Japanese · Lesson 91
Lesson 93
Reading Japan
Pride through nose expressions · Dialogue 1 of 4
Pride expressed with the nose
Two speakers discuss expressions that use the nose. *「鼻が 高い」とか「鼻に かける」などは 自まんしている 時の 表現で、よく使われます* says both describe boasting.
*鼻を 折られます* describes a proud person being humbled. *「鼻の 下が 長い」と言うのが あります* introduces an expression for an amorous man.
Kanji: 折
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
Kanji: 鼻
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 1
はなにかんするおもしろいいいまわしとおっしゃいましたが、どんなのがありますか。
You said there are interesting expressions related to the nose, but what kinds are there?
鼻noseにto関するrelated面白いinteresting言い回しexpressionsとquoteおっしゃいsaidましsaidたsaidが、butどんなwhat kindのonesがsubjectありexistますpoliteか。question - 2
「はながたかい」とか「はなにかける」などはじまんしているときのひょうげんで、よくつかわれます。
HANA GA TAKAI” or “HANA NI KAKERU” are expressions when you are boasting and they are used very frequently.
「鼻noseがsubject高い」proudとandかsuch as「鼻noseにonかける」pride oneselfなどand so forthはtopic自are boastingまare boastingんare boastingしare boastingてare boastingいるare boasting時timeのof表現expressionsで、areよくfrequently使わare usedれare usedます。are used - 3
それで、「はながたかい」ひとはようじんしないと、「はなをおられます」ね。
If a proud person is not careful, others will take the conceit out of a person, isn’t that so?
それthatで、being so「鼻noseがsubject高い」proud人personはtopic用心cautionしdoないnotと、if「鼻noseをobject折らbe humbledれbe humbledます」be humbledね。right? - 4
そうです。でも、そのひょうげんは「はながたかい」といういいまわしほどつかわれません。
That’s right. However, that expression is not used as often as an expression “HANA GA TAKAI.
そうthat is rightです。isでbutも、butそのthat表現expressionはtopic「鼻noseがsubject高い」proudとquote言うcalled言い回しexpressionほどas much as使わnot usedれnot usedませnot usedん。not used - 5
ほかにどんなのがありますか。
What other expressions are there?
外otherにamongどんなwhat kindのonesがsubjectありexistますpoliteか。question - 6
「はなのしたがながい」というのがあります。
There is an expression “HANA NO SHITA GA NAGAI.
「鼻noseのof下belowがsubject長い」longとquote言うcalledのoneがsubjectありexistsます。polite
DEMO --- DEMO II. The expression “A DEMO B DEMO II” where A and B represent nouns respectively means “It will do whether it is A or B.” “A or B will do”. Examples: EMPITSU DEMO PEN DEMO II. “Pencil or a fountainpen will do.” OTOKO DEMO ONNA DEMO II. “It will do whether it is a man or a woman.” HIKOOKI DEMO KISEN DEMO II DESU. “It will do whether it’s a plane or a steamer.” AKAI KAMI DEMO SHIROI KAMI DEMO II DESU. “A red paper or a white paper will do.” Note: In conjunction with the above pattern, “Interrogative pronouns (with or without counters) + DEMO II” are used very frequently to express an idea of “Any --- will do.” For example: DARE DEMO II DESU. “Anyone will do.” IKURA DEMO II DESU. “Any amount will do.” DOKO DEMO II. “Any place will do.” ITSU DEMO II. “Any time will do.” NANNIN DEMO II DESU. “Any number of persons will do.” NAN DEMO II. “Anything will do.”Additional common expressions related to “nose” and “mouth.” HANA DE WARAU — “to laugh ironically”; KUCHI GA TASSHA NA — “talkative”; KUCHI GA KATAI — “close mouthed”; HITO NO KUCHI NI NORU — “to be taken in”, “to be coaxed into doing something”; KUCHI O MITSUKERU — “to find a job”; KUCHI O SAGASU — “to seek employment”.SAKI used as a suffix to show “objective” or “destination.” Examples: YUKUSAKI — “one’s destination”; TSUTOMESAKI — “one’s place of employment”; RYOKOOSAKI — “one’s destination in travel”; SHUUSHOKUSAKI — “a place of employment”; YOMEIRISAKI — “a family that a girl married into”.B.3 GEISHA. The Japanese Geisha is a unique institution that developed during the days when Japanese wives did not go out with their husbands as much as they do in the postwar period. High-class Geisha are not prostitutes but are professional beauties and skilled entertainers and money alone cannot buy their services. In fact, first-time customers, Japanese or foreigners, will find it difficult even to gain admittance to first-class tea houses where Geisha are called. This is a world that has its own traditions, own conventions, its own prestige. The best way to go is to be taken by a friend who is well known there. Usually the houses in which the Geisha live and in which they entertain are separate. Before a Geisha can appear before a guest she must study etiquette and acquire social graces, become well versed in the Japanese dance, Shamisen, and even the tea ceremony and flower arrangement. Each day she must take lessons in these arts from masters in their respective fields. To these she must add more modern accomplishments so as to keep up with the changing times. Most Geisha are skilled in western style dancing and can often be seen in Japanese costume, dancing with their partners in a night club since the Geisha may and does go anywhere she pleases. Some Geisha also speak English. There are also Geisha who play golf.- に
- on (See Gram. Notes)
- と
- and (See Gram. Notes)
- が、
- but (See Gram. Notes)
- どんな
- what kind of; what sort of
- の
- See Grammar Notes
- ます
- trout
- か。
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
- など
- and so forth, etc.
