Pera Pera Japanese 01-100

Mr. Oda invited me to a restaurant last week.
After we arrived there, he asked me how

a new employee was working out. I answered, "Suki desu." (I like him.) But Mr. Oda
sniggered as if I had said something funny or strange. Was my answer inappropriate ?
M
r
.

P
o
l
e
Most Japanese textbooks and dictionaries translate "like" as "suki." But "suki" is actually an emotional
expression that implies "love." "Ii desu" is the common way of saying "nice" or "good." Be carefulyou could imply
that you love someone in a romantic sense. ("Like" is not treated as verb in Japanese unless the word "desu" is
added.)
Like
Dislike
When praising or admiring something.
I like this coffee cup .
Kono coffee cup ii desu ne.
ii
e.g.,
shigoto wa chotto ....
e.g.,
When referring to something you like very much.
I like classical music .
Classic ga suki desu.
suki
e.g.,
love
dai suki
"I love you = aishite imasu" as in the
movies. Japanese people rarely use this
phrase in real life.
As "kirai" is a direct way of expressing dislike, this style is
often avoided. (Being too direct is considered arrogant.)
Instead, the indirect expressions below are common.
Do you like your work ?
"Well... I'm not that crazy about my work ..."
shigoto wa amari suki-janai desu.
e.g.,
"I don't really care for my work."
By leaving a sentence vague and incomplete, "dislike" is
expressed very indirectly. This is a thoughtful expression used
when trying not to hurt someone's feelings.
By avoiding the direct expression "kirai," this sentence still
shows "dislike," but leaves a softer impression.
1
2
Mr. Pole: I like this restaurant. (This restaurant is nice.)
Kono restaurant desu ne.
Copyright 1999 The Yomiuri Shimbun
(this restaurant)
like
(praising)
Mr. Oda: What are your "likes and dislikes" ?
(Is there anything in particular you like or don't like ?)
Mr. Oda: Really? Oh,by the way, how is your new employee?
Nani ka suki/kirai arimasu ka.
(isn't it ?)
Mr. Pole: Wow ! I like this plate. (This plate is nice.)
Waa! Kono utsuwa desu ne.
(Wow) (this plate, bowl)
like
(praising)
(isn't it ?)
Mr. Pole: I like him. (He is a nice person.)
hito desu.
like
(praising)
Mr. Pole: I like sashimi,
Sashimi ga desu ne.
like
(enjoy)
and I especially love tuna.
Toku ni maguro ga desu.
(especially) (tuna)
(something) (Do you have ~?)
(See kanji at right)
love
(preference)
But I don't like cuttlefish that much...
(But I'm not crazy about cuttlefish.)
Demo ika wa chotto...
(But) (cuttlefish)(don't like)
(See "Dislike")
I recently began collecting Japanese pottery.
Ima, Nihon no yakimono o atsumete imasu.
(now, recently) (pottery) (collecting)
So desu ka. Tokorode atarashii staff wa do desu ka.
(by the way)(new)(staff, employee)(how is...?)
(person)
1
2
3
4
5
5 4 3 2 1
In order to say "dislike," there are two styles:
direct "kirai"
indirect "chotto...," "amari suki-janai desu"
has two meanings :
R[q[Jbv B
d ...
D
NVbN D B
D
d DB
Xg
DB
hg
B

CJ ...
I
A{ WB
B AV X^bt B
l B
D D
B
B
B
5-minute Japanese Class by Hitomi Hirayama
Illustrations by Masako Ban
ii suki dai suki ii ii
and 1 2
ko : favorable, good
su(ki), ...zu(ki), kono(mi): fond of
onna ko(domo)@@
Combiningg(woman)handgq(child)," this
kanji originally had a meaning of "young women"
or "girls." As young women were considered
beautiful, the combined form was used to mean
"to like," "good" and "beautiful." woman child
Proverb
In Japan, to boast or to brag about something is not
appreciated. Therefore, even though one is skillful at a task,
and is praised for it, it is best to be humble. This phrase is
used to show enthusiasm about a hobby, etc.,@even though
one lacks the skill.
Mr. Tada: You are good (at it).@@
B
Jo zu desu ne.
Mr. Pole: Oh, no. I just enjoy it, even though
@@@@ I'm not good at it.@@
DB
Iie, heta no yoko-zuki desu yo.
Mr. Tada: No, really. You are very good.@
B
Iie, jo zu desu yo.
I have no particular likes or dislikes.
DB
Suki/kirai wa toku ni arimasen.
likes and dislikes
su ki kira i
D
All people have their own preferences.@

(often used negatively)
D B
Sukizuki desu kara.
free choice, to each his own
su ki zu ki
D
D B
Tsuma to wa shumi mo konomi mo chigaimasu.
My taste and even my preferences differ
from my wife's.
taste, preference
kono mi
D
Vi D] B
Ano shinseehin wa ko hyo desu ne.
That new product has a good reputation,
doesn't it ?
ko hyo
good reputation (criticism),acclaim
D ]
best chance, ideal
zekko no
Today is a perfect (ideal) day for golf, isn't it ?
D StaB
Kyo wa zekko no golf-biyori desu ne.
You can change golf to tennis, hiking etc.
D
D
q
heta no yoko-zuki
Crazy about something
although not very good at it.
Unskillful but euthusiastic.
No, but you can be "ue-sama" too! In the past, the word "ue-
sama" was used to address members of the upper classes, such
as Sho gun (samurai general). "ue-sama" is now in use only when
issuing official receipts, replacing the actual name/com-pany name.
It is said that this form of address will not disgrace the recipient, no
matter who he/she is. So, if you need an official receipt and the
clerk asks you "onamae wa? " you could answer "ue-sama."
Mr. Pole: Please give me an official receipt.
Mr. Pole
clerk : What's the name?
clerk : How shall I fill out the items section?
Mr. Pole: It's "company name."
Mr. Pole: .......................................

desu
1
2 3
Answers
2 3 1
When I was shopping and waiting in line at the cashier, I
heard the clerk asking the customers "onamae wa?" (What's
the name ? or Who should it be addressed to ?)
I expected them to give their own names, but instead they
answered "ue-sama." Since then, I've realized the same
conversation is carried at other stores too, when customers
are asking for official receipts. Do Japanese people have
another name beside their own ?

He se
date (Heisei era ... started in 1989)
21, 000
receipt
(ryo shu sho)
name / company name
20,000
(5%) 1,000

1-2-3
03-4567-8910
seal
(inkan)
consumption tax
(sho hize gaku)
amount (ue)
(See "large to small")
name, address and telephone
number of issuing party
breakdown
(uchiwake)
amount without
consumption tax
(ze nuki kingaku)
The amount above has been received.
(jo ki no kingaku o ryo shu itashimashita)
items e.g.,
polite form of
"san" (Mr./Ms.)
.....at a shop
official receipt
onegaishimasu
onamae wa ?
Who should it be addressed to?
or
oatena wa ?
company name
or
Write it to "name replacement."
name replacement
de
(by means of)
tadashigaki wa?
Even if you do not specify the items you purchased, the clerk will
normally fill out the section on the receipt as below.
oshokuji-dai.....meal expenses, oshina-dai.....merchandise expenses,
shoseki-dai.....book expenses
ue-sama

ryo shu sho
e.g.,
e.g.,
revenue stamp
(shu nyu inshi)
for amounts over 30,000
large to small rule
full name : Oda
family name
where
you work :
Nihon Kabushiki gaisha
address : Tokyo to Minato ku Azabu 1-2-3 River Apt. Oda Masanori
prefecture
(ward, city)
date :
In other words, the "large" idea is expressed first
with smaller ideas following. Remember, this rule
applies to many situations in Japanese.
(year 1999)
(last) (first)
(April) (26th) (Monday)
year
Quiz
One of the three names on left is the most
common last name in Japan.
Now, which one is it ?
Top 3 most common last names : 1. (Suzuki) 2. (Sato ) 3. (Tanaka)
The answer is "Suzuki." This last name is more common in east Japan, especially in Shizuoka
Prefecture (approximately one out of every 65 people). Believe it or not, in Hamamatsu,
Shizuoka Prefecture, approximately one out of every 20 is Suzuki-san! So if you are ever in
Hamamatsu and shout the name at a train station, at least a few Suzuki-san will turn around
and look at you.
Vol.2
A receipt serves as a legal document. In Japanese companies, the accounting
department often requires a ryo shu sho for reimbursement. A ryo shu sho does
not itemize the details. (If you do not want your secretary or the accounting
department to know exactly how many drinks you had, you could give them the
ryo shu sho instead of the restaurant bill.) There are some places, however, which
refuse to write ue-sama (e.g., department stores). In that case, have your
name/company name ready.
Official Receipt..........ryo shu sho
ryo
receive, dominion
o
misappropriation,
embezzlement
usurpation
My business colleague embezzled company
property (money).

do ryo wa kaisha no kane o o ryo o shimashita
shu
graft, bribe
collect
That person was arrested for bribery.

ano hito wa shu wai de tsukamarimashita
sho
document
document
I left the document on a train.

shorui o densha ni oki-wasuremashita
nen
annual income
year
Because of the recession, my annual income
dropped drastically.

fuke ki de nenshu wa o haba ni herimashita
se
bill, invoice
request
At the end of the month, I will pay the bill.

getsumatsu ni se kyu sho no shiharai o shimasu
setsu
written explanation,
instruction
explanation
I learned it by reading the instructions.

setsume sho o minagara oboemashita
sen kyu hyaku kyu ju kyu nen shi gatsu niju roku nichi getsuyo bi
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
(sama)
nen gatsu nichi
11 4 26
ryo
receive
shu
income
wai
graft
kyu sho
demand document
rui
sort
sho me
document clear
write, book, document income, collect
sho shu
day of the week date month
person's name house # town area in pref.
given name family name company name
Masanori Oda
given name
Masanori
There are many interesting expressions that use words for body parts,
and they are frequently used in daily conversation. Can you guess, for
example, how many expressions use the word "eye(s)" ( [me])? The
answer is as many as 140! In this lesson, let us look at some useful
expressions combining i-adjectives and body parts. The good news is,
you can create sophisticated expressions by using beginning-level
i-adjectives at below left. Mr. Pole, dont think so hard. If you look below,
you will understand what this man is like.
Mr. Pole
1
1
12
2 15
5 13
4 9
3
6
7
8
10
11
14
I was in a coffee shop the other day and overheard an
interesting conversation between two young women at
the next table. One of them asked the other, "So what is
your boyfriend like?" Her friend replied, "Well, his face is
wide and his head is soft, but his mouth is a little light."
What is this man really like? Soft head? Is there
something wrong with her boyfriend?
good
i-adjectives
nice
good ii
bad
warui
old
furui
hurtful
painful itai
hard
katai
soft
yawarakai
spacious
wide hiroi
early
fast hayai
tall
high takai
long
nagai
light
karui
head
atama
bright ; smart ; sharp

atama ga
7 wide
face
kao
have a wide circle of acquaintances

kao ga
3 old
old-fashioned

atama ga
4 painful
to worry over a problem

atama ga
5 hard
inflexible ; stubborn

atama ga
6 soft
flexible ; receptive to new things

atama ga
2 bad

atama ga
fool ; not smart
13 hard
mouth
kuchi
can keep a secret ; closed-mouthed

kuchi ga
15 bad
have a sharp tongue ; have a bad mouth

kuchi ga
14 light
kuchi ga
cannot keep a secret
10 high
nose
hana
to be proud of

hana ga
11 long

hana no shita ga
to be flirtatious; to like women
8 fast
ear(s)
mimi
quick-eared ; have sharp ears

mimi ga
9 painful

mimi ga
be ashamed to hear
12 good
eye(s)
me
have an expert eye for

me ga
any other expressions that
have similar meanings, but this one is
humorous and less offensive compared
to others. It applies to men.
By adding "desu" to these expressions,
you can make a sentence.
e.g., Mr. Pole is smart.
Pole-san wa atama ga ii desu
Did all the expressions on the left make sense to you? Now, let's
see if you can apply what you just learned to the phrases below.
That person keeps secrets , so please don't worry.

that person
closed-mouthed
He is a good person, but has a bad mouth .

good person
Education for children is a nagging problem to parents
in any country, isn't it ?
to worry over
a problem
You know a variety of people. You must have a
wide circle of acquaintances .

What ? You already know about it! You are
quick-eared , aren't you?

already
quick-eared
has a bad mouth
variety of people
have a wide circle
of acquaintances
If you keep saying such things, you will be ridiculed
for being old-fashioned .
such things
old-
fashioned
Being told the same thing over and over, I am quite embarrassed .

always
be ashamed to hear
For answers to fill in the
boxes, check with i-adjectives
on the left that have corres-
ponding numbers.
A
h
a
!
T
h
e
y
m
e
a
n
t
h
e
k
n
o
w
s
a
l
o
t
o
f
p
e
o
p
l
e
a
n
d
i s
f l e
x
i b
l e
i n
h i s t h i n k i n g , b u
t
h
e
c
a
n
' t
h
e
l
p
b
l
u
r
t
i
n
g
o
u
t
a
s
e
c
r
e
t
.
T
h
a
t
m
a
k
e
s
s
e
n
s
e
!
will be ridiculed
atama
head
kao
face
kuchi
mouth
me
eye(s)
hana
nose
mimi
ear(s)

kodomo no kyoiku wa dono kuni no oya mo desu ne

sonna-koto o itte-iru to to waraware-masu yo
also any country education for children parents isn't it?
keep saying I tell you
desu ne iro-iro na hito o shitte-imasu ne
know
desu ne e? mo sono hanashi o shitte-imasu ka
desu itsumo onaji-koto o iwarete
know that story
same matter being told
desu kara anshin o shite-kudasai ano hito wa

please relax ...so
ii hito nandesu ga desu
...but
Vol.3
many
minds???
i
Good guess, Mr. Pole. It is a sibling of the body part-i-adjective
combos. This time, I would like to bring your attention to
expressions combining C [ki] (mind) and S [kokoro] (heart), with
i-adjectives. These two words are staples for combination forms
in everyday conversation, with ki combining with more than 120
wordsincluding not only i-adjectives, but verbsand kokoro with
more than 40 words. Presented here are the more common of
such expressions, along with three more body part-related ones.
Mr. Pole
1
1
15
2 14
5
4
3
6
7
8
9
10 13
11
12
Several friends of mine have commented on me,
saying, ki ga o i desu ne (You have many minds.),
but I have no idea what they mean. I think I m not
supposed to take these words literally because I m
not aware of more than one mind in my head, of
course! My guess is, the phrase is really something
like those body part and i-adjective combinations you
talked about in our previous class (May 10). Am I
fast@
D
e
s
ig
n

:
M
a
s
a
k
o

B
a
n
i-adjectives
early
fast

hayai
heavy
d
omoi
short
Z
mijikai
long

nagai
small

chisai
weak
yowai
young

wakai
many

oi
strong

tsuyoi
nice
good
wide
narrow
L
hiroi

semai
mind
C
@
ki
hasty; impatient
3 short@
short-tempered; impatient
4 long
patient; easy-going
5 small@
timid
6 weak@
weak-willed; timid
7 young
young at heart
8 many @
capricious; fickle
9 strong@
strong-willed; aggressive
10 good@
good-natured
2 heavy@
in no mood to; feeling reluctant
15 fast@
feet;
leg(s)
@
ashi
perishable; easy to go bad

ashi ga
11 wide@
heart
S
@
kokoro
generous
S
kokoro ga
12 narrow@
S
kokoro ga
narrow-minded
14 heavy@
waist
lower back
@
koshi
slow to act

koshi ga
Did all the expressions on the left make sense to you? Now,
let s see if you can apply what you have just learned to the
c
Oda-san no oku-san wa
13 good@
arm(s)
r
@
ude
skilled; good at
r
ude ga
For answers to fill in the boxes,
check with i-adjectives on the left
that have corresponding numbers.
C
C
S
r
With cooperation from Akiko E. Yasukawa
ki
mind
Mr. Oda s wife is strong-willed (aggressive) but generous.
generous strong-willed
Oda-san s wife
~x v B
mo fuyu-yasumi no kekaku desu ka
A plan for winter vacation already? You must be impatient.
impatient
l
go-shujin wa ryori no
Your husband is good at cooking. I envy you.
I
ippan-teki ni
Generally speaking, short-tempered people suffer a loss.
short-tempered
generally suffer a loss
f ...
kyo-ju ni kotowaranakereba-narimasen
I have to give (them) my refusal today. I m reluctant.
already winter vacation plan
skilled
one s husband
Z
watashi no tansho wa
my
B
desu ne
in no mood to
within today
~ J
toku ni tsuyu no nama-mono wa
Uncooked foods, particularly in rainy season, go bad fast.
especially
easy to go bad
In job interviews at Japanese companies, you are sometimes
asked to describe the strengths and weaknesses in your
character. Take stock of yourself and try filling in the boxes
in the following sentence with expressions from this and the
Vol. 3 lesson that best fit your character.
My main strength is , but my main weakness is .
W
h
a
t? D
id

th
e
y

m
e
a
n

t
o

s
a
y

I

w
a
s

c
a
p
r
i
c
i
o
u
s
?

F
i
c
k
l
e
?

W
e
l
l
,

p
e
o
p
l
e

d
o

m
i
s
t
a
k
e

m
e
for w h a t I m n o t ! ! . . .
ga
C
ki
C
ki
ga
ga
C
ki
ga
C
ki
ga
C
ki
ga
C
ki
ga
C
ki
ga
C
ki
ga
C
ki
ga
C
ki
ashi koshi ude kokoro
feet; leg(s) waist arm(s) heart
A
desu ga
B
desu
l B
hito wa son o shimasu

desu ga chosho wa
B
desu
B
desu
strength(s) weakness(es)
B A B
desu ne urayamashi desu
meal; cooking I envy you.
B
desu
must decline/refuse
uncooked food rainy season
Vol.4
many
minds???
nomimashita
but was on time
B
de maniaimashita
In Edo era (1603-1868), women of samurai families used hair
grease of the type still used by today s sumo wrestlers. The
trouble with the grease was that, whenever they went out, it would
gather dust. So they came up with the idea of wrapping white silk
fabric around their heads to keep the dust off. It eventually evolved
into the headdress you saw in the photo. Interestingly, by the time
it came to be worn by brides and be called tsunokakushi, the
covering had a new meaning: It was worn to hidesymbolicallythe
bride s horns, or her selfishness or ego. It reflected the belief that
the bride should hide such horns in the presence of her in-laws, to
convince them she could live with them harmoniously.
Mr. Pole
A friend showed me a photo from his wedding
ceremony in which his wife was in a beautiful
kimono. She was also wearing a headdress,
and I was intrigued by its interesting shape.
Oh, that, the friend said. It s called tsuno
kakushi (p B ), a horn cover. Horns on a
bride s head? But he wasn t joking. Japanese
people often associate horns with devils, but
why did horns also come to be associated with
brides, of all people?
D
e
s
ig
n

:
M
a
s
a
k
o

B
a
n
Suppose you are invited to a wedding...
What to wear
The usual wedding attire for male guests is a black or dark suit and
white tie. Women, on the other hand, are allowed a little more flexibility
and can wear either a fomal dress or kimono. The width of the kimono
sleeves differs depending on the wearer s status: For married women,
they reach to the hip, whereas single women s sleeves are wide enough
to hang down to their calves.
Gifts
The wedding gift is usually money, and there are rules dictating how
you present it. Get a goshugi-bukuro ( jV ) envelope designed for
the purpose and available at convenience stores. Write your name in the
lower half on the front and insert the money in crisp, new bills
(shinsatsu = VD ). When you arrive at the wedding, offer it to the
person at the reception desk, bow and say, omedeto-gozaimasu
(Congratulations.). Make sure you put in an odd number (kisu = ) of
bills, because it is believed there is a jinx in an even number (gusu =
), which can be divided into two and spell the couple s separation. An
exception is two bills. Nine bills are also thought of as bad luck.
Speecheswhat you can expect
Once the reception starts, expect to sit through a long series of
speeches by guests chosen by the newlyweds. Speeches are part of the
wedding formalities and their content is often stilted.
Return Gifts (hikidemono = o j
When the wedding reception is over, you are given a large paper bag
containing a thank-you gift from the newlyweds. It is not good manners
to open it at the wedding. Return gifts are typically cooking utensils,
serving dishes orif you get luckya gift catalog and voucher. Kitchen
items are so common that some Japanese homes end up with a large
collection of them.
Choosing the date
There are six fortune designations given in a continuous cycle in the
traditional Japanese calendar, which is based on traditional Chinese
fortune-telling. One designation, taian ( ) , is regarded as most
desirable for weddings, while butsumetsu ( ) , on the other hand, is
to be avoided. Because of this, when a taian falls on a weekend,
wedding halls, hotels and shrines everywhere are booked out. Few
B
kekkon-shiki no hi michi o machigaemashita
On the day of the wedding, I got lost (took the wrong road).

demo
Xs[`
speech wa
I
owatta toki wa
Xs[`
speech no ato nodo ga

desukara osake o
B B
shimashita kyo wa futsuka-yoi desu
But I just made it on time.
I was nervous giving a speech.
When it was over, I was relieved.
After the speech, I was extremely thirsty.
So, I gulped down some sake.
I felt dizzy. Today, I have a hangover.

giri giri
barely (space,
time, deadline, etc.)

doki doki
scared;
nervous
hot
relieved
kara kara
bone-dry

gabu gabu
gulp

fura fura
dizzy;
stumble
Answers
Onomatopoeia
wedding ceremony road made a mistake
when finished
after the speech throat
therefore sake drank
today hangover
barely
nervous
relieved
bone-dry
gulp
dizzy
Mr. Pole is talking about the wedding reception he attended yesterday:
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
(d)
(e)
(a)
(f )
(c)
(b)
K
yasumono- gai no zeni ushinai
O x
hotoke no kao mo sando

hotoke tsukutte tamashi irezu
v _ B
sekkaku tsukutta noni yoten ga nuketeimasu
w x B
hotoke tsukutte tamashi irezu desu ne
Despite all efforts (on the document), the main point is missing.
A statue of Buddha with no soul, right ?
(big) (Buddha)

A B
yasukatta node kaimashita ga, suguni kowaremashita
w Kx B
yasumono-gai no zeni ushinai desu ne
I bought it because it was cheap, but it broke straight away.
Penny wise and pound foolish, I suppose.
was cheap
x s B
kondo shippai shitara oshimai desu
If I fail this time, it will all be over.
this time
C w O xx B
shacho wa ki ga nagai desu ga, hotoke no kao mo sando desu
Our president is patient, but there is a limit to anyone s
patience.
lucky day (calendar wise) unlucky day (calendar wise)
tai butsu
company president
make efforts
C B
ki o tsuketaho ga i desu ne
You ought to be careful.
had better take care
Buddha
Buddha
cheep goods
Doing something in a
superficial way, forgetting
the most important part.
(Lit. Making a Buddha
statue, but failing to give
butsu: Buddha
hotoke: Buddha
an: peace of mind
yasu(i): cheap
tsuno kakushi
B
shimashita
B
to shimashita
B
deshita
metsu
(death)
an
(peace of mind)
so bought soon was broken
made though main
point
is missing
soul make not giving
patient
be all over; the end if it is a failure
face three times
Buying cheap and
wasting money/Penny
wise and pound
There is a limlt to one s
patience.
You can only pray to Buddha
lose money buying
Vol.5
"
tsun
o
"
??

(horns) Bride has
"
tsun
o
"
??

(horns) Bride has
Yes, there are many more. The weather-related words you
are talking about are often used when greeting others. This may be
the case in other languages as well. There are special words for
each of the four seasons (shiki), especially autumn (aki) (about 100
words), then winter (fuyu) , summer (natsu) and spring (haru). But
you can also use weather-related words and phrases to say things
indirectly. Some of these metaphorical phrases can be used tactfully
to avoid mentioning something unpleasant, such as a bad mood or an
argument.
Mr. Pole
After a meeting at work, a colleague told me kyo wa
o are desu kara ki o tsuketa-ho ga i desu yo (Today
is really stormy, so you should be careful.) But it
looked nice and sunny outside, so I said, i tenki desu
yo (Its sunny). My colleague laughed at me.
Afterward, I found out the word o are doesnt
necessarily refer to the weather. Are there any other
weather-related words that can be used to mean
something completely different?
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r
m
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e
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sto
r
m
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o
a
re
w xB
mata wkaminari ga ochimashitax
AX wCx C B
ima Mori-san wawte kiatsuxdesu kara ki o tsuketa-ho ga i desu yo
lightning strikes
[be severely scolded]
yesterday
The ground becomes firm after rain.
now
again
after all
wJ~ nx B
kekkyoku wame futte ji katamaruxdeshita ne
The company president was very angry yesterday.
There is a big difference between the first rank and the 10th.
We are at a loss over this matter.
the difference between clouds and mud
[great difference]
first rank
1 10 w_DxB
ichi-i to ju -i dewa wunde no saxdesu@
weather forecast
He was severely scolded again.
After all, the argument cleared the air, didnt it?
a dense fog over 20 kilometers long
[be at a loss; be utterly bewildered]
this matter
wxB
kono ken wa wgori muchu xdesu
o are
r
C
te kiatsu
depression
[low atmospheric pressure / bad mood]
heavy storm

kaminari ga ochimasu
ame futte ji katamaru
J~ n
[Calm comes after a storm. / An argument
clears away bad feelings between people.]
unde no sa
_ D
gori muchu

ten
[show unrestrained emotion and get angry with
everybody]
For example, if someone says :
Its a nice day, isnt it?
VC B
i tenki desu ne
All you need to say in reply is:
so desu ne
Yes, it is.
Dont contradict them. ...I dont think so. / No, its not a nice day.
This is not really a conversation but more of a greeting!
Weather greetings
Its .
first omit : i then add : katta
today
e.g., mushiatsu i katta desu
kyo wa
hot
atsui
It was .
yesterday
kino wa
first omit : i then add : kunarimashita

e.g., mushiatsu i kunarimashita
Its getting .
mushiatsu
~
cool
suzushi
cold
samui
warm
g@
atatakai attakai
5 6
4
5 6
humid
mushiatsui
Lets practice ...fill in the numbered boxes using these i-adjectives:
(polite form) (friendly form)
e.g., mushiatsui desu
Its humid today, isnt it?
desu
It was humid yesterday, wasnt it?
Its getting humid, isnt it?
i-adjective
i-adjective
Japanese frequently comment on the weather as a way of greeting each other.
When you meet a colleague in the elevator or on the street, try greeting them
by commenting on the weather. You will often hear these phrases in the
elevator. It dispels those uncomfortable silences as the floors flash by.
i-adjective
i-adjective
A @ B
so ieba kino Taki-san
so desu ne
today
by the way
what?
H
You know, tomorrow will take care of itself.
B
Oh, no. Im in trouble...
` .....
No problem.
daijobu desu yo shimpai-shinaide
v SzI
particle
desu
@@ B

mushiatsui

ga
wVx
seten no heki-reki
w x
ashita wa ashita no kaze ga fuku
yo
is humid
emphasizing the person
A bolt out of the blue
particle
Tomorrow will take care of itself
giving information
w x
ashita wa ashita no kaze ga fuku
wVx
se ten no heki-reki
blue sky
A bolt out of the blue Tomorrow will take care of itself.
tomorrow
in the elevator
Mr. Mori :
Mr. Mori :
Mr. Mori :
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
It is humid today, isnt it?
By the way, Mr. Taki resigned yesterday.
What? I had no idea.
Its a bolt out of the blue. Oh, no. Im in trouble.
You will be all right. Dont worry.
Yes, it is.
Answers
B
B
desu ne mushiatsui
katta desu ne mushiatsu
B
kunarimashita ne
old Chinese word
meaning lightning
wind blow
B
kyo wa desu ne
isnt it
B
kaisha o yamemashita yo
company quit
SRmB
ee zen-zen shirimasendeshita
not at all didnt know
desu uwa komatta na
Dont worry!
ki ho yo
wrxB
wo arexdeshita kino
president
so had better be careful I tell you
Mr. Mori is in a bad mood now, so youd better be careful.
Vol.6
o
a
re
o
a
re
You are correct. Its an expression of humility to say tsumaranai mono desu
ga when offering a gift, no matter how expensive the item. The phrase has been used
so often it does not mean much any more. Japanese companies pay bonuses in early
summer and toward the end of the year, and people purchase and send gifts from
department stores around these times. These gifts are called ochu genmidyear gift
and ose boyear-end gift. The gifts are sent to people to whom one feels indebted or to
clients, and are intended to express gratitude and appreciation. Department stores cash in
on the two seasons by setting up special gift areas. Each season, the media report the sales
figures as an indicator of the current state of the economy. Last year, the average Japanese
sent a gift worth 4,200 to each of four recipients.
Mr. Pole
I have been receiving a lot of gifts of cans
of beer, towels and seaweed from
Japanese acquaintances recently. Its too
early for Christmas, and too late for my
birthday. In the hope of finding out what it
was all about, I called up one of the
senders and thanked him, but he only said
tsumaranai mono desu ga. Surely he
did not mean to say that he had sent me a
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s[
fuzai-hyo o
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
Sender :
Secretary :
Clerk :
I received a delivery slip.
Answers
(boring gift) ?
tsumaranai mono
(boring gift) ?
tsumaranai mono
(boring gift) ?
tsumaranai mono
LB
senjitsu wa arigato -gozaimashita
Thank you for (the gift) the other day.
(from middle of June to middle of July)
Winter gift
Summer gift ochugen
osebo (from middle of November to end of December)
Typical seasonal gift items have long been beer, cooking oil and seaweed (nori), and people did not
bother much about the recipients needs. But department stores now offer a variety of items so
customers can select something the recipients would actually enjoy.
When you receive a gift, remember to thank the sender the next time you talk to the person, no
matter how late it seems. It is also a good idea to
send thank-you cards. When you say thank you, it
is not particularly necessary to mention what the
gift was. All you have to say is:
[ } ] takkyu bin is the courier service that delivers items anywhere in Japan within two days.
You may find a slip left in your mailbox or at your door to let you know a delivery person called in
your absence. Just call the number on it, and you will be able to receive it within the day.
usually what kind of things
kara
this much business associate
see below
@
konnani torihiki-saki

OAql B
onamae, okyaku-sama bango o do zo

...I ...r[...C...B
so desu ne...ippan-teki ni... toka...nori...desu ne
etto...sakana toka...niku toka...desu
[ ...... ...B
uketorimashita
itadakimashita
received
from
toka... (toka)...
I received so much (of gift) from a business associate.
Friend: What kind of food do you like?
received
Mr. Pole: Lets see...I like fish...meat...and so on.
Your name and customer number please.
What kind of things do you usually receive (for ochugen)?
Lets see. Generally, its beer or nori or things like that.
receive
5
@B
iie, tondemonai desu
I received (the gift) yesterday. Thank you very much.
Oh, no, please dont mention it.
Mr. Pole calls a courier service about the delivery notice left on the door:
Next day, he shows his secretary the gift he has received:
Mr. Pole calls up the sender to thank him.
moraimasu
itadakimashita
(polite form)
Lets see. generally
yesterday
modest form of Dont mention it.
[receiver] receives something from [giver]
wa
Grammar notes
receiver
see teki
when receiving a gift
itadakimasu
superior or customer
when receiving a document,
fax, letter, etc.
friend, family,
ones equal or junior
moraimasu
Before a meal, say, itadakimasu to show your appreciation to nature, to God and
to the person who cooked the meal or is treating you to it.
Polite forms of receive vary as follows:
v
ouketori-itashimasu
uketorimasu
IB
ippan-teki na iken desu
teki
-ic; -li; -al; -like; -ish; -ly
opinion
I
ippan-teki
I
q I
I
I
S I
I
m I
I
I
` I
_ I
I
_ I
I
I
I
shu kan-teki
kyakkan-teki
go ri-teki
ko ka-teki
zentai-teki
hite -teki
ko te -teki
he kin-teki
senmon-teki
dento -teki
ronri-teki
shakai-teki
se shin-teki
ho ken-teki
kyo ryoku-teki
kakuitsu-teki
subjective(ly)
objective(ly)
rational(ly)
effective(ly)
whole(~lly)
negative(ly)
affirmative(ly)
(on) average
specialized
traditional(ly)
logical(ly)
social(ly)
spiritual(ly)
conservative(ly)
cooperative(ly)
stereotypical(ly)
+ noun
e.g., general(ly) ...
I
+
e.g.,
e.g.,
e.g.,
IyB
ippan-teki ni fukyu o shite-imasu
IB
ippan-teki desu
spread
I
I
It is a generally-held opinion.
It is in general use.
It is general.

