Japanese A1 — Starter: greetings, です, first verbs

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The whole Japanese A1 level as one readable page: 3 units, 9 lessons, 63 words, 289 questions with every answer shown, a worksheet and a 10-item level test. Nothing here is behind JavaScript, and nothing needs an account.

What you can do when A1 is finished

• Greet people and introduce yourself
• Use です, これ/それ/あれ and counters
• Use ます-verbs and あります/います

A1, unit by unit

First words

Greetings: こんにちは

こんにちは (hello), おはよう (morning!), こんばんは (evening!). Meeting: はじめまして (nice to meet you) → わたしは + name + です → よろしくおねがいします (please treat me well)! Bow slightly!

Dialogue. Read it aloud twice — once for each speaker.

Practice (12). Answer first, then open the answer.

What this Japanese practice tests. multiple choice, fill in the blank, translation, reverse translation, matching, reorder, sentence building, word selection, error correction, dialogue completion, reading comprehension, paragraph comprehension. Every exercise works on Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels.

1. multiple choicePractice 1 [multiple choice] — Greetings: こんにちは: Choose the contextual meaning of こんにちは (konnichiwa).

   1. hello
   2. good morning
   3. good evening
   Show the answer

   hello

2. fill the gapPractice 2 [fill in the blank] — Greetings: こんにちは: Type the complete kana and kanji expression meaning “good morning”.

   Show the answer

   おはよう

3. translatePractice 3 [translation] — Greetings: こんにちは: Read こんばんは (konbanwa) and give its lesson meaning.

   Show the answer

   good evening

4. translate into the languagePractice 4 [reverse translation] — Greetings: こんにちは: Produce “nice to meet you” in kana and kanji, not romanisation alone.

   Show the answer

   はじめまして

5. matchingPractice 5 [matching] — Greetings: こんにちは: Match ありがとう to its contextual meaning.

   1. excuse me / sorry
   2. thanks
   3. yes
   Show the answer

   thanks

6. put it in orderPractice 6 [reorder] — Greetings: こんにちは: Rebuild this model with correct Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels: Thanks!

   Show the answer

   ありがとう!

7. build the sentencePractice 7 [sentence building] — Greetings: こんにちは: Rebuild this model with correct Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels: Nice to meet you, I am Yuki.

   Show the answer

   はじめまして、わたしはゆきです。

8. choose the wordPractice 8 [word selection] — Greetings: こんにちは: Select the correct target form for “no”.

   1. こんにちは
   2. おはよう
   3. いいえ
   Show the answer

   いいえ

9. find the mistakePractice 9 [error correction] — Greetings: こんにちは: Replace a script, morphology, particle, or register error with the lesson model for “Thanks!”.

   Show the answer

   ありがとう!

10. finish the dialoguePractice 10 [dialogue completion] — Greetings: こんにちは: Complete たろう’s turn in the taught register: Nice to meet you, I am Taro.

    Show the answer

    はじめまして、わたしはたろうです。

11. readingPractice 11 [reading comprehension] — Greetings: こんにちは: Read よろしくおねがいします! (yoroshiku onegai-shimasu!). What exact detail is communicated?

    Show the answer

    Please treat me well!

12. paragraphPractice 12 [paragraph comprehension] — Greetings: こんにちは: Read the complete dialogue and explain this turn’s function: こちらこそ!

    Show the answer

    Same here!

Quick check (5).

1. quick checkはじめまして means…

   1. hello
   2. nice to meet you
   3. goodbye
   4. thanks
   Show the answer

   nice to meet you

   First-meeting greeting.

2. quick checkよろしくおねがいします means…

   1. thank you
   2. please treat me well
   3. excuse me
   4. good luck
   Show the answer

   please treat me well

   Introduction closer.

3. quick checkすみません means…

   1. thanks
   2. excuse me / sorry
   3. hello
   4. yes
   Show the answer

   excuse me / sorry

   すみません = sorry/excuse me.

4. quick checkこちらこそ means…

   1. me too / same here
   2. goodbye
   3. never
   4. maybe
   Show the answer

   me too / same here

   こちらこそ = right back at you.

5. quick checkは in わたしは sounds like…

   1. ha
   2. wa
   3. he
   4. wo
   Show the answer

   wa

   Particle は = WA!

Worksheet: Greetings worksheet

Review list. こんにちは · おはよう · こんばんは · はじめまして

Names and おげんきですか

Ask names: おなまえは? (your name?) → わたしは…です. How are you: おげんきですか? → はい、げんきです! か turns anything into a question: ゆきですか? = Are you Yuki?

Dialogue. Read it aloud twice — once for each speaker.

Practice (12). Answer first, then open the answer.

What this Japanese practice tests. main idea, detail identification, inference, listening comprehension, dictation, listen and choose, listen and reorder, listen and fill, repeat after audio, multiple choice, fill in the blank, translation. Every exercise works on Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels.

1. the main ideaPractice 2 [main idea] — Names and おげんきですか: What is the central communicative purpose of “Names and おげんきですか”?

   Show the answer

   Ask names: おなまえは? (your name?) → わたしは…です.

