Japanese Basics Practice Exam

Question 1 Japanese Basics

What is Monday in Japanese?

八月 (はちがつ / hachigatsu). August is the hottest month in Japan and features the Obon (お盆) festival honoring ancestors. 月曜日 (げつようび / getsuyoubi). 月 means "moon," reflecting the traditional association of Monday with the moon, similar to many other languages. はじめまして means "Nice to meet you" or literally "for the first time." It is used when meeting someone for the first time, typically followed by a self-introduction. いってらっしゃい means "See you later" or "Take care." It is the response to いってきます, said by those staying behind to the person leaving.

Question 2 Japanese Basics

What is the hiragana character く?

く is read as ku. It is part of the k-row in the hiragana syllabary. With a dakuten it becomes ぐ (gu). ケ is the katakana form of ke. It corresponds to hiragana け. It appears in words like ケーキ (keeki, "cake"). きれい (kirei). It means "beautiful" or "clean." Despite ending in い, it is a na-adjective, so it becomes きれいな (kirei na) before a noun. カ is the katakana form of ka. It corresponds to hiragana か. It is used in loanwords like カメラ (kamera, "camera").

Question 3 Japanese Basics

What is the Japanese counter ひき (hiki) used for?

おかえりなさい means "Welcome home." It is the standard reply to ただいま, said by those already at home. The casual form is おかえり. いくらですか (Ikura desu ka). いくら means "how much" (price). This is essential for shopping. For quantity, use いくつ (ikutsu) instead. 八 (はち / hachi). The kanji 八 resembles two strokes spreading outward, symbolizing prosperity in Japanese culture. ひき (hiki) is the counter for small animals like fish, cats, dogs, and insects. It has sound changes: いっぴき (ippiki) = 1, にひき (nihiki) = 2, さんびき (sanbiki) = 3.

Question 4 Japanese Basics

How do you say "I don't understand" in Japanese?

わかりません (wakarimasen). This is the polite negative form of わかる (wakaru, "to understand"). It is very useful for beginners navigating conversations in Japanese. There are two main forms: おねがいします (onegaishimasu) for making requests politely, and ください (kudasai) used after a verb te-form to ask someone to do something. Example: みずをください (mizu wo kudasai) = "Water, please." 日曜日 (にちようび / nichiyoubi). 日 means "sun" or "day." Sunday is the day of the sun, just as in English. く is read as ku. It is part of the k-row in the hiragana syllabary. With a dakuten it becomes ぐ (gu).

Question 5 Japanese Basics

What does これはなんですか (Kore wa nan desu ka) mean?

土曜日 (どようび / doyoubi). 土 means "earth" or "soil." Saturday is associated with the earth element. It means "What is this?" これ (kore) = this, は (wa) = topic marker, なん (nan) = what, ですか (desu ka) = is (question). It is one of the most useful beginner questions. いただきます means "I humbly receive" and is said before eating a meal. It expresses gratitude to everyone involved in preparing the food. ケ is the katakana form of ke. It corresponds to hiragana け. It appears in words like ケーキ (keeki, "cake").

Question 6 Japanese Basics

What is January in Japanese?

一月 (いちがつ / ichigatsu). Japanese months are simply the number + 月 (gatsu, "month"). There are no separate month names as in English. オ is the katakana form of o. It corresponds to hiragana お. It appears in words like オレンジ (orenji, "orange"). 四月 (しがつ / shigatsu). Note: the reading is し (shi), not よん (yon), for this month. April marks the start of the Japanese fiscal and school year. こんにちは means "Hello" or "Good afternoon." It is the most common general greeting in Japanese, used from late morning through the evening.

Question 7 Japanese Basics

What is March in Japanese?

