Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 36

Lesson 36

Kanji and everyday Japanese

224 lines

Finding a fruit shop · Dialogue 1 of 4

A fruit shop nearby

One speaker wants to buy fruit before going home. The speaker asks, *私は 何か 果物を 買って 帰りたいのですが、 この あたりに 果物屋が ありますか*.

The line means "I want to buy some fruit and go home, but is there a fruit shop around here?"

The reply places one shop at the corner of a narrow alley. It carries apples, tangerines, persimmons, pears, and strawberries.

Kanji: 果, 帰

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

  1. 1

    「くだもの」

    Fruits

    「果物」fruits
  2. 2

    わたくしはなにかくだものをかってかえりたいのですが、このあたりにくだものやがありますか。

    I want to buy some fruit and go home, but is there a fruit shop around here?

  3. 3

    あちらへすこしいくと、せまいろじのかどにいっけんあります。

    If you go that way a little, there is one at the corner of a narrow alley.

  4. 4

    どんなくだものでもかえますか。

    Can you buy any fruits?

  5. 5

    ええ、ほとんどどんなくだものでもかえます。りんご、みかん、かき、なし、それにこのごろはいちごもあります。

    Yes, you can buy practically any kind of fruit. They have apples, tangerines, persimmons, pears, and also strawberries these days.

  6. 6

    ももやぶどうはないのですか。

    Don't they have peaches and grapes?

KURERU vs. KUDASARU

Note the use of KURERU and KUDASARU:

KANAI GA SORE O WATAKUSHI NI KUREMASHITA. "My wife (considered to be an inferior in Japan) gave it to me."

SENSEI GA SORE O WATAKUSHI NI KUDASAIMASHITA. "The teacher (a respected or superior person) gave it to me."

This basic difference, dictated by custom, holds true even when KURERU and KUDASARU follow the TE-form of the verb. They express the meaning, "the subject did such-and-such for me."

KANAI GA SORE O KATTE KUREMASHITA. "My wife bought it for me."

SENSEI GA SORE O WATAKUSHI NI OSHIETE KUDASAIMASHITA. "The teacher taught it to me."

Because the English translation above does not include KUREMASHITA 'gave,' the tendency of English-speaking learners is to omit it and say:

SENSEI GA SORE O WATAKUSHI NI OSHIEMASHITA.

This is insufficient, for natives do not speak this way.

Because there was a transfer of thought or something from one to the other, however insignificant, KUDASAIMASHITA should be used. The same is true for a sentence like, KANAI GA KORE O KAITE KUREMASHITA, "My wife wrote it for me." Since the beneficiary is "I" and the benefactor my wife, KUREMASHITA should be used.
SORE O KAWANAI DE KUDASAI

A negative imperative is formed by adding DE KUDASAI to an abrupt negative verb ending.

Regular verbs:

Dictionary form | Negative | Negative Imperative
ARAU | ARAWANAI | ARAWANAI DE KUDASAI
IKU | IKANAI | IKANAI DE KUDASAI
OYOGU | OYOGANAI | OYOGANAI DE KUDASAI
NAOSU | NAOSANAI | NAOSANAI DE KUDASAI
TATSU | TATANAI | TATANAI DE KUDASAI
YOBU | YOBANAI | YOBANAI DE KUDASAI
YOMU | YOMANAI | YOMANAI DE KUDASAI
TORU | TORANAI | TORANAI DE KUDASAI
SHINU | SHINANAI | SHINANAI DE KUDASAI

(Only verb under NA column, SHINU 'to die.')

Semi-regular verbs:

| | 
MIRU | MINAI | MINAI DE KUDASAI
DERU | DENAI | DENAI DE KUDASAI

Irregular:

| | 
KURU | KONAI | KONAI DE KUDASAI
SURU | SHINAI | SHINAI DE KUDASAI
YUUHAN O TABENAI DE KIMASHITA

Following the first base of verbs, NAI DE is very commonly used as an adverb meaning 'without' in English.

TE O TSUKAWANAI DE JI O KAKIMASHITA. "I wrote characters without using my hands."

TABENAI DE GAKKOO NI KIMASHITA. "I came to school without eating."
--SOO DESU

--SOO DESU or --SOO DA is attached to the roots of I-adjectives to show likelihood or seemingness: 'to look as if,' 'appears,' 'seems.'

KYOO WA ATSUSOO DESU NE. "It looks as if it will be hot today, doesn't it?"

