Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 40

Lesson 40

Kanji and everyday Japanese

207 lines

Welcoming a visitor · Dialogue 1 of 3

A warm welcome

*やあ、 ネルソン ちゅうさ。 よく いらっしゃいました。 どうぞ こちらへ* means "Oh, LTC Nelson! I'm glad you came. Please, this way."

A host welcomes Nelson, invites him over, and asks what he is doing. They then discuss the weather.

Clear and warm weather

*空は よく 晴れていて、 雲は ないし、 あったかな 日です* means "The sky is very clear and there are no clouds and it is a warm day."

The line links three descriptions: a clear sky, no clouds, and a warm day.

Kanji: 空, 晴, 雲

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

Kanji: 青

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

Kanji: 今朝

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

  1. 1

    こんにちは。

    Hello.

    今日today
    は。topic
  2. 2

    やあ、ネルソンちゅうさ。よくいらっしゃいました。どうぞこちらへ。

    Oh, LTC Nelson! I'm glad you came. Please, this way.

  3. 3

    きょうはいいおてんきですね。

    It's nice weather today, isn't it?

  4. 4

    ええ、ほんとにいいおてんきですね。そらはよくはれていて、くもはないし、あったかなひです。

    It really is nice weather. The sky is very clear and there are no clouds and it is a warm day.

  5. 5

    なにをしているのですか。

    What are you doing?

TE form of a verb + KURU, 'to go and do something and come back'

Examples:

CHOTTO MITE KITE KUDASAI. "Please (go) see and come back." "Please go and see." "Please go take a look."

A-SAN O YONDE KINASAI "Go and call Mr. A and come back." "Go get Mr. A."

GYUUNYUU O KATTE KITE KUDASAI. "Please go and buy milk and come back." "Please go and buy milk."

Note the use of KURU after the TE-form of a verb in such idiomatic expressions as TSURETE KURU 'to bring somebody' and MOTTE KURU 'to bring something.'
--JUU 'throughout'

a. A time or place noun compounded with JUU means 'throughout ---,' e.g.,

KOTOSHI-JUU throughout this year

ICHIGATSU-JUU throughout January

HITOBAN-JUU throughout the night, all night long

NIHON-JUU throughout Japan

b. When the particle NI follows a JUU compound, the combination means 'within such-and-such a period of time.' Thus:

KOTOSHI-JUU NI within this year

KONSHUU-JUU NI within this week
GATERA

GATERA is attached to the second base of a verb or to a verbal noun and it means 'by way of,' 'at the same time,' 'utilizing the opportunity of,' or 'partly for ---,' or 'mainly for ---.' The action preceding GATERA is usually the more important of the two actions which occur more or less simultaneously.

In the example, UNDOO GATERA SANPO NI IKIMASHITA, UNDOO denotes more or less the purpose of the walk and is translated: "I went for a stroll mainly for exercise."
Dictionary Form + YOO

NO YOO DESU, NO YOO NA, and NO YOO NI means 'appears' or 'seems' and may be in any tense to describe the situation.

Examples:

AME GA FURU YOO DESU. "It looks like it's going to rain."

AME GA FUTTE IRU YOO DESU. "It looks like it is raining."

AME GA FUTTA YOO DESU. "It looks like it rained."

AME GA FUTTE ITA YOO DESU. "It looks like it was raining."

YOO may function as an adjective or an adverb.

AME GA FURU YOO NA TENKI DESU. "In this weather it is likely to rain."

AME GA FUTTE IRU YOO NI MIEMASU. "It looks as if it is raining."
DEMO '-- or something'

DEMO also may imply '-- or other things of more or less the same kind.' BIIRU DEMO NOMIMASHOO may be translated, "Let's drink beer or something like it" or "Shall we drink beer or something like it?" The speaker is subtly suggesting.
今日
today
は。
leaves
やあ、
Oh!
よく
well, skillfully
こちら
this, here (See Gram. Notes)
へ。
to (See Gram. Notes)
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
天気
weather
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
ええ、
Yes
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
雲
cloud
し、
city
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
の
See Grammar Notes
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)

Garden work and weather · Dialogue 2 of 3

Work in the garden

*にわの 手入れを しています* means that the speaker is caring for the garden now.

The gardener describes the morning weather, coming chores, and the strong wind the night before.

Weather like spring

*ちょう度 春のような 天気ですね* describes the present weather as like spring weather.

Listen for *ような* after *春*. Here it presents spring as the comparison for the present weather.

Kanji: 曇

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

  1. 6

    にわのていれをしています。

    I'm just now caring for the garden.

  2. 7

    けさはすこしくもっていましたが、じゅうじごろからひがてりはじめて、ちょうどはるのようなてんきですね。

    It was slightly cloudy this morning, but from around 10 o'clock the sun began to shine and it's just like spring weather now, isn't it?