2. spot the detailPractice 3 [detail identification] — Names and おげんきですか: Read はい、げんきです! あなたは? (hai, genki desu! anata-wa?). What exact detail is communicated?

   Show the answer

   Yes, I'm fine! And you?

3. what is meantPractice 4 [inference] — Names and おげんきですか: Infer the intended meaning or social force of おげんきですか? without overclaiming.

   Show the answer

   How are you?

4. listeningPractice 5 [listening comprehension] — Names and おげんきですか: Play the synthetic audio and give its precise contextual meaning.

   audio drill — play it in the course player

   Show the answer

   Your name?

5. dictationPractice 6 [dictation] — Names and おげんきですか: Play the labeled synthetic Japanese audio and type the complete line in kana and kanji.

   audio drill — play it in the course player

   Show the answer

   わたしはゆきです。おげんきですか?

6. listen and choosePractice 7 [listen and choose] — Names and おげんきですか: Play the synthetic audio and select its contextual meaning.

   1. Yes, I'm fine! And you?
   2. I'm fine!
   3. please (give me)

   audio drill — play it in the course player

   Show the answer

   Yes, I'm fine! And you?

7. listen, then orderPractice 8 [listen and reorder] — Names and おげんきですか: Rebuild this model with correct Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels: Yes, I'm fine!

   audio drill — play it in the course player

   Show the answer

   はい、げんきです!

8. listen and fillPractice 9 [listen and fill] — Names and おげんきですか: Play the synthetic audio and complete the line beginning “おなまえは?…”.

   audio drill — play it in the course player

   Show the answer

   おなまえは?

9. repeat itPractice 10 [repeat after audio] — Names and おげんきですか: Repeat the synthetic model with accurate phrase grouping; no microphone score is claimed.

   audio drill — play it in the course player

   Show the answer

   わたしはゆきです。おげんきですか?

10. multiple choicePractice 11 [multiple choice] — Names and おげんきですか: Choose the contextual meaning of なまえ (namae).

    1. name
    2. how are you
    3. fine / healthy
    Show the answer

    name

11. fill the gapPractice 12 [fill in the blank] — Names and おげんきですか: Type the complete kana and kanji expression meaning “how are you”.

    Show the answer

    おげんきですか

12. translatePractice 13 [translation] — Names and おげんきですか: Read げんき (genki) and give its lesson meaning.

    Show the answer

    fine / healthy

Quick check (5).

1. quick checkおげんきですか? means…

   1. what is this
   2. how are you
   3. where are you
   4. who are you
   Show the answer

   how are you

   おげんきですか = how are you.

2. quick checkか turns sentences into…

   1. orders
   2. questions
   3. past
   4. negative
   Show the answer

   questions

   です→ですか? = is?/are?.

3. quick checkおなまえは? means…

   1. my name
   2. your name?
   3. his name
   4. no name
   Show the answer

   your name?

   おなまえは = your name?

4. quick checkげんき means…

   1. tired
   2. fine / healthy
   3. busy
   4. sad
   Show the answer

   fine / healthy

   げんき = fine/well.

5. quick checkください means…

   1. thanks
   2. please (give me)
   3. sorry
   4. hello
   Show the answer

   please (give me)

   ください = please give/do.

Worksheet: Questions worksheet

Review list. わたし · あなた · なまえ · おげんきですか

あいさつの じかん: おはよう・こんばんは

Greetings change with the clock, not with the person: おはようございます in the morning, こんにちは in the day, こんばんは after dark, おやすみなさい before sleep. Leaving early takes its own sentence, おさきに しつれいします.

Dialogue. Read it aloud twice — once for each speaker.

Practice (12). Answer first, then open the answer.

What this Japanese practice tests. Japanese. Every exercise works on kana and kanji, particles は/が/を/に, です・ます politeness, verb-final order, counters and keigo.

1. multiple choicePractice 1: [multiple choice] あいさつの じかん: おはよう・こんばんは — Choose the meaning of おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu) in this lesson.

   1. good morning (polite)
   2. good evening
   3. good night
   4. excuse me for leaving first
   Show the answer

   good morning (polite)

2. fill the gapPractice 2: [fill in the blank] あいさつの じかん: おはよう・こんばんは — Type the Japanese expression meaning “good evening”.

   Show the answer

   こんばんは

3. translatePractice 3: [translation] あいさつの じかん: おはよう・こんばんは — Interpret the Japanese script in context: おはようございます。きょうも よろしく おねがいします。 (Ohayou gozaimasu. Kyou mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.).

   Show the answer

   Good morning. Please treat me well today too.

4. translate into the languagePractice 4: [reverse translation] あいさつの じかん: おはよう・こんばんは — Write in Japanese script: Excuse me for leaving before you..

   Show the answer

   おさきに しつれいします。

5. matchingPractice 5: [matching] あいさつの じかん: おはよう・こんばんは — Match おやすみなさい to its lesson meaning.

   1. good night
   2. good morning (polite)
   3. good evening
   Show the answer

   good night

6. put it in orderPractice 6: [reorder] あいさつの じかん: おはよう・こんばんは — Reconstruct the lesson model in coherent Japanese: See you tomorrow, then..

