Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 39

Lesson 39

Kanji and everyday Japanese

171 lines

Actions just before and after · Perception drill, Block 1

Returned this moment

*今 学校から 帰った ところです* means "I have returned from school this moment."

The past form *帰った* before *ところです* places the action immediately after its completion.

The verb form before *ところです* identifies the moment of the action.

Three moments of an action

The dictionary form means the action is about to begin. *今から 夕はんを 食べる ところです* means "I am about to eat supper."

*私は 今 夕はんを 食べている ところです* means "I am eating supper now."

The TE-form with *いる* means the action is happening now.

Kanji: 散

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

Kanji: 歩

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

  1. 1

    いまがっこうからかえったところです。

    I have just returned from school.

    今now
    学校school
    からfrom
    帰っreturn
    たpast
    ところjust now
    です。is
  2. 2

    いまからゆうはんをたべるところです。

    I am about to eat supper.

  3. 3

    わたくしはいまゆうはんをたべているところです。

    I am eating supper now.

  4. 4

    いまたべはじめたところです。

    I have just started eating.

  5. 5

    いまがっこうがおわったところです。

    School has just ended.

  6. 6

    いまからかいものにでかけるところです。

    I am about to go shopping.

  7. 7

    いまがっこうがはじまるところです。

    School is about to begin.

  8. 8

    いまいえをさがしているところです。

    I am looking for a house now.

  9. 9

    さんぽしているところです。

    I am taking a walk now.

TA + TOKORO DESU

Dictionary form of verb + TOKORO DESU.

TE IRU + TOKORO DESU

The abstract noun TOKORO is very often used immediately after a verb, to denote "a scene" in which an action takes place."

Examples:

KISHA WA EKI O DETA TOKORO DESU. "The train has just left the station."

KISHA WA EKI O DERU TOKORO DESU. "The train is about to leave the station."

KISHA WA EKI O DETE IRU TOKORO DESU. "The train is just now leaving (has started to leave) the station."

In English, TOKORO denotes "time" rather than "scene."

WATAKUSHI GA HON O YONDE IRU TOKORO E TOMODACHI GA KIMASHITA.

A sentence such as the one above is ordinarily translated: "At the time when I was reading a book, a friend came."
SHI 'and,' 'furthermore,' 'moreover'

a. The particle SHI, used at the end of a non-final clause, has the force of a connective and is usually rendered in English by 'and,' 'furthermore,' or moreover.'

Examples:

TENKI MO II SHI, SAMUKU MO ARIMASU. "The weather is good and, furthermore, it's not cold."

ANO KATA WA TENISU MO SURU SHI, GORUFU MO SHIMASU. "He plays tennis and, moreover, he plays golf."

b. When SHI is used in a dependent clause, the last verb in the clause is usually followed by SHI SURU and TO or NODE, etc.

Examples:

TENKI WA II SHI, NICHIYOO DA SHI SURU NODE, KODOMOTACHI O TSURETE SANPO NI DEKAKEMASHITA. "Because the weather is good and, furthermore, because it was Sunday, I took my children and went out for a stroll."

c. In dependent clauses, SHI...SHI usually means 'because' or 'since.'

Examples:

AME GA FURU SHI SAMUI SHI IKIMASEN DESHITA. "Because it was raining and cold, I didn't go."

In this case SURU NODE or SURU KARA is understood.
a. GURAI 'as --- as,' 'about,' 'around'

b. HODO -- N 'not so -- as'

Examples:

JIDOOSHA WA KISHA GURAI HAYAKU HASHIREMASU. "Automobiles can go as fast as trains."

JITENSHA WA JIDOOSHA HODO HAYAKU HASHIREMASEN. "A bicycle cannot go as fast as an automobile."
--NO YOO 'looks like,' 'appears,' or 'seems'

NO YOO follows a substantive and indicates 'likelihood.' It is translated 'looks like,' 'appears,' 'seems.' When it is used adverbially, the particle NI applies; when it is used adjectivally, the particle NA is used.

Examples:

ARE WA TANAKA-SAN NO YOO DESU. "He looks like Mr. Tanaka."

ANO HASHI WA TEKKYOO NO YOO DESU. "That bridge appears to be a steel bridge."

SHIMURA-SAN NO YOO NI YOKU HATARAKIMASU. "He works as hard as Mr. Shimura."

