Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 38

Lesson 38

Kanji and everyday Japanese

214 lines

A fishing port becomes a town · Dialogue 1 of 4

A port town changes

Two people study a picture of a port town. *これは 小さな 港ですから、 大きな 汽船は はいりません* means "Since this is a small port, large steamers do not enter."

In *町の むこうを ながれている 川は 中々 ふかいらしいですね*, *らしい* marks the river's depth as apparent.

Big and small before a noun

*小さな 港* means "a small port," and *大きな 町* means "a big town."

*大きな* and *小さな* stand only before a noun. They do not stand as the predicate.

Kanji: 港, 汽, 船, 工

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

Kanji: 場

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

  1. 1

    このえをごらんなさい。

    Please look at this picture.

    このthis
    えpicture
    をobject
    ごらんlook
    なさい。please
  2. 2

    うつくしいえですね。

    Beautiful picture, isn't it?

  3. 3

    うつくしいところでしょう。これはちいさなみなとですから、おおきなきせんははいりません。

    Isn't that a beautiful place? Since this is a small port, large steamers don't enter.

  4. 4

    これはかなりおおきなまちですね。

    This is a fairly big town, isn't it?

  5. 5

    ええ、まえにはちいさなぎょこうでしたが、かこじゅうねんのあいだにこうじょうができたり、みなとがおおきくなったりして、おおきなまちになりました。それにちかくのしからあそびにくるひともおおくなりました。

    Yes, formerly it was a small fishing port, but in the past ten years, factories were built, and the harbor was enlarged and became a big town. Besides, the number of people who come to visit from cities nearby has increased greatly, too.

  6. 6

    まちのむこうをながれているかわはなかなかふかいらしいですね。

    The river on the other side of town appears to be fairly deep, doesn't it?

RASHII

The auxiliary verb RASHII expresses likelihood and is translated 'to look as if,' 'to appear,' or 'to seem.' Its inflection is like that of a true adjective.

Examples:

ANO HITO WA OKANE GA ARU RASHII DESU. "It seems that he has money."

ANO HITO WA OKANE GA NAI RASHII DESU. "It appears he has no money."

KORE WA OKANE RASHII DESU. "It seems this is money."
--NODE--

Following the basic form of verbs and I-adjectives, and also following the NA-ending of NA-adjectives, the particle NODE indicates that the clause in which it occurs is the cause or reason for the statement that follows: It is translated 'because,' 'since,' 'as.'

Examples:

KOKO WA AME GA TABI TABI FURU NODE KUSA YA KI GA AOI DESU. "Because it rains here often, trees and grass are green."

AME GA FUTTA NODE MICHI GA WARUI. "The road is bad because it rained."

KONO EIGA WA YOI NODE TAKUSAN NO HITO GA ITTE MIMASU. "Because this movie is good, many people go and see it."

SORE WA OISHIKATTA NODE TAKUSAN TABEMASHITA. "I ate a lot of it because it was tasty."

SONO BOOSHI WA TAIHEN KIREI NA NODE, KAIMASHITA. "Because the hat was pretty, I bought it."
--KA MO SHIREMASEN

Following the basic form of verbs and I-adjectives and substantives, KA MO SHIREMASEN means 'maybe,' 'perhaps,' 'might,' or 'may,' in the sense of possibility, not of permission.

Examples:

ANO HITO MO IKU KA MO SHIREMASEN. "He might (may) go, too." "He will possibly go, too."

ANO HITO MO ITTA KA MO SHIREMASEN. "He might have gone, too."

SONO JIBIKI WA TAKAI KA MO SHIREMASEN. "That dictionary might be expensive."

ANO KATA WA AOKI-SAN KA MO SHIREMASEN. "He may be Mr. Aoki."
OISHISA

The suffix SA expresses the extent or degree of the adjectival quality. Notice that the "i" of the adjective is dropped and SA is added, when turning it into a noun.

Examples:

| | | 
NAGAI | 'is long' | NAGASA | 'length'
OOKII | 'is big' | OOKISA | 'size'
ATSUI | 'is hot' | ATSUSA | 'heat'
HIROI | 'is big, is wide' | HIROSA | 'area or width'
SHIROI | 'is white' | SHIROSA | 'whiteness'
II | 'is good' | YOSA | 'goodness'

SA may also replace the NA of the NA-adjective.

| | | 
KIREI NA | 'beautiful' | KIREISA | 'beauty'
JOOBU NA | 'healthy' | JOOBUSA | 'healthiness'
GENKI NA | 'energetic' | GENKISA | 'energy'
OOKINA, CHIISANA

OOKII and CHIISAI are frequently changed to the NA-form of the adjective. However, OOKINA and CHIISANA are used only before nouns, not predicatively.

