Japanese for English speakers Clothes · Lesson 3

Describe clothes

Describe clothes with な-adjectives: 綺麗 (kirei, beautiful), 立派 (rippa, splendid). Plus とても (very much) and そうですね for soft agreement.

Conversation

  1. Rose Rose

    このモデルは？

    Kono moderu wa?

    What about this model?

    Tip: <Wa...> and what about...?

  2. Rose Rose

    ５万円です

    Go man en desu

    It is 50,000 yen

  3. Magicat Magicat

    これはとてもきれいな浴衣ですよ

    Kore wa totemo kirēna yukata desu yo

    This is a very beautiful yukata

    Tip: <Totemo> = "Very much" (Commonly before a positive adjective) <Kirē> = Beautiful ("na" adjective)

  4. Rose Rose

    そうですね。立派な浴衣ですね。

    Sōdesune. Rippana yukata desune.

    I agree. Isn't it a really gorgeous yukata?

    Tip: <Rippa> = Splendid ("na" adjective)

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What is a な-ending adjective?

Adjectives that take な when placed before a noun: 綺麗 (kirei) + 浴衣 (yukata) → 綺麗な浴衣 (a beautiful yukata).

What does そうですね mean?

Literally 'that's so, isn't it' — used as a verbal nod, showing agreement and giving you a moment to think.

What does とても mean?

'Very' or 'very much' — most often placed before positive adjectives. For negatives, use あまり (... ません).

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Japanese lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

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