Common Set Phrases and Idioms

By the end of this lesson, you will understand and be able to use 6 common N4-level set phrases and idiomatic expressions in everyday Japanese conversation. These phrases will help you sound more natural and fluent.

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Set phrases (決まり文句 kimari monku) and idioms (慣用句 kan'yōku) are fixed expressions whose meaning is not always obvious from the individual words. At the N4 level, you encounter phrases that native speakers use constantly. Learning them as whole units is the key to smooth communication.決文句慣用

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1. 気をつける (ki o tsukeru) – "to be careful; to pay attention"

• Meaning: To take care, to watch out for something.
• Pattern: 気 (ki = spirit/attention) + を (o = particle) + つける (tsukeru = to attach)気
• Literal image: "Attach your attention" to something.

Example:

車に気をつけてください。
Kuruma ni ki o tsukete kudasai.
Please be careful of the car.車気

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2. お世話になる (o-sewa ni naru) – "to receive someone's help/care"

• Meaning: To be indebted to someone for their assistance or hospitality.
• Pattern: お世話 (o-sewa = care/favor) + に + なる (naru = to become)世話
• Usage: Very common when thanking someone who has helped you (teacher, host family, colleague).

Example:

先生にはいつもお世話になっています。
Sensei ni wa itsumo o-sewa ni natte imasu.
I am always indebted to my teacher (for their help).先生世話

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3. どういたしまして (dō itashimashite) – "You're welcome"

• Meaning: The standard polite response to "thank you."
• Note: Literally means "how could I (have done anything)?" – a humble way to say "it was nothing."

Example:

A: ありがとうございます。
Arigatō gozaimasu.
Thank you.

B: どういたしまして。
Dō itashimashite.
You're welcome.

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4. 〜てもいいですか (〜te mo ii desu ka) – "May I...?"

• Meaning: Asking for permission.
• Pattern: Verb-て form + もいいですか
• Literal: "Even if I do ~, is it good?"

Example:

ここに座ってもいいですか。
Koko ni suwatte mo ii desu ka.
May I sit here?座

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5. 〜なければなりません (〜nakereba narimasen) – "must do ~"

• Meaning: Expressing obligation.
• Pattern: Verb-ない form (remove ない) + ければなりません
• Literal: "If I don't do ~, it won't become (good)."

Example:

宿題をしなければなりません。
Shukudai o shinakereba narimasen.
I must do my homework.宿題

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6. 〜たほうがいいです (〜ta hō ga ii desu) – "you should do ~"

• Meaning: Giving advice or recommendation.
• Pattern: Verb-た form + ほうがいいです
• Literal: "The direction of doing ~ is good."

Example:

早く寝たほうがいいですよ。
Hayaku neta hō ga ii desu yo.
You should sleep early.早寝

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❌ Mixing up 〜てもいいですか and 〜たほうがいいです

• Tabete mo ii desu ka? = "May I eat?" (asking permission)
• Tabeta hō ga ii desu ka? = "Should I eat?" (asking for advice)

Remember: 〜てもいいですか = permission; 〜たほうがいいです = recommendation.

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Fill in the blanks with the correct phrase:

1. 熱があるから、病院に______ほうがいいです。
   Netsu ga aru kara, byōin ni ______ hō ga ii desu.
   (You have a fever, so you should go to the hospital.)熱病院

   熱病院

2. ここで写真を______もいいですか。
   Koko de shashin o ______ mo ii desu ka.
   (May I take a photo here?)写真

   写真

Answers:

1. 行った (itta)行
2. 撮って (totte)撮

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You now know 6 essential N4 set phrases:

• 気をつける – be careful気
• お世話になる – receive help世話
• どういたしまして – you're welcome
• 〜てもいいですか – may I?
• 〜なければなりません – must
• 〜たほうがいいです – should

Next step: Practice using these phrases in real conversations. Try saying "May I ask a question?" (質問してもいいですか shitsumon shite mo ii desu ka) and "You should try this food" (これを食べたほうがいいです kore o tabeta hō ga ii desu).質問食