Beginners to upper beginners of Japanese! Improve your vocabulary, listening, and pronunciation skills with shadowing and repetition. Each week, we will break down a useful vocabulary word and example sentence. -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with complete vocabulary and grammar breakdowns as well as sound files of just the Japanese to download. www.TheJapanesePage.com/makoto
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Oct 5, 2026 · 1:35
Today's podcast covers: 〜ながら — while doing something Attach this expression to the stem of a verb to show that two actions happen at the same time. The final verb expresses the…
Sep 28, 2026 · 1:51
Today's podcast covers: 〜ほうがいいです — should, it would be better to This expression gives advice. Put a verb in its plain past form before it, even when the recommended action is in…
Jul 20, 2026 · 2:08
Today's podcast covers: 〜たり〜たりする — to do things like A and B (listing representative actions) This pattern lists a few representative actions or states among many, implying they…
Apr 15, 2026 · 1:43
Today's podcast covers: 〜たいです — want to do something This grammar pattern is attached to the stem of a verb to express the speaker's desire to do something. It is polite in form…
Apr 8, 2026 · 1:42
Today's podcast covers: 〜てもいいですか — May I...? Is it okay if I...? This pattern is used to ask for permission to do something. It is formed by attaching to the tay-form of a verb,…
Apr 1, 2026 · 1:35
Today's podcast covers: です — is, am, are (polite copula) This is a polite copula used at the end of sentences to link a subject to a noun or adjective, similar to 'to be' in…
Mar 26, 2026 · 2:18
Today's podcast covers: 〜たり 〜たりする — doing things like A and B, alternating or listing multiple actions This grammar pattern is used to list multiple actions or states in a…
Mar 19, 2026 · 1:52
Today's podcast covers: 〜から — because, since, from The particle attaches to the end of a verb, adjective, or noun phrase to indicate a reason or cause, meaning 'because' or…
Mar 12, 2026 · 1:48
Today's podcast covers: 〜てはいけません — You must not do, it is forbidden to do (prohibition) The pattern is formed by attaching it to the te-form of a verb. It expresses a prohibition…
Mar 5, 2026 · 1:44
Today's podcast covers: こう — like this, in this way, thus This is a demonstrative adverb used to describe the manner of doing something, referring to something close to the…
Feb 26, 2026 · 1:38
Today's podcast covers: てみたい — want to try doing something This grammar pattern combines the verb with mitai, which expresses the desire to try doing something to see what it is…
Feb 19, 2026 · 2:00
Today's podcast covers: ～てしまう — to end up doing, to completely do, to do something regrettably This grammar pattern attaches to verbs and expresses either completion of an action…
Feb 12, 2026 · 1:55
Today's podcast covers: ので — because, since, so ので is a conjunction used to express cause or reason. It connects two clauses where the first clause explains the reason for the…
Feb 5, 2026 · 1:49
Today's podcast covers: ～になる — to become, to turn into This grammar pattern attaches to nouns and adjectives to express a change of state or transformation. Example:…
Jan 31, 2026 · 2:03
