Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 4
Particles mark jobs
Recognize the most common beginner particles quickly.
Start with the example
。
I am a student.
marks the topic.
Notice the variation
。
I read a book.
marks the thing being read.
More detail: how to apply this
Japanese sentences usually do not use spaces, so particles help you see what each part is doing.
When you notice a particle, the sentence becomes much easier to chunk.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Keep the noun and its particle together; read the action after those groups.
gives the action, read. Reassemble the sentence: today, at home, someone reads a book.
。
Today I read a book at home.
Keep the noun and its particle together; read the action after those groups.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
I am a student.
marks the topic.
Vocabulary notes
- わたし
- I; me
Compare in context
。
I read a book.
marks the thing being read.
Vocabulary notes
- ほん
- book
- よみます
- read
Compare in context
。
There is a cat.
marks what exists.
Vocabulary notes
- ねこ
- cat
- います
- there is; exists (animate)
Section 2 of 4
Chunk by phrase
Chunk by phrase
Start with the example
。
Today I go to school.
Notice the variation
。
I study at the library.
More detail: how to apply this
Read a sentence in little meaning groups.
You do not need to separate every word perfectly at first;
you only need to hear the main chunks.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Today I go to school.
In this example, the message is: Today I go to school.
。
Today I go to school.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: Today I go to school.
Showing Chunk by phrase: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
Today I go to school.
Vocabulary notes
- きょう
- today
- がっこう
- school
- いきます
- go
Preview
。
I study at the library.
Vocabulary notes
- べんきょうします
- study
Preview
。
I drink water at home.
Vocabulary notes
- うち
- home; our place
- のみます
- drink (polite)
Section 3 of 4
Use particles as landmarks
Keep the noun and its particle together; read the action after those groups.
Use particles as landmarks
。
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
Keep with : today is the topic. A particle usually belongs to the phrase just before it.
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
The same few particles appear again and again.
The more quickly you spot , , , , and , the less crowded the sentence looks.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Today I read a book at home.
In this example, the message is: Today I read a book at home.
。
Today I read a book at home.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: Today I read a book at home.
Showing Use particles as landmarks: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
。
Today I read a book at home.
Vocabulary notes
- きょう
- today
- うち
- home; our place
- よみます
- read
Preview
。
I study at the library.
Vocabulary notes
- べんきょうします
- study
Preview
。
I go to school with Tanaka.
Vocabulary notes
- がっこう
- school
- いきます
- go
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Your turn · decide before revealing
Choose the chunking that keeps particles with their words:
Sentence
。
More detail: what changes and why
Choose the chunking that keeps particles with their words: 。
belongs with , and with .
The final verb is .
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
belongs with , and with . The final verb is .
。
Supported meaning: へやで / てがみを / かきます
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.