Four Seasons: Spring

Part of a quartet of very short stories, "Spring" follows a family of birds and the joys and challenges of new life. Featuring short sentences, desu/masu verb endings, and easy vocabulary, this series is perfect for students just getting started reading in Japanese. (10 episodes)

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Episode 1
The arrival of spring means a change for two small birds.
Notes: This episode contains a note on a phenomenon that frequently happens when creating compound words, a breakdown of a potentially tricky sentence, and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 20912
Voice Only Unread 4863
Episode 2
The chicks take a big step in their development.
Notes: This episode contains a note on a word that means "through-and-through," one on a word that means "to make up one's mind," and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 7594
Voice Only Unread 1540
Pro
Episode 3
The new fliers get better with practice.
Notes: This episode contains a note on relative clauses, one on a pattern that means "to become able to (verb)," and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 4062
Voice Only Unread 724
Pro
Episode 4
The chicks receive an important lesson from their mother.
Notes: This episode contains a note that briefly explains verb nominalization, one on an intensified version of sugoi, and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 2288
Voice Only Unread 401
Pro
Episode 5
The bird family confronts the threat.
Notes: This episode contains a note on two different ways to use the word hisshi, a note on distinguishing two meanings of the -you to suru pattern, and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 1956
Voice Only Unread 337
Pro
Episode 6
The father bird desperately attempts to evade the hotly pursuing hawk.
Notes: This episode contains a note on a word that can be combined with direction words to mean "right (below, behind, above, etc.)," and one on a pattern that means that something nearly happens but does not.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 1829
Voice Only Unread 313
Pro
Episode 7
A possible safe harbor appears.
Notes: This episode contains a note that looks at why the same word can sometimes be written in different kanji, one that discusses a pattern that means that it looks like something will happen at any moment, and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 1697
Voice Only Unread 304
Pro
Episode 8
The chicks are relieved when their father arrives home safely. But the mother bird notices cause for concern.
Notes: This episode contains a detailed breakdown of a sentence that beautifully illustrates verb nominalization, a note on a pattern for expressing relief, and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 1663
Voice Only Unread 273
Pro
Episode 9
After the father recovers, the chicks continues to grow toward independence.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the traditional word for "goodbye," one about why the same word can be written using different kanji, and one on a pattern that means "as (big, tall, delicious, etc.) as..."
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 1601
Voice Only Unread 252
Pro
Episode 10
The time comes for the chicks to embark on their next stage of life.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the origins of the mimetic helper particle to, one on a verb that means "to give; to grant," and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 1607
Voice Only Unread 243