N5 · 40 words

Free time

Hobbies, music, films, games and days off.

Much of this vocabulary is katakana from English and easy to recognise once read aloud: ピアノ, カメラ, キャンプ. The verbs are where the work is. Games, dancing and most activities are simply done with する, but an instrument is played with 弾(ひ)く, a photo is taken with 撮(と)る and a picture is drawn with 描(か)く. To say what you do in your spare time, 趣味(しゅみ)は写真(しゃしん)です — "my hobby is photography" — is all you need.

The words

Verb (7)

歌うto singVerbN5

カラオケで日本(にほん)の歌(うた)を歌(うた)いました。I sang Japanese songs at karaoke.

弾くto play (an instrument)VerbN5

姉(あね)はピアノを弾(ひ)くのが上手(じょうず)です。My older sister plays the piano well.

For instruments with strings or keys; a wind instrument is 吹(ふ)く.

撮るto take (a photo, a video)VerbN5

ここで写真(しゃしん)を撮(と)ってもいいですか。May I take photos here?

Sounds like 取(と)る, to take, but is written with its own kanji.

描くto draw; to paintVerbN4

娘(むすめ)は毎日(まいにち)動物(どうぶつ)の絵(え)を描(か)いています。My daughter draws pictures of animals every day.

Sounds like 書(か)く, to write. Also read えがく, mostly in writing.

踊るto danceVerbN4

お祭(まつ)りでみんなで踊(おど)りました。We all danced together at the festival.

遊ぶto play; to spend time with friendsVerbN5

子供(こども)たちが公園(こうえん)で遊(あそ)んでいます。The children are playing in the park.

Not for sport or instruments. Adults use it for going out together: 友達(ともだち)と遊(あそ)ぶ.

楽しむto enjoyVerbN4

皆(みな)さん、パーティーを楽(たの)しんでください。Everyone, please enjoy the party.

This list belongs to Free time, plans and sport — seven lists and 281 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.