Today's podcast covers: ～がする — to sense/feel (used with sensory experiences like smell, sound, taste) This expression is used to describe sensory perceptions. The particle marks…
Jul 31, 2025 · 1:29
もう今日(きょう)はこれで終(お)わりにしましょう。 Now | today | as for | this | with | end | decide on Let’s call it a day right here. View this episode here:…
Jul 17, 2025 · 1:32
私(わたし)の娘(むすめ)はもう高校生(こうこうせい)です。 My | daughter | as for | high school student | already My daughter is a high school student already / My daughter is a high school student now.…
Jun 12, 2025 · 1:23
もうランチは食(た)べましたか？ Already | answer | as for | realized | question marker Have you eaten lunch already? / Have you eaten lunch yet? View this episode here:…
May 29, 2025 · 1:28
君(きみ)はステーキが好(す)きだろう？ you| as for | steak | subject marker | like | right? You like steak, right? View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-198 View all…
May 1, 2025 · 1:29
あの音(おと)はいったい何(なん)だろう？ that | sound | as for | on earth | what | (I) wonder I wonder what the sound is. View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-197 View…
Apr 24, 2025 · 1:37
彼(かれ)のビジネスはきっと成功(せいこう)するだろう。 his | business | as for | most certainly | will succeed I’m sure his business will be successful. View this episode here:…
Apr 10, 2025 · 1:43
この計算(けいさん)はこれで間違(まちが)いないだろう。 this | calculation | as for | this | with | fine | should be The calculation should be fine with this. View this episode here:…
Mar 20, 2025 · 2:07
太郎(たろう)はきのう友達(ともだち)と一緒(いっしょ)に遊(あそ)んで、きっと楽(たの)しかっただろう。 Tarou | as for | yesterday | friends | with | together | played | surely | enjoyed| must have had Tarou must have had a lot…
Feb 27, 2025 · 1:39
この池(いけ)には、たくさん魚(さかな)がいます。 this | pond | in | as for | many | fish | exists There are many fish in this pond. View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-193…
Feb 20, 2025 · 1:38
靴(くつ)を脱(ぬ)いでから家(いえ)に入(はい)ってください。 shoes| (direct object marker) | taking off | after | house | in | enter | please Enter the house after taking your shoes off please View this…
Jan 31, 2025 · 1:23
私(わたし)は東京(とうきょう)で生(う)まれたんです。 I | as for | Tokyo | in | was born I was born in Tokyo View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-191 View all episodes here:…
Jan 16, 2025 · 1:39
私(わたし)は東京(とうきょう)で生(う)まれたんです。 I | as for | Tokyo | in | was born I was born in Tokyo View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-190 View all episodes here:…
Dec 26, 2024 · 1:48
この週末(しゅうまつ)は家(いえ)でゆっくり休(やす)むつもりです。 this | weekend | as for | house | at | taking it easy | rest | (I) am intending I am planning to take it easy and rest at home this weekend.…
Nov 28, 2024 · 1:45
この本(ほん)をちょっと借(か)りてもいいですか？ this | book | (direct object marker) | for a real quick| if (I) borrow | OK | May I borrow this book for a just a minute? View this episode here:…
Oct 31, 2024 · 1:50
最近(さいきん)の子供(こども)は外(そと)で遊(あそ)びたいとは思(おも)わない。 nowadays | of | children | as for | outside | want to play | (quotation marker) | don’t think Lately, children don't seem to want to…
Oct 24, 2024 · 1:50
この本(ほん)は、私(わたし)には難(むずか)しすぎて読(よ)めません。 this| book | as for | me | for | topic marker | too difficult | can’t | read This book is too difficult for me to read it. View this episode…
Oct 10, 2024 · 1:53
