Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 65

Lesson 65

Kanji and everyday Japanese

164 lines

Asking for an introduction · Dialogue 1 of 6

A request for an introduction

*あの方は どなたですか* means "Who is he?" The answer identifies the man as Mr. Miller.

The speaker then asks for an introduction, and the other speaker agrees.

A respectful word for a person

In *あの方は どなたですか*, *方* is a respectful word for a person.

Here *あの方* refers respectfully to the man being discussed.

Kanji: 存

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

  1. 1

    あのかたはどなたですか。

    Who is he?

    あのthat
    方person
    はtopic
    どなたwho
    ですis
    か。question
  2. 2

    ミラーさんです。

    He is Mr. Miller.

  3. 3

    よくごぞんじでしたら、しょうかいしていただけませんか。

    If you know him well, I wonder if you can introduce me to him.

  4. 4

    よろしゅうございますとも。

    Why, certainly.

  5. 5

    ミラーさん、ちょっと。

    Mr. Miller, may I see you just a moment?

  6. 6

    なにか------。

    Do you want something?

---TE YOKATTA (TO OMOU)

Following the TE-form of verbs, both in the affirmative and negative, and i-adjectives YOKATTA TO OMOU expresses an idea of "I am glad I did such-and-such", or "I am glad it was such-and-such".

Examples:

HAYAKU KITE YOKATTA TO OMOIMASU. "I am glad I came early."

NIHONGO O NARATTE YOKATTA TO OMOIMASU. "I am glad I learned Japanese."

KYOO WA SUZUSHIKUTE YOKATTA TO OMOIMASU. "I am glad it was cool today."

HAYAKU ISHA NI KAKATTE YOKATTA TO OMOTTE IMASU. "I am glad I consulted the doctor early."

Note: TO OMOU can be omitted to express same idea.
2 MONO DESU KA "emphatic negative"

Following the basic form of verbs, MONO DESU KA expresses a strong negative. Variations of MONO DESU KA are MON DESU KA, MONO KA. Actually, MONO DESU KA is an interrogative expression and you are asking yourself a question and answering it with an emphatic negative. "Does he do such-and-such? Definitely not."

Examples:

ANO HITO NI WAKARU MONO DESU KA. "He certainly would not understand it."

KYOO AME GA FURU MONO DESU KA. "Do you think it will rain today? It certainly will not rain today."

ANO HITO GA KURU MON DESU KA. "He certainly would not come."
--- MONO DESU YO. "You should do---."

Following the basic form of verbs, MONO DESU YO is used in an obligatory sense when addressing to the second person and is best translated as "you should do ---", "you had better do ---", or "you ought to do ---." Compare N DESU NE introduced in Lesson 52 which gives similar meanings.

Examples:

MOTTO BENKYOO SURU MONO DESU YO. "You should study more."

HAYAKU NERU MONO DESU YO. "You had better go to sleep early."

TOKIDOKI ASOBU MONO DESU YO. "You should enjoy yourself once in a while."
Notes on:

MONO "because"

The particle MONO occurs as a more familiar, informal equivalent of KARA "because", in sentences where the emphasis is on the reason or justification for an action which is contrary to expectation. It occurs more commonly, though not exclusively, in the speech of women.

Examples:

ARE O KAITAKATTA KEDO, YAMETA NO YO. --TAKAIN DESU MONO. "I wanted to buy it but I gave up the idea---because it’s expensive."

ICHIJIKAN MO ARUKU NO NARA, IKANAI WA. --TSUKARERU MONO "If it’s a matter of walking for all of an hour, I am not going --- because I’ll get tired."

KONNA EIGA WA TSUMARANAI MONO, MOO DEYOO YO. "This kind of movie is boring, so let’s leave now."

IRASSHAI

There are a group of honorific verbs in Japanese. These are KUDASARU, OSSHARU, IRASSHARU, NASARU, and the familiar imperative forms of these verbs are KUDASAI, "please give"; OSSHAI, "please say it"; IRASSHAI, "please come", "please go"; and NASAI, "please do" respectively.
Sentence Particle WA

The sentence particle WA occurs as a sentence final, or pre-final before YO, NEE and NE in the speech for women. It regularly follows non-past and past inflected words in the informal style, plain and polite. It is a particle which indicates friendliness and assertiveness--in a gentle way--and some familiarity. Whereas SOO DA is abrupt and masculine, SOO DA WA is friendly and feminine.

Informal patterns consisting of an informal non-past or past directly followed by YO, NEE, and NE are more typical of men’s speech. If sentence particle WA is inserted before YO, NEE, and NE in such sequences, they become typical of women’s speech.

| Men’s Speech | Women’s Speech
"I understand" | WAKARU YO | WAKARU WA YO
"I understood" | WAKATTA YO | WAKATTA WA YO
"Isn’t it expensive! | TAKAI NEE | TAKAI WA NEE
"That’s right, isn’t it?" | SOO DA NE? | SOO DESU WA NE?
"It was terrible, wasn’t it?" | TAIHEN DATTA NE? | TAIHEN DATTA WA NE?
KOTO.

