Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 49

Lesson 49

Kanji and everyday Japanese

141 lines

Approaching graduation and travel · Dialogue 1 of 2

How time passes

*早いものですね。 ここへ 来てから、 もう ほとんど 一年に なります* means "How time flies. It will be almost a year since arriving here."

The students discuss graduation and an approaching trip. Here *ものです* follows *早い* and makes the description emphatic.

Worry about the trip

*おそらく だれでも 少しは そんな 心配が あるだろうと 思います* means "Most probably everybody will have a little anxiety, I think." Here *だろう* marks probability.

In *今では 日じょうの 事なら 話せるのですから*, *話せる* means "to be able to speak."

Kanji: 課, 程, 配

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

Kanji: -A 答

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

  1. 1

    はやいものですね。ここへきてから、もうほとんどいちねんになります。

    How time flies. It will be almost a year since we came here.

    早いfast
    ものindeed
    ですis
    ね。right?
    ここhere
    へtoward
    来come
    てcome
    から、since
    もうalready
    ほとんどalmost
    一one year
    年one year
    にinto
    なりbecome
    ます。polite
  2. 2

    ほんとにつきひがたつのははやいもんですね。いちねんのかていもおわりにちかづきましたね。

    Time really passes quickly, doesn't it? The year's course is drawing to an end.

  3. 3

    あといっかげつでそつぎょうするんですからね。

    We'll be graduating in one more month.

  4. 4

    ひとこともしらずにここへきて、いまではにちじょうのことならはなせるのですから、じぶんでもおどろくほどです。

    We came here not knowing a word and now we can converse about everyday things (routine), so it is surprising to me.

  5. 5

    まったくそうです。でも、こんどのきんようびのりょこうでは、いろいろしらないひととはなすのでしょうから、すこししんぱいで。

    Entirely true! But on this Friday's trip we will be speaking Japanese with many strangers, so I'm kind of worried.

  6. 6

    おたがいさまですよ。おそらくだれでもすこしはそんなしんぱいがあるだろうとおもいます。

    The feeling is mutual. Most probably everybody will have a little anxiety, I think.

MONO DESU or MON DESU

1. MONO DESU or MON DESU

MONO DESU or the short form of it, MON DESU, following the base form of I-adjectives, NA-adjectives and verbs makes the statement emphatic. It is commonly rendered 'indeed,' 'surely,' etc. Sometimes such an expression is rendered in an exclamatory sentence.

HAYAI MONO (MON) DESU NE. "It surely is fast, isn't it?"
"How time flies!"

KONO HANA WA KIREI NA MONO (MON) DESU NE. "This flower is indeed beautiful, isn't it?"
"Isn't this flower beautiful?"
DAROO

2. DAROO

DAROO expresses a conjecture or a probability. It is the informal future form of the copula DA. It may follow a substantive, a verb, or an I-adjective base form and expresses the idea of 'probably,' 'I guess,' 'most likely,' etc.

ANO KATA WA FURANSUGO NO SENSEI DAROO.
(ANO KATA WA FURANSUGO NO SENSEI DESHOO.) "I guess he is a French teacher."

SENSEI MO SHINPAI SURU DAROO.
(SENSEI MO SHINPAI SURU DESHOO.) "Probably the teacher will worry, too."

OSORAKU HANASENAI DAROO.
(OSORAKU HANASENAI DESHOO.) "Most likely he'll not be able to talk."

SAKURA NO HANA WA KIREI DAROO.
(SAKURA NO HANA WA KIREI DESHOO.) "Cherry blossoms are probably pretty."

When DAROO is followed by KA, it expresses the idea of "Do you suppose---."

ANO HITO MO IKU DAROO KA. "Do you suppose he'll go, too?"

KONBAN AME GA FURU DAROO KA. "Do you suppose it will rain tonight?"
--RERU, -- RARERU

3. --RERU, -- RARERU

The suffixes RERU and RARERU were introduced in Lesson 46 as passive voice suffixes.