KONO NASHI WA OISHISOO DESU. "This pear looks delicious."
「果物」
fruit
は
leaves
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
の
See Grammar Notes
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
あたり
vicinity, neighborhood
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
ます
trout
あちら
that over there, over there
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
少し
little (quantity)
と、
and (See Gram. Notes)
せまい
narrow, crowded
ろじ
alley, side street
かど
corner
一
one
けん
numerical counter for houses (See Gram. Notes)
どんな
what kind of; what sort of
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
ええ、
Yes
ほとんど
almost (See Gram. Notes)
りんご、
apple
みかん、
tangerine
かき、
persimmon
なし、
pear
この頃
these days, nowadays
いちご
strawberry
もも
peach
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
ぶどう
grapes

Seasonal and imported fruit · Dialogue 2 of 4

Fruit from near and far

The speakers discuss when grapes appear, where bananas grow, and how Japan exports canned tangerines.

*ももは ありますが、 ぶどうは 十月頃まで 出ません* means "They have peaches, but grapes will not come out until around October."

A friend sent peaches

*この間 アメリカの 友だちが ももの かんづめを 送って くれたのです* means "The other day a friend in America sent me some canned peaches."

Listen for *送って くれた* as an action the friend did for the speaker.

Kanji: 作

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

  1. 7

    ももはありますが、ぶどうはじゅうがつごろまででません。

    They have peaches, but grapes will not come out until around October.

  2. 8

    オレンジやバナナはゆにゅうするのでしょう。

    I suppose they import oranges and bananas, don't they?

  3. 9

    ええ、でも、にほんでもみなみのほうのしまではバナナをすこしつくっています。

    That's right. However, in Japan bananas are grown on the islands in the south.

  4. 10

    このごろはくだもののかんづめがおおいですね。

    There are lots of canned fruits these days, aren't there?

  5. 11

    ええ、にほんではみかんをたくさんかんづめにして、がいこくにゆしゅつしています。

    Yes, in Japan they can a lot of tangerines and export them to foreign countries.

  6. 12

    このあいだアメリカのともだちがもものかんづめをおくってくれたのです。こんばんごちそうしましょう。

    The other day a friend in America sent me some canned peaches. I'll treat you to them tonight.

十
ten
月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
バナナ
banana
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
みなみ
south
しま
island
果物
fruit
かんづめ
canned goods
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
みかん
tangerine
し
city
アメリカ
America; U.S.A.
ばん
evening, night
ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)

Choosing peaches at the shop · Dialogue 3 of 4

Peaches that look delicious

The speakers reach the fruit shop and consider its peaches. *この ももは おいしそうですね* means "These peaches look delicious, don't they?"

Listen for *おいしそう* as a description based on how the peaches appear.

Fruit and vegetables

The peaches are sweet and taste good. *果物は アメリカのが いいですが、 やさいは 日本のが いいですね* contrasts American fruit with Japanese vegetables.

Kanji: 食

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

Kanji: 後, 事

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

  1. 13

    ありがとうございます。

    Thank you.

  2. 14

    こんばんはいっしょにしょくじをして、あとでももをたべましょう。

    Let's dine together tonight and eat peaches afterwards.

  3. 15

    ありがとうございます。さあ、くだものやにきました。

    Thank you. Well, we've come to the fruit shop.

  4. 16

    このももはおいしそうですね。

    These peaches look delicious, don't they?

  5. 17

    ええ、それはすいみつとうといって、あまくてあじがいいですよ。

    Yes, these are called SUIMITSUTOO and they are sweet and tasty.

  6. 18

    くだものはアメリカのがいいですが、やさいはにほんのがいいですね。

    As for fruits, American fruits are better, but as for vegetables, Japan's are better.

ます。
trout
さあ、
well, now, here, come
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
あじ
taste, flavor
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
やさい
vegetable

Declining a gift of peaches · Dialogue 4 of 4

Peaches for a wife

One speaker offers peaches for the other speaker's wife. The other declines because there are peaches at home.

*ももは 買わないで ください* means "Please don't buy peaches." Listen for *買わないで ください* as a polite request not to buy.

Kanji: 奥, 持

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

  1. 19

    そうですか。このももをすこしおくさんにもってかえってあげなさいよ。

    Is that right? Please take these peaches home for your wife.

  2. 20

    ありがとうございますが、ももはかわないでください。いえにありますから。

    Thank you, but please don't buy peaches, because we have peaches at home.

  3. 21

    そうですか。それではまたこんど。

    Is that so? Well then, next time.

か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
家
house, home
から。
from (See Gram. Notes)
今度。
this time, next time

Things others did for you · Perception drill, Block 1

Someone sent peaches

*子供が 私に ももを 送って くれました* means "Children sent me some peaches." The TE-form followed by *くれました* says the children did this for the speaker.

