Lesson 17: Home Visits & Gifts (訪問)
My brother gave me this amulet
This lesson focuses on social interactions in Japanese. You'll learn how to visit someone's home, give and explain gifts, talk about personal belongings, use family terms appropriately, and write thank-you messages.
Key topics:
- ・Visiting someone's home and using proper greetings and etiquette
- ・Giving gifts and explaining what they are and where they come from
- ・Talking about personal belongings and how you obtained them
- ・Using appropriate family terms for your own and others' family members
- ・Writing thank-you emails after social visits
- ・Understanding Japanese cultural practices like sitting styles and amulets
- ・Differentiating between もらう (receive) and くれる (give to me)
Vocabulary
1
あがる
agaru
上げる
to come in
Example
どうぞ上がって.ください.
Dōzo agatte kudasai.
Please come in.
2
あしをくずす
ashi o kuzusu
足を崩す
to sit at ease
Example
どうぞ足を崩して.
Dōzo ashi o kuzushite.
Please sit comfortably.
3
あそびにくる
asobi ni kuru
遊びに来る
to come see me
Example
あした遊びに来ます.
Ashita asobi ni kimasu.
I'll come visit tomorrow.
4
はいってくる
haitte kuru
入って来る
to come in
Example
わるいものが入って来ません.
waruimono ga haittekimasen.
Evil things won't get in.
5
持ってきます
motte iku
持って来ます
to bring
Example
ネパールから持って来たかざりです.
Nepāru kara motte kita kazaridesu.
I brought these decorations from Nepal.
6
おじゃまする
ojama suru
お邪魔する
to visit
Example
ともだちのいえにお邪魔します.
Tomodachi no ie ni ojama shimasu.
I visit my friend's house.
7
かける
kakeru
掛ける
to hang on (e.g. on wall)
Example
かべに掛ける.
Kabe ni kakeru.
Hang it on the wall.
8
かける
kakeru
-
to sprinkle
Example
いろいろなものにかけると、おいしいですよ.
Iroirona mono ni kakeru to, oishīdesu yo.
It tastes great when you put it on a variety of things.
9
もらう
morau
貰う
to receive
Example
友 だちにもらったんです.
Okane o moraimasu.
I receive money.
10
くれる
kureru
-
to be given
Example
ははがおかしをくれます.
Haha ga okashi o kuremasu.
My mother gives me sweets.
11
わるい
warui
悪い
bad / evil
Example
悪いものが入って来ません.
waruimono ga haittekimasen.
Evil things won't get in.
12
つよい
tsuyoi
強い
strong
Example
強いかぜがわたしのぼうしをとばしました.
Tsuyoi kaze ga watashi no bōshi o tobashimashita.
Strong wind blew my hat away.
13
おしゃれ(な)
oshare (na)
-
stylish
Example
おしゃれなカフェです.
Oshare na kafe desu.
It's a stylish cafe.
14
すてき(な)
suteki (na)
-
nice
Example
すてきないえですね.
Suteki na ie desu ne.
What a nice house.
15
うちの
uchi no
-
my
Example
うちのおくさん、さくらです
Uchi no okusan, sakura desu.
This is my wife sakura.
16
おくさん
okusan
奥さん
wife
Example
うちの奥さん、さくらです
Uchi no okusan, sakura desu.
This is my wife sakura.
17
おかあさん
okaasan
お母さん
someone's mother
Example
お母さんはげんきですか？
Okaasan wa genki desu ka?
How is your mother?
18
おとうさん
otousan
お父さん
someone's father
Example
お父さんはおしごとですか？
Otousan wa oshigoto desu ka?
Is your father at work?
19
おにいさん
oniisan
お兄さん
someone's elder brother
Example
お兄さんはなんさいですか？
Oniisan wa nan-sai desu ka?
How old is your brother?
20
おねえさん
oneesan
お姉さん
someone's elder sister
Example
お姉さんはどこですか？
Oneesan wa doko desu ka?
Where is your sister?
21
おとうとさん
otoutosan
弟さん
someone's younger brother
Example
弟さんはがくせいですか？
Otoutosan wa gakusei desu ka?
Is your brother a student?
22
いもうとさん
imoutosan
妹さん
someone's younger sister
Example
妹さんはなんさいですか？
Imoutosan wa nan-sai desu ka?
How old is your sister?
23
おこさん
okosan
お子さん
someone's child
Example
お子さんはなんさいですか.
Okosan wa nansai desu ka.
How old is your child?
24
むすこ
musuko
息子
son
Example
こっちは息子のタケル.
Kotchi wa musuko no Takeru.