おかえりなさい means "Welcome home." It is the standard reply to ただいま, said by those already at home. The casual form is おかえり. …はどこですか (... wa doko desu ka). Replace … with the place you are looking for. Example: えきはどこですか (Eki wa doko desu ka) = "Where is the station?" は (written as ha, read as wa when used as a particle) marks the topic of a sentence. Example: わたしはがくせいです (Watashi wa gakusei desu) = "As for me, I am a student." It tells the listener what you are talking about. 三月 (さんがつ / sangatsu). March is the third month. The school year in Japan begins in April, so March marks graduation season.

Question 8 Japanese Basics

What is the hiragana character け?

け is read as ke. It belongs to the k-row of hiragana. With a dakuten it becomes げ (ge). はじめまして means "Nice to meet you" or literally "for the first time." It is used when meeting someone for the first time, typically followed by a self-introduction. そ is read as so. It is the last character of the s-row in hiragana. With a dakuten it becomes ぞ (zo). これ (kore) = this (near speaker); それ (sore) = that (near listener); あれ (are) = that over there (far from both). This ko-so-a-do system is fundamental to Japanese demonstratives.

Question 9 Japanese Basics

How do you ask "Do you speak English?" in Japanese?

えいごをはなせますか (Eigo wo hanasemasu ka). えいご (eigo) means "English," はなせます (hanasemasu) is the potential form of はなす (to speak), and か makes it a question. すみません (sumimasen) is the most versatile — it works for getting attention, light apologies, and expressing thanks for trouble caused. For a stronger apology, use ごめんなさい (gomen nasai). 百 (ひゃく / hyaku). Multiples follow a pattern: 200 is にひゃく (nihyaku), 300 is さんびゃく (sanbyaku) with a sound change. の indicates possession or connects two nouns (similar to "'s" or "of" in English). Example: わたしのほん (watashi no hon) = "my book." It can also nominalize verbs and show apposition.

Question 10 Japanese Basics

What does ごめんなさい (Gomen nasai) mean?

ごめんなさい means "I'm sorry" (apology). It is a more direct apology than すみません. The casual form is ごめん (gomen). 三月 (さんがつ / sangatsu). March is the third month. The school year in Japan begins in April, so March marks graduation season. きれい (kirei). It means "beautiful" or "clean." Despite ending in い, it is a na-adjective, so it becomes きれいな (kirei na) before a noun. まで means "until" or "up to" (endpoint in time or place). Example: ごじまでべんきょうします (goji made benkyou shimasu) = "I study until 5 o'clock." It is often paired with から (kara).

Question 11 Japanese Basics

What does こんにちは (Konnichiwa) mean?

こんにちは means "Hello" or "Good afternoon." It is the most common general greeting in Japanese, used from late morning through the evening. か is read as ka. It is the first character of the k-row in hiragana. Adding a dakuten (゛) changes it to が (ga). 水曜日 (すいようび / suiyoubi). 水 means "water." The pattern is: element + 曜日 (youbi, "day of the week"). 木曜日 (もくようび / mokuyoubi). 木 means "wood" or "tree." Thursday is associated with the wood element in the East Asian system.

Question 12 Japanese Basics

How do you ask "Where is...?" in Japanese?

…はどこですか (... wa doko desu ka). Replace … with the place you are looking for. Example: えきはどこですか (Eki wa doko desu ka) = "Where is the station?" 一月 (いちがつ / ichigatsu). Japanese months are simply the number + 月 (gatsu, "month"). There are no separate month names as in English. 八月 (はちがつ / hachigatsu). August is the hottest month in Japan and features the Obon (お盆) festival honoring ancestors. 土曜日 (どようび / doyoubi). 土 means "earth" or "soil." Saturday is associated with the earth element.

Question 13 Japanese Basics

What is Friday in Japanese?

金曜日 (きんようび / kinyoubi). 金 means "gold" or "metal." Friday is associated with the metal element. も means "also" or "too" and replaces は, が, or を. Example: わたしもがくせいです (Watashi mo gakusei desu) = "I am also a student." It adds the meaning of inclusion. 千 (せん / sen). Multiples follow a pattern: 2,000 is にせん (nisen), 3,000 is さんぜん (sanzen) with a sound change. 五 (ご / go). This is one of the numbers with only one standard reading in everyday use.

