Lesson 9: クリスマスには何をしますか – What do you do in Christmas?
Annual Events and Manners
This lesson focuses on annual events and seasonal celebrations in Japan and other countries. You will learn to ask and answer questions about what people do during events like Coming-of-Age Day, New Year's, and other festivals. The lesson covers how to talk about your own experiences during holidays and describe cultural celebrations from your home country.
Key topics:
- ・Japanese seasonal events and customs
- ・Talking about holiday experiences
- ・Describing festivals from your country
- ・Reading event reports
- ・Writing New Year's greetings
Vocabulary
1
あじわう
ajiwau
味わう
to taste
Example
おちゃを味わいます.
Ocha o ajiwaimasu.
I taste the tea.
2
あつまる
atsumaru
集まる
to get together
Example
かぞくが集まります.
Kazoku ga atsumarimasu.
Family gets together.
3
いわう
iwau
祝う
to celebrate
Example
おしょうがつを祝います.
Oshōgatsu o iwaimasu.
We celebrate New Year's.
4
うたう
utau
歌()う
to sing
Example
カラオケで歌います.
Karaoke de utaimasu.
I sing at karaoke.
5
おどる
odoru
踊る
to dance
Example
パーティーで踊ります.
Pātī de odorimasu.
I dance at the party.
6
かけあう
kakeau
掛け合う
to throw/splash on each other
Example
プールでみずを掛け合います.
Pūru de mizu o kakeaimasu.
We splash water on each other at the pool.
7
かたる
kataru
語る
to talk
Example
ゆめを語ります.
Yume o katarimasu.
I talk about my dreams.
8
ごろごろする
gorogoro suru
-
to laze around
Example
やすみのひはごろごろします.
Yasumi no hi wa gorogoro shimasu.
I laze around on my day off.
9
すごす
sugosu
過ごす
to spend
Example
ともだちと過ごします.
Tomodachi to sugoshimasu.
I spend time with friends.
10
つく
tsuku
-
to pound
Example
おもちをつきます.
Omochi o tsukimasu.
We pound rice cakes.
11
つける
tsukeru
-
to attach
Example
ふうとうにきってをつけます.
Fūtō ni kitte o tsukemasu.
I attach a stamp to the envelope.
12
デートする
dēto suru
-
to go out on a date
Example
あしたデートします.
Ashita dēto shimasu.
I'm going on a date tomorrow.
13
だんじきする
danjiki suru
断食する
(to be) fasting
Example
いま、断食しています.
Ima, danjiki shiteimasu.
I am fasting now.
14
もりあがる
moriagaru
盛り上がる
to have a blast
Example
パーティーが盛り上がります.
Pātī ga moriagarimasu.
The party is a blast.
15
おめでたい
omedetai
-
celebratory
Example
おたんじょうび、おめでたいです.
Otanjōbi, omedetai desu.
Birthdays are celebratory.
16
たいせつな
taisetsu na
大切な
important
Example
ともだちは大切です.
Tomodachi wa taisetsu desu.
Friends are important.
17
でんとうてきな
dentōteki na
伝統的な
traditional
Example
おせちは伝統的なりょうりです.
Osechi wa dentōteki na ryōri desu.
Osechi is a traditional dish.
18
とくべつな
tokubetsu na
特別な
special
Example
きょうは特別なひです.
Kyō wa tokubetsu na hi desu.
Today is a special day.
19
わかい
wakai
若い
young
Example
わたしのいもうとは若いです.
Watashi no imōto wa wakai desu.
My younger sister is young.
20
どんなふうに
donna fū ni
-
how
Example
これをどんなふうにつかいますか？
Kore o donna fū ni tsukaimasu ka?
How do you use this?
21
あか
aka
赤
red
Example
リンゴは赤いです.
Ringo wa akai desu.
Apples are red.
22
__ あけ
ake
明け
after __
Example
おしょうがつ明けです.
Oshōgatsu ake desu.
It's after New Year's.
23
あまざけ
amazake
甘酒
amazake (sweet sake drink)
Example
甘酒をのみます.
Amazake o nomimasu.
I drink amazake.
