Japanese · Lesson 98
Lesson 100
Reading Japan
Crowds climbing Mount Fuji · Dialogue 1 of 3
Crowds on Mount Fuji
Two people discuss the recent popularity of mountain climbing in Japan. *日本では 登山は さかんだね。おどろいたよ* means "Mountain climbing is very popular in Japan, isn't it? I surely was surprised."
They describe summer crowds on Mount Fuji and people climbing day and night.
Everybody takes up climbing
*ねこも しゃくしも* literally means "including cats and rice scoopers". The expression came to mean "everybody".
*ねこも しゃくしも 登山、登山と 言ってね* describes everybody clamoring for mountain climbing.
Kanji: 登, 混, 危
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 1
にほんではとざんはさかんだね。おどろいたよ。
Mountain climbing is very popular in Japan, isn't it? I surely was surprised.
日本Japanでinはtopic登山mountain climbingはtopicさかんpopularだisね。right?おどろいwas surprisedたwas surprisedよ。I tell you - 2
きんねんとくにさかんになってきたよ。ねこもしゃくしもとざん、とざんといってね。
It has become popular especially in recent years—everybody clamors for mountain climbing.
近年recent years特にespeciallyさかんpopularにbecomesなっhas becomeてhas become来has becomeたhas becomeよ。I tell youねこeveryoneもeveryoneしゃくしeveryoneもeveryone登山、mountain climbing登山mountain climbingとquote言っsayてsayね。you know - 3
ふじさんなどはなつにはおすなおすなのこんざつだそうだね。
I understand Mt. Fuji is terribly congested in the summer, is that right?
富士Mount Fuji山Mount Fujiなどsuch placesはtopic夏summerにinはtopicおpackedすなおpackedすなpackedのof混雑congestionだisそうreportedlyだisね。right? - 4
しんぶんによるとそうらしいね。よるもひるもおしかけるらしい。
It seems that way according to the newspaper. It seems people throng to there day and night.
新聞newspaperにaccording toよるaccording toとaccording toそうthat wayらしいseemsね。right?夜nightもalso昼dayもalsoおしかけるthrong thereらしい。seem to - 5
とざんどうがよくて、べつにきけんなところもないので、よるひるのぼるんだろう。
The mountain climbing route is good and there is no particularly dangerous place, so people probably climb day and night.
登山climbing route道climbing routeがsubjectよくis goodて、is good別particularlyにparticularly危険dangerousなdangerous所placeもalsoないnoneのbecauseで、because夜昼day and night登るclimbんexplanationだろう。probably
ZENZEN — NAI Followed by negative verbs, ZENZEN — NAI expresses an idea of "doesn't do such-and-such at all".
SONNA KOTO WA ZENZEN SHIRANAKATTA. I didn't know such a thing at all.
NICHIYOO NIWA ZENZEN BENKYOO SHINAI. I don't study at all on Sundays.
ANO HITO NO IU KOTO WA ZENZEN WAKARANAI. I don't understand what he says at all.
SONNA KOTO WA ZENZEN MONDAI DE WA NAI. Such a thing is not a problem at all.
ZENZEN is also used with an affirmative word to mean "utterly", "completely", "wholly", "altogether", etc.
KIMI WA ZENZEN MACHIGATTE IRU. You are utterly mistaken.
BOKU WA ZENZEN HANTAI DA. I am dead against it.
ANO SEITO WA HATSUON WA ZENZEN DAME DA. That student's pronunciation is not good at all.SA — "indeed", "I assure you", "I say". SA is a suffix of emphasis which occurs in men's informal speech. Its meaning is similar to that of YO, but it is softer and less assertive. It does not follow the imperative form.
SOO SA / SOO DA YO That's right
SUKI KA? / DAISUKI SA Do you like it? / Yes, indeed I do.
SONNA KOTO WA ATARIMAE SA. That goes without saying.
MOCHIRON SA. Certainly, it is.
IKU SA Of course, I go.Japan Alps The title Japan Alps is given to the volcanic ranges extending from north to south through the central and widest part of HONSHUU. This title was first used by Mr. William Gowland, an English engineer connected with the Osaka Mint about half a century ago, and was later used by the Rev. Walter Weston in his work "Mountaineering and Exploration in the Japanese Alps" (1896), in which he compares them with their European prototype in ruggedness, the variety of their alpine flora, and their bird and animal life. In recent years, interest in mountaineering in Japan has increased greatly, and more and more persons visit the mountains every year for pleasure, health, or scientific investigation. The Japanese Alps consist of three lofty ridges called respectively Southern, Central, and Northern Alps. More detailed description of these will be made in the next lesson.Mt. Fuji "It is as foolish not to climb Mt. Fuji as to climb it twice in life" is a common saying in Japan, and every Japanese of either sex makes it a life's cherished hope to ascend the "sacred mountain", as Mt. Fuji is regarded. It is considered to be a great honor to any climber to "worship the Goraikoo" (literally, Honorable-coming-light) or the sun at its rising from the top of the mountain.neko mo shakushi mo Literally this expression means "including cats and rice scoopers", and it came to mean "everybody". It is somewhat similar to the English expression, "Every Tom, Dick and Harry".- で
- --is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
- は
- leaves
- 登山
- mountain climbing
- だ
- to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
- ね。
- isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
- 近年
- recent years
- に
- on (See Gram. Notes)
- ねこ
- cat
- と
- and (See Gram. Notes)
- 山
- mountain
- など
- and so forth, etc.
