English uses a different word for each job — “and” to join actions, “-ing” for ongoing, “please” for requests. Japanese funnels all of it through one verb shape: the te-form. Convert any verb into it and you unlock requests (〜てください), “is doing” (〜ている), permission, linking actions in sequence, and a dozen more patterns — all from the same form. It’s the hinge the whole back half of the course swings on, so drill the conversion until it’s automatic.
Today's words
たくさん
a lot; lots
もう一度
once more; again
休む
to be absent; to take a day off
辺
area; vicinity
木
tree; shrub
味
flavor; flavour
消える
to disappear; to vanish
座る
to sit (down); to have a seat
Write today's kanji — tap to replay
一
度
休
辺
木
味
消
座
See it in real sentences
ちょっと待って、君。
Hold your horses, young man.
行かないって、言ってるでしょう。
I'm telling you, I'm not going.
お目にかかれて、たいへんうれしいです。
I'm very pleased to meet you.
彼、スラッとしてて、格好いいじゃない。
Isn't he gorgeous? - So tall and smart-looking.
はじめまして、アレンさんお目にかかれてうれしいです。
How do you do, Mrs. Allen? I'm pleased to meet you.
夜になって、家へ帰った。
When night came on, we returned home.
Practice
Spaced review — recall from earlier days (tap to flip)
to face
向かう
1d ago
to apologize (apologise)
謝る
1d ago
simple
簡単
3d ago
business
用
3d ago
space (between)
間
7d ago
long (distance, length)
長い
7d ago
Recall
Which word means “to be absent”?
Which word means “once more”?
Which word means “flavor”?
Which word means “tree”?
Listen and choose
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Your turn — say it, then check
Say: “Hold your horses, young man.”
ちょっと待って、君。
Say: “I'm telling you, I'm not going.”
行かないって、言ってるでしょう。
👀 Today’s input · ~12 min — where fluency actually comes from
Level up your reading
Move up to Tadoku Level 1–2, and keep watching Comprehensible Japanese (Beginner). Aim for material where you catch the gist *without* a dictionary — just above what’s easy. That “i+1” sweet spot is what grows your Japanese fastest.