Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 51

Lesson 51

Kanji and everyday Japanese

174 lines

Landing at the airport · Dialogue 1 of 3

Arrival at Haneda

Two travelers see Haneda Airport from the air and prepare to land. One says, *降りる したくは 出来たかね*, "Are you ready to get off?"

The reply is *はい、 出来ました*, "Yes, I am ready." Their forms reflect the speakers' relationship.

Four levels of politeness

In *降りる したくは 出来たかね*, the speaker uses non-polite language with a close associate.

Japanese verbs have four levels of politeness: non-polite, polite, humble, and honorific.

Non-polite language serves close friends, classmates, younger people, and social inferiors. Polite language serves strangers, acquaintances, close associates, and even superiors.

Humble language describes the speaker's actions to a superior. Honorific language describes the actions or things of a person of higher standing.

Kanji: 夫

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

Kanji: -A 辞

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

  1. 1

    はねだとうちゃく

    Arrival at Haneda

    はHaneda
    ねHaneda
    田Haneda
    とうarrival
    ちゃくarrival
  2. 2

    はやいもんだね。もうはねだくうこうにつくよ。そらからみるにほんのけしきはいいな。

    It surely was fast, wasn't it? Already we are arriving at Haneda Airport. Looking from the sky, the scenery of Japan is beautiful, isn't it?

  3. 3

    ほんとにうつくしいですね。あ、あすこにくうこうがみえます。

    It certainly is (beautiful). Oh, I can see the airport over there.

  4. 4

    おりるしたくはできたかね。

    Are you ready to get off?

  5. 5

    はい、できました。

    Yes, I am ready.

  6. 6

    おおぜいきているね。

    There are many people, aren't there?

O + { 2nd base of verbs / base form of I-adjectives / noun form of NA-adjectives } + DESHOO

The above sentence expresses the idea of 'one must be ---,' 'you are ---, are you not?'

Examples:

OTSUKARE DESHOO. "You must be tired!" or "You are tired, are you not?"

OISOGASHII DESHOO. "You must be busy!" or "You are busy, are you not?"

OJOOZU DESHOO. "You must be good at it!" or "You are skillful at it!"
O + 2nd base of verb + terminal verb

O + 2nd base of verb + KUDASAI is an honorific equivalent for TE-form of verbs + KUDASAI, 'please do such-and-such.'

Examples:

OMACHI KUDASAI

MATTE KUDASAI.

"Please wait."

OYOMI KUDASAI.

YONDE KUDASAI.

"Please read."

OKAKE KUDASAI.

KAKETE KUDASAI.

"Please sit down."

O + 2nd base of verb + ITASHIMASU is a humble equivalent for the MASU-form of a verb and expresses the idea of "I'll do such-and-such for you."

Examples:

TETSUDAIMASU.

OTETSUDAI ITASHIMASU. "I'll help you."

MACHIMASU.

OMACHI ITASHIMASU. "I'll wait for you."

MISEMASU.

OMISE ITASHIMASU. "I'll show it to you."

Sometimes SHIMASU is used in place of ITASHIMASU to make it less humble.

Examples:

OMISE SHIMASU. "I'll show it to you."

OMACHI SHIMASU. "I'll wait for you."
GOZAIMASU

GOZAIMASU is a polite word corresponding to ARIMASU. However, depending on whether DE precedes it or GA comes before it, the meanings differ.

DE GOZAIMASU is the polite form of DE ARIMASU from which DESU is derived. SAYOO DE GOZAIMASU = SOO DESU. DE GOZAIMASU is not used after I-adjectives.

WATAKUSHI WA OOKI DE GOZAIMASU = WATAKUSHI WA OOKI DESU. "I am Ooki."

GA (or WA or MO) GOZAIMASU is the polite form corresponding to GA (or WA or MO) ARIMASU.

YOOJI GA GOZAIMASU = YOOJI GA ARIMASU. "I have some business."

NANI MO GOZAIMASEN = NANI MO ARIMASEN. "There isn't anything."
ORIMASU; ITASHIMASU

ORIMASU and ITASHIMASU are the humble forms of IMASU and SHIMASU respectively.

Examples:

WATAKUSHI WA KONBAN UCHI NI ORIMASU. "I'll be at home tonight."

KANAI MO UCHI NI ORIMASU. "My wife will also be at home tonight."

WATAKUSHI GA SORE O ITASHIMASU. "I'll do that."

WATAKUSHI WA KONBAN BENKYOO ITASHIMASU. "I'll study tonight."
--WAKE NI WA IKIMASEN.

Following the basic form of verbs, WAKE NI WA IKIMASEN expresses the idea of 'can't very well do ---.'

Examples:

SORE O TABERU WAKE NIWA IKIMASEN. "I cannot very well eat it."

