Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 117

Lesson 119

Reading Japan

101 lines

Offering condolences for a father · Dialogue 1 of 4

Consolation after a full life

A visitor offers condolences to a bereaved son. The son says, *としに 不足は 御ざいませんでした*: "As far as his age is concerned there was nothing more to be desired."

The visitor replies, *その点では いくらか あきらめ が つきますね*: "It is some consolation to you in that respect, isn't it?"

Some consolation

In *いくらか あきらめ が つきますね*, *いくらか* means "to a certain degree". It limits the consolation rather than making it complete.

Kanji: / 慰 to / 去

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 1

    このたびはごふこうで、なんともうしあげてよいかことばもございません。

    You had a misfortune this time and I am at loss as to how to express myself.

    このthis
    たびoccasion
    はtopic
    御misfortune
    不幸misfortune
    で、and
    何what
    とquote
    申し上げsay humbly
    てand
    よいbest
    かquestion
    言葉words
    もeven
    御there are no
    ざthere are no
    いthere are no
    ませnot, polite
    ん。not, polite
  2. 2

    とおいところをわざわざありがとうございました。

    Thank you very much for taking special trouble to come a long way.

  3. 3

    さぞ、おちからおとしでございましょう。

    It must indeed have been a big shock to you?

  4. 4

    はい。しかし、としにふそくはございませんでした。

    Yes, but as far as his age is concerned there was nothing more to be desired.

  5. 5

    そのてんではいくらかあきらめがつきますね。

    It is some consolation to you in that respect, isn't it?

  6. 6

    はい、これがちちのじゅみょうでした。

    Yes, this was the natural span of my father's life.

IKURAKA
IKURAKA is an adverb meaning ”somewhat,” ”to some extent,” or ” a little.”

Examples:

IKURAKA EIGO GA HANASEMASU “I can speak English a little,”

WATAKUSHI WA IKURAKA SORE O KITAI SHITE ITA. ”I sort of expected it,”

KYOO WA IKURAKA KIBUN GA II YOO DA. ”I feel a little better today.”

KARE NO IU KOTO WA IKURAKA HONTOO DA. ’’What he says contains some truth.”

NIHONGO GA IKURAKA YASASHIKU NARIMASHITA. ’’Japanese has become somewhat easier.”
1 KO-----
KO is a prefix used with a name to mean “the deceased —” or "the late —"

KO YAMADA-SHI "The late Mr. Yamada”

TO KENEDEE DAITOCBIYCX? "the late President Kennedy"
2 -----SHI
SHI is usually attached to names to mean "Mr. —," but sometimes it is used like the following.

SUMISU, TANAKA RYOOSHI. "Messrs. Smith and Tanaka.”
は
leaves
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
も
as much as, as many as (See Grammar Notes
い
stomach
遠い
far
ところ
place (See Gram. Notes)
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
力落し
disappointment; grief; sorrow
ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)
しかし、
however, but
し
city
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
いくら
how much? how many?
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
ます
trout
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
父
father
の
See Grammar Notes
じゅみょう
natural span of life

Peaceful death and remembrance · Dialogue 2 of 4

A peaceful death

The son describes his father's final moments. *別に 苦しみも なく、眠る 様な 静かな 臨終で 御ざいました* means "His last moments were quiet as if falling asleep without suffering any pain at all."

The visitor calls him *本当に 立派な、惜しい 方*, "a splendid person who will be greatly missed."

A life without regret

The deceased said, *死んでも くいる ことは ない*: "He had nothing to be regretful even if he died."

The reason comes first. He had *立派に 一生を 楽しく すごして 来た*, or "spent his life happily and splendidly."

  1. 7

    やすらかなごりんじゅうでございましたでしょうね。

    His last moments must have been peaceful?

  2. 8

    はい、さいごまでしっかりしておりました。そして、べつにくるしみもなく、ねむるようなしずかなりんじゅうでございました。

    Yes, he remained conscious until he died. His last moments were quiet as if falling asleep without suffering any pain at all.

  3. 9

    どうぞあまりちからをおおとしにならないように。

    Please don't be disheartened too much.

  4. 10

    こじんもまえまえからそういっておりました。じぶんはりっぱにいっしょうをたのしくすごしてきたのだから、しんでもくいることはないってもうしておりました。

    The deceased had been saying the same thing from long before. He was saying that since he had spent his life happily and splendidly, he had nothing to be regretful even if he died.

  5. 11

    ほんとうにりっぱな、おしいかたでございました。

    He really was a splendid person who will be greatly missed.

