Learning Japanese Through JLPT N5 Reading – A School Schedule
Starting to learn Japanese can feel overwhelming. Let’s begin with something simple and practical: reading a basic school schedule. This is excellent preparation for the JLPT N5 reading section, which focuses on everyday vocabulary and short, straightforward texts. We’ll break down what you need to know and practice.
What You’ll Learn in This Article
- Understanding Basic Japanese Phrases Used in School
- Decoding Common Vocabulary Related to Schedules
- Reading a Sample School Schedule
- Tips for Success with N5 Reading
Basic Japanese Phrases & Vocabulary
- おはようございます (Ohayō gozaimasu) – Good morning
- こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello / Good afternoon
- おやすみなさい (Oyasuminasai) – Good night
- はい (Hai) – Yes
- いいえ (Iie) – No
- 先生 (Sensei) – Teacher
Let’s use these in a simple situation:
Student: こんにちは、先生！(Konnichiwa, Sensei!) – Hello, teacher!
Teacher: こんにちは！何かありますか？ (Konnichiwa! Nani ka arimasu ka?) – Hello! Is there something?
Decoding Common Vocabulary
Here’s some key vocabulary you’ll encounter in a school schedule:
- 時間 (Jikan) – Time
- 曜日 (Yoobi) – Day of the week
- 授業 (Jugyō) – Class / Lesson
- 休み (Yūmi) – Break / Holiday
- 午前 (Gozen) – Morning (until 12:00)
- 午後 (Gogo) – Afternoon (from 12:00 onwards)
Example: “今日の授業は午前中にします。”(Kyō no jugyō wa gozen-chuu ni shimasu.) – “Today’s class is in the morning.”
Reading a Simple School Schedule
<img src="Read More” alt=”Example School Schedule”>
Let’s look at a simplified school schedule:
| 曜日 (Yoobi – Day) | 午前 (Gozen – Morning) | 午後 (Gogo – Afternoon) |
|---|---|---|
| 月曜日 (Getsuyōbi – Monday) | 国語の授業 (Kokugo no jugyō – Japanese Class) 9:00 – 10:00 | 数学の授業 (Súmath no jugyō – Math Class) 13:00 – 14:00 |
| 火曜日 (Kayōbi – Tuesday) | 英語の授業 (Eigo no jugyō – English Class) 9:30 – 10:30 | 理科の授業 (Rika no jugyō – Science Class) 13:30 – 14:30 |
| 水曜日 (Sueyōbi – Wednesday) | 休み (Yūmi – Break / Holiday) | 放課後 (Hogaku-goro – After School Activities) 14:00 – 15:00 |
Let’s break this down:
- 月曜日 (Getsuyōbi): Monday
- 国語の授業 (Kokugo no jugyō): Japanese Class
- 9:00 – 10:00: The class starts at 9:00 and ends at 10:00.
- 数学の授業 (Súmath no jugyō): Math Class
- 13:00 – 14:00: The class starts at 13:00 (1 PM) and ends at 14:00 (2 PM).
Tips for Success with N5 Reading
- Start Small: Focus on short, simple texts like this schedule.
- Look Up Unknown Words: Don’t be afraid to use a dictionary (even just for key words).
- Practice Regularly: Even 15-30 minutes of practice each day can make a big difference.
Good luck with your Japanese learning journey!
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