For example:

KORE WA OOKINA HAKO DESU, never KONO HAKO WA OOKINA DESU.
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
うつくしい
beautiful
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
所
address, place
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
は
leaves
小さな
small (See Gram. Notes)
港
port, harbor
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
大きな
big, large (See Gram. Notes)
汽船
steamer
かなり
fairly
町
town
ええ、
Yes
前
before, front
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
かこ
past
十
ten
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
の
See Grammar Notes
工場
factory
し
city
近く
vicinity
人
people
むこう
destination, yonder
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
川
river
中々
considerably, very
ふかい
deep

River depth boats and bridges · Dialogue 2 of 4

A shallow river with bridges

The speakers discuss the river and the boats that use it. *ふかさは 三メートル ぐらいかも 知れませんね* means "The depth may be about three meters."

*大きな 船は 通れません。 小さい 舟は 通れますが* means "Large ships cannot pass. Small boats can pass, though."

Possibility, reason, and depth

In *ふかさは 三メートル ぐらいかも 知れませんね*, *かも 知れません* marks the depth as a possibility.

In *橋が かかっているので、 大きな 船は 通れません*, *ので* makes the bridges a reason large ships cannot pass.

*ふかさ* means "depth." It names the measurable quality "deep."

Kanji: 橋, 舟

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

  1. 7

    いいえ、あまりふかくはありません。ふかさはさんメートルぐらいかもしれませんね。

    No, it isn't so deep. The depth may be about three meters.

  2. 8

    そのかわをふねがとおりますか。

    Do ships sail the river?

  3. 9

    かわがあさいうえにはしがかかっているので、おおきなふねはとおれません。ちいさいふねはとおれますが。

    Large ships can't pass, because the river is shallow and, furthermore, bridges span it. Small boats can pass, though.

  4. 10

    はしはみんなてっきょうですか。

    Are all bridges of steel? (Are all bridges railroad bridges?)

  5. 11

    まんなかのだけがてっきょうです。ほかのはコンクリートのはしです。

    Only the one in the middle is a railroad bridge. It is of steel. The others are of concrete.

  6. 12

    かわぐちにあるのはなんですか。

    What is that at the river mouth?

三
three
メートル
meter
ぐらい
about
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
通り
street
ます
trout
あさい
shallow
橋
bridge
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
舟
boat
みんな
all
鉄橋
steel bridge, railroad bridge
まん中
center, middle
だけ
only, just (See Grammar Notes)
コンクリート
concrete
川口
river mouth
ある
certain, some

Factories mountains and a lake · Dialogue 3 of 4

Factories and mountains

The speakers identify buildings and features in the picture. *あれは せいざいしょです* means "That is a sawmill."

*むこうの 方には ひくい 小山が あって、 そのむこうに 高い山が 見えますね* places low hills in front of a visible high mountain.

*ちょう上に 雪が つもっていますね* says that snow has accumulated on its summit. A lake is visible among the mountains.

  1. 13

    あれはせいざいしょです。

    That's a sawmill.

  2. 14

    こちらがわのけむりのでているのはこうじょうですか。

    Is the one that is emitting smoke on this side a factory?

  3. 15

    はい、あれはかんづめこうじょうです。さかなをかんづめにします。

    Yes, that's a cannery. They can fish.

  4. 16

    むこうのほうにはひくいこやまがあって、そのむこうにたかいやまがみえますね。

    There are small mountains over yonder and beyond them you can see a high mountain, can't you?

  5. 17

    ええ、ちょうじょうにゆきがつもっていますね。

    Yes. Snow is thick on the summit.

  6. 18

    あちらのやまのなかにみずうみがみえますね。

    You can see a lake in the mountains over there, can't you?

です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
こちら
this, here (See Gram. Notes)
けむり
smoke
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
かんづめ
canned goods
さかな
fish
ます。
trout
ひくい
low
小山
small mountain, hill
山
mountain
ちょう上
summit
雪
snow
あちら
that over there, over there
みずうみ
lake

Summer trips to the lake · Dialogue 4 of 4

Summer at the lake

The speakers discuss a summer destination. *あそこには 大きな みずうみが あります* means "There is a large lake over there."

*夏には およいだり、 つりを したり するのに よい 所です* describes it as a good place for swimming and fishing.

*毎年 夏には 一週間 ぐらい 行きます* says that the speaker goes for about one week every summer.

  1. 19

    ええ、あそこにはおおきなみずうみがあります。なつにはおよいだり、つりをしたりするのによいところです。

    Yes, there is a big lake over there. It is a nice place for swimming or fishing in summer.

  2. 20

    あなたはそこへいったことがありますか。

    Have you ever been there?

  3. 21

    ええ、まいねんなつにはいっしゅうかんぐらいいきます。こどもをつれていってやると、たいへんよろこびます。

    Yes, I go there about one week every year in summer. When I take my children, they are very delighted.

あそこ
over there
夏
summer
つり
fishing
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
そこ
there
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
毎年
every year (See Grammar Notes)
一
one
やる
to do
と、
and (See Gram. Notes)
大へん
very

Reporting apparent facts · Perception drill, Block 1

An apparent plan

*あの人も 行く らしいです* means "It appears that he is going too." The speaker reports the plan as likely, not certain.

