English adds “can” in front of the verb. Japanese reshapes the verb itself into a potential form: 読む → 読める (can read), 食べる → 食べられる (can eat), する → できる (can do). And the thing you’re able to do often takes が instead of を: 日本語が話せる (can speak Japanese).
Today's words
眠る
to sleep
姉
older sister; elder sister
たまに
occasionally; once in a while
厳しい
severe; strict
棚
shelf; ledge
Write today's kanji — tap to replay
眠
姉
厳
棚
See it in real sentences
音楽が聞こえる。
I hear music.
変な音が聞こえる。
I hear a strange sound.
病気であったように見える。
He seems to have been ill.
金があればなんでも買える。
Money enables you to buy anything.
間違いがあったようにみえる。
There appears to have been a mistake.
外で足音が聞こえる。
I hear footsteps outside.
Practice
Spaced review — recall from earlier days (tap to flip)
snow
雪
1d ago
near
近い
1d ago
market
市
3d ago
(United States of) America
アメリカ
3d ago
meal (e.g. lunch, dinner)
食事
7d ago
to be delighted
喜ぶ
7d ago
Recall
Which word means “older sister”?
Which word means “shelf”?
Which word means “to sleep”?
Which word means “occasionally”?
Listen and choose
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Your turn — say it, then check
Say: “I hear music.”
音楽が聞こえる。
Say: “I hear a strange sound.”
変な音が聞こえる。
👀 Today’s input · ~15 min — where fluency actually comes from
Real-world Japanese
NHK News Web Easy is now within reach — simplified news with furigana *and* audio, so you can read and listen at the same time. Do one short article a day; hover past what you don’t know.