Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 29

Lesson 29

Sounds, kana, and the first conversations

257 lines

Writing letters in Japanese · Dialogue 1 of 6

Writing a letter

One person asks how often the other writes letters and which language he uses. *えい語で 書くのは むずかしいから、 日本語で 書きます* means "I write in Japanese because writing in English is difficult."

In *えい語で 書くのは むずかしい*, *の* makes writing the activity judged difficult.

What is needed

*手紙を 書く 時には 何が いりますか* means "What do you need when you write letters?" Here *いる* means "to be needed."

The needed thing takes *が* or *は*. *びんせんが いります* means "I need letter paper."

Kanji: 紙

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

Kanji: 書

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

  1. 1

    あなたはたびたびてがみをかきますか。

    Do you write letters often?

    あなたyou
    はtopic
    たびたびoften
    手紙letters
    をobject
    書きwrite
    ますpolite
    か。question
  2. 2

    いっしゅうかんにいっつうぐらいかきます。

    I write about one a week.

  3. 3

    えいごでかきますか。

    Do you write in English?

  4. 4

    いいえ、えいごでかくのはむずかしいから、にほんごでかきます。

    No, I write in Japanese because to write in English is difficult.

  5. 5

    てがみをかくときにはなにがいりますか。

    What do you need when you write letters?

  6. 6

    びんせんがいります。

    I need letter paper.

-TEMO II DESU

1. -TEMO II DESU

The expression II DESU means 'it's all right' or 'it doesn't matter.'

a. An affirmative TE form plus MO II DESU is an expression used in requesting and granting permission, e.g.,

EIGO DE HANASHITE MO II DESU KA.

"May I speak in English?"

(Lit: Is it all right even if I speak in English?)

EIGO DE HANASHITE MO II DESU.

"You may speak in English."

(Lit: It's all right even if you speak in English.)

MOO KAETTE MO II DESU KA.

"May I go home now?"

(Lit: Is it all right even if I go home now?)

MOO KAETTE MO II DESU.

"You may go home now."

(Lit: It's all right even if you go home now.)

MOO SUKOSHI TABETE MO II DESU KA.

"May I eat a little more?"

TABETE MO II DESU.

"You may eat."

b. A negative TE form plus MO II DESU or MO YOROSHII DESU or MO KAMAIMASEN is an expression used in requesting and granting permission not to do so-and-so, e.g.,

NIHONGO DE HANASANAKUTE MO II DESU KA.

"Is it all right even if I don't speak in Japanese?"

NIHONGO DE HANASANAKUTE MO II DESU.

"You need not speak in Japanese."

(Lit: It's all right even if you don't speak in Japanese.)

IKANAKUTE MO II DESU KA.

"Is it all right even if I don't go?"

IKANAKUTE MO II DESU.

"You need not go."

SHINAKUTE MO II DESU KA.

"Is it all right even if I don't do it?"

SHINAKUTE MO II DESU.

"You need not do it."

YOKUNAKUTE MO II DESU KA.

"Is it all right even if it isn't good?"

YOKUNAKUTE MO II DESU.

"It's all right even if it isn't good."

ATARASHIKU NAKUTE MO II DESU KA.

"Is it all right even if it isn't new?"

ATARASHIKU NAKUTE MO II DESU.

"It doesn't have to be new."
--TE WA IKEMASEN

2. --TE WA IKEMASEN

The word IKEMASEN (formal) or IKENAI (informal) means 'it won't do.'

a. The pattern 'affirmative -TE form of a verb plus WA IKEMASEN' is an expression of prohibition meaning '(you) must not do so-and-so,' e.g.,

EIGO DE HANASHITE WA IKEMASEN.

"You mustn't speak in English."

MADA KAETTE WA IKEMASEN.

"You mustn't go home yet."

AMMARI TAKUSAN TABETE WA IKEMASEN.

"You mustn't eat too much."

KONO HEYA NI HAITTE WA IKEMASEN.

"You mustn't enter this room."

DOKO E MO ITTE WA IKEMASEN.

"You mustn't go anywhere."

b. The construction 'negative -TE form of a verb plus WA IKEMASEN is an expression of obligation meaning '(I) must or have to do so-and-so,' e.g.,

MAINICHI GAKKOO E IKANAKUTE WA IKEMASEN.

"I must go to school everyday."

YUUHAN O TABENAKUTE WA IKEMASEN.

"I must have supper."

KORE O SHINAKUTE WA IKEMASEN.

"I must do this."
Verb plus HOO 'alternative'

3. Verb plus HOO 'alternative'

a. The use of the word HOO 'alternative, direction, side,' occurring after a noun plus NO in expressions of comparison has already been introduced, e.g.,

JIBIKI NO HOO GA ATSUI DESU.

"The dictionary is thicker."

b. The informal non-past of a verb plus HOO GA plus II 'is good' means 'it's better to do so-and-so,' e.g.,

IKU HOO GA II DESU.

"It's better to go."

IKANAI HOO GA II DESU.

"It's better not to go."

HAYAKU KAERU HOO GA II DESU.

"It's better to go home early."

HAYAKU KAERANAI HOO GA II DESU.

"It's better not to go home early."

ASHITA KAU HOO GA II DESU.

"It's better to buy it tomorrow."

ASHITA KAWANAI HOO GA II DESU.

