Japanese Basic Course 1732 Studios

Japanese · Lesson 82

Lesson 84

Reading Japan

146 lines

Japan's textile raw materials · Dialogue 1 of 4

Textiles centered on Osaka

*日本では むかしから 織物業が さかんですね* means "The textile industry has been flourishing since the olden days, hasn't it?"

The reply says that the industry flourishes especially around Osaka.

Imported raw materials

*織物の 原料は 日本に ありますか* asks whether Japan has raw materials for textiles.

Only raw silk is domestic. Almost all wool and cotton must be imported.

Kanji: 織 to 羊

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

Kanji: 毛

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

  1. 1

    にほんではむかしからおりものぎょうがさかんですね。

    The textile industry has been flourishing since the olden days, hasn’t it?

    日本Japan
    でin
    はtopic
    むかしolden days
    からsince
    織物textile industry
    業textile industry
    がsubject
    さかんflourishing
    ですis
    ね。right?
  2. 2

    ええ、ことにおおさかをちゅうしんにね。

    Yes, especially around Osaka.

  3. 3

    にほんでさかんなのはめんおりものだけですか。

    Is it only cotton textile industry that flourishes in Japan?

  4. 4

    いぜんにはそうだったんですが、いまではそうではありません。

    It was so before, but it isn’t so now.

  5. 5

    おりもののげんりょうはにほんにありますか。

    Does Japan have raw materials for textiles?

  6. 6

    ないですね。こくさんはきいとだけで、けいとのげんりょうであるようもう、めんしのげんりょうであるわたはほとんどみなゆにゅうせねばならないのです。

    No, she doesn’t. Only raw silk is the domestic product and wool which is the raw material for woolen yarn, and raw cotton which is the raw material for cotton thread practically all have to be imported.

---TEMO SASHITSUKAE NAI. Following the TE-form of verbs and i-adjectives both negative and affirmative, MO SASHITSUKAE NAI means ”it’s all right even though you do such-and-such", or ”it’s all right even though it is ---- ", or "you may do such-and such." Examples: NANI KA TABETE MO SASHITSUKAE NAI. "It’s all right even if you eat something", or "You may eat something." MOO KAETTE MO SASHITSUKAE NAI. "It’s all right even if you go home now", or "You may go home now." FURUKUTE MO SASHITSUKAE NAI. "It’s all right even though it’s old." HAYAKU IKANAKUTE MO SASHITSUKAE NAI. "It’s all right even if you don’t go early."

KUSURI O NOMANAKUTE MO SASHITSUKAE NAI. "It’s all right even if you don’t take the medicine."
WAKE NI NARU WAKE NI NARU is synonymous with WAKE DESU. Following the basic form of verbs both in the past and non-past and i-adjectives usually followed by TO IU, WAKE NI NARU expresses the meaning of "It boils down to the fact that ---", "the fact of the matter is ---." Examples: SEISAN GA ZOOKASURU WAKE NI NARIMASU. "It boils down to the fact that the production increases." ICHINICHI NI HACHI-JIKAN BENKYOO SURU WAKE NI NARU. "It boils down to the fact that I study eight hours a day."

KIMI WA SAKUBAN BENKYOO SHINAKATTA WAKE NI NARU. ”It boils down to the fact that you didn’t study last night.” KORE WA SEITO NIWA MUZUKASHII WAKE NI NARU NE. ”It boils down to the fact that this is difficult for the students.”
---MUKE MUKE is a noun form of the verb MUKERU meaning ”to direct”. MUKE following place nouns means “headed for” or “bound for.” For example: BEIKOKU MUKE “bound for the U. S.” GAIKOKU MUKE “headed for foreign countries,” NIHON MUKE “bound for Japan.”
で
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
は
leaves
むかし
ancient, old
から
from (See Gram. Notes)
織物
fabric
が
but (See Gram. Notes)
です
to be (See Gram. Notes)
ね。
isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
ええ、
Yes
に
on (See Gram. Notes)
を
particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
な
I wish, I hope, huh
の
See Grammar Notes
綿
cotton
だけ
only, just (See Grammar Notes)
か。
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
いぜん
before
そう
numerical counter for ships
原料
raw material
ます
trout
国産
domestically produced; domestic product
生糸
raw silk
毛糸
wool yarn
ある
certain, some
羊毛、
wool (sheep’s)
綿糸
cotton yarn
ほとんど
almost (See Gram. Notes)
なら
if it is (See Gram. Notes)

Sources of wool and cotton · Dialogue 2 of 4

Sheep and cotton in Japan

*日本でも 羊を かっていますね* says that sheep are also raised in Japan.

