Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 33

Lesson 33

Sounds, kana, and the first conversations

244 lines

An auto repairman's workweek · Dialogue 1 of 3

A repairman's week

Mr. Yamada works six days each week at an auto repair shop in town.

*山田さんは 毎日 町の ある 自動車 しゅうりこで 働いています* means "Mr. Yamada works at a certain auto repair shop in town every day."

Work that ends late

*時々 夜おそくまで 働いて、 ずい分 つかれて 家へ かえることが あるそうです* says he sometimes works late and returns home very tired.

*ことが ある* marks his late return as something that happens at times.

Kanji: 田, 動, 車, 働

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

  1. 1

    やまださんは、どんなしごとをしているのですか。

    What sort of work is Mr. Yamada doing?

    山田Yamada
    さんMr.
    は、topic
    どんなwhat sort of
    しごとwork
    をobject
    しdoing
    てdoing
    いるdoing
    のthat
    ですis
    か。question
  2. 2

    やまださんはまいにちまちのあるじどうしゃしゅうりこではたらいています。

    Mr. Yamada works at a certain auto repair shop in town everyday.

  3. 3

    いちしゅうかんになんにちはたらくのですか。

    How many days a week does he work?

  4. 4

    むいかはたらきます。

    He works six days.

  5. 5

    このごろはにほんでもじどうしゃがふえましたから、しゅうりのいるじどうしゃがおおいでしょうね。

    Automobiles have increased in number in Japan, too, these days, so there must be many cars that need repairs, don't you think?

  6. 6

    ええ、そうです。ときどきよるおそくまではたらいて、ずいぶんつかれていえへかえることがあるそうです。

    Yes, that's right. There are times when he works till late at night and returns home very tired, I understand.

KONO HEYA WA GOMI DARAKE DESU.

DARAKE is a suffix added on to a noun, and it means 'full of' or 'covered with something unpleasant or filthy' and it is not used with a word of pleasant meaning. For example, in English you may say, "He is filthy with money"; we cannot translate it in Japanese saying ANO KATA WA O-KANE DARAKE DESU. Since money is something we are pleased to have, DARAKE is not used that way. However, an expression, "He is full of debt," is ANO KATA WA SHAKKIN DARAKE DESU. (SHAKKIN means debt.)
WATAKUSHI WA HANAMI NI IKU KOTO GA ARIMASU.

KOTO GA ARIMASU is used after the dictionary form of verbs, I-adjectives, and NA-adjectives to mean 'there are times,' 'at times,' 'occasionally,' etc. Thus, the above title sentence can be translated, "There are times when I go flower viewing."

Examples:

YORU DEMO HATARAKU KOTO GA ARIMASU. "There are times when I work even at night."

NATSU NIMO SAMUI KOTO GA ARIMASU. "There are times when it is cold even in summer."

KODOMOTACHI GA ITEMO SHIZUKA NA KOTO GA ARIMASU. "Even though there are children, there are times when it is quiet."

SHIZUKA NA means quiet.
YOGORETA FUKU

Some verbs in the abrupt past tense modify a noun to describe the presently existing condition.

Examples:

FUTOTTA HITO GA KOSHIKAKETE IMASU. "A fat man is sitting."

YASETA HITO GA TATTE IMASU. "A skinny person is standing."

KI DE KOSHIRAETA TSUKUE WA TAKAI DESU. "A desk made of wood is expensive."

In the above uses, the past tense of verbs may be replaced with TE-form plus ARU or IRU to convey the same idea of persistent state of being. Whether TE-IMASU is used or the TE-ARIMASU is used depends on the nature of the verbs. (Refer to Lesson 32, pattern 2.) Above examples may

be expressed as follows:

FUTOTTE IRU HITO GA KOSHIKAKETE IMASU.

YASETE IRU HITO GA TATTE IMASU.

KI DE KOSHIRAETE ARU TSUKUE WA TAKAI DESU.
KIMONO O KIKAEMASU.

To the conjunctive base of verbs, other verbs are attached to form compound verbs. Such verbs as HAJIMERU, 'to begin'; OWARU, 'to end'; KAERU, 'to change' are often added to form compound verbs meaning 'to begin to ---,' 'to finish ---,' 'to change ---,' etc.

TABEHAJIMERU to begin to eat

TABEOWARU to finish eating

KIKAERU to change clothes

KAKINAOSU to rewrite
GOGATSU GORO KARA ISOGASHIKU NATTE KIMASU. (IKIMASU) "From about May it will become busy."

OYA WA INAKUTEMO, KODOMO WA SODATTE IKIMASU. "Even though the parents are not around, the children will grow up."

When NATTE KIMASU or NATTE IKIMASU is added to the conjunctive base of I-adjectives, it shows a gradual change. NATTE IKIMASU is used sometimes to denote the expected change in the future. NATTE KIMASU or NATTE

IKIMASU may be added to the NI-base of a NA-adjective.

Example:

JOOZU NI NATTE KIMASHITA. "He has become good."
は、
leaves
どんな
what kind of; what sort of
しごと
work, job
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
し
city
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
の
See Grammar Notes
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
町
town
ある
certain, some
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
ます。
trout
一
one
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
六
six
この頃
these days, nowadays
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
ええ、
Yes
時々
sometimes, occasionally
夜
night, evening
おそく
late (adverbial form of OSOI, be late, be slow)
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
ずい分
very much
家
house, home
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)

Greasy work and health · Dialogue 2 of 3

Dirty work clothes

Repairmen become covered with grease and dirt, then change their soiled clothes before going home.

*あぶらだらけになったり、 ごみだらけになったり します* describes becoming covered with grease and dirt.

Winter work becomes busier

*冬になると、 いそがしくなって 来るそうです* says that the work becomes busy in winter.

*いそがしくなって 来る* presents the work as becoming busier.

Kanji: 体, 給, 元, 上

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

  1. 7

    じどうしゃのしゅうりこうはあぶらでよごれるでしょうね。

    The auto repairmen get dirty from grease, don't they?

  2. 8

    ええ、あぶらだらけになったり、ごみだらけになったりしますから、いえへかえるまえによごれたふくをきかえなければなりません。

    They become covered with grease and dirt, so before they go home, they must change soiled clothes.

  3. 9

    そうでしょうね。あぶらだらけのふくをきて、いえへかえるとかぜをひくでしょう。

    I suppose so. One will probably catch cold if he goes home with his grease-covered clothes on, don't you think?

  4. 10

    ええ、そのうえ、ふゆになると、いそがしくなってくるそうですから、いつもげんきで、ふとっているやまださんもふゆにはやせるそうです。

    Yes, on top of that, in winter the work becomes busy as I understand it, so even Mr. Yamada, who is stout but always full of vigor, loses weight in winter, I hear.

  5. 11

    しごとがおおくてよるもはたらくと、きゅうりょうをおおくもらうから、よいでしょうが、そのかわりからだにはわるいでしょうね。

    If there is lots of work and if one works at night, too, he'll receive a big wage, so it's nice; but on the other hand, it will be bad for his health, don't you think?

  6. 12

    ええ、でもやまださんはからだがじょうぶですから、びょうきになってもじきになおります。

    Yes, but since Mr. Yamada is healthy, he gets well quickly even if he gets sick.

しゅう
state
は
leaves
あぶら
grease, oil
よごれる
to become soiled (v.i.)
だらけ
full of, covered with (See Grammar Notes)
ごみ
trash, dirt
ます
trout
前
before, front
服
clothes, suits, uniform
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
かぜ
wind
ひく
to subtract (v.t.)
冬
winter
いつ
when?
やせる
to lose weight (v.i.)
給料
wage, salary
もらう
to receive (tangible things)
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
体
body, health
わるい
bad
びょう気
sickness, illness

Paydays and coming home · Dialogue 3 of 3

Paydays and coming home

One speaker asks how often Mr. Yamada receives his wages and when he comes home.

*一か月に 二度 もらうのです* means "He gets his wages twice a month."

A little before six

*大抵 六時 少し 前に かえります* means "He usually gets home a little before six o'clock."

  1. 13

    やまださんはいちかげつになんどきゅうりょうをもらいますか。

    How many times a month does Mr. Yamada get paid?

  2. 14

    いちかげつににどもらうのです。

    He gets his wages twice a month.

  3. 15

    わたくしはこれをやまださんにあげたいのですが、いつごろいえへかえるでしょうか。

    I want to give this to Mr. Yamada, but I wonder about what time will he come home?

  4. 16

    たいていろくじすこしまえにかえります。

    He usually gets home a little before six o'clock.

二
two
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
時
time
少し
little (quantity)

Covered with dirt and grease · Perception drill, Block 1

Covered with grease

*この くつは あぶらだらけです* means "These shoes are covered with grease."

The suffix *だらけ* follows a noun and means "full of" or "covered with something unpleasant or filthy."

The noun names the problem

*この本は 間ちがいだらけです* means "This book is full of mistakes."

The noun before *だらけ* names what unpleasant thing fills or covers the subject.

  1. 17

    あぶらだらけになります。

    One will become covered with grease.

  2. 18

    ごみだらけ

    covered with dirt

  3. 19

    くさだらけ

    covered with weeds, full of weeds

  4. 20

    まちがいだらけ

    full of errors

  5. 21

    このくつはあぶらだらけです。

    These shoes are covered with grease.

  6. 22

    このほんはまちがいだらけです。

    This book is full of mistakes.

  7. 23

    このみちはひとがあまりあるかないから、くさだらけです。

    This road is covered with grass because not many people walk on it.

  8. 24

    かぜがふくと、きょうしつがごみだらけになります。

    When the wind blows, the classroom becomes full of dust.

間ちがい
mistake, error
くつ
shoes
本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
道
road, street
人
people
ふく
to blow (v.i.)
と、
and (See Gram. Notes)

Talking about occasional events · Perception drill, Block 2

There are times

*私は 夜 おそく 家へ かえることがあります* means "There are times when I come home late at night."

*ことが あります* follows the dictionary form of a verb, an I-adjective, or a NA-adjective and means "there are times."

At times, but usually

*さむいことも ありますが、 大抵 あったかいです* means "Sometimes it is cold, but it is usually warm."

Here, *ことも あります* contrasts occasional cold with the usual warmth.

Kanji: 休

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

  1. 25

    わたくしはよるおそくいえへかえることがあります。

    There are times when I come home late at night.

  2. 26

    おそくたべることがあります。

    There are times when I eat late.

  3. 27

    はやくおきることがあります。

    There are times when I get up early.

  4. 28

    たべないことがあります。

    There are times when I do not eat.

  5. 29

    さむいことがあります。

    There are times when it is cold.

  6. 30

    およぎたいことがあります。

    There are times when I want to swim.

  7. 31

    あなたはまいばんおそくやすみますか。

    Do you go to bed late every night?

  8. 32

    いいえ、はやくやすむこともあります。

    No, there are also times when I go to bed early.

  9. 33

    さくらのはなはさんがつにさきますか。

    Do the cherry blossoms bloom in March?

  10. 34

    さんがつにさくこともありますが、たいていはしがつにさきます。

    Sometimes they bloom in March, but they usually bloom in April.

  11. 35

    モンテレーはさむいですか。

    Is Monterey cold?

  12. 36

    さむいこともありますが、たいていあったかいです。

    Sometimes it is cold, but it is usually warm.

おきる
to rise, get up (v.i.)
さむい
cold
ばん
evening, night
さくら
cherry (flower)
三
three
月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
さく
to bloom (v.i.)
四
four
モンテレー
Monterey
あったかい
warm

Past descriptions before nouns · Perception drill, Block 3

A past form before a noun

*よごれた 服* means "soiled clothes" or "clothes which are soiled."

The plain past form of some verbs stands before a noun and describes a condition that exists now.

The action identifies the noun

*げたは 木で こしらえた 物です* means "Geta are things made of wood."

Here, *こしらえた* stands before *物* and identifies the things by how they were made.

  1. 37

    よごれたふく

    'soiled clothes,' 'clothes which are soiled'

  2. 38

    きでこしらえたもの

    Something made of wood.

  3. 39

    てつでできたはし

    A bridge made of iron.

  4. 40

    にほんからきたせんせい

    A teacher who came from Japan.

  5. 41

    のこったおかね

    The money that remained.

  6. 42

    わたくしがかいたほん

    A book that I wrote.

  7. 43

    あのせんせいはにほんからきたひとですか。

    Is that teacher a person who came from Japan?

  8. 44

    はい、そうです。

    Yes, that is right.

  9. 45

    このよごれたくつしたはどうしましょうか。

    What shall we do with these dirty socks?

  10. 46

    このはこのなかにいれてください。

    Please put them in this box.

  11. 47

    げたはなんでこしらえたものですか。

    What are geta made of?

  12. 48

    げたはきでこしらえたものです。

    Geta are things made of wood.

  13. 49

    あなたはならったかんじをみんなおぼえていますか。

    Do you remember all the kanji you learned?

  14. 50

    はい、みんなおぼえています。

    Yes, I remember them all.

木
tree, wood
鉄
steel, iron
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
くつ下
socks, stocking
ましょう
let's (See Gram. Notes)
ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
げた
wooden clogs
みんな
all

Redoing and replacing things · Perception drill, Block 4

Two verbs form one action

*書きかえる* means "to rewrite."

A second verb attaches to a verb stem to form one compound verb.

Change or do again

*その 言葉は あまり むずかしいから、 やさしい 言葉に 言いかえて ください* asks for a difficult word to be replaced with an easy one.

In *言いかえる*, *かえる* adds change. In *やりかえる*, it expresses doing the action again.

  1. 51

    ようふくにきかえる。

    To change into a suit.

  2. 52

    (に)はきかえる

    to change into

  3. 53

    かきかえる

    to rewrite

  4. 54

    いいかえる

    to rephrase

  5. 55

    やりかえる

    to redo

  6. 56

    つつみかえる

    to rewrap

  7. 57

    そのてがみはかきかえるほうがいいですよ。

    You had better rewrite that letter.

  8. 58

    そうですか。では、そうしましょう。

    Is that so? Then I will do that.

  9. 59

    そのことばはあまりむずかしいから、やさしいことばにいいかえてください。

    That word is too difficult, so please replace it with an easy word.

  10. 60

    はい、かしこまりました。

    Yes, certainly.

  11. 61

    それはあまりじょうずにできていませんね。やりかえなさい。

    That is not done very well, is it? Do it over.

  12. 62

    はい、やりかえます。

    Yes, I will do it over.

着かえる。
to change clothes (See Grammar Notes)
手紙
letter (correspondence)
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)
むずかしい
difficult
やさしい
easy
上手
skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)

Describing gradual changes · Perception drill, Block 5

A change toward now

*この頃は さむくなって 来ましたね* means "It has been getting colder lately, hasn't it?"

*なって 来ます* after the changed ending of an I-adjective presents a gradual change developing toward now.

A change from now on

*大きくなって 行きます* means "It will keep getting bigger."

*なって 行きます* presents an expected change continuing into the future.

  1. 63

    いそがしくなってきます。

    It gets busy.

  2. 64

    さむくなってきます。

    It is getting colder.

  3. 65

    あつくなってきます。

    It is getting hotter.

  4. 66

    むずかしくなってきます。

    It is getting more difficult.

  5. 67

    おおきくなっていきます。

    It will keep getting bigger.

  6. 68

    このごろはさむくなってきましたね。

    It has been getting colder lately, hasn’t it?

  7. 69

    ええ、もうじゅうがつですからね。

    Yes, it is already October, after all.

  8. 70

    にほんごはやさしくなってきましたか。

    Has Japanese been getting easier?

  9. 71

    いいえ、ずいぶんむずかしくなってきました。

    No, it has been getting much more difficult.

  10. 72

    あなたはにほんへいってからも、にほんごのべんきょうをつづけますか。

    Will you continue studying Japanese after you go to Japan?

  11. 73

    はい、にほんごのべんきょうをつづけていきます。

    Yes, I will continue studying Japanese.

もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
十
ten

Things covered in grime · Pattern 1 1 of 2

What covers the subject

*あなたの 日本語は 間ちがいだらけです* means "Your Japanese is full of mistakes."

The suffix *だらけ* follows *間ちがい*, the unwanted thing.

A resulting condition

*しごと服が あぶらだらけに なりました* means "My work clothes became covered with grease."

Before *なりました*, *だらけ* takes *に* and describes the resulting condition.

  1. 74

    てがあぶらだらけになります。

    The hand will become covered with grease.

  2. 75

    このきょうしつはごみだらけです。

    This classroom is full of dust.

  3. 76

    あなたのにほんごはまちがいだらけです。

    Your Japanese is full of mistakes.

  4. 77

    しごとふくがあぶらだらけになりました。

    My work clothes became covered with grease.

  5. 78

    このみちはくさだらけです。

    This road is covered with grass.

  6. 79

    じどうしゃしゅうりこではたらくひとは、てがあぶらだらけになりますね。

    People who work at auto repair shops get their hands covered with grease, don’t they?

Trash and mistakes everywhere · Pattern 1 2 of 2

Trash in the trains

*日本の き車の 中は ごみだらけですね* says that trains in Japan are full of trash.

Here, *ごみ* names the unwanted thing filling the trains.

Mistakes in writing

*あの 生徒の かん字は 間ちがいだらけです* means "That student's kanji are full of mistakes."

Here, *間ちがい* names what fills the student's writing.

  1. 80

    ええ、そうです。

    Yes, that is right.

  2. 81

    にほんのきしゃのなかはごみだらけですね。

    The trains in Japan are full of trash, aren’t they?

  3. 82

    ええ、きしゃのなかでいろいろのものをたべるからです。

    Yes, that is because people eat all sorts of things on the trains.

  4. 83

    あのせいとはかんじがまずいですね。

    That student is not very good at writing kanji, is he?

  5. 84

    ええ、あのせいとのかんじはまちがいだらけです。

    No, that student’s kanji are full of mistakes.

き
counter for airplanes (See Gram. Notes)
まずい
poor, tasteless

Sometimes doing everyday things · Pattern 2 1 of 3

Sometimes the event happens

*夜も 働くことが あります* means "There are times when I work at night, too."

The ending presents the work as occasional.

Negative and desired events

*いいえ、 たべないことも あります* means "No, sometimes I don't eat it."

A plain negative or desire form can stand before *ことが あります*, as can an I-adjective.

  1. 85

    よるもはたらくことがあります。

    There are times when I work at night, too.

  2. 86

    あさはやくさんぽすることがあります。

    There are times when I take a walk early in the morning.

  3. 87

    モンテレーでもゆきがふることがあります。

    Sometimes it snows even in Monterey.

  4. 88

    あるせいとはべんきょうしないことがあります。

    There are times when a certain student does not study.

  5. 89

    ときどきさかなをたべたいことがあります。

    Sometimes I want to eat fish.

  6. 90

    なつでもさむいことがあります。

    Sometimes it is cold even in summer.

  7. 91

    あなたはいつもあさめしをたべますか。

    Do you always eat breakfast?

  8. 92

    いいえ、たべないこともあります。

    No, sometimes I don't eat it.

朝
morning
さんぽ
strolling
雪
snow
降る
to fall (rain) (v.i.)
さかな
fish
夏
summer
朝めし
breakfast

Occasional weather and routines · Pattern 2 2 of 3

Occasional routines

*あなたは 学校へ 子供を つれて 行くことが ありますか* asks whether someone ever takes children to school.

An answer repeats the event with *ことが あります* to say that it sometimes happens.

Occasional health and weather

*時々 かぜを ひくことが あります* means "Sometimes I catch a cold."

*時々 ずい分 あついことが あります* says that it sometimes gets very hot.

  1. 93

    あなたはいつもげんきですか。

    Are you always well?

  2. 94

    いいえ、ときどきかぜをひくことがあります。

    No, sometimes I catch a cold.

  3. 95

    モンテレーはすずしいところですね。

    Monterey is a cool place, isn't it?

  4. 96

    ええ。でも、ときどきずいぶんあついことがあります。

    Yes, but sometimes it gets very hot.

  5. 97

    あなたはがっこうへこどもをつれていくことがありますか。

    Do you ever take your children to school?

  6. 98

    がっこうへこどもをつれていくことがあります。

    Sometimes I take my children to school.

  7. 99

    やすみます。

    I rest.

  8. 100

    かぶります。

    I put it on.

すずしい
cool
所
address, place
ええ。
Yes
あつい
hot

Verb forms for occasional events · Pattern 2 3 of 3

Conditions and desires

*あつい* means "It is hot." *行きたい* means "I want to go."

Before *ことが あります*, these plain forms present an occasional condition or desire.

Affirmative and negative actions

*べんきょうします* means "I study." *働きません* means "I don't work."

An occasional action takes the dictionary form or plain negative before *ことが あります*.

  1. 101

    おきません。

    I don't get up.

  2. 102

    たべません。

    I don't eat.

  3. 103

    あつい。

    It is hot.

  4. 104

    だします。

    I take it out.

  5. 105

    べんきょうします。

    I study.

  6. 106

    あったかい。

    It is warm.

  7. 107

    はたらきません。

    I don't work.

  8. 108

    いきたい。

    I want to go.

あつい。
hot
あったかい。
warm

Describing people and things · Pattern 3 1 of 2

A condition before a noun

*あの人は よごれた くつを はいています* means "He is wearing dirty shoes."

The plain past *よごれた* before *くつ* describes their present condition.

A completed action before a noun

*昨日 読んだ 本は とても よかった* means "The book I read yesterday was very good."

The plain past *読んだ* identifies *本* through the completed action.

  1. 109

    あのひとはよごれたくつをはいています。

    He is wearing dirty shoes.

  2. 110

    つかれたひとはやすんでいます。

    The tired person is resting.

  3. 111

    きものをきたおんなのひとはきれいです。

    The woman wearing a kimono is pretty.

  4. 112

    あのせいとはならったかんじをみんなおぼえています。

    That student remembers all the kanji he learned.

  5. 113

    ようふくをかって、のこったおかねでくつをかいました。

    I bought some clothes, and with the money left over I bought some shoes.

  6. 114

    きのうよんだほんはとてもよかった。

    The book I read yesterday was very good.

  7. 115

    あなたはあのよごれたぼうしをかぶったひとをしっていますか。

    Do you know that person wearing the dirty hat?

  8. 116

    はい、しっています。あのひとはじどうしゃのしゅうりこうです。

    Yes, I know him; he is an auto repairman.

  9. 117

    べんきょうでつかれたときにはどうしますか。

    What do you do when you are tired from studying?

女
female
昨日
yesterday
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
とても
very, indeed

Past forms before nouns · Pattern 3 2 of 2

Made of wood

*この頃 木で こしらえた はしが ありますか* asks whether any bridges are made of wood these days.

In *木で こしらえた はし*, the plain past *こしらえた* stands before the noun it describes.

Conditions and completed actions

*書いた*, *つかれた*, *よごれた*, and *読んだ* can stand before nouns to identify them.

*--だらけになった* adds the completed change "became covered with --."

  1. 118

    テレビをみたり、さんぽにでかけたりします。

    I watch television or go out for a walk.

  2. 119

    このごろきでこしらえたはしがありますか。

    Are there any bridges made of wood these days?

  3. 120

    ときどきありますが、たいていてつでこしらえます。

    There are sometimes, but they are usually made of iron.

  4. 121

    かいた

    Wrote.

  5. 122

    つかれた

    Got tired.

  6. 123

    よごれた

    Got dirty.

  7. 124

    よんだ

    Read.

  8. 125

    --だらけになった

    Became covered with --.

テレビ
television
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)

Beginning, finishing and changing · Pattern 4 1 of 3

Beginning an action

*雨が 降り はじめました* means "It began to rain."

The compound *降り はじめました* joins a verb stem to a second verb. Here, *はじめました* adds beginning.

Finishing and changing

*もう その本を 読み おわりましたか* asks whether someone has finished reading it.

*おわる* adds finishing, while *かえる* adds changing, as in *着 かえる*.

  1. 126

    きかえる

    to change clothes

  2. 127

    よみはじめる

    to begin to read

  3. 128

    たべおわる

    to finish eating

  4. 129

    いえへかえると、くつをはきかえます。

    When I get home, I change my shoes.

  5. 130

    あめがふりはじめました。

    It began to rain.

  6. 131

    さくらのはながさきはじめました。

    The cherry blossoms have begun to bloom.

  7. 132

    もうそのほんをよみおわりましたか。

    Have you finished reading that book yet?

はじめる
to begin, to start (v.t)
おわる
ends (v.i.)
雨
rain
はじめ
beginning
おわり
end

Changing clothes and starting young · Pattern 4 2 of 3

Finishing and doing again

*ひるめしを たべおわった 人* means people who have finished eating lunch.

*この小包を もっと じょうぶな 紙で 包みなおして ください* asks for the package to be rewrapped in stronger paper.

The second verb adds finishing in *たべおわった* and doing again in *包みなおして*.

Changing and beginning

*服を 着かえて、 くつを はきかえます* describes changing clothes and shoes.

*三つの 時から 使いはじめました* means "I began using them when I was three."

The second verb adds changing in *着かえて* and beginning in *使いはじめました*.

  1. 133

    ひるめしをたべおわったひとは、そとにでてもいいです。

    Those who have finished eating lunch may go outside.

  2. 134

    このこづつみをもっとじょうぶなかみでつつみなおしてください。

    Please rewrap this package in stronger paper.

  3. 135

    はい、かしこまりました。

    Yes, certainly.

  4. 136

    あなたはいえへかえってから、ふくをきかえますか。

    Do you change your clothes after you get home?

  5. 137

    はい、ふくをきかえて、くつをはきかえます。

    Yes, I change my clothes and change my shoes.

  6. 138

    あなたはいつごろからはしをつかいはじめましたか。

    About how old were you when you began using chopsticks?

  7. 139

    みっつのときからつかいはじめました。

    I began using them when I was three.

ひるめし
lunch, noon meal
そと
outside
小包
parcel, small package
もっと
more (See Gram. Notes)

Verbs joined to other verbs · Pattern 4 3 of 3

Verbs that can form compounds

*読む* means "Read." *書く* means "Write."

Each verb can supply the first part of a compound action.

Actions for the first part

*歩く*, *おしえる*, and *話す* mean "Walk," "Teach," and "Speak."

The first verb names the main action. The second verb adds beginning, finishing, changing, or repetition.

  1. 140

    べんきょうする

    Study.

  2. 141

    よむ

    Read.

  3. 142

    あるく

    Walk.

  4. 143

    おしえる

    Teach.

  5. 144

    はなす

    Speak.

  6. 145

    かく

    Write.

  7. 146

    きる

    Put on.

Changes already underway · Pattern 5 1 of 2

Changes underway

*いそがしくなって 来ました* means "It has become busy."

The ending *なって 来ました* presents a change that has developed toward now.

Different changing qualities

*子供たちは 大きく なって 来ました* says the children have been getting bigger.

*あの人の かおが あかく なって 来ました* says that person's face has been turning red.

  1. 147

    いそがしくなってきました。

    It has become busy.

  2. 148

    このごろはあったかくなってきました。

    It has been getting warmer lately.

  3. 149

    にほんごがやさしくなってきました。

    Japanese has been getting easier.

  4. 150

    こどもたちはおおきくなってきました。

    The children have been getting bigger.

  5. 151

    あのひとのかおがあかくなってきました。

    That person's face has been turning red.

  6. 152

    あのひとはこのごろすこしわかくなってきましたね。

    That person has been looking a little younger lately, hasn't he?

かお
face

Weather, studies and longer days · Pattern 5 2 of 2

A change toward now

*この頃 日が 長く なって 来ましたね* means "The days have been getting longer lately, haven't they?"

*なって 来ました* presents the increase in daylight as a change developing up to now.

A change from now on

*今から だんだん 日が 長く なって 行きます* means "the days will gradually get longer from now on."

*なって 行きます* presents the change as continuing into the future.

  1. 153

    さむくなってきましたから、おおくのひとがかぜをひくでしょうね。

    Since it has been getting colder, many people will probably catch colds, won't they?

  2. 154

    ええ、ことしはとくべつさむいですからね。

    Yes, because it is especially cold this year.

  3. 155

    このごろべんきょうがいそがしくなってきたでしょう。

    Your studies have been getting busier lately, haven't they?

  4. 156

    ええ、とても。

    Yes, very much so.

  5. 157

    このごろひがながくなってきましたね。

    The days have been getting longer lately, haven’t they?

  6. 158

    ええ、いまからだんだんひがながくなっていきます。

    Yes, the days will gradually get longer from now on.

今年
this year
とても。
very, indeed
だんだん
gradually, step by step

Growing auto repair work · Reading Selection 1 of 3

More cars and more work

Mr. Yamada works eight hours each day and works more when business is busy.

*自動車が 大へん ふえて 来ましたから、 自動車を しゅうりする しごとも ふえ* links more automobiles with more repair work.

The form *ふえて 来ました* presents a change developing toward now.

  1. 159

    やまださんはじどうしゃのしゅうりこうです。

    Mr. Yamada is an auto repairman.

  2. 160

    あさはやく

    Early in the morning,

  3. 161

    いえをでて、まちのおおきなじどうしゃしゅうりこへしごとにいき

    he leaves home and goes to work at a large auto repair shop in town.

  4. 162

    ます。

    He does.

  5. 163

    まいにちはちじかんずつはたらきますが、いそがしいときには

    He works eight hours every day, but when it is busy,

  6. 164

    もっとはたらきます。

    he works more.

  7. 165

    にほんでは、このごろじどうしゃがたいへん

    In Japan, the number of automobiles has greatly

  8. 166

    ふえてきましたから、じどうしゃをしゅうりするしごともふえ

    increased lately, so the amount of work repairing automobiles has also increased.

八
eight
時間
hour, time
ずつ
each (See Gram. Notes)
いそがしい
busy
大へん
very

Repair work, grime and colds · Reading Selection 2 of 3

Grease and dirty clothes

Repairmen work on a cold floor, so grease and dirt cover their clothes and hands.

In *服や 手が あぶらや ごみだらけに なります*, *だらけ* follows the unwanted substances.

Cold weather and health

They change soiled clothes and clean their hands and bodies before going home.

*さむく なって 来ると、 かぜを ひく 人が 多く なります* links colder weather with more people catching colds.

  1. 167

    じどうしゃしゅうりこうはじどうしゃをつめたいゆかのうえで

    Auto repairmen work on automobiles on a cold floor,

  2. 168

    なおすのですから、ふくやてがあぶらやごみだらけに

    so their clothes and hands become covered with grease and dirt.

  3. 169

    なります。

    They do.

  4. 170

    それですから、しごとをおわっていえへかえる

    Therefore, after finishing work and before going home,

  5. 171

    まえによごれたふくをきかえたり、てやからだをきれいにしなければ

    they must change their dirty clothes and clean their hands and bodies.

  6. 172

    なりません。

    They must.

  7. 173

    つめたいゆかのうえではたらくのはからだにわるいです。

    Working on a cold floor is bad for the health.

  8. 174

    ですから、さむくなってくると、かぜをひくひとがおおくなります。

    Therefore, when it starts getting cold, more people catch colds.

なおす
to correct, mend, repair (v.t.)
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
つめたい
cold (not weather)

Health, skill and wages · Reading Selection 3 of 3

Health, skill, and wages

Mr. Yamada sometimes catches a cold, but he usually recovers quickly because he is healthy.

In *山田さんも たまに かぜを ひくことが ありますが、 ふつう 元気です*, *ことが あります* presents an occasional event.

He teaches other repairmen and receives a better salary, about two thousand yen each day.

  1. 175

    やまださんもたまにかぜをひくことがありますが、ふつうげんきです

    Mr. Yamada also catches a cold occasionally, but he is usually healthy,

  2. 176

    から、かぜをひいてもすぐなおります。

    so even when he catches a cold, he gets well right away.

  3. 177

    やまださんはたいへんよいしゅうりこうです。

    Mr. Yamada is a very good repairman.

  4. 178

    たびたびほかの

    He often has to teach the other

  5. 179

    しゅうりこうにいろいろのことをおしえなければなりません。

    repairmen various things.

  6. 180

    それですから、ほかのしゅうりこうよりもっとよいきゅうりょうをもらいます。

    Therefore, he receives a better salary than the other repairmen.

  7. 181

    にっきゅうにせんえんぐらいです。

    His daily wage is about two thousand yen.

たまに
rarely, once in a while
すぐ
right away, immediately
たびたび
often, frequently
より
than (See Gram. Notes)
日給
daily wage
二千
2,000
円
yen (unit of money)
ぐらい
about

Questions about repair work · Questions 1 of 3

Job, workplace, and hours

The questions ask for Mr. Yamada's job, workplace, morning schedule, and daily working hours.

*山田さんの しごとは 何ですか* means "What is Mr. Yamada's job?"

An answer gives the requested fact from the reading, such as his job as an auto repairman.

  1. 182

    ました。

    He did.

  2. 183

    やまださんのしごとはなんですか。

    What is Mr. Yamada’s job?

  3. 184

    やまださんはあさおそくおきますか。

    Does Mr. Yamada get up late in the morning?

  4. 185

    やまださんはなぜあさはやくおきますか。

    Why does Mr. Yamada get up early in the morning?

  5. 186

    やまださんはどこではたらいていますか。

    Where does Mr. Yamada work?

  6. 187

    やまださんはまいにちなんじかんはたらきますか。

    How many hours does Mr. Yamada work every day?

  7. 188

    やまださんははちじかんしかはたらきませんか。

    Does Mr. Yamada work only eight hours?

  8. 189

    にほんにはじどうしゃがすくないですか。

    Are there few automobiles in Japan?

なぜ
why?

Questions about grime and health · Questions 2 of 3

Causes and conditions

The questions ask why repairmen get dirty and whether cold floors harm their health.

*自動車しゅうりこうは 手が あぶらだらけに なりますか* asks whether repairmen's hands become covered with grease.

An answer states yes or no and gives the relevant fact about their work or health.

  1. 190

    じどうしゃをなおすひとをなんといいますか。

    What do you call a person who repairs automobiles?

  2. 191

    ものをなおすのはしゅうりですか。

    Is fixing things called repair?

  3. 192

    じどうしゃのしゅうりこうはよごれますか。

    Do auto repairmen get dirty?

  4. 193

    じどうしゃしゅうりこうはなぜよごれますか。

    Why do auto repairmen get dirty?

  5. 194

    じどうしゃしゅうりこうはてがあぶらだらけになりますか。

    Do auto repairmen’s hands become covered with grease?

  6. 195

    つめたいゆかのうえではたらくのはからだにわるいですか。

    Is working on a cold floor bad for the health?

  7. 196

    じどうしゃのしゅうりこうはふゆにはかぜをひくことがありますか。

    Do auto repairmen sometimes catch colds in winter?

  8. 197

    やまださんはたびたびかぜをひきますか。

    Does Mr. Yamada often catch colds?

Questions about pay and skill · Questions 3 of 3

Work clothes and wages

The questions cover grease-covered clothing, colder months, Mr. Yamada's skill, and his pay.

*一日の 給料を 何と 言いますか* means "What do you call one day's pay?"

An answer names the requested fact, such as the term for a daily wage.

  1. 198

    しゅうりこうたちはあぶらだらけになったふくをきていえへかえりますか。

    Do the repairmen go home wearing clothes covered with grease?

  2. 199

    さむくなるのはなんがつごろですか。

    About what month does it get cold?

  3. 200

    やまださんはどんなしゅうりこうですか。

    What kind of repairman is Mr. Yamada?

  4. 201

    やまださんはなぜほかのしゅうりこうよりたかいきゅうりょうをもらいますか。

    Why does Mr. Yamada receive a higher salary than the other repairmen?

  5. 202

    やまださんはげっきゅうをもらいますか。

    Does Mr. Yamada receive a monthly salary?

  6. 203

    いちにちのきゅうりょうをなんといいますか。

    What do you call one day’s pay?

たかい
expensive
月給
monthly wage

Repair, illness and wages · Word list 1 of 4

Repair work and pay

These words cover repair work, grime, illness, and several wage periods.

*自動車しゅうりこ* means "auto repair shop," while *しゅうりこう* means "repairman."

*時給*, *日給*, and *週給* mean "hourly wage," "daily wage," and "weekly wage."

  1. 204

    じどうしゃしゅうりこ

    auto repair shop

  2. 205

    しゅうりこう

    repairman

  3. 206

    しゅうり

    repair

  4. 207

    しごと

    work, job

  5. 208

    あぶら

    grease, oil

  6. 209

    ごみ

    trash, dirt

  7. 210

    びょうき

    sickness, illness

  8. 211

    きゅうりょう

    wage, salary

  9. 212

    じきゅう

    hourly wage

  10. 213

    にっきゅう

    daily wage

  11. 214

    しゅうきゅう

    weekly wage

自動車しゅうりこ
auto repair shop
しゅうりこう
repairman
しゅうり
repair
時給
hourly wage
週給
weekly wage

Pay, health and physical changes · Word list 2 of 4

Pay, health, and change

These words cover longer pay periods, health, changes in the body, and clothing.

*月給* means "monthly wage," and *年ぽう* means "yearly salary."

*よごれた服* means "soiled suit," while *着かえる* means "to change clothes."

  1. 215

    げっきゅう

    monthly wage

  2. 216

    ねんぽう

    yearly salary

  3. 217

    からだ

    body, health

  4. 218

    よごれたふく

    soiled suit (See Grammar Notes)

  5. 219

    ふえる

    to increase (v.i.)

  6. 220

    つかれる

    to get tired (v.i.)

  7. 221

    よごれる

    to become soiled (v.i.)

  8. 222

    ふとる

    to become stout (v.i.)

  9. 223

    やせる

    to lose weight (v.i.)

  10. 224

    あげる

    to give (to a superior) (v.t.)

  11. 225

    きかえる

    to change clothes (See Grammar Notes)

年ぽう
yearly salary
よごれた服
soiled suit (See Grammar Notes)
ふえる
to increase (v.i.)
つかれる
to get tired (v.i.)
ふとる
to become stout (v.i.)
上げる
to give (to a superior) (v.t.)
着かえる
to change clothes (See Grammar Notes)

Illness, repeated actions and change · Word list 3 of 4

Illness, actions, and change

These entries cover health, compound actions, occasional events, and gradual change.

*読みはじめる* means "to begin to read," and *たべおわる* means "to finish eating."

*だらけ* means "full of" or "covered with," while *--ことがある* means "there are times."

  1. 226

    かぜをひく

    to catch cold

  2. 227

    よみはじめる

    to begin to read

  3. 228

    たべおわる

    to finish eating

  4. 229

    つつみなおす

    to re-wrap

  5. 230

    いそがしい

    busy

  6. 231

    げんきな

    healthy, energetic

  7. 232

    そのかわり

    instead, in its place, on the other hand

  8. 233

    だらけ

    full of, covered with (See Grammar Notes)

  9. 234

    --ことがある

    there are times, occasionally (See Grammar Notes)

  10. 235

    いそがしくなってくる

    to get busy, to become busy (See Grammar Notes)

  11. 236

    からだにわるい

    bad for the health

かぜをひく
to catch cold
読みはじめる
to begin to read
たべおわる
to finish eating
包みなおす
to re-wrap
元気な
healthy, energetic
そのかわり
instead, in its place, on the other hand
--ことがある
there are times, occasionally (See Grammar Notes)
いそがしくなって来る
to get busy, to become busy (See Grammar Notes)
体にわるい
bad for the health

Time, reasons and wages · Word list 4 of 4

Time, reasons, and wages

These entries cover timing, reasons, wage periods, and taking time off work.

*じきに* means "soon," and *ですから* means "therefore."

*山本さんは 火曜日に しごとを 休みます* gives the expression "to rest from work."

  1. 237

    じきに

    soon

  2. 238

    ですから

    therefore

  3. 239

    じきゅう

    hourly wage

  4. 240

    にっきゅう

    daily wage

  5. 241

    しゅうきゅう

    weekly wage

  6. 242

    げっきゅう

    monthly wage

  7. 243

    ねんぽう

    yearly salary

  8. 244

    やまもとさんはかようびにしごとをやすみます。

    'to rest from work'

じきに
soon
ですから
therefore
山本さんは火曜日にしごとを休みます。
'to rest from work'

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.