Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 71

Lesson 73

Reading Japan

149 lines

Traveling to a mountain resort · Dialogue 1 of 6

Nikko and the resort area

The speaker has visited Nikko two or three times, so the family goes to Kinugawa this time. *日光には 二三度 行ったことが ありますので、今度は 鬼怒川の方に 行きました* states the reason.

*Nikkoo* is about 100 miles north of *Tokyo*. It is Japan's outstanding national park, with mountain scenery, historic temples, shrines, and ancient arts.

The route to Kawaji

*私たちは 上野から ディーゼルカーで 日光の 手前の 今市に 行って、そこから バスで 川治へ 行ったんです* describes the route. They travel from Ueno to Imaichi by diesel car, then to Kawaji by bus.

*Kinugawa* Spa is two and a half hours from *Tokyo* by train. *Kawaji* Spa is 30 minutes from *Kinugawa* by bus.

  1. 1

    ハイキングにいったそうですね。

    I understand you went hiking, isn’t that so?

    ハイキングhiking
    にto
    行っgo
    たpast
    そうI hear
    ですis
    ね。right?
  2. 2

    ええ、こどもたちがいきたがるもんですから。

    Yes, since my children wanted to go.

  3. 3

    にっこうにいったとか。

    I hear that you went to Nikkoo.

  4. 4

    にっこうにはにさんどいったことがありますので、こんどはきぬがわのほうにいきました。

    Since I have gone to Nikkoo two or three times previously, we went to Kinugawa area this time.

  5. 5

    きいたことはありますが、どういくんですか。

    I have heard of it before, but how do you get there?

  6. 6

    わたくしたちはうえのからディーゼルカーでにっこうのてまえのいまいちにいって、そこからバスでかわじへいったんです。

    We went to Imaichi on this side of Nikkoo by diesel car from Ueno, and from there we went to Kawaji by bus.

—KANERU.
Following the MASU-form of verbs, the suffix KANERU expresses an idea of “cannot”, “be not in a position of”, “be hardly possible”, or “be hesitant to do such-and-such.”

SONNA KOTO WA MOOSHIAGE-KANEMASU. I am in no position to say such a thing.

KORE WA WATAKUSHI NIWA WAKARIKANEMASU. I cannot understand this.

KONDO GA SANDOME DESU KARA, ANO HITO NIWA TANOMIKANEMASU. This will be the third time, so I can hardly ask him.

KOMBAN WA MAIRIKANEMASU. I cannot go tonight.
—JA NAI KA TO OMOU.
Following nouns, pronouns, non-past or past verbs plus NO, i-adjectives plus NO, and the past copula DATTA plus NO, JA NAI KA TO OMOU expresses an idea of “I have a feeling that —”, “I am almost certain that —”. JA NAI KA TO OMOU expresses more positive feeling than KA MO SHIRENAI.

KOMBAN WA AME JA NAI KA TO OMOTTE IMASU. I have a feeling that it is going to rain tonight.

ANO HITO WA MOO ITTA NO JA NAI KA TO OMOIMASU. I have a feeling that he has gone already.

TANAKA-SAN WA KOMBAN WA ISOGASHII NO JA NAI KA TO OMOIMASU. I have a feeling that Mr. Tanaka is going to be busy tonight.

2 Examples SAKUBAN KITA NO WA SUMISU-SAN DATTA NO JA NAI KA TO OMOIMASU. I have a feeling that it was Mr. Smith who came last night.
Note on ---TE GORAN “try---”, do --- and see.”
The polite imperative ---TE GORAN NASAI may sometimes be abbreviated as ---TE GORAN as a more familiar expression.

Familiar | Polite
TABETE GORAN | TABETE GORAN NASAI
ITTE GORAN | ITTE GORAN NASAI
NONDE GORAN | NONDE GORAN NASAI
NIKKOO
Located about 100 miles north of Tokyo, Nikkoo is Japan’s outstanding national park with wonderful natural beauty, historic temples and shrines, and many fine examples of ancient arts.