   Show the answer

   じゃあ また あした。

7. build the sentencePractice 7: [sentence building] あいさつの じかん: おはよう・こんばんは — Build the sentence with the lesson pattern (あさ: おはようございます · ひる: こんにちは · よる: こんばんは · でるとき: おさきに しつれいします): Good morning. Please treat me well today too..

   Show the answer

   おはようございます。きょうも よろしく おねがいします。

8. choose the wordPractice 8: [word selection] あいさつの じかん: おはよう・こんばんは — Select the Japanese form for “excuse me for leaving first”.

   1. おさきに しつれいします
   2. じゃあ また
   Show the answer

   おさきに しつれいします

9. find the mistakePractice 9: [error correction] あいさつの じかん: おはよう・こんばんは — Correct the model the lesson warns about: こんにちは、おやすみなさい。

   Show the answer

   こんばんは。おやすみなさい。

10. finish the dialoguePractice 10: [dialogue completion] あいさつの じかん: おはよう・こんばんは — Complete the exchange with the studied response to: Good morning.

    Show the answer

    おはようございます。きょうも よろしく おねがいします。

11. readingPractice 11: [reading comprehension] あいさつの じかん: おはよう・こんばんは — Read “わたしは おさきに しつれいします。” (Watashi wa osaki ni shitsurei shimasu.). What does it mean?

    Show the answer

    I will leave before you.

12. paragraphPractice 12: [paragraph comprehension] あいさつの じかん: おはよう・こんばんは — Read the lesson dialogue as a whole and give its key move: Thank you for your work. See you tomorrow, then.

    Show the answer

    おつかれさまでした。じゃあ また あした。

Quick check (5).

1. quick checkWhich meaning best fits おはようございます?

   1. good morning (polite)
   2. good evening
   3. good night
   4. excuse me for leaving first
   Show the answer

   good morning (polite)

   おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu) means good morning (polite) in this lesson.

2. quick checkWhich meaning best fits こんばんは?

   1. good evening
   2. good morning (polite)
   3. good night
   4. excuse me for leaving first
   Show the answer

   good evening

   こんばんは (konbanwa) means good evening in this lesson.

3. quick checkWhich meaning best fits おやすみなさい?

   1. good night
   2. good morning (polite)
   3. good evening
   4. excuse me for leaving first
   Show the answer

   good night

   おやすみなさい (oyasuminasai) means good night in this lesson.

4. quick checkWhich meaning best fits おさきに しつれいします?

   1. excuse me for leaving first
   2. good morning (polite)
   3. good evening
   4. good night
   Show the answer

   excuse me for leaving first

   おさきに しつれいします (osaki ni shitsurei shimasu) means excuse me for leaving first in this lesson.

5. quick checkWhich meaning best fits じゃあ また?

   1. see you, then
   2. good morning (polite)
   3. good evening
   4. good night
   Show the answer

   see you, then

   じゃあ また (jaa mata) means see you, then in this lesson.

Worksheet: Greeting worksheet

Review list. おはようございます · こんばんは · おやすみなさい · おさきに しつれいします

です and counters

です and これ/それ/あれ

Point at things! これ (this-near-me), それ (that-near-you), あれ (that-far). これはほんです = This is a book. Negative: ほんじゃありません (it's not a book). Point and name the world!

Dialogue. Read it aloud twice — once for each speaker.

Practice (12). Answer first, then open the answer.

What this Japanese practice tests. reverse translation, matching, reorder, sentence building, word selection, error correction, dialogue completion, reading comprehension, paragraph comprehension, main idea, detail identification, inference. Every exercise works on Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels.

1. translate into the languagePractice 3 [reverse translation] — です and これ/それ/あれ: Produce “that (far)” in kana and kanji, not romanisation alone.

   Show the answer

   あれ

2. matchingPractice 4 [matching] — です and これ/それ/あれ: Match ほん to its contextual meaning.

   1. school
   2. book
   3. car
   Show the answer

   book

3. put it in orderPractice 5 [reorder] — です and これ/それ/あれ: Rebuild this model with correct Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels: That is a car.

   Show the answer

   それはくるまです。

4. build the sentencePractice 6 [sentence building] — です and これ/それ/あれ: Rebuild this model with correct Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels: This is not a book.

   Show the answer

   これはほんじゃありません。

5. choose the wordPractice 7 [word selection] — です and これ/それ/あれ: Select the correct target form for “big”.

   1. ちいさい
   2. これ
   3. おおきい
   Show the answer

   おおきい

6. find the mistakePractice 8 [error correction] — です and これ/それ/あれ: Replace a script, morphology, particle, or register error with the lesson model for “That is a car.”.

   Show the answer

   それはくるまです。

7. finish the dialoguePractice 9 [dialogue completion] — です and これ/それ/あれ: Complete ゆき’s turn in the taught register: Is this a book?

   Show the answer

   これはほんですか?