"It's better not to buy it tomorrow."
Informal non-past verb plus NO 'act'

4. Informal non-past verb plus NO 'act'

a. The use of NO 'one, ones' occurring after a modifying expression has already been introduced, e.g.,

CHIISAI NO O KUDASAI.

"Please give me a small one."

NIHONGO GA JOOZU NA NO WA BURAUN-SAN DESU.

"The one who is good in Japanese is Mr. Brown."

KINOO KATTA NO WA KORE DESU.

"The one I bought yesterday is this."

b. Occurring after the informal non-past form of a verb, NO 'act' changes the verb to the corresponding noun or the clause containing the verb to a noun clause, e.g.,

ARUKU NO WA KIRAI DESU.

"I don't like walking."

(Lit: The act of walking is displeasing.)

ASA HAYAKU OKIRU NO GA SUKI DESU.

"I like to get up early in the morning."

NIHONGO O NARAU NO WA MUZUKASHII DESU KA.

"Is it difficult to learn Japanese?"

TANAKA-SAN GA NIHONGO O OSHIETE IRU NO O MIMASHITA.

"I saw Mr. Tanaka teaching Japanese."
IRU 'is needed, is necessary'

5. IRU 'is needed, is necessary'

The word IRU is an intransitive verb meaning 'is needed' or 'is necessary.' Therefore, what is needed or necessary is indicated by the particle GA or WA. It is also a consonant verb, and its inflection is like that of the verb TORU 'take.'

Examples:

NANI GA IRIMASU KA.

"What do you need?"

(Lit: What is needed?)

II JIBIKI GA IRIMASU.

"I need a good dictionary."

SENSEI WA IRANAI N DESU KA.

"Don't you need a teacher?"

SENSEI WA IRIMASEN.

"I don't need a teacher."
は
leaves
たびたび
often, frequently
手紙
letter (correspondence)
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
ます
trout
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
一
one
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
ぐらい
about
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
の
See Grammar Notes
むずかしい
difficult
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
時
time
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
びんせん
letter paper

Addressing American and Japanese envelopes · Dialogue 2 of 6

The front and back of an envelope

The speakers compare Japanese and American envelopes. *ふうとうの うらに 書きます* says that Japanese sender information goes on the back.

In America it goes on the upper left corner of the front. *うらに 書いては いけませんか* asks whether writing it on the back is disallowed.

Kanji: 入, 名, 自, 左

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

Kanji: 出

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

  1. 7

    てがみはなににいれてだしますか。

    What do you mail the letter in?

  2. 8

    ふうとうにいれてだします。ふうとうのおもてにあてなをかきます。

    I put it in an envelope and mail it. I write ATENA on the front of the envelope.

  3. 9

    にほんでは、じぶんのところとなまえは、どこにかきますか。

    In Japan where do you write your own name and address?

  4. 10

    ふうとうのうらにかきます。アメリカでは、どこにかきますか。

    We write them on the back of an envelope, where do you write them in America?

  5. 11

    アメリカでは、ふうとうのおもてのひだりのうえのすみにかきます。

    In America we write them on the upper left corner of the front of an envelope.

  6. 12

    うらにかいてはいけませんか。

    Should you not write on the back?

ふうとう
envelope
おもて
front
あて名
addressee's name and address
自分
self
所
address, place
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
うら
back, reverse side
アメリカ
America; U.S.A.
すみ
inside corner

Stamps, postcards and postage · Dialogue 3 of 6

Stamps and postcards

The speakers discuss where to write sender information and when a stamp is required. Ordinary mail costs fifteen yen up to twenty-five grams.

Permission and a better choice

*うらに 書いても いいですが、 おもてに 書く方が いいです* means "You may write on the back, but it is better to write on the front."

*切手を はらなくても いいですね* says that a postcard does not require a stamp. *切手を はらなくてはいけません* says that a picture postcard does.

Kanji: 右, 切

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

  1. 13

    うらにかいてもいいですが、おもてにかくほうがいいです。

    You may write on the back, but it's better to write on the front.

  2. 14

    そうですか。それでは、きってをみぎのうえのすみにはらなくてはいけませんね。

    Is that right? In that case, you have to affix the stamp on the upper right corner, don't you?

  3. 15

    そうです。はがきにはきってをはらなくてもいいですね。

    That's right. You don't have to affix stamps on post cards, do you?

  4. 16

    そうです。でも、えはがきにはきってをはらなくてはいけません。

    That's right, but you have to affix stamps on picture post cards.

  5. 17

    にほんではてがみはいくらかかりますか。

    In Japan, how much do letters cost?

  6. 18

    ふつうゆうびんでは、にじゅうごグラムまでがじゅうごえんで、えはがきはななえんです。

    For ordinary mail, it's 15 yen up to 25 grams, picture post cards cost 7 yen.

いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
は、
leaves
切手
postage stamp
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
いくら
how much? how many?
ゆうびん
postal service
二十
20
五
five
グラム
gram
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
十
ten
円
yen (unit of money)
七
seven

Special delivery and mailboxes · Dialogue 4 of 6

Two ways to mail a letter

Domestic airmail is called special delivery and costs fifty yen. The speakers then ask whether every letter must go to a post office.

*ポストに 入れても いいです* means "You may drop them in a mailbox." The form *ても いいです* grants permission.

  1. 19

    こうくうゆうびんはいくらですか。

    How much is airmail?