ASOBU WAKE NIWA IKIMASEN. "I can't very well fool around."

SORE O MORAU WAKE NIWA IKIMASEN. "I can't very well accept it."

WAKE NIWA IKIMASEN also follows the negative suffix NAI and expresses the idea of 'can't help but do such-and-such' or 'can't very well not do such-and-such.'

Examples:

IKANAI WAKE NIWA IKIMASEN. "I can't very well not go." or "I can't help but go."

SORE O TABENAI WAKE NIWA IKIMASEN. "I can't very well not eat it." or "I can't help but eat it."
Apposition NO

When two nouns in apposition, that is, two nouns referring to one person such as "Tanaka, the actor," or "Kelly, the son," are to be expressed, the particle NO is placed between them:

(Profession, rank, etc.) + NO + (Proper Name)

HAIYUU NO TANAKA-SAN.

GOREISOKU NO KERII-SAN.

Other Examples:

NIHONGO NO SENSEI NO OOKI-SAN. "Mr. Ooki, the Japanese teacher"

GUNJIN NO SUMISU-SAN "Mr. Smith, the soldier"

MUSUME NO HANAKO "Hanako, the daughter"
TOORI

Following the basic form of both past and non-past verbs and the noun plus NO form, TOORI expresses the meaning of 'just as,' 'just like,' or 'as.'

Examples:

GORAN NO TOORI. "Just as you see."

ITTA TOORI. "Just as you have said."

ANATA GA SHITTE IRU TOORI. "Just as you know."

ANATA GA IU TOORI DESU. "It is just like you say."
Japanese verbs have four levels of politeness. They are non-polite, polite, humble, and honorific.

Honorific forms and words are used when reference is to:

Actions or things of a third person of higher social standing than the speaker.

Actions or things of a person of higher social standing than the speaker. However, if one speaks of a third person impersonally or objectively, as in the

case of the actions of a cabinet minister, this may not apply. Characters in history are spoken of without the honorifics, unless they are related to the person addressed.

Members of the Imperial family or things related to it.

Humble forms and words are used, when reference is to:

The actions or things of the first person in speaking to a superior.

Shopkeepers and tradesmen, workers, etc., in speaking to their customers.

Students in addressing their teachers.

The non-polite style is used among brothers, close friends, classmates, or when speaking to social inferiors such as tradesmen and workers, and to people who are much younger. However, the polite style is used as well here and often preferred.

The polite style is used by educated people in speaking to strangers, acquaintances, and close associates who may even be superiors.
は
leaves
ね
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
田
paddy field
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
空港
airport
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
の
See Grammar Notes
けしき
scenery
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
あすこ
over there
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
ます。
trout
降りる
to get off
したく
preparation
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
大ぜい
crowd (of people)
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)

Meeting an old friend · Dialogue 2 of 3

An old friend welcomes the travelers

An old friend meets the travelers after their long journey. He says, *長い 旅行で、 さぞ おつかれでしょう*, "It's been a long journey and you must be tired."

In *おつかれでしょう*, the host respectfully infers their condition. In *お出むかえくださいまして*, a respectful request form appears inside an elaborate thank-you.

A more polite word for being

The greeting *おひさしぶりで 御ざいますね* uses *御ざいます* for a more polite statement.

After *で*, *御ざいます* forms a polite statement. After *が*, *は*, or *も*, it can mean "there is."

It does not follow an I-adjective.

Kanji: 旅, 御

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

  1. 7

    あ、あすこにやまださんがいます。わたくしたちをむかえにきているのでしょう。

    Oh, over there is Mr. Yamada. He probably is here to meet us.

  2. 8

    やあ、やまださん、おひさしぶりでございますね。おげんきですか。

    Oh, Mr. Yamada, it's been a long time, hasn't it? How are you?

  3. 9

    ええ、おかげさまで。ながいりょこうで、さぞおつかれでしょう。

    Yes, thank you. It's been a long journey and you must (indeed) be tired.

  4. 10

    いいえ、とてもたのしいりょこうで、ちっともつかれませんでした。

    No, it was a pleasant trip and I didn't get tired at all.

  5. 11

    きょうはいそがしいところをわざわざおでむかえくださいまして、ありがとうございます。

    Thank you very much for going out of your way to come after us today, when you are so busy.

  6. 12

    いいえ、どういたしまして。さあ、どうぞこちらへ。

    No trouble at all. This way, please.

を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
やあ、
Oh!
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
ええ、
Yes
とても
very, indeed
ちっとも
not even a little (See Gram. Notes)
今日
today
いそがしい
busy
ところ
place (See Gram. Notes)
ください
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
さあ、
well, now, here, come
こちら
this, here (See Gram. Notes)
へ。
to (See Gram. Notes)

Riding to official quarters · Dialogue 3 of 3

Two nouns for one person

The host asks about *御れいそくの ケニーさん*, "your son, Kenny." Both nouns refer to Kenny.

