Japanese · Lesson 83
Lesson 85
Reading Japan
Japan's silk production · Dialogue 1 of 4
Raw silk from Japan
Two people discuss raw silk production and sericulture in Japan. *そうです。せかい中で 日本ぐらい 生糸を 沢山 生産する 国は ないですね* means "That is right. No other country produces as much raw silk as Japan."
They also discuss postwar decline, total production, and where farmers raise silkworms.
A side business on farms
*ほとんど 全国 いたるところで かいます* means "They raise them practically throughout the country."
Farmers raise silkworms as a side business. Few farmers specialize in sericulture.
Kanji: 蚕, 争, 養
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 1
きいとはにほんのもっともたいせつなこくさんひんだそうですね。
I understand that raw silk is the most important domestic product, isn’t that right?
生糸raw silkはtopic日本Japanの'sもっともmost大切importantなimportant国産domestic product品domestic productだisそうI understandですI understandね。right? - 2
そうです。せかいじゅうでにほんぐらいきいとをたくさんせいさんするくにはないですね。
That’s right. There is no other country in the world that produces as much raw silk as japan.
そうthat's rightです。that's rightせかいworld中throughoutでin日本Japanぐらいas much as生糸raw silkをobject沢山a lot生産produceするproduce国countryはtopicないnoneですisね。right? - 3
だいにせかいせんそうのあと、にほんのようさんぎょうはおとろえたとききましたが。
I heard that sericulture in Japan declined after the Second World War, but ---
第Second二SecondせかいWorld戦争Warのof後、after日本Japanの's養蚕sericulture業sericultureはtopicおとろえdeclinedたpastとquote聞きheardましheardたheardが。but - 4
そうです。でもせかいのそうさんがくのよんじゅうパーセントぐらいはにほんからでているとおもいます。
That’s right, but I think about 40 per cent of the total production of the world comes out of japan.
そうthat's rightです。that's rightでbutもbutせかいworldのofそうtotal productionさんtotal productionがくtotal productionのof四十fortyパーセントpercentぐらいaboutはtopic日本Japanからfrom出comesてcomesいるcomesとquote思いthinkます。think - 5
かいこはどのちほうでかいますか。
In what region do they raise silkworms?
蚕silkwormsはtopicどのwhich地方regionでinかいraiseますraiseか。question - 6
ほとんどぜんこくいたるところでかいます。のうかがふくぎょうとしてかうので、ようさんをせんもんにやっているのうかはすくないようです。
They raise them practically throughout the country. Farmers raise them as a side business. It seems there are few farmers who specialize in sericulture.
ほとんどpractically全国whole countryいたるthroughoutところthroughoutでinかいraiseます。raise農家farmersがsubjectふくside business業side businessとasしasてasかうraiseのbecauseで、because養蚕sericultureをobjectせんもんspecializeにinやっspecializeてspecializeいるspecialize農家farmersはtopic少いfew様it seemsです。it seems
---TATE
Following the second base (MASU-form base) of verbs, the suffix TATE expresses the meaning of ”fresh from”, ”just from”, ”hot from”, ”immediately after”, etc. When the expression ”---TATE” modifies a noun, the particle NO follows it.
Examples:
INAKA KARA KITATE NO JOCHUU.
”a maid fresh from the country.”
DAIGAKU DETATE NO SEINEN.
”a young man fresh out from college.”
TORITATE NO SAKANA.
”fish fresh from the sea” or ”fresh-caught fish”
DEKITATE NO IE.
” a newly built house”
YAKITATE NO PAN.
”bread freshly baked” or ”fresh-baked bread”
ANO SEITO WA GAKKOO E KITATE KARA BENKYOO SHITE IMASU.
”That student has been studying immediately after coming to school.”
KAIKO WA KAERITATE KARA, TABEMONO O SAGASHIMASU.
”Immediately after being hatched, silkworms seek food.”---KAERU
Following the second base (MASU-form base) of verbs, KAERU gives the meaning of ”change.”
Examples:
YOOFUKU O KIKAERU ”to change suits”
KUTSU O HAKIKAERU ”to change shoes”
KAKIKAERU ”to rewrite”
MONO O TORIKAERU ”to exchange things”
GARASU O IREKAERU ”to replace the glass”
IIKAERU ”to restate”, ”to say over”
YOMIKAERU ”to reread”, ”to read over”Notes on ---YUKI
YUKI is a suffix showing destination. It is tacked on to a place noun and expresses an idea of ”bound for such-and-such a place.”
Examples:
AMERIKA-YUKI NO KISEN ”a steamer bound for America”
TOKYO-YUKI NO KIPPU ” a ticket (bound) for Tokyo”
SUGAMO-YUKI NO DENSHA ” a streetcar (bound) for Sugamo”
WATAKUSHI WA NIHON-YUKI DESU. ”I am going to Japan”.
”I am bound for Japan.”- 生糸
- raw silk
- は
- leaves
- の
- See Grammar Notes
- もっとも
- extremely, the most
- な
- I wish, I hope, huh
- 国産
- domestically produced; domestic product
- 品
- quality, goods
- だ
- to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
- そう
- numerical counter for ships
- です
- to be (See Gram. Notes)
- ね。
- isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
- せかい
- world
- で
- --is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
- ぐらい
- about
- を
- particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
- 生産
- production
- 国
- country, nation
- 二
- two
- 養蚕
- sericulture
- と
- and (See Gram. Notes)
- が。
- but (See Gram. Notes)
- 四十
- 40
- パーセント
- percent
- から
- from (See Gram. Notes)
- いる
- to need (See Gram. Notes)
- ます。
- trout
- 蚕
- silkworm
- どの
- which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)
- 地方
- country, region
- かい
- counter meaning ”time” (frequency)
- か。
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
- ほとんど
- almost (See Gram. Notes)
- ところ
- place (See Gram. Notes)
- ふく
- to blow (v.i.)
- し
- city
- かう
- raise, rear, breed (v.t.)
- せんもん
- specialty
- に
- on (See Gram. Notes)
Silkworm growth and cocoons · Dialogue 2 of 4
From a small ant to a cocoon
The speakers describe silkworms in Nagano and other mountain regions. They discuss their size after hatching and the number of days before cocoon production.
*たまごから かえりたての 時は 小さい ありぐらいの 大きさで 黒い 虫です* describes the silkworm immediately after hatching. It is black and about the size of a small ant.
Immediately after hatching
In *かえりたての 時*, the suffix *たて* presents the silkworm immediately after it hatched.
The speakers then compare that first size with its growth to about seven centimeters.
Kanji: 虫
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
Kanji: 類, 種
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 7
ながのけんでは、かいこをたくさんかっているそうですね。
I understand they raise a lot of silkworms in the prefecture of Nagano.
長野Nagano県Prefectureでinは、topic蚕silkwormsをobject沢山a lotかっare raisingてare raisingいるare raisingそうI understandですI understandね。right? - 8
そうです。かんとう、ちゅうぶおよびとうほくちほうのさんちではようさんはさかんです。
That’s right. Sericulture flourishes in the mountain regions of the Kantoo area, Chuubu area, and also the Toohoku area.
