Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 80

Lesson 82

Reading Japan

153 lines

Choosing a birthday present · Dialogue 1 of 4

A present for a birthday

A man wants to buy his wife a present for her birthday. Pearls and lacquerware are possible choices.

His friend says, *店に 行って 見たら どうだ*. It means "Why don't you go to the store and take a look?"

A mild suggestion

In *店に 行って 見たら どうだ*, *見たら どうだ* presents going to the store and looking as a mild suggestion.

The man accepts the idea and says, *行って見よう*, "I'll go and see."

Kanji: 真, 珠, 誕, 家

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

  1. 1

    あさってはかないのたんじょうびなんだ。それで、なにかプレゼントをかってやりたいんだが、なにがいいだろう。

    It’s my wife’s birthday the day after tomorrow and I want to buy a present for her. What do you suppose is good?

    明後日day after tomorrow
    はtopic
    家内wife
    の's
    誕生birthday
    日birthday
    なis
    んis
    だ。is
    それso
    で、so
    何something
    かsomething
    プレゼントpresent
    をobject
    買っbuy
    てbuy
    やりfor her
    たいwant to
    んis
    だis
    が、but
    何what
    がsubject
    いいgood
    だろう。probably
  2. 2

    そうだね。しんじゅはどうだ。

    Well, let me see. How about pearls?

  3. 3

    ぼくもそうかんがえたんだ。しかし、しっきもよさそうにおもえたり。

    I thought about it too. But I also thought that some kind of lacquerware seems good too.

  4. 4

    みせにいってみたらどうだ。

    Why don’t you go to the store and take a look?

  5. 5

    そうだな。さいわいきょうはごごにはひまだし、いってみよう。きみもいかないか。

    That’s true. Fortunately, I have nothing to do in the afternoon today,so I’ll go and see. Won’t, you come,too?

  6. 6

    いこうか。ぼくもきょうはあさからひまではあるし、すこしたいくつしていたところなんだ。

    Shall I go? I ’ad nothing to do all morning today and I was a little bored.

----TOKORO DEWA "as far as ----" Following basic form of verbs either in the past or the non-past forms, and also following NO, TOKORO DEWA expresses an idea of "as far as ---." Examples: MITA TOKORO DEWA "as far as appearance goes" WATAKUSHI NO SHITTEIRU TOKORO DEWA. "as far as I know" or "to the best of my knowledge" WATAKUSHI NO OBOETE IRU TOKORO DEWA. "as far as my memory serves me" IMA MADE NO TOKORO DEWA. "so far; up to the present" IMA NO TOKORO DEWA. "as of now"
---TARA DOO DA "Why don’t you do ---" Replacing TE of the TE-form of verbs, TARA DOO DA or TARA DOO DESUKA expresses a mild persuasion and means "How about doing such-and-such", or "Why don’t you do such-and-such", or "You should do such-and such." Examples: MOO SUKOSHI TABE TARA DOO DA. "Why don’t you eat more." or "You should eat more." MISE E ITTE MITARA DOO DA. "Why don’t you go to the store and take a look--- you should." MOTTO BENKYOO SHITARA DOO DESU KA. "Why don’t you study more" or "You should study more." KOMBAN ASOBI NI KITARA DOO DA. "Why don’t you come to visit me."
Notes on SORYA, NAKERYA, etc. In colloquial Japanese, when a word ending in the vowels e and i is followed by WA or BA, they frequently contract to YA or YAA. Examples: KORE WA = KORYA or KORYAA; SORE WA = SORYA or SORYAA; ARE WA = ARYA or ARYAA; AME WA = AMYA or AMYAA; YOME BA = YOMYA or YOMYAA; FURE BA = FURYA or FURYAA; IKE BA = IKYA or IKYAA; NOMI WA SHINAI = NOMYA(A) SHINAI; IKANAKEREBA = IKANAKERYA(A)
SHIKKI (Lacquerware) Japanese lacquerware is well known for its exotic designs and finish, yet it can be put to practical use as salad bowls and salad servers. It is manufactured in large

