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All Japanese activities

Activities: "How to make suggestions and give advice in Japanese?"

By: Mayumi Ito

Activity 1: Polite form

Let’s practice making suggestions! For each action given, write two sentences in the polite form (〜ます / 〜です) according to the instructions. Then complete the English translation.

  1. 水をたくさん飲む transcribed mizu o takusan nomumeaning to drink a lot of water

    1. 暑い日は。
      Atsui hi wa ___.
      On hot days, .

    2. 食事中は。
      Shokuji chū wa ___.
      During meal-time, .

  2. ATMでおろす transcribed ei tii emu de orosumeaning to withdraw it at an ATM

    1. 現金が必要なら、。
      Genkin ga hitsuyō nara, ___.
      If you need cash, .

    2. 現金が必要なら、。
      Genkin ga hitsuyō nara, ___.
      If you need cash, .

  3. 先生に相談する transcribed sensei ni sōdan surumeaning to ask your teacher for their advice

    1. 困っているのなら、。
      Komatte iru no nara, ___.
      If you are in trouble, .

    2. 困っているのなら、。
      Komatte iru no nara, ___.
      If you are in trouble, .

Activity 2: Pick the right form

Choose the most appropriate form for each blank.

  1. 帰る transcribed kaerumeaning to go home

    1. のどが痛いし、寒気がする・・・。風邪かな。
      Nodo ga itaishi, samuke ga suru…. Kaze kana.
      My throat hurts, and I have chills…. Maybe I’ve got a cold.

    2. だいじょうぶ？今日は早く      ほうがいいよ。
      Daijōbu? Kyō wa hayaku ___ hō ga ii yo.
      Select your answer

  2. すわる transcribed suwarumeaning to sit down

    1. あ、ここ空いてるよ。おばあちゃん、      どう？
      A, koko aiteru yo. Obāchan, ___ dō?
      Select your answer

  3. 買う transcribed kaumeaning to buy

    1. そのスマホ、もう壊れたんですか。
      Sono sumaho, mō kowareta ndesu ka?
      Has that smart phone been broken already?

    2. そうなんですよ。やっぱり安物は      ほうがいいですね。
      Sō nandesu yo. Yappari yasumono wa ___ hō ga ii desu ne.
      Select your answer

  4. 拭く transcribed fukumeaning to wipe

    1. あっ、ジュースこぼしちゃった。どうしよう。
      A, jūsu koboshichatta. Dō shiyō.
      Oops, I spilled juice. What should I do?

    2. はい、ティッシュ。これで      といいよ。
      Hai, tisshu. Kore de ___ to ii yo.
      Select your answer

  5. 読む transcribed yomumeaning to read

    1. 夏休み中に、どんな本を      いいでしょうか。
      Natsuyasumichū ni, don’na hon o ___ ii deshō ka.
      Select your answer

    2. 英文科の学生なら、シェークスピア全集を読みなさい。
      Eibunka no gakusei nara, Shēkusupia zenshū o yominasai.
      As you are an English literature major, read the complete works of Shakespeare.

Activity 3: Sentences

Read each scenario and write an appropriate sentence, using one of the expressions we covered in the post. The key words are given in the word bank.

  1. You and your Japanese friends have set out for a day hike to reach a mountain lake. About halfway up the trail, you see dark clouds spreading in the sky. The wind is picking up too. Some of your friends want to press on, but you, a veteran hiker, think otherwise. You offer firm advice to turn around now.

    Word Bank: 引き返す transcribed hikikaesumeaning to turn back, この辺で transcribed kono hen demeaning around here

    。

  2. You are working at a high-class boutique in Tokyo. One of the customers is waiting outside a fitting room, which is currently occupied. You know another one is available. You approach the customer and politely make a suggestion.

    Word Bank: お使いになる transcribed otsukai ni narumeaning to use (respectful form), 試着室 transcribed shichakushitsumeaning fitting room, あちらの transcribed achira nomeaning that…over there

    。

  3. One of your classmates at the Japanese language school wants to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N5 for the first time. You have already passed it (a piece of cake!), so your friend asks you which study guide they should use. You kindly suggest trying one of the books you used yourself.

    Word Bank: 使ってみる transcribed tsukatte mirumeaning to try using, 本 transcribed honmeaning book, この transcribed konomeaning this

    。

  4. You and your Japanese friends go out to have lunch together at a newly opened diner. The place offers various set meals that come with miso soup and rice, and they all sound delicious! Unable to decide which one to choose, you seek advice from your friends.

    Word Bank: 頼む transcribed tanomumeaning to request; order, 定食 transcribed teishokumeaning set meal, どの transcribed donomeaning which, 〜と思う？ transcribed ...to omou?meaning do you think…?

    と思う？