そうthat's rightです。that's right関東、Kanto中部Chubuおよびand東北Tohoku地方regionのof山地mountain areasでinはtopic養蚕sericultureはtopicさかんflourishingです。is - 9
わたくしはまだかいこをみたことがないのですが、いったいどんなむしですか。
I have never seen a silkworm, but what kind of a worm is it anyway?
私Iはtopicまだyet蚕silkwormをobject見seenたseenことexperienceがsubjectないneverのexplanationですisが、but一体anywayどんなwhat kind of虫wormですisか。question - 10
たまごからかえりたてのときはちいさいありぐらいのおおきさでくろいむしです。それがわずかのにっすうでななセンチぐらいのおおきさになります。
It is a black worm about the size of a smaii ant just after it is hatched out of the egg, and it becomes about seven centimeters in size in several days.
たまごeggからfromかえりjust hatchedたてjust hatchedのof時timeはtopic小さいsmallありantぐらいaboutのof大きsizeさsizeでand黒いblack虫wormです。isそれitがsubjectわずかjust a fewのof日数daysでin七sevenセンチcentimetersぐらいaboutのof大きsizeさsizeにtoなりbecomesます。becomes - 11
たまごからかえってから、なんにちぐらいでまゆをつくりますか。
in about how many days after it is hatched out of the egg, does it make a cocoon?
たまごeggからfromかえっhatchesてhatchesから、after何how many日daysぐらいaboutでinまゆcocoonをobject作りmakesますmakesか。question - 12
そうですねえ。にじゅうに、さんにちからにじゅうご、ろくにちです。かいこのしゅるいによってちがいます。
Well, it is anywhere from twenty-two or three days to twenty-five or six days. It differs depending on the variety of silkworms.
そうwellですwellねえ。well二十twenty二、two三three日daysからfrom二十twenty五、five六six日daysです。is蚕silkwormのof種類varietyにdepending onよっdepending onてdepending on違いdiffersます。differs
- 県
- prefecture (See Cultural Notes)
- は、
- leaves
- 関東、
- Tokyo-Yokohama area (See Cult Notes)
- および
- and also
- 東北
- northeastern Honshu (See Cult Notes)
- 山地
- mountain area
- まだ
- yet, still
- が
- but (See Gram. Notes)
- どんな
- what kind of; what sort of
- 虫
- worm; insect
- 時
- time
- わずか
- a small amount; trifling
- 日数
- number of days
- 七
- seven
- センチ
- centimeter
- まゆ
- cocoon
- ねえ。
- dear, look; say, listen
- 二十
- 20
- 二、
- two
- 三
- three
- 五、
- five
- 六
- six
- 種類
- kind, sort
Feeding and moulting silkworms · Dialogue 3 of 4
Feeding and moulting
The speakers discuss mulberry leaves, four periods of sleep, and feeding frequency. *そして ねむるたびごとに かわを ぬぎかえるのです* means "And every time it sleeps, it sheds its skin."
Changing the skin
In *かわを ぬぎかえる*, *かえる* adds the meaning of changing to the act of taking off. The compound describes shedding the skin.
The conversation then turns to a raw-silk shortage and higher prices.
Kanji: 絹
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
Kanji: 足
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 13
かいこはたまごからかえってから、まゆをつくるまで、くわのはをたべつづけるのですか。
From the time it is hatched out of the egg to the time it makes a cocoon, does the silkworm continue to eat mulberry leaves?
蚕silkwormはtopicたまごeggからfromかえっhatchesてhatchesから、afterまゆcocoonをobject作るmakesまで、untilくわmulberryのof葉leavesをobject食べeatつづけるcontinues toのexplanationですisか。question - 14
いいえ、そのあいだにねむることがよんどあります。そしてねむるたびごとにかわをぬぎかえるのです。
no, during that time it sleeps four times. And every time it sleeps, it sheds its skin.
いいえ、noそのthat間timeにduringねむるsleeps事timesがsubject四four度timesありthere areます。there areそしてandねむるsleepsたびeveryごとeveryにtimeかわskinをobjectぬぎshedsかえるshedsのexplanationです。is - 15
くわのははいちにちになんどぐらいくわせますか。
About how many times a day do you feed it mulberry leaves?
くわmulberryのof葉leavesはtopic一日one dayにin何how many度timesぐらいabout食わfeedせfeedますfeedか。question - 16
よんどぐらいです。いぜんにはじゅっかいぐらいくわせていましたが、このごろはいちにちによんどぐらいでいいんです。
About four times. Before they used to feed it about ten times, but these days about four times would do.
四four度timesぐらいaboutです。is以前beforeにinはtopic十tenかいtimesぐらいabout食わused to feedせused to feedてused to feedいused to feedましused to feedたused to feedが、butこのごろthese daysはtopic一日one dayにin四four度timesぐらいaboutでwithいいenoughんexplanationです。is - 17
わたくしはにほんのきぬおりものはやすいとおもっていたんですが、かなりたかいですね。
I thought that the Japanese silk fabrics are cheap, but they are fairly expensive, aren’t they?
私Iはtopic日本Japanの's絹silk織物fabricsはtopic安いcheapとquote思っthoughtてthoughtいthoughtたthoughtんexplanationですisが、butかなりfairly高いexpensiveですisね。right? - 18
このごろ、きいとがふそくして、ねだんがたかくなったので、メーカーたちもこまっているようです。
These days they are short of raw silk and the price went up, so it seems even the makers are suffering from it.
このごろ、these days生糸raw silkがsubject不足shortageしdoて、andねだんpriceがsubject高くhighなっbecameたpastのthe factで、becauseメーカーmanufacturersたちpluralもeven困っare sufferingてare sufferingいるare suffering様seemsです。is
- 作る
- to raise, to make
- まで、
- as far as, to (See Gram. Notes)
- くわ
- mulberry tree
- つづける
- to continue (v.t.)
- ねむる
- molt; sleep
- 四
- four
- かわ
- leather
- かえる
- to hatch
- 一日
- first day of the month (See Grammar Notes)
- 十
- ten
- いい
- good (See Gram. Notes)
- 織物
- fabric
- かなり
- fairly
- ねだん
- price
- メーカー
- maker, manufacturer
Silk demand and competition · Dialogue 4 of 4
Silk demand and competition
The speakers connect rising silk prices with greater demand in the United States and Japan. They also discuss competition from chemical fabrics and Nishijin brocade.
*日本の 輸出する 絹織物の ほとんど 七十パーセントが 米国行です* means "Practically 70 percent of the silk fabrics exported by Japan goes to the United States."
Bound for a place
*行* is a suffix that shows destination. It attaches to a place noun and means "bound for that place."
*米国行* means "bound for the U.S.A."
Kanji: 因
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 19
そうですか。きいとがふそくしているとはしりませんでした。
Is that right? I didn’t know that they are short of raw silk.
そうsoですisか。question生糸raw silkがsubject不足shortageしdoてandいるareとquoteはtopic知りknowませnotんnotでしwasた。past - 20
べいこくのじゅようがおおきくなったことと、こくないじゅようのふえたことがげんいんでしょう。にほんのゆしゅつするきぬおりもののほとんどななじゅうパーセントがべいこくゆきです。
Probably the fact that the demand by the United States has become great and also the fact that the domestic demand has increased are the cause of it. Practically 70 percent of the silk fabrics exported by Japan goes to the United States.
