If you haven’t read the website Wasabi, I recommend it for several reasons. It is organized well, neatly presented, has all the basics you need, and is accurate.
Here is just a little snippet of one topic, weather. Good for casual conversation or breaking the ice with a Japanese speaker. Try it out.
spring | |
夏 | summer |
秋 | autumn, fall |
冬 | winter |
快晴 | clear weather |
晴れ | fine |
曇り | cloud |
雨 | rain |
にわか雨 | (sudden) shower |
雷 | thunder |
雷雨 | thunderstorm |
雪 | snow |
嵐 | storm |
台風 | typhoon |
霧 | fog |
暑い | hot |
暖かい | warm |
蒸し暑い | muggy |
寒い | cold |
涼しい | cool |
… なった / なりました
暑く(なったね / なりましたね)。 | It has got hot, hasn’t it? |
涼しく(なったね / なりましたね)。 | It has got cool, hasn’t it? |
急に冬に(なったね / なりましたね)。 | Winter has suddenly come, hasn’t it? |
すっかり夏に(なったね / なりましたね)。 | Summer has certainly arrived, hasn’t it? |