The nominalizer KOTO occurs as a sentence final in the speech for women to express "wonder". It regularly follows DESU and at times the basic form of i-adjectives in honorific form.

Examples:

KIREI DESU KOTO. "My, how pretty."

OJOOZU DESU KOTO. "My, how good!"

OHAYAI KOTO. "My, how fast!"
Omission of case particles.

GA, WA, and O are frequently omitted, particularly in short sentences. The result is a slightly less formal alternant.

Examples:

WATAKUSHI SOO OMOIMASU WA. "I think so."

WA has been omitted after WATAKUSHI.

KOMBAN NANI SURU? "What are you going to do tonight?"

O has been omitted after NANI

ANATA DOKO E IKUN DESU KA. "Where are you going?"

WA has been omitted after ANATA.
KATA.

Besides KONO KATA, SONO KATA, ANO KATA, KATA is sometimes used with proper nouns and common nouns.

Examples:

OTOKO NO KATA "man"

ONNA NO KATA "woman"

NIHON NO KATA "Japanese"

AMERIKA NO KATA "American"

TAISHIKAN NO KATA "a person from embassy"
は
leaves
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
よく
well, skillfully
し
city
ます
trout
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
ちょっと。
a little

Formal introductions and workplaces · Dialogue 2 of 6

Formal greetings at a first meeting

A friend introduces Mr. Minami, and the two men exchange formal greetings.

*初めて お目に かかります* means "I am glad to make an acquaintance with you." It is a humble greeting.

What one man has heard

*ミラーさんの 事は 西村さんから うけたまわっておりました* means "I have heard about you from Mr. Nishimura, Mr. Miller."

He then says that he understands Mr. Miller works at an embassy.

Kanji: 初

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

  1. 7

    ゆうじんのみなみさんをごしょうかいいたしましょう。

    May I introduce my friend, Mr. Minami.

  2. 8

    それはそれは。

    Thank you very much.

  3. 9

    はじめておめにかかります。

    I am glad to make an acquaintance with you.

  4. 10

    はじめまして。どうぞよろしく。

    Pleased to meet you. I hope you will honor me with your friendship.

  5. 11

    こちらこそ。

    Indeed, I am the one who should say that.

  6. 12

    ミラーさんのことはにしむらさんからうけたまわっておりました。たいしかんでおつとめだそうですね。

    I have heard about you from Mr. Nishimura, Mr. Miller. I understand you are working at an embassy, isn’t that right?

友人
friend
の
See Grammar Notes
南
south
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
ます。
trout
こちら
this, here (See Gram. Notes)
こそ。
indeed, certainly (See Grammar Notes)
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
大使
ambassador
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
そう
numerical counter for ships
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)

First visits and changed plans · Dialogue 3 of 6

A changed plan

Mr. Miller describes a plan to go to England that changed suddenly and brought him to Japan.

*でも 日本へ 来て よかったと 思っております* means "I am glad I came to Japan, though."

Gladness about what happened

In *来て よかったと 思っております*, listen for *来て よかった* after the action that happened.

The full expression states his gladness about coming to Japan.

Kanji: 座

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

  1. 13

    はあ、くがつにこちらにまいったばかりで、まだみなさまにおめにかかっておりません。

    Yes, I have just come over here in September and I haven’t had the honor of meeting everyone.

  2. 14

    それはなかなかおいそがしいことでございましょう。で、にほんははじめてでございますか。

    You must indeed be very busy. And, is this your first visit to Japan?

  3. 15

    はあ、こんどもはじめはえいこくへいくようになっておりましたのが、きゅうにかわりまして、こちらへまいることになったのです。でもにほんへきてよかったとおもっております。

    Yes, and this time I was supposed to go to England at first; but it has been changed suddenly and it so turned out that I came over here. I am glad I came to Japan, though.

  4. 16

    さようでございますか。わたくしはぎんざのまつざかやにおります。こんごともよろしくおねがいいたします。

    Is that right? I am with the Matsuzakaya store in Ginza. I hope you will honor me with your friendship hereafter.

  5. 17

    「しょうかい」(に)おんな

    Introduction" (2) Female

  6. 18

    みなみのおくさん、ミラーふじんをごぞんじですか。

    Mrs. Minami, do you know Mrs. Miller?

九
nine
月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
ばかり
about
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
まだ
yet, still
中々
considerably, very
いそがしい
busy
今度
this time, next time
英国
England
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
(二)
two
女
female

Introducing two women · Dialogue 4 of 6

Gentle assertion at the end

One woman brings Mrs. Minami to meet Mrs. Miller. *御しょうかい いたしますわ* means "I'll introduce you to her."

The final *わ* adds friendly, gentle assertion in women's speech.

