Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 30

Lesson 30

Sounds, kana, and the first conversations

229 lines

Wrapping a parcel · Dialogue 1 of 3

A parcel for a friend

*これを 友だちの 所へ 送りたいのですが* means "I want to send this to my friend, but ---." The reply proposes making it a parcel.

*小包には 何でも 入れることが 出来ますか* means "Can you put anything in a parcel?" The answer names items that cannot be enclosed.

Desire, change, and conditions

In *送りたいのですが*, *たい* expresses the speaker's desire to send the item.

In *小包にして*, *に* marks the parcel as the result. In *送ればいいですね*, *送れば* means "if you send it."

In *何でも*, the question word with *でも* means "anything."

Kanji: 友, 送, 包, 葉

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

Kanji: 小, 言

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

  1. 1

    これをともだちのところへおくりたいのですが。

    I want to send this to my friend, but ---.

    これthis
    をobject
    友だちfriend
    の's
    所place
    へtoward
    送りsend
    たいwant to
    のthe fact that
    ですis
    が。but
  2. 2

    そうですか。それでは、こづつみにしておくればいいですね。

    Is that so? Then, it will do if you make a parcel of it and send it.

  3. 3

    じょうぶなかみとひもがありますか。

    Do you have strong paper and cord?

  4. 4

    はい、あります。このかみにつつんで、このひもでゆわえなさい。

    Yes, I have. Wrap it in this paper and tie it with this cord.

  5. 5

    こづつみにはなんでもいれることができますか。

    Can you put anything in a parcel?

  6. 6

    いいえ、マッチ、アルコール、たばこのはなどはこづつみにすることはできません。

    No, matches, alcohol, tobacco leaves, and so forth can't be made into a package.

-TAI (desiderative form)

1. -TAI (desiderative form)

-TAI is suffixed to the conjunctive ending (or the stem of the -MASU form) of a verb. The result is an I-adjective meaning '(I) want to do so-and-so,' e.g.,

-MASU form | | -TAI form | 
KAKIMASU | I write | KAKITAI | I want to write
HANASHIMASU | I speak | HANASHITAI | I want to speak
TACHIMASU | I stand up | TACHITAI | I want to stand up
SHINIMASU | I die | SHINITAI | I want to die
NARAIMASU | I learn | NARAITAI | I want to learn
YASUMIMASU | I rest | YASUMITAI | I want to rest
TORIMASU | I take | TORITAI | I want to take
OYOGIMASU | I swim | OYOGITAI | I want to swim
ASOBIMASU | I play | ASOBITAI | I want to play
MIMASU | I see | MITAI | I want to see
TABEMASU | I eat | TABETAI | I want to eat
KIMASU | I come | KITAI | I want to come
SHIMASU | I do | SHITAI | I want to do

Like all other i-adjectives, a -TAI word alone is informal; it occurs before DESU in the formal style, and it occurs in its -KU form before (WA) ARIMASEN in the negative, e.g.,

IKITAI DESU I want to go

IKITAKU WA ARIMASEN I don't want to go

TABETAI DESU I want to eat

TABETAKU WA ARIMASEN I don't want to eat

SHITAI DESU I want to do

SHITAKU WA ARIMASEN I don't want to do

However, -TAI form is often followed by NO DESU or N DESU in the formal style, especially when GA 'but' follows. The construction -TAI form plus NO DESU or N DESU is considered softer and less abrupt than the construction without NO or N.

Compare:

IKITAI DESU I want to go

IKITAI N DESU GA I want to go, but -----

KAERITAI DESU I want to go home

KAERITAI N DESU GA I want to go home, but -----

MITAI DESU. I want to see.

MITAI N DESU GA. I want to see, but -----

-TAI usually refers to the speaker in statements, but it normally refers to the person spoken to in questions. Compare:

IKITAI DESU KA. Do you want to go?

HAI, IKITAI DESU. Yes, I want to go.

YASUMITAI DESU KA. Do you want to rest?

HAI, YASUMITAI DESU. Yes, I want to rest.

Either the particle O or GA may be used to indicate the object of a desiderative form, e.g.,

NIHONGO O NARAITAI DESU. or NIHONGO GA NARAITAI DESU.

"I want to learn Japanese."

In questions, -TAI constructions mean 'do you want to do so-and-so?' and the meaning is not the Japanese equivalent of such English invitations as 'would you like to do so-and-so?' A common construction of invitation in Japanese is a non-past negative question, e.g.,

SUKOSHI YASUMIMASEN KA. "Would you like to rest a little?"

MOO SUKOSHI TABEMASEN KA. "Won't you have a little more?"
X O Y ni suru "I make X into Y."

2. X O Y ni suru "I make X into Y."

a. The verb suru 'do' also means 'make,' and it may take a direct object followed by the particle O; and the goal of the action suru is indicated by the particle ni, e.g.,

TANAKA-SAN WA TAROO O SENSEI NI SHIMASHITA. "Mr. Tanaka made Taroo a teacher."

YAMADA-SAN WA SONO SAKANA O SASHIMI NI SHIMASHITA. "Mr. Yamada made that fish into SASHIMI."

b. Occurring after the -ku form of an I-adjective, the verb suru also means 'make,' e.g.,

WATAKUSHI WA SORE O MIJIKAKU SHIMASHITA. "I made it short."

