Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 68

Lesson 68

Kanji and everyday Japanese

188 lines

Telephone greetings and family health · Dialogue 1 of 7

A call about the family

A caller asks for Mrs. Miller in *もしもし、 ミラーさんの 奥さんで いらっしゃいますか*. It means "Hello, is this Mrs. Miller?"

Mrs. Miller and Murata then ask about each other's family and health.

A more polite request

*少々 お待ち くださいませ。 ただ今 お呼びいたします* means "Please wait a moment. I will call her now."

In *くださいませ*, *ませ* follows the honorific imperative *ください*. The result is a polite command.

Kanji: 寒

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

  1. 1

    もしもし、ミラーさんのおくさんでいらっしゃいますか。

    Hello, is this Mrs. Miller?

    もしもし、hello
    ミラーMiller
    さんMr.
    の's
    奥wife
    さんwife
    でis
    いらっしゃいis
    ますpolite
    か。question
  2. 2

    しょうしょうおまちくださいませ。ただいまおよびいたします。

    Please wait a moment. I will call her now.

  3. 3

    もしもしミラーでございますが、おまたせいたしました。

    Hello, this is Mrs. Miller. I am sorry to have kept you waiting.

  4. 4

    むらたでございます。おさむいようでございますが、おかわりございませんか。

    This is Murata. It seems to be cold, but have you been well?

  5. 5

    ありがとうございます。おかげさまでしごくげんきでおります。おたくでは。

    Thank you. Thanks to you, I am extremely well. And your family?

  6. 6

    おかげさまで、みなかぜもひかず、げんきですごしております。

    Thanks to you, everyone is getting along well without even catching a cold.

DEWA, "if it is ---."

Following nouns and pronouns and some particles, DEWA expresses conditional and can be expressed in English as "if it is ---." Note that the clause following DEWA will usually be in negative or will have a negative meaning.

Examples:

WATAKUSHI DEWA DAME DESU. "If it is I, it won't do."

KONNA TENKI DEWA IKEMASEN. "If it's weather like this, we can't go."

HON O YOMU DAKE DEWA WAKARIMASEN. "If it's just by reading books, I wouldn't understand."

Conditional in -TEWA and -DEWA.

The particle WA following the TE-form of verbs (at times DE) and i-adjectives express a conditional idea "if". Note also that the main clause following -TEWA or -DEWA will usually be in the negative or will have a negative implication.

Examples:

SONNA NI HAYAKU YONDEWA WAKARIMASEN. "If you read so fast, I can't understand it."

SONNA NI TAKUSAN TABETEWA KARADA NI WARUI DESU YO. "If you eat so much, it will be bad for your health."

KONNA NI AME GA FUTTEWA IKANAI HOO GA II DESHOO. "If it rains like this, we had better not go."

KONNA NI SAMUKUTEWA KAZE O HIKIMASU. "If it's cold like this, we'll catch cold."
Interrogative Words + TE-form of verbs + YOI KA WAKARIMASEN.

Interrogative words such as NANI, DOKO, ITSU and so forth, plus TE-form of verbs, plus YOI KA WAKARIMASEN express the idea of "don't know what (where, when) to do such-and-such (or I should do such-and-such). In place of WAKARIMASEN you may use SHIRIMASEN.

Examples:

KOMBAN NANI O TABETE YOI KA WAKARIMASEN. "I don't know what to eat tonight."

DOO SHITE YOI KA WAKARIMASEN. "I don't know what to do."

DOKO E ITTE YOI KA WAKARIMASEN. "I don't know where to go."

DARE NI KIITE YOI KA WAKARIMASEN. "I don't know whom to ask."

ITSU MUKAE NI ITTE YOI NO KA SHIRIMASEN. "I don't know when I should go to get him."
Notes on MASE (MASHI)

MASE is an imperative form of MASU and is used only with imperative form of such honorific verbs as NASARU, KUDASARU, IRASSHARU, OSSHARU to indicate polite imperative. MASHI and MASE are interchangeably used.

Examples:

HAYAKU NASAI (MASE) / (MASHI) "Please do it quickly."

OHAIRI KUDASAI (MASE) / (MASHI) "Please come in."

KOMBAN IRASSHAI (MASE) / (MASHI) "Please come tonight."

Note: Forms ending in MASE or MASHI are more typical of women's speech.
Japanese etiquette on eating.

When an intimate friend is invited to dinner, he will find, as a rule, that the menu consists of from three to five dishes, besides the regular boiled rice, soup, and pickled vegetables, and is usually made up as follows:

Soup (Suimono, or clear soup; MISO-SHIRU, or MISO soup)

NIMONO, or boiled foods (boiled vegetables, fish or meat)

YAKIMONO or AGEMONO or both (broiled or deep-fried vegetables, fish or meat)

SUNOMONO (vinegar vegetables, fish or shellfish)

AEMONO (dressed vegetables, fish or shellfish)

HITASHIMONO (boiled greens in soy sauce)

MUSHIMONO (steamed foods)

SASHIMI (sliced raw fish)

KOONOMONO (pickles)

These dishes are served either on the table for all present or separately for each guest, set on a small square meal-tray.