- 夏
- summer
- の
- See Grammar Notes
- 混雑
- congestion; disorder; confusion; bustle
- そう
- numerical counter for ships
- 夜
- night, evening
- おしかける
- throng; storm; intrude; go uninvited (v.i.)
- 道
- road, street
- が
- but (See Gram. Notes)
- よく
- well, skillfully
- な
- I wish, I hope, huh
- 所
- address, place
- 夜昼
- day and night
Causes of climbing accidents · Dialogue 2 of 3
A sacred mountain
The speakers turn from crowded trails to reasons for climbing and for accidents.
Mt. Fuji is regarded as the sacred mountain. Reaching its top to worship the sunrise is a great honor for a climber.
*日の出を おがむ* means "worship the sunrise". Many climbers therefore leave the foot of the mountain at night.
Soft emphasis
*さ* is a suffix of emphasis in men's informal speech. It is softer and less assertive than *YO*.
In *それで 登る人も 多い わけさ*, it softly underscores the conclusion that many people climb for that reason.
Kanji: 宗, 記
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
Kanji: 流
New kanji in these lines. Read down: the kanji, its reading, then the words it makes.
- 6
それにふじとざんはしゅうきょうてきないみがあるんだ。それでのぼるひともおおいわけさ。ひのでをおがむとかいって、よるふもとをたつんだ。
Furthermore, Fuji climbing has a religious significance. For that reason, there are many climbers. People start out from the foot of a mountain at night saying that they are going to worship the sunrise.
それfurthermoreにfurthermore富士Fuji climbing登山Fuji climbingはtopic宗教religious的religiousなreligious意味significanceがsubjectあるexistsんexplanationだ。isそれthereforeでtherefore登るclimb人peopleもalso多いmanyわけreasonさ。you see日の出sunriseをobjectおがむworshipとthings likeかthings like言っsayて、say夜nightふもとmountain footをfrom立つset outんexplanationだ。is - 7
しんぶんにとざんしゃのそうなんのきじがよくでるね。
Articles about mountain climbers' disaster appear in the newspaper often, don't they?
新聞newspaperにin登山mountain climbers者mountain climbersの'sそうdisasterなんdisasterのof記事articlesがsubjectよくoften出るappearね。right? - 8
ええ、きんねんきゅうにふえたね。
Yes, they have suddenly increased in recent years, haven't they?
ええ、yes近年recent years急suddenlyにsuddenlyふえincreasedたpastね。right? - 9
なぜなんかなあ。
I wonder why?
なぜwhyなんis itかquestionなあ。I wonder - 10
りゆうはいろいろあるよ。そのひとつはとざんのりゅうこうで、ねこもしゃくしもとざんする。しかもあんないにんをやとわないででかけるとか、ひつようなそうぐなしにでかけるとかね。
There are many reasons. One reason is that because of the popularity of mountain climbing, everybody climbs mountains. Furthermore, they set out without hiring a guide or set out without necessary equipment and many other reasons.
理由reasonsはtopic色々variousあるexistよ。I tell youそのthat一oneつoneはtopic登山mountain climbingのof流行popularityで、because ofねこeveryoneもeveryoneしゃくしeveryoneもeveryone登山mountain climbingする。doしかもfurthermore案内guides人guidesをobjectやとわhireないnotでwithout出かけるset outとthings likeか、things like必要necessaryなnecessaryそうequipment具equipmentなしwithoutにwithout出かけるset outとthings likeかthings likeね。you know
- ある
- certain, some
- だ。
- to be (informal equivalent of DESU. See Grammar Notes)
- 人
- people
- 日の出
- sunrise; sunup
- を
- particle denoting direct object (See Pattern Drill)
- おがむ
- worship; pray; witness something with respect; adore (v.t.)
- か
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
- ふもと
- foot of a mountain or hill
- 者
- person
- 記事
- newspaper article; news; reading matter
- 出る
- come out to the phone, go out, come out (vi)
- ええ、
- Yes
- なぜ
- why?
- 理由
- reason
- 一
- one
- しかも
- furthermore
- なし
- pear
Reckless winter climbing · Dialogue 3 of 3
Reckless winter climbing
*むちゃな ぼう険を やるんだなあ* means "They surely undertake a reckless adventure, don't they?"
The speakers describe winter climbing without enough preparation and a student who met disaster in the Southern Alps.
*南アルプス* means "the Southern Alps", one of the three ridges of the Japan Alps.
No preparation at all
*この間 南アルプスで、そうなんした 学生も ぼうかんの 用意は 全ぜんしてなかったらしいね* reports a student who met disaster there.
The negative expression *全ぜんしてなかった* says that he made no preparation at all against the cold.
- 11
むちゃなぼうけんをやるんだなあ。
They surely undertake a reckless adventure, don't they?
