Family & People

私わたしの家族かぞくは五人ごにんです。父ちち、母はは、兄あに、妹いもうと、そして私わたしです。

There are five people in my family: my father, mother, older brother, younger sister, and me.

Usage Count people with 人: 五人 (ごにん). Watch the two irregulars — 一人 (ひとり) and 二人 (ふたり). 家族 covers your household, not relatives at large.

Remember it 家 (house) + 族 (tribe, clan). The tribe inside one house.

父ちちは毎朝まいあさ六時ろくじに起きておきて、新聞しんぶんを読みよみます。

My father gets up at six every morning and reads the newspaper.

Usage 父 (ちち) is how you refer to your own father to others. お父さん (おとうさん) is how you address him, or speak of someone else's.

Remember it 父 pictures a hand holding a stone axe — the one who did the heavy work.

母ははが作るつくるご飯はんはいつもおいしいです。

The food my mother makes is always delicious.

Usage Same humble/polite split as 父: 母 for your own mother, お母さん to address her or to mention someone else's.

Remember it 母 grew from a drawing of a woman with two dots for breasts — the nursing parent.

兄あには東京とうきょうの大学だいがくで勉強べんきょうしています。

My older brother is studying at a university in Tokyo.

Usage 兄 (あに) is your own older brother; お兄さん (おにいさん) addresses him or refers to someone else's. Japanese always marks older versus younger.

Remember it 兄 = 口 (mouth) over 儿 (legs). The one who does the talking — the elder.

姉あねは料理りょうりが上手じょうずで、よく家族かぞくに作ってつくってくれます。

My older sister is good at cooking and often makes food for the family.

Usage 姉 (あね) for your own older sister, お姉さん (おねえさん) to address her. Note the long vowel: おねえさん, not おねさん.

Remember it 姉 = 女 (woman) + 市. The elder of the sisters.

弟おとうとは私わたしより三つみっつ下したです。

My younger brother is three years younger than me.

Usage より + 下 = younger by that much; 上 = older. 三つ下 = three years my junior. 弟さん refers to someone else's younger brother.

Remember it 弟 shows a cord wound down a stake, going lower and lower — the one below you.

妹いもうとと買い物かいものに行くいくのが楽しみたのしみです。

I look forward to going shopping with my younger sister.

Usage のが楽しみです = 'I look forward to doing…'. For someone else's younger sister, say 妹さん.

Remember it 妹 = 女 (woman) + 未 (not yet). The one not yet grown — the younger sister.

祖父そふは八十歳はちじゅっさいですが、まだ元気げんきです。

My grandfather is eighty, but he is still full of energy.

Usage 祖父 (そふ) is the formal word for your own grandfather; in daily speech people say おじいさん or おじいちゃん.

Remember it 祖 = 礻 (altar) + 且 (stacked). Generations stacked at the family altar — an ancestor.

祖母そぼは手作りてづくりのお菓子おかしをよく作ってつくってくれます。

My grandmother often makes homemade sweets for me.

Usage 祖母 (そぼ) pairs with 祖父. Casual speech uses おばあさん. 手作り (てづくり) = handmade, a very common compound.

Remember it 祖 (ancestor) + 母 (mother). The mother further back.

夫おっとは料理りょうりが得意とくいで、週末しゅうまつによく作ってつくってくれます。

My husband is good at cooking and often makes food at weekends.

Usage 夫 (おっと) is your own husband. ご主人 refers to someone else's. 得意 = good at something you are confident in.

Remember it 夫 is 大 (a person with arms out) plus a hairpin stroke on top — an adult man of standing.

妻つまと一緒いっしょに旅行りょこうの計画けいかくを立てたてました。

I made travel plans together with my wife.

Usage 妻 (つま) is your own wife; 奥さん (おくさん) is someone else's. 計画を立てる = to make a plan — the verb is 立てる, not 作る.

Remember it 妻 shows a hand with a hairpin above 女 — a woman with her hair pinned up, the married style.

