Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 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 3
Particles mark jobs
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.
Target signal
わたしはがくせいです。
I am a student.
は marks the topic.
Vocabulary notes
- せいで
- because of; due to (negative result)
- わたし
- I; me
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Compare in context
ほんをよみます。
I read a book.
を marks the thing being read.
Vocabulary notes
- よみます
- read
- ほん
- book
- ます
- polite verb ending
Compare in context
ねこがいます。
There is a cat.
が marks what exists.
Vocabulary notes
- います
- there is; exists (animate)
- いま
- now
- ねこ
- cat
Section 2 of 3
Chunk by phrase
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.
Target signal
きょうがっこうへいきます。
Today I go to school.
Notice how Reading Particles and Word Boundaries shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- いきます
- go
- がっこう
- school
- きょう
- today
Preview
としょかんでべんきょうします。
I study at the library.
Notice how Reading Particles and Word Boundaries shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- べんきょうします
- study
- べんきょう
- study; studying
- きょう
- today
Preview
うちでみずをのみます。
I drink water at home.
Notice how Reading Particles and Word Boundaries shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- のみます
- drink (polite)
- うち
- home; our place
- ます
- polite verb ending
Section 3 of 3
Use particles as landmarks
The same few particles appear again and again. The more quickly you spot は, が, を, へ, and で, the less crowded the sentence looks.
Target signal
きょうはうちでほんをよみます。
Today I read a book at home.
Notice how Reading Particles and Word Boundaries shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- よみます
- read
- きょう
- today
- うち
- home; our place
Preview
わたしはとしょかんでべんきょうします。
I study at the library.
Notice how Reading Particles and Word Boundaries shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- べんきょうします
- study
- べんきょう
- study; studying
- きょう
- today
Preview
たなかさんとがっこうへいきます。
I go to school with Tanaka.
Notice how Reading Particles and Word Boundaries shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- いきます
- go
- がっこう
- school
- こう
- like this; this way