  3. 8

    ええ、ずいぶんあったかくなりましたね。これからははなをうえたり、くさをぬいたりしなければならないから、しゅうまつはいそがしくなります。

    Yes, it has become quite warm. From now on I have to plant flowers and pull weeds, so I'll be busy on weekends.

  4. 9

    わたくしのいえのほうでは、さくばんかぜがひどくふきましたが、こちらでは。

    A strong wind blew around my place last night, but how about here?

  5. 10

    こちらでもかなりひどくふいて、ほこりがたちましたよ。

    It blew fairly hard here, too, and it became quite dusty.

にわ
garden, yard
手入れ
care, mending
し
city
ます。
trout
今朝
this morning
は
leaves
少し
little (quantity)
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
十
ten
時
time
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
春
spring
ずい分
very much
なら
if it is (See Gram. Notes)
家
house, home
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
ばん
evening, night
かぜ
wind
ひどく
fiercely, violently
かなり
fairly
ほこり
dust

Watering plants and taking breaks · Dialogue 3 of 3

Work outside and take breaks

*一日中 外で 働くのですか* means "Do you work outside all day?"

The gardener works partly for exercise, drinks beer when thirsty, and eats when hungry.

All day and partly for exercise

Listen for *一日中*, which makes the time cover "all day."

In *運動がてら やるのです*, *がてら* presents exercise as one purpose of the work.

Kanji: 飲, 水, 中, 外

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

  1. 11

    かぜがふくと、にわにうえてあるものが、かわくでしょう。

    When the wind blows, plants in the garden get dry, don't they?

  2. 12

    ええ、ずいぶんかわいていますから、みずをやらなければならないとおもっています。

    Yes, they are very dry, so I think I have to water them.

  3. 13

    いちにちじゅうそとではたらくのですか。

    Do you work outside all day?

  4. 14

    いいえ、うんどうがてらやるのですから、のんきなことですよ。のどがかわくと、ビールをのんだり、おなかがすくと、なにかたべたりするのです。

    No. Since I work partly for exercise, it's really easy going. I drink beer, if I'm thirsty and eat something, when I get hungry.

が
but (See Gram. Notes)
ふく
to blow (v.i.)
と、
and (See Gram. Notes)
ある
certain, some
もの
things (tangible)
かわく
to dry (v.i.)
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
ます
trout
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
水
water
一
one
やる
to do
のど
throat
ビール
beer
おなか
stomach

Going and coming back · Perception drill, Block 1

Go, act, and come back

*私は 店へ 行って、 さとうを 買って 来ます* means "I'll go to the store and buy sugar and come back."

A TE-form followed by *来ます* expresses going to do the action and then coming back.

The action changes

*昨日の しんぶんを もらって 来てください* means "Please go get yesterday's newspaper."

The TE-form names the action completed away from here. *来てください* adds the requested return.

  1. 15

    わたくしはみせへいって、さとうをかってきます。

    I'll go to the store and buy sugar (and come back).

  2. 16

    いってきます

    I'll go.

  3. 17

    もらってきます

    I'll go and get

  4. 18

    よんできます

    I'll go and call

  5. 19

    あそんできます

    I'll go to enjoy myself.

  6. 20

    たべてきます

    I'll go and eat.

  7. 21

    だれかゆうびんきょくへいっててがみをだしてください。

    Someone please go to the post office and mail this letter.

  8. 22

    わたくしがいってきます。

    I'll go and do it.

  9. 23

    スミスさんをよんでください。

    Please go get Mr. Smith.

  10. 24

    はい、よんできます。

    All right, I'll go get him.

  11. 25

    あなたのせびろはずいぶんよごれています。

    Your suit is quite dirty.

  12. 26

    はい、きれいなのにきかえてきます。

    Yes, I'll go change into a clean one.

  13. 27

    あなたはまだひるめしをたべないのでしょう。

    You haven't eaten lunch yet, have you?

  14. 28

    ええ、まだです。いまたべてきます。

    No, not yet. I'll go eat now.

  15. 29

    きのうのしんぶんをもらってきてください。

    Please go get yesterday's newspaper.

  16. 30

    はい、もらってきます。

    All right, I'll go get it.

店
store, shop
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
さとう
sugar
だれ
who?
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
ゆうびん
postal service
手紙
letter (correspondence)
ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
せびろ
suit
まだ
yet, still
ひるめし
lunch, noon meal
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
昨日
yesterday

Durations spanning whole periods · Perception drill, Block 2

All through one day

*私は 一日中 働きます* means "I work all day long."

*中* after a time noun means that the activity continues throughout the named period.

Any whole period

*ここは 一年中 すずしいです* means "It is cool here all year long."

