Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 43

Lesson 43

Kanji and everyday Japanese

204 lines

Cinemas competing with television · Dialogue 1 of 4

Will cinemas keep growing

Two people discuss Japan's many movie theaters and whether their number will increase.

One says, *日本には 映画館が 多いですね*, "There are many movie theaters in Japan, aren't there?"

The past one or two years

*ここ一二年 あまり ふえていませんから* gives the reason: "since they haven't increased in the past one or two years."

Here *ここ一二年* names the immediately recent period.

Kanji: 館

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

  1. 1

    にほんにはえいがかんがおおいですね。

    There are many movie theaters in Japan, aren't there?

    日本Japan
    にin
    はtopic
    映画movie theater
    館movie theater
    がsubject
    多いmany
    ですare
    ね。right?
  2. 2

    ええ、えいがをみにいくにほんじんがおおいからでしょう。

    Yes, because there probably are many Japanese people who go to see movies.

  3. 3

    まだふえるでしょうか。

    Do you think they will increase.

  4. 4

    さあ、ここいちにねんあまりふえていませんから、いまからはあまりふえないとおもいます。

    Well, since they haven't increased in the past one or two years, I don't think they will increase much from now on.

  5. 5

    テレビがきゅうにおおくなったので、えいがにいくひとのかずがへるかもしれませんね。

    Moviegoers might decrease in number, because television has suddenly become popular, it seems.

KOKO ICHI NI NEN EIGA O MINI IKU HITO GA HERIMASHITA.

Quite often, in expressions such as 'these two or three years,' Japanese uses KOKO instead of KONO. The period of time indicated may refer to a time immediately in the past or immediately in the future, depending on the tense of the final verb.

KOKO NI SAN NICHI SAMUKATTA NODE, HOTONDO IE NO NAKA NI IMASHITA. "Because it has been cold these past two or three days, I stayed in the house almost all the time."

KOKO NI SAN NICHI NO AIDA NI TEGAMI GA KIMASEN DESHITARA ITTE MIMASU. "If the letter does not come in (these) two or three days, I'll go to see him."

KOKO NI SAN NICHI AME GA FUTTE TENKI GA WARUI DESU. "It has been raining these two or three days and the weather has been bad."
MACHI E IKOO

In Lesson 27, the pattern verb + MASHOO was introduced, and the expression MACHI E IKIMASHOO means 'Let's go to town,' 'I'll go to town,' or 'He will probably go to town.'

In informal abrupt speech, the same thing can be said by using the future tense of the verb itself.

The future tense of the regular verbs (consonant verbs) are formed by substituting the final U in a basic form with a long O, spelled OO.

Examples:

Basic Form | Future Tense
NARAU | NARAOO
IKU | IKOO
HANASU | HANASOO
TATSU | TATOO
SHINU (to die) | SHINOO
YOMU | YOMOO
TORU | TOROO
OYOGU | OYOGOO
TOBU | TOBOO

In case of semi-regular or vowel verbs, the final RU of the basic form is replaced with YOO.

Thus:

Basic Form | Future Tense
TABERU | TABEYOO
MIRU | MIYOO

The future tense of KURU and SURU are KOYOO and SHIYOO respectively.

In Japanese, the future tense describes three situations, depending on the subject:

In the case of the third person, it describes probable future action or the probable intent.

In the case of the first person, singular or plural, it describes strong intention or will.

WATAKUSHI WA SORE O KAOO. "I will buy it."

In the case of the first person plural or the second person, it describes invitation or mild coaxing.

EIGA NI IKOO. "Let's go to a movie."

ANATA MO IKOO. "You go, too." (You are invited to go.)

Since the future tense in Japanese is largely a conjecture on the part of the speaker, a and b above denote probability. When this probability is strong, the basic form of the verb plus DESHOO or DAROO is used.

ANO KATA MO IKU DESHOO.

ANO KATA MO IKU DAROO. "He will probably go."

The difference between the DESHOO and DAROO is that of degree of politeness.

The abrupt informal future tense is seldom, if ever, used with the second person as its subject. Most commonly the basic form of the verb plus DESHOO is used in this case.

WATAKUSHI WA KITTO IKU DESHOO. "I'll surely go."

ANO KATA WA KITTO IKU DESHOO. "He'll surely go."

ANATA WA KITTO IKU DESHOO. "You'll surely go."

In conventional writing, the second "O" of the long OO at the end of the future tense verb is represented by the KANA "う".

IKOO

HANASOO

MIYOO

Review Grammar Notes on MASHOO in Lesson 27.
WATAKUSHI WA EIGA NI IKOO TO OMOIMASU.

Very commonly the future tense of a verb is followed by the expression TO OMOU in some MASU form. In this usage, the future tense verb is an indication of an intent or desire and not probability. TO OMOU indicates that the subject is contemplating the action indicated by the preceding verb in the future tense. Therefore, WATAKUSHI WA IKOO TO

OMOIMASU means "I think I will go," and WATAKUSHI WA IKOO TO OMOTTE IMASU means "I am thinking of going." It is illogical to make statements such as ANATA WA IKOO TO OMOIMASU or ANO KATA WA IKOO TO OMOIMASU, since there is no way of knowing what ANATA or ANO KATA will think. The statement, ANATA WA IKOO TO OMOIMASU KA, is quite logical, but, again, to ask the second person ANO KATA WA IKOO TO OMOIMASU KA is illogical. So, the interrogative form of the statement becomes ANO KATA WA IKOO TO OMOTTE IMASU KA. This is because the person called ANO KATA cannot show his intent without thinking about it beforehand. Such statements as:

A. Do you think you'll go?

B: Does he think he'll go?

usually will be:

A. ANATA WA IKOO TO OMOIMASU KA.

B. ANO KATA WA IKOO TO OMOTTE IMASUKA.

The intransitive potential verbs ending in -ERU (Les. 34) and the intransitive verbs that take inanimate subjects cannot have the future tense plus TO OMOU form because these verbs express probability rather than intention.

