Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 53

Lesson 53

Kanji and everyday Japanese

168 lines

Embassy obligations and tea · Dialogue 1 of 4

A visit without his wife

A guest has come without his wife. *一緒に おうかがい 出来ませんでした* means "she could not come with me to visit you."

Here *出来ませんでした* expresses that she was unable to come.

A humble visit

In *一緒に おうかがい 出来ませんでした*, humble *おうかがい* means "to visit you."

Kanji: 大

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

  1. 1

    ほうもん(に)

    Visit (2)

    ほうvisit
    もんvisit
    (二)two
  2. 2

    きょうはおくさまはごいっしょではないのですか。

    Isn't your wife with you today?

  3. 3

    たいしかんのおちゃのかいにでなければならないので、いっしょにおうかがいできませんでした。

    She has to attend the tea party at the Embassy, so she couldn't come with me to visit you.

  4. 4

    さようでございますか。おつきあいで、おいそがしいのでしょうね。

    Is that so? She must be busy with social obligations.

  5. 5

    ええ、しゃこうのことをうるさくいいますので、わたくしたちもときどきめいわくにかんじます。

    Yes, they insist on the importance of social matters. Sometimes we feel a little annoyed by it.

  6. 6

    そうでしょうね。------

    I understand. (By the way, there is nothing worth mentioning), but will you have some tea?

TOKA---TOKA IU

TOKA---TOKA IU is usually represented by the pattern A TOKA B TOKA IU. A and B represent either basic forms of verbs or nouns or basic forms of I-adjectives.

The pattern A TOKA B TOKA IU can be used as a predicate and translated 'to say this or that' or 'to say this and that and so forth.'

Examples:

ANO HITO WA IKU TOKA IKANAI TOKA ITTE IMASU. "He is saying that he is going or he is not going."

ANO HITO WA NIHONGO WA MUZUKASHII TOKA OMOSHIROKU NAI TOKA ITTE IMASU. "He is saying that Japanese is difficult or it is not interesting and so on."

The expression A TOKA B TOKA can be used as a noun phrase in which case it can best be translated as 'A and B and other things' or 'such things as A and B.'

Examples:

KINOO WA SAKANA TOKA YASAI TOKA KATTA.

"Yesterday I bought fish, vegetables, and other things."

ANO MISE DEWA BIIRU TOKA SAKE TOKA UTTE IMASU. "That store sells beer, SAKE, and other things."
Honorific: O + Second base of a verb + DESU

When speaking of an action of a superior, one may use the honorific form of a verb according to the following construction pattern:

O + Second base of a verb + DESU

Examples:

KYOO WA DOKOKA E O-DEKAKE DESU KA. "Are you going some place today?"

OTOMODACHI O O-TAZUNE DESU KA. "Are you visiting your friend?"

ANO KATA WA NIHONGO O O-HANASHI DESU. "He speaks Japanese."

In the case of a verb of Chinese origin, like BENKYOO SURU, SANPO SURU, SOTSUGYOO SURU, and so forth, it take GO for honorific. This construction pattern has already been introduced in Lesson 52.
TOMO

TOMO is a particle which comes at the end of a sentence and gives emphasis. It can best be translated

'surely,' 'of course,' or 'certainly.'

Examples:

IKU TOMO. "Surely, I'm going."

TABEMASU TOMO. "Of course, I'll eat it."

SOO DESU TOMO. "It's just as you say." "You are right."

SORE DE II DESU TOMO. "Certainly, that will do."
DEKIRU

DEKIRU has a variety of meanings; so instead of listing all the possible meanings, a few examples will be given to illustrate some of them.

Example:

MAGO GA DEKITA. "A grandchild was born."

SHOKUJI GA DEKITA. "Dinner is ready."

OKANE GA DEKIRU. "To make money"

YOOJI GA DEKITA. "Some business turned up."
ANI, ANE, (O)NIISAN, (O)NEESAN

When you are talking to someone about your own brothers and sisters, you would use ANI (elder brother) and ANE (elder sister), but when you are talking to others about their brothers and sisters, you would use (O)NIISAN (elder brother) and (O)NEESAN (elder sister). Also if you are addressing your own elder brother, you call him not by his name but NIISAN, or NEESAN if you are addressing your elder sister.
SANNIN KYOODAI

SANNIN KYOODAI means you are one of three brothers and sisters, and YONIN KYOODAI means you are one of four brothers and sisters, and so on. You would say WATAKUSHI WA KYOODAI GA FUTARI ARIMASU, when you have two brothers or sisters.
Honorific and Humble Verbs

AGARU

AGARU literally means 'to come up.' Since one has to step up in order to get into a Japanese house, this is used. So, OAGARI KUDASAI means "Please come in."