24
アルコール
arukōru
-
alcohol
Example
アルコールはのみません.
Arukōru wa nomimasen.
I don't drink alcohol.
25
イスラムきょう
isuramu kyō
イスラム教
Islam
Example
イスラム教のひとです.
Isuramu kyō no hito desu.
They are a person of Islam.
26
いなか
inaka
田舎
hometown (in the countryside)
Example
わたしの田舎です.
Watashi no inaka desu.
This is my hometown.
27
いろ
iro
色
color
Example
すきな色は？
Suki na iro wa?
What's your favorite color?
28
おい
oi
甥
nephew
Example
これは甥です.
Kore wa oi desu.
This is my nephew.
29
おしゃれをする
oshare o suru
-
to dress up
Example
パーティーにおしゃれをします.
Pātī ni oshare o shimasu.
I dress up for the party.
30
おしょうがつ
oshōgatsu
お正月
New Year's Day
Example
あけましておめでとう！お正月です.
Akemashite omedetō! Oshōgatsu desu.
Happy New Year! It's New Year's.
31
おとしだま
otoshidama
お年玉
Otoshidama (New Year's gift money)
Example
お年玉をもらいました.
Otoshidama o moraimashita.
I received New Year's gift money.
32
おとな
otona
大人
adult
Example
おさけは大人です.
Osake wa otona desu.
Sake is for adults.
33
かざりつけ
kazaritsuke
飾りつけ
decorations
Example
クリスマス飾りつけです.
Kurisumasu kazaritsuke desu.
Christmas decorations.
34
かならず
kanarazu
必ず
always
Example
必ずおふろにはいります.
Kanarazu ofuro ni hairimasu.
I always take a bath.
35
__ から __ まで
kara ___made
-
from __ to __
Example
9じから5じまでです.
Ku-ji kara go-ji made desu.
It's from 9 to 5.
36
かんこく
kankoku
韓国
South Korea
Example
韓国へいきます.
Kankoku e ikimasu.
I go to South Korea.
37
かんそう
kansō
感想
impressions
Example
えいがの感想をききます.
Eiga no kansō o kikimasu.
I listen to movie impressions.
38
きゅうれき
kyūreki
旧暦
old lunar calendar
Example
旧暦のおしょうがつです.
Kyūreki no oshōgatsu desu.
It's New Year's by the old calendar.
39
キリストきょう
kirisuto kyō
キリスト教
Christianity / Christian
Example
キリスト教のクリスマスです.
Kirisuto kyō no kurisumasu desu.
It's Christian Christmas.
40
クッキー
kukkī
-
cookie
Example
おいしいクッキーです.
Oishii kukkī desu.
They are delicious cookies.
41
クトゥパット
kutūpatto
-
ketupat (rice wrapped in palm leaf)
Example
クトゥパットをたべます.
Kutūpatto o tabemasu.
I eat ketupat.
42
クリスマス
kurisumasu
-
Christmas
Example
メリークリスマス.
Merī Kurisumasu.
Merry Christmas.
43
ことし
kotoshi
今年
this year
Example
今年はいいとしです.
Kotoshi wa ii toshi desu.
This year is a good year.
44
こどものひ
kodomo no hi
子どもの日
Kodomo-no-hi (Children's Day)
Example
5がつ5かは子どもの日です.
Gogatsu itsuka wa kodomo no hi desu.
May 5th is Children's Day.
45
こめ
kome
米
rice
Example
米をたべます.
Kome o tabemasu.
I eat rice.
46
ささのは
sasa no ha
笹の葉
bamboo leaf
Example
笹の葉をつかいます.
Sasa no ha o tsukaimasu.
We use bamboo leaves.
47
しき
shiki
式
ceremony
Example
がっこうのそつぎょう式です.
Gakkō no sotsugyō shiki desu.
It's the school graduation ceremony.
48
しちょう
shichō
市長
city mayor
Example
市長がはなします.
Shichō ga hanashimasu.
The city mayor speaks.
49
じっか
jikka
実家
parents' home
Example
おしょうがつは実家へいきます.
Oshōgatsu wa jikka e ikimasu.