KONO HON WA YOMERU TO OMOU, and

GAKKOO WA HACHIJI NI HAJIMARU TO OMOU

are common expressions, but not:

KONO HON WA YOMEYOO TO OMOU.

GAKKOO WA HICHIJI NI HAJIMAROO TO OMOU.
TSUMORI DE

Following the conclusive form of verbs, I-adjectives, NA-adjectives, or a noun plus NO, TSUMORI DE expresses 'with the intention of,' 'with the idea of,' 'with the thought of.'

Examples:

SORE O YASUI TSUMORI DE KAIMASHITA. "I bought it with the thought that it was cheap."

ANO ONNA NO HITO WA JIBUN DEWA KIREINA TSUMORI DE IMASU. "She thinks she is pretty."

ANO KATA WA BYOOKI NO TSUMORI DE IMASU. "He thinks he is sick."

ANO HITO WA JOOZU NA TSUMORI DE HANASHITE IMASU. "He is talking with the idea that he is good."
ANO KATA WA NIHONGO O HANASU YOO NI NARIMASHITA.

In Lesson 40, a verb base form plus YOO was introduced to describe an appearance. In this lesson, YOO describes change of form into whatever precedes YOO.

ANO KATA WA NIHONGO O HANASU YOO NI NARIMASHITA. "He has become so that he can speak Japanese."
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
は
leaves
映画
movie
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
ええ、
Yes
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
人
people
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
まだ
yet, still
ふえる
to increase (v.i.)
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
さあ、
well, now, here, come
ここ
here
一
one
二
two
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
ます。
trout
テレビ
television
の
See Grammar Notes
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
へる
to decrease

Choosing films by their cast · Dialogue 2 of 4

Choosing a film

The speakers compare television with movie theaters, then discuss color films and how they choose a film.

One checks the cast first: *私は 映画に 行く 前に、まず はいやくを 見ます*, "I look at the cast before I go to a movie."

Thinking of exporting films

*外国へ 映画を ゆしゅつしようと 思って* means "thinking of exporting movies to foreign countries."

The form *ゆしゅつしよう* presents the intended future action in this line.

Kanji: 会, 社

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

Kanji: 色

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

  1. 6

    そうでもないでしょう。えいがもテレビでみるのと、えいがかんでみるのとでは、きぶんがちがいますからね。

    I don't think so, because the feeling or mood is different between seeing a movie on TV and seeing it in a movie theater.

  2. 7

    にほんのてんねんしょくえいがはじつにきれいですね。がいこくでもひょうばんがいいらしいです。

    Japanese color films are really pretty, aren't they? It seems they have a good reputation abroad, too.

  3. 8

    にほんのえいがかいしゃもがいこくへえいがをゆしゅつしようとおもって、なるべくよいのをつくっているのでしょう。

    Japanese movie companies, too, thinking of exporting movies to foreign countries, are probably making as good ones as possible.

  4. 9

    わたくしはえいがにいくまえに、まずはいやくをみます。いいはいゆうがでていれば、みにいくことにします。にんきスターのながならんでいると、えいがもたいていいいです。

    I look at the cast before I go to a movie. If good actors appear, I decide to go to see it. If the names of popular actors are listed, the movie is usually good, too.

  5. 10

    わたくしもしゅえんをやっているはいゆうやかんとくのなまえをみて、よさそうでしたら、いきます。

    I, too, look at the names of the actors who play the main characters and the director. If they are good, I go.

そう
numerical counter for ships
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
と、
and (See Gram. Notes)
は、
leaves
気分
feeling
ます
trout
ひょうばん
reputation
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
会社
company, firm
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
なるべく
as much as possible
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
前
before, front
まず
first, first of all
やく
approximately (See Grammar Notes)
し
city
人気
popularity
名
name
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
かんとく
director, superintendent

Learning language from films · Dialogue 3 of 4

Films as language study

Two people compare how often they see films and discuss understanding Japanese dialogue.

One says, *勉強の つもりで 行くのです*, "I go, intending to learn language from movies."

An intention behind the action

In *勉強の つもりで*, the noun *勉強* names the intention behind going to films.

The phrase gives study as the purpose of going.

Kanji: 勉

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

Kanji: 強

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

  1. 11

    あなたはたびたびえいがにいきますか。

    Do you go to movies often?

  2. 12

    いいえ、たまにしかいきません。いっかげつにいちどぐらいでしょう。あなたは。

    No, I rarely go. I go about once a month. And you?

  3. 13

    わたくしはたびたびいきます。べんきょうのつもりでいくのです。

    I go often. I go, intending to learn language from movies.

  4. 14

    あなたはにほんごがじょうずですから、ちっともこまらないでしょう。

    Since you are good in Japanese, you probably don't have any trouble, do you?

  5. 15

    ええ、まあほとんどなんでもわかります。だがじだいげきをみていると、わからないことばがおおいですね。

    Well, I understand almost anything. However, there are many words that I don't understand, when I'm watching a historical play.