Another meaning of AGARU is 'to go.' KONBAN ANATA NO UCHI E AGARIMASU means "I'll go to your home" and it carries the same meaning as MAIRIMASU, which is a humble word.

Still another meaning of AGARU is 'to eat.' Sometimes MESHIAGARU is used, which is an honorific word.
UKAGAU

UKAGAU is a humble word and means 'to call on (a person),' or 'to visit,' 'to ask,' 'to hear,' depending on the context of the sentence.

MOO HITOTSU UKAGAITAI KOTO GA ARIMASU. "I have another question to ask you."

WATAKUSHI WA SORE O ANO HITO KARA UKAGAIMASHITA. "I heard that from him."

KONBAN ANATA NO UCHI E UKAGAIMASU. "I'll pay you a visit tonight."
ZONJIRU

ZONJIRU has two meanings, 'to know' (ZONJITE IMASU and ZONJITE ORIMASU are the humble equivalents of SHITTE IMASU) and 'I think' (usually used with the particle TO, i.e. ---TO ZONJIMASU. ---TO ZONJIMASU is the humble equivalent of ---TO OMOIMASU.)
(二)
two
今日
today
は
leaves
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
の
See Grammar Notes
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
大使
ambassador
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
なら
if it is (See Gram. Notes)
ます
trout
つきあい
social association
いそがしい
busy
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
ええ、
Yes
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
時々
sometimes, occasionally
めいわく
annoyance, bother
かんじ
Kanji (Chinese characters)
そう
numerical counter for ships

Celebrating a new grandchild · Dialogue 2 of 4

Tea and congratulations

A host offers tea, and the guest congratulates her on a new grandchild.

*お孫さんが 出来て* reports the grandchild's birth, one meaning of *DEKIRU*.

A respectful offer of tea

*どうぞ お茶でも お上りください* respectfully invites the guest to have some tea.

In this invitation, *お上りください* asks the guest to drink.

  1. 7

    あのう、なにもございませんが、どうぞおちゃでもおあがりください。

    It's a happy event.

  2. 8

    はあ、いただきます。------

    Thank you, I'll have some. Congratulations for having been blessed with a grandchild recently.

  3. 9

    このたびはおまごさんができて、おめでとうございます。

    Of course it is.

  4. 10

    ありがとうございます。

    Thank you. Since my nephew and niece have children, I was hoping that my daughter, too, would be blessed with a child.

  5. 11

    おいやめいにはこどもがありますので、うちのむすめにもはやくひとりできたらよいとおもっていたのです。

    Yes, I have an elder brother, an elder sister, two younger brothers, and a younger sister. I'm one of six brothers and sisters.

  6. 12

    おめでたいことです。

    Yes, my elder sister already has three grandchildren.

が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
ます。------
trout
孫
grandchild
おい
nephew
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
めい
niece
家
house, home
一人
one person
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
目出たい
happy

Counting brothers and sisters · Dialogue 3 of 4

Whose older sibling

The speaker uses *兄* and *姉* for his own older brother and sister. Another person asks about them with *おねえさん* and *おにいさん*.

The whole sibling group

*六人兄弟です* means that the speaker is one of six siblings. A number plus *KYOODAI* includes the person speaking.

*おありでしたか* respectfully asks whether the speaker had an older sister and brother.

*そうですとも* strongly confirms the statement about a grandchild.

Kanji: 兄, 姉, 弟, 妹

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

  1. 13

    おいやめいのこもかわいいですけど、じぶんのまごはまたとくべつでございますよ。

    Nephews' and nieces' children are lovable, too, but your own grandchild is something special, you see.

  2. 14

    そうですとも。

    She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

  3. 15

    あなたはごきょうだいがおありですね。

    You have brothers and sisters, don't you?

  4. 16

    はい、あにとあねがひとりずつ、おとうとがふたり、いもうとがひとりあります。ろくにんきょうだいです。

    Yes, I have one older brother and one older sister, two younger brothers, and one younger sister. There are six of us siblings.