I go to my parents' home for New Year's.
50
しんせき
shinseki
親戚
relative
Example
おばさんは親戚です.
Obasan wa shinseki desu.
My aunt is a relative.
51
せいじんしき
seijinshiki
成人式
Coming-of-Age ceremony
Example
はたちで成人式です.
Hatachi de seijinshiki desu.
At age 20, there's the Coming-of-Age ceremony.
52
せいじんのひ
seijin no hi
成人の日
Coming-of-Age Day
Example
1がつに成人の日があります.
Ichigatsu ni seijin no hi ga arimasu.
There's Coming-of-Age Day in January.
53
たとえば
tatoeba
例えば
for example
Example
例えば、バナナです.
Tatoeba, banana desu.
For example, bananas.
54
たなばた
tanabata
七夕
Tanabata (Star Festival)
Example
7がつ7かは七夕です.
Shichigatsu nanoka wa tanabata desu.
July 7th is Tanabata.
55
たんざく
tanzaku
短冊
tanzaku (paper strip used on Tanabata)
Example
短冊にねがいをかきます.
Tanzaku ni negai o kakimasu.
I write wishes on paper strips.
56
チームワーク
chīmuwāku
-
teamwork
Example
チームワークがいいです.
Chīmuwāku ga ii desu.
The teamwork is good.
57
ちゅうがっこう
chūgakkō
中学校
junior high school
Example
中学校のせんせいです.
Chūgakkō no sensei desu.
I'm a junior high school teacher.
58
ちらしずし
chirashizushi
-
chirashi-zushi (sushi rice decorated with toppings)
Example
ひなまつりにちらしずしをたべます.
Hinamatsuri ni chirashizushi o tabemasu.
We eat chirashi-zushi for Hinamatsuri.
59
とうじつ
tōjitsu
当日
on the day
Example
えいが当日にきてください.
Eiga tōjitsu ni kite kudasai.
Please come on the movie day.
60
なっとう
nattō
納豆
natto (fermented soybeans)
Example
あさごはんは納豆です.
Asagohan wa nattō desu.
Breakfast is natto.
61
ねがいごと
negaigoto
願い事
wish
Example
たんじょうびの願い事は？
Tanjōbi no negaigoto wa?
What's your birthday wish?
62
のりもの
norimono
乗り物
ride
Example
ゆうえんちの乗り物です.
Yūenchi no norimono desu.
It's an amusement park ride.
63
はんぶん
hanbun
半分
half
Example
ケーキを半分たべます.
Kēki o hanbun tabemasu.
I eat half the cake.
64
ひなまつり
hinamatsuri
ひな祭り
Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival)
Example
3がつ3かはひな祭りです.
Sangatsu mikka wa hinamatsuri desu.
March 3rd is Hinamatsuri.
65
ぶたのまるやき
buta no maruyaki
豚の丸焼き
whole roast pig
Example
おいわいに豚の丸焼きです.
Oiwai ni buta no maruyaki desu.
It's whole roast pig for celebrations.
66
フライドチキン
furaido chikin
-
fried chicken
Example
クリスマスにフライドチキンです.
Kurisumasu ni furaido chikin desu.
It's fried chicken for Christmas.
67
ぶんか
bunka
文化
culture
Example
にほんの文化です.
Nihon no bunka desu.
It's Japanese culture.
68
まいとし
maitoshi
毎年
every year
Example
毎年ここにきます.
Maitoshi koko ni kimasu.
I come here every year.
69
めい
mei
姪
niece
Example
姪とあそびます.
Mei to asobimasu.
I play with my niece.
70
もちつきたいかい
mochitsuki taikai
餅つき大会
rice cake pounding event
Example
がっこうで餅つき大会です.
Gakkō de mochitsuki taikai desu.
There's a rice cake pounding event at school.
71
ラマダン
ramadan
-
Ramadan
Example
ラマダンおめでとう.
Ramadan omedetō.
Happy Ramadan.
72
おめでたい
omedetai
おめでたい
celebratory
Example
おたんじょうび、おめでたいです.
Otanjōbi, omedetai desu.
