Learn 20 Japanese Sight Words: Easy Reading Boost for Young Children
Reading Japanese feels less daunting when children first master a handful of common words. Sight words—characters and words kids recognize immediately—build confidence and fluency. In just a few minutes a day, youngsters can learn 20 essential terms like これ (kore, this) and ありがとう (arigatō, thank you) through simple, playful practice.
20 Must-Know Sight Words
Introduce these in small groups, using flashcards or labels around the room:
これ (kore) – this
それ (sore) – that
ここ (koko) – here
そこ (soko) – there
だいすき (daisuki) – I love (it)
ありがとう (arigatō) – thank you
ごめんなさい (gomen nasai) – sorry
はい (hai) – yes
いいえ (iie) – no
ください (kudasai) – please give me
みて (mite) – look
たべる (taberu) – to eat
のむ (nomu) – to drink
いく (iku) – to go
くる (kuru) – to come
おおきい (ōkii) – big
ちいさい (chiisai) – small
あか (aka) – red
あお (ao) – blue
くろ (kuro) – black
Activities & Games
Flashcard Sprint
Lay out word cards face-up. Call out a sight word in Japanese; kids sprint to touch the matching card, say it aloud, and return. Quick turns reinforce recognition under playful pressure.
Word Wall Hunt
Post the 20 words on a “Word Wall.” During free play, announce one term—「たべる！」—and children race to point at or grab a toy representing the word (e.g., a play apple for たべる).
Practice Corner
Keep a “Sight Word Jar” on the kitchen table. Each morning, draw three cards. Everyone must say each word three times before bedtime. Celebrate full participation with stickers or a short Japanese song.
After hands-on fun, launch Dinolingo for a quick sight-word quiz. One family plan unlocks 50+ languages and 40 000+ activities—animated flashcards, matching games, and surprise badge rewards—tailored to Pre-readers (2–5), Elementary learners (6–10), and Tween/Teen (11–14). The parent dashboard tracks progress ad-free.
Final Thoughts
Mastering these 20 sight words gives young readers a strong foundation. Pair daily drills and games with Dinolingo’s interactive reviews, and your child will breeze through simple Japanese texts with pride.
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