ANO HITO WA SHIMAMURA-SAN NO YOO NA OOKII HITO DESU. "He is a large man like Mr. Shimamura."
NAN TO KA IU '-- of a name which I can't recall at present,' or 'which you may call.'

Quite commonly this NAN TO KA IU is used when we say 'which you may call' in English. When a speaker cannot recall the name of a thing, place, or person, NAN TO KA IU MONO, NAN TO KA IU TOKORO, or NAN TO KA IU HITO is used.

For example, 'The store called DAIMARU or something' will be DAIMARU TO KA (NAN TO KA) IU MISE in Japanese. The parenthetical NAN TO KA stands for 'or something.'
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
ところ
place (See Gram. Notes)
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
は
leaves
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
はじめ
beginning
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
買物
shopping
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
はじまる
begins, starts (v.i.)
家
house, home
し
city

Giving several reasons · Perception drill, Block 2

Facts joined with し

*田中さんは テニスも やるし、 ゴルフも やります* means "Mr. Tanaka plays tennis as well as golf."

Here *し* ends the first clause and connects it to another fact.

Several reasons for one result

*今年は いそがしいし、 お金も ないしするので、 どこへも 行きません* means "Because I am busy this year and have no money, I am not going anywhere."

Repeated *し* can present several reasons. *するので* after the final *し* makes their connection to the result explicit.

The reasons may also stand without *するので*, as in *雨は 降っているし、 道は わるいし、 私は 行きたくは ありません*.

Kanji: 少, 道

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

  1. 10

    たなかさんはテニスもやるし、ゴルフもやります。

    Mr. Tanaka plays tennis as well as golf.

  2. 11

    てんきもいいし、さむくもないしするので、さんぽにでかけました。

    Because the weather is nice and not cold, I went out for a stroll.

  3. 12

    わたくしはぎゅうにくもたべるし、さかなもたべます。

    I eat beef as well as fish.

  4. 13

    たなかさんはにほんごもできるし、えいごもできます。

    Mr. Tanaka can speak Japanese as well as English.

  5. 14

    ことしはいそがしいし、おかねもないしするので、どこへもいきません。

    Because I am busy this year and have no money, I am not going anywhere.

  6. 15

    このきれはあまりうすいし、いろもわるいしするので、かいません。

    Because this cloth is too thin and the color is poor, I will not buy it.

  7. 16

    あたまがすこしいたいし、ねつもあるしするので、わたくしはいきたくはありません。

    Because I have a slight headache and a fever, I do not want to go.

  8. 17

    あめはふっているし、みちはわるいし、わたくしはいきたくはありません。

    It is raining, the road is bad, and I do not want to go.

テニス
tennis
やる
to do
し、
city
ゴルフ
golf
ます。
trout
天気
weather
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
の
See Grammar Notes
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
牛肉
beef
さかな
fish
出来る
to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)
今年
this year
いそがしい
busy
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
きれ
cloth, material
わるい
bad
あたま
head
少し
little (quantity)
いたい
painful
ねつ
fever
ある
certain, some
雨
rain
道
road, street

Comparing degrees and abilities · Perception drill, Block 3

Equal speed with ぐらい

*自動車は 汽車ぐらい 早く 走れます* means "A car can go as fast as a train."

After the standard of comparison, *ぐらい* marks an equal degree in an affirmative statement.

A lesser degree with ほど

*汽船は 自動車ほど 早く 走れません* means "A steamer cannot move as fast as a car."

After the standard of comparison, *ほど* with a negative predicate marks a lesser degree.

The same contrast compares amount and skill: affirmative *ぐらい* states equality, while negative *ほど* denies it.

  1. 18

    じどうしゃはきしゃぐらいはやくはしれます。

    A car can go as fast as a train.

  2. 19

    きせんはじどうしゃほどはやくはしれません。

    A steamer cannot move as fast as a car.

  3. 20

    あなたはせんせいぐらいはやくにほんごがはなせますか。

    Can you speak Japanese as fast as the teacher?

  4. 21

    いいえ、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。

    No, I cannot speak Japanese as fast as the teacher.

  5. 22

    ここではとうきょうぐらいあめがたくさんふりますか。

    Does it rain as much here as it does in Tokyo?

  6. 23

    いいえ、ここではとうきょうほどあめがたくさんふりません。

    No, it does not rain as much here as it does in Tokyo.

