Lesson 17: Visiting & Gifts

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

あがる

agaru

to come in

Example

どうぞあがって下さい。

Dōzo agatte kudasai.

Please come in.

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.

あそびにくる

asobi ni kuru

遊びに来る

to come see me

Example

あした遊びに来きます。

Ashita asobi ni kimasu.

I'll come visit tomorrow.

かける

kakeru

to hang on (e.g. on wall)

Example

かべにえをかけます。

Kabe ni e o kakemasu.

I hang a picture on the wall.

かける

kakeru

to sprinkle

Example

サラダにソースをかけます。

Sarada ni sōsu o kakemasu.

I put dressing on salad.

はいってくる

haitte kuru

入って来る

to come in

Example

ともだちが入って来きます。

Tomodachi ga haitte kimasu.

My friend comes in.

もらう

morau

to receive

Example

ともだちからプレゼントをもらいます。

Tomodachi kara purezento o moraimasu.

I receive a gift from a friend.

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.

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.

わるい

warui

悪い

bad / evil

Example

てんきが悪いです。

Tenki ga warui desu.

The weather is bad.

つよい

tsuyoi

強い

strong

Example

このコーヒーは強いです。

Kono kōhī wa tsuyoi desu.

This coffee is strong.

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.

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.

ごめん下さい

gomen kudasai

Hello. / May I come in?

Example

ごめん下さい。

Gomen kudasai.

"Hello!"

いらっしゃい

irasshai

Welcome. / Come in.

Example

いらっしゃい、どうぞ。

Irasshai, dōzo.

"Welcome, please come in."

ようこそ

youkoso

Welcome.

Example

ようこそわがやへ。

Youkoso wagaya e.

"Welcome to our home."

おじゃまします

ojama shimasu

お邪魔します

Excuse me for disturbing.

Example

お邪魔します。

Ojama shimasu.

"Excuse me for disturbing."

おせわになっています

osewa ni natteimasu

お世話になっています

Thank you for everything you do.

Example

いつもお世話になっています。

Itsumo osewa ni natteimasu.

Thank you for your continued support.

こちらこそ

kochira koso

Same here.

Example

こちらこそよろしく。

Kochira koso yoroshiku.

"Nice to meet you too."

ごちそうさまでした

gochisousama deshita

Thank you for the meal.

Example

ごちそうさまでした。

Gochisousama deshita.

"Thank you for the meal."

おじゃましました

ojama shimashita

お邪魔しました

Sorry for disturbing you.

Example

では、お邪魔しました。

Dewa, ojama shimashita.

"Well, thanks for having me."

らくにする

raku ni suru

楽にする

to make yourself at home

Example

どうぞ楽にする。

Dōzo raku ni shite kudasai.

Please make yourself at home.

～といいます

~to iimasu

と言います

be called ～

Example

すずきと言います。

Suzuki to iimasu.

"My name is Suzuki."

いいでしょう？

ii deshou?

Isn't it nice?

Example

このケーキいいでしょう？

Kono kēki ii deshou?

This cake is nice, isn't it?

よろしくおつたえ下さい

yoroshiku otsutae kudasai

よろしくお伝え下さい

Please say hello.

Example

おかあさんによろしくお伝え下さい。

Okaasan ni yoroshiku otsutae kudasai.

Please say hello to your mother.

うちの

uchi no

Example

うちのいぬです。

Uchi no inu desu.

This is my dog.

おくさん

okusan

奥さん

wife

Example

奥さんはおげんきですか？

Okusan wa ogenki desu ka?

How is your wife?

むすこ

musuko

息子

son

Example

息子は5さいです。

Musuko wa go-sai desu.

My son is 5 years old.

ペン

pen

Example

ペンをかして下さい。

Pen o kashite kudasai.

Please lend me a pen.

おちゃ

ocha

お茶

Japanese tea

Example

お茶をいれます。

Ocha o iremasu.

I'll make some tea.

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.

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?

ちょうみりょう

choumiryou

調味料

seasoning

Example

調味料はどこですか？

Choumiryou wa doko desu ka?

Where are the seasonings?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

かざり

kazari

飾り

decoration

Example

クリスマス飾りです。

Kurisumasu kazari desu.

They're Christmas decorations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

タイ

tai

Thailand

Example

タイにいきたいです。

Tai ni ikitai desu.