quantities at various places in Japan. However, their manufacturing style and process of production are different depending upon places of production, so when you buy them you must buy with great care. As lacquerware is a finished wooden product, the wood may shrink or the final coatings may come off, discolor, or fade with age. So the problem is how you can choose lacquerware of good quality; but after all, there is no better way than buying lacquerware at traditionally reliable shops. The processes of production of the lacquerware makers are ways inherited from their ancestors and improvements also have been made by their own ways. The methods of manufacture are never made public. The lacquerware products manufactured at Aizu in the Tohoku District are known as the best, and those manufactured in Wakayama and Kamakura follow.
Mikimoto The name Mikimoto is almost synonymous with pearls and is well known throughout the world. Late Kookichi Mikimoto, the founder of Japanese cultured pearls was undaunted by failure. He saw some pearls at an exhibition in 1886, and nine years after, he was successful in producing artificial cultured pearls. Year by year, he improved his pearls and became the chief exporter in Japan and has been given the name, "the pearl king." The famous Mikimoto Pearl Farm is located near Toba in Mie Prefecture. The more popular souvenir items made of pearls are necklaces, brooches, earrings, cuff links, rings, and other personal ornaments. The luster and color are the first consideration, shape comes next--a good pearl must be perfectly spherical--and size last. As for the color, the order of valuation is black, pink, silver, white, and yellow.
明後日
day after tomorrow
は
leaves
の
See Grammar Notes
な
I wish, I hope, huh
だ。
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
プレゼント
present
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
そう
numerical counter for ships
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
真珠
pearl
僕
I (see notes)
しかし、
however, but
き
counter for airplanes (See Gram. Notes)
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
店
store, shop
幸い
fortunately
今日
today
午後
p.m., afternoon
ひま
leisure time, free
し、
city
君
suffix to a name, Mr. (See cult. notes)
朝
morning
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
ある
certain, some
少し
little (quantity)
ところ
place (See Gram. Notes)

Comparing pearl gift options · Dialogue 2 of 4

Pearls from Mikimoto

The men choose a store for pearl gifts. One says, *真珠なら 御木本だな*, "Mikimoto is the choice for pearls."

They consider *首かざり*, necklaces, and other ornaments. A pearl-decorated case is another choice.

The originator of cultured pearls

*あそこは ようしょく 真珠の 本家本元だから* identifies Mikimoto as the originator of cultured pearls.

Kookichi Mikimoto produced cultured pearls nine years after seeing pearls at an exhibition in 1886. He became Japan's chief pearl exporter.

The Mikimoto Pearl Farm is near Toba in Mie Prefecture. Popular pearl goods include necklaces, brooches, earrings, cuff links, and rings.

Kanji: 元, 首

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

  1. 7

    どのみせがいいかな。

    I wonder which store is good?

  2. 8

    しんじゅならみきもとだな。あそこはようしょくしんじゅのほんけほんもとだから。

    It’s Mikimoto if you want pearls, because he is the originator of the cultured pearl.

  3. 9

    そうだな。しんじゅというと、どうしてもみきもとだなあ。ふつう、プレゼントにはどんなものがある。

    Trie, when you say pearl, it»s definitely Mikimoto. What are the usual gifts?

  4. 10

    くびかざり、みみかざり、うでわ、ゆびわ、ブローチ、そのほか、たくさんのそうしょくひんがあるよ。

    There are necklaces, earrings, wrist bands, rings, brooches, and many other ornaments.

  5. 11

    かないはしんじゅのくびかざりをもってるから、みみかざりか、うでわか、ブローチがいいだろう。

    Since my wife has pearl necklaces, probably earrings or a wrist band, or a brooch will be nice.

  6. 12

    しんじゅでそうしょくしたけしょうばこもあるよ。すこしたかいがね。

    Though it’s a little expensive, there are toilet cases decorated with pearls.

どの
which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
な。
I wish, I hope, huh
なら
if it is (See Gram. Notes)
御木本
P.N. (See Cult. Notes)
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
あそこ
over there
から。
from (See Gram. Notes)
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
し
city
どんな
what kind of; what sort of
ある。
certain, some
首かざり、
necklace
うでわ、
wrist band
ゆびわ、
ring (for finger)
ブローチ、
brooch
品
quality, goods
てる
to shine (v.i.)
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)

Declining lacquerware quality · Dialogue 3 of 4

A shorter form in speech

*そりゃ そうだろう* begins with a colloquial contraction. *そりゃ* is the shorter spoken form of *それは*.

After a word ending in *e* or *i*, *WA* or *BA* often contracts with that vowel to *YA* or *YAA*.

Lacquerware and quality

*しっきも 色々 あるが、品の よいのは このごろは 少いよ* says that good-quality lacquerware is now scarce.

Japanese lacquerware combines exotic designs and finish with practical uses. Production methods differ by place, so a traditionally reliable shop is the safest choice.

In *見た ところでは 美しい*, *ところでは* limits the judgment to appearance. Mass production can still reduce the quality.

Kanji: 質

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

  1. 13

    そりゃそうだろう。しっきはどうだろう。

    There probably are. What about lacquerware?

  2. 14

    しっきもいろいろあるが、しなのよいのはこのごろはすくないよ。みたところではうつくしいがね。

    There are all kinds of lacquerware but there are very few good quality ones these days. Though they are very pretty by appearance.