  7. 24

    あなたはやまださんぐらいふとっていますか。

    Are you as fat as Mr. Yamada?

  8. 25

    いいえ、わたくしはやまださんほどふとってはいません。

    No, I am not as fat as Mr. Yamada.

  9. 26

    あなたはスミスさんぐらいじょうずにはなせますか。

    Can you speak as well as Mr. Smith?

  10. 27

    いいえ、わたくしはスミスさんほどじょうずにはなせません。

    No, I cannot speak as well as Mr. Smith.

  11. 28

    あなたはやまもとさんぐらいたくさんたべますか。

    Do you eat as much as Mr. Yamamoto?

  12. 29

    いいえ、わたくしはやまもとさんほどたくさんたべません。

    No, I do not eat as much as Mr. Yamamoto.

車
vehicle, car
ぐらい
about
汽船
steamer
ほど
to the extent (See Grammar Notes)
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
ここ
here
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
上手
skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)

Saying what things resemble · Perception drill, Block 4

A person who looks like another

*あの方は 田中さんの 奥さんの ようです* means "That person looks like Mrs. Tanaka."

The noun before *の ようです* supplies the person or thing that the subject resembles.

An appearance, not an identity

*あそこを とんでいるのは 鳥のようです* means "The thing flying over there looks like a bird."

A noun followed by *のようです* says that someone or something looks, appears, or seems like that noun.

  1. 30

    あのかたはたなかさんのおくさんのようです。

    That person looks like Mrs. Tanaka.

  2. 31

    あれはにほんせいのじどうしゃのようです。

    That looks like a Japanese-made car.

  3. 32

    あのひとはこどものようです。

    That person looks like a child.

  4. 33

    あそこをとんでいるのはとりのようです。

    The thing flying over there looks like a bird.

  5. 34

    あそこをあるいているのはやまださんのようです。

    The person walking over there looks like Mr. Yamada.

  6. 35

    これはわたくしのペンのようです。

    This looks like my pen.

  7. 36

    このラジオはにほんせいのようです。

    This radio looks like it was made in Japan.

人
people
あそこ
over there
ペン
pen
ラジオ
radio

Actions about to happen · Pattern 1 1 of 2

The train is about to leave

*れっ車は 今 駅を 出る ところです* means "The train is about to leave the station."

The dictionary form *出る* before *ところです* places the action immediately before it begins.

Arrived now or happening now

The past form marks recent completion in *れっ車は 今 駅に ついたところです*, "The train has arrived at the station this moment."

The TE-form with *いる* marks an action in progress in *私は 今、 朝ごはんを 食べている ところです*, "I am eating breakfast now."

Kanji: 駅

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

Kanji: 通

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

  1. 37

    れっしゃはいまえきをでるところです。

    The train is about to leave the station.

  2. 38

    きせんはみなとにはいったところです。

    The steamer has just entered the harbor.

  3. 39

    わたくしはいま、あさごはんをたべているところです。

    I am eating breakfast now.

  4. 40

    れっしゃはいまえきにつくところです。

    The train is about to arrive at the station.

  5. 41

    バスはふみきりをとおるところです。

    The bus is about to cross the railroad crossing.

  6. 42

    れっしゃはいまえきについたところです。

    The train has just arrived at the station.

  7. 43

    バスはていりゅうじょをでたところです。

    The bus has just left the bus stop.

  8. 44

    つかれたので、やすんでいるところです。

    I am resting because I am tired.

  9. 45

    いまべんきょうしているところです。

    I am studying now.

駅
railroad station
港
port, harbor
つく
to arrive, to reach (v.i.)
バス
bus
通る
to pass

Asking about current actions · Pattern 1 2 of 2

About to go shopping

*買物に 行くのですか* asks "Are you going shopping?"

The answer *ええ、 今から 買物に 出かけるところです* means "Yes, I am about to go shopping."

The dictionary form before *ところです* places the action immediately before it begins.

A reason based on the moment

*いいえ、 今 べんきょうが おわった ところですから、 ひまです* means "No, I finished studying this moment, so I am free."

The past form before *ところです* places the action after its recent completion. *から* makes that fact the reason for being free.

  1. 46

    かいものにいくのですか。

    Are you going shopping?

  2. 47

    ええ、いまからかいものにでかけるところです。

    Yes, I am about to go shopping.

  3. 48

    いまいそがしいですか。

    Are you busy now?

