Do You Know? Let’s Go! The Meaning of いこう (Ikou) Simple meaning:“Let’s go!” Deeper meaning: Inviting someone to do something together Core Ideas - Taking action - Group activity - Energy and excitement Examples A:→ To the park!→ Ikou! B:→ Time to eat!→ Ikou! Cultural Insight Short, energetic phrases are often used among friends and classmates.

Do You Know? I Got It! The Meaning of わかった (Wakatta) Simple meaning:“I got it!” / “I understand” Deeper meaning: Showing quick understanding (casual) Core Ideas - Understanding - Agreement - Casual speech Examples A:→ Meet at 5.→ Wakatta! B:→ Do your homework.→ Wakatta… Cultural Insight This is casual Japanese. With friends it’s OK, but more polite forms are used in formal situations.

Do You Know? That’s Not Right… The Meaning of ちがいます (Chigaimasu) Simple meaning:“That’s not correct” Deeper meaning: Correcting someone politely Core Ideas - Saying “no” politely - Correcting information - Keeping it soft Examples A:→ Are you Tom?→ Chigaimasu. B:→ This is yours?→ Chigaimasu. Cultural Insight Instead of saying a strong “No,” Japanese often use softer corrections.

Do You Know? That’s Right! The Meaning of そうです (Sou desu) Simple meaning:“That’s right” Deeper meaning: Confirming information politely Core Ideas - Agreement - Confirmation - Simple responses Examples A:→ You are a teacher?→ Sou desu. B:→ This is your bag?→ Sou desu. Cultural Insight Clear but gentle confirmation is important in Japanese communication.

Do You Know? Excuse Me (Getting Attention)! The Meaning of すみません (Sumimasen) Simple meaning:“Excuse me” / “Sorry” Deeper meaning: A flexible phrase for politeness, apology, or getting attention Core Ideas - Saying sorry - Getting attention - Showing respect Examples A:→ Sumimasen, where is the station? B:→ Sumimasen! (bumping into someone) Cultural Insight This is one of the most useful phrases in Japanese. It is used many times a day in different situations.