  3. 15

    でもにほんのうるしぬりはせかいでもゆうめいじゃないか。

    But Japanese lacquerwares are world famous, aren’t they?

  4. 16

    ゆうめいなことはゆうめいなんだが、きんねんりょうさんをやるようになってから、しつがおちたとおもう。

    They are famous all right, but since they started mass production in recent years, I think the quality has deteriorated.

  5. 17

    そうか。

    Is that right?

  6. 18

    とにかく、しっきはにほんではひとつのげいじゅつとしてはったつしてきたんだ。

    Anyway, in japan lacquerware has developed as an art.

よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
うるし
Japanese lacquer
せかい
world
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
近年
recent years
量産
mass production
やる
to do
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
質
quality, nature
思う。
to think
とにかく、
at any rate; any how
一
one

Judging valuable lacquerware · Dialogue 4 of 4

Value beyond the lacquer

The men compare mass-produced lacquerware with fine work. *名の ある人の 作ったものは げいじゅつ品として ねうちが ある* values work by a famous maker as art.

The amount of lacquer may set the price of mass-produced goods. Fine pieces have other conditions, so no single rule applies.

Lacquerware is made throughout Japan rather than at one production center.

  1. 19

    なるほど。

    I see.

  2. 20

    だから、だれそれのさくといって、なのあるひとのつくったものはげいじゅつひんとしてねうちがあるわけなんだ。

    So, the one made by a famous person has a value as art goods saying that this is the work of such-and-such person.

  3. 21

    うるしがたくさんぬってあるかないかで、ねだんがきまるのではないんかね。

    Isn’t the price determined by the amount of lacquer put on it?

  4. 22

    りょうさんされたしっきはそうだろうが、しつのよいのはほかにもいろいろなじょうけんがあるから、いちがいにはいえないよ。

    It probably is so in the case of lacquerwares made by mass production, but there are many other conditions for good quality ones, so we cannot make a sweeping statement.

  5. 23

    しんじゅはいせわんのちかくでぜんさんがくのはちじゅうパーセントでるそうだが、しっきのセンターはどこかね。

    I understand that the vicinity of ise Bay produces 80 percent of the total pearl production, but where is the center of the lacquerware production?

  6. 24

    センターというのはないね。ぜんこくいたるところでできるといえるね。

    There is no such thing as a center. You can say that they are produced throughout the country.

なるほど。
I see, indeed, to be sure
名
name
人
people
もの
things (tangible)
ね
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
うち
home, house
ねだん
price
きまる
be set (v.i.)
けん
numerical counter for houses (See Gram. Notes)
近く
vicinity
八十
80
パーセント
percent
出る
come out to the phone, go out, come out (vi)
センター
center
出来る
to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)
言える
can be said

Stating limits of knowledge · Perception drill, Block 1

As far as memory goes

*私の おぼえている ところでは 千九百四十六年の 六月だったと思います* means "As far as my memory serves me, I think it was June 1946."

The phrase before *ところでは* identifies the limit of the answer. Here, the speaker claims only what memory supports.

The limit of a statement

*ところでは* means "as far as". It follows a verb in its basic past or non-past form, or it follows *の*.

*私の 知っている ところでは、米、麦、さつまいも などですね* limits the list to what the speaker knows.

*今の ところでは、行くつもりでは ありません* uses the same expression with *今の*. The decision holds "as of now."

  1. 25

    みたところではうつくしい。

    About how many people were there at the picnic yesterday?

  2. 26

    きのうのピクニックにひとがなんにんぐらいきていましたか。

    As far as my calculation goes there were about fifty.

  3. 27

    わたくしのかんじょうしたところでは、ごじゅうにんほどきていました。

    About when was this school moved to Monterey?

  4. 28

    このがっこうはいつごろモンテレーにいてんしましたか。

    As far as my memory serves me, I think it was Jime of 1946.

  5. 29

    わたくしのおぼえているところではせんきゅうひゃくよんじゅうろくねんのろくがつだったとおもいます。

    The student called Smith doesn’t do too well, but do you suppose he has no brain?

  6. 30

    スミスというせいとはあんまりできないが、あたまがわるいんだろうか。

    As far as I can observe, it seems he doesn’t study enough at home.

  7. 31

    わたくしのみうけるところでは、あのせいとはいえでべんきょうがたりないようだね。

    Do you intend to go to see a football game this Saturday?

  8. 32

    あなたはこんしゅうのどようびにフットボールをみにいくつもりですか。

    No, I have no intention of going as of now.

  9. 33

    いいえ、いまのところでは、いくつもりではありません。

    What are the chief agricultural products of Japan?

