JLPT N5 Speaking: Say What Someone Does for Work

The JLPT N5 exam includes a speaking section where you’ll be asked to describe what someone does for work. Don’t panic! It doesn’t require perfect fluency, but focusing on common phrases and vocabulary will greatly increase your chances of success. This article will break down how to do it practically.

Key Phrases & Vocabulary

Here are some essential phrases you need to know:

• おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) – Good morning (used in introductory situations)
• お昼ご飯を食べましたか？ (Ohyōgī o tabemashita ka?) – Did you eat lunch? (Common icebreaker)
• 仕事は何をしていますか？ (Shigoto wa nani o shite imasu ka?) – What do you do for work?
• 私は…をしています。 (Watashi wa … o shiteimasu.) – I do… (e.g., 私は販売員をしています。(Watashi wa hanbaiin o shiteimasu.) – I am a salesperson)
• 会社で (Kaisha de) – At the company
• 学校で (Gakkō de) – At school
• 部活で (Buchibukade) – In club activities
• お給料 (Ōgyōryō) – Salary / Pay
• 毎日 (Mainichi) – Every day
• 週に何日(Shuu ni nan nichi) – How many days a week

Simple Dialogue Examples

Let’s look at some example dialogues:

Example 1: Talking About Being a Student

Examiner:  こんにちは！仕事は何をしていますか？ (Konnichiwa! Shigoto wa nani o shiteimasu ka?) – Hello! What do you do for work?
Student: こんにちは。学校で勉強しています。(Konnichiwa. Gakkō de benkyō shite imasu.) – Hello. I study at school.
Examiner:  毎日ですか？(Mainichi desu ka?) – Every day?
Student: はい、毎日です。(Hai, mainichi desu.) – Yes, every day.

Example 2: Talking About Working in a Store

Examiner:  こんにちは！仕事は何をしていますか？ (Konnichiwa! Shigoto wa nani o shiteimasu ka?) – Hello! What do you do for work?
Salesperson: こんにちは。私は会社で販売員をしています。(Konnichiwa. Watashi wa kaisha de hanbaiin o shiteimasu.) – Hello. I am a salesperson at the company.
Examiner:  お給料はいくらですか？(Ōgyōryō wa ikura desu ka?) – How much is your salary?
Salesperson: 20万円です。(Nijuunen man en desu.) – It’s 200,000 yen.

Common Mistakes & Corrections

Here are some common mistakes beginners make and how to correct them:

• Mistake: Saying “I work” instead of “I do…” Use the phrase “私は…をしています.” (Watashi wa … o shiteimasu.)
• Correction: Instead of saying, “Watashi wa work shiteimasu,” say “Watashi wa hanbaiin o shiteimasu.” (I am a salesperson).
• Mistake: Forgetting particles like “で” (de) which indicate location.
• Correction: Always include ‘で’ when referring to working at a specific place, e.g., “会社で” (kaisha de – at the company).

Tips for Success

Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Practice Regularly: Repeat the phrases out loud.
• Keep it Simple: Focus on basic sentences and common professions (student, salesperson, office worker).
• Don’t Worry About Perfection: The examiners are looking for you to communicate, not speak perfectly. It’s okay to make small mistakes!

Good luck with your JLPT N5 speaking exam!