Did you already take the quiz: How well do you know basic Japanese? If you haven't then you should! In this post we will discuss the correct answers and explain grammar and more! How well did you do? Let us know in the comments below!
A. こんばんわ (konbanwa) ❌
B. おはよう (ohayou) ✅
C. もしもし (moshi moshi) ❌
D. こんにちは (konnichiwa) ❌
Explanation:
The correct answer is ohayou which means good morning!
Konnichiwa = good day
Konbanwa = good evening
Moshimoshi = hello (only when picking up the phone)
A. 馬鹿です!(baka desu) ❌
B. 便秘ですね!(benpi desu) ❌
C. 元気ですね!(genki desu) ✅
D. おめでとうございます!(omedetou gozaimasu) ❌
Explanation:
The correct answer is genki desu which means I'm fine (literally: I'm energetic).
Benpi = constipated. This answer is considered an old man's joke in Japan because it sounds a little similar to genki.
Baka = idiot
omedetou gozaimasu = congratulations (on your birthday, wedding etc.)
A. さようなら! (sayonara) ❌
B. また明日!(mata ashita) ❌
C. 嫌だ!(iya da) ❌
D. じゃあね!(jaa ne) ✅
Explanation:
The correct answer is jaa ne which means see you!
This one is tricky, many may have answered sayonara. While sayonara also is a parting salutation it's not often said in a casual setting to a friend who you will meet soon again. It's more along the lines of 'farewell'.
sayonara = farewell
iya da = no, no way, disagree
mata ashita = see you tomorrow
A. 頑張ってください (ganbatte kudasai) ❌
B. よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu) ✅
C. 始めました (hajimemashita) ❌
D. お前はもう死んでいる (omae wa mou shindeiru) ❌
Explanation:
The correct answer is yoroshiku onegaishimasu which literally means: please take care of me, an expression we don't use in English but is used when introducing yourself.
ganbatte kudasai = please do your best. Not a phrase used to introduce yourself.
hajimemashita = it has begun. The correct way to say nice to meet you would be hajimemashite.
omae ha mou shinde iru = you are already dead. A recent famous anime meme.
A. 先生 (sensei) ❌
B. 先輩 (senpai) ❌
C. 後輩(kohai) ✅
D. 変態 (hentai) ❌
Explanation:
The correct answer is: kohai which means junior or lower person at work or at school.
sensei: teacher or doctor
senpai: senior or upperclassman
hentai: pervert
A. いただきます!(itadakimasu) ✅
B. 食べましょう!(tabemashou) ❌
C. お疲れ様です!(otsukaresama desu) ❌
D. 帰ります!(kaerimasu) ❌
Explanation:
The correct answer is itadakimasu which is a standard phrase said before a meal like the French bon apetit (enjoy your meal)
tabemashou = Let's eat. Not wrong grammatically but it's not the standard phrase said before a meal.
otsukaresama desu = Good job today! (Literally: Thank you for your hard work). A standard phrase said after finishing work.
kaerimasu = I'm going home.
A. squid ❌
B. eel ❌
C. shrimp ❌
D. octopus ✅
Explanation:
The correct answer is octopus!
squid = ika
eel = unagi
shrimp = ebi
A. しっかりして!(shikkari shite) ✅
B. 止めて!(tomete) ❌
C. 元気を出して! (genki wo dashite) ❌
D. 食べて!(tabete) ❌
Explanation:
The correct answer is shikkari shite: pull yourself together.
tomete = stop (stop the car etc.) If you want to tell someone to stop doing something the correct expression would be yamete.
genki wo dashite = cheer up.
tabete = eat.
A. お会計をお願いします (okaike wo onegaishimasu) ✅
B. お金をお願いします (okane wo onegaishimasu) ❌
C. お根性をお願いします (okonjo wo onegaishimasu) ❌
D. おチェックお願いします (ochekku wo onegaishimasu) ❌
Explanation:
The correct answer is okaike wo onegaishimasu, a correct way to ask the bill especially used a lot in Tokyo. Another correct way would be okanjo wo onegaishimasu.
okane wo onegaishimasu = money please
okonjo wo onegaishimasu = determination/willpower please. This sentence is totally wrong and doesn't make sense whatsoever.
ochekku wo onegaishimasu = chekku from the English check is a Japanese word but this sentence is grammatically incorrect and not used this way.
A. 渋谷は行くお願いします (Shibuya wa iku onegaishimasu) ❌
B. 渋谷は運転ください (Shibuya wa unten kudasai) ❌
C. 渋谷は行きたくないください (Shibuya wa ikitakunai kudasai) ❌
D. 渋谷までお願いします (Shibuya made onegaishimasu) ✅
Explanation:
The correct answer is: Shibuya made onegaishimasu which means please take me to (literally: until) Shibuya.
Shibuya wa iku onegaishimasu = I go to Shibuya please. If you were on a trip and used this phrase the driver would understand but it's grammatically incorrect.
Shibuya wa unten kudasai = Shibuya is driving please. Grammatically incorrect!
Shibuya wa ikitakunai kudasai = I don't want to go to Shibuya please. The verb iku means going but ikitakunai means I don't want to go.
I hope you enjoyed the quiz and that the answers with explanation make sense to you! Don't forget to let us know your result! Are you studying Japanese? Leave some study tips for other in the comments!
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