Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 64

Lesson 64

Kanji and everyday Japanese

188 lines

Buying postcards · Dialogue 1 of 8

Postcards and postage

A customer asks for *葉書を 百枚*, "100 postcards". The clerk confirms the quantity, then gives the price per card and the total.

The customer then asks *絵葉書には いくらの 切手を はりますか*, "How much postage do you put on the picture postcards?"

Kanji: 絵

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

  1. 1

    どんなごようでございますか。

    What can I do for you?

    どんなwhat kind of
    御business
    用business
    でfor
    御is
    ざis
    いis
    ますis
    か。question
  2. 2

    ええと、なんでしたかね。ああ、そうそう。はがきをひゃくまい。

    Let me see. What was it now? Oh, I remember. Give me 100 postcards.

  3. 3

    ひゃくまいですね。よろしゅうございます。

    100, you said? All right, sir.

  4. 4

    いくらになりますか。

    How much would that be?

  5. 5

    いちまいごえんですから、みなでちょうどごひゃくえんです。

    It’s 5 yen a piece, so it will be exactly 500 yen altogether.

  6. 6

    それから、えはがきにはいくらのきってをはりますか。

    And how much postage do you put on the picture postcards?

GOTO NI

Following the basic form of verbs and also a nominal, particularly a number denoting a period of time, GOTO NI means "whenever so-and-so" or "each so-and-so" or "each and every so-and-so". When GOTO NI follows a verb, sometimes it is preceded by TABI like TABI GOTO NI.

Examples:

FUTSUKA GOTO NI. "every two days"

SANJIPPUN GOTO NI. "every 30 minutes"

ICHI MAIRU GOTO NI. "every one mile"

IKU (TABI) GOTO NI. "whenever one goes"

YOJIKAN GOTO NI KONO KUSURI O NONDE KUDASAI. "Please take this medicine every 4 hours."
TSUIDE NI

Following the basic form of verbs either in the past or non-past, and also following the action nouns plus NO form, TSUIDE NI expresses an idea of "taking the opportunity of ---", "while ---", "at the same time", etc. TSUIDE NI at times is used alone at the beginning of the sentence.

Examples:

YUUBINKYOKU E IKU TSUIDE NI HANAYA NI TACHIYORIMASHITA. "I dropped in at the flower shop on the way to the post office."

TOKYO E KITA TSUIDE NI TACHIYORIMASHITA. "I dropped in while I was in Tokyo."

SAMPO NO TSUIDE NI TOMODACHI O TAZUNEMASHITA. "Taking the opportunity of a stroll, I called on my friend."

TSUIDE NI WATAKUSHI NI MO KATTE KUDASAI. "Please buy it for me too, at the same time."
KIRO

KIRO could mean kilometer, kilogram, or kiloliter

depending upon the content. Weight and length or distance are usually expressed in Japan in terms of the metric system. One kilogram is equivalent to about 2.2 pounds. One kilometer is one thousand meters and equivalent to about 0.623 mile.
Telegram

In Japan, the fee for the Japanese telegram is 30 yen for the first 10 letters and after that 7 yen for every 5 letters if it’s within the city. The fee for the out-of-town telegram is 60 yen for the first 10 letters and after that, 10 yen for every 5 letters. As for European telegrams, in Japan, the fee is 30 yen for the first 5 words and after that 7 yen for every word if it’s within the city. The fee for the out-of-town telegram is 60 yen for the first 5 words and 10 yen for each word added. If it’s a romanized telegram, regardless of whether it is in English, in Japanese, or in a European language, the telegram fee is 120 yen per word to America and 192 yen per word to Europe.
Postal Zone:

In Japan, parcel post postal zone is determined by the distance from the point of origin. The First postal zone is a postal zone which is within 500 kilometers from the point of origin. The Second postal zone is up to 1,000 kilometers from the point of origin, and the zone over 1,000 kilometers from the point of origin is in the Third postal zone. For instance, when you mail a parcel from Tokyo, Tokyo is the in the first postal zone. When you mail it from Hokkaidoo, Hokkaidoo is in the first postal zone

First postal zone assigned from Tokyo (Tokyo being the point of origin): Tokyo Metropolis, Aichi, Chiba, Fukushima, Gifu, Gumma, Ibaragi, Ishikawa, Kanagawa, Mie, Miyagi, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shiga, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Toyama, Yamagata, and Yamanashi prefectures.

Second zone assigned from Tokyo: Akita, Aomori, Ehime, Fukui, Hiroshima, Hyoogo, Iwate, Kagawa, Koochi, Kyoto, Nara, Okayama, Osaka, Shimane, Tokushima, Tottori, and Wakayama prefectures.

Third postal zone assigned from Tokyo: Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Oita, Saga, and Yamaguchi prefectures, and Hokkaidoo.
Shinai Kozutsumi

Shinai Kozutsumi is a parcel originated from one place and sent to another place within the same postal district; parcel mailed within the wards in Tokyo Metropolis; or the parcel mailed within the same village, town, or city. All the other parcels not classified as Shinai Kozutsumi are Ippan Kozutsumi.
どんな
what kind of; what sort of
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
ます
trout
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
ええ
Yes
と、
and (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
ああ、
Oh, yes
葉書
post card
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
百
100
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
いくら
how much? how many?
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
一
one
五
five
円
yen (unit of money)
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
五百
500
絵葉書
picture post card
は
leaves
の
See Grammar Notes
切手
postage stamp

Mailing and insuring a package · Dialogue 2 of 8

A parcel and its insurance

A customer asks the cost of mailing a package. *一キロ ぐらいしか ないのです* says it weighs only about one kilogram.