It seems that

*らしい* follows a verb, an adjective, or a noun. It means "it appears" or "it seems."

*あの たて物は 病院らしいです* means "That building apparently is a hospital." Its endings change like those of an I-adjective.

  1. 22

    あのひともいくらしいです。

    It appears that he, too, is going.

  2. 23

    フランスごはむずかしいらしいです。

    French seems to be difficult.

  3. 24

    あのひとはおんなのひとらしいです。

    That person looks like a woman.

  4. 25

    あのせいとはよくべんきょうするらしいです。

    That student apparently studies hard.

  5. 26

    あのアメリカじんはにほんごがわかるらしいです。

    That American apparently understands Japanese.

  6. 27

    やまださんはみみがとおいらしいです。

    Mr. Yamada apparently is hard of hearing.

  7. 28

    あのせんせいはわかいらしいです。

    That teacher apparently is young.

  8. 29

    あしたはあめがふらないらしいです。

    Apparently it will not rain tomorrow.

  9. 30

    パーカーさんはにほんからかえったらしいです。

    Mr. Parker apparently returned from Japan.

  10. 31

    あのたてものはびょういんらしいです。

    That building apparently is a hospital.

  11. 32

    やまのうえをとんでいるのはひこうきらしいです。

    What is flying over the mountain apparently is an airplane.

むずかしい
difficult
女
female
よく
well, skillfully
アメリカ
America; U.S.A.
遠い
far
わかい
young
明日
tomorrow
雨
rain
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
病院
hospital
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
き
counter for airplanes (See Gram. Notes)

Explaining reasons and results · Perception drill, Block 2

Rain and a bad road

*雨が 降ったので、 道が わるいです* means "The road is bad because it rained." The first clause gives the reason for the result.

A reason before its result

The particle *ので* follows a verb or an I-adjective. After a NA-adjective, it follows *な*.

*汽車は のろいので、 ひこうきで 行きます* means "Since the train is slow, I will go by airplane." The clause before *ので* gives the reason.

  1. 33

    あめがふったので、みちがわるいです。

    The road is bad, because it rained.

  2. 34

    きょうはさむいので、わたくしはいきません。

    I don't go, because it is cold today.

  3. 35

    とうきょうのなつはあついので、おおくのひとびとはうみややまへいきます。

    Since summers in Tokyo are hot, many people go to the sea or the mountains.

  4. 36

    あめがふるので、わたくしはいきません。

    Since it is going to rain, I will not go.

  5. 37

    きしゃはのろいので、ひこうきでいきます。

    Since the train is slow, I will go by airplane.

  6. 38

    ももがおいしいので、みっつもたべました。

    Since the peaches were delicious, I ate three of them.

  7. 39

    くらいので、あかりをつけました。

    Since it was dark, I turned on the light.

  8. 40

    せいとがふえたので、せんせいがたりません。

    Since the number of students has increased, there are not enough teachers.

道
road, street
わるい
bad
今日
today
さむい
cold
あつい
hot
人々
people
海
sea, ocean
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
降る
to fall (rain) (v.i.)
のろい
slow (I-adj)
もも
peach
おいしい
tasty, delicious
くらい
dark
明り
light

Expressing possibilities · Perception drill, Block 3

A possible plan

*生徒も 行く かも 知れません* means "Students might go too." The sentence presents their going as possible, not certain.

Might or may

*かも 知れません* follows the plain form of a verb or I-adjective, or it follows a noun. It means "might" or "may."

*あの方は スミスさんの 奥さん かも 知れません* means "That person might be Mr. Smith's wife." The expression states possibility, not permission.

  1. 41

    せいともいくかもしれません。

    Students might go, too.

  2. 42

    さむいかもしれませんから、オーバーをもっていきなさい。

    It might be cold, so take your overcoat.

  3. 43

    あのかたはスミスさんのおくさんかもしれません。

    That person might be the wife of Mr. Smith.

  4. 44

    あしたはさむくなるかもしれません。

    It may get cold tomorrow.

  5. 45

    わたくしはこんしゅうのどようびにはたらくかもしれません。

    I may work this Saturday.

  6. 46

    いまロスアンゼルスはあついかもしれませんよ。

    It may be hot in Los Angeles now.

  7. 47

    やまもとさんはびょうきかもしれません。

    Mr. Yamamoto may be sick.

  8. 48

    スミスさんはにほんへいけないかもしれません。

    Mr. Smith may not be able to go to Japan.

  9. 49

    そのかんじはもうならったかもしれません。

    We may have already learned that kanji.

オーバー
overcoat
今週
this week
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)

Asking about measurements · Perception drill, Block 4

The height of a mountain

*あの山の 高さは どの ぐらいでしょうか* means "About how high is that mountain?" *高さ* names the mountain's measurable height.

