Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 66

Lesson 66

Kanji and everyday Japanese

151 lines

Finding and calling public phones · Dialogue 1 of 4

A public phone and a number

A caller asks, *この辺に こうしゅう電話は ありませんか*, meaning "Is there not a public phone around here?"

At the phone, the caller gives *五六一の 六〇一七番*, meaning 561-6017, but cannot get connected.

The two parts of a number

In *五六一の 六〇一七番*, *五六一* is the exchange number, followed by the particle *の*.

The four-digit subscriber number follows, with the counter *番* at the end.

  1. 1

    もしもし、ちょっとおうかがいいたしますが、このへんにこうしゅうでんわはありませんか。

    Hello. I would just like to ask for information. Isn’t there a public phone around here?

    もしもし、hello
    ちょっとjust
    おask
    うかがいask
    いたしhumbly do
    ますpolite
    が、but
    このthis
    辺area
    にin
    こうpublic
    しゅpublic
    うpublic
    電話telephone
    はtopic
    ありthere is not
    ませthere is not
    んthere is not
    か。question
  2. 2

    あのよっかどをみぎにまがったところにあります。

    There is one around that intersection to the right.

  3. 3

    どうもありがとう。

    Thank you very much.

  4. 4

    もしもし。

    Hello.

  5. 5

    はい、なんばんですか。

    Yes, what number do you wish? (number please)

  6. 6

    ごろくいちのろくぜろいちしちばんだが、かからないんだ。

    I want 561-6017, but I can’t get connected.

1 ---CHUU ("in the midst of ---", "in the course of ---"). Following action nouns the suffix CHUU expresses an idea of "in the midst of ---", "in the course of ---", "during", or "while". Sometimes, depending upon the noun, CHUU expresses state of being and is simply translated as "---ing".

Examples:

ANO HITO WA IMA BENKYOO CHUU DESU. "he is in the midst of study."

TANAKA-SAN WA IMA SHIGOTO--CHUU DESU. "Mr. Yamada is working right now."

IMA SHIKEN-CHUU DESU. "The examinations are going on now."

SUMISU-SAN WA SHOKUJI-CHUU DESU. "Mr. Smith is eating now."

SENSEI GA OHANASHI-CHUU NARA MATA ATO KIMASU. "I’ll come later if the teacher is in the midst of conversation."

RUSU-CHUU NI DARE KA KITARA, SUGU KAERU TO ITTE KUDASAI. "If somebody comes while I am away, tell him that I’ll be back right away."
--MADE NI (by, not later than, before).

Following time expressions the particle sequence MADE NI expresses an idea of "by" the given time, "not later than", or "before". It regularly follows basic form of inflected expressions which indicate action. Sometimes MADE NI will be followed by WA for emphasis.

Examples:

KONGETSU NO TOOKA MADE NI SUMASETE KUDASAI. "Please finish it not later than the 10th of this month."

TSUGI NO NICHIYOO MADE NI HARAIMASU. "I’ll pay by next Sunday."

YUUHAN MADE NI KAERIMASU. "I’ll be back by supper time."

KUJI MADE NI WA KAERIMASU. "I’ll be back by 9."

ANO HITO GA KURU MADE NI (WA) DEKIAGARIMASU. "It will be ready by the time he comes up."

EIGA GA HAJIMARU MADE NI WA SANJIPPUN IJOO ARIMASU. "There is more than half an hour before the movie starts."
Contraction of TE and IRU (--TERU)

The forms TERU, TETA, TEMASU, TEMASHITA, etc., which are the contracted forms of TE + IRU, TE + ITA, TE + IMASU, TE + IMASHITA, etc. respectively are very commonly used for colloquial conversation to express progressive action or persistent state of being.

Examples:

AME GA FUTTEMASU WA (feminine). "It’s raining."

MOO KITETA NO KA (masculine). "Were you here already?"

MADA TABETERU NO KA (masculine). "Are you still eating?"
Use of NEGAIMASU in place of KUDASAI.

To give request in a more formal way, NEGAIMASU is used in place of KUDASAI as shown as follows:

| 
OMACHI KUDASAI | OMACHI NEGAIMASU "Please wait"
OHANASHI KUDASAI | OHANASHI NEGAIMASU "Please talk"
OHAJIME KUDASAI | OHAJIME NEGAIMASU "Please begin"
GORAN KUDASAI | GORAN NEGAIMASU "Please take a look"
Telephone Numbers.

