Lessons

Short lessons for beginners: one small group of related Japanese words, or one tiny pattern, explained plainly in about three minutes.

Survival phrases & greetings

Greet, thank, ask, recover, and introduce yourself.

  1. Lesson 1 · about 5 minutes

    Greetings by time of day

    ohayou gozaimasu · konnichiwa · konbanwa · oyasuminasai

    おはようございます・こんにちは・こんばんは・おやすみなさい

    You'll learn four greetings that match morning, daytime, evening, and bedtime.

  2. Lesson 2 · about 2 minutes

    Thank you, you're welcome

    arigatou gozaimasu · arigatou · dou itashimashite

    ありがとう ございます・ありがとう・どういたしまして

    You'll learn the core thank-you and a polite "you're welcome."

  3. Lesson 3 · about 5 minutes

    Please give me ~ / please

    ~ o kudasai · onegai shimasu · kudasai

    〜をください・おねがいします・ください

    You'll learn two polite ways to ask for something.

  4. Lesson 4 · about 3 minutes

    Help — I don't understand

    wakarimasen · mou ichido onegai shimasu · eigo wa daijoubu desu ka

    わかりません・もう いちど おねがいします・えいご は だいじょうぶ ですか

    You'll learn three day-one rescue lines for when you're lost in a conversation: "I don't understand," "once more, please," and "is English okay?"

  5. Lesson 5 · about 5 minutes

    I'm okay, no thanks, excuse me

    daijoubu desu · ii desu · sumimasen

    だいじょうぶです・いいです・すみません

    You'll learn three social glue phrases for "I'm okay," soft no-thanks, and "excuse me / sorry."

  6. Lesson 6 · about 2 minutes

    Nice to meet you

    hajimemashite · yoroshiku onegai shimasu · yoroshiku

    はじめまして・よろしく おねがいします・よろしく

    You'll learn the two-line first-meeting set: nice to meet you, and please treat me well.

Pointing words, copula, questions, particles, word order

The skeleton every sentence hangs on.

  1. Lesson 7 · about 5 minutes

    This, that, and which

    kore · sore · are · dore

    これ・それ・あれ・どれ

    You'll learn four tiny words for pointing at things.

  2. Lesson 8 · about 5 minutes

    Here, there, and where

    koko · soko · asoko · doko

    ここ・そこ・あそこ・どこ

    You'll learn four tiny words for pointing at places.

  3. Lesson 9 · about 5 minutes

    This X, that X, which X

    kono · sono · ano · dono

    この・その・あの・どの

    You'll learn how to say "this ___," "that ___," and "which ___."

  4. Lesson 10 · about 5 minutes

    Is, is it?, isn't

    desu · desu ka · ja nai desu

    です・ですか・じゃないです

    You'll learn how to say something is, ask if it is, and say it isn't.

  5. Lesson 11 · about 5 minutes

    What, who, where, when, how much

    nani · dare · doko · itsu · ikura

    なに・だれ・どこ・いつ・いくら

    You'll learn five question words that unlock almost every "what / who / where / when / how much" line in a story.

  6. Lesson 12 · about 5 minutes

    To, at/by, object marker

    ni · de · o

    に・で・を

    You'll learn three tiny particles — each with one clear job — tied to verbs you already know.

  7. Lesson 13 · about 4 minutes

    Time, place, then the verb

    toki → basho → doushi · ookii neko · ringo o · neko ga

    とき → ばしょ → どうし・おおきい ねこ・りんご を・ねこ が

    You'll learn Japanese sentence order: time → place → verb — plus where adjectives, を-objects, and が-subjects sit in the same line.

Core verbs, masu tense, existence, wanting

Say what you do, did, want, and where things are.

  1. Lesson 14 · about 5 minutes

    I want to ~

    ~ tai desu · tabetai desu · nomitai desu · ikitai desu · mitai desu · kaitai desu

    〜たいです・たべたいです・のみたいです・いきたいです・みたいです・かいたいです

    You'll learn how to say you want to do something.

  2. Lesson 15 · about 5 minutes

    Go, come, return home

    ikimasu · kimasu · kaerimasu

    いきます・きます・かえります

    You'll learn three move verbs: go, come, and return home.

