Skip to main content

Activities: "How to use の (no) in Japanese?"

By: Kumiko Saeto

Activity 1: Rearrange the words

Organize the words in the word bank to match the meaning of the English sentence.

  1. My hometown is the City of Higashimurayama, Tokyo.
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • です。
  2. The model of the painting is a friend from (my) college days.
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • です。
  3. The popular item of this store is chocolate snacks.
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • です。

Activity 2: Finish the conversation

Your roommate is home sick and asked you to buy several things. But they want to see what options are available before asking you to buy them. When you arrive at the store, you decide to list the items that you see on the phone. Try creating the conversation following the English translation!

  1. You are going to buy ヨーグルト transcribed yōgurutomeaning yogurt and see these flavors:

    Now, complete the dialogue with your roommate:

    • You:
      色々なヨーグルトがあるよ。、どれがいい?
      Transcription: Iroirona yōguruto ga aru yo. ___, doregaī?
      Translation: There are many kinds of yogurt. Which do you want, a peach one, an apple one, a blueberry one, or a strawberry one?
    • Roommate:
      じゃあ、!
      Transcription: Jā, __!
      Translation: Ok then, I'll have the blueberry yogurt!
  2. You are going to buy a 小説 transcribed shōsetsumeaning novel and see these author names:

    Now complete this dialogue with your roommate:

    • You:
      たくさん小説があるよ。、どれがいい?
      Transcription: Takusan shōsetsu ga aru yo. ___ , dore ga ii?
      Translation: There are many novels. Which do you want, Hemingway’s, Dickens’s, Sōseki Natsume’s, or Ryūnosuke Akutagawa’s?
    • Roommate:
      じゃあ、
      Transcription: Jā, ___!
      Translation: Okay then, I’ll have the novel by Sōseki Natsume!
  3. You are going to buy a 毛布 transcribed mōfumeaning blanket and see blankets in many colors:

    Now complete this dialogue with your roommate:

    • You:
      色々な色の毛布があるよ。、どれがいい?
      Transcription: Iroirona iro no mōfu ga aru yo. ___, dore ga ii?
      Translation: There are blankets of many colors. Which do you want, the red one, the blue one, the black one, or the orange one?
    • Roommate:
      じゃあ、
      Transcription: Jā, ___!
      Translation: Okay then, I’ll have the blue blanket!
  4. You are going to rent a 映画 transcribed eigameaning movie and see movies in different languages:

    Now complete this dialogue with your roommate:

    • You:
      色々な言葉の映画があるよ。、どれがいい?
      Transcription: Iroirona kotoba no eiga ga aru yo. ___, dore ga ii?
      Translation: There are movies in various languages. Which do you want, the one in Japanese, the one in Korean, the one in Spanish, or the one in French?
    • Roommate:
      じゃあ、
      Transcription: Jā, ___!
      Translation: Okay then, I’ll have the movie in Korean language!

Activity 3: Complete the sentences

Complete the sentences below using the words in each word bank. In this exercise, you are going to use double particles between two nouns!

  1. I cannot get used to life in Japan easily.
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • になかなか慣れません。
  2. I plan to buy a present for Mary at the mall.
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • モールでを買うつもりです。
  3. I may be late for the meeting from 2 o’clock.
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • に遅れるかもしれません。
  4. Ms. Takada never breaks a promise with a friend.
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • 高田さんはを絶対にやぶらない。
  5. That’s a secret just between us two.
    Word BankChoose a word, then choose a blank. You can also drag.
    • そのことはですよ。