The same ending forms *一時間中*, "for the whole hour," and *夏中*, "all summer long."

  1. 31

    わたくしはいちにちじゅうはたらきます。

    I work all day long.

  2. 32

    いちじかんじゅう

    For the whole hour.

  3. 33

    いちねんじゅう

    All year long.

  4. 34

    ひとばんじゅう

    All night long.

  5. 35

    はるじゅう

    All spring long.

  6. 36

    なつじゅう

    All summer long.

  7. 37

    ここはいちねんじゅうすずしいです。

    It is cool here all year long.

  8. 38

    わたくしはきのういちにちじゅういえにいました。

    I was home all day yesterday.

  9. 39

    わたくしはなつじゅうあたみにいました。

    I was in Atami all summer.

  10. 40

    いちじかんじゅうかんじばかりべんきょうすると、つかれます。

    If you study nothing but kanji for a whole hour, you get tired.

  11. 41

    ことしははるじゅうあめがふりませんでした。

    It didn't rain at all this spring.

時間
hour, time
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
夏
summer
ここ
here
すずしい
cool
今年
this year
雨
rain

Combining errands with exercise · Perception drill, Block 3

One activity with another

*私は 運動がてら 毎日 学校に 歩いて 来ます* means "By way of exercise I walk to school every day."

*がてら* follows an action noun here. It presents that action as the purpose or occasion accompanying another action.

The first purpose matters more

*昨日は 運動がてら 散歩に 行きました* means "Yesterday I went for a walk to get some exercise."

The activity before *がてら* is usually the more important of the two activities.

  1. 42

    わたくしはうんどうがてらまいにちがっこうにあるいてきます。

    By way of exercise I walk to school every day.

  2. 43

    きのうはさんぽがてらともだちのいえにあそびにいきました。

    Yesterday, while out for a walk, I went to visit a friend's house.

  3. 44

    あそびがてらべんきょうすると、なにもならえません。

    If you study while playing around, you won't learn anything.

  4. 45

    きのうははなみがてらうえのこうえんにいきました。

    Yesterday I went to Ueno Park, combining the trip with cherry-blossom viewing.

  5. 46

    きのうはうんどうがてらさんぽにいきました。

    Yesterday I went for a walk to get some exercise.

花見
flower viewing, cherry-blossom viewing
こうえん
park

Inferring from appearances · Perception drill, Block 4

A conclusion from appearances

*夏には 大ぜいの人が ここに 来る ようです* means "It seems many people come here in summer."

*ようです* after the dictionary form presents the statement as an appearance or conclusion.

The time can change

*今日は 雨が 降るようです* means "It looks as though it will rain today."

The form before *ようです* can place the described situation in any tense.

  1. 47

    なつにはおおぜいのひとがここにくるようです。

    It seems many people come here in summer.

  2. 48

    きょうはあついようです。

    It seems hot today.

  3. 49

    あなたはかおがあかくて、ねつがあるようです。

    Your face is red, and it looks as though you have a fever.

  4. 50

    あのかたはにほんごがすこしわかるようです。

    That person seems to understand a little Japanese.

  5. 51

    きょうはあめがふるようです。

    It looks as though it will rain today.

  6. 52

    あのせんせいはすこしみみがとおいようです。

    That teacher seems to be a little hard of hearing.

  7. 53

    このみせはすこしたかいようです。

    This store seems to be a little expensive.

大ぜい
crowd (of people)
人
people
あつい
hot
かお
face
ねつ
fever
降る
to fall (rain) (v.i.)
遠い
far

Suggesting something or someone · Perception drill, Block 5

One possible choice

*すきやきでも 食べましょう* means "Let's eat Sukiyaki or something."

*でも* after a noun suggests that choice or something else of the same kind.

People and places too

*明日 おんせんへでも 行きましょう* means "Let's go to a hot spring or somewhere tomorrow."

The same form can suggest a place, a person, or a surface as one acceptable choice.

  1. 54

    すきやきでもたべましょう。

    Let's eat Sukiyaki or something.

  2. 55

    こんばんかんじでもべんきょうしましょう。

    Let's study some kanji or something tonight.

  3. 56

    ゆうはんにさかなでもかいましょう。

    Let's buy some fish or something for dinner.

  4. 57

    あしたおんせんへでもいきましょう。

    Let's go to a hot spring or somewhere tomorrow.

  5. 58

    かみにでもかいてならいなさい。

    Write it on some paper or something and practice it.

  6. 59

    スミスさんとでもいっしょにいきなさい。

    Go together with Mr. Smith or someone.

すきやき
SUKIYAKI
ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)
さかな
fish
明日
tomorrow
おんせん
hot spring
と
and (See Gram. Notes)

Leaving to run errands · Pattern 1 1 of 2

Errands with a return

*私は 店へ 行って、 ビールを 買って 来ます* means "I'll go to a store and buy some beer and be back."

