Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 41

Lesson 41

Kanji and everyday Japanese

146 lines

Caring for a winter lawn · Dialogue 1 of 4

Winter care for a lawn

One speaker admires a lawn, but its owner says frost has damaged its color.

The owner says, *ええ、 こやしを やって、 さっちゅうざいを まいておきます*, "Yes, I use fertilizer and scatter insecticide for future growth."

Work done for later

In *さっちゅうざいを まいておきます*, the TE-form with *おきます* marks work whose result is for future use.

Kanji: 美, 色, 悪

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

  1. 1

    あなたのいえのしばふはずいぶんきれいですね。

    Your lawn is really pretty.

    あなたyou
    の's
    家house
    の's
    しばふlawn
    はtopic
    ずい分really
    きれいpretty
    ですis
    ね。right?
  2. 2

    とおくからみるとうつくしいですが、ちかくでみると、そうでもありません。しもがふって、いろがすこしわるくなりました。

    It's pretty, when you look from afar, but it isn't, if you see it close by. We had frost and the color of it turned (or faded) a little.

  3. 3

    ふゆでもこやしをやるのですか。

    Do you use fertilizer even in winter?

  4. 4

    ええ、こやしをやって、さっちゅうざいをまいておきます。

    Yes, I use fertilizer and scatter insecticide (for the sake of future growth).

  5. 5

    しばふはたびたびかるのですか。

    Do you mow the lawn often?

TE + OKU

OKU as a principal verb means 'to put' or 'to place' or 'to put aside,' but when used as a terminal verb after the TE form of a verb, it indicates that there is a certain space of time between the time of doing and the time when the result of the action is needed. It literally means 'to do something and put it aside for future use.'

Examples:

HANASHITE OKIMASU "I tell someone (so that he will know about it, when you see him again/or for his future reference)."

KAITE OKIMASHOO "I'll write it down (for it may be needed afterwards)."

KOSHIRAETE OITE KUDASAI "Please make it (so that it will be there, when I call for it)."

The parenthetical portion is not used in translation everytime, but the meaning carried by the verb OKU in a careful interpretation or translation should not be overlooked.

b With some verbs, TE + OKU carry the meaning of 'just to leave alone' or 'to let someone or something keep on doing.' In this usage, there is not even a hint of the meaning 'for future use.'

Examples:

ASOBASETE OKU 'to leave one idle'

OKOSHITE OKINASAI "Let him stay awake."

This usage does not appear in this lesson, but will not be treated as a new pattern, when it does appear.
NAGARA

NAGARA is a particle, and when it is used after the second base of a verb, it means the action following occurs simultaneously with the one indicated by the verb preceding it. Both actions are performed by the same person.

Example:

ANO KATA WA ARUKI NAGARA HANASHIMASHITA. "He talked while walking."

In the above example, 'walk' and 'speak' took place simultaneously and both actions were performed by the subject ANO KATA.

When NAGARA follows a noun or the second base of a verb in a progressive tense, it conveys the idea 'even though.' This usage will be introduced later.
KAETTE

This word may be expressed in English by 'on the contrary' or 'rather.'

Examples:

AMARI BENKYOO SUREBA KAETTE WARUI DESU. "On the contrary, if you study too much, it is bad."

SORE GA KAETTE II DESU. "On the contrary, that is better."

AME GA FUTTE KARA KAETTE ATSUKU NARIMASHITA. "After it rained, it got all the hotter."
の
See Grammar Notes
家
house, home
しばふ
lawn
は
leaves
ずい分
very much
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
遠く
distant (place)
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
近く
vicinity
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
そう
numerical counter for ships
しも
frost
少し
little (quantity)
冬
winter
こやし
fertilizer
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
やる
to do
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
ええ、
Yes
ます。
trout
たびたび
often, frequently
かる
to clip, to cut

Mowing and sowing by season · Dialogue 2 of 4

Seasons for lawns and flowers

The speakers compare mowing in winter and summer, then discuss planting flowers and sowing seeds.

*このへんでは 二月が そんな 物の たねを まく 時きです* means "Around here, February is the season to sow such seeds."

