Japanese · Lesson 78
Lesson 80
Reading Japan
Shopping for dresses and handbags · Dialogue 1 of 6
A shopping plan
*今日は 買い物に いらっしゃるの*, "Are you going shopping today?" One woman asks about the other woman's plans.
The reply names a dress and a handbag. The women decide to go together to Mitsukoshi in Nihonbashi.
Short forms in conversation
*日本橋の 三越へ 行って見ようと 思ってますの* means "I'm thinking of going to the Mitsukoshi department store in Nihonbashi."
*思ってます* is the spoken short form of *思っています*. The *い* drops, but the meaning does not change.
The final *の* marks the first line as a question. *どちらへ いらっしゃる おつもり* ends without *ですか*.
Kanji: 冗
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 1
きょうはかいものにいらっしゃるの。
Are you going shopping today?
今日todayはtopic買い物shoppingにforいらっしゃるare goingの。question - 2
ええ、ドレスとハンドバッグがほしいんですの。
Yes, I want a dress and a handbag.
ええ、yesドレスdressとandハンドバッグhandbagがsubjectほしいwantんthe fact isですisの。you see - 3
どちらへいらっしゃるおつもり。
Where are you planning to go?
どちらwhereへtowardいらっしゃるare goingおyourつもり。plan - 4
にほんばしのみつこしへいってみようとおもってますの。
I’m thinking of going to the Mitsukoshi department store in Nihonbashi.
日本橋Nihonbashiのin三越Mitsukoshiへto行っgoてand見ようtryとquote思っam thinkingてam thinkingますam thinkingの。you see - 5
おともさせていただけますか。
May I come with you?
おaccompany供accompanyさletせmeてandいただけmay Iますpoliteか。question - 6
ねがってもないことですわ。いっしょにきていただけると、あんしんですわ。
I couldn’t ask for anything better. I’ll feel reassured if you come with me.
願っask forてevenもevenないnot事anythingですisわ。I tell you一しょtogetherにwith来comeてandいただけるdo me the favorと、if安心reassuredですamわ。I tell you
Interrogative Particle NO.OMOTTE MASU (omission of i)Question without DESU KAQuestion ending with TE-formMAIDO ARIGATOO GOZAIMASU.Accosting NE (”listen”, ”Say”)HOOGEN
Explanatory Notes, continued.- 今日
- today
- は
- leaves
- に
- on (See Gram. Notes)
- いらっしゃる
- to come, go (honorific verb)
- の。
- See Grammar Notes
- ええ、
- Yes
- ドレス
- dress
- と
- and (See Gram. Notes)
- ハンドバッグ
- handbag
- が
- but (See Gram. Notes)
- ほしい
- want, wish (See Grammar Notes)
- です
- to be (See Gram. Notes)
- どちら
- which of two (See Grammar Notes)
- へ
- to (See Gram. Notes)
- 三越
- Mitsukoshi Department Store
- ます
- trout
- か。
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
- わ。
- counter for birds (See Gram. Notes)
- いただける
- can receive
Struggling with rural dialects · Dialogue 2 of 6
Calling for attention
One woman worries that her Japanese is poor. Her friend rejects that concern.
*あのね、この間、米軍の 将校の 奥さんたちを おつれしてね、野田へ 参りましたの* begins her account of a trip to Noda.
*あのね* means "listen" here. It calls for the listener's attention before the speaker continues.
Kanji: 談, 野, 舎
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 7
おひとりではなにかごしんぱいですの。
Is there something you’re worried about if you go alone?
おyour一人one personでbyはtopic何whatかsome御your心配worryですisの。question - 8
だってわたくし、まだにほんごがまずいんですもの。
Well, my Japanese still isn’t very good.
だbutってbut私、Iまだstill日本Japanese語Japaneseがsubjectまずいpoorんthe fact isですisもの。because - 9
あら、まだそんなこと。ごじょうだんでしょう。
Oh, are you still saying that? You must be joking.
あら、ohまだstillそんなthat kind ofこと。thing御yourじょう談jokeでしょう。probably - 10
あのね、このあいだ、べいぐんのしょうこうのおくさんたちをおつれしてね、のだへまいりましたの。
You know, the other day I took some wives of American military officers to Noda.
あのwellね、you knowこのthe other day間、the other day米軍U.S. militaryのof将校officersのof奥wivesさんwivesたちgroupをobjectおつれtook alongしdoてandね、you know野田Nodaへto参りwentましpoliteたpastの。you see - 11
それで。
And then?
それthatで。and then - 12
きっこうまんしょうゆのかいしゃをみて、ついでにいなかのほうをさんぽしたときに、のうかのひとびととはなしましたんです。ところが、なんだかちっともわからなくって。
We toured the Kikkoman Soy Sauce company, and while we were there, we took a walk in the countryside and talked with some farmers. But somehow I couldn’t understand a thing.
