Genki I & II — Minimal Study Guide

Lesson 1

あたらしいともだち — New Friends

Core goal

Build your first polite Japanese sentences: identify people/things, ask yes/no questions, and describe ownership.

Vocabulary theme

Self-introductions, majors, nationalities, school years, occupations, time, phone numbers, simple classroom questions.

GENKI Lesson 1: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 1: Hiragana
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

X は Y です
Meaning: Use this to say “X is Y.” は marks the topic; です makes the sentence polite.
Pattern: X は Y です

Example 1

私は学生です。I am a student.

Common mistake: Do not translate は as “is.” It marks what you are talking about. です is closer to the polite sentence ending.

Question particle か
Meaning: Put か at the end of a polite sentence to make a yes/no or WH-question. No rising intonation is required in formal writing.
Pattern: Statement + か

Example 1

専攻は何ですか。What is your major?

Common mistake: Do not use a question mark in Japanese formal writing unless you want a casual style.

Noun の noun
Meaning: の connects two nouns. It can show possession, affiliation, or description.
Pattern: Noun の Noun

Example 1

これは私の電話番号です。This is my phone number.

Common mistake: の is broader than English “of.” 大学の先生 can mean “a university teacher.”

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

私は___です。 = I am ___.
___は何ですか。 = What is ___?
AのB = B related to A / A’s B

Lesson 2

かいもの — Shopping

Core goal

Point to things, ask prices, identify ownership, and soften/confirm statements with sentence-ending particles.

Vocabulary theme

Shopping items, prices, classroom objects, money, demonstratives, nearby/far-away objects, simple evaluations.

GENKI Lesson 2: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 2: Katakana
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

これ / それ / あれ / どれ
Meaning: Standalone demonstratives: this thing, that thing near you, that thing over there, which one.
Pattern: これ/それ/あれ/どれ + は + Nです

Example 1

これは時計です。This is a watch.

Common mistake: Do not put a noun right after これ. Use この + noun if a noun follows.

この / その / あの / どの + noun
Meaning: Use these before nouns: this/that/that-over-there/which noun.
Pattern: この + Noun

Example 1

このかばんはいくらですか。How much is this bag?

Common mistake: この must attach to a noun. このは... is incorrect.

Noun じゃありません
Meaning: Polite negative of です. In writing, ではありません is more formal; じゃありません is common in speech.
Pattern: Noun じゃありません

Example 1

これは私の傘じゃありません。This is not my umbrella.

Common mistake: Do not use ない directly after a noun in polite beginner Japanese.

Particles ね / よ
Meaning: ね seeks agreement or soft confirmation. よ gives new information or emphasis.
Pattern: Sentence + ね / よ

Example 1

この店は高いですね。This store is expensive, isn’t it?

Common mistake: よ can sound pushy if overused. ね is safer for friendly confirmation.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

これ = this thing
このN = this N
Nじゃありません = is not N
ね = right? / isn’t it?
よ = I’m telling you

Lesson 3

デートの約束 — Making a Date

Core goal

Talk about habitual/future actions and invite someone to do something.

Vocabulary theme

Daily activities, places, time expressions, frequency adverbs, basic verbs, invitations.

GENKI Lesson 3: Verb Masu-form
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 3: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 3: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

Present polite verbs: ます / ません
Meaning: Use ます for habitual or future actions; use ません for negative. Japanese present polite does not distinguish “do” and “will do.”
Pattern: Verb stem + ます / ません

Example 1

毎日、日本語を勉強します。I study Japanese every day.

Common mistake: 明日行きます can mean “I will go tomorrow.” Context handles tense.

Particles は / を / に / で / へ
Meaning: は marks topic, を marks direct object, に marks time/destination, で marks action location/tool, へ marks direction.
Pattern: Place で Action / Time に Action / Object を Verb

Example 1

カフェでコーヒーを飲みます。I drink coffee at a cafe.

Common mistake: Do not use に with every time word. Relative time words like 今日 usually do not need に.

Invitation: ませんか / ましょう
Meaning: ませんか invites politely; ましょう suggests “let’s.”
Pattern: Verb stem + ませんか / ましょう

Example 1

一緒に昼ご飯を食べませんか。Would you like to eat lunch together?

Common mistake: ませんか is softer than ましょう because the listener can decline more easily.

Word order and time reference
Meaning: Japanese word order is flexible, but the verb usually comes last. Put time/place/context before the verb.
Pattern: Time + Place + Object + Verb

Example 1

明日、学校でテストがあります。There is a test at school tomorrow.

Common mistake: Particles matter more than word order.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

食べる → 食べます
飲む → 飲みます
行く → 行きます
___ませんか = Would you like to ___?

Lesson 4

初めてのデート — The First Date

Core goal

Say what happened, where things/people are, and how long activities last.

Vocabulary theme

Locations, events, activities, family basics, duration, “there is/are,” and past actions.

GENKI Lesson 4: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 4: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

Past polite tense: ました / ませんでした
Meaning: Use ました for completed past actions; ませんでした for actions that did not happen.
Pattern: Verb stem + ました / ませんでした

Example 1

昨日、友達と会いました。I met a friend yesterday.