(professionally)
/feudalistic(ally)
Use: ni or kara, if receiving from person / kara, if receiving from an organization.
/mental(ly)
To break uncomfortable silences while you are searching for words,
use toka as a filler as follows:
receive

moraimasu o kara ni
giver something receive
B
B
teki ni
sentence
teki
B
desu
gi ver
LB B
kino arigato -gozaimashita@
teki na
B
futsu donna-mono o ka
Vol.7
d
Working people usually take a summer holiday only for three to four
days, often from Aug. 13 to 15, a period called obon. Since this is a very
short holiday, vacationers tend to concentrate at tourist spots (kanko
-
chi).
Because of this, trains are in a state of sushi-zume (jam-packed), and
major highways are jammed (ju
-
tai) as long as 100 kilometers. What
happens to typical vacation goers is, when they return to work, they are
exhausted from taking a vacation! This is why many Japanese say they
would rather stay home and just goro-goro shimasu, or lie about and
relax in a lazy manner.
Mr. Pole
Are you going anywhere over the summer vacation? I
asked a Japanese friend, and he said, Its been a long
time since I last took a vacation, so I just want to lie about
at home (goro-goro shimasu). Another friend of mine
told me he was planning on visiting his parents home
(jikka) with his wife, but that he was heavy-hearted (ki ga
omoi) and didnt look that happy. I dont see why my
Japanese friends dont seem that excited when the
summer vacation is coming.
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7
8
6
4 5
@
ashita ryokan no
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
Friend :
Friend :
Im thinking of reserving a room at a Japanese inn tomorrow.
Answers
Mr. Pole and a friend are talking about their summer vacation plans.
Grammar notes
teki
I
gutai-teki
+ noun
e.g., specific(ally)...
I
teki na
+ sentence
e.g.,
e.g.,
e.g.,
I
teki ni
I vB
teki dato omoimasu

I e B
gutai-teki na naiyo
-
desu
-ic; -li; -al; -like;
-ish; -ally; -ly
contents
please wrap up
very
think
T^ I
I
y I
r I
{ I
I
v I
I
Z I
I
I
{ I
I
D I
w I
I
I B
gutai-teki ni matomete-kudasai
IvB
hijo
-
ni gutai-teki da to omoimasu
typical(ly)
opposite(ly)
optimistic(ally)
relative(ly)
basic(ally)
international(ly)
deliberate(ly)
in the long run
for the short term
spontaneous(ly)
passive(ly)
fundamental(ly)
cultural(ly)
favorable(-bly)
scientific(ally)
contemporary(-ily)
/aggressive(ly)
/modernistic(ally)
/friendly
/premeditated(ly)
/by contrast
/diametric(ally)
/negative(ly)
(This is) the specific content.
Summarize in specific points.
I think that is very specific.
tenke
-
-teki
taisho
-
-teki
rakkan-teki
hikaku-teki
kihon-teki
kokusai-teki
ke
-
kaku-teki
cho
-
ki-teki
tanki-teki
sekkyoku-teki
sho
-
kyoku-teki
kompon-teki
bunka-teki
ko
-
i-teki
kagaku-teki
gendai-teki
During the obon, many people return to their parents home or the home where
they were born and visit the family grave to offer incense, flowers and fruit.
Married women are responsible for taking
their children to their parents-in-law. With
gifts to present to parents and relatives and
a long travel home, it is typically an
expensive visit for the returning family. For
many, such expenses are itai shuppi, or
painful cost.
.........Buddhist festival of the dead (Aug. 13-15) obon
When you describe your will; decision:
ta.........bun.....
......... .....
If you are very uncertain, stretch the vowels as you pronounce the word.
maybe, perhaps probably

anaba
secret spot/good spot known
to few people

gara-gara
empty (applies to rooms,
shops, trains and so on)
l
sushi-zume
jam-packed
^]
noro-noro unten
drive at a snails pace

cho
-
da no retsu
long line
@
goro-goro shimasu
lie about
Im thinking of _.
s vB
iko
-
to omoimasu
e.g., e.g., e.g.,
less certain @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ more certain
Im thinking of going.
volitional form + to omoimasu dictionary form + tsumori desu masu-form
~
this is typical summer vacation
TÎ xB
kore ga tenke
-
-teki na natsu-yasumi desu
at home
[..... B
unnnnnn
train car
d
long line

nani o suru nimo
tourist resort How about...?
n @B
kanko
-
chi wa do
-
desu ka
tomorrow inn
already
B
mo
-
ippai desu yo
Let me tell you business district
....... ItBXX@B
also train also
\ vB
yoyaku o shiyo
-
to omoimasu
tabun
anaba
gara-gara
l
sushi-zume
^]
noro-noro unten

cho
-
da no retsu
goro-goro shiyo
-
probably
Im thinking of reserving
a secret spot
empty

drive at a snails pace
lie about
jam-packed
It is probably already booked to the full.
Do you want to know the best spot? It is business districts.
Restaurants and trains are empty.
How about tourist spots?
Trains are jam-packed, cars move only at a snails pace,
whatever you do, you have to wait in a long line.
That is the typical summer vacation.
Mmmm.... I think I will just lie about at home.
t
a
b
u
n goro
-
g
o
ro s
himasu
g
o
r
o
-go
r
o
l
y
ing a
b
o
u
t
g
o
r
o
-go
r
o
l
y
ing a
b
o
u
t
g
o
r
o
-go
r
o
l
y
ing a
b
o
u
t
I will _. I plan to_.
I plan to go. I will go.
sB sB
iku-tsumori desu iki-masu
... ...
ta...bun... tabun
full
o oshiemasho
-
ka office-gai desu
B
restaurant mo densha mo desu desu
A
densha wa kuruma wa
A
[..... B
unnnnnn uchi de
B
Vol.8
tsuini@...... Stressing the result at the moment of finding it out
(used when one was not sure what the result would be)
} db(kinkyu
-
denwa).....Emergency Telephone (All public pay phones have a
red botton for you to push to make a free call to 110 and 119.)
Average number of dispatched vehicles
... 6.6 ambulances a minute; one fire engine a minute
EAmbulance ..........~} (kyu
-
kyu
-
sha) Phone: 119
EFire Department ..h (sho
-
bo
-
sho) Phone: 119
EPolice .................. x@(ke
-
satsu) Phone: 110

Japan suffers many earthquakes. Back in January 1995, Hanshin
daishinsai (the Great Hanshin Earthquake) caused 6,430 deaths and some
victims are still suffering the aftereffects. If you notice an earthquake, make
sure to put out all fires and gas flames, then open your windows and/or
doors. This will secure an escape route in case the house or apartment block
itself starts leaning.
Mr. Pole
Last night, there was an earthquake (jishin). It was
really scary, so I called a friend to say tetsudatte
(Help). But he said nani o? (What with?)! Why did
he say such a cruel thing? A few minutes after the
earthquake, there was a news flash on television that
said where I live was shindo 3. What does that
mean?
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shindo is the seismic intensity (level of the earthquake). After the quake,
television and radio announce shingenchi (the seismic center), and how
big it was in the scale called shindo.
Mr. Pole:
Mr. Pole:
Mr. Pole:
Answers
Answers
Eshindo-ichi / kx1... slight earthquake (bishin)
felt by people who are static
Eshindo-ni / kx2... light earthquake (ke
-
shin)
felt by many people; doors shake slightly
Eshindo-san / kx3... minor earthquake (jakushin)
a clattering sound is heard; hanging objects move
Eshindo-yon / kx4... medium earthquake (chu
-
shin)
felt by people while walking; cups and glasses fall from shelves
Eshindo-go / kx5... violent earthquake (kyo
-
shin) walls crack; gravestones fall
Eshindo-roku / kx6... disastrous earthquake (resshin) landslides; houses collapse
Eshindo-nana / kx7... severe earthquake (gekishin) cracks in the ground, fault
Ein case of any danger or emergency tasukete
e.g., A ) "Help" when your cooking pan catches fire
B ) "Help" when your job keeps you up all night
C ) "Help" when you are molested on a crowded train
D ) "Help" when you have an urgent errand to take care of
A ) tasukete B ) tetsudatte C ) tasukete D) tetsudatte
Ewhen you need a hand with something ` tetsudatte
earthquake
jishin
h (bo
-
sai no hi) .... Disaster Prevention Day
On Sept. 1, 1923, a severe earthquake occurred in the Kanto
-
region (Kanto
-

daishinsai = Great Kanto Earthquake), causing approximately 90,000 deaths.
Since then, Sept. 1 has been Disaster Prevention Day. If you go to stores
around this time, you will find special sections for disaster prevention goods
(e.g., dried biscuits, emergency provisions, drinking water, flashlights, first-
aid kits). Many households in Japan keep these items handy, so you should
make sure you have them too, just in case.
ill ... byo
-
ki
accident ... jiko
fire .... kaji
thief ... dorobo
-

lost items ...wasuremono
Usage note
B
kocchi no ho
-
ga zutto chikamichi desu yo
Im used to it, so there is nothing to worry about.
this way
A m SB
i
-
e, to
-
mawari demo kakujitsuse
-
no takai ho
-
ga anzen desu
Mr. Pole fails to do as advised.
no
B
sasuga itsumo jumbi wa kampeki desu ne
always
Its much faster to go this way (short cut).
No, even if its a roundabout way, its safer to take
the way we know better.
SzB
narete-imasu node shimpai naidesu
used to
B
desu yo
2
B
desu yo
3
B
desu yo
look
I
hora yappari
w}x
isogaba maware
When in a hurry, make a detour
If prepared, there is no anxiety.
Friend:
Friend:
Friend:
You are always perfectly prepared.
wJx
sonae areba urei nashi
wfGx
yudan-taiteki
Do not let down your guard.
See, just as I expected. Friend:
} isoga ba maware
More haste, less speed. (When in a hurry, you make a detour.)
J sonae areba urei nashi
Be prepared. (If prepared, there is no anxiety.)
fG yudan taiteki
Never let down your guard. (Feeling secure is a great enemy.)
yatto ...... longing; waiting
yatto
After all (finally), I wasnt able to do it.
Finally, its done.
The fire engine still has not come ... its taking a long time.
@@@@@@@@B
a kimashita
tasukete
yatto
Help !
Mr. Pole:
Mr. Pole:
finally
finally
finally
finally
Oh, it finally arrived.
when one has been looking forward to the event
h....... x B
sho
-
bo
-
sha ..... osoi desu ne
e.g.,
to
-
to
-
tsuini
to
-
to
-
...... with emotion (happy, upset, etc); often used in negative form
B
hi ga kiemashita ne
TV Reporter:
B
hi ga kiemashita
Fireman:
B
hi ga kiemashita ne
Victim:
......... finally / at last / after all + sentence
fire engine late isn't it ?
Oh came
fire ga ... emphasis on fire
B
yatto dekimashita
B
to
-
to
-
dekimasendeshita
B
tsuini dekimashita
At the scene of a fire in Mr. Poles neighborhood
20 minutes after fire fighting started
At last, I did it.
Finally, the fire has been put out.
After all, the fire has been put out.
At last, the fire was put out. (in live broadcast)
e.g.,
e.g.,
when one feels upset about not being able to do it
when one was unsure if it would be completed
ifeeling relieved after all the effortsj
istressing that the fire was finally put outj
Emotional expressions
There are three ways to say finally in Japanese.
All of them imply the images of effort, difficulty and trouble.
ilongingj
t
a
s
u
k
e
t
e
1 2 3
Answers
kinkyu
-
emergency
Help
I thought so
more shortest way; short cut
round about way even reliable safer
perfection preparation
so dont worry
5-minut e Japanese Class by Hit omi Hirayama
Vol.9
Help
oba
-
san is a word for an old lady or ones grandmother, whereas
obasan means middle-aged lady or ones aunt. You probably meant to
say obasan. As you see, oba
-
san and obasan look almost the same.
The difference is whether or not you stretch the letter a when pronouncing
it. In Japanese, there are many other words like these two that share similar
pronunciation but mean something completely different. The lady you
mention was probably upset because you called her old lady even though
she is still middle-aged. Next time you call someone you dont know to draw
his or her attention, just say sumimasen (Excuse me).
Mr. Pole
The other day, I saw a middle-aged lady drop a book
in the street. I called oba
-
san! but she probably
didnt hear me and just kept walking. So, I ran after
her and again shouted oba
-
san! This time she
noticed me calling but looked very fierce. Then she
grabbed her book from me and walked away without
saying anything. I thought I was being nice, so I dont
understand why she didnt thank me. What is her
problem ?
D
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l
sono hito wa nimotsu o
Mr. Pole : You have a lot of baggage. How did you carry them?
Answers
Answers
Mr. Poles grandmother came to visit Japan from the South Pole
on
Grammar notes

that person

shujin
my husband
Make sure you pronounce the vowels a, i, u, e, o correctly to avoid problems.
kite
please come
ojisan
middle-aged man; uncle
tori
bird
shu
-
jin
prisoner
oj i
-
san
old man; grandfather
ki
-
te
please listen
to
-
ri
street
The average span of life for Japanese men last year was 77.97 years and for
women, 83.82 years. From age 65, people are treated as old by the system
in Japan. But in this aging society, 65 is not exactly old and is rather
considered middle-aged. Nowadays, people from 65 up to age 75 are
often treated as young-old, and those above 75 are treated as the actual
old. The oldest living Japanese twins are the 107-year-old twin sisters
known as Kin-san and Gin-san.
hV (ke
-
ro
-
no hi) Respect for the Aged Day (Sept. 15)
I received someones action (implying someone was kind enough to do something for me)
wa
someone
[
someone did something for me: I benefited from someones action
]
Ms. Oda : May I carry your baggage?
Mr. Pole : Thank you. (Thats very kind of you.)
e.g.,
implying : someone was kind enough to do something for me
+
Mr. Pole : Ms. Oda helped me to carry my baggage.
c B
Oda-san wa watashi no nimotsu o motte-kuremashita
[Later, Mr. Pole is talking about this incident to someone else.]
teach (tell)

soshite isshoni uchi o
and he looked for the house with me.
He told me about many places in this town.
and
carry
2
look for
3
come
4
Grandmother:
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
Grandmother:
X
kono machi no iro-iro na tokoro o
this

waza waza koko made
take the trouble to do; see below
He carried my bags.
B
motte-kuremashita
B
oshiete-kuremashita
TB
sagashite-kuremashita
B
kite-kuremashita
e.g.,
waza waza
@@B
waza waza arigato -gozaimashita
Thank you for taking the trouble to do it.
B
arigato -gozaimashita
Thank you very much.
He took the trouble to come all the way here.
I met a kind person at the train station.
To the house? He really was a kind person, wasnt he?
He was a police officer!
waza-waza is used in a sentence when showing the appreciation to
someone for doing something. If you use this waza-waza for your own
action, people may think you have a patronizing attitude. So, be careful.
` YI
aa okane o orosu no o wasureta!
Family is (also) important...work is also important...
Sometimes, my landlord looks after my child; hes very helpful.
My wife asked me: Which is more important, family or work?
Oh
tomorrow
R~B
ashita kaesu kara san-man en kashite
kindness; obligation;
debt of gratitude
also
kate
-
mo taisetsu... shigoto mo taisetsu...
... d...B
A neighbor is better than a relative living far away.
el
to
-
ku no shinseki yori chikaku no tanin
on ni kimasu
be profoundly grateful [casual style]
my wife family or work which important

w d ? xB
tsuma niwkate
-
to shigoto docchi ga taisetsu ?xto iwaremashita
be in a dilemma (be sandwiched between`)
itabasami
B
desu
B
desu ne
A
B
C
Im in a dilemma
No problem.
Oh, I forgot to take money out (of the bank)!
I will pay you back tomorrow, so can you lend me
30,000 yen?
I really appreciate it. (Im profoundly grateful.)
A ... 3 B ... 1 C ... 2
sometimes
X qa B
toki doki o yasan wa kodomo o azukattekuremasu node tasukarimasu
A neighbor is better than a relative living far away
1.
2.
3.
Friend :
[casual style conversation]
Can be replaced with
politer kudasaimashita
w
a
z
a
w
a
z
a

a
r
ig
a
t
o
-g
o
z
a
im
a
s
h
it
a
pay back 30,000 yen please lend me
money draw forgot
child look after so helpful landlord
+ ones action take the trouble to do ->
together house
town various place
baggage
B
verb (te-form) +
o kuremashita
something
Vol.10
Mr. Pole :
(degree of fame)
(acquaintance)
As you say, wakarimasen means the same as shirimasen. But
there is a difference: If you use shirimasen in conversation, it can
sound cold in some cases. But there is no need to worry when you dont
know which phrase is more appropriate in a particular situation. The
information below may answer your questions concerning these two
phrases. But if the difference is still not clear, it may be safer to just use
wakarimasen.
Mr. Pole
When I want to say I dont know in Japanese, I
always say shirimasen. But Ive noticed many
Japanese people use wakarimasen more often.
These two phrases are supposed to have the same
meaning, so whats the difference? Is wakarimasen
politer than shirimasenHIm afraid that I may have
been using shirimasen in inappropriate situations. D
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Answers Answers
shiru

2
3
4
6
aware; know; intelligence
[five senses : sight / hearing / smell / taste / touch]
wakarimasen
Esight
Ehearing
Esmell
Etaste
Etouch
Q: How high is that mountain?
Q: Is this the sound of a harpsichord or a piano?
Q: Something smells good. Is that yakitori?
Q: Is this French wine?
Q: Is this carpet wool or synthetic?
...
Q : Do you know Mr. Kijima?
A : No, I dont know him.
shirimasen
I dont know in Japanese can be...
Ecan sound abrupt if used too much
Ecan imply Thats not my concern,
said in a strong tone of voice
(I dont have any knowledge/information)

(I have no idea)
Ecan be used in just about any situation
Ewill not be misunderstood as long as
not used in a strong tone of voice
Ecan be used in any case concerning
@the five senses; see below
(implying: I dont have any
information about him.)
Answer : I dont know.
shirimasen
e.g.,
Q : 5 0.215 ~8 24 ?
A : I dont know.
wakarimasen
(implying: I learned it before, but
I cant answer it.)
Hssss... wakarimasen
Japanese people often make a Hsssss
sound when thinking by sucking in their
breath through their teeth.
WB
ano kaisha wa kanke nai desu yo
@@@@
saikin
my father many so
chichi wa ga o i desu@kara
recently
that company nothing to do with
@ @@@@@
every year new year card huge amount of arrive
maitoshi nengajo wa yama no yo ni kimasu
N@@NRB
This commodity is not well known, but somehow
sells well.
(as far as I know) m
watashi no shiru kagiri dewa
m@
tabun kahogo de sodatta kara desho

B
this low commodity
kono sho hin wa ga hikui desu ga,
i A
shiriai
m
As far as I know, it has nothing to do with that company.
A
B
Recently, the number of people who are ignorant of the
world has been increasing.
My father has a wide circle of acquaintances,
perhaps overprotection grew up
chime
-
do
mx
so heaps of New Years cards arrive for him every year.@
seken shirazu
m (be ignorant of the ways
of the world, naive)
Perhaps its because they were overprotected when
growing up.
degree of fame
acquaintance
as far as I know

1
2
3
4
lB
no hito ga fuete-kimashita
person has been increasing
C
D
B
nazeka yoku ureteimasu
somehow well well-sold
Answers
raishu
-
Kyoto ni
Ts B
or
next week (this information is uncertain)
Hotel desu ka ryokan desu ka
ze B@ B
Kyoto de sakana no oishi
-
restaurant gozonji desu ka
sXgmB
muri toka... (itte-mashita)
...ij

+
toka
e.g.,
someone said impossible
I hear its impossible.
(implying: I am still thinking about it.)
can be omitted
m
shirimasen
s
iku toka
soretomo
wakarimasen
m
shirimasen
Client :
Client :
Mr. Pole :
hear you will go
-verb (dictionary form)
-noun
-i-adjective
-na-adjective (omit na)
I hear you are going to Kyoto next week.

Are you staying in a hotel or an inn?
Hummmm...I dont know.
Do you know of a good fish restaurant in Kyoto?
(implying: Someone else is making the decision.)
(implying: I know a good restaurant in Kyoto,
but it is not a fish restaurant.)
Hummmm...I dont know.
(implying: I dont know anything about restaurants
in Kyoto.)
I see...
wakarimasen
I dont know.
I dont know.
I dont know.
5
I dont know.
toka is used to mark
uncertain information heard
from someone else.
(I hear ... / Someone says... )
polite form of Do you know
A - 3 B - 2 C - 1 D - 4
Vol.11
be ignorant of the ways of the world, naive
D
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With cooperation from Yasuhiro Koga
1
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
2
3
4
5
6
U nai sode wa furenai
lUU hito no furi mite waga furi naose
1
4
2
5
3
6
Answers
Lately, the word buri has popped up in several news programs and
its meaning is bothering me. It is used in contexts such as: the yen is
at its strongest standing in three years and eight months (san nen
hachi kagetsu-buri); the baseball team clinched a league title for
the first time in 26 years (niju
-
roku nen-buri); this years rice crop is
the best in two years (ni nen-buri); and two brothers were rescued
from the rubble 129 hours after the Taiwan quake (hyaku niju
-
ku
jikan-buri). Apparently, its a different kind of buri than the name
given to the yellowtail fish. Can you tell me what in the world it is?
Its the same kind of buri that is used in the saying
ohisashi buri desu (long time, no see). It is called an
emotional expression because it conveys feelings. For
example, if you were to say, senjitsu, 14 nen-buri ni yu
-
jin ni aimashita (the other day, I met a friend who I hadnt
seen for 14 years), the implication would be that you had
really missed him and you were happy because you had
finally seen him again. Used in similar contexts, buri adds
feeling to a sentence.
buri
If you have missed something for a while, you say:
the length of time
the length of time
B
buri desu e.g.,
e.g.,
e.g.,
e.g.,
10 B
to
-
ka buri desu
something
the length of time
something
B
wa hisashiburi desu
B
sakana wa hisashiburi desu
If you want to emphasize how long you

have missed something, you say:
B
buri desu
+ sentence
wa
Emotional Expressions
sakana wa to
-
ka buri desu
10 B
It has been for 10 days.
I didnt eat fish for a long time.
I havent eaten fish for 10 days.
Expressions for lengths of time (Be careful of numbers 4 and 9; they are very confusing.)
Ehours: [number + jikan] yo jikan (four hours), ku jikan (nine hours)
Edays: [number + nichi]
Eweeks: [number + shu
-
kan] yon shu
-
kan (four weeks), kyu
-
shu
-
kan (nine weeks)
Emonths: [number + kagetsu] yon kagetsu (four months), kyu
-
kagetsu (nine months)
Eyears: [number + nen] yo nen (four years), kyu
-
nen (nine years)
If you want to emphasize that you are happy
about what you are going to do, you say:

buri ni
10 HB
sakana wa to
-
ka buri ni tabemasu
I am going to eat fish 10 days after the last time.
buri is used to convey things like, I was looking forward to...; Im so
happy to...; I really miss...; Ive been waiting for... etc.
If you dont remember the length of time, you say:
(When you are invited to a dinner, you might say this
expression at the table to express your appreciation of the
food being served, implying that the host has prepared
food that you have missed for a while.)
ichinichi (one day), futsuka (two days), mikka (three days),
yokka (four days), itsuka (five days), muika (six days), nanoka
(seven days), yo
-
ka (eight days), kokonoka (nine days), to
-
ka (10
days), ju
-
ichi nichi (11 days)...ju
-
yokka, (14 days), etc.
(Expressions for one to 10 days are Japanese in origin, but from 11 days
and up derive from Chinese, except for 14 days, 20 days, and 24 days.)
yatto tsukimashita
B

ichi nen buri
four months
tabemono wa desu
H B
one week
I havent eaten anything for a week!
God, I havent drunk water for two days!
bath
Excuse me
finally arrived
food
aa mizu wa desu
`
water
fu furo wa desu
` C B

futsuka buri

isshu
-
kan buri

yon kagetsu buri
hisashiburi

hantoshi buri
Mr. Pole soon loses consciousness and comes to seven days later.
Whew! I havent taken a bath for four months!
Hirayama:
half year
really
wa desu
xbh@ @@@@@ B
I havent slept in a bed for half a year!
long time, no see
ara desu ne
B
Oh, hello, Mr. Pole! Long time, no see, huh?
one year
wa honto
-
ni desu
`@{@ @ @@@@@B
Oh, wow, dear, its been a year!
ano
-
donata deshita
` ...H
my, my...
Ive finally arrived!
Wait a minute, what was your name? ...Im just kidding!
jo
-
dan desu yo
kB
A
kashite-agetai nowa yamayama desu ga
`
shujin wa shirokujichu
-
asondeimasu
I want to buy dont have money
my husband fooling around
I want to lend you
behavior, to wave
too must be careful
watashi mo ki o tsukenakereba
C ... B
lZ
shirokujichu
-
e.g.,
e.g.,
Observe the behavior of others and correct your own.
/ -
I cant give you what
I dont have
she (that person) only complain
ano hito wa shirokujichu
-
monku bakari itteimasu ne
llZB
You cannot wave the sleeve when there is not one.
-tai nowa yamayama desu ga
See below
kai-tai nowa yamayama desu ga, okane ga arimasen
I am going to pay you back next month,
so could you lend me some money?
[grumbling]
therefore hates her everyone around I know
so
-
, dakara mawari no hito ni kirawareru n desu
AlB
= always; used with negative feelings
(Take a lesson from faults of others.)
(You cannot give what you dont have.)
It is mostly used for financial matters.
learn a lesson from
faults of others
B
...I wish I could/I would
love to, but...
My husband is fooling around all the time.
I would like to buy it, but Im broke right now!
llZVB
AB
The person is griping all the time.
I know, thats why everyone around her hates her.
Id better learn a lesson from the faults of others!
Friend:
Hirayama:
Hirayama:
Im really broke right now, so...I cant give you
what I havent got, you know!
desu
`
umm
Well, I would really like to, but...
1.
2.
A.
B.
See below
Answers A ... 1 B ... 2
furi / -buri
Long time no see, ohisashiburi desu
`
e
well
two days
B
Vol.12
Hmm...welI...I wish I could say no...but I do know what it is. It is a shortened
form of ecological car, isnt it? As you have noticed, there are many Japanese
words that are shortened so that they are much easier to say. I call such words
Shrunk Japanese. The shrinking spirit can be seen in other areas apart from
language. For example, the Japanese shrank the big cars they imported from the
United States and Japan became the land of the automobile. Another example is
bonsai which is like a shrunk tree. I believe the Walkman is a well-known example of
how Japanese people like to make things smaller and more convenient.
Mr. Pole
I was talking with a friend the other day,
and she used the word eco-car. I had
no idea what she meant at first, but I was
gradually able to figure it out. She told
me that many Japanese people use such
abbreviated expressions a lot. I liked it
because it was like a riddle. Anyhow, do
you know what an eco-car is, Ms.
Hirayama?
D
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9
10
7
4
2
Answers
A ... 2 B ... 1
personal computer
p[\i Rs[^[
pasokon
p\ R
remote control
[gRg[
rimokon
R
pocket-bell
|Pbgx
pokeberu
|Px
air conditioner
GA[RfBVi[
eakon
GAR
convenience-store
RrjGXXgA[
kombini
Rrj
foreigner
car navigation system

J[irQ[V VXe
gaijin
Bank of Japan
{
nichigin
{
nichi
ni
{ ..... Nippon or Nihon ?
Shrunk Japanese
We often need to communicate quickly since modern life moves at a
fast pace, so many people use shortened words. For example, as
soon as possible is often abbreviated to ASAP in English. In a
similar way, many Japanese words are shrunk. Even though most
shrunk Japanese terms are made up from English words, the way
they are constructed is unique to the Japanese language. But
remember that shrunk Japanese is not really polite language, and
there are some words that should not be used at work. Some
fashionable words are likely to become useless within a few months.
In the 18th year of the Meiji era (1868-1912), it is said that the name,
Nippon, was printed on \ 100 bills for the first time. The reason for using
the name was that the then finance minister and the Bank of Japan
governor were both originally from Satsuma (the old name for
Kagoshima Prefecture), where people used to call Japan Nippon at the
time. Nowadays, we call Japan Nihon most of the time. But Nippon
is still used by the Bank of Japan and the Nippon Broadcasting System
Corporation. Most Japanese people say Gambare (go for it), Nippon!
when they want to encourage the Japanese athletes to do their best during
the Olympic Games. Ive also heard that the Bank of Japan has been using
the name, Nihon recently.
1
2
3
4
1. 2. 3. 6. 7.
ka
-
nabi
J[ir
8. 4. 5.
5
6
7
8
eJ
tereka
imported car
jitsu wa
air
conditioning
mountain
rent
Well, I had rented an imported car to go to Hakone, but...
yama no naka de shichatte mo kowareteshimatte
R
gaikoku sha
^
renta
GXg
ensuto
Rrj
kombini
GAR
eakon
answering machine
How did you like Hakone?
stalling of
an engine
two hours
ichi kiro saki ni o mitsuketa kedo shimattemashita
PL
telephone card
ga nakute denwa ga dekimasendeshita
family restaurant
ni jikan kurai aruite yatto o mitsukemashita
Q
sorede
date wa desu
f[g
convenience store
t@~X
famiresu
rusuden
foreign country car
gaisha
rental car the engine stalls telephone card
answering machine
When Mr. Pole got back to his house, it was after 11 p.m.!
family restaurant
h^L
dotakyan
rusuban denwa
the last moment
cancellation
dotanba (last-moment)
cancellation
I found a convenience store a kilometer further on, but it was closed!
I couldnt make a phone call because I didnt have a telephone card.
I walked for about two hours and finally found a family restaurant.
Then, I saw a message on my answering machine, and...
She had called off the date at the last minute.
Dont feel so bad! Lets go to a party tonight!
sonnani gakkarishinaide konban
company
it stalled in the mountains, and the air conditioning also broke down.
Rp
kompa
company party
ahead
didnt have
Mr. Pole is looking forward to his first date with a Japanese girl tomorrow. So, he went to
Hakone the other day to check out places to visit on his big day.
Hirayama :
Hirayama :
Mr. Pole :
Hirayama :
Hirayama :
Hirayama :
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
T COssB
raishu
-
kara kaigai ryoko
-
ni ikimasu
next week
proverbs
therefore
service mo
T[rX@ @@@@@@@@ B
sL
pin kara kiri made
from the best to the worst
@@@@@@
unexpected present (you are lucky)
saikin wa fuke
-
ki nanode hotel ga kyo
-
so
-
o
shiteimasu ne
siCze
B
e
-
desukara nedan wa desu shi
B li
I know! My aunt gave me the plane tickets
because she couldnt go because of her work.
desu ne
Im going abroad on vacation next week.
Wow, thats sudden!
sL
I
tana kara botamochi
A windfall. [Finding a rice
cake on a book-shelf.]
An unexpected piece of good
luck.
from the best to

the worst
} B
B
ara kyu
-
desu ne
oh
Bfd s q
e
-
oba ga shigoto de ikenakunatta node ko
-
ku
-
ken
yes
Hotels are competing hard these days because of
the recession.
pin kiri
tana bota
one
shelf
kotowaza
also/too
What a windfall!
1.
2.
I think so. Thats why their rates vary from very
expensive to the cheapest, and service can also
be anything from very good to simply awful.
1 4 2 5 6 7 8 9 10 3
Answers
B.
A.
from the best to
the worst
B.
B
o kuremashita
gave me
Com-pa: From company
party, originally a party
involving men and women
from different companies,
though not related to
business.
e.g.
so
[From No.1 through No.10]
pin stands for No.1 or the
best in Portuguese. kiri,
however, stands for the cross
(the symbol of Christianity),
which looks like \ , or "10"
in Japanese.
air conditioner convenience-store
...
o shitano desu ga
....
broke down
B A
found but closed
db B
couldnt
B
about walking finally found
bZ[W B
ni message ga haitteimashita
B
sB
ni ikimasho
please dont feel bad tonight lets go
from ten to
from rice cake
foreign travel will go
sudden isnt it
aunt work cannot go so plane ticket
these days recession competition
price
B
desu ne
Vol.13
Pole san desu ne
so
-
desu ka
When someone has a particular song that
he is proud of and sings often, it is called his ju
-

hachi ban. The term can be used for things
other than singing, such as someones favorite
recipe. The expression originally referred to the
repertoire of 18 classical kabuki pieces of the
famed Ichikawa family. An alternative
expression, ohako (the box), refers to the box in
which the repertoire was kept. Try asking friends
to sing their ju
-
hachi ban at a karaoke box, and
they will sing their favorites.
Mr. Pole
Japanese people start holding bo
-
nen kai (forget-the-old-year parties)
with friends and colleagues in mid-December. Someone told me that
participants are required to sing a song or perform a party trick, and
there would be no escaping. I took this very seriously, and I practiced
a song for our office bo
-
nen kai until I got a sore throat. The party
came around last night, but when I was about to sing, the guys told
me to sing my ju
-
hachi ban (18). Baffled, I looked up the song
numbered 18 in the karaoke songlist and tried to sing it, but they said
it wasnt my ju
-
hachi ban. It seemed everybody else was singing
different songs but referred to their songs as ju
-
hachi ban. Ms.
Hirayama, clue me in on this!
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
1
3
4
2
look sleepy
YN

bo
-
nen kai (party to forget the old year)
Y....forget / N......year / ......party
The reason for having bo
-
nen kai is that Japanese people want to
forget the bad things that happened during the year by drinking a lot
of alcohol. You may want to remember that Japanese employees
become nervous and they cannot enjoy themselves in the presence of
their superiors at a party. If you are the boss and propose a toast at
the beginning, it would be nice to say kyo
-
wa bure
-
ko
-
de! (Lets
forget all the formalities and enjoy ourselves!), so that everybody can
enjoy themselves on equal terms.
A
o
-
misoka (New Years Eve)
Most Japanese people eat soba (toshi koshi soba) on New Years
Eve. They might listen to temple bells ringing 108 times (joya no
kane) starting nationwide at midnight. According to Japanese
Buddhists, it is said people possess 108 kinds of worldly desires
(temptations), and they can be removed by listening to the bell ringing
108 times. Scenes at popular temples are broadcast on television as
their bells are rung and people visit them. A lot of people visit shrines
or temples to wish for a happy new year from very early in the
morning, because public transportation is available all night.
N
do
-
zo yoi otoshi o
akemashite omedeto
-
gozaimasu
N
kotoshi mo do
-
zo yoroshiku onegaishimasu
I wish you a happy New Year!
The following expression is used as a final parting

word at the end of the year. It is said to a person
you will not see again until the following year.