たびたび
often, frequently
たまに
rarely, once in a while
ぐらい
about
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
上手
skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
ちっとも
not even a little (See Gram. Notes)
ほとんど
almost (See Gram. Notes)
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
時代
era, period
げき
play, drama

Films as cultural education · Dialogue 4 of 4

What foreign films teach

The speakers discuss American films as a source of entertainment and knowledge about other cultures.

*外国の しゅうかんなどを 知るのに、映画は いいですね* means "Movies are good for learning foreign customs, don't you think?"

The reply says films provide education as well as amusement.

Kanji: 英

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

  1. 16

    ときどきふるいことばをつかいますからね。

    That's because they sometimes use obsolete expressions.

  2. 17

    あなたはアメリカのえいががすきですか。

    Do you like American movies?

  3. 18

    ええ、すきです。えいごはあまりわからないんですが、それでもおもしろいです。

    Yes, I like them. I don't understand English too well, but even then, they are interesting.

  4. 19

    がいこくのしゅうかんなどをしるのに、えいがはいいですね。

    Movies are good for learning foreign customs, don't you think?

  5. 20

    ええ、ごらくばかりでなく、ほんとにいいべんきょうになります。

    Yes, they are not only an amusement but also provide a really good education.

時々
sometimes, occasionally
古い
old, antique
アメリカ
America; U.S.A.
好き
to like, be fond of (See Grammar Notes)
おもしろい
interesting, to be fun
しゅうかん
custom, habit
など
and so forth, etc.
知る
to know (v.t.)
に、
on (See Gram. Notes)
ごらく
amusement, recreation

Recent spans of time · Perception drill, Block 1

These last few days

*ここ二三日 さむいです* means "It has been cold these two or three days."

Japanese often uses *ここ* before an approximate span to refer to the period immediately before now.

The final verb sets the time

*ここ一二年 カラーテレビが 安くなりました* means "Color televisions have become cheaper in the past year or two."

The final verb places this change in the period immediately before now.

  1. 21

    ここにさんにちさむいです。

    It has been cold these two or three days.

  2. 22

    ここさんよっか

    these three or four days

  3. 23

    ここにさんねん

    these two or three years

  4. 24

    ここいちにねん

    these one or two years

  5. 25

    ここいちにしゅうかん

    these one or two weeks

  6. 26

    ここいちにかげつ

    these one or two months

  7. 27

    ここにさんかげつあめがふりません。

    It hasn't rained for the past two or three months.

  8. 28

    ここいちにしゅうかんたいへんいそがしかった。

    I've been very busy for the past week or two.

  9. 29

    ここいちにねんカラーテレビがやすくなりました。

    Color televisions have become cheaper in the past year or two.

  10. 30

    ここさんよっかいいてんきがつづきましたね。

    We've had good weather for the past three or four days, haven't we?

  11. 31

    ここにさんにちたいへんあついですね。

    It's been very hot for the past two or three days, hasn't it?

さむい
cold
雨
rain
大へん
very
三
three
四
four
天気
weather
あつい
hot

Informal plans and suggestions · Perception drill, Block 2

A suggestion or decision

*映画に 行こう* means "Let's go to a movie." The ending presents an informal suggestion.

With *私は*, the same form states a decision: *私は 映画に 行こう*, "I'll go to a movie."

The subject sets the meaning

*あの方は 映画に 行こう* means "He will probably go to a movie."

With a third-person subject, the form presents probable action.

Kanji: 話

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

  1. 32

    えいがにいこう。

    Let's go to a movie.

  2. 33

    わたくしはえいがにいこう。

    I'll go to a movie.

  3. 34

    あのかたはえいがにいこう。

    He will probably go to a movie.

  4. 35

    もうじゅっぷんまとう。

    Let's wait another ten minutes.

  5. 36

    もうじかんだ。かえろう。

    It's time already; let's go home.

  6. 37

    にほんごではなそう。

    Let's speak Japanese.

  7. 38

    わたくしはにほんへひこうきでとぼう。

    I'll fly to Japan by plane.

  8. 39

    こんばんいっしょにべんきょうしよう。

    Let's study together tonight.

  9. 40

    くらいからあかりをつけよう。

    It's dark, so let's turn on the light.

もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
時間
hour, time
だ。
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
くらい
dark
明り
light

Thinking about future actions · Perception drill, Block 3

An action under consideration

*私は 今晩 映画に 行こうと 思います* means "I think I'll go to a movie tonight."

The informal form joins *と 思います* to express the speaker's contemplated action.

Thinking of an action

*私は フランス語を 習おうと 思っています* means "I'm thinking of learning French."

Here *と 思っています* presents the action as an ongoing thought.

  1. 41

    わたくしはこんばんえいがにいこうとおもいます。

    I think I'll go to a movie tonight.

  2. 42

    わたくしはすこしやせようとおもいます。

    I think I'll lose a little weight.

  3. 43

    こんばんすきやきをりょうりしようとおもいます。

    I think I'll cook sukiyaki tonight.

  4. 44

    こんばんはやくやすもうとおもいます。

    I think I'll go to bed early tonight.

  5. 45

    わたくしはフランスごをならおうとおもっています。

    I'm thinking of learning French.

  6. 46

    わたくしはゴルフをはじめようとおもっています。

    I'm thinking of taking up golf.

少し
little (quantity)
すきやき
SUKIYAKI
ゴルフ
golf

Describing newly acquired abilities · Perception drill, Block 4

A change that has happened

*あの人は 日本語を 話すように なりました* means "He has reached the point where he speaks Japanese."

A verb before *ように なりました* names the action that has become possible or habitual.

