うさぎとかめ
Theme: Language
pre-A1/N5entry
Feb 1st, 2026
Today, we’re going to read a story about two very different animals. One is fast and confident, and the other is slow but steady. Which one do you think will win the race? Let’s find out!
うさぎとかめ
The Hare and the Tortoise
to be; to exist (for people and animals)（Ru-Verb）
あそこに馬がいます。
There's a horse over there.
slow（い-Adjective）
足がおそいです。
I'm slow of foot.
to say（U-Verb）
名前を言います。
I'll tell you my name.
then, well（Adverb）
じゃあ、また明日。
Then, see you tomorrow.
to have a race（Irregular Verb）
友だちときょうそうします。
I have a race with my friend.
fast（い-Adjective）
新幹線ははやいです。
The bullet train is fast.
quickly（Adverb）
はやく食べます。
I eat quickly.
to run（U-Verb）
毎日走ります。
I run every day.
slowly（Adverb）
ゆっくり話してください。
Please speak slowly.
to walk （U-Verb）
学校まであるきます。
I walk to school.
to be tired （Ru-Verb）
つかれたので休みます。
I'm tired, so I'm going to rest.
so（Adverb）
ねむいです。だから、ねます。
I’m sleepy, so I will sleep.
tree（Noun）
大きい木があります。
There is a big tree.
under（Noun）
テーブルの下に犬がいます。
There is a dog under the table.
to sleep（Ru-Verb）
八時間ねました。
I slept for eight hours.
continuously（Adverb）
ずっと雨です。
It’s raining the whole time.
to wake up（Ru-Verb）
毎日七時におきます。
I get up at seven o'clock every day.
then（Adverb）
ごはんを食べます。そして、学校に行きます。
I eat, and then go to school.
but（Adverb）
彼は足がはやいです。でも私は足がおそいです。
He is fast, but I am slow.
already（Adverb）
もう新聞を読みました。
I've already read the newspaper.
to lose（Ru-Verb）
私は試合にまけました。
I lost the match.
to win（U-Verb）
昨日の試合にかちました。
I won the game yesterday.
記事の内容について答えてください
gokigen japanese is an online Japanese tutoring service launched in 2023. Flexible, interactive, and culture-rich, gokigen japanese supports learners at all levels with bilingual Japanese tutors. Over 1,000 students from 30+ countries have used our 300+ original materials, including grammar guides and cultural content. gokigen japanese was founded by Hirofumi Naramura, a Kyoto University graduate and former Project Leader at the Boston Consulting Group (2010–2020). The service has received recognition such as the Chiyoda CULTURE x TECH Award 2024 and acceptance into NEXs Tokyo, a startup program by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Japanese language educator with over 15 years of experience in higher education and curriculum development. She currently teaches at Knox College and advises language learning initiatives such as gokigen japanese. She has held teaching roles at institutions including Valdosta State University, and has a strong background in cultural programming, instructional design, and Japanese language education. Education: M.A. in Japanese (Pedagogy), Florida State University. Certification: Passed Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test. Completed the 420-hour Japanese Language Teacher Training Course.