  10. 34

    にほんののうさんぶつのおもなものといえばなんですか。

    As far as I know, they are rice, wheat, and sweet potatoes, etc.

  11. 35

    わたくしのしっているところでは、こめ、むぎ、さつまいもなどですね。

    Why don’t you go to the store and take a look? (persuasion). You should----

ぐらい
about
かんじょう
calculation, payment, settlement of account
五十
50
ほど
to the extent (See Grammar Notes)
モンテレー
Monterey
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
千
1,000
九百
900
四十
40
六
six
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
月
moon, month (See Grammar Notes)
ます。
trout
頭
head, mind
見受ける
see (v.t.)
家
house, home
今週
this week
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
麦、
wheat, barley, oats (See Cult. Notes)
など
and so forth, etc.

Making and answering suggestions · Perception drill, Block 2

A suggestion to sleep early

*時々 早く ねたら どうだ* means "Why don't you sleep early once in a while?"

The ending presents sleeping early as a mild suggestion. The answer can accept it with an intention, as in *今晩は 早く ねるつもりだ*.

Build the suggestion

Replace the TE-form ending with the past conditional, then add *どうだ*. The result means "why don't you", "how about", or "you should".

*もう少し 食べたら どうだ* means "Why don't you eat a little more?"

The polite ending is *たら どうですか*. The suggestion remains mild.

  1. 36

    みせへいってみたらどうだ。

    Why don’t you sleep early once in a while?

  2. 37

    ときどきはやくねたらどうだ。

    Yes, I intend to go to sleep early tonight.

  3. 38

    ええ、こんばんははやくねるつもりだ。

    Why don’t you invite Tanaka, too,tonight?

  4. 39

    こんばんたなかくんもさそったらどうだ。

    Yes, that probably will be nice. I’ll invite him and see, then.

  5. 40

    うん、それはよかろう。じゃ、さそってみよう。

    Why don’t you enjoy yourself once in a while instead of studying so hard like you do?

  6. 41

    きみのようにそんなにべんきょうしないでときどきあそんだらどうだ。

    No, since I don’t have a brain like yours, I have to study, you see.

  7. 42

    いや、ぼくはきみのようにあたまがよくないのだから、べんきょうしなくてはいけないんだよ。

    Since these are cheap, why don’t you buy a lot of them and keep them.

  8. 43

    これはやすいから、たくさんかっておいてはどうだ。

    Yes, I’ll do that, because it is very seldom that they are as cheap as these.

  9. 44

    うん、そうしよう。こんなにやすいことはめったにないからね。

    Why don’t you eat a little more. Since I have a lot, please eat without standing on ceremony.

  10. 45

    もうすこしたべたらどうだ。たくさんあるんだから、えんりょなくたべてくれよ。

    Thank you, but I can’t eat any more. I had plenty.

  11. 46

    ありがとう。しかし、もうたべられないよ。たくさんいただいたよ。

    Thank you. But I can’t eat any more. I’ve had plenty.

へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
時々
sometimes, occasionally
ええ、
Yes
ねる
to sleep
うん、
Yes, all right.
よかろう。
that's good!
いや、
no
よく
well, skillfully
いけ
pond, dam, reservoir
おい
nephew
もう
already (See Gram. Notes)

Reporting known information · Pattern 1 1 of 3

Facts from a named source

*私の聞いた ところでは、田中さんの 奥さんは 病気が ひどい そうです* means "From what I heard, Mrs. Tanaka is seriously ill."

Here, *ところでは* limits the fact to what the speaker heard.

Research, observation, knowledge, and calculation can also limit a report. *今の ところでは* instead limits it to present information.

  1. 47

    わたくしのきいたところでは、たなかさんのおくさんはびょうきがひどいそうです。

    From what I heard, Mrs. Tanaka is seriously ill.

  2. 48

    わたくしのしらべたところでは、そつぎょうまでにあとじゅうさんにちあります。

    From what I found out, there are thirteen days left until graduation.

  3. 49

    わたくしがうけたまわったところでは、おおきさんはもうにほんからかえっているそうです。

    From what I was told, Mr. Oki has already returned from Japan.

  4. 50

    スミスさんのおくさんはみたところでは、げんきそうですが、じつはそうではないのですね。

    Mrs. Smith looks well, but actually she isn’t, is she?

  5. 51

    わたくしがみうけるところでは、たむらさんはべんきょうがすきではないらしいです。

    From what I can tell, Mr. Tamura does not seem to like studying.

  6. 52

    わたくしのしっているところでは、とうきょうのじんこうはいっせんまんをこえています。

    As far as I know, Tokyo’s population exceeds ten million.