  3. Lesson 16 · about 5 minutes

    Eat and drink

    tabemasu · nomimasu · o

    たべます・のみます・を

    You'll learn the two everyday verbs for eating and drinking.

  4. Lesson 17 · about 5 minutes

    Do, don't, did, didn't

    masu · masen · mashita · masen deshita

    ます・ません・ました・ませんでした

    You'll learn how polite verbs flip to "don't," "did," and "didn't."

  5. Lesson 18 · about 5 minutes

    There is (thing) / there is (person)

    arimasu · imasu · ga

    あります・います・が

    You'll learn how to say something is there — and pick the right verb for things vs people.

  6. Lesson 19 · about 5 minutes

    I want [a thing]

    hoshii desu · hoshii · ~ ga hoshii desu

    ほしいです・ほしい・〜が ほしいです

    You'll learn how to say you want a noun — a thing, not an action.

  7. Lesson 20 · about 5 minutes

    Please do ~ / may I ~?

    ~ te kudasai · ~ te mo ii desu ka · mite · matte · suwatte · itte · kite · yonde

    〜てください・〜てもいいですか・みて・まって・すわって・いって・きて・よんで

    You'll learn two survival phrases for "please do this" and "is it okay if I do this?"

Numbers, counting, ordering, paying

Order food and drinks, read a price, and pay.

  1. Lesson 21 · about 5 minutes

    Numbers 1–10 and yen

    ichi · ni · san · yon / shi · go · roku · nana / shichi · hachi · kyuu / ku · juu · en

    いち・に・さん・よん・ご・ろく・なな・はち・きゅう・じゅう・えん

    You'll learn numbers 1–10 and how to read a price in yen.

  2. Lesson 22 · about 5 minutes

    Counting things and people

    hitotsu · futatsu · mittsu · yottsu · itsutsu · muttsu · nanatsu · yattsu · kokonotsu · too · hitori · futari

    ひとつ・ふたつ・みっつ・よっつ・いつつ・むっつ・ななつ・やっつ・ここのつ・とお・ひとり・ふたり

    You'll learn the everyday way to count general things (1–10) and one or two people.

  3. Lesson 23 · about 5 minutes

    Tasty, expensive, cheap, good

    oishii · takai · yasui · ii

    おいしい・たかい・やすい・いい

    You'll learn four adjectives that show up constantly in shops and food talk.

  4. Lesson 24 · about 2 minutes

    Like and dislike

    suki · kirai · suki desu · kirai desu

    すき・きらい・すき です・きらい です

    You'll learn how to say you like or dislike something.

  5. Lesson 25 · about 5 minutes

    By card, in cash

    kaado de · genkin de · de

    カードで・げんきんで・で

    You'll learn how to say you'll pay by card or in cash.

  6. Lesson 26 · about 3 minutes

    Reservation / booking

    yoyaku · yoyaku shimasu · yoyaku shite imasu

    よやく・よやくします・よやく しています

    You'll learn how to talk about making and having a reservation.

Meeting people & small talk

Who you are, the weekend, compliments, and meeting again.

  1. Lesson 27 · about 2 minutes

    Name, where from, what do you do

    onamae wa? · doko kara kimashita ka? · nani o shite imasu ka?

    おなまえは・どこから きましたか・なにを していますか

    You'll learn three friendly first questions for getting to know someone.

  2. Lesson 28 · about 2 minutes

    Weekend, free, come here often

    shuumatsu wa? · hima desu ka? · yoku koko ni kimasu ka?

    しゅうまつは・ひま ですか・よく ここ に きますか

    You'll learn three light small-talk lines for weekends, free time, and "do you come here often?"

  3. Lesson 29 · about 5 minutes

    Cute, cool, interesting, fun

    kawaii · kakkoii · omoshiroi · tanoshii

    かわいい・かっこいい・おもしろい・たのしい

    You'll learn four light compliment and vibe words: cute, cool, interesting, and fun.