The TE-form with *来ます*, as in *買って 来ます*, includes the return after the errand.

Many kinds of errands

*先生を よんで 来ます* means "I'll go get the teacher."

The errands also include collecting books, paying money, selling vegetables, and getting a haircut.

  1. 60

    わたくしはみせへいって、ビールをかってきます。

    I'll go to a store and buy some beer." (and be back)

  2. 61

    わたくしはかみをかってもらいにいってきます。

    I'm going to go have my hair cut.

  3. 62

    やまださんのところへいって、ふるほんをもらってきます。

    I'll go to Mr. Yamada's place and get some used books.

  4. 63

    おいしゃさんのところへいって、おかねをはらってきます。

    I'll go to the doctor's and pay the bill.

  5. 64

    せんせいをよんできます。

    I'll go get the teacher.

  6. 65

    このやさいをまちへもっていって、うってきます。

    I'll take these vegetables to town and sell them.

かみ
hair
所
address, place
古本
secondhand book, used book
医者
medical doctor
やさい
vegetable
町
town

Fetching mail and postcards · Pattern 1 2 of 2

A completed return

*ええ、 今朝 買って 来ました* means "Yes, I bought it this morning."

Past *来ました* places the buying and return in completed time.

Offers and requests

*ゆうびんきょくへ 行って、 手紙を とって 来ましょうか* offers to go to the post office and get the mail.

*葉書を 三まい 買って 来て ください* requests three postcards while the person is there.

  1. 66

    ぎゅうにくをかいましたか。

    Did you buy the beef?

  2. 67

    ええ、けさかってきました。

    Yes, I bought it this morning.

  3. 68

    どこへいくのですか。

    Where are you going?

  4. 69

    ちょっとせんせいのじむしょへいってきます。

    I'm just going over to the teacher's office.

  5. 70

    ゆうびんきょくへいって、てがみをとってきましょうか。

    Shall I go to the post office and get the mail?

  6. 71

    ええ。それからはがきをさんまいかってきてください。

    Yes. And please buy three postcards while you are there.

牛肉
beef
ちょっと
a little
じ
character, word
ましょう
let's (See Gram. Notes)
三
three

Activities lasting whole periods · Pattern 2 1 of 2

A whole day outside

*今日は 天気が よかったので、 一日中 外で 働きました* means "I worked outside all day, because the weather was good."

*中*, as in *一日中*, makes the work extend throughout the day.

Hours, nights, and seasons

*昨ばんは 一ばん中 あたまが いたくて 休めませんでした* means "I had a headache all night last night and couldn't rest."

The same ending covers a whole hour, week, summer, or year.

  1. 72

    きょうはてんきがよかったので、いちにちじゅうそとではたらきました。

    I worked outside all day, because the weather was good.

  2. 73

    モンテレーはいちねんじゅうあつくもさむくもありません。

    Monterey is neither hot nor cold all year long.

  3. 74

    はちじからくじまでいちじかんじゅうたっていました。

    I stood for the whole hour from eight to nine.

  4. 75

    さくばんはひとばんじゅうあたまがいたくてやすめませんでした。

    I had a headache all night last night and couldn't rest.

  5. 76

    ことしはなつじゅうあめがふりませんでした。

    It didn't rain at all this summer.

  6. 77

    いっしゅうかんじゅうあめがふりました。

    It rained all week.

で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
モンテレー
Monterey
八
eight
九
nine
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
あたま
head

Seasons and all-day absences · Pattern 2 2 of 2

Almost all year

*ええ、 モンテレーでは、 ほとんど 一年中 さきます* means "Yes, in Monterey it blooms almost all year long."

*ほとんど 一年中* limits the span to almost the whole year.

Spring and one day

*春中 午後には かぜが 出ます* says that the afternoon wind comes throughout spring.

*昨日は 一日中 家に 居ませんでしたね* places the absence across the whole previous day.

  1. 78

    このはなはいちねんじゅうさきますか。

    Does this flower bloom all year long?

  2. 79

    ええ、モンテレーでは、ほとんどいちねんじゅうさきます。

    Yes, in Monterey it blooms almost all year long.

  3. 80

    ここはごごになると、かぜがふきますね。

    The wind starts blowing here in the afternoon, does it not?

  4. 81

    ええ、はるじゅうごごにはかぜがでます。

    Yes, the wind comes up in the afternoon throughout the spring.

  5. 82

    きのうはいちにちじゅういえにいませんでしたね。

    You weren't home all day yesterday, were you?

  6. 83

    ええ、サンフランシスコにいっていたのです。

    No, I had gone to San Francisco.