A Japanese telephone number consisting of two numerical parts--for example 481-4121--is regularly read as follows: The first number (i.e. the exchange number) is read independently (in terms of hundreds, tens, and units) and is followed by particle NO. The following four-digit number is read either in terms of thousands, hundreds, tens, and units, plus counter-ban "number", or--less commonly--as individual digits (usually without counter-ban). Thus, "481-4121" is read:

YONHYAKU HACHIJUU ICHI NO, YONSEN HYAKU NIJUU ICHI-BAN

or

YONHYAKU HACHIJUU ICHI NO, YON ICHI NI ICHI

In telephone numbers, "4" is regularly read YON (not SHI), "7", NANA (not SHICHI), and "9", KYUU (not KU).

"2" is NI or FUTA, and "10" is JUU or TOO. An initial zero in the exchange number is read REE or ZERO.
もしもし、
hello
ちょっと
a little
ます
trout
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
電話
telephone
は
leaves
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
四
four
かど
corner
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
所
address, place
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
一
one
の
See Grammar Notes
六
six
七
seven
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)

Busy lines and wrong numbers · Dialogue 2 of 4

A busy line and a wrong number

The operator says *お話中ですから*, meaning "the line is busy, so", and asks the caller to wait.

The connection reaches 6071 instead of 6017. The caller tells the operator, *今のは 間違ってたよ*, meaning "the last one was wrong".

A shorter form in casual speech

In casual speech, *TE IRU* becomes *TERU*, and *TE ITA* becomes *TETA*.

These forms describe an action in progress or a continuing state. *間違ってた* is a *TETA* form describing the prior mistake.

Kanji: 換, 違, 失, 礼

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

Kanji: 手

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

  1. 7

    しばらくおまちください。おはなしちゅうですから、もうしばらくおまちください。おまちどうさまでした。つなぎました。

    Please wait a while. The line is busy, so please wait for a while longer. Sorry for keeping you waiting. The connection is made now.

  2. 8

    もしもし、ぎんざのろくぜろいちしちばんですか。

    Is this Ginza 6017?

  3. 9

    ちがいます。ろくぜろしちいちです。

    No, you have a wrong number. This is 6071.

  4. 10

    しつれいしました。

    I am sorry, Operator, you gave me a wrong number just now.

  5. 11

    こうかんしゅ、いまのはまちがってたよ。

    I’m very sorry. This time your party came to the phone.

  6. 12

    どうもすみません。こんどはでられました。

    Thank you very much. I got through this time.

しばらく
for a while
ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
話
story, talk
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
ます。
trout
し
city
すみ
inside corner
今度
this time, next time

Calling someone who is out · Dialogue 3 of 4

A formal request to wait

The speaker says *少々 お待ち 願います*, meaning "Please wait a while."

*NEGAIMASU* replaces *KUDASAI* to make the same request more formal. *OMACHI NEGAIMASU* means "please wait".

Back by ten thirty

Mr. Higashi is out, but *十時半までには 帰る* says he will return "by ten thirty".

The sequence *までに* marks ten thirty as the latest expected return time.

  1. 13

    もしもし、ろくぜろいちしちばんですね。ひがしさんをよんでくださいませんか。

    Hello, this is 6017, isn’t it? Will you please call Mr. Higashi to the phone?

  2. 14

    どなたさまでいらっしゃいますか。

    Who is this?

  3. 15

    こちらはミラーです。

    I am Mr. Miller.

  4. 16

    しょうしょうおまちねがいます。

    Please wait a while. Hello, sorry for keeping you waiting. I understand Mr. Higashi is out right now and not at home.

  5. 17

    もしもし、おまたせいたしました。ひがしさんはただいまがいしゅつちゅうで、おるすだそうです。

    Hello, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. Mr. Higashi is out at the moment, so he is not here.

  6. 18

    じゅうじはんまでにはかえるといってたんですが。

    He was saying that he’ll be back by ten thirty, but ----

ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
東
east
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
ください
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
いらっしゃい
please come; please go (See Cult. notes)
こちら
this, here (See Gram. Notes)
少々
a little
ただ今
now, right now, just now
るす
absence, not at home
そう
numerical counter for ships
十
ten
時
time
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
が。
but (See Gram. Notes)

Leaving a telephone message · Dialogue 4 of 4

A message before eleven

The caller asks for a message if Mr. Higashi returns by eleven: *十一時までに 帰られたら*.

The negative condition *十一時までに お帰りに ならなかったら* means "if he does not come back by eleven".

The requested call

The message is *家へ 電話を するように 言ってください*, meaning "please tell him to telephone me home".

If he misses the deadline, the caller will make contact later.

Kanji: 約

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

Kanji: 束

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

  1. 19

    おやくそくでしたら、やがておかえりになるとおもいますが。

    If he promised to, I think he will be back soon, but ---

  2. 20

    じゅういちじまでにかえられたら、いえへでんわをするようにいってください。

    If he comes back before eleven, please tell him to telephone me home.

  3. 21

    じゅういちじまでにおかえりにならなかったら、どういたしましょうか。

    What shall I do if he doesn’t come back by eleven?