The clerk gives the postage to Kyoto and asks about insurance. The customer chooses coverage of 5,000 yen.

The measure comes from the context

*一キロ ぐらい* means "about one kilogram" because the parcel was weighed on a scale.

*KIRO* can mean "kilometer", "kilogram", or "kiloliter". The surrounding words identify the measure.

  1. 7

    ごえんです。

    It’s 5 yen.

  2. 8

    このこづつみはいくらかかりますか。いえではかりにかけたのですが、いちキロぐらいしかないのです。

    How much does this package cost to mail? I put it on the scale at home, and it only weighs about one kilogram.

  3. 9

    おくりさきはきょうとですね。では、りょうきんはひゃくにじゅうえんです。ほけんをつけますか。

    Destination is Kyoto, isn’t it? Then, the postage is 120 yen. Do you want to insure it?

  4. 10

    そうだね。ごせんえんつけよう。

    Well, let me see. I’ll insure it for 5,000 yen.

  5. 11

    はい、ほけんりょうよんじゅうごえん。

    The fee for insurance is 45 yen.

  6. 12

    みなでいくら。

    How much will it be altogether?

です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
小包
parcel, small package
家
house, home
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
キロ
kilometer
ぐらい
about
送り先
destination, consignee
料金
fee, charge
二十
20
ほけん
insurance
そう
numerical counter for ships
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
五千
5,000
四十
40

Buying stamps and sending telegrams · Dialogue 3 of 8

One more task at the post office

The customer adds three 5-yen stamps and twenty 10-yen stamps to the purchase. He then asks to send a telegram.

*電報 は あちらの まどで あつかっています* means "Telegrams are handled at the window over there."

An additional opportunity

*ついでだから* in *それでは、 ついでだから、 五円切手を 三枚、 十円切手を 二十枚 もらいましょう* presents the stamp purchase as an additional action while there.

Kanji: 報, 打

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

Kanji: 合

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

  1. 13

    ごうけいろっぴゃくろくじゅうごえんです。

    The total is 665 yen.

  2. 14

    それでは、ついでだから、ごえんきってをさんまい、じゅうえんきってをにじゅうまいもらいましょう。

    Well, then, while I have a chance, also give me three 5 yen stamps and twenty 10 yen stamps.

  3. 15

    はい、はっぴゃくはちじゅうえんになります。

    Yes, sir. That will be 880 yen.

  4. 16

    でんぽうをうちたいんだが。

    I want to send a telegram, but ---.

  5. 17

    でんぽうはあちらのまどであつかっています。

    Telegrams are handled at the window over there.

  6. 18

    そうですか。それはどうも。

    Is that so? Thank you very much.

合計
total
六百
600
六十
60
は、
leaves
ついで
opportunity
三
three
十
ten
ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)
八百
800
八十
80
ます。
trout
電報
telegram
が。
but (See Gram. Notes)
あちら
that over there, over there

Composing a concise telegram · Dialogue 4 of 8

A shorter telegram

A customer writes a polite message about arriving in Kyoto at nine on Monday evening and asking for a pickup.

The clerk calls it too polite and replaces it with *ゲツヨウバン 九ジ キョウトチャク ムカエ タノム*. The shorter message keeps the arrival and request.

Kanji: 友, 通, 紙

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

  1. 19

    もしもし。

    Hello.

  2. 20

    なにかごようですか。

    What can I do for you?

  3. 21

    きょうとのゆうじんにでんぽうをいっつううちたいんだが。

    I want to send a telegram to a friend in Kyoto.

  4. 22

    このようしにかきいれてください。

    Please write it on this blank form.

  5. 23

    「ゲツヨウバンクジキョウトエキニツキマス。ムカエタノミマス。」これでよろしいでしょうか。

    I’ll arrive in Tokyo Station at 9 p.m. Monday. Please come to pick me up." Is that alright?

  6. 24

    そうですね。あまりていねいすぎますね。こうなさい。「ゲツヨウバンクジキョウトチャクムカエタノム。」

    Well, it’s a little too polite. Do it this way. "Arrive at Kyoto at 9 p.m. Monday. Request you pick me up".

もしもし。
hello
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
友人
friend
通
classifier for counting letters and telegrams
用紙
form, blank form
ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
九
nine
よろしい
good!
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
ていねい
polite (copula noun)
すぎ
past, after

Calculating telegram charges · Dialogue 5 of 8

Characters become units

*電報では はじめの 十字を 一音信と、 いいます* says the first ten characters of a telegram form one telegraphic unit.

Each additional five characters forms another unit. Within a city, the first unit costs 30 yen and each further unit costs 7 yen.

To another town, the first unit costs 60 yen and each further unit costs 10 yen. *四音信* means "four telegraphic units".

A voiced sound counts twice

*にごりは 二字に かんじょうします* means "a voiced sound is counted as two characters." This count affects the number of units and the charge.

In *一音信を ますごとに 十円 かかります*, *ごとに* marks each additional unit.

Kanji: 音

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

  1. 25

    「チャク」はなんといういみですか。

    What does "Chaku" mean?

  2. 26

    「つきます」ということです。これでよんおんしんで、きゅうじゅうえんになります。

    It means "Tsukimasu". This way, it’s 4 telegraphic units and it will be 90 yen.

