N5 Topic-Based Conversation — Shopping & Clothes
An eight-lesson N5 course on shopping for clothes in Japan: finding items in a store, asking about size and colour, using the fitting room, paying at the register, sales and discounts, returns and exchanges, buying shoes and accessories, and choosing gifts with wrapping.
Who this course is for
This course is designed for self-learners and JLPT candidates preparing for N5, with emphasis on topic-conversation, conversation through structured lessons and guided practice. Study 8 step-by-step lessons with free interactive quizzes on Minna Nihongo. Ideal if you want exam-style review, daily study habits, and measurable progress without a classroom schedule.
Lessons
- At the Clothing Store — Enter a clothing store, ask where something is and tell the staff what you are looking for.
- Asking About Size and Colour — Ask for another size or colour, say how something fits and compare two items.
- In the Fitting Room — Try clothes on, talk about how they fit and follow the rules of a Japanese fitting room.
- Prices and Paying at the Register — Ask how much something costs, understand tax-included prices and pay by cash or card.
- Sales and Discounts — Understand sale signs, ask about discounts and use a point card.
- Returns and Exchanges — Return or exchange an item, explain the problem politely and understand the store's rules.
- Buying Shoes and Accessories — Find your shoe size, check the width and comfort, and choose bags or accessories.
- Gifts and Wrapping — Choose a present, ask for gift wrapping and add a message card.
Sample vocabulary from this course
- セール (セール): sale
- 試着室（しちゃくしつ） (試着室): fitting room
- 店（みせ） (店): shop, store
- 値段（ねだん） (値段): price
- 大きい（おおきい） (大きい): big, large
- 服（ふく） (服): clothes
- 小さい（ちいさい） (小さい): small
- 割引（わりびき） (割引): discount
- 税込（ぜいこみ） (税込): tax included
- カーテン (カーテン): curtain
- 売り場（うりば） (売り場): sales floor, department
- 半額（はんがく） (半額): half price
- 税抜き（ぜいぬき） (税抜き): tax excluded
- 脱ぐ（ぬぐ） (脱ぐ): to take off (clothes, shoes)
- ぴったり (ぴったり): just right, perfect fit
- 店員（てんいん） (店員): shop staff, clerk
- レジ (レジ): register, checkout
- 着る（きる） (着る): to wear (top, whole body)
- ポイントカード (ポイントカード): point card
- ゆるい (ゆるい): loose
- きつい (きつい): tight
- 会員（かいいん） (会員): member
- はく (はく): to wear (trousers, shoes)
- 探す（さがす） (探す): to look for
- 現金（げんきん） (現金): cash
- ボタン (ボタン): button
- サイズ (サイズ): size
- おすすめ (おすすめ): recommendation
- 長い（ながい） (長い): long
- カード (カード): card
- 支払う（しはらう） (支払う): to pay
- 短い（みじかい） (短い): short
- 限定（げんてい） (限定): limited
- 色（いろ） (色): colour
- ファスナー (ファスナー): zipper
- 試着（しちゃく） (試着): trying on clothes
- 黒（くろ） (黒): black
- 袖（そで） (袖): sleeve
- お釣り（おつり） (お釣り): change (money)
- 得（とく） (得): good value, a bargain