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TheJapanesePage.com - Beginning Japanese Phrases

Language Learning Podcasts

For beginner to upper beginner learners of Japanese. Each episode presents a useful vocabulary word and an example sentence. Use shadowing, repetition, and sentence break-downs to fully understand the Japanese. Show notes can be found at...

Location:

United States

Description:

For beginner to upper beginner learners of Japanese. Each episode presents a useful vocabulary word and an example sentence. Use shadowing, repetition, and sentence break-downs to fully understand the Japanese. Show notes can be found at https://thejapanesepage.com/beginning-japanese-phrases-podcast-and-videos/

Language:

English


Episodes
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Beginning Japanese Phrases #213: 〜たいです (want to do something)

4/15/2026
Today's podcast covers: 〜たいです — want to do something This grammar pattern is attached to the stem of a verb to express the speaker's desire to do something. It is polite in form and translates roughly to 'I want to' in English. Example: 日本語を上手に話したいです。 I want to speak Japanese well. Vocabulary: Become a Makoto+ member for bonus content: www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:43

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Beginning Japanese Phrases #212: 〜てもいいですか (May I)

4/8/2026
Today's podcast covers: 〜てもいいですか — May I...? Is it okay if I...? This pattern is used to ask for permission to do something. It is formed by attaching to the tay-form of a verb, making it a polite way to request allowance for an action. Example: ここに座ってもいいですか? May I sit here? Vocabulary: Become a Makoto+ member for bonus content: www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:42

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Beginning Japanese Phrases #211: です

4/1/2026
Today's podcast covers: です — is, am, are (polite copula) This is a polite copula used at the end of sentences to link a subject to a noun or adjective, similar to 'to be' in English. It marks a formal or polite speech level and is one of the most fundamental building blocks of Japanese grammar. Example: これはペンです。 This is a pen. Vocabulary: Become a Makoto+ member for bonus content: www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:35

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Beginning Japanese Phrases #210: 〜たり 〜たりする (doing things like A and B, alternating or listing multiple actions)

3/26/2026
Today's podcast covers: 〜たり 〜たりする — doing things like A and B, alternating or listing multiple actions This grammar pattern is used to list multiple actions or states in a non-exhaustive way, implying there are other similar activities as well. It is formed by attaching tari to the ta-form of verbs or adjectives and closing with suru. The sound changes to da after certain sounds. Example: 週末は音楽を聴いたり、本を読んだりします。 On weekends, I do things like listen to music and read books. Vocabulary: Become a Makoto+ member for bonus content: www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:02:18

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Beginning Japanese Phrases #209: 〜から (because, since, from)

3/19/2026
Today's podcast covers: 〜から — because, since, from The particle attaches to the end of a verb, adjective, or noun phrase to indicate a reason or cause, meaning 'because' or 'since'. It can also indicate a starting point in time or place, meaning 'from'. Example: 雨が降っているから、家にいます。 Because it is raining, I am staying home. Vocabulary: Become a Makoto+ member for bonus content: www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:52

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Beginning Japanese Phrases #208: 〜てはいけません (You must not do, it is forbidden to do (prohibition))

3/12/2026
Today's podcast covers: 〜てはいけません — You must not do, it is forbidden to do (prohibition) The pattern is formed by attaching it to the te-form of a verb. It expresses a prohibition or rule, meaning that an action is not allowed or must not be done. Example: 図書館で食べてはいけません。 You must not eat in the library. Vocabulary: Become a Makoto+ member for bonus content: www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:48

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Beginning Japanese Phrases #207: こう (like this, in this way, thus)

3/5/2026
Today's podcast covers: こう — like this, in this way, thus This is a demonstrative adverb used to describe the manner of doing something, referring to something close to the speaker or something the speaker is about to demonstrate. It is often paired with verbs to show how an action is performed. Example: こうやって折り紙を折ります。 You fold origami like this. Vocabulary: Become a Makoto+ member for bonus content: www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:44

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Beginning Japanese Phrases #206: てみたい (want to try doing something)

2/26/2026
Today's podcast covers: てみたい — want to try doing something This grammar pattern combines the verb with mitai, which expresses the desire to try doing something to see what it is like. It conveys curiosity or interest in experiencing something new. Example: 日本に行ってみたいです。 I want to try going to Japan. Vocabulary: Become a Makoto+ member for bonus content: www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:38

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Beginning Japanese Phrases #205: ~てしまう (to end up doing, to completely do, to do something regrettably)

2/19/2026
Today's podcast covers: ~てしまう — to end up doing, to completely do, to do something regrettably This grammar pattern attaches to verbs and expresses either completion of an action or a sense of regret about something that happened unintentionally or unfortunately. It often conveys that something was done completely, or that the speaker feels sorry about the result. Example: 大切な写真を間違えて消してしまった。 I accidentally deleted an important photo. Vocabulary: Become a Makoto+ member for bonus content: www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:02:00

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Beginning Japanese Phrases #204: ので (because, since, so)

