Japanese for everyday life

The verb forms behind most everyday sentences: requests, "don't", "have you ever", adjectives, and what's happening now.

6 of 6 lessons readyN5: 68N4: 28N3: 2

Prices, counting things and people, the time, dates and how often. The words you need at every shop, station and school notice.

8 of 8 lessons readyN5: 64N4: 15N3: 7N2: 5

Saying what you want, what you can do and what you're going to do, and linking actions together.

8 of 8 lessons readyN5: 54N4: 31N3: 9N2: 1

Who gives what to whom, doing things for people, and asking for favours at the right level of politeness.

7 of 7 lessons readyN5: 40N4: 32N3: 17N2: 2N1: 2

Because, if, when, maybe and even though: the words that turn short sentences into real conversation.

8 of 8 lessons readyN5: 72N4: 23N3: 4N2: 5N1: 1

Understanding keigo in shops, stations, offices and letters from the school, and using enough of it yourself.

8 of 8 lessons readyN5: 42N4: 30N3: 26N2: 4N1: 4

How people really talk: contractions, sentence endings, quoting, hearsay, and things done to you.

8 of 8 lessons readyN5: 71N4: 39N3: 7N2: 1

Katakana words you half-know already: false friends, chopped-up words, words from Portuguese and Dutch, and a retro corner of old gadgets. A light side course to take any time after Everyday Japanese 1.

8 lessons · from 16 November 2026

Family words, the house, chores, cooking, rubbish rules, repairs and deliveries.

9 of 9 lessons readyN5: 56N4: 31N3: 32N2: 15N1: 4

Supermarkets, convenience stores, clothes, returns, restaurants, izakaya and the hairdresser.

11 of 11 lessons readyN5: 39N4: 25N3: 29N2: 14N1: 11

Trains, buses, taxis, directions, driving, hotels and day trips.

10 of 10 lessons readyN5: 42N4: 31N3: 24N2: 22N1: 5

The body, symptoms, clinics, pharmacies, the dentist, disasters and calling for help.

10 of 10 lessons readyN5: 38N4: 32N3: 40N2: 13N1: 13

The school year, letters home, teachers, parents' meetings, homework, clubs and events.

9 of 9 lessons readyN5: 28N4: 27N3: 29N2: 19N1: 9

The city office, insurance, banks, bills, the post office, contracts and taxes.

9 of 9 lessons readyN5: 17N4: 12N3: 23N2: 12N1: 10

Neighbours, the neighbourhood association, invitations, small talk, festivals and gifts.

8 of 8 lessons readyN5: 27N4: 33N3: 22N2: 11N1: 3

The workplace, schedules, asking for help, phone calls, appointments and messages.

7 of 7 lessons readyN5: 25N4: 30N3: 24N2: 14N1: 3

How you feel, what you like, agreeing and disagreeing, describing people and telling stories.

7 of 7 lessons readyN5: 38N4: 45N3: 27N2: 3N1: 2

Festivals and holidays from March to May: what they are, how people in Japan celebrate them, and what you'll say and hear.

8 lessons · from 1 February 2027

Festivals and holidays from June to August: what they are, how people in Japan celebrate them, and what you'll say and hear.

6 lessons · from 1 May 2027

Festivals and holidays from September to November: what they are, how people in Japan celebrate them, and what you'll say and hear.

7 lessons · from 1 August 2027

Festivals and holidays from December to February: what they are, how people in Japan celebrate them, and what you'll say and hear.

8 of 8 lessons readyN5: 19N4: 29N3: 22N2: 10N1: 4

Owning and running a car in Japan: licences, the roads, parking, petrol, maintenance and what to do when something goes wrong.

9 lessons · from 1 March 2027

Bikes in everyday life: buying one, the rules of the road, parking, repairs, theft and insurance, and cycling for fun.

7 lessons · from 15 March 2027

Money matters beyond the basics: bank apps, credit card applications, cashless payments, sending money abroad, mortgages and buying a home, and pensions.

8 lessons · from 1 February 2027

Everything about your phone in Japan: choosing a plan, switching, the phone shop, everyday apps and settings, and sorting out problems.

6 lessons · from 1 April 2027

Sending things in Japan and abroad: the post office counter, parcel services, the konbini, pick-ups and sending things you've sold.

7 lessons · from 15 April 2027

Relatives, a new baby, the first months, children growing up, playtime, visiting the in-laws and grandparents.