Common mistake: Do not combine ました with past time words incorrectly; 昨日行きます is tense mismatch.

あります / います
Meaning: あります is for things/plants/events; います is for people/animals.
Pattern: Place に Noun があります/います

Example 1

公園に犬がいます。There is a dog in the park.

Common mistake: Use が for what exists. は changes the nuance to “as for X, it is at...”

Location words
Meaning: Use words like 上, 下, 中, 前, 後ろ next to の to locate things.
Pattern: Noun の Location に X がある/いる

Example 1

かばんの中に財布があります。There is a wallet in the bag.

Common mistake: Remember の: 机上 is not the beginner pattern; 机の上 is.

Duration of time
Meaning: Put duration before the verb to say how long an action lasts.
Pattern: Duration + Verb

Example 1

昨日、二時間勉強しました。I studied for two hours yesterday.

Common mistake: Time point uses に; duration usually does not.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

行きます → 行きました
行きません → 行きませんでした
Thing があります
Person/animal がいます

Lesson 5

沖縄旅行 — A Trip to Okinawa

Core goal

Describe things, express likes, and talk about travel experiences with adjectives.

Vocabulary theme

Travel, weather, adjectives, likes/dislikes, food, leisure, basic counting.

GENKI Lesson 5-3: Adjective Past Negative
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 5-2: Adjective Past Affirmative
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 5-1: Adjective Present Negative
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 5: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 5: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

い-adjectives
Meaning: い-adjectives directly modify nouns and can end sentences.
Pattern: い-adjective + Noun / Noun はい-adjです

Example 1

新しい店に行きました。I went to a new store.

Common mistake: Do not add な after normal い-adjectives. 新しいな店 is wrong.

な-adjectives
Meaning: な-adjectives use な before nouns and です at sentence end.
Pattern: な-adjective + な + Noun

Example 1

静かな町が好きです。I like quiet towns.

Common mistake: At sentence end: 静かです, not 静かなです.

好き / 嫌い with が
Meaning: The liked/disliked thing is marked with が.
Pattern: Person は Thing が好き/嫌いです

Example 1

私は日本の映画が好きです。I like Japanese movies.

Common mistake: 好き is grammatically adjective-like, not a verb.

Counting basics
Meaning: Counters change depending on object type. Beginner survival starts with 一つ, 二つ, 三つ.
Pattern: Number + Counter

Example 1

りんごを二つください。Two apples, please.

Common mistake: Counters are one of the long-term memorization areas; do not expect one universal counter.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

高い店 = expensive store
静かな町 = quiet town
___が好きです = I like ___
一つ、二つ、三つ

Lesson 6

ロバートさんの一日 — A Day in Robert’s Life

Core goal

Use て-form to connect actions, ask requests, give permission, and explain reasons.

Vocabulary theme

Daily routine, transportation, requests, permission, prohibition, sequence, reasons.

GENKI Lesson 6: Verb Te-form
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 6: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 6: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

て-form
Meaning: A core connector form. It links verbs and powers many later grammar patterns.
Pattern: 食べる→食べて / 読む→読んで / 書く→書いて / 行く→行って

Example 1

朝ご飯を食べて、学校に行きます。I eat breakfast and go to school.

Common mistake: 行く is special: 行って, not 行いて.

〜てください
Meaning: Polite request: please do something.
Pattern: て-form + ください

Example 1

ゆっくり話してください。Please speak slowly.

Common mistake: It is a request, not a command among close friends; tone depends on context.

〜てもいいです
Meaning: Ask or give permission.
Pattern: て-form + もいいです

Example 1

ここに座ってもいいですか。May I sit here?

Common mistake: Do not forget も. ていいです is not the standard beginner form.

〜てはいけません
Meaning: Prohibition: must not do.
Pattern: て-form + はいけません

Example 1

ここでタバコを吸ってはいけません。You must not smoke here.

Common mistake: This can sound rule-like or strict.

〜から for reason
Meaning: Put the reason before から.
Pattern: Reason + から, Result

Example 1

明日テストがありますから、勉強します。Because there is a test tomorrow, I will study.

Common mistake: から after a full sentence; do not attach it randomly to single nouns without structure.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

て-form = connector form
___てください = please ___
___てもいいですか = may I ___?
___てはいけません = must not ___

Lesson 7

家族の写真 — Family Picture

Core goal

Describe what people are doing/wearing, connect descriptions, and say you go somewhere to do something.

Vocabulary theme

Family, body, appearance, clothing, ongoing actions, favors, people counters.

GENKI Lesson 7: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 7: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

〜ている
Meaning: Shows ongoing action or resulting state, depending on the verb.
Pattern: て-form + いる

Example 1

妹はテレビを見ています。My younger sister is watching TV.

Common mistake: For clothing/accessories, 着ています/かけています often means “is wearing.”

て-form joining sentences
Meaning: Use て-form to connect predicates: “and.” Adjectives/nouns also have connecting forms.
Pattern: い-adj: くて / な-adj: で / noun: で

Example 1

この部屋は広くて、明るいです。This room is spacious and bright.