僕(ぼく)はお金(かね)の節約(せつやく)が上手(じょうず)じゃない。 I| as for | money | of | saving | subject marker | good at | not I am not good at saving money. View this episode here:…
Sep 19, 2024 · 2:01
海外旅行(かいがいりょこう)をしたいけれど、時間(じかん)とお金(かね)がない。 | overseas trip | direct object marker | want to do | however | time | and | money | don’t have I want to travel overseas but I don’t…
Sep 12, 2024 · 2:05
今日(きょう)の天気(てんき)はいいけれども, 気温(きおん)がとても低(ひく)いです。 Today | limiter marker | weather | as for | nice | however | temperature | subject marker | low | copula Although it’s nice and sunny…
Sep 5, 2024 · 2:20
僕(ぼく)はまだ、バレンタインデーにチョコレートを一度(いちど)ももらっていません。 I | as for | yet | Valentine Day | on | chocolate | direct object marker | even once | haven’t received I haven’t received a chocolate…
Aug 29, 2024 · 1:51
どうやってピラミッドが建設(けんせつ)されたかは今(いま)でも謎(なぞ)だ。 how | pyramid | subject marker | was built | question marker | topic marker | even now | mystery | copula It is still a mystery how…
Aug 22, 2024 · 2:05
クラスの中(なか)で、山田君(やまだくん)が一番背(いちばんせ)が高(たか)い。 class | in/ among | Yamada | courtesy title |subject marker | the most | tall Yamada is the tallest in his class. View this episode here:…
Aug 15, 2024 · 1:46
今日(きょう)の夕飯(ゆうはん)はカレーにしましょう。 Today | ‘s | dinner | as for | curry | decide on | let’s Let’s have curry for dinner tonight. View this episode here:…
Aug 8, 2024 · 1:57
この池(いけ)には、たくさん魚(さかな)がいます。 this | pond | in | as for | many | fish | exists There are many fish in this pond. View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-178…
Aug 1, 2024 · 1:43
私(わたし)は家事(かじ)をしてくれるロボットが欲(ほ)しい。 I | as for | housework | direct object marker | do | for me | robot |subject marker | want I want a robot that can do housework for me. View this…
Jul 25, 2024 · 1:49
これで今日(きょう)の仕事(しごと)は終(お)わりにしましょうか？ With this | today | ‘s | task | as for | end |make | shall we Shall we end today’s task right here? View this episode here:…
Jul 18, 2024 · 1:45
新(あたら)しい仕事場(しごとば)はどうですか。 New | workplace| as for | how is ? How do you like your new workplace? View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-175 View all…
Jul 11, 2024 · 2:00
黒(くろ)のジャッケットが嫌(いや)なら黄色(きいろ)のジャッケットはどうですか？ black| of | jacket | subject marker |dislike | if | yellow | jacket | topic marker | how about If you don’t like the black jacket how…
Jun 27, 2024 · 1:59
私(わたし)の母(はは)は、洗濯(せんたく)をするのが好(す)きだと言(い)います。 I | ‘s | mother | as for | laundry | direct object marker | do |like to | copula | quotation marker | say |copula My mother tells me…
Jun 20, 2024 · 1:56
私(わたし)の弟(おとうと)は絵(え)を描(か)くのがとても下手(へた)です。 my| brother | as for | picture; drawing| direct object marker | draw | topic marker | very | is not good at My brother is terrible at…
Jun 13, 2024 · 1:47
今日(きょう)のランチは、カレーかうどんを食(た)べたい。 today| ‘s | lunch | as for | curry | or | udon | (direct object marker) | eat | want I feel like eating curry or udon for lunch today. View this…
Jun 6, 2024 · 1:46
私(わたし)はまだあの映画(えいが)を見(み)ていません。 I | as for | yet | the | movie | direct object marker | haven’t seen I haven’t seen the movie yet. View this episode here:…
May 30, 2024 · 1:55
私(わたし)の兄(あに)は登山(とざん)をするのが好(す)きです。 my| brother | as for | direct object | mountain climbing | loves My brother loves mountain climbing. View this episode here:…
May 23, 2024 · 1:57
私(わたし)の母(はは)は歌(うた)を歌(うた)うのが上手(じょうず)です。 my| mother | as for | song | (direct object marker) | to sing | is good at My mother is good at singing. View this episode here:…