米国United Statesのofじゅdemandようdemandがsubject大きくgreatなっbecameたpast事factと、and国内domesticじゅdemandようdemandのofふえincreasedたpast事factがsubject原因causeでしょう。probably日本Japanのof輸出exportするdo絹silk fabrics織物silk fabricsのofほとんどpractically七十seventyパーセントpercentがsubject米国bound for US行bound for USです。is - 21
でも、きぬおりもののねだんがたかくなりすぎると、ほかのかがくせんいときょうそうできなくなるでしょう。
However, if the price of silk fabrics becomes too high, it won’t be able to compete with other chemical fabrics, don’t you think?
でhoweverも、however絹silk fabrics織物silk fabricsのofねだんpriceがsubject高くhighなりbecomeすぎるtoo muchと、if外otherのofかがくsynthetic fabricsせんいsynthetic fabricsとwithきょうcompeteそうcompete出来canなくnotなるbecomeでしょう。probably - 22
そうです。それがメーカーたちのずつうのたねです。
You are right. That’s a source of constant anxiety of the silk makers.
そうrightです。isそれthatがsubjectメーカーmanufacturersたちpluralのofずつheadacheうheadacheのofたねsourceです。is - 23
きょうとのにしじんおりはいいですね。
Nishijin brocade of Kyoto is nice, isn’t it?
京都Kyotoのof西陣Nishijin brocade織Nishijin brocadeはtopicいいniceですisね。right? - 24
いろのあざやかなこととひんのよいことでゆうめいです。
It is famous for its brilliant color and its good quality.
色colorのofあざやかbrilliantなis事factとand品qualityのofよいgood事factでfor有名famousです。is
- 国内
- within a country, domestic
- 原因
- cause
- でしょう。
- probably (See Gram. Notes)
- 七十
- 70
- ずつ
- each (See Gram. Notes)
- たね
- seed
- あざやか
- brilliant,(capula noun)
- よい
- good (See Gram. Notes)
Describing things freshly made · Perception drill, Block 1
Fresh out of college
*ええ、大学 を 出たての 若い 女の 先生です* means "Yes, she is a young girl teacher fresh out from college."
The suffix *たて* follows the ます-form base *出*. The particle *の* follows before the noun it modifies.
Fresh from or immediately after
The suffix *たて* follows a verb's ます-form base. It means "fresh from," "newly completed," or "immediately after."
In *もう この 学校へ 来たてから 勉強して います*, *来たてから* marks the time immediately after coming to school.
- 25
かいこはかえりたてからしょくもつをさがします。
A silkworm seeks food immediately after being hatched.
蚕silkwormはtopicかえりjust hatchedたてjust hatchedからfrom食物foodをobjectさがしseekます。polite - 26
おたくのむすこさんのせんせいはずいぶんわかいようですね。
Your son’s teacher looks very young, doesn’t she?
おyour home宅your homeのofむすこsonさんhonorificのof先生teacherはtopicずい分very若いyoung様looksですisね。right? - 27
ええ、だいがくをでたてのわかいおんなのせんせいです。
Yes, she is a young girl teacher fresh out from college.
ええ、yes大学collegeをobject出たてfreshly graduatedのof若いyoung女womanのof先生teacherです。is - 28
スミスさんのいえはどれですか。
Which one is Mr. Smith’s house?
スミスSmithさんhonorificの's家houseはtopicどれwhichですisか。question - 29
あのできたてのあかいやねのいえのすぐとなりのにかいやです。
It is a two-story house right next to that newly built, red roof house.
あのthat出来たてnewly builtのof赤いredやねroofのof家houseのofすぐrightとなりnext doorのof二two-story house階two-story house家two-story houseです。is - 30
じょちゅうをやとったそうですね。
I understand you hired a maid, isn’t that right?
女中maidをobjectやとっhiredたpastそうI hearですisね。right? - 31
ええ、やとったことはやとったのですが、いなかからきたてのおんなで、まだなにもしらないのです。それで、かないがいろいろのことをおしえてやらなければならないのです。
Yes, I hired her all right, but she is a girl fresh from the country and she doesn’t know anything. So, my wife has to teach her all sorts of things.
ええ、yesやとっhiredたpast事factはtopicやとっhiredたpastのthe factですisが、but田舎countryからfrom来freshly arrivedたてfreshly arrivedのof女girlで、andまだyet何anythingもeven知らknowないnotのthe factです。isそれthatで、so家内wifeがsubject色々variousのof事thingsをobject教えteachてandやらdo for herなけれif notばifならmustないnotのthe factです。is - 32
このさかなはさしみにできるかね。
Can you use this fish for ”SASHIMI?
このthis魚fishはtopicさしみsashimiにfor出来るcan useかquestionね。right? - 33
ええ、うみからとりたてのさかなですから、さしみにはとてもいいです。
Yes, it will be very nice for ”SASHIMI” because it is a fish fresh from the sea.
ええ、yes海seaからfrom取りたてfreshly caughtのof魚fishですisから、becauseさしみsashimiにforはtopicとてもveryいいgoodです。is - 34
パーカーさんはよくべんきょうしますね。
Mr. Parker surely studies hard, doesn’t he?
パーカーParkerさんhonorificはtopicよくhard勉強studyしdoますpoliteね。right? - 35
ええ、もうこのがっこうへきたてからべんきょうしています。
Yes, he has been studying from the moment he came to this school.
ええ、yesもうalreadyこのthis学校schoolへtoward来just cameたjust cameてjust cameからfrom勉強studyしhas been studyingてhas been studyingいhas been studyingます。has been studying
- ずい分
- very much
- ええ、
- Yes
- 女
- female
- 家
- house, home
- どれ
- which (of three or more) (See Grammar Notes)
- やね
- roof
- すぐ
- right away, immediately
- 女中
- maid
- が、
- but (See Gram. Notes)
- 田舎
- the country, rural area
- で、
- --is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
- なら
- if it is (See Gram. Notes)
- さしみ
- thinly sliced raw fish dish
- 出来る
- to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)
- 海
- sea, ocean
- とても
- very, indeed
- よく
- well, skillfully
- もう
- already (See Gram. Notes)
- へ
- to (See Gram. Notes)
Changing, exchanging and rewriting · Perception drill, Block 2
Changing into different clothes
*ええ、着物に 着かえます* means "Yes, I change into a KIMONO."
The compound joins the ます-form base *着* to *かえます*. It describes changing what someone wears.
Change or do again
After a verb's ます-form base, *かえる* adds the meaning "change." The result can describe changing, exchanging, replacing, or doing the action again.
In *書きかえますから、間違った ところを なおしてください*, *書きかえます* means "I will rewrite it."
- 36
かいこはよんどぐらいかわをぬぎかえます。
A silkworm sheds it’s skin about four times.
かいこsilkwormはtopic四four度timesぐらいaboutかわskinをobjectぬぎshed and replaceかえshed and replaceます。polite - 37
あなたはうちへかえると、ようふくをきかえますか。
Do you change your suit when you go home?
あなたyouはtopicうちhomeへtoward帰るreturnと、when洋服suitをobject着かえchange clothesますpoliteか。question - 38
ええ、きものにきかえます。うちではきもののほうがらくですからね。
Yes, I change into a KIMONO. At home a KIMONO is much more comfortable, you see.