ほとんど
almost (See Gram. Notes)
午後
p.m., afternoon
サンフランシスコ
San Francisco

Exercise alongside other activities · Pattern 3 1 of 2

Exercise with an outing

*今日は 運動がてら 散歩に 出かけました* means "I went out for a stroll today, partly for exercise."

*がてら*, as in *運動がてら*, makes exercise the purpose accompanying the stroll.

The paired activity changes

*散歩がてら 歩いて 買物に 行きました* means "I walked to do some shopping while out for a stroll."

The lines pair exercise with fishing or golf, and play with study.

  1. 84

    きょうはうんどうがてらさんぽにでかけました。

    I went out for a stroll today, partly for exercise.

  2. 85

    わたくしはきのううんどうがてらつりにいきました。

    Yesterday I went fishing to get some exercise.

  3. 86

    さんぽがてらあるいてかいものにいきました。

    I walked to do some shopping while out for a stroll.

  4. 87

    あそびがてらべんきょうすると、よくならえません。

    If you study while playing around, you won't learn very well.

  5. 88

    わたくしはうんどうがてらゴルフをやります。

    I play golf to get some exercise.

  6. 89

    あなたはゴルフがじょうずだそうですね。

    I hear you're good at golf.

  7. 90

    いいえ、うんどうがてらやるのですから、じょうずではありません。

    No, I only play for exercise, so I'm not good at it.

つり
fishing
買物
shopping
ゴルフ
golf
上手
skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
そう
numerical counter for ships

Visiting while out walking · Pattern 3 2 of 2

A visit during a walk

*散歩がてら この 近くまで 来たので、 ちょっと あなたの 所へ 来たのです* means "I came near here while out for a walk, so I stopped by your place."

*散歩がてら* names the walk as the occasion for coming nearby and stopping at the friend's place.

An outing for blossoms

*花見がてら、 うえの こうえんに 行ったのです* means "I went to Ueno Park to see the cherry blossoms while I was out."

The activity before *がてら* supplies the purpose or occasion for the park trip.

  1. 91

    やあ、パーカーさん、よくいらっしゃいました。

    Oh, Mr. Parker, I'm glad you came.

  2. 92

    さんぽがてらこのちかくまできたので、ちょっとあなたのところへきたのです。

    I came near here while out for a walk, so I stopped by your place.

  3. 93

    きのういえにいませんでしたね。

    You weren't home yesterday, were you?

  4. 94

    ええ、はなみがてら、うえのこうえんにいったのです。

    No, I went to Ueno Park to see the cherry blossoms while I was out.

  5. 95

    さんぽがてら

    While out for a walk.

  6. 96

    あそびがてら

    While out for pleasure.

  7. 97

    うんどうがてら

    For exercise.

近く
vicinity

Drawing conclusions from appearances · Pattern 4 1 of 2

Plans and qualities that seem true

*あの方も サンフランシスコへ 行く ようです* means "It looks like he is going to San Francisco, too."

*ようです*, as in *行く ようです*, presents the plan as a conclusion from appearances.

Completed events that seem true

*学校は もう おわったようです* means that school seems to be over.

The form before *ようです* also describes ongoing actions, future weather, and apparent qualities.

  1. 98

    あのかたもサンフランシスコへいくようです。

    It looks like he is going to San Francisco, too.

  2. 99

    このかんづめはすこしふるいようです。

    It looks like this canned food is a little old.

  3. 100

    このかんじはちがうようです。

    This kanji seems to be wrong.

  4. 101

    こんばんごろあめになるようです。

    It looks as though it will rain around this evening.

  5. 102

    あのかたはまだおきているようです。

    That person seems to still be awake.

  6. 103

    がっこうはもうおわったようです。

    It seems that school is already over.

  7. 104

    このかわはあさいようです。

    This river seems shallow.

かんづめ
canned goods
古い
old, antique
ちがう
to be wrong, to be different (v.i.)
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
川
river
あさい
shallow

Inferring health and recent changes · Pattern 4 2 of 2

A conclusion about practice

*ええ。 ずい分 れんしゅうしたようです* means "Yes. It seems that he has practiced quite a lot."

Past *れんしゅうした* before *ようです* presents practice as the inferred cause of improvement.

Signs of illness and change

*かぜを ひいたようです* means "It seems I've caught a cold."

*ふとったようですね* presents weight gain as a recent change inferred by the speaker.

  1. 105

    やまもとさんはこのごろずいぶんいそがしいようです。

    Mr. Yamamoto seems to be very busy these days.

  2. 106

    あのせいとのにほんごのはっおんは、よくなりましたね。

    That student's Japanese pronunciation has improved, hasn't it?

  3. 107

    ええ。ずいぶんれんしゅうしたようです。

    Yes. It seems that he has practiced quite a lot.

  4. 108

    あなたはきょうかおのいろがわるいですね。

    You look a little pale today.

