おもてなし

this (something close to the speaker)

Cherry blossoms are blooming in this garden.

Demonstrative adjective used before nouns to indicate something close to the speaker. Cannot be used alone - must modify a noun. Part of the ko-so-a-do series (この, その, あの, どの).

ひどい

terrible; awful; cruel; severe

Yesterday's rain was truly terrible.

Can describe harsh weather, bad quality, or cruel behavior.

かぜ

wind; breeze; draft

A strong wind is blowing outside the window.

Refers to the movement of air. Can also mean 'cold' (flu) when written as 風邪.

also, too, even (particle)

Both the rain and wind have gotten stronger.

Replaces は, が, or を to mean 'also/too'. When used twice (A も B も), means 'both A and B'. Can express 'even' in certain contexts.

まち

town; city; street; downtown area

I went to the city to go shopping.

Refers to areas where houses, shops, and people are concentrated. Often implies a bustling or downtown area when written with '街'.

by, at, in, with (particle)

I commute by train.

Marks location of action (where something happens), means/tool (how/with what), material, reason, or scope. Different from に which marks location of existence.

topic marker particle

This year, the cherry blossoms bloomed early.

Marks the topic of a sentence - what the sentence is about. Often implies contrast with other possible topics. Written as は but pronounced 'wa'. Differs from が which marks the grammatical subject.

きこえる

to be heard; to be audible

The sound of waves can be heard from afar.

Used to describe a sound that reaches one's ears, often without intentional listening.