Question 14 Japanese Basics

What is the Japanese counter ほん (hon) used for?

ごちそうさまでした means "Thank you for the meal" and is said after finishing eating. It expresses gratitude for the food and the effort of preparation. と means "and" (for nouns) or "with" (companionship). Examples: パンとぎゅうにゅう (pan to gyuunyuu) = "bread and milk"; ともだちといく (tomodachi to iku) = "go with a friend." It also marks quotations. ほん (hon) is the counter for long, cylindrical objects like pens, bottles, trees, and umbrellas. It has sound changes: いっぽん (ippon) = 1, にほん (nihon) = 2, さんぼん (sanbon) = 3. く is read as ku. It is part of the k-row in the hiragana syllabary. With a dakuten it becomes ぐ (gu).

Question 15 Japanese Basics

What is Wednesday in Japanese?

水曜日 (すいようび / suiyoubi). 水 means "water." The pattern is: element + 曜日 (youbi, "day of the week"). いただきます means "I humbly receive" and is said before eating a meal. It expresses gratitude to everyone involved in preparing the food. で indicates the location where an action takes place or the means/method of doing something. Examples: こうえんであそぶ (kouen de asobu) = "play at the park"; バスでいく (basu de iku) = "go by bus." か is placed at the end of a sentence to form a question. Example: これはなんですか (Kore wa nan desu ka) = "What is this?" In polite speech, it replaces the need for rising intonation.

Question 16 Japanese Basics

How do you say "Excuse me" or "Sorry" in Japanese?

あ is read as a (as in "father"). It is one of the five vowels in Japanese and the very first character in the hiragana syllabary. すみません (sumimasen) is the most versatile — it works for getting attention, light apologies, and expressing thanks for trouble caused. For a stronger apology, use ごめんなさい (gomen nasai). ありがとうございます means "Thank you very much" (polite). The casual form is ありがとう (arigatou). This is one of the most essential phrases in Japanese. 金曜日 (きんようび / kinyoubi). 金 means "gold" or "metal." Friday is associated with the metal element.

Question 17 Japanese Basics

What is the hiragana character し?

四月 (しがつ / shigatsu). Note: the reading is し (shi), not よん (yon), for this month. April marks the start of the Japanese fiscal and school year. し is read as shi (not "si"). This is an irregular reading in the s-row. With a dakuten it becomes じ (ji). ほん (hon) is the counter for long, cylindrical objects like pens, bottles, trees, and umbrellas. It has sound changes: いっぽん (ippon) = 1, にほん (nihon) = 2, さんぼん (sanbon) = 3. 千 (せん / sen). Multiples follow a pattern: 2,000 is にせん (nisen), 3,000 is さんぜん (sanzen) with a sound change.

Question 18 Japanese Basics

What is the katakana character カ?

五 (ご / go). This is one of the numbers with only one standard reading in everyday use. 三月 (さんがつ / sangatsu). March is the third month. The school year in Japan begins in April, so March marks graduation season. カ is the katakana form of ka. It corresponds to hiragana か. It is used in loanwords like カメラ (kamera, "camera"). おはようございます means "Good morning" (polite form). The casual version is simply おはよう (ohayou), used among friends and family.

Question 19 Japanese Basics

What is the Japanese word for 9?

オ is the katakana form of o. It corresponds to hiragana お. It appears in words like オレンジ (orenji, "orange"). 九 (きゅう or く / kyuu or ku). く (ku) can sound like 苦 (suffering), so きゅう (kyuu) is often preferred. で indicates the location where an action takes place or the means/method of doing something. Examples: こうえんであそぶ (kouen de asobu) = "play at the park"; バスでいく (basu de iku) = "go by bus." を (pronounced "o") marks the direct object of an action verb. Example: パンをたべます (Pan o tabemasu) = "I eat bread." It indicates what is being acted upon.

