{"orderingVariable":"COURSE ORDER — 4 stages that interleave all ten categories, so each stage adds new kinds of things you can say; within a category, chunks run simple to complex and prerequisites come first.","whyThatVariable":"Versatility = spoken frequency (rank in jiten.moe drama subtitles, 3,030 dramas) x spread across topics x reach (how many sentences it attaches to) x speaking need. Casual is the default form (romaji); the polite desu/masu counterpart sits beside it (polite).","conventions":{"romaji":"kotoba's stored spelling: modified Hepburn, lowercase, no macrons, long vowels as spelled (sou, daijoubu, kirei), wa/o/e particles, っ before ch = t (kotchi). Leading hyphen = attaches to a word.","register":"romaji = casual form, learned first; polite = desu/masu counterpart, or null when there is no register difference.","freqRank":"rank in jiten.moe drama frequency list (CC BY-SA 4.0); freqNote explains tokenizer-split forms. null = no usable rank.","scores":"spread / reach / speakNeed, 1-5, judged.","prereqs":"item ids to learn first.","contrastGroup":"items sharing a group name are learned side by side; their examples share a base sentence."},"stats":{"total":484,"chunks":113,"byCategory":{"Time & sequence":62,"Degree, amount & limits":29,"Stance, attitude & manner":30,"Versatile adjectives":57,"Connectors & conditionals":33,"Sentence endings & intent":44,"Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases":59,"General verbs":69,"Grammar patterns as vocabulary":43,"Pointing, question & people words":58},"byStage":{"Stage 1":115,"Stage 2":128,"Stage 3":126,"Stage 4":115},"candidatePool":1049},"stages":[{"name":"Stage 1","summary":"Greet, thank and apologise, ask what, who and where, and say what you do, have and where you're going today or did yesterday, linked with but and because.","items":115,"chunkIds":["G1","G2","J1","F1","D1","J2","G3","G13","A1","J3","E1","E2","E3","I1","I2","H1","H2","H3","J4","J5","J14","B1","A2","B2","F2","F3"]},{"name":"Stage 2","summary":"Ask favours, say what you want, like, saw, know, said and think, react with e?, hee and sou, and say how often and how soon things happen.","items":128,"chunkIds":["A3","A11","A12","D2","B3","H4","D3","D12","I3","E4","H13","I9","F4","H5","H6","G4","G5","G6","G7","E5","H7","I11","H8","J6","J7","D4","A4","E6"]},{"name":"Stage 3","summary":"Check things with someone, guess and make plans and choices, talk about food, mood and difficulty, use fillers to hold the floor, and say how sure you are.","items":126,"chunkIds":["A5","A13","A14","J8","J9","J10","F5","F6","F9","G8","D5","D13","B4","H9","H15","E7","G9","A6","A15","D6","I4","G10","H10","D7","G11","A7","D8","C1","I5","H11","C2","C3"]},{"name":"Stage 4","summary":"Suggest things, pass on what you heard or what seems true, compare, soften what you say and give advice, and talk about before, after and until.","items":115,"chunkIds":["F7","C4","D9","A8","H12","I6","F8","F10","B5","J11","G12","E8","C5","D10","A9","I7","H14","B6","J12","C6","D11","I8","A10","C7","B7","J13","I10"]}],"categories":[{"key":"A","name":"Time & sequence","scope":"relative time, aspect/timing adverbs, frequency, time clauses","chunkIds":["A1","A2","A3","A4","A5","A6","A7","A8","A9","A10","A11","A12","A13","A14","A15"]},{"key":"B","name":"Degree, amount & limits","scope":"intensity, comparison, totality, limiting/approximating","chunkIds":["B1","B2","B3","B4","B5","B6","B7"]},{"key":"C","name":"Stance, attitude & manner","scope":"how the speaker feels about what they say; manner adverbs","chunkIds":["C1","C2","C3","C4","C5","C6","C7"]},{"key":"D","name":"Versatile adjectives","scope":"i-/na-adjectives that apply across almost any topic","chunkIds":["D1","D2","D3","D4","D5","D6","D7","D8","D9","D10","D11","D12","D13"]},{"key":"E","name":"Connectors & conditionals","scope":"what links one idea to the next","chunkIds":["E1","E2","E3","E4","E5","E6","E7","E8"]},{"key":"F","name":"Sentence endings & intent","scope":"sentence-final particles, certainty/evidence, suggestions, requests","chunkIds":["F1","F2","F3","F4","F5","F6","F7","F8","F9","F10"]},{"key":"G","name":"Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases","scope":"what you say on its own or to keep a conversation going","chunkIds":["G1","G2","G3","G4","G5","G6","G7","G8","G9","G10","G11","G12","G13"]},{"key":"H","name":"General verbs","scope":"highest-reach verbs; casual = dictionary form, polite = masu form","chunkIds":["H1","H2","H3","H4","H5","H6","H7","H8","H9","H10","H11","H12","H13","H14","H15"]},{"key":"I","name":"Grammar patterns as vocabulary","scope":"attachments bolted onto any verb or adjective","chunkIds":["I1","I2","I3","I4","I5","I6","I7","I8","I9","I10","I11"]},{"key":"J","name":"Pointing, question & people words","scope":"ko/so/a/do series, question words, indefinites, pronouns","chunkIds":["J1","J2","J3","J4","J5","J6","J7","J8","J9","J10","J11","J12","J13","J14"]}],"blocks":[{"id":"G1","range":"1-3","stage":1,"category":"Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases","label":"Yes and no","rationale":"The three ways to answer a yes/no question, which you do in almost every exchange. It's a closed set, so the block stays at three.","interference":"un and uun differ only in length and pitch (a short un against a two-beat, dipping u-un); iya is a firmer no that also corrects or pushes back.","items":[{"n":1,"id":"G-un","romaji":"un","polite":"hai","english":"yeah, uh-huh","use":"The casual yes, and also the 'uh-huh' you keep saying while someone talks to show you're following.","ja":"うん","kana":"うん","politeJa":"はい","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"un-uun-iya","example":{"romaji":"un, iku yo.","ja":"うん、行くよ。","english":"Yeah, I'm going."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"hai, ikimasu.","ja":"はい、行きます。","english":"Yes, I'm going."},"freqRank":49,"freqNote":"うん #49; polite はい #22","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: aizuchi","05-acquisition-order S3 response tokens"],"notes":"As a backchannel it shows you're listening, not that you agree; with superiors use hai (ee is the softer conversational polite yes). Trap: un confirms the statement, so to 'ikanai no?' (you're not going?) 'un' means 'right, I'm not going'."},{"n":2,"id":"G-uun","romaji":"uun","polite":"iie","english":"no, nope","use":"The casual no to a yes/no question: two beats with a dip in pitch, while a short un means yes.","ja":"ううん","kana":"ううん","politeJa":"いいえ","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"un-uun-iya","example":{"romaji":"uun, ikanai yo.","ja":"ううん、行かないよ。","english":"Nope, I'm not going."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"iie, ikimasen.","ja":"いいえ、行きません。","english":"No, I'm not going."},"freqRank":593,"freqNote":"ううん #593; polite いいえ #688","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["G-un"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: aizuchi","05-acquisition-order S3 response tokens"],"notes":"A long, flat uun (うーん, #298) means 'hmm'. The romaji is the same but it sounds different. To 'ikanai no?', 'uun, iku yo' means 'no, I AM going'."},{"n":3,"id":"G-iya","romaji":"iya","polite":"iie","english":"no, nah / well, no","use":"A firmer no than uun: it denies, corrects ('iya, chigau'), or opens a turn with 'well, actually'.","ja":"いや","kana":"いや","politeJa":"いいえ","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"un-uun-iya","example":{"romaji":"iya, chigau yo. ashita da yo.","ja":"いや、違うよ。明日だよ。","english":"No, no, it's tomorrow."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"iie, chigaimasu. ashita desu yo.","ja":"いいえ、違います。明日ですよ。","english":"No, that's not right. It's tomorrow."},"freqRank":54,"freqNote":"いや #54, which may also count 嫌 'don't want' written in kana; kanji 嫌 #304","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"This is not the adjective iya 'unpleasant' (Versatile adjectives). In polite speech you mostly hear a short ie ('ie, daijoubu desu') or iya itself; full iie mostly answers a direct yes/no question."}]},{"id":"G2","range":"4-9","stage":1,"category":"Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases","label":"Thanks, sorry, please","rationale":"The everyday politeness formulas for thanking, apologising, asking and offering, plus kochira koso, which hands thanks or an apology straight back.","interference":"sumimasen apologises and also thanks, while gomen only apologises. onegai is 'please' when you ask for something; douzo is 'please' when you offer it. kochira koso doesn't mean 'you're welcome': it returns the same thanks, apology or yoroshiku to the speaker.","items":[{"n":4,"id":"G-arigatou","romaji":"arigatou","polite":"arigatou gozaimasu","english":"thanks","use":"Thanks anyone for anything. Add gozaimasu for strangers, coworkers and anyone older.","ja":"ありがとう","kana":"ありがとう","politeJa":"ありがとうございます","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"arigatou, honto ni tasukatta.","ja":"ありがとう、ほんとに助かった。","english":"Thanks, that really helped."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"arigatou gozaimasu, hontou ni tasukarimashita.","ja":"ありがとうございます、本当に助かりました。","english":"Thank you, that was a real help."},"freqRank":128,"freqNote":"ありがとう #128; ありがとうございます #165; clipped ありがと #766","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: politeness"],"notes":"The past form arigatou gozaimashita thanks someone for something that's finished, like a meal or a lesson."},{"n":5,"id":"G-gomen","romaji":"gomen","polite":"sumimasen","english":"sorry","use":"Apologises to friends and family for anything from bumping into them to turning them down; 'gomen ne' is softer.","ja":"ごめん","kana":"ごめん","politeJa":"すみません","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"gomen-sumimasen","example":{"romaji":"gomen, osoku natta!","ja":"ごめん、遅くなった！","english":"Sorry I'm late!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, osoku narimashita.","ja":"すみません、遅くなりました。","english":"Sorry I'm late."},"freqRank":154,"freqNote":"ごめん #154; ごめんなさい #254","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: politeness"],"notes":"gomen nasai is the earnest middle step: stronger than gomen, less formal than sumimasen."},{"n":6,"id":"G-sumimasen","romaji":"sumimasen","polite":null,"english":"excuse me / sorry / thanks","use":"Gets a stranger's attention, apologises politely, and thanks someone who went to trouble for you.","ja":"すみません","kana":"すみません","politeJa":null,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"gomen-sumimasen","example":{"romaji":"a, wazawaza sumimasen.","ja":"あ、わざわざすみません。","english":"Oh, thanks for going to all that trouble."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, kore ikura desu ka?","ja":"すみません、これいくらですか？","english":"Excuse me, how much is this?"},"freqRank":289,"freqNote":"すみません #289; spoken すいません #416","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: politeness","12-list-te-dependents #15"],"notes":"Often pronounced suimasen. Already polite: with friends say gomen to apologise, arigatou to thank, and nee to get attention."},{"n":7,"id":"G-onegai","romaji":"onegai","polite":"onegai shimasu","english":"please (I'm asking)","use":"Turns any noun into a request ('mizu, onegai') or seals an ask. Said on its own to friends, it's a pleading 'please!'.","ja":"お願い","kana":"おねがい","politeJa":"お願いします","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"onegai-douzo","example":{"romaji":"gomen, kore onegai.","ja":"ごめん、これお願い。","english":"Sorry, can you take care of this?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, kore onegai shimasu.","ja":"すみません、これお願いします。","english":"Excuse me, could you take care of this?"},"freqRank":258,"freqNote":"お願い #258; お願いします #183","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: politeness","13-list-exit-battery #9"],"notes":"In shops, 'X o onegai shimasu' is the safe all-purpose way to order."},{"n":8,"id":"G-douzo","romaji":"douzo","polite":null,"english":"go ahead, here you go","use":"Offers something, hands it over, or lets someone go first. It's the same in both registers.","ja":"どうぞ","kana":"どうぞ","politeJa":null,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"onegai-douzo","example":{"romaji":"hai, kore douzo.","ja":"はい、これどうぞ。","english":"Here you go."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"hai, kochira douzo.","ja":"はい、こちらどうぞ。","english":"Here you are."},"freqRank":140,"freqNote":"どうぞ #140","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"It offers or invites; to ask for something, use onegai (douzo yoroshiku is the set phrase where it softens a request)."},{"n":9,"id":"G-kochira-koso","romaji":"kochira koso","polite":null,"english":"likewise; no, thank YOU","use":"Returns whatever the other person just said, whether thanks, an apology or yoroshiku, and is usually followed by that same word.","ja":"こちらこそ","kana":"こちらこそ","politeJa":null,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kochira koso, arigatou ne.","ja":"こちらこそ、ありがとうね。","english":"No, thank YOU."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kochira koso, arigatou gozaimasu.","ja":"こちらこそ、ありがとうございます。","english":"No, thank YOU."},"freqRank":1155,"freqNote":"こちらこそ #1155; casual こっちこそ has no entry because the tokenizer splits it into こっち #148 + こそ #320, so no rank","spread":5,"reach":2,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["G-arigatou","G-gomen"],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: koso"],"notes":"Friends also say kotchi koso. To yoroshiku, answer kochira koso yoroshiku (onegai shimasu). It isn't 'me too': to say you feel or do the same, use watashi mo."}]},{"id":"J1","range":"10-13","stage":1,"category":"Pointing, question & people words","label":"this/that: things","rationale":"The ko/so/a/do row for things: near me, near you or just said, far or shared, and which.","interference":"sore vs are: sore is near you or just said, are is far or something we both remember; dore is for three or more, dotchi for two.","items":[{"n":10,"id":"J-kore","romaji":"kore","polite":null,"english":"this (one)","use":"Points at a thing near you so you can ask about it or choose it before you know its name; it stands alone and never goes before a noun.","ja":"これ","kana":"これ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kore-sore-are-dore","example":{"romaji":"kore, ii ne.","ja":"これ、いいね。","english":"This one's nice."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore, ii desu ne.","ja":"これ、いいですね。","english":"This one's nice."},"freqRank":27,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-things","05-acquisition-order S3 (kosoado, wks 3–4)","vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_kore_de_ii","13-list-exit-battery #65"],"notes":"Before a noun it becomes kono: kono hon, never kore hon."},{"n":11,"id":"J-sore","romaji":"sore","polite":null,"english":"that (one); what you said","use":"Points at a thing near the listener, and even more often at what they just said, so it is the main way to react to an idea (sore hontou?, sore tte dou iu imi?).","ja":"それ","kana":"それ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kore-sore-are-dore","example":{"romaji":"sore, ii ne.","ja":"それ、いいね。","english":"That's a good idea."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore, ii desu ne.","ja":"それ、いいですね。","english":"That's a good idea."},"freqRank":30,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-things","05-acquisition-order S3 (kosoado, wks 3–4)","13-list-exit-battery #110"],"notes":"Use sore, not are, for something the other person just mentioned."},{"n":12,"id":"J-are","romaji":"are","polite":null,"english":"that (over there / we know)","use":"Points at something away from both of you or something you both remember, and stands in for a word you can't recall (are, are da yo).","ja":"あれ","kana":"あれ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kore-sore-are-dore","example":{"romaji":"are, dou natta?","ja":"あれ、どうなった？","english":"What happened with that thing?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"are wa dou narimashita ka?","ja":"あれはどうなりましたか？","english":"What happened with that thing?"},"freqRank":98,"freqNote":"also counts the surprised 'are?' (G)","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-things","05-acquisition-order S3 (kosoado, wks 3–4)"],"notes":"Calling a person are sounds rude; say ano hito."},{"n":13,"id":"J-dore","romaji":"dore","polite":null,"english":"which one (of several)","use":"Asks which one out of three or more and takes ga, not wa (dore ga ii?); for a choice between two, use dotchi.","ja":"どれ","kana":"どれ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kore-sore-are-dore","example":{"romaji":"dore ga ii?","ja":"どれがいい？","english":"Which one do you want?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dore ga ii desu ka?","ja":"どれがいいですか？","english":"Which one would you like?"},"freqRank":832,"freqNote":null,"spread":4,"reach":2,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-kore"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-things"],"notes":"dore demo ii = any of them is fine."}]},{"id":"F1","range":"14-18","stage":1,"category":"Sentence endings & intent","label":"Basic enders","rationale":"The plain copula, the three core sentence-final particles (ka, ne, yo) and their most common combination, yo ne. They share one base sentence so that only the ending changes.","interference":"yo and ne get mixed up. yo tells the listener something they don't know, ne treats it as shared, and yo ne checks that it's shared. In a casual question ka sounds blunt or rough, so drop it and use a rising tone.","items":[{"n":14,"id":"F-da","romaji":"da","polite":"desu","english":"is (plain copula)","use":"Plain 'is' after nouns and na-adjectives. A bare final da is mostly self-talk or a sudden realisation and can sound blunt, so to tell someone, drop it (ashita yasumi) or add yo or ne (ashita yasumi da yo). It stays before ne, yo and kedo. Polite speech has no self-talk, so the polite pair is a plain statement.","ja":"だ","kana":"だ","politeJa":"です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"da-ka-ne-yo","example":{"romaji":"a, ashita yasumi da","ja":"あ、明日休みだ","english":"Oh right, I'm off tomorrow!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita wa yasumi desu","ja":"明日は休みです","english":"I'm off tomorrow."},"freqRank":12,"freqNote":"#12 だ (です #10)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order: copula allomorph table"],"notes":"It becomes na before n da and no (yasumi na n da) and never follows an i-adjective (takai, not *takai da). Dropping da before yo or ne (yasumi yo, kirei ne) is common but feminine-leaning; da yo / da ne is the neutral form."},{"n":15,"id":"F-ka","romaji":"ka","polite":"desu ka / -masu ka","english":"question marker","use":"Turns a polite sentence into a question when said with a rising tone. Said falling, polite desu ka is a realisation instead (sou desu ka = I see). Casual questions drop ka and rise, so bare casual ka is mostly heard in musing realisations (sokka, ashita yasumi ka).","ja":"か","kana":"か","politeJa":"ですか／〜ますか","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"da-ka-ne-yo","example":{"romaji":"a, ashita yasumi ka","ja":"あ、明日休みか","english":"Oh, tomorrow's a day off, huh."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"a, ashita wa yasumi desu ka","ja":"あ、明日は休みですか","english":"Oh, tomorrow's a day off, I see."},"freqRank":11,"freqNote":"#11 か; ですか #38","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: ka","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: aizuchi","vocab-trainer learner-phrases: ○○ wa nihongo de nan desu ka"],"notes":"For a casual question, drop ka and raise the pitch: ashita yasumi? The real polite question is ashita wa yasumi desu ka? with a rising tone. A casual rising ...ka? (daijoubu ka?) sounds rough and masculine. Neutral casual ka appears in musing (sokka), in jaa iku ka (let's get going, then) and inside sentences (nani ga ii ka wakaranai = I don't know what would be good)."},{"n":16,"id":"F-ne","romaji":"ne","polite":"desu ne / -masu ne","english":"right? / isn't it","use":"Invites the listener to share or agree with what you say. It softens statements, comments on things you both see, and confirms details.","ja":"ね","kana":"ね","politeJa":"ですね／〜ますね","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"da-ka-ne-yo","example":{"romaji":"ashita yasumi da ne","ja":"明日休みだね","english":"So we're off tomorrow, huh."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita wa yasumi desu ne","ja":"明日は休みですね","english":"So tomorrow's a day off, then."},"freqRank":13,"freqNote":"#13 ね","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: ne","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: aizuchi"],"notes":"A drawn-out nee at the start of a sentence means hey. Mid-sentence ne (ano ne, kinou ne...) just holds the listener's attention. Don't add ne to facts only you know, such as your name or your plans; yo or nothing fits there."},{"n":17,"id":"F-yo","romaji":"yo","polite":"desu yo / -masu yo","english":"you know (new info for you)","use":"Marks something the listener doesn't know or needs reminding of, such as news, warnings, corrections or recommendations. Without it, a statement can sound flat.","ja":"よ","kana":"よ","politeJa":"ですよ／〜ますよ","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"da-ka-ne-yo","example":{"romaji":"ashita yasumi da yo","ja":"明日休みだよ","english":"Tomorrow's a day off, you know."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita wa yasumi desu yo","ja":"明日は休みですよ","english":"Tomorrow's a day off, you know."},"freqRank":6,"freqNote":"#6 よ","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: yo"],"notes":"When correcting a superior, yo can sound like lecturing."},{"n":18,"id":"F-yo-ne","romaji":"yo ne","polite":"desu yo ne","english":"right? (we both know)","use":"Checks that the listener shares something you believe, either to confirm it or to agree emphatically (sou da yo ne).","ja":"よね","kana":"よね","politeJa":"ですよね","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"da-ka-ne-yo","example":{"romaji":"ashita yasumi da yo ne?","ja":"明日休みだよね？","english":"Tomorrow's a day off, right?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita wa yasumi desu yo ne?","ja":"明日は休みですよね？","english":"Tomorrow's a day off, right?"},"freqRank":107,"freqNote":"#107 よね (だよね #547)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["F-yo","F-ne"],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: yo","kotoba particles: ne"],"notes":"The order is fixed: always yo ne, never *ne yo."}]},{"id":"D1","range":"19-22","stage":1,"category":"Versatile adjectives","label":"Good or no good","rationale":"The four basic verdicts (good, OK, no good, bad) that answer 'is this all right?' about anything.","interference":"ii and daijoubu both mean 'OK' and both turn down offers (ii desu / daijoubu desu = no thanks). The shared frame keeps them apart: kore de ii? asks for approval, kore de daijoubu? asks if anything is wrong, and dame flips the frame to kore ja dame?","items":[{"n":19,"id":"D-ii","romaji":"ii","polite":"ii desu","english":"good, fine, OK","use":"The default positive verdict on anything, and 'fine, acceptable' when checking (kore de ii?). When choosing, X ga ii = I'd like X, and X de ii = X will do. It is also the core of -te mo ii (may) and -ta hou ga ii (should).","ja":"いい","kana":"いい","politeJa":"いいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ii-daijoubu-dame","example":{"romaji":"kore de ii?","ja":"これでいい？","english":"Is this OK?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore de ii desu ka?","ja":"これでいいですか？","english":"Is this OK?"},"freqRank":24,"freqNote":"いい #24; includes reply and -te mo ii uses; formal 良い #1474","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #1","12-list-te-dependents #8","12-list-te-dependents #37","13-list-exit-battery #98","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives","vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_kore_de_ii"],"notes":"Only the dictionary form is ii; every other form uses yo-: yokatta, yokunai, yokute. As a reply, ii yo = sure, go ahead, but ii desu to an offer usually means no thanks; accept with onegaishimasu. Choosing a gift or dish, say kore ga ii: kore de ii sounds like settling."},{"n":20,"id":"D-daijoubu","romaji":"daijoubu","polite":"daijoubu desu","english":"okay, fine, all right","use":"Says someone or something is OK, safe or not a problem; it is how you check on people (daijoubu?), and daijoubu desu politely declines an offer.","ja":"大丈夫","kana":"だいじょうぶ","politeJa":"大丈夫です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ii-daijoubu-dame","example":{"romaji":"kore de daijoubu?","ja":"これで大丈夫？","english":"Will this be all right?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore de daijoubu desu ka?","ja":"これで大丈夫ですか？","english":"Will this be all right?"},"freqRank":76,"freqNote":"大丈夫 #76; rank includes the reply use (daijoubu desu = no thanks)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #12","vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives"],"notes":"To an offer it usually means 'no thanks' (fukuro wa? / daijoubu desu), but it can also mean 'yes, that's fine', so clerks may check again. To accept clearly, say onegaishimasu."},{"n":21,"id":"D-dame","romaji":"dame","polite":"dame desu","english":"no good, not allowed","use":"Says something is no good, won't work or isn't allowed (rules, plans, broken things, hopeless efforts), and is the base of -cha dame (must not).","ja":"ダメ","kana":"だめ","politeJa":"ダメです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ii-daijoubu-dame","example":{"romaji":"kore ja dame?","ja":"これじゃダメ？","english":"Won't this do?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore ja dame desu ka?","ja":"これじゃダメですか？","english":"Won't this do?"},"freqRank":596,"freqNote":"spelling split: ダメ #596, 駄目 #1901, だめ #3328; combined it is far higher than any one row","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["D-ii"],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #52","12-list-te-dependents #9","13-list-exit-battery #64","vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives (extended)"],"notes":"In the 'is this OK?' frame, de ii becomes ja dame: kore de ii? / kore ja dame?"},{"n":22,"id":"D-warui","romaji":"warui","polite":"warui desu","english":"bad, at fault","use":"Bad in quality, weather, health (guai ga warui) or behaviour, and 'to blame' (X ga warui); the opposite of ii.","ja":"悪い","kana":"わるい","politeJa":"悪いです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kyou, chotto guai warui n da","ja":"今日、ちょっと具合悪いんだ","english":"I'm not feeling great today."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa chotto guai ga warui n desu","ja":"今日はちょっと具合が悪いんです","english":"I'm not feeling well today."},"freqRank":139,"freqNote":"悪い #139; includes the casual apology 'warui'","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-ii"],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #13","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"Casual apology: warui! or warui ne (mostly male), and warui kedo... (sorry, but...), which everyone uses. The polite equivalent is sumimasen / sumimasen ga..., never warui desu."}]},{"id":"J2","range":"23-27","stage":1,"category":"Pointing, question & people words","label":"Question words","rationale":"The bare wh-words for what, who, when, why and how much; each opens a question on any topic.","interference":"nande (why) and nan de (by what) sound the same, so nan de kita? can mean 'how did you get here?'; a question word never takes wa, and as the subject it takes ga.","items":[{"n":23,"id":"J-nani","romaji":"nani","polite":null,"english":"what","use":"Asks what; before d, t and n sounds it shortens to nan (nan da, nan desu ka, nan de), so you need both forms by ear.","ja":"何","kana":"なに","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kyou nani suru?","ja":"今日何する？","english":"What are you doing today?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa nani suru n desu ka?","ja":"今日は何するんですか？","english":"What are you doing today?"},"freqRank":34,"freqNote":"何(なに) #34; 何(なん) #245; bare なん #97","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #123","13-list-exit-battery #27","vocab-trainer learner-phrases: frame_x_wa_nihongo_de_nan"],"notes":"nani ga, nani o, but nan desu ka; the switch has to be automatic. nan no hanashi? = what are you talking about?"},{"n":24,"id":"J-dare","romaji":"dare","polite":"donata","english":"who","use":"Asks who (dare ga), whose (dare no) or with whom (dare to); the answer takes ga.","ja":"誰","kana":"だれ","politeJa":"どなた","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"dare ni kikeba ii?","ja":"誰に聞けばいい？","english":"Who should I ask?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"donata ni kikeba ii desu ka?","ja":"どなたに聞けばいいですか？","english":"Who should I ask?"},"freqRank":116,"freqNote":"polite どなた #1577","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #123","13-list-exit-battery #26"],"notes":"dare desu ka is fine with coworkers; donata is the softer choice with strangers and on the phone."},{"n":25,"id":"J-itsu","romaji":"itsu","polite":null,"english":"when","use":"Asks when, and with kara or made asks since when or until when (itsu kara?, itsu made?).","ja":"いつ","kana":"いつ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"itsu ga ii?","ja":"いつがいい？","english":"When's good for you?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"itsu ga ii desu ka?","ja":"いつがいいですか？","english":"When would suit you?"},"freqRank":257,"freqNote":"いつ #257; 何時(いつ) #2675 counted separately","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #123"],"notes":"No ni after itsu: itsu iku?, not itsu ni iku?"},{"n":26,"id":"J-nande","romaji":"nande","polite":"doushite","english":"why","use":"The everyday casual 'why', said alone (e, nande?) or in a question ending in no?, and usually answered with kara; it can sound blunt or accusing, so doushite is softer and the safe choice in polite speech.","ja":"なんで","kana":"なんで","politeJa":"どうして","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"nande konakatta no?","ja":"なんで来なかったの？","english":"Why didn't you come?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"doushite konakatta n desu ka?","ja":"どうして来なかったんですか？","english":"Why didn't you come?"},"freqRank":232,"freqNote":"なんで #232; 何で #572 (also includes 'by what means'); polite どうして #170","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["J-nani"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #124","05-acquisition-order critique: question words incl. nande omitted"],"notes":"By ear, nande iku? sounds the same whether it means 'why are you going?' or 'how are you getting there?', and is usually heard as 'why'; to ask for the route, say dou yatte iku? or nani de iku?"},{"n":27,"id":"J-ikura","romaji":"ikura","polite":null,"english":"how much (price)","use":"Asks a price or amount (kore ikura?); ikura demo means 'as much as you like' (ikura demo aru), and ikura -te mo means 'no matter how much' (ikura tabete mo futoranai).","ja":"いくら","kana":"いくら","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"zenbu de ikura?","ja":"全部でいくら？","english":"How much is it altogether?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"zenbu de ikura desu ka?","ja":"全部でいくらですか？","english":"How much is it altogether?"},"freqRank":553,"freqNote":null,"spread":3,"reach":2,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["J-kore"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #123"],"notes":"ikura is for price and amount; for 'how many' the word is ikutsu."}]},{"id":"G3","range":"28-33","stage":1,"category":"Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases","label":"Hello and goodbye","rationale":"Fixed greetings for the time of day, first meetings, phone calls and leaving.","interference":"hajimemashite opens a first meeting and yoroshiku closes it. konnichiwa is for people you aren't close to; with friends, say ohayou in the morning and otherwise just start talking. moshimoshi is the hello for phone and video calls, not for greeting someone in person.","items":[{"n":28,"id":"G-ohayou","romaji":"ohayou","polite":"ohayou gozaimasu","english":"good morning","use":"The morning greeting. In shift work (restaurants, TV, some shops) ohayou gozaimasu also opens a shift whatever the hour; elsewhere, after midday, colleagues say otsukaresama desu.","ja":"おはよう","kana":"おはよう","politeJa":"おはようございます","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ohayou, hayai ne.","ja":"おはよう、早いね。","english":"Morning! You're early."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ohayou gozaimasu, hayai desu ne.","ja":"おはようございます、早いですね。","english":"Good morning. You're early."},"freqRank":606,"freqNote":"おはよう #606; おはようございます #583; clipped おはよ #5618","spread":4,"reach":1,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: greetings"],"notes":null},{"n":29,"id":"G-konnichiwa","romaji":"konnichiwa","polite":null,"english":"hello, good afternoon","use":"The daytime hello to neighbours, shop staff and people you don't know well. Friends rarely say it to each other.","ja":"こんにちは","kana":"こんにちは","politeJa":null,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"a, konnichiwa! okaimono?","ja":"あ、こんにちは！お買い物？","english":"Oh, hello! Out shopping?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"a, konnichiwa. okaimono desu ka?","ja":"あ、こんにちは。お買い物ですか？","english":"Oh, hello. Are you out shopping?"},"freqRank":537,"freqNote":"こんにちは #537","spread":3,"reach":1,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: greetings"],"notes":"The evening version is konbanwa."},{"n":30,"id":"G-jaa-ne","romaji":"jaa ne","polite":"shitsurei shimasu","english":"bye, see you","use":"The everyday goodbye to friends and family; 'mata ne' adds 'see you again'.","ja":"じゃあね","kana":"じゃあね","politeJa":"失礼します","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"jaa ne, mata ashita.","ja":"じゃあね、また明日。","english":"Bye, see you tomorrow."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dewa, mata ashita. shitsurei shimasu.","ja":"では、また明日。失礼します。","english":"Well then, see you tomorrow. Goodbye."},"freqRank":937,"freqNote":"じゃあね #937","spread":5,"reach":1,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: greetings"],"notes":"sayounara sounds final or school-like, and friends almost never say it. Leaving work before others: osaki ni shitsurei shimasu; to coworkers generally: otsukaresama desu."},{"n":31,"id":"G-hajimemashite","romaji":"hajimemashite","polite":null,"english":"nice to meet you (opener)","use":"Opens a first meeting, before you give your name, and is always followed by yoroshiku.","ja":"はじめまして","kana":"はじめまして","politeJa":null,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"first-meeting","example":{"romaji":"hajimemashite, kenta desu. yoroshiku!","ja":"はじめまして、健太です。よろしく！","english":"Hi, I'm Kenta. Nice to meet you!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"hajimemashite, kenta desu. yoroshiku onegai shimasu.","ja":"はじめまして、健太です。よろしくお願いします。","english":"How do you do, I'm Kenta. Nice to meet you."},"freqRank":1596,"freqNote":"はじめまして #1596; 初めまして #3524","spread":2,"reach":1,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: greetings"],"notes":null},{"n":32,"id":"G-yoroshiku","romaji":"yoroshiku","polite":"yoroshiku onegai shimasu","english":"glad to know you; thanks ahead","use":"Closes an introduction ('please treat me well') and any favour you leave in someone's hands.","ja":"よろしく","kana":"よろしく","politeJa":"よろしくお願いします","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"first-meeting","example":{"romaji":"ja, ashita yoroshiku ne.","ja":"じゃ、明日よろしくね。","english":"Okay, I'm counting on you tomorrow."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dewa, ashita yoroshiku onegai shimasu.","ja":"では、明日よろしくお願いします。","english":"Well then, thank you in advance for tomorrow."},"freqRank":398,"freqNote":"よろしく #398; よろしくお願いします #516","spread":4,"reach":2,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"'X ni yoroshiku' means 'say hi to X for me'."},{"n":33,"id":"G-moshimoshi","romaji":"moshimoshi","polite":null,"english":"hello? (on the phone)","use":"Opens a phone or video call, and checks the line when the other person goes quiet or the sound cuts out; it isn't used to greet someone in person.","ja":"もしもし","kana":"もしもし","politeJa":null,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"moshimoshi, ima daijoubu?","ja":"もしもし、今大丈夫？","english":"Hello? Can you talk now?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"moshimoshi, ima daijoubu desu ka?","ja":"もしもし、今大丈夫ですか？","english":"Hello, is now a good time?"},"freqRank":442,"freqNote":"もしもし #442","spread":2,"reach":1,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Checking the line: moshimoshi? kikoeru? (hello? can you hear me?). When you answer a work phone, say hai, [name] desu rather than moshimoshi. Face to face it's either a joking 'hello? anyone home?' or an older speaker's 'excuse me' to a stranger."}]},{"id":"G13","range":"34-39","stage":1,"category":"Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases","label":"Phrases for occasions","rationale":"Fixed phrases tied to a particular moment: meals, bedtime, the end of shared work, someone heading out, and seeing someone again.","interference":"itadakimasu comes before eating and gochisousama after. oyasumi, otsukare and ki o tsukete are all sign-offs: oyasumi for the night, otsukare after work or study together, and ki o tsukete as someone heads out (it also works as a warning: 'careful!'). hisashiburi greets someone you're meeting again and is never a goodbye.","items":[{"n":34,"id":"G-itadakimasu","romaji":"itadakimasu","polite":null,"english":"thanks for the food (before)","use":"Said just before you start eating or drinking, alone or with others. It's already a -masu form, so every register uses it unchanged.","ja":"いただきます","kana":"いただきます","politeJa":null,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"meal-phrases","example":{"romaji":"uwa, oishisou! itadakimasu!","ja":"うわ、おいしそう！いただきます！","english":"Wow, looks good! Let's eat!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"oishisou desu ne. itadakimasu.","ja":"おいしそうですね。いただきます。","english":"That looks delicious. Thank you, I'll dig in."},"freqRank":486,"freqNote":"いただきます #486; 頂きます #2378","spread":2,"reach":1,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: politeness"],"notes":"Also accepts something offered, like a drink or a sweet: jaa, itadakimasu = 'don't mind if I do'."},{"n":35,"id":"G-gochisousama","romaji":"gochisousama","polite":"gochisousama deshita","english":"thanks for the meal (after)","use":"Said when you finish eating, and to whoever cooked or paid. To a host or someone who treated you, use gochisousama deshita.","ja":"ごちそうさま","kana":"ごちそうさま","politeJa":"ごちそうさまでした","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"meal-phrases","example":{"romaji":"aa, oishikatta! gochisousama!","ja":"ああ、おいしかった！ごちそうさま！","english":"Ah, that was good! Thanks for the meal!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"oishikatta desu. gochisousama deshita.","ja":"おいしかったです。ごちそうさまでした。","english":"That was delicious. Thank you for the meal."},"freqRank":2052,"freqNote":"ごちそうさま #2052; polite ごちそうさまでした #1827","spread":2,"reach":1,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["G-itadakimasu"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: politeness"],"notes":"At a restaurant, gochisousama deshita on the way out is the usual thank-you to the staff."},{"n":36,"id":"G-oyasumi","romaji":"oyasumi","polite":"oyasumi nasai","english":"good night","use":"Said when going to bed, parting late at night, or ending a night-time call or chat. It's only a goodbye, never a greeting.","ja":"おやすみ","kana":"おやすみ","politeJa":"おやすみなさい","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"sign-offs","example":{"romaji":"jaa, mata ashita. oyasumi.","ja":"じゃあ、また明日。おやすみ。","english":"Okay, see you tomorrow. Night."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jaa, mata ashita. oyasumi nasai.","ja":"じゃあ、また明日。おやすみなさい。","english":"Well, see you tomorrow. Good night."},"freqRank":1575,"freqNote":"おやすみ #1575; polite おやすみなさい #2270 (お休み #1980 also counts the 'day off' sense)","spread":3,"reach":1,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: greetings"],"notes":"yasumi means 'day off, break', and its polite version is also oyasumi: ashita yasumi = 'I'm off tomorrow'; ashita oyasumi desu ka? = 'are you off tomorrow?'. oyasumi means 'good night' only at bedtime or when parting at night."},{"n":37,"id":"G-otsukare","romaji":"otsukare","polite":"otsukaresama desu","english":"good work, thanks","use":"Said to people you work or study with when you finish something together or part for the day. With seniors say otsukaresama desu, or otsukaresama deshita once the work is over.","ja":"お疲れ","kana":"おつかれ","politeJa":"お疲れさまです","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"sign-offs","example":{"romaji":"jaa, kyou wa koko made ni shiyou. otsukare!","ja":"じゃあ、今日はここまでにしよう。お疲れ！","english":"Okay, let's call it a day. Good work!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jaa, kyou wa koko made ni shimashou. otsukaresama deshita.","ja":"じゃあ、今日はここまでにしましょう。お疲れさまでした。","english":"Well, let's stop here for today. Thanks for all your work."},"freqRank":848,"freqNote":"お疲れ #848; お疲れさま #504","spread":3,"reach":2,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: politeness"],"notes":"Comes from tsukareru (get tired). At work it is also a passing 'hi' and the reply to someone who leaves first."},{"n":38,"id":"G-hisashiburi","romaji":"hisashiburi","polite":"ohisashiburi desu","english":"long time no see","use":"Greets someone you haven't seen or talked to in a while. It also marks doing something again after a long gap.","ja":"久しぶり","kana":"ひさしぶり","politeJa":"お久しぶりです","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"hisashiburi! genki datta?","ja":"久しぶり！元気だった？","english":"Long time no see! How've you been?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ohisashiburi desu. ogenki deshita ka?","ja":"お久しぶりです。お元気でしたか？","english":"It's been a long time. How have you been?"},"freqRank":594,"freqNote":"久しぶり #594; polite お久しぶり #1495","spread":3,"reach":1,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: greetings"],"notes":"hisashiburi ni + verb means 'for the first time in ages': hisashiburi ni sushi tabeta."},{"n":39,"id":"G-ki-o-tsukete","romaji":"ki o tsukete","polite":"ki o tsukete kudasai","english":"take care, be careful","use":"Said to anyone heading off (going home at night, driving, on a trip), and as a warning ('careful!'). Adding ne (ki o tsukete ne) makes it warmer.","ja":"気をつけて","kana":"きをつけて","politeJa":"気をつけてください","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"sign-offs","example":{"romaji":"jaa, mata ashita. ki o tsukete ne.","ja":"じゃあ、また明日。気をつけてね。","english":"Okay, see you tomorrow. Take care."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jaa, mata ashita. ki o tsukete kudasai ne.","ja":"じゃあ、また明日。気をつけてくださいね。","english":"Well, see you tomorrow. Please take care."},"freqRank":1735,"freqNote":"気をつけて #1735 (気を付けて #2563 counted separately); verb 気をつける #1226","spread":4,"reach":2,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns note 4 (ki deferred to collocations)"],"notes":"You learn this one as a set phrase. The verb ki o tsukeru comes later (ki o tsukeru) and adds ki o tsukete kaette ne (get home safe) and ki o tsukemasu (I'll be careful). As a warning it's often shouted on its own: abunai, ki o tsukete! To see off a customer or a senior, say oki o tsukete (お気をつけて), often as oki o tsukete okaeri kudasai, because bare ki o tsukete kudasai sounds more like an instruction."}]},{"id":"A1","range":"40-43","stage":1,"category":"Time & sequence","label":"Now and nearby days","rationale":"The anchor words for the present moment and the days on either side of it. Plans and catch-ups start here.","interference":"kyou and kinou sound alike: listen for the 'no' in ki-no-u. kinou pairs with past tense, ashita with non-past, and kyou with either.","items":[{"n":40,"id":"A-ima","romaji":"ima","polite":null,"english":"now","use":"Places anything at the present moment, and builds ima kara (from now), ima made (until now) and ima sugu (right now).","ja":"今","kana":"いま","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ima doko?","ja":"今どこ？","english":"Where are you right now?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ima doko desu ka?","ja":"今どこですか？","english":"Where are you right now?"},"freqRank":56,"freqNote":"今(いま) #56","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #100"],"notes":null},{"n":41,"id":"A-kyou","romaji":"kyou","polite":null,"english":"today","use":"Names the current day, and kyou wa makes it the topic for plans and small talk.","ja":"今日","kana":"きょう","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kinou-kyou-ashita","example":{"romaji":"kyou wa yasumi?","ja":"今日は休み？","english":"Are you off today?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa yasumi desu ka?","ja":"今日は休みですか？","english":"Are you off today?"},"freqRank":86,"freqNote":"今日(きょう) #86","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #141","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: relative-days"],"notes":"Shop and office staff say honjitsu. Recognise it, but you don't need to say it."},{"n":42,"id":"A-ashita","romaji":"ashita","polite":null,"english":"tomorrow","use":"The default word for the next day, used in plans, deadlines and goodbyes (jaa ashita).","ja":"明日","kana":"あした","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kinou-kyou-ashita","example":{"romaji":"ashita wa yasumi da yo.","ja":"明日は休みだよ。","english":"I'm off tomorrow."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita wa yasumi desu yo.","ja":"明日は休みですよ。","english":"I'm off tomorrow."},"freqRank":367,"freqNote":"明日(あした) #367; formal あす #10447","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #120","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: relative-days"],"notes":"Shop and office staff say myounichi, and asu is the news reading. Recognise both; ashita is fine in your own polite speech."},{"n":43,"id":"A-kinou","romaji":"kinou","polite":null,"english":"yesterday","use":"Names the day before today. Pair it with past tense to report what happened.","ja":"昨日","kana":"きのう","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kinou-kyou-ashita","example":{"romaji":"kinou wa yasumi datta.","ja":"昨日は休みだった。","english":"I was off yesterday."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kinou wa yasumi deshita.","ja":"昨日は休みでした。","english":"I was off yesterday."},"freqRank":319,"freqNote":"昨日(きのう) #319","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #142","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: relative-days"],"notes":"To tell kinou from kyou, listen for the 'no'. Shop and office staff say sakujitsu."}]},{"id":"J3","range":"44-47","stage":1,"category":"Pointing, question & people words","label":"this/that: places","rationale":"The ko/so/a/do row for places: here, where, there by you, over there.","interference":"soko is near the listener, asoko is away from both of you; asoko is the irregular member (not ako).","items":[{"n":44,"id":"J-koko","romaji":"koko","polite":null,"english":"here; this point","use":"Names the place where you are, or 'this part' of something (koko ga muzukashii); takes ni for where things are and de for where things happen.","ja":"ここ","kana":"ここ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"koko-soko-asoko-doko","example":{"romaji":"koko ni aru yo.","ja":"ここにあるよ。","english":"It's right here."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"koko ni arimasu yo.","ja":"ここにありますよ。","english":"It's right here."},"freqRank":57,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-places","05-acquisition-order S3 (kosoado, wks 3–4)","13-list-exit-battery #63"],"notes":"Shop staff say kochira for 'here'; koko is fine in your own polite speech."},{"n":45,"id":"J-doko","romaji":"doko","polite":"dochira","english":"where; which part","use":"Asks where (doko ni aru?, doko iku?) or which part (doko ga ii?); in casual speech the particle after it is often dropped.","ja":"どこ","kana":"どこ","politeJa":"どちら","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"koko-soko-asoko-doko","example":{"romaji":"doko ni aru?","ja":"どこにある？","english":"Where is it?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dochira ni arimasu ka?","ja":"どちらにありますか？","english":"Where is it?"},"freqRank":100,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["J-koko"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-places","13-list-exit-battery #123","05-acquisition-order S3 (kosoado, wks 3–4)"],"notes":"doko desu ka is fine in everyday polite speech; dochira is the softer version. dochira also means 'which of two' (dotchi): dochira ni? and dochira kara? ask about a place, dochira ga ii? asks for a choice."},{"n":46,"id":"J-soko","romaji":"soko","polite":null,"english":"there (near you); that point","use":"A place near the listener or one just mentioned, and also 'that point' in a discussion (soko ga mondai).","ja":"そこ","kana":"そこ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"koko-soko-asoko-doko","example":{"romaji":"soko ni aru yo.","ja":"そこにあるよ。","english":"It's right there, by you."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"soko ni arimasu yo.","ja":"そこにありますよ。","english":"It's right there, by you."},"freqRank":126,"freqNote":"底 'bottom' counted separately (#4174)","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-koko"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-places"],"notes":"soko is by the listener; a place far from both of you is asoko."},{"n":47,"id":"J-asoko","romaji":"asoko","polite":null,"english":"over there; that place","use":"A place away from both speakers, either in view or one you both know (asoko no raamenya).","ja":"あそこ","kana":"あそこ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"koko-soko-asoko-doko","example":{"romaji":"asoko ni aru yo.","ja":"あそこにあるよ。","english":"It's over there."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"asoko ni arimasu yo.","ja":"あそこにありますよ。","english":"It's over there."},"freqRank":495,"freqNote":null,"spread":4,"reach":2,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-koko"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-places"],"notes":"The irregular member: asoko, not ako."}]},{"id":"E1","range":"48-50","stage":1,"category":"Connectors & conditionals","label":"But","rationale":"Three ways to say 'but', from neutral to complaining, learned on one rain sentence.","interference":"demo starts a new sentence, -kedo ends the first clause, -noni adds surprise or complaint and can't lead into a request or plan; the shared 'ame ... iku' sentence keeps only the connector changing.","items":[{"n":48,"id":"E-demo","romaji":"demo","polite":null,"english":"but; even so","use":"Opens a sentence or a turn that pushes back against what was just said; works the same in every register.","ja":"でも","kana":"でも","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"demo-kedo-noni","example":{"romaji":"ame da ne. demo, iku yo.","ja":"雨だね。でも、行くよ。","english":"It's raining, huh. But I'm going."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ame desu ne. demo, ikimasu yo.","ja":"雨ですね。でも、行きますよ。","english":"It's raining. But I'm going."},"freqRank":32,"freqNote":"でも #32 (also counts noun + demo 'even / or something')","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: conjunctions"],"notes":"Same sound as noun + demo ('ocha demo' = tea or something); sentence-initial position tells them apart."},{"n":49,"id":"E-kedo","romaji":"-kedo","polite":"desu kedo / -masu kedo","english":"but; although","use":"Ends the first clause and contrasts it with the second. Left trailing, it softens a statement ('chotto takai kedo...') or sets up a request ('chotto kikitai n da kedo...'). Fuller keredo; formal ga.","ja":"けど","kana":"けど","politeJa":"ですけど / ますけど","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"demo-kedo-noni","example":{"romaji":"ame da kedo, iku yo.","ja":"雨だけど、行くよ。","english":"It's raining, but I'm going."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ame desu kedo, ikimasu yo.","ja":"雨ですけど、行きますよ。","english":"It's raining, but I'm going."},"freqRank":37,"freqNote":"けど #37; fuller けれど #1376","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: conjunctions","13-list-exit-battery #25"],"notes":"A trailing kedo ('sumimasen kedo...') is a soft opener, not a contrast."},{"n":50,"id":"E-noni","romaji":"-noni","polite":null,"english":"even though; and yet","use":"Contrast with surprise, complaint or regret: the result isn't what the first clause should lead to. Nouns and na-adjectives take na noni. Left trailing it's a complaint ('itta noni!' = 'but I told you!'); after -tara / -ba it means 'if only' ('motto hayaku ittara, maniatta noni').","ja":"のに","kana":"のに","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"demo-kedo-noni","example":{"romaji":"ame na noni, iku no?","ja":"雨なのに、行くの？","english":"You're going, even though it's raining?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ame na noni, iku n desu ka?","ja":"雨なのに、行くんですか？","english":"You're going even though it's raining?"},"freqRank":95,"freqNote":"のに #95 (also counts purpose noni); sentence-initial なのに #274, それなのに #1791","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-kedo"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: conjunctions","13-list-exit-battery #2"],"notes":"Can't end in a request or plan ('...noni, ikou' is wrong); use kedo there."}]},{"id":"E2","range":"51-55","stage":1,"category":"Connectors & conditionals","label":"Because / so","rationale":"The reason family: two clause linkers, two sentence openers and the reason-stacker.","interference":"-kara vs -node differ in softness, not meaning: node sounds objective and suits strangers, and in polite speech it still follows the plain form ('isogashii node, ikemasen'). dakara points forward to the result while datte points back to the reason; kara, dakara and datte share the 'isogashii' reason so only the linker changes.","items":[{"n":51,"id":"E-kara","romaji":"-kara","polite":"desu kara / -masu kara","english":"because; so","use":"Reason clause + kara + result; also ends a sentence as a bare excuse ('isogashii kara'). Nouns and na-adjectives take da kara.","ja":"から","kana":"から","politeJa":"ですから / ますから","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kara-node","example":{"romaji":"isogashii kara, ikenai.","ja":"忙しいから、行けない。","english":"I'm busy, so I can't go."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"abunai desu kara, ki o tsukete kudasai ne.","ja":"危ないですから、気をつけてくださいね。","english":"It's dangerous, so please be careful."},"freqRank":14,"freqNote":"から #14 (also counts 'from')","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: kara","13-list-exit-battery #124"],"notes":"Reason comes first, then kara, then the result: the reverse of English 'because'. As a polite refusal desu kara sounds pointed; use node there ('isogashii node, ikemasen')."},{"n":52,"id":"E-node","romaji":"-node","polite":null,"english":"since; so (softer)","use":"Same reason-then-result order as kara, but sounds objective and softer; the standard choice for explanations and excuses to strangers. Nouns and na-adjectives take na node.","ja":"ので","kana":"ので","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kara-node","example":{"romaji":"ashita hayai node, mou neru ne.","ja":"明日早いので、もう寝るね。","english":"I've got an early start tomorrow, so I'm heading to bed."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"isogashii node, ikemasen.","ja":"忙しいので、行けません。","english":"I'm busy, so I can't go."},"freqRank":156,"freqNote":"ので #156; casual contraction -n de","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-kara"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: conjunctions"],"notes":"With friends kara is the default; node, when used, often clips to -n de ('isogashii n de'). In polite speech node still follows the plain form; desu node / -masu node is business-formal."},{"n":53,"id":"E-dakara","romaji":"dakara","polite":"nanode","english":"so; that's why","use":"Starts a sentence that states the result of what came before; said sharply ('dakara!') it means 'like I said'.","ja":"だから","kana":"だから","politeJa":"なので","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"dakara-datte","example":{"romaji":"isogashii n da. dakara, ikenai.","ja":"忙しいんだ。だから、行けない。","english":"I'm busy. So I can't go."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"isogashii n desu. nanode, ikemasen.","ja":"忙しいんです。なので、行けません。","english":"I'm busy. So I can't go."},"freqRank":58,"freqNote":"だから #58; polite なので #652; ですから #269 (can sound insistent)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["E-kara"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: conjunctions"],"notes":"Points forward to the result; datte points back to the reason. In polite speech, desu kara at the start of a sentence can sound insistent ('as I said'); nanode is the softer opener."},{"n":54,"id":"E-datte","romaji":"datte","polite":"demo ... n desu yo","english":"because; but (excuse)","use":"Starts a sentence that justifies yourself or pushes back, usually answering 'why?' or a complaint; the reason follows, often ending in n da (yo / mon).","ja":"だって","kana":"だって","politeJa":"でも…んですよ","flags":["casual-only"],"contrastGroup":"dakara-datte","example":{"romaji":"datte, isogashii n da yo.","ja":"だって、忙しいんだよ。","english":"But I'm busy!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"demo, isogashii n desu yo.","ja":"でも、忙しいんですよ。","english":"But I'm busy, you know."},"freqRank":79,"freqNote":"だって #79, also counts 'even / too' datte","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-dakara"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Sounds sulky to a coworker; there, open with demo and give the reason with ...n desu (yo). Don't confuse it with noun + datte 'even X' or hearsay '...n datte' ('I hear')."},{"n":55,"id":"E-shi","romaji":"-shi","polite":"desu shi / -masu shi","english":"and what's more; since ... and all","use":"Stacks reasons ('yasui shi, oishii shi'); a single trailing -shi hints there are more, like 'and all'. Nouns and na-adjectives take da shi.","ja":"し","kana":"し","politeJa":"ですし / ますし","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"mou osoi shi, kaerou.","ja":"もう遅いし、帰ろう。","english":"It's late and all, let's head home."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mou osoi desu shi, kaerimashou.","ja":"もう遅いですし、帰りましょう。","english":"It's late and all, so let's head home."},"freqRank":62,"freqNote":"し #62","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"A trailing -shi gives a reason softly ('mou osoi shi'); it isn't a neutral 'and' for listing facts, use -te for that."}]},{"id":"E3","range":"56-59","stage":1,"category":"Connectors & conditionals","label":"And then","rationale":"Ways to carry on to the next thing: -te inside a sentence; de, jaa and ato at the start of one.","interference":"Sentence-initial de is not the place / means particle de; ato alone means 'also' while ato de means 'later'; jaa overlaps with dattara (If-openers block).","items":[{"n":56,"id":"E-te-and","romaji":"-te","polite":null,"english":"and (then); so","use":"The te-form chains clauses: one action then the next, or a cause and its result ('tsukarete, neta'). Adjectives join with -kute, nouns and na-adjectives with de.","ja":"て","kana":"て","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"uchi kaette, neta.","ja":"うち帰って、寝た。","english":"I went home and slept."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"uchi ni kaette, nemashita.","ja":"うちに帰って、寝ました。","english":"I went home and slept."},"freqRank":458,"freqNote":"て #458, heavily undercounted: tokenizer usually fuses -te into the verb","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #1"],"notes":"Tense and politeness go only on the last verb, in polite speech too: 'kaette, nemashita', not 'kaerimashite' (that sounds formal). A -te reason can't lead into a request or invitation ('isogashikute, tetsudatte' is wrong); use kara there."},{"n":57,"id":"E-de-sorede","romaji":"de","polite":"sorede","english":"so; and then","use":"Starts a sentence that moves a story to the next step, or prompts the speaker to go on ('de?' = 'and?'). Clipped casual form of sorede.","ja":"で","kana":"で","politeJa":"それで","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"de, dou natta?","ja":"で、どうなった？","english":"So, what happened?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sorede, dou narimashita ka?","ja":"それで、どうなりましたか？","english":"So, what happened?"},"freqRank":731,"freqNote":"rank of それで; sentence-initial で is not separable from particle で (#8); slangy んで #3821","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: conjunctions"],"notes":"Comes first, after a pause; that's how to hear it apart from the particle de. Bare 'de?' can sound impatient; 'de, de?' or 'sorede?' with rising pitch sounds keen."},{"n":58,"id":"E-jaa","romaji":"jaa","polite":null,"english":"well then; so","use":"Draws a conclusion from what was just said and moves to the next step: deciding, ordering, wrapping up, saying goodbye. Short form ja.","ja":"じゃあ","kana":"じゃあ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"jaa, kore ni suru.","ja":"じゃあ、これにする。","english":"Okay then, I'll go with this."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jaa, kore ni shimasu.","ja":"じゃあ、これにします。","english":"Okay then, I'll go with this one."},"freqRank":87,"freqNote":"じゃあ #87; じゃ #323","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: greetings (jaane)"],"notes":"To a clerk or coworker, jaa + masu is normal ('jaa, kore ni shimasu'); dewa is the formal version for meetings, announcements and shop staff."},{"n":59,"id":"E-ato","romaji":"ato","polite":null,"english":"oh, and; also","use":"Starts a sentence that adds one more item to a list, order or request, often as an afterthought.","ja":"あと","kana":"あと","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ato, kore mo onegai.","ja":"あと、これもお願い。","english":"Oh, and this too, please."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ato, kore mo onegaishimasu.","ja":"あと、これもお願いします。","english":"Oh, and this one too, please."},"freqRank":135,"freqNote":"あと #135, also counts 'after / later / remaining'","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Ato de = 'later'; ato + amount = 'more / left' ('ato gofun' = five more minutes); bare ato at the start, then a pause = 'oh, and'."}]},{"id":"I1","range":"60-64","stage":1,"category":"Grammar patterns as vocabulary","label":"Past, negative, linking","rationale":"The first endings almost every sentence needs: past and negative for verbs and for adjectives/nouns, plus the adjective/noun linking form built on the same -ku stem.","interference":"Verbs and adjectives conjugate differently (neta / isogashikatta, ikanai / isogashikunai), never *isogashii datta; and takai ja nai is a tag ('it's pricey, isn't it?'), never the negative takakunai.","items":[{"n":60,"id":"I-ta-past","romaji":"-ta","polite":"-mashita","english":"did (past)","use":"Puts any verb in the past for what you did or what happened, built with the same sound changes as the -te form (itta, tabeta, shita).","ja":"〜た","kana":"〜た","politeJa":"〜ました","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ta-katta","example":{"romaji":"kinou wa hayaku neta.","ja":"昨日は早く寝た。","english":"I went to bed early last night."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kinou wa hayaku nemashita.","ja":"昨日は早く寝ました。","english":"I went to bed early last night."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement; tokenizer folds た into the verb (standalone た #100752)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["E-te-and"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #34"],"notes":"-ta also covers 'already': mou tabeta? = have you eaten yet? Trap: 'not yet' is mada tabetenai, never *tabenakatta, which means 'I didn't eat (then)'."},{"n":61,"id":"I-nai-negative","romaji":"-nai","polite":"-masen","english":"not (negative)","use":"Makes any verb negative for 'don't / won't' (ikanai, wakannai), and is the stem that -nakya, -nakute mo ii and -nai hou ga ii build on.","ja":"〜ない","kana":"〜ない","politeJa":"〜ません","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"nai-kunai","example":{"romaji":"kyou wa ikanai.","ja":"今日は行かない。","english":"I'm not going today."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa ikimasen.","ja":"今日は行きません。","english":"I'm not going today."},"freqRank":43,"freqNote":"ない #43 combines the negative auxiliary and the adjective 'there isn't'","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #116","13-list-exit-battery #126"],"notes":"Past negative is -nakatta (ikanakatta); casual speech shortens -ranai to -nnai (wakannai). With a rising tone it invites: issho ni ikanai? = want to come? (polite: ikimasen ka?)"},{"n":62,"id":"I-katta-datta","romaji":"-katta / -datta","polite":"-katta desu / -deshita","english":"was (adjectives, nouns)","use":"Past tense for descriptions: i-adjectives swap -i for -katta (samukatta, ii -> yokatta), while na-adjectives and nouns take datta (hima datta, ame datta).","ja":"〜かった／〜だった","kana":"〜かった／〜だった","politeJa":"〜かったです／〜でした","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ta-katta","example":{"romaji":"kinou wa isogashikatta.","ja":"昨日は忙しかった。","english":"I was busy yesterday."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kinou wa isogashikatta desu.","ja":"昨日は忙しかったです。","english":"I was busy yesterday."},"freqRank":61,"freqNote":"rank of だった; the tokenizer splits -katta off the adjective, so it has no usable rank of its own","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["I-ta-past","F-da"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #97","13-list-exit-battery #100","11-list-adjectives note 1"],"notes":"Trap: never *takai datta, and in polite speech never *takai deshita; the past goes on the i-adjective itself (takakatta, takakatta desu)."},{"n":63,"id":"I-kunai-ja-nai","romaji":"-kunai / -ja nai","polite":"-kunai desu / -ja nai desu","english":"isn't (adjectives, nouns)","use":"Negative for descriptions: i-adjectives swap -i for -kunai (takakunai, ii -> yokunai), while na-adjectives and nouns take ja nai (hima ja nai, sou ja nai).","ja":"〜くない／〜じゃない","kana":"〜くない／〜じゃない","politeJa":"〜くないです／〜じゃないです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"nai-kunai","example":{"romaji":"kyou wa isogashikunai.","ja":"今日は忙しくない。","english":"I'm not busy today."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa isogashikunai desu.","ja":"今日は忙しくないです。","english":"I'm not busy today."},"freqRank":39,"freqNote":"rank of じゃない, which also counts the tag-question use (ja nai?)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative","F-da"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #99","13-list-exit-battery #100","11-list-adjectives note 1"],"notes":"Past negative: -kunakatta / ja nakatta (polite -kunakatta desu / ja nakatta desu). Trap: after an i-adjective ja nai is always the tag (takai ja nai = it's pricey, isn't it); more formal polite is -ku arimasen / ja arimasen."},{"n":64,"id":"I-kute-de","romaji":"-kute / -de","polite":null,"english":"and; so (adjectives, nouns)","use":"The -te form of adjectives and nouns, used to link descriptions (yasukute oishii) or give a reason (isogashikute, hima de); negatives use -nakute (jikan ga nakute).","ja":"〜くて／〜で","kana":"〜くて／〜で","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kono mise, yasukute oishii yo.","ja":"この店、安くておいしいよ。","english":"This place is cheap and the food's good."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono omise, yasukute oishii desu yo.","ja":"このお店、安くておいしいですよ。","english":"This place is cheap and the food's good."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement; an inflection the tokenizer splits off","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["I-katta-datta","I-kunai-ja-nai","E-te-and"],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives note 1","13-list-exit-battery #67"],"notes":"Na-adjectives and nouns take de (shizuka de, ame de); ii -> yokute."}]},{"id":"I2","range":"65-68","stage":1,"category":"Grammar patterns as vocabulary","label":"Doing and done","rationale":"Four -te auxiliaries that set the shape of an action: ongoing, tried out, finished, done ahead.","interference":"-teru, -chau and -toku are all short contractions on the same -te form; key on the ending: -teru ongoing, -chatta finished, -toku done ahead. Don't mix -toku with -teku (-te iku): kaitoku vs kaiteku. -te miru stays apart as 'try and see'.","items":[{"n":65,"id":"I-teru","romaji":"-teru","polite":"-temasu","english":"is doing / is in a state","use":"Attaches to the -te form for an ongoing action (tabeteru), a resulting state (kekkon shiteru, shitteru) or a habit; it is the casual contraction of -te iru.","ja":"〜てる","kana":"〜てる","politeJa":"〜てます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"teru-chau-toku","example":{"romaji":"ima repooto kaiteru.","ja":"今レポート書いてる。","english":"I'm writing a report right now."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ima repooto kaitemasu.","ja":"今レポート書いてます。","english":"I'm writing a report right now."},"freqRank":720,"freqNote":"rank of contracted てる; full いる #42 also counts the main verb 'be'","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["E-te-and"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #2","13-list-exit-battery #13","13-list-exit-battery #14","13-list-exit-battery #15"],"notes":"With change verbs it's a state, not progress: kekkon shiteru = is married. Trap: the negative of shitteru is shiranai, not *shittenai."},{"n":66,"id":"I-te-miru","romaji":"-te miru","polite":"-te mimasu","english":"try (and see)","use":"Attaches to the -te form to try something out and see how it goes (tabete miru, kiite miru), which also softens plans and suggestions.","ja":"〜てみる","kana":"〜てみる","politeJa":"〜てみます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"jaa, tabete miru.","ja":"じゃあ、食べてみる。","english":"OK, I'll give it a try."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jaa, tabete mimasu.","ja":"じゃあ、食べてみます。","english":"OK, I'll give it a try."},"freqRank":1530,"freqNote":"rank of kana みる, mostly the auxiliary (見る #55 is 'see')","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-te-and"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #12","13-list-exit-battery #22"],"notes":"Not 'attempt and fail': you actually do it to find out."},{"n":67,"id":"I-chau","romaji":"-chau","polite":"-chaimasu","english":"end up / do completely","use":"Contracted -te shimau, marking something done completely, often with regret or an 'oops' (wasurechatta, tabechatta); -nde verbs take -jau (nonjatta).","ja":"〜ちゃう","kana":"〜ちゃう","politeJa":"〜ちゃいます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"teru-chau-toku","example":{"romaji":"repooto, mou kaichatta.","ja":"レポート、もう書いちゃった。","english":"I've already finished the report."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"repooto, mou kaichaimashita.","ja":"レポート、もう書いちゃいました。","english":"I've already finished the report."},"freqRank":1985,"freqNote":"rank of ちゃう (some Kansai ちゃう 'no, wrong' mixed in); ちゃった #4935, じゃう #9415, full しまう #2285","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-te-and","I-ta-past"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #5","13-list-exit-battery #16","13-list-exit-battery #17"],"notes":"The regret reading is the everyday one: saifu wasurechatta = I forgot my wallet (ugh). Not -cha (= -te wa): kaetchau = I'll end up going home, kaetcha dame = you can't go home. -chaimashita is friendly-polite; with superiors or strangers use -te shimaimashita."},{"n":68,"id":"I-toku","romaji":"-toku","polite":"-tokimasu","english":"do in advance; leave it","use":"Contracted -te oku, for doing something now so it's ready later (kattoku) or leaving it as it is (sono mama ni shitoite); -nde verbs take -doku (yondoku).","ja":"〜とく","kana":"〜とく","politeJa":"〜ときます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"teru-chau-toku","example":{"romaji":"repooto, saki ni kaitoku.","ja":"レポート、先に書いとく。","english":"I'll get the report written first."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"repooto, saki ni kaitokimasu.","ja":"レポート、先に書いときます。","english":"I'll get the report written first."},"freqRank":1215,"freqNote":"rank of kana おく (mostly the -te oku auxiliary); contracted とく #8852","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-te-and"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #11","13-list-exit-battery #18"],"notes":"Not -teku (-te iku): kaitoku = write it now so it's done, kaiteku = write it before heading off. Past -toita (kaitoita) sits close to -teta (kaiteta); listen for the o."}]},{"id":"H1","range":"69-72","stage":1,"category":"General verbs","label":"Be, have, live","rationale":"The ways to say something is there or that you have it — aru for things, iru for people and animals, motteru for what you own or carry — plus sumu for where you live.","interference":"aru vs iru depends on whether the thing is alive (kasa aru / neko iru), and that holds for 'have' too: kyoudai iru? / inu iru? but jikan aru?; motteru is for what's in your possession or on you (kasa motteru?); iru is where you are now and sunderu where you live (ima doko ni iru? / doko ni sunderu?).","items":[{"n":69,"id":"H-aru","romaji":"aru","polite":"arimasu","english":"there is; have (things)","use":"States that a thing, event or amount exists or is available, and is the default 'have' for time, plans and things (jikan aru?), with the thing marked by ga.","ja":"ある","kana":"ある","politeJa":"あります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"aru-iru-motteru","example":{"romaji":"uchi ni kasa aru?","ja":"うちに傘ある？","english":"Do you have an umbrella at home?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"uchi ni kasa ga arimasu ka?","ja":"うちに傘がありますか？","english":"Do you have an umbrella at home?"},"freqRank":21,"freqNote":"ある #21; includes auxiliary -te aru and copular de aru","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #3","12-list-te-dependents #24","13-list-exit-battery #28","13-list-exit-battery #95","vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_shitsumon_ga_arimasu"],"notes":"The negative is the separate word nai (kasa nai), never *aranai."},{"n":70,"id":"H-iru-exist","romaji":"iru","polite":"imasu","english":"be, exist; have (people, pets)","use":"Says where a person or animal is or that they exist (ima doko ni iru?), is the 'have' for people and animals (kyoudai iru?, kanojo iru?, inu iru?), and is the base that -teru is built on.","ja":"いる","kana":"いる","politeJa":"います","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"aru-iru-motteru","example":{"romaji":"ima uchi ni iru?","ja":"今うちにいる？","english":"Are you home right now?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ima uchi ni imasu ka?","ja":"今うちにいますか？","english":"Are you home right now?"},"freqRank":42,"freqNote":"いる #42 merges the verb with auxiliary -te iru; 居る #6802 separately","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #2","12-list-te-dependents #2","13-list-exit-battery #58"],"notes":"Homophone iru 'need' (要る) is godan: iranai, itte."},{"n":71,"id":"H-motsu","romaji":"motsu","polite":"mochimasu","english":"hold; carry; have","use":"Holding or carrying something, and in the -teru form owning or having it on you (kuruma motteru?), with motte iku / motte kuru meaning take / bring.","ja":"持つ","kana":"もつ","politeJa":"持ちます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"aru-iru-motteru","example":{"romaji":"ima kasa motteru?","ja":"今傘持ってる？","english":"Do you have an umbrella on you?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ima kasa mottemasu ka?","ja":"今傘持ってますか？","english":"Do you have an umbrella with you?"},"freqRank":125,"freqNote":"持つ #125","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-teru"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #43","12-list-te-dependents #R5","13-list-exit-battery #39"],"notes":"Owning or having it on you is motteru; bare motsu is 'hold / carry' (motou ka? = shall I carry that?) and also 'last' (ashita made motsu, karada ga motanai)."},{"n":72,"id":"H-sumu","romaji":"sumu","polite":"sumimasu","english":"live (in a place)","use":"Says where someone lives, with the place marked by ni; your current home takes the -teru form (doko ni sunderu?), the plain form is for a move ahead (rainen toukyou ni sumu) and -tai for a wish (toukyou ni sumitai).","ja":"住む","kana":"すむ","politeJa":"住みます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"doko ni sunderu?","ja":"どこに住んでる？","english":"Where do you live?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"doko ni sundemasu ka?","ja":"どこに住んでますか？","english":"Where do you live?"},"freqRank":548,"freqNote":"住む #548; homophone 済む (be over) #671 and kana-written すむ #1535 are separate entries","spread":3,"reach":2,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["I-teru"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #52","12-list-te-dependents #H6"],"notes":"Homophone sumu 'be over, be settled' (済む) also gives sunde, sunda, and its polite negative is sumimasen (sorry), one sound off sumimasu; for where you live now say sundemasu, and 'I don't live there' is sundenai / sundemasen."}]},{"id":"H2","range":"73-77","stage":1,"category":"General verbs","label":"Do, can, become, change","rationale":"The structural action verbs — do (suru, casual yaru), can do (dekiru) and become (naru) — that turn nouns and adjectives into events, plus kawaru for something changing on its own.","interference":"suru and yaru overlap as 'do' (nani shiteru / nani yatteru), but only suru builds noun+suru verbs (shinpai suru, renraku suru); 'can do' for those is X dekiru, not a potential form of suru; naru says what something became (samuku natta) while kawaru says it's different from before (kawatta ne) and names the result only with ni (yotei ga raishuu ni kawatta); its transitive partner kaeru (change it) gives kaeta (changed it), one doubled t away from kaetta (went home).","items":[{"n":73,"id":"H-suru","romaji":"suru","polite":"shimasu","english":"do; make","use":"The all-purpose 'do' and the hinge of every noun+suru verb (benkyou suru, shinpai suru), while X ni suru / -ku suru means 'go with X' or 'make it X'.","ja":"する","kana":"する","politeJa":"します","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"suru-yaru","example":{"romaji":"ima nani shiteru?","ja":"今何してる？","english":"What are you up to right now?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ima nani o shitemasu ka?","ja":"今何をしてますか？","english":"What are you doing right now?"},"freqRank":15,"freqNote":"する #15; also carries every noun+suru compound","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #1","12-list-te-dependents #H3","13-list-exit-battery #89","13-list-exit-battery #96","vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_shitsumon_shitemo_ii"],"notes":"Irregular: shite, shita, shinai, shiyou."},{"n":74,"id":"H-yaru","romaji":"yaru","polite":"yarimasu","english":"do (casual)","use":"Casual-leaning 'do' for activities, hobbies, sports and tasks (yatta!, gitaa yatteru, nani yatteru?); yarimasu is normal in everyday polite talk (watashi ga yarimasu), with shimasu the safer choice in formal settings.","ja":"やる","kana":"やる","politeJa":"やります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"suru-yaru","example":{"romaji":"nanka supootsu yatteru?","ja":"なんかスポーツやってる？","english":"Do you play any sports?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"nanika supootsu o yattemasu ka?","ja":"何かスポーツをやってますか？","english":"Do you play any sports?"},"freqRank":45,"freqNote":"やる #45; includes -te yaru","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-suru"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #21","12-list-te-dependents #25","13-list-exit-battery #16"],"notes":"yatta! = 'Yay!' for any good news, not only your own success; yaru also means give to pets and plants (mizu yatta?), and -te yaru (doing for someone) sounds rough."},{"n":75,"id":"H-dekiru","romaji":"dekiru","polite":"dekimasu","english":"can do; be ready; come into being","use":"The 'can' for skills and every noun+suru verb (unten dekiru, nihongo dekiru), with the skill marked by ga; dekita means 'it's ready / done' and also that something new appeared (atarashii mise ga dekita, kareshi dekita?).","ja":"できる","kana":"できる","politeJa":"できます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kuruma no unten dekiru?","ja":"車の運転できる？","english":"Can you drive?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kuruma no unten wa dekimasu ka?","ja":"車の運転はできますか？","english":"Are you able to drive?"},"freqRank":73,"freqNote":"できる #73 (kana); 出来る #1313 counted separately","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["H-suru"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #11","13-list-exit-battery #28","13-list-exit-battery #89"],"notes":"Only nouns and suru-verbs take dekiru (unten dekiru, never *unten sureru); every other verb uses its potential form: ikeru, taberareru, never *iku dekiru."},{"n":76,"id":"H-naru","romaji":"naru","polite":"narimasu","english":"become; turn into","use":"Any change of state, as adjective -ku naru or noun / na-adjective ni naru (samuku natta, genki ni natta), and dou natta? asks how something turned out.","ja":"なる","kana":"なる","politeJa":"なります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"samuku natta ne.","ja":"寒くなったね。","english":"It's gotten cold, huh."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"samuku narimashita ne.","ja":"寒くなりましたね。","english":"It's gotten cold, hasn't it."},"freqRank":29,"freqNote":"なる #29","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #4","13-list-exit-battery #102","13-list-exit-battery #96"],"notes":"Past natta reports the new state: samuku natta = it's cold now."},{"n":77,"id":"H-kawaru","romaji":"kawaru","polite":"kawarimasu","english":"change (by itself)","use":"Says something changed on its own (a person, plan, place or price), with the thing marked by ga; changing it yourself is the transitive kaeru (kaeta).","ja":"変わる","kana":"かわる","politeJa":"変わります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kawattenai ne.","ja":"変わってないね。","english":"You haven't changed."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kawattemasen ne.","ja":"変わってませんね。","english":"You haven't changed."},"freqRank":226,"freqNote":"変わる #226; 代わる (take over, swap) #1244 counted separately","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["I-teru"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #H5"],"notes":"kawatteru / kawatta often means odd or unusual, not 'is changing' (kawatteru ne = you're a bit unusual; kawatta hito = an odd person). 代わる shares the sound: kawarou ka? = want me to take over?"}]},{"id":"H3","range":"78-83","stage":1,"category":"General verbs","label":"Coming and going","rationale":"The motion verbs for plans and arrivals: go, come, go home, come back, leave, enter.","interference":"iku/kuru follow the speaker's position, so 'I'll come to your party' is iku yo; kaeru means back to home or base while modoru means back to where you just were.","items":[{"n":78,"id":"H-iku","romaji":"iku","polite":"ikimasu","english":"go","use":"Going anywhere, asking about plans (iku?) and inviting (ikou), with the destination marked by ni or e; te-form and past are irregular (itte, itta).","ja":"行く","kana":"いく","politeJa":"行きます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"iku-kuru","example":{"romaji":"ashita no paatii iku?","ja":"明日のパーティー行く？","english":"Are you going to the party tomorrow?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita no paatii ni ikimasu ka?","ja":"明日のパーティーに行きますか？","english":"Are you going to the party tomorrow?"},"freqRank":40,"freqNote":"行く #40; kana いく #179 separately; both include -te iku","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #8","12-list-te-dependents #R5","12-list-te-dependents #H2","12-list-te-dependents #14","12-list-te-dependents #X9","13-list-exit-battery #9","13-list-exit-battery #10","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: greetings"],"notes":"Heading to the listener is iku: ima iku ne = 'coming now'."