When two nouns name one person, *の* stands between them. A profession, rank, or relation comes before the person's name.

The reply includes *つれて 来る わけには いきませんでした*, "I couldn't very well bring him."

Humble words for being and doing

The host says, *御案内 いたしましょう*, "I'll take you." *ITASHIMASU* is the humble form of *SHIMASU*.

*ORIMASU* is the humble form of *IMASU*. These forms describe the speaker's actions when speaking to a superior.

The request *おのりください* respectfully asks the guest to get in.

Kanji: 案

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

  1. 13

    ごれいそくのケニーさんはごいっしょではないのですか。

    Isn't your son, Kenny, with you?

  2. 14

    だいがくにいっておりますので、つれてくるわけにはいきませんでした。

    Since he is attending the university, I couldn't very well bring him.

  3. 15

    そうですか。これがくるまです。さあ、どうぞおのりください。

    Is that right? This is the car. Please get in.

  4. 16

    ありがとうございます。

    Thank you.

  5. 17

    これからかんしゃのほうへごあんないいたしましょう。

    I'll take you to your official quarters, (from now).

ます
trout
そう
numerical counter for ships
車
vehicle, car
ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)

Inferring another person's state · Perception drill, Block 1

A respectful inference

*おつかれでしょう* means "You must be tired." *お* comes before the verb form, and *でしょう* follows it.

This pattern politely infers another person's state. It can also seek confirmation, as in "You are tired, are you not?"

Verbs and adjectives in the same frame

The same frame takes a verb stem, an I-adjective, or the noun form of a NA-adjective.

*お いそがしい でしょう* means "You must be busy." *ゴルフが お好きでしょう* means "You like golf, don't you?"

  1. 18

    おつかれでしょう。

    You must be tired!

  2. 19

    おじょうずでしょう。

    You must be good at it!

  3. 20

    おいそがしいでしょう。

    You must be busy!

  4. 21

    おつかれでしょう。

    You must be tired.

  5. 22

    はい、たいへんつかれました。

    Yes, I am very tired.

  6. 23

    おこさんはさぞおよろこびでしょう。

    Your children must be very pleased.

  7. 24

    はい、とてもよろこんでいます。

    Yes, they are very pleased.

  8. 25

    ゴルフがおすきでしょう。

    You like golf, don’t you?

  9. 26

    ええ、ゴルフがとてもすきです。

    Yes, I like golf very much.

上手
skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)
大へん
very
ゴルフ
golf
好き
to like, be fond of (See Grammar Notes)
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)

Polite requests and helpful offers · Perception drill, Block 2

A respectful request

*少々 お待ちください* means "Please wait a moment." The form places *お* before the verb stem and *ください* after it.

This is an honorific counterpart to a request with the TE-form and *ください*.

A humble response or offer

The reply *お待ちいたします* means "I will wait." With *いたします*, the same frame humbly describes the speaker's action.

*おさそい いたしますよ* means "I will invite you." The form can present an action done for another person.

  1. 27

    おたべください。

    Please eat.

  2. 28

    おおしえいたします。

    I'll teach you.

  3. 29

    しょうしょうおまちください。

    Please wait a moment.

  4. 30

    はい、おまちいたします。

    Yes, I will wait.

  5. 31

    こんどいいにほんえいががきたら、さそってください。

    Please invite me when another good Japanese movie comes.

  6. 32

    ええ、おさそいいたしますよ。

    Yes, I will invite you.

  7. 33

    じかんがきたらよんでください。

    Please call me when it is time.

  8. 34

    はい、およびいたします。

    Yes, I will call you.

  9. 35

    いいしゃしん(Pictures,photographs)をおみせいたしましょうか。

    Shall I show you some good photographs?

  10. 36

    はい、みせてください。

    Yes, please show me.

少々
a little
今度
this time, next time
映画
movie
時間
hour, time
ましょう
let's (See Gram. Notes)

Things impossible to avoid · Perception drill, Block 3

An action that is not practical

*あなたを つれて 行く わけには いきません* means "I can't very well take you."

*わけには いきません* after a basic verb form says that circumstances make the action impractical.

An action that cannot be omitted

*あなたを つれて 行かない わけには いきません* means "I can't help but take you."

When the verb before *わけには いきません* is negative, the whole expression means that the action cannot be avoided.

  1. 37

    あなたをつれていくわけにはいきません。

    I can't very well take you.

  2. 38

    あなたをつれていかないわけにはいきません。

    I can't help but take you." (I can't very well not take you.)

  3. 39

    このえいがにはこどもをつれていくわけにはいきません。

    I cannot take the children to this movie.

  4. 40

    まだきゅうけいじかんではありませんから、そとへでるわけにはいきません。

    Since it is not break time yet, I cannot go outside.

  5. 41

    にほんじんはさかなをたべないわけにはいきません。

    Japanese people cannot do without eating fish.

  6. 42

    そとのひとがいますから、そんなことをはなすわけにはいきません。

    Since someone else is here, I cannot talk about such a thing.

  7. 43

    かんじをべんきょうしないわけにはいきません。

    I cannot get by without studying kanji.

  8. 44

    まだべんきょうがおわらないから、ねるわけにはいきません。

    Since I have not finished studying yet, I cannot go to bed.

まだ
yet, still
きゅうけい
recess
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
人
people
さかな
fish
し
city
ねる
to sleep

Doing exactly as directed · Perception drill, Block 4

Exactly as stated

*あなたの 言った 通りです* means "It's exactly as you said." *通り* means "as" or "exactly like."

It follows a past or non-past verb. It also follows a noun joined by *の*, as in *御らんの 通り*.

Doing something in the same way

With *に*, the expression describes how an action is done.

*この かん字を 本の 通りに 書いてください* directs the writer to match the kanji in *本*.

  1. 45

    ごらんのとおり

    As you see, -----.

  2. 46

    あなたのいったとおりです。

    It's exactly as you said.

  3. 47

    あなたのしっているとおりです。

    It is as you know it.

  4. 48

    あなたのいうとおりにしてあげます。

    I'll do it for you just as you say.

  5. 49

    ともだちからきいたとおりにほんごはむずかしいです。

    Just as I heard from my friend, Japanese is difficult.

  6. 50

    たなかさんのいったとおりこのえいがはたいへんおもしろかった。

    Just as Mr. Tanaka said, this movie was very interesting.

  7. 51

    このかんじをほんのとおりにかいてください。

    Please write this kanji just as it is in the book.

  8. 52

    せんせいのとおりにはつおんしてください。

    Please pronounce it just as the teacher does.

  9. 53

    このかんじをほんにかいてあるとおりにかいてください。

    Please write this kanji just as it is written in the book.

  10. 54

    あなたのいったとおり、きょうはあめがふりだしました。

    Just as you said, it started raining today.

通り
street
言う
to say
むずかしい
difficult
本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
ある
certain, some
雨
rain

Inferring feelings and conditions · Pattern 1 1 of 2

Strong inferences about feelings

*さぞ お困りでしょう* means "You must be having a lot of trouble." The respectful inference with *でしょう* applies to a present condition.

*奥さんは さぞ おおどろきでしょう* makes the same kind of inference about another person's surprise.

Inviting confirmation

*あなたは さかなが お好きでしょう* means "You like fish, don't you?" Here *でしょう* invites confirmation.

The lines apply the same respectful frame to tiredness, free time, health, hunger, work, and preference.

Kanji: 困

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

  1. 55

    おつかれでしょう。

    You must be tired!

  2. 56

    おひまでしょう。

    You must be free!

  3. 57

    おいそがしいでしょう。

    You must be busy!

  4. 58

    さぞおこまりでしょう。

    You must be having a lot of trouble.

  5. 59

    おこさんはおよろこびでしょう。

    Your children must be pleased.

  6. 60

    おくさんはさぞおおどろきでしょう。

    Your wife must be very surprised.

  7. 61

    あなたはさかながおすきでしょう。

    You like fish, don’t you?

  8. 62

    おくさんはおげんきでしょう。

    Your wife is well, isn’t she?

  9. 63

    おなかがおすきでしょう。

    You must be hungry.

  10. 64

    このごろはがっこうのしごとがおいそがしいでしょう。

    You must be busy with schoolwork these days.

ひま
leisure time, free
おなか
stomach
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)

Explaining inferred conditions · Pattern 1 2 of 2

A reason before the inference

*奥さんは 毎日 お仕事ですから、 さぞ おつかれでしょう* means "Since your wife works every day, she must be very tired."

The clause ending in *から* gives the circumstance that supports the inference with *でしょう*.

Time as the circumstance

*もう 一時ですから、 さぞ おなかが おすきでしょう* links the time at one o'clock to an inference about hunger.

The response can confirm the condition and add its cause.

  1. 65

    ええ、あたらしいきょうかしょをかいているから、とてもいそがしいのです。

    Yes, I am very busy because I am writing a new textbook.

  2. 66

    おくさんはまいにちおしごとですから、さぞおつかれでしょう。

    Since your wife works every day, she must be very tired.

  3. 67

    ええ、つかれて、よるくじごろにはもうねてしまいます。

    Yes, she gets tired and is already asleep by about nine at night.

  4. 68

    もういちじですから、さぞおなかがおすきでしょう。

    Since it is already one o’clock, you must be very hungry.

  5. 69

    ええ、けさからたべていませんから、おなかがとてもすいています。

    Yes, I have not eaten since this morning, so I am very hungry.

  6. 70

    よろこぶ

    to be pleased

  7. 71

    つかれる

    to get tired

  8. 72

    こまる

    to be troubled

  9. 73

    おどろく

    to be surprised

  10. 74

    のどがかわく

    to be thirsty

夜
night, evening
九
nine
時
time
今朝
this morning
よろこぶ
to rejoice, be delighted
つかれる
to get tired (v.i.)
おどろく
to be surprised
のど
throat
かわく
to dry (v.i.)

Offering help politely · Pattern 2 1 of 3

Requests for the other person

The request *お かけ ください* asks the other person to take a seat.

*少々 お待ちください* means "Please wait a moment."

Offers from the speaker

*お手つだい いたします* means "I'll help you." The humble form presents the speaker's action toward another person.

*お手つだい いたしましょうか* offers that help with "Shall I help you?"

  1. 75

    おかけください。

    Please sit down.

  2. 76

    おてつだいいたします。

    I'll help you.

  3. 77

    しょうしょうおまちください。

    Please wait a moment.

  4. 78

    ひとつおとりください。

    Please take one.

  5. 79

    おつかいください。

    Please use it.

  6. 80

    いいしゃしんをおみせいたします。

    I will show you some good photographs.

  7. 81

    これをあなたにおわたしいたします。

    I will give this to you.

  8. 82

    おてつだいいたします。

    I will help you.

  9. 83

    いそがしそうですね。おてつだいいたしましょうか。

    You look busy, don’t you? Shall I help you?

一
one

Accepting and declining offers · Pattern 2 2 of 3

Offering and accepting

*お見せ いたしましょうか* means "Shall I show them to you?" It makes a humble offer.

The acceptance *ええ、 見せてください* means "Yes, please show me." It answers with a request.

Accepting a request

*少々 お待ちください* means "Please wait a moment." The reply *はい、 かしこまりました* means "Yes, certainly."

A refusal can begin with thanks and give a reason, as the line about the small amount of work remaining shows.

  1. 84

    ありがとうございますが、もうすこししかしごとがのこっていませんから、けっこうです。

    Thank you, but there is only a little work left, so I am all right.

  2. 85

    にほんからしゃしんをたくさんもってかえりましたから、おみせいたしましょうか。

    I brought back many photographs from Japan, so shall I show them to you?

  3. 86

    ええ、みせてください。

    Yes, please show me.

  4. 87

    もうすぐじゅんびができますから、しょうしょうおまちください。

    The preparations will be ready soon, so please wait a moment.

  5. 88

    はい、かしこまりました。

    Yes, certainly.

  6. 89

    つかう

    to use

  7. 90

    まつ

    to wait

  8. 91

    はいる

    to enter

  9. 92

    よぶ

    to call

が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
少し
little (quantity)
けっこう
splendid, fine
すぐ
right away, immediately
じゅんび
preparation
使う
to use, employ
待つ
to wait
はいる
to enter, to go in
よぶ
to call (v.t.)

Verbs for polite exchanges · Pattern 2 3 of 3

Actions in polite exchanges

These verbs supply actions for polite requests, offers, and exchanges.

*しめる* means "to close", *見せる* means "to show", and *わたす* means "to hand over".

  1. 93

    しめる

    to close

  2. 94

    よろこぶ

    to be pleased

  3. 95

    おくる

    to send

  4. 96

    よぶ

    to call

  5. 97

    みせる

    to show

  6. 98

    かりる

    to borrow

  7. 99

    あずける

    to leave in someone’s care

  8. 100

    わたす

    to hand over

送る
to send (v.t.)
見せる
to show (v.t.)
かりる
to borrow, rent
あずける
to entrust, deposit, store
わたす
to hand over, transfer

Obligations and practical impossibility · Pattern 3 1 of 2

What circumstances prevent

*それを 食べる わけには いきません* means "I can't very well eat that." The basic verb form presents an impractical action.

A reason can state the constraint, as in having no money before *買う わけには いきません*.

What circumstances require

*それを 食べない わけには いきません* means "I can't help but eat it." The negative verb presents an action that cannot be omitted.

*勉強しない わけには いきません* therefore says that studying is necessary.

  1. 101

    それをたべるわけにはいきません。

    I can't very well eat that.

  2. 102

    それをたべないわけにはいきません。

    I can't very well not eat it" or "I can't help but eat it.

  3. 103

    かうわけにはいきません。

    I cannot buy it.

  4. 104

    これをあのひとにみせるわけにはいきません。

    I cannot show this to that person.

  5. 105

    ひとつしかのこっていないからうるわけにはいきません。

    Since there is only one left, I cannot sell it.

  6. 106

    にほんごはむずかしいから、べんきょうしないわけにはいきません。

    Since Japanese is difficult, I have to study it.

  7. 107

    あのひとがてつだってくださいといったから、てつだわないわけにはいきません。

    Since that person asked me to help, I have to help.

  8. 108

    ことしあたらしいくるまをかうつもりですか。

    Do you intend to buy a new car this year?

  9. 109

    おかねがないから、かうわけにはいきません。

    Since I have no money, I cannot buy one.

  10. 110

    こんばんかぶきをみにいきませんか。

    Would you like to go see kabuki tonight?

買う
to buy
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
今年
this year
かぶき
Kabuki

Limits on possible actions · Pattern 3 2 of 2

A reason makes the limit clear

*今晩は 仕事ですから、 行く わけには いきません* means "Since I have work tonight, I cannot go."

The reason before *から* identifies the practical constraint on the action.

Limits on sending and other actions

*それは 少し 大きいから、 小包ゆうびんで 送る わけには いきませんね* means "Since that is a little large, you cannot send it by parcel post, can you?"

The same pattern can limit showing, returning, selling, taking someone along, leaving something behind, or paying.

  1. 111

    こんばんはしごとですから、いくわけにはいきません。

    Since I have work tonight, I cannot go.

  2. 112

    これをこづつみゆうびんでおくることができますか。

    Can I send this by parcel post?

  3. 113

    それはすこしおおきいから、こづつみゆうびんでおくるわけにはいきませんね。

    Since that is a little large, you cannot send it by parcel post, can you?

  4. 114

    みせる

    to show

  5. 115

    かえる

    to return home

  6. 116

    うる

    to sell

  7. 117

    つれていく

    to take someone along

  8. 118

    おいていく

    to leave something behind

  9. 119

    はらう

    to pay

小包
parcel, small package
ゆうびん
postal service
はらう
to pay

Acting as shown or told · Pattern 4 1 of 2

A result matches what came before

*御らんの 通り 大きく なりました* means "He became big, as you see." The result matches what is visible.

A result can also match what someone said, thought, learned, or usually did.

An action matches a model

*私が 言った 通りに なさい* means "Do exactly as I have told you." *通りに* describes how the action is done.

*あなたが 思う 通りに しなさい* uses the same form for the way another person thinks best.

  1. 120

    ごらんのとおりおおきくなりました。

    He became big, as you see.

  2. 121

    あのひとのいったとおりいいてんきでした

    Just like she said, the weather was good.

  3. 122

    しんぶんにかいてあるとおりです。

    It is just like it is printed in the newspaper.

  4. 123

    わたくしがいったとおりになさい。

    Do exactly as I have told you.

  5. 124

    あなたがおもうとおりにしなさい。

    Do it the way you think it should be done.

  6. 125

    これはわたくしががっこうでならったとおりです。

    This is just as I learned it at school.

  7. 126

    あのひとはいつものとおりおそくきました。

    That person came late as usual.

  8. 127

    たなかさんがいったとおり、にほんはずいぶんかわっていました。

    Just as Mr. Tanaka said, Japan had changed a great deal.

天気
weather
思う
to think
いつ
when?
おそく
late (adverbial form of OSOI, be late, be slow)
ずい分
very much

Copying writing and pronunciation · Pattern 4 2 of 2

Writing from a model

In *私が 一度 書いて 上げますから、 私が 書く 通りに 書きなさい*, the speaker writes once and directs the other person to match it.

*通りに* connects the learner's writing to the demonstrated action.

Pronunciation from a model

*先生の 通りに はつおんして 御らんなさい* means "Try pronouncing it the way the teacher does."

Here a noun with *の* before *通りに* supplies the person whose pronunciation is copied.

  1. 128

    このえいがはわたくしがほんでよんだとおりでした。

    This movie was just as I had read in the book.

  2. 129

    わたくしがおもったとおり、あのひとはしごとをやすみました。

    Just as I thought, that person took the day off work.

  3. 130

    せんせい、このかんじのかきかたをおしえてください。

    Teacher, please show me how to write this kanji.

  4. 131

    わたくしがいちどかいてあげますから、わたくしがかくとおりにかきなさい。

    I will write it once for you, so write it just as I do.

  5. 132

    スミスさんはがっこうをやめるとききましたが、ほんとうですか。

    I heard that Mr. Smith is leaving school; is that true?

  6. 133

    ええ、そのとおりです。

    Yes, that is right.

  7. 134

    このことばはどうはつおんするのですか。

    How do you pronounce this word?

  8. 135

    せんせいのとおりにはつおんしてごらんなさい。

    Try pronouncing it the way the teacher does.

やめる
to quit

An embassy family arrives · Reading Selection 1 of 2

A family arrives in Japan

Colonel Smith went to Japan with his family to serve at the embassy.

*飛行機がはね田空港に着いたのは、 五月の十二日でした* means "The airplane arrived at Haneda Airport on May twelfth."

Many people meet them at Haneda. Mr. Jones, another military attaché, is among them.

Old friends meet again

*スミスさんとジョンズさんは ひさしぶりにあったのですから、 色々話す事が沢山ありました* says the old friends had many things to discuss.

The passage joins the airport scene, embassy duties, and their reunion into one account.

  1. 136

    スミスたいさはたいしかんづきぶかんとして、かぞくづれでにほんへいきました。

    Colonel Smith went to Japan with his family to serve as a military attaché at the embassy.

  2. 137

    ひこうきがはねだくうこうについたのは、ごがつのじゅうににちでした。

    The airplane arrived at Haneda Airport on May twelfth.

  3. 138

    そらからみたにほんのけしきはほんとうにうつくしかった。

    The scenery of Japan seen from the air was truly beautiful.

  4. 139

    はねだくうこうでは、おおぜいのひとがでむかえにきていました。

    At Haneda Airport, many people had come to meet them.

  5. 140

    そのおおぜいのひとのなかにジョンズさんもいました。

    Mr. Jones was among the many people there.

  6. 141

    ジョンズさんはいまにほんでたいしかんつきぶかんとして、きんむしています。

    Mr. Jones is now serving in Japan as a military attaché at the embassy.

  7. 142

    スミスさんとジョンズさんはひさしぶりにあったのですから、いろいろはなすことがたくさんありました。

    Since Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones had not seen each other for a long time, they had many things to talk about.

大使
ambassador
五
five
月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
十
ten
二
two

Troublesome children and family talk · Reading Selection 2 of 2

Parents discuss their children

The Smiths have two sons and one daughter. Two younger children quarrel and disobey, so *スミスさんも困っています*, "Mr. Smith is troubled too."

Mr. Jones reports similar trouble with his own son and daughter.

From the airport to the residence

The families continue this conversation as they walk to the car.

*ジョンズさんは 自分の車で スミスさんたちを かんしゃへ案内しました* means Mr. Jones took the Smiths to the official residence.

Kanji: 親

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

Kanji: 両

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

  1. 143

    スミスさんにはむすこさんがふたりとむすめさんが

    Mr. Smith has two sons and a daughter.

  2. 144

    ひとりあります。

    He has one daughter.

  3. 145

    しかし、ひとりのむすこさんとむすめさんはまだちいさくていつもけんかしてりょうしんのいうことをきかないので、スミスさんもこまっています。

    However, one of his sons and his daughter are still young, and they are always quarreling and do not listen to their parents, so Mr. Smith is troubled too.

  4. 146

    うえのむすこさんはべいこくのだいがくにいっています。

    His older son is attending a university in the United States.

  5. 147

    ジョンズさんにもむすこさんとむすめさんがひとりずつあるそうですが、おやのいうことをきかずこまっていると、ジョンズさんもはなしていました。

    Mr. Jones also said that he apparently has one son and one daughter, and that he is troubled because they do not listen to their parents.

  6. 148

    こんなはなしをしながらスミスさんたちはジョンズさんのくるまのところまできました。

    While talking about these things, the Smiths came to Mr. Jones’s car.

  7. 149

    ジョンズさんはじぶんのくるまでスミスさんたちをかんしゃへあんないしました。

    Mr. Jones took the Smiths to the official residence in his own car.

二人
2 people
一人
one person
しかし、
however, but
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
ずつ
each (See Gram. Notes)
話
story, talk
ながら
while (See Grammar Notes)
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
自分
self

Arrival and embassy duties · Questions 1 of 2

Details of the arrival

The questions ask where the Smith family went, how they traveled, when they arrived, and who met them.

*大ぜいの人の中に だれが 居ましたか* means "Who was among the many people there?" An answer names Mr. Jones.

Other answers give a place, means of travel, date, description, or embassy duty.

  1. 150

    スミスさんはどんなきんむをすることになっていますか。

    What kind of duties is Mr. Smith scheduled to perform?

  2. 151

    スミスさんはたいしかんづきぶかんとして、どこへいきましたか。

    Where did Mr. Smith go to serve as a military attaché at the embassy?

  3. 152

    スミスさんはひとりでにほんへいきましたか。

    Did Mr. Smith go to Japan alone?

  4. 153

    スミスさんはふねでにほんへいきましたか。では、なにでいきましたか。

    Did Mr. Smith go to Japan by ship? Then how did he go?