The glories of Nikko are two-fold; it has magnificent mountain scenery and it also has the finest handiwork of man in gorgeous buildings of Toshogu shrine. The sunset viewed from Lake Chuuzenji and Kegon Falls have been long loved and famed forming a good contrast with the gorgeous buildings of Toshogu.
KINUGAWA and Kawaji Hot Spring Resorts
In Kinugawa Spa, only two and a half hours by train from Tokyo. There are over 40 inns with modern facilities overlooking the Kinugawa Ravine. Kawaji Spa, most convenient as a base for a trip to wonderful Nikko, can be reached in 30 minutes by bus from Kinugawa. Kawaji is noted for its venture, while the Kinugawa Golf Course is very popular.
ハイキング
hiking
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
そう
numerical counter for ships
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
ええ、
Yes
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
から。
from (See Gram. Notes)
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
は
leaves
二
two
三
three
ます
trout
の
See Grammar Notes
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
今度
this time, next time
川
river
手前
this side
そこ
there
バス
bus
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)

Hiking with impatient children · Dialogue 2 of 6

A quiet hot-spring town

The speakers discuss Kawaji and hiking there with children. *おんせん町ですが、静かな 所です* means "It's a hot spring resort town, but it's a quiet place."

Hardly able to go far

*お子供さんを 連れての ハイキングでは 遠くへは 行きかねますね* means "If it's hiking with your children accompanying you, you can hardly go far, can you?"

*行きかねます* says that going far is hardly possible with children.

Kanji: 翌, 連

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

Kanji: 宿

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

  1. 7

    かわじはどんなところですか。

    What sort of a place is Kawaji?

  2. 8

    おんせんまちですが、しずかなところです。

    It’s a hot spring resort town, but it’s a quiet place.

  3. 9

    ハイキングはいつやったんですか。

    When did you go hiking?

  4. 10

    かわじについたのがごごでしたから、そのひはやどについてよくじつハイキングにでかけました。

    Since it was in the afternoon when we arrived at Kawaji, we lodged in an inn

  5. 11

    おこどもさんをつれてのハイキングではとおくへはいきかねますね。

    If it’s hiking with your children accompanying you, you can hardly go far, can you?

  6. 12

    こどもはあれもしたい、これもしたいといいますが、わりにあきっぽくて、がまんということはしらないのですから。

    Children will say they want to do this and do that, but they are relatively capricious and soon get tired and they have no patience, so-----,

どんな
what kind of; what sort of
所
address, place
おんせん
hot spring
町
town
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
な
I wish, I hope, huh
いつ
when?
午後
p.m., afternoon
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
宿
inn, lodging place
翌日
the following day
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
遠く
distant (place)
し
city

Autumn views from the dam · Dialogue 3 of 6

The view from the dam

The family leaves the inn early for the Ikari Dam. *てんぼう台からの ながめは 実に 美しいです* means "The view from the observation platform is really beautiful."

Autumn is best. *まっかな もみじと 緑の まつが 水に うつった ながめは かくべつですなあ* describes crimson maples and green pines reflected in the water.

Kanji: 緑

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

  1. 13

    そうですよ。それでよくじつはみじたくして、はやめにりょかんをでて、いかりダムにいきました。

    That’s true. So, we left the inn earlier the following day after getting dressed and we went to Ikari-Dam.

  2. 14

    いいけしきでしょうね。

    I bet the scenery is beautiful.

  3. 15

    すばらしいですよ。てんぼうだいからのながめはじつにうつくしいです。

    It’s magnificient. The view from the observation platform is really beautiful.

  4. 16

    いちねんじゅうでいつがいちばんよいですか。

    When is the best time in the year?

  5. 17

    あきです。まっかなもみじとみどりのまつがみずにうつったながめはかくべつですなあ。

    It’s autumn. The view of crimson red maple

  6. 18

    いってみたくなるね。

    It really makes me want to go.

旅館
inn
五十
50
ダム
dam
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
けしき
scenery
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
すばらしい
splendid, great, grand
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
ながめ
view (n)
一
one
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
一番
number one (See Grammar Notes)
よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
秋
autumn, fall
もみじ
maple
まつ
pine
水
water
かくべつ
specially good

Walking, boating and fishing · Dialogue 4 of 6

Views by foot and boat

The speakers compare views from the observation platform and an excursion boat. *ゆうらんボートに 乗って 見る けしきも きれいですね* says the boat view is also beautiful.

*一時間 たらずです* means "It's less than one hour." The walk from Kawaji follows the Kinugawa River, and fishing is also good when time permits.

Kanji: 乗

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

  1. 19

    てんぼうだいからのながめもよいながめですが、ゆうらんボートにのってみるけしきもきれいですね。

    The view from the observation platform is good, too; but the scenery viewed from an excursion boat is also beautiful.

  2. 20

    かわじからあるいてどのぐらいかかりますか。

    How long does it take on foot from Kawaji?

