Japanese · Lesson 54
Lesson 54
Kanji and everyday Japanese
Searching for a Japanese house · Dialogue 1 of 2
A Japanese-style house
One person is searching for a house and another describes one. *日本風の 家を 一けん さがしております* means "I am looking for a Japanese-style house."
*風* follows some nouns and means "style, fashion, type, or kind." *日本風の 家* is "a Japanese style house."
In *日本風の 家を おさがしに なって いらっしゃった のですか*, *おさがしに なって* respectfully describes the other person's searching.
A house that pleases
*気に 入ったのが 中々 見つからない* means "It is not easy to find a house that I like."
*気に 入る* is a set expression meaning "to be pleased with, to be satisfied with, or to like."
In *じつは 私の 友だちの 家 なんですが*, *なんです* emphasizes that it is the speaker's friend's house.
Kanji: 辺, 参, 風, 階
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
Kanji: 和, 間, 家, 入
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 1
じつはにほんふうのいえをいっけんさがしておりますので、きょうもこのへんまでまいったのです。
To tell you the truth, I am looking for a Japanese style house and I came to this vicinity today.
じつtruthはtopic日本Japanese style風Japanese styleのof家houseをobject一oneけんhouse counterさがしam lookingてam lookingおりam lookingますam lookingのfactで、because今日todayもalsoこのthis辺vicinityまでas far as参っcameたcameのfactです。is - 2
にほんふうのいえをおさがしになっていらっしゃったのですか。
So, you were looking for a Japanese style house, right?
日本Japanese style風Japanese styleのof家houseをobjectおhonorablyさがしlookingにtoなっwereてwereいらっしゃっwereたpastのfactですisか。question - 3
ええ、でもきにいったのがなかなかみつからないので、こまっています。
Yes, but I am at my wit's end because it is not easy to find a house that I like.
ええ、yesでbutもbut気likedにliked入っlikedたlikedのoneがsubject中々not easily見つからcannot findないcannot findのfactで、because困っam troubledてam troubledいam troubledます。am troubled - 4
にほんふうのいえで、ようまのあるいえがございますよ。じつはわたくしのともだちのいえなんですが、にかいやで、にかいによま、したにいま、しょくどう、しょさい、だいどころ、わしつがあり、ふろばもございます。
I know of a Japanese style house that has Western style rooms. In fact, it is my friend's house. It's a two story house, and it has four rooms upstairs and a parlor, dining room, study, kitchen, and a Japanese room downstairs; it also has a bathroom.
日本Japanese style風Japanese styleのof家houseで、being洋間Western roomのofあるhaving家houseがsubject御there isざthere isいthere isますthere isよ。I tell youじつtruthはtopic私Iの's友だちfriendの's家houseなisんisですisが、but二two-story house階two-story house家two-story houseで、being二second floor階second floorにon四four間、rooms下downstairsにin居間、parlor食堂、dining room書studyさい、study台所、kitchen和室Japanese roomがsubjectあり、there areふろ場bathroomもalso御there isざthere isいthere isます。there is - 5
なかなかよさそうないえですね。にわもありますか。
It seems like a very nice house. Does it have a garden, too?
中々veryよさgoodそうseemsなis家houseですisね。right?にわgardenもalsoありhasますpoliteか。question - 6
ええ、うらにちいさいにわがあります。おもてにはたかいへいがあって、へいといえのあいだにちいさなにわがあります。
Yes, it has a small garden in the back. There is a high wall fence in the front and between the wall fence and the house there is a small yard.
ええ、yesうらbackにin小さいsmallにわgardenがsubjectありhasます。politeおもてfrontにatはtopic高いhighへいwallがsubjectあっthere isて、there isへいwallとand家houseの's間betweenにin小さなsmallにわyardがsubjectありhasます。polite
Euphonic changes before GOZAIMASU
Before GOZAIMASU and ZONJIMASU (I think), I-adjectives undergo the following euphonic changes.
ai changes into oo
I-adjective | With GOZAIMASU
HAYAI | HAYOO GOZAIMASU
NAGAI | NAGOO GOZAIMASU
TAKAI | TAKOO GOZAIMASU
ii changes into yuu
I-adjective | With GOZAIMASU
OOKII | OOKYUU GOZAIMASU
shii changes into shuu
I-adjective | With GOZAIMASU
OISHII | OISHUU GOZAIMASU
YAKAMASHII | YAKAMASHUU GOZAIMASU
ATARASHII | ATARASHUU GOZAIMASU
ui changes into uu
I-adjective | With GOZAIMASU
FURUI | FURUU GOZAIMASU
SAMUI | SAMUU GOZAIMASU
oi changes into oo
I-adjective | With GOZAIMASU
SHIROI | SHIROO GOZAIMASU
KUROI | KUROO GOZAIMASU
NOROI | NOROO GOZAIMASU
The I-adjective ii 'good' becomes yoo GOZAIMASU instead of yuu GOZAIMASU because it comes from YOI.Honorific O + Second base of a verb + NI NARU
When speaking of an action of a superior, one may use the honorific form of a verb according to the above construction pattern.
Examples:
SENSEI WA ITSUMO NIHONGO DE OHANASHI NI NARIMASU. "The teacher always speaks in Japanese."
NANI DE OKAKI NI NARIMASHITA KA. "What did you write with?"
ANO HITO WA MOO OKAERI NI NARIMASHITA. "He has already gone home."
If the verb to be used is a Chinese compound with SURU, such as BENKYOO SURU, SANPO SURU, etc., the following construction pattern is used: GO + Chinese compound + NI NARU.