These are the greetings used during the
first two weeks in January.
Happy New Year!
I hope its going to be a good year for us.
|[ @@@@@@@@@B
Well (casual style)
what time about went back
Well, yes. I went to a party last night, drank too much,
and didnt get enough sleep.
iya
-
yu
-
be no bo
-
nenkai de
[ YN
You look sleepy, Mr. Pole!
jitsu wa shorui o dokoka ni
desu
... B
i-adjective look(s)
daijo
-
bu desu ka
vBAB
Unnn "gozen sama" deshita
...uOl vB
mo
-
nidoto osake wa nomanai desu
...
You look sleepy.
look / looks like i-adjective
lack of
sleep
coming home after midnight (slang, gozen = morning)
Are you OK? What time did you get back home?
Well, actually, I came home in the morning.
QxB@
Grammar note
i so
-
desu
B
B
nemuso
-
desu
have / has done (already)
B
shimaimashita@
te form +
(I regret that ) I have been drunk.
yopparatte-shimaimashita
A lack of something :
noun +
busoku@
ne-busoku@
shikin-busoku@
setsume
-
-busoku@
to tell the truth documents somewhere
never again dont drink
uY
okiwasurete-shimaimashita
To tell the truth, I misplaced some of my documents last night.
Im never going to drink again!
(I regret that ) I have misplaced it.
I regret drinking
too much
I regret misplacing
my documents
sleepy
nemui
Hirayama :
Hirayama :
Mr. Pole attended the party of his company last night.
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
Hirayama :
Mr. Pole :
Hirayama :
Hirayama :
Mr. Pole :
zuibun kai-komimashita ne
ko
-
kai saki ni tatazu
fairly
regret;
repentance
problem
A stitch in time saves nine.
[It is too late for regrets.]
A stitch in time saves

nine.
like that
Pole san so
-
kakka shinai de
|[ JbJ
mondai ga okite kara dewa
B
You think so? But a stitch in time saves nine!
Well, no one knows whats going to happen on Dec. 31, right?@
You bought a lot of food, didnt you?@
ato no matsuri
It is too little, too late.
[It is the day after the festival.]
datte 31 nichi wa nani ga okiru ka darenimo wakaranai desho
-
but (casual style)
A few days later, Mr. Pole found out the swindler had been fired.
repentance, regret
after
ko
-
kai
to get angry
A.
B.
tanki wa sonki
Z C C Out of temper, out of pocket.
[Impatience makes you lose
more money.]
inga o
-
ho
-

You will reap whatever you sow.
[Cause and effect are consistent.]
short temper
cause-result
See?
hora ne
B
@B
31 N NB
A B
True, but dont you think youve bought too much?@
e
-
demo chotto kai-sugi janai desu ka
yes
Cool it, Mr. Pole! Out of temper, out of pocket, as they say.
See? She reaped what she sowed!
Mr. Pole was swindled by a business partner in another company.
Its too little, too late.
Out of temper, out
of pocket.
You will reap
whatever you sow.
kakka suru
to explode in anger
katto naru
to get nervously irritated
kari kari suru

to be grouchy

gami gami yu
-
or
[
ka
-
tto naru
to be disappointed
gakkari suru
It will be too late after the problem occurs, you know!
1.
2.
3.
4.
The government advised us to stock up food and drink for a few days
over the New Year because of the Y2K problem.
There are many words that have the consonants (k or g) in Japanese
when feelings and angers are described.

1.
2.
3.
e.g.,
e.g.,
e.g.,
Remove the vowel i of an i-adjective and add so
-
.
exception: look(s) good yosaso
-
This expression implies that you have done something
that you regret.
a lack of sleep a lack of funds a lack of explanations
last night
nan ji goro kaerimashita ka
....
react-retribution
not be in before
festival
disadvantage
buy in didnt you?@
what happen nobody dont know I guess
but quite buy too much dont you think
B
desu kara ne
B
desu yo
if happen
B
desu yo
get angry at
B
desu yo
How (bad) was
Did you receive any nengajo
-
(New Year cards)? Did you notice the
pictures of a dragon on them? This is the year of the dragon in the ju
-
nishi
Chinese zodiac, and nengajo
-
designs often include the zodiac sign of the
year. Japanese people sometimes try to determine your age by asking, nani
doshi desu ka (Whats your sign of the zodiac?), instead of directly asking,
How old are you? It is a tactful question used particularly by middle-aged
or older people.
Mr. Pole
I had dinner with friends after the New Year holiday,
and they started talking about their age. One of
them said, Im a dog. What are you, Mr. Pole? I
didnt know what she meant, so I just said, Im a
penguin. They told me Japanese people are
classified as different animals according to their year
of birth. Is that true?
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
Hirayama :
Hirayama :
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
This 12-year-cycle zodiac originated in China. The following list shows all the
signs in the correct order. Try working out what your sign is:
ju
-
nishi (The 12 signs of Chinese zodiac)
q...ne (rat) N...ushi (ox) ...tora (tiger) K...u (rabbit)
C...tatsu (dragon) ...mi (snake) ...uma (horse) ...hitsuji (sheep)
\ ...saru (monkey) ...tori (chicken) ...inu (dog) ...i (boar)
Year 2000 is tatsu. The next 12 years will therefore be:
2001 (mi) 2002 (uma) 2003 (hitsuji) 2004 (saru) 2005 (tori) 2006 (inu)
2007 (i) 2008 (ne) 2009 (ushi), 2010 (tora) 2011 (u) 2012 (tatsu)...
e.g., My zodiac sign is dragon. tatsu doshi desu
How was ?
Grammar note
B
wa do
-
deshita ka
Expressing an action that has gone too far:
@
masu
masu-form
e.g., I worried about it too much.
e.g., I visited a shrine, went to the movies and so onit was fun.
B
wa ikaga deshita ka
B
wa do
-
datta
Asking someone s thoughts
on their recent experiences:
your trip
ryoko
-
s
(polite form)
(friendly form)
(casual form)
@
ri
ta-form +
@
ri
ta-form +
_s fyB
jinja ni ittari e
-
ga o mitari tanoshikatta desu@
describe
your feelings
nisennen mondai
2000N

E
sugi desu
+
shimpai no shisugi deshita
Sz
B
shimaimashita@
te-form +
e.g.,
IB
owatteshimaimashita
(It is a shame that) it is over.
+
no shisugi desu
+
e.g., I ate too much.
tabesugimashita
HB sugimasu
or
1.
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
5.
6.
2& 3.
4.
5.
6.
Citing more than one item:
-tari can be used when expressing your
impression of several things.
Have (has) done/ happened al r eady: This
expression is used to show regret for what has
happened or something you have done against your
Asking how a situation was: Use the friendly form of 1. Note that it shows
your concern or sympathy for the person you are talking to.
@
o shimasu
masu-form
How was...? (asking the impression)
osho
-
gatsu wa
hisashiburi ni
New Year
How was your New Year holiday?
jinja ni
_
Well, I went to the shrine, watched movies (and so on).
hardly
in a moment holiday
atto yu
-
mani yasumi ga
vU
x@
trouble wa hotondo nakatta desu ne
@ 2000N@
watched
by the way
We worried about it too much!
There was almost no trouble at all.
guB
Mr. Pole and Ms. Hirayama are talking about New Year holidays.
so
-
ieba
visited
after a long time
too much worry about
How was...?
(asking about the situation)
have finished
(expressed with regret)
It was really good to relax with my family for once.
Its a shame the holidays ended so quickly.
By the way, how was the Y2K problem?
kotoshi no ke
-
ki wa
How is the economy going to be this year?
NiC
How bad...? (asking
about the situation,
in present tense)
leveling off
uunnn
Well, I guess it will level off.
`DDD@ DDDDDDB
this year
rat
(nezumi)
q
sociable
I
shako
-
teki
ne
ju
-
nishi
ox
(ushi)
N
sympathetic
v
omoiyari ga aru
ushi
tiger
(tora)
strong-willed
u
ishi ga tsuyoi tora
rabbit
(usagi)
K
gentle
a
onwa u
dragon
(tatsu)
C
generous
o
-
raka tatsu
snake
(hebi)
ambitious
O
maemuki mi
horse
(uma)
open-minded
JI
kaiho
-
teki uma
sheep
(hitsuji)
patient
E
nintaizuyoi@ hitsuji
monkey
(saru)
\
positive
I
sekkyoku teki saru
chicken
(tori)
organized
{
kicho
-
men tori
dog
(inu)
thoughtful
v[
shiryobukai inu
boar
(inoshishi)
strong-willed
u
ishi ga tsuyoi
i
12 signs
of the Chinese
zodiac
The ju
-
nishi signs are believed to reflect the personalities of
their holders. At one time they represented 12 directions on a
compass and every two hours of the day starting at midnight
with ne. For example, ushi no koku is 2 a.m. You may have
seen the old time system referred to in samurai films.
flexible
@
rinki o
-
hen
cautious
Td
shincho
-
accommodating
bD
sewazuki@
progressive
iI
shimpo teki
studious
benkyo
-
-ka
passionate
MI
jo
-
netsu teki
active
sI
ko
-
do
-
teki@
serious
^
majime
cheerful
akarui
gentle
onko
-
honest
sho
-
jiki
kind
e
shinsetsu
er
terebi o
B
kazoku to nonbirishimashita
with family felt at ease
wa
did not exist
yokobai tabun desu ne
B
wa do
-
deshita ka
nisennen mondai
Y2K problem
the Y2K problem?
2
0
0
0
n
e
n ak
e
m
as
h
i
t
e

o
m
e
d
e
to
-
go
z
a
i
m
a
s
u
Vol.15
In the past, it was not common for Japanese women to declare their love for a mana
woman used to wait for a man to approach her. But St. Valentines Day is now an occasion
when Japanese women can make their feelings known by giving chocolates. There are two
different kinds of chocolates. One is called giri-choco. Women give them to male
acquaintances so they dont feel left out. Such chocolates are given out of friendship or a sense
of duty and they are usually cheap. Women who work in offices usually give giri-choco to male
colleagues and it is estimated that the average amount of giri-choco received by a man last year
was 12.2 pieces. (giri means obligation!)
A lot of girls gave me chocolates
on Feb. 14, but one of my
friends said, All you got is giri-
choco! I looked at all the
chocolates, but it doesnt say giri
anywhere. Ms. Hirayama, what
is giri-choco?
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
Hirayama :
Hirayama :
Hirayama :
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
Mr. A :
Mr. A :
Mr.B :
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
okada san wa takusan moratta@@@@@@@@@@@@ desu
c@@ B
It seems that Mr. Okada got many chocolates. (I saw some of them.)
Mr. Pole and Ms. Hirayama are talking about chocolates. On the other hand, giving honme
-
-choco indicates real feelings for the recipient.
honme
-
-choco is expensive (sometimes more than \ 10,000) or sometimes
homemade. The average price of honme
-
-choco is \ 3,166, while the average giri-
choco is \ 595. According to a survey, if a man receives chocolate that seems to be
worth more than \ 3,000, he is likely to assume it is honme
-
-choco. Interestingly, St.
Valentines Day in Japan did not start until 1958. The first chocolates were heart-
shaped, and sold for \ 50. (honme
-
means favorite!)
guess
...rashi
- ...yo
-
...mitai
Yamada san wa rikon o suru rashi
-
desu
RcB
A
A
(polite form)
(implying: Im not sure, but someone said that.)
(implying: Mr. Yamada confided in me about it.)
yamada san wa rikon o suru mitai desu
RcB
so
-
rashi
-
desu ne
B
(implying: I also heard the rumor,
but Im not sure.)
I guess so. (I knew it.)
so
-
mitai desu ne
B
(implying: I got some evidence.)
As you can see from the diagram, these expressions
are similar and sometimes their meanings overlap.
wa
e.g.,
Mr.B :
e.g.,
...mitai is used for statements based on direct information or facts.
...mitai signifies that the information is more credible than ...rashi
-
.
wa
topic
topic
ano mise wa desu yo
X
A tip for people who feel that it is too difficult to make
the above distinctions.
rashi
-
noun
na-adj. na
i-adj.
verb
wa
information
mitai
restaurant
oishi
-
rumor (I got the information
from a magazine, television, etc.)
are
-

` @@@@@@ B
(I thought the concert was today, but nobody is here.)
date to make a mistake
@
machigaemasu
evidence (sight: because
nobody is here)
ima ichiban desu
(Ms. Yabe had a baby last month. She calls me sometimes,

and asks me about child-care.)
now
taihen na
evidence (direct information:
because she calls me sometimes)
boyfriend to
{[Cth
(Recently, Miss. Mori has been all by herself. There is a
rumor that she broke up with her boyfriend.)
to break up
@
wakaremasu
rumor (implying, Im not sure,
but someone said about that.)
kore wa
(I bought a curio at a flea market.)

old
@
furui
evidence (sight/feeling, because of the
shape and the texture)

oishi
-
rashi
-
@

machigaeta mitai
taihen mitai@

wakareta rashi
-
furui mitai
I heard that restaurants food is delicious.
Oh...It seems that I had the wrong date.@
I understand that Ms.Yabe is going through the most
difficult time right now.
I heard that Miss. Mori might have broken up with her boyfriend.
It seems that this is old.
i
-
e
demo zembu giri-choco
SM`R B
Dont be disappointed
watashi no mo tezukuri desu yo
B
B
dore misete
many recieved
but
show me
one
one only hand made
e
using the
power of sight
using power of sight
(I saw that)
what ?
unnn
` ...
...H@M ......`R ...H
ANI
gakkari shinaide rainen ga arimasu yo
I heard from him
so
-
desu ne
@@@ @@@@@@@@ B
Im really not sure
(I heard that rumor )
But I heard it was all giri-choco.
And I got homemade chocolates, too!
using the
power of sight
I tell you
Yes, someone told me that (but Im not really sure).
1
3
3
5
6
2
2
4 5 6 1
1
2
3
4
5
1 2 3
4 5
Oh, no...he said that one of them seems like homemade (but he is not sure).
Let me see...hm...they look like homemade,
but...(I dont think so).
What !? Is this gi...ri...choco...!?
Well...it does look like homemade, though...
Dont feel bad! Theres always next year!@
Grammar note
...rashi
-
/ ...mitai / ...yo
-
...rashi
-
is better use when you are guessing from indirect
information or less credible rumors.
This refers to a statement based on rumors. There is no confidence in the information because its not
based on facts. If someone replies, so
-
rashi
-
desune, it means, Thats what I heard, but Im not sure.
It refers to discernment by using the five senses. If someone replies, so
-
mitai desu ne, it
means, I know, because I have some evidence.
A (information)
This is a rumor, but I heard that
Mr. Yamada is getting divorced.
I guess so. (someone was talking about it)
...mitai: It seems that / like A is____. / I sense that A is____.
It seems Mr. Yamada is getting divorced.@@
(Many people stand in line to get into a particular
restaurant because they had read about it in a magazine
or heard about it.)
The word mitai is more commonly used in
conversation. If you are not sure whether to use rashi
-

or mitai, use mitai. You will probably be right 80
percent of the time.
A (information)
c
h
o
colate
B
rashi
-
desu
B
mitai desu
Im really not sure
(I heard that rumor )
all
desu yo
4
ikko dake wa tezukuri desu yo
B
also
` ...B
desu ga unnn
gi ri choco
...B
tezukuri
tezukuri desu yo ne
next year have
...rashi
-
: I think/guess that A is... / Someone said that A is... etc.
B
desu
B
desu
delicious
B
are
-
hinichi o desu
B
most hard, tough
B
desu
B
desu ne
ne = confirmation
Vol.16
Japanese names are not ranked in any way. The Japanese had only
given names until they started to use family names in the Meiji era.
Japanese names are traditionally written vertically, and family names are
placed above given names. Thus, given names are called shita no namae
(lower names), and family names ue no namae (upper names).
Interestingly, the Japanese Emperors family has no family name. Several
years ago, I heard a Japanese couple tried to name their baby akuma
(meaning devil), but the city hall refused to accept their registration.
I went to a friends party the other day, and met
a Japanese woman. I introduced myself, saying,
Pole desu. (Im Pole.) She asked me, ue no
(upper) namae desuka, shita no (lower)
namae desu ka? (Is it your upper name or
lower name?) Ms. Hirayama, does that mean
names are ranked as upper class or lower class?
If so, how are they classified? Is my name upper
class, or what?
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
Mr. Pole :
Mr. Pole :
Ice-gaisha no James Pole desu
ACX WF[X |[ B
My name is James Pole. I work for Ice Co.
1
1
3
3
5
5
6 6
4
4
2
2
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
Japanese people usually avoid saying, watashi (meaning I) because it
may sound arrogant if it is used too much. Try not to say watashi unless
you wish to emphasize yourself.
When you write the Japanese language vertically, you start writing from the top-right
corner of the paper, and go downward. When you reach the bottom of the page, you
move to the next line on the left, and write from top to bottom.
Introducing oneself
(lower) (upper)
Mr. Masanori Kobayashi
shita no namae
Masa
nori
ue no namae
O
ue no onamae wa
My name is .
no
Ko
bayashi
do
-
zo yoroshiku
B
(implying, please keep a
good relationship with me)

What is your last name ?
e.g.,
e.g.,
first name and
last name
O
shita no onamae wa
What is your first name ?
I work for .
B
desu
company name
company name
first name and
last name
B
to mo
-
shimasu
B
de gozaimasu
(very polite)
do
-
zo yoroshiku onegaishimasu
@B
(polite)
These are several ways of using the phrase.
Simply add the phrase at the end of the conversation, when...
1) you are introducing yourself. (implying: please keep a good relationship with me)
2) you want to ask a favor in a subtle way.
3) you want to ask the person to do his/ her best in a subtle way.
4) you want to avoid telling someone what to do step by step.
5) you want to wrap up the conversation.
6) you want to imply Thanks or Good bye.
T
If you dont belong to a company,
you can skip this part.
(last name) (first name)
(upper) (name)
(lower) (name)
(This is a very formal expression usually used when introducing
oneself for the first time. After that, it is fine to say, ...desu)
what is your
first name? shitsure
-
desu ga

Hitomi desu
B
O B
onamae wa
Ice company of
answers :
e.g., Excuse me, may I have some water, please?
suimasen

mizu onegaishimasu
oikutsu desu ka
B
B
Excuse me, is anybody here? (looking for a staff at a shop, etc.)
Excuse me, but how old are you? (polite form)
Excuse me, but may I have your name, please?
Japanese Lunch no Hirayama desu
Vpj[Y ` R@@B
Please keep a good
relationship with me.
Say your name just the way
it is in your country.
When you ask personal question (see below)
1.shitsure
-
desu ga (implying: I dont mean to bother you by asking personal
questions, but...)
It means that you want to ask a personal question.
2. suimasen/sumimasen (implying: Allow me to have your attention.)
Used to attract someones attention.
shitsure
-
desu ga
(polite form)
Hirayama :
Hirayama :
My name is Hirayama. I work for Japanese Lunch.
Excuse me, but what is your first name?
Its Hitomi.
There are two ways of saying excuse me in Japanese:
Japanese people
usually introduce
themselves with their
last names alone
answers :
shin nyu
-
sha in
V
new staff
sushi wa yaku ju
-
nen washoku wa yaku ju
-
go nen de ni narimasu
i 10NAaH 15N
ichi nin mae
node kore-kara yoroshiku onegai-itashimasu
so from now
ie ie mada-mada
@
Please be patient with me because Im a complete novice.
(This is a good phrase when you introduce yourself.)
Oh, no, no still, not yet
akiramenaide gambarimasu
B B
dont give up hard to do that
about 10 years Japanese food 15 years become
Oh, no, nocIm still intermediate. (Use this phrase to show
your modesty when a Japanese person praises you.)
(one)(person)(deserve)
han nin mae
(half)(person)(deserve)
I know that perseverance prevails. I wont give up doing my best!
Excuse me! May I have yakitori (grilled chicken) for one person?
(at a restaurant.)
ishi no ue nimo san nen 3 N
(stone) (on) (three years)
migi mo hidari mo wakarimasen E
(right)(left)(dont know)
suimasen yakitori onegaishimasu
@ @@@@@@ B
Excuse me@@ I order
A
... A ... A
B
... B
mi juku mono
(not yet)(immaturity)(person)
skilled
worker
being a complete
novice.
being intermediate
Perseverance prevails.
food for
one person
vB
C
... C
D
... D
Being advanced, skilled, independent, mature, full-grown, etc.
Someone who can do good work without help from others. This
expression is used for people who have technical skills.
(carpenters, chefs, etc.), but its also applied to workers in
general. Another meaning is Food for one person.
Being intermediate, immature, etc. Someone who does not have
enough skills to complete his or her work alone.han nin mae is
an expression for someone whose technical skills are imperfect,
whereas, mijuku mono is for general use.
Perseverance prevails.Sit on a rock for three years. If you sit on
a rock for three years, you will get used to it, and feel
comfortable. This means that perseverance brings good results.
Being a complete novice.I dont know which way is right or left.
Someone who doesnt know what to do because he or she is in a
new environment (a new house, or a new location, etc.)
It takes about 10 years to learn to make sushi, while it takes
about 15 years to become an excellent Japanese chef
Japanese people will understand if you say do
-
zo yoroshiku. Even though there
is no similar expression in English, you will find many Japanese people use the
phrase every day. They try to avoid asking favors directly, and using this phrase is a
subtler way of making a request.
Upper
name
Lower
name
?
or
B
l O
l O
n
B
Vol.17
Time does fly! (ko
-
in ya no gotoshi) Yes, please feel free to ask me when you
have questions. In fact, Ive been receiving a lot of e-mails from people worldwide
(takusan no e-mail arigato
-
gozaimasu). Those heartwarming messages are my
encouragement and have given me energy. And I always look forward to reading them.
Now, I am going to give you a question for a change! Did you know that Japanese
people think differently from people in other cultures in regard to onomatopoeia, the
naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it? It may
be hard to describe the sounds, but please try to use your imagination.
You might have noticed that Japanese people make some weird sounds that
make you irritated. But there is no need for you to try making those sounds. (It may
be hard to slurp your noodles without practice!?)
1
2
3
4
1 2
3 4
It has been one year since I met you in
April, Hirayama-san. You have told me so
many things about Japan, and I have
began to understand Japanese culture.
But please continue to give me your
advice because I believe what I know
about Japan is only the tip of the iceberg.
1)
2)
When in Japan, do as the Japanese do.
X[[
su
-
G)
Here is a list of things that are considered bad manners in Japan.
People may cringe when you do them.
@
nNV
hakushon
3)
4)
5)
6)
YYY .
zuru-zuru-zuru
X[ X[
su
-
-su
-

(achoo)
(slurp, slurp, etc.)
(sniff, sniff)
(e.g. Well...)
X[[ X[[
su
-
-su
-
X[
su
-
(slurp)
A)
C)
F)
B)
D)
7)
Answers 1) ... A ), 2) ... E), 3) ... D), 4) ... B) , 5) ... C), 6) ... G) , 7) ... F)
Please draw lines between (A to G) and (1 to 7) in order to make the match.

o hi sui i ne
E)
(Its delicious!)
This is the sound of sucking air through ones teeth. It
indicates that the person is thinking.
This is the sound you hear when someone sneezes. It is not rude
to sneeze in public, and there is no need to say, Excuse me,
after you sneeze or, Bless you, after someone else sneezes.
This is the sound of slurping noodles (udon, soba, etc.).
Slurping them loudly gives the impression that you are really
enjoying eating them. Many Japanese people try not to slurp
when they eat spaghetti.
This is the sound of sniffing when you have a runny nose. It is
rude to blow your nose loudly in public, but it is acceptable to
sniff when you have a very runny nose. If you are desperate to
blow your nose, just excuse yourself and go to the bathroom.
This is the sound of slurping when drinking hot coffee, tea or
soup. Slurping cools the hot liquid, and it is quite acceptable
in Japan. Interestingly, you are supposed to slurp the last
drop of your tea when you are invited to tea ceremony. It
means that you have finished your tea.
This is the sound of inhaling the air between the teeth when
removing the bits of food with a toothpick (yo
-
ji). It is mainly
done by men, or people who have poorly aligned teeth.
This is what people sound like when they try to say, oishi
-

ne (This is delicious) with their mouths full.
q H
okyaku-san doko no kuni
Where are you from?
D B
sakana ga suki desu
Key words:
If Japanese people ask you questions using these words, please reply in your own words.
Im from the South Pole.
{ H D H
Nihon no tabemono wa nani ga suki
What is your favorite Japanese food?
{ H
Nihon wa do
-
B
sukoshi naremashita
H
kazoku wa

H
toshi wa ikutsu
How old are you?
Im getting used to it.
How is your life in Japan?
Do you have a family?
Oh, I love sakana (fish)!!!
B
nankyoku desu
doko
where
H
tabemono
food
D
suki
like
do
-
How is...?
kazoku
family
toshi
age
Im single. g B
dokushin desu
How old do I look? B
ikutsu ni miemasu ka
kuni
country
hyakubun wa ikken ni shikazu
S
nani o ittemo ano hito wa desu
that person no matter what
iroiro setsume
-
o kikimashita ga yappari
A
various
sono hanashi o ki
-
ta toki honto
-
ni
Answers
that
...... B mimi o kasanai
(hundred)
mimi
ears
mimi o kasanai
(ear)
......A hyakubun wa ikken ni shikazu
...... D mimi ga hayai
A
B Turning a deaf ear. To not
pay attention to what someone
says.
l @@@@@@@@@@@B@
C
D.
mimi o utagau
^
(doubt, suspect)
(quick)
mimi ga hayai
e mo
-
sono uwasa o shitte-irun desu ka
H
What?
No matter what I say, he just turns a deaf ear to me.
I have heard many explanations of it, but I think, after all,
When I heard about it, I couldnt believe my ears. Really!
What ? You heard the rumor already?
...... C mimi o utagaimashita
turns a deaf ear
Seeing is believing
couldnt believe
my ears
a quick ear
driver :
Mr.Pole :
driver :
Mr.Pole :
driver :
Mr.Pole :
driver :
Mr.Pole :
driver :
Mr.Pole :
It seems like Mr. Pole is being interviewed by an employer of a company.
But it is not unusual for Japanese people to ask even private things to a
person whom they are meeting for the first time in order to find out what
kind of person he/she is. By the way, when you are asked to count your
family members, you are supposed to include yourself. (e.g. you, your
wife and two children. yo nin desu)
Seeing is believing, or
literally, Seeing it once is
much better than hearing about
it a 100 times. It means that it
is much easier to understand
something if you see it once
with your own eyes, instead of
hearing about it 100 times from
other people.
Having a quick ear.
Describes a person who is
quick to hear the latest rumors.
Doubting your own ears, or
unable to believe what you
have just heard because you
are so fazed
You have a quick ear.
B
desu ne
EDo not blow your nose in public, particulary into your
handkerchief. Please try to use tissues. (They are often handed out
on streets as advertisements.) Handkerchiefs are supposed
to be used as handtowels or napkins. If you are desperate to blow
your nose, say, shitsure
-
-shimasu (Excuse me).
EIt is not good manners to eat and drink while you are walking.
EDo not put your feet up on your desk at the office.
It is also rude to sit on tables or desks.
EIt is rude to speak while chewing gum.
Lets practice !
Seeing is believing.
B
desu ne
hakushon
(seeing it once)
(listening)
(not lend)
explanation listen but after all
b B{I
indeed listened story
mB \
already
rumor have known
when
These are typical questions taxi drivers may ask you in informal
language. The question form cdesu ka? is usually omitted in casual
conversation.
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Vol.18
I know what you mean, Mr. Pole. yo
-
suruni, you think that such meetings
should be shorter and more efficient, dont you? It is true that the Japanese tend to
hold long meetings. They hold these conferences over and over because they dont
wish to make their final decisions until they are sure of each others ideas. sonoue
(In addition), Japanese people use ambiguous words when they know they have to
make decisions by the end of the meeting. Instead of making statements, the speaker
makes ambiguous comments, to avoid offending listeners. The other participants
have to work out what he actually means, or guess at what has been left unsaid.
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
I have noticed that most Japanese companies hold
long meetings almost every day, without making any
decisions at all. Sometimes I cant even make out
what they are talking about. tsumari (After all)...its
a waste of time...to yu
-
ka (I mean)...i
-
kaereba (in
other words)...exhausting...yo suruni (to sum up)...
Grr...I cant stop talking like the people in the
meetings!
Answers
Answers
Mr.Pole:
Mr.Pole:
Mr.Pole:
Mr.Pole:
Japanese culture treasures the concepts of space, silence, and nonexistence.
For instance, when designing a Japanese garden, the landscaper thinks of a
windows as the frame, and calculates the amount of space within the frame
when the trees have leaves in summer, and when they are bare in wintertime.
For a Noh actor, the most difficult thing is silence, or absence of movement.
Silence is a form of expression in Noh. And as for a Japanese tearoom,
nonexistence is represented by the fact that it contains only a few things.
Even if you dont understand all the Japanese words during the meeting, please
pay careful attention when someone uses the key words listed below. They
indicate that the speaker is going to say something important next, and thats
what he or she actually means. If someone keeps silence for a while, look
carefully at that person and try to guess what he wants to say.
whether or not
...
... ka do
-
ka
yo
-
suruni
I thought so; as I expected,

yappari yahari
I wonder if... ?(very casual form)
... ;
kana
-
; kashira
Key words during the meetings. No.1 (friendly form / polite form)
if it is possible
moshi dekitara
it may be ... (uncertain)
...
...kamo kamoshirenai
on the contrary; instead
kaette
as ... as possible
...
dekirudake...
v
muri
well then,

ja dewa
in short impossible
after all; in the end
kekkyoku
for the time being; for now
toriaezu
first of all, ; at first,

mazu mazu saishoni
almost hopeless; difficult
muzukashi
-
I guess ( not a fact, just guessing)
...G@
...daro
-
; desho
-
in other words ; after all
tsumari
to sum up; in short
v
yo
-
suruni
to handle the problem positively
OB
maemuki ni kento
-
shimasu
hm ..... ye...s....
... ...
e
-
... ma
-
...
with that reason; That will do it!
...
...to yu
-
koto de
What do you mean?; ...and you mean?