YASUKU SHIMASHITA. "He made it cheap."
BA-form for the conditional mood

3. BA-form for the conditional mood

a. To express the meaning 'if,' there are several possibilities in Japanese. The use of the particle TO after the basic ending of a verb or I-adjective for the meaning of 'if' (or 'when') has already been introduced,

e.g.,

AME GA FURU TO IKIMASEN. "If it rains, I won't go."

YASUI TO KAUN DESU GA. "If it's cheap, I'll buy it, but ---."

b. The BA-form also expresses the meaning 'if.'

(1) The BA-form of a consonant verb is made by adding -EBA to the stem of the verb.

Consonant verbs

Basic form | Stem | BA-form | 
kaku | kak | kakeba | If I write
hanasu | hanas | hanaseba | If I speak
tatsu | tat | tateba | If I stand
harau | hara | haraeba | If I pay
yomu | yom | yomeba | If I read
toru | tor | toreba | If I take
oyogu | oyog | oyogeba | If I swim
tobu | tob | tobeba | If I fly

Examples:

NIHONGO DE HANASEBA SUGU WAKARIMASU. "If you speak in Japanese, they'll understand right away."

HIKOOKI DE TOBEBA HAYAKU TSUKIMASU. "If you fly by plane, you arrive there early."

(2) the BA-form of a vowel verb is constructed by adding -REBA to the stem of the verb.

Vowel verbs

Basic Form | Stem | BA-form | 
MIRU | MI | MIREBA | If I see
TABERU | TABE | TABEREBA | If I eat
OKIRU | OKI | OKIREBA | If I get up

Examples:

YOKU MIREBA WAKARU DESHOO. "If you look good, you'll probably understand."

SUGU TABEREBA II DESHOO. "If you eat right away, it will probably be all right."

(3) The BA-forms of the irregular verbs KURU 'to come' and SURU 'to do,' are KUREBA 'if I come' and SUREBA 'if I do,' respectively.

Examples:

YOKU BENKYOO SUREBA, YOKU DEKIRU DESHOO. "If you study hard, you will probably do well."

(4) The BA-form of an I-adjective is made by substituting -KEREBA for the last syllable I of its basic form:

I-adjectives

Basic form | Stem | BA-form
SHIROI | SHIRO | SHIROKEREBA 'if it's white'
AKAI | AKA | AKAKEREBA 'if it's red'
OOKII | OOKI | OOKIKEREBA 'if it's big'
USUI | USU | USUKEREBA 'if it's thin'

Examples:

OOKIKEREBA CHIISAKU SHIMASU. "If it's big, I'll make it smaller."

IKITAKEREBA ITTE MO II DESU YO. "If you want to go, you may go."

(5) The BA-form of the adjective II or YOI is

YOKEREBA 'if it's good.'
Question word plus DEMO

4. Question word plus DEMO

a. The use and construction of a question word plus KA has already been introduced, e.g.,

NANI KA something

DARE KA somebody

ITSU KA sometimes

etc.

b. The use of the particle MO after a question word in a negative sentence has also been introduced, e.g.,

NANI MO--N nothing

DARE MO--N nobody

etc.

c. In this lesson a question word plus DEMO is introduced. This construction occurs in an affirmative sentence with a generalized or inclusive meaning like 'anything at all (or everything),' 'anybody at all (or everybody),' 'anytime at all (or everytime),' e.g.,

NAN DEMO everything, anything

DARE DEMO everybody or anybody

ITSU DEMO anytime

DOKO DEMO anyplace

DOTCHI DEMO anyone of the two

DORE DEMO anyone

NANJI DEMO anytime

etc.

Examples:

WATAKUSHI WA NAN DEMO TABEMASU. "I eat anything."

DARE DEMO II DESU. "anybody will do."

ITSU DEMO II DESU. "Anytime will do."

An expression like NAN DEMO may be followed immediately by a phrase limiting the thing, e.g.,

NAN DEMO KAITAI MONO O KAINASAI. "Buy anything you want to buy."

DOKO DEMO SUKI NA TOKORO E IKINASAI. "Go anyplace you like."
TOOKU 'a distant place' / CHIKAKU 'vicinity, neighborhood' / OOKU 'many, much'

5. TOOKU 'a distant place' / CHIKAKU 'vicinity, neighborhood' / OOKU 'many, much'

The above three words are the KU-forms of TOOI, CHIKAI, and OOI respectively. A special function of these

three words is that each may occur as a noun.

Examples:

TOOKU O MIRU KOTO GA DEKIMASEN. "I cannot see distant places."

UCHI NO CHIKAKU NI KAWA GA ARIMASU. "There is a river in the vicinity of my home."

OOKU NO HITO GA NIHON E IKIMASU. "Many people go to Japan."
-YA

6. -YA

-YA is suffixed to the name of a product or article to indicate either the place where the product or article is sold or handled or a person who deals in or handles the product or article, e.g.,

SAKANA fish

SAKANA-YA fish market or fish dealer

HANA flower

HANA-YA flower shop or florist

YUUBIN mail

YUUBIN-YA mailman

The dealer or handler is often addressed with the

appropriate -YA word plus SAN, e.g.,

YUUBINYA-SAN GA KIMASHITA "A mailman came."

SAKANAYA-SAN GA KIMASHITA "A fish dealer came."
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
の
See Grammar Notes
所
address, place
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
が。
but (See Gram. Notes)
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
は、
leaves
小包
parcel, small package
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
し
city
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
ひも
cord, string
ます
trout
入れる
to put in, to insert (v.t.)
マッチ、
match
アルコール、
alcohol
たばこ
tobacco, cigarette
など
and so forth, etc.