  7. 53

    わたくしのかんじょうしたところでは、このかにはあたらしいことばがさんじゅういじょうあります。

    By my count, there are more than thirty new words in this lesson.

  8. 54

    わたくしはいまのところではどようびにもがっこうへいくことにしています。

    For the time being, I plan to go to school on Saturdays too.

は、
leaves
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
十
ten
三
three
好き
to like, be fond of (See Grammar Notes)
人口
population
三十
30

Citing memory and observation · Pattern 1 2 of 3

Answers with stated limits

*私の おぼえている ところでは、二十五年前には 日本には まだ テレビが なかったと思います* means "As far as I remember, I think there was still no television in Japan twenty-five years ago."

*私の 見受けたところでは 大抵、洋服ですね* limits an answer to observation.

*私の しらべた ところでは、大学 だけでも 八十ぐらい あります* limits an answer to research.

  1. 55

    わたくしのおぼえているところでは、にじゅうごねんまえにはにほんにはまだテレビがなかったとおもいます。

    As far as I remember, I think there was still no television in Japan twenty-five years ago.

  2. 56

    とうきょうなどではしごとにいくときに、きものをきていきますか。

    In places like Tokyo, do people wear kimonos when they go to work?

  3. 57

    わたくしのみうけたところではたいてい、ようふくですね。

    From what I have seen, they usually wear Western clothes.

  4. 58

    このがっこうのせいとはいくつぐらいかんじをならいますか。

    About how many kanji do the students at this school learn?

  5. 59

    わたくしのしっているところではきゅうひゃくぐらいです。

    As far as I know, about nine hundred.

  6. 60

    とうきょうはにほんのきょういくのちゅうしんですね。

    Tokyo is the center of education in Japan, isn’t it?

  7. 61

    そうです。わたくしのしらべたところでは、だいがくだけでもはちじゅうぐらいあります。

    Yes. From what I found out, there are about eighty universities alone.

  8. 62

    やまもとさんはまたにほんへいらっしゃるそうですね。

    I hear Mr. Yamamoto is coming to Japan again.

二十
20
五
five
前
before, front
まだ
yet, still
テレビ
television
時
time
だけ
only, just (See Grammar Notes)
いらっしゃる
to come, go (honorific verb)

Citing hearsay and appearances · Pattern 1 3 of 3

The source before the claim

*私の 聞いた ところでは、今度は 三週間ぐらい とうりゅうする 計画だそうです* means "From what I heard, this time he plans to stay for about three weeks."

*今の ところでは 今週末は いい 天気だそうですよ* limits a weather report to present information.

The prompts *見受ける*, *知る*, *見る*, *しらべる*, and *聞く* provide different sources for the same pattern.

  1. 63

    わたくしのきいたところでは、こんどはさんしゅうかんぐらいとうりゅうするけいかくだそうです。

    From what I heard, this time he plans to stay for about three weeks.

  2. 64

    こんしゅうまつフットボールをみにいくつもりですが、あめにならないでしょうか。

    I plan to go see a football game this weekend, but do you think it might rain?

  3. 65

    いまのところではこんしゅうまつはいいてんきだそうですよ。

    For now, they say the weather will be good this weekend.

  4. 66

    みうける。（）あのせいとはあまりべんきょうしないようです。

    To judge from appearances: ( ) That student does not seem to study very much.

  5. 67

    しる。（）とうきょうはせかいいちのだいとかいです。

    To know: ( ) Tokyo is the largest city in the world.

  6. 68

    みる。（）たいへんきれいです。

    To look: ( ) It is very beautiful.

  7. 69

    しらべる。（）せいとはいままでかんじをひゃくならっています。

    To investigate: ( ) The students have learned one hundred kanji so far.

  8. 70

    きく。（）たむらさんのおくさんはにゅういんなさるそうです。

    To hear: ( ) I hear that Mrs. Tamura will be hospitalized.

今度
this time, next time
雨
rain
でしょう
probably (See Gram. Notes)
天気
weather
見受ける。
see (v.t.)
知る。
to know (v.t.)
しらべる。
to investigate
百
100
なさる
to do (honorific verb) (See Notes)

Making everyday suggestions · Pattern 2 1 of 3

Suggestions for everyday actions

The *たら どうだ* in *田中君に 聞いたら どうだ* appears with many everyday actions.

*今晩 遊びに 来たら どうだ* means "Why don't you come over this evening?" The informal ending suits a direct everyday suggestion.

*スミスさんに 電報を うったら どうですか* uses *どうですか* for a polite suggestion.

  1. 71

    こんばんあそびにきたらどうだ。

    Why don’t you come over this evening?