Wonder at the end

*まあー、 日本語が お上手ですこと* means "My, how fluent you are in Japanese!"

Women use sentence-final *こと* after *です* to express wonder.

  1. 19

    いいえ、まだおめにかかりません。

    No, I haven’t met her yet.

  2. 20

    では、いっしょにこちらへいらっしゃい。ごしょうかいいたしますわ。

    Then, please come over here with me. I’ll introduce you to her.

  3. 21

    おねがいいたします。

    Please.

  4. 22

    ミラーさん、ゆうじんのみなみさんをごしょうかいいたします。

    Mrs. Miller, I’d like to introduce my friend, Mrs. Minami.

  5. 23

    おめにかかれてうれしくぞんじます。

    I am glad I am able to meet you.

  6. 24

    こちらこそ。まあー、にほんごがおじょうずですこと。

    Indeed, it’s I (who is glad to meet you.) My, how fluent you are in Japanese!

は、
leaves
いらっしゃい。
please come; please go (See Cult. notes)
わ。
counter for birds (See Gram. Notes)
まあー、
Well! I should say
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
上手
skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)

Praising language ability · Dialogue 5 of 6

Praise and a modest answer

The women praise each other's language ability and answer the praise modestly.

*ほんの 少ししか 出来ませんので* means "because I know only a little."

A particle left out

*私、 そう 思いますわ* means "I really think so." The particle *は* is omitted after *私*.

The particles *が*, *は*, and *を* are often omitted in short sentences. This makes the sentence slightly less formal.

  1. 25

    いいえ、おはずかしいことです。ほんのすこししかできませんので。

    No, it’s embarrassing, because I only know just a little.

  2. 26

    いいえ、どういたしまして。

    Not at all.

  3. 27

    ミラーさんはほんとににほんごがおじょうずですこと。

    My, how fluent you are in Japanese, Mrs. Miller!

  4. 28

    わたくしたちもえいごはならったんですけど。

    We, too, learned English, but ----

  5. 29

    でも、にほんのかたはみなえいごがおじょうずですわ。わたくし、そうおもいますわ。

    But the Japanese people are all good in English. I really think so.

  6. 30

    えいごをならったことはならったんですけどねえ。かいわはちっとも------。

    We learned English all right, but we cannot converse at all.

はずかしい
embarrassing; feel awkard, feel ashamed.
ほんの
trivial, just slight, little
少し
little (quantity)
で。
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
けど。
abbrev. of KERE DOMO, however
ねえ。
dear, look; say, listen
ちっとも------。
not even a little (See Gram. Notes)

Learning languages by listening · Dialogue 6 of 6

Why they cannot converse

*英語の 会話など 出来るものですか* rejects the idea that they can converse in English.

*本で 習ったんですもの* gives learning from a book as the reason. Final *もの* gives an informal reason or justification.

What someone should do

A teacher said *もっと 勉強する ものですよ*, which means "You should study more."

*ものですよ* after the basic form of a verb tells the person addressed what they should do.

Kanji: 欲, 遊

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

  1. 31

    えいごのかいわなどできるものですか。ほんでならったんですもの。

    We certainly cannot converse in English, because we learned by book, you see.

  2. 32

    がいこくごはみみからならわなくてははなせませんわ。

    You cannot talk foreign languages unless you learn them through ears.

  3. 33

    さようでございましょうね。がっこうにいたころ、せんせいに「もっとべんきょうするものですよ」としかられたものです。でも、そのころはよくがなかったのですから、あそぶほうがよかったのですよ。

    I suppose so. While we were still going to school, our teacher used to scold us saying, "You should study more." But during those days, we had no desire, so we rather played.

  4. 34

    おたがいさまですわ。

    So am I. (The feeling is mutual).

など
and so forth, etc.
出来る
to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)
もの
things (tangible)
本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
ましょう
let's (See Gram. Notes)
「もっと
more (See Gram. Notes)
欲
desire, wish (n)

Gladness about past choices · Perception drill, Block 1

Gladness after an action

*早く 来てよかったと 思っています* means "I am glad I came early." The TE-form *来て* is followed by *よかった*.

A verb's affirmative or negative TE-form followed by *よかった* expresses gladness about the action or its result.

The thought may be stated

*早く 医者に かかって よかったのです* means "I am glad I consulted my doctor early."

*と 思っています* may follow *よかった* to state the thought. It may also be omitted without changing the idea of gladness.

  1. 35

    はやくきてよかったとおもっています。

    I am glad I came early.

  2. 36

    こんばんははやくきてよかったね。

    I am glad we came early tonight, don’t you think?

  3. 37

    そうですよ。もうすこしおそかったら、こしかけるところがなかったかもしれませんよ。

    I certainly am. If we had come a little later, we might not have been able to find a place to sit.

  4. 38

    あめがよくふりだしましたね。

    It certainly has started to rain hard, hasn’t it?