  4. 49

    いいえ、いまべんきょうがおわったところですから、ひまです。

    No, I have just finished studying, so I am free.

  5. 50

    あのバスはあそこでなにをしているのですか。

    What is that bus doing over there?

  6. 51

    ふみきりにとまっているところです。

    It is stopped at the railroad crossing.

  7. 52

    もうゆうはんをたべましたか。

    Have you eaten supper yet?

  8. 53

    いいえ、いまからたべるところです。

    No, I am about to eat now.

です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ええ、
Yes
ふみ切り
railroad crossing
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)

Stacking reasons and descriptions · Pattern 2 1 of 2

Two conditions and a result

*かぜは ふくし、 雨は 降るし するので、 私は 家に 居ました* means "Because the wind was blowing and the rain was falling, I stayed home."

Repeated *し* joins the two reasons before the result.

Descriptions can accumulate

*新しい 汽車は 早いし、 中は きれいですし、 バスより ずっと いいです* means "The new train is fast, clean inside, and much better than the bus."

Each clause ending in *し* adds another fact before the concluding comparison.

  1. 54

    けしきはいいし、しずかですし(するので)、ゆっくりやすむのにはいいです。

    Because the scenery is nice and because, furthermore, it is quiet, it's nice for resting leisurely.

  2. 55

    あたらしいきしゃははやいし、なかはきれいですし、バスよりずっといいです。

    The new train is fast, clean inside, and much better than the bus.

  3. 56

    かぜはふくし、あめはふるし(するので)、わたくしはいえにいました。

    Because the wind was blowing and the rain was falling, I stayed home.

  4. 57

    このかわはあさいし、はしがかかっているし(するので)おおきいきせんはとおれません。

    Because this river is shallow and has a bridge over it, large steamers cannot pass through.

  5. 58

    あのかたはみみはとおいし、めはわるいし(するので)、しごとはできません。

    Because that person is hard of hearing and has poor eyesight, he cannot work.

  6. 59

    かぜをひいて、ねつはあるし、あたまがいたいし、べんきょうできません。

    I have a cold, a fever, and a headache, so I cannot study.

けしき
scenery
しずか
quiet
で)、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
ゆっくり
slowly; deliberately; leisurely
より
than (See Gram. Notes)
ずっと
by far; very much
かぜ
wind
降る
to fall (rain) (v.i.)
川
river
あさい
shallow
橋
bridge
遠い
far
しごと
work, job

Explaining why you are busy · Pattern 2 2 of 2

Obligations explain being busy

*ええ、 べんきょうも しなければならないし、 店も 手つだわなければならないし、 朝から ばんまで いそがしいです* gives two obligations before the conclusion.

It means "Yes, I have to study and help at the store, so I am busy from morning until night."

Each *し* connects one reason to the conclusion.

Circumstances explain a refusal

*いいえ、 中は よごれているし、 高いし、 行きません* means "No, I do not go there because it is dirty inside and expensive."

The repeated *し* presents several reasons for the refusal.

  1. 60

    なかなかいそがしそうですね。

    You seem very busy, don’t you?

  2. 61

    ええ、べんきょうもしなければならないし、みせもてつだわなければならないし、あさからばんまでいそがしいです。

    Yes, I have to study and help at the store, so I am busy from morning until night.

  3. 62

    あなたは○○しょくりょうひんてんへいきますか。

    Do you go to the XX Grocery Store?

  4. 63

    いいえ、なかはよごれているし、たかいし(するので)、いきません。

    No, I do not go there because it is dirty inside and expensive.

  5. 64

    あなたはこのごろがっこうからかえってから、つりにいきますか。

    Have you been going fishing after you return from school lately?

  6. 65

    いいえ、ひはみじかいし、そのうえさむいし、いきません。

    No, I do not go because the days are short and, besides that, it is cold.

中々
considerably, very
そう
numerical counter for ships
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
なら
if it is (See Gram. Notes)
店
store, shop
朝
morning
ばん
evening, night
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
は○○
leaves
ます
trout
この頃
these days, nowadays
つり
fishing
さむい
cold

Comparing speed and skill · Pattern 3 1 of 2

A question about equal speed

*自転車は 自動車ぐらい 早く 走れますか* asks whether a bicycle can go as fast as a car.

The *ぐらい* comparison asks about equal ability.