- は
- leaves
- し
- city
- いる
- to need (See Gram. Notes)
- 時
- time
- 表現
- expression
- で、
- --is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
- よく
- well, skillfully
- 人
- people
- を
- particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
- ね。
- isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
- そう
- numerical counter for ships
- です。
- to be (See Gram. Notes)
- 言う
- to say
- ほど
- to the extent (See Grammar Notes)
A man's weakness for women · Dialogue 2 of 4
An expression used for a man
The speakers clarify the expression *鼻の 下が 長い*. *「女に あまい」と 言う 意味です* means "It means to have a weakness for women."
The expression describes a man. *すけべい* can describe either a man or a woman.
A man or a woman will do
In *すけべいは 男でも 女でも いいのです*, the two *でも* phrases mark man and woman as alternatives. *いい* says either is acceptable.
- 7
なんといういみですか、それは。
What does that mean?
何whatとquote言うcalled意味meaningですisか、questionそれthatは。topic - 8
「おんなにあまい」といういみです。
It means “to have a weakness for women.
「女womenにtowardあまい」weakとquote言うcalled意味meaningです。is - 9
すけべいとおなじいみですね。
It means the same as “SUKEBEI”, doesn’t it?
すけべいlecherとwith同じsame意味meaningですisね。right? - 10
いいえ、すこしちがいます。「はなのしたがながい」ひとはおとこですが、すけべいはおとこでもおんなでもいいのです。
No, it differs a little. A person who is “HANA NO SHITA GA NAGAI” is a man, but the “SUKEBEI”, a man or a woman will do, you see.
いいえ、no少しa little違いdifferます。polite「鼻noseのof下belowがsubject長い」long人personはtopic男manですisが、butすけべいlecherはtopic男manでwhetherもwhether女womanでwhetherもwhetherいいwill doのexplanationです。is - 11
なるほど。それを「び…」なんとかいいますね。
I see. You call that a “BI” something, don’t you?
なるほど。I seeそれthatをobject「び…」bi-somethingなんsomething or otherとsomething or otherかsomething or other言いcallますcallね。right? - 12
ああ、びかちょう。
Oh, you mean “BIKACHOO.” ?
ああ、oh鼻下amorous man長。amorous man
- です
- to be (See Gram. Notes)
- か、
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
- は。
- leaves
- 「女
- female
- あまい」
- sweet
- すけべい
- lechery; bawdy person; bawdiness; lewdness
- 少し
- little (quantity)
- ます。
- trout
- が
- but (See Gram. Notes)
- 男
- male
- で
- --is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
- いい
- good (See Gram. Notes)
- なるほど。
- I see, indeed, to be sure
- ああ、
- Oh, yes
Speech and mouth expressions · Dialogue 3 of 4
A geisha at a party
At *ある えん会の 席*, a geisha speaks to the person beside her. He replies, *君は 中々 口が 悪いね*, meaning she has a foul tongue.
A high-class geisha is a professional entertainer. Geisha entertain guests at parties in first-class tea houses.
A suffix for a destination
The line *口は しゅうしょく先、嫁入り先 などの 意味にも 使います* gives two words ending in *先*.
As a suffix, *先* shows an objective or destination. *しゅうしょく先* is "a place of employment," and *嫁入り先* is "a family that a girl marries into."
Kanji: 席, 芸, 俗, 軽
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
Kanji: 嫁
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 13
それ、それ、それですよ。あるえんかいのせきでげいしゃがとなりのひとにそういったら、そのひとが「きみはなかなかくちがわるいね」といった。
That’s it. At a certain party, a Geisha called a person sitting next to me by that name, then he said “You sure have a foul tongue.
それ、thatそれ、thatそれthatですisよ。I tell youあるa certainえpartyんparty会partyのof席occasionでat芸者geishaがsubjectとなりnextのto人personにtoそうthat言っcalledたら、calledそのthat人personがsubject「君youはtopic中々very口speechがsubject悪いfoulね」right?とquote言っsaidた。said - 14
びかちょうはぞくごですから、たいわのときによくつかわれます。
Since “BIKACHOO” is a colloquial expression, it is used frequently in a conversation.
鼻下amorous man長amorous manはtopic俗語colloquial termですisから、because対話conversationのof時timeにinよくfrequently使わis usedれis usedます。is used - 15
「くちがわるい」もからだにかんするいいまわしのひとつですね。
KUCHI GA WARUI” is also an expression related to a human body, isn’t it?
「口speechがsubject悪い」foulもalso身体bodyにto関するrelated言い回しexpressionのof一oneつoneですisね。right? - 16
そうです。「くちがおもい」、「くちがかるい」「くちがうまい(またはじょうず)」などはことばについてのいいまわしです。
Yes, it is. Such expressions as “KUCHI GA OMOI”, “KUCHI GA KARUI”, “KUCHI GA UMAI (or JOOZU)” are expressions pertaining to speech.