From a quality to a noun

Drop the final *い* of an I-adjective and add *さ*. The result is a noun that names the degree of that quality.

*この 小包の 重さは どの ぐらいでしょうか* asks "About how much does this package weigh?" Here, *重さ* names weight.

  1. 50

    あのやまのたかさはどのぐらいでしょうか。

    About how high is that mountain?

  2. 51

    さあ、にせんメートルぐらいでしょう。

    Well, it is probably about two thousand meters high.

  3. 52

    このいとのながさはどのぐらいでしょうか。

    About how long is this string?

  4. 53

    さあ、いちメートルぐらいでしょう。

    Well, it is probably about one meter long.

  5. 54

    このこづつみのおもさはどのぐらいでしょうか。

    About how much does this package weigh?

  6. 55

    にキログラムぐらいでしょう。

    It probably weighs about two kilograms.

どの
which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
さあ、
well, now, here, come
二千
2,000
いと
thread, string
小包
parcel, small package
二
two

Describing apparent conditions · Pattern 1 1 of 3

Weather that appears likely

*今日は 雨が 降る らしいです* means "It looks like it will rain today." The *らしい* after the verb marks the report as apparent.

Apparent conditions and identities

*この川は あさい らしいです* means "This river looks shallow." Here, *らしい* follows the I-adjective *あさい*.

In *あれは コンクリートの 橋らしい*, *らしい* follows the noun *橋* and marks the identity as apparent.

  1. 56

    きょうはあめがふるらしいです。

    Looks like it's going to rain today.

  2. 57

    このかわはあさいらしいです。

    This river looks shallow.

  3. 58

    あのひとはにほんじんらしいです。

    He looks like a Japanese.

  4. 59

    このかわはかなりふかいらしい(です)。

    This river apparently is fairly deep.

  5. 60

    やまださんはこのごろとてもいそがしいらしい(です)。

    Mr. Yamada apparently has been very busy lately.

  6. 61

    とうきょうのなつはずいぶんむしあついらしい(です)。

    Summers in Tokyo apparently are extremely hot and humid.

  7. 62

    あれはコンクリートのはしらしい(です)。

    That apparently is a concrete bridge.

  8. 63

    かわぐちにあるのはせいざいしょらしい(です)。

    What is at the mouth of the river apparently is a sawmill.

  9. 64

    やまもとさんのおくさんはにゅういんしているらしい(です)。

    Mr. Yamamoto's wife apparently is in the hospital.

この頃
these days, nowadays
とても
very, indeed
いそがしい
busy
ずい分
very much
むしあつい
sultry, humid

Discussing uncertain appearances · Pattern 1 2 of 3

A tentative answer about a bridge

*あれは 木の橋ですか* asks "Is that a wooden bridge?" The answer *コンクリートの 橋らしいです* reports that it apparently is concrete.

A tentative negative report

*あまり べんきょうしないらしいです* means "Apparently he does not study very much." The negative form stands before *らしい*.

  1. 65

    パーカーさんはよるもはたらくらしい(です)。

    Mr. Parker apparently works at night, too.

  2. 66

    やまださんはみみがよくきこえないらしいですね。

    Mr. Yamada apparently cannot hear very well, can he?

  3. 67

    ええ、あのかたはみみがとおいのです。

    Yes, he is hard of hearing.

  4. 68

    あれはきのはしですか。

    Is that a wooden bridge?

  5. 69

    いいえ、コンクリートのはしらしいです。

    No, apparently it is a concrete bridge.

  6. 70

    あのせいとはべんきょうしないのですか。

    Does that student not study?

  7. 71

    ええ、あまりべんきょうしないらしいです。

    No, apparently he does not study very much.

  8. 72

    のろい

    slow

  9. 73

    あぶない

    dangerous

夜
night, evening
(です)。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
木
tree, wood
あぶない
dangerous (I-adj.)

Health and everyday actions · Pattern 1 3 of 3

Health and daily actions

The expressions cover health and everyday actions. *病気が うつる* means "to catch a disease," and *ねつが ある* means "to have a fever."

*つれて 行く* means "to take someone along."

People and places

The remaining words name occasions, places, and people. *たんじょう日* means "birthday," and *しょうぎょうの 中心ち* means "commercial center."

*軍人* means "military personnel."

  1. 74

    びょうきがうつる

    to catch a disease

  2. 75

    みみがきこえない

    to be unable to hear

  3. 76

    つれていく

    to take someone along

  4. 77

    ねつがある

    to have a fever

  5. 78

    うんどうする

    to exercise

  6. 79

    たんじょうび

    birthday

  7. 80

    しょうぎょうのちゅうしんち

    commercial center

  8. 81

    ぐんじん

    military personnel

うつる
to infect, contract, catch
ねつ
fever

Giving reasons for choices · Pattern 2 1 of 2

Cold weather and an overcoat

*今日は さむいので、 オーバーを 着ます* means "I will wear an overcoat because it is cold today." Here, *ので* connects the weather to the choice.