Common mistake: Do not use そして for everything; て-form sounds more natural for linked descriptions.

Verb stem + に行く
Meaning: Go somewhere for the purpose of doing something.
Pattern: Verb stem + に + 行く/来る/帰る

Example 1

友達に会いに行きます。I will go to meet a friend.

Common mistake: Use verb stem, not dictionary form: 会いに行く, not 会うに行く.

Counting people
Meaning: Special readings: 一人, 二人, 三人...
Pattern: Number + 人

Example 1

家族は四人です。There are four people in my family.

Common mistake: 一人 and 二人 are irregular readings.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

見ている = is watching
着ている = is wearing
高くて = tall and...
会いに行く = go to meet

Lesson 8

バーベキュー — Barbecue

Core goal

Switch from polite forms to present short forms and use them in casual speech and embedded grammar.

Vocabulary theme

Casual speech, food, events, informal invitations, negative requests, “something/nothing.”

GENKI Lesson 8-2: Short Form Adjective Present Negative
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 8-1: Short Form Verb Present Negative
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 8: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 8: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

Short forms present
Meaning: Plain present forms are used in casual speech and before many grammar patterns.
Pattern: 食べます→食べる / 読みます→読む / 行きません→行かない

Example 1

今日は学校に行かない。I’m not going to school today.

Common mistake: Plain form is not rude by itself; wrong relationship/context can make it too casual.

Informal speech
Meaning: In casual conversation, particles may drop and です/ます disappears.
Pattern: 元気ですか → 元気？

Example 1

明日、来る？Are you coming tomorrow?

Common mistake: Do not use casual speech with teachers, customers, or strangers until you know the relationship.

Verbs as nouns
Meaning: Plain verb + の can turn an action into a noun-like phrase.
Pattern: Verb short form + の

Example 1

本を読むのが好きです。I like reading books.

Common mistake: の often means “the act of doing.”

〜ないでください
Meaning: Polite negative request: please do not do.
Pattern: ない-form + でください

Example 1

ここで食べないでください。Please do not eat here.

Common mistake: This uses ない-form, not て-form.

何か / 何も
Meaning: 何か = something; 何も + negative = nothing.
Pattern: 何か + affirmative / 何も + negative

Example 1

昨日、何も食べませんでした。I did not eat anything yesterday.

Common mistake: 何も usually needs a negative predicate.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

食べる = eat / will eat
食べない = do not eat
___のが好き = like doing ___
___ないでください = please don’t ___

Lesson 9

かぶき — Kabuki

Core goal

Talk casually about what happened, quote thoughts/speech, and describe nouns with mini-sentences.

Vocabulary theme

Culture, opinions, experiences, casual past, diary-style narration, already/not yet.

GENKI Lesson 9-4: Short Form Adjective Past Negative
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 9-3: Short Form Verb Past Negative
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 9-2: Short Form Adjective Past Affirmative
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 9-1: Short Form Verb Past Affirmative
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 9: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 9: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

Past short form — verbs
Meaning: Use plain past forms for casual past and embedded clauses. You can reuse て-form: て→た, で→だ.
Pattern: 食べる→食べた / 読む→読んだ / 書く→書いた / 行く→行った

Example 1

昨日、映画を見た。I watched a movie yesterday.

Common mistake: 行く is 行った, not 行いた.

Past negative short form
Meaning: Make the negative ない-form first, then change ない to なかった.
Pattern: 食べる→食べない→食べなかった / 読む→読まない→読まなかった

Example 1

朝ご飯を食べなかった。I didn’t eat breakfast.

Common mistake: Do not make it 食べたない. Negative past comes from ない.

Past short form — adjectives/nouns
Meaning: い-adj: い→かった. Negative: くなかった. な-adj/noun: だった.
Pattern: かわいい→かわいかった / 静かだ→静かだった / 学生だ→学生だった

Example 1

その犬はかわいかった。That dog was cute.

Common mistake: いい is irregular: よかった.

〜と思う
Meaning: Use short form before と思う to say what you think.
Pattern: Short form + と思う

Example 1

田中さんは来ないと思う。I think Tanaka won’t come.

Common mistake: Do not put です before と思う for plain embedded thoughts.

〜と言っていた
Meaning: Report what someone said. Often uses short form before と.
Pattern: Short form + と言っていた

Example 1

先生は宿題があると言っていた。The teacher said there was homework.

Common mistake: Use 言っていた to report what was said earlier; 言った is more direct “said.”

Qualifying nouns
Meaning: Put a mini-sentence before a noun to describe it. Japanese description comes before the noun.
Pattern: [Short-form clause] + Noun

Example 1

日本で買った車は古いです。The car I bought in Japan is old.

Common mistake: Do not insert の after a verb clause here: 買ったの車 is wrong.

もう / まだ〜ていない
Meaning: もう means already. まだ〜ていない means not yet.
Pattern: もう + past / まだ + ていない

Example 1

もう食べた？ / まだ食べていない。Have you eaten? / I haven’t eaten yet.