Question 20 Japanese Basics

How do you form numbers 11–99 in Japanese?

か is read as ka. It is the first character of the k-row in hiragana. Adding a dakuten (゛) changes it to が (ga). Numbers 11–99 follow the pattern tens + ones. For example: 11 = じゅういち (juu-ichi), 25 = にじゅうご (ni-juu-go, "two-tens-five"), 99 = きゅうじゅうきゅう (kyuu-juu-kyuu). Multiply the tens digit by じゅう and add the ones digit. で indicates the location where an action takes place or the means/method of doing something. Examples: こうえんであそぶ (kouen de asobu) = "play at the park"; バスでいく (basu de iku) = "go by bus." あ is read as a (as in "father"). It is one of the five vowels in Japanese and the very first character in the hiragana syllabary.

Question 21 Japanese Basics

What is Thursday in Japanese?

こ is read as ko. It is the last character of the k-row in hiragana. With a dakuten it becomes ご (go). カ is the katakana form of ka. It corresponds to hiragana か. It is used in loanwords like カメラ (kamera, "camera"). 木曜日 (もくようび / mokuyoubi). 木 means "wood" or "tree." Thursday is associated with the wood element in the East Asian system. で indicates the location where an action takes place or the means/method of doing something. Examples: こうえんであそぶ (kouen de asobu) = "play at the park"; バスでいく (basu de iku) = "go by bus."

Question 22 Japanese Basics

How do you say "Help!" in Japanese?

たすけて (tasukete). It is the te-form of たすける (tasukeru, "to help/rescue"). In emergencies, shout たすけて! to call for help. 三 (さん / san). The kanji 三 consists of three horizontal strokes. 五月 (ごがつ / gogatsu). May features Golden Week (ゴールデンウィーク), a cluster of national holidays in Japan. 九 (きゅう or く / kyuu or ku). く (ku) can sound like 苦 (suffering), so きゅう (kyuu) is often preferred.

Question 23 Japanese Basics

What is the Japanese general counter system (hitotsu, futatsu...)?

There are two main forms: おねがいします (onegaishimasu) for making requests politely, and ください (kudasai) used after a verb te-form to ask someone to do something. Example: みずをください (mizu wo kudasai) = "Water, please." あ is read as a (as in "father"). It is one of the five vowels in Japanese and the very first character in the hiragana syllabary. 百 (ひゃく / hyaku). Multiples follow a pattern: 200 is にひゃく (nihyaku), 300 is さんびゃく (sanbyaku) with a sound change. The native Japanese counter for general objects: ひとつ (hitotsu) = 1, ふたつ (futatsu) = 2, みっつ (mittsu) = 3, よっつ (yottsu) = 4, いつつ (itsutsu) = 5. This system goes up to とお (too) = 10 and works for most objects when you don't know the specific counter.

Question 24 Japanese Basics

What does おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) mean?

八月 (はちがつ / hachigatsu). August is the hottest month in Japan and features the Obon (お盆) festival honoring ancestors. こ is read as ko. It is the last character of the k-row in hiragana. With a dakuten it becomes ご (go). おはようございます means "Good morning" (polite form). The casual version is simply おはよう (ohayou), used among friends and family. え is read as e (as in "bed"). It is the fourth vowel in the Japanese hiragana syllabary.

Question 25 Japanese Basics

What is the katakana character ク?

ほん (hon) is the counter for long, cylindrical objects like pens, bottles, trees, and umbrellas. It has sound changes: いっぽん (ippon) = 1, にほん (nihon) = 2, さんぼん (sanbon) = 3. いってらっしゃい means "See you later" or "Take care." It is the response to いってきます, said by those staying behind to the person leaving. 七 (しち or なな / shichi or nana). なな (nana) is more commonly used in counting to avoid confusion with いち (one) and し (four). ク is the katakana form of ku. It corresponds to hiragana く. It is found in words like クラス (kurasu, "class").