May 16, 2024 · 2:02
明日(あした)は学校(がっこう)がないので、早(はや)く起(お)きなくてもいいです。 Tomorrow | as for | school | (subject marker) |not | because | early | wake up |don’t have to I don’t have to get up early tomorrow…
Mar 28, 2024 · 1:33
食(た)べながら話(はな)さないでください。 eat | while | talk | not | please Please don’t talk while eating; Please don’t talk with your mouth full. View this episode here:…
Mar 21, 2024 · 1:43
今度(こんど)の週末(しゅうまつ)に映画(えいが)を見(み)に行(い)きませんか？ Next; this | ‘s | weekend |on| movie | (direct object marker) | see | to (see) |won’t you Would you like to go see a movie this coming…
Mar 14, 2024 · 1:52
寒(さむ)い日(ひ)は一日中家(いちにちじゅういえ)の中(なか)にいる方(ほう)がいい。 Cold day | as for | all day |house| inside of | at| to be | subject marker| good On a cold day, it’s better to stay in the house all…
Mar 7, 2024 · 1:49
私(わたし)は家族(かぞく)と沖縄(おきなわ)に行(い)ったことがあります。 I | as for | with |family| Okinawa | to | went | occasion | subject marker| there is I have been to Okinawa with my family. View this…
Feb 29, 2024 · 1:48
今日(きょう)の外出(がいしゅつ)には傘(かさ)はいりません。 today| ‘s | outing |for | umbrella | as for | not needed We don’t need an umbrella for going out today. View this episode here:…
Feb 22, 2024 · 2:15
高(たか)いビルの屋上(おくじょう)から見(み)ると、人間(にんげん)がまるで蟻(あり)のようだ。 tall | building | ‘s | roof | from | to see | upon doing so | humans | as if | ants | appear | are From the rooftops of tall…
Feb 15, 2024 · 1:49
今年(ことし)は日本(にほん)に帰国(きこく)しようと思(おも)います。 this year | as for | Japan | to | return to country | intend to | thinking of I am planning to return to Japan this year. View this episode…
Feb 8, 2024 · 1:51
おとうさんは、私(わたし)にプレゼントをくれた。 Dad | as for | me | to | present | (direct object) | gave Dad gave me a present. View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-159 View…
Feb 1, 2024 · 1:50
おかあさんは、おとうさんにプレゼントをあげた。 Mom | as for | Dad | to | present | (direct object) | gave Mom gave Dad a present. View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-158…
Jan 26, 2024 · 1:48
晩(ばん)ご飯(はん)を食(た)べてから、宿題(しゅくだい)をします。 dinner | (direct object) | eat and after that | homework | (direct object) | do After dinner, I’ll do my homework. View this episode here:…
Jan 18, 2024 · 1:41
まだ朝(あさ)ご飯(はん)を食(た)べていない。 yet | morning | food | (direct object marker) | eat haven’t I haven't had breakfast yet. View this episode here:…
Jan 11, 2024 · 1:56
交番(こうばん)でおまわりさんに道(みち)を聞(き)いたらどうですか？ police station | at | police officer | to | road | (direct object marker) | ask | if | how about |? Why don't you go to the police station and…
Dec 9, 2023 · 1:53
あの先生(せんせい)の説明(せつめい)は、とても分(わ)かりやすいです。 that | teacher/doctor | ‘s | explanation | as for | very | understand | easy to That doctor's explanation is very clear. View this episode…
Nov 30, 2023 · 1:54
あの先生(せんせい)の説明(せつめい)は、わかりにくい。 that | teacher/doctor | ‘s | explanation | as for | understand | difficult to That teacher’s explanation is hard to understand. View this episode…
Nov 23, 2023 · 1:48
去年(きょねん)に比(くら)べて、今年(ことし)はとても暑(あつ)い。 next week | I | as for | 40 years old | to become Compared to last year, this year is very hot. View this episode here:…
Nov 21, 2023 · 1:44
来週(らいしゅう)、私(わたし)は40歳(さい)になる。 next week | I | as for | 40 years old | to become Next week I turn 40. View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-151 View all…