Common mistake: まだ食べません means “I will not eat yet,” not “I haven’t eaten yet.”

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

て→た / で→だ
ない→なかった
い→かった
Short form + と思う
Clause + noun
もう = already
まだ〜ていない = not yet

Lesson 10

冬休みの予定 — Winter Vacation Plans

Core goal

Compare options, express plans, and describe changes over time.

Vocabulary theme

Plans, comparison, travel, future intentions, change, indefinite places/things.

GENKI Lesson 10: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 10: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

Comparison: A のほうが B より
Meaning: Say A is more adjective than B.
Pattern: A のほうが B より Adjective

Example 1

電車のほうがバスより速いです。The train is faster than the bus.

Common mistake: The preferred/greater item comes before のほうが.

Superlative with の中で
Meaning: Say “among X, Y is the most...”
Pattern: Group の中で Y が一番 Adj

Example 1

果物の中で、いちごが一番好きです。Among fruits, I like strawberries the most.

Common mistake: Use が often before 一番好き/上手.

〜つもりです
Meaning: Express intention/plan.
Pattern: Dictionary form + つもり / ない-form + つもり

Example 1

週末、勉強するつもりです。I intend to study this weekend.

Common mistake: つもり sounds more planned than a casual “maybe.”

Adjective/noun + なる
Meaning: Describe becoming.
Pattern: い-adj: くなる / な-adj・noun: になる

Example 1

日本語が少し簡単になりました。Japanese became a little easier.

Common mistake: Do not use です before なる.

どこか / どこにも
Meaning: Somewhere vs nowhere. Also applies to 何か/何も patterns.
Pattern: どこか + affirmative / どこにも + negative

Example 1

休みにどこかへ行きたいです。I want to go somewhere during break.

Common mistake: どこにも usually pairs with a negative verb.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

AのほうがBより = A more than B
一番 = most
Verb + つもり
高くなる / 静かになる

Lesson 11

休みのあと — After the Vacation

Core goal

Say what you want to do, list activities casually, and talk about life experiences.

Vocabulary theme

Experiences, desires, hobbies, gifts, partial listing, travel reflection.

GENKI Lesson 11: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 11: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

〜たいです
Meaning: Express your own desire to do something.
Pattern: Verb stem + たいです

Example 1

日本でラーメンを食べたいです。I want to eat ramen in Japan.

Common mistake: For other people’s desires, avoid direct たい unless quoting/inferring carefully.

〜たり〜たりする
Meaning: List representative actions; not necessarily exhaustive or chronological.
Pattern: Past short form + り, Past short form + りする

Example 1

週末は掃除したり、ゲームをしたりします。On weekends I do things like clean and play games.

Common mistake: Even if talking about future/habit, the verbs before り use past short form.

〜たことがある
Meaning: Talk about experience: have done before.
Pattern: Past short form + ことがある

Example 1

富士山を見たことがあります。I have seen Mt. Fuji before.

Common mistake: This is about life experience, not what happened yesterday.

や for non-exhaustive lists
Meaning: List examples among others.
Pattern: Noun や Noun

Example 1

京都や大阪に行きました。I went to places like Kyoto and Osaka.

Common mistake: や implies there may be other items; と sounds complete.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

食べたい = want to eat
食べたり飲んだりする = do things like eat and drink
行ったことがある = have been
AやB = A, B, and such

Lesson 12

病気 — Feeling Ill

Core goal

Explain situations, give advice, say must/must not, and soften predictions.

Vocabulary theme

Health, body, symptoms, advice, obligation, explanations, probability.

GENKI Lesson 12: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 12: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

〜んです
Meaning: Adds explanatory tone: “it is that...” Used when giving/asking for background.
Pattern: Short form + んです / な-adj・noun + なんです

Example 1

頭が痛いんです。The thing is, my head hurts.

Common mistake: Do not overuse it for every statement; it implies context/explanation.

〜すぎる
Meaning: Too much / excessively. Attach to verb stem or adjective stem.
Pattern: Verb stem + すぎる / い-adj drop い + すぎる

Example 1

昨日、食べすぎました。I ate too much yesterday.

Common mistake: いい becomes よすぎる.

〜ほうがいいです
Meaning: Advice: it is better to do / not do.
Pattern: Past short + ほうがいい / ない-form + ほうがいい

Example 1

早く寝たほうがいいです。You should sleep early.

Common mistake: Affirmative advice usually uses past short form: 寝たほうがいい.

〜なければいけません / なくてもいいです
Meaning: Obligation vs no obligation.
Pattern: ない-form without い + ければいけません / なくてもいい

Example 1

薬を飲まなければいけません。I have to take medicine.

Common mistake: Casual contractions exist, but learn the full form first.

〜でしょう / ので
Meaning: でしょう expresses probability; ので gives a softer reason than から.
Pattern: Short form + でしょう / Reason + ので

Example 1

明日は寒いでしょう。It will probably be cold tomorrow.

Common mistake: ので sounds softer/more explanatory than から.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

痛いんです = the thing is, it hurts
飲みすぎる = drink too much
寝たほうがいい = should sleep
行かなければいけない = must go

Lesson 13

アルバイト探し — Looking for a Part-time Job

Core goal

Say what you can do, give multiple reasons, describe appearances, and try actions.

