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Activities: "Invitations: How to say “let’s…” in Japanese?"

By: Mayumi Ito

Activity 1: Forming sentences

Let’s start with practice forming invitation sentences. Follow the instructions and write three short Japanese sentences using the same verb. Also, add the English translation. Each sentence should use one of the expressions covered in the post (don’t forget to change the verb form). Choose the polite or casual style depending on the situation given. All the keywords are in the word bank. You may need to add some particles.

  1. You and your friend are shopping for a wedding gift for your favorite teacher. You pick up one item you like best, a figurine, and say:

    この
    Transcription: kono
    Translation: this
    〜にする
    Transcription: …ni suru
    Translation: to pick; choose
    おきもの
    Transcription: okimono
    Translation: ornament; figurine

  2. You and your coworker are told to clean up the storage area of the office. You find a box full of broken things in the closet and say:

    この
    Transcription: kono
    Translation: this
    すてる
    Transcription: suteru
    Translation: to throw away
    はこ
    Transcription: hako
    Translation: box

  3. You and your friend are attending a karaoke party. Both of you are rather shy, but you think you can sing if your friend joins you. So you say:

    ねえ
    Transcription: nē
    Translation: hey
    うたう
    Transcription: utau
    Translation: to sing
    いっしょに
    Transcription: issho ni
    Translation: together

  4. You and your neighbors are planning for a neighborhood association’s New Year’s party. You suggest everyone bring New Year's dishes:

    もちよる
    Transcription: mochiyoru
    Translation: to carry in; bring
    おせちりょうり
    Transcription: osechi ryōri
    Translation: New Year’s dishes
    みんなで
    Transcription: min’na de
    Translation: collectively

Activity 2:

Read each short dialogue, select the correct Japanese word to go in the blank, and complete the English translation. Sometimes, there might be more than one possible answer. In such cases, choose the one that you think most appropriate.

  1. いく transcribed ikumeaning to go

    A:

    いいてんきですね。いっしょにさんぽにいきませんか。
    Ii tenki desu ne. Issho ni sanpo ni ikimasen ka.
    It's nice weather, isn’t it! Why don’t we go for a walk together?

    B:

    いいですね。どこまで      。
    Ii desu ne. Doko made ___.
    Select your answer

    Sounds good. How far ?

  2. かたづける transcribed katazukerumeaning to tidy up

    A:

    あら、あら、またちらかして。いっしょに      ね。
    Ara, ara, mata chirakashite. Issho ni ___ ne.
    Select your answer

    Oh my, you have made a mess again. together, OK?

    B:

    はーい。
    Hāi.
    Okay.

  3. にげる transcribed nigerumeaning to flee; get out

    A:

    あっ、かじだ。      。
    A, kaji da. ___.
    Select your answer

    Oh, it’s a fire. .

    B:

    うん、ひじょうぐち、こっちだよ！
    Un, hijōguchi, kocchi da yo!
    Yeah, the emergency exit is this way!

  4. たべる transcribed taberumeaning to eat

    A:

    (ポリポリ) このおせんべい、すごくおいしいよ。めいちゃんも      ？
    (Pori pori) Kono osenbei, sugoku oishii yo. Mei chan mo ___?
    Select your answer

    (Crunch, crunch) These rice crackers are super tasty. Mei, ?

    B:

    うん、たべる！
    Un, taberu!
    Sure. Will do!

  5. あつめる transcribed atsumerumeaning to collect

    A:

    あ、もうじかんですね。では、テストを      。
    A, mō jikan desu ne. Dewa, tesuto o ___.
    Select your answer

    Oh, the time is up now. Well then, the tests.

    B:

    え〜！せんせい、あと５ふんまってください！
    Ē! Sensei, ato go fun matte kudasai!
    Oh no! Teacher, please wait five more minutes!