Question 26 Japanese Basics

What is the Japanese word for 100?

百 (ひゃく / hyaku). Multiples follow a pattern: 200 is にひゃく (nihyaku), 300 is さんびゃく (sanbyaku) with a sound change. 六 (ろく / roku). The kanji 六 is used in compounds like 六月 (rokugatsu, June). Numbers 11–99 follow the pattern tens + ones. For example: 11 = じゅういち (juu-ichi), 25 = にじゅうご (ni-juu-go, "two-tens-five"), 99 = きゅうじゅうきゅう (kyuu-juu-kyuu). Multiply the tens digit by じゅう and add the ones digit. 八 (はち / hachi). The kanji 八 resembles two strokes spreading outward, symbolizing prosperity in Japanese culture.

Question 27 Japanese Basics

What is the hiragana character あ?

八月 (はちがつ / hachigatsu). August is the hottest month in Japan and features the Obon (お盆) festival honoring ancestors. ありがとうございます means "Thank you very much" (polite). The casual form is ありがとう (arigatou). This is one of the most essential phrases in Japanese. 七月 (しちがつ / shichigatsu). Note: the reading is しち (shichi), not なな (nana), for this month. July marks the beginning of summer in Japan. あ is read as a (as in "father"). It is one of the five vowels in Japanese and the very first character in the hiragana syllabary.

Question 28 Japanese Basics

What is the Japanese word for 10,000?

百 (ひゃく / hyaku). Multiples follow a pattern: 200 is にひゃく (nihyaku), 300 is さんびゃく (sanbyaku) with a sound change. 六 (ろく / roku). The kanji 六 is used in compounds like 六月 (rokugatsu, June). 万 (まん / man). Japanese groups large numbers in units of 10,000 rather than 1,000. So 100,000 is 十万 (juuman, "ten ten-thousands"). も means "also" or "too" and replaces は, が, or を. Example: わたしもがくせいです (Watashi mo gakusei desu) = "I am also a student." It adds the meaning of inclusion.

Question 29 Japanese Basics

How do you say "Please" in Japanese?

から means "from" (starting point in time or place). Example: くじからはたらきます (kuji kara hatarakimasu) = "I work from 9 o'clock." It can also mean "because" when used after a clause. 月曜日 (げつようび / getsuyoubi). 月 means "moon," reflecting the traditional association of Monday with the moon, similar to many other languages. を (pronounced "o") marks the direct object of an action verb. Example: パンをたべます (Pan o tabemasu) = "I eat bread." It indicates what is being acted upon. There are two main forms: おねがいします (onegaishimasu) for making requests politely, and ください (kudasai) used after a verb te-form to ask someone to do something. Example: みずをください (mizu wo kudasai) = "Water, please."

Question 30 Japanese Basics

What is Saturday in Japanese?

か is placed at the end of a sentence to form a question. Example: これはなんですか (Kore wa nan desu ka) = "What is this?" In polite speech, it replaces the need for rising intonation. 土曜日 (どようび / doyoubi). 土 means "earth" or "soil." Saturday is associated with the earth element. 月曜日 (げつようび / getsuyoubi). 月 means "moon," reflecting the traditional association of Monday with the moon, similar to many other languages. 三 (さん / san). The kanji 三 consists of three horizontal strokes.

Question 31 Japanese Basics

What is the Japanese particle か (ka) used for?

キ is the katakana form of ki. It corresponds to hiragana き. It appears in words like キッチン (kicchin, "kitchen"). ケ is the katakana form of ke. It corresponds to hiragana け. It appears in words like ケーキ (keeki, "cake"). か is placed at the end of a sentence to form a question. Example: これはなんですか (Kore wa nan desu ka) = "What is this?" In polite speech, it replaces the need for rising intonation. よろしくおねがいします means "Please treat me well" or "Nice to meet you." It is used after self-introductions and when asking for someone's cooperation or favor.