Vocabulary theme

Jobs, ability, skills, frequency over periods, trying things, reasons, appearance/impression.

GENKI Lesson 13: Verb Potential Form
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 13: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 13: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

Potential verbs
Meaning: Say can/be able to do. For ru-verbs use られる; for u-verbs change final u to e + る; する→できる.
Pattern: 読む→読める / 食べる→食べられる / する→できる

Example 1

漢字が読めます。I can read kanji.

Common mistake: The object often uses が instead of を, especially in beginner patterns.

〜し for listing reasons
Meaning: List reasons, often leading to a conclusion.
Pattern: Reason し, Reason し, Conclusion

Example 1

この町は静かだし、便利だし、好きです。This town is quiet and convenient, so I like it.

Common mistake: Each reason is a full short-form clause.

〜そうです: looks like
Meaning: Express visual impression: looks/seems.
Pattern: い-adj drop い + そう / な-adj + そう

Example 1

このケーキはおいしそうです。This cake looks delicious.

Common mistake: いい→よさそう; ない→なさそう.

〜てみる
Meaning: Try doing something to see what it is like.
Pattern: て-form + みる

Example 1

このアプリを使ってみます。I will try using this app.

Common mistake: It means trial/experiment, not “try hard.”

なら
Meaning: Topic/condition based on what was mentioned: “if it is about...”
Pattern: Noun/short form + なら

Example 1

日本料理なら、この店がいいです。If it is Japanese food, this restaurant is good.

Common mistake: なら often narrows the topic rather than giving a universal if/then rule.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

読む→読める
食べる→食べられる
する→できる
おいしそう = looks delicious
使ってみる = try using

Lesson 14

バレンタインデー — Valentine’s Day

Core goal

Talk about giving/receiving, uncertainty, advice, and “only/as many as” quantities.

Vocabulary theme

Gifts, relationships, uncertainty, advice, quantity emphasis, wanting objects.

GENKI Lesson 14: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 14: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

あげる / くれる / もらう
Meaning: Giving/receiving depends on direction. あげる: from me/my side outward. くれる: toward me/my side. もらう: receive from.
Pattern: Giver は Receiver に Thing をあげる/くれる; Receiver は Giver に/から Thing をもらう

Example 1

友達が本をくれました。My friend gave me a book.

Common mistake: くれる usually benefits me/us; do not use it for two outsiders unless speaker empathy is involved.

〜かもしれません
Meaning: Maybe/might. Lower certainty than でしょう.
Pattern: Short form + かもしれません

Example 1

明日、雨が降るかもしれません。It might rain tomorrow.

Common mistake: For な-adj/noun, drop だ before かもしれません.

〜たらどうですか
Meaning: Suggestion: why don’t you...?
Pattern: Past short form + らどうですか

Example 1

先生に聞いたらどうですか。Why don’t you ask the teacher?

Common mistake: It can sound like advice; tone matters.

Number + も / しか + negative
Meaning: も emphasizes “as many/much as”; しか + negative means “only.”
Pattern: Number も / Number しか + negative

Example 1

昨日、五時間も勉強しました。I studied as much as five hours yesterday.

Common mistake: しか always needs a negative ending.

ほしい
Meaning: Want an object.
Pattern: Noun がほしい

Example 1

新しいパソコンがほしいです。I want a new computer.

Common mistake: For actions, use たい; for objects, use ほしい.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

くれる = gives to me/us
もらう = receive
かもしれません = might
五つも = as many as five
五つしかない = only five

Lesson 15

長野旅行 — A Trip to Nagano

Core goal

Make plans with volitional form, prepare in advance, and describe nouns with full sentences.

Vocabulary theme

Travel prep, decisions, future plans, preserving states, descriptive noun clauses.

GENKI Lesson 15: Verb Volitional Form
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 15: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 15: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

Volitional form
Meaning: Casual “let’s / I will.” Ru-verbs: る→よう; u-verbs: final u→ō sound.
Pattern: 行く→行こう / 食べる→食べよう / する→しよう

Example 1

そろそろ帰ろう。Let’s go home soon.

Common mistake: Volitional alone is casual; use ましょう in polite situations.

Volitional + と思っています
Meaning: Express a plan you have been thinking about.
Pattern: Volitional + と思っています

Example 1

来年、日本へ行こうと思っています。I’m thinking of going to Japan next year.

Common mistake: Compared with つもり, this can sound slightly softer/less fixed.

〜ておく
Meaning: Do in advance / leave something in a prepared state.
Pattern: て-form + おく

Example 1

ホテルを予約しておきます。I will reserve the hotel in advance.

Common mistake: Often contracts to とく in casual speech: 予約しとく.

Using sentences to qualify nouns
Meaning: A full clause can describe a noun.
Pattern: [Clause] + Noun

Example 1

昨日買った本を読みました。I read the book I bought yesterday.

