Japanese · Lesson 27
Lesson 27
Sounds, kana, and the first conversations
Predicting spring weather and blossoms · Dialogue 1 of 4
Spring gets warmer
The speakers discuss warmer spring weather and the arrival of cherry blossoms. *ずい分 あったかく なりましたね* means "It has become very warm, hasn't it?"
A probable result
*三月には まだ さかないでしょう* means "They probably won't bloom in March." The form *でしょう* presents the speaker's prediction as probable.
Kanji: 花, 天, 気
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 1
ずいぶんあったかくなりましたね。
It has become very warm, hasn't it?
ずい分veryあったかくwarmなりbecomeましbecameたpastね。right? - 2
ええ、もうさんがつですから、これからだんだんあったかくなります。
Yes. It's already March, so from now on it will gradually get warmer.
ええ、yesもうalready三March月Marchですisから、soこれnowからfromだんだんgraduallyあったかくwarmなりbecomeます。polite - 3
では、もうさくらのはながさきますね。
Then, cherry blossoms will soon bloom, won't they?
でthenは、thenもうsoonさくらcherryのcherry blossom花blossomがsubjectさきbloomますpoliteね。right? - 4
さんがつにはまださかないでしょう。
They probably won't bloom in March.
三March月Marchにinはtopicまだstill notさかbloomないnotでしょう。probably - 5
はるになると、てんきがよくなりますが、いつごろまでこのよいてんきがつづきますか。
When it becomes spring, the weather becomes good, but till about when will this good weather last?
春springにinなるbecomesと、when天気weatherがsubjectよくgoodなりbecomeますpoliteが、butいつ頃about whenまでuntilこのthisよいgood天気weatherがsubjectつづきlastますpoliteか。question
Inflections of DESU
The copula DESU is a unique word in Japanese and it is inflected as follows:
Name of form | Form
Basic form | DESU
Conjectural form | DESHOO
TA form | DESHITA
DESU
Several uses of the basic form DESU have been introduced. Thus:
It may be preceded by a substantive (noun or pronoun), e.g.,
KORE WA HON DESU. "This is a book."
KORE WA TAIHEN KIREI DESU. "This is very pretty."
It may be preceded by an I-adjective, e.g.,
FUYU WA SAMUI DESU. "The winter is cold."
It may be preceded by -NAI, which is the informal equivalent of -MASEN, e.g.,
WAKARANAI DESU. "I don't understand."
It may be preceded by N(O) 'matter,' e.g.,
KORE WA CHIISAI N DESU. "This is small."
SHIRANAI N DESU. "I don't know."
SHITTE IRU N DESU. "I know."
SHITTE ITA N DESU. "I knew."
It may follow certain particles, e.g.,
NIPPON KARA DESU. "It's from Japan."
JUUICHI-JI MADE DESU. "It's till 11:00 o'clock."
DESHITA
DESHITA is the past tense of DESU, and its several uses have also been introduced. Thus:
It may be preceded by a substantive (noun or pronoun), e.g.,
KORE WA HON DESHITA. "This was a book."
KORE WA TAIHEN KIREI DESHITA. "This was very pretty."
It may be preceded by an I-adjective, e.g.,
KINOO WA SAMUI DESHITA. "It was cold yesterday."
It may be preceded by -MASEN, e.g.,
WAKARIMASEN DESHITA. "I didn't understand."
The construction WAKARANAI DESHITA is used by some, but it is not a common expression.
It may be preceded by certain particles, e.g.,
NIPPON KARA DESHITA. "It was from Japan."
DESHOO
DESHOO is the conjectural form of the copula DESU, and it is less positive and less direct equivalent of DESU, and so it infers the speaker's conjecture or guess.
It may be preceded by a substantive (noun or pronoun), e.g.,
ANO KATA WA SENSEI DESHOO. "He's probably a teacher." or "I think he's a teacher."
ANO UCHI WA KIREI DESHOO. "That house is probably clean." or "I guess that house is clean."
It may be preceded by the informal form of an I-adjective or a verb, e.g.,
TOOKYOO NO FUYU WA SAMUI DESHOO. "The winter in Tokyo is probably cold." or "I guess it's cold in the winter in Tokyo."
ASHITA WA SAMUI DESHOO. "It will probably be cold tomorrow." or "I think it will be cold tomorrow."
MAINICHI WA IKANAI DESHOO. "He probably doesn't go everyday." or "I guess he doesn't go everyday." or "I don't think he goes everyday."
RAISHUU WA IKANAI DESHOO. "He probably won't go next week." or "I think he'll not go next week." or "I don't think he'll go next week."
MAINICHI IKU DESHOO. "He probably goes everyday." or "I think he goes everyday."
RAISHUU IKU DESHOO. "He'll probably go next week." or "I think he'll go next week."
IMA TABETE IRU DESHOO. "He's probably eating now." or "I think he's eating now."
TABETA DESHOO. "He probably ate." or "I think he ate."
MOO TABETA DESHOO. "He's probably eaten already." or "I think he's eaten already."
It may be preceded by N(O) 'matter,' e.g.,
CHIISAI N DESHOO. "It's probably small." or "I think it's small."
IKANAI N DESHOO. "He probably doesn't go." or "He probably won't go."
IKU N DESHOO. "He probably goes." or "He'll probably go."
TABETE IRU N DESHOO. "He's probably eating."
TABETA N DESHOO. "He probably ate."
It may be preceded by certain particles, e.g.,
NIPPON KARA DESHOO. "It's probably from Japan."
In questions, the less direct DESHOO is a little more polite than DESU. Compare the following two questions:
NAN DESU KA? "What is it?"
NAN DESHOO KA? "What would it be?" or "I wonder what it is."
DESHOO? in sentence final position with a high rising intonation indicates that the sentence is a question and it calls for an answer from the person spoken to, e.g.,
BOOSHI DESHOO? "It's a hat, isn't it?"
HAI, SOO DESU. "Yes, that's right."-MASHOO
The ending -MASU is used to construct polite, formal verbs, and each of it's inflected forms is used only when tacked to the conjunctive ending of verbs. It is inflected as follows:
Name of form | Form
Negative form | -MASEN
Basic form | -MASU
Conditional form | -MASUREBA or -MASEBA
Imperative form | -MASE or -MASHI
Conjectural form | -MASHOO
TE form | -MASHITE
TA form | -MASHITA
-MASHOO
Following the conjunctive ending of verbs, the conjectural form -MASHOO adds several meanings to the verbs.
Invitation "Let's do so-and-so."
One meaning of the -MASHOO form is an invitation. It corresponds to the English rhetorical question "let's do so-and-so."
