Japanese - Lesson 165 of 168: Language Help

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

日本語は少しだけ話せます。

Nihongo wa sukoshi dake hanasemasu.

I can speak only a little Japanese.

Meaning: I can speak only a little Japanese.

When to use: Use this to modestly explain your speaking ability when you meet someone in Japan — for example when ordering, asking for directions, or meeting new people.

Tip: Don't use が instead of は here; は marks the topic (Japanese) politely.

旅行中で日本語は少しだけ話せます。

Ryokō-chū de nihongo wa sukoshi dake hanasemasu.

I'm travelling and can speak only a little Japanese.

すみません、日本語は少しだけ話せますが、聞くのは難しいです。

Sumimasen, nihongo wa sukoshi dake hanasemasu ga, kiku no wa muzukashii desu.

Sorry, I can speak only a little Japanese, but understanding is hard for me.

日本語を勉強しています。

Nihongo o benkyō shite imasu.

I’m studying Japanese.

Meaning: I’m studying Japanese.

When to use: Say this when explaining why you're trying to use Japanese, or to tell someone you're learning and may make mistakes.

日本語を勉強していますので、ゆっくり話してください。

Nihongo o benkyō shite imasu node, yukkuri hanashite kudasai.

I'm studying Japanese, so please speak slowly.

今、日本語を勉強していますが、まだ漢字は難しいです。

Ima, nihongo o benkyō shite imasu ga, mada kanji wa muzukashii desu.

I'm studying Japanese now, but kanji are still difficult.

漢字が読めません。

Kanji ga yomemasen.

I can’t read kanji.

Meaning: I can’t read kanji.

When to use: Use this to ask for help reading signs, menus, forms, or labels when kanji are too hard for you.

Tip: Some learners say 読めない (informal). Use 読めません for polite situations.

このメニューの漢字が読めません。説明してもらえますか？

Kono menyū no kanji ga yomemasen. Setsumei shite moraemasu ka?

I can't read the kanji on this menu. Can you explain?

駅の案内板の漢字が読めません。ひらがなでお願いします。

Eki no annaiban no kanji ga yomemasen. Hiragana de onegaishimasu.

I can't read the kanji on the station sign. Please (write) in hiragana.

ひらがなで書いてください。

Hiragana de kaite kudasai.

Please write it in hiragana.

Meaning: Please write it in hiragana.

When to use: Ask this when someone writes something in kanji and you need a simpler writing system you can read.

この住所をひらがなで書いてください。読めません。

Kono jūsho o hiragana de kaite kudasai. Yomemasen.

Please write this address in hiragana. I can't read it.

すみません、漢字が難しいです。ひらがなで書いてください。

Sumimasen, kanji ga muzukashii desu. Hiragana de kaite kudasai.

Sorry, kanji are difficult. Please write it in hiragana.

Japanese - Language Help

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which Japanese sentence means: "Please write it in hiragana."?

Which phrase would you use to explain you are learning Japanese right now?

If you cannot read a sign with kanji, which phrase fits best?

Which phrase politely downplays your speaking ability?

Excuse me, I can't read the kanji on this guide. Please (write) in hiragana.

At the airport I told staff 'I can speak only a little Japanese' and they showed me the way.

The menu was difficult, so I asked the staff 'Please write it in hiragana.'

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice