N5 Verbs

to take a shower, to dash over oneself (e.g. water), to take (e.g. shower), to bask in (e.g. the sun)

あびる / abiru: connect the sound to "a beer? ew!". Picture someone rinsing off after a silly spill in a scene for "to take a shower" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to give, to raise, to elevate, to move something (to a higher place)

あげる / ageru: connect the sound to "a giver". Picture a cheerful giver handing something over in a scene for "to give" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to open, to open (a door, etc.), to unwrap (e.g. parcel, package), to unlock

あける / akeru: connect the sound to "a key". Picture a giant key making the action happen in a scene for "to open" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to open, to undo, to unseal, to unpack

あく / aku sounds like "ah, coo!" Picture a tiny bird cooing so sweetly that a curtain or door pops open. When you hear aku, think: ah, coo - it opens.

to wash, to cleanse, to rinse, to inquire into

あらう / arau: connect the sound to "a row". Picture a row of objects being washed clean in a scene for "to wash" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to be, to exist, to be, to exist, to live

ある / aru: connect the sound to "are you?". Picture someone pointing and asking "are you there?" in a scene for "to be, to exist" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to possess, to be, to exist, to live

ある / aru: connect the sound to "are you?". Picture someone pointing and asking "are you there?" in a scene for "to possess" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to be, to have, to be, to exist, to live

ある / aru: connect the sound to "are you?". Picture someone pointing and asking "are you there?" in a scene for "to be, to have" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to walk

あるく / aruku: connect the sound to "are you?". Picture someone pointing and asking "are you there?" in a scene for "to walk" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to play, to play (games, sports), to enjoy oneself, to have a good time

あそぶ / asobu: connect the sound to "a soap bubble". Picture soap bubbles turning the scene playful in a scene for "to play" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to meet, to encounter, to see, to have an accident

あう / au: connect the sound to "ow!". Picture two people bumping into each other and saying "ow!" in a scene for "to meet" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to be different, to differ (from), to be distinct, to be unlike

ちがう / chigau: connect the sound to "Chicago". Picture two different Chicago signs pointing apart in a scene for "to be different" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to take out, to hand in, to take out, to get out, to put out

だす / dasu: connect the sound to "desk". Picture something being taken out from a desk in a scene for "to take out, to hand in" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to go out, to go out (e.g. on an excursion or outing), to leave, to depart

でかける / dekakeru: hear "day" + "car" + "kettle" in the word. Picture a bright daytime sky, a small car, and a whistling kettle turning into a clear action scene for "to go out"; that little scene ties dekakeru to "to go out".

can do, to be able to do, to be possible, to be permitted (to do)

できる / dekiru: hear "day" + "key" + "room" in the word. Picture a bright daytime sky, a bright key, and a tiny room turning into a clear scene for "can do"; that little scene ties dekiru to "can do".

to leave, to exit, to go out, to come out

でる / deru: hear "day" + "room" in the word. Picture a bright daytime sky beside a tiny room turning into a clear action scene for "to leave"; that little scene ties deru to "to leave".

to blow, to blow (of the wind), to blow (one's breath), to breathe out

ふく / fuku: connect the sound to "foo-koo". Picture wind or cloth swirling with a "foo-koo" sound in a scene for "to blow" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to fall as rain or snow, to descend, to go down, to come down

ふる / furu: connect the sound to "fur". Picture furry clouds dropping rain in a scene for "to fall as rain or snow" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to enter, to go in, to get in, to come in

はいる / hairu: connect the sound to "high room". Picture someone entering a high room in a scene for "to enter" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to begin, to start, to begin, to start, to commence

はじまる / hajimaru: connect the sound to "had gym arrow". Picture a starting arrow at a gym in a scene for "to begin, to start" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to put on shoes, to put on (lower-body clothing, e.g. pants, skirt, footwear), to wear, to affix (a sword to one's hip)

はく / haku: connect the sound to "hack shoe". Picture a shoe being hacked onto a foot in a scene for "to put on shoes" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to talk, to speak, to talk, to speak, to converse

はなす / hanasu: connect the sound to "hand sauce". Picture a hand-shaped speech bubble talking in a scene for "to talk, to speak" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to clear up, to clear away, to be sunny, to stop raining

