Lesson 6: Daily Activities and Time
Learn to describe daily routines, activities, and time expressions in Japanese.
This lesson focuses on daily activities, time expressions, and verb conjugations for routine actions. You will learn to talk about your daily schedule, ask about others
Key topics:
- ・Daily routine verbs (たべます、のみます、ねます, etc.)
- ・Time expressions (ごぜん、ごご、 __ じ、 __ ふん)
- ・Food and drink vocabulary
- ・Daily activities and hobbies
- ・Verb conjugation for daily activities
- ・Asking and answering about daily schedules
- ・Frequency adverbs (まいあさ、まいばん、ときどき)
Vocabulary
1
たべます
tabemasu
食べます
eat
Example
あさごはんをたべます.
Asagohan o tabemasu.
I eat breakfast.
2
のみます
nomimasu
飲みます
drink
Example
ドリンクはなににしますか？
Dorinku wa nani ni shimasu ka?
What will you have for a drink?
3
すいます
suimasu
吸います
smoke
Example
たばこをすいます.
Tabako o suimasu.
I smoke cigarettes.
4
たばこをすいます
tabako o suimasu
-
smoke a cigarette
Example
きっさてんでたばこをすいます.
Kissaten de tabako o suimasu.
I smoke cigarettes at the cafe.
5
みます
mimasu
見ます
see, look at, watch
Example
テレビをみます.
Terebi o mimasu.
I watch TV.
6
ききます
kikimasu
聞()きます
hear, listen
Example
おんがくをききます.
Ongaku o kikimasu.
I listen to music.
7
よみます
yomimasu
読みます
read
Example
しんぶんをよみます.
Shinbun o yomimasu.
I read the newspaper.
8
かきます
kakimasu
書きます
write
Example
てがみをかきます.
Tegami o kakimasu.
I write a letter.
9
かいます
kaimasu
買います
buy
Example
ほんをかいます.
Hon o kaimasu.
I buy a book.
10
とります
torimasu
撮ります
take (a photograph)
Example
しゃしんをとります.
Shashin o torimasu.
I take a photograph.
11
しゃしんをとります
shashin o torimasu
-
take a picture
Example
りょこうでしゃしんをとります.
Ryokō de shashin o torimasu.
I take pictures during travel.
12
します
shimasu
-
do
Example
べんきょうをします.
Benkyō o shimasu.
I study.
13
あいます
aimasu
会います
meet
Example
ともだちにあいます.
Tomodachi ni aimasu.
I meet a friend.
14
ともだちにあいます
tomodachi ni aimasu
-
meet a friend
Example
えいがかんでともだちにあいます.
Eigakan de tomodachi ni aimasu.
I meet friends at the movie theater.
15
ごはん
gohan
ご飯
a meal, cooked rice
Example
ごはんをたべます.
Gohan o tabemasu.
I eat rice/a meal.
16
あさごはん
asagohan
朝ご飯
breakfast
Example
あさごはんをたべます.
Asagohan o tabemasu.
I eat breakfast.
17
ひるごはん
hirugohan
昼ご飯
lunch
Example
１２じにひるごはんをたべます.
Jūni-ji ni hirugohan o tabemasu.
I eat lunch at 12 o
18
ばんごはん
bangohan
晩ご飯
supper
Example
７じにばんごはんをたべます.
Shichi-ji ni bangohan o tabemasu.
I eat supper at 7 o
19
パン
pan
-
bread
Example
あさぱんをたべます.
Asa pan o tabemasu.
I eat bread in the morning.
20
たまご
tamago
卵
egg
Example
あさたまごをたべます.
Asa tamago o tabemasu.
I eat eggs in the morning.
21
にく
niku
肉
meat
Example
にくをたべます.
Niku o tabemasu.
I eat meat.
22
さかな
sakana
魚
fish
Example
さかなをたべます.
Sakana o tabemasu.
I eat fish.
23
やさい
yasai
野菜
vegetable
Example
やさいをたべます.
Yasai o tabemasu.
I eat vegetables.
24
くだもの
kudamono
果物
fruit
Example
くだものをたべます.
Kudamono o tabemasu.
I eat fruit.
25
みず
mizu
水
water
Example
みずをのみます.
Mizu o nomimasu.
I drink water.
26
おちゃ
ocha
お茶
tea, green tea
Example
あさおちゃをのみます.
Asa ocha o nomimasu.
I drink tea in the morning.
27
こうちゃ
kōcha
紅茶
black tea
Example
こうちゃがすきです.
Koucha ga suki desu.
I like black tea.
28
ぎゅうにゅう
gyūnyū
牛乳
milk
Example
ぎゅうにゅうをのみます.
Gyuunyuu o nomimasu.
I drink milk.
29
ジュース
jūsu
-
juice
Example
オレンジじゅーすをのみます.
Orenji juusu o nomimasu.
I drink orange juice.
30
ビール
bīru
-
beer
Example
ビールをのみますか？
Biiru o nomimasu ka?
Do you drink beer?
31
おさけ
osake
お酒
alcohol, Japanese rice wine
Example
のみかいでおさけをのみます.