*あの方が 私に ももを 送って くださいました* also describes sending peaches for the speaker. *くださいました* marks the benefactor as respected or superior.

The benefactor determines the form

Use *くれました* after the TE-form for a person of lower or equal standing. Use *くださいました* for a respected or superior person.

*先生が この かん字を 書いてくださいました* means "The teacher wrote this kanji for me."

  1. 22

    こどもがわたくしにももをおくってくれました。

    Children sent me some peaches." (Inferior to Superior)

  2. 23

    あのかたがわたくしにももをおくってくださいました。

    He sent me some peaches." (Superior to Inferior)

  3. 24

    このネクタイはかないがかってくれました。

    My wife bought this necktie for me.

  4. 25

    みせのひとがこれをつつんでくれました。

    The clerk wrapped this for me.

  5. 26

    みせのひとがこれをもってきてくれました。

    The clerk brought this for me.

  6. 27

    ともだちがにほんからいいものをおくってくれました。

    A friend sent me something nice from Japan.

  7. 28

    せんせいがこのかんじをかいてくださいました。

    The teacher wrote this kanji for me.

  8. 29

    たなかさんがいしゃをよんでくださいました。

    Mr. Tanaka called a doctor for me.

ください
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
ネクタイ
necktie
店
store, shop
人
people
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
医者
medical doctor

Polite negative requests · Perception drill, Block 2

Please do not buy

*買わないで ください* means "Please don't buy." Add *で ください* to the abrupt negative form of the verb to make a polite negative request.

The negative form ends in *ない*. The same pattern gives *話さないでください*, "Please do not speak."

Irregular negative forms

*来ないでください* means "Please do not come." Here the abrupt negative is *来ない*.

In *しないでください*, the abrupt negative is *しない*. The line means "Please do not do it."

  1. 30

    かわないでください。

    Please don't buy.

  2. 31

    みないでください。

    Please do not look.

  3. 32

    たべないでください。

    Please do not eat.

  4. 33

    しないでください。

    Please do not do it.

  5. 34

    こないでください。

    Please do not come.

  6. 35

    はなさないでください。

    Please do not speak.

  7. 36

    たたないでください。

    Please do not stand up.

  8. 37

    いかないでください。

    Please do not go.

  9. 38

    きょうしつでは、えいごではなさないでください。

    Please do not speak English in the classroom.

  10. 39

    いまいそがしいから、こないでください。

    I am busy now, so please do not come.

  11. 40

    ぼうしをかぶらないでください。

    Please do not wear a hat.

  12. 41

    きょうしつでは、たべないでください。

    Please do not eat in the classroom.

  13. 42

    こどもをつれてこないでください。

    Please do not bring your child.

  14. 43

    あかりをつけないでください。

    Please do not turn on the light.

は、
leaves
いそがしい
busy
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
明り
light

Grammar Perception Drill, Block 3

Without eating first

*朝めしを 食べないで、 学校に 来ました* means "I came to school without eating breakfast."

The abrupt negative followed by *で* means "without." It connects an omitted action to the action that follows.

Without looking

In *本を 見ないで、 こたえてください*, *見ないで* means "without looking."

Here *見ないで* describes how the answering is done.

  1. 44

    たべないでおいでなさい。

    Please come without eating.

  2. 45

    あまりあそばないで、べんきょうしなさい。

    Do not play too much; study.

  3. 46

    あさめしをたべないで、がっこうにきました。

    I came to school without eating breakfast.

  4. 47

    ほんをみないで、こたえてください。

    Please answer without looking at the book.

  5. 48

    たたないではなしてください。

    Please speak without standing up.

  6. 49

    ぼうしをかぶらないで、でてはいけません。

    You must not go out without wearing a hat.

  7. 50

    きってをはらないで、てがみをだしました。

    I mailed the letter without putting a stamp on it.

朝めし
breakfast
本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
切手
postage stamp
手紙
letter (correspondence)

Saying how things look · Perception drill, Block 4

A quality that appears true

*これは おいし そうです* means "This appears delicious." Replace the final *い* of an I-adjective with *そう* to describe an apparent quality.

With *です*, the form states how something appears. *むずかしそうです* means "It looks difficult."

Before a noun or action

Use *そうな* before a noun. *これは おいし そうな 果物です* means "This is a delicious-looking fruit."

Use *そうに* before a verb. *あの方は おいし そうに 食べます* means "He eats as if it is delicious."

  1. 51

    これはおいしそうです。

    This appears delicious.

  2. 52

    あのかたはおいしそうにたべます。

    He eats as if it is delicious.

  3. 53

    これはおいしそうなくだものです。

    This is a delicious-looking fruit.

  4. 54

    むずかしそうです。

    It looks difficult.