SENSEI NI MIRAREMASHITA. "I was seen by the teacher."

WATAKUSHI WA DOITSU E TSURETE IKAREMASHITA. "I was taken to Germany."

These suffixes, used in exactly the same ways as above, have another meaning of 'can,' or 'be able to.'

ANATA WA NIHONGO GA OSHIERAREMASU. "You can teach Japanese."

WATAKUSHI WA SAKUBAN WA NERAREMASEN DESHITA. "I couldn't sleep last night."

KONNA IE NIWA SUMAREMASEN. "I can't live in a house like this."

Whether the verbs in these suffixes are in the passive voice or the potential mood depends entirely on the context. The SURU in this form, e.i. SARERU, is seldom, if ever, used potentially. DEKIRU is usually used in its place.
--TA MONO DESU or TA MON DESU.

4. --TA MONO DESU or TA MON DESU.

MONO DESU or MON DESU used after the past tense of a verb or an I-adjective, most commonly informal past tense, conveys an idea of 'used to.'

KODOMO NO TOKI SOKO E TABITABI ITTA MONO DESU. "I used to go there often when I was a child."

WAKAI TOKI NIWA NICHIYOOBI NIWA OHIRU GORO MADE NETA MON DESU. "When I was young, I used to sleep until about noon on Sundays."

KODOMO NO TOKI EIGA NI TSURETE ITTE MORAU TO URESHIKATTA MONO DESU. "I used to be happy when I was taken to a movie when I was a child."

RAJIO WA MUKASHI TAKAKATTA MONO DESU GA IMA DEWA YASUI DESU. "Radios used to be expensive, but at present they are inexpensive."

This pattern is less frequently used with an inanimate subject. A simple past tense is used instead.
KOSO

5. KOSO

KOSO is used after a substantive or a phrase to single it out for emphasis as 'indeed,' 'for sure.'

YAMADA-SAN KOSO SHITTE IRU HAZU DESU. "Mr. Yamada is supposed to know, indeed."

TABAKO O NOMU KOTO KOSO KARADA NI WARUI. "Indeed, smoking is bad for one's health."
もの
things (tangible)
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
ここ
here
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
ほとんど
almost (See Gram. Notes)
一
one
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
ます。
trout
月日
time, months and days
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
たつ
to pass (time), elapse
の
See Grammar Notes
は
leaves
課程
course of study
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
一言
one word
なら
if it is (See Gram. Notes)
話せる
to be able to speak
自分
self
おどろく
to be surprised
ほど
to the extent (See Grammar Notes)
まったく
truly, entirely
そう
numerical counter for ships
今度
this time, next time
人
people
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
少し
little (quantity)
おそらく
perhaps, probably
だれ
who?
ある
certain, some

Reflecting on academic struggles · Dialogue 2 of 2

Who struggled most

*私こそ 夜とこに はいってからでも、 ねられずに 勉強の 事について かんがえたものです* means "I, indeed, used to think about studying, unable to sleep even after getting into bed at night."

The students compare earlier worries about school. *こそ* follows *私* and singles that person out for emphasis.

What happened often

In the same line, *かんがえたものです* means the speaker used to think about studying.

Kanji: 頭, 多

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

  1. 7

    でも、もうすぐそつぎょうだとおもうと、うれしいですね。

    But when we think we'll be graduating soon, it really makes us happy, doesn't it?

  2. 8

    わたくしはあたまがわるいので、はじめはがっこうがでられるかどうかと、しょうしょうしんぱいしていたんですよ。

    I'm dumb, so I was worried a bit wondering whether I could graduate or not.

  3. 9

    ごじょうだんでしょう。わたくしこそよるとこにはいってからでも、ねられずにべんきょうのことについてかんがえたものです。

    You must be kidding. I, indeed, used to think about studying, not being able to sleep even after getting into bed at night.

  4. 10

    わたくしはここへくるのがいっしゅうかんおそかったでしょう。こまりましたよ。

    I came here one week late, you see. I really had a hard time.

  5. 11

    ならわなければならないかんじやことばのかずはおおいし、こまったでしょうね。

    I imagine you had a difficult time because there were many words and kanji that you had to learn.

  6. 12

    はじめのあいだはくろうしましたよ。でも、いまかんがえると、かえっておもしろかったとおもっています。

    I really suffered at first. But when I think of it now, it was rather pleasant.

すぐ
right away, immediately
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
思う
to think
うれしい
joyful, glad, happy
頭
head, mind
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
少々
a little
し
city
じょうだん
joke, jest
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
こそ
indeed, certainly (See Grammar Notes)
夜
night, evening
とこ
bed
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
かんがえ
idea, thinking
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
かず
number
かんがえる
to think
かえって
on the contrary, rather (See Grammar Notes)

Making guesses and predictions · Perception drill, Block 1

Ask for a judgment

*田中さんは 行くだろうか* means "Do you suppose Mr. Tanaka will go?" The ending *だろうか* asks for a probable judgment.

State what is probable

*あの人も 行くだろう* means "He probably will go, too." The ending *だろう* expresses a conjecture or probability.

It follows a noun, a verb, an I-adjective, or the stem of a NA-adjective. With *か*, it means "do you suppose."

  1. 13

    たなかさんはいくだろうか。

    Do you suppose Mr. Tanaka will go?

  2. 14

    あのひともいくだろう。↓

    He probably will go, too.

  3. 15

    こんばんはさむいだろう。↓

    It probably will be cold tonight.

  4. 16

    それはにほんごのざっしだろう。↓

    That probably is a Japanese magazine.

  5. 17

    あのせいとはべんきょうがきらいだろう。↓

    That student probably doesn't like to study.

  6. 18

    こんばんあめがふるだろうか。

    I wonder if it will rain tonight.

  7. 19

    たぶんふるだろう。

    It will probably rain.

  8. 20

    にほんへいくのはいつがいいだろうか。

    When would be the best time to go to Japan?

  9. 21

    しがつごろがいちばんいいだろう。

    Around April would be best.

  10. 22

    あそこにいるひとはおんなだろうか。

    Is the person over there a woman?

  11. 23

    かみがながいからおんなだろうが、このごろはおとこでもかみがながいから、わかりませんね。

    The person has long hair, so it is probably a woman, but these days men have long hair too, so I don't know.

  12. 24

    このぶんけいはたいせつだろうか。

    Is this sentence pattern important?

  13. 25

    ええ、わたくしはたいせつだろうとおもいます。

    Yes, I think it is important.

か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
さむい
cold
きらい
dislike (See Gram. Notes)
雨
rain
降る
to fall (rain) (v.i.)
いつ
when?
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
四
four
月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
一番
number one (See Grammar Notes)
あそこ
over there
女
female
かみ
hair
この頃
these days, nowadays
男
male
ええ、
Yes

Saying what you cannot do · Perception drill, Block 2

Unable to go

*私は 行かれません* means "I can't go." Here *行かれません* is the negative potential form. It states inability.

The same endings for ability

*私は 今晩は いそがしいから、 来られません* means "I'm busy tonight, so I can't come."

The endings in *行かれません* and *来られません* can mean "cannot" or "not be able to." Context distinguishes this meaning from the passive.

  1. 26

    わたくしはいかれません。

    I can't go.

  2. 27

    わたくしはさくばんねられませんでした。

    I couldn't sleep last night.

  3. 28

    わたくしはこんばんはいそがしいから、こられません。

    I'm busy tonight, so I can't come.

  4. 29

    わたくしはごじにはおきられません。

    I can't get up at five.

  5. 30

    わたくしはそんなにたくさんたべられません。

    I can't eat that much.

  6. 31

    わたくしはときどきせんせいのしつもんにこたえられません。

    Sometimes I can't answer the teacher's questions.

  7. 32

    わたくしはこのごろことばがおぼえられません。

    These days I can't remember words.

ね
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
いそがしい
busy
五
five
時
time
時々
sometimes, occasionally
しつもん
question

Talking about former habits · Perception drill, Block 3

A habit from youth

*私は 若い 時には よく 勉強したものです* means "I used to study hard when I was young." The form *したものです* presents study as a former habit.

Past form with ものです

*私は 日本に 居た 時には、 よくゴルフを やったものですが、 米国では あまり やりません* describes a former habit in Japan.

It means "I used to play golf often when I was in Japan, but I do not play much in the United States."

After a past verb, *ものです* means "used to." The informal past is usual, and *MON DESU* is the short form.

  1. 33

    わたくしはわかいときにはよくべんきょうしたものです。

    I used to study hard when I was young.

  2. 34

    わたくしはわかいときにはよくたべたものですが、このごろはあまりたべられません。

    I used to eat a lot when I was young, but these days I can't eat very much.

  3. 35

    わたくしはにほんにいたときには、よくゴルフをやったものですが、べいこくではあまりやりません。

    I used to play golf often when I was in Japan, but I don't play very much in the United States.

  4. 36

    スミスさんはこのがっこうにきたときには、よくべんきょうしたものですが、このごろはなまけています。

    Mr. Smith used to study hard when he first came to this school, but these days he is slacking off.

  5. 37

    あなたはしゅうまつにはずいぶんあそんだものだとききました。

    I heard that you used to have a lot of fun on weekends.

よく
well, skillfully
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
ゴルフ
golf
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
ずい分
very much

Making probable statements · Pattern 1 1 of 3

Probability after different words

*今晩 雪が 降るだろう* means "It probably will snow tonight." Here *だろう* follows a verb.

In *あれは 鉄橋 だろう*, "That probably is a steel bridge," the same ending follows a noun.

The lines also place *だろう* after *さむい* and *むり* to make probable descriptions.

  1. 38

    あのひとはにほんごをはなすだろうか。

    Do you suppose he'll speak Japanese?

  2. 39

    こんばんゆきがふるだろう。↓

    It probably will snow tonight.

  3. 40

    じゅうがつにはさむいだろう。↓

    It probably is cold in October.

  4. 41

    あれはてっきょうだろう。↓

    That probably is a steel bridge.

  5. 42

    これはこどもにはすこしむりだろう。↓

    This probably is a little difficult for children.

  6. 43

    だれでもびょうきになるだろう。(とおもいます)

    I think anyone would get sick.

  7. 44

    このかわはあさいだろう。(とおもいます)

    I think this river is probably shallow.

  8. 45

    これはせんせいのほんだろう。(とおもいます)

    I think this is probably the teacher's book.

雪
snow
十
ten
鉄橋
steel bridge, railroad bridge
(と
and (See Gram. Notes)
ます)
trout
川
river
あさい
shallow
本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)

Asking and answering guesses · Pattern 1 2 of 3

A question and a probable answer

*川口に あるのは 何の 工場だろうか* means "What kind of factory is the one in Kawaguchi?" The ending *だろうか* asks for a judgment.

*かんづめ 工場だろうと 思う* means "I think it is probably a cannery." The probable statement comes before *と 思う*.

  1. 46

    やまださんはゴルフがじょうずだろう。(とおもいます)

    I think Mr. Yamada is probably good at golf.

  2. 47

    このえいがはおもしろくないだろう。(とおもいます)

    I don't think this movie will be interesting.

  3. 48

    かわぐちにあるのはなんのこうじょうだろうか。

    What kind of factory is the one in Kawaguchi?

  4. 49

    かんづめこうじょうだろうとおもう。

    I think it is probably a cannery.

  5. 50

    そのとなりのはなんだろうか。

    What is the one next to it?

  6. 51

    あれはせいざいじょだろう。

    That is probably a sawmill.

  7. 52

    いまりはつやはいそがしいだろうか。

    Is the barbershop busy now?

  8. 53

    いまはいそがしくないだろう。

    It probably isn't busy now.

上手
skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)
映画
movie
川口
river mouth
工場
factory
かんづめ
canned goods
思う。
to think
所
address, place

People, events and descriptions · Pattern 1 3 of 3

Statements before conjecture

*だれでも 心配します* means "Everyone worries." Its verb can form the basis of a probable judgment.

*あの 映画は おもしろい* means "That movie is interesting." The I-adjective can likewise form the basis of a conjecture.

The other lines supply negative verbs, nouns, and NA-adjectives for the same pattern.

  1. 54

    だれでもしんぱいします。

    Everyone worries.

  2. 55

    くじにいくとおそいです。

    It is late if you go at nine.

  3. 56

    たなかさんはきません。

    Mr. Tanaka isn't coming.

  4. 57

    あのえいがはおもしろい。

    That movie is interesting.

  5. 58

    あのやくしゃはゆうめいではありません。

    That actor is not famous.

  6. 59

    あのかたはけんこうです。

    That person is healthy.

九
nine
おそい
be late
おもしろい。
interesting, to be fun
役者
actor, player
けんこう
health

Saying what cannot be done · Pattern 2 1 of 2

Can and cannot

*私は 行かれますが、 田中さんは 行かれません* means "I can go, but Mr. Tanaka can't go."

*行かれます* states ability. Its negative form *行かれません* states that the action cannot be performed.

In *こんな きたない 家には 住まれません*, context gives the same potential meaning: "I can't live in a dirty house like this."

  1. 60

    わたくしはいかれますが、たなかさんはいかれません。

    I can go, but Mr. Tanaka can't go.

  2. 61

    よるでもむしあつくて、ねられません。

    It is hot and humid even at night, so I can't sleep.

  3. 62

    わたくしはこのしつもんにこたえられません。

    I can't answer this question.

  4. 63

    ごじまでにはかえられるとおもいます。

    I think I can get home by five.

  5. 64

    こんなきたないいえにはすまれません。

    I can't live in a dirty house like this.

  6. 65

    そんなになんにちもあそばれません。

    I can't take that many days off.

ます
trout
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
れる
to be able to -- (See Grammar Notes)
家
house, home

Asking about abilities · Pattern 2 2 of 2

Ask about ability

*一日に 新しい 言葉を 四十ぐらい おぼえられますか* means "Can you learn about forty new words a day?" The potential form with *か* asks about ability.

*あなたは はしを 使って 食べられますか* asks whether someone can eat using chopsticks. An answer uses an affirmative or negative ability form.

  1. 66

    いちにちにあたらしいことばをよんじゅうぐらいおぼえられますか。

    Can you learn about forty new words a day?

  2. 67

    そんなにたくさんおぼえられませんね。

    You can't learn that many, can you?

  3. 68

    あなたははしをつかってたべられますか。

    Can you eat using chopsticks?

  4. 69

    いいえ、わたくしははしをつかってたべることはできません。

    No, I can't eat using chopsticks.

  5. 70

    まだきってをあつめていますか。

    Are you still collecting stamps?

  6. 71

    このごろはいそがしいから、あつめられません。

    I'm busy these days, so I can't collect them.

四十
40
ぐらい
about
まだ
yet, still
切手
postage stamp

Past habits in youth · Pattern 3 1 of 2

Repeated actions in the past

*私は 子供の 時には 毎日 ここで あそんだものです* means "I used to play here every day when I was a child."

Time expressions such as *毎日* and *よく* support the former-habit meaning of the past verb with *ものです*.

*もんです* is the shorter form in *私は 子供の 時には よく 病気を したもんです*.

  1. 72

    わたくしはこどものときにはまいにちここであそんだものです。

    I used to play here every day when I was a child.

  2. 73

    わたくしはなつにはまいにちおよいだものです。

    I used to swim every day in the summer.

  3. 74

    わたくしはこどものときにはよくびょうきをしたもんです。

    I used to get sick often when I was a child.

  4. 75

    わたくしはわかいときにはよくたべたものです。

    I used to eat a lot when I was young.

  5. 76

    ミネソタしゅうにいたときにはよくつりにいったものです。

    I used to go fishing often when I lived in Minnesota.

  6. 77

    わたくしはわかいときにはよくあそんだものです。

    I used to have a lot of fun when I was young.

  7. 78

    たなかさんはわかいときにはよくはたらいたものです。

    Mr. Tanaka used to work hard when he was young.

  8. 79

    あなたはあんまりたべないんですね。

    You don't eat very much, do you?

  9. 80

    ええ、わかいときにはよくたべたもんですがね。このごろはあまりたべられません。

    No, I used to eat a lot when I was young, but these days I can't eat very much.

夏
summer
しゅう
state
つり
fishing

Past habits versus today · Pattern 3 2 of 2

Then and now

*私は 日本に 居た 頃には よく 歩いたものですが、 この頃は 歩きません* contrasts frequent walking in Japan with not walking much now.

*田中さんは 若い 時には よく ビールを 飲んだ ものですが、 この頃 あんまり 飲めませんね* contrasts a former habit with present inability.

  1. 81

    このごろあんまりあるきませんね。

    You don't walk very much these days, do you?

  2. 82

    ええ、わたくしはにほんにいたころにはよくあるいたものですが、このごろはあるきません。

    No, I used to walk a lot when I was in Japan, but these days I don't.

  3. 83

    たなかさんはわかいときにはよくビールをのんだものですが、このごろあんまりのめませんね。

    Mr. Tanaka used to drink a lot of beer when he was young, but these days he can't drink very much, can he?

  4. 84

    ええ、わたくしもこのごろあんまりのめませんね。

    No, I can't drink very much these days either.

  5. 85

    わたくしはまいにちにマイルはしりました。

    I ran two miles every day.

  6. 86

    まいねんなつのやすみにはやまにいきました。

    I went to the mountains every year during summer vacation.

  7. 87

    ブラウンさんはまいしゅういちどすきやきをたべました。

    Mr. Brown ate sukiyaki once a week.

  8. 88

    わたくしはこどものとききねんきってをあつめました。

    When I was a child, I collected commemorative stamps.

  9. 89

    わたくしはあめがふってもかいしゃへあるいていきました。

    Even when it rained, I walked to the office.

ビール
beer
二
two
マイル
mile
毎年
every year (See Grammar Notes)
山
mountain
すきやき
SUKIYAKI
会社
company, firm

Preparing for a graduation trip · Reading Selection 1 of 2

Speaking without the teacher

The students will visit Japanese shops and companies in San Francisco. They expect speaking without their teacher to be difficult.

*自分たちだけで 日本人と 話すのは むずかしいだろうと 思います* predicts difficulty speaking with Japanese people without help.

The *だろう* after *むずかしい* marks this as a probable judgment.

Two possible results

*私たちが 上手に 話せたら、 先生も うれしいだろうと 思います* predicts that successful speech will make the teacher happy.

The passage contrasts this outcome with speaking Japanese full of mistakes. Potential *話せたら* supplies the successful condition, and *だろう* marks the predicted result.

Kanji: 受

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

  1. 90

    つきひのたつのははやいもので、わたくしたちがこのがっこうにきてから、もういちねんちかくになります。

    Time passes quickly, and it has been almost a year since we came to this school.

  2. 91

    あといっかげつでいちねんのかていもおわります。

    In one more month, the year's course will be over.

  3. 92

    そつぎょうするまえにせいとたちはサンフランシスコへりょこうして、そこでにほんじんのみせやかいしゃにいってにほんごではなすのです。

    Before graduating, the students will travel to San Francisco, where they will visit Japanese shops and companies and speak in Japanese.

  4. 93

    がっこうではせんせいが「ああいったらよい」こういったらよいとおしえてくださいますから、しんぱいはいりませんが、じぶんたちだけでにほんじんとはなすのはむずかしいだろうとおもいます。

    At school, the teacher kindly tells us what to say in this situation or that, so there is no need to worry, but I think it will be difficult to speak with Japanese people on our own.

  5. 94

    しょうしょうしんぱいですが、いっしょにいくうけもちのせんせいがおそらくもっとくろうする

    I am a little worried, but the teacher in charge who is going with us will probably have even more trouble.

  6. 95

    ことだろうとおもいます。

    I think that will be the case.

  7. 96

    わたくしたちがまちがいだらけのにほんごではなしたら、せんせいもこまるでしょう。

    If we speak Japanese full of mistakes, the teacher will probably be in a difficult position too.

  8. 97

    わたくしたちがじょうずにはなせたら、せんせいもうれしいだろうとおもいます。

    If we can speak well, I think the teacher will be happy too.

で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
近く
vicinity
前
before, front
サンフランシスコ
San Francisco
そこ
there
店
store, shop
よい」
good (See Gram. Notes)
ください
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
だけ
only, just (See Grammar Notes)
むずかしい
difficult
もっと
more (See Gram. Notes)
間ちがい
mistake, error
だらけ
full of, covered with (See Grammar Notes)
こまる
to be troubled

Studying during the class trip · Reading Selection 2 of 2

Students who cannot travel

*その日 サンフランシスコに 行かれない 生徒は、 学校に のこって 勉強しなければなりません* means students unable to go must remain at school and study.

Potential *行かれない* identifies the students who cannot travel. They will review without their teacher.

Former trips and this visit

The speaker lived in Sacramento about ten years earlier. *サンフランシスコへは 時々 行ったものです* means "I used to go to San Francisco from time to time."

The former-habit form contrasts those trips with a plan to buy a small dictionary on this visit.

  1. 98

    そのひさんふらんしすこにいかれないせいとは、がっこうにのこってべんきょうしなければなりません。

    Students who cannot go to San Francisco that day must stay at school and study.

  2. 99

    がっこうにはそのひうけもちのせんせいはいませんから、いかれないせいとはじしゅうです。

    Since the teacher in charge will not be at school that day, the students who cannot go will study on their own.

  3. 100

    にちじょうのもんどうばかりやっているせいとにはしずかにふくしゅうするのもいいでしょう。

    For students who do nothing but daily question-and-answer drills, it may be good to review quietly too.

  4. 101

    そういうこともたまにはいいことだとおもいます。

    I think that sort of thing is good once in a while too.

  5. 102

    わたくしはじゅうねんほどまえにはサクラメントしにすんでいたので、

    I lived in the city of Sacramento about ten years ago.

  6. 103

    サンフランシスコへはときどきいったものです。

    I used to go to San Francisco from time to time.

  7. 104

    しかし、にほんごはしらなかったのですから、にほんじんまちにはいったことはありませんでした。

    However, since I did not know Japanese, I had never been to Japantown.

  8. 105

    こんどいったらにほんのほんやでちいさいじびきをかってきたいとおもっています。

    When I go this time, I would like to buy a small dictionary at a Japanese bookstore and bring it back.

は、
leaves
もんどう
question and answer, dialogue
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
言う
to say
たまに
rarely, once in a while
しかし、
however, but
町
town
本屋
bookshop

Study, time and thought words · Word list 1 of 3

Study, time, and speech

These words cover study, passing time, speech, thought, and travel. *課程* means "course of study."

*月日* means "time, months and days," and *話せる* means "to be able to speak."