きっKikkomanこうまんKikkomanしょうゆsoy sauceのof会社companyをobject見touredて、andついでwhile thereにduring田舎countrysideのof方areaをobject散歩walkしdoたpast時timeに、at農家farmersのof人々peopleとwith話しtalkedましpoliteたpastんthe fact isです。isところbutが、but何somehowだsomehowかsomehowちっともat allわからunderstandなくっnotて。and
- 一人
- one person
- で
- --is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
- か
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
- だ
- to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
- まだ
- yet, still
- まずい
- poor, tasteless
- もの。
- things (tangible)
- あら、
- Oh my!
- でしょう。
- probably (See Gram. Notes)
- ね、
- isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
- 米軍
- U. S. forces
- を
- particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
- し
- city
- 野田
- P. N.
- しょうゆ
- soy sauce
- 会社
- company, firm
- ついで
- opportunity
- 田舎
- the country, rural area
- 時
- time
- 人々
- people
- ところ
- place (See Gram. Notes)
- ちっとも
- not even a little (See Gram. Notes)
Choosing a flattering dress · Dialogue 3 of 6
Why she understood nothing
*田舎の 人は まだ 方言を 使いますから* means "That's because people in the country still use dialects."
*方言* means "dialect". It explains why the earlier conversation with rural people was difficult.
A question ending in the TE-form
The scene moves to a dress. *この ドレス 私に にあって* means "Does this dress suit me?"
The verb ends in its TE-form, *にあって*. Spoken as a question, this ending asks for the listener's opinion.
*とても、すてき* answers that the dress is very lovely.
- 13
いなかのひとはまだほうげんをつかいますから。
That’s because people in the country still use dialects.
田舎countrysideのof人peopleはtopicまだstill方言dialectsをobject使いuseますpoliteから。because - 14
そうなんですの。それでね、いままで、にほんごができるといばってたので、ともだちにはわらわれるし、ひやかされるし。
Is that so? You see, I had been boasting that I could speak Japanese, so my friends laughed at me and teased me.
そうsoなisんthe fact isですisの。questionそれthatでandね、you know今nowまで、until日本Japanese語Japaneseがsubject出来るcan speakとquoteいばっboastedてandたpastのfactで、because友だちfriendsにbyはtopic笑わlaughed atれるlaughed atし、andひやかさteasedれるteasedし。and - 15
ほほ---。まあ!そうだったの。
Oh! So that’s what happened.
ほほ---。ohまあ!ohそうsoだっwasたpastの。the fact - 16
このドレスわたくしににあって。
Does this dress suit me?
このthisドレスdress私meにonにあっsuitて。suit - 17
とても、すてき。
It’s very lovely.
とても、veryすてき。lovely - 18
いろもスタイルもとてもおにあいとおもいます。
I think both the color and the style suit you very well.
色colorもalsoスタイルstyleもalsoとてもveryおsuitsにあいsuitsとquote思いthinkます。polite
- の
- See Grammar Notes
- 人
- people
- 方言
- dialect (See Cult. Notes)
- から。
- from (See Gram. Notes)
- そう
- numerical counter for ships
- な
- I wish, I hope, huh
- まで、
- as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
- 出来る
- to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)
- れる
- to be able to -- (See Grammar Notes)
- し、
- city
- まあ!
- Well! Oh, my!
- とても、
- very, indeed
- すてき。
- splendid; stunning, terrific
- スタイル
- style
Buying the dress · Dialogue 4 of 6
Thanks to a customer
The shopper chooses the dress, and the clerk wraps it. The clerk then directs her to the handbags on the first floor.
*毎度 ありがとう 御ざいます。二千五百円の おつり* means "Thank you for your business. Here is your change of 2,500 yen."
A shop clerk says *毎度 ありがとう 御ざいます* to thank a customer for their patronage.
- 19
わたしもこのいろとてもすきなの。これにするわ。
I like this color very much too. I’ll take this one.
わたしIもalsoこのthis色colorとてもvery好きlikeなisの。you seeこれthisにasするchooseわ。I tell you - 20
おつつみいたしましょう。ほかになにか。
I’ll wrap it for you. Anything else?
おfor you包みwrapいたしdoましょう。will外elseにbesides何whatか。any - 21
ハンドバッグ。
A handbag.
ハンドバッグ。handbag - 22
ハンドバッグでしたら、いっかいにございます。あのエスカレーターでおおりになって、みぎのほうへいらっしゃってください。
The handbags are on the first floor. Please go down on that escalator and then go to the right.
ハンドバッグhandbagsでしisたら、if一first floor階first floorにon御isざisいisます。politeあのthatエスカレーターescalatorでbyおplease降りgo downにtoなっgo downて、and右rightのof方directionへtowardいらっしゃっgoてandください。please - 23
ありがとう。
Thank you.
