# Dinner with a Japanese family

**Language:** Japanese  
**CEFR Level:** A2  

> Listen in as 陽菜 and 颯真 talk about the comforting rituals and quick shortcuts of making dinner at home in real, everyday Japanese. By the end of this course their conversation will feel easy to follow, and you'll be ready to join in.

**Setting:** A cozy family home kitchen in Namba, Osaka, where a large multi-generational dinner is being prepared. Hina and Soma are working together to coordinate the meal, sharing cooking duties from washing rice to setting up the tabletop grill.

## Lessons

### 1. Talking about where food is from

Hina washes the rice for dinner and tells Soma that it comes from her hometown in Niigata, making Soma excited to try it.

### 2. Coordinating tasks while cooking

Hina checks the water level for the rice cooker with Soma before turning it on, while Soma prepares to slice the fish.

### 3. Complimenting someone's cooking skills

Hina admires the fresh tuna Soma bought at the supermarket and compliments his skillful knife work as he prepares it.

### 4. Asking where kitchenware is located

Hina comments on how sharp Soma's knife is and asks him where she can find the plates to serve the fish.

### 5. Confirming which dishes to use

Hina identifies the correct blue plate to use for the meal, and Sōma thanks her for her attention to detail.

### 6. Suggesting additions to a menu

Hina and Sōma discuss the guest count for the party and decide to add grilled meat to the menu.

### 7. Describing where items are stored

Hina asks for the frying pan to cook the meat, and Sōma directs her to the drawer under the stove.

### 8. Offering to prepare ingredients

Hina offers to prep vegetables from the fridge, and Sōma asks her to cut them into bite-sized pieces.

### 9. Discussing cooking habits

Haruna asks Soma if he cooks at home as well as at work, and they share their mutual love for preparing and eating food.

### 10. Explaining why you enjoy cooking

Haruna shares her own love for cooking and explains how happy she feels when people enjoy her food, while Soma compliments her homegrown rice.

### 11. Reporting that a task is finished

Haruna finishes chopping the vegetables for the grill, and Soma thanks her for her quick help as they look forward to their guests arriving.

### 12. Asking how to help next

Haruna asks Soma what she should do next to help, and they coordinate setting the table with plates and cups.

### 13. Expressing gratitude for help

Hina finishes setting the table with chopsticks and shares her appreciation for group meals, while Soma thanks her for all her assistance.

### 14. Inviting others to start eating

Hina announces that the rice is freshly cooked, prompting her and Soma to call everyone to the table to enjoy the meal while it is warm.