Question 32 Japanese Basics

What are the Japanese words for "this," "that," and "that over there"?

ただいま means "I'm home" or literally "just now." It is said upon arriving home and is a staple of daily Japanese greetings. 九 (きゅう or く / kyuu or ku). く (ku) can sound like 苦 (suffering), so きゅう (kyuu) is often preferred. これ (kore) = this (near speaker); それ (sore) = that (near listener); あれ (are) = that over there (far from both). This ko-so-a-do system is fundamental to Japanese demonstratives. あ is read as a (as in "father"). It is one of the five vowels in Japanese and the very first character in the hiragana syllabary.

Question 33 Japanese Basics

What is the Japanese word for 4?

まい (mai) is the counter for flat, thin objects such as paper, plates, shirts, tickets, and slices. Example: かみさんまい (kami sanmai) = "3 sheets of paper." It has no irregular sound changes. オ is the katakana form of o. It corresponds to hiragana お. It appears in words like オレンジ (orenji, "orange"). ありがとうございます means "Thank you very much" (polite). The casual form is ありがとう (arigatou). This is one of the most essential phrases in Japanese. 四 (し or よん / shi or yon). Both readings are common. し (shi) sounds like 死 (death), so よん (yon) is often preferred in counting.

Question 34 Japanese Basics

What is the hiragana character き?

The native Japanese counter for general objects: ひとつ (hitotsu) = 1, ふたつ (futatsu) = 2, みっつ (mittsu) = 3, よっつ (yottsu) = 4, いつつ (itsutsu) = 5. This system goes up to とお (too) = 10 and works for most objects when you don't know the specific counter. から means "from" (starting point in time or place). Example: くじからはたらきます (kuji kara hatarakimasu) = "I work from 9 o'clock." It can also mean "because" when used after a clause. こんばんは means "Good evening." It is used as a greeting when meeting someone in the evening or at night. き is read as ki. It belongs to the k-row of hiragana. With a dakuten it becomes ぎ (gi).

Question 35 Japanese Basics

How do you ask "How much?" in Japanese?

えいごをはなせますか (Eigo wo hanasemasu ka). えいご (eigo) means "English," はなせます (hanasemasu) is the potential form of はなす (to speak), and か makes it a question. 一 (いち / ichi). This is the most basic number in Japanese. The kanji 一 is a single horizontal stroke. 六 (ろく / roku). The kanji 六 is used in compounds like 六月 (rokugatsu, June). いくらですか (Ikura desu ka). いくら means "how much" (price). This is essential for shopping. For quantity, use いくつ (ikutsu) instead.

Question 36 Japanese Basics

What is April in Japanese?

いってらっしゃい means "See you later" or "Take care." It is the response to いってきます, said by those staying behind to the person leaving. 四月 (しがつ / shigatsu). Note: the reading is し (shi), not よん (yon), for this month. April marks the start of the Japanese fiscal and school year. 七月 (しちがつ / shichigatsu). Note: the reading is しち (shichi), not なな (nana), for this month. July marks the beginning of summer in Japan. 金曜日 (きんようび / kinyoubi). 金 means "gold" or "metal." Friday is associated with the metal element.

Question 37 Japanese Basics

What is the hiragana character う?

ひき (hiki) is the counter for small animals like fish, cats, dogs, and insects. It has sound changes: いっぴき (ippiki) = 1, にひき (nihiki) = 2, さんびき (sanbiki) = 3. あ is read as a (as in "father"). It is one of the five vowels in Japanese and the very first character in the hiragana syllabary. すみません (sumimasen) is the most versatile — it works for getting attention, light apologies, and expressing thanks for trouble caused. For a stronger apology, use ごめんなさい (gomen nasai). う is read as u (as in "food", but with unrounded lips). It is the third vowel in Japanese hiragana.

Question 38 Japanese Basics

What is the Japanese particle から (kara) used for?

