← N4 · Getting around

N4 · Unit 3

Driving

On the road: car, drive, traffic light, stop, right, left, straight. The direction words double as travel survival.

🎧 Listen first

8:53 · Mimi's voice. Listen once through before reading anything — ears first, eyes second.

Peek as much as you need — then fade the help.

Words this lesson assumes you know: (わたし)· (あなた)· (きょう)· (いえ)· (いま)· (いく)· (それから)· (おおきい)· (ちいさい)· (しろい)· (あか)· (あお)· (なにいろ)· (ながい)· (いい)· (たいせつ)
Every assumed word was taught by an earlier lesson in the chain — that's the deal.

📚 Today's words

WordRomajiMeaning

くるま
kurumacar

Kuruma wa ookii desu.The car is big.

Shiroi kuruma desu.It's a white car.

Watashi no kuruma wa chiisai desu.My car is small.

Anata no kuruma wa naniiro desu ka?What color is your car?


うんてんする
unten suruto drive

Watashi wa kuruma o unten shimasu.I drive a car.

Ima, watashi wa kuruma o unten shite imasu.Right now, I am driving.

Anata wa kuruma o unten shimasu ka?Do you drive a car?


みち
michiroad

Michi wa nagai desu.The road is long.

Massugu na michi desu.It's a straight road.

Ii michi desu.It's a good road.


しんごう
shingoutraffic light

Shingou wa aka desu.The light is red.

Shingou wa ao desu.The light is green.

Ima, shingou wa naniiro desu ka?What color is the light now?


とまる
tomaruto stop

Aka wa tomarimasu.At red, we stop.

Kuruma ga tomarimasu.The car stops.

Watashi mo tomarimasu.I stop too.


みぎ
migiright

Migi wa kotchi desu.Right is this way.

Migi e ikimasu.I go right.


ひだり
hidarileft

Hidari wa kotchi desu.Left is this way.

Hidari e ikimasu.I go left.


まっすぐ
massugustraight

Massugu ikimasu.I go straight.

Migi ja arimasen.It's not right.

Hidari ja arimasen.It's not left.

Massugu desu.It's straight.


つく
tsukuto arrive

Tampa ni tsukimasu.I arrive in Tampa.

Rokuji ni tsukimasu.I arrive at six o'clock.

Mousugu tsukimasu.We'll arrive very soon.


かえる
kaeruto go home

Ie ni kaerimasu.I go home.

Hachiji ni kaerimasu.I go home at eight o'clock.

Kuruma de kaerimasu.I go home by car.


あんぜん
anzensafe, safety

Anzen ga taisetsu desu.Safety is important.

Ichiban taisetsu desu.It's the most important thing.

Anzen ni unten shite kudasai.Please drive safely.

📖 The story

The same story you heard in the audio. Read it with as much help as you need.

Kyou, watashi wa Tampa e ikimasu.Today, I go to Tampa.

Kuruma de ikimasu.I go by car.

Watashi wa kuruma o unten shimasu.I drive the car.

Michi wa nagai desu.The road is long.

Shingou wa aka desu.The light is red.

Watashi wa tomarimasu.I stop.

Sorekara, shingou wa ao desu.Then the light turns green.

Massugu ikimasu.I go straight.

Migi e ikimasu.I go right.

Mata, massugu ikimasu.Again, I go straight.

Hidari e ikimasu.I go left.

Rokuji ni Tampa ni tsukimasu.I arrive in Tampa at six o'clock.

Sorekara, ie ni kaerimasu.Then I go home.

Anzen ni kaerimasu.I get home safely.

❓ Questions about the story

Say your answer out loud first — then tap to check.

Question 1 ·

Watashi wa doko e ikimasu ka?Where do I go?

Answer:

Watashi wa Tampa e ikimasu.I go to Tampa.

Question 2 ·

Shingou ga aka desu. Dou shimasu ka?The light is red. What do I do?

Answer:

Watashi wa tomarimasu.I stop.

Question 3 ·

Shingou ga ao desu. Dou shimasu ka?The light is green. What do I do?

Answer:

Watashi wa massugu ikimasu.I go straight.

Question 4 ·

Watashi wa nanji ni Tampa ni tsukimasu ka?What time do I arrive in Tampa?

Answer:

Watashi wa rokuji ni Tampa ni tsukimasu.I arrive in Tampa at six o'clock.

Question 5 ·

Watashi wa anzen ni kaerimasu ka?Do I get home safely?

Answer:

Hai, watashi wa anzen ni kaerimasu.Yes, I get home safely.

🈳 Kanji in this lesson

These get their own cards in the kanji sectionas it grows — recognition first, no quizzes.

💬 Stuck on something? Tell Mimi

Feedback goes with the page you were on, so Mimi can find the exact spot. If it was one word or one line, name it below.

This form is brand new and is still being connected behind the scenes — if sending fails, it is the plumbing, not you.