  5. 109

    ええ。かぜをひいたようです。すこしずつうがします。

    Yes. It seems I've caught a cold. I have a slight headache.

  6. 110

    あなたはこのごろすこしふとったようですね。

    You seem to have gained a little weight lately, haven't you?

  7. 111

    ええ、すこしふとりましたよ。

    Yes, I've gained a little weight.

いそがしい
busy
ええ。
Yes
れんしゅう
practice, drill
いろ
color
わるい
bad
ずつ
each (See Gram. Notes)
この頃
these days, nowadays

Suggesting casual alternatives · Pattern 5 1 of 2

A casual choice

*ビールでも 飲みましょう* means "Let's drink beer or something."

*でも*, as in *ビールでも*, offers beer as one acceptable choice among similar alternatives.

Items, people, and transport

*バスにでも のって 行きなさい* means "Take a bus or something to get there."

The suggested alternative can also be food, a person, or a study activity.

  1. 112

    ビールでものみましょう。

    Let's drink beer or something.

  2. 113

    こんばんさかなでもたべましょう。

    Let's have some fish or something tonight.

  3. 114

    くだものやでりんごでもかいましょう。

    Let's buy some apples or something at the fruit store.

  4. 115

    いまからかんじでもふくしゅうしましょう。

    Let's review some kanji or something now.

  5. 116

    やまださんにでもつれていってもらいなさい。

    Have Mr. Yamada or someone take you there.

  6. 117

    バスにでものっていきなさい。

    Take a bus or something to get there.

果物
fruit
りんご
apple
ふくしゅう
review
バス
bus

Choosing an informal alternative · Pattern 5 2 of 2

A postcard as an alternative

*葉書でも 出します* means "I'll send a postcard or something."

The lack of time for a letter makes the postcard the informal alternative marked by *でも*.

A destination during a walk

*散歩がてら 海の方へでも 行きましょうよ* suggests going toward the sea while out walking.

*散歩がてら* supplies the occasion. *海の方へでも* offers the direction as one possible destination.

  1. 118

    たなかさんにてがみをだしましたか。

    Did you send Mr. Tanaka a letter?

  2. 119

    いいえ、いそがしくててがみをかくじかんがありませんから、はがきでもだします。

    No, I'm busy and don't have time to write a letter, so I'll send a postcard or something.

  3. 120

    さんぽがてらうみのほうへでもいきましょうよ。

    Let's go toward the sea or somewhere while we're out for a walk.

  4. 121

    ええ、てんきはいいし、そうしましょう。

    Yes, the weather is nice, so let's do that.

  5. 122

    こんばんどうしますか。

    What shall we do tonight?

  6. 123

    すきやきでもたべにいきましょうよ。

    Let's go out for sukiyaki or something.

海
sea, ocean

Weekend gardening weather · Reading Selection 1 of 4

A clear day for garden work

*昨ばんは かぜが ひどく ふいていましたが、 今朝から* begins a change from last night's strong wind to fine morning weather.

The sky is clear, and working outside is warm enough to cause a little sweat.

Garden work all year

*週まつ には 大てい 一年中 にわに 出て 仕事を します* says the narrator usually works in the garden on weekends all year.

*中*, as in *一年中*, extends the weekend habit throughout the year.

Kanji: 仕

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

  1. 124

    さくばんはかぜがひどくふいていましたが、けさから

    The wind was blowing hard last night, but since this morning

  2. 125

    よいおてんきになりました。

    the weather has become fine.

  3. 126

    そらはよくはれていて、くもはなく

    The sky is very clear, and there are no clouds,

  4. 127

    そとではたらいていると、すこしあせがでるくらいです。

    and when you work outside, it is warm enough to make you sweat a little.

  5. 128

    わたくしはしゅうまつ

    On weekends, I

  6. 129

    にはたいていいちねんじゅうにわにでてしごとをします。

    usually go out and work in the garden all year round.

  7. 130

    そとのひには

    On the other days,

よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
あせ
sweat, perspiration
くらい
dark

Spring garden chores · Reading Selection 2 of 4

Outside work for exercise

*週まつには 運動がてら 外に 出て 働くのです* explains why an office worker goes outside on weekends.

*がてら*, as in *運動がてら*, makes exercise one purpose of the outside work.

More work as spring warms

*にわの 手入れで いそがしく なります* means the narrator will become busy caring for the garden.

Weeds grow, and trees and flowers need planting, so one person cannot complete all the work.

  1. 131

    まいにちじむしょでしごとをするのですからしゅうまつにはうんどうがてら

    because I work in an office every day, on weekends, for exercise,

  2. 132

    そとにでてはたらくのです。

    I go outside and work.

  3. 133

    これからはまいにちあったかくなってきます

    From now on it will get warmer every day,

  4. 134

    から、にわのていれでいそがしくなります。

    so I will become busy caring for the garden.