8. readingPractice 10 [reading comprehension] — です and これ/それ/あれ: Read はい、これはおおきいほんです。 (hai, kore-wa ookii hon desu.). What exact detail is communicated?

   Show the answer

   Yes, this is a big book.

9. paragraphPractice 11 [paragraph comprehension] — です and これ/それ/あれ: Read the complete dialogue and explain this turn’s function: あれはがっこうですか?

   Show the answer

   Is that (far) a school?

10. the main ideaPractice 12 [main idea] — です and これ/それ/あれ: What is the central communicative purpose of “です and これ/それ/あれ”?

    Show the answer

    Point at things! これ (this-near-me), それ (that-near-you), あれ (that-far).

11. spot the detailPractice 13 [detail identification] — です and これ/それ/あれ: Read これはほんですか? (kore-wa hon desu ka?). What exact detail is communicated?

    Show the answer

    Is this a book?

12. what is meantPractice 14 [inference] — です and これ/それ/あれ: Infer the intended meaning or social force of それはくるまです。 without overclaiming.

    Show the answer

    That is a car.

Quick check (5).

1. quick checkそれ points…

   1. near me
   2. near you
   3. far
   4. nowhere
   Show the answer

   near you

   それ = near-listener.

2. quick checkあれ points…

   1. near me
   2. near you
   3. far from both
   4. at me
   Show the answer

   far from both

   あれ = far away.

3. quick checkじゃありません means…

   1. is
   2. is not
   3. was
   4. will be
   Show the answer

   is not

   じゃありません = is-not.

4. quick checkおおきいほん means…

   1. book is big
   2. big book
   3. my book
   4. that book
   Show the answer

   big book

   Adjective-first: big book.

5. quick checkくるま means…

   1. school
   2. car
   3. book
   4. house
   Show the answer

   car

   くるま = car.

Worksheet: Pointing worksheet

Review list. これ · それ · あれ · ほん

Counters: ひとつ、ふたつ

Count THINGS with つ! ひとつ (1 thing), ふたつ (2), みっつ (3) — up to とお (10). People: ひとり、ふたり. いくつ? = How many? ほんをみっつください! = Three books, please!

Dialogue. Read it aloud twice — once for each speaker.

Practice (12). Answer first, then open the answer.

What this Japanese practice tests. listening comprehension, dictation, listen and choose, listen and reorder, listen and fill, repeat after audio, multiple choice, fill in the blank, translation, reverse translation, matching, reorder. Every exercise works on Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels.

1. listeningPractice 4 [listening comprehension] — Counters: ひとつ、ふたつ: Play the synthetic audio and give its precise contextual meaning.

   audio drill — play it in the course player

   Show the answer

   Here you go!

2. dictationPractice 5 [dictation] — Counters: ひとつ、ふたつ: Play the labeled synthetic Japanese audio and type the complete line in kana and kanji.

   audio drill — play it in the course player

   Show the answer

   りんごはいくつですか?

3. listen and choosePractice 6 [listen and choose] — Counters: ひとつ、ふたつ: Play the synthetic audio and select its contextual meaning.

   1. Three!
   2. Three, please!
   3. three

   audio drill — play it in the course player

   Show the answer

   Three!

4. listen, then orderPractice 7 [listen and reorder] — Counters: ひとつ、ふたつ: Rebuild this model with correct Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels: Three books, please.

   audio drill — play it in the course player

   Show the answer

   ほんをみっつください。

5. listen and fillPractice 8 [listen and fill] — Counters: ひとつ、ふたつ: Play the synthetic audio and complete the line beginning “どうぞ!…”.

   audio drill — play it in the course player

   Show the answer

   どうぞ!

6. repeat itPractice 9 [repeat after audio] — Counters: ひとつ、ふたつ: Repeat the synthetic model with accurate phrase grouping; no microphone score is claimed.

   audio drill — play it in the course player

   Show the answer

   りんごはいくつですか?

7. multiple choicePractice 10 [multiple choice] — Counters: ひとつ、ふたつ: Choose the contextual meaning of ふたつ (futatsu).

   1. two things
   2. three things
   3. one
   Show the answer

   two things

8. fill the gapPractice 11 [fill in the blank] — Counters: ひとつ、ふたつ: Type the complete kana and kanji expression meaning “three things”.

   Show the answer

   みっつ

9. translatePractice 12 [translation] — Counters: ひとつ、ふたつ: Read いち (ichi) and give its lesson meaning.

   Show the answer

   one

10. translate into the languagePractice 13 [reverse translation] — Counters: ひとつ、ふたつ: Produce “two” in kana and kanji, not romanisation alone.

    Show the answer

    に

11. matchingPractice 14 [matching] — Counters: ひとつ、ふたつ: Match さん to its contextual meaning.

    1. many / a lot
    2. three
    3. a little
    Show the answer

    three

12. put it in orderPractice 15 [reorder] — Counters: ひとつ、ふたつ: Rebuild this model with correct Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels: Two.

    Show the answer

    ふたつです。

Quick check (5).

1. quick checkみっつ means…

   1. 2 things
   2. 3 things
   3. 3rd
   4. three times
   Show the answer

   3 things

   みっつ = three things.