Their number is insignificant as a source of wool. Cotton was once grown in Japan, but now it is entirely imported.

Permission in one reply

*主として 食用と 言っても さしつかえない くらいです* says that one may describe the sheep as mainly for food.

In *言っても さしつかえない*, the speaker says that making this statement is acceptable. Wool and cotton chiefly come from the countries named next.

Kanji: 花

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

  1. 7

    にほんでもひつじをかっていますね。

    They raise sheep in Japan, too, don’t they?

  2. 8

    かっていますが、ようもうをとるためのものとしてはもんだいにならないほどすくないですね。しゅとしてしょくようといってもさしつかえないくらいです。

    They raise them, but as a coiurse of getting wool they are unquestionably few. You may even say that they are mainly for food.

  3. 9

    めんかはどうですか。

    What about raw cotton?

  4. 10

    むかしはわたもつくっていたんですが、こんにちではつくっていませんね。ひゃくパーセントゆにゅうです。

    ;in olden days they used to growcotton, but today they don’t. It is imported 100%.

  5. 11

    ようもうやめんかはどこからゆにゅうするのですか。

    Where do they import wool and raw cotton from?

  6. 12

    ようもうはオーストラリアとニュージーランド、めんかはべいこくとメキシコからおもにきます。

    Wool mainly comes from Australia and New Zealand, and raw cotton from the United States and Mexico.

が、
but (See Gram. Notes)
羊毛
wool (sheep’s)
とる
to take (v.t.)
もの
things (tangible)
と
and (See Gram. Notes)
し
city
ほど
to the extent (See Grammar Notes)
食用
for food, for the table
さしつかえ
hindrance, engagement
くらい
dark
綿花
raw cotton
今日
today
百
100
パーセント
percent
や
and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
メキシコ
Mexico

Synthetic fibres and exports · Dialogue 3 of 4

The cost of imported wool

*原料としては 高く つきますからね* says that wool from Argentina costs too much as a raw material.

The distance and inconvenience lead the speakers to discuss synthetic fibres.

A conclusion from the cost

*それでは、人けん、スフなどの かがくせんいの 生産が ぞうかする 訳になりますね* concludes that production of rayon and other synthetic fibres increases.

Here *訳になりますね* presents what the preceding facts amount to. The reply adds that exports are also increasing.

  1. 13

    ようもうはアルゼンチンからはかっていないのですか。

    Don’t they buy wool from Argentina?

  2. 14

    ゆにゅうしていますが、とおくはあるし、つごうがわるいんですよ。げんりょうとしてはたかくつきますからね。

    They do import, but it is far and it is inconvenient. It costs too much as a raw materia

  3. 15

    それでは、じんけん、スフなどのかがくせんいのせいさんがぞうかするわけになりますね。

    The.n, it boils down to the fact that the production of chemical fibers such as rayon, rayon staple, and others increases, doesn’t it?

  4. 16

    そうです。きんねん、そのほうめんでずいぶんはってんしていますね。

    That’s right. They have developed a great deal in that field in recent years.

  5. 17

    ナイロン、ポリエステルなどもにほんでできますか。

    Are nylon, polyester, and others produced in Japan?

  6. 18

    できます。ゆしゅつもぞうかしています。

    Yes, they are. Export also is increasing.

遠く
distant (place)
つごう
convenience
人
people
けん、
numerical counter for houses (See Gram. Notes)
スフ
staple fiber, rayon staple
など
and so forth, etc.
生産
production
近年、
recent years
ずい分
very much
ナイロン、
nylon
ポリエステル
polyester

Wool exports to North America · Dialogue 4 of 4

Goods destined for North America

*北米むけだけでも、七千万ドルを こえています* says that exports to North America alone exceed seventy million dollars.

