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N5 Vocabulary: Adverbs & function words — 24 words with memory tricks

· Memoro

Adverbs bring sentences to life: very, a little, always, gradually… This lesson gathers 24 common N5 adverbs, grouped (degree, frequency, time, manner, questions).

01
とても
とても
totemo
very (much), greatly, exceedingly
💡 totemo = very. Modifies adjectives: とても高い (very tall/expensive).
とても嬉しいです。I am very happy.
02
沢山
たくさん
takusan
many, much
💡 takusan = a lot, many.
本をたくさん読みました。I read many books.
03
少し
すこし
sukoshi
little, few
💡 少 (few). sukoshi = a little (more polite than ちょっと).
少し待ってください。Please wait a little.
04
ちょっと
ちょっと
chotto
a little, somewhat; just a little, somewhat
💡 chotto = a little (casual); also softens a request.
ちょっと待ってください。Please wait a moment.
05
もっと
もっと
motto
more
💡 motto = more. もっと安い = cheaper.
もっと勉強しなければなりません。I have to study more.
06
大変
たいへん
taihen
very; difficult, hard
💡 taihen = very; also "tough / hard".
それは大変ですね。That's hard, isn't it?
07
全部
ぜんぶ
zenbu
all, entire, whole
💡 全 (all) + 部 (part) → all, everything. zenbu.
全部食べました。I ate all of it.
08
いつも
いつも
itsumo
always, usually, every time, never (with neg. verb)
💡 itsumo = always.
いつも朝六時に起きます。I always wake up at 6 AM.
09
よく
よく
yoku
frequently, often (much); well, skillfully
💡 yoku = often; also "well / skillfully".
よく勉強します。I study often (or well).
10
時々
ときどき
tokidoki
sometimes
💡 時 (time) doubled → sometimes. tokidoki.
時々映画を見ます。I sometimes watch movies.
11
すぐに
すぐに
sugu ni
immediately, soon
💡 sugu ni = right away.
すぐに行きます。I'll go immediately.
12
まだ
まだ
mada
yet, still, besides
💡 mada = still; not yet (with a negative): まだ食べていない.
まだ十時です。It's only ten o'clock.
13
もう
もう
mō
already; again; more
💡 mō = already: もう食べた; also "more". Opposite of まだ.
もう一回言ってください。Please say it again.
14
また
また
mata
and; furthermore
💡 mata = again; and. また明日 (see you tomorrow).
また明日。See you tomorrow.
15
初めて
はじめて
hajimete
for the first time
💡 初 (first). hajimete = for the first time.
初めて日本へ来ました。I came to Japan for the first time.
16
一緒
いっしょ
issho
together
💡 issho = together (一緒に).
一緒に映画を見に行きませんか？Why don't we go to see a movie together?
17
ゆっくりと
ゆっくりと
yukkurito
slowly, at ease
💡 yukkuri to = slowly, leisurely.
ゆっくりと話してください。Please speak slowly.
18
まっすぐ
まっすぐ
massugu
straight (ahead), direct
💡 massugu = straight (ahead); also "honest".
まっすぐ行ってください。Please go straight.
19
丁度
ちょうど
choudo
just, right, exactly
💡 chōdo = exactly, just right. 丁度いい = just right.
ちょうど三時です。It's exactly three o'clock.
20
段々
だんだん
dandan
gradually, by degrees
💡 段 (step) doubled → gradually. dandan.
だんだん暖かくなります。It gradually becomes warm.
21
いつ
いつ
itsu
when
💡 itsu = when?
いつ日本へ行きますか？When are you going to Japan?
22
どうして
どうして
doushite
why, for what reason
💡 dōshite = why? (どう how + して).
どうして来なかったのですか？Why didn't you come?
23
なぜ
なぜ
naze
why (same as どうして)
💡 naze = why? (more formal than どうして).
なぜ泣いているのですか？Why are you crying?
24
多分
たぶん
tabun
perhaps, probably, maybe
💡 多 (many) + 分 (part) → probably, maybe. tabun.
明日は多分雨です。It will probably rain tomorrow.

Memory tricks

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