I want to go to Thailand.

かべ

kabe

壁

wall

Example

壁にポスターをはります。

Kabe ni posutā o harimasu.

I put a poster on the wall.

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.

こめ

kome

米

rice

Example

米をかいました。

Kome o kaimashita.

I bought rice.

ピアス

piasu

earrings

Example

あたらしいピアスです。

Atarashii piasu desu.

They're new earrings.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

バリ

bari

Bali

Example

バリでやすみます。

Bari de yasumimasu.

I'll vacation in Bali.

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?

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?

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?

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?

おこさん

okosan

お子さん

someone's child

Example

お子さんはおげんきですか？

Okosan wa ogenki desu ka?

How are your children?

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

Conversation

Kanji

両親

りょうしん

parents

両🎬

both

親🎬

parent

Example

両親は元気です。

Ryōshin wa genki desu.

My parents are well.

兄

あに

older brother (plain)

兄🎬

older brother

Example

私の兄です。

Watashi no ani desu.

This is my older brother.

お兄さん

おにいさん

older brother (polite)

兄🎬

older brother

Example

お兄さんは優しいです。

Oniisan wa yasashii desu.

Your older brother is kind.

夫

おっと

husband

夫🎬

husband

Example

私の夫です。

Watashi no otto desu.

This is my husband.

妹

いもうと

younger sister

妹🎬

younger sister

Example

私の妹です。

Watashi no imōto desu.

This is my younger sister.

妻

つま

wife

妻🎬

wife

Example

私の妻です。

Watashi no tsuma desu.

This is my wife.

姉

あね

older sister (plain)

姉🎬

older sister

Example

私の姉です。

Watashi no ane desu.

This is my older sister.

お姉さん

おねえさん

older sister (polite)

姉🎬

older sister

Example

お姉さんはきれいです。

Oneesan wa kirei desu.

Your older sister is beautiful.

弟

おとうと

younger brother

弟🎬

younger brother

Example

私の弟です。

Watashi no otōto desu.

This is my younger brother.

お母さん

おかあさん

mother (polite)

母🎬

mother

Example

お母さん、こんにちは。

Okāsan, konnichiwa.

Hello, mother.

お父さん

おとうさん

father (polite)

父🎬

father

Example

お父さん、ありがとう。

Otōsan, arigatō.

Thank you, father.

Grammar Rules

Rule 1: V (plain-form) + N (past tense noun modification)

Structure: Verb た-form + Noun

Use the past tense (た‑form) of a verb directly before a noun to modify it, indicating that the action was completed or that the noun is associated with a past event. This is essential for describing items with a history, such as 'the book I read yesterday' or 'the gift I received'.

How to use: Change the verb to た‑form (e.g., 持つ→持った, 作る→作った, 来る→来た). Place it before the noun. The verb can have its own subject (marked with が) or object (marked with を). The tense of the main sentence is independent.

💡 Pro Tip: This pattern is very common for telling stories or explaining where something came from. Compare: 持って来る飾り (decoration that I will bring) vs 持って来た飾り (decoration I brought). For negative past modification, use ～なかった (e.g., 食べなかった料理 'the dish I didn't eat').

Examples

ネパールから持って来た飾りです。

Nepāru kara motte kita kazari desu.

→ This is a decoration I brought from Nepal.

昨日食べたカレーはとても辛かったです。

Kinō tabeta karē wa totemo karakatta desu.

→ The curry I ate yesterday was very spicy.

Rule 2: ～といいます (to be called)

Structure: [Name] + といいます

Use ～といいます to state that something or someone is called by a specific name. It translates to 'it is called ~' or 'it's named ~'. This pattern is often used when introducing unfamiliar items, explaining foreign words, or stating one's own name.

How to use: Place the name or term before といいます. The particle と marks the quotation, and いいます means 'to say'. For polite speech, use といいます. For casual, use という. To modify a noun, use という + noun (e.g., ナンプラーという調味料 'a seasoning called nam pla').

💡 Pro Tip: When introducing yourself, say ～といいます (more formal) or ～です (casual). For asking 'What is this called?', use これは何といいますか. Also, ～というものは can be used to define a concept: 'A thing called ~'. In writing, ～という is very common for giving names.

Examples

ナンプラーといいます。

Nanpurā to iimasu.