息子むすこは来年らいねん、大学だいがくを卒業そつぎょうする予定よていです。

My son is due to graduate from university next year.

Usage 息子 (むすこ) is an irregular whole-word reading. 卒業する takes を for the school left: 大学を卒業する.

Remember it 息 = 自 (self) + 心 (heart) — your own breath. 息子 is the boy who carries your breath onward.

娘むすめは今年ことし、小学校しょうがっこうに入学にゅうがくしました。

My daughter started primary school this year.

Usage 入学する takes に for the school entered: 小学校に入学する. Its opposite is 卒業する, which takes を.

Remember it 娘 = 女 (woman) + 良 (good). Note it pairs with 息子, whose reading is just as irregular.

親おやに感謝かんしゃの気持ちきもちを伝えるつたえることが大切たいせつです。

It is important to convey your gratitude to your parents.

Usage 親 alone means parents. It also means intimate: 親しい (したしい) = close, 親切 (しんせつ) = kind. 両親 (りょうしん) = both parents.

Remember it 親 = 立 + 木 (standing by a tree) + 見 (watching). A parent standing watch over you.

子供こどものころ、よく公園こうえんで遊びあそびました。

When I was a child, I often played in the park.

Usage 子供のころ = 'when I was a child', a set phrase. Also written 子ども, which is now the preferred official spelling.

Remember it 子 is a picture of a baby with arms out. 供 adds 亻 (person) — the little ones who come along.

あの人ひとは誰だれですか？

Who is that person?

Usage 人 reads ひと alone, にん when counting (三人), and じん for nationality (日本人). All three appear at N3.

Remember it 人 is two legs walking — a person seen from the side.

その男おとこの人ひとは誰だれですか？

Who is that man?

Usage 男 on its own can sound blunt, so 男の人 or 男性 is safer in polite speech. 男性 (だんせい) is the neutral formal term.

Remember it 男 = 田 (field) over 力 (strength). Strength in the rice field.

女おんなの人ひとたちが楽したのしそうに話してはなしています。

The women are talking as if they're enjoying themselves.

Usage Same politeness rule as 男: prefer 女の人 or 女性. そうに attached to an adjective = 'seeming', as in 楽しそうに.

Remember it 女 grew from a drawing of a kneeling figure with folded arms.

小学校しょうがっこうからの友達ともだちと今いまも連絡れんらくを取ってとっています。

I'm still in touch with a friend from primary school.

Usage 連絡を取る = to keep in contact — the verb is 取る. 友達 is casual; 友人 (ゆうじん), later in this lesson, is its formal twin.

Remember it 友 is two hands reaching the same way, 達 marks a group. Hands pointing together.

先生せんせいの説明せつめいが分かりやすくわかりやすくて助かりたすかりました。

The teacher's explanation was easy to understand, which was a big help.

Usage 先生 covers teachers, doctors and lawyers. Never use it about yourself. Verb stem + やすい = easy to do: 分かりやすい.

Remember it 先 (ahead) + 生 (born, living). One born ahead of you — hence one who teaches.

生徒せいとたちはみんなみんな真剣しんけんに授業じゅぎょうを聞いてきいていました。

The students were all listening to the lesson in earnest.

Usage 生徒 is a pupil at middle or high school; 学生 is a university student; 児童 (じどう) is a primary schoolchild. N3 tests the difference.

Remember it 生 (life, student) + 徒 (follower). The ones who follow the teacher.

熱ねつが下がらさがらないので、医者いしゃに診てみてもらいました。

My fever wouldn't go down, so I had a doctor examine me.

Usage 医者に診てもらう is the natural way to say 'see a doctor' — literally 'receive being examined'. 診る (to examine) is not 見る.

Remember it 医 = an arrow tucked inside a box, the old image of treating a wound. 者 = the person who does it.

父ちちは大手おおて会社かいしゃの会社員かいしゃいんとして働いてはたらいています。

My father works as an employee at a major company.