*むけ* is a noun form of *MUKERU*, "to direct." After a place noun, it means "headed for" or "bound for."

In this line, *北米むけ* means "to North America."

  1. 19

    けおりもののよいのも、にほんでできるそうですね。

    I understand good quality woolen fabrics are also produced in japan.

  2. 20

    ええ、それでゆしゅつもぞうかし、ほくべいむけだけでも、ななせんまんドルをこえています。

    Yes. And export also has increased and the export to North America alone exceeds 70 million dollars.

  3. 21

    そのことで、べいこくでもすこしさわいでいますよ。

    Even in the United States, they are a little alarmed concerning that.

  4. 22

    そうらしいですね。

    That’s what I hear.

よい
good (See Gram. Notes)
出来る
to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)
北米
North America
七千
7,000
ドル
dollar
ます。
trout
少し
little (quantity)

Saying something is acceptable · Perception drill, Block 1

An action is acceptable

*外へ 出ても さしつかえない* means "You may go out."

After an affirmative or negative verb TE-form, *も さしつかえない* means "it is all right even if" or "you may."

Actions and conditions

*もう 飲まなくても さしつかえありません* means "It is all right even if you do not take any more medicine."

*少しぐらい 高くても さしつかえない* means "It is all right even if it is a little more expensive." The expression also follows an I-adjective TE-form.

  1. 23

    もうかえってもさしつかえない。

    It’s all right even if you go home. (You may go home.)

  2. 24

    おくさんのごびょうきはいかがですか。

    How is yoxxr wife’s illness?

  3. 25

    ありがとうございます。おかげさまでげんきになって、もうなにをたべてもさしつかえないとおいしゃもいっておられました。

    Thank you very much, but she has regained her health and the doctor was saying that she may eat anything now,

  4. 26

    せんせい、しけんをすませたら、そとへでてもいいですか。

    Teacher, may we go out when we finish the examination?

  5. 27

    うん、そとへでてもさしつかえないが、しずかにするんだよ。

    Yes, you may go out, but you had better be quiet,

  6. 28

    こんばんわたくしもいかなくてはいけないのですか。

    Do I have to go, too, tonight?

  7. 29

    いいえ、わたくしがいきますから、あなたはいかなくてもさしつかえありません。

    No, since I am going, it’s all right even though you don’t go.

  8. 30

    いまあいにくやすいのはうりきれました。すこしたかいですが、これはいかがですか。

    Unfortunately, the cheaper ones are sold out now. Though they are more expensive, how about these?

  9. 31

    うん、やすいのがなければしかたがない。すこしぐらいたかくてもさしつかえないから、それをもらおう。

    Yes, if you have no more cheaper ones, it can’t be helped. It’s all right even if it is a little more expensive, so I’ll take it,

  10. 32

    せんせい、まだくすりをのまなければなりませんか。

    Doctor, do I still have to take medicine?

  11. 33

    いいえ、もうのまなくてもさしつかえありません。

    No, it’s all right even if you don’t take anymore medicine.

もう
already (See Gram. Notes)
医者
medical doctor
へ
to (See Gram. Notes)
いい
good (See Gram. Notes)
うん、
Yes, all right.
だ
to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
いけ
pond, dam, reservoir
から、
from (See Gram. Notes)
あいにく
unfortunately
ぐらい
about
まだ
yet, still
くすり
medicine

Drawing conclusions from facts · Perception drill, Block 2

What the facts amount to

*田村さんの 時計が おくれていた と言う 訳になりますね* means "The fact of the matter was that Mr. Tamura's watch was slow."

*訳になります* means "it boils down to the fact that" or "the fact of the matter is." It has the same meaning as *WAKE DESU*.

Past and non-past conclusions

*生産が ぞうかした 訳になります* means "It boils down to the fact that the production has increased."

The past verb precedes *訳になります* here. In *毎日 少くとも 八時間 勉強すると言う 訳になりますね*, the verb is non-past.

  1. 34

    せいさんがぞうかしたわけになります。

    It boils down to the fact that the production has increased.