Generally speaking, every dish served has its own place on the table. Illustration given in the Basic Dialogue shows one of the commonest examples of an ordinary meal.

Steamed foods are served mostly in winter, so a dish of this type is generally brought out after the soup is eaten and put in the place marked (2), because it has to be eaten before it becomes cold. Not infrequently Western-style or Chinese-style dishes are served in place of the dishes marked (3), (4), and (6).
もしもし、
hello
の
See Grammar Notes
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
いらっしゃい
please come; please go (See Cult. notes)
ます
trout
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
少々
a little
ください
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
ただ
merely
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
しごく
extremely, very much
は。
leaves
かぜ
wind

Dinner invitation and dining guidance · Dialogue 2 of 7

An invitation for Saturday

Mrs. Murata invites Mrs. Miller to dinner on Saturday. *では、 五時半ごろ いらっしゃって くださいませんか* means "Then, could you please come around five-thirty?"

Mrs. Miller accepts and says that she will visit at that time.

Learning how to eat the meal

Mrs. Miller says that she does not know how to eat Japanese food. Mrs. Murata offers to teach her.

*本を 読むだけでは ちょっと わかりにくう 御ざいますわね* means "Understanding from a book alone is difficult, isn't it?"

Here, *だけでは* presents reading a book alone as the condition. The result is difficulty understanding.

Kanji: 飯, 幸, 喜

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

  1. 7

    ミラーさん、こんしゅうのどようびにばんごはんをさしあげたいとおもっているのですが。

    Mrs. Miller, I would like to give you dinner this Saturday.

  2. 8

    それはどうもありがとうございます。さいわいせんやくもございませんし、よろこんでおうけいたします。

    Thank you very much. Fortunately, I have no previous engagement, so I will be happy to accept.

  3. 9

    では、ごじはんごろいらっしゃってくださいませんか。おまちしております。

    Then, could you please come around five-thirty? I will be expecting you.

  4. 10

    では、どようのばんごじはんごろおうかがいいたします。さようなら。

    Then I will visit you around five-thirty Saturday evening. Good-bye.

  5. 11

    わたくし、にほんりょうりのたべかたをちっともぞんじませんのですが。

    vinegar food

  6. 12

    ほんをよむだけではちょっとわかりにくうございますわね。なんでしたら、おおしえいたしましょうか。おおしえするがらではありませんが。

    It is a little hard to understand just by reading a book, isn’t it? If you like, shall I teach you? I am hardly qualified to teach, though.

今週
this week
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
晩御飯
evening meal, dinner
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
が。
but (See Gram. Notes)
は
leaves
ます。
trout
幸い
fortunately
先約
previous engagement
し、
city
五
five
時
time
ちっとも
not even a little (See Gram. Notes)
本
numerical counter for counting long slender objects (See Notes)
だけ
only, just (See Grammar Notes)
ちょっと
a little
わ
counter for birds (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
ましょう
let's (See Gram. Notes)

Japanese meal trays and dishes · Dialogue 3 of 7

A meal served on a tray

Mrs. Murata begins her explanation of an ordinary meal. *日本の お料理は 大抵 おぜんに のせて 出します* means "Japanese food is usually served on a tray."

The next lines name *御飯* as "rice" and *茶わん* as "rice bowl." *すい物* is "clear soup."

The dishes of a meal

*日本の お料理は 大抵 おぜんに のせて 出します* introduces the tray used for an ordinary meal.

A dinner for an intimate friend has three to five dishes. Boiled rice, soup, and pickled vegetables come with them.

The dishes can include simmered, grilled, fried, steamed, vinegared, or dressed food, raw fish, and greens in soy sauce.

Each dish has its own place. Dishes may be shared on a table or served separately on a small square meal tray.

  1. 13

    どうぞ、おねがいいたします。むらたさんですと、えんりょなくおしえていただけますわ。

    pickled vegetables

  2. 14

    そんなにむずかしいものではございません。ただにさんおぼえておくとよいことがございます。

    It is not so difficult. There are just two or three things that it is good to remember.

  3. 15

    さようでございますか。どうぞおねがいいたします。

    chopsticks

  4. 16

    にほんのおりょうりはたいていおぜんにのせてだします。

    Japanese food is usually served on a tray.

  5. 17

    ごはん(ちゃわん)

    rice (rice bowl)

  6. 18

    すいもの

    clear soup

と、
and (See Gram. Notes)
わ。
counter for birds (See Gram. Notes)
むずかしい
difficult
もの
things (tangible)
二
two
三
three
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
御飯
cooked rice
(茶わん)
rice bowl

Japanese dishes and chopsticks · Dialogue 4 of 7

The remaining places on the tray

The tray setting includes several kinds of food and their utensils.

*に物* is "simmered food." *やいた物、 フライした物 又は さしみ* is "grilled food, fried food, or sashimi."

The setting also includes *すの物*, "vinegared food," *こうの物*, "pickled vegetables," and *はし*, "chopsticks."

  1. 19

    にもの

    simmered food

  2. 20

    やいたもの、フライしたものまたはさしみ

    grilled food, fried food, or sashimi

  3. 21

    さしみのしょうゆ

    soy sauce for the sashimi

  4. 22

    すのもの

    vinegared food

  5. 23

    こうのもの

    pickled vegetables

  6. 24

    はし

    chopsticks

し
city
さしみ
thinly sliced raw fish dish
しょうゆ
soy sauce
はし
chopsticks

Beginning a Japanese meal · Dialogue 5 of 7

Uncertain where to begin

Mrs. Miller sees the ordinary tray setting but does not know where to start.

*何から 食べ始めてよいか わかりませんので、 私、 いつも まごついてしまいますの* means she always becomes confused because she does not know what to eat first.

The words *何から 食べ始めてよいか わかりません* express that uncertainty.

Begin with the chopsticks

Mrs. Murata answers with *先ず はしを 取り出して、 さきの方を はし置に のせて 置きます*.

First, the diner takes out the chopsticks. Their tips rest on the chopstick stand.

Kanji: 普

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

  1. 25

    はしおき

    chopstick stand

  2. 26

    これがふつうのぜんだてです。

    This is an ordinary table setting.

  3. 27

    なにからたべはじめてよいかわかりませんので、わたくし、いつもまごついてしまいますの。

    Since I do not know what I should start eating first, I always become confused.

  4. 28

    そうでしょうね。わたくしもせいようりょうりをたべるときに、どのフォークからつかってよいのか、どのスプーンからつかってよいのかわからなくてこまったことがたびたびございます。

    I suppose so. When I eat Western food, I too have often been at a loss because I did not know which fork to use first or which spoon to use first.

  5. 29

    まずなにからはじめますか。

    What do you begin with first?

  6. 30

    まずはしをとりだして、さきのほうをはしおきにのせておきます。

    First, take out the chopsticks and place their tips on the chopstick rest.

ぜんだて
arrangement of meal or a meal tray.
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
いつ
when?
そう
numerical counter for ships
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
西洋
occident, the West
に、
on (See Gram. Notes)
どの
which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)
フォーク
fork
スプーン
spoon
たびたび
often, frequently
さき
tip, point

Eating rice and soup · Dialogue 6 of 7

The lids go outside the tray

*茶わんの ふたは 左、 すい物わんの ふたは 右の方の ぜんの 外に 置きます* states both positions.

The rice-bowl lid goes left of the tray, and the soup-bowl lid goes right. Both go outside the tray.

Rice, soup, then rice

*御飯を 一口 食べます* means "eat one bite of rice." The diner then drinks soup and eats another bite of rice.

After this sequence, anything except the pickled vegetables may be eaten.

  1. 31

    それから。

    And then?

  2. 32

    それから、ちゃわんとすいものわんのふたをとって、ちゃわんのふたはひだり、すいものわんのふたはみぎのほうのぜんのそとにおきます。

    Then remove the lids from the rice bowl and the soup bowl, and place the rice-bowl lid to the left and the soup-bowl lid to the right, outside the tray.

  3. 33

    そうですか。わたくしはいつもそれをおぜんのうえにおこうとおもいましたが、ばしょがないのでこまりました。

    Is that so? I always tried to put them on the tray, but I had trouble because there was no room.

  4. 34

    それから、おちゃわんをとって、ごはんをひとくちたべます。それから、こんどはすいものわんをとって、おすいものをのみます。それからまたひとくちごはんをたべます。

    Then take the rice bowl and eat one bite of rice. Next, take the soup bowl and drink some soup. Then eat another bite of rice.

  5. 35

    ごはんをたべて、おすいものをのんでまたごはんですね。

    You eat some rice, drink some soup, and then have rice again, right?

  6. 36

    そうです。そのあとはおこうのもののほかはなにをたべてもよろしゅうございます。

    That is right. After that, you may eat anything except the pickled vegetables.

から。
from (See Gram. Notes)
茶わん
rice bowl
わん
bowl
ふた
lid
場所
place, room
一口
a mouthful
今度
this time, next time

Ending meals with pickles · Dialogue 7 of 7

Pickles at the end

Mrs. Miller asks whether she should avoid the pickled vegetables. Mrs. Murata explains when they are eaten.

*こうの物は 御飯を 食べ終って お茶が 出た時に あがります* means "You eat the pickled vegetables after you finish the rice, when the tea is served."

*それで 食事は 終るのです* means "That brings the meal to an end."

  1. 37

    こうのものはたべてはいけないのですか。

    Shouldn’t I eat the pickled vegetables?

  2. 38

    こうのものはごはんをたべおわっておちゃがでたときにあがります。それでしょくじはおわるのです。

    You eat the pickled vegetables after you finish the rice, when the tea is served. That brings the meal to an end.

Saying conditions make things impossible · Perception drill, Block 1

A condition that prevents understanding

*そんなに 早く 話しては わかりません* means "I cannot understand if you speak so fast."

Here, *は* follows the verb's TE-form *話して*. Together, *話しては* presents speaking fast as the condition.

Conditions with nouns and adjectives

*私 一人では とても すませる 事は 出来ません* means "I could never finish it all by myself."

*では* follows a noun, pronoun, or some particles and means "if it is." The result is usually negative or has a negative meaning.