Examples:
KYOO WA GOSANPO NI NARIMASU KA. "Will you go out for a stroll today?"
ITSU GOSOTSUGYOO NI NARIMASHITA KA. "When did you graduate?"
NANI O GOBENKYOO NI NARIMASU KA. "What are you going to study?"---NAN DESU
NAN DESU may follow a noun or phrase with a specific meaning of 'to be.' NAN gives emphasis.
Examples:
KORE WA TOMODACHI NO IE NAN DESU. "This is my friend's house."
SENSEI WA DONNA HITO NAN DESHOO KA. "I wonder what kind of man the teacher is."
TASHIKA NI SOO NAN DESU. "It's really so."OIDE NI NARU
OIDE NI NARU is an honorific expression having the same meaning as IRASSHAIMASU, and depending upon the content of the sentence, it has three different meanings, namely, 'to come,' 'to go,' or 'to be.'SORE WA SORE WA
This expression is usually used at the head of a statement to intensify one's feeling. It closely resembles the English equivalent of 'indeed' or 'really.'
SORE WA SORE WA, YOKU IRASSHAIMASHITA. "I'm awfully glad you came."
SORE WA SORE WA, OISHII DESHITA YO. "It tasted really good."--FUU
Following some nouns, FUU expresses the idea of 'style,' 'fashion,' 'type,' or 'kind.'
Examples:
SEIYOOFUU 'western style'
NIHONFUU 'Japanese style'
BEIKOKUFUU NO TATEMONO 'American style building'
KONNAFUU NO MONO 'things of this kind'KI NI IRU
KI NI IRU is an idiomatic expression meaning 'be pleased with,' 'be satisfied with,' 'to catch one's fancy,' or 'to like.'
WATAKUSHI WA KONO HON GA TOTEMO KI NI IRIMASHITA. "I am very satisfied with this book."
KI NI ITTA IE GA ARIMASEN. "There is no house that I like."- は
- leaves
- の
- See Grammar Notes
- 家
- house, home
- を
- particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
- 一
- one
- けん
- numerical counter for houses (See Gram. Notes)
- ます
- trout
- で、
- --is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
- 今日
- today
- まで
- as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
- です。
- to be (See Gram. Notes)
- に
- on (See Gram. Notes)
- か。
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
- ええ、
- Yes
- が
- but (See Gram. Notes)
- 中々
- considerably, very
- 洋間
- Western style room
- ある
- certain, some
- 二
- two
- 四
- four
- 居間、
- parlor, living room
- 食堂、
- dining hall, dining room
- 台所、
- kitchen
- 和室
- Japanese room
- ふろ場
- bathroom (for bathing only)
- そう
- numerical counter for ships
- ね。
- isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
- にわ
- garden, yard
- うら
- back, reverse side
- おもて
- front
- へい
- wall fence
- と
- and (See Gram. Notes)
- 小さな
- small (See Gram. Notes)
Asking about rooms and rent · Dialogue 2 of 2
Going to the owner's home
The speakers discuss the house's rooms and rent. One plans to visit the owner and ask about the rent.
*明日 その方の お宅へ おいでに なるのですか* means "You are going to his home tomorrow?"
*おいでに なる* is an honorific expression meaning "come, go, or be." Here, the destination and *明日* give it the meaning "go."
Except for the vestibule and matted room, the downstairs rooms are *洋風*, "Western style." *お気に 入る* expresses being pleased with the house.
Kanji: 宅
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 7
したにはようまがいくつありますか。
How many Western style rooms are there downstairs?
下downstairsにinはtopic洋間Western roomsがsubjectいくhow manyつhow manyありare thereますpoliteか。question - 8
げんかんのまとざしきのほかはみなようふうのへやです。
Except for a vestibule and a matted room, all are Western style rooms.
げんかんvestibuleのof間vestibuleとandざしきmatted roomのof外exceptはtopic皆all洋風Western styleのofへやroomsです。are - 9
やちんはいくらぐらいでしょうか。
About how much do you suppose is the rent?
家rentちんrentはtopicいくらhow muchぐらいaboutでしょうprobablyか。question - 10
ぞんじませんが、あしたそのひとのいえへまいりますから、おたずねしておきましょう。まだだれにもかしていないとおもいます。
I don't know, but since I am going to his house tomorrow, I'll inquire about it for you. I don't think he has rented it to anyone yet.
ぞんじknowませnotんnotが、but明日tomorrowそのthat人personの's家houseへtoward参りwill goますwill goから、becauseおhonorablyたずねinquireしdoてinquireおきin advanceましょう。willまだyetだれanyoneにtoもalsoかしrentedてrentedいrentedないnotとquote思いthinkます。polite - 11
そうですか。あしたそのかたのおたくへおいでになるのですか。それはちょうどよいところへきたものですね。
Good. You are going to his home tomorrow? I surely came at the right time, didn't I?
そうsoですisか。question明日tomorrowそのthat方personの'sおhonorably宅homeへtowardおhonorablyいでgoにtoなるgoのfactですisか。questionそれthatはtopic丁度exactlyよいgoodところtimeへtoward来cameたcameものindeedですisね。right? - 12
そのいえなら、きっとあなたのおきにいるとおもいます。
If it's that house, I am sure you will be pleased with it.
そのthat家houseなら、ifきっとsurelyあなたyouの'sおhonorably気likeにlike入るlikeとquote思いthinkます。polite
- げんかん
- entrance of the house
- ざしき
- matted room in a Japanese house
- 洋風
- Western style
- へや
- room
- いくら
- how much? how many?