Examples:
KAERIMASHOO. Let's go home.
TABEMASHOO. Let's eat.
SHIMASHOO. Let's do it.
MATA KIMASHOO. Let's come again.
Suggestion "Shall we do so-and-so?"
The -MASHOO form plus the question particle KA is a suggestion. It corresponds to the English question "shall we do so-and-so?"
Examples:
KAERIMASHOO KA. Shall we go home?
EE, KAERIMASHOO. Yes, let's go home.
TABEMASHOO KA. Shall we eat?
EE, TABEMASHOO. Yes, let's eat.
SHIMASHOO KA. Shall we do it?
EE, SHIMASHOO. Yes, let's do it.
MATA KIMASHOO KA. Shall we come again?
EE, MATA KIMASHOO. Yes, let's come again.
Offer "Shall I do so-and-so?"
A question ending in -MASHOO KA may also mean an offer which corresponds to the English question "shall I do so-and-so?" Only the context determines whether the question means a suggestion "shall we do so-and-so?" or an offer "shall I do so-and so?"
MADO O AKEMASHOO KA. "Shall I open the window?"
EE, AKETE KUDASAI. "Yes, please open it."
(WATAKUSHI GA) IKIMASHOO KA. "Shall I go?"
EE, ITTE KUDASAI. "Yes, please go."
Intention "I guess I'll do so-and-so."
Depending on the context, the -MASHOO form is also used as the less positive and less direct equivalent of -MASU to indicate an intention of the speaker (the first person, singular) with the meaning "I guess I'll do so-and-so."
Examples:
KYOO WA HAYAKU KAERIMASU. "I'll go home early today."
KYOO WA HAYAKU KAERIMASHOO. "I guess I'll go home early today."
DEWA, ASHITA IKIMASU. "Then, I'll go tomorrow."
DEWA, ASHITA IKIMASHOO. "Then, I guess I'll go tomorrow."Subjects of dependent clauses
GA is used for the subject of a dependent clause, and WA is used for the subject of a main clause.
Conclusive ending plus TO 'if' or 'when':
AME GA FURU TO MICHI GA WARUKU NARIMASU. "If it rains, the road becomes bad."
TE-ending of a verb plus KARA 'after ---':
KODOMOTACHI GA KAETTE KARA, YUUHAN O TABEMASU. "After our children come home, we eat supper."
Clause plus KARA 'because':
AME GA FUTTE IRU KARA, UCHI NI IMASU. "Because it's raining, I'm home."
Adjectival clause plus TOKI 'when':
AME GA FURU TOKI NI WA, JIDOOSHA DE IKIMASU. "When it rains, I go by car." or
AME NO FURU TOKI NI WA JIDOOSHA DE IKIMASU. "When it rains, I go by car."
Note that the subject of a dependent clause, if mentioned, is normally indicated by GA except in adjectival clauses whose subjects may also be indicated by NO.
The subject of a main clause, if mentioned, may occur either within the clause or at the beginning of the complex sentence.
Examples:
KODOMOTACHI GA KAETTE KARA (WATAKUSHITACHI WA) YUUHAN O TABEMASU. "After our children come home, we eat supper." or
(WATAKUSHITACHI WA), KODOMOTACHI GA KAETTE KARA, YUUHAN O TABEMASU. "We eat supper after our children come home."
However, if the dependent clause and the main clause refer to the same subject, the subject of the dependent clause is always left out and the subject of the main clause, if mentioned, occurs at the beginning of the complex sentence.
Examples:
(WATAKUSHI WA) KIMONO O KIRU TO, ITSUMO GETA O HAKIMASU. "I always wear GETA when I wear KIMONO."
TANAKA-SAN WA UCHI NI KAETTE KARA, SAN-JIKAN HATARAKIMASU. "Mr. Tanaka works 3 hours after he goes home."MI NI IKU 'go to see'
The particle NI indicates the purpose of an action and occurs in phrases meaning 'for the purpose of doing so-and-so,' 'in order to do so-and-so,' or 'to do so-and-so.'
The purpose of a locomotive action, such as IKU 'to go,' KAERU 'to return,' KURU 'to come,' DERU 'to go out,' and DEKAKERU 'to go out,' is the conjunctive ending of a verb or a verbal noun, and it occurs in front of the particle NI.
Examples:
KAU 'buy':
JIBIKI O KAI NI IKIMASHITA. "I went to buy the dictionary."
MIRU 'see':
HANA O MI NI KIMASHITA. "I came to see the flowers."
TABERU 'eat':
HIRUHAN O TABE NI KAERIMASHITA. "He went home to eat lunch."
SURU 'do':
NIHONGO O BENKYOO-SHI NI KIMASHITA. "I came to study Japanese."
HANAMI 'cherry-blossom viewing':
HANAMI NI DEKAKEMASU. "I'm going out for the purpose of cherry-blossom viewing."
BENKYOO 'studying':
NIHONGO NO BENKYOO NI KIMASHITA. "I came to study Japanese."
SANPO 'walk':
SANPO NI DEKAKEMASHITA. "He went out for a walk."
The purpose of an action other than locomotive action will be introduced in a later lesson.DOO 'how?' or 'what?'
DOO is a question word meaning 'how?' or 'what?' Its exact meaning depends on the context in which it is used.
Examples:
DOO DESU KA. How are you? or How is it?
DOO DESHITA KA. How was it?
DOO KAKIMASU KA. How do you write it?
DOO SHIMASU KA. What'll you do? or What do you do?
DOO SHIMASHOO KA. What shall I do?
DOO SHIMASHITA KA. What did you do? or What happened?
DOO SHITE How? or Why?
DOO NARIMASU KA. How will it turn out? or What'll happen?
DOO SURU KOTO MO DEKIMASEN. Nothing can be done about it?
DOO IU IMI DESU KA. What does it mean?
DOO OMOIMASU KA. What do you think of it?
Like KORE, SORE, ARE, and DORE, DOO also completes a set of KO-, SO-, A-, and DO- words as in the following table:
KOO 'this way,' 'this manner'
KOO SHIMASHITA. "I did it this way."
SOO 'that way,' 'that manner'
SOO SHITE KUDASAI. "please do it that way."
AA 'that way,' 'that manner'
AA DE MO KOO DE MO NAI. "It's neither this way or that."
DOO 'how?'
DOO SHIMASHOO. "What shall we do?"HOTONDO 'almost'
The word HOTONDO is an adverb meaning 'almost' or 'nearly.' When it is followed by a negative, its English equivalent may be 'hardly' or 'scarcely.'
Examples:
HOTONDO MAINICHI AME GA FURIMASU. "It rains almost everyday."