This is my son, Takeru.
25
むすこさん
musukosan
息子さん
someone's son
Example
息子さんはなんさいですか？
Musukosan wa nan-sai desu ka?
How old is your son?
26
むすめさん
musumesan
娘さん
someone's daughter
Example
娘さんはかわいいですね.
Musumesan wa kawaii desu ne.
Your daughter is cute.
27
りょうしん
ryoushin
両親
parents
Example
両親にあいました.
Ryoushin ni aimashita.
I met my parents.
28
おたく
otaku
お宅
home
Example
お宅はどちらですか？
Otaku wa dochira desu ka?
Where is your home?
29
ペン
pen
-
pen
Example
ペンをかしてください.
Pen o kashite kudasai.
Please lend me a pen.
30
カップ
kappu
-
cup
Example
このカップをつかいます.
Kono kappu o tsukaimasu.
I'll use this cup.
31
マグカップ
magukappu
-
mug
Example
このマグカップがすきです.
Kono magukappu ga suki desu.
I like this mug.
32
キーホルダー
kiihorudaa
-
key holder
Example
かわいいキーホルダーですね.
Kawaii kiihorudaa desu ne.
What a cute key holder.
33
おまもり
omamori
お守り
amulet
Example
おてらでお守りをかいました.
Otera de omamori o kaimashita.
I bought an amulet at the temple.
34
まよけ
mayoke
魔除け
talisman
Example
魔除けをかばんにつけます.
Mayoke o kaban ni tsukemasu.
I put a talisman on my bag.
35
えはがき
ehagaki
絵葉書
picture postcard
Example
ともだちに絵葉書をおくります.
Tomodachi ni ehagaki o okurimasu.
I'll send my friend a postcard.
36
しゃしんしゅう
shashinshuu
写真集
photo album / collection
Example
りょこうの写真集です.
Ryokō no shashinshuu desu.
It's my travel photo album.
37
かざり
kazari
飾り
decoration
Example
ネパールから持って来た飾りです.
Nepāru kara motte kita kazaridesu.
I brought these decorations from Nepal.
38
にんぎょう
ningyou
人形
doll
Example
この人形がすきです.
Kono ningyou ga suki desu.
I like this doll.
39
かばん
kaban
鞄
bag
Example
あたらしい鞄をかいました.
Atarashii kaban o kaimashita.
I bought a new bag.
40
バッグ
baggu
-
bag
Example
このバッグはかるいです.
Kono baggu wa karui desu.
This bag is light.
41
プレゼント
purezento
-
present
Example
たんじょうびのプレゼントです.
Tanjōbi no purezento desu.
It's a birthday present.
42
ピアス
piasu
-
earrings
Example
あたらしいピアスです.
Atarashii piasu desu.
They're new earrings.
43
ぼうし
boushi
帽子
hat / cap
Example
あついので帽子をかぶります.
Atsui node boushi o kaburimasu.
I wear a hat because it's hot.
44
おちゃ
ocha
お茶
tea / Japanese tea
Example
おちゃをのみます.
Ocha o nomimasu.
I drink tea.
45
コーヒー
koohii
-
coffee
Example
コーヒーはいかがですか？
Koohii wa ikaga desu ka?
Would you like some coffee?
46
ちょうみりょう
choumiryou
調味料
spice
Example
調味料はどこですか？
Choumiryou wa doko desu ka?
Where are the spices?
47
こめ
kome
米
rice
Example
米をかいました.
Kome o kaimashita.
I bought rice.
48
おみやげ
omiyage
お土産
souvenir
Example
りょこうのお土産です.
Ryokō no omiyage desu.
It's a souvenir from my trip.
49
かべ
kabe
壁
wall
Example
壁にかける
Kabe ni kakeru.
Hang it on the wall.
50
タイ
tai
-
Thailand
Example
タイにいきたいです.
Tai ni ikitai desu.
I want to go to Thailand.
51
バリ
bari
-
Bali
Example
バリでやすみます.
Bari de yasumimasu.
I'll vacation in Bali.
52
たんじょうび
tanjoubi
誕生日
birthday
Example
あしたは誕生日です.
Ashita wa tanjoubi desu.
Tomorrow is my birthday.
53
けいけん
keiken
経験
experience
Example
いい経験になりました.
Ii keiken ni narimashita.
It was a good experience.
Conversation
1
ごめんください
gomen kudasai
Hello. / May I come in?
Example Usage
ごめんください.
Gomen kudasai.
Hello! May I come in?
2
いらっしゃい
irasshai
Welcome. / Come in.
Example Usage
いらっしゃい、どうぞ、上 がってください.