Oct 26, 2023 · 1:48
私(わたし)はハンバーグ定食(ていしょく)にするわ。 I | as for | Hamburg steak | set meal | will have | (feminine) I'll have the Hamburg steak special. View this episode here:…
Oct 19, 2023 · 1:47
生活(せいかつ)のために働(はたら)かなければならない。 living | for the purpose of | work | must We must work for a living. View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-149 View all…
Oct 12, 2023 · 2:10
明日(あした)の朝(あさ)、早(はや)く起(お)きなければいけないので、もう帰(かえ)ります。 tomorrow | ‘s | morning | early | get up | must | therefore | before long | return home I have to get up early tomorrow morning,…
Oct 5, 2023 · 1:54
明日(あした)までに借金(しゃっきん)を返(かえ)さなくてはならない。 tomorrow | by | debt | (direct object marker) | pay back | must I have to pay my debt by tomorrow. View this episode here:…
Sep 28, 2023 · 1:54
今日(きょう)は、日曜日(にちようび)なので学校(がっこう)に行(い)かなくてもいいです。 today | as for | Sunday | therefore | school | to | don’t have to go Today is Sunday, so you don't have to go to school. View this…
Sep 21, 2023 · 2:00
こんな夜中(よなか)に何(なに)をしているんですか？ such a | middle of night | in | what | (direct object marker) | doing | (explanation question) What are you doing out at this time of night? View this…
Sep 14, 2023 · 1:43
この部屋(へや)はとても暑(あつ)いので、クーラーをかけてください。 this | room | as for | very | hot | therefore | air conditioner | (direct object marker) | turn on | please This room is very hot, please turn…
Sep 7, 2023 · 1:43
ポイントカードはお持(も)ちですか？ point card | as for | (polite) carry | do you? Do you have a loyalty card? View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-143 View all…
Aug 31, 2023 · 2:01
先生(せんせい)は来週(らいしゅう)の火曜日(かようび)にお帰(かえ)りになります。 Teacher | as for | next week | ‘s | Tuesday | on | will return The teacher will return next Tuesday. View this episode here:…
Aug 24, 2023 · 1:45
うわさでは、あの俳優(はいゆう)さんは離婚(りこん)したらしい。 Rumor | as for | that | actor | as for | divorce | did | it appears Rumor has it that actor got a divorce. View this episode here:…
Aug 17, 2023 · 1:53
あの歌手(かしゅ)は、とてもいい声(こえ)をしています。 that | singer | as for | very | good | voice | (direct object marker) | has That singer has a very nice voice. View this episode here:…
Aug 3, 2023 · 1:48
どこかで猫(ねこ)の鳴(な)き声(ごえ)がします。 somewhere | at | cat | ‘s | crying voice | is doing Somewhere a cat is meowing. View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-139 View…
Jul 27, 2023 · 1:39
晩(ばん)ご飯(はん)のあとで、お風呂(ふろ)に入(はい)ります。 dinner | (limiter) | after | bath | in | enter After dinner, I will take a bath. View this episode here:…
Jul 20, 2023 · 1:38
寝(ね)るまえに歯(は)を磨(みが)きましょう。 to sleep | prior to | tooth | (direct object marker) | polish Brush your teeth before going to bed. View this episode here:…
Jul 13, 2023 · 1:56
夜遅(よるおそ)くてもかまわないので、電話(でんわ)してください。 night | late | even | don't mind | therefore | phone call | do | please It doesn't matter if it's late at night, just give us a call. View this…
Jul 6, 2023 · 1:50
もし明日雨(あすあめ)が降(ふ)ったら、運動会(うんどうかい)はありません。 if | tomorrow | rain | (marks what falls) | if fall |sports competition | as for | doesn't exist If it rains tomorrow, there will be no…
Jun 29, 2023 · 2:04
もしもし、田中(たなか)ですが、佐藤(さとう)さんはいらっしゃいますか？ hello | Tanaka | is | however | Satou | Mr. | as for | available | (question marker) Hello, this is Tanaka, is Mr. Sato there? View this…
Jun 22, 2023 · 1:54