Birthdays are celebratory.
Conversation
1
あけましておめでとうございます
akemashite omedetō gozaimasu
Happy New Year
Example Usage
「あけましておめでとうございます.今年もよろしくお願いします.」
」Akemashite omedetō gozaimasu. Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.」
"Happy New Year. I look forward to working with you this year too."
2
おもったよりも
omotta yori mo
more than expected
Example Usage
「お祭りが思ったよりも盛り上がりました.」
」Omatsuri ga omotta yori mo moriagarimashita.」
"The festival was more exciting than I expected."
3
ことしもよろしくお願いします
kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu
I look forward to seeing/working with you again this year.
Example Usage
「新年のご挨拶を申し上げます.今年もよろしくお願いします.」
」Shinnen no goaisatsu o mōshiagemasu. Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.」
"I extend my New Year\'s greetings. I look forward to working with you again this year."
4
さくねんはいろいろおせわになりました
sakunen wa iroiro osewa ni narimashita
Thank you for so many things last year
Example Usage
「昨年はいろいろお世話になりました.今年もよろしくお願いします.」
」Sakunen wa iroiro osewa ni narimashita. Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.」
"Thank you for so many things last year. I look forward to working with you this year too."
Kanji
1
正月
New Year's, New Year holidays
正🎬
correct, proper
月🎬
month, moon
Example
正月はかぞくとすごします.
Shōgatsu wa kazoku to sugoshimasu.
I spend New Year's with my family.
2
今年
this year
今🎬
now
年🎬
year
Example
今年は日本語のべんきょうをがんばります.
Kotoshi wa nihongo no benkyō o ganbarimasu.
I'll do my best studying Japanese this year.
3
昨年
last year
昨🎬
previous, last
年🎬
year
Example
昨年にほんへりょこうしました.
Sakunen Nihon e ryokō shimashita.
I traveled to Japan last year.
4
毎年
every year
毎🎬
every
年🎬
year
Example
毎年なつはうみへいきます.
Maitoshi natsu wa umi e ikimasu.
I go to the sea every year in summer.
5
大人
adult
大🎬
big
人🎬
person
Example
このアトラクションは大人です.
Kono atorakushon wa otona desu.
This attraction is for adults.
6
特別
special
特🎬
special
別🎬
separate
Example
きょうは特別なひです.
Kyō wa tokubetsu na hi desu.
Today is a special day.
7
文化
culture
文🎬
sentence, text
化🎬
change
Example
にほんの文化にきょうみがあります.
Nihon no bunka ni kyōmi ga arimasu.
I'm interested in Japanese culture.
8
祭り
festival
祭🎬
festival
Example
なつやすみに祭りへいきます.
Natsuyasumi ni matsuri e ikimasu.
I go to festivals during summer vacation.
9
式
ceremony, style
式🎬
ceremony
Example
そつぎょう式はさんがつです.
Sotsugyōshiki wa sangatsu desu.
The graduation ceremony is in March.
10
米
rice
米🎬
rice
Example
にほんの米はおいしいです.
Nihon no kome wa oishii desu.
Japanese rice is delicious.
Grammar Rules
Rule 1: __ んですか？
Structure: Sentence (plain form) + んですか？
Used to ask for a detailed explanation about something you don't know well. It shows you want to understand the situation or reason behind something.
How to use: Convert the sentence to plain form, then add んですか. For な-adjectives and nouns, add な before ん (e.g., ひまなんですか). In formal writing, のですか is used instead.
💡 Pro Tip: んですか is conversational and seeks an explanation, not just a yes/no answer. You often use it when you notice something and want to know more (e.g., どうしたんですか？ = 'What happened?').
Examples
せいじんの日は、何をするんですか？
Seijin no hi wa, nani o suru n desu ka?
→ What do people do on Coming-of-Age Day?
どうして日本に来たんですか？
Dōshite Nihon ni kita n desu ka?
→ Why did you come to Japan?
Rule 2: N しか + negative sentence
Structure: Noun + しか + Verb (negative form)
Emphasizes that the quantity or range is limited. Used with negative sentences to express that something is less than expected.