ええ、yes着物kimonoにinto着かえchange clothesます。politeうちhomeでatはtopic着物kimonoのof方oneがsubjectらくcomfortableですisからbecauseね。you see - 39
デパートではかったものをとりかえてくれますか。
Do they exchange things bought at a department store for me?
デパートdepartment storeでatはtopic買っboughtたpast物thingsをobject取りかえexchangeてandくれfor meますpoliteか。question - 40
わたくしもよくしりませんが、たぶんとりかえてくれるでしょう。
I don’t know too well either, but I suppose they’ll exchange them for you.
私Iもalsoよくwell知りknowませnotんnotが、but多分probably取りかえexchangeてandくれるfor youでしょう。probably - 41
あなたはうちへかえるとすぐ、ぞうりにはきかえますか。
Do you change into slippers as soon as you go home?
あなたyouはtopicうちhomeへtoward帰るreturnとwhenすぐ、immediatelyぞうりslippersにintoはきかえchange footwearますpoliteか。question - 42
いいえ、わたくしはくつをぬいで、くつしたのままでいます。
No, I take my shoes off and stay around with just socks on.
いいえ、no私Iはtopicくつshoesをobjectぬいtake offで、andくつsocksしsocksたsocksのofままas isでwith居stayます。polite - 43
このてがみはまちがいだらけですから、かきかえたほうがいいですよ。
Since this letter is full of mistakes, you had better rewrite it.
このthis手紙letterはtopic間違いmistakesだらけfull ofですisから、because書きかえrewriteたpast方wayがsubjectいいgoodですisよ。I tell you - 44
かきかえますから、まちがったところをなおしてください。
I’ll rewrite it, so please correct the errors.
書きかえrewriteますpoliteから、because間違っmistakenたpastところpartsをobjectなおしcorrectてandください。please - 45
べいこくじんはひだりのてにフォークをもってたべますか。
Do Americans hold the fork in the left hand and eat?
米国Americans人Americansはtopic左leftのof手handにinフォークforkをobject持っholdてand食べeatますpoliteか。question - 46
にくなどをきるときにはフォークをひだりのてにもっていますが、たべるときにはみぎのてにもちかえます。
When they cut meat, they hold the fork in the left hand, but when they eat they shift it to the right hand.
肉meatなどand suchをobject切るcut時timeにatはtopicフォークforkをobject左leftのof手handにin持っare holdingてare holdingいare holdingますare holdingが、but食べるeat時timeにatはtopic右rightのof手handにto持ちかえswitchます。polite
- うち
- home, house
- と、
- and (See Gram. Notes)
- すぐ、
- right away, immediately
- ぞうり
- sandal, slipper
- くつ
- shoes
- 手紙
- letter (correspondence)
- だらけ
- full of, covered with (See Grammar Notes)
- ください。
- please give me (See Gram. Notes)
- 人
- people
- フォーク
- fork
- 肉
- meat, flesh
- など
- and so forth, etc.
- 切る
- to cut
Things newly made or begun · Pattern 1 1 of 3
From the moment an action ends
*蚕 は かえりたてから 食べ始めます* means "Silkworms begin eating as soon as they hatch."
The *たて* from *かえりたて* marks the moment immediately after hatching.
A newly completed thing
*これは ぬりたての 戸ですから、気をつけてください* means "This door is newly painted, so please be careful."
The particle *の* follows *ぬりたて* before *戸*.
- 47
かいこはかえりたてからたべはじめます。
Silkworms begin eating as soon as they hatch.
蚕silkwormsはtopicかえりjust hatchedたてjust hatchedからfrom食べeat始めbeginます。polite - 48
わたくしはこのネクタイはかいたてからきらいでした。
I disliked this necktie from the moment I bought it.
私Iはtopicこのthisネクタイnecktieはtopic買いjust boughtたてjust boughtからfromきらいdislikedでしwasた。past - 49
やきたてのパンはおいしい。
Freshly baked bread is delicious.
やきfreshly bakedたてfreshly bakedのofパンbreadはtopicおいしい。delicious - 50
とりたてのさかなをやいてたべるとおいしいですね。
Freshly caught fish is delicious when grilled and eaten, isn’t it?
取りたてfreshly caughtのof魚fishをobjectやいgrillてand食べるeatとwhenおいしいdeliciousですisね。right? - 51
これはぬりたてのとですから、きをつけてください。
This door has just been painted, so please be careful.
これthisはtopicぬりたてfreshly paintedのof戸doorですisから、because気careをobjectつけtakeてandください。please - 52
あのひとはみたてからへんなひとだとおもいました。
From the moment I saw him, I thought he was a strange person.
あのthat人personはtopic見たてfirst sawからfrom変strangeなis人personだisとquote思いthoughtましdidた。past - 53
これはあらいたてのシャツですから、きれいです。
This shirt has just been washed, so it is clean.
これthisはtopicあらいfreshly washedたてfreshly washedのofシャツshirtですisから、becauseきれいcleanです。is - 54
あのおんなのひとはだいがくをでたてのわかいせんせいです。
That woman is a young teacher who has just graduated from college.
あのthat女womanのwoman人womanはtopic大学collegeをobject出たてfreshly graduatedのof若いyoung先生teacherです。is - 55
あのせいとはこのがっこうへきたてからべんきょうがきらいでした。
That student disliked studying from the time he first came to this school.
あのthat生徒studentはtopicこのthis学校schoolへtoward来first cameたfirst cameてfirst cameからfrom勉強studyingがsubjectきらいdislikedでしwasた。past
- ネクタイ
- necktie
- きらい
- dislike (See Gram. Notes)
- おいしい。
- tasty, delicious
- 戸
- classifier of counting families and/or houses
Recent beginnings and adjustments · Pattern 1 2 of 3
New to the work
*その 会社に はいりたてですから、まだ 仕事になれていないし、ずい分 くろうしているそうです* describes someone new to a company.
His recent start explains why he is not used to the work and is having difficulty.
A newly built house
*ええ、出来たての 家で、とても きれいな 家です* means "Yes, it is a newly built house, and it is very nice."
The *たて* in *出来たての 家* describes a house whose construction was recently completed.
- 56
たなかさんはかいしゃにつとめているそうですね。
I understand that Mr. Tanaka works for a company, isn’t that right?
田中Tanakaさんhonorificはtopic会社companyにatつとめworksてworksいるworksそうI hearですisね。right? - 57
ええ、そのかいしゃにはいりたてですから、まだしごとになれていないし、ずいぶんくろうしているそうです。
Yes, I hear that since he has just joined the company, he is not yet used to the work and is having a very hard time.
ええ、yesそのthat会社companyにtoはいりjust joinedたてjust joinedですisから、becauseまだyet仕事workにtoなれusedてusedいusedないnotし、andずい分veryくろうhardshipしis havingてis havingいるis havingそうI hearです。is - 58
いいかしやがあったそうですね。
I understand that there was a nice house for rent, wasn’t there?
いいniceかhouse for rentしhouse for rent家house for rentがsubjectあっexistedたpastそうI hearですisね。right? - 59
ええ、できたてのいえで、とてもきれいないえです。
Yes, it is a newly built house, and it is very nice.
ええ、yes出来たてnewly builtのof家houseで、andとてもveryきれいniceなis家houseです。is - 60
あなたはいまのかいしゃにつとめはじめてから、もうじゅうねんになるでしょう。
It has already been ten years since you began working for your present company, hasn’t it?