HOTONDO MINNA KIMASHITA. "Almost all of them came."
HOTONDO MAISHUU IKIMASU. "I go nearly every week."
AME WA HOTONDO FURIMASEN. "It hardly rains." (Lit: "It almost doesn't rain.")
HOTONDO ARUKU KOTO GA DEKIMASEN DESHITA. "I could hardly walk." (Lit: "I almost couldn't walk.")
MACHIGAI WA HOTONDO ARIMASEN. "There are scarcely any mistakes." (Lit: "There aren't almost any mistakes.")DESU
The copula DESU and its other forms are frequently used in making a brief reply to a question. In other words, they are often used in place of the verbs used in questions.
Examples:
NANJI MADE HATARAKIMASU KA. "Till what time do you work?"
GOJI MADE DESU. "(I work) till 3 o'clock."
NANIGO O OSHIETE IMASU KA. "What language are you teaching?"
NIHONGO DESU. "(I'm teaching) Japanese."
ITSU IKIMASU KA. "When is he going?"
ASHITA DESHOO. "(He's) probably (going) tomorrow."
ITSU GORO MADE KONO II OTENKI GA TSUZUKIMASU KA. "Till about when will this fine weather last?"
ROKU-GATSU MADE DESU. "(It'll last) till June."NI(WA) 'for'
The particle NI (WA) has occurred many times in previous lessons, but in this lesson it is used to mean 'for.'
Examples:
WATAKUSHI NI WA MUZUKASHII DESU. "It's difficult for me."
JIDOOSHA NO ARU HITO NI WA HAKONE GA II DESU.
"For those who have cars, HAKONE is good."
YUUHAN NI WA NANI O TABEMASU KA. "What'll you eat for supper?"
HANAMI NI WA HAKONE GA II DESU. "Hakone is good for cherry-blossom viewing."- ずい分
- very much
- ね。
- isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
- ええ、
- Yes
- もう
- already (See Gram. Notes)
- 三
- three
- 月
- moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
- です
- to be (See Gram. Notes)
- から、
- from (See Gram. Notes)
- だんだん
- gradually, step by step
- で
- --is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
- は、
- leaves
- さくら
- cherry (flower)
- の
- See Grammar Notes
- が
- but (See Gram. Notes)
- に
- on (See Gram. Notes)
- まだ
- yet, still
- でしょう。
- probably (See Gram. Notes)
- 春
- spring
- と、
- and (See Gram. Notes)
- 天気
- weather
- よく
- well, skillfully
- まで
- as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
- よい
- good (See Gram. Notes)
- か。
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
Predicting the rainy season · Dialogue 2 of 4
Almost every day
*六月の 半ば頃から やく 一か月 ほとんど 毎日 雨が 降ります* means "From around mid-June, it rains almost every day for about one month."
*ほとんど* means "almost or nearly." Here it states how often the rain falls.
A short duration answer
*六月まで つづきます* means "It will last till June." A short reply can use *です* or one of its forms instead of the question's verb.
*ROKU-GATSU MADE DESU* means "It'll last till June."
Kanji: 雨, 降
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
Kanji: 今, 年, 半
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 6
ろくがつまでつづきます。ろくがつのなかばごろからやくいちかげつほとんどまいにちあめがふります。
It will last till June. From around the middle of June, for about one month, it will rain almost everyday.
六June月Juneまでuntilつづきlastます。polite六June月Juneの's半ばmiddle頃aroundからfromやくabout一oneか月monthほとんどalmost毎日every day雨rainがsubject降りfallます。polite - 7
ことしもふるでしょうか。
I wonder if it will rain this year, too?
今年this yearもtoo降るrainでしょうprobablyか。question - 8
ええ、ことしもきっとふるでしょう。
I am sure it will rain this year, too.
ええ、yes今年this yearもtooきっとsurely降るrainでしょう。probably - 9
いつごろてんきがよくなりますか。
Around when does the weather get better?
いつ頃about when天気weatherがsubjectよくgoodなりbecomeますpoliteか。question - 10
しちがつのなかばごろよくなります。
It gets better around the middle of July.
七July月Julyの's半ばmiddle頃aroundよくgoodなりbecomeます。polite
- 六
- six
- 半ば
- middle, halfway
- 頃
- approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
- から
- from (See Gram. Notes)
- やく
- approximately (See Grammar Notes)
- 一
- one
- ほとんど
- almost (See Gram. Notes)
- 雨
- rain
- 今年
- this year
- 降る
- to fall (rain) (v.i.)
- でしょう
- probably (See Gram. Notes)
- きっと
- surely
- 七
- seven
Summer heat and flower viewing · Dialogue 3 of 4
What people do
*春に さくらの 花が さくと、 人々は どうしますか* means "When cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, what will people do?"
*どう* is a question word meaning "how or what." In *どうしますか*, it asks what someone does.
For flower viewing
*花見には おべんとうを もって 行くんですか* asks whether people take a box lunch for flower viewing.
In this line, *には* means "for." It identifies the activity for which the box lunch is intended.
- 11
とうきょうのなつはあついですか。
Is the summer in Tokyo hot?
とうきょうTokyoの's夏summerはtopicあついhotですisか。question - 12
ええ、たいへんむしあついです。
Yes, it's very sultry.
ええ、yes大へんveryむしあついsultryです。is - 13
はるにさくらのはながさくと、ひとびとはどうしますか。
When cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, what will people do?
春springにinさくらcherryのcherry blossom花blossomがsubjectさくbloomと、when人々peopleはtopicどうwhatしdoますpoliteか。question - 14
はなみにでかけます。
They go out for flower viewing.
花見flower viewingにforでかけgo outます。polite - 15
はなみにはおべんとうをもっていくんですか。
Do you take a box lunch to flower viewing?
花見flower viewingにtoはtopicおhonorableべんとうbox lunchをobjectもっtake alongてtake along行くtake alongんexplanationですisか。question
- 夏
- summer
- は
- leaves
- あつい
- hot
- 大へん
- very
- むしあつい
- sultry, humid
- さく
- to bloom (v.i.)
- 人々
- people
- し
- city
- 花見
- flower viewing, cherry-blossom viewing
- べんとう
- box lunch
- を
- particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
Planning a flower-viewing outing · Dialogue 4 of 4
An invitation accepted
One speaker proposes a flower-viewing trip. *ええ、 一しょに 行きましょう* accepts the invitation and agrees to go together.
A suitable place
*花見には どこが いいですか* means "Where is good for flower viewing?" The *には* meaning "for" frames the activity.
*じどうしゃの ある 人には はこねが いいでしょう* says Hakone is probably good for people with a car.
