Collocations

The noun and verb sets Japanese speakers use together all the time: rain falls (ame ga furu), open the door (doa o akeru), catch a cold (kaze o hiku).

405 sets in 94 chunks, chosen by how often they’re said and how typical the pairing is, and ordered into four stages that run alongside the main list’s stages. Each chunk is a short page; use Next at the bottom of each page.

Stages

Stage 1 · 101 collocationsTalk about the weather, being hungry or in pain, going out and coming home, the bathroom, catching a train, school and work days, chatting and making friends, simple hobbies, how you feel, and what people look like and are good at.

Stage 2 · 102 collocationsTalk about meals and drinks, catching a cold and getting better, doors, lights and bedtime, TV and photos, what you're wearing, family and friends, noticing and understanding things, and what you like.

Stage 3 · 99 collocationsMake plans and say when you're free, pay and spend, phone and message people, go out to drink, take trips and pick people up, find your way, tidy up, take time off, and handle favours, apologies and thanks.

Stage 4 · 103 collocationsTalk about breakfast and the fridge, housework, gadgets and apps, glasses and accessories, exams, job hunting and getting work done, long-term health and injuries, errands and promises, moods and worries, and outings through the seasons.

Browse

By verbEach Japanese verb with the nouns it pairs with. 64 verbs pair with more than one noun.

By English wordThe English word you’d reach for, and the Japanese verb each noun really takes. 73 English words split into several.

Cuts1034 candidates that didn’t make the list, with the reason for each.

Topics

Weather & nature

1. Rain and snowStage 1ame ga furu it rains; rain fallsyuki ga furu it snowsame ga yamu the rain stopskasa o sasu put up (open) an umbrella; have an umbrella upame ni furareru get caught in the rain
2. Weather and windStage 1tenki ga ii the weather is nicekaze ga tsuyoi it's windyame ga tsuyoi the rain is heavykaze ga fuku the wind blowskaze ni ataru get some (fresh) air
3. Storms and quakesStage 2taifuu ga kuru a typhoon comes (hits)jishin ga okiru an earthquake happens, hitskaminari ga naru it thunders; thunder rumblestenki yohou ga hazureru the forecast is wrong
4. Sun and moonStage 3hi ga kureru it gets dark (evening)hi ga noboru the sun rises, comes uphi ga shizumu the sun sets, goes downtsuki ga deru the moon comes out
5. SeasonsStage 4hana ga saku flowers bloom, come outatsusa ni yowai can't take the heatsemi ga naku cicadas sing, buzzyuki ga tsumoru snow settles, lies on the ground

Body & health

1. Hungry, full, thirstyStage 1onaka ga suku get hungryonaka ga ippai be full (after eating)nodo ga kawaku get thirstyonaka ga heru get hungry (blunter, casual)
2. Washing and groomingStage 1te o arau wash your handskao o arau wash your facekami o arau wash your hairkami o kiru get a haircuttsume o kiru cut your nails
3. Aches and painsStage 1atama ga itai have a headacheonaka ga itai have a stomachachenodo ga itai have a sore throatkoshi ga itai have lower back painkata ga koru have stiff shoulders
4. Feeling unwellStage 1guai ga warui feel unwelltaichou ga warui not feel well, be under the weather (the safe phrase at work)choushi ga warui feel off; act up (devices)choushi ga ii be in good shape, going wellkibun ga warui feel sick (queasy or faint); feel put off
5. Getting sickStage 2kaze o hiku catch a coldkaze ga utsuru catch someone's coldbyouki ni naru get sick, fall illtaichou o kuzusu get run down, fall illonaka o kowasu get an upset stomach
6. Cold symptomsStage 2netsu ga aru have a fevernetsu ga deru get a feverseki ga deru have a coughhanamizu ga deru have a runny nosekarada ga darui feel heavy and sluggish
7. Doctor and medicineStage 2byouin ni iku see a doctorkusuri o nomu take medicinekusuri ga kiku medicine works, takes effect
8. Rest and recoveryStage 2yoko ni naru lie downnetsu ga sagaru fever goes downkaze ga naoru get over a coldtsukare ga toreru shake off tiredness, feel rested
9. Long-term healthStage 4karada ni ii good for you, healthytoshi o toru get older, agetabako o yameru quit smokingarerugii ga aru be allergic (to something)
10. Visible signsStage 4kega o suru get hurt, get injuredchi ga deru bleed, be bleedingase o kaku sweat, get sweatykaoiro ga warui look pale, look unwellkao ga akai be red in the face
11. Moving your bodyStage 4te o ageru raise your handme o tojiru close your eyeschikara o nuku relax (your body), loosen up

