Learning Japanese Through JLPT N5: Reading – Someone’s Vacation Plans
This article will help you practice your reading skills for the JLPT N5 exam using a realistic scenario. We’ll analyze a conversation between two friends discussing vacation plans, focusing on vocabulary, common phrases, and how to understand what they are saying.
The Scenario: Talking about Vacation Plans
You’re talking to your friend, Kenji, who is planning a trip. You want to know where he’s going and when. Let’s look at the dialogue:
Aiko: こんにちは、けんじさん！元気ですか？ (Konnichiwa, Kenji-san! Genki desu ka?)
(Hello, Kenji! How are you?)
Kenji: 元気です。ありがとう！今度、旅行に行くんです。 (Genki desu. Arigato! Kondo, ryokou ni iku n desu.)
(I’m fine, thank you! I’m going on a trip sometime soon.)
Aiko: どこに行くんですか？ (Doko ni iku n desu ka?)
(Where are you going?)
Kenji: 京都に行きます。 (Kyoto ni ikimasu.)
(I’m going to Kyoto.)
Aiko: え、京都？すごい！いつ行くの？ (E, Kyoto? Sugoi! Itsu ni iku no?)
(Oh, Kyoto? Amazing! When are you going?)
Kenji: 10月に行きます。 (Juugyo ni ikimasu.)
(I’m going in October.)
Aiko: 10月はいいですね！何をするんですか？(Juugyo wa ii desu ne! Nani o suru n desu ka?)
(October is good! What are you doing?)
Kenji: 着物を見たり、寺を訪れたりします。 (Kimono o mitari, tera o otohtaritori shimasu.)
(I’ll look at kimonos and visit temples.)
Aiko: きれいですね！楽しんできてね！ (Kirei desu ne! Tanoshikidette ne!)
(That’s beautiful! Have fun!)
Vocabulary & Phrases
- こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello
- 元気ですか？(Genki desu ka?) – How are you?
- ありがとう (Arigato) – Thank you
- 今度 (Kondo) – Sometime soon
- 旅行 (Ryokou) – Trip/Travel
- 行く (Iku) – To go
- どこ (Doko) – Where
- 京都 (Kyoto) – Kyoto
- すごい (Sugoi) – Amazing!
- いつ (Itsu) – When
- 10月 (Juugyo) – October
- 何をするんですか？(Nani o suru n desu ka?) – What are you doing?
- 着物 (Kimono) – Kimono
- 寺 (Tera) – Temple
- 訪れたり (Otohtaritori) – To visit/explore
- 楽しんできてね！ (Tanoshikidette ne!) – Have fun!
Common Mistakes and Corrections
Mistake: Using the polite form “desu” excessively. While necessary for this level, it can feel stiff. Native speakers often drop “desu” in casual conversation.
Correction: Kenji’s speech is more natural – “Genki desu. Arigato! Kondo, ryokou ni iku n desu.” You can learn to use ‘desu’ when talking to people you don’t know well.
Mistake: Not understanding the structure of “～に” (ni) for time and place. This is fundamental!
Correction: “10月に行きます。” – “In October I go.” It explains when he’s going.
Practice
Try to answer these questions based on the dialogue:
- Where is Kenji going?
- When is Kenji going?
- What will Kenji do in Kyoto?
Answers:
- Kyoto
- In October
- Look at kimonos and visit temples.
Resources for Further Learning
Here are some helpful resources to continue your Japanese learning journey:
Leave a Reply