ありがとう。thank you - 24
まいどありがとうございます。にせんごひゃくえんのおつり。どうも、ありがとうございました。
Thank you for your business. Here is your change of 2,500 yen. Thank you very much.
毎度your businessありがとうthank you御amざamいamます。polite二千two thousand五百five hundred円yenのofおyourつり。changeどうvery muchも、very muchありがとうthank you御wasざwasいwasましpoliteた。past
- とても
- very, indeed
- 好き
- to like, be fond of (See Grammar Notes)
- ましょう。
- let's (See Gram. Notes)
- ハンドバッグ。
- handbag
- 一
- one
- ます。
- trout
- エスカレーター
- escalator
- ください。
- please give me (See Gram. Notes)
- 二千
- 2,000
- 五百
- 500
- 円
- yen (unit of money)
- つり。
- fishing
Comparing expensive handbags · Dialogue 5 of 6
A costly handbag
*この わにがわのは いくら* asks "How much is this crocodile-skin one?" The answer is 43,000 yen.
The shopper calls it very expensive. The clerk offers a smaller one for 38,000 yen and invites her to view the other choices.
*考えて見るわ* means "I'll think about it." The shopper postpones her decision.
Kanji: 考
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
Kanji: 覧
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 25
このわにがわのはいくら。
How much is this crocodile-skin one?
このthisわにcrocodile skinがわcrocodile skinのoneはtopicいくら。how much - 26
よんまんさんぜんえんでございます。
It is 43,000 yen.
四four万ten thousand三千three thousand円yenでis御isざisいisます。polite - 27
ずいぶんたかいのね。
That’s very expensive, isn’t it?
ずい分very高いexpensiveのyou seeね。right? - 28
ゆにゅうひんのごくじょうとうでございますので、あちらですと、さんまんはっせんえんでございますが、すこしちいそうございます。
It is a very high-quality imported item. That one over there is 38,000 yen, but it is a little small.
輸入imported item品imported itemのofごくvery上等high qualityでis御isざisいisますpoliteのfactで、becauseあちらthat oneですisと、then三three万ten thousand八千eight thousand円yenでis御isざisいisますpoliteが、but少しa little小そうsmall御isざisいisます。polite - 29
そうね。かんがえてみるわ。
I see. I’ll think about it.
そうI seeね。right?考えthink about itてthink about it見るthink about itわ。I will - 30
さようでございますか。ほかにもいろいろたくさんございますから、ごゆっくり、ごらんになってくださいませ。
Very well. We have many others as well, so please take your time looking around.
左様very wellでvery well御haveざhaveいhaveますhaveか。question外othersにamongもalso色々various沢山many御haveざhaveいhaveますhaveから、because御pleaseゆっくり、take your time御覧look aroundにlook aroundなっlook aroundてlook aroundくださいpleaseませ。please
- いくら。
- how much? how many?
- 四
- four
- 三千
- 3,000
- ずい分
- very much
- ね。
- isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
- ごく
- very
- 上等
- superior class; superior quality
- あちら
- that over there, over there
- と、
- and (See Gram. Notes)
- 三
- three
- 八千
- 8,000
- が、
- but (See Gram. Notes)
- 少し
- little (quantity)
- から、
- from (See Gram. Notes)
- ゆっくり、
- slowly; deliberately; leisurely
- ください
- please give me (See Gram. Notes)
Deciding to keep looking · Dialogue 6 of 6
Accepting the suggestion
The clerk has invited the shopper to take her time and view the other handbags.
*そうするわ* means "I'll do that." It states the shopper's decision to follow that suggestion.
- 31
そうするわ。
I’ll do that.
そうthatするwill doわ。I will
Informal questions in conversation · Perception drill
A question ending in の
*今日は 買い物に いらっしゃる の* means "Are you going shopping today?"
The particle *の* at the end makes the sentence a question. It can follow a verb, including the past form in *もう 夕飯を お食べになった の*.
After a NA-adjective, *な* comes before *の*. *今晩 おひま な の* means "Are you free tonight?"
A question without ですか
*何をしてるの* means "What are you doing?" This informal question ends without *ですか*.
*友だちに 手紙を 書いてるの* means "I'm writing a letter to a friend." The same ending occurs in this statement.
- 32
きょうはかいものにいらっしゃるの。
Are you going shopping today?
今日todayはtopic買い物shoppingにforいらっしゃるare goingの。question - 33
もうゆうはんをおたべになったの。
Have you had supper already?
もうalready夕飯supperをobjectおhave eaten食べhave eatenにhave eatenなっhave eatenたhave eatenの。question - 34
こんばんおひまなの。
Are you free tonight?
今晩tonightおhonorableひまfreeなisの。question - 35
なぜですの。
Why is it?
なぜwhyですisの。question - 36
なにをしてるの。
What are you doing?