2. quick checkいくつですか? asks…

   1. how much
   2. how many
   3. where
   4. what
   Show the answer

   how many

   いくつ = how many.

3. quick checkを marks…

   1. subject
   2. object
   3. place
   4. time
   Show the answer

   object

   ほんを = book (object).

4. quick checkとお means…

   1. 5 things
   2. 10 things
   3. 100
   4. many
   Show the answer

   10 things

   とお = ten things.

5. quick checkふたつください means…

   1. two, please
   2. three, please
   3. how many?
   4. here you go
   Show the answer

   two, please

   ふたつ + ください = two please.

Worksheet: Counters worksheet

Review list. ひとつ · ふたつ · みっつ · いち

じかん: いま なんじですか

The clock is asked for with なんじ and answered with the counter じ: いちじ、にじ、さんじ. Half past takes はん, and a span of time takes …から …まで.

Dialogue. Read it aloud twice — once for each speaker.

Practice (12). Answer first, then open the answer.

What this Japanese practice tests. Japanese. Every exercise works on kana and kanji, particles は/が/を/に, です・ます politeness, verb-final order, counters and keigo.

1. multiple choicePractice 1: [multiple choice] じかん: いま なんじですか — Choose the meaning of なんじ (nanji) in this lesson.

   1. what time
   2. half past
   3. a.m.
   4. p.m.
   Show the answer

   what time

2. fill the gapPractice 2: [fill in the blank] じかん: いま なんじですか — Type the Japanese expression meaning “half past”.

   Show the answer

   はん

3. translatePractice 3: [translation] じかん: いま なんじですか — Interpret the Japanese script in context: いま くじはん です。 (Ima kuji han desu.).

   Show the answer

   It is half past nine.

4. translate into the languagePractice 4: [reverse translation] じかん: いま なんじですか — Write in Japanese script: I get up at seven a.m..

   Show the answer

   ごぜん しちじに おきます。

5. matchingPractice 5: [matching] じかん: いま なんじですか — Match ごぜん to its lesson meaning.

   1. a.m.
   2. what time
   3. half past
   Show the answer

   a.m.

6. put it in orderPractice 6: [reorder] じかん: いま なんじですか — Reconstruct the lesson model in coherent Japanese: I study from nine until five..

   Show the answer

   くじから ごじまで べんきょうします。

7. build the sentencePractice 7: [sentence building] じかん: いま なんじですか — Build the sentence with the lesson pattern (いま なんじですか · くじはん です · ごぜん しちじに おきます · くじから ごじまで): It is half past nine..

   Show the answer

   いま くじはん です。

8. choose the wordPractice 8: [word selection] じかん: いま なんじですか — Select the Japanese form for “p.m.”.

   1. ごご
   2. から … まで
   Show the answer

   ごご

9. find the mistakePractice 9: [error correction] じかん: いま なんじですか — Correct the model the lesson warns about: いま なんじ ですか はん。

   Show the answer

   いま なんじですか。

10. finish the dialoguePractice 10: [dialogue completion] じかん: いま なんじですか — Complete the exchange with the studied response to: Excuse me, what time is it now?

    Show the answer

    くじはん です。

11. readingPractice 11: [reading comprehension] じかん: いま なんじですか — Read “ありがとう ございます。かいぎは なんじからですか。” (Arigatou gozaimasu. Kaigi wa nanji kara desu ka.). What does it mean?

    Show the answer

    Thank you. What time does the meeting start?

12. paragraphPractice 12: [paragraph comprehension] じかん: いま なんじですか — Read the lesson dialogue as a whole and give its key move: From ten until twelve.

    Show the answer

    じゅうじから じゅうにじまで です。

Quick check (5).

1. quick checkWhich meaning best fits なんじ?

   1. what time
   2. half past
   3. a.m.
   4. p.m.
   Show the answer

   what time

   なんじ (nanji) means what time in this lesson.

2. quick checkWhich meaning best fits はん?

   1. half past
   2. what time
   3. a.m.
   4. p.m.
   Show the answer

   half past

   はん (han) means half past in this lesson.

3. quick checkWhich meaning best fits ごぜん?

   1. a.m.
   2. what time
   3. half past
   4. p.m.
   Show the answer

   a.m.

   ごぜん (gozen) means a.m. in this lesson.

4. quick checkWhich meaning best fits ごご?

   1. p.m.
   2. what time
   3. half past
   4. a.m.
   Show the answer

   p.m.

   ごご (gogo) means p.m. in this lesson.

5. quick checkWhich meaning best fits から … まで?

   1. from … until
   2. what time
   3. half past
   4. a.m.
   Show the answer

   from … until

   から … まで (kara … made) means from … until in this lesson.

Worksheet: Time worksheet

Review list. なんじ · はん · ごぜん · ごご

First verbs

ます-verbs: たべます

Verbs end in ます! たべます (I eat), のみます (I drink). Negative: たべません (don't eat). Past: たべました (ate)! Same ending for I/you/he — NO conjugation! Just add time words!

Dialogue. Read it aloud twice — once for each speaker.