Parcel charges and registration · Dialogue 2 of 3

Charges and registered mail

*小包料は いくらですか* asks the parcel post charge. The reply says weight and distance can raise it.

The speakers also discuss registered mail and the required parcel mark.

A distant place

*遠くへ 送れば 又 たかいです* means "If you send it afar, the charge is again expensive." Here *遠く* names a distant place.

*TOOKU*, *CHIKAKU*, and *OOKU* are the KU-forms of *TOOI*, *CHIKAI*, and *OOI*. Each can also be a noun.

*UCHI NO CHIKAKU NI KAWA GA ARIMASU* means "There is a river in the vicinity of my home."

*OOKU NO HITO GA NIHON E IKIMASU* means "Many people go to Japan."

Kanji: 料

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

Kanji: 金

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

  1. 7

    こづつみりょうはいくらですか。

    How much is the parcel post charge?

  2. 8

    りょうきんはいっていしていません。おもければたかいです。とおくへおくればまたたかいです。

    Charges are not uniform. If it's heavy, the charge is expensive. If you send it afar, the charge is again expensive.

  3. 9

    おかねをいれておくるときには、かきとめにするほうがいいですね。

    When you send it by enclosing money, it's better to make it registered mail, isn't that right?

  4. 10

    そうです。

    That's right.

  5. 11

    こづつみができました。これでいいですか。

    The parcel is made. Will this do?

  6. 12

    いいえ、おもてにこづつみとかかなくてはいけませんよ。

    No, you have to write KOZUTSUMI on the front.

は
leaves
いくら
how much? how many?
料金
fee, charge
一
one
たかい
expensive
遠く
distant (place)
送る
to send (v.t.)
時
time
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
おもて
front

Mail delivery times · Dialogue 3 of 3

Arrival and daily delivery

*この 小包は 明日 むこうへ つくでしょうか* asks whether the parcel will arrive at its destination tomorrow. Slow service prevents that arrival.

*ゆうびんの はいたつは 一日に 何度 ありますか* asks how many deliveries occur each day. The reply gives two in cities and towns, but one elsewhere.

  1. 13

    このこづつみはあしたむこうへつくでしょうか。

    Do you think this package will arrive there tomorrow?

  2. 14

    あしたはつきません。このごろはサービスがのろいですから。

    It won't get there tomorrow, because the service is slow these days.

  3. 15

    ゆうびんのはいたつはいちにちになんどありますか。

    How many times a day are there mail deliveries?

  4. 16

    しやまちでは、いちにちにたいていにどあります。あるところでは、いちどしかありませんがね。

    In cities and towns, usually there are two. In some places there is only one delivery.

明日
tomorrow
むこう
destination, yonder
つく
to arrive, to reach (v.i.)
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
この頃
these days, nowadays
サービス
service
のろい
slow (I-adj)
から。
from (See Gram. Notes)
ゆうびん
postal service
一日
first day of the month (See Grammar Notes)
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
町
town
二
two
ある
certain, some

Wanting and not wanting · Perception drill, Block 1

Wanting to write

*書きたいです* means "want to write." *書きたくは ありません* means "do not want to write." Both come from *書きます*, "write."

The desire ending

Remove *ます* from *書きます*, then add *たい*: *書きたい*. The result is an I-adjective and takes *です* in formal speech.

For the negative, *たい* becomes *たく* before *は ありません*. *たべたくは ありません* means "do not want to eat."

In statements, *たい* usually refers to the speaker. In questions, it normally refers to the person addressed.

The desired object can take *O* or *GA*. *NIHONGO O NARAITAI DESU* and *NIHONGO GA NARAITAI DESU* both mean "I want to learn Japanese."

Kanji: 早

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

  1. 17

    ---たい(です)。

    wants to do ---

  2. 18

    ---たくはありません。

    don't want to do--

  3. 19

    かきます——かきたいです。——かきたくはありません。

    write — want to write — do not want to write

  4. 20

    かえります——かえりたいです。——かえりたくはありません。

    return — want to return — do not want to return

  5. 21

    いきます——いきたいです。——いきたくはありません。

    go — want to go — do not want to go

  6. 22

    ならいます——ならいたいです。——ならいたくはありません。

    learn — want to learn — do not want to learn

  7. 23

    みます——みたいです。——みたくはありません。

    see — want to see — do not want to see

  8. 24

    たべます——たべたいです。——たべたくはありません。

    eat — want to eat — do not want to eat

  9. 25

    します——したいです。——したくはありません。

    do — want to do — do not want to do

  10. 26

    きます——きたいです。——きたくはありません。

    come — want to come — do not want to come

  11. 27

    あなたはタイごを(が)ならいたいですか。

    Do you want to learn Thai?

  12. 28

    はい、タイごを(が)ならいたいです。

    Yes, I want to learn Thai.

  13. 29

    あなたはまいしゅうゴルフをやりますか。

    Do you play golf every week?

  14. 30

    まいしゅうやりたいのですが、できません。

    I want to play every week, but I cannot.

  15. 31

    あなたはゴルフをやりたいときには、あさはやくでかけますか。

    When you want to play golf, do you leave early in the morning?

  16. 32

    ええ、たいていしちじごろはじめます。

    Yes, I usually start around seven o’clock.