Usage 員 turns a place into the person who staffs it: 会社員, 店員 (shop staff), 駅員 (station staff), 銀行員 (bank clerk).

Remember it 会社 (company) + 員 (member). A member of the company.

大学だいがく学生がくせいとして、アルバイトをしながら勉強べんきょうしています。

As a university student, I study while working part-time.

Usage ながら joins two simultaneous actions and attaches to the verb stem: 働きながら. アルバイト (part-time job) comes from German Arbeit.

Remember it 学 (study) + 生 (living person). One whose life is study.

隣となりの赤ちゃんあかちゃんはとてもかわいくて、よく泣いてないています。

The baby next door is very cute and cries a lot.

Usage 赤ちゃん is the everyday word; 赤ん坊 (あかんぼう) is slightly more literary. The ちゃん suffix carries the affection.

Remember it 赤 = red. Newborns arrive red-faced, so the word is literally 'little red one'.

子供こどものころとは違いちがい、大人おとなになると責任せきにんが増えふえます。

Unlike in childhood, responsibilities increase once you become an adult.

Usage 大人 is an irregular reading: おとな, not だいじん. 大人になる = to grow up. 大人しい (おとなしい) means quiet or well-behaved.

Remember it 大 (big) + 人 (person). A big person — the meaning is plain, the reading is not.

バスの中なかでお年寄りおとしよりに席せきを譲りゆずりました。

I gave up my seat to an elderly person on the bus.

Usage お年寄り is the warm, everyday term; 高齢者 (こうれいしゃ) is the formal one used in documents. 席を譲る = to give up a seat.

Remember it 年 (years) + 寄る (to draw near). One who has drawn near in years.

同僚どうりょうと昼ひるご飯はんを食べたべながら、仕事しごとの話はなしをします。

I talk about work with my colleagues over lunch.

Usage 同僚 is a colleague at the same level. Ranked coworkers are 上司 (じょうし, boss) and 部下 (ぶか, subordinate).

Remember it 同 (same) + 僚 (companion). Someone in the same boat as you.

隣人りんじんと仲良くなかよくすることは大切たいせつです。

It is important to get along with your neighbours.

Usage 隣人 is fairly formal; in speech people say 隣の人 or ご近所 (ごきんじょ). 仲良くする = to get on well with someone.

Remember it 隣 (next to) + 人 (person). The person next door.

パーティーで知り合いしりあいに偶然ぐうぜん会いあいました。

I ran into an acquaintance at the party by chance.

Usage 知り合い is someone you know but aren't close to — weaker than 友達. 偶然 (ぐうぜん) = by chance, coincidentally.

Remember it 知る (to know) + 合う (mutually). People who know each other, and no more.

恋人こいびとと手てをつないで公園こうえんを散歩さんぽしました。

I walked through the park holding hands with my partner.

Usage 恋人 works for a partner of any gender. 彼 (boyfriend) and 彼女 (girlfriend) are more common in casual speech.

Remember it 恋 (romantic love) + 人 (person). Note 恋 has 心 (heart) at its base.

二人ふたりは去年きょねん結婚けっこんして、今いまは幸せしあわせに暮らしてくらしています。

The two got married last year and are living happily now.

Usage 結婚する takes と for the person married: 彼と結婚する. Using を here is a classic mistake. 結婚式 = wedding ceremony.

Remember it 結 = 糸 (thread) + 吉 (fortune). A lucky knot tied between two people.

二人ふたりは意見いけんが合わずあわず、離婚りこんすることになりました。

The two couldn't agree, and it was decided that they would divorce.

Usage ことになる = it has been decided (by circumstances), versus ことにする = I decide. That contrast is heavily tested at N3.

Remember it 離 (to separate) + 婚 (marriage). The marriage comes apart.

私わたしは東京とうきょうで生まれうまれ、大阪おおさかで育ちそだちました。

I was born in Tokyo and raised in Osaka.

Usage 生まれる is intransitive (to be born); 生む is transitive (to give birth). The birthplace takes で: 東京で生まれる.

