Minna no Nihongo Elementary 1: Lesson 20 vocabulary review
Cover the meaning, recall the word, then read its example. Return to the lesson audio and passage when you cannot explain its use.
Review this lesson
- Read the Japanese and recall its meaning before checking the translation.
- Use the example to check how the word fits a sentence. Explain the distinction in the learning point.
- Open the lesson reader, listen, and note words you still confuse. Revisit them tomorrow.
Lesson vocabulary
僕
I (casual, often male)
僕も一緒に行くよ。
I'll go with you too.
Learning point
僕 is a relatively casual self-reference often used by men; 私 works for a formal introduction.
君
you (familiar)
君はどう思う？
What do you think?
Learning point
君 assumes a familiar relationship; avoid casually addressing strangers or seniors with it.
うん
yeah
うん、分かった。
Yeah, got it.
Learning point
うん is a casual affirmative; use はい in service or formal conversation.
ううん
no (casual)
ううん、まだ食べてない。
No, I haven't eaten yet.
Learning point
Negative ううん differs in length from affirmative うん; pronounce the distinction.
みんなで
all together
みんなで写真を撮ろう。
Let's all take a photo together.
Learning point
で marks the participants acting together here, not a location.
おなかがいっぱいです。
I'm full
おなかがいっぱいです。もう食べられません。
I'm full. I can't eat any more.
Learning point
いっぱい means full here, unlike the counter 一杯 for a drink.
～けど
… but … (casual)
行きたいけど、時間がない。
I want to go, but I don't have time.
Learning point
けど is conversational contrast and can also leave the sentence open for the listener.
～君
… kun (familiar suffix)
田中君はもう帰ったよ。
Tanaka has already gone home.
Learning point
君 follows a name; さん is safer when the relationship is unclear.
よかったら
if you'd like
よかったら、一緒にどう？
If you'd like, how about joining me?
Learning point
This softens an invitation by leaving a choice; it is not asking whether a past action was good.
初め
beginning
初めは難しかったです。
It was difficult at the beginning.
Learning point
初め means the beginning; 初めて means for the first time.
初め頃
around the beginning
四月の初めごろに来ます。
I'll come around the beginning of April.
Learning point
A month plus の初めごろ means roughly the beginning of that month.
色々
various
いろいろな本を読んだ。
I read various books.
Learning point
いろいろな modifies nouns; いろいろ can also modify an action directly.
調べます
look up; investigate
辞書で言葉を調べる。
I look up words in a dictionary.
Learning point
調べる can look up information or investigate; 辞書で identifies the tool.
着物
kimono
お祭りで着物を着ました。
I wore a kimono at the festival.
Learning point
着物 normally means a kimono, not every kind of clothing.
そっち
that way; your side (casual)
そっちの店にしよう。
Let's choose the shop on your side.
Learning point
そっち is casual for そちら and often points to the listener's side.
こっち
this way; my side (casual)
こっちに来て。
Come over here.
Learning point
こっち is the casual form of こちら and is unsuitable for very formal reception.
あっち
over there (casual)
駅はあっちだよ。
The station is over there.
Learning point
あっち points to the side away from both people; あちら is polite.
ビザ
visa
ビザを申請します。
I'll apply for a visa.
Learning point
ビザ is a visa; パスポート is a passport, a different document.
要ります
need
傘が要ります。
I need an umbrella.
Learning point
要る is いる, a group-one verb; 居る has the same sound but a different meaning and conjugation.
ビザがいります。
need a visa
旅行にはビザがいりますか。
Do I need a visa for the trip?
Learning point
This asks what document is needed; actual entry requirements depend on destination and nationality.
終わり
end
映画の終わりに歌が流れました。
A song played at the end of the film.
Learning point
終わり is a noun; 終わる is the verb meaning end.
終わり頃
around the end
今月の終わりごろに帰ります。
I'll return around the end of this month.
Learning point
の終わりごろ gives an approximate final period, not an exact deadline.
どっち
which of two; which way (casual)
お茶とコーヒー、どっちがいい？
Tea or coffee—which would you like?
Learning point
どっち is casual for どちら and commonly selects between two choices.
修理します
repair
パソコンを修理します。
I'll repair the computer.
Learning point
修理する repairs objects; it does not normally describe treating a person's illness.
言葉
word; language
この言葉の意味を教えて。
Tell me what this word means.
Learning point
言葉 can mean a word, language, or what someone says, not only a single vocabulary item.
These study examples and learning points support review. They do not replace the textbook; meanings follow the lesson context.