Clothes & wearing

1. Clothes and shoesStage 2fuku o kiru put on / wear clotheskutsu o haku put on / wear shoeskutsu o nugu take off shoesfuku o nugu take off clothes, get undressed
2. Trying clothes onStage 3zubon o haku put on / wear trousersfuku o kigaeru change clothes, get changedfuku ga niau suit someone, look good on someonesaizu ga au be the right size, fit
3. Masks and glassesStage 4masuku o suru wear a maskmasuku o hazusu take off a maskmegane o kakeru wear / put on glassesmegane o hazusu take off glasses
4. Hats and accessoriesStage 4boushi o kaburu wear / put on a hatyubiwa o suru wear a ringnekutai o suru wear a tiekousui o tsukeru wear / put on perfume

Home & daily routine

1. Out and backStage 1uchi ni kaeru go home, get homeuchi o deru leave the housesoto ni deru go outside, step outkaimono ni iku go shoppingkaeri ga osoi get home late
2. BathroomStage 1toire ni iku go to the toiletshawaa o abiru take a showerofuro ni hairu take a bathha o migaku brush your teethhige o soru shave (your face)
3. Doors and locksStage 2doa o akeru open the doordoa o shimeru close the doordoa ga aku the door opens (aiteru = is open)doa ga shimaru the door closes (shimatteru = is shut)kagi o kakeru lock (a door, bike, locker)kagi ga kakaru (a door) locks, gets locked (kakatteru = is locked)
4. Windows and curtainsStage 2mado o akeru open the windowmado o shimeru close the windowkaaten o shimeru close the curtains
5. Lights and buttonsStage 2denki o tsukeru turn on the lightdenki o kesu turn off the lightdenki ga tsuku the light comes on (tsuiteru = is on)botan o osu press the button
6. Bed and wakingStage 2yume o miru have a dream (while asleep)me ga sameru wake up (from sleep); feel wide awake (me ga sameta)futon ni hairu get into bed, get under the coversmezamashi o kakeru set an alarmkotatsu ni hairu get under the kotatsu
7. Trash and tidyingStage 3gomi o suteru throw away rubbishgomi o dasu take out the trashheya o katazukeru tidy up one's roomheya ga chirakaru (a room) gets messy, is a messmoto ni modosu put back (as it was)
8. KitchenStage 3osara o arau wash the dishes, wash upoyu o wakasu boil waterteeburu o fuku wipe the table
9. Housework and laundryStage 4kaji o suru do the houseworksentakumono o hosu hang out the laundrysentakumono ga kawaku the laundry driesfuku o tatamu fold clothessoujiki o kakeru vacuum (the floor)
10. Your placeStage 4heya o kariru rent a room or flatsemai heya a small, cramped roominu o kau have / keep a dognimotsu ga todoku a package arrives, gets delivered

Food & drink

1. DrinksStage 2mizu o nomu drink waterkoohii o nomu drink coffeeosake o nomu drink (alcohol)ocha o nomu have tea, drink tea
2. Meals at homeStage 2gohan o taberu eat, have a mealgohan o tsukuru cook a meal, make dinnergohan ga dekiru the meal gets ready (dekita = it's ready)gohan ga sameru the food gets cold
3. Eating outStage 2gohan ni iku go out to eatmise ga komu (a place) gets crowded (konderu = is packed)gohan o ogoru treat someone to a mealryou ga ooi it's a big portion
4. Drinking outStage 3nomi ni iku go out for drinkstabako o suu smoke (a cigarette)osake ga yowai can't hold one's drinkosake ga tsuyoi can hold one's drink
5. How it tastesStage 3aji ga suru taste (like something)aji ga usui lightly seasoned; bland (needs more salt)aji ga koi strongly seasoned, rich
6. BreakfastStage 4ocha o ireru make teasatou o ireru put sugar in, add sugarpan o yaku toast bread; bake breadasagohan o nuku skip breakfast
7. Fridge and microwaveStage 4reizouko ni ireru put in the fridgeobentou o atatameru heat up a boxed lunchfuta o suru put the lid onkigen ga kireru expire, be past its date

