Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 32

Lesson 32

Sounds, kana, and the first conversations

197 lines

Buying and describing a suit · Dialogue 1 of 3

A suit without a vest

*いいえ、 上着と ズボンだけです* means "No, only the coat and trousers." The new suit has no vest.

In this line, *だけ* means "only." Here it follows the two named garments.

What the speaker does not know

The material is thin, but its name is unknown. *何と 言うか 知りません* means "I don't know what it is called."

Listen for the question ending in plain *言うか* inside the statement. In *チョッキの ついている せびろ*, *ついている* describes a suit with a vest attached.

Kanji: 新, 服, 着, 物

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

Kanji: 上

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

  1. 1

    あたらしいふくをかいましたね。

    You bought a new suit, didn't you?

    新しいnew
    服suit
    をobject
    買いbought
    ましbought
    たbought
    ね。right?
  2. 2

    ええ、かいました。

    Yes, I bought one.

  3. 3

    それにはチョッキがついていますか。

    Does a vest come with it, too?

  4. 4

    いいえ、うわぎとズボンだけです。このごろはチョッキのついているせびろはすくないです。

    No, just the coat and trousers. Suits that come with vests are few these days.

  5. 5

    そのきれはたいへんうすいですね。なんというけおりものですか。

    That material is very thin, isn't it? What wool material is it?

  6. 6

    なんというかしりません。

    I don't know what it is called.

Question(s) within a longer sentence

When a question occurs within a longer sentence, this question contains a question word and normally ends in the informal form of an inflected word followed by the question particle KA.

Examples:

Kore wa nan desu ka. (formal) "What's this?"

Kore wa nani ka. (informal) "What's this?"

Kore wa nani ka shirimasen. (formal) "I don't know what this is."

Itsu ikimasu ka. (formal) "When are you going?"

Itsu iku ka. (informal) "When are you going?"

Itsu iku ka shirimasen. (formal) "I don't know when I'm going."

Doko e ikimashita ka. (formal) "Where did he go?"

Doko e itta ka. (informal) "Where did he go?"

Doko e itta ka shirimasen. (formal) "I don't know where he went."

Note that a question occurring within a longer sentence is a noun clause, and the case particles like o and ga do not usually occur after the question particle ka.
ITTE IMASU TE-form V.I. + IMASU

KAITE ARIMASU TE-form V.T. + ARIMASU

In Lesson 23 some instances of verbs in TE-form plus IMASU describing existing conditions were lightly dealt with. For example, YAMAMOTO-SAN WA GETA O HAITE IMASU or OKUSAN WA KOSHIKAKETE IMASU.

In the case of intransitive verbs, context alone decides whether the TE-form plus IMASU is an action in progress or a state in which a subject of the sentence lies. If one hears an isolated expression as HITOBITO GA OOZEI HAITTE IMASU, it can be interpreted to mean either "many people are entering" or "many people are inside " (have entered and are in there now.) In the latter case the action of the verb has taken place at sometime in the past, and the result of that action is still persisting. When ARIMASU follows the TE-form of a transitive verb, the result is the same. And in such a case the normal direct object of the verb in TE-form becomes the subject of the sentence.

For example, MADO O SHIME MASHITA.

MADO GA SHIMETE ARIMASU.

the translation is usually in the English passive voice. Thus, MADO GA SHIMETE ARIMASU is rendered, "The window is closed." This may also be translated in perfectives if the situation is clear.

Some transitive as well as intransitive verbs are intrinsically durational or momentary and not repetitive, thus lose the progressive meaning. For example, to wear, to stand, to open, etc., come under this category. Some transitive verbs in this category never have TE-form plus ARIMASU to express a persistent state.

ANO HITO WA KIMONO O KITE IMASU.

The meaning conveyed is that of a man attired in a kimono and not his act of putting a kimono on, unless one is watching such a scene for some reason. The verbs of knowing and remembering also belong to this category.
ATARASHIKATTA

This is the abrupt past tense of the I-adjectives.

It is formed by dropping its final I and placing KATTA in its place.

Examples:

OOI OOKATTA

TAKAI TAKAKATTA

YASASHII YASASHIKATTA

SUZUSHII SUZUSHIKATTA

Since this is an abrupt past, NO DESU or N DESU is added to soften the impression.
IKANAKATTA

IKITAKATTA

NAI which is added to the negative base of verbs is not an I-adjective but an auxiliary verb. However, the inflection follows that of the I-adjective. The same holds true with another auxiliary verb TAI, that shows desire. The abrupt past tense of verbs ending in these auxiliary verbs are formed by dropping the final I and placing KATTA in its place.

Examples:

IKANAI IKANAKATTA

KONAI KONAKATTA

KAITAI KAITAKATTA

MITAI MITAKATTA
NO NI 'in order to'

The compound particle NO NI follows the present tense conclusive form of a verb to express an idea 'in order to,' 'for,' 'to,' and 'for the purpose of.'

