IN20 · City and housing

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
• IN10talking about traditions and art
• IN11talking about company life
• IN12hospitals and treatments
• IN13getting around and sightseeing
• IN14TV, the press and the internet
• IN15climate and natural disasters
• IN16earning, spending and lending money
• IN17school subjects and the scientific method
• IN18what is and isn't allowed
• IN19feelings and getting on with others

What you learn

こうがい (suburbs) and とし (city) are homophones of 公害 (pollution) and 年 (year): in a sentence about the city, context is enough. こうつう is traffic or public transport: こうつうが べんりです (it's well connected).

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

• 都市としtoshicityThere is also とし = 年 (year, age). Here you learn 都市, a city.
• 地域ちいきchiikiarea, region
• 交通こうつうkoutsuutraffic, transport
• 住宅じゅうたくjuutakuhousing, residence
• 建物たてものtatemonobuilding
• 駐車場ちゅうしゃじょうchuushajoucar park
• 公共こうきょうkoukyoupublic
• 郊外こうがいkougaisuburbsThere is also こうがい = 公害 (pollution). Here you learn 郊外, the suburbs.

Practice

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