何whatをobjectしare doingてるare doingの。question - 37
ともだちにてがみをかいてるの。
I’m writing a letter to a friend.
友だちfriendにto手紙letterをobject書いam writingてるam writingの。explanation - 38
いつにほんからおかえりになったの。
When did you return from Japan?
いつwhen日本Japanからfromおreturned帰りreturnedにreturnedなっreturnedたreturnedの。question - 39
きのうかえったばかりよ。
I just got back yesterday.
きのうyesterday帰っgot backたgot backばかりjustよ。I tell you - 40
おじょうさんもおげんきなの。
Is your daughter well too?
おdaughterじょうdaughterさんdaughterもtooおhonorable元気wellなisの。question - 41
ええ、おかげさまで、げんきでまいにちがっこうにいっています。
Yes, thank you, she is well and goes to school every day.
ええ、yesおかげthanks to youさまthanks to youで、thanks to you元気wellでand毎日every day学校schoolにto行っgoesてgoesいgoesます。goes - 42
ごしゅじんのびょうきはどうなの。
How is your husband’s illness?
御your husband主人your husbandの's病気illnessはtopicどうhowなisの。question - 43
おかげさまで、まえよりずっとよくなってきましたわ。
Thank you for asking; he has gotten much better than before.
おかげthanks to youさまthanks to youで、thanks to you前beforeよりthanずっとmuchよくgotten betterなっgotten betterてgotten better来gotten betterましgotten betterたgotten betterわ。I tell you - 44
ごしゅじんにいわないででていってもいいの。
Is it all right to go out without telling your husband?
御your husband主人your husbandにto言わnot tellingないnot tellingでwithout出go outてgo out行っgo outてgo outもeven ifいいall rightの。question - 45
しゅじんはもうしっているから、いいのよ。
It’s all right, because my husband already knows.
主人my husbandはtopicもうalready知っknowsてknowsいるknowsから、becauseいいall rightのexplanationよ。I tell you
- もう
- already (See Gram. Notes)
- ひま
- leisure time, free
- なぜ
- why?
- てる
- to shine (v.i.)
- 手紙
- letter (correspondence)
- いつ
- when?
- から
- from (See Gram. Notes)
- 帰り
- return trip (See notes)
- ばかり
- about
- で、
- --is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
- 毎日
- Mainichi Newspaper Co.
- 前
- before, front
- より
- than (See Gram. Notes)
- ずっと
- by far; very much
- よく
- well, skillfully
- いい
- good (See Gram. Notes)
- いる
- to need (See Gram. Notes)
Asking informal everyday questions · Pattern 1 1 of 3
Informal questions about actions
*今晩 映画を 見にいらっしゃる の* means "Are you going to see a movie tonight?"
The sentence-final *の* marks this question about an action. *いつ お帰りになった の* asks "When did you return?"
Informal questions after adjectives
*あなた 魚が お好きな の* means "Do you like fish?"
The NA-adjective *お好き* takes *な* before the question particle *の*. The pattern is *お好きな の*.
- 46
こんばんえいがをみにいらっしゃるの。
Are you going to see a movie tonight?
今晩tonight映画movieをobject見seeにtoいらっしゃるare goingの。question - 47
なぜですの。
Why is it?
なぜwhyですisの。question - 48
いつおかえりになったの。
When did you return?
いつwhenおreturned帰りreturnedにreturnedなっreturnedたreturnedの。question - 49
あなたさかながおすきなの。
Do you like fish?
あなたyou魚fishがsubjectおhonorable好きlikeなisの。question - 50
いつにほんへいらっしゃるの。
When are you coming to Japan?
いつwhen日本Japanへtowardいらっしゃるare comingの。question - 51
いつとうきょうへいてんなさるの。
When are you moving to Tokyo?
いつwhen東京Tokyoへtoward移転moveなさるwill doの。question - 52
なによんでるの。
What are you reading?
何what読んare readingでるare readingの。question - 53
ながいあいだおまちになったの。
Did you wait a long time?
長いlong間timeおwaited待ちwaitedにwaitedなっwaitedたwaitedの。question - 54
もうゆうはんをおあがりになったの。
Have you had supper already?
もうalready夕飯supperをobjectおhave eaten上りhave eatenにhave eatenなっhave eatenたhave eatenの。question
- 映画
- movie
- なさる
- to do (honorific verb) (See Notes)
- でる
- to go out (v.i.)
- 上り
- up train (See Cultural Notes)
Asking about needs and plans · Pattern 1 2 of 3
What someone needs or knows
*こんな物(が)必要なの* means "Do you need something like this?"
The final *の* asks about a condition. *奥さんは スミスさんを 御ぞんじなの* means "Do you know Mr. Smith?"
How long someone plans to stay
*何日ぐらい 箱根に 御とうりゅうなさる おつもりなの* asks "How many days are you planning to stay in Hakone?"
