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Mastering Essential Japanese Vocabulary at B1 Level visualisation

Mastering Essential Japanese Vocabulary at B1 Level

Key Japanese terms for intermediate learners.
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At the B1 level of Japanese language proficiency, learners are expected to have a solid understanding of vocabulary that enables them to navigate everyday life, express opinions, and engage in more complex conversations. Below is a categorized list of essential words and phrases for B1 learners, based on the provided information:

Everyday Vocabulary

  • 買い物 (かいもの, kaimono) – Shopping
  • 料理 (りょうり, ryouri) – Cooking/Food
  • 友達 (ともだち, tomodachi) – Friend
  • 駅 (えき, eki) – Station
  • 仕事 (しごと, shigoto) – Work/Job
  • 家 (いえ, ie) – House
  • 学校 (がっこう, gakkou) – School
  • 店 (みせ, mise) – Shop/Store

Numbers and Time

  • 時 (じ, ji) – Hour/O’clock
  • 分 (ふん, fun) – Minute
  • 日 (にち, nichi) – Day
  • 今週 (こんしゅう, konshuu) – This week
  • 来月 (らいげつ, raigetsu) – Next month

Verbs for Daily Activities

  • 食べる (たべる, taberu) – To eat
  • 飲む (のむ, nomu) – To drink
  • 見る (みる, miru) – To see/watch
  • 読む (よむ, yomu) – To read
  • 書く (かく, kaku) – To write
  • 遊ぶ (あそぶ, asobu) – To play
  • 行く (いく, iku) – To go
  • 話す (はなす, hanasu) – To speak

Adjectives

  • 楽しい (たのしい, tanoshii) – Fun/Enjoyable
  • 美味しい (おいしい, oishii) – Delicious
  • 長い (ながい, nagai) – Long
  • 早い (はやい, hayai) – Fast/Early

People and Relationships

  • 家族 (かぞく, kazoku) – Family
  • 先生 (せんせい, sensei) – Teacher
  • 学生 (がくせい, gakusei) – Student
  • 上司 (じょうし, joushi) – Boss

Travel and Directions

  • 地図 (ちず, chizu) – Map
  • 道 (みち, michi) – Road/Way
  • 駅前 (えきまえ, ekimae) – In front of the station

Expressions and Phrases

These are useful for conversational fluency:

  1. 今日は何日ですか？ (Kyou wa nan nichi desu ka?) - What day is today?
  2. 五分待ってください。 (Gofun matte kudasai) - Please wait for five minutes.
  3. 買い物に行きます。 (Kaimono ni ikimasu) - I’m going shopping.

This vocabulary forms the foundation for effective communication in typical B1-level scenarios such as discussing daily routines, making plans with friends or colleagues, and navigating public spaces like shops or stations 1, 2, 4.

References

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