Cheat Sheets

The six lines of a Japanese self-introduction, in order, with the register traps that make textbook Japanese sound like textbook Japanese.

Getting around, buying things, and getting unstuck. The phrases that actually come up on a trip, grouped by where you will need them.

Walking in, ordering, asking what is in it, and paying. Includes the phrases for allergies and dietary restrictions.

やばい, まじ, めんどくさい, ググる. The casual words that fill real conversation and never appear in a textbook, with a clear warning about where each one is out of place.

Weather, where you are from, how long you have studied. How to keep a first conversation going instead of ending it.

The frames that cover most of what you can say at N5. Swap the words, keep the frame, and vocabulary turns into sentences.

つ, 個, 人, 本, 枚, 匹 and the rest, sorted by the shape of the thing you are counting. Every counter comes with its full 1 to 10 readings and the irregular ones flagged.

All verbs you need for N5, sorted by conjugation class (Ichidan, Godan, irregular) with て-form patterns.

これ/それ/あれ/どれ and all their friends. A full reference for the demonstrative word family.

The polite direction words: guiding people, referring to someone politely, and choosing between two options.

The casual, direct form: everyday speech with friends, strong nuance, and common idioms.

わたし, ぼく, おれ, あなた, きみ… Each pronoun signals gender, formality, and relationship. Learn which one fits where, and when to drop them entirely.

Telling time, days, months, and relative words like yesterday/today/tomorrow.

Interactive world map: hover any country to see its Japanese name. Kanji vs katakana patterns explained.