The reply is *三日ぐらい とうりゅうしようと 思ってるの*, "I'm thinking of staying for about three days." The informal *の* occurs in both lines.
- 55
あたまがいたいの。
Does your head hurt?
頭headがsubjectいhurtsたいhurtsの。question - 56
こんなもの(が)ひつようなの。
Do you need something like this?
こんなthis kind of物thing(が)subject必要neededなisの。question - 57
あなたやさいがきらいなの。
Do you dislike vegetables?
あなたyouやさいvegetablesがsubjectきらいdislikeなisの。question - 58
いつごろおおさかにおひっこしになるの。
About when are you moving to Osaka?
いつごろabout when大阪Osakaにtoおmoveひっこしmoveにmoveなるmoveの。question - 59
らいげつのはじめよ。
At the beginning of next month.
来月next monthの's始めbeginningよ。I tell you - 60
おくさんはスミスさんをごぞんじなの。
Do you know Mr. Smith?
奥youさんyouはtopicスミスSmithさんMr.をobject御knowぞんじknowなknowの。question - 61
ええ、もうにさんねんまえからぞんじていますのよ。
Yes, I’ve known him for two or three years now.
ええ、yesもうnow二三two or three年years前agoからsinceぞんじhave knownてhave knownいhave knownますhave knownのexplanationよ。I tell you - 62
なんにちぐらいはこねにごとうりゅうなさるおつもりなの。
How many days are you planning to stay in Hakone?
何how many日daysぐらいabout箱根Hakoneにin御stayとうstayりゅうstayなさるstayおplanつもりplanなisの。question - 63
みっかぐらいとうりゅうしようとおもってるの。
I’m thinking of staying for about three days.
三three日daysぐらいaboutとstayうstayりゅうstayしようplan to stayとquote思っam thinkingてるam thinkingの。explanation
- 頭
- head, mind
- やさい
- vegetable
- きらい
- dislike (See Gram. Notes)
- ひっこし
- moving, change of address
- 来月
- next month
- 年
- year (See Grammar Notes)
- ぐらい
- about
Contrasting informal and polite questions · Pattern 1 3 of 3
Informal and polite question endings
*どこで 日本語を お習いになったの* means "Where did you learn Japanese?" The final *の* marks an informal question.
*いつごろ 日本へ いらっしゃいますか* means "About when are you coming to Japan?" The polite question ends in *ですか* or *ますか*.
The choice of ending changes the level of formality, not the question being asked.
- 64
まだごしゅじんをむかえにいかなくてもいいの。
Don’t you have to go pick up your husband yet?
まだyet御your husband主人your husbandをobjectむかえpick upにto行かgoなくnotてnotもeven ifいいall rightの。question - 65
いくのですが、まださんじゅっぷんあるから、いそがなくてもいいのよ。
I’m going, but there are still thirty minutes, so you don’t have to hurry.
行くam goingのexplanationですisが、butまだstill三十thirty分minutesあるremainから、because急がhurryなくnotてnotもeven ifいいall rightのexplanationよ。I tell you - 66
どこでにほんごをおならいになったの。
Where did you learn Japanese?
どこwhereでat日本Japanese語Japaneseをobjectおlearned習いlearnedにlearnedなっlearnedたlearnedの。question - 67
べいこくのがっこうでならいましたの。
I learned it at a school in the United States.
米国United Statesの's学校schoolでat習いlearnedましlearnedたlearnedの。explanation - 68
いつごろにほんへいらっしゃいますか。
About when are you coming to Japan?
いつごろabout when日本Japanへtowardいらっしゃいare comingますpoliteか。question - 69
おこさんはおげんきですか。
Is your child well?
おyour child子your childさんyour childはtopicおhonorable元気wellですisか。question - 70
さかながすきですか。
Do you like fish?
魚fishがsubject好きlikeですisか。question - 71
なぜいきませんでしたか。
Why didn’t you go?
なぜwhy行きgoませdid notんdid notでしdid notたpastか。question - 72
いつごろにほんをたつおつもりですか。
About when do you plan to leave Japan?
いつごろabout when日本Japanをobjectたつleaveおplanつもりplanですisか。question
- 三十
- 30
- 分
- minute
- ある
- certain, some
- いらっしゃい
- please come; please go (See Cult. notes)
- たつ
- to pass (time), elapse
Asking what someone bought · Reading Selection
The understood item
*どんなのを 買いましたか* means "What kind did you buy?"
The noun for the purchased item is understood. *どんなの* asks what kind of item it was.
- 73
どんなのをかいましたか。
What kind did you buy?
どんなwhat kindのoneをobject買いboughtましboughtたpastか。question
- どんな
- what kind of; what sort of
Retelling the shopping trip · Questions 1 of 2
Why the shopping trip mattered
The account explains why Mrs. Miller wanted company while shopping. A failed conversation with rural speakers had damaged her confidence in Japanese.