Nomikai de osake o nomimasu.
I drink alcohol at drinking parties.
32
ビデオ
bideo
-
video
Example
ビデオをみます.
Bideo o mimasu.
I watch videos.
33
えいが
eiga
映画
movie
Example
えいがをみにいきます.
Eiga o mini ikimasu.
I go to see a movie.
34
てがみ
tegami
手紙
letter
Example
てがみをかきます.
Tegami o kakimasu.
I write letters.
35
レポート
repōto
-
report
Example
レポートをかきます.
Repōto o kakimasu.
I write reports.
36
しゃしん
shashin
写真
photograph
Example
しゃしんをとります.
Shashin o torimasu.
I take photographs.
37
みせ
mise
店
store, shop
Example
ほんみせにいきます.
Honmise ni ikimasu.
I go to the bookstore.
38
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.
39
にわ
niwa
庭
garden
Example
にわでおちゃをのみます.
Niwa de ocha o nomimasu.
I drink tea in the garden.
40
しゅくだい
shukudai
宿題
homework
Example
しゅくだいがあります.
Shukudai ga arimasu.
I have homework.
41
しゅくだいをします
shukudai o shimasu
-
do homework
Example
うちでしゅくだいをします.
Uchi de shukudai o shimasu.
I do homework at home.
42
テニス
tenisu
-
tennis
Example
テニスを します.
Tenisu o shimasu.
I play tennis.
43
サッカー
sakkā
-
soccer, football
Example
サッカーがすきです.
Sakkā ga suki desu.
I like soccer.
44
サッカーをします
sakkā o shimasu
-
play soccer
Example
こうえんでサッカーをします.
Kōen de sakkā o shimasu.
I play soccer in the park.
45
はなみ
hanami
花見
cherry-blossom viewing
Example
はるにはなみにいきます.
Haru ni hanami ni ikimasu.
I go cherry-blossom viewing in spring.
46
はなみをします
hanami o shimasu
-
go cherry-blossom viewing
Example
ともだちとはなみをします.
Tomodachi to hanami o shimasu.
I go cherry-blossom viewing with friends.
47
なに
nani
何
what
Example
なにをたべますか.
Nani o tabemasu ka?
What will you eat?
48
いっしょに
issho ni
-
together
Example
いっしょに いきませんか.
Issho ni ikimasen ka.
Would you like to go together?
49
ちょっと
chotto
-
a little while, a little bit
Example
ちょっとやすみます.
Chotto yasumimasu.
I rest for a little while.
50
いつも
itsumo
-
always, usually
Example
いつもここでべんきょうします.
Itsumo koko de benkyō shimasu.
I always study here.
51
ときどき
tokidoki
時々
sometimes
Example
ときどきジョギングをします.
Tokidoki jogingu o shimasu.
I sometimes jog.
52
それから
sore kara
-
after that, and then
Example
しごと、それからかいものにいきます.
Shigoto, sore kara kaimono ni ikimasu.
Work, and then I go shopping.
53
ええ
ē
-
yes
Example
A: コーヒーをのみますか. B: ええ、のみます.
A: Kōhī o nomimasu ka? B: Ē, nomimasu.
A: Will you drink coffee? B: Yes, I will.
54
いいですね
ii desu ne
-
that
Example
A: あしたやすみです. B: いいですね.
A: Ashita yasumi desu. B: Ii desu ne.
A: Tomorrow is a holiday. B: That
55
わかりました
wakarimashita
-
I see
Example
A: ９じにきてください. B: わかりました.
A: Ku-ji ni kite kudasai. B: Wakarimashita.
A: Please come at 9 o
56
なんですか
nan desu ka
-
Yes?
Example
A: すみません. B: なんですか.
A: Sumimasen. B: Nan desu ka.
A: Excuse me. B: Yes?
57
じゃ、またあした
ja, mata ashita
-
see you tomorrow
Example
しつれいします.じゃ、またあした.
Shitsurei shimasu. Ja, mata ashita.
Excuse me. See you tomorrow.
Grammar Rules
Rule 1: Verb Conjugation for Daily Activities
Structure: [Time] に + [Object] を + [Verb (ます-form)]
Use the ます-form of verbs to describe daily activities in a polite way. The particle に marks specific times, and を marks the direct object of the action. This pattern is essential for talking about routines, schedules, and habits.
How to use: Place the time expression (with に) first, then the object (if any) followed by を, then the verb in ます-form. For negative actions, use ___ません. For past, use ___ました. The subject (usually
💡 Pro Tip: Remember that ます-form is polite and safe for most conversations. For daily routines, present tense ( __ ます) indicates habitual actions. To ask about someone
Examples
わたしは７じにあさごはんをたべます.
Watashi wa shichi-ji ni asagohan o tabemasu.
→ I eat breakfast at 7 o
まいばん じゅういちじに ねます.
Maiban jūichi-ji ni nemasu.