After a verb or I-adjective TE-form, *は* also marks a condition. *こんなに あつくては 食べられません* means "I cannot eat it when it is this hot."

  1. 39

    ほんをよんだだけではわかりにくいです。

    It is hard to understand just by reading the book.

  2. 40

    そんなにはやくはなしてはわかりません。

    I cannot understand if you speak so fast.

  3. 41

    こんなにあつくてはたべられません。

    I cannot eat it when it is this hot.

  4. 42

    ひとりでこのしごとをすませることができますか。

    Can you finish this work by yourself?

  5. 43

    わたくしひとりではとてもすませることはできませんからたむらさんにてつだってもらっているのです。

    I could never finish it all by myself, so I am having Mr. Tamura help me.

  6. 44

    こんなにさむくてはおよぎにいけませんね。

    We cannot go swimming when it is this cold, can we?

  7. 45

    そうですね。こんどもっとあったかいときにいきましょう。

    That is right. Let’s go another time when it is warmer.

  8. 46

    たなかさん、そんなにはやくはしっては、わたくしはついていけませんよ。

    Mr. Tanaka, if you run that fast, I cannot keep up with you.

  9. 47

    でもはやくはしらないと、おそくなりますよ。

    But if we do not run fast, we will be late.

  10. 48

    これはこどもでもできるでしょうか。

    Could even a child do this?

  11. 49

    こどもではできないでしょう。

    A child probably could not do it.

  12. 50

    きみ、そんなにあそんでは、べんきょうするひまがないだろう。

    If you play that much, you will not have time to study.

  13. 51

    いいえ、べんきょうはあさはやくおきてするのですから、じゅうぶんじかんはあります。

    No, I get up early in the morning to study, so I have plenty of time.

だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
一人
one person
とても
very, indeed
もっと
more (See Gram. Notes)
あったかい
warm
ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)
おそく
late (adverbial form of OSOI, be late, be slow)
出来る
to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)
君、
suffix to a name, Mr. (See cult. notes)
ひま
leisure time, free
朝
morning
時間
hour, time

Not knowing what to choose · Perception drill, Block 2

Not knowing where to begin

*何から 食べ始めて よいか わかりません* means "I do not know what I should start eating first."

The choice begins with *何から*, "from what." The verb takes its TE-form before *よいか わかりません*.

Uncertainty about an action

*どうしてよいか わからないので、 困っているんです* means "I am at a loss because I do not know what I should do."

A question word, a verb's TE-form, and *よいか わかりません* express uncertainty about what action one should take.

*知りません* may replace *わかりません*, as in *何時に 行ってよいのか 私も 知りません*.

  1. 52

    なにからたべはじめてよいかわかりません。

    I do not know what I should start eating first.

  2. 53

    こんばんなんじごろいかなければならないのですか。

    Around what time do I have to go tonight?

  3. 54

    なんじにいってよいのかわたくしもしりません。

    I do not know what time I may go either.

  4. 55

    なにをたべますか。

    What will you eat?

  5. 56

    さあ、なにをちゅうもんしてよいかわからないから、あなたにまかせておきます。

    Well, I do not know what I should order, so I will leave it up to you.

  6. 57

    わたくしはどのいしゃにかかってよいのかわからないのですが、どのいしゃがいいかおしえてくれませんか。

    I do not know which doctor I should see, so would you tell me which doctor is good?

  7. 58

    やまだせんせいはいいおいしゃさんですよ。

    Dr. Yamada is a good doctor.

  8. 59

    にほんへいくまえにいえをうるつもりですか。

    Do you intend to sell your house before going to Japan?

  9. 60

    どうしてよいかわからないので、こまっているんです。

    I am at a loss because I do not know what I should do.

  10. 61

    こんげつまつにいてんされるそうですが、もううんそうてんにたのんだのですか。

    I hear you are moving at the end of this month. Have you already arranged with a moving company?

  11. 62

    いいえ、まだたのんでいないのです。どのうんそうてんにたのんでよいかわからないので。

    No, I have not arranged with one yet, because I do not know which moving company I should ask.

なら
if it is (See Gram. Notes)
さあ、
well, now, here, come
医者
medical doctor
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
前
before, front
家
house, home
今月
this month
れる
to be able to -- (See Grammar Notes)
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
店
store, shop
まだ
yet, still

Conditions preventing an action · Pattern 1 1 of 3

Conditions that stop an action

*子供では こんな 事は 出来ません* means "A child cannot do a thing like this." The *では* condition has a negative result.

The same condition follows a verb's TE-form in *そんなに なまけては そつぎょう 出来ないよ*. Being that lazy prevents graduation.

An adjective condition

*こんなに 古くては もう 売れませんよ* means "If it is this old, it will not sell anymore."

The I-adjective *古くて* takes *は*. The following clause gives the negative result.

  1. 63

    こどもではこんなことはできません。

    A child cannot do a thing like this.

  2. 64

    こんなにあめがふってはいけません。

    We cannot go when it is raining this hard.

  3. 65

    こんなにふるくてはもううれませんよ。

    If it is this old, it will not sell anymore.

  4. 66

    こんなふるいじどうしゃではニューヨークへはいけません。

    You cannot go to New York in an old car like this.