  3. 21

    いちじかんたらずです。とちゅうきぬがわにそってのぼるのですが、そのながめもよいです。

    It’s less than one hoixr. You climb along Kinugawa river on the way, but its view is also good.

  4. 22

    つりができますか。

    Can you fish?

  5. 23

    ひまがあればつりもよいそうです。

    I understand fishing is good, too, if you have time.

  6. 24

    ぜひいきたいですなあ。

    I should very much like to go.

どの
which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)
ぐらい
about
時間
hour, time
のぼる
go upstream, climb, ascend (vi)
つり
fishing
ひま
leisure time, free
ぜひ
by all means

The resort's history and appeal · Dialogue 5 of 6

Go and see

One speaker urges the other to visit the area. *行って 御らん* means "Go and see." It abbreviates the polite command *ITTE GORAN NASAI*.

The abbreviation drops *NASAI*. *TABETE GORAN NASAI* becomes *TABETE GORAN*, and *NONDE GORAN NASAI* becomes *NONDE GORAN*.

A hunch about the best place

*私は その あたりが 日光国立 公園の 一番よい 所じゃ ないかと 思いますよ* presents a confident personal hunch. The speaker feels that this area is the best place in Nikko National Park.

Kanji: 公, 園

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

  1. 25

    いってごらん。わたくしはそのあたりがにっこうこくりつこうえんのいちばんよいところじゃないかとおもいますよ。

    Go and see. I have a feeling that around there is the best place in the Nikkoo National Park.

  2. 26

    あたらしくはってんしたところですか。

    Is it a newly developed place?

  3. 27

    いいえ、そうじゃありません。とくがわじだいから『うみのあたみ、やまのかわじ』といってしたしまれています。

    No, it isn’t. Since the Tokugawa Period this place was thought fondly of by saying “Atami of the sea and Kawaji of the mountain.

  4. 28

    では、いつかおひまのときにあんないしていただきましょうか。

    Well then, shall i have you guide me sometime when you are free?

  5. 29

    ええ、よろこんでごあんないいたします。

    Oh, yes. I’ll be glad to guide you.

  6. 30

    “ハイキング”

    “Hiking”

あたり
vicinity, neighborhood
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
時代
era, period
『海
sea, ocean
山
mountain
時
time
ましょう
let's (See Gram. Notes)
ハイキング”
hiking

Avoiding overexertion · Dialogue 6 of 6

No fun in overdoing it

The speakers settle on a limit for hiking. *無理な 事を しても おもしろくは ないしね* means "There's no fun in overdoing it, either."

Kanji: 無

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

  1. 31

    そうです。むりなことをしてもおもしろくはないしね。

    That’s right. There’s no fun in overdoing it, either.

です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)

Hesitant refusals and requests · Perception drill, Block 1

Hesitant to say it

*私は そんな事は 申し上げかねます* means "It is difficult for me to say such a thing."

The suffix *かねます* follows the MASU-form of a verb. It can mean "cannot", "be not in a position to", "be hardly possible", or "be hesitant to".

The reason sets the limit

*田中さんには もう三度 頼みましたから、今度は ちょっと 頼みかねます* says that the speaker has asked Mr. Tanaka three times, so another request is difficult.

Other lines use the same ending for visiting, speaking, and entrusting money.

  1. 32

    わたくしはそんなことはもうしあげかねます。

    It is difficult for me to say such a thing.

  2. 33

    たなかさんにこのしごとをたのんでくれませんか。

    Won’t you please ask Mr. Tanaka to do this job?

  3. 34

    たなかさんにはもうさんどたのみましたから、こんどはちょっとたのみかねます。

    I asked Mr. Tanaka three times already, so it is a little hard for me to ask him this time.

  4. 35

    ほんとにもうしかねますが、このしごとをてつだってくださいませんか。

    I really hesitate to say this to you, but won’t you please help me on this work?

  5. 36

    ええ、よろこんでおてつだいいたします。

    Yes, I’ll be glad to help you.

  6. 37

    こんばんおくさんとごいっしょで、わたくしのいえへあそびにきてください。

    Please come over to my house with your wife tonight.

  7. 38

    ええ、ありがとうございますが、こんばんはせんやくがあるので、おうかがいいたしかねます。

    Yes, thank you very much; but since I have a previous engagement, I cannot pay you a visit.

  8. 39

    やまもとくんにあまりさけをのまないようにいってくれないか。

    Won’t you please tell Mr. Yamamoto not to drink too much?

  9. 40

    ぼくはそんなことはちょっといいかねますよ、きみがいったほうがいいよ。

    I am not in a position to say that. It’s better that you say it.