  4. 22

    そのときにはいいですよ。あとでれんらくしますから。

    It’s all right then, because I’ll get in touch with him later.

  5. 23

    よろしゅうございます。さよなら。

    Fine. Good-bye.

やがて
soon, presently
家
house, home
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
なら
if it is (See Gram. Notes)
ましょう
let's (See Gram. Notes)
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
から。
from (See Gram. Notes)
さよなら。
Goodbye

Actions currently in progress · Perception drill, Block 1

An activity in progress

*居ますよ。 ただ今 自分の へやで 勉強中です* means "Yes, he is. He is studying in his room now."

*中* follows an action noun and means "in the midst of" that action. Here, *勉強中* presents study as in progress.

A continuing state

*田中さんは ただ今 外出中です* means "Mr. Tanaka is out right now."

With some nouns, *中* describes a continuing state. *外出中* states that the absence is current.

  1. 24

    たなかさんはただいまがいしゅつちゅうです。

    Mr. Tanaka is out right now.

  2. 25

    たなかさん、おくさんはただいまにほんをりょこうちゅうだそうですね。

    Mr. Tanaka, I understand your wife is travelling Japan right now. Isn’t that so?

  3. 26

    ええ、そうです。いっかげつぐらいにほんにいて、とうほくちほうからかんさいちほうにかけてりょこうすることになっています。

    Yes, that’s right. She is supposed to stay in Japan about one month and travel, covering the area from the northeastern region extending over to the western region.

  4. 27

    いまじゅぎょうちゅうですから、おおきなこえではなさないでしずかにしてください。

    Since the class is in session right now, please be quiet, not speaking in a loud voice.

  5. 28

    はい、かしこまりました。

    Yes, certainly.

  6. 29

    やまもとさんにおめにかかりたいのですが、おひまでしょうか。

    I want to see Mr. Yamamoto, but do you suppose he is free?

  7. 30

    やまもとさんはいまおはなしちゅうですから、ここですこしのあいだおまちください。

    Since Mr. Yamamoto is in conference right now, please wait here for a little while.

  8. 31

    むすこさんのはるおさんはいらっしゃらないのですか。

    Isn’t your son Haruo here?

  9. 32

    いますよ。ただいまじぶんのへやでべんきょうちゅうです。

    Yes, he is. He is studying in his room now.

  10. 33

    ああ、みなさんまだしょくじちゅうでしたか。ちょうどわるいところへきましたね。

    Oh, were you all still eating? I sure came at a bad time, didn’t I?

  11. 34

    いいえ、いいんですよ。いまたべおわったところですから。

    No, it’s all right, since we have just finished eating now.

です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ええ、
Yes
ぐらい
about
地方
country, region
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
じゅぎょう
classroom instruction
大きな
big, large (See Gram. Notes)
声
voice
ひま
leisure time, free
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
ここ
here
少し
little (quantity)
ただ
merely
自分
self
へや
room
ああ、
Oh, yes
まだ
yet, still
ところ
place (See Gram. Notes)

Deadlines and return times · Perception drill, Block 2

By a stated time

*明日の 朝の 九時までに すませて 出してください* asks for the work finished and submitted "by nine o'clock tomorrow morning".

*までに* follows a time expression and means "by that time", "not later than it", or "before it".

By the time an event occurs

*一時の じゅぎょうが 始まるまでには 帰って 来ます* means "I will be back by the time the one o'clock class starts."

*までに* can follow the plain form of an action. The particle *は* may follow it for emphasis.

  1. 35

    くじまでにはかえってきます。

    I’ll be back by nine o’clock.

  2. 36

    このしゅくだいはいつまでにださなければなりませんか。

    When must we hand in this homework?

  3. 37

    あしたのあさのくじまでにすませてだしてください。

    Please finish it by nine o’clock tomorrow morning and hand it in.

  4. 38

    あなたはごごかえってくるのでしょう。

    You are coming back in the afternoon, aren’t you?

  5. 39

    ええ、いちじのじゅぎょうがはじまるまでにはかえってきます。

    Yes, I’ll be back by the time the one o’clock class starts.

  6. 40

    なんじごろかえっていらっしゃるのですか。

    About what time are you coming back?

  7. 41

    ゆうはんまでにはかえってくるから、ゆうはんのしたくをしておくんだよ。

    I’ll be back by supper time, so you had better have supper prepared.

  8. 42

    あたらしいじどうしゃをかいたいのでおかねがいるのですが、いつおかねをはらってくれますか。

    I want to buy a new car and need money, but when are you going to pay me?

  9. 43

    あたらしいじどうしゃがでるまでにははらいます。

    I’ll pay you by the time a new car comes out.