  5. 67

    おとこだけではおもしろくない。

    It is no fun with only men.

  6. 68

    パーカーさんのようなせいとではこのぶんしょうはやくせませんよ。

    A student like Mr. Parker cannot translate this passage.

  7. 69

    こんなわるいてんきではいかないほうがいいでしょう。

    In bad weather like this, it would be better not to go.

  8. 70

    きみはそんなになまけてはそつぎょうできないよ。

    If you are that lazy, you will not be able to graduate.

  9. 71

    そんなにはやくわすれてはだめですね。

    You should not forget so quickly.

  10. 72

    あなたのようにべんきょうしてはびょうきになりますよ。

    If you study the way you do, you will get sick.

雨
rain
古い
old, antique
車
vehicle, car
ニューヨーク
New York
男
male
な
I wish, I hope, huh
文章
sentence
天気
weather
でしょう。
probably (See Gram. Notes)
君
suffix to a name, Mr. (See cult. notes)
だめ
no good, useless, hopeless

Explaining why something will not work · Pattern 1 2 of 3

A condition explains failure

*そんなに むずかしく 書いては 読めませんね* means "If you write it that difficultly, no one can read it."

The verb condition *書いては* explains why reading fails.

A noun can give the reason

*手紙では もう おそいでしょうから、 電報を 打ちなさい* means "A letter would probably be too late, so send a telegram."

Here, *では* follows *手紙*. A letter is the unsuitable choice.

  1. 73

    たむらさんのようにさけをたくさんのんではからだにわるいですね。

    Drinking as much sake as Mr. Tamura does is bad for your health.

  2. 74

    こんなにやかましくてはべんきょうできません。

    I cannot study with this much noise.

  3. 75

    こんなにむしあつくてはなにもしたくないですね。

    When it is this hot and humid, I do not feel like doing anything.

  4. 76

    このてがみがスミスさんによめるでしょうか。

    Do you think Mr. Smith can read this letter?

  5. 77

    そんなにむずかしくかいてはよめませんね。

    If you write it that difficultly, no one can read it.

  6. 78

    うちのこどもにこのしごとをてつだってもらおうとおもっているのですが、できるでしょうか。

    I am thinking of having my child help with this work, but do you think the child can do it?

  7. 79

    こどもではできませんね。わたくしがてつだってあげますよ。

    A child cannot do it. I will help you.

  8. 80

    こんしゅうのどようびにあそびにいくといってやまださんにてがみをだしましょうか。

    Shall we send Mr. Yamada a letter saying that we will visit him this Saturday?

  9. 81

    てがみではもうおそいでしょうから、でんぽうをうちなさい。

    A letter would probably be too late, so send a telegram.

  10. 82

    あなたのようにふとってはからだにわるいですよ。

    Being as fat as you are is bad for your health.

酒
Sake, rice wine
体
body, health
手紙
letter (correspondence)
うち
home, house
おそい
be late
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
電報
telegram

Acting despite difficult conditions · Pattern 1 3 of 3

A high rent prevents renting

*こんなに 高くては 借りる 人は ないでしょう* means "If it is this high, probably no one will rent it."

The adjective condition in *高くては* leads to a negative result.

Acting despite the condition

*遠くても 歩いて 行きますか* means "Will you walk there even if it is far?"

*ても* presents a condition that does not prevent the action. This contrasts with the negative result after *ては*.

  1. 83

    ええ、ですから、これからあまりたべないようにしようとおもっているのです。

    Yes, so I am thinking of trying not to eat very much from now on.

  2. 84

    このいえのやちんはすこしたかすぎますね。

    The rent for this house is a little too high.

  3. 85

    ええ、こんなにたかくてはかりるひとはないでしょう。

    Yes, if it is this high, probably no one will rent it.

  4. 86

    こんなにてんきがわるくてもいきますか。

    Will you go even though the weather is this bad?

  5. 87

    たなかさんはあんなによくはたらいてもびょうきになりませんか。

    Does Mr. Tanaka not get sick even though he works that hard?

  6. 88

    とおくてもあるいていきますか。

    Will you walk there even if it is far?

  7. 89

    みずがこんなにつめたくてもおよぐことができますか。

    Can you swim even though the water is this cold?

  8. 90

    こんなしごとはおんなでもできるでしょうか。

    Could even a woman do work like this?

ええ、
Yes
少し
little (quantity)
すぎ
past, after
人
people
よく
well, skillfully
遠く
distant (place)
水
water
およぐ
to swim
女
female

Asking what one should do · Pattern 2 1 of 4

The question word supplies the choice

*今晩 何を 勉強してよいか わかりません* means "I do not know what I should study tonight."

The *てよいか わかりません* pattern follows the choice introduced by *何を*.

Different kinds of choices

*どこで 食べてよいか 知りません* gives uncertainty about where to eat. *だれに 聞いてよいか わかりません* gives uncertainty about whom to ask.

*ビールを 何本ぐらい 買ってよいか わかりません* states uncertainty about how many bottles should be bought.

  1. 91

    こんばんなにをべんきょうしてよいかわかりません。

    I do not know what I should study tonight.

  2. 92

    こんばんなにをべんきょうしてよいかわかりません。

    I do not know what I should study tonight.

