Japanese for English speakers Supermarket · Lesson 4

-na ending adjectives

Useful な-adjective: 苦手 (nigate, bad at / don't like) — softer than 嫌い. Plus 開け方 (how to open) and 〜が一番 + adjective for emphasis.

Conversation

  1. Cassian Cassian

    ゲッ！今日の晩ご飯も野菜ですか？

    ge! kyō no bangohan mo yasai desu ka?

    Yuk! Today's dinner is also going to be vegetables?

    Tip: <ge> = interjection for disgusted face. Like "yuck" in English. <yasai> = vegetables

  2. Pishi Pishi

    確か、カッシャン君は野菜が苦手でしたよね

    tashika, kasshan kun wa yasai ga nigate deshita yone

    If I am right, you don't like vegetables, right?

    Tip: <tashika + past verb + yone> = If I am right... <nigate> = bad at ..., weak in ..., hate ... ("na" adjective)

  3. Cassian Cassian

    そうですよ。ピシ君は何が一番苦手ですか？

    sō desu yo, Pishi kun wa nani ga ichiban nigate desu ka?

    Yes. What is the thing you like the least, Pishi?

  4. Pishi Pishi

    缶詰ですね。開け方はわかりませんから

    kandzume desu ne. akekata wa wakarimasen kara

    Canned food. I don't know how to open it

    Tip: <kandzume> = can, canned food or drinks <akemasu> = to open something <wakarimasu> = to know, to understand

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What does 苦手 mean?

A な-adjective meaning 'bad at' or 'not a fan of' — softer than 嫌い (hate). Often used about food, sports, or skills.

What is 缶詰 (kanzume)?

'Canned food' or 'canned drink' — tinned items with a long shelf life.

What does 確か (tashika) mean?

'If I'm right' or 'if I remember correctly' — used to introduce information you're not 100% sure of.

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.