  6. 12

    ありがとうございます。ちちもこのようにみなさまからおしまれてよをさったのですから、よろこんでいることでしょう。

    Thank you very much. My father has departed from this world having been grieved over by everyone, and he probably is very pleased.

な
I wish, I hope, huh
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
苦しみ
suffering; pain
なら
if it is (See Gram. Notes)
故人
the deceased
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
そう
numerical counter for ships
自分
self
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
くいる
regret (v.t.)
惜しい
regrettable; precious; loath to part with; a person who will be greatly missed
ます。
trout
世
the world
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)

Comforting the bereaved · Dialogue 3 of 4

Care and memorial duties

The visitor tells the son, *お体に 気を おつけに なって、おとむらい なさい*: "Take good care of yourself and hold the service for the deceased."

This will console *なき お父さんの れい*, "the deceased father's soul."

An offer of help

The visitor offers help with *何でも 私で 出来る事が 御ざいましたら、御えんりょなく 申しつけて ください*: "If there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to tell me."

The exchange ends with reassurance: *おたがい 様ですから*, "the feeling is mutual."

  1. 13

    これからはおからだにきをおつけになって、おとむらいなさい。それがなきおとうさんのれいをなぐさめるのにいちばんいいことだとおもいます。

    Take good care of yourself from now on and hold the service for the deceased. I think that will be the best thing in order to console the deceased father's soul.

  2. 14

    はい。

    Yes.

  3. 15

    それから、なんでもわたくしでできることがございましたら、ごえんりょなくもうしつけてください。

    And if there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to tell me.

  4. 16

    ありがとうございます。いつもごやっかいになるばかりで。

    Thank you very much. I always am a burden to you.

  5. 17

    いいえ、どういたしまして。どうぞそんなごしんぱいはなさらないで。おたがいさまですから。

    No, not at all. Please don’t worry like that because the feeling is mutual.

  6. 18

    ありがとうございます。

    Thank you very much.

体
body, health
とむらい
service for the deceased
れい
spirit; soul
慰める
comfort; console; cheer; soothe (v.t.)
一番
number one (See Grammar Notes)
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
出来る
to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)
ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
いつ
when?
ばかり
about

Arranging the wake and funeral · Dialogue 4 of 4

The wake and funeral

The visitor asks, *お 通 夜 と おそう式は いつに なりますか*: "When will the wake service and the funeral rites be?"

The wake is tomorrow night. *そう式 は 明後日の 午後 二時に なっております* schedules the funeral for two in the afternoon the day after tomorrow.

Taking leave

The visitor says, *これで 失礼 いたします*: "I shall be leaving now."

*お忙しい ところを わざわざ お出で くださいまして、有難う 御ざいました* means "Thank you very much for coming over when you are so busy."

Kanji: 夜

New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.

  1. 19

    それから、おつやとおそうしきはいつになりますか。

    Then, when will the wake service and the funeral rites be?

  2. 20

    おつやはみょうばん、そしてそうしきはあさってのごごにじになっております。

    The wake service is scheduled for tomorrow night and the funeral rite is scheduled for 2 p.m. the day after tomorrow.

  3. 21

    さようでございますか。では、これでしつれいいたします。

    Is that right? I shall be leaving now.

  4. 22

    おいそがしいところをわざわざおいでくださいまして、ありがとうございました。

    Thank you very much for coming over when you are so busy.

から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
通
classifier for counting letters and telegrams
夜
night, evening
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
明後日
day after tomorrow
午後
p.m., afternoon
二
two
時
time
ください
please give me (See Gram. Notes)

Change to some degree · Perception drill

A little ability

*ええ、 いくらか。(話せます)* means "Yes. I can speak a little." Here *いくらか* means "somewhat", "to some extent" or "a little".

*いくらか* describes a limited degree or amount. It can stand as the answer when the ability is understood from the question.

A change to some extent

*おかげ様で、いくらか よくなりました* means "Thanks to you she got better to some extent." *いくらか* limits the degree of improvement.

The same word limits other changes in understanding, weight, and the length of the day.

  1. 23

    いくらかあきらめがつきます。

    It is some consolation to me.

  2. 24

    フランスごがはなせますか。

    Can you speak French?

  3. 25

    ええ、いくらか。(はなせます)

    Yes. (I can speak) a little.

  4. 26

    おくさんのごびょうきはいかがですか。

    How is your wife's illness?

  5. 27

    おかげさまで、いくらかよくなりました。

    Thanks to you she got better to some extent.

