Everyday life, hobby, and leisure vocabulary

Vocabulary for hobbies and leisure time

Vocabulary for hobbies and leisure time is used to talk about activities outside work and school. Core words that often appear include 趣味(しゅみ, hobby), 休日(きゅうじつ, holiday), 週末(しゅうまつ, weekend), 気分転換(きぶんてんかん, change of mood), and 息抜き(いきぬき, taking a break to relax). In tests, what is usually examined is which activity is done, the reason for doing it, and the speaker's feelings after doing it.

Photography 撮る(とる, to take a photo) means to capture an image with a camera. Do not confuse it with 取る(とる, to take/to hold). In the hobby of photography, 写真を撮る is often used together with 撮影する(さつえいする, to photograph/to record). Photographers usually choose quiet times, such as early morning, so that the atmosphere of the place is calmer. Finished photos can be uploaded with 載せる(のせる, to post/to upload) to social media.

A photo that has just been taken is not necessarily good. For this reason, some people leave photos for several days before choosing, so that their judgment is more 冷静(れいせい, calm and objective). By taking photos, a person also becomes more sensitive to 季節の変化(きせつのへんか, changes of the season) and to the 朝日(あさひ, morning sun) that enters between the trees. The phrase 賞を取る(しょうをとる, to win an award) uses 取る, not 撮る. The expression 写真展を開く(しゃしんてんをひらく, to hold a photo exhibition) is also commonly used for activities of showing one's work.

Ceramics and handmade works 陶芸(とうげい, ceramic art) is made from 粘土(ねんど, clay) that is shaped while turning on a ろくろ(potter's wheel). Common results include 器(うつわ, ceramic vessel) and 茶碗(ちゃわん, bowl). Beginners often feel that the shape they make is not as they hoped and 形が崩れる(かたちがくずれる, the shape collapses). Even so, something made by oneself often feels more enjoyable when it is used. In class, people also show each other their 作品(さくひん, works).

In a 陶芸教室(とうげいきょうしつ, ceramics class) held by a community cultural center, beginners do not need to feel that they must make good results. The expression 愛着がわく(あいちゃくがわく, a feeling of attachment arises) is used when an object that was not fully satisfying is gradually cherished after being used. This activity makes people 心を落ち着かせる(こころをおちつかせる, to calm the mind). For many people, what is valuable is the 土に触れている時間(つちにふれているじかん, time spent touching the soil) itself, not the final result. In a class like this, there are usually participants with diverse 年齢(ねんれい, age) and 職業(しょくぎょう, occupation), so they receive 刺激(しげき, stimulation) from new 考え方(かんがえかた, ways of thinking).

Music Playing ギター(gitar) means giving a 演奏(えんそう, performance). When playing 人前で(ひとまえで, in front of people), a person usually feels 緊張する(きんちょうする, nervous). The chance to perform together with practice friends often becomes a reason to keep practicing. A musical hobby can also be 曲を作る(きょくをつくる, to make songs), for example by 録音する(ろくおんする, to record) a melody that comes to mind.

Gardening and farming 園芸(えんげい, gardening) includes 雑草(ざっそう, weeds) that must be pulled out, 肥料(ひりょう, fertilizer), and 水やり(みずやり, watering). Watering too often can make the 根が腐る(ねがくさる, roots rot), so experienced people usually water after the 土の表面が乾く(つちのひょうめんがかわく, surface of the soil dries). The needs of plants also change according to the 季節(きせつ, season) and the 天気(てんき, weather).

市民農園(しみんのうえん, community garden) is a small plot of land rented by residents and divided into 区画(くかく, plots). Activities such as 耕す(たがやす, to cultivate the soil), 草むしり(くさむしり, pulling out grass), and 収穫(しゅうかく, harvest) tire the body but give a sense of fulfillment. Because people come to the same place every week, they become 顔なじみ(かおなじみ, familiar faces), and light conversation that is 何気ない(なにげない, casual, without special intention) also feels meaningful. Working under the 炎天下(えんてんか, scorching sun) is exhausting, but vegetables harvested by oneself taste better.