  5. 39

    ええ、わたくしもレーンコートをもってきてよかったとおもっています。

    Yes. I, too, am glad that I brought a raincoat.

  6. 40

    きょうはいいてんきになってよかったですね。

    I am glad it became nice weather today, aren’t you?

  7. 41

    ええ、ほんとに。けさのてんきでは、きょうはあめがふるとおもっていたが、いいてんきになりましたね。

    Yes, I sure am. According to the weather this morning, I thought it would rain today, but it surely turned out to be nice weather.

  8. 42

    はやくびょうきがよくなってよかったですね。

    I am glad you got over your illness so quickly.

  9. 43

    ええ、はやくいしゃにかかってよかったのです。もうすこしまっていたら、このびょうきはなおらなかったかもしれないのです。

    Yes, I am glad I consulted my doctor early. If I had waited a little longer, I might not have recovered from this illness.

  10. 44

    あなたはさくばんのにほんえいがをみにいきましたか。

    Did you go to see the Japanese movie last night?

  11. 45

    ええ、いきました。はじめはいかないつもりでしたが、いってよかったとおもっています。とてもいいえいがでしたよ。

    Yes, I did. At first I had no intention of going, but I was glad I went. It was a very nice movie.

もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
ところ
place (See Gram. Notes)
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
雨
rain
ええ、
Yes
今日
today
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
天気
weather
降る
to fall (rain) (v.i.)
医者
medical doctor
映画
movie
とても
very, indeed

Emphatic disbelief with reasons · Perception drill, Block 2

A question with a strong negative answer

*読めるものですか* means "Absolutely not." The speaker asks whether reading is possible and answers with a strong negative.

*ものですか* follows the basic form of a verb. *もんですか* has the same emphatic negative meaning.

The reason supports the rejection

*あの人が やめるもんですか* means "He certainly would not quit."

*ただ そう 言う だけですよ* then gives the reason: "He only says so."

  1. 46

    あのひとにそれがわかるものですか(もんですか)。

    He would not understand it.

  2. 47

    あなたはにほんごのしんぶんがよめますか。

    Can you read a Japanese newspaper?

  3. 48

    よめるものですか。いちねんしかにほんごをべんきょうしていないんですから。

    Absolutely not, since I only studied Japanese for one year.

  4. 49

    パーカーさんはさかなをたべるでしょうか。

    Do you suppose Mr. Parker eats fish?

  5. 50

    たべるものですか。さかなはきらいだから。

    He would not eat it, since he doesn’t like fish.

  6. 51

    スミスさんはもうにほんについたでしょうか。

    Do you suppose Mr. Smith arrived in Japan already?

  7. 52

    つくものですか。サンフランシスコをでてまだはちじかんしかたたないんですから。

    Definitely not, since it has been only 8 hours since he left San Francisco.

  8. 53

    このしごとがよじまでにすませますか。

    Can you complete this work by 4 o’clock?

  9. 54

    すませるものですか、まだこれだけのこっているんですから。

    I certainly cannot, since this much work is still left to be done.

  10. 55

    たなかさんはたばこをやめるといっていましたが、ほんとにやめるのでしょうか。

    Mr. Tanaka was saying that he will quit smoking, but do you think he really will quit?

  11. 56

    あのひとがやめるもんですか。ただそういうだけですよ。

    He certainly would not quit. He only says so.

人
people
一
one
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
から。
from (See Gram. Notes)
さかな
fish
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
きらい
dislike (See Gram. Notes)
サンフランシスコ
San Francisco
八
eight
時間
hour, time
四
four
時
time
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
だけ
only, just (See Grammar Notes)
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
たばこ
tobacco, cigarette
やめる
to quit
ただ
merely
言う
to say

Gladness about helpful actions · Pattern 1 1 of 3

Gladness about a helpful action

*あなたに 手つだって もらって よかったと 思っています* means "I am glad you helped me."

The *て よかった* pattern states that the help was a welcome past action.

Gladness about a changed condition

*晴れて よかったですね* means "I am glad it cleared up."

The same pattern covers a condition that changed favorably, as well as an action someone took.

  1. 57

    さくばんべんきょうしてよかったとおもっています。

    I am glad I studied last night.

  2. 58

    あなたにてつだってもらってよかったとおもっています。

    I am glad you helped me.

  3. 59

    はやくいしゃにかかってよかったとおもいます。

    I think it was good that I saw a doctor early.

  4. 60

    かんじをならっておいてよかったとおもいます。

    I am glad I learned the kanji beforehand.

  5. 61

    きょうレーンコートをもってきてよかったとおもっています。

    I am glad I brought a raincoat today.

  6. 62

    こんばんはやくかえってよかったね。

    It was good that you came home early tonight, wasn’t it?

  7. 63

    きょうはあめかもしれないとおもったが、はれてよかったですね。

    I thought it might rain today, but I am glad it cleared up.

おい
nephew

Gladness about favorable results · Pattern 1 2 of 3

Gladness that something did not happen

*今日は 雨が 降らなくて よかったですね* means "It is good that it did not rain today."

The negative TE-form *降らなくて* places the avoided outcome before *よかった*.

Gladness about a quality

*今日の 試験は やさしくて よかったですね* means "It is good that today's test was easy."

An I-adjective changes its final *い* to *くて* before *よかった*.

  1. 64

    わたくしはちょきんしておいてよかったとおもっています。

    I am glad I saved some money.

  2. 65

    きょうはあめがふらなくてよかったですね。

    It is good that it did not rain today, isn’t it?

  3. 66

    きょうはあつくなくてよかったですね。

    It is good that it is not hot today, isn’t it?

  4. 67

    きょうのしけんはやさしくてよかったですね。

    It is good that today’s test was easy, isn’t it?

  5. 68

    あなたはにほんごをべんきょうしてよかったとおもいませんか。

    Don’t you think it was good that you studied Japanese?

  6. 69

    ええ、ほんとにそうおもいますよ。いまのわたくしのしごとにはにほんごがひじょうにたいせつなんです。

    Yes, I really do think so. Japanese is extremely important in my present job.

  7. 70

    たなかさん、このあいだはいいものをありがとうございました。かないはとてもきにいったらしいです。

    Mr. Tanaka, thank you for the nice gift the other day. My wife seems to have liked it very much.

Relief about uncertain outcomes · Pattern 1 3 of 3

Relief after worry

*気に 入って よかったですね* means "I am glad she liked it." The speaker had worried whether she would like the gift.

Here *て よかった* expresses relief after an uncertain result became clear.

Relief about a less serious result

*あまり 悪くなくて よかったですね* means "I am glad it was not too serious."

The negative form before *よかった* expresses relief that the illness was not too serious.

  1. 71

    きにいってよかったですね。じつは、きにいるかどうか、ちょっとしんぱいしていたんです。

    I am glad she liked it. To tell the truth, I was a little worried about whether she would like it.

  2. 72

    おくさんがごびょうきでにゅういんされたそうですが、あまりわるくなくてよかったですね。

    I hear your wife was hospitalized because she was ill, but I am glad it was not too serious.

  3. 73

    ええ、おかげさまで。にさんにちあとでいえへかえれるそうです。

    Yes, thank you. They say she will be able to come home in two or three days.

  4. 74

    はやくいっけんかりることができてよかったですね。

    It is good that you were able to rent a house so quickly.

  5. 75

    ええ、なかなかよいいえがありませんでしたので、ちょっとこまっていましたが、---

    Yes, there were hardly any good houses, so I was having a little trouble, but—

  6. 76

    けさくもっていたのであめかもしれないとおもっておりましたが、はれてよかったですね。

    It was cloudy this morning, so I thought it might rain, but I am glad it cleared up.

  7. 77

    ほんとに。あめがふったらこまるんでしたが---。

    Indeed. It would have been a problem if it had rained, but—

ちょっと
a little
家
house, home
帰れる
to be able to go home
けん
numerical counter for houses (See Gram. Notes)
かりる
to borrow, rent
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)

Rhetorical doubts about possibility · Pattern 2 1 of 3

A question that means no

*あの人が そんな事を 言うものですか* means "Do you really think that person would say such a thing?"

The *ものですか* question supplies its own emphatic negative answer.

The contracted form

*こんなに 沢山 食べられるもんですか* means "Do you really think I can eat this much?"

*もんですか* is the contracted form of *ものですか* and carries the same strong rejection.

  1. 78

    あのひとにこのにほんごがわかるものですか(もんですか)。

    Do you really think that person can understand this Japanese?

  2. 79

    あのひとがそんなことをいうものですか。

    Do you really think that person would say such a thing?

  3. 80

    にがつにさくらのはながさくものですか。

    Do cherry blossoms really bloom in February?

  4. 81

    あのひとがそんなことをしっているものですか。

    Do you really think that person knows such a thing?

  5. 82

    あのせいとがしけんにとおるものですか。

    Do you really think that student will pass the examination?

  6. 83

    あのびょうきがそんなにはやくなおるものですか。

    Can that illness really be cured so quickly?

  7. 84

    こんなにたくさんたべられるもんですか。

    Do you really think I can eat this much?

二
two
さくら
cherry (flower)
さく
to bloom (v.i.)
通る
to pass
なおる
to get well, to be repaired

Rejecting unlikely possibilities · Pattern 2 2 of 3

An unlikely ability

*田中さんに こんな仕事が 出来るもんですか* means "Do you really think Mr. Tanaka can do this kind of work?"

The contracted *もんですか* strongly rejects the stated ability.

An unlikely time estimate

*二時間で 行けるものですか* rejects a two-hour travel estimate.

*百二十五マイルも あるのですよ* supplies the reason for rejecting that estimate.

  1. 85

    たなかさんにこんなしごとができるもんですか。

    Do you really think Mr. Tanaka can do this kind of work?

  2. 86

    こんなものをあのひとにみせられるもんですか。

    Do you really think I can show something like this to that person?

  3. 87

    やまもとさんがさけをやめるもんですか。

    Do you really think Mr. Yamamoto will give up drinking?

  4. 88

    スミスさんのいえへあるいていけるもんですか。

    Do you really think we can walk to Mr. Smith’s house?

  5. 89

    モンテレーからサンフランシスコへにじかんでいけるでしょうか。

    Can we get from Monterey to San Francisco in two hours?

  6. 90

    にじかんでいけるものですか。ひゃくにじゅうごマイルもあるのですよ。

    Can we really get there in two hours? It is as much as 125 miles.

  7. 91

    ここからニューヨークまでこうくうびんでふつかぐらいかかりますか。

    Does airmail take about two days from here to New York?

モンテレー
Monterey
百
100
二十
20
五
five
マイル
mile
ある
certain, some
ここ
here
ニューヨーク
New York
ぐらい
about

Rejecting predictions and expectations · Pattern 2 3 of 3

Evidence against a prediction

*読めるものですか* means "Do you really think he can read it?"

*かん字が あまり 多すぎますよ* gives the contrary evidence: "There are far too many kanji."

A later return

*そんなに 早く 帰るもんですか* means "Do you really think he will be back so soon?"

The expected return at the end of next week contradicts the earlier prediction.

  1. 92

    そんなにかかるものですか。いちにちでいきますよ。

    Does it really take that long? It gets there in one day.

  2. 93

    パーカーさんにこれがよめるでしょうか。

    Do you think Mr. Parker can read this?

  3. 94

    よめるものですか。かんじがあまりおおすぎますよ。

    Do you really think he can read it? There are far too many kanji.

  4. 95

    あしたごろこのあめがやむでしょうか。

    Do you think this rain will stop by about tomorrow?

  5. 96

    やむものですか。ラジオによるともういっしゅうかんぐらいふるそうですから。

    Do you really think it will stop? According to the radio, it is supposed to rain for about another week.

  6. 97

    たなかさんはあしたごろかえってくるんでしょう。

    Mr. Tanaka will be back around tomorrow, won’t he?

  7. 98

    そんなにはやくかえるもんですか。らいしゅうのおわりごろかえるはずです。

    Do you really think he will be back so soon? He is supposed to return around the end of next week.

かかる
to consult, to contract, to be attacked by
一日
first day of the month (See Grammar Notes)
すぎ
past, after
明日
tomorrow
ラジオ
radio
来週
next week

Greetings, work and first visits · Reading Selection 1 of 3

An introduction and formal greetings

*ミラーさんは南さんにしょうかいされました* means "Mr. Miller was introduced to Mr. Minami."

The men exchange *初めてお目にかかります* and *どうぞ、よろしく*, then talk about various things.

Work and a first visit

*南さんは銀座の松坂屋につとめておられます* says that Mr. Minami works at the Matsuzakaya department store in Ginza.

The passage also says that this is Mr. Miller's first time in Japan.

  1. 99

    ミラーさんはみなみさんにしょうかいされました。

    Mr. Miller was introduced to Mr. Minami.

  2. 100

    ふたりは「はじめておめにかかります。

    The two said, “How do you do?

  3. 101

    どうぞ、よろしく。

    Pleased to meet you.”

  4. 102

    」とあいさつして、そのあとでいろいろとはなしあいました。

    After exchanging greetings, they talked about various things.

  5. 103

    みなみさんはぎんざのまつざかやにつとめておられます。

    Mr. Minami works at the Matsuzakaya department store in Ginza.

  6. 104

    ミラーさんはにほんはこんどがはじめてです。

    This is Mr. Miller’s first time in Japan.

二人
2 people

Introductions and language ability · Reading Selection 2 of 3

England changed to Japan

*今度も始めは英国へ行くようになっていたのが急に日本へ来るようになったのだそうです* says the original plan changed from England to Japan.

Mr. Miller now works at the American Embassy.

An introduction between two women

Mrs. Minami asks Mrs. Nishimura to introduce her to Mrs. Miller.

*ミラー夫人が日本語が上手なので、南夫人もおどろいておられました* says Mrs. Minami was surprised by Mrs. Miller's skill in Japanese.

  1. 105

    こんどもはじめはえいこくへいくようになっていたのがきゅうににほんへくるようになったのだそうです。

    It seems that he was originally supposed to go to England this time, but the plans suddenly changed and he came to Japan.

  2. 106

    そしていまべいこくたいしかんにつとめておられます。

    He now works at the American Embassy.

  3. 107

    みなみふじんはまだミラーふじんにおめにかかったことがないので、にしむらふじんにたのんで、ミラーふじんにしょうかいして

    Mrs. Minami had not yet met Mrs. Miller, so she asked Mrs. Nishimura to introduce her to Mrs. Miller,

  4. 108

    もらいました。

    and Mrs. Nishimura did so.

  5. 109

    ミラーふじんがにほんごがじょうずなので、みなみふじんもおどろいておられました。

    Mrs. Minami was surprised that Mrs. Miller spoke Japanese so well.

  6. 110

    みなみふじんはミラーふじんがにほんごをはなされるぐらいじょうずにえいごをはなしたいといっておられました。

    Mrs. Minami said that she wanted to speak English as well as Mrs. Miller spoke Japanese.

れる
to be able to -- (See Grammar Notes)

Learning conversation through listening · Reading Selection 3 of 3

Conversation through listening

*外国語は耳から習わなければ話すのは上手になれません* says that speaking improves only when a foreign language is learned through listening.

The passage contrasts listening with learning only through reading and writing.

A teacher's advice

Mrs. Minami recalls a teacher who scolded her with *もっと勉強するものですよ*.

In this line, *勉強するものですよ* means "You should study more."

  1. 111

    みなみふじんはえいごをならったことはならったのですが、かいわのほうはあまりできないのです。

    Mrs. Minami did study English, but she cannot converse in it very well.

  2. 112

    がいこくごはみみからならわなければはなすのはじょうずになれません。

    You cannot become good at speaking a foreign language unless you learn it by listening.

  3. 113

    よんだりかいたりしてならってはどうしてもかいわはじょうずになれません。

    If you learn only by reading and writing, you simply cannot become good at conversation.

  4. 114

    みなみふじんもがっこうでえいごをべんきょうしていたころはせんせいに「もっとべんきょうするものですよ」としかられたものだそうです。

    When Mrs. Minami was studying English in school, her teacher would scold her and say, “You should study more.”

  5. 115

    でもそのころはよくがなかったのですから、あそぶほうがよかったそうです。

    But she had no ambition in those days, so she preferred playing.

Questions about introductions and work · Questions 1 of 2

Facts about the two men

The questions ask who introduced Mr. Miller, what the men said, where they work, and where Mr. Miller first planned to go.

*ミラーさんは どこに つとめていますか* means "Where does Mr. Miller work?" An answer gives the workplace from the reading.

  1. 116

    ミラーさんはだれにしょうかいされましたか。

    Who introduced Mr. Miller?

  2. 117

    ふたりはなんといってあいさつしましたか。

    What did the two of them say to greet each other?

  3. 118

    あいさつしてからどうしましたか。

    What did they do after greeting each other?

  4. 119

    みなみさんはどこにつとめていますか。

    Where does Mr. Minami work?

  5. 120

    ミラーさんはどこにつとめていますか。

    Where does Mr. Miller work?

  6. 121

    ミラーさんはにほんはこんどがはじめてですか。

    Is this Mr. Miller's first time in Japan?

  7. 122

    はじめはどこへいくようになっていましたか。

    Where was he originally supposed to go?

だれ
who?

Meeting and language learning · Questions 2 of 2

The meeting and the lesson about listening

The questions ask who arranged the women's meeting, why Mrs. Minami was surprised, and how she studied English.

*南夫人は なぜ おどろいていましたか* means "Why was Mrs. Minami surprised?" An answer gives the reason from the reading.

  1. 123

    みなみふじんはミラーふじんにおめにかかったことがありますか。

    Has Mrs. Minami ever met Mrs. Miller?

  2. 124

    みなみふじんはだれにたのんでしょうかいしてもらいましたか。

    Whom did Mrs. Minami ask to introduce her?

  3. 125

    みなみふじんはなぜおどろいていましたか。

    Why was Mrs. Minami surprised?

  4. 126

    みなみふじんはえいごをならったことがありますか。

    Has Mrs. Minami ever studied English?

  5. 127

    よんだり、かいたりしてがいこくごをならうと、かいわがじょうずになれますか。

    If you learn a foreign language by reading and writing, can you become good at conversation?

  6. 128

    みなみふじんはがっこうでえいごをべんきょうしていたころ、せんせいになんといってしかられましたか。

    When Mrs. Minami was studying English at school, what did her teacher say when scolding her?

  7. 129

    そのころはなぜあそぶほうがよかったのですか。

    Why was it better to play in those days?

なぜ
why?
と、
and (See Gram. Notes)

Introductions and polite greetings · Word list 1 of 3

Introductions and first meetings

These words cover introductions, humble meeting expressions, polite greetings, and work.

*しょうかいして いただけませんか* means "I wonder if you can introduce me." *初めて お目に かかります* is the humble greeting "I'm glad to meet you."

*うけたまわって おりました* means "I have heard about you."

  1. 130

    しょうかい(する)

    introduction(to introduce)

  2. 131

    しょうかいしていただけませんか

    I wonder if you can introduce me.

  3. 132

    いただける

    can receive

  4. 133

    ちょっと

    one moment

  5. 134

    ごしょうかいいたしましょう

    I’ll introduce-- May I introduce

  6. 135

    はじめておめにかかります

    Pleased to make an acquaintance with you. I’m glad to meet you.

  7. 136

    おめにかかる

    meet some one (humble) (vi)

  8. 137

    どうぞよろしくおねがいいたします

    I hope you will honor me with your friendship. I beg you kind regard.

  9. 138

    こちらこそ

    Indeed, I’m the one who -----

  10. 139

    うけたまわっておりました

    I have heard about you.

  11. 140

    うけたまわる

    hear (vt)

  12. 141

    (お)つとめ

    duty, service, work

しょうかい(する)
introduction(to introduce)
しょうかいしていただけませんか
I wonder if you can introduce me.
いただける
can receive
御しょうかいいたしましょう
I’ll introduce-- May I introduce
初めてお目にかかります
Pleased to make an acquaintance with you. I’m glad to meet you.
お目にかかる
meet some one (humble) (vi)
どうぞよろしくお願いいたします
I hope you will honor me with your friendship. I beg you kind regard.
こちらこそ
Indeed, I’m the one who -----
うけたまわっておりました
I have heard about you.
うけたまわる
hear (vt)
(お)つとめ
duty, service, work

Gladness and compliments · Word list 2 of 3

Gladness and compliments

These words cover gladness, an honorific invitation, praise, and a modest response.

*来て よかったと 思っています* means "I'm glad I came here." *いらっしゃい* means "please come" or "please go".

*お上手ですこと* expresses admiring wonder.

  1. 142

    こちら

    here

  2. 143

    きてよかったとおもっています

    I’m glad I came here

  3. 144

    --てよかったとおもう

    I think it was nice that; I’m glad that (See Grammar notes)

  4. 145

    こんごとも

    hereafter, from now on

  5. 146

    いらっしゃい

    please come; please go (See Cult. notes)

  6. 147

    おめにかかれてうれしくぞんじます

    I’m glad that I am able to meet you.

  7. 148

    うれしくぞんじます

    I’m glad (that---)

  8. 149

    まあー

    Well! I should say

  9. 150

    おじょうずですこと

    My, how fluent you are. You are indeed skilled. (see cult notes)

  10. 151

    はずかしい

    embarrassing; feel awkard, feel ashamed.

  11. 152

    ほんのすこし

    just a little

  12. 153

    ほんの

    trivial, just slight, little

来てよかったと思っています
I’m glad I came here
--てよかったと思う
I think it was nice that; I’m glad that (See Grammar notes)
今後とも
hereafter, from now on
いらっしゃい
please come; please go (See Cult. notes)
お目にかかれてうれしく存じます
I’m glad that I am able to meet you.
うれしく存じます
I’m glad (that---)
まあー
Well! I should say
お上手ですこと
My, how fluent you are. You are indeed skilled. (see cult notes)
ほんの少し
just a little

Emphasis, obligation and scolding · Word list 3 of 3

Respect, rejection, and advice

These entries cover gentle assertion, respectful reference, emphatic rejection, informal reasons, advice, and scolding.

*日本の方* means "people in Japan." *出来るものですか* means "You cannot do it."

*勉強するものですよ* means "you should study."

  1. 154

    --わ

    emphatic ending (See Cult. Notes)

  2. 155

    けど

    abbrev. of KERE DOMO, however

  3. 156

    にほんのかた

    people in Japan (see cult. notes)

  4. 157

    できるものですか

    How can you do it? You cannot do it. (See Grammar notes)

  5. 158

    ならったのですもの

    we learned it, you see

  6. 159

    ---もの

    emphatic ending (See cult. notes)

  7. 160

    べんきょうするものですよ

    you should study you must study. (See Grammar notes)

  8. 161

    しかられた

    was scolded

  9. 162

    しかる

    scold (vt)

  10. 163

    そのころ

    those days

  11. 164

    よく

    desire, wish (n)

Guide for Free Conversation

1 Take turns among fellow students and practice introducing one another. (man to man)

2 Go through the same procedure as above, except this time one student take the part of female and one student take the part of male.

3 Go through the same procedure, this time involving "female to female" introduction.
Homework

1 Memorize the Dialogue and the vocabulary.

2 Study Grammar Perception Drill and Pattern Practice and also do the exercises at the end of each Pattern.

3 Learn to read and write Kanji.

4 Read the Explanatory Notes and the Guide for Free Conversation.
--わ
emphatic ending (See Cult. Notes)
けど
abbrev. of KERE DOMO, however
日本の方
people in Japan (see cult. notes)
出来るものですか
How can you do it? You cannot do it. (See Grammar notes)
習ったのですもの
we learned it, you see
---もの
emphatic ending (See cult. notes)
勉強するものですよ
you should study you must study. (See Grammar notes)
しかられた
was scolded
しかる
scold (vt)
そのころ
those days

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.