Lesson 10: Japanese Classes (日本語教室)

I'd like to join a Japanese class, but __

This lesson focuses on finding and joining community classes in Japan. You'll learn how to read class flyers, ask questions about classes, discuss Japanese language courses with friends, and answer questions about your language learning background when applying for classes.

Key topics:

・Reading community class flyers and understanding basic information
・Topic 2: Asking questions about classes you're interested in joining
・Discussing Japanese language classes with friends
・Answering questions about your language learning experience
・Topic 5: Understanding Japanese community centers and cultural activities
・Learning about martial arts like Aikido in Japan

Vocabulary

かかる

kakaru

to cost (a fee)

Example

千せん円えんかかります.

Sen en kakarimasu.

It costs 1000 yen.

さんかする

sanka suru

参加さんかする

to join

Example

イベントに参加さんかします.

Ibento ni sanka shimasu.

I join the event.

はらう

harau

払はらう

to pay

Example

お金かねを払はらいます.

Okane o haraimasu.

I pay money.

もってくる

mottekuru

to bring

Example

テキストを持もってきます.

Tekisuto o mottekimasu.

I bring the textbook.

よういする

yōi suru

用意よういする

to offer

Example

道具どうぐを用意よういします.

Dōgu o yōi shimasu.

I prepare tools.

しょうかいする

shōkai suru

紹介しょうかいする

to introduce

Example

友達ともだちを紹介しょうかいします.

Tomodachi o shōkai shimasu.

I introduce a friend.

つかう

tsukau

使つかう

to use

Example

このアプリを使つかいます.

Kono apuri o tsukaimasu.

I use this app.

きく

kiku

聞きく

to ask

Example

先生せんせいに聞きます.

Sensei ni kikimasu.

I ask the teacher.

ふく

fuku

服ふく

clothing

Example

ふくをかいにいきます.

Fuku o kai ni ikimasu.

I go to buy clothing.

ひつよう(な)

hitsuyō (na)

必要な

necessary

Example

テキストが必要ひつようです.

Tekisuto ga hitsuyō desu.

A textbook is necessary.

じかん

jikan

時間じかん

time

Example

時間じかんがありません.

Jikan ga arimasen.

I don't have time.

ひよう

hiyō

費用ひよう

cost

Example

クラスの費用ひようは千せん円えんです.

Kurasu no hiyō wa sen en desu.

The class costs 1000 yen.

まいつき

maitsuki

毎月まいつき

every month

Example

毎月まいつき払はらいます.

Maitsuki haraimasu.

I pay every month.

だいさんもくようび

daisan mokuyōbi

第だい三さん木曜もくよう日だいさんもくようび

the third Thursday of the month

Example

次つぎは第だい三さん木曜もくよう日ひです.

Tsugi wa daisan mokuyōbi desu.

Next is the third Thursday.

じゅうがつスタート

jūgatsu sutāto

十じゅう月じゅうがつスタート

starting in October

Example

クラスは十じゅう月がつスタートです.

Kurasu wa jūgatsu sutāto desu.

The class starts in October.

にちじ

nichiji

日時にちじ

date and time

Example

日時にちじを聞きます.

Nichiji o kikimasu.

I ask the date and time.

あとは

ato wa

after that

Example

あとは休やすみます.

Ato wa yasumimasu.

After that, I rest.

しゅう

shū

週しゅう

week

Example

毎まい週しゅう2回かい練習れんしゅうします.

Mai shū ni kai renshū shimasu.

I practice twice a week.

こうみんかん

kōminkan

公民こうみん館こうみんかん

local community center

Example

公民こうみん館かんへ行いきます.

Kōminkan e ikimasu.

I go to the community center.

ちょうりしつ

chōrishitsu

調理ちょうり室ちょうりしつ

kitchen

Example

調理ちょうり室しつを使つかいます.

Chōrishitsu o tsukaimasu.

I use the kitchen.

たいいくしつ

taikushitsu

体育たいいく室たいいくしつ

exercise room

Example

体育たいいく室しつで運動うんどうします.

Taikushitsu de undō shimasu.