},{"n":79,"id":"H-kuru","romaji":"kuru","polite":"kimasu","english":"come","use":"Movement toward the speaker or the place being talked about (kite!, kita!), and it is irregular: kita, konai, kite.","ja":"来る","kana":"くる","politeJa":"来ます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"iku-kuru","example":{"romaji":"ashita no paatii kuru?","ja":"明日のパーティー来る？","english":"Are you coming to the party tomorrow?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita no paatii ni kimasu ka?","ja":"明日のパーティーに来ますか？","english":"Are you coming to the party tomorrow?"},"freqRank":52,"freqNote":"来る #52; kana くる #429 separately; both include -te kuru","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #9","12-list-te-dependents #7","12-list-te-dependents #H1","13-list-exit-battery #21","13-list-exit-battery #24"],"notes":"The host asks kuru?; the guest answers iku yo."},{"n":80,"id":"H-kaeru-return","romaji":"kaeru","polite":"kaerimasu","english":"go home; return","use":"Going back home or to your base such as your hometown or country (mou kaeru), and it is godan: kaette, kaetta.","ja":"帰る","kana":"かえる","politeJa":"帰ります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kaeru-modoru","example":{"romaji":"nanji ni kaeru?","ja":"何時に帰る？","english":"What time are you heading home?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"nanji ni kaerimasu ka?","ja":"何時に帰りますか？","english":"What time are you going home?"},"freqRank":101,"freqNote":"帰る #101; homophone 変える (change) #450 separately","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #26","12-list-te-dependents #R5","12-list-te-dependents #H5","13-list-exit-battery #1","13-list-exit-battery #14","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: greetings (okaeri)"],"notes":"Looks ichidan but is godan (kaette); kaeru 'change' is ichidan (kaete)."},{"n":81,"id":"H-modoru","romaji":"modoru","polite":"modorimasu","english":"come back; go back","use":"Returning to where you just were, or to a topic or earlier state (sugu modoru), without the 'home' meaning of kaeru.","ja":"戻る","kana":"もどる","politeJa":"戻ります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kaeru-modoru","example":{"romaji":"nanji ni modoru?","ja":"何時に戻る？","english":"What time will you be back?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"nanji ni modorimasu ka?","ja":"何時に戻りますか？","english":"What time will you be back?"},"freqRank":166,"freqNote":"戻る #166","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-kaeru-return"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":null},{"n":82,"id":"H-deru","romaji":"deru","polite":"demasu","english":"leave; go out; appear","use":"Leaving a place (ie o deru) and coming out or appearing, as in answering the phone (denwa ni deru), getting a fever (netsu ga deta) or being in a show or match.","ja":"出る","kana":"でる","politeJa":"出ます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"deru-dasu","example":{"romaji":"mou ie deta yo.","ja":"もう家出たよ。","english":"I've already left the house."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mou ie o demashita yo.","ja":"もう家を出ましたよ。","english":"I've already left the house."},"freqRank":81,"freqNote":"出る #81","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #49"],"notes":"Its transitive partner is dasu (put out, hand in)."},{"n":83,"id":"H-hairu","romaji":"hairu","polite":"hairimasu","english":"enter; join; fit in","use":"Going into a room, bath, club or company, and fitting into a container (kaban ni hairu?), with the place marked by ni.","ja":"入る","kana":"はいる","politeJa":"入ります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hairu-ireru","example":{"romaji":"mou ofuro haitta?","ja":"もうお風呂入った？","english":"Have you had your bath yet?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mou ofuro ni hairimashita ka?","ja":"もうお風呂に入りましたか？","english":"Have you had your bath yet?"},"freqRank":115,"freqNote":"入る #115","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #27","13-list-exit-battery #52"],"notes":"Godan despite the -iru ending: haitte, haitta."}]},{"id":"J4","range":"84-87","stage":1,"category":"Pointing, question & people words","label":"this/that + noun","rationale":"The ko/so/a/do row that is always followed by a noun, with the same distances as kore/sore/are.","interference":"kono must have a noun after it (kono mise) while kore stands alone; sono toki is 'then' in a story, ano toki is 'that time we both remember'.","items":[{"n":84,"id":"J-kono","romaji":"kono","polite":null,"english":"this (+ noun)","use":"Goes before a noun to point at something near you or current (kono mise, kono hen = around here) and never stands alone.","ja":"この","kana":"この","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kono-sono-ano-dono","example":{"romaji":"kono mise, oishii yo.","ja":"この店、おいしいよ。","english":"This place is really good."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono mise, oishii desu yo.","ja":"この店、おいしいですよ。","english":"This place is really good."},"freqRank":35,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["J-kore"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-things","13-list-exit-battery #5","13-list-exit-battery #120"],"notes":"kono mae usually means 'the other day', not 'before this'."},{"n":85,"id":"J-sono","romaji":"sono","polite":null,"english":"that (+ noun); the one mentioned","use":"Goes before a noun for something near the listener or just mentioned (sono hito, sono toki = at that time), which makes it the main back-reference word in stories.","ja":"その","kana":"その","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kono-sono-ano-dono","example":{"romaji":"sono mise, oishii yo.","ja":"その店、おいしいよ。","english":"That place you mentioned is good."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sono mise, oishii desu yo.","ja":"その店、おいしいですよ。","english":"That place you mentioned is good."},"freqRank":48,"freqNote":"also counts the hesitation filler sono... (G)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-sore"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-things","05-acquisition-order S3 (kosoado, wks 3–4)"],"notes":"Said alone with a pause, sono... is a hesitation filler (Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases)."},{"n":86,"id":"J-ano","romaji":"ano","polite":null,"english":"that (+ noun), far or shared","use":"Goes before a noun for something far off, or for something you both remember (ano mise, ano toki = that time).","ja":"あの","kana":"あの","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kono-sono-ano-dono","example":{"romaji":"ano mise, oishii yo.","ja":"あの店、おいしいよ。","english":"That place (you know the one) is good."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ano mise, oishii desu yo.","ja":"あの店、おいしいですよ。","english":"That place (you know the one) is good."},"freqRank":66,"freqNote":"also counts the hesitation filler ano (G)","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-are"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-things","05-acquisition-order S3 (kosoado, wks 3–4)","13-list-exit-battery #48","13-list-exit-battery #56"],"notes":"Said alone, ano... is the 'um, excuse me' filler (Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases)."},{"n":87,"id":"J-dono","romaji":"dono","polite":null,"english":"which (+ noun)","use":"Goes before a noun to ask which one of several, mostly inside set frames (dono hen?, dono hito?, dono kurai?).","ja":"どの","kana":"どの","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kono-sono-ano-dono","example":{"romaji":"dono kurai kakaru?","ja":"どのくらいかかる？","english":"How long does it take?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dono kurai kakarimasu ka?","ja":"どのくらいかかりますか？","english":"How long does it take?"},"freqRank":1020,"freqNote":null,"spread":4,"reach":2,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["J-kono","J-dore"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-things"],"notes":"dono kurai? (how long, how much) is its most useful frame."}]},{"id":"J5","range":"88-91","stage":1,"category":"Pointing, question & people words","label":"People","rationale":"The person words every conversation needs: I, the name suffix, everyone and oneself.","interference":"jibun means 'self' for whoever the subject is, not only 'me'; -san never goes on your own name.","items":[{"n":88,"id":"J-watashi","romaji":"watashi","polite":null,"english":"I, me (neutral)","use":"The neutral 'I', safe for anyone in polite speech, though men usually switch to boku or ore casually; it is dropped whenever context makes it clear and used mainly for contrast or 'me too'.","ja":"私","kana":"わたし","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"watashi mo iku.","ja":"私も行く。","english":"I'm going too."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"watashi mo ikimasu.","ja":"私も行きます。","english":"I'm going too."},"freqRank":19,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: pronouns","13-list-exit-battery #30","13-list-exit-battery #33","kotoba particles: mo"],"notes":"Saying watashi in every sentence sounds foreign; drop it unless you're contrasting. In casual speech men usually say boku or ore and women watashi or atashi; with desu/masu, watashi suits everyone."},{"n":89,"id":"J-san","romaji":"-san","polite":null,"english":"Mr./Ms. (name suffix)","use":"Attaches to a name, a job or a shop (tanaka-san, omawari-san, panya-san) as the default respectful suffix, but never on your own name, or on your own family when talking to outsiders.","ja":"〜さん","kana":"さん","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"tanaka-san mou kiteru?","ja":"田中さんもう来てる？","english":"Is Tanaka-san here yet?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tanaka-san wa mou kitemasu ka?","ja":"田中さんはもう来てますか？","english":"Is Tanaka-san here yet?"},"freqRank":17,"freqNote":"さん #17 (三 'three' counted separately at #2400)","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: titles-honorifics","10-list-nouns #175-180"],"notes":"Where English says 'you', use the person's name + san (tanaka-san wa dou?); anata sounds distant or presumptuous. -kun (boys, juniors) and -chan (children, close friends) are the casual alternatives."},{"n":90,"id":"J-minna","romaji":"minna","polite":"minasan","english":"everyone; all of you","use":"Everyone in the group (minna de = all together); in polite speech minasan addresses or refers to other people.","ja":"みんな","kana":"みんな","politeJa":"皆さん","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"minna genki ni shiteru?","ja":"みんな元気にしてる？","english":"Is everyone doing well?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"minasan ogenki desu ka?","ja":"皆さんお元気ですか？","english":"Is everyone doing well?"},"freqRank":111,"freqNote":"polite 皆さん #332","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #124"],"notes":"Keep minna when you include yourself (minna de ikimashou); minasan is for others."},{"n":91,"id":"J-jibun","romaji":"jibun","polite":null,"english":"oneself; myself","use":"A reflexive 'self' for any person: jibun de (by yourself, on your own) and jibun no (your own).","ja":"自分","kana":"じぶん","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"jibun de yaru yo.","ja":"自分でやるよ。","english":"I'll do it myself."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jibun de yarimasu.","ja":"自分でやります。","english":"I'll do it myself."},"freqRank":78,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-watashi"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"In Kansai, jibun can also mean 'you'."}]},{"id":"J14","range":"92-94","stage":1,"category":"Pointing, question & people words","label":"Me, us, home","rationale":"Beyond watashi: boku, the softer male 'I' that works casually and with desu/masu, -tachi for 'we' and 'X and the others', and uchi for home and 'our side'.","interference":"boku is for men only; it is fine with desu/masu among coworkers, but watashi is safer with strangers and superiors. -tachi goes on people, never on things. uchi ni (at home) sounds like -uchi ni (while), which follows a verb, an adjective or X no (atsui uchi ni, kyou no uchi ni).","items":[{"n":92,"id":"J-boku","romaji":"boku","polite":"watashi","english":"I, me (male, casual)","use":"The softer male 'I': gentle among friends (ore is the rougher, very common one there) and still fine with desu/masu among coworkers. Women don't use it, and with strangers, clients and superiors watashi is the safe choice, so the polite form here is watashi.","ja":"僕","kana":"ぼく","politeJa":"私","flags":["masc"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"boku mo sou omou.","ja":"僕もそう思う。","english":"I think so too."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"watashi mo sou omoimasu.","ja":"私もそう思います。","english":"I think so too."},"freqRank":123,"freqNote":"僕 #123; rougher 俺 ore #44","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-watashi"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: pronouns","13-list-exit-battery #26","13-list-exit-battery #85","13-list-exit-battery #122"],"notes":"ore is the rougher male 'I' among friends: learn to recognise it and save it until you know the group. Adults also call a small boy boku (boku, namae wa? = what's your name?), so there it means 'you'."},{"n":93,"id":"J-tachi","romaji":"-tachi","polite":null,"english":"and others; plural (people)","use":"Attaches to a person word or a name to mean that person and their group: watashitachi (we), kodomotachi (the kids), tanaka-san-tachi (Tanaka and the others). It is used for people (and pets), never for things.","ja":"〜たち","kana":"たち","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"tanaka-san-tachi wa mou kaetta yo.","ja":"田中さんたちはもう帰ったよ。","english":"Tanaka and the others already went home."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tanaka-san-tachi wa mou kaerimashita yo.","ja":"田中さんたちはもう帰りましたよ。","english":"Tanaka and the others already went home."},"freqRank":248,"freqNote":"たち #248; 私たち #395; 俺たち #544; 僕たち #1369; 達 #3755","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-watashi","J-san"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: pronouns"],"notes":"Men also say bokutachi or bokura, and oretachi or orera (rougher, common among male friends). Plural is optional: kodomo alone can already mean 'the kids', so add -tachi when you want to stress the group."},{"n":94,"id":"J-uchi","romaji":"uchi","polite":null,"english":"home; our (family, company)","use":"Means home, usually your own (uchi ni iru, uchi ni kaeru), and uchi no puts the next noun on your side: uchi no kaisha (our company), uchi no ko (my kid).","ja":"うち","kana":"うち","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kyou, uchi kuru?","ja":"今日、うち来る？","english":"Want to come over to my place today?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou, uchi ni kimasen ka?","ja":"今日、うちに来ませんか？","english":"Would you like to come over to my place today?"},"freqRank":113,"freqNote":"うち #113, which also counts -uchi ni 'while' (A-uchi-ni); 家 read いえ #152","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #17","13-list-exit-battery #1"],"notes":"ie means the house as a building. As 'I', uchi is Kansai or young women's speech, so just recognise it."}]},{"id":"B1","range":"95-98","stage":1,"category":"Degree, amount & limits","label":"A bit / more","rationale":"The small-degree dials and their 'more' partners, needed in almost every request or comment.","interference":"chotto and sukoshi share the 'a little' sense; chotto is the spoken default and sukoshi sounds more careful. Only chotto does the social jobs: softening (chotto ii?), getting attention (chotto!) and the soft refusal (chotto…). motto is 'more' and mou chotto is 'a bit more', which makes a softer request.","items":[{"n":95,"id":"B-chotto","romaji":"chotto","polite":null,"english":"a little; a bit","use":"Turns a degree or amount down to 'a bit'. It is the everyday spoken default and also softens complaints, requests and refusals.","ja":"ちょっと","kana":"ちょっと","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"chotto-sukoshi","example":{"romaji":"chotto takai ne","ja":"ちょっと高いね","english":"It's a bit pricey, huh."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"chotto takai desu ne","ja":"ちょっと高いですね","english":"It's a bit pricey, isn't it."},"freqRank":46,"freqNote":"whole word; rank includes softener and 'excuse me' uses","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers"],"notes":"Said alone with a trailing tone ('chotto…'), it is a soft no (see Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases)."},{"n":96,"id":"B-sukoshi","romaji":"sukoshi","polite":null,"english":"a little; slightly","use":"Means the same 'a little' as chotto but sounds more careful. It is safe in polite speech and also measures amounts (sukoshi dake).","ja":"少し","kana":"すこし","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"chotto-sukoshi","example":{"romaji":"sukoshi takai ne","ja":"少し高いね","english":"It's a little expensive."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sukoshi takai desu ne","ja":"少し高いですね","english":"It's a little expensive, isn't it."},"freqRank":182,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers (extended)"],"notes":"Casual talk prefers chotto. Reach for sukoshi with strangers or when chotto might sound evasive."},{"n":97,"id":"B-motto","romaji":"motto","polite":null,"english":"more; even more","use":"Adds 'more' to any adjective, adverb or verb (motto yukkuri, motto hoshii, motto ganbaru).","ja":"もっと","kana":"もっと","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"motto-mou-chotto","example":{"romaji":"motto ganbaru ne","ja":"もっと頑張るね","english":"I'll try harder."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"motto ganbarimasu","ja":"もっと頑張ります","english":"I'll try harder."},"freqRank":168,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers"],"notes":"For 'one more' of something use mou (mou hitotsu, mou ikkai), never motto. In a request to a stranger, mou chotto or mou sukoshi sounds softer. For 'too much' the ending is -sugiru (see Grammar patterns as vocabulary)."},{"n":98,"id":"B-mou-chotto","romaji":"mou chotto","polite":null,"english":"a little more","use":"Asks for or offers 'a bit more' of anything, and is softer than motto. With de it means 'almost' (mou chotto de owaru).","ja":"もうちょっと","kana":"もうちょっと","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"motto-mou-chotto","example":{"romaji":"mou chotto yukkuri hanashite","ja":"もうちょっとゆっくり話して","english":"Talk a little slower."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mou chotto yukkuri hanashite kudasai","ja":"もうちょっとゆっくり話してください","english":"Please speak a little more slowly."},"freqRank":1456,"freqNote":"kept whole by the tokenizer; もう少し is split and shows only #41735","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["B-chotto"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"With strangers, mou sukoshi is the slightly more careful version."}]},{"id":"A2","range":"99-102","stage":1,"category":"Time & sequence","label":"Already, still, finally","rationale":"These say where an event stands: done, not yet, ongoing all along, or done after a long wait.","interference":"mou + negative means 'not anymore' and mada + negative means 'not yet'. zutto is an unbroken stretch, and yatto is the moment that stretch finally ends.","items":[{"n":99,"id":"A-mou","romaji":"mou","polite":null,"english":"already; (not) anymore","use":"Marks something as done (mou tabeta), or as over for good when the verb is negative (mou ikanai). 'mou ...?' asks whether it has happened yet.","ja":"もう","kana":"もう","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"mou-mada","example":{"romaji":"gohan mou tabeta?","ja":"ご飯もう食べた？","english":"Have you eaten yet?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"gohan wa mou tabemashita ka?","ja":"ご飯はもう食べましたか？","english":"Have you eaten yet?"},"freqRank":36,"freqNote":"もう #36, all senses (already / anymore / more / exasperated 'mou!')","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Before an amount, mou means 'more, another': mou ichido (once more), mou sukoshi (a bit more). 'mou!' said alone with a sigh is exasperation, not a time word."},{"n":100,"id":"A-mada","romaji":"mada","polite":"mada desu","english":"still; not yet","use":"Says something hasn't changed yet. mada + negative means 'not yet', mada + -teru means 'still doing', and mada alone answers a 'mou ...?' question.","ja":"まだ","kana":"まだ","politeJa":"まだです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"mou-mada","example":{"romaji":"gohan mada tabetenai.","ja":"ご飯まだ食べてない。","english":"I haven't eaten yet."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"gohan wa mada tabetemasen.","ja":"ご飯はまだ食べてません。","english":"I haven't eaten yet."},"freqRank":92,"freqNote":"まだ #92","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"'Haven't X yet' is mada + -te nai (mada tabetenai), or just mada (desu). Not mada tabenakatta (= I didn't eat) and not mada tabenai (= I won't eat yet)."},{"n":101,"id":"A-zutto","romaji":"zutto","polite":null,"english":"all along, the whole time","use":"Stretches a state or action unbroken across time: zutto matteta (waited the whole time), zutto suki (have always liked).","ja":"ずっと","kana":"ずっと","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"zutto matteta yo.","ja":"ずっと待ってたよ。","english":"I've been waiting the whole time."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"zutto mattemashita yo.","ja":"ずっと待ってましたよ。","english":"I've been waiting the whole time."},"freqRank":142,"freqNote":"ずっと #142, includes the 'by far' comparison sense","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers (extended)"],"notes":"In comparisons it means 'by far' (zutto ii = much better)."},{"n":102,"id":"A-yatto","romaji":"yatto","polite":null,"english":"finally, at last","use":"Shows relief that something long awaited has happened, usually with past tense (yatto owatta).","ja":"やっと","kana":"やっと","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"yatto shigoto owatta.","ja":"やっと仕事終わった。","english":"Work's finally over."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"yatto shigoto ga owarimashita.","ja":"やっと仕事が終わりました。","english":"Work's finally over."},"freqRank":483,"freqNote":"やっと #483; ついに #1053","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"tsuini is the more dramatic 'at last', the climax of a long build-up, and it can mark a bad end (tsuini kowareta = it finally broke). yatto always sounds relieved, and can also mean 'only just' (yatto ma ni atta = only just made it)."}]},{"id":"B2","range":"103-107","stage":1,"category":"Degree, amount & limits","label":"Really / very","rationale":"The intensity dial: five words that each go before the same adjective and set how strong it is.","interference":"kekkou and kanari sit below sugoku: kekkou adds 'more than I expected', and kanari is matter-of-fact. honto ni stresses that it is true rather than how big it is. metcha is casual only.","items":[{"n":103,"id":"B-sugoku","romaji":"sugoku","polite":null,"english":"really; very","use":"The everyday spoken 'very'. It goes before an adjective or verb and works in both casual and polite speech.","ja":"すごく","kana":"すごく","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"very-dial","example":{"romaji":"kore, sugoku oishii","ja":"これ、すごくおいしい","english":"This is really good."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore, sugoku oishii desu","ja":"これ、すごくおいしいです","english":"This is really good."},"freqRank":114,"freqNote":"tokenizer lemmatises すごく under すごい (#114, includes adjective uses); すごく as its own entry is a residual #40036","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #2","vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers"],"notes":"Casual speech often uses sugoi as the adverb (sugoi oishii). Natives say it, but it counts as sloppy and slangy: recognise it, produce sugoku, and never use sugoi + adjective in desu/masu speech."},{"n":104,"id":"B-honto-ni","romaji":"honto ni","polite":"hontou ni","english":"really; truly","use":"Adds 'really / truly' to an adjective, verb or thanks (honto ni arigatou). It stresses sincerity more than size.","ja":"ほんとに","kana":"ほんとに","politeJa":"本当に","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"very-dial","example":{"romaji":"kore, honto ni oishii","ja":"これ、ほんとにおいしい","english":"This is really, really good."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore, hontou ni oishii desu","ja":"これ、本当においしいです","english":"This is really delicious."},"freqRank":161,"freqNote":"rank of 本当に (all registers); casual spelling ほんとに separately #3240","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"The bare reaction 'honto?' (really?) is a separate item in G."},{"n":105,"id":"B-kekkou","romaji":"kekkou","polite":null,"english":"pretty; quite","use":"Means 'pretty / quite', and signals that the degree is higher than you expected.","ja":"結構","kana":"けっこう","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"very-dial","example":{"romaji":"kore, kekkou oishii","ja":"これ、結構おいしい","english":"This is actually pretty good."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"asoko no mise, kekkou oishii desu yo","ja":"あそこの店、結構おいしいですよ","english":"That place is actually pretty good, you know."},"freqRank":300,"freqNote":"rank includes the 'kekkou desu' (no thanks / fine) senses","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers"],"notes":"Trap: 'kekkou desu' on its own (often with a small hand wave) is a polite 'no thanks' (see Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases), so never use it to accept an offer; say 'onegai shimasu'. 'Kore de kekkou desu' means 'this will do'. Before an adjective (kekkou oishii) it never means 'no', but never say kekkou oishii to the person who made or chose the food: it implies you expected worse. Use sugoku or hontou ni instead."},{"n":106,"id":"B-kanari","romaji":"kanari","polite":null,"english":"quite; considerably","use":"A strong but measured 'considerably'. It sits between kekkou and sugoku and sounds factual rather than excited.","ja":"かなり","kana":"かなり","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"very-dial","example":{"romaji":"kore, kanari oishii","ja":"これ、かなりおいしい","english":"This is seriously good."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore, kanari oishii desu","ja":"これ、かなりおいしいです","english":"This is seriously good."},"freqRank":730,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers"],"notes":null},{"n":107,"id":"B-metcha","romaji":"metcha","polite":"totemo","english":"super; really","use":"Casual 'super / so', the strongest everyday intensifier among younger speakers. Switch to totemo or sugoku in polite speech.","ja":"めっちゃ","kana":"めっちゃ","politeJa":"とても","flags":["slang","casual-only"],"contrastGroup":"very-dial","example":{"romaji":"kore, metcha oishii","ja":"これ、めっちゃおいしい","english":"This is super good!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore, totemo oishii desu","ja":"これ、とてもおいしいです","english":"This is very good."},"freqRank":1170,"freqNote":"めっちゃ #1170; stronger sibling めちゃくちゃ #1297","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers"],"notes":"Kansai in origin, now used nationwide. vocab-trainer spells it meccha. The polite pair totemo sounds stiff among friends (use sugoku there), and with a negative it means 'no way': totemo muri = can't possibly."}]},{"id":"F2","range":"108-111","stage":1,"category":"Sentence endings & intent","label":"Explaining: n da","rationale":"The n/no explanatory frame in four forms: statement, question, soft lead-in and conclusion. All four share one base sentence.","interference":"n da gives the reason and wake da draws the conclusion from it. no? is the question form, and the answer usually comes back with n da. After nouns, all four take na (yasumi na n da, yasumi na no?).","items":[{"n":108,"id":"F-n-da","romaji":"n da","polite":"n desu","english":"it's that... (explaining)","use":"Frames a statement as the explanation or background to the situation: giving reasons, sharing news, or showing you're personally involved.","ja":"んだ","kana":"んだ","politeJa":"んです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"n-da","example":{"romaji":"atama itai n da","ja":"頭痛いんだ","english":"My head hurts, you see."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"atama ga itai n desu","ja":"頭が痛いんです","english":"I have a headache, you see."},"freqRank":20,"freqNote":"#20 んだ (polite んです #23)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #93","05-acquisition-order: n da (wk 3 frozen pattern)"],"notes":"After nouns and na-adjectives it becomes na n da (yasumi na n da). As a question, use no? (casual) or n desu ka (polite); casual n da? sounds rough. n desu ka about someone's actions can sound like a challenge (nani shite iru n desu ka?)."},{"n":109,"id":"F-no-question","romaji":"no?","polite":"n desu ka","english":"is it that...? (casual question)","use":"The everyday casual question that asks about the situation or for an explanation (doushita no?, doko iku no?). It is said with a rising tone and used by everyone.","ja":"の？","kana":"の？","politeJa":"んですか","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"n-da","example":{"romaji":"atama itai no?","ja":"頭痛いの？","english":"Does your head hurt?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"atama ga itai n desu ka?","ja":"頭が痛いんですか？","english":"Does your head hurt?"},"freqRank":162,"freqNote":"rank of なの (na no?); bare の #1 is mostly possessive","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["F-n-da"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #93"],"notes":"With a falling tone (atama itai no), it is a soft, feminine-leaning statement version of n da."},{"n":110,"id":"F-n-da-kedo","romaji":"n da kedo","polite":"n desu kedo","english":"the thing is... (lead-in)","use":"Sets out the background and trails off so the listener can offer help. It is the soft way to open a request, a question or a new topic.","ja":"んだけど","kana":"んだけど","politeJa":"んですけど","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"n-da","example":{"romaji":"chotto atama itai n da kedo","ja":"ちょっと頭痛いんだけど","english":"My head kind of hurts, so..."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"chotto atama ga itai n desu kedo","ja":"ちょっと頭が痛いんですけど","english":"I have a bit of a headache, so..."},"freqRank":37,"freqNote":"tokenizer splits; rank of けど #37, the rarer component (んだ #20)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["F-n-da","E-kedo"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #93","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: conjunctions"],"notes":"Leave the request unsaid, because the listener fills it in. The polite form is the classic opener with clerks."},{"n":111,"id":"F-wake-da","romaji":"wake da","polite":"wake desu","english":"so that's why / no wonder","use":"Draws the conclusion once the reason is known ('no wonder', 'which means'). It is common as sou iu wake (so that's how it is). dou iu wake? demands an explanation (what's going on here?!); the neutral question is dou iu koto?","ja":"わけだ","kana":"わけだ","politeJa":"わけです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"n-da","example":{"romaji":"dakara atama itai wake da","ja":"だから頭痛いわけだ","english":"So that's why your head hurts."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dakara atama ga itai wake desu ne","ja":"だから頭が痛いわけですね","english":"So that's why your head hurts."},"freqRank":272,"freqNote":"わけ #272 (all uses; わけじゃない #535 and わけない #449 are separate tokens); わけだ not found","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["F-n-da"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Don't confuse it with wake ja nai (it's not that...), which is a separate item."}]},{"id":"F3","range":"112-115","stage":1,"category":"Sentence endings & intent","label":"Thinking aloud","rationale":"Endings for talking half to yourself: exclaiming, wondering, trying to remember, and summing things up loosely.","interference":"kana wonders about something you don't know, while kke tries to recall something you once knew. naa is said to yourself, where ne would draw the listener in (samui naa vs samui ne). tte kanji loosely sums up your own impression; it is not tte koto?, which checks what the other person meant.","items":[{"n":112,"id":"F-naa","romaji":"naa","polite":"desu nee","english":"...huh (to oneself)","use":"Exclaims or muses to yourself, for envy, admiration or wishes (ii naa, samui naa, ikitai naa). Unlike ne, it isn't aimed at the listener. Polite speech has no self-talk; drawn-out desu nee is the nearest.","ja":"なあ","kana":"なあ","politeJa":"ですねえ","flags":["casual-only"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kyou samui naa","ja":"今日寒いなあ","english":"Man, it's cold today."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa samui desu nee","ja":"今日は寒いですねえ","english":"It's really cold today, isn't it."},"freqRank":387,"freqNote":"#387 なあ (なー #934); bare な #16 merges prohibitive and attributive na","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Short na works after adjectives and -tai (samui na, ikitai na). After a dictionary-form verb, short na is a rough prohibition (iku na = don't go!), so stretch it: ame furu naa. Short na aimed at someone in place of ne (sou da na, jaa na) is masculine-leaning."},{"n":113,"id":"F-kana","romaji":"kana","polite":"desu ka ne / deshou ka","english":"I wonder","use":"Wonders aloud about something you don't know, or softens a guess or request (ii kana? = is it okay?). Because it is half to yourself, the listener can answer or not.","ja":"かな","kana":"かな","politeJa":"ですかね／でしょうか","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kana-kke","example":{"romaji":"kaigi ashita kana","ja":"会議明日かな","english":"Is the meeting tomorrow, I wonder?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kaigi wa ashita desu ka ne","ja":"会議は明日ですかね","english":"Is the meeting tomorrow, I wonder?"},"freqRank":90,"freqNote":"#90 かな (polite でしょうか #341)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"No da before it: ashita kana, not *ashita da kana. deshou ka is the more formal polite option, right for clerks and superiors. kana is common even with coworkers as a soft hedge: ...kana to omoimasu. The feminine kashira is dated and heard mostly in dramas."},{"n":114,"id":"F-kke","romaji":"kke","polite":"deshita kke / -mashita kke","english":"what was it again?","use":"Asks someone to confirm something you once knew but have half-forgotten, like a name, time or plan. It attaches to da / datta or a past verb (nan datta kke?, itta kke?); with a non-past verb, use n da kke (iku n da kke?). It can also be nostalgic self-talk: yoku asonda kke (we used to play a lot).","ja":"っけ","kana":"っけ","politeJa":"でしたっけ／〜ましたっけ","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kana-kke","example":{"romaji":"kaigi ashita da kke?","ja":"会議明日だっけ？","english":"Wait, is the meeting tomorrow again?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kaigi wa ashita deshita kke?","ja":"会議は明日でしたっけ？","english":"Sorry, remind me, is the meeting tomorrow?"},"freqRank":712,"freqNote":"#712 っけ (だっけ #861)","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["F-da"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"deshita kke is fine with coworkers but a little casual for superiors."},{"n":115,"id":"F-tte-kanji","romaji":"tte kanji","polite":"tte kanji desu","english":"kind of like...","use":"Sums up a feeling or situation loosely ('it's like...'), so you can approximate when you lack the exact words. sonna kanji means 'something like that', and konna kanji desu (it's like this) is fine at work.","ja":"って感じ","kana":"ってかんじ","politeJa":"って感じです","flags":["slang"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"maa futsuu tte kanji","ja":"まあ普通って感じ","english":"Eh, it's kind of just okay."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"maa futsuu tte kanji desu","ja":"まあ普通って感じです","english":"It's sort of just average."},"freqRank":305,"freqNote":"rank of 感じ (all uses); って感じ and そんな感じ not found","spread":3,"reach":5,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"A sentence-final X tte kanji is youthful and sounds vague when overused; sonna / konna kanji is the neutral all-purpose core."}]},{"id":"A3","range":"116-121","stage":2,"category":"Time & sequence","label":"How often","rationale":"The frequency scale for habits, plus nando mo for one thing repeated again and again. Every one of these goes ahead of the verb phrase it describes.","interference":"Keep the habit words on one scale: itsumo > yoku > tokidoki > tama ni. mainichi literally means every day, not 'always'. nando mo sits off the scale: it counts repeats of one thing, usually in past tense (nando mo itta = I said it over and over), and 'many times' is nando mo, not takusan.","items":[{"n":116,"id":"A-mainichi","romaji":"mainichi","polite":null,"english":"every day","use":"Says something happens every single day. It is the backbone of talk about routines.","ja":"毎日","kana":"まいにち","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"frequency-scale","example":{"romaji":"mainichi aruite kaeru.","ja":"毎日歩いて帰る。","english":"I walk home every day."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mainichi aruite kaerimasu.","ja":"毎日歩いて帰ります。","english":"I walk home every day."},"freqRank":434,"freqNote":"毎日 #434","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: relative-days"],"notes":"The same mai- gives maiasa (every morning), maiban (every night) and maishuu (every week)."},{"n":117,"id":"A-itsumo","romaji":"itsumo","polite":null,"english":"always, usually","use":"The default word for habits and for doing things as usual. It sits at the top of the frequency scale.","ja":"いつも","kana":"いつも","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"frequency-scale","example":{"romaji":"itsumo aruite kaeru.","ja":"いつも歩いて帰る。","english":"I always walk home."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"itsumo aruite kaerimasu.","ja":"いつも歩いて帰ります。","english":"I always walk home."},"freqRank":172,"freqNote":"いつも #172","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: frequency-adverbs"],"notes":"itsumo no means 'the usual' (itsumo no mise = our usual place)."},{"n":118,"id":"A-yoku","romaji":"yoku","polite":null,"english":"often","use":"The everyday word for 'often', used before any verb to describe a habit (yoku iku).","ja":"よく","kana":"よく","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"frequency-scale","example":{"romaji":"yoku aruite kaeru.","ja":"よく歩いて帰る。","english":"I often walk home."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"yoku aruite kaerimasu.","ja":"よく歩いて帰ります。","english":"I often walk home."},"freqRank":143,"freqNote":"よく #143, includes the 'well / thoroughly' sense","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: frequency-adverbs"],"notes":"It is the same word as 'well' (yoku dekita = well done), and yoku wakaranai means 'I'm not really sure'. yoku nai (not good) and yokatta (that's good) come from ii, not from this 'often'."},{"n":119,"id":"A-tokidoki","romaji":"tokidoki","polite":null,"english":"sometimes","use":"The middle of the frequency scale, for things that happen now and then.","ja":"時々","kana":"ときどき","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"frequency-scale","example":{"romaji":"tokidoki aruite kaeru.","ja":"時々歩いて帰る。","english":"I sometimes walk home."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tokidoki aruite kaerimasu.","ja":"時々歩いて帰ります。","english":"I sometimes walk home."},"freqRank":1365,"freqNote":"時々 #1365","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: frequency-adverbs"],"notes":null},{"n":120,"id":"A-tama-ni","romaji":"tama ni","polite":null,"english":"once in a while","use":"The low end of the scale, one step below tokidoki. Very common in casual talk about habits and treats.","ja":"たまに","kana":"たまに","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"frequency-scale","example":{"romaji":"tama ni aruite kaeru.","ja":"たまに歩いて帰る。","english":"I walk home once in a while."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tama ni aruite kaerimasu.","ja":"たまに歩いて帰ります。","english":"I walk home once in a while."},"freqRank":724,"freqNote":"たまに #724","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: frequency-adverbs"],"notes":"tama ni wa means 'for a change, every once in a while' (tama ni wa ii ne = nice for a change; tama ni wa renraku shite = get in touch once in a while)."},{"n":121,"id":"A-nando-mo","romaji":"nando mo","polite":null,"english":"over and over, many times","use":"Says the same thing happened again and again, usually in past tense (nando mo mita = I've seen it loads of times), often with a note of frustration.","ja":"何度も","kana":"なんども","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"nando mo itta jan.","ja":"何度も言ったじゃん。","english":"I've told you so many times!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"nando mo itta ja nai desu ka.","ja":"何度も言ったじゃないですか。","english":"I've told you so many times!"},"freqRank":1290,"freqNote":"何度も #1290; 何回も #3583","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"nankai mo means the same and is just as common in casual chat (nankai mo itta jan). ichido mo + negative means 'not even once'. Don't mishear nandemo (anything): nandemo ii = anything's fine."}]},{"id":"A11","range":"122-126","stage":2,"category":"Time & sequence","label":"Times of day","rationale":"The parts of the day that routines and plans hang on, plus kesa and konban for this morning and tonight.","interference":"kesa and konban always mean this morning and tonight. Bare asa and yoru just name the part of the day, and context picks which day: yoru denwa suru ne said at lunch means tonight, and asa denwa suru ne said at night means tomorrow morning. konban wa hima? starts exactly like the greeting konbanwa. If more words follow, it means tonight.","items":[{"n":122,"id":"A-asa","romaji":"asa","polite":null,"english":"morning","use":"The morning as a part of the day, for routines (asa hayaku, asagohan) and spans like asa kara (since the morning).","ja":"朝","kana":"あさ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"asa-hiru-yoru","example":{"romaji":"asa denwa suru ne.","ja":"朝電話するね。","english":"I'll call you in the morning."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"asa denwa shimasu ne.","ja":"朝電話しますね。","english":"I'll call you in the morning."},"freqRank":453,"freqNote":"朝(あさ) #453","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #96","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: times-of-day"],"notes":"For 'this morning' say kesa or kyou no asa."},{"n":123,"id":"A-hiru","romaji":"hiru","polite":null,"english":"noon, daytime, lunch","use":"Midday and the daytime as opposed to yoru, mostly in set phrases: hiru made (till noon), hiru kara (from noon), hirusugi (just after noon), hirugohan (lunch). Casually, bare hiru also means lunch (hiru nani taberu?).","ja":"昼","kana":"ひる","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"asa-hiru-yoru","example":{"romaji":"hiru made neteta.","ja":"昼まで寝てた。","english":"I slept till noon."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"hiru made netemashita.","ja":"昼まで寝てました。","english":"I slept until noon."},"freqRank":2294,"freqNote":"昼(ひる) #2294; お昼(おひる) #2219, 昼間(ひるま) #2019","spread":3,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #97","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: times-of-day"],"notes":"For 'at lunchtime' say ohiru ni (ohiru ni denwa suru ne). ohiru on its own also means lunch, and hiruma means the daytime hours. For the afternoon say gogo (午後, #1394): gogo wa hima?"},{"n":124,"id":"A-yoru","romaji":"yoru","polite":null,"english":"night, evening","use":"Evening and night, for plans and routines. kyou no yoru is a common casual way to say tonight.","ja":"夜","kana":"よる","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"asa-hiru-yoru","example":{"romaji":"yoru denwa suru ne.","ja":"夜電話するね。","english":"I'll call you tonight."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"yoru denwa shimasu ne.","ja":"夜電話しますね。","english":"I'll call you tonight."},"freqRank":376,"freqNote":"夜(よる) #376","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #98","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: times-of-day"],"notes":"ban (晩, #4729) is a near-synonym that lives in set words: konban, konbanwa, bangohan (dinner), maiban (every night). For late afternoon to dusk say yuugata (夕方, #2124); yoru starts once it is dark."},{"n":125,"id":"A-kesa","romaji":"kesa","polite":null,"english":"this morning","use":"One word for kyou no asa. It often looks back at earlier this morning with past tense (kesa nani tabeta?), but while it is still morning non-past is fine too: kesa wa samui ne.","ja":"今朝","kana":"けさ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kesa-konban","example":{"romaji":"kesa wa samukatta ne.","ja":"今朝は寒かったね。","english":"It was cold this morning, huh."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kesa wa samukatta desu ne.","ja":"今朝は寒かったですね。","english":"It was cold this morning, wasn't it?"},"freqRank":1391,"freqNote":"今朝(けさ) #1391","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["A-asa"],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #99"],"notes":"An irregular word (not kon-asa). Like kyou, it takes no ni. kyou no asa means the same and is always safe."},{"n":126,"id":"A-konban","romaji":"konban","polite":null,"english":"tonight","use":"Tonight, for evening plans and invitations. It has the same kon- ('this') as konshuu and kongetsu.","ja":"今晩","kana":"こんばん","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kesa-konban","example":{"romaji":"konban nomi ni ikanai?","ja":"今晩飲みに行かない？","english":"Want to go for a drink tonight?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"konban nomi ni ikimasen ka?","ja":"今晩飲みに行きませんか？","english":"Would you like to go for a drink tonight?"},"freqRank":3984,"freqNote":"今晩(こんばん) #3984; same-meaning 今夜(こんや) #770","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["A-yoru"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: greetings (konbanwa)"],"notes":"konya (今夜) means the same and is more frequent in dramas, so recognise it. Among friends, plain kyou often covers tonight: kyou nomi ni ikanai? For last night say yuube (ゆうべ, #2525) or kinou no yoru."}]},{"id":"A12","range":"127-130","stage":2,"category":"Time & sequence","label":"Last, this, next week","rationale":"kinou, kyou and ashita stretched to weeks: sen- is last, kon- is this, rai- is next. Plus the weekend that everyone asks about.","interference":"senshuu, konshuu and raishuu differ only in the first syllable. sen- goes with past tense like kinou, and rai- with plans like ashita. Like kinou and ashita, all three take no ni: raishuu iku, not raishuu ni iku. shuumatsu is the weekend, and the tense tells you which one; it can take ni or go without.","items":[{"n":127,"id":"A-senshuu","romaji":"senshuu","polite":null,"english":"last week","use":"Last week, for recaps. Like kinou, it pairs with past tense, and the same sen- gives sengetsu.","ja":"先週","kana":"せんしゅう","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"senshuu-konshuu-raishuu","example":{"romaji":"senshuu wa isogashikatta.","ja":"先週は忙しかった。","english":"Last week was busy."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"senshuu wa isogashikatta desu.","ja":"先週は忙しかったです。","english":"Last week was busy."},"freqRank":2652,"freqNote":"先週(せんしゅう) #2652","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: relative-periods"],"notes":null},{"n":128,"id":"A-konshuu","romaji":"konshuu","polite":null,"english":"this week","use":"This week. It works like kyou, taking past or non-past tense, and the same kon- gives kongetsu and konban.","ja":"今週","kana":"こんしゅう","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"senshuu-konshuu-raishuu","example":{"romaji":"konshuu wa chotto isogashii n da.","ja":"今週はちょっと忙しいんだ。","english":"I'm kind of busy this week."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"konshuu wa chotto isogashii n desu.","ja":"今週はちょっと忙しいんです。","english":"I'm a bit busy this week."},"freqRank":2825,"freqNote":"今週(こんしゅう) #2825","spread":3,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: relative-periods"],"notes":null},{"n":129,"id":"A-raishuu","romaji":"raishuu","polite":null,"english":"next week","use":"Next week, a scheduling staple. Like ashita, it pairs with non-past tense, and the same rai- gives raigetsu and rainen.","ja":"来週","kana":"らいしゅう","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"senshuu-konshuu-raishuu","example":{"romaji":"raishuu wa isogashii?","ja":"来週は忙しい？","english":"Are you busy next week?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"raishuu wa isogashii desu ka?","ja":"来週は忙しいですか？","english":"Are you busy next week?"},"freqRank":1291,"freqNote":"来週(らいしゅう) #1291","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: relative-periods"],"notes":null},{"n":130,"id":"A-shuumatsu","romaji":"shuumatsu","polite":null,"english":"weekend","use":"The weekend, mostly in small-talk questions. Non-past (nani suru?) asks about the coming weekend, past (nani shita?) about the one just gone, and -teru about habit: shuumatsu wa nani shiteru no? (what do you usually do at weekends?).","ja":"週末","kana":"しゅうまつ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"shuumatsu nani suru?","ja":"週末何する？","english":"What are you doing this weekend?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"shuumatsu wa nani shimasu ka?","ja":"週末は何しますか？","english":"What are you doing this weekend?"},"freqRank":3278,"freqNote":"週末(しゅうまつ) #3278","spread":3,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"To pin down which weekend, say konshuumatsu (今週末) or raishuumatsu (来週末), one word each. konshuu no shuumatsu also works."}]},{"id":"D2","range":"131-135","stage":2,"category":"Versatile adjectives","label":"Like & dislike","rationale":"The ways to say how you feel about a thing, from love and like through 'not my thing' to dislike and can't stand; all take the X ga ___ frame.","interference":"kirai is a settled dislike of a thing or person; iya is a gut rejection, 'I don't want this / this is unpleasant', usually about what is happening now. Drill 'ame no hi, kirai' (rainy days in general) against 'mata ame? iya da naa' (the rain today). iya also sounds like the interjection iya ('no / well', G): the interjection is soft and opens a reply (iya, chigau yo), while the adjective is emphatic and stands alone or ends the sentence (iya!, iya da, iya na yokan). daisuki is just a stronger suki (dai- = big) on the same rainy-days sentence, so add it once suki is solid. nigate is the soft kirai on that same sentence (ame no hi, nigate = rainy days aren't my thing) and the safe choice about food or people, so add it after kirai. It also means 'bad at' about yourself (eigo ga nigate); its opposite is tokui (my strong point), while jouzu (good at, later block) is praise for someone else.","items":[{"n":131,"id":"D-suki","romaji":"suki","polite":"suki desu","english":"like, be fond of","use":"Says you like something or someone (X ga suki); suki na X means 'the X I like, my favourite X'.","ja":"好き","kana":"すき","politeJa":"好きです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"suki-kirai-iya","example":{"romaji":"ame no hi, suki","ja":"雨の日、好き","english":"I like rainy days."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ame no hi ga suki desu","ja":"雨の日が好きです","english":"I like rainy days."},"freqRank":121,"freqNote":"好き #121","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #10","13-list-exit-battery #119","vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives"],"notes":"Ends in -i but is a na-adjective: suki ja nai, suki datta (never sukikunai). About a person, suki usually means romantic interest, and 'suki desu' to someone's face is a confession; for friendly liking say ii hito da ne or yasashii ne."},{"n":132,"id":"D-kirai","romaji":"kirai","polite":"kirai desu","english":"dislike, hate","use":"Says you dislike something or someone (X ga kirai); it sounds strong about people, so polite speech often softens it to amari suki ja nai.","ja":"嫌い","kana":"きらい","politeJa":"嫌いです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"suki-kirai-iya","example":{"romaji":"ame no hi, kirai","ja":"雨の日、嫌い","english":"I hate rainy days."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ame no hi ga kirai desu","ja":"雨の日が嫌いです","english":"I hate rainy days."},"freqRank":564,"freqNote":"嫌い #564","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-suki"],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #23","vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives"],"notes":"A na-adjective despite ending in -ai: kirai ja nai, kirai datta."},{"n":133,"id":"D-iya","romaji":"iya","polite":"iya desu","english":"don't want, can't stand","use":"A gut rejection of a situation or action, 'I don't want this / this is unpleasant' ('iya!', iya da, iku no iya da = I don't want to go); more immediate and emotional than kirai. iya na X = unpleasant X (iya na yokan = a bad feeling).","ja":"嫌","kana":"いや","politeJa":"嫌です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"suki-kirai-iya","example":{"romaji":"mata ame? iya da naa","ja":"また雨？嫌だなあ","english":"Rain again? Ugh, I hate this."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mata ame desu ne. iya desu ne","ja":"また雨ですね。嫌ですね","english":"Rain again. Isn't it awful?"},"freqRank":304,"freqNote":"嫌 #304; いや #54 is mostly the interjection 'no / well' (G); casual contraction やだ #777","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-kirai"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Casually iya da is usually yada: mou yada (I've had enough), yada yo (no way). Polite iya desu in reply to a request is a blunt, childish-sounding refusal; refuse with chotto... or kekkou desu instead. About things like the weather, iya desu ne is fine small talk."},{"n":134,"id":"D-daisuki","romaji":"daisuki","polite":"daisuki desu","english":"love, really like","use":"A stronger suki for food, hobbies and places, in the same X ga ___ frame; like suki it is a na-adjective (daisuki ja nai, daisuki datta). About family, kids or pets it is warm, but daisuki (desu) said to one person's face means 'I love you'.","ja":"大好き","kana":"だいすき","politeJa":"大好きです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"suki-kirai-iya","example":{"romaji":"ame no hi, daisuki","ja":"雨の日、大好き","english":"I love rainy days."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ame no hi ga daisuki desu","ja":"雨の日が大好きです","english":"I love rainy days."},"freqRank":579,"freqNote":"大好き #579","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-suki"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives"],"notes":"dai- works on kirai too: daikirai = really hate."},{"n":135,"id":"D-nigate","romaji":"nigate","polite":"nigate desu","english":"not my thing, bad at","use":"Says something isn't your thing: a food, a type of person, or a task you're weak at (X ga nigate). It is softer and safer than kirai, and it is the modest way to say you're bad at something (eigo ga nigate).","ja":"苦手","kana":"にがて","politeJa":"苦手です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"suki-kirai-iya","example":{"romaji":"ame no hi, nigate","ja":"雨の日、苦手","english":"Rainy days aren't really my thing."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ame no hi ga nigate desu","ja":"雨の日が苦手です","english":"Rainy days aren't really my thing."},"freqRank":980,"freqNote":"苦手 #980","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-kirai"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives (extended)"],"notes":"The opposite is tokui (my strong point). heta (bad at) is fine about yourself but blunt about other people, and nigate also hints you don't enjoy it. Don't mix it up with nigai (bitter): koohii, nigate = I'm not into coffee; koohii, nigai = the coffee's bitter."}]},{"id":"B3","range":"136-139","stage":2,"category":"Degree, amount & limits","label":"Also / only","rationale":"Particles that widen (mo) or fence off (dake, shika, bakkari) whatever comes before them.","interference":"dake, shika and bakkari all mean 'only'. dake is neutral with any verb, shika needs a negative and sounds like 'and that's all', and bakkari complains that it is too much or too often.","items":[{"n":136,"id":"B-mo","romaji":"mo","polite":null,"english":"too; also; as many as","use":"Takes the place of wa, ga or o to mean 'too / also'. After a number it stresses 'as many as' (mittsu mo tabeta).","ja":"も","kana":"も","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"watashi mo ikitai","ja":"私も行きたい","english":"I want to go too."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"watashi mo ikitai desu","ja":"私も行きたいです","english":"I'd like to go too."},"freqRank":9,"freqNote":"も #9","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: mo","13-list-exit-battery #33"],"notes":"mo replaces wa, ga and o (watashi mo, never watashi wa mo) but follows other particles (nihon ni mo, tomodachi to mo). A mo B mo = both A and B; with a negative, neither. In casual speech men usually say ore mo or boku mo."},{"n":137,"id":"B-dake","romaji":"dake","polite":null,"english":"only; just","use":"Means 'only / just' after a noun, number or clause (sore dake, chotto dake). Any verb can follow, positive or negative.","ja":"だけ","kana":"だけ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"dake-shika-bakkari","example":{"romaji":"kyou wa geemu dake shite owatta","ja":"今日はゲームだけして終わった","english":"Today was just games, and that was it."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa geemu dake shite owarimashita","ja":"今日はゲームだけして終わりました","english":"Today was just games, and that was it."},"freqRank":59,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: dake"],"notes":"'Kore dake?' (just this?) and 'chotto dake' (just a little) are everyday chunks."},{"n":138,"id":"B-shika","romaji":"shika","polite":null,"english":"only (+ negative)","use":"Means 'nothing but / only' and must be followed by a negative verb. It sounds emphatic or regretful: 'and that's all'.","ja":"しか","kana":"しか","politeJa":null,"flags":["needs-negative"],"contrastGroup":"dake-shika-bakkari","example":{"romaji":"kyou geemu shika shinakatta","ja":"今日ゲームしかしなかった","english":"All I did today was play games."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa geemu shika shimasen deshita","ja":"今日はゲームしかしませんでした","english":"All I did today was play games."},"freqRank":220,"freqNote":null,"spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative","B-dake"],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: shika"],"notes":"Trap: shika with a positive verb is wrong. Say hitotsu shika nai, never hitotsu shika aru."},{"n":139,"id":"B-bakkari","romaji":"bakkari","polite":"bakari","english":"nothing but; only","use":"Means 'nothing but', with a sense of too much or too often. It is the complaining 'only' (geemu bakkari).","ja":"ばっかり","kana":"ばっかり","politeJa":"ばかり","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"dake-shika-bakkari","example":{"romaji":"kyou geemu bakkari shiteta","ja":"今日ゲームばっかりしてた","english":"I did nothing but game all day."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa geemu bakari shitemashita","ja":"今日はゲームばかりしてました","english":"I spent all day just playing games."},"freqRank":511,"freqNote":"ばっかり #511; neutral/polite ばかり #448, clipped ばっか #1180","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["B-dake"],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: bakari","12-list-te-dependents #26","12-list-te-dependents #41"],"notes":"It carries judgement, so use dake for a neutral 'only'. bakka is the clipped casual form you'll hear constantly (geemu bakka shiteru). -te bakari and -ta bakari belong to I."}]},{"id":"H4","range":"140-144","stage":2,"category":"General verbs","label":"Eat, drink, sleep","rationale":"The body's daily round — eating, drinking, going to bed, getting up, being tired — which comes up in nearly every how's-your-day exchange.","interference":"neru is going to bed, nemuru is actually falling asleep (nerenakatta / nemurenakatta = couldn't sleep); medicine is nomu, never taberu; tsukareta, a past form, is 'I'm tired' now.","items":[{"n":140,"id":"H-taberu","romaji":"taberu","polite":"tabemasu","english":"eat","use":"Eating anything and suggesting meals (nani taberu?), and it is the model ichidan verb for pattern drills.","ja":"食べる","kana":"たべる","politeJa":"食べます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"mou gohan tabeta?","ja":"もうご飯食べた？","english":"Have you eaten yet?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mou gohan o tabemashita ka?","ja":"もうご飯を食べましたか？","english":"Have you eaten yet?"},"freqRank":130,"freqNote":"食べる #130","spread":4,"reach":2,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #12","13-list-exit-battery #13"],"notes":null},{"n":141,"id":"H-nomu","romaji":"nomu","polite":"nomimasu","english":"drink; take (medicine)","use":"Drinking anything, taking medicine (kusuri o nomu) and going out drinking (nomi ni iku).","ja":"飲む","kana":"のむ","politeJa":"飲みます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kyou wa nani nomu?","ja":"今日は何飲む？","english":"What are you drinking today?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa nani o nomimasu ka?","ja":"今日は何を飲みますか？","english":"What are you having to drink today?"},"freqRank":229,"freqNote":"飲む #229","spread":4,"reach":2,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #13","12-list-te-dependents #R4","13-list-exit-battery #6"],"notes":"Medicine is nomu, never taberu."},{"n":142,"id":"H-neru","romaji":"neru","polite":"nemasu","english":"sleep; go to bed","use":"Going to bed and sleeping (nanji ni neta?), and also lying down.","ja":"寝る","kana":"ねる","politeJa":"寝ます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kinou nanji ni neta?","ja":"昨日何時に寝た？","english":"What time did you go to bed last night?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kinou nanji ni nemashita ka?","ja":"昨日何時に寝ましたか？","english":"What time did you go to bed last night?"},"freqRank":337,"freqNote":"寝る #337","spread":4,"reach":2,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #58","13-list-exit-battery #67"],"notes":"neteru = is asleep; neta = went to bed."},{"n":143,"id":"H-okiru","romaji":"okiru","polite":"okimasu","english":"wake up; get up; happen","use":"Waking up or getting up (nanji ni okita?), and also events happening (nani ga okita?).","ja":"起きる","kana":"おきる","politeJa":"起きます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kesa nanji ni okita?","ja":"今朝何時に起きた？","english":"What time did you get up this morning?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kesa nanji ni okimashita ka?","ja":"今朝何時に起きましたか？","english":"What time did you get up this morning?"},"freqRank":329,"freqNote":"起きる #329","spread":4,"reach":2,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #59","13-list-exit-battery #15","13-list-exit-battery #86"],"notes":"okiteru? = 'are you awake?'"},{"n":144,"id":"H-tsukareru","romaji":"tsukareru","polite":"tsukaremasu","english":"get tired","use":"Getting tired, where the past tsukareta is the normal way to say 'I'm tired' right now.","ja":"疲れる","kana":"つかれる","politeJa":"疲れます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kyou wa honto ni tsukareta.","ja":"今日はほんとに疲れた。","english":"I'm really wiped out today."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa hontou ni tsukaremashita.","ja":"今日は本当に疲れました。","english":"I'm really tired today."},"freqRank":714,"freqNote":"疲れる #714; 疲れた #1640 also listed as its own entry","spread":4,"reach":2,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: physical-sensations","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: politeness (otsukaresama)"],"notes":"Present tsukareru says something is tiring (kono shigoto tsukareru = this job wears you out); 'I'm tired' right now is tsukareta, a lasting state is tsukareteru."}]},{"id":"D3","range":"145-147","stage":2,"category":"Versatile adjectives","label":"Want & need","rationale":"What you want, what you need and what matters, all said with X ga ___.","interference":"hoshii (want) and hitsuyou (need) share the same sentence, so only the word changes (casual hitsuyou adds da na). Remember hoshii is an adjective, not a verb (X ga hoshii, never X o hoshii).","items":[{"n":145,"id":"D-hoshii","romaji":"hoshii","polite":"hoshii desu","english":"want (a thing)","use":"Says you want a thing (X ga hoshii); it is an adjective, and for wanting to do something use -tai, for wanting someone else to do it -te hoshii.","ja":"ほしい","kana":"ほしい","politeJa":"ほしいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hoshii-hitsuyou","example":{"romaji":"atarashii pasokon ga hoshii","ja":"新しいパソコンがほしい","english":"I want a new computer."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"atarashii pasokon ga hoshii desu","ja":"新しいパソコンがほしいです","english":"I'd like a new computer."},"freqRank":195,"freqNote":"ほしい #195 (欲しい #420); includes the -te hoshii auxiliary","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #31","12-list-te-dependents #20","13-list-exit-battery #28","13-list-exit-battery #94 (in example)","vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers (in example of motto)"],"notes":"Only for your own wants. Asking a superior 'X ga hoshii desu ka?' sounds too direct. To ask for something in a shop, say X o kudasai or X onegaishimasu, not X ga hoshii desu."},{"n":146,"id":"D-hitsuyou","romaji":"hitsuyou","polite":"hitsuyou desu","english":"necessary, needed","use":"Says something is needed (X ga hitsuyou) or not needed (hitsuyou nai), for documents, money, time, skills and steps.","ja":"必要","kana":"ひつよう","politeJa":"必要です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hoshii-hitsuyou","example":{"romaji":"atarashii pasokon ga hitsuyou da na","ja":"新しいパソコンが必要だな","english":"I'm going to need a new computer."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"atarashii pasokon ga hitsuyou desu","ja":"新しいパソコンが必要です","english":"I need a new computer."},"freqRank":271,"freqNote":"必要 #271; casual verb 要る (iru, need) #2729","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives (extended)"],"notes":"Casual 'need' is usually the verb iru (要る): kore iru? / iranai (no need). It sounds like iru (be there), but the negatives differ: iranai = don't need, inai = isn't here."},{"n":147,"id":"D-daiji","romaji":"daiji","polite":"daiji desu","english":"important, precious","use":"Says something or someone is important or precious (daiji na hanashi = an important matter), and odaiji ni means 'take care' to someone who is ill.","ja":"大事","kana":"だいじ","politeJa":"大事です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kazoku ga ichiban daiji da yo","ja":"家族が一番大事だよ","english":"Family matters most."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kazoku ga ichiban daiji desu ne","ja":"家族が一番大事ですね","english":"Family matters most, doesn't it?"},"freqRank":262,"freqNote":"大事 #262; synonym 大切 (taisetsu) #578","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #63 (synonym taisetsu)","vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives (synonym taisetsu)"],"notes":"taisetsu is a synonym that sounds warmer and a little more formal; daiji is the everyday spoken choice."}]},{"id":"D12","range":"148-151","stage":2,"category":"Versatile adjectives","label":"Hot, cold, ouch, look out","rationale":"How the weather and your body feel, and when something is dangerous: hot, cold, it hurts and watch out. These are the daily small-talk openers and the reports and warnings you have to make on the spot.","interference":"atsui and samui are opposites with the same shape (three beats ending -ui) on the same sentence (kyou, ___ ne), so learn atsui first; per 11-list-adjectives note 9(a), keep samui at least 10 items after atsui in drill order even though they share a block. atsui covers hot air and hot things, but samui is only for the air and how you feel: a cold drink is tsumetai. itai (it hurts) sounds almost the same as iru + -tai (want to stay): atama ga itai vs zutto koko ni itai, and the words before it tell you which. abunai is the warning about the situation, while kowai (scared, later block) is the feeling: shout abunai! to stop someone. abunai ends in -nai but is not a negative (not dangerous = abunakunai), so per 11-list-adjectives #42 add it only once the -kunai negative is solid. As reflex shouts all four clip to the stem: atsu!, samu!, ita!, abuna!","items":[{"n":148,"id":"D-atsui","romaji":"atsui","polite":"atsui desu","english":"hot (weather, things)","use":"Says it's hot, about the weather and air (kyou atsui ne) or about food, drinks and things you touch; the top small-talk opener in summer. Written 暑い for weather and 熱い for things, but it is one word by ear.","ja":"暑い","kana":"あつい","politeJa":"暑いです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"atsui-samui","example":{"romaji":"kyou, atsui ne","ja":"今日、暑いね","english":"It's hot today."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa atsui desu ne","ja":"今日は暑いですね","english":"It's hot today."},"freqRank":1030,"freqNote":"熱い #1030 (hot to the touch / passionate); 暑い #1990 (weather). Same sound for both.","spread":3,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #7","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"Touching something hot, people clip it to atsu!; atsui 'thick' differs only in pitch."},{"n":149,"id":"D-samui","romaji":"samui","polite":"samui desu","english":"cold (weather, feeling)","use":"Says it's cold, about the weather and how you feel (samui! = I'm cold); not for cold drinks or objects, which are tsumetai.","ja":"寒い","kana":"さむい","politeJa":"寒いです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"atsui-samui","example":{"romaji":"kyou, samui ne","ja":"今日、寒いね","english":"It's cold today."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa samui desu ne","ja":"今日は寒いですね","english":"It's cold today."},"freqRank":1214,"freqNote":"寒い #1214","spread":3,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-atsui"],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #17","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"Often clipped to samu!; the drawled samii! is rough, mostly male speech. samui also means a joke fell flat."},{"n":150,"id":"D-itai","romaji":"itai","polite":"itai desu","english":"painful, it hurts, ouch","use":"Reports pain (atama ga itai = my head hurts; doko ga itai? = where does it hurt?) and is the reflex 'ouch!'; figuratively, sore wa itai = that hurts, that's a blow.","ja":"痛い","kana":"いたい","politeJa":"痛いです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"chotto atama itai","ja":"ちょっと頭痛い","english":"I've got a bit of a headache."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"chotto atama ga itai desu","ja":"ちょっと頭が痛いです","english":"I've got a bit of a headache."},"freqRank":336,"freqNote":"痛い #336","spread":3,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #28","13-list-exit-battery #93","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"As a reflex it is clipped to ita! or stretched to ittaa!; itee! / ite! are rough and masculine. About a person or behaviour (ano hito, itai) it is slang for 'cringey'."},{"n":151,"id":"D-abunai","romaji":"abunai","polite":"abunai desu","english":"dangerous, risky, watch out!","use":"Warns of danger on the spot (abunai! = watch out!) and calls anything risky, from a road to a plan. It also says something is at risk (jikan, abunai = we might not make it; tesuto, abunai = I might fail). After a near miss, abunakatta = that was close.","ja":"危ない","kana":"あぶない","politeJa":"危ないです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"soko, abunai yo! ki o tsukete","ja":"そこ、危ないよ！気をつけて","english":"Careful there! Watch out."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"soko, abunai desu yo. ki o tsukete kudasai","ja":"そこ、危ないですよ。気をつけてください","english":"It's dangerous there. Please be careful."},"freqRank":513,"freqNote":"危ない #513","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #42","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"As a shout, abunai! is fine to anyone, strangers included, with no desu; abunee! is the rough, mostly male version. 'Not dangerous' is abunakunai."}]},{"id":"I3","range":"152-155","stage":2,"category":"Grammar patterns as vocabulary","label":"Want, can, have done","rationale":"The frames for talking about yourself: what you want to do, what you want others to do, what you can do, and what you've done.","interference":"issho ni ikitai (I want to go) vs issho ni itte hoshii (I want you to go): the -te form hands the action to the other person. -ta koto ga aru needs the past; iku koto ga aru means 'sometimes'.","items":[{"n":152,"id":"I-tai","romaji":"-tai","polite":"-tai desu","english":"want to (do)","use":"Attaches to the verb stem for what you want to do (ikitai, tabetai) and conjugates like an i-adjective (ikitakunai, ikitakatta).","ja":"〜たい","kana":"〜たい","politeJa":"〜たいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tai-te-hoshii","example":{"romaji":"issho ni ikitai.","ja":"一緒に行きたい。","english":"I want to go with you."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"issho ni ikitai desu.","ja":"一緒に行きたいです。","english":"I'd like to go with you."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement; tokenizer folds たい into the verb (standalone たい #5172 badly undercounts)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #X7"],"notes":"For someone else's wants, quote them (ikitai tte) instead of stating them. Don't offer with -tai desu ka? (nomitai desu ka? sounds nosy); use -masen ka? or ikaga desu ka? instead. The object can take ga: mizu ga nomitai."},{"n":153,"id":"I-te-hoshii","romaji":"-te hoshii","polite":"-te hoshii desu","english":"want someone to do","use":"Attaches to the -te form to say you want someone else to do something (kite hoshii, yamete hoshii), with the doer marked by ni.","ja":"〜てほしい","kana":"〜てほしい","politeJa":"〜てほしいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tai-te-hoshii","example":{"romaji":"issho ni itte hoshii.","ja":"一緒に行ってほしい。","english":"I want you to come with me."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"issho ni itte hoshii n desu kedo...","ja":"一緒に行ってほしいんですけど…","english":"I was hoping you'd come with me..."},"freqRank":195,"freqNote":"rank of kana ほしい; also counts plain 'want (a thing)'","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-te-and","D-hoshii","I-tai"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #20","11-list-adjectives #31"],"notes":"Said straight at someone it presses: soften with n da kedo (casual) or n desu kedo (polite), and to ask a stranger or senior use -te moraemasu ka? instead."},{"n":154,"id":"I-potential","romaji":"-eru / -rareru","polite":"-emasu / -raremasu","english":"can (do)","use":"Turns a verb into 'can': godan verbs change -u to -eru (iku -> ikeru), ichidan verbs swap -ru for -rareru (taberu -> taberareru), suru becomes dekiru; the object often takes ga (nihongo ga hanaseru).","ja":"〜える／〜られる","kana":"〜える／〜られる","politeJa":"〜えます／〜られます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ashita no paatii ikeru?","ja":"明日のパーティー行ける？","english":"Can you make it to the party tomorrow?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita no paatii ni ikemasu ka?","ja":"明日のパーティーに行けますか？","english":"Can you make it to the party tomorrow?"},"freqRank":291,"freqNote":"tokenizer keeps potentials as their own verbs: 言える #291, 行ける #985, 話せる #1219; suppletive できる #73","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["H-dekiru"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #85","13-list-exit-battery #86","13-list-exit-battery #87","13-list-exit-battery #89","05-acquisition-order S11 (potential)"],"notes":"Casual speech drops ra in short verbs: mireru, koreru (ra-nuki); polite speech keeps -rareru. wakaru has no potential (wakareru = break up). mieru / kikoeru = it's visible / audible, vs mirareru / kikeru = get to see / listen."},{"n":155,"id":"I-ta-koto-ga-aru","romaji":"-ta koto (ga) aru","polite":"-ta koto ga arimasu","english":"have ever done","use":"Attaches to the past form to ask about or state experience (itta koto aru?, mita koto nai); casual speech drops ga.","ja":"〜たこと（が）ある","kana":"〜たこと（が）ある","politeJa":"〜たことがあります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"okinawa itta koto aru?","ja":"沖縄行ったことある？","english":"Have you ever been to Okinawa?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"okinawa ni itta koto ga arimasu ka?","ja":"沖縄に行ったことがありますか？","english":"Have you ever been to Okinawa?"},"freqRank":410,"freqNote":"rank of fused ことがある; also counts the 'sometimes' use (iku koto ga aru)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-ta-past","H-aru"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #36","13-list-exit-battery #95"],"notes":"With the plain present (iku koto ga aru) it means 'sometimes', not experience."}]},{"id":"E4","range":"156-159","stage":2,"category":"Connectors & conditionals","label":"Or / for example","rationale":"Offering choices and examples instead of one definite thing.","interference":"-toka lists things and can trail anything, -tari ... -tari lists actions and closes with suru; both use the same 'eiga' sentence. -tari is not -tara ('if').","items":[{"n":156,"id":"E-ka-or","romaji":"-ka","polite":null,"english":"or","use":"A ka B offers a choice between nouns or clauses; B can take a second ka. Clause + ka dou ka = 'whether or not' ('kuru ka dou ka wakannai').","ja":"か","kana":"か","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ashita ka asatte, hima?","ja":"明日か明後日、暇？","english":"Are you free tomorrow or the day after?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita ka asatte, jikan arimasu ka?","ja":"明日か明後日、時間ありますか？","english":"Do you have time tomorrow or the day after?"},"freqRank":11,"freqNote":"か #11, also counts the question particle; sentence-initial それとも #892","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: ka"],"notes":"To offer the second option as its own question, use soretomo ('kotchi? soretomo atchi?')."},{"n":157,"id":"E-toka","romaji":"-toka","polite":null,"english":"things like; or something","use":"Names examples without a full list ('A toka B toka'), or hedges one item so it sounds less blunt ('eiga toka'). '...toka itteta' = 'said something like'.","ja":"とか","kana":"とか","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"toka-tari","example":{"romaji":"eiga toka mitai na.","ja":"映画とか見たいな。","english":"I'd like to see a movie or something."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"eiga toka mitai desu ne.","ja":"映画とか見たいですね。","english":"I'd like to see a movie or something."},"freqRank":70,"freqNote":"とか #70","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: ya"],"notes":"In careful speech nado replaces a listing toka ('eiga nado'); the hedging toka can sound vague or young there."},{"n":158,"id":"E-tatoeba","romaji":"tatoeba","polite":null,"english":"for example","use":"Introduces an example or a hypothetical; also buys a second to think.","ja":"例えば","kana":"たとえば","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"tatoeba, kore wa dou?","ja":"例えば、これはどう？","english":"How about this one, for example?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tatoeba, kore wa dou desu ka?","ja":"例えば、これはどうですか？","english":"How about this one, for example?"},"freqRank":790,"freqNote":"例えば #790","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":null},{"n":159,"id":"E-tari-tari","romaji":"-tari ... -tari suru","polite":"-tari ... -tari shimasu","english":"doing things like ... and ...","use":"Lists sample actions without claiming the list is complete; built on the -ta form and closed with suru ('mitari, kaimono shitari suru'). A single -tari softens an invitation or plan ('gohan tabetari shinai?'); casually the closing suru is sometimes dropped.","ja":"たり…たりする","kana":"たり…たりする","politeJa":"たり…たりします","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"toka-tari","example":{"romaji":"eiga mitari, kaimono shitari shitai.","ja":"映画見たり、買い物したりしたい。","english":"I want to see a movie, go shopping, that kind of thing."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"eiga o mitari, kaimono o shitari shitai desu.","ja":"映画を見たり、買い物をしたりしたいです。","english":"I'd like to see a movie, do some shopping, things like that."},"freqRank":2470,"freqNote":"たり #2470; tokenizer often fuses it into the verb","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["I-ta-past"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #38"],"notes":"The last -tari normally takes suru (shita, shitai, shiteru); one -tari alone is common too ('eiga mitari shitai'). Verbs whose -ta is -da give -dari (nondari, asondari). Don't mix it up with -tara."}]},{"id":"H13","range":"160-164","stage":2,"category":"General verbs","label":"Give, get, lend, help","rationale":"The giving triad, where direction picks the verb: away from me (ageru), toward me (kureru), I receive (morau) — plus lending (kasu) and helping (tetsudau), the favours that ride on it.","interference":"ageru and kureru both translate 'give' but point opposite ways — anything coming to me or my side is kureru; morau makes the receiver the subject and marks the giver with ni; kashite means 'lend me' (the other person lends), while borrowing from your side is kariru (karite ii?); tetsudau is help with a task, the cry for help is tasukete.","items":[{"n":160,"id":"H-ageru","romaji":"ageru","polite":"agemasu","english":"give (outward)","use":"Giving from me or my side to someone else (X ni ageru), and kore ageru means 'here, you can have this'.","ja":"あげる","kana":"あげる","politeJa":"あげます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ageru-kureru-morau","example":{"romaji":"kore tomodachi ni ageru.","ja":"これ友達にあげる。","english":"I'm giving this to a friend."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore wa tomodachi ni agemasu.","ja":"これは友達にあげます。","english":"I'm giving this to a friend."},"freqRank":668,"freqNote":"あげる #668 (kana); 上げる (raise) #837 separately; includes -te ageru","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #24","12-list-te-dependents #18","13-list-exit-battery #34","13-list-exit-battery #39"],"notes":"Offering to a superior with ageru can sound condescending."},{"n":161,"id":"H-kureru","romaji":"kureru","polite":"kuremasu","english":"give (to me/us)","use":"Someone giving to me or my in-group, with the giver marked by ga and the recipient (me) usually left unsaid.","ja":"くれる","kana":"くれる","politeJa":"くれます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ageru-kureru-morau","example":{"romaji":"kore tomodachi ga kureta.","ja":"これ友達がくれた。","english":"A friend gave me this."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore wa tomodachi ga kuremashita.","ja":"これは友達がくれました。","english":"A friend gave me this."},"freqRank":565,"freqNote":"くれる #565; includes -te kureru","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-ageru"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #23","12-list-te-dependents #4","13-list-exit-battery #35","13-list-exit-battery #36"],"notes":"Things given to you are never ageta: tomodachi ga kureta."},{"n":162,"id":"H-morau","romaji":"morau","polite":"moraimasu","english":"receive; get","use":"Receiving something, with me as the subject and the giver marked by ni or kara (X ni moratta).","ja":"もらう","kana":"もらう","politeJa":"もらいます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ageru-kureru-morau","example":{"romaji":"kore tomodachi ni moratta.","ja":"これ友達にもらった。","english":"I got this from a friend."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore wa tomodachi ni moraimashita.","ja":"これは友達にもらいました。","english":"I got this from a friend."},"freqRank":313,"freqNote":"もらう #313; 貰う #11381; includes -te morau","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-kureru"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #22","12-list-te-dependents #6","13-list-exit-battery #37"],"notes":"moratta and kureta describe the same event from two angles."