Read Japanese Without Guessing - Level B2.1: しごとの せかい - Workplace Japanese, Keigo, Passive & Causativ (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798181354654)

Read Japanese Without Guessing - Level B2.1 takes Lucas into a new stage of Japanese: work, respect, responsibility, and professional communication.

しごとの せかい follows Lucas after his exhibition photos are noticed and he begins his first real job at a photo studio. The warm Japanese of cafés and friends is no longer enough. At work, he must understand what is done to him, what he is made or allowed to do, and how to speak respectfully to seniors, bosses, and clients.

No guessing.
No dictionary.
Just reading - now with the formal Japanese of the workplace.

This level introduces the first half of JLPT N2 grammar through story, repetition, and interlinear support.

• Passive voice - 私の写真が選ばれました。
• Adversity passive - 雨に降られて、こまりました。
• Causative form - 部長は私を出張に行かせました。
• Humble permission - やらせてください／させていただきます。
• Keigo - いらっしゃいます／ご案内いたします。
• Purpose - と／なら and ～ために／～ように.

You meet these patterns as Lucas is chosen, praised, corrected, trusted with work, and guided by his senior colleague.

Interlinear reading places English meaning directly with the Japanese, so you understand the sentence while staying inside the story. You do not stop for a dictionary.

• Every key word is supported. You keep reading without losing your place.
• Grammar repeats naturally. Passive, causative, and keigo become familiar through exposure.
• Understanding is immediate. No tapping, glossary flipping, or broken flow.
• Fluency grows. Each chapter gives you the story twice: interlinear, then Japanese only.

This book contains 10 structured chapters: passive, causative, humble permission, honorific and humble speech, keigo in practice, conditionals, purpose, and full B2.1 review.

Every chapter includes the story in two formats, comprehension questions, vocabulary practice, useful expressions, grammar explanation, and a complete answer key.

Lucas is now a working photographer. His photos have opened a door, and a small photo studio/magazine gives him a chance. At the studio, he meets 佐藤さん, his patient senior colleague, who teaches him professional Japanese.

After work, Lucas returns to ゆき, たなかさん, and his small brown dog ココ, where friendship balances the formal world of work. This contrast shows casual speech with friends, polite speech at work, and keigo with clients.

This book is ideal if you have completed Levels A1.1 through B1.2, or if you already have a strong JLPT N3 foundation and are ready for N2 grammar.

• You know hiragana, katakana, and common N5/N4/N3 kanji.
• You understand plain forms, て-form, potential, volitional, reasons, hearsay, and giving/receiving.
• You want passive, causative, keigo, and workplace Japanese without stress.
• You are preparing for JLPT N2 and want guided reading practice.

At this level, furigana thinning begins. Common kanji from earlier levels appear without readings, while newer or harder kanji still include support, such as 選（えら）ぶ, 頼（たの）む, and 敬（けい）語（ご）.

By the end, you will describe what happens to you, explain who makes or lets someone act, speak more respectfully, understand workplace exchanges, and read longer Japanese with less support.

Author: Kaya Srilas
ISBN-13: 9798181354654
Publisher: Independently Published
Language: English
Published: 06/13/2026
Pages: 298
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.88lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.62d