  10. 41

    あなたはおかねのことはおくさんにまかせているのですか。

    Do you leave the matter pertaining to money to your wife?

  11. 42

    いいえ、かないにはおかねのことはまかせかねます。おかねをまかせたら、いくらあってもたりません。

    No, I cannot leave the matter pertaining to money to my wife. If I leave it to her, I’ll never have enough money.

ます。
trout
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
ちょっと
a little
ください
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
家
house, home
先約
previous engagement
ある
certain, some
君
suffix to a name, Mr. (See cult. notes)
酒
Sake, rice wine
僕
I (see notes)
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
いくら
how much? how many?

Expressing suspicions and hunches · Perception drill, Block 2

A confident hunch

*今晩ごろ 雨が 降るの じゃないかと 思っています* means "I have a feeling that it's going to rain around tonight."

*じゃないかと 思う* expresses a feeling that something is so. The speaker is almost certain, so it is stronger than *KA MO SHIRENAI*.

The form before the hunch

The expression follows a noun or pronoun. It follows a non-past or past verb plus *の*, an I-adjective plus *の*, or past *DATTA* plus *の*.

*今日の 試験は 少し やさしすぎたのじゃ ないかと 思います* gives a hunch about the past: "I have a feeling that today's examination was a little too easy."

  1. 43

    こんばんごろあめがふるのじゃないかとおもっています。

    I have a feeling that it’s going to rain around tonight.

  2. 44

    おおむらさんはこんばんはおそいですね。

    Mr. Oomura is late tonight, isn’t he?

  3. 45

    みちにまよったのじゃないかと、わたくしはおもっているのですが。

    I have a feeling that he got lost.

  4. 46

    そうかもしれませんね。このへんはみちがわかりにくいですからね。

    That might be so, because it’s difficult to find a road around here.

  5. 47

    たなかさんのいえはくらいですが、るすでしょうか。

    Mr. Tamura’s home is dark, but do you suppose he is not home?

  6. 48

    もうおそいから、ねたのじゃないかとおもうんですが。

    Since it’s late already, I have a feeling that he has gone to bed.

  7. 49

    スミスさんはきょうはよくできませんでしたね。

    Mr. Smith didn’t do too well today, did he?

  8. 50

    ええ、さくばんべんきょうしなかったのじゃないかとおもっているんですが。

    No, I have a feeling that he didn’t study last night.

  9. 51

    いまがわさんはきょうしごとにきていないのですか。

    Isn’t Mr. Imagawa coming to work today?

  10. 52

    ええ、かぜをひいたのじゃないかとおもっているんです。きのうあたまがいたいとかいっていましたから。

    No, I have a feeling that he caught a cold, because he was saying yesterday that he had a headache.

  11. 53

    せいとはきょうはみなしけんをはやくすませましたね。

    The students finished the examination early today, didn’t they?

  12. 54

    ええ、きょうのしけんはすこしやさしすぎたのじゃないかとおもいます。

    Yes, I have a feeling that today’s examination was a little too easy.

雨
rain
降る
to fall (rain) (v.i.)
おそい
be late
道
road, street
くらい
dark
るす
absence, not at home
思う
to think
今日
today
よく
well, skillfully
かぜ
wind
昨日
yesterday
頭
head, mind
いたい
painful
少し
little (quantity)
すぎ
past, after

Saying one cannot comply · Pattern 1 1 of 3

Unable to do the work

*私は そんな仕事は 出来かねます* means "I'm afraid I cannot do that kind of work." Here *かねます* follows the verb's MASU-form.

Different verbs, the same limit

*私は ラジオについては わかりかねますから、私に 聞いても だめです* means "I'm afraid I don't know about radios, so it is no use asking me."

The lines place *かねます* after verbs for going, entrusting, asking, understanding, doing, and speaking.

  1. 55

    わたくしはそんなしごとはできかねます。

    I’m afraid I cannot do that kind of work.

  2. 56

    ちいさいこどもをひとりいえにおいていきかねます。

    I’m afraid I cannot go and leave a small child home alone.

  3. 57

    こどもにいえをまかせかねます。

    I’m afraid I cannot leave the house in the care of the children.

  4. 58

    こんなしごとはあのひとにたのみかねます。

    I’m afraid I cannot ask him to do this kind of work.

  5. 59

    わたくしはラジオについてはわかりかねますから、わたくしにきいてもだめです。

    I’m afraid I don’t know about radios, so it is no use asking me.