→ I go to sleep at 11 o
Rule 2: Time Expressions
Structure: ごぜん (AM) / ごご (PM) + [Hour] じ + [Minute] ふん／ぷん
Use ごぜん for morning/AM and ごご for afternoon/PM to specify the time of day. Combine with hours ( __ じ) and minutes ( __ ふん/ぷん) to express exact times. For half past, use はん. For minutes, be aware of pronunciation changes (e.g., 1分=いっぷん, 3分=さんぷん, 6分=ろっぷん).
How to use: Place ごぜん or ごご before the time. For example: ごご ３じ (3 PM), ごぜん ８じ２５ふん (8:25 AM). For 12 PM (noon), use ごご １２じ or simply ひる; for 12 AM (midnight), use ごぜん れいじ. To ask for the time, say いま なんじ ですか.
💡 Pro Tip: In casual conversation, you can drop ごぜん/ごご if the time is obvious from context. For times in the morning, あさ is also common (e.g., あさ ８じ). For evening, ばん (e.g., ばん ７じ). For minutes between 1 and 10, memorize the irregulars: １分=いっぷん, ３分=さんぷん, ４分=よんぷん, ６分=ろっぷん, ８分=はっぷん, １０分=じゅっぷん.
Examples
ごご３じはんにはたらきます.
Gogo san-ji han ni hatarakimasu.
→ I work at 3:30 PM.
ごぜん くじ じゅっぷん に かいぎが はじまります.
Gozen kuji juppun ni kaigi ga hajimarimasu.
→ The meeting starts at 9:10 AM.
Rule 3: Frequency Adverbs
Structure: [Frequency adverb] + [Verb (ます-form)]
Place frequency adverbs before the verb to indicate how often an action occurs. Common adverbs include まいあさ (every morning), まいばん (every night), まいにち (every day), ときどき (sometimes), よく (often), たいてい (usually), and ぜんぜん (never, with negative verb).
How to use: Put the frequency adverb directly before the verb (or before the object if there is one). For negative frequency (never), use ぜんぜん + negative verb ( __ ません). To ask about frequency, use どのくらいのひんどで (how often) or simply repeat the verb in question form.
💡 Pro Tip: Order of frequency (high to low): まいにち > たいてい > よく > ときどき > あまり __ ない (not very often) > ぜんぜん __ ない (never). あまり must be used with negative. Also, いつも means
Examples
まいあさ６じにおきます.
Maiasa roku-ji ni okimasu.
→ I wake up at 6 o
わたしは ときどき えいがを みます.
Watashi wa tokidoki eiga o mimasu.
→ I sometimes watch movies.
Rule 4: Asking About Daily Routines
Structure: なんじ + に + [Verb] ますか
Use なんじに (what time) followed by a verb in polite question form to ask about the timing of a daily activity. This pattern is used to inquire about routines, schedules, or plans.
How to use: Place なんじに before the verb. The verb can be any action (e.g., おきます, たべます, いきます). For other time-related questions, use なんようびに (what day), なんがつに (what month), or なんねんに (what year). The particle に is required for specific points in time.
💡 Pro Tip: To ask
Examples
なんじにしごとがおわりますか.
Nan-ji ni shigoto ga owarimasu ka?
→ What time does work finish?
まいにち なんじに ばんごはんを たべますか.
Mainichi nan-ji ni bangohan o tabemasu ka?
→ What time do you eat dinner every day?
Rule 5: Doing Activities Together
Structure: [Person] と + いっしょに + [Verb]
Use と to mark the person you do something with, and optionally add いっしょに (together) for emphasis. This pattern is used to express doing an activity with someone. The particle と means
How to use: Place the companion
💡 Pro Tip: Do not confuse と (with, accompaniment) with で (by means of). For
Examples
ともだちといっしょにえいがをみます.
Tomodachi to issho ni eiga o mimasu.
→ I watch movies together with friends.
こんしゅうの どようび、かぞくといっしょに こうえんに いきます.
Konshū no doyōbi, kazoku to issho ni kōen ni ikimasu.
→ This Saturday, I will go to the park together with my family.
Exercises
Question 1
Choose the correct verb particle:
わたしは ７じに あさごはんを ______.
Question 2
まいばん じゅういちじに ______.
Question 3
How do you say
Question 4
ごぜん くじ ______ に かいぎが はじまります.
Question 5
______ ６じに おきます.
Question 6
わたしは ______ えいがを みます.
Question 7
How do you ask
Question 8
Complete the question meaning
まいにち なんじに ばんごはんを ______ か.
Question 9
ともだち______ えいがを みます.
Question 10
こんしゅうの どようび、かぞく______ こうえんに いきます.
Question 11
Which sentence correctly uses
Question 12
ごぜん ８じ ______ ふん
Question 13
What does
Question 14
Complete the question meaning
たいてい なんじに ______ か.
Question 15
How do you say
Question 16
Complete the negative sentence meaning
あさごはんを ______.
Question 17
What is the purpose of adding いっしょに in a sentence?
Question 18
______ に ひるごはんを たべます.
Question 19
Which frequency adverb means the MOST often (highest frequency)?
Question 20
まいあさ コーヒーを ______.