むちゃrecklessなrecklessぼうadventure険adventureをobjectやるundertakeんexplanationだisなあ。isn’t it? - 12
そう。じゅうぶんじゅんびもしないで、ふゆ、ゆきのなかをとざんしたり、ひとりででかけたり。
Yes, like climbing a mountain in the snow in the winter without sufficient preparation or setting out climbing alone.
そう。yesじゅうsufficient分sufficientじゅんびpreparationもevenしdoないnotで、without冬、winter雪snowのof中midstをthrough登山mountain climbingしdoたり、things likeひとりaloneでby oneself出かけset outたり。things like - 13
このあいだみなみアルプスで、そうなんしたがくせいもぼうかんのよういはぜんぜんしてなかったらしいね。
It seems that the student who met disaster in the Southern Alps the other day had no preparation at all for the protection against the cold.
このthe other day間the other day南アルプスSouthern Alpsで、inそうmet disasterなんmet disasterしmet disasterたmet disaster学生studentもalsoぼうかんcold protectionのof用意preparationはtopic全at allぜんしprepared at allてpreparedなかっdid not prepareたpastらしいseemsね。right? - 14
しんぶんにそんなことがかいてあったね。
That's what the newspaper said.
新聞newspaperにinそんなsuch事thingがsubject書いwas writtenてwas writtenあっwas writtenたpastね。right?
- やる
- to do
- そう。
- numerical counter for ships
- 分
- minute
- じゅんび
- preparation
- し
- city
- で、
- --is and -- (See Grammar Notes)
- 冬、
- winter
- 雪
- snow
- 南アルプス
- the Southern Alps (See Cult. Notes)
- 学生
- student (higher sch.)
- ぼうかん
- protection against the cold
Saying not at all · Perception drill
No preparation at all
*ぼうかんの 用意は 全ぜんして なかった* means "No preparation at all for the protection against the cold was made."
*全ぜん* with a negative verb means "not at all". It marks the complete absence of the action.
No ability at all
*いいえ、私は アルコホールの はいった ものは 全ぜん飲めないのです* means "No, I can't drink anything that has alcohol in it."
Here *全ぜん* strengthens the negative ability *飲めない*. The speaker cannot drink such things at all.
- 15
ぼうかんのよういはぜんぜんしてなかった。
No preparation at all for the protection against the cold was made.
ぼうかんcold protectionのof用意preparationはtopic全at allぜんしprepared at allてpreparedなかっdid not prepareた。past - 16
ビールはのめるのでしょう。
You can drink beer, can't you?
ビールbeerはtopic飲めるcan drinkのexplanationでしょう。probably - 17
いいえ、わたくしはアルコホールのはいったものはぜんぜんのめないのです。
No, I can't drink anything that has alcohol in it.
いいえ、no私Iはtopicアルコalcoholホールalcoholのofはいっcontainedたpastものthingsはtopic全at allぜんat all飲めcan drinkないcannotのexplanationです。is - 18
きみはきょうかおいろがすこしわるいようだがどうかしたのかね。
You look a little pale today, but is something wrong with you?
君youはtopic今日today顔色complexionがsubject少しa little悪いpoor様appearsだisがbutどうwhatかquestionしhappenedたpastのexplanationかquestionね。right? - 19
うん、さくばんはがいたくて、ぜんぜんねていないのだ。
Yes, I had a toothache last night and I haven't slept at all.
うん、yes昨晩last night歯toothがsubjectいたくhurtて、hurt全sleptぜんsleptねsleptてhave not sleptいhave not sleptないhave not sleptのexplanationだ。is - 20
スミスさんはこのごろぜんぜんべんきょうしていないようだね。
It seems Mr. Smith isn't studying at all these days, doesn't it?
スミスSmithさんMr.はtopicこのごろthese days全at allぜんat all勉強studyしis studyingてis studyingいis studyingないnot studying様seemsだisね。right? - 21
ええ、にほんへいけないようになったから、たぶんべんきょうがきらいになったのでしょう。
No, since it turned out that he can't go to Japan, he probably lost interest in studying.
ええ、yes日本Japanへtoward行けcan goないcannot様so thatにtoなっbecameたpastから、because多分probably勉強studyingがsubjectきらいdislikedにbecameなっbecameたpastのexplanationでしょう。probably - 22
きみはどようびにはぜんぜんべんきょうしないのですか。
Don't you study at all on Saturdays?
君youはtopic土曜Saturday日Saturdayにonはtopic全at allぜんat all勉強studyしdoないnotのexplanationですisか。question - 23
うん、どようびにはかぞくのものといっしょにあそんだり、いえのしごとをしたりしなければならないからね。
No, I have to spend a day with my family and do the work around the house on Saturdays, so ----.
うん、yes土曜Saturday日Saturdayにonはtopic家族familyのofものmembersとwith一緒togetherにtogether遊んspend timeだり、things like家houseのof仕事workをobjectしdoたりthings likeしmust doなけれmust doばmust doならmust doないmust doからbecauseね。you know - 24
たむらさんはみみがとおいのですね。
Mr. Tamura is hard of hearing, isn't he?
田村TamuraさんMr.はtopic耳hearingがsubject遠いhard of hearingのexplanationですisね。right? - 25
ええ、ひだりのみみはぜんぜんきこえないそうです。
Yes, I understand he can't hear with his left ear at all.
