Introduction
Pre-Intermediate (B1) is the top of the conversational course, where situations become longer and more formal. These 8 can-do lessons (CEFR B1) cover telling episodes, giving opinions, business keigo, describing problems, comparing cultures, decisions, formal procedures and short speeches — each card pairs the can-do conversation with its grammar.
What you will learn
- Telling a story: 〜たら, 〜たところ, 〜てくる
- Giving opinions: 〜のではないでしょうか, 〜し, たしかに〜が
- Business keigo: 尊敬語, 謙譲語, 〜させていただきます
- Describing problems with the passive (受身) and 〜のに
- Comparing cultures: 〜によって, 〜のに対して, 〜という
- Decisions and the future: 〜ことにする, 〜ことになる
- Procedures and speeches: 〜場合は, 〜おかげで, 〜ようになる
Who this level is for
Best for learners who have finished the A2 stage and want B1 Japanese for work, opinions and formal situations — the bridge into JLPT N3.
A weekly routine for Pre-Intermediate
- Read the can-do goal — telling an episode, giving an opinion, business keigo.
- Study the supporting grammar (passive, 〜のではないでしょうか, 尊敬語・謙譲語).
- Speak a longer turn from the model — aim for two or three connected sentences.
- Rebuild it with your own content, keeping the polite register consistent.
- Reflect weekly on what you can now do that you couldn't a month ago.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Slipping out of keigo mid-conversation in business situations.
- Confusing 尊敬語 (raise the other) with 謙譲語 (lower yourself).
- Using の対して for contrast where による (depending on) is meant.
- Forgetting the suffering passive (足を踏まれた) for inconveniences.
Related study materials
Build a joined-up study cycle by combining this page with the matching Pre-Intermediate (B1) grammar guide, the Pre-Intermediate (B1) Japanese word list
Frequently asked questions
What level is Pre-Intermediate (B1)?
CEFR B1 — it overlaps the JLPT N4–N3 range and focuses on opinions, workplace keigo and formal procedures.
Why add a Pre-Intermediate section to the site?
To complete the A1–B1 ladder (Starter → Elementary 1 → Elementary 2 → Pre-Intermediate) so daily-life Japanese runs all the way to B1.
Do I need business keigo for this level?
Yes — Lesson 3 covers 尊敬語, 謙譲語 and 〜させていただきます for real business situations.
Can I study this with JLPT N3?
Yes — Pre-Intermediate gives the spoken and situational side of the grammar the N3 guide tests.
What comes after the conversational track?
Move fully into the JLPT track — the N3 then N2 grammar guides on this site.
Pre-Intermediate (B1) lesson-by-lesson syllabus
Every lesson on this page includes handwritten study cards with full written explanations. Here is what each lesson covers:
Lesson 1
A: The other day, something interesting happened.
Covers: Can-do goals (できること) · Key Expressions (ことば・ひょうげん) · Model Conversation (かいわ) · Practice (れんしゅう) · 〜たら、〜 (unexpected discovery / result) · 〜ところ（に/へ/を）(just at that moment) · 〜てくる / 〜ていく (change & movement) · Vocabulary (ことば) · Mini Practice (れんしゅう)
Lesson 2
A: What do you think about a four-day work week?
Covers: Can-do goals (できること) · Key Expressions (ことば・ひょうげん) · Model Conversation (かいわ) · Practice (れんしゅう) · 〜のではないでしょうか (soft opinion) · 〜し、〜 (listing supporting reasons) · 〜という 〜 / 〜ということ (nominalizing an idea) · Vocabulary (ことば) · Mini Practice (れんしゅう)
Lesson 3
A: Thank you for your continued support. I'm Sunny from Midori Trading.
Covers: Can-do goals (できること) · Key Expressions (ことば・ひょうげん) · Model Conversation (かいわ) · Practice (れんしゅう) · 尊敬語 (respectful — raise the other) · 謙譲語 (humble — lower yourself) · 〜させて いただきます (humble "I will…") · Vocabulary (ことば) · Mini Practice (れんしゅう)
Lesson 4
A: Yesterday I got rained on with no umbrella and got soaked.
Covers: Can-do goals (できること) · Key Expressions (ことば・ひょうげん) · Model Conversation (かいわ) · Practice (れんしゅう) · Passive (受身) · Suffering passive (迷惑の受身) · 〜のに (although — frustration) · Vocabulary (ことば) · Mini Practice (れんしゅう)
Lesson 5
A: The way New Year is celebrated differs depending on the country.
Covers: Can-do goals (できること) · Key Expressions (ことば・ひょうげん) · Model Conversation (かいわ) · Practice (れんしゅう) · 〜によって (depending on / by) · 〜のに <ruby>対<rt>たい</rt></ruby>して (in contrast to) · 〜という 〜 (a … such that / the custom of …) · Vocabulary (ことば) · Mini Practice (れんしゅう)
Lesson 6
A: I've decided to study at graduate school from next year.
Covers: Can-do goals (できること) · Key Expressions (ことば・ひょうげん) · Model Conversation (かいわ) · Practice (れんしゅう) · 〜ことに しました (decided to — own decision) · 〜ことに して います (make it a rule / habit) · 〜ことに なりました (it was decided) · Vocabulary (ことば) · Mini Practice (れんしゅう)
Lesson 7
A: Excuse me, please tell me how to book a meeting room.
Covers: Can-do goals (できること) · Key Expressions (ことば・ひょうげん) · Model Conversation (かいわ) · Practice (れんしゅう) · 〜場合は (in the case of) · 〜たら / 〜ば (conditional in instructions) · お/ご 〜 (polite noun prefix) · Vocabulary (ことば) · Mini Practice (れんしゅう)
Lesson 8
Give a 4-line speech using: 「〜とき」「〜おかげで」「〜ようになりました」「これからも〜たい」.
Covers: Can-do goals (できること) · Key Expressions (ことば・ひょうげん) · Model Speech (スピーチ) · Practice (れんしゅう) · 〜おかげで (thanks to) · 〜ように なりました (came to be able — review) · 〜続ける / 〜生かす (compound verbs for speeches) · Vocabulary (ことば) · Mini Practice (れんしゅう) · 🎉 中級 修了 (B1 complete!)