あなたyouはtopic今presentのof会社companyにatつとめwork始めbeginてandから、sinceもうalready十ten年yearsにintoなるbecomeでしょう。probably - 61
ええ、はやいものですね。かいしゃにきたてにはずいぶんくろうしましたが、このごろはしごとになれてらくになりました。
Yes, time passes quickly, doesn’t it? When I first came to the company, I had a very hard time, but lately I have become used to the work and things have become easier.
ええ、yes早いfastものtime passesですisね。right?会社companyにto来first cameたてfirst cameにatはtopicずい分veryくろうhardshipしhadましdidたpastが、butこのごろthese daysはtopic仕事workにtoなれusedてandらくeasyにintoなりbecameましdidた。past - 62
あなたがべいこくにきてなんねんぐらいになりますか。
About how many years has it been since you came to the United States?
あなたyouがsubject米国United Statesにto来comeてand何how many年yearsぐらいaboutにintoなりbecomeますpoliteか。question - 63
じゅうねんになります。べいこくにきたてにはえいごがわからなくて、ずいぶんこまりました。
It has been ten years. When I first came to the United States, I did not understand English and had a very hard time.
十ten年yearsにintoなりbecomeます。polite米国United Statesにto来first cameたてfirst cameにatはtopic英語Englishがsubjectわからunderstandなくnotて、andずい分very困りwas troubledましdidた。past - 64
できたてのてんぷらはおいしいですね。
Freshly made tempura is delicious, isn’t it?
出来たてfreshly madeのof天ぷらtempuraはtopicおいしいdeliciousですisね。right?
- 会社
- company, firm
- から、
- from (See Gram. Notes)
- し、
- city
- か
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
- 年
- year (See Grammar Notes)
- もの
- things (tangible)
- ます
- trout
- おいしい
- tasty, delicious
Freshly made food and verbs · Pattern 1 3 of 3
Food while it is hot
*天ぷらは あついうちが おいしいですね* means "Tempura is delicious while it is hot, is it not?"
*つめたくなると だめですね* means "It is no good once it gets cold."
Verbs for fresh results
The lines give *帰る*, "to return," *来る*, "to come," and *出来る*, "to be completed."
They also give *取る*, "to take," *ぬる*, "to paint," and *あらう*, "to wash." The bases of these verbs can precede *たて*.
- 65
ええ、てんぷらはあついうちがおいしいですね。つめたくなるとだめですね。
Yes, tempura is delicious while it is hot, isn’t it? It is no good once it gets cold.
ええ、yes天ぷらtempuraはtopicあついhotうちwhileがsubjectおいしいdeliciousですisね。right?つめたくcoldなるbecomeとwhenだめno goodですisね。right? - 66
かえる
to return
帰るto return - 67
くる
to come
来るto come - 68
できる
to be completed
出来るbe completed - 69
とる
to take
取るtake - 70
ぬる
to paint
ぬるpaint - 71
あらう
to wash
あらうwash
- あつい
- hot
- だめ
- no good, useless, hopeless
- ぬる
- put on, paint with (v.t.)
- あらう
- to wash
Changing clothes and replacing things · Pattern 2 1 of 3
Several kinds of change
*蚕は ねむるたびごとに かわを ぬぎかえます* means "Every time silkworms sleep, they shed their skins."
The *かえる* in *ぬぎかえます* also appears in compounds for changing clothes, shoes, a watch glass, or the hand holding an object.
They also describe exchanging goods, rewriting a test, and rephrasing words.
Rephrasing the words
*質問がわかりませんから、やさしい 言葉に 言いかえてください* means "I do not understand the question, so please rephrase it in simpler words."
Here *言いかえて* describes saying the content again with different words.
- 72
かいこはねむるたびごとにかわをぬぎかえます。
Every time silkworms sleep, they shed their skins.
蚕silkwormsはtopicねむるsleepたびeach timeごとeveryにatかわskinsをobjectぬぎshed their skinsかえshed their skinsます。shed their skins - 73
わたくしはいえへかえるとすぐふくをきかえます。
As soon as I get home, I change my clothes.
私Iはtopic家homeへtoward帰るreturnとwhenすぐimmediately服clothesをobject着かえchange clothesます。change clothes - 74
わたくしはいえへかえるとすぐくつをはきかえます。
As soon as I get home, I change my shoes.
私Iはtopic家homeへtoward帰るreturnとwhenすぐimmediatelyくつshoesをobjectはきかえchange shoesます。change shoes - 75
とけいのガラスをいれかえました。
I had the glass in my watch replaced.
とけいwatchの'sガラスglassをobject入れかえhad replacedましhad replacedた。had replaced - 76
ひだりのてのえんぴつをみぎのてにもちかえなさい。
Shift the pencil from your left hand to your right hand.
左leftの's手handの'sえんぴつpencilをobject右rightの's手handにto持ちかえshiftなさい。please - 77
デパートでかったものはとりかえてくれます。
They will exchange things bought at the department store.
デパートdepartment storeでat買っboughtたbought物thingsはtopic取りかえexchange for youてexchange for youくれexchange for youます。exchange for you - 78
このしけんはまちがいだらけですから、かきかえたほうがいいですね。
This test is full of mistakes, so you had better rewrite it.
このthis試験testはtopic間違いmistakesだらけfull ofですisから、because書きかえrewriteたpast方wayがsubjectいいbetterですisね。right? - 79
しつもんがわかりませんから、やさしいことばにいいかえてください。
I do not understand the question, so please rephrase it in simpler words.
質問questionがobjectわかりdo not understandませdo not understandんdo not understandから、becauseやさしいsimple言葉wordsにinto言いかえplease rephraseてplease rephraseください。please rephrase
- 服
- clothes, suits, uniform
- ガラス
- glass
- やさしい
- easy
Changing trains and replacing items · Pattern 2 2 of 3
Changing trains
*この電車で 行くと、青山六丁目で 乗りかえなければ なりませんよ* means "If you take this train, you will have to change trains at Aoyama Sixth District."
The *かえる* in *乗りかえなければ* describes changing from one train to another.
Replacing and transplanting
*新しいのに 買いかえました* describes replacing the old television with a new one.
*植えかえても* describes transplanting a flower. The negative *植えかえない* advises against that change while the flower is blooming.
- 80
このでんしゃはあおやまでのりかえなければなりません。
You have to change trains at Aoyama on this train.
このthis電車trainはtopic青山Aoyamaでat乗りかえhave to transferなけれhave to transferばhave to transferなりhave to transferませhave to transferん。have to transfer - 81
このでんしゃはぎんざへいきますか。
Does this train go to Ginza?
このthis電車trainはtopic銀座Ginzaへtoward行きgoますpoliteか。question - 82
そうですね。このでんしゃでいくと、あおやまろくちょおめでのりかえなければなりませんよ。
Let me see. If you take this train, you will have to change trains at Aoyama Sixth District.
そうwellですisね。let me seeこのthis電車trainでby行くtakeと、if青山Aoyama六sixth丁目districtでat乗りかえhave to transferなけれhave to transferばhave to transferなりhave to transferませhave to transferんhave to transferよ。I tell you - 83
あたらしいテレビをかったそうですね。
I understand that you bought a new television, didn’t you?