はれる / hareru: connect the sound to "hurray". Picture clouds clearing while people cheer in a scene for "to clear up" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to stick, to paste, to stick, to paste, to affix

はる / haru: connect the sound to "hard sticker". Picture a sticker stuck hard onto a wall in a scene for "to stick, to paste" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to run, to run (of a vehicle), to drive, to travel

はしる / hashiru: connect the sound to "hush hero". Picture a hero running quietly in a scene for "to run" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to work, to labor, to labour, to function

はたらく / hataraku: connect the sound to "hat rack". Picture a hat rack clocking in for work in a scene for "to work" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to play an instrument, to flip, to snap, to flick

ひく / hiku: connect the sound to "hook". Picture a hook pulling or playing the idea in a scene for "to play an instrument" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to pull, to tug, to lead (e.g. a horse), to draw (attention, sympathy, etc.)

ひく / hiku: connect the sound to "hook". Picture a hook pulling or playing the idea in a scene for "to pull" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to go, to move (towards), to head (towards), to leave (for)

いく / iku: connect the sound to "eek!". Picture someone shouting "eek!" as they rush toward the scene in a scene for "to go" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to insert, to put in, to put in, to let in, to take in

いれる / ireru: connect the sound to "ear rail". Picture a tiny rail sliding something into place in a scene for "to insert, to put in" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to exist, to shoot (arrow, bolt, dart)

いる / iru: connect the sound to "ear". Picture a giant listening ear noticing what is needed in a scene for "to exist" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to need, to shoot (arrow, bolt, dart)

いる / iru: connect the sound to "ear". Picture a giant listening ear noticing what is needed in a scene for "to need" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to say, to tell, to say, to utter, to declare

いう / iu: connect the sound to "you". Picture a speech bubble pointed at you in a scene for "to say, to tell" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to put on a hat, to put on (one's head), to wear, to have on

かぶる / kaburu: connect the sound to "cap brew". Picture a cap bubbling like a magic brew in a scene for "to put on a hat" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to return home, to return, to come home, to go home

かえる / kaeru: connect the sound to "care route". Picture a careful route leading back home in a scene for "to return home" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to return an object, to return (something), to restore, to put back

かえす / kaesu: connect the sound to "case". Picture a labeled case being returned in a scene for "to return an object" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to take time or money, to span, to bridge, to cross

かかる / kakaru: connect the sound to "clock arrow". Picture a clock arrow showing time or cost in a scene for "to take time or money" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to make a phone call, to hang up (e.g. a coat, a picture on the wall), to let hang, to suspend (from)

かける / kakeru: connect the sound to "hooker". Picture a big hook attaching or calling across the scene in a scene for "to make a phone call" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to wear, to hang up (e.g. a coat, a picture on the wall), to let hang, to suspend (from)

かける / kakeru: connect the sound to "hooker". Picture a big hook attaching or calling across the scene in a scene for "to wear" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to put on (e.g., glasses); to hang (e.g., on a wall), to hang up (e.g. a coat, a picture on the wall), to let hang, to suspend (from)

かける / kakeru: connect the sound to "hooker". Picture a big hook attaching or calling across the scene in a scene for "to put on (e.g., glasses); to hang (e.g., on a wall)" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to write, to compose, to pen, to draw

かく / kaku: connect the sound to "calculator". Picture a calculator writing neatly in a scene for "to write" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to borrow, to rent, to hire, to make use of (another's help, wisdom, etc.)

かりる / kariru: connect the sound to "carry loan". Picture someone carrying a borrowed item in a scene for "to borrow" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to lend, to loan, to rent out, to hire out

かす / kasu: connect the sound to "cash". Picture cash being lent across a counter in a scene for "to lend" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to buy, to purchase, to value (highly), to think highly of

かう / kau: connect the sound to "cow". Picture a cow standing at a checkout counter in a scene for "to buy" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to turn off, to switch off, to erase, to rub out, to rub off

けす / kesu: connect the sound to "case switch". Picture a switch on a case turning something off in a scene for "to turn off, to switch off" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to vanish, to disappear, to go out of sight, to go away

きえる / kieru: connect the sound to "key arrow". Picture a key-shaped arrow making something vanish in a scene for "to vanish" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to listen, to hear, to listen (e.g. to music), to ask

