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Your first Japanese conversation as a beginner

Make the first goal small enough to finish. Introduce one interest, ask one question, and understand enough of the answer to make a follow-up.

Plan your first conversation

Written by Hanashi

Prepare a two-sentence opening

Try はじめまして。料理が好きです (Nice to meet you. I like cooking). Continue with 最近、カレーを作りました (I made curry recently). Change the interest and event to something real so you can answer a follow-up.

Then ask どんな料理が好きですか？ (What kinds of food do you like?) If they say something familiar, repeat it as a question to check what you heard.

Put recovery phrases where you can see them

Read them once before the call. Use the one that describes what you actually need.

  • もう一度お願いします。 (Once more, please.)
  • もう少しゆっくりお願いします。 (A little more slowly, please.)
  • ちょっと考えてもいいですか？ (Can I take a moment to think?)

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