  6. 28

    このごろよくにほんえいがをみにいきますね。

    You go to see a Japanese movie often these days, don't you?

  7. 29

    ええ、はじめはおもしろくなかったが、このごろいくらかわかるようになったので、おもしろくなりました。

    Yes, it wasn't interesting at first, but I have come to understand it a little, so it became interesting.

  8. 30

    このごろすこしやせたようですね。

    You seem to have lost a little weight these days.

  9. 31

    ええ、このがっこうにきてから、いくらかやせてきたようです。

    Yes, since I came to this school, it seems that I have lost weight to some degree.

  10. 32

    このごろいくらかひがながくなったようですね。

    It seems these days that the days got longer to some extent, doesn't it?

  11. 33

    ええ、しごとからかえってもまだあかるいですからね。

    Yes, because it is still light even after I come home from work.

ええ、
Yes
よく
well, skillfully
映画
movie
少し
little (quantity)
まだ
yet, still
明るい
light

Describing gradual improvement · Pattern 1 1 of 3

Understanding some Japanese

*日本語 が いくらか わかる 様に なりました* means "I have come to understand some Japanese." The *いくらか* from *いくらか よくなりました* limits the new ability.

It also limits ability in *いくらか フランス語 が 話せます*: "I can speak some French."

Gradual improvement

*病気 が いくらか よくなりました* means "The illness has gotten somewhat better."

With a change, *いくらか* marks its limited degree. The lines apply it to becoming easier, making progress, growing, and losing weight.

  1. 34

    いくらかやすくなりますか。

    Will it become somewhat cheaper?

  2. 35

    にほんごがいくらかじょうずになりましたか。

    Has your Japanese become somewhat better?

  3. 36

    にほんごがいくらかわかるようになりました。

    I have come to understand some Japanese.

  4. 37

    いくらかフランスごがはなせます。

    I can speak some French.

  5. 38

    びょうきがいくらかよくなりました。

    The illness has gotten somewhat better.

  6. 39

    このごろにほんごがいくらかやさしくなりました。

    Lately Japanese has become somewhat easier.

  7. 40

    いっかげつまえよりいくらかしんぽしました。

    I have made some progress since a month ago.

  8. 41

    このまつのきはいくらかのびてきました。

    This pine tree has grown somewhat.

  9. 42

    あなたはまえよりいくらかやせましたね。

    You have lost some weight since before, haven’t you?

上手
skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)
一
one
前
before, front
より
than (See Gram. Notes)
木
tree, wood

Asking about gradual changes · Pattern 1 2 of 3

A change in ability

*このごろは いくらか 話せる 様に なったね* means "Lately he has come to be able to speak some." *いくらか* limits the ability gained.

The same limit applies to health in *昨晩 より いくらか 熱 が さがった 様だ*: "My fever seems to have gone down somewhat since last night."

Limited states and changes

*いくらか 不安だね* means "I'm somewhat worried." Here *いくらか* limits a feeling rather than a change.

It also limits becoming used to studying and the mornings and evenings becoming colder.

  1. 43

    パーカーさんはこのごろにほんごがすこしはなせるようになったかね。

    Has Mr. Parker come to be able to speak a little Japanese lately?

  2. 44

    うん、このごろはいくらかはなせるようになったね。

    Yes, lately he has come to be able to speak some.

  3. 45

    ねつはまださがらないのか。

    Hasn’t your fever gone down yet?

  4. 46

    うん、さくばんよりいくらかねつがさがったようだ。

    Yes, it seems my fever has gone down somewhat since last night.

  5. 47

    きょうのしけんにパスできるとおもうか。

    Do you think you can pass today’s examination?

  6. 48

    いくらかふあんだね。

    I’m somewhat worried.

  7. 49

    このごろはいくらかべんきょうになれてきたようだね。

    It seems you have gotten somewhat used to studying lately, doesn’t it?

  8. 50

    うん、まえにはおちついてべんきょうできなかったが、このごろではすこしなれてきたよ。

    Yes, before I couldn’t settle down and study, but lately I’ve gotten a little used to it.

  9. 51

    このごろあさばんいくらかさむくなってきたね。

    The mornings and evenings have gotten somewhat colder lately, haven’t they?

話せる
to be able to speak
うん、
Yes, all right.
だ。
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
今日
today
思う
to think
朝晩
morning and evening

Changes in skills and health · Pattern 1 3 of 3

Skills and health

*わかる* means "to understand", and *上手* means "skillful". These words describe understanding and skill.