I exercise in the exercise room.

といあわせ

toiawase

問とい合あわせ

inquiry

Example

電話でんわで問とい合あわせます.

Denwa de toiawase masu.

I inquire by phone.

もうしこみ

mōshikomi

申もうし込こみ

application

Example

申もうし込こみをします.

Mōshikomi o shimasu.

I apply.

ぜんよんかい

zen yonkai

全ぜん四し回ぜんよんかい

4 times in total

Example

このコースは全ぜん四し回かいです.

Kono kōsu wa zen yonkai desu.

This course has 4 sessions.

せんちゃく

senchaku

先着せんちゃく

first (people to apply)

Example

先着せんちゃく10名めいです.

Senchaku jū mei desu.

First 10 people.

ぜんぶ

zenbu

全部ぜんぶ

all

Example

全部ぜんぶ食たべます.

Zenbu tabemasu.

I eat all of it.

なんかい

nankai

何なん回なんかい

how many times

Example

何なん回かい見みましたか.

Nankai mimashita ka.

How many times did you watch?

いっかい

ikkai

一いち回いっかい

once / one time

Example

一いち回かいだけ行いきました.

Ikkai dake ikimashita.

I went only once.

しょどう

shodō

書道しょどう

Japanese calligraphy

Example

書道しょどうを習ならいます.

Shodō o naraimasu.

I learn calligraphy.

テキストだい

tekisuto dai

テキスト代だい

textbook fee

Example

テキスト代だいは別べつです.

Tekisuto dai wa betsu desu.

Textbook fee is separate.

がいこくじんむけ

gaikokujin muke

外国がいこく人にん向がいこくじんむけ

for non-Japanese residents

Example

外国がいこく人にん向むけのクラスです.

Gaikokujin muke no kurasu desu.

It's a class for non-Japanese.

クラス

kurasu

class

Example

このクラスは楽たのしいです.

Kono kurasu wa tanoshii desu.

This class is fun.

きょうかしょ

Kyōkasho

教科きょうか書きょうかしょ

textbook

Example

教科きょうか書しょはじぶんで買かいます

Kyōkasho o jibun de kaimasu.

I will buy the textbooks myself.

どうぐ

dōgu

道具どうぐ

equipment

Example

道具どうぐを準備じゅんびします.

Dōgu o junbi shimasu.

I prepare equipment.

チラシ

chirashi

flyer

Example

チラシを見みます.

Chirashi o mimasu.

I look at the flyer.

もうしこみしょ

mōshikomisho

申もうし込こみ書しょ

application form

Example

申もうし込こみ書しょを書かきます.

Mōshikomisho o kakimasu.

I fill out the application form.

どうぎ

dōgi

道着どうぎ

dougi (martial arts uniform)

Example

道着どうぎを着きます.

Dōgi o kimasu.

I wear a dougi.

ぼご

bogo

母語ぼご

mother tongue

Example

私わたしの母語ぼごは英語えいごです.

Watashi no bogo wa eigo desu.

My mother tongue is English.

もっと

motto

Example

もっと勉強べんきょうします.

Motto benkyō shimasu.

I study more.

それとも

soretomo

Example

今日きょうですか、それとも明日あしたですか.

Kyō desu ka, soretomo ashita desu ka.

Today, or tomorrow?

ただ

tada

but

Example

きょうははれです.ただ、さむいです.

Kyō wa hare desu. Tada, samui desu.

Today is sunny. But it's cold.

どういう

dō iu

what

Example

どういう意味いみですか.

Dō iu imi desu ka.

What does it mean?

どんなこと

donna koto

what kinds of things

Example

どんなことを習ならいますか.

Donna koto o naraimasu ka.

What kinds of things do you learn?

Conversation

__ したいんですが…いつありますか？

shitai n desu ga___ itsu arimasu ka?

I'd like to do __, but___ when is it held?

Example Usage

日本にっぽん語ご教室きょうしつに参加さんかしたいんですが…いつありますか？

Nihongo kyoushitsu ni sanka shitai n desu ga… itsu arimasu ka?