},{"n":163,"id":"H-tetsudau","romaji":"tetsudau","polite":"tetsudaimasu","english":"help (with a task)","use":"Helps someone with a task, with the person or the task marked by o; later forms build on it: nanka tetsudaou ka? offers help and tetsudatte kureru? asks for it.","ja":"手伝う","kana":"てつだう","politeJa":"手伝います","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ashita no hikkoshi, tetsudau yo.","ja":"明日の引っ越し、手伝うよ。","english":"I'll help you move tomorrow."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita no hikkoshi, tetsudaimasu yo.","ja":"明日の引っ越し、手伝いますよ。","english":"I'll help you move tomorrow."},"freqRank":508,"freqNote":"手伝う #508","spread":3,"reach":2,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #4","12-list-te-dependents #18","13-list-exit-battery #38"],"notes":"tasukete! is the cry for help; tetsudatte is for a hand with a task."},{"n":164,"id":"H-kasu","romaji":"kasu","polite":"kashimasu","english":"lend; let use","use":"Lends something, with the borrower marked by ni; kashite (lend me) is the everyday way to ask to borrow or use a pen, a charger or a shop's bathroom.","ja":"貸す","kana":"かす","politeJa":"貸します","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"chotto pen kashite.","ja":"ちょっとペン貸して。","english":"Can I borrow a pen for a sec?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, pen kashite kudasai.","ja":"すみません、ペン貸してください。","english":"Excuse me, could I borrow a pen?"},"freqRank":658,"freqNote":"貸す #658; 借りる (borrow) #673","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #40","12-list-te-dependents #R1","12-list-te-dependents #H5"],"notes":"kashite is learned here as a chunk; the -te request itself comes in \"Asking someone\". Borrowing is kariru (ichidan): karite ii? = can I borrow it?, karita = borrowed."}]},{"id":"I9","range":"165-170","stage":2,"category":"Grammar patterns as vocabulary","label":"Favours, passive, causative","rationale":"The giving/receiving triad that marks who benefits from an action, the everyday thanks built on kureru, the passive for things done to you (often unwanted), and the causative in its everyday jobs: -sasete for asking to do something yourself, and -sasete morau / -sasete kureru for being allowed to.","interference":"Same act, three viewpoints: tomodachi ga oshiete kureta / tomodachi ni oshiete moratta / tomodachi ni oshiete ageta. Kureru points toward the speaker, ageru away, and morau takes the receiver's view with the giver on ni. The passive keeps that ni frame, often for something unwanted: tomodachi ni tetsudatte moratta (glad) vs tomodachi ni okorareta (not glad), so a favour takes -te morau, not the passive. The ichidan passive sounds like the \"Want, can, have done\" potential (taberareru = can eat / gets eaten), while godan keeps them apart (ieru / iwareru); casual potentials often drop the ra (tabereru), passives never do. When you thank someone for an act, keep the kureru: oshiete kurete arigatou, never oshiete arigatou or oshiete agete arigatou. The causative swaps the passive's -are-/-rare- for -ase-/-sase- on the same stem (iwareta = I was told, iwasete = let me say), and -asete/-sasete asks to do it yourself where plain -te asks the other person: kangaete (you think it over) vs kangaesasete (let me think it over). Godan verbs never take the extra sa: yasumasete, not yasumasasete.","items":[{"n":165,"id":"I-te-kureru","romaji":"-te kureru","polite":"-te kuremasu","english":"does for me / us","use":"Attaches to the -te form when someone does something for you or your side (oshiete kureta), and is the base of casual requests (-te kureru?).","ja":"〜てくれる","kana":"〜てくれる","politeJa":"〜てくれます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ageru-kureru-morau","example":{"romaji":"tomodachi ga oshiete kureta.","ja":"友達が教えてくれた。","english":"A friend told me."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tomodachi ga oshiete kuremashita.","ja":"友達が教えてくれました。","english":"A friend told me."},"freqRank":565,"freqNote":"rank of kana くれる, mostly the auxiliary use","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["E-te-and","H-kureru"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #4","13-list-exit-battery #35","13-list-exit-battery #36","13-list-exit-battery #41","13-list-exit-battery #42"],"notes":"Leaving it off sounds cold: oshiete kureta thanks the person, oshieta only reports. As a request, -te kurenai? is softer than -te kureru?"},{"n":166,"id":"I-te-kurete-arigatou","romaji":"-te kurete arigatou","polite":"-te kurete arigatou gozaimasu","english":"thanks for (doing)","use":"Thanks someone for one specific thing they did for you. It goes on any verb's -te form (kite, tetsudatte, oshiete), and the kureru is what makes the act a favour to you.","ja":"〜てくれてありがとう","kana":"〜てくれてありがとう","politeJa":"〜てくれてありがとうございます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kyou wa kite kurete arigatou.","ja":"今日は来てくれてありがとう。","english":"Thanks for coming today."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa kite kurete arigatou gozaimasu.","ja":"今日は来てくれてありがとうございます。","english":"Thanks for coming today."},"freqRank":565,"freqNote":"tokenizer splits; rank of kana くれる, the rarer part (ありがとう alone #128), so an upper bound","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["I-te-kureru","G-arigatou"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #15","12-list-te-dependents #4","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: politeness"],"notes":"Uses the same -te + feeling frame as okurete gomen (sorry I'm late) and kite yokatta (glad I came). Politely, once the act is over and you're parting, the past is usual: kite kurete arigatou gozaimashita."},{"n":167,"id":"I-te-morau","romaji":"-te morau","polite":"-te moraimasu","english":"get someone to do","use":"Attaches to the -te form for a favour seen from the receiver's side, with the doer marked by ni (tomodachi ni oshiete moratta); it also frames requests (-te moraeru?).","ja":"〜てもらう","kana":"〜てもらう","politeJa":"〜てもらいます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ageru-kureru-morau","example":{"romaji":"tomodachi ni oshiete moratta.","ja":"友達に教えてもらった。","english":"I got a friend to tell me."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tomodachi ni oshiete moraimashita.","ja":"友達に教えてもらいました。","english":"I got a friend to tell me."},"freqRank":313,"freqNote":"rank of kana もらう (main verb 'receive' and the auxiliary combined)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-te-and","I-te-kureru","H-morau"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #6","13-list-exit-battery #37","13-list-exit-battery #43"],"notes":"moratta suggests you asked for it; kureta credits the giver's kindness. The doer takes ni with morau but ga with kureru."},{"n":168,"id":"I-te-ageru","romaji":"-te ageru","polite":"-te agemasu","english":"do for someone","use":"Attaches to the -te form for a favour done for another person, outward from the speaker (oshiete ageta, katte ageru).","ja":"〜てあげる","kana":"〜てあげる","politeJa":"〜てあげます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ageru-kureru-morau","example":{"romaji":"tomodachi ni oshiete ageta.","ja":"友達に教えてあげた。","english":"I told my friend."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tomodachi ni oshiete agemashita.","ja":"友達に教えてあげました。","english":"I told my friend."},"freqRank":668,"freqNote":"rank of kana あげる (main verb 'give' and the auxiliary combined)","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["E-te-and","I-te-kureru","H-ageru"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #18","13-list-exit-battery #34","13-list-exit-battery #39"],"notes":"Offered to someone's face (yatte ageru yo) it can sound condescending; avoid it toward superiors."},{"n":169,"id":"I-passive","romaji":"-areru / -rareru","polite":"-aremasu / -raremasu","english":"get / be -ed (passive)","use":"Puts you on the receiving end of what someone did, with the doer on ni. The everyday one is iwareta, reporting what someone told you (isha ni yasume tte iwareta); many others are unwelcome (okorareta, ame ni furareta). Godan verbs change -u to -areru (okoru -> okorareru; after a vowel, -u becomes -wareru: iu -> iwareru), ichidan verbs swap -ru for -rareru (taberu -> taberareru), and the irregulars are sareru and korareru.","ja":"〜あれる／〜られる","kana":"〜あれる／〜られる","politeJa":"〜あれます／〜られます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kinou tomodachi ni okorareta.","ja":"昨日友達に怒られた。","english":"A friend got mad at me yesterday."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kinou tomodachi ni okoraremashita.","ja":"昨日友達に怒られました。","english":"A friend got mad at me yesterday."},"freqRank":2198,"freqNote":"rank of the auxiliary られる, which also counts ichidan potential and honorific -rareru; れる #3142, される #22435; the tokenizer splits most passives off the verb (言われる, 怒られる not found as wholes), a few keep their own entry (呼ばれる #2851)","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative","I-te-morau"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #70","13-list-exit-battery #72","13-list-exit-battery #74","13-list-exit-battery #46","13-list-exit-battery #51","13-list-exit-battery #76","05-acquisition-order S17–18 (passive)"],"notes":"It even works on verbs that take no object, for being put out (ame ni furareta = got caught in the rain), and keeps o for something of yours (saifu o torareta = got my wallet taken). Don't use it for English 'got broken' or 'was left open': Japanese uses the intransitive verb (keitai kowarechatta, mado ga aiteru), and kowasareta says someone broke it. The ichidan passive sounds the same as the full potential (taberareru), so context decides; casual speech often shortens the potential to tabereru, so a full -rareru in casual talk leans passive."},{"n":170,"id":"I-sasete","romaji":"-asete / -sasete","polite":"-asete kudasai / -sasete kudasai","english":"let me (do)","use":"Asks to be allowed to do something yourself: to have a go (yarasete, let me try), to offer (harawasete, let me pay) or to stall (chotto kangaesasete, let me think). Godan verbs change -u to -asete (yaru -> yarasete; after a vowel, -u becomes -wasete: harau -> harawasete), ichidan verbs swap -ru for -sasete (kangaeru -> kangaesasete), and the irregulars are sasete and kosasete.","ja":"〜あせて／〜させて","kana":"〜あせて／〜させて","politeJa":"〜あせてください／〜させてください","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kyou wa harawasete.","ja":"今日は払わせて。","english":"Let me pay this time."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa harawasete kudasai.","ja":"今日は払わせてください。","english":"Let me pay this time."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement; the tokenizer folds the causative into the verb (auxiliaries せる #16515, させる #31829); only lexicalised forms rank on their own (待たせる #851, やらせる #7775, 休ませる #27904; short -asu forms やらす #4504, 待たす #7648); 払わせる, 考えさせる, 言わせる not found","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative","E-te-and"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order contested calls, month 8 (causative productive only in -sasete kudasai / -sasete morau)","13-list-exit-battery #104","13-list-exit-battery #105","13-list-exit-battery #106"],"notes":"The stalling set phrase is chotto kangaesasete (polite: sukoshi kangaesasete kudasai). Two more everyday frames to produce: with gomen it apologises for what you put someone through (matasete gomen, shinpai sasete gomen; polite matasete sumimasen), and with the favour verbs it reports permission (kyou wa hayaku kaerasete moratta, I got to go home early today; kaerasete kureta, they let me go home). Casual speech often shortens godan -asete to -ashite (yarashite, iwashite); recognise it, but produce -asete. Making someone do something in general (kodomo ni yasai o tabesaseru) is recognition-only for now."}]},{"id":"F4","range":"171-174","stage":2,"category":"Sentence endings & intent","label":"Asking someone","rationale":"Ways to get the listener to do something: asking for a thing, the bare -te and the softer favour forms, then the 'don't' form.","interference":"-te is blunt; -te kureru? and -te moraeru? are plain asks, and the negatives -te kurenai? and -te moraenai? are softer still. onegai (polite kudasai) asks for a thing, and kudasai also makes -te polite. -naide is the 'don't' of -te.","items":[{"n":171,"id":"F-te-request","romaji":"-te","polite":"-te kudasai","english":"do... (casual request)","use":"The bare te-form is the everyday casual request to friends and family (matte, mite, kiite). Add chotto or ne to soften it.","ja":"〜て","kana":"〜て","politeJa":"〜てください","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"request-ladder","example":{"romaji":"gomen, chotto matte","ja":"ごめん、ちょっと待って","english":"Sorry, hang on a sec."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, chotto matte kudasai","ja":"すみません、ちょっと待ってください","english":"Sorry, just a moment, please."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement (bare て #458 is mostly connective; ください #350)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #3","13-list-exit-battery #62","13-list-exit-battery #68","vocab-trainer learner-phrases: mou ichido itte kudasai"],"notes":"-te kudasai is polite but still direct; with strangers, -te moraemasu ka is safer."},{"n":172,"id":"F-te-kurenai","romaji":"-te kurenai?","polite":"-te kuremasen ka","english":"could you (please)?","use":"A softer request for a favour, asked as a negative question. It is one step up from bare -te and fine with friends and family.","ja":"〜てくれない？","kana":"〜てくれない？","politeJa":"〜てくれませんか","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"request-ladder","example":{"romaji":"gomen, chotto matte kurenai?","ja":"ごめん、ちょっと待ってくれない？","english":"Sorry, could you wait a sec?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, chotto matte kuremasen ka","ja":"すみません、ちょっと待ってくれませんか","english":"Sorry, could you wait a moment?"},"freqRank":565,"freqNote":"rank of くれる; くれない alone #78901 undercounts (tokenizer splits)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["F-te-request","I-te-kureru"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #13","13-list-exit-battery #41","13-list-exit-battery #42","13-list-exit-battery #68"],"notes":"The negative question makes it softer than -te kureru?, and it is not a refusal. Rising, it's a request; flat, it's a complaint: tetsudatte kurenai = they won't help me."},{"n":173,"id":"F-te-moraeru","romaji":"-te moraeru?","polite":"-te moraemasu ka","english":"could I get you to...?","use":"Asks for a favour framed as something you would receive. It is about as soft as -te kureru?, and its polite form -te moraemasu ka is the safe choice with clerks and strangers.","ja":"〜てもらえる？","kana":"〜てもらえる？","politeJa":"〜てもらえますか","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"request-ladder","example":{"romaji":"gomen, chotto matte moraeru?","ja":"ごめん、ちょっと待ってもらえる？","english":"Sorry, could you wait a bit?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, chotto matte moraemasu ka","ja":"すみません、ちょっと待ってもらえますか","english":"Sorry, would you mind waiting a moment?"},"freqRank":1101,"freqNote":"rank of もらえる (all uses)","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-te-morau","F-te-kurenai"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #6","12-list-te-dependents #16"],"notes":"The negative is softer: -te moraenai? casually, and -te moraemasen ka, the softest of the set, politely."},{"n":174,"id":"F-naide","romaji":"-naide","polite":"-naide kudasai","english":"don't... (casual request)","use":"Asks someone not to do something. It is built on the -nai form (wasurenai → wasurenaide) and often softened with ne.","ja":"〜ないで","kana":"〜ないで","politeJa":"〜ないでください","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kore wasurenaide ne","ja":"これ忘れないでね","english":"Don't forget this, okay?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore o wasurenaide kudasai ne","ja":"これを忘れないでくださいね","english":"Please don't forget this."},"freqRank":3426,"freqNote":"rank of ないで (includes 'without doing')","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["F-te-request","I-nai-negative"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #63","13-list-exit-battery #67"],"notes":"In the middle of a sentence, -naide means 'without doing' (nenaide benkyou shita)."}]},{"id":"H5","range":"175-177","stage":2,"category":"General verbs","label":"Look and show","rationale":"Seeing and letting someone see: look or watch, show, and look for.","interference":"mite (look) and misete (show me) differ by one syllable and reverse who does the looking; 'look for' is sagasu, never a form of miru.","items":[{"n":175,"id":"H-miru","romaji":"miru","polite":"mimasu","english":"see; watch; look","use":"Looking at something, watching shows and checking messages (mita?), and mite! points something out.","ja":"見る","kana":"みる","politeJa":"見ます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"mite-misete","example":{"romaji":"chotto kore mite.","ja":"ちょっとこれ見て。","english":"Hey, look at this."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"chotto kore o mite kudasai.","ja":"ちょっとこれを見てください。","english":"Please take a look at this."},"freqRank":55,"freqNote":"見る #55; includes auxiliary -te miru","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #7","12-list-te-dependents #12","13-list-exit-battery #87"],"notes":"Seeing a person, as in meeting up, is au, not miru."},{"n":176,"id":"H-miseru","romaji":"miseru","polite":"misemasu","english":"show; let see","use":"Showing something to someone (X ni miseru), and misete is the standard 'let me see' for photos, phones and shop items.","ja":"見せる","kana":"みせる","politeJa":"見せます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"mite-misete","example":{"romaji":"chotto sore misete.","ja":"ちょっとそれ見せて。","english":"Let me see that."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, sore misete kudasai.","ja":"すみません、それ見せてください。","english":"Excuse me, could I see that?"},"freqRank":265,"freqNote":"見せる #265; includes -te miseru","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-miru","F-te-request"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #29"],"notes":null},{"n":177,"id":"H-sagasu","romaji":"sagasu","polite":"sagashimasu","english":"look for; search","use":"Searching for lost things, people, jobs or places, and X sagashiteru n desu kedo is the standard way to open in a shop.","ja":"探す","kana":"さがす","politeJa":"探します","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ima kagi sagashiteru.","ja":"今鍵探してる。","english":"I'm looking for my keys right now."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ima kagi o sagashitemasu.","ja":"今鍵を探してます。","english":"I'm looking for my keys right now."},"freqRank":391,"freqNote":"探す #391; 捜す #708 counted separately","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["I-teru"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Success is mitsuketa / mitsukatta (found it), not sagashita."}]},{"id":"H6","range":"178-182","stage":2,"category":"General verbs","label":"Knowing and learning","rationale":"Verbs for what you know: understand, know, remember, forget, and study — the ones a learner uses about themselves in every exchange.","interference":"wakaranai = I can't understand or work it out, shiranai = I have no information — but when you just can't answer a question (a stranger asks the way), wakarimasen / wakannai is the soft default and shirimasen sounds curt. 'Remember' is oboeteru, not shitteru; both live in the -teru form. oboeru is fixing a fact in memory and benkyou suru is putting in study time (tango oboeta / nihongo benkyou shiteru).","items":[{"n":178,"id":"H-wakaru","romaji":"wakaru","polite":"wakarimasu","english":"understand; know; get it","use":"Understanding or being able to tell (wakaru?, wakaranai), with the thing understood marked by ga, and wakatta doubles as 'got it / OK'.","ja":"分かる","kana":"わかる","politeJa":"分かります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"wakaru-shitteru","example":{"romaji":"kono kotoba wakaru?","ja":"この言葉分かる？","english":"Do you understand this word?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono kotoba wa wakarimasu ka?","ja":"この言葉は分かりますか？","english":"Do you understand this word?"},"freqRank":213,"freqNote":"分かる #213; kana わかる #1492 counted separately, so combined use is higher than either rank","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #10","13-list-exit-battery #28","vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_wakarimasen","vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_wakarimashita"],"notes":"wakatteru = 'I know already', which can sound irritated."},{"n":179,"id":"H-shiru","romaji":"shitteru","polite":"shittemasu","english":"know (be aware of)","use":"Having a piece of information or knowing a person or place, where the positive is always shitteru and the negative always shiranai (never *shittenai).","ja":"知ってる","kana":"しってる","politeJa":"知ってます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"wakaru-shitteru","example":{"romaji":"kono kotoba shitteru?","ja":"この言葉知ってる？","english":"Do you know this word?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono kotoba wa shittemasu ka?","ja":"この言葉は知ってますか？","english":"Do you know this word?"},"freqRank":74,"freqNote":"知る #74 (all inflections; 知ってる not found as a unit); 知らない #669 as its own entry","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["I-teru"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #25","12-list-te-dependents #H3","13-list-exit-battery #8"],"notes":"Polite shirimasen can sound like 'not my business'; wakarimasen is the safe polite 'I don't know'."},{"n":180,"id":"H-oboeru","romaji":"oboeru","polite":"oboemasu","english":"remember; memorise","use":"Getting something into memory (oboeru) and still having it (oboeteru / oboetenai), so 'do you remember?' is always oboeteru?","ja":"覚える","kana":"おぼえる","politeJa":"覚えます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ano hito no namae oboeteru?","ja":"あの人の名前覚えてる？","english":"Do you remember that person's name?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ano hito no namae o oboetemasu ka?","ja":"あの人の名前を覚えてますか？","english":"Do you remember that person's name?"},"freqRank":255,"freqNote":"覚える #255","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-teru"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Bare oboeru means 'memorise'; remembering now is oboeteru, and 'oh, now I remember!' is omoidashita, not oboeta."},{"n":181,"id":"H-wasureru","romaji":"wasureru","polite":"wasuremasu","english":"forget; leave behind","use":"Forgetting names, facts and plans and leaving things behind, mostly as wasureta / wasurechatta, plus the reminder wasurenaide ne (don't forget) and a, wasureteta (oh, I'd forgotten).","ja":"忘れる","kana":"わすれる","politeJa":"忘れます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ano hito no namae wasureta.","ja":"あの人の名前忘れた。","english":"I forgot that person's name."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ano hito no namae o wasuremashita.","ja":"あの人の名前を忘れました。","english":"I've forgotten that person's name."},"freqRank":201,"freqNote":"忘れる #201","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #5"],"notes":"Leaving an item behind is also wasureru: kasa wasureta."},{"n":182,"id":"H-benkyou-suru","romaji":"benkyou suru","polite":"benkyou shimasu","english":"study","use":"Says you study something, with o often dropped in casual speech (nihongo benkyou shiteru); benkyou ni naru (that's good to know) is the stock reply to an explanation.","ja":"勉強する","kana":"べんきょうする","politeJa":"勉強します","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"nihongo benkyou shiteru n da.","ja":"日本語勉強してるんだ。","english":"I'm studying Japanese."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"nihongo o benkyou shiteru n desu.","ja":"日本語を勉強してるんです。","english":"I'm studying Japanese."},"freqRank":729,"freqNote":"勉強する is not a separate entry; rank of 勉強 #729","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["H-suru","I-teru"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #67","13-list-exit-battery #80"],"notes":"benkyou ni narimashita thanks someone for teaching you something."}]},{"id":"G4","range":"183-186","stage":2,"category":"Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases","label":"Got it / say again","rationale":"Saying whether you understood, and asking for a repeat when you didn't.","interference":"wakatta and wakannai differ only in the ending (-tta past vs -nnai negative). nante? asks for the words again, while mou ikkai asks for a full replay.","items":[{"n":183,"id":"G-wakatta","romaji":"wakatta","polite":"wakarimashita","english":"got it, okay","use":"Says you've understood, or agrees to a request or plan: the casual 'okay, will do'.","ja":"分かった","kana":"わかった","politeJa":"分かりました","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"got-it-say-again","example":{"romaji":"wakatta, ato de yaru yo.","ja":"分かった、後でやるよ。","english":"Okay, I'll do it later."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"wakarimashita, ato de yarimasu.","ja":"分かりました、後でやります。","english":"Understood, I'll do it later."},"freqRank":213,"freqNote":"the tokenizer reduces 分かった to its dictionary form; rank of 分かる #213","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["H-wakaru"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_wakarimashita","05-acquisition-order verb ledger #10 wakaru"],"notes":"As a question, 'wakatta?' checks that the other person understood."},{"n":184,"id":"G-wakannai","romaji":"wakannai","polite":"wakarimasen","english":"I don't get it / know","use":"Says you don't understand or don't know, so the other person rephrases or moves on.","ja":"分かんない","kana":"わかんない","politeJa":"分かりません","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"got-it-say-again","example":{"romaji":"gomen, chotto wakannai.","ja":"ごめん、ちょっと分かんない。","english":"Sorry, I don't really get it."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, chotto wakarimasen.","ja":"すみません、ちょっと分かりません。","english":"Sorry, I don't quite understand."},"freqRank":1567,"freqNote":"分かんない #1567; other forms are folded into 分かる #213","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["H-wakaru"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_wakarimasen","05-acquisition-order verb ledger #10 wakaru"],"notes":"For 'I don't know' about a fact, wakannai (polite wakarimasen) is the safer choice; shiranai (shirimasen), said flatly, can sound cold, like 'no idea, not my problem'. shiranai also means you've never heard of it."},{"n":185,"id":"G-nante","romaji":"nante?","polite":"nante iimashita?","english":"what did you say?","use":"Asks someone to repeat what they just said when you missed the words.","ja":"何て？","kana":"なんて","politeJa":"何て言いました？","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"got-it-say-again","example":{"romaji":"gomen, ima nante?","ja":"ごめん、今何て？","english":"Sorry, what did you just say?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, ima nante iimashita?","ja":"すみません、今何て言いました？","english":"Sorry, what did you just say?"},"freqRank":834,"freqNote":"何て #834; なんて #84 also counts the 'such as' particle use","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["J-nani"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_nante_iimashita"],"notes":"A bare nante? can sound curt; 'e, nante?' is softer."},{"n":186,"id":"G-mou-ikkai","romaji":"mou ikkai","polite":"mou ichido","english":"one more time","use":"Asks for a replay of what was said, or proposes doing something again.","ja":"もう一回","kana":"もういっかい","politeJa":"もう一度","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"got-it-say-again","example":{"romaji":"gomen, mou ikkai onegai.","ja":"ごめん、もう一回お願い。","english":"Sorry, once more please."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, mou ichido onegai shimasu.","ja":"すみません、もう一度お願いします。","english":"Excuse me, could you say that once more?"},"freqRank":1841,"freqNote":"もう一回 #1841; もう一度 #567","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_mouichido_onegai","vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_mouichido_itte"],"notes":"Polite speech prefers mou ichido to mou ikkai."}]},{"id":"G5","range":"187-191","stage":2,"category":"Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases","label":"Surprise","rationale":"Quick reactions to the unexpected, from puzzlement to disbelief, plus bikkuri shita to say something surprised you.","interference":"e? reacts to something you just heard, while are? reacts to something you notice. honto? asks whether it's true, while uso! exclaims that it can't be. bikkuri shita says it surprised you (or made you jump), so you can also use it later when you tell someone about it.","items":[{"n":187,"id":"G-e","romaji":"e?","polite":null,"english":"huh? what?","use":"Instant surprise at what you just heard, or a quick 'sorry, what?' when you missed it.","ja":"えっ？","kana":"えっ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"surprise","example":{"romaji":"e? kekkon suru no?","ja":"えっ？結婚するの？","english":"What? You're getting married?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"e? kekkon suru n desu ka?","ja":"えっ？結婚するんですか？","english":"What? You're getting married?"},"freqRank":83,"freqNote":"えっ #83; bare え #137","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"A flat, long ee (ええ, #131) is a polite 'yes'; a rising, drawn-out ee?! is stronger surprise than e?. To a superior, say 'sumimasen, mou ichido...' rather than a bare e? to ask for a repeat."},{"n":188,"id":"G-honto","romaji":"honto?","polite":"hontou desu ka","english":"really?","use":"Asks 'is that true?' about good news, bad news or anything doubtful. Said flat, honto also agrees: 'it really is'.","ja":"ほんと？","kana":"ほんと","politeJa":"本当ですか","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"surprise","example":{"romaji":"honto? kekkon suru no?","ja":"ほんと？結婚するの？","english":"Really? You're getting married?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"hontou desu ka? kekkon suru n desu ka?","ja":"本当ですか？結婚するんですか？","english":"Really? You're getting married?"},"freqRank":199,"freqNote":"本当 #199 counts every use; the casual spelling ほんと is #1785","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: aizuchi","05-acquisition-order S3 response tokens"],"notes":"honto ni (Degree, amount & limits) is the adverb 'really, truly'."},{"n":189,"id":"G-uso","romaji":"uso","polite":"hontou desu ka","english":"no way! you're kidding","use":"Exclaims disbelief at surprising news. It literally means 'a lie' but accuses nobody, though it's too blunt to say to a superior.","ja":"うそ","kana":"うそ","politeJa":"本当ですか","flags":["casual-only"],"contrastGroup":"surprise","example":{"romaji":"uso, kekkon suru no?","ja":"うそ、結婚するの？","english":"No way, you're getting married?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"e, hontou desu ka? kekkon suru n desu ka?","ja":"え、本当ですか？結婚するんですか？","english":"Oh, really? You're getting married?"},"freqRank":1168,"freqNote":"split across spellings: ウソ #1168, 嘘 #1544, うそ #2305","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["G-honto"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"'uso desho!' is the stronger 'you've got to be kidding'. No polite form: in polite speech say 'e, hontou desu ka?'"},{"n":190,"id":"G-are-huh","romaji":"are?","polite":null,"english":"huh? that's odd","use":"Puzzlement when you notice something is off, missing, or not what you expected.","ja":"あれ？","kana":"あれ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"surprise","example":{"romaji":"are? kagi ga nai.","ja":"あれ？鍵がない。","english":"Huh? My keys are gone."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"are? kagi ga nai n desu kedo...","ja":"あれ？鍵がないんですけど…","english":"Huh? I can't find my key..."},"freqRank":98,"freqNote":"あれ #98 also counts the pronoun 'that' (J); the clipped あれっ is #18307","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-things (pronoun sense only)"],"notes":"This isn't the pronoun are 'that thing' (Pointing, question & people words): here it stands alone, with a rising pitch."},{"n":191,"id":"G-bikkuri-shita","romaji":"bikkuri shita","polite":"bikkuri shimashita","english":"that surprised me; you startled me","use":"The everyday way to say something surprised you, whether it's news you heard or someone making you jump. It works in the moment and also when you tell the story later.","ja":"びっくりした","kana":"びっくりした","politeJa":"びっくりしました","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"surprise","example":{"romaji":"kekkon suru tte kiite, bikkuri shita yo.","ja":"結婚するって聞いて、びっくりしたよ。","english":"I was surprised to hear you're getting married."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kekkon suru tte kiite, bikkuri shimashita yo.","ja":"結婚するって聞いて、びっくりしましたよ。","english":"I was surprised to hear you're getting married."},"freqRank":1488,"freqNote":"びっくりした #1488; びっくり #1350","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives"],"notes":"Like yokatta, it stays past even in the moment. After a jump scare you say aa, bikkuri shita! (you scared me!). The non-past bikkuri suru looks ahead: bikkuri suru yo (you'll be surprised). Mark what surprised you with ni: sono nyuusu ni bikkuri shita."}]},{"id":"G6","range":"192-195","stage":2,"category":"Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases","label":"Showing interest","rationale":"Backchannel reactions that show you're following and taking in what's said.","interference":"hee is 'oh, interesting', aa is 'oh, right', naruhodo is 'that explains it', and tashika ni is 'fair point'. Only tashika ni says you've been persuaded.","items":[{"n":192,"id":"G-aa","romaji":"aa","polite":null,"english":"ah, oh right","use":"Marks realisation or recognition ('aa, sore ka'). Before naruhodo or sokka it shows the penny has dropped.","ja":"ああ","kana":"ああ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"interest-reactions","example":{"romaji":"aa, ano mise ne.","ja":"ああ、あの店ね。","english":"Oh, that shop, right."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"aa, ano mise desu ne.","ja":"ああ、あの店ですね。","english":"Ah, that shop, yes."},"freqRank":63,"freqNote":"ああ #63","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order S3 response tokens"],"notes":"A bare aa meaning 'yeah' sounds masculine. aa 'like that' is a different word (Pointing, question & people words)."},{"n":193,"id":"G-hee","romaji":"hee","polite":null,"english":"huh, oh really","use":"Shows interested surprise at something new; draw it out ('heee') for more surprise.","ja":"へえ","kana":"へえ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"interest-reactions","example":{"romaji":"hee, sore wa shiranakatta.","ja":"へえ、それは知らなかった。","english":"Huh, I didn't know that."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"hee, sou na n desu ka. shirimasen deshita.","ja":"へえ、そうなんですか。知りませんでした。","english":"Oh, is that so? I didn't know that."},"freqRank":801,"freqNote":"へえ #801; へー #1842; へぇ #4329","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: aizuchi","05-acquisition-order S3 response tokens"],"notes":"On its own it can sound flippant to a superior; follow it with sou na n desu ka."},{"n":194,"id":"G-naruhodo","romaji":"naruhodo","polite":null,"english":"I see, makes sense","use":"Shows that an explanation has clicked and makes sense to you.","ja":"なるほど","kana":"なるほど","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"interest-reactions","example":{"romaji":"naruhodo, sou iu koto ka.","ja":"なるほど、そういうことか。","english":"Ah, so that's what it is."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"naruhodo, sou iu koto desu ka.","ja":"なるほど、そういうことですか。","english":"I see, so that's what it is."},"freqRank":379,"freqNote":"なるほど #379","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: aizuchi","05-acquisition-order S3 response tokens"],"notes":"To a superior it can sound like you're judging them; sou na n desu ne is safer."},{"n":195,"id":"G-tashika-ni","romaji":"tashika ni","polite":null,"english":"true, good point","use":"Concedes the other person's point, often before you add your own view ('tashika ni... demo').","ja":"確かに","kana":"たしかに","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"interest-reactions","example":{"romaji":"tashika ni, chotto takai ne.","ja":"確かに、ちょっと高いね。","english":"True, it is a bit pricey."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tashika ni, chotto takai desu ne.","ja":"確かに、ちょっと高いですね。","english":"That's true, it is a bit expensive."},"freqRank":230,"freqNote":"確かに #230","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: aizuchi","05-acquisition-order S3 response tokens","vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives"],"notes":"tashika on its own means 'if I remember right', which is a different use."}]},{"id":"G7","range":"196-200","stage":2,"category":"Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases","label":"Replies with sou","rationale":"Five fixed replies built on sou. The ending decides whether you confirm, agree, take in news or doubt.","interference":"sou confirms a fact, sou da ne agrees with an opinion, sokka and sou na n da take in news (sou na n da sounds more interested), and sou kana doubts. Drill all five after the same lead-in.","items":[{"n":196,"id":"G-sou","romaji":"sou","polite":"sou desu","english":"right, yeah, that's it","use":"Confirms that what the other person said is right, usually about you or something you know ('so you're from Osaka?' 'sou').","ja":"そう","kana":"そう","politeJa":"そうです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"sou-replies","example":{"romaji":"sou, takai n da yo.","ja":"そう、高いんだよ。","english":"Yeah, it's expensive."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sou desu, takai n desu yo.","ja":"そうです、高いんですよ。","english":"Yes, it's expensive."},"freqRank":31,"freqNote":"そう #31, counting every use including 'that way' (J)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order S3 response tokens"],"notes":"Doubled 'sou sou!' is eager agreement; a rising sou? means 'really? you think so?'. sou meaning 'that way' is in J."},{"n":197,"id":"G-sou-da-ne","romaji":"sou da ne","polite":"sou desu ne","english":"yeah, true / let me see","use":"Agrees with an opinion or feeling you share. Drawn out ('sou da nee...', polite 'sou desu nee...'), it buys thinking time before you answer.","ja":"そうだね","kana":"そうだね","politeJa":"そうですね","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"sou-replies","example":{"romaji":"sou da ne, takai ne.","ja":"そうだね、高いね。","english":"Yeah, it's pricey, isn't it."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sou desu ne, takai desu ne.","ja":"そうですね、高いですね。","english":"Yes, it is pricey, isn't it."},"freqRank":850,"freqNote":"そうだね #850; polite そうですね #539","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["G-sou"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: aizuchi"],"notes":"To confirm a fact about yourself, say sou desu, not sou desu ne."},{"n":198,"id":"G-sokka","romaji":"sokka","polite":"sou desu ka","english":"oh, I see","use":"Takes in new information or an explanation: 'oh, I see', sometimes with a hint of 'oh well'.","ja":"そっか","kana":"そっか","politeJa":"そうですか","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"sou-replies","example":{"romaji":"sokka, takai n da.","ja":"そっか、高いんだ。","english":"Oh, I see, so it's expensive."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sou desu ka, takai n desu ne.","ja":"そうですか、高いんですね。","english":"I see, so it's expensive."},"freqRank":482,"freqNote":"そっか #482; そうか only reaches #149930 because the tokenizer usually splits it (そう+か)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["G-sou"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order S3 response tokens","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: aizuchi"],"notes":"Say it with a falling pitch. A rising sou desu ka? sounds doubtful, and bare sou ka sounds pensive or masculine."},{"n":199,"id":"G-sou-nan-da","romaji":"sou na n da","polite":"sou na n desu ka","english":"oh, is that so","use":"Reacts to news with interest ('oh, really?') and invites the other person to say more.","ja":"そうなんだ","kana":"そうなんだ","politeJa":"そうなんですか","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"sou-replies","example":{"romaji":"sou na n da, takai n da ne.","ja":"そうなんだ、高いんだね。","english":"Oh really? So it's expensive."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sou na n desu ka, takai n desu ne.","ja":"そうなんですか、高いんですね。","english":"Oh, is that so? So it's expensive."},"freqRank":1181,"freqNote":"rank of the polite そうなんですか #1181; the casual そうなんだ is split by the tokenizer","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["G-sou"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"The safest default reaction when someone tells you something about themselves. With yo, 'sou na n da yo' confirms your own news: 'yeah, it is'."},{"n":200,"id":"G-sou-kana","romaji":"sou kana","polite":"sou desu ka ne","english":"hmm, you think so?","use":"Softly doubts what the other person just said without contradicting them; said slowly to yourself, it means 'I wonder'.","ja":"そうかな","kana":"そうかな","politeJa":"そうですかね","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"sou-replies","example":{"romaji":"sou kana, sonna ni takakunai yo.","ja":"そうかな、そんなに高くないよ。","english":"You think? It's not that expensive."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sou desu ka ne, sonna ni takakunai desu yo.","ja":"そうですかね、そんなに高くないですよ。","english":"You think so? It's not that expensive."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement (the tokenizer splits そうかな, and polite そうですかね / そうでしょうか are not found; component かな #90)","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["G-sou","F-kana"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"In polite replies, sou deshou ka is the firmer, more formal objection; sou desu ka ne (drawn out: 'sou desu ka nee...') is the gentle one."}]},{"id":"E5","range":"201-204","stage":2,"category":"Connectors & conditionals","label":"Talking about talk","rationale":"Words for handling what's said: quoting it, raising a related topic, naming the subject, summing it up.","interference":"sou ieba jumps to something new, tsumari restates what was just said; -tte reports someone's words, -ni tsuite names the topic.","items":[{"n":201,"id":"E-tte-quote","romaji":"-tte","polite":null,"english":"(said / thought) that","use":"Spoken quote marker after anything said, thought, heard or asked, followed by iu, omou, kiku and the like ('kuru tte itta'). Works the same in desu/masu speech; to is the written/formal quote marker. Sentence-final, it reports hearsay: 'ashita ame da tte' = 'I hear it'll rain'.","ja":"って","kana":"って","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kuru tte itteta yo.","ja":"来るって言ってたよ。","english":"He said he's coming."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kuru tte ittemashita yo.","ja":"来るって言ってましたよ。","english":"He said he's coming."},"freqRank":18,"freqNote":"って #18, also counts topic tte and hearsay tte","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: tte","13-list-exit-battery #108","13-list-exit-battery #109","13-list-exit-battery #111","13-list-exit-battery #112"],"notes":"After n it shrinks to te: 'nan te itta?' (nan + tte) = 'what did he say?'"},{"n":202,"id":"E-sou-ieba","romaji":"sou ieba","polite":null,"english":"oh yeah; come to think of it","use":"Brings up something that just came to mind, linked to the conversation or not; the natural way to switch topics mid-chat.","ja":"そういえば","kana":"そういえば","politeJa":null,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"sou ieba, ashita yasumi?","ja":"そういえば、明日休み？","english":"Oh yeah, are you off tomorrow?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sou ieba, ashita wa yasumi desu ka?","ja":"そういえば、明日は休みですか？","english":"By the way, are you off tomorrow?"},"freqRank":607,"freqNote":"そういえば #607 (+ そう言えば #8072)","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["G-sou"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"For a deliberate change of subject with no reminder, tokorode ('by the way')."},{"n":203,"id":"E-ni-tsuite","romaji":"-ni tsuite","polite":null,"english":"about; concerning","use":"Attaches to a noun to name the topic of talking, thinking, asking or knowing ('nihon ni tsuite kiku'); small talk often uses no koto instead.","ja":"について","kana":"について","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"sore ni tsuite, nanka kiiteru?","ja":"それについて、なんか聞いてる？","english":"Have you heard anything about that?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore ni tsuite, nanika kiitemasu ka?","ja":"それについて、何か聞いてますか？","english":"Have you heard anything about that?"},"freqRank":426,"freqNote":"について #426","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Before a noun it takes no: 'nihon ni tsuite no hon'."},{"n":204,"id":"E-tsumari","romaji":"tsumari","polite":null,"english":"in other words; basically","use":"Rephrases or sums up what was said; with '...tte koto?' it checks that you understood.","ja":"つまり","kana":"つまり","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"tsumari, konai tte koto?","ja":"つまり、来ないってこと？","english":"So basically, you're not coming?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tsumari, konai tte koto desu ka?","ja":"つまり、来ないってことですか？","english":"So you mean you're not coming?"},"freqRank":499,"freqNote":"つまり #499","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":null}]},{"id":"H7","range":"205-209","stage":2,"category":"General verbs","label":"Say, talk, ask","rationale":"Speech-act verbs: say, talk, ask or listen, tell, ask a favour.","interference":"English 'ask' splits into kiku (a question) and tanomu (a favour), and 'tell' into iu (words), hanasu (talk about) and oshieru (give information).","items":[{"n":205,"id":"H-iu","romaji":"iu","polite":"iimasu","english":"say; call (something)","use":"Reporting words with tte or to (nante itta?), naming things (X tte iu), and sou iu / kou iu for 'that kind of'.","ja":"言う","kana":"いう","politeJa":"言います","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ima nante itta?","ja":"今なんて言った？","english":"What did you just say?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ima nante iimashita ka?","ja":"今なんて言いましたか？","english":"What did you just say?"},"freqRank":28,"freqNote":"言う #28; kana いう #167 counted separately; quotative って-forms split off by the tokenizer","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["E-tte-quote"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #5","12-list-te-dependents #H2","13-list-exit-battery #108","vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_nante_iimashita","vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_mouichido_itte","kotoba particles: tte"],"notes":"Pronounced yuu; itta / itte sound the same as iku's, but casual speech often says yutta / yutte, which keeps them apart."},{"n":206,"id":"H-hanasu","romaji":"hanasu","polite":"hanashimasu","english":"speak; talk; tell","use":"Talking with someone (X to hanasu), telling about something, and speaking a language (nihongo hanaseru?).","ja":"話す","kana":"はなす","politeJa":"話します","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ato de hanasu ne.","ja":"後で話すね。","english":"I'll tell you about it later."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ato de hanashimasu ne.","ja":"後で話しますね。","english":"I'll tell you about it later."},"freqRank":151,"freqNote":"話す #151","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #19","12-list-te-dependents #R1","13-list-exit-battery #88"],"notes":"Quoting someone's exact words is iu, not hanasu."},{"n":207,"id":"H-kiku","romaji":"kiku","polite":"kikimasu","english":"listen; hear; ask","use":"Listening (kiite), hearing news (kiita?) and asking someone a question, with the person asked marked by ni.","ja":"聞く","kana":"きく","politeJa":"聞きます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kiku-tanomu","example":{"romaji":"tomodachi ni kiite mita.","ja":"友達に聞いてみた。","english":"I asked a friend."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tomodachi ni kiite mimashita.","ja":"友達に聞いてみました。","english":"I asked a friend."},"freqRank":67,"freqNote":"聞く #67; 聴く #1930 separately","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["I-te-miru"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #20","12-list-te-dependents #R2","12-list-te-dependents #H1","13-list-exit-battery #136"],"notes":"Bare tomodachi ni kiita usually means 'I heard it from a friend'; kiite mita makes it 'I asked'."},{"n":208,"id":"H-oshieru","romaji":"oshieru","polite":"oshiemasu","english":"tell; teach; show how","use":"Giving someone information or know-how, where oshiete is the everyday 'tell me' for numbers, directions and tips.","ja":"教える","kana":"おしえる","politeJa":"教えます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"denwa bangou oshiete.","ja":"電話番号教えて。","english":"Can I get your number?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"denwa bangou o oshiete kudasai.","ja":"電話番号を教えてください。","english":"Could you give me your phone number?"},"freqRank":196,"freqNote":"教える #196","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["F-te-request"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #6","13-list-exit-battery #36"],"notes":"Not just 'teach': michi oshiete = 'tell me the way'."},{"n":209,"id":"H-tanomu","romaji":"tanomu","polite":"tanomimasu","english":"ask a favour; order","use":"Asking someone to do something (X ni tanomu) and ordering food or a delivery (nani tanomu?).","ja":"頼む","kana":"たのむ","politeJa":"頼みます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kiku-tanomu","example":{"romaji":"tomodachi ni tanonda.","ja":"友達に頼んだ。","english":"I asked a friend to do it."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tomodachi ni tanomimashita.","ja":"友達に頼みました。","english":"I asked a friend to do it."},"freqRank":186,"freqNote":"頼む #186","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #53"],"notes":"A direct tanomu (yo)! = 'I'm counting on you' leans masculine; to ask a favour yourself say onegai / onegai shimasu — 'X, tanomimasu' is how a boss hands out a task."}]},{"id":"I11","range":"210-212","stage":2,"category":"Grammar patterns as vocabulary","label":"Naming and framing","rationale":"Three ways to talk about a whole idea: an activity you like or find hard (-no), a thing by its name (-tte iu), and a conclusion you want to deny (-wake ja nai).","interference":"-no names the action (iku no ga suki) while wake ja nai denies a conclusion (iku wake ja nai); -tte iu labels a name and becomes to iu in careful speech.","items":[{"n":210,"id":"I-no-nominalizer","romaji":"-no","polite":null,"english":"the act of -ing","use":"After a plain verb, turns the action into a noun so you can say you like it, are good at it or find it hard (ryouri suru no ga suki, iku no wa muri).","ja":"〜の","kana":"〜の","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ryouri suru no ga suki.","ja":"料理するのが好き。","english":"I like cooking."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ryouri suru no ga suki desu.","ja":"料理するのが好きです。","english":"I like cooking."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement; の #1 is dominated by the possessive particle","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-suki"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #91","13-list-exit-battery #92","kotoba particles: no (relation sense only)"],"notes":"'I like to cook' needs it: *ryouri suru ga suki is wrong. With shumi wa ... and dekiru, use koto instead: shumi wa ryouri suru koto, oyogu koto ga dekiru."},{"n":211,"id":"I-tte-iu-called","romaji":"-tte iu","polite":null,"english":"called, named","use":"After a name or clause, labels it (sakura tte iu mise = a shop called Sakura) or asks what something is called (nante iu no?).","ja":"〜っていう","kana":"〜っていう","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"sakura tte iu mise shitteru?","ja":"さくらっていう店知ってる？","english":"Do you know a place called Sakura?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sakura tte iu omise shittemasu ka?","ja":"さくらっていうお店知ってますか？","english":"Do you know a place called Sakura?"},"freqRank":178,"freqNote":"rank of っていう across all uses (naming, quoting, tte iu ka); って言う #1659; careful-speech という #104, also all uses","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["E-tte-quote","H-iu"],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: tte"],"notes":"Careful speech uses to iu (sakura to iu omise). Polite 'what's it called?': nan to iimasu ka? Also a hedge: tte iu ka = or rather."},{"n":212,"id":"I-wake-ja-nai","romaji":"-wake ja nai","polite":"-wake ja nai desu","english":"it's not that ...","use":"After a plain clause, denies a conclusion the listener might draw (kirai na wake ja nai), and often trails off into kedo.","ja":"〜わけじゃない","kana":"〜わけじゃない","politeJa":"〜わけじゃないです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kirai na wake ja nai kedo...","ja":"嫌いなわけじゃないけど…","english":"It's not that I don't like it, but..."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kirai na wake ja nai desu kedo...","ja":"嫌いなわけじゃないですけど…","english":"It's not that I don't like it, but..."},"freqRank":535,"freqNote":"rank of fused わけじゃない; わけ alone #272, わけない #449","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-kunai-ja-nai","E-kedo"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Trap: without ja it flips: iku wake nai = no way I'm going; iku wake ja nai = it's not that I'm going. Na-adjectives take na (hima na wake ja nai); nouns take na casually, to iu in careful speech. Often opens with betsu ni; more formal: -wake ja arimasen."}]},{"id":"H8","range":"213-218","stage":2,"category":"General verbs","label":"Think, feel, mind","rationale":"Verbs for what's going on in your head: an opinion (omou), thinking it over (kangaeru), something on your mind (ki ni naru), a hunch (ki ga suru), minding it (ki ni suru) and taking care (ki o tsukeru).","interference":"omou gives a view (... to omou) while kangaeru means working something through (mada kangaeteru); ki ga suru (a hunch, takes a clause) and ki ni naru (it nags at me, takes ga) share ki but differ in particle and verb; ki ni naru (it bothers me) and ki ni suru (I let it bother me) are an intransitive/transitive pair, heard mostly as ki ni naru and ki ni shinaide; ki o tsukete (take care) is the one with o, said at goodbyes.","items":[{"n":213,"id":"H-omou","romaji":"omou","polite":"omoimasu","english":"think (that)","use":"Attaches with to to any clause to state an opinion or guess softly (ii to omou), and -ou to omotteru states a plan.","ja":"思う","kana":"おもう","politeJa":"思います","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"omou-ki-phrases","example":{"romaji":"ashita ame furu to omou.","ja":"明日雨降ると思う。","english":"I think it'll rain tomorrow."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita ame ga furu to omoimasu.","ja":"明日雨が降ると思います。","english":"I think it will rain tomorrow."},"freqRank":33,"freqNote":"思う #33","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #6","13-list-exit-battery #30","13-list-exit-battery #115"],"notes":"Someone else's view uses omotteru (Tanaka-san mo sou omotteru); nouns and na-adjectives keep da before to: ii hito da to omou, kirei da to omou (never *ii hito to omou)."},{"n":214,"id":"H-kangaeru","romaji":"kangaeru","polite":"kangaemasu","english":"think over; consider","use":"Actively thinking something through or coming up with ideas, and the polite way to put off a decision (chotto kangaete mimasu / kangaete okimasu).","ja":"考える","kana":"かんがえる","politeJa":"考えます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"omou-ki-phrases","example":{"romaji":"sore, mada kangaeteru.","ja":"それ、まだ考えてる。","english":"I'm still thinking about that."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore wa mada kangaetemasu.","ja":"それはまだ考えてます。","english":"I'm still thinking that over."},"freqRank":112,"freqNote":"考える #112","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-omou","I-teru"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Hearing chotto kangaete okimasu usually means a polite no; 'I think that ...' is to omou, not to kangaeru."},{"n":215,"id":"H-ki-ni-naru","romaji":"ki ni naru","polite":"ki ni narimasu","english":"be curious about; bother","use":"Something keeps pulling your attention, as curiosity, interest or worry, with the thing marked by ga (X ga ki ni naru).","ja":"気になる","kana":"きになる","politeJa":"気になります","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"omou-ki-phrases","example":{"romaji":"ashita no tenki, ki ni naru.","ja":"明日の天気、気になる。","english":"I'm a bit worried about tomorrow's weather."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita no tenki ga ki ni narimasu.","ja":"明日の天気が気になります。","english":"I'm a little concerned about tomorrow's weather."},"freqRank":368,"freqNote":"気になる #368 as a lexicalized entry","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-naru"],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns note 4 (ki deferred to collocations)"],"notes":"Its active partner: ki ni shinaide = don't worry about it."},{"n":216,"id":"H-ki-ga-suru","romaji":"ki ga suru","polite":"ki ga shimasu","english":"have a feeling (that)","use":"Attaches to any clause to mark it as a hunch rather than a claim (... ki ga suru), sounding more intuitive than to omou.","ja":"気がする","kana":"きがする","politeJa":"気がします","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"omou-ki-phrases","example":{"romaji":"ashita ame furu ki ga suru.","ja":"明日雨降る気がする。","english":"I have a feeling it'll rain tomorrow."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita ame ga furu ki ga shimasu.","ja":"明日雨が降る気がします。","english":"I have a feeling it will rain tomorrow."},"freqRank":554,"freqNote":"気がする #554 as a lexicalized entry","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-suru","H-omou"],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns note 4 (ki deferred to collocations)"],"notes":"No to: a clause attaches directly (furu ki ga suru); a na-adjective takes na and a noun takes mitai na (hen na ki ga suru, uso mitai na ki ga suru)."},{"n":217,"id":"H-ki-ni-suru","romaji":"ki ni suru","polite":"ki ni shimasu","english":"mind; worry about","use":"Says someone minds or worries about something, with the thing marked by o; mostly heard as ki ni shinaide (don't worry about it) after an apology or thanks, and ki ni shinai (I don't mind).","ja":"気にする","kana":"きにする","politeJa":"気にします","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"omou-ki-phrases","example":{"romaji":"ii yo, ki ni shinaide.","ja":"いいよ、気にしないで。","english":"It's fine, don't worry about it."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ii desu yo, ki ni shinaide kudasai.","ja":"いいですよ、気にしないでください。","english":"It's fine, don't worry about it."},"freqRank":725,"freqNote":"気にする #725 as a lexicalized entry","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-suru","F-naide","H-ki-ni-naru"],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns note 4 (ki deferred to collocations)"],"notes":"Also mada ki ni shiteru no? = are you still worried about that?"},{"n":218,"id":"H-ki-o-tsukeru","romaji":"ki o tsukeru","polite":"ki o tsukemasu","english":"be careful; take care","use":"Means paying attention so nothing goes wrong; ki o tsukete (take care, get home safe) is a standard goodbye, and ki o tsukemasu (I'll be careful) answers a warning or closes your own apology (sumimasen, kondo kara ki o tsukemasu).","ja":"気をつける","kana":"きをつける","politeJa":"気をつけます","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"omou-ki-phrases","example":{"romaji":"ki o tsukete kaette ne.","ja":"気をつけて帰ってね。","english":"Get home safe."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ki o tsukete kaette kudasai ne.","ja":"気をつけて帰ってくださいね。","english":"Get home safe."},"freqRank":1226,"freqNote":"気をつける #1226; 気をつけて #1735 and 気を付ける #2218 counted separately","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["F-te-request"],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns note 4 (ki deferred to collocations)"],"notes":"The danger takes ni: kuruma ni ki o tsukete = watch out for cars."}]},{"id":"J6","range":"219-224","stage":2,"category":"Pointing, question & people words","label":"How / this way","rationale":"The ko/so/do manner words plus dou yatte, dou iu and dou shita: how something went, how it is done, 'like that', what exactly is going on, and what's wrong.","interference":"dou asks for an opinion or report (dou datta?), dou yatte asks for the method (dou yatte iku?), dou iu koto? asks what's going on or what someone is getting at (once it's explained: aa, sou iu koto ka), and dou shita no? asks what has happened to you. dou iu asks what something is, donna (What kind) what it is like: dou iu hito? = who is he to you, donna hito? = what's he like, and donna koto? = like what?; for what a word means, use dou iu imi? (Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases). The bare reply sou (sou da ne) is drilled in G, so the so- card here is sou iu.","items":[{"n":219,"id":"J-dou","romaji":"dou","polite":null,"english":"how; how about","use":"Asks for an opinion, a report or a plan in one word (dou?, dou datta?, dou suru?, dou omou?), and after a noun it suggests (ashita dou?).","ja":"どう","kana":"どう","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kou-sou-dou","example":{"romaji":"eiga, dou datta?","ja":"映画、どうだった？","english":"How was the movie?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"eiga wa dou deshita ka?","ja":"映画はどうでしたか？","english":"How was the movie?"},"freqRank":51,"freqNote":"extra-polite いかが #840","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #135","13-list-exit-battery #110","vocab-trainer learner-phrases: frame_x_wa_douiu_imi"],"notes":"Shop staff use the extra-polite ikaga desu ka when offering something."},{"n":220,"id":"J-sou-manner","romaji":"sou iu","polite":null,"english":"that kind of; like that (what you said)","use":"Refers back to something just said or mentioned (sou iu koto = so that's it, sou iu hito = that kind of person); the same sou follows verbs of thinking and doing (sou omou = I think so, sou yatte = like that).","ja":"そういう","kana":"そういう","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kou-sou-dou","example":{"romaji":"sou iu koto ka.","ja":"そういうことか。","english":"Oh, so that's what you mean."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sou iu koto desu ka.","ja":"そういうことですか。","english":"Oh, so that's what you mean."},"freqRank":129,"freqNote":"そういう #129; そうやって #919; bare そう #31 is mostly the reply (G)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-sore"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"The a- version aa iu / aa yatte (something you both saw) is mostly for recognition; sou works almost everywhere you might say aa."},{"n":221,"id":"J-kou","romaji":"kou","polite":null,"english":"like this; this way","use":"Demonstrates a way of doing something while you show it (kou yatte, kou suru to), and kou iu means 'this kind of'.","ja":"こう","kana":"こう","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kou-sou-dou","example":{"romaji":"kou yatte tsukau n da yo.","ja":"こうやって使うんだよ。","english":"You use it like this."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kou yatte tsukau n desu yo.","ja":"こうやって使うんですよ。","english":"You use it like this."},"freqRank":215,"freqNote":"こういう #281; こうやって #807","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-sou-manner"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"kou? with a gesture means 'like this?', the easiest way to check you're doing it right."},{"n":222,"id":"J-dou-yatte","romaji":"dou yatte","polite":null,"english":"how; by what means","use":"Asks for the method or route (dou yatte iku?, dou yatte tsukuru?), where bare dou would ask for an opinion.","ja":"どうやって","kana":"どうやって","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kou-sou-dou","example":{"romaji":"dou yatte tsukau no?","ja":"どうやって使うの？","english":"How do you use it?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dou yatte tsukau n desu ka?","ja":"どうやって使うんですか？","english":"How do you use it?"},"freqRank":582,"freqNote":null,"spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-dou"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Alone, dou yatte? works as a quick 'How?'"},{"n":223,"id":"J-dou-shita","romaji":"dou shita","polite":"dou shita n desu ka","english":"what's wrong; what happened","use":"The check-in when someone looks upset, hurt or late (dou shita no?); after a noun it asks what became of the thing (kagi dou shita? = what did you do with the key?).","ja":"どうした","kana":"どうした","politeJa":"どうしたんですか","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"dou shita no? genki nai ne.","ja":"どうしたの？元気ないね。","english":"What's wrong? You seem down."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dou shita n desu ka? genki nai desu ne.","ja":"どうしたんですか？元気ないですね。","english":"What's wrong? You seem down."},"freqRank":285,"freqNote":null,"spread":4,"reach":2,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-dou","H-suru"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Staff and doctors say dou shimashita ka? to ask what the problem is. Don't mix it up with dou suru? (what will you do?)."},{"n":224,"id":"J-dou-iu","romaji":"dou iu","polite":null,"english":"what exactly (+ noun); dou iu koto? = how so? what's going on?","use":"Goes before a noun to ask what exactly something is: dou iu koto? (how so? what's going on?), dou iu hito? (who is he, exactly? how do you know him?), dou iu kankei? (how are you two connected?). It is the question partner of sou iu. To ask what a word means, use dou iu imi? (Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases).","ja":"どういう","kana":"どういう","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kou-sou-dou","example":{"romaji":"e, dou iu koto? ashita konai no?","ja":"え、どういうこと？明日来ないの？","english":"Wait, what's going on? You're not coming tomorrow?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"e, dou iu koto desu ka? ashita konai n desu ka?","ja":"え、どういうことですか？明日来ないんですか？","english":"Wait, what's going on? You're not coming tomorrow?"},"freqRank":177,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["J-dou","J-sou-manner"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer learner-phrases: frame_x_wa_douiu_imi","13-list-exit-battery #110"],"notes":"dou iu koto? with a light rising tone is the everyday 'how so?'; said flat and hard it becomes 'what is the meaning of this?!', like dou iu wake? (see wake da). With clerks and strangers, dou iu imi desu ka? (Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases) is the safe way to ask for clarification. In nihongo de dou iu? (how do you say it in Japanese?), iu is the verb 'say', not this word."}]},{"id":"J7","range":"225-228","stage":2,"category":"Pointing, question & people words","label":"What kind","rationale":"The ko/so/a/do 'kind' row for describing something or asking what it is like.","interference":"donna (what kind) vs dono (which one); sonna is the neutral 'that kind you mentioned', anna often sounds critical.","items":[{"n":225,"id":"J-konna","romaji":"konna","polite":null,"english":"this kind of; like this","use":"Describes something you are showing or experiencing (konna kanji, konna no hajimete), and konna ni means 'this much, so'.","ja":"こんな","kana":"こんな","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"konna-sonna-anna-donna","example":{"romaji":"konna kanji de ii?","ja":"こんな感じでいい？","english":"Is it OK like this?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"konna kanji de ii desu ka?","ja":"こんな感じでいいですか？","english":"Is it OK like this?"},"freqRank":85,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-kono"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"konna ni + adjective is an exclamation: konna ni oishii n da! (I didn't know it was this good!)"},{"n":226,"id":"J-sonna","romaji":"sonna","polite":null,"english":"that kind of; such","use":"Describes what the other person has or just said, and builds push-back (sonna koto nai = that's not true); alone, sonna! means 'no way!'","ja":"そんな","kana":"そんな","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"konna-sonna-anna-donna","example":{"romaji":"sonna kanji de ii yo.","ja":"そんな感じでいいよ。","english":"Something like that is fine."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sonna kanji de ii desu yo.","ja":"そんな感じでいいですよ。","english":"Something like that is fine."},"freqRank":53,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-sono"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #84","13-list-exit-battery #99"],"notes":"sonna ni + negative means 'not that much' (sonna ni takakunai); it has its own entry, sonna ni."},{"n":227,"id":"J-donna","romaji":"donna","polite":null,"english":"what kind of","use":"Goes before a noun to ask someone to describe it (donna hito?, donna kanji?); any particle goes after that noun (donna kanji ga ii?).","ja":"どんな","kana":"どんな","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"konna-sonna-anna-donna","example":{"romaji":"donna kanji ga ii?","ja":"どんな感じがいい？","english":"What sort of thing do you want?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"donna kanji ga ii desu ka?","ja":"どんな感じがいいですか？","english":"What sort of thing would you like?"},"freqRank":175,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["J-konna"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"donna hito? asks for a description; dono hito? asks you to pick one."},{"n":228,"id":"J-anna","romaji":"anna","polite":null,"english":"that kind of (we know)","use":"Describes something you both saw or know, mostly in anna hito or anna koto, and is often disapproving.","ja":"あんな","kana":"あんな","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"konna-sonna-anna-donna","example":{"romaji":"anna kanji ga ii na.","ja":"あんな感じがいいな。","english":"I'd like it like that one."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"anna kanji ga ii desu.","ja":"あんな感じがいいです。","english":"I'd like it like that one."},"freqRank":239,"freqNote":null,"spread":3,"reach":2,"speakNeed":2,"prereqs":["J-ano","J-konna"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"anna hito often sounds critical, like 'someone like that'."}]},{"id":"D4","range":"229-233","stage":2,"category":"Versatile adjectives","label":"Amazing & awful","rationale":"Strong reactions at both ends of the scale: amazing, best, worst, terrible, and yabai, which can mean either.","interference":"saikou and saiaku both start with sai- and mean opposite things, so learn saikou first and add saiaku once it is solid. sugoi and yabai share a sentence: same feeling, but yabai is casual only.","items":[{"n":229,"id":"D-sugoi","romaji":"sugoi","polite":"sugoi desu","english":"amazing, incredible","use":"The all-purpose impressed reaction ('sugoi!') to people, skills, views and news; it also marks sheer intensity, good or bad (sugoi ame = torrential rain), and as sugoku it becomes 'really, very' (Degree, amount & limits).","ja":"すごい","kana":"すごい","politeJa":"すごいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"sugoi-yabai","example":{"romaji":"kono uta, sugoi ne","ja":"この歌、すごいね","english":"This song is amazing."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono uta, sugoi desu ne","ja":"この歌、すごいですね","english":"This song is amazing."},"freqRank":114,"freqNote":"すごい #114; masculine-rough variant すげえ #1510 (noted, not carded)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #2","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"The rough male sugee is heard all the time in dramas; recognise it, but say sugoi. Casually, bare sugoi also works as 'really' (sugoi oishii = really tasty); with desu, use sugoku or totemo."},{"n":230,"id":"D-saikou","romaji":"saikou","polite":"saikou desu","english":"the best, awesome","use":"The top-end enthusiastic verdict on a day, meal, person or experience ('saikou!'); it takes da or datta like a noun.","ja":"最高","kana":"さいこう","politeJa":"最高です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"saikou-saiaku","example":{"romaji":"kyou, saikou datta","ja":"今日、最高だった","english":"Today was the best."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa saikou deshita","ja":"今日は最高でした","english":"Today was the best."},"freqRank":551,"freqNote":"最高 #551","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives"],"notes":null},{"n":231,"id":"D-saiaku","romaji":"saiaku","polite":"saiaku desu","english":"the worst, awful","use":"The top-end complaint about a day, event, person or situation; said alone, 'saiaku!' is the standard 'ugh, terrible' reaction to bad luck.","ja":"最悪","kana":"さいあく","politeJa":"最悪です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"saikou-saiaku","example":{"romaji":"kyou, saiaku datta","ja":"今日、最悪だった","english":"Today was the worst."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa saiaku deshita","ja":"今日は最悪でした","english":"Today was the worst."},"freqRank":1088,"freqNote":"最悪 #1088","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["D-saikou"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"sai-kou and sai-aku only differ after sai-, so hear the whole word before you react."},{"n":232,"id":"D-hidoi","romaji":"hidoi","polite":"hidoi desu","english":"terrible, cruel, harsh","use":"Says something is terrible (weather, a cold, traffic) or that someone is mean or unfair; 'hidoi!' is the reaction to being treated badly, and 'sore wa hidoi' is sympathy for someone's story.","ja":"ひどい","kana":"ひどい","politeJa":"ひどいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"sore wa hidoi ne","ja":"それはひどいね","english":"That's awful."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore wa hidoi desu ne","ja":"それはひどいですね","english":"That's awful."},"freqRank":444,"freqNote":"ひどい #444 (酷い #15387)","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"Said to someone's face, 'hidoi!' means 'that's mean!'"},{"n":233,"id":"D-yabai","romaji":"yabai","polite":"sugoi desu / mazui desu","english":"crazy (good or bad), uh-oh","use":"Casual intensity word with two senses, 'uh-oh, I'm in trouble' (the original) and 'insanely good' (younger speakers); tone and context decide which.","ja":"やばい","kana":"やばい","politeJa":"すごいです / まずいです","flags":["slang","casual-only"],"contrastGroup":"sugoi-yabai","example":{"romaji":"kono uta, yabai ne","ja":"この歌、やばいね","english":"This song is insane."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono uta, sugoi desu ne","ja":"この歌、すごいですね","english":"This song is amazing."},"freqRank":1166,"freqNote":"spelling split: ヤバい #1166, やばい #2058, やべえ #4269","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-sugoi"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers","13-list-exit-battery #78 (in example)"],"notes":"The 'uh-oh' sense: 'yabai, okureru!' = Oh no, I'm going to be late! Don't use it with clerks or strangers: politely, say sugoi desu for the good sense and mazui desu for the uh-oh sense (mazui desu ne, okuremasu)."}]},{"id":"A4","range":"234-238","stage":2,"category":"Time & sequence","label":"Soon, suddenly, gradually","rationale":"How soon something happens, from right away to 'it's about time', plus whether a change comes out of the blue or bit by bit.","interference":"sugu = right after, mou sugu = the event is close, sorosoro = it's time (mostly to leave), kyuu ni = without warning, usually in past tense. dandan is the opposite of kyuu ni: the same change spread out, usually with -te kita (dandan samuku natte kita vs kyuu ni samuku natta).","items":[{"n":234,"id":"A-sugu","romaji":"sugu","polite":null,"english":"right away, soon","use":"Makes an action immediate or close at hand (sugu iku, sugu kaeru). It also builds ima sugu and mou sugu.","ja":"すぐ","kana":"すぐ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"how-soon","example":{"romaji":"sugu iku ne.","ja":"すぐ行くね。","english":"I'll be right there."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sugu ikimasu.","ja":"すぐ行きます。","english":"I'll be right there."},"freqRank":252,"freqNote":"すぐ #252; すぐに #358","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"ima sugu means 'right this minute'. sugu can also mean 'easily' (sugu okoru = gets angry easily) and 'very near' (sugu soko = right over there, eki kara sugu = right by the station)."},{"n":235,"id":"A-mou-sugu","romaji":"mou sugu","polite":null,"english":"very soon, any minute now","use":"Says that a time or event is about to arrive, before a verb (mou sugu tsuku) or a noun (mou sugu natsu = summer's nearly here).","ja":"もうすぐ","kana":"もうすぐ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"how-soon","example":{"romaji":"mou sugu tsuku yo.","ja":"もうすぐ着くよ。","english":"I'm almost there."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mou sugu tsukimasu.","ja":"もうすぐ着きます。","english":"I'm almost there."},"freqRank":691,"freqNote":"もうすぐ #691","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["A-mou","A-sugu"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"It is about time only. 'Almost' as in nearly all is hotondo, and 'a little more' is mou sukoshi."},{"n":236,"id":"A-sorosoro","romaji":"sorosoro","polite":null,"english":"it's about time","use":"Signals that it's time to move on, most often to leave (sorosoro kaeru). It softens wrapping things up.","ja":"そろそろ","kana":"そろそろ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"how-soon","example":{"romaji":"sorosoro kaeru ne.","ja":"そろそろ帰るね。","english":"I'd better head home."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sorosoro kaerimasu ne.","ja":"そろそろ帰りますね。","english":"I'd better head home."},"freqRank":413,"freqNote":"そろそろ #413","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"The polite way to excuse yourself is sorosoro shitsurei shimasu."},{"n":237,"id":"A-kyuu-ni","romaji":"kyuu ni","polite":null,"english":"suddenly","use":"Marks an abrupt, unexpected change or action. kyuu ni dou shita no? means 'what's got into you?'","ja":"急に","kana":"きゅうに","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"sudden-gradual","example":{"romaji":"kyuu ni samuku natta ne.","ja":"急に寒くなったね。","english":"It's suddenly turned cold, hasn't it?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyuu ni samuku narimashita ne.","ja":"急に寒くなりましたね。","english":"It's suddenly turned cold, hasn't it?"},"freqRank":345,"freqNote":"急に #345; synonyms 突然 #573, いきなり #723","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"kyuu ni gomen ne = sorry for the short notice; kyuu na youji ga dekite = something came up (the standard excuse). totsuzen (stronger) and ikinari (casual, abrupt) are near-synonyms."},{"n":238,"id":"A-dandan","romaji":"dandan","polite":null,"english":"gradually, more and more","use":"Says a state changes bit by bit. It almost always pairs with -ku naru / -ni naru, plus -te kita for change up to now (dandan wakatte kita = it's slowly starting to make sense) or -te iku for change from now on (dandan samuku natte iku). Learn natte kita (has been getting) as a chunk here; the -te kuru pattern itself comes later (-te kuru).","ja":"だんだん","kana":"だんだん","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"sudden-gradual","example":{"romaji":"dandan samuku natte kita ne.","ja":"だんだん寒くなってきたね。","english":"It's been gradually getting colder, hasn't it?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dandan samuku natte kimashita ne.","ja":"だんだん寒くなってきましたね。","english":"It's been gradually getting colder, hasn't it?"},"freqRank":2279,"freqNote":"だんだん #2279 (段々 #36600)","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-naru"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #20 (in example)"],"notes":"dandan is for a change in degree (getting colder, getting used to it), not for doing something in small portions. For that, use sukoshi zutsu (sukoshi zutsu tabete, sukoshi zutsu oboeru). For 'slowly' as a speed (speak slowly), use yukkuri."}]},{"id":"E6","range":"239-243","stage":2,"category":"Connectors & conditionals","label":"If / even if","rationale":"The four 'if' endings plus 'even if', all on one 'jikan aru' sentence so only the ending changes.","interference":"English gives all five as 'if/when': -tara is the default, -nara picks up what was just said, -te mo flips to 'even if', -ba means 'that's all it takes', -to is automatic and never takes a request or plan after it.","items":[{"n":239,"id":"E-tara","romaji":"-tara","polite":null,"english":"if; when; once","use":"Conditional built on the -ta form: 'if' for hypotheticals, 'when / once' for things sure to happen, and 'when I did X, I found Y' in stories. The safe default when unsure which 'if' fits.","ja":"たら","kana":"たら","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tara-nara-ba-to-temo","example":{"romaji":"jikan attara, kite ne.","ja":"時間あったら、来てね。","english":"If you've got time, come by."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jikan ga attara, kite kudasai ne.","ja":"時間があったら、来てくださいね。","english":"If you have time, please come by."},"freqRank":2818,"freqNote":"たら #2818, misleadingly low: tokenizer fuses most -tara into the verb token (cf. だったら #207, よかったら #938)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["I-ta-past"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #35","13-list-exit-battery #1","13-list-exit-battery #2","13-list-exit-battery #10","13-list-exit-battery #11","13-list-exit-battery #12"],"notes":"Polite speech keeps plain -tara; -mashitara sounds very formal."},{"n":240,"id":"E-nara","romaji":"-nara","polite":null,"english":"if (that's the case); as for","use":"Takes up something just said or known and builds on it: 'if it's X / if you're going to X'. Attaches to nouns and plain forms ('sushi nara, ii mise shitteru').","ja":"なら","kana":"なら","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tara-nara-ba-to-temo","example":{"romaji":"jikan aru nara, tetsudatte yo.","ja":"時間あるなら、手伝ってよ。","english":"If you've got time, help me out."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jikan ga aru nara, chotto tetsudatte moraemasu ka?","ja":"時間があるなら、ちょっと手伝ってもらえますか？","english":"If you've got time, could you give me a hand?"},"freqRank":77,"freqNote":"なら #77","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-tara"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #8","13-list-exit-battery #9","13-list-exit-battery #10","13-list-exit-battery #12"],"notes":"English speakers overuse nara for every 'if'; save it for picking up what was said. Timing trap: with nara the main action can come first ('nihon ni iku nara, kore yonde' = read this before you go), while 'nihon ni ittara, ...' = once you're there."},{"n":241,"id":"E-te-mo","romaji":"-te mo","polite":null,"english":"even if; even though","use":"Te-form + mo: the result holds anyway ('ame ga futte mo iku'). Adjectives take -kute mo, nouns and na-adjectives de mo; casual alternative -tatte.","ja":"ても","kana":"ても","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tara-nara-ba-to-temo","example":{"romaji":"jikan atte mo, ikanai.","ja":"時間あっても、行かない。","english":"Even if I have time, I'm not going."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jikan ga atte mo, ikimasen.","ja":"時間があっても、行きません。","english":"Even if I have time, I won't go."},"freqRank":13684,"freqNote":"ても #13684, misleadingly low: tokenizer splits -te + mo; casual たって #1142","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-te-and"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #10","12-list-te-dependents #40","13-list-exit-battery #23"],"notes":"Listen for what follows: 'tabete mo ii?' = 'can I eat it?', while 'tabete mo, ...' = 'even if I eat'. Don't treat -te mo as a kind of -tara; it flips the meaning ('even if' vs 'if')."},{"n":242,"id":"E-ba","romaji":"-ba","polite":null,"english":"if","use":"Conditional on the e-stem (areba, ikeba, yasukereba): 'if X, then Y', often with the sense that X is all it takes. Also inside -ba ii, -nakereba and dou sureba.","ja":"ば","kana":"ば","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tara-nara-ba-to-temo","example":{"romaji":"jikan areba, iku yo.","ja":"時間あれば、行くよ。","english":"If I have time, I'll go."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jikan ga areba, ikimasu.","ja":"時間があれば、行きます。","english":"If I have time, I'll go."