- 16
ええ、ごちそうをもっていきます。
Yes, we take an elaborate meal.
ええ、yesごelaborate mealちそうelaborate mealをobjectもっtake alongてtake along行きtake alongます。polite - 17
こんどいっしょにいきませんか。
Let's go together this time.
今度this time一しょtogetherにtogether行きgoませnotんnotか。question - 18
ええ、いっしょにいきましょう。
Yes, let's go.
ええ、yes一しょtogetherにtogether行きgoましょう。let's - 19
はなみにはどこがいいですか。
Where is good for flower viewing?
花見flower viewingにforはtopicどこwhereがsubjectいいgoodですisか。question - 20
そうですね。じどうしゃのあるひとにははこねがいいでしょう。ちかいところではこがねいやうえのこうえんがいいですね。
Let me see. For those who have a car, Hakone is probably good. Among closer places, Koganei and Ueno Park are good.
そうsoですisね。let me seeじどうcarしゃcarの'sあるhave人peopleにforはtopicはこHakoneねHakoneがsubjectいいgoodでしょう。probably近いnearbyところplacesでamongはtopicこがねKoganeiいやKoganei andうえUenoのUenoこうえんparkがsubjectいいgoodですisね。right?
- 今度
- this time, next time
- ましょう。
- let's (See Gram. Notes)
- いい
- good (See Gram. Notes)
- ある
- certain, some
- 人
- people
- 近い
- near, close
- ところ
- place (See Gram. Notes)
- こうえん
- park
Predicting events and conditions · Pattern 1 1 of 3
A probable identity
*その方は 先生でしょう* means "He probably is a teacher." *でしょう* is the conjectural form of *です* and states a guess instead of a fact.
Probable qualities and events
*そとは さむい でしょう* means "It probably is cold outside." *でしょう* follows the plain form of an I-adjective.
It also follows a plain verb form. *今日は 雨は 降らないでしょう* means "It probably won't rain today."
- 21
B.さくらはさんがつにはまださかないでしょう。↓
Cherry blossoms probably won't bloom in March yet.
B.label Bさくらcherry blossomsはtopic三March月Marchにinはtopicまだstill notさかbloomないnotでしょう。↓probably - 22
ことしははやくさくでしょう。↓
They will probably bloom earlier this year.
今年this yearはtopicはやくearlyさくbloomでしょう。↓probably - 23
さくらはさんがつにはまださかないでしょう。↓
Cherry blossoms probably won't bloom in March yet.
さくらcherry blossomsはtopic三March月Marchにinはtopicまだstill notさかbloomないnotでしょう。↓probably - 24
C.そのかたはせんせいでしょう。↓
He probably is a teacher.
C.label Cそのthat方personはtopic先生teacherでしょう。↓probably - 25
そのかたはせんせいでしょう。↓
He probably is a teacher.
そのthat方personはtopic先生teacherでしょう。↓probably - 26
D.そとはさむいでしょう。↓
It probably is cold outside.
D.label Dそとoutsideはtopicさむいcoldでしょう。↓probably - 27
そとはさむいでしょう。↓
It probably is cold outside.
そとoutsideはtopicさむいcoldでしょう。↓probably - 28
きょうはあめはふらないでしょう。
It probably won't rain today.
今日todayはtopic雨rainはtopic降らrainないnotでしょう。probably - 29
スミスさんはたぶんこないでしょう。
Mr. Smith probably won't come.
スミスSmithさんMr.はtopicたprobably分probably来comeないnotでしょう。probably - 30
かないもすぐかえるでしょう。
My wife will probably come home soon, too.
家wifeないwifeもtooすぐsoonかえるcome homeでしょう。probably
- でしょう。↓
- probably (See Gram. Notes)
- そと
- outside
- さむい
- cold
- 今日
- today
- 分
- minute
- 家
- house, home
- すぐ
- right away, immediately
Asking about likely outcomes · Pattern 1 2 of 3
A question about probability
*スミスさんは さかなを たべるでしょうか* asks "Will Mr. Smith probably eat fish?" The answer *ええ、 たべるでしょう* means "Yes, he probably will."
The probable statement with *でしょう* becomes a question when *か* follows it.
For the students
*この かん字は 生徒には むずかしいでしょうか* asks whether the kanji will probably be difficult for the students.
The *には* meaning "for" identifies the people who may find it difficult.
- 31
それはこどもにはすこしおおきいでしょう。
That is probably a little big for a child.
それthatはtopic子供childにforはtopic少しa little大きいbigでしょう。probably - 32
あしたはあめがふるでしょう。
It will probably rain tomorrow.
明日tomorrowはtopic雨rainがsubject降るrainでしょう。probably - 33
スミスさんはさかなをたべるでしょうか。
Will Mr. Smith probably eat fish?
スミスSmithさんMr.はtopicさかなfishをobjectたべるeatでしょうprobablyか。question - 34
ええ、たべるでしょう。
Yes, he probably will.
ええ、yesたべるeatでしょう。probably - 35
あしたはあめがふるでしょうか。
Will it probably rain tomorrow?
明日tomorrowはtopic雨rainがsubject降るrainでしょうprobablyか。question - 36
いいえ、あしたはあめはふらないでしょう。
No, it probably won't rain tomorrow.
いいえ、no明日tomorrowはtopic雨rainはtopic降らrainないnotでしょう。probably - 37
このかんじはせいとにはむずかしいでしょうか。
Will this kanji probably be difficult for the students?
このthisかん字kanjiはtopic生徒studentsにforはtopicむずかしいdifficultでしょうprobablyか。question - 38
ええ、せいとにはすこしむずかしいでしょう。
Yes, it will probably be a little difficult for the students.
ええ、yes生徒studentsにforはtopic少しa littleむずかしいdifficultでしょう。probably - 39
あしたはらいます。
I will pay tomorrow.
明日tomorrowはらいpayます。polite - 40
らいしゅうきます。
I will come next week.
来週next week来comeます。polite
- 少し
- little (quantity)
- 明日
- tomorrow
- むずかしい
- difficult
- 来週
- next week
Everyday verbs in plain forms · Pattern 1 3 of 3
Polite verbs in daily use
*日本語を はなしません* means "I don't speak Japanese." *たべました* means "I ate."
*かえりますか* means "Will you go home?" These lines use polite negative, past, nonpast, and question forms.
- 41
にほんごをはなしません。
I don't speak Japanese.
日本Japanese語Japaneseをobjectはなしspeakませnot, politeん。not, polite - 42
おべんとうをもってきます。
I will bring a boxed lunch.