  10. 44

    ひこうきがでるまでにはまださんじゅっぷんいじょうあるから、ちょっといってざっしをかってきますよ。

    There is over half an hour before the plane takes off, so I’ll go and get the magazines.

  11. 45

    さあ、どうぞ。

    Yes, please.

九
nine
宿題
homework
いつ
when?
明日
tomorrow
朝
morning
午後
p.m., afternoon
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
いらっしゃる
to come, go (honorific verb)
したく
preparation
車
vehicle, car
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
出る
come out to the phone, go out, come out (vi)
三十
30
分
minute
ある
certain, some
さあ、
well, now, here, come

Describing activities in progress · Pattern 1 1 of 3

Activities and states with 中

The *中* of *私は 今 食事中です* presents eating as in progress: "I am eating now."

In *私の るす中*, it means "while I am away". Work, class, and conversation appear as current activities in the same pattern.

  1. 46

    しゅじんはただいまがいしゅつちゅうです。

    My husband is out at the moment.

  2. 47

    パーカーさんはいまべんきょうちゅうです。

    Mr. Parker is studying now.

  3. 48

    いましけんちゅうですから、しずかにしてください。

    There is an examination going on now, so please be quiet.

  4. 49

    やまださんはただいましごとちゅうですから、でてこられません。

    Mr. Yamada is working at the moment, so he cannot come out.

  5. 50

    わたくしはいましょくじちゅうですから、もうじゅうごふんほどまってください。

    I am eating now, so please wait about fifteen more minutes.

  6. 51

    じゅぎょうちゅうきょうしつでたばこをのんではいけません。

    You must not smoke in the classroom during class.

  7. 52

    わたくしのるすちゅうだれかきたら、ごじごろかえるといってください。

    If anyone comes while I am away, please tell them that I will return around five o’clock.

  8. 53

    おおきさんはいまおはなしちゅうですから、すこしのあいだまってください。

    Mr. Oki is talking on the phone now, so please wait a little while.

五
five
ほど
to the extent (See Grammar Notes)
たばこ
tobacco, cigarette
だれ
who?
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)

Travel, hospital and class status · Pattern 1 2 of 3

Current travel and hospitalization

*田村さんは ただ今 旅行中です* means "Mr. Tamura is traveling at the moment."

*田中さんの 奥さんは 病気で 入院中です* reports that Mrs. Tanaka is ill and in the hospital. The *中* marks her current status.

Sightseeing and class

*私は ただ今 モンテレーを 見物中です* presents sightseeing as the current activity.

In *今 じゅぎょう中です*, *中* states that class is currently in session.

  1. 54

    たむらさんはただいまりょこうちゅうですが、らいげつのはじめごろかえってきます。

    Mr. Tamura is traveling at the moment, but he will return around the beginning of next month.

  2. 55

    わたくしはただいまモンテレーをけんぶつちゅうです。

    I am sightseeing in Monterey at the moment.

  3. 56

    たなかさんのおくさんはびょうきでにゅういんちゅうです。

    Mr. Tanaka’s wife is ill and is in the hospital.

  4. 57

    たなかさんのおくさんにながいあいだおめにかかりませんが、どうなさったのですか。

    I have not seen Mr. Tanaka’s wife for a long time; what happened to her?

  5. 58

    ただいまにほんをりょこうちゅうだそうですよ。

    I hear she is traveling in Japan at the moment.

  6. 59

    そうですか。それはちっともしりませんでしたね。

    Is that so? I did not know that at all.

  7. 60

    パーカーというせいとにあいたいのですが。

    I would like to see a student named Parker.

  8. 61

    いまじゅぎょうちゅうですから、じゅぎょうがおわるまでまちなさい。

    Class is in session now, so wait until it is over.

来月
next month
モンテレー
Monterey
ちっとも
not even a little (See Gram. Notes)
言う
to say

Asking what someone is doing · Pattern 1 3 of 3

Asking about the current activity

*あなたは 今 勉強中ですか* asks "Are you studying now?"

The answer contrasts *今 勉強していません* with *テレビを 見ています*: not studying, but watching television.

A temporary state

*今 教室を そうじ中です* reports that the classroom is being cleaned now.

The same *中* pattern reports a temporary activity or state in progress.

  1. 62

    きょうしつにはいてもいいですか。

    May I enter the classroom?

  2. 63

    いいえ、いまきょうしつをそうじちゅうですから、もうすこしのあいだそとでまっていなさい。

    No, the classroom is being cleaned now, so wait outside a little longer.

  3. 64

    あなたはいまべんきょうちゅうですか。

    Are you studying now?

  4. 65

    いいえ、いまべんきょうしていません。テレビをみています。

    No, I am not studying now. I am watching television.