},"freqRank":1403,"freqNote":"tokenizer splits; ば alone unusable (#183446); rank of できれば, cf. なければ #1873, よければ #2273","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["E-tara"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #3","13-list-exit-battery #4","13-list-exit-battery #12"],"notes":"Casually -nakereba shrinks to -nakya; -kerya / -rya (yokerya, arya) sound rough and male: recognise, don't produce. After an action verb, -ba can't lead into a request or invitation; use -tara ('tsuitara, denwa shite')."},{"n":243,"id":"E-to-whenever","romaji":"-to","polite":null,"english":"whenever; if (then always)","use":"Plain form + to: Y always or automatically follows X; used for directions, how things work and habits ('migi ni magaru to, eki ga aru'). The main clause can't be a request, invitation or plan.","ja":"と","kana":"と","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tara-nara-ba-to-temo","example":{"romaji":"jikan aru to, itsumo nechau.","ja":"時間あると、いつも寝ちゃう。","english":"Whenever I have time, I end up sleeping."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jikan ga aru to, itsumo nechaimasu.","ja":"時間があると、いつも寝ちゃいます。","english":"Whenever I have time, I end up sleeping."},"freqRank":7,"freqNote":"と #7, counts every と (and, with, quote), not just the conditional","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["E-tara"],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: to (noun 'and' sense only)","13-list-exit-battery #5","13-list-exit-battery #6","13-list-exit-battery #7","13-list-exit-battery #12"],"notes":"'...to, kite' (a request) is wrong; use -tara for that."}]},{"id":"A5","range":"244-247","stage":3,"category":"Time & sequence","label":"Later and next time","rationale":"These push something to a later point: later today, the next occasion, next in line, or again.","interference":"English 'next time' is usually kondo. tsugi is the next in order, ato de stays within the same occasion, and mata just means 'again'.","items":[{"n":244,"id":"A-mata","romaji":"mata","polite":null,"english":"again","use":"Says something happens again (mata kita), and closes goodbyes and invitations (mata ne, mata kite ne).","ja":"また","kana":"また","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"later-next-again","example":{"romaji":"mata watashi ga harau no?","ja":"また私が払うの？","english":"I'm paying again?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mata watashi ga harau n desu ka?","ja":"また私が払うんですか？","english":"I'm paying again?"},"freqRank":91,"freqNote":"また #91, includes the 'also' connector sense","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: conjunctions","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: greetings (matane)"],"notes":"mata ne and mata ashita are the everyday goodbyes. The 'also' sense belongs to connectors. Men say ore here in casual talk (mata ore ga harau no?)."},{"n":245,"id":"A-ato-de","romaji":"ato de","polite":null,"english":"later","use":"Puts something off until later, usually the same day (ato de ne). After a -ta verb, -ta ato de means 'after doing'.","ja":"後で","kana":"あとで","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"later-next-again","example":{"romaji":"ato de harau ne.","ja":"後で払うね。","english":"I'll pay you later."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ato de haraimasu ne.","ja":"後で払いますね。","english":"I'll pay you later."},"freqRank":1484,"freqNote":"後で #1484; kana あとで #3950","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #39 (-ta ato de)"],"notes":"Business speech uses nochi hodo. ato de is fine in ordinary polite talk. ato + an amount means 'X more, X left' (ato go-fun = five more minutes)."},{"n":246,"id":"A-kondo","romaji":"kondo","polite":null,"english":"next time; this time; sometime","use":"Points to the next occasion or some future one. It is how people float plans and soft invitations (kondo nomi ni ikou).","ja":"今度","kana":"こんど","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"later-next-again","example":{"romaji":"kondo harau ne.","ja":"今度払うね。","english":"I'll pay next time."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kondo haraimasu ne.","ja":"今度払いますね。","english":"I'll pay next time."},"freqRank":243,"freqNote":"今度 #243","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"mata kondo ('another time') is often a polite no. kondo no + a day means 'this coming' (kondo no doyoubi). After an earlier try, kondo wa can mean 'this time' (kondo wa umaku itta)."},{"n":247,"id":"A-tsugi","romaji":"tsugi","polite":null,"english":"next","use":"Points to the next item in a sequence or line (tsugi no eki, tsugi wa?). tsugi ni marks the next step.","ja":"次","kana":"つぎ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"later-next-again","example":{"romaji":"tsugi doko iku?","ja":"次どこ行く？","english":"Where to next?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tsugi wa doko ni ikimasu ka?","ja":"次はどこに行きますか？","english":"Where to next?"},"freqRank":193,"freqNote":"次(つぎ) #193","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"tsugi wa also means 'next time' for a definite next occurrence (tsugi wa ki o tsukete = be careful next time). kondo is vaguer and is the word for invitations."}]},{"id":"A13","range":"248-250","stage":3,"category":"Time & sequence","label":"Last, this, next month","rationale":"The sen-, kon- and rai- of the week words applied to months, with no exceptions.","interference":"sengetsu, kongetsu and raigetsu differ only in the first syllable, exactly like senshuu, konshuu and raishuu. Like the week words, they take no ni: raigetsu hikkosu, not raigetsu ni hikkosu.","items":[{"n":248,"id":"A-sengetsu","romaji":"sengetsu","polite":null,"english":"last month","use":"Last month, for recaps. It uses the same sen- as senshuu, so it pairs with past tense.","ja":"先月","kana":"せんげつ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"sengetsu-kongetsu-raigetsu","example":{"romaji":"sengetsu hikkoshita n da.","ja":"先月引っ越したんだ。","english":"I moved last month."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sengetsu hikkoshita n desu.","ja":"先月引っ越したんです。","english":"I moved last month."},"freqRank":2840,"freqNote":"先月(せんげつ) #2840","spread":3,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["A-senshuu"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: relative-periods"],"notes":null},{"n":249,"id":"A-kongetsu","romaji":"kongetsu","polite":null,"english":"this month","use":"This month, for budgets, schedules and deadlines. It uses the same kon- as konshuu.","ja":"今月","kana":"こんげつ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"sengetsu-kongetsu-raigetsu","example":{"romaji":"kongetsu hikkosu n da.","ja":"今月引っ越すんだ。","english":"I'm moving this month."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kongetsu hikkosu n desu.","ja":"今月引っ越すんです。","english":"I'm moving this month."},"freqRank":2267,"freqNote":"今月(こんげつ) #2267","spread":3,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["A-konshuu"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: relative-periods"],"notes":null},{"n":250,"id":"A-raigetsu","romaji":"raigetsu","polite":null,"english":"next month","use":"Next month, for plans and deadlines. It uses the same rai- as raishuu.","ja":"来月","kana":"らいげつ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"sengetsu-kongetsu-raigetsu","example":{"romaji":"raigetsu hikkosu n da.","ja":"来月引っ越すんだ。","english":"I'm moving next month."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"raigetsu hikkosu n desu.","ja":"来月引っ越すんです。","english":"I'm moving next month."},"freqRank":2256,"freqNote":"来月(らいげつ) #2256","spread":3,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["A-raishuu"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: relative-periods"],"notes":null}]},{"id":"A14","range":"251-253","stage":3,"category":"Time & sequence","label":"Last, this, next year","rationale":"The same grid for years, where two of the three words are irregular.","interference":"Only rainen fits the sen-/kon-/rai- pattern: this year is kotoshi and last year is kyonen. kyonen has a short kyo- (kyo-ne-n), unlike the long kyou of 'today', so don't stretch it. Like the week and month words, all three take no ni.","items":[{"n":251,"id":"A-kyonen","romaji":"kyonen","polite":null,"english":"last year","use":"Last year, the usual anchor for recaps. Like kinou, it pairs with past tense.","ja":"去年","kana":"きょねん","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kyonen-kotoshi-rainen","example":{"romaji":"kyonen kekkon shita n da.","ja":"去年結婚したんだ。","english":"I got married last year."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyonen kekkon shita n desu.","ja":"去年結婚したんです。","english":"I got married last year."},"freqRank":1422,"freqNote":"去年(きょねん) #1422","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: relative-periods"],"notes":"It breaks the sen- pattern. Say a short kyo- (kyo-ne-n, three beats), not the long kyou of 'today'. sakunen (昨年, #5231) is the formal version heard in business talk and the news: recognise it, but say kyonen even in desu/masu."},{"n":252,"id":"A-kotoshi","romaji":"kotoshi","polite":null,"english":"this year","use":"This year, for yearly plans and recaps, and the New Year line kotoshi mo yoroshiku.","ja":"今年","kana":"ことし","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kyonen-kotoshi-rainen","example":{"romaji":"kotoshi kekkon suru n da.","ja":"今年結婚するんだ。","english":"I'm getting married this year."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kotoshi kekkon suru n desu.","ja":"今年結婚するんです。","english":"I'm getting married this year."},"freqRank":1145,"freqNote":"今年(ことし) #1145","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: relative-periods"],"notes":"It breaks the kon- pattern: kotoshi. The kon- reading turns up in work talk as konnendo (今年度, this fiscal year)."},{"n":253,"id":"A-rainen","romaji":"rainen","polite":null,"english":"next year","use":"Next year, for plans and hopes. It is the one year word that fits the rai- pattern of raishuu and raigetsu.","ja":"来年","kana":"らいねん","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kyonen-kotoshi-rainen","example":{"romaji":"rainen kekkon suru n da.","ja":"来年結婚するんだ。","english":"I'm getting married next year."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"rainen kekkon suru n desu.","ja":"来年結婚するんです。","english":"I'm getting married next year."},"freqRank":2055,"freqNote":"来年(らいねん) #2055","spread":3,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["A-raishuu"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: relative-periods"],"notes":null}]},{"id":"J8","range":"254-257","stage":3,"category":"Pointing, question & people words","label":"this/that: ways & sides","rationale":"The ko/so/a/do direction row for which way, whose side and which of two, each with a polite -chira form.","interference":"dotchi is for two choices, dore for three or more; kotchi and sotchi can also mean 'me' and 'you', so listen for people, not places. The -chira forms are what you say to customers and strangers; with coworkers kotchi/dotchi + desu is normal.","items":[{"n":254,"id":"J-kocchi","romaji":"kotchi","polite":"kochira","english":"this way; this one (of two)","use":"Points to a direction, a side or one of two choices (kotchi ga ii), and casually also means 'me, my side' (kotchi wa daijoubu).","ja":"こっち","kana":"こっち","politeJa":"こちら","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kotchi-sotchi-atchi-dotchi","example":{"romaji":"kotchi ga ii na.","ja":"こっちがいいな。","english":"I'd like this one."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kochira ga ii desu.","ja":"こちらがいいです。","english":"I'd like this one."},"freqRank":148,"freqNote":"polite こちら #200","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-koko"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-places"],"notes":"kochira also introduces people: kochira wa tanaka-san desu."},{"n":255,"id":"J-docchi","romaji":"dotchi","polite":"dochira","english":"which (of two); which way","use":"Asks which of two, or which direction, and takes ga (dotchi ga ii?).","ja":"どっち","kana":"どっち","politeJa":"どちら","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kotchi-sotchi-atchi-dotchi","example":{"romaji":"dotchi ga ii?","ja":"どっちがいい？","english":"Which of the two do you want?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dochira ga ii desu ka?","ja":"どちらがいいですか？","english":"Which would you prefer?"},"freqRank":471,"freqNote":"polite どちら #1013","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["J-kocchi"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #119","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-places"],"notes":"dotchi demo ii means 'either is fine'."},{"n":256,"id":"J-socchi","romaji":"sotchi","polite":"sochira","english":"that way; your side; you","use":"The direction or choice on the listener's side, and casually a way to say 'you' without anata (sotchi wa dou?).","ja":"そっち","kana":"そっち","politeJa":"そちら","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kotchi-sotchi-atchi-dotchi","example":{"romaji":"sotchi ga ii yo.","ja":"そっちがいいよ。","english":"Go with that one."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sochira ga ii desu yo.","ja":"そちらがいいですよ。","english":"That one would be better."},"freqRank":423,"freqNote":"polite そちら #1162","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["J-kocchi"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-places"],"notes":"sotchi wa? means 'and you?', a casual way around anata."},{"n":257,"id":"J-acchi","romaji":"atchi","polite":"achira","english":"over there; that way","use":"The direction or thing away from both of you, used mostly for pointing out the way (atchi da yo).","ja":"あっち","kana":"あっち","politeJa":"あちら","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kotchi-sotchi-atchi-dotchi","example":{"romaji":"atchi ga ii na.","ja":"あっちがいいな。","english":"That one over there looks better."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"achira ga ii desu ne.","ja":"あちらがいいですね。","english":"That one over there looks better."},"freqRank":641,"freqNote":"polite あちら #1685","spread":3,"reach":2,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["J-kocchi"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-places"],"notes":"Learn atchi da yo, 'it's that way', first."}]},{"id":"J9","range":"258-262","stage":3,"category":"Pointing, question & people words","label":"In, on, near, other","rationale":"Relational nouns that attach to another noun with no to say where something is (in, on, in front, near) or that it is a different one.","interference":"naka/soto, ue/shita, mae/ushiro and chikaku come after the noun (hako no naka, eki no mae) but hoka comes before (hoka no hito); ue/shita also mean older/younger, and mae also means before/ago in time.","items":[{"n":258,"id":"J-naka-soto","romaji":"naka / soto","polite":null,"english":"inside, among / outside","use":"Places things in or out of something (kaban no naka, soto de), and X no naka de ichiban means 'the most out of X'.","ja":"中 / 外","kana":"なか / そと","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"position-nouns","example":{"romaji":"naka ja nakute, soto ni aru yo.","ja":"中じゃなくて、外にあるよ。","english":"It's not inside, it's outside."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"naka ja nakute, soto ni arimasu yo.","ja":"中じゃなくて、外にありますよ。","english":"It's not inside, it's outside."},"freqRank":133,"freqNote":"中 read なか #133; 外 soto #437","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #23","10-list-nouns #24","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: position-nouns","13-list-exit-battery #120"],"notes":"naka also means 'relationship' (naka ga ii = get along well)."},{"n":259,"id":"J-ue-shita","romaji":"ue / shita","polite":null,"english":"on, above / under, below","use":"Places things above or below (tsukue no ue), and gives relative age or rank (futatsu ue = two years older).","ja":"上 / 下","kana":"うえ / した","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"position-nouns","example":{"romaji":"ue ja nakute, shita ni aru yo.","ja":"上じゃなくて、下にあるよ。","english":"It's not on top, it's underneath."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ue ja nakute, shita ni arimasu yo.","ja":"上じゃなくて、下にありますよ。","english":"It's not on top, it's underneath."},"freqRank":321,"freqNote":"上 read うえ #321; 下 shita #622","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #21","10-list-nouns #22","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: position-nouns"],"notes":"shita also means 'tongue' and 'did' (past of suru); context sorts it."},{"n":260,"id":"J-hoka","romaji":"hoka","polite":null,"english":"other; else","use":"Comes before no or ni: hoka no means 'another, other' and hoka ni means 'besides, anything else'.","ja":"他","kana":"ほか","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"hoka no wa nai?","ja":"他のはない？","english":"Do you have any others?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"hoka no wa arimasen ka?","ja":"他のはありませんか？","english":"Do you have any others?"},"freqRank":613,"freqNote":"plus ほか #1673, 他にも #1824","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"hoka ni wa? is the quick 'anything else?' follow-up."},{"n":261,"id":"J-mae-ushiro","romaji":"mae / ushiro","polite":null,"english":"in front (of) / behind","use":"Places people and things in front or behind (eki no mae, ushiro no seki); X no mae de is the standard way to set a meeting point.","ja":"前 / 後ろ","kana":"まえ / うしろ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"position-nouns","example":{"romaji":"mae ja nakute, ushiro ni aru yo.","ja":"前じゃなくて、後ろにあるよ。","english":"It's not on the front, it's on the back."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mae ja nakute, ushiro ni arimasu yo.","ja":"前じゃなくて、後ろにありますよ。","english":"It's not on the front, it's on the back."},"freqRank":80,"freqNote":"前 #80, all senses combined (time sense shared with A-mae); 後ろ ushiro #1090","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-naka-soto"],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #25","10-list-nouns #26","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: position-nouns"],"notes":"eki no mae de matteru ne = I'll wait in front of the station. In time, the opposite of mae is ato (ato de = later), not ushiro."},{"n":262,"id":"J-chikaku","romaji":"chikaku","polite":null,"english":"near; nearby","use":"Says something is close by: after a noun + no it means 'near X' (eki no chikaku), and on its own it means 'nearby' (chikaku ni aru, chikaku no mise).","ja":"近く","kana":"ちかく","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"eki no chikaku ni aru yo.","ja":"駅の近くにあるよ。","english":"It's near the station."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"eki no chikaku ni arimasu yo.","ja":"駅の近くにありますよ。","english":"It's near the station."},"freqRank":464,"freqNote":"近く #464; adjective 近い chikai #751","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-naka-soto"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"For 'a nearby shop' say chikaku no mise, not chikai mise; chikai + noun mostly comes as ichiban chikai (the nearest). The adjective chikai talks about the distance itself (eki kara chikai = close to the station)."}]},{"id":"J10","range":"263-266","stage":3,"category":"Pointing, question & people words","label":"Person, thing, matter, place","rationale":"The four general nouns that let you talk around any word you don't know.","interference":"mono is a thing you can touch (taberu mono), koto is an act or topic (suki na koto), tokoro is a place or a trait (yasashii tokoro).","items":[{"n":263,"id":"J-hito","romaji":"hito","polite":null,"english":"person; people; others","use":"Any person or people, usually with a description in front (ii hito, ano hito), and hito ni yoru means 'it depends on the person'.","ja":"人","kana":"ひと","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hito-mono-koto-tokoro","example":{"romaji":"suki na hito, iru?","ja":"好きな人、いる？","english":"Is there someone you like?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"suki na hito, imasu ka?","ja":"好きな人、いますか？","english":"Is there someone you like?"},"freqRank":60,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #3","13-list-exit-battery #133"],"notes":"People take iru, not aru: hito ga iru."},{"n":264,"id":"J-mono","romaji":"mono","polite":null,"english":"thing, stuff","use":"A concrete thing, usually with a description in front, so you can name what you lack the word for (taberu mono, hoshii mono).","ja":"もの","kana":"もの","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hito-mono-koto-tokoro","example":{"romaji":"suki na mono tanonde ii yo.","ja":"好きなもの頼んでいいよ。","english":"Order whatever you like."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"suki na mono tanonde ii desu yo.","ja":"好きなもの頼んでいいですよ。","english":"Order whatever you like."},"freqRank":93,"freqNote":"もの #93; 物 #910","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #79"],"notes":"mono da at the end means 'that's just how it is' (sou iu mono da)."},{"n":265,"id":"J-koto","romaji":"koto","polite":null,"english":"thing, matter; about X","use":"An abstract thing such as an act, event or topic (suki na koto, sonna koto), X no koto means 'about X', and it is the base of patterns like -ta koto ga aru.","ja":"こと","kana":"こと","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hito-mono-koto-tokoro","example":{"romaji":"suki na koto shite ii yo.","ja":"好きなことしていいよ。","english":"Do whatever you like."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"suki na koto shite ii desu yo.","ja":"好きなことしていいですよ。","english":"Do whatever you like."},"freqRank":26,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #92"],"notes":"tanaka-san no koto ga suki means 'I like Tanaka-san'; X no koto turns a person into a topic (about X, X as a person)."},{"n":266,"id":"J-tokoro-place","romaji":"tokoro","polite":null,"english":"place, spot; side, trait","use":"A place (ii tokoro) or a trait of someone or something (yasashii tokoro = their kind side); X no tokoro, casually X no toko, means X's place (tanaka-san no toko ni iku = go to Tanaka-san's).","ja":"ところ","kana":"ところ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hito-mono-koto-tokoro","example":{"romaji":"suki na tokoro de ii yo.","ja":"好きなところでいいよ。","english":"Wherever you like is fine."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"suki na tokoro de ii desu yo.","ja":"好きなところでいいですよ。","english":"Wherever you like is fine."},"freqRank":187,"freqNote":"ところ #187 pools the aspect pattern (A -tokoro) and tokoro de; 所 #574; casual とこ #280","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-koto"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"You can't go ni a person: tomodachi no tokoro ni iku, not tomodachi ni iku. The aspect pattern -tokoro (tabeteru tokoro) is a separate card in A."}]},{"id":"F5","range":"267-270","stage":3,"category":"Sentence endings & intent","label":"Checking with you","rationale":"Tags that pull the listener into agreement, plus tte koto? to check you've understood what they said.","interference":"desho? means 'surely you agree' (often 'told you'), ja nai? offers your view as a rising question, and jan states it with a falling tone, not as a question. tte koto? restates the other person's words to check you understood.","items":[{"n":267,"id":"F-desho","romaji":"desho?","polite":"deshou?","english":"right? (surely you agree)","use":"A rising tag that expects agreement, meaning 'see, I told you' or 'you know what I mean'. Everyone uses it in casual speech.","ja":"でしょ？","kana":"でしょ？","politeJa":"でしょう？","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"desho-ja-nai-jan","example":{"romaji":"kore ii desho?","ja":"これいいでしょ？","english":"This is nice, right?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore ii deshou?","ja":"これいいでしょう？","english":"This is nice, isn't it?"},"freqRank":147,"freqNote":"tokenizer files でしょ under でしょう #147 (bare でしょ #43859); includes polite 'probably'","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"With a falling tone, polite deshou means 'probably' (ame deshou). In casual speech, guess with tabun, kamo or to omou. A bare final darou and the tag daro? lean masculine, while nan darou / dou darou (I wonder) are used by everyone. With people above you, a rising deshou? can sound pushy; desu yo ne? (kore ii desu yo ne?) is the safer check."},{"n":268,"id":"F-ja-nai-q","romaji":"ja nai?","polite":"ja nai desu ka","english":"isn't it? (I think so)","use":"Offers your view softly as a rising question (ii ja nai? = that's nice, no?). It attaches directly to nouns and adjectives (tanaka-san ja nai?, kirei ja nai?, ii ja nai?). After verbs, use n ja nai? (ame furu n ja nai?).","ja":"じゃない？","kana":"じゃない？","politeJa":"じゃないですか","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"desho-ja-nai-jan","example":{"romaji":"are, ano hito tanaka-san ja nai?","ja":"あれ、あの人田中さんじゃない？","english":"Wait, isn't that Tanaka over there?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"are, ano hito tanaka-san ja nai desu ka?","ja":"あれ、あの人田中さんじゃないですか？","english":"Oh, isn't that Tanaka-san over there?"},"freqRank":39,"freqNote":"rank of じゃない, which merges plain negation; じゃないか #202","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-kunai-ja-nai"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Tone decides the meaning: rising ame ja nai? = isn't it rain?, while flat ame ja nai = it isn't rain. After an i-adjective it is always this tag, never negation, because the negative is -kunai."},{"n":269,"id":"F-jan","romaji":"jan","polite":"ja nai desu ka","english":"see? / isn't it","use":"Contracted ja nai said with a falling tone. It presents something as obvious or newly noticed (ii jan = hey, that's nice) and isn't a real question.","ja":"じゃん","kana":"じゃん","politeJa":"じゃないですか","flags":["casual-only"],"contrastGroup":"desho-ja-nai-jan","example":{"romaji":"kore ii jan","ja":"これいいじゃん","english":"Hey, this is nice!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore ii ja nai desu ka","ja":"これいいじゃないですか","english":"This is nice, isn't it!"},"freqRank":363,"freqNote":"#363 じゃん (Kansai やん #1690)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["F-ja-nai-q"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"It spread to Tokyo from Yokohama and the surrounding region and is now heard nationwide; Kansai speakers say yan. With verbs it means 'I told you': datte itta jan (I told you so!). In polite speech, asserting ...ja nai desu ka about things the listener can't know sounds presumptuous."},{"n":270,"id":"F-tte-koto","romaji":"tte koto?","polite":"tte koto desu ka","english":"you mean...? / so...","use":"Restates what the other person said to check you understood, which is vital for a learner. It attaches to the plain form.","ja":"ってこと？","kana":"ってこと？","politeJa":"ってことですか","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ashita wa muri tte koto?","ja":"明日は無理ってこと？","english":"So you mean tomorrow's no good?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita wa muri tte koto desu ka?","ja":"明日は無理ってことですか？","english":"So you mean tomorrow's no good?"},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement (ってこと and ということ not found; こと #26 too generic)","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-tte-iu-called","J-koto"],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: tte","13-list-exit-battery #108","13-list-exit-battery #110"],"notes":"sou iu koto? (is that what you mean?) works as a reply on its own. to iu koto desu ka is the more formal polite option, for meetings and email."}]},{"id":"F6","range":"271-275","stage":3,"category":"Sentence endings & intent","label":"How sure: endings","rationale":"A ladder of certainty from 'maybe' through 'should be' to 'no way', all on one base sentence about someone arriving.","interference":"From least to most sure: kamo (could go either way), to omou (my opinion), n ja nai (I'd guess), hazu (should, by reasoning); wake nai is just as sure in the other direction (no way). hazu is about what you expect: not your own plans, which take tsumori, and never advice, which takes -ta hou ga ii. hazu ga nai also means 'can't be', but calmly, by reasoning; wake nai is the everyday, emphatic one. wake nai and wake ja nai both deny, but one ja softens it: kirai na wake nai = no way I'd hate it, kirai na wake ja nai (kedo) = it's not that I hate it (but...).","items":[{"n":271,"id":"F-kamo","romaji":"kamo","polite":"kamo shiremasen","english":"maybe / might","use":"Marks something as possible but uncertain. It attaches to any plain clause, with no da after nouns (ame kamo).","ja":"かも","kana":"かも","politeJa":"かもしれません","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"certainty","example":{"romaji":"sorosoro tsuku kamo","ja":"そろそろ着くかも","english":"They might be here soon."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sorosoro tsuku kamo shiremasen","ja":"そろそろ着くかもしれません","english":"They may be arriving soon."},"freqRank":240,"freqNote":"#240 かも (かもしれない #219, polite かもしれません #665)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"kamo desu is common among younger coworkers but sounds a bit loose; with superiors or customers, use kamo shiremasen."},{"n":272,"id":"F-to-omou","romaji":"to omou","polite":"to omoimasu","english":"I think (that)","use":"Presents a statement as your own opinion or guess so it doesn't sound blunt. It attaches to the plain form, with da after nouns (ame da to omou).","ja":"と思う","kana":"とおもう","politeJa":"と思います","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"certainty","example":{"romaji":"sorosoro tsuku to omou","ja":"そろそろ着くと思う","english":"I think they'll be here soon."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sorosoro tsuku to omoimasu","ja":"そろそろ着くと思います","english":"I think they'll be arriving soon."},"freqRank":33,"freqNote":"rank of 思う (all uses)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["H-omou"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order verb ledger: omou","13-list-exit-battery #112"],"notes":"Use it for your own thoughts only; for someone else, say to omotteru. The casual variant is tte omou. For 'I don't think...', negate the clause: konai to omou (I don't think they'll come), not kuru to omowanai."},{"n":273,"id":"F-n-ja-nai","romaji":"n ja nai","polite":"n ja nai desu ka","english":"probably / I'd say","use":"Gives a soft but fairly confident guess or opinion, either as a rising question or as a flat statement. After nouns, use na n ja nai.","ja":"んじゃない","kana":"んじゃない","politeJa":"んじゃないですか","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"certainty","example":{"romaji":"sorosoro tsuku n ja nai?","ja":"そろそろ着くんじゃない？","english":"They'll probably be here soon, no?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sorosoro tsuku n ja nai desu ka","ja":"そろそろ着くんじゃないですか","english":"I'd say they'll be here soon."},"freqRank":39,"freqNote":"んじゃない not found (split); rank of じゃない (んじゃ #32265)","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["F-n-da","F-ja-nai-q"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"A sharp, falling ...n ja nai! is a scolding 'don't!' (sawaru n ja nai!). Flat, it can also deny an explanation: asobi ni iku n ja nai = it's not that I'm going to play."},{"n":274,"id":"F-hazu","romaji":"hazu","polite":"hazu desu","english":"should be / supposed to","use":"States what you expect on good grounds, such as a schedule, what someone said, or how things normally work. After nouns it is no hazu; after na-adjectives, na hazu.","ja":"はず","kana":"はず","politeJa":"はずです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"certainty","example":{"romaji":"sorosoro tsuku hazu","ja":"そろそろ着くはず","english":"They should be here any minute."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sorosoro tsuku hazu desu","ja":"そろそろ着くはずです","english":"They should be arriving any minute."},"freqRank":346,"freqNote":"#346 はず (はずだ #831)","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order: copula allomorph table"],"notes":"hazu ga nai means 'can't possibly'; hazu datta means 'was supposed to (but didn't)'. It is never advice: 'you should rest' is yasunda hou ga ii."},{"n":275,"id":"F-wake-nai","romaji":"wake nai","polite":"wake nai desu","english":"no way (that...) / can't possibly","use":"Flatly rules something out as impossible or absurd ('no way', 'as if'). On its own it makes the stock retort sonna wake nai (jan)! = no way / that can't be. It goes on any plain clause, often with jan or desho (wakaru wake nai jan = how would I know?), and nouns and na-adjectives take na before it (uso na wake nai, hima na wake nai).","ja":"わけない","kana":"わけない","politeJa":"わけないです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"certainty","example":{"romaji":"mada tsuku wake nai yo","ja":"まだ着くわけないよ","english":"No way they'll be here yet."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mada tsuku wake nai desu yo","ja":"まだ着くわけないですよ","english":"There's no way they'll be here yet."},"freqRank":449,"freqNote":"わけない #449 (token also covers the adjective 訳ない 'easy', whose kanji spelling is #8290); わけがない #2398; cf. はずない #2095, はずがない #2504","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["F-hazu","I-wake-ja-nai"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"One ja softens it rather than flipping it: kirai na wake ja nai (kedo) = it's not that I hate it (but...). The same word is also an adjective meaning 'easy, no trouble': sonna no wake nai yo = that's nothing, one 'no' away from sonna wake nai yo = no way. Even in polite speech it flatly contradicts, so don't aim it at a superior's idea (say sore wa chotto... instead). The careful polite form is wake ga arimasen."}]},{"id":"F9","range":"276-279","stage":3,"category":"Sentence endings & intent","label":"More enders","rationale":"Four endings built on items you already have: -te plus ne for a friendly ask, n da plus yo for an insistent reason, darou, the plain form of deshou, for wondering aloud, and -tara plus ii na for hoping.","interference":"darou is the plain deshou, but in casual speech only its wondering uses (nan darou, daijoubu darou ka) are neutral, so say kamo for 'probably' and desho? for 'right?'. n da yo pushes a reason across where n da just explains, and -te ne assumes a yes where -te kurenai? asks. ikitai na wants to do it yourself; iketara ii na hopes you'll get the chance, and haretara ii na hopes for something out of your hands. Swap na for yo and it becomes advice (kiitara ii yo = you should ask).","items":[{"n":276,"id":"F-te-ne","romaji":"-te ne","polite":"-te kudasai ne","english":"do..., OK?","use":"Adds ne to a casual -te request so it sounds warm rather than bossy. It is the everyday way to ask or remind friends, family and kids (mata renraku shite ne, ki o tsukete ne). It assumes they'll go along, so it's a friendly instruction, not a question.","ja":"〜てね","kana":"〜てね","politeJa":"〜てくださいね","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"request-ladder","example":{"romaji":"gomen, chotto matte ne","ja":"ごめん、ちょっと待ってね","english":"Sorry, hang on a sec, OK?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, chotto matte kudasai ne","ja":"すみません、ちょっと待ってくださいね","english":"Sorry, just a moment, please."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — てね #24031 undercounts (tokenizer splits)","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["F-te-request","F-ne"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #3","13-list-exit-battery #62","kotoba particles: ne"],"notes":"-naide ne is the 'don't' version (wasurenaide ne). -te kudasai ne sounds like giving instructions, which is fine from staff or between coworkers but bossy to a superior, so ask them with -te moraemasu ka. Mid-story -te ne (kinou eki ni itte ne, ...) is just 'and then' plus ne, not a request."},{"n":277,"id":"F-n-da-yo","romaji":"n da yo","polite":"n desu yo","english":"it's that..., you see","use":"Gives the listener an explanation they don't have yet, with yo pushing it across: why something happened, news, or a correction. Everyone uses it. After a question word it turns into a rough, masculine rebuke (nani shiteru n da yo! = what the hell are you doing?), so recognise that one; the neutral version is nani shiteru no!?","ja":"んだよ","kana":"んだよ","politeJa":"んですよ","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"n-da","example":{"romaji":"atama itai n da yo","ja":"頭痛いんだよ","english":"I've got a headache, that's why."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"atama ga itai n desu yo","ja":"頭が痛いんですよ","english":"I have a headache, you see."},"freqRank":20,"freqNote":"tokenizer splits; rank of んだ (んだよ not found)","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["F-n-da","F-yo"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #93","kotoba particles: yo"],"notes":"no yo (atama itai no yo) is the feminine version, now mostly heard from older women and in dramas; young women just say n da yo or no. Giving a superior an excuse with n desu yo sounds defensive; plain n desu is safer."},{"n":278,"id":"F-darou","romaji":"darou","polite":"deshou","english":"I wonder... (what / how / if)","use":"The plain form of deshou. Wondering aloud is neutral and everyone says it, whether with a question word (nan darou, dou darou, doko itta n darou) or with ka (daijoubu darou ka). As a falling 'probably' (ashita wa ame darou) or the rising tag daro? (right?), it sounds masculine and blunt, so most casual speakers say kamo (or tabun) for 'probably' and desho? for 'right?' instead.","ja":"だろう","kana":"だろう","politeJa":"でしょう","flags":["masc"],"contrastGroup":"kana-kke","example":{"romaji":"kaigi itsu darou","ja":"会議いつだろう","english":"When's the meeting, I wonder?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kaigi wa itsu deshou ka","ja":"会議はいつでしょうか","english":"When is the meeting, I wonder?"},"freqRank":102,"freqNote":"#102 だろう (だろ #119; でしょう #147, which also counts casual でしょ)","spread":3,"reach":5,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["F-kana","F-desho"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"dou darou on its own is a handy non-answer ('hmm, hard to say'). Polite deshou is neutral for everyone, whether as 'probably' (ame deshou) or as deshou ka (I wonder). In fast speech the wondering form is often just daro, said falling (itsu daro); that is neutral. Only the rising daro? (right?) is the masculine tag."},{"n":279,"id":"F-tara-ii-na","romaji":"-tara ii na","polite":"-tara ii desu ne","english":"I hope / I wish / it'd be nice if","use":"Hopes for something you can't simply do yourself, like weather, results or someone else's choice: add ii na to a -tara clause (haretara ii na = I hope it's sunny). With a potential verb it hopes you'll get the chance (iketara ii na = I hope I can go; mata aetara ii ne = hope we can meet again), and about something that isn't so it means 'I wish' (okane ga attara ii na = I wish I had money). ii na is half to yourself; -tara ii ne and polite -tara ii desu ne share the hope with the listener, and -nakattara ii na hopes something won't happen.","ja":"〜たらいいな","kana":"〜たらいいな","politeJa":"〜たらいいですね","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tai-te-hoshii","example":{"romaji":"issho ni iketara ii na","ja":"一緒に行けたらいいな","english":"I hope we can go together."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"issho ni iketara ii desu ne","ja":"一緒に行けたらいいですね","english":"It'd be great if we could go together."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement; tokenizer splits and folds たら into the verb (standalone たら #2818); いいな #173635 undercounts; いい #24, な #16 (merged with prohibitive/attributive na), なあ #387; cf. といい #3058","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-tara","D-ii","F-naa","I-potential"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"-ba ii na and -to ii na mean the same; to say you want to do it, use -tai, and for 'what should I do?' use dou shitara ii? (-tara ii)."}]},{"id":"G8","range":"280-282","stage":3,"category":"Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases","label":"Accepting and declining","rationale":"Answers to a request, suggestion or invitation: yes, an eager yes, and the soft no.","interference":"ii yo grants a request and ii ne welcomes an idea. Bare 'ii desu' in reply to an offer means 'no thanks', and chotto... is the polite trailing no.","items":[{"n":280,"id":"G-ii-yo","romaji":"ii yo","polite":"ii desu yo","english":"sure, it's fine","use":"Grants a request or permission, or tells someone not to worry ('ii yo, ii yo').","ja":"いいよ","kana":"いいよ","politeJa":"いいですよ","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"ii-yo-ii-ne-chotto","example":{"romaji":"ii yo, ashita iku.","ja":"いいよ、明日行く。","english":"Sure, I'll go tomorrow."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ii desu yo, ashita ikimasu.","ja":"いいですよ、明日行きます。","english":"Sure, I'll go tomorrow."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement (the tokenizer mostly splits いいよ and finds it as a unit only at #3841; いい #24 counts every use)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["D-ii"],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #1"],"notes":"In reply to an offer, bare 'ii desu' (often with a hand wave) usually means 'no thanks'; in reply to 'kore de ii desu ka?' it means 'yes, that's fine'."},{"n":281,"id":"G-ii-ne","romaji":"ii ne","polite":"ii desu ne","english":"nice! sounds good","use":"Welcomes a suggestion, or praises something someone shows or tells you.","ja":"いいね","kana":"いいね","politeJa":"いいですね","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"ii-yo-ii-ne-chotto","example":{"romaji":"ii ne, ashita ikou.","ja":"いいね、明日行こう。","english":"Nice, let's go tomorrow."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ii desu ne, ashita ikimashou.","ja":"いいですね、明日行きましょう。","english":"Sounds good, let's go tomorrow."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement (the tokenizer mostly splits いいね and finds it as a unit only at #5365; いい #24 counts every use)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["D-ii"],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #1","kotoba particles: ne"],"notes":"ii na (with na) is envy, 'lucky you / I wish', not approval."},{"n":282,"id":"G-chotto-soft-no","romaji":"chotto...","polite":null,"english":"that's a bit... (no)","use":"Declines politely: you trail off after chotto instead of saying no, and the listener fills in the refusal.","ja":"ちょっと…","kana":"ちょっと","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ii-yo-ii-ne-chotto","example":{"romaji":"ashita wa chotto...","ja":"明日はちょっと…","english":"Tomorrow's not great..."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, ashita wa chotto...","ja":"すみません、明日はちょっと…","english":"Sorry, tomorrow's a little difficult..."},"freqRank":46,"freqNote":"ちょっと #46 counts every use; the refusal is a subset","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["B-chotto"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers"],"notes":"Don't finish the sentence; trailing off is the refusal. When you hear it, take it as a no and don't ask why."}]},{"id":"D5","range":"283-287","stage":3,"category":"Versatile adjectives","label":"Fun, tasty, cute","rationale":"The positive comments you make about food, things, activities and shows, plus boring as the let-down.","interference":"tanoshii (fun to do) and omoshiroi (interesting or entertaining in itself) are the classic mix-up, and the shared job sentence keeps the difference to one word. kawaii (ka-wa-i-i) is easily misheard as kowai (ko-wa-i, scary, in a later block).","items":[{"n":283,"id":"D-oishii","romaji":"oishii","polite":"oishii desu","english":"delicious, tasty","use":"Says food or drink tastes good, at nearly every meal; often a one-word reaction ('oishii!') or the past oishikatta as thanks to the cook.","ja":"おいしい","kana":"おいしい","politeJa":"おいしいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kore, oishii ne","ja":"これ、おいしいね","english":"This is delicious."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore, oishii desu ne","ja":"これ、おいしいですね","english":"This is delicious."},"freqRank":302,"freqNote":"おいしい #302 (美味しい #5867)","spread":3,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #6","13-list-exit-battery #53","13-list-exit-battery #54","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"umai is a blunter casual 'tasty' (more common from men, but not male-only) and also means 'good at'; oishii is safe for everyone and the safe choice with desu."},{"n":284,"id":"D-kawaii","romaji":"kawaii","polite":"kawaii desu","english":"cute, adorable","use":"A reaction to anything cute or charming (animals, babies, clothes, design, people), used much more widely and freely than English 'cute'.","ja":"かわいい","kana":"かわいい","politeJa":"かわいいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"sono fuku, kawaii ne","ja":"その服、かわいいね","english":"That outfit is cute."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sono fuku, kawaii desu ne","ja":"その服、かわいいですね","english":"That outfit is cute."},"freqRank":334,"freqNote":"かわいい #334 (可愛い #5845)","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #15","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"Don't confuse it with kowai (scary): ka-wa-i-i has four beats, ko-wa-i has three. kawaisou is a different word meaning 'poor thing, what a shame', not 'looks cute'."},{"n":285,"id":"D-tanoshii","romaji":"tanoshii","polite":"tanoshii desu","english":"fun, enjoyable","use":"Says an activity or time is fun for the people taking part, most often in the past after an event (tanoshikatta).","ja":"楽しい","kana":"たのしい","politeJa":"楽しいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tanoshii-omoshiroi-tsumaranai","example":{"romaji":"kono shigoto, tanoshii ne","ja":"この仕事、楽しいね","english":"This job is fun."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono shigoto wa tanoshii desu ne","ja":"この仕事は楽しいですね","english":"This job is fun."},"freqRank":283,"freqNote":"楽しい #283","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #19","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"It doesn't mean 'happy': that is ureshii (glad about something)."},{"n":286,"id":"D-omoshiroi","romaji":"omoshiroi","polite":"omoshiroi desu","english":"interesting, funny","use":"Says something is interesting or entertaining (shows, ideas, people, places) and also 'funny' (a joke, a person); it is the default praise for content.","ja":"面白い","kana":"おもしろい","politeJa":"面白いです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tanoshii-omoshiroi-tsumaranai","example":{"romaji":"kono shigoto, omoshiroi ne","ja":"この仕事、面白いね","english":"This job is interesting."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono shigoto wa omoshiroi desu ne","ja":"この仕事は面白いですね","english":"This job is interesting."},"freqRank":558,"freqNote":"面白い #558 (おもしろい #3445)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #9","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"tanoshii is about the fun of doing something; omoshiroi is about the thing itself being interesting or entertaining. For a game, show or book, omoshiroi is the normal praise ('it's good')."},{"n":287,"id":"D-tsumaranai","romaji":"tsumaranai","polite":"tsumaranai desu","english":"boring, dull","use":"Says something is boring or dull (a show, a job, a person, a day); the opposite of omoshiroi, and in fast speech often tsumannai.","ja":"つまらない","kana":"つまらない","politeJa":"つまらないです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tanoshii-omoshiroi-tsumaranai","example":{"romaji":"kono shigoto, tsumannai ne","ja":"この仕事、つまんないね","english":"This job is boring."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono shigoto wa tsumaranai desu ne","ja":"この仕事はつまらないですね","english":"This job is boring."},"freqRank":2645,"freqNote":"つまらない #2645; contracted つまんない #2662 is roughly equal","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["D-omoshiroi"],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #41","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"The -nai is part of the word, not a negative. Its own negative is tsumaranakunai. Casual speech mostly says tsumannai; use the full tsumaranai with desu."}]},{"id":"D13","range":"288-291","stage":3,"category":"Versatile adjectives","label":"New, pretty, kind, skilled","rationale":"What you notice and praise about people and their things: new, pretty or clean, kind, good at something.","interference":"kirei (pretty, clean; said kiree) is close by ear to kirai (hate, earlier block): per 11-list-adjectives keep kirei at least 12 items after kirai, and listen for the pitch, since KI-ree falls after the first beat while ki-RAI rises and stays up. kirei is beautiful or clean while kawaii (earlier block) is cute: a sunset is kirei, a puppy kawaii. yasashii here is only 'kind'; for 'easy' say kantan (earlier block).","items":[{"n":288,"id":"D-atarashii","romaji":"atarashii","polite":"atarashii desu","english":"new, fresh","use":"Says something is new: things you've bought, a job, a shop, a phone, news; it goes straight before a noun (atarashii shigoto).","ja":"新しい","kana":"あたらしい","politeJa":"新しいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"sono fuku, atarashii?","ja":"その服、新しい？","english":"Is that outfit new?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sono fuku, atarashii desu ka?","ja":"その服、新しいですか？","english":"Is that outfit new?"},"freqRank":301,"freqNote":"新しい #301","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #14","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"Its opposite furui (old) means not new and never describes a person's age: furui tomodachi is a long-time friend. For age, say toshiue (older than me)."},{"n":289,"id":"D-kirei","romaji":"kirei","polite":"kirei desu","english":"pretty, beautiful, clean","use":"Says something looks lovely or is clean and tidy: views, places, people, rooms, handwriting; kirei ni makes it an adverb (kirei ni shite = tidy it up).","ja":"きれい","kana":"きれい","politeJa":"きれいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"umi, kirei da ne","ja":"海、きれいだね","english":"The sea is beautiful."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"umi ga kirei desu ne","ja":"海がきれいですね","english":"The sea is beautiful."},"freqRank":679,"freqNote":"きれい #679 (綺麗 #9130, 奇麗 #7378)","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-kirai"],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #37","13-list-exit-battery #101","vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives"],"notes":"Said kiree; a na-adjective despite the -i: kirei ja nai, kirei datta (never kireikunai)."},{"n":290,"id":"D-yasashii","romaji":"yasashii","polite":"yasashii desu","english":"kind, gentle","use":"Describes a kind or gentle person or act; after arigatou, yasashii ne compliments someone for a kindness they just did.","ja":"優しい","kana":"やさしい","politeJa":"優しいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"arigatou, yasashii ne","ja":"ありがとう、優しいね","english":"Thanks, that's so kind of you."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"arigatou gozaimasu, yasashii desu ne","ja":"ありがとうございます、優しいですね","english":"Thank you, that's so kind of you."},"freqRank":419,"freqNote":"優しい #419; 易しい 'easy' #45300 (kantan covers 'easy')","spread":3,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #22","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives (carded there as 'easy', the other yasashii)"],"notes":"A separate yasashii means 'easy'; use kantan for that and keep this card for 'kind'. yasashii desu ne suits peers and people you know well; to a stranger, boss or teacher who helps you, say arigatou gozaimasu, tasukarimashita instead."},{"n":291,"id":"D-jouzu","romaji":"jouzu","polite":"jouzu desu","english":"good at, skilled","use":"Compliments someone else's skill: X ga jouzu (you're good at X), or jouzu da ne after watching them; jouzu ni = well, skilfully. About yourself, use it only in the negative or as a goal (mada jouzu ja nai, jouzu ni naritai): claiming it sounds like boasting.","ja":"上手","kana":"じょうず","politeJa":"上手です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ryouri, jouzu da ne","ja":"料理、上手だね","english":"You're a good cook."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ryouri ga jouzu desu ne","ja":"料理が上手ですね","english":"You're a good cook."},"freqRank":1309,"freqNote":"上手 #1309","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #38","vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives"],"notes":"Reply to nihongo jouzu! with ie ie, mada mada desu (casual: iya, mada mada da yo); for your own strengths say tokui. To a boss or teacher, jouzu desu ne sounds like grading them: praise the result instead (sugoi desu ne)."}]},{"id":"B4","range":"292-294","stage":3,"category":"Degree, amount & limits","label":"All / a lot","rationale":"Words for how much there is: the whole lot, or plenty of it.","interference":"takusan and ippai both mean 'a lot', but ippai is chattier and also means 'full'. zenbu means 'all of it', not 'a lot'.","items":[{"n":292,"id":"B-zenbu","romaji":"zenbu","polite":null,"english":"all; everything","use":"Means 'all / everything' for things and amounts. zenbu de means 'in total' (zenbu de ikura?).","ja":"全部","kana":"ぜんぶ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"zenbu tabeta yo","ja":"全部食べたよ","english":"I ate all of it."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"zenbu tabemashita yo","ja":"全部食べましたよ","english":"I ate all of it."},"freqRank":194,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #31"],"notes":"For people use minna, not zenbu. subete (#732) is the formal, written-leaning variant. Trap: zenbu + negative usually means 'not all of it': zenbu wa tabenakatta = I didn't eat all of it (some is left). For 'none at all' say nani mo tabenakatta or zenzen tabenakatta."},{"n":293,"id":"B-takusan","romaji":"takusan","polite":null,"english":"a lot; many","use":"The neutral 'a lot / many' for amounts and counts. It goes straight before the verb with no particle (takusan aru).","ja":"たくさん","kana":"たくさん","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"takusan-ippai","example":{"romaji":"mada takusan aru yo","ja":"まだたくさんあるよ","english":"There's still plenty."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mada takusan arimasu yo","ja":"まだたくさんありますよ","english":"There's still plenty left."},"freqRank":418,"freqNote":"たくさん #418; kanji 沢山 #15969","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":null},{"n":294,"id":"B-ippai","romaji":"ippai","polite":null,"english":"lots; full","use":"Chatty 'loads'. It also means 'full' (onaka ippai) and 'at my limit' (ippai ippai).","ja":"いっぱい","kana":"いっぱい","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"takusan-ippai","example":{"romaji":"mada ippai aru yo","ja":"まだいっぱいあるよ","english":"There's still loads."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mada ippai arimasu yo","ja":"まだいっぱいありますよ","english":"There's still lots left."},"freqRank":512,"freqNote":"いっぱい #512; 一杯 #2892 includes the 'one cupful' sense","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"'Onaka ippai' means 'I'm full'. Ippai is a bit more colloquial than takusan. Ear trap: flat ippai = lots / full; ippai with the pitch high on the first i and falling after it = one cup, a drink (ippai nomi ni ikou = let's go for a drink). Before a noun both ippai and takusan take no (takusan no hito)."}]},{"id":"H9","range":"295-298","stage":3,"category":"General verbs","label":"Making plans","rationale":"Arranging to see someone: wait, meet, decide, get in touch.","interference":"'See a friend' is au with ni, not miru; kimeta (I decided) vs kimatta (it's been settled) is the pair to watch inside kimeru.","items":[{"n":295,"id":"H-matsu","romaji":"matsu","polite":"machimasu","english":"wait","use":"Waiting for someone or something (X o matsu), and matte / chotto matte is the all-purpose 'hold on'.","ja":"待つ","kana":"まつ","politeJa":"待ちます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"eki de matteru ne.","ja":"駅で待ってるね。","english":"I'll wait for you at the station."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"eki de mattemasu ne.","ja":"駅で待ってますね。","english":"I'll be waiting at the station."},"freqRank":71,"freqNote":"待つ #71","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #15","12-list-te-dependents #R5","12-list-te-dependents #3","13-list-exit-battery #62","13-list-exit-battery #104"],"notes":"matteru = 'I'll be waiting' as well as 'I'm waiting'."},{"n":296,"id":"H-au-meet","romaji":"au","polite":"aimasu","english":"meet; see (someone)","use":"Meeting or seeing a person, planned or by chance, with the person marked by ni (or to for a mutual meet-up).","ja":"会う","kana":"あう","politeJa":"会います","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ashita nanji ni au?","ja":"明日何時に会う？","english":"What time should we meet tomorrow?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita nanji ni aimashou ka?","ja":"明日何時に会いましょうか？","english":"What time shall we meet tomorrow?"},"freqRank":110,"freqNote":"会う #110; 合う (fit, match) #563 separately","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #47","12-list-te-dependents #R5"],"notes":"Homophone au 合う = fit / match (saizu ga au)."},{"n":297,"id":"H-kimeru","romaji":"kimeru","polite":"kimemasu","english":"decide","use":"Deciding on something (X ni kimeru = go with X) and asking or saying whether a decision is made (kimeta?, mada kimetenai).","ja":"決める","kana":"きめる","politeJa":"決めます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"shuumatsu no yotei mou kimeta?","ja":"週末の予定もう決めた？","english":"Have you made plans for the weekend yet?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"shuumatsu no yotei wa mou kimemashita ka?","ja":"週末の予定はもう決めましたか？","english":"Have you decided your weekend plans yet?"},"freqRank":261,"freqNote":"決める #261; intransitive 決まる #335 separately","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"kimatta = 'it's been decided' (no one named); kimeta = 'I/we decided'."},{"n":298,"id":"H-renraku-suru","romaji":"renraku suru","polite":"renraku shimasu","english":"contact; get in touch","use":"Getting in touch by any channel — text, call or message — and the standard way to close a plan (mata renraku suru ne), with renraku shite = let me know.","ja":"連絡する","kana":"れんらくする","politeJa":"連絡します","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"mata renraku suru ne.","ja":"また連絡するね。","english":"I'll get back to you."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mata renraku shimasu ne.","ja":"また連絡しますね。","english":"I'll be in touch."},"freqRank":326,"freqNote":"連絡する not found as a unit; rank of the noun 連絡","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["H-suru"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"The person contacted takes ni: senpai ni renraku suru."}]},{"id":"H15","range":"299-301","stage":3,"category":"General verbs","label":"Meeting up","rationale":"The verbs of the day itself: hanging out, getting there, running late.","interference":"tsuku is arriving, not coming (ima iku, mou sugu tsuku, tsuita); asobu is hanging out, never playing a sport (tenisu suru); okureta (was late) and okutta (sent) differ by one sound.","items":[{"n":299,"id":"H-asobu","romaji":"asobu","polite":"asobimasu","english":"hang out; play","use":"Means spending free time for fun, kids playing or adults hanging out (tomodachi to asobu); asobou is the casual invite and asobi ni kite means 'come over'.","ja":"遊ぶ","kana":"あそぶ","politeJa":"遊びます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kondo asobou yo.","ja":"今度遊ぼうよ。","english":"Let's hang out sometime."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kondo asobimashou.","ja":"今度遊びましょう。","english":"Let's get together sometime."},"freqRank":674,"freqNote":"遊ぶ #674","spread":3,"reach":2,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #30","12-list-te-dependents #R4","12-list-te-dependents #26"],"notes":"Playing a sport or game is suru (tenisu suru, geemu suru); piano or guitar is hiku."},{"n":300,"id":"H-tsuku-arrive","romaji":"tsuku","polite":"tsukimasu","english":"arrive; get there","use":"Says someone gets to a place, marked by ni (eki ni tsuita), and carries the meet-up messages: mou sugu tsuku, tsuita yo, tsuitara renraku shite.","ja":"着く","kana":"つく","politeJa":"着きます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ima eki ni tsuita yo.","ja":"今駅に着いたよ。","english":"I just got to the station."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ima eki ni tsukimashita.","ja":"今駅に着きました。","english":"I've just arrived at the station."},"freqRank":957,"freqNote":"着く #957; kana-written つく #355 can't be split by sense and is mostly the 付く/点く senses (come on, stick); 付く #1570 is a separate entry","spread":3,"reach":2,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #56"],"notes":"Homophone tsuku 'come on, stick' (付く/点く): denki ga tsuita = the light came on."},{"n":301,"id":"H-okureru","romaji":"okureru","polite":"okuremasu","english":"be late; fall behind","use":"Says someone or something is late for a set time or behind schedule, with the event marked by ni (kaigi ni okureta); okurete gomen is the apology on arrival and densha okureteru (the train's delayed) the standard excuse.","ja":"遅れる","kana":"おくれる","politeJa":"遅れます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"gomen, juppun gurai okureru.","ja":"ごめん、10分ぐらい遅れる。","english":"Sorry, I'll be about ten minutes late."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, juppun gurai okuremasu.","ja":"すみません、10分ぐらい遅れます。","english":"Sorry, I'll be about ten minutes late."},"freqRank":955,"freqNote":"遅れる #955","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #15"],"notes":"A friend complaining you're late says osoi!; okureta is the explanation."}]},{"id":"E7","range":"302-304","stage":3,"category":"Connectors & conditionals","label":"If-openers","rationale":"Sentence-starting words that set up a condition or follow from one, all built around -tara.","interference":"dattara overlaps with jaa (And then block): dattara explicitly builds on what was just said; moshi never stands alone, it still needs the conditional ending.","items":[{"n":302,"id":"E-moshi","romaji":"moshi","polite":null,"english":"if; supposing","use":"Opens a sentence to flag a hypothetical, so the -tara / -ba / -nara / -te mo at the end is expected.","ja":"もし","kana":"もし","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"moshi ame dattara, yameyou.","ja":"もし雨だったら、やめよう。","english":"If it rains, let's call it off."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"moshi ame dattara, yamemashou.","ja":"もし雨だったら、やめましょう。","english":"If it rains, let's call it off."},"freqRank":267,"freqNote":"もし #267","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-tara"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Moshi alone doesn't make an 'if'; the ending still has to be -tara, -ba, -nara or -te mo."},{"n":303,"id":"E-dattara","romaji":"dattara","polite":"deshitara","english":"in that case; if so","use":"Starts a reply that builds a plan on what the other person just said.","ja":"だったら","kana":"だったら","politeJa":"でしたら","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"dattara, ashita ni shiyou.","ja":"だったら、明日にしよう。","english":"In that case, let's make it tomorrow."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"deshitara, ashita ni shimashou.","ja":"でしたら、明日にしましょう。","english":"In that case, let's make it tomorrow."},"freqRank":207,"freqNote":"だったら #207 (also counts noun + dattara mid-sentence); polite でしたら #3192; near-synonym それなら #1552","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-tara","E-jaa"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":null},{"n":304,"id":"E-yokattara","romaji":"yokattara","polite":null,"english":"if you like","use":"Softens an offer or invitation so it's easy to say no; goes at the start of the sentence.","ja":"よかったら","kana":"よかったら","politeJa":null,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"yokattara, issho ni iku?","ja":"よかったら、一緒に行く？","english":"If you're up for it, want to come along?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"yokattara, issho ni ikimasen ka?","ja":"よかったら、一緒に行きませんか？","english":"Would you like to come along?"},"freqRank":938,"freqNote":"よかったら #938; よければ #2273","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-ii","E-tara"],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #1"],"notes":"Same word in desu/masu speech; yokereba is a touch more formal, yoroshikereba is keigo."}]},{"id":"G9","range":"305-307","stage":3,"category":"Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases","label":"Asking about words","rationale":"The learner's extraction tools: get a word explained, a meaning cleared up, or the Japanese supplied.","interference":"-tte nani? asks what something is, dou iu imi? asks what it means or what someone meant, and nihongo de nante iu? goes from English or a gesture to the Japanese.","items":[{"n":305,"id":"G-tte-nani","romaji":"-tte nani?","polite":"-tte nan desu ka","english":"what's X?","use":"Put any unknown word in front ('X tte nani?') to get it explained. It also asks what a thing is.","ja":"〜って何？","kana":"ってなに","politeJa":"〜って何ですか","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"asking-about-words","example":{"romaji":"sore tte nani?","ja":"それって何？","english":"What's that?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore tte nan desu ka?","ja":"それって何ですか？","english":"What is that?"},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement (って #18 counts every quotative use)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["J-nani"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order S3 exit","kotoba particles: tte"],"notes":"nani becomes nan before desu: 'X tte nan desu ka'."},{"n":306,"id":"G-dou-iu-imi","romaji":"dou iu imi?","polite":"dou iu imi desu ka","english":"what do you mean?","use":"Asks what a word means, or what someone meant by what they said.","ja":"どういう意味？","kana":"どういういみ","politeJa":"どういう意味ですか","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"asking-about-words","example":{"romaji":"sore tte dou iu imi?","ja":"それってどういう意味？","english":"What do you mean by that?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore tte dou iu imi desu ka?","ja":"それってどういう意味ですか？","english":"What do you mean by that?"},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement (split by the tokenizer; どういう #177, 意味 #287)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["J-dou"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer learner-phrases: frame_x_wa_douiu_imi"],"notes":"Said sharply, it means 'what's that supposed to mean?'"},{"n":307,"id":"G-nihongo-de-nante-iu","romaji":"nihongo de nante iu?","polite":"nihongo de nante iimasu ka","english":"what's it in Japanese?","use":"Point at something or say the English word, then ask this to get a native speaker to give you the Japanese.","ja":"日本語で何て言う？","kana":"にほんごでなんていう","politeJa":"日本語で何て言いますか","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"asking-about-words","example":{"romaji":"sore tte nihongo de nante iu?","ja":"それって日本語で何て言う？","english":"How do you say that in Japanese?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore tte nihongo de nante iimasu ka?","ja":"それって日本語で何て言いますか？","english":"How do you say that in Japanese?"},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement (multi-word frame; 日本語 #3651)","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["G-nante"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer learner-phrases: frame_x_wa_nihongo_de_nan","05-acquisition-order S3 exit"],"notes":"Say eigo instead of nihongo to ask for the English."}]},{"id":"A6","range":"308-312","stage":3,"category":"Time & sequence","label":"Earlier and lately","rationale":"These point back into the past, from a moment ago to long ago, and all fit the same 'sore ... kiita' frame.","interference":"kono aida = one recent occasion; saikin = the recent stretch up to now; mae ni = some earlier time; mukashi = long ago, often for old habits.","items":[{"n":308,"id":"A-sakki","romaji":"sakki","polite":null,"english":"a moment ago, earlier","use":"Refers back to something earlier today, anywhere from seconds to a few hours ago.","ja":"さっき","kana":"さっき","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"earlier-lately","example":{"romaji":"sore sakki kiita.","ja":"それさっき聞いた。","english":"I heard that a minute ago."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore wa sakki kikimashita.","ja":"それはさっき聞きました。","english":"I heard that a minute ago."},"freqRank":253,"freqNote":"さっき #253; formal 先ほど(さきほど) #1337","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #170"],"notes":"Staff and business speech say sakihodo. sakki is fine with desu/masu."},{"n":309,"id":"A-kono-aida","romaji":"kono aida","polite":null,"english":"the other day","use":"Points to one recent past occasion, days or weeks ago (kono aida itta mise = the place we went the other day).","ja":"この間","kana":"このあいだ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"earlier-lately","example":{"romaji":"sore kono aida kiita.","ja":"それこの間聞いた。","english":"I heard that the other day."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore wa kono aida kikimashita.","ja":"それはこの間聞きました。","english":"I heard that the other day."},"freqRank":883,"freqNote":"この間 #883; casual こないだ #1644; synonym この前 #800; formal 先日 #1182","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Casually it is often squeezed to konaida (sore konaida kiita). kono mae means the same, and senjitsu is the formal version. kono aida wa arigatou thanks someone again for last time, and Japanese speakers expect it."},{"n":310,"id":"A-saikin","romaji":"saikin","polite":null,"english":"lately, these days","use":"Covers the recent stretch up to now, for trends, current life and recent news (saikin isogashii).","ja":"最近","kana":"さいきん","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"earlier-lately","example":{"romaji":"sore saikin yoku kiku ne.","ja":"それ最近よく聞くね。","english":"I keep hearing that lately."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore wa saikin yoku kikimasu ne.","ja":"それは最近よく聞きますね。","english":"I keep hearing that lately."},"freqRank":322,"freqNote":"最近 #322","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"saikin dou? is the stock 'how have you been?'."},{"n":311,"id":"A-mae","romaji":"mae","polite":null,"english":"before; ago; previously","use":"Refers to an earlier time: mae ni (before, once before), mae wa (used to), and a time span + mae for 'ago' (ni-nen mae).","ja":"前","kana":"まえ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"earlier-lately","example":{"romaji":"sore mae ni kiita.","ja":"それ前に聞いた。","english":"I've heard that before."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore wa mae ni kikimashita.","ja":"それは前に聞きました。","english":"I've heard that before."},"freqRank":80,"freqNote":"前 #80, all senses including spatial 'front'","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #25 (spatial sense)","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: position-nouns"],"notes":"The same word means 'in front' (see mae / ushiro). -mae ni after a verb has its own card."},{"n":312,"id":"A-mukashi","romaji":"mukashi","polite":null,"english":"long ago; in the old days","use":"Frames the distant past and old habits (mukashi wa yoku itta = I used to go a lot). mukashi kara means 'for ages'.","ja":"昔","kana":"むかし","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"earlier-lately","example":{"romaji":"sore mukashi yoku kiita.","ja":"それ昔よく聞いた。","english":"I used to listen to that a lot."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore wa mukashi yoku kikimashita.","ja":"それは昔よく聞きました。","english":"I used to listen to that a lot."},"freqRank":278,"freqNote":"昔 #278","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"mukashi mukashi opens folk tales ('once upon a time')."}]},{"id":"A15","range":"313-316","stage":3,"category":"Time & sequence","label":"So far, from now","rationale":"Phrases that place a statement relative to now: up to now, from here on, as things stand, and for a while.","interference":"ima made and ima no tokoro can both mean 'so far'. ima made looks back, and ima made wa with past tense hints that something has changed, while ima no tokoro reports a state that still holds. kore kara looks forward.","items":[{"n":313,"id":"A-ima-made","romaji":"ima made","polite":null,"english":"until now, so far","use":"Looks back over the time up to now, often with past tense or experience (ima made ichido mo nai), and in ima made nani shiteta no? (what have you been doing all this time?). kore made is a more formal synonym.","ja":"今まで","kana":"いままで","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"so-far","example":{"romaji":"ima made wa daijoubu datta n da kedo.","ja":"今までは大丈夫だったんだけど。","english":"It was fine until now, though."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ima made wa daijoubu datta n desu kedo.","ja":"今までは大丈夫だったんですけど。","english":"It was fine until now, though."},"freqRank":370,"freqNote":"今まで(いままで) #370; formal-leaning これまで #952","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["A-ima"],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: made"],"notes":"ima made arigatou is the standard thanks when someone leaves or something ends."},{"n":314,"id":"A-kore-kara","romaji":"kore kara","polite":null,"english":"from now (on), about to","use":"Points forward from this moment, to something about to start (kore kara dekakeru) or to everything from here on. ima kara means the same for the immediate moment.","ja":"これから","kana":"これから","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kore kara dou suru?","ja":"これからどうする？","english":"What do we do now?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore kara dou shimasu ka?","ja":"これからどうしますか？","english":"What shall we do now?"},"freqRank":2065,"freqNote":"これから #2065 (likely undercounted: the tokenizer can split これ + から); near-synonym 今から(いまから) #972","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-kore"],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: kara"],"notes":"kore kara mo yoroshiku ('I'm counting on you going forward') is a common closing line."},{"n":315,"id":"A-ima-no-tokoro","romaji":"ima no tokoro","polite":null,"english":"for now, so far","use":"Hedges a status or plan as true for now but open to change (ima no tokoro yotei nai).","ja":"今のところ","kana":"いまのところ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"so-far","example":{"romaji":"ima no tokoro daijoubu.","ja":"今のところ大丈夫。","english":"So far so good."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ima no tokoro daijoubu desu.","ja":"今のところ大丈夫です。","english":"So far so good."},"freqRank":2474,"freqNote":"今のところ(いまのところ) #2474","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["A-ima"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"toriaezu is 'for now' for a stopgap action, while ima no tokoro describes how things stand."},{"n":316,"id":"A-shibaraku","romaji":"shibaraku","polite":null,"english":"for a while","use":"Gives a vague stretch of time, short or long, without numbers (shibaraku matte, shibaraku aenai).","ja":"しばらく","kana":"しばらく","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"shibaraku isogashii n da.","ja":"しばらく忙しいんだ。","english":"I'll be busy for a while."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"shibaraku isogashii n desu.","ja":"しばらく忙しいんです。","english":"I'll be busy for a while."},"freqRank":602,"freqNote":"しばらく #602","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"For 'long time no see', friends say hisashiburi and the polite form is ohisashiburi desu (お久しぶり, #1495). shibaraku desu is an older, formal version: recognise it, but don't produce it."}]},{"id":"D6","range":"317-319","stage":3,"category":"Versatile adjectives","label":"How you're doing","rationale":"The small-talk status words for checking in and making plans: well, busy, free.","interference":"isogashii and hima are opposites that fill the same casual invitation slot (ashita no yoru, ___?), so learn isogashii first and then swap in hima. Politely, ask oisogashii desu ka? or aitemasu ka?, not hima desu ka?","items":[{"n":317,"id":"D-genki","romaji":"genki","polite":"genki desu","english":"well, energetic, healthy","use":"The check-in word ('genki?' = how are you doing?) for someone you haven't seen in a while; it also describes good health, good spirits and lively people.","ja":"元気","kana":"げんき","politeJa":"元気です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"hisashiburi, genki datta?","ja":"久しぶり、元気だった？","english":"Long time no see. How have you been?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ohisashiburi desu. ogenki deshita ka?","ja":"お久しぶりです。お元気でしたか？","english":"It's been a long time. How have you been?"},"freqRank":297,"freqNote":"元気 #297","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #11","13-list-exit-battery #56","vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives"],"notes":"When you ask about someone else politely, add o- (ogenki desu ka?); about yourself it stays genki desu."},{"n":318,"id":"D-isogashii","romaji":"isogashii","polite":"isogashii desu","english":"busy","use":"Says a person is busy; it is the standard small-talk status (saikin isogashii) and the polite excuse for turning something down.","ja":"忙しい","kana":"いそがしい","politeJa":"忙しいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"isogashii-hima","example":{"romaji":"ashita no yoru, isogashii?","ja":"明日の夜、忙しい？","english":"Are you busy tomorrow night?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita no yoru wa oisogashii desu ka?","ja":"明日の夜はお忙しいですか？","english":"Are you busy tomorrow evening?"},"freqRank":447,"freqNote":"忙しい #447","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #32","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives (extended)"],"notes":"Describes people, days and workplaces (kyou wa isogashii, isogashii jiki), but not a crowded street: that is hito ga ooi or konderu. Asking about someone else politely, add o-: oisogashii desu ka? The opener oisogashii tokoro sumimasen = sorry to bother you when you're busy."},{"n":319,"id":"D-hima","romaji":"hima","polite":"hima desu","english":"free, bored, idle","use":"Says someone has free time ('hima?' is the standard opener before an invitation) or is bored with nothing to do (hima da naa).","ja":"暇","kana":"ひま","politeJa":"暇です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"isogashii-hima","example":{"romaji":"ashita no yoru, hima?","ja":"明日の夜、暇？","english":"Are you free tomorrow night?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita no yoru nara hima desu yo","ja":"明日の夜なら暇ですよ","english":"If it's tomorrow night, I'm free."},"freqRank":909,"freqNote":"暇 #909","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-isogashii"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives"],"notes":"Asking a coworker, clerk or stranger 'hima desu ka?' can sound like 'got nothing to do?'. To ask politely, say ashita no yoru, aitemasu ka? or jikan arimasu ka?; hima desu is fine about yourself."}]},{"id":"I4","range":"320-323","stage":3,"category":"Grammar patterns as vocabulary","label":"Choosing","rationale":"Noun + particle frames for picking among options (deciding, settling, suggesting loosely) plus the frame for when only one option is left.","interference":"koohii ni suru (I'll have coffee), koohii de ii (coffee will do), koohii demo (coffee or something) change only the particle; -demo after a noun is not 'but': it softens here, but can also mean 'even'.","items":[{"n":320,"id":"I-de-ii","romaji":"-de ii","polite":"-de ii desu","english":"X will do, X is fine","use":"After a noun, settles on it as good enough (mizu de ii, kore de ii?) when ordering, checking or accepting something.","ja":"〜でいい","kana":"〜でいい","politeJa":"〜でいいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ni-suru-de-ii-demo","example":{"romaji":"koohii de ii yo.","ja":"コーヒーでいいよ。","english":"Coffee's fine."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"koohii de ii desu.","ja":"コーヒーでいいです。","english":"Coffee's fine."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement; tokenizer splits で+いい (いい #24)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["D-ii"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_kore_de_ii","kotoba particles: de"],"notes":"Can sound like 'it'll have to do'; koohii ga ii is the keen choice. To accept a host's offer, say koohii o onegai shimasu; kore de ii desu ka? (is this OK?) is always safe."},{"n":321,"id":"I-ni-suru","romaji":"-ni suru","polite":"-ni shimasu","english":"go with, decide on","use":"After a noun, picks it from the options (kore ni suru, raishuu ni suru), the standard way to order or settle a choice.","ja":"〜にする","kana":"〜にする","politeJa":"〜にします","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ni-suru-de-ii-demo","example":{"romaji":"jaa, koohii ni suru.","ja":"じゃあ、コーヒーにする。","english":"OK, I'll have coffee."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jaa, koohii ni shimasu.","ja":"じゃあ、コーヒーにします。","english":"OK, I'll have coffee."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement; tokenizer splits に+する (fused ことにする 'decide to' #886)","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["H-suru"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #96"],"notes":"With a verb it becomes koto ni suru: iku koto ni shita = I decided to go."},{"n":322,"id":"I-demo-or-something","romaji":"-demo","polite":null,"english":"... or something","use":"After a noun, offers it as one loose example so a suggestion sounds soft (ocha demo, eiga demo), mostly in invitations.","ja":"〜でも","kana":"〜でも","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ni-suru-de-ii-demo","example":{"romaji":"koohii demo nomu?","ja":"コーヒーでも飲む？","english":"Want to grab a coffee or something?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"koohii demo nomimasen ka?","ja":"コーヒーでも飲みませんか？","english":"Shall we grab a coffee or something?"},"freqRank":32,"freqNote":"rank of でも, shared with 'but' and 'even'; an upper bound","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #127"],"notes":"Three readings after a noun: a loose example in offers and invitations (ocha demo), 'even' (kodomo demo wakaru, sensei demo shiranai), and 'any-' after question words (nandemo ii). Only at the start of a sentence does demo mean 'but'."},{"n":323,"id":"I-shika-nai","romaji":"-shika nai","polite":"-shika nai desu","english":"have no choice but to","use":"After a plain verb, says it's the only option left (yaru shika nai, matsu shika nai), for resolve or resignation.","ja":"〜しかない","kana":"〜しかない","politeJa":"〜しかないです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"mou yaru shika nai.","ja":"もうやるしかない。","english":"I guess I just have to do it."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mou yaru shika nai desu.","ja":"もうやるしかないです。","english":"I guess I just have to do it."},"freqRank":325,"freqNote":"rank of fused しかない; also counts plain 'only X' after nouns","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["B-shika"],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: shika"],"notes":"After a noun it's plain 'only': kore shika nai = this is all there is. More formal: -shika arimasen."}]},{"id":"G10","range":"324-327","stage":3,"category":"Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases","label":"Getting attention","rationale":"Openers that call someone over, point something out, or stop things.","interference":"chotto matte asks someone to wait, while chotto ii? asks for a moment of their time. nee calls a friend; hora points at something.","items":[{"n":324,"id":"G-nee","romaji":"nee","polite":"ano","english":"hey, listen","use":"Gets a friend's attention before a question, suggestion or piece of news; doubled 'nee nee' is eager.","ja":"ねえ","kana":"ねえ","politeJa":"あの","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"calling-someone","example":{"romaji":"nee, ashita hima?","ja":"ねえ、明日ひま？","english":"Hey, are you free tomorrow?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ano, ashita ojikan arimasu ka?","ja":"あの、明日お時間ありますか？","english":"Um, do you have time tomorrow?"},"freqRank":184,"freqNote":"ねえ #184; ねぇ #1328; ねえねえ #1721","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: ne"],"notes":"nee opens a sentence; the ending ne closes one."