おboxed lunchべんとうboxed lunchをobjectもっbringてbring来bringます。polite - 43
よくわかりません。
I don't understand very well.
よくvery wellわかりunderstandませnot, politeん。not, polite - 44
はちじごろはじまります。
It begins around eight o'clock.
八eight o'clock時eight o'clock頃aroundはじまりbeginます。polite - 45
たべました。
I ate.
たべeatましdid, politeた。did, polite - 46
よくべんきょうしません。
I don't study much.
よくmuchべんきょうstudyしdoませnot, politeん。not, polite - 47
かえりますか。
Will you go home?
かえりgo homeますpoliteか。question - 48
かぜがふきます。
The wind blows.
かぜwindがsubjectふきblowます。polite
- 八
- eight
- 時
- time
- かぜ
- wind
Making offers and suggestions · Pattern 2 1 of 3
An invitation to act
*町へ 行きましょう* means "Let's go to town." *ましょう* is the conjectural form of *ます* and can invite joint action.
It follows a verb's conjunctive ending, as in *行きましょう*.
A suggestion or an offer
*まどを しめましょうか* can suggest closing the window together or offer to close it. Context determines which meaning applies.
*私が しましょうか* means "Shall I do it?" The subject *私が* makes this question an offer.
- 49
A.まどをしめましょうか。
Shall I close the window?" or "Shall we close the window?
A.speaker Aまどwindowをobjectしめcloseましょうshallか。question - 50
まどをしめましょうか。
Shall I close the window?" or "Shall we close the window?
まどwindowをobjectしめcloseましょうshallか。question - 51
B.まちへいきましょう。
Let's go to town.
B.speaker B町townへtoward行きgoましょう。let's - 52
まちへいきましょう。
Let's go to town.
町townへtoward行きgoましょう。let's - 53
わたくしがしましょうか。
Shall I do it?
私Iがsubjectしdoましょうshallか。question - 54
わたくしがいきましょうか。
Shall I go?
私Iがsubject行きgoましょうshallか。question - 55
いっしょにたべましょうか。
Shall we eat together?
一しょtogetherにtogetherたべeatましょうshallか。question - 56
もうやすみましょう。
Let's rest now.
もうnowやすみrestましょう。let's - 57
きょうははやくかえりましょう。
Let's go home early today.
今日todayはtopicはやくearlyかえりgo homeましょう。let's
- ましょう
- let's (See Gram. Notes)
- 町
- town
- へ
- to (See Gram. Notes)
Accepting invitations and offers · Pattern 2 2 of 3
Two kinds of acceptance
*明日 一しょに サンフランシスコへ 行きましょうか* suggests going together. *ええ、 一しょに 行きましょう* accepts the suggestion.
*まどを あけましょうか* offers to open the window. *はい、 まどを あけてください* accepts with a request: "Yes, please open the window."
- 58
もうすこしべんきょうしましょう。
Let's study a little more.
もうmore少しa littleべんきょうstudyしdoましょう。let's - 59
あしたいっしょにサンフランシスコへいきましょうか。
Shall we go to San Francisco together tomorrow?
明日tomorrow一しょtogetherにtogetherサンフランシスコSan Franciscoへtoward行きgoましょうshallか。question - 60
ええ、いっしょにいきましょう。
Yes, let's go together.
ええ、yes一しょtogetherにtogether行きgoましょう。let's - 61
まどをあけましょうか。
Shall I open the window?
まどwindowをobjectあけopenましょうshallか。question - 62
はい、まどをあけてください。
Yes, please open the window.
はい、yesまどwindowをobjectあけopenてpleaseください。please - 63
さあ、はじめましょうか。
Well then, shall we begin?
さあ、well thenはじめbeginましょうshallか。question - 64
はい、はじめましょう。
Yes, let's begin.
はい、yesはじめbeginましょう。let's - 65
たくさんかいます。
I buy a lot.
沢山a lot買いbuyます。polite - 66
はやくあるきます。
I walk quickly.
はやくquicklyあるきwalkます。polite
- サンフランシスコ
- San Francisco
- ください。
- please give me (See Gram. Notes)
- はじめ
- beginning
Everyday actions and clothing · Pattern 2 3 of 3
Actions and clothing
*ここに こしかけます* describes taking a seat here. The verbs also describe movement, repair, play, walking, and clothing.
*ぼうしを かぶって 行きます* means "I put on a hat and go." *きものを きます* means "I wear a kimono."
- 67
いすをなおします。
I repair the chair.
いすchairをobjectなおしrepairます。polite - 68
いっしょにあそびます。
We play together.
一しょtogetherにtogetherあそびplayます。polite - 69
ここにこしかけます。
I sit down here.
ここhereにatこしかけsit downます。polite - 70
もってくる。
To bring it.
もっbringてbring来る。bring - 71
さんぽします。
I take a walk.
さんぽa walkしdoます。polite - 72
ぼうしをかぶっていきます。
I put on a hat and go.
ぼうしhatをobjectかぶっput onてand行きgoます。polite - 73
たちます。
I stand up.
たちstand upます。polite - 74
きものをきます。
I wear a kimono.
きものkimonoをobjectきwearます。polite
- ここ
- here
- さんぽ
- strolling
- きもの
- KIMONO
- き
- counter for airplanes (See Gram. Notes)
Conditions involving rain and study · Pattern 3 1 of 2
The subject inside a condition
*雨が 降ると、 私は はたらきません* means "When it rains, I don't work."
The particle *が* marks the subject of the dependent clause. The particle *は* marks the subject of the main clause.
The subject inside a time clause
*あなたが そのえを 見ている 時に、 私は この本を 買いました* means "While you were looking at that picture, I bought this book."
*あなたが* is the dependent clause's subject. *私は* is the main clause's subject.
- 75
A.あめがふると、みちがわるくなります。
When it rains, the road becomes bad.
A.speaker A雨rainがsubject降るrainsと、when道roadがsubjectわるくbadなりbecomeます。polite - 76
あめがふると、みちがわるくなります。
When it rains, the road becomes bad.
雨rainがsubject降るrainsと、when道roadがsubjectわるくbadなりbecomeます。polite - 77
B.あめがふるときには、たいていかぜがふきます。
When it rains, usually the wind blows.
B.speaker B雨rainがsubject降るrains時whenにwhenは、topic大ていusuallyかぜwindがsubjectふきblowます。polite - 78
あめがふるときには、たいていかぜがふきます。
When it rains, usually the wind blows.
雨rainがsubject降るrains時whenにwhenは、topic大ていusuallyかぜwindがsubjectふきblowます。polite - 79
あめがふると、わたくしははたらきません。
When it rains, I don't work.