  17. 33

    きょうさかなを(が)たべたいですか。

    Do you want to eat fish today?

  18. 34

    いいえ、きょうはさかなを(は)たべたくはありません。

    No, I do not want to eat fish today.

(です)。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ます——
trout
(が)
but (See Gram. Notes)
ゴルフ
golf
朝
morning
ええ、
Yes
七
seven
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
はじめ
beginning
今日
today
さかな
fish

Making one thing another · Perception drill, Block 2

A book becomes a parcel

*この本を 小包にします* means "I make this book into a parcel." The book is the object, and the parcel is the result.

The object and its result

With *する* meaning "make," *を* marks the thing changed. *に* marks what it becomes.

*生徒を 先生にします* means "I will make the student a teacher."

  1. 35

    このほんをこづつみにします。

    I make this book into a parcel.

  2. 36

    こどもをぐんじんにします。

    I will make the child a soldier.

  3. 37

    せいとをせんせいにします。

    I will make the student a teacher.

  4. 38

    これをべんとうにします。

    I will make this my lunch.

  5. 39

    スミスさんをともだちにしました。

    I made Mr. Smith my friend.

  6. 40

    これはいいみちですね。

    This is a good road, isn’t it?

  7. 41

    ええ、にねんまえにこれをいいみちにしたのです。

    Yes, we made it into a good road two years ago.

  8. 42

    このがっこうではぐんじんをせんせいにしますか。

    Does this school make soldiers into teachers?

  9. 43

    はい、ときどきぐんじんをせんせいにします。

    Yes, it sometimes makes soldiers into teachers.

  10. 44

    わたくしはうちのこどもをせんせいにしたいのです。

    I want to make my child a teacher.

  11. 45

    そうですか。せんせいにするのもわるくはないでしょう。

    Is that so? Making your child a teacher would not be bad either.

  12. 46

    このがっこうのたてものはふるいですね。

    This school building is old, isn’t it?

  13. 47

    そうです。ふるいたてものをがっこうにしたのです。

    Yes. They made an old building into a school.

本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
ます。
trout
べんとう
box lunch
道
road, street
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
前
before, front
時々
sometimes, occasionally
うち
home, house
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
たてもの
building
古い
old, antique

Conditional outcomes · Perception drill, Block 3

If the blossoms bloom

*さくらの花が さけば、 見に行きます* means "If cherry blossoms bloom, I will go to see them." The BA-form states the condition.

Forming conditions

The BA-form of a verb or I-adjective means "if." The result follows the condition.

For a consonant verb, add *-EBA* to its stem. *さく* becomes *さけば*, "if they bloom."

For an I-adjective, replace final *い* with *ければ*. *安ければ、 買います* means "If it is cheap, I will buy."

  1. 48

    さくらのはながさけば、みにいきます。

    If cherry blossoms bloom, I'll go to see them.

  2. 49

    やすければ、かいます。

    If it's cheap, I'll buy.

  3. 50

    あなたはあしたつりにいきますか。

    Are you going fishing tomorrow?

  4. 51

    あめがふれば、いきません。

    If it rains, I will not go.

  5. 52

    あなたのいえからがっこうまで、どのぐらいかかりますか。

    How long does it take from your house to the school?

  6. 53

    あるけばにじゅっぷんぐらいかかります。

    If I walk, it takes about twenty minutes.

  7. 54

    さくらのはなはさんがつにさくでしょうか。

    Will the cherry blossoms bloom in March?

  8. 55

    あたたかければ、さんがつのおわりごろさくでしょう。

    If it is warm, they will probably bloom around the end of March.

  9. 56

    このぼうしをかいますか。

    Will you buy this hat?

  10. 57

    やすければ、かいますが、たかければ、かいません。

    If it is cheap, I will buy it, but if it is expensive, I will not.

さくら
cherry (flower)
つり
fishing
雨
rain
家
house, home
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
まで、
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
どの
which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)
ぐらい
about
二十
20
分
minute
三
three
月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
さく
to bloom (v.i.)
おわり
end

Anyone, anywhere and anything · Perception drill, Block 4

Anything can go inside

*何でも 入れる ことが 出来ます* means "You can put in anything." *何* and *でも* give an inclusive meaning.

Question words with でも

In an affirmative sentence, a question word followed by *でも* means any member of its group.

*だれでも* means "anybody." *何時でも いいです* means "Any time is fine." *どこでも いいです* means "Anywhere is fine."

  1. 58

    なんでもいれることができます。

    You can put in anything.

  2. 59

    いつ——いつでも

    anytime

  3. 60

    だれ——だれでも

    anybody

  4. 61

    どこ——どこでも

    any place

  5. 62

    どれ——どれでも

    anyone

  6. 63

    どっち——どっちでも

    either one

  7. 64

    なんじ——いつでも

    anytime

  8. 65

    いくら——いくらでも

    any amount

  9. 66

    だれでもがいこくごをならうことができますか。

    Can anyone learn a foreign language?

  10. 67

    はい、だれでもならうことができます。

    Yes, anyone can learn one.

  11. 68

    あなたのおこさんはなんでもたべますか。

    Does your child eat anything?

  12. 69

    はい、なんでもたべます。きらいなものはありません。

    Yes, my child eats anything and dislikes nothing.

  13. 70

    あなたのいえへなんじにいきましょうか。

    What time shall I come to your house?

  14. 71

    いつでもいいです。

    Any time is fine.