  2. 72

    きみはいぬがすきだから、いぬをかったらどうだ。

    Since you like dogs, why don’t you get one?

  3. 73

    たなかくんにきいたらどうだ。

    Why don’t you ask Tanaka?

  4. 74

    もっとはたらいたらどうだ。

    Why don’t you work harder?

  5. 75

    こどもをつれていったらどうだ。

    Why don’t you take the children along?

  6. 76

    きみはときどきくつをみがいたらどうだ。

    Why don’t you polish your shoes from time to time?

  7. 77

    スミスさんにでんぽうをうったらどうですか。

    Why don’t you send Mr. Smith a telegram?

  8. 78

    もうすこしビールをのんだらどうですか。

    Why don’t you have a little more beer?

  9. 79

    きみはいいげっきゅうをもらっているのだから、すこしはちょきんしたらどうだ。

    Since you earn a good salary, why don’t you save at least a little?

  10. 80

    たなかくん、もうすこしかんじをべんきょうしたらどうだ。

    Tanaka, why don’t you study a few more kanji?

いぬ
dog
もっと
more (See Gram. Notes)
くつ
shoes
電報
telegram
ビール
beer
月給
monthly wage

Suggesting healthier habits · Pattern 2 2 of 3

A suggestion with a reason

*君は 少し かおの色が 悪いが、早く 帰って ねたら どうだ* means "You look a little pale, so why don't you go home early and go to bed?"

Here, *たら どうだ* proposes an action that fits the person's condition.

A reply can accept the suggestion with *そうしよう* or reject it with a reason.

  1. 81

    はい、これからはもうすこしかんじをべんきょうします。

    Yes, from now on I’ll study a few more kanji.

  2. 82

    きみはすこしかおのいろがわるいが、はやくかえってねたらどうだ。

    You look a little pale, so why don’t you go home early and go to bed?

  3. 83

    うん、すこしあたまもいたいので、そうしよう。

    Yes, I have a bit of a headache too, so I’ll do that.

  4. 84

    きみはよくふとってるなあ。あんまりふとると、からだにわるいよ。すこしやせたらどうだ。

    You’ve really gained weight. If you get too heavy, it’s bad for your health. Why don’t you lose a little weight?

  5. 85

    うん、いまやせようとおもってあまりたべないようにしているんだ。

    Yes, I’m trying to lose weight now, so I’m trying not to eat very much.

  6. 86

    きみはゴルフをはじめたらどうだ。

    Why don’t you take up golf?

  7. 87

    いや、ぼくはゴルフをやるようなひまはないよ。

    No, I don’t have time to play golf.

  8. 88

    きみのくつはずいぶんよごれているね。ときどきみがいたらどうだ。

    Your shoes are very dirty. Why don’t you polish them from time to time?

  9. 89

    うん、そういえばきたないね。こんばんかえってみがこう。

    Yes, now that you mention it, they are dirty. I’ll polish them when I get home tonight.

  10. 90

    はなす

    To speak.

かお
face
ふとる
to become stout (v.i.)
と、
and (See Gram. Notes)
体
body, health
ゴルフ
golf
ずい分
very much

Suggesting actions from prompts · Pattern 2 3 of 3

Actions in suggestions

*働く* means "to work". It is one of the action prompts for a mild suggestion.

Other prompts include *読む*, "to read", and *食べる*, "to eat."

Each dictionary form supplies the action that changes to the past conditional before *どうだ*.

  1. 91

    はたらく

    To work.

  2. 92

    つれていく

    To take someone along.

  3. 93

    なおす

    To repair.

  4. 94

    ぬぐ

    To take off.

  5. 95

    よぶ

    To call.

  6. 96

    よむ

    To read.

  7. 97

    のむ

    To drink.

  8. 98

    たべる

    To eat.

  9. 99

    けんぶつする

    To go sightseeing.

なおす
to correct, mend, repair (v.t.)
ぬぐ
take off, undress, uncover
よぶ
to call (v.t.)

Pearl production and uses · Reading Selection 1 of 2

Pearls and their uses

The questions ask about Japan's cultured-pearl industry and Mikimoto. *真珠ようしょくの 本家本元は だれですか* asks who originated cultured pearls.

An answer names Mikimoto. Other answers identify the production center, where eighty percent of output is produced, and the uses of pearls.

*日本の しっきは どうですか* asks what Japanese lacquerware is like.

  1. 100

    しんじゅようしょくでにほんのみぎにでるくにがありますか。

    Is there any country that surpasses Japan in cultured pearls?

  2. 101

    しんじゅようしょくのセンターはどこですか。

    Where is the center of cultured-pearl production?

