Select the most appropriate expression for the situation. 銀行で機械の使い方がわかりません。近くの人に何と言いますか。

使い方を教えてください。

Choose the standard expression for the situation described below. まちでけいたい電話で写真をとってほしいです。なんと言いますか。

写真をとってください。

Choose the standard expression for the situation described below. ともだちのけいたい電話をかりたいです。なんと言いますか。

けいたい電話をかしてください。

Choose the most appropriate expression for the situation below. 美容院（びよういん）で、髪（かみ）をシャンプーで洗ってほしいです。店（みせ）の人に何と言いますか。

かみを洗ってください。

Choose the standard expression for the situation described below. ともだちのスマホの写真を見たいです。なんと言いますか。

写真を見てもいいですか。

How to Answer JLPT N5 Verbal Expressions (Hatsuwa Hyogen)

2026-10-18

Understanding the Verbal Expressions Section

In the Language Knowledge (Vocabulary/Grammar) section of the JLPT N5, the 'Verbal Expressions' (発話表現) task typically contains about 5 items. Whether you are preparing for the December JLPT in Nepal or the JFT-Basic in Kathmandu, these questions test your ability to choose the most natural phrase for a social situation. Because Nepali and Japanese both follow an SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) structure and use particles (postpositions), you will find the word order intuitive once you master the vocabulary.

Worked Example

Consider this situation: You are at a restaurant and want to ask the waiter to bring the menu.

Situation: レストランで店員にメニューをもらいたいです。何と言いますか？

メニューをください。
メニューはありますか？
メニューをあげます。

Analysis:

Option 1 (メニューをください) is the correct, polite way to request an item.
Option 2 (メニューはありますか？) is a question about existence, which is grammatically correct but pragmatically less direct for ordering or requesting.
Option 3 (メニューをあげます) is incorrect because 'ageru' means 'to give' (from you to them), which is the opposite of what you want.

Distractor Logic

Test makers design distractors based on three common traps:

Grammar Mismatches: Using a casual verb form (like 'kure') when a polite form ('kudasai') is required.
Directional Errors: Confusing who is performing the action. Using 'morau' (receive) or 'ageru' (give) incorrectly.
Context Mismatch: Choosing a sentence that is grammatically correct but socially awkward, such as using a phrase meant for a teacher when speaking to a shop staff member.

Timing and Exam Strategy

Language Knowledge and Reading share a 90-minute block. Since there are roughly 30–40 items in this section, you should aim to spend no more than 30 seconds per Verbal Expression question. If you find yourself stuck, flag it and move on. These questions rely on 'gut feeling' developed through input; if you don't know the phrase immediately, you are unlikely to derive it through complex analysis.

Weekly Study Routine

To improve your score, integrate these steps into your study this week:

Situational Scripting: Take 5 common N5 locations (station, classroom, restaurant, store, home). Write down 3 essential phrases for each (requesting, thanking, apologizing).
Shadowing Audio: Listen to your textbook’s dialogue audio and pause after each sentence to repeat it. Focus on the tone of voice.
Identify 'Kudasai' vs 'Desu': Review how to turn standard nouns into requests. Practice 'Noun + o kudasai' for objects and 'Verb (te-form) + kudasai' for actions.
Daily Review: Spend 15 minutes each day reviewing your grammar points related to 'Aisatsu' (greetings) and 'Irai' (requests).