そうthat is rightです。is「口speechがsubject重い」、reticent「口speechがsubject軽い」indiscreet「口speechがsubjectうまいeloquent(またorはor上手)」skillfulなどand so forthはtopic言葉speechにaboutついaboutてaboutのof言い回しexpressionsです。are - 17
「くちをだす」や「くちをすべらせる」もおなじですね。
KUCHI O DASU” and “KUCHI O SUBERASERU” are also expressions pertaining to speech, aren’t they?
「口speechをobject出す」interfereやand「口speechをobjectすべらlet slipせる」let slipもalso同じsameですisね。right? - 18
そうです。そのほか、くちはしゅうしょくさき、よめいりさきなどのいみにもつかいます。
Yes, they are. Besides, mouth is used to express the meaning of “a place of employment”, “a family that a girl marries into”, etc.
そうthat is rightです。isそのthat外、besides口openingはtopicしゅうplace of employmentしょくplace of employment先、place of employment嫁入りfamily married into先family married intoなどand so forthのof意味meaningにinもalso使いis usedます。is used
- ある
- certain, some
- 芸者
- Geisha girl (See Cult. notes)
- 「君
- suffix to a name, Mr. (See cult. notes)
- 中々
- considerably, very
- 口
- place of employment; a family into which a woman marries
- ね」
- isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
- 俗語
- colloquial expression
- から、
- from (See Gram. Notes)
- 対話
- conversation; dialogue
- 一
- one
- うまい
- savory, delicious, good
- 上手)」
- skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)
- つい
- just; only
- 出す」
- to mail, send, take out
- や
- and---among others (See Gram. Notes)
- しゅう
- state
Employment, marriage and taste · Dialogue 4 of 4
Employment, marriage, and food
The speakers continue from mouth expressions about speech to employment, marriage, and food.
*口に 合う* means that food suits a person's taste. Fruit eaten as *口なおし* removes an aftertaste.
Seeking an opening
*「口を さがす」と 言うのは「仕事を さがす」* equates the expression with looking for work.
*口を さがす* means "to seek employment." A *よい口* can also be a good marriage opportunity.
- 19
それはおもしろいですね。
That sure is interesting, isn’t it?
それthatはtopic面白いinterestingですisね。right? - 20
そう、ですから、「くちをさがす」というのは「しごとをさがす」で、しごとがあったときには「しごとぐちがあった」などといいます。また「よいくちがあって」むすめをよめにやりましたなどといいます。
That’s right. That’s why an expression “KUCHI O SAGASU” means to look for employment, and when you have found a job, you’ll say “SHIGOTOGUCHI GA ATTA”. And again you’ll say you found “YOI KUCHI” and gave your daughter away for marriage.
そう、rightですisから、because「口openingをobjectさがす」look forとquote言うcalledのoneはtopic「仕事jobをobjectさがす」look forで、means仕事jobがsubjectあっwas availableたwas available時timeにatはtopic「仕事job opening口job openingがsubjectあっwas availableた」was availableなどfor exampleとquote言いsayます。sayまたalso「よいgood口marriage prospectがsubjectあっfoundて」foundむすめdaughterをobject嫁brideにasやりgave in marriageましgave in marriageたgave in marriageなどfor exampleとquote言いsayます。say - 21
くちについてたべるほうのいいまわしはありませんか。
Relating to “mouth”, don’t you have expressions pertaining to eating?
口mouthにaboutついaboutてabout食べるeating方related toのof言い回しexpressionsはtopicありexistませnotんnotか。question - 22
もちろんあります。たとえば「くちにあう」とか「あわない」とか「くちなおし」にくだものをたべるとかいいます。
Of course we have. For example, we would say “KUCHI NI AU”, or “KUCHI NI AWANAI” or eat fruits for “KUCHI-NAOSHI.
もちろんof courseありexistます。politeたとえばfor example「口mouthにto合う」suitとand suchかand such「合わnot suitない」not suitとand suchかand such「口palateなおpalate cleanserし」palate cleanserにfor果物fruitをobject食べるeatとand suchかand such言いsayます。polite
- そう、
- numerical counter for ships
- 「口
- place of employment; a family into which a woman marries
- さがす」
- to search, look for
- 「よい
- good (See Gram. Notes)
- 嫁
- bride; wife; daughter-in-law
- もちろん
- of course, to be sure
- たとえば
- for instance
- し」
- city
- 果物
- fruit
Accepting either alternative · Perception drill
Either alternative is acceptable
*男 でも 女 でも いい* means "A man or a woman will do." The two nouns are the acceptable alternatives.
With nouns, *A でも B でも いい* means "It will do whether it is A or B."
Any choice is acceptable
*だれ でも いい* means "Anyone will do." A question word followed by *でも いい* accepts any possible choice.
- 23
A.おとこでもおんなでもいい。B.だれでもいい。
A man or a woman will do.
A.A男manでeitherもeither女womanでeitherもeitherいい。fineB.Bだれanyoneでanyもanyいい。fine - 24
にほんえいがのことだが、こんばんみにいこうか、あしたのばんいこうか。
Anyone will do.
日本Japanese映画movieのof事matterだisが、but今晩tonight見seeにto行こうshall goか、question明日tomorrowのof晩evening行こうshall goか。question - 25
こんばんでもあしたのばんでもいいよ。いつでもいい。きみのつごうのよいときにいこう。
It’s about the Japanese movie,but shall we go to see it tonight or shall we go tomorrow night?