A reason can cause a result

*あの店は サービスが よいので、 多くの 人が 行きます* means "Since that store has good service, many people go there." The service is the reason.

  1. 82

    あめがふったので、みちがわるい。

    Because it rained, the road is bad.

  2. 83

    きょうはさむいので、オーバーをきます。

    I'll wear an overcoat because it's cold today.

  3. 84

    わたくしはみみがとおいので、こまります。

    Since I am hard of hearing, it causes me difficulty.

  4. 85

    あのみせはサービスがよいので、おおくのひとがいきます。

    Since that store has good service, many people go there.

  5. 86

    ひるまはあったかいので、うわぎはいりません。

    Since it is warm during the day, you do not need a jacket.

  6. 87

    ゆきがふったので、スキーができます。

    Since it snowed, we can ski.

  7. 88

    わたくしはこのごろたくさんたべるので、ふとります。

    Since I have been eating a lot lately, I am gaining weight.

わるい。
bad
店
store, shop
サービス
service
あったかい
warm
上着
coat
スキー
ski
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)

Explaining inability and fatigue · Pattern 2 2 of 2

A reason for inability

*かぜを ひいたので、 来る事が 出来ませんでした* means "I caught a cold, so I could not come." The *ので* after the past verb gives the reason.

Fatigue as appearance and result

*あなたは この頃 つかれているらしいですね* reports that the person seems tired lately.

*朝早くから 夜 おそくまで くんれん するので、 つかれます* gives training as the reason for the fatigue.

  1. 89

    ことしあたらしいじどうしゃをかいますか。

    Will you buy a new car this year?

  2. 90

    かいたいのですが、たかいのでかえません。

    I want to buy one, but I cannot because they are expensive.

  3. 91

    あなたはきのうがっこうにきませんでしたね。

    You did not come to school yesterday, did you?

  4. 92

    ええ、かぜをひいたので、くることができませんでした。

    No, I caught a cold, so I could not come.

  5. 93

    あなたはこのごろつかれているらしいですね。

    You seem to have been tired lately, haven’t you?

  6. 94

    ええ、あさはやくからよるおそくまでくんれんするので、つかれます。

    Yes, I get tired because I train from early in the morning until late at night.

今年
this year
車
vehicle, car
昨日
yesterday
かぜ
wind
朝
morning
おそく
late (adverbial form of OSOI, be late, be slow)
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
くんれん
training

Possibilities about future events · Pattern 3 1 of 3

A possible future event

*今日は 雨が 降る かも 知れません* means "It might rain today." The expression *かも 知れません* marks an uncertain possibility.

Possible conditions and identities

*この川は ふかい かも 知れません* means "This river might be deep." Here, *かも 知れません* follows an I-adjective.

In *あの方は アメリカ人 かも 知れません*, the expression follows a noun and marks the identity as possible.

  1. 95

    きょうはあめがふるかもしれません。

    It might rain today.

  2. 96

    このかわはふかいかもしれません。

    This river might be deep.

  3. 97

    あのかたはアメリカじんかもしれません。

    That person might be an American.

  4. 98

    さんがつのおわりには、さくらのはながさくかもしれません。

    The cherry blossoms may bloom at the end of March.

  5. 99

    わたくしはこんしゅうのどようびにははたらくかもしれません。

    I may work this Saturday.

  6. 100

    じどうしゃでいくのはあぶないかもしれません。

    It may be dangerous to go by car.

  7. 101

    そのりんごはまずいかもしれません。

    That apple may not taste good.

月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
おわり
end
さくら
cherry (flower)
さく
to bloom (v.i.)
りんご
apple
まずい
poor, tasteless

Possibilities in conversation · Pattern 3 2 of 3

Snow as a possibility

*ばんには 雪が 降るかも 知れませんね* means "It may snow this evening." The speaker presents snow as an uncertain possibility.

Agreement with an apparent report

*そうらしいですね* means "It seems so." Here, *らしい* agrees that the possibility appears likely.

*かも 知れません* states a possibility. *らしい* reports what appears to be true.

  1. 102

    それはせんせいのほんかもしれません。

    That may be the teacher's book.

  2. 103

    らいしゅうのきんようびはやすみかもしれません。

    Next Friday may be a holiday.

  3. 104

    このぼうしはあなたにはすこしおおきいかもしれませんね。

    This hat may be a little big for you.

  4. 105

    いいえ、ちょうどいいですよ。

    No, it's just right.

  5. 106

    こんなにさむくては、ばんにはゆきがふるかもしれませんね。

    Since it is this cold, it may snow this evening.

  6. 107

    そうらしいですね。

    It seems so, doesn’t it?

  7. 108

    にほんがいちばんおおくゆにゅうしているものはなんでしょうか。

    What do you suppose Japan imports the most of?

