
It's busy.
6
もうなれた？
Mō nareta?
Already used to it? (life in Japan)
Example Usage
はい、なんとか慣れました.
Hai, nantoka naremashita.
Yes, I've somehow gotten used to it.
Kanji
1
仕事
work, job
仕🎬
serve, work
事🎬
thing, matter
Example
こうじょうでしごとをします.
Koujou de shigoto o shimasu.
I work in a factory.
2
作る
to make, to create
作🎬
make, create
Example
やさいをつくります.
Yasai o tsukurimasu.
I grow vegetables.
3
働く
to work
働🎬
work
Example
ホテルではたらきます.
Hoteru de hatarakimasu.
I work at a hotel.
4
元気
healthy, energetic (na-adjective)
元🎬
origin, source
気🎬
spirit, energy
Example
うんどうはげんきなからだにいいです.
Undou wa genki na karada ni ii desu.
Exercise is good for a healthy body.
5
先週
last week
先🎬
previous, ahead
週🎬
week
Example
せんしゅうやすみました.
Senshuu yasumimashita.
I rested last week.
6
去年
last year
去🎬
past, leave
年🎬
year
Example
きょねんにほんにきました.
Kyonen Nihon ni kimashita.
I came to Japan last year.
7
学生
student
学🎬
study, learning
生🎬
life, student
Example
わたしはがくせいです.
Watashi wa gakusei desu.
I am a student.
8
学校
school
学🎬
study, learning
校🎬
school
Example
がっこうにいきます.
Gakkou ni ikimasu.
I go to school.
9
忙しい
busy
忙🎬
busy
Example
まいにちいそがしいです.
Mainichi isogashii desu.
I am busy every day.
10
生活
life, living
生🎬
life
活🎬
active, living
Example
にほんのせいかつをたのしみます.
Nihon no seikatsu o tanoshimimasu.
I enjoy life in Japan.
Grammar Rules
Rule 1: Choosing polite or plain speech style
Structure: Polite: N/ナA + です, V-ます / Plain: dictionary form, だ
Japanese has two speech styles: ちょうねい体 (polite style) and ふとおり体 (plain style). They are used according to the situation or relationship with the other person. The polite style is formal and uses です and ます at the end. The plain style does not use です or ます at the end.
How to use: Use polite style with people you are not close to, first meetings, or someone in a higher position: N/ナA + です and V-ます. Use plain style with friends, family, or someone in a lower position: dictionary form for verbs, だ for nouns and ナ-adjectives, and plain negative forms. The polite question お元気ですか？ corresponds to plain 元気？.
💡 Pro Tip: Mixing styles in one conversation can sound rude or awkward. です/ます is safe in most public situations; plain style is for close relationships. Do not use plain style with a boss or teacher unless they use it with you first.
Examples
おきゅうしぶりです.お元気ですか？
Ohisashiburi desu. O-genki desu ka?
→ I haven't seen you in a while. How have you been?
明日、映画を見る.一おに行かない？
Ashita, eiga o miru. Issho ni ikanai?
→ I'm going to watch a movie tomorrow. Want to go together?
Rule 2: Saying how long it has been since something
Structure: [Duration] + になります / V-て + [Duration] + になります
This expression indicates the passage of time. It is used with durations such as ～か月 and ～年. A V-て clause can be added in front to indicate the starting point of the duration.
How to use: Use [Duration] + になります, or [Action/V-て] + [Duration] + になります. The question form is どのぐらいになりますか？. The past form is ～になりました. In casual speech, ～になる is used.
💡 Pro Tip: になります is more formal than です in this pattern; 日本に来て１年です is also possible. に marks the starting point in 日本に来て. Do not confuse ～年になります (time passed) with ～年になります (becoming a year).
Examples
日本に来て１年になります.
Nihon ni kite ichi-nen ni narimasu.
→ It has been a year since I came to Japan.
日本語を勉強して半年になります.
Nihongo o benkyō shite hantoshi ni narimasu.
→ It has been half a year since I started studying Japanese.
Rule 3: Saying when you came
Structure: [Point in Time] + （に） + 来ました
This expression indicates the point in time when an event occurred. It is used with past time expressions. The particle に is not attached for expressions such as きょ年, 先月, and 先週.
How to use: Use [Point in Time] + に + 来ました for specific dates and times, such as きょ年の９月に and 先週の日曜日に. Omit に with relative time words like きょ年, 先月, and 先週. The question form is いつ来ましたか？. The negative is 来ませんでした.
💡 Pro Tip: Specific dates and clock times take に; relative words like 今日, 明日, きょ年, 先月, and 先週 usually do not. Do not say 先月に来ました. に can be omitted in casual speech even for specific times.
Examples
きょ年の９月に来ました.
Kyonen no kugatsu ni kimashita.
→ I came in September of last year.
先週、日本に来ました.
Senshū, Nihon ni kimashita.
→ I came to Japan last week.
Rule 4: Talking about ongoing or habitual actions
Structure: V-て + います
The pattern V-て + います is used to talk about what you are doing. It can describe an action in progress or a habitual activity, such as a job or school. In speech, ～ています is often pronounced ～てます without the い.
How to use: Use V-て + います. The question form is 何をしていますか？. The negative is V-ていません. The past is V-ていました. For casual speech, ～てる is common.
💡 Pro Tip: V-ています can mean either 'is doing' or 'does habitually' depending on context. Do not use it for a one-time future action; use V-ます. The shortened ～てます is common in speech but less formal in writing.
| Dictionary Form | Teimasu |
|---|---|
| どうく | どういています |
| さくる | さくっています |
| とおりう | とおりっています |
| する | しています |
| 勉強する | 勉強(べんきょう)しています |
Examples
どういています.すけごの仕事をしています.
Hataraite imasu. Kaigo no shigoto o shite imasu.
→ I work. I work as a caregiver for the elderly.
毎日、日本語を勉強しています.
Mainichi, Nihongo o benkyō shite imasu.
→ I study Japanese every day.
Rule 5: Describing impressions with adjectives
Structure: イA + いです / ナA + です
イA-いです or ナA-です is used to describe impressions about work and life. When describing both positive and negative impressions, でも can be used to express them in two sentences.
How to use: Use イA + いです for イ-adjectives and ナA + です for ナ-adjectives. The question form is どうですか？. The negative is イA + くないです or ナA + じゃないです. To contrast two impressions, use S1.でも、S2.
💡 Pro Tip: Do not add だ before です: say 大へんです, not 大へんだです. イ-adjectives keep い before です: ぼうしいです. でも starts a new sentence; が joins clauses inside one sentence.
Examples
毎日、大へんです.でも、楽しいです.
Mainichi, taihen desu. Demo, tanoshii desu.
→ Every day is tough. But it's fun.
仕事はぼうしいです.でも、おもしろいです.
Shigoto wa isogashii desu. Demo, omoshiroi desu.
→ Work is busy. But it's interesting.
Exercises
Question 1: Which is the correct plain form to use with a close friend?
Question 2: Which is the correct polite form to use with someone you just met?
Question 3: 'It has been a year since I came to Japan.'
にほんにきて１ねん ______.
Question 4: Which is correct for 'It has been ten years since I started this job.'?
Question 5: Which sentence correctly uses に to mark a specific time?
Question 6: 'I came to Japan last year.'
きょねん、にほん ______ きました.
Question 7: 'I work as a caregiver for the elderly.'
かいごの仕事を ______.
Question 8: How do you ask 'What are you doing in Japan?'
Question 9: 'Every day is tough. But it's fun.'
まいにち、たいへんです.でも、______ です.