  3. 27

    おんしんというのはなんですか。

    What is a telegraphic unit?

  4. 28

    でんぽうでははじめのじゅうじをいちおんしんと、いいます。それからはごじをいちおんしんといって、りょうきんははじめのいちおんしんはろくじゅうえん、それからはいちおんしんをますごとにじゅうえんかかります。しないのはさんじゅうえんにしちえんです。

    In a telegram, the first ten letters are called one telegraphic unit. After that 5 letters are one telegraphic unit and the fee is 60 yen for the first telegraphic unit. After that it costs 10 yen whenever you add one telegraphic unit. Within a city, it’s 30 yen and 7 yen.

  5. 29

    ははあ、なるほど。

    Oh, I see.

  6. 30

    それから、にごりはにじにかんじょうします。

    And a voiced sound is counted as two letters.

と
and (See Gram. Notes)
いみ
meaning
ます」
trout
四
four
音信
telegraphic unit (See Cult. Notes)
九十
90
はじめ
beginning
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
三十
30
七
seven
なるほど。
I see, indeed, to be sure
にごり
voiced sound
二
two
かんじょう
calculation, payment, settlement of account
し
city

Reading telegram header details · Dialogue 6 of 8

The telegram header

The customer approves a four-unit telegram. The form then begins with *電報*, "Telegram", and *着信番号 492*, "Incoming telegram number 492".

The next lines record routing data, a time, and the address *サギノミヤ一ノ五八*, "1-58 Saginomiya".

  1. 31

    ああ、なるほど。それで、このでんぽうはよんおんしんですか。わかりました。どうもありがとうございました。では、それをおねがいいたします。

    Oh, I see. And so this telegram is 4 telegraphic units, isn’t it? I understand. Thank you very much. Please take care of that, then.

  2. 32

    はい、かしこまりました。

    Yes, certainly.

  3. 33

    でんぽう

    Telegram

  4. 34

    ちゃくしんばんごうよんきゅうに

    Incoming telegram number 492

  5. 35

    にごはちネいちななブンキヨウよんよんぜろいちコよん・ごはち

    258 NE, 17 Bunkyo, 4401 KO, 4:58

  6. 36

    サギノミヤいちノごはち」

    1-58 Saginomiya

で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
八
eight

Reading a personal telegram · Dialogue 7 of 8

A personal telegram

*クラタキサコ殿* addresses the telegram to Mrs. Kisako Kurata. The compact message asks Yoshiko when she is coming home and requests a reply.

The message ends with the sender, Tada. The remaining lines list office, character, origin, receipt, and contact information.

Kanji: 局

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

  1. 37

    クラタキサコどの

    To Mrs. Kisako Kurata

  2. 38

    ヨシコ」イツカエルカスヘン」タダ

    Yoshiko, when are you coming home? Send a reply. Tada.

  3. 39

    このらんのきさいじゅんじょはつぎのとおりです。だいいちぎょう、きょくようばんごう・だいにぎょう、(しゅるい)・じすう・はっしんきょく・はっしんばんごう(うけつけび)・うけつけじこく

    The entries in this section are in the following order: first line, office number; second line, type, number of characters, sending office, sending number, date received, and time received.

  4. 40

    このでんぽうについてぎもんのてんがありましたらはいたつきょくへおといあわせください。

    If you have any questions about this telegram, please contact the delivery office.

  5. 41

    にっぽんでんしんでんわこうしゃでんわ(きゅうきゅういち)ぜろいちいちきゅう

    Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation, telephone (991) 0119

  6. 42

    でんぽう

    Telegram

が
but (See Gram. Notes)
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
電話
telephone

Reading a New Year telegram · Dialogue 8 of 8

A New Year telegram

*ネンガ 一一 トウキョウナカノ 六一〇八* gives the telegram type and routing data. *クラタミノル殿* addresses it to Mr. Minoru Kurata.

The message wishes everyone happiness at the beginning of the coming year. It ends with the sender, Takeo Yamada.

  1. 43

    ぜろさんいちネイクマ」

    031 NE, Ikuma

  2. 44

    ネンガいちいちトウキョウナカノろくいちぜろはち

    New Year’s greeting 11, Tokyo-Nakano 6108

  3. 45

    サギノミヤいちノごはち」

    1-58 Saginomiya

  4. 46

    クラタミノルどの

    To Mr. Minoru Kurata

  5. 47

    アケユクトシノハジメニアタリミナサマノゴコウフクヲイノリマスヤマダタケオ

    At the beginning of the coming year, I wish you all happiness. Takeo Yamada.

  6. 48

    にっぽんでんしんでんわこうしゃ

    Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation

六
six

Expressing regular intervals · Perception drill, Block 1

Every thirty minutes

*市内バスは 三十分ごとに 出ます* means "The city bus leaves every thirty minutes." *ごとに* follows the interval and means "each" or "every".

A time or distance before *ごとに* states the regular interval. *一時間ごとに 出ます* means "It leaves every hour."

Whenever an action occurs

*私は サンフランシスコへ 行く たびごとに 日本の レコードを 買って 来るのです* means "Whenever I go to San Francisco, I buy Japanese records and bring them back."

After a verb, *ごとに* means "whenever the action occurs". *たび* may stand between the verb and *ごとに*.

  1. 49

    いちおんしんますごとにじゅうえんかかります。

    Whenever you add one telegraphic unit, it costs 10 yen.

