· 6 lists · 240 words

Greetings and polite language

Set phrases, giving and receiving, manners, polite language at work.

What holds these lists together

In Japanese, who is speaking to whom changes the words themselves, not only the tone. The same request is 見(み)て to a friend, 見(み)てください to a stranger and ご覧(らん)ください to a customer, and the wrong choice is heard as a statement about the relationship rather than as a slip. Giving and receiving have the same layer built in: あげる is used when a gift moves away from the speaker, くれる when it moves towards the speaker or the speaker’s family, and もらう looks at it from the side of the one who receives. English "give" points both ways, which is why learners say 友達(ともだち)が私(わたし)にあげました where Japanese needs くれました. The lists run from the phrases said at a door or a meal to the polite language of an office, with the unwritten rules of public life in between.

The six lists

N5Greetings and set phrasesWhat is said on meeting and parting, before and after a meal, and on leaving the house and coming back.40 words N4Giving, receiving and favoursPresents, souvenirs, thanks, lending and borrowing, and asking for help.40 words N3Rules and mannersWhat is allowed, what is not, and the unwritten rules of behaving in public.40 words N3Talking and being understoodConversation, misunderstanding, polite language and saying what you mean.40 words N2Polite language at workThe humble and honorific words used with clients, visitors and senior colleagues.40 words N3Polite expressionsRespectful verbs, polite words for other people, and the phrases of everyday courtesy.40 words

Spread across the levels

The category runs across the levels — it is an area, not a difficulty. If you practise it, you can also choose a level at the top of the practice page and then get only the part that sits there.

Level	Words	Share
N5	33	14 %
N4	53	22 %
N3	121	50 %
N2	33	14 %

Practise this category

Multiple choice and gaps, across all six lists and all 240 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.