},{"n":325,"id":"G-hora","romaji":"hora","polite":null,"english":"look! see? here","use":"Points something out ('hora, mite'), says 'see, I told you', or hands something over.","ja":"ほら","kana":"ほら","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"calling-someone","example":{"romaji":"hora, mite! niji da yo.","ja":"ほら、見て！虹だよ。","english":"Look! There's a rainbow!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"hora, mite kudasai. niji desu yo.","ja":"ほら、見てください。虹ですよ。","english":"Look, there's a rainbow."},"freqRank":145,"freqNote":"ほら #145","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"It can sound pushy to a superior."},{"n":326,"id":"G-chotto-matte","romaji":"chotto matte","polite":"chotto matte kudasai","english":"wait a moment","use":"Asks someone to wait or stop, or holds the floor while you think or check something.","ja":"ちょっと待って","kana":"ちょっとまって","politeJa":"ちょっと待ってください","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"calling-someone","example":{"romaji":"chotto matte, hanashi ga aru n da kedo.","ja":"ちょっと待って、話があるんだけど。","english":"Wait a sec, there's something I need to tell you."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"chotto matte kudasai, ohanashi ga aru n desu kedo.","ja":"ちょっと待ってください、お話があるんですけど。","english":"Just a moment, there's something I'd like to talk to you about."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement (split by the tokenizer; 待つ #71 counts every form of matsu; ちょっと #46)","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["B-chotto"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #3","05-acquisition-order verb ledger #15 matsu","vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers","13-list-exit-battery #62"],"notes":"matte! on its own is the urgent 'wait!'."},{"n":327,"id":"G-chotto-ii","romaji":"chotto ii?","polite":"chotto ii desu ka","english":"got a sec?","use":"Opens a request, question or interruption by asking for a moment of someone's time, whether a friend's or a coworker's.","ja":"ちょっといい？","kana":"ちょっといい","politeJa":"ちょっといいですか","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"calling-someone","example":{"romaji":"chotto ii? hanashi ga aru n da kedo.","ja":"ちょっといい？話があるんだけど。","english":"Got a sec? There's something I need to tell you."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"chotto ii desu ka? ohanashi ga aru n desu kedo.","ja":"ちょっといいですか？お話があるんですけど。","english":"Do you have a moment? There's something I'd like to talk to you about."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement (split by the tokenizer; ちょっと #46, いい #24)","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["B-chotto","D-ii"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"The usual answers are 'un, nani?' or 'ii yo'. To a boss, say chotto yoroshii desu ka."}]},{"id":"H10","range":"328-330","stage":3,"category":"General verbs","label":"Buy, use, make","rationale":"Everyday verbs for handling things: buying, using and making them.","interference":"tsukatta (used) and tsukutta (made) differ by one vowel, so they share the kore dare ga ...? frame and are told apart by ear; katte is also the te-form of katsu (win) and of kau 'keep a pet', and the word katte 'selfish / as you like', so context decides.","items":[{"n":328,"id":"H-kau","romaji":"kau","polite":"kaimasu","english":"buy","use":"Buying anything (X o kau), and nani katta? / doko de katta? is everyday small talk.","ja":"買う","kana":"かう","politeJa":"買います","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"sore doko de katta?","ja":"それどこで買った？","english":"Where did you buy that?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore, doko de katta n desu ka?","ja":"それ、どこで買ったんですか？","english":"Where did you buy that?"},"freqRank":238,"freqNote":"買う #238","spread":4,"reach":2,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #14","12-list-te-dependents #R5","12-list-te-dependents #H4","13-list-exit-battery #3"],"notes":"Negative is kawanai; homophone kau 飼う = keep a pet."},{"n":329,"id":"H-tsukau","romaji":"tsukau","polite":"tsukaimasu","english":"use","use":"Using objects, apps, words, money or time, and tsukatte ii? asks to borrow or use something.","ja":"使う","kana":"つかう","politeJa":"使います","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tsukau-tsukuru","example":{"romaji":"kore dare ga tsukatta?","ja":"これ誰が使った？","english":"Who used this?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore, dare ga tsukaimashita ka?","ja":"これ、誰が使いましたか？","english":"Who used this?"},"freqRank":171,"freqNote":"使う #171","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #48"],"notes":"tsukatta (used) and tsukutta (made) differ only in the middle vowel."},{"n":330,"id":"H-tsukuru","romaji":"tsukuru","polite":"tsukurimasu","english":"make; cook; create","use":"Making, cooking or creating anything — food, plans, friends, even time (jikan o tsukuru).","ja":"作る","kana":"つくる","politeJa":"作ります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tsukau-tsukuru","example":{"romaji":"kore dare ga tsukutta?","ja":"これ誰が作った？","english":"Who made this?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore, dare ga tsukutta n desu ka?","ja":"これ、誰が作ったんですか？","english":"Who made this?"},"freqRank":146,"freqNote":"作る #146","spread":3,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #60","13-list-exit-battery #135"],"notes":null}]},{"id":"D7","range":"331-334","stage":3,"category":"Versatile adjectives","label":"Easy & hard","rationale":"The difficulty scale for tasks and situations, from easy through hard and tough to impossible.","interference":"muzukashii (hard to do or understand), taihen (hard to go through, lots of work) and muri (can't be done) blur together. The shared 'kono shigoto' sentence isolates the nuance, and kantan anchors the easy end.","items":[{"n":331,"id":"D-kantan","romaji":"kantan","polite":"kantan desu","english":"easy, simple","use":"Says a task, recipe, explanation or test is easy or simple; kantan ni means 'simply, briefly'.","ja":"簡単","kana":"かんたん","politeJa":"簡単です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kantan-muzukashii-taihen-muri","example":{"romaji":"kono shigoto, kantan da ne","ja":"この仕事、簡単だね","english":"This job is easy, isn't it?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono shigoto wa kantan desu ne","ja":"この仕事は簡単ですね","english":"This job is easy, isn't it?"},"freqRank":432,"freqNote":"簡単 #432","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #24","vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives"],"notes":"A na-word: before ne or yo it takes da (kantan da ne), and its past is kantan datta, never kantankatta."},{"n":332,"id":"D-muzukashii","romaji":"muzukashii","polite":"muzukashii desu","english":"difficult, hard","use":"Says something is hard to do or understand (tasks, questions, languages, decisions); chotto muzukashii is also a soft way to say no.","ja":"難しい","kana":"むずかしい","politeJa":"難しいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kantan-muzukashii-taihen-muri","example":{"romaji":"kono shigoto, muzukashii ne","ja":"この仕事、難しいね","english":"This job is difficult, isn't it?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono shigoto wa muzukashii desu ne","ja":"この仕事は難しいですね","english":"This job is difficult, isn't it?"},"freqRank":468,"freqNote":"難しい #468","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #16","13-list-exit-battery #92 (in example)","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"'Sore wa chotto muzukashii desu' usually means a polite no, not just 'difficult'."},{"n":333,"id":"D-taihen","romaji":"taihen","polite":"taihen desu","english":"tough, awful, lots of work","use":"Says a situation is tough, a lot of work or a real problem; 'taihen da ne' is the stock sympathy reply to anyone's hard time, and 'taihen!' alone means 'oh no, trouble!'.","ja":"大変","kana":"たいへん","politeJa":"大変です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kantan-muzukashii-taihen-muri","example":{"romaji":"kono shigoto, taihen da ne","ja":"この仕事、大変だね","english":"This job is tough, isn't it?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono shigoto wa taihen desu ne","ja":"この仕事は大変ですね","english":"This job is tough, isn't it?"},"freqRank":224,"freqNote":"大変 #224; includes the formal 'very' sense","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #25","vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives"],"notes":"In formal speech taihen also means 'very' (taihen moushiwake arimasen)."},{"n":334,"id":"D-muri","romaji":"muri","polite":"muri desu","english":"impossible, no way, too much","use":"Says something is impossible or too much for you; 'muri!' or 'kyou wa muri' is the everyday casual refusal, and muri shinaide means 'don't overdo it'.","ja":"無理","kana":"むり","politeJa":"無理です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kantan-muzukashii-taihen-muri","example":{"romaji":"kono shigoto, muri da ne","ja":"この仕事、無理だね","english":"No way we can do this job."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono shigoto wa muri desu ne","ja":"この仕事は無理ですね","english":"No way we can do this job."},"freqRank":217,"freqNote":"無理 #217; includes muri suru / muri shinaide","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #51","13-list-exit-battery #66 (in example)"],"notes":"Blunt to a superior; chotto muzukashii desu refuses more politely. Everyday casual refusal: ashita? gomen, muri."}]},{"id":"G11","range":"335-339","stage":3,"category":"Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases","label":"Fillers","rationale":"Sounds and words that hold your turn while you think, so a pause doesn't hand it over.","interference":"All five fit the same slot. etto is pure thinking time, ano also softens a request or opens one, maa hedges, nanka makes things vaguer, and nante iu ka hunts for a word.","items":[{"n":335,"id":"G-etto","romaji":"etto","polite":null,"english":"um, let me see","use":"Fills the pause while you think of an answer or a word, so you don't go silent.","ja":"えっと","kana":"えっと","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"fillers","example":{"romaji":"etto, ashita wa muri kamo.","ja":"えっと、明日は無理かも。","english":"Um, let me see... tomorrow might not work."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"etto, ashita wa muri kamo shiremasen.","ja":"えっと、明日は無理かもしれません。","english":"Um, let me see... tomorrow may not be possible."},"freqRank":695,"freqNote":"えっと #695; えーっと #1373; えーと #5199; ええと #11996, so etto beats the textbook eeto","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"eeto is the slower textbook version; speech mostly uses etto."},{"n":336,"id":"G-ano-filler","romaji":"ano","polite":null,"english":"um, excuse me","use":"Hesitates before something awkward, or politely gets attention before a question or request ('ano, sumimasen').","ja":"あの","kana":"あの","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"fillers","example":{"romaji":"ano, ashita wa muri kamo.","ja":"あの、明日は無理かも。","english":"Um... tomorrow might not work."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ano, ashita wa muri kamo shiremasen.","ja":"あの、明日は無理かもしれません。","english":"Um... tomorrow may not be possible."},"freqRank":66,"freqNote":"あの #66 also counts the demonstrative 'that'; the filler-only form あのー is #1320","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: demonstratives-things (pronoun sense only)"],"notes":"Before a noun it's the J word 'that': ano hito."},{"n":337,"id":"G-maa","romaji":"maa","polite":null,"english":"well..., I guess","use":"Hedges or half-concedes ('maa, ii ka', oh well, fine), softening an answer you don't want to commit to.","ja":"まあ","kana":"まあ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"fillers","example":{"romaji":"maa, ashita wa muri kamo.","ja":"まあ、明日は無理かも。","english":"Well, tomorrow probably won't work."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"maa, ashita wa muri kamo shiremasen.","ja":"まあ、明日は無理かもしれません。","english":"Well, tomorrow may not be possible."},"freqRank":197,"freqNote":"まあ #197; まぁ #2404","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"'maa maa' means 'so-so' or 'now, now'. Opening a polite answer with maa can sound offhand to a superior. A standalone 'maa!' (oh my!) is a dated feminine exclamation you'll hear in dramas."},{"n":338,"id":"G-nanka","romaji":"nanka","polite":null,"english":"like, kind of","use":"A casual filler that makes what follows vaguer or softer ('nanka, tsukareta', I'm kind of tired).","ja":"なんか","kana":"なんか","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"fillers","example":{"romaji":"nanka, ashita wa muri kamo.","ja":"なんか、明日は無理かも。","english":"Like, tomorrow might not work."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"nanka, ashita wa muri kamo shiremasen.","ja":"なんか、明日は無理かもしれません。","english":"Somehow... tomorrow may not be possible."},"freqRank":72,"freqNote":"the filler なんか is misparsed (#144167); 何か #72 also counts 'something'","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers"],"notes":"Overuse sounds young. nanka is also the casual 'something' ('nanka nomu?', want something to drink?) and 'stuff like' ('kore nanka dou?'); only the floating, sentence-opening use is the filler."},{"n":339,"id":"G-nante-iu-ka","romaji":"nante iu ka","polite":"nante iu n deshou ka","english":"how should I put it","use":"Buys time while you search for the right word mid-sentence.","ja":"何て言うか","kana":"なんていうか","politeJa":"何て言うんでしょうか","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":"fillers","example":{"romaji":"nante iu ka, chotto kawatta hito da ne.","ja":"何て言うか、ちょっと変わった人だね。","english":"How should I put it... he's a bit of an odd one."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"nante iu n deshou ka, chotto kawatta hito desu ne.","ja":"何て言うんでしょうか、ちょっと変わった人ですね。","english":"How should I put it... he's a bit unusual."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement (split by the tokenizer; the related っていうか is #948)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["G-nante"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"tte iu ka is different: it means 'or rather', correcting yourself."}]},{"id":"A7","range":"340-344","stage":3,"category":"Time & sequence","label":"First and last","rationale":"Positions in a sequence, going ahead of others, and first-ever experiences. These are the words for explaining steps, taking turns and telling stories.","interference":"saisho and saigo differ only in the ending (sho = start, go = end). hajimete means first-ever, not first in order, and mazu opens a plan. saki ni puts you ahead of someone or something else: mazu tabeyou = let's eat first (step one of a plan), saki ni tabete ii? = can I start eating before you?","items":[{"n":340,"id":"A-mazu","romaji":"mazu","polite":null,"english":"first (of all)","use":"Opens a series of steps or names the top priority (mazu wa ...). Later steps follow with tsugi ni and saigo ni.","ja":"まず","kana":"まず","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"first-last","example":{"romaji":"mazu kore tabeyou.","ja":"まずこれ食べよう。","english":"Let's eat this first."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mazu kore o tabemashou.","ja":"まずこれを食べましょう。","english":"Let's eat this first."},"freqRank":270,"freqNote":"まず #270","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"It can also mean 'almost certainly' (mazu daijoubu, mazu muri). Don't confuse it with mazui (bad, uh-oh): mazu kore = this first; mazui na = uh-oh."},{"n":341,"id":"A-saisho","romaji":"saisho","polite":null,"english":"first, the beginning","use":"Names the start of something. saisho ni = first, before anything else; saisho wa = at first, in contrast to later.","ja":"最初","kana":"さいしょ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"first-last","example":{"romaji":"kore, saisho wa kirai datta.","ja":"これ、最初は嫌いだった。","english":"I didn't like this at first."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore, saisho wa kirai deshita.","ja":"これ、最初は嫌いでした。","english":"I didn't like this at first."},"freqRank":284,"freqNote":"最初 #284","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"hajime (ni / wa) is a softer synonym."},{"n":342,"id":"A-saigo","romaji":"saigo","polite":null,"english":"last, the end","use":"Names the end of a sequence or the final one: saigo ni = lastly, saigo no = the last (saigo no hi).","ja":"最後","kana":"さいご","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"first-last","example":{"romaji":"saigo ni kore tabeyou.","ja":"最後にこれ食べよう。","english":"Let's have this one last."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"saigo ni kore o tabemashou.","ja":"最後にこれを食べましょう。","english":"Let's have this one last."},"freqRank":234,"freqNote":"最後 #234","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"'Finally' after a long wait is yatto, not saigo ni."},{"n":343,"id":"A-hajimete","romaji":"hajimete","polite":null,"english":"for the first time","use":"Marks a first-ever experience (hajimete kita = my first time here). It is the root of hajimemashite.","ja":"初めて","kana":"はじめて","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"first-last","example":{"romaji":"kore hajimete tabeta.","ja":"これ初めて食べた。","english":"This is my first time eating this."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore, hajimete tabemashita.","ja":"これ、初めて食べました。","english":"This is my first time eating this."},"freqRank":237,"freqNote":"初めて #237; kana はじめて #12742; #2670 is 始めて ('starting'), a different word","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"It does not mean first in an order. For 'first, do X' use mazu or saisho ni. nihon wa hajimete? / nihon wa hajimete desu ka? (first time in Japan?) is a stock small-talk question."},{"n":344,"id":"A-saki-ni","romaji":"saki ni","polite":null,"english":"first, ahead (of others); beforehand","use":"Puts one person or action ahead of another (saki ni itte = go on ahead; saki ni shukudai yaru = I'll do my homework first) or says something is done in advance (saki ni harau = pay up front). Casual speech often drops the ni.","ja":"先に","kana":"さきに","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"first-last","example":{"romaji":"saki ni tabete ii?","ja":"先に食べていい？","english":"Mind if I go ahead and start eating?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"saki ni tabete mo ii desu ka?","ja":"先に食べてもいいですか？","english":"Is it all right if I go ahead and start eating?"},"freqRank":446,"freqNote":"先に #446; お先に #2946","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Don't mix it up with sakki (\"Earlier and lately\", a moment ago): only the double k differs. saki ni kaetta = went home before the others; sakki kaetta = went home a moment ago. 'Before him' is kare yori saki ni, since kare no mae ni usually means 'in front of him'. saki ni itte yo (先に言ってよ) = you should've said so sooner! It sounds the same as saki ni itte (先に行って, go on ahead), so context decides. osaki ni douzo = after you; osaki ni shitsurei shimasu = the set line for leaving work before others."}]},{"id":"D8","range":"345-348","stage":3,"category":"Versatile adjectives","label":"Price & speed","rationale":"The two everyday scales for errands and plans: what something costs and how early, late, fast or slow it is.","interference":"Antonym pairs get swapped, so learn takai before yasui and hayai before osoi, then mix them; per 11-list-adjectives note 9(d), keep yasui at least 15 items after takai in drill order even though they share a block. takai also means tall or high, and its opposite there is hikui, not yasui.","items":[{"n":345,"id":"D-takai","romaji":"takai","polite":"takai desu","english":"expensive, high, tall","use":"Expensive (the daily shopping sense), and also high or tall for buildings, people, voices and levels; the opposite is yasui for price and hikui for height.","ja":"高い","kana":"たかい","politeJa":"高いです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"takai-yasui","example":{"romaji":"kono mise, takai ne","ja":"この店、高いね","english":"This place is expensive."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono omise, takai desu ne","ja":"このお店、高いですね","english":"This place is expensive."},"freqRank":421,"freqNote":"高い #421","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #5","11-list-adjectives #47","13-list-exit-battery #99 (in example)","13-list-exit-battery #120 (in example)","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"se ga takai = tall (of a person)."},{"n":346,"id":"D-yasui","romaji":"yasui","polite":"yasui desu","english":"cheap, inexpensive","use":"Says something is cheap or good value (prices, shops, deals); it is the opposite of takai only in the price sense.","ja":"安い","kana":"やすい","politeJa":"安いです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"takai-yasui","example":{"romaji":"kono mise, yasui ne","ja":"この店、安いね","english":"This place is cheap."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono omise, yasui desu ne","ja":"このお店、安いですね","english":"This place is cheap."},"freqRank":1315,"freqNote":"安い #1315; やすい #1141 is mostly the -yasui suffix (easy to ...), which is not carded","spread":3,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-takai"],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #30","13-list-exit-battery #3 (in example)","13-list-exit-battery #118 (in example)","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"It is a different word from the suffix -yasui (easy to ...): tabeyasui = easy to eat."},{"n":347,"id":"D-hayai","romaji":"hayai","polite":"hayai desu","english":"early, fast, quick","use":"Early in time ('mou? hayai!') and fast in speed or progress; it is one word by ear but has two kanji in writing (早い early, 速い fast).","ja":"早い","kana":"はやい","politeJa":"早いです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hayai-osoi","example":{"romaji":"kyou, hayai ne","ja":"今日、早いね","english":"You're early today."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa hayai desu ne","ja":"今日は早いですね","english":"You're early today."},"freqRank":396,"freqNote":"早い #396; 速い #2346 (two kanji, one word by ear)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #8","13-list-exit-battery #101 (in example)","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"The adverb hayaku (quickly, early) is its own item in C."},{"n":348,"id":"D-osoi","romaji":"osoi","polite":"osoi desu","english":"late, slow","use":"Late in time or slow in speed; 'mou osoi' means it's too late now, and 'osoi!' is the complaint to someone who kept you waiting.","ja":"遅い","kana":"おそい","politeJa":"遅いです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hayai-osoi","example":{"romaji":"kyou, osoi ne","ja":"今日、遅いね","english":"You're late today."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa osoi desu ne","ja":"今日は遅いですね","english":"You're late today."},"freqRank":328,"freqNote":"遅い #328","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-hayai"],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #50","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"'Late for something' uses the verb okureru (densha ni okureta), not osoi."}]},{"id":"C1","range":"349-352","stage":3,"category":"Stance, attitude & manner","label":"Fast, slow, properly, well","rationale":"Everyday manner adverbs that go straight before a verb to say how it's done: speed, care, and whether it works.","interference":"hayaku shite ne (hurry up) and yukkuri de ii yo (no rush) are the opposite pair. yukkuri shite ne on its own means relax, make yourself at home, not 'do it slowly', and the opposite of hayaku in its 'early' sense is osoku. chanto means doing it the right way; umaku means it came out well.","items":[{"n":349,"id":"C-hayaku","romaji":"hayaku","polite":null,"english":"quickly; early; hurry up","use":"The adverb form of hayai: before any verb it means fast or early (hayaku kaeru, hayaku okiru), and 'hayaku!' on its own means hurry up.","ja":"早く","kana":"はやく","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hayaku-yukkuri","example":{"romaji":"hayaku shite ne.","ja":"早くしてね。","english":"Be quick, okay?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"hayaku shite kudasai ne.","ja":"早くしてくださいね。","english":"Please be quick."},"freqRank":144,"freqNote":"早く #144; 速く ('fast') #6275 is counted separately","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["D-hayai"],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #8","13-list-exit-battery #101"],"notes":"Spoken hayaku covers both 早く (early) and 速く (fast); the sound is the same. To a clerk or coworker, hayaku shite kudasai sounds impatient, so soften it: sumimasen, chotto isoide iru n desu ga... (sorry, I'm in a bit of a hurry)."},{"n":350,"id":"C-yukkuri","romaji":"yukkuri","polite":null,"english":"slowly; take your time","use":"A manner adverb for slow, unhurried action: yukkuri de ii (yo) means no rush, take your time, and mou sukoshi yukkuri asks someone to slow down. yukkuri shite ne / yukkuri shitette ne is different: a host's 'relax, make yourself at home'.","ja":"ゆっくり","kana":"ゆっくり","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hayaku-yukkuri","example":{"romaji":"yukkuri de ii yo.","ja":"ゆっくりでいいよ。","english":"No rush, take your time."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"yukkuri de ii desu yo.","ja":"ゆっくりでいいですよ。","english":"No rush, take your time."},"freqRank":515,"freqNote":"ゆっくり #515; set phrase ごゆっくり #1875 counted separately","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_yukkuri_onegai"],"notes":"Survival line: mou sukoshi yukkuri hanashite kudasai (please speak a little more slowly), or simply yukkuri onegaishimasu. goyukkuri douzo (enjoy, take your time) is the shop and host set phrase."},{"n":351,"id":"C-chanto","romaji":"chanto","polite":null,"english":"properly; as one should","use":"Says something is done the right, responsible way (chanto tabete, chanto kiite), and 'chanto shita hito' is a proper, reliable person.","ja":"ちゃんと","kana":"ちゃんと","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"chanto tabete ne.","ja":"ちゃんと食べてね。","english":"Make sure you eat properly."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"chanto tabete kudasai ne.","ja":"ちゃんと食べてくださいね。","english":"Please make sure you eat properly."},"freqRank":169,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"kichinto is a stiffer synonym. chanto is fine in polite speech too."},{"n":352,"id":"C-umaku","romaji":"umaku","polite":null,"english":"well; smoothly","use":"Says something works out or is done skilfully. It is used mostly in 'umaku iku' (go well) and in negatives that describe trouble (umaku ienai = can't put it well).","ja":"うまく","kana":"うまく","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"shiken, umaku itta?","ja":"試験、うまくいった？","english":"Did the exam go well?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"shiken, umaku ikimashita ka?","ja":"試験、うまくいきましたか？","english":"Did the exam go well?"},"freqRank":761,"freqNote":"rank of うまくいく #761 (うまく行く #10741 and 上手くいく #16573 counted separately); the bare うまく token is only #45903, probably because the tokenizer lemmatises the adverb to うまい #246 (unverified)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-iku"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives — umai"],"notes":"Learner lifeline: umaku ienai kedo... (I can't put it well, but...)."}]},{"id":"I5","range":"353-356","stage":3,"category":"Grammar patterns as vocabulary","label":"May and must","rationale":"The permission and obligation ladder on one verb: may, mustn't, must, needn't.","interference":"-nakute mo ii (needn't) gets mistaken for 'mustn't' (-cha dame); anchor both to one verb: kaeranakute mo ii (you don't have to go) vs kaetcha dame (you can't go).","items":[{"n":353,"id":"I-te-mo-ii","romaji":"-te mo ii","polite":"-te mo ii desu","english":"may / it's OK to","use":"Attaches to the -te form to ask for or give permission (suwatte mo ii?, tabete ii yo); casual speech often drops mo.","ja":"〜てもいい","kana":"〜てもいい","politeJa":"〜てもいいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"may-must","example":{"romaji":"mou kaette mo ii?","ja":"もう帰ってもいい？","english":"Can I go home now?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mou kaette mo ii desu ka?","ja":"もう帰ってもいいですか？","english":"May I go home now?"},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement; tokenizer splits て+も+いい (fused てもいい only #56914); いい #24","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["E-te-and","D-ii"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #8","13-list-exit-battery #65","vocab-trainer learner-phrases: expr_shitsumon_shitemo_ii"],"notes":"A refusal usually comes as chotto... rather than a flat dame."},{"n":354,"id":"I-cha-dame","romaji":"-cha dame / -ja dame","polite":"-cha dame desu / -ja dame desu","english":"mustn't, not allowed","use":"Contracted -te wa dame, used to forbid or warn against something (sawatcha dame); verbs with -nde take -ja (nonja dame).","ja":"〜ちゃダメ／〜じゃダメ","kana":"〜ちゃだめ／〜じゃだめ","politeJa":"〜ちゃダメです／〜じゃダメです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"may-must","example":{"romaji":"mada kaetcha dame.","ja":"まだ帰っちゃダメ。","english":"You can't go home yet."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mada kaetcha dame desu yo.","ja":"まだ帰っちゃダメですよ。","english":"You can't go home yet."},"freqRank":5134,"freqNote":"rank of the contraction ちゃ; ダメ #596, いけない #277 (all uses)","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-te-and","D-dame"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #9","13-list-exit-battery #64","11-list-adjectives #52"],"notes":"-cha dame desu is the friendly version; careful speech uses -te wa dame desu, firm rules -te wa ikemasen, and requests to strangers -naide kudasai."},{"n":355,"id":"I-nakya","romaji":"-nakya","polite":"-nakya ikemasen","english":"have to, must","use":"Attaches to the -nai stem (ikanakya) for what you've got to do; casual speech usually stops there and leaves off ikenai.","ja":"〜なきゃ","kana":"〜なきゃ","politeJa":"〜なきゃいけません","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"may-must","example":{"romaji":"sorosoro kaeranakya.","ja":"そろそろ帰らなきゃ。","english":"I should get going home."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sorosoro kaeranakya ikemasen ne.","ja":"そろそろ帰らなきゃいけませんね。","english":"I'd better be getting home."},"freqRank":6431,"freqNote":"tokenizer often splits the contraction, so this undercounts; なきゃいけない #4891, なくちゃ #9360, なければならない #6186","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #78","13-list-exit-battery #80","13-list-exit-battery #81"],"notes":"-nakucha and -nai to mean the same and are heard too; -nakya is the most common."},{"n":356,"id":"I-nakute-mo-ii","romaji":"-nakute mo ii","polite":"-nakute mo ii desu","english":"don't have to","use":"Attaches to the -nai stem to say something isn't necessary (konakute mo ii, ki ni shinakute ii); casual speech drops mo.","ja":"〜なくてもいい","kana":"〜なくてもいい","politeJa":"〜なくてもいいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"may-must","example":{"romaji":"mada kaeranakute mo ii yo.","ja":"まだ帰らなくてもいいよ。","english":"You don't have to go home yet."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mada kaeranakute mo ii desu yo.","ja":"まだ帰らなくてもいいですよ。","english":"You don't have to go home yet."},"freqRank":5814,"freqNote":"rank of fused なくてもいい; split tokens not counted, so likely an undercount","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative","I-te-mo-ii"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #66"],"notes":"It's the opposite of -nakya: 'don't have to', never 'mustn't'."}]},{"id":"H11","range":"357-360","stage":3,"category":"General verbs","label":"Wrong, stuck, angry","rationale":"Reactions when something's off: it's different or wrong, I'm in a bind, I made a mistake, someone's angry about it.","interference":"chigau is a state (that's wrong / different) and machigaeru an act (I got it wrong): bangou chigau yo vs bangou machigaeta. okoru is also an act (getting angry), so 'she's angry' is okotteru and 'I got told off' is the passive okorareta; it sounds the same as okoru 'happen'.","items":[{"n":357,"id":"H-chigau","romaji":"chigau","polite":"chigaimasu","english":"be different; be wrong","use":"The everyday one-word 'no, that's not it' for correcting someone (far more common than iie in conversation) and the verb for being different (X to chigau); a flat chigau! can sound blunt, so soften with chotto chigau kamo.","ja":"違う","kana":"ちがう","politeJa":"違います","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"chigau-machigaeru","example":{"romaji":"denwa bangou chigau yo.","ja":"電話番号違うよ。","english":"That's the wrong phone number."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"denwa bangou ga chigaimasu yo.","ja":"電話番号が違いますよ。","english":"That's the wrong phone number."},"freqRank":94,"freqNote":"違う #94","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"A verb, not an adjective: polite chigaimasu, never *chigai desu."},{"n":358,"id":"H-komaru","romaji":"komaru","polite":"komarimasu","english":"be in a bind; be stuck","use":"Saying a situation causes you trouble, which is the indirect way to object or ask for help (komatta na, komaru n desu kedo).","ja":"困る","kana":"こまる","politeJa":"困ります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"sore wa chotto komaru.","ja":"それはちょっと困る。","english":"That'd be a bit of a problem."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore wa chotto komarimasu.","ja":"それはちょっと困ります。","english":"That would be a bit of a problem for me."},"freqRank":364,"freqNote":"困る #364","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #67"],"notes":"komatta = 'I'm stuck (now)'; the past describes the current state."},{"n":359,"id":"H-machigaeru","romaji":"machigaeru","polite":"machigaemasu","english":"make a mistake; get wrong","use":"Getting something wrong yourself — a number, a word, the way — and the learner's main repair verb (machigaeta, gomen).","ja":"間違える","kana":"まちがえる","politeJa":"間違えます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"chigau-machigaeru","example":{"romaji":"denwa bangou machigaeta.","ja":"電話番号間違えた。","english":"I got the phone number wrong."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"denwa bangou o machigaemashita.","ja":"電話番号を間違えました。","english":"I got the phone number wrong."},"freqRank":956,"freqNote":"間違える #956; intransitive 間違う #711 and noun 間違い #1085 counted separately","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["H-chigau"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"machigatteru = 'is wrong' (a state); machigaeta = 'I made the mistake'."},{"n":360,"id":"H-okoru","romaji":"okoru","polite":"okorimasu","english":"get angry; tell off","use":"Says someone gets angry: the person you're angry at takes ni (tomodachi ni okotta), and the person you tell off takes o (kodomo o okoru); 'is angry' right now is okotteru, and the passive okorareta means 'got told off'.","ja":"怒る","kana":"おこる","politeJa":"怒ります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"mada okotteru no?","ja":"まだ怒ってるの？","english":"Are you still mad?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mada okotteru n desu ka?","ja":"まだ怒ってるんですか？","english":"Are you still angry?"},"freqRank":381,"freqNote":"怒る #381; homophone 起こる (happen) #936 listed separately","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-teru"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #107"],"notes":"okoranaide = don't be mad; sugu okoru = gets angry easily. Homophone 起こる 'happen' is a separate verb."}]},{"id":"C2","range":"361-364","stage":3,"category":"Stance, attitude & manner","label":"How sure: adverbs","rationale":"The certainty dial runs from a soft guess to full commitment, and 'of course' takes the point for granted.","interference":"tabun, kitto and zettai share one frame (___ daijoubu da yo), so only the strength changes. kitto is mostly for confident guesses about others or the future, and rarely for your own firm plans.","items":[{"n":361,"id":"C-tabun","romaji":"tabun","polite":null,"english":"probably; maybe","use":"The default hedge: it commits softly to any claim and is often closed with deshou, kamo or to omou.","ja":"多分","kana":"たぶん","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tabun-kitto-zettai","example":{"romaji":"tabun daijoubu da yo.","ja":"多分大丈夫だよ。","english":"It's probably fine."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tabun daijoubu desu yo.","ja":"多分大丈夫ですよ。","english":"It's probably fine."},"freqRank":1323,"freqNote":"多分 #1323 and kana たぶん #1598 are counted separately, so real use is well above either rank","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"osoraku is the stiffer, more formal 'probably'; tabun is fine in desu/masu speech."},{"n":362,"id":"C-kitto","romaji":"kitto","polite":null,"english":"surely; I bet","use":"A confident guess about something you can't check, such as someone else's feelings, an outcome or the future.","ja":"きっと","kana":"きっと","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tabun-kitto-zettai","example":{"romaji":"kitto daijoubu da yo.","ja":"きっと大丈夫だよ。","english":"I'm sure it'll be fine."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kitto daijoubu desu yo.","ja":"きっと大丈夫ですよ。","english":"I'm sure it'll be fine."},"freqRank":275,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"To commit to your own plan, say zettai iku (or kanarazu iku); kitto iku sounds like a heartfelt promise rather than a plan. kitto kite ne (be sure to come) is fine."},{"n":363,"id":"C-zettai","romaji":"zettai","polite":null,"english":"definitely; absolutely (not)","use":"The strongest commitment either way, as in zettai iku (definitely going) and zettai dame (absolutely not). It is constant in promises and refusals.","ja":"絶対","kana":"ぜったい","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tabun-kitto-zettai","example":{"romaji":"zettai daijoubu da yo.","ja":"絶対大丈夫だよ。","english":"It'll definitely be fine."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"zettai daijoubu desu yo.","ja":"絶対大丈夫ですよ。","english":"It'll definitely be fine."},"freqRank":268,"freqNote":"絶対 #268; 絶対に #404","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers (extended) — zettaini"],"notes":"zettai ni is the same word; casual speech usually drops the ni. For polite commitments, kanarazu (without fail) is safer, but it doesn't do 'never' the way zettai ikanai does."},{"n":364,"id":"C-mochiron","romaji":"mochiron","polite":"mochiron desu","english":"of course","use":"Says something goes without saying, either before a statement or alone as a warm 'of course!' reply.","ja":"もちろん","kana":"もちろん","politeJa":"もちろんです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"mochiron iku yo.","ja":"もちろん行くよ。","english":"Of course I'm coming."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mochiron ikimasu yo.","ja":"もちろん行きますよ。","english":"Of course I'm coming."},"freqRank":264,"freqNote":"もちろん #264 (kanji 勿論 #46156)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"As a reply to a request, mochiron! means 'sure, happy to'."}]},{"id":"C3","range":"365-369","stage":3,"category":"Stance, attitude & manner","label":"Together, alone, as is, without asking","rationale":"Set phrases that give the circumstances of an action (with others, by yourself, leaving things as they are, or without asking anyone), and all fit before a verb like iku.","interference":"issho ni and hitori de share the casual question frame (___ iku?). hitori de is about company and katte ni is about permission: hitori de itchatta (went alone) vs katte ni itchatta (went off without asking). For things that happen by themselves it's katte ni (doa ga katte ni shimatta), not hitori de, which is for people. kono mama is the current situation, often 'if things go on like this'; sono mama is that thing as it stands, or carrying straight on without a further step.","items":[{"n":365,"id":"C-issho-ni","romaji":"issho ni","polite":null,"english":"together (with)","use":"Says an action is shared, with 'X to issho ni' meaning with X. It is the core of every invitation (issho ni ikou, issho ni iku?).","ja":"一緒に","kana":"いっしょに","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"issho-ni-hitori-de","example":{"romaji":"issho ni iku?","ja":"一緒に行く？","english":"Want to come with me?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"issho ni ikimasen ka?","ja":"一緒に行きませんか？","english":"Would you like to come along?"},"freqRank":122,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #113"],"notes":"issho without ni means 'the same': issho da ne = same here. Polite invitations use -masen ka (issho ni ikimasen ka); casual can be iku? or ikanai?"},{"n":366,"id":"C-hitori-de","romaji":"hitori de","polite":null,"english":"alone; by oneself","use":"Says you do something on your own, either without company or without help (hitori de dekiru).","ja":"一人で","kana":"ひとりで","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"issho-ni-hitori-de","example":{"romaji":"hitori de iku?","ja":"一人で行く？","english":"Are you going by yourself?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"hitori de ikimasu ka?","ja":"一人で行きますか？","english":"Are you going alone?"},"freqRank":913,"freqNote":"一人で #913; kana ひとりで #7320 and 独りで #9339 counted separately","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer utility-vocab: counter-people (hitori)","kotoba particles: de"],"notes":"Two people is futari de."},{"n":367,"id":"C-kono-mama","romaji":"kono mama","polite":null,"english":"as it is; like this","use":"Keeps the current situation unchanged, as in 'kono mama de ii' (fine like this) and 'kono mama ja dame' (can't go on like this).","ja":"このまま","kana":"このまま","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kono-mama-sono-mama","example":{"romaji":"kono mama de ii yo.","ja":"このままでいいよ。","english":"It's fine like this."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono mama de ii desu yo.","ja":"このままでいいですよ。","english":"It's fine like this."},"freqRank":309,"freqNote":null,"spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-kono"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"kono mama ja... warns where things are heading if nothing changes."},{"n":368,"id":"C-sono-mama","romaji":"sono mama","polite":null,"english":"as is; just like that; straight on","use":"Leaves something as it is (sono mama de ii = leave it as is, no need to change anything), or carries straight on without a further step (sono mama kaetta = went straight home; sono mama mattete = just wait there).","ja":"そのまま","kana":"そのまま","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kono-mama-sono-mama","example":{"romaji":"sono mama kaetta.","ja":"そのまま帰った。","english":"I went straight home."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sono mama kaerimashita.","ja":"そのまま帰りました。","english":"I went straight home."},"freqRank":623,"freqNote":null,"spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-sono"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"To a clerk offering a bag or wrapping, sono mama de ii desu means 'it's fine as it is'. Said to a person, sono mama de ii also reassures: you're fine as you are. sono mama omachi kudasai (please hold) is the fixed phone and shop line."},{"n":369,"id":"C-katte-ni","romaji":"katte ni","polite":null,"english":"without asking; as one pleases; by itself (automatically)","use":"Goes before a verb to say something was done without asking or permission (katte ni kimeta, katte ni tabeta), or that it happened by itself with nobody doing it (doa ga katte ni shimatta). Mostly it's a complaint, but with -te ii it gives free rein (katte ni tabete ii yo = help yourself), and turned on yourself it's an apology (katte ni tsukatte gomen / sumimasen = sorry for using it without asking).","ja":"勝手に","kana":"かってに","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"katte ni kimenaide yo.","ja":"勝手に決めないでよ。","english":"Don't go deciding things without asking me!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"katte ni kimenaide kudasai.","ja":"勝手に決めないでください。","english":"Please don't decide things without asking."},"freqRank":438,"freqNote":"勝手に #438; bare 勝手 #756","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #H4"],"notes":"katte ni shite! on its own is a huffy 'suit yourself'. By ear it matches katte from kau (buy), pitch included, so only the ni tells them apart: katte kita (went and bought it) vs katte ni kita (came without being asked). katte from katsu (win) has a different pitch."}]},{"id":"F7","range":"370-375","stage":4,"category":"Sentence endings & intent","label":"Let's, suggestions & plans","rationale":"The volitional -ou family for inviting and offering, the softer -nai? invitation and -tara? advice, then tsumori and -ou to omou for your own plans.","interference":"-ou proposes outright, -ou ka asks for agreement or offers help, and -nai? leaves room to say no; -tara? advises the listener rather than inviting them. tsumori is a settled plan, while -ou to omou is a decision you're still making.","items":[{"n":370,"id":"F-ou-lets","romaji":"-ou / -you","polite":"-mashou","english":"let's (do)","use":"The volitional form proposes doing something together (ikou, tabeyou, shiyou). Godan verbs change the final u to ou (iku → ikou, kaeru → kaerou); ichidan verbs swap ru for you (taberu → tabeyou).","ja":"〜おう／〜よう","kana":"〜おう／〜よう","politeJa":"〜ましょう","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"invite","example":{"romaji":"issho ni ikou","ja":"一緒に行こう","english":"Let's go together."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"issho ni ikimashou","ja":"一緒に行きましょう","english":"Let's go together."},"freqRank":2354,"freqNote":"tokenizer folds the volitional into the verb; rank of いこう (ikou) alone","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #113","13-list-exit-battery #117","12-list-te-dependents X13"],"notes":"The irregulars are suru → shiyou and kuru → koyou."},{"n":371,"id":"F-ou-ka","romaji":"-ou ka / -you ka","polite":"-mashou ka","english":"shall we / shall I?","use":"Asks whether to do something together, or offers to do it for the listener (mado akeyou ka? = shall I open the window?).","ja":"〜おうか／〜ようか","kana":"〜おうか／〜ようか","politeJa":"〜ましょうか","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"invite","example":{"romaji":"issho ni ikou ka?","ja":"一緒に行こうか？","english":"Want me to come with you?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"issho ni ikimashou ka?","ja":"一緒に行きましょうか？","english":"Shall I come with you?"},"freqRank":2035,"freqNote":"casual 行こうか not found (volitional folded into verb); rank of polite ましょうか","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["F-ou-lets"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #114"],"notes":"With a falling tone it can be self-directed: jaa, kaerou ka (well, guess I'll head home)."},{"n":372,"id":"F-nai-invite","romaji":"-nai?","polite":"-masen ka","english":"want to...? (invitation)","use":"Invites the listener with a rising negative question (issho ni ikanai?), which leaves room to decline. It is softer than -ou.","ja":"〜ない？","kana":"〜ない？","politeJa":"〜ませんか","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"invite","example":{"romaji":"issho ni ikanai?","ja":"一緒に行かない？","english":"Want to come along?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"issho ni ikimasen ka?","ja":"一緒に行きませんか？","english":"Would you like to come along?"},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement (ない #43 merges all negation; ませんか #111176 tokenizer-split)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #116","12-list-te-dependents X13"],"notes":"The rising tone is what makes it an invitation; flat ikanai just means 'I'm not going.'"},{"n":373,"id":"F-tara-suggest","romaji":"-tara?","polite":"-tara dou desu ka","english":"why don't you...?","use":"Suggests, with a rising tone, something the listener could do for their own good (yasundara?, kiite mitara?). The fuller form is -tara dou?. -ba? (sureba?) is curter and can sound dismissive (katte ni sureba? = suit yourself).","ja":"〜たら？","kana":"〜たら？","politeJa":"〜たらどうですか","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"invite","example":{"romaji":"chotto yasundara?","ja":"ちょっと休んだら？","english":"Why don't you take a break?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"chotto yasundara dou desu ka","ja":"ちょっと休んだらどうですか","english":"Why don't you take a little break?"},"freqRank":2818,"freqNote":"tokenizer splits; rank of たら alone","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-tara"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #35"],"notes":"With superiors -tara dou desu ka can sound pushy; -ta hou ga ii kamo is gentler."},{"n":374,"id":"F-tsumori","romaji":"tsumori","polite":"tsumori desu","english":"intend to / plan to","use":"States a plan you've already decided on. It attaches to the plain form (iku tsumori, ikanai tsumori).","ja":"つもり","kana":"つもり","politeJa":"つもりです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"plans","example":{"romaji":"kyou wa hayaku neru tsumori","ja":"今日は早く寝るつもり","english":"I'm planning to go to bed early tonight."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa hayaku neru tsumori desu","ja":"今日は早く寝るつもりです","english":"I plan to go to bed early tonight."},"freqRank":208,"freqNote":"#208 つもり","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"After a past verb it means 'I thought I had': itta tsumori = I thought I'd said it. Asking others about their tsumori can sound like a challenge (dou iu tsumori? = what do you think you're doing?), so ask about plans with ...suru no? / ...n desu ka. For loose plans, -ou to omotteru is softer."},{"n":375,"id":"F-ou-to-omou","romaji":"-ou / -you to omou","polite":"-ou / -you to omoimasu","english":"I'm thinking of (doing)","use":"Shares a plan you're deciding on now or are still considering. It is softer than tsumori.","ja":"〜おう／〜ようと思う","kana":"〜おう／〜ようとおもう","politeJa":"〜おう／〜ようと思います","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"plans","example":{"romaji":"kyou wa hayaku neyou to omou","ja":"今日は早く寝ようと思う","english":"I think I'll go to bed early tonight."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa hayaku neyou to omoimasu","ja":"今日は早く寝ようと思います","english":"I think I'll go to bed early tonight."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement (volitional folded into verb; 思う #33 covers all uses)","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["F-ou-lets","F-to-omou"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #115"],"notes":"Polite speech keeps the plain volitional (neyou to omoimasu, never *nemashou to omoimasu); -ou to omotteru = I've been thinking of it."}]},{"id":"C4","range":"376-379","stage":4,"category":"Stance, attitude & manner","label":"Expected or not","rationale":"Reactions to how things match expectations: confirmed, admirably confirmed, flatly refused, or tentatively suspected.","interference":"yappari (turned out as I thought) and sasuga (praise: just what you'd expect of them) share '___ kenta da ne', but yappari kenta da ne can be a sigh (late again) while sasuga kenta da ne is praise. masaka (surely not!) and moshikashite (could it be?) share '___ wasureta no?'.","items":[{"n":376,"id":"C-yappari","romaji":"yappari","polite":null,"english":"as expected; after all","use":"Confirms that something turned out as you thought, restates a settled opinion (yappari natsu wa biiru da ne = summer means beer, after all), or marks a change of mind (yappari yameru = actually, I'll skip it).","ja":"やっぱり","kana":"やっぱり","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"yappari-sasuga","example":{"romaji":"yappari kenta da ne.","ja":"やっぱり健太だね。","english":"Typical Kenta, just as I thought."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"yappari kenta san desu ne.","ja":"やっぱり健太さんですね。","english":"Typical Kenta, just as I thought."},"freqRank":150,"freqNote":"やっぱり #150; clipped やっぱ #576; formal やはり #979","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order (cost of standard: yappari)"],"notes":"Casual speech clips it to yappa. yahari is the formal, written-leaning form (meetings, news); in desu/masu speech yappari is normal."},{"n":377,"id":"C-sasuga","romaji":"sasuga","polite":"sasuga desu ne","english":"impressive; as expected (of you); that's X for you","use":"Praise that someone lives up to their reputation, either alone ('sasuga!') or as 'sasuga X da ne'. With ni, it means 'understandably, as you'd expect': sasuga ni tsukareta (I'm tired, understandably), sasuga ni sore wa muri (that's really too much).","ja":"さすが","kana":"さすが","politeJa":"さすがですね","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"yappari-sasuga","example":{"romaji":"sasuga kenta da ne.","ja":"さすが健太だね。","english":"That's Kenta for you!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sasuga kenta san desu ne.","ja":"さすが健太さんですね。","english":"Just what you'd expect from Kenta."},"freqRank":463,"freqNote":"さすが #463; さすがに #1098 counted separately","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Bare sasuga is praise; for bad news you expected, use yappari. sasuga ni is the separate 'understandably, even so' sense. Said flatly, sasuga da ne can be sarcastic."},{"n":378,"id":"C-masaka","romaji":"masaka","polite":null,"english":"no way; surely not","use":"Expresses disbelief, either alone as 'no way!' or to open a guess you hope is wrong (masaka ... ja nai yo ne).","ja":"まさか","kana":"まさか","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"moshikashite-masaka","example":{"romaji":"masaka wasureta no?","ja":"まさか忘れたの？","english":"Don't tell me you forgot!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"masaka wasureta n desu ka?","ja":"まさか忘れたんですか？","english":"Don't tell me you forgot."},"freqRank":260,"freqNote":null,"spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"masaka! alone is a full reaction: no way!"},{"n":379,"id":"C-moshikashite","romaji":"moshikashite","polite":null,"english":"maybe; could it be","use":"Floats a guess or a tentative question, usually ending in no?, kana or kamo.","ja":"もしかして","kana":"もしかして","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"moshikashite-masaka","example":{"romaji":"moshikashite wasureta no?","ja":"もしかして忘れたの？","english":"Did you forget, by any chance?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"moshikashite wasureta n desu ka?","ja":"もしかして忘れたんですか？","english":"Did you forget, by any chance?"},"freqRank":431,"freqNote":"もしかして #431; variant もしかしたら #988 counted separately","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"moshikashitara is the 'if by any chance' variant (moshikashitara kuru kamo). Polite-safe opener for a sensitive guess: moshikashite, tanaka san desu ka? (Are you Mr. Tanaka, by any chance?)"}]},{"id":"D9","range":"380-385","stage":4,"category":"Versatile adjectives","label":"Glad, let down, worried","rationale":"Your own emotional reactions to news, to what's coming and to being noticed: glad, disappointed, looking forward, scared, worried, embarrassed.","interference":"kowai (scared) and shinpai (worried) share the exam-results sentence so only the feeling changes, and ureshii and zannen are paired replies to news. kowai also sounds like kawaii (cute, earlier block): three beats against four. tanoshimi (looking forward to it) is not tanoshii (fun, earlier block): say ryokou, tanoshimi before the trip and ryokou, tanoshikatta after it. hazukashii (embarrassed, shy) and ureshii are the two ways to take a compliment, bashful against pleased. hazukashii is one beat away from muzukashii (difficult, earlier block): ha-zu-ka-shii vs mu-zu-ka-shii, so add it once muzukashii is solid, then drill chotto hazukashii against chotto muzukashii and listen for ha- vs mu-.","items":[{"n":380,"id":"D-ureshii","romaji":"ureshii","polite":"ureshii desu","english":"glad, happy","use":"Says you are glad about something specific (a gift, news, a compliment), either as 'ureshii!' or as -te ureshii; it describes your own feeling, not a general state of happiness.","ja":"うれしい","kana":"うれしい","politeJa":"うれしいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ureshii-zannen","example":{"romaji":"sore wa ureshii","ja":"それはうれしい","english":"That makes me happy."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore wa ureshii desu","ja":"それはうれしいです","english":"I'm glad to hear that."},"freqRank":518,"freqNote":"うれしい #518 (嬉しい #2628)","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #21","12-list-te-dependents #15","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"'Happy in life' is shiawase; ureshii is for one good thing that happened. About someone else, say ureshisou (looks happy)."},{"n":381,"id":"D-zannen","romaji":"zannen","polite":"zannen desu","english":"too bad, disappointing","use":"The reaction to disappointing news, a cancellation or a missed chance ('zannen!', 'sore wa zannen'), and the base of -te zannen (it's a shame that ...: aenakute zannen = shame we couldn't meet).","ja":"残念","kana":"ざんねん","politeJa":"残念です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ureshii-zannen","example":{"romaji":"sore wa zannen","ja":"それは残念","english":"That's a shame."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore wa zannen desu ne","ja":"それは残念ですね","english":"That's a shame."},"freqRank":682,"freqNote":"残念 #682","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #15"],"notes":"Use it for let-downs; for real hardship the sympathy line is taihen da ne. It is not an apology: for 'I'm sorry' use gomen or sumimasen."},{"n":382,"id":"D-kowai","romaji":"kowai","polite":"kowai desu","english":"scary, scared","use":"Says something is scary or that you are scared (films, heights, people, the future); about a strict person it means 'intimidating'.","ja":"怖い","kana":"こわい","politeJa":"怖いです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kowai-shinpai","example":{"romaji":"shiken no kekka, kowai","ja":"試験の結果、怖い","english":"I'm scared to see my exam results."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"shiken no kekka ga kowai desu","ja":"試験の結果が怖いです","english":"I'm scared to see my exam results."},"freqRank":221,"freqNote":"怖い #221","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #29","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"The same word covers 'scary' (the thing) and 'scared' (you); context decides."},{"n":383,"id":"D-shinpai","romaji":"shinpai","polite":"shinpai desu","english":"worried, worrying","use":"Says you are worried about someone or something (X ga shinpai), and shinpai shinaide means 'don't worry'; it is na-class even though it ends in -ai.","ja":"心配","kana":"しんぱい","politeJa":"心配です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kowai-shinpai","example":{"romaji":"shiken no kekka, shinpai","ja":"試験の結果、心配","english":"I'm worried about my exam results."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"shiken no kekka ga shinpai desu","ja":"試験の結果が心配です","english":"I'm worried about my exam results."},"freqRank":210,"freqNote":"心配 #210; includes the verb shinpai suru","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives"],"notes":"Also a verb, shinpai suru; the form you'll use most is shinpai shinaide (don't worry)."},{"n":384,"id":"D-tanoshimi","romaji":"tanoshimi","polite":"tanoshimi desu","english":"looking forward to it","use":"Says you're looking forward to something coming up, as a one-word reply to any plan (tanoshimi!) or X ga tanoshimi; it is a noun, so it takes da / desu, and tanoshimi ni shiteru is the fuller 'I'm looking forward to it'.","ja":"楽しみ","kana":"たのしみ","politeJa":"楽しみです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ryokou, tanoshimi da ne","ja":"旅行、楽しみだね","english":"Can't wait for the trip!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ryokou, tanoshimi desu ne","ja":"旅行、楽しみですね","english":"I'm looking forward to the trip."},"freqRank":869,"freqNote":"楽しみ #869","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-tanoshii"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Politely, tanoshimi ni shitemasu is the set phrase for 'I'm looking forward to it'."},{"n":385,"id":"D-hazukashii","romaji":"hazukashii","polite":"hazukashii desu","english":"embarrassed, embarrassing, shy","use":"Says you feel embarrassed or shy, or that something is embarrassing: after a mistake, at a compliment or when being watched ('hazukashii!', hazukashii kara yamete = stop, it's embarrassing).","ja":"恥ずかしい","kana":"はずかしい","politeJa":"恥ずかしいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"chotto hazukashii na","ja":"ちょっと恥ずかしいな","english":"I'm a bit embarrassed."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"chotto hazukashii desu","ja":"ちょっと恥ずかしいです","english":"I'm a little embarrassed."},"freqRank":672,"freqNote":"恥ずかしい #672","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["D-muzukashii"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"About someone else or what they did, it is a criticism ('embarrassing, shameful'). For how someone else feels, say hazukashisou (looks embarrassed)."}]},{"id":"A8","range":"386-389","stage":4,"category":"Time & sequence","label":"When, before, after, while","rationale":"Clauses that time one action against another: when, before, after and at the same time.","interference":"Each takes a different verb form: -mae ni is always non-past (deru mae ni); -toki takes a plain verb in either tense, and the tense shows the order (deru toki = as I leave, deta toki = once I'd left); -te kara takes the -te form (dete kara); -nagara takes the masu-stem, with one person doing both actions (arukinagara).","items":[{"n":386,"id":"A-toki","romaji":"-toki","polite":null,"english":"when, at the time","use":"Makes a 'when X' clause after a plain verb, an adjective, or noun + no (kodomo no toki). The verb's tense shows whether X has happened yet.","ja":"〜とき","kana":"〜とき","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"clause-timing","example":{"romaji":"deru toki denwa suru ne.","ja":"出るとき電話するね。","english":"I'll call you when I leave."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"deru toki denwa shimasu ne.","ja":"出るとき電話しますね。","english":"I'll call you when I leave."},"freqRank":293,"freqNote":"時(とき) #293, includes the noun 'time'; kana とき #633","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #1 (-tara for 'once X happens')"],"notes":"The verb before toki stays plain even in polite speech. Tense sets the order: iku toki katta = bought it on the way there; itta toki katta = bought it there. For 'once X happens, then Y', use -tara: tsuitara denwa suru."},{"n":387,"id":"A-mae-ni","romaji":"-mae ni","polite":null,"english":"before (doing)","use":"Means 'before X' after a dictionary-form verb or noun + no (neru mae ni, shigoto no mae ni). The verb stays non-past even when talking about the past.","ja":"〜前に","kana":"〜まえに","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"clause-timing","example":{"romaji":"deru mae ni denwa suru ne.","ja":"出る前に電話するね。","english":"I'll call you before I leave."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"deru mae ni denwa shimasu ne.","ja":"出る前に電話しますね。","english":"I'll call you before I leave."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"tokenizer splits 前に (#183446 is the tail floor); 前 #80 covers every sense incl. spatial 'front'. No usable rank — judgement","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["A-mae"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Always use the dictionary form: deru mae ni, never deta mae ni."},{"n":388,"id":"A-te-kara","romaji":"-te kara","polite":null,"english":"after doing; since","use":"Attaches to the -te form to put one action after another (tabete kara deru) or to mark a starting point, 'since' (nihon ni kite kara).","ja":"〜てから","kana":"〜てから","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"clause-timing","example":{"romaji":"dete kara denwa suru ne.","ja":"出てから電話するね。","english":"I'll call you after I leave."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dete kara denwa shimasu ne.","ja":"出てから電話しますね。","english":"I'll call you after I leave."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"tokenizer splits; から #14 counts every kara (mostly 'because / from'). No usable rank — judgement","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["E-te-and"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #22","kotoba particles: kara"],"notes":"-ta ato de (deta ato de) is the other 'after' and means much the same here."},{"n":389,"id":"A-nagara","romaji":"-nagara","polite":null,"english":"while (doing)","use":"Joins two actions one person does at once, using the masu-stem (arukinagara hanasu). The main action comes last.","ja":"〜ながら","kana":"〜ながら","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"clause-timing","example":{"romaji":"eki made arukinagara denwa suru ne.","ja":"駅まで歩きながら電話するね。","english":"I'll call you on my walk to the station."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"eki made arukinagara denwa shimasu ne.","ja":"駅まで歩きながら電話しますね。","english":"I'll call you on my walk to the station."},"freqRank":3718,"freqNote":"ながら #3718","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #X8"],"notes":"It only works with one person. 'While you were out' needs -aida or -toki."}]},{"id":"H12","range":"390-394","stage":4,"category":"General verbs","label":"Start, stop, keep at it","rationale":"Phases of an activity — something starting (hajimaru) or you starting it (hajimeru), its ending, quitting it — plus ganbaru, the effort of keeping at it.","interference":"owatta = it finished (shigoto owatta, done for the day) while yameta = someone stopped or quit (shigoto yameta, quit the job); hajimaru (it starts, ga) vs hajimeru (you start it, o): eiga ga hajimaru / shigoto o hajimeru.","items":[{"n":390,"id":"H-hajimeru","romaji":"hajimeru","polite":"hajimemasu","english":"start (something)","use":"Starting an activity, hobby, job or meeting (X o hajimeru), and hajimeyou means 'let's start'.","ja":"始める","kana":"はじめる","politeJa":"始めます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hajimeru-hajimaru","example":{"romaji":"saikin yoga hajimeta.","ja":"最近ヨガ始めた。","english":"I started yoga recently."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"saikin yoga o hajimemashita.","ja":"最近ヨガを始めました。","english":"I recently started yoga."},"freqRank":330,"freqNote":"始める #330; intransitive 始まる #435 separately","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #X1","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: greetings (hajimemashite)"],"notes":"Transitive; the thing itself starting is hajimaru (jugyou ga hajimaru)."},{"n":391,"id":"H-hajimaru","romaji":"hajimaru","polite":"hajimarimasu","english":"begin (by itself)","use":"Says an event, class, show or season starts, with it marked by ga; starting something yourself is hajimeru with o.","ja":"始まる","kana":"はじまる","politeJa":"始まります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hajimeru-hajimaru","example":{"romaji":"nanji kara hajimaru?","ja":"何時から始まる？","english":"What time does it start?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"nanji kara hajimarimasu ka?","ja":"何時から始まりますか？","english":"What time does it start?"},"freqRank":435,"freqNote":"始まる #435","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["H-hajimeru"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"mou hajimatteru = it's already started."},{"n":392,"id":"H-owaru","romaji":"owaru","polite":"owarimasu","english":"end; be finished","use":"An activity coming to an end (shigoto owatta?), and owatta! also announces that your own task is done.","ja":"終わる","kana":"おわる","politeJa":"終わります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"owaru-yameru","example":{"romaji":"mou shigoto owatta?","ja":"もう仕事終わった？","english":"Are you done with work yet?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mou shigoto wa owarimashita ka?","ja":"もう仕事は終わりましたか？","english":"Have you finished work yet?"},"freqRank":190,"freqNote":"終わる #190","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #X2"],"notes":"Slang owatta... = 'I'm doomed' (shiken owatta = I bombed the exam); that sense is slang, not 'it finished'."},{"n":393,"id":"H-yameru","romaji":"yameru","polite":"yamemasu","english":"stop; quit","use":"Stopping an action, giving up a habit or plan, and quitting a job or school (X o yameru), with yamete! meaning 'stop it!'","ja":"やめる","kana":"やめる","politeJa":"やめます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"owaru-yameru","example":{"romaji":"mou shigoto yameta?","ja":"もう仕事辞めた？","english":"Did you already quit your job?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"mou shigoto o yamemashita ka?","ja":"もう仕事を辞めましたか？","english":"Have you already quit your job?"},"freqRank":117,"freqNote":"やめる #117 (kana); 辞める (quit a job) #604 separately","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Written 辞める for quitting a job, やめる for stopping an action; one word by ear."},{"n":394,"id":"H-ganbaru","romaji":"ganbaru","polite":"ganbarimasu","english":"try hard; hang in there","use":"Putting in effort or holding out (ganbaru, ganbatta), and ganbarimasu is a standard polite promise to do your best.","ja":"頑張る","kana":"がんばる","politeJa":"頑張ります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"tsugi wa ganbaru yo.","ja":"次は頑張るよ。","english":"I'll do better next time."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tsugi wa ganbarimasu.","ja":"次は頑張ります。","english":"I'll do my best next time."},"freqRank":235,"freqNote":"頑張る #235; lexicalized 頑張って #736 and 頑張れ #1637 counted separately","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"The bare encouragement ganbatte is drilled as a formula among the social phrases."}]},{"id":"I6","range":"395-397","stage":4,"category":"Grammar patterns as vocabulary","label":"Becoming","rationale":"Change-of-state frames on naru and suru: something becomes X, someone makes it X, a skill or habit gradually comes about.","interference":"kami mijikaku natta (it got short) vs kami mijikaku shita (I made it short) differ only in naru vs suru; -you ni naru attaches to verbs, -ku naru to adjectives.","items":[{"n":395,"id":"I-ku-naru","romaji":"-ku naru / -ni naru","polite":"-ku narimasu / -ni narimasu","english":"become, get (adj, noun)","use":"Marks a change of state: i-adjectives take -ku naru (samuku naru), na-adjectives and nouns take ni naru (genki ni naru, isha ni naru).","ja":"〜くなる／〜になる","kana":"〜くなる／〜になる","politeJa":"〜くなります／〜になります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"naru-suru","example":{"romaji":"kami, mijikaku natta ne.","ja":"髪、短くなったね。","english":"Your hair's gotten short!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kami, mijikaku narimashita ne.","ja":"髪、短くなりましたね。","english":"Your hair's gotten short!"},"freqRank":29,"freqNote":"rank of なる (all uses; change-of-state dominant)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-naru"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #102"],"notes":"ii -> yoku naru: yoku natta = it got better."},{"n":396,"id":"I-ku-suru","romaji":"-ku suru","polite":"-ku shimasu","english":"make it (adj)","use":"Makes something X on purpose: i-adjectives take -ku suru (yasuku suru, hayaku shite), na-adjectives take ni suru (shizuka ni shite), often as a -te request.","ja":"〜くする","kana":"〜くする","politeJa":"〜くします","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"naru-suru","example":{"romaji":"kami, mijikaku shita.","ja":"髪、短くした。","english":"I got my hair cut short."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kami, mijikaku shimashita.","ja":"髪、短くしました。","english":"I got my hair cut short."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement; する #15 counts all doing","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-ku-naru","H-suru"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #101"],"notes":"Common as a request: hayaku shite (hurry up), shizuka ni shite (keep it down). Na-adjective ni suru isn't the choosing ni suru: kirei ni suru = tidy it up, koohii ni suru = I'll have coffee."},{"n":397,"id":"I-you-ni-naru","romaji":"-you ni naru","polite":"-you ni narimasu","english":"come to (be able to)","use":"After a plain verb, often a potential, marks a gradual change in ability or habit (hanaseru you ni natta, hayaku okiru you ni natta).","ja":"〜ようになる","kana":"〜ようになる","politeJa":"〜ようになります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"chotto hanaseru you ni natta.","ja":"ちょっと話せるようになった。","english":"I can speak a little now."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sukoshi hanaseru you ni narimashita.","ja":"少し話せるようになりました。","english":"I can speak a little now."},"freqRank":462,"freqNote":"rank of fused ようになる","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-naru","I-potential"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"It implies change over time; for losing an ability say -naku natta (taberarenaku natta)."}]},{"id":"F8","range":"398-401","stage":4,"category":"Sentence endings & intent","label":"Seems / I heard","rationale":"Endings that show where your information comes from: what you see, what you infer, and what you heard. All four share one base sentence.","interference":"-sou is how something looks right now. mitai is the everyday 'seems', from what you see or from what you've heard; rashii and tte clearly mark it as secondhand. Polite hearsay oishii sou desu is easy to confuse with oishisou desu (looks tasty).","items":[{"n":398,"id":"F-sou-looks","romaji":"-sou","polite":"-sou desu","english":"looks (like it'll be)","use":"Says how something looks right now, before you know for sure (oishisou). On verb stems it means something is about to happen (furisou = looks like rain).","ja":"〜そう","kana":"〜そう","politeJa":"〜そうです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"evidence","example":{"romaji":"kono keeki oishisou","ja":"このケーキおいしそう","english":"This cake looks delicious."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono keeki, oishisou desu ne","ja":"このケーキ、おいしそうですね","english":"This cake looks delicious, doesn't it?"},"freqRank":1321,"freqNote":"tokenizer glues -sou to stems; rank of おいしそう alone (なさそう #2362; bare そう #31 is mostly 'so')","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #53","13-list-exit-battery #55","13-list-exit-battery #56","12-list-te-dependents X11"],"notes":"It attaches to the stem (oishii → oishisou); the irregulars are ii → yosasou and nai → nasasou. It is not for what's plainly visible: a red car is akai, not *akasou. kawaisou means 'poor thing', not 'looks cute'."},{"n":399,"id":"F-mitai","romaji":"mitai","polite":"mitai desu","english":"seems / looks like","use":"Says something seems so, either from what you see yourself (dare mo inai mitai) or from what you've heard (oishii mitai da yo). It is the everyday catch-all; rashii is a bit more detached. It also means 'like a' (kodomo mitai, kodomo mitai na hito).","ja":"みたい","kana":"みたい","politeJa":"みたいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"evidence","example":{"romaji":"kono keeki oishii mitai","ja":"このケーキおいしいみたい","english":"This cake seems to be good."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono keeki, oishii mitai desu yo","ja":"このケーキ、おいしいみたいですよ","english":"This cake's supposed to be good."},"freqRank":99,"freqNote":"#99 みたい (みたいな #951)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #58","13-list-exit-battery #59","13-list-exit-battery #60","13-list-exit-battery #61"],"notes":"No da before it: ame mitai, not *ame da mitai."},{"n":400,"id":"F-tte-heard","romaji":"tte","polite":"sou desu","english":"they say / I heard","use":"Ends a sentence to pass on what someone said or what you heard (ashita ame da tte). It attaches to the plain form and keeps da after nouns.","ja":"って","kana":"って","politeJa":"そうです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"evidence","example":{"romaji":"kono keeki oishii tte","ja":"このケーキおいしいって","english":"They say this cake is good."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono keeki, oishii sou desu yo","ja":"このケーキ、おいしいそうですよ","english":"I hear this cake is good."},"freqRank":18,"freqNote":"rank of って, which merges quotative and topic uses","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-tte-iu-called"],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: tte","13-list-exit-battery #109","13-list-exit-battery #54"],"notes":"Polite oishii sou desu (I hear it's good) and oishisou desu (it looks good) differ only in the i. Also very common: oishii tte kikimashita (I heard it's good)."},{"n":401,"id":"F-rashii","romaji":"rashii","polite":"rashii desu","english":"apparently / I hear","use":"Passes on secondhand information you believe but didn't witness, with a little more distance than mitai or tte. No da after nouns (ame rashii).","ja":"らしい","kana":"らしい","politeJa":"らしいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"evidence","example":{"romaji":"kono keeki oishii rashii","ja":"このケーキおいしいらしい","english":"Apparently this cake is good."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono keeki wa oishii rashii desu","ja":"このケーキはおいしいらしいです","english":"Apparently this cake is good."},"freqRank":218,"freqNote":"#218 らしい","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["F-mitai"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #57","13-list-exit-battery #61"],"notes":"Directly after a noun it can instead mean 'typical of' (otokorashii = manly)."}]},{"id":"F10","range":"402-405","stage":4,"category":"Sentence endings & intent","label":"Speaker-marking enders","rationale":"Variants of yo and ne that you'll hear constantly from friends and in dramas, each marking the speaker as young, male, rough, feminine or from Kansai. Mid-sentence sa is fine in moderation and yo na is normal if you're a man; zo and the rising wa are mostly for recognising, not copying.","interference":"zo and wa both take the place of yo: zo pushes, falling wa just announces your own move or reaction, and rising wa is the feminine one. sa fills pauses inside a sentence the way mid-sentence ne does, and yo na is simply a masculine yo ne.","items":[{"n":402,"id":"F-sa","romaji":"sa","polite":"desu ne","english":"like, you know (filler)","use":"Dropped after a phrase to hold the listener's attention while you talk (ano sa = hey, listen; kinou sa, ...). Both genders use it, younger speakers especially. At the end of a sentence it sounds offhand and leans masculine (nantoka naru sa = eh, it'll work out).","ja":"さ","kana":"さ","politeJa":"ですね","flags":["casual-only"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kinou sa, tanaka-san ni atta n da","ja":"昨日さ、田中さんに会ったんだ","english":"So yesterday, I ran into Tanaka-san."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kinou desu ne, tanaka-san ni atta n desu yo","ja":"昨日ですね、田中さんに会ったんですよ","english":"So yesterday, I ran into Tanaka-san."},"freqRank":88,"freqNote":"#88 さ, which may also count the noun suffix -sa split off words like 優しさ/大切さ (not found whole), so treat as an upper bound; さあ 'well' #263 is separate","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["F-ne"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"It replaces da, never follows it (sou sa, not *sou da sa). Tacked onto every phrase it sounds sloppy; mid-sentence ne does the same job more softly."},{"n":403,"id":"F-yo-na","romaji":"yo na","polite":"desu yo ne","english":"right? (masculine)","use":"The masculine counterpart of yo ne. It checks or agrees with something you both believe (sou da yo na = yeah, exactly). Men say it all the time with friends; women mostly say yo ne.","ja":"よな","kana":"よな","politeJa":"ですよね","flags":["masc"],"contrastGroup":"da-ka-ne-yo","example":{"romaji":"ashita yasumi da yo na?","ja":"明日休みだよな？","english":"We're off tomorrow, right?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita wa yasumi desu yo ne?","ja":"明日は休みですよね？","english":"Tomorrow's a day off, right?"},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — よな #12379 undercounts (tokenizer splits)","spread":3,"reach":5,"speakNeed":2,"prereqs":["F-yo-ne","F-naa"],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: yo"],"notes":"Said to yourself, it's a rueful 'yeah, I guess' (muri da yo na...). Polite speech has only desu yo ne, so the gender difference disappears."},{"n":404,"id":"F-wa-ending","romaji":"wa","polite":"desu ne / -masu ne","english":"I'll..., then (falling, announcing) / soft assertion (rising, fem)","use":"Two endings that sound alike. Said falling, it announces your own decision or reaction (jaa, iku wa; muri da wa); it is Kansai, gender-neutral and now common among young people everywhere. Said rising, it is the soft feminine assertion of older women and drama characters, dated in real Tokyo speech.","ja":"わ","kana":"わ","politeJa":"ですね／〜ますね","flags":["fem","kansai","dated"],"contrastGroup":"zo-wa","example":{"romaji":"jaa, iku wa","ja":"じゃあ、行くわ","english":"Okay, I'm off, then. (falling wa)"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jaa, ikimasu ne","ja":"じゃあ、行きますね","english":"Okay, I'll be off, then."},"freqRank":75,"freqNote":"#75 わ, which merges rising (feminine) and falling (Kansai / neutral) wa (わよ #489, わね #647)","spread":3,"reach":5,"speakNeed":2,"prereqs":["F-yo"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Polite speech drops it (jaa, ikimasu ne; muri desu ne), though Kansai speakers keep it (ikimasu wa). It is unrelated to the topic particle wa (kore wa). Record and drill only the falling wa; the rising one is the feminine wa."},{"n":405,"id":"F-zo","romaji":"zo","polite":"desu yo / -masu yo","english":"I'm telling you! (rough)","use":"A forceful masculine yo for warnings, rallying a group and announcements (abunai zo!, iku zo!). You hear it constantly from fathers, coaches, bosses and drama heroes; recognise it, but say yo.","ja":"ぞ","kana":"ぞ","politeJa":"ですよ／〜ますよ","flags":["rough","masc"],"contrastGroup":"zo-wa","example":{"romaji":"jaa, iku zo","ja":"じゃあ、行くぞ","english":"Okay, we're going. Come on!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jaa, ikimasu yo","ja":"じゃあ、行きますよ","english":"Okay, we're going now."},"freqRank":82,"freqNote":"#82 ぞ","spread":3,"reach":4,"speakNeed":1,"prereqs":["F-yo"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Pepping yourself up (yoshi, ganbaru zo) is the mildest use, and women say that too. ze (ikou ze, yatta ze) is its swaggering cousin, always aimed at a buddy and never said to yourself; most men only say it jokingly."}]},{"id":"B5","range":"406-410","stage":4,"category":"Degree, amount & limits","label":"Not at all / not much","rationale":"The negative-degree scale: each sets how strong a 'no' is before a negative verb or adjective, from zenzen 'not at all' to sonna ni 'not that much'. nakanaka adds 'just won't', for things that are slow or hard to make happen.","interference":"zenzen means 'not at all', hotondo 'hardly' and anmari 'not very'. sonna ni ('not that …') measures against a degree already in the air, either what someone said or what you'd expect, so it often answers a worry or a claim; anmari just rates the thing as low. nakanaka is about time and effort, not amount: nakanaka konai = it's taking ages, zenzen konai = it isn't coming at all. Without a negative, hotondo flips to 'almost all', sonna ni to 'so much' and nakanaka to 'pretty, more than expected' (nakanaka ii is close to kekkou ii but sounds like a verdict).","items":[{"n":406,"id":"B-zenzen","romaji":"zenzen","polite":null,"english":"(not) at all","use":"Means 'not at all' before a negative verb or adjective. With a few words like daijoubu, ii, heiki and chigau it means 'totally' (zenzen daijoubu, zenzen chigau).","ja":"全然","kana":"ぜんぜん","politeJa":null,"flags":["needs-negative"],"contrastGroup":"zenzen-anmari-hotondo","example":{"romaji":"imi zenzen wakannai","ja":"意味全然わかんない","english":"I don't get it at all."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"imi ga zenzen wakarimasen","ja":"意味が全然わかりません","english":"I have no idea what it means."},"freqRank":241,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers"],"notes":"'Zenzen ii' or 'zenzen daijoubu (desu)' means 'totally fine' and is the stock reply to an apology ('no worries at all'). It's heard all the time, in desu/masu speech too, though sticklers object. zenzen + other positive adjectives (zenzen oishii) is slangy, so don't produce it. imi wakannai on its own is also a casual 'that makes no sense'."},{"n":407,"id":"B-anmari","romaji":"anmari","polite":"amari","english":"(not) very; (not) much","use":"Means 'not very / not much' before a negative. It is the soft, hedged no, gentler than zenzen.","ja":"あんまり","kana":"あんまり","politeJa":"あまり","flags":["needs-negative"],"contrastGroup":"zenzen-anmari-hotondo","example":{"romaji":"imi anmari wakannai","ja":"意味あんまりわかんない","english":"I don't really get it."