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
Start with structure signals
In a short passage, first locate time words, topic markers, and final predicates. Then look for grammar signals such as 前に, と思う, かもしれない, and でしょう.
Target signal
明日は休みだ。だから、朝はゆっくり起きると思う。
Tomorrow is a day off. So I think I will get up slowly in the morning.
休みだ is plain style, and と思う marks the second sentence as a thought.
Vocabulary notes
- ゆっくり
- slowly; leisurely
- だから
- so; therefore
- 起きる
- to wake up
Compare in context
駅へ行く前に、コンビニで水やパンなどを買った。
Before going to the station, I bought things like water and bread at the convenience store.
前に gives time order, and や / など marks examples in a list.
Vocabulary notes
- コンビニ
- convenience store
- など
- and so on; etc.
- パン
- bread
Compare in context
先生に聞いてみた。宿題は今日出さなくてもいい。
I tried asking the teacher. I do not have to submit the homework today.
The second sentence uses the full chunk 出さなくてもいい.
Vocabulary notes
- なくてもいい
- do not have to; it is okay not to
- てもいい
- may do ...; is it okay to ...?
- 聞いて
- hearing; listening and
Section 2 of 3
Watch tone and point of view
N5 passages may switch between polite and plain language. This often happens because the writer is quoting someone, reporting a thought, or using casual narration.
Target signal
母は「早く帰る」と言った。でも、たぶん遅くなるでしょう。
My mother said, “I will come home early.” But she will probably be late.
The quote is plain, and でしょう marks a prediction.
Vocabulary notes
- でしょう
- probably; I suppose
- 遅くなる
- to become late
- たぶん
- probably
Preview
友だちはケーキを食べてみると言った。おいしそうだったからだ。
My friend said they would try the cake. That was because it looked delicious.
The second sentence explains why the friend wanted to try it.
Vocabulary notes
- てみる
- to try doing ...
- ケーキ
- cake
- そうだ
- it seems; I heard that
Preview
子どもは眠そうだったので、父は早く帰った。
Because the child looked sleepy, my father went home early.
そうだった gives the observed reason for the action.
Vocabulary notes
- そうだ
- it seems; I heard that
- だった
- was; were
- 子ども
- child; children
Section 3 of 3
Read grammar chunks as units
The fastest way to improve is to recognize common grammar chunks quickly. Treat patterns like 〜なくてもいい, 〜なければならない, 〜たり, and 〜てみる as units.
Target signal
今日は雨だから、学校へ行かなくてもいい。
Because it is raining today, I do not have to go to school.
Read 行かなくてもいい as one meaning unit.
Vocabulary notes
- なくてもいい
- do not have to; it is okay not to
- てもいい
- may do ...; is it okay to ...?
- だから
- so; therefore
Preview
休みの日は本を読んだり、音楽を聞いたりする。
On days off, I do things like read books and listen to music.
The repeated たり pattern lists representative actions.
Vocabulary notes
- たり
- doing things like ...; actions such as ...
- んだ
- you know; the thing is; explanatory tone
- いた
- was there
Preview
七時に起きなければならない。だから、早く寝る。
I have to get up at seven. So I will go to bed early.
The obligation chunk explains the reason for the next sentence.
Vocabulary notes
- なければならない
- must do; have to
- だから
- so; therefore
- から
- from; because