I'd like to join a Japanese class, but… when is it held?

__ をやってみたいんですが

o yatte mitai n desu ga

I'd like to try __ , but __

Example Usage

合気あいき道どうをやってみたいんですが

Aikidou o yatte mitai n desu ga

I'd like to try aikido, but __

もっと __ を勉強したいんですが、 __ はどうですか？

Motto __ o benkyou shitai n desu ga, __ wa dou desu ka?

I want to study __ more, but how is __?

Example Usage

私わたしも、もっと日本にっぽん語ごを勉強べんきょうしたいんですが、クラスはどうですか？

Watashi mo, motto nihongo o benkyou shitai n desu ga, kurasu wa dou desu ka?

I also want to study Japanese more, but how is the class?

__ は、どういういみですか？

wa, dou iu imi desu ka?

What does __ mean?

Example Usage

すみません.ぼごは、どういういみですか？

Sumimasen. 'Bogo' wa, dou iu imi desu ka?

Excuse me. What does 'bogo' mean?

__ を持って来ましょうか？

o motte kimashou ka?

Shall I bring __?

Example Usage

今度こんど、教室きょうしつのチラシを持もって来きましょうか？

Kondo, kyoushitsu no chirashi o motte kimashou ka?

Shall I bring you a flyer for the class next time?

おもちください

omochi kudasai

Please bring.

Example Usage

身分みぶん証明しょうめい書しょをお持もちください.

Mibun shōmeisho o omochi kudasai.

Please bring an ID.

さんかされています

sanka sareteimasu

__ are participating.

Example Usage

10名めいが参加さんかされています.

Jū mei ga sanka sareteimasu.

10 people are participating.

かまいません

kamaimasen

__ doesn't matter.

Example Usage

どちらでもかまいません.

Dochira demo kamaimasen.

Either is fine.

ひつようありません

hitsuyō arimasen

__ is not necessary.

Example Usage

予約よやくは必要ひつようありません.

Yoyaku wa hitsuyō arimasen.

Reservation is not necessary.

まだあいていますか？

mada aiteimasu ka?

Is there still availability?

Example Usage

このクラスはまだ空あいていますか.

Kono kurasu wa mada aiteimasu ka.

Is this class still available?

もういっぱいです

mō ippai desu

It is full.

Example Usage

申もうし込こみはもういっぱいです.

Mōshikomi wa mō ippai desu.

Applications are full.

きょうみがある

kyōmi ga aru

to be interested in

Example Usage

日本にっぽん文化ぶんかに興味きょうみがあります.

Nihon bunka ni kyōmi ga arimasu.

I am interested in Japanese culture.

Kanji

先生せんせい

teacher

先🎬

previous, ahead

生🎬

life, birth

Example

このせんせいはやさしいです.

Kono sensei wa yasashii desu.

This teacher is kind.

全部ぜんぶ

all, everything

全🎬

all, whole

部🎬

part, section

Example

全部ぜんぶ食たべます.

Zenbu tabemasu.

I eat all of it.

午前ごぜん

morning, a.m.

午🎬

noon

前🎬

before, front

Example

ごぜん９時じからしごとです.

Gozen ku-ji kara shigoto desu.

Work is from 9:00 a.m.

参加さんかする

to participate

参🎬

participate, visit

加🎬

add, join

Example

イベントに参加さんかします.

Ibento ni sanka shimasu.

I join the event.

午後ごご

afternoon, p.m.

午🎬

noon

後🎬

after, behind

Example

ごご３時じにかいぎがあります.

Gogo san-ji ni kaigi ga arimasu.

There is a meeting at 3:00 p.m.

回かい

times (counter)

回🎬

times, revolve

Example

日本にっぽんに二にかい行いきました.

Nihon ni ni-kai ikimashita.

I went to Japan twice.

教室きょうしつ

classroom

教🎬

teach

室🎬

room

Example

きょうしつにがくせいがいます.

Kyōshitsu ni gakusei ga imasu.

There are students in the classroom.