to yu
-
to to yu
-
koto wa
If it is possible, ... your answer by tomorrow ...
On the contrary, ... a bad result ...
I thought so.
I wonder if it is impossible...
I guess its probably today...
tomorrow by replying (polite form)
... ...B
... warui kekka ga ...
bad result
over work 9 oclock by will finish
... as cheap as possible ...
t
Ambiguous words@ aimai kotoba
... ...B
... asu made ni gohenji o ...
It may be hopelessc
if its possible
Was it in vain after all?
in the end
it may be (uncertain)
1) 12) 11) 7) 9)
17) 3) 16) 15) 2)
as ... as possible
I thought so !
on the contrary
muri ...
... ...B
impossible
... ...B
osoraku ... kyo
-
dame
_ ...B
hopeless; impossible
... and you mean? (inviting him/her to say more)
... whether or not I can finish my work by 9 p.m.
muda-ashi ... ?
_ ...H
a fools errand

yasuku ...
...B
cheap
I guess
I wonder
?
zangyo
-
ga ku-ji made ni owaru
c XI ...B
whether or not
and you mean
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
...... ...
...e
-
... mo
-
sukoshi ...
N ... H
sakunen yori o
-
ku ... desu ka
... ...
hakkiri ieba ... so
-
desu ga...
_ B
ketsuron wa desu ne
ma
-
ga ...
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ...
jikai mata ...
@...@
N\Z ...
rainen no yosan desu ga
handle the problem positively
Last year, it was pretty bad...
N ......
sakunen wa kanari kibishikatta...desu...
it may be
One hour later
To sum up, we need a larger
budget than last year, right?
to sum up
First of all, about the budget
for next year...@

... ...
dekinai desu... u
-
n...
N...\Z ...
rainen wa yosannai de dekiru desu ga...
What do you mean? @
terrible
18 6) 17) 15) 13) 1) 5) 19) 3) 14) 8) 10) 4)
for the time being
(polite form)
if it is
possible
hm .. ye..s
in other
words
Frankly speaking...yes.
Well, wed better handle the
problem positively...
After all, it would be difficult to
make our decision, now...
after all
XB
Mori-san kara desu
well then
first of all
Pole san no aruhi no kaigi |[c
In other words, hm...If it is possible,
a little bit more...
it may be
(polite form)
One day, Mr. Pole attended a conference.
Well, Mr. Mori, please tell us.
Next year, we may be able to
balance the budget...
Or maybe not... hm...
Lets postpone it for
the time being...
What do you mean? @
That will do it c@
That will do it ...
1
2
4
3
5
6 7
9
10 11
13
12
8
Mori-san:
Mori-san:
Mori-san:
Shacho
-
:
Shacho
-
:
1j 2j
3j 4j
5j 6j
10j 11j
15j 16j
7j 8j
12j 13j
17j 18j
9j
14j
19j

Z
Z
Z
Z Z
(male style) (female style) (male style) (female style)
Pay attention! This is what he actually means!
(Talking about something for a long time) ... to sum up, I think it will be impossible ... e.g.,
(Talking about something for a long time) ...
B
... desu...ne...
dekimashitara
D
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Vol.19
14
I know its confusing. The common usage of zenzen has a
negative meaning, implying not at all. Thus, zenzen should be
used with the negative form of i-adjectives, so zenzen oishiku-nai
(It doesnt taste good at all.) is correct grammar. But lately, it has
become a kind of slang, and people say zenzen oishi
-
. This zenzen
brings a positive meaning, and so the phrase means It tastes really
good. Zenzen is also used with na-adjectives, as in zenzen kantan!
(Its a piece of cake!). This zenzen is positive, implying completely or
entirely.
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1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
I attended a conference yesterday. I think I understood the
Japanese speakers better after referring to the previous
lesson. If there are any more key words, please let me
know. And one more thing. Ive been studying Japanese
for a while, but sometimes I notice that Japanese
speakers use grammar that is different from what I have
learned. They say, zenzen oishi
-
! What do they mean?
Do they mean something is delicious, or awful?
Answers
Answers
Mr.Pole:
Mr.Pole:
Mr.Pole:
Mr.Pole:
Mr.Pole:
Mr.Pole:
come to think of it; as you mentioned
so
-
ieba
right away; sometime soon
@
sugu sassoku
just wait and see; well see
lq B
yo
-
su o mimasho
-
meeting words No.2 (friendly form / polite form)
its about time to...
...
sorosoro...
B
do
-
narimasu ka
by the way
tokorode
To tell the truth; as a matter of fact

jitsuwa
before too long; before you know it
sono-uchini
anyway; anyhow
tonikaku
its no use; theres no choice

sho
-
ganai shikata ga nai
that will do it; OK?
...
...to yu
-
kotode
you mean...?
... B
... to yu
-
koto desu ka
cant wait too long; theres no limits
kiri ga nai
thats possible
B
ariemasu
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
To tell the truth, its not
done yet...and...

8) 4) 14) 11) 7) 3) 13) 10) 6) 2) 5) 9) 1)
You mean you need a

little more time? @
1
2
4 3
5 6
7
9
10
12
13
11
8
Mori-san:
Mori-san:
Mori-san:
Mori-san:
Shacho
-
:
Shacho
-
:
1j 6j
2j 7j
3j 8j
4j 9j
5j 10j
11j 13j
12j 14j
always
Frequency (how often?)
often
from time to time
not too often
seldom, rarely
yoku
occasionally
tokidoki
(not) much, (not) very
hardly, scarcely

never, not at all
sometimes
tamani
What do you think will happen ?
Lets see what happens;
itsumo
amari
hotondo
mettani
zenzen
100 %
50 %
0 %
5 %
10 %
20 %
30 %
0 %
0 %
5 %
10 %
20 %
30 %
50 %
100 %
+ negative form
+ negative form
+ negative form
+ negative form
+ negative form
+ negative form
a lot, many
Quantity (how many / much?)
a few, a little

chotto sukoshi
none at all

ippai takusan
zenzen
few, little
quite a few,
hotondo
T......
raishu
-
desu ... yo ...
B
acchi-kocchi de mikakemasu ne
[ @@ XR[q[Vbv B
iya
-
machi ga coffee shop darake ni narimasu ne
c ...
ja
-
kyo
-
no kaigi wa ...
sB
ohiru ni itte-mimasho
-
@
... r ......
... mada tochu
-
de ... ano
-
...
thats possible
anyway
theres no choice
to tell the truth
We cant wait too long,
so...finish it by the end
of next week, OK?
Mr. Mori. Its about the discussion we had last month...: @
... T ...
desu kara... raishu
-
ippai
ItBXX^[obNX B
office no chikaku ni Starbucks ga dekimashita ne
Anyway...next week...
come to
think of it
Lets just wait and see.
by the way
By the way, did you know
a Starbucks had opened
near the office?
sometime soon
~
mo
-
sukoshi jikan ga hoshi
-
B
desu ne
you mean ... ?
Well, before long, this city
will be full of coffee shops,
dont you think?
OK?
cant wait
too long
Come to think of it, I see
those shops here and there.
Thats possible.
Lets go there for lunch
sometime soon!
Well, its about time to end
the meeting for today.
One day, Mr. Pole attended a conference.
Mr. Mori was not willing to put his mind into the meeting. The only decision
that was made in todays meeting was to go to the coffee shop for lunch!
its about time to
before you
know it
Theres no choice, is there?
Lets just wait and see.
(male style)
100 %
jo
-
ren-kyaku wa onaji mise ni iku hito no koto desu
regular customer
mukashi wa @@@@@@@ shippai o shimashita
@@@@@@@@@ s B@@@@@@@@@@@
just; only
the old days to fault
Frequency / Quantity
Aq @ X sl B always
ja
-
dake
not at all
hotondo yoku mettani itsumo itsumo tamani
not much
seldom
often
hardly
B
arigato
-
gozaimasu
ki ga muku to kaji no tetsudai o shimasu
C `B@
a lot
saishokushugi-sha wa niku o tabemasen
H`@@@ @@@@@@@ HB
vegetarian meat to not eat
Z@@@@@@@ ^B^sB
isogashi
-
node undo
-
o shimasen undo
-
-busoku desu
busy so to exercise dont get enough exercise
ki ni shinai ho
-
ga i
-
desu yo
CB@
to not worry had better
@@@@@@@@@@
occasionally
always always
nayami-goto de atama ga desu
Y @@ B
a little
paper driver desu node kuruma no unten o shimasen
y[p[hCo[ @@@@ ^]B
so car to drive
when I feel like it housekeeping to help
zenzen itsumo amari chotto itsumo ippai
(about 10%)
(about 80 %)
(about 30 %)
(about 20 %)
(about 0 %)
(about 90%)
(about 90%)
always
(about 90%)
(about 5%)
I am so busy I hardly get any exercise. I need more exercise.
In the old days, I often made mistakes.
Im just a paper dri ver (Sunday driver), so I seldom drive a car.
Thank you as always.
I occasionally help with household chores when I feel like it.
Vegetarians never eat meat at all.
Regular customers are people who always come to the same restaurant.
Youd better not worry about it too much.
(At a party: Would you like more wine?) Well, Ill have a little bit more.
My brain is always filled with worries.
Paper dri vers: People who have passed their driving
test, but have little or no experience of driving.
They are just drivers on paper.
B
ne
kono kaigi wa do
-
narimasu ka.
well
distress head
coffee
( What do you think will happen? )
same
restaurant
to go
person
Vol.20
san does not correspond exactly to Mr., Mrs. or Ms. because people
are addressed in different ways according to the situation. To answer
your second question, it is said that in 1888, when diplomat Munemitsu
Mutsu signed his name on a treaty, he became the first Japanese to write
his name in the given name-family name order. Presumably, he imitated
the Western way in order to show Japans eagerness to learn from other
countries after its period of isolation.
Japanese people address me in various ways, such
as Pole san, Pole sama or James kun. But how
come san does not correspond to Mr., Mrs. or Ms.
even though my dictionary says that san means Mr.
or Mrs.? And another question: Japanese people
usually write their family name, then their given
name, right? But why do they write their names the
other way round when using romanized letters?
D
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First name (given name) / last name (family name) for daily conversation. Friends
since childhood or school days usually address each other by their first names or
nicknames. Those who meet later in life usually call each other by their last names.
daily conversation ....................... last name + san
first name + kun or chan first name + chan Child
Adult
Female Male
1)
2)
Suzuki desu

(group members = yourself / your family members / staff of your company etc.)
EIntroducing your staff members to a client :
EA written form used in letters, documents, etc.
EA polite form used in conversation.
3)
san is a respectful way to call or address people.
Takada sama
I met Suzuki san yesterday.
c l
EIntroducing your family members to your friend:
e.g., This is my wife Susan.
c
Applications of san ...... sama (l ) / shi () / dono (a) / onchu
-
()
Company name + san
(given name) (family name)

B
c a
Takada dono
Takada shi
EA written form used in the media.
I met Yukiko san yesterday.
e.g., Tokyo Mitsubishi Bank Tokyo Mitsubishi san / sama
This is Ms. Suzuki. e.g., (your company staff to client)
tsuma no Susan desu
X[UB
Ms. Yukiko Suzuki e.g.,
s
onchu
-
company name /
The name of organization
e.g., Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Takada (c)
EThis form is applied only to someone of the same status as
yourself or lower. It is hardly used nowadays, but
occasionally occurs in documents.
EThis form is used instead of l ( sama)
when a letter is sent to a company or
organization. On a self-addressed
envelope, s (yuki or "To:") is written after the senders
name. It is good manners to cross out this word, customarily
with two slashes, and write (onchu) when returning it.
When you are speaking to Japanese people, even in English, it is best to say
san after their first name or last name. Japanese people often feel
uncomfortable if their names are used without san. That is why most people
say san after your name when talking to you, even in English.
In business, san is added after the name of
a company.
There are some situations where you should not use san. When you are speaking
to a third person, it is best not to refer to members of your own group using san.
[Horizontal style]
l

n
o
n
e

l

n
o
n
e

@

[Business style] (a letter to companies or organizations)
A
n
s
w
e
r
s
[ Vertical style] Numbers used for vertical style, or kansu
-
ji (kanji for numbers)
1... 2... 3...O 4...l 5... 6...Z 7...@8... 9... 10...\A
(the recipients
name)
Front
(the recipients
address)
(the senders
name)
(the senders
address)
R
James Pole
Back
Back Front
(the recipients name)
(the recipients address)
Nippon Co. Ltd. s
(the name of company)
(the address of company)
(in case of a self-addressed card)
(the senders
address)
(the senders address)
(the senders name)
(the name
of organization)
(to Japan Institute)
(in case of a blank card)
polite form / to customer
Mr. Oda comes back to his hotel after sight-seeing and
finds there is a message at the front desk.
Answers
Kobayashi : Yes, Im Kobayashi.
san
Oda Miki @ ga lobby de o-machi de gozaimasu
c@@@ O@ r[ B
Shibuya Ginko
-
no Inoue desu ga
I have an appointment to see Mr. Yokota at 9 a.m. today.
ku ji ni Yokota to o-yakusoku-shiteimasu
san @none @ sama@ sama@ none@@sama@@ san@@@@
sama@@ san sama@@ none@12 sama
Fujita Taro
-
go-ban ni o-hairi-kudasai
interviewer : Mr. Kobayashi !
@@
hai Kobayashi desu
Yokota @@ Shibuya Ginko
-
ga o-mie desu
A @@@@@@@ B
receptionist : Yes, Sir. We do have your appointment today.
Japanese Lunch kabushiki-gaisha
(Calling Yokotas desk)
Talking to a receptionist at a company.
The interviewer calls an applicant for a job interview.
receptionist : Mr. Oda ! Mr. Miki is waiting for you in the lobby.
aJs
Inoue : My name is Inoue. Im from Shibuya Bank.
Kobayashi
A nurse calls a patient at a hospital.
9@c@@@@@ @B
Wpj[Y`
c @@@ aJs@ B
c Y@@@@@ 5B
A bank teller calls a customer at a bank.
Hayashi
@@@@@@@ B
At a restaurant.
shichi-ji ni yoyaku o shita Hayashi desu
7\@@@@@@@@ @@@@ B
do
-
zo kochira ni
sama
Mr.Yokota! You have a visitor from Shibuya Bank.
Inoue : Mr. Taro Fujita! Please go to Room 5!
teller : Japanese Lunch Co,. Ltd.!
Hayashi : My name is Hayashi, I have a reservation for 7 p.m.
waitress : Yes, Mr. Hayashi! Please come this way.
1
2
3 4
5
6
7 8
9
10
11
12
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
8. 9. 10. 11.
saJ4 -7-10
5-6-39 Minato-ku Tokyo

s
a
J
@
@
@
l
[

O
[
[
Z
Z

s
`
[
Z
[
O

W
F
[
X

|
[
sVh 2-35-11
Z

{
3
5
1
2
3
4
5
6
6
1
2
4
(honorific form of waiting)
bank
at 9 oclock
No. 5
(honorific form of have an appointment)
(honorific form of come)
(honorific form of come in)
at 7 p.m. have reserved
please come this way
B
When you want to explain the reason for something, you can choose
kara or node to convey different impressions to your listeners. kara is
used for emotional expressions. It may sound illogical or like an excuse.
Japanese children use kara, but when they grow up, they start saying
node. It might be best to say node during business meetings or when
speaking polite Japanese, since node gives the impression that what you
are saying is logical.

One of my colleagues came to work late the other
day because she had a hangover. She said to me,
yu
-
be nomi-sugita kara, chikoku-shichatta! (I
am late because I drank too much last night!) But
when she was talking to her boss, she said, yu
-
be
nomi-sugita node, chikoku-shimashita. Is there
any difference between kara and node when ex-
plaining the reason for something?
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
Answers
1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Answers
1)
2)
( implying the
inevitable cause)
( implying my fault)
3)
/ /
There are three words of expressing a reason or cause.
reason / cause result / conclusion
kara is used for emotional expressions.
kara node de

Z
isogashi-katta kara cancel o shimashita
I was busy I canceled
Z
isogashi-katta node cancel o shimashita
I was busy I canceled
d
shigoto de cancel o shimashita
work I canceled
1) 2) 3)
noun
e.g., I was late because the roads were crowded.
( traffic jam ... ju
-
tai,
became late ... osoku-narimashita)
a xB
ju
-
tai de osoku-narimashita
a xB
ju
-
tai datta kara osoku-narimashita
a xB
ju
-
tai datta node osoku-narimashita
It is used for friendly conversations where the reason or cause is personal.
But you should be careful how you use it, because it can sound selfish.
Even if the reason/cause is unreasonable, it starts to sound more logical if
you use the magic words, node and de! @
node and de are used for logical expressions (de is used for nouns).
They are used in public situations and polite speech. Public situations include
business meetings and speeches. Logical reasons for something might be
earthquake (natural phenomenon), fire (accident), illness, etc.
I canceled it (the job)

because I had another
appointment (to meet a
friend).
I canceled it because I
was busy with work.
I canceled it because I
had to work.
head painful May I go home ?
node kara node node kara de de node
(talking to your boss)@May I go home now because I have a headache?
atama ga itai kaettemo i

-
desu ka
from friend come tomorrow company absent from ~
(talking to your friend)
Im taking a day off tomorrow because a friend is coming over from France.
tX FB
France kara tomodachi ga kimasu ashita kaisha o yasumimasu
(talking politely)
Id like to take a day off tomorrow because my friend is coming from France.
money didnt have couldnt buy
(talking politely) I couldnt buy it because I didnt have any money.
o-kane ga nakatta kaemasen-deshita

yesterday was rain all day long house was (exist)
(talking to your friend) I stayed at home all day yesterday because it was raining.
J
kino
-
wa ame datta ichinichi-ju
-
uchi ni imashita
earthquake building destroyed (onomatopoeia)
(inevitable causes...noun) The buildings collapsed because of the earthquake.
nk
jishin tatemono wa mecha-kucha desu
depression
(inevitable causes...noun)
Many companies have gone bankrupt because of the recession.
s
fukyo
-
o ku no kaisha ga to
-
san o shiteimasu
go on a business trip
(talking to your client) It is because I am going on a business trip.
o
shuccho
-
o shimasu
tX FB
France kara tomodachi ga kimasu ashita kaisha o yasumimasu
riyu
-
(o yu
-
) wake (o yu
-
)
wa yamenasai
nanika o itte-mashita ka
R ( )
Reason
obediently had better acknowledge
more ~ more a lie can hear
illogical
excuse
iwake wake benkai iwake riyu
-
wake benkai
wa kikanaide-kudasai
o suru yori sunao ni mitometa ho
-
ga i
-
desu yo
Excuse
why become like this don't know
()
benkai (o suru) i
-
wake (o suru)
@ @@@@ @B
something said to you ?
o sureba suru hodo uso ni kikoemasu
RB
do
-
shite ko
-
natta noka ga wakaranai desu
@@@@@@ B
f F B
B
stop
Sounds logical
B
please dont ask
@@@@@@@@xB
even though already too late
ikura shitemo mo
-
osoi desu
illogical
excuse
logical
excuse
logical
excuse
logical
reason
illogical
reason
illogical
reason
to rationalize
something
Stop making excuses! (illogical excuse)
I have no way to justify.
(illogical reason)
Youd better acknowledge your mistakes,
instead of trying to rationalize them. (logical excuse)
The more you defend yourself with poor excuses,
the more you sound like a liar! (illogical excuse)
Did he explain the reason? (logical reason)
Please dont make me justify this! (illogical reason)
No matter how hard you try,
it is too late to rationalize this! (logical excuse)
to defend oneself
with poor excuses
to explain
the reason
to justify something
( )
( )
node
m
a
g
i c w or ds
LZ B
LZ B
LZ B
xB
B
xB
A B
B
Sounds illogical
have gone bankrupt company many
`N` B
|Y B
Vol.22
kyu
-
-ju
-
go sai desu
I understand you meant to say, Im sorry by saying, gomennasai
in Japanese. But this expression is used when you want to apologize for
making a mistake or causing a disturbance. When you wish to express
your sympathy for the bereaved, it is better to use a fixed expression, such
as goshu
-
sho
-
sama desu/deshita. (You have my deepest sympathy.) In
addition, you need to mumble the words, to imply that you cant finish
saying it because of your sadness. Traditionally, Japanese women wear
mofuku (mourning kimono) for a funeral, and, as a sign of their grief, they
try not to wear it too neatly.
I heard that my friends grandfather died
last month, so I said to him,
gomennasai. (Im sorry.) But he was
confused and said, Why? What do you
mean? Did I say something wrong? I
ended up asking him the same thing,
Well, what do YOU mean!? Ms.
Hirayama, did I say something weird
again?
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
Answers Answers
e.g., Kobayashi-san : I have been looking for a new job for six months.
Kobayashi-san : Im sorry.
B
gambatte-kudasai
B
shitsure
-
-shimashita
That must be really hard.
Apology: These expressions are used when you want to apologize for
your mistakes.
@@@@
sumimasen suimasen
(It was really hard for you. Are you OK?)
B
taihen desu ne (That must be hard for you.)
BvB
taihen deshita ne mo
-
daijo
-
bu desu ka
B
gambatte-kudasai
e.g., Hayashi-san : My company went bankrupt the other day...
gomennasai
(Hang in there!/Dont give up!)
B
taihen desu ne
(Try to keep your
spirits up.)
(Dont be discouraged.)
(Thats a shame.)
(Dont be discouraged.)
(polite form)
(friendly form)
\B
mo
-
shiwake-gozaimasendeshita
B
gambatte-kudasai
CoB
genki o dashite-kudasai
Hang in there!
cOB
zannen desu
B
gambatte-kudasai
(That must be really hard.)
(Hang in there !)
Tanaka-san :
Sympathy: These expressions are used when you want to convey
your grief over someones death and to indicate your
sympathy concerning someones problems.
Encouragement: These expressions are used when you want to give
emotional support to the depressed.
genki ga nai desu
fish
(to die / to pass away): nakunaru is used only for the humans, whereas
shinu is used for all living creatures.
B
ne
Hasebe-san :
lB
ee Ryo
-
ta-san wa ningen janai no desu ka
hai desu kedo
daijo
-
bu desu ka goshu
-
sho
-
sama desu

...l ...
S ...B
about
Ryo
-
ta ga nakunatte
yu
-
be osoku kyu
-
ni
You have my deepest sympathy.
x ...@}...
ningen deshitara
...B
Ryo
-
ta passed away.
Are you OK?
(Im sorry)
Hasebe-san :
Pole-san : Late last night, all of a sudden,
Hasebe-san : What ? You mean, Ryo
-
ta was not human?
Pole-san : ...If he was human...
How old was he ?
Pole-san : Right, he was a fish.
Hasebe-san : ...
You dont look
so good.
shinimasu nakunarimasu shinimashita nakunarimashita shindeimasu
^S ^S
He is dying./He is about to
pass away.
He died./He passed away.
He died just a moment ago.
The time of his death can be
given in figures.
E E
E
He is dead.
The corpse is
still there
or it can be seen.
B) to die
working
sakana ga ike de takusan
to pass away
(polite form used
for humans)
with all ones might
Oh dear new restaurant right near has opened
taihen atarashi
-
mise ga sugu chikaku ni dekimashita
A) to pass away
nakunaru shinu
B
hashirimashita ga maniaimasendeshita
de hataraite yatto shakkin o kaeshimashita
RNO L

A@VX B
@@ @@@
E
E
E
E
E
A B
run but not be on time
r @
E) with all ones might
shi katsu mon dai
desperately
dead
(can be seen)
fish pond many
D) a matter of life and death
C) desperately
S
san-nen mae ni yu
-
me
-
na sho
-
setsuka ga kuruma no jiko de
komatta na
-
... kore wa@ desu
tree years ago famous novelist car accident
I'm in trouble this is
... @@ @@ @B
@@
shi ni mono gurui
K
hisshi ni
D) E) B) shindeimasu A) nakunarimashita C)
Oh, my goodness! A new restaurant has opened just around the corner!
Im in t rouble...Its a matter of life and death to me.
The famous novelist was killed in a traffic accident three years ago.
I worked as hard as I could and was able to pay off my debts at last!
Although I ran desperately, I didnt make it on time.
There are many dead fish in the pond. They may have been killed by
agricultural chemicals.
to die
(used for humans,
animals)
a matter of life
and death
passed away
1
1
2
2
4
4
3
3
5
5
6
@ _ B
tabun no
-
yaku ga genin desho
-
@@@@@@@@@ @
maybe agricultural chemicals cause I guess
1 2 3 4
5 6
1 2 3 4 5
oikutsu deshita ka
kurai/gurai sakana
he would have been about 95 years old.
95 B
g
o
s
h
u
-
sho
-

sama d
e
s
u
or
at last debt pay back by
watashi-tachi fu
-
fu wa desu-kedo
naka ga i
-
desu.
sonnani o
-
kina tameiki o tsuka-naide desu yo
mo
-
kako no koto dakara
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
getsu(gek)-ka
-
No, donichi is not a special day. I think foreigners probably
say, getsu-yo
-
bi to sui-yo
-
bi (Monday and Wednesday) in
Japanese. But Japanese people prefer to use a shorter term in
their daily conversations, such as ges-sui, which is the
combination of getsu-yo
-
bi and sui-yo
-
bi. Another example is ka
-
-
kin, the combination of ka-yo
-
bi (Tuesday) and kin-yo
-
bi (Friday).
I think you've got the point by now. Yes! donichi is the
combination of do-yo
-
bi (Saturday) and nichi-yo
-
bi (Sunday). Let
me show you the days of the week with kanji.
My friends and I were making plans to go to an onsen (a hot
spring) together. One of them asked me, "donichi isogashi
-

desu ka?" (Are you busy on donichi?) I didn't know what
donichi meant, but I didn't want to embarrass myself, so I
told her that I would be busy. Another friend told us that
donichi was better for her, but we finally decided to go to
the onsen on a weekday. I preferred the weekend to a
weekday. Why did they choose the weekday? Is donichi a
special day?
Answers
Sunday

nichi-yo
-
bi
j
sun, day
moon
fire
water, liquid
tree, wood
gold, money
soil, land

nichi
Sunday originated with sun and day.
Monday

getsu-yo
-
bi
j
getsu
Monday originated with moon.
Tuesday
ka-yo
-
bi
j
ka
Tuesday originated with fire.
Wednesday

sui-yo
-
bi
j
sui
Wednesday originated with water and liquid.
Thursday

moku-yo
-
bi
j
moku
Thursday originated with trees, plants and wood.
Friday

kin-yo
-
bi
j
kin
Friday originated with gold, money and metal.
Saturday

do-yo
-
bi
y j y
do
Saturday originated with soil, land and ground.
Even if you cannot write the kanji, try to memorize the shapes, so
you can recognize the corresponding characters.
koko ni o kaite-kudasai
y
F)
say so true I'm sure
world
dangerous
A)
as I expected not continue always because
wa kiken desu
E)
@ @@@@ @@ @B
here please write
computer no sekai wa desu ne
Rs[^[ E @@@@@@@@@@ B
B)
CB
@ B
H) C) G) J)
@@@@@@@@@@@@B
already past matter because
change one's mind
de ki ga kawarimashita
lB @@@ @@@@@@@ B
that person quarrel
ano hito-tachi no kuchigenka wa desu
D)
B @@@@@@@@@ I
like that big sigh don't
I)
yappari tsuzukanai ... itsumo nan- dakara
to i
-
masu kara honto
-
desho
-
Bvw@@@@@@@@@@ A
B
we husband and wife but
relationship good
{ B
c @ @@B
Please write down your date of birth here.
Computer technology is making rapid progress.
I changed my mind at the last minute.
It is dangerous if you can't see the forest for the trees.
I forgive you and forget what you did to me in the past.
Their quarrel is an everyday occurrence.
My husband and I are getting along well, even though our
personalities are like oil and water.
(talking to a friend who has money problems)
Don't be so sad! Money comes and goes, you know!
I believe it is true, because there's no smoke without fire.
I knew he couldn't keep it up. He always quits.
the date of birth
rapid progress
last minute
unable to see the
forest for the trees
to forgive and forget
(masu-form)
everyday
occurrence
like oil and water
Money comes and
goes, you know
there' no smoke
without fire
quitter
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 1 0 .
Answers
Let 's pract ice! How to pronounce the days of the week:
sui-nichi moku-do
-
kin-do
-
nich-getsu
Wednesday and Sunday
Friday and Saturday
Monday and Tuesday
Tuesday and Friday
A)
Kanji
ka
-
-kin ges-sui
se
-
nen gap pi
(day)(advanced)(month)(step)
(water) (flush)

the date of birth
(birth)(year)(month)(day)
(fire) (without) (place) (smoke)
N
(water)(and)(oil)
nis shin gep po

rapid progress /
constant advancement
i
nichi jo
-
sa han ji

everyday occurrences /
daily happenings

mik ka bo
-
zu

a quitter
(a person who cannot
finish what he starts)
O V
hi no nai tokoro ni kemuri wa tatanai
@@ @ @
There's no smoke without fire.

mizu to abura
@
like oil and water
(being incompatible
with each other)

mizu ni nagasu
@@@
to forgive and forget
(to wipe the slate)

(day)(always)(tea)(meal)
(money) (the world)(round)(things) (tree) (look at) (forest) (not see) (soil)(platform)(place)
ki o mite mori o mizu
@@ @@
being unable to see the forest
for the trees
X
kane wa tenka no mawarimono
@@ @@ @
Money comes and goes. /
Easy come, easy go.
V
do tan ba

at the last minute /
at the critical moment
y
y d
E)
H) I)
D) C) B)
F) G)
J)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sho
-
ke
-
moji (pictographic characters): Sho
-
ke
-
moji originated with
an image of the object / objects (in some cases, concepts) and shows
highly pictographic features.
Sunday and Monday
Thursday and Saturday
Monday and Wednesday
5.
6.
7.
8.
(three days) (boy)