ありがとうございます means "Thank you very much" (polite). The casual form is ありがとう (arigatou). This is one of the most essential phrases in Japanese. 日曜日 (にちようび / nichiyoubi). 日 means "sun" or "day." Sunday is the day of the sun, just as in English. いただきます means "I humbly receive" and is said before eating a meal. It expresses gratitude to everyone involved in preparing the food. から means "from" (starting point in time or place). Example: くじからはたらきます (kuji kara hatarakimasu) = "I work from 9 o'clock." It can also mean "because" when used after a clause.

Question 39 Japanese Basics

What is the katakana character エ?

エ is the katakana form of e. It corresponds to hiragana え. It is found in words like エレベーター (erebeetaa, "elevator"). 六月 (ろくがつ / rokugatsu). June is associated with the rainy season (梅雨 / tsuyu) in most of Japan. 六 (ろく / roku). The kanji 六 is used in compounds like 六月 (rokugatsu, June). ごちそうさまでした means "Thank you for the meal" and is said after finishing eating. It expresses gratitude for the food and the effort of preparation.

Question 40 Japanese Basics

What does いただきます (Itadakimasu) mean?

八 (はち / hachi). The kanji 八 resembles two strokes spreading outward, symbolizing prosperity in Japanese culture. いただきます means "I humbly receive" and is said before eating a meal. It expresses gratitude to everyone involved in preparing the food. いってらっしゃい means "See you later" or "Take care." It is the response to いってきます, said by those staying behind to the person leaving. 万 (まん / man). Japanese groups large numbers in units of 10,000 rather than 1,000. So 100,000 is 十万 (juuman, "ten ten-thousands").

Question 41 Japanese Basics

What does すみません (Sumimasen) mean?

九 (きゅう or く / kyuu or ku). く (ku) can sound like 苦 (suffering), so きゅう (kyuu) is often preferred. The native Japanese counter for general objects: ひとつ (hitotsu) = 1, ふたつ (futatsu) = 2, みっつ (mittsu) = 3, よっつ (yottsu) = 4, いつつ (itsutsu) = 5. This system goes up to とお (too) = 10 and works for most objects when you don't know the specific counter. すみません means "Excuse me" or "I'm sorry." It is used to get someone's attention, apologize for minor inconveniences, or express gratitude for trouble caused. き is read as ki. It belongs to the k-row of hiragana. With a dakuten it becomes ぎ (gi).

Question 42 Japanese Basics

What is the katakana character オ?

え is read as e (as in "bed"). It is the fourth vowel in the Japanese hiragana syllabary. オ is the katakana form of o. It corresponds to hiragana お. It appears in words like オレンジ (orenji, "orange"). きれい (kirei). It means "beautiful" or "clean." Despite ending in い, it is a na-adjective, so it becomes きれいな (kirei na) before a noun. 四 (し or よん / shi or yon). Both readings are common. し (shi) sounds like 死 (death), so よん (yon) is often preferred in counting.

Question 43 Japanese Basics

What is the Japanese word for 1?

…はどこですか (... wa doko desu ka). Replace … with the place you are looking for. Example: えきはどこですか (Eki wa doko desu ka) = "Where is the station?" 一 (いち / ichi). This is the most basic number in Japanese. The kanji 一 is a single horizontal stroke. 月曜日 (げつようび / getsuyoubi). 月 means "moon," reflecting the traditional association of Monday with the moon, similar to many other languages. きれい (kirei). It means "beautiful" or "clean." Despite ending in い, it is a na-adjective, so it becomes きれいな (kirei na) before a noun.

Question 44 Japanese Basics

What does ごちそうさまでした (Gochisousama deshita) mean?

…はどこですか (... wa doko desu ka). Replace … with the place you are looking for. Example: えきはどこですか (Eki wa doko desu ka) = "Where is the station?" 三月 (さんがつ / sangatsu). March is the third month. The school year in Japan begins in April, so March marks graduation season. し is read as shi (not "si"). This is an irregular reading in the s-row. With a dakuten it becomes じ (ji). ごちそうさまでした means "Thank you for the meal" and is said after finishing eating. It expresses gratitude for the food and the effort of preparation.