  6. 60

    わたくしはそんなわるいことはいたしかねます。

    I’m afraid I cannot do such a bad thing.

  7. 61

    わたくしはそんなことはたなかさんのおくさんにはもうしがねます。

    I’m afraid I cannot tell Mrs. Tanaka such a thing.

  8. 62

    わたくしはにほんりょうりはできかねます。

    I’m afraid I cannot cook Japanese food.

一人
one person
おい
nephew
人
people
ラジオ
radio
だめ
no good, useless, hopeless
ね
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)

Refusing invitations and requests · Pattern 1 2 of 3

A reason before refusal

*子供は まだ小さいので、家を まかせかねます* means "The children are still small, so I'm afraid I cannot leave the house in their care."

The reason explains why the action ending in *かねます* is difficult or impossible.

Declining an invitation

*ありがとう御ざいますが、今晩は 用事が ありますので、お供いたしかねます* thanks the speaker, gives a reason, and declines. It means "Thank you, but I have something to do tonight, so I'm afraid I cannot accompany you."

  1. 63

    たなかさんがあんまりいそがしそうなので、わたくしもみかねててつだってあげました。

    Mr. Tanaka looked so busy that I could not just stand by, so I helped him.

  2. 64

    これはにほんのともだちからのてがみですが、よんでくださいませんか。

    This is a letter from a Japanese friend; would you please read it?

  3. 65

    これはとてもむずかしいにほんごでかいてありますから、わたくしにもわかりかねます。

    It is written in very difficult Japanese, so I’m afraid I cannot understand it either.

  4. 66

    こんばんはこどもにいえをまかせて、おでかけですか。

    Are you going out tonight and leaving the house in the care of the children?

  5. 67

    いいえ、こどもはまだちいさいので、いえをまかせかねます。きんじょのひとにきてもらうことになっています。

    No, the children are still small, so I’m afraid I cannot leave the house in their care. A neighbor is going to come over.

  6. 68

    かぶきのきっぷがにまいありますから、こんばんいっしょにかぶきをみにいきませんか。

    I have two tickets for Kabuki, so won’t you go with me to see it tonight?

  7. 69

    ありがとうございますが、こんばんはようじがありますので、おともいたしかねます。

    Thank you, but I have something to do tonight, so I’m afraid I cannot accompany you.

  8. 70

    わたくしはやまださんにしごとをたのまれたのですが、ひとりではできかねますのでてつだってくださいませんか。

    Mr. Yamada asked me to do some work, but I’m afraid I cannot do it alone, so would you please help me?

手紙
letter (correspondence)
とても
very, indeed
むずかしい
difficult
まだ
yet, still
もらう
to receive (tangible things)
かぶき
Kabuki
用事
personal business

Hesitating to ask favors · Pattern 1 3 of 3

Hesitation before a favor

*ほんとに 申しかねますが、又 電話を かしてくださいませんか* means "I really hesitate to ask, but would you please let me use the telephone again?"

*申しかねますが* presents the request as difficult for the speaker to make. The favor follows after *が*.

  1. 71

    わたくしができるしごとなら、てつだいますよ。

    If it is work I can do, I’ll help you.

  2. 72

    ほんとにもうしかねますが、またでんわをかしてくださいませんか。

    I really hesitate to ask, but would you please let me use the telephone again?

  3. 73

    ええ、どうぞおつかいください。

    Yes, please go ahead and use it.

  4. 74

    やまださんにあんまりさけをのまないようにいってください。

    Please tell Mr. Yamada not to drink too much.

  5. 75

    スミスさんにこのしごとをたのんでください。

    Please ask Mr. Smith to do this work.

  6. 76

    こんばんおくさんといっしょにあそびにきてください。

    Please come over with your wife this evening.

  7. 77

    このにほんごのてがみをえいごにやくしてくださいませんか。

    Would you please translate this Japanese letter into English?

  8. 78

    まいばんごじかんべんきょうすることができますか。

    Can you study for five hours every evening?

出来る
to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)
なら、
if it is (See Gram. Notes)
電話
telephone
五
five

Speculating about possibilities · Pattern 2 1 of 3

A hunch after a noun

*あの人は 病気じゃないかと思います* means "I think he may be ill." A noun can stand directly before *じゃないかと思います*.

Hunches about actions

*田村さんは 今晩 来ないのじゃないかと 思います* means "I think Mr. Tamura may not come tonight."

A verb clause takes *の* before the hunch expression. The verb can be affirmative or negative, and non-past or past.