ええ、yes左leftの's耳earはtopic全at allぜんat all聞えcan hearないcannotそうI hearです。is
- ビール
- beer
- でしょう。
- probably (See Gram. Notes)
- もの
- things (tangible)
- です。
- to be (See Gram. Notes)
- 君
- suffix to a name, Mr. (See cult. notes)
- 今日
- today
- 少し
- little (quantity)
- うん、
- Yes, all right.
- い
- stomach
- へ
- to (See Gram. Notes)
- から、
- from (See Gram. Notes)
- きらい
- dislike (See Gram. Notes)
- 家
- house, home
- なら
- if it is (See Gram. Notes)
- 遠い
- far
Complete absence and inability · Pattern 1 1 of 3
No knowledge at all
*田中さんの 奥さんの 病気の事は 全ぜん 知りませんでした* means "I did not know at all about Mrs. Tanaka's illness."
The *全ぜん* used with negative statements also applies to rain, study, and understanding in these lines.
No use or success at all
*この 字引は この 学校の 生徒には 全ぜん役に立ちません* means "This dictionary is of no use at all to the students at this school."
Other lines use the pattern for having no luck, being unable to see, and not using Japanese at home.
- 26
たなかさんのおくさんのびょうきのことはぜんぜんしりませんでした。
I did not know at all about Mrs. Tanaka's illness.
田中TanakaさんMrs.のMrs. Tanaka奥wifeさんwifeの's病気illnessのabout事matterはtopic全at allぜんat all知りknowませdid not knowんdid not knowでしdid not knowた。past - 27
ことしはまだあめがぜんぜんふりません。
It has not rained at all yet this year.
今年this yearはtopicまだyet雨rainがsubject全at allぜんat all降りrainませdoes not rainん。does not rain - 28
わたくしはかんじはぜんぜんならいませんでした。
I did not study kanji at all.
私Iはtopicかん字kanjiはtopic全at allぜんat all習いstudyませdid not studyんdid not studyでしdid not studyた。past - 29
わたくしはフランスごはぜんぜんわかりません。
I do not understand French at all.
私IはtopicフランスFrench語Frenchはtopic全at allぜんat allわかりunderstandませdo not understandん。do not understand - 30
このじびきはこのがっこうのせいとにはぜんぜんやくにたちません。
This dictionary is of no use at all to the students at this school.
このthis字引dictionaryはtopicこのthis学校schoolの's生徒studentsにtoはtopic全at allぜんat all役useにuseful立ちis usefulませnot usefulん。not useful - 31
きのうさかなつりにいきましたが、ぜんぜんだめでした。
I went fishing yesterday, but I had no luck at all.
昨日yesterday魚釣りfishingにto行きwentましwentたpastが、but全at allぜんat allだめno luckでしwasた。past - 32
おおきさんはひだりのめがぜんぜんみえないそうです。
I hear that Mr. Oki cannot see at all with his left eye.
大木OkiさんMr.はtopic左leftの's目eyeがsubject全at allぜんat all見えcan seeないcannotそうI hearです。is - 33
スミスさんはいえへかえったらぜんぜんにほんごをつかわないそうです。
I hear that Mr. Smith does not use Japanese at all when he goes home.
スミスSmithさんMr.はtopic家homeへtoward帰っgoes homeたらwhen全at allぜんat all日本Japanese語Japaneseをobject使わuseないnotそうI hearです。is
- 今年
- this year
- まだ
- yet, still
- 雨
- rain
- 昨日
- yesterday
- だめ
- no good, useless, hopeless
Denying knowledge and possibility · Pattern 1 2 of 3
Total lack with a negative
*私は 全ぜんおぼえていませんね* means "I do not remember him at all."
With a negative expression, *全ぜん* again marks total lack. The other lines apply it to knowledge, saving money, and using English.
Complete degree with an affirmative
*うん、この 答えは 全ぜんちがっているな* means "Yes, this answer is completely wrong."
With the affirmative expression *ちがっている*, *全ぜん* means "completely" rather than "not at all".
- 34
そんなことはぜんぜんぞんじていません。
I know nothing at all about that.
そんなthat kind of事thingはtopic全at allぜんat allぞんじdo not knowてdo not knowいdo not knowませdo not knowん。do not know - 35
パーカーさんははちねんぐらいまえにこのがっこうのせいとだったそうですが、おぼえていますか。
I hear that Mr. Parker was a student at this school about eight years ago; do you remember him?
パーカーParkerさんMr.はtopic八eight年yearsぐらいabout前agoにinこのthis学校schoolの's生徒studentだっwasたwasそうI hearですisが、butおぼえrememberてrememberいrememberますrememberか。question - 36
わたくしはぜんぜんおぼえていませんね。
I do not remember him at all.
私Iはtopic全at allぜんat allおぼえdo not rememberてdo not rememberいdo not rememberませdo not rememberんdo not rememberね。right? - 37
せんせい、このこたえにまちがいがあるかどうかみてください。
Teacher, please see whether there is a mistake in this answer.
先生、teacherこのthis答えanswerにin間違いmistakeがsubjectあるexistsかwhetherどうor notかwhether見lookてlookください。please - 38
うん、このこたえはぜんぜんちがっているな。
Yes, this answer is completely wrong.
