Collins Japanese: Essential Vocabulary and Grammar

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Japanese grammar rules, linguistic particles, cultural items, and traditional practices from Collins Japanese 3000 Words and Phrases.

Hepburn System

The system used to transcribe Japanese into Roman characters, where long vowels are written with a macron or bar over the letter (ā, ē, ō, ū), with the exception of the double 'ii'.

Polite Form (-masu)

The standard Japanese verb ending used for everyday polite speech to avoid appearing overly familiar or rude, contrasting with the plain form.

Particle 'wa'

The Japanese topic marker particle that indicates what the sentence is about and typically appears near the beginning of a clause.

Particle 'ga'

The grammatical marker indicating the grammatical subject in a sentence, or a conjunction linking clauses meaning 'but' or 'although'.

Particle 'o'

The direct object marker particle placed immediately after the noun receiving the action.

Particle 'ni'

The particle functioning as an indirect object marker, as well as indicating a goal, direction, or specific location.

Particle 'de'

The particle indicating the means by which an action is carried out, or specifying the place where an action takes place.

Particle 'no'

The particle connecting two nouns, indicating possession or that the first noun describes the second noun.

Particle 'ka'

A sentence-ending particle that converts a declarative statement into a question.

Particle 'ne'

A sentence-ending particle used to seek agreement, concurrence, or confirmation from the listener.

Particle 'yo'

A sentence-ending particle used to add emphasis or provide new information to the listener.

Japanese Sentence Word Order

The syntactic structure where sentences strictly follow Subject – Object – Verb (SOV), placing the main verb at the end, with adverbial phrases commonly arranged as time – manner – place.

Tsuyu (梅雨)

The seasonal rainy period in Japan, typically occurring between late spring and early summer.

Ekiben (駅弁)

A packaged boxed lunch sold at railway stations designed to be eaten on long train journeys.

Shinkansen (新幹線)

The high-speed bullet train operating on Japan's high-speed rail network.

Tatami (畳)

Traditional woven rush mats used as the standard flooring in Japanese-style rooms.

Shōji (障子)

A sliding interior screen or door made of translucent paper stretched across a wooden lattice frame.

Kotatsu (こたつ)

A low wooden table frame equipped with an underneath electric heater and covered with a thick blanket or futon.

Engawa (縁側)

A traditional wooden veranda or outer corridor flanking the exterior of Japanese rooms.

Kakejiku (掛け軸)

A vertical hanging scroll featuring calligraphy or paintings, traditionally displayed in a Japanese room alcove.

Zabuton (座布団)

A traditional square cushion designed for sitting on tatami flooring.

Yukata (浴衣)

An unlined, casual cotton summer kimono commonly worn during hot weather, festivals, or at hot spring resorts.

Geta (下駄)

Traditional Japanese wooden elevated footwear resembling sandals, often worn alongside kimono or yukata.

Onsen (温泉)

A natural geothermally heated hot spring and the bathing facilities developed around it.

Sentō (銭湯)

A communal neighborhood public bathhouse where patrons pay admission to bathe.

Roten-buro (露天風呂)

An outdoor hot spring bath open to the natural surroundings.

Noren (のれん)

A traditional split fabric curtain hung across doorways of Japanese shops, restaurants, and bathhouses.

Ukiyo-e (浮世絵)

A genre of traditional Japanese art consisting of woodblock prints and paintings depicting the floating world.

Kokeshi (こけし)

A simple Japanese wooden doll crafted with an enlarged head and cylindrical body without limbs.

Daruma (だるま)

A spherical, hollow papier-mâché doll modeled after Bodhidharma, used as a talisman of good luck and perseverance.

Chanoyu / Sadō (茶の湯／茶道)

The formal Japanese tea ceremony involving the ritual preparation and presentation of powdered matcha green tea.

Ikebana (生け花)

The traditional Japanese art of disciplined floral arrangement.

Shodō (書道)

The traditional artistic discipline of Japanese brush calligraphy.

Kabuki (歌舞伎)

A classical form of Japanese dance-drama characterized by stylized performances, elaborate makeup, and dramatic stagecraft.

Bunraku (文楽)

Traditional Japanese puppet theatre featuring large, intricate puppets operated collectively by puppeteers on stage.

Rakugo (落語)

A traditional Japanese theatrical form of comical storytelling performed by a lone seated speaker.

Noh (能)

A major classical Japanese musical drama tradition known for masked actors, slow movements, and poetic dialogue.

Dohyō (土俵)

The circular ring constructed from clay and rice-straw bales in which official sumo wrestling bouts take place.

Mawashi (まわし)

The thick silk loincloth belt worn by sumo wrestlers during training and competitions.

Gyōji (行司)

The traditional kimono-clad referee who oversees and adjudicates sumo wrestling matches inside the ring.

Kanreki (還暦)

The traditional Japanese milestone celebration honoring an individual reaching their 60th birthday.

O-miyamairi (お宮参り)

A traditional Shinto rite of passage where a newborn baby is brought to a local shrine for their first ceremonial blessing.

O-bon (お盆)

The annual Buddhist festival of the dead held to honor and commemorate the spirits of one's deceased ancestors.

Hatsumōde (初詣)

The practice of making the first visit of the New Year to a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple to pray for good fortune.

Joya no Kane (除夜の鐘)

The ceremonial ringing of Buddhist temple bells 108 times on New Year's Eve to dispel human passions.

Kadomatsu (門松)

A traditional New Year decoration composed of pine and cut bamboo set in pairs outside building entrances.

O-sechi Ryōri (お節料理)

Special traditional Japanese foods packed in tiered lacquered boxes prepared to celebrate the New Year.