  1. 106

    かてい

    course of study

  2. 107

    つきひ

    time, months and days

  3. 108

    ひとこと

    one word

  4. 109

    にちじょう

    daily, everyday

  5. 110

    あたま

    head, mind

  6. 111

    じょうだん

    joke, jest

  7. 112

    とこ

    bed

  8. 113

    かず

    number

  9. 114

    たつ

    to pass (time), elapse

  10. 115

    はなせる

    to be able to speak

  11. 116

    おどろく

    to be surprised

  12. 117

    りょこう(する)

    trip (to travel)

日じょう
daily, everyday
りょ行(する)
trip (to travel)

Worry, hardship and likelihood words · Word list 2 of 3

Worry and approaching events

These words describe worry, hardship, approaching events, likelihood, and passing time. *心配* means "worry."

*近づく* means "to approach, draw near," and *おそらく* means "perhaps, probably."

  1. 118

    しんぱい(する)

    worry (to worry)

  2. 119

    ちかづく

    to approach, draw near

  3. 120

    くろう(する)

    hardship, suffering (to suffer, toil)

  4. 121

    でられる

    to be able to graduate

  5. 122

    うれしい

    joyful, glad, happy

  6. 123

    おそい

    be late

  7. 124

    うけもちの

    in charge

  8. 125

    まったく

    truly, entirely

  9. 126

    おそらく

    perhaps, probably

  10. 127

    しょうしょう

    a little

  11. 128

    はやいものです

    indeed early, time flies fast (See Grammar Notes)

  12. 129

    つきひがたつ

    time passes

心配(する)
worry (to worry)
近づく
to approach, draw near
くろう(する)
hardship, suffering (to suffer, toil)
出られる
to be able to graduate
受持の
in charge
早いものです
indeed early, time flies fast (See Grammar Notes)
月日がたつ
time passes

Ability, probability and emphasis expressions · Word list 3 of 3

Ability, probability, and past habits

These expressions state ability, probability, emphasis, and former habits.

*あの方は 多分 日本へ 行かれるでしょう* means "He can probably go to Japan."

*こそ* means "indeed, certainly," and *たものです* means "I used to."

Kanji: 特

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

Kanji: 別

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

  1. 130

    おどろくほど

    surprisingly

  2. 131

    おたがいさまです

    the feeling is mutual

  3. 132

    --だろう

    probably -- (See Grammar Notes)

  4. 133

    あたまがわるい

    to have a dull mind, to have no brains

  5. 134

    --について

    concerning ---

  6. 135

    れる

    to be able to -- (See Grammar Notes)

  7. 136

    ごじょうだんでしょう

    You must be joking, You must be kidding

  8. 137

    こそ

    indeed, certainly (See Grammar Notes)

  9. 138

    --たものです

    I used to --- (See Grammar Notes)

  10. 139

    あのかたはたぶんにほんへいかれるでしょう。

    He can probably go to Japan.

  11. 140

    せんせいのしつもんにこたえられません。

    I cannot answer the teacher's questions.

  12. 141

    ひるやすみのときにはうけもちのせんせいにとくべつにおしえてもらって、よるはおそくまでべんきょうしたもんですよ。

    I used to get special instruction from my homeroom teacher during the noon recess and study until late at night.

おどろくほど
surprisingly
おたがいさまです
the feeling is mutual
--だろう
probably -- (See Grammar Notes)
頭が悪い
to have a dull mind, to have no brains
--について
concerning ---
ごじょうだんでしょう
You must be joking, You must be kidding
--たものです
I used to --- (See Grammar Notes)
あの方は多分日本へ行かれるでしょう。
"He can probably go to Japan."
先生のしつもんに答えられません。
"I cannot answer the teacher's questions."
昼休みの時には受持の先生に特別に教えてもらって、夜はおそくまで勉強したもんですよ。
"I used to get special instruction from my homeroom teacher during the noon recess and study until late at night."

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.