  5. 17

    さようでございますか。おねえさんもおにいさんもおありでしたか。

    Is that right? So, you have an elder sister and an elder brother?

  6. 18

    はい、そしてあねにはもうまごがさんにんあります。

    Yes, and my older sister already has three grandchildren.

かわいい
dear, lovely, charming
自分
self
兄弟
brothers and sisters
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
兄
older brother
姉
elder sister
ずつ、
each (See Gram. Notes)
弟
younger brother
二人、
2 people
妹
younger sister
六
six
人
people
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
三
three

Asking about an older sister · Dialogue 4 of 4

Her home and her husband

One speaker asks where the older sister lives and what her husband does.

*どこに いらっしゃいますか* asks "where is she?" The answer places her in Minneapolis.

A humble statement of knowledge

*ちっとも ぞんじませんでした* means "I did not know that at all." *ZONJIRU* humbly means "to know" here.

Kanji: 主

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

  1. 19

    さようでございますか。ちっともぞんじませんでした。どこにいらっしゃいますか。

    Is that so? I didn't know that. Where is she?

  2. 20

    ミネソタのミネアポリスしにすんでいます。

    She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

  3. 21

    むすめさんのごしゅじんはなにをしていらっしゃいますか。

    What does her husband do?

  4. 22

    じぶんでちいさいかいしゃをもっています。

    She has a small company of her own.

ちっとも
not even a little (See Gram. Notes)
し
city
会社
company, firm

Giving examples in a list · Perception drill, Block 1

Opposite reports

*行くとか 行かないとか 言います* means "he says he is going, and he is not going, so nothing is definite."

A *とか* B *とか 言います* reports this or that. A and B can be basic forms of verbs or I-adjectives.

Examples, not the whole list

*牛肉とか やさいとか 沢山 買いました* means "I bought many things, such as beef and vegetables."

With nouns, A *とか* B *とか* means "A and B and other things."

  1. 23

    ビールとかさけとかうっています。

    He sells beer, Japanese sake, and so on.

  2. 24

    いくとかいかないとかいいます。

    He says he is going, and he is not going, so nothing is definite.

  3. 25

    やまださんはこんばんくるとかこないとかいって、はっきりしていません。

    Mr. Yamada says he may come tonight or he may not, so it is not clear.

  4. 26

    あるせいとはむずかしいとかことばがおおいとかいってべんきょうしません。

    Some students do not study, saying that it is difficult or that there are too many words.

  5. 27

    わたくしはしょくりょうひんてんでぎゅうにくとかやさいとかたくさんかいました。

    I bought a lot of things at the grocery store, such as beef and vegetables.

  6. 28

    このみせではにほんのざっしとかほんとかレコードとかうっています。

    This store sells Japanese magazines, books, records, and so on.

  7. 29

    にほんごのせいとはかんじとかひらがなとかならわなければなりません。

    Students of Japanese have to learn kanji, hiragana, and so on.

ビール
beer
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
ます。
trout
はっきり
clearly
ある
certain, some
むずかしい
difficult
店
store, shop
牛肉
beef
やさい
vegetable
本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
ひらがな
HIRAGANA syllabary

Asking about usual actions · Perception drill, Block 2

A respectful question about understanding

*日本語が おわかりですか* means "do you understand Japanese?" It respectfully asks about the other person's action.

Put *お* before a verb's second base and *です* after it to speak of a superior's action.

The action between お and です

*ビールを お飲みですか* means "do you drink beer?" The verb's second base stands between *お* and *です*.

  1. 30

    やまもとさんはもうおやすみです。

    Mr. Yamamoto has already retired.

  2. 31

    にほんごがおわかりですか。

    Do you understand Japanese?

  3. 32

    はい、すこしわかります。

    Yes, I understand a little.

  4. 33

    なんじごろおかえりですか。

    About what time will you return?

  5. 34

    ご、ろくかえります。

    I will return around five or six.

  6. 35

    ビールをおのみですか。

    Do you drink beer?

  7. 36

    はい、すこしのみます。

    Yes, I drink a little.

  8. 37

    いつごろにほんへおたちですか。

    About when are you leaving for Japan?

  9. 38

    こんげつのおわりごろたちます。

    I am leaving around the end of this month.

少し
little (quantity)
五、
five
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
今月
this month

Expressing emphatic certainty · Perception drill, Block 3

Certainty at the end

*出来ますとも* means "certainly he can." The particle *とも* comes at the end of a sentence and adds emphasis.

It can mean "surely" or "certainly."

Plain and polite answers

*来るとも* means "certainly he will come." *行きますとも* means "certainly, I will go."

*とも* follows either a plain verb or a polite verb in these answers.

  1. 39

    いきますとも。

    Of course, I'll go.

  2. 40

    スミスさんはにほんごができますか。

    Can Mr. Smith speak Japanese?

  3. 41

    できますとも、にほんでうまれて、にほんでがっこうへいったのですから。

    Of course he can; he was born in Japan and went to school there.

  4. 42

    にほんへいったことがありますか。

    Have you ever been to Japan?

  5. 43

    ありますとも。さんどばかり。

    Of course I have—about three times.

  6. 44

    にほんのたべものをたべますか。

    Do you eat Japanese food?

  7. 45

    たべますとも。わたくしはにほんのたべものがだいすきですから。

    Of course I do; I like Japanese food very much.

  8. 46

    たなかさんはこんばんくるでしょうか。

    Do you think Mr. Tanaka will come tonight?

  9. 47

    くるとも。あのひとがくるといったら、きっとくるよ。

    Of course he will; if he says he will come, he will certainly come.

  10. 48

    にほんじんのともだちにてがみをだしたいのですが、にほんごでかいてくださいませんか。

    I want to send a letter to a Japanese friend; would you please write it in Japanese for me?

  11. 49

    ええ、かいてあげるとも。

    Yes, of course I will write it for you.

から。
from (See Gram. Notes)
大好き
be very fond of, like very much
きっと
surely
手紙
letter (correspondence)
ください
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
上げる
to give (to a superior) (v.t.)

Listing examples and alternatives · Pattern 1 1 of 2

Coming or not coming

*来るとか 来ないとか 言って、 はっきりしません* reports that someone says he is coming and not coming, so nothing is definite.

The *とか* alternatives are opposite verb forms.

Representative places

*はこねとか にっこうとか* gives Hakone and Nikko as examples of Japan's many scenic places.

Here *とか* marks representative nouns, not every place in the group.

  1. 50

    あのひとはくるとかこないとかいって、はっきりしません。

    He says he is coming at one time and not at another time, but it's not very definite.

  2. 51

    このみせでは、ざっしとかほんとかうっています。

    They sell magazines, books, and other things at this store.

  3. 52

    スミスさんはにほんへいけるとかいけないとかいっています。

    Mr. Smith says he may be able to go to Japan or he may not.

  4. 53

    たなかさんはみたとかみなかったとかいっていますから、どっちがほんとうかわかりません。

    Mr. Tanaka says he saw it and then says he did not, so I do not know which is true.

  5. 54

    やまもとさんはあぶないとか、きまりがわるいとかいってやりませんでした。

    Mr. Yamamoto did not do it, saying that it was dangerous or that it was embarrassing.

  6. 55

    このみせではようふくとかくつとかうっています。

    This store sells clothes, shoes, and so on.

  7. 56

    にほんにははこねとかにっこうとか、けしきのよいところがおおいです。

    Japan has many scenic places, such as Hakone and Nikko.

から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
どっち
which of two (See Grammar Notes)
あぶない
dangerous (I-adj.)
くつ
shoes
ね
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
けしき
scenery
所
address, place

Uncertain choices and reasons · Pattern 1 2 of 2

An uncertain choice

*買うとか 買わないとか 言っていますから、 わかりません* means that he says he may buy one or may not, so the speaker does not know.

The two *とか* phrases report opposing possibilities.

Several reported reasons

*かぜを ひいたとか、 おなかが いたいとか 言っていました* reports a cold and a stomachache as reasons.

Here *とか* joins multiple facts that someone stated.

  1. 57

    たなかさんはあたらしいくるまをかうのですか。

    Is Mr. Tanaka going to buy a new car?

  2. 58

    かうとかかわないとかいっていますから、わかりません。

    He says he may buy one or he may not, so I do not know.

  3. 59

    べんきょうがいそがしいですか。

    Are you busy with your studies?

  4. 60

    ええ、あたらしいぶんけいとかかんじとかべんきょうしなければならないから、たいへんいそがしいです。

    Yes, I am very busy because I have to study things such as new sentence patterns and kanji.

  5. 61

    やまださんはこんばんくるでしょうか。

    Do you think Mr. Yamada will come tonight?

  6. 62

    かぜをひいたとか、おなかがいたいとかいっていましたから、たぶんこないでしょう。

    He said that he had caught a cold and that his stomach hurt, so he probably will not come.

車
vehicle, car
買う
to buy
大へん
very
かぜ
wind
おなか
stomach
いたい
painful

Respectful descriptions of actions · Pattern 2 1 of 3

Speaking in Japanese

*スミスさんは いつも 日本語で お話しです* means "Mr. Smith always speaks in Japanese."

The action appears between honorific *お* and *です*.

Going out respectfully

*いつ頃 お出かけですか* means "about what time are you going out?"

The same honorific pattern can describe an action or ask about it.

Kanji: 呼

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

  1. 63

    スミスさんはあたらしいくるまをおかいです。

    Mr. Smith is going to buy a new car.

  2. 64

    スミスさんはいつもにほんごでおはなしです。

    Mr. Smith always speaks in Japanese.

  3. 65

    ジョンズさんはにほんごをおならいです。

    Mr. Jones is studying Japanese.

  4. 66

    せんせいがおよびですから、はやくいきなさい。

    The teacher is calling you, so go quickly.

  5. 67

    いつごろおやすみでしたか。

    About what time did you go to bed?

  6. 68

    いつごろおでかけですか。

    About what time are you going out?

  7. 69

    あなたはにほんきってをおあつめですか。

    Do you collect Japanese stamps?

いつ
when?
切手
postage stamp

Asking about habits and arrival · Pattern 2 2 of 3

A respectful question about a habit

*家に かぎを おかけですか* asks whether the other person locks the house when leaving.

Honorific *お* and *です* enclose the action in a question about a usual habit.

An expected arrival

*八時頃 お着きです* means "he will arrive around eight o'clock."

The honorific pattern respectfully states Mr. Tanaka's expected action.

  1. 70

    あなたはいえをでるとき、いえにかぎをおかけですか。

    Do you lock your house when you leave?

  2. 71

    ええ、あぶないから、かぎをかけておきます。

    Yes, because it would be unsafe, I make sure to lock it.

  3. 72

    たなかさんはこんばんいつごろモンテレーにおつきですか。

    About what time will Mr. Tanaka arrive in Monterey tonight?

  4. 73

    はちじごろおつきです。

    He will arrive around eight o'clock.

  5. 74

    あなたはゴルフをおやりですか。

    Do you play golf?

  6. 75

    ええ、いっかげつまえにはじめたばかりですが。

    Yes, but I only started a month ago.

  7. 76

    ならう

    to learn

時、
time
モンテレー
Monterey
八
eight
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
ゴルフ
golf
一
one
前
before, front
が。
but (See Gram. Notes)

Everyday action verbs · Pattern 2 3 of 3

Actions for the honorific pattern

These verbs name everyday actions used in the honorific pattern.

*わかる* means "to understand," *帰る* means "to return," and *出かける* means "to go out."

  1. 77

    わかる

    to understand

  2. 78

    かえる

    to return

  3. 79

    やすむ

    to rest

  4. 80

    こまる

    to be troubled

  5. 81

    よむ

    to read

  6. 82

    やすむ

    to rest

  7. 83

    でかける

    to go out

Firmly agreeing to act · Pattern 3 1 of 2

A firm promise to act

*手つだうとも* means "certainly I will help." *飲むとも* means "certainly I will drink it."

Sentence-final *とも* makes each affirmative answer emphatic.

Certain ability and knowledge

*出来ますとも* means "certainly I can." *知っているとも* means "certainly I know him."

The form before *とも* can be plain or polite.

  1. 84

    たべるとも。

    Of course, I'll eat.

  2. 85

    てつだうとも。

    Of course I will help.

  3. 86

    のむとも。

    Of course I will drink it.

  4. 87

    みえるとも。

    Of course I can see it.

  5. 88

    わかるとも。

    Of course I understand.

  6. 89

    できますとも。

    Of course I can.

  7. 90

    しっているとも。

    Of course I know him.

手つだう
to help
見える
to be visible, can see (v.i.)
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)

Confirming help and knowledge · Pattern 3 2 of 2

A firm answer to a request

A request for help receives *手つだいますとも*, "certainly I will." The polite verb plus *とも* firmly accepts the request.

The speaker then asks what time to come.

Certain knowledge and importance

*知っているとも* answers a question about knowing Mr. Tanaka. *大切ですとも* confirms that kanji are important.

In both answers, final *とも* gives emphatic affirmation.

  1. 91

    あした、にわのしごとをてつだってくださいませんか。

    Would you please help me with the yard work tomorrow?

  2. 92

    てつだいますとも。いつごろまいりましょうか。

    Of course I will. About what time shall I come?

  3. 93

    たなかさんをごぞんじですか。

    Do you know Mr. Tanaka?

  4. 94

    しっているとも。にほんでいっしょにはたらいたことがあるんだから。

    Of course I know him. We worked together in Japan.

  5. 95

    にほんごをならうのにかんじはたいせつですか。

    Are kanji important for learning Japanese?

  6. 96

    たいせつですとも。かんじをしらなければなにもよむことはできませんからね。

    Of course they are. If you do not know kanji, you cannot read anything.

明日、
tomorrow
にわ
garden, yard
ましょう
let's (See Gram. Notes)
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)

Tea and family news · Reading Selection 1 of 2

A visit without Mrs. Clark

Colonel Clark goes to Colonel Yamamoto's home, but only Mrs. Yamamoto is there. Mrs. Clark must attend an embassy tea party.

*来られませんでした* reports that she could not come with her husband.

Tea and family news

The two discuss family matters while drinking tea. *むすめさんに子供が出来て* reports that Mrs. Yamamoto's daughter recently had a baby.

Here *出来て* carries the birth meaning of *DEKIRU*.

  1. 97

    クラークたいさはひさしぶりにやまもといっさをほうもんしました。

    Colonel Clark visited Colonel Yamamoto for the first time in a long while.

  2. 98

    やまもといっさはまだしごとからかえっていなかったので、やまもとふじんひとりだけでした。

    Colonel Yamamoto had not yet returned from work, so Mrs. Yamamoto was there alone.

  3. 99

    クラークたいさのおくさんはたいしかんのおちゃのかいにでなければならなかったので、ごしゅじんといっしょにこられませんでした。

    Colonel Clark's wife had to attend a tea party at the Embassy, so she could not come with her husband.

  4. 100

    たいしかんなどでは、しゃこのことをたいへんうるさくいうので、おつきあいなどでたいへんいそがしいそうです。

    At embassies and similar places, they place great importance on social matters, so people are said to be very busy with social obligations.

  5. 101

    それで、クラークふじんもときどきめいわくをかんじることがあるそうです。

    Because of that, Mrs. Clark is also said to feel inconvenienced by it sometimes.

  6. 102

    すこしあとでじょちゅうがおちゃをもってきました。

    A little later, the maid brought tea.

  7. 103

    ふたりはおちゃをのみながら、かぞくのことについていろいろはなしました。

    The two of them talked about various family matters while drinking tea.

  8. 104

    このたびやまもとふじんのむすめさんにこどもができて、やまもとふじんもとうとうおばあさんになられたそうです。

    Mrs. Yamamoto's daughter recently had a baby, and Mrs. Yamamoto has finally become a grandmother.

一佐
Colonel, Captain (Navy) (Japanese rank)
まだ
yet, still
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
だけ
only, just (See Grammar Notes)
など
and so forth, etc.
言う
to say
かんじる
to feel
女中
maid
二人
2 people
ながら、
while (See Grammar Notes)

Grandchildren and extended family · Reading Selection 2 of 2

Six brothers and sisters

*六人兄弟* identifies Colonel Clark as one of six children. The line then counts one older brother, one older sister, two younger brothers and one younger sister.

Because the account describes Clark's family, it uses *おにいさん* and *おねえさん*.

Further family news

*ねえさんにはもう孫が三人あるとか言う事です* reports that his older sister has three grandchildren.

Here *とか* marks information reported about the family.

  1. 105

    さいしょのまごですから、とくべつかわいいそうです。

    Since it is her first grandchild, she is said to find the baby especially adorable.

  2. 106

    やまもとさんのおいやめいにはこどもがたくさんありますが、むすめさんにはさいしょのこどもです。

    Mr. Yamamoto's nephews and nieces have many children, but this is his daughter's first child.

  3. 107

    やまもとふじんもおばさんとよばれるよりはおばあさんとよばれるほうがすきだそうです。

    Mrs. Yamamoto is said to prefer being called a grandmother rather than an aunt.

  4. 108

    クラークたいさはろくにんきょうだいで、おにいさんとおねえさんがひとりずつ、おとうとがふたり、いもうとがひとりあります。

    Colonel Clark is one of six children: he has one older brother, one older sister, two younger brothers, and one younger sister.

  5. 109

    そしてねえさんにはもうまごがさんにんあるとかいうことです。

    And it is said that his older sister already has three grandchildren.

  6. 110

    クラークさんのおねえさんは、

    Colonel Clark's older sister

  7. 111

    ミネソタしゅうのミネアポリスしにすんでいて、ごしゅじんはじぶんでちいさいかいしゃをもっているそうです。

    lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and her husband is said to own a small company.

さいしょ
first
れる
to be able to -- (See Grammar Notes)
より
than (See Gram. Notes)
好き
to like, be fond of (See Grammar Notes)
しゅう
state

Asking about the family visit · Questions 1 of 2

The visit and the baby

The questions ask who was home, why Mrs. Clark was absent, who served tea and who had a baby.

*このたび だれに 子供が 出来ましたか* means "who recently had a baby?" An answer names Mrs. Yamamoto's daughter.

  1. 112

    クラークたいさがやまもといっさをほうもんしたときやまもといっさはおたくでしたか。

    Was Colonel Yamamoto at home when Colonel Clark visited him?

  2. 113

    クラークふじんもごしゅじんといっしょにほうもんしましたか。

    Did Mrs. Clark also come to visit with her husband?

  3. 114

    なぜいっしょにほうもんしませんでしたか。

    Why did she not come with him?

  4. 115

    たいしかんではどんなことをうるさくいいますか。

    What kinds of matters do they place great importance on at the Embassy?

  5. 116

    だれがおちゃをだしましたか。

    Who served the tea?

  6. 117

    ふたりはおちゃをのみながらどうしましたか。

    What did the two of them do while drinking tea?

  7. 118

    このたびだれにこどもができましたか

    Who recently had a baby?

時
time
なぜ
why?
どんな
what kind of; what sort of
だれ
who?
ながら
while (See Grammar Notes)

Asking about siblings and grandchildren · Questions 2 of 2

Numbers and family details

The questions ask for Clark's sibling total, each kind of sibling, his older sister's home, her grandchildren and her husband's work.

*クラークさんは 何人兄弟ですか* asks "how many children are there in the Clark family?" An answer gives the total number of siblings.

  1. 119

    やまもとさんのむすめさんには、さいしょのこどもですか。

    Is this Mr. Yamamoto's daughter's first child?

  2. 120

    クラークさんはなんにんきょうだいですか。

    How many children are there in the Clark family?

  3. 121

    にいさんとねえさんがなんにんいますか。

    How many older brothers and older sisters does he have?

  4. 122

    おとうとは。いもうとは。

    How many younger brothers? How many younger sisters?

  5. 123

    クラークさんのおねえさんはどこにすんでいますか。

    Where does Colonel Clark's older sister live?

  6. 124

    クラークさんのおねえさんにはまごがなんにんありますか。

    How many grandchildren does Colonel Clark's older sister have?

  7. 125

    クラークさんのおねえさんのごしゅじんはなにをしていますか。

    What does Colonel Clark's older sister's husband do?

は、
leaves

Social visits and obligations · Word list 1 of 4

Visits and social obligations

These words cover social visits and obligations. *お茶の会* means "tea party," and humble *うかがう* means "to visit, inquire or ask."

*めいわく* means "annoyance" or "bother."

  1. 126

    おちゃのかい

    tea party

  2. 127

    うかがう

    to visit, inquire, ask

  3. 128

    さようでございますか

    Is that so?

  4. 129

    つきあい

    social association

  5. 130

    つきあいする

    to associate

  6. 131

    しゃこう

    social, social association

  7. 132

    うるさい

    annoying, pesky

  8. 133

    かんじる

    to feel

  9. 134

    うるさくいう

    be strict about, say importunately about

  10. 135

    めいわく

    annoyance, bother

  11. 136

    あのう

    by the way, if you please

お茶の会
tea party
うかがう
to visit, inquire, ask
さようで御ざいますか
Is that so?
つきあいする
to associate
社こう
social, social association
うるさい
annoying, pesky
うるさく言う
be strict about, say importunately about
あのう
by the way, if you please

New grandchildren and siblings · Word list 2 of 4

Hospitality and family news

These words cover hospitality and new family news. *上る* means "to eat, drink or come."