  5. 55

    さむそうです。

    It looks cold.

  6. 56

    あつそうです。

    It looks hot.

  7. 57

    いそがしそうです。

    It looks busy.

  8. 58

    やすそうです。

    It looks inexpensive.

  9. 59

    わかそうです。

    He looks young.

  10. 60

    このみせはなんでもやすそうです。

    Everything in this store looks inexpensive.

  11. 61

    さかいせんせいはいつもいそがしそうです。

    Professor Sakai always looks busy.

  12. 62

    あのかたはさむそうにたっています。

    That person is standing there looking cold.

  13. 63

    スミスさんはいそがしそうにはたらいています。

    Mr. Smith is working busily.

  14. 64

    あのかたはわかそうなひとです。

    That person looks young.

です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
いつ
when?

Describing favors received · Pattern 1 1 of 3

A friend sent it

*友だちが 私に この本を 送って くれました* describes a lower or equal friend sending it for the speaker.

With a superior friend, the line uses *送って くださいました*. The benefactor determines which form follows the TE-form.

Different favors

*先生が まちがいを なおしてくださいました* means "The teacher corrected the mistake for me."

*先生* is respected, so *くださいました* follows the action.

  1. 65

    A.ともだちがわたくしにこのほんをおくってくれました。

    A friend (inferior) sent this book to me." (Superior or equal)

  2. 66

    B.ともだちがわたくしにこのほんをおくってくださいました。

    A friend (superior) sent this book to me (inferior).

  3. 67

    かないがわたくしにうでどけいをかってくれました。

    My wife bought me a wristwatch.

  4. 68

    これはせいとがこしらえてくれました。

    A student made this for me.

  5. 69

    こどもがべんとうをもってきてくれました。

    My child brought me a box lunch.

  6. 70

    せんせいがまちがいをなおしてくださいました。

    The teacher corrected the mistake for me.

  7. 71

    たなかさんがそれをみせてくださいました。

    Mr. Tanaka showed it to me.

  8. 72

    そのテープレコーダーをどこでかいましたか。

    Where did you buy that tape recorder?

べんとう
box lunch

Things done for you · Pattern 1 2 of 3

A birthday gift

*家内が たんじょう日に 買ってくれたのです* means "My wife bought it for me on my birthday." The favor form follows the TE-form of buying.

*友だちが かんづめにして くれます* means "A friend will can them for me." The same construction can describe a future favor.

  1. 73

    やまださんがうってくださいました。

    Mr. Yamada sold it to me.

  2. 74

    それはいいうでどけいですね。

    That is a nice wristwatch, isn’t it?

  3. 75

    かないがたんじょうびにかってくれたのです。

    My wife bought it for me on my birthday.

  4. 76

    あなたはこんなにたくさんのなしをどうしますか。

    What are you going to do with so many pears?

  5. 77

    ともだちがかんづめにしてくれます。

    A friend will can them for me.

  6. 78

    はらう

    to pay

  7. 79

    かく

    to write

  8. 80

    なおす

    to correct

なし
pear
はらう
to pay
なおす
to correct, mend, repair (v.t.)

Actions done as favors · Pattern 1 3 of 3

Actions that become favors

The cues name actions another person can perform for the speaker. *おしえる* means "to teach," and *見せる* means "to show."

Each verb takes its TE-form before the favor form. The resulting phrase describes the action as done for the speaker.

  1. 81

    よむ

    to read

  2. 82

    おしえる

    to teach

  3. 83

    かう

    to buy

  4. 84

    やくす

    to translate

  5. 85

    かみをかる

    to borrow paper

  6. 86

    まどをあける

    to open the window

  7. 87

    みせる

    to show

買う
to buy
やくす
to translate (v.t.)
かみ
hair
かる
to clip, to cut
見せる
to show (v.t.)

Prohibiting classroom actions · Pattern 2 1 of 2

Requests not to act

The *ないでください* pattern makes each prohibition polite. *えい語を 使わないでください* means "Please do not use English."

*まだ 帰らないでください* means "Please do not go home yet." The same form applies to another prohibited action.

  1. 88

    かわないでください。

    Please don't buy.

  2. 89

    えいごをつかわないでください。

    Please do not use English.

  3. 90

    まだかえらないでください。

    Please do not go home yet.

  4. 91

    きょうかしょをあけないでください。

    Please do not open the textbook.

  5. 92

    たたないでください。

    Please do not stand up.

  6. 93

    きょうしつでたべないでください。

    Please do not eat in the classroom.

  7. 94

    よごれたくつをはいていえのなかにはいらないでください。

    Please do not go into the house wearing dirty shoes.