Kanji: 花

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

  1. 6

    ふゆのあいだはいっしゅうかんかにしゅうかんにいちど、なつにはいっしゅうかんにいちどかにどかります。なつにはよくのびますから。

    During winter, I mow it once in one or two weeks, and in summer I mow once or twice a week, because it grows faster in summer.

  2. 7

    あそこにはなにをうえるのですか。

    What are you going to plant there?

  3. 8

    くさばなをうえたいとおもっています。

    I am hoping to plant flowers.

  4. 9

    たねはいまごろまくのですか。

    Do you sow seeds around this time?

  5. 10

    ええ、このへんではにがつがそんなもののたねをまくときです。

    Yes, around here, February is the season to sow seeds of such plants.

一
one
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
二
two
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
夏
summer
よく
well, skillfully
から。
from (See Gram. Notes)
あそこ
over there
うえる
to plant, sow
草花
flowering plant, flower
たね
seed
今頃
this time of year, nowadays
まく
to spread, scatter, sow seeds
月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
時
time
き
counter for airplanes (See Gram. Notes)

Pruning trees for flowers · Dialogue 3 of 4

Flowers where sunlight is limited

The speakers discuss pruning trees and whether fog, cold, and limited sunlight prevent flowers from blooming.

*日が あまり てらない 所で かえって 美しい 花が 沢山 さきます* means "On the contrary, many beautiful flowers bloom where the sun does not shine much."

A contrary result

In that line, *かえって* marks a result contrary to the expected effect of limited sunlight.

Kanji: 終, 始

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

Kanji: 若, 切

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

  1. 11

    そのきはまだえだをきらないのですか。

    Haven't you cut the branches of those trees yet?

  2. 12

    にがつのおわりか、さんがつのはじめに、えだをきってやります。そうするとわかいめがでて、うつくしいはながさきます。

    I cut the branches at the end of February or at the beginning of March. Then the young buds come out and beautiful flowers bloom.

  3. 13

    このへんはなつにはきりがあって、さむいから、はながあまりさかないでしょう。

    Because it's foggy and cold around here in summer, not many flowers bloom, right?

  4. 14

    そうでもないですよ。ひがあまりてらないところでかえってうつくしいはながたくさんさきます。

    On the contrary, many beautiful flowers bloom at places where the sun doesn't shine much.

  5. 15

    でも、ひがつよくてって、あついひもあるでしょう。

    But there are days, when the sun shines hard and hot, aren't there?

木
tree, wood
まだ
yet, still
えだ
branch (tree)
三
three
に、
on (See Gram. Notes)
め
bud
きり
fog
さむい
cold
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
所
address, place
かえって
on the contrary, rather (See Grammar Notes)
つよく
strong
あつい
hot
ある
certain, some

Helping sow seeds together · Dialogue 4 of 4

Help with sowing seeds

One speaker offers to help sow seeds. The other accepts and offers beer during the work.

*ビールでも 飲みながら やってください* means "Please work while drinking beer or something."

Two actions together

In that line, *飲みながら* connects drinking with the work performed at the same time by the same person.

  1. 16

    ええ、そんなときには、はながひにやけますから、ちゅういしなければなりません。

    Yes, at such times the flowers get burnt by the sun; so we must be careful.

  2. 17

    さあ、それでは、たねをまくのをてつだいましょうか。

    Well, shall I help you sow seeds?

  3. 18

    そうですね。てつだってもらいましょうか。ここにビールがありますから、ビールでものみながらやってください。

    Please do. There is beer here; you can work while drinking beer (or something).

  4. 19

    ありがとうございます。(しごとをすませて)これでいいですか。

    Thank you. (After finishing the job) Is this all right?

  5. 20

    ええ、けっこうです。どうもありがとうございました。

    Yes, that's fine. Thank you very much.

は、
leaves
ます
trout
ちゅうい
first lieutenant
し
city
さあ、
well, now, here, come
ましょう
let's (See Gram. Notes)
ここ
here
ビール
beer
ながら
while (See Grammar Notes)
ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
けっこう
splendid, fine

Preparing things for later · Perception drill, Block 1

Food bought for later

*私は 沢山 食料品を 買って おきます* means "I will buy a lot of food and put it aside for future use."

The buying happens before the food is needed.