今晩tonightでeitherもeither明日tomorrowのof晩eveningでeitherもeitherいいfineよ。I tell youいつanytimeでanyもanyいい。fine君youの'sつごうconvenienceのofよいgood時timeにat行こう。let us go - 26
きょうのしけんはペンでかかなければなりませんか。
It’s fine whether we go tonight or tomorrow night. Anytime will be fine. Let’s go whenever it’s convenient with you.
今日todayの's試験examはtopicペンpenでwith書かwriteなけれmustばmustなりmustませnotんnotか。question - 27
いいえ、ペンでもえんぴつでもいい。
Do we have to write today’s examination with a pen?
いいえ、noペンpenでeitherもeitherえんぴつpencilでeitherもeitherいい。fine - 28
きょうのひるごはんはにほんりょうりにしようか、せいようりょうりにしようか。
No, pen or pencil will do.
今日todayの's昼御飯lunchはtopic日本Japanese food料理Japanese foodにasしようshall chooseか、question西洋Western food料理Western foodにasしようshall chooseか。question - 29
ぼくはにほんりょうりでもせいようりょうりでもいい。きみにまかせるよ。
As for lunch today, shall we make it Japanese food or western food?
僕Iはtopic日本Japanese food料理Japanese foodでeitherもeither西洋Western food料理Western foodでeitherもeitherいい。fine君youにtoまかせるleave itよ。I tell you - 30
にほんへりょこうするのにはひこうきがいいですか、きせんがいいですか。
As for me, it doesn’t make any difference whether it’s Japanese food or western food. I’ll leave it up to you.
日本Japanへtoward旅行travelするdoのoneにforはtopic飛行airplane機airplaneがsubjectいいbetterですisか、question汽船steamshipがsubjectいいbetterですisか。question - 31
ひこうきでもきせんでもいいです。すきずきですね。
To travel to Japan, is it better to go by plane or is it better to go by ship?
飛行airplane機airplaneでeitherもeither汽船steamshipでeitherもeitherいいfineです。is好きpersonal preference好きpersonal preferenceですisね。right - 32
わたくしはむらたさんにてがみをかきたいのですが、にほんごがいいでしょうか、えいごがいいでしょうか。
Either one will do whether it is a plane or a ship. It is a matter of taste.
私Iはtopic村田MurataさんMr.にto手紙letterをobject書きwriteたいwant toのoneですisが、but日本Japanese語Japaneseがsubjectいいbetterでしょうprobablyか、question英語Englishがsubjectいいbetterでしょうprobablyか。question - 33
えいごでもにほんごでもいいです。むらたさんはどちらもおじょうずですから。
I want to write a letter to Mr. Murata, but is it better to write in Japanese or is it better to write in English?
英語Englishでeitherもeither日本Japanese語Japaneseでeitherもeitherいいfineです。is村田MurataさんMr.はtopicどちらbothもalsoおhonorific上手skilledですisから。because
- 女
- female
- いい。
- good (See Gram. Notes)
- だれ
- who?
- 映画
- movie
- だ
- to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
- 明日
- tomorrow
- いつ
- when?
- 君
- suffix to a name, Mr. (See cult. notes)
- つごう
- convenience
- よい
- good (See Gram. Notes)
- 今日
- today
- ペン
- pen
- 西洋
- occident, the West
- 僕
- I (see notes)
- へ
- to (See Gram. Notes)
- 汽船
- steamer
- 好き
- to like, be fond of (See Grammar Notes)
- 手紙
- letter (correspondence)
- でしょう
- probably (See Gram. Notes)
- どちら
- which of two (See Grammar Notes)
- 上手
- skillful, fluent (See Grammar Notes)
- から。
- from (See Gram. Notes)
Saying any choice is fine · Pattern 1 1 of 3
Two acceptable choices
*大人 でも 子供 でも いい* means "Either an adult or a child is fine." The two-*でも* form also appears with days and times.
Any member of a group
*どれでも いい* means "Any one is fine." *何時でも いい* means "Any time is fine."
- 34
A.おとなでもこどもでもいい。B.どこでもいい。
A. Either an adult or a child is fine. B. Anywhere is fine.
A.A大人adultでeitherもeither子供childでeitherもeitherいい。fineB.Bどこanywhereでanyもanyいい。fine - 35
きょうでもあしたでもいい。
Either today or tomorrow is fine.
今日todayでeitherもeither明日tomorrowでeitherもeitherいい。fine - 36
ゆうはんはろくじでもしちじでもいい。
Either six or seven o’clock is fine for dinner.
夕飯dinnerはtopic六six o’clock時six o’clockでeitherもeither七seven o’clock時seven o’clockでeitherもeitherいい。fine - 37
かいものはよるでもひるでもいい。
Either evening or daytime is fine for shopping.
買物shoppingはtopic夜nightでeitherもeither昼daytimeでeitherもeitherいい。fine - 38
べいこくじんのおんなでもにほんじんのおんなでもいい。
Either an American woman or a Japanese woman is fine.
米国American人Americanのof女womanでeitherもeither日本Japanese人Japaneseのof女womanでeitherもeitherいい。fine - 39
どっちでもいい。
Either one is fine.