  2. 50

    モンテレーのしないバスはなんぷんごとにでるのですか。

    Every how many minutes does the Monterey city bus leave?

  3. 51

    しないバスはさんじゅっぷんごとにでます。しかし、それはごごのろくじまでで、それからあとはいちじかんごとにでます。

    City bus leaves every thirty minutes. However, that’s until 6 p.m. and after that, it leaves every hour.

  4. 52

    あなたはいっかげつにいちどげっきゅうをもらうのですか。

    Do you get paid once a month?

  5. 53

    いいえ、にしゅうかんごとにもらうのです。

    No, I get paid every two weeks.

  6. 54

    このくすりはいちにちになんどぐらいのむのですか。

    About how many times a day do you take this medicine?

  7. 55

    よじかんごとにのむことになっています。

    I am supposed to take it every 4 hours.

  8. 56

    あなたがいらっしゃるたびごとにあめがふりますね。

    Whenever you come, it rains, doesn’t it?

  9. 57

    そうらしいですね。たぶんわたくしがあめをもってくるのでしょう。

    It seems so. Perhaps I bring the rain with me.

  10. 58

    あなたはにほんのレコードをたくさんもっていらっしゃいますが、どこでてにいれるのですか。

    You have many Japanese phonograph records, but where do you get them?

  11. 59

    わたくしはサンフランシスコへいくたびごとににほんのレコードをかってくるのです。

    Whenever I go to San Francisco, I buy Japanese records and bring them back.

モンテレー
Monterey
市内
within a city
バス
bus
分
minute
しかし、
however, but
午後
p.m., afternoon
時
time
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
時間
hour, time
月給
monthly wage
もらう
to receive (tangible things)
くすり
medicine
一日
first day of the month (See Grammar Notes)
いらっしゃる
to come, go (honorific verb)
雨
rain
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
入れる
to put in, to insert (v.t.)
サンフランシスコ
San Francisco

Taking an additional opportunity · Perception drill, Block 2

Mail it at the same time

*では、 ついでに この 手紙を 出して ください* asks someone going to the post office to mail a letter at the same time.

*ついでに* expresses an additional action performed while taking an opportunity. It can stand alone when the opportunity is clear.

The action before the opportunity

*用事で ワシントンへ 行った ついでに ニューヨークへ あそびに 行ったのです* adds a New York visit to a completed trip to Washington.

*ついでに* can follow a past or non-past verb. An action noun takes *の*, as in *散歩の ついでに*.

  1. 60

    とうきょうへいくついでににっこうへもいきます。

    Taking the opportunity of going to Tokyo, I am going to Nikkoo, too.

  2. 61

    わたくしはゆうびんきょくへいきますが、なにかようじはありませんか。

    I am going to the post office, but don’t you have any business?

  3. 62

    では、ついでにこのてがみをだしてください。

    Then, please mail this letter at the same time.

  4. 63

    あなたはせんきゅうひゃくろくじゅうよねんのなつ、にほんへいらっしゃるそうですね。

    I understand you are going to Japan in the summer of 1964, isn’t that right?

  5. 64

    ええ、そうです。そしてにほんへいったついでにオリンピックもみてかえるつもりです。

    Yes, that’s right. And while I am in Japan, I intend to see the Olympics before I return.

  6. 65

    あなたはきのういえにいませんでしたね。

    You weren’t home yesterday, were you?

  7. 66

    ええ、さんぽのついでにたむらさんをたずねて、おそくまではなしていましたから、いえへかえるのがおそくなったのです。

    No, I visited Mr. Tamura by way of a stroll and I was talking with him until late, so I was late coming home.

  8. 67

    あなたはニューヨークへいらっしゃったそうですね。

    I understand you went to New York.

  9. 68

    ええ、ようじでワシントンへいったついでにニューヨークへあそびにいったのです。

    Yes, I went to Washington on business, so taking the opportunity, I went to New York, too, for a visit.

  10. 69

    あなたはゆうびんきょくへいらっしゃるそうですね。

    I understand you are going to the post office, isn’t that right?

  11. 70

    ええ、いきますよ。

    Yes, I am going.

  12. 71

    では、そのついでにじゅうえんのきってをごじゅうまいかってきてくださいませんか。

    Then, will you please buy me fifty 10 yen stamps at the same time?

ゆうびん
postal service
用事
personal business
手紙
letter (correspondence)
千
1,000
九百
900
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
夏、
summer
ええ、
Yes
おそく
late (adverbial form of OSOI, be late, be slow)
ニューヨーク
New York
五十
50

Recurring events and intervals · Pattern 1 1 of 3

Intervals in time and distance

*二日ごとに かん字の 試験が あります* means "There is a kanji test every two days." The interval comes directly before *ごとに*.

The same pattern marks distance. *五メートルごとに さくらの 木が うえてあります* says cherry trees are planted every five meters.

  1. 72

    いちおんしんますごとにじゅうえんかかります。

    It costs ten yen for each telegram.

  2. 73

    わたくしたちはいっしゅうかんごとにきゅうりょうをはらってもらいます。

    We are paid every week.

  3. 74

    ふつかごとにかんじのしけんがあります。

    There is a kanji test every two days.

  4. 75

    ごふんごとにでんしゃがここをとおります。

    A train passes here every five minutes.

  5. 76

    たなかさんはいちねんごとにあたらしいじどうしゃをかいます。

    Mr. Tanaka buys a new car every year.

  6. 77

    ごメートルごとにさくらのきがうえてあります。

    Cherry trees have been planted every five meters.

  7. 78

    このくすりははちじかんごとにのみます。

    You take this medicine every eight hours.

給料
wage, salary
電車
streetcar, electric train
ここ
here
通り
street
車
vehicle, car
メートル
meter
さくら
cherry (flower)
木
tree, wood

Every time something happens · Pattern 1 2 of 3

Every time and every two years

*私は 銀行へ 行く たびごとに 待たされます* means "Every time I go to the bank, I am kept waiting." A verb with *たびごとに* marks each occurrence.

A duration with *ごとに* marks an interval. *二年ごとに 新しい 自動車を 買う* means "buys a new car every two years."

  1. 79

    あたらしいかんじをならうたびごとにふるいかんじをわすれます。

    Every time I learn a new kanji, I forget an old one.

  2. 80

    このぎんこうではさんかげつごとにりしがつきます。

    At this bank, interest is added every three months.

  3. 81

    わたくしはぎんこうへいくたびごとにまたされます。

    Every time I go to the bank, I am kept waiting.

  4. 82

    あのひとがくるたびごとにわたくしはいえにいません。

    Every time that person comes, I am not at home.

  5. 83

    たむらさんはにねんごとにあたらしいじどうしゃをかうそうですね。

    I hear Mr. Tamura buys a new car every two years.

  6. 84

    ええ、たむらさんはいちねんににまんマイルぐらいのるのですから、そうするほうがかえってやすいそうです。

    Yes, since Mr. Tamura drives about 20,000 miles a year, I hear it is actually cheaper for him to do that.

  7. 85

    このがっこうではまいしゅうしけんがあるのですか。

    Are there tests every week at this school?

古い
old, antique
銀行
bank
利子
interest (money)
人
people
買う
to buy
マイル
mile
のる
to get on, to ride
かえって
on the contrary, rather (See Grammar Notes)
ある
certain, some

Changes and repeated events · Pattern 1 3 of 3

Change at each visit

*私は 二年ぐらいごとに 会社の用事で 東京へ 行きます* says the speaker goes to Tokyo about every two years on business.

*行く たびごとに 変っています* means Tokyo has changed every time the speaker goes. A duration sets an interval, while a verb marks each occurrence.

Each repeated event

*給料を もらう たびごとに、 銀行に ちょ金するのです* means he deposits money every time he gets paid.

*試験が ある たびごとに* likewise marks every occurrence of a test. The result can be an action or a change.

  1. 86

    いいえ、ろくしゅうかんごとにしけんがあるのです。

    No, there is a test every six weeks.

  2. 87

    かこじゅうねんのあいだにとうきょうはずいぶんかわりましたね。

    Tokyo has changed quite a bit over the past ten years, hasn’t it?

  3. 88

    そうですね。わたくしはにねんぐらいごとにかいしゃのようじでとうきょうへいきますが、いくたびごとにかわっています。

    Yes, it has. I go to Tokyo on company business about every two years, and it has changed every time I go.

  4. 89

    やまださんはずいぶんおかねがあるそうですね。

    I hear Mr. Yamada has quite a lot of money.

  5. 90

    そうらしいです。きゅうりょうをもらうたびごとに、ぎんこうにちょきんするのですからね。

    It seems so. That is because every time he gets paid, he puts money in the bank.

  6. 91

    わたくしたちはしけんがあるたびごとに、なにかあたらしいことをならいますね。

    Every time we have a test, we learn something new, don’t we?

  7. 92

    そうですよ。それがしけんのいいところですよ。

    That’s right. That is the good thing about tests.

かこ
past
ずい分
very much
会社
company, firm
ところ
place (See Gram. Notes)

Doing errands along the way · Pattern 2 1 of 3

One trip, two actions

*町へ 買物に 行った ついでに 映画を 見て 帰りました* means "While I was in town shopping, I saw a movie before coming home."

The shopping trip provides the opportunity for the movie. *小包を 出しに 行った ついでに* similarly adds buying stamps to mailing a package.

An action noun with の

*散歩の ついでに 金子さんの 家へ たちよりました* adds a visit to a walk.

In *くつを みがく ついでに*, shoe polishing provides the opportunity for another action.

  1. 93

    ついでですから、このてがみをだしてください。

    Since you are going that way, please mail this letter.

  2. 94

    とうきょうへいったついでににっこうへあそびにいきました。

    While I was in Tokyo, I took the opportunity to visit Nikko.

  3. 95

    まちへかいものにいったついでにえいがをみてかえりました。

    While I was in town shopping, I saw a movie before coming home.

  4. 96

    さんぽのついでにかねこさんのいえへたちよりました。

    While I was out for a walk, I stopped by Mr. Kaneko’s house.

  5. 97

    あなたのくつをみがくついでにわたくしのもみがいてください。

    While you are polishing your shoes, please polish mine too.

  6. 98

    こづつみをだしにいったついでにきってをかいました。

    While I was out mailing a package, I bought some stamps.

  7. 99

    ついでですから、ひげもそってください。

    While you are at it, please shave me too.

  8. 100

    モンテレーにきたついでにわたくしのいえにたちよってください。

    While you are in Monterey, please stop by my house.

町
town
買物
shopping
映画
movie
くつ
shoes
みがく
to polish, brush
ひげ
beard, whiskers

Asking someone to combine errands · Pattern 2 2 of 3

Add another person's errand

*あなたの 手紙を 出す ついでに 私のも 出してください* means "When you mail your letter, please mail mine too."

The intended action provides the opportunity for an extra request. Washing a car can likewise include cleaning its interior.

When the opportunity is clear

Someone is going out for coffee. *ついでに 私にも コーヒーを 一ぱい 買って 来てください* asks for another cup at the same time.

*ついでに* stands alone because the preceding lines identify the intended trip.

  1. 101

    じどうしゃをあらうついでにじどうしゃのなかもそうじしてください。

    While you are washing the car, please clean the inside too.

  2. 102

    あなたのてがみをだすついでにわたくしのもだしてください。

    When you mail your letter, please mail mine too.

  3. 103

    とうきょうをけんぶつするついでににっこうもけんぶつします。

    While I am sightseeing in Tokyo, I will visit Nikko too.

  4. 104

    わたくしはこのなつ、ようじでとうきょうへいったついでにオリンピックをみてかえるつもりです。

    This summer, while I am in Tokyo on business, I plan to see the Olympics before coming home.

  5. 105

    あなたはコーヒーをのみにいくのですか。

    Are you going out for coffee?

  6. 106

    ええ、いきますよ。

    Yes, I am.

  7. 107

    わたくしはきょうはいけないから、ついでにわたくしにもコーヒーをいっぱいかってきてください。

    I can’t go today, so while you are there, please buy me a cup of coffee too.

  8. 108

    わたくしはごごぎんこうにいきますが、なにかようじがありますか。

    I am going to the bank this afternoon; is there anything you need done?

そうじ
cleaning
出す
to mail, send, take out
コーヒー
coffee
今日
today

Combining travel with other plans · Pattern 2 3 of 3

A second stop on a trip

*サンフランシスコへ 行った ついでに、 日本の 本屋へ 行きます* adds a Japanese bookstore visit to a San Francisco trip.

The trip supplies the opportunity. The speaker then asks whether the other person wants anything from the bookstore.

Extend a travel plan

*ロスアンゼルスへ あそびに 行った ついでに メキシコへも あそびに 行くつもりです* adds Mexico to a planned Los Angeles trip.

The same form can add a personal visit to travel for golf, as in *来た ついでに あなたを たずねて 来たのです*.

  1. 109

    ええ、そのついでにわたくしのこぎってをげんきんにしてきてください。

    Yes, while you are there, please cash my check for me.

  2. 110

    サンフランシスコへいったついでに、にほんのほんやへいきますが、なにかほしいものがありますか。

    While I am in San Francisco, I am going to a Japanese bookstore; is there anything you would like?

  3. 111

    そうですか。それではえいわじしょをかってきてくださいませんか。

    Is that so? Then would you please buy me an English-Japanese dictionary?

  4. 112

    あなたはわざわざわたくしをたずねていらっしゃったのですか。

    Did you come all this way just to visit me?

  5. 113

    モンテレーへゴルフをやりにきたついでにあなたをたずねてきたのです。

    I came to Monterey to play golf, and while I was here I came to visit you.

  6. 114

    あなたはメキシコへあそびにいらっしゃるそうですね。

    I hear you are going to Mexico for pleasure.

  7. 115

    ええ、ロスアンゼルスへあそびにいったついでにメキシコへもあそびにいくつもりです。

    Yes, while I am in Los Angeles for pleasure, I plan to visit Mexico too.

小切手
check
現金
cash
本屋
bookshop
ほしい
want, wish (See Grammar Notes)
わ
counter for birds (See Gram. Notes)
ゴルフ
golf
メキシコ
Mexico

Postcard, letter and parcel rates · Reading Selection 1 of 2

Three zones by distance

The passage gives rates for postcards, letters, airmail, and parcels. *三つの 地帯* means "three zones" for parcel delivery in Japan.

The parcel zone depends on distance from the mailing point. The first is within 500 kilometers, the second reaches 1,000 kilometers, and the third exceeds 1,000.

From Tokyo, Kyoto is in the second zone. *第一地帯* means "zone one".

Local and general parcels

*市内小包料は 二キロまで ふ通で 五十円* gives the local ordinary parcel rate through two kilograms as 50 yen.

A *市内小包* stays within one postal district. Parcels within Tokyo's wards or within one village, town, or city also belong to this class.

Every other parcel is a general parcel. Its fee is *一ばん小包料*.

  1. 116

    にほんでははがきはいちまいごえんです。

    In Japan, postcards cost 5 yen each.

  2. 117

    はがきにはきってをはらなくてもいいのですが、えはがきにはごえんのきってをはらなければなりません。

    You do not have to put a stamp on a postcard, but you must put a 5-yen stamp on a picture postcard.

  3. 118

    ふつうのてがみはりょうきんじゅうえんです。

    The postage for an ordinary letter is 10 yen.

  4. 119

    がいこくあてゆうびんのりょうきんはふつうのてがみのばあいはにじゅうグラムまでよんじゅうえんで、はがきはにじゅうごえんです。

    For mail addressed overseas, an ordinary letter weighing up to 20 grams costs 40 yen, and a postcard costs 25 yen.

  5. 120

    こうくうゆうびんのりょうきんはアメリカへなら、じゅうグラムまではちじゅうえんです。

    Airmail to the United States costs 80 yen for up to 10 grams.

  6. 121

    こづつみのはいたつのためににほんはみっつのちたい(ゾーン)にわけられています、こづつみりょうはだいいちちたいではしないこづつみりょうはにキロまでふつうでごじゅうえん、かきとめならはちじゅうえんです。

    For parcel delivery, Japan is divided into three zones, and in the first zone the local parcel rate for up to two kilograms is 50 yen for ordinary mail and 80 yen for registered mail.

グラム
gram
アメリカ
America; U.S.A.
なら、
if it is (See Gram. Notes)
たつ
to pass (time), elapse
地帯
zone
ます、
trout

Domestic and foreign telegram rates · Reading Selection 2 of 2

Characters, words, and destinations

*電報料金は 市内なら、 始めの 十字を 一音信と 言って 三十円* gives the city rate for a Japanese telegram's first ten characters.

Each additional five characters costs 7 yen within the city and 10 yen outside it. The first ten cost 60 yen outside the city.

For *おう文電報*, the first five words replace the ten-character unit. The city and out-of-town prices follow the same 30-yen and 60-yen starting rates.

  1. 122

    いっぱん

    General parcels.

  2. 123

    こづつみりょうはにキロまでふつうできゅうじゅうえん、かきとめならひゃくさんじゅうえんです。

    The parcel rate for up to two kilograms is 90 yen for ordinary mail and 130 yen for registered mail.

  3. 124

    でんぽうりょうきんはしないなら、はじめのじゅうじをいちおんしんといってさんじゅうえん、それからごじますごとにしちえんかかります。

    For a telegram within the city, the first ten characters are called one message and cost 30 yen, and each additional five characters costs 7 yen.

  4. 125

    しがいなら、はじめのじゅうじまでがろくじゅうえん、それからごじますごとにじゅうえんかかります。

    For a telegram outside the city, the first ten characters cost 60 yen, and each additional five characters costs 10 yen.

  5. 126

    これはわぶんでんぽうのりょうきんですがおうぶんでんぽうのばあいはしないでははじめのごごがさんじゅうえんで、それからはいちごをますごとにしちえんかかり、しがいならはじめのごごがろくじゅうえん、それからはいちごをますごとにじゅうえんかかります。

    These are the rates for Japanese-language telegrams, but for foreign-language telegrams the first five words cost 30 yen within the city and each additional word costs 7 yen, while outside the city the first five words cost 60 yen and each additional word costs 10 yen.

円、
yen (unit of money)
なら
if it is (See Gram. Notes)

Asking about postal rates · Questions 1 of 2

Prices by mail type

The questions ask for postage by mail type and destination. *外国あて ゆうびんの 料金は ふ通の 手紙の 場合 いくらですか* asks the price of an ordinary letter sent overseas.

Other answers give a price, whether a stamp is required, or a number of zones. *いくつの 地帯に 分けられていますか* calls for the number of parcel zones.

  1. 127

    にほんでははがきはいくらですか。

    How much does a postcard cost in Japan?

  2. 128

    はがきにはきってをはりますか。

    Do you put a stamp on a postcard?

  3. 129

    えはがきにはいくらのきってをはらなければなりませんか。

    How much postage must you put on a picture postcard?

  4. 130

    ふつうのてがみのりょうきんはいくらですか。

    How much is the postage for an ordinary letter?

  5. 131

    がいこくあてゆうびんのりょうきんはふつうのてがみのばあいいくらですか。はがきのばあいはいくらですか。

    How much is the postage for an ordinary letter sent overseas? How much is it for a postcard?

  6. 132

    アメリカへだすこうくうゆうびんのりょうきんはいくらですか。

    How much is the postage for airmail sent to the United States?

  7. 133

    にほんは、はいたつのためいくつのちたいにわけられていますか。

    For delivery purposes, into how many zones is Japan divided?

Asking about parcels and telegrams · Questions 2 of 2

Rates by class and destination

The parcel questions contrast ordinary and registered rates for local and general parcels. *一ぱん小包料は ふ通で いくらですか* asks for the ordinary general-parcel rate.

The telegram questions contrast Japanese and European-language telegrams, then city and out-of-town destinations. An answer gives the starting charge and the charge for each additional unit.

  1. 134

    だいいちちたいではしないこづつみりょうはふつうでいくらですか。かきとめならいくらですか。

    In the first zone, how much is the local parcel rate for ordinary mail? How much is it for registered mail?

  2. 135

    そのこづつみりょうはなんキロまでですか。

    Up to how many kilograms does that parcel rate cover?

  3. 136

    いっぱんこづつみりょうはふつうでいくらですか。かきとめならいくらですか。

    How much is the general parcel rate for ordinary mail? How much is it for registered mail?

  4. 137

    しないでわぶんでんぽうりょうはいくらですか。

    How much does a Japanese-language telegram cost within the city?

  5. 138

    しがいでわぶんでんぽうりょうきんはいくらですか。

    How much does a Japanese-language telegram cost outside the city?

  6. 139

    おうぶんでんぽうのばあいはしないではいくらですか。

    How much does a foreign-language telegram cost within the city?

  7. 140

    しがいではどうですか。

    How about outside the city?

Postcards, scales and insurance · Word list 1 of 4

Preparing and insuring a parcel

These words cover postcards, weighing a parcel, its destination, and insurance.

*葉書* is "postcard", while *絵葉書* is "picture postcard". The added *絵* distinguishes the illustrated card.

*はかりに かける* means "weigh on a scale".

Kanji: 係

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

  1. 141

    もしもし

    hello

  2. 142

    かかりのひと

    man in charge

  3. 143

    はがき

    post card

  4. 144

    よろしゅうございます

    yes, sir

  5. 145

    えはがき

    picture post card

  6. 146

    はかり

    scales, weighing machine

  7. 147

    はかりにかける

    weigh on a scale

  8. 148

    いちキロ

    one kilogram (See Cultural Notes)

  9. 149

    おくりさき

    destination, consignee

  10. 150

    ほけん

    insurance

  11. 151

    --にほけんをつける

    insure (vi)

  12. 152

    つける

    attach (vt)

もしもし
hello
係の人
man in charge
よろしゅう御ざいます
yes, sir
はかり
scales, weighing machine
はかりにかける
weigh on a scale
一キロ
one kilogram (See Cultural Notes)
--にほけんをつける
insure (vi)
つける
attach (vt)

Insurance, opportunities and telegrams · Word list 2 of 4

From the total to a telegram

These words cover insurance charges, totals, additional opportunities, and telegrams.

*ほけん料* is the "fee for insurance". *ついでに* means "taking the opportunity of" another action.

*電報を 打ちたい* means "want to send a telegram".

Kanji: 員

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

  1. 153

    ほけんりょう

    fee for insurance

  2. 154

    ごうけい

    total

  3. 155

    ついで

    opportunity

  4. 156

    ついでに

    taking the opportunity of --- (See Grammar Notes)

  5. 157

    でんぽう

    telegram

  6. 158

    でんぽうをうちたい

    want to send a telegram

  7. 159

    うつ

    send telegram, hit, beat (vt)

  8. 160

    あつかっています

    handles, be handled

  9. 161

    あつかう

    handle (vt)

  10. 162

    それはどうも

    thank you, thanks

  11. 163

    きょくいん

    official of a bureau

  12. 164

    ゆうじん

    friend

ほけん料
fee for insurance
ついでに
taking the opportunity of --- (See Grammar Notes)
電報を打ちたい
want to send a telegram
打つ
send telegram, hit, beat (vt)
あつかっています
handles, be handled
あつかう
handle (vt)
それはどうも
thank you, thanks
局員
official of a bureau

Forms, arrivals and telegram units · Word list 3 of 4

Writing and counting a telegram

These words cover telegram forms, concise arrival language, and counting units.

*用紙* is a "blank form". *ちゃく* means "arrival" in the concise message.

*音信* is a "telegraphic unit".

  1. 165

    つう

    classifier for counting letters and telegrams

  2. 166

    ようし

    form, blank form

  3. 167

    かきいれてください

    write in, fill in by writing (vt)

  4. 168

    ていねいすぎます

    it is overly polite

  5. 169

    ていねい

    polite (copula noun)

  6. 170

    こうなさい

    do it this way

  7. 171

    ちゃく

    arrival

  8. 172

    --ということです

    it means that

  9. 173

    よんおんしん

    4 telegraphic units

  10. 174

    おんしん

    telegraphic unit (See Cult. Notes)

  11. 175

    いちおんしんをますごとに

    everytime a telegraphic unit is added (See Cultural Notes)

  12. 176

    ます

    increase, add (vt)

書き入れてください
write in, fill in by writing (vt)
ていねいすぎます
it is overly polite
こうなさい
do it this way
ちゃく
arrival
--ということです
it means that
四音信
4 telegraphic units
一音信をますごとに
everytime a telegraphic unit is added (See Cultural Notes)

Telegram types and calculations · Word list 4 of 4

Rates, zones, and parcel classes

These words cover telegram calculation and types, postal zones, and parcel classes.

*おう文電報* is a "telegram in a European language". *わ文電報* is a "telegram in Japanese".

*市内小包* is "city parcel post".

  1. 177

    しない

    within a city

  2. 178

    にごり

    voiced sound

  3. 179

    かんじょうする

    to count, to calculate

  4. 180

    かんじょう

    calculation, payment, settlement of account

  5. 181

    それをおねがいいたします

    Please take care of it

  6. 182

    がいこくあてゆうびん

    foreign-going mail

  7. 183

    ちたい

    zone

  8. 184

    だいいちちたい

    zone one

  9. 185

    おうぶんでんぽう

    telegram in a European language

  10. 186

    わぶんでんぽう

    telegram in Japanese

  11. 187

    いちばんこづつみりょう

    general parcel post fee

  12. 188

    しないこづつみ

    city parcel post (See Cultural Notes)

Guide for Free Conversation

1 Write a telegram for the following occasions making them as comprehensive and inexpensive as possible. (Be sure to include time and date).

a To inform of your friend’s death.

b To inform of your visiting your friend.

c To inform of your arrival in Tokyo.

d To inform of your daughter’s marriage.

e To invite your friend to go to Hakone and to request an answer.
Homework

1 Memorize the Dialogue and the Vocabulary.

2 Study Grammar Perception Drill and Pattern Practice, and the exercises after each pattern.

3 Learn to read and write Kanji.

4 Read the Explanatory Notes and the Guide for Free Conversation.
かんじょうする
to count, to calculate
それをお願いいたします
Please take care of it
外国あてゆうびん
foreign-going mail
第一地帯
zone one
おう文電報
telegram in a European language
わ文電報
telegram in Japanese
一ばん小包料
general parcel post fee
市内小包
city parcel post (See Cultural Notes)

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.