  2. 35

    スミスさんはあたまがいいのですが、べんきょうしないから、よくできません。

    Though Mr. Smith is smart, since he doesn’t study he can’t do well.

  3. 36

    いくらあたまがよくてもべんきょうしなければだめというわけになりますね。

    It boils down to the fact that no matter how smart one may be, if he doesn’t study he is no good.

  4. 37

    このがっこうのせいとはまいにちすくなくともはちじかんべんきょうするというわけになりますね。

    It boils down to the fact that the students of this school study at least eight hours everyday, doesn’t it?

  5. 38

    そうですね。がっこうでろくじかん、いえですくなくともにじかんべんきょうしなければなりませんからね。

    That’s right, because they have to study six hours at school and at least two hours at home.

  6. 39

    パーカーさんはよくはなせましたが、よむのができませんでしたね。

    Mr. Parker did well in speaking, but he couldn’t read.

  7. 40

    よむのができなかったのはかんじがわからなかったというわけになりますね。

    It boils down to the fact that the reason he couldn’t read was that he didn’t know the Kanji, doesn’t it?

  8. 41

    たむらさんはごじのひこうきにまにあわなかったそうですね。

    I understand Mr. Tamura couldn’t make the five o’clock plane, isn’t that so?

  9. 42

    たむらさんのとけいがおくれていたというわけになりますね。

    The fact of the matter was that Mr. Tamura’s watch was slow.

  10. 43

    にほんごはこれからむずかしくなるいっぽうですよ。

    Japanese will keep on getting more difficult from now on.

  11. 44

    では、わたくしたちはもっともっとべんきょうしなければならないというわけになりますね。

    Then, it boils down to the fact that we wxll have to study all the more , doesn’t it?

か
either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
頭
head, mind
よく
well, skillfully
いくら
how much? how many?
だめ
no good, useless, hopeless
言う
to say
毎日
Mainichi Newspaper Co.
八
eight
時間
hour, time
六
six
家
house, home
二
two
五
five
時
time
もっと
more (See Gram. Notes)

Saying something is unnecessary · Pattern 1 1 of 3

No need to act

*君は 今晩 行かなくても さしつかえない* means "You don't have to go tonight."

The *ても さしつかえない* form follows the negative TE-form in this line. *古くても さしつかえない* says that being old does not matter.

  1. 45

    きみはこんばんいかなくてもさしつかえない。

    You don't have to go tonight.

  2. 46

    すこしぐらいまちがってもさしつかえない。

    It doesn't matter if you make a few mistakes.

  3. 47

    あしたのあさははやくおきなくてもさしつかえない。

    You don't have to get up early tomorrow morning.

  4. 48

    あしたはどようびだから、こんばんはべんきょうしなくてもさしつかえない。

    Tomorrow is Saturday, so you don't have to study tonight.

  5. 49

    もうあしたからくすりをのまなくてもさしつかえない。

    Starting tomorrow, you don't have to take the medicine anymore.

  6. 50

    もうすこしふとってもさしつかえない。

    It doesn't matter if you gain a little more weight.

  7. 51

    ふるくてもさしつかえない。

    It doesn't matter if it is old.

  8. 52

    すこしおそくてもさしつかえないから、きなさい。

    It doesn't matter if you're a little late, so come.

君
suffix to a name, Mr. (See cult. notes)
明日
tomorrow
朝
morning
おそく
late (adverbial form of OSOI, be late, be slow)

Relaxing requirements and deadlines · Pattern 1 2 of 3

A different condition is acceptable

*新しくなくても さしつかえないから、持って来てください* means "It doesn't matter if it isn't new, so please bring it."

The *ても さしつかえない* form also accepts a delayed arrival in *少しぐらい おそくなっても さしつかえないから、おいでなさい*.

  1. 53

    おおきくなくてもさしつかえありません。

    It doesn't matter if it isn't large.

  2. 54

    ざっしはあたらしくなければいけませんか。

    Does the magazine have to be new?

  3. 55

    いいえ、あたらしくなくてもさしつかえないから、もってきてください。

    No, it doesn't matter if it isn't new, so please bring it.