An action for future use

After the TE-form of a verb, *おきます* says the action occurs now because its result is needed later.

*これを こくじばんに はっておいてください* means "Please put this up on the bulletin board for later use."

An English meaning can omit the later need, but the Japanese still carries it.

  1. 21

    わたくしはたくさんしょくりょうひんをかっておきます。

    I'll buy a lot of food (and put it aside for future use).

  2. 22

    にほんへいくかもしれないから、にほんごをならっておきます。

    I am learning Japanese because I may go to Japan.

  3. 23

    すこしかぜがでましたから、ドアをしめておきます。

    A little wind has come up, so I will close the door.

  4. 24

    ともだちにてがみをだしておきます。

    I will send a letter to my friend.

  5. 25

    こくばんにあたらしいかんじをかいておきます。

    I will write the new kanji on the blackboard.

  6. 26

    これをこくじばんにはっておいてください。

    Please put this up on the bulletin board.

へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
かぜ
wind
手紙
letter (correspondence)

Doing two things together · Perception drill, Block 2

Talking during a walk

*散歩しながら 話しましょう* means "Let's talk while strolling."

The strolling and talking happen at the same time.

One person, two actions

*ながら* comes after a verb stem and means that the same person performs that action and the next action simultaneously.

*夕はんを 食べながら テレビを 見ます* means "I watch television while eating dinner."

  1. 27

    さんぽしながらはなしましょう。

    Let's talk while strolling.

  2. 28

    ゆうはんをたべながらテレビをみます。

    I watch television while eating dinner.

  3. 29

    わたくしははなしながらかくことはできません。

    I cannot write while talking.

  4. 30

    あるきながらのむのはむずかしいことです。

    It is difficult to drink while walking.

  5. 31

    たなかさんはおしえながらがっこうにいっています。

    Mr. Tanaka goes to school while teaching.

  6. 32

    スミスさんはテレビをみながらべんきょうします。

    Mr. Smith studies while watching television.

ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)
テレビ
television
むずかしい
difficult
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)

Unexpected effects on health · Perception drill, Block 3

Too much exercise

*あまり 運動すると、 かえって 体に 悪いです* means "On the contrary, if you exercise too much, it will be bad for your health."

The bad result runs against the expected benefit of exercise.

The contrary result

*かえって* means "on the contrary" or "rather" and stands before a result that opposes an expected conclusion.

*ある仕事には 若い人より 年よりの 方が かえっていいです* means "For some jobs, older people are actually better than young people."

  1. 33

    あまりうんどうすると、かえってからだにわるいです。

    (On the contrary) if you exercise too much, it will be bad for your health.

  2. 34

    あんまりたくさんたべると、かえってからだにわるいです。

    If you eat too much, it is actually bad for your health.

  3. 35

    さけをすこしのむのは、かえってからだにいいです。

    Drinking a little sake is actually good for your health.

  4. 36

    あんまりべんきょうするのは、かえってわるいです。

    Studying too much is actually bad for you.

  5. 37

    あんまりくすりをのむのは、かえってからだにわるいです。

    Taking too much medicine is actually bad for your health.

  6. 38

    あるしごとにはわかいひとよりとしよりのほうがかえっていいです。

    For some jobs, older people are actually better than young people.

と、
and (See Gram. Notes)
体
body, health
くすり
medicine
人
people
より
than (See Gram. Notes)

Acting now for later · Pattern 1 1 of 2

Preparation in advance

*さっちゅうざいを まいておきます* means "I scatter insecticide for future sake."

The TE-form with *おきます*, as in *買っておきました*, marks preparations such as scattering, buying, studying, and reading in advance.

*これは 大切ですから、 読んでおいてください* asks someone to read something important beforehand.

Kanji: 皆

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

  1. 39

    さっちゅうざいをまいておきます。

    I scatter insecticide for future sake.

  2. 40

    ふゆのあいだにこやしをやっておきます。

    I use fertilizer during the winter.

  3. 41

    あたらしいかんじをカードにかいておきます。

    I will write the new kanji on cards.

  4. 42

    セール(sale)がありましたから、かんづめをたくさんかっておきました。

    There was a sale, so I bought plenty of canned goods to have on hand.