Practice (12). Answer first, then open the answer.

What this Japanese practice tests. sentence building, word selection, error correction, dialogue completion, reading comprehension, paragraph comprehension, main idea, detail identification, inference, listening comprehension, dictation, listen and choose. Every exercise works on Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels.

1. build the sentencePractice 5 [sentence building] — ます-verbs: たべます: Rebuild this model with correct Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels: I speak Japanese.

   Show the answer

   にほんごをはなします。

2. choose the wordPractice 6 [word selection] — ます-verbs: たべます: Select the correct target form for “to study”.

   1. はたらきます
   2. すみます
   3. べんきょうします
   Show the answer

   べんきょうします

3. find the mistakePractice 7 [error correction] — ます-verbs: たべます: Replace a script, morphology, particle, or register error with the lesson model for “I eat bread.”.

   Show the answer

   わたしはパンをたべます。

4. finish the dialoguePractice 8 [dialogue completion] — ます-verbs: たべます: Complete たろう’s turn in the taught register: Amazing!

   Show the answer

   すごい!

5. readingPractice 9 [reading comprehension] — ます-verbs: たべます: Read えいごをはなしますか? (eigo-o hanashimasu ka?). What exact detail is communicated?

   Show the answer

   Do you speak English?

6. paragraphPractice 10 [paragraph comprehension] — ます-verbs: たべます: Read the complete dialogue and explain this turn’s function: はい、はなします! あなたは?

   Show the answer

   Yes, I speak! And you?

7. the main ideaPractice 11 [main idea] — ます-verbs: たべます: What is the central communicative purpose of “ます-verbs: たべます”?

   Show the answer

   Verbs end in ます! たべます (I eat), のみます (I drink).

8. spot the detailPractice 12 [detail identification] — ます-verbs: たべます: Read すごい! (sugoi!). What exact detail is communicated?

   Show the answer

   Amazing!

9. what is meantPractice 13 [inference] — ます-verbs: たべます: Infer the intended meaning or social force of わたしはパンをたべます。 without overclaiming.

   Show the answer

   I eat bread.

10. listeningPractice 14 [listening comprehension] — ます-verbs: たべます: Play the synthetic audio and give its precise contextual meaning.

    audio drill — play it in the course player

    Show the answer

    Yes, I speak! And you?

11. dictationPractice 15 [dictation] — ます-verbs: たべます: Play the labeled synthetic Japanese audio and type the complete line in kana and kanji.

    audio drill — play it in the course player

    Show the answer

    わたしはにほんごをはなします!

12. listen and choosePractice 16 [listen and choose] — ます-verbs: たべます: Play the synthetic audio and select its contextual meaning.

    1. Amazing!
    2. Do you speak English?
    3. to live

    audio drill — play it in the course player

    Show the answer

    Amazing!

Quick check (5).

1. quick checkたべません means…

   1. eat
   2. don't eat
   3. ate
   4. will eat
   Show the answer

   don't eat

   ません = negative.

2. quick checkたべました means…

   1. eat
   2. don't eat
   3. ate
   4. want eat
   Show the answer

   ate

   ました = past.

3. quick checkはなします means…

   1. to eat
   2. to speak
   3. to read
   4. to write
   Show the answer

   to speak

   はなします = to speak.

4. quick checkSubjects like わたしは are…

   1. required
   2. usually dropped
   3. forbidden
   4. plural-only
   Show the answer

   usually dropped

   Context decides — drop them!

5. quick checkえいご means…

   1. Japanese
   2. English
   3. book
   4. school
   Show the answer

   English

   えいご = English.

Worksheet: ます-verbs worksheet

Review list. たべます · のみます · よみます · かきます

あります / います

THERE IS splits two ways! あります (things exist), います (living things exist). ほんがあります (there is a book), ともだちがいます (there is a friend). が marks what exists!

Dialogue. Read it aloud twice — once for each speaker.

Practice (12). Answer first, then open the answer.

What this Japanese practice tests. listen and reorder, listen and fill, repeat after audio, multiple choice, fill in the blank, translation, reverse translation, matching, reorder, sentence building, word selection, error correction. Every exercise works on Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels.

1. listen, then orderPractice 6 [listen and reorder] — あります / います: Rebuild this model with correct Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels: There is no money.

   audio drill — play it in the course player

   Show the answer

   おかねがありません。

2. listen and fillPractice 7 [listen and fill] — あります / います: Play the synthetic audio and complete the line beginning “ありがとう!…”.

   audio drill — play it in the course player

   Show the answer

   ありがとう! ともだちがいますか?

3. repeat itPractice 8 [repeat after audio] — あります / います: Repeat the synthetic model with accurate phrase grouping; no microphone score is claimed.

   audio drill — play it in the course player

   Show the answer

   はい、います!

4. multiple choicePractice 9 [multiple choice] — あります / います: Choose the contextual meaning of あります (arimasu).

   1. there is (things)
   2. there is (living)
   3. water
   Show the answer

   there is (things)

5. fill the gapPractice 10 [fill in the blank] — あります / います: Type the complete kana and kanji expression meaning “there is (living)”.