  4. 56

    こんばんしちじまでにこなければいけませんか。

    Do I have to come by seven tonight?

  5. 57

    いいえ、すこしぐらいおそくなってもさしつかえないから、おいでなさい。

    No, it doesn't matter if you're a little late, so come.

  6. 58

    このことばもおぼえなくてはいけませんか。

    Do I have to learn this word too?

  7. 59

    そのことばはあまりたいせつではないから、おぼえなくてもさしつかえない。

    That word isn't very important, so you don't have to learn it.

  8. 60

    わたくしはまだしたくをしていませんから、しばらくまってくださいませんか。

    I'm not ready yet, so would you please wait a little while?

ください。
please give me (See Gram. Notes)
七
seven
まで
as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
したく
preparation
しばらく
for a while

Asking whether something is required · Pattern 1 3 of 3

A requirement and its answer

*この かん字を おぼえなければなりませんか* asks whether this kanji must be learned.

An answer can use negative *ても さしつかえない*. *かぎを かけなくても さしつかえありません* means that locking the car is unnecessary.

  1. 61

    まだじかんはじゅうぶんありますから、いそがなくてもさしつかえありませんよ。

    There is still plenty of time, so you don't have to hurry.

  2. 62

    じどうしゃにかぎをかけましょうか。

    Shall I lock the car?

  3. 63

    いいえ、たいせつなものははいっていないから、かぎをかけなくてもさしつかえありません。

    No, there is nothing valuable in it, so you don't have to lock it.

  4. 64

    このかんじをおぼえなければなりませんか。

    Do I have to learn this kanji?

  5. 65

    あたらしくなければいけませんか。

    Does it have to be new?

  6. 66

    まだかえってはいけませんか。

    May I not go home yet?

  7. 67

    これをつかってもいいですか。

    May I use this?

  8. 68

    こんばんこどもをつれていってはいけませんか。

    May I not take my child along tonight?

分
minute
車
vehicle, car
ましょう
let's (See Gram. Notes)

Confirming what facts imply · Pattern 2 1 of 3

Confirming a conclusion

*君が 悪かった 訳になりますね* means "That means you were at fault, doesn't it?"

The *訳になります* form states a conclusion from given facts. The final *ね* asks for agreement with it.

  1. 69

    きみがわるかったわけになりますね。

    That means you were at fault, doesn't it?

  2. 70

    わたくしがまちがっていたわけになりますね。

    That means I was mistaken, doesn't it?

  3. 71

    あなたのいったことがほんとうだったわけになりますね。

    That means what you said was true, doesn't it?

  4. 72

    まいにちはちじかんべんきょうするわけになります。

    That means studying eight hours every day.

  5. 73

    にほんごのはつおんはやさしいというわけになりますね。

    That means Japanese pronunciation is easy, doesn't it?

  6. 74

    あのせいとはべんきょうしなかったわけになりますね。

    That means that student didn't study, doesn't it?

  7. 75

    こどもはおとなよりおぼえるのがはやいというわけになります。

    That means children learn faster than adults.

  8. 76

    あのせいとはべんきょうがたりないというわけになりますね。

    That means that student doesn't study enough, doesn't it?

  9. 77

    このがっこうでははなすのがいちばんたいせつだというわけになりますね。

    That means speaking is the most important thing at this school, doesn't it?

やさしい
easy
より
than (See Gram. Notes)
おぼえる
to memorize, remember (v.t.)
一番
number one (See Grammar Notes)

Drawing conclusions about study · Pattern 2 2 of 3

A conclusion from results

*安物を 買うと だめだと言う 訳になりますね* means "That means cheap things are no good, doesn't it?" The conclusion follows the result of cheap shoes wearing out.

The *訳になります* form also concludes how long students study and what one year cannot achieve.

  1. 78

    このまえやすいくつをかいましたが、いっかげつでだめになりました。

    I bought a cheap pair of shoes recently, but they wore out in a month.

  2. 79

    やすものをかうとだめだというわけになりますね。

    That means cheap things are no good, doesn't it?

