Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 57

Lesson 57

Kanji and everyday Japanese

160 lines

Shopping for furniture · Dialogue 1 of 3

An empty house needs furniture

A couple has rented a Japanese-style house and wants to buy furniture. Their friend asks, *どんな 物が いるのですか*, "What kind of things do you need?"

The answer says, *いすも なければ 食たくも ないし*, "We have neither a chair nor a dining table." The repeated *も* marks the two missing items.

A question ending

In *どんな 物が いるのですか*, the particle *の* helps ask what things are needed. Interrogative *の* can ask a question like *か*.

The voice usually rises on interrogative *の*.

Kanji: 借, 具, 置

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

Kanji: 有

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

  1. 1

    きょうはおそろいでかいものですか。

    Are you shopping together today?

    今日today
    はtopic
    おtogether
    そろいtogether
    でtogether
    買物shopping
    ですis
    か。question
  2. 2

    じつはにほんふうのいえをかりることにしたので、かぐをかいたいとおもって。

    The fact is that since we decided to rent a Japanese-style house, we thought we would buy furniture, so ----

  3. 3

    ああ、そうですか。

    Oh, is that right?

  4. 4

    よいかぐやをごぞんじですか。

    Do you know a good furniture store?

  5. 5

    どんなものがいるのですか。

    What kind of things do you need?

  6. 6

    いすもなければしょくたくもないし、とこのまのおきものもなければかけものもないありさまですよ。

    It is such that we have neither a chair nor eating table and furthermore, neither decorative articles nor hanging scrolls for the alcove.

---MO NAKEREBA --- MO NAI

The sentence pattern A + MO NAKEREBA + B + MO NAI expresses the idea of 'there is neither A nor B' where A and B represent nouns.

Examples:

HON MO NAKEREBA ZASSHI MO NAI. "There is neither a book nor a magazine."

KAKEMONO MO NAKEREBA OKIMONO MO NAI. "We have neither a hanging scroll nor a decorative article."

KU-form of I-adjective + MO NAKEREBA + KU-form of I-adjective + MO NAI expresses the idea of "It is neither --- nor ---."

Examples:

ATSUKU MO NAKEREBA SAMUKU MO NAI. "It is neither hot nor cold."

HAYAKU MO NAKEREBA OSOKU MO NAI. "It is neither early nor late."

Noun + MO TABENAKEREBA + noun + MO TABENAI.

"I eat neither such-and-such nor such-and-such."

Examples:

WATAKUSHI WA SAKANA MO TABENAKEREBA NIKU MO TABENAI. "I eat neither fish nor meat."

HON MO YOMANAKEREBA ZASSHI MO YOMANAI. "I read neither books nor magazines."

Note:

To make the expression into past tense, just change the final adjective or the verb into past tense.
--TO IU NO DEWA ARIMASEN(NAI)

Following the basic form of verbs both negative and affirmative, the basic form of I-adjectives, NA-adjectives, and pronouns, TO IU NO DEWA ARIMASEN expresses the idea of "It doesn't mean that ---," or "I don't mean that I do (or don't do) such-and-such," or "It isn't that ---."

Examples:

IMA KAWANAKEREBA NARANAI TO IU NO DEWA ARIMASEN. "It doesn't mean that I have to buy it now."

IMA IKU TO IU NO DEWA NAI. "It doesn't mean that I am going now."

ANATA TO IU NO DEWA ARIMASEN. "I don't mean you."

NIHONGO WA YASASHII TO IU NO DEWA ARIMASEN. "It doesn't mean that Japanese is easy."
--TO IU WAKE

Following the basic form of verbs and I-adjectives, NA-adjectives, and pronouns, TO IU WAKE means "It means that ---," "It means ---."

Examples:

MOO AITAKUNAI TO IU WAKE DESHOO. "It probably means that he doesn't want to see you any more."

ANATA WA NAN DEMO TABERU TO IU WAKE DESU NE. "It means that you eat anything, isn't that right?"

NIHONGO WA YASASHII TO IU WAKE DESU KA. "Does it mean that Japanese is easy?"

IE NO NAKA WA KARA TO IU WAKE DESU. "It means that the house is empty."
Emphatic NO

The particle NO is sometimes used by women in mild insistence. This NO is pronounced in a falling tone.