8 lessons · from 15 December 2026

Where you're from, directions, towns and the countryside, Japan's landscape and weather, culture and customs, and travelling abroad.

8 lessons · from 1 December 2026

Taking part in your community: signing up, beach and street clean-ups, working in teams, and talking about it afterwards.

8 lessons · from 15 January 2027

Playing, watching and talking about baseball: the rules, Japanese pro teams, high-school baseball at Kōshien, and Ohtani and the Japanese players in America.

6 of 6 lessons readyN5: 12N4: 12N3: 17N2: 6N1: 11

Football in Japan as a player and a fan: the rules, playing and coaching, the J.League and the national team.

5 of 5 lessons readyN5: 4N4: 5N3: 13N2: 8N1: 4

Rugby as a player and a fan: the rules, school and club rugby, League One and the national team.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 9N4: 4N3: 6N2: 2N1: 4

Horse racing in Japan: horses and jockeys, betting tickets, a day at the racecourse and the big races.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 6N4: 7N3: 10N2: 5N1: 4

Boat racing in Japan: how a race works, reading the programme, betting and a day at the stadium.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 4N4: 6N3: 10N2: 8N1: 6

Keirin track cycling: how a race works, lines and tactics, betting and a day at the velodrome.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 7N4: 2N3: 17N2: 4N1: 8

Japan's motorcycle track racing: how it works, handicaps, betting and the tracks.

3 of 3 lessons readyN5: 6N4: 3N3: 9N2: 2N1: 3

F1, rallying and motor racing in Japan: Suzuka, Rally Japan, Super GT, and watching and talking about races.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 6N4: 7N3: 9N2: 2N1: 8

Golf in Japan as a player and a fan: the course, the practice range, a round with friends or colleagues, and the pro tours.

5 of 5 lessons readyN5: 13N4: 5N3: 14N2: 3N1: 5

Sumo as a fan: ranks, techniques, the six tournaments, watching on TV or in person, and talking about results.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 7N4: 6N3: 5N2: 5N1: 4

The martial arts many Japanese people do: the dōjō, grades, training and competitions, for adults and children.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 8N4: 8N3: 10N2: 4N1: 7

Running for fitness, entering a marathon, and watching the ekiden relays, including Hakone at New Year.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 9N4: 6N3: 10N2: 4N1: 4

Volleyball as a player and a fan: the rules, school and community teams, and watching the national teams and the SV.League.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 2N4: 7N3: 13N2: 2N1: 5

Basketball as a player and a fan: the rules, school and pick-up games, the B.League and the national team.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 2N4: 3N3: 12N2: 2N1: 3

Tennis as a player and a fan: scoring, booking courts, lessons, soft tennis, and watching the big tournaments.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 1N4: 2N3: 16N2: 2N1: 8

Table tennis as a player and a fan: the rules, playing at school or the community centre, and watching the top players.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 8N4: 9N3: 9N2: 7N1: 4

Badminton as a player and a fan: the rules, playing at school or the community gym, and watching the top players.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 4N4: 8N3: 15N2: 4N1: 9

Swimming in Japan: the rules at public pools, lessons for children and adults, and watching swimming.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 5N4: 4N3: 5N2: 7N1: 2

Getting fit in Japan: joining a gym, workouts, classes and personal training.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 4N4: 13N3: 11N2: 5N1: 5

Winter sports trips in Japan: resorts, rentals and lift passes, lessons, and life on the slopes.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 12N4: 8N3: 10N2: 11N1: 4

Cycling as a sport and hobby: bikes and kit, group rides and events, and watching races.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 3N4: 5N3: 9N2: 5N1: 4

Hiking in Japan: planning a walk, gear and weather, on the trail, mountain huts and climbing Mt Fuji.

4 of 4 lessons readyN5: 7N4: 6N3: 10N2: 6N1: 1

The neighbourhood sports many older people play: rules, equipment, and joining in with neighbours.

3 of 3 lessons readyN5: 10N4: 5N3: 10N2: 3

Photography as a hobby: buying a camera new or second-hand, talking about settings, taking photos out and about, the seasons, and sharing your pictures.

7 lessons · from 15 February 2027

For playing duplicate bridge at a Japanese club: the cards, bidding, asking what a bid means, play, scoring and talking to the director.

14 lessons planned

Polite, useful phrases for a visit to Japan, with pronunciation, audio and a note on when to use each one.

9 of 9 lessons ready