A negative comparison

*いいえ、 自転車は 自動車ほど 早く 走れません* means "No, a bicycle cannot go as fast as a car."

The negative *ほど* comparison denies equal ability.

The same form compares knowledge, amount, and skill in the other lines.

Kanji: 転

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

  1. 66

    じてんしゃはじどうしゃぐらいはやくはしれますか。

    Can a bicycle go as fast as a car.

  2. 67

    いいえ、じてんしゃはじどうしゃほどはやくはしれません。

    No, a bicycle cannot go as fast as a car.

  3. 68

    きせんはきしゃほどはやくはしれません。

    A steamer cannot move as fast as a train.

  4. 69

    わたくしはあのひとぐらいはやくおよぐことができます。

    I can swim as fast as that person.

  5. 70

    せいとはせんせいほどたくさんかんじをしりません。

    The students do not know as many kanji as the teacher.

  6. 71

    わたくしはたなかさんほどたくさんたべません。

    I do not eat as much as Mr. Tanaka.

  7. 72

    わたくしはあなたほどじがじょうずにかけません。

    I cannot write characters as well as you can.

およぐ
to swim

Comparing people's abilities · Pattern 3 2 of 2

As many words as another person

*あなたは 山本さんぐらい 沢山 言葉を 知っていますか* means "Do you know as many words as Mr. Yamamoto?"

The person before *ぐらい* supplies the standard for the question about equal ability.

Denying equal ability

*いいえ、 私は 山本さんほど 沢山 言葉を 知りません* means "No, I do not know as many words as Mr. Yamamoto."

Negative *ほど* states that the speaker does not match the standard.

  1. 73

    わたくしはブラウンさんぐらいはやくはしれます。

    I can run as fast as Mr. Brown.

  2. 74

    あなたはやまもとさんぐらいたくさんことばをしっていますか。

    Do you know as many words as Mr. Yamamoto?

  3. 75

    いいえ、わたくしはやまもとさんほどたくさんことばをしりません。

    No, I do not know as many words as Mr. Yamamoto.

  4. 76

    あなたはやまださんぐらいはやくあるけますか。

    Can you walk as fast as Mr. Yamada?

  5. 77

    いいえ、わたくしはやまだほどはやくあるけません。

    No, I cannot walk as fast as Mr. Yamada.

  6. 78

    あなたはパーカーさんぐらいじょうずにはなせますか。

    Can you speak as well as Mr. Parker?

  7. 79

    いいえ、わたくしはパーカーさんほどじょうずにはなせません。

    No, I cannot speak as well as Mr. Parker.

Describing likeness and examples · Pattern 4 1 of 2

What someone appears to be

*自動車を 運転している人は 女の人のようです* means "The person who is driving the car looks like a woman."

The *のようです* form states apparent identity.

Likeness before a description

*今日は 夏のように あついです* means "Today it is hot, like summer." Before a verb or adjective, *のように* makes the likeness adverbial.

*スミスさんのような 生徒は 少ないです* means "There are few students like Smith." Before a noun, *のような* modifies that noun.

Kanji: 運

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

  1. 80

    じどうしゃをうんてんしているひとはおんなのひとのようです。

    The person who is driving the car looks like a woman.

  2. 81

    きょうはなつのようにあついです。

    Today it is hot, like summer.

  3. 82

    スミスさんのようなせいとはすくないです。

    There are few students like Smith.

  4. 83

    あのはしはてっきょうのようです。

    That bridge looks like an iron bridge.

  5. 84

    あそこにあるのは、かんづめこうじょうのようです。

    The thing over there looks like a cannery.

  6. 85

    あのひとはおんなのようにはなします。

    That person speaks like a woman.

  7. 86

    パーカーさんのようによくべんきょうしなさい。

    Study hard like Mr. Parker.

  8. 87

    ゴルフのようなうんどうはとしよりにはいいです。

    Exercise like golf is good for elderly people.

女
female
今日
today
夏
summer
あつい
hot
鉄橋
steel bridge, railroad bridge
かんづめ
canned goods
工場
factory
よく
well, skillfully

Springlike weather and similar things · Pattern 4 2 of 2

A day that feels like spring

*今日は 春のようですね* means "Today feels like spring, doesn't it?"

The *のよう* form presents an apparent likeness.

Springlike weather

*今日は 春の ような 天気ですね* means "It is springlike weather today, isn't it?"