  5. 66

    おくさんはがいしゅつちゅうだそうですが、なんじごろかえっていらっしゃいますか。

    I hear your wife is out; about what time will she return?

  6. 67

    もうがいしゅつしてからさんじかんぐらいたったから、もうすぐりかえってくるでしょう。

    It has already been about three hours since she went out, so she will probably be back soon.

そうじ
cleaning
テレビ
television
三
three
時間
hour, time

Completing things by deadlines · Pattern 2 1 of 3

Deadlines for actions

*今晩 七時までに 来てください* means "Please come by seven o'clock this evening."

In *大木さんが 来るまでに この 仕事を すませる*, the planned completion occurs before Mr. Oki comes.

Emphasis on the deadline

*来年の 春までには* sets next spring as the deadline for buying a new car.

The *は* after *までに* adds emphasis to that deadline.

  1. 68

    わたくしはゆうがたまでに(は)かえります。

    I will return by evening.

  2. 69

    こんばんしちじまでにきてください。

    Please come by seven o’clock this evening.

  3. 70

    わたくしはらいねんのはるまでにはあたらしいじどうしゃをかうつもりです。

    I intend to buy a new car by next spring.

  4. 71

    たなかさんのおくさんはこんげつのおわりまでにはあかちゃんがうまれるはずだそうです。

    I hear Mr. Tanaka’s wife is expected to have her baby by the end of this month.

  5. 72

    らいしゅうのげつようびまでにそのほんをもってきてください。

    Please bring that book by next Monday.

  6. 73

    しちじまでにかえってこなかったら、さきにゆうはんをたべてください。

    If I have not returned by seven o’clock, please eat dinner without me.

  7. 74

    おおきさんがくるまでにこのしごとをすませるつもりです。

    I intend to finish this work before Mr. Oki comes.

夕方
evening
春
spring
買う
to buy
今月
this month
赤ちゃん
baby (an affectionate way of referring to a baby)
来週
next week
本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)

Time remaining before events · Pattern 2 2 of 3

Time before an event

*じゅぎょうが 始まるまでに まだ 三十分 あります* means "There are still thirty minutes before class begins."

Here, *までに* marks the future event used to measure the remaining time.

Completion by an event

*かん字を 習うまでに ひらがなと かたかなを 皆 習いたいのです* sets learning kanji as the later event.

The desired learning of hiragana and katakana is complete before that event.

  1. 75

    じゅぎょうがはじまるまでにまださんじゅっぷんありますから、コーヒーをのみにいきましょう。

    There are still thirty minutes before class begins, so let’s go have some coffee.

  2. 76

    スミスさんはらいねんのにがつまでにはにほんからかえってくるはずです。

    Mr. Smith should be back from Japan by next February.

  3. 77

    かんじをならうまでにひらがなとかたかなをみなならいたいのです。

    I want to learn all the hiragana and katakana before I begin learning kanji.

  4. 78

    このがっこうをそつぎょうするまでにはかんじをろっぴゃくぐらいならいます。

    By the time I graduate from this school, I will learn about six hundred kanji.

  5. 79

    あなたはあたまがいたいそうですが、それではこんばんのえいがにはいけないでしょう。

    I hear you have a headache, so you probably cannot go to the movie tonight.

  6. 80

    いけますよ。それまでにはよくなるだろうから。

    I can go. I will probably be better by then.

  7. 81

    えいががはじまるまでにまださんじゅっぷんいじょうあるから、どこかでコーヒーでもいっぱいのんでいきましょう。

    There are still more than thirty minutes before the movie begins, so let’s have a cup of coffee somewhere first.

コーヒー
coffee
ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)
二
two
月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
ひらがな
HIRAGANA syllabary
かたかな
KATAKANA syllabary
六百
600
あたま
head
いたい
painful
映画
movie
よく
well, skillfully

Expected completion by a time · Pattern 2 3 of 3

An expected return

*六時までには 帰って 来ます* means "I will be back by six o'clock."

A later answer gives *来週の 火曜日ごろまでには* as the expected latest time for returning from the hospital.

A requirement by graduation

*そつぎょうするまでに 六百ぐらい かん字を 習う事に なっています* states a course requirement.

About six hundred kanji are to be learned by the time of graduation.

  1. 82

    ええ、そうしましょう。

    Yes, let’s do that.

  2. 83

    こんばんしちじにかぶきをみにいくことになっていますが、それまでにはかえってくるんでしょう。

    We are supposed to go see kabuki at seven this evening, so you will be back by then, won’t you?

  3. 84

    ええ、ろくじまでにはかえってきます。

    Yes, I will be back by six o’clock.

  4. 85

    あなたがたはこのがっこうでかんじをいくつぐらいならうことになっているのですか。

    About how many kanji are you supposed to learn at this school?

  5. 86

    そつぎょうするまでにろっぴゃくぐらいかんじをならうことになっています。

    We are supposed to learn about six hundred kanji by the time we graduate.

  6. 87

    おくさんはにゅういんなさっていらっしゃるそうですが、いつごろびょういんからおかえりになるのですか。

    I hear your wife is in the hospital; about when will she come home from the hospital?

  7. 88

    らいしゅうのかようびごろまでにはかえれるとおもいます。

    I think she will be able to come home by about next Tuesday.

かぶき
Kabuki
病院
hospital
帰れる
to be able to go home

Dialling calls and finding numbers · Reading Selection 1 of 2

Dialling and finding a number

The passage says *日本でも八十パーセントぐらいは自分でダイヤル出来るようになっています*: about eighty percent of calls in Japan can be dialled directly.

For an unknown number, an operator can supply it. With a name, *電話ちょうを見れば大抵の場合わかります* says the telephone directory usually supplies it.

The passage also states that telephone numbers generally use seven digits.

  1. 89

    まえにはでんわをかけたいときにはかんしゅにたのんででんわばんごうをダイヤルしてもらわなければなりませんでしたが、このごろではでんわはほとんどみなじぶんでダイヤルできるようになっています。

    In the past, when you wanted to make a telephone call, you had to ask the operator to dial the telephone number for you, but nowadays you can dial almost all calls yourself.

  2. 90

    にほんでもはちじゅうパーセントぐらいはじぶんでダイヤルできるようになっています。

    In Japan too, about eighty percent of calls can now be dialed directly.

  3. 91

    でんわばんごうをしらないときにはかんしゅにきけばおしえてくれます。

    When you do not know a telephone number, you can ask the operator and she will tell you.

  4. 92

    かんしゅにはなしたいときにはゼロをダイヤルすればかんしゅがでてきます。

    When you want to speak to the operator, dial zero and the operator will answer.

  5. 93

    しかしなまえがわかっていればでんわちょうをみればたいていのばあいわかります。

    However, if you know the name, you can usually find the number by looking in the telephone directory.

  6. 94

    でんわばんごうはたいていななつのすうじを

    Telephone numbers generally use seven digits.

  7. 95

    つかっています。

    They are used.

前
before, front
ほとんど
almost (See Gram. Notes)
出来る
to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)
八十
80
パーセント
percent
ゼロ
zero
しかし
however, but

Public telephones in Japan · Reading Selection 2 of 2

Red public telephones

The passage introduces *赤電話*, a red public telephone placed in a shop or similar location.

After a call, *その電話を使った人はそこにお金をおいて行くのです* says the user leaves the payment there.

Numbers and growth

A Ginza number begins with *五六一* and has four digits after it. This is the two-part telephone number format.

The passage also reports the growth in telephones and red public telephones through the early 1960s.

  1. 96

    たとえばぎんざにすんでいるゆうじんのでんわばんごうはごろくいちではじまって、そのあとによっつのばんごうがあります。

    For example, the telephone number of a friend who lives in Ginza begins with 561 and has four numbers after that.

  2. 97

    これはせんきゅうひゃくろくじゅうにねんにしらべたのですが、そのとしににほんでつかわれていたでんわのかずはよんひゃくななじゅうごまんはっせんで、せんきゅうひゃくよんじゅうさんねんごろにくらべるとよんばいはんぐらいふえています。

    This was investigated in 1962, and that year 4,758,000 telephones were in use in Japan, an increase of about four and a half times compared with around 1943.

  3. 98

    こうしゅうでんわにはあかでんわというのがあります。

    Among public telephones, there is a kind called a red telephone.

  4. 99

    これはみせなどにおいてあるでんわでいろがあかいからあかでんわというのです。

    It is a telephone placed in a store or similar place, and it is called a red telephone because it is red.

  5. 100

    そのでんわをつかったひとはそこにおかねをおいていくのです。

    A person who uses that telephone leaves the money there.

  6. 101

    せんきゅうひゃくろくじゅういちねんごろからこうしゅうでんわのかずがにまんはっせんふえていますが、そのなかでにまんろくせんはあかでんわだそうです。

    Since around 1961, the number of public telephones has increased by 28,000, and 26,000 of those are said to be red telephones.

友人
friend
千
1,000
九百
900
六十
60
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
かず
number
四百
400
七十
70
八千
8,000
四十
40
店
store, shop
など
and so forth, etc.
おい
nephew
人
people
そこ
there
六千
6,000

Telephone numbers and operators · Questions 1 of 2

Dialling and finding numbers

The questions ask how callers dial, reach an operator, find an unknown number, and identify the usual number of digits.

*電話番ごうを 知らない 時には どうしますか* means "What do you do when you do not know the telephone number?"