  3. 93

    どこでたべてよいかしりません。

    I do not know where I should eat.

  4. 94

    だれにきいてよいかわかりません。

    I do not know whom I should ask.

  5. 95

    たむらさんになにをおくってよいかわかりません。

    I do not know what I should send Mr. Tamura.

  6. 96

    こんばんなにをりょうりしてよいかわからないので、こまっています。

    I am at a loss because I do not know what I should cook tonight.

  7. 97

    だれにこのしごとをたのんでよいかわかりません。

    I do not know whom I should ask to do this work.

  8. 98

    ビールをなんぼんぐらいかってよいかわかりません。

    I do not know about how many bottles of beer I should buy.

だれ
who?
ビール
beer
ぐらい
about

Choosing what to do · Pattern 2 2 of 4

Time and manner as choices

*今晩 何時に 行ってよいか まだ わかりません* means "I still do not know what time I should go tonight."

*どんな 風に 答えてよいか わかりません* means "I do not know how I should answer."

Choosing between alternatives

*どっちに してよいか わかりません* means "I do not know which one I should choose."

The question expression *どっちに* refers to a choice between alternatives. The same pattern states that the choice is uncertain.

  1. 99

    こんばんなんじにいってよいかまだわかりません。

    I still do not know what time I should go tonight.

  2. 100

    どんなふうにこたえてよいかわかりません。

    I do not know how I should answer.

  3. 101

    このもんだいはどうしてよいかしりません。

    I do not know what I should do about this problem.

  4. 102

    どっちにしてよいかわかりません。

    I do not know which one I should choose.

  5. 103

    あなたはにほんへふねでいくのですか。ひこうきでいくのですか。

    Are you going to Japan by ship, or are you going by plane?

  6. 104

    どっちにしてよいかいまかんがえているところです。

    I am thinking now about which one I should choose.

  7. 105

    このしごとをだれにたのんでよいかわからないんだが、きみ、だれかいいひとをしってるか。

    I do not know whom I should ask to do this work; do you know anyone good?

  8. 106

    そうだね。たなかくんにたのんでみるんだね。

    Let me see. You should try asking Tanaka.

どんな
what kind of; what sort of
どっち
which of two (See Grammar Notes)
かんがえ
idea, thinking
ところ
place (See Gram. Notes)
てる
to shine (v.i.)

Deciding what to order · Pattern 2 3 of 4

Uncertainty leads to advice

*日本の 友だちに 何を 送ってよいか わからないんですが* states uncertainty about a gift for a friend in Japan.

The speaker then asks for a good idea. The answer recommends American cigarettes.

Choosing what to order

*何を ちゅうもんしてよいか わからないんですが* means "I do not know what I should order."

The speaker asks what is good. The answer recommends *天ぷら*, "tempura."

  1. 107

    きみはこんばんなんじにパーカーさんのいえへいくんだ。

    What time are you going to Mr. Parker’s house tonight?

  2. 108

    なんじにいってよいかわからないから、きみにきこうとおもっていたんだよ。

    I was going to ask you because I do not know what time I should go.

  3. 109

    にほんのともだちになにをおくってよいかわからないんですが、なにかいいかんがえがありますか。

    I do not know what I should send my friend in Japan; do you have any good ideas?

  4. 110

    アメリカのたばこをおくってあげなさいよ。にほんではアメリカのたばこはたかいそうですから。

    Send your friend some American cigarettes. I hear American cigarettes are expensive in Japan.

  5. 111

    なにをちゅうもんしますか。

    What will you order?

  6. 112

    なにをちゅうもんしてよいかわからないんですが、なにがおいしいでしょうか。

    I do not know what I should order; what is good?

  7. 113

    てんぷらをたべてごらんなさい。ここのてんぷらはおいしいですよ。

    Try the tempura. The tempura here is good.

  8. 114

    どこでたべる

    Where to eat

だ。
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
アメリカ
America; U.S.A.
たばこ
tobacco, cigarette
おいしい
tasty, delicious
ここ
here

What one should do · Pattern 2 4 of 4

The choice comes first

*だれに 聞く* is "whom to ask." *どこで 買う* is "where to buy it." *何を 送る* is "what to send."

These prompts supply the choice in the *てよいかわからない* pattern.

Other choices include *何時に 行く*, "what time to go," and *どっちに する*, "which one to choose."

  1. 115

    だれにきく

    Whom to ask

  2. 116

    どこでかう

    Where to buy it

  3. 117

    なにをおくる

    What to send

  4. 118

    なにをりょうりする

    What to cook

  5. 119

    なんじにいく

    What time to go

  6. 120

    どっちにする

    Which one to choose

  7. 121

    どんなふうにこたえる

    How to answer

買う
to buy
送る
to send (v.t.)

Arranging a meal tray · Reading Selection 1 of 2

The fixed tray arrangement

The passage describes an ordinary meal tray, with rice lower left and soup lower right. Simmered and grilled dishes occupy the upper corners.

*おはしは おぜんの 手前に よこに 置きます* places the chopsticks horizontally at the front.

This is the tray arrangement introduced with *日本料理は 大抵 おぜんに のせて 出します*.