Remember it 生 is a sprout pushing up out of the ground — life beginning.

その映画えいがでは、主人公しゅじんこうが最後さいごに死んでしんでしまいます。

In that movie, the main character dies at the end.

Usage 死ぬ is blunt. About people you know, Japanese prefers 亡くなる (なくなる). 死ぬ is the only verb ending in ぬ in modern Japanese.

Remember it 死 = 歹 (bare bones) + 匕 (a person kneeling). Someone bowed beside the remains.

今年ことしで三十さんじゅう年としになります。

I turn thirty this year.

Usage 年 reads とし for age and year-as-a-period, but ねん in counters: 三年 (さんねん). Age is usually counted with 歳/才 (さい).

Remember it 年 came from a picture of a person carrying harvested grain — one harvest, one year.

今日きょうは彼女かのじょの誕生日たんじょうびなので、プレゼントを買ってかってきました。

Today is my girlfriend's birthday, so I went and bought a present.

Usage 買ってきました = went, bought, and came back. That てくる pattern of going and returning is very common at N3.

Remember it 誕 (birth) + 生 (life) + 日 (day). The day life began.

すみません、お名前おなまえを教えておしえていただけますか？

Excuse me, could you tell me your name?

Usage Add お when asking someone else's name: お名前. ～ていただけますか is a very polite request, softer than ～てください.

Remember it 名 = 夕 (evening) + 口 (mouth). In the dark you must say your name to be known.

自己じこ紹介しょうかいをお願いねがいします。

Please introduce yourself.

Usage 自己紹介 (じこしょうかい) = self-introduction, a set phrase. To introduce A to B: BにAを紹介する.

Remember it 紹 = 糸 (thread) + 召. An introduction ties a thread between two people.

久しぶりひさしぶりに旧友きゅうゆうと会うあうことができて嬉しうれしかったです。

I was happy to be able to meet an old friend after a long time.

Usage 会う takes に or と, never を: 友達に会う. 久しぶり = 'for the first time in a while', a phrase you will hear constantly.

Remember it 会 shows a lid fitting onto a vessel — two parts coming together.

駅えきで友達ともだちと別れわかれて、家いえに帰りかえりました。

I parted from my friend at the station and went home.

Usage 別れる takes と: 友達と別れる. It covers both saying goodbye for the day and breaking up a relationship — context decides which.

Remember it 別 = a bone being separated by 刂 (a blade). Cutting apart.

この仕事しごとは男性だんせいでも女性じょせいでも応募おうぼできます。

Both men and women can apply for this job.

Usage 男性 is the neutral, formal term for a man — use it on forms and in polite speech where 男 would sound abrupt. でも…でも = either… or.

Remember it 男 (man) + 性 (nature, gender). The male gender, stated formally.

女性じょせいが活躍かつやくできる社会しゃかいを目指してめざしています。

We are aiming for a society where women can thrive.

Usage 女性 pairs with 男性 as the formal set. 目指す (めざす) = to aim for a goal, common in essays and news at N3 level.

Remember it 女 (woman) + 性 (nature, gender). The female counterpart of 男性.

高齢化こうれいかが進むすすむにつれて、介護かいごの問題もんだいが深刻しんこくになっています。

As the ageing of society advances, care problems are becoming serious.

Usage につれて = 'as X progresses, Y follows' — a core N3 grammar point. 化 turns a noun into a process: 高齢化, 国際化.

Remember it 高 (high) + 齢 (age in years). High in years.

彼女かのじょは私わたしより五ついつつ年上としうえですが、よく話はなしが合いあいます。

She is five years older than me, but we get on well.

Usage 年上 = older, 年下 (としした) = younger, 同い年 (おないどし) = the same age. 話が合う = to click with someone.

Remember it 年 (years) + 上 (above). Further up the years than you.

目上めうえの人ひとには、丁寧ていねいな言葉ことばを使うつかうことが大切たいせつです。

It is important to use polite language with those senior to you.