An answer states that the caller asks the operator. Other answers give a method, percentage, or number of digits.

  1. 102

    でんわにダイヤルがなかったときには、どうしなければなりませんでしたか。

    When telephones did not have dials, what did you have to do?

  2. 103

    このごろではどうですか。

    How is it nowadays?

  3. 104

    にほんでもこのごろじぶんでダイヤルできるようになっていますか。なんパーセントぐらいそうなっていますか。

    In Japan, too, has it recently become possible to dial calls yourself? About what percentage of phones are like that?

  4. 105

    でんわばんごうをしらないときにはどうしますか。

    What do you do when you do not know the telephone number?

  5. 106

    かんしゅにはなしたいときにはどうしますか。

    What do you do when you want to speak to the operator?

  6. 107

    なまえがわかっていればでんわちょうをみればたいていすぐわかりますか。

    If you know the name, can you usually find the number right away by looking in the telephone directory?

  7. 108

    でんわのばんごうにはたいていいくつのすうじをつかっていますか。

    How many digits are usually used in a telephone number?

は、
leaves
すぐ
right away, immediately

Telephone growth and public phones · Questions 2 of 2

Telephone growth and red telephones

The questions ask for historical quantities, comparisons, and the defining features of a red public telephone.

*赤電話と いうのは 何ですか* means "What is a so-called red telephone?"

An answer identifies the kind of telephone. Numerical answers give an amount or a comparison.

  1. 109

    せんきゅうひゃくろくじゅうにねんににほんでつかわれていたでんわのかずはどのぐらいですか。

    About how many telephones were in use in Japan in 1962?

  2. 110

    せんきゅうひゃくよんじゅうさんねんごろにくらべるとどうですか。

    How does that compare with around 1943?

  3. 111

    こうしゅうでんわにはどんなのがありますか。

    What kinds of public telephones are there?

  4. 112

    あかでんわというのはなんですか。

    What is a so-called red telephone?

  5. 113

    せんきゅうひゃくろくじゅういちねんごろからこうしゅうでんわのかずがふえましたか。

    Did the number of public telephones increase from around 1961?

  6. 114

    どのぐらいふえましたか。

    How much did it increase?

どの
which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)
どんな
what kind of; what sort of

Public telephone and connection words · Word list 1 of 4

Public phones and connections

The words cover public phones, intersections, operators, telephone connections, busy lines, and waiting. *こうしゅう電話* means "public telephone".

They also distinguish *かからないんです*, "cannot get connected", from *お話中*, a line that is busy because a conversation is in progress.

  1. 115

    こうしゅうでんわ

    public telephone

  2. 116

    よつかど

    intersection, crossroad

  3. 117

    よつかどをまがったところ

    around the intersection

  4. 118

    まがる

    turn, go around (vi)

  5. 119

    こうかんしゅ

    telephone exchange operator

  6. 120

    かからないんです

    can’t get connected (telephone)

  7. 121

    (でんわが)かかる

    get telephone connection (vi)

  8. 122

    しばらく

    for a while

  9. 123

    おはなしちゅう

    line busy, midst of talk (See grammar notes)

  10. 124

    おまちどおさま

    sorry for keeping you waiting

こうしゅう電話
public telephone
四つかど
intersection, crossroad
四つかどをまがったところ
around the intersection
まがる
turn, go around (vi)
交換手
telephone exchange operator
かからないんです
can’t get connected (telephone)
(電話が)かかる
get telephone connection (vi)
お話中
line busy, midst of talk (See grammar notes)
お待ち遠う様
sorry for keeping you waiting

Connections, mistakes and apologies · Word list 2 of 4

Connections, mistakes, and requests

The words cover connections, wrong numbers, apologies, and formal requests.

*つなぎました* reports that the connection is made. *間違ってました* reports that it was a wrong number.

*お待ち 願います* means "Will you please wait?" The *願います* makes the request more formal.

  1. 125

    つなぎました

    connection is made, go ahead and talk

  2. 126

    つなぐ

    make a telephone connection, tie, connect, moor, hitch chain (vt)

  3. 127

    しつれいしました

    I am sorry (for my being so rude)

  4. 128

    まちがってました

    it was a wrong number

  5. 129

    --てました

    was --- (See notes)

  6. 130

    どうもすみません

    I’m sorry, (for causing you so much trouble)

  7. 131

    でました

    came out to the phone

  8. 132

    でる

    come out to the phone, go out, come out (vi)

  9. 133

    おまちねがいます

    Will you please wait? (see notes)

  10. 134

    ただいま

    now, right now, just now

つなぎました
connection is made, go ahead and talk
つなぐ
make a telephone connection, tie, connect, moor, hitch chain (vt)
失礼しました
I am sorry (for my being so rude)
間違ってました
it was a wrong number
--てました
was --- (See notes)
どうもすみません
I’m sorry, (for causing you so much trouble)
出ました
came out to the phone
お待ち願います
Will you please wait? (see notes)

Absence, promises and contact · Word list 3 of 4

Absence, deadlines, and contact

The words cover absence, reported speech, promises, deadlines, telephone messages, and making contact.