  4. Lesson 30 · about 3 minutes

    Want to go together, phone number, meet again

    issho ni ikimasen ka? · denwa bangou o kudasai · mata aimashou

    いっしょに いきませんか・でんわばんごう を ください・また あいましょう

    You'll learn three tasteful lines for inviting someone along, exchanging a number, and suggesting meeting again.

  5. Lesson 31 · about 3 minutes

    Watch the game, cheer, and talk scores

    shiai o mimasu · doko no fan desu ka? · ganbare! · nan tai nan desu ka? · kachimashita / makemashita

    しあい を みます・どこ の ふぁん ですか・がんばれ・なんたい なん ですか・かちました / まけました

    You'll learn five lines to watch a game with friends, say which team you support, cheer, and ask the score.

  6. Lesson 32 · about 3 minutes

    Order a beer, toast, get another, and pay

    biiru o kudasai · kanpai! · mou ippai · okawari · okaikei onegaishimasu

    びーる を ください・かんぱい・もう いっぱい・おかわり・おかいけい おねがいします

    You'll learn five lines to get through a night at a Japanese bar: order, toast, another round, and the check.

  7. Lesson 33 · about 4 minutes

    Be direct: compliment, invite, and ask for a date

    kawaii desu ne · issho ni nomi ni ikimasen ka? · deeto shimasen ka? · mata aemasu ka? · suki desu

    かわいい ですね・いっしょ に のみ に いきませんか・でーと しませんか・また あえます か・すき です

    Five direct but polite lines: say they're cute, ask them for a drink or a date, ask to meet again, and say you like them. Plus how to answer.

Directions, transit, clock time

Find the station, ride, and get through a hotel or airport.

  1. Lesson 34 · about 5 minutes

    Right, left, straight, turn

    migi · hidari · massugu · magarimasu

    みぎ・ひだり・まっすぐ・まがります

    You'll learn four direction words for asking and giving street directions.

  2. Lesson 35 · about 5 minutes

    In front, behind, next to, above, under

    mae · ushiro · tonari · ue · shita

    まえ・うしろ・となり・うえ・した

    You'll learn five location nouns for where something sits relative to something else.

  3. Lesson 36 · about 5 minutes

    Train, bus, subway, station

    densha · basu · chikatetsu · eki

    でんしゃ・バス・ちかてつ・えき

    You'll learn four transit nouns for getting around a Japanese city.

  4. Lesson 37 · about 5 minutes

    Get on, get off, transfer

    norimasu · orimasu · norikaemasu

    のります・おります・のりかえます

    You'll learn three verbs for boarding, exiting, and changing trains or buses.

  5. Lesson 38 · about 5 minutes

    Near, far, on foot

    chikai · tooi · aruite

    ちかい・とおい・あるいて

    You'll learn how to say something is near or far, and that you're going on foot.

  6. Lesson 39 · about 5 minutes

    O'clock and half past

    ~ ji · han · ichiji · niji · sanji · yoji · goji · rokuji · shichiji · hachiji · kuji · juuji · juuichiji · juuniji

    〜じ・はん・いちじ・にじ・さんじ・よじ・ごじ・ろくじ・しちじ・はちじ・くじ・じゅうじ・じゅういちじ・じゅうにじ

    You'll learn clock talk for trains: o'clock and half past.

  7. Lesson 40 · about 3 minutes

    Check in at a hotel and ask about your room

    chekkuin onegaishimasu · yoyaku shite imasu · waifai wa arimasu ka? · asagohan wa nanji desu ka? · chekkuauto wa nanji desu ka?

    ちぇっくいん おねがいします・よやく しています・わいふぁい は ありますか・あさごはん は なんじ ですか・ちぇっくあうと は なんじ ですか

    You'll learn five lines to check in, give your name, and ask about wifi, breakfast, and checkout time.

  8. Lesson 41 · about 3 minutes

    Get through the airport: check-in, gate, customs

    chekkuin kauntaa wa doko desu ka? · nimotsu o azukemasu · geeto wa nanban desu ka? · kankou desu · nanimo arimasen

    ちぇっくいん かうんたー は どこ ですか・にもつ を あずけます・げーと は なんばん ですか・かんこう です・なにも ありません

    You'll learn five lines to check in for a flight, find your gate, and get through customs.