きく / kiku: connect the sound to "kick". Picture a kick starting a listening machine in a scene for "to listen" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to cut, to cut through, to perform (surgery), to sever (connections, ties)

きる / kiru: connect the sound to "key ring". Picture a key ring cutting or wearing the idea in a scene for "to cut" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to wear, to put on, to wear (from the shoulders down), to put on, to take (the blame, responsibility)

きる / kiru: connect the sound to "key ring". Picture a key ring cutting or wearing the idea in a scene for "to wear, to put on" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to be in trouble, to be troubled, to have difficulty, to be in a fix

こまる / komaru: connect the sound to "comma room". Picture a room full of confusing commas in a scene for "to be in trouble" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to answer, to reply

こたえる / kotaeru: connect the sound to "quote arrow". Picture a quote bubble answering a question in a scene for "to answer" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to become cloudy, to become dim, to get cloudy, to cloud over, to become overcast

くもる / kumoru: hear "coo" + "moat" + "room" in the word. Picture a soft "coo" sound, a little moat, and a tiny room turning into a clear action scene for "to become cloudy, to become dim"; that little scene ties kumoru to "to become cloudy, to become dim".

to come, to come (spatially or temporally), to approach, to arrive

くる / kuru: connect the sound to "crew". Picture a helpful crew arriving together in a scene for "to come" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to turn, to bend, to curve, to warp

まがる / magaru: connect the sound to "my car rule". Picture a car obeying a big turn arrow in a scene for "to turn" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to wait, to await, to look forward to, to anticipate

まつ / matsu: connect the sound to "mats". Picture someone waiting on a mat in a scene for "to wait" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to polish, to brush, to polish, to shine, to burnish

みがく / migaku: connect the sound to "me gag? ew". Picture someone polishing until the gross thing shines in a scene for "to polish, to brush" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to see, to watch, to see, to look, to watch

The eye notices the small み sound first: 見る is seeing with attention.

to show, to display, to make (something or someone) look ..., to present an appearance of ...

みせる / miseru: connect the sound to "me, see, room". Picture a show-and-tell room in a scene for "to show" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to have, to own, to hold (in one's hand), to take, to carry

もつ / motsu: connect the sound to "moats". Picture hands holding something over a moat in a scene for "to have, to own" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to make an animal sound, to make sound (of an animal), to call, to cry

なく / naku: connect the sound to "knock". Picture an animal knocking while making its sound in a scene for "to make an animal sound" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to lose something, to lose (something), to get rid of, to eliminate

なくす / nakusu: hear "knot" + "coo" + "Sue" in the word. Picture a tight knot, a soft "coo" sound, and someone named Sue turning into a clear action scene for "to lose something"; that little scene ties nakusu to "to lose something".

to line up, to set up, to arrange in a line, to enumerate

ならべる / naraberu: connect the sound to "narrow bell row". Picture bells lined up in a neat row in a scene for "to line up" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to form a line, to line up, to stand in a line, to rival

ならぶ / narabu: connect the sound to "narrow booth". Picture booths standing in a line in a scene for "to form a line" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to learn, to take lessons in, to be taught, to learn (from a teacher)

ならう / narau: hear "knot" + "rah" + "ooh" in the word. Picture a tight knot, a cheering "rah!", and someone saying "ooh" turning into a clear action scene for "to learn"; that little scene ties narau to "to learn".

to become, to get, to grow, to turn

なる / naru: connect the sound to "narrow". Picture a narrow path becoming a new state in a scene for "to become" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to sleep, to sleep (lying down), to go to bed, to lie in bed

ねる / neru: connect the sound to "near room". Picture a cozy nearby room for sleeping in a scene for "to sleep" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to climb, to ascend, to go up, to ascend (as a natural process, e.g. the Sun)

のぼる / noboru: connect the sound to "no bore". Picture an exciting climb upward in a scene for "to climb" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to drink, to swallow, to take (medicine), to smoke (tobacco)

のむ / nomu: connect the sound to "no moo". Picture a cow silently drinking in a scene for "to drink" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to ride, to get on (train, plane, bus, ship, etc.), to get in, to board