  5. 43

    さくばん、さんじかんぐらいよしゅうしておきました。

    Last night, I studied ahead for about three hours.

  6. 44

    ならったかんじをみなべんきょうしておきました。

    I studied all the kanji we learned.

  7. 45

    ほこりがたちますから、みずをまいておいてください。

    Please sprinkle some water because it is dusty.

  8. 46

    はい、みずをまいておきます。

    Yes, I will sprinkle some water.

  9. 47

    これはたいせつですから、よんでおいてください。

    This is important, so please read it beforehand.

セール
sale
かんづめ
canned goods
ばん、
evening, night
時間
hour, time
ぐらい
about
しゅう
state
ほこり
dust
水
water

Leaving things ready beforehand · Pattern 1 2 of 2

Leave the light on

*今ばん おそく 帰りますから、 電とうを つけておいてください* means "I will return late tonight, so please leave the light on."

The TE-form with *おきます*, as in *読んでおきます*, marks an action completed before it is needed.

*はい、 電とうを つけておきます* confirms that the light will be left on.

  1. 48

    はい、よんでおきます。

    Yes, I will read it beforehand.

  2. 49

    こんばんおそくかえりますから、でんとうをつけておいてください。

    I will come home late tonight, so please leave the light on.

  3. 50

    はい、でんとうをつけておきます。

    Yes, I will leave the light on.

  4. 51

    ならう

    To learn.

  5. 52

    よむ

    To read.

  6. 53

    すませる

    To finish.

  7. 54

    たべる

    To eat.

  8. 55

    べんきょうする

    To study.

ばん
evening, night
おそく
late (adverbial form of OSOI, be late, be slow)

Working during other activities · Pattern 2 1 of 2

Work during another action

*ビールを 飲みながら 働きます* means "I work while drinking beer."

The *ながら* in *飲みながら* connects the continuing action of drinking with the work done at the same time.

*えを 見せながら 日本の 事を 話しました* presents showing pictures and talking about Japan as simultaneous actions.

  1. 56

    ビールをのみながらはたらきます。

    I work while drinking beer.

  2. 57

    こどもはラジオをききながらべんきょうします。

    The child studies while listening to the radio.

  3. 58

    じどうしゃをうんてんしながらはなしてもいいです。

    You may talk while driving a car.

  4. 59

    たなかさんはいえのしごとをてつだいながらがっこうへいきます。

    Mr. Tanaka goes to school while helping with the work at home.

  5. 60

    あのせいとはみちをあるきながらべんきょうします。

    That student studies while walking along the road.

  6. 61

    わたくしはしんぶんをよみながらあさめしをたべます。

    I eat breakfast while reading the newspaper.

  7. 62

    きょうはてんきがいいから、さんぽしながらべんきょうしましょう。

    The weather is nice today, so let us study while taking a walk.

  8. 63

    ええ、そうしましょう。

    Yes, let us do that.

  9. 64

    たなかさんのはなしはおもしろかったですか。

    Was Mr. Tanaka's talk interesting?

  10. 65

    ええ、えをみせながらにほんのことをはなしましたので、たいへんおもしろかったです。

    Yes, it was very interesting because he talked about Japan while showing us pictures.

ラジオ
radio
車
vehicle, car
道
road, street
朝めし
breakfast
今日
today
天気
weather
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
大へん
very

Pairing everyday actions · Pattern 2 2 of 2

Studying while shaving

*スミスさんは 毎朝 ひげを そりながら、 かん字を べんきょうするそうですね* means "I hear that Mr. Smith studies kanji while shaving every morning."

The *ながら* in *そりながら* marks shaving as simultaneous with studying. The same person performs both actions.

  1. 66

    スミスさんはまいあさひげをそりながら、かんじをべんきょうするそうですね。

    I hear that Mr. Smith studies kanji while shaving every morning.

  2. 67

    そうですか。わたくしはそんなことはできませんね。

    Is that so? I cannot do such a thing.

  3. 68

    あさめしをたべています。

    I am eating breakfast.

  4. 69

    しんぶんをよんでいます。

    I am reading the newspaper.

  5. 70

    ざっしをうりました。

    I sold magazines.