Question 45 Japanese Basics

What does ただいま (Tadaima) mean?

十 (じゅう / juu). The kanji 十 is a cross shape. It serves as the base for forming numbers 11–99. ただいま means "I'm home" or literally "just now." It is said upon arriving home and is a staple of daily Japanese greetings. オ is the katakana form of o. It corresponds to hiragana お. It appears in words like オレンジ (orenji, "orange"). の indicates possession or connects two nouns (similar to "'s" or "of" in English). Example: わたしのほん (watashi no hon) = "my book." It can also nominalize verbs and show apposition.

Question 46 Japanese Basics

What does さようなら (Sayounara) mean?

う is read as u (as in "food", but with unrounded lips). It is the third vowel in Japanese hiragana. さようなら means "Goodbye." It implies a longer or more formal farewell. For casual partings, Japanese speakers often use じゃあね (jaa ne) or またね (mata ne). 木曜日 (もくようび / mokuyoubi). 木 means "wood" or "tree." Thursday is associated with the wood element in the East Asian system. エ is the katakana form of e. It corresponds to hiragana え. It is found in words like エレベーター (erebeetaa, "elevator").

Question 47 Japanese Basics

What is the Japanese particle も (mo) used for?

すみません (sumimasen) is the most versatile — it works for getting attention, light apologies, and expressing thanks for trouble caused. For a stronger apology, use ごめんなさい (gomen nasai). あ is read as a (as in "father"). It is one of the five vowels in Japanese and the very first character in the hiragana syllabary. も means "also" or "too" and replaces は, が, or を. Example: わたしもがくせいです (Watashi mo gakusei desu) = "I am also a student." It adds the meaning of inclusion. おいしい (oishii). It is an i-adjective meaning "delicious" or "tasty." You can make it polite by adding です: おいしいです (oishii desu).

Question 48 Japanese Basics

What is the hiragana character せ?

と means "and" (for nouns) or "with" (companionship). Examples: パンとぎゅうにゅう (pan to gyuunyuu) = "bread and milk"; ともだちといく (tomodachi to iku) = "go with a friend." It also marks quotations. せ is read as se. It is part of the s-row in the hiragana syllabary. With a dakuten it becomes ぜ (ze). Yes = はい (hai); No = いいえ (iie). はい is also used to show you are listening (like "uh-huh"). In casual speech, ううん (uun) is used for "no." There are two main forms: おねがいします (onegaishimasu) for making requests politely, and ください (kudasai) used after a verb te-form to ask someone to do something. Example: みずをください (mizu wo kudasai) = "Water, please."

Question 49 Japanese Basics

What is the hiragana character お?

ほん (hon) is the counter for long, cylindrical objects like pens, bottles, trees, and umbrellas. It has sound changes: いっぽん (ippon) = 1, にほん (nihon) = 2, さんぼん (sanbon) = 3. お is read as o (as in "go"). It is the fifth and final vowel in the Japanese hiragana syllabary. 木曜日 (もくようび / mokuyoubi). 木 means "wood" or "tree." Thursday is associated with the wood element in the East Asian system. 三 (さん / san). The kanji 三 consists of three horizontal strokes.

Question 50 Japanese Basics

What is the katakana character キ?

いくらですか (Ikura desu ka). いくら means "how much" (price). This is essential for shopping. For quantity, use いくつ (ikutsu) instead. まで means "until" or "up to" (endpoint in time or place). Example: ごじまでべんきょうします (goji made benkyou shimasu) = "I study until 5 o'clock." It is often paired with から (kara). キ is the katakana form of ki. It corresponds to hiragana き. It appears in words like キッチン (kicchin, "kitchen"). こ is read as ko. It is the last character of the k-row in hiragana. With a dakuten it becomes ご (go).