Usage 目上 is senior in social rank, not age — the group that requires 敬語. Its opposite is 目下 (めした).

Remember it 目 (eye) + 上 (above). Those you look up to.

先輩せんぱいに仕事しごとのやり方やりかたを教えておしえていただきました。

A senior colleague taught me how to do the work.

Usage 先輩 is anyone who joined your school or company before you, regardless of age. いただく makes receiving a favour humble and polite.

Remember it 先 (ahead) + 輩 (fellow). A fellow who arrived ahead of you.

後輩こうはいが困ってこまっているとき、先輩せんぱいとして助けてたすけてあげました。

When my junior was struggling, I helped him as his senior.

Usage 後輩 is the mirror of 先輩. てあげる marks doing a favour for someone below or beside you — use it carefully with superiors.

Remember it 後 (behind) + 輩 (fellow). The fellow who came in after you.

話し合いはなしあいでは、相手あいての意見いけんをよく聞くきくことが大切たいせつです。

In a discussion, it is important to listen carefully to the other person's opinion.

Usage 相手 is whoever is on the other side — a conversation partner, an opponent, a business counterpart. Very flexible and very common.

Remember it 相 (mutual) + 手 (hand). The hand facing yours.

幼いおさないころからの友人ゆうじんは、今いまでも大切たいせつな存在そんざいです。

A friend from early childhood is still someone important to me.

Usage 友人 is the formal written twin of 友達 — use it in essays and speeches, 友達 in conversation.

Remember it 友 (two hands reaching the same way) + 人 (person).

あの二人ふたりは仲なかがいいですね。

Those two get along well, don't they?

Usage 仲がいい = to be close, 仲が悪い = to be on bad terms, 仲直り (なかなおり) = to make up. Do not confuse with 中 (inside).

Remember it 仲 = 亻 (person) + 中 (middle). The space between two people — their relationship.

申込書もうしこみしょに生年月日せいねんがっぴを記入きにゅうしてください。

Please fill in your date of birth on the application form.

Usage Note 日 reads ぴ here: せいねんがっぴ. You will meet this word on every Japanese form you ever fill in.

Remember it 生 (birth) + 年月日 (year, month, day). Exactly what it says.

赤ちゃんあかちゃんの誕生たんじょうを心こころから祝いいわいます。

We celebrate the baby's birth from the bottom of our hearts.

Usage 誕生 is the event of being born, and is also used figuratively: 新製品の誕生 = the birth of a new product.

Remember it 誕 = 言 (words) + 延 (to stretch). Announcing a new life. Add 日 and you get 誕生日.

あなたの出身しゅっしんはどこですか？ー大阪おおさかです。

Where are you from? — Osaka.

Usage 出身 is where you are from, and also where you graduated from: 東大出身. Answer with just the place name.

Remember it 出 (to come out) + 身 (body, self). Where you came out of.

久しぶりひさしぶりに故郷こきょうに帰りかえり、山やまや川かわを見みて懐かしなつかしくなりました。

I returned to my hometown after a long absence, and seeing the mountains and rivers made me nostalgic.

Usage 故郷 (こきょう) is literary and emotional, unlike the plain 出身. It is also read ふるさと, the warmer, more poetic version.

Remember it 故 (old, former) + 郷 (village). The old village — where you are from.

会社かいしゃは毎年まいとし10%の成長せいちょうを続けてつづけている。

The company keeps growing at ten percent a year.

Usage 成長 covers children growing up and economies expanding alike: 経済成長. For plants use 生長, though 成長 is often accepted.

Remember it 成 (to become, to complete) + 長 (long, to grow). Becoming longer.

日本にほんでは二十歳はたちになると成人せいじんとして認められますみとめられます。

In Japan you are recognised as an adult once you turn twenty.

Usage Note 二十歳 is read はたち. 成人の日 is the Coming-of-Age Day holiday. The legal age became 18 in 2022, though はたち keeps its ceremony.