KIREI DESU NO. "It is pretty."

SOO NAN DESU NO. "It is so, you see."

KYOO WA MIRU DAKE NI SHITEMO IIN DESU NO. "We may just look today."
Interrogative NO

The particle NO is sometimes used as an interrogative particle just like KA. This NO is usually pronounced in a rising tone.

Examples:

DOKO E IKU NO. "Where are you going?"

NANI O SHITERU NO. "What are you doing?"

KYOO MACHI E IKU NO. "Are you going to town today?"

Note:

Depending on the intonation of NO, KYOO MACHI E IKU NO could mean "I'm going to town today" if NO falls and "Are you going to town today" if NO rises.
KOTATSU

KOTATSU, a foot warmer, is constructed by cutting open a TATAMI and the boarded floor beneath it, making a space of about 1.5 feet to 3 feet square and lining it with stone or other materials to hold a sort of firebox which will contain ash and charcoal. Over this "built-in" hearth is put a

wooden frame supported by four pillars, which is in turn covered with a large quilt. KOTATSU are convenient because at least four persons can sit in it with their feet on the boarded floor, as if sitting on chairs. During the warm seasons the wooden frame is removed and the opening is neatly covered with a small mat or lid made to fit it. However, electric and infrared lamp KOTATSU are found in many homes in present day Japan.
HIBACHI

While foreign-style houses are heated with a stove or fireplace, the Japanese normally do not warm their houses. Strictly speaking, they have no heaters for their rooms. The HIBACHI (literally, fire-basin) or fire-brazier is the only heater provided in a Japanese room, but it is used more for warming the hands than the room itself. The HIBACHI looks cozy and it is considered to be typically home-like in Japan to have all members of a home seated around a big HIBACHI and talk while their hands are held over the live charcoals in it.

HIBACHI come in various shapes--square, round, or oblong. Its materials may be wood, porcelain or bronze according to individual taste.
ZABUTON

The visitor in a Japanese-style room is generally asked to sit on a ZABUTON, a cushion about 2 feet square. In some cases the ZABUTON is offered after he has been shown into the room. The ZABUTON has seams on three sides and is so placed that he may sit on it with the knees facing the seamless side of it. In any case, it is the custom for the visitor to sit first either behind or beside the ZABUTON, and then sit on it when the host asks him to, saying "DOOZO OSHIKI KUDASAI."
今日
today
は
leaves
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
買物
shopping
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
の
See Grammar Notes
家
house, home
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
し
city
家具
furniture, household goods
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
ああ、
Oh, yes
そう
numerical counter for ships
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
どんな
what kind of; what sort of
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
床の間
alcove (See Cultural Notes)
置き物
a decorative article
かけ物
hanging scroll
有様
condition, situation, appearance

Browsing a department store · Dialogue 2 of 3

What the empty house means

A friend concludes, *では 家の中は からだと言う 訳ですね*, "Then, it means that your house is empty, doesn't it?"

Later, *今買わなければ ならないと 言うのでは ないし* rejects the idea that they must buy everything now.

Mild insistence at the end

In *そうなんですの*, a woman uses sentence-final *の* for mild insistence. The voice falls on this *の*.

*今日は 見るだけに してもいいんですの* means "It is all right to look only today."

Kanji: 訳, 器

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

  1. 7

    ではいえのなかはからだというわけですね。

    Then, it means that your house is empty, doesn't it?

  2. 8

    そうなんですの。

    You are so right.

  3. 9

    でんききぐ、せともの、とけいなどをうるせんもんのみせもありますが、デパートへいけばなんでもてにはいりますよ。

    There are specialty shops that sell electric appliances, chinaware, clocks, and so on; but if you go to a department store, you can get anything there.

  4. 10

    かぐなどはわたくしはかないにまかせています。わたくしはただかないについていって、おかねをはらうだけです。

    For buying household furniture, I have left everything up to my wife. I merely tag along with my wife and pay the bill.

  5. 11

    デパートへさきにいってごらんなさいよ。

    Go to a department store first and see.

  6. 12

    そうしましょうよ。そこにきにはいったのがあれば、そこでかいますわ。いまかわなければならないというのではないし、きょうはみるだけにしてもいいんですの。

    Let's do that. I'll buy things there if I find things that I like. It isn't that I have to buy them now, so it's all right if we just look today.