   Show the answer

   います

6. translatePractice 11 [translation] — あります / います: Read みず (mizu) and give its lesson meaning.

   Show the answer

   water

7. translate into the languagePractice 12 [reverse translation] — あります / います: Produce “house” in kana and kanji, not romanisation alone.

   Show the answer

   いえ

8. matchingPractice 13 [matching] — あります / います: Match おかね to its contextual meaning.

   1. friend
   2. money
   3. time
   Show the answer

   money

9. put it in orderPractice 14 [reorder] — あります / います: Rebuild this model with correct Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels: There is a friend.

   Show the answer

   ともだちがいます。

10. build the sentencePractice 15 [sentence building] — あります / います: Rebuild this model with correct Japanese kana/kanji readings, particles, counters, verb forms, and politeness levels: There is no money.

    Show the answer

    おかねがありません。

11. choose the wordPractice 16 [word selection] — あります / います: Select the correct target form for “bread”.

    1. あります
    2. います
    3. パン
    Show the answer

    パン

12. find the mistakePractice 17 [error correction] — あります / います: Replace a script, morphology, particle, or register error with the lesson model for “There is a friend.”.

    Show the answer

    ともだちがいます。

Quick check (5).

1. quick checkほんがあります means…

   1. I want a book
   2. there is a book
   3. I read a book
   4. I see a book
   Show the answer

   there is a book

   があります = exists (thing).

2. quick checkLiving things use…

   1. あります
   2. います
   3. です
   4. します
   Show the answer

   います

   います = living exists.

3. quick checkが marks…

   1. topic
   2. what exists
   3. object
   4. place
   Show the answer

   what exists

   ほんが = book (exists).

4. quick checkともだち means…

   1. book
   2. friend
   3. money
   4. time
   Show the answer

   friend

   ともだち = friend.

5. quick checkパン means…

   1. water
   2. bread
   3. house
   4. rice
   Show the answer

   bread

   パン = bread.

Worksheet: Existence worksheet

Review list. あります · います · みず · いえ

すきな こと: 〜が すきです

Likes are stated with が: おんがくが すきです. Skill takes じょうず and へた, and a mild dislike is expressed by あまり with a negative, never by きらい in company.

Dialogue. Read it aloud twice — once for each speaker.

Practice (12). Answer first, then open the answer.

What this Japanese practice tests. Japanese. Every exercise works on kana and kanji, particles は/が/を/に, です・ます politeness, verb-final order, counters and keigo.

1. multiple choicePractice 1: [multiple choice] すきな こと: 〜が すきです — Choose the meaning of すき (suki) in this lesson.

   1. liked, favourite
   2. disliked
   3. skilful
   4. unskilful
   Show the answer

   liked, favourite

2. fill the gapPractice 2: [fill in the blank] すきな こと: 〜が すきです — Type the Japanese expression meaning “disliked”.

   Show the answer

   きらい

3. translatePractice 3: [translation] すきな こと: 〜が すきです — Interpret the Japanese script in context: わたしは おんがくが すきです。 (Watashi wa ongaku ga suki desu.).

   Show the answer

   I like music.

4. translate into the languagePractice 4: [reverse translation] すきな こと: 〜が すきです — Write in Japanese script: I am not very good at singing..

   Show the answer

   あまり うたが じょうずでは ありません。

5. matchingPractice 5: [matching] すきな こと: 〜が すきです — Match じょうず to its lesson meaning.

   1. skilful
   2. liked, favourite
   3. disliked
   Show the answer

   skilful

6. put it in orderPractice 6: [reorder] すきな こと: 〜が すきです — Reconstruct the lesson model in coherent Japanese: What kind of food do you like?.

   Show the answer

   どんな たべものが すきですか。

7. build the sentencePractice 7: [sentence building] すきな こと: 〜が すきです — Build the sentence with the lesson pattern (わたしは おんがくが すきです · うたが じょうずです · あまり たべません): I like music..

   Show the answer

   わたしは おんがくが すきです。

8. choose the wordPractice 8: [word selection] すきな こと: 〜が すきです — Select the Japanese form for “unskilful”.

   1. へた
   2. あまり
   Show the answer

   へた

9. find the mistakePractice 9: [error correction] すきな こと: 〜が すきです — Correct the model the lesson warns about: わたしは おんがく を すきです。

   Show the answer

   わたしは おんがくが すきです。

10. finish the dialoguePractice 10: [dialogue completion] すきな こと: 〜が すきです — Complete the exchange with the studied response to: Taro, do you like music?

    Show the answer

    はい、すきです。でも、あまり うたが じょうずでは ありません。

11. readingPractice 11: [reading comprehension] すきな こと: 〜が すきです — Read “どんな おんがくが すきですか。” (Donna ongaku ga suki desu ka.). What does it mean?

    Show the answer

    What kind of music do you like?

12. paragraphPractice 12: [paragraph comprehension] すきな こと: 〜が すきです — Read the lesson dialogue as a whole and give its key move: I like jazz.

    Show the answer

    ジャズが すきです。

Quick check (5).