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"imi ga amari wakarimasen","ja":"意味があまりわかりません","english":"I don't really get what it means."},"freqRank":603,"freqNote":"あんまり #603; the neutral/polite form あまり #871","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers","vocab-trainer utility-vocab: frequency-adverbs"],"notes":"'Anmari…' said alone, trailing off, is a polite 'not really'. Without a negative it means 'too much': anmari da yo! = that's going too far; amari ni takakute kaenakatta = it was so expensive I couldn't buy it. For 'not that …' (sonna ni warukunai), see sonna ni."},{"n":408,"id":"B-hotondo","romaji":"hotondo","polite":null,"english":"hardly; almost all","use":"Before a negative it means 'hardly / barely' (hotondo nai). With a positive it means 'almost all' (hotondo owatta).","ja":"ほとんど","kana":"ほとんど","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"zenzen-anmari-hotondo","example":{"romaji":"imi hotondo wakannai","ja":"意味ほとんどわかんない","english":"I barely understand it."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"imi ga hotondo wakarimasen","ja":"意味がほとんどわかりません","english":"I barely understand what it means."},"freqRank":953,"freqNote":null,"spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers"],"notes":"Its meaning flips with the verb: hotondo shitteru = know almost all, hotondo shiranai = know hardly any. As a noun: hotondo no hito = most people; hotondo ga = most of them."},{"n":409,"id":"B-sonna-ni","romaji":"sonna ni","polite":null,"english":"(not) that much; so much","use":"Goes before a negative to say 'not as much as you'd think' (sonna ni warukunai = not that bad). Without a negative it means 'so much' (sonna ni tabeta no? = you ate that much?). Said alone, 'e, sonna ni?' reacts to an amount: 'what, that much?', usually surprise, sometimes doubt.","ja":"そんなに","kana":"そんなに","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"sonna ni warukunai yo","ja":"そんなに悪くないよ","english":"It's not that bad."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sonna ni warukunai desu yo","ja":"そんなに悪くないですよ","english":"It's not that bad."},"freqRank":2089,"freqNote":null,"spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["B-anmari","J-sonna","I-kunai-ja-nai"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #99"],"notes":"konna ni ('this much', about what's here) and anna ni ('that much', about something you both remember) work the same way: konna ni takusan iranai = I don't need this many; anna ni ganbatta noni = after all that effort. anmari can't do the 'not as much as you imply' job."},{"n":410,"id":"B-nakanaka","romaji":"nakanaka","polite":null,"english":"(not) easily; just won't; quite","use":"With a negative it means something just won't happen despite trying or waiting, or is taking ages (nakanaka konai, nakanaka oboerarenai, nakanaka umaku ikanai). Before an adjective it means 'pretty, more than expected' (nakanaka ii, nakanaka muzukashii).","ja":"なかなか","kana":"なかなか","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"zenzen-anmari-hotondo","example":{"romaji":"basu, nakanaka konai ne","ja":"バス、なかなか来ないね","english":"The bus is taking forever, huh."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"basu, nakanaka kimasen ne","ja":"バス、なかなか来ませんね","english":"The bus is taking a while, isn't it."},"freqRank":494,"freqNote":"kana spelling; rank covers both senses (中々 is #54755)","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers (extended)"],"notes":"Used as praise, it sounds like you're grading the thing. To a boss, or to the person who cooked, say hontou ni or sugoku instead."}]},{"id":"J11","range":"411-414","stage":4,"category":"Pointing, question & people words","label":"Something, someone","rationale":"Question word + ka = some-, used to ask whether rather than what.","interference":"nanika atta? asks whether anything happened (answer un / uun); nani ga atta? asks what happened (answer with the thing).","items":[{"n":411,"id":"J-nanika","romaji":"nanika","polite":null,"english":"something; anything","use":"Asks whether there is something (nanika atta?) or offers something unspecified (nanika nomu?); in fast speech it becomes nanka.","ja":"何か","kana":"なにか","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ka-series","example":{"romaji":"nanika atta no?","ja":"何かあったの？","english":"Did something happen?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"nanika atta n desu ka?","ja":"何かあったんですか？","english":"Did something happen?"},"freqRank":72,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["J-nani"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #125","05-acquisition-order critique: ka/mo/demo indefinites unscheduled"],"notes":"Casually most people say nanka: nanka atta no? The same nanka is also a filler (Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases)."},{"n":412,"id":"J-dareka","romaji":"dareka","polite":null,"english":"someone; anyone","use":"An unspecified person: dareka kita? asks whether anyone came, while dare ga kita? asks who came.","ja":"誰か","kana":"だれか","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ka-series","example":{"romaji":"sakki dareka kita?","ja":"さっき誰か来た？","english":"Did someone come by earlier?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sakki dareka kimashita ka?","ja":"さっき誰か来ましたか？","english":"Did someone come by earlier?"},"freqRank":212,"freqNote":null,"spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-dare"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #125"],"notes":null},{"n":413,"id":"J-dokoka","romaji":"dokoka","polite":null,"english":"somewhere","use":"An unspecified place, often with the particle after it dropped (dokoka iku?); doko iku? would ask where.","ja":"どこか","kana":"どこか","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ka-series","example":{"romaji":"dokka iku no?","ja":"どっか行くの？","english":"Are you going somewhere?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dokoka iku n desu ka?","ja":"どこか行くんですか？","english":"Are you going somewhere?"},"freqRank":588,"freqNote":null,"spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["J-doko","J-nanika"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #125"],"notes":"Casually dokoka is said dokka (どっか #788); use dokoka in polite speech."},{"n":414,"id":"J-itsuka","romaji":"itsuka","polite":null,"english":"someday; sometime","use":"An unspecified time, mostly for future wishes and loose plans (itsuka ikitai, itsuka mata).","ja":"いつか","kana":"いつか","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ka-series","example":{"romaji":"itsuka ikitai na.","ja":"いつか行きたいな。","english":"I'd love to go someday."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"itsuka ikitai desu ne.","ja":"いつか行きたいですね。","english":"I'd love to go someday."},"freqRank":509,"freqNote":"５日 read いつか #3202 and 五日 #43449 counted separately","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["J-itsu","J-nanika"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order critique: ka/mo/demo indefinites unscheduled"],"notes":"itsuka also means 'the fifth (day)'; context separates them."}]},{"id":"G12","range":"415-419","stage":4,"category":"Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases","label":"Comfort and cheer","rationale":"What you say back to someone's news: relief, a shrug, encouragement, denying a put-down, and congratulations.","interference":"yokatta looks like a past tense but is relief you feel right now; it says you're glad, while omedetou congratulates the person (people often say both). shouganai accepts a bad outcome, while sonna koto nai rejects a negative claim.","items":[{"n":415,"id":"G-yokatta","romaji":"yokatta","polite":"yokatta desu","english":"phew, that's good","use":"Relief or gladness at an outcome ('yokatta, ma ni atta'). About someone else's news, it means 'I'm glad for you'.","ja":"よかった","kana":"よかった","politeJa":"よかったです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"yokatta, ma ni atta!","ja":"よかった、間に合った！","english":"Phew, I made it in time!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore wa yokatta desu ne!","ja":"それはよかったですね！","english":"Oh, I'm so glad to hear that!"},"freqRank":120,"freqNote":"the tokenizer reduces よかった to its dictionary form よい #120 (いい #24 holds the present tense)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-ii"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #98","12-list-te-dependents #15","11-list-adjectives #1"],"notes":"It's the past of ii; *iikatta doesn't exist."},{"n":416,"id":"G-shouganai","romaji":"shouganai","polite":"shouganai desu","english":"it can't be helped","use":"Accepts a setback you can't change and moves on; it also means 'oh well, if I must' when you give in.","ja":"しょうがない","kana":"しょうがない","politeJa":"しょうがないです","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"shouganai, mata ashita ikou.","ja":"しょうがない、また明日行こう。","english":"Oh well, let's go again tomorrow."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"shouganai desu ne, mata ashita ikimashou.","ja":"しょうがないですね、また明日行きましょう。","english":"It can't be helped. Let's go again tomorrow."},"freqRank":999,"freqNote":"しょうがない #999; 仕方ない #1770; しかたない #1845","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #30 (different sense: -te shou ga nai 'unbearably')","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"shikatanai (or shikata ga nai) means the same and sounds slightly more formal; shaanai is the slangy version."},{"n":417,"id":"G-ganbatte","romaji":"ganbatte","polite":"ganbatte kudasai","english":"good luck, hang in there","use":"Encourages someone before or during any effort, from an exam to a long shift. The usual reply is 'un, ganbaru'.","ja":"頑張って","kana":"がんばって","politeJa":"頑張ってください","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ashita no shiken, ganbatte!","ja":"明日の試験、頑張って！","english":"Good luck on tomorrow's exam!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ashita no shiken, ganbatte kudasai.","ja":"明日の試験、頑張ってください。","english":"Good luck with tomorrow's exam."},"freqRank":736,"freqNote":"頑張って #736; 頑張る #235; 頑張れ #1637","spread":4,"reach":2,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #3"],"notes":"Said to a boss, it can sound a little presumptuous. To someone already struggling, muri shinaide (don't overdo it) is kinder."},{"n":418,"id":"G-sonna-koto-nai","romaji":"sonna koto nai","polite":"sonna koto nai desu","english":"no, not at all","use":"Brushes off a compliment ('your Japanese is so good!'), or reassures someone who's putting themselves down.","ja":"そんなことない","kana":"そんなことない","politeJa":"そんなことないです","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"e, sonna koto nai yo.","ja":"え、そんなことないよ。","english":"Oh, no, not at all!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"e, sonna koto nai desu yo.","ja":"え、そんなことないですよ。","english":"Oh no, not at all."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement (the tokenizer splits the phrase)","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["J-sonna","J-koto"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"In polite speech you also hear 'sonna koto arimasen'."},{"n":419,"id":"G-omedetou","romaji":"omedetou","polite":"omedetou gozaimasu","english":"congratulations","use":"Congratulates someone on good news, a birthday or the new year. The occasion goes in front: tanjoubi omedetou.","ja":"おめでとう","kana":"おめでとう","politeJa":"おめでとうございます","flags":["fixed-phrase"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kekkon suru n da! omedetou!","ja":"結婚するんだ！おめでとう！","english":"So you're getting married! Congrats!"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kekkon suru n desu ka. omedetou gozaimasu!","ja":"結婚するんですか。おめでとうございます！","english":"Oh, you're getting married! Congratulations!"},"freqRank":774,"freqNote":"おめでとう #774; polite おめでとうございます #1249","spread":3,"reach":1,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"For the new year, say akemashite omedetou (gozaimasu). It often comes with yokatta: yokatta ne, omedetou!"}]},{"id":"E8","range":"420-424","stage":4,"category":"Connectors & conditionals","label":"Depends / without / instead / for / so that","rationale":"Linkers that do the job of an English preposition or 'so that': depends on X, without doing X, instead of X, in order to / for X, so that (not) X.","interference":"-naide (without) vs -nakute (because not). -naide and -kawari ni both come out as 'instead of': -naide follows verbs only and also means 'without' (kasa motanaide deta, where kawari ni can't go), while kawari ni also follows nouns (koohii no kawari ni ocha) and can mean 'in return' (oshiete kureru kawari ni ogoru; sentence-initial sono kawari = 'but in return'). -tame ni (purpose, an action you choose) vs -you ni (so that): after potentials and verbs you don't control only you ni sounds right (hanaseru you ni, maniau you ni, not hanaseru tame ni); after -nai, you ni is the everyday choice (wasurenai you ni) and -nai tame ni sounds stiff. Listen around it: noun + no you ni is 'like' (yume no you ni), itta you ni is 'like I said', and you ni naru / you ni iu mean 'come to' / 'tell someone to'; they all sound the same.","items":[{"n":420,"id":"E-ni-yoru","romaji":"-ni yoru","polite":"-ni yorimasu","english":"it depends on","use":"Noun + ni yoru: the answer depends on X; the all-purpose hedge when yes or no would be too strong ('hito ni yoru', 'toki ni yoru').","ja":"による","kana":"による","politeJa":"によります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"sore wa hito ni yoru ne.","ja":"それは人によるね。","english":"That depends on the person."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore wa hito ni yorimasu ne.","ja":"それは人によりますね。","english":"That depends on the person."},"freqRank":1018,"freqNote":"による #1018; によって #939; near-synonym 次第 #1911","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Mid-sentence it becomes ni yotte: 'hito ni yotte chigau' = varies by person. 'X ni yoru to' = 'according to X' ('yohou ni yoru to, ame da tte')."},{"n":421,"id":"E-nai-de","romaji":"-naide","polite":null,"english":"without doing; instead of","use":"-nai form + de: you do the main action without doing X, or instead of X ('nenaide benkyou shita').","ja":"ないで","kana":"ないで","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"asagohan tabenaide kita.","ja":"朝ごはん食べないで来た。","english":"I came without eating breakfast."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"asagohan o tabenaide kimashita.","ja":"朝ごはんを食べないで来ました。","english":"I came without having breakfast."},"freqRank":3426,"freqNote":"ないで #3426 (also counts the request 'don't'; tokenizer often fuses with the verb)","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #63","13-list-exit-battery #67"],"notes":"For a negative reason use -nakute ('wakaranakute komatta'), not -naide. At the end of a sentence it's a request: 'ikanaide' = 'don't go'."},{"n":422,"id":"E-kawari-ni","romaji":"-kawari ni","polite":null,"english":"instead (of); in return (for)","use":"Puts one thing in place of another: noun + no kawari ni = 'instead of X' (koohii no kawari ni ocha), plain verb + kawari ni = 'instead of doing' or 'in return for doing' (oshiete kureru kawari ni, ogoru yo = teach me and I'll buy you dinner). At the start of a sentence sono kawari (no ni) sets a condition, 'but in return' (ii yo. sono kawari, ashita tetsudatte ne), or balances a downside, 'to make up for it' (takai kedo, sono kawari oishii).","ja":"代わりに","kana":"かわりに","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"watashi no kawari ni itte kureru?","ja":"私の代わりに行ってくれる？","english":"Can you go in my place?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"watashi no kawari ni itte kuremasen ka?","ja":"私の代わりに行ってくれませんか？","english":"Could you go in my place?"},"freqRank":1457,"freqNote":"代わりに #1457 (exact form); bare noun 代わり #870 and その代わり #2876 are separate entries; homophone 変わる #226","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Same sound as kawaru 'change' (kawaru) and its noun kawari (kawari nai? = how've you been?), but this kawari comes from the other kawaru, 'take someone's place' (kawarou ka? = want me to take over?). Said alone, kawari ni = 'instead' (kawari ni yattoku yo = I'll do it instead); kawari alone = a replacement (kawari ga inai). okawari = seconds / a refill. Even in polite speech the verb before it stays plain: iku kawari ni denwa shimashita, not ikimasu kawari ni."},{"n":423,"id":"E-tame-ni","romaji":"-tame ni","polite":null,"english":"in order to; for","use":"Plain verb + tame ni = in order to; noun + no tame ni = for X's sake ('kenkou no tame ni'). The 'because of' reading is news/written; in chat use de or kara.","ja":"ために","kana":"ために","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tame-ni-you-ni","example":{"romaji":"ryokou suru tame ni, chokin shiteru.","ja":"旅行するために、貯金してる。","english":"I'm saving up to travel."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ryokou suru tame ni, chokin shitemasu.","ja":"旅行するために、貯金してます。","english":"I'm saving up so I can travel."},"freqRank":124,"freqNote":"ために #124 (purpose and cause together); ため #203","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Tame ni needs an action you choose to do; with potentials, -nai forms and verbs you don't control (maniau, wakaru), use -you ni instead ('mieru you ni', 'maniau you ni', 'wasurenai you ni')."},{"n":424,"id":"E-you-ni","romaji":"-you ni","polite":null,"english":"so that; so as not to","use":"Plain verb + you ni gives a purpose you can't directly control: after potentials (hanaseru you ni), non-volitional verbs like kikoeru and maniau, or when the purpose is someone else's state (minna ga wakaru you ni), where tame ni doesn't fit; after -nai forms it's the everyday choice (wasurenai you ni). The polite form goes on the main verb.","ja":"ように","kana":"ように","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"tame-ni-you-ni","example":{"romaji":"wasurenai you ni kaitoku ne.","ja":"忘れないように書いとくね。","english":"I'll write it down so I don't forget."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"wasurenai you ni kaite okimasu ne.","ja":"忘れないように書いておきますね。","english":"I'll write it down so I don't forget."},"freqRank":158,"freqNote":"ように #158, which also counts the simile 'like' and 'as' (itta you ni); ようになる #462 and ようにする #903 are separate entries","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative","I-potential","E-tame-ni"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"At the end of a sentence it's a reminder or wish: 'kaze hikanai you ni ne' = 'don't catch a cold, OK?'; polite: 'kaze o hikanai you ni ki o tsukete kudasai ne'. As a set wish it keeps -masu even with friends: 'umaku ikimasu you ni' = 'here's hoping it goes well'. A different you ni: 'mae mo itta you ni' = 'like I said before'."}]},{"id":"C5","range":"425-427","stage":4,"category":"Stance, attitude & manner","label":"Honestly, actually","rationale":"Openers that flag how real or how frank the next thing said is.","interference":"jitsu wa (reveals something new) and shoujiki (gives a frank opinion) share one frame. maji de is slang for 'seriously', so swap in hontou ni outside friends.","items":[{"n":425,"id":"C-jitsu-wa","romaji":"jitsu wa","polite":null,"english":"actually; to tell the truth","use":"Opens a confession, a piece of news or a favour, and signals that something real or unexpected is coming.","ja":"実は","kana":"じつは","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"jitsu-wa-shoujiki","example":{"romaji":"jitsu wa anmari suki ja nai.","ja":"実はあんまり好きじゃない。","english":"Actually, I don't really like it."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jitsu wa amari suki ja nai desu.","ja":"実はあまり好きじゃないです。","english":"Actually, I don't really like it."},"freqRank":249,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Often stretched as jitsu wa ne... to buy a moment before the news."},{"n":426,"id":"C-shoujiki","romaji":"shoujiki","polite":null,"english":"honestly; frankly","use":"Goes at the start of a sentence to mark a frank opinion, often a negative one; shoujiki ni iu to means 'to be honest'.","ja":"正直","kana":"しょうじき","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"jitsu-wa-shoujiki","example":{"romaji":"shoujiki, anmari suki ja nai.","ja":"正直、あんまり好きじゃない。","english":"Honestly, I'm not a big fan."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"shoujiki, amari suki ja nai desu.","ja":"正直、あまり好きじゃないです。","english":"Honestly, I'm not a big fan."},"freqRank":496,"freqNote":"rank includes adjectival 'honest' uses of 正直","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives (extended) — shoujiki"],"notes":"As a na-adjective it means 'honest' (shoujiki na hito)."},{"n":427,"id":"C-maji-de","romaji":"maji de","polite":"hontou ni","english":"seriously; for real","use":"A casual intensifier ('really, seriously') among friends. Said alone with a rising tone, it means 'seriously?'.","ja":"マジで","kana":"まじで","politeJa":"本当に","flags":["slang","casual-only"],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kore, maji de oishii.","ja":"これ、マジでおいしい。","english":"This is seriously good."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore, hontou ni oishii desu ne.","ja":"これ、本当においしいですね。","english":"This is really good."},"freqRank":477,"freqNote":"マジで is not a token; rank of マジ","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["B-honto-ni"],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers — majide","05-acquisition-order (response tokens: majide)"],"notes":"Never with superiors or strangers; use hontou ni instead (often clipped to honto ni in speech). maji? alone works too; maji ka is rough and male-coded."}]},{"id":"D10","range":"428-432","stage":4,"category":"Versatile adjectives","label":"Size, length & amount","rationale":"How big or long something is and how much of it there is: the size and quantity scales, plus nagai for length and for time.","interference":"ookii (big) and ooi (many) both start with oo-: hito ga ooi means 'crowded', while ookii hito is 'a big person'. Within each pair, learn the first word before adding its opposite. nagai is length and duration (kami ga nagai, nagai aida = a long time), not overall size, and it shares ookii's 'kono X, chotto ___' sentence. For a long way (distance) say tooi (far), not nagai: eki made tooi.","items":[{"n":428,"id":"D-ookii","romaji":"ookii","polite":"ookii desu","english":"big, large, loud","use":"The size of things and people, loudness (ookii koe = a loud voice) and how big a matter is; before nouns, ookina is just as common.","ja":"大きい","kana":"おおきい","politeJa":"大きいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ookii-chiisai","example":{"romaji":"kono kutsu, chotto ookii","ja":"この靴、ちょっと大きい","english":"These shoes are a bit big."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono kutsu wa chotto ookii desu","ja":"この靴はちょっと大きいです","english":"These shoes are a little big."},"freqRank":536,"freqNote":"大きい #536; the prenominal 大きな #538 is counted separately","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #3","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"For 'a lot of', use ooi or takusan, not ookii."},{"n":429,"id":"D-chiisai","romaji":"chiisai","polite":"chiisai desu","english":"small, little","use":"The size of things, quiet voices (chiisai koe) and childhood (chiisai koro = when I was little); before nouns it is also chiisana.","ja":"小さい","kana":"ちいさい","politeJa":"小さいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ookii-chiisai","example":{"romaji":"kono kutsu, chotto chiisai","ja":"この靴、ちょっと小さい","english":"These shoes are a bit small."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono kutsu wa chotto chiisai desu","ja":"この靴はちょっと小さいです","english":"These shoes are a little small."},"freqRank":879,"freqNote":"小さい #879; prenominal 小さな #1079","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-ookii"],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #4","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"chiisana goes only before a noun (chiisana mise); at the end of a sentence it is always chiisai."},{"n":430,"id":"D-ooi","romaji":"ooi","polite":"ooi desu","english":"many, a lot","use":"Says there are many or a lot of something, or that something happens often (machigai ga ooi); it works after the noun (hito ga ooi) and not normally in front of it.","ja":"多い","kana":"おおい","politeJa":"多いです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ooi-sukunai","example":{"romaji":"kyou, hito ga ooi ne","ja":"今日、人が多いね","english":"There are a lot of people today."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa hito ga ooi desu ne","ja":"今日は人が多いですね","english":"There are a lot of people today."},"freqRank":360,"freqNote":"多い #360","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #45"],"notes":"Not 'ooi hito' for 'many people'; say takusan no hito instead."},{"n":431,"id":"D-sukunai","romaji":"sukunai","polite":"sukunai desu","english":"few, not much","use":"Says there are few or not much of something; the opposite of ooi, with the same after-the-noun pattern (hito ga sukunai).","ja":"少ない","kana":"すくない","politeJa":"少ないです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"ooi-sukunai","example":{"romaji":"kyou, hito ga sukunai ne","ja":"今日、人が少ないね","english":"There aren't many people today."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa hito ga sukunai desu ne","ja":"今日は人が少ないですね","english":"There aren't many people today."},"freqRank":1076,"freqNote":"少ない #1076","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["D-ooi"],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #44"],"notes":"Not sukoshi (a little, B): sukunai describes an amount, sukoshi gives one."},{"n":432,"id":"D-nagai","romaji":"nagai","polite":"nagai desu","english":"long (length or time)","use":"Describes length (hair, lines, roads) and, just as often, duration: a long film, meeting or wait. nagai aida means 'for a long time'.","ja":"長い","kana":"ながい","politeJa":"長いです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kono eiga, chotto nagai ne","ja":"この映画、ちょっと長いね","english":"This film's a bit long, huh."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono eiga wa chotto nagai desu ne","ja":"この映画はちょっと長いですね","english":"This film is a little long, isn't it?"},"freqRank":467,"freqNote":"長い #467","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #20","13-list-exit-battery #29 (in example)","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives"],"notes":"nagaku natte gomen = sorry this got long (a message or a talk); the opposite is mijikai (short)."}]},{"id":"A9","range":"433-435","stage":4,"category":"Time & sequence","label":"Busy right now","rationale":"Ways to say whether you're free right now: whether there's time, whether you're in the middle of something, or whether you're about to act.","interference":"-chuu attaches to nouns (denwa-chuu) and -tokoro to verbs. With -tokoro the verb form picks the stage: suru tokoro = about to, shiteru tokoro = in the middle of, shita tokoro = just did.","items":[{"n":433,"id":"A-jikan","romaji":"jikan","polite":null,"english":"time","use":"Time as something you have or lack (jikan aru? = got a minute?, jikan nai = no time). It also counts hours (ni-jikan).","ja":"時間","kana":"じかん","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ima jikan aru?","ja":"今時間ある？","english":"Got a minute?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ima ojikan ii desu ka?","ja":"今お時間いいですか？","english":"Do you have a moment?"},"freqRank":181,"freqNote":"時間(じかん) #181","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["10-list-nouns #138"],"notes":"Asking about someone else's time, say ojikan (ojikan ii desu ka?). Your own time is always jikan."},{"n":434,"id":"A-chuu","romaji":"-chuu","polite":null,"english":"in the middle of, during","use":"Attaches to an activity noun to say you're busy with it right now (shigoto-chuu, kaigi-chuu, denwa-chuu).","ja":"〜中","kana":"〜ちゅう","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"chuu-tokoro","example":{"romaji":"gomen, ima denwa-chuu.","ja":"ごめん、今電話中。","english":"Sorry, I'm on the phone."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, ima denwa-chuu desu.","ja":"すみません、今電話中です。","english":"Sorry, I'm on the phone."},"freqRank":417,"freqNote":"中(ちゅう) #417; じゅう reading #9118; なか reading #133 is 'inside'","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Read -juu, the same kanji means 'throughout': ichinichi-juu = all day."},{"n":435,"id":"A-tokoro","romaji":"-tokoro","polite":"-tokoro desu","english":"about to / in the middle of / just did","use":"Pins down the exact stage of an action, depending on the verb form before it: taberu tokoro (about to eat), tabeteru tokoro (eating right now), tabeta tokoro (just ate).","ja":"〜ところ","kana":"〜ところ","politeJa":"〜ところです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"chuu-tokoro","example":{"romaji":"ima denwa suru tokoro datta.","ja":"今電話するところだった。","english":"I was just about to call you."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ima denwa suru tokoro deshita.","ja":"今電話するところでした。","english":"I was just about to call you."},"freqRank":187,"freqNote":"ところ #187, includes 'place'; casual とこ #280","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-teru","I-ta-past"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #17"],"notes":"Casual speech often clips it to toko (ima deru toko). For 'on the way', say tochuu (ima mukatteru tochuu), not itteru tokoro. tabeta tokoro = just finished eating; tabeta bakari = only recently ate (could be hours or weeks)."}]},{"id":"I7","range":"436-439","stage":4,"category":"Grammar patterns as vocabulary","label":"Too, easy, hard","rationale":"Suffixes on the verb stem that grade how something goes: too much, easy, hard, and the way to do it.","interference":"-yasui and -nikui are opposites on the same stem (kakiyasui / kakinikui), and -yasui here is not 'cheap'; -sugiru makes a verb, -kata makes a noun.","items":[{"n":436,"id":"I-sugiru","romaji":"-sugiru","polite":"-sugimasu","english":"too much, over-","use":"Attaches to a verb stem or adjective stem for overdoing or excess (tabesugita, takasugiru, shizukasugi), and the bare -sugi is common in reactions.","ja":"〜すぎる","kana":"〜すぎる","politeJa":"〜すぎます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kinou chotto nomisugita.","ja":"昨日ちょっと飲みすぎた。","english":"I drank a bit too much last night."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kinou chotto nomisugimashita.","ja":"昨日ちょっと飲みすぎました。","english":"I drank a bit too much last night."},"freqRank":701,"freqNote":"rank of 過ぎる (also 'pass by'); kana すぎる #838, noun すぎ #2478 (tabesugi)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #X4"],"notes":"Casual reactions use bare -sugi to mean 'so X', not 'too X': oishisugi = so good, kawaisugi = so cute (youth slang; keep it among friends)."},{"n":437,"id":"I-yasui-suffix","romaji":"-yasui","polite":"-yasui desu","english":"easy to","use":"Attaches to a verb stem for 'easy to' (wakariyasui, tsukaiyasui) or 'prone to' (tsukareyasui), and conjugates like an i-adjective.","ja":"〜やすい","kana":"〜やすい","politeJa":"〜やすいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"yasui-nikui","example":{"romaji":"kono pen, kakiyasui.","ja":"このペン、書きやすい。","english":"This pen is easy to write with."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono pen, kakiyasui desu.","ja":"このペン、書きやすいです。","english":"This pen is easy to write with."},"freqRank":1141,"freqNote":"rank of kana やすい, the suffix (安い 'cheap' #1315 is separate); 分かりやすい #3193","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #X5","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives (extended)"],"notes":"Not 'cheap': after a verb stem yasui means easy."},{"n":438,"id":"I-nikui","romaji":"-nikui","polite":"-nikui desu","english":"hard to","use":"Attaches to a verb stem for 'hard to' (kikinikui, tabenikui), a soft way to say something is awkward or inconvenient.","ja":"〜にくい","kana":"〜にくい","politeJa":"〜にくいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"yasui-nikui","example":{"romaji":"kono pen, kakinikui.","ja":"このペン、書きにくい。","english":"This pen is hard to write with."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kono pen, kakinikui desu.","ja":"このペン、書きにくいです。","english":"This pen is hard to write with."},"freqRank":2419,"freqNote":"rank of kana にくい, the suffix (憎い 'hateful' #3878 separate); 分かりにくい #12919","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["I-yasui-suffix"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #X6","vocab-trainer core-vocab: i-adjectives (extended)"],"notes":"iinikui n da kedo (this is hard to say, but...) is a common lead-in to awkward news."},{"n":439,"id":"I-kata","romaji":"-kata","polite":null,"english":"way of -ing","use":"Attaches to a verb stem to make a noun meaning the way to do it (tsukaikata, yarikata, iikata), which covers 'how do you...?' without new grammar.","ja":"〜方","kana":"〜かた","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kore no tsukaikata wakaru?","ja":"これの使い方分かる？","english":"Do you know how to use this?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kore no tsukaikata wakarimasu ka?","ja":"これの使い方分かりますか？","english":"Do you know how to use this?"},"freqRank":933,"freqNote":"rank of 言い方, the top -kata compound; やり方 #1241, 使い方 #3636 (方 'kata' #292 mixes 'person')","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #X10"],"notes":"The object takes no: kanji no kakikata (*kanji o kakikata). Suru nouns take no shikata: benkyou no shikata."}]},{"id":"H14","range":"440-445","stage":4,"category":"General verbs","label":"Take, put, cost, call, enough","rationale":"Wide-reach light verbs whose meaning comes from the object: toru (take, pass, get), dasu (put out, take out, hand in, pay) and its opposite ireru (put in, include, make tea), kakaru (time or money it takes), kakeru (cause trouble, call, spend, put on), plus tariru for whether what you have is enough.","interference":"'It takes an hour' is kakaru, not toru; kakaru (it takes, ga) and kakeru (spend, call, o) are an intransitive/transitive pair: jikan ga kakaru vs jikan o kakeru. dasu is likewise the transitive partner of deru, and ireru of hairu: uchi o deta (I left home) vs gomi o dashita (I put the trash out), heya ni haitta (I went in) vs kaban ni ireta (I put it in the bag). kakaru says how much something takes and tariru whether you have that much (kekkou kakaru kedo, okane tariru?).","items":[{"n":440,"id":"H-toru","romaji":"toru","polite":"torimasu","english":"take; get; pass","use":"Picking up or passing things (sore totte), plus light-verb uses for taking a break, a photo, a seat or a licence (yasumi o toru, shashin toru).","ja":"取る","kana":"とる","politeJa":"取ります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"chotto sore totte.","ja":"ちょっとそれ取って。","english":"Can you pass me that?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sumimasen, sore totte kudasai.","ja":"すみません、それ取ってください。","english":"Excuse me, could you pass me that?"},"freqRank":228,"freqNote":"取る #228; homophone 撮る (take a photo) #649 separately","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["F-te-request"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #16","12-list-te-dependents #R5","12-list-te-dependents #H6"],"notes":"totte (take) vs tootte (pass through) differ only in vowel length."},{"n":441,"id":"H-kakaru","romaji":"kakaru","polite":"kakarimasu","english":"take (time); cost (money)","use":"How much time or money something takes (jikan ga kakaru, dore kurai kakaru?), and also incoming calls and locks being on.","ja":"かかる","kana":"かかる","politeJa":"かかります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kakaru-kakeru","example":{"romaji":"dore kurai kakaru?","ja":"どれくらいかかる？","english":"How long will it take?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dore kurai kakarimasu ka?","ja":"どれくらいかかりますか？","english":"How long will it take?"},"freqRank":385,"freqNote":"かかる #385 (kana); 掛かる #5316 separately","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #19"],"notes":"Intransitive partner of kakeru: jikan ga kakaru (it takes) / jikan o kakeru (spend)."},{"n":442,"id":"H-kakeru","romaji":"kakeru","polite":"kakemasu","english":"cause (trouble); call; spend; put on","use":"Causing trouble (meiwaku o kakeru), phoning (denwa o kakeru), spending time, locking, and putting on glasses or sauce.","ja":"かける","kana":"かける","politeJa":"かけます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"kakaru-kakeru","example":{"romaji":"meiwaku kakete gomen ne.","ja":"迷惑かけてごめんね。","english":"Sorry for the trouble."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"meiwaku o kakete sumimasen.","ja":"迷惑をかけてすみません。","english":"Sorry for causing you trouble."},"freqRank":244,"freqNote":"かける #244 (kana, all senses); 掛ける #2742 separately","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #19","12-list-te-dependents #24"],"notes":"For phoning, casual talk more often says denwa suru: ato de denwa suru ne."},{"n":443,"id":"H-dasu","romaji":"dasu","polite":"dashimasu","english":"put out; take out; hand in; pay","use":"Puts or takes something out, with it marked by o (gomi dasu, saifu dasu, shukudai dasu), covers paying (kyou wa watashi ga dasu yo = I'll get this today), and builds set phrases like genki dashite (cheer up) and koe dasu (speak up).","ja":"出す","kana":"だす","politeJa":"出します","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"deru-dasu","example":{"romaji":"kesa gomi dashita?","ja":"今朝ゴミ出した？","english":"Did you put the trash out this morning?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kesa gomi o dashimashita ka?","ja":"今朝ゴミを出しましたか？","english":"Did you put the trash out this morning?"},"freqRank":163,"freqNote":"出す #163","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["H-deru"],"alsoIn":["05-acquisition-order ledger #39","12-list-te-dependents #R1","13-list-exit-battery #49"],"notes":"After a verb stem it means 'start to': ame ga furidashita = it started raining."},{"n":444,"id":"H-ireru","romaji":"ireru","polite":"iremasu","english":"put in; include; make (tea); turn on","use":"Puts something into something else, with the thing marked by o and the place by ni (kaban ni ireru); it also covers making tea or coffee, letting someone into a group or plan (watashi mo irete), and switching something on.","ja":"入れる","kana":"いれる","politeJa":"入れます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hairu-ireru","example":{"romaji":"koohii ni satou ireru?","ja":"コーヒーに砂糖入れる？","english":"Do you take sugar in your coffee?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"koohii ni osatou iremasu ka?","ja":"コーヒーにお砂糖入れますか？","english":"Would you like sugar in your coffee?"},"freqRank":222,"freqNote":"入れる #222; 淹れる (making tea/coffee) #19863 listed separately","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-hairu"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #52"],"notes":"Ichidan (irete, ireta), unlike its godan partner hairu (haitte, haitta)."},{"n":445,"id":"H-tariru","romaji":"tariru","polite":"tarimasu","english":"be enough (tarinai: not enough)","use":"Says whether there's enough money, time, food or people, with the thing marked by ga; you mostly hear it as tarinai (not enough) and in the question tariru? (kore de tariru?).","ja":"足りる","kana":"たりる","politeJa":"足ります","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"jikan zenzen tarinai.","ja":"時間全然足りない。","english":"There's nowhere near enough time."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"jikan ga zenzen tarimasen.","ja":"時間が全然足りません。","english":"There's nowhere near enough time."},"freqRank":764,"freqNote":"足りる #764; 足りない #3974 separately (tokenizer mostly splits it into 足り + ない)","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Also means 'short of' or 'missing': hitori tarinai = we're one person short. 'That's enough!' / 'no more, thanks' is mou ii, not tariru."}]},{"id":"B6","range":"446-448","stage":4,"category":"Degree, amount & limits","label":"About / exactly","rationale":"Hedging an amount or pinning it down exactly.","interference":"gurai goes after the number and daitai goes before it, and they can stack (daitai ichijikan gurai). choudo is the opposite pole: exactly.","items":[{"n":446,"id":"B-gurai","romaji":"gurai","polite":null,"english":"about; around","use":"Goes after a number or word to mean 'about' (gofun gurai) or 'to that extent' (sore gurai, onaji gurai).","ja":"ぐらい","kana":"ぐらい","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"gurai-daitai-choudo","example":{"romaji":"ichijikan gurai kakaru yo","ja":"1時間ぐらいかかるよ","english":"It takes about an hour."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ichijikan gurai kakarimasu yo","ja":"1時間ぐらいかかりますよ","english":"It takes about an hour."},"freqRank":342,"freqNote":"ぐらい #342; the same particle spelled くらい is #299 (adjective 暗い is listed separately, #1480)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: kurai","kotoba particles: gurai","13-list-exit-battery #122"],"notes":"kurai and gurai are interchangeable. 'Onaji gurai' means 'about the same'. sore gurai also means 'that much at least': sore gurai wakaru yo = I know that much."},{"n":447,"id":"B-daitai","romaji":"daitai","polite":null,"english":"roughly; mostly","use":"Goes before a number or claim to mean 'roughly / mostly' (daitai wakatta). It hedges any amount or statement.","ja":"大体","kana":"だいたい","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"gurai-daitai-choudo","example":{"romaji":"daitai ichijikan gurai kakaru yo","ja":"大体1時間ぐらいかかるよ","english":"It takes roughly an hour."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"daitai ichijikan gurai kakarimasu yo","ja":"大体1時間ぐらいかかりますよ","english":"It takes roughly an hour."},"freqRank":1240,"freqNote":"大体 #1240; kana-spelled だいたい separately #3197","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers (extended)"],"notes":"Opening a complaint, it means 'in the first place' (daitai, nande…)."},{"n":448,"id":"B-choudo","romaji":"choudo","polite":null,"english":"exactly; just right","use":"Means 'exactly / just right' for amounts, sizes and timing (choudo ii, choudo ima).","ja":"ちょうど","kana":"ちょうど","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"gurai-daitai-choudo","example":{"romaji":"choudo ichijikan kakatta","ja":"ちょうど1時間かかった","english":"It took exactly an hour."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"choudo ichijikan kakarimashita","ja":"ちょうど1時間かかりました","english":"It took exactly an hour."},"freqRank":765,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers (extended)"],"notes":"'Choudo ii' (just right) and 'choudo yokatta' (perfect timing) are the most common chunks."}]},{"id":"J12","range":"449-451","stage":4,"category":"Pointing, question & people words","label":"Nothing, nobody","rationale":"Question word + mo + a negative verb = nothing, no one, nowhere.","interference":"With a negative verb all three mean no-thing, no one, nowhere; when a particle is needed it goes before mo (dare ni mo, doko ni mo).","items":[{"n":449,"id":"J-nanimo","romaji":"nanimo","polite":null,"english":"nothing (with negative)","use":"With a negative verb means 'nothing, not anything' (nanimo nai, nanimo tabenakatta).","ja":"何も","kana":"なにも","politeJa":null,"flags":["needs-negative"],"contrastGroup":"mo-series","example":{"romaji":"nanimo nai yo.","ja":"何もないよ。","english":"There's nothing."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"nanimo arimasen yo.","ja":"何もありませんよ。","english":"There's nothing."},"freqRank":185,"freqNote":"何にも (nan ni mo) #1238","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-nani"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #126","05-acquisition-order critique: ka/mo/demo indefinites unscheduled"],"notes":"The emphatic casual form is nan ni mo (nan ni mo nai)."},{"n":450,"id":"J-daremo","romaji":"daremo","polite":null,"english":"nobody (with negative)","use":"With a negative verb means 'no one' (daremo inai), and splits around a particle (dare ni mo iwanai = won't tell anyone).","ja":"誰も","kana":"だれも","politeJa":null,"flags":["needs-negative"],"contrastGroup":"mo-series","example":{"romaji":"daremo inai yo.","ja":"誰もいないよ。","english":"There's nobody here."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"daremo imasen yo.","ja":"誰もいませんよ。","english":"There's nobody here."},"freqRank":401,"freqNote":"誰にも (dare ni mo) #743","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["J-dare","J-nanimo"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #126","13-list-exit-battery #58"],"notes":"daremo ga + a positive verb means 'everyone' but sounds formal (daremo ga shitteru); casually say minna shitteru."},{"n":451,"id":"J-doko-ni-mo","romaji":"doko ni mo","polite":null,"english":"nowhere (with negative)","use":"With a negative verb means 'nowhere, not anywhere' (doko ni mo ikanai), keeping ni or de inside.","ja":"どこにも","kana":"どこにも","politeJa":null,"flags":["needs-negative"],"contrastGroup":"mo-series","example":{"romaji":"doko ni mo nai yo.","ja":"どこにもないよ。","english":"It isn't anywhere."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"doko ni mo arimasen yo.","ja":"どこにもありませんよ。","english":"It isn't anywhere."},"freqRank":1953,"freqNote":"どこも not found; rank of どこにも","spread":3,"reach":2,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["J-doko","J-nanimo"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #126"],"notes":"dokomo with a positive verb means 'everywhere' (dokomo onaji); casually ni is often dropped with a negative too (dokomo itte nai = haven't been anywhere)."}]},{"id":"C6","range":"452-455","stage":4,"category":"Stance, attitude & manner","label":"Softeners","rationale":"Words that take the edge off: downplaying, hedging an action, and softening a request.","interference":"betsu ni denies something the listener might assume ('it's not that...'), while toku ni just says nothing stands out; a bare 'betsu ni.' sounds curt and toku ni doesn't. ichiou (just in case) is not toriaezu (for now).","items":[{"n":452,"id":"C-betsu-ni","romaji":"betsu ni","polite":null,"english":"not particularly; not really; it's not that...","use":"Denies something the listener might assume ('it's not that...'), usually with a negative (betsu ni okotte nai, betsu ni mondai nai). betsu ni ii yo / betsu ni ii kedo means 'I don't mind' but can sound grudging, and a bare 'betsu ni.' is a curt 'whatever'.","ja":"別に","kana":"べつに","politeJa":null,"flags":["needs-negative"],"contrastGroup":"betsu-ni-tokuni","example":{"romaji":"betsu ni okotte nai yo.","ja":"別に怒ってないよ。","english":"I'm not mad or anything."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"betsu ni okotte nai desu yo.","ja":"別に怒ってないですよ。","english":"I'm not upset or anything."},"freqRank":306,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"A bare 'betsu ni.' as a reply sounds cold; say toku ni nai instead. Exceptions to the negative rule: betsu ni ii (I don't mind) and the bare curt reply."},{"n":453,"id":"C-tokuni","romaji":"toku ni","polite":null,"english":"especially; (not) particularly","use":"Singles one thing out (toku ni kore ga suki), and with a negative it is the neutral, polite-safe 'nothing in particular'.","ja":"特に","kana":"とくに","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"betsu-ni-tokuni","example":{"romaji":"toku ni mondai nai yo.","ja":"特に問題ないよ。","english":"No problems in particular."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"toku ni mondai nai desu yo.","ja":"特に問題ないですよ。","english":"No problems in particular."},"freqRank":636,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"toku ni nai (desu) is the safe answer to 'any questions?'."},{"n":454,"id":"C-ichiou","romaji":"ichiou","polite":null,"english":"just in case; sort of","use":"Hedges an action done to be safe (ichiou kakunin suru) or a claim that is only technically true (ichiou dekita).","ja":"一応","kana":"いちおう","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"ichiou kasa motteku.","ja":"一応傘持ってく。","english":"I'll take an umbrella just in case."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"ichiou kasa motte ikimasu.","ja":"一応傘持っていきます。","english":"I'll take an umbrella just in case."},"freqRank":779,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"It also works as modesty: ichiou eigo hanaseru = I speak English, sort of."},{"n":455,"id":"C-dekireba","romaji":"dekireba","polite":null,"english":"if possible","use":"Goes at the front of a request or preference and softens it by making it conditional.","ja":"できれば","kana":"できれば","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"dekireba ashita ga ii na.","ja":"できれば明日がいいな。","english":"I'd prefer tomorrow, if possible."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dekireba ashita ga ii n desu kedo.","ja":"できれば明日がいいんですけど。","english":"I'd prefer tomorrow, if possible."},"freqRank":1403,"freqNote":null,"spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-dekiru","E-ba"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Literally 'if it can be done': dekiru + -ba."}]},{"id":"D11","range":"456-460","stage":4,"category":"Versatile adjectives","label":"Same & different","rationale":"Comparing and sorting: the same, another one, weird, normal, all sorts.","interference":"onaji takes a noun directly (onaji iro) but betsu needs no (betsu no iro), and the shared sentence makes that the only difference. futsuu and hen are opposites on the same 'sore, ___ da yo' sentence.","items":[{"n":456,"id":"D-onaji","romaji":"onaji","polite":"onaji desu","english":"the same","use":"Says things are the same (X to onaji) for comparisons on any topic; it goes straight before a noun with no na or no (onaji iro).","ja":"同じ","kana":"おなじ","politeJa":"同じです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"onaji-betsu","example":{"romaji":"onaji iro ga ii","ja":"同じ色がいい","english":"I'd like the same color."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"onaji iro ga ii desu","ja":"同じ色がいいです","english":"I'd like the same color."},"freqRank":160,"freqNote":"同じ #160","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #122","12-list-te-dependents #40 (in example)"],"notes":"watashi mo onaji (same here) is the easy everyday reply."},{"n":457,"id":"D-betsu","romaji":"betsu","polite":"betsu desu","english":"separate, different, another","use":"Means another or a separate one: betsu no X (a different X) and betsubetsu (separately), for choices, payments, plans and people.","ja":"別","kana":"べつ","politeJa":"別です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"onaji-betsu","example":{"romaji":"betsu no iro ga ii","ja":"別の色がいい","english":"I'd like a different color."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"betsu no iro ga ii desu","ja":"別の色がいいです","english":"I'd like a different color."},"freqRank":500,"freqNote":"別 #500; includes the adverb betsu ni (C)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["D-onaji"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Paying separately is betsubetsu de (onegaishimasu). betsu ni (not really) is its own item in C."},{"n":458,"id":"D-hen","romaji":"hen","polite":"hen desu","english":"weird, strange, odd","use":"Says something is strange or off (a taste, a sound, a person, a situation); hen na X goes in front of any noun.","ja":"変","kana":"へん","politeJa":"変です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"futsuu-hen","example":{"romaji":"sore, hen da yo","ja":"それ、変だよ","english":"That's weird."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore wa hen desu yo","ja":"それは変ですよ","english":"That's strange."},"freqRank":352,"freqNote":"変 #352","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["11-list-adjectives #61","vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives (extended)"],"notes":"About a person (hen na hito) it is a real criticism; about a taste or a noise it is neutral."},{"n":459,"id":"D-futsuu","romaji":"futsuu","polite":"futsuu desu","english":"normal, ordinary, usual","use":"Says something is normal, usual or average and serves as the baseline in comparisons (futsuu wa = usually); futsuu ni means 'normally' and, in casual speech, 'honestly, genuinely' (futsuu ni oishii = it's actually really good).","ja":"普通","kana":"ふつう","politeJa":"普通です","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"futsuu-hen","example":{"romaji":"sore, futsuu da yo","ja":"それ、普通だよ","english":"That's totally normal."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sore wa futsuu desu yo","ja":"それは普通ですよ","english":"That's quite normal."},"freqRank":344,"freqNote":"普通 #344; includes adverbial futsuu ni","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: na-adjectives (extended)"],"notes":"As an answer to 'how was it?', futsuu means 'just OK, nothing special'. It is lukewarm, not praise."},{"n":460,"id":"D-iroiro","romaji":"iroiro","polite":"iroiro desu","english":"various, all sorts","use":"Means many different things without listing them: iroiro na X (all sorts of X), iroiro atta (a lot happened), iroiro arigatou (thanks for everything).","ja":"いろいろ","kana":"いろいろ","politeJa":"いろいろです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kyou wa iroiro atta","ja":"今日はいろいろあった","english":"A lot happened today."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa iroiro arimashita","ja":"今日はいろいろありました","english":"A lot happened today."},"freqRank":528,"freqNote":"いろいろ #528 (色々 #2784)","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-aru"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"As a reply, iroiro desu ne means 'it varies, it depends'."}]},{"id":"I8","range":"461-463","stage":4,"category":"Grammar patterns as vocabulary","label":"Go and do","rationale":"Errand and direction frames on iku and kuru, which say where the trip goes around an action.","interference":"katte kuru (go buy and come back), katte iku (buy on the way, then go), kai ni iku (go out to buy): the same verb on three trips; -te + iku/kuru vs stem + ni. In casual speech katteku (on my way) and katte kuru (go and come back) differ only by the final -ru; listen for it.","items":[{"n":461,"id":"I-te-kuru","romaji":"-te kuru","polite":"-te kimasu","english":"go and do; start to","use":"Attaches to the -te form for going to do something and coming back (katte kuru, itte kimasu), or for a change that has set in (samuku natte kita).","ja":"〜てくる","kana":"〜てくる","politeJa":"〜てきます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"iku-kuru","example":{"romaji":"nomimono katte kuru ne.","ja":"飲み物買ってくるね。","english":"I'll go grab some drinks."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"nomimono katte kimasu ne.","ja":"飲み物買ってきますね。","english":"I'll go get some drinks."},"freqRank":429,"freqNote":"rank of kana くる, mostly the auxiliary (来る #52 is 'come')","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-te-and","H-kuru"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #7","13-list-exit-battery #21"],"notes":"itte kimasu (I'm off) is this pattern frozen as a set phrase."},{"n":462,"id":"I-te-iku","romaji":"-te iku","polite":"-te ikimasu","english":"take along; go on -ing","use":"Attaches to the -te form for doing something on the way out or taking it along (motte iku, tabete iku), or for a change that will keep going (fuete iku).","ja":"〜ていく","kana":"〜ていく","politeJa":"〜ていきます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"iku-kuru","example":{"romaji":"nomimono katteku ne.","ja":"飲み物買ってくね。","english":"I'll pick up drinks on my way."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"nomimono katte ikimasu ne.","ja":"飲み物買っていきますね。","english":"I'll pick up drinks on my way."},"freqRank":179,"freqNote":"rank of kana いく, mostly the auxiliary (行く #40 is 'go'); contracted てく #7358","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["E-te-and","H-iku","I-te-kuru"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #14","13-list-exit-battery #20"],"notes":"Casual speech shortens it to -teku: motteku, katteku."},{"n":463,"id":"I-ni-iku","romaji":"-ni iku / -ni kuru","polite":"-ni ikimasu / -ni kimasu","english":"go / come to do","use":"Attaches to a verb stem for the purpose of a trip (tabe ni iku, ai ni kita) and works with other movement verbs (tori ni kaeru).","ja":"〜に行く／〜に来る","kana":"〜にいく／〜にくる","politeJa":"〜に行きます／〜に来ます","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"iku-kuru","example":{"romaji":"nomimono kai ni iku ne.","ja":"飲み物買いに行くね。","english":"I'm heading out to buy drinks."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"nomimono kai ni ikimasu ne.","ja":"飲み物買いに行きますね。","english":"I'm going out to buy drinks."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement; tokenizer splits に+行く (行く #40 counts all going)","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-iku","H-kuru"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #X9"],"notes":"Suru nouns drop suru: kaimono ni iku, benkyou ni kita."}]},{"id":"A10","range":"464-466","stage":4,"category":"Time & sequence","label":"Until, by, while still","rationale":"Clauses that mark the edges of a time window: until, by, and while the window is still open.","interference":"'Until' is -made (the action lasts up to X) and 'by' is -made ni (it happens once before X). -uchi ni means acting while a state still holds.","items":[{"n":464,"id":"A-made","romaji":"-made","polite":null,"english":"until","use":"Means 'until' after a dictionary-form verb or a time word (kuru made matsu, ashita made). It pairs with kara for ranges and also means 'as far as' a place.","ja":"〜まで","kana":"〜まで","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"made-madeni","example":{"romaji":"kaeru made matteru ne.","ja":"帰るまで待ってるね。","english":"I'll wait until you get back."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kaeru made mattemasu ne.","ja":"帰るまで待ってますね。","english":"I'll wait until you get back."},"freqRank":64,"freqNote":"まで #64, all senses including spatial 'as far as'","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: made"],"notes":"The action fills the whole span. For a deadline, use -made ni."},{"n":465,"id":"A-made-ni","romaji":"-made ni","polite":null,"english":"by (a deadline)","use":"Sets a deadline: the action happens once, some time before X (ashita made ni okuru).","ja":"〜までに","kana":"〜までに","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"made-madeni","example":{"romaji":"kaeru made ni wa owaru yo.","ja":"帰るまでには終わるよ。","english":"It'll be done by the time you're back."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kaeru made ni wa owarimasu yo.","ja":"帰るまでには終わりますよ。","english":"It'll be done by the time you're back."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"tokenizer splits (までに not listed); まで #64 covers every made. No usable rank — judgement","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["A-made"],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: made"],"notes":"Quick test: if English says 'until', use made; if it says 'by', use made ni."},{"n":466,"id":"A-uchi-ni","romaji":"-uchi ni","polite":null,"english":"while still; before it changes","use":"Says to act while a condition still holds (atsui uchi ni, wakai uchi ni). With a negative, -nai uchi ni means 'before X happens'.","ja":"〜うちに","kana":"〜うちに","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"atsui uchi ni tabete.","ja":"熱いうちに食べて。","english":"Eat it while it's hot."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"atsui uchi ni tabete kudasai.","ja":"熱いうちに食べてください。","english":"Please eat it while it's hot."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"うち #113 is mostly 'home / we'. No usable rank — judgement","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Don't hear it as uchi ni ('to home'). Here it follows a verb, an adjective, or noun + no. ima no uchi ni = while you still can. -teru uchi ni = while doing X, before you knew it (hanashiteru uchi ni kuraku natta)."}]},{"id":"C7","range":"467-472","stage":4,"category":"Stance, attitude & manner","label":"Getting through, giving up, not wasting a chance","rationale":"Words for handling a situation: start somewhere, push past the details, manage somehow, say how it ended, take an outcome as settled in advance, and don't waste a chance or an effort.","interference":"toriaezu (for now, as a first step) and tonikaku (anyway, whatever else) share '___ yatte miyou'. nantoka is about managing despite trouble; kekkyoku is about the final outcome. douse also comes out as 'anyway', but tonikaku pushes on while douse takes the outcome as settled in advance, usually the bad one (douse muri da, it won't work anyway); kekkyoku reports how it really ended (kekkyoku muri datta). sekkaku can't fill the '___ yatte miyou' slot on its own. It needs da kara: sekkaku da kara yatte miyou (since we have the chance), never 'sekkaku yatte miyou'. douse nara (if it's happening anyway) gives 'might as well': douse matsu nara, kafe de matou (if we have to wait anyway, let's wait in a café). It starts from 'this is happening regardless', where sekkaku starts from 'this is a rare chance'. sekkaku ... noni (after all that trouble) often leads into kekkyoku: sekkaku tsukutta noni, kekkyoku tabenakatta (I went to the trouble of making it, and in the end they didn't eat it).","items":[{"n":467,"id":"C-toriaezu","romaji":"toriaezu","polite":null,"english":"for now; to start with","use":"Marks a first step or a temporary choice made before deciding the rest (toriaezu biiru, toriaezu yatte miru).","ja":"とりあえず","kana":"とりあえず","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"toriaezu-tonikaku","example":{"romaji":"toriaezu yatte miyou.","ja":"とりあえずやってみよう。","english":"Let's just try it for now."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"toriaezu yatte mimashou.","ja":"とりあえずやってみましょう。","english":"Let's try it for now."},"freqRank":864,"freqNote":"とりあえず #864; 取りあえず #5786 counted separately","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"toriaezu biiru (beer to start) is the classic first order at an izakaya."},{"n":468,"id":"C-tonikaku","romaji":"tonikaku","polite":null,"english":"anyway; at any rate","use":"Cuts past details or doubts to the main point or action (tonikaku ikou, tonikaku tsukareta).","ja":"とにかく","kana":"とにかく","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"toriaezu-tonikaku","example":{"romaji":"tonikaku yatte miyou.","ja":"とにかくやってみよう。","english":"Never mind the details, let's just try it."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"tonikaku yatte mimashou.","ja":"とにかくやってみましょう。","english":"Never mind the details, let's just try it."},"freqRank":362,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"It also pivots a story to its point: tonikaku, sugokatta (anyway, it was amazing)."},{"n":469,"id":"C-nantoka","romaji":"nantoka","polite":null,"english":"somehow; manage to","use":"Says something gets handled despite difficulty, as in nantoka naru (it'll work out), nantoka dekita and nantoka shite (do something!).","ja":"何とか","kana":"なんとか","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"nantoka naru yo.","ja":"何とかなるよ。","english":"It'll work out somehow."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"nantoka narimasu yo.","ja":"何とかなりますよ。","english":"It'll work out somehow."},"freqRank":1078,"freqNote":"何とか #1078; kana なんとか #2646 counted separately","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["H-naru"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"It also stands in for a forgotten name: nantoka san (Mr. So-and-so)."},{"n":470,"id":"C-kekkyoku","romaji":"kekkyoku","polite":null,"english":"in the end; after all","use":"Sums up how things finally turned out, often against the plan, which makes it key for telling stories.","ja":"結局","kana":"けっきょく","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"kekkyoku dame datta.","ja":"結局ダメだった。","english":"In the end, it didn't work out."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kekkyoku dame deshita.","ja":"結局ダメでした。","english":"In the end, it didn't work out."},"freqRank":452,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"kekkyoku reports the final outcome; yappari says it matched what you expected."},{"n":471,"id":"C-sekkaku","romaji":"sekkaku","polite":null,"english":"since we have the chance; after all that trouble","use":"Marks a chance or an effort as too good to waste, so it only fits something rare or effortful, never a plain 'since'. sekkaku da kara (since we have the chance) and sekkaku kita n da kara (since we came all this way) suggest making the most of it, sekkaku ... noni (after all that trouble) complains that it went to waste, and sekkaku no + noun means 'rare, long-awaited' (sekkaku no yasumi, my rare day off).","ja":"せっかく","kana":"せっかく","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"sekkaku da kara, yatte miyou.","ja":"せっかくだから、やってみよう。","english":"Since we've got the chance, let's give it a go."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"sekkaku desu kara, yatte mimashou.","ja":"せっかくですから、やってみましょう。","english":"Since we have the chance, let's give it a try."},"freqRank":465,"freqNote":"せっかく #465 (kanji 折角 #47246)","spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["E-kara","E-noni"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"A polite way to turn down an offer: sekkaku desu kedo, kyou wa chotto... (that's kind of you, but today's a bit...)."},{"n":472,"id":"C-douse","romaji":"douse","polite":null,"english":"anyway (it's settled regardless); might as well (douse nara)","use":"Treats an outcome as settled whatever you do. Often it's resigned (douse muri da, douse wasureru yo), and aimed at someone it sounds sulky or bitter (douse kikanai n desho). It's also a neutral 'anyway' when you give a reason: douse hima da shi, tetsudau yo (I'm free anyway, so I'll help). It never moves a story on the way English 'anyway' does; that's tonikaku.","ja":"どうせ","kana":"どうせ","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":null,"example":{"romaji":"douse muri da yo.","ja":"どうせ無理だよ。","english":"It's not going to work anyway."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"douse muri desu yo.","ja":"どうせ無理ですよ。","english":"It's not going to work anyway."},"freqRank":580,"freqNote":"どうせ #580; どうせなら #5798 counted separately","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["D-muri","E-nara"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"douse nara (if it's happening anyway) is the upbeat 'might as well': douse nara ii no kaou yo (if we're buying one anyway, let's get a good one)."}]},{"id":"B7","range":"473-477","stage":4,"category":"Degree, amount & limits","label":"Comparing","rationale":"The frames that rank things: most, more, than, than expected, and not as.","interference":"The thing before yori loses and the thing before no hou ga wins. In a comparison hodo needs a negative and means 'not as … as', which an English ear can mishear as a positive comparison.","items":[{"n":473,"id":"B-ichiban","romaji":"ichiban","polite":null,"english":"the most; number one","use":"Makes any adjective superlative ('the most'). kono naka de ('out of these') sets the range.","ja":"一番","kana":"いちばん","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"comparison-frames","example":{"romaji":"kyou, kotoshi ichiban samui ne","ja":"今日、今年一番寒いね","english":"Today's the coldest day of the year, huh."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa kotoshi ichiban samui desu ne","ja":"今日は今年一番寒いですね","english":"Today's the coldest day of the year, isn't it."},"freqRank":373,"freqNote":null,"spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["vocab-trainer core-vocab: Intensifiers","13-list-exit-battery #120"],"notes":"'Ichiban suki' (my favourite) is the chunk you will use most."},{"n":474,"id":"B-no-hou-ga","romaji":"no hou ga","polite":null,"english":"X is more …","use":"Goes after the winning item to say 'X is more …' (kotchi no hou ga ii). It is the standard answer to 'dotchi?'.","ja":"の方が","kana":"のほうが","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"comparison-frames","example":{"romaji":"kyou no hou ga samui ne","ja":"今日の方が寒いね","english":"Today's colder, huh."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou no hou ga samui desu ne","ja":"今日の方が寒いですね","english":"Today's colder, isn't it."},"freqRank":206,"freqNote":"rank of 方 (ほう) across all uses, including -ta hou ga ii advice; kana ほう also #639","spread":5,"reach":4,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #118","13-list-exit-battery #119"],"notes":"The full frame is A yori B no hou ga …, but in speech either half usually stands alone. no goes only after a noun (kotchi no hou ga ii). Adjectives and verbs take hou ga directly (yasui hou ga ii, iku hou ga hayai); never yasui no hou ga."},{"n":475,"id":"B-yori","romaji":"yori","polite":null,"english":"than","use":"Goes after the item being beaten to mean 'than' (kinou yori samui). In speech it usually stands alone; the full frame adds no hou ga to the winner.","ja":"より","kana":"より","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"comparison-frames","example":{"romaji":"kinou yori samui ne","ja":"昨日より寒いね","english":"It's colder than yesterday."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kinou yori samui desu ne","ja":"昨日より寒いですね","english":"It's colder than yesterday, isn't it."},"freqRank":132,"freqNote":"rank includes the formal 'from' sense and adverbial yori","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":[],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: yori","13-list-exit-battery #118"],"notes":"Trap: the thing before yori is the one that loses (has less of the quality). Kinou yori samui = today is colder."},{"n":476,"id":"B-omotta-yori","romaji":"omotta yori","polite":null,"english":"than I thought","use":"Says that something was more (or less) than you expected, and works with any adjective (omotta yori takai, omotta yori hayakatta).","ja":"思ったより","kana":"おもったより","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"comparison-frames","example":{"romaji":"omotta yori samui ne","ja":"思ったより寒いね","english":"It's colder than I expected."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"omotta yori samui desu ne","ja":"思ったより寒いですね","english":"It's colder than I expected."},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement; tokenizer splits 思ったより and 思ってたより (both not found); components より #132, 思う #33","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":5,"prereqs":["H-omou","I-ta-past","B-yori"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"Two pool items used as one chunk. Casual speech often uses omotteta yori (思ってたより) with the same meaning. The let-down version is omotta hodo … nai."},{"n":477,"id":"B-hodo","romaji":"hodo","polite":null,"english":"not as … as; about (polite)","use":"With a negative it means 'not as … as' (kinou hodo samukunai). It also marks extreme extent (shinu hodo, 'to death'). After an amount in polite or service speech it simply means 'about' (juppun hodo kakarimasu = it takes about ten minutes), with no negative and no comparison.","ja":"ほど","kana":"ほど","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"comparison-frames","example":{"romaji":"kinou hodo samukunai ne","ja":"昨日ほど寒くないね","english":"It's not as cold as yesterday."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kinou hodo samukunai desu ne","ja":"昨日ほど寒くないですね","english":"It's not as cold as yesterday, is it."},"freqRank":288,"freqNote":"ほど #288; kanji 程 #9747","spread":4,"reach":4,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["B-yori","I-kunai-ja-nai"],"alsoIn":["kotoba particles: hodo","13-list-exit-battery #121"],"notes":"Trap: in a comparison, hodo always means NOT as … as, never 'as … as'. -ba … hodo means 'the more … the more'."}]},{"id":"J13","range":"478-481","stage":4,"category":"Pointing, question & people words","label":"Anything, anyone","rationale":"Question word + demo = any- at all, for the free-choice answers.","interference":"nandemo ii (anything's fine) vs nanimo iranai (I don't want anything): demo usually goes with a positive verb and mo with a negative (nandemo nai 'it's nothing' is the set exception); it is nan-, not nani-, before demo.","items":[{"n":478,"id":"J-nandemo","romaji":"nandemo","polite":null,"english":"anything (at all); whatever","use":"Free choice: anything at all is fine (nandemo ii yo), with a positive verb, unlike nanimo.","ja":"何でも","kana":"なんでも","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"demo-series","example":{"romaji":"nandemo ii yo.","ja":"何でもいいよ。","english":"Anything's fine."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"nandemo ii desu yo.","ja":"何でもいいですよ。","english":"Anything's fine."},"freqRank":728,"freqNote":"何でも #728; なんでも #3802","spread":5,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-nani"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #127","05-acquisition-order critique: ka/mo/demo indefinites unscheduled"],"notes":"nandemo nai ('it's nothing') is a set phrase in G."},{"n":479,"id":"J-itsudemo","romaji":"itsudemo","polite":null,"english":"anytime","use":"Any time at all, the easy yes to a scheduling question (itsudemo ii yo, itsudemo kite).","ja":"いつでも","kana":"いつでも","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"demo-series","example":{"romaji":"itsudemo ii yo.","ja":"いつでもいいよ。","english":"Anytime's fine."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"itsudemo ii desu yo.","ja":"いつでもいいですよ。","english":"Anytime's fine."},"freqRank":740,"freqNote":null,"spread":4,"reach":3,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["J-itsu","J-nandemo"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #127","05-acquisition-order critique: ka/mo/demo indefinites unscheduled"],"notes":null},{"n":480,"id":"J-dokodemo","romaji":"dokodemo","polite":null,"english":"anywhere","use":"Any place at all (dokodemo ii yo, dokodemo aru).","ja":"どこでも","kana":"どこでも","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"demo-series","example":{"romaji":"dokodemo ii yo.","ja":"どこでもいいよ。","english":"Anywhere's fine."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dokodemo ii desu yo.","ja":"どこでもいいですよ。","english":"Anywhere's fine."},"freqRank":11237,"freqNote":"likely undercounted (tokenizer probably splits どこ+でも); judgement: moderately common","spread":3,"reach":2,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["J-doko","J-nandemo"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #127"],"notes":null},{"n":481,"id":"J-daredemo","romaji":"daredemo","polite":null,"english":"anyone (at all)","use":"Any person at all (daredemo ii yo, daredemo dekiru = anyone can do it).","ja":"誰でも","kana":"だれでも","politeJa":null,"flags":[],"contrastGroup":"demo-series","example":{"romaji":"daredemo ii yo.","ja":"誰でもいいよ。","english":"Anyone's fine."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"daredemo ii desu yo.","ja":"誰でもいいですよ。","english":"Anyone's fine."},"freqRank":24037,"freqNote":"likely undercounted (tokenizer probably splits 誰+でも); judgement: moderately common","spread":3,"reach":2,"speakNeed":3,"prereqs":["J-dare","J-nandemo"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #127"],"notes":null}]},{"id":"I10","range":"482-484","stage":4,"category":"Grammar patterns as vocabulary","label":"Advice","rationale":"The standard ways to give advice, warn against something, and ask what to do.","interference":"Positive advice takes the past -ta (yasunda hou ga ii), negative takes plain -nai (muri shinai hou ga ii), never -nakatta; -tara ii is the softer one and is how you ask: dou shitara ii?","items":[{"n":482,"id":"I-ta-hou-ga-ii","romaji":"-ta hou ga ii","polite":"-ta hou ga ii desu","english":"you should, it's better to","use":"Attaches to the past form to give firm advice (yasunda hou ga ii), with present meaning despite the past form.","ja":"〜た方がいい","kana":"〜たほうがいい","politeJa":"〜た方がいいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hou-ga-ii","example":{"romaji":"kyou wa yasunda hou ga ii yo.","ja":"今日は休んだ方がいいよ。","english":"You should rest today."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa yasunda hou ga ii desu yo.","ja":"今日は休んだ方がいいですよ。","english":"You should rest today."},"freqRank":1025,"freqNote":"rank of ほうがいい (方がいい #1346); shared with -nai hou ga ii and comparative 'X no hou ga ii'","spread":5,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-ta-past","D-ii"],"alsoIn":["12-list-te-dependents #37","13-list-exit-battery #82"],"notes":"Can sound strong; soften with kamo (yasunda hou ga ii kamo)."},{"n":483,"id":"I-nai-hou-ga-ii","romaji":"-nai hou ga ii","polite":"-nai hou ga ii desu","english":"better not","use":"Attaches to the plain -nai form to advise against something (ikanai hou ga ii, muri shinai hou ga ii).","ja":"〜ない方がいい","kana":"〜ないほうがいい","politeJa":"〜ない方がいいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hou-ga-ii","example":{"romaji":"kyou wa muri shinai hou ga ii yo.","ja":"今日は無理しない方がいいよ。","english":"Better not push yourself today."},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"kyou wa muri shinai hou ga ii desu yo.","ja":"今日は無理しない方がいいですよ。","english":"It's better not to push yourself today."},"freqRank":1025,"freqNote":"rank of ほうがいい, shared with -ta hou ga ii","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["I-nai-negative","I-ta-hou-ga-ii"],"alsoIn":["13-list-exit-battery #83"],"notes":"Never *-nakatta hou ga ii: positive takes -ta, negative takes -nai."},{"n":484,"id":"I-tara-ii","romaji":"-tara ii","polite":"-tara ii desu","english":"should I / you could","use":"Attaches to the -tara form to ask for advice (dou shitara ii?) or to suggest something gently (kiitara ii yo).","ja":"〜たらいい","kana":"〜たらいい","politeJa":"〜たらいいです","flags":[],"contrastGroup":"hou-ga-ii","example":{"romaji":"dou shitara ii?","ja":"どうしたらいい？","english":"What should I do?"},"examplePolite":{"romaji":"dou shitara ii desu ka?","ja":"どうしたらいいですか？","english":"What should I do?"},"freqRank":null,"freqNote":"no usable rank — judgement; tokenizer folds たら into the verb (standalone たら #2818)","spread":4,"reach":5,"speakNeed":4,"prereqs":["E-tara","D-ii"],"alsoIn":[],"notes":"-ba ii (dou sureba ii?) means the same and sounds slightly more careful. Casual suggestions often stop at -tara? or -tara dou?: kiitara? = why don't you ask?"}]}],"notes":["Out of scope by design: topic nouns, numbers, counters, clock times, dates, day-of-week and month names, keigo beyond desu/masu.","Relative time words (asa, yoru, raishuu, kotoshi...) and several endings (darou, n da yo, -te ne, plus the mostly-heard sa / wa / zo / yo na) were cut by the selection panel and restored afterwards through the same write and three-lens review steps.","A second review of all 621 cuts (per-category reviewer + usage and redundancy checks) re-added 33 clear gaps plus 10 strong maybes and boku (learner request): e.g. atsui, samui, itai, kirei, otsukare, oyasumi, hisashiburi, tetsudau, okureru, -you ni, the passive. Cut verdicts are stored on each entry in cuts.","The remaining 16 maybes were then added at the learner's request (nakanaka, douse, nigate, hazukashii, nagai, abunai, -kawari ni, wake nai, moshimoshi, bikkuri shita, ki o tsukete, ireru, tariru, okoru, -sasete, dou iu); all joined existing chunks.","No pitch-accent numbers: the recorded audio carries accent; guessed accents were the main error source in earlier lists."],"cuts":[{"id":"A-ta-ato-de","cat":"A","romaji":"-ta ato de","polite":null,"ja":"〜た後で","english":"after doing","freqRank":775,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-te kara already says 'after doing'; ato de is kept for 'later'.","coveredBy":"-te kara (When, before, after, while), ato de (Later and next time)"},{"id":"A-mou-ikkai","cat":"A","romaji":"mou ikkai","polite":"mou ichido","ja":"もう一回","english":"one more time","freqRank":1841,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Same phrase is already kept in responses.","coveredBy":"mou ikkai (Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases)"},{"id":"A-toriaezu","cat":"A","romaji":"toriaezu","polite":null,"ja":"とりあえず","english":"for now, to start with","freqRank":864,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Same word is already kept in stance.","coveredBy":"toriaezu (Stance, attitude & manner)"},{"id":"A-ta-bakari","cat":"A","romaji":"-ta bakari","polite":"-ta bakari desu","ja":"〜たばかり","english":"just did","freqRank":448,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-tokoro already teaches 'just did', saikin covers 'recently'; it would be a near-duplicate beside bakkari.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"A-koro","cat":"A","romaji":"-koro","polite":null,"ja":"〜頃","english":"back when, around the time","freqRank":822,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"kodomo no toki does the same job in speech.","coveredBy":"-toki (When, before, after, while)"},{"id":"A-ichido","cat":"A","romaji":"ichido","polite":null,"ja":"一度","english":"once; even once, ever","freqRank":427,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Numeral-ish; 'ever', 'again' and 'not once' are handled by kept items.","coveredBy":"-ta koto ga aru (Grammar patterns as vocabulary), mou ikkai (Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases), zenzen (Degree, amount & limits)"},{"id":"A-konkai","cat":"A","romaji":"konkai","polite":null,"ja":"今回","english":"this time (around)","freqRank":372,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"kondo already carries 'this time'.","coveredBy":"kondo (Later and next time)"},{"id":"A-aida","cat":"A","romaji":"-aida","polite":null,"ja":"〜間","english":"while, during","freqRank":389,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'While / during' is already handled three ways.","coveredBy":"-nagara (When, before, after, while), -chuu (Busy right now), -uchi ni (Until, by, while still)"},{"id":"A-goro","cat":"A","romaji":"-goro","polite":null,"ja":"〜頃","english":"around (a time)","freqRank":3829,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"gurai is widely used for approximate times in speech; ごろ alone ranks #3829.","coveredBy":"gurai (Degree, amount & limits)"},{"id":"A-taitei","cat":"A","romaji":"taitei","polite":null,"ja":"大抵","english":"usually, mostly","freqRank":4463,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"itsumo already glosses 'usually'; taitei ranks #4463.","coveredBy":"itsumo (How often)"},{"id":"A-shotchuu","cat":"A","romaji":"shotchuu","polite":null,"ja":"しょっちゅう","english":"all the time, constantly","freqRank":3196,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"yoku and itsumo cover 'all the time'.","coveredBy":"yoku, itsumo (How often)"},{"id":"A-mettani","cat":"A","romaji":"mettani","polite":null,"ja":"めったに","english":"rarely, hardly ever","freqRank":5306,"flags":["needs-negative"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"anmari / hotondo + negative say 'rarely'; mettani ranks #5306.","coveredBy":"anmari, hotondo (Degree, amount & limits)"},{"id":"A-ototoi","cat":"A","romaji":"ototoi","polite":null,"ja":"一昨日","english":"day before yesterday","freqRank":4331,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Low frequency (#4331). kono aida and kinou cover recent past well enough for conversation.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"A-asatte","cat":"A","romaji":"asatte","polite":null,"ja":"明後日","english":"day after tomorrow","freqRank":3247,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Low frequency (#3247). ashita, kondo and raishuu handle near-future plans adequately.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"A-yuube","cat":"A","romaji":"yuube","polite":null,"ja":"昨夜","english":"last night","freqRank":2525,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"kinou no yoru is built from kept words and does the same job.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"A-yuugata","cat":"A","romaji":"yuugata","polite":null,"ja":"夕方","english":"early evening, dusk","freqRank":2124,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"yoru and hiru cover the slot loosely; it adds little that's distinct beyond the kept times of day.