  5. 135

    くさははえるし、

    The weeds grow,

  6. 136

    きやはなもうえなければならないしするのでひとりではできない

    and I have to plant trees and flowers too, so I cannot do it alone.

  7. 137

    きょうわたくしがそとではたらいていると、ネルソンさんがあそびに

    Today, while I was working outside, Mr. Nelson came

木
tree, wood
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
一人
one person

A helpful visiting friend · Reading Selection 3 of 4

A friend who studies Japan

*ネルソンさんは、 米国りく軍の ちゅうさで、 今日本の事に ついて いろ〱 べんきょうしている そうです* introduces Nelson and his studies.

He is a United States Army lieutenant colonel. The narrator hears that he studies various things about Japan.

A visitor who helps

*私の 仕事も 時々 手つだって くれます* means "He also helps me with my work sometimes."

Nelson is a good friend who often visits and sometimes helps the narrator.

  1. 138

    きました。

    to visit.

  2. 139

    ネルソンさんは、べいこくりくぐんのちゅうさで、いまにほんのことに

    Mr. Nelson is a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army, and I hear that he is now

  3. 140

    ついていろ〱べんきょうしているそうです。

    studying various things about Japan.

  4. 141

    わたくしのよいともだちで、

    He is a good friend of mine,

  5. 142

    たびたびあそびにきます。

    and often comes to visit.

  6. 143

    わたくしのしごともときどきてつだってくれます。

    He also helps me with my work sometimes.

  7. 144

    わたくしはあさじゅうじごろからはたらいていたので、のどがすこし

    I had been working since around ten in the morning, so I was a little

は、
leaves
時々
sometimes, occasionally
朝
morning

Tea with a friend · Reading Selection 4 of 4

No beer at home

*ビールを 飲みたかったが、 家には ビールが ありません でした* means the narrator wanted beer, but there was none at home.

The narrator is thirsty after working since about ten in the morning.

Tea and conversation

*買って 来たくも ないし お茶を 飲んで、 三十分 ぐらい ネルソンさんと 話しました* ends the account.

The narrator does not want to go buy beer and return, so he drinks tea and talks with Nelson for about thirty minutes.

Kanji: 茶

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

  1. 145

    かわいていました。

    thirsty.

  2. 146

    ビールをのみたかったが、いえにはビールがありません

    I wanted to drink some beer, but there was no beer at home.

  3. 147

    でした。

    There wasn't any.

  4. 148

    しかし、かってきたくもないしおちゃをのんで、さんじゅっぷんぐらい

    However, I did not want to go buy any either, so I drank tea and for about thirty minutes

  5. 149

    ネルソンさんとはなしました。

    talked with Mr. Nelson.

しかし、
however, but
三十
30
分
minute
ぐらい
about

Weather and garden questions · Questions 1 of 2

Weather and garden work

*私は 週末には 大抵 どうしますか* means "What do I usually do on weekends?"

An answer gives the narrator's usual weekend activity from the reading. Other answers identify the weather, garden chores, and reason for working outside.

  1. 150

    ぐらいです。

    It is about that much.

  2. 151

    きょうはどんなおてんきですか。

    What is the weather like today?

  3. 152

    きょうはなぜそとではたらくのにはいいひですか。

    Why is today a good day to work outside?

  4. 153

    さくばんはひどくかぜがふいて、ほこりがたちましたか。

    Did the wind blow hard and stir up dust last night?

  5. 154

    わたくしはしゅうまつにはたいていどうしますか。

    What do I usually do on weekends?

  6. 155

    なぜわたくしはそとではたらきたいのですか。

    Why do I want to work outside?

  7. 156

    あったかくなると、にわのしごとがおおくなりますか。

    When it gets warm, is there more garden work to do?

  8. 157

    どんなしごとがありますか。

    What kind of work is there to do?

どんな
what kind of; what sort of
なぜ
why?

Questions about a visitor · Questions 2 of 2

The visitor and the drink

*ビールを 買って 来ましたか* means "Did I go and buy some beer?"

An answer states whether the trip happened. Other answers identify Nelson, the narrator's thirst, and what the two friends drank.

  1. 158

    わたくしがそとではたらいているとき、だれがきましたか。

    Who came while I was working outside?

  2. 159

    ネルソンさんはどんなひとですか。

    What kind of person is Mr. Nelson?

  3. 160

    ネルソンさんはわたくしのいえへあそびにきてどうしますか。

    What does Mr. Nelson do when he comes to visit me at my house?

  4. 161

    わたくしはけさなんじごろからにわではたらいていますか。

    About what time did I start working in the garden this morning?