  2. 20

    にほんでは、こくないこうくうゆうびんをそくたつといってごじゅうえんです。

    In Japan, domestic airmail is called special delivery and it is 50 yen.

  3. 21

    てがみはいつもゆうびんきょくへもっていかなくてはいけませんか。

    Do you always have to take letters to the post office?

  4. 22

    いいえ、ポストにいれてもいいです。

    No, you may drop them in a mail box.

  5. 23

    はがき

    postcard

  6. 24

    うら

    back

五十
50
いつ
when?
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
ポスト
mailbox

A letter announcing a visit · Dialogue 5 of 6

A visit announced by letter

The letter announces a Saturday visit by a train arriving in Kobe at nine. The writer wants to discuss many things.

The envelope places the recipient in Kobe and the sender in Okayama. *草々* closes the message with "Yours sincerely."

  1. 25

    らいしゅうのどようびあさくじにこうべにつくきしゃであそびにいきます。そのときいろくはなしたいことがあります。そうそう

    Next Saturday I will come to visit on the train that arrives in Kobe at nine in the morning. I have many things I want to talk about then. Yours sincerely.

  2. 26

    おもて

    front

  3. 27

    こうべしすまくみゆきちょうさんちょうめはちじゅうにあおもといちろうさまおかやまけんそうじゃしいやまたなかはるきち

    Mr. Ichiro Aomoto, 82, 3-chome, Gyokocho, Suma Ward, Kobe City; Harukichi Tanaka, Iyama, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture.

  4. 28

    てがみ

    letter

  5. 29

    うら

    back

  6. 30

    とうきょうとにしたまぐんひのでむらまつおたなべみちお

    Michio Tanabe, Matsuo, Hinode Village, Nishitama County, Tokyo.

来週
next week
九
nine
ます。
trout
町
town
三
three
八
eight
二
two

Stamps, mailboxes and picture postcards · Dialogue 6 of 6

A picture postcard

The lines label the front, stamp, mailbox, and picture postcard. The front carries the Tokyo address of Mr. Haruo Yamamoto.

The illustrated side names Mr. Minoru Aoki and describes a scenic place with a distant view of Mount Asama.

  1. 31

    おもて

    front

  2. 32

    とうきょうとみなとくあざぶふじみちょうにちょうめにひゃくななじゅうきゅうやまもとはるおさま

    Mr. Haruo Yamamoto, 279, 2-chome, Fujimicho, Azabu, Minato Ward, Tokyo.

  3. 33

    きって

    stamp

  4. 34

    ポスト

    mailbox

  5. 35

    えはがき

    picture postcard

  6. 36

    えはがき?あおきみのるさままたとおくあさまをみるけいしょうち??こ

    Picture postcard; Mr. Minoru Aoki; a scenic place with a distant view of Mount Asama; [illegible].

き
counter for airplanes (See Gram. Notes)

Permission and lack of obligation · Perception drill, Block 1

Permission to act

*書いても いいです* means "You may write." Here *いいです* means "it is all right."

An affirmative verb ending in *て* plus *も いいです* requests or grants permission. *もう 家へ かえっても いいですか* asks "May I go home now?"

Permission not to act

*書かなくても いいです* means "You do not have to write." The negative verb ending is *なくて*.

With *も いいです*, it permits omission of the action. *今ばん べんきょう しなくても いいです* permits not studying tonight.

  1. 37

    かいてもいいです。

    You may write.

  2. 38

    かかなくてもいいです。

    You don't have to write.

  3. 39

    たちます——たってもいいです——たたなくてもいいです。

    stand — may stand — do not have to stand.

  4. 40

    いきます——いってもいいです——いかなくてもいいです。

    go — may go — do not have to go.

  5. 41

    みます——みてもいいです——みなくてもいいです。

    look — may look — do not have to look.

  6. 42

    ならいます——ならってもいいです——ならわなくてもいいです。

    learn — may learn — do not have to learn.

  7. 43

    よみます——よんでもいいです——よまなくてもいいです。

    read — may read — do not have to read.

  8. 44

    もういえへかえってもいいですか。

    May I go home now?

  9. 45

    はい、いえへかえってもいいです。

    Yes, you may go home.

  10. 46

    いまたべてもいいですか。

    May I eat now?

  11. 47

    はい、たべてもいいです。

    Yes, you may eat.

  12. 48

    これをしらなくてもいいですか。

    Is it all right if I do not know this?

  13. 49

    はい、それをしらなくてもいいです。

    Yes, you do not have to know that.

  14. 50

    いまばんべんきょうしなくてもいいですか。

    Is it all right if I do not study tonight?

  15. 51

    はい、いまばんべんきょうしなくてもいいです。

    Yes, you do not have to study tonight.

です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ます——
trout
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
家
house, home
ばん
evening, night
し
city

Requirements and prohibitions · Perception drill, Block 2

An action that will not do

*書いては いけません* means "You should not write." Here *いけません* means "it will not do."

An affirmative verb ending in *て* plus *は いけません* prohibits an action. *まどを あけては いけません* means "You must not open the window."

An action that is required

*書かなくては いけません* means "You have to write." A negative verb ending in *なくて* plus *は いけません* states an obligation.

*たたなくては いけませんか* asks "Must I stand?"

  1. 52

    かいてはいけません。

    You should not write.

  2. 53

    かかなくてはいけません。

    You have to write.

  3. 54

    たちます——たってはいけません。——たたなくてはいけません。

    stand — must not stand — must stand.