Examples:

HI O TSUKERU NO NI MATCHI O TSUKAIMASU. "We use matches in order to light a fire."

KOKO WA OYOGU NO NI YOI TOKORO DESU. "This is a good place for swimming."

Review Lesson 27 for the use of NI showing the purpose of verbs of coming and going.
DAKE 'only, just, at least'

DAKE following substantives, phrases, and clauses means 'only,' 'just,' 'at least,' etc. Sometimes DAKE is followed by SHIKA and a negative verb which is translated positively. DAKE so used may replace case particles, such as GA, WA, and O.

KOKO E KITA NO WA WATAKUSHI DAKE DESHITA. "I was the only one who came here."

NIPPONGO DAKE NARAIMASHITA. "I learned only the Japanese language."

ANO HITO WA IU DAKE DE NANI MO SHINAI. "He just talks and does nothing."

KONO KODOMO WA OOKII DAKE DE NANI MO SHIRANAI. "This child is just big and doesn't know anything."

NIDO DAKE IKIMASHITA. "I went there only twice."

ANATA NI DAKE (WA) HANASHIMASHOO. "I'll tell it only to you."

KORE DAKE DESU. "This is all."

KANJI O SEN DAKE WA NARAITAI. "I want to learn at least 1,000 Kanji."
服
clothes, suits, uniform
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
ええ、
Yes
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
は
leaves
チョッキ
vest
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
ます
trout
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
上着
coat
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
ズボン
trousers
だけ
only, just (See Grammar Notes)
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
この頃
these days, nowadays
の
See Grammar Notes
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
せびろ
suit
きれ
cloth, material
大へん
very
言う
to say
おり物
textile, cloth, fabric

Comparing fabrics for clothing · Dialogue 2 of 3

Silk for dresses and neckties

The speakers compare wool, cotton, and silk fabrics. *日本では、 いい ドレスや 女の 着物などは 多く きぬおり物で こしらえますね* means "They make such things as good dresses and women's kimonos with silk in Japan, don't they?"

*ネクタイも 大抵 きぬおり物で こしらえます* means "They make neckties, too, mostly with silk."

Cotton for handkerchiefs

*ハンケチは 大抵 もめんおり物で こしらえます* means "They usually make handkerchiefs with cotton materials."

The next statement contrasts silk: *きぬでは ほとんど こしらえません*, "They hardly ever make them with silk."

Kanji: 抵

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

  1. 7

    このごろはにほんでもいいけおりものやもめんおりものができるそうですね。

    I understand good woolen and cotton materials are manufactured in Japan these days, isn't that so?

  2. 8

    ええ、できます。しかし、おんなのくつしたはべいこくのがずっといいですね。

    Yes, that's right. However, as for women's stockings, American-made ones are much better.

  3. 9

    にほんでは、いいドレスやおんなのきものなどはおおくきぬおりものでこしらえますね。

    They make such things as good dresses and women's KIMONOS with silk in Japan, don't they?

  4. 10

    ええ、こしらえます。ネクタイもたいていきぬおりものでこしらえます。

    Yes, that's right. They make neckties, too, mostly with silk.

  5. 11

    ハンケチは。

    How about handkerchiefs?

  6. 12

    ハンケチはたいていもめんおりものでこしらえます。きぬではほとんどこしらえません。

    They usually make handkerchiefs with cotton materials. They hardly ever make them with silk.

で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
出来る
to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ます。
trout
しかし、
however, but
女
female
くつ下
socks, stocking
ずっと
by far; very much
ドレス
dress
など
and so forth, etc.
きぬ
silk
ネクタイ
necktie
ハンケチ
handkerchief
ほとんど
almost (See Gram. Notes)

Materials for uniforms and shoes · Dialogue 3 of 3

Materials for uniforms

The speakers discuss wool and cotton uniforms. *大抵 冬服も 夏服も けおり物で こしらえます* says that both winter and summer uniforms usually use wool.

Some items use cotton instead.

A finished object and its material

*その 軍服の ボタンは 何で こしらえてありますか* asks "What are the buttons on that uniform made of?"

*これは しんちゅうで こしらえて あります* answers "These are made of brass." The form presents the completed buttons in their present state.

  1. 13

    ぐんぶくやオーバーはみんなけおりものでこしらえますか。

    Do they make all military uniforms and overcoats with woolen textiles?

  2. 14

    はい。たいていふゆふくもなつぶくもけおりものでこしらえます。あるものはもめんおりものですがね。

    That's right. They usually make both winter uniforms and summer uniforms with woolen textiles though they make some things with cotton fabric.

  3. 15

    そのぐんぶくのボタンはなんでこしらえてありますか。

    What are the buttons on that uniform made of?

