Learning Japanese Through Skyrim: Learning Verbs and Essential Vocabulary

Welcome back to our journey of learning Japanese through gaming! In our previous session, we explored the basics of getting started with Skyrim in Japanese. Now, let’s dive deeper into the language mechanics that make the game world come alive.

This is our second session, where we’ll focus on mastering common verbs, understanding action descriptions, and building our fantasy vocabulary. Whether you’re fighting dragons or exploring ancient ruins, these language skills will help you navigate the world of Skyrim in Japanese.

Why Focus on Verbs and Actions?

In any RPG, actions drive the story forward. Whether you’re taking items (取る, とる), examining objects (調べる, しらべる), or fighting enemies, verbs are essential to understanding and playing the game. In this session, we’ll explore how Japanese verbs work in context, making them easier to remember and use.

We’ll cover basic verb forms, the て-form for ongoing actions, and practical vocabulary that you’ll encounter frequently in your adventures. Plus, we’ll look at how these elements come together in real gameplay situations.

Let’s dive into what we’ve learned in this session!

1. Essential Verbs for Gaming

These verbs are fundamental when interacting with the game world—whether it’s picking up items, attacking enemies, or exploring new locations.

2. The て-form: A Key to Understanding Actions

In Japanese, the て-form is used to describe ongoing actions or give commands.

For example:

• 飛んでいる (とんでいる, tonde iru) – “is flying”
• 走っている (はしっている, hashitte iru) – “is running”

We saw this form in action when describing dragons soaring through the sky and our character sprinting across the open world.

3. Essential Vocabulary for a Fantasy Adventure

Creatures & NPCs

Fantasy Items & Objects

Locations & Environment

4. Practical Japanese Sentence Patterns

As we played, we naturally formed useful Japanese sentences based on the game’s text prompts and situations.

Describing Actions

• [Subject] は [Verb] ている
• 熊 (くま) は寝 (ね) ている – Kuma wa nete iru – “The bear is sleeping”
• ドラゴンは飛 (と) んでいる – Doragon wa tonde iru – “The dragon is flying”

Locating Objects

• [Object] が [Location] の上 (うえ) にあります
• ポーションがテーブルの上 (うえ) にあります – Pōshon ga tēburu no ue ni arimasu – “The potion is on the table”

5. How You Can Learn Japanese Through Gaming

Want to level up your Japanese while playing your favorite games? Here’s how:

• Change your game language to Japanese – Many RPGs, including Skyrim, offer a Japanese language option.
• Read the in-game text aloud – This improves pronunciation and helps recognize kanji.
• Use a notebook – Write down new words as you encounter them in the game.
• Repeat common phrases – Games often reuse phrases like 取る (とる – take) or 調べる (しらべる – examine), so memorization becomes natural.

What’s Next?

This is just the beginning of our Japanese Skyrim adventure! In the next session, we’ll:

• Learn more combat-related vocabulary
• Explore how to give and receive directions in Japanese
• Encounter more NPCs and their dialogue

Playing Skyrim in Japanese is not just about translating words—it’s about experiencing the language as part of a living world.

Are you ready to continue the journey? Grab your sword, open your spellbook, and let’s learn Japanese through adventure!