W
h
a
t day i s don
i c
h
i

?
getsu, ge (Monday), ka
-
(Tuesday), sui (Wednesday), moku (Thursday),
kin (Friday), do
-
,

do (Saturday), nichi (Sunday)
(tips: The words ka
-
and do
-
should be prounounced with a long vowel.)
Monday and Thursday
8.
getsu-moku
Vol.24
watanabe-s an ni totemo os ewani -natta node des u
Pol e-s an: That probabl y won' t happen becaus e the guy i s a grands on
of the chai rman. | don' t thi nk even the pres i dent can s tand agai ns t hi m.
ou are ri ght. |' m gl ad you' re maki ng progres s , P ol e-s an! what
s he meant to s ay was , "| s ee i t on your face! " 8ut i t does n' t mean
s omethi ng i s actual l y wri tten on your face. Do you remember that
you have s tudi ed phras es that are expres s ed wi th body parts and i -
ad|ecti ves beforeI Por thi s l es s on, l et me s how you s ome frequentl y
us ed ex pr es s i ons wi th body par ts and ver bs . ou mi ght f i nd
expres s i ons wi th body parts numberi ng more than 800 i n |us t one
di cti onary. |t means that thos e i di oms are commonl y us ed i n dai l y
convers ati ons , s o your s peech wi l l s ound very natural i f you us e
them. our gr ammati cal us e of the ex pr es s i ons may be at an
i ntermedi ate l evel , but you can s tart us i ng thos e phras es i mmedi atel y
i f you memori ze them. Pegardl es s of your l evel , they are hel pful for
anyone who can' t fi nd enough ti me to s tudy.
One of my col l eagues as ked me, " P o l e -s an, di d
s omethi ng good happen to youI " | as ked her why s he
had as ked me that. S he s ai d, "datte kao ni kai te-aru
yo! " (8ecaus e s omethi ng i s wri tten on your face! ). |
thought s omethi ng was on my face, even though | had
was hed my face i n the mor ni ng. S o | as ked her ,
" P eal l yI wher eI " 8 ut s he | us t s mi l ed and wal ked
away. | went to bathroom ri ght away and checked my
face i n the mi rror. | di dn' t s ee anythi ng s trange, |us t a
hands ome guy s tari ng back at me i n the mi rror! Oh,
wel l . . . here we go agai n! | remembered that we have a
s i mi l ar expres s i on i n my country: "|t' s wri tten on your
face. " |s that what s he meantI
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
8
a
n
with cooperation from as uhiro Koga
Ans wers Ans wers
l 2 3 4
7 8 5 6
l
2
3 4
7
8
5
6

kao ni kai te-aru
A) to be wri tten on one' s face

kao
face
to be wri tten

kao ga ki ku
8) to us e one' s i nfl uence,
to have an i nfl uence
to have i nfl uence
o
kao o das u
C) to appear, to come to s ee
to appear

atama ga s agaru
D) to take off one' s hat

atama
head
to go down

atama ga agaranai
G) to be unabl e to s tand agai ns t,
unabl e to compete wi th
does n' t ri s e

atama ga ki reru
L ) to be s mart, qui ck-wi tted
to s harpen

atama ni kuru
H) to be angry wi th, get mad
to come

atama o hi yas u
P) to cool off, cal m down
to cool

kubi o ts ukkomu
| ) to poke one' s nos e i nto

kubi
neck
to thrus t i n

kubi ga mawaranai
L) to be up to one' s neck i n debt
does n' t turn

kubi ni naru
1 ) to be fi red
to become

kubi ni s uru
M) to di s mi s s , to fi re
to do

kubi o nagakus hi te mattei ru
K) to l ook forward to, awai t eagerl y
to make l ong wai ti ng
s uddenl y
8
travel i ng abroad
D) |) 8) L) L ) H) 1 ) P) K) G) M)
ti me money l oos e about s o | deci ded
8
C O s
very took care of me s o
} e 8 A 8
Mr. A: |' m s o mad! | |us t got fi red!
1 b 1 8
res taurant s o anythi ng pl eas e order
acti vi ty
aunt whatever
debt
as was expected pers on di fferent
s uch don' t be mad How about ~ I
l 8
Mr. 8: Don' t be s o mad! why don' t you cal m downI
n b 8
P
f 8
(mas u-form)
(mas u-form)
(di cti onary-form)
(nai -form)
(di cti onary-form)
(ta-form) (ta-form)
(ta-form)
(mas u-form)
(nai -form)
8
(di cti onary-form)
| take my hat off to peopl e who do vol unteer work.
My aunt al ways pokes her nos e i nto everythi ng.
| know the owner of thi s res taurant,
s o pl eas e order anythi ng!
|' m up to my neck i n debt.
(prai s i ng hi m/her)
S urel y a s mart pers on l i ke you i s one of a ki nd!
|' m l ooki ng forward to travel i ng abroad.
Mr. watanabe took very good care of me when | was a
s tudent, s o | can' t argue wi th hi m.
He i s carel es s wi th ti me and money, s o | deci ded to fi re hi m.
to take one' s hat off
to have an
i nfl uence
to be unabl e
to oppos e
to be s mart
to get mad
to cal m down
to poke one' s nos e i nto
to be up to one' s
neck i n debt
to be fi red
to fi re
to l ook forward to
8 8
8
l.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
l. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

face head neck
but previ ous company |' m not s ure
probabl y not becaus e chai rman grandchi l d even company of pres i dent | thi nk
. . . . 8
x l 8
thi s ti me pers on very | tel l you
L ) 1 ) |) H)
8) C) M) G)
| 8
8 A v 8
do
-
naru koto yara . . . .
O 8
8
bes i des s l i ght di ffi cul ty deal i ng wi th s oon he s ai d to me
Has ebe-s an: 8ut | heard he was fi red from hi s l as t |ob.
|us t |' m not s ure
l i ttl e matter Pi ght ! everythi ng
8
8
s hakki n de des u
tots uzen
kai gai -ryoko
-
o
kono mi s e wa kara nan-demo tanonde-kudas ai
v ol unt eer kats udo
-
ni wa
s onnani kakka-s hi nai de ra do
-
des u ka
s as uga hi to wa chi gai mas u ne
oba wa nanni -demo
|i kan to okane ni daras hi -nai node koto ni s hi mas hi ta
kondo no hi to wa kanari yo
demo tatoe s o
-
demo dai -ki gyo
-
ni wa ras hi
-
des u yo
s o
-
-s o
-
nanni -demo s hi chotto no koto de kara ne
demo mae no kai s ha wa toka
tabun muri des ho
-
datte kai cho
-
no mago dakara tatoe s hacho
-
demo to omo
-
yo
demo s ukos hi -demo yari ni ku-kattara s uguni to i tte-mas hi ta yo
kyo
-
wa dake toka
Has ebe-s an: 8ut even s o, | heard he can us e hi s i nfl uence on bi g compani es .
Has ebe-s an: And the bos s tol d me he wi l l fi re hi m i mmedi atel y i f he fi nds
even a s l i ght di ffi cul ty deal i ng wi th hi m.
Pol e-s an: | heard he i s comi ng here today, |us t for a vi s i t.
but even s o bi g enterpri s es | heard
Pol e-s an: Pi ght! 8ecaus e he al ways pokes hi s nos e i nto everythi ng and he gets mad s o eas i l y.
Has ebe-s an:
Pol e-s an: The guy who was hi red thi s ti me i s real l y s mart.
mas u-form
to have an
i nfl uence
to be unabl e
to s tand agai ns t
to be s mart
to be angry
wi th
to fi re
to poke
one' s nos e i nto
ta-form
to be fi red
to appear
di cti onary-form
di cti onary-form
di cti onary-form
di cti onary-form
di cti onary-form
nai -form
wel l , who knows !
(S
o
m
ething is written o
n
y
o
u
r

f
a
c
e
)
k
a
o

n
i

k
a
i
t
e
-a
ruI
Vol.25
Vol.26
| thi nk you mi s unders tood what s he s ai d. |t i s real l y
di ffi cul t to expl ai n your mi s take i n general grammar terms , s o
pl eas e al l ow me to us e my own grammar, whi ch | cal l "Hi tomi
Grammar, " to expl ai n your mi s unders tandi ng. |n the pas t, |
thi nk you have s tudi ed the form, "-mas hi ta, " as the pas t tens e
form of "-mas u. " 8ut now what | want you to remember i s that
the con|ugated verb "-mas hi ta" i s not |us t a pas t tens e form
but i s al s o us ed to des cr i be s omethi ng el s e i n dai l y
convers ati ons . |t may s eem hard to bel i eve that thi s i s true,
but cer tai nl y you have noti ced that 1 apanes e peopl e
s ometi mes us e thi s form i n ways di fferent from what you have
s tudi ed.
when | fi r s t came to 1 apan two year s ago, my company
i ntroduced me to a 1 apanes e hos t fami l y s o that | coul d l i ve
wi th them for s ever al months and l ear n about 1 apanes e
cul tur e fi r s thand. | was thi n when | l i ved wi th them, but
gai ned a l ot of wei ght after movi ng to my own apartment,
s i nce | coul dn' t res i s t the temptati on to eat al l the 1 apanes e
food | had grown to l ove. | s tarted exerci s i ng to l os e s ome
wei ght and thought | had become s l i m agai n. 8ut when |
vi s i ted my hos t fami l y the other day, the mother as ked,
" s ukos hi futor i -mas hi ta kaI ( Di d you us ed to be fatI ) " |
thought | gai ned wei ght onl y after | moved out, but why di d
s he know that | us ed to be fatI
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
8
a
n
|n cooperation with as uhiro Koga
Ans wers
Ans wers
l .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .
9 .
l 0 .
l l .
l 2 .
l .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .
9 .
l . 2 . 3 .
4 . 5 . 6 .
7 . 8 . 9 .
l 0 . l l . l 2 .
l. 2. 3. 4.
5 . 6. 7.
8. 9. l0.
(pol i te form)

ts ukare-mas hi ta ts ukareta
G OHON . . .
8 8
e. g. , (| wai ted at a trai n s tati on, and | s aw the trai n comi ng)
Here comes the trai n!
(pas t tens e of ' mas u-form' ) (ta-form)
(s omethi ng)
(fri endl y form)
(pol i te form)
| d |
____________ arri ves
a! dens ha ga ki ta ! a! dens ha ga ki -mas hi ta !
| d |
L
L i s comi ng
(fri endl y form)
Al though you have l earned "-mas hi ta" as a pas t tens e form, that i s not
the onl y way of us i ng i t. |t i s al s o us ed to des cri be pres ent condi ti ons .
8) ' -mas hi ta' or ta-form i s general l y us ed
when you want to des cri be a phys i cal / mental condi ti on.
e. g. , |' m s o ti red. (to be ti red . . . ts ukare-mas u)
A) ' -mas hi ta' or the ta-form i s general l y us ed to des cri be what i s
happeni ng, s uch as " (s omethi ng) ga ki -mas hi ta. (s omethi ng)
i s comi ng. " (parti cl e cga (communi cati on, vehi cl es , events ,
l i vi ng thi ngs )
L | feel ________ (at that moment)
L ____ appears to be . . . (at that moment)
yatto

uwa
-
mo
-
|u
-
-ni -|i do
-
ri de to omotta
a kagi o
Oh al ready l2 o' cl ock no wonder | thought
onaka ga s ui ta wakatta kaze o hi
-
ta was ureta
ts ukarete-i mas u komatte-i mas u omoi das hi -mas hi ta
nodo ga kawai ta yas eta futotta
(fri endl y form) Oops ! | forgot the keys !
| 1 M
(pol i te form) | have s ome troubl e at home.
nets u ga aru s hi . . . s eki mo deru s hi . . . mi tai des u
M . . . L o . . . 8 8
a
-
s o
-
datta no ka
8
l2 8 v 8
Mr. A: (fri endl y form) Di d you l os e wei ght I
|' m thi rs ty
c 8
| remember
8
kate
-
no koto de
fri endl y form of "| di dn' t know that. "
| have a col d
| forgot
pl eas e (reques t)
to gai n wei ght becaus e of s tres s
draft
| gai ned wei ght
Have you l os t wei ght
(pol i te form) Now | remember!
fu
-
zutto zangyo
-
ga ts uzui te-i mas u node
Geez for l ong ti me overti me have been. . . i ng reas on
|' m troubl ed
| unders tand
w r x
H
uun s tr es s -butori des u
(fri endl y form) Oh, | s ee! |' ve got i t now!
fever have cough al s o comes out s eems
(fri endl y form) Gos h, |' m thi rs ty! "A draft beer, pl eas e! "
(pol i te form) Geez, |' ve been worki ng overti me l atel y, and |' m s o ti red.
a
-
wnama-beer onegai s hi mas u x
|' m ti red
|' m hungry
Oh, man. . . i t' s al ready noon! No wonder |' m s o hungry!
| have a fever and a cough that won' t s top. . . |t s eems |' ve got a col d.
There are two di fferent us ages of "-mas hi ta, " as des cri bed bel ow.
|' l l focus on 8) for thi s l es s on, but pl eas e l et me bri efl y expl ai n
A) for now. | wi l l di s cus s i t further i n a future l es s on.
ts ukare-mas hi ta
8
|' m ti red.
| forgot.
| unders tand.
| remember.
|' m i n troubl e.
| got l os t.
| gai ned wei ght.
| l os t wei ght.
| s mi l ed / l aughed.
| have a col d.
|' m hungry.
|' m thi rs ty.
L | feel ________ (at that moment) Lthe condi ti on conti nues
L ____ appears to be c (at that moment)
L| feel . . . at that moment. Lthe condi ti on conti nues .
(pol i te form) (fri endl y form) (pol i te form)
was ure-mas hi ta
8
wakatta
8
komatta
8
kaze o hi ki -mas hi ta kaze o hi
-
ta
8 8
omoi das hi ta
v o 8
futotta
8
yas eta
8
yas e-mas hi ta
8
nodo ga kawaki -mas hi ta
8
mayotta
8
mayoi -mas hi ta
8
warai -mas hi ta
8
8
ts ukareta
8
onaka ga s uki -mas hi ta
wakatte-i mas u
8
o 8/ m 8
nodo ga kawai te-i mas u
8
8
onaka ga s ui te-i mas u
ts ukare-mas hi ta ts ukareta ts ukarete-i mas u
8 8 8
|' m ti red. | have been ti red (s i nce. . . ).
g 8
"-mas hita" is generally us ed when you are
des cribing a phys ical or mental condition.
is not a past tense!
Mr. 8: No, | gai ned s ome wei ght becaus e of the s tres s at work.
8
oboete-i mas u / s hi tte-i mas u
ts ukarete-i mas u was ureta, was urete-i mas u wakari -mas hi ta
omoi das hi -mas hi ta komari -mas hi ta, komatte-i mas u mayotte-i mas u
futori -mas hi ta, futotte-i mas u yas ete-i mas u waratta, waratte-i mas u
kaze o h
-
i te-i mas u onaka ga s ui ta nodo ga kawai ta
G
O
H
O
N
. . .
home matter
Vol.27
D
e
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: M
a
s
a
k
o
8
a
n
They l aughed becaus e you us ed the wrong parti cl e when you
s poke. ou s ai d, "| ate thi s del i ci ous res taurant. " ou s houl d have
us ed the par ti cl e ' de, ' s ayi ng, " __r e s t a u r a nt ' de' ( __at the
res taurant). " |t i s general l y hard to us e 1 apanes e parti cl es , but | thi nk
they are fun! | thi nk many of you mi ght have al ready noti ced from my
col umn that my expl anati ons of 1 apanes e grammar are s omewhat
di fferent from thos e of mos t peopl e. That' s becaus e |' ve been us i ng
"Hi tomi Grammar, " the s et of grammati cal rul es that | have created to
make 1 apanes e grammar much eas i er and more en|oyabl e for forei gn
s tudents . And | ' l l conti nue to us e " Hi tomi Gr ammar " f or my
expl anati ons from now on.
Dur i ng a l unch br eak wi th s ome col l eagues , | was
r eadi ng thr ough a gour met magazi ne and came
acros s a l i s ti ng for my favori te res aurant. | tol d my
fri ends , "ki no
-
kono oi s hi
-
r es t a ur a nt o tabemas hi ta. " |
meant to s ay, "es terday, | had a del i ci ous di nner at
thi s res taurant, " but al l of my fri ends l ooked s hocked!
One of them as ked me, "How was i tI was i t goodI "
"es , of cours e, i t was good! " | s ai d. They al l s tarted
l aughi ng and one of them s ai d to me, " S orry, Pol e-
s an! we cannot eat a res taurant! "
Ans wers
l .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .
l .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
8 .
The word order i s up to you!

8as i c Pul e of S entence S tructure
e. g. , |' l l s ee my fri ends i n Hawai i next week. ou can s ay, ei ther l), 2) or 3).
The verb ends .
(i n/at)
n C
Ha w a i i de
(wi l l meet)
8
ai mas u
(next week)
T
rai s hu
-

(to fri end)
P 8
tomodachi ni
(|)

watas hi wa
T n C P 8 8
rai s hu
-
Ha w a i i de tomodachi ni ai mas u
P 8 T n C 8
tomodachi ni rai s hu
-
Ha w a i i de ai mas u
word order i s up to you!
parti cl e parti cl e parti cl e
Mos t i mportant
verb
l)
2)
3)
1 apanes e gr ammar pl aces l es s emphas i s on wor d or der than other
l anguages . Al though i t i s up to you to deci de how to arrange your words , i t
wi l l be much eas i er to communi cate i n 1 apanes e i f you s tart each s entence
wi th the mos t i mportant i dea, then work down through the l es s i mportant
thi ngs and fi ni s h wi th the verb. However, each parti cl e mus t s tay wi th the
word i t modi fi es
| n gener al , 1 apanes e peopl e do not us e " | ( watas hi ) " much i n ever yday
s peech. |f you us e "watas hi " too much, i t s tarts to s ound arrogant. Avoi d
us i ng i t unl es s you want to emphas i ze yours el f.

chi
-
s ai
8
kono s akana wa chi
-
s ai des u

kono s akana wa
the expl anati on
of thi s fi s h
(thi s fi s h) (s mal l )
(compari ng wi th other peopl e) | am not beauti ful .
A
kaeri mas hi ta
c A 8
Ki da-s an wa kaeri mas hi ta
c
Ki da-s an wa
the expl anati on
of hi m
e. g. ,
e. g. ,
|t' s s tres s ed
L xpl anati on (Ob|ecti vel y)
wa
8
A thi s part wi l l be emphas i zed
or compared
8
watas hi wa ki re
-
|anai des u
(compari ng wi th other fi s h) Thi s fi s h i s s mal l er.
8
kono s akana wa chi
-
s ai des u
Thi s fi s h i s s mal l .
Mr. Ki da l eft.
"Compari s on"
LTo pronounce "wa" wi th emphas i s .
L xpl anati on, Compari s on parti cl e (wa) . . . . .
e. g. ,
e. g. ,
as hi ta wa tomodachi ni ai mas u
P 8 8
as hi ta wa tomodachi ni ai mas u
P 8 8
|f you put "wa" ri ght after ' tomorrow, ' it wi l l be compared wi th other days .
(compari ng wi th other days ) |t i s tomorrow that |' m goi ng to s ee a fri end.
|' m goi ng to s ee a fri end tomorrow.
expl anati on of A
my mother' s mother gray hai r
8
ko no ha ko ni ha ha na ha ha i tte i ma s e n
8
ha ha ha ha chi |i ha n ni ha s hi tte ka i s ha ni i ki ma s u
8
ta ba ko no ha i ha ha i za ra ni
8
ha ha no ha ha ha ha ku ha ts u de s u
teeth gums toothbrus h Let' s brus h
my mother needl e s ci s s ors bought
bee fl ower
tree l eaf gray
my mother 8: 30 at company
ci garette as h as htray
8
ha chi ha ha na ni to ma tte i ma s u
8
ha to ha gu ki ha ha bu ra s hi de mi ga ki ma s ho
-
thi s box fl ower
8
ha ha ha ha ri to i to to ha s a mi o ka i ma s hi ta
8
ki no ha ha ha i i ro de s u
Quiz:
Please identify the particle,
" : wa" in the following
sentences.
My mother runs to work at 8: 30 a. m.
8 s 8
haha wa hachi -|i han ni has hi tte kai s ha ni i ki mas u
The l eaf i s gray.
t D P 8
ki no ha wa hai i ro des u
Put the ci garette as h i n an as htray.
o P D D M 8
tabako no hai wa hai zara ni
My mother' s mother has gray hai r.
8
haha no haha wa hakuhats u des u
Let' s brus h our teeth and gums wi th a toothbrus h.
s u v 8
ha to haguki wa ha-br us h de mi gaki -mas ho
-
h
a
I
w
a
I
There aren' t any fl owers i n thi s box.
8
kono hako ni wa hana wa hai tte-i mas en
There' s a bee on the fl ower.
n 8
hachi wa hana ni tomatte-i mas u
My mother bought a needl e and s ci s s ors .
| n T ~ 8
haha wa hari to has ami o kai mas hi ta
(I had this delicious restaurant.)
The parti cl e "wa" i s us ed i n many di fferent ways , but |' m goi ng to expl ai n
two mai n ways of us i ng the parti cl e for thi s l es s on. They are "L xpl anati on"
and "Compari s on. "
Cauti on |t i s not a common practi ce to s ay "wa" di rectl y after words
that r el ate to dates , s uch as " tomor r ow, " " the day after tomor r ow, "
"S unday, " "next week, " etc.
wa
8 A
8 i s the expl anati on of A.
the detai l s
when you fi ni s h s ayi ng "wa, " the l i s teners wi l l
thi nk that you are goi ng to expl ai n the detai l s next.
Leas t i mportant
Vol.28
D
e
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: M
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8
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Next ti me, | hope you' l l take me out to di nner and then
s ay, "watas hi ga. " | woul d be happy to have di nner wi th
you! Gee, | wonder what |' l l order c ha, ha, ha c |' m |us t
ki ddi ng, Mr. Pol e! To ans wer your ques ti on, your probl em i s
parti cl es agai n. Let me expl ai n about the parti cl e "ga " for
thi s l es s on. |t i s us ed to emphas i ze one thi ng over another.
|n thi s cas e, "watas hi " (|) wi l l be s tres s ed. Thus , i f you s ay,
"watas hi ga " at a cas hi er, i t i mpl i es , "|t i s | (who wi l l pay the
bi l l )". L ven though you |us t s ai d "watas hi ga, " the parti cl e
"ga " emphas i zes who wi l l pay, and that woul d mean, "|t i s |
who wi l l pay the bi l l ! "
| heard an i nteres ti ng exchange i n a res taurant the other day. |
di dn' t real l y unders tand what they were doi ng, but two 1 apanes e
men were tryi ng to take the bi l l out of each other' s hand, s ayi ng,
"watas hi ga, " "watas hi ga ! " | was s urpri s ed to s ee what they were
doi ng, but no one el s e i n the res taurant s eemed to take noti ce. A
few days l ater , | went to have a di nner wi th my fr i end at a
res taurant. when we came to the cas hi er, | remembered the funny
s cene from the other day and s ai d, "watas hi ga. " | was expecti ng
that he woul d act i n the s ame way as the peopl e | had s een di d.
8ut he |us t s ai d, "why, thanks a l ot! " and l eft the res taurant! why
di d | have to buy hi s meal I
L mphas i s by maki ng s el ecti on. parti cl e (ga ) . . . . . . .
} O (tuna)
maguro
(s ea bream)
tai
|t i s tuna that | l i ke.
8
Mori -s an ga i mas u
x ~ 8
yas umi ga hos hi
-
des u
C 8
e-ma i l ga deki mas u
8
|i ko ga ari mas hi ta
There s Mrs . Mori .
L L
L
L L
S unday i s good for me.
| 8
ni chi yo
-
-bi ga i
-
des u
S el ecti ng from thi ngs that you
thi nk are good i s /are good
L "ga " emphas i zes by s el ecti on: (s el ecti on) ga (expl anati on)
S el ecti on/Choi ce (to emphas i ze by s el ecti ng
one thi ng from the s ame category)
n } (yel l owtai l )
hamachi
} O D 8
maguro ga s uki des u
S el ecti ng s omeone
There i s /are
S el ecti ng s omethi ng/
caus e There i s /are
Hi ghl i ghti ng the abi l i ty
of s omeone can
There was an acci dent.
| can do e-mai l .
S el ecti ng the tas te of s omeone l i ke
S el ecti ng from one' s des i res
want
| want a day off.
e. g. ,
e. g. ,
thi s wi l l be emphas i zed.
The bas i c rul e i s to have one "ga " i n one s entence. There are many ways of us i ng the
parti cl e, but l et me expl ai n the mos t common us age of i t i n thi s l es s on: "emphas i s . " The
parti cl e "ga" emphas i zes s omethi ng by s el ecti ng i t from a certai n group. ou can al s o
emphas i ze s i tuati ons s uch as occurrences and appearances . The fol l owi ng exampl es s how
you how to us e the parti cl e. Pl eas e try to di s cern how i t i s us ed. A: |' d l i ke to go next month. Q: when woul d you l i ke to go on the tri pI
A 8

e. g. ,
Ques t ions & Ans wers
1 ~ A 8
i ma ame ga hutte-i mas u ga s ugu yamu-des ho
-
} when, where,
what, who }
when I
s 8
ryoko
-
wa i ts u ga i
-
des u ka
8
rai gets u ga i
-
des u ne
A: ga
who I
where I
what I
A: |t' s the one i n front of the trai n s tati on. Q: whi ch res taurant i s i t that makes del i ci ous foodI
8
doko no mi s e ga oi s hi
-
des u ka
w O 8
eki -mae no mi s e ga oi s hi
-
des u yo
A: Q: what i s i mportant i n your l i feI
l 8
|i ns e
-
de nani ga tai s ets u des u ka N 8
kenko
-
ga tai s ets u des u
A: Mr. Koga i s comi ng. Q: who i s comi ng to thi s meeti ngI
c N s 8
kai gi ni dare ga i ki mas u ka
s 8
Koga-s an ga i ki mas u
The parti cl e "ga" i s us ed wi th i ntrans i ti ve verbs to tal k about
occurrences .

e. g. ,
L o 8
s eki ga demas hi ta
8
kyu
-
ryo
-
ga fuemas hi ta
"ga" i s not onl y us ed as a parti cl e, but al s o as a trans i ti onal
expres s i on i n dai l y convers ati ons .
e. g. , |t i s rai ni ng ri ght now, but i t' s goi ng to s top s oon.

S tayi ng heal thy i s
i mportant.
Le. g. , to come out, to break down, to i ncreas e, to bl ow, to s pi l l , to cry
| coughed. My s al ary i ncreas ed.
(| got a rai s e. )
, but
A 8
noun, verb
i -ad|ecti ve
na-ad|ecti ve
noun, verb
i -ad|ecti ve
na-ad|ecti ve
now rai n fal l i ng but s oon i t' s goi ng to s top
Koga-s an ga wa kai ke
-
s hi de atama ga wa ki remas u
Koga-s an ga wa donna hi to des u ka
dare ga wa Hayas hi -s an no kawari ni L ondon
ni i ki mas u ka
s el ecti on / emphas i s
s 8
N h s 8
Koga-s an ga wa i ki mas u
who i ns tead of
accountant head s harp
honto
-
wa Hayas hi -s an ga wa i ku-hazu des hi ta ne
} s 8
what ki nd of

w
a
I
g
a
I
Pol e-s an : Mr. Koga i s goi ng.
k l
l 8
v m 8
k l
col l eague : who i s goi ng to London i ns tead of Mr. Hayas hi I
col l eague : what ki nd of pers on i s Mr. KogaI
col l eague : 8ut real l y, Mr. Hayas hi was s uppos ed to go, was n' t heI
Pol e-s an : Mr. Koga i s an accountant and he i s very s mart.
k l
k l
k l
k l
k l
k l
k l k l
truth to be s uppos ed to
A d
x s 8
k l
k l
k l
k l
k l
k l
k l
k l
Pol e-s an : es . 8ut Mr. Hayas hi won' t be avai l abl e becaus e he
can' t fi ni s h hi s work by then.
Koga-s an ga wa i keba s ubete umaku i ku-des ho
-
8ut pres ent work
bei ng l ate
s S 8
s ore o ki
-
te ans hi n s hi mas hi ta
S 8
col l eague : |' m gl ad to hear that.
that l i s ten to feel at eas e
8ut i f Mr. Koga goes , he wi l l take care of everythi ng.

Ques ti ons & ans wers (whoI ) . . . . . ga
L xpl anati on about Mr. Koga . . . . . wa
As ki ng for the expl anati on of hi m . . . . . wa
S el ecti ng a pers on . . . . . ga
S el ecti ng Mr. Koga from among the s taff . . . . . ga
S el ecti ng the caus e of Mr. Hayas hi ' s s i tuati on . . . . . ga
L xpl anati on of Mr. Hayas hi . . . . . wa
S el ecti ng Mr. Hayas hi from among the s taff . . . . . ga
S el ecti ng the characteri s ti cs of Mr. Koga . . . . . ga
i f he goes everythi ng wi l l go fi ne
expl anati on
l
2
3
4 5
6
7
8
9
l
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Ans wers
ga I Q:
8
kaze ga fui te-i mas u
The wi nd i s bl owi ng.
ga
g
r o
u
p

.
.
.
.
.

f
i
s
h
e. g. ,
e. g. ,
(i ts u ga )
(doko ga )
(nani ga )
(dare ga / donata ga )
(s el ecti ng tuna from fi s h category)
tuna l i ke
A: (s el ecti on) ga
ee demo Hayas hi -s an ga wa i ma no s hi goto
ga wa okurete-i mas u node i kemas en
es , we dis cus s ed s ome s imilar expres s ions in vol. 25, s o
why don' t we talk about them more in this les s onI The mos t
us ed "body part" for s uch expres s ions is "eye, " the s econd is
"ki" (s pirit, feelings , etc) and the third is "hand. " Now, let me
explain what your friend actually meant. The firs t expres s ion
"me ga tobideru kurai, " means "That' s an exorbitant price, "
while "me o utagatta" means , "unable to believe one' s eyes , "
and the las t phras e, "me ga nai, " means "to be very fond of. " 8y
the way, Mr . Pol e! Latel y, i t s eems l i ke the l anguage of
teenager s and young adul ts i n thei r 20s has s tar ted to
deteri orate, and many of them are no l onger us i ng s uch
expres s ions . Perhaps foreigners like you who are eager to learn
1 apanes e know thos e idioms better than they do!
| went to Ginza to meet my friend S unday as | had promis ed to do. |
decided to get there a little early to do s ome window-s hopping, when |
s aw an item with an unbelievable price on dis play in front of a famous
fruit s hop. One melon cos t 20, 000! As s oon as my friend s howed up, |
as ked her, "Do you know how much one mes h melon in a beautiful box
cos ts I" S he s aid, "well, | gues s , ' mega tobideru kurai takai' , rightI
Probably, s omewhere between l0, 000 and 20, 000. | bet you s aw the
price, and were ' me o utagatta, ' weren' t youI Their melons are very
expens ive, but delicious ! | really ' me ga nai' their melons ! " | could
figure out what s he meant to s ay, but | was n' t s ure what "me ga
tobideru kurai, " "me o utagatta" and "me ga nai" meant. Ms . Hirayama,
we dis cus s ed phras es that relate to our body in vol. 25, but are they
s imilar expres s ions I
D
e
s
ig
n
:M
a
s
a
k
o
8
a
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Ans wers
Ans wers

me o utagau
A) Unabl e to bel i eve one' s eyes .
(To watch i n di s bel i ef. /
To be s urpri s ed by s omethi ng. )

me
eyes

me o to
-
s u
8) To s ki m through.
(To read qui ckl y through. )

me ga hanas enai
|) Unabl e to take one' s eyes off
s omethi ng. (|t i s a mus t to keep
an eye on i t. )

me ga nai
C) To be very fond of.
(To l i ke a l ot. )
O
me no mae ga makkura ni naru
1 ) To be thrown i nto des pai r.
(L verythi ng before one' s eyes goes bl ack. )
me ga aru
D) To have an excel l ent eye
for s omethi ng.
(To have knowl edge of
s omethi ng. )
L P i |
me kara uroko (ga ochi ru)
K) To feel as i f the s cal es had
fal l en from one' s eyes .
(To s uddenl y real i ze the truth. )

me mo kurenai
L ) To take no note
(To i gnore compl etel y. )
P
me no i ro o kaeru
P) To change one' s countenance
(To gl are i n anger.
/ To be abs orbed compl etel y. )

me o nus umu
G) To avoi d bei ng s een.
(To do s omethi ng i n s ecret wi thout
bei ng s een by anyone. )

me o hi ku
L) To attract the eyes of peopl e.
(To get others ' attenti on. )

me ga todoku
H) To keep an eye on.
(To pay cons tant attenti on to.
/ To take care of. )
o
me ga tobi deru
M) To be s urpri s ed by an exorbi tant pri ce.

me no ts ukedokoro
N) The poi nt ai med at.
(One' s poi nt of vi ew. )
fumi ns ho
-
de fura-fura des u

s t t 8
P 8
i ro-megane de mono o mi ru nowa yokunai des u
y l g 8
rakkan-s hugi no hi to wa s t r es s ga tamari ni kui des u
l 8
ano |i ken i rai |i ns e
-
kan ga kawari mas hi ta
nurs e l ack of are i n troubl e
bi as ed vi ewpoi nt l ook at

K
Lye to view to sleep to look to nurse
u
S v 8
hyakubun wa i kken ni s hi kazu des u ne
s v v b N 8
kangofu bus oku de dono byo
-
i n mo komatte-i mas u
w s a 8
opti mi s ti c peopl e don' t feel too much s tres s
i ns omni a uns teady
the acci dent s i nce vi ew of l i fe changed
opti ci an' s s hop when | went pres byopi a
megane-ya ni i ttara ro
-
gan to i ware s hoc k des hi ta

/ /

eye, sight
Peopl e who are opti mi s ti c don' t feel too much s tres s .
Many hos pi tal s are i n troubl e becaus e of the l ack of nurs es .
|t' s not fai r to l ook at thi ngs from a bi as ed vi ewpoi nt.
| can' t s ettl e down, becaus e of i ns omni a.
"S eei ng i s bel i evi ng, " i s n' t i tI
when | went to the opti ci an, | was s hocked becaus e
they tol d me to us e ol d peopl e' s readi ng gl as s es .
| have changed my vi ew of l i fe s i nce the acci dent.
s ono s ets ume
-
o ki
-
te

| L C 1 G O 8 Q K D
|
dai -|i ko no new s o ki
-
te
N
(te- form)
(pas t tens e)
(mas u form)
(pas t tens e)
mi s e
-
nen-s ha wa
C 8
n f
w i ne ni wa n des u
P r |

8
c onv eni (enc e s t or e) wa
des u

me to hana no s aki
O) wi thi n a s tone' s throw.
(|t i s s uch a s hort di s tance. )
l 8
ano hi to wa des u

me no doku
P) S omethi ng tempti ng.
Let's practice !