新しいnewテレビtelevisionをobject買っboughtたboughtそうI hearですisね。right? - 84
ええ、まえのはあまりよくなかったので、あたらしいのにかいかえました。
Yes, the old one was not very good, so I replaced it with a new one.
ええ、yes前previousのoneはtopicあまりveryよくgoodなかっwas notたwas notのbecauseで、because新しいnewのoneにto買いかえreplacedましreplacedた。replaced - 85
このはなはいまうえかえてもいいでしょうか。
Would it be all right to transplant this flower now?
このthis花flowerはtopic今now植えかえtransplantてtransplantもeven ifいいall rightでしょうprobablyか。question - 86
はながさいていますから、いまはうえかえないほうがいいです。
Since the flower is blooming, it would be better not to transplant it now.
花flowerがsubjectさいis bloomingてis bloomingいis bloomingますis bloomingから、because今nowはtopic植えかえtransplantないnot方wayがsubjectいいbetterです。is - 87
とけいのガラスがこわれたのですが、どこでなおしてくれるでしょうか。
The glass in my watch is broken; where can I have it repaired?
とけいwatchの'sガラスglassがsubjectこわれis brokenたis brokenのthe factですisが、butどこwhereでatなおしrepair for meてrepair for meくれるrepair for meでしょうprobablyか。question
- 電車
- streetcar, electric train
- 丁目
- choome (See Cultural Notes)
- テレビ
- television
- 前
- before, front
- でしょう
- probably (See Gram. Notes)
Exchanging and replacing items · Pattern 2 3 of 3
Replacing one part
*とけい店へ 持って行けば ガラスを 入れかえてくれます* means "If you take it to a watch shop, they will replace the glass for you."
The *かえる* compound describes replacing one part of the watch.
Exchanging an item
*お取りかえいたします* means "I will exchange them for you." It answers a request to replace dirty socks with a clean pair.
The lines also provide verbs for further compounds: *書く*, *着る*, *はく*, *乗る*, and *買う*.
- 88
とけいてんへもっていけばガラスをいれかえてくれます。
If you take it to a watch shop, they will replace the glass for you.
とけいwatch店shopへtoward持っtakeてtake行けtakeばifガラスglassをobject入れかえreplace for youてreplace for youくれreplace for youます。replace for you - 89
このくつしたはすこしよごれていますから、きれいなのにとりかえてくれないか。
These socks are a little dirty, so could you exchange them for a clean pair?
このtheseくつ下socksはtopic少しa littleよごれare dirtyてare dirtyいare dirtyますare dirtyから、becauseきれいcleanなcleanのpairにto取りかえexchange for meてexchange for meくれexchange for meないnotか。question - 90
はい、かしこまりました。おとりかえいたします。
Yes, certainly. I will exchange them for you.
はい、yesかしこまりcertainlyましcertainlyた。certainlyおhonorable取りかえexchange for youいたしwill doます。will do - 91
かく
to write
書くwrite - 92
きる
to put on
着るput on - 93
はく
to put on
はくput on - 94
のる
to ride
乗るride - 95
かう
to buy
買うbuy
- 店
- store, shop
- くつ下
- socks, stocking
- 少し
- little (quantity)
- はく
- to wear (on feet or legs)
- 買う
- to buy
Silkworm growth and silk shortages · Reading Selection 1 of 4
Growth before the cocoon
The passage follows silkworms from hatching to cocoon production. They grow to about seven centimeters and eat mulberry leaves until they make cocoons.
*蚕は たまごから かえってから まゆを 作るまで、くわの 葉を 食べつづけます* describes that period.
Four changes of skin
*そして ねむる たびごとに かわを ぬぎかえます* means "Each time they sleep, they shed their skins."
The compound *ぬぎかえます* presents shedding as a change of skin. The passage then connects a raw-silk shortage with higher prices.
- 96
くらいのおおきさで、くろいむしです。
It is a black insect about that size.
くらいaboutのof大きsizeさsizeで、and is黒いblack虫insectです。is - 97
それがわずかのにっすうでななセンチぐらいのおおきさになります。
In only a few days, it grows to about seven centimeters in length.
それitがsubjectわずかonlyのof日数daysでin七sevenセンチcentimetersぐらいaboutのof大きsizeさsizeにtoなりgrowsます。grows - 98
かいこのしゅるいによってちがいますが、たいていたまごからかえってからにじゅうに、さんにちからにじゅうご、ろくにちでまゆをつくります。
It varies according to the type of silkworm, but most make their cocoons twenty-two or twenty-three to twenty-five or twenty-six days after hatching from their eggs.
蚕silkwormのof種類typeにbyよっdependingてdepending違いvariesますpoliteが、but大抵mostたまごeggsからfromかえっhatchてhatchからafter二十twenty二、two三three日daysからfrom二十twenty五、five六six日daysでinまゆcocoonをobject作りmakeます。make - 99
かいこはたまごからかえってからまゆをつくるまで、くわのはをたべつづけますが、そのあいだにねむることがよんどあります。
Silkworms continue eating mulberry leaves from the time they hatch from their eggs until they make their cocoons, and during that time they sleep four times.
蚕silkwormsはtopicたまごeggsからfromかえっhatchてhatchからafterまゆcocoonsをobject作るmakeまで、untilくわmulberryのof葉leavesをobject食べkeep eatingつづけkeep eatingますkeep eatingが、andそのthat間timeにduringねむるsleep事timesがsubject四four度timesありthere areます。there are - 100
そしてねむるたびごとにかわをぬぎかえます。
Each time they sleep, they shed their skins.
そしてandねむるsleepたびeach timeごとeveryにatかわskinsをobjectぬぎshed their skinsかえshed their skinsます。shed their skins - 101
こんにちではきいとがふそくして、ねだんがたかくなったので、メーカーたちもたいへんこまっているようです。
Nowadays raw silk is in short supply and its price has risen, so the manufacturers also seem to be having a great deal of trouble.
今日nowadaysでinはtopic生糸raw silkがsubject不足in short supplyしin short supplyて、in short supplyねだんpriceがsubject高くhas risenなっhas risenたhas risenのbecauseで、becauseメーカーmanufacturersたちgroupもalso大変greatly困っhaving troubleてhaving troubleいるhaving trouble様seemです。is - 102
べいこくのじゅようがおおきくなったこととこくないじゅようがふえたことが、そのおもなげんいんと
Increased demand in the United States and increased domestic demand are regarded as the main causes.
米国United Statesのofじゅdemandようdemandがsubject大きくincreasedなっincreasedたincreased事factとand国内domesticじゅdemandようdemandがsubjectふえincreasedたincreased事factが、subjectそのthoseおもなmain原因causesとas
- くらい
- dark
- です。
- to be (See Gram. Notes)
- 今日
- today
Silk exports and competition · Reading Selection 2 of 4
Silk bound for the United States
*日本の 輸出する 絹織物の ほとんど 七十パーセントが 米国行です* means "Nearly seventy percent of the silk fabric exported by Japan goes to the United States."
The destination suffix *行*, as in *米国行*, identifies where the fabric is bound.
The effect of high prices
If silk prices rise too much, silk fabric cannot compete with synthetic fibers. This becomes a source of worry for manufacturers.
