Are you learning Japanese with Minna no Nihongo? Lesson 12 teaches you how to talk about places and give directions in Japanese. You will learn useful words for places, how to ask where something is, and how to give simple directions.
This article explains important grammar, vocabulary, and examples from Lesson 12. Don’t worry if you are a beginner — the explanations are easy to understand. Let’s get started!
Minna no Nihongo 12
Places & Directions
Beginner
📘 Vocabulary
- みせ (mise) – Shop / Store
- えき (eki) – Station
- こうえん (kōen) – Park
- びょういん (byōin) – Hospital
- どこ (doko) – Where?
- まっすぐ (massugu) – Straight
- みぎ (migi) – Right
- ひだり (hidari) – Left
- 〜の まえ (no mae) – In front of ~
- 〜の うしろ (no ushiro) – Behind ~
🧠 Grammar Point
〜は どこ ですか。
Example: トイレは どこですか。 → Where is the toilet?
To give directions, use:
[Place] の [direction] に あります。
Example: えきは みぎに あります。 → The station is on the right.
💬 Example Sentences
- レストランは どこですか。 → Where is the restaurant?
- こうえんは まっすぐ いきます。 → Go straight to the park.
- びょういんは ひだりに あります。 → The hospital is on the left.
- みせは えきの まえに あります。 → The shop is in front of the station.
📝 Tips for Practice
- Ask “Where is ~?” about places you see every day.
- Practice giving directions to friends or yourself.
- Use flashcards to memorize place words and directions.
- Try drawing a simple map and labeling places in Japanese.
📚 What’s Next?
Note: This article is made for beginners learning Japanese with Minna no Nihongo. Keep practicing, and you will improve every day!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do I need to know kanji for Lesson 12?
No, this lesson mostly uses hiragana and katakana. Kanji is optional for beginners.
Q2: What is the hardest part of this lesson?
Giving directions clearly can be tricky. Practice helps a lot.
Q3: Can I skip this lesson?
Not recommended. Talking about places is useful every day.
Q4: How can I remember new words?
Use flashcards and try to use words when you ask or give directions.
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