Day 5: Where are you going?

Script

Tanaka: Konnichiwa, Smith-san. Doko e ikimasu ka?
こんにちは、スミスさん。どこへいきますか。

Smith: Aa, konnichiwa Tanaka-san. Toshokan e ikimasu.
ああ、こんにちはたなかさん。としょかんへいきます。

Tanaka: Sou desu ka. Nani o shimasu ka?
そうですか。なにをしますか。

Smith: Nihongo no hon o yomimasu.
にほんごのほんをよみます。

Tanaka: Ii desu ne. Ganbatte kudasai!
いいですね。がんばってください！

Smith: Arigatou gozaimasu. Ja, mata.
ありがとうございます。じゃ、また。

Translation

Tanaka: Hello, Mr. Smith. Where are you going?

Smith: Oh, hello Mr. Tanaka. I'm going to the library.

Tanaka: I see. What will you do?

Smith: I'll read a Japanese book.

Tanaka: That's good. Good luck!

Smith: Thank you very much. See you later.

Vocabulary

• konnichiwa こんにちは - hello (daytime greeting)
• doko どこ - where
• e へ - to (direction particle)
• ikimasu いきます　行きます - go
• toshokan としょかん　図書館 - library
• nani なに　何 - what
• shimasu します - do
• nihongo にほんご　日本語 - Japanese language
• hon ほん　本 - book
• yomimasu よみます　読みます - read
• ii いい - good
• ganbatte kudasai がんばってください - good luck, do your best
• arigatou gozaimasu ありがとうございます - thank you very much
• ja, mata じゃ、また - see you later

Grammar Notes

1. Particle e (へ) for Direction

The particle e (へ) is used to indicate the direction or destination of movement. It's pronounced as "e" even though it's written as へ.

Gakkou e ikimasu. I'm going to school.
学校へいきます。

Nihon e kimasu. I'm coming to Japan.
日本へきます。

2. Particle o (を) for Direct Object

The particle o (を) is used to mark the direct object of an action. It's pronounced as "o" even though it's written as を.

Hon o yomimasu. I read a book.
本を読みます。

Sushi o tabemasu. I eat sushi.
すしを食べます。

3. Question Word nani (何)

Nani means "what" and is used to ask about things. When used with the particle o, it becomes nani o to ask "what" as a direct object.

Nani o shimasu ka? What will you do?
何をしますか。

Nani o tabemasu ka? What will you eat?
何を食べますか。

4. Expressing Purpose with Verb て-form + kudasai

Adding kudasai to the て-form of a verb turns it into a polite request or instruction.

Ganbatte kudasai. Please do your best.
がんばってください。

Matte kudasai. Please wait.
待ってください。

5. Casual Parting Phrase Ja, mata

Ja, mata is a casual way to say goodbye, similar to "see you later" in English. It's used among friends or colleagues.

Remember, in Japanese conversations, it's common to omit subjects and objects when they're clear from the context. This is why you often see sentences starting directly with verbs or locations.