Learning Japanese: JLPT N5 Writing – Write About How You Feel
Introduction to Expressing Feelings in Japanese
The JLPT N5 writing section focuses on simple sentences and short paragraphs. One common task is to describe how you feel about something. This isn’t just translating “I am happy” – it’s about using appropriate phrases and building a mini-paragraph that communicates your emotions effectively. Don’t worry about perfect grammar at this level; communication is key! We’ll look at everyday scenarios where this skill comes in handy.
Key Phrases for Describing Feelings
Here’s some essential Japanese you’ll need:
- I am happy. これは嬉しいです。 (Kore wa ureshii desu.) – “This is good/pleasing.” (More natural than a direct translation of “happy”).
- I am sad. これは悲しいです。(Kore wa kanashii desu.) – “This is sad.”
- I am worried. これは心配です。(Kore wa shinpai desu.) – “This is a worry.”
- I am tired. 私は疲れています。(Watashi wa tsukarete imasu) – “I am tired.”
- I like it. これは好きです。(Kore wa suki desu.) – “This is liked/good.”
Real-World Situations & Example Paragraphs
Let’s look at a few situations and how you might respond.
Situation 1: You received good news.
You just found out you got the job! Here’s an example:
これは嬉しいです！ 新しい仕事があるの。すごく幸せです。(Kore wa ureshii desu! Shinaii shigoto ga aru no. Sugoku shiawase desu.)
Translation: “This is good! I have a new job. I’m very happy!”
Common Mistakes & Corrections: The phrase “すごい (sugoi)” meaning “amazing” can be added here to add more emphasis on the happiness – “これは嬉しいです！ 新しい仕事があるの。すごく、すごい幸せです。(Kore wa ureshii desu! Shinaii shigoto ga aru no. Sugoku, sugoi shiawase desu.)” Also, be careful with particles – “新しい仕事があるの” is more natural than a literal translation.
Situation 2: You’re feeling a little down about something.
A friend cancelled plans you were looking forward to.
これは悲しいです。 予定を立てていたのに、中止になったの。(Kore wa kanashii desu. Yotei o tatete ita noni, chutinatta no.)
Translation: “This is sad. I made a plan, but it was cancelled.”
Important Note: “中止 (chutiniti)” means “cancelled”. Japanese often uses reason-and-result constructions.
Situation 3: You’re feeling anxious about an exam
You are preparing for a test and feeling stressed.
これは心配です。テストの結果がどうなるか分からない。(Kore wa shinpai desu. Tesuto no kekka ga dou naru ka wakaranai.)
Translation: “This is a worry. I don’t know how the exam results will be.”
Tips for N5 Writing
- Keep it short and simple. Don’t try to write long essays. Stick to one or two sentences per situation.
- Use familiar phrases. The phrases above are very common in everyday conversation.
- Focus on expressing the basic feeling. You don’t need overly complex vocabulary.
- Practice, practice, practice! Write about your daily life and feelings to build confidence.
Resources
Here are some useful resources for learning Japanese:
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