Basic Verbs

新しいあたらしい単語たんごを覚えるおぼえるために、毎日まいにちノートに書いてかいています。

I write new words in my notebook every day in order to memorize them.

Usage 覚える is deliberate: you actively commit something to memory. Use it for vocabulary, names, recipes. Contrast 知っている, which is already knowing something.

Remember it 覚 = 学 (study) on top of 見 (see). What you study and see gets taken in. Same kanji in 感覚 (sensation) and 目覚まし (alarm clock).

財布さいふを忘れてわすれてしまって、コンビニで買かえなかった。

I left my wallet behind, so I couldn't buy anything at the convenience store.

Usage Often paired with ～てしまう to add regret: 忘れてしまった = 'I went and forgot it.' Different from なくす, which is losing an object for good.

Remember it 忘 = 亡 (to perish) sitting on 心 (heart). Something drops out of your heart, so you forget it.

あなたはこの近くちかくに良いよいレストランを知ってしっていますか？

Do you know a good restaurant near here?

Usage In the affirmative it is almost always 知っている, never plain 知る. But the negative stays 知らない, not 知っていない — a classic N3 trap.

Remember it 知 = 矢 (arrow) + 口 (mouth). Words that fly straight to the target. Knowing is hitting the mark.

先生せんせいの説明せつめいがよく分かったわかった。

I understood the teacher's explanation well.

Usage 分かる takes が, not を: 日本語が分かる. It describes something becoming clear to you, so it pairs with よく (well) rather than とても.

Remember it 分 = 八 (split apart) over 刀 (blade). Cutting a thing into parts. You understand once you can separate them.

複雑ふくざつな問題もんだいをしっかり理解するりかいするのは難しむずかしい。

It is hard to properly comprehend a complicated problem.

Usage More formal and effortful than 分かる, used for concepts, texts and other people's feelings. It takes を: 問題を理解する.

Remember it 理 = logic or reason, 解 = to untie. Untying the logic gives you comprehension. 解 also appears in 解決 (solve) and 解説 (commentary).

将来しょうらいのことをじっくりじっくり考えてかんがえてから決めるきめるつもりです。

I plan to think things over carefully before deciding about my future.

Usage 考える is active reasoning; 思う is holding an opinion or a feeling. 考えている = I am working it out, 思っている = I believe.

Remember it 考 shares its top with 老 (aged). Thinking is what an elder does: turning a matter over slowly.

この曲きょくを聞くときくと、子供こどもの頃ころを思い出すおもいだす。

When I hear this song, I remember my childhood.

Usage 思い出す is the moment a memory surfaces; 覚えている is still holding it. The noun 思い出 means a memory or a keepsake.

Remember it 思い (thought) + 出す (bring out). You pull a thought back out of storage.

来月らいげつから新しいあたらしい仕事しごとを始めるはじめる予定よていです。

I plan to start a new job from next month.

Usage 始める is transitive, so you start it: 仕事を始める. Its partner 始まる is intransitive: 授業が始まる. N3 tests this pair constantly.

Remember it 始 = 女 (woman) + 台 (platform). The origin of life, and so the beginning of anything.

映画えいがが終わっおわったら、一緒いっしょに夕食ゆうしょくを食べようたべよう。

When the movie ends, let's have dinner together.

Usage 終わる is intransitive: 映画が終わる. The transitive partner is 終える, to finish something. As a noun, 終わり = the end.

Remember it 終 = 糸 (thread) + 冬 (winter). The thread runs out as the last season arrives.

毎日まいにち日本語にほんごの勉強べんきょうを続けるつづけることが大切たいせつです。

It is important to keep studying Japanese every day.

Usage 続ける is transitive (keep doing it), 続く is intransitive (it goes on). Attach it to a verb stem: 歩き続ける = keep walking.

Remember it 続 = 糸 (thread) + 売. Picture an unbroken thread running on and on.

タバコをやめたやめたおかげで、体調たいちょうがよくなった。

Thanks to quitting smoking, my health has improved.

Usage Written 辞める for leaving a job and 止める for stopping a habit or action. Both read やめる, so the kanji tells you which meaning is intended.

Remember it Learn it as a pair: 始める (start) and やめる (quit). 会社を辞める = to leave a company.

ピアノを上手じょうずになるために、毎日まいにち２時間じかん練習するれんしゅうする。

I practise the piano two hours a day to get good at it.

Usage 練習 is repetition to build a skill. 復習 (ふくしゅう) is reviewing what you already learned, and 予習 (よしゅう) is preparing before class.

Remember it 練 = 糸 (thread) worked over and over until refined. 習 = 羽 (wings) over 白: a chick flapping again and again until it can fly.

試験しけんのために図書館としょかんで勉強したべんきょうした。

I studied at the library for the exam.

Usage For a specific subject use を: 日本語を勉強する. In shops it also means a discount — 勉強しますよ means 'I'll cut you a deal.'

Remember it 勉 = to exert effort, 強 = strong. Study literally reads as 'force yourself to be strong.'