のる / noru: connect the sound to "no rule". Picture someone riding despite a silly no-rule sign in a scene for "to ride" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to take off clothes, to take off (clothes, shoes, etc.), to undress

ぬぐ / nugu: connect the sound to "new goo". Picture someone peeling off goo like clothing in a scene for "to take off clothes" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to memorize, to remember, to memorize, to memorise, to commit to memory

おぼえる / oboeru: connect the sound to "oh boy, arrow". Picture an arrow pointing to something to remember in a scene for "to memorize, to remember" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to get up, to stand up, to get up, to rise, to blaze up (fire)

おきる / okiru sounds like "OK, I need to." Picture a sleepy person deciding, okay, I need to wake up now, and slapping a giant alarm button shaped like an approval hand gesture. Okiru means to wake up or get up.

to put, inner part, interior, back (of a drawer, one's throat, etc.)

おく / oku: connect the sound to "oak". Picture a sturdy oak shelf where something is placed in a scene for "to put" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to send, to dispatch, to forward, to transmit

おくる / okuru: connect the sound to "oak". Picture a sturdy oak shelf where something is placed in a scene for "to send" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to get off, to descend (e.g. a mountain), to go down, to come down

おりる / oriru: connect the sound to "oh, rear view". Picture someone stepping down while looking behind in a scene for "to get off" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to teach, to inform, to instruct, to teach, to instruct, to tell

おしえる / oshieru: hear "oh" + "she" + "eh" in the word. Picture someone realizing "oh!", someone saying "she", and someone tilting their head and saying "eh?" turning into a clear action scene for "to teach, to inform, to instruct"; that little scene ties oshieru to "to teach, to inform, to instruct".

to push, to thrust, to shove, to press (down)

おす / osu: connect the sound to "oh, sue". Picture someone named Sue pushing a big button in a scene for "to push" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to end, to come to an end, to finish, to close

おわる / owaru: connect the sound to "over". Picture a finish banner saying "over" in a scene for "to end" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to swim, to struggle through (a crowd), to make one's way through the world, to get along (in life)

およぐ / oyogu: connect the sound to "oh, yoga". Picture a yoga pose turning into a swimming motion in a scene for "to swim" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to blossom, to bloom, to flower, to open

さく / saku: connect the sound to "sock". Picture a sock blooming like a flower in a scene for "to blossom" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to open an umbrella, to shine, to be visible, to be tinged with

さす / sasu: connect the sound to "sass". Picture a sassy umbrella popping open in a scene for "to open an umbrella" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to close, to be shut, to be closed, to be firm (of a body, face, etc.)

しまる / shimaru: connect the sound to "she marries". Picture a ribbon tying closed like a ceremony in a scene for "to close" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to close, to shut

しめる / shimeru: connect the sound to "shimmer". Picture a shimmering hand closing or fastening something in a scene for "to close" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to fasten a belt, to tie, to fasten, to tighten

しめる / shimeru: connect the sound to "shimmer". Picture a shimmering hand closing or fastening something in a scene for "to fasten a belt" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to die, to pass away, to lose spirit, to lose vigor

しぬ / shinu: connect the sound to "she knew". Picture a quiet symbolic scene of something ending in a scene for "to die" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to know, to be aware (of), to be conscious (of), to learn (of)

しる / shiru: connect the sound to "she knew". Picture someone suddenly knowing the answer in a scene for "to know" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to live, to reside, to live (of humans), to reside, to inhabit

すむ / sumu: connect the sound to "zoom". Picture a house zooming into place in a scene for "to live, to reside" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to do, to carry out, to perform, to cause to become

する / suru: connect the sound to "sir, ooh". Picture a polite helper saying "sir, ooh!" before doing the task in a scene for "to do" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to breathe, to smoke, to breathe in, to inhale, to smoke (a cigarette, etc.)