Mountain climbing 登山(とざん, mountain climbing) trains 体力(たいりょく, stamina). After reaching the 頂上(ちょうじょう, summit), a person can 景色を眺める(けしきをながめる, gaze at the scenery) and feel a joy that is hard to express. The pattern 〜ほど is used to express a very high degree, for example 言葉では言い表せないほど (so much that it cannot be expressed in words). An invitation from a coworker can also be the start of a new habit, for example starting to climb mountains after being invited. After climbing regularly, people often feel that their 疲れが消える(つかれがきえる, fatigue disappears) and that they sleep more soundly. Climbing can also be a way to 心を休める(こころをやすめる, rest the mind) while moving the body.

Family and time together Activities such as cooking together with the family on weekends, for example when the 夕食(ゆうしょく, dinner) is prepared together, increase the 会話(かいわ, conversation) within the family. Family members who 手伝う(てつだう, help) with small tasks, such as becoming the 係(かかり, person in charge of a particular task) for setting the plates, also play a role. The expression 味つけ(あじつけ, seasoning/flavor) often becomes a topic of conversation. Parents who are 感心する(かんしんする, impressed) by their child's abilities are also included in common vocabulary here.

Looking after a family member who lives alone means 見守る(みまもる, to watch over patiently) without interfering too much. Elderly people often feel 遠慮する(えんりょする, reluctant) when speaking on the phone, but they are more open when meeting in person. The personal enjoyments of such a person, such as taking walks or chatting with acquaintances, should be respected.

Sentence patterns The pattern 〜ことにしている expresses a decision that has already been made and is continued as a habit. Its negative form 〜ないことにしている is used for a habit of holding oneself back. Do not confuse it with 〜ことにする, which only expresses a momentary decision.

The 使役受身(しえきうけみ, causative passive) pattern 〜させられる is used when a person is forced to do something because someone else tells them to. Example: 「毎週、掃除をさせられる」. In word-order questions, the object 〜を is usually placed before 〜させられた, and the time expression is placed at the beginning.

Vocabulary for travel and transportation

Travel and transportation vocabulary includes 移動(いどう, movement), 乗り換え(のりかえ, transfer between vehicles), 時刻表(じこくひょう, timetable), 運休(うんきゅう, service suspended), 欠航(けっこう, flight or sailing cancelled), 遅延(ちえん, delay), and 予約(よやく, reservation). What is important to understand is the difference between these terms and how to read information in timetables or announcements.

Types of transportation 新幹線(しんかんせん, bullet train) is a high-speed train between cities. 特急(とっきゅう, limited express) stops at fewer stations. 在来線(ざいらいせん, conventional line) is an ordinary railway line, and 各駅停車(かくえきていしゃ, local train that stops at every station) is a part of it. Choosing a slow train can allow people to enjoy the 車窓(しゃそう, view from the train window). People who choose this kind of line usually want to move slowly while watching the scenery, rather than pursue speed.

Street tram (路面電車, ろめんでんしゃ) moves at 低速(ていそく, low speed), so passengers can enjoy the view of the city. In a 構内(こうない, station premises) that is clear and has many 表示(ひょうじ, signage), people do not easily get lost when changing trains. When the 乗り換え(のりかえ, transfer time) is very short, people need to be more careful when planning their route.

A trip on a ローカル線(ろーかるせん, local line) can take a long time because several 乗り継ぎ(のりつぎ, connections between vehicles) may be necessary. However, the scenery and conversations encountered during the trip often become memories that last a long time. When a 欠航(けっこう, flight cancellation) occurs because of bad weather, travel plans must be changed.

Tickets and reservations Tickets can be booked over the internet or bought at a 窓口(まどぐち, ticket counter). Packages that already include 朝食付き(ちょうしょくつき, breakfast included) are also often booked together with train tickets. If the return time has not been decided, it can be discussed later.

