Japanese for English speakers Sports · Lesson 1

On the side

Give street directions in Japanese with 向こう (mukō, on the other side) and この近く (around here). Plus existence verbs あります (for places/objects).

Conversation

  1. Yaya Yaya

    この近くに、スーパーがありませんか？

    kono chikaku ni, sūpā ga arimasen ka?

    Is there a supermarket nearby?

    Tip: <kono chikaku> = nearby / around here <sūpā> = supermarket (short for sūpāmāketto)

  2. Cassian Cassian

    ええと、一つはありますよ

    ēto, hitotsu arimasu yo

    well, there is one

  3. Cassian Cassian

    あそこに公園がありますね

    asoko ni kōen ga arimasu ne

    There is a park over there, right?

    Tip: <kōen> = public park

  4. Yaya Yaya

    うん、うん

    un, un

    Oh, yes

    Tip: <un> = informal way to say "hai" (yes)

  5. Cassian Cassian

    スーパーはその向こうです

    sūpā wa sono mukō desu

    The supermarket is on the other side of the park

    Tip: <mukō> = on the other side, on the other hand

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What does 向こう mean?

'On the other side' or 'over there' — used to point beyond a landmark: 公園の向こう = 'past the park'.

What is スーパー?

Short for スーパーマーケット (supermarket). Japanese frequently abbreviates loanwords.

What does 公園 (kōen) mean?

A public park — usually free, often with playgrounds and walking paths, common in Japanese towns and cities.

Test yourself

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

5 quick questions on what you just heard.

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