- ぐらい
- about
- でしょう
- probably (See Gram. Notes)
- 明日
- tomorrow
- 人
- people
- へ
- to (See Gram. Notes)
- から、
- from (See Gram. Notes)
- し
- city
- ましょう。
- let's (See Gram. Notes)
- まだ
- yet, still
- だれ
- who?
- よい
- good (See Gram. Notes)
- ところ
- place (See Gram. Notes)
- もの
- things (tangible)
- なら、
- if it is (See Gram. Notes)
- きっと
- surely
Formal thanks · Perception drill, Block 1
Formal thanks
*ありがとう 御ざいます* means "Thank you." Its formal sound change appears before *御ざいます*.
Before *GOZAIMASU* and *ZONJIMASU*, an I-adjective changes its final sounds. *HAYAI* becomes *HAYOO GOZAIMASU*, and *TAKAI* becomes *TAKOO GOZAIMASU*.
The other changes are *OOKII* to *OOKYUU GOZAIMASU*, *OISHII* to *OISHUU GOZAIMASU*, *SAMUI* to *SAMUU GOZAIMASU*, and *SHIROI* to *SHIROO GOZAIMASU*.
The I-adjective *ii*, "good," becomes *yoo GOZAIMASU* because it comes from *YOI*.
- 13
ありがとうございます。
Thank you.
ありがとうthank you御thank youざthank youいthank youます。thank you
- ます。
- trout
Respectfully saying someone left · Perception drill, Block 2
The teacher has gone home
*先生は お帰り になりました* means "The teacher has gone home." The honorific form presents the teacher's action respectfully.
Put honorific *お* before the verb's second base and *に なる* after it. Here, *帰り* stands between them.
- 14
せんせいはおかえりになりました。
The teacher has gone home.
先生teacherはtopicおhonorably帰りwent homeにtoなりwent homeましwent homeた。went home
Explaining personal facts · Perception drill, Block 3
An emphasized fact
*これは 私の 友だちの 家 なんです* means "This is my friend's house, you see." *なんです* follows the noun phrase and emphasizes the fact.
*なんです* may follow a noun or descriptive phrase with the meaning "is." *これが 山田さんの お宅 なんです* emphasizes whose home it is.
The form also appears in conjecture. *日本は どんな 所 なんでしょうか* means "I wonder what kind of place Japan is."
- 15
これはわたくしのともだちのいえなんです。
This is my friend's house, you see.
これthisはtopic私Iの's友だちfriendの's家houseなisんisです。is - 16
あのかたはとてもいいかたなんです。
That person is a very nice person.
あのthat方personはtopicとてもveryいいnice方personなisんisです。is - 17
これがやまださんのおたくなんです。
This is Mr. Yamada's home.
これthisがsubject山田YamadaさんMr.の'sおhonorably宅homeなisんisです。is - 18
うちのこどもはやさいがきらいなんです。
My children do not like vegetables.
うちmyの's子供childrenはtopicやさいvegetablesがsubjectきらいdislikeなisんisです。is - 19
スミスさんはにほんごがとてもおじょうずなんです。
Mr. Smith is very good at Japanese.
スミスSmithさんMr.はtopic日本Japanese語Japaneseがsubjectとてもveryおhonorably上手skilledなisんisです。is - 20
たしかにそうなんですか。
Is that really so?
たしかreallyにreallyそうsoなisんisですisか。question - 21
にほんはどんなところなんでしょうか。
I wonder what kind of place Japan is.
日本Japanはtopicどんなwhat kind所placeなisんisでしょうprobablyか。question
- とても
- very, indeed
- いい
- good (See Gram. Notes)
- うち
- home, house
- やさい
- vegetable
- きらい
- dislike (See Gram. Notes)
- 上手
- skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)
- どんな
- what kind of; what sort of
- 所
- address, place
Formal greetings and descriptions · Pattern 1 1 of 3
A spacious garden
*うちの にわは ひろう 御ざいます* means "Our garden is spacious." The I-adjective has its formal changed ending before *御ざいます*.
The same change appears in *この りんごは とても おいしゅう 御ざいます*, "This apple is very delicious."
The lines also use fixed formal expressions such as *おはよう 御ざいます* and *ありがとう 御ざいます*.
- 22
おはようございます。
Good morning.
おはようgood morning御good morningざgood morningいgood morningます。good morning - 23
うちのにわはひろうございます。
Our garden is spacious.
うちourの'sにわgardenはtopicひろうspacious御isざisいisます。is - 24
このりんごはとてもおいしゅうございます。
This apple is very delicious.
このthisりんごappleはtopicとてもveryおいしゅうdelicious御isざisいisます。is - 25
おめでとうございます。
Congratulations.
おcongratulations目出とうcongratulations御congratulationsざcongratulationsいcongratulationsます。congratulations - 26
にづくりでいそがしゅうございましょう。
You must be busy packing.
荷づくりpackingでwithいそがしゅうbusy御must beざいmust beましょう。must be - 27
これでよろしゅうございますか
Is this all right?
これthisでwithよろしゅうall right御isざisいisますpoliteかquestion - 28
ありがとうございます。
Thank you.
ありがとうthank you御thank youざthank youいthank youます。thank you
- りんご
- apple
- で
- --is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
- か
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
Permission, congratulations and weather · Pattern 1 2 of 3
Permission and cold weather
*先生、 試験を すませたら、 外へ 出ても よろしゅう 御ざいますか* asks permission to go outside after finishing the examination.
