IN10 · Culture

Before you start

This level assumes the elementary level and elementary grammar. From here on, words are in kanji with their reading above; in the reading round you'll see the kanji alone.

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

• IN01understanding simple headlines
• IN02talking about society
• IN03talking about the planet
• IN04buying and paying wisely
• IN05talking about devices and faults
• IN06talking about studies and exams
• IN07organizing meetings and notices
• IN08giving and explaining your opinion
• IN09explaining why things happen

What you learn

お寺 (temple) is Buddhist and 神社 (shrine) is Shinto; in Japan they coexist and are often close together. The お in おてら is polite and part of the word.

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

• 文化ぶんかbunkaculture
• 伝統でんとうdentoutradition
• 祭まつりmatsuri(traditional) festival
• 神社じんじゃjinjaShinto shrine
• お寺てらoteraBuddhist temple
• 着物きものkimonokimono
• 習慣しゅうかんshuukancustom, habitThere is also しゅうかん = 週間 (week, as in いっしゅうかん). Here you learn 習慣, a custom.
• 芸術げいじゅつgeijutsuart
• 茶道さどうsadoutea ceremony
• You know it · H09歴史れきしrekishihistory

Practice

A short text with words and grammar you already know; kanji carry their reading above. Read it and answer.