8
|i kan ga nai node
dake des u
P u
me no ue no kobu
Q) To have a bump above one' s eyes .
(An annoyance. )
hade-na fukus o
-
wa
me ni wa me o ha ni wa ha o
P) An eye for eye, a tooth for a tooth.
(Quotati on from the 8i bl e. )

s ai ki n no s e
-
|i wa des u
8
o Q
| can' t take my eyes off
today' s pol i ti cs .
Pl amboyant cl othes get other peopl e' s
attenti on.
| real l y l i ke wi ne.
On heari ng the news of the horri bl e
tragedy, | was thrown i nto des pai r.
Underage ki ds s moked
wi thout bei ng s een by adul ts .
The conveni ence s tore i s ri ght next to
my hous e.
1 us t s ki m through the papers
becaus e there i s no ti me. He i s al ways annoyi ng.
After the expl anati on, | fel t as i f
the s cal es had fal l en from my eyes .
Peopl e who have a good eye for
hi gh-qual i ty i tems can fi nd them even
at a s al e.
can' t take my
eyes off
get others '
attenti on
be fond of
was thrown i nto
des pai r
wi thout bei ng
s een
wi thi n a s tone' s throw
run your eyes
over
annoyance
as i f the s cal es had
fal l en from my eyes
have a good
eye for
i |
1
i |
~
i |
P
i |
1
1.
1. 2.
1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . @ 7 . 8 . @@9 . 1 0 .
1 . 2 . 3 . @4 . 5 . 6 . @7 .
me
3.
5.
7.
9.
4.
6.
8.
10.
hi to wa yoi s hi na o erabi mas u
l i | 8
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
t a ba c o o s ui mas hi ta

o P z 8
one hundred ti mes l i s teni ng s eei ng once
(Us ual l y "-kurai " i s attached
to thi s phras e. )
8
mas hi ta
ba r ga i n demo
(di cti onary form)
(di cti onary form)
5 -minut e 1 apanes e Clas s by Hit omi Hirayama
Vol.29
D
e
s
ig
n
:M
a
s
a
k
o
8
a
n
No, Mr. Pole! |' ve never had mis o s us hi before. 8ut there was no mis o
in the s us hi you ate. what your friend s aid was a proverb. "Temae-mis o des u
ga, ois hii des u yo! " means , "| don' t mean to s ing my own prais es , but this is
delicious ! " 1 apanes e people frequently us e proverbs in daily life, becaus e
bei ng abl e to us e "kotowaza" (proverbs ) i s cons i dered to be a s i gn of
intelligence. ou s hould try to us e s ome, too! |t is a good opportunity to
increas e your 1 apanes e vocabulary, and your 1 apanes e friends will think that
you are s mart! Learning proverbs is us eful even for bus y people who do not
have enough ti me to s tudy 1 apanes e as they can us e pr over bs for
communication. 8y the way, you s hould try delicious "mis o pan" (bread with
mis o ins ide), which is s old at a mis o s tore in Kameido, Tokyo! .

| was recently invited to a friend' s house, where his wife
cooked a lot of 1 apanese food for me. S he spent the entire
time in the kitchen cooking dinner, while | was eating it with
her husband. when she served us some sushi, her husband
told me, "Temae-miso desu ga, oishii desu yo! " | thought it
was the mis o us ed for mis o s oup. As it was my firs t
experience to eat miso sushi, | said, "Miso no sushi wa
ha|imete desu (|' ve never had miso sushi before). " 8ut it did
not taste like miso at all when | ate it. Ms. Hirayama, have
you ever had miso sushiI
1 apanes e peopl e l i ke to us e pr over bs . T hey ar e us ual l y ver y s hor t
expres s i ons , but they carry a l ot of meani ng. |n s ome cas es , you may be abl e
to ex pr es s your thoughts wi th one pr over b, i ns tead of us i ng di f f i cul t
vocabul ary and grammar to make the s ame poi nt. Mos t proverbi al s ayi ngs are
eas y to l earn and us e and are a qui ck way to expres s compl ex i deas . 8ut be
car eful . S i nce pr over bs ar e fi xed expr es s i ons , 1 apanes e peopl e wi l l not
under s tand what you mean unl es s you s ay the whol e phr as e. we have
des cri bed the meani ngs of the proverbs as wel l as the meani ngs of each kan|i
s o that you can remember them more eas i l y.
|f you cri ti ci ze or reprove s omeone too di rectl y, he or s he may be offended or
even become defens i ve. However, i f you offer your cri ti ci s m i n a s ubtl e way
by us i ng kotowaza, you mi ght s often the pers on up enough to accept your
opi ni ons , even though s uch a proverb mi ght have a s trong meani ng.
as ki ng for agreement
( c, i s n' t i tI c, you knowI
c, don' t you thi nk s oI etc. )
8
des u ne
ou coul d us e a 1 apanes e proverb i n the mi ddl e of a convers ati on i n L ngl i s h.
Koga-s an : | was very s urpri s ed to hear that hi s company
went bankrupt. Di d you hear any rumors about i tI
No, i t was "a thunderbol t out of the bl ue" for me, too.
(| was s hocked, too. / | was s urpri s ed, too. )
v 8
Pol e-s an :
proverb
gi vi ng i nformati on
8
des u yo
s e
-
ten no heki reki des u yo
a thunderbol t out of the bl ue
A) To each hi s own
Ten peopl e wi th l0 col ors .
(l0) (peopl e) (l0) (col ors )
l P
|u
-
ni n to i ro
8) ou reap what you s ow
Petri buti on i s the res ul t of the caus e.
(caus e) (res ul t) (retri buti on)

i n ga o
-
ho
-
whether what you do i s good or bad,
you wi l l have to deal wi th the con-
s equences general l y us ed as a warni ng.
when l0 peopl e get together i n one
pl ace, each one wi l l have a di fferent hobby
or l i kes and di s l i kes .
x
(fork)(s cattered)(di s rupti on)
s hi ri mets u rets u
D) 8ei ng i ncons i s tent

(dark) (i n ) (grope for)
an chu
-
mo s aku
L ) Unabl e to know what to do nor how to
s ol ve probl ems
K K
(ri ght) (materi al ) (ri ght) (pl ace)
teki zai teki s ho
P) The ri ght pers on for the ri ght |ob
n
(hors e) (ear) (eas t) (wi nd)
ba |i to
-
fu
-
G) A pers on who pays no attenti on
f G
(carel es s nes s ) (powerful enemy)
yu dan tai teki
H) S tay on your toes
H
(weak) (meat) (s trong) (eat)
|aku ni ku kyo
-
s hoku
|) S urvi val of the fi ttes t
(8i g fi s h eat s mal l fi s h)
O
(my own) (mi s o)
te mae mi s o
1 ) 8l owi ng one' s own trumpet (horn)
(|f | may s ay s o mys el f. . . )
No s upport caus es di s rupti on
A s earch i n darknes s
Pi ght pers on i n ri ght pl ace
L ars of hors e i n the eas t wi nd.
Carel es s nes s i s the greates t enemy.
The weak becomes food for the s trong. Homemade mi s o
| t i s us ed to cr i ti ci ze s omeone who s ays
s omethi ng di fferent from what they have s ai d
before or whos e acti ons do not match thei r
words .
A pers on gets ri ght |ob accordi ng to hi s or
her s ki l l s and knowl edge.
Al though everythi ng i s goi ng wel l , an
enemy may s neak up and overcome you i f
you are not careful . |t teaches us to be on
guard at al l ti mes .
Thi s phras e l i teral l y means the weak i s prey
to the s trong, and i t i s hard to s urvi ve. |t i s
us ed when a s mal l company i s purchas ed by
a l arger one.
ou are unable to find any clues to help s olve
your problems . ou have no idea what to do.
Thi s proverb ori gi nal l y means "a hors e |us t
moves i ts ears when a s pri ng wi nd bl ows . " A
pers on who pays no attenti on, or s omeone
who hears the words , but l et them go i n one
ear and out of the other.
Mis o was a traditional food that people made
when they wanted to s how off thei r cul i nary
s kills . S ince 1 apanes e people do not like to s ing
their own prais es , they us e this phas e to s how
their humble attitude when they want to boas t in
a s ubtle way.
P
(s i ngl e) (s word)(di rect)(put i n)
tan to
-
choku nyu
-
C) S top beati ng around the bus h
Di rect s tab wi th one s word
This means "s peak directly, " "get to the point, "
even i f the s ub| ect i s di ffi cul t to di s cus s .
1 apanes e people us e this phras e when they want
to cl ear thi ngs up, s i nce they ar e gener al l y
reluctant to s peak directly right away.
l n
8
des u ne
8
des u ne

yon mo |i |uku go
fri end : |t i s real l y hard to s ucceed i n thi s company becaus e
peopl e on the top have abs ol ute authori ty.
Pol e-s an :
Pol e-s an :
fri end : The pers onnel department di d an excel l ent
|ob of reorgani zi ng!
8
des u ga "oi s hi des u yo"
fri end : | baked thi s cake mys el f. | don' t mean
to bl ow my own trumpet, but i t' s del i ci ous !
fri end : Let' s be careful .
8
ni onegai s hi mas u
fri end : | thi nk we have had good weather l atel y,
and | hope i t' s goi ng to be. . .
fri end : |t s eems l i ke we are s ti l l s earchi ng i n the
dark, and we have no i dea what to do. . .
fri end : Nothi ng | s ay makes any di fference to hi m.
|t' s l i ke |' m tal ki ng to a bri ck wal l !
fri end : He does n' t know what he' s tal ki ng about.
what he s ays i s confus i ng.
8
des u yo
fri end : He was al ways di ffi cul t to deal wi th, and
l as t week, he got fi red!
. . .
des u kara . . .
fri end : |n the l as t meeti ng, we coul dn' t reach a
cons ens us .
4-l etter character proverbs
S top beati ng around
the bus h.
8
des u ne
8
des u ne
8
des u ne
8
des u ne
S urvi val of the fi ttes t
The ri ght pers on for the
ri ght |ob
|f | may s ay s o mys el f,
"|t' s del i ci ous ! "
S tay on your toes .
No i dea what to do
to s ol ve a probl em
A pers on who pays no attenti on
8ei ng i ncons i s tent
Peapi ng what you s ow
To each hi s own
Ans wers
| ) P) 1 ) H) C)
L ) G) D) 8) A)
l . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 .
6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . l 0 .
Pol e-s an :
Pol e-s an :
Pol e-s an :
Pol e-s an :
Pol e-s an :
Pol e-s an :
Pol e-s an :
m
is
o
I
e. g. ,
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
8
a
n
| don' t thi nk you can fi nd anybody who actual l y wears fundos hi
thes e days , but | ' m not s ur e. | f you tal k to peopl e i n for ei gn
countri es and as k them about thei r i mpres s i ons of Ni hon, mos t of
them woul d s ay s omethi ng l i ke, "gei s ha, " "l i vi ng i n a hous e of wood
and paper , " or " peopl e who al ways wear ki mono, " etc. T hei r
i mpres s i ons of 1 apan are s ti l l ol d fas hi oned and i naccurate. | thi nk
you mi ght have thought that "hi to no fundos hi de s umo
-
o toru"
meant, "Doi ng s umo
-
by weari ng s omeone el s e' s underwear, " and
you mus t have been s urpri s ed! 8ut i t actual l y means , " 8enefi ti ng
ones el f at s omeone el s e' s expens e. " fundos hi may gi ve a bad
i mpres s i on to others , s o i t may be better to s ay, "tari ki hongan"
(benefi ti ng ones el f wi th the hel p of others ). " Al s o, you s houl d be
careful when you us e i di oms , becaus e s ome i di oms mi ght hurt the
feel i ngs of other peopl e unwi tti ngl y.
One of my col l eagues s ucceeded i n hi s l ates t pro|ect, s o |
tol d hi m, "Congratul ati ons ! ou di d an excel l ent |ob! " 8ut
s ome member s who hel ped hi m do the pr o| ect wer e
watchi ng me, and came to me, s ayi ng, "Keep your eyes
on hi m, Mr. Pol e! 8ecaus e he i s "hi to no fundos hi de
s umo
-
o toru" hi to des u yo. (Li t. Doi ng s umo
-
by weari ng
s omeone el s e' s fundos hi ) | l ooked up the word fundos hi
i n a pocket-s i zed book featuri ng 1 apanes e cul ture that |
bought when | fi rs t came to 1 apan. |t s ai d that fundos hi
was an ol d-s tyl e l oi ncl oth made of one s heet of fabri c,
and i t was wor n by men as under wear i n the pas t. |
coul dn' t bel i eve that he was s ti l l weari ng a fundos hi . |
thi nk s umo wr es tl er s wear mawas hi , not f undos hi ,
correctI Ms . Hi rayama, do al l 1 apanes e men s ti l l wear
fundos hi even thes e days I
l n

yon mo |i |uku go
4-character i di oms
Ans wers
P ) | ) G ) H) L ) 8 ) 1 ) D) C ) l. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
l.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
9.
7.
}
(hel p from outs i de) (wi s h)
ta ri ki hon gan
A) Us i ng others to benefi t ones el f,
rather than us i ng one' s own means
l
(four s i des ) (s ong of "S o" country)
s hi men s o ka
8) To have the whol e worl d agai ns t
ones el f
Termi nol ogy i n s umo
-
e. g. ,
e. g. ,
8
uhonno |o no kuchi v 8
Koi zumi -s an : Oh, my goodnes s ! ou have been dri nki ng a l ot!
Pol e-s an : Oh, no, no! "honno |o no kuchi " des u
(i mpl yi ng: Thi s i s onl y the begi nni ng, |' m goi ng
to dri nk more and more. )
uwaa s ugoi nomi -mas u ne
i ya i ya des u yo
a 8
u|o no kuchi v 8 s N 8
Koi zumi -s an : 8oy! Thi s i s very heavy traffi c!
Pol e-s an : Thi s i s "|o no kuchi . " we haven' t pas s ed the peak, yet.
hi doi |u
-
tai des u ne
mada mada des u yo pea k wa kore-kara des u ne
wi s hi ng to fi ni s h hi s work by us i ng other
peopl e, i ns tead of maki ng hi s own effort
S urrounded by enemi es
Heari ng a s ong s ung by the enemy
on four s i des :
Dependi ng on others to real i ze
one' s goal s :
|o no kuchi : The ranks of s umo
-
s tart from "|o no kuchi " and go al l the
way to yokozuna (grand champi on). The way of s umo
-
i s a l ong way
i nvol vi ng pers i s tence and effort. "|o no kuchi " i s the fi rs t rank, and al s o i t
means "|t' s onl y the begi nni ng. " Therefore, thi s expres s i on i s us ed to
i mpl y, "|t i s goi ng to become harder and harder, and thi s i s onl y the
begi nni ng. " And i ts meani ng i s emphas i zed i f you s ay "mada (yet)" or
"honno (|us t)" before "|o no kuchi ""|o no kuchi des u, " "mada |o no
kuchi des u" or "honno |o no kuchi des u. "
s
(try, tes t) (carry out)(confus e)(error)
s hi ko
-
s aku go
C) Tri al and error
S ucces s through tri al and errors :
_
(des k) (on) (of) (empty)(di s cus s )
ki |o
-
no ku
-
ron
D) |mpracti cal pl ans
S S
(by) (heart) (trans mi t)(heart)
i s hi n den s hi n
P) Communi cati on wi thout words
i
(day) (advance) (month) (s tep)
ni s s hi n gep po
L ) To be ever progres s i ng
C v
(s hri mp) (s ea bream)
e bi tai
G) Throw a s prat to catch a mackerel
S
(fi fty) (s tep) (hundred) (s tep)
go |i p po hyap po
H) They are both much al i ke / No bi g di fference.

(great)(man of abi l i ty)(l ate hours )(make)
tai ki ban s ei
|) Great tal ents mature l ate.
|deas or opi ni ons that may s ound good on
paper, but are not practi cal .
D _ s f
(i ndeci s i ve) (i ndeci s i on)
yu
-
|u
-
fu dan
1 ) To be i ndeci s i ve
S tri vi ng toward s ucces s even though
there are many tri al s and errors
Theory on des k:
S teady progres s i n days and months :
Communi cati on from heart to heart:
S ea bream out of s hri mp:
Pi fty s teps agai ns t l00 s teps :
No deci s i on, no concl us i on: Great tal ents mature l ate:
Making progres s day by day. |t als o means
rapid progres s . Good examples are information
technology (|T) and computers , etc.
Us i ng a s mal l i nves tment as bai t to gai n a huge
profi t. "ebi tai " i s the abbrevi ati on of "ebi de tai o
ts uru (to throw a s hri mp to catch a s ea bream). "
8ei ng hes i tant or unabl e to make a deci s i on
|n anci ent Chi na, one s ol di er ran away i n 50
s teps whi l e another s ol di er r an away i n l00
s teps when they were l os i ng thei r battl e. The
s ol di er who took 50 s teps s ai d to the other that
he was l es s cowardl y becaus e he ran a s horter
di s tance away. 8 ut the whol e i dea was that
both of them ran away. Thi s i di om i mpl i es that
there mi ght be s ome di fferences between the
two but they are very much al i ke. Note that the
pronunci ati on of 50 i s "go-|i , " not "go-|u
-
. "
| mpl yi ng that a ver y accompl i s hed per s on
does not devel op overni ght, but he begi ns to
us e hi s tal ents l ater i n l i fe. |f you s ay thi s i di om
to peopl e who have not yet made any s ucces s ,
i t may be an encour agi ng thought for them,
i mpl yi ng, " Cheer up, and s oon you wi l l become
great and s ucces s ful ! "
Trans ferri ng thoughts (feel i ngs ) to s omeone
el s e' s mi nd wi thout us i ng words
8
des u ne
8
des u ne
8
des u ne
Pri end : (phone cal l from Mr. Pol e) " Oh, hel l o, Mr. Pol e!
| was about to cal l you i n a mi nute! "
Pol e-s an:
Pol e-s an:
Pol e-s an:
8
des u ne
Pol e-s an:
Pol e-s an:
8
des u ne
Pol e-s an:
Pol e-s an:
8
des u yo
Pri end' s Mom: My s on does n' t have a permanent |ob.
He works as a part-ti mer even though he i s
al ready 45 years ol d.
German fri end: My gi rl fri end' s father l oves German wi ne,
s o | bought s ome wi ne for hi m when | went
back to Germany. And he was s o happy that
he took me to a s us hi bar l as t week.
fri end : | overheard that two gi rl s were tal ki ng
about thei r wei ght. One s ai d s he wei ghs
82 ki l ograms , and the other s ai d s he wei ghs
80 ki l ograms , whi ch s he s ai d means s he
i s s l i mmer than her fri end.
fri end : Two more new vers i ons were rel eas ed after
| bought a computer l as t year.
Now, my PC i s outdated!
fri end : He al ways takes a l ot of ti me to make deci s i ons .
fri end : | thi nk Mi s s . Ko|i ma' s i dea i s excel l ent, but
i t mi ght not work on actual s etti ngs .
fri end : How i s your new pro|ect comi ng al ongI
fri end : The pol i ti ci an di d not keep the promi s es
he made duri ng hi s campai gn, and
now, has enemi es on al l s i des .
Pol e-s an :
L very day, |' m tryi ng new ways to
fi gure out how thi ngs work out, but i t
s eems nothi ng works .
Communi cati on wi thout words
Great tal ents mature l ate
To throw a s prat to catch a mackerel
No bi g di fference!
To be ever progres s i ng
8
des u ne
8
des u ne
8
des u ne
Pol e-s an: To be i ndeci s i ve
|mpracti cal pl an
Trai l s and errors
To have a whol e worl d agai ns t hi m
ki bun ga warui no des u kaI des u yo
I
| s ee i t as green, but i n general , the col ors of the s i gnal s are des cri bed as "ao
(bl ue), aka (red) and ki
-
ro (amber)" i n 1 apanes e. L ven 1 apanes e peopl e s ometi mes
as k the s ame ques ti on. Let me expl ai n i t as | s aw i t on a Tv program the other day.
|n anci ent 1 apan, there were onl y four words to des cri be col ors aka (red), kuro
(bl ack), s hi ro (whi te) and ao (bl ue)and there was no word for green unti l the
Hei an peri od (794-ll92). L very s hade between bl ue and green was cal l ed bl ue
unti l the fi rs t crayons were i mported to 1 apan i n l9l7, and there was a green
( mi dor i ) cr ayon i ns i de. T he i dea of di s ti ngui s hi ng gr een fr om bl ue was fi r s t
i ntroduced i n the teachi ng gui del i nes for fi rs t graders i n l95l, and peopl e s tarted
to us e the word mi dori . That i s why many 1 apanes e proverbs and phras es i n dai l y
l i fe have the word ao more than mi dori becaus e the word mi dori s tarted to be
us ed onl y i n r ecent year s . Por exampl e, vegetabl es ar e gr een, but they ar e
des cri bed as ao-mono (Li t. bl ue thi ngs ), and the buddi ng green l eaves are cal l ed
ao-ao to s hi ta ha (Li t. buddi ng bl ue l eaves ).
| have found that taxi drivers in 1 apan are willing
to tal k wi th thei r cus tomer s , s o i t i s a good
opportunity for me to improve my 1 apanes e by
talking with them. | took a taxi las t Priday night,
and | s ai d to the dr i ver , " mi dor i des u yo ( | t' s
gr een! ) " when the s i gnal changed fr om r ed to
green. | had |us t learned how to des cribe colors in
1 apanes e, s o | wanted to try out the words . 8ut
the driver s aid to me, "i
-
e ao des u yo midori |a nai
des u (No, no. |t' s blue, not green! )" | looked at the
s ignal again, but to my eyes the color was green.
when | got back to my office, | as ked my friends
about the color of trafic s ignals . S ome s aid, "|t' s
bl ue, " whi l e other s s ai d, " | t' s gr een. " Ms .
Hirayama, what color do you think it is I
D
e
s
i
g
n
:
M
a
s
a
k
o
8
a
n
Ans wers
1. C 2. L ( ) 3. J 4. F, G 5. E, D
Ans wers
1. 2.
l.
2.
3.
4.
5.
(maybe) (i mmedi atel y) (recogni ze) (| thi nk)
no bo
-
s hi , s i l v er no ba g,
(hat)
u A u b N 8
s os hi te me wa bl ue, kami wa bl a c k des u
v 8
tabun s ugu wakaru to omoi mas u
(wel l then)(tomorrow)(at 9 o' cl ock)(S hi n|uku S tati on)(at the wes t L xi t) (Let' s meet)
A 9 v h w ( ) 8
|a as hi ta ku-|i ni S hi n|uku-eki no ni s hi -guchi de (ai mas ho
-
)
cus tomer :
(what ki nd of, How) (s tyl e) (wi l l come)
i D 8
P ol e-s an wa donna kakko
-
de ki mas u ka
Al s o, | have bl ue eyes and bl ack hai r.
C g u
watas hi wa l i ght -bl ue
Pol e-s an :
e. g. , Maki ng a promi s e to meet a cus tomer for the fi rs t ti me by tal ki ng on a phone
wel l , then, l et' s meet at the wes t L xi t of
S hi n|uku S tati on at 9 tomorrow morni ng.
what are you goi ng to wearI
|' l l be weari ng a l i ght-bl ue hat and carryi ng a s i l ver bag.
or a nge no T -s hi r t , pi nk no kuts u,
| thi nk you' l l be abl e to recogni ze me i mmedi atel y.
Most colors are described using katakana versions of the Lnglish words.
However, shiro (white), aka (red), kuro (black), midori (green) and chairo
(brown), etc. tend to be described using the original 1 apanese words.
However, note that white wine is described using either Lnglish or 1 apanese
(shiro wi ne or whi t e wi ne). |n addition, colors are usually described in the
Lnglish form if the hues are related to industries that label their products in
Lnglish, such as the colors of clothing, automobiles, etc. Por example, pi nk
no s hi r t (pinkish shirt), wi ne-r ed no kuruma (wine-red car). Most 1 apanese
generallyunderstandLnglishtermsforbasiccolors.
s hi ro
L)

whi te
atama ga mas s hi ro ni naru
M)
ku
-
haku
P)
hakus hi ni s uru
N)
s hi ro kuro o ts ukeru
O) N
s hi ro-taku
K)
s hi roi me de mi ru
Q)
s hi ro-bos hi
v c
na s hi r t
pure whi te
g
na kuchi beni
pure red
(l i ps ti ck)

na s ora
pure bl ue
(s ky)

na kami
pure bl ack
(hai r)

mas s hi ro

makka

mas s ao

makkuro

aka
C)

red
aka|i
L) l
aka no tani n
D) P
makka na us o

kuro
P)

bl ack
kuro|i
G)
kuroi uwas a
|)
hara-guroi

ao
1 )

bl ue
kao ga mas s ao
H)
kuro-bos hi
P
i ro
A) P

col or
i ro o ts ukeru
8) P
i ro-megane de mi ru
L et me show you some expressi ons usi ng col ors.
to add s omethi ng, to exaggerate, to
es ti mate a l i ttl e bi t more, to pay a l i ttl e bi t
more, s omethi ng extra, an addi ti on
a s urpl us , i n the bl ack a dark rumor
to be bl ack-hearted,
wi th a bl ack s oul
a defi ci t, i n the red
a compl ete s tranger
a downri ght l i e
to l ook at thi ngs from a bi as ed vi ewpoi nt
to be defeated
a pal l i d face
the mi nd goes bl ank
to forget everythi ng
and make a fres h s tart,
to go back to the
drawi ng board
a bl ank
unl i cens ed taxi
a vi ctory mark,
to wi n
to l ook col dl y upon s omebody,
to gi ve s omebody the col d s houl der
to get i t s ettl ed once
and for al l
pure whi te (s now whi te) s hi rt. pure red (deep red) l i ps ti ck
pure bl ue s ky
pure bl ack (deep-bl ack) hai r
l. 2.
4.
|t i s al s o common to put "ma
c
(pure)" i n front of a col or word to des cri be i ts puri ty. L ven i f the
col or of s omethi ng i s not pur e, the wor d " mas s /makk c( ) " can be us ed to emphas i ze the
des cri pti on of i ts col or. Por exampl e, when you overcook a fi s h, you can s ay, "s akana wa makkuro
koge (The fi s h was burnt bl ack). " 8ut pl eas e remember that i t cannot be s ai d i n front of every col or.
L xampl es l though 4 are frequentl y us ed. 8e careful wi th the con|ugated pronunci ati ons !
3. 4.
a mata da motto s ets uyaku-s hi nakucha
8 8
8
s hi doro-modoro ni nari mas hi ta
s A
(Oh) (agai n) (more) (s ave on expens es )(cas ual s tyl e of "have to")
s peec h no toki
(when) (confus ed, i ncoherent)(became)
C H 8
(feel i ng) (bad, i l l )
v
8 8
ataras hi i s hacho
-
ni natte uri age ga
ni nari mas hi ta yappari yari te des u ne
(new) (company pres i dent)(became)(s al es )
(became) (as | expected) (man of abi l i ty)
8
Sz 8
demo o ki ki mas hi ta
chotto s hi mpai des u
(but) (heard)
Pol e-s an : whatI Oh, s he was a compl ete s tranger to me!
(the other day) (beauti ful ) (pers on)
(fi rs t-cl as s car) (were)
H A 8
eI a are wa des u yo
fri end : ou were wi th a beauti ful woman i n the fi rs t-cl as s
(green) car of the S hi nkans en bul l et trai n
the other day, weren' t youI
Pol e-s an : Abs ol utel y not! That' s a downri ght l i e!
8
i
-
e des u yo
H 8
s o
-
des u kaI uwas a dewa konyakus ha toka
(|s that s oI ) (rumor) (accordi ng to)(fi ancee)
fri end : Oh, yeahI | heard a rumor that s he i s your fi ancee.

aka

red

kuro

bl ack

ao

bl ue
s hi ro

whi te

Oh, gees c |' m i n the red agai n! | need to cut
down more on expens es !
when | had to gi ve my s peech,
my mi nd went bl ank, and my words
became more and more i ncoherent.
Pol e-s an: 8ut, | heard a dark rumor about hi m
that makes me worry.
Are you feel i ng badI our face l ooks pal e.
fri end : Our company has been i n the bl ack s i nce he
became the new pres i dent. He i s qui te s mart!
i n the red
the mi nd
goes bl ank
a pal l i d face
i n the bl ack
a dark rumor
a compl ete s tranger
a downri ght l i e
II
(a l i ttl e) (worri ed)
| w s v c A s N C A
And |' l l al s o be weari ng an orange T-s hi rt and pi nk s hoes .
(s hoes )
(and) (eyes ) (hai r)
l v
O 8
s en|i ts u ki re
-
i na hi to to S hi nkans en no
gr een-s ha ni i mas hi ta ne
q A v o o b O A
D
e
s
ig
n
:M
a
s
a
k
o
8
a
n
| als o love 1 apanes e food and frequent 1 apanes e res taurants ,
s o | know that mos t of them do not write their prices in Arabic
numeral s . There are two types of numbers commonl y us ed i n
1 apan: Arabic numerals (l, 2, 3) and Chines e numerals ( , , O).
Generally, Chines e numerals are us ed when numbers are written
vertically, while Arabic numerals are us ed for horizontal writing.
8ut pleas e note that this is not a rule. Por example, articles are
written vertically in 1 apanes e news papers , although they often
us e Ar abi c numer al s . And Chi nes e numer al s ar e pr efer r ed to
des cr i be the 1 apanes e hol i days , even i f they ar e wr i tten
horizontally. Let me s how you s ome more examples .
| l ove 1 apanes e food, and | go to 1 apanes e res taurants
qui te often. The onl y probl em | have i s that | can' t read
the pri ces on the menus when the numbers are wri tten i n
Chi nes e char acter s ( , , O) , i ns tead of Ar abi c
numeral s . To be hones t, | onl y know (one) through O
( thr ee) , s o | often or der wi thout knowi ng the pr i ce. |
al ways get nervous when | have to pay my bi l l . Al s o, the
pri ces of s us hi vary from res taurant to res taurant, and
that makes me nervous . That i s why | have to go to the
s ame res taurant when | want to eat s us hi . Ms . Hi rayama,
coul d you hel p me to read thos e numbers I
Ans wers
l) 4)
5)
6)
2)
3)
A)
8)
C)
D)
L )
P )
A) 8) C) D) L) P) 3 ) 5 ) 6 ) 4 ) l ) 2 )

O
l

i chi
ni
s an
s hi / yon
go
roku
s hi chi / nana
hachi
kyu
-
/ ku
|u
-
Chinese
numerals
Arabic
numerals
l
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
l0
hi tots u
futats u
mi tts u
yotts u
i ts uts u
mutts u
nanats u
yatts u
kokonots u
to
-
1 apanese-styled
pronunciation
Chinese-styled
pronunciation
O l