から
from (See Gram. Notes)
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
言う
to say
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
電気
electricity
など
and so forth, etc.
せんもん
specialty
店
store, shop
ます
trout
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
ただ
merely
はらう
to pay
だけ
only, just (See Grammar Notes)
ましょう
let's (See Gram. Notes)
そこ
there
わ。
counter for birds (See Gram. Notes)
なら
if it is (See Gram. Notes)
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)

Visiting several furniture stores · Dialogue 3 of 3

Three stores on the way home

The shoppers decide that *二三げん 見て 歩く方が いいですよ*, "You had better look around in two or three places."

They will visit Matsuya first, then Mitsukoshi and Matsuzakaya *帰りがけに*, "on the way home." They then take their leave.

  1. 13

    そうですよ。にさんげんみてあるくほうがいいですよ。

    That's right. You had better look around in two or three places.

  2. 14

    では、まずまつやにいってみますわ。それからかえりがけにみつこし、まつざかやによってみましょう。

    Well, then, we'll go to Matsuya first. And then, we'll drop in at Mitsukoshi and Matsuzakaya on our way home.

  3. 15

    ではやまださん、きょうはこれでしつれいいたします。

    Well, then, Mr. Yamada, please excuse us today.

  4. 16

    ではごゆっくり。さよなら。

    Well, enjoy yourselves. Goodbye.

  5. 17

    さよなら。

    Goodbye.

二
two
三
three
は、
leaves
まず
first, first of all
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)
ゆっくり。
slowly; deliberately; leisurely

Saying neither one nor another · Perception drill, Block 1

Neither one noun nor another

*新聞も なければ ざっしも ない* means "There are neither newspapers nor magazines." Each noun takes *も*.

The first noun ends in *も なければ*. The second ends in *も ない*. Together they mean "neither one nor the other."

Neither one quality nor another

*暑くもなければ さむくもない* means "It is neither hot nor cold."

With two I-adjectives, each adjective takes its KU-form before the two endings.

Neither one action nor another

*あの人は ぶた肉も 食べなければ 牛肉も 食べない* means "That person eats neither pork nor beef."

With actions, the first verb ends in *なければ* and the second in *ない*. For past time, only the final verb changes to past tense.

  1. 18

    えんぴつもなければかみもない。

    There are neither pencils nor papers.

  2. 19

    あつくもなければさむくもない。

    It is neither hot nor cold.

  3. 20

    コーヒーものまなければおちゃものまない。

    I drink neither coffee nor tea.

  4. 21

    しんぶんもざっしもない。

    There are neither newspapers nor magazines.

  5. 22

    しんぶんもなければざっしもない。

    There are neither newspapers nor magazines.

  6. 23

    わたくしはくるまもおかねもありません。

    I have neither a car nor money.

  7. 24

    わたくしはくるまもなければおかねもありません。

    I have neither a car nor money.

  8. 25

    このいえはおおきくもちいさくもない。

    This house is neither large nor small.

  9. 26

    このいえはおおきくもなければちいさくもない。

    This house is neither large nor small.

  10. 27

    あのひとはぶたにくもぎゅうにくもたべない。

    That person eats neither pork nor beef.

  11. 28

    あのひとはぶたにくもたべなければぎゅうにくもたべない。

    That person eats neither pork nor beef.

コーヒー
coffee
車
vehicle, car
人
people
ぶた肉
pork
牛肉
beef

Denying an assumed meaning · Perception drill, Block 2

Not what the speaker means

*今買わなければならないと言うのではありません* means "It doesn't mean that I have to buy it now."

The words before *と言うのではありません* state an interpretation. The ending rejects that interpretation.

The statement before the denial

*と言うのではありません* follows the plain form of a verb, I-adjective, NA-adjective, or pronoun. It means "It doesn't mean that" or "It isn't that."

In *きらいだと言うのではありませんが*, the rejected interpretation is "I dislike it."

  1. 29

    いまかわなければならないというのではありません。

    It doesn't mean that I have to buy it now.

  2. 30

    あなたはさけをやめたそうですね。

    I hear you have given up drinking.

  3. 31

    いいえ、やめたというのではありません。ただあんまりのまないことにしたのです。

    No, it is not that I have given it up. I have just decided not to drink very much.