  3. 80

    このがっこうのせいとはまいばんいえでなんじかんぐらいべんきょうするのですか。

    About how many hours do the students at this school study at home every night?

  4. 81

    まあたいていにじかんからさんじかんぐらいですね。

    Well, usually about two or three hours.

  5. 82

    ではまいにちはちじかんからきゅうじかんぐらいべんきょうするわけになりますね。

    Then that means they study about eight or nine hours every day, doesn't it?

  6. 83

    このがっこうのせいとはいちねんで、にほんのしんぶんがよめるようになりますか。

    Do the students at this school become able to read Japanese newspapers in one year?

  7. 84

    いいえ、とんでもない。

    No, certainly not.

  8. 85

    では、にほんごはいちねんではならえないというわけになりますね。

    Then that means Japanese cannot be learned in one year, doesn't it?

  9. 86

    このがっこうではよみかきのれんしゅうをするじかんがどのぐらいありますか。

    How much time is there for practicing reading and writing at this school?

前
before, front
くつ
shoes
一
one
買う
to buy
まあ
Well! Oh, my!
三
three
九
nine
年
year (See Grammar Notes)
どの
which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)

Comparing study and learning · Pattern 2 3 of 3

A conclusion from comparison

*若い生徒の方が おぼえるのが早いと言う訳になりますね* means "That means the younger students learn faster, doesn't it?"

The conclusion follows the comparison: younger students study less but do better.

  1. 87

    たいていさんじかんぐらいですね。

    Usually about three hours.

  2. 88

    では、このがっこうでははなすのがいちばんたいせつだというわけになりますね。

    Then that means speaking is the most important thing at this school, doesn't it?

  3. 89

    わかいせいとはとしよりのせいとのはんぶんもべんきょうしないが、かえってとしよりのせいとよりよくできますね。

    The younger students study less than half as much as the older students, but they actually do better than the older students, don't they?

  4. 90

    わかいせいとのほうがおぼえるのがはやいというわけになりますね。

    That means the younger students learn faster, doesn't it?

  5. 91

    わかいせいとはとしよりのせいとほどべんきょうしなくてもいい。

    The younger students don't have to study as much as the older students.

  6. 92

    いちねんのべんきょうではにほんのしんぶんがよめるようになりません。

    One year of study will not enable you to read Japanese newspapers.

  7. 93

    あんまりべんきょうしないせいとはたいていがっこうでもよくできません。

    Students who don't study very much usually don't do well at school either.

  8. 94

    べんきょうすればべんきょうするほどじょうずになります。

    The more you study, the better you become.

  9. 95

    このがっこうでは、よみかきよりもはなすのがたいせつです。

    At this school, speaking is more important than reading and writing.

は、
leaves
半分
half
かえって
on the contrary, rather (See Grammar Notes)
いい。
good (See Gram. Notes)
上手
skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)

Textile exports and synthetic fibres · Reading Selection 1 of 3

Woolen exports

*今日では 上等の 毛織物が 日本で 出来る 様に なったので 輸出も ぞうかし、北米むけだけでも 一年に 七千万ドルを こえています* says that exports rose after Japan began producing high-quality woolen fabrics.

In *北米むけ*, the suffix names North America as the destination.

Synthetic fibres

*かがくせんいの 生産は 近年 ずい分 発てんして、外国へも 輸出し、毎年 ぞうかする 一方です* says that synthetic-fibre production and exports continue to increase.

The passage contrasts that growth with the decline of the silk textile industry.

  1. 96

    すくないもので、しゅとしてしょくようといってもさしつかえないくらいです。

    There are so few that you could say they are mainly for food.

  2. 97

    こんにちではじょうとうのけおりものがにほんでできるようになったのでゆしゅつもぞうかし、ほくべいむけだけでもいちねんにななせんまんドルをこえています。

    Today, high-quality woolen fabrics can be made in Japan, so exports have also increased, and exports to North America alone exceed seventy million dollars a year.

  3. 98

    このことでべいこくでもすこしさわいでいるそうです。

    I hear that this is causing some concern in the United States too.

