About This Lesson
Use Basic Requests and Instructions to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
中に入ってください。
NAH-kah nee HAH-ee-tteh koo-dah-SAI Please come inside.
B
ここに座ってください。
KOH-koh nee soo-WAH-tteh koo-dah-SAI Please sit here.
A
ここで待ってください。
KOH-koh deh maht-tteh koo-dah-SAI Please wait here.
B
こちらを見てください。
koh-CHIR-ah oh MEE-teh koo-dah-SAI Please look here.
A
よく聞いてください。
YOH-koo kee-ee-teh koo-dah-SAI Please listen carefully.
B
ゆっくり話してください。
YOO-koo-ree hah-NAH-shteh koo-dah-SAI Please speak slowly.Word by Word
中
「中」 means “inside” in 「中に入ってください」. It names the interior place someone is asked to enter, as in the reusable pattern “[place]に入ってください.” You would use it when inviting or directing someone indoors.
に
In 「中に入ってください」, 「に」 marks 「中」 as the destination or place entered. It commonly follows a place word before a movement verb, as in “[place]に入る.” Use it when telling someone where to go or enter.
入って
「入って」 means “enter” or “come in” here, in the request 「中に入ってください」. It is the form of 「入る」 used before 「ください」 to make a polite request. You would use it when asking someone to come into a room or building.
ください
「ください」 makes the preceding action into a polite request, so 「入ってください」 means “please enter” and the other dialogue lines use the same request pattern. It follows a verb in the て-form, as in “[verb]-てください.” Use it when politely asking someone to do something.
ここ
「ここ」 means “here,” referring to a place near the speaker or the place currently indicated. In the dialogue it appears in 「ここに座ってください」 and 「ここで待ってください」, showing that it can combine with different particles according to the action. Use it when directing someone to a nearby or indicated place.
座って
「座って」 means “sit” in 「ここに座ってください」. It is the form of 「座る」 used before 「ください」 for a polite request, following the pattern “[place]に座ってください.” You would use it when asking someone to take a seat.
で
In 「ここで待ってください」, 「で」 marks 「ここ」 as the place where the action of waiting occurs. It commonly follows a place word before an action verb, as in “[place]で + action.” Use it when telling someone where to perform an action.
待って
「待って」 means “wait” in 「ここで待ってください」. It is the form of 「待つ」 used before 「ください」 to make a polite request, following the pattern “[place]で待ってください.” You would use it when asking someone to remain in a particular place until something happens.
こちら
「こちら」 means “here,” “this way,” or “this direction” in 「こちらを見てください」. It is a polite way to indicate the side or direction being referred to, and it is followed by 「を」 because that direction is what the listener is asked to look at. Use it when directing someone’s attention toward a person, place, or direction.
を
In 「こちらを見てください」, 「を」 marks 「こちら」 as what is looked at. It commonly follows the thing or direction affected by an action verb, as in “object を + action.” Use it when identifying what someone should look at or otherwise act on.
見て
「見て」 means “look” in 「こちらを見てください」. It is the form of 「見る」 used before 「ください」 to make a polite request, with 「を」 marking what should be looked at. You would use it when directing someone’s gaze to a person, object, or direction.
よく
「よく」 means “carefully” or “well” in 「よく聞いてください」, describing how the listener should listen. It commonly comes before an action to describe the quality or manner of carrying it out, as in 「よく」 plus an action. Use it when asking someone to pay close attention, such as during an explanation.
聞いて
「聞いて」 means “listen” in 「よく聞いてください」. It is the form of 「聞く」 used before 「ください」 to make a polite request, while 「よく」 tells the listener to listen carefully. You would use it when asking someone to pay attention to spoken information or instructions.
ゆっくり
「ゆっくり」 means “slowly” in 「ゆっくり話してください」 and describes the manner of speaking. It commonly comes before an action verb, especially when asking for a slower pace, as in 「ゆっくり話してください」. Use it when a listener needs speech to be easier to follow.
話して
「話して」 means “speak” or “talk” in 「ゆっくり話してください」. It is the form of 「話す」 used before 「ください」 to make a polite request, while 「ゆっくり」 asks for a slow speaking pace. You would use it when asking someone to communicate verbally at a pace the listener can understand.
Grammar Points
動詞のて形（〜て）
入って、ここに座って。
HAH-ee-tteh, KOH-koh nee soo-WAH-tteh.Come in and sit here.
The て-form can connect actions and give a gentle instruction or request.
Japanese Vocabulary
ここ
pron
KOH-koh
here
こちら
pron
koh-CHIR-ah
here; this way
ゆっくり
adv
YOO-koo-ree
slowly
よく
adv
YOH-koo
carefully; well
見る
verb
MEE-roo
to look; to see
見て
座る
verb
soo-WAH-roo
to sit
座って
待つ
verb
maht-soo
to wait
待って
中
noun
NAH-kah
inside
入る
verb
HAH-ee-roo
to enter
入って
聞く
verb
KEE-koo
to listen; to hear
聞いて
話す
verb
hah-NAH-soo
to speak
話して
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
slowly
Show Answer
ゆっくりcarefully; well
Show Answer
よくto enter
Show Answer
入ってto look; to see