雨rainがsubject降るrainsと、when私Iはtopicはたらきworkませnot, politeん。not, polite - 80
あなたがべんきょうしないと、ほかのせいともべんきょうしません。
If you don't study, the other students won't study either.
あなたyouがsubjectべんきょうstudyしdoないnotと、if外otherのof生徒studentsもalsoべんきょうstudyしdoませnot, politeん。not, polite - 81
あなたがそのえをみているときに、わたくしはこのほんをかいました。
While you were looking at that picture, I bought this book.
あなたyouがsubjectそのthatえpictureをobject見were lookingてwere lookingいるwere looking時whileに、while私Iはtopicこのthis本bookをobject買いbuyましdid, politeた。did, polite
- 道
- road, street
- 本
- numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
Conditions involving home and blossoms · Pattern 3 2 of 2
One subject in each clause
*先生が はやく はなすと、 生徒は わかりませんか* means "When the teacher speaks quickly, don't the students understand?"
*が* for a dependent clause subject marks *先生*. *は* for a main clause subject marks *生徒*.
Kanji: 雪
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 82
ゆきがふっているときには、わたくしはいえのなかにいます。
When it is snowing, I stay inside the house.
雪snowがsubject降っis snowingてis snowingいるis snowing時whenにwhenは、topic私Iはtopic家houseのof中insideにin居stayます。polite - 83
おくさんがいえにいないときには、あなたはどこでたべますか。
When your wife is not at home, where do you eat?
おくwifeさんwifeがsubject家homeにat居beないnot時whenにwhenは、topicあなたyouはtopicどこwhereでatたべeatますpoliteか。question - 84
たいていまちでたべます。
I usually eat in town.
大ていusually町townでinたべeatます。polite - 85
さくらのはながさくと、ひとびとはどうしますか。
When the cherry blossoms bloom, what do people do?
さくらcherryのof花blossomsがsubjectさくbloomと、when人々peopleはtopicどうwhatしdoますpoliteか。question - 86
はなみにいきます。
They go to see the cherry blossoms.
花見cherry blossom viewingにto行きgoます。polite - 87
せんせいがはやくはなすと、せいとはわかりませんか。
When the teacher speaks quickly, don't the students understand?
先生teacherがsubjectはやくquicklyはなすspeaksと、when生徒studentsはtopicわかりunderstandませnot, politeんnot, politeか。question - 88
はい、わかりません。
No, they don't understand.
はい、noわかりunderstandませnot, politeん。not, polite
- 雪
- snow
Going places for a purpose · Pattern 4 1 of 2
Going out for an activity
*私は 花見に でかけます* means "I go out for flower viewing." The particle *に* marks the purpose of going out.
A verbal noun such as *花見* or *さんぽ* stands before *に*.
Going somewhere to act
*私は 町へ くつを 買いに 行きます* means "I go to town to buy shoes."
With a verb, *に* follows its conjunctive form. Here *買いに* states the purpose, and *行きます* gives the movement.
- 89
A.わたくしははなみにでかけます。
I go out for flower viewing.
A.A私Iはtopic花見flower viewingにforでかけgo outます。polite - 90
わたくしははなみにでかけます。
I go out for flower viewing.
私Iはtopic花見flower viewingにforでかけgo outます。polite - 91
B.わたくしはまちへくつをかいにいきます。
I go to town to buy shoes.
B.B私Iはtopic町townへtowardくつshoesをobject買いbuyにto行きgoます。polite - 92
わたくしはまちへくつをかいにいきます。
I go to town to buy shoes.
私Iはtopic町townへtowardくつshoesをobject買いbuyにto行きgoます。polite - 93
わたくしはさんぽにでかけます。
I go out for a walk.
私Iはtopicさんぽwalkにforでかけgo outます。polite - 94
がっこうへべんきょうにいきます。
I go to school to study.
がっこうschoolへtowardべんきょうstudyにto行きgoます。polite - 95
わたくしはまいにちいえへひるはんをたべにかえります。
I go home every day to eat lunch.
私Iはtopic毎日every day家homeへtowardひるlunchはんlunchをobjectたべeatにtoかえりreturnます。polite - 96
こんばんともだちのいえへあそびにいきます。
I am going to a friend's house to visit tonight.
今tonightばんtonightともだちfriendの's家houseへtowardあそびvisitにto行きgoます。polite
- くつ
- shoes
- ばん
- evening, night
- ともだち
- friend
Coming and going for purposes · Pattern 4 2 of 2
The purpose of coming and going
*あなたは この 学校へ 何を しに 来ましたか* asks what someone came to the school to do. *私は べんきょうを しに 来ました* answers "I came to study."
*くつを 買いに 行くんです* means "I am going to buy shoes." The purpose phrase *買いに* stands before *行くんです*.
- 97
ともだちがあたらしいじどうしゃをみせにきました。
A friend came to show me a new car.
ともだちfriendがsubjectあたらしいnewじどうcarしゃcarをobject見せshowにto来comeましdid, politeた。did, polite - 98
あなたはこのがっこうへなにをしにきましたか。
What did you come to this school to do?
あなたyouはtopicこのthis学校schoolへtoward何whatをobjectしdoにto来comeましdid, politeたpastか。question - 99
わたくしはべんきょうをしにきました。
I came to study.
私Iはtopicべんきょうstudyをobjectしdoにto来comeましdid, politeた。did, polite - 100
あなたはこんばんなにをしますか。
What are you going to do tonight?
あなたyouはtopic今tonightばんtonight何whatをobjectしdoますpoliteか。question - 101
がっこうへよしゅうにいきます。
I am going to school to prepare for class.
学校schoolへtowardよprepare for classしゅうprepare for classにto行きgoます。polite - 102
いまからどこへいくんですか。
Where are you going now?
今nowからfromどこwhereへtoward行くgoんexplanationですisか。question - 103
くつをかいにいくんです。
I am going to buy shoes.
くつshoesをobject買いbuyにto行くgoんexplanationです。is
- あたらしい
- new
- しゅう
- state
Spring blossoms and flower viewing · Reading Selection 1 of 3
Spring flowers and flower viewing
The passage moves from warmer March weather to cherry blossoms in early April. *花が さくと* means "When the flowers bloom."
*人々は べんとうを もって 花見に 行きます* says people take box lunches and go to see the flowers.
The purpose phrase *花見に 行きます* states that they go for flower viewing.
- 104
にほんでいちばんさむいつきはにがつですが、さんがつのなかばに
The coldest month in Japan is February, but in the middle of March
日本Japanでin一番mostさむいcold月monthはtopic二February月Februaryですisが、but三March月Marchのof半ばmiddleにin - 105
なるとあたたかくなります。
it becomes warm.