  4. 55

    いきます——いってはいけません。——いかなくてはいけません。

    go — must not go — must go.

  5. 56

    みます——みてはいけません。——みなくてはいけません。

    look — must not look — must look.

  6. 57

    ならいます——ならってはいけません。——ならわなくてはいけません。

    learn — must not learn — must learn.

  7. 58

    よみます——よんではいけません。——よまなくてはいけません。

    read — must not read — must read.

  8. 59

    まどをあけてもいいですか。

    May I open the window?

  9. 60

    いいえ、まどをあけてはいけません。

    No, you must not open the window.

  10. 61

    たたなくてはいけませんか。

    Must I stand?

  11. 62

    いいえ、たたなくてもいいです。

    No, you do not have to stand.

  12. 63

    ろくじにおきなくてはいけませんか。

    Must I get up at six?

  13. 64

    いいえ、ろくじにおきなくてもいいです。

    No, you do not have to get up at six.

  14. 65

    もうかえってもいいですか。

    May I go home now?

  15. 66

    いいえ、まだかえってはいけません。

    No, you must not go home yet.

六
six
まだ
yet, still

Giving positive and negative advice · Perception drill, Block 3

The better action

*読む方が いいです* means "It is better to read." *方が いいです* follows an informal non-past verb and recommends that choice.

*朝 はやく おきる方が いいです* means "It is better to get up early in the morning."

The better action is negative

After an informal negative verb, *方が いいです* recommends not doing the action.

*読まない方が いいです* means "It is better not to read." *子供を つれて 行かない方が いいです* advises against taking the children along.

  1. 67

    よむほうがいいです。

    You had better read." "It's better to read.

  2. 68

    よまないほうがいいです。

    It's better not to read.

  3. 69

    たちます——たつほうがいいです。——たたないほうがいいです。

    stand — it is better to stand — it is better not to stand.

  4. 70

    はなします——はなすほうがいいです。——はなさないほうがいいです。

    speak — it is better to speak — it is better not to speak.

  5. 71

    ならいます——ならうほうがいいです。——ならわないほうがいいです。

    learn — it is better to learn — it is better not to learn.

  6. 72

    かいます——かうほうがいいです。——かわないほうがいいです。

    buy — it is better to buy — it is better not to buy.

  7. 73

    やすみます——やすむほうがいいです。——やすまないほうがいいです。

    rest — it is better to rest — it is better not to rest.

  8. 74

    ときどき、さんぽするほうがいいですか。

    Is it better to take a walk sometimes?

  9. 75

    はい、ときどき、さんぽするほうがいいです。

    Yes, it is better to take a walk sometimes.

  10. 76

    よる、たくさんたべるほうがいいですか。

    Is it better to eat a lot at night?

  11. 77

    いいえ、よるはたくさんたべないほうがいいです。

    No, it is better not to eat a lot at night.

  12. 78

    あさはやくおきるほうがいいですか。

    Is it better to get up early in the morning?

  13. 79

    はい、あさはやくおきるほうがいいです。

    Yes, it is better to get up early in the morning.

  14. 80

    こどもをつれていくほうがいいですか。

    Is it better to take the children along?

  15. 81

    いいえ、こどもをつれていかないほうがいいです。

    No, it is better not to take the children along.

買う
to buy
やすむ
to rest, to retire (v.i.)
時々、
sometimes, occasionally
さんぽ
strolling
夜、
night, evening
朝
morning
おきる
to rise, get up (v.i.)

Turning actions into subjects · Perception drill, Block 4

An action becomes a noun

*ならうのは やさしいです* means "Learning is easy." After an informal non-past verb, *の* turns the action into a noun.

That noun can take *は* or *が*. *およぐのが 好きです* means "I like swimming."

Judging the action

The statement can judge an activity as easy, difficult, good, or bad. *かん字を 書くのは むずかしいです* means "Writing kanji is difficult."

It can also describe skill or preference. *はなすのが 上手です* means "is good at speaking."

  1. 82

    ならうのはやさしいです。

    It's easy to learn." "Learning is easy.

  2. 83

    およぐのがすきです。

    I like swimming.

  3. 84

    たべます——たくさんたべるのはわるいです。

    eat — eating a lot is bad.

  4. 85

    かきます——かんじをかくのはむずかしいです。

    write — writing kanji is difficult.

  5. 86

    ならいます——ひらがなをならうのはやさしいです。

    learn — learning hiragana is easy.

  6. 87

    べんきょうします——べんきょうするのはいいです。

    study — studying is good.

  7. 88

    はなします——はなすのがじょうずです。

    speak — is good at speaking.

  8. 89

    まいにち、かんじをじゅうぐらいならうのはむずかしいですか。

    Is it difficult to learn about ten kanji every day?

  9. 90

    はい、かなりむずかしいです。

    Yes, it is fairly difficult.

  10. 91

    あなたはじをかくのがじょうずですね。

    You're good at writing characters, aren't you?

  11. 92

    いいえ、まだへたです。

    No, I'm still not very good at it.

  12. 93

    あなたはおよぐのがすきですか。

    Do you like swimming?

  13. 94

    いいえ、およぐのがきらいです。

    No, I don't like swimming.

  14. 95

    あなたはいつもほんをよんでいますね。

    You're always reading books, aren't you?