Time words, days, spans, routines

When, which day, from–until, and how often.

  1. Lesson 42 · about 5 minutes

    Now, today, tomorrow, yesterday

    ima · kyou · ashita · kinou

    いま・きょう・あした・きのう

    You'll learn four time words that pin a line to now, today, tomorrow, or yesterday.

  2. Lesson 43 · about 5 minutes

    Days of the week

    getsuyoubi · kayoubi · suiyoubi · mokuyoubi · kin'youbi · doyoubi · nichiyoubi

    げつようび・かようび・すいようび・もくようび・きんようび・どようび・にちようび

    You'll learn the seven days of the week for schedules and plans.

  3. Lesson 44 · about 5 minutes

    From, until

    kara · made · kara ~ made

    から・まで・から〜まで

    You'll learn から and まで for "from … until …" with times and places.

  4. Lesson 45 · about 5 minutes

    Every morning, every day, every evening, every week

    maiasa · mainichi · maiban · maishuu

    まいあさ・まいにち・まいばん・まいしゅう

    You'll learn four "every …" time words for routines.

Street casual

How friends talk, after the polite lessons.

  1. Lesson 46 · about 2 minutes

    Drop です — plain だ and bare adjectives

    da · kawaii · gakusei

    だ・かわいい・がくせい

    You'll learn how friends drop です: plain だ after nouns, and bare い-adjectives like かわいい.

  2. Lesson 47 · about 2 minutes

    Casual questions — の? / かな / rising tone

    no? · ~kana · hontou?

    の・〜かな・ほんとう

    You'll learn three casual ways to ask without ですか: の?, かな, and a rising tone.

  3. Lesson 48 · about 5 minutes

    Softeners — ちょっと / なんか / ね / よ / よね

    chotto · nanka · ne · yo · yone

    ちょっと・なんか・ね・よ・よね

    You'll learn five little words that make casual speech sound natural: softeners and sentence vibes.

  4. Lesson 49 · about 5 minutes

    Casual thanks, sorry, bye

    arigatou · gomen · jaa ne · mata ne

    ありがとう・ごめん・じゃあね・またね

    You'll learn the short peer versions of thank you, sorry, and goodbye — vs the ございます forms you already know.

  5. Lesson 50 · about 2 minutes

    Casual invites — いかない? / どう?

    issho ni ikanai? · dou? · ~nai?

    いっしょに いかない・どう・〜ない

    You'll learn the casual twin of いきませんか: いかない? and the soft どう?

  6. Lesson 51 · about 5 minutes

    Soft no — うーん / ちょっと… / また 今度

    uun · chotto… · mata kondo · ii yo · dame

    うーん・ちょっと・また こんど・いいよ・だめ

    You'll learn how friends say yes, soft no, and "maybe later" without a hard slam.

  7. Lesson 52 · about 5 minutes

    Contractions — てる / ちゃう / なきゃ / んだけど

    teru · chau · nakya · n da kedo

    てる・ちゃう・なきゃ・んだけど

    You'll learn four contractions friends smash together so speech sounds real, not textbook.

  8. Lesson 53 · about 5 minutes

    Casual I and you — recognize おれ / ぼく / きみ

    ore · boku · watashi · kimi · anata

    おれ・ぼく・わたし・きみ・あなた

    You'll **recognize** casual "I" and "you" in stories — and learn **when not** to use them. Keep **producing** わたし and name+さん.

Shopping and home

Clothes, sizes, and leaving the house.

  1. Lesson 54 · about 5 minutes

    Buy, show, try on

    kaimasu · misemasu · shichaku shimasu

    かいます・みせます・しちゃくします

    You'll learn three shop verbs: buy, show (me), and try on.

  2. Lesson 55 · about 5 minutes

    Size, color, big, small

    saizu · iro · ookii · chiisai

    サイズ・いろ・おおきい・ちいさい

    You'll learn shopping words for size, color, and big vs small fit.

  3. Lesson 56 · about 5 minutes

    Leaving and returning home

    ittekimasu · itterasshai · tadaima · okaeri

    いってきます・いってらっしゃい・ただいま・おかえり

    You'll learn the four-line set families use when someone leaves and comes home.