なるbecomesとwhenあたたかくwarmなりbecomeます。polite - 106
そしてさんがつのおわりごろには
And around the end of March,
そしてand三March月Marchのofおわりend頃aroundにatはtopic - 107
いろいろのはながさきます。
various flowers bloom.
いろいろvariousのof花flowersがsubjectさきbloomます。polite - 108
とうきょうではたいてい
In Tokyo, usually
とうきょうTokyoでinはtopic大ていusually - 109
しがつのはじめにさくらのはながさきます。
the cherry blossoms bloom at the beginning of April.
四April月Aprilのofはじめbeginningにatさくらcherryのof花flowersがsubjectさきbloomます。polite - 110
はながさくと
When the flowers bloom,
花flowersがsubjectさくbloomとwhen - 111
ひとびとはべんとうをもってはなみにいきます。
people take box lunches and go to see the flowers.
人々peopleはtopicべんとうbox lunchesをobjectもっtakeてand花見flower viewingにfor行きgoます。polite
- 一番
- number one (See Grammar Notes)
- 二
- two
- が、
- but (See Gram. Notes)
- と
- and (See Gram. Notes)
- おわり
- end
- 四
- four
Rainy season and summer escapes · Reading Selection 2 of 3
Rain before summer heat
The passage follows spring weather into the rainy season and humid summer. *六月に なると 雨が 沢山 降ります* means "When June comes, it rains a lot."
*ほとんど 毎日 降ります* means "It rains almost every day."
By the middle of July, the weather becomes hot and humid, so people go to the sea or the mountains.
Kanji: 海
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 112
たくさんの
Many
沢山manyのof - 113
ひとびとはうえのこうえんやこがねいやはこねにいきます。
people go to Ueno Park, Koganei, and Hakone.
人々peopleはtopicうえUenoのUenoこうえんparkやandこがねKoganeiいやandはHakoneこねHakoneにto行きgoます。polite - 114
さんがつ、しがつ、ごがつはてんきがよくてあったかいです。
In March, April, and May, the weather is good and warm.
三March月、March四April月、April五May月Mayはtopic天気weatherがsubjectよくgoodてandあったかいwarmです。is - 115
ろくがつになるとあめがたくさんふります。
When June comes, it rains a lot.
六June月Juneにinなるcomesとwhen雨rainがsubject沢山a lot降りfallます。polite - 116
たいていいっかげつぐらい
Usually, for about one month,
大ていusually一one monthか月one monthぐらいabout - 117
ほとんどまいにちふります。
it rains almost every day.
ほとんどalmost毎日every day降りrainます。polite - 118
しちがつのなかばにはてんきが
By the middle of July, the weather
七July月Julyのof半ばmiddleにbyはtopic天気weatherがsubject - 119
むしあつくなりますから、ひとびとはうみややまへでかけます。
becomes hot and humid, so people go to the sea or the mountains.
むしあつくhot and humidなりbecomeますpoliteから、because人々peopleはtopic海seaやor山mountainsへtowardでかけgo outます。polite
- や
- and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
- 月、
- moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
- 五
- five
- あったかい
- warm
- です。
- to be (See Gram. Notes)
- ぐらい
- about
- 海
- sea, ocean
- 山
- mountain
Autumn leaves and winter skiing · Reading Selection 3 of 3
From autumn coolness to winter snow
The passage moves from cooler September weather to red leaves and winter snow. *木の はが あかく なります* means "The leaves on the trees turn red."
*人々は スキーに 行きます* says people go skiing because much snow falls in the mountains.
The purpose phrase *スキーに 行きます* states that they go to ski.
- 120
そして
And
そしてand - 121
くがつごろすずしくなってからかえります。
they return after it becomes cool around September.
九September月September頃aroundすずしくcoolなっbecomeてandからafterかえりreturnます。polite - 122
じゅういちがつにはもう
By November,
十November一November月Novemberにbyはtopicもうalready - 123
きのはがあかくなります。
the leaves on the trees turn red.
木treesのofはleavesがsubjectあかくredなりbecomeます。polite - 124
それからはつめたいかぜが
After that, a cold wind
それthatからafterはtopicつめたいcoldかぜwindがsubject - 125
ふいてとてもさむくなります。
blows, and it becomes very cold.
ふいblowsてandとてもveryさむくcoldなりbecomeます。polite - 126
やまにはゆきがたくさんふり
A lot of snow falls in the mountains,
山mountainsにinはtopic雪snowがsubject沢山a lot降りfalls - 127
ますから、ひとびとはスキーにいきます。
so people go skiing.
ますpoliteから、because人々peopleはtopicスキーskiingにfor行きgoます。polite
- 九
- nine
- 十
- ten
- 木
- tree, wood
- つめたい
- cold (not weather)
- とても
- very, indeed
- スキー
- ski
Asking about spring in Japan · Questions 1 of 2
Spring changes and flower viewing
These questions ask when Japan becomes warm, when flowers bloom, and where people view them.
*花が さくと、 人々は どうしますか* means "When the flowers bloom, what do people do?" An answer states their action, such as going for flower viewing.
- 128
にほんでいちばんさむいのはなんがつでしょうか。
What month is probably the coldest in Japan?
日本Japanでin一番mostさむいcoldのoneはtopic何what月monthでしょうprobablyか。question - 129
いつごろあったかくなりますか。
Around when does it become warm?
いつ頃around whenあったかくwarmなりbecomeますpoliteか。question - 130
とうきょうでははながさくのはいつごろですか。
Around when do the flowers bloom in Tokyo?
とうきょうTokyoでinはtopic花flowersがsubjectさくbloomのoneはtopicいつ頃around whenですisか。question - 131
はながさくと、ひとびとはどうしますか。
When the flowers bloom, what do people do?
花flowersがsubjectさくbloomと、when人々peopleはtopicどうwhatしdoますpoliteか。question - 132
たくさんのひとびとはどこへはなみにいきますか。
Where do many people go to see the flowers?
沢山manyのof人々peopleはtopicどこwhereへtoward花見flower viewingにfor行きgoますpoliteか。question - 133
にほんでははるにはてんきがいいですか。
Is the weather good in spring in Japan?
日本Japanでinはtopic春springにinはtopic天気weatherがsubjectいいgoodですisか。question
Asking about later seasonal changes · Questions 2 of 2
From rain to winter snow
These questions move from the rainy season through summer heat, autumn leaves, and winter snow.
*山に 雪が 沢山 降ると、 人々は どうしますか* means "When much snow falls in the mountains, what do people do?"
