Japan-easy - Episode Guide

"Next is Ueno Station", in Japanese is "Tsugi wa Ueno desu". Ending a sentence with "desu" is a basic pattern, so how about using this pattern in various situations, and taking the first step towards communicating in Japanese?

When saying "My name is Tanaka", in Japanese, after the part that means "My name", we put "wa" particle. If the other person's name is also Tanaka, "wa" particle replaces "mo" article. Mastering this rule can take your Japanese one step further.

Today, we will focus on "no", the article used between 2 nouns. By saying "A no B", you're saying that A owns B. When the video is over, you'll learn various expressions that have "no" article.

Today, we'll learn how to express our impressions or feelings by using adjectives such as "oishii" (tasty), "kireina" (beautiful), "shizukana" (quiet or calm) and so on. In the Phrase-easy segment, we'll introduce "Itadakimasu", the phrase we say before meals.

In this episode, we'll focus on "kore", "sore" and "are", 3 words that correspond to "this", "it" and "that". We'll learn the basic usage of these words, and then move on to "dore", a word used to ask about one item among several.

In this episode, we'll learn the word "deshita", which refers to the past. This word helps us to share our personal experiences with others. We'll also learn the word "daijobu", one of the most commonly used words in daily Japanese conversations.

In this episode, we'll focus on "deshita", a word we can use when expressing past feelings or impressions. We'll also look at a common sentence pattern: na-adjectives + "deshita".

In this episode, we'll focus on the negative form of adjectives. For example, the phrase "oishi desu", meaning "(It) is delicious", becomes "oishiku nai desu", meaning "(It) is not delicious".

In this episode, we'll go over verbs that express action. For example, to run is "hashiri masu", to eat is "tabe masu". And to eat something becomes "…o tabe masu".

Today's expressions are "ikimasu", meaning "to go", and "kimasu", meaning "to come". 
We'll also learn how to make a sentence using the words "e" to express destinations, "ni" to say the time and "de" to describe the method of transportation. In the kanji corner we'll look at kanji that express numbers.

Today, we'll learn the past tense and negative forms of verbs by watching Japan's national sport - sumo. As we've learned before, when saying what time an action takes place, you add "ni" after the time.

Today, we'll learn how to ask whether something is either A or B.
"Omuretsu desuka? Soretomo sukuranburu eggu desuka?" The word "soretomo" is similar to the word "or" in English. When presenting another option, we use "soretomo".

Today, we will learn how to talk about something you find or see.
Detective Michael heads to the secret hideout of a dangerous criminal. He finds some clues to solve the crime, and then he talks to his partner over the radio. Take a look at how he tells his partner about what he saw and what is there.

Today, we'll learn how to explain in detail where something or someone is.
This lady is meeting her boyfriend in Asakusa. Let's check out their conversation about going shopping. There are some words that describe position in their conversation. Let's check it out.

Today, we'll learn about how to talk about our health and how we're feeling. In the video, a man tells the doctor that he has a headache and a fever. And a woman tells the doctor that her stomach hurts. Communication with the doctor is very important for an appropriate diagnosis. Let's learn how we can tell someone about the various ways we might feel.

Today, we're going to go over some expressions used to say that you want something. One afternoon, a couple is watching a TV shopping show. The wife sees a white refrigerator, and she says, "I want that". But they just bought a new refrigerator one week ago...
Let's see how the husband responds to his dear wife's wish.

Today, we'll go over how to express your desire and to say you want something. In the video, a couple is on a date at Tokyo Tower. The man asks the woman what she wants, and he grants her wishes one after another, to her delight. Let's see how they express their desires and explain what they want.

Today we'll learn how to talk about the past, like yesterday and the day before. In the video, detective Michael is investigating a crime that occurred 3 days ago. He asks the suspect what he has been doing in the past few days. Will Detective Michael be able to find the culprit? Let's see what happens!

Today we'll learn how to compare two items and how to choose one of several items. When comparing two items, we use the word "docchi". And when choosing one of several options, we use the word "dore". In English, both words can probably be translated as "which".
In the video, the quizmaster asks questions to that require comparing and selecting. Let's focus at the conversation between him and the contestants.

Today we'll learn to make a suggestion to someone by adding "ka" to the negative form of a verb. In the video, a man wants to invite that he and his colleagues all go to dinner together. "Ikimasu" means "go". The negative form of "ikimasu" is "ikimasen". Let's check out the video to see how it's used.

Today we'll learn about the polite and casual ways of speaking. First, let's look about the verb for "do" as in "to do something". In this case "shimasu" is polite and "suru" is the casual form. Now let's watch the video and focus on how these words are used.

Today we'll learn expressions used when giving and receiving something. "Agemasu" means "to give" in English, and "moraimasu" means "to receive".
And there's another expression for receiving things: "kuremasu". Now let's watch the video and see how these expressions are used.

In this episode, we will learn 2 common endings for verbs: "kureru" and "ageru". "Kureru" is mostly used when someone gives you something. "Ageru" is used mostly when you give something to someone. The word "kau" means "to buy", so "kattekureru" is often used when someone buys you something, and "katteageru" is often used when you buy something for someone.
So now learn more about this expressions from the video!

In this episode, Detective Michael uses several of the expressions that we've learned. First, he uses the expression "desu" to ask about the type of ramen the man is eating. Let's listen for both the question form and the negative form in the conversation. In the next scene, let's check out how to use "ano", "kono" and "asoko" to describe the position of something. Finally, let's review how to express a desire and how to invite someone. Can Detective Michael invite his wife to Tokyo Tower?
Let's enjoy the story and review what we've learned so far!