The first steps

The diner takes out the chopsticks and rests their tips on the chopstick stand.

Then the rice-bowl lid goes left of the tray, and the soup-bowl lid goes right. *ぜんの 外に 置きます* places both outside.

  1. 122

    にほんりょうりはたいていおぜんにのせてだします。

    Japanese food is usually served on a tray.

  2. 123

    ふつうのぜんだてはひだりのしたのすみにごはん、みぎのしたのすみにすいもの、ひだりのうえのすみににもの、みぎのうえのすみにやいたものまたはさしみ、まんなかにすのものなどです。

    In an ordinary tray arrangement, rice is in the lower left corner, soup is in the lower right corner, simmered food is in the upper left corner, grilled food or sashimi is in the upper right corner, and vinegared food and the like are in the center.

  3. 124

    おはしはおぜんのてまえによこにおきます。

    The chopsticks are placed horizontally at the front of the tray.

  4. 125

    にほんりょうりをたべるときには、まずはしをとりだして、さきのほうをはしおきにのせておきます。

    When eating Japanese food, first take out the chopsticks and rest their tips on the chopstick rest.

  5. 126

    それから、ちゃわんとすいものわんのふたをとって、ちゃわんのふたはひだり、おわんのふたはみぎのほうのぜんのそとにおきます。

    Then remove the lids from the rice bowl and the soup bowl, and place the rice-bowl lid on the left and the soup-bowl lid on the right, outside the tray.

  6. 127

    それから、ちゃわんを

    Then take the rice bowl.

すみ
inside corner
御飯、
cooked rice
さしみ、
thinly sliced raw fish dish
まん中
center, middle
など
and so forth, etc.
手前
this side
よこ
side, crosswise
はし置き
chopstick stand

Order of eating dishes · Reading Selection 2 of 2

Rice and soup in sequence

The passage begins with the rice bowl in the left hand. *御飯を 一口 食べると* introduces one bite of rice.

The diner then puts down the rice bowl, drinks soup, and eats another bite of rice.

Pickles finish the meal

After rice and soup, the diner may eat anything except the pickled vegetables.

*こうの物は 大抵 御飯を 食べ終って お茶が 出た 時に あがります* means the pickles are usually eaten after the rice, when tea is served.

  1. 128

    ひだりのてにもってはんをたべます。

    Hold it in your left hand and eat the rice.

  2. 129

    はんをひとくちたべるとちゃわんをおぜんのうえにおいて、こんどはすいものわんをとっておすいものをのみます。

    After eating one bite of rice, put the rice bowl on the tray, and then take the soup bowl and drink the soup.

  3. 130

    それからまたひとくちはんをたべます。

    Then eat another bite of rice.

  4. 131

    そのあとはこうのもののほかはなにをたべてもいいのです。

    After that, you may eat anything except the pickled vegetables.

  5. 132

    こうのものはたいていはんをたべおわっておちゃがでたときにあがります。

    The pickled vegetables are usually eaten after you finish the rice, when tea is served.

Asking about place settings · Questions 1 of 2

Where each item belongs

The questions ask where the dishes and chopsticks belong and what happens first.

*普通の ぜんだてで、 茶わんは どこに 置きますか* means "In an ordinary place setting, where is the rice bowl placed?"

An answer gives the item's position. Other answers state the first actions with the chopsticks and bowl lids.

  1. 133

    にほんりょうりはたいていなににのせてだしますか。

    What is Japanese food usually served on?

  2. 134

    ふつうのぜんだてで、ちゃわんはどこにおきますか。

    In an ordinary place setting, where is the rice bowl placed?

  3. 135

    すいものは?

    Where is the soup placed?

  4. 136

    やいたものは?

    Where is the grilled food placed?

  5. 137

    にものは?

    Where is the simmered food placed?

  6. 138

    はしはどこにおきますか。

    Where are the chopsticks placed?

  7. 139

    にほんりょうりをたべるときには、まずどうしますか。

    When eating Japanese food, what do you do first?

  8. 140

    それからどうしますか。

    What do you do next?

Asking about dining sequence · Questions 2 of 2

The order of the meal

The questions ask where the lids go, which hand holds the rice bowl, and what follows each bite.

*御飯を 一口 食べると どうしますか* means "What do you do after eating one bite of rice?"

An answer states the next action. The final answer says when the pickled vegetables are eaten.

  1. 141

    ちゃわんのふたはどこにおきますか。

    Where do you put the rice-bowl lid?

  2. 142

    おわんのふたはどこにおきますか。

    Where do you put the soup-bowl lid?

  3. 143

    ちゃわんはどっちのてにもってたべますか。

    Which hand do you hold the rice bowl in while eating?

  4. 144

    はんをひとくちたべるとどうしますか。

    What do you do after eating one bite of rice?

  5. 145

    おすいものをのんでからどうしますか。

    What do you do after drinking the soup?

  6. 146

    そのあとはどうですか。

    What may you do after that?

  7. 147

    こうのものはいつたべますか。

    When do you eat the pickled vegetables?

Invitations and polite acceptance · Word list 1 of 4

Inviting and accepting

These words cover a formal invitation and its acceptance. *晩御飯* is "evening meal, dinner," and *先約* is "previous engagement."