どっちeither oneでeitherもeitherいい。fine - 40
いつでもいい。
Any time is fine.
何any time時any timeでanyもanyいい。fine - 41
なんまいでもいい。
Any number of sheets is fine.
何any numberまいsheet counterでanyもanyいい。fine - 42
どれでもいい。
Any one is fine.
どれany oneでanyもanyいい。fine
- 六
- six
- 七
- seven
- 買物
- shopping
- 夜
- night, evening
- どっち
- which of two (See Grammar Notes)
- どれ
- which (of three or more) (See Grammar Notes)
Flexible choices in daily life · Pattern 1 2 of 3
Either food is fine
*すきやきでも 天ぷらでも いいよ* means "Either sukiyaki or tempura is fine." The answer accepts both foods offered in the question.
People and seasons
*男の 先生でも 女の 先生でもいいのです* accepts either teacher. *春でも 秋でもいいよ* accepts either season for the trip.
- 43
こんばん、にほんりょうりをごちそうしたいんだが、てんぷらがいいかね、すきやきがいいかね。
I’d like to treat you to Japanese food tonight; would you prefer tempura or sukiyaki?
今晩、tonight日本Japanese food料理Japanese foodをobject御treatちそうtreatしtreatたいwant toんoneだisが、but天ぷらtempuraがsubjectいいpreferかquestionね、rightすきやきsukiyakiがsubjectいいpreferかquestionね。right - 44
すきやきでもてんぷらでもいいよ。ぼくはにほんりょうりならなんでもいいんだ。
Either sukiyaki or tempura is fine; as long as it’s Japanese food, anything is fine with me.
すきやきsukiyakiでeitherもeither天ぷらtempuraでeitherもeitherいいfineよ。I tell you僕Iはtopic日本Japanese food料理Japanese foodならif it is何anythingでanyもanyいいfineんoneだ。is - 45
このしごとはおんなのするしごとだね。
This is work for a woman, isn’t it?
このthis仕事workはtopic女womanのofするdo仕事workだisね。right - 46
いいえ、おとこでもおんなでもいいんだよ。だれでもできるしごとなんだ。
No, either a man or a woman is fine; it’s work that anyone can do.
いいえ、no男manでeitherもeither女womanでeitherもeitherいいfineんoneだisよ。I tell youだれanyoneでanyもany出来るcan do仕事workなisんoneだ。is - 47
にほんへあそびにいくのにははるがいいだろうか、あきがいいだろうか。
Would spring or fall be better for a pleasure trip to Japan?
日本Japanへtoward遊びpleasureにfor行くgoのoneにforはtopic春springがsubjectいいbetterだろうprobablyか、question秋fallがsubjectいいbetterだろうprobablyか。question - 48
そうだね。はるでもあきでもいいよ。すきずきだね。あるひとははるがいいというし、あるひとはあきがいいというんだ。
Well, either spring or fall is fine; it depends on the person—some people say spring is better, and others say fall is better.
そうwellだisね。right春springでeitherもeither秋fallでeitherもeitherいいfineよ。I tell you好きpersonal preference好きpersonal preferenceだisね。rightあるsome人peopleはtopic春springがsubjectいいbetterとquote言うsayし、andあるother人peopleはtopic秋fallがsubjectいいbetterとquote言うsayんoneだ。is - 49
せんせいをひとりやといたいとおっしゃっていましたが、おとこのせんせいがいるのですか、おんなのせんせいがいるのですか。
You said you wanted to hire a teacher; do you need a male teacher or a female teacher?
先生teacherをobject一人one personやといhireたいwant toとquoteおっしゃっsaidてsaidいsaidましsaidたsaidが、but男maleのof先生teacherがsubjectいるneedのoneですisか、question女femaleのof先生teacherがsubjectいるneedのoneですisか。question - 50
おとこのせんせいでもおんなのせんせいでもいいのです。
Either a male teacher or a female teacher is fine.
男maleのof先生teacherでeitherもeither女femaleのof先生teacherでeitherもeitherいいfineのoneです。is - 51
こんしゅうまつおたずねしたいのですが、いつがつごうがいいですか。
I’d like to visit you this weekend; when would be convenient?
今週this weekend末this weekendおhonorificたずねvisitしdoたいwant toのoneですisが、butいつwhenがsubjectつごうconvenienceがsubjectいいgoodですisか。question
- か
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
- ね、
- isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
- すきやき
- SUKIYAKI
- なら
- if it is (See Gram. Notes)
- 出来る
- to be manufactured; to be produced (v.i.)
- な
- I wish, I hope, huh
- 春
- spring
- 秋
- autumn, fall
- 先生
- refers to doctors, educators, etc. (See Cult. Notes)
- 一人
- one person
- い
- stomach
- 今週
- this week
Choosing between alternatives · Pattern 1 3 of 3
A question with two alternatives
*男の先生がいいですか、女の先生がいいですか* presents a male teacher and a female teacher as alternatives.
The questions use the same form for days, meals, fishing times, and foods.
An answer that accepts both
*金曜日の 晩でも 土曜日の 朝でも いいです* accepts either time. The two-*でも* form supplies an answer when both alternatives are acceptable.
- 52
きんようびのばんでもどようびのあさでもいいです。
Either Friday evening or Saturday morning is fine.