本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
来週
next week
少し
little (quantity)
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
ばん
evening, night
一番
number one (See Grammar Notes)

People things and everyday actions · Pattern 3 3 of 3

A possible answer

*食料品かも 知れませんね* means "It may be foodstuffs." The expression *かも 知れません* marks the answer as possible.

Health, actions, and people

The remaining expressions cover health, actions, a workplace, and identity. *体に わるい* means "bad for the health," and *かぜを ひく* means "to catch a cold."

*かんづめ工場* means "a cannery," and *日本人* means "a Japanese person."

  1. 109

    しょくりょうひんかもしれませんね。

    It may be foodstuffs.

  2. 110

    からだにわるい

    Bad for the health.

  3. 111

    おもしろい

    Interesting.

  4. 112

    おしえる

    To teach.

  5. 113

    かぜをひく

    To catch a cold.

  6. 114

    かんづめこうじょう

    A cannery.

  7. 115

    にほんじん

    A Japanese person.

体
body, health
ひく
to subtract (v.t.)

Turning qualities into measurements · Pattern 4 1 of 2

The depth of a river

*この川の ふかさは 三メートル ぐらいでしょう* means "The depth of this river probably is about three meters." Here, *ふかさ* is the noun for depth.

Measurements use quality nouns

Quality nouns can name height, size, weight, length, thickness, or depth.

*この いとの 長さは 二メートル ぐらいです* means "This string is about two meters long." *長さ* is the noun for length.

  1. 116

    このかわのふかさはさんメートルぐらいでしょう。

    The depth of this river probably is about three meters.

  2. 117

    あのやまのたかさはどのぐらいでしょうか。

    About how high is that mountain?

  3. 118

    あなたのくつのおおきさはどのぐらいですか。

    About what size are your shoes?

  4. 119

    このこづつみのおもさはどのぐらいでしょうか。

    About how much does this parcel weigh?

  5. 120

    このいとのながさはにメートルぐらいです。

    This string is about two meters long.

  6. 121

    そのほんのあつさはどのぐらいですか。

    About how thick is that book?

くつ
shoes

Estimating size and speed · Pattern 4 2 of 2

An estimate of speed

*あの 汽船は どの ぐらいの 早さで 走りますか* asks "About how fast does that steamer travel?" *早さ* names speed.

Approximate numerical answers

*この じ書の あつさは どの ぐらい ありますか* asks about thickness. The quality noun identifies what the number measures.

*七十五ミリ ぐらい* gives an estimate of about seventy-five millimeters. *ぐらい* marks the number as approximate.

Kanji: 走

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

  1. 122

    あのきのたかさはどのぐらいでしょうか。

    About how tall is that tree?

  2. 123

    さあ、じゅうメートルぐらいでしょう。

    Well, it is probably about ten meters tall.

  3. 124

    あのきせんはどのぐらいのはやさではしりますか。

    About how fast does that steamer travel?

  4. 125

    さあ、よくしりませんが、いちじかんじゅうろくマイルぐらいでしょう。

    Well, I don't know exactly, but probably about sixteen miles an hour.

  5. 126

    このじしょのあつさはどのぐらいありますか。

    About how thick is this dictionary?

  6. 127

    さあ、ななじゅうごミリぐらいありましょう。

    Well, it is probably about seventy-five millimeters thick.

時間
hour, time
六
six
マイル
mile
じ
character, word
七十
70
五
five
ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)

A growing fishing port · Reading Selection 1 of 4

From fishing port to shipping town

The passage describes a town that ships oranges and cans fish. *この 町の 工場で かんづめに します* says that factories in the town make the fish into canned goods.

*小さな ぎょ港でしたが、 今では 大きな 汽船も 沢山 はいって 来ます* contrasts the former small fishing port with its present traffic.

*小さな* and *大きな*, as in *小さな 港* and *大きな 町*, stand before their nouns.

  1. 128

    これはかなりおおきなまちです。

    This is a fairly big town.

  2. 129

    ちかくのやまでは、みかんを

    In the nearby mountains, mandarin oranges

  3. 130

    たくさんつくっていますから、それをこのまちからきしゃやきせんで

    are grown in large quantities, so they are sent from this town by train or steamer

  4. 131

    おおきなしにおくります。

    to large cities.

  5. 132

    またちかくのうみからさかなをたくさん

    Also, from the nearby sea, a great many fish

  6. 133

    とって、このまちのこおじょおでかんづめにします。

    are caught and made into canned goods at factories in this town.

  7. 134

    まえにはこのみなとは

    Formerly, this port

  8. 135

    ちいさなぎょみなとでしたが、いまではおおきなきせんもたくさんはいってきます。

    was a small fishing port, but now many large steamers enter it too.

みかん
tangerine

River bridges and sawmill · Reading Selection 2 of 4

The river beyond the town

The passage follows a river past bridges to a sawmill. *ふかさは 三メートル ぐらい* gives its depth as about three meters.