*なぜ 自信がなくなりましたか* asks "Why did she lose her confidence?" An answer gives the failed conversation and her friends' reactions.
- 74
ミラーふじんはドレスとハンドバッグがほしいので、にほんばしのみつこしへかいものにいこうとおもっていました。はやかわふじんもおともをすることにしました。ひとりでいくのはしんぱいなので、はやかわふじんにおともをしてもらうことはミラーふじんにとってはねがってもないことでした。じつは、ミラーふじんはにほんごにはかなりじしん(confidence)があったのですが、このあいだべいぐんのしょうこうのおくさんたちをつれて、のだのきっこうまんしょうゆのかいしゃをたずねていったとき、いなかのひとびととはなしたところが、なんだかちっともわからなかったそうです。
Mrs. Miller wanted a dress and a handbag, so she was thinking of going shopping at Mitsukoshi in Nihonbashi. Mrs. Hayakawa decided to go along too. Since Mrs. Miller was worried about going alone, having Mrs. Hayakawa accompany her was more than she could have hoped for. Actually, Mrs. Miller had been fairly confident in her Japanese, but the other day, when she took the wives of some U.S. military officers to visit the Kikkoman Soy Sauce company in Noda and spoke with the local people, she apparently could not understand a thing for some reason.
ミラーMiller夫人Mrs.はtopicドレスdressとandハンドバッグhandbagがsubjectほしいwantedのexplanationで、because日本橋Nihonbashiの's三越Mitsukoshiへtoward買い物shoppingにfor行こうwould goとquote思っwas thinkingてwas thinkingいwas thinkingましwas thinkingた。was thinking早川Hayakawa夫人Mrs.もtooおcompany供companyをobjectするkeepことdecisionにtoしdecidedましdecidedた。decided一人aloneでby行くgoのact ofはtopic心配worriedなwasのexplanationで、because早川Hayakawa夫人Mrs.にfromおcompany供companyをobjectしaccompanyてaccompanyもらうreceive事actはtopicミラーMiller夫人Mrs.にforとっforてforはtopic願っcould hope forてcould hope forもcould hope forないcould hope for事thingでしwasた。past実truthは、topicミラーMiller夫人Mrs.はtopic日本Japanese語Japaneseにinはtopicかなりfairly自信confidence(confidence)confidenceがsubjectあっhadたhadのexplanationですwasが、butこのthe other間day米軍US militaryの's将校officersの's奥wivesさんwivesたちwivesをobjectつれtookて、took野田Nodaの'sきっこうKikkomanまんKikkomanしょうゆsoy sauceの's会社companyをobjectたずねvisitてvisit行っwentたwent時、when田舎countryの's人々peopleとwith話しspokeたspokeところwhenが、but何someだwasかreasonちっともat allわからunderstandなかっdid notたpastそうapparentlyです。is - 75
それで、いままではにほんごができるといばっていたのに、ともだちにはわらわれるし、ひやかされるし、すっかりじしんをなくしてしまったそうです。ミラーふじんとはやかわふじんはデパートについて、さんがいにのぼり、いろいろのドレスをみてあるきました。ひとつきにいったドレスがありました。それはいろもスタイルもミラーふじんにとてもよくにあうとおんなてんいんもいっていたので、それをかうことにしました。それから、ハンドバッグをかいにエスカレーターでいっかいにおりていきました。ひとつわにがわのいいのがありましたが、それはよんまんさんぜんえんで、
Although she had been boasting until then that she could speak Japanese, her friends laughed at her and teased her, and she apparently lost all her confidence. Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Hayakawa arrived at the department store, went up to the third floor, and walked around looking at various dresses. There was one dress that she liked. The saleswoman also said that both its color and style suited Mrs. Miller very well, so she decided to buy it. Then they took the escalator down to the first floor to buy a handbag. There was a nice crocodile-skin one, but it was forty-three thousand yen, and
それsoで、so今thenまでuntilはtopic日本Japanese語Japaneseがsubject出来るcould speakとquoteいばっboastedてboastedいboastedたboastedのexplanationに、although友だちfriendsにbyはtopic笑わlaughed atれるlaughed atし、andひやかさteasedれるteasedし、andすっかりcompletely自信confidenceをobjectなくしlostてlostしまっended upたended upそうapparentlyです。isミラーMiller夫人Mrs.とand早川Hayakawa夫人Mrs.はtopicデパートdepartment storeにat着いarrivedて、arrived三three階floorにto上り、went up色々variousのofドレスdressesをobject見lookedてlooked歩きwalked aroundましwalked aroundた。walked around一oneつone気fancyにto入っtookたtookドレスdressがsubjectありexistedましexistedた。existedそれitはtopic色colorもalsoスタイルstyleもalsoミラーMiller夫人Mrs.にonとてもveryよくwellにあうsuitedとquote女female店員clerkもalso言っsaidてsaidいsaidたsaidのexplanationで、becauseそれitをobject買うbuyことdecisionにtoしdecidedましdecidedた。decidedそれthenから、thenハンドバッグhandbagをobject買いbuyにtoエスカレーターescalatorでby一one階floorにto降りwent downてwent down行きwentましwentた。went一oneつoneわにcrocodileがわskinのofいいniceのoneがsubjectありexistedましexistedたpastが、butそれitはtopic四four万ten-thousand三千three thousand円yenで、was - 76
すこしたかすぎましたから、ほかのすこしやすいのをかってかえりました。
since it was a little too expensive, she bought another, slightly cheaper one and went home.