The steps for writing:

i (s us hi ) . . . nami (regul ar) 2, 000 ~
i (s us hi ) . . . |o
-
(better) 3, l00 ~
i (s us hi ) . . . toku|o
-
(bes t) 4, 500 ~
r (beer) . . . s ho
-
(s mal l ) 500 ~
r (beer) . . . chu
-
(medi um) 650 ~
r (beer) . . . dai (l arge) 780 ~
r (draft beer) 960 ~
} (s ake) 770 ~

s
e. g. , l5l-0063 s a1 7-36- 9
l5l-0063 Tokyo-to S hi buya-ku 7- 36-9
(pos tcard / envel ope)
i chi
ro
-
a
1

d
q q
ya
e
ko
fu
mi
ko
c
1
yo
ts u
ya
s
mui
ka
i chi

ku
|u
-
ku
ri
c
go
tan
da

s hi
koku c
mi
ta
q

futa
ko
tama
gawa

s hi
man
to
gawa
Let' s practi ce
e. g. , 502 390 689 754 8934 4l05
Chi nes e numeral s for addres s es and
tel ephone numbers on bus i nes s cards , etc.
(zi p codes mus t be i n Arabi c numeral s )
Chi nes e numeral s for pl ace names
Chi nes e numeral s for peopl e' s names
Chi nes e numeral s on a menu (yen ~ cen)

ni ten s an ten s uru
tumbl e
To be changed agai n and agai n
l r
To cooperate wi th s omeone
el s e on a s i ngl e tas k

wi th pl eas e cal cul ate

ts uru no hi to koe
crane voi ce
v 8
de kei s an s hi tekudas ai
one two three four fi ve
To round off the
numbers
}
P ome wa i chi ni chi ni s hi te narazu
day not bui l t
Pome was not bui l t i n a day
ni ni n s an kyaku
pers on l egs
(Three-l egged coupl e)
s hi s ha go nyu
-
throw away add to / put i n
(Pour i s down, fi ve i s up)
v
mi k ka bo
-
zu
days a boy
(A monk wi thout wi l l power)
(Two rol l i ng, three rol l i ng)
wi th whatever can' t keep
8
de nani o s hi temo nagats uzuki s hi mas en
Unabl e to keep
one' s res ol uti on
negoti ati on al ways
b
hanas hi ai wa i ts umo
To be changed
agai n and agai n
wi th di ffi cul t ti mes s urvi ved
z 8
de ki bi s hi i |i ki o nori koemas hi ta
To cooperate wi th each
other to do the s ame tas k
at l as t was made i n s pi te of pres i dent go back
8
yatto ki matta noni s hacho
-
no de yari naos hi des u
8 8
des u gambari mas ho
-
Pome was not
bui l t i n a day
(S i ngl e cry of crane)
To round off the numbers
Unabl e to keep one' s
res ol uti on for a l ong ti me
Unabl e to keep one' s res ol uti on. i e. g. , 49. 5 50)

|f you can' t keep your word, you can' t accompl i s h what
you have deci ded to do.
Our negoti ati ons wi l l never end. They are al ways changi ng.
we s urvi ved through thos e di ffi cul t ti mes by cooperati ng
wi th each other very cl os el y.
L verythi ng was accompl i s hed, but we have to go back to the
drawi ng board becaus e the pres i dent has the l as t word.
Pemember that Pome was not bui l t i n a day. Let' s keep our chi ns up!
A s i ngl e authori t-
ati ve word
5
0
2
3
9
0
6
8
9
7
5
4
7
3
6
9
8
9
3
4
4
l
0
5

l 5 l 0 0 6 3
( Chi nes e numer al s ar e fr equentl y us ed for
the pl ace names i n Kyoto and for the names
of templ es and s hri nes . e. g. , O O : s an
| u
-
s an gendo
-
) Note: T he Chi nes e numer al
"l0" s houl d be " (ten)", not "O (zero). "
4
l
8

go
ro
-
5

s abu
ro
-
3
9
l0
9
2
3
q
mi
na
ko
3
7
7
7
0
7
8
0
6
5
0
5
0
0
4
5
0
0
3
l
0
0
2
0
0
0
9
6
0
2 5
4 6 3
l
l
2 3
5 4
3
3
2
4
l0
T hes e names ar e gener al l y gi ven to
1 apanes e men. " c r o
-
( meani ng
"l ad")" |chi ro
-
, Goro
-
, S aburo
-
Many 1 apanes e gi rl s ' names end wi th
" q cko (chi l d)" aeko, Pumi ko, Mi nako

i

i

i

}

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
O l
A s i ngl e, authori tati ve word
l
l
l
l
4
l
l 2
3 4
2
2
2
5
3
3
4
2
2
l
Don' t worry, Mr. Pol e! |' ve got the number! |t
mus t be 550l-0290. |t' s eas y to fi gure out. Do you
know how | got i tI 1 apanes e often us e a method
cal l ed gor o-awas e, whi ch r ef er s to comi cal
vari ati ons of proverbs and punni ng (or word pl ay) to
remember certai n thi ngs . Many bus i nes s es us e goro-
awas e techni ques to create s ome i nteres ti ng tel e-
phone numbers s uch as combi nati ons that des cri be
the s er vi ces they pr ovi deto hel p potenti al
cus tomers remember the number.
Las t ti me, you s howed me how to read kan|i numeral s , and | have
real i zed how common they are i n dai l y l i fe. 8ut al though Chi nes e
numeral s are conveni ent, | have encountered a new probl em wi th
number s . | t happened when | as ked a fr i end to for the tel ephone
number of a recommended yaki ni ku res taurant. S he gave me the name
of one and s ai d, "koko wa i chi ban oni ku oi s hi i (The mos t del i ci ous
meat i s s er ved her e) . " when | tol d her agai n that | wanted the
tel ephone number, s he s ai d s he had |us t gi ven i t to me! we are goi ng
to the res taurant next week, but | won' t be abl e to fi nd i t i s i f | can' t
cal l them for di recti ons ! what s houl d | doI
D
e
s
ig
n
:M
a
s
a
k
o
8
a
n
Ans wers
Ans wers
Ans wers
1. 4.
5.
6.
2.
3.
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
A) B) C) D) E) F) 4 2 5 6 1 3
s i x s even ei ght ni ne ten
7
4
l0 8 9
4 6
l 8
7 8
8

T o attai n s ucces s thr ough
f ami l y names / f ami l i al
connecti ons
o
i
s
h
i
i
(delic
1
0
1
4
ious)
(Li t. |t' s al ways afternoon to thank you for your bus i nes s . )
(L ars day) (Meat day) (Cavi ty day) (S trawberry day)
wmi mi xno hi
(after noon) (al ways ) (thank you for worki ng)
0 (zero, re
-
, maru, o, wa)
l (i chi , i , hi tots u, hi )
2 (ni , futats u, fu)
3 (s an, s a, mi tts u, mi )
go go wa i (ts umo) go ku ro
-
s an
Let' s try goro-awas e!
4 (s hi , yotts u, yon, yo)
5 (go, ko, i ts uts u, i ts u)
6 (roku, ro, mutts u, mu)
7 (s hi chi , nana, nanats u, na)
8 (hachi , ha, yatts u, ya)
9 (kyu
-
, ku, gu, kokonots u, ko)
l0 (|u
-
, |u, to
-
, to)
ni ko ni ko ha na wa s a(kura) s hi go to o s hi (ns e) ts u na mi (nas an)
(s mi l i ng) (fl ower)(cherry bl os s oms ) (work) (ki nd) (everybody)
(Li t. A s mi l i ng fl ower i s a cherry bl os s om. ) (Li t. |t' s a |ob for everyone who i s ki nd. )

wni ku x no hi wmus hi ba x no hi wi chi go x no hi
wfumi xno hi wyaki ni ku x no hi wfugu x no hi wgomi zero x no hi
(Letter day) (S teak day) (8l owfi s h day) (No tras h day)
l. 3 3 2. 2 9 3. 6 4 4. l 5 5. 2 3 6. 8 29 7. 2 9 8. 5 30
Pronunci ati on (|n addi ti on to thes e pronunci ati ons ,
s i mi l ar s ounds can be us ed i n excepti onal cas es . )
"Movi ng s ervi ce"
"Pl ower s hop" "Temporary pers onnel s ervi ce"
goro awas e i s al s o us ed for dates . (month: / day: )
(Li t. The bes t and mos t del i ci ous meat i s s erved here. )
(here) (No. l) (meat) (del i ci ous )
ko ko wa i (chi ban) o ni ku o (i s hi
-
)
"Korean s teak hous e"

~
~
~
l0 l00 l, 000 l0, 000 l00 tri l l i on yen
|u
-
hyaku s en man oku cho
-
en
l . 2 . 3 . S 4 . 5 . l
l0
en
700
S ~
500, 000 40 mi l l i on
4
oku
~
400 mi l l i on l9, 000
l
man
~
9
s en
nana
hyaku
man
l
l
7 mi l l i on
peopl e
i chi
oku
go
s en
man
ni n
ni n
l50 mi l l i on
peopl e
Money: Ol d kan|i numeral s , s uch as (one) (two)
Q( thr ee) and ( l0, 000) , ar e us ed i n fi nance today.
Thes e characters are commonl y us ed on bi l l s , money
orders and s o on. we wi l l not di s cus s thes e i n detai l
s i nce they are not commonl y us ed i n dai l y l i fe.
News papers : Arti cl es i n 1 apanes e news papers are wri tten
verti cal l y, but Arabi c numeral s are commonl y us ed.
mi l l i on
1.
~
4.
~
5.
2.
3.
onl y watchi ng
t el ev i (s i on) bakari mi tei mas u
al ways , us ed wi th
negati ve feel i ngs

s hi roku |i chu
-
o' cl ock wi thi n
Day and ni ght / al ways
(us ed cri ti cal l y)

s hi ku hak ku
agony agony
mi ddl e
To s truggl e wi th /
to have di ffi cul t ti me doi ng

i chi ka bachi ka
or
To take a chance / s i nk or s wi m
|uc chu
-
hak ku
Mos t l i kel y / Ten to one
N
nana korobi ya oki
tumbl e get up
To get back on one' s feet
8
s hi tei mas u
s truggl e wi th
8
nayande nai de yattemi tara do
-
des u ka
take one' s chances
K b 1 8
s onnani gakkari s hi nai de des u yo
Ups and downs
of l i fe / never gi ve up
manager one' s s on got a |ob i t s eems
q A L 8
bucho
-
no mus uko-s an wa de s hu
-
s hokus hi ta ras hi
-
des u yo
thanks to
fami l y connecti ons
8
muri des ho
-
mos t l i kel y, i n
ni ne cas es out of ten
e r 8
my daughter
mus ume wa

new
v P s
ataras hi
-
c omput er ni
( e ) i |
(oya no) nana hi kari
(L i ght or ni ne out of l0)
(Pal l i ng s even ti mes , but
s tandi ng up ei ght ti mes )
(One or ei ght)
(Pour agoni es , ei ght groans )
(Duri ng four ti mes s i x hours )
(4 ~624 hours )
(S even beams of parents )
parents l i ght
My daughter watches nothi ng but Tv.
|' m s truggl i ng wi th the new computer.

S top worryi ng about i t! why not take a chance and do i tI
Don' t feel s o bad! ou may have fai l ures i n l i fe, but
you can get back on your feet.
| heard that the general manager' s s on l anded a good ful l -
ti me |ob through hi s father' s i nfl uence.

Mos t l i kel y, i t i s i mpos s i bl e.
s top worryi ng why not try to do
l i ke that don' t be di s appoi nted |' l l tel l you
i mpos s i bl e
Ans wers l. 5 5 0 l - 0 2 9 0 2. 4 5 l 0 - 4 2 7 3 3. 5 5 0 l - 5 9 6 3 4. 2 5 2 5 - 8 7 0 3
l.
2.
3.
4.
en
l, 000
en
en en
|u
-
s en
nana
hyaku
pyaku zen
go
|u
-
man
yon
s en
man
en
en
l.
2. 3. 4.
5. 6. 7. 8.

| have never s een you s o s ad, Mr. Pol e! 8ut have
courage! ou are not the onl y one havi ng troubl e l i ke
thi s . Anybody who i s s tudyi ng 1 apanes e experi ences
thi s type of frus trati on. S ome are downhearted becaus e
they can' t communi cate wi th 1 apanes e peopl e however
har d they s tudy the l anguage. Other s ar e depr es s ed
becaus e 1 apanes e peopl e res pond to them i n L ngl i s h
even though they s peak fl uent 1 apanes e. |t' s the s ame
for mos t s tudents . "Don' t worry! (dai |o
-
bu), " Mr. Pol e! |
have a good i dea to cheer you up. "ou can count on
me! (makas ete-kudas ai ! ). "
| have s tudied 1 apanes e for 2

l
/2 years , but my 1 apanes e is s till awful.
| want to s peak fluent 1 apanes e by us ing the grammar that | have
s tudied, but for s ome reas on my phras es in 1 apanes e are not as
s mooth as thos e of native s peakers . Purthermore, | can' t make good
us e of trans itional expres s ions and it s ounds s o awkward! | have
s tudied s ome phras es in certain s ituations at s chool, but | have not
had the opportunity to us e them in daily life! when | s tarted to learn
1 apanes e, | en|oyed s ayi ng, "ohayo
-
" (Good morni ng! ), "ari gato
-
"
(Thank you), and s o on. 8ut lately, s tudying 1 apanes e is getting

harder and harder for me, and | don' t s ee any progres s . | am s tres s ed
out becaus e of that, and | am depres s ed. Oh, boy.
Ans wers
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
G)
H)
I)
J)
A) B) C) D) E) l3. l6. l0. 7. 4.
word +
Sentence + final particle
Mr. Koga: Our trai n i s l eavi ng i n fi ve mi nutes . | hope Mi s s amada does n' t
mi s s i t!
Mr. Pol e: s o
-
da to i
-
des u ne. (| hope s o too. )
confi rmati on / agreement
s oftens the s tatement
ne

Del i ci ous , i s n' t i t I
oi s hi
-
des u ne
8
| thi nk s o.
s o
-
des u ne
8
confi rmati on agreement
word +
ques ti on
ka

|s i t del i ci ous I
oi s hi
-
des u ka
8
ques ti on
e. g. ,
e. g. ,
e. g. ,
word +
gi vi ng (new) i nformati on
yo

|t i s del i ci ous .
oi s hi
-
des u yo
8
as s erti on
Thes e i cebreakers are hel pful and us eful even for begi nners , al though
the gr ammar of thes e expr es s i ons i s at an advanced l evel . S i nce
begi nners s ti l l have a hard ti me expres s i ng thei r thoughts i n 1 apanes e,
i t i s better for them to memori ze s horter s entences . Memori zi ng thes e
i cebreakers and us i ng them here and there wi l l make your conver-
s ati ons much s moother, and you wi l l be abl e to have heart-to-heart
communi cati on wi th 1 apanes e peopl e.
| f f i nal par ti cl es ar e added af ter the i ce-
breaker, they can change the nuance of the
s entence.
That s ounds
i nteres ti ng.
omos hi ro-s o
-
des u
8
i nteres ti ng(omos hi roi ) s eem
how do you thi nk H
what do you
thi nkI
do
-
omoi mas u ka
v 8
| hope s o.
s o
-
da to i
-
des u
8
| hope not.
| hope i t' s not
true.
s o
-
|anai to i
-
des u
8
es , s o | heard.
s o
-
ras hi
-
des u
8
| can' t remember.
omoi das emas en
v o 8
| thi nk s o.
s o
-
omoi mas u
v 8
|t' s up to
Mr. Koga Koga-s an s hi dai des u
8
|t' s a probl em.
mondai des u
8
s o good for me
s o not good for me
s o | heard
probl em
up to
| s ee.
s o
-
des u ka
8
|s that s o I
s o
-
des u ka
8
what' s goi ng
to happenI
do
-
nari mas u ka
8
|t' s too bad.
zannen des u
cO 8
how wi l l become
No probl em.
|t' s no probl em. mondai nai des u
8
Do you have a
mi nuteI /
May | tal k to you
for a mi nuteI
chotto yoros hi
-
des u ka
8
what' s wrongI /
what' s the matterI do
-
s hi mas hi ta ka
8
bei ng l ate |' m s orry
S orry to be l ate.
os okunatte s umi mas en
x 8
Long ti me no s ee.
|t' s been a l ong
ti me.
ohi s as hi buri des u
v U 8
keep you wai ti ng
S orry to keep
you wai ti ng. omatas es hi te s umi mas en
8
thi nk
what di d
what' s goi ng
onI
do
-
nattei run des u ka
how i s doi ng
8
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
b
Convers ati on
kai wa
Pol e-s an :
Pol e-s an :
Pol e-s an :
Pol e-s an :
Pol e-s an :
Pol e-s an :
Pol e-s an :
Pol e-s an :
Pol e-s an :
Priend: Oh, gee. . . | didn' t know that it' s clos ed on wednes days .
How are you I
des u
That' s too bad, i s n' t i tI
Koga-s an : Do you want to go for a dri nk s ometi me s oonI
|t i s up to Mr. Koga, as far as |' m concerned.
| heard that Mi s s amada i s getti ng marri ed.
wel l . . . | gues s thi s i s the new uni form, i s n' t i tI
(20 mi nutes after the appoi nted ti me)
| gues s Mr. Pol e i s l ate, i s n' t heI
| heard that a new pres i dent i s s hort-tempered.
The company i s s l ow at payi ng s al ari es
i nto empl oyees ' accounts , i s n' t i tI
we are havi ng a Hal l oween party at the embas s y next week.
|t' s been a l ong ti me, has n' t i tI
es , | heard s o, tooI
S o, what do you thi nk I
|' m s orry to be l ate.
| hope i t' s not true, don' t youI
That s ounds i nteres ti ng, does n' t i tI
|t' s a probl em, i s n' t i tI
S orry to keep you wai ti ng.
(l mi nute l ater)
8
ogenki des u ka
C 8
ne
ne ne ne
Hel l o, may | s peak to Mr. Pol eI
Pri end:
Pri end:
Pri end:
Pri end:
Pri end:
Pri end:
Pri end:
Pri end:
Icebreaker (Heart Opener)
On a pl atform.
a l i ttl e May | ~ I
to remember. . . omoi das u
too bad
probl em no
n
e
k
a
y
o
How are you I
ne yo ne ka
Thi s i s Mr. Pol e.
F) G) H) I) J) l9. 6. 3. l7. 20.
s o
Pol e-s an :
D
e
s
ig
n
:M
a
s
a
k
o
8
a
n
I'm happy to hear that your Japanese is
getting better, and I'm glad to see you are so
happy. I know of some foreigners who are able to
communicate in Japanese just using "proverbs"
and "Ice breakers." They say that that's all you
need. Well, as we continue the previous lesson, let
me show you more "Ice breakers" that are useful
and helpful. I put more words of translation under
the phrases to help you to memorize them by rote.
Please practice using these "Ice breakers" with the
final particles ne and yo, just as you studied in the
previous lesson.
Thanks for teaching me those "Ice breakers" last time, I'm sure they will
be very useful. At first it was hard to memorize the phrases, though.
Sometimes, I thought it might be easier to memorize them if you had
explained the grammar, too. But then again, it would take more time to
understand the grammar, so I guess it was better to remember the
idioms without being concerned how the sentences were constructed.
And I made myself memorize the phrases because, if I can remember
them all, then all I have to do in future is use them. I will be able to save
time by using the phrases. I enjoy "Breaking the Ice," and most of my
Japanese friends tell me that my Japanese is getting better. Ms.
Hirayama, I want to memorize more "Ice brealers," so could you show
me some?
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
Answers
42. 9. 21. 10. 14. 31. 29. 45. 41. 4. 6.
b
Coversation
kai wa
Pole-san :
Pole-san :
Pole-san :
Pole-san :
Pole-san :
Pole-san :
Pole-san :
Pole-san :
Pole-san :
Friend:
Koga-san :
Pole-san :
How'syourbusinessbeensincethen?
I'mhangingintheresomehoworother.
Friend:
Friend:
Friend:
Friend:
Friend:
vague
It's not clear. /
It's doubtful.
wasure-uashita
I forgot.
aiuai desu

gauan-dekinai desu
B
I can't standit. /
Ican'ttakeit
anymore.
toteuo tasukari-uashita
B
Itwasvery
helpful. /Thanks
forhelpingme.
kangae-sugi desu
l B Youarethinking
toomuch. /Youare
too concerned.
tetsubo
-
-teki desu
B Thisishopeless. /
Thereisnohope.
life and death problem
very help
thinking too much
desperate (-ly)
o-jikan ariuasu ka
Doyouhavesome
time?(politeform)
time do you have~?
hakkiri-shiuasen
It's not clear.
clear
sore ga genin desu
B That'sthecause. /
That'stheproblem.
that cause
hitori-goto desu
B
Iwasjusttalking
tomyself.
myself word
tsugo
-
ga warui desu
s B It'snotagood
time. /It'snot
convenient.
circumstances bad
tatoeba nan desu ka
B
Likewhat?/Give
meanexample.
example what
shikatsu-uondai desu
B It'samatteroflife
anddeath. /That's
aseriousproblem.
kyu
-
yo
-
desu
B
I'vegoturgent
business./on
urgentbusiness
shinpai-shinaide-kudasai
Sz B
Please don't
worry about it.
uakasete-kudasai

Pleaseleaveit
tome./Youcan
countonme.
sudden matter
worry please don't
to entrust ... uakase-uasu
wasurenaide-kudasai
Please don't
forget it.
to forget .... wasure-uasu
shinji-rarenai desu

Ican'tbelieve
it. /Idon't
believeit. to believe ...shinji-uasu
sho
-
ganai desu

Thereisnohelp
forit./ Thereis
nochoice.
yo
-
su o ui-uasho
-
l
We'llsee. /Let's
waitandsee.
situation let's see
jikan no uuda desu
B
It'sawaste
oftime.
time waste
patience cannot
Thank you very much.
What?Whatdidyousay?
Dowehaveameetingagain?
Howabout3p.m.tomorrow?
Don'tmentionit.
Nevermind,Iwasjusttalkingtomyself.
Ibetit'll beawasteoftime!
Well,it'snotagoodtimeforme,sorry.
I'vegoturgentbusiness,
I only half believe it.
Do you have some time ?
iat a Japanese restaurantj
ie

chotto
L ZB
node yoyaku no cancel onegaishiuasu.
ga
(Anyway) I'll try ......
YB
sonnani nayauanai ho
-
ga i
-
desu yo

suiuasen iua
I'vejustgoturgent business,soI'dliketocancel
thereservation.
Whatwouldyouliketohave,Mr.Pole?
I'llletyoudecide.
Ionlyhalfbelieve it,butI'lltryit,anyway.
I bet you are too concerned!
I think you'd better stop worrying about it so much.
I bet you are too concerned!
Excuseme,doyouhavesometime?
Yes,what'sthematter?
so
-
desu ka

kouatta na
-

uochiron

so
-
desu
B
sono to
-
ri desu

o
-
gesa desu
B
do
-
nika ko
-
nika

un ga i
-
desu
B
ouakase-shiuasu

tabun

do
-
to

do
-
shite

daitai

daue deshita

uoshi yokattara

gu
-
ten desu
B
(tonikaku) yatte-uiuasu
i j
if you like
coincidence
any way try to do
i
-
e / tondeuo-nai desu
/ B
how did
tokuni nai desu

exaggerated
do
-
shiuashita ka
B
especially nothing
hanshin-hangi desu
B
half believe half doubt
kanchigai desu
B
kangaete-okiuasu
l I'll think about it.
that as it is
tettai desu

to leave it ...uakase-uasu
destiny
kouari-uashita

okane no uuda desu
B
It'sawasteof
money.
money waste
kanke
-
-nai desu
B
I'vegotnothingto
do withit./Having
nothing todowithit. relation no
Isee.
Ofcourse.
That'sright!
Youare
absolutely
right!
That's
exaggerated.
somehowor
other
That'slucky.
/ Luckyyou!
/Lucky me!
You candecide.
/I'llletyou
decide.
Probably.
Please.
Why?/
Howcome?
mostly
What am I
going to do ?
I'mintrouble.
Icouldn'tdoit.
Ifyouplease,
Whata
coincidence!
(Anyway)
I'lltry ......
Nothingin
particular./
Nothingmuch.
Don't
mentionit.
What'swrong? /
What'sthe
matter?
Ionlyhalfbelieve
it. / Takingitwith
agrainofsalt.
Misunderstanding/
Mymistake!
Absolutely!
(negative meaning)
(casual style)
In the past, the word "anata" was considered a polite
expression, but the nuance has changed recently. Be very
careful as to when you use the word "anata." In Japan, it is
often used toward someone who is subordinate (employee,
junior and so on). You might cause someone discomfort if
you use "anata" in the same way as you use "you" in English.
The best way to avoid unexpected trouble is to use the family
name or first name when addressing Japanese people,
instead of saying "anata." Please keep that in mind! And it
might be best never to use "anata" in business situations.
I am going on a trip with a friend and his family, and I went to his home
to make plans with them. I heard his mother saying: "anata wa itsu ga
i
-
desu ka? anata wa hotel to ryokan to dochira ga i
-
desu ka?" I
didn't know who she was talking to, so I didn't say anything. Then I
noticed that she was staring at me, and she said, "Pole-san anata desu
yo!" I finally realized that she was asking me! I couldn't decide, so I used
a phase from "Icebreaker" and said, "anata ni omakase shimasu" (I'll
let you decide). To my surprise, she gave me an unpleasant look. Why is
that? Does it mean she doesn't want to go on a trip with me?
Answers
Answers
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
A) B) C)
C) D) E) F)
1.
2.
3.
b
Coversation
kai wa
Pole-san :
Friend:
Pole-san :
Friend:
Pole-san :
Friend:
Pole-san :
Friend:
you
Causing discomfort by
using "anata" incorrectly:
Practice
How are you ?
friend :
kono kuruma wa no desu ka
B
I'm fine, thank you.
superior subordinate
anata
Yamada-san
Rc
Nihon wa shitsugyo
-
-sha ga fuete-imasu ga
{ A ogenki desu ka
CB
Pole-san
And you ?
Mr. Pole :
Police officer: Is this your car?
a driver
koko wa chu
-
sha-kinshi desu yo
~ B
no kuni dewa do
-
desu ka
B
ee, okagesamade
@
wa
Akira-san
friend
Using "anata" the same
way "you" is used in
English:
e.g., Speaker
to participants
at a conference
e.g., Police officer
asking questions
an organizer a participant a police officer
(At a conference)
Speaker: Recently, the number of the unemployed has increased
in Japan, but how critical is it in your country?
(Talking to a friend)
( A police officer)

You're parked in a no parking zone. anata
anata
your parents
At a job interview:
ij
C B
you
ashita no nomikai do
-
shimasu ka
Are you going to have a party
tomorrow night?
shidai desu yo
How are your parents doing?
They're finethanks for asking.
ee (hai) okagesama de
your child
tsugi no kata do
-
zo
B
H@@
B
wa oikutsu desu ka
wa ogenki desu ka
5l B
wa go-nin desu
B
your family
my family
l B
wa nan-nin desu ka
5 3B
ue ga go-sai de shita ga san-sai desu
your
B
no ban desu yo
your
_ @ @@@@B
dame-datta nowa no se
-
desu
How many are there in your family?
There are five of us.
How old are your children?
The oldest is 5, and the youngest is
3 years old.
Interviewer: Would the next person please come in?
A person sitting
on your side:
A wife who is complaining to her husband: It's all your fault!
It's up to you.
You're next!
My own group or another group
my group
father
mother
husband
wife
child
daughter
son
older(elder)
brother
older(elder)
sister
younger
brother
younger
sister
brothers and
sisters
another group my group another group
e.g., This is (my)
wife. watashi no tsuma desu
Another group (someone else's relatives, colleagues and so on)
B
My own group (my relatives, my colleagues and so on)
chichi oto
-
-san

haha oka
-
-san

shujin go-shujin
l l
tsuma oku-san

kodomo oko-san
q q
musume ojo
-
-san
@
musuko musuko-san
q q
ani oni
-
-san
Z @Z
ane one
-
-san
o @o
oto
-
to oto
-
to-san
@
imo
-
to imo
-
to-san
@
kyodai go-kyo
-
dai

parents
family
grandfather
grandmother
uncle
aunt
nephew
niece
cousin
relative
ryo
-
shin go-ryo
-
shin
e@@ e
kazoku go-kazoku
@@@
oji
-
-san

oji oji-san
@@
oi oigo-san
@@
mei meigo-san
@@
oba oba-san
@@@
itoko itoko no kata
@@
shinseki go-shinseki
e@@ e
sofu
c@@@@@@
oba
-
-san
sobo
c @@@@
e.g., Is this
your wife? anata no okusan desu ka
B
e.g., This is Yamada-
san's wife. Yamada-san no okusan desu
Rc B
okusan desu ka
B
oba
-
-san
oji
-
-san
anata
In the Japanese language, when one refers to oneself (first person) and members
of one's own group, one uses different expressions than when referring to
someone else (second person / third person) or the people of another group.
In the Japanese language, the possessive pronoun (my... "watashi no" or your ...
"anata no") is usually omitted when describing the members of a family group,
except for a few specialized cases. It is important to remember these words
describing the family relationship in order to avoid confusion.
If you use "anata" even though you know the other
person's name, you might discomfort him. If you do
know the person by name, it is best to use his name,
rather than calling him "anata."
If you are referring to someone you do not know by
name, it will not discomfort him to be called "anata."
anata
anata
anata
1.
2.
3.
you
you
Pole-san go-ryo
-
shin go-kazoku
kazoku oko-san anata anata
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
"Pole-san, o-shigoto wa o-isogashii desu ka? o-jikan arimashitara mata o-shokuji
o shimasho
-
ne!" (Mr. Pole, are you busy with work? Let's go for dinner again if you have
time!) Well, Mr. Pole! Can you figure out how many "o"s I said? I said four! In daily
conversations involving women or in business situations, the Japanese put "o" before nouns,
adjectives and verbs. Sometimes, they say "go" instead of "o." Making such a distinction
depends on whichword you are using, and you may need to know which words take "o." Rules
for the distinctions are complicated and there are quite a fewexceptions. To make it even more
complicated, the rules for distinguishing "go" from "o" vary according tothe people,
occupations and their environment. I tried to think of a way to make it easier for you to
understand, but I couldn't figure outany easy rules. I hope that this will help you out, even
though theseexplanations may apply only to about 70 percent of vocabulary. Let me omit the
applications for verbs for this lesson. Generally, "o" and "go" are placed before nouns.
One of my Japanese friends invited me
home for dinner the other day, and I met
his 6-year-old son. The boy showed me
his drawings and said: "This is o-hana (a
flower)," "This is o-tomodachi (a friend),"
"This is o-sakana (afish)" and "This is o-
uchi (a house)." I noticed that he put "o"
before every noun, but why was that? No
one taught me to add "o" before nouns at
Japaneseschool. All I know is to put "o"
before "mizu" (water), but do I have to
say "o" before every word?
Answers
A)
B)
C)

