M17 · Animals and nature

Before you start

This level assumes you know hiragana and katakana. Words you already met there are marked and do not count as new.

This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:

• M01greetings and courtesy
• M02introducing yourself
• M03family
• M04numbers
• M05time and days
• M06the home
• M07everyday objects
• M08food and drink
• M09eating out
• M10shopping
• M11the city
• M12transport
• M13school
• M14work and daily life
• M15the body and health
• M16weather and seasons

What you learn

You already know many animals and natural places from hiragana: いぬ, ねこ, とり, やま, うみ… Here come farm animals and a few landscapes.

You practise them in kana; underneath you can see how they are usually written.

• どうぶつdoubutsuanimalUsually written 動物
• You know it · H05いぬinudogUsually written 犬
• You know it · H05ねこnekocatUsually written 猫
• You know it · H09とりtoribirdUsually written 鳥
• うまumahorseUsually written 馬
• うしushicow, cattleUsually written 牛
• ぶたbutapigUsually written 豚
• You know it · H08やまyamamountainUsually written 山
• You know it · H07うみumiseaUsually written 海
• かわkawariverUsually written 川There is also 皮 (skin), read the same way.
• しまshimaislandUsually written 島
• You know it · H06はなhanaflowerUsually written 花There is also はな = 鼻 (nose), with a different pitch. Here you learn 花, the flower.

Practice

A short text written only with the kana and grammar you already know. Read it and answer.