Ticket terms that are often tested include: 乗車券(じょうしゃけん, boarding ticket), 周遊券(しゅうゆうけん, sightseeing pass), 回数券(かいすうけん, multi-ride ticket), 有効期間(ゆうこうきかん, validity period), 利用できる区間(りようできるくかん, usable section), 購入日(こうにゅうび, purchase date), 全線(ぜんせん, entire line), and 郊外(こうがい, suburbs). When comparing prices, check the validity period and the routes covered.

On bus or train schedules, the terms 全席指定(ぜんせきしてい, all seats reserved) and 予約制(よやくせい, reservation system) indicate how tickets are purchased. 当日予約不可(とうじつよやくふか, same-day reservations not accepted) means that you must book in advance. 車いす対応(くるまいすたいおう, wheelchair accessible) indicates service for passengers with special needs. The note 土・日のみ運行(どようび・にちのみうんこう, operates only on Saturdays and Sundays) should also be noted.

Suspended services and delays The word 運休(うんきゅう, service suspended) is used for trains or buses that do not operate on certain days. If people only check the weekday schedule, they may mistakenly think that service continues on weekends. In such a situation, 駅員(えきいん, station staff) can usually suggest alternatives, such as another bus.

The 時刻表(じこくひょう, timetable) may also change because of heavy traffic or weather. Therefore, it is important to arrive early and 余裕を持って行動する(よゆうをもってこうどうする, act with some margin). Experiences that do not go according to plan often become memorable lessons.

Cycling and travel by one's own power Commuting by train (通勤(つうきん, commuting)) can be replaced with a 自転車(じてんしゃ, bicycle) for leisurely outings (散策(さんさく, leisurely walks)) on weekends. On the road, people may encounter a 坂道(さかみち, slope) or a 向かい風(むかいかぜ, headwind) that makes pedaling feel hard. Even so, traveling under one's own power gives a 達成感(たっせいかん, sense of accomplishment), and people can enjoy the scent of flowers or food along the way. However, there are times when a person regrets it, for example when it would have been more comfortable to take a train where one can sit.

In large cities, the 地下鉄(ちかてつ, subway) is indeed fast, but 停留所(ていりゅうじょ, bus stop) are often closer to certain tourist destinations. Before leaving, people can check the 運行状況(うんこうじょうきょう, operating status) on their phones. A ticket for 一日乗り放題(いちにちのりほうだい, unlimited rides for one day) also makes it easier to move from place to place.

Time and planning When estimating the 移動時間(いどうじかん, travel time), people must also account for transfer time. If only the travel time of the main vehicle is calculated, the trip may take longer than expected. In the destination city, shops in the vicinity (周辺(しゅうへん, vicinity)) of the lodging may already be closed at night, so they should be checked in advance.

The pattern 〜ところだった is used to express that something undesirable almost happened. For example, 乗り遅れる(のりおくれる, to miss a train or bus) appears in the dictionary form, and the form 乗り遅れるところだった means (almost missed it). In a hurry, people also often feel that the 出発時刻が迫る(しゅっぱつじこくがせまる, departure time is approaching).

The pattern 〜ので is used to give a reason. In the negative form 〜ていないので, it expresses a reason because one has not yet or did not experience something. For example, 疲れていないので(because not tired) means the person decides to go for a walk. When it is raining, a 小降り(こぶり, light rain) still allows the sightseeing plan to be carried out. On a train that is 混んで(こんで, crowded), people can ask a friend to 座席を取る(ざせきをとる, save a seat).

Vocabulary of weather and seasons

Vocabulary about weather and seasons is often tested through reading passages that ask the reader to understand the author's attitude toward the weather, not just the meaning of the words. The rainy season in Japan is called 「梅雨(つゆ, rainy season)」. This season usually lasts from about June to mid-July and is marked by humid air. Its atmosphere is described with 「じめじめ(humid and stuffy)」 and 「湿気(しっけ, humidity)」, so 「洗濯物が乾きにくい(せんたくものがかわきにくい, laundry is hard to dry)」 is a common complaint. Humidity also makes a room feel 「むし暑い(むしあつい, hot and muggy)」.

