English negates and pasts adjectives with helper words (“is not,” “was”). い-adjectives change their own ending instead — no です needed for the tense: 高い → 高くない (isn’t), 高かった (was). な-adjectives borrow the copula: きれいじゃない, きれいだった.
Today's words
間
space (between); gap
長い
long (distance, length)
もらう
to receive; to take
申す
to say; to be called
若い
young; youthful
負ける
to lose; to be defeated
Write today's kanji — tap to replay
間
長
申
若
負
See it in real sentences
若かったらよかったのに。
If only I was younger.
見つかったらひどい目に遭うぞ。
If you are found out, you'll catch it.
気分が良くないんですよ。
I'm not feeling well.
帰ってきてホントに良かった。
So nice that you are back.
何故来なかったの？
Why didn't you come?
お目にかかれて嬉しかったです。
Good to see you.
Practice
Spaced review — recall from earlier days (tap to flip)
to return (something)
返す
1d ago
to convey
伝える
1d ago
parent
親
3d ago
pupil
生徒
3d ago
end
最後
7d ago
to start
始める
7d ago
Recall
Which word means “to receive”?
Which word means “long (distance, length)”?
Which word means “young”?
Which word means “space (between)”?
Listen and choose
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Your turn — say it, then check
Say: “If only I was younger.”
若かったらよかったのに。
Say: “If you are found out, you'll catch it.”
見つかったらひどい目に遭うぞ。
👀 Today’s input · ~12 min — where fluency actually comes from
Level up your reading
Move up to Tadoku Level 1–2, and keep watching Comprehensible Japanese (Beginner). Aim for material where you catch the gist *without* a dictionary — just above what’s easy. That “i+1” sweet spot is what grows your Japanese fastest.