  4. 99

    きぬおりものぎょうはスフ、ナイロン、ポリエステルなどのかがくせんいのせいさんがぞうかするようになったので、むかしほどさかんではありません。

    The silk textile industry is not as flourishing as it used to be because the production of synthetic fibers such as rayon, nylon, and polyester has increased.

  5. 100

    かがくせんいのせいさんはきんねんずいぶんはってんして、がいこくへもゆしゅつし、まいねんぞうかするいっぽうです。

    The production of synthetic fibers has developed considerably in recent years, and exports to foreign countries continue to increase every year.

  6. 101

    にほんではむかしからおりものぎょうがさかんですか。

    Has the textile industry flourished in Japan since olden times?

  7. 102

    ことにどのちほうでさかんですか。

    In what region is it especially flourishing?

で、
--is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
です。
to be (See Gram. Notes)
上等
superior class; superior quality
いる
to need (See Gram. Notes)
きぬ
silk
スフ、
staple fiber, rayon staple
近年
recent years
毎年
every year (See Grammar Notes)
地方
country, region

Cotton, wool and imports · Reading Selection 2 of 3

Materials and their sources

*織物では 国産の 原料と言えば 何ですか* asks which textile raw material is domestically produced. The answer is raw silk.

*羊毛は 主に どこから 来ますか* asks where wool mainly comes from. Cotton and wool come from the overseas sources described in the dialogue.

  1. 103

    いちばんさかんなのはなんですか。

    What is the most flourishing industry?

  2. 104

    めんしのげんりょうはなんですか。

    What is the raw material for cotton thread?

  3. 105

    にほんはわたをどこからゆにゅうしますか。

    Where does Japan import cotton from?

  4. 106

    おりものではこくさんのげんりょうといえばなんですか。

    When it comes to textiles, what raw material is domestically produced?

  5. 107

    けいとのげんりょうはなんですか。

    What is the raw material for woolen yarn?

  6. 108

    ようもうはおもにどこからきますか。

    Where does wool mainly come from?

  7. 109

    にほんではひつじをかっていませんか。

    Don’t they raise sheep in Japan?

Wool and synthetic production · Reading Selection 3 of 3

Exports and production

*北米むけの 毛織物は どのぐらいですか* asks the value of woolen fabric destined for North America.

The suffix in *北米むけ* identifies the destination. *かがくせんいの 生産は 近年 どうですか* asks about recent synthetic-fibre production.

  1. 110

    ようもうのげんりょうとしてはどうですか。

    How are they as a source of wool?

  2. 111

    こんにちではじょうとうのけおりものがにほんでできるようになりましたか。

    Has Japan now become able to produce high-quality woolen textiles?

  3. 112

    ほくべいむけのけおりものはどのぐらいですか。

    How much woolen fabric is destined for North America?

  4. 113

    きぬおりものぎょうはなぜむかしほどさかんではありませんか。

    Why is the silk textile industry not as flourishing as it used to be?

  5. 114

    かがくせんいのせいさんはきんねんどうですか。

    How has the production of synthetic fibers been in recent years?

なぜ
why?

Japan's textile industry · Questions

Japan's textile materials

*日本では むかしから 織物業が さかんです* begins a description of Japan's textile industry.

It explains that raw silk is domestic. Cotton comes from the United States and Mexico, while wool comes mainly from Australia and New Zealand.

  1. 115

    にほんではむかしからおりものぎょうがさかんです。ことにおおさかをちゅうしんにしたちほうではそうです。いちばんさかんなのはめんおりものですが、めんしのげんりょうであるわたはほとんどみなべいこくやメキシコからゆにゅうしなければなりません。むかしはにほんでもわたをつくっていましたが、こんにちではほとんどひゃくパーセントゆにゅうです。おりもののげんりょうはこくさんといえばきいとだけです。けいとのげんりょうであるようもうはオーストラリアニュージーランドからおもにきます。にほんでもひつじはかっていますが、ようもうをとるためのものとしては、もんだいにならないほど

    The textile industry has been flourishing in Japan since the olden days. This is especially true in the area centered around Osaka. Cotton textiles flourish the most, but nearly all the cotton used as the raw material for cotton thread has to be imported from the United States and Mexico. Cotton used to be grown in Japan as well, but today nearly one hundred percent of it is imported. When it comes to raw materials for textiles, only raw silk is domestically produced. Wool, the raw material for woolen yarn, comes mainly from Australia and New Zealand. Sheep are raised in Japan, too, but as a source of wool, they are so few as to be insignificant.