*孫が出来る* means "to be blessed with a grandchild."

Final *とも* means "indeed" or "certainly."

  1. 137

    あがる

    to eat, drink, come

  2. 138

    いただく

    to receive

  3. 139

    このたび

    very recently

  4. 140

    まごができる

    to be blessed with a grandchild

  5. 141

    おい

    nephew

  6. 142

    めい

    niece

  7. 143

    --けど

    but, although

  8. 144

    めでたい

    happy

  9. 145

    ---とも

    indeed, certainly, of course (See Grammar Notes)

  10. 146

    きょうだい

    brothers and sisters

  11. 147

    おありです

    there is (See Grammar Notes)

上る
to eat, drink, come
いただく
to receive
このたび
very recently
孫が出来る
to be blessed with a grandchild
--けど
but, although
---とも
indeed, certainly, of course (See Grammar Notes)
おありです
there is (See Grammar Notes)

Sibling terms and honorifics · Word list 3 of 4

Siblings and humble knowledge

These words cover siblings, family size, and humble knowledge. *兄* means "older brother."

*六人兄弟* means "one of six brothers and sisters."

Humble *ぞんじる* means "to know."

  1. 148

    あに

    older brother

  2. 149

    あね

    elder sister

  3. 150

    おとうと

    younger brother

  4. 151

    いもうと

    younger sister

  5. 152

    ろくにんきょうだい

    one of six brothers and sisters

  6. 153

    おねえさん

    elder sister

  7. 154

    おにいさん

    older brother

  8. 155

    ぞんじる

    to know

  9. 156

    いらっしゃいます

    is, go, come (honorific)

  10. 157

    ごしゅじん

    husband, master

  11. 158

    ごぶさたいたしております

    I have long been neglectful in correspondence.

六人兄弟
one of six brothers and sisters
おねえさん
elder sister
おにいさん
older brother
ぞんじる
to know
いらっしゃいます
is, go, come (honorific)
御主人
husband, master
御ぶさたいたしております
I have long been neglectful in correspondence.

Relatives and family affection · Word list 4 of 4

Relatives and family affection

These words cover relatives, affection, and good family news.

*皆様 お元気で、 何よりとぞんじます* expresses gladness that everyone at the other person's home is well. *ぞんじます* is humble.

*おばさんとか おじさんとか* gives aunt and uncle as examples. *大好き* means "to be very fond of."

  1. 159

    なんよりとぞんじます

    There is nothing better than that, I am glad to hear that ---

  2. 160

    おばさん

    aunt

  3. 161

    おじさん

    uncle

  4. 162

    --とか--とか

    ---and---and other things (See Gram. Notes)

  5. 163

    だいすき

    be very fond of, like very much

  6. 164

    とうとう

    at last, finally

  7. 165

    ごぶさたいたしております。

    I have been neglecting my correspondence with you.

  8. 166

    みなさまおげんきで、なんよりとぞんじます。

    Everybody at your home is fine and I am very glad.

  9. 167

    おばさんとかおじさんとかよばれるよりはおばあさん、おじいさんとよばれるほうがいいです。

    It's better to be called grandmother and grandfather rather than being called aunt and uncle.

  10. 168

    うちのまごはおばあさんがだいすきです。

    Our grandson is very fond of his grandmother.

Guide for Free Conversation

1 Look at the family tree of Mr. Uchiyama Haruo given in Lesson 52 and talk about his family and the relationship between the members of his family.

2 A visits B. Students take turns playing both roles.
Homework

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

2 Study the Pattern Drill and the exercises following each 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.
何よりとぞんじます
There is nothing better than that, I am glad to hear that ---
おばさん
aunt
おじさん
uncle
--とか--とか
---and---and other things (See Gram. Notes)
とうとう
at last, finally
御ぶさたいたしております。
"I have been neglecting my correspondence with you."
皆様お元気で、何よりとぞんじます。
"Everybody at your home is fine and I am very glad."
おばさんとかおじさんとか呼ばれるよりはおばあさん、おじいさんと呼ばれる方がいいです。
"It's better to be called grandmother and grandfather rather than being called aunt and uncle."
うちの孫はおばあさんが大好きです。
"Our grandson is very fond of his grandmother."

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.