A new ability

*この頃 日本語が 少し わかるように なりました* means "Lately, I've come to understand a little Japanese."

The change can describe a new ability, a repeated action, or a new habit.

  1. 47

    あのひとはにほんごをはなすようになりました。

    He has become to speak Japanese." "He has reached the point where he speaks Japanese.

  2. 48

    スミスさんはにほんへいけるようになりました。

    Mr. Smith can now go to Japan.

  3. 49

    このごろにほんごがすこしわかるようになりました。

    Lately, I've come to understand a little Japanese.

  4. 50

    わたくしはこのごろなんでもよくわすれるようになりました。

    Lately, I've come to forget everything easily.

  5. 51

    パーカーさんはよくべんきょうするようになりました。

    Mr. Parker has come to study hard.

  6. 52

    ジョンズさんはかんじがじょうずにかけるようになりました。

    Mr. Jones can now write kanji well.

頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
この頃
these days, nowadays
よく
well, skillfully
わすれる
to forget

Acting with intentions and beliefs · Perception drill, Block 5

With an intention

*私は 勉強のつもりで、 この学校に 来ました* means "I came to this school with the intention of studying."

After a noun, *のつもりで* states the intention or idea behind an action.

With an idea or belief

*私は 安い つもりで、 この自動車を 買ったのです* means "I bought this car thinking it was inexpensive."

*つもりで* can also follow a verb, an I-adjective, or a NA-adjective.

Kanji: 女

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

  1. 53

    わたくしはべんきょうのつもりで、このがっこうにきました。

    I came to this school with the intention of studying.

  2. 54

    わたくしはわるいつもりで、そんなことをしませんでした。

    I didn't do such a thing with any ill intention.

  3. 55

    あのひとはにほんごがじょうずなつもりでいます。

    He thinks (lit: is with an idea) that he is good in Japanese.

  4. 56

    わたくしはうんどうのつもりで、ゴルフをやります。

    I play golf for exercise.

  5. 57

    たなかさんはびょうきのつもりでいます。

    Mr. Tanaka thinks he is sick.

  6. 58

    わたくしはやすいつもりで、このじどうしゃをかったのです。

    I bought this car thinking it was inexpensive.

  7. 59

    あのおんなのひとはじぶんではうつくしいつもりでいるのです。

    That woman thinks she is beautiful.

  8. 60

    わたくしはまだわかいつもりでいます。

    I still think of myself as young.

  9. 61

    やまださんはにほんへいけるつもりでべんきょうしています。

    Mr. Yamada is studying in the belief that he can go to Japan.

車
vehicle, car
女
female
自分
self

Changes over recent periods · Pattern 1 1 of 2

A state over a recent span

In *ここ二三日 やわらかい 物ばかり 食べています*, *ここ二三日* places a continuing action within the recent past.

*ここ二三日 やわらかい 物ばかり 食べています* means "For the past two or three days, I've been eating nothing but soft foods."

A change during the span

*スミスさんは ここ一二か月の 間に 会話が 大へん 上手に なりました* describes a change during the past month or two.

The recent span can frame either a continuing state or a completed change.

  1. 62

    ここいちにねんあまりふえていません。

    It hasn't increased too much these one or two years.

  2. 63

    ここにさんにちやわらかいものばかりたべています。

    For the past two or three days, I've been eating nothing but soft foods.

  3. 64

    ここにさんねんしょくりょうひんがたいへんたかくなりました。

    Groceries have become very expensive in the past two or three years.

  4. 65

    ここいちにしゅうかんべんきょうがたいへんいそがしくなりました。

    My studies have become very demanding in the past week or two.

  5. 66

    スミスさんはここいちにかげつのあいだにかいわがたいへんじょうずになりました。

    Mr. Smith has become very good at conversation in the past month or two.

  6. 67

    わたくしはここにさんにちかぜをひいています。

    I've had a cold for the past two or three days.

やわらかい
soft, tender
かぜ
wind

Measuring recent changes · Pattern 1 2 of 2

How much changed

*ここ二三年の 間に 前の 倍に なりました* means "It has doubled in size over the past two or three years."

The *ここ* span states the period, while *前の 倍* gives the amount of change.

A measured increase

*ここ二三か月の 間に 十ポンドぐらい ふとりました* means "I've gained about ten pounds in the past two or three months."

*の 間に* places the measured change inside the recent span.

  1. 68

    このまちはずいぶんおおきくなりましたね。

    This town has grown considerably, hasn't it?

  2. 69

    ええ、ここにさんねんのあいだにまえのばいになりました。

    Yes, it has doubled in size over the past two or three years.

  3. 70

    あなたのみせはずいぶんいそがしそうですね。

    Your store seems very busy, doesn't it?

  4. 71

    ええ、ここにしゅうかんぐらい、ずいぶんいそがしいです。

    Yes, we've been very busy for about the past two weeks.

  5. 72

    あなたはこのごろ、ずいぶんふとってきましたね。

    You've gained quite a bit of weight lately, haven't you?

  6. 73

    ええ、ここにさんかげつのあいだにじゅっポンドぐらいふとりました。

    Yes, I've gained about ten pounds in the past two or three months.

町
town
ずい分
very much
店
store, shop
ぐらい、
about
いそがしい
busy
この頃、
these days, nowadays
十
ten

Informal decisions and predictions · Pattern 2 1 of 3

Decision, invitation, or prediction

*私は 今晩 映画に 行こう* means "I'll go to a movie tonight." It states the speaker's decision.