  8. 95

    はい、かしこまりました。

    Yes, certainly.

  9. 96

    きょうしつのなかでコーヒーをのまないでください。

    Please do not drink coffee in the classroom.

まだ
yet, still
くつ
shoes

Agreeing not to act · Pattern 2 2 of 2

A request and its answer

*この頃の いちごは おいしくないから、 買わないでください* asks someone not to buy strawberries because they are not good now.

*ええ、 買いません* means "All right, I will not buy any." The answer states that the requested action will not happen.

  1. 97

    はい、かしこまりました。

    Yes, certainly.

  2. 98

    このごろのいちごはおいしくないから、かわないでください。

    The strawberries at this time of year are not good, so please do not buy any.

  3. 99

    ええ、かいません。

    All right, I will not buy any.

  4. 100

    もっていく

    to take along

  5. 101

    はたらく

    to work

  6. 102

    はなす

    to speak

  7. 103

    みる

    to look

  8. 104

    よむ

    to read

  9. 105

    くる

    to come

Pattern 3

One action without another

The *ないで* form states which action is omitted. *私は 昨日 ひげを そらないで、 しごとに 行きました* means "Yesterday I went to work without shaving."

*きょうか書を 見ないで 話してください* means "Please speak without looking at the textbook." The action after *ないで* is performed.

  1. 106

    こんばんはゆうはんをたべないでおいでなさい。

    Please come without eating supper tonight.

  2. 107

    わたくしはきのうひげをそらないで、しごとにいきました。

    Yesterday I went to work without shaving.

  3. 108

    わたくしはけさあさはんをたべないでがっこうにきました。

    I came to school this morning without eating breakfast.

  4. 109

    せいとたちはたたないではなします。

    The students speak without standing up.

  5. 110

    そのくつはなおさないでもうすこしはきなさい。

    Wear those shoes a little longer without having them repaired.

  6. 111

    きょうかしょをみないではなしてください。

    Please speak without looking at the textbook.

  7. 112

    おくさんはびょうきだそうですが、いしゃにかかりましたか。

    I hear your wife is sick; has she seen a doctor?

  8. 113

    いいえ、いしゃにかからないでいえでやすんでいます。

    No, she is resting at home without seeing a doctor.

  9. 114

    ぼうしをかぶらないでいってもいいですか。

    May I go without wearing a hat?

  10. 115

    いいえ、ぼうしをかぶらないでいってはいけません。

    No, you must not go without wearing a hat.

昨日
yesterday
ひげ
beard, whiskers
そら
sky
しごと
work, job
朝
morning
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)

Acting without doing something · Pattern 3 2 of 2

A reason for poor work

*スミスさん、 あなたは 今日 よく 出来ませんね* means "Mr. Smith, you are not doing very well today."

*はい、 よしゅうしないで 学校に 来ましたから* gives the reason. He came to school without preparing the lesson.

  1. 116

    スミスさん、あなたはきょうよくできませんね。

    Mr. Smith, you are not doing very well today.

  2. 117

    はい、よしゅうしないでがっこうにきましたから。

    Yes, because I came to school without preparing the lesson.

  3. 118

    ここでおりません。

    I will not get off here.

  4. 119

    つぎのかどでおりましょう。

    Let's get off at the next corner.

  5. 120

    あぶらだらけのくつをぬぎます。 いえのなかにはいてはいけません。

    I will take off my oil-covered shoes. I must not wear them inside the house.

  6. 121

    ゆうはんをたべません。 あそんでいます。

    I will not eat dinner. I am playing.

  7. 122

    いしゃをよびません。

    I will not call a doctor.

  8. 123

    いしゃのところへいってみてもらう。

    I will go to the doctor and have him examine me.

  9. 124

    きってをはります。 てがみをだしてはいけません。

    I will put a stamp on it. I must not mail the letter.

今日
today
よく
well, skillfully
しゅう
state
ここ
here
つぎ
next
あぶら
grease, oil
だらけ
full of, covered with (See Grammar Notes)
所
address, place
もらう。
to receive (tangible things)

Describing how things look · Pattern 4 1 of 3

Three positions for apparent qualities

*この かきは おいし そうです* uses *そうです* as the predicate: "This persimmon looks delicious."

*これは おいし そうな かきです* uses *そうな* before a noun. *あの方は かきを おいし そうに 食べます* uses *そうに* before a verb.

  1. 125

    A.このかきはおいしそうです。

    This persimmon looks delicious.

  2. 126

    B.これはおいしそうなかきです。

    This is a delicious-looking persimmon.

  3. 127

    C.あのかたはかきをおいしそうにたべます。

    He eats persimmon as if it were delicious.