金曜Friday日Fridayのof晩eveningでeitherもeither土曜Saturday日Saturdayのof朝morningでeitherもeitherいいfineです。is - 53
おとこのせんせいがいいですか、おんなのせんせいがいいですか。
Would you prefer a male teacher or a female teacher?
男maleのof先生teacherがsubjectいいpreferですisか、question女femaleのof先生teacherがsubjectいいpreferですisか。question - 54
ゴルフはどようびにしますか、にちようびにしますか。
Shall we play golf on Saturday or Sunday?
ゴルフgolfはtopic土曜Saturday日Saturdayにonしdoますpoliteか、question日曜Sunday日Sundayにonしdoますpoliteか。question - 55
ひるごはんはにほんりょうりにしますか、せいようりょうりにしますか。
Shall we have Japanese food or Western food for lunch?
昼御飯lunchはtopic日本Japanese food料理Japanese foodにasしdoますpoliteか、question西洋Western food料理Western foodにasしdoますpoliteか。question - 56
このしごとはおんなのひとがいいでしょう。
A woman would probably be better for this job.
このthis仕事workはtopic女womanのwoman人womanがsubjectいいbetterでしょう。probably - 57
つりはあさがいいですか、ゆうがたがいいですか。
Is morning or evening better for fishing?
つりfishingはtopic朝morningがsubjectいいbetterですisか、question夕方eveningがsubjectいいbetterですisか。question - 58
ビフテキをたべるときにはごはんがいいですか、じゃがいもがいいですか。
When you eat steak, do you prefer rice or potatoes?
ビフテキsteakをobject食べるeat時timeにatはtopic御飯riceがsubjectいいpreferですisか、questionじゃがいもpotatoesがsubjectいいpreferですisか。question
- 朝
- morning
- ゴルフ
- golf
- でしょう。
- probably (See Gram. Notes)
- つり
- fishing
- 夕方
- evening
- ビフテキ
- beef steak
- 御飯
- cooked rice
- じゃがいも
- Irish potatoes
Pride and nose expressions · Reading Selection 1 of 2
Pride, attraction, and use
The passage asks for two nose expressions that describe boasting and the result of unchecked pride.
It also asks, *「鼻の 下が 長い」は 男にでも 女にでも 使いますか*, meaning "Is the expression used for both men and women?"
- 59
じまんしているときのひょうげんをはなをつかってふたついってください。
Please give two expressions using “nose” for when someone is boasting.
自boastingまboastingんboastingしboastingてboastingいるboasting時timeのof表現expressionsをobject鼻noseをobject使っuseてuse二twoつcounter言っsayてsayください。please - 60
はながたかいひとはようじんしないとどうなりますか。
What will happen if a proud person is not careful?
鼻proudがsubject高いproud人personはtopic用心carefulしdoないnotとifどうwhatなりhappenますpoliteか。question - 61
「はなのしたがながい」はほかのことばでなんといいますか。
What is another way of saying “the area under his nose is long”?
「鼻under the noseのof下under the noseがsubject長い」under the noseはtopic外otherのof言葉wordsでwith何whatとquote言いsayますpoliteか。question - 62
「はなのしたがながい」はおとこにでもおんなにでもつかいますか。
Is “the area under the nose is long” used for both men and women?
「鼻under the noseのof下under the noseがsubject長い」under the noseはtopic男menにforでeitherもeither女womenにforでeitherもeither使いuseますpoliteか。question - 63
くちにかんするいいまわしにはどんなのがありますか。
What kinds of expressions are there involving the mouth?
口mouthにto関するconcerning言い回しexpressionsにamongはtopicどんなwhat kindのonesがsubjectありexistますpoliteか。question
- 二
- two
- ください。
- please give me (See Gram. Notes)
Mouth expressions for opportunities · Reading Selection 2 of 2
Speech, work, marriage, and food
The passage asks about mouth expressions for skill in speaking, employment, marriage, and food.
*「口を さがす」と 言うのは どう 言う意味ですか* asks for the meaning of seeking an opening.
An answer connects *口を さがす* with looking for employment or a suitable family for a daughter.
- 64
はなすのがじょおずなひとはくちがどんなですか。
What kind of mouth does a person who is good at talking have?
話すtalkingのoneがsubject上手skilledなis人personはtopic口mouthがsubjectどんなwhat kindですisか。question - 65
そのほか、くちはどんなばあいにつかいますか。
In what other situations is “mouth” used?
そのthat外、besides口mouthはtopicどんなwhat kind場合situationsにin使いuseますpoliteか。question - 66
「くちをさがす」というのはどういういみですか。
What does “to look for an opening” mean?
「口openingをobjectさがす」look for openingとquote言うsayのoneはtopicどうwhat kind言うsay意味meaningですisか。question - 67
むすめをよめにやったばあいにはどうですか。
What about when someone has married off his daughter?
むすめdaughterをobject嫁brideにasやっmarried offたpast場合caseにinはtopicどうhowですisか。question - 68
たべるほうのいいまわしにつかったばあいのいいまわしにはどんなのがありますか。
What expressions are there in which “mouth” is used in connection with eating?
食べるeating方related toのof言い回しexpressionsにin使っusedたpast場合caseのof言い回しexpressionsにamongはtopicどんなwhat kindのonesがsubjectありexistますpoliteか。question
Meanings of nose and mouth · Questions
Meanings of nose and mouth expressions
The passage gathers expressions for pride, attraction, speech, employment, marriage, and taste.