  4. 32

    これをたべませんが、きらいなんですか。

    You are not eating this; do you dislike it?

  5. 33

    きらいだというのではありませんが、いまおなかがすいていないのです。

    It is not that I dislike it; I am just not hungry now.

  6. 34

    あなたはにほんごがっこうをそつぎょうしたのですから、にほんごがおじょうずでしょう。

    Since you graduated from a Japanese language school, you must be good at Japanese.

  7. 35

    そつぎょうしたのですが、にほんごでなんでもはなせるというのではありません。

    I did graduate, but that does not mean I can say anything I want in Japanese.

  8. 36

    あたらしいくるまをかうそうですね。

    I hear you are going to buy a new car.

  9. 37

    ええ、かうのですが、いますぐかうというのではありません。

    Yes, I am going to buy one, but that does not mean I am going to buy it right away.

きらい
dislike (See Gram. Notes)
おなか
stomach
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
上手
skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
話せる
to be able to speak
買う
to buy
ええ、
Yes
すぐ
right away, immediately

Explaining what something means · Perception drill, Block 3

What a fact means

*家の中は からだと言う訳です* means "It means that the house is empty."

The statement before *と言う訳です* supplies the meaning or conclusion.

A conclusion after a reason

*と言う訳です* follows the plain form of a verb, I-adjective, NA-adjective, or pronoun. It means "It means that."

*あの人は 病気を しないから、 体が じょうぶだと言う訳です* concludes that the person is healthy because he never gets sick.

  1. 38

    いえのなかはからだというわけです。

    It means that the house is empty.

  2. 39

    にほんごはむずかしいというわけです。

    It means that Japanese is difficult.

  3. 40

    そんなことをされるとこまるというわけです。

    It means that I'll be embarrassed if somebody does such a thing to me.

  4. 41

    あのひとはびょうきをしないから、からだがじょうぶだというわけです。

    That person never gets sick, so that means he is healthy.

  5. 42

    あのせいとはべんきょうしないから、できないというわけです。

    That student does not study, so that is why he cannot do it.

  6. 43

    ごがくはおもしろくないから、べんきょうしないというわけです。

    So you do not study languages because they are not interesting.

  7. 44

    いいえ、そういうわけではありません。

    No, that is not the reason.

  8. 45

    よくたべるからふとるというわけではない。

    Eating a lot does not necessarily mean you will gain weight.

  9. 46

    こどもをつれてにほんへいきたいというわけではない。

    It is not that I want to take the children with me to Japan.

です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
むずかしい
difficult
れる
to be able to -- (See Grammar Notes)
体
body, health
語学
language study
よく
well, skillfully
ふとる
to become stout (v.i.)

Neither objects nor qualities · Pattern 1 1 of 2

Three uses of neither nor

*本もなければ ざっしもない* means "There are neither books nor magazines." The same pattern appears with qualities and actions.

*大きくも なければ 小さくもない* means "It is neither big nor small."

*私は さかなも食べなければ 肉も食べない* means "I eat neither fish nor meat."

  1. 47

    ほんもなければざっしもない。

    There are neither books nor magazines.

  2. 48

    おおきくもなければちいさくもない。

    It is neither big nor small.

  3. 49

    わたくしはさかなもたべなければにくもたべない。

    I eat neither fish nor meat.

  4. 50

    このへやにはいすもなければつくえもない。

    There is neither a chair nor a desk in this room.

  5. 51

    このいえにはガレージもなければカーポートもない。

    This house has neither a garage nor a carport.

  6. 52

    モンテレーはさむくもなければあつくもない。

    Monterey is neither cold nor hot.

  7. 53

    このくるまはたかくもなければあまりやすくもない。

    This car is neither expensive nor very cheap.

  8. 54

    あのひとはにほんごもできなければえいごもできない。

    That person knows neither Japanese nor English.

本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
さかな
fish
肉
meat, flesh
へや
room
ガレージ
garage
カーポート
carport
モンテレー
Monterey

Neither plans nor conditions · Pattern 1 2 of 2

Neither nor as a reason

*車も なければ お金も ないので、 参りません* means "I am not going, because I have neither a car nor money."

Here, the *もなければ* and *もない* pattern supplies the reason for not going.

Neither nor in descriptions

*暑くも なければ さむくも ないし* describes a day as "neither hot nor cold."

*おなかも すいていなければ、 のども かわいていない* means the speaker is neither hungry nor thirsty.

  1. 55

    スミスさんはしばいにもいかなければえいがにもいかない。

    Mr. Smith goes neither to plays nor to movies.

  2. 56

    こんしゅうまつサンフランシスコへあそびにいらっしゃいますか。

    Are you going to San Francisco for pleasure this weekend?

  3. 57

    いいえ、くるまもなければおかねもないので、まいりません。

    No, I am not going, because I have neither a car nor money.

  4. 58

    きのうはほんとうにいいおてんきでしたね。

    The weather was really nice yesterday, wasn’t it?

  5. 59

    ええ、あつくもなければさむくもないし、たいへんいいひでした。

    Yes, it was neither hot nor cold, and it was a very pleasant day.

  6. 60

    なにかたべませんか。

    Would you like something to eat?

  7. 61

    いまおなかもすいていなければ、のどもかわいていないから、なにもほしくはありません。

    I am neither hungry nor thirsty now, so I do not want anything.

しばい
play, drama
映画
movie
今週
this week
サンフランシスコ
San Francisco
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
昨日
yesterday
天気
weather
し、
city
のど
throat

Denying a stated conclusion · Pattern 2 1 of 2

A conclusion rejected

*今行くと言うのでは ありません* means "It doesn't mean that I am going now." The ending rejects the conclusion stated before it.

*今すぐしなければ ならないと 言うのでは ありません* rejects an obligation to act immediately.

*ちっとも 聞こえないと 言うのでは ありません* rejects the conclusion that the speaker cannot hear at all.

  1. 62

    いまいくというのではありません。

    It doesn't mean that I am going now.

  2. 63

    それがわるいというのではありません。

    It doesn't mean that that is bad.

  3. 64

    いますぐしなければならないというのではありません。

    It is not that you have to do it right away.

  4. 65

    わたくしはみみがとおいけれど、ちっともきこえないというのではありません。

    I am hard of hearing, but that does not mean I cannot hear at all.

  5. 66

    いきたくないというのではありません。

    It is not that I do not want to go.

  6. 67

    それはたかいといいますが、わたくしはかわないというのではありません。

    They say it is expensive, but that does not mean I will not buy it.

  7. 68

    おもしろくないからがっこうをやめるというのではない。

    It is not that I am quitting school because it is not interesting.

遠い
far
ちっとも
not even a little (See Gram. Notes)
やめる
to quit

Correcting mistaken reasons · Pattern 2 2 of 2

The rejected reason comes first

*きらいだから 食べないと 言うのでは ありません* means "It is not that I do not eat it because I dislike it."

*まずいから 食べないと 言うのではないよ* rejects bad taste as the reason. *きらいだから 食べないんだ* then gives dislike as the actual reason.

*頭が 悪いから 出来ないと 言うのでは ありません* rejects lack of intelligence. The next sentence gives lack of study as the reason.

  1. 69

    きらいだからたべないというのではありません。

    It is not that I do not eat it because I dislike it.

  2. 70

    まずいからこれをたべないのですか。

    Are you not eating this because it tastes bad?

  3. 71

    いいえ、まずいからたべないというのではないよ。きらいだからたべないんだ。

    No, it is not that I am not eating it because it tastes bad. I am not eating it because I dislike it.

  4. 72

    おくさんをつれていきたくないのですか。

    Do you not want to take your wife with you?

  5. 73

    つれていきたくないというのではないんだが、かないはいそがしくていけないんだ。

    It is not that I do not want to take her, but my wife is busy and cannot go.

  6. 74

    あのせいとはにほんごができませんが、あたまがわるいのですか。

    That student cannot speak Japanese; is it because he is not very bright?

  7. 75

    いいえ、あたまがわるいからできないというのではありません。べんきょうしないから、できないのです。

    No, it is not that he cannot speak it because he is not very bright. He cannot speak it because he does not study.

まずい
poor, tasteless
頭
head, mind

Stating what something means · Pattern 3 1 of 2

A conclusion from a condition

*勉強すれば 上手に なると言う訳です* means "It means that you become good if you study."

The statement before *と言う訳です* supplies the meaning or conclusion.

Preferences and general claims

*勉強は きらいだと言う訳です* concludes that someone dislikes studying.

*やさいなら 何でも 食べると言う訳です* means "That means you eat any kind of vegetable."

  1. 76

    べんきょうすればじょうずになるというわけです。

    It means that you become good if you study.

  2. 77

    べんきょうしなくてもいいというわけです。

    It means that you don't have to study.

  3. 78

    べんきょうはきらいだというわけです。

    It means that he dislikes studying.

  4. 79

    あしのながいひとはあるくのがはやいというわけです。

    That means people with long legs walk fast.

  5. 80

    はなすことがいちばんたいせつだというわけです。

    That means speaking is the most important thing.

  6. 81

    はやくねなくてもいいというわけです。

    That means you do not have to go to bed early.

  7. 82

    やさいならなんでもたべるというわけです。

    That means you eat any kind of vegetable.

  8. 83

    たばこはからだにわるいというわけです。

    That means tobacco is bad for your health.

  9. 84

    あなたはあまりにほんごをべんきょうしないが、にほんごはやさしいというわけですか。

    You do not study Japanese very much; does that mean Japanese is easy?

一番
number one (See Grammar Notes)
ね
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
やさい
vegetable
たばこ
tobacco, cigarette
やさしい
easy

Confirming what someone means · Pattern 3 2 of 2

Checking an inferred meaning

*日本風の 家が 気に 入ったと言う訳ですね* means "So that means you liked the Japanese-style house, doesn't it?"

With *ですね* or *ですか*, *と言う訳* checks whether an inferred meaning is correct.

*きまりが 悪いと言う訳ですか* asks whether embarrassment is the reason for avoiding the subject.

  1. 85

    いいえ、やさしいというわけではありません。べんきょうがきらいなんです。

    No, it does not mean it is easy. I dislike studying.

  2. 86

    このしごとはおとこのひとにたのみたいのですが。

    I would like to ask a man to do this job.

  3. 87

    そうですか。おんなのひとにはむりだというわけですね。

    I see. So you mean it is too difficult for a woman.

  4. 88

    ええ、まあそうですね。

    Yes, I suppose so.

  5. 89

    これはおんなのひとのまえでははなしたくないのです。

    I do not want to talk about this in front of women.

  6. 90

    おんなのひとのまえではなすのは、きまりがわるいというわけですか。

    Do you mean you feel embarrassed talking about it in front of women?

  7. 91

    そうなんです。

    That is right.

  8. 92

    スミスさんはにほんふうのいえをかうことにしたそうです。

    I hear Mr. Smith has decided to buy a Japanese-style house.

  9. 93

    にほんふうのいえがきにはいったというわけですね。

    So that means you liked the Japanese-style house, doesn't it?

男
male
女
female
まあ
Well! Oh, my!
前
before, front

Furnishing an empty Japanese home · Reading Selection 1 of 2

Furniture for an empty home

The passage names furniture used in a Japanese-style house, including *食たく*, *たんす*, *洋服だんす*, and *ひばち*.

The Clarks' house is empty. The *もなければ* and *もない* pattern in *食たくもなければひばちもない* says what it lacks.

The fire basin

A *ひばち* is a brazier and the only heater provided in a Japanese room. It warms the hands more than the room.

A family can gather around a large *ひばち* and warm their hands over live charcoal. Its shape can be square, round, or oblong.

A *ひばち* can be made of wood, porcelain, or bronze.

  1. 94

    にほんふうのいえでつかっているかぐにはしょくたく、たんす、ようふくだんす、ひばちなどがあります。

    Furniture used in a Japanese-style house includes dining tables, chests of drawers, wardrobes, braziers, and so on.

  2. 95

    このごろでは、ソファー、ひじかけいすなどをつかっているいえもたくさんあります。

    These days, there are also many homes that use sofas, armchairs, and the like.

  3. 96

    またにほんふうのいえにはとこのまがありますから、とこのまにかけるかけものやおきものもいります。

    Also, since a Japanese-style house has an alcove, you need hanging scrolls and ornaments for it.

  4. 97

    クラークふさいはにほんふうのいえをいっけんかりることにしましたが、かりたいえはなかがからで、しょくたくもなければひばちもないというありさまでした。

    Mr. and Mrs. Clark decided to rent a Japanese-style house, but the house they rented was empty inside, without even a dining table or a brazier.

  5. 98

    それで、かぐはいっさいかわなければなりませんでした。

    So they had to buy all their furniture.

たんす、
chest of drawers
ます。
trout
頃
approximate point of time (See Gram. Notes)
ソファー、
sofa
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
ふさい
Mr. and Mrs.
一
one
けん
numerical counter for houses (See Gram. Notes)

Shopping at Tokyo department stores · Reading Selection 2 of 2

Many goods in one place

Tokyo has specialty stores for electrical appliances, chinaware, clocks, and similar goods. Its many department stores usually offer almost anything the couple needs.

The Clarks first visit Matsuya to look at various goods. They plan to visit Mitsukoshi and Matsuzakaya *帰りがけに*, "on their way home."

  1. 99

    でんききぐ、せともの、とけいなどを

    Electrical appliances, chinaware, clocks, and so on.

  2. 100

    うるせんもんのみせもありますが、とうきょうにはデパートがたくさんありますから、そこへいけばたいていなんでもてにはいります。

    There are specialty stores that sell them, but since there are many department stores in Tokyo, you can usually get almost anything if you go to one.

  3. 101

    クラークふさいもまずまつやデパートにいって、いろいろのものをみてあるくことにしました。

    Mr. and Mrs. Clark decided to go first to the Matsuya department store and look around at various things.

  4. 102

    それからかえりがけに、みつこし、まつざかやへいってみることにしました。

    Then, on their way home, they decided to try going to Mitsukoshi and Matsuzakaya.

Questions about furniture shopping · Questions

The house and the shopping plan

The questions ask what belongs in a Japanese-style house, what the Clarks found there, and where they plan to shop.

*日本風の 家で 使っている 家具には どんな物が ありますか* means "What kinds of furniture are used in a Japanese-style house?"

An answer names items from the passage, such as dining tables, chests of drawers, wardrobes, and braziers.

  1. 103

    にほんふうのいえでつかっているかぐにはどんなものがありますか。

    What kinds of furniture are used in a Japanese-style house?

  2. 104

    ソファーやひじかけいすなどをつかっているいえがありますか。

    Are there homes that use sofas, armchairs, and the like?

  3. 105

    とこのまにはどんなものをおいたり、かけたりしますか。

    What kinds of things do people put or hang in the alcove?

  4. 106

    クラークふさいはどんないえをかりることにしましたか。

    What kind of house did Mr. and Mrs. Clark decide to rent?

  5. 107

    かりたいえにはかぐはいっさいありましたか。

    Was there any furniture at all in the house they rented?

  6. 108

    どんなありさまでしたか。

    What condition was it in?

  7. 109

    とうきょうにはでんききぐせんもんのみせがありますか。

    Are there stores in Tokyo that specialize in electrical appliances?

  8. 110

    クラークふさいはまずどこへいくことにしましたか。

    Where did Mr. and Mrs. Clark decide to go first?

  9. 111

    なぜデパートへいくことにしましたか。

    Why did they decide to go to a department store?

  10. 112

    どのデパートへいくことにしましたか。

    Which department stores did they decide to go to?

ソファー
sofa
なぜ
why?
どの
which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)

Furniture and meaning words · Word list 1 of 4

Furniture and an empty condition

The entries cover furniture, an empty condition, and expressions for meaning and emphasis.

*家具* means "furniture" or "household goods." *食たく* means "dining table," and *から* means "empty."

  1. 113

    かぐ

    furniture, household goods

  2. 114

    おそろいで

    together

  3. 115

    かぐや

    furniture store

  4. 116

    --もなければ--もない

    --neither -- nor (See Grammar Notes)

  5. 117

    しょくたく

    dining table

  6. 118

    おきもの

    a decorative article

  7. 119

    かけもの

    hanging scroll

  8. 120

    ありさま

    condition, situation, appearance

  9. 121

    から

    empty

  10. 122

    --というわけ

    it means that -- (See Grammar Notes)

  11. 123

    そうなんですの

    It surely is.

  12. 124

    --の

    emphatic ending (See Grammar Notes)

おそろいで
together
家具屋
furniture store
食たく
dining table
--と言う訳
it means that -- (See Grammar Notes)
そうなんですの
It surely is.
--の
emphatic ending (See Grammar Notes)

Shopping and accompanying expressions · Word list 2 of 4

Shopping and going along

The entries cover shopping, accompanying someone, departure, and household storage.

*手にはいる* means "to obtain." *帰りがけに* means "on the way home," and *寝具* means "bedding."

  1. 125

    てにはいる

    to come into one's possession, obtain

  2. 126

    でんききぐ

    electric appliance

  3. 127

    せともの

    chinaware

  4. 128

    せんもん

    specialty

  5. 129

    --にまかせる

    to leave up to ---

  6. 130

    ついていく

    to go along, tag along

  7. 131

    みるだけにする

    just to see

  8. 132

    かえりがけに

    on the way home

  9. 133

    これでしつれいいたします

    Please excuse me.

  10. 134

    おゆっくり

    enjoy yourself

  11. 135

    しんぐ

    bedding

  12. 136

    たんす

    chest of drawers

手にはいる
to come into one's possession, obtain
電気器具
electric appliance
せと物
chinaware
--にまかせる
to leave up to ---
ついて行く
to go along, tag along
見るだけにする
just to see
帰りがけに
on the way home
これでしつれいいたします
Please excuse me.
御ゆっくり
enjoy yourself
寝具
bedding
たんす
chest of drawers

Traditional and modern furnishings · Word list 3 of 4

The foot warmer

The furnishings range from *ソファー*, "sofa," to *こたつ*, "foot warmer." A *こたつ* has a frame over a space cut in the floor.

A firebox containing ash and charcoal occupies the floor space. A large quilt covers the wooden structure above it.

At least four people can place their feet inside. The wooden structure is removed in warm seasons. Many homes also have an electric *こたつ*.

The cushion for a guest

A *ざぶとん* is a cushion about two feet wide. A visitor in a Japanese-style room is generally asked to use it.

The visitor first sits behind or beside the *ざぶとん*. The host then offers it with *DOOZO OSHIKI KUDASAI*.

  1. 137

    ようふくだんす

    wardrobe

  2. 138

    ソファー

    sofa

  3. 139

    ひじかけいす

    armchair

  4. 140

    ひばち

    brazier (See Cultural Notes)

  5. 141

    こたつ

    foot warmer (See Cultural Notes)

  6. 142

    カーペット

    carpet, rug

  7. 143

    ふとん

    bedding, quilt

  8. 144

    もうふ

    blanket

  9. 145

    ざぶとん

    cushion (See Cultural Notes)

  10. 146

    かえりみち

    on the way back, return trip

  11. 147

    いっさい

    everything, the whole

  12. 148

    かぐ

    furniture, household goods

洋服だんす
wardrobe
ひじかけいす
armchair
ひばち
brazier (See Cultural Notes)
こたつ
foot warmer (See Cultural Notes)
カーペット
carpet, rug
ふとん
bedding, quilt
もうふ
blanket
ざぶとん
cushion (See Cultural Notes)
帰り道
on the way back, return trip
一さい
everything, the whole

Bedding and household furniture · Word list 4 of 4

Furniture for storage and rest

The entries cover bedding, storage, seating, floor coverings, and traditional furnishings.

*寝具* means "bedding." *たんす* means "chest of drawers," and *ざぶとん* means "cushion."

  1. 149

    しんぐ

    bedding

  2. 150

    たんす

    chest of drawers

  3. 151

    ようふくだんす

    wardrobe

  4. 152

    ソファー

    sofa

  5. 153

    ひじかけいす

    armchair

  6. 154

    ひばち

    brazier

  7. 155

    こたつ

    foot warmer

  8. 156

    カーペット

    carpet

  9. 157

    ふとん

    bedding, quilt

  10. 158

    もうふ

    blanket

  11. 159

    ざぶとん

    cushion

  12. 160

    かえりみち

    on the way back, return trip

Guide for Free Conversation

1. Look at the pictures on pages 10 and 12 and name every item that you see.

2. Talk about the following:

a. Furniture and fixtures in the Japanese-style home.

b. Shopping for furniture and fixtures.
Homework

1. Memorize the Dialogue and study the vocabulary.

2. Study the Pattern Drills.

3. Learn to read and write the new kanji.

4. Read the Explanatory Notes.

5. Use the guide given for practice in free conversation.

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.