An answer gives what people do under that condition.
- 134
いつごろおてんきはわるくなりますか。
Around when does the weather become bad?
いつ頃around whenおhonored天気weatherはtopicわるくbadなりbecomeますpoliteか。question - 135
そのときにはあめがたくさんふりますか。
Does it rain a lot then?
そのthat時timeにatはtopic雨rainがsubject沢山a lot降りfallますpoliteか。question - 136
いつごろからむしあつくなりますか。
Around when does it start to become hot and humid?
いつ頃around whenからfromむしあつくhot and humidなりbecomeますpoliteか。question - 137
むしあつくなると、ひとびとはどうしますか。
When it becomes hot and humid, what do people do?
むしあつくhot and humidなるbecomesと、when人々peopleはtopicどうwhatしdoますpoliteか。question - 138
あきにはきのはがどうなりますか。
What happens to the leaves on the trees in autumn?
秋autumnにinはtopic木のはtree leavesがsubjectどうwhatなりbecomeますpoliteか。question - 139
やまにゆきがたくさんふると、ひとびとはどうしますか。
When a lot of snow falls in the mountains, what do people do?
山mountainsにin雪snowがsubject沢山a lot降るfallsと、when人々peopleはtopicどうwhatしdoますpoliteか。question
- 秋
- autumn, fall
Seasons, weather and nature · Word list 1 of 4
The seasons and the natural world
These entries name seasons, blossoms, flower viewing, weather, natural features, and people.
*四き* means "four seasons." *さくら* means "cherry tree or cherry blossom," and *花見* means "flower viewing or cherry-blossom viewing."
- 140
しき
four seasons
四きfour seasons - 141
さくら
cherry tree, cherry blossom
さくらcherry blossoms - 142
はなみ
flower viewing, cherry-blossom viewing
花見flower viewing - 143
てんき
weather
天気weather - 144
あめ
rain
雨rain - 145
ゆき
snow
雪snow - 146
なかば
middle, halfway
半ばmiddle - 147
かぜ
wind
かぜwind - 148
うみ
sea, ocean
海sea - 149
は
leaves
はleaves - 150
ひとびと
people
人々people
- 四き
- four seasons
Outdoor activities and weather verbs · Word list 2 of 4
Activities and weather verbs
These entries cover outdoor activities and verbs for continuing, precipitation, blowing, and setting out.
*降る* means "to fall" for rain. *雨が 降る* means "to rain," and *雪が 降る* means "to snow."
- 151
べんとう
box lunch
べんとうbox lunch - 152
ごちそう
feast
ごちそうfeast - 153
スキー
ski
スキーski - 154
ことし
this year
今年this year - 155
こうえん
park
こうえんpark - 156
つづく
to last, continue
つづくcontinue - 157
ふる
to fall (rain) (v.i.)
降るfall - 158
あめがふる
to rain
雨が降るrain - 159
ゆきがふる
to snow
雪が降るsnow - 160
ふく
to blow (v.i.)
ふくblow - 161
でかける
to go out, set out (v.i.)
でかけるgo out
- ごちそう
- feast
- つづく
- to last, continue
- 雨が降る
- to rain
- 雪が降る
- to snow
- ふく
- to blow (v.i.)
- でかける
- to go out, set out (v.i.)
Degree and time adverbs · Word list 3 of 4
Degree and time
These entries describe degree, gradual change, certainty, time, and shared action. They also include words used in short replies and phrases meaning "for."
*だんだん* means "gradually or step by step." *ほとんど* means "almost," and *きっと* means "surely."
- 162
むしあつい
sultry, humid
むしあついhumid - 163
つめたい
cold (not weather)
つめたいcold - 164
ずいぶん
very much
ずい分very much - 165
だんだん
gradually, step by step
だんだんgradually - 166
もう
soon, before long
もうsoon - 167
ほとんど
almost (See Gram. Notes)
ほとんどalmost - 168
きっと
surely
きっとsurely - 169
とても
extremely, very much
とてもextremely - 170
いっしょに
together
一しょにtogether - 171
には
for (See Grammar Notes)
にはfor - 172
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ですis
- 一しょに
- together
- には
- for (See Grammar Notes)
Seasons, weather and probability · Word list 4 of 4
Weather, probability, and invitations
These entries combine seasonal weather statements with probability, invitations, and asking what someone does.
*でしょう* means "probably," and *ましょう* means "Let's." *今年は はやく さくでしょう* predicts that the blossoms will probably bloom earlier this year.
- 173
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
でしょうprobably - 174
ましょう
let's (See Gram. Notes)
ましょうlet's - 175
どうしますか
What does one do? (See Grammar Notes)
どうしますかwhat does one do - 176
スキーはできません
(I) can't ski.
スキーはできませんI can't ski - 177
なつにはたくさんのひとがうみややまへいきます。
In summer, many people go to the sea and the mountains.
夏には沢山の人が海や山へ行きます。summer trips to nature - 178
あきにはやまのこのはがあかくなって、とてもきれいです。
In autumn, tree leaves become red, and they are very pretty.
秋には山の木のはがあかくなって、とてもきれいです。autumn leaves turn red - 179
ふゆにはつめたいかぜがふいて、さむいです。
In winter, cold wind blows and it's cold.
冬にはつめたいかぜがふいて、さむいです。cold winter wind blows - 180
とうきょうでは、ふゆにゆきはあまりふりません。
In Tokyo, it doesn't snow too much in winter.
とうきょうでは、冬に雪はあまり降りません。Tokyo gets little snow - 181
やまへいくと、ゆきがたくさんありますから、スキーができます。
When you go to the mountains, there is much snow, so you can ski.
山へ行くと、雪が沢山ありますから、スキーができます。snow enables mountain skiing - 182
A.ことしははやくさくでしょう。↓
They will probably bloom earlier this year.
A.今年ははやくさくでしょう。↓early bloom this year
- どうしますか
- What does one do? (See Grammar Notes)
- スキーはできません
- (I) can't ski.
- 夏には沢山の人が海や山へ行きます。
- "In summer, many people go to the sea and the mountains."
- 秋には山の木のはがあかくなって、とてもきれいです。
- "In autumn, tree leaves become red, and they are very pretty."
- 冬にはつめたいかぜがふいて、さむいです。
- "In winter, cold wind blows and it's cold."
- とうきょうでは、冬に雪はあまり降りません。
- "In Tokyo, it doesn't snow too much in winter."
- 山へ行くと、雪が沢山ありますから、スキーができます。
- "When you go to the mountains, there is much snow, so you can ski."
- A.今年ははやくさくでしょう。↓
- "They will probably bloom earlier this year."
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