2/12/2026
Today's podcast covers: ので — because, since, so ので is a conjunction used to express cause or reason. It connects two clauses where the first clause explains the reason for the second clause, and it sounds softer and more polite than から . Example: 雨が降っているので、傘を持っていきます。 Since it\\\'s raining, I will take an umbrella. Vocabulary: Become a Makoto+ member for bonus content: www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:55

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Beginning Japanese Phrases #203: ~になる (to become, to turn into)

2/5/2026
Today's podcast covers: ~になる — to become, to turn into This grammar pattern attaches to nouns and adjectives to express a change of state or transformation. Example: 来年、私は二十歳になります。 Next year, I will turn twenty years old. Vocabulary: Become a Makoto+ member for bonus content: www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:49

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Beginning Japanese Phrases #202: ~がする (to sense/feel (used with sensory experiences like smell, sound, taste))

1/31/2026
Today's podcast covers: ~がする — to sense/feel (used with sensory experiences like smell, sound, taste) This expression is used to describe sensory perceptions. The particle marks what is being sensed, such as a smell, sound, taste, or feeling. It combines with nouns related to the five senses. Example: この部屋は変なにおいがする。 This room has a strange smell. Vocabulary: Become a Makoto+ member for bonus content: www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:02:03

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Beginning Japanese Phrases 201: もう(part.2) shortly; soon; now [gives a sense of being already the time for something or to do something]

7/31/2025
もう今日(きょう)はこれで終(お)わりにしましょう。 Now | today | as for | this | with | end | decide on Let’s call it a day right here. View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-201 View all episodes here: https://thejapanesepage.com/beginning-japanese-phrases-podcast-and-videos/ -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with complete vocabulary and grammar breakdowns as well as sound files of just the Japanese to download. www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:29

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Beginning Japanese Phrases 200: もう(part.1-B) already; yet; now

7/17/2025
私(わたし)の娘(むすめ)はもう高校生(こうこうせい)です。 My | daughter | as for | high school student | already My daughter is a high school student already / My daughter is a high school student now. View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-200 View all episodes here: https://thejapanesepage.com/beginning-japanese-phrases-podcast-and-videos/ -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with complete vocabulary and grammar breakdowns as well as sound files of just the Japanese to download. www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:32

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Beginning Japanese Phrases 199: もう(part.1-A) already; yet; now

6/12/2025
もうランチは食(た)べましたか? Already | answer | as for | realized | question marker Have you eaten lunch already? / Have you eaten lunch yet? View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-199 View all episodes here: https://thejapanesepage.com/beginning-japanese-phrases-podcast-and-videos/ -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with complete vocabulary and grammar breakdowns as well as sound files of just the Japanese to download. www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:23

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Beginning Japanese Phrases 198: だろう(Part. 5) …, right?

5/29/2025
君(きみ)はステーキが好(す)きだろう? you| as for | steak | subject marker | like | right? You like steak, right? View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-198 View all episodes here: https://thejapanesepage.com/beginning-japanese-phrases-podcast-and-videos/ -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with complete vocabulary and grammar breakdowns as well as sound files of just the Japanese to download. www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:28

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Beginning Japanese Phrases 197: だろう(Part. 4) I wonder…

5/1/2025
あの音(おと)はいったい何(なん)だろう? that | sound | as for | on earth | what | (I) wonder I wonder what the sound is. View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-197 View all episodes here: https://thejapanesepage.com/beginning-japanese-phrases-podcast-and-videos/ -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with complete vocabulary and grammar breakdowns as well as sound files of just the Japanese to download. www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:29

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Beginning Japanese Phrases 196: だろう(Part. 3) most likely will; probably will

4/24/2025
彼(かれ)のビジネスはきっと成功(せいこう)するだろう。 his | business | as for | most certainly | will succeed I’m sure his business will be successful. View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-196 View all episodes here: https://thejapanesepage.com/beginning-japanese-phrases-podcast-and-videos/ -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with complete vocabulary and grammar breakdowns as well as sound files of just the Japanese to download. www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:37

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Beginning Japanese Phrases 195: だろう(Part. 2) probably; most likely; should be

4/10/2025
この計算(けいさん)はこれで間違(まちが)いないだろう。 this | calculation | as for | this | with | fine | should be The calculation should be fine with this. View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-195 View all episodes here: https://thejapanesepage.com/beginning-japanese-phrases-podcast-and-videos/ -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with complete vocabulary and grammar breakdowns as well as sound files of just the Japanese to download. www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:01:43

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Beginning Japanese Phrases 194: だろう(Part. 1) must have ~

3/20/2025
太郎(たろう)はきのう友達(ともだち)と一緒(いっしょ)に遊(あそ)んで、きっと楽(たの)しかっただろう。 Tarou | as for | yesterday | friends | with | together | played | surely | enjoyed| must have had Tarou must have had a lot of fun playing with his friends yesterday. View this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/jphrases-ep-194 View all episodes here: https://thejapanesepage.com/beginning-japanese-phrases-podcast-and-videos/ -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with complete vocabulary and grammar breakdowns as well as sound files of just the Japanese to download. www.MakotoPlus.com

Duration:00:02:07