How to use: Attach しか directly to the noun (no particle needed after it). The verb must be negative. The meaning becomes 'only __'.
💡 Pro Tip: しか always carries a feeling of 'less than expected' – often disappointment or surprise. Compare with だけ (neutral). For zero quantity, use 何も __ ない, だれも __ ない etc.
Examples
のりものに３つしかのれませんでした.
Norimono ni mittsu shika noremasen deshita.
→ I could only ride three rides.
お金が100円しかありません.
Okane ga hyaku en shika arimasen.
→ I only have 100 yen.
Rule 3: N だけ
Structure: Noun + だけ
Indicates limitation or restriction. Unlike しか, it doesn't carry emotional connotation and simply states a fact.
How to use: Attach だけ directly to the noun. Verb is affirmative. Can also be used with verbs (V-るだけ) and adjectives.
💡 Pro Tip: だけ is neutral – it simply says 'only' without implying judgment. Use しか __ ない when you want to express that something is insufficient. Also, だけ can be combined with particles (だけは, だけに, etc.).
Examples
今年は、1日だけじっかにかえりました.
Kotoshi wa, ichinichi dake jikka ni kaerimashita.
→ I went back to my parents' house for only one day this year.
このアプリはむりょうで3日だけつかえます.
Kono apuri wa muryō de mikka dake tsukaemasu.
→ This app can be used for only three days for free.
Rule 4: V-たりして、 __
Structure: Verb (た-form) + りして
Used to give examples of activities. Can list just one representative example followed by して.
How to use: Take the た-form of a verb and add り, then して. For multiple examples, use ___たり __ たりする. The final verb is often する or an impression word.
💡 Pro Tip: たりして at the end is casual and implies 'things like that' without listing everything. It softens the statement and is very common in casual conversation.
Examples
友だちといっしょにかいものをしたりして、楽しかったです.
Tomodachi to issho ni kaimono o shitari shite, tanoshikatta desu.
→ I had fun doing such things as shopping with friends.
公園で写真をとったりして、のんびりしました.
Kōen de shashin o toritari shite, nonbiri shimashita.
→ I relaxed, taking pictures at the park and such.
Rule 5: V-なくちゃならない
Structure: Verb (nai-stem) + なくちゃならない
Casual form of 'must do' or 'have to do'. Expresses obligation or necessity.
How to use: Remove ない from the negative form (e.g., 行かない) and add なくちゃならない. Also common: なくちゃいけない, なければならない.
💡 Pro Tip: なくちゃ is a contraction of なくては. In very casual speech, you can drop ならない and just say ___なくちゃ (e.g., 行かなくちゃ = 'I gotta go').
Examples
おいやめいにおとしだまをあげなくちゃならないし、たいへんでした.
Oi ya mei ni otoshidama o agenakucha naranai shi, taihen deshita.
→ I had to give New Year's money to my nephews and nieces, so it was tough.
明日、レポートを出さなくちゃならないんです.
Ashita, repōto o dasanakucha naranai n desu.
→ I have to submit a report tomorrow.
Rule 6: V-れます (Potential form)
Structure: Verb (potential form) with ら omitted
Casual potential form where ら is dropped from られる. Commonly used in spoken Japanese.
How to use: For Group II verbs (ichidan), remove る and add れる instead of られる (e.g., 食べる → 食べれる). For Group I (godan), use the standard potential form (e.g., 行く → 行ける) – no change.
💡 Pro Tip: This is called 'らぬきことば' and is very common in conversation, though considered non-standard in formal writing. You'll hear it all the time in daily life.
Examples
DVDもたくさん見れました.
DVD mo takusan miremashita.
→ I was able to watch many DVDs.
スマホで写真がとれます.
Sumaho de shashin ga toreます.
→ I can take photos with my smartphone.
Rule 7: S (plain form) + 人が___ / 人も __
Structure: Sentence (plain form) + 人が多い / 人もいる
Expresses what many people do (人が多い) or that some people do something (人もいる).
How to use: Place a verb or adjective in plain form before 人, then add が 多いです (many people) or も います (some people exist).