少しa little高expensiveすぎtooましwasたpastから、because外anotherのone少しa little安いcheapのoneをobject買っboughtてbought帰りwent homeましwent homeた。went home - 77
ミラーふじんはなにがほしいでしたか。
What did Mrs. Miller want?
ミラーMiller夫人Mrs.はtopic何whatがsubjectほしいwantedでしwasたpastか。question - 78
どこへかいものにいこうとおもっていましたか。
Where was she thinking of going shopping?
どこwhereへtoward買い物shoppingにfor行こうwould goとquote思っwas thinkingてwas thinkingいwas thinkingましwas thinkingたpastか。question - 79
だれがおともをしたいといっていましたか。
Who said that she wanted to accompany her?
だれwhoがsubjectおaccompany供accompanyをobjectしdoたいwant toとquote言っsaidてsaidいsaidましsaidたsaidか。question - 80
なぜはやかわふじんにおともをしてもらうことはミラーふじんにとってはねがってもないことでしたか。
Why was having Mrs. Hayakawa accompany her more than Mrs. Miller could have hoped for?
なぜwhy早川Hayakawa夫人Mrs.にbyおaccompany供accompanyをobjectしdoてdoもらうhave someone事actはtopicミラーMiller夫人Mrs.にforとっforてforはtopic願っhope forてhope forもevenないnot事thingでしwasたwasか。question - 81
ミラーふじんはにほんごにはかなりじしんがありましたか。
Was Mrs. Miller fairly confident in her Japanese?
ミラーMiller夫人Mrs.はtopic日本Japanese語Japaneseにinはtopicかなりfairly自信confidenceがsubjectありhadましhadたhadか。question - 82
なぜじしんがなくなりましたか。
Why did she lose her confidence?
なぜwhy自信confidenceがsubjectなくなりlostましlostたlostか。question - 83
きっこうまんしょうゆのかいしゃはどこにありますか。
Where is the Kikkoman Soy Sauce company?
きっKikkomanこうまんKikkomanしょうゆsoy sauceの's会社companyはtopicどこwhereにinありis locatedますis locatedか。question
- もらう
- to receive (tangible things)
- かなり
- fairly
- 自信
- confidence
- 時、
- time
- まで
- as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
- 上り、
- up train (See Cultural Notes)
- 女
- female
- 買う
- to buy
- すぎ
- past, after
- だれ
- who?
Details of the handbag purchase · Questions 2 of 2
Locations, choices, and price
The questions ask where the items were, what Mrs. Miller chose, and why she rejected one handbag.
*わにがわの ハンドバッグは いくらでしたか* asks "How much was the crocodile-skin handbag?" An answer gives its price.
*なぜ 買いませんでしたか* asks for the reason she did not buy it.
- 84
ドレスはみつこしデパートのなんがいにありますか。
What floor of the Mitsukoshi department store are the dresses on?
ドレスdressesはtopic三越Mitsukoshiデパートdepartment storeの's何what floor階what floorにonありare locatedますare locatedか。question - 85
きにいったドレスがありましたか。
Was there a dress that she liked?
気likedにliked入っlikedたlikedドレスdressがsubjectありwas thereましwas thereたwas thereか。question - 86
そのドレスはミラーふじんによくにあいましたか。
Did that dress suit Mrs. Miller well?
そのthatドレスdressはtopicミラーMiller夫人Mrs.にonよくwellにあいsuitedましsuitedたsuitedか。question - 87
そのドレスをかうことにしましたか。
Did she decide to buy that dress?
そのthatドレスdressをobject買うbuyことactにtoしdoましdidたdidか。question - 88
ハンドバッグはどこにありましたか。
Where were the handbags?
ハンドバッグhandbagsはtopicどこwhereにinありwere locatedましwere locatedたwere locatedか。question - 89
いっかいまでなんでおりましたか。
How did they go down to the first floor?
一first floor階first floorまでto何whatでby降りwent downましwent downたwent downか。question - 90
わにがわのハンドバッグはいくらでしたか。
How much was the crocodile-skin handbag?