1. quick checkWhich meaning best fits すき?

   1. liked, favourite
   2. disliked
   3. skilful
   4. unskilful
   Show the answer

   liked, favourite

   すき (suki) means liked, favourite in this lesson.

2. quick checkWhich meaning best fits きらい?

   1. disliked
   2. liked, favourite
   3. skilful
   4. unskilful
   Show the answer

   disliked

   きらい (kirai) means disliked in this lesson.

3. quick checkWhich meaning best fits じょうず?

   1. skilful
   2. liked, favourite
   3. disliked
   4. unskilful
   Show the answer

   skilful

   じょうず (jouzu) means skilful in this lesson.

4. quick checkWhich meaning best fits へた?

   1. unskilful
   2. liked, favourite
   3. disliked
   4. skilful
   Show the answer

   unskilful

   へた (heta) means unskilful in this lesson.

5. quick checkWhich meaning best fits あまり?

   1. not very (with a negative)
   2. liked, favourite
   3. disliked
   4. skilful
   Show the answer

   not very (with a negative)

   あまり (amari) means not very (with a negative) in this lesson.

Worksheet: Likes worksheet

Review list. すき · きらい · じょうず · へた

Recall drills — 126 more questions from the A1 words

These 126 drills are generated from the Japanese A1 vocabulary list — the words of “First words” through “First verbs”, in both directions: recognition (word → meaning) and production (meaning → word). They re-ask what the course data already contains; no answer here was written by a machine, and a generated drill is practice, never a lesson.

The A1 test — 10 items

The 10-item test closes Japanese A1. Answers are shown; in the course player the same test decides whether Japanese A2 unlocks.

1. translate into the languageSay: I am Yuki

   Show the answer

   わたしはゆきです

2. fill the gap___! (Nice to meet you)

   Show the answer

   はじめまして

3. chooseIntroductions end with…

   1. ありがとう
   2. よろしくおねがいします
   3. すみません
   4. さようなら
   Show the answer

   よろしくおねがいします

4. translate into the languageSay: I eat bread

   Show the answer

   わたしはパンをたべます

5. translate into Englishほんがあります。

   Show the answer

   There is a book.

6. fill the gap___はくるまです。 (That near you)

   Show the answer

   それ

7. put it in orderOrder: ですか / おげんき

   Show the answer

   おげんきですか

8. say it out loudSay aloud: わたしはパンをたべます。

   Show the answer

   わたしはパンをたべます。

9. fill the gapともだちが___。 (exists, living)

   Show the answer

   います

10. chooseきのう、ほんをよみました。

    1. I read books
    2. Yesterday I read a book
    3. I will read
    4. I don't read
    Show the answer

    Yesterday I read a book

Japanese A1 beyond the drills — culture, reading, listening, idioms

These sections are written for Japanese A1 specifically. The reading text is EkGuru's own; the culture note cites where its facts come from; the idioms and the mistakes list are the ones this level actually trips over.

Culture note

Japanese is written in three scripts at once: hiragana for grammar, katakana for borrowed words such as コーヒー, and kanji for meaning. わたしは学生です carries all three. Politeness is built into the sentence rather than added to it — です and ます keep a first conversation safe, and dropping them sounds blunt. すみません does most of the work in public life: it is an apology, an excuse-me and a thank-you for trouble, and you will hear it a dozen times a day.

Source (named, not linked): en.wikipedia.org, the article “Japanese language”.

Reading — read this aloud, slowly

What it says: I am Yuki. I live in Tokyo. Every day I go to school by train. In the morning I drink coffee. For lunch I always have a bento. In the evening I study Japanese at home. It is a little difficult, but it is fun.

Listening — one voice, one text

Use the speaker button to hear this text with a browser voice tagged ja-JP; playback starts only after a click. If no matching voice is installed, read it aloud yourself — the rhythm is the point.

What it says: Yuki: Good morning. Are you going to school too, Taro? Taro: No, today I study at home. Yuki: I see. See you tomorrow, then. Taro: See you tomorrow. Take care.

10 idioms and fixed phrases

The 3 mistakes this level makes

• わたしは ゆきです か。 → わたしは ゆきですか。 です carries the question particle か directly; no pause before it.
• ありがとう ございます です。 → ありがとう ございます。 ございます is already polite — adding です doubles the ending.
• すみません、コーヒー を ください です。 → すみません、コーヒーを ください。 ください ends the request; です does not follow it.

Your task

Introduce yourself in four sentences Write the four sentences you would need on the first day of a class in Japan: your name with です, where you live with に すんでいます, one thing you do every day with を + ます, and one closing line with よろしく おねがいします. Read them aloud twice; if a sentence has no です or ます, decide deliberately whether you meant it to be plain.

After A1: the A1+ checkpoint

A1+ is not a certificate — it is the half-step between Japanese A1 and the next level, and it is on this site’s ladder because language schools use it. You are at A1+ when you can ask for things, give a phone number, name the days. Get there by working the recall drills above and the review deck until nothing on this page surprises you, then open the A2 pages.

Keep going