Before the noun *天気*, *の ような* makes spring the example that describes the weather.

*ブラウンさんのように よくべんきょうする 生徒は 少ないですね* means "There are few students who study as hard as Mr. Brown, aren't there?"

Here *のように* describes how the students study.

  1. 88

    マッチのようなものはこづつみにしておくることはできません。

    Things like matches cannot be sent as parcels.

  2. 89

    きょうははるのようですね。

    Today feels like spring, doesn’t it?

  3. 90

    ええ、あったかくて、いいひですね。

    Yes, it is a nice, warm day.

  4. 91

    ブラウンさんのようによくべんきょうするせいとはすくないですね。

    There are few students who study as hard as Mr. Brown, aren’t there?

  5. 92

    ええ、すくないですね。

    Yes, there are few.

  6. 93

    きょうははるのようなてんきですね。

    It is springlike weather today, isn’t it?

  7. 94

    ええ、あったかいひですね。

    Yes, it is a warm day.

マッチ
match
小包
parcel, small package
送る
to send (v.t.)
春
spring
あったかい
warm

Monterey harbor and railway · Reading Selection 1 of 4

A small port linked by rail

Monterey is a small fishing port with many small boats and one steamer.

*市と 港の 間を 鉄道が 通っています* says that a railroad runs between the city and harbor.

*この 鉄道は サンフランシスコに 通じて います* says that this railroad leads to San Francisco.

Kanji: 間

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

  1. 95

    モンテレーはちいさなぎょこうで、みなとにはちいさなふねが

    Monterey is a small fishing port, and in the harbor there are many small boats

  2. 96

    たくさんついています。

    moored there.

  3. 97

    きせんはいっそうしかいません。

    There is only one steamer.

  4. 98

    しとみなとのあいだを

    Between the city and the harbor

  5. 99

    てつどうがかよっています。

    runs a railroad.

  6. 100

    このてつどうはサンフランシスコにつうじて

    This railroad leads to San Francisco

  7. 101

    います。

    It does.

モンテレー
Monterey
小さな
small (See Gram. Notes)
舟
boat
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
鉄道
railway, railroad
サンフランシスコ
San Francisco

Trains and fishing boats · Reading Selection 2 of 4

One train and no canneries

A train leaves only once a day, and the station is visible on the right.

The city once had many fish canneries, but none remain. Large steamers do not enter the harbor.

A boat about to leave

*今 ぎょ船が 港を 出る ところです* means "A fishing boat is about to leave the harbor now."

The dictionary form before *ところです* places the departure immediately before it begins.

  1. 102

    いちにちにいちどだけれっしゃがでます。

    A train leaves only once a day.

  2. 103

    みぎのほうにえきがみえますね。

    You can see the station on the right, can’t you?

  3. 104

    ずっとまえには、このしにはさかなのかんづめこうじょうがたくさんありました

    A long time ago, there were many fish canneries in this city,

  4. 105

    がいまではありません。

    but now there are none.

  5. 106

    みなとにはおおきなきせんははいりません。

    Large steamers do not enter the harbor.

  6. 107

    ごらんなさい。

    Look.

  7. 108

    いまぎょせんがみなとをでるところです。

    A fishing boat is about to leave the harbor now.

一
one
だけ
only, just (See Grammar Notes)
前
before, front
は、
leaves
大きな
big, large (See Gram. Notes)

Fishing boat routines · Reading Selection 3 of 4

The fishing boat routine

Fishing boats usually leave in the evening and return early in the morning. Another fishing boat is going out.

*これは あちらのほど 大きくも ないし、 早くも ないらしいです* says this boat is not as large as the other. It does not seem to be as fast either.

A person who appears to be a woman

*一番 高い 所に 居る 人は 女の人の ようですが* says that the person at the highest point appears to be a woman.

The *の よう* form marks the person's apparent identity.

  1. 109

    ぎょせんはたいていゆうがたでかけてあさはやくかえってきます。

    Fishing boats usually leave in the evening and return early in the morning.

  2. 110

    もういっそう

    Another

  3. 111

    ぎょせんがでていきます。

    fishing boat is going out.

  4. 112

    これはあちらのほどおおきくもないし、

    This one is not as large as that one, and

  5. 113

    はやくもないらしいです。

    it does not seem to be as fast either.