Fabrics and textile materials · Word list 1 of 3

Fabrics and raw materials

These words distinguish products from their materials. *織物* is "fabric," while *織物業* is "textile industry."

*原料* is "raw material." *生糸* is "raw silk," and *羊毛* is "wool."

  1. 116

    おりもの

    fabric

  2. 117

    おりものぎょう

    textile industry

  3. 118

    さかん(な)

    flourishing

  4. 119

    めんおりもの

    cotton fabric

  5. 120

    いぜん

    before

  6. 121

    げんりょう

    raw material

  7. 122

    こくさん

    domestically produced; domestic product

  8. 123

    きいと

    raw silk

  9. 124

    けいと

    wool yarn

  10. 125

    ようもう

    wool (sheep’s)

  11. 126

    めんし

    cotton yarn

織物業
textile industry
さかん(な)
flourishing
綿織物
cotton fabric

Cotton imports and costs · Word list 2 of 3

Imports and costs

These words cover materials, use, and cost. *綿花* is "raw cotton," *食用* is "for food," and *高くつく* means "ends up costing more."

*つごう* is "convenience," while *つごうが悪い* is "inconvenient."

  1. 127

    わた

    cotton

  2. 128

    もんだいにならないほど

    incontrovertibly

  3. 129

    おもとして

    mainly

  4. 130

    しょくよう

    for food, for the table

  5. 131

    --てもさしつかえない

    may (See Gram. Notes)

  6. 132

    めんか

    raw cotton

  7. 133

    メキシコ

    Mexico

  8. 134

    つごう

    convenience

  9. 135

    つごうがわるい

    inconvenient

  10. 136

    たかくつく

    ends up costing more; costs much

  11. 137

    じんけん

    rayon

問題にならないほど
incontrovertibly
主として
mainly
--てもさしつかえない
may (See Gram. Notes)
つごうが悪い
inconvenient
高くつく
ends up costing more; costs much
人けん
rayon

Synthetic fibres and destinations · Word list 3 of 3

Fibres and destinations

The fibre words include *スフ*, "rayon staple," *ナイロン*, "nylon," and *ポリエステル*, "polyester."

*北米* is "North America." The suffix *---むけ* means "to" or "toward," and *北米むけ* identifies that destination.

  1. 138

    スフ

    staple fiber, rayon staple

  2. 139

    かがくせんい

    chemical fiber

  3. 140

    ほうめん

    field, area

  4. 141

    ナイロン

    nylon

  5. 142

    ポリエステル

    polyester

  6. 143

    ほくべい

    North America

  7. 144

    ほくべいむけ

    to the North America

  8. 145

    さわぐ

    be noisy, be complaining, be alarmed

  9. 146

    ---むけ

    suffix meaning ”to”, ”toward”. (See Cult. Notes)

Guide for Free Conversation

1 Topic Titles:

1a Talk about the textile industry in Japan.

1a(1) Silk Textile industry

1a(2) Cotton Textile industry

1a(3) Woolen Textile industry

1a(4) Chemical Fiber industry
Homework

1 Memorize the Dialogue and the vocabulary.

2 Study Grammar Perception Drill.

3 Study Pattern Practice and do the exercise following each sentence 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.
かがくせんい
chemical fiber
方めん
field, area
ナイロン
nylon
北米むけ
to the North America
さわぐ
be noisy, be complaining, be alarmed
---むけ
suffix meaning ”to”, ”toward”. (See Cult. Notes)

The particulars

The course
Defense Language Institute, Japanese Basic Course, 1967 to 1971. Public domain. The teaching pages and the narration are ours.
Reading aloud
Digital narration, directed by 1732 Studios.
The book
Botchan, the work this course leads to, free to read here.
Data
JSON · Markdown · A guide for agents
Two whoopie pies and a pine. An inside joke.