N5 Topic-Based Conversation — Weather, Seasons & Small Talk
An eight-lesson N5 course on talking about weather, the four seasons, and everyday small talk in Japanese: describing today's weather, seasonal events and food, rain and umbrellas, summer heat and winter cold, office small talk, forecasts and weekend plans, and staying safe in typhoons and heavy snow.
Who this course is for
This course is designed for self-learners and JLPT candidates preparing for N5, with emphasis on conversation, exercises, grammar, kanji, listening, reading, vocabulary 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
- Talking About Today's Weather — Learn the basic words for weather and temperature, and practise asking and answering simple questions about today's weather.
- The Four Seasons in Japan — Talk about spring, summer, autumn and winter in Japan, say which season you like best, and describe seasonal events.
- Rain and Umbrellas — Learn how to talk about rain, ask to borrow an umbrella, offer help, and understand simple rain-related announcements.
- Hot Summer and Cold Winter — Describe summer heat and winter cold, compare the two seasons, and talk about air conditioning, clothing and staying healthy.
- Weather Small Talk at Work — Use weather as a natural way to start conversations at work, invite a colleague to lunch, and use common office greetings.
- Seasonal Food and Events — Talk about seasonal food in Japan, say what you like and want to eat, and understand announcements for seasonal events.
- Weather Forecast and Weekend Plans — Read and listen to simple forecasts, talk about chances of rain, and make or change weekend plans based on the weather.
- Typhoons, Snow, and Staying Safe — Understand warnings about typhoons and heavy snow, follow simple safety instructions, and talk about train delays and days off.
Sample vocabulary from this course
- 天気（てんき） (天気): weather
- 傘（かさ） (傘): umbrella
- 世間話（せけんばなし） (世間話): small talk, casual chat
- 蒸し暑い（むしあつい） (蒸し暑い): hot and humid, muggy
- 季節（きせつ） (季節): season
- 降る（ふる） (降る): to fall (rain, snow)
- 冷房（れいぼう） (冷房): air conditioning (cooling)
- あいさつ: greeting
- 春（はる） (春): spring
- 晴れ（はれ） (晴れ): sunny weather, clear sky
- 暖房（だんぼう） (暖房): heating
- 夏（なつ） (夏): summer
- やむ: to stop (rain, snow)
- 最近（さいきん） (最近): recently, lately
- 曇り（くもり） (曇り): cloudy weather
- 秋（あき） (秋): autumn, fall
- 雨（あめ） (雨): rain
- エアコン: air conditioner
- 濡れる（ぬれる） (濡れる): to get wet
- 週末（しゅうまつ） (週末): weekend
- 冬（ふゆ） (冬): winter
- 汗（あせ） (汗): sweat
- 洗濯物（せんたくもの） (洗濯物): laundry
- 予定（よてい） (予定): plan, schedule
- 雪（ゆき） (雪): snow
- 出かける（でかける） (出かける): to go out
- 桜（さくら） (桜): cherry blossom
- 湿度（しつど） (湿度): humidity
- 上着（うわぎ） (上着): jacket, outerwear
- 風（かぜ） (風): wind
- 長靴（ながぐつ） (長靴): rain boots, rubber boots
- 気をつける（きをつける） (気をつける): to be careful
- 紅葉（こうよう） (紅葉): autumn leaves, coloured leaves
- マフラー: scarf
- 暑い（あつい） (暑い): hot (weather)
- レインコート: raincoat
- 寒い（さむい） (寒い): cold (weather)
- 梅雨（つゆ） (梅雨): rainy season
- 手袋（てぶくろ） (手袋): gloves
- 無理（むり） (無理): unreasonable, too much
Sample kanji from this course
- 雨 あめ: rain
- 暑 あつ: hot (weather)
- 天 てん: heaven, sky
- 季 き: season (季節)
- 世 せ: world, society (世間)
- 節 せつ: season, joint (季節)
- 傘 かさ: umbrella
- 間 けん: space, between (世間)
- 寒 さむ: cold (weather)
- 気 き: spirit, air, weather
- 降 ふ: to fall (rain/snow)
- 雨 あめ: rain
- 春 はる: spring
- 冷 れい: cold, cool (冷房)
- 話 はな: talk, story (話す)
- 最 さい: most (最近)
- 暖 だん: warm (暖房)
- 夏 なつ: summer
- 晴 は: clear up (晴れる)
- 洗 せん: wash (洗濯)
- 秋 あき: autumn
- 近 きん: near (最近)
- 雷 かみなり: thunder
- 汗 あせ: sweat