N5 · 40 words

Adverbs, time words and linking words

How much, how often, already and not yet, and the words that join sentences.

Some of these words only work with a negative verb after them: あまり means "not very" or "not much" — あまり好(す)きではありません, I do not much like it. もう and まだ are a pair that English splits differently: もう食(た)べました is "I have already eaten", and まだです is "not yet". The linking words — でも, だから, それに — stand at the start of a sentence and tie it to the one before. Most of the list is normally written in kana.

The words

Adverb (24)

とてもveryAdverbN5

この料理(りょうり)はとてもおいしいです。This dish is very good.

あまりnot very; not much (with a negative)AdverbN5

このラーメンはあまり辛(から)くないです。This ramen is not very spicy.

Needs a negative verb or adjective after it.

少しa little; a fewAdverbN5

日本語(にほんご)が少(すこ)し話(はな)せます。I can speak a little Japanese.

たくさんa lot; manyAdverbN5

公園(こうえん)に人(ひと)がたくさんいます。There are a lot of people in the park.

よくoften; wellAdverbN5

よく図書館(としょかん)で勉強(べんきょう)します。I often study in the library.

Both often and well: よく分(わ)かりました, I understood it well.

もうalready; (with a negative) no longerAdverbN5

宿題(しゅくだい)はもう終(お)わりました。I have already finished my homework.

With a negative it means "no longer": もうありません, there is none left.

まだstill; (with a negative) not yetAdverbN5

弟(おとうと)はまだ寝(ね)ています。My younger brother is still asleep.

Asked whether you have done something, まだです means "not yet".

時々sometimesAdverbN5

時々(ときどき)友達(ともだち)と映画(えいが)を見(み)に行(い)きます。I sometimes go to the cinema with friends.

いつもalways; usuallyAdverbN5

父(ちち)はいつも七時(しちじ)に家(いえ)を出(で)ます。My father always leaves home at seven.

一緒にtogetherAdverbN5

週末(しゅうまつ)、一緒(いっしょ)に映画(えいが)を見(み)ませんか。Would you like to see a film together at the weekend?

The person you do it with takes と: 友達(ともだち)と一緒(いっしょ)に.

ちょっとa little; a momentAdverbN5

ちょっと待(ま)ってください。Just a moment, please.

Also a soft way of saying no: 今日(きょう)はちょっと… means "today is a bit difficult".

一番most; best; number oneAdverbN5

クラスで一番(いちばん)背(せ)が高(たか)いのは山田(やまだ)さんです。The tallest person in the class is Yamada.

Before an adjective it makes the superlative.

たいていusually; mostlyAdverbN5

日曜日(にちようび)はたいてい家(いえ)にいます。On Sundays I am usually at home.

これからfrom now on; after thisAdverbN5

これから日本語(にほんご)をもっと勉強(べんきょう)します。From now on I am going to study Japanese harder.

そろそろsoon; it's about timeAdverbN4

そろそろ帰(かえ)りましょう。It's about time we went home.

もうすぐsoon; nearlyAdverbN5

もうすぐ夏休(なつやす)みです。The summer holidays are nearly here.

すごくreally; awfullyAdverbN4

この映画(えいが)はすごく面白(おもしろ)かったです。This film was really good.

Spoken and casual; in writing, とても.

今からfrom now; right nowAdverbN4

今(いま)から出(で)かけます。I am going out now.

今までuntil now; so farAdverbN4

今(いま)まで日本(にほん)に三回(さんかい)来(き)ました。I have come to Japan three times so far.

いつかsome day; one dayAdverbN4

いつか富士山(ふじさん)に登(のぼ)りたいです。One day I would like to climb Mount Fuji.

いつでもany time; alwaysAdverbN4

いつでも遊(あそ)びに来(き)てください。Come and see us any time.

何度もmany times; again and againAdverbN4

何度(なんど)も電話(でんわ)しましたが、だれも出(で)ませんでした。I phoned again and again, but nobody answered.

たったonly; just (a small number)AdverbN4

駅(えき)まで歩(ある)いてたった五分(ごふん)です。It is only five minutes' walk to the station.

Stresses how small a number is, often with だけ.

いっぱいfull; a lotAdverbN5

お腹(なか)がいっぱいです。I am full.

Full, of a stomach, a room or a train; in casual speech also "a lot".

This list belongs to The scaffolding — 24 lists and 964 words that can also be practised as a whole.

Practise this list

Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 40 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.