  6. 71

    がっこうへいきました。

    I went to school.

  7. 72

    おはようございますといいます。

    I say, “Good morning.”

  8. 73

    まいあさきょうしつにはいります。

    I enter the classroom every morning.

  9. 74

    りんごをたべています。

    I am eating an apple.

  10. 75

    あそんでいます。

    I am playing.

ひげ
beard, whiskers
ながら、
while (See Grammar Notes)
りんご
apple

Contrary and unexpected results · Pattern 3 1 of 2

An unexpected change

*私は さけを やめて かえって 体が 悪く なりました* means "I gave up sake, and my health actually got worse."

The *かえって* in this line marks the worse health as contrary to the expected result.

*雨が 降ってから かえって あつく なりました* likewise presents hotter weather after rain as unexpected.

  1. 76

    いまいくとかえってわるいです。

    On the contrary, it will be bad if you go now.

  2. 77

    コーヒーよりビールのほうがかえってからだにいいです。

    Beer is actually better for your health than coffee.

  3. 78

    あめがふってからかえってあつくなりました。

    After it rained, it actually became hotter.

  4. 79

    わたくしはさけをやめてかえってからだがわるくなりました。

    I gave up sake, and my health actually got worse.

  5. 80

    あんまりべんきょうすると、つかれてかえってならえません。

    If you study too much, you get tired and actually cannot learn.

  6. 81

    あんまりやすむと、かえってつかれます。

    If you rest too much, you actually get tired.

コーヒー
coffee
雨
rain

Unexpected comparisons and choices · Pattern 3 2 of 2

The unexpectedly better choice

*ある仕事には 若い人より 年よりの人の 方が かえって てきとうですね* means "For some jobs, older people are actually more suitable than young people."

The *かえって* from *かえっていいです* marks the older group as the unexpectedly better comparison.

*ペンは 少し 高くても、 いいのを 買う方が かえっていいですね* presents buying a good pen as better despite its price.

  1. 82

    としよりのせいとはならうのがおそいですね。

    Older students are slow to learn, are they not?

  2. 83

    ええ、かえってわかいせいとのほうがはやくならいますよ。

    Yes, younger students actually learn faster.

  3. 84

    あるしごとにはわかいひとよりとしよりのひとのほうがかえっててきとうですね。

    For some jobs, older people are actually more suitable than young people, are they not?

  4. 85

    ええ、わたくしのみせでは、としよりのひとのほうがかえっていいです。

    Yes, at my store, older people are actually better.

  5. 86

    ペンはすこしたかくても、いいのをかうほうがかえっていいですね。

    Even if a pen is a little expensive, it is actually better to buy a good one, is it not?

  6. 87

    ええ、やすいのははやくわるくなりますからね。

    Yes, because cheap ones wear out quickly.

店
store, shop
ペン
pen
買う
to buy

Winter garden care · Reading Selection 1 of 2

Winter work for spring growth

The passage describes warmer weather after a cold winter, then explains winter pruning and fertilizing.

*えだを てきとうに 切っておくと、 又 新しいのが 出て、 春には 美しい 花が 沢山 さきます* connects earlier pruning with new branches and spring flowers.

The TE-form with *おく*, as in *こやしを やっておきます*, marks care completed before its later result.

  1. 88

    ことしのふゆはゆきがふったりしてさむいふゆでしたが、このごろはあったかくなってきましたから、しもはもうふらないでしょう。

    This winter was cold, with snow and such, but lately it has been getting warmer, so there probably will not be any more frost.

  2. 89

    あるきはふゆになると、えだをきってやらなければなりません。

    Some trees have to have their branches cut when winter comes.

  3. 90

    えだをてきとうにきっておくと、またあたらしいのがでて、はるにはうつくしいはながたくさんさきます。

    If you cut the branches properly beforehand, new ones will grow, and many beautiful flowers will bloom in spring.

  4. 91

    にわのきやくさには、ふゆのあいだにもこやしをやっておきます。

    We put fertilizer on the trees and plants in the garden even during the winter.

  5. 92

    そうすると、げんきよくのびてうつくしくなります。

    Then they grow vigorously and become beautiful.