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"A-tsui-ni","cat":"A","romaji":"tsui ni","polite":null,"ja":"遂に","english":"finally, at long last","freqRank":1053,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"yatto is the spoken 'finally'; tsui ni leans narration.","coveredBy":"yatto (Already, still, finally)"},{"id":"B-minna","cat":"B","romaji":"minna","polite":"minasan","ja":"みんな","english":"everyone; everything","freqRank":111,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Same word and job as the kept J item; minasan can sit on that card.","coveredBy":"minna (everyone; all of you)"},{"id":"B-mou-sukoshi","cat":"B","romaji":"mou sukoshi","polite":null,"ja":"もう少し","english":"a little more","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Same meaning as mou chotto, which also works in polite requests.","coveredBy":"\"A bit / more\" mou chotto"},{"id":"B-totemo","cat":"B","romaji":"totemo","polite":null,"ja":"とても","english":"very","freqRank":617,"flags":[],"votes":2,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Already kept: the \"Really / very\" card is labelled 'metcha / totemo'.","coveredBy":"\"Really / very\" metcha / totemo"},{"id":"B-juubun","cat":"B","romaji":"juubun","polite":null,"ja":"十分","english":"enough; plenty","freqRank":638,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Covered: mou ii, daijoubu and 'kore de ii' (-de ii) already decline or say enough.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-onaji-gurai","cat":"B","romaji":"onaji gurai","polite":null,"ja":"同じぐらい","english":"about the same","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Built from two kept items, onaji and gurai, so it needs no card of its own.","coveredBy":"onaji + \"About / exactly\" gurai"},{"id":"B-zutto-by-far","cat":"B","romaji":"zutto","polite":null,"ja":"ずっと","english":"by far; much (more)","freqRank":142,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Same headword as kept zutto; add 'zutto ii' as an example there, not a new item.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-daibu","cat":"B","romaji":"daibu","polite":null,"ja":"だいぶ","english":"considerably; a lot","freqRank":1236,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kanari and kekkou already report how much something changed (kanari yoku natta).","coveredBy":"\"Really / very\" kanari, kekkou"},{"id":"B-hanbun","cat":"B","romaji":"hanbun","polite":null,"ja":"半分","english":"half","freqRank":1380,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"fraction, close to out-of-scope numbers; not a gap in conversational intent.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-warito","cat":"B","romaji":"warito","polite":null,"ja":"割と","english":"fairly; relatively","freqRank":5970,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Rare in speech once spellings are combined; kekkou does the same 'fairly' job.","coveredBy":"\"Really / very\" kekkou"},{"id":"B-igai","cat":"B","romaji":"igai","polite":null,"ja":"以外","english":"except; other than","freqRank":492,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept hoka (#613) already does 'other than / besides' (sono hoka, hoka ni).","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-ryouhou","cat":"B","romaji":"ryouhou","polite":null,"ja":"両方","english":"both","freqRank":2475,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'Dotchi mo' (kept dotchi + mo) and zenbu answer 'which one?' with 'both'.","coveredBy":"dotchi + \"Also / only\" mo; \"All / a lot\" zenbu"},{"id":"B-konna-ni","cat":"B","romaji":"konna ni","polite":null,"ja":"こんなに","english":"this much; so","freqRank":1783,"flags":[],"votes":2,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Derivable from kept konna plus sonna ni; fold onto the sonna ni card instead.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-kanzen-ni","cat":"B","romaji":"kanzen ni","polite":null,"ja":"完全に","english":"completely; totally","freqRank":829,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"In casual talk zenzen chigau and zenbu wasureta do the 'totally' job.","coveredBy":"\"Not at all / not much\" zenzen, \"All / a lot\" zenbu"},{"id":"B-mattaku","cat":"B","romaji":"mattaku","polite":null,"ja":"全く","english":"completely; (not) at all","freqRank":983,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"stronger, stiffer zenzen; the kept item already gives the meaning.","coveredBy":"\"Not at all / not much\" zenzen"},{"id":"B-chou","cat":"B","romaji":"chou","polite":"totemo","ja":"超","english":"super; ultra","freqRank":1010,"flags":["slang","casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Casual-only slang booster; metcha fills the same slot.","coveredBy":"\"Really / very\" metcha"},{"id":"B-zuibun","cat":"B","romaji":"zuibun","polite":null,"ja":"随分","english":"quite; surprisingly (much)","freqRank":1292,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kekkou, kanari and sugoku already react to 'quite a lot'.","coveredBy":"\"Really / very\" kekkou, kanari, sugoku"},{"id":"B-ijou","cat":"B","romaji":"ijou","polite":null,"ja":"以上","english":"more than; any more","freqRank":349,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept mou covers 'any more' (mou muri); amount uses are out of scope.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-dondon","cat":"B","romaji":"dondon","polite":null,"ja":"どんどん","english":"more and more; go ahead","freqRank":757,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Covered by -ku naru / -te iku and motto; 'dig in' via douzo.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-sukkari","cat":"B","romaji":"sukkari","polite":null,"ja":"すっかり","english":"completely (changed)","freqRank":1314,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Zenzen oboetenai and zenbu wasureta say 'completely forgot' well enough.","coveredBy":"\"Not at all / not much\" zenzen, \"All / a lot\" zenbu"},{"id":"B-anna-ni","cat":"B","romaji":"anna ni","polite":null,"ja":"あんなに","english":"that much (back then)","freqRank":1332,"flags":[],"votes":2,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Derivable from kept anna plus sonna ni; would be a confusable near-duplicate.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-zenin","cat":"B","romaji":"zenin","polite":null,"ja":"全員","english":"everyone; all members","freqRank":741,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Minna does the casual 'everyone'.","coveredBy":"minna"},{"id":"B-tatta","cat":"B","romaji":"tatta","polite":null,"ja":"たった","english":"only; a mere","freqRank":1157,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'Go-fun dake' already says 'only five minutes'. Tatta just adds stress.","coveredBy":"\"Also / only\" dake"},{"id":"B-zutsu","cat":"B","romaji":"-zutsu","polite":null,"ja":"〜ずつ","english":"each; at a time","freqRank":1233,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Most uses need counters; gradual change already covered by -te kuru and -you ni naru.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-semete","cat":"B","romaji":"semete","polite":null,"ja":"せめて","english":"at least","freqRank":1148,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept dake plus -demo gives 'dake demo' (at least), natural and already producible.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-hobo","cat":"B","romaji":"hobo","polite":null,"ja":"ほぼ","english":"almost; nearly","freqRank":1912,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Hotondo already says 'almost all / nearly'.","coveredBy":"\"Not at all / not much\" hotondo"},{"id":"B-sappari","cat":"B","romaji":"sappari","polite":null,"ja":"さっぱり","english":"(not) at all","freqRank":2211,"flags":["needs-negative"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Mostly the fixed 'sappari wakaranai'; zenzen wakannai says the same.","coveredBy":"\"Not at all / not much\" zenzen"},{"id":"B-sae","cat":"B","romaji":"sae","polite":null,"ja":"さえ","english":"even; if only","freqRank":854,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Mostly heard, not produced; 'kodomo de mo wakaru' with mo says the same.","coveredBy":"\"Also / only\" mo"},{"id":"B-donna-ni","cat":"B","romaji":"donna ni","polite":null,"ja":"どんなに","english":"however much; how much","freqRank":3341,"flags":[],"votes":2,"verdict":"skip","reason":"#3341. Narrow 'no matter how' frame that E's -te mo already carries.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-honto-ni","cat":"C","romaji":"honto ni","polite":"hontou ni","ja":"ほんとに","english":"really, truly","freqRank":161,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Same word and job as kept honto ni (Degree, amount & limits) and hontou ni (Honestly, actually).","coveredBy":"honto ni; \"Honestly, actually\" maji de / hontou ni"},{"id":"C-tashika-ni","cat":"C","romaji":"tashika ni","polite":null,"ja":"確かに","english":"indeed; that's true","freqRank":230,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Already kept in G with the same agreeing/conceding job.","coveredBy":"tashika ni"},{"id":"C-jibun-de","cat":"C","romaji":"jibun de","polite":null,"ja":"自分で","english":"by oneself; on one's own","freqRank":78,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"jibun is kept, and adding de is regular; hitori de already does 'by myself'.","coveredBy":"jibun; \"Together, alone, as is, without asking\" hitori de"},{"id":"C-kanarazu","cat":"C","romaji":"kanarazu","polite":null,"ja":"必ず","english":"without fail; always","freqRank":390,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"In casual promises zettai does this job (zettai renraku suru).","coveredBy":"\"How sure: adverbs\" zettai"},{"id":"C-shikkari","cat":"C","romaji":"shikkari","polite":null,"ja":"しっかり","english":"firmly; properly; reliable","freqRank":411,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Chanto (#169) already covers 'properly'. Adding shikkari mainly creates a near-synonym that's easy to confuse.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-honto-wa","cat":"C","romaji":"honto wa","polite":"hontou wa","ja":"ほんとは","english":"actually; in truth (contrary)","freqRank":199,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"jitsu wa does the 'actually, in truth' job; honto wa is easy to understand from kept honto.","coveredBy":"\"Honestly, actually\" jitsu wa; honto?"},{"id":"C-doushitemo","cat":"C","romaji":"doushitemo","polite":null,"ja":"どうしても","english":"no matter what; just can't","freqRank":543,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept dou plus -te mo already builds dou shite mo; zettai and zenzen dekinai cover the rest.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-wazawaza","cat":"C","romaji":"wazawaza","polite":null,"ja":"わざわざ","english":"going out of one's way","freqRank":587,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Thanks and waving off effort already work with arigatou and -nakute ii. It overlaps with sekkaku's effort framing.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-tashika","cat":"C","romaji":"tashika","polite":null,"ja":"確か","english":"if I remember right","freqRank":702,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kke and tabun already hedge memory, and it's easy to confuse with the kept tashika ni.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-hakkiri","cat":"C","romaji":"hakkiri","polite":null,"ja":"はっきり","english":"clearly; plainly","freqRank":1033,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"#1033 and fairly narrow; chanto and yukkuri cover the learner's 'say it clearly' needs.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-futsuu-ni","cat":"C","romaji":"futsuu ni","polite":null,"ja":"普通に","english":"normally; just plain","freqRank":2185,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"futsuu is kept and futsuu ni is regular; the slang 'pretty' sense is optional.","coveredBy":"futsuu"},{"id":"C-tsui","cat":"C","romaji":"tsui","polite":null,"ja":"つい","english":"without meaning to","freqRank":914,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-chau already carries the 'oops, didn't mean to' sense; tsui only boosts it.","coveredBy":"-chau"},{"id":"C-minna-de","cat":"C","romaji":"minna de","polite":null,"ja":"みんなで","english":"all together","freqRank":111,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"minna plus de is regular, and issho ni does the 'together' job.","coveredBy":"minna; \"Together, alone, as is, without asking\" issho ni"},{"id":"C-igai-to","cat":"C","romaji":"igai to","polite":null,"ja":"意外と","english":"surprisingly","freqRank":798,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"omotta yori does the 'surprisingly' job (omotta yori oishii).","coveredBy":"omotta yori"},{"id":"C-zehi","cat":"C","romaji":"zehi","polite":null,"ja":"ぜひ","english":"by all means; definitely","freqRank":1143,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Invitations and eager yeses are already covered by -nai?, yokattara, ii ne and mochiron. #1143.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-dondon","cat":"C","romaji":"dondon","polite":null,"ja":"どんどん","english":"more and more; go ahead","freqRank":757,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Narrow; motto covers escalation, and 'dig in' is a host phrase.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-nantonaku","cat":"C","romaji":"nantonaku","polite":null,"ja":"何となく","english":"somehow; for no real reason","freqRank":2554,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Betsu ni already answers nande? with 'no particular reason'. Its frequency is low: #2554 kanji, #4044 kana.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-gyaku-ni","cat":"C","romaji":"gyaku ni","polite":null,"ja":"逆に","english":"on the contrary; conversely","freqRank":1144,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"#1144, an optional pivot; demo and -kedo carry contrast for a learner.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-jissai","cat":"C","romaji":"jissai","polite":null,"ja":"実際","english":"actually; in practice","freqRank":1110,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"#1110 and adds little beyond jitsu wa and honto ni.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-honki-de","cat":"C","romaji":"honki de","polite":null,"ja":"本気で","english":"seriously, in earnest","freqRank":559,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"maji de / hontou ni do the sincerity check (maji de?).","coveredBy":"\"Honestly, actually\" maji de / hontou ni"},{"id":"C-mushiro","cat":"C","romaji":"mushiro","polite":null,"ja":"むしろ","english":"rather; if anything","freqRank":1127,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"#1127, argument-flavoured; no hou ga and yori cover comparisons.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-tamatama","cat":"C","romaji":"tamatama","polite":null,"ja":"たまたま","english":"by chance","freqRank":1139,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Optional for coincidence stories, low spread, #1139. Gives little versatility per slot.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-tekitou-ni","cat":"C","romaji":"tekitou ni","polite":null,"ja":"適当に","english":"any old way; as you like","freqRank":1392,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rank #1392 for all uses of tekitou; it's a casual extra, and its 'sloppy' sense can mislead.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-wazato","cat":"C","romaji":"wazato","polite":null,"ja":"わざと","english":"on purpose","freqRank":1378,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Gomen and -ru tsumori ja nakatta already handle disputes about intent. #1378, low spread.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-isshoukenmei","cat":"C","romaji":"isshoukenmei","polite":null,"ja":"一生懸命","english":"with all one's effort","freqRank":1224,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ganbaru and ganbatte do the effort talk.","coveredBy":"ganbaru; ganbatte"},{"id":"C-somosomo","cat":"C","romaji":"somosomo","polite":null,"ja":"そもそも","english":"in the first place","freqRank":767,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Mostly heard in arguments; low need to say it.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-okashii","cat":"D","romaji":"okashii","polite":"okashii desu","ja":"おかしい","english":"strange, off, funny","freqRank":359,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"hen covers 'weird/off', omoshiroi covers 'funny'; would be a confusable near-duplicate of hen.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-raku","cat":"D","romaji":"raku","polite":"raku desu","ja":"楽","english":"easy, comfortable, effortless","freqRank":890,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"kantan and -yasui cover 'easy, low effort'; comfort sense is optional.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-furui","cat":"D","romaji":"furui","polite":"furui desu","ja":"古い","english":"old, outdated","freqRank":1126,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mukashi no and atarashiku nai roughly cover it; much lower rank than atarashii.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-mazui","cat":"D","romaji":"mazui","polite":"mazui desu","ja":"まずい","english":"tastes bad; bad situation","freqRank":922,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"\"Amazing & awful\" already teaches mazui desu as yabai's polite form; 'tastes bad' is oishikunai.","coveredBy":"yabai / mazui desu (Amazing & awful)"},{"id":"D-mendokusai","cat":"D","romaji":"mendokusai","polite":"mendou desu","ja":"面倒くさい","english":"a hassle, can't be bothered","freqRank":2750,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"iya and taihen already cover 'don't want to / a hassle' well enough.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-heta","cat":"D","romaji":"heta","polite":"heta desu","ja":"下手","english":"bad at, unskilled","freqRank":1475,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'jouzu ja nai' via the kept -ja nai pattern covers it.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-tokui","cat":"D","romaji":"tokui","polite":"tokui desu","ja":"得意","english":"good at (one's strength)","freqRank":1275,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"dekiru and suki cover own strengths; near-duplicate of jouzu.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-tsurai","cat":"D","romaji":"tsurai","polite":"tsurai desu","ja":"辛い","english":"painful, hard to bear","freqRank":568,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"taihen covers 'tough' in most uses; iya covers 'can't stand'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-kitsui","cat":"D","romaji":"kitsui","polite":"kitsui desu","ja":"きつい","english":"tough, demanding, tight","freqRank":1698,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"In casual speech, taihen does the 'that's rough, demanding' job.","coveredBy":"taihen (Easy & hard)"},{"id":"D-chikai","cat":"D","romaji":"chikai","polite":"chikai desu","ja":"近い","english":"near, close, soon","freqRank":751,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"sugu soko and mou sugu cover nearness in place and time well enough.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-tooi","cat":"D","romaji":"tooi","polite":"tooi desu","ja":"遠い","english":"far, distant","freqRank":1338,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Lower rank partner of chikai; neither needed for coverage.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-tekitou","cat":"D","romaji":"tekitou","polite":"tekitou desu","ja":"適当","english":"whatever works; sloppy","freqRank":1392,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-de ii and nandemo ii already cover 'whatever works'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-sabishii","cat":"D","romaji":"sabishii","polite":"sabishii desu","ja":"寂しい","english":"lonely, missing someone","freqRank":858,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Optional; zannen covers goodbye 'too bad'. Default false.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-kanashii","cat":"D","romaji":"kanashii","polite":"kanashii desu","ja":"悲しい","english":"sad","freqRank":1034,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Speakers use zannen or sabishii instead; kanashii leans toward narrative and drama.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"E-n-da-kedo","cat":"E","romaji":"-n da kedo","polite":"-n desu kedo / -n desu ga","ja":"んだけど","english":"(you see) ..., but / so","freqRank":20,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Already kept in F as the lead-in 'n da kedo'; the meaning is the same.","coveredBy":"n da kedo"},{"id":"E-dakedo","cat":"E","romaji":"dakedo","polite":"desu ga","ja":"だけど","english":"but; however","freqRank":192,"flags":[],"votes":2,"verdict":"covered","reason":"At the start of a sentence, demo does the job. Mid-sentence 'hima da kedo' is just -kedo after da.","coveredBy":"\"But\" demo, -kedo / desu kedo"},{"id":"E-tokoro-de","cat":"E","romaji":"tokoro de","polite":null,"ja":"ところで","english":"by the way","freqRank":581,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept sou ieba (#607, similar rank) already changes topic in casual talk; ato adds points.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"E-soretomo","cat":"E","romaji":"soretomo","polite":null,"ja":"それとも","english":"or (else)","freqRank":892,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'koohii ka ocha?' says the same thing with the kept -ka.","coveredBy":"\"Or / for example\" -ka"},{"id":"E-ka-dou-ka","cat":"E","romaji":"-ka dou ka","polite":null,"ja":"かどうか","english":"whether or not","freqRank":592,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Plain -ka already embeds questions (iku ka wakaranai); dou ka is easy to recognise from ka and dou.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"E-soshitara","cat":"E","romaji":"soshitara","polite":"sou shitara","ja":"そしたら","english":"then; and so","freqRank":557,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'And then' and 'in that case' are already handled by de/sorede, jaa and dattara.","coveredBy":"\"And then\" de / sorede, jaa; \"If-openers\" dattara"},{"id":"E-sore-demo","cat":"E","romaji":"sore demo","polite":null,"ja":"それでも","english":"even so; still","freqRank":506,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"demo is kept with the gloss 'even so'.","coveredBy":"\"But\" demo"},{"id":"E-tte-iu-ka","cat":"E","romaji":"tte iu ka","polite":"to iu ka","ja":"っていうか","english":"or rather; I mean","freqRank":948,"flags":[],"votes":2,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept -tte iu + -ka builds it, iya covers self-correction; also easy to confuse with kept nante iu ka.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"E-sore-ni","cat":"E","romaji":"sore ni","polite":null,"ja":"それに","english":"besides; on top of that","freqRank":1672,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-shi and ato already add another point. Also much rarer than shikamo (#1672).","coveredBy":"\"Because / so\" -shi; \"And then\" ato"},{"id":"E-tte-koto-wa","cat":"E","romaji":"tte koto wa","polite":"to iu koto wa","ja":"ってことは","english":"so that means","freqRank":1037,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"F's 'tte koto?' and tsumari already draw the inference.","coveredBy":"tte koto?; \"Talking about talk\" tsumari"},{"id":"E-tada","cat":"E","romaji":"tada","polite":null,"ja":"ただ","english":"but; the only thing is","freqRank":164,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"caveat after agreeing works with demo or -kedo. The #164 rank mostly counts 'just / free'.","coveredBy":"\"But\" demo, -kedo"},{"id":"E-sorekara","cat":"E","romaji":"sorekara","polite":null,"ja":"それから","english":"and then; after that","freqRank":2967,"flags":[],"votes":2,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Rare in dramas (#2967). de/sorede, -te kara and ato cover 'and then' and 'also'.","coveredBy":"\"And then\" de / sorede, ato; -te kara"},{"id":"E-soshite","cat":"E","romaji":"soshite","polite":null,"ja":"そして","english":"and; and then","freqRank":214,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Sounds like narration. In casual speech, de/sorede are the 'and then'.","coveredBy":"\"And then\" de / sorede"},{"id":"E-sore-to","cat":"E","romaji":"sore to","polite":null,"ja":"それと","english":"and also","freqRank":2009,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Does the same job as ato, 'oh, and; also'.","coveredBy":"\"And then\" ato"},{"id":"E-tonikaku","cat":"E","romaji":"tonikaku","polite":null,"ja":"とにかく","english":"anyway; at any rate","freqRank":362,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Already kept in C with the same function.","coveredBy":"tonikaku"},{"id":"E-sore-yori","cat":"E","romaji":"sore yori","polite":null,"ja":"それより","english":"more importantly; never mind that","freqRank":1146,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Built straight from the kept words sore and yori.","coveredBy":"sore; yori"},{"id":"E-dekireba","cat":"E","romaji":"dekireba","polite":null,"ja":"できれば","english":"if possible; ideally","freqRank":1403,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Already kept in C.","coveredBy":"dekireba"},{"id":"E-nanode","cat":"E","romaji":"nanode","polite":null,"ja":"なので","english":"so; therefore","freqRank":652,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Already kept in \"Because / so\" next to dakara.","coveredBy":"\"Because / so\" dakara / nanode"},{"id":"E-ja-nai-to","cat":"E","romaji":"ja nai to","polite":"de nai to","ja":"じゃないと","english":"otherwise; or else","freqRank":3720,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"It is -nai plus the kept -to: 'shinai to okureru' is built from items already on the list.","coveredBy":"\"If / even if\" -to; -nai, -ja nai"},{"id":"E-sei-de","cat":"E","romaji":"-sei de","polite":null,"ja":"せいで","english":"because of (blame)","freqRank":400,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Blame is covered by 'X ga warui'; plain cause by -de, -kara and -node.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"E-okage-de","cat":"E","romaji":"-okage de","polite":null,"ja":"おかげで","english":"thanks to","freqRank":634,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Credit and thanks work with arigatou and -te kureta kara; okage adds nuance, not a new intent.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"E-chinami-ni","cat":"E","romaji":"chinami ni","polite":null,"ja":"ちなみに","english":"by the way; for reference","freqRank":1381,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Narrow side remark you rarely need to say; sou ieba and ato already do enough.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"E-dakara-tte","cat":"E","romaji":"dakara tte","polite":"dakara to itte","ja":"だからって","english":"just because (of that)","freqRank":991,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"narrow way to argue back. Learners rarely need to say it.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"E-tatte","cat":"E","romaji":"-tatte","polite":"-te mo","ja":"たって","english":"even if (casual)","freqRank":1142,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"The casual twin of the kept -te mo. Recognise it, but no need to produce it.","coveredBy":"\"If / even if\" -te mo"},{"id":"E-kuse-ni","cat":"E","romaji":"-kuse ni","polite":null,"ja":"くせに","english":"even though (critical)","freqRank":648,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-noni does the 'even though' job without the accusing tone.","coveredBy":"\"But\" -noni"},{"id":"F-te-kureru","cat":"F","romaji":"-te kureru?","polite":"-te kuremasu ka","ja":"〜てくれる？","english":"will you (do it for me)?","freqRank":565,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-te kurenai? already gives the casual favour request; plain kureru? is the same move.","coveredBy":"-te kurenai? (Asking someone), -te kureru (Grammar patterns as vocabulary)"},{"id":"F-ta-hou-ga-ii","cat":"F","romaji":"-ta hou ga ii","polite":"-ta hou ga ii desu yo","ja":"〜た方がいい","english":"you'd better / should","freqRank":1025,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Same pattern already kept in grammar block I.","coveredBy":"-ta hou ga ii (Grammar patterns as vocabulary)"},{"id":"F-kara-final","cat":"F","romaji":"kara","polite":"-masu kara","ja":"から","english":"(so don't worry) / because","freqRank":14,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept -kara already says it; 'sugu modoru kara' is just the clause dropped. Teach it as an example sentence.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-kedo-final","cat":"F","romaji":"kedo","polite":"desu kedo / -masu ga","ja":"けど…","english":"...but (trailing off)","freqRank":37,"flags":[],"votes":2,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Trailing kedo is the kept -kedo stopped short; n da kedo already teaches the trail-off.","coveredBy":"-kedo (Connectors & conditionals), n da kedo (Explaining: n da)"},{"id":"F-ou-kana","cat":"F","romaji":"-ou kana","polite":"-ou ka to omoimasu","ja":"〜おうかな","english":"I think I'll (do)","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Built from kept -ou and kana; -ou to omou already covers 'I think I'll'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-n-da-tte","cat":"F","romaji":"n da tte","polite":"n desu tte","ja":"んだって","english":"apparently / I heard that","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Simply n da plus hearsay tte, both kept; decodes and composes directly.","coveredBy":"n da (Explaining: n da), tte (Seems / I heard)"},{"id":"F-ki-ga-suru","cat":"F","romaji":"ki ga suru","polite":"ki ga shimasu","ja":"気がする","english":"I have a feeling","freqRank":554,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Already kept as a verb phrase in H.","coveredBy":"ki ga suru (General verbs)"},{"id":"F-kamo-shirenai","cat":"F","romaji":"kamo shirenai","polite":"kamo shiremasen","ja":"かもしれない","english":"might / may be","freqRank":219,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Full form of kept kamo, whose polite form is already kamo shiremasen.","coveredBy":"kamo (How sure: endings)"},{"id":"F-ppoi","cat":"F","romaji":"-ppoi","polite":"-ppoi desu","ja":"〜っぽい","english":"-ish / seems kind of","freqRank":1525,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept mitai does the same 'seems / kind of' job; it would be a near-duplicate hedge.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-sou-da-hearsay","cat":"F","romaji":"sou da","polite":"sou desu","ja":"そうだ","english":"I heard that (hearsay)","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"The kept hearsay tte item already lists sou desu as its polite form.","coveredBy":"tte / sou desu (Seems / I heard)"},{"id":"F-te-yo","cat":"F","romaji":"-te yo","polite":"-te kudasai yo","ja":"〜てよ","english":"come on, (do it)!","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Just the kept -te request plus kept yo; tone is learnable from parts.","coveredBy":"-te (Asking someone), yo (Basic enders)"},{"id":"F-ou-yo","cat":"F","romaji":"-ou yo","polite":"-mashou yo","ja":"〜おうよ","english":"come on, let's!","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept volitional plus kept yo; nothing new to learn.","coveredBy":"-ou / -you (Let's, suggestions & plans), yo (Basic enders)"},{"id":"F-mon","cat":"F","romaji":"mon","polite":"n desu","ja":"もん","english":"because...! (excuse)","freqRank":188,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept datte and n da cover excuses and explanations; mon mostly adds a sulky tone.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-noni-final","cat":"F","romaji":"noni","polite":"-mashita noni","ja":"のに","english":"even though... (if only)","freqRank":95,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Same 'even though / and yet' meaning as the kept connector, clause dropped.","coveredBy":"-noni (Connectors & conditionals)"},{"id":"F-yotei","cat":"F","romaji":"yotei","polite":"yotei desu","ja":"予定","english":"planned / scheduled to","freqRank":843,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept hima?, tsumori and -ou to omou already cover asking about and stating plans.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-you-da","cat":"F","romaji":"you da","polite":"you desu","ja":"ようだ","english":"it seems (formal)","freqRank":1583,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Formal counterpart of mitai; casual learner gets the same job from mitai.","coveredBy":"mitai (Seems / I heard)"},{"id":"F-hazu-ga-nai","cat":"F","romaji":"hazu ga nai","polite":"hazu ga arimasen","ja":"はずがない","english":"can't possibly be","freqRank":346,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept hazu plus nai composes it directly (sonna hazu nai).","coveredBy":"hazu (How sure: endings)"},{"id":"F-nai-kana","cat":"F","romaji":"-nai kana","polite":"-nai deshou ka","ja":"〜ないかな","english":"I wish (it would)","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Narrow wishful use; low spread and speak need.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-no-yo","cat":"F","romaji":"no yo","polite":"n desu yo","ja":"のよ","english":"it's that... (feminine)","freqRank":null,"flags":["fem"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Feminine variant of the explanatory ending; n da yo and no do the job.","coveredBy":"n da yo (More enders), no? (Explaining: n da)"},{"id":"F-tteba","cat":"F","romaji":"tteba","polite":"-tte itte iru n desu","ja":"ってば","english":"I said...! (insisting)","freqRank":2263,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Casual-only exasperation, rank 2263; narrow.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-nasai","cat":"F","romaji":"-nasai","polite":"-te kudasai","ja":"〜なさい","english":"do it (parent/teacher)","freqRank":796,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Parent/teacher command; bare form rare (#11203) and bossy to produce.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-te-kure","cat":"F","romaji":"-te kure","polite":"-te kudasai","ja":"〜てくれ","english":"do it (for me)","freqRank":2829,"flags":["masc"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Masculine, rank 2829; -te and -te kurenai? cover requests.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-ze","cat":"F","romaji":"ze","polite":"-mashou yo","ja":"ぜ","english":"let's go! / you bet","freqRank":614,"flags":["rough","masc"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rough masculine ender; recognition only, not for production.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-imperative-ro-e","cat":"F","romaji":"-ro / -e","polite":"-te kudasai","ja":"〜ろ／〜え","english":"do it! (command)","freqRank":null,"flags":["rough","masc"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Verb root plus tone gives the meaning; -te covers requests; never needed in speech.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-na-prohibitive","cat":"F","romaji":"-na","polite":"-naide kudasai","ja":"〜な","english":"don't! (blunt)","freqRank":null,"flags":["rough","masc"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rough, mostly male (ki ni suru na); -naide covers it, and drama-weighted rather than weekly.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-ka-yo","cat":"F","romaji":"ka yo","polite":"n desu ka","ja":"かよ","english":"seriously?! (incredulous)","freqRank":2506,"flags":["rough"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rough, rank 2506; maji? and uso cover the reaction.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-ssu","cat":"F","romaji":"ssu","polite":"desu","ja":"っす","english":"desu (junior slang)","freqRank":666,"flags":["slang","masc"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Junior male slang for desu; recognition only.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-choudai","cat":"F","romaji":"choudai","polite":"kudasai","ja":"ちょうだい","english":"give me / please (sweet)","freqRank":1087,"flags":["fem"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Feminine/childlike request; -te and -te kurenai? cover it.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-kansai-ya-nen","cat":"F","romaji":"ya / yan / nen","polite":"desu / ja nai desu ka / n desu","ja":"や／やん／ねん","english":"Kansai da / jan / n da","freqRank":1690,"flags":["kansai"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Regional dialect bundle; out of scope for a standard casual list.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-kai-dai","cat":"F","romaji":"kai / dai","polite":"desu ka","ja":"かい／だい","english":"? (soft masculine question)","freqRank":653,"flags":["masc","dated"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Dated masculine question style.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"F-kashira","cat":"F","romaji":"kashira","polite":"deshou ka","ja":"かしら","english":"I wonder (feminine)","freqRank":41769,"flags":["fem","dated"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rank 41769; dated feminine kana.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-daijoubu","cat":"G","romaji":"daijoubu","polite":"daijoubu desu","ja":"大丈夫","english":"I'm fine / no thanks","freqRank":76,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Same word is kept in D with both the 'fine' and 'no thanks' uses.","coveredBy":"daijoubu (Versatile adjectives)"},{"id":"G-sugoi","cat":"G","romaji":"sugoi","polite":"sugoi desu","ja":"すごい","english":"wow, amazing","freqRank":114,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept in D; the reaction use is the same word.","coveredBy":"sugoi (Versatile adjectives)"},{"id":"G-da-yo-ne","cat":"G","romaji":"da yo ne","polite":"desu yo ne","ja":"だよね","english":"right?! exactly","freqRank":547,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Built from kept yo ne plus sou da ne; strong agreement is already sayable.","coveredBy":"yo ne (Sentence endings & intent), sou da ne (Replies with sou)"},{"id":"G-mata-ne","cat":"G","romaji":"mata ne","polite":"dewa, mata","ja":"またね","english":"see you later","freqRank":33862,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"jaa ne plus kept mata gives 'jaa, mata ne' directly.","coveredBy":"jaa ne (Hello and goodbye), mata (Time & sequence)"},{"id":"G-sou-sou","cat":"G","romaji":"sou sou","polite":"sou desu sou desu","ja":"そうそう","english":"yes, exactly","freqRank":627,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Just sou doubled for emphasis; nothing new to learn.","coveredBy":"sou (Replies with sou)"},{"id":"G-ja-nakute","cat":"G","romaji":"ja nakute","polite":null,"ja":"じゃなくて","english":"I mean, not X but","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept -ja nai plus -kute/-de already produce 'ja nakute'; chigau handles the correction.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-ii-ya","cat":"G","romaji":"ii ya","polite":"ii desu","ja":"いいや","english":"never mind / I'll pass","freqRank":2487,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Declining and dropping a topic already work with daijoubu and chotto...","coveredBy":"daijoubu (Versatile adjectives), chotto... (Accepting and declining)"},{"id":"G-dame","cat":"G","romaji":"dame","polite":"dame desu","ja":"ダメ","english":"no! not allowed","freqRank":596,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept in D; the exclamation is the same word.","coveredBy":"dame (Versatile adjectives)"},{"id":"G-zannen","cat":"G","romaji":"zannen","polite":"zannen desu","ja":"残念","english":"what a shame","freqRank":682,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept in D; 'zannen' as a reaction is the same word.","coveredBy":"zannen (Versatile adjectives)"},{"id":"G-ryoukai","cat":"G","romaji":"ryoukai","polite":"ryoukai desu","ja":"了解","english":"roger, understood","freqRank":1204,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"wakatta does the same acknowledgement and is safer with anyone.","coveredBy":"wakatta (Got it / say again)"},{"id":"G-mochiron","cat":"G","romaji":"mochiron","polite":"mochiron desu","ja":"もちろん","english":"of course","freqRank":264,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept in C; it already works as a standalone reply.","coveredBy":"mochiron (Stance, attitude & manner)"},{"id":"G-masaka","cat":"G","romaji":"masaka","polite":null,"ja":"まさか","english":"no way, surely not","freqRank":260,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept in C; the reaction use is the same word.","coveredBy":"masaka (Stance, attitude & manner)"},{"id":"G-dou-shiyou","cat":"G","romaji":"dou shiyou","polite":"dou shimashou","ja":"どうしよう","english":"what do I do?","freqRank":655,"flags":[],"votes":2,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Built from kept dou + suru + -ou/-you, and -ou ka covers 'shall I'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-ii-na","cat":"G","romaji":"ii na","polite":"ii desu ne","ja":"いいな","english":"lucky you, I'm jealous","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":2,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ii plus naa says exactly 'lucky you'; worth an example sentence, not a card.","coveredBy":"ii (Versatile adjectives), naa (Sentence endings & intent)"},{"id":"G-taihen-da-ne","cat":"G","romaji":"taihen da ne","polite":"taihen desu ne","ja":"大変だね","english":"that sounds rough","freqRank":224,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"taihen plus da ne, all kept; the sympathy reply comes for free.","coveredBy":"taihen (Versatile adjectives), sou da ne (Replies with sou)"},{"id":"G-ki-ni-shinaide","cat":"G","romaji":"ki ni shinaide","polite":"ki ni shinaide kudasai","ja":"気にしないで","english":"don't worry about it","freqRank":2867,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ii yo and daijoubu already answer gomen; this is a nicer synonym.","coveredBy":"ii yo (Accepting and declining), daijoubu (Versatile adjectives)"},{"id":"G-a","cat":"G","romaji":"a!","polite":null,"ja":"あっ","english":"oh! (noticing)","freqRank":69,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"aa already covers 'oh!' noticing and remembering; the difference is just length.","coveredBy":"aa (Showing interest)"},{"id":"G-ee-aww","cat":"G","romaji":"ee","polite":null,"ja":"えー","english":"aww, ehh?! (protest)","freqRank":383,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Drawn-out e?; tone carries the protest, no separate card needed.","coveredBy":"e? (Surprise)"},{"id":"G-maji","cat":"G","romaji":"maji?","polite":"hontou desu ka","ja":"マジ？","english":"seriously?","freqRank":477,"flags":["slang","casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"honto? and kept maji de already give 'really? seriously?'.","coveredBy":"honto? (Surprise), maji de (Stance, attitude & manner)"},{"id":"G-yatta","cat":"G","romaji":"yatta","polite":null,"ja":"やった","english":"yay! I did it","freqRank":931,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept yokatta, ureshii and saikou already express delight; the literal sense comes from yaru + -ta.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-ie-ie","cat":"G","romaji":"ie ie","polite":null,"ja":"いえいえ","english":"no no, not at all","freqRank":1047,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"iie said twice; kept iie already deflects thanks and apologies.","coveredBy":"iie (Yes and no)"},{"id":"G-shitsurei-shimasu","cat":"G","romaji":"shitsurei shimasu","polite":null,"ja":"失礼します","english":"excuse me (entering/leaving)","freqRank":318,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Already kept as the polite form of jaa ne.","coveredBy":"jaa ne / shitsurei shimasu (Hello and goodbye)"},{"id":"G-tadaima","cat":"G","romaji":"tadaima","polite":null,"ja":"ただいま","english":"I'm home","freqRank":479,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Home-only ritual; produced only when living with Japanese people.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-okaeri","cat":"G","romaji":"okaeri","polite":"okaeri nasai","ja":"おかえり","english":"welcome back","freqRank":1014,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Reply to tadaima; home-only ritual, recognised instantly.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-itte-kimasu","cat":"G","romaji":"itte kimasu","polite":null,"ja":"行ってきます","english":"I'm off, see you","freqRank":1800,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Leaving-home ritual; narrow to household life.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-itterasshai","cat":"G","romaji":"itterasshai","polite":null,"ja":"行ってらっしゃい","english":"see you, take care","freqRank":1460,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Seeing-off ritual; narrow to household life.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-ojama-shimasu","cat":"G","romaji":"ojama shimasu","polite":null,"ja":"お邪魔します","english":"sorry to intrude (entering)","freqRank":2393,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Only for entering someone's home; narrow and lower frequency (#2393).","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-konbanwa","cat":"G","romaji":"konbanwa","polite":null,"ja":"こんばんは","english":"good evening","freqRank":1334,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Near-duplicate of kept konnichiwa; friends skip it, so the gap is small.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-mieru","cat":"H","romaji":"mieru","polite":"miemasu","ja":"見える","english":"be visible; seem","freqRank":189,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mitai and -sou cover appearance; miru plus the potential pattern covers can-you-see.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-tasukaru","cat":"H","romaji":"tasukaru","polite":"tasukarimasu","ja":"助かる","english":"be a big help; be saved","freqRank":542,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"arigatou already thanks for favours; tasukaru only adds warmth.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-yasumu","cat":"H","romaji":"yasumu","polite":"yasumimasu","ja":"休む","english":"rest; take time off","freqRank":584,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"yukkuri shite covers rest; ikanai and hima cover days off.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kamawanai","cat":"H","romaji":"kamawanai","polite":"kamaimasen","ja":"構わない","english":"don't mind; it's fine","freqRank":3272,"flags":["needs-negative"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ii yo, daijoubu and -te mo ii already handle 'that's fine'. #3272 is rare.","coveredBy":"ii yo, daijoubu, -te mo ii"},{"id":"H-mitsukeru","cat":"H","romaji":"mitsukeru","polite":"mitsukemasu","ja":"見つける","english":"find","freqRank":311,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"atta! / kagi atta? (kept aru) is the natural found-it; sagasu covers searching.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-tsuzukeru","cat":"H","romaji":"tsuzukeru","polite":"tsuzukemasu","ja":"続ける","english":"continue; keep going","freqRank":294,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"zutto / mada yatteru and yamenaide cover keeping going.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-omoidasu","cat":"H","romaji":"omoidasu","polite":"omoidashimasu","ja":"思い出す","english":"recall; remember (suddenly)","freqRank":424,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"wasureta, kke and oboeteru? cover recall and tip-of-the-tongue moments.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-hataraku","cat":"H","romaji":"hataraku","polite":"hatarakimasu","ja":"働く","english":"work (at a job)","freqRank":361,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Job talk is topical; shigoto shiteru and nani shiteru? cover it via suru.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kanjiru","cat":"H","romaji":"kanjiru","polite":"kanjimasu","ja":"感じる","english":"feel; sense","freqRank":366,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ki ga suru and to omou already carry impressions about anything.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-mitsukaru","cat":"H","romaji":"mitsukaru","polite":"mitsukarimasu","ja":"見つかる","english":"be found; turn up","freqRank":445,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"aru covers it: atta? / nai handle found or missing items.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-tomaru","cat":"H","romaji":"tomaru","polite":"tomarimasu","ja":"止まる","english":"stop (by itself)","freqRank":776,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"yameru covers stopping activities; stopping devices and staying over are narrow.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kikoeru","cat":"H","romaji":"kikoeru","polite":"kikoemasu","ja":"聞こえる","english":"be audible; sound like","freqRank":472,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mou ikkai, nante? and wakannai already handle not-hearing repairs on calls.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-ki-ni-iru","cat":"H","romaji":"ki ni iru","polite":"ki ni irimasu","ja":"気に入る","english":"take a liking to","freqRank":889,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"suki already covers liking something you got or saw.","coveredBy":"suki"},{"id":"H-niau","cat":"H","romaji":"niau","polite":"niaimasu","ja":"似合う","english":"suit; look good on","freqRank":941,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ii ne and kawaii carry the compliment; niau is limited to clothes and looks.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-volitional","cat":"I","romaji":"-ou / -you","polite":"-mashou","ja":"〜おう／〜よう","english":"let's / I'll (volitional)","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Already kept in sentence endings as the let's form.","coveredBy":"-ou / -you (let's (do)), -ou ka / -you ka"},{"id":"I-tsumori","cat":"I","romaji":"-tsumori","polite":"-tsumori desu","ja":"〜つもり","english":"intend to, plan to","freqRank":208,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept in sentence endings with the same job.","coveredBy":"tsumori (intend to / plan to)"},{"id":"I-ou-to-omou","cat":"I","romaji":"-ou to omou","polite":"-ou to omoimasu","ja":"〜おうと思う","english":"I'm thinking of -ing","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept in sentence endings word for word.","coveredBy":"-ou / -you to omou (I'm thinking of (doing))"},{"id":"I-naide","cat":"I","romaji":"-naide","polite":"-naide kudasai","ja":"〜ないで","english":"without -ing; don't","freqRank":3426,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Both senses are already kept: the request and 'without doing'.","coveredBy":"-naide (don't... (casual request)), -naide (without doing)"},{"id":"I-koto-ni-naru","cat":"I","romaji":"-koto ni naru","polite":"-koto ni narimasu","ja":"〜ことになる","english":"it's been decided that","freqRank":388,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Noun + kept -ni naru already reports outcomes (tenkin ni natta, chuushi ni natta); wake da covers 'so that means'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-koto-ni-suru","cat":"I","romaji":"-koto ni suru","polite":"-koto ni shimasu","ja":"〜ことにする","english":"decide to","freqRank":886,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept -ni suru, kimeru ('yameru tte kimeta'), -ou to omou and tsumori already announce decisions.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-te-yokatta","cat":"I","romaji":"-te yokatta","polite":"-te yokatta desu","ja":"〜てよかった","english":"glad that","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept -te (so) plus kept yokatta builds it correctly; near-duplicate of -te kurete arigatou's frame.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-te-gomen","cat":"I","romaji":"-te gomen","polite":"-te sumimasen","ja":"〜てごめん","english":"sorry for -ing","freqRank":154,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Naive combination of kept -te and gomen already gives the correct 'okurete gomen'; no gap.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-nai-to","cat":"I","romaji":"-nai to","polite":"-nai to ikemasen","ja":"〜ないと","english":"have to (or else)","freqRank":9425,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Near-synonym of kept -nakya; -nai plus kept -to makes it recognisable when heard.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-koto-ga-dekiru","cat":"I","romaji":"-koto ga dekiru","polite":"-koto ga dekimasu","ja":"〜ことができる","english":"be able to","freqRank":656,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Casual speech uses the potential form, which is kept, for ability.","coveredBy":"\"Want, can, have done\" -eru / -rareru (can (do))"},{"id":"I-tame-ni","cat":"I","romaji":"-tame ni","polite":null,"ja":"ために","english":"in order to; for","freqRank":124,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Already kept among connectors.","coveredBy":"-tame ni (in order to; for)"},{"id":"I-yotei","cat":"I","romaji":"-yotei","polite":"-yotei desu","ja":"〜予定","english":"plan to, scheduled to","freqRank":843,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept tsumori already covers 'plan to'; the noun 'plans' is closer to a topic word.","coveredBy":"tsumori (intend to / plan to)"},{"id":"I-ba-ii","cat":"I","romaji":"-ba ii","polite":"-ba ii desu","ja":"〜ばいい","english":"should just; I wish","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Near-twin with the same job: dou shitara ii? covers dou sureba ii?","coveredBy":"\"Advice\" -tara ii (should I / you could)"},{"id":"I-nakucha","cat":"I","romaji":"-nakucha","polite":"-nakucha ikemasen","ja":"〜なくちゃ","english":"have to, must","freqRank":9360,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Second contraction of the same obligation as the kept -nakya.","coveredBy":"\"May and must\" -nakya (have to, must)"},{"id":"I-hajimeru","cat":"I","romaji":"-hajimeru","polite":"-hajimemasu","ja":"〜始める","english":"start -ing","freqRank":330,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept -te kuru (start to) and main verb hajimeru already express onset; confusable overlap.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-ba-yokatta","cat":"I","romaji":"-ba yokatta","polite":"-ba yokatta desu","ja":"〜ばよかった","english":"should have","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Past of kept -ta hou ga ii ('kiita hou ga yokatta') already expresses regret naturally.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-causative","cat":"I","romaji":"-aseru / -saseru","polite":"-asemasu / -sasemasu","ja":"〜せる／〜させる","english":"make / let do","freqRank":851,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Overlaps -sasete, which carries the causative's main conversational payoff; adding both creates a near-duplicate.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-tari-suru","cat":"I","romaji":"-tari suru","polite":"-tari shimasu","ja":"〜たりする","english":"things like -ing","freqRank":2470,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Already kept among connectors.","coveredBy":"-tari ... -tari suru (doing things like ... and ...)"},{"id":"I-you-ni-suru","cat":"I","romaji":"-you ni suru","polite":"-you ni shimasu","ja":"〜ようにする","english":"make sure to","freqRank":903,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Confusable with kept -you ni naru; -tame ni and itsumo cover purpose and habits well enough.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-owaru","cat":"I","romaji":"-owaru","polite":"-owarimasu","ja":"〜終わる","english":"finish -ing","freqRank":190,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"In conversation the plain past or mou ... -ta usually does this job.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-te-aru","cat":"I","romaji":"-te aru","polite":"-te arimasu","ja":"〜てある","english":"has been done (deliberately)","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-teru covers result states and -toku covers deliberate preparation; you rarely need to say it yourself.","coveredBy":"\"Doing and done\" -teru (is in a state), \"Doing and done\" -toku (do in advance)"},{"id":"I-ou-to-suru","cat":"I","romaji":"-ou to suru","polite":"-ou to shimasu","ja":"〜おうとする","english":"try to; be about to","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Mostly used in storytelling; -te miru and -tokoro cover trying and 'about to'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-doushite","cat":"J","romaji":"doushite","polite":null,"ja":"どうして","english":"why; how come","freqRank":170,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Already kept: \"Question words\" lists nande / doushite together.","coveredBy":"\"Question words\" nande / doushite"},{"id":"J-ano-hito","cat":"J","romaji":"ano hito","polite":null,"ja":"あの人","english":"that person; he / she","freqRank":60,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Composes from kept ano + hito; worth adding 'ano hito = he/she' to the hito gloss.","coveredBy":"\"this/that + noun\" ano + \"Person, thing, matter, place\" hito"},{"id":"J-nanka","cat":"J","romaji":"nanka","polite":null,"ja":"なんか","english":"something (casual)","freqRank":72,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Casual contraction of kept nanika; the filler sense is already in G.","coveredBy":"\"Something, someone\" nanika; nanka"},{"id":"J-nante","cat":"J","romaji":"nante","polite":"nan to","ja":"何て","english":"what (was said / to say)","freqRank":834,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Both uses are already kept as G phrases.","coveredBy":"nante?; nihongo de nante iu?"},{"id":"J-yatsu","cat":"J","romaji":"yatsu","polite":"mono","ja":"やつ","english":"the one; thing; guy","freqRank":250,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mono, hito and the -no nominaliser already cover 'the X one' and 'that person'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-kou-iu","cat":"J","romaji":"kou iu","polite":null,"ja":"こういう","english":"this kind of","freqRank":281,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"kou iu no and konna no do the same job; konna is kept.","coveredBy":"\"What kind\" konna; \"How / this way\" kou"},{"id":"J-dore-kurai","cat":"J","romaji":"dore kurai","polite":null,"ja":"どれくらい","english":"how much; how long","freqRank":4551,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Built from kept dore plus gurai; answers need numbers, which are out of scope.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-docchi-demo","cat":"J","romaji":"docchi demo","polite":"dochira demo","ja":"どっちでも","english":"either one (is fine)","freqRank":null,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Follows directly from dotchi plus the kept nandemo/dokodemo pattern.","coveredBy":"\"this/that: ways & sides\" dotchi + \"Anything, anyone\" -demo series"},{"id":"J-kono-hen","cat":"J","romaji":"kono hen","polite":"kono atari","ja":"この辺","english":"around here; about this much","freqRank":1367,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"koko covers 'around here'; hen would also clash with the kept hen 'weird'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-ikutsu","cat":"J","romaji":"ikutsu","polite":"oikutsu","ja":"いくつ","english":"how many; how old","freqRank":1556,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Answers need numbers and counters, which are out of scope; #1556.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-chan","cat":"J","romaji":"-chan","polite":"-san","ja":"〜ちゃん","english":"(affectionate name suffix)","freqRank":138,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-san covers name suffixes in speech; -chan is easy to tell from context.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-kun","cat":"J","romaji":"-kun","polite":"-san","ja":"〜君","english":"(name suffix: boys, juniors)","freqRank":333,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Narrower than -chan (boys, juniors); -san always works, and -kun is obvious when heard.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-ore","cat":"J","romaji":"ore","polite":"watashi","ja":"俺","english":"I (male, casual)","freqRank":44,"flags":["masc","casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Near-synonym of kept watashi; a blunt male register variant with no new meaning.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-anata","cat":"J","romaji":"anata","polite":null,"ja":"あなた","english":"you","freqRank":68,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Name plus -san and sotchi ('you') already do the job; anata is better avoided in speech.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-kare","cat":"J","romaji":"kare","polite":null,"ja":"彼","english":"he; boyfriend","freqRank":282,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Names or ano hito do 'he'; the boyfriend sense is topic vocabulary.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-kanojo","cat":"J","romaji":"kanojo","polite":null,"ja":"彼女","english":"she; girlfriend","freqRank":273,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Same as kare: ano hito does 'she', and 'girlfriend' is topic vocabulary.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-sonna-ni","cat":"J","romaji":"sonna ni","polite":null,"ja":"そんなに","english":"(not) that much","freqRank":2089,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"anmari covers 'not that much'; sonna plus honto? cover the pushback.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-nan-no","cat":"J","romaji":"nan no","polite":null,"ja":"何の","english":"of what; what kind of","freqRank":478,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Regular nani + no; nothing new to learn.","coveredBy":"\"Question words\" nani"},{"id":"J-naze","cat":"J","romaji":"naze","polite":null,"ja":"なぜ","english":"why (formal)","freqRank":409,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Formal 'why'; nande / doushite are already kept for conversation.","coveredBy":"\"Question words\" nande / doushite"},{"id":"J-kimi","cat":"J","romaji":"kimi","polite":"anata","ja":"君","english":"you (familiar)","freqRank":173,"flags":["masc","casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Used in songs and to juniors; masculine and risky to say. Recognition only.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-aa-iu","cat":"J","romaji":"aa iu","polite":null,"ja":"ああいう","english":"that kind of (we know)","freqRank":1183,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Means the same as kept anna, and is less frequent (#1183).","coveredBy":"\"What kind\" anna"},{"id":"J-atashi","cat":"J","romaji":"atashi","polite":"watashi","ja":"あたし","english":"I (female, casual)","freqRank":4312,"flags":["fem","casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Casual female variant of watashi; easy to recognise and optional to use.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-aitsu","cat":"J","romaji":"aitsu","polite":"ano hito","ja":"あいつ","english":"that guy / her (blunt)","freqRank":251,"flags":["rough","casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rough, and rude about outsiders. Mostly recognition; ano hito is the safe form.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-ittai","cat":"J","romaji":"ittai","polite":null,"ja":"一体","english":"(what / who) on earth","freqRank":819,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Emphatic 'on earth'; heard more than said, and not needed to ask anything.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-otagai","cat":"J","romaji":"otagai","polite":null,"ja":"お互い","english":"each other; mutual","freqRank":817,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Narrow (#817); mostly in set phrases like otagai-sama.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-omae","cat":"J","romaji":"omae","polite":"anata","ja":"お前","english":"you (rough, male)","freqRank":65,"flags":["rough","masc","casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rough male 'you'; insulting if misused. Recognition only, and drama inflates its count.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-anta","cat":"J","romaji":"anta","polite":"anata","ja":"あんた","english":"you (blunt)","freqRank":176,"flags":["rough","casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Blunt 'you'; don't produce it. Recognition only.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-oku","cat":"H","romaji":"oku","polite":"okimasu","ja":"置く","english":"put, place, leave (somewhere)","freqRank":369,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-toku and sono mama cover leaving things; placing objects is a narrow job.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-ma-ni-au","cat":"H","romaji":"ma ni au","polite":"ma ni aimasu","ja":"間に合う","english":"be in time; be enough (ma ni atteru = I'm fine, thanks)","freqRank":904,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"jikan daijoubu? and -made ni cover deadlines; daijoubu desu covers declining.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-warau","cat":"H","romaji":"warau","polite":"waraimasu","ja":"笑う","english":"laugh; smile; laugh at","freqRank":377,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"omoshiroi carries the funny reaction; laughing as a story event is optional.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-naku","cat":"H","romaji":"naku","polite":"nakimasu","ja":"泣く","english":"cry","freqRank":407,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Story verb; kept feeling words (zannen, ureshii, kowai) carry emotion talk without it.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kizuku","cat":"H","romaji":"kizuku","polite":"kizukimasu","ja":"気づく","english":"notice, realise","freqRank":1083,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"shiranakatta and ima wakatta already cover not noticing and realising.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-nareru","cat":"H","romaji":"nareru","polite":"naremasu","ja":"慣れる","english":"get used to","freqRank":946,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mou daijoubu and -you ni natta paraphrase getting used to well enough.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-akirameru","cat":"H","romaji":"akirameru","polite":"akiramemasu","ja":"諦める","english":"give up","freqRank":533,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"yameru covers giving up; ganbatte and yamenaide cover don't give up.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kariru","cat":"H","romaji":"kariru","polite":"karimasu","ja":"借りる","english":"borrow","freqRank":673,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Same job as kasu, covered by tsukatte ii? and motte itte ii?","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-yobu","cat":"H","romaji":"yobu","polite":"yobimasu","ja":"呼ぶ","english":"call (over / by a name); invite; send for","freqRank":204,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"X-san de ii? and iu ('call') cover naming; -nai? covers inviting.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-okuru","cat":"H","romaji":"okuru","polite":"okurimasu","ja":"送る","english":"send; see off, give a lift","freqRank":324,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"renraku suru and noun + suru (meeru suru) cover sending messages.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-shiraberu","cat":"H","romaji":"shiraberu","polite":"shirabemasu","ja":"調べる","english":"look up, check, find out","freqRank":459,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mite miru and sagashite miru cover looking things up.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-niteru","cat":"H","romaji":"niteru","polite":"nitemasu","ja":"似てる","english":"look like, resemble","freqRank":497,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"X mitai already says looks like X; onaji and chigau cover comparisons.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-isogu","cat":"H","romaji":"isogu","polite":"isogimasu","ja":"急ぐ","english":"hurry","freqRank":733,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"hayaku already covers 'hurry up' in casual speech.","coveredBy":"hayaku"},{"id":"H-shinjiru","cat":"H","romaji":"shinjiru","polite":"shinjimasu","ja":"信じる","english":"believe (shinjirarenai = I can't believe it)","freqRank":266,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Drama inflates its rank. Disbelief reactions are covered by uso, honto? and maji de.","coveredBy":"uso, honto?, maji de"},{"id":"H-tsutaeru","cat":"H","romaji":"tsutaeru","polite":"tsutaemasu","ja":"伝える","english":"pass on (a message), tell, convey","freqRank":317,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"itte oku (iu + -toku) already says I'll pass it on.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-erabu","cat":"H","romaji":"erabu","polite":"erabimasu","ja":"選ぶ","english":"choose, pick","freqRank":378,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Choosing is handled by kimeru and -ni suru (dore ni suru?).","coveredBy":"kimeru, -ni suru"},{"id":"H-nakunaru","cat":"H","romaji":"nakunaru","polite":"nakunarimasu","ja":"なくなる","english":"run out; disappear, go missing","freqRank":397,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mou nai (kept aru) covers running out and missing items.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-ochitsuku","cat":"H","romaji":"ochitsuku","polite":"ochitsukimasu","ja":"落ち着く","english":"calm down; settle; feel at ease","freqRank":428,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"daijoubu and yukkuri de ii cover calming someone; not needed for basic talk.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-tasukeru","cat":"H","romaji":"tasukeru","polite":"tasukemasu","ja":"助ける","english":"help, save, rescue","freqRank":357,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rank inflated by rescue scenes in drama. tetsudau handles everyday help.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kimaru","cat":"H","romaji":"kimaru","polite":"kimarimasu","ja":"決まる","english":"be decided ('kimatta?' = decided yet?)","freqRank":335,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"kimeta? from kept kimeru does the same job.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-makaseru","cat":"H","romaji":"makaseru","polite":"makasemasu","ja":"任せる","english":"leave it to (someone) (makasete = leave it to me)","freqRank":507,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"watashi ga yaru yo covers taking it on; makasete is flavour, not a gap.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-soudan-suru","cat":"H","romaji":"soudan suru","polite":"soudan shimasu","ja":"相談する","english":"talk over, ask advice","freqRank":560,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"chotto ii? plus n da kedo already opens problem talk.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-dekakeru","cat":"H","romaji":"dekakeru","polite":"dekakemasu","ja":"出かける","english":"go out (somewhere)","freqRank":1420,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Going out is covered by deru and iku. #1420.","coveredBy":"deru, iku"},{"id":"H-tsukiau","cat":"H","romaji":"tsukiau","polite":"tsukiaimasu","ja":"付き合う","english":"keep someone company; go out with (date)","freqRank":1341,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"issho ni kite covers keeping company; dating is a narrow topic.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-junbi-suru","cat":"H","romaji":"junbi suru","polite":"junbi shimasu","ja":"準備する","english":"prepare, get ready","freqRank":532,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"dekita? (kept dekiru: be ready) already asks if someone is ready.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-gaman-suru","cat":"H","romaji":"gaman suru","polite":"gaman shimasu","ja":"我慢する","english":"put up with, hold back, endure","freqRank":891,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mou muri covers can't take it; enduring is optional.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-enryo-suru","cat":"H","romaji":"enryo suru","polite":"enryo shimasu","ja":"遠慮する","english":"hold back; politely decline (enryo shinaide = don't be shy)","freqRank":1349,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"douzo and ii yo cover hosting; chotto... covers polite declining.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kowareru","cat":"H","romaji":"kowareru","polite":"kowaremasu","ja":"壊れる","english":"break, be broken","freqRank":1363,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"dame ni natta and hen da cover broken things; tied to objects.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-naosu","cat":"H","romaji":"naosu","polite":"naoshimasu","ja":"直す","english":"fix, repair; correct","freqRank":1302,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"machigatteta? oshiete covers asking for correction; repairs are object-bound.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-tanoshimu","cat":"H","romaji":"tanoshimu","polite":"tanoshimimasu","ja":"楽しむ","english":"enjoy","freqRank":713,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"tanoshii already covers enjoyment talk, and tanoshinde is a minor send-off.","coveredBy":"tanoshii"},{"id":"H-mayou","cat":"H","romaji":"mayou","polite":"mayoimasu","ja":"迷う","english":"can't decide, be torn; get lost","freqRank":1082,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"dotchi ni shiyou kana (ni suru + -ou + kana) covers indecision.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kinchou-suru","cat":"H","romaji":"kinchou suru","polite":"kinchou shimasu","ja":"緊張する","english":"be nervous","freqRank":1107,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"shinpai and kowai cover nervousness well enough.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-tsuujiru","cat":"H","romaji":"tsuujiru","polite":"tsuujimasu","ja":"通じる","english":"get across, be understood; connect","freqRank":1733,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"wakaru? / wakatta? handle checking understanding. #1733.","coveredBy":"wakaru"},{"id":"H-aiteru","cat":"H","romaji":"aiteru","polite":"aite imasu","ja":"空いてる","english":"be free (time); be vacant/open","freqRank":1498,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"hima? covers 'are you free'. The vacant-seat sense is narrow.","coveredBy":"hima"},{"id":"H-kyoumi-ga-aru","cat":"H","romaji":"kyoumi ga aru","polite":"kyoumi ga arimasu","ja":"興味がある","english":"be interested (in)","freqRank":998,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ki ni naru and suki cover interest in hobbies and plans.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-nemui","cat":"D","romaji":"nemui","polite":"nemui desu","ja":"眠い","english":"sleepy","freqRank":2976,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"tsukareta (kept tsukareru) covers the tired excuse; low drama rank.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-benri","cat":"D","romaji":"benri","polite":"benri desu","ja":"便利","english":"convenient, handy","freqRank":3369,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ii and kantan cover rating tools and places; low rank #3369.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-urusai","cat":"D","romaji":"urusai","polite":"urusai desu","ja":"うるさい","english":"noisy; annoying, nagging; (exclaimed) shut up!","freqRank":517,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Risky to say; narrow; hearing-only value doesn't fill a production gap.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-zurui","cat":"D","romaji":"zurui","polite":"zurui desu","ja":"ずるい","english":"unfair, sneaky; no fair!","freqRank":2266,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Playful extra; 'ii naa' covers envy among friends.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-umai","cat":"D","romaji":"umai","polite":"umai desu","ja":"うまい","english":"good at, skilful; tasty (masculine casual)","freqRank":246,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Skill and success are covered by umaku; tasty by oishii. Rank includes umaku.","coveredBy":"umaku (Stance, attitude & manner), oishii (Fun, tasty, cute)"},{"id":"D-kakkoii","cat":"D","romaji":"kakkoii","polite":"kakkoii desu","ja":"かっこいい","english":"cool, good-looking, stylish","freqRank":1899,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"sugoi, kawaii and ii ne cover most praise for people and things.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-erai","cat":"D","romaji":"erai","polite":"erai desu","ja":"偉い","english":"admirable, well done!; important (person)","freqRank":1324,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"sugoi and sasuga already praise effort.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-atarimae","cat":"D","romaji":"atarimae","polite":"atarimae desu","ja":"当たり前","english":"obvious, natural, taken for granted","freqRank":680,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mochiron covers 'of course'; desho? and jan cover 'obviously'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-kawaisou","cat":"D","romaji":"kawaisou","polite":"kawaisou desu","ja":"かわいそう","english":"poor thing, pitiful","freqRank":977,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"zannen and hidoi cover nearby sympathy; optional, default false.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-mottainai","cat":"D","romaji":"mottainai","polite":"mottainai desu","ja":"もったいない","english":"what a waste; too good to waste","freqRank":1201,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Optional reaction; not a gap the learner needs to fill.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-natsukashii","cat":"D","romaji":"natsukashii","polite":"natsukashii desu","ja":"懐かしい","english":"nostalgic, brings back memories","freqRank":1123,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Optional one-word reaction; mukashi and yokatta handle past talk.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-kuyashii","cat":"D","romaji":"kuyashii","polite":"kuyashii desu","ja":"悔しい","english":"frustrating, galling (after losing/failing)","freqRank":1096,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Mostly for losing or competing; zannen covers the general letdown.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-mezurashii","cat":"D","romaji":"mezurashii","polite":"mezurashii desu","ja":"珍しい","english":"rare, unusual; that's unlike you","freqRank":742,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"hen, futsuu ja nai and masaka cover 'unusual'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-majime","cat":"D","romaji":"majime","polite":"majime desu","ja":"真面目","english":"serious, earnest, diligent (majime ni = seriously)","freqRank":1285,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Mainly describes people; maji de covers 'seriously' in conversation.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-kibishii","cat":"D","romaji":"kibishii","polite":"kibishii desu","ja":"厳しい","english":"strict, harsh; tough (situation)","freqRank":821,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Muzukashii and taihen cover tough situations; strict people is a narrower use.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-shiawase","cat":"D","romaji":"shiawase","polite":"shiawase desu","ja":"幸せ","english":"happy (deeply), blissful","freqRank":338,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ureshii covers everyday happiness; rank inflated by drama.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-tokubetsu","cat":"D","romaji":"tokubetsu","polite":"tokubetsu desu","ja":"特別","english":"special; (tokubetsu ni) as a special favour","freqRank":759,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"toku ni is already kept; 'special' rarely gets said in casual talk.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-kanpeki","cat":"D","romaji":"kanpeki","polite":"kanpeki desu","ja":"完璧","english":"perfect","freqRank":1243,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"saikou and choudo cover 'perfect'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-muda","cat":"D","romaji":"muda","polite":"muda desu","ja":"無駄","english":"pointless, no use; waste","freqRank":1135,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Frequency inflated by drama; dame and imi nai cover 'no use' when speaking.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-urayamashii","cat":"D","romaji":"urayamashii","polite":"urayamashii desu","ja":"うらやましい","english":"envious; I'm jealous","freqRank":2394,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'ii naa' already says 'I'm jealous'; long word, low rank.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-kimochi-ii-warui","cat":"D","romaji":"kimochi ii / kimochi warui","polite":"kimochi ii desu / kimochi warui desu","ja":"気持ちいい・気持ち悪い","english":"feels good / gross, I feel sick","freqRank":1740,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Useful but low rank; iya and daijoubu ja nai partly cover gross/sick.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-tsuyoi","cat":"D","romaji":"tsuyoi","polite":"tsuyoi desu","ja":"強い","english":"strong; good with (sake ni tsuyoi)","freqRank":310,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Drama-inflated rank; useful 'osake ni tsuyoi' sense is narrow.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-yowai","cat":"D","romaji":"yowai","polite":"yowai desu","ja":"弱い","english":"weak; bad with (samusa ni yowai)","freqRank":970,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Partner of rejected tsuyoi; optional.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-tadashii","cat":"D","romaji":"tadashii","polite":"tadashii desu","ja":"正しい","english":"correct, right","freqRank":1052,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Speakers check with 'kore de ii?' and correct with chigau; tadashii is bookish.","coveredBy":"-de ii (Grammar patterns as vocabulary), chigau (General verbs)"},{"id":"D-kitanai","cat":"D","romaji":"kitanai","polite":"kitanai desu","ja":"汚い","english":"dirty, messy; dirty (trick)","freqRank":1561,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'kirei ja nai' covers it once kirei is in.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-shizuka","cat":"D","romaji":"shizuka","polite":"shizuka desu","ja":"静か","english":"quiet (shizuka ni = be quiet)","freqRank":1715,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Optional; not a needed gap for general conversation.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-mijikai","cat":"D","romaji":"mijikai","polite":"mijikai desu","ja":"短い","english":"short","freqRank":1621,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'nagaku nai' via -kunai covers it; lower rank.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-jama","cat":"D","romaji":"jama","polite":"jama desu","ja":"邪魔","english":"in the way; bother, interruption","freqRank":566,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"gomen covers apologies; optional.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-meiwaku","cat":"D","romaji":"meiwaku","polite":"meiwaku desu","ja":"迷惑","english":"trouble, nuisance, bother","freqRank":684,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Already taught through kept kakeru 'cause (trouble)'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-anshin","cat":"D","romaji":"anshin","polite":"anshin desu","ja":"安心","english":"relief, peace of mind (anshin shita = what a relief)","freqRank":481,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"In speech, yokatta does relief and daijoubu does 'don't worry'.","coveredBy":"yokatta (Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases), daijoubu (Good or no good)"},{"id":"D-tsugou","cat":"D","romaji":"tsugou ga ii / tsugou ga warui","polite":"tsugou ga ii desu / tsugou ga warui desu","ja":"都合がいい・悪い","english":"(time) suits / doesn't suit; convenient / awkward","freqRank":1835,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'ashita daijoubu?' and 'chotto...' handle scheduling and polite refusal.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-baka","cat":"D","romaji":"baka","polite":null,"ja":"バカ","english":"idiot, stupid; silly (affectionate)","freqRank":433,"flags":["rough"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rough and risky to produce; hen and hidoi cover the safe uses.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-yoshi","cat":"G","romaji":"yoshi","polite":null,"ja":"よし","english":"right! OK then (starting something); good","freqRank":180,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept jaa (well then) and ii/ii yo already cover starting up and approving.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-saa","cat":"G","romaji":"saa","polite":null,"ja":"さあ","english":"come on, well now; hmm, who knows","freqRank":263,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'Dunno' is wakannai; 'come on, let's' is jaa or -ou.","coveredBy":"wakannai (Got it / say again), jaa (Connectors & conditionals)"},{"id":"G-doumo","cat":"G","romaji":"doumo","polite":"doumo arigatou gozaimasu","ja":"どうも","english":"thanks; hi (brief, all-purpose)","freqRank":662,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept arigatou and sumimasen do the thanks job; doumo would mostly be a confusable duplicate.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-oi","cat":"G","romaji":"oi","polite":null,"ja":"おい","english":"hey! (blunt)","freqRank":127,"flags":["rough","masc"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rough, masculine; risky to produce, easy to recognise.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-mou-ii","cat":"G","romaji":"mou ii","polite":"mou ii desu","ja":"もういい","english":"enough! forget it; I'm fine now (no more)","freqRank":881,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mou plus ii, both kept; 'enough / I'm fine' follows directly.","coveredBy":"mou (Time & sequence), ii (Versatile adjectives)"},{"id":"G-nandemonai","cat":"G","romaji":"nandemonai","polite":"nandemonai desu","ja":"何でもない","english":"it's nothing, never mind","freqRank":1152,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"nandemo plus -nai, and betsu ni, already say 'it's nothing'.","coveredBy":"nandemo (Pointing, question & people words), betsu ni (Stance, attitude & manner)"},{"id":"G-arienai","cat":"G","romaji":"arienai","polite":"arienai desu","ja":"ありえない","english":"no way, unbelievable, ridiculous","freqRank":2915,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Incredulity is handled by uso and masaka; lower frequency (#2915).","coveredBy":"uso (Surprise), masaka (Stance, attitude & manner)"},{"id":"G-omatase","cat":"G","romaji":"omatase","polite":"omatase shimashita","ja":"お待たせ","english":"sorry to keep you waiting","freqRank":855,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept gomen plus osoku natte (osoi + -ku naru) gets this across well enough.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-odaiji-ni","cat":"G","romaji":"odaiji ni","polite":null,"ja":"お大事に","english":"get well soon, take care (to someone sick)","freqRank":3401,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Only to someone ill; narrow and lower frequency (#3401).","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-kanpai","cat":"G","romaji":"kanpai","polite":null,"ja":"乾杯","english":"cheers!","freqRank":1054,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Drinking ritual only; learned in one exposure.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-maa-maa","cat":"G","romaji":"maa maa","polite":"maa maa desu","ja":"まあまあ","english":"so-so; now, now (calming)","freqRank":1073,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'So-so' is sayable with futsuu or maa; calming use is narrow.","coveredBy":"futsuu (Versatile adjectives), maa (Fillers)"},{"id":"G-fuun","cat":"G","romaji":"fuun","polite":"sou desu ka","ja":"ふーん","english":"hmm, I see (flat, unimpressed)","freqRank":601,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"hee covers the listening reply; flat fuun is tone, mostly recognised.","coveredBy":"hee (Showing interest)"},{"id":"G-baibai","cat":"G","romaji":"baibai","polite":null,"ja":"バイバイ","english":"bye-bye","freqRank":1382,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"jaa ne is the casual goodbye; bye-bye adds nothing.","coveredBy":"jaa ne (Hello and goodbye)"},{"id":"G-dou-demo-ii","cat":"G","romaji":"dou demo ii","polite":"dou demo ii desu","ja":"どうでもいい","english":"I don't care, whatever; it doesn't matter","freqRank":1117,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"betsu ni and nandemo ii already dismiss choices and details.","coveredBy":"betsu ni (Stance, attitude & manner), nandemo (Pointing, question & people words), ii (Versatile adjectives)"},{"id":"G-mondai-nai","cat":"G","romaji":"mondai nai","polite":"mondai nai desu","ja":"問題ない","english":"no problem","freqRank":1710,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"daijoubu does 'no problem' everywhere.","coveredBy":"daijoubu (Versatile adjectives)"},{"id":"G-osaki-ni","cat":"G","romaji":"osaki ni","polite":"osaki ni shitsurei shimasu","ja":"お先に","english":"(sorry) I'm leaving first; after you","freqRank":2946,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Workplace leaving phrase; narrow.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-okagesama-de","cat":"G","romaji":"okagesama de","polite":null,"ja":"おかげさまで","english":"thanks to you (I'm well)","freqRank":2296,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Polite small-talk formula; outside casual default, lower frequency.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-moushiwake-nai","cat":"G","romaji":"moushiwake nai","polite":"moushiwake arimasen","ja":"申し訳ない","english":"I'm terribly sorry","freqRank":769,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Formal heavy apology; gomen and sumimasen cover casual needs.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-tondemonai","cat":"G","romaji":"tondemonai","polite":"tondemonai desu","ja":"とんでもない","english":"not at all! (reply to thanks); outrageous","freqRank":1081,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"sonna koto nai already deflects thanks and praise.","coveredBy":"sonna koto nai (Comfort and cheer)"},{"id":"G-douitashimashite","cat":"G","romaji":"douitashimashite","polite":null,"ja":"どういたしまして","english":"you're welcome","freqRank":4414,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Textbook phrase, rare in speech (#4414); iie does the job.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-kekkou-desu","cat":"G","romaji":"kekkou desu","polite":null,"ja":"結構です","english":"no thank you (declining an offer)","freqRank":300,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"daijoubu desu is the everyday polite 'no thanks'.","coveredBy":"daijoubu (Versatile adjectives)"},{"id":"G-joudan","cat":"G","romaji":"joudan","polite":"joudan desu","ja":"冗談","english":"joke; just kidding (joudan da yo)","freqRank":747,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'uso uso' and 'uso da yo' already mean 'just kidding'.","coveredBy":"uso (Surprise)"},{"id":"G-kankei-nai","cat":"G","romaji":"kankei nai","polite":"kankei nai desu","ja":"関係ない","english":"irrelevant, doesn't matter; none of your business","freqRank":475,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept betsu ni, nandemo ii and dotchi demo ii cover 'doesn't matter' well enough.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-yoji","cat":"G","romaji":"yoji ga aru","polite":"yoji ga arimasu","ja":"用事がある","english":"have something to do (the standard excuse)","freqRank":1861,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"chotto... already declines; yoji is an extra noun excuse.","coveredBy":"chotto... (Accepting and declining)"},{"id":"G-hanashi","cat":"G","romaji":"hanashi","polite":null,"ja":"話","english":"talk, story; topic (hanashi ga aru = I need to talk to you)","freqRank":96,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept hanasu + koto cover it: nan no koto?, hanashitai koto ga aru.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-nani-sore","cat":"G","romaji":"nani sore","polite":"nan desu ka, sore","ja":"何それ","english":"what's that?! what the heck (also nani kore)","freqRank":1677,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"nani plus sore, both kept; the phrase builds itself.","coveredBy":"nani (Pointing, question & people words), sore (Pointing, question & people words)"},{"id":"G-okkee","cat":"G","romaji":"okkee","polite":"wakarimashita","ja":"オッケー","english":"OK","freqRank":1905,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ii yo and wakatta handle casual agreement; loanword needs no card.","coveredBy":"ii yo (Accepting and declining), wakatta (Got it / say again)"},{"id":"G-mada-mada","cat":"G","romaji":"mada mada","polite":null,"ja":"まだまだ","english":"still a long way to go (modest reply); not yet","freqRank":876,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"sonna koto nai deflects praise; mada mada is kept mada doubled.","coveredBy":"mada (Time & sequence), sonna koto nai (Comfort and cheer)"},{"id":"G-taishita-koto-nai","cat":"G","romaji":"taishita koto nai","polite":"taishita koto nai desu","ja":"大したことない","english":"it's no big deal","freqRank":1113,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"daijoubu and sonna koto nai already downplay; full phrase only #3108.","coveredBy":"daijoubu (Versatile adjectives), sonna koto nai (Comfort and cheer)"},{"id":"G-mukatsuku","cat":"G","romaji":"mukatsuku","polite":null,"ja":"ムカつく","english":"pisses me off, so annoying","freqRank":2147,"flags":["slang","rough"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rough slang; low production need.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-maa-ii-ka","cat":"G","romaji":"maa ii ka","polite":null,"ja":"まあいいか","english":"oh well, never mind","freqRank":null,"flags":["casual-only","fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"maa plus ii plus ka, all kept; shouganai covers the attitude.","coveredBy":"maa (Fillers), ii (Versatile adjectives), shouganai (Comfort and cheer)"},{"id":"G-osusume","cat":"G","romaji":"osusume","polite":null,"ja":"おすすめ","english":"recommendation (osusume wa? = what do you recommend?)","freqRank":5216,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Topic-leaning noun, low in spoken data (#5216); pick up when ordering.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"A-fudan","cat":"A","romaji":"fudan","polite":null,"ja":"普段","english":"usually, normally (day to day)","freqRank":2545,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"itsumo wa ... kedo kyou wa makes the same habit-versus-now contrast.","coveredBy":"itsumo (How often)"},{"id":"A-motomoto","cat":"A","romaji":"motomoto","polite":null,"ja":"もともと","english":"originally, to begin with; by nature","freqRank":1120,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"saisho kara and mukashi already express 'originally / to begin with' well enough.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"A-itsu-no-ma-ni-ka","cat":"A","romaji":"itsu no ma ni ka","polite":null,"ja":"いつの間にか","english":"before I knew it","freqRank":2200,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Optional storytelling phrase. kyuu ni or -nai uchi ni get the idea across.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"A-sono-uchi","cat":"A","romaji":"sono uchi","polite":null,"ja":"そのうち","english":"eventually, one of these days","freqRank":1274,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"itsuka does the vague 'someday / eventually' job.","coveredBy":"itsuka (Pointing, question & people words)"},{"id":"A-tochuu","cat":"A","romaji":"tochuu","polite":null,"ja":"途中","english":"on the way; midway","freqRank":844,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-toki (kaeru toki), -chuu and saigo made cover 'on the way' and 'partway'; confusable with -chuu.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"A-aikawarazu","cat":"A","romaji":"aikawarazu","polite":null,"ja":"相変わらず","english":"as always, same as ever","freqRank":960,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"itsumo and zutto cover 'as always / same as ever' well enough for a learner.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"A-nido-to","cat":"A","romaji":"nido to","polite":null,"ja":"二度と","english":"never again (with negative)","freqRank":722,"flags":["needs-negative"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mou + negative already says 'not anymore'; nido to only adds force.","coveredBy":"mou (Already, still, finally)"},{"id":"B-sorezore","cat":"B","romaji":"sorezore","polite":null,"ja":"それぞれ","english":"each, respectively; each to their own","freqRank":1206,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Rarely needed; kept '-ni yoru' (hito ni yoru) covers 'each to their own'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-kihonteki-ni","cat":"C","romaji":"kihonteki ni","polite":null,"ja":"基本的に","english":"basically, as a rule","freqRank":4814,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Rare in drama speech (#4814); daitai and itsumo already frame routines.","coveredBy":"daitai; itsumo"},{"id":"C-kojinteki-ni","cat":"C","romaji":"kojinteki ni","polite":null,"ja":"個人的に","english":"personally (speaking)","freqRank":2508,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"watashi wa ... to omou already marks an opinion as one's own.","coveredBy":"watashi; to omou"},{"id":"C-tsuide-ni","cat":"C","romaji":"tsuide ni","polite":null,"ja":"ついでに","english":"while you're at it, on the way","freqRank":1938,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"#1938 and errand-specific; ato (oh, and also) adds extra requests.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-sasuga-ni","cat":"C","romaji":"sasuga ni","polite":null,"ja":"さすがに","english":"(even so) that's going too far; understandably","freqRank":1098,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"It sits right next to the kept sasuga and is easy to confuse with it. Chotto muri already concedes limits. #1098.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-marude","cat":"C","romaji":"marude","polite":null,"ja":"まるで","english":"just like, as if (+ mitai)","freqRank":862,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mitai carries the comparison; marude only strengthens it.","coveredBy":"mitai"},{"id":"E-shikamo","cat":"E","romaji":"shikamo","polite":null,"ja":"しかも","english":"and what's more, on top of that","freqRank":498,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept -shi already adds points, and ato does it at the start of a sentence.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"E-sore-ni-shite-mo","cat":"E","romaji":"sore ni shite mo","polite":null,"ja":"それにしても","english":"even so; (and) gosh, still","freqRank":1459,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Just discourse flavour (#1459). Learners would not miss saying it.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"E-ni-totte","cat":"E","romaji":"-ni totte","polite":null,"ja":"〜にとって","english":"for (someone), to (someone)","freqRank":339,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"In casual speech, 'watashi ni wa' / 'watashi wa' say 'for me'; ni totte sounds stiff.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-naosu-suffix","cat":"I","romaji":"-naosu","polite":"-naoshimasu","ja":"〜直す","english":"redo, do again (properly)","freqRank":1617,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Mostly a few fixed verbs (yarinaosu, iinaosu); mou ikkai and mata cover 'again'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-ta-mama","cat":"I","romaji":"-ta mama","polite":null,"ja":"〜たまま","english":"(leaving it) as is; still -ing","freqRank":425,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept kono mama / sono mama teach mama; -ta mama is recognisable and -te linking approximates it.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-koto-wa-nai","cat":"I","romaji":"-koto wa nai","polite":"-koto wa nai desu","ja":"〜ことはない","english":"there's no need to","freqRank":753,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'No need to' is the same job as the kept 'don't have to'.","coveredBy":"\"May and must\" -nakute mo ii (don't have to)"},{"id":"I-beki","cat":"I","romaji":"-beki","polite":"-beki desu","ja":"〜べき","english":"should, ought to","freqRank":441,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Casual advice uses -ta hou ga ii; beki sounds stronger and preachy.","coveredBy":"\"Advice\" -ta hou ga ii (you should)"},{"id":"I-nante-dismissive","cat":"I","romaji":"-nante","polite":null,"ja":"〜なんて","english":"the likes of; how could (surprise or dismissal)","freqRank":84,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Mainly recognition; uso, masaka and wa-contrast already let the learner express disbelief and dismissal.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"A-tokku-ni","cat":"A","romaji":"tokku ni","polite":null,"ja":"とっくに","english":"long ago; ages ago (already)","freqRank":1613,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Just an emphatic mou.","coveredBy":"mou (Already, still, finally)"},{"id":"A-imasara","cat":"A","romaji":"imasara","polite":null,"ja":"今更","english":"now, after all this time; too late for that now","freqRank":1919,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Stance nuance only; ima and mou osoi from kept words express the idea.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-yoppodo","cat":"B","romaji":"yoppodo","polite":"yohodo","ja":"よっぽど","english":"really, very much; must really (be)","freqRank":1817,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Expressive and mostly heard. Sugoku with n da ne covers 'you must really be…'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-girigiri","cat":"B","romaji":"girigiri","polite":null,"ja":"ギリギリ","english":"just barely; at the last minute; cutting it close","freqRank":2660,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Low rank and narrow; kept nantoka covers 'barely made it' (nantoka ma ni atta).","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-sukunaku-tomo","cat":"B","romaji":"sukunaku tomo","polite":null,"ja":"少なくとも","english":"at least (minimum)","freqRank":1939,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"#1939 and stiffer. If the list gets an 'at least', semete is the casual pick.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-narubeku","cat":"C","romaji":"narubeku","polite":null,"ja":"なるべく","english":"as much as possible; if possible","freqRank":2906,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"dekireba does the 'if possible' softening (dekireba hayaku).","coveredBy":"\"Softeners\" dekireba"},{"id":"C-tekkiri","cat":"C","romaji":"tekkiri","polite":null,"ja":"てっきり","english":"I was sure (but I was wrong)","freqRank":2954,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-to omotta (kedo) already clears up a wrong assumption; tekkiri is #2954.","coveredBy":"to omou; -kedo"},{"id":"D-yokei","cat":"D","romaji":"yokei","polite":"yokei desu","ja":"余計","english":"unnecessary, uncalled-for; (yokei ni) all the more","freqRank":690,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Idiomatic ('yokei na osewa', 'yokei ni'); hard to produce and not needed.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-kuwashii","cat":"D","romaji":"kuwashii","polite":"kuwashii desu","ja":"詳しい","english":"detailed; knows a lot about","freqRank":805,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'motto oshiete' covers 'tell me more'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-fuan","cat":"D","romaji":"fuan","polite":"fuan desu","ja":"不安","english":"anxious, uneasy","freqRank":857,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"shinpai does 'uneasy about it' in casual speech.","coveredBy":"shinpai (Glad, let down, worried)"},{"id":"D-fushigi","cat":"D","romaji":"fushigi","polite":"fushigi desu","ja":"不思議","english":"strange, mysterious; makes you wonder","freqRank":920,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"hen covers 'strange'; little need to produce 'mysterious'.","coveredBy":"hen (Same & different)"},{"id":"D-kimochi-warui","cat":"D","romaji":"kimochi warui","polite":"kimochi warui desu","ja":"気持ち悪い","english":"gross, creepy; (I) feel sick","freqRank":1740,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Duplicate of the rejected kimochi pair card.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-kimochi-ii","cat":"D","romaji":"kimochi ii","polite":"kimochi ii desu","ja":"気持ちいい","english":"feels good; pleasant, refreshing","freqRank":2005,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Duplicate of the rejected kimochi pair card.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-tsugou-ga-ii","cat":"D","romaji":"tsugou ga ii","polite":"tsugou ga ii desu","ja":"都合がいい","english":"works for me; convenient (timing) — tsugou ga warui: doesn't work","freqRank":1835,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Duplicate of tsugou ga ii / tsugou ga warui; daijoubu covers it.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-fukuzatsu","cat":"D","romaji":"fukuzatsu","polite":"fukuzatsu desu","ja":"複雑","english":"complicated; mixed (feelings)","freqRank":2491,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"muzukashii covers 'complicated' in casual speech; rank #2491.","coveredBy":"muzukashii (Easy & hard)"},{"id":"D-mashi","cat":"D","romaji":"mashi","polite":"mashi desu","ja":"マシ","english":"better (of bad options); not as bad","freqRank":2935,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'kotchi no hou ga ii' already does the comparison.","coveredBy":"no hou ga (Degree, amount & limits), ii (Good or no good)"},{"id":"D-bimyou","cat":"D","romaji":"bimyou","polite":"bimyou desu","ja":"微妙","english":"iffy, so-so; questionable; subtle","freqRank":3096,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"chotto..., maa and futsuu cover the soft 'meh' verdict.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-komakai","cat":"D","romaji":"komakai","polite":"komakai desu","ja":"細かい","english":"detailed; fussy, nitpicky; small (change, coins)","freqRank":3381,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Low rank (#3381) and spread across narrow senses.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"E-baai","cat":"E","romaji":"-baai","polite":null,"ja":"〜場合","english":"in the case of; if / when","freqRank":530,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Sounds like instructions. In conversation, -tara, -nara and -toki cover contingencies.","coveredBy":"\"If / even if\" -tara, -nara; -toki"},{"id":"F-dou-yara","cat":"F","romaji":"dou yara","polite":null,"ja":"どうやら","english":"apparently; it looks like","freqRank":1812,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Narrative-leaning opener (#1812); rashii and mitai carry the evidential meaning alone.","coveredBy":"rashii, mitai (Seems / I heard)"},{"id":"G-uwa","cat":"G","romaji":"uwa!","polite":null,"ja":"うわっ","english":"whoa!; yikes","freqRank":541,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Duplicate of uwaa (same interjection); judged there.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-sorya-sou-da","cat":"G","romaji":"sorya sou da","polite":"sore wa sou desu yo ne","ja":"そりゃそうだ","english":"well, obviously; naturally","freqRank":3620,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"sou plus desho already say 'well, obviously'.","coveredBy":"sou (Replies with sou), desho? (Sentence endings & intent)"},{"id":"G-maa-ne","cat":"G","romaji":"maa ne","polite":"maa, sou desu ne","ja":"まあね","english":"well, sort of; I guess so","freqRank":1789,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"maa plus ne, both kept; the half-yes builds itself.","coveredBy":"maa (Fillers), ne (Sentence endings & intent)"},{"id":"G-shimatta","cat":"G","romaji":"shimatta","polite":null,"ja":"しまった","english":"oh no!; dang (my mistake)","freqRank":3395,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"yabai is the everyday 'uh-oh'; shimatta is rarer (#3395).","coveredBy":"yabai (Versatile adjectives)"},{"id":"G-ano-ne","cat":"G","romaji":"ano ne","polite":"ano desu ne","ja":"あのね","english":"you know what; listen (raising a topic)","freqRank":1032,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"nee / ano 'hey, listen' already raises a topic.","coveredBy":"nee / ano (Getting attention)"},{"id":"G-nantoka-naru","cat":"G","romaji":"nantoka naru","polite":"nantoka narimasu yo","ja":"なんとかなる","english":"it'll work out","freqRank":3997,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"nantoka plus naru, both kept.","coveredBy":"nantoka (Stance, attitude & manner), naru (General verbs)"},{"id":"G-nanda","cat":"G","romaji":"nanda","polite":"a, sou nan desu ka","ja":"なんだ","english":"oh, (so) that's all; huh (letdown or relief)","freqRank":744,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Mostly a recognition item; the letdown sense comes from tone.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-enryo-shinaide","cat":"G","romaji":"enryo shinaide","polite":"enryo shinaide kudasai","ja":"遠慮しないで","english":"don't hold back; help yourself — enryo shimasu: I'll pass","freqRank":1349,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Hosting phrase; narrow situations.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kaku","cat":"H","romaji":"kaku","polite":"kakimasu","ja":"書く","english":"write; draw","freqRank":233,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Writing is peripheral for an audio-first learner; no conversational gap.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-yomu","cat":"H","romaji":"yomu","polite":"yomimasu","ja":"読む","english":"read","freqRank":469,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mita? covers checking messages; reading is peripheral for audio-first study.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-ni-yotte","cat":"I","romaji":"-ni yotte","polite":null,"ja":"〜によって","english":"depending on; by","freqRank":939,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Already kept among connectors as 'it depends on'.","coveredBy":"-ni yoru (it depends on)"},{"id":"I-toori","cat":"I","romaji":"-toori","polite":null,"ja":"〜とおり","english":"as, just as — itta toori; sono toori: exactly","freqRank":1038,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept itta jan / itta desho, onaji and sou cover 'as I said' and 'exactly'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-furi","cat":"I","romaji":"-furi","polite":null,"ja":"〜ふり","english":"pretend to (shiranai furi)","freqRank":2643,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Pretending is a real but narrow meaning (#2643); not a versatility gap for everyday conversation.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-rei-no","cat":"J","romaji":"rei no","polite":null,"ja":"例の","english":"the ... (you know); that (thing we talked about)","freqRank":1121,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ano already points at shared knowledge (ano mise); rei no is more businesslike.","coveredBy":"\"this/that + noun\" ano"},{"id":"J-mukou","cat":"J","romaji":"mukou","polite":null,"ja":"向こう","english":"over there; the other side; them (the other party)","freqRank":590,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"atchi and asoko cover 'over there' and 'their side' in casual speech.","coveredBy":"\"this/that: ways & sides\" atchi; \"this/that: places\" asoko"},{"id":"D-anshin-2","cat":"D","romaji":"anshin shita","polite":"anshin shimashita","ja":"安心した","english":"what a relief; I'm relieved (anshin = reassuring)","freqRank":481,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Duplicate of anshin; yokatta is the spoken 'what a relief'.","coveredBy":"yokatta (Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases)"},{"id":"D-kyoumi-aru","cat":"D","romaji":"kyoumi aru","polite":"kyoumi ga arimasu","ja":"興味ある","english":"be interested (kyoumi nai = not interested)","freqRank":998,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ki ni naru and suki cover interest; 'betsu ni' covers refusal.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-choushi","cat":"D","romaji":"choushi","polite":null,"ja":"調子","english":"condition, form (choushi dou? / choushi ii / warui)","freqRank":1124,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"genki? and daijoubu? cover asking about condition.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"E-dake-ja-nakute","cat":"E","romaji":"-dake ja nakute","polite":null,"ja":"〜だけじゃなくて","english":"not only ... (but also)","freqRank":3317,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Built from kept parts: dake + ja nakute + mo.","coveredBy":"dake, mo; -kunai / -ja nai, -kutte / -de"},{"id":"F-machigai-nai","cat":"F","romaji":"machigai nai","polite":"machigai arimasen","ja":"間違いない","english":"no doubt; definitely","freqRank":882,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Certainty already carried by zettai and kitto.","coveredBy":"zettai, kitto (Stance, attitude & manner)"},{"id":"F-ni-kimatteru","cat":"F","romaji":"-ni kimatteru","polite":"-ni kimattemasu","ja":"〜に決まってる","english":"it's obviously ...; of course it's ...","freqRank":1648,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"zettai, mochiron and kitto already express certainty; at rank ~1648 it is too rare to fill a gap.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-kocchi-koso","cat":"G","romaji":"kocchi koso","polite":"kochira koso","ja":"こっちこそ","english":"likewise; the pleasure's mine; same here","freqRank":1155,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Duplicate of kochira koso; casual kocchi koso is absent from the data.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-uwaa","cat":"G","romaji":"uwaa","polite":null,"ja":"うわー","english":"whoa!; ugh, yikes","freqRank":541,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"An interjection close to kept e?, are? and yabai; it is easy to recognise and adds little.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-ii-kanji","cat":"G","romaji":"ii kanji","polite":"ii kanji desu ne","ja":"いい感じ","english":"looking good; nice; going well","freqRank":1668,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ii ne plus tte kanji already say 'looking good'.","coveredBy":"ii ne (Accepting and declining), tte kanji (Sentence endings & intent)"},{"id":"H-yaku-ni-tatsu","cat":"H","romaji":"yaku ni tatsu","polite":"yaku ni tachimasu","ja":"役に立つ","english":"be useful, be of help","freqRank":1516,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Formal-leaning. tasukaru or ii covers 'useful' in casual speech. #1516.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-koukai-suru","cat":"H","romaji":"koukai suru","polite":"koukai shimasu","ja":"後悔する","english":"regret","freqRank":895,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Heavy and drama-flavoured. Not versatile enough for casual conversation.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-no-koto","cat":"I","romaji":"-no koto","polite":null,"ja":"〜のこと","english":"about X; X (and things to do with X)","freqRank":null,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept koto already carries 'about X'.","coveredBy":"koto (thing, matter; about X)"},{"id":"I-to-shite","cat":"I","romaji":"-to shite","polite":null,"ja":"〜として","english":"as (a role); as X","freqRank":136,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Particle de (shumi de) and kept -nara cover role/capacity well enough; #136 inflated by other uses.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-ikurademo","cat":"J","romaji":"ikurademo","polite":null,"ja":"いくらでも","english":"as much as you like; plenty","freqRank":2178,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Optional and less frequent (#2178); takusan and ippai handle 'plenty'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-ugoku","cat":"H","romaji":"ugoku","polite":"ugokimasu","ja":"動く","english":"move; work, run (ugokanai = it won't work / it's frozen)","freqRank":394,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"dame, hen da and tsukaenai cover a frozen device.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-yurusu","cat":"H","romaji":"yurusu","polite":"yurushimasu","ja":"許す","english":"forgive; allow (yurushite = forgive me; yurusenai = unforgivable)","freqRank":290,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rank inflated by drama. gomen covers apologising in everyday speech.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-ayamaru","cat":"H","romaji":"ayamaru","polite":"ayamarimasu","ja":"謝る","english":"apologise (ayamatte = say sorry!; chanto ayamatta?)","freqRank":487,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Talking about apologies is narrow and drama-inflated. gomen does the act.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-yakusoku-suru","cat":"H","romaji":"yakusoku suru","polite":"yakusoku shimasu","ja":"約束する","english":"promise; make plans (yakusoku da yo = it's a promise; yakusoku ga aru = I have plans)","freqRank":412,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"zettai ne covers promising; chotto... covers already having plans.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-sasou","cat":"H","romaji":"sasou","polite":"sasoimasu","ja":"誘う","english":"invite, ask out (sasotte kurete arigatou = thanks for inviting me)","freqRank":773,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-nai? and -ou already make invitations; talking about invites is optional.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kotowaru","cat":"H","romaji":"kotowaru","polite":"kotowarimasu","ja":"断る","english":"turn down, decline, refuse","freqRank":676,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Talking about refusals is narrow. Declining itself uses chotto...","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-harau","cat":"H","romaji":"harau","polite":"haraimasu","ja":"払う","english":"pay (watashi ga harau; kaado de haraeru?)","freqRank":760,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Paying is topical; if dasu returns, ore ga dasu covers it.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kakunin-suru","cat":"H","romaji":"kakunin suru","polite":"kakunin shimasu","ja":"確認する","english":"check, confirm, make sure","freqRank":522,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mite miru and kiite miru cover checking; work register.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-setsumei-suru","cat":"H","romaji":"setsumei suru","polite":"setsumei shimasu","ja":"説明する","english":"explain (chanto setsumei shite = explain properly)","freqRank":585,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"dou iu imi? and oshiete already ask for explanations.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-shippai-suru","cat":"H","romaji":"shippai suru","polite":"shippai shimasu","ja":"失敗する","english":"fail, mess up (shippai shita = I messed up)","freqRank":809,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"machigaeta, yacchatta and dame datta cover messing up.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-makeru","cat":"H","romaji":"makeru","polite":"makemasu","ja":"負ける","english":"lose; give in (maketa = you win / I give up; makenaide = don't give up) — katsu: win","freqRank":550,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Mostly games and sports. The figurative uses are narrow.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-yorokobu","cat":"H","romaji":"yorokobu","polite":"yorokobimasu","ja":"喜ぶ","english":"be glad, be pleased (yorokonde = gladly!; kitto yorokobu yo = they'll love it)","freqRank":519,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"ureshii covers gladness. Drama inflates its rank.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-ochikomu","cat":"H","romaji":"ochikomu","polite":"ochikomimasu","ja":"落ち込む","english":"feel down, get depressed (ochikonderu = I'm down)","freqRank":1647,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"genki nai and zannen cover feeling down.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-akiru","cat":"H","romaji":"akiru","polite":"akimasu","ja":"飽きる","english":"get tired of, get bored with (mou akita = I'm sick of it)","freqRank":2493,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mou ii and tsumaranaku natta cover being sick of something.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-hamaru","cat":"H","romaji":"hamaru","polite":"hamarimasu","ja":"はまる","english":"get hooked on, be really into (saikin ... ni hamatteru)","freqRank":3789,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"saikin metcha suki and ki ni naru cover current interests.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-ouen-suru","cat":"H","romaji":"ouen suru","polite":"ouen shimasu","ja":"応援する","english":"root for, support, cheer on (ouen shiteru yo = I'm rooting for you)","freqRank":877,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Sports and fan talk. ganbatte covers encouragement.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kireru","cat":"H","romaji":"kireru","polite":"kiremasu","ja":"切れる","english":"run out, die (battery); expire; get cut off; snap (lose one's temper)","freqRank":1147,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Battery and call senses are device-bound; nai and dame cover them.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-bareru","cat":"H","romaji":"bareru","polite":"baremasu","ja":"バレる","english":"be found out, get discovered (bareta? = did they find out?)","freqRank":828,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"shitteta? and wakatchatta cover being found out well enough.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-noru","cat":"H","romaji":"noru","polite":"norimasu","ja":"乗る","english":"get on, ride, take (a train, car); go along with (sono hanashi noru = count me in)","freqRank":439,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"densha de iku covers transport; the count-me-in sense is covered by ii ne.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-suwaru","cat":"H","romaji":"suwaru","polite":"suwarimasu","ja":"座る","english":"sit down (suwatte = have a seat; koko suwatte ii? = can I sit here?)","freqRank":454,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"koko ii? and douzo already handle seats naturally.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-aruku","cat":"H","romaji":"aruku","polite":"arukimasu","ja":"歩く","english":"walk (aruite iku = go on foot; aruite juppun = ten minutes' walk)","freqRank":526,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Transport topic; chikai and densha de iku cover most plan talk.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kaesu","cat":"H","romaji":"kaesu","polite":"kaeshimasu","ja":"返す","english":"give back, return (kaeshite = give it back; ato de kaesu ne)","freqRank":460,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Only needed alongside kasu/kariru, which tsukatte ii? already covers.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-damaru","cat":"H","romaji":"damaru","polite":"damarimasu","ja":"黙る","english":"go quiet, keep quiet (damatteta = kept it quiet; damatte = be quiet!, blunt)","freqRank":408,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Drama-inflated and blunt. Not a versatile verb.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-nattoku-suru","cat":"H","romaji":"nattoku suru","polite":"nattoku shimasu","ja":"納得する","english":"be convinced, accept it (nattoku dekinai = I don't buy it)","freqRank":1023,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Abstract and somewhat formal. Not needed for casual conversation.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kanchigai-suru","cat":"H","romaji":"kanchigai suru","polite":"kanchigai shimasu","ja":"勘違いする","english":"get the wrong idea, misunderstand (kanchigai shinaide = don't get the wrong idea)","freqRank":1001,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"machigaeru and chigau already cover misunderstandings; confusable near-duplicate.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kitai-suru","cat":"H","romaji":"kitai suru","polite":"kitai shimasu","ja":"期待する","english":"expect, count on, get one's hopes up (kitai shinaide = don't expect much)","freqRank":792,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Abstract and narrower. The list works fine without it.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-nayamu","cat":"H","romaji":"nayamu","polite":"nayamimasu","ja":"悩む","english":"agonise over, be troubled by (nayanderu = I'm torn / worried about it)","freqRank":944,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"komaru and dou shiyou kana cover worries and being torn.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-fueru-heru","cat":"H","romaji":"fueru / heru","polite":"fuemasu / herimasu","ja":"増える・減る","english":"increase / decrease (go up / go down)","freqRank":841,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-ku naru (ooku naru, sukunaku naru) already says increase and decrease.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-uru","cat":"H","romaji":"uru","polite":"urimasu","ja":"売る","english":"sell (doko de utteru? = where do they sell it?; urikire = sold out)","freqRank":687,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Narrow shopping verb. aru? usually covers 'do they sell it'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-tsureru","cat":"H","romaji":"tsureru","polite":"tsuremasu","ja":"連れる","english":"take / bring (a person) along (tsurete iku, tsurete kuru)","freqRank":415,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Duplicate of tsurete iku. The bare form is rarely used on its own.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-ki-o-tsukau","cat":"H","romaji":"ki o tsukau","polite":"ki o tsukaimasu","ja":"気を使う","english":"be considerate, go to trouble (ki o tsukawanaide = please don't trouble yourself)","freqRank":4392,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ii yo and daijoubu cover replying when someone fusses.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-monku-iu","cat":"H","romaji":"monku iu","polite":"monku o iimasu","ja":"文句言う","english":"complain, grumble (monku iwanaide = stop complaining; monku aru? = got a problem?)","freqRank":1359,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Narrower. The noun phrase is easy to pick up later.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-kibun","cat":"D","romaji":"kibun","polite":null,"ja":"気分","english":"mood, how one feels (kibun warui = feel sick; sonna kibun ja nai = not in the mood)","freqRank":804,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Overlaps choushi; 'iya' and '-tai' patterns cover not being in the mood.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-kimochi","cat":"D","romaji":"kimochi","polite":null,"ja":"気持ち","english":"feelings (kimochi wa wakaru = I know how you feel; kimochi wa ureshii kedo = I appreciate it, but)","freqRank":231,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'wakaru' already works as a sympathy line; a noun, not an adjective.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-heiki","cat":"D","romaji":"heiki","polite":"heiki desu","ja":"平気","english":"fine, no problem, unbothered (heiki heiki = totally fine; heiki de = without batting an eye)","freqRank":989,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"daijoubu does 'fine, no problem' in nearly every context.","coveredBy":"daijoubu (Good or no good)"},{"id":"D-oshii","cat":"D","romaji":"oshii","polite":"oshii desu","ja":"惜しい","english":"so close!; a shame (when it almost worked)","freqRank":2286,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Narrow to games and guesses; zannen covers near misses loosely.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-arigatai","cat":"D","romaji":"arigatai","polite":"arigatai desu","ja":"ありがたい","english":"much appreciated, a real help (sore wa arigatai = that would be great)","freqRank":1312,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'arigatou' and 'ureshii' cover 'that would be great' in speech.","coveredBy":"arigatou (Responses, reactions, fillers & social phrases), ureshii (Glad, let down, worried)"},{"id":"D-ayashii","cat":"D","romaji":"ayashii","polite":"ayashii desu","ja":"怪しい","english":"suspicious, fishy, doubtful (ayashii na = I doubt it)","freqRank":1094,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rank inflated by crime dramas; narrower in daily chat.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-yoyuu","cat":"D","romaji":"yoyuu","polite":"yoyuu desu","ja":"余裕","english":"room to spare, leeway (yoyuu nai = no time / money / headspace; yoyuu = easy, no sweat)","freqRank":1340,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Abstract noun; 'jikan nai' and 'kantan' cover the everyday uses.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-buji","cat":"D","romaji":"buji","polite":"buji desu","ja":"無事","english":"safe and sound, without a hitch (buji tsuita? = did you get there OK?)","freqRank":816,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Drama-inflated; 'tsuita?' and 'daijoubu?' handle check-ins.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-wakai","cat":"D","romaji":"wakai","polite":"wakai desu","ja":"若い","english":"young (wakaku mieru = look young)","freqRank":505,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Narrow to describing people's age; optional.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-amai","cat":"D","romaji":"amai","polite":"amai desu","ja":"甘い","english":"sweet; soft, lenient, naive (amai yo = you're being naive)","freqRank":818,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Mainly a taste word; the figurative 'naive' sense is narrow.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-omoi-karui","cat":"D","romaji":"omoi / karui","polite":"omoi desu / karui desu","ja":"重い・軽い","english":"heavy / light; serious / light-hearted (hanashi ga omoi; karui kimochi de = casually)","freqRank":1004,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Optional pair; taihen and ookii cover most figurative uses.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-tsumetai","cat":"D","romaji":"tsumetai","polite":"tsumetai desu","ja":"冷たい","english":"cold (to the touch); cold, unfriendly (tsumetai ne = you're so cold)","freqRank":1084,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Touch temperature is narrow; low speakNeed.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-akarui-kurai","cat":"D","romaji":"akarui / kurai","polite":"akarui desu / kurai desu","ja":"明るい・暗い","english":"bright / dark; cheerful / gloomy (akarui hito = an upbeat person)","freqRank":1331,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Optional; kurai would be confusable with kept gurai particle by ear.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-suteki","cat":"D","romaji":"suteki","polite":"suteki desu","ja":"素敵","english":"lovely, wonderful (suteki da ne)","freqRank":1102,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ii ne and kirei cover 'lovely' compliments.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-yuumei","cat":"D","romaji":"yuumei","polite":"yuumei desu","ja":"有名","english":"famous, well-known","freqRank":1068,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Optional; 'minna shitteru' via kept shitteru covers it.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-ninki-aru","cat":"D","romaji":"ninki aru","polite":"ninki ga arimasu","ja":"人気ある","english":"popular (ninki no mise = a popular place; ichiban ninki wa? = what's most popular?)","freqRank":1303,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Shopping or ordering use; yuumei is the better 'famous' word.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-jiyuu","cat":"D","romaji":"jiyuu","polite":"jiyuu desu","ja":"自由","english":"free (to choose), up to you (jiyuu ni = freely, as you like)","freqRank":888,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Drama-inflated; 'suki ni shite' or 'nandemo ii' cover 'up to you'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-sunao","cat":"D","romaji":"sunao","polite":"sunao desu","ja":"素直","english":"straightforward, unresisting, honest (sunao ni = frankly, without fuss)","freqRank":1221,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Hard to translate and narrow; rarely needed in speech.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-jishin-aru","cat":"D","romaji":"jishin aru","polite":"jishin ga arimasu","ja":"自信ある","english":"confident (jishin nai = not confident)","freqRank":839,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"tabun and 'wakannai kedo' already hedge claims.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-iraira","cat":"D","romaji":"iraira suru","polite":"iraira shimasu","ja":"イライラする","english":"be irritated, on edge","freqRank":3073,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"iya and taihen cover irritation; low rank.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-dokidoki","cat":"D","romaji":"dokidoki suru","polite":"dokidoki shimasu","ja":"ドキドキする","english":"heart pounding: nervous or thrilled","freqRank":2363,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"kowai and shinpai cover nervousness; optional mimetic.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-wakuwaku","cat":"D","romaji":"wakuwaku suru","polite":"wakuwaku shimasu","ja":"ワクワクする","english":"be excited (looking forward)","freqRank":4067,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"tanoshimi covers excited anticipation.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-gakkari","cat":"D","romaji":"gakkari suru","polite":"gakkari shimasu","ja":"がっかりする","english":"be disappointed (gakkari shita)","freqRank":3214,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"zannen covers 'disappointing' in conversation.","coveredBy":"zannen (Glad, let down, worried)"},{"id":"D-sukkiri","cat":"D","romaji":"sukkiri suru","polite":"sukkiri shimasu","ja":"すっきりする","english":"feel refreshed, feel better, get it off one's chest; neat, clear","freqRank":2905,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Spread across narrow senses; low rank (#2905).","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-dasai","cat":"D","romaji":"dasai","polite":"dasai desu","ja":"ダサい","english":"lame, uncool, tacky","freqRank":3663,"flags":["slang"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Slang; low rank (#3663).","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-saitei","cat":"D","romaji":"saitei","polite":"saitei desu","ja":"最低","english":"the worst, despicable (of people); minimum (saitei demo = at the very least)","freqRank":1097,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"saiaku already condemns things as the worst.","coveredBy":"saiaku (Amazing & awful)"},{"id":"C-chokusetsu","cat":"C","romaji":"chokusetsu","polite":null,"ja":"直接","english":"directly, in person (chokusetsu kiite = ask them yourself)","freqRank":942,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Situational (asking or buying directly); not a stance word, and optional.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-sassato","cat":"C","romaji":"sassato","polite":null,"ja":"さっさと","english":"quickly, hurry up and (sassato kimete = just decide already)","freqRank":1036,"flags":["casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"hayaku does 'hurry up and' (hayaku kimete).","coveredBy":"\"Fast, slow, properly, well\" hayaku"},{"id":"A-ikinari","cat":"A","romaji":"ikinari","polite":null,"ja":"いきなり","english":"suddenly, out of the blue, straight off (ikinari nani? = what's this all of a sudden?)","freqRank":723,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"kyuu ni is the everyday 'suddenly'.","coveredBy":"kyuu ni (Soon, suddenly, gradually)"},{"id":"A-maikai","cat":"A","romaji":"maikai","polite":null,"ja":"毎回","english":"every time (maikai osoi jan = you're late every time)","freqRank":2846,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"itsumo handles 'every time' complaints (itsumo osoi jan).","coveredBy":"itsumo (How often)"},{"id":"A-imagoro","cat":"A","romaji":"imagoro","polite":null,"ja":"今頃","english":"about now, by now; only now?! (imagoro?)","freqRank":1866,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Narrow; ima covers the guessing use, and 'only now?!' is mostly recognition.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-aru-teido","cat":"B","romaji":"aru teido","polite":null,"ja":"ある程度","english":"to some extent, more or less","freqRank":1368,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'Daitai wakaru' already hedges skill or knowledge.","coveredBy":"\"About / exactly\" daitai"},{"id":"E-ni-shite-wa","cat":"E","romaji":"-ni shite wa","polite":null,"ja":"〜にしては","english":"for (a ...), considering (hajimete ni shite wa umai = good for a first try)","freqRank":2685,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Narrow and fairly rare (#2685).","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-osewa-ni-natta","cat":"G","romaji":"osewa ni natta","polite":"osewa ni narimashita / osewa ni natte imasu","ja":"お世話になる","english":"thanks for everything you've done for me (itsumo osewa ni natte imasu = thanks for your continued support)","freqRank":812,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Polite work and host formula; beyond casual scope.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-ii-kagen-ni-shite","cat":"G","romaji":"ii kagen ni shite","polite":"ii kagen ni shite kudasai","ja":"いい加減にして","english":"give it a rest!, cut it out (ii kagen = sloppy, irresponsible)","freqRank":2132,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Confrontational and narrow; mostly recognised.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-sansei-hantai","cat":"G","romaji":"sansei / hantai","polite":"sansei desu / hantai desu","ja":"賛成・反対","english":"I'm for it, agreed! / against it","freqRank":1161,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Meeting-style voting words; ii ne and chotto... handle casual plans.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-dou-kana","cat":"G","romaji":"dou kana","polite":"dou deshou ne","ja":"どうかな","english":"hmm, I'm not so sure (about that)","freqRank":1308,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"sou kana, dou and kana are all kept.","coveredBy":"sou kana (Replies with sou), dou (Pointing, question & people words), kana (Sentence endings & intent)"},{"id":"G-imi-nai","cat":"G","romaji":"imi nai","polite":"imi ga nai desu","ja":"意味ない","english":"pointless (imi wakannai = makes no sense; sou iu imi ja nakute = that's not what I meant)","freqRank":287,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"imi is already taught in dou iu imi?; adding nai is transparent.","coveredBy":"dou iu imi? (Asking about words)"},{"id":"G-himitsu","cat":"G","romaji":"himitsu","polite":"himitsu desu","ja":"秘密","english":"secret (himitsu da yo = it's a secret; naishou = just between us)","freqRank":1003,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Playful noun; nice but not a gap in core responses.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-iiwake","cat":"G","romaji":"iiwake","polite":null,"ja":"言い訳","english":"excuse (iiwake shinaide = no excuses; iiwake ja nai kedo = not to make excuses, but)","freqRank":1512,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Narrow noun; not a response in itself.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-dasu-suffix","cat":"I","romaji":"-dasu","polite":"-dashimasu","ja":"〜出す","english":"suddenly start -ing (naki dasu = burst into tears; ii dasu = bring up, blurt out)","freqRank":163,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Mostly fixed words (omoidasu, iidasu); kyuu ni plus a past verb covers the sense.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-rashii-typical","cat":"I","romaji":"-rashii","polite":"-rashii desu","ja":"〜らしい","english":"typical of, just like (kimi rashii = so you; rashiku nai = not like you)","freqRank":218,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Narrow character teasing; shares its sound with the kept hearsay rashii, so it can confuse.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-teki-ni","cat":"I","romaji":"-teki ni","polite":null,"ja":"〜的に","english":"-wise, in terms of (watashi-teki ni wa = personally; jikan-teki ni = time-wise)","freqRank":1072,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept -nara and 'watashi wa' already hedge 'personally / X-wise'; slightly youthful, optional.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-wake-ni-wa-ikanai","cat":"I","romaji":"-wake ni wa ikanai","polite":"-wake ni wa ikimasen","ja":"〜わけにはいかない","english":"can't very well (do) (kaeru wake ni wa ikanai = I can't just leave)","freqRank":1336,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Stiff and narrow; you rarely need to say it, and -shika nai covers the nearby ground.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-aite","cat":"J","romaji":"aite","polite":null,"ja":"相手","english":"the other person, partner, opponent (aite ni shinai = ignore them)","freqRank":276,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"hito ('person; others') covers 'the other person' well enough for a learner.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-docchi-mo","cat":"J","romaji":"docchi mo","polite":"dochira mo","ja":"どっちも","english":"both; neither (with a negative)","freqRank":2578,"flags":[],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Built from kept dotchi plus mo, like daremo and nanimo; zenbu also covers 'all of them'.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-tonari-yoko","cat":"J","romaji":"tonari / yoko","polite":null,"ja":"隣・横","english":"next to, next door / beside, at the side","freqRank":921,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Optional; when talking face to face, koko, soko and kotchi already handle locating things.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-mawari","cat":"J","romaji":"mawari","polite":null,"ja":"周り","english":"around, surroundings; the people around you (mawari no hito)","freqRank":735,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"minna, hito and hoka no hito cover 'the people around'; it is optional.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-naka","cat":"J","romaji":"naka","polite":null,"ja":"中","english":"inside, in; among (X no naka de ichiban = the most of X)","freqRank":133,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Same word as the kept naka / soto pair.","coveredBy":"\"In, on, near, other\" naka / soto"},{"id":"J-ue","cat":"J","romaji":"ue","polite":null,"ja":"上","english":"on, above, top; (ue no) older","freqRank":321,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Same word as the kept ue / shita pair.","coveredBy":"\"In, on, near, other\" ue / shita"},{"id":"J-shita","cat":"J","romaji":"shita","polite":null,"ja":"下","english":"under, below; (shita no) younger","freqRank":622,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Same word as the kept ue / shita pair.","coveredBy":"\"In, on, near, other\" ue / shita"},{"id":"J-soto","cat":"J","romaji":"soto","polite":null,"ja":"外","english":"outside; out (soto de taberu = eat out)","freqRank":437,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Same word as the kept naka / soto pair.","coveredBy":"\"In, on, near, other\" naka / soto"},{"id":"J-tonari","cat":"J","romaji":"tonari","polite":null,"ja":"隣","english":"next to; next door (yoko = beside, #2228)","freqRank":921,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Duplicates the tonari / yoko entry, which is also rejected.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-ushiro","cat":"J","romaji":"ushiro","polite":null,"ja":"後ろ","english":"behind, back (ushiro ni = behind)","freqRank":1090,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Duplicate; it comes in with the mae / ushiro re-add.","coveredBy":"mae / ushiro (re-add)"},{"id":"J-koitsu","cat":"J","romaji":"koitsu","polite":"kono hito","ja":"こいつ","english":"this guy; this thing (blunt); soitsu = that guy","freqRank":451,"flags":["rough"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rough, like aitsu; recognise it, but kono hito is the safe form.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-nazeka","cat":"C","romaji":"nazeka","polite":null,"ja":"なぜか","english":"for some reason","freqRank":1893,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Nande ka wakannai kedo, built from kept parts, already says it. #1893, optional.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"A-isshou","cat":"A","romaji":"isshou","polite":null,"ja":"一生","english":"for life, forever (isshou wasurenai); isshou no onegai = I'm begging you, just this once","freqRank":693,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"zutto already covers 'forever' (zutto wasurenai). isshou no onegai is a fixed-phrase extra.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"A-isshun","cat":"A","romaji":"isshun","polite":null,"ja":"一瞬","english":"for a moment, for a split second","freqRank":1421,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"chotto (chotto bikkuri shita) and sugu cover brief moments well enough.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"A-atto-iu-ma","cat":"A","romaji":"atto iu ma","polite":null,"ja":"あっという間","english":"in no time; (atto iu ma datta) it flew by","freqRank":2853,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"hayakatta ne, from the kept word hayai, does the same 'it flew by' job. Optional fixed phrase.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-omoi","cat":"D","romaji":"omoi","polite":"omoi desu","ja":"重い","english":"heavy; serious, too intense (omoi hanashi); karui = light (#1175)","freqRank":1004,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Duplicate of the omoi / karui pair.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-kudaranai","cat":"D","romaji":"kudaranai","polite":"kudaranai desu","ja":"くだらない","english":"pointless, silly, stupid (a joke, an argument, a show)","freqRank":2013,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"tsumaranai handles dismissing a show, joke or talk.","coveredBy":"tsumaranai (Fun, tasty, cute)"},{"id":"D-naka-ga-ii","cat":"D","romaji":"naka ga ii","polite":"naka ga ii desu","ja":"仲がいい","english":"get along well, be close (naka ii ne!); naka ga warui = not get along","freqRank":1305,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Optional; ii and tomodachi-type phrasing cover relationships loosely.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-tsuiteru","cat":"D","romaji":"tsuiteru","polite":"tsuitemasu","ja":"ついてる","english":"lucky (tsuiteru!); tsuitenai = unlucky","freqRank":1402,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rank includes 'attached / on'; casual speakers often just say rakkii.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-ouen-shiteru","cat":"G","romaji":"ouen shiteru","polite":"ouen shite imasu","ja":"応援してる","english":"I'm rooting for you; (ouen suru) support, cheer on","freqRank":877,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ganbatte already cheers someone on.","coveredBy":"ganbatte (Comfort and cheer)"},{"id":"G-kanben-shite","cat":"G","romaji":"kanben shite","polite":"kanben shite kudasai","ja":"勘弁して","english":"give me a break; spare me","freqRank":1416,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Exasperated set phrase; mostly recognised, low production need.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-hottoite","cat":"G","romaji":"hottoite","polite":"hotte oite kudasai","ja":"放っといて","english":"leave me alone; leave it (as is)","freqRank":3002,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rude boundary phrase; low production need, #3002.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-sansei","cat":"G","romaji":"sansei","polite":"sansei desu","ja":"賛成","english":"I'm in! agreed; hantai = I'm against it","freqRank":2582,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Duplicate of sansei / hantai; meeting-style, ii ne covers casual approval.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-sayounara","cat":"G","romaji":"sayounara","polite":null,"ja":"さようなら","english":"goodbye (long parting; end of class)","freqRank":2023,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Rarer than jaa ne in daily speech; jaa ne does the job.","coveredBy":"jaa ne (Hello and goodbye)"},{"id":"G-waa","cat":"G","romaji":"waa","polite":null,"ja":"わあ","english":"wow! (delight: waa, kirei!)","freqRank":778,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Delighted reaction is handled by sugoi and hee.","coveredBy":"sugoi (Versatile adjectives), hee (Showing interest)"},{"id":"H-tsurete-iku","cat":"H","romaji":"tsurete iku / tsurete kuru","polite":"tsurete ikimasu / tsurete kimasu","ja":"連れて行く／連れて来る","english":"take (someone) along / bring (someone)","freqRank":415,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"issho ni iku / kuru already says bring or take someone along.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-akeru","cat":"H","romaji":"akeru","polite":"akemasu","ja":"開ける","english":"open (akete = open it); shimeru = close (#1764)","freqRank":480,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Opening things is object-bound; no conversational gap.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kiru","cat":"H","romaji":"kiru","polite":"kirimasu","ja":"切る","english":"cut; hang up (denwa kiru ne); switch off","freqRank":546,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Cutting and hanging up are object-bound; jaa ne ends calls.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-suteru","cat":"H","romaji":"suteru","polite":"sutemasu","ja":"捨てる","english":"throw away; give up on, dump","freqRank":436,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Rubbish is object-bound; figurative dumping is optional.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-okosu","cat":"H","romaji":"okosu","polite":"okoshimasu","ja":"起こす","english":"wake (someone) up (okoshite = wake me up); cause (trouble)","freqRank":660,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Narrow need; okiru and renraku shite cover wake-up arrangements.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kotaeru","cat":"H","romaji":"kotaeru","polite":"kotaemasu","ja":"答える","english":"answer, reply (kotaete = answer me)","freqRank":646,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Drama inflates kotaete. Everyday replying uses henji or just iu.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-otosu","cat":"H","romaji":"otosu","polite":"otoshimasu","ja":"落とす","english":"drop; lose (otoshita yo = you dropped this)","freqRank":923,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Dropping is object-bound; kore, X no? covers handing something back.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-ochiru","cat":"H","romaji":"ochiru","polite":"ochimasu","ja":"落ちる","english":"fall, drop; fail (an exam), be rejected","freqRank":490,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Falling is object-bound; exam failure is covered by dame datta.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-kesu","cat":"H","romaji":"kesu","polite":"keshimasu","ja":"消す","english":"turn off; erase, delete","freqRank":964,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Device-bound; no conversational gap for a general list.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-nokoru","cat":"H","romaji":"nokoru","polite":"nokorimasu","ja":"残る","english":"be left (over), remain; stay behind (nokotteru? = any left?)","freqRank":382,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mada aru? (mada + aru) already asks if any is left.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-shoukai-suru","cat":"H","romaji":"shoukai suru","polite":"shoukai shimasu","ja":"紹介する","english":"introduce (shoukai suru ne = let me introduce)","freqRank":643,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"kono hito, tomodachi no X da yo covers introductions.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-moriagaru","cat":"H","romaji":"moriagaru","polite":"moriagarimasu","ja":"盛り上がる","english":"liven up, get excited (moriagatta = it was a blast)","freqRank":1777,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"tanoshikatta and saikou datta report a good night.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-ogoru","cat":"H","romaji":"ogoru","polite":"ogorimasu","ja":"おごる","english":"treat, pay for someone (ogoru yo = my treat)","freqRank":2743,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"kyou wa ii yo covers my treat; narrow eating-out move.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-shidai","cat":"I","romaji":"-shidai","polite":null,"ja":"〜次第","english":"depending on; up to (anata shidai = up to you); as soon as","freqRank":1911,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Narrow and a bit formal; ni yoru covers 'depends', and 'anata shidai' can be learned as a phrase.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"I-zurai","cat":"I","romaji":"-zurai","polite":null,"ja":"〜づらい","english":"hard to (awkward or uncomfortable): iizurai = hard to say","freqRank":2585,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Same job as the kept -nikui; the nuance difference doesn't block communication.","coveredBy":"\"Too, easy, hard\" -nikui (hard to)"},{"id":"J-imi","cat":"J","romaji":"imi","polite":null,"ja":"意味","english":"meaning; point (imi nai = pointless; imi wakannai = makes no sense)","freqRank":287,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"G's 'dou iu imi?' already teaches imi; imi wakannai is built with the kept wakannai.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-wake","cat":"J","romaji":"wake","polite":null,"ja":"訳","english":"reason; (sou iu wake) so that's how it is; wake wakannai = makes no sense; dou iu wake? = how come?","freqRank":272,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"wake da and -wake ja nai are kept; dou iu wake follows from them.","coveredBy":"wake da; -wake ja nai"},{"id":"D-karui","cat":"D","romaji":"karui","polite":"karui desu","ja":"軽い","english":"light; casual, light-hearted (karuku = lightly, a bit: karuku taberu)","freqRank":1175,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Duplicate of the omoi / karui pair.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-akarui","cat":"D","romaji":"akarui","polite":"akarui desu","ja":"明るい","english":"bright; cheerful, upbeat (person, mood)","freqRank":1331,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Duplicate of the akarui / kurai pair.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-kurai","cat":"D","romaji":"kurai","polite":"kurai desu","ja":"暗い","english":"dark; gloomy, down (person, mood)","freqRank":1480,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Duplicate pair item; sounds like kept gurai particle.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-hikui","cat":"D","romaji":"hikui","polite":"hikui desu","ja":"低い","english":"low; short (se ga hikui); low (voice, chance, level)","freqRank":1747,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Low speakNeed; mainly height and level, which are narrow.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-tsuzuku","cat":"H","romaji":"tsuzuku","polite":"tsuzukimasu","ja":"続く","english":"continue, go on (by itself); last","freqRank":443,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mada and zutto cover things lasting or going on.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-muri-shinaide","cat":"G","romaji":"muri shinaide","polite":"muri shinaide kudasai","ja":"無理しないで","english":"don't push yourself, take it easy","freqRank":null,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"muri plus -naide, both kept.","coveredBy":"muri (Versatile adjectives), -naide (Sentence endings & intent)"},{"id":"H-agaru-sagaru","cat":"H","romaji":"agaru / sagaru","polite":"agarimasu / sagarimasu","ja":"上がる・下がる","english":"go up / go down; rise / fall (prices, temperature, grades, mood); agatte = come on in (to a home); agaru = get stage fright","freqRank":503,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"takaku naru / yasuku naru via -ku naru; douzo / haitte cover come in.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-aseru","cat":"H","romaji":"aseru","polite":"aserimasu","ja":"焦る","english":"panic, get flustered, feel rushed (aseranaide = no rush, don't panic; asetta = I totally panicked)","freqRank":1189,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"yukkuri de ii yo already reassures; being flustered is optional.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-mukau","cat":"H","romaji":"mukau","polite":"mukaimasu","ja":"向かう","english":"head for, be on the way (ima mukatteru = I'm on my way; eki ni mukatteru = heading to the station)","freqRank":562,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ima iku / ima kara iku already answers 'where are you?'.","coveredBy":"iku, kore kara"},{"id":"H-tsukeru","cat":"H","romaji":"tsukeru","polite":"tsukemasu","ja":"付ける・点ける","english":"turn on (light, TV, aircon); put on, attach, add (kesu = turn off; tsuku = come on: denki ga tsukanai = the light won't come on)","freqRank":393,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Device-bound; the only gap is switching things on.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-motte-kuru-iku","cat":"H","romaji":"motte kuru / motte iku","polite":"motte kimasu / motte ikimasu","ja":"持ってくる・持っていく","english":"bring / take (a thing) along (motte kite = bring it; nani motte ku? = what should I bring?)","freqRank":813,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Built from the kept motsu plus -te kuru / -te iku ('take along').","coveredBy":"motsu, -te kuru, -te iku"},{"id":"H-shinu","cat":"H","romaji":"shinu","polite":"shinimasu","ja":"死ぬ","english":"die; (hyperbole) be dying (shinu hodo = to death; tsukarete shinisou = I'm dead tired; shinu ka to omotta = I thought I'd die)","freqRank":205,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"metcha, sugoku and yabai already carry hyperbole.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"E-ni-kurabete","cat":"E","romaji":"-ni kurabete","polite":null,"ja":"〜に比べて","english":"compared to (kyonen ni kurabete = compared to last year; Toukyou ni kurabete shizuka = quiet compared to Tokyo); kuraberu = compare","freqRank":1477,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"yori and no hou ga already make any comparison.","coveredBy":"yori, no hou ga"},{"id":"J-migi-hidari","cat":"J","romaji":"migi / hidari","polite":null,"ja":"右・左","english":"right / left (migi ni magatte = turn right; hidari no = the one on the left)","freqRank":1578,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"kotchi, atchi and pointing cover live locating; giving directions is a topic area.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-massugu","cat":"C","romaji":"massugu","polite":null,"ja":"真っ直ぐ","english":"straight (ahead); straight, directly (massugu kaeru = go straight home); straightforward, upright (person)","freqRank":2303,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Mostly about directions, which are out of scope; #2303.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-hiroi-semai","cat":"D","romaji":"hiroi / semai","polite":"hiroi desu / semai desu","ja":"広い・狭い","english":"spacious, wide, broad / cramped, narrow, small (place); kao ga hiroi = knows everyone; kokoro ga semai = petty","freqRank":1347,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"ookii and chiisai cover room and space size well enough.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-irasshai","cat":"G","romaji":"irasshai","polite":"irasshaimase","ja":"いらっしゃい","english":"welcome! come on in (host to guest); irasshaimase = welcome (shop and restaurant staff)","freqRank":1184,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Staff and host phrase; heard constantly, almost never produced.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-haa","cat":"G","romaji":"haa?","polite":null,"ja":"はあ？","english":"huh?! what?! (annoyed disbelief); haa... (sigh)","freqRank":521,"flags":["rough","casual-only"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Rude irritated reaction; recognise only.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-gokurousama","cat":"G","romaji":"gokurousama","polite":"gokurousama desu","ja":"ご苦労さま","english":"thanks for your trouble (to someone who did a job for you: delivery person, junior); to equals or seniors say otsukaresama","freqRank":1560,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Downward-only and narrow; otsukare is the safe one.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-attakai","cat":"D","romaji":"attakai","polite":"atatakai desu","ja":"暖かい・温かい","english":"warm (weather, food, drinks, a person). Full form atatakai","freqRank":2240,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Only worth it beside atsui/samui; atsuku nai and ii cover pleasant warmth.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-tsuite-iku","cat":"H","romaji":"tsuite iku / tsuite kuru","polite":"tsuite ikimasu / tsuite kimasu","ja":"ついていく・ついてくる","english":"go along with, follow / come along (watashi mo tsuite iku = I'll come too; tsuite kite = follow me; tsuite ikenai = I can't keep up)","freqRank":1860,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"watashi mo iku and issho ni iku cover joining plans.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-onaka-suita","cat":"D","romaji":"onaka suita","polite":"onaka ga sukimashita","ja":"お腹すいた","english":"I'm hungry (nodo kawaita = I'm thirsty; onaka ippai = I'm full)","freqRank":2781,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"'nanika tabetai' via kept -tai covers hunger; food-tied fixed phrase.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-tomeru","cat":"H","romaji":"tomeru","polite":"tomemasu","ja":"止める","english":"stop (someone or something); park (kuruma o tomeru); turn off (water); tomete! = stop him / stop it. tomaru = stop by itself","freqRank":545,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"yameru covers stopping; stopping objects or parking is narrow.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-nashi","cat":"B","romaji":"nashi","polite":"nashi desu","ja":"なし","english":"none, no (X); without (satou nashi de = without sugar); off / not OK (kyou wa nashi = it's off today; sore wa nashi = that's a no)","freqRank":704,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-naide, dame and 'X wa ii' cover without/off; not worth a new block.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-junchou","cat":"D","romaji":"junchou","polite":"junchou desu","ja":"順調","english":"going smoothly, on track (junchou? = going well?; junchou da yo)","freqRank":1689,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"'dou?' and 'ii kanji' handle check-ins; somewhat formal.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-oogesa","cat":"D","romaji":"oogesa","polite":"oogesa desu","ja":"大げさ","english":"exaggerated, over the top (oogesa da yo = you're exaggerating; oogesa ni iu = blow it up)","freqRank":1904,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Narrow reaction; 'uso' or 'sonna koto nai' cover most of it.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-yaruki","cat":"D","romaji":"yaruki aru","polite":"yaruki ga arimasu","ja":"やる気ある","english":"motivated, keen (yaruki nai = can't be bothered / no motivation; yaruki deta = I'm fired up)","freqRank":1776,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"iya and '-tai' negatives cover can't be bothered; optional.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-atama-ii","cat":"D","romaji":"atama ii","polite":"atama ga ii desu","ja":"頭いい","english":"smart, clever (atama warui = dumb). kashikoi = clever, a bit more formal","freqRank":7901,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"sugoi and sasuga cover the compliment; low rank.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-sensei","cat":"J","romaji":"sensei","polite":null,"ja":"先生","english":"teacher, doctor; used as 'you' when addressing teachers, doctors and authors (senpai / kouhai = senior / junior)","freqRank":191,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-san covers addressing people; sensei is a role noun, closer to a topic word.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-shitsumon","cat":"G","romaji":"shitsumon","polite":null,"ja":"質問","english":"question (shitsumon shite ii? = can I ask something?; ii shitsumon = good question)","freqRank":1058,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"chotto ii? and kiku already ask permission to ask.","coveredBy":"chotto ii? (Getting attention), kiku (General verbs)"},{"id":"J-kotoba","cat":"J","romaji":"kotoba","polite":null,"ja":"言葉","english":"word(s), language (sono kotoba wakaranai = I don't know that word; kotoba ga denai = I can't find the words)","freqRank":354,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"-tte nani? and nihongo de nante iu? already cover asking about a word.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-motte-iku-kuru","cat":"H","romaji":"motte iku / motte kuru","polite":"motte ikimasu / motte kimasu","ja":"持って行く・持って来る","english":"take (a thing) along / bring (a thing)","freqRank":813,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Duplicate of motte kuru. Built from motsu plus -te iku / -te kuru.","coveredBy":"motsu, -te kuru, -te iku"},{"id":"H-nakusu","cat":"H","romaji":"nakusu","polite":"nakushimasu","ja":"失くす・無くす","english":"lose (an item); get rid of (saifu nakushita = I lost my wallet)","freqRank":1642,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"nai! (kept aru) covers losing things: saifu ga nai.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"H-mamoru","cat":"H","romaji":"mamoru","polite":"mamorimasu","ja":"守る","english":"keep (a promise, rule, time); protect (yakusoku mamotte ne = keep your promise)","freqRank":303,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"Drama inflates 'protect'. 'Keep a promise' alone is too narrow.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-koso","cat":"B","romaji":"koso","polite":null,"ja":"こそ","english":"(this one) for sure, precisely (kondo koso = this time for sure; sore koso = exactly that)","freqRank":320,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kondo koso is covered by zettai; kochira koso belongs in G as a phrase.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"B-seizei","cat":"B","romaji":"seizei","polite":null,"ja":"せいぜい","english":"at most, at best (seizei ichi-jikan = an hour at most)","freqRank":3097,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"#3097. Narrow 'at most' that is usually attached to numbers, which are out of scope.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"J-docchi-ka","cat":"J","romaji":"docchi ka","polite":"dochira ka","ja":"どっちか","english":"one or the other, either one (docchi ka ni shite = pick one; docchi ka to iu to = if anything, I'd say)","freqRank":471,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Follows from dotchi plus the kept nanika/dareka pattern.","coveredBy":"\"this/that: ways & sides\" dotchi + \"Something, someone\" -ka series"},{"id":"J-konna-kanji","cat":"J","romaji":"konna kanji / donna kanji","polite":"konna kanji desu / donna kanji desu ka","ja":"こんな感じ・どんな感じ","english":"like this, this sort of way / what's it like?, how's it going?","freqRank":305,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"The kept 'tte kanji' teaches kanji; donna/konna plus kanji builds it, and dou? also asks it.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"D-yaru-ki","cat":"D","romaji":"yaru ki","polite":null,"ja":"やる気","english":"motivation, drive (yaru ki nai = can't be bothered; yaru ki deta = I'm fired up)","freqRank":1776,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Duplicate of yaruki aru.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"C-aru-imi","cat":"C","romaji":"aru imi","polite":null,"ja":"ある意味","english":"in a sense, in a way (aru imi sugoi = impressive, in a way)","freqRank":4266,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"skip","reason":"#4266; a rare framing hedge.","coveredBy":null},{"id":"G-mata-kondo","cat":"G","romaji":"mata kondo","polite":"mata kondo onegai shimasu","ja":"また今度","english":"maybe next time, another time (soft no to an invitation)","freqRank":243,"flags":["fixed-phrase"],"votes":1,"verdict":"covered","reason":"mata plus kondo, both kept; chotto... softens the refusal.","coveredBy":"mata (Time & sequence), kondo (Time & sequence), chotto... (Accepting and declining)"},{"id":"I-garu-tagaru","cat":"I","romaji":"-garu / -tagaru","polite":"-garimasu / -tagarimasu","ja":"〜がる／〜たがる","english":"(someone else) shows signs of feeling / wants to (kowagatteru = is scared; ikitagatteru = is keen to go)","freqRank":4064,"flags":[],"votes":0,"verdict":"covered","reason":"Kept mitai, -sou, rashii and -tai tte already report others' feelings and wants in casual speech.","coveredBy":null}]}