Irasshai, dōzo.
Welcome, please come in.
3
ようこそ
youkoso
Welcome.
Example Usage
ようこそ上がって.
Youkoso agatte.
Welcome to our home.
4
おじゃまします
ojama shimasu
Excuse me for disturbing.
Example Usage
どうぞ、お入りください.
Douzo, ohairi kudasai.
Please, come in.
5
おせわになっています
osewa ni natteimasu
Thank you for everything you do.
Example Usage
福田さんには、いつもお世話になっています.
Fukudo san ni wa, itsumo osewa ni natteimasu.
I'm always grateful for Mr. Fukuda's help.
6
こちらこそ
kochira koso
Same here.
Example Usage
こちらこそよろしく.
Kochira koso yoroshiku.
Nice to meet you too.
7
__ ごちそうさまでした
gochisousama deshita
Thank you for __.
Example Usage
今日 はごちそうさまでした.楽しかったです.
Kyō wa gochisōsamadeshita. tanoshikatta desu.
Thank you for today. I had a great time.
8
おじゃましました
ojama shimashita
Sorry for disturbing you.
Example Usage
また来てくださいね.
Mata kite kudasai ne.
Please come again.
9
らくにする
raku ni suru
to make yourself at home
Example Usage
ありがとうございます.
Arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you.
10
__ といいます
to iimasu
be called __
Example Usage
すずきと言います.
Suzuki to iimasu.
My name is Suzuki.
11
いいでしょう？
ii deshou?
Isn't it nice?
Example Usage
このケーキいいでしょう？
Kono kēki ii deshou?
This cake is nice, isn't it?
12
よろしくおつたえください
yoroshiku otsutae kudasai
Please say hello.
Example Usage
おかあさんによろしくお伝えください.
Okaasan ni yoroshiku otsutae kudasai.
Please say hello to your mother.
Kanji
1
両親
parents
両🎬
both
親🎬
parent
Example
両親にあいました.
Ryoushin ni aimashita.
I met my parents.
2
兄
elder brother (plain)
兄🎬
elder brother
Example
私の兄です.
Watashi no ani desu.
This is my elder brother.
3
お兄さん
elder brother (polite)
兄🎬
elder brother
Example
お兄さんはなんさいですか？
Oniisan wa nan-sai desu ka?
How old is your brother?
4
夫
husband
夫🎬
husband
Example
私の夫です.
Watashi no otto desu.
This is my husband.
5
妹
younger sister
妹🎬
younger sister
Example
私の妹です.
Watashi no imōto desu.
This is my younger sister.
6
妻
wife
妻🎬
wife
Example
私の妻です.
Watashi no tsuma desu.
This is my wife.
7
姉
older sister (plain)
姉🎬
older sister
Example
私の姉です.
Watashi no ane desu.
This is my older sister.
8
お姉さん
older sister (polite)
姉🎬
older sister
Example
お姉さんはどこですか？
Oneesan wa doko desu ka?
Where is your sister?
9
弟
younger brother
弟🎬
younger brother
Example
私の弟です.
Watashi no otōto desu.
This is my younger brother.
10
お母さん
mother (polite)
母🎬
mother
Example
お母さんはげんきですか？
Okaasan wa genki desu ka?
How is your mother?
11
お父さん
father (polite)
父🎬
father
Example
お父さんはおしごとですか？
Otousan wa oshigoto desu ka?
Is your father at work?
Grammar Rules
Rule 1: Modifying nouns with plain-form verbs
Structure: V-dict + N / V-た + N
This expression explains by modifying the noun. It is used to describe a gift one is handing over, or one's belonging when asked about it. The plain-form of the modifying verb connects to the noun. The タ-form and dictionary-form are used here.
How to use: Use V-dict + N or V-た + N. Conjugation: じって来る→じって来たしょくり, さくる→さくった料理, 買う→買ったバター, しう→しうちょう味料. The plain form can be dictionary or タ-form depending on tense. The question form is これは何ですか？. In casual speech, the same pattern is used.
💡 Pro Tip: The modifying clause comes directly before the noun. Do not use ます before the noun: say さくった料理, not さくりました料理. Register is neutral.
| Dictionary Form | Phrase |
|---|---|
| じって来る | じって来たしょくり |
| さくる | さくった料理 |
| 買う | 買ったバター |
| しう | しうちょう味料 |
Examples
わたしがさくった料理です.よかったら、どうぞ.
Watashi ga tsukutta ryōri desu. Yokattara, dōzo.
→ This is a dish I made. Please try some if you would like.
これ、きたうみ道で買ったバターです.おいしいですよ.