日本語にほんごを教えておしえてもらえませんか。

Could you teach me Japanese?

Usage Also means 'tell me' for plain information: 住所を教えてください = please tell me your address. The person taught takes に: 私に教える.

Remember it 教 = 孝 (respect for elders) + 攵 (a hand holding a stick). The old picture of knowledge handed down to the young.

失敗しっぱいから多くおおくのことを学ぶまなぶことができます。

You can learn a lot from failure.

Usage 学ぶ is more formal and abstract than 習う, which is being taught a concrete skill. Use 学ぶ for lessons drawn from experience.

Remember it 学 = a child (子) under a roof, with hands reaching down to them. School: knowledge passed to the child.

寝る前ねるまえに本ほんを読むよむのが習慣しゅうかんです。

Reading a book before bed is a habit of mine.

Usage Also used for reading a situation: 空気を読む = read the room. On its own, 読み (よみ) means the reading of a kanji.

Remember it 読 = 言 (words) + 売. Words set out for sale, waiting to be taken in.

手紙てがみを書いてかいて郵便局ゆうびんきょくから送ったおくった。

I wrote a letter and sent it from the post office.

Usage 書く is writing text; 描く (also かく) is drawing a picture. Same sound, different kanji. 書き方 = how to write something.

Remember it 書 = 聿 (a hand holding a brush) over 曰 (to say). A brush putting speech down on paper.

授業中じゅぎょうちゅう、先生せんせいの説明せつめいをしっかり聞いてきいてください。

During class, please listen carefully to the teacher's explanation.

Usage 聞く carries three meanings: hear, listen, and ask. 道を聞く = ask for directions. Use 聴く when you mean listening attentively to music.

Remember it 聞 = 耳 (ear) inside 門 (gate). An ear at the gate, catching whatever passes through.

緊張きんちょうしてうまく話せはなせなかった。

I was nervous and couldn't speak well.

Usage 話す is to speak or tell, 言う is to say particular words, しゃべる is casual chatting. As a noun, 話 (はなし) is a story or a talk.

Remember it 話 = 言 (words) + 舌 (tongue). Words set moving by the tongue.

窓まどから富士山ふじさんが見えるみえる。

You can see Mt. Fuji from the window.

Usage 見る is looking on purpose, 見える is something being visible to you (as here), 見られる is being able to see it. N3 tests all three together.

Remember it 見 = 目 (eye) on 儿 (legs). An eye walking about, taking things in.

なくした財布さいふをついに見つけたみつけた！

I finally found the wallet I had lost!

Usage 見つける is transitive — you find it. 見つかる is intransitive — it turns up: 仕事が見つかった = a job turned up.

Remember it 見 (see) + つける (attach). Your eye lands on something and sticks to it.

仕事しごとを探してさがしているが、なかなか見つからないみつからない。

I'm looking for work, but I can't find anything.

Usage 探す is the act of searching, 見つける is succeeding at it. Written 捜す when you are searching for a missing person or a lost item.

Remember it 探 = 扌 (hand) + a shape meaning deep. A hand reaching down deep to feel around.

スーパーで野菜やさいと果物くだものを買ったかった。

I bought vegetables and fruit at the supermarket.

Usage 買い物 (かいもの) = shopping. Watch out for 飼う, also read かう, which means to keep a pet.

Remember it 買 = 罒 (a net) over 貝 (a shell, meaning money). Netting goods with money.

古いふるい本ほんをネットで売ったうった。

I sold my old books online.

Usage 売り切れ (うりきれ) = sold out. 売れる means to sell well: この本はよく売れる = this book sells well.

Remember it 売 is goods being handed out over a counter. You will also spot it inside 読む and 続ける, where it only supplies the sound.

日本語にほんごでメールを書くのにかくのに辞書じしょを使ったつかった。

I used a dictionary to write an email in Japanese.

Usage 使う covers tools, money, time and even people: 気を使う = to be considerate. 使い方 (つかいかた) = how to use something.

Remember it 使 = 亻 (person) + 吏 (official). A person sent out to do a job — an envoy. Same kanji in 大使 (ambassador).

友達ともだちに傘かさを貸したかしたが、まだ返してかえしてもらっていない。

I lent my friend an umbrella, but I haven't got it back yet.

Usage 貸す is giving it out, 借りる is taking it in. Fix the direction: 貸してください = please lend me, 借りてもいい？ = may I borrow?

Remember it 貸 = 代 (substitute) over 貝 (money). Your money standing in somewhere else until it comes back.

図書館としょかんで本ほんを3冊さつ借りたかりた。

I borrowed three books from the library.

Usage 借金 (しゃっきん) = a debt. Keep the pair straight: the library 貸す, you 借りる.

Remember it 借 = 亻 (person) + 昔 (long ago). A person carrying something from earlier — an obligation.

駅前えきまえで友達ともだちを30分ふん待ったまった。

I waited thirty minutes for my friend in front of the station.