*スミスさんは 明日も 行こう* predicts: "Mr. Smith will probably go tomorrow, too."

An invitation without a subject

*田中さんが 来るまで 待とう* means "Let's wait until Mr. Tanaka comes."

Without an expressed subject, the form can invite joint action.

  1. 74

    まちへいこう

    Let's go to town.

  2. 75

    わたくしはこんばんえいがにいこう。

    I'll go to a movie tonight.

  3. 76

    スミスさんはあしたもいこう。

    Mr. Smith will probably go tomorrow, too.

  4. 77

    さむいからすこしのもう。

    It's cold, so let's have a little to drink.

  5. 78

    たなかさんがくるまでまとう。

    Let's wait until Mr. Tanaka comes.

  6. 79

    さあ、はじめよう。

    Well, let's begin.

  7. 80

    あめがふるから、くさがのびよう。

    It will rain, so the grass will grow.

明日
tomorrow
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
降る
to fall (rain) (v.i.)

Making plans for tonight · Pattern 2 2 of 3

Proposing an evening plan

In *何時頃 家を 出ようか*, the informal ending proposes a time for leaving home.

The line asks about the time as part of making an evening plan.

Settling the plan

*映画でも 見に 行こうよ* proposes "Let's go see a movie or something."

*七時少し 前に 出かけよう* settles the time: "Let's leave a little before seven."

  1. 81

    わたくしはこんばんはべんきょうしよう。

    I'll study tonight.

  2. 82

    こんばんはあめがふろう。

    It will probably rain tonight.

  3. 83

    こんばんはどうするか。

    What shall we do tonight?

  4. 84

    えいがでもみにいこうよ。

    Let's go see a movie or something.

  5. 85

    なんじごろいえをでようか。

    About what time shall we leave home?

  6. 86

    しちじすこしまえにでかけよう。

    Let's leave a little before seven.

  7. 87

    やまださんもさそおうか。

    Shall we invite Mr. Yamada too?

家
house, home
七
seven
時
time

Forming casual suggestions · Pattern 2 3 of 3

From an action to a suggestion

*フランス語を 習う* becomes *フランス語を 習おう*, "Let's learn French."

The changed ending makes the action a casual suggestion or resolution.

Agreeing to the plan

*ええ、 そうしよう* agrees with the proposed action.

Here *しよう* presents a joint resolution.

  1. 88

    ええ、そうしよう。

    Yes, let's do that.

  2. 89

    フランスごをならう――→フランスごをならおう。

    Learn French → Let's learn French.

  3. 90

    らいしゅうからてつだいます。

    I'll help starting next week.

  4. 91

    これをやると、こどもはよろこぶ。

    If I give this to the child, the child will be pleased.

  5. 92

    じどうしゃをなおします。

    I'll repair the car.

  6. 93

    こどももつれていきます。

    I'll take the child along too.

  7. 94

    しまむらさんのあたらしいいえにいってみる。

    I'll go and see Mr. Shimamura's new house.

来週
next week
やる
to do
よろこぶ。
to rejoice, be delighted

Thinking about future plans · Pattern 3 1 of 2

A plan under consideration

*私は 来年 日本へ 行こうと 思っています* means "I am thinking of going to Japan next year."

The informal form joins *と 思っています* to present a plan under consideration.

The planned action comes first

In *学校に のこって 勉強しようと 思っています*, *勉強しよう* names the contemplated action.

The complete line means "I'm thinking of staying at school and studying today."

  1. 95

    にほんはがいこくへえいがをゆしゅつしようとおもっています。

    Japan is thinking of exporting movie films to foreign countries.

  2. 96

    きょうはがっこうにのこってべんきょうしようとおもっています。

    I'm thinking of staying at school and studying today.

  3. 97

    ここにくさばなをうえようとおもっています。

    I'm thinking of planting flowers here.

  4. 98

    きょうはつかれたから、はやくやすもうとおもっています。

    I'm tired today, so I'm thinking of going to bed early.

  5. 99

    がっこうにちかいところにいえをさがそうとおもっています。

    I'm thinking of looking for a house near the school.

  6. 100

    わたくしはらいねんにほんへいこうとおもっています。

    I am thinking of going to Japan next year.

  7. 101

    あなたのおこさんはにほんごができますか。

    Can your child speak Japanese?

  8. 102

    できないんです。それで、おしえようとおもっているんです。

    No. So I am thinking of teaching my child.

  9. 103

    あなたはにほんへいってからも、にほんごのべんきょうをつづけるつもりですか。

    Do you intend to continue studying Japanese even after you go to Japan?

  10. 104

    はい、つづけようとおもっています。

    Yes, I am thinking of continuing.

今日
today
草花
flowering plant, flower
近い
near, close
所
address, place
つづける
to continue (v.t.)

Comparing plans and intentions · Pattern 3 2 of 2

A stated future action

*明日 行きます* means "I will go tomorrow." It states the future action directly.

A contemplated intention

In *明日 行こうと 思います*, the informal ending plus *と 思います* presents the action as contemplated.

*明日 行こうと 思います* means "I am thinking of going tomorrow."

  1. 105

    おくさんのたんじょうびに、なにかかってあげるのですか。

    Are you going to buy your wife something for her birthday?

  2. 106

    ええ、うでどけいをかってやろうとおもっています。

    Yes, I am thinking of buying her a wristwatch.

  3. 107

    あしたいきます。

    I will go tomorrow.

  4. 108

    あしたいこうとおもいます。

    I am thinking of going tomorrow.

  5. 109

    フランスえいがをみにいきます。

    I am going to see a French movie.