  6. 114

    いちばんたかいところにいるひとはおんなのひとのようですが、

    The person at the highest point appears to be a woman, but

  7. 115

    なつにはみなとのそばをたくさんのひとがさんぽしたり、ちかくのうみで

    In summer, many people stroll by the harbor and swim

夕方
evening
あちら
that over there, over there
一番
number one (See Grammar Notes)
所
address, place
そば
vicinity
近く
vicinity
海
sea, ocean

Seaside visitors and vehicles · Reading Selection 4 of 4

Cars beside the harbor

In summer, people stroll by the harbor and swim in the nearby sea.

*右の方に 自動車が 何台も とまっています* says that many cars are parked on the right.

The cars probably belong to people who have come for recreation, fishing, or shopping. The station warehouse is visible beyond them.

Kanji: 台

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

  1. 116

    およいだりします。

    in the nearby sea.

  2. 117

    みぎのほうにじどうしゃがなんだいもとまっています。

    There are many cars parked on the right.

  3. 118

    あそびにきたり、つりやかいものにきているひとびとのじどうしゃでしょう。

    They are probably the cars of people who have come for recreation, fishing, or shopping.

  4. 119

    そのむこうにはえきのそうこもみえます。

    Beyond them, you can also see the station warehouse.

よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
人々
people
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
むこう
destination, yonder
そうこ
warehouse

Monterey harbor and canneries · Questions 1 of 2

Facts about the port

The questions ask what kind of harbor Monterey has, which factories it once had, and where its railway leads.

*モンテレーは どんな 港ですか* means "What kind of harbor is Monterey?"

An answer supplies the requested fact from the reading, such as a small fishing port.

  1. 120

    よくわかりません。

    I do not understand very well.

  2. 121

    モンテレーはどんなみなとですか。

    What kind of harbor is Monterey?

  3. 122

    みなとにはきせんがたくさんいます。

    There are many steamers in the harbor.

  4. 123

    モンテレーにはどんなこうじょうがたくさんありましたか。

    What kind of factories were there many of in Monterey?

  5. 124

    モンテレーにはてつどうがつうじていますか。

    Is Monterey connected by railroad?

  6. 125

    このてつどうはどこにつうじていますか。

    Where does this railroad lead?

どんな
what kind of; what sort of

Visitors to Monterey · Questions 2 of 2

Times and reasons

The questions ask when trains and fishing boats travel and why people visit Monterey.

*一日に 何度 れっ車が 出ますか* means "How many times a day does the train leave?"

An answer gives the requested time, frequency, or purpose from the reading.

  1. 126

    いちにちになんどれっしゃがでますか。

    How many times a day does the train leave?

  2. 127

    ぎょせんはたいていいつみなとをでますか。

    When do fishing boats usually leave the harbor?

  3. 128

    ぎょせんはいつかえってきますか。

    When do the fishing boats return?

  4. 129

    なつにはたくさんのひとがモンテレーにきますか。

    Do many people come to Monterey in the summer?

  5. 130

    このひとたちはなにをしにモンテレーにきますか。

    What do these people come to Monterey to do?

いつ
when?

Railway and resort words · Word list 1 of 4

Railways and recreation

These words cover rail travel, landscape, resorts, and leisure boats.

*鉄道* means "railway" or "railroad," *おんせん町* means "spa" or "hot spring resort," and *かんこう船* means "sightseeing boat."

Kanji: 島

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

  1. 131

    てつどう

    railway, railroad

  2. 132

    トンネル

    tunnel

  3. 133

    れっしゃ

    train

  4. 134

    えき

    railroad station

  5. 135

    ふみきり

    railroad crossing

  6. 136

    はんとう

    peninsula

  7. 137

    おんせんまち

    spa, hot spring resort

  8. 138

    おんせん

    hot spring

  9. 139

    けしき

    scenery

  10. 140

    ヨット

    yacht

  11. 141

    かんこうせん

    sightseeing boat

トンネル
tunnel
れっ車
train
半島
peninsula
おんせん町
spa, hot spring resort
おんせん
hot spring
ヨット
yacht
かんこう船
sightseeing boat

Countryside and transport words · Word list 2 of 4

Countryside and transport

These words cover rural places and people, transport, and physical movement.

*ぎょ船* means "fishing boat," *お百しょう* means "farmer," and *よりかかる* means "to lean against."