  15. 72

    ひるめしをどこでたべましょうか。

    Where shall we eat lunch?

  16. 73

    どこでもいいです。

    Anywhere is fine.

いつ——
when?
だれ——
who?
どれ——
which (of three or more) (See Grammar Notes)
どっち——
which of two (See Grammar Notes)
時——
time
何時
what time
いくら——
how much? how many?
きらい
dislike (See Gram. Notes)
もの
things (tangible)
ましょう
let's (See Gram. Notes)
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ひるめし
lunch, noon meal

Stating what you want · Pattern 1 1 of 3

Wanting and not wanting

*私は 日本へ 行きたいです* means "I want to go to Japan." The *たい* form states the speaker's desire.

For the negative, *今ばん べんきょうしたくは ありません* means "I do not want to study tonight."

  1. 74

    これをともだちにおくりたいです。

    I want to send this to my friend.

  2. 75

    わたくしはにほんへいきたいです。

    I want to go to Japan.

  3. 76

    きょうはさかなをたべたいです。

    I want to eat fish today.

  4. 77

    わたくしはフランスごを(が)ならいたいです。

    I want to learn French.

  5. 78

    こんばんべんきょうしたくはありません。

    I do not want to study tonight.

  6. 79

    あしたはたらきたくはありません。

    I do not want to work tomorrow.

  7. 80

    こんばんなんをたべたいですか。

    What do you want to eat tonight?

ばん
evening, night

Asking what someone wants · Pattern 1 2 of 3

Asking about desire

*あたらしい 自どうしゃを 買いたいですか* means "Do you want to buy a new car?" In a question, *たい* refers to the person addressed.

*ええ、 買いたいのですが、 お金が ありません* gives the desire before a contrasting explanation. *たいのですが* makes the statement softer and less abrupt.

  1. 81

    さけが(を)たべたいです。

    I want to eat salmon.

  2. 82

    あたらしいじどうしゃをかいたいですか。

    Do you want to buy a new car?

  3. 83

    ええ、かいたいのですが、おかねがありません。

    Yes, I want to buy one, but I do not have any money.

  4. 84

    てがみをだしたいときには、どこへいきますか。

    When you want to mail a letter, where do you go?

  5. 85

    ゆうびんきょくへいきます。

    I go to the post office.

  6. 86

    およぎにいきたいですか。

    Do you want to go swimming?

  7. 87

    すこしさむいから、およぎにいきたくはありません。

    Since it is a little cold, I do not want to go swimming.

(を)
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
あたらしい
new
手紙
letter (correspondence)
少し
little (quantity)
さむい
cold
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)

Speaking, flying and returning · Pattern 1 3 of 3

Actions and travel

*日本語を 上手に はなします* means "I speak Japanese well." These actions can take the desire form.

*ひこうきで とびます* means "I fly by airplane." *三時頃 かえります* means "I will return around three o'clock."

  1. 88

    にほんごをじょうずにはなします。

    I speak Japanese well.

  2. 89

    ひこうきでとびます。

    I fly by airplane.

  3. 90

    はやくやすみます。

    I go to bed early.

  4. 91

    きょうゴルフをやります。

    I will play golf today.

  5. 92

    あたらしいいえをかいます。

    I will buy a new house.

  6. 93

    ここでおよぎます。

    I will swim here.

  7. 94

    さんじごろかえります。

    I will return around three o’clock.

上手
skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)
ここ
here

Transforming and sending parcels · Pattern 2 1 of 2

Make it, then send it

*これを 小包にして 送ります* means "I will make this into a parcel and send it." The *を* and *に* pattern marks the item and its result.

*この大きい たてものを 学校にしたいです* adds *たい* to state a desire to make the building into a school.

  1. 95

    これをこづつみにしておくります。

    I'll make this into a parcel and send it.

  2. 96

    このてがみをかきとめにしてください。

    Please send this letter by registered mail.

  3. 97

    このおおきいたてものをがっこうにしたいです。

    I want to make this large building into a school.

  4. 98

    わたくしはこどもをぐんじんにしたいです。

    I want to make my child a soldier.

  5. 99

    わたくしはあのせいとをせんせいにしたいのです。

    I want to make that student a teacher.

  6. 100

    このてがみをそくたつにすると、はやくむこうにつきますか。

    If I send this letter by special delivery, will it get there quickly?

ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
と、
and (See Gram. Notes)

Choosing registered mail · Pattern 2 2 of 2

Choosing a mailing form

*これを 小包に したいのですが* states a softened desire to make the item into a parcel. The speaker then asks for paper and cord.

*書とめにすると、 料金が たかいですよ* means "But if you send it by registered mail, the charge will be high." Here *と* states the condition.

  1. 101

    ええ、はやくつきます。

    Yes, it will get there quickly.

  2. 102

    これをこづつみにしたいのですがかみとひもがありますか。

    I want to make this into a parcel, but do you have paper and cord?

  3. 103

    はい、あります。これをおつかいなさい。

    Yes, I do. Use this.

  4. 104

    こづつみをかきとめにしたいのですか。

    Do you want to send the parcel by registered mail?

  5. 105

    そうですか。でも、かきとめにすると、りょうきんがたかいですよ。

    Is that so? But if you send it by registered mail, the charge will be high.

Results under different conditions · Pattern 3 1 of 4

Conditions and results

*雨が 降れば、 はたらきません* means "If it rains, I will not work." The verb's BA-form states the condition.