  4. 128

    このこづつみはすこしおもそうです。

    This package looks a little heavy.

  5. 129

    このほんはふるそうです。

    This book looks old.

  6. 130

    このいえはくらそうないえです。

    This house looks dark.

  7. 131

    これはすずしそうななつふくです。

    These are summer clothes that look cool.

  8. 132

    あのひとはあしがいたそうにあるいています。

    That person is walking as if his leg hurts.

かき
persimmon
小包
parcel, small package
夏服
summer suit

Comparing appearance and reality · Pattern 4 2 of 3

Appearance and reality

*この かん字は むずかしそうですね* means "This Chinese character looks difficult, doesn't it?" The form reports an appearance.

*むずかしそうですが、 そんなに むずかしくは ありません* means "It looks difficult, but it is not that difficult." Appearance can differ from reality.

  1. 133

    あのひとはおいしそうにりんごをたべています。

    That person is eating an apple as if it tastes good.

  2. 134

    このかんじはむずかしそうですね。

    This Chinese character looks difficult, doesn’t it?

  3. 135

    むずかしそうですが、そんなにむずかしくはありません。

    It looks difficult, but it is not that difficult.

  4. 136

    ここからみると、あのやまはちかそうですが、どのぐらいありますか。

    That mountain looks close from here, but how far away is it?

  5. 137

    にじゅうごマイルぐらいあります。

    It is about twenty-five miles away.

  6. 138

    たなかさんはいつもいそがしそうにはたらいていますね。

    Mr. Tanaka always looks busy at work, doesn’t he?

  7. 139

    ええ、このごろはたいへんいそがしそうです。

    Yes, he seems very busy these days.

  8. 140

    わるい

    bad

りんご
apple
山
mountain
どの
which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)
ぐらい
about
二十
20
五
five
マイル
mile
大へん
very
わるい
bad

Adjectives for apparent qualities · Pattern 4 3 of 3

Adjectives for appearance

The cues supply I-adjectives for the *そう* pattern. *おいしい* means "delicious," and *むずかしい* means "difficult."

Remove the final *い* before adding *そう*. The cues differ in meaning while keeping the same change before *そう*.

  1. 141

    ふるい

    old

  2. 142

    いたい

    painful

  3. 143

    さむい

    cold

  4. 144

    かるい

    light

  5. 145

    おいしい

    delicious

  6. 146

    むずかしい

    difficult

古い
old, antique
さむい
cold
かるい
light
おいしい
tasty, delicious
むずかしい
difficult

When fruits are in season · Reading Selection 1 of 3

Fruit through the year

The passage gives the seasons and months for strawberries, peaches, pears, and grapes. *いちごは四月に出ます* means "Strawberries come out in April."

*ももは六月から九月頃まであります* places peaches from June until around September. Grapes normally run from September until around October.

  1. 147

    わたくしはくだものがたいへんすきです。

    I like fruit very much.

  2. 148

    くだものはほとんどいつでもあります。

    Fruit is available almost all the time.

  3. 149

    いちごはしがつにでます。

    Strawberries come out in April.

  4. 150

    ももはろくがつからくがつごろまであります。

    Peaches are available from June until around September.

  5. 151

    なしはしちがつごろでます。

    Pears come out around July.

  6. 152

    ぶどうはくがつからじゅうがつごろまでありますが、はやいのはしちがつのおわりかはちがつのはじめにでます。

    Grapes are available from September until around October, but the early ones come out at the end of July or the beginning of August.

好き
to like, be fond of (See Grammar Notes)
四
four
六
six
九
nine
七
seven
おわり
end
八
eight
はじめ
beginning

Japanese fruit and imports · Reading Selection 2 of 3

Fruit grown and imported

The passage contrasts fruit grown in Japan with imported fruit. *ある果物は、 日本では 作れません* means "Some fruits cannot be grown in Japan."

Even when grown there, some fruit does not taste good. Japan therefore imports oranges, lemons, and similar fruit from the United States.

  1. 153

    りんごやみかんはあきのおわりにでます。

    Apples and tangerines come out at the end of autumn.

  2. 154

    にほんにはかきがおおいです。

    There are many persimmons in Japan.

  3. 155

    かきはあきのくだものです。

    Persimmons are an autumn fruit.

  4. 156

    あるくだものは、にほんではつくれません。

    Some fruits cannot be grown in Japan.

  5. 157

    つくってもあじがよくないのです。

    Even if they are grown, they do not taste good.

  6. 158

    それで、オレンジやレモンなどはべいこくからゆにゅうします。

    Therefore, oranges, lemons, and the like are imported from the United States.