Kore, Hokkaidō de katta batā desu. Oishii desu yo.
→ This is a butter I bought in Hokkaido. It is delicious.
Rule 2: Saying you received something from someone
Structure: [Person] + に + [Thing] + を + もらいます
もらいます (もらう) means one receives something from someone. It is used to talk about a present received for a birthday or such. The sender comes before に. The receiver comes before は, such as in わたしは父にもらいます when the receiver is oneself, although it is often omitted if one can be understood without saying it.
How to use: Use [Person] + に + [Thing] + を + もらいます. The receiver is often わたしは. から can replace に: 友だちからもらったんです. The question form is 何かもらいましたか？. The past is もらいました, and the negative is もらいません. In casual speech, use もらう.
💡 Pro Tip: Use もらう when the speaker is the receiver. Do not use あげる for receiving. に and から are interchangeable for the source. Register: もらいます is polite; もらう is casual.
Examples
父に時計をもらいました.
Chichi ni tokei o moraimashita.
→ My father gave me a watch.
このマグカップ、誕生日に、友だちにもらったんです.
Kono magukappu, tanjōbi ni, tomodachi ni moratta n desu.
→ This mug was given to me by a friend for my birthday.
Rule 3: Saying someone gave you something
Structure: [Person] + が + [Thing] + を + くれます
くれます (くれる) means someone gives you something. The sender comes before が, such as in 兄が and 父が. The receiver comes before に, although わたしに is often omitted because one can be understood without saying it.
How to use: Use [Person] + が + [Thing] + を + くれます. The giver is marked by が. The receiver is the speaker (わたし) and is often omitted. The question form is だれがくれましたか？. The past is くれました, and the negative is くれません. In casual speech, use くれる.
💡 Pro Tip: Use くれる when the receiver is the speaker or the speaker's in-group. Do not use あげる for this. が marks the giver. Register: くれます is polite; くれる is casual.
Examples
これは、兄がくれたおしゅりです.
Kore wa, ani ga kureta omamori desu.
→ This is a personal amulet my elder brother gave me.
父が誕生日にくれました.
Chichi ga tanjōbi ni kuremashita.
→ My father gave it to me for my birthday.
Rule 4: Giving something to someone
Structure: [Person] + に + [Thing] + を + あげます
あげます (あげる) means to give something to someone. The giver is the subject, marked by は or が. The receiver is marked by に. The thing is marked by を. It is used when the receiver is not the speaker or the speaker's in-group.
How to use: Use [Person] + に + [Thing] + を + あげます. The giver is often わたしは. The question form is だれにあげましたか？. The past is あげました, and the negative is あげません. In casual speech, use あげる. For superiors, use さしあげます.
💡 Pro Tip: Do not use あげる when the receiver is the speaker or the speaker's in-group; use くれる or もらう. あげる can sound like you are doing a favor, so be careful with superiors. Register: あげます is polite; あげる is casual.
Examples
わたしは友だちにプレゼントをあげました.
Watashi wa tomodachi ni purezento o agemashita.
→ I gave a present to my friend.
妹に本をあげます.
Imōto ni hon o agemasu.
→ I will give a book to my younger sister.
Exercises
Question 1: 'The curry I ate yesterday was very spicy.'
きのう ______ カレーは とても からかったです.
Question 2: 'This is the butter I bought in Hokkaido. It's delicious.'
これ、ほっかいどうで ______ バターです.おいしいですよ.
Question 3: 'This is the seasoning I use.'
これ、わたしが ______ ちょうみりょうです.
Question 4: Which is correct for 'The dish I didn't eat is here.'
Question 5: 'These are decorations I brought from Nepal.'
ネパールから ______ かざりです.
Question 6: Which is correct for 'This is the dish I make.'
Question 7: 'I received a watch from my father.'
ちちに とけいを ______.
Question 8: Which is correct for 'I received this mug from a friend.'
Question 9: 'Did you receive anything for your birthday?'
たんじょうびに なにか ______ か.
Question 10: Which is correct for 'I received nothing.'
Question 11: 'This is the amulet my elder brother gave me.'
これは あにが ______ おまもりです.
Question 12: Which is correct for 'My father gave it to me for my birthday.'
Question 13: 'Who gave it to you?'
だれが ______ か.
Question 14: Which is correct for 'My friend gave me nothing.'
Question 15: 'I gave a present to my friend.'
わたしは ともだちに プレゼントを ______.
Question 16: Which is correct for 'I will give a book to my younger sister tomorrow.'
Question 17: 'To whom did you give the present?'
だれに プレゼントを ______ か.