  15. 96

    ええ、ほんをよむのがすきですから。

    Yes, because I like reading books.

  16. 97

    ひゃくえん

    One hundred yen.

やさしい
easy
およぐ
to swim
好き
to like, be fond of (See Grammar Notes)
わるい
bad
ひらがな
HIRAGANA syllabary
上手
skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)
かなり
fairly
下手
unskilled, poor in doing things
きらい
dislike (See Gram. Notes)
本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
ええ、
Yes
から。
from (See Gram. Notes)
百
100

Permission and optional actions · Pattern 1 1 of 3

Allowed and unnecessary actions

*うらに 書いてもいいです* means "You may write on the back." The affirmative verb ending in *て* with *もいいです* grants permission.

*切手を はらなくてもいいです* means "You do not have to affix stamps." The negative verb ending in *なくて* grants permission not to act.

  1. 98

    うらにかいてもいいです。

    You may write on the back.

  2. 99

    きってをはらなくてもいいです。

    You don't have to affix stamps.

  3. 100

    じしょをつかってもいいです。

    You may use a dictionary.

  4. 101

    えいごではなしてもいいです。

    You may speak in English.

  5. 102

    いえへかえってもいいです。

    You may go home.

  6. 103

    それをならわなくてもいいです。

    You don't have to learn that.

  7. 104

    あしたははたらかなくてもいいです。

    You don't have to work tomorrow.

  8. 105

    はやくおきなくてもいいです。

    You don't have to get up early.

明日
tomorrow

Asking permission for writing · Pattern 1 2 of 3

Permission in a question

*自分の所と名前は、 うらに書いてもいいですか* asks "May I write my address and name on the back?" The matching answer grants permission.

*金曜日のばんは、 べんきょうしなくてもいいですか* asks "Do I have to study on Friday evening?" The answer says that study is unnecessary.

  1. 106

    じぶんのところとなまえは、うらにかいてもいいですか。

    May I write my address and name on the back?

  2. 107

    はい、うらにかいてもいいです。

    Yes, you may write them on the back.

  3. 108

    きんようびのばんは、べんきょうしなくてもいいですか。

    Do I have to study on Friday evening?

  4. 109

    ええ、べんきょうしなくてもいいです。

    No, you don't have to study.

  5. 110

    せんせい、えんぴつでかいてもいいですか。

    Teacher, may I write with a pencil?

  6. 111

    ええ、えんぴつでかいてもいいです。

    Yes, you may write with a pencil.

  7. 112

    まどをしめます。

    I close the window.

  8. 113

    こどもをつれてきます。

    I bring the child with me.

Going, wearing and studying · Pattern 1 3 of 3

Everyday action cues

*そとに 出ます* means "I go outside." The lines supply everyday actions for permission and exemption forms.

*べんきょうを つづけます* means "I continue studying." Other lines cover returning, wearing, waking, learning, teaching, and answering.

  1. 114

    そとにでます。

    I go outside.

  2. 115

    はやくかえります。

    I go home early.

  3. 116

    ぼうしをかぶります。

    I wear a hat.

  4. 117

    あさはやくおきます。

    I get up early in the morning.

  5. 118

    かんじをならいます。

    I learn kanji.

  6. 119

    さんじかんおしえます。

    I teach for three hours.

  7. 120

    しつもんにこたえます。

    I answer the question.

  8. 121

    べんきょうをつづけます。

    I continue studying.

そと
outside
時間
hour, time
しつもん
question

Rules for school activities · Pattern 2 1 of 3

Rules at school

*今日、 そとへ 出てはいけません* means "You must not go outside today."

*いつも 日本語を はなさなくては いけません* means "You must always speak Japanese." The first line prohibits an action, and the second requires one.

Permission after a reason

*もう十二時ですから、 たべてもいいです* means "It is twelve o'clock now, so you may eat." The answer permits eating lunch.

  1. 122

    それをたべてはいけません。

    You should not eat it.

  2. 123

    ときどきさかなをたべなくてはいけません。

    You have to eat fish sometimes.

  3. 124

    きょう、そとへでてはいけません。

    You must not go outside today.

  4. 125

    きょうしつのなかで、たべてはいけません。

    You must not eat in the classroom.

  5. 126

    いつもにほんごをはなさなくてはいけません。

    You must always speak Japanese.

  6. 127

    まいにちがっこうへいかなくてはいけません。

    You must go to school every day.

  7. 128

    もっとべんきょうしなくてはいけません。

    You must study more.

  8. 129

    まだ、べんとうをたべてはいけませんか。

    Am I not allowed to eat my lunch yet?

  9. 130

    もうじゅうにじですから、たべてもいいです。

    It is already twelve o'clock, so you may eat.

  10. 131

    えんぴつでかいてもいいですか。

    May I write with a pencil?

時々
sometimes, occasionally
さかな
fish
今日、
today
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
もっと
more (See Gram. Notes)
まだ、
yet, still
べんとう
box lunch

Language and study requirements · Pattern 2 2 of 3

What the rules require

*えんぴつで 書いては いけません* prohibits writing with a pencil. *その かん字を ならわなくてもいいです* says that learning that kanji is unnecessary.

*日本語で はなさなくてはいけません* requires speaking in Japanese. The negative verb ending distinguishes exemption from obligation through *も* or *は*.

  1. 132

    いいえ、えんぴつでかいてはいけません。

    No, you must not write with a pencil.

  2. 133

    このかんじをならわなくてはいけませんか。

    Do I have to learn this kanji?

  3. 134

    いいえ、そのかんじをならわなくてもいいです。

    No, you don't have to learn that kanji.

  4. 135

    にほんごではなさなくてもいいですか。

    Do I not have to speak in Japanese?

  5. 136

    いいえ、にほんごではなさなくてはいけません。

    No, you must speak in Japanese.

  6. 137

    えいごではなします。

    I speak in English.

  7. 138

    いま、しんぶんをよみます。

    I read the newspaper now.

  8. 139

    ここでおよぎます。

    I swim here.

  9. 140

    にちようびにはたらきます。

    I work on Sunday.

  10. 141

    たかいものをかいます。

    I buy expensive things.

ここ
here
たかい
expensive
もの
things (tangible)

Asking what rules require · Pattern 2 3 of 3

Four kinds of rule questions

*学校へ 子供を つれて来てもいいですか* means "May I bring my child to school?" An answer grants or denies permission.

*さかなを たべなくては いけませんか* means "Do I have to eat fish?" An answer states obligation or exemption.

  1. 142

    きょうしつでたべます。

    I eat in the classroom.

  2. 143

    がっこうへこどもをつれてきてもいいですか。

    May I bring my child to school?

  3. 144

    いかなくてもいいですか。

    Do I not have to go?

  4. 145

    そとにでてはいけませんか。

    Am I not allowed to go outside?

  5. 146

    あそんではいけませんか。

    Am I not allowed to play?

  6. 147

    これをかわなくてもいいですか。

    Do I not have to buy this?

  7. 148

    さかなをたべなくてはいけませんか。

    Do I have to eat fish?

  8. 149

    はやくおきなくてはいけませんか。

    Do I have to get up early?

Advice about everyday choices · Pattern 3 1 of 2

Advice for everyday choices

*日本語で はなす方がいいです* recommends speaking in Japanese. The informal verb plus *方がいいです* recommends doing an action.

*沢山 たべない方がいいです* means "It is better not to eat a lot." The informal negative recommends against an action.

  1. 150

    にほんごではなすほうがいいです。

    It's better to speak in Japanese" or "You had better speak in Japanese.

  2. 151

    たくさんたべないほうがいいです。

    It's better not to eat a lot" or "You had better not eat a lot.

  3. 152

    ダイアログをおぼえるほうがいいです。

    It is better to memorize the dialogue.

  4. 153

    べんとうをもっていくほうがいいです。

    It is better to take a boxed lunch with you.

  5. 154

    よるはやくやすむほうがいいです。

    It is better to go to bed early at night.

  6. 155

    ここでおよがないほうがいいです。

    It is better not to swim here.

  7. 156

    くつをはかないほうがいいです。

    It is better not to wear shoes.

  8. 157

    やすいのをかうほうがいいですか。

    Is it better to buy a cheap one?

  9. 158

    いいえ、たかいのをかうほうがいいです。

    No, it is better to buy an expensive one.

  10. 159

    よるたくさんたべるほうがいいですか。

    Is it better to eat a lot at night?

ダイアログ
dialogue
おぼえる
to memorize, remember (v.t.)
夜
night, evening
くつ
shoes
かない
wife (self)

Advice followed by action cues · Pattern 3 2 of 2

Advice instead of permission

*ここで およいでも いいですか* asks "May I swim here?" The answer does not state a prohibition.

*ここで およがない方が いいです* means "It is better not to swim here." The negative informal verb plus *方が いいです* gives advice.

  1. 160

    いいえ、よるはたくさんたべないほうがいいです。

    No, it is better not to eat a lot at night.

  2. 161

    ここでおよいでもいいですか。

    May I swim here?

  3. 162

    いいえ、ここでおよがないほうがいいです。

    No, it is better not to swim here.

  4. 163

    もってきます。

    I will bring it.

  5. 164

    おぼえます。

    I will memorize it.

  6. 165

    よみます。

    I will read it.

  7. 166

    かきます。

    I will write it.

  8. 167

    あけます。

    I will open it.

  9. 168

    みます。

    I will look at it.

Judging everyday activities · Pattern 4 1 of 2

Activities as topics and subjects

*はしを 使うのは むずかしいです* means "It is difficult to use chopsticks." The *の* after the informal verb makes the activity a noun.

*あの 生徒は かん字を 書くのが 上手です* describes skill in writing kanji. With *が*, the noun can express a skill or preference.

  1. 169

    まいにちかんじをじゅうならうのはむずかしいです。

    It's difficult to learn ten KANJI everyday." "Learning ten KANJI everyday is difficult.

  2. 170

    ときどきさんぽするのはいいです。

    It is good to take a walk sometimes.

  3. 171

    はしをつかうのはむずかしいです。

    It is difficult to use chopsticks.

  4. 172

    あさはやくおきるのはいいです。

    It is good to get up early in the morning.

  5. 173

    あのせいとはかんじをかくのがじょうずです。

    That student is good at writing kanji.

  6. 174

    あのせいとはあそぶのがすきです。

    That student likes to play.

  7. 175

    あさはんをたべないのはわるいです。

    It is bad not to eat breakfast.

使う
to use, employ
あそぶ
to play (v.i.)

Comparing difficult activities · Pattern 4 2 of 2

Two activities compared

*書くのは やさしいですが、 はなすのは むずかしいです* means "Writing is easy, but speaking is difficult." Each *の* makes an action a topic.

An event as the topic

*さくらの 花が さくのは 何月頃ですか* asks about the month when cherry blossoms bloom. The answer is around the beginning of April.

  1. 176

    にほんごをならうのはむずかしいでしょう。

    It is probably difficult to learn Japanese.

  2. 177

    かくのはやさしいですが、はなすのはむずかしいです。

    Writing is easy, but speaking is difficult.

  3. 178

    さくらのはながさくのはなんがつごろですか。

    About what month do the cherry blossoms bloom?

  4. 179

    しがつのはじめごろです。

    Around the beginning of April.

  5. 180

    にほんしんぶんをよむのはむずかしいですか。

    Is it difficult to read Japanese newspapers?

  6. 181

    ええ、とてもむずかしいです。

    Yes, it is very difficult.

でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
さくら
cherry (flower)
さく
to bloom (v.i.)
月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
四
four
はじめ
beginning
とても
very, indeed

Writing and addressing letters · Reading Selection 1 of 3

Letters and their envelopes

The writer likes writing letters and sends about three each week. *私は 手紙を 書くのが 好きです* uses *の* to make writing the liked activity.

In Japan, the recipient address goes on the front. The sender's address and name go on the back.

  1. 182

    わたくしはてがみをかくのがすきです。

    I like to write letters.

  2. 183

    いちしゅうかんにさんつう

    I write three letters a week.

  3. 184

    ぐらいかきます。

    I write about that many.

  4. 185

    ときどきはがきやえはがきもだします。

    Sometimes I also send postcards and picture postcards.

  5. 186

    てがみはふうとうにいれてだします。

    I put letters in envelopes and mail them.

  6. 187

    にほんではふうとうのおもてにあてなをかいて

    In Japan, you write the address on the front of the envelope.

  7. 188

    うらにじぶんのところとなまえをかきます。

    You write your own address and name on the back.

  8. 189

    おもてにじぶんの

    Your own address and name go on the front.

や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)

Japanese postage and stamp placement · Reading Selection 2 of 3

Sender information and stamps

The passage says not to put sender information on the front. *所と 名前を 書いては いけません* states that prohibition.

A stamp goes in the upper left corner. An ordinary letter up to twenty-five grams needs a fifteen-yen stamp. Special delivery needs a fifty-yen stamp.

  1. 190

    ところとなまえをかいてはいけません。

    You must not write your address and name there.

  2. 191

    そして、きっては

    And the stamp goes in the corner.

  3. 192

    ひだりのうえのすみにはります。

    You put it in the upper left corner.

  4. 193

    にほんでは、ふつうのてがみは

    In Japan, an ordinary letter needs a stamp.

  5. 194

    じゅうごえんのきってがいります。

    It needs a fifteen-yen stamp.

  6. 195

    にじゅうごグラムまでがじゅうごえんです。

    It is fifteen yen for up to twenty-five grams.

  7. 196

    そくたつゆうびんにはごじゅうえんのきってがいります。

    Special-delivery mail needs a fifty-yen stamp.

  8. 197

    べいこくではてがみをだすひとのなまえとところは、ふつう、

    In the United States, the name and address of the person sending the letter usually go on the envelope.

出す
to mail, send, take out
人
people

American envelopes and mailing letters · Reading Selection 3 of 3

American envelopes

Sender information normally goes on the front, and the stamp goes in the upper right corner. *うらに 書いても いいです* permits sender information on the back.

Letters usually go into a mailbox. A person without stamps buys them at the post office and mails the letter there.

  1. 198

    ふうとうのおもてにかいて、きってはみぎのうえのすみにはります。

    They are written on the front of the envelope, and the stamp is put in the upper right corner.

  2. 199

    けれども、じぶんのなまえとところをふうとうのうらにかきたい

    However, some people want to write their own name and address on the back of the envelope.

  3. 200

    ひとは、うらにかいてもいいです。

    Those people may write them on the back.

  4. 201

    てがみはたいていポストにいれてだしますが、きってが

    Letters are usually mailed by putting them in a mailbox, but some people do not have stamps.

  5. 202

    ないひとはゆうびんきょくへいって、きってをかいます。

    Those people go to the post office and buy stamps.

  6. 203

    そして、

    Then they are ready to mail the letter.

  7. 204

    そこでてがみをだします。

    They mail the letter there.

そこ
there

Addressing and stamping letters · Questions 1 of 2

Facts about letters and stamps

The questions ask how often letters are written, what goes on each side of an envelope, and where stamps go.

*ふつうの 手紙には いくらの 切手が いりますか* means "How much postage does an ordinary letter need?" An answer supplies the required stamp value.

  1. 205

    わたくしはてがみをかくのがすきですか。

    Do I like to write letters?

  2. 206

    わたくしはまいしゅうなんつうぐらいてがみをかきますか。

    About how many letters do I write every week?

  3. 207

    てがみのほかにどんなものをだしますか。

    Besides letters, what kinds of things do I mail?

  4. 208

    ふうとうにはなにをいれますか。

    What do you put in an envelope?

  5. 209

    にほんではふうとうのおもてになにをかきますか。

    In Japan, what do you write on the front of an envelope?

  6. 210

    にほんではきってをどこにはりますか。

    In Japan, where do you put the stamp?

  7. 211

    アメリカではきってをどこにはりますか。

    In America, where do you put the stamp?

  8. 212

    にほんではてがみをだすひとのところとなまえはどこにかきますか。

    In Japan, where do you write the address and name of the person sending the letter?

  9. 213

    べいこくではてがみをだすひとのところとなまえはどこにかくほうがいいですか。

    In the United States, where is it better to write the address and name of the person sending the letter?

  10. 214

    ふつうのてがみにはいくらのきってがいりますか。

    How much postage does an ordinary letter need?

どんな
what kind of; what sort of

Mailing letters and buying stamps · Questions 2 of 2

Mailing and what it requires

The questions ask about special-delivery cost, mailboxes, post offices, and buying stamps.

*手紙を 書いて 出したい 時には 何が いりますか* asks what is needed to write and mail a letter. An answer names the needed items.

  1. 215

    そくたつはいくらかかりますか。

    How much does special delivery cost?

  2. 216

    てがみをだしたいときには、ゆうびんきょくへもっていきますか。

    When you want to mail a letter, do you take it to the post office?

  3. 217

    きってがないひとは、きってをどこでかいますか。

    Where does a person who has no stamps buy them?

  4. 218

    てがみをだしたいときには、ポストにいれてもいいですか。

    When you want to mail a letter, is it all right to put it in a mailbox?

  5. 219

    べいこくでは、ふうとうのおもてになにをかきますか。

    In the United States, what do you write on the front of an envelope?

  6. 220

    わたくしはなにをするのがすきですか。

    What do I like to do?

  7. 221

    ふうとうにいれてだすものはなんですか。

    What is something that you put in an envelope and mail?

  8. 222

    むこうのひとのところとなまえはなんといいますか。

    What do you call the other person's location and name?

  9. 223

    にほんではきってをはるところはどこですか。

    In Japan, where do you put the stamp?

  10. 224

    てがみをかいてだしたいときにはなにがいりますか。

    What do you need when you want to write and mail a letter?

はる
to affix, paste (v.t.)

Letters, stamps and postal services · Word list 1 of 3

Letters and postal services

The words cover objects and information used for mail. *手紙* means "letter," *びんせん* means "letter paper," and *あて名* means "addressee's name and address."

The service words distinguish *ふつうゆうびん*, "ordinary mail," from *こうくう ゆうびん*, "airmail."

  1. 225

    てがみ

    letter (correspondence)

  2. 226

    びんせん

    letter paper

  3. 227

    ふうとう

    envelope

  4. 228

    きって

    postage stamp

  5. 229

    ところ

    address, place

  6. 230

    あてな

    addressee's name and address

  7. 231

    そくたつ

    express mail (special delivery)

  8. 232

    ゆうびん

    postal service

  9. 233

    ふつうゆうびん

    ordinary mail, regular mail

  10. 234

    こうくうゆうびん

    airmail

  11. 235

    こくない

    domestic

そくたつ
express mail (special delivery)
ふつうゆうびん
ordinary mail, regular mail
こうくうゆうびん
airmail
こくない
domestic

Postcards, mailboxes and locations · Word list 2 of 3

Mail objects and locations

The words cover mailing locations and parts of an envelope. *ポスト* means "mailbox," *ゆうびんきょく* means "post office," and *すみ* means "inside corner."

The set also includes postcards, picture postcards, and *いる*, "to need."

  1. 236

    ポスト

    mailbox

  2. 237

    ゆうびんきょく

    post office

  3. 238

    おもて

    front

  4. 239

    うら

    back, reverse side

  5. 240

    すみ

    inside corner

  6. 241

    グラム

    gram

  7. 242

    はがき

    postcard

  8. 243

    えはがき

    picture postcard

  9. 244

    じぶん

    self

  10. 245

    じぶんの

    self ---, your own

  11. 246

    いる

    to need (See Gram. Notes)

ゆうびんきょく
post office
は書
postcard
えは書
picture postcard
自分の
self ---, your own
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)

Mailing actions and obligations · Word list 3 of 3

Mailing actions and choices

The action words include *入れる*, "to put in," *はる*, "to affix," and *出す*, "to mail."

The remaining entries contrast prohibition, obligation, permission, exemption, and advice. *--ては いけません* means "you should not," while *--ても いいです* means "you may."

  1. 247

    いれる

    to put in, to insert (v.t.)

  2. 248

    はる

    to affix, paste (v.t.)

  3. 249

    だす

    to mail, send, take out

  4. 250

    いっつう

    one mail

  5. 251

    たびたび

    often, frequently

  6. 252

    --てはいけません

    you should not --- (See Grammar Notes)

  7. 253

    --なくてはいけません

    you have to --- (See Grammar Notes)

  8. 254

    --てもいいです

    you may --- (See Grammar Notes)

  9. 255

    --なくてもいいです

    you don't have to -- (See Grammar Notes)

  10. 256

    --ほうがいいです

    It is better to --- (See Grammar Notes)

  11. 257

    いけません

    --is no good; -- won't do

入れる
to put in, to insert (v.t.)
一つう
one mail
--てはいけません
you should not --- (See Grammar Notes)
--なくてはいけません
you have to --- (See Grammar Notes)
--てもいいです
you may --- (See Grammar Notes)
--なくてもいいです
you don't have to -- (See Grammar Notes)
--方がいいです
It is better to --- (See Grammar Notes)
いけません
it is no good, it is bad

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.