  6. 110

    あしたのあさはろくじにでかけます。

    I will leave at six tomorrow morning.

  7. 111

    ねつがさがらなければ、いしゃにかかります。

    If my fever does not go down, I will see a doctor.

  8. 112

    はちじごろかえります。

    I will return around eight o'clock.

  9. 113

    ことしあたらしいのをかいます。

    I will buy a new one this year.

か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
上げる
to give (to a superior) (v.t.)
朝
morning
六
six
ねつ
fever
医者
medical doctor
八
eight
今年
this year

Describing newly formed habits · Pattern 4 1 of 2

A new ability

*日本語が わかるように なりました* means "I have learned to understand Japanese."

Here *ように なりました* marks a change into a new ability.

A new repeated action

*あかんぼうは 歩くように なりました* means "The baby has started walking."

The verb before *ように なりました* names the action that now occurs.

  1. 114

    にほんごがわかるようになりました。

    I have learned to (become to) understand Japanese.

  2. 115

    あかんぼうはあるくようになりました。

    The baby has started walking.

  3. 116

    あのかたはさかなをたべるようになりました。

    That person has started eating fish.

  4. 117

    パーカーさんはあまりあそばないようになりました。

    Mr. Parker does not go out for fun very much anymore.

  5. 118

    ジョンズさんはあさはやくおきるようになりました。

    Mr. Jones has started getting up early in the morning.

  6. 119

    わたくしはすこしさけをのむようになりました。

    I have started drinking a little sake.

  7. 120

    スミスさんはこのごろよくできるようになりましたね。

    Mr. Smith has gotten quite good lately, hasn't he?

あかんぼう
baby
さかな
fish
おきる
to rise, get up (v.i.)
出来る
to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)

Changes in habits over time · Pattern 4 2 of 2

A habit that begins

The *ように なりました* in *パーカーさんは この頃 よく 飲むように なりましたね* marks a newly formed habit.

*パーカーさんは この頃 よく 飲むように なりましたね* means "Mr. Parker has started drinking a lot lately, hasn't he?"

Change over time

*年よりになると、 何でも わすれるように なりますね* describes a behavior that begins when people grow old.

The circumstances come first, followed by the behavior that starts.

  1. 121

    ええ、このごろよくべんきょうしますからね。

    Yes, because he studies hard these days.

  2. 122

    としよりになると、なんでもわすれるようになりますね。

    When people get old, they start forgetting everything, don't they?

  3. 123

    ええ、わたくしなどもよくわすれますよ。

    Yes, even I often forget things.

  4. 124

    パーカーさんはこのごろよくのむようになりましたね。

    Mr. Parker has started drinking a lot lately, hasn't he?

  5. 125

    このごろではありません。まえからよくのんでいましたよ。

    It isn't just lately. He has been drinking a lot for a long time.

  6. 126

    あかんぼうはきのうから

    The baby, since yesterday...

  7. 127

    あるくようになりました。

    Has started walking.

昨日
yesterday

Acting with an intention · Pattern 5 1 of 2

The intention behind an action

*私は 日本語を 習うつもりで、 この学校に 来ました* means "I came to this school with the intention of learning Japanese."

Here *つもりで* states the intention accompanying the action.

A belief about a thing

*この やさいは 新しい つもりで 私は 買いました* means "I bought these vegetables thinking they were fresh."

Here the I-adjective before *つもりで* states a belief, not a purpose.

  1. 128

    わたくしはべんきょうのつもりでえいがをみにいきます。

    I go to see a movie with the intention of learning something.

  2. 129

    わたくしはにほんごをならうつもりで、このがっこうにきました。

    I came to this school with the intention of learning Japanese.

  3. 130

    あのひとはわかいつもりであそんでいます。

    He thinks (is playing with the idea) that he is young.

  4. 131

    わたくしはうんどうのつもりでさんぽしています。

    I take walks for exercise.

  5. 132

    わたくしはにほんごのべんきょうをつづけるつもりでにほんへいきます。

    I am going to Japan with the intention of continuing my Japanese studies.

  6. 133

    わたくしはやせるつもりでうんどうしています。

    I exercise with the intention of losing weight.

  7. 134

    わたくしはあしたのあさろくじごろでかけるつもりでいます。

    I intend to leave around six tomorrow morning.

  8. 135

    このやさいはあたらしいつもりでわたくしはかいました。

    I bought these vegetables thinking they were fresh.

やせる
to lose weight (v.i.)
やさい
vegetable

Asking someone's purpose · Pattern 5 2 of 2

Asking the purpose

*あなたは 何のつもりで、 サンフランシスコへ 行くのですか* means "What are you going to San Francisco for?"

In *何のつもりで*, *何* combines with *つもりで* to ask the purpose behind an action.

Keeping an idea in mind

*そのつもりで 勉強しなさいよ* means "keep that in mind when you study."

Here *その* refers to the stated fact that tomorrow's section is difficult.

  1. 136

    わたくしはじょうずなつもりでゴルフをやっているのです。

    I play golf thinking that I am good at it.

  2. 137

    あしたのところはむずかしいから、そのつもりでべんきょうしなさいよ。

    Tomorrow's section is difficult, so keep that in mind when you study.

  3. 138

    はい、かしこまりました。

    Yes, I understand.

  4. 139

    あなたはなんのつもりで、サンフランシスコへいくのですか。

    What are you going to San Francisco for?

  5. 140

    かいもののつもりでいきます。

    I am going there to shop.