  3. 102

    にほんのしんじゅのぜんさんがくのはちじゅうパーセントはどこでできますか。

    Where is eighty percent of Japan’s total pearl output produced?

  4. 103

    しんじゅようしょくのほんけほんもとはだれですか。

    Who was the original pioneer of cultured pearls?

  5. 104

    しんじゅはおもになににつかわれますか。

    What are pearls mainly used for?

  6. 105

    にほんのしっきはどうですか。

    What is Japanese lacquerware like?

国
country, nation
ます
trout
だれ
who?
おもに
mainly, chiefly

Lacquerware quality and origins · Reading Selection 2 of 2

What gives lacquerware value

The questions ask how mass production changed quality and which pieces have value as art.

*どんな しっきが げいじゅつ品として ねうちが ありますか* asks what kind of lacquerware has value as art. An answer identifies work by a famous maker.

The remaining answers state that there is no single production center and identify where the best and other famous lacquerware is made.

  1. 106

    きんねん、しっきのりょうさんをやるようになってから、どうなりましたか。

    In recent years, what has happened since lacquerware began to be mass-produced?

  2. 107

    どんなしっきがげいじゅつひんとしてねうちがありますか。

    What kind of lacquerware is valuable as a work of art?

  3. 108

    うるしぬりのセンターはどこですか。

    Where is the center of lacquerware production?

  4. 109

    どこでできたものがいちばんよいものとされていますか。

    Things made where are considered the best?

  5. 110

    そのほか、どこでつくられたものがゆうめいですか。

    Besides that, things made where are famous?

近年、
recent years
一番
number one (See Grammar Notes)

Pearls and lacquerware in Japan · Questions

Two Japanese crafts

The passage presents Japan as the leading producer of cultured pearls. *真珠の 全産がくの 八十パーセントは ここから 出ている* attributes eighty percent of output to the Ise Bay area.

It then describes lacquerware as an art made throughout Japan. Mass production reduced quality, while pieces by famous makers have value.

The account names Aizu lacquerware as the best and also identifies Wakayama, Kamakura, and Wakasa as famous sources.

  1. 111

    しんじゅようしょくでは、にほんのみぎにでるくにはせかいにないだろう。しんじゅようしょくはいせわんのちかくがセンターで、しんじゅのぜんさんがくのはちじゅうパーセントはここからでている。ようしょくしんじゅのほんけほんもとはみきもとで、しんじゅといえばすぐみきもとのながでる。しんじゅはおもにくびかざり、みみかざり、うでわ、ゆびわ、ブローチなどのそうしょくひんにつかわれている。にほんのうるしぬりもせかいでゆうめいだが、きんねんりょうさんをやるようになってから、しつがすこしおちてきた

    No country in the world can probably surpass Japan in pearl cultivation. The area around Ise Bay is the center of pearl cultivation, and eighty percent of the total value of pearl production comes from there. Mikimoto is the original home of cultured pearls, and when pearls are mentioned, the name Mikimoto immediately comes to mind. Pearls are used mainly for ornaments such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, and brooches. Japanese lacquerware is also famous throughout the world, but since it began to be mass-produced in recent years, its quality has declined somewhat.

  2. 112

    ようだ。しっきはにほんではひとつのげいじゅつとしてはったつしてきたもので、だれそれのさくといって、なのあるひとのつくったのはげいじゅつひんとしてねうちがあるわけである。うるしぬりはべつにセンターというのはなく、にほんではぜんこくいたるところでできるが、とうほくちほうのあいづでつくられたものがいちばんよいものとされ、わかやま、かまくら、わかさなどでつくられたものもゆうめいである。

    That seems to be the case. In Japan, lacquerware developed as an art, and pieces made by well-known artists have value as works of art. There is no particular center of lacquerware production, and it is made throughout Japan, but things made in Aizu in the Tohoku region are considered the best, and things made in Wakayama, Kamakura, and Wakasa are also famous.

ここ
here
いる。
to need (See Gram. Notes)
すぐ
right away, immediately
ブローチ
brooch
所
address, place
東北
northeastern Honshu (See Cult Notes)
地方
country, region

Pearls, presents and suggestions · Word list 1 of 4

Pearls and possible presents

These words cover gifts and cultured pearls. *真 珠* means "pearl", while *プレゼント* means "present."

*御木本* names Mikimoto, and *本家本元* means "the originator."

The list also includes *---たらどうだ*, the expression for a mild suggestion.

  1. 113

    しんじゅ

    pearl

  2. 114

    しっき

    lacquerware(See Cult. Notes)

  3. 115

    プレゼント

    present

  4. 116

    ---たらどうだ

    why don’t you do -- (See Gram. Notes)

  5. 117

    おもえる

    can think

  6. 118

    そうだな

    that’s true, isn’t it?