Phone, photos & screens

1. TV and musicStage 2terebi o miru watch TVongaku o kiku listen to musicnyuusu o miru watch or check the newsongaku o kakeru put on musicchanneru o kaeru change the channel
2. Photos and your phoneStage 2shashin o toru take a photoshashin o miru look at photossumaho o ijiru be on your phoneshashin o okuru send a photo
3. Phone callsStage 3denwa o kakeru make a phone calldenwa ni deru answer the phonedenwa o kiru hang up the phonedenwa ga naru the phone ringsdenwa ga aru (someone) called, there was a call from Xdenwa ga kakaru get a phone call
4. Numbers and messagesStage 3bangou o oshieru give someone your numbermeeru o okuru send an emailmeeru ga kuru get an emailmeeru o kaesu reply to a message
5. Power, battery, soundStage 4dengen o kiru turn off (a phone or device)dengen o ireru turn on (a phone or device)juuden ga kireru battery runs out, diesoto ga deru sound comes out (of a TV, speaker, phone)
6. Internet and appsStage 4netto de shiraberu look something up onlinenetto ga tsunagaru the internet connects, worksdenpa ga warui bad signal, poor receptionapuri o ireru install an app, get an app

Getting around

1. Getting on and offStage 1densha ni noru ride / get on the trainbasu ni noru take the buskuruma ni noru get in / ride in a cardensha o oriru get off the trainjitensha ni noru ride a bike
2. Catching the trainStage 2densha ga okureru the train is delayeddensha ni maniau make the train in timedensha ga deru the train leavesdensha ni okureru be late for the train (and so miss it)shuuden ga nakunaru the last train is gone (no way home)
3. On the wayStage 3eki ni tsuku get to the stationmichi ga komu the traffic is heavyseki ga aku a seat frees up (aiteru = a seat is free)eki o norisugosu miss your stop
4. On a tripStage 3ryokou ni iku go on a triphikouki ni noru fly, take a planehoteru ni tomaru stay at a hotelomiyage o kau buy gifts to take backonsen ni hairu bathe in a hot spring
5. Picking someone upStage 3mukae ni iku go to pick someone upnimotsu o motsu carry the bagskuruma ni noseru give someone a liftkuruma o tomeru park the carkonbini ni yoru stop by the convenience store
6. Finding the wayStage 3hidari ni magaru turn leftkado o magaru turn at the cornermichi ni mayou get lostmichi o machigaeru go the wrong waymaigo ni naru get lost (wander off, like a lost child)

Time, money & plans

1. No time, no moneyStage 1jikan ga nai have no timehima ga nai have no free timeokane ga nai have no money, be brokeokane ga tarinai be short of moneyyoyuu ga nai have nothing to spare
2. Ready and how longStage 2junbi ga dekiru be readyjikan ga kakaru take timejikan ga tatsu time passestema ga kakaru take work, be a hassle
3. Costs and payingStage 3okane ga kakaru cost moneyikura suru how much it costs (price + suru)nedan ga takai the price is highokane o harau pay (money)warikan ni suru split the bill
4. Are you free?Stage 3jikan ga aku be free (have time)yotei ga aru have planstsugou ga ii suit someone, be convenienttsugou ga warui not suit someone, can't make it (a time)
5. Can't make itStage 3youji ga aru have something to doasa ga hayai have an early startyotei ga hairu have plans, get bookedsen'yaku ga aru have prior plans
6. Spending and savingStage 3okane o tsukau spend moneykaado o tsukau pay by cardokane o tameru save up moneypointo o tameru collect loyalty points
7. Out on errandsStage 4okane o orosu withdraw cashmise ga aku a shop opens (aiteru = is open)mise ga shimaru a shop closes (shimatteru = is closed)junban o matsu wait your turn
8. Plans and promisesStage 4yousu o miru wait and see; check on (someone)chuushi ni naru be called offyakusoku o mamoru keep a promisekeikaku o tateru make a plan
9. Using your timeStage 4jikan o kakeru put time into, take time overjikan o toru set aside time, take up timejikan o tsukuru make timejikan o tsubusu kill time