  6. 141

    たなかさんはきょうもしごとをやすんでいるのですか。

    Is Mr. Tanaka absent from work again today?

  7. 142

    ええ、あのひとはびょうきではないのですが、じぶんではびょうきのつもりでいるらしいんです。

    Yes, he isn't sick, but he apparently thinks he is.

ところ
place (See Gram. Notes)
むずかしい
difficult
サンフランシスコ
San Francisco
買物
shopping
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)

Japan's growing film industry · Reading Selection 1 of 2

Recognition for Japanese films

The passage describes the growth of Japanese cinema and its success at international festivals.

In *しょうを もらうように なって*, the *ように なって* pattern marks the new practice of winning awards.

Films sent abroad

Japanese color films gain popularity for their beauty.

*映画会社は よい 映画を 作って 外国とくに アメリカ、英国、フランス、ドイツなどに ゆしゅつしています* names the main foreign markets.

  1. 143

    にほんにはえいがにいくひとがおおぜいいます。

    There are many people in Japan who go to the movies.

  2. 144

    そのために、せんきゅうひゃくごじゅうねんごろからえいがかんがどん〳〵ふえてきました。

    For that reason, the number of movie theaters began to increase steadily around 1950.

  3. 145

    えいがをつくるかいしゃもおおくなりました。

    The number of companies making movies also increased.

  4. 146

    えいがもよいのがおおく、イタリー、フランスなどのえいがさいでしょうをもらうようになって、にほんえいがのひょうばんはきゅうによくなりました。

    There were many good movies, and as they began winning awards at film festivals in Italy, France, and other countries, the reputation of Japanese movies quickly improved.

  5. 147

    またにほんのてんねんいろえいがはがいこくのにくらべてじつにうつくしく、にんきがいいです。

    Also, compared with foreign color films, Japanese color films are truly beautiful and popular.

  6. 148

    それでえいがかいしゃはよいえいがをつくってがいこくとくにアメリカ、えいこく、フランス、ドイツなどにゆしゅつしています。

    Therefore, movie companies make good movies and export them abroad, especially to the United States, Britain, France, Germany, and other countries.

  7. 149

    にほんにはまた、がいこくのえいががたくさんきています。

    Many foreign movies also come to Japan.

大ぜい
crowd (of people)
千
1,000
九百
900
五十
50
作る
to raise, to make
しょう
award, reward
もらう
to receive (tangible things)
アメリカ、
America; U.S.A.
英国、
England

Foreign films and television · Reading Selection 2 of 2

Television and movie theaters

The passage moves from imported films and language study to the rapid growth of television.

In *ここ一二年 映画館は ふえていません*, *ここ一二年* marks the recent span when movie theaters stopped increasing.

A change in viewing habits

*人々は 見に 行かない ように なりました* means "People no longer go to see a movie."

The *ように なりました* pattern marks the changed habit, which applies unless the film is quite good.

  1. 150

    べいこく、

    The United States,

  2. 151

    えいこく、フランス、ドイツ、イタリー、ソれんなどでつくったえいががおおいです。

    There are many movies made in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Soviet Union, and other countries.

  3. 152

    ですから、おおきなしにすんでいると、いろいろのがいこくえいがをみることができるので、がいこくごをならっているひとには、いいべんきょうになります。

    Therefore, if you live in a large city, you can see various foreign movies, so they are good study for people learning foreign languages.

  4. 153

    せんきゅうひゃくろくじゅうねんごろからテレビがどん〳〵ふえてきました。

    Television sets began to increase steadily around 1960.

  5. 154

    それで、えいがにいくひともすくなくなったので、ここいちにねんえいがかんはふえていません。

    As a result, fewer people went to the movies, so the number of movie theaters has not increased in the past one or two years.

  6. 155

    えいがもかなりよいのでないと、ひとびとはみにいかないようになりました。

    People no longer go to see a movie unless it is quite good.

大きな
big, large (See Gram. Notes)
六十
60
かなり
fairly
人々
people

Japanese films abroad · Questions 1 of 2

Japanese films abroad

The questions ask about cinema growth, festival awards, reputation, color films, and export markets.

*日本の 映画も 外国の 映画さいで、 しょうを もらいますか* means "Do Japanese movies also win awards at foreign film festivals?"

An answer states the fact from the reading in a complete sentence.

  1. 156

    にほんにはえいがにいくひとがおおいですか。

    Are there many people in Japan who go to the movies?

  2. 157

    せんきゅうひゃくごじゅうねんごろからえいがかんはきゅうにおおくなりましたか。

    Did the number of movie theaters increase rapidly around 1950?

  3. 158

    にほんのえいがもがいこくのえいがさいで、しょうをもらいますか。

    Do Japanese movies also win awards at foreign film festivals?

  4. 159

    にほんえいがはがいこくでもひょうばんがいいですか。

    Do Japanese movies have a good reputation abroad, too?

  5. 160

    にほんのてんねんいろえいがはとくにうつくしいですか。

    Are Japanese color films especially beautiful?

  6. 161

    にほんではどこへえいがをゆしゅつしていますか。

    Where does Japan export movies to?

Foreign films and television audiences · Questions 2 of 2

Foreign films and television

The questions ask where films come from, how they support language study, and how television changed cinema attendance.

*外国映画は 外国語の 勉強に なりますか* means "Do foreign movies help you study foreign languages?"

An answer gives the reading's information in a complete sentence.

  1. 162

    にほんはどこからえいがをゆにゅうしますか。

    Where does Japan import movies from?