用意よういする

to prepare / offer

用🎬

use, business

意🎬

mind, meaning

Example

道具どうぐを用意よういします.

Dōgu o yōi shimasu.

I prepare tools.

教科書きょうかしょ

textbook

教🎬

teach

科🎬

subject, course

書🎬

book, write

Example

教科きょうか書しょはじぶんで買かいます

Kyōkasho o jibun de kaimasu.

I will buy the textbooks myself.

Grammar Rules

Rule 1: Saying you want to try something

Structure: V-て + みたいんですが…

This expression communicates that you wish to try something new or for the first time, and asks the other person about it. It connects to the テ-form of the verb. The trailing んですが… softens the statement and invites a response.

How to use: Use V-て + みたいんですが… . Conjugation: やる→やってみたいんですが, さんかする→さんかしてみたいんですが. The sentence can end there or continue with a question. In casual speech, use V-てみたいんだけど…. The negative desire is V-てみたくないんですが…, though it is less common.

💡 Pro Tip: みたい here means "try doing," not "look like"; do not confuse it with ～みたい (resembling). Use the テ-form before みたい, not the マス-form. Register: んですが is polite; んだけど is casual.

Dictionary Form	Form
やる	やってみたいんですが
さんかする	さんかしてみたいんですが

Examples

ごう気道きどうをやってみたいんですが….

Aikidō o yatte mitai n desu ga...

→ I would like to try aikido...

書道しょどう教室きょうしつにさんかしてみたいんですが、どうすればいいですか？

Shodō kyōshitsu ni sanka shite mitai n desu ga, dō sureba ii desu ka?

→ I'd like to try a calligraphy class; what should I do?

Rule 2: Saying how often something happens

Structure: [Duration] + に + [Number] + かい

This expression indicates frequency. An expression of duration comes before ～に, such as 週しゅう / ～週間しゅうかん, 月がつ / ～か月がつ, and 年ねん / ～年ねん. It answers how many times something happens per period.

How to use: Use [Duration] + に + [Number] + かい. Examples: 週しゅうに１かい, 月がつに２かい, ４年ねんに１かい, and ３か月がつに１かい. The particle に marks the period. To ask, use どのぐらいのひんどですか？ or ～に何なにかいありますか？. The negative is ～に１かいもありません.

💡 Pro Tip: Use かい for occurrences, not ど in this pattern (ど is for temperatures or degrees). 週しゅうに１かい means "once a week"; 週しゅう１かい is a common shortened form. Do not confuse ～か月がつ (duration) with ～月がつ (month name).

Period	Example
週(しゅう) / ～週間(しゅうかん)	週しゅうに１かい
月(がつ) / ～か月(がつ)	３か月がつに１かい
年(ねん) / ～年(ねん)	４年ねんに１かい

Examples

日本にっぽん語にほんごクラスは週しゅうに１かいです.

Nihongo kurasu wa shū ni ikkai desu.

→ Japanese-language classes are held once weekly.

いけ花はな教室きょうしつは３か月がつに１かいあります.

Ikebana kyōshitsu wa san-kagetsu ni ikkai arimasu.

→ The flower-arrangement class is held once every three months.

Rule 3: Offering to do something for someone

Structure: V-ます stem + ましょうか？

This expression offers something to the other person. ます is changed to ましょうか？. It asks whether the listener would like you to do something.

How to use: Use V-ます stem + ましょうか？. Conjugation: もってくる→もってきましょうか, てつだう→てつだいましょうか. To accept, say おがんいします or ありがとうございます. To decline, say 大だいたけおっとです or いいえ、けっこうです. In casual speech, use V-ようか？.

💡 Pro Tip: V-ましょうか？ offers help; V-ませんか？ invites the other person to do something together. Do not use V-ましょうか？ to give a command. With a superior, V-ましょうか？ is polite enough but ～いたしましょうか is even more formal.

Examples

教室きょうしつのチラシをじって来きましょうか？

Kyōshitsu no chirashi o motte kimashō ka?

→ Would you like me to bring you a flyer for the class?

か物ものをじちましょうか？

Nimotsu o mochimashō ka?