The questions ask about domestic products, production, postwar sericulture, and Japan's share of world production.
- 103
されています。
That is what is believed.
さis regardedれis regardedてis regardedいis regardedます。is regarded - 104
にほんのゆしゅつするきぬおりもののほとんどななじゅうパーセントがべいこくゆきです。
Nearly seventy percent of the silk fabric exported by Japan goes to the United States.
日本Japanのof輸出exportするdo絹silk fabric織物silk fabricのofほとんどnearly七十seventyパーセントpercentがsubject米国United States行bound forです。is - 105
きぬおりもののねだんがたかくなりすぎるとほかのかがくせんいときょうそうできなくなるので、メーカーたちのずつうのたねになっています。
If the price of silk fabric rises too much, it will no longer be able to compete with other synthetic fibers, so this is a source of worry for the manufacturers.
絹silk fabric織物silk fabricのofねだんpriceがsubject高くrisesなりrisesすぎるtoo muchとif外otherのofかがくsynthetic fiberせんいsynthetic fiberとwithきょうcompeteそうcompete出来canなくno longerなるbecomeのbecauseで、becauseメーカーmanufacturersたちgroupのofずつsource of worryうのsource of worryたねsourceにintoなっhas becomeてhas becomeいhas becomeます。has become - 106
にほんのもっともたいせつなこくさんひんはなんですか。
What is Japan’s most important domestic product?
日本Japanのofもっともmost大切importantなimportant国産domestic product品domestic productはtopic何whatですisか。question - 107
せかいじゅうでにほんぐらいたくさんきいとをせいさんするくにがありますか。
Is there any country in the world that produces as much raw silk as Japan?
せかいworld中throughoutでin日本Japanぐらいas much as沢山much生糸raw silkをobject生産produceするdo国countryがsubjectありthere isますthere isか。question - 108
だいにせかいせんそうのあと、にほんのよおさんぎょうはどうなりましたか。
What happened to sericulture in Japan after the Second World War?
第Second World War二Second World WarせかいSecond World War戦争Second World Warのof後、after日本Japanのof養蚕sericulture業sericultureはtopicどうwhatなりhappenedましhappenedたhappenedか。question - 109
せかいのそうさんがくのなんパーセントぐらいにほんからでていますか。
About what percentage of the world’s total production comes from Japan?
せかいworldのofそうtotal productionさんtotal productionがくtotal productionのof何whatパーセントpercentぐらいabout日本Japanからfrom出comesてcomesいcomesますcomesか。question
Silkworm farming and development · Reading Selection 3 of 4
From hatching to the cocoon
The questions ask where sericulture flourishes and how silkworms develop. Answers draw on the passage about hatching, growth, cocoon production, feeding, and sleep.
*蚕は たまごから かえりたての 時は どんな 虫ですか* asks what kind of insect a silkworm is immediately after hatching.
The *たて* in *かえりたての 時* places the description immediately after hatching.
- 110
のうかはよおさんをせんもんにやっていますか。
Do farmers specialize in sericulture?
農家farmersはtopic養蚕sericultureをobjectせんもんspecialtyにasやっspecializeてspecializeいspecializeますspecializeか。question - 111
よおさんぎょうのもっともさかんなところはどのちほおですか。
In what regions does sericulture flourish most?
養蚕sericulture業sericultureのofもっともmostさかんflourishingなflourishing処placeはtopicどのwhich地方regionですisか。question - 112
かいこはたまごからかえりたてのときはどんなむしですか。
What kind of insect is a silkworm when it has just hatched from its egg?
蚕silkwormはtopicたまごeggからfromかえりjust hatchedたてjust hatchedのof時timeはtopicどんなwhat kind of虫insectですisか。question - 113
かいこはどのくらいのおおきさになりますか。
How large does a silkworm grow?
蚕silkwormはtopicどのhowくらいmuchのof大きsizeさsizeにtoなりgrowsますgrowsか。question - 114
かいこはたまごからかえってからなんにちぐらいでまゆをつくりますか。
About how many days after hatching from its egg does a silkworm make a cocoon?
蚕silkwormはtopicたまごeggからfromかえっhatchてhatchからafter何how many日daysぐらいaboutでinまゆcocoonをobject作りmakeますmakeか。question - 115
かいこはたまごからかえってまゆをつくるまで、くわのはをたべつづけますか。
Does a silkworm keep eating mulberry leaves from the time it hatches until it makes a cocoon?
蚕silkwormはtopicたまごeggからfromかえってhatchesまゆcocoonをobject作るmakeまで、untilくわmulberryのof葉leavesをobject食べkeep eatingつづけkeep eatingますkeep eatingか。question - 116
かいこはねむることがありますか。
Does a silkworm ever sleep?
蚕silkwormはtopicねむるsleep事timesがsubjectありever doesますever doesか。question
- かえって
- on the contrary, rather (See Grammar Notes)
Silk prices, exports and competition · Reading Selection 4 of 4
Changes and destinations
The questions ask what silkworms do after each sleep and whether raw silk has become scarce and expensive. They also ask where exported silk goes.
*日本の 輸出する 絹織物の 大部分は どこに 行きますか* asks "Where do most of the silk fabrics exported by Japan go?"
An answer uses the destination in the passage. Another answer explains the effect of prices that become too high.
- 117
なんどありますか。
How many times does it do so?
何how many度timesありdoes soますdoes soか。question - 118
ねむるたびごとにどうしますか。
What does it do each time it sleeps?
ねむるsleepsたびeach timeごとeach timeにatどうwhatしdoますpoliteか。question - 119
こんにちではきいとがふそくして、ねだんがたかくなりましたか。
Nowadays, has raw silk become scarce and risen in price?
今日nowadaysでinはtopic生糸raw silkがsubject不足become scarceしbecome scarceて、andねだんpriceがsubject高くhighなりbecomeましdid, politeたdid, politeか。question - 120
にほんのゆしゅつするきぬおりもののだいぶぶんはどこにいきますか。
Where do most of the silk fabrics exported by Japan go?
日本Japanの's輸出exportするdo絹silk fabrics織物silk fabricsのof大most部分mostはtopicどこwhereにto行きgoますpoliteか。question - 121
きぬおりもののねだんがたかくなりすぎると、どうなりますか。
What happens if the price of silk fabrics becomes too high?
絹silk fabrics織物silk fabricsのofねだんpriceがsubject高くhighなりbecomeすぎるtoo muchと、ifどうwhatなりhappenますpoliteか。question
Japan's sericulture and silkworms · Questions
Sericulture across Japan
The passage describes raw silk as an important domestic product and gives Japan's share of world production. It presents sericulture as a farm side business practiced across Japan.
It also identifies the mountain regions where sericulture flourishes and compares a newly hatched silkworm with a small ant.
*その原因は 何ですか* means "What is the cause of that?"
An answer states the cause connected to the preceding passage, not a general fact about sericulture.