💡 Pro Tip: This pattern is great for describing trends or common practices. 人が多い shows majority; 人もいる adds an extra group. You can also use 人もすくなくない ('not a few people') for 'many people'.
Examples
春節は、いなかにかえる人が多いです.さいきんでは、かいがいに旅行する人もいます.
Shunsetsu wa, inaka ni kaeru hito ga ooi desu. Saikin de wa, kaigai ni ryokō suru hito mo imasu.
→ Many people go back to their hometown for Lunar New Year. Recently, some people also travel abroad.
しゅうまつは公園でジョギングする人が多いです.
Shūmatsu wa kōen de jogingu suru hito ga ōi desu.
→ Many people jog in the park on weekends.
Rule 8: V-ながら、 __
Structure: Verb (masu-stem) + ながら
Indicates two actions happening simultaneously.
How to use: Remove ます from the ます-form of the verb and add ながら. The main action is in the second clause. The subject must be the same for both actions.
💡 Pro Tip: Cannot be used with state verbs (いる, ある) or negatives. It describes two intentional actions done at the same time by the same person. For 'while' with different subjects, use 間に or ているとき.
Examples
まちを歩きながら、みんなで水をかけあいます.
Machi o arukinagara, minna de mizu o kakeaimasu.
→ While walking around the city, everyone splashes water on each other.
音楽を聞きながら、勉強します.
Ongaku o kikinagara, benkyō shimasu.
→ I study while listening to music.
Rule 9: Nによって
Structure: Noun + によって
Indicates variation or dependence on something.
How to use: Attach によって to a noun. The meaning is 'depending on N'. It can also express means (by, via) or cause (due to).
💡 Pro Tip: Very common in the pattern 人によって (depends on the person). In formal writing, により is used. For 'depending on the situation', use ばあいによって.
Examples
レバランは、年によってちがいます.
Rebaran wa, toshi ni yotte chigaimasu.
→ Lebaran differs depending on the year.
国によってしゅうかんがちがいます.
Kuni ni yotte shūkan ga chigaimasu.
→ Customs differ depending on the country.
Exercises
Question 1: Choose the correct form to ask 'Why did you come to Japan?'
どうしてにほんに______んですか.
Question 2: Choose the correct reading of 正月.
______はかぞくとすごします.
Question 3: Choose the correct form to mean 'I only have 100 yen.'
おかねがひゃくえん______ありません.
Question 4: What does 今年 mean?
ことしは日本語のべんきょうをがんばります.
Question 5: Choose the correct particle to mean 'only one day'.
ことしは、いちにち______じっかにかえりました.
Question 6: Choose the correct reading of 昨年.
______にほんへりょこうしました.
Question 7: Choose the correct form to say 'I had fun shopping with friends and such.'
ともだちといっしょにかいものを______、たのしかったです.
Question 8: What does 毎年 mean?
まいとしなつはうみへいきます.
Question 9: Choose the correct form to mean 'I have to submit a report tomorrow.'
あした、れぽーとを______なくちゃならないんです.
Question 10: Choose the correct reading of 大人.
このあとらくしょんは______です.
Question 11: Choose the casual potential form of 'to watch' (みる).
でぃーぶいでぃーもたくさん______ました.
Question 12: What does 特別 mean?
きょうはとくべつなひです.
Question 13: Choose the correct form to say 'Many people jog in the park on weekends.'
しゅうまつはこうえんでじょぎんぐする______おおいです.
Question 14: Choose the correct reading of 文化.
にほんの______にきょうみがあります.
Question 15: Choose the correct form to say 'I study while listening to music.'
おんがくをきき______、べんきょうします.
Question 16: What does 祭り mean?
なつやすみにまつりへいきます.
Question 17: Choose the correct particle to mean 'depending on the country'.
くに______しゅうかんがちがいます.
Question 18: Choose the correct reading of 式 in そつぎょうしき.
そつぎょう______はさんがつです.
Question 19: Choose the correct form to ask 'What do people do on Coming-of-Age Day?'
せいじんのひは、なにを______んですか.
Question 20: What does 米 mean?
にほんのこめはおいしいです.