Common mistake: The described noun comes after the clause, unlike English relative clauses.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

行こう = let’s go / I’ll go
買っておく = buy in advance
昨日会った人 = person I met yesterday

Lesson 16

忘れ物 — Lost and Found

Core goal

Ask for help politely, talk about favors, and use clauses for “when.”

Vocabulary theme

Lost items, favors, polite requests, hopes, when-clauses, gratitude/apology.

GENKI Lesson 16: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 16: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

〜てくれる / あげる / もらう
Meaning: Favors with actions. The て-form action is the favor.
Pattern: て-form + くれる/あげる/もらう

Example 1

友達が宿題を手伝ってくれました。My friend helped me with homework.

Common mistake: Direction of benefit matters more than English translation.

〜ていただけませんか
Meaning: Very polite request: could you...?
Pattern: て-form + いただけませんか

Example 1

もう一度説明していただけませんか。Could you explain it one more time?

Common mistake: Good for teachers/staff; too formal for close friends.

〜といいです
Meaning: Hope/desire that something happens.
Pattern: Short form + といいです

Example 1

明日、晴れるといいですね。I hope it is sunny tomorrow.

Common mistake: Often used for hopes not fully under your control.

〜時
Meaning: When... Use a modifying clause before 時.
Pattern: Verb/Adj/Noun clause + 時

Example 1

日本に行く時、パスポートが必要です。When going to Japan, a passport is necessary.

Common mistake: Tense before 時 is relative: 行く時 before going; 行った時 after went.

〜てすみませんでした
Meaning: Apologize for doing something.
Pattern: て-form + すみませんでした

Example 1

遅れてすみませんでした。I’m sorry I was late.

Common mistake: Use past polite apology for something already happened.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

手伝ってくれる = help me
教えていただけませんか = could you teach/tell me
晴れるといい = hope it’s sunny
行く時 vs 行った時

Lesson 17

ぐちとうわさ話 — Grumble and Gossip

Core goal

Report hearsay, use casual quotes, make if/when statements, and sequence actions.

Vocabulary theme

Complaints, rumors, before/after, conditionals, no obligation, resemblance.

GENKI Lesson 17: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 17: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

〜そうです: I hear
Meaning: Report information you heard/read. Different from “looks like” そう.
Pattern: Short form + そうです

Example 1

田中さんは来ないそうです。I hear Tanaka is not coming.

Common mistake: For hearsay, keep だ for nouns/な-adj: 学生だそうです.

〜って
Meaning: Casual quote/topic marker. Can replace と or という in casual contexts.
Pattern: Quote + って

Example 1

明日テストがあるって。I heard there is a test tomorrow.

Common mistake: Very useful in conversation, but casual.

〜たら
Meaning: If/when condition. Uses past short form + ら, but meaning may be future.
Pattern: Past short + ら

Example 1

時間があったら、電話します。If I have time, I will call.

Common mistake: Past-looking form does not always mean past here.

〜なくてもいいです
Meaning: Do not have to do.
Pattern: ない-form without い + くてもいい

Example 1

今日は来なくてもいいです。You don’t have to come today.

Common mistake: Different from ないほうがいい, which advises not doing.

〜前に / 〜てから
Meaning: Before and after doing.
Pattern: Dictionary form + 前に / て-form + から

Example 1

寝る前に歯を磨きます。I brush my teeth before sleeping.

Common mistake: 前に uses dictionary form, not て-form.

〜みたいです
Meaning: Looks like / seems like / resembles. More conversational than ようです.
Pattern: Short form + みたいです / Noun + みたいです

Example 1

この犬はぬいぐるみみたいです。This dog looks like a stuffed animal.

Common mistake: Nouns attach directly: 子供みたい, not 子供だみたい.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

そうです = I hear
って = casual quote
安かったら = if cheap
しなくてもいい = don’t have to
寝る前に / 起きてから

Lesson 18

ジョンさんのアルバイト — John’s Part-time Job

Core goal

Describe accidents/regrets, do two actions simultaneously, and distinguish transitive/intransitive pairs.

Vocabulary theme

Work, regret, simultaneous actions, accidental completion, automatic changes, conditionals.

GENKI Lesson 18: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 18: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

Transitive/intransitive pairs
Meaning: Transitive takes an actor/object; intransitive focuses on the thing changing/state.
Pattern: ドアを開ける / ドアが開く

Example 1

風でドアが開きました。The door opened because of the wind.

Common mistake: Use を for what someone acts on; が for what changes by itself.

〜てしまう
Meaning: Completion, regret, or accidental/unfortunate action.
Pattern: て-form + しまう

Example 1

スマホをなくしてしまいました。I unfortunately lost my phone.

Common mistake: Can simply mean “finish completely,” but often carries regret.

〜ながら
Meaning: Do one action while doing another. The main action comes last.
Pattern: Verb stem + ながら + Main action

Example 1

音楽を聞きながら料理します。I cook while listening to music.

Common mistake: The ながら action is secondary/background.

〜ばよかったです
Meaning: Regret: should have done.
Pattern: ば-form + よかった

Example 1

もっと勉強すればよかったです。I should have studied more.

Common mistake: For negative regret: 行かなければよかった = I shouldn’t have gone.

