Vocabulary of Daily Life by Theme

Vocabulary of weather and seasons

Vocabulary of weather and seasons is used to describe the conditions of the sky, wind, and temperature, and how they change over time.

• 晴れ(はれ, clear) — a condition of the sky without clouds. Its verb form is 「晴れる(はれる, to become clear)」. 「くもり(cloudy)」 means the sky is covered with clouds. The two are often compared, for example in choices of different weather for one day.
• 雨が降る(あめがふる, rain falls) and 雨が止む(あめがやむ, rain stops) — a pair of verbs for the beginning and end of rain. The start of an event is expressed with 「〜始める(〜はじめる, to begin)」, while its completion is expressed with 「〜終わる(〜おわる, to finish)」. 「〜なくなる(no longer)」 expresses the stopping of a condition that had previously continued.
• 風が強い(かぜがつよい, the wind is strong) and 風が弱い(かぜがよわい, the wind is weak) — descriptions of wind are often used to choose a day suitable for outdoor activities, such as a picnic. The condition must be read together with the weather description.
• 天気が変わりやすい(てんきがかわりやすい, the weather changes easily) — describes weather that shifts quickly within a day. People usually bring a 傘(かさ, umbrella) when traveling in such conditions.
• 昼になると(ひるになると, when noon comes) — a pattern for showing changes in weather over time. The pattern 「朝は〜が、昼になると〜」 is used to compare the conditions of the morning and the noon.
• 季節(きせつ, season) — 「春(はる, spring)」, 「夏(なつ, summer)」, 「秋(あき, autumn)」, 「冬(ふゆ, winter)」. The pattern 「季節の中で〜がいちばん好きです」 means 'among the seasons, I like ... the most'.
• 梅雨(つゆ, rainy season) — the rainy season from about June to July. Its characteristics are 「じめじめする(to be humid)」 and 「洗濯物が乾かない(せんたくものがかわかない, laundry does not dry)」. The pattern 「〜が少し好きになった」 expresses a change in feeling toward something.
• 値段(ねだん, price) — 「値段が高くなる(たかくなる, the price rises)」 and 「値段が安くなる(やすくなる, the price falls)」. In relation to weather, prolonged rain can make 「野菜(やさい, vegetables)」 more expensive. The verb pair 「増える(ふえる, to increase)」 and 「減る(へる, to decrease)」 also frequently appears in this topic.

Vocabulary for hobbies and weekend activities

Vocabulary for hobbies and weekend activities relates to activities done during free time and ways of describing feelings toward them.

• 写真を撮る(しゃしんをとる, to take photos) — 「撮る(とる, to take an image)」 is used for photos. The hobby of taking photos is often accompanied by activities such as 「カメラを持って出かける(かめらをもってでかける, to take a camera and go out)」.
• 気づく(きづく, to notice) and 探す(さがす, to look for) — 「小さなものを探す(ちいさなものをさがす, to look for small things)」 means looking for small things that are usually not paid attention to. People who enjoy this hobby like 「気づかなかったところ(places that were not noticed)」.
• 〜たいと思っています(ingin ... rencananya) — 「〜たい」 expresses the speaker's own desire, while 「〜と思っています」 expresses a plan or intention. Both are used together to express a desired plan for the future.
• 過ごす(すごす, to spend time) — 「家で過ごす(いえですごす, to spend time at home)」. An alternative activity when the weather does not cooperate is also often called by this word.
• 夢中になる(むちゅうになる, to be absorbed) — expresses being so interested that one forgets one's surroundings. A person who 「夢中になって写真をとる(is absorbed in taking photos)」 usually takes photos repeatedly.
• 〜てみる(to try ...) — the form 「〜てみて」 is a gentle invitation to try an action. This pattern is suitable for suggesting that another person do something, for example looking at a view.
• 教室に通う(きょうしつにかよう, to attend classes regularly) — 「〜に通う(かよう, to go regularly)」 expresses an activity done repeatedly. The sentence 「もっと上手になりたい(I want to become more skilled)」 is often used to express a plan to learn a hobby.
• 気をつける(きをつける, to be careful) — 「人の顔を撮らないように気をつける(to be careful not to take photos of people's faces)」. The pattern 「〜ないように」 expresses an action taken to avoid something.
• 好きな休みの過ごし方(すきなやすみのすごしかた, favorite way of spending days off) — an expression for asking about the activity most liked during days off. Activities such as 「料理を作る(りょうりをつくる, to make cooking)」 can be the answer.

Vocabulary of transportation

Transportation vocabulary covers means of transport and verbs for getting on and off, as well as adverbs related to travel time.

• 電車(でんしゃ, train), 新幹線(しんかんせん, bullet train), バス(bus), 自転車(じてんしゃ, bicycle), 車(くるま, car) — means of transport that often appear in readings. The bullet train is usually faster but more expensive than a regular train.
• 〜で(by ...) — the particle 「で」 marks the means or tool used to go somewhere. The pattern 「バスで学校へ行く(go to school by bus)」 shows the means of travel.
• 乗る(のる, to get on) and 降りる(おりる, to get off) — 「電車に乗る」 means to get on a train, and 「駅で降りる」 means to get off at a station. The form 「乗り換える(のりかえる, to transfer)」 is also often used.
• 混んでいる(こんでいる, crowded) — a state of a vehicle being so busy that people have to 「立つ(たつ, stand)」. This form is often used to describe trains at rush hour.
• 近道(ちかみち, shortcut) — a shorter route. People who choose this route usually want to save time.
• 滑りやすい(すべりやすい, slippery) — the condition of a road when it rains. After rain, the road becomes slippery, so the trip takes longer.
• 予定より遅く着く(よていよりおそくつく, to arrive later than planned) — 「予定より(than planned)」 is used to compare the actual time with the scheduled time.
• 〜そうです(it is said that ...) — used to state information heard from other people or from announcements. The pattern 「アナウンスによると(according to the announcement)」 is often paired with this form.