*よろしゅう* is the formal changed form before *御ざいます*. It appears here in a request for permission.
*この頃 朝晩 ずい分 さむう 御ざいますね* means "It's quite cold in the mornings and evenings these days, isn't it?" *さむう* uses the same construction.
- 29
せんせい、しけんをすませたら、そとへでてもよろしゅうございますか。
Teacher, may I go outside when I have finished the examination?
先生、teacher試験examinationをobjectすまfinishedせfinishedたら、when外outsideへtoward出go outてgo outもalsoよろしゅうall right御isざisいisますpoliteか。question - 30
すませたらでてもいい。
You may go out when you have finished.
すまfinishedせfinishedたらwhen出go outてgo outもalsoいい。may - 31
おじょうさんがけっこんなさったそうで、おめでとうございます。
I hear your daughter got married; congratulations.
おhonorablyじょうdaughterさんdaughterがsubjectけっこんmarriedなさっmarriedたpastそうI hearで、andおcongratulations目出とうcongratulations御congratulationsざcongratulationsいcongratulationsます。congratulations - 32
ありがとうございます。
Thank you.
ありがとうthank you御thank youざthank youいthank youます。thank you - 33
このごろあさばんずいぶんさむうございますね
It's quite cold in the mornings and evenings these days, isn't it?
このthese頃days朝晩mornings and eveningsずい分quiteさむうcold御isざisいisますpoliteねright? - 34
ええ、もうじゅうがつですからね。
Yes, it is already October, you know.
ええ、yesもうalready十October月Octoberですisからbecauseね。you know - 35
しろい
White.
白いwhite
- いい。
- good (See Gram. Notes)
- 頃
- approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
- 朝晩
- morning and evening
- ずい分
- very much
- ね
- isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
- もう
- already (See Gram. Notes)
- 十
- ten
- 月
- moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
- です
- to be (See Gram. Notes)
- から
- from (See Gram. Notes)
Size, colour and qualities · Pattern 1 3 of 3
Adjectives for size and quality
These I-adjectives supply new bases for the formal pattern. *大きい* means "large," and *きいろい* means "yellow."
The list also includes *明るい*, "bright," *あぶない*, "dangerous," and *せまい*, "narrow."
*むずかしい* means "difficult," and *よろしい* means "good." Their final sounds change in the formal construction.
- 36
おおきい
Large.
大きいlarge - 37
きいろい
Yellow.
きいろいyellow - 38
あかるい
Bright.
明るいbright - 39
あぶない
Dangerous.
あぶないdangerous - 40
せまい
Narrow.
せまいnarrow - 41
むずかしい
Difficult.
むずかしいdifficult - 42
よろしい
Good.
よろしいgood
- きいろい
- yellow
- 明るい
- light
- あぶない
- dangerous (I-adj.)
- せまい
- narrow, crowded
- むずかしい
- difficult
- よろしい
- good!
Respectfully describing people's actions · Pattern 2 1 of 3
Respectful actions
*家を お さがし に なっています* means "He is looking for a house." Honorific *お* and *に なっています* surround the verb base.
The ending on *なる* carries tense and aspect. *田中さんが この えを お書きに なりました* means "Mr. Tanaka painted this picture."
The pattern also forms questions. *田中さんは もう お休みに なりましたか* asks whether Mr. Tanaka has gone to bed.
- 43
いえをおさがしになっています。
He is looking for a house.
家houseをobjectおis looking forさがしis looking forにis looking forなっis looking forてis looking forいis looking forます。is looking for - 44
クラークさんはきのうにほんへおたちになりました。
Mr. Clark left for Japan yesterday.
クラークClarkさんMr.はtopic昨日yesterday日本Japanへtowardおleftたちleftにleftなりleftましleftた。left - 45
たなかさんがこのえをおかきになりました。
Mr. Tanaka painted this picture.
田中TanakaさんMr.がsubjectこのthisえpictureをobjectおpainted書きpaintedにpaintedなりpaintedましpaintedた。painted - 46
スミスさんはかみをみじかくおかりになりました。
Mr. Smith had his hair cut short.
スミスSmithさんMr.はtopicかみhairをobject短くshortおhad cutかりhad cutにhad cutなりhad cutましhad cutた。had cut - 47
おおきさんはぎんこうのしごとをおやめになりました。
Mr. Oki left his job at the bank.
大木OkiさんMr.はtopic銀行bankの's仕事jobをobjectおleftやめleftにleftなりleftましleftた。left - 48
たなかさんはもうおやすみになりましたか。
Has Mr. Tanaka gone to bed already?
田中TanakaさんMr.はtopicもうalreadyおwent to bed休みwent to bedにwent to bedなりwent to bedましwent to bedたwent to bedか。question - 49
おわかりになりましたか。
Did you understand?
おunderstoodわかりunderstoodにunderstoodなりunderstoodましunderstoodたunderstoodか。question
- 昨日
- yesterday
- かみ
- hair
- 銀行
- bank
Asking about past experiences · Pattern 2 2 of 3
Respectful questions
*今朝の 新聞を お読みに なりましたか* means "Have you read this morning's newspaper?" The honorific pattern presents the other person's reading respectfully.
*飛行機に おのりに なった 事が ありますか* means "Have you ever ridden in an airplane?" The past form appears before the expression for experience.
The same construction describes ability in *クラークさんは 日本語が よく お出来に なりますね*.
- 50
クラークさんはにほんごがよくおできになりますね。
Mr. Clark is very good at Japanese, isn’t he?