すう / suu: connect the sound to "sue". Picture Sue taking a long breath in a scene for "to breathe, to smoke" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to sit, to sit (down), to have a seat, to be seated

すわる / suwaru: connect the sound to "sue wore". Picture Sue wearing a chair-shaped cushion to sit in a scene for "to sit" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to eat, to live on (e.g. a salary), to live off, to subsist on

たべる sounds like TABLE. Picture a wooden dining TABLE that has come alive — stubby legs, a hungry cartoon face, chopsticks in tiny wooden hands — perched on a chair, gleefully shoveling rice into its mouth. A TABLE that eats. Tables are for taberu-ing.

to ask, to request, to request, to beg, to ask

たのむ / tanomu: connect the sound to "ta, no more". Picture someone politely asking for help in a scene for "to ask, to request" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to stand, to stand (up), to rise, to get to one's feet

たつ / tatsu: connect the sound to "tattoo". Picture a standing tattoo character in a scene for "to stand" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to fly, to soar, to jump, to leap

とぶ / tobu: connect the sound to "toe boo". Picture a toe launching into the air in a scene for "to fly" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to stop, to stop (moving), to come to a stop, to stop (doing, working, being supplied)

とまる / tomaru: connect the sound to "toe marble". Picture a marble stopping by a toe in a scene for "to stop" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to take a photo, to take (a photograph), to record (audio or video), to film

とる / toru: connect the sound to "tore". Picture someone taking a torn ticket in a scene for "to take a photo" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to take, to pick up, to grab, to catch

とる / toru: connect the sound to "tore". Picture someone taking a torn ticket in a scene for "to take" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to get tired, to tire, to get fatigued, to become exhausted

つかれる / tsukareru: connect the sound to "tusk arrow". Picture a tired tusk-shaped arrow drooping in a scene for "to get tired" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to use, to use (a tool, method, etc.), to make use of, to put to use

つかう / tsukau: connect the sound to "skow". Picture a tool being used with a loud "tsk-ow" in a scene for "to use" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to turn on, to switch on, to light up

つける / tsukeru: connect the sound to "switch care". Picture a careful hand turning on a switch in a scene for "to turn on" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to arrive, to arrive at, to reach, to sit on

つく / tsuku: connect the sound to "took". Picture someone arriving with a sign saying "took the trip" in a scene for "to arrive" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to make, to produce, to make, to produce, to manufacture

つくる / tsukuru: connect the sound to "took". Picture someone arriving with a sign saying "took the trip" in a scene for "to make, to produce" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to work for someone, to work (for), to be employed (at), to serve (in)

つとめる / tsutomeru: connect the sound to "suit to merit". Picture a suited worker earning a merit badge in a scene for "to work for someone" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to be born

うまれる / umareru: connect the sound to "ooh, my rare room". Picture a special room prepared for a new arrival in a scene for "to be born" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to sell, to betray, to sell out (one's friend, country, etc.), to make (oneself) known

うる / uru: connect the sound to "you rule". Picture a tiny shopkeeper declaring "you rule!" after a sale in a scene for "to sell" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to sing, to sing of (love, beauty, etc.) in a poem, to express in the form of a poem, to recite (a poem)

うたう / utau: connect the sound to "ooh, ta-da". Picture a performer singing "ooh, ta-da!" in a scene for "to sing" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to know, to understand, to understand, to comprehend, to grasp

わかる / wakaru: connect the sound to "walk arrow". Picture an arrow lighting up when someone understands in a scene for "to know, to understand" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to forget, to leave carelessly, to be forgetful of, to forget about

わすれる / wasureru: connect the sound to "was a ruler". Picture a ruler forgotten on a desk in a scene for "to forget" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to cross, to cross over, to go across, to extend

わたる / wataru: connect the sound to "water route". Picture a route crossing water in a scene for "to cross" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to hand over, to ferry across (e.g. a river), to carry across, to traverse

わたす / watasu: connect the sound to "water pass". Picture a pass handed across water in a scene for "to hand over" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to do, to undertake, to perform, to play (a game)

やる / yaru: connect the sound to "yard rule". Picture a yard sign showing someone doing the task in a scene for "to do" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to rest, to be absent, to take a day off, to have a break

やすむ / yasumu: connect the sound to "yes, zoom". Picture someone zooming into rest mode in a scene for "to rest" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to call, to call out (to), to invoke, to summon (a doctor, etc.)

よぶ / yobu: connect the sound to "yo, boo". Picture a friendly call saying "yo!" in a scene for "to call" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.

to read, to recite (e.g. a sutra), to chant, to predict

よむ / yomu: connect the sound to "yo, moon". Picture someone reading under the moon in a scene for "to read" so the sound points straight back to the meaning.