  7. 119

    たいくつ（する）

    boring (be bored)

  8. 120

    みきもと

    P.N. (See Cult. Notes)

  9. 121

    ようしょくしんじゅ

    cultured pearl

  10. 122

    ほんけほんもと

    the originator

  11. 123

    くびかざり

    necklace

しっき
lacquerware(See Cult. Notes)
---たらどうだ
why don’t you do -- (See Gram. Notes)
思える
can think
そうだな
that’s true, isn’t it?
たいくつ（する）
boring (be bored)
ようしょく真珠
cultured pearl
本家本元
the originator
首かざり
necklace

Jewellery, decoration and quality · Word list 2 of 4

Ornaments and related expressions

These words cover ornaments, decoration, quality, and two expressions from the earlier conversations.

*耳かざり* means "earring", and *品* can mean "quality" or "goods."

*そりゃあ* is a contraction of *SORE WA*.

  1. 124

    みみかざり

    earring(ear ornament)

  2. 125

    うでわ

    wrist band

  3. 126

    ゆびわ

    ring (for finger)

  4. 127

    ブローチ

    brooch

  5. 128

    そうしょくひん

    ornaments

  6. 129

    そうしょく（する）

    decorate (v.t.)

  7. 130

    けしょうばこ

    toilet case, make-up box

  8. 131

    そりゃあ

    contraction of SORE WA

  9. 132

    ---りゃ

    contraction of REBA or RE WA (See Cult. Notes)

  10. 133

    しな

    quality, goods

  11. 134

    ---ところでは

    as far as --- (See Gram. Notes)

耳かざり
earring(ear ornament)
うでわ
wrist band
ゆびわ
ring (for finger)
そうしょく品
ornaments
そうしょく（する）
decorate (v.t.)
けしょうばこ
toilet case, make-up box
そりゃあ
contraction of SORE WA
---りゃ
contraction of REBA or RE WA (See Cult. Notes)
---ところでは
as far as --- (See Gram. Notes)

Lacquer, production and art · Word list 3 of 4

Lacquerware as art

These words connect lacquerware production with makers, art, and value.

*量産* means "mass production", and *げいじゅつ品* means "art goods."

*ねうち* means "value."

  1. 135

    うるし

    Japanese lacquer

  2. 136

    うるしぬり

    lacquerware

  3. 137

    ゆうめいなことはゆうめいなんだ

    it’s famous all right (but ---)

  4. 138

    りょうさん

    mass production

  5. 139

    しつ

    quality, nature

  6. 140

    そうか

    contraction of "SOO DESU KA" (man talk)

  7. 141

    げいじゅつ

    art

  8. 142

    だれそれのさく

    the work of such-and-such

  9. 143

    なのあるひと

    well-known person (famous people)

  10. 144

    げいじゅつひん

    art goods

  11. 145

    ねうち

    value

うるしぬり
lacquerware
有名な事は有名なんだ
it’s famous all right (but ---)
そうか
contraction of "SOO DESU KA" (man talk)
げいじゅつ
art
だれそれの作
the work of such-and-such
名のある人
well-known person (famous people)
げいじゅつ品
art goods
ねうち
value

Production, conditions and comparisons · Word list 4 of 4

Production and comparison

These words cover production, conditions, output, centers, and comparisons.

*じょうけん* means "condition", and *全産がく* means "total production."

*右に出る* means "to surpass."

  1. 146

    ぬる

    put on, paint with (v.t.)

  2. 147

    きまる

    be set (v.i.)

  3. 148

    じょうけん

    condition, term, provision

  4. 149

    いちがいにはいえません

    cannot make a sweeping statement; cannot say unqualifiedly

  5. 150

    いせわん

    Ise Bay

  6. 151

    ぜんさんがく

    total production

  7. 152

    センター

    center

  8. 153

    みぎにでる

    to surpass

Guide for Free Conversation

1a Talk about pearl production in japan.

1a(1) Where are the centers of pearl cultivation.

1a(2) Pearl ornaments.

1a(3) What is the most famous name in cultured pearl, etc.

1b Talk about lacquerware in Japan.

1c Discuss the birthday present to be given to your wife or your friend.

2 Topic titles Visual cues

2a Look at the pictures on Page 120 to 123 and talk about them.
Homework

1 Memorize the Dialogue and the vocabulary.

2 study the Grammar Perception Drill.

3 Study the 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 given.
ぬる
put on, paint with (v.t.)
じょうけん
condition, term, provision
一がいには言えません
cannot make a sweeping statement; cannot say unqualifiedly
伊勢湾
Ise Bay
全産がく
total production
右に出る
to surpass

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.