  1. 79

    あのひとはびょうきじゃないかとおもいます。

    I think he may be ill.

  2. 80

    あのべいこくじんはにほんごがわかるのじゃないかとおもいます。

    I think that American may understand Japanese.

  3. 81

    ごご、そらがはれるのじゃないかとおもいます。

    I think the sky may clear up this afternoon.

  4. 82

    たなかさんはらいしゅう、にほんへかえるのじゃないかとおもいます。

    I think Mr. Tanaka may be returning to Japan next week.

  5. 83

    スミスさんはこんばんはるすじゃないかとおもっています。

    I think Mr. Smith may be out tonight.

  6. 84

    パーカーさんはもうにほんへいったのじゃないかとおもいます。

    I think Mr. Parker may have already gone to Japan.

  7. 85

    おおきさんはいてんしたのじゃないかとおもいます。

    I think Mr. Oki may have moved.

  8. 86

    このしけんはあまりむずかしかったのじゃないかとおもいます。

    I think this examination may have been too difficult.

  9. 87

    たむらさんはこんばんこないのじゃないかとおもいます。

    I think Mr. Tamura may not come tonight.

午後、
p.m., afternoon
晴れる
to clear (v.i.)
来週、
next week

Explaining uncertain situations · Pattern 2 2 of 3

An explanation for poor results

*このごろ、なまけて、あまり 勉強しないのじゃ ないかと 思います* means "I think he may have been lazy lately and not studied very much." Mr. Miller's poor results prompt the explanation.

An explanation for delay

*もう 先に 帰ったのじゃ ないかと 思うんです* suggests that Mr. Tanaka may have gone home first after failing to arrive.

In both exchanges, the visible situation comes first. The expression then presents a possible explanation.

  1. 88

    きょうはずいぶんむしあついですね。

    It is very hot and humid today, isn’t it?

  2. 89

    そうですね。あしたごろあめになるのじゃないかとおもいます。

    Yes, it is. I think it may rain around tomorrow.

  3. 90

    ミラーさんはこのごろにほんごができませんね。

    Mr. Miller has not been doing well in Japanese lately, has he?

  4. 91

    このごろ、なまけて、あまりべんきょうしないのじゃないかとおもいます。

    I think he may have been lazy lately and not studied very much.

  5. 92

    たなかさんはなかなかきませんね。

    Mr. Tanaka is taking a long time to come, isn’t he?

  6. 93

    ええ、もうさきにかえったのじゃないかとおもうんです。

    Yes, I think he may have already gone home ahead of us.

  7. 94

    では、もうじゅっぷんほどまって、こなければかえりましょう。

    Well then, let’s wait about ten more minutes, and if he does not come, let’s go home.

  8. 95

    パーカーさんはみみがとおいのじゃないかとわたくしはおもうんですが。

    I think Mr. Parker may be hard of hearing.

  9. 96

    そうかもしれませんね。ときどきわたくしがちいさいこえではなしたらきこえないらしいです。

    That may be so. Sometimes when I speak quietly, he seems unable to hear me.

ずい分
very much
むしあつい
sultry, humid
明日
tomorrow
中々
considerably, very
十
ten
分
minute
ほど
to the extent (See Grammar Notes)
帰り
return trip (See notes)
ましょう。
let's (See Gram. Notes)
遠い
far
時々
sometimes, occasionally
声
voice

Making tentative guesses · Pattern 2 3 of 3

A guess about an amount

*五ドル ぐらいじゃ ないかと 思います* means "I think it may be about five dollars." The amount stands before the hunch expression.

A guess from circumstances

The remaining lines present someone late or absent, a dark house, and hot, humid weather. Each circumstance can lead to a tentative guess.

*大木さんを 長い間 見ませんが、どこかへ 移転したのでしょうか* asks whether Mr. Oki has moved after a long absence.

  1. 97

    このじしょはいくらぐらいですか。

    About how much is this dictionary?

  2. 98

    ごドルぐらいじゃないかとおもいます。

    I think it may be about five dollars.

  3. 99

    たなかさんはこんばんはずいぶんおそいですね。

    Mr. Tanaka is very late tonight, isn’t he?

  4. 100

    スミスさんはきょうがっこうへこないのですか。

    Isn’t Mr. Smith coming to school today?

  5. 101

    きょうはずいぶんむしあついですね。

    It is very hot and humid today, isn’t it?

  6. 102

    やまもとさんのいえはこんばんくらいですね。

    Mr. Yamamoto’s house is dark tonight, isn’t it?

