Vocabulary · N5–N3
Collocations and word families
Vocabulary becomes usable faster when words are learned with their natural partners.
In short
A collocation is a combination speakers regularly choose together: 写真を撮る, 約束を守る, 風邪をひく, 興味がある. Word families group vocabulary around a shared kanji, verb, situation or semantic pattern.
How it works
Learning these chunks reduces the temptation to translate English word-by-word into combinations Japanese speakers would not normally choose.
Useful contrast
A good vocabulary entry therefore includes a common particle and partner verb, not only an isolated dictionary gloss.
Examples
写真を撮ります。
take a photograph
約束を守ります。
keep a promise
Common pitfall
Do not assume a correct dictionary meaning guarantees a natural combination. Check how the word behaves in phrases.