D)
E)
F)
G)
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
G)
b
Conversation
kai wa
sakana o-sakana
@
{
o
e.g,
fish .....
Words with short syllables
Words that relate to daily life
ke-
-
yaku go-ke-
-
yaku
_ _
contract .....
The kanji
"
"
(Imperial honorific) is
pronounced either "go" or "o," and it turns
nouns and adjectives into their polite forms.
There are four reasons for placing "go / o"

before words:
1) For polite expressions
2) Beautifying the words
3) Softening the expressions
(mostly preferred by women)
4) Speaking to children
("o" is commonly used)
"o" is for the frequently used words related to everyday life.
kome o-kome

rice .....
sho
-
kai go-sho
-
kai

{
go
eg.
introduction .....
abstract noun
The words are related to
"actions/activity"
"go" is used for words related to "action/ activity" (Generally,
"go" is placed before words with a Chinese pronunciation, but I
think that it is very difficult for students to distinguish which
words these are. That is why I have tried to explain "go" in this
way.
+ noun
(weather)
e.g., present ... o-present
O
o-namae
name .....
letter .....
holiday .....
medicine .....
soy sauce .....
chopsticks.....
money .....
sake .....
telephone .....
work.....
cold .....
cooking.....
o-tegami
o
x
o-yasumi
o-kusuri
o-sho
-
yu
o-hashi
o-kane
o-sake
db
o-denwa
d
o-shigoto
o-kaze
o-ryo
-
ri
+ "i" adjective
Z
o-isogashi
-
busy .....
o-takai
cheap .....
fast, quick .....
young .....
hot .....
cold .....
o-yasui
o-hayai
o-wakai
o-atsui
o-samui
D
o-sukina
be good at .....
dislike .....
quiet .....
o-jo
-
zuna
o-kiraina
o-shizukana
go
p
go-yo
-
ken
business .....
address .....
contact .....
reservation .....
departure.....
family .....
anxiety .....
order .....
confirmation .....
explanation.....
neighborhood.....
message.....
Z
go-ju
-
sho
A
go-renraku
\
go-yoyaku
o
go-shuppatsu
go-kazoku
Sz
go-shinpai
go-chu
-
mon
mF
go-kakunin
go-setsume
-
go-kinjo
`
go-dengon
+ noun
o
+ "na" adjective
o
C
o-genkina
cheerful .....
(frequently used in daily life)
(mostly used by elderly women)
(frequently used in daily life)
Note:
1) Be careful not to say "o" too much, or avoid putting "o" before every word.
2) You cannot say "o" before the word of foreign origin. However, you may hear "o-beer" in a
restaurant. This is an exception that only waiters/waitresses can say.
@bad example.
These are some examples that take "go" and "o." Please refer to this list to see which word takes
"go" or "o." As for the words that are not on this list, please make your own decisions by listening
to how Japanese people around you use them. "i" adjectives and "na" adjectives are mostly used
by older women.
{H B
db B
d Z B
sake ga sukidesu ka
hai suki desu ne
Nihon no tabemono wa nani ga kirai desu ka
ima jikan arimasu ka
B
o-sake ga o-suki desu ka
o-denwa arigato
-
gozaimashita o-shigoto
o-isogashi-so
-
desu ne
go-kazoku no mina-sama o-genki desu ka
o-kirai desu ka
go-chumon wa
go-yoyaku desu ne o-namae to go-jusho to
o-denwa bango onegaishimasu
ima o-jikan arimasu ka
D B

chu
-
mon wa
denwa arigato
-
-gozaimashita
shigoto isogashi-so
-
desu ne
Fl C B
kazoku no mina-sama genki desu ka
D B
\ BO Z
db B
yoyaku desu ne namae to ju
-
sho to
denwa-bango
-
onegaishimasu
CB
hai okagesamade genki desu
Do you like sake?
Yes, I do.
Thank you for calling. I suppose you are busy
with work, aren't you?
How is everybody in your family?
They are all fine, thanks for asking.
Which Japanese food do you dislike?
May I take your order?
You'd like to make a reservation, right?
Please give us your name, address and phone
number.
Do you have time right now?
o
expensive .....
like .....
noun,
adjective
noun
Put "o" or "go" if necessary.
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
muzukashi
-
desu ne
c
ummm...chotto muzukashi
-
desu ne...
ummm
c
chotto muzukashi
-
desu ne
c
ummm
c
chotto muzukashi
-
desu ne
c
Would you be surprised if I said to you, "Pole-
san, watashi mo raishu
-
no kinyo
-
bi wa
'muzukashi' desu ne
c
?" The word "muzukashi
-
"
can be used in another way, rather than simply
meaning "difficult." The phrase implies that something
is being refused or declined. If you don't want to do
something and say, "dame (No)" or "dekimasen (I
can't do it)" in everyday life, it may sound offensive,
and you may be expected to explain your reason. But
if you want to decline an offer without stating a
reason, it is better to say, "muzukashi
-
desu ne
c
(I'mafraid
c
)." It is a very useful phrase because you
don't have to explain why you are making the refusal.
When I finished a business conference with a client, I wanted to make
an appointment for our next meeting, asking, "raishu
-
no kinyo
-
bi wa
do
-
desu ka?" (What about meeting on Friday next week?) But he said,
"ummm
c
raishu
-
no kinyo
-
bi wa chotto muzukashi
-
desu ne." I
couldn't believe what he said! Heis Japanese, but he said, "It is a bit
difficult for me (to understand) 'raishu
-
no kinyo
-
bi' (next Friday)." So, I
changed the day, and said, "soredewa kondo no kayo
-
bi wa?" (Well,
what about this coming Tuesday?). But his reply was, "gomennasai.
kayo
-
bi mo chotto muzukashi
-
desu ne
c
" (I'm sorry, but it is still
difficult for me (to understand) 'kayo
-
bi' (Tuesday)." What! This
Japanese man doesn't even understand "kayo
-
bi" (Tuesday)? I am not a
native speaker but I do know what that means! Why is it so muzukashi
-

(difficult) for him?
Answers
1) C 2) A 3) B
......
ummm
c
chotto
c
... ...
(time) (there is no) (can't)
Refusal
B
ashita made ni dekimasu ka
e.g.,
...@ ...
B
jikan ga nai node dekimasen
(inhaling briefly)
Hmm
c
well
c
(implying "no")
(inhaling briefly)
Hmm
c
well
c
I'm afraid not
c
(implying "no" or "I can't do it")
Can you do it by tomorrow?
When a reason is not necessary
(inhaling briefly)
Hmm
c
well
c
I'm afraid not
c
When a reason is necessary
I can't do it because there is no time.
Nihon ni sumu no wa bukka ga takakute

taihen desu
{ ZB
taihen taihen
I I
taihen na shigoto desu ne
d B
a` yatto owarimashita
` I B
taihen deshita ne
B
mo
-
muzukashi
-
hanashi wa yamemasho
-
bB
2. Refusal: (I am afraid
c
): muzukashi
-
ashita (asu) no yoru shokuji demo shimasen ka
HB
(ashita wa) chotto
c
muzukashi
-
desu ne
c
( )
c

c
You: Well
c
I'm afraid tomorrow's no good.
mo
-
chotto yasuku narimasen ka
B
@...
2 ~5 8 | 20
c

3. Difficult (hard, tough, terrible): taihen
... ...
1. Complicated: (antonym: easy): muzukashi
-
Friend: Would you like to have a dinner with me tomorrow night?
You: Can I get a discount?
Clerk: Hmm
c
well
c
I'm afraid not.
Hmm
c
It's complicated!
We'd better stop talking about complicated issues.
It is hard to live in Japan because it is so expensive. Oh, no! How terrible!
I think it's a tough job.
Ah, we are done at last! It was really hard, wasn't it!?
A)
B)
C)
1)
2)
3)
difficult; hard; tough

muzuka( shi
-
) / nan / kata(shi)
desu
q s
ichi-nan satte mata ichi-nan
musuko ga juken ni shippai shita ra
shinnyu
-
-shain wa aisatsu mo dekinai fuuu
c
P oB
so
-
kantan niwa dekimasen
B
One calamity follows on the heels of another.
Please match the sentences in the first section with
those in the second.
(one trouble) (leave) (again) (one trouble)
(fresh man) (greeting)(even) (can't)
(this time) (my husband)(lose one's job)
(my son) (fail an examination)
(so) (easy) (cannot)
@
s
It is easier said than done.
(say) (easy) (do) (difficult)
iu wa yasuku okonau wa katashi
@
O r
(the future) (full of difficulties)
zen to ta nan
x l ...@
kondo wa shujin ga shitsugyo
-
c
Various difficulties lie ahead.
New employees don't know how to give greetings.
I know various problems lie ahead of them.
It is easier said than done! It is not that easy!
Various problems
lie ahead.
One misfortune followed close
on the heels of another.
It is easier
said than done.
Keep in mind that "muzukashi
-
" also means "no" or "I can't
do it." In the following phrases, say "chotto
c
" (well
c
) in a
doubtful and negative tone and remain silent briefly. To
sound like a native speaker, inhale shortly through closed
teeth before saying, "ummm
c
chotto
c
" Both techniques
imply that you are thinking about it for a minute.
My son failed his school entrance exam, and now my
husband is out of work! One misfortunefollowed close
on the heels of another.
dana
-
...
ummm....
...............
...............
...............
muzukashi
-

muzukashi
-
d
e
su
n
e
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
V B`
"hai! wakari mashita"
(Certainly! I'll tell you)." It is
true that Japanese people like
to say "hai" in their daily life.
"hai" means much more
than"yes," which is the anto-
nym of "no." It is important to
understand how it is used in
different situations. Otherwise,
you may find yourself com-
pletely misunderstanding what
it being said. Note that No. 6 is
easily misunderstood by
foreigners.
I had promised to have a dinner with my friend last night, and I called herat her
office to decide what time to meet. Let me tell you what happened. When a
receptionist picked up the phone, I asked her, "Ueda-san irasshaimasu ka"
(May I speak with Ms. Ueda?). Then she said, "hai, tadaima kaigi-chu
-
desu ga"
(Yes, she's in a meeting right now, but...). I was waiting forher to come to the
phone because the receptionist said "yes." But, several seconds later, the same
woman said, "moshi moshi?" (hello?) I thought that she had not been able to
come to the phone, so I just said, "mata ato de odenwa itashimasu" (I'll call
her back later). "Well, I guess shecan't have dinner with me tonight," I thought.
Then suddenly I became hungry, and I went to a restaurant by myself. When I
asked a waitress,"aka-wine arimasu ka" (Do you have red wine?), she said,
"hai, mo
-
shiwake gozaimasen ga oite-orimasen" (Yes, I'm sorry, but we don't
carry it), and shewas just waiting to take my order. I wasn't sure what she said,
but I guessedthere was no red wine. So, I ordered a glass of beer. Hmm...I
thought that "hai" meant only "yes," but I suppose there are several different
ways of using it. Ms. Hirayama, please tell me more about "hai."
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
Answers
Nishizawa-san
hai
B
Organizer: Nishizawa-san!
1) Indicating one's presence
B
EAt a business conference:
Participant: Here!

Here!
Attenti on!
I understand ( see) .
Ah- huh.
Certai nl y!
Sure!
OK !
Yes. T hat' s ri ght.

Here!
Attenti on!
I understand ( see) .
Ah- huh.
Certai nl y!
Sure!
OK !
Yes. T hat' s ri ght.

Ueda-san desu ka?
hai
B
Aida-san: Is this Ueda-san? c B
EOn a phone:
Ueda-san: Yes, speaking.
hai soredewa hajimemasu
(then) @@@(will start)
Attention!
It's time to start.
2) Getting attention
nB
ETrying to get people's attention, asking
people to pay attention before starting an
event (e.g., a meeting):
Wpj [Y ` B
Mr. Ree: I see. She isn't there at
this moment, is she?
Receptionist: Hello? I'm sorry to
make you wait.
Japanese Lunch de gozaimasu

moshi moshi
Receptionist: Certainly! Please
hold on a minute.
Mr. Ree: This is Ree of KBS.
I'd like to talk with
Ms. Ueda.
Receptionist: Hello. This is
Japanese Lunch.
on the phone
Mr. Ree : Hello.
KBS c B
KBS no Ree desu ga Ueda-san onegaishimasu
X B
sho
-
sho
-
omachi-kudasai
vB
moshi moshi omatase-itashimashita
B
ainiku seki o hazushite-orimasu
BB
so
-
desu ka irasshaimasen ka
o
suguni demasu node
dbvB
modorimashitara kochira-kara odenwa itashimasho
-
ka
dbvB
watakushi kara mata odenwa itashimasu
vB
dewa yoroshiku onegai itashimasu
Receptionist: That's right.
shitsure
-
itashimasu
Mr. Ree: No, I'm leaving
right now.

Receptionist: I understand!
Please do so.
Mr. Ree: Sure! Goodbye!
I'm afraid that she is
unable to come to
the phone right now.
Do you want her to
call you when she
gets back?
I will call her back
later.
(humble form of "desu")
(a little) (please wait)
(to make you wait)
(unfortunately)(seat)(humble form of "leave one's seat")
(I see) (honolific form of "not exist")
(when she back) (from us) (humble form of "call you")
(soon) (will leave) (because of)
(from me) (again) (will call you)
(then) (humble form of "please do so")
("Goodbye" for telephone)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
hai
(1) ~ (6), except (4)
or
hai demo
(but)
Manager: Could you do
this, please?
(hai demo...)
...
3) Showing one's understanding of a speaker
ashita no asa go-ji ni
(tomorrow)(morning)(5 o'clock)
5
hai
ERequest:
B
4) Responding to a request/suggestion/invitation
kore onegaishimasu
B
Secretary: Certainly!
Manager: It's getting late.
You can go home
now.
hai
ESuggestionicommandj:
B
hai
B
osoi node mo
-
kaeri-nasai
x AB
Secretary: Thank you, sir.
Manager: Let's have
dinner tonight!
EInvitation:
komban shokuji demo
@ H
Secretary: I'd love to.
Manager: Are you
Japanese?
5) Answering a question
hai
EAffirmative answer:
B
Nihonjin desu ka
{l B
Employee: Yes, I am.
Manager: Is Mr. Inaba
there?
hai imasu
@B
6) Confirming a positive/negative statement or
question
Inaba-san imasu ka
t B
Manager: Isn't Mr. Inaba
there? Inaba-san imasen ka
t B
Employee: Yes, he is.

Employee: No, (That's right)
he is not here. hai imasen
@B
Manager: Please come
by 5 o'clock
tomorrow morning.
Secretary: I'd like to, but
I'm afraid I can't...
B
kite-kudasai
(please come)
\
...B
mo
-
shiwake arimasenga
chotto muzukashi
-
desu
this is a typical phrase
on a phone.
Hello
Certainly
That's right
No
I understand
Sure
Put or in the boxes.
b
conversation
kai wa
vB@
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
What Mr. Koga meant is, "I guess you were
happy to spend time only with your parents. But,
Mr. Pole, you are standoffish! I could've told you all
about good spots in Kyu
-
shu
-
if you had told me that
you were going there." In the Japanese language,
there are many idioms that have water in them.
Forexample, "mizu-sho
-
bai," which literally means
"water business." Can you imagine what kind of
occupation that is? It's not the business of selling
water! "mizu-sho
-
bai" (chancy trade) are the kinds
of business that depend on being popular with
customers, like bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Let
me show you more expressions that use the word
"mizu" (water).
Last month, I took my parents to Kyu
-
shu
-
for a family trip. The onsen (hot
spring) was relaxing, nature was awesome and the food was very
delicious! Mr. Koga, who is one of my friends, is from Fukuoka, and I
told him how much I enjoyed my trip. He said, "so
-
desu ka, (I see).
oyako 'mizu-irazu' deshita ne (I guess there was 'mizu-irazu' [no need
of water?] for your family). demo, Pole-san 'mizu-kusai' desu ne (But,
Mr. Pole, that's 'mizu-kusai' [stinky water?]). Kyu
-
shu
-
nara iro-iro sho
-
kai shitakatta desu (I could have told you a lot about Kyu
-
shu
-
if you had
asked me)." Did he say "mizu-kusai" (stinky water)? How bad is that
smell? Did he also say "mizu-irazu" (no need of water)? What did he
mean by "no need of water"? The water in Kyu
-
shu
-
was not stinky, but
delicious, and I had a lot of water during my trip. When I went to a coffee
shop in Kyu
-
shu
-
, a waitress brought us glasses of water even though we
did not order them. Oh, boy! I have no idea what Mr. Koga told me.

Answers
Answers
A) 6) B) 1) C) 5) D) 3) E) 8) F) 4)
(water)(and)(oil)
1j
(water) (smell)
(water)(not coming in)
mizu-kusai
mizu-irazu
L
To find one's element
mizu no awa
mizu ni nagasu
mizu to abura
yake ishi ni mizu
2j

A
ne mimi ni mizu
mizu o eta sakana
Q
(water) (let flow)
(burn)(stone) (water)
(river)
(water)(bubbles)
(water) (get) (fish)
(sleeping)(ears)(water)
A bolt from the blue (sounds negative)
To be standoffish/
to be reserved
To be alone with one's
family, without outsiders
To be like oil and water
To forgive and forget
That was only a drop
in the bucket.
To come to nothing
3j
4j
5j
6j
7j
8j
(Lit. no water coming in)
(Lit. stinky water)
(Lit. water and oil)
(Lit. water on a hot stone)
(Lit. bubbles of water)
(Lit. fish returned to water)
(Lit. water into the ear
of a sleeping person)
(Lit. flushing it with water)
That was only a drop
in the bucket.
To be like an oil and water
Aj
ano futari wa ... itsumo iken ga aimasen
To come to nothing
l .....B
@ na
-
enryo shinaide itte-kurereba yokatta noni
Bj
a
-
yokatta! konkai no koto wa to itte-kuremashita
Dj
I@ B
gambatte diet shita noni suguni modotchatta
To be standoffish /
to be reserved
_CGbgAB
korekara ki o tsukemasu
CB
To forgive and forget
subete ga
S
dane
B
akaji nanode ikura gambattemo @ desu@
@@@@@@@ B
e ! honto ? sonnakoto kiitenai yo
IzgH @ I
Cj
A bolt from the blue
@À I@
Please enter the appropriate idiom in the following squares.
Ej
Fj
I was on diet, and doing great! But I gained the weight that I had lost.
Oh, well, all your efforts came to nothing.
You have been standoffish. You could have asked me without hesitation.
There is nothing we can do because of the deficit. It's only a drop inthe bucket.
Those two people are like oil and water. They always disagree witheach other.
Oh, really? That's a bolt from the blue. I've never heard of it!
Oh, what a relief! He told me that he would forgive us and forget about it.
We should be careful next time!
water
polka dot
mizu; sui; zui
mizutamamoyo
-
mizu
A) nose B) fragrance C) rain
D) defend; prevent E) sea F) road
G) warm; temperature H) middle; inside I) color
J) insect K) tune; moderate L) flood
@
l
J
h C
F
^
sui chu
-

bo
-
sui hana mizu
kai sui mizu iro mizu mushi
ko
-
sui
ses sui sui do
-
sui on ko
-
zui ama mizu
h @
C F

^ J
The kanji below (A-L) make specific words when
combined with mizu (water). Make words that
mean 1) to 12) by combining with one of the kanji
below.
In the water Waterproof Runny nose
Seawater Light-blue Athlete's foot
Perfume/fragrance Saving water Public water
Water temperature Flood Rainwater
1) 2) 3)
4) 5) 6)
7) 8) 9)
10) 11) 12)
1) H) 2) D) 3) A)
4) E) 5) I) 6) J)
7) B) 8) K) 9) F)
10) G) 11) L) 12) C)
Kanji of "water"
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
I would say, "oishi
-
ì o-soba o tabemashita ne" (I
guess you had some delicious soba). Japanese people,
especially young girls, often usethese kinds of expression
when they are surprised or amazed. Instead of using
Japanese words that are equivalent to English words such
as "very," "extremely," etc., you simply make the i-adjective
and na-adjective longer than usual. There is no rule for the
length of the long vowel. You can make the long vowel as
long as you want, depending on your feelings. (But please
note that making it too long is strange.) The length of the
long vowel and where to make itdepend on the individual,
but there are some basic rules. Please see the list below.
One of my colleagues bought a new car, and he invited me to go
to Mt. Fuji for a drive. He also invited some girls to come with us.
While he was driving, one of the girls asked him how much the car
cost. Whenshe heard the price, she was surprised and said, "taka
-
ì!" (How expensive!). When his car was going really fast on the
highway, the other girl said, "haya
-
ì!" (How fast!). When we
arrived at the foot of Mt. Fuji, the girls were amazed andsaid,
"kire
-
ì!" (How beautiful!), "sugo
-
ì!" (How wonderful!). When
we got hungry, we went to a restaurant and I had o-soba noodles.
And I tried to imitatethose girls and said, "oi
-
````shii!" (How
delicious!). I didn't know where to make the long vowel and how
long to make it, andeverybody laughed at me when I finished
saying the word. Ms. Hirayama, pleasetell me how long I am
supposed to make the long vowel.
Answers
Answers
oishi
-
`ì
``
delicious
i-adjective.....Make a vowel longer before "i".
The length varies according to one's feelings.
i
-
`ì
``
good
chika
-
`ì
``
near
haya
-
`ì
``
fast, quick, early
samu
-
`ì
``
cold (weather)
tsumeta
-
`ì
``
cold (object)
oso
-
`ì
``
late, slow
yasu
-
`ì
``
cheap
to
-
`ì
``
far
taka
-
`ì
``
high, expensive
hiro
-
`ì
``
wide, spacious
atsu
-
`ì
``
hot, thick
omoshiro
-
`ì
``
funny, interesting
kusa
-
`ì
``
bad-smelling, stinky
kitana
-
`ì
``
dirty
waru
-
`ì
``
bad
Group A Group B Group C Group D
fube
-
` n
2j
14)
13)
`
3) 6) 7) 18)
1)@@@@@@@@@@@@@@2)@@@@@@@@@@@@3)@@@@@@@@@4)
inconvenient
kire
-
` i
`
beautiful
suteki
-
`
`
wonderful
jo
-
` zu
`
being good at
Group A Group B Group C Group D
fukuzatsu
complex, complicated
hen
weird, strange
kirai
dislike
iya
unpleasant, disappointing
5)@@@@@@6)@ @@@@@@@@@7)@@@@@@ @8)@@@@@@@@@@9)
suki
like
daijo
-
bu
no problem, OK
taisetsu
important
daikirai
hate, disgusting
daisuki
love, very fond of

10)@@@@@@@@ 11)@@@@@@@ 12)@@@@@@@@@@@13)@@@@@@@@@@14)@@@@
nigiyaka
busy, lively
hitsuyo
-
necessary
shizuka
quiet, silent, caim

anzen
safe
kantan
simple
15)@@@@@@@@@ 16)@@@@@@@@@@ 17) @@@@@@@@@@@@@@18)
jo
-
bu
strong, sturdy
kyu
-
sudden, urgent
majime
serious, sincere (personality)

taihen
terrible, horrible
1j 2j 4) 5)
6) 15)
8) da ` ikirai
9) da ` isuki
a ` nzen
ka ` ntan 16) 17)
18)
na-adjective.....There are four categories (from A to D) for identifying the long vowel in na-adjectives.
An example is shown for each category. Please try to put the other words in the correct category. Note
that some words fit in more than one category.
a long vowel before "n" a long vowel before "i"
a long vowel at the
end of the word
the long vowel (o) in
the letter "jo"

7) 10j 11) 12)
convenient,
simple
dq W B
B
denshi-range wa desu
gogo nara ga i
-
desu ne
(microwave)
(Chinese noodles)
@(price) (car) (look for)
(time) (there is no)
l i TB
na nedan no kuruma o sagashite-imasu
Jbv[ B
eXg B
cup-ra
-
men wa desu
test wa @@@@@ desu
bI
jikan ga nai node ni hanashite!
tegoro
P
kantan
tsugo
-
s
kantan
P
benri
yasashi-katta
SR B
zenzen wakaranai node motto setsume
-
shite-kudasai
yasashiku
1) For an object: "benri"

2) For a timetable or schedule: "tsugo
-
ga i
-
"
3) For money: "tegoro na" (convenient to buy)
I'm looking for an inexpensive car (literally, a car that is
convenient for me to buy).
The test was easy.
Cupped noodles are simple to make.
The afternoon is convenient for me.
I don't have much time, so keep it simple!
Microwave ovens are convenient.
I have no idea what you mean, so please make it easier
to understand.
There are three ways of saying "convenient" in Japanese
with different nuances from English. Please note that it is
not polite to apply "convenient" to a human being.
4) For a procedure that is "simple" (not troublesome, or
time-consuming): "kantan"
5) For the antonym of "difficult": "yasashi
-
"
"Simple" and "easy" can be confusing, too. Here are some
examples to consider.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A - 3)
D - 2) E - 4) F - 1) G - 5)
B - 5) C - 4)
very ex
pensive
````
taka
-
` ` ` ì
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
shiritori is a Japanese word game in which players
must say a word beginning with the last sound of the
previous word, for example, "u-sa-gi gi-n-ko-u u-
chi chi-zu...." The first player to say a word ending
with "N" loses the game. For example, "su-i-ka
(watermelon) ka-gi (key) ki-ri-n (giraffe)."
(In the first example, ginko
-
is pronounced ginkou in
Japanese. Therefore, the last syllable is "u.")

One day on the train, I overheard a child next to me having a
conversation with his mother. He said to her, "oka
-
san, shiritori
shiyo
-
-yo!"(Mom, let's do "shiritori"!) and, I wondered, "What?
'shiritori'?'shiri (one's back side) and tori (take).' Butt-grabbing!?"
As I was trying to guess what this meant, the child said, "usagi
(rabbit)." Then, the mother said, "gi...ginkou (bank)." Then, the child
said, "uchi (house)," and the mother said, "chi...chi... chizu (map),"
and so on. They kept doing it untilthe train stopped at the next
station. I wondered what they were doing.
kaiwa
1) Here are some more word games: 12 words are
hidden in consecutive order.
(Go clockwise )
e.g., kikai: machine
ki
ka
i
ka
ni
ku
ri
n
go
ma
n
ji yu
u
me
bo
shi
ji
mi
mi
mi
ka
ka, ki, ku, ke, ko ga, gi, gu, ge, go
sa, shi, su, se, so za, ji, zu, ze, zo
ta, chi, tsu, te, to da, de, do
ha, hi, fu, he, ho ba, bi, bu, be, bo /
pa, pi, pu, pe, po
kaze (wind)sekai (world)

kaba (hippopotamus)pazuru(puzzle)
e.g.,
R
N
A
J
F W C i [ K g[ G
J
i
_
C
2) Seven country names

are hidden below in consecutive order.
(Note: South Korea = Daikan minkoku)
(Go clockwise )
da
i
ka
n
mi
n
ko
ku
e ji i na ga n to e
ri
a
me
ri
ka
na
b
` Wpj [Y ` WF[X| [ A
ano
-
Japanese Lunch no James Pole desu ga

go-ji ni Chida sama to oyakusoku-shite-irun desu ga...
5 c l ...
hai Japanese Lunch no Pole-sama desu ne
AWpj[Y` | [l B
sochira ni okakeninatte omachi-kudasaimase
| B
Mr. Chida's secretary comes out to welcome Mr. Pole.
Pole-sama omatase-itashimashita
|[l vB
do
-
zo kochira e
B
tadaima bucho
-
no Chida ga mairimasu node
sho
-
-sho
-
omachi-kudasai
c Q
suimasen omatase-shimashita
BB
iie itsumo osewani natte-imasu
bB
Pole: Excuse me, I'm James Pole from Japanese Lunch. And
Receptionist: I see... you are Mr. Pole from Japanese Lunch.
Secretary: Mr. Pole. Sorry for keeping you waiting.
your company name
A few minutes later.
Chida: Excuse me, sir. I'm sorry to keep you waiting.
Pole: Not at all. I always appreciate your kindness.
Many readers have asked for examples of typical
conversations people have when visiting a company.
I have an appointment to see Mr. Chida at five o'clock today.
Please take a seat over there, and he'll be with you in a minute.
Please come this way.
The general manager, Mr. Chida, is on his way,
so please wait for a few minutes.
your name
appointment
time
person's name
who you will meet
("I have an appointment")
(confirmation)
over there honorific of "take your seat" and "please wait"
honorific of "thank you for waiting"
right now Chida manager humble form of "will come"
for a few minutes please wait
thank you for waiting
always appreciate your kindness.
Answers : You can start at any place.
1) @@

ika: squid
kani: crab
niku: meat
kuri: chestnut
ringo: apple
goma: sesame
manjuu: a steamed (bean-jam) bun
umeboshi: pickled plum
shijimi: a shellfish
mimi: ears
mimikaki: ear pick
F
n O@
{ N
3) Fifteen words in kanji

are hidden at right.
Look for the word in
kanji, not the sound of
the word. (Go clockwise )
@ e.g.,
O (foreign car)

NEF[g: Kuwait
g K: Tonga
K[i : Ghana
i CWFA: Nigeria
AJ: the United States
Ji _: Canada
w : middle school student
N : date of birth
{ : No. 1 in Japan
: first
: coarse tea
F: brown
F : colored glasses
: chest of drawers with a mirror
: kitchenn: Earth
: baseball stadium
O: outside the grounds

2)
3)
w

: in a car / in a train
s
h
irito
ri
Note: In shiritori, similar sounds are considered
the same:
X B
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
I frequently hear that people overseas
imagine that Japanese people are ambiguous
and do not give definite answers, that they
have nofacial expressions, and that their
thoughts are obscure. So, I understand your
frustration. "ma
-
ma
-
desu ne" is translated as
"so-so" in English, but it's not exactly the same.
Japanese people frequently say, "ma
-
ma
-
desu
ne," and I hope my explanation below will help
you understand what they mean.
The other day, I went fishing with a Japanese friend. At noon, he took out the
lunch his wife had prepared for him, and he offered me some. When I said to
him, "oku-san no obento
-
, totemo oishi
-
desu ne" (This is very tasty. Your
wife prepares a great lunch.), he said, "ma
-
ma
-
desu yo" (It's so-so). But he ate
everything in his lunch box with a genuine smile. I wonder if his wife gets mad
with him if he leaves something. After that, he showed me a photo of his wife.
When I said, "oku-san kire
-
desu ne" (Your wife is pretty), he said, "ma
-
ma
-

desu yo" (She's so-so). But he looked very happy to hear thecompliment.
Hmm...I wonder whether he really liked his lunch...I wonder if he thought his
wife was pretty or not...I have no idea what he was thinking!

kaiwa
b
m
a
-

m
a
-

Pole-san: So-so. (He is smiling.)
Imai-san: How is your business?
Pole-san: So-so. (His tone depressed.)
Imai-san: How was your new project meeting?
Describing someone (third person)
B
ma
-
ma
-
desu ne
B
ma
-
ma
-
desu
Describing yourself (first person)
On the other hand, when they use the expression to describe
someone else, it implies that they have somewhat negative feelings,
which corresponds to "so-so" in English.
"Ma
-
ma
-
" has a wide range of meanings when Japanese people use it
to describe themselves. It can be positive or negative depending
ontheir facial expressions, and it does not simply mean "so-so" in
English. Saying "ma
-
ma
-
" is especially appropriate way to say, "It's
good," because the Japanese culture admires the humble and modest
spirit of the speaker.
It is hard to say.../I'm afraid not...
1j
How was@ @@ ?
muzukashi
-
desu ne...
c
2j
4)
kaigi
3)
...
5) 6) 7)
meeting/conference
No problem./It's OK.
daijo
-
bu desu
vB
It went well.
umaku ikimashita
B
It was terrible./It was no good.
dame deshita
_B
I'm sorry to have troubled you so much.
goshimpai o okake-itashimashita
Sz| vB
Yes, somehow...
e
-
do
-
nika
...
_
keiyaku
contract
b
hanashiai
consultation/discussion

mondai
problem/issue
p[eB[
party
party
f[g
date
date
R T[g
concert
concert
B
ikaga deshita ka
B
do
-
datta
It was really good.
yokatta desu
B
How did go?
The nouns in 1) to 7) can be put in the square above. Needless to say, some other
nouns can be added, too.
nouns nouns
Some other answers.
QUESTION
REPLYING
(polite form)
(friendly form)
Pole-san desu ne
|[ B
hai okagesama de
A
senjitsu no ken

ichio
-
ue niwa ga...
...
Conversation
(continued from November)
iroiro to
okage-sama de
A
honto
-
ni arigato
-
gozaimashita
{B
so
-

kyo
-
wa sono ken no orei ni ukagattan desu
f B
kongo-tomo
Ms. Chida : Pole-san, it seems like your business keeps you busy.
.............................. Concluding the discussion ...............................
Pole : Yes, I want to thank you for that...
Ms. Chida : So, how did that matter last month go?
Pole : I'm sorry to have bothered you so much.
Ms. Chida : Oh, good! That's nice to hear!
Pole : In fact, the reason I am here today is to express
my gratitude.
Pole : I hope that we can maintain a good business
relationship.
Mr. Pole is having a conversation with his client,
Ms. Chida, the general manager. Please fill in the
blanks by using hints given in English.
I explained it to my bosses, just in case...
But, it went well, thanks to you.
I do appreciate all your kindness.
oisogashi-so
-
Z ...
do
-
nika
B
do
-
narimashita ka
b
hanashite-okimashita
| vB
otesu
-
o okake-itashimashita
B
sore wa yokatta
jitsu wa
vB
do
-
zo yoroshiku onegai-itashimasu
Answers
sB
umaku-ikimashita
It seems busy
thank you for that...
how did `?
I explained it
have bothered you
it went well
nice to hear
In fact,
keep the good business relationship
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
1
4
7
2
5
8
3
6
9
8
Excellent
positive
feeling
negative
feeling
Terrible
It's good !
It's OK !
It's so-so.
(100%)
e.g.,
B
ma
-
ma
-
deshita
(It's good.)
(It was no good.)
(sounds positive)
(sounds negative)
5-m inute J apanese Class by H itom i H irayam a
D
e
s
ig
n
: M
a
s
a
k
o
B
a
n
The expression "___ho
-
dai" means
"as much as you'd like." For example,
there is an "utai-ho
-
dai" system at
karaoke bars, which means, "all-you-
can-sing." The other expression of "mu-
se
-
gen" means "unlimited." Let me
show you some other prefixes, rather
than "mu-."
One of my friends invited me out for dinner, saying, "Pole-san, sushi no tabe-ho
-
dai,
sake no nomi-ho
-
dai, jikan wa mu-se
-
gen dakara iko
-
yo!" (Mr. Pole, there is a
restaurant that offers a sushi "tabe-ho
-
dai," sake "nomi-ho
-
dai" and the time is "mu-
se
-
gen," so let's go there!). I didn't understand what "tabe-ho
-
dai," "nomi-ho
-
dai," "mu-
se
-
gen" meant, but I decided to go with him. WhenI got there, I could not believe it! All
I paid was 2,000, but I could eat as much sushi as I liked, and I could drink as much as
I wanted, and we could stay there as long as we wanted. Gee, I was stuