Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 34

Lesson 34

Sounds, kana, and the first conversations

224 lines

Serious illness and hospitalization · Dialogue 1 of 3

An energetic man becomes ill

*ええ、 いつも 元気な 上田さんでも 病気を するのですね* means "Yes, even Mr. Uyeda, who is always energetic, does get sick."

The speakers discuss how serious his illness is and why he entered a hospital.

What illness prevents

*歩けない人や 動けない人* means "people who cannot walk or move." These forms state what seriously ill people cannot do.

In *上田さんでも*, *でも* includes Mr. Uyeda despite his usual good health.

Kanji: 病, 院, 当(當), 重

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

Kanji: 動, 入

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

  1. 1

    うえださんはびょうきだそうですね。

    I hear Mr. Uyeda is ill, isn't that right?

    上田Ueda
    さんMr.
    はtopic
    病気illness
    だis
    そうI hear
    ですis
    ね。right?
  2. 2

    ええ、いつもげんきなうえださんでもびょうきをするのですね。

    Yes, even Mr. Uyeda, who is always energetic, does get sick.

  3. 3

    うえださんのびょうきはおもいのですか。

    Is Mr. Uyeda's illness serious?

  4. 4

    そうでしょう。いえではてあてができないから、にゅういんしているそうです。

    I suppose so. I hear he is hospitalized because he could not be cared for at home.

  5. 5

    そうですか。にゅういんするひとのなかには、あるけないひとやうごけないひとなど、おもいびょうきのひとがおおいですね。

    I see. Among those who enter a hospital, there are many seriously ill persons like those that cannot work or move, aren't there?

  6. 6

    ええ、でもちょっとかぜをひいて、ねつがあったり、あたまやのどがいたかったり、せきがでたりするひとは、ふつうにゅういんしません。

    Yes, but those who have caught a little cold and have a fever or have a headache and sore throat or have a cough don't enter a hospital ordinarily.

DEWA and DEMO

DEWA used after a substantive means 'if' and 'if it is' or 'judging from'.

Examples:

BYOOKI DEWA IKU KOTO GA DEKIMASEN. "If he is sick, he cannot go."

KONO TENKI DEWA KONBAN WA AME GA FURU DESHOO. "Judging from this weather, it probably will rain."

DEWA used as a conjunction means 'and,' 'well then,' or 'if that is the case.'

Examples:

DEWA MATA ASHITA KIMASU. "Well then, I'll come again tomorrow."

DEWA WATAKUSHI WA IKIMASEN. "If that's the case, I don't go."

When DEWA follows place nouns like NIPPON, AMERIKA, GAKKOO, etc., in most cases DEWA expresses a place of action and is translated as 'in.'

GAKKOO DEWA NIPPONGO O HANASHIMASU. "I speak Japanese in school."

DEMO is a concessive and usually translated 'even if it is.' The relationship between DEWA and DEMO in question and answer is exactly the same as conditional--REBA and concessive TEMO.

Examples:

TANAKA SAN DEMO II DESU KA. "Will it be all right, even if it is Mr. Tanaka?"

KONO KANJI WA SENSEI DEMO YOMEMASEN. "Even a teacher cannot read this KANJI."

The words DARE DEMO and NAN DEMO, etc., should be treated in their idiomatic meaning. (See Lesson 30)

WATAKUSHI WA KONO HON O YOMU KOTO WA DEKIMASEN.
TE form of verbs plus WA

TE form of I-adjectives plus WA

When a particle WA is added to the TE form of verbs and I-adjectives, it gives a conditional meaning.

Examples:

YORU YASUMU MAE NI TAKUSAN TABETE WA KARADA NI WARUI DESU. "If you eat a lot before you go to bed at night, it is bad for your health."

SONNA NI TAKAKUTE WA DARE MO KAIMASEN. "If it is that expensive, no one will buy it."

When a conditional sentence is formed this way, the idea expressed is usually of negative nature. In another word, the verb or the adjective in the independent clause is negative or in a word of adverse meaning such as WARUI.

WATAKUSHI WA KONO HON GA (WA) YOMEMASEN.
Potential verbs

All regular verbs can be changed into potential semi-regular verbs. The simplest way of conversion is to replace the BA in the conditional form of regular verbs with RU.

Dictionary Form | Conditional Form | Potential Form
NARAU learn | NARAEBA if I learn | NARAERU can learn

Technically, any regular verb may be so converted. However, there are some exceptions:

Verbs that indicate an action over which man has no control have no potential form in Japanese. For example, the verb FURU, 'to rain' or 'snow'; NAORU, 'to get well'; UTSURU, 'to spread'; etc., belong in this category.

Again, if the subject of the verb has no ability to perform an action, or the verb itself is not an action verb, e.g., KOMARU, the potential form is impossible, though there are a few exceptions, such as OOKIKU NARERU.

WAKARU, 'to understand,' is a potential verb and doesn't have a potential form.

Potential verbs constructed in the manner prescribed above are all intransitive. Therefore, the usual object of a verb becomes the subject and takes the particle

GA or WA instead of O. A normal subject of a verb may take WA and become a notional subject or may take NI or NIWA and becomes an agent for performing the action. Compare the following sentences:
WATAKUSHI NIWA KONO HON WA YOMEMASEN.

The literal translation for Example 2 above may be "As for me, this book is not readable," and for 3 "To me this book is not readable." However, both these expressions as well as 1 are usually translated "I cannot read this book."

Some sentences may be translated in the passive voice.

MAINICHI KANJI WA TOO GURAI NARAEMASU. "About ten kanji can be learned every day."

or "I can learn about ten kanji every day."

The following verbs do not belong to this category or potential verbs, but they merit attention.

DEKIRU can be done

MIERU to be visible, can see

KIKOERU to be audible, can hear
The conditional TARA (DARA)

The conditional is formed by adding RA to the non-polite past tense form verbs and I-adjectives. There are two common usages of this conditional form.

In one usage the expression is of pure supposition and establishes a condition precedent. This condition may be contrary to fact.

Examples:

AME GA FUTTARA IKIMASEN. "If it should rain, I won't go."

KYOOTO E ITTARA, TANAKA-SAN NI AIMASU. "If I go to Kyoto, I'll see Mr. Tanaka."

KYOOTO E ITTARA, TANAKA-SAN NI ATTA N DESU GA. "If I had gone to Kyoto, I would have seen Mr. Tanaka."

YASUKATTARA KAIMASU. "If it is cheap, I'll buy it."

In the above cases, the conditional or subjunctive mood is expressed and the translation is rendered using 'if.'

This TARA (DARA) form may be used for statements of actual occurrence. In this case the translation is usually 'when.'

ANO HITO NO UCHI E ITTARA DARE MO IMASEN DESHITA. "When I went to his home, no one was there."

KYOOTO E ITTARA, TANAKA-SAN NI AIMASHITA. "When I went to Kyoto, I saw Mr. Tanaka."
は
leaves
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
ええ、
Yes
いつ
when?
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
の
See Grammar Notes
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
家
house, home
手当
medical treatment
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
し
city
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
人
people
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
など、
and so forth, etc.
ちょっと
a little
かぜ
wind
ねつ
fever
あたま
head
のど
throat
せき
seat

Contagion, sanitation and treatment · Dialogue 2 of 3

Why patients enter a hospital

*病人が 家に 居ては、 家ぞくの 者に うつりますから* means "because if the patient stays at home, the family members will be infected."

The speakers connect hospital care with preventing infection.

If illness begins

*もし 病気に なったら、 早く 医者に かかるか、 又は くすりを 買って のむか しなければなりません* gives two responses to illness.

The condition *病気に なったら* means "if you should get sick."

Kanji: 事

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

Kanji: 者, 医(醫), 切

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

  1. 7

    でんせんびょうにかかったときには、どうしますか。

    What do people do if they contract a contagious disease?

  2. 8

    びょうにんはたいていにゅういんします。びょうにんがいえにいては、かぞくのものにうつりますから。

    The patient usually enters a hospital, because if the patient stays at home, the family members will be infected.

  3. 9

    このごろでは、でんせんびょうにかかるひとはすくないでしょう。

    The people who contract contagious diseases are few these days, isn't that right?

  4. 10

    ええ、えいせいがよくなってきましたから。

    Yes, because sanitation has improved.

  5. 11

    てきとうに、うんどうすることはけんこうにはたいせつでしょう。

    Isn't it important for the health to do exercises properly?

  6. 12

    ええ、たいせつです。そして、もしびょうきになったら、はやくいしゃにかかるか、またはくすりをかってのむかしなければなりません。そうすれば、はやくなおります。

    That's right. And if you should get sick, you must either consult a doctor quickly or buy medicines and take them. If you do that, you get well fast.

時
time
は、
leaves
ます
trout
病人
sick person, patient
家ぞく
family
者
person
から。
from (See Gram. Notes)
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
かかる
to consult, to contract, to be attacked by
えいせい
sanitation, health
よく
well, skillfully
けんこう
health
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
もし
if
医者
medical doctor
くすり
medicine
のむ
to drink, to take

Comparing healthcare costs · Dialogue 3 of 3

Costs in two countries

*米国では、 医者や 病院の ひようが 高いですが、 日本では どうですか* asks how medical expenses in Japan compare with those in America.

*病気では 何も 出来ません* means "If you are sick, you can't do anything."

Kanji: 高

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

  1. 13

    べいこくでは、いしゃやびょういんのひようがたかいですが、にほんではどうですか。

    In America, doctor and hospital expenses are high, but how are they in Japan?

  2. 14

    にほんではそんなひようはべいこくほどたかくはありません。

    In Japan, such expenses are not so high as in America.

  3. 15

    びょうきにはなりたくないですね。

    We surely don't want to get sick, do we?

  4. 16

    そうですよ。びょうきではなにもできませんから、かぞくのものもこまりますよ。

    That's right. If you are sick, you can't do anything, so the family members will be troubled, too.

病院
hospital
ほど
to the extent (See Grammar Notes)

Even people and circumstances · Perception drill, Block 1

Even an unexpected person

*上田さんでも 病気を します* means "Even Mr. Ueda gets sick." After a noun, *でも* includes a surprising person or circumstance.

*ある 生徒は 病気でも 学校に 来ます* means "Some students come to school even when they are sick."

Even when ability is limited

*ある かん字は 先生でも 読む 事が 出来ません* means "There are some kanji that even teachers cannot read."

The expected ability of a teacher makes *先生でも* contrast with the negative result.

  1. 17

    うえださんでもびょうきをします。

    Even Mr. Ueda gets sick.

  2. 18

    あるひとはあめでもゴルフをやります。

    Some people play golf even when it rains.

  3. 19

    スミスぐんそうでもにほんごができます。

    Even Sergeant Smith can speak Japanese.

  4. 20

    こどもでもひらがなをならうことができます。

    Even children can learn hiragana.

  5. 21

    べいこくではおかねがないひとでもじどうしゃをもっています。

    In the United States, even people without money own cars.

  6. 22

    あるかんじはせんせいでもよむことができません。

    There are some kanji that even teachers cannot read.

  7. 23

    あるせいとはびょうきでもがっこうにきます。

    Some students come to school even when they are sick.

ます。
trout
ある
certain, some
雨
rain
ゴルフ
golf
ひらがな
HIRAGANA syllabary

Grammar Perception Drill, Block 2

A condition that sets a limit

*病気では 何も 出来ません* means "If one is sick, he can't do anything." The *では* after *病気* sets the condition.

*これは 重いから、 小包ゆうびんでは 送る 事は 出来ません* applies the same limit to parcel post.

  1. 24

    びょうきではなにもできません。

    If one is sick, he can't do anything.

  2. 25

    あるしごとはこどもではできません。

    Some jobs cannot be done by children.

  3. 26

    あめではおよぐことができません。

    You cannot swim when it is raining.

  4. 27

    わたくしではこのかんじをよむことはできません。

    I cannot read this kanji.

  5. 28

    ニューヨークへいくのに、きしゃではじかんがかかります。

    It takes a long time to go to New York by train.

  6. 29

    これはおもいから、こづつみゆうびんではおくることはできません。

    This is heavy, so it cannot be sent by parcel post.

しごと
work, job
およぐ
to swim
ニューヨーク
New York
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
に、
on (See Gram. Notes)
き
counter for airplanes (See Gram. Notes)
時間
hour, time
小包
parcel, small package
ゆうびん
postal service
送る
to send (v.t.)

Conditions with bad results · Perception drill, Block 3

A condition with a bad result

*雨が 降っては、 そとで あそぶ 事は 出来ません* means "If it rains, you can't play outside."

Add *は* to the TE-form of a verb or I-adjective to give it a conditional meaning.

The result is usually negative or adverse.

The same form after an adjective

In *そんなに 高くては、 買う 事は 出来ません*, *高くては* means "if it's so expensive."

*こんなに さむくては、 花は さきません* ends with another negative result.

  1. 30

    あめがふっては、そとであそぶことはできません。

    If it rains, you can't play outside.

  2. 31

    そんなにたかくては、かうことはできません。

    If it's so expensive, I can't buy it.

  3. 32

    あんまりはたらいては、からだにわるいです。

    Working too much is bad for your health.

  4. 33

    あんまりたくさんたべては、からだにわるいです。

    Eating too much is bad for your health.

  5. 34

    えいごではなしては、あのひとにはわかりません。

    If you speak in English, that person will not understand.

  6. 35

    あんまりとおくては、あるいていくことはできません。

    If it is too far, you cannot walk there.

  7. 36

    こんなにさむくては、はなはさきません。

    When it is this cold, the flowers will not bloom.

  8. 37

    あかりがなくては、みえません。

    Without a light, you cannot see.

  9. 38

    そんなにあそびたくては、べんきょうできません。

    If you want to play that much, you cannot study.

そと
outside
あそぶ
to play (v.i.)
買う
to buy
体
body, health
わるい
bad
遠く
distant (place)

Expressing abilities and limits · Perception drill, Block 4

Making a verb mean can

*私は 少し およげます* means "I can swim a little." A potential verb states ability or possibility.

For a regular verb, replace *BA* in its conditional form with *RU*. *NARAEBA* becomes *NARAERU*, "can learn."

With a potential verb, the thing possible usually takes *が* or *は* instead of *を*.

The person and the possible thing

*私は かん字が 読めません* means "I can't read KANJI." The person takes *は*, and the thing that cannot be read takes *が*.

The same sentence can describe the kanji as not readable by that person.

  1. 39

    わたくしはかんじがよめません。

    I can't read KANJI.

  2. 40

    わたくしはまいにちじゅうじかんはたらけません。

    I cannot work ten hours every day.

  3. 41

    このはこはこづつみゆうびんではおくれません。

    This box cannot be sent by parcel post.

  4. 42

    わたくしはせんせいほどはやくにほんごがはなせません。

    I cannot speak Japanese as fast as the teacher.

  5. 43

    だれでもたくさんたべればふとれます。

    Anyone can gain weight if they eat a lot.

  6. 44

    わたくしはすこしおよげます。

    I can swim a little.

十
ten
だれ
who?
少し
little (quantity)

Conditions and consequences · Perception drill, Block 5

A supposed condition

*私は 雨が 降ったら、 行きません* means "If it should rain, I wouldn't go."

Add *ら* to the plain past form of a verb or I-adjective. Here *降った* becomes *降ったら*.

A result that occurred

*花見に 行ったら、 人が 沢山 居ました* describes an actual occurrence.

Here *行ったら* means "when I went," and the second clause reports what was there.

  1. 45

    わたくしはあめがふったら、いきません。

    If it should rain, I wouldn't go.

  2. 46

    はなみにいったら、ひとがたくさんいました。

    When I went to flower viewing, many people were there.

  3. 47

    あんまりたくさんたべたら、びょうきになりますよ。

    If you eat too much, you will get sick.

  4. 48

    かぜがふいたら、いきません。

    If the wind blows, I will not go.

  5. 49

    もっとべんきょうしたら、じょうずになりますよ。

    If you study more, you will get better at it.

  6. 50

    こうくうゆうびんでおくったら、たかいですよ。

    If you send it by airmail, it will be expensive.

  7. 51

    あのかたににほんごではなしたら、ちっともわかりませんでした。

    When I spoke to that person in Japanese, they did not understand at all.

  8. 52

    まどをあけたら、すずしくなりました。

    When I opened the window, it became cooler.

  9. 53

    もうすこしやすかったら、かいます。

    If it were a little cheaper, I would buy it.

  10. 54

    にほんごがもうすこしやさしかったら、もっとならえます。

    If Japanese were a little easier, I could learn more.

  11. 55

    さむかったら、このオーバーをきなさい。

    If you are cold, put on this overcoat.

花見
flower viewing, cherry-blossom viewing
もっと
more (See Gram. Notes)
上手
skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)
ちっとも
not even a little (See Gram. Notes)
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
オーバー
overcoat

Even unexpected people · Pattern 1 1 of 2

Even in an unexpected case

*元気な人でも、 時々 病気に なります* means "Even a healthy person becomes sick sometimes." The *でも* includes an unexpected case.

In *あの生徒は 病気でも 学校へ 来ます*, *でも* marks illness as the unexpected condition.

  1. 56

    げんきなひとでも、ときどきびょうきになります。

    Even a healthy person becomes sick sometimes.

  2. 57

    こどもでもそんなことをしっています。

    Even children know that.

  3. 58

    あのせいとはしゅうまつでもべんきょうします。

    That student studies even on weekends.

  4. 59

    いしゃでもびょうきになります。

    Even doctors get sick.

  5. 60

    せんせいでもこのかんじがよめません。

    Even teachers cannot read this kanji.

  6. 61

    あのせいとはびょうきでもがっこうへきます。

    That student comes to school even when he is sick.

時々
sometimes, occasionally

Even times and seasons · Pattern 1 2 of 2

Even in a question and answer

*外国語は 子供でも 習えますか* asks "Can even children learn foreign languages?"

*ええ、 子供でも 習えます* keeps *でも* in the affirmative answer.

*モンテレーは 夏でも すずしいです* extends the same pattern to a season.

  1. 62

    がいこくごはこどもでもならえますか。

    Can even children learn foreign languages?

  2. 63

    ええ、こどもでもならえます。

    Yes, even children can learn them.

  3. 64

    あなたがたはどようびでもがっこうへいきますか。

    Do you go to school even on Saturdays?

  4. 65

    いいえ、どにちようびにはがくへいきません。

    No, we do not go to school on Saturdays or Sundays.

  5. 66

    モンテレーはすずしいところですね。

    Monterey is a cool place, isn’t it?

  6. 67

    ええ、モンテレーはなつでもすずしいです。

    Yes, Monterey is cool even in summer.

モンテレー
Monterey
すずしい
cool
所
address, place
夏
summer

Pattern 2

What the condition permits

*病気では 学校へ 行く 事は 出来ません* means "If you are sick, you cannot go to school."

*米国から 日本へ 自動車では 行けません* applies *では* to an inadequate means.

*それが 一万円では あまり 高いです* judges a proposed amount.

  1. 68

    びょうきではしごとはできません。

    If one is sick, he cannot work.

  2. 69

    びょうきではがっこうへいくことはできません。

    If you are sick, you cannot go to school.

  3. 70

    こどもではこのしごとはできません。

    This job cannot be done by a child.

  4. 71

    べいこくからにほんへじどうしゃではいけません。

    You cannot go from the United States to Japan by car.

  5. 72

    それがいちまんえんではあまりたかいです。

    Ten thousand yen is too expensive for that.

  6. 73

    このほんはせいとではよめません。

    A student cannot read this book.

から
from (See Gram. Notes)
一
one
円
yen (unit of money)
本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)

Asking about practical ability · Pattern 2 2 of 2

Even versus inadequate

*子供でも これが 出来るでしょうか* asks whether even a child can do it.

The answer *いいえ、 子供では 出来ませんね* changes to *では* and says a child cannot do it.

*左の手では 書く 事は 出来ません* applies the same limit to a means.

  1. 74

    あなたはあしたあめでもゴルフをやりますか。

    Will you play golf tomorrow even if it rains?

  2. 75

    いいえ、あめではやれませんね。

    No, I cannot play in the rain.

  3. 76

    こどもでもこれができるでしょうか。

    Do you think even a child can do this?

  4. 77

    いいえ、こどもではできませんね。

    No, a child cannot do it.

  5. 78

    あなたはひだりのてでかくことができますか。

    Can you write with your left hand?

  6. 79

    いいえ、ひだりのてではかくことはできません。

    No, I cannot write with my left hand.

明日
tomorrow
出来る
to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)

Conditions preventing action · Pattern 3 1 of 3

A condition that prevents action

*雨が 沢山 降っては、 だれも 行きません* means "If it rains a lot, no one will go."

The *ては* condition leads to a negative result.

*そんなに 沢山 くすりを のんでは、 体に わるいですよ* gives a harmful result instead.

  1. 80

    あめがたくさんふっては、だれもいきません。

    If it rains a lot, no one will go.

  2. 81

    たかくては、だれもかいません。

    If it is expensive, no one will buy it.

  3. 82

    おんなのひとがいては、はなすことはできません。

    If there are women present, we cannot talk.

  4. 83

    こどもをつれていっては、しごとはできません。

    If you take the children along, you cannot work.

  5. 84

    そんなにたくさんくすりをのんでは、からだにわるいですよ。

    Taking that much medicine is bad for your health.

  6. 85

    こんなにあつくては、なにもできません。

    When it is this hot, I cannot do anything.

  7. 86

    あまりとおくては、いくことはできません。

    If it is too far, I cannot go.

  8. 87

    じどうしゃがなくては、いけません。

    Without a car, I cannot go.

女
female

Health despite adverse conditions · Pattern 3 2 of 3

A health condition and its result

*そんなに やせては、 体に わるいでしょう* presents thinness as a condition with a harmful result.

*のどが いたくては、 話す 事は 出来ませんね* means "If your throat hurts, you cannot talk, can you?"

  1. 88

    そんなにあるいては、つかれませんか。

    Won't you get tired if you walk that much?

  2. 89

    いいえ、わたくしはいちにちあるいてもつかれません。

    No, I don't get tired even if I walk all day.

  3. 90

    そんなにやせては、からだにわるいでしょう。

    If you are that thin, it is probably bad for your health.

  4. 91

    いいえ、やせていてもたいへんげんきですよ。

    No, even though I am thin, I am very healthy.

  5. 92

    きょうはとてものどがいたいのです。

    My throat hurts very much today.

  6. 93

    そうですか。のどがいたくては、はなすことはできませんね。

    I see. If your throat hurts, you cannot talk, can you?

  7. 94

    はたらく

    To work.

  8. 95

    かぜがふく

    The wind blows.

一日
first day of the month (See Grammar Notes)
大へん
very
今日
today
とても
very, indeed
いたい
painful
ふく
to blow (v.i.)

States causing difficulties · Pattern 3 3 of 3

States for adverse conditions

*ねつが ある* means "To have a fever." It provides a state for an adverse condition.

*いそがしい* means "To be busy," and *くらい* means "To be dark." Both are I-adjectives.

  1. 96

    ねつがある

    To have a fever.

  2. 97

    あめがふる

    It rains.

  3. 98

    いそがしい

    To be busy.

  4. 99

    くらい

    To be dark.

  5. 100

    むずかしい

    To be difficult.

  6. 101

    ふるい

    To be old.

降る
to fall (rain) (v.i.)
いそがしい
busy
くらい
dark
むずかしい
difficult
古い
old, antique

Saying what people can do · Pattern 4 1 of 2

What someone can manage

*まだ ひらがなが よく 読めません* means "I cannot read HIRAGANA well yet." The potential form states a limit.

*スミスさんは 日本語が 上手に 話せます* states an ability.

*七時頃には かえれるでしょう* adds a probable ability to return.

  1. 102

    まだひらがながよくよめません。

    I cannot read HIRAGANA well yet.

  2. 103

    こんばんはじゅうじまでいっしょにあそべます。

    I can spend time with you until ten o'clock tonight.

  3. 104

    いちにちにじゅうごじかんははたらけません。

    I cannot work fifteen hours a day.

  4. 105

    あのせいとはかんじがよくかけません。

    That student cannot write kanji very well.

  5. 106

    スミスさんはにほんごがじょうずにはなせます。

    Mr. Smith can speak Japanese well.

  6. 107

    わたくしはよくおよげます。

    I can swim well.

  7. 108

    あなたはなんじごろサンフランシスコからかえりますか。

    About what time will you return from San Francisco?

  8. 109

    さあ、しちじごろにはかえれるでしょう。

    Well, I will probably be able to return around seven o'clock.

  9. 110

    そのくすりはわたくしでもかえますか。

    Can even I buy that medicine?

  10. 111

    ええ、だれでもかえます。

    Yes, anyone can buy it.

まだ
yet, still
ばん
evening, night
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
五
five
サンフランシスコ
San Francisco
七
seven

Asking what people can do · Pattern 4 2 of 2

Potential forms in questions and answers

*あなたは 自動車が なおせますか* asks "Can you repair automobiles?" The answer uses *なおせません*.

*私は 歩く 事が 出来ます* states ability with a verb followed by *事が 出来ます*.

*日本語から えい語に やくす 事が 出来ます* uses the same expression for translation.

  1. 112

    あなたはじどうしゃがなおせますか。

    Can you repair automobiles?

  2. 113

    いいえ、なおせません。

    No, I cannot repair them.

  3. 114

    あなたはにほんのしんぶんがよめますか。

    Can you read Japanese newspapers?

  4. 115

    いいえ、しらないかんじがおおいから、よめません。

    No, I cannot read them because there are many kanji I do not know.

  5. 116

    わたくしはあるくことができます。

    I can walk.

  6. 117

    わたくしはドイツごをはなします。

    I speak German.

  7. 118

    おもいびょうきのひとはうごくことができません。

    Seriously ill people cannot move.

  8. 119

    あのひとはものをいうことができません。

    That person cannot speak.

  9. 120

    にほんごからえいごにやくすことができます。

    I can translate from Japanese into English.

もの
things (tangible)
言う
to say
やくす
to translate (v.t.)

If and when outcomes · Pattern 5 1 of 4

A supposed result

*雨が 降ったら、 私は 行きません* means "If it should rain, I wouldn't go." The *たら* clause states a supposed condition.

*この くすりを のんだら、 病気は なおります* links taking medicine with expected recovery.

What happened afterward

*夕はんを たべたら、 もう 八時でした* reports that it was eight o'clock after supper.

Here the *たら* clause names an actual occurrence before the result.

  1. 121

    あめがふったら、わたくしはいきません。

    If it should rain, I wouldn't go.

  2. 122

    ゆうはんをたべたら、もうはちじでした。

    When I ate supper, it was already 8 o'clock.

  3. 123

    このくすりをのんだら、びょうきはなおります。

    If you take this medicine, you will get well.

  4. 124

    あんまりうごいたら、からだにわるいですよ。

    If you move around too much, it is bad for your health.

  5. 125

    それをなおしたら、またつかえますよ。

    If you repair it, you can use it again.

  6. 126

    さんじゅっぷんまったら、あのひとはきました。

    After I waited thirty minutes, that person came.

  7. 127

    もっとあたらしかったら、かいます。

    If it were newer, I would buy it.

  8. 128

    このくつをかいましょうか。

    Shall I buy these shoes?

  9. 129

    ええ、かいたかったら、かいなさいよ。

    Yes, if you want to buy them, go ahead and buy them.

八
eight
三十
30
分
minute
くつ
shoes
ましょう
let's (See Gram. Notes)

Medical conditions and advice · Pattern 5 2 of 4

Recovery and advice

*病人は くすりを のんだら、 すぐ なおりますか* asks whether medicine leads to immediate recovery.

*時々 くすりを のんでも なおりません* denies that expected result even when medicine is taken.

*重かったら、 入院する 方が いいですね* gives advice under a serious condition.

  1. 130

    びょうにんはくすりをのんだら、すぐなおりますか。

    Will a patient get well right away if he takes medicine?

  2. 131

    いいえ、ときどきくすりをのんでもなおりません。

    No, sometimes a patient does not get well even if he takes medicine.

  3. 132

    びょうきがおもかったら、にゅういんしなければなりませんか。

    If the illness is serious, must the patient enter a hospital?

  4. 133

    はい、おもかったら、にゅういんするほうがいいですね。

    Yes, if it is serious, it is better to enter a hospital.

  5. 134

    あめがふる。

    It rains.

  6. 135

    わたくしはさんぽにでかけます。

    I go out for a walk.

  7. 136

    そのざっしをよみます。

    I read that magazine.

  8. 137

    わたくしにください。

    Please give it to me.

  9. 138

    たなかさんをみました。

    I saw Mr. Tanaka.

すぐ
right away, immediately
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
降る。
to fall (rain) (v.i.)
さんぽ
strolling
ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)

Forming conditions from statements · Pattern 5 3 of 4

Events, states, and results

*町を 歩いて いました* means "I was walking through town." It provides an event for a *たら* condition.

*お金が ありませんでした* provides a past state. *こまります* provides the result "I will be in trouble."

  1. 139

    まちをあるいていました。

    I was walking through town.

  2. 140

    わからないことばがたくさんありました。

    There were many words I did not understand.

  3. 141

    にほんざっしをよんでいました。

    I was reading a Japanese magazine.

  4. 142

    おかねがありませんでした。

    I had no money.

  5. 143

    こまります。

    I will be in trouble.

  6. 144

    きねんきってがでます。

    A commemorative stamp will be issued.

  7. 145

    そのきってをかいたいのです。

    I want to buy that stamp.

  8. 146

    あなたはいそがしいですか。

    Are you busy?

  9. 147

    こなくてもいいです。

    You do not have to come.

町
town
切手
postage stamp

Causes and likely results · Pattern 5 4 of 4

Results after a condition

*医者に かかります* means "I will see a doctor." It can follow a *たら* condition as its result.

*重い 病気に なります* gives a harmful result. *上手に なります* gives improvement as a result.

  1. 148

    いしゃにかかります。

    I will see a doctor.

  2. 149

    おもいびょうきになります。

    I will become seriously ill.

  3. 150

    もってあるくのにべんりです。

    It is convenient to carry around.

  4. 151

    かるいです。

    It is mild.

  5. 152

    じょうずになります。

    You will become good at it.

  6. 153

    けいこします。

    I practice.

かるい
light
けいこ
practice

Illness and hospital care · Questions 1 of 4

Who becomes ill and what follows

*どんなに けんこうな 人でも 病気に なる 事が あります* means "even the healthiest person may get sick."

A response names the illness, its treatment, or the reason for hospital care.

*病気に なったら すぐ 医者に かかる 方が いいです* gives the response to becoming ill.

  1. 154

    すきでびょうきになるひとはひとりもいません。しかし、

    There is no one who gets sick because they want to. However,

  2. 155

    どんなにけんこうなひとでもびょうきになることがあります。かぜを

    even the healthiest person may get sick. You may catch a cold

  3. 156

    ひいてのどやあたまがいたいことがあるでしょう。またわるい

    and have a sore throat or a headache. You may also contract a serious

  4. 157

    でんせんびょうにかかることもあるでしょう。わかいげんきなひとでも

    contagious disease. Even young, healthy people

  5. 158

    びょうきになったらすぐいしゃにかかるほうがいいです。いしゃは

    should see a doctor immediately if they get sick. The doctor

  6. 159

    びょうにんにてきとうなくすりをやって、びょうきをなおします。

    gives the patient suitable medicine and cures the illness.

  7. 160

    おもいびょうきのひとやでんせんびょうにかかったひとはにゅういんするほうが

    People who are seriously ill or have contracted a contagious disease should

  8. 161

    いいです。いえにいると、てあてをするかぞくのひとやともだちに

    enter a hospital. If they stay at home, they will infect the family members and friends

  9. 162

    うつりますから。

    who care for them.

好き
to like, be fond of (See Grammar Notes)
一人
one person
しかし、
however, but
どんな
what kind of; what sort of
わかい
young
と、
and (See Gram. Notes)

A patient's recovery · Questions 2 of 4

How the patient recovered

Mr. Uyeda could not speak well or walk because of his sore throat and fever.

*その くすりを もらって のんだら、 じきに よく なって 来たそうです* says he began improving after taking the medicine.

A response gives a cause, a limitation, or the result of treatment.

  1. 163

    うえださんはいまびょうきでにゅういんしています。のどがいたくて

    Mr. Uyeda is now ill and in the hospital. His throat hurt,

  2. 164

    よくはなせなかったり、ねつがずいぶんたかくてあるけなかったりした

    so he could not speak well, and his fever was so high that he could not walk,

  3. 165

    そうです。しかし、このごろはいいくすりがありますから、

    I hear. However, there is good medicine these days, so

  4. 166

    おいしゃさんにそのくすりをもらってのんだら、じきによく

    when he got that medicine from the doctor and took it, he soon began

  5. 167

    なってきたそうです。びょういんにながくいては、ひようがたかく

    to get better, I hear. Staying in the hospital a long time would cost a lot,

  6. 168

    なるから、しゅうまつにはいえにかえるそうです。

    so I hear he will return home on the weekend.

  7. 169

    すきでびょうきになるひとがいますか。

    Is there anyone who gets sick because they want to?

  8. 170

    ひとはけっしてびょうきになりませんか。

    Do people never get sick?

  9. 171

    かぜをひくと、のどやあたまがいたいことがありますか。

    When you catch a cold, do you sometimes have a sore throat or a headache?

ずい分
very much
この頃
these days, nowadays
ひく
to subtract (v.t.)

Contagious disease questions · Questions 3 of 4

Patients, hospitals, and treatment

*どんな 病人が 入院しますか* asks "What kind of patients enter a hospital?"

An answer identifies seriously ill or contagious patients.

Other answers explain why they enter a hospital and what a doctor does.

  1. 172

    わるいでんせんびょうにかかるひとがおおいですか。

    Are there many people who contract serious contagious diseases?

  2. 173

    わかいげんきなひとはびょうきになりませんか。

    Do young, healthy people never get sick?

  3. 174

    だれがいしゃにかかりますか。

    Who sees a doctor?

  4. 175

    どんなびょうにんがにゅういんしますか。

    What kind of patients enter a hospital?

  5. 176

    ほかのひとにうつる、たいへんわるいびょうきはなんといいますか。

    What do you call a very serious illness that spreads to other people?

  6. 177

    でんせんびょうにかかったひとはなぜにゅういんするほうがいいですか。

    Why should people who have contracted a contagious disease enter a hospital?

  7. 178

    いしゃはどうしますか。

    What does a doctor do?

  8. 179

    うえださんはいまどこにいますか。

    Where is Mr. Uyeda now?

  9. 180

    うえださんはねつがありましたか。

    Did Mr. Uyeda have a fever?

うつる、
to infect, contract, catch
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
なぜ
why?

Hospital recovery questions · Questions 4 of 4

The cause and the result

*上田さんは、 なぜ 歩けませんでしたか* asks for the cause of Mr. Uyeda's inability to walk.

*上田さんは くすりを のんだら、 じきに よく なりましたか* asks whether recovery followed taking medicine.

An answer states the cause, result, time, or cost named in the passage.

  1. 181

    うえださんは、なぜあるけませんでしたか。

    Why couldn't Mr. Uyeda walk?

  2. 182

    おもいびょうきのひとははたらけませんか。

    Are seriously ill people unable to work?

  3. 183

    うえださんはくすりをのんだら、じきによくなりましたか。

    Did Mr. Uyeda get better soon after taking the medicine?

  4. 184

    びょういんにながくいると、ひようがたかいですか。

    Does it cost a lot to stay in the hospital for a long time?

  5. 185

    うえださんはいついえへかえりますか。

    When will Mr. Uyeda return home?

  6. 186

    このごろはいいくすりがたくさんありますか。

    Are there many good medicines these days?

Hospital and illness words · Word list 1 of 4

Illness and hospital care

These words cover patients, symptoms, and medical care.

*病院* means "hospital," and *病人* means "sick person, patient."

*ねつ* means "fever."

  1. 187

    びょういん

    hospital

  2. 188

    びょうにん

    sick person, patient

  3. 189

    でんせんびょう

    contagious disease

  4. 190

    いしゃ

    medical doctor

  5. 191

    くすり

    medicine

  6. 192

    せき

    cough

  7. 193

    ねつ

    fever

  8. 194

    のど

    throat

  9. 195

    あたま

    head

  10. 196

    てあて

    medical treatment

でんせん病
contagious disease

Health and activity words · Word list 2 of 4

Health and activity

These words cover health, hospitalization, infection, exercise, and ability.

*けんこう* means "health." *歩ける* and *動ける* mean "to be able to walk" and "to be able to move."

The last two entries are potential forms.

  1. 197

    もの

    person

  2. 198

    えいせい

    sanitation, health

  3. 199

    ひよう

    expense

  4. 200

    けんこう

    health

  5. 201

    にゅういんする

    to be hospitalized

  6. 202

    あるける

    to be able to walk (See Grammar Notes)

  7. 203

    うごける

    to be able to move

  8. 204

    うつる

    to infect, contract, catch

  9. 205

    かかる

    to consult, to contract, to be attacked by

  10. 206

    うんどうする

    to exercise

ひよう
expense
入院する
to be hospitalized
歩ける
to be able to walk (See Grammar Notes)
動ける
to be able to move
うつる
to infect, contract, catch
うん動する
to exercise

Symptoms and recovery words · Word list 3 of 4

Symptoms and recovery

These words cover medicine, pain, symptoms, and recovery.

*のむ* means "to drink, to take," including taking medicine. *なおる* means "to get well, to be repaired."

*せきが出る* means "to cough."

  1. 207

    のむ

    to drink, to take

  2. 208

    なおる

    to get well, to be repaired

  3. 209

    こまる

    to be troubled

  4. 210

    いたい

    painful

  5. 211

    てきとうな

    appropriate, proper

  6. 212

    たいせつな

    important

  7. 213

    びょうきをする

    to get sick

  8. 214

    びょうきがおもい

    illness is serious

  9. 215

    ねつがある

    to have fever

  10. 216

    せきがでる

    to cough

なおる
to get well, to be repaired
こまる
to be troubled
てきとうな
appropriate, proper
大切な
important
病気をする
to get sick
病気が重い
illness is serious
ねつがある
to have fever
せきが出る
to cough

Medical conditions and connectors · Word list 4 of 4

Care and conditions

These entries cover medical care and the forms used for conditions and contrasts.

*医者にかかる* means "to go under doctor's care, to consult a doctor."

*--でも* means "even, even if it is --." *--ては* means "if."

  1. 217

    いしゃにかかる

    to go under doctor's care, to consult a doctor

  2. 218

    すきで

    for the fun of it, by choice

  3. 219

    --でも

    even, even if it is --

  4. 220

    では

    if that's the case

  5. 221

    --では

    if, if it is, judging from (See Grammar Notes)

  6. 222

    --たら

    if, when (See Grammar Notes)

  7. 223

    --ては

    if (See Grammar Notes)

  8. 224

    ちょっと

    a little

医者にかかる
to go under doctor's care, to consult a doctor
好きで
for the fun of it, by choice
--でも
even, even if it is --
では
if that's the case
--たら
if, when (See Grammar Notes)
--ては
if (See Grammar Notes)

The particulars

The course
Defense Language Institute, Japanese Basic Course, 1967 to 1971. Public domain. The teaching pages and the narration are ours.
Reading aloud
Digital narration, directed by 1732 Studios.
The book
Botchan, the work this course leads to, free to read here.
Data
JSON · Markdown · A guide for agents
Two whoopie pies and a pine. An inside joke.