Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 31

Lesson 31

Sounds, kana, and the first conversations

231 lines

Darkness, blindness and deafness · Dialogue 1 of 3

Darkness, sight, and hearing

One speaker finds the room very dark, and another offers to turn on the light. *明りを つけなければ 何も 見えませんよ* states that nothing can be seen without light.

*めくらは 目が 見えない 人ですが、 耳が 聞こえない 人を 何と 言いますか* contrasts a person who cannot see with one who cannot hear.

Kanji: 聞

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

Kanji: 明

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

  1. 1

    このへやはずいぶんくらいですが、あかるいへやはありませんか。

    This room is very dark, but isn't there a light room?

    このthis
    へやroom
    はtopic
    ずい分very
    くらいdark
    ですis
    が、but
    明るいlight
    へやroom
    はtopic
    ありexists
    ませnot, polite
    んnot, polite
    か。question
  2. 2

    ええ、あかるいへやがないのです。

    No, there is no light room.

  3. 3

    では、あかりをつけましょう。あかりをつけなければなにもみえませんよ。

    Let's turn on the light, then. If we don't turn on the light, we can't see anything, you see.

  4. 4

    そうですね。にんげんはあかりがなければ、めくらとおなじですね。

    That's right, isn't it? If a man doesn't have any light, he is as good as blind.

  5. 5

    めくらはめがみえないひとですが、みみがきこえないひとをなんといいますか。

    The blind are people who cannot see, but what do you call a person who cannot hear?

  6. 6

    つんぼといいます。

    He is called deaf.

--NAKEREBA NARIMASEN 'must ---,' 'have to'

1. --NAKEREBA NARIMASEN 'must ---,' 'have to'

a. In Japanese there are several possibilities that express the idea of obligation '--- must or has to do such-and-such.' The pattern --NAKUTEWA IKEMASEN has already been introduced, e.g.,

IKANAKUTEWA IKEMASEN. "I must go."

b. Instead of the above expression of obligation, the pattern '--NAKEREBA NARIMASEN' may be used, e.g.,

IKANAKEREBA NARIMASEN. "I must go."

c. Since --NAKUTEWA and --NAKEREBA are equivalent, as are IKEMASEN and NARIMASEN, the following four expressions mean about the same thing:

IKANAKUTEWA IKEMASEN.

IKANAKUTEWA NARIMASEN.

IKANAKEREBA IKEMASEN.

IKANAKEREBA NARIMASEN.

"I must go."
SOO DESU "I hear," "They say," "I understand."

2. SOO DESU "I hear," "They say," "I understand."

Occurring after the informal non-past basic ending or the informal past of an inflected word, soo desu means 'I hear that,' 'they say that,' 'I understand that.'

a. Verbs:

(1) TANAKA-SAN WA ASHITA KAERIMASU. "Mr. Tanaka will come home tomorrow."

(2) TANAKA-SAN WA ASHITA KAERU SOO DESU. "I understand that Mr. Tanaka is coming home tomorrow."

(3) YAMADA-SAN WA KINOO KAERIMASHITA. "Mr. Yamada came home yesterday."

(4) YAMADA-SAN WA KINOO KAETTA SOO DESU. "I hear Mr. Yamada came home yesterday."

b. I-adjectives:

(1) TENKI GA WARUI DESU. "The weather is bad."

(2) TENKI GA WARUI SOO DESU. "I understand that the weather is bad."

(3) OKANE GA ARIMASEN. "I have no money."

(4) OKANE GA NAI SOO DESU. "I understand there is no money."

c. Auxiliary Verbs:

(1) ANO HITO WA NIHON E IKU KOTO GA DEKIMASEN. "He can't go to Japan."

(2) ANO HITO WA NIHON E IKU KOTO GA DEKINAI SOO DESU. "I understand he can't go to Japan."

(3) ANO HITO WA NIHONGO GA NARAITAI DESU. "He wants to learn Japanese."

(4) NIHONGO GA NARAITAI SOO DESU. "I understand he wants to learn Japanese."

d. Copula:

(1) SUZUKI-SAN WA SENSEI DESU. "Mr. Suzuki is a teacher."

(2) SUZUKI-SAN WA SENSEI DA SOO DESU. "I understand that Mr. Suzuki is a teacher."

(3) BURAUN-SAN WA NIHONGO GA JOOZU DESU. "Mr. Brown is good in Japanese."

(4) BURAUN-SAN WA NIHONGO GA JOOZU DA SOO DESU. "I understand Mr. Brown is good in Japanese."

Thus, the speaker uses SOO DESU at the end of his statement when he wants to report something he hasn't actually witnessed himself. Even when he specifically states the source of his report, his statement must end

in SOO DESU if the fact reported is not from his own observation or knowledge, e.g.,

SHINBUN NI YORU TO, ASHITA WA AME GA FURU SOO DESU. "According to the newspaper, it will rain tomorrow."
BA-form vs. TEMO-form

3. BA-form vs. TEMO-form

a. BA-form means 'if,' and TEMO-form means 'even if.'

b. If the question is asked by using BA-form,

(1) if the answer is HAI, just repeat the question dropping KA.

(2) if the answer is IIE, use TEMO-form in place of BA-form and change the predicate from negative to affirmative or from affirmative to negative.

c. If the question is asked by using TEMO-form,

(1) if the answer is HAI, just repeat the question dropping KA.