  5. 162

    ネルソンちゅうさがきたとき、わたくしはすこしのどがかわいていましたか。

    Was I a little thirsty when Lieutenant Colonel Nelson came?

  6. 163

    わたくしのいえにはビールがありましたか。

    Was there any beer at my house?

  7. 164

    ビールをかってきましたか。

    Did I go and buy some beer?

  8. 165

    ふたりはなにをのみましたか。

    What did the two of them drink?

時、
time
二人
2 people

Garden and body words · Word list 1 of 4

The garden and the body

The words cover the garden, weather, drinks, the body, and work. *にわ* means "garden, yard," while *手入れ* means "care, mending."

*のど* means "throat," and *おなか* means "stomach."

  1. 166

    くも

    cloud

  2. 167

    にわ

    garden, yard

  3. 168

    ていれ

    care, mending

  4. 169

    けさ

    this morning

  5. 170

    ほこり

    dust

  6. 171

    みず

    water

  7. 172

    さくばん

    last night

  8. 173

    ビール

    beer

  9. 174

    のど

    throat

  10. 175

    おなか

    stomach

  11. 176

    じむしょ

    office

昨ばん
last night
じむしょ
office

Drinks and garden verbs · Word list 2 of 4

Drinks and outdoor actions

The drink words include *お茶*, "tea," and *コーヒー*, "coffee." Other entries cover weather, garden work, coming or going, and perspiration.

*うえる* means "to plant, sow." *かわく* means "to dry."

  1. 177

    あせ

    sweat, perspiration

  2. 178

    おちゃ

    tea

  3. 179

    クリーム

    cream

  4. 180

    コーヒー

    coffee

  5. 181

    はれる

    to clear (v.i.)

  6. 182

    てる

    to shine (v.i.)

  7. 183

    うえる

    to plant, sow

  8. 184

    ぬく

    to put out

  9. 185

    かわく

    to dry (v.i.)

  10. 186

    いらっしゃる

    to come, go (honorific verb)

  11. 187

    あせをだす

    to perspire, sweat

お茶
tea
クリーム
cream
コーヒー
coffee
晴れる
to clear (v.i.)
てる
to shine (v.i.)
うえる
to plant, sow
ぬく
to put out
いらっしゃる
to come, go (honorific verb)
あせを出す
to perspire, sweat

Weather and welcome expressions · Word list 3 of 4

Weather and welcome expressions

*よくいらっしゃいました* means "I'm glad you came." *どうぞこちらへ* means "Please come this way."

The weather words include *曇る*, "to be cloudy," and *ひどく*, "fiercely, violently." *---中* means "throughout."

  1. 188

    くもる

    to be cloudy

  2. 189

    ひどく

    fiercely, violently

  3. 190

    のんきな

    carefree

  4. 191

    けっこう

    splendid, fine

  5. 192

    よくいらっしゃいました

    I'm glad you came.

  6. 193

    どうぞこちらへ

    Please come this way.

  7. 194

    ほんとに

    truly, really

  8. 195

    ちょうど

    exactly

  9. 196

    これから(は)

    from now on

  10. 197

    ほこりがたつ

    dust rises

  11. 198

    ---ちゅう

    throughout (See Gram. Notes)

曇る
to be cloudy
のん気な
carefree
けっこう
splendid, fine
よくいらっしゃいました
I'm glad you came.
どうぞこちらへ
Please come this way.
ほんとに
truly, really
ちょう度
exactly
これから(は)
from now on
ほこりがたつ
dust rises
---中
throughout (See Gram. Notes)

Time, hunger and alternatives · Word list 4 of 4

Duration, purpose, and alternatives

*一日中* means "all day long," and *--がてら* means "by way of, partly for."

*--でも* offers an alternative, *--ようです* marks an appearance, and *買って来ます* means "to go to buy."

Thirst and hunger

*のどがかわく* means "to be thirsty." *おなかがすく* means "to get hungry."

Both expressions describe bodily needs.

  1. 199

    いちにちじゅう

    all day long

  2. 200

    --がてら

    by way of, partly for -- (See Grammar Notes)

  3. 201

    のどがかわく

    to be thirsty

  4. 202

    おなかがすく

    to get hungry

  5. 203

    --でも

    -- or something (See Gram. Notes)

  6. 204

    --ようです

    looks like (See Gram. Notes)

  7. 205

    かってきます

    to go to buy (See Gram. Notes)

  8. 206

    --のかわりに

    instead of, in place of

  9. 207

    やあ

    Oh!

一日中
all day long
--がてら
by way of, partly for -- (See Grammar Notes)
のどがかわく
to be thirsty
おなかがすく
to get hungry
--でも
even, even if it is --
--ようです
looks like (See Gram. Notes)
買って来ます
to go to buy (See Gram. Notes)
--のかわりに
instead of, in place of
やあ
Oh!

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.