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
Core family words
Use common family words such as , , , and .
Start with the example
。
My father is a doctor.
is the plain term used for your own father in a neutral statement.
Notice the variation
。
My mother is good at cooking.
describes a person’s skill.
More detail: how to apply this
Basic family words appear very often in beginner conversation.
Learn the plain word and the type of person it refers to, then combine it with simple jobs and descriptions.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Identify the family relationship before attaching the description or location to that person.
is used because the grandmother is a person. Together the sentence locates her at home.
。
My grandmother is at home.
Identify the family relationship before attaching the description or location to that person.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
My father is a doctor.
is the plain term used for your own father in a neutral statement.
Vocabulary notes
- わたし
- I; me
- 医者
- doctor
Compare in context
。
My mother is good at cooking.
describes a person’s skill.
Vocabulary notes
- 料理
- cooking; dish; cuisine
Compare in context
。
My older brother is a university student.
Family words combine very naturally with school and job nouns.
Vocabulary notes
- 大学生
- university student
Section 2 of 4
Your family and someone else’s family
Your family and someone else’s family
Start with the example
。
Is Tanaka’s mother well?
is respectful when you talk about another person’s mother.
Notice the variation
。
Yamada’s father is an office worker.
is the respectful choice for another person’s father.
More detail: how to apply this
Japanese often uses plain family words for your own family and respectful words such as or for someone else’s family.
This difference appears early and matters a lot in polite conversation.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Is Tanaka’s mother well?
is respectful when you talk about another person’s mother.
。
Is Tanaka’s mother well?
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: Is Tanaka’s mother well?
Showing Your family and someone else’s family: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
Is Tanaka’s mother well?
is respectful when you talk about another person’s mother.
Vocabulary notes
- 田中さん
- Tanaka
- お母さん
- someone else's mother; mother (polite)
Preview
。
Yamada’s father is an office worker.
is the respectful choice for another person’s father.
Vocabulary notes
- 山田さん
- Mr. or Ms. Yamada
- お父さん
- someone else's father; father (polite)
- 会社員
- company employee; office worker
Preview
。
My younger brother is a high school student.
is the plain term for your own younger brother.
Vocabulary notes
- 高校生
- high school student
Section 3 of 4
Talking about people with simple descriptions
Identify the family relationship before attaching the description or location to that person.
Talking about people with simple descriptions
。
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
means my grandmother in a neutral description of my family. It is not the word for my mother.
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
Family words often appear with jobs, school levels, personality words, and simple locations.
Once you know the family term, the rest of the sentence usually looks familiar.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
My older sister is very kind.
is a common way to describe personality.
。
My older sister is very kind.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: My older sister is very kind.
Showing Talking about people with simple descriptions: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
。
My older sister is very kind.
is a common way to describe personality.
Vocabulary notes
- とても
- very
Preview
。
My younger sister is a middle school student.
School-level words fit naturally after family words.
Vocabulary notes
- 中学生
- middle school student
Preview
。
My grandmother is at home.
You can also describe where a family member is.
Vocabulary notes
- うちに
- while still; before it changes
- います
- there is; exists (animate)
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
Speaking politely to a friend about their mother, which fits?
More detail: what changes and why
Speaking politely to a friend about their mother, which fits?
addresses another person's mother respectfully;
normally refers to one's own mother when speaking externally.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
addresses another person's mother respectfully; normally refers to one's own mother when speaking externally.
Speaking politely to a friend about their mother, which fits?
Supported meaning: おかあさんは おげんきですか。
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.