→ It's called 'nam pla' (fish sauce).

この花は日本語で「さくら」といいます。

Kono hana wa nihongo de 'sakura' to iimasu.

→ This flower is called 'sakura' in Japanese.

Rule 3: もらう (to receive)

Structure: [Giver] に (or から) + [Thing] を + もらう

Use もらう to express receiving something from someone. The giver is marked with に (or から for more formal), and the received item is marked with を. The verb focuses on the recipient's perspective. It is often used to explain where you got something.

How to use: Subject (receiver) is often the speaker or topic (は). Giver + に, item + を, then もらう. Conjugate as Group 1 verb (もらう→もらいます, もらった). For polite requests, use ～てもらえますか (can I receive the favor of you doing ~?).

💡 Pro Tip: Compare with くれる (someone gives to me). もらう is used when you are the receiver and you want to highlight the act of receiving. Use から instead of に when the giver is an organization or source (e.g., 会社からもらった). For 'I had someone do something for me', use ～てもらった (causative/receptive).

Examples

誕生日に、友だちにもらったんです。

Tanjōbi ni, tomodachi ni moratta n desu.

→ I received it from a friend on my birthday.

これは先生にもらった本です。

Kore wa sensei ni moratta hon desu.

→ This is a book I received from my teacher.

Rule 4: くれる (to give to me)

Structure: [Giver] が + [Thing] を + くれる

Use くれる when someone gives something to the speaker (or to someone the speaker identifies with, like a family member). The giver is marked with が, and the item with を. The recipient (me) is usually omitted because it's understood from context.

How to use: Subject (giver) + が, item + を, then くれる. Conjugate as Group 2 verb (くれる→くれます, くれた). For requests, use ～てくれますか (polite) or ～てくれ (casual). The polite request ～ていただけますか is even more respectful.

💡 Pro Tip: Never use くれる when you are the giver. For giving to someone else, use あげる. Also, くれる implies gratitude. For an outside third party giving to another third party, use あげる or もらう depending on perspective. In casual speech, くれる can be used as an auxiliary verb to show someone does something for you: 教えてくれた (taught for me).

Examples

これは、兄がくれたお守りです。

Kore wa, ani ga kureta omamori desu.

→ This is an amulet my older brother gave me.

友達がケーキをくれました。

Tomodachi ga kēki o kuremashita.

→ My friend gave me cake.

Rule 5: Family term usage

Structure: My family: humble terms (父, 母, 兄, 姉) | Other's family: polite terms (お父さん, お母さん, お兄さん, お姉さん)

Japanese distinguishes between terms for your own family (humble, used when referring to them to outsiders) and someone else's family (polite/respectful, used when addressing or referring to their family). Using the wrong term can sound rude or overly familiar.

How to use: When talking about your own family member to someone outside the family, use humble terms: 父 (chichi, my father), 母 (haha, my mother), 兄 (ani, my older brother), 姉 (ane, my older sister). When referring to the listener's family or someone else's family, use respectful terms: お父さん (otōsan), お母さん (okāsan), お兄さん (onīsan), お姉さん (onēsan). For younger siblings, use 弟 (otōto) and 妹 (imōto) for both own and others', but add さん for politeness when addressing someone else's: 弟さん, 妹さん.

💡 Pro Tip: When talking about your own family to close friends, you can sometimes use the polite terms, but it's safer to use humble forms. In very formal contexts, use 父 (chichi), 母 (haha) even when addressing your own parents? No, when addressing your own parents directly, use お父さん, お母さん. The rule applies for third‑person reference. For grandparents: 祖父 (sofu), 祖母 (sobo) for own; おじいさん, おばあさん for others.

Examples

これは、ミャンマーの母が作ったんです。

Kore wa, Myanmā no haha ga tsukutta n desu.

→ This was made by my mother in Myanmar.

お母さんが作ったの？

Okāsan ga tsukutta no?

→ Your mother made it?

Lesson 17: Visiting & Gifts

My brother gave me this amulet

Key topics:

Vocabulary

Conversation

Kanji

Grammar Rules

Rule 1: V (plain-form) + N (past tense noun modification)

Rule 2: ～といいます (to be called)

Rule 3: もらう (to receive)

Rule 4: くれる (to give to me)

Rule 5: Family term usage

Exercises

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16

Question 17

Question 18

Question 19

Question 20