Hello! Minasan! Welcome to "Dictation for Every Day" (D4E: version 5) a.k.a. Mainichi no Kikitori
Workbook
PDF Workbook (volume 1, 2, and 3) is available from
[here]!
It includes the notes of words, phrases and grammars.
News and Story
2024.07.14: Volume 3, episode 101-150 starts.
An episode is updated every day.
A.E.A.D. (An Expression A Day)
2025.06.15 Sun #432: Together, always
ずっと、いっしょ
Zutto, issho
Together, always
A「これからも？」B「うん、ずっと、いっしょ。」
A: "From now on too?" B: "Yeah, together, always."
"Zutto, issho" is an expression that emphasizes affection and commitment, indicating a lasting relationship with the other person. It is commonly used in casual conversations to convey closeness and reassurance. The term "issho" means "together," but it can also mean "the same," as in "Shatsu no iro, issho./the color of the shirt is the same."
2025.06.14 Sat #431: Anytime / Whenever
いつでも
Itsudemo
Anytime / Whenever
A「じゃ、こんどいい？」B「うん、いつでも」
A: "So, how about next time?" B: "Yeah, anytime."
"Itsudemo" is a flexible and accepting expression that allows the other person to choose the time. It exemplifies immediate grammar in that it permits smooth conversation without specifying details like time. It conveys a stance of openness and willingness.
2025.06.13 Fri #430: For now / Just in case / Tentatively
一応
Ichiou
For now / Just in case / Tentatively
A「準備できた？」B「うん、一応ね」
A: "Are you ready?" B: "Yeah, for now."
The expression "ichiou" implies that something is done in a formal or tentative manner. It is often used when the speaker is not entirely confident or feels that something is not yet complete. The underlying meaning of "ichiou" suggests that there may still be some uncertainty or incompleteness. When someone says "ichiou," it might be wise to respond with, "Let me double-check just in case."
2025.06.12 Thu #429: While I'm at it / Incidentally
ついでに
Tsuideni
While I'm at it / Incidentally
A「コンビニ、行くの？」B「うん、ついでに何か買って来ようか」
A: "You're going to the convenience store?" B: "Yeah, do you want me to pick something up while I'm at it?"
"Tsuideni" is used to indicate an action or statement that is added to the main purpose. In this example, it is used to suggest doing an additional task for someone while going somewhere or doing something else.
2025.06.11 Wed #428: It depends
場合によりけり
Baai ni yorikeri
It depends on the case
A「この問題、どうする？」B「場合によりけりだね」
A: "What should we do about this issue?" B: "It depends on the case."
"Baai ni yorikeri" is a casual expression that indicates that something varies depending on the situation or conditions. It can be translated as "It depends on the case" or "Depending on the situation." It is often used when an immediate judgment cannot be made easily. By saying "baai ni yorikeri," one can buy time to carefully adjust their thoughts and responses.
Let's practice every day!
Let's learn Japanese through dictation practice!
PDF Workbook (volume 1 and 2) is available from
[here]!
It includes the notes of words, phrases and grammars.
This is the dictation practice site operated by Japanese Language Teaching Section, Tokyo Institute of Technology.
This practice involves a variety of natural expressions in daily conversation.
You can practice 10 sentences a day depending on your language ability.
It's a very simple exercise. You just follow the audio you hear and type in Roman letters.
Your comments and bug reports are very welcome. Please submit from here.
Zen and the Art of Dictation
Let's learn Japanese through drill and practice!
You will practice 10 sentences in an episode.
It's a very simple exercise.
You just follow the audio you hear and type in roman letters.
The first objective is to learn the basic Japanese sounds
and hiragana/katakana combinations.
You can practice as many times as possible.
The more you practice, the better you will get.
Please regularly contribute your time to this practice.
It is important to practice every day rather than to practice a lot at once.
The following is the psychological evidence of the importance of regular practice:
Figure 1: The forgetting curve described by Hermann Ebbinghaus.
Here, b represents 'Savings' expressed as a percentage, and t represents time in minutes, counting from one minute before end of learning. The constants c and k are 1.25 and 1.84 respectively. Savings is defined as the relative amount of time saved on the second learning trial as a result of having had the first. A savings of 100% would indicate that all items were still known from the first trial. A 75% savings would mean that relearning missed items required 25% as long as the original learning session (to learn all items). 'Savings' is thus, analogous to retention rate.
Drill for Every Day (D4E: V5)