彼(かれ)は、おばあさんの重(おも)い荷物(にもつ)を持(も)ってあげた。 he | as for | grandmother | 's | heavy | luggage | (direct object marker) | carry | gave He helped his grandmother with her heavy bags. View…
Jun 15, 2023 · 1:45
日本語(にほんご)を教(きょう)えてくれてありがとうございます。 Japanese language | direct object marker | teach and | receive and | thank you Thank you for teaching me Japanese. View this episode here:…
Jun 8, 2023 · 1:51
彼女(かのじょ)は、朝起(あさお)きられないので、お母(かあ)さんに起(お)こしてもらう。 she | as for | morning | can't wake | therefore | mother | by | wake | receive She can't get up in the morning, so her mother wakes…
Jun 1, 2023 · 1:40
いくら調(しら)べても答(こた)えは見(み)つからなかった。 however much | investigating | answer | as for | couldn't find No matter how much research I did, I could not find the answer. View this episode…
May 25, 2023 · 1:54
彼(かれ)は、奥(おく)さんに誕生日(たんじょうび)プレゼントをあげました。 he | as for | wife | to | birthday | present | (direct object marker) | gave He gave his wife a birthday present. View this episode here:…
May 18, 2023 · 1:43
夏休(なつやす)みの間(あいだ)に、富士山(ふじさん)に登(のぼ)りたいです。 summer vacation | during | Mt. Fuji | want to climb I want to climb Mt. Fuji during summer vacation. View this episode here:…
May 11, 2023 · 1:46
最近(さいきん)、彼(かれ)はドラマをよく見(み)るようになりました。 recently | he | as for | drama | (direct object marker) | often | to see | has come to be that… Lately, he has been watching a lot of dramas.…
May 4, 2023 · 1:27
彼女(かのじょ)は、彼(かれ)と結婚(けっこん)するつもりでした she | as for | he | with | marry | to do | intend to | did She was going to marry him. View this episode here:…
Apr 20, 2023 · 1:36
さっきから急(きゅう)にお客(きゃく)さんが増(ふ)えて、お店(みせ)が忙(いそが)しくなりました。 recently | suddenly | customers | (subject marker) | increased and | store (polite) | busy | became Recently, the number of…
Apr 13, 2023 · 1:49
新(あたら)しいゲームを欲(ほ)しがる子供(こども)はたくさんいます。 new | game | (direct object marker) | want | to feel | children | as for (topic marker) | many | exist There are many children who want a new…
Mar 23, 2023 · 1:42
今(いま)、何(なに)をしているのですか？ now | what | (direct object marker) | doing | (question seeking an explanation) What are you doing now? View this episode here:…
Mar 9, 2023 · 1:28
今日(きょう)は、忙(いそが)しかったので、とても疲(つか)れました。 today | as for | busy | was | therefore | very | tired Today was a busy day and I'm very tired. View this episode here:…
Feb 23, 2023 · 1:53
すみません、渋谷駅(しぶやえき)への行(ゆ)き方(かた)がわからないんですが、教(おし)えてください。 excuse me | Shibuya station | to | 's | way to go | (subject/object marker) | don't know | (softens explanations) | teach |…
Feb 16, 2023 · 1:38
やっとこの長(なが)い小説(しょうせつ)を読(よ)み終(お)わりました。 finally | this | long | novel | (direct object marker) | reading | finished I finally finished reading this long novel. View this episode…
Feb 9, 2023 · 1:52
北海道(ほっかいどう)と沖縄(おきなわ)と東京(とうきょう)で、一番暑(いちばんあつ)いのはどこですか？ Hokkaido | and | Okinawa | and |Tokyo | at | most | hot| as for which | where | question Out of Hokkaido, Okinawa, and Tokyo,…
Feb 2, 2023 · 1:12
タクシーで会社(かいしゃ)に行(い)きました。 taxi | by | company | to | went (I) took a cab to the office. View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-118 View all episodes here:…
Jan 19, 2023 · 1:34
マークさんは肉(にく)が嫌(きら)いだと思(おも)います。 Mark | as for | meat | dislike | (copula) | I think I think Mark doesn't like meat. View this episode here:…
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