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Activities: "よ (yo) and ね (ne)"

By: Mayumi Ito

Activity 1: Traveling with Hikaru

Are you still not sure when to use , ね(え) and よね? No worries! Practice makes perfect. Read each of the short descriptions and conversations below and add the most appropriate particle (, , ねえ or よね) in the blank. Add the intonation sign in the last blank (➚, ➙, or ➘) too!
  1. You and your friend Hikaru are visiting Kyoto today. Your bullet train just arrived at Kyoto Station. Hikaru is fast asleep. Let’s wake them up.

  2. You and Hikaru are heading to the famous Kiyomizu Temple. It seems you two are lost. Let’s ask a stranger and find out how to get there.

  3. You enjoyed your first afternoon in Kyoto. It’s now almost dinner time. You are starving! You’re pretty sure Hikaru is hungry too. Let’s make sure you two are on the same page.

  4. You two look around to find a place to eat. Hikaru makes a suggestion. What do you think?

  5. The inside of the restaurant looks and smells great! You and Hikaru decide on the same dish. Let’s talk to the waiter and order them.

  6. After the dinner, you and Hikaru head to your hotel. It was Hikaru who made the booking. Before hopping onto the bus, you want to make sure where the hotel is.

  7. It turns out that Kyoto Mango Hotel is a nice place to stay at a great price! Impressed, you congratulate Hikaru by saying…

  8. It was a great first day in Kyoto! Before falling asleep, let’s share your thoughts with Hikaru.

Activity 2: Your New Job

Let’s prepare ourselves for real-world conversations! Which of the following responses do you think is the most appropriate? Read aloud to see which sounds the best. Then select the best choice!

  1. Today is your first day at the office. Your work partner introduces herself. Her last name is Kusakabe. It’s a new name for you, so you want to make sure you can pronounce it correctly. (Your own name goes in the blank!)
    Select your answer
  2. Ms. Kusakabe shows you around the office and explains the basic routine. The company is known for not asking workers to do (maybe you chose this company for that reason 😅). You just want to make sure of that point with your partner.
    Select your answer
For the next two questions, you'll create your own answer! You can use your own word or choose one from the word bank. Make sure to use , , or よね!
  1. Finally, the work day is over! You met up with your friends at your favorite cafe. One of them asks you how your first day at the office was. Glad to be asked, you answer promptly.

    Word Bank
    おもしろかった
    Transcription: omoshirokatta
    Translation: it was interesting
    つまらなかった
    Transcription: tsumaranakatta
    Translation: it was dull
    楽だった
    Transcription: raku datta
    Translation: it was easy
    大変だった
    Transcription: taihen datta
    Translation: it was hard
    忙しかった
    Transcription: isogashikatta
    Translation: it was a busy day
    暇だった
    Transcription: hima datta
    Translation: it was a slow day

  2. On the way home, you see a person walking ahead of you drop something. The person doesn’t seem to notice it. Let’s call out and let them know. As for the dropped item, you can name it or choose one from the word bank.

    Word Bank
    〜が落ちました
    Transcription: ...ga ochimashita
    Translation: you dropped...
    Literally: ...fell off
    財布
    Transcription: saifu
    Translation: wallet
    ハンカチ
    Transcription: hankachi
    Translation: handkerchief
    定期券
    Transcription: teikiken
    Translation: commuter pass
    スマホ
    Transcription: sumaho
    Translation: smartphone
    Transcription: kagi
    Translation: keys
    サングラス
    Transcription: sangurasu
    Translation: sunglasses
    イヤホン
    Transcription: iyahon
    Translation: earbuds