Minna No Nihongo Lesson 21 Vocabulary

Minna No Nihongo Lesson 21 Vocabulary: Comprehensive Guide and Tips for Mastery

Learning Japanese with Minna No Nihongo is a transformative experience for language enthusiasts and professionals alike. Known for its structured lessons, the textbook equips learners with essential vocabulary and grammar to navigate daily life in Japan. Lesson 21 stands out as a pivotal point where the focus shifts towards more practical and situational language, making it an invaluable chapter to master.

Minna No Nihongo Lesson 21 Vocabulary Practice.

Romaji	Hiragana	English
omoimasu	おもいます	think
iimasu	いいます	say
kachimasu	かちます	win
makemasu	まけます	lose, be beaten
omatsuri	おまつり が あります	quit or retire from [a company] stop, give up
yakuni tachimasu	やくに たちます	be useful
ugokimasu	うごきます	move, work
yamemasu	かいしゃ を やめます	quit or retire from[a company] stop, give up
ki	き を つけます	pay attention, take care
ryuugakushimasu	りゅうがくします	study abroad
muda	むだ	wasteful
fuben	ふべん	inconvenient
sugoi	すごい	awful,great
hontou	ほんとう	true
uso	うそ	lie
jidousha	じどうしゃ	car, automobile
koutsuu	こうつう	transport, traffic
bukka	ぶっか	prices (commodity)
housou	ほうそう	announcement, broadcast
yume	ゆめ	dream
tensai	てんさい	genius
shiai	しあい	game, match
iken	いけん	opinion
hanashi	はなし	talk, speech, what one says, story
chikyuu	ちきゅう	earth
tsuki	つき	moon
saikin	さいきん	recently,these days
tabun	たぶん	probably, perhaps, maybe
kitto	きっと	surely, definitely
hontouni	ほんとうに	really
sonnani	そんなに	not so (used with negatives)
ni tsuite	-に ついて	about, concerning

What is Minna No Nihongo Lesson 21 Vocabulary?

Lesson 21 in Minna No Nihongo delves into vocabulary that revolves around giving opinions, expressing assumptions, and discussing potential scenarios. This lesson emphasizes words and expressions that help build conversational fluency and comprehension, especially in formal or speculative contexts.

Mastering this lesson opens up opportunities to discuss topics confidently, both casually and in professional settings.

Vocabulary Breakdown

Common Nouns

The nouns introduced in Lesson 21 often relate to opinions, advice, and scenarios. For example:

• 意見 (いけん – iken): Opinion
• 会議 (かいぎ – kaigi): Meeting
• 新聞 (しんぶん – shinbun): Newspaper

Understanding these words is critical for constructing sentences about personal thoughts or events.

Essential Verbs

Action verbs form the core of communication, and Lesson 21 introduces essential ones, such as:

• 思う (おもう – omou): To think
• 言う (いう – iu): To say
• 足りる (たりる – tariru): To be enough

These verbs are vital for expressing opinions or making speculative remarks.

Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives and adverbs like:

• 便利な (べんりな – benrina): Convenient
• 多分 (たぶん – tabun): Probably

…are indispensable for descriptive and hypothetical statements.

Real-Life Applications

Lesson 21 vocabulary finds its way into everyday life effortlessly. Consider the following example:

• 彼はたぶん来ないと思います。
  (かれはたぶんこないとおもいます。)
  I think he probably won’t come.

Such practical usage underlines how this lesson’s words make daily interactions smoother and more meaningful.

Tips for Memorizing Vocabulary

1. Flashcards and Repetition

Create flashcards for each word and practice daily. Spaced repetition ensures that words stay in your long-term memory.

2. Contextual Learning

Rather than memorizing words in isolation, place them in sentences or stories to see how they function naturally.

3. Associative Techniques

Link words to visual images or similar-sounding words in your native language for better recall.

How Lesson 21 Builds on Previous Lessons

Lesson 21 is closely tied to earlier chapters, where foundational grammar and simpler vocabulary were introduced. For instance:

• Earlier lessons taught です/ます forms, which are now used with 思う for opinions.
• New vocabulary builds on this by allowing more nuanced statements.

This layered approach ensures a smooth progression in learning.

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Some learners find certain words tricky due to similarities in pronunciation or usage. For example, confusing 足りる (tariru) with 借りる (kariru—to borrow). Practicing these words in different contexts can help mitigate errors.

Engaging Practice Methods

1. Writing Exercises

Compose daily journal entries using lesson 21 vocabulary to cement your learning.

2. Speaking Drills

Engage in role-play scenarios where you discuss opinions or hypothetical situations.

3. Interactive Tools and Resources

Use apps like Anki or Quizlet to review vocabulary interactively.

Recommended Resources

• Genki I & II: Complement Minna No Nihongo with additional explanations.
• Tae Kim’s Guide to Japanese: Excellent for grammar pairing.
• Duolingo and Anki: For flashcards and spaced repetition.

The Cultural Context of Lesson 21 Vocabulary

Lesson 21 vocabulary reflects Japan’s nuanced approach to communication. Words like 多分 (tabun) demonstrate the cultural emphasis on politeness and indirectness. Understanding these subtleties enriches your grasp of the language.

Frequently Made Mistakes

1. Pronunciation Pitfalls

Words like 新聞 (shinbun) may be mispronounced as shinban. Pay attention to intonation.

2. Misinterpretation

Confusing similar verbs like 言う (iu) and 話す (hanasu—to speak) can lead to misunderstandings. Practice distinguishing them.

Progressing Beyond Lesson 21

As you master this chapter, transition to the next lessons to tackle advanced vocabulary and grammar. Keep reviewing previous lessons to reinforce your foundation while embracing new challenges.

Conclusion

Minna No Nihongo Lesson 21 vocabulary is a critical milestone in your Japanese language journey. With its focus on practical expressions and nuanced communication, this lesson equips you with tools for real-life interactions. Stay consistent, practice diligently, and immerse yourself in the language to achieve fluency.

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