→ Shall I carry your luggage?

Rule 4: Asking what a word means

Structure: [Word] + は、どういうい味あじですか？

This expression asks about the meaning of what someone said. It quotes a word you do not understand and asks about its meaning. You can also repeat the word with a rising intonation to ask what was said.

How to use: Use [Word] + は、どういうい味あじですか？. To repeat just the word, use a rising intonation: どうぎ？. A related question is ～はどういうい味あじですか？. The negative answer can be すみません、わかりません. In casual speech, use ～ってどういうい味あじ？.

💡 Pro Tip: どういうい味あじですか asks for meaning; どういうことですか asks for clarification of a situation. Repeating a word with rising intonation is very natural but can sound abrupt; add すみません to soften it. Register: ですか is polite; ～ってどういうい味あじ？ is casual.

Examples

すみません.「ぼご」は、どういうい味あじですか？

Sumimasen. "Bogo" wa, dō iu imi desu ka?

→ Excuse me. What does "bogo" mean?

「どうぎ」は、どういうい味あじですか？

"Dōgi" wa, dō iu imi desu ka?

→ What does "dogi" mean?

Rule 5: Saying when something happened

Structure: N + のとき、～ / ナA + なとき、～ / イA + いとき、～

This expression indicates when the event in the next part of the sentence happened. It also connects to adjectives. For nouns, use Nのとき; for ナ-adjectives, use ナAなとき; for イ-adjectives, use イAいとき.

How to use: Use N + のとき、～, ナA + なとき、～, and イA + いとき、～. Examples: 高校こうこうのとき, ひまなとき, じゃくいとき. The final clause determines tense and politeness. The question form is いつ～ますか？. Related: V-とき also exists but is not covered here.

💡 Pro Tip: Do not forget の for nouns: say 高校こうこうのとき, not 高校こうこうとき. ナ-adjectives need な: ひまなとき, not ひまとき. イ-adjectives keep い: じゃくいとき. Register is neutral.

Examples

高校こうこうのとき、しょうし日本にっぽん語にほんごを勉強べんきょうしました.

Kōkō no toki, sukoshi Nihongo o benkyō shimashita.

→ I studied a bit of Japanese when I was in high school.

ひまなとき、日本にっぽんのドラマを見みます.

Hima na toki, Nihon no dorama o mimasu.

→ When I am bored, I watch Japanese dramas.

Lesson 10: Japanese Classes (日本語教室)

I'd like to join a Japanese class, but __

Key topics:

Vocabulary

Conversation

Kanji

Grammar Rules

Rule 1: Saying you want to try something

Rule 2: Saying how often something happens

Rule 3: Offering to do something for someone

Rule 4: Asking what a word means

Rule 5: Saying when something happened

Exercises

Question 1: 'I would like to try aikido __ '

Question 2: Which is correct for 'I'd like to try a calligraphy class __ '?

Question 3: 'I'd like to try lunch at this restaurant __ '

Question 4: Which is correct for 'I don't really want to try it __ '?

Question 5: 'Japanese class is once a week.'

Question 6: Which is correct for 'The flower-arrangement class is held once every three months.'?

Question 7: 'Please take this medicine three times a day.'

Question 8: How do you ask 'How many times a week is it held?'

Question 9: 'Shall I bring you a flyer for the class?'

Question 10: Which is correct for 'Shall I carry your luggage?'

Question 11: 'Shall I help you?'

Question 12: How do you accept 'おもちしましょうか？' (Shall I carry it for you?)

Question 13: 'Excuse me. What does「 bogo」mean?'

Question 14: Which is correct for 'What does「 dogi」mean?'

Question 15: 'What does「 itadakimasu」mean?'

Question 16: Which is correct for 'When I was in high school, I studied a little Japanese.'

Question 17: 'When I am bored, I watch Japanese dramas.'

Question 18: Which is correct for 'When I was young, I studied Japanese.'

Question 19: 'During the exam, please don't be nervous.'

Question 20: Which is correct for 'I'd like to try the Japanese class. It's held once a week. Shall I bring a flyer?'