  6. 93

    ときどきはるになってからひどいしもがふることがあります。

    Sometimes there is a severe frost after spring has come.

今年
this year
雪
snow
この頃
these days, nowadays
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
春
spring
にわ
garden, yard
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
時々
sometimes, occasionally
降る
to fall (rain) (v.i.)

Gardening and tea with friends · Reading Selection 2 of 2

Work and conversation

A visitor joins the garden work, and the friends work while discussing how to grow plants.

*私たちは 木や 花や やさいなどの 作り方に ついて 話しながら 十二時すぎまで 働きました* presents their talking and working as simultaneous actions.

Tea instead of beer

The friends find no beer. *ビールよりお茶の方が かえって よい* presents tea as the unexpectedly better drink.

They then talk while drinking tea, another use of *ながら* for two actions by the same people.

  1. 94

    そんなときにはきをつけないと、きのめやわかいはなのつぼみがくろくなります。

    At times like that, if you are not careful, the buds on the trees and the buds of young flowers will turn black.

  2. 95

    またあるものはなつには、ひにやけますから、どこにでもうえることはできません。

    Also, some plants get scorched by the sun in summer, so they cannot be planted just anywhere.

  3. 96

    きょうはてんきがよいので、あさじゅうじごろからそとにでて、にわのていれをしたり、はなをうえたりしていましたら、ネルソンさんがあそびにきました。

    Since the weather was fine today, I went outside at about ten in the morning and was tending the garden and planting flowers when Mr. Nelson came to visit.

  4. 97

    ネルソンさんもにわではたらくのがすきですから、わたくしたちはきやはなややさいなどのつくりかたについてはなしながらじゅうにじすぎまではたらきました。

    Mr. Nelson also likes working in the garden, so we worked until after twelve while talking about how to grow trees, flowers, vegetables, and such.

  5. 98

    すこしのどがかわいたし、しごともおわったので、ビールをのみたいとおもっていえのなかにはいりましたが、ビールはありませんでした。

    We were a little thirsty and had finished the work, so we went into the house thinking we would like some beer, but there was none.

  6. 99

    ネルソンさんはビールよりおちゃのほうがかえってよいといいましたから、おちゃをのみながらいろいろのことについてはなしました。

    Mr. Nelson said that tea would actually be better than beer, so we talked about various things while drinking tea.

つぼみ
buds
もの
things (tangible)
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
朝
morning
十
ten
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
手入れ
care, mending
好き
to like, be fond of (See Grammar Notes)
やさい
vegetable
など
and so forth, etc.
すぎ
past, after
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
のど
throat

Weather and winter gardening questions · Questions 1 of 2

Reasons for winter garden care

The questions ask about winter weather, pruning, fertilizing, and the morning's work.

*なぜ えだを 切ってやる方が いいですか* means "Why is it better to cut the branches?"

An answer gives the later result, such as new growth and flowers in spring.

  1. 100

    ことしのふゆはあたたかいでしたか。

    Was this winter warm?

  2. 101

    ことしはふゆにあめがたくさんふりましたか。

    Did it rain a lot this winter?

  3. 102

    このごろはまださむいですか。

    Is it still cold these days?

  4. 103

    まだしもがふるでしょうか。

    Do you think there will still be frost?

  5. 104

    あるきはふゆにえだをきってやるほうがいいですか。

    Is it better to cut the branches of some trees in winter?

  6. 105

    なぜえだをきってやるほうがいいですか。

    Why is it better to cut the branches?

  7. 106

    なぜふゆににわのきにこやしをやりますか。

    Why do you put fertilizer on the trees in the garden in winter?

  8. 107

    けさわたくしはなにをしていましたか。

    What was I doing this morning?

あたたかい
warm
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
なぜ
why?
今朝
this morning

Visitors, flowers and drinks · Questions 2 of 2

The visitor and the drinks

The questions ask who visited, what the friends did, and their views on gardening and drinks.

*私たちは お茶を 飲みながら 何をしましたか* means "What did the friends do while drinking tea?"

An answer names the simultaneous action: they talked about various things.

  1. 108

    だれがあそびにきましたか。

    Who came to visit?