An I-adjective works the same way. *あたたかければ、 花が 早く さきます* means "If it is warm, the flowers will bloom early."

  1. 106

    あめがふれば、はたらきません。

    If it rains, I won't work.

  2. 107

    おもければ、もっていくことはできません。

    If it's heavy, I can't take it.

  3. 108

    あなたがいけば、みんないきます。

    If you go, everyone will go.

  4. 109

    こうくうゆうびんでだせば、はやくつきます。

    If you send it by airmail, it will get there quickly.

  5. 110

    もっとべんきょうすれば、じょうずになりますよ。

    If you study more, you will become good at it.

  6. 111

    おそければ、じどうしゃでいきなさい。

    If you are late, go by car.

  7. 112

    これがわるければ、それをつかいなさい。

    If this one is bad, use that one.

  8. 113

    あたたかければ、はながはやくさきます。

    If it is warm, the flowers will bloom early.

  9. 114

    あなたはなんじかんぐらいダイアログをべんきょうしますか。

    About how many hours do you study the dialogue?

みんな
all
もっと
more (See Gram. Notes)
時間
hour, time
ダイアログ
dialogue

Conditions, permission and choice · Pattern 3 2 of 4

Conditions and permission

*一時間 べんきょうすれば、 みんな おぼえる ことが 出来ます* makes ability depend on studying for one hour.

*さむければ しめても いいです* permits closing the window if it is cold.

*行きたく なければ* means "if you do not want to go." The result says "you do not have to go."

  1. 115

    いちじかんべんきょうすれば、みんなおぼえることができます。

    If I study for an hour, I can memorize all of it.

  2. 116

    このまどをしめてもいいですか。

    May I close this window?

  3. 117

    さむければしめてもいいです。

    If it is cold, you may close it.

  4. 118

    いきたくなければ、いかなくてもいいですよ。

    If you do not want to go, you do not have to go.

  5. 119

    そうですか。

    Is that so?

  6. 120

    かえる

    to return

  7. 121

    みる

    to see

  8. 122

    くる

    to come

  9. 123

    あるく

    to walk

おぼえる
to memorize, remember (v.t.)

Conditional forms for actions · Pattern 3 3 of 4

Actions used as conditions

*ならう* means "to learn," and *おしえる* means "to teach." They supply consonant and vowel verbs for the BA-form.

*読む* and *はらう* are also consonant verbs. *べんきょうする* supplies the irregular verb *する*.

  1. 124

    ならう

    to learn

  2. 125

    おしえる

    to teach

  3. 126

    よむ

    to read

  4. 127

    はらう

    to pay

  5. 128

    べんきょうする

    to study

  6. 129

    あそぶ

    to play

  7. 130

    やくす

    to translate

  8. 131

    かぶる

    to wear on the head

  9. 132

    つれていく

    to take along

はらう
to pay
あそぶ
to play (v.i.)
やくす
to translate (v.t.)
かぶる
to wear (on head)

Conditional adjectives and desires · Pattern 3 4 of 4

Descriptions used as conditions

*やさしい* means "easy," and *近い* means "near." These I-adjectives can take the BA-form.

*たべたい* means "want to eat," while *行きたくない* means "do not want to go." Desire forms also behave as I-adjectives.

  1. 133

    おきる

    to get up

  2. 134

    やさしい

    easy

  3. 135

    わかい

    young

  4. 136

    ちいさい

    small

  5. 137

    ちかい

    near

  6. 138

    たべたい

    want to eat

  7. 139

    いきたくない

    do not want to go

おきる
to rise, get up (v.i.)
やさしい
easy
わかい
young
近い
near, close

Anything, anyone and anywhere · Pattern 4 1 of 2

Any member of the group

*だれでも 日本語を ならうことが 出来ます* means "Anyone can learn Japanese." A question word with *でも* includes every possible person.

A BA-form can limit the group. *あたらしければ どれでも いいです* means "Any one will do if it is new."

  1. 140

    いつでもきてください。

    please come anytime.

  2. 141

    スミスさんはなんでもたべます。

    Mr. Smith eats anything.

  3. 142

    だれでもにほんごをならうことができます。

    Anyone can learn Japanese.

  4. 143

    あのひとはいくらでもビールをのみます。

    That man drinks any amount of beer.

  5. 144

    あたらしければどれでもいいです。

    Any one will do if it is new.

  6. 145

    なんじでもおいでなさい。

    Come anytime.

  7. 146

    てがみのりょうきんはどこでもおなじです。

    The postage for a letter is the same everywhere.

  8. 147

    あなたはにほんのたべものはなんでもたべますか。

    Do you eat any kind of Japanese food?

いつ
when?
だれ
who?
人
people
どれ
which (of three or more) (See Grammar Notes)

Any number, choice or place · Pattern 4 2 of 2

Any number or choice

*何本でも いいです* means "Any number will do." Here *でも* follows a question expression with a counter.

*どちらでも いいです* means "Either one will do." *どこでも いいです* means "Anywhere will do."

  1. 148

    はい、なんでもたべます。

    Yes, I eat anything.

  2. 149

    えんぴつをなんぼんかいましょうか。

    How many pencils shall I buy?

  3. 150

    なんぼんでもいいです。

    Any number will do.

  4. 151

    あなたはどちらをかいますか。

    Which one will you buy?

  5. 152

    どちらでもいいです。

    Either one will do.