  5. 154

    ひこうきがはねだくうこうについたのはいつでしたか。

    When did the airplane arrive at Haneda Airport?

  6. 155

    そらからみたにほんのけしきはどうですか。

    How was the scenery of Japan seen from the air?

  7. 156

    はねだくうこうでは、おおぜいのひとがでむかえにきていましたか。

    Had many people come to meet them at Haneda Airport?

  8. 157

    おおぜいのひとのなかにだれがいましたか。

    Who was among the many people there?

  9. 158

    ジョンズさんはにほんでなにをしていますか。

    What is Mr. Jones doing in Japan?

どんな
what kind of; what sort of
だれ
who?

Children and official quarters · Questions 2 of 2

Family and destination details

The questions ask how many children the families have, why the parents are troubled, and where the travelers go.

*スミスさんには 子供が 何人 ありますか* means "How many children does Mr. Smith have?" An answer gives the number.

Other answers give a reason, describe the children, or name the car and official residence as destinations.

  1. 159

    スミスさんとジョンズさんはひさしぶりにあいましたか。

    Had it been a long time since Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones had seen each other?

  2. 160

    スミスさんにはこどもがなんにんありますか。

    How many children does Mr. Smith have?

  3. 161

    うえのむすこもスミスさんといっしょににほんへいきましたか。

    Did the older son also go to Japan with Mr. Smith?

  4. 162

    なぜいきませんでしたか。

    Why didn't he go?

  5. 163

    スミスさんはなぜこまっていましたか。

    Why was Mr. Smith having trouble?

  6. 164

    ジョンズさんにもこどもがありますか。

    Does Mr. Jones also have children?

  7. 165

    ジョンズさんのおこさんたちはどうですか。

    How are Mr. Jones's children?

  8. 166

    いろいろはなしながらスミスさんたちはどこへいきましたか。

    Where did Mr. Smith and the others go while talking about various things?

  9. 167

    ジョンズさんはじぶんのくるまでスミスさんをどこへあんないしましたか。

    Where did Mr. Jones take Mr. Smith in his own car?

なぜ
why?

Family, obedience and reunion expressions · Word list

Family news and daily situations

The expressions ask about family well-being and describe children growing, quarreling, and disobeying. *奥さんには 御かわりは 御ざいませんか* means "Is your wife fine?"

*辞書に 書いてある 通りに 書きなさい* directs the writer to match the dictionary entry. It applies *通りに* to copying.

*私は ひさしぶりに スミスさんに あいました* describes meeting Mr. Smith after a long absence.

  1. 168

    おくさんにはおかわりはございませんか。

    Is your wife fine?

  2. 169

    おじょうさんもぼっちゃんもおおきくなりましたね。

    Both your daughter and son have grown, haven't they?

  3. 170

    ええ、ごらんのとおりおおきくなりました。

    Yes, they have grown, as you see.

  4. 171

    こどもはおやのいうことをきかないのでこまります。

    Children don't mind their parents; so we are distressed.

  5. 172

    うちでもむすことむすめがいつもけんかして、りょうしんのいうことをききません。

    At our home, too, our sons and daughters always quarrel and don't mind their parents.

  6. 173

    じしょにかいてあるとおりにかきなさい。

    Write it just as it is in the dictionary.

  7. 174

    わたくしはひさしぶりにスミスさんにあいました。

    I met Mr. Smith after not seeing him for a long time." Or: "It's been a long time since I saw Mr. Smith last.

Guide for Free Conversation

1 Formulate a conversation under the following situations:

a Assume that you are going to the airport to pick up a friend who came from New York, and you are bringing him home with you.

b You go to Japan by boat. Your friend meets you at Yokohama Port and takes you to his home before taking you to your new residence in Tokyo.
Homework

1 Memorize the Dialogue and be sure to know the vocabulary.

2 Study the Pattern Drill,

3 Learn to read and write the new kanji.

4 Read the Explanatory Notes.

5 Use the Guide given for practice in free conversation.
奥さんには御かわりは御ざいませんか。
"Is your wife fine?"
おじょうさんもぼっちゃんも大きくなりましたね。
"Both your daughter and son have grown, haven't they?"
ええ、御らんの通り大きくなりました。
"Yes, they have grown, as you see."
子供は親の言う事を聞かないので困ります。
"Children don't mind their parents; so we are distressed."
うちでもむすことむすめがいつもけんかして、両親の言う事を聞きません。
"At our home, too, our sons and daughters always quarrel and don't mind their parents."
辞書に書いてある通りに書きなさい。
"Write it just as it is in the dictionary."
私はひさしぶりにスミスさんにあいました。
"I met Mr. Smith after not seeing him for a long time." Or: "It's been a long time since I saw Mr. Smith last."

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.