*外出中* means "out of office" or "out of home".

*十一時までに 帰ったら* means "if he comes back before or by eleven o'clock".

*れんらくする* means "get in touch" or "establish communication".

  1. 135

    がいしゅつちゅう

    out of office, out of home (see notes)

  2. 136

    るす

    absence, not at home

  3. 137

    いってたんです

    was saying

  4. 138

    --てた

    was -- (see notes)

  5. 139

    やくそく(する)

    Promise (to promise) (vt)

  6. 140

    やがて

    soon, presently

  7. 141

    じゅういちじまでにかえったら

    if he comes back before (or by) 11 o’clock (See Grammar notes)

  8. 142

    そのときにはいいよ

    It’s all right then.

  9. 143

    でんわをする

    to telephone

  10. 144

    れんらくする

    get in touch, establish connection, communication or liaison.

外出中
out of office, out of home (see notes)
言ってたんです
was saying
--てた
was -- (see notes)
約束(する)
Promise (to promise) (vt)
十一時までに帰ったら
if he comes back before (or by) 11 o’clock (See Grammar notes)
その時にはいいよ
It’s all right then.
電話をする
to telephone
れんらくする
get in touch, establish connection, communication or liaison.

Telephone directory and dialling words · Word list 4 of 4

Directories, numbers, and dialling

The words cover telephone directories, telephone numbers, dialling, percentages, red telephones, and zero.

*電話ちょう* is a "telephone book", and *電話番ごう* is a "telephone number".

*赤電話* means "red telephone", a public telephone.

  1. 145

    さよなら

    Goodbye

  2. 146

    でんわちょう

    telephone book

  3. 147

    でんわばんごう

    telephone number

  4. 148

    ダイヤル(する)

    dial (to dial)

  5. 149

    パーセント

    percent

  6. 150

    あかでんわ

    red telephone (public telephone)

  7. 151

    ゼロ

    zero

Guide for Free Conversation

1 Practice the Basic Dialogue with appropriate variations.

2 Mr. Tanaka has just telephoned and asked for Mr. Yamamoto. Give the following answers, practicing different levels, if appropriate.

a Just a moment, please.

b Mr. Yamamoto isn’t at his desk just now.

c Mr. Yamamoto is busy just now. Would you like him to call later?

d Mr. Yamamoto is in Osaka. He’ll be back by tomorrow.

e Who is calling, please?

f Mr. Yamamoto is in Mr. Sato’s office just now. It’s 371-2923.

g Mr. Yamamoto is away from home just now. He’ll be back by the first of the month.

3 Practice the following telephone conversation in Japanese.

a Do you know Mr. Kimura’s telephone number?

a Just a minute. It’s 571-3041.

a It was that number before, but it isn’t that now.

a Oh? Well, then, Mr. Hashimoto telephoned Mr. Kimura yesterday, so Mr. Hashimoto probably knows.

a Well, then, I’ll ask Mr. Hashimoto. Thanks very much.

a Not at all.

b Hello.

b Hello.

b Is this the Yamada residence?

b Yes, it is.

b Is Yukio there?

b He is at school now. Who is calling, please?

b This is Mr. Tanaka in Azabu. About what time will he be home?

b Today is Saturday, so he’ll be home about one. Shall we call later from this side?

b No, I’ll get in touch later.

b Oh.

b Well, goodbye.

b Goodbye.

c I’d like to make a telephone call.

c Use this phone.

c Thanks. I don’t know the telephone number.

c I have a telephone book. Who is it you want to call?

c It’s Mr. Kimura.

c Kimura? Just a minute --- Oh, is it Mr. Kimura in Aoyama 6-choome?

c Yes, that’s right.

c It’s 481-4810.

c Just a minute, because I am going to write it down.

c Certainly. Do you have a pencil?

c Yes, I have. I’m sorry but would you say it again.

c It’s 481-4810

c Thanks very much

c You’re welcome.
Homework

1 Memorize the Dialogue and the vocabulary.

2 Study Grammar Perception Drill and Pattern Practice.

3 Learn to read and write new Kanji.

4 Read the Explanatory Notes.

5 Practice samples of telephone conversation given in the Guide for Free Conversation.
さよなら
Goodbye
電話ちょう
telephone book
電話番ごう
telephone number
ダイヤル(する)
dial (to dial)
赤電話
red telephone (public telephone)

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.