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18. Daily Routine

0:00 --:--
忙しいですか
Are you busy?
ええ、忙しいです
Yeah, I'm busy
仕事は忙しいです
Work is busy
働きます
I'm working
日本語を勉強しますか
Do you study Japanese?
はい、勉強します
Yes, I study
友達に電話します
I'll call my friend
一緒に出かけます
We'll go out together
日本語を練習します
I practice Japanese
一緒に練習します
We practice together
お母さんも働きますか
Does your mom work too?
いいえ、ご飯を作ります
No, she cooks
何を作りますか
What does she make?
いいご飯を作ります
She makes great food
友達に電話しましたか
Did you call your friend?
はい、電話しました
Yes, I called
友達に電話しました
I called my friend
一緒に出かけました
We went out together
日本語を練習しました
I practiced Japanese
一緒に練習しました
We practiced together
忙しいです
I'm busy
仕事があります
I have work
日本語を勉強します
I study Japanese
そして練習します
And I practice
友達に電話します
I'll call my friend
一緒に出かけます
We'll go out together
日本語を練習します
I practice Japanese
一緒に出かけます
We go out together

Cultural Notes

The する verbs: turning nouns into actions

Japanese lets you turn a noun into a verb by adding する. Take 勉強 (study), 練習 (practice), or 電話 (phone) and add する to get 勉強する (to study), 練習する (to practice), 電話する (to call). Knowing the noun is usually enough to figure out what the verb means.

忙しい - the word everyone uses

In Japan, saying 忙しいです is one of the most common ways to explain why you cannot do something. Rather than giving a detailed excuse, people often just say they are busy. It is polite and understood - nobody will press you for details.

出かける - making plans to go out

In Japan, making plans to go out with someone - 一緒に出かけます - carries real weight. Canceling last-minute is considered rude, so when you say it, people take it seriously. Even a casual 出かける between friends is treated as a commitment, not just a vague suggestion.