(2) if the answer is IIE, use BA-form in place of TEMO-form and change the predicate from negative to affirmative or from affirmative to negative.

Examples:

AME GA FUREBA IKIMASEN KA. "Are you not going if it rains?"

HAI, AME GA FUREBA IKIMASEN. "No, I won't go if it rains."

IIE, AME GA FUTTEMO IKIMASU. "Yes, I am going even if it rains."

AME GA FUTTEMO IKIMASU KA. "Are you going even if it rains?"

HAI, AME GA FUTTEMO IKIMASU. "Yes, I am going even if it rains."

IIE, AME GA FUREBA IKIMASEN. "No, I am not going if it rains."
NAN + Counter + MO "many ---"

4. NAN + Counter + MO "many ---"

NAN plus a counter plus MO means 'many of whatever the counter indicates,' e.g.,

NAN-NICHI MO many days

NAN-NIN MO many people

NAN-MAI MO many (sheets of ---)

NAN-BON MO many (long objects)

NAN-JIKAN MO many hours

Examples:

HON-YA GA NAN-GEN MO ARIMASU. "There are many book stores."

NAN-NICHI MO KAKARIMASU. "It takes many days."
MOSHI 'if'

5. MOSHI 'if'

The word MOSHI may occur at the beginning of a conditional sentence just to act as a signal telling the listener to expect a conditional form. However, the conditional clause must end in the conditional form even if the word MOSHI is used at the beginning of the clause.

Examples:

MOSHI AME GA FUREBA, IKIMASEN. "I won't go if it rains."

MOSHI YASUKEREBA, KAIMASU. "I'll buy if it's cheap."
TO 'with' (accompaniment)

6. TO 'with' (accompaniment)

The use of the particle TO with the meaning 'and,' 'if,' 'when,' and 'what is quoted' has already been introduced. Occurring after a noun, the particle TO also means 'with' denoting a relation of accompaniment or association, e.g.,

YAMADA-SAN WA TANAKA-SAN TO HANASHIMASHITA. "Mr. Yamada talked with Mr. Tanaka."

SUZUKI-SAN TO ISSHO NI IKIMASHITA. "I went with Mr. Suzuki."
へや
room
は
leaves
ずい分
very much
くらい
dark
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
明るい
light
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
ええ、
Yes
の
See Grammar Notes
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
明り
light
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
めくら
blind, blind person
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
人
people
ます
trout
つんぼ
deaf

Hearing and special schools · Dialogue 2 of 3

Hearing and special schools

The speakers compare limited hearing with inability to hear or speak. *目が 見えない 人や ものを 言うことが 出来ない 人の ために、 とくべつな 学校が あるそうですね* reports that special schools exist.

*その人たちは そこで とくべつな きょういくを うけます* states that these people receive special education there.

A signal for if

*もし 耳が 遠ければ* means "if one is hard of hearing." The opening *もし* signals that the conditional form *遠ければ* follows.

*耳が 遠くても* means "even if one is hard of hearing."

The *そうです* in the school report marks information the speaker has heard.

Kanji: 話

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

  1. 7

    もしみみがとおければ、なにもきくことができませんか。

    If one is hard of hearing, can he not hear anything?

  2. 8

    いいえ、みみがとおくても、ひとがちかくではなせばきこえますよ。

    Even if he is hard of hearing, if a person speaks to him close, he can hear.

  3. 9

    おしというのはなんですか。

    What is a deaf-mute?

  4. 10

    おしというのはうまれつきみみがきこえないひとで、ものをいうこともできないのです。

    A deaf-mute is a person who cannot hear by nature and he can neither talk nor hear.

  5. 11

    めがみえないひとやものをいうことができないひとのために、とくべつながっこうがあるそうですね。

    I hear that there are special schools for the blind and deaf-mute, isn't that right?

  6. 12

    ええ、あります。そのひとたちはそこでとくべつなきょういくをうけます。

    Yes, there are. Blind people and deaf-mutes receive special education there.

もし
if
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
遠く
distant (place)
近く
vicinity
おし
deaf-mute
言う
to say
うまれつき
by birth, by nature
もの
things (tangible)
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
に、
on (See Gram. Notes)
ある
certain, some
そこ
there

Guide dogs and training · Dialogue 3 of 3

Training people and dogs

The speakers discuss dogs used by blind people and the training these dogs receive. *長い くんれんが おわってから* places the joint training after the dog's long training.

*目が 見えない 人は その いぬを 買わなければ なりませんか* asks whether a blind person must buy the dog.

Doing something with someone

*その いぬを もらう 人と 一しょに* means "together with the person who receives that dog." After a noun, the particle *と* can mean "with."

The line also has *何日も*, "many days," and *くんれん しなければ なりません*, "must train."

*もらうことも 出来るそうです* reports that a person without money can receive a dog.

Kanji: 米, 国

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

Kanji: 多

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

  1. 13

    べいこくでは、このごろはつえをつかわなくて、いぬをつかうめくらのひとがおおいそうですね。

    I understand that nowadays in the United States there are many blind people who use dogs without using canes, is that right?

  2. 14

    ええ、おおいです。

    Yes, that's right. There are many.

  3. 15

    そのいぬはとくべつなくんれんをうけるのですか。

    Do those dogs receive special training?

  4. 16

    ええ。そして、ながいくんれんがおわってから、こんどはそのいぬをもらうひとといっしょに、またなんにちもくんれんしなければなりません。

    That's right. After the long training is over, this time they must go through training for many days together with the persons who receive them.

  5. 17

    めがみえないひとはそのいぬをかわなければなりませんか。

    Must a blind person buy that dog?

  6. 18

    ええ、かわなければなりません。しかし、おかねがなければもらうこともできるそうです。

    That's right. However, I understand that if he has no money, he can receive one (free of charge), too.

は、
leaves
この頃
these days, nowadays
つえ
cane
いぬ
dog
使う
to use, employ
くんれん
training
うける
to receive (intangible things) (v.t.)
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
今度
this time, next time
もらう
to receive (tangible things)
し
city
しかし、
however, but

Saying what must happen · Perception drill, Block 1

What someone must do

*たつ* means "stand up." *たたなければなりません* means "must stand up."

A verb ending in *なければ* followed by *なりません* states an obligation. *買わなければなりません* means "He must buy."

Obligations in questions and answers

*生徒は 家でも べんきょうしなければなりませんか* asks "Must the students study at home too?"

*三時間ぐらい べんきょうしなければなりません* answers that they have to study for about three hours.

Kanji: 習

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

  1. 19

    かわなければなりません。

    He must buy.

  2. 20

    たつ——たたなければなりません。

    stand up — must stand up.

  3. 21

    いく——いかなければなりません。

    go — must go.

  4. 22

    はなす——はなさなければなりません。

    speak — must speak.

  5. 23

    ならう——ならわなければなりません。

    learn — must learn.

  6. 24

    みる——みなければなりません。

    see — must see.

  7. 25

    おきる——おきなければなりません。

    get up — must get up.

  8. 26

    くる——こなければなりません。

    come — must come.

  9. 27

    する——しなければなりません。

    do — must do.

  10. 28

    せいとはいえでもべんきょうしなければなりませんか。

    Must the students study at home too?

  11. 29

    はい、たいていさんじかんぐらいべんきょうしなければなりません。

    Yes, they usually have to study for about three hours.

  12. 30

    てがみにはなんセントのきってをはらなければなりませんか。

    How many cents in stamps must I put on a letter?

  13. 31

    ふつうゆうびんなら、ろくセントのきってをはらなければなりません。

    If it is regular mail, you must put a six-cent stamp on it.

  14. 32

    せいとたちはダイアログをおぼえなければなりませんか。

    Must the students memorize the dialogues?

  15. 33

    はい、まいにちダイアログをおぼえなければなりません。

    Yes, they must memorize a dialogue every day.

  16. 34

    せんせいはまいにちなんじかんぐらいおしえなければなりませんか。

    About how many hours must the teacher teach every day?

  17. 35

    まいにちごじかんぐらいおしえなければなりません。

    The teacher must teach for about five hours every day.

きる——
to wear (v.t.)
家
house, home
三
three
時間
hour, time
ぐらい
about
手紙
letter (correspondence)
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
切手
postage stamp
ゆうびん
postal service
なら、
if it is (See Gram. Notes)
六
six
ダイアログ
dialogue
五
five

Reporting what you heard · Perception drill, Block 2

Information from another source

*とくべつな 学校が ある そうです* means "I understand that there is a special school." The reporting *そうです* follows the informal non-past or past form.

*とうきょうの 夏は むしあつい そうです* reports an I-adjective: "I hear that summer in Tokyo is humid."

After a noun or NA-adjective

*あの方は ゴルフが 上手だそうですね* means "I hear that person is good at golf." A noun or NA-adjective uses *だ* before *そうです*.

*かなり 上手です* gives the direct reply: "He is quite good."

  1. 36

    とくべつながっこうがあるそうです。

    I understand that there is a special school.

  2. 37

    とうきょうのなつはむしあついそうです。

    I hear that summer in Tokyo is humid.

  3. 38

    にほんごはかなりむずかしいそうですね。

    I hear Japanese is rather difficult.

  4. 39

    ええ、とてもむずかしいです。

    Yes, it is very difficult.

  5. 40

    あのひとはフランスごができるそうですね。

    I hear that person can speak French.

  6. 41

    はい、できます。

    Yes, he can.

  7. 42

    あのかたはゴルフがじょうずだそうですね。

    I hear that person is good at golf.

  8. 43

    ええ、かなりじょうずです。

    Yes, he is quite good.

  9. 44

    にほんはきれいなところだそうですね。

    I hear Japan is a beautiful place.

  10. 45

    ええ、たいへんきれいなところです。

    Yes, it is a very beautiful place.

です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
夏
summer
むしあつい
sultry, humid
かなり
fairly
むずかしい
difficult
とても
very, indeed
ます。
trout
ゴルフ
golf
上手
skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
所
address, place
大へん
very

If and even if · Perception drill, Block 3

If and even if

*話せば* means "if one speaks." *話しても* means "even if one speaks." The BA-form marks "if," while the TEMO-form marks "even if."

A *はい* answer repeats the question without *か*.

A negative answer reverses the result

*雨が 降れば 行きませんか* asks "Won't you go if it rains?"

*いいえ、 雨が 降っても 行きます* answers "No, I will go even if it rains." BA changes to TEMO, and the predicate becomes affirmative.

A TEMO question changes to BA in the same way when the answer is *いいえ*.

  1. 46

    --ればブイエス--ても

    'if' vs. 'even if'

  2. 47

    はなす——はなせば——はなしても

    speak — if one speaks — even if one speaks.

  3. 48

    よむ——よめば——よんでも

    read — if one reads — even if one reads.

  4. 49

    ふる——ふれば——ふっても

    fall — if it falls — even if it falls.

  5. 50

    くる——くれば——きても

    come — if one comes — even if one comes.

  6. 51

    する——すれば——しても

    do — if one does — even if one does.

  7. 52

    ならう——ならえば——ならっても

    learn — if one learns — even if one learns.

  8. 53

    ながい——ながければ——ながくても

    long — if it is long — even if it is long.

  9. 54

    あめがふればいきませんか。

    Won't you go if it rains?

  10. 55

    いいえ、あめがふってもいきます。

    No, I will go even if it rains.

  11. 56

    このひもはみじかくてもつかうことができますか。

    Can this cord be used even if it is short?

  12. 57

    いいえ、みじかければつかうことはできません。

    No, if it is short, it cannot be used.

  13. 58

    えんぴつがみじかければじをかくことができませんか。

    Can't you write if the pencil is short?

  14. 59

    いいえ、みじかくてもじをかくことができます。

    No, you can write even if it is short.

  15. 60

    みみがなければみることができませんか。

    Can't you see if you have no ears?

  16. 61

    いいえ、みみがなくてもみることができます。

    No, you can see even if you have no ears.

降る——
to fall (rain) (v.i.)
雨
rain
ひも
cord, string

Saying how many · Perception drill, Block 4

Many of what the counter counts

*何日も くんれんします* means "We train for many days." *何* plus a counter plus *も* means many of what that counter counts.

*何人も* means "many people," while *何本も* means "many long objects."

A large quantity instead of a number

*つくえの上に えんぴつが 何本 ありますか* asks how many pencils are on the desk.

*何本も あります* answers "There are many." With *も*, the answer gives a large quantity instead of a number.

  1. 62

    なんにちもくんれんします。

    We train for many days.

  2. 63

    なんにん——なんにんも

    how many people — many people.

  3. 64

    なんかげつ——なんかげつも

    how many months — many months.

  4. 65

    なんぼん——なんぼんも

    how many long objects — many long objects.

  5. 66

    なんど——なんども

    how many times — many times.

  6. 67

    なんまい——なんまいも

    how many flat objects — many flat objects.

  7. 68

    なんじかん——なんじかんも

    how many hours — many hours.

  8. 69

    あなたはにほんじんのともだちがありますか。

    Do you have any Japanese friends?

  9. 70

    はい、なんにんもあります。

    Yes, I have many.

  10. 71

    にほんへなんどもいきましたか。

    Have you been to Japan many times?

  11. 72

    はい、なんどもいきました。

    Yes, I have been there many times.

  12. 73

    つくえのうえにえんぴつがなんぼんありますか。

    How many pencils are there on the desk?

  13. 74

    なんぼんもあります。

    There are many.

  14. 75

    じしょがなんさつありますか。

    How many dictionaries are there?

  15. 76

    じしょがなんさつもあります。

    There are many dictionaries.

人——
people
本——
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
時間——
hour, time
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
さつ
numerical counter for counting books (See Grammar Notes)

Daily obligations · Pattern 1 1 of 3

Obligations in daily life

*明日は 朝早く おきなければなりません* means "I must get up early tomorrow morning." The *なければなりません* pattern states the obligation.

*日本語で 話さなければなりません* means "I must speak in Japanese." Other lines apply the pattern to going, repairing, studying, walking, and memorizing.

Kanji: 歩

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

  1. 77

    らいげつにほんへいかなければなりません。

    I must go to Japan next month.

  2. 78

    わたくしはうでどけいをなおさなければなりません。

    I must have my wristwatch repaired.

  3. 79

    こんばんべんきょうしなければなりません。

    I must study tonight.

  4. 80

    あしたはあさはやくおきなければなりません。

    I must get up early tomorrow morning.

  5. 81

    じどうしゃがないから、あるいていかなければなりません。

    Since I do not have a car, I must walk.

  6. 82

    にほんごではなさなければなりません。

    I must speak in Japanese.

  7. 83

    このダイアログをみんなおぼえなければなりませんか。

    Must everyone memorize this dialogue?

  8. 84

    はい、みんなおぼえなければなりません。

    Yes, everyone must memorize it.

来月
next month
ばん
evening, night
明日
tomorrow
朝
morning
みんな
all

Asking about obligations · Pattern 1 2 of 3

An obligation or no need

*この ぶんしょうを やくさなければなりませんか* asks "Do I have to translate this passage?"

*やくさなくても いいです* answers that translating it is not necessary.

An obligation in the past

*学校へ 行かなければ なりませんでした* places the obligation in the past: "I had to go to school."

The ending *から* gives that obligation as the reason the speaker could not visit.

  1. 85

    このぶんしょうをやくさなければなりませんか。

    Do I have to translate this passage?

  2. 86

    いいえ、やくさなくてもいいです。

    No, you don't have to translate it.

  3. 87

    さくばんいえへきませんでしたね。

    You didn't come to my house last night, did you?

  4. 88

    ええ、さくばんはがっこうへいかなければなりませんでしたから、あなたのいえへいくことができませんでした。

    No, I had to go to school last night, so I couldn't go to your house.

  5. 89

    にほんごをならいます。

    I learn Japanese.

  6. 90

    おかねをはらいます。

    I pay the money.

  7. 91

    てがみをかきます。

    I write a letter.

  8. 92

    くつをはきます。

    I put on shoes.

いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
くつ
shoes

Mailing, reading and teaching · Pattern 1 3 of 3

Six actions as obligations

*葉書を 出します* means "I mail a postcard." In this pattern, the action becomes an obligation.

*早く やすみます* means "I go to bed early." The other actions are teaching, reading, remaining until six, and asking a question.

  1. 93

    はがきをだします。

    I mail a postcard.

  2. 94

    はやくやすみます。

    I go to bed early.

  3. 95

    ごじかんおしえます。

    I teach for five hours.

  4. 96

    しんぶんをよみます。

    I read the newspaper.

  5. 97

    ろくじまでのこります。

    I stay until six o'clock.

  6. 98

    しつもんします。

    I ask a question.

時
time
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
しつもん
question

Reporting facts you heard · Pattern 2 1 of 2

Reports in the non-past

*今ばん 雨が 降るそうです* means "I understand it is going to rain tonight." The reporting *そうです* follows the informal form *降る*.

*スミスさんは フランス語が 上手だそうです* reports a NA-adjective with *だ*.

A report about the past

*ブラウンさんは 日本へ 行ったそうです* means "I hear Mr. Brown went to Japan." The informal past form *行った* stands before *そうです*.

  1. 99

    こんばんあめがふるそうです。

    I understand it's going to rain tonight.

  2. 100

    アラスカのふゆはたいへんさむいそうです。

    I understand that the winter in Alaska is very cold.

  3. 101

    あのひとはみみがきこえないそうです。

    I hear that person cannot hear.

  4. 102

    あのせいとはまいばんさんじかんべんきょうするそうです。

    I hear that student studies for three hours every evening.

  5. 103

    やまもとさんはみみがとおいそうです。

    I hear Mr. Yamamoto is hard of hearing.

  6. 104

    スミスさんはフランスごがじょうずだそうです。

    I hear Mr. Smith is good at French.

  7. 105

    ブラウンさんはにほんへいったそうです。

    I hear Mr. Brown went to Japan.

  8. 106

    あのひとはひだりのめがよくみえないそうですね。

    I hear that person cannot see well out of his left eye.

降る
to fall (rain) (v.i.)
アラスカ
Alaska
冬
winter
さむい
cold
遠い
far
よく
well, skillfully

Discussing secondhand information · Pattern 2 2 of 2

A report followed by confirmation

*ニューヨークの 夏は あついそうですね* means "I hear summers in New York are hot." The reporting form with *ね* invites confirmation.

*とても むしあついです* gives direct information: "They are very hot and humid." The reply can confirm the report with a more exact fact.

  1. 107

    すこしはみえるのですが、かなりわるいのでしょう。

    He can see a little, but it is probably quite bad.

  2. 108

    にほんじんはきものをきると、くつをはかないそうですね。

    I hear that when Japanese people wear kimono, they do not wear shoes.

  3. 109

    ええ、たいていきものをきると、げたをはきます。

    Yes, when they wear kimono, they usually wear wooden clogs.

  4. 110

    ニューヨークのなつはあついそうですね。

    I hear summers in New York are hot.

  5. 111

    ええ、とてもむしあついです。

    Yes, they are very hot and humid.

  6. 112

    スミスさんはにほんごがよくできるそうですね。

    I hear Mr. Smith is very good at Japanese.

  7. 113

    ええ、クラスでいちばんよくできますね。

    Yes, he is the best in the class.

少し
little (quantity)
見える
to be visible, can see (v.i.)
わるい
bad
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
きもの
KIMONO
きる
to wear (v.t.)
と、
and (See Gram. Notes)
げた
wooden clogs
ニューヨーク
New York
あつい
hot
一番
number one (See Grammar Notes)

Contrasting if and even if · Pattern 3 1 of 3

From if to even if

*雨が 降れば、 行きませんか* asks "Won't you go if it rains?"

*いいえ、 雨が 降っても 行きます* answers "No, I will go even if it rains." The if-form becomes the even-if form, and the predicate becomes affirmative.

From even if to if

*雨が 降っても 行きますか* asks whether the speaker will go even if it rains.

*いいえ、 雨が 降れば 行きません* answers "No, if it rains, I will not go." The even-if form becomes the if-form, and the predicate becomes negative.

  1. 114

    あめがふれば、いきませんか。

    Won't you go if it rains?

  2. 115

    いいえ、あめがふってもいきます。

    No, I'll go even if it rains.

  3. 116

    あめがふってもいきますか。

    Will you go even if it rains?

  4. 117

    いいえ、あめがふればいきません。

    No, if it rains, I won't go.

  5. 118

    あめがふれば、あなたははたらきませんか。

    If it rains, don't you work?

  6. 119

    いいえ、あめがふってもわたくしははたらきます。

    No, I work even if it rains.

  7. 120

    みみがとおければ、はなすことはできませんか。

    If you are hard of hearing, can't you speak?

  8. 121

    いいえ、みみがとおくてもはなすことはできます。

    No, even if you are hard of hearing, you can speak.

Conditional limits and responses · Pattern 3 2 of 3

A result despite the condition

*先生の しつもんを 一度 聞けば、 すぐ わかりますか* asks whether one hearing brings immediate understanding.

*一度 聞いても わかりません* answers "I do not understand it even after hearing it once." The if-form becomes the even-if form, and the result becomes negative.

  1. 122

    せんせいのしつもんをいちどきけば、すぐわかりますか。

    If you hear the teacher's question once, do you understand it right away?

  2. 123

    いいえ、ときどきいちどきいてもわかりません。

    No, sometimes I don't understand it even after hearing it once.

  3. 124

    めがなくてもみることができますか。

    Can you see even if you have no eyes?

  4. 125

    いいえ、めがなければ、みることはできません。

    No, if you have no eyes, you cannot see.

  5. 126

    へやがくらくてもあかりをつけませんか。

    Don't you turn on the light even if the room is dark?

  6. 127

    いいえ、へやがくらければ、あかりをつけます。

    No, if the room is dark, I turn on the light.

  7. 128

    そのじどうしゃはたかいですが、たかくてもかいますか。

    That car is expensive, but will you buy it even if it is expensive?

  8. 129

    いいえ、たかければ、かいません。

    No, if it is expensive, I won't buy it.

一
one
すぐ
right away, immediately
時々
sometimes, occasionally
たかい
expensive

Asking conditional questions · Pattern 3 3 of 3

What happens under a condition

*お金が あれば、 日本へ 行きますか* asks "If you have money, will you go to Japan?" The BA-form sets the condition.

*よく べんきょうしても 上手に なりませんか* asks whether improvement fails even with hard study. The TEMO-form means "even if."

  1. 130

    おかねがあれば、にほんへいきますか。

    If you have money, will you go to Japan?

  2. 131

    やすければ、かいますか。

    If it is cheap, will you buy it?

  3. 132

    やさしければ、べんきょうしませんか。

    If it is easy, won't you study it?

  4. 133

    たべれば、おおきくなりますか。

    If you eat, will you grow bigger?

  5. 134

    せんせいがはやくはなせば、わかりませんか。

    If the teacher speaks quickly, don't you understand?

  6. 135

    よくべんきょうしてもじょうずになりませんか。

    Won't you get better even if you study hard?

Many times, years and objects · Pattern 4 1 of 2

Many with different counters

*私は 何度も 日本へ 行きました* means "I have been to Japan many times." The counter before *も* identifies what is numerous.

*何年も* means many years, *何本も* many long objects, *何人も* many people, and *何げんも* many buildings.

  1. 136

    なんにちもあめがふりました。

    It rained for many days.

  2. 137

    わたくしはなんどもにほんへいきました。

    I have been to Japan many times.

  3. 138

    あのかたはなんねんもみみがきこえないのです。

    That person has been unable to hear for many years.

  4. 139

    つくえのうえにはくぼくがなんぼんもあります。

    There are many pieces of chalk on the desk.

  5. 140

    このがっこうにはおんなのせんせいがなんにんもいます。

    There are many women teachers at this school.

  6. 141

    やまのなかにちいさいいえがなんげんもあります。

    There are many small houses in the mountains.

年
year (See Grammar Notes)
はく
to wear (on feet or legs)
本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
女
female
山
mountain

Many people, years and boxes · Pattern 4 2 of 2

Whether the quantity is large

*何年も 日本語を おしえていますか* asks whether the teacher has taught Japanese for many years.

*何人も 居ますか* asks whether many people are present. *はい、 何人も 居ます* confirms that there are many.

  1. 142

    せんせい、あなたはもうなんねんもにほんごをおしえていますか。

    Teacher, have you been teaching Japanese for many years now?

  2. 143

    ええ、もうにじゅうねんぐらいおしえています。

    Yes, I have been teaching it for about twenty years now.

  3. 144

    このがっこうにはくうぐんのぐんじんがなんにんもいますか。

    Are there many Air Force servicemen at this school?

  4. 145

    はい、なんにんもいます。

    Yes, there are many.

  5. 146

    つくえのうえに、はこがいくつもありますか。

    Are there several boxes on the desk?

  6. 147

    いいえ、ひとつしかありません。

    No, there is only one.

もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
二十
20

Blindness and deafness from birth · Reading Selection 1 of 4

Sight, hearing, and speech from birth

The passage describes people who cannot see or speak. *ある人は うまれつきの めくら* means "Some people are blind from birth."

*うまれつき 耳が 聞こえませんから* gives deafness from birth as the reason. *ものを 言うことも 出来ません* states that they cannot speak either.

  1. 148

    まちをあるいていると、めのみえないひとや、ものをいう

    When you walk through town, you see people who cannot see and people who cannot

  2. 149

    ことができないひとをみます。

    speak.

  3. 150

    あるひとはうまれつきのめくら

    Some people are blind from birth.

  4. 151

    です。

    They are.

  5. 152

    またあるひとはうまれつきみみがきこえませんから、

    Also, some people are deaf from birth, so

  6. 153

    ものをいうこともできません。

    they cannot speak either.

  7. 154

    ものをいうことができない

    A person who cannot speak

町
town
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
や、
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)

Special schools and lipreading · Reading Selection 2 of 4

Schools and watching speech

The passage says blind and mute people attend special schools. *とくべつな 学校に 行きます* means "They go to special schools."

*話している 人の 口を 見ます* says they watch the speaker's mouth. *話の いみが わかるのです* states that they understand the speech.

Kanji: 外

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

  1. 155

    ひとをおしといいます。

    is called mute.

  2. 156

    めくらやおしは、そのひとたちの

    Blind and mute people

  3. 157

    ためにあるとくべつながっこうにいきます。

    go to special schools for them.

  4. 158

    おしはほかのひとが

    When other people

  5. 159

    はなしているときに、はなしているひとのくちをみます。

    are talking, mute people watch the speaker's mouth.

  6. 160

    それではなしの

    In this way, they

  7. 161

    いみがわかるのです。

    understand what is being said.

いみ
meaning

Training, touch and education · Reading Selection 3 of 4

Training over many years

The passage describes long training for communication and reading by touch. *何年も うけなければ なりません* combines an obligation with *何年も*, "for many years."

*手を 使って 本を 読む くんれんを うけます* states that blind people receive training to read with their hands.

*これも 又 何年も かかります* says this training also takes many years.

  1. 162

    おしはがっこうでいろいろなくんれんを

    Mute people must receive various kinds of training at school

  2. 163

    なんねんもうけなければなりません。

    for many years.

  3. 164

    めくらのひとはがっこうにいって、てをつかってほんをよむ

    Blind people go to school and read books with their hands

  4. 165

    くんれんをうけます。

    after receiving training.

  5. 166

    これもまたなんねんもかかります。

    This also takes many years.

  6. 167

    しかし、

    However,

  7. 168

    にほんでは、めくらやおしのおおくは、おかねがありませんから、

    in Japan, many blind and mute people do not have money, so

Free education and transport · Reading Selection 4 of 4

Transport and education without cost

The passage reports that blind and mute people in the United States go to school by bus or car. *学校に 行くそうです* carries the report.

*お金も いりませんから* gives the absence of cost as the reason few people lack an education.

  1. 169

    がっこうへいくことができません。

    they cannot go to school.

  2. 170

    べいこくでは、めくらやおしのひとたちは

    In the United States, blind and mute people

  3. 171

    だれでもバスやじどうしゃでがっこうにいくそうです。

    all reportedly go to school by bus or car.

  4. 172

    そして、

    And

  5. 173

    おかねもいりませんから、きょういくのないめくらやおしはすくない

    since it does not cost any money, there are few blind or mute people without an education.

だれ
who?
バス
bus

Naming sight and speech disabilities · Questions 1 of 2

Names and abilities

*ものを 言うことの 出来ない 人を 何と 言いますか* means "What do you call a person who cannot speak?" An answer names *おし*.

Other questions ask whether a person can see, hear, or speak and whether blind and mute people attend the same schools.

  1. 174

    そうです。

    That's right.

  2. 175

    まちをあるいていると、ときどきめくらのひとをみますか。

    When you walk around town, do you sometimes see blind people?

  3. 176

    ものをいうことのできないひとをなんといいますか。

    What do you call a person who cannot speak?

  4. 177

    めがみえないひとをなんといいますか。

    What do you call a person who cannot see?

  5. 178

    めくらやおしはほかのひととおなじがっこうへいきますか。

    Do blind and mute people go to the same schools as other people?

  6. 179

    おしはなにをすることができませんか。

    What are mute people unable to do?

  7. 180

    みみがきこえないひとはみんなおしですか。

    Are all people who cannot hear mute?

  8. 181

    うまれつきみみがきこえないひとは、ものをいうことができませんか。

    Are people who are deaf from birth unable to speak?

Schools, guide dogs and lipreading · Questions 2 of 2

Education and assistance

*おしは 何年も とくべつな くんれんを うけなければ なりませんか* asks whether mute people must receive special training for many years.

*おしは どうして むこうの人の 話の いみが わかりますか* asks for the explanation about watching the speaker's mouth.

Other answers state whether special schools, special books, and trained dogs exist.

  1. 182

    おしやめくらのために、とくべつながっこうがありますか。

    Are there special schools for mute and blind people?

  2. 183

    めくらのためにとくべつのほんがありますか。

    Are there special books for blind people?

  3. 184

    おしはなんねんもとくべつなくんれんをうけなければなりませんか。

    Do mute people have to receive special training for many years?

  4. 185

    べいこくでは、がっこうへいかないめくらやおしがおおいですか。

    In the United States, are there many blind and mute people who do not go to school?

  5. 186

    つんぼはみんなものをいうことができませんか。

    Are all deaf people unable to speak?

  6. 187

    にほんでは、がっこうへいかないめくらのひとやおしがおおいですか。

    In Japan, are there many blind and mute people who do not go to school?

  7. 188

    めくらのために、とくべつなくんれんをうけたいぬがいますか。

    Are there dogs that have received special training to help blind people?

  8. 189

    おしはどうしてむこうのひとのはなしのいみがわかりますか。

    How do mute people understand what the other person is saying?

むこう
destination, yonder

Disability, education and assistance words · Word list 1 of 4

People, assistance, and perception

These words cover disability, education, mobility assistance, and training. *つえ* means "cane," *いぬ* means "dog," and *くんれん* means "training."

*見える* means "to be visible" or "can see." *聞こえる* means "to be audible" or "can hear."

  1. 190

    へや

    room

  2. 191

    あかり

    light

  3. 192

    めくら

    blind, blind person

  4. 193

    つんぼ

    deaf

  5. 194

    おし

    deaf-mute

  6. 195

    きょういく

    education

  7. 196

    つえ

    cane

  8. 197

    いぬ

    dog

  9. 198

    くんれん

    training

  10. 199

    みえる

    to be visible, can see (v.i.)

  11. 200

    きこえる

    to be audible, can hear (v.i.)

きょういく
education
聞こえる
to be audible, can hear (v.i.)

Light, speech and training words · Word list 2 of 4

Light, communication, and training

These entries cover light, speech, education, and training. *明りを けす* means "to switch off a light," while *明りを つける* means "to turn on a light."

*うける* means receiving an intangible thing, such as training. *もらう* means receiving a tangible thing.

  1. 201

    あかりをけす

    to switch off a light

  2. 202

    あかりをつける

    to turn on a light

  3. 203

    ものをいう

    to speak, to utter words, talk

  4. 204

    うける

    to receive (intangible things) (v.t.)

  5. 205

    きょういくする

    to educate (v.t.)

  6. 206

    くんれんする

    to train (v.t.)

  7. 207

    もらう

    to receive (tangible things)

  8. 208

    あかるい

    light

  9. 209

    くらい

    dark

  10. 210

    みみがとおい

    to be hard of hearing

  11. 211

    めがみえません

    can't see

明りをけす
to switch off a light
明りをつける
to turn on a light
ものを言う
to speak, to utter words, talk
きょういくする
to educate (v.t.)
くんれんする
to train (v.t.)
耳が遠い
to be hard of hearing
目が見えません
can't see

Necessity, hearsay and condition words · Word list 3 of 4

Necessity, reports, and conditions

*行かなければ なりません* means "must go." *---そうです* means "I hear that," and *何日も* means "many days."

*もし* means "if" and signals a conditional. Other entries express purpose, contrast, birth, and inability to see or hear.

  1. 212

    みみがきこえません

    can't hear

  2. 213

    いかなければなりません

    must go (See Grammar Notes)

  3. 214

    ---そうです

    I hear that --- (See Grammar Notes)

  4. 215

    なんにちも

    many days (See Grammar Notes)

  5. 216

    しかし

    however, but

  6. 217

    ため(に)

    for the purpose of, for the reason

  7. 218

    もし

    if

  8. 219

    とくべつな

    special

  9. 220

    うまれつき

    by birth, by nature

  10. 221

    めがみえないひと

    person who can't see; a blind person

  11. 222

    みみがきこえないひと

    person who can't hear; deaf

耳が聞こえません
can't hear
行かなければなりません
must go (See Grammar Notes)
---そうです
I hear that --- (See Grammar Notes)
何日も
many days (See Grammar Notes)
しかし
however, but
ため(に)
for the purpose of, for the reason
とくべつな
special
目が見えない人
person who can't see; a blind person
耳が聞こえない人
person who can't hear; deaf

Sight, hearing and ability phrases · Word list 4 of 4

Ability with and without assistance

*めくらは 何も見えません* means "cannot see anything." *つんぼは 何も 聞こえません* means "cannot hear anything."

*めくらは つえが なければ、 歩くことが 出来ません* says a blind person cannot walk without a cane.

Other phrases cover speech, learning Japanese, and switching off a light.

  1. 223

    めくらはなにもみえません。

    can't see anything

  2. 224

    つんぼはなにもきこえません。

    can't hear anything

  3. 225

    おしはなにもいうことができません。

    can't say anything

  4. 226

    せんせいのはなしがよくきこえません。

    I can't hear the teacher talk very well.

  5. 227

    めがみえないひとのためにとくべつながっこうがあります。

    There are special schools for people who can't see.

  6. 228

    めくらはつえがなければ、あるくことができません。

    ... can't walk.

  7. 229

    あのせんせいはよっつのがいこくごをはなすことができます。

    foreign language

  8. 230

    わたくしはにほんごをならわなければなりません。

    ... have to learn.

  9. 231

    わたくしはあかりをけします。

    I'll switch off the light.

めくらは何も見えません。
"can't see anything"
つんぼは何も聞こえません。
"can't hear anything"
おしは何も言うことが出来ません。
"can't say anything"
先生の話がよく聞こえません。
"I can't hear the teacher talk very well."
目が見えない人のためにとくべつな学校があります。
"There are special schools for people who can't see."
めくらはつえがなければ、歩くことが出来ません。
"... can't walk."
あの先生は四つの外国語を話すことが出来ます。
"foreign language"
私は日本語を習わなければなりません。
"... have to learn."
私は明りをけします。
"I'll switch off the light."

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.