In passages that judge the rainy season positively, the author often mentions the 「紫陽花(あじさい, hydrangea)」 as an example of the beauty characteristic of rain. After being rained on, its leaves and flowers look 「鮮やか(あざやか, vivid and clear)」 or 「つやがある(has a sheen)」, and the 「雨粒(あまつぶ, raindrops)」 clinging to them make the colors look 「落ち着いた(おちついた, calm and subdued)」.

The core of such passages is 「見方を変える(みかたをかえる, to change one's perspective)」. Looking at the season only from 「自分の都合(じぶんのつごう, one's own convenience)」 differs from understanding its 「意味(いみ, meaning)」, for example that rain becomes a source of water for farming. By adjusting activities to the weather, any season can still be enjoyed.

• 天気予報(てんきよほう, weather forecast) — useful, but not always accurate. Forecasts should be used to 「補う(おぎなう, supplement)」 the ability to read signs of nature such as 「空の様子(そらのようす, the appearance of the sky)」, not to replace it.
• 夕立(ゆうだち, sudden evening shower) — heavy rain that falls suddenly, for example on a summer evening. 例) 夕方に急な夕立が降って、傘がなかった。
• 大雨(おおあめ, heavy rain) — often appears in weather warnings. Heavy rain can make small rivers 「あふれる(overflow)」, and residents need to prepare 「土のう(どのう, sandbag)」. The height of the water surface is called 「水位(すいい, water level)」.
• 台風(たいふう, typhoon) and 紅葉狩り(もみじがり, viewing autumn foliage) — typhoons often cancel plans for outdoor activities. Leaves can 「色づく(いろづく, change color)」 or 「散る(ちる, fall)」 earlier than 「例年(れいねん, usual years)」. After 「雨上がり(あめあがり, after the rain stops)」, the air feels 「澄む(すむ, clear)」 and 「夕焼け(ゆうやけ, red sunset)」 looks beautiful. An author who is disappointed can still find enjoyment in the changes of nature.
• 開花(かいか, blooming) and 花見(はなみ, cherry blossom viewing) — in spring, 開花 may be later than usual because of 「気温が低い(きおんがひくい, low temperature)」, but 花見 is still crowded. Strong winds can cause many 「花びら(はなびら, petals)」 to fall.
• 〜ことがある(sometimes happens) — expresses an event that happens at certain times. Compare with 「〜ことはない(never / no need to)」, 「〜わけがない(impossible)」, and 「〜はずだ(should be)」. 例) 夏の夕方は雷が鳴ることがある。
• 降水確率(こうすいかくりつ, probability of precipitation) and 最高気温(さいこうきおん, maximum temperature) — two key terms in weather forecasts. 以上(いじょう, equal to or more than) and 以下(いか, equal to or less than) include the number mentioned, while 未満(みまん, less than) does not include it. 例) 気温が25度以上の日は暑い。 「晴れのち曇り(はれのちくもり, sunny, later cloudy)」 uses 「〜のち〜」 to express a change in conditions.

Vocabulary: household chores (家事)

Vocabulary 「家事(かじ, household chores)」 covers 「洗濯(せんたく, washing clothes)」, 「掃除(そうじ, cleaning)」, 「食器洗い(しょっきあらい, washing dishes)」, 「ごみ出し(ごみだし, taking out the garbage)」, and cooking. If someone 「担当する(たんとうする, is in charge of)」 only one task while another 「任せきり(まかせきり, is left entirely to others)」, the burden will pile up on one person.

An important difference exists between 「手伝う(てつだう, to help)」 and 「引き受ける(ひきうける, to take on responsibility)」. Helping means joining in to do part of the work at someone else's request or arrangement. Taking on responsibility means 「自分から動く(じぶんからうごく, acting on one's own initiative)」 and making the task one's own role. In readings about household life, this difference often becomes the main message.