わにcrocodile skinがわcrocodile skinの'sハンドバッグhandbagはtopicいくらhow muchでしwasたwasか。question - 91
それをかうことにしましたか。
Did she decide to buy it?
それitをobject買うbuyことactにtoしdoましdidたdidか。question - 92
なぜかいませんでしたか。
Why didn’t she buy it?
なぜwhy買いbuyませnot, politeんnot, politeでしpast, politeたpast, politeか。question
- いくら
- how much? how many?
Shopping expressions and question forms · Word list 1 of 3
Planning and speaking informally
These words cover shopping and informal conversation. *ハンドバッグ* means "handbag".
*---てます* is the short form of *TE IMASU*. *あのね* calls for attention before a speaker continues.
- 93
---の
interrogative particle (See Gram. Notes)
---のasks a question - 94
ハンドバッグ
handbag
ハンドバッグhandbag - 95
どちら
where, which way
どちらwhich way - 96
みつこし
Mitsukoshi Department Store
三越Mitsukoshi department store - 97
ねがってもないこと
Couldn’t ask for anything better.
願ってもない事could not ask better - 98
おつもり
do you intend to --- (See Cult. Notes)
おつもりintend to - 99
だって
but
だってbut - 100
---てます
abbreviation of TE IMASU (See Cult. Notes)
---てますam doing - 101
あら
Oh my!
あらoh my - 102
あのね
well, why, listen,look
あのねlisten - 103
べいぐん
U. S. forces
米軍U.S. forces
- ---の
- interrogative particle (See Gram. Notes)
- 願ってもない事
- Couldn’t ask for anything better.
- おつもり
- do you intend to --- (See Cult. Notes)
- だって
- but
- ---てます
- abbreviation of TE IMASU (See Cult. Notes)
- あら
- Oh my!
- あのね
- well, why, listen,look
Dialects, boasting and teasing · Word list 2 of 3
Speech and reactions
These words describe the rural conversation and its social result. *方言* means "dialect".
*いばる* means "boast" or "brag". *ひやかす* means "to tease" or "make fun of".
- 104
のだ
P. N.
野田Noda - 105
きっこうまんしょうゆ
Kikkoman Soy Sauce
きっこうまんしょうゆKikkoman soy sauce - 106
いなか
the country, rural area
田舎the countryside - 107
わからなくって
colloquial of wakaranakute
わからなくってnot understand - 108
ほうげん
dialect (See Cult. Notes)
方言dialect - 109
いばってた
was boasting
いばってたwas boasting - 110
わらう
to laugh
笑うlaugh - 111
いばる
boast, brag (v.t.)
いばるboast - 112
ほほ---
ho, ho, ho -- (laugh)
ほほ---laughter - 113
ひやかす
to tease; make fun of
ひやかすmake fun of - 114
(に)にあう
be becoming
(に)にあうsuit
- きっこうまんしょうゆ
- Kikkoman Soy Sauce
- わからなくって
- colloquial of wakaranakute
- いばってた
- was boasting
- 笑う
- to laugh
- いばる
- boast, brag (v.t.)
- ほほ---
- ho, ho, ho -- (laugh)
- ひやかす
- to tease; make fun of
- (に)にあう
- be becoming
Sales, style and quality · Word list 3 of 3
Inside the department store
These words cover store staff, customer service, and goods. *女店員* means "salesgirl".
*毎度ありがとう御ざいます* thanks a customer for their patronage. *上等* means "superior quality".
- 115
すてき
splendid; stunning, terrific
すてきstunning - 116
おんなてんいん
salesgirl
女店員saleswoman - 117
スタイル
style
スタイルstyle - 118
いっかい
first floor
一階first floor - 119
エスカレーター
escalator
エスカレーターescalator - 120
まいどありがとうございます
thank you for your patronage (See Cult. Notes)
毎度ありがとう御ざいますthank you for shopping - 121
おつり
change
おつりchange - 122
わにがわ
alligator leather
わにがわalligator leather - 123
じょうとう
superior class; superior quality
上等high quality - 124
じしん
confidence
自信confidence - 125
なくする
to lose
なくするlose
Guide for Free Conversation
Guide for Free Conversation.Homework
1 Study the Dialogue so that you can converse in masculine form.
2 Memorise the vocabulary.
3 Study the Grammar Perception Drill.
4 Study Pattern Practice and do the exercise following each pattern.
5 Learn to read and write new Kanji.
6 Read the Explanatory Notes.
7 Read the Guide for Free Conversation and do the exercise.- すてき
- splendid; stunning, terrific
- 女店員
- salesgirl
- 一階
- first floor
- 毎度ありがとう御ざいます
- thank you for your patronage (See Cult. Notes)
- おつり
- change
- わにがわ
- alligator leather
- なくする
- to lose
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