Remember it 成 (to become) + 人 (person). Having become a full person.

JLPT N3に合格ごうかくするために頑張ってがんばっています。

I'm working hard to pass JLPT N3.

Usage 合格する takes に: 試験に合格する. The opposite is 不合格 (ふごうかく). This is the word printed on your JLPT result slip.

Remember it 合 (to match) + 格 (standard). You met the standard.

高校こうこうを卒業そつぎょうした後あと、大学だいがくへ進学しんがくする予定よていです。

After graduating from high school, I plan to go on to university.

Usage 進学 is specifically moving up to the next stage of education. 進学率 (しんがくりつ) = the rate of students who go on, common in reading passages.

Remember it 進 (to advance) + 学 (study). Advancing in schooling.

経済的けいざいてきな理由りゆうで大学だいがくを退学たいがくしなければなりませんでした。

I had to drop out of university for financial reasons.

Usage 退学 = leaving school for good; 休学 (きゅうがく) = taking a leave of absence. 退 also appears in 早退 and 退職 (leaving a job).

Remember it 退 (to withdraw) + 学 (school). Withdrawing from school.

大学だいがく卒業そつぎょうと同時どうじに、商社しょうしゃに就職しゅうしょくしました。

I got a job at a trading company as soon as I graduated from university.

Usage 就職する takes に for the company joined: 会社に就職する. 就職活動 (就活, しゅうかつ) is Japan's job-hunting season.

Remember it 就 (to take up a position) + 職 (occupation). Taking up a post.

工場こうじょうが閉鎖へいさされ、多くおおくの従業員じゅうぎょういんが失業しつぎょうした。

The factory was closed down and many employees lost their jobs.

Usage 失 means losing something: 失業 (job), 失敗 (しっぱい, failure), 失礼 (しつれい, rudeness — losing manners).

Remember it 失 (to lose) + 業 (work). Losing your work.

一人暮らしひとりぐらしの生活せいかつにも慣れなれてきました。

I've gradually got used to living alone.

Usage 生活 is daily life as it is lived; 人生 (じんせい) is a whole lifetime. 慣れる takes に: 生活に慣れる.

Remember it 生 (to live) + 活 (active). Living, actively — day-to-day life.

通勤つうきん時間じかんは片道かたみち一時間いちじかんかかります。

My commute takes an hour each way.

Usage 通勤 is commuting to work; 通学 (つうがく) is commuting to school. 片道 = one way, 往復 (おうふく) = round trip.

Remember it 通 (to pass through, to commute) + 勤 (work duty). Going back and forth to work.

日本にほんでは学歴がくれきが就職しゅうしょくに影響えいきょうすることがあります。

In Japan, your educational background can affect your job hunt.

Usage 歴 marks a personal history: 学歴 (education), 職歴 (しょくれき, work history), 経歴 (けいれき, career record).

Remember it 学 (study) + 歴 (history, record). Your record of study.

今月こんげつから給料きゅうりょうが上がりあがりました。

My salary went up starting this month.

Usage 給料 is the everyday word for pay. 給与 (きゅうよ) is the formal one on payslips, and ボーナス is the twice-yearly bonus.

Remember it 給 (to supply) + 料 (a fee, a charge). The sum supplied to you.

来週らいしゅう面接めんせつがあるので、準備じゅんびをしっかりしています。

I have an interview next week, so I'm preparing thoroughly.

Usage 面接を受ける = to have an interview (literally to receive one). A media interview is インタビュー, a different word entirely.

Remember it 面 (face) + 接 (to make contact). Meeting face to face.

二時間にじかんの会議かいぎの後あと、十五分じゅうごふんほど休憩きゅうけいを取りとりました。

After the two-hour meeting, we took a break of about fifteen minutes.

Usage 休憩を取る = to take a break. ほど after a number means 'about'. 休憩 is a short pause; 休み is a day off.

Remember it 休 (rest) + 憩 (to take one's ease). Both halves mean rest — a proper pause.