  6. 153

    はなみにどこへいきましょうか。

    Where shall we go to see the cherry blossoms?

  7. 154

    どこでもいいです。

    Anywhere will do.

どちら
which of two (See Grammar Notes)
花見
flower viewing, cherry-blossom viewing

Preparing and addressing parcels · Reading Selection 1 of 3

Preparing a parcel

The passage starts with strong cord and paper. *あつい紙に 包んで* says to wrap the parcel in thick paper.

*おもてに あて名を 書いて* places the address on the front. *小包* is written beside it before the parcel goes to the post office.

  1. 155

    こづつみをこしらえるときには、じょうぶなひもとかみが

    When making a parcel, strong cord and paper are

  2. 156

    いります。

    needed.

  3. 157

    あついかみにつつんで、それから、じょうぶなひもで

    Wrap it in thick paper, and then with strong cord

  4. 158

    よくゆわえます。

    tie it securely.

  5. 159

    こづつみができると、おもてにあてなを

    When the parcel is ready, write the address on the front

  6. 160

    かいて、そのそばに「こづつみ」とかきます。

    and write “Parcel” beside it.

  7. 161

    それから、それを

    Then, take it

  8. 162

    ゆうびんきょくへもっていって、おくりますが、あまりおおきい

    to the post office and send it, but anything too large

こしらえる
to make (v.t.)
あつい
hot
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
よく
well, skillfully
あて名
addressee's name and address
そば
vicinity

Parcel restrictions and charges · Reading Selection 2 of 3

Restrictions and higher charges

*何でも 小包にする ことが 出来るのでは ありません* means "not everything can be sent as a parcel." Alcohol and matches provide the examples.

The BA-form gives two conditions for higher charges. *遠くへ 送れば* covers distance, and *おもければ* covers weight.

  1. 163

    ものはこづつみゆうびんでおくることはできません。

    cannot be sent by parcel post.

  2. 164

    アルコールやマッチはこづつみにいれることはできませんから、

    Since alcohol and matches cannot be put in a parcel,

  3. 165

    なんでもこづつみにすることができるのではありません。

    not everything can be sent as a parcel.

  4. 166

    こづつみりょうはいっていしていません。

    Parcel post charges are not uniform.

  5. 167

    とおくへおくれば、

    If you send it far away,

  6. 168

    たかくなります。

    the charge becomes higher.

  7. 169

    また、おもければ、りょうきんがたかいです。

    Also, if it is heavy, the charge is high.

  8. 170

    こづつみは

    A parcel

アルコール
alcohol
マッチ
match

Registered and daily mail · Reading Selection 3 of 3

The person who handles mail

*ゆうびん屋さんは 沢山の 手紙や 葉書や 小包を はいたつします* describes the mail carrier delivering letters, postcards, and parcels.

The ending 屋

Add *-YA* to a product or article. The result names its shop or a person who handles it.

*SAKANA-YA* means "fish market" or "fish dealer." *HANA-YA* means "flower shop" or "florist."

*YUUBIN-YA* means "mailman." The handler can take *SAN*, as in *YUUBINYA-SAN GA KIMASHITA*, "A mailman came."

  1. 171

    かきとめにすることもできます。

    can also be sent by registered mail.

  2. 172

    このまちでは、いちにちににどゆうびんはいたつがあります。

    In this town, mail is delivered twice a day.

  3. 173

    ゆうびんやさんはたくさんのてがみやはがきやこづつみをはいたつ

    The mail carrier delivers many letters, postcards, and parcels

  4. 174

    します。

    does.

  5. 175

    あめがふっても、ゆきがふっても、さむくても、あつくても、

    Whether it rains or snows, whether it is cold or hot,

  6. 176

    まいにちはいたつします。

    the mail is delivered every day.

  7. 177

    サービスはたいへんいいです。

    The service is very good.

雪
snow
大へん
very

Parcel materials and restrictions · Questions 1 of 2

How parcels are prepared

The questions ask what a parcel needs, what goes on its front, and where it is mailed.

*小包を こしらえる 時には、 何が いりますか* asks what is needed when making a parcel. An answer names strong paper and cord.

Other answers name things that cannot be made into parcels.

  1. 178

    小包を こしらえる 時には、 何が いりますか。

    こずつみをこしらえるときには、なんがいりますか。

    X

  2. 179

    小包の おもてには 何を 書きますか。

    こづつみをこしらえるときには、なにがいりますか。

    What do you need when making a parcel?

  3. 180

    小包は ふつう ポストに 入れて 出しますか。

    こづつみのおもてにはなにをかきますか。

    What do you write on the front of a parcel?

  4. 181

    なぜ 小包は ゆうびんきょくへ もって 行きますか。

    こづつみはふつうポストにいれてだしますか。

    Do you usually mail a parcel by putting it in a mailbox?

  5. 182

    何でも 小包にする ことが 出来ますか。

    なぜこづつみはゆうびんきょくへもっていきますか。

    Why do you take a parcel to the post office?

  6. 183

    どんなものを 小包にする ことが 出来ませんか。

    なんでもこづつみにすることができますか。

    Can anything be sent as a parcel?

  7. 184

    大きいものを 小包にする ことが 出来ますか。

    どんなものをこづつみにすることができませんか。

    What kinds of things cannot be sent as a parcel?