秋
autumn, fall
ある
certain, some
など
and so forth, etc.

Canning and sharing fruit · Reading Selection 3 of 3

Fruit sent by friends

Some fruit is canned for shipment to distant places. Friends send the speaker peaches, grapes, tangerines, and pears each year.

In *送ってくれます*, the TE-form and *くれます* mark sending done for the speaker. The speaker therefore seldom buys fruit.

Bananas that looked delicious

*大へんおいしそうな バナナ* describes bananas that looked very delicious. The *そうな* form modifies *バナナ*.

The speaker saw them displayed, bought them, took them home, and ate them with everyone.

  1. 159

    アメリカのオレンジはあまくてたいへんおいしいです。

    American oranges are sweet and very delicious.

  2. 160

    あるくだものはとおいところへおくることができませんからそれをかんづめにしておくります。

    Some fruits cannot be sent to distant places, so they are canned and shipped.

  3. 161

    にほんではみかんをかんづめにしてがいこくへゆしゅつします。

    In Japan, tangerines are canned and exported to foreign countries.

  4. 162

    ともだちはわたくしがくだものがすきなことをしっていますから、まいねん、もも、ぶどう、みかん、なしなどをおくってくれます、それで、わたくしはくだものをたまにしかかいません。

    My friends know that I like fruit, so every year they send me peaches, grapes, tangerines, pears, and the like, and therefore I rarely buy fruit.

  5. 163

    バナナ、オレンジなどはかってたべます。

    I buy and eat bananas, oranges, and the like.

  6. 164

    このあいだたいへんおいしそうなバナナがくだものやにならべてあったから、かってかえってみんなでたべました。

    The other day, some very delicious-looking bananas were displayed at the fruit shop, so I bought some, took them home, and we all ate them.

遠い
far
送る
to send (v.t.)
毎年、
every year (See Grammar Notes)
もも、
peach
ぶどう、
grapes
たまに
rarely, once in a while
バナナ、
banana
みんな
all

Asking about seasonal fruit · Questions 1 of 2

Seasons and places

The questions ask when fruits appear and where they grow. *四月には どんな 果物が 出ますか* means "What kinds of fruit come out in April?"

An answer names the fruit for that month. Other answers give a season, a place, or whether a fruit grows there.

  1. 165

    しがつにはどんなくだものがでますか。

    What kinds of fruit come out in April?

  2. 166

    ろくがつからくがつまで、どんなくだものがでますか。

    What kinds of fruit come out from June through September?

  3. 167

    ぶどうはいつごろでますか。

    Around when do grapes come out?

  4. 168

    あきのおわりにでるのは、どんなくだものですか。

    What kinds of fruit come out at the end of autumn?

  5. 169

    にほんにはどんなくだものがおおいですか。

    What kinds of fruit are plentiful in Japan?

  6. 170

    このあたりでは、いちごをつくっていますか。

    Do they grow strawberries around here?

  7. 171

    にほんではオレンジをつくっていますか。

    Do they grow oranges in Japan?

まで、
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)

Asking about fruit trade · Questions 2 of 2

From growing to buying

The questions cover growing, canning, importing, exporting, and buying fruit. *どんな 果物が 日本で 作れませんか* means "What kinds of fruit cannot be grown in Japan?"

An answer names the relevant fruit or product. Questions about trade also require a source, destination, or traded item.

  1. 172

    どんなくだものがにほんでつくれませんか。

    What kinds of fruit cannot be grown in Japan?

  2. 173

    どんなくだものをかんづめにしますか。

    What kinds of fruit do they can?

  3. 174

    にほんはどこからくだもののかんづめをゆにゅうしますか。

    Where does Japan import canned fruit from?

  4. 175

    にほんはなにをがいこくへゆしゅつしますか。

    What does Japan export to foreign countries?

  5. 176

    わたくしがくだものがすきなことをともだちはしっていますか。

    Do my friends know that I like fruit?

  6. 177

    わたくしはこのあいだなにをかいましたか。

    What did I buy the other day?

Common fruits and fruit shops · Word list 1 of 4

Fruit and the fruit shop

These words cover fruit, the shop that sells it, and nearby places. *果物屋* means "fruit store," and *ろじ* means "alley, side street."

The fruit entries include *りんご*, "apple," *みかん*, "tangerine," and *ぶどう*, "grapes."