  7. 103

    おおきさんをながいあいだみませんが、どこかへいてんしたのでしょうか。

    I have not seen Mr. Oki for a long time; do you suppose he has moved somewhere?

ドル
dollar

Journey to the dam · Reading Selection 1 of 2

The route to the dam

These questions review the journey from Ueno to Kawaji and the Ikari Dam. They ask about transport, arrival time, walking time, and places on the route.

*どこから、何に乗って 行きましたか* means "Where did I leave from, and what did I travel on?" An answer names Ueno and the diesel car.

*川治から 五十里ダムまで、どのくらい かかりますか* asks how long the trip from Kawaji to the dam takes.

  1. 104

    わたくしはせんしゅうのにちようびにはなにをしましたか。

    What did I do last Sunday?

  2. 105

    どこから、なににのっていきましたか。

    Where did I leave from, and what did I travel on?

  3. 106

    いまいちからなんでいきましたか。

    How did I travel from Imaichi?

  4. 107

    かわじについたのはいつでしたか。

    When did I arrive in Kawaji?

  5. 108

    かわじからいかりダムまで、どのくらいかかりますか。

    How long does it take from Kawaji to the Ikari Dam?

  6. 109

    とちゅうどこをとおりますか。

    What places do you pass along the way?

先週
last week
まで、
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
通り
street

Views around the dam · Reading Selection 2 of 2

Views around the dam

These questions review the observation platform, the boat view, and the autumn scenery at the Ikari Dam.

*ここの けしきは てんぼう台からだけ ながめますか* means "Do you view the scenery here only from the observation platform?" The excursion boat provides another view.

*日光国立 公園の 一番いい所は どこですか* asks for the best place in Nikko National Park.

  1. 110

    いかりダムにはてんぼうだいがありますか。

    Is there an observation platform at the Ikari Dam?

  2. 111

    いかりダムのてんぼうだいからのながめはどんなですか。

    What is the view like from the observation platform at the Ikari Dam?

  3. 112

    ここのけしきはてんぼうだいからだけながめますか。

    Do you view the scenery here only from the observation platform?

  4. 113

    このへんはいつごろがいちばんいいですか。

    What time of year is best around here?

  5. 114

    あきのけしきはどんなですか。

    What is the scenery like in autumn?

  6. 115

    にっこうこくりつこうえんのいちばんいいところはどこですか。

    What is the best place in Nikko National Park?

ここ
here
だけ
only, just (See Grammar Notes)

Hiking through the national park · Questions

The hike retold

The passage retells the route from Ueno through Kawaji to the Ikari Dam. It describes the river walk, the dam's views, and the autumn colors.

It ends with *この あたりは 日光国立 公園の 一番いい所じゃ ないかと 私は 思う*. The narrator feels this area may be the best place in Nikko National Park.

*川治は どんな町ですか* means "What kind of town is Kawaji?" An answer identifies it as a quiet hot-spring town.

  1. 116

    わたくしはせんしゅうのにちようびにこどもをつれて、ハイキングにいった。うえのからディーゼルカーでにっこうのてまえのいまいちにいき、そこからバスでしずかなおんせんまち、かわじにいった。かわじについたのはごごだったので、そのひはやどにとまり、よくじつははやめにりょかんをでて、いかりダムのほうへハイキングにでかけた。とちゅうきぬがわにそっていちじかんばかりあるくといかりダムにつく。いかりダムのてんぼうだいからのながめはじつにすばらしい。ゆうらんボートにのってみる

    Last Sunday, I took my children hiking. We went from Ueno by diesel car to Imaichi, just before Nikko, and from there by bus to Kawaji, a quiet hot-spring town. Since it was afternoon when we arrived in Kawaji, we stayed at an inn that day. The next day, we left the inn early and set out on a hike toward the Ikari Dam. On the way, after walking along the Kinugawa River for about an hour, you reach the Ikari Dam. The view from the observation deck at the Ikari Dam is truly magnificent. The scenery you see from an excursion boat

  2. 117

    けしきもきれいだそうだ。このへんはあきがいちばんいいそうだ。まっかなもみじとみどりのまつがみずにうつったながめはまたかくべつだ。このあたりはにっこうこくりつこうえんのいちばんいいところじゃないかとわたくしはおもう。

    is also said to be beautiful. They say autumn is the best season around here. The sight of the bright-red maples and green pines reflected in the water is especially beautiful. I think this area may be the best place in Nikko National Park.

  3. 118

    かわじはどんなまちですか。

    What kind of town is Kawaji?