クラークClarkさんMr.はtopic日本Japanese語Japaneseがatよくveryおis good at出来is good atにis good atなりis good atますis good atね。right? - 51
ええ、にほんでさんねんにほんごをべんきょうなさったのですから。
Yes, because he studied Japanese in Japan for three years.
ええ、yes日本Japanでin三three年years日本Japanese語Japaneseをobject勉強studiedなさっstudiedたpastのthe factですisから。because - 52
けさのしんぶんをおよみになりましたか。
Have you read this morning's newspaper?
今朝this morningの's新聞newspaperをobjectおhave read読みhave readにhave readなりhave readましhave readたhave readか。question - 53
いいえ、まだよんでおりません。
No, I have not read it yet.
いいえ、noまだyet読んhave not readでhave not readおりhave not readませhave not readん。have not read - 54
ひこうきにおのりになったことがありますか。
Have you ever ridden in an airplane?
飛行airplane機airplaneにinおriddenのりriddenにriddenなっriddenたpast事experienceがsubjectありhaveますpoliteか。question - 55
いいえ、まだひこうきにのったことはないのです。
No, I have never ridden in an airplane yet.
いいえ、noまだyet飛行airplane機airplaneにinのっriddenたpast事experienceはtopicないnoneのthe factです。is - 56
ならう
To learn.
習うlearn
- よく
- well, skillfully
- 三
- three
- 年
- year (See Grammar Notes)
- から。
- from (See Gram. Notes)
- 今朝
- this morning
Action and reaction verbs · Pattern 2 3 of 3
More actions and reactions
These dictionary forms provide more verbs for the honorific action pattern. *おどろく* means "to be surprised," and *いそぐ* means "to hurry."
The set includes *飲む*, "to drink," *通る*, "to pass through," and *あつめる*, "to collect."
*よろこぶ* means "to be delighted," while *聞く* means "to listen."
- 57
おどろく
To be surprised.
おどろくbe surprised - 58
いそぐ
To hurry.
いそぐhurry - 59
よろこぶ
To be delighted.
よろこぶbe delighted - 60
のむ
To drink.
飲むdrink - 61
とおる
To pass through.
通るpass through - 62
あつめる
To collect.
あつめるcollect - 63
きく
To listen.
聞くlisten
- おどろく
- to be surprised
- よろこぶ
- to rejoice, be delighted
- 通る
- to pass
- あつめる
- to collect, gather (v.t.)
Explaining identities and preferences · Pattern 3 1 of 2
Identity and preference
*あの方が 私の 日本語の 先生なんです* means "That person is my Japanese teacher." *なんです* emphasizes the identity.
The same form follows a stated preference in *私は さかなが とても 好きなんです*, "I like fish very much."
It also presents a circumstance as an explanation. *今晩は ひまなんですから、 あそびに いらっしゃい* gives being free as the reason for the invitation.
- 64
これがわたくしのいえなんです。
This is my home.
これthisがsubject私myの's家homeなisんisです。is - 65
あのかたがわたくしのにほんごのせんせいなんです。
That person is my Japanese teacher.
あのthat方personがsubject私myの's日本Japanese語Japaneseの's先生teacherなisんisです。is - 66
ほんをかくのはとてもむずかしいことなんです。
Writing a book is very difficult.
本bookをobject書くwriteのact ofはtopicとてもveryむずかしいdifficult事thingなisんisです。is - 67
わたくしはさかながとてもすきなんです。
I like fish very much.
私Iはtopicさかなfishがsubjectとてもvery好きlikeなisんisです。is - 68
わたくしはえをかくのはへたなんです。
I am poor at painting pictures.
私Iはtopicえpicturesをobject書くpaintのact ofはtopic下手poor atなisんisです。is - 69
こんばんはひまなんですから、あそびにいらっしゃい。
I am free this evening, so come visit me.
今晩はthis eveningひまfreeなamんamですamから、soあそびvisitにtoいらっしゃい。please come - 70
これがわたくしのむすこなんです。
This is my son.
これthisがsubject私myの'sむすこsonなisんisです。is
- 本
- numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
- さかな
- fish
- 好き
- to like, be fond of (See Grammar Notes)
- 下手
- unskilled, poor in doing things
- ひま
- leisure time, free
Explaining illness, dislikes and plans · Pattern 3 2 of 2
Conjecture and explanation
*田村さんは 二三日 仕事を 休んでいますが、 病気なんでしょうか* wonders whether illness explains Mr. Tamura's absence.
*なんでしょう* presents a conjecture. *多分 そうなんでしょう* means "That is probably so."
*ええ、 やさいが きらい なんです* means "No, I do not like vegetables." Here, *なんです* gives the explanation.
*今日は 月給日なんだから、 どこかへ 食べに 行きませんか* gives payday as the reason for suggesting a meal.
- 71
たむらさんはにさんにちしごとをやすんでいますが、びょうきなんでしょうか。
Mr. Tamura has been absent from work for two or three days; I wonder if he is ill.
田村TamuraさんMr.はtopic二two三or three日days仕事workをobject休んhas been absentでhas been absentいhas been absentますhas been absentが、but病気illなisんisでしょうprobablyか。question - 72
たぶんそうなんでしょう。
That is probably so.
多分probablyそうsoなisんisでしょう。is - 73
あなたはやさいをたべないんですね。
You do not eat vegetables, do you?
あなたyouはtopicやさいvegetablesをobject食べeatないnotんthe factですisね。right? - 74
ええ、やさいがきらいなんです。
No, I do not like vegetables.
ええ、noやさいvegetablesがsubjectきらいdislikeなisんisです。is - 75
きょうはげっきゅうびなんだから、どこかへたべにいきませんか。
Today is payday, so why don’t we go somewhere to eat?
今日todayはtopic月給payday日paydayなisんisだisから、soどこsomewhereかsomeへtoward食べeatにto行きgoませnot, politeんnot, politeか。question - 76
ええ、けっこうですね。いきましょう。
Yes, that sounds good. Let’s go.
ええ、yesけっこうfineですisね。right?行きgoましょう。let's
- が、
- but (See Gram. Notes)
- 月給
- monthly wage
- だ
- to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
- けっこう
- splendid, fine
Finding a house to live in · Reading Selection 1 of 2
The search for a house
Colonel Clark has recently arrived in Japan and needs a place to live. He visits Mr. Yamamoto while searching near his home.
*日本風の 家を 一けん さがしているのですが、 気に 入った 家が 中々 見つからないので、 困っていました* says he cannot easily find a Japanese-style house he likes.
*日本風* gives the house's style, while *気に 入った* describes a house that pleased him. Mrs. Yamamoto knows one with Western-style rooms.
- 77
クラークたいさはあるひやまもとさんをほうもんしました。
One day Colonel Clark visited Mr. Yamamoto.
クラークClark大佐Colonelはtopicあるone日day山本YamamotoさんMr.をobjectほうvisitもvisitんvisitしdoましdid politeた。past - 78
にほんについたばかりですから、すむところをさがしています。
Since he had just arrived in Japan, he was looking for a place to live.
日本Japanにin着いarrivedたpastばかりjustですisから、because住むlive所placeをobjectさがしwas looking forてwas looking forいwas looking forます。was looking for - 79
にほんふうのいえをいっけんさがしているのですが、きにいったいえがなかなかみつからないので、こまっていました。
He was looking for a Japanese-style house, but he was having trouble because he could not easily find a house he liked.
日本Japanese-style風Japanese-styleのof家houseをobject一oneけんhouseさがしwas looking forてwas looking forいるwas looking forのthe factですisが、but気likedにliked入っlikedたpast家houseがsubject中々easily見つからfindないnotのbecauseで、because困っwas having troubleてwas having troubleいwas having troubleましwas having troubleた。was having trouble - 80
じつはきょうもいえさがしにやまもとさんのいえのちかくまできたのです。
To tell you the truth, today I came near Mr. Yamamoto's house again while looking for a house.
じつthe truthはthe truth今日todayもagain家さがしhouse huntingにfor山本YamamotoさんMr.の's家houseのof近くnearまでas far as来cameたpastのthe factです。is - 81
やまもとふじんはにほんふうのいえで、ようまのあるいえをいっけんしっていました。
Mrs. Yamamoto knew of a Japanese-style house with Western-style rooms.
山本Yamamoto夫人Mrs.はtopic日本Japanese-style風Japanese-styleのof家houseで、and洋間Western-style roomsのofあるwith家houseをobject一oneけんhouse知っknewてknewいknewましknewた。knew - 82
そのいえはやまもとさんのともだちのいえです。
That house belongs to a friend of Mr. Yamamoto's.
そのthat家houseはtopic山本YamamotoさんMr.の's友だちfriendの's家houseです。is
- 住む
- to live, reside
- いる
- to need (See Gram. Notes)
- 家さがし
- house hunting
- 近く
- vicinity
Describing rooms, gardens and rent · Reading Selection 2 of 2
Rooms, gardens, and rent
The house has four upstairs rooms and several rooms downstairs. Gardens stand behind the house and between the front wall and the house.
*クラーク大佐は その家が 大へん 気に 入ったようで* says Colonel Clark seemed to like the house very much.
He asks about the rent. Mrs. Yamamoto does not know, so she will visit the owner's home the next day and ask.
- 83
にかいやで、にかいによま、したにはいま、しょくどう、しょさい、だいどころ、ふろばがあり、わしつもあります。
It is a two-story house, with four rooms upstairs and a living room, dining room, study, kitchen, and bathroom downstairs, as well as a Japanese-style room.
二two-story house階two-story house家two-story houseで、and二second floor階second floorにon四four rooms間、four rooms下downstairsにatはtopic居間、living room食堂、dining room書studyさい、study台所、kitchenふろ場bathroomがsubjectあり、there are和室Japanese-style roomもalsoありthere isます。there is - 84
うらにはにわがあります。
There is a garden in the back.
うらbackにinはtopicにわgardenがsubjectありthere isます。there is - 85
おもてにはたかいへいがあって、へいといえのあいだにちいさな
In front there is a high wall, with a small garden between the wall and the house.
おもてfrontにinはtopic高いhighへいwallがsubjectあっthere isて、there isへいwallとand家houseのof間betweenにin小さなsmall - 86
にわがあります。
There is a garden.
にわgardenがsubjectありthere isます。there is - 87
クラークたいさはそのいえがたいへんきにいったようで、いえちんはいくらぐらいかとききましたが、やまもとふじんもしらないので、よくじつそのひとのいえへいってたずねてもらうことにしました。
Colonel Clark seemed to like the house very much and asked about how much the rent was, but Mrs. Yamamoto did not know either, so he arranged for her to go to the owner's house the next day and ask.
クラークClark大佐Colonelはtopicそのthat家houseがsubject大へんvery much気likedにliked入っlikedたlikedようseemedで、and家rentちんrentはtopicいくらhow muchぐらいaboutかquestionとquote聞きaskedましaskedたaskedが、but山本Yamamoto夫人Mrs.もalso知らdid not knowないdid not knowのbecauseで、becauseよくnext day日next dayそのthat人personの's家houseへtoward行っgoてgoたずねaskてaskもらうhave her事arrangementにtoしarrangedましarrangedた。arranged
- 大へん
- very
- もらう
- to receive (tangible things)
Asking about the house search · Questions 1 of 2
The house search
The questions ask where Colonel Clark went, why he needs a home, and what kind he wants.
*どんな 家を さがしていますか* means "What kind of house is he looking for?" An answer identifies a Japanese-style house.
Other answers state whether he found a house he liked and describe the house Mrs. Yamamoto knew.
- 88
クラークたいさはあるひどこへいきましたか。
Where did Colonel Clark go one day?
クラークClark大佐Colonelはtopicあるone日dayどこwhereへtoward行きwentましwentたwentか。question - 89
クラークたいさはいまなにをさがしていますか。
What is Colonel Clark looking for now?
クラークClark大佐Colonelはtopic今now何whatをobjectさがしis lookingてis lookingいis lookingますis lookingか。question - 90
なぜですか。
Why?
なぜwhyですisか。question - 91
どんないえをさがしていますか。
What kind of house is he looking for?
どんなwhat kind of家houseをobjectさがしis lookingてis lookingいis lookingますis lookingか。question - 92
きにいったいえがみつかりましたか。
Did he find a house he liked?
気likedにliked入っlikedたliked家houseがsubject見つかりfoundましfoundたfoundか。question - 93
やまもとふじんはどんないえをいっけんしっていましたか。
What kind of house did Mrs. Yamamoto know of?
山本Yamamoto夫人Mrs.はtopicどんなwhat kind of家houseをobject一one houseけんone house知っknewてknewいknewましknewたknewか。question - 94
そのいえはにかいにいくまありますか。
How many rooms does that house have upstairs?
そのthat家houseはtopic二second floor階second floorにonいくhow many rooms間how many roomsありare thereますare thereか。question
- なぜ
- why?
Rooms, rent and surroundings · Questions 2 of 2
Inside and outside the house
The questions ask about the downstairs rooms, the front and back of the house, and the space between its wall and the house.
*下には どんな へやが ありますか* means "What kinds of rooms are there downstairs?" An answer names the rooms from the description.
The remaining answers state whether Colonel Clark liked the house and whether Mr. Yamamoto knew the rent.
- 95
したにはどんなへやがありますか。
What kinds of rooms are there downstairs?
下downstairsにatはtopicどんなwhat kind ofへやroomsがsubjectありare thereますare thereか。question - 96
いえのうらにはなにがありますか。
What is behind the house?
家houseのofうらbackにatはtopic何whatがsubjectありis thereますis thereか。question - 97
いえのおもてにはなにがありますか。
What is in front of the house?
家houseのofおもてfrontにatはtopic何whatがsubjectありis thereますis thereか。question - 98
へいといえのあいだになにがありますか。
What is between the wall and the house?
へいwallとand家houseのof間betweenにin何whatがsubjectありis thereますis thereか。question - 99
クラークたいさはそのいえがきにいりましたか。
Did Colonel Clark like the house?
クラークClark大佐Colonelはtopicそのthat家houseがsubject気likedにliked入りlikedましlikedたlikedか。question - 100
いえちんはどのくらいか、やまもとさんはしっていましたか。
Did Mr. Yamamoto know how much the rent was?
家rentちんrentはtopicどのhow muchくらいhow muchか、question山本YamamotoさんMr.はtopic知っknewてknewいknewましknewたknewか。question
- どの
- which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)
- くらい
- dark
House hunting terms · Word list 1 of 4
House hunting and house styles
The words cover searching for a home and describing it. *家さがし* means "house hunting," and *日本風* means "Japanese style."
The forms include honorific *お---になる* and emphatic *---なんです*. *気に入る* means "to be pleased with, like."
*見つかる* means "to be found," while *二階家* means "two-story house."
- 101
いえさがし
house hunting
家さがしhouse hunting - 102
にほんふう
Japanese style
日本風Japanese style - 103
じつは
the fact is, to tell the truth
じつはto tell the truth - 104
お---になる
to do -- (honorific pattern) (See Grammar Notes)
お---になるrespectfully do - 105
きにいる
to be pleased with, like
気に入るlike - 106
みつかる
to be found
見つかるbe found - 107
ようま
Western style room
洋間Western-style room - 108
---なんです
it is (emphasis) (See Grammar Notes)
---なんですit is indeed - 109
にかいや
two-story house
二階家two-story house - 110
にかい
second floor
二階second floor - 111
よま
four rooms
四間four rooms
- 日本風
- Japanese style
- じつは
- the fact is, to tell the truth
- お---になる
- to do -- (honorific pattern) (See Grammar Notes)
- 気に入る
- to be pleased with, like
- 見つかる
- to be found
- ---なんです
- it is (emphasis) (See Grammar Notes)
- 二階家
- two-story house
- 二階
- second floor
- 四間
- four rooms
Rooms and house surroundings · Word list 2 of 4
Rooms and surroundings
The words name rooms and areas around a house. *居間* means "parlor, living room," and *台所* means "kitchen."
*和室* is a "Japanese room," while *ふろ場* is a "bathroom for bathing only."
Outside, *うら* names the back and *おもて* names the front. *へい* means "wall fence."
- 112
--ま
counter for rooms
--間number of rooms - 113
いま
parlor, living room
居間living room - 114
しょさい
study
書さいstudy - 115
だいどころ
kitchen
台所kitchen - 116
わしつ
Japanese room
和室Japanese-style room - 117
ふろば
bathroom (for bathing only)
ふろ場bathroom - 118
よさそうな
appears good, seemingly good
よさそうなseemingly good - 119
うら
backyard, back side
うらback side - 120
おもて
front, front side
おもてfront side - 121
へい
wall fence
へいwall - 122
げんかんのま
vestibule
げんかんの間vestibule
- --間
- counter for rooms
- 居間
- parlor, living room
- 書さい
- study
- 台所
- kitchen
- よさそうな
- appears good, seemingly good
- げんかんの間
- vestibule
Renting and visiting homes · Word list 3 of 4
Strong feeling at the start
The words cover renting and visiting homes. *家ちん* means "house rent," and *たちよる* means "to drop in for a visit."
*それはそれは* usually stands at the start of a statement and intensifies the speaker's feeling. It is close to "indeed" or "really".
*SORE WA SORE WA, OISHII DESHITA YO* means "It tasted really good."
The list also includes honorific *おいでになる*, which can mean "come, go, or be."
- 123
げんかん
entrance of the house
げんかんhouse entrance - 124
ざしき
matted room in a Japanese house
ざしきJapanese matted room - 125
ようふう
Western style
洋風Western style - 126
いえちん
house rent
家ちんhouse rent - 127
たずねる
to ask
たずねるask - 128
かす
to rent, loan
かすrent out - 129
おたずねしておきましょう
I shall inquire for you.
おたずねしておきましょうI will inquire - 130
おいでになる
to come, go, be (honorific pattern) (See Grammar Notes)
おいでになるrespectfully come or go - 131
おや
Oh dear, O my
おやoh dear - 132
たちよる
to drop in for a visit
たちよるdrop in - 133
それはそれは
indeed, very much (See Explanatory Notes)
それはそれはindeed
- 家ちん
- house rent
- たずねる
- to ask
- かす
- to rent, loan
- おたずねしておきましょう
- I shall inquire for you.
- おいでになる
- to come, go, be (honorific pattern) (See Grammar Notes)
- おや
- Oh dear, O my
- たちよる
- to drop in for a visit
- それはそれは
- indeed, very much (See Explanatory Notes)
Greetings for a home visit · Word list 4 of 4
A home visit
These expressions form a short home visit. *今日は。 御めん ください* means "Hello, is anyone in?"
The visitor explains the visit, and the host replies with *それはそれは。 よく いらっしゃいました。 さあ、 どうぞ お上り ください*, welcoming the visitor with strong feeling.
*米国から いらっしゃったばかりで、 おいそがしゅう 御ざいましょう* means "You recently came from the United States and must be very busy."
*おいそがしゅう* carries the formal adjective sound change before *御ざいましょう*.
- 134
おいそがしゅうございましょう
You must be busy (See Grammar Notes)
おいそがしゅう御ざいましょうmust be busy - 135
あさばん
morning and evening
朝晩morning and evening - 136
よくじつ
the following day, next day
よく日next day - 137
こんにちは。ごめんください。
Hello, is anyone in?
今日は。御めんください。hello; anyone home? - 138
こんにちは。おや、クラークさん、よくいらっしゃいました。
Hello! Oh, Mr. Clark, I am glad you came.
今日は。おや、クラークさん、よくいらっしゃいました。hello; glad you came - 139
ちょっとこのへんまでまいりましたので、たちよりました。
I dropped in for a visit because I came to this vicinity.
ちょっとこの辺まで参りましたので、たちよりました。dropped in while nearby - 140
それはそれは。よくいらっしゃいました。さあ、どうぞおあがりください。
I am awfully glad you came. Please come in.
それはそれは。よくいらっしゃいました。さあ、どうぞお上りください。glad you came; enter - 141
ありがとうございます。ではごめんください。
Thank you. Pardon me.
ありがとう御ざいます。では御めんください。thank you; pardon me - 142
べいこくからいらっしゃったばかりで、おいそがしゅうございましょう。
You have just come from the United States and you must be very busy.
米国からいらっしゃったばかりで、おいそがしゅう御ざいましょう。just arrived; very busy - 143
ごしゅじんはおたくですか。
Is your husband at home?
御主人はお宅ですか。is your husband home? - 144
はい、おります。
Yes, he is in.
はい、おります。yes, he is in
Guide for Free Conversation
1 Look at the sketch of the house on page 112 in this lesson and describe it.
2 Describe your own home in detail.
3 Compare the Japanese style house with the Western style house.- おいそがしゅう御ざいましょう
- You must be busy (See Grammar Notes)
- よく日
- the following day, next day
- 今日は。御めんください。
- "Hello, is anyone in?"
- 今日は。おや、クラークさん、よくいらっしゃいました。
- "Hello! Oh, Mr. Clark, I am glad you came."
- ちょっとこの辺まで参りましたので、たちよりました。
- "I dropped in for a visit because I came to this vicinity."
- それはそれは。よくいらっしゃいました。さあ、どうぞお上りください。
- "I am awfully glad you came. Please come in."
- ありがとう御ざいます。では御めんください。
- "Thank you. Pardon me."
- 米国からいらっしゃったばかりで、おいそがしゅう御ざいましょう。
- "You have just come from the United States and you must be very busy."
- 御主人はお宅ですか。
- "Is your husband at home?"
- はい、おります。
- "Yes, he is in."
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