Learn useful phrases and cool kanji!
Today we'll learn how to ask or request something.
First watch the 15-minute program, then check out our new website.

Today, we'll learn how to say that something is yours.
First watch the 15-minute program, then check out our new website.
Learn useful phrases and cool kanji!

In today's program, we'll learn how to ask what something is.
We'll also learn 3 pronouns words: kore, are and sore, meaning this, that and it.

In the program, we'll discover the various situations where we say "Who is this?" in Japanese. Let's notice that the phrase is different from when asking people in front of you and when asking when not.

Now let's discover how to ask for a recommendation about what to eat or buy. This one convenient expression can help you make the best decision at restaurants and when traveling or shopping.

Maybe you know what something is, but do you know how to say it in Japanese? Today let's learn what to say in such a situation. This is going to help you ask a lot of questions, and that's a great way to build your vocabulary.

The word "ikura" means "How much?" In this episode, we'll learn how to ask how much something costs. This will come in handy when shopping and traveling.

"Toire" is how we say "restroom" in Japanese. In this episode, we'll learn how to ask for directions to train stations, banks, restrooms and other places.

In this episode, we'll learn a question: "Sore wa itsu desuka?" We use this to ask when something is going to happen. We'll also learn about 3 kanji: 時 (time), 投 (throw) and 打 (strike / hit).

In this episode, we'll learn the question "Koko kara chikai desuka?" We use this to ask if something is nearby. We'll also learn 3 kanji: 道 (way), 歩 (walk) and 走 (run).

In this episode, we'll learn the question "Dono kurai kakarimasu ka?" We use this to ask how much time or money something takes. We'll also learn about 3 kanji: 金 (money), 近 (near) and 遠 (far).

In this episode, we'll learn the question "Kono basu wa Shibuya e ikimasu ka?" We use this to ask if a person or a vehicle goes to a certain destination. We'll also review the phrases we've learned in the past episodes. The kanji we'll learn are: 行 (go), 右 (right) and 左 (left).

Today we'll learn how to express what we want, like when you want to eat something or when you want to ride a train. We'll also learn how to say the negative forms, like when you don't want to eat something.

Today, we'll learn how to ask for what you're looking for. You can use this sentence when asking for a menu at a restaurant, or when you're looking for a particular size and color at a clothes store.

In this episode, we'll learn the phrase "Suwattemo iidesu ka?" It's useful when you want to ask someone for permissions. You can use it, for example, when you want to sit in an empty seat or when you want to turn on the air conditioner. And for today's kanji, we'll learn about the kanji that means "sit".

In this episode, we'll learn the phrase "Shashin o totte moraemasu ka?" This is a useful phrase when requesting someone to do something for you. You can use it, for example, when you ask someone to take your picture at a tourist spot, or when want to borrow an umbrella from a hotel. And for today's kanji, we'll learn about the kanji that means "don't" or "banned".

In this episode, we'll learn the phrase "Kokode ryogae dekimasu ka?"
"dekimasu ka?" is a useful expression to use when you want to ask if someone can do something.
You can use it when you want to have a large serving in a restaurant or when you want to ask for something's that not on the menu. And for today's kanji, we'll learn about the character for "shop" that we often see on signs in the city.

In this episode, we'll learn the phrase "Tokyo Tawa ni ikimasho".
This is useful when you want to invite somebody to do something, like inviting someone to go to the movies with you or to go out to dinner. For Today' s Kanji, we'll learn the character for "ride".

In this episode, we'll learn the phrase "Kawaii to omoimasu". This is a convenient expression that you can use to express your impressions. Just add "to omoimasu" to an adjective like "Kawaii". In the video, pay attention to the conversation of a couple as they go shopping.
And for today's kanji, we'll learn about the character for "think".

In this episode, we'll learn the phrase "Kore wa takai desu ne". "Kore wa takai desu" means "This is expensive". And when you put "ne" at the end, it becomes an expression used to seek consent or sympathy from the other person. Let's watch the video and pay attention to the change at the end of the sentences.
And for today's kanji, we'll learn about the character for "high".

In this episode, we'll learn the phrase "hō ga īdesu". You can use this phrase to choose between 2 items in front of you. For example, you can use it when shopping. You can also use it to make a request. Let's check out the video for details.
And for today's kanji, we'll learn the character for "big".

In this episode, we'll learn the phrase "teimasu". It's used to express an ongoing action. For example, "ima ryōri o shiteimasu". "Ima" means "now", and "teimasu" is likes the I-N-G verb-ending. First, we start with "shiteimasu", meaning "doing". Let's check out the video, and try to use the phrase.
And for today's kanji, we'll learn the character for "make".

In this episode, we'll learn the phrase "ja arimasen". This is added to the end of a word to make it a negative. For example, the word for "to like" is "suki". But if we say "suki ja arimasen", it means "I don't like (something)". Let's watch the video clip to get a better understanding.
And for today's kanji, we'll learn the character for "like".

In this episode, we'll learn how to say "I have to ___" which is in Japanese "nakya ikemasen". Since this is the final episode of Japan-easy II, we need to say "kaera nakya ikemasen" which means "I have to go home".
And for today's kanji, we'll learn the character for "to go home".