- 122
きいとはにほんのもっともたいせつなこくさんひんで、せかいじゅうで、にほんぐらいきいとをたくさんせいさんするくにはありません。だいにせかいせんそうのあと、にほんのよおさんぎょうはおとろえましたが、それでもせかいのそうさんがくのよんじゅうパーセントぐらいはにほんからでています。よおさんはたいていのうかがふくぎょうとしてやるので、よおさんをせんもんにやっているのうかはすくないです。にほんではよおさんはほとんどぜんこくいたるところでやっていますが、よおさんぎょうのもっともさかんなところはかんとお、ちゅうぶおよびとおほくちほおのさんちです。かいこはたまごからかえりたてのときはちいさいあり
Raw silk is Japan’s most important domestic product, and no other country in the world produces as much raw silk as Japan. After the Second World War, sericulture in Japan declined, but even so, about 40 percent of the world’s total production comes from Japan. Sericulture is usually carried on by farmers as a side business, so few farmers specialize in it. In Japan, sericulture is practiced practically throughout the country, but it flourishes most in the mountain regions of the Kanto, Chubu, and Tohoku areas. When a silkworm has just hatched from its egg, it is like a small ant.
生糸raw silkはtopic日本Japanの'sもっともmost大切importantなis国産domestic product品domestic productで、andせかいthe world中the worldで、in日本Japanぐらいas much as生糸raw silkをobject沢山much生産produceするdo国countryはtopicありexistませnot, politeん。not, polite第World War II二World War IIせかいWorld War II戦争World War IIのof後、after日本Japanの's養蚕sericulture業sericultureはtopicおとろえdeclinedましdid, politeたdid, politeが、butそれevenでevenもevenせかいworldのofそうtotal productionさんtotal productionがくtotal productionのof四十fortyパーセントpercentぐらいaboutはtopic日本Japanからfrom出comesてcomesいcomesます。comes養蚕sericultureはtopic大抵usually農家farmersがsubjectふくside business業side businessとasしdoてdoやるcarry onのbecauseで、because養蚕sericultureをobjectせんもんspecialtyにasやっspecializeてspecializeいるspecialize農家farmersはtopic少いfewです。is日本Japanでinはtopic養蚕sericultureはtopicほとんどpractically全国nationwideいたるthroughout処throughoutでinやっpracticeてpracticeいpracticeますpracticeが、but養蚕sericulture業sericultureのofもっともmostさかんflourishingなis処placeはtopic関東、Kanto中部Chubuおよびand東北Tohoku地方regionのof山地mountain regionsです。is蚕silkwormはtopicたまごeggからfromかえりjust hatchedたてjust hatchedのof時timeはtopic小さいsmallありant - 123
そのげんいんはなんですか。
What is the cause of that?
そのthat原因causeはtopic何whatですisか。question
- やる
- to do
Sericulture and production words · Word list 1 of 4
Sericulture and production
These words cover silkworms, domestic production, and sericulture. *蚕* means "silkworm," *国産品* means "domestic goods," and *養蚕* means "sericulture."
Other entries name decline after the World War II, total production, and a side business.
- 124
かいこ
silkworm
蚕silkworm - 125
もっとも
extremely, the most
もっともmost - 126
こくさんひん
domestic goods
国産品domestic goods - 127
せかいじゅう
throughout the world; in the whole world
せかい中throughout the world - 128
だいにせかいせんそう
the World War II
第二せかい戦争World War II - 129
よおさんぎょう
sericulture
養蚕業sericulture - 130
おとろえる
decline, become weak (v.i.)
おとろえるdecline - 131
そうさんがく
total production
そうさんがくtotal production - 132
ふくぎょう
side job, side business
ふく業side business - 133
よおさん
sericulture
養蚕sericulture
- 国産品
- domestic goods
- せかい中
- throughout the world; in the whole world
- 第二せかい戦争
- the World War II
- 養蚕業
- sericulture
- おとろえる
- decline, become weak (v.i.)
- そうさんがく
- total production
- ふく業
- side job, side business
Hatching, cocoons and mulberries · Word list 2 of 4
From hatching to feeding
These words cover a silkworm's early development and food. *かえる* means "to hatch," *まゆ* means "cocoon," and *くわ* means "mulberry tree."
The *たて* in *かえりたて* adds the sense "immediately after hatching." Other entries name insects, days, kinds, and dependence on a variety.
- 134
および
and
およびand - 135
さんち
mountain area
山地mountain area - 136
むし
worm; insect
虫worm; insect - 137
かえりたて
just after it hatched (See Gram. Notes)
かえりたてjust hatched - 138
かえる
to hatch
かえるhatch - 139
にっすう
number of days
日数number of days - 140
まゆ
cocoon
まゆcocoon - 141
しゅるい
kind, sort
種類kind - 142
--によって
according to, depending on
--によってdepending on - 143
くわ
mulberry tree
くわmulberry tree
- かえりたて
- just after it hatched (See Gram. Notes)
- --によって
- according to, depending on
Moulting, shortages and demand · Word list 3 of 4
Moulting and demand
These words cover a silkworm's moulting and silk demand. *ねむる* means "molt" or "sleep," *かわ* means "skin," and *ぬぎかえます* means "shed" or "change."
Other entries cover feeding, frequency, shortage, manufacturers, and demand.
- 144
ねむる
molt; sleep
ねむるmolt; sleep - 145
--たびごとに
every time ---
--たびごとにevery time - 146
かわ
skin
かわskin - 147
ぬぎかえます
shed, change (See Gram. Notes)
ぬぎかえますshed or change - 148
くわせる
to feed (v.t.)
食わせるfeed - 149
じゅっかい
ten times (frequency)
十かいten times - 150
かい
counter meaning ”time” (frequency)
かいtimes - 151
ふそく(する)
insufficiency (be short of (v.i.)
不足(する)be insufficient - 152
メーカー
maker, manufacturer
メーカーmanufacturer - 153
じゅよう
demand (noun)
じゅようdemand
- --たびごとに
- every time ---
- ぬぎかえます
- shed, change (See Gram. Notes)
- 食わせる
- to feed (v.t.)
- 十かい
- ten times (frequency)
- 不足(する)
- insufficiency (be short of (v.i.)
- じゅよう
- demand (noun)
Destinations, anxiety and competition · Word list 4 of 4
Destinations and competition
These words cover domestic causes, export destinations, worry, brocade, and competition. *米国行* means "bound for the U.S.A.," and *---行* is a suffix showing destination.
*ずつうのたね* means "a source of constant anxiety." *きょうそうする* means "to compete" or "to race."
- 154
こくない
within a country, domestic
国内domestic - 155
げんいん
cause
原因cause - 156
べいこくゆき
bound for the U.S.A.
米国行bound for America - 157
---ゆき
a suffix showing destination (See Notes)
---行bound for - 158
ずつう
headache
ずつうheadache - 159
ずつうのたね
a source of constant anxiety; headache
ずつうのたねconstant source of worry - 160
にしじんおり
Nishijin brocade
西陣織Nishijin brocade - 161
きょうそうする
to compete; to race
きょうそうするcompete
Guide for Free Conversation
1 Visual Cxxes
1a Look at the pictures on Page 221 to 227 and talk about them.
2 Topic Titles
2a Talk about sericulture in Japan.
2b Talk about the silk textile industry in Japan.
2c Talk about silk fabric—some of the famous makers.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 exercises given.- 米国行
- bound for the U.S.A.
- ---行
- a suffix showing destination (See Notes)
- ずつう
- headache
- ずつうのたね
- a source of constant anxiety; headache
- 西陣織
- Nishijin brocade
- きょうそうする
- to compete; to race
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