うん、yesこのthis答えanswerはtopic全completelyぜんcompletelyちがっis wrongてis wrongいるis wrongな。indeed - 39
あなたはまいつきいくらぐらいちょきんしていますか。
About how much do you save every month?
あなたyouはtopic毎月every monthいくらhow muchぐらいaboutちょsave money金save moneyしdoてare savingいare savingますare savingか。question - 40
いまのげっきゅうではちょきんはぜんぜんできませんね。
With my present salary, I cannot save any money at all.
今presentの's月給salaryでwithはas forちょsave money金save moneyはtopic全at allぜんat all出来cannotませcannotんcannotね。right? - 41
このがっこうのせいとはきょうしつではえいごはぜんぜんつかわないのですか。
Do the students at this school not use English at all in the classroom?
このthis学校schoolの's生徒studentsはtopic教室classroomでinはas for英語Englishはtopic全at allぜんat all使わuseないnotのthe factですisか。question
- 八
- eight
- 年
- year (See Grammar Notes)
- ぐらい
- about
- 前
- before, front
- です
- to be (See Gram. Notes)
- が、
- but (See Gram. Notes)
- ます
- trout
- か。
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
- 先生、
- refers to doctors, educators, etc. (See Cult. Notes)
- ください。
- please give me (See Gram. Notes)
- いる
- to need (See Gram. Notes)
- な。
- I wish, I hope, huh
- いくら
- how much? how many?
- 金
- gold
- 月給
- monthly wage
Asking about abilities and events · Pattern 1 3 of 3
An activity that is impossible
*運動は 全ぜん出来ない そうです* means "I hear that he cannot do any strenuous exercise at all."
*全ぜん* with the negative ability *出来ない* says that strenuous exercise cannot be done at all.
Other lines ask whether someone can cook, speak, read, or know a fact.
- 42
ええ、ぜんぜんつかわないことになっているのですが、ときどきえいごがでてきますね。
Yes, they are not supposed to use it at all, but sometimes some English slips out.
ええ、yes全at allぜんat all使わuseないnot事ruleにtoなっare supposed toてare supposed toいるare supposed toのthe factですisが、but時々sometimes英語Englishがsubject出slips outてslips out来slips outますslips outね。right? - 43
たむらさんはびょうきでにゅういんしておられるそうですね。
I hear that Mr. Tamura is in the hospital because he is ill.
田村TamuraさんMr.はtopic病気illnessでbecause of入院is hospitalizedしis hospitalizedてis hospitalizedおらis hospitalizedれるis hospitalizedそうI hearですisね。right? - 44
ええ、しんぞうがわるいんだそうです。それではげしい(strenuous)うんどうはぜんぜんできないそうです。
Yes, I hear that he has a bad heart, so he cannot do any strenuous exercise at all.
ええ、yes心ぞうheartがsubject悪いbadんthe factだisそうI hearです。isそれsoでbecauseはげしいstrenuous(strenuous)strenuous運動exerciseはtopic全at allぜんat all出来can doないnotそうI hearです。is - 45
あなたのおくさんはにほんりょうりができますか。
Can your wife cook Japanese food?
あなたyouの's奥wifeさんwifeはtopic日本Japanese food料理Japanese foodがsubject出来can cookますcan cookか。question - 46
あなたはロシアごがはなせますか。
Can you speak Russian?
あなたyouはtopicロシアRussian語Russianがsubject話せcan speakますcan speakか。question - 47
あなたのおくさんはにほんごのしんぶんがよめますか。
Can your wife read Japanese newspapers?
あなたyouの's奥wifeさんwifeはtopic日本Japanese語Japaneseのof新聞newspapersがsubject読めcan readますcan readか。question - 48
あなたはたなかさんのおくさんがにゅういんなさっていらっしゃることをごぞんじですか。
Do you know that Mrs. Tanaka is in the hospital?
あなたyouはtopic田中TanakaさんMrs.の's奥wifeさんwifeがsubject入院is hospitalizedなさっis hospitalizedてis hospitalizedいらっしゃるis hospitalized事factをobject御knowぞんじknowですisか。question - 49
せんしゅうあめがふりましたか。
Did it rain last week?
先週last week雨rainがsubject降りrainedましrainedたrainedか。question
- 時々
- sometimes, occasionally
- れる
- to be able to -- (See Grammar Notes)
- 心ぞう
- heart
- はげしい
- strenuous; intense; violent
- いらっしゃる
- to come, go (honorific verb)
- 先週
- last week
Mount Fuji climbing boom · Reading Selection 1 of 2
The Mount Fuji climbing boom
The passage describes Japan's recent climbing boom, crowded summer trails on Mount Fuji, and a rise in reported accidents.
*ねこも しゃくしも* describes everybody becoming absorbed in mountain climbing.
Climbing for the sunrise
*日の出を おがむとか 言って、夜 ふもとを 立って、朝 ちょう上に つく人が 多いのです* describes many climbers leaving at night.
They reach the summit in the morning to worship the sunrise, an honor associated with climbing Mt. Fuji.
- 50
にほんはきんねんとざんがひじょうにさかんになって、ねこもしゃくしもとざん、とざんといってねっちゅうしています。
Mountain climbing has become extremely popular in Japan in recent years, and everybody is absorbed in it, talking of nothing but mountain climbing.
日本Japanはtopic近年recent years登山mountain climbingがsubjectひextremely常extremelyにextremelyさかんpopularにbecameなっbecameて、becameねこeverybodyもeverybodyしゃくしeverybodyもeverybody登山、mountain climbing登山mountain climbingとquote言っsayてsayねare absorbedっare absorbed中are absorbedしare absorbedてare absorbedいare absorbedます。are absorbed - 51
ですから、ふじさんなどはなつにはおすなおすなのこんざつです。
Consequently, places such as Mt. Fuji are terribly crowded in the summer.
ですisから、therefore富士Mount Fuji山Mount Fujiなどsuch asはtopic夏summerにinはas forおdon't pushすなおdon't pushすなdon't pushのof混雑terrible congestionです。is - 52
ふじさんはとざんどうがよくて、べつにきけんなところもないので、よるひるのぼるのです。
Mt. Fuji has good climbing trails and no particularly dangerous places, so people climb it day and night.
富士Mount Fuji山Mount Fujiはtopic登山climbing trail道climbing trailがsubjectよくgoodて、and別particularlyにparticularly危険dangerousなis所placesもalsoないnotのbecauseで、because夜昼day and night登るclimbのthe factです。is - 53
ひのでをおがむとかいって、よるふもとをたって、あさちょうじょうにつくひとがおおいのです。
Many people leave the foot of the mountain at night and reach the summit in the morning, saying that they are going to worship the sunrise.
日の出sunriseをobjectおがむworshipとquoteかsuch things言っsayて、say夜nightふもとmountain footをobject立っleaveて、leave朝morningちょう上summitにtoつくreach人peopleがsubject多いmanyのthe factです。is - 54
しかし、きんねんとざんしゃのそうなんのきじがよくしんぶんにでるようになりました。
However, in recent years articles about mountain-climbing accidents have begun to appear frequently in the newspapers.
しかし、however近年recent years登山mountain climber者mountain climberの'sそうaccidentなんaccidentのof記事articlesがsubjectよくoften新聞newspapersにin出るappear様wayにtoなりbegan toましbegan toた。began to
- ね
- isn't it (See Grammar Notes)
- ます。
- trout
- 朝
- morning
- ちょう上
- summit
- つく
- to arrive, to reach (v.i.)
- しかし、
- however, but
Causes and numbers of accidents · Reading Selection 2 of 2
Causes of climbing accidents
The passage links accidents to the climbing boom and to more people undertaking reckless adventures.
*ねこも しゃくしも* describes everybody taking up climbing as the primary cause. Some climbers set out without a guide or equipment.
Accidents in the Japanese Alps
*千九百六十三年の とう計によると、日本アルプスだけの そうなんでも 七十六けん あった そうです* reports seventy-six accidents in the Japanese Alps alone.
Sixty percent occurred in summer. Most falls followed a missed step or a slip on snow.
- 55
これにはいろいろのりゆうがあるのでしょうが、とざんのブームで、ねこもしゃくしも
There are probably various reasons for this, but because of the mountain-climbing boom, everyone
これthisにforはas for色々variousのof理由reasonsがsubjectあるexistのthe factでしょうprobablyが、but登山mountain climbingのofブームboomで、because ofねこeverybodyもeverybodyしゃくしeverybodyもeverybody - 56
とざんするようになったのがまあだいいちのげんいんでしょう。
having taken up mountain climbing is probably the primary cause.
登山mountain climbingするdo様came toにtoなっcame toたcame toのthe factがsubjectまあprobably第primary一primaryのof原因causeでしょう。probably - 57
それから、あんないにんをやとわないででかけるとか、ひつようなそうぐなしにでかけるとか、むちゃなぼうけんをやるひとがおおくなったのもそのげんいんでしょう。
Another cause is probably that more people now set out without hiring a guide, go without the necessary equipment, or undertake reckless adventures.
それthatから、then案内guide人guideをobjectやとわhireないnotでwithout出かけるset outとquoteか、such as必要necessaryなisそうequipment具equipmentなしwithoutにin出かけるset outとquoteか、such asむちゃrecklessなisぼうadventure険adventureをobjectやるundertake人peopleがsubject多くmoreなっbecameたbecameのthe factもalsoそのthat原因causeでしょう。probably - 58
せんきゅうひゃくろくじゅうさんねんのとうけいによると、にほんアルプスだけのそうなんでもななじゅうろっけんあったそうです。
According to statistics for 1963, there were reportedly seventy-six accidents in the Japanese Alps alone.
千one thousand九百nine hundred六十sixty三three年yearの'sとうstatistics計statisticsにaccording toよるaccording toと、according to日本Japanese AlpsアルプスJapanese Alpsだけaloneのofそうaccidentなんaccidentでamongもeven七十seventy六sixけんcasesあっthere wereたthere wereそうreportedlyです。is - 59
そのなかで、ろくじゅうパーセントのそうなんはなつのやまでおこったもので、あしをふみはずしたり、ゆきのうえですべったりしておちたのが、いちばんおおいらしいです。
Of these, sixty percent occurred in the mountains in summer, and it seems that most people fell after missing their footing or slipping on snow.