*「鼻下長」と 言うのは 何ですか* asks what *鼻下長* means. An answer identifies an amorous man.
Other answers connect *口* with a place of employment, a family for marriage, or food that suits someone's taste.
- 69
「はながたかい」とか「はなにかける」などはじまんしているときのひょおげんで、よくつかわれる。「はながたかい」ひとはようじんしないと、はなをおられる。そのほかに「はなのしたがながい」といういいまわしがあって、これは「おんなにあまい」といういみである。だから、「はなのしたがながい」はおとこにだけつかわれるいいまわしである。これとおなじいみのことばに「びかちょう」というのがある。くちにかんするいいまわしはたくさんある。「くちがわるい」「くちがおもい」、「くちがかるい」「くちがうまい」、「くちをだす」、「くちをすべらせる」などはよくつかわれるいいまわしである。このほか、くちはしゅうしょくさき、よめいりさきなどのいみにつかわれる。たとえば「くちをさがす」というのは、しごとをさがすといういみで、「しごとくちがあった」などという。「くちがあって」むすめをよめにやったなどという。くちはまたたべるほうのいいまわしにもつかう。たとえば、このたべものは「わたくしのくちにあう」とか「くちにあわない」とかいう。
Expressions such as “one’s nose is high” and “to hang something on one’s nose” express pride and are often used. If a person whose “nose is high” is not careful, his nose will be broken. There is also an expression, “the area under his nose is long,” which means “he has a weakness for women.” Therefore, “the area under his nose is long” is an expression used only for men. Another expression with the same meaning is “long-under-the-nose.” There are many expressions involving the mouth. Expressions such as “to have a bad mouth,” “to have a heavy mouth,” “to have a light mouth,” “to have a skillful mouth,” “to put in one’s mouth,” and “to let one’s mouth slip” are often used. Besides these, “mouth” is used to mean a place of employment, a place for a woman to marry into, and so on. For example, “to look for an opening” means to look for work, and people say things such as “there was a job opening.” People also say that an opportunity arose and they married off their daughter. “Mouth” is also used in expressions concerning eating. For example, people say that a food “suits my mouth” or “does not suit my mouth.”
「鼻proudがsubject高い」proudとand suchかand such「鼻boastにaboutかける」boastなどsuch asはtopic自boastingまboastingんboastingしboastingてboastingいるboasting時timeのof表現expressionsで、areよくoften使わusedれる。used「鼻proudがsubject高い」proud人personはtopic用心carefulしdoないnotと、if鼻noseをobject折らbrokenれる。brokenそのthat外besidesにin「鼻under the noseのof下under the noseがsubject長い」under the noseとquote言うsay言い回しexpressionがsubjectあっexistて、andこれthisはtopic「女womenにtowardあまい」weakとquote言うsay意味meaningでisある。existsだisから、because「鼻under the noseのof下under the noseがsubject長い」under the noseはtopic男menにforだけonly使わusedれるused言い回しexpressionでisある。existsこれthisとwith同じsame意味meaningのof言葉wordsにamong「鼻下long-under-nose長」long-under-noseとquote言うsayのoneがsubjectある。exists口mouthにto関するconcerning言い回しexpressionsはtopic沢山manyある。exist「口bad-mouthedがsubject悪い」bad-mouthed「口taciturnがsubject重い」、taciturn「口loose-lippedがsubject軽い」loose-lipped「口smooth-talkingがsubjectうまい」、smooth-talking「口interfereをobject出す」、interfere「口let slipをobjectすべらlet slipせる」let slipなどsuch asはtopicよくoften使わusedれるused言い回しexpressionsでareある。existこのthis外、besides口openingはtopicしゅうplace of employmentしょくplace of employment先、place of employment嫁入りmarriage destination先marriage destinationなどsuch asのof意味meaningにin使わusedれる。usedたとえばfor example「口openingをobjectさがす」look for openingとquote言うsayのoneは、topic仕事workをobjectさがすlook forとquote言うsay意味meaningで、is「仕事job opening口job openingがsubjectあっexistた」pastなどsuch asとquote言う。say「口openingがsubjectあっaroseて」aroseむすめdaughterをobject嫁brideにasやっmarried offたpastなどsuch asとquote言う。say口mouthはtopic又also食べるeating方related toのof言い回しexpressionsにinもalso使う。useたとえば、for exampleこのthis食べ物foodはtopic「私myの's口palateにto合う」suitとand suchかand such「口palateにto合わsuitない」notとand suchかand such言う。say - 70
「びかちょう」というのはなんですか。
What does “long-under-the-nose” mean?
「鼻下long-under-nose長」long-under-noseとquote言うsayのoneはtopic何whatですisか。question
- れる。
- to be able to -- (See Grammar Notes)
- ある。
- certain, some
- だけ
- only, just (See Grammar Notes)
- うまい」、
- savory, delicious, good
- 出す」、
- to mail, send, take out
- 使う。
- to use, employ
- 食べ物
- food
Pride and attraction words · Word list 1 of 3
Pride, attraction, and alternatives
These words cover pride, sexual interest, and acceptable alternatives. *鼻が 高い* means "be proud or boastful."
*鼻の 下が 長い* describes an amorous man. *男でも女でもいい* means that either a man or a woman is acceptable.
- 71
はながたかい
be proud of; be boastful
鼻が高いbe proud - 72
はなにかける
be overly proud of; take pride in; be boastful of (v.i.)
鼻にかけるboast about - 73
じまんする
be boasting (v.t.)
自まんするboast - 74
はなをおられる
conceited attitude will be broken; is snubbed
鼻を折られるbe humbled - 75
おる
break; fold; bend (v.t.)
折るbreak - 76
はなのしたがながい
amorous; spoony on women
鼻の下が長いamorous - 77
おんなにあまい
be spoony on a girl; have a weakness for girls
女にあまいweak for women - 78
すけべい
lechery; bawdy person; bawdiness; lewdness
すけべいlecherous person - 79
おとこでもおんなでもいい
it is applicable for both men and women
男でも女でもいいeither sex will do - 80
---でも---でもいい
both will do (See Gram. Notes)
---でも---でもいいeither will do - 81
びかちょう
amorous man
鼻下長amorous man
- 鼻が高い
- be proud of; be boastful
- 鼻にかける
- be overly proud of; take pride in; be boastful of (v.i.)
- 自まんする
- be boasting (v.t.)
- 鼻を折られる
- conceited attitude will be broken; is snubbed
- 折る
- break; fold; bend (v.t.)
- 鼻の下が長い
- amorous; spoony on women
- 女にあまい
- be spoony on a girl; have a weakness for girls
- 男でも女でもいい
- it is applicable for both men and women
- ---でも---でもいい
- both will do (See Gram. Notes)
- 鼻下長
- amorous man
Party and speech words · Word list 2 of 3
A party and ways of speaking
These words cover a party, a geisha, and ways of speaking. *芸者* means "Geisha girl."
*口が 重い* means "be slow of speech." *口を すべらせる* means "have a slip of the tongue."
- 82
えんかいのせき
at a party
えん会の席at a party - 83
えんかい
party; banquet; dinner
えん会banquet - 84
げいしゃ
Geisha girl (See Cult. notes)
芸者geisha - 85
くちがわるい
be foul tongued; sarcastic in speech
口が悪いfoul-mouthed - 86
ぞくご
colloquial expression
俗語colloquial expression - 87
たいわ
conversation; dialogue
対話conversation - 88
くちがおもい
be slow of speech; not talkative
口が重いnot talkative - 89
くちがかるい
talkative
口が軽いtalkative - 90
くちがうまい(じょおず)
be honey tongued; glib
口がうまい(上手)glib - 91
くちをだす
butt into conversation
口を出すbutt into conversation - 92
くちをすべらせる
have a slip of the tongue
口をすべらせるmake a verbal slip
- えん会の席
- at a party
- えん会
- party; banquet; dinner
- 口が悪い
- be foul tongued; sarcastic in speech
- 口が重い
- be slow of speech; not talkative
- 口が軽い
- talkative
- 口がうまい(上手)
- be honey tongued; glib
- 口を出す
- butt into conversation
- 口をすべらせる
- have a slip of the tongue
Employment, marriage and taste words · Word list 3 of 3
Employment, marriage, and taste
These words cover employment and marriage. *嫁入り先* is "the family into which a woman marries."
*口を さがす* can mean looking for employment or a suitable family for a daughter.
Food that *口に 合う* suits someone's taste.
- 93
すべらせる
cause to slide (v.t.)
すべらせるcause to slide - 94
すべる
slip; slide (v.i.)
すべるslip - 95
しゅうしょくさき
place of employment (See Cult. Notes)
しゅうしょく先place of employment - 96
よめいりさき
the family into which a woman marries into (See Cult, Notes)
嫁入り先family married into - 97
くちをさがす
look for an employment; look for a suitable family to marry one’s daughter into
口をさがすseek a position - 98
しごとくち
employment, place of employment
仕事口employment - 99
くち
place of employment; a family into which a woman marries
口marriage or job opening - 100
よめ
bride; wife; daughter-in-law
嫁bride - 101
よめにやる
to give a daughter in marriage; to marry off a daughter
嫁にやるmarry off a daughter - 102
くちにあう
stiit one’s taste; palatable (v.i»)
口に合うsuit one’s taste - 103
くちなおし
something to remove after taste
口なおしpalate cleanser
Guide for Free Conversation
1a List five expressions related to “nose” and explain in Japanese when you would use them.
1b List ten expressions related to “mouth” and when you would use them in Japanese.Homework
1 Memorize the expressions related to “nose” and “mouth” and their meanings.
2 Study Grammar Perception Drill.
3 Study Pattern Practice and do the exercise given at the end of 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.- すべらせる
- cause to slide (v.t.)
- すべる
- slip; slide (v.i.)
- しゅうしょく先
- place of employment (See Cult. Notes)
- 嫁入り先
- the family into which a woman marries into (See Cult, Notes)
- 口をさがす
- look for an employment; look for a suitable family to marry one’s daughter into
- 仕事口
- employment, place of employment
- 嫁にやる
- to give a daughter in marriage; to marry off a daughter
- 口に合う
- stiit one’s taste; palatable (v.i»)
- 口なおし
- something to remove after taste
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