This 13th lesson deals with the present tense in Japanese. In addition I included a vocabulary list about survival and emergencies. I will try to give examples using both vocabulary and grammar. That way it will be easy for you to see the words when they are separate and when they are in a sentence. Going through the whole page should take about 30 min. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at Japanese Classes.
Present
The present is one of the 3 tenses (past, present, and future) we will be discussing in the next 3 lessons. So it is recommended not to skip any of them because they are all related.
Below is a list of 15 sentences conjugated into the present tense. I focused on the examples you might come across or use very often. The table contains 3 columns (English, Japanese, and Audio). Make sure you repeat each word after hearing it by either clicking on the audio button or by reading the pronunciation. That should help with memorization as well as improving your pronunciation.
Present Tense in Japanese
Present
Japanese
Audio
I see you
私はあなたをみます。 [Watasi wa anata wo mi masu.]
I write with a pen
私はペンで書きます。 [Watashi wa pen de kaki masu.]
You love apples
あなたはリンゴが好きです。 [Anata wa ringo ga suki desu.]
You give money
あなたは金を与えます。 [Anata wa kane wo ataemasu.]
You play tennis
あなたはテニスをします。 [Anataha tenisu wo simasu.]
He reads a book
彼は本を読みます。 [Kare wa hon wo yomimasu.]
He understands me
彼は私を理解しています。 [Kare wa watashi wo rikai site imasu.]
She has a cat
彼女は猫を飼っています。 [Kanojo wa neko wo katte imasu.]
She knows my friend
彼女は私の友達を知っています。 [Kanojo wa watashino tomodachi wo sitte imasu.]
We want to learn
私たちは学びます。 [Watasi tachi wa manabi masu.]
We think Spanish is easy
私たちはスペイン語は簡単だと思います。 [Watasi tachi wa Supein go wo kantan dato omoi masu.]
You (plural) work here
あなたたちはここで働きます。 [Anata tachi wa kokode hataraki masu.]
You (plural) speak French
あなたたちはフランス語を話します。 [Anata tachi wa Furansu go wo hanasi masu.]
They drive a car
彼らは車を運転します。 [Karera wa kuruma wo unten simasu.]
They smile
彼らはほほんでいます。 [Karera wa hohoen de imasu.]
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact me If you simply want to ask a question, please Japanese contact form on the header above.
Survival Expressions
Below is a list of 28 words related to survival expressions such as emergencies, and calling for help. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to communicate better when in distress or when providing help to someone else who is in need.
Survival Expressions in Japanese
Accident
事故 [jiko]
Allergy
アレルギー [arerugii]
Ambulance
救急車 [kyuukyuu sha]
Asthma
喘息 [zensoku]
Danger
危険 [kiken]
Doctor
医師 [ishi]
Headache
頭痛 [zutsuu]
Heart attack
心臓麻痺 [shinzou mahi]
Help me
助けてください。 [tasuke te kudasai]
Hospital
病院 [byouin]
Medicines
医薬品 [iyakuhin]
Pharmacy
薬局 [yakkyoku]
Poison
毒 [doku]
Police
警察 [keisatsu]
Stomach ache
胃痛 [itsuu]
Stroke
脳卒中 [nousocchuu]
Daily Conversation in Japanese
Finally, here are some common sentences to strengthen your conversation skills. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Japanese Phrases page. Enjoy!
Common Expressions in Japanese
Are you okay?
大丈夫ですか。 [daijoubu desu ka]
Call a doctor!
医者を呼んでください。 [isha o yon de kudasai.]
Call the ambulance!
救急車を呼んでください。 [kyuukyuu sha o yon de kudasai]
Call the police!
警察を呼んでください。 [keisatsu o yon de kudasai.]
Calm down!
落ち着いて! [ochitsuite!]
Fire!
火事だ! [kaji da!]
I feel sick
具合が悪くなった [guai ga waruku natta.]
It hurts here
ここが痛いです。 [koko ga itai desu.]
It's urgent!
緊急事態です! [knkyuu jitai desu!]
Stop!
止まれ! [tomare!]
Thief!
泥棒だ! [dorobouda!]
Where is the closest pharmacy?
近くに薬局がありますか? [chikaku ni yakkyoku ga ari masu ka?]
You look beautiful! (to a woman)
あなたはきれいですね!(女性として)。 [Anata wa kirei desu ne! (Jyosei to site)]
You have a beautiful name
あなたの名前はきれいですね。 [Anata no namae ha kirei desu ne.]
This is my wife
私の妻です。 [Watasi no tsuma desu.]
This is my husband
私の夫です。 [Watasi no otto desu.]
Fun Facts
Language Quote: ❝To have another language is to possess a second soul.❞ ‒Charlemagne
Congratulations! You finished your 13th lesson in Japanese about the present tense, and survival expressions. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Japanese Lesson 14. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Japanese homepage.