Lesson 13

Are you learning Japanese with Minna no Nihongo? Lesson 13 teaches how to talk about past experiences and actions in Japanese. In this lesson, you will learn how to say what you did, ask about past events, and understand common words related to the past.

This article will explain important grammar, vocabulary, and examples from Lesson 13. Don’t worry if you are a beginner — everything is simple and easy to follow. Let’s get started!

Lesson
Minna no Nihongo 13

📆 Focus
Talking About the Past

🎓 Level
Beginner

🕰️

Learn to Talk About the Past in Japanese

📘 Vocabulary

• きょねん (kyonen) – Last year
• さくじつ (sakujitsu) – Yesterday
• まいにち (mainichi) – Every day
• しました (shimashita) – Did (past tense of します)
• いきました (ikimashita) – Went (past tense of いきます)
• たべました (tabemashita) – Ate (past tense of たべます)
• みました (mimashita) – Saw / watched (past tense of みます)

🧠 Grammar Point

To talk about the past, use the ました form of verbs.

Pattern:
[Verb in ました form]
Example: きのう ともだちに あいました。 → I met a friend yesterday.

You can also ask about past events:
Q: きのう なにを しましたか。 → What did you do yesterday?
A: えいがを みました。 → I watched a movie.

💬 Example Sentences

• きょねん にほんへ いきました。 → I went to Japan last year.
• さくじつ すしを たべました。 → I ate sushi yesterday.
• まいにち べんきょうしました。 → I studied every day.
• きのう えいがを みました。 → I watched a movie yesterday.

📝 Tips for Practice

• Try to use the ました form when talking about what you did yesterday.
• Write about your last week using past tense verbs.
• Practice asking and answering questions about past events with friends.
• Watch simple Japanese stories or videos and listen for past tense verbs.

📚 What’s Next?

In Lesson 14, you will learn how to talk about locations and places using words like "here," "there," and "over there." Mastering past tense will make your conversations much richer and more natural.

Note: This article is made for beginners learning Japanese using Minna no Nihongo. Keep practicing, and you will get better every day!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Do I need to learn kanji for Lesson 13?
No, most of the lesson uses hiragana and katakana. Kanji is optional but useful.

Q2: How do I form past tense verbs?
Use the ました form of the verb, which is the polite past tense.

Q3: Is it hard to remember past tense verbs?
It takes practice, but once you get used to the patterns, it becomes easier.

Q4: Can I practice by speaking with others?
Yes! Asking and answering about past activities is great practice.