  4. 16

    これはしんちゅうでこしらえてあります。

    These are made of brass.

  5. 17

    くつはなんでこしらえますか。

    What do you make shoes of?

  6. 18

    くつはほとんどみんなかわでこしらえます。くつにはかわがいちばんいいのでしょう。

    They make almost all shoes with leather. Perhaps leather is the best for shoes.

軍服
military uniform
オーバー
overcoat
みんな
all
冬服
winter suit
夏服
summer suit
ある
certain, some
ボタン
button
しんちゅう
brass
くつ
shoes
かわ
leather
一番
number one (See Grammar Notes)
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)

Questions inside statements · Perception drill, Block 1

A question inside a statement

*いつ 行くか 知りません* means "I don't know when he will go." The question word *いつ* asks for the unknown time.

A question inside a longer sentence normally ends in a plain form followed by the question particle *か*.

The inner question ends at か

*だれが まどを あけたか 知りません* means "I don't know who opened the window." The inner question is *だれが まどを あけたか*.

The whole inner question works as a noun. Case particles such as *を* and *が* do not usually follow *か*.

Kanji: 書

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

  1. 19

    なんというかしりません。

    I don't know what it is called.

  2. 20

    いついくかしりません。

    I don't know when he will go.

  3. 21

    どこへいったかしりません。

    I don't know where he went.

  4. 22

    なにをしているのかしりません。

    I don't know what he is doing.

  5. 23

    どうかくのかしりません。

    I don't know how to write it.

  6. 24

    どれをかうのかわかりません。

    I don't know which one to buy.

  7. 25

    やまもとさんはなんじにかえりますか。

    What time will Mr. Yamamoto return?

  8. 26

    なんじにかえるかしりません。

    I don't know what time he will return.

  9. 27

    どっちをかいますか。

    Which one will you buy?

  10. 28

    どっちをかうかわかりません。

    I don't know which one I will buy.

  11. 29

    だれがまどをあけましたか。

    Who opened the window?

  12. 30

    だれがまどをあけたかしりません。

    I don't know who opened the window.

か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
いつ
when?
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
し
city
どれ
which (of three or more) (See Grammar Notes)
買う
to buy
時
time
どっち
which of two (See Grammar Notes)
だれ
who?

Resulting states and preparations · Perception drill, Block 2

The form before あります

*まどは もう あけてありますよ* says that the window is open now. The opening is complete, and its result remains.

The TE-form is the verb form ending here in *て*. A transitive verb in this form plus *あります* describes a persistent result.

The form before います

*八時十分 ですから、 もう はじまっていますよ* says that the class started before ten past eight and remains in progress.

With an intransitive verb, the TE-form plus *います* can describe either an action in progress or its resulting state. Context decides which meaning applies.

  1. 31

    このせびろには、チョッキがついています。

    A vest comes with this suit.

  2. 32

    このボタンはしんちゅうでこしらえてあります。

    These buttons are made of brass.

  3. 33

    すこしあついから、まどをあけてください。

    It's a little hot, so please open the window.

  4. 34

    まどはもうあけてありますよ。

    The window has already been opened.

  5. 35

    はなというかんじをおしえましたか。

    Have you taught the character called 'hana'?

  6. 36

    はい、もうそのかんじはおしえてあります。

    Yes, that character has already been taught.

  7. 37

    クラスがもうはじまったでしょうか。

    Has the class started already?

  8. 38

    はちじじゅっぷんですから、もうはじまっていますよ。

    It's ten past eight, so it has already started.

は、
leaves
少し
little (quantity)
あつい
hot
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
八
eight

Past wants and negatives · Perception drill, Block 3

A quality in the past

*はじめは やさしかったのですが、 この頃は むずかしく なりました* means "It was easy at first, but lately it has become difficult."

The abrupt past of an I-adjective replaces its final *い* with *かった*. Adding *のです* or *んです* softens this abrupt form.

A negative action in the past

Verb forms ending in *ない* also replace final *い* with *かった*. *使わなかった* means "Did not use."

Forms ending in *たい* change the same way. *行きたかった* means "I wanted to go."

  1. 39

    おおかった。

    It was many.

  2. 40

    つかわなかった。

    Did not use.

  3. 41

    いきたかった。

    I wanted to go.

  4. 42

    にほんごはやさしいでしょう。

    Japanese is easy, isn't it?

  5. 43

    はじめはやさしかったのですが、このごろはむずかしくなりました。

    It was easy at first, but lately it has become difficult.

  6. 44

    あなたはなぜそれをかわなかったのですか。

    Why didn't you buy it?

  7. 45

    おかねがなかったから、かわなかったのです。

    I didn't buy it because I didn't have any money.

  8. 46

    あなたはみんなといっしょにサンフランシスコへいかなかったんですか。

    Didn't you go to San Francisco with everyone?

  9. 47

    いきたかったんですが、おかねがなかったから、いくことができなかったんです。

    I wanted to go, but I couldn't because I didn't have any money.

やさしい
easy
はじめ
beginning
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
なぜ
why?
サンフランシスコ
San Francisco

Purposes, uses and costs · Perception drill, Block 4

A purpose before the result

*言葉の いみを 知るのに 使います* means "You use it to find out the meanings of words."

*のに* follows the present plain form of a verb. It expresses "in order to," "for," or "for the purpose of."

Purpose with time and convenience

*ダイアログを おぼえるのに 時間が かかりますか* asks whether learning the dialogue takes time.

*学校へ 行くのに 便利です* means "It is convenient for going to school." The phrase before *のに* names the purpose.

Kanji: 便, 利

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

  1. 48

    おくるのにべんりです。

    It's convenient to send.

  2. 49

    たべるのにべんりです。

    It is convenient for eating.

  3. 50

    かくのにつかいます。

    It is used for writing.

  4. 51

    ならうのにいいです。

    It is good for learning.

  5. 52

    かうのにおかねがいります。

    You need money to buy it.

  6. 53

    おぼえるのにじかんがかかります。

    It takes time to learn it.

  7. 54

    じしょはなにをするのにつかいますか。

    What do you use a dictionary for?

  8. 55

    ことばのいみをしるのにつかいます。

    You use it to find out the meanings of words.

  9. 56

    こうくうゆうびんでてがみをだすのにいくらかかりますか。

    How much does it cost to send a letter by airmail?

  10. 57

    じゅうセントかかります。

    It costs ten cents.

  11. 58

    ダイアログをおぼえるのにじかんがかかりますか。

    Does it take time to learn the dialog?

  12. 59

    はい、にじかんぐらいかかります。

    Yes, it takes about two hours.

  13. 60

    あなたのおこさんはどうしてがっこうへいきますか。

    How does your child go to school?

  14. 61

    バスでいきます。バスがあるから、がっこうへいくのにべんりです。

    He goes by bus. Since there is a bus, it is convenient for going to school.

送る
to send (v.t.)
おぼえる
to memorize, remember (v.t.)
時間
hour, time
じ
character, word
いみ
meaning
知る
to know (v.t.)
ゆうびん
postal service
手紙
letter (correspondence)
出す
to mail, send, take out
いくら
how much? how many?
十
ten
ダイアログ
dialogue
二
two
ぐらい
about
バス
bus

Expressing unknown details · Pattern 1 1 of 2

The unknown detail

*それは 何で こしらえてあるか 知りません* means "I don't know what it is made of." Here *何で* asks about the material.

The question ending in *か* specifies the unknown detail.

Kind, time, and manner

*これは どんな きれか 知りません* means "I don't know what kind of material this is."

*私は 何時に 来るか わかりません* asks about time. *これを どうして たべるか 知っていますか* asks about manner.

  1. 62

    それはなんというかしりません。

    I don't know what that is called.

  2. 63

    そこになにがあるかしりません。

    I don't know what is there.

  3. 64

    それはなんでこしらえてあるかしりません。

    I don't know what it is made of.

  4. 65

    これはどんなきれかしりません。

    I don't know what kind of material this is.

  5. 66

    やまもとさんはなにをはいているかよくみえません。

    I can't see clearly what Mr. Yamamoto is wearing on his feet.

  6. 67

    わたくしはなんじにくるかわかりません。

    I don't know what time I will come.

  7. 68

    これをどうしてたべるかしっていますか。

    Do you know how to eat this?

そこ
there
どんな
what kind of; what sort of
よく
well, skillfully

Asking about unknown details · Pattern 1 2 of 2

From a direct question to an unknown detail

*これは 何で こしらえてありますか* asks "What is this made of?"

The answer places that detail before *知りません*: *さあ、 何で こしらえてあるか 知りません*, "Well, I don't know what it is made of."

An approximate time

*さあ、 いつ頃 行くのか 知りません* means "Well, I don't know about when he will go."

The inner question uses *頃* to make the unknown time approximate.

  1. 69

    いいえ、それをどうしてたべるかしりません。

    No, I don't know how to eat it.

  2. 70

    このはなはなんがつごろさくかしっていますか。

    Do you know about what month this flower blooms?

  3. 71

    いいえ、なんがつごろさくかしりません。

    No, I don't know about what month it blooms.

  4. 72

    やまもとさんはいつごろにほんへいくのですか。

    About when is Mr. Yamamoto going to Japan?

  5. 73

    さあ、いつごろいくのかしりません。

    Well, I don't know about when he will go.

  6. 74

    これはなんでこしらえてありますか。

    What is this made of?

  7. 75

    さあ、なんでこしらえてあるかしりません。

    Well, I don't know what it is made of.

月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
さく
to bloom (v.i.)

Describing completed arrangements · Pattern 2 1 of 2

An attached item

*この 服には チョッキが ついています* means "A vest comes with this suit." The vest is attached to the suit.

The TE-form plus *います* presents this attachment as a resulting state.

A completed arrangement

In *このまどは 半分 あけてあります*, the TE-form plus *あります* presents the result of a completed action.

*この 手紙には 六セントの 切手が はって あります* means "A six-cent stamp has been put on this letter."

Kanji: 鉄

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

  1. 76

    このふくにはチョッキがついています。

    A vest comes with this suit.

  2. 77

    こくばんにはかんじがかいてあります。

    Kanji are written on the blackboard.

  3. 78

    このまどははんぶんあけてあります。

    This window has been opened halfway.

  4. 79

    このつくえはきでこしらえてあります。

    This desk is made of wood.

  5. 80

    このてがみにはろくセントのきってがはってあります。

    A six-cent stamp has been put on this letter.

  6. 81

    じどうしゃはてつでこしらえてあります。

    Automobiles are made of iron.

  7. 82

    このこづつみはよくゆわえてあります。

    This package is tied securely.

半分
half
木
tree, wood
六
six
切手
postage stamp
鉄
steel, iron
小包
parcel, small package

Identifying resulting states · Pattern 2 2 of 2

Writing that remains visible

*あなたは、 こくばんに 書いてある 字が 見えますか* asks about characters written on the blackboard.

In *こくばんに 書いてある 字*, the TE-form plus *あります* presents the completed writing through its visible result.

Placement that still matters

*先生の つくえの 上に おいて あります* means "It has been placed on the teacher's desk."

The action is complete. Its result supplies the dictionary's present location.

  1. 83

    はい、それはよくわかっています。

    Yes, I understand that very well.

  2. 84

    あなたは、こくばんにかいてあるじがみえますか。

    Can you see the characters written on the blackboard?

  3. 85

    いいえ、あんまりちいさくかいてあるから、よくみえません。

    No, I can't see them well because they are written too small.

  4. 86

    このおとこのきものはきぬおりものでできていますか。

    Is this man's kimono made of silk material?

  5. 87

    いいえ。おとこのきものはたいていもめんおりものでこしらえます。

    No. Men's kimonos are usually made of cotton material.

  6. 88

    スミスさんのわえいじしょはどこにありますか。

    Where is Mr. Smith's Japanese-English dictionary?

  7. 89

    せんせいのつくえのうえにおいてあります。

    It has been placed on the teacher's desk.

男
male
わ
counter for birds (See Gram. Notes)

Informal past forms · Pattern 3 1 of 2

Past qualities and actions

*昨日は あつかった* means "It was hot yesterday." Final *い* has become *かった* to mark the abrupt past.

*そのかん字を 習わなかった* means "I didn't learn that kanji." The negative form *習わなかった* carries the same *かった* ending.

A past desire

The desire form in *買いたかったが* makes its past in the same way.

*新しい 自どうしゃを 買いたかったが、 お金が なかった* means "I wanted to buy a new car, but I didn't have the money."

  1. 90

    おんなのひとがおおかった。

    There were many women.

  2. 91

    ハンケチをつかわなかった。

    I didn't use a handkerchief.

  3. 92

    それをみたかった。

    I wanted to see it.

  4. 93

    きのうはあつかった。

    It was hot yesterday.

  5. 94

    このせびろはやすかった。

    This suit was inexpensive.

  6. 95

    そのかんじをならわなかった。

    I didn't learn that kanji.

  7. 96

    さむかったから、およがなかった。

    I didn't swim because it was cold.

  8. 97

    あたらしいじどうしゃをかいたかったが、おかねがなかった。

    I wanted to buy a new car, but I didn't have the money.

人
people
昨日
yesterday

Explaining past wants · Pattern 3 2 of 2

A past quality with an explanation

*いいえ、 日本で 買ったから、 安かったんです* means "No, it was inexpensive because I bought it in Japan."

The past form in *かった* takes *んです* because the speaker explains a fact.

A past desire and a limit

*買いたかったのですが* expresses a past desire and softens the abrupt past with *のです*.

In *日本には 三年しか 居なかったから*, *しか* with the negative verb limits the stay to only three years.

  1. 98

    わたくしもにほんへいきたかった。

    I wanted to go to Japan, too.

  2. 99

    そのうでどけいはたかかったでしょう。

    That wristwatch must have been expensive.

  3. 100

    いいえ、にほんでかったから、やすかったんです。

    No, it was inexpensive because I bought it in Japan.

  4. 101

    なぜあなたはこのがっこうにきたのですか。

    Why did you come to this school?

  5. 102

    にほんごをならいたかったから、きたのです。

    I came because I wanted to learn Japanese.

  6. 103

    あなたはにほんへいったとき、きぬのドレスやネクタイをかいましたか。

    When you went to Japan, did you buy silk dresses and neckties?

  7. 104

    かいたかったのですが、にほんにはさんねんしかいなかったから、かうじかんがなかったのです。

    I wanted to, but I was in Japan for only three years, so I didn't have time to buy any.

時、
time
三
three
年
year (See Grammar Notes)

Uses, needs and convenience · Pattern 4 1 of 2

A tool for a purpose

In *私は たべるのに はしを 使います*, the verb before *のに* names a purpose.

*私は たべるのに はしを 使います* means "I use chopsticks to eat." The purpose comes before the tool.

A material or means for a purpose

*まどを こしらえるのに ガラスが いります* means "Glass is needed to make a window."

*サンフランシスコへ 行くのに、 自どうしゃが あれば 便利です* presents a car as a convenient means of going to San Francisco.

  1. 105

    かわのくつはなおすのにやさしいです。

    It is easy to repair leather shoes.

  2. 106

    モンテレーはあそぶのによいところです。

    Monterey is a good place for recreation.

  3. 107

    わたくしはたべるのにはしをつかいます。

    I use chopsticks to eat.

  4. 108

    わたくしはことばのいみをしるのにじしょをつかいます。

    I use a dictionary to find out the meanings of words.

  5. 109

    まどをこしらえるのにガラスがいります。

    Glass is needed to make a window.

  6. 110

    サンフランシスコへいくのに、じどうしゃがあればべんりです。

    It is convenient to have a car for going to San Francisco.

なおす
to correct, mend, repair (v.t.)
モンテレー
Monterey
あそぶ
to play (v.i.)
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
所
address, place
こしらえる
to make (v.t.)
ガラス
glass

Materials, costs and convenience · Pattern 4 2 of 2

Materials for making a dress

In *ドレスを こしらえるのに*, the verb before *のに* names a purpose.

*ドレスを こしらえるのに、 どんな きれを 使いますか* asks which material is used to make a dress.

The cost of buying

*オーバーを 買うのに、 いくらぐらい かかりますか* asks "About how much does it cost to buy an overcoat?"

The answer gives an approximate cost: *六十ドルぐらい かかるでしょう*, "It will probably cost about sixty dollars."

  1. 111

    ちいさいじしょはつかうのにべんりですね。

    A small dictionary is convenient to use, isn’t it?

  2. 112

    はい、べんりです。

    Yes, it is convenient.

  3. 113

    ドレスをこしらえるのに、どんなきれをつかいますか。

    What kind of material do you use to make a dress?

  4. 114

    もめんおりもの、けおりもの、きぬおりものなどをつかいます。

    We use cotton, wool, silk, and other materials.

  5. 115

    オーバーをかうのに、いくらぐらいかかりますか。

    About how much does it cost to buy an overcoat?

  6. 116

    そうですね。ろくじゅうドルぐらいかかるでしょう。

    Let me see. It will probably cost about sixty dollars.

使う
to use, employ
おり物、
textile, cloth, fabric
六十
60
ドル
dollar

Vests and winter clothing · Reading Selection 1 of 4

Vests then and now

The passage contrasts older suits with current ones. *私たちが わかかった 時には、 せびろには みんな チョッキが ついていました* says that all suits came with vests when the narrator was young.

In *チョッキが ついていました*, the TE-form presents the attached vest as a state.

More than a coat

*上着だけでは 冬には さむい* means "A coat alone is cold in winter." Here *だけ* limits the clothing to the coat.

The narrator must wear an overcoat over it.

  1. 117

    わたくしたちがわかかったときには、せびろにはみんな

    When we were young, all suits

  2. 118

    チョッキがついていましたが、このごろはチョッキはついて

    came with vests, but these days they do not

  3. 119

    いません。

    come with them.

  4. 120

    わたくしはふゆふくにはチョッキのあるのがすきですが、

    I like winter suits with vests, but

  5. 121

    かうことができません。

    I cannot buy one.

  6. 122

    うわぎだけではふゆにはさむい

    A coat alone is cold in winter,

  7. 123

    から、そのうえにオーバーをきなければなりません。

    so I have to wear an overcoat over it.

好き
to like, be fond of (See Grammar Notes)
冬
winter
さむい
cold

Wool suits and neckties · Reading Selection 2 of 4

Clothes worn with a suit

The narrator sometimes wears a wool shirt. *時々 けおり物の ワイシャツも 着ます* means "Sometimes I also wear a wool shirt."

A suit requires a necktie. People wearing Western clothes usually wear shoes.

Silk neckties

*ネクタイは 多くは きぬおり物で こしらえます* means "Most neckties are made of silk."

The passage links the garment to its usual material.

  1. 124

    そして

    And

  2. 125

    ときどきけおりもののワイシャツもきます。

    sometimes I also wear a wool shirt.

  3. 126

    けおりものは

    As for woolen material,

  4. 127

    せびろをきるとネクタイがいります。

    when you wear a suit, you need a necktie.

  5. 128

    にほんでは、

    In Japan,

  6. 129

    ネクタイはおおくはきぬおりものでこしらえます。

    most neckties are made of silk.

  7. 130

    またようふくをきるとたいていくつをはきます。

    Also, when people wear Western clothes, they usually wear shoes.

時々
sometimes, occasionally
ワイシャツ
dress shirt

Shoes and car convenience · Reading Selection 3 of 4

Shoes made with better leather

Many people buy American-made shoes because good shoes cannot be made in Japan.

*日本せいのよりずっと いいかわで こしらえてある* says that they are made of much better leather than Japanese-made shoes.

In *こしらえてあるから*, the TE-form presents the shoes as completed objects made of that leather.

A car for two purposes

*町へ 行くのにも、 学校へ 行くのにも 大へん 便利* says that a car is convenient for going to town and school.

In *町へ 行くのにも、 学校へ 行くのにも*, the verb before *のに* names each purpose.

  1. 131

    にほんでは、よいくつが

    Since good shoes cannot be made

  2. 132

    できませんから、おおくのひとびとはべいこくせいのくつをかいます。

    in Japan, many people buy American-made shoes.

  3. 133

    すこしたかいのですが、にほんせいのよりずっといいかわで

    They are a little expensive, but they are made of much better leather than Japanese-made ones,

  4. 134

    こしらえてあるから、たかくてもそのほうがいいです。

    so even though they are expensive, they are better.

  5. 135

    わたくしはせんげつあたらしいじどうしゃをかいました。

    I bought a new car last month.

  6. 136

    じどう

    Having a car

  7. 137

    しゃがあればまちへいくのにも、がっこうへいくのにもたいへんべんり

    is very convenient for going into town and for going to school.

人々
people
たかい
expensive
より
than (See Gram. Notes)
先月
last month
町
town

Buying a Japanese car · Reading Selection 4 of 4

A past desire without the money

*もっと 早く 買いたかったのですが、 お金が なかったから* means "I wanted to buy one sooner, but because I had no money."

In *買いたかったのですが*, final *い* has become *かった* to express a past desire.

*買うことが 出来なかったのです* states that the narrator could not buy one. The new car is Japanese-made.

  1. 138

    です。

    It is.

  2. 139

    もっとはやくかいたかったのですが、おかねがなかったから、

    I wanted to buy one sooner, but because I had no money,

  3. 140

    かうことができなかったのです。

    I could not buy one.

  4. 141

    このあたらしいじどうしゃは

    This new car

  5. 142

    にほんせいですが、とてもいいじどうしゃです。

    is made in Japan, but it is a very good car.

もっと
more (See Gram. Notes)
とても
very, indeed

Questions about winter clothing · Questions 1 of 2

Winter clothing in the passage

The questions ask when suits came with vests and what clothing provides winter warmth.

*いつ頃の せびろには チョッキが ついていましたか* means "When did suits come with vests?" An answer gives the time described in the passage.

Other answers state whether a coat is warm enough and when an overcoat or necktie is needed.

  1. 143

    あったかいですから。

    Because it is warm.

  2. 144

    いつごろのせびろにはチョッキがついていましたか。

    When did suits come with vests?

  3. 145

    このごろチョッキのついているせびろがありますか。

    Are there any suits with vests these days?

  4. 146

    あなたはチョッキのついているふゆふくがすきですか。

    Do you like winter suits that come with vests?

  5. 147

    うわぎだけではふゆにはさむいですか。

    Is a coat alone too cold in winter?

  6. 148

    いつオーバーをきますか。

    When do you wear an overcoat?

  7. 149

    けおりもののワイシャツはあったかいですか。

    Are wool shirts warm?

  8. 150

    いつネクタイがいりますか。

    When do you need a necktie?

あったかい
warm
から。
from (See Gram. Notes)

Questions about shoes and cars · Questions 2 of 2

Materials, shoes, and the car

The questions ask which material most neckties use, how American shoes compare, and what the narrator bought.

*なぜ 私は もっと 早く 自どうしゃを 買わなかったのですか* means "Why didn't I buy an automobile sooner?"

An answer gives the reason from the passage. Other answers identify the car's origin and whether it is convenient.

  1. 151

    にほんではネクタイのおおくは、どんなきれでこしらえますか。

    In Japan, what kind of material are most neckties made of?

  2. 152

    にほんではようふくをきてたいていげたをはきますか。

    In Japan, do people usually wear wooden clogs with Western clothes?

  3. 153

    にほんではよいくつができますか。

    Are good shoes made in Japan?

  4. 154

    べいこくせいのくつはにほんではやすいですか、たかいですか。

    Are American-made shoes cheap or expensive in Japan?

  5. 155

    わたくしはせんげつなにをかいましたか。

    What did I buy last month?

  6. 156

    じどうしゃはべんりですか。

    Are automobiles convenient?

  7. 157

    なぜわたくしはもっとはやくじどうしゃをかわなかったのですか。

    Why didn't I buy an automobile sooner?

  8. 158

    わたくしはどこせいのじどうしゃをかいましたか。

    Where was the automobile I bought made?

げた
wooden clogs

Suits, uniforms and trousers · Word list 1 of 4

Suits and uniforms

These words cover suits, uniforms, their parts, and where they were made. *服* can mean "clothes," "suits," or "uniform."

*上着* means "coat." *日本せい* means "made in Japan."

  1. 159

    ふく

    clothes, suits, uniform

  2. 160

    なつふく

    summer suit

  3. 161

    ふゆふく

    winter suit

  4. 162

    ぐんぷく

    military uniform

  5. 163

    チョッキ

    vest

  6. 164

    ズボン

    trousers

  7. 165

    うわぎ

    coat

  8. 166

    にほんせい

    made in Japan

  9. 167

    べいこくせい

    made in U.S.

  10. 168

    せびろ

    suit

日本せい
made in Japan
米国せい
made in U.S.

Dresses, accessories and fabrics · Word list 2 of 4

Clothes and their fabrics

These words cover dresses, accessories, footwear, and textiles. *おり物* means "textile," "cloth," or "fabric."

*きぬおり物* is "silk textile," while *もめんおり物* is "cotton textile."

  1. 169

    ドレス

    dress

  2. 170

    ワイシャツ

    dress shirt

  3. 171

    ネクタイ

    necktie

  4. 172

    ハンケチ

    handkerchief

  5. 173

    オーバー

    overcoat

  6. 174

    くつ

    shoes

  7. 175

    くつした

    socks, stocking

  8. 176

    おりもの

    textile, cloth, fabric

  9. 177

    きぬおりもの

    silk textile

  10. 178

    もめんおりもの

    cotton textile

きぬおり物
silk textile
もめんおり物
cotton textile

Construction materials and parts · Word list 3 of 4

Materials and attached parts

These words cover cloth, buttons, construction materials, and attachment. *きれ* means "cloth" or "material."

*しんちゅう* means "brass." *つく* means "to be attached" or "to be lit."

  1. 179

    きぬ

    silk

  2. 180

    きれ

    cloth, material

  3. 181

    ボタン

    button

  4. 182

    しんちゅう

    brass

  5. 183

    かわ

    leather

  6. 184

    ガラス

    glass

  7. 185

    アルミ

    aluminum

  8. 186

    き

    wood

  9. 187

    てつ

    steel, iron

  10. 188

    つく

    to be attached; to be lit (v.i.)

アルミ
aluminum
つく
to arrive, to reach (v.i.)

Manufacturing and material choices · Word list 4 of 4

Manufacture, convenience, and limits

These words cover manufacture, convenience, and limits. *出来る* means "to be manufactured" or "to be produced."

*便利な* means "convenient." *だけ* means "only" and limits the item or amount before it.

Kanji: 後

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

  1. 189

    できる

    to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)

  2. 190

    べんりな

    convenient

  3. 191

    だけ

    only, just (See Grammar Notes)

  4. 192

    わたくしのあとにあるまどはガラスとアルミでできています。

    The window, which is in back of me, is made of glass and aluminum.

  5. 193

    ワイシャツはたいていもめんおりものでこしらえてあります。

    Dress shirts are usually made of cotton fabrics.

  6. 194

    まえにはきとガラス、またはてつとガラスでこしらえたまどがおおかったのです。

    There were many windows that were made of wood and glass or steel and glass before.

  7. 195

    アルミはてつよりものをこしらえるのにべんりです。

    It is more convenient to make things out of aluminum than steel.

  8. 196

    まえには、まどにはアルミをつかわなかったのです。

    They did not use aluminum for windows before.

  9. 197

    このじしょはローマじでかいてあります。

    This dictionary is written in Romaji.

便利な
convenient
私の後にあるまどはガラスとアルミで出来ています。
"The window, which is in back of me, is made of glass and aluminum."
ワイシャツは大抵もめんおり物でこしらえてあります。
"Dress shirts are usually made of cotton fabrics."
前には木とガラス、又は鉄とガラスでこしらえたまどが多かったのです。
"There were many windows that were made of wood and glass or steel and glass before."
アルミは鉄より物をこしらえるのに便利です。
"It is more convenient to make things out of aluminum than steel."
前には、まどにはアルミを使わなかったのです。
"They did not use aluminum for windows before."
このじ書はローマ字で書いてあります。
"This dictionary is written in Romaji."

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.