*病気* means "illness", while *ふとる* means "to gain weight". The same group supplies words for health and weight.

  1. 52

    うん、もうあきだからな。

    Yes, it’s already autumn, after all.

  2. 53

    わかる

    to understand

  3. 54

    やさしい

    easy

  4. 55

    びょうき

    illness

  5. 56

    じょうず

    skillful

  6. 57

    はなせる

    can speak

  7. 58

    ふとる

    to gain weight

もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
秋
autumn, fall
な。
I wish, I hope, huh
やさしい
easy
ふとる
to become stout (v.i.)

A peaceful death recalled · Questions 1 of 2

The late, before a name

The account gives the funeral schedule for *故村山氏*. Before a name, *故* means "the deceased" or "the late".

The questions ask when the father died, whether he remained conscious, whether he suffered, and what his last moments were like.

Mr. after a name

In *故村山氏*, *氏* follows the name and usually means "Mr." Together, the expression identifies "the late Mr. Murayama."

*村山さんの お父さんは いつなくなられましたか* asks "When did Mr. Murayama's father pass away?" An answer gives the date *四月十四日*.

  1. 59

    むらやまさんのおとうさんはしがつじゅうよっかになくなられました。むらやまさんのはなしではさいごまでしっかりしておられたそうです。そして、べつにくるしみもなく、ねむるようなしずかなごりんじゅうだったそうです。ほんとうにりっぱな、おしいかたでございました。みなさまからおしまれて、よをさったのだし、としにもふそくはなかったのですから、そのてんでは、いくらかあきらめがついたでしょう。むらやまさんのおとうさんごじしんも、じぶんはりっぱにいっしょうをたのしくすごしてきたのだから、いつしんでもくいることはないとおっしゃっておられたそうです。

    Mr. Murayama’s father passed away on April 14. According to Mr. Murayama, he remained conscious until the end. He suffered no particular pain, and his last moments were said to have been peaceful, as if he were falling asleep. He was truly a fine man whose passing is deeply regretted. Since he left this world mourned by everyone and had lived to a ripe old age, that must have been some consolation. Mr. Murayama’s father himself is said to have remarked that he had lived a fine and happy life, so he would have no regrets whenever he died.

  2. 60

    こむらやましのおつやはしがつじゅうごにちのばん、そしておそうしきはじゅうろくにちのごごにじにおこなわれることになっております。

    The wake for the late Mr. Murayama is to be held on the evening of April 15, and the funeral at two o’clock in the afternoon on the 16th.

  3. 61

    むらやまさんのおとうさんはいつなくなられましたか。

    When did Mr. Murayama’s father pass away?

  4. 62

    しなれるまで、しっかりしておられましたか。

    Did he remain conscious until he died?

  5. 63

    くるしみがありましたか。

    Did he suffer any pain?

  6. 64

    どんなごりんじゅうでしたか。

    What were his last moments like?

四
four
月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
十
ten
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
つい
just; only
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
五
five
六
six
れる
to be able to -- (See Grammar Notes)
どんな
what kind of; what sort of

Wake and funeral questions · Questions 2 of 2

The wake and funeral schedule

The questions continue the account of *故村山氏*, "the late Mr. Murayama." They ask about his own words, his age, and how others mourned him.

*故村山氏の お通夜は いつですか* asks "When is the wake for the late Mr. Murayama?" An answer gives when the wake is held.

The final question asks when the funeral is held, so its answer gives the date and time.

  1. 65

    むらやまさんのおとうさんはみなさまからおしまれてよをさったのですか。

    Did Mr. Murayama’s father leave this world mourned by everyone?

  2. 66

    むらやまさんのおとうさんはとしにふそくがありましたか。

    Was Mr. Murayama’s father too young to die?

  3. 67

    むらやまさんのおとうさんじしんはなんといっておられましたか。

    What did Mr. Murayama’s father himself say?

  4. 68

    こむらやましのおつやはいつですか。

    When is the wake for the late Mr. Murayama?

  5. 69

    おそうしきはいつになっていますか。

    When is the funeral to be held?

Condolence and consolation words · Word list 1 of 3

Condolence and consolation

*あいとう* means "deepest sympathy" or "condolence". The words cover loss and responses to it.

*力落し* names "grief" or "sorrow", while *慰める* means "comfort" or "console".