〜と conditional
Meaning: Natural/automatic result: when/if A happens, B naturally follows.
Pattern: A と B

Example 1

このボタンを押すと、電気がつきます。If you press this button, the light turns on.

Common mistake: Not good for personal requests/commands after と.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

開ける = open something
開く = something opens
なくしてしまう = unfortunately lose
聞きながら = while listening
すればよかった = should have done

Lesson 19

出迎え — Meeting the Boss

Core goal

Recognize/use honorific forms and express thanks, expectations, and relief.

Vocabulary theme

Keigo, respect, hospitality, advice, expectation, thanks.

GENKI Lesson 19: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 19: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

Honorific verbs
Meaning: Raise the status of someone else’s action. Used for teachers, bosses, customers, guests.
Pattern: 行く/来る/いる→いらっしゃる / 食べる/飲む→召し上がる / 見る→ご覧になる

Example 1

先生はもう召し上がりました。The teacher already ate.

Common mistake: Do not use honorifics for your own actions.

Respectful advice
Meaning: Polite/honorific suggestion, often お + stem + ください.
Pattern: お + Verb stem + ください

Example 1

こちらでお待ちください。Please wait here.

Common mistake: Some verbs use ご instead of お with Sino-Japanese nouns.

〜てよかったです
Meaning: Relief: I’m glad that...
Pattern: て-form + よかったです

Example 1

間に合ってよかったです。I’m glad I made it in time.

Common mistake: Often expresses relief after uncertainty.

〜はずです
Meaning: Expectation based on evidence: should be / ought to.
Pattern: Short form + はずです

Example 1

田中さんはもう着いたはずです。Tanaka should have arrived already.

Common mistake: It is stronger than でしょう because it implies a basis.

〜てくれてありがとう
Meaning: Thank someone for doing something for you. Polite version may use くださって.
Pattern: て-form + くれてありがとう / くださってありがとうございます

Example 1

手伝ってくれてありがとう。Thank you for helping me.

Common mistake: Use くださって with higher-status people or polite contexts.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

いらっしゃる = go/come/be honorific
召し上がる = eat/drink honorific
ご覧になる = see honorific
___はず = should be
___てよかった = glad that ___

Lesson 20

メアリーさんの買い物 — Mary Goes Shopping

Core goal

Use humble speech for yourself, ask embedded questions, and describe easy/hard actions.

Vocabulary theme

Humble/extra-modest speech, embedded questions, shopping, usability, doing without.

GENKI Lesson 20: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 20: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

Humble expressions
Meaning: Lower your own/in-group actions when speaking to/about higher-status people.
Pattern: 会う→お目にかかる / 言う→申す / 行く→参る

Example 1

明日、先生にお目にかかります。I will meet the teacher tomorrow.

Common mistake: Use humble forms for your own side, not for the teacher’s actions.

Extra-modest expressions
Meaning: Very polite self-reference/service language, common in customer-facing settings.
Pattern: です→でございます / ある→ございます

Example 1

こちらが受付でございます。This is the reception desk.

Common mistake: Good to recognize; you may not need to produce it often at first.

Questions inside sentences
Meaning: Embed a question inside a larger sentence using short forms.
Pattern: Question clause + か + Verb

Example 1

何を買うか決めましたか。Did you decide what to buy?

Common mistake: No question particle at the end of the embedded question beyond か.

Name という item
Meaning: Identify something called X.
Pattern: Name という Noun

Example 1

「源氏物語」という本を読みました。I read a book called The Tale of Genji.

Common mistake: いう may be pronounced ゆう casually, but write いう.

〜やすい / 〜にくい
Meaning: Easy/hard to do. Attach to verb stem.
Pattern: Verb stem + やすい / にくい

Example 1

この説明はわかりやすいです。This explanation is easy to understand.

Common mistake: This describes ease of action, not emotional liking.

〜ないで
Meaning: Do without doing; without doing X.
Pattern: ない-form + で

Example 1

朝ご飯を食べないで学校に行きました。I went to school without eating breakfast.

Common mistake: Different from ないでください, which is “please don’t.”

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

お目にかかる = humbly meet
どこにあるか = where it is
読みやすい = easy to read
読みにくい = hard to read
食べないで = without eating

Lesson 21

どろぼう — Burglar

Core goal

Describe being affected by actions, prepared states, and contrasts between expectation and reality.

Vocabulary theme

Passive, inconvenience, prepared states, requests/wishes, contrast, incidents.

GENKI Lesson 21: Verb Passive Form
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 21: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 21: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

Passive sentences
Meaning: Subject receives/is affected by an action. Often expresses inconvenience in Japanese.
Pattern: 読む→読まれる / 食べる→食べられる / する→される

Example 1

私は先生にほめられました。I was praised by the teacher.

Common mistake: Potential and passive for ru-verbs can look the same; context decides.

〜てある
Meaning: A transitive action was done and the result remains, often intentionally prepared.
Pattern: Transitive verb て-form + ある

Example 1

机の上に資料が置いてあります。The documents have been placed on the desk.

Common mistake: Use transitive verbs: 開けてある, not 開いてある.

〜間に
Meaning: During the time while... something happens.
Pattern: Clause + 間に

Example 1

寝ている間に、雨が降りました。It rained while I was sleeping.

Common mistake: 間に often implies something happens within that window.

Adjective + する
Meaning: Make something adjective; change state intentionally.
Pattern: い-adj: くする / な-adj: にする

Example 1

音を小さくしてください。Please lower the volume.

Common mistake: なる = become; する = make it become.

〜てほしい
Meaning: Want someone to do something.
Pattern: Person に + て-form + ほしい

Example 1

友達に手伝ってほしいです。I want my friend to help me.

Common mistake: Use に for the person you want to act.

〜のに
Meaning: Even though / despite. Shows contrast or frustration.
Pattern: Short form + のに

Example 1

安いのに、誰も買いません。Even though it is cheap, nobody buys it.

Common mistake: Often carries speaker surprise/disappointment.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

食べられる = is eaten / can eat depending context
置いてある = has been placed
小さくする = make smaller
手伝ってほしい = want someone to help
___のに = even though ___

Lesson 22

日本の教育 — Education in Japan

Core goal

Say someone makes/lets someone do something, use command-like instructions, and form ば conditionals.

Vocabulary theme

Education, rules, commands, causative, conditionals, comparison/appearance.

GENKI Lesson 22: Verb Causative Form
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 22: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 22: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

Causative sentences
Meaning: Make/let someone do something. U-verbs: final u→a + せる; ru-verbs: る→させる.
Pattern: 読む→読ませる / 食べる→食べさせる / する→させる

Example 1

先生は学生に作文を書かせました。The teacher made the students write an essay.

Common mistake: Can mean “make” or “let”; context decides.

〜なさい
Meaning: Instruction/command, often from parents/teachers to children/students.
Pattern: Verb stem + なさい

Example 1

早く寝なさい。Go to bed early.

Common mistake: Do not use this upward to teachers/bosses.

〜ば conditional
Meaning: If... then. Common for general conditions and advice-like expressions.
Pattern: い-adj: 安ければ / Verb: 読めば / な-adj・noun: ならば

Example 1

時間があれば、行きます。If I have time, I will go.

Common mistake: For いい, use よければ.

〜のような / 〜のように
Meaning: Like/as if. ような modifies nouns; ように modifies verbs/adjectives.
Pattern: Noun のような Noun / Noun のように Verb

Example 1

鳥のように空を飛びたいです。I want to fly in the sky like a bird.

Common mistake: ような before nouns; ように before actions/descriptions.

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

読ませる = make/let read
食べさせる = make/let eat
寝なさい = go to sleep
安ければ = if cheap
鳥のように = like a bird

Lesson 23

別れ — Good-bye

Core goal

Describe being forced to do something, decide to do something, explain how to do things, and say “even if.”

Vocabulary theme

Final review, causative-passive, decisions, methods, concessions, farewell.

GENKI Lesson 23: Verb Causative-passive Form
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set as a transformation drill.

GENKI Lesson 23: Vocabulary
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set to memorize the chapter's main words before doing grammar examples.

GENKI Lesson 23: Kanji
Quizlet: Open flashcards
Use this set for reading recognition and writing practice.

Vocabulary

Grammar points

Causative-passive
Meaning: Be made/forced to do something. Combines causative + passive.
Pattern: 行く→行かされる / 食べる→食べさせられる / する→させられる

Example 1

子供の時、野菜を食べさせられました。When I was a child, I was made to eat vegetables.

Common mistake: Often expresses annoyance or lack of control.

〜ことにする
Meaning: Decide to do something.
Pattern: Dictionary/ない-form + ことにする

Example 1

毎日、日本語を勉強することにしました。I decided to study Japanese every day.

Common mistake: ことになる means it has been decided/arranged, often not solely by you.

〜まで
Meaning: Until / up to. Can mark endpoint in time/place/extent.
Pattern: Endpoint + まで

Example 1

九時まで勉強しました。I studied until nine.

Common mistake: まで = until; までに = by/deadline.

〜方
Meaning: Way/method of doing. Attach to verb stem.
Pattern: Verb stem + 方

Example 1

この漢字の読み方を教えてください。Please teach me how to read this kanji.

Common mistake: 方 becomes がた in compounds sometimes, but beginner pattern is stem + 方.

〜ても
Meaning: Even if / even though. Uses て-form + も.
Pattern: て-form + も

Example 1

雨が降っても、行きます。Even if it rains, I will go.

Common mistake: Do not confuse with てもいい, which means “may do.”

Chapter Summary

If you are not familiar with any of these, go back and redo that specific point.

食べさせられる = be made to eat
___ことにする = decide to ___
九時まで = until 9
読み方 = how to read
雨でも/降っても = even if rain/rains

Source note: Lesson titles and overall Genki scope were checked against The Japan Times Publishing pages and public Genki grammar/kanji indexes. The explanations and example sentences here are original companion notes, not copied textbook content. Edit the chapter cards by adding more .grammar, .example, or .box blocks.