そのthose中amongで、among六十sixtyパーセントpercentのofそうaccidentなんaccidentはtopic夏summerのof山mountainsでinおこっoccurredたoccurredものonesで、and足feetをobjectふみはずしmiss footingたり、or雪snowのof上topでonすべっslipたりorしdoてdo落ちfallたfellのthe onesが、subject一番most多いmanyらしいseemsです。is
- でしょう
- probably (See Gram. Notes)
- ブーム
- a boom
- まあ
- Well! Oh, my!
- 原因
- cause
- か、
- either--or-- (See Gram. Notes)
- 多く
- many of them
- 千
- 1,000
- 九百
- 900
- 六十
- 60
- 三
- three
- だけ
- only, just (See Grammar Notes)
- 七十
- 70
- 六
- six
- けん
- numerical counter for houses (See Gram. Notes)
- パーセント
- percent
- 一番
- number one (See Grammar Notes)
Mount Fuji climbing questions · Questions 1 of 2
Why people climb Mount Fuji
The questions ask about the climbing boom, the condition of Mount Fuji, climbing at night, and worship of the sunrise.
*なぜ 多くの人は 夜 ふもとを 立ちますか* means "Why do many people leave the foot of the mountain at night?"
An answer gives the reason from the reading: they leave at night to reach the summit and worship the sunrise.
- 60
にほんはきんねんとざんがさかんになりましたか。
Has mountain climbing become popular in Japan in recent years?
日本Japanはtopic近年recent years登山mountain climbingがsubjectさかんpopularにbecameなりbecameましbecameたbecameか。question - 61
ねこもしゃくしもとざんにねっちゅうしていますか。
Is everybody absorbed in mountain climbing?
ねこeverybodyもeverybodyしゃくしeverybodyもeverybody登山mountain climbingにinねare absorbedっare absorbed中are absorbedしare absorbedてare absorbedいare absorbedますare absorbedか。question - 62
ふじとざんはどうですか。
What is climbing Mt. Fuji like?
富士climbing Mount Fuji登山climbing Mount Fujiはtopicどうwhat likeですisか。question - 63
ふじさんはよるひるのぼりますか。
Do people climb Mt. Fuji day and night?
富士Mount Fuji山Mount Fujiはtopic夜night昼day登りclimbますclimbか。question - 64
なぜよるでものぼることができますか。
Why is it possible to climb even at night?
なぜwhy夜nightでeven atもeven登るclimb事actがsubject出来possibleますpossibleか。question - 65
なぜおおくのひとはよるふもとをたちますか。
Why do many people leave the foot of the mountain at night?
なぜwhy多くmanyのof人peopleはtopic夜nightふもとmountain footをobject立ちleaveますleaveか。question
Mountain accident questions · Questions 2 of 2
The causes and numbers of accidents
The questions ask about accident reports, their causes, their number in the Japanese Alps, and the most common falls.
*千九百六十三年の とう計によると、日本 アルプスだけの そうなんが 何けんぐらい ありましたか* asks approximately how many accidents occurred there in 1963.
An answer supplies the reported number, cause, or action requested by each question.
- 66
きんねんとざんしゃのそうなんのきじがよくしんぶんにでますか。
Do articles about mountain-climbing accidents often appear in the newspapers these days?
近年recent years登山mountain climber者mountain climberの'sそうaccidentなんaccidentのof記事articlesがsubjectよくoften新聞newspapersにin出appearますappearか。question - 67
そのだいいちのげんいんはなんでしょうか。
What is probably the primary cause of this?
そのthat第primary一primaryのof原因causeはtopic何whatでしょうprobablyか。question - 68
そのほかのげんいんはなんですか。
What are the other causes?
そのthose外otherのof原因causesはtopic何whatですareか。question - 69
せんきゅうひゃくろくじゅうさんねんのとうけいによると、にほんアルプスだけのそうなんがなんけんぐらいありましたか。
According to statistics for 1963, about how many accidents were there in the Japanese Alps alone?
千one thousand九百nine hundred六十sixty三three年yearの'sとうstatistics計statisticsにaccording toよるaccording toと、according to日本Japanese AlpsアルプスJapanese Alpsだけaloneのofそうaccidentなんaccidentがsubject何how manyけんcasesぐらいaboutありthere wereましthere wereたthere wereか。question - 70
なつのやまでおこったそうなんのかずはどのぐらいですか。
How many accidents occurred in the mountains in summer?
夏summerのof山mountainsでinおこっoccurredたoccurredそうaccidentなんaccidentのof数numberはtopicどのhowぐらいmanyですisか。question - 71
どんなことをしてやまからおちるひとがいちばんおおいですか。
What were most people doing when they fell from the mountain?
どんなwhat kind of事thingsをobjectしdoてdoing山mountainからfrom落ちるfall人peopleがsubject一番most多いmanyですareか。question
- と、
- and (See Gram. Notes)
- どの
- which (pre-substantive) (See Notes)
- どんな
- what kind of; what sort of
- から
- from (See Gram. Notes)
- 落ちる
- to fall
Climbing routes and crowds · Word list 1 of 3
Routes and crowds
These words cover mountain climbing, routes, crowds, and climbing Mount Fuji by day and night.