  1. 70

    あいとう

    deepest sympathy; condolence

  2. 71

    ごふこう

    misfortune; disaster; unhappiness; death

  3. 72

    なんともうしあげてよいか

    how to express myself (I’m at loss)

  4. 73

    もうしあげる

    tell; express myself (v.t.)

  5. 74

    とおいところを

    come a long way

  6. 75

    おちからおとしでございましょう

    it must have been a big shock

  7. 76

    ちからをおとす

    be disheartened; be discouraged

  8. 77

    ちからおとし

    disappointment; grief; sorrow

  9. 78

    あきらめがつく

    to get over ----; to be some consolation

  10. 79

    いくらか

    to a certain degree; a certain amount (See Gram Notes)

  11. 80

    なぐさめる

    comfort; console; cheer; soothe (v.t.)

あいとう
deepest sympathy; condolence
御不幸
misfortune; disaster; unhappiness; death
何と申し上げてよいか
how to express myself (I’m at loss)
申し上げる
tell; express myself (v.t.)
遠いところを
come a long way
お力落しで御ざいましょう
it must have been a big shock
力を落す
be disheartened; be discouraged
あきらめがつく
to get over ----; to be some consolation
いくらか
to a certain degree; a certain amount (See Gram Notes)

Death, regret and remembrance · Word list 2 of 3

Last moments and remembrance

*苦しみ* means "suffering" or "pain". The words cover death, regret, remembrance, and departure.

*惜しむ* can mean "regret" or "lament", while *去る* means "leave" or "depart".

  1. 81

    ちち

    father

  2. 82

    やすらかな

    peaceful

  3. 83

    (ご)りんじゅう

    one’s last moments; at the hour of death

  4. 84

    しっかりしておりました

    was composed; remained conscious

  5. 85

    くるしみ

    suffering; pain

  6. 86

    こじん

    the deceased

  7. 87

    くいる

    regret (v.t.)

  8. 88

    おしい

    regrettable; precious; loath to part with; a person who will be greatly missed

  9. 89

    おしむ

    regret; be sorry; lament; be stingy; value (v.t.)

  10. 90

    よ

    the world

  11. 91

    さる

    leave; depart; go away (v.i.)

安らかな
peaceful
(御)臨終
one’s last moments; at the hour of death
しっかりしておりました
was composed; remained conscious
惜しむ
regret; be sorry; lament; be stingy; value (v.t.)
去る
leave; depart; go away (v.i.)

Funeral and memorial words · Word list 3 of 3

Funeral and memorial duties

*とむらう* means "hold service for the deceased". The words cover funeral duties, farewell, and formal reference to the deceased.

*故---* means "the late such-and-such", and *---氏* means "Mr. ---". Together they form a formal reference to the deceased.

  1. 92

    からだにきをつける

    take good care of yourself; look after one’s own health

  2. 93

    とむらい

    service for the deceased

  3. 94

    とむらう

    hold service for the deceased

  4. 95

    なきおとうさん

    the deceased father

  5. 96

    れい

    spirit; soul

  6. 97

    もうしつける

    to tell; to command (v.t.)

  7. 98

    おいとまする

    bid farewell; bid goodbye (v.i.)

  8. 99

    おつや

    wake (service)

  9. 100

    こ---

    the late such-and-such (See Cult. Notes)

  10. 101

    ---し

    Mr. --- (See Cult. Notes)

Guide for Free Conversation

1 Topic titles:

a Give expressions of condolence on the following occasions.

(1) The death of one’s mother, who is 78 years old.

(2) The death of one’s child.

(3) The death of one’s husband, who is 40 years old.
Homework

1 Memorize the Dialogue and the vocabulary.

2 Study the Grammar Perception Drill.

3 Study the Pattern Practice and do the exercise following each pattern.

4 Learn to read the write new Kanji.

5 Read the Explanatory Notes.

6 Read the Guide for Free Conversation and do the exercise given.
体に気をつける
take good care of yourself; look after one’s own health
とむらう
hold service for the deceased
なきお父さん
the deceased father
申しつける
to tell; to command (v.t.)
おいとまする
bid farewell; bid goodbye (v.i.)
お通夜
wake (service)
故---
the late such-and-such (See Cult. Notes)
---氏
Mr. --- (See Cult. Notes)

The particulars

The course
Defense Language Institute, Japanese Basic Course, 1967 to 1971. Public domain. The teaching pages and the narration are ours.
Reading aloud
Digital narration, directed by 1732 Studios.
The book
Botchan, the work this course leads to, free to read here.
Data
JSON · Markdown · A guide for agents
Two whoopie pies and a pine. An inside joke.