Work & school

1. School and work daysStage 1gakkou ni iku go to schoolshigoto ni iku go to workshigoto ga owaru get off workshigoto ga isogashii be busy with work
2. Questions and learningStage 1shitsumon ga aru have a questionshitsumon ni kotaeru answer a questioneigo o hanasu speak Englishbenkyou ni naru be instructive; learn a lot
3. What's onStage 1jugyou ga aru have classkaigi ga aru have a meetingshiken ga aru have an examshigoto ga hairu work comes upenki ni naru be postponed
4. Breaks and time offStage 3shigoto o yasumu take time off work, miss workyasumi o toru take time offkyuukei o toru take a breakkaisha o yameru quit one's job
5. Homework and gradesStage 3shukudai o suru do homeworkshukudai o dasu hand in homeworkmondai o toku solve a question, do problemsseiseki ga ii have good grades, do well at school
6. Exams and resultsStage 4shiken o ukeru take an examten o toru score, get marks (on a test)kekka ga deru the results come outshiken ni ukaru pass an examshiken ni ochiru fail an exam
7. University and jobsStage 4shigoto o sagasu look for a jobshigoto ga mitsukaru find a jobdaigaku ni hairu get into university, start universitykaisha ni hairu join a companykeiken ga aru have experience
8. Getting work doneStage 4atama o tsukau use your head; make you thinkkekka o dasu get results, deliver resultsmemo o toru take notes, write it downaidea ga ukabu an idea comes to mindhanko o osu stamp your seal

People & talk

1. Talking to peopleStage 1hanashi o suru talk, have a talkhanashi o kiku listen to someone, hear someone outhanashi ga aru need to talk (to you)hanashi ga nagai be long-winded, go on forever
2. Making friendsStage 1tomodachi ga dekiru make a friend, make friendstomodachi ni naru become friends (with someone)namae o oshieru tell someone your namekoe o kakeru speak to, call out to; ask alongdeai ga aru meet someone new
3. Kids and growing upStage 2kodomo ga iru have children, have kidskodomo ga umareru have a babyotona ni naru grow up, become an adultkodomo o sodateru raise children, bring up kidsmendou o miru look after, take care of
4. Close and in touchStage 2naka ga ii get along well, be closenaka ga warui be on bad termsrenraku o toru get or stay in touchrenraku ga kuru hear from someone
5. Lies, jokes and complaintsStage 2uso o tsuku tell a liejoudan o iu joke, kid aroundmonku o iu complainguchi o iu grumble, ventnaisho ni suru keep it secret
6. Seeing peopleStage 3tomodachi ni au see a friend, meet upie made okuru see or drive someone homejikka ni kaeru go home to your parents'tanjoubi o iwau celebrate a birthday
7. Favours, sorry, cheer upStage 3onegai ga aru have a favour to askmeiwaku o kakeru cause someone troubleshinpai o kakeru make someone worrygenki o dasu cheer up
8. Manners and thanksStage 3orei o iu thank someone, say thankskeigo o tsukau speak politely, use honorificski o tsukau be considerate, go to troubleosewa ni naru be looked after, be indebtedgochisou ni naru be treated (to a meal)
9. Pride and teasingStage 4baka ni suru make fun of, look down onhaji o kaku embarrass yourself, make a fool of yourselfkakko tsukeru show off, act cool
10. Worries and adviceStage 4nayami ga aru have something on your mindsoudan ga aru want to ask your advicesoudan ni noru give advice, hear someone outhonne o iu say what you really think

Hobbies, sport & games

1. Read, watch, sing, drawStage 1hon o yomu read a bookeiga o miru watch a movieuta o utau sing a songe o kaku draw or paint a picture
2. Going out for funStage 1asobi ni iku go out for fun; go visiteiga ni iku go to the moviessanpo ni iku go for a walkkaraoke ni iku go to karaoke
3. Play and lessonsStage 1geemu o suru play games (video games, cards and the like)sakkaa o suru play soccerpiano o hiku play the pianopiano o narau take piano lessons
4. Hooked, tickets, winningStage 3geemu ni hamaru be hooked on games; be really into gamesshiai ni katsu win a matchshiai ni makeru lose a matchchiketto o toru get hold of tickets
5. Exercise and outdoorsStage 4karada o ugokasu get some exercise, move your bodykibun tenkan ni naru be a nice change of pace, do someone goodyama ni noboru climb a mountaintsuri ni iku go fishingkyanpu ni iku go camping
6. Seasonal outingsStage 4ohanami ni iku go cherry-blossom viewinghatsumoude ni iku make the year's first shrine visitomikuji o hiku draw a fortune slip

Senses & mind

1. Feels good or badStage 1kimochi ga ii feels good, feels nicekimochi ga warui feel queasy, feel nauseous; gross, creepykibun ga ii be in a good mood; feel wellkigen ga warui be in a bad mood, grumpyigokochi ga ii comfortable to be in, cosy
2. NoticingStage 2nioi ga suru smell something, there's a smelloto ga suru hear a noise, there's a soundkoe ga kikoeru hear a voice; (on a call) can hear someoneki ga tsuku notice, realise
3. UnderstandingStage 2imi ga wakaru understand what something means; (negative) make no sensekimochi ga wakaru know how someone feelschigai ga wakaru tell the difference
4. Likes, interest, confidenceStage 2ki ni iru like, be pleased withkyoumi ga aru be interested (in)tanoshimi ni suru look forward tojishin ga aru be confident (in yourself, your answer)
5. Motivation and moodStage 4yaruki ga nai have no motivation, can't be botheredyaruki ga deru get motivatedgenki ga deru perk up, get a lifttenshon ga agaru get excited, get hypedsutoresu ga tamaru get stressed, stress builds up
6. When it hits youStage 4namida ga deru tear up, eyes watertorihada ga tatsu get goosebumpsjikkan ga waku it sinks in, feels real

Describing people

1. Looks and voiceStage 1se ga takai be tallse ga hikui be short (height)koe ga ookii have a loud voice, be loudkami ga nagai have long hairsutairu ga ii have a good figure
2. Smart and skilledStage 1atama ga ii be smart, clevernihongo ga jouzu be good at Japaneseshigoto ga dekiru be capable, good at one's jobsensu ga ii have good taste, a good eye
3. Luck and helpStage 1un ga ii be luckyun ga warui be unluckyyaku ni tatsu be useful, helpfultame ni naru be worthwhile, do you good
4. Personality and moodStage 2seikaku ga ii be a nice personseikaku ga warui be mean, nastykanji ga ii be pleasant, nice (person or place)genki ga nai be down, low on energy
5. Out and aboutStage 3hito ga ooi be crowded, lots of peopleninki ga aru be popularii fun'iki a nice atmosphere, good vibehyouban ga ii have a good reputationnimotsu ga omoi the bags are heavy
6. Body and fitnessStage 4me ga warui have poor eyesightashi ga hayai be a fast runnerundou shinkei ga ii be athletictairyoku ga aru have stamina, be fit

Reading an entry

• The headword is the plain form of the whole set (ame ga furu); polite is its desu/masu form. The examples use the form people actually say, often without ga or o (ame futteru).
• 194× is how many times the set was heard in 3.17 million lines of Japanese film and TV subtitles. A dash means it was too rare in films to count; those sets, mostly Japanese daily life the films don’t show, were chosen on a native speaker’s judgement.
• Typical 52% of ame means that of everything said with ame, 52% goes with this verb. The higher it is, the more the two words belong together.
• Verb or adjective shows the partner on its own and what it means. Trap, when there is one, is the mistake English leads you to.
• Main list links the versatility-list words the set builds on, with the stage they’re taught in.