Vocabulary for libraries and borrowing books

Library vocabulary relates to book lending services, rules of use, and operating hours.

• 借りる(かりる, to borrow) and 貸す(かす, to lend) — 「図書館で本を借りる(meminjam buku di perpustakaan)」 from the side of the borrower, whereas 「貸す」 is from the side of the lender. This difference needs to be noted when reading sentences.
• 返す(かえす, to return) — 「借りた本を返す」 means to return a borrowed book. If the 「返す日(return date)」 has passed, the borrower usually cannot borrow the next book.
• 〜まで(up to ...) — the particle 「まで」 indicates the maximum limit of a quantity. The pattern 「五冊まで借りられる(dapat meminjam sampai lima buku)」 indicates the maximum number that may be borrowed.
• 〜ては いけない(must not ...) — a prohibition pattern. For example, 「飲食をしてはいけない」 means eating and drinking are prohibited. This prohibition often appears in library rules.
• 入り口(いりぐち, entrance) — the place for returning books may be 「箱に入れる(memasukkan ke dalam kotak)」 near the entrance.
• 〜向け(むけ, intended for ...) — 「子ども向けの本(buku untuk anak-anak)」 means a book specially made for a particular group.
• 開館(かいかん, library opening) and 休館日(きゅうかんび, library closing day) — 「月曜日は休みです」 indicates that the library is closed on Mondays. Therefore, visitors need to check the schedule before coming.
• 係員(かかりいん, staff member) and 親切(しんせつ, kind) — a staff member 「丁寧に教える(menjelaskan dengan teliti)」 where books are located is a service that is often mentioned.
• しかし(however), だから(therefore), もし(if), また(in addition) — conjunctions. 「また」 is used to add new information that is consistent with the preceding sentence.

Vocabulary for illness and treatment

Vocabulary for illness and treatment covers physical complaints, places to seek care, and instructions for taking medicine.

• 風邪(かぜ, flu) — a mild illness that causes 「熱が出る(fever)」 and 「のどが痛い(sore throat)」. To describe a complaint, 「〜が痛い(pain in ...)」 is used.
• 熱が上がる(ねつがあがる, fever rises) and 熱が下がる(ねつがさがる, fever goes down) — a pair of words for describing changes in body temperature.
• 薬を出す(くすりをだす, the doctor prescribes medicine) and 薬を飲む(くすりをのむ, to take medicine) — 「出す」 is done by the doctor, while 「飲む」 is done by the patient.
• 食後(しょくご, after meals) — 「ご飯のあとに飲む(take after eating)」 indicates the time to take medicine. The phrase 「一日三回(three times a day)」 also often appears in instructions.
• 〜分(〜ぶん, for ... days) — 「三日分(for three days)」 expresses the amount of medicine for a specific period.
• 待合室(まちあいしつ, waiting room) and 受付(うけつけ, reception desk) — places in a hospital or clinic. At 受付, patients usually hand over their 「保険証(ほけんしょう, health insurance card)」.
• 〜ほうがいい(it is better to ...) — a pattern for giving advice. For example, 「早く寝たほうがいい(it is better to go to bed early)」.
• 〜てもいい(it is all right to ...) — a pattern for giving permission. For example, 「お風呂に入ってもいい(it is all right to take a bath)」.
• 〜ても(even if ...) — 「薬を飲んでも、よく休んでください(even if you take the medicine, please rest well)」. This pattern indicates that two things still apply at the same time.
• 〜ないで(please do not ...) — a soft form of prohibition. 「お風呂に入らないで(please do not take a bath)」 is used in doctor's instructions.
• 楽になる(らくになる, to feel more comfortable) — 「体が楽になる」 means the body feels lighter or more comfortable after treatment.

Vocabulary for housework

Vocabulary for housework covers cleaning, cooking, and the division of tasks within a family.

• 掃除(そうじ, cleaning), 洗濯(せんたく, washing clothes), 料理(りょうり, cooking), ごみ出し(taking out the garbage) — household activities that frequently appear in readings.
• 窓をふく(まどをふく, to wipe the windows) and 台所(だいどころ, kitchen) — parts of cleaning work that are often divided among family members.
• 担当する(たんとうする, to be in charge of) — 「部屋の掃除を担当する」 means to be responsible for cleaning the room. The words 「役割(やくわり, role)」 and 「決める(きめる, to decide)」 are often used together to express the division of tasks.
• 〜ようになる(to come to ...) — a pattern for a change in habit. 「料理をするようになった(came to do the cooking)」 shows a change from a previous situation.
• 〜てくれる(to do something for me) — this form expresses an action by another person that benefits the speaker. For example, 「ごみを出してくれる」.
• まかせる(to leave to ...) — 「ちちに まかせる」 means to entrust a task to a specific person.
• 慣れる(なれる, to get used to) and 面倒(めんどう, troublesome) — 「分けるのが面倒」 expresses an activity that is troublesome, while 「慣れた」 expresses having become accustomed after some time.