Usage 待つ takes を: 友達を待つ. The polite request is お待ちください, and 待たせてすみません = sorry to keep you waiting.

Remember it 待 = 彳 (stepping) + 寺 (temple). Standing about at the temple gate.

電車でんしゃに乗り遅れのりおくれないように急いでいそいで家いえを出たでた。

I left the house in a hurry so I wouldn't miss my train.

Usage 急いで works as an adverb meaning hurriedly. The kanji also carries 'sudden': 急に (suddenly), 急行 (きゅうこう) = express train.

Remember it 急 = a hand reaching over 心 (heart). A heart under pressure, so you rush.

渋滞じゅうたいで会議かいぎに遅れておくれてしまった。

I was late to the meeting because of a traffic jam.

Usage 遅れる is being late against a set time: 電車が遅れる. 遅い is the adjective for slow or late. The opposite is 間に合う.

Remember it 遅 = 辶 (movement) + 犀 (rhinoceros). Even a rhino on the move is slow.

走ってはしっていったおかげで、なんとか電車でんしゃに間に合ったまにあった。

Because I ran, I just barely made the train.

Usage Literally 'to fit into the gap.' It also means 'that will do': これで間に合います = this will be enough. Takes に: 電車に間に合う.

Remember it 間 (gap) + 合う (to fit). You slot into the time gap, so you make it.

お風呂ふろに入るはいる前まえに手てを洗いなさいあらいなさい。

Wash your hands before you get in the bath.

Usage 入る (はいる) is to go in; 入れる (いれる) is to put something in. In compounds the same kanji reads にゅう: 入学, 入場.

Remember it 入 pictures something wedging inward. Do not mix it up with 人 (person): 入 has the shorter stroke on the upper left.

会議かいぎが長引いてながびいて予定よていより遅くおそく出たでた。

The meeting dragged on, so I left later than planned.

Usage 出る is intransitive (go out), 出す is transitive (take out). It also means to attend: 授業に出る = attend class.

Remember it 出 looks like something pushing up and out over and over. Pair it with 入る as a set.

毎朝まいあさ電車でんしゃに乗ってのって会社かいしゃに行きますいきます。

Every morning I take the train to the office.

Usage 乗る takes に, not を: 電車に乗る. But getting off takes を: 電車を降りる. That particle switch is an N3 favourite.

Remember it 乗 shows a person up in a tree, mounted on top of something. 乗り物 (のりもの) = a vehicle.

次つぎの駅えきで降りたらおりたら、右みぎに曲がってまがってください。

Get off at the next station and then turn right.

Usage 降りる is to get off or come down. The same kanji read 降る (ふる) means rain or snow falling, so check the okurigana.

Remember it 降 = 阝 (a hill) with feet stepping downward. Coming down off the hill.

駅えきから家いえまで歩いてあるいて15分ふんかかります。

It takes fifteen minutes to walk from the station to my house.

Usage 歩いて plus a time is the standard way to give distance on foot. 散歩 (さんぽ) = a stroll, 歩道 (ほどう) = pavement.

Remember it 歩 = 止 (a footprint) stacked twice. One foot, then the other.

朝あさ公園こうえんを走るはしるのが気持ちいいきもちいい。

Running in the park in the morning feels good.

Usage 走る takes を for the route covered: 公園を走る. It is used for vehicles too: 車が走る = the car is moving along.

Remember it 走 = 土 over 止 (foot). A body leaning forward over moving feet.

鳥とりが空高くそらたかく飛んでとんでいる。

A bird is flying high in the sky.

Usage 飛ぶ means to fly or to leap. 飛行機 (ひこうき) = aeroplane, 飛び込む = to jump in. Written 跳ぶ when it clearly means jumping.

Remember it 飛 is a picture of wings and a tail in motion. The kanji itself looks airborne.

夏休みなつやすみに海うみで泳いだおよいだ。

I swam in the sea during the summer holiday.

Usage 泳ぐ takes を for water you cross: 海を泳ぐ. 水泳 (すいえい) is swimming as a sport or a school subject.

Remember it 泳 = 氵 (water) + 永 (long, eternal). Moving a long way through water.

席せきを立ってたって窓まどから外そとを見たみた。

I stood up from my seat and looked outside through the window.

Usage 立つ is to stand, 立てる is to stand something up. Also learn 役に立つ = to be useful, which is very common at N3.

Remember it 立 is a person standing with both feet planted on the ground line.

どうぞお座りすわりください。

Please have a seat.

Usage お座りください is the standard polite form, though おかけください sounds softer to a guest. 座席 (ざせき) = a seat.

Remember it 座 = 广 (a roof) over two people (人人) on 土 (ground). People seated under a roof.

昨日きのうは疲れてつかれていたので、10時じに寝たねた。

I was tired yesterday, so I went to bed at ten.

Usage 寝る covers both going to bed and sleeping. 眠る (ねむる) is specifically being asleep, and 寝坊する = to oversleep.

Remember it 寝 = 宀 (a roof) over a person on a bed. Under the roof, lying down.