  2. 163

    にほんではちいさいまちでもがいこくのえいがをじょうえいしますか。

    Are foreign movies shown even in small towns in Japan?

  3. 164

    がいこくえいがはがいこくごのべんきょうになりますか。

    Do foreign movies help you study foreign languages?

  4. 165

    にほんにはテレビがおおいですか。

    Are there many television sets in Japan?

  5. 166

    いつごろからテレビがおおくなりましたか。

    About when did television sets become common?

  6. 167

    にほんではこのごろえいがにいくひとがふえていますか。

    Have more people been going to the movies in Japan lately?

上映
showing (movie)

Cinema and television words · Word list 1 of 4

Cinema and television

These words cover places, media, film production, and performers.

*映画館* means "movie theater", *テレビ* means "television", and *はいゆう* means "actor."

The group also includes words for mood, color, reputation, companies, and popular stars.

  1. 168

    えいがかん

    movie theater

  2. 169

    ごらく

    amusement, recreation

  3. 170

    テレビ

    television

  4. 171

    カラーテレビ

    color television

  5. 172

    きぶん

    feeling

  6. 173

    てんねんいろ

    technicolor, natural color

  7. 174

    ひょうばん

    reputation

  8. 175

    かいしゃ

    company, firm

  9. 176

    はいゆう

    actor

  10. 177

    にんきスター

    popular star

映画館
movie theater
カラーテレビ
color television
天ねん色
technicolor, natural color
はいゆう
actor
人気スター
popular star

Film people and customs · Word list 2 of 4

Film people and formats

These words cover film personnel, film formats, customs, and changes in number.

*かんとく* means "director", *カラー映画* means "color movie", and *白黒映画* means "black and white movie."

Kanji: 黒

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

  1. 178

    しゅえん

    main character, featured

  2. 179

    かんとく

    director, superintendent

  3. 180

    な

    name

  4. 181

    しゅうかん

    custom, habit

  5. 182

    カラーえいが

    color movie

  6. 183

    しろくろえいが

    black and white movie

  7. 184

    えいこく

    England

  8. 185

    じょゆう

    actress

  9. 186

    へる

    to decrease

  10. 187

    ならぶ

    to line up

しゅえん
main character, featured
カラー映画
color movie
白黒映画
black and white movie
英国
England
女ゆう
actress
ならぶ
to line up

Words for change and intention · Word list 3 of 4

Change and intention

These expressions cover recent spans, contemplated actions, intentions, appearance, and changed abilities.

*ここ一二年* means "these one or two years", and *--のつもりで* means "with the intention of."

*ようになります* describes beginning an action or becoming able to perform it.

  1. 188

    しゅえんする

    to play a feature part in a play

  2. 189

    きゅうに

    suddenly

  3. 190

    どんどん

    rapidly

  4. 191

    じつに

    really, truly

  5. 192

    なるべく

    as much as possible

  6. 193

    ここいちにねん

    these one or two years (See Grammar Notes)

  7. 194

    --ようとおもう

    thinking of --- (See Grammar Notes)

  8. 195

    よさそう

    appears good

  9. 196

    --のつもりで

    with the intention of --

  10. 197

    ようになります

    to begin to --; become so that he will --- (See Grammar Notes)

しゅえんする
to play a feature part in a play
きゅうに
suddenly
どんどん
rapidly
じつに
really, truly
ここ一二年
these one or two years (See Grammar Notes)
--ようと思う
thinking of --- (See Grammar Notes)
よさそう
appears good
--のつもりで
with the intention of --
ようになります
to begin to --; become so that he will --- (See Grammar Notes)

Describing film and television trends · Word list 4 of 4

Film and television trends

These examples describe current film production, television growth, film releases, and learning through repeated viewing.

*この頃、 カラーテレビが どんどん ふえています* means "Color television sets have increased rapidly in number these days."

*映画を たびたび 見ると、言葉が わかるようになります* describes learning to understand words by seeing films often.

  1. 198

    ふうきりになる

    to be released (film)

  2. 199

    このごろはカラーえいががおおいです。

    There are many color movies these days.

  3. 200

    このごろはしろくろ、えいがはあまりつくりません。

    They don't make too many black and white movies these days.

  4. 201

    このごろ、カラーテレビがどんどんふえています。

    Color television sets have increased rapidly in number these days.

  5. 202

    えいがをたびたびみると、ことばがわかるようになります。

    If you see movies often, you'll learn to understand words.

  6. 203

    こんどアメリカえいががにほんでふうきりになります。

    This time an American movie will be released in Japan.

  7. 204

    にほんのにんきじょゆうはやまもとふじこ、きょうまちこ、つかさようこ、ばいしょうちえこなどです。

    Japanese popular actresses are Fujiko Yamamoto, Machiko Kyoo, Yooko Tsukasa, Chieko Baishoo, etc.

ふうきりになる
to be released (film)
この頃はカラー映画が多いです。
"There are many color movies these days."
この頃は白黒、映画はあまり作りません。
"They don't make too many black and white movies these days."
この頃、カラーテレビがどんどんふえています。
"Color television sets have increased rapidly in number these days."
映画をたびたび見ると、言葉がわかるようになります。
"If you see movies often, you'll learn to understand words."
今度アメリカ映画が日本でふうきりになります。
"This time an American movie will be released in Japan."
日本の人気女ゆうは山本ふじ子、京まち子、司よう子、ばいしょうちえ子などです。
"Japanese popular actresses are Fujiko Yamamoto, Machiko Kyoo, Yooko Tsukasa, Chieko Baishoo, etc."

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.