*ねこも しゃくしも* means "everybody". *おすなおすなの 混雑* means "terrible congestion".
The suffix *---さ* adds soft emphasis in men's informal speech.
- 72
とざん
mountain climbing
登山mountain climbing - 73
ねこもしゃくしも
everybody (See Cult. Notes)
ねこもしゃくしもeverybody - 74
とざんとざんといって
clamor for mountain climbing
登山登山と言ってclamor for climbing - 75
おすなおすなのこんざつ
terrible congestion
おすなおすなの混雑terrible congestion - 76
おす
to push
おすto push - 77
こんざつ
congestion; disorder; confusion; bustle
混雑congestion - 78
おしかける
throng; storm; intrude; go uninvited (v.i.)
おしかけるto throng - 79
とざんどう
mountain climbing route
登山道mountain climbing route - 80
よるひる
day and night
夜昼day and night - 81
ふじとざん
climbing Mt. Fuji (See Cult. Notes)
富士登山climbing Mount Fuji - 82
---さ
emphatic suffix (See Cult. Notes)
---さadds emphasis
- ねこもしゃくしも
- everybody (See Cult. Notes)
- 登山登山と言って
- clamor for mountain climbing
- おすなおすなの混雑
- terrible congestion
- おす
- to push
- 登山道
- mountain climbing route
- 富士登山
- climbing Mt. Fuji (See Cult. Notes)
- ---さ
- emphatic suffix (See Cult. Notes)
Sunrise, climbers and equipment · Word list 2 of 3
Sunrise, guides, and equipment
These words cover sunrise worship, mountain climbers, accidents, guides, and equipment.
*日の出* means "sunrise". *おがむ* means "worship" or "pray".
*案内人* means "guide". *そう具なしに* means "without equipment".
- 83
ひので
sunrise; sunup
日の出sunrise - 84
おがむ
worship; pray; witness something with respect; adore (v.t.)
おがむworship - 85
ふもと
foot of a mountain or hill
ふもとmountain foot - 86
とざんしゃ
mountain climber
登山者mountain climber - 87
そうなん(する)
accident; mishap; disaster; to meet disaster (v.i.)
そうなん(する)accident - 88
きじ
newspaper article; news; reading matter
記事news article - 89
りゅうこう(する)
style; prevalence; popular; become popular (v.i.)
流行(する)become popular - 90
あんないにん
guide
案内人guide - 91
やとう
hire; employ (v.t.)
やとうhire - 92
そうぐ
equipment
そう具equipment - 93
そうぐなしに
without equipment
そう具なしにwithout equipment
- 登山者
- mountain climber
- そうなん(する)
- accident; mishap; disaster; to meet disaster (v.i.)
- 流行(する)
- style; prevalence; popular; become popular (v.i.)
- 案内人
- guide
- やとう
- hire; employ (v.t.)
- そう具
- equipment
- そう具なしに
- without equipment
Risks, preparation and footing · Word list 3 of 3
Risks and preparation
These words cover reckless adventures, the Southern Alps, protection against cold, strenuous activity, and missed footing.
*用意は 全ぜん してなかった* means "no preparation was made". The entry *全ぜん---ない* means "altogether lacking".
*足を ふみはずす* means "lose one's footing" or "miss one's step".
- 94
りゆう
reason
理由reason - 95
むちゃな
nonsensical; reckless; thoughtless; confused
むちゃなreckless - 96
ぼうけん
adventure; risk; hazard
ぼう険adventure - 97
みなみアルプス
the Southern Alps (See Cult. Notes)
南アルプスSouthern Alps - 98
ぼうかん
protection against the cold
ぼうかんcold protection - 99
よういはぜんぜんしてなかった
no preparation was made
用意は全ぜんしてなかったmade no preparation - 100
ぜんぜん---ない
altogether --- lacking (See Gram. Notes)
全ぜん---ないnot at all - 101
はげしい
strenuous; intense; violent
はげしいintense - 102
---けん
-- incidents (counter for incidents, items, cases, etc.)
---けんincidents - 103
あしをふみはずす
(lose one's footing; miss one's step)
足をふみはずすlose one’s footing - 104
ブーム
a boom
ブームboom
Guide for Free Conversation
1 Topic Titles:
1a Talk about your mountain climbing experience.
1b Talk about mountain climbing in Japan.
1c Talk about climbing to Mt. Fuji.
1d Talk about the dangers involved in mountain climbing.
2 Visual Cues:
2a Look at the sketches on Page 147 to 150 and see if you can talk about them.Homework
1 Memorize the Dialogue and the vocabulary.
2 Study the Grammar Perception Drill.
3 Study the Pattern Practice and do the exercise following each sentence pattern.
4 Learn to read and write the new Kanji.
5 Read the Explanatory Notes.
6 Read the Guide for Free Conversation and do the exercises given.- むちゃな
- nonsensical; reckless; thoughtless; confused
- ぼう険
- adventure; risk; hazard
- 用意は全ぜんしてなかった
- no preparation was made
- 全ぜん---ない
- altogether --- lacking (See Gram. Notes)
- ---けん
- -- incidents (counter for incidents, items, cases, etc.)
- 足をふみはずす
- (lose one's footing; miss one's step)
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