  4. 119

    よくじつはどうしましたか。

    What did you do the next day?

町、
town
ばかり
about
すばらしい。
splendid, great, grand
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
思う。
to think

Travel and hesitation words · Word list 1 of 3

Travel and hesitation

The words cover hiking, transport, lodging, reluctance, and impatience. *ハイキング* means "hiking", and *宿* means "inn, lodging place".

*行きかねます* means "can hardly go". It contains *---かねる*, "can hardly", the ending used for inability or hesitation.

  1. 120

    ハイキング

    hiking

  2. 121

    ディーゼルカー

    diesel car

  3. 122

    やど

    inn, lodging place

  4. 123

    やどにつく

    to lodge in an inn

  5. 124

    よくじつ

    the following day

  6. 125

    いきかねます

    can hardly go

  7. 126

    ---かねる

    can hardly (see Gram. Notes)

  8. 127

    むりなことをする

    attempt the impossible, try to do the impossible, overstrain oneself

  9. 128

    わりに

    relatively

  10. 129

    あきっぽくて

    capricious and soon gets tired and

ディーゼルカー
diesel car
宿につく
to lodge in an inn
行きかねます
can hardly go
---かねる
can hardly (see Gram. Notes)
無理な事をする
attempt the impossible, try to do the impossible, overstrain oneself
わりに
relatively
あきっぽくて
capricious and soon gets tired and

Patience, clothing and scenery · Word list 2 of 3

Getting ready for autumn views

The words move from preparation and patience to the dam's autumn scenery. *早目に* means "earlier", and *ダム* means "dam".

*まっかな* means "crimson red", *もみじ* means "maple", and *うつった* means "reflected".

  1. 130

    あきっぽい

    capricious, gets tired easily

  2. 131

    がまん(する)

    patience, tolerance, (to bear)

  3. 132

    みじたく(する)

    dress, outfit (to dress, to outfit oneself)

  4. 133

    はやめに

    earlier

  5. 134

    ダム

    dam

  6. 135

    てんぼうだい

    observation platform

  7. 136

    まっかな

    crimson red

  8. 137

    もみじ

    maple

  9. 138

    まつ

    pine

  10. 139

    うつった

    reflected

あきっぽい
capricious, gets tired easily
がまん(する)
patience, tolerance, (to bear)
みじたく(する)
dress, outfit (to dress, to outfit oneself)
早目に
earlier
てんぼう台
observation platform
まっかな
crimson red
うつった
reflected

Scenery and park words · Word list 3 of 3

Scenery and personal judgments

The words cover views, movement, the national park, commands, and hunches. *ゆうらんボート* means "excursion boat", and *のぼる* means "go upstream, climb, ascend".

*行って御らん* means "go and see". *---じゃないかと 思う* means "I have a feeling that", the expression used for a confident hunch.

*日光国立公園* means "Nikko National Park". *国立公園* means "national park".

  1. 140

    うつる

    reflect (vi)

  2. 141

    ながめもながめですが

    the view is good too but

  3. 142

    ゆうらんボート

    excursion boat

  4. 143

    のぼる

    go upstream, climb, ascend (vi)

  5. 144

    いってごらん

    go and see (see Notes)

  6. 145

    にっこうこくりつこうえん

    Nikko National Park

  7. 146

    こくりつこうえん

    national park (See Cult. Notes)

  8. 147

    ---じゃないかとおもう

    I have a feeling that (See Gram. Notes)

  9. 148

    はってんする

    to develop

  10. 149

    したしむ

    to think fondly of

Guide for Free Conversation

1 Visual Cues

1 Look at the map on Pages 90 and 91 and talk about NIKKOO, KINUGAWA, KAWAJI, etc.

2 Description of Life Situations

2a Talk about your hiking experience.

2b Assume that you went hiking from NIKKOO to CHUUZENJI-KO and talk about it.
Homework

1 Memorize the Dialogue and the vocabulary.

2 Study Grammar Perception Drill.

3 Study Pattern Practice and do the exercise following each pattern.

4 Learn to read and write new Kanji.

5 Read the Explanatory Notes.

6 Read the Guide for Free Conversation and do the exercise following the instructions given.
うつる
to infect, contract, catch
ながめもながめですが
the view is good too but
ゆうらんボート
excursion boat
行って御らん
go and see (see Notes)
日光国立公園
Nikko National Park
国立公園
national park (See Cult. Notes)
---じゃないかと思う
I have a feeling that (See Gram. Notes)
はってんする
to develop
したしむ
to think fondly of

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.