  2. 109

    わたくしたちはおちゃをのみながらなにをしましたか。

    What did we do while drinking tea?

  3. 110

    ネルソンさんはおちゃよりビールのほうがすきですか。

    Does Mr. Nelson like beer better than tea?

  4. 111

    ネルソンさんはにわではたらくのはきらいですか。

    Does Mr. Nelson dislike working in the garden?

  5. 112

    あるはなはなつにひにやけますか。

    Do some flowers get scorched by the sun in summer?

  6. 113

    ネルソンさんはなにをしにきましたか。

    What did Mr. Nelson come to do?

  7. 114

    あなたはのどがかわくと、なにがのみたいですか。

    What do you want to drink when you are thirsty?

だれ
who?
きらい
dislike (See Gram. Notes)
かわく
to dry (v.i.)

Lawn and garden nouns · Word list 1 of 3

Things in a winter garden

This group names lawns, winter weather, garden materials, plants, and plant parts.

*しばふ* means "lawn", *しも* means "frost", and *こやし* means "fertilizer".

The words identify what winter garden work affects and what weather can damage.

  1. 115

    しばふ

    lawn

  2. 116

    しも

    frost

  3. 117

    こやし

    fertilizer

  4. 118

    さっちゅうざい

    insecticide

  5. 119

    くさばな

    flowering plant, flower

  6. 120

    たね

    seed

  7. 121

    とき

    season, time

  8. 122

    えだ

    branch (tree)

  9. 123

    め

    bud

  10. 124

    きり

    fog

  11. 125

    こんばん

    tonight

さっちゅうざい
insecticide
時き
season, time
今ばん
this evening, tonight

Gardening actions and time · Word list 2 of 3

Garden actions and changing conditions

This group names garden actions, future times, and changes caused by growth or weather.

*まく* means "to spread, scatter, or sow seeds", *切る* means "to cut", and *すませる* means "to finish".

These verbs cover preparing a garden, tending plants, and completing the work.

Kanji: 明日

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

  1. 126

    みょうばん

    tomorrow night

  2. 127

    あした

    tomorrow

  3. 128

    セール

    sale

  4. 129

    まく

    to spread, scatter, sow seeds

  5. 130

    のびる

    to grow tall, grow long, stretch

  6. 131

    きる

    to cut

  7. 132

    ちゅういする

    to be careful

  8. 133

    すませる

    to finish

  9. 134

    ひにやける

    to be sunburnt

  10. 135

    しもがふる

    to have frost

  11. 136

    つよく

    strong

明ばん
tomorrow night
明日
tomorrow
のびる
to grow tall, grow long, stretch
切る
to cut
ちゅういする
to be careful
すませる
to finish
日にやける
to be sunburnt
しもが降る
to have frost

Timing, togetherness and contrast · Word list 3 of 3

When and how actions connect

This group combines timing and togetherness words with expressions for preparation, simultaneous action, and contrast.

*---ておく* means "to do something for future use", *ながら* means "while", and *かえって* means "on the contrary" or "rather".

*明ばんは 皆で 一しょに 食べましょう* means "Let's all eat together tomorrow night."

  1. 137

    ---ておく

    to do -- for future use (See Grammar Notes)

  2. 138

    いまごろ

    this time of year, nowadays

  3. 139

    このへん

    this vicinity

  4. 140

    かえって

    on the contrary, rather (See Grammar Notes)

  5. 141

    ながら

    while (See Grammar Notes)

  6. 142

    みなで

    altogether

  7. 143

    いっしょに

    together

  8. 144

    あしたははやくしごとをすませます。

    I'll finish the work early tomorrow.

  9. 145

    みょうばんはみなでいっしょにたべましょう。

    Let's all eat together tomorrow night.

  10. 146

    こんばんわたくしのいえへあそびにきてください。

    Please come over to our house for a visit tonight.

---ておく
to do -- for future use (See Grammar Notes)
このへん
this vicinity
皆で
altogether
一しょに
together
明日は早く仕事をすませます。
"I'll finish the work early tomorrow."
明ばんは皆で一しょに食べましょう。
"Let's all eat together tomorrow night."
今ばん私の家へあそびに来てください。
"Please come over to our house for a visit tonight."

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.