Survival Japanese Language Course
🍣 Level 1: Survival Japanese (Weeks 1–2)
Goal: Navigate a convenience store, ride the train,
and say “sorry” at least three ways.
🔤 Vocabulary &
Phrases
- Greetings:
こんにちは
(konnichiwa), おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu), さようなら (sayounara)
- Yes /
No: はい
(hai) / いいえ
(iie)
- Thank
you / Sorry: ありがとう (arigatou), すみません (sumimasen), ごめんなさい
(gomennasai)
- Numbers
1–100
- Food,
transport, directions, emergency phrases
🧠 Grammar
- Basic
sentence structure: Subject + Object + Verb
- Particles:
は
(wa), を
(wo), の
(no), で
(de)
- Desu/masu
form: polite sentence endings
- Basic
questions with か (ka)
🗣️ Speaking Practice
- Introducing
yourself: わたしは
[name] です。
- Asking
for directions: 〜はどこですか？ (Where is ~?)
- Ordering
food: 〜をください。
(~ please.)
- Asking
for help or price
🥟 Cultural Tips
- Bowing
is everything: get your angles right
- Saying
“no” directly is rare—watch for hesitation
- Convenience
stores (コンビニ)
are sacred and magical
🎒 Level 2: Daily Life
& Travel Japanese (Weeks 3–6)
Goal: Handle train stations, shopping, host families,
and daily routines.
🔤 Vocabulary &
Phrases
- Time
and dates: きょう
(today), あした
(tomorrow), いま (now)
- Transportation:
駅
(eki), 電車
(densha), バス
(basu)
- School
life: 先生
(sensei), 授業
(jugyou), 勉強
(benkyou)
- Everyday
verbs: 食べる
(to eat), 行く
(to go), 見る
(to see)
🧠 Grammar
- Verb
conjugation (present/future and negative)
- Polite
vs plain form (ます vs dictionary form)
- Counting
with counters: ～人、～本、～枚
- Adjective
structure and sentence use
🗣️ Speaking Practice
- Talking
about your schedule
- Asking
when the next train arrives
- Shopping:
trying on clothes, asking for size
- Describing
your likes/dislikes
🧃 Cultural Tips
- Japanese
punctuality is next-level—be early
- There’s
a vending machine on every corner—use cash
- Avoid
phone use on public transport (it’s rude!)
💼 Level 3: Social &
Business Japanese (Weeks 7–10)
Goal: Handle polite conversation, work introductions,
and social customs.
🔤 Vocabulary &
Phrases
- Work-related
terms: 会社
(kaisha = company), 会議 (kaigi = meeting)
- Business
expressions: お世話になっております, よろしくお願いします
- Phone
& email phrases
- Asking
permission and making formal requests
🧠 Grammar
- Te-form
and its many uses
- Verb
potential form (can do)
- Polite
request patterns: ～てもいいですか？
- Using
から
(because) and ので (more polite “because”)
🗣️ Speaking Practice
- Introducing
yourself at work
- Answering
the phone and scheduling meetings
- Talking
about your job or school
- Making
polite requests
🎎 Cultural Tips
- Exchanging
business cards is a mini ceremony—two hands, bow
- Hierarchy
is everything—use -san, -sama, or proper titles
- Silence
is fine—it often means “I’m thinking”
📚 Level 4: Intermediate
Communication & Daily Interaction (Weeks 11–14)
Goal: Hold real conversations, describe experiences,
and navigate society politely.
🔤 Vocabulary &
Phrases
- Feelings
and opinions: 楽しい (fun), 大変 (hard), すごい
(amazing)
- Describing
people, things, and experiences
- Explaining
a process
- Asking
for help at the doctor or post office
🧠 Grammar
- Past
tense of verbs and adjectives
- Comparison
using より
/ ほうが
- Giving
reasons with ～から / ～ので
- Expressing
desire: ～たい、～ほしい
🗣️ Speaking Practice
- Telling
a short story about your weekend
- Describing
your hometown
- Asking
someone how they’re doing
- Explaining
symptoms to a pharmacist or doctor
🎐 Cultural Tips
- Seasonal
customs matter: summer festivals, spring hanami, etc.
- Gift-giving
etiquette: always wrap nicely, avoid the number 4
- Reading
the room (空気を読む)
is a cultural art form
🌏 Level 5: Practical
Fluency & Cultural Nuance (Weeks 15–20)
Goal: Participate in meetings, understand nuance, and
use polite Japanese naturally.
🔤 Vocabulary &
Phrases
- Polite
opinions: ～と思います,
～かもしれません
- Idioms
and phrases: 一石二鳥 (two birds with one stone), お疲れ様です
- Apologies,
refusals, and negotiations
- Casual
vs keigo (honorific speech)
🧠 Grammar
- Conditional:
～たら,
～ば
- Expressing
uncertainty: ～かどうか
- Passive
and causative forms
- Honorific
and humble expressions (けいご)
🗣️ Speaking Practice
- Making
a presentation or formal introduction
- Handling
small talk at a business dinner
- Politely
disagreeing or refusing
- Writing
an email in polite Japanese
🍵 Cultural Tips
- Omotenashi
= deep, intuitive hospitality—observe and mimic
- In
business, consensus is king—build harmony, not conflict
- People
rarely say “no,” but “That’s difficult…” usually means it
📚 RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
- Apps:
LingoDeer, WaniKani, BunPro, Human Japanese
- Books:
Genki I & II, Minna no Nihongo, Japanese From Zero
- YouTube: GlobalGuideMedia Japanese, Japanese Ammo with Misa, Nihongo no Mori, Tokini Andy
- TV/Anime:
Terrace House, Midnight Diner, Shirokuma Café
- Flashcards:
Anki decks (JLPT N5–N3), Tofugu kana practice
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