Speaking and Writing Tip: Remember Phrases Along with the Vocabulary

Intermediate or advanced-level learners may know this already, but this is useful for everyone.

TRY to remember vocab in short phrases rather than standalone words.

Certain objects will always have a certain verb that goes along with it. It also helps to remember the particle associated with the verb, since (を) is not always used.

***Note: I think you should base these phrases off of what you see in real-life situations/media/real books, NOT just textbooks. Textbooks (especially the beginner ones) sometimes will simplify things so much, that it’s unnatural.

Ex. 1 open and close

目が覚める (めがさめる): eyes open (literal)/wake up (が can be omitted)
目が閉じる (めがとじる): eyes close (literal)/sleep
but…
ドアを開く(あく): open the door
ドアを閉める(しめる): close the door
or
本を開く(ほんをあく): open the book
本を閉じる (ほんをとじる): close the book
(don’t use 閉める because it’s for doors/windows)

It’s the same two words in English, but you use different ones in Japanese for different things. That’s why it’s better to remember them almost as set phrases.

Ex. 2 Other Examples

迷惑をかける (めいわくをかける): cause you trouble/be an inconvenience
(を can be omitted when speaking)
約束を守る (やくそくをまもる): keep a promise
電話をかける (でんわをかける): call on the phone

見に行く (みにいく): go see (a movie)
会いに行く(あいにいく): go meet (a friend)

You can use just 見る or 会う but Japanese tend to always phrase it like this.

Also, besides the common phrases, remember that different words change on the location/condition.

Ex. 3 to wear

シャツを着る(きる): wear a shirt (upper body)
ズボンをはく: wear pants (lower body)
帽子(びうし) をかぶる: wear a hat (head)
時計(とけい) をする: wear a watch (accessories)

There are different words for wear depending on which part of the body, so knowing the location is crucial.

With all this being said, you don’t want to be super rigid with the one object + one verb phrases because there can be alternative ways, however these common phrases are probably the most natural way I think.

However, they do have a whole list of standard set phrases / idioms called 慣用句 (かんようく) or 感情表現 (かんようひょうげん).

I will continue that topic in another post.