Kanji: 村

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

  1. 142

    ぎょせん

    fishing boat

  2. 143

    そうこ

    warehouse

  3. 144

    た

    paddy field

  4. 145

    むら

    village

  5. 146

    のうか

    farm house

  6. 147

    おひゃくしょう

    farmer

  7. 148

    じてんしゃ

    bicycle

  8. 149

    がいじん

    foreigner

  9. 150

    とまる

    to stop

  10. 151

    よりかかる

    to lean against

  11. 152

    うんてん(する)

    driving (to drive) v.t.

ぎょ船
fishing boat
田
paddy field
村
village
のう家
farm house
お百しょう
farmer
自転車
bicycle
外人
foreigner
とまる
to stop
よりかかる
to lean against
運転(する)
driving (to drive) v.t.

Movement and timing expressions · Word list 3 of 4

A name the speaker cannot recall

*何とか言う* means "called by some name" when the speaker cannot recall the name of a thing, place, or person.

It stands before the noun being identified. Other entries cover movement, timing, connection, and resemblance.

*つくところ* means "about to arrive," while *出た* means "left this moment."

  1. 153

    おうふくする

    to shuttle, run between v.t.

  2. 154

    つうじる

    to run, be laid

  3. 155

    しずか

    quiet

  4. 156

    おもしろい

    interesting, to be fun

  5. 157

    そう

    numerical counter for ships

  6. 158

    つくところ

    about to arrive (See Gram. Notes)

  7. 159

    でた

    just left (See Gram. Notes)

  8. 160

    なんとかいう

    called by some name; I can't recall; which you may call (See Gram. Notes)

  9. 161

    --し

    and furthermore (See Gram. Notes)

  10. 162

    ゆっくり

    leisurely

  11. 163

    --のよう

    like, appears (See Gram. Notes)

おうふくする
to shuttle, run between v.t.
通じる
to run, be laid
おもしろい
interesting, to be fun
つくところ
about to arrive (See Gram. Notes)
出た
just left (See Gram. Notes)
何とか言う
called by some name; I can't recall; which you may call (See Gram. Notes)
--し
and furthermore (See Gram. Notes)
--のよう
like, appears (See Gram. Notes)

Comparing cars and trains · Word list 4 of 4

Cars, trains, and a tunnel

These entries review equal and unequal comparisons and an action completed this moment.

*自動車は 汽車ぐらい 早く 走れますか* means "Can an automobile go as fast as a train?"

*いいえ、 日本では、 自動車は 汽車ほど 早く 走れません* means "No, in Japan an automobile cannot go as fast as a train."

*あの れっ車は 今 トンネルを 出た ところです* means "That train came out of the tunnel this moment."

  1. 164

    --ぐらい

    as -- as (See Gram. Notes)

  2. 165

    --ほど

    not so -- as (See Gram. Notes)

  3. 166

    じどうしゃはきしゃぐらいはやくはしれますか。

    Can an automobile go as fast as a train?

  4. 167

    いいえ、にほんでは、じどうしゃはきしゃほどはやくはしれません。

    No, in Japan an automobile cannot go as fast as a train.

  5. 168

    なぜじどうしゃはきしゃほどはやくはしれませんか。

    Why can't an automobile go as fast as a train?

  6. 169

    みちがわるいうえにひとやくるまがおおいから、あぶなくてはやくはしれないのです。

    Besides the roads being bad, there are many people and vehicles; so it's dangerous and one can't go fast.

  7. 170

    あのれっしゃはいまトンネルをでたところです。

    That train has just come out of the tunnel.

  8. 171

    ここからおんせんまちまでてつどうがつうじている

    A railway runs from here to a spa.

--ぐらい
as -- as (See Gram. Notes)
--ほど
not so -- as (See Gram. Notes)
自動車は汽車ぐらい早く走れますか。
"Can an automobile go as fast as a train?"
いいえ、日本では、自動車は汽車ほど早く走れません。
"No, in Japan an automobile cannot go as fast as a train."
なぜ自動車は汽車ほど早く走れませんか。
"Why can't an automobile go as fast as a train?"
道がわるい上に人や車が多いから、あぶなくて早く走れないのです。
"Besides the roads being bad, there are many people and vehicles; so it's dangerous and one can't go fast."
あのれっ車は今トンネルを出たところです。
"That train has just come out of the tunnel."
ここからおんせん町まで鉄道が通じている
"A railway runs from here to a spa."

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.