*お受けいたします* means "will accept." *いらっしゃって* comes from the honorific verb for coming or going.

The polite ending *--ませ* means "please." Conditional *では* means "if it is."

Kanji: 招

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

  1. 148

    --ませ

    please (See Notes)

  2. 149

    まねく

    invite (vt)

  3. 150

    しごく

    extremely, very much

  4. 151

    すごしております

    are spending days (are getting along)

  5. 152

    ばんごはん

    evening meal, dinner

  6. 153

    さしあげる

    give, offer (vt)

  7. 154

    さいわい

    fortunately

  8. 155

    せんやく

    previous engagement

  9. 156

    おうけいたします

    will accept

  10. 157

    いらっしゃって

    from Irassharu, to come, to go.

  11. 158

    では

    if it is -- (see Grammar Notes)

--ませ
please (See Notes)
招く
invite (vt)
すごしております
are spending days (are getting along)
さしあげる
give, offer (vt)
お受けいたします
will accept
いらっしゃって
from Irassharu, to come, to go.
では
if that's the case

Dishes and dining manners · Word list 2 of 4

Food and dining manners

The words cover dining manners and dishes on a meal tray. *食べ方* is "manner of eating," and *えんりょなく* means "without reserve."

*おぜん* is "meal tray." *茶わん* is "rice bowl," while *すい物* is "soup."

The dishes include *に物*, "boiled food," *さしみ*, "thinly sliced raw fish dish," and *フライした物*, "fried things."

  1. 159

    たべかた

    manner of eating

  2. 160

    --がらではない

    not the type to, not qualified to

  3. 161

    えんりょなく

    without reserve, at ease, without formality, freely

  4. 162

    おぜん

    meal tray

  5. 163

    ちゃわん

    rice bowl

  6. 164

    すいもの

    soup

  7. 165

    にもの

    boiled food, cooked food

  8. 166

    さしみ

    thinly sliced raw fish dish

  9. 167

    やいたもの

    broiled food

  10. 168

    やく

    broil (vt)

  11. 169

    フライしたもの

    fried things

食べ方
manner of eating
--がらではない
not the type to, not qualified to
えんりょなく
without reserve, at ease, without formality, freely
おぜん
meal tray
すい物
soup
に物
boiled food, cooked food
やいた物
broiled food
やく
approximately (See Grammar Notes)
フライした物
fried things

Utensils and table arrangements · Word list 3 of 4

Items and actions at the tray

The words name food, utensils, and the arrangement of a meal. *はし* is "chopsticks," and *はし置き* is "chopstick stand."

*ぜんだて* means "arrangement of meal or a meal tray." *さき* is "tip, point."

*のせて置く* means "leave them placed on." The verb *のせる* includes the meaning "place on."

  1. 170

    すのもの

    vinegared food

  2. 171

    こうのもの

    pickled vegetables

  3. 172

    はし

    chopsticks

  4. 173

    はしおき

    chopstick stand

  5. 174

    ぜんだて

    arrangement of meal or a meal tray.

  6. 175

    まごつく

    be bewildered, be embarrassed (vi)

  7. 176

    フォーク

    fork

  8. 177

    スプーン

    spoon

  9. 178

    さき

    tip, point

  10. 179

    のせておく

    leave them placed on

  11. 180

    のせる

    place on, load, give a ride, (vt)

すの物
vinegared food
こうの物
pickled vegetables
まごつく
be bewildered, be embarrassed (vi)
のせて置く
leave them placed on
のせる
place on, load, give a ride, (vt)

Bowls, lids and positions · Word list 4 of 4

Bowls, positions, and portions

These words complete the meal setting. *御飯* is "cooked rice," *わん* is "bowl," and *ふた* is "lid."

*場所* means "place, room." *一口* is "a mouthful." *手前* is "this side," and *よこ* means "side, crosswise."

*何から食べ始めてよいかわかりません* means "I don't know what I should start eating from."

  1. 181

    ごはん

    cooked rice

  2. 182

    わん

    bowl

  3. 183

    ふた

    lid

  4. 184

    ばしょ

    place, room

  5. 185

    ひとくち

    a mouthful

  6. 186

    なにからたべはじめてよいかわかりません

    I don't know what I should start eating from. (See Gram. notes)

  7. 187

    てまえ

    this side

  8. 188

    よこ

    side, crosswise

Guide for Free Conversation

1 Dialogue in this lesson is written in the polite female conversational style. Practice it with the non-polite male conversational style.

2 Practice the following with your fellow students.

a Make a telephone call to your close friend asking him to come to a dinner at six, Sunday night.

b Make a telephone call to your superior inviting him and his wife to a dinner at 5:30 Saturday evening.

3 Explain the arrangement of a Japanese meal.
Homework

1 Transform the Dialogue into non-polite male conversational style.

2 Learn the vocabulary.

3 Study Grammar Perception Drill and the Pattern Practice.

4 Learn to read and write Kanji.

5 Read the Explanatory Notes and the Guide for Free Conversation.
何から食べ始めてよいかわかりません
I don't know what I should start eating from. (See Gram. 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.