  1. 178

    くだもの

    fruit

  2. 179

    あたり

    vicinity, neighborhood

  3. 180

    くだものや

    fruit store

  4. 181

    ろじ

    alley, side street

  5. 182

    りんご

    apple

  6. 183

    みかん

    tangerine

  7. 184

    かき

    persimmon

  8. 185

    なし

    pear

  9. 186

    いちご

    strawberry

  10. 187

    ぶどう

    grapes

  11. 188

    バナナ

    banana

  12. 189

    みなみ

    south

果物屋
fruit store

Produce and grocery words · Word list 2 of 4

Produce and grocery goods

These words cover produce, taste, canned goods, and stores. *かんづめ* means "canned goods," and *食料品店* means "grocery store, foodstore."

The produce includes *びわ*, "loquat," *水か*, "watermelon," and *ざくろ*, "pomegranate."

Kanji: 品

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

  1. 190

    しま

    island

  2. 191

    かんづめ

    canned goods

  3. 192

    すいみつとう

    peach

  4. 193

    あじ

    taste, flavor

  5. 194

    やさい

    vegetable

  6. 195

    しょくりょうひんてん

    grocery store, foodstore

  7. 196

    サンキストレモン

    Sunkist lemon

  8. 197

    びわ

    loquat

  9. 198

    すいか

    watermelon

  10. 199

    さくらんぼ

    cherry (fruit)

  11. 200

    こんばん

    this evening, tonight

  12. 201

    ざくろ

    pomegranate

すいみつとう
peach
食料品店
grocery store, foodstore
サンキストレモン
Sunkist lemon
びわ
loquat
水か
watermelon
さくらんぼ
cherry (fruit)
今ばん
this evening, tonight
ざくろ
pomegranate

Food trade and preparation verbs · Word list 3 of 4

Food trade and preparation

These verbs cover food trade and preparation. *ゆにゅうする* means "to import," *ゆしゅつする* means "to export," and *かんづめにする* means "to can."

The descriptive words include *せまい*, "narrow, crowded," *あまい*, "sweet," and *おいしい*, "tasty, delicious."

  1. 202

    ゆにゅうする

    to import

  2. 203

    ゆしゅつする

    to export

  3. 204

    つくる

    to raise, to make

  4. 205

    ならべる

    to display, to arrange in order

  5. 206

    かんづめにする

    to can

  6. 207

    ごちそうする

    to treat, to give feast

  7. 208

    しょくじをする

    to have a meal

  8. 209

    ふうをする

    to seal

  9. 210

    もってかえる

    to take home

  10. 211

    せまい

    narrow, crowded

  11. 212

    あまい

    sweet

  12. 213

    おいしい

    tasty, delicious

ゆにゅうする
to import
ゆしゅつする
to export
作る
to raise, to make
ならべる
to display, to arrange in order
かんづめにする
to can
ごちそうする
to treat, to give feast
食事をする
to have a meal
ふうをする
to seal
持って帰る
to take home
あまい
sweet

Fruit shopping and grammar phrases · Word list 4 of 4

Favors, omissions, and appearance

The entries return to favors, omitted actions, negative requests, and apparent qualities.

*--てくれる* means "do for me," *食べないで* means "without eating," and *おいしそう* means "appears delicious."

  1. 214

    このあいだ

    the other day

  2. 215

    --てくれる

    do for me (See Grammar Notes)

  3. 216

    たべないで

    without eating

  4. 217

    --ないでください

    please don't do (See Grammar Notes)

  5. 218

    おいしそう

    appears delicious (See Grammar Notes)

  6. 219

    それではまたこんど

    next time, then

  7. 220

    だが

    however, but

  8. 221

    しょくりょうひんてんにはくだもののかんづめがたくさんならべてあります。

    At the grocery store many canned fruits are displayed.

  9. 222

    くだものやにはサンキストレモン、びわ、すいか、さくらんぼ、ざくろなどがならべてあります。

    At the fruit store, Sunkist lemons, loquats, watermelons, cherries, pomegrantes, etc., are displayed.

  10. 223

    こんばんはゆうはんをたべないでおいでください。

    Please come without eating supper tonight.

  11. 224

    このてがみはふうをしないでだします。

    I mailed this letter without sealing it.

この間
the other day
--てくれる
do for me (See Grammar Notes)
食べないで
without eating
--ないでください
please don't do (See Grammar Notes)
おいしそう
appears delicious (See Grammar Notes)
それでは又今度
next time, then
だが
however, but
食料品店には果物のかんづめが沢山ならべてあります。
"At the grocery store many canned fruits are displayed."
果物屋にはサンキストレモン、びわ、すいか、さくらんぼ、ざくろなどがならべてあります。
"At the fruit store, Sunkist lemons, loquats, watermelons, cherries, pomegrantes, etc., are displayed."
今ばんは夕はんを食べないでお出でください。
"Please come without eating supper tonight."
この手紙はふうをしないで出します。
"I mailed this letter without sealing it."

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.