ポスト
mailbox
なぜ
why?
どんな
what kind of; what sort of

Parcel costs and delivery · Questions 2 of 2

Costs and delivery service

The questions ask whether charges are uniform, whether distance changes them, and whether registered mail is possible.

*遠くへ 送る 時も、 近くへ 送る 時も、 料金は 同じですか* asks whether near and far destinations have the same charge. An answer contrasts the charges.

Other answers give the number of daily deliveries and describe service in rain or snow.

  1. 185

    小包料は 一ていしていますか。

    おおきいものをこづつみにすることができますか。

    Can a large item be sent as a parcel?

  2. 186

    遠くへ 送る 時も、 近くへ 送る 時も、 料金は 同じですか。

    こづつみりょうはいっていしていますか。

    Are parcel post charges uniform?

  3. 187

    小包を 書とめに する ことが 出来ますか。

    とおくへおくるときも、ちかくへおくるときも、りょうきんはおなじですか。

    Is the charge the same whether you send it far away or nearby?

  4. 188

    この町では、 一日に 何度 ゆうびんはいたつが ありますか。

    こづつみをかきとめにすることができますか。

    Can a parcel be sent by registered mail?

  5. 189

    ゆうびんはいたつは 雨が 降っても、 雪が 降っても、 はいたつに 来ますか。

    このまちでは、いちにちになんどゆうびんはいたつがありますか。

    How many times a day is mail delivered in this town?

  6. 190

    ゆうびんきょくの サービスは いいですか。

    ゆうびんきょくのサービスはいいですか。

    Does the mail carrier come to deliver the mail even when it rains or snows?

近く
vicinity

Parcel and delivery words · Word list 1 of 4

Parcel and delivery words

The words cover parcels, their materials, postal delivery, charges, and registration.

*小包* means "parcel, small package." *ひも* means "cord, string." *書とめ* means "registered mail."

  1. 191

    こづつみ

    parcel, small package

  2. 192

    ひも

    cord, string

  3. 193

    ゆうびんや

    mailman

  4. 194

    ゆうびんはいたつ

    mailman, mail delivery

  5. 195

    はいたつ

    delivery

  6. 196

    こづつみりょう

    parcel post charge

  7. 197

    りょうきん

    fee, charge

  8. 198

    かきとめ

    registered mail

  9. 199

    サービス

    service

  10. 200

    マッチ

    match

ゆうびん屋
mailman
ゆうびんはいたつ
mailman, mail delivery
はいたつ
delivery
小包料
parcel post charge
書とめ
registered mail

Money, destinations and sending · Word list 2 of 4

Contents and destinations

The words cover restricted contents, money, destinations, sending, and wrapping.

*アルコール* means "alcohol." *遠く* means "distant place," while *近く* means "vicinity."

  1. 201

    アルコール

    alcohol

  2. 202

    たばこ

    tobacco, cigarette

  3. 203

    むこう

    destination, yonder

  4. 204

    おかね

    money

  5. 205

    きねん

    commemoration

  6. 206

    きねんきって

    commemorative stamp

  7. 207

    とおく

    distant (place)

  8. 208

    ちかく

    vicinity

  9. 209

    おくる

    to send (v.t.)

  10. 210

    つつむ

    to wrap (v.t.)

お金
money
きねん
commemoration
きねん切手
commemorative stamp
包む
to wrap (v.t.)

Delivery actions and descriptions · Word list 3 of 4

Delivery actions and descriptions

The words cover delivery actions and descriptions.

*はいたつする* means "to deliver." *おおい* is the I-adjective "many." Its KU-form appears in *おおくの*, which also means "many."

  1. 211

    ゆわえる

    to tie (v.t.)

  2. 212

    はいたつする

    to deliver (v.t.)

  3. 213

    つく

    to arrive, to reach (v.i.)

  4. 214

    あつめる

    to collect, gather (v.t.)

  5. 215

    こしらえる

    to make (v.t.)

  6. 216

    うる

    to sell (v.t.)

  7. 217

    じょうぶな

    strong

  8. 218

    のろい

    slow (I-adj)

  9. 219

    おおい

    many (I-adj)

  10. 220

    おおくの

    many

ゆわえる
to tie (v.t.)
はいたつする
to deliver (v.t.)
あつめる
to collect, gather (v.t.)
うる
to sell (v.t.)
じょうぶな
strong
おおい
many (I-adj)
おおくの
many

Parcel grammar and expressions · Word list 4 of 4

Parcel grammar and expressions

The expressions cover desire, conditions, parcel making, and inclusive choices.

*--たい* means "wants to ---." *---ば* means "if." *なんでも* means "anything."

  1. 221

    --たい

    wants to ---(See Gram. Notes)

  2. 222

    ---ば

    if (See Grammar Notes)

  3. 223

    こづつみにする

    to make into a parcel (See Grammar Notes)

  4. 224

    いっていしていません

    --is not uniform

  5. 225

    できました

    is made, is finished, is completed, is ready

  6. 226

    これでいいですか

    Will this do?

  7. 227

    なんでも

    anything (See Grammar Notes)

  8. 228

    など

    and so forth, etc.

  9. 229

    このごろ

    these days, nowadays

--たい
wants to ---(See Gram. Notes)
---ば
if (See Grammar Notes)
小包にする
to make into a parcel (See Grammar Notes)
一ていしていません
--is not uniform
出来ました
is made, is finished, is completed, is ready
これでいいですか
Will this do?
なんでも
anything (See Grammar 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.