Easy Japanese - Episode Guide

Learn how to ask about locations. If you want to know where something is, simply put "wa doko desu ka" after its name.

Introducing yourself is easy. Put "desu" after your name or occupation to explain who you are and what you do.

Learn how to say where you're from. The formula is the name of the place, followed by "kara kimashita".

Talk about your plans. Put "shimasu" after the plan to explain what you are going to do.

Explain how you learned Japanese by putting "de" after the method you used. For example, "rajio de", meaning "by listening to the radio".

Find out how to ask if public transportation goes to your destination. Use the name of the place plus "ni ikimasu ka".

To ask someone to speak slowly, say "yukkuri hanashite kudasai".

To introduce someone to someone else, say a word to explain the relationship, followed by "no" and then the person's name and "desu".

When you see something for the first time and want to know what it is, just ask "kore wa nan desu ka."

To ask the price of something in front of you, say "kono," meaning "this," followed by the item's name and "wa ikura desu ka."

If you want to ask if a shop has a certain item, say the item's name and "wa arimasu ka."

To express your impression of something, use any adjective that ends with "i," like "kawaii," followed by the name of the object, and "desu ne."

To say what you want to do, replace the "masu" ending of a verb with "tai desu." For example, "mimasu" (to see) becomes "mitai desu" (to want to see).

A verb with "te mitai desu" means "want to do something that you haven't done before." "Nihon e itte mitai desu" means "I want to go to Japan someday."

To tell a taxi driver where you want to go, just say the destination and "made onegai-shimasu."

Learn the type of adjective that end with "na" and enjoy more ways expressing your impressions of something.

To say what you've been doing, change "masu" at the end of a verb to "te imasu." "Ryokoo-shimasu" (I travel) becomes "ryokoo-shite imasu" (I've been traveling).

To express impressions of what you've experienced, drop the final "i" of an adjective that ends with "i," and add "katta desu." "Tanoshii" becomes "tanoshikatta desu."

Tell store clerks what you want by putting "ga hoshiin desu ga" after the name of the item.

To ask someone not to put something in your food or drink, say the name of the item, the particle "wa," and finally "irenaide kudasai."

To explain where you are, say the place name and "ni imasu."

Encourage someone to do something with you by replacing "masu" at the end of a verb with "mashoo." "Torimasu" becomes "torimashoo."

To express what you like, say the name of a person, place, or thing and "ga suki desu."

If there's something you can't or don't want to eat, say the name of the item and "wa taberaremasen."

To explain a part of your body that ails you, say the part, then the particle "ga," followed by adjectives like "itai," meaning painful, and finally "n desu."

Stack adjectives to get more ways to express your impressions. The key is changing the first "i" of "i"-ending adjectives to "kute."

To ask which one among 3 or more things is the best or the most, say "dore ga ichiban," then an adjective like "oishii" (delicious), and finally, "desu ka."

When seeking permission to do something, change the end of a verb to "te" style. For example, "toru" (take) becomes "totte." Then add "mo ii desu ka."

To explain why you went somewhere, replace "masu" of a verb, for example, "kikimasu" (to listen) with "ni ikimashita" (went to do something).

Say you did several things at the same time by using the "tari" form of a verb. "Utattari odottari" means "to sing and dance."

To ask someone to go somewhere with you, say "isshoni" (together), change the verb to the polite negative form, i.e. "ikimasu" to "ikimasen," and finally add "ka."

If you want to ask for directions, say the name of your destination, then "made doo ittara ii desu ka."

To ask how long something takes, say "donokurai" (how long and how much), then a verb like "machimasu" (to wait), and finally add "ka."

To explain you've done something before, change a verb to past tense, for example, "yomu" (to read) to "yonda" (to have read), then add "koto arimasu."

Say multiple things you want to do by applying the "te" form to the first verb and the "wish" form, "taidesu," to the second verb.

To ask when something is open or available, put "wa" after the name of something, then "nan-ji kara nan-ji made desu ka."

To explain that you are having a problem with something, say the name of something, then the particle "ga," and the verb in the negative form followed by "n desu ga."

To say which of 2 options you prefer, say the name of your choice, and "no hoo ga ii desu."

To explain that you did something you didn't intend to, use the "te" form of a verb, and add "shite shimaimashita." So, "otosu" (to drop) becomes "otoshite shimaimashita."

To explain the reason for your action, say the reason followed by the particle "kara," then the action.

To ask someone if you can do something, say the verb to indicate your desired action, followed by "koto ga" and "dekimasu," meaning something is possible. Then add "ka."

To explain what you intend to do, say a verb followed by "tsumori desu." So "watasu" (to give) becomes "watasu tsumori desu."

To express an opinion about what you see, drop the "na" of a "na" ending adjective or the "i" of an "i" ending adjective, then add "soo desu ne."

To tell someone what you heard from someone else, use adjectives or verbs without "masu" or "desu," then add "soo desu."

To politely ask someone to do something, use a "te" form verb and "moraemasen ka." For example, "chekku-shite moraemasen ka" (would you check?).

Connect 2 opposing adjectives by using "kedo" (but) followed by "desu ne."

To ask how to do something, say "doo yatte," meaning "how," followed with a verb like "suru," (to do), and then "n desuka."

To explain your plan, say a verb in the "ta" form followed by "ra," to indicate the circumstance, and then whatever your plan is.