*小さな 舟が 時々 走っています* says that small boats travel on it sometimes. Here, *ふかさ* names the measurable quality "depth."

*川口には せいざいしょが あります* places the sawmill at the river mouth.

  1. 136

    まちのむこうには、かなりふかいかわがながれています。

    A fairly deep river flows on the other side of town.

  2. 137

    ふかさはさんメートルぐらいで、そのうえにはしがみっつかかっていますから、

    It is about three meters deep, and since there are three bridges over it,

  3. 138

    おおきなふねはとおれません。

    large ships cannot pass through.

  4. 139

    ちいさなふねがときどきはしっています。

    Small boats travel on it from time to time.

  5. 140

    かわぐちにはせいざいしょがあります。

    There is a sawmill at the mouth of the river.

  6. 141

    おおくのひとがそこで

    Many people there

  7. 142

    はたらいています。

    are working.

  8. 143

    こやまのむこうにたかいやまがみえます。

    A high mountain can be seen beyond the hill.

は、
leaves
時々
sometimes, occasionally

Family outings by the lake · Reading Selection 3 of 4

Winter snow and a summer lake

The passage moves from snow on low mountains to summer trips at a lake. *降るので、 ひくい山の ちょう上にも 雪が つもります* gives snowfall as the reason snow accumulates.

*大きな みずうみ* uses *大きな* before the noun "lake."

*毎年 子供を つれて 一週間ぐらい あそびに 行きます* describes an annual family visit of about one week.

  1. 144

    ふゆにはゆきが

    In winter, snow

  2. 145

    ふるので、ひくいやまのちょおじょおにもゆきがつもります。

    falls, so snow piles up even on the tops of the low mountains.

  3. 146

    みぎのほうにみずうみがみえます。

    A lake can be seen on the right.

  4. 147

    おおきなみずうみで、

    It is a large lake, and

  5. 148

    なつになると、おおぜいのひとがあそびにいきます。

    when summer comes, many people go there for recreation.

  6. 149

    わたくしもまいねんこどもを

    Every year, I also take my children

  7. 150

    つれていっしゅうかんぐらいあそびにいきます。

    and go there for about a week.

  8. 151

    こどもたちはつりをしたり、

    The children fish and

冬
winter
大ぜい
crowd (of people)

Swimming and fishing together · Reading Selection 4 of 4

Who may join the outing

The passage finishes the family outing and adds possible companions. *一しょに 行くかも 知れません* says that Mr. Jones may go with them.

*つりを したりするのが 好きらしいです* reports that his children apparently like fishing. The two forms separate possibility from apparent preference.

  1. 152

    およいだりして、おもしろくあそびます。

    and swim, and have a good time.

  2. 153

    ことしはジョンズさんも

    This year, Mr. Jones too

  3. 154

    いっしょにいくかもしれません。

    may go with us.

  4. 155

    ジョンズさんのおこさんもおよいだり、

    Mr. Jones's children also swim and

  5. 156

    つりをしたりするのがすきらしいです。

    seem to like fishing.

好き
to like, be fond of (See Grammar Notes)

Town industry and transport · Questions 1 of 2

Town and river facts

The questions ask about the town's size, products, transport, factories, and river. *町の むこうを ながれている 川は ふかいらしいですか* asks whether the river appears deep.

*ふかさは どの ぐらいでしょうか* asks for an approximate depth. An answer gives the measurement, while other answers identify a place, product, vehicle, or number.

  1. 157

    このえのまちはかなりおおきなまちですか。

    Is the town in this picture a fairly big town?

  2. 158

    ちかくのやまでは、なにをつくっていますか。

    What do they grow in the nearby mountains?

  3. 159

    それはなんでそとのしへおくりますか。

    How is it sent to other cities?

  4. 160

    このみなとはぎょみなとですか。

    Is this port a fishing port?

  5. 161

    みなとにはおおきなきせんがはいりますか。

    Do large steamers enter the port?

  6. 162

    まちのむこうをながれているかわはふかいらしいですか。

    Does the river flowing on the other side of town appear to be deep?

  7. 163

    ふかさはどのぐらいでしょうか。

    About how deep is it?

  8. 164

    このまちにはどんなこおじょおがありますか。

    What kind of factories are there in this town?

  9. 165

    なんのかんづめをこしらえていますか。

    What kind of canned goods do they make?

  10. 166

    このかわにははしがいくつかかっていますか。

    How many bridges cross this river?

どんな
what kind of; what sort of

River and lake details · Questions 2 of 2

Reasons, places, and apparent facts

The questions ask why ships cannot pass, why a summit looks white, where landmarks stand, and what the family does.

*大きな 船は なぜ 川を 通りませんか* calls for a reason.

*川口に あるのは かんづめ工場らしいですか* asks whether the riverside building appears to be a cannery. Answers give a reason, location, activity, or apparent identity.

Kanji: 白

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

  1. 167

    みんなてっきょおですか。

    Are they all iron bridges?

  2. 168

    おおきなふねはなぜかわをとおりませんか。

    Why do large ships not sail the river?

  3. 169

    どんなふねがときどきかわをはしっていますか。

    What kind of boats sometimes travel along the river?

  4. 170

    せいざいしょはどこにありますか。

    Where is the sawmill?

  5. 171

    やまのちょおじょおはなぜしろくみえますか。

    Why does the top of the mountain look white?

  6. 172

    みぎのほうにはなにがみえますか。

    What can you see on the right?

  7. 173

    わたくしはこどもをつれてまいねんどこへいきますか。

    Where do I go every year with my children?

  8. 174

    こどもたちはなにがすきですか。

    What do the children like?

  9. 175

    かわぐちにあるのはかんづめこおじょおらしいですか。

    Does the one at the mouth of the river appear to be a cannery?

なぜ
why?

Harbor and bridge words · Word list 1 of 4

A port and its structures

The words cover harbors, vessels, factories, bridges, materials, and locations.

*港* means "port" or "harbor." *鉄橋* means "steel bridge" or "railroad bridge." *川口* means "river mouth."

  1. 176

    みなと

    port, harbor

  2. 177

    きせん

    steamer

  3. 178

    ぎょみなと

    fishing port

  4. 179

    こおじょお

    factory

  5. 180

    ふね

    boat

  6. 181

    はし

    bridge

  7. 182

    てっきょお

    steel bridge, railroad bridge

  8. 183

    コンクリート

    concrete

  9. 184

    まんなか

    center, middle

  10. 185

    かわぐち

    river mouth

ぎょ港
fishing port

Landscape and movement words · Word list 2 of 4

Landscape and movement

The words cover landscape features, depth, time, flowing, and the ability to pass.

*みずうみ* means "lake." *ふかさ* means "depth." *通れる* means "to be able to pass."

  1. 186

    せいざいしょ

    sawmill

  2. 187

    けむり

    smoke

  3. 188

    こやま

    small mountain, hill

  4. 189

    ちょおじょお

    summit

  5. 190

    みずうみ

    lake

  6. 191

    ふかさ

    depth (See Gram. Notes)

  7. 192

    まいねん

    every year

  8. 193

    かこ

    past

  9. 194

    ながれる

    to flow (v.i.)

  10. 195

    とおれる

    to be able to pass

せいざいしょ
sawmill
ふかさ
depth (See Gram. Notes)
ながれる
to flow (v.i.)
通れる
to be able to pass

Size and depth words · Word list 3 of 4

Actions and physical qualities

The words cover accumulation, movement, beauty, size, depth, and height.

*走る* means "to run" or "to sail." *小さな* means "small," and *大きな* means "big" or "large."

Both size forms stand before a noun.

  1. 196

    つもる

    to pile on, accumulate

  2. 197

    よろこぶ

    to rejoice, be delighted

  3. 198

    はしがかかる

    bridge spans

  4. 199

    はしる

    to run, sail

  5. 200

    うつくしい

    beautiful

  6. 201

    ちいさな

    small (See Gram. Notes)

  7. 202

    おおきな

    big, large (See Gram. Notes)

  8. 203

    ふかい

    deep

  9. 204

    あさい

    shallow

  10. 205

    ひくい

    low

つもる
to pile on, accumulate
よろこぶ
to rejoice, be delighted
橋がかかる
bridge spans
走る
to run, sail

Possibility and appearance expressions · Word list 4 of 4

Possibility, reason, and appearance

The words cover possibility, reason, apparent fact, and examples of motion and appearance.

*かも知れません* means "maybe" or "might." *ので* means "because" or "since." *白いのは 雪らしいです* means "Those white things look like snow."

  1. 206

    --かもしれません

    maybe, might (See Gram. Notes)

  2. 207

    --ので

    because, since (See Gram. Notes)

  3. 208

    なかなか

    considerably, very

  4. 209

    --らしい

    it seems, appears (See Gram. Notes)

  5. 210

    きせんがはしっています。

    The steamship is running.

  6. 211

    きしゃがはしっています。

    The train is running.

  7. 212

    こどもがいえのまえをはしっています。

    Children are running in front of a house.

  8. 213

    しろいのはゆきらしいです。

    Those white things look like snow.

  9. 214

    こうじょうからしろいけむりがでています。

    White smoke is coming out of a factory.

--かも知れません
maybe, might (See Gram. Notes)
--ので
because, since (See Gram. Notes)
--らしい
it seems, appears (See Gram. Notes)
汽船が走っています。
"The steamship is running."
汽車が走っています。
"The train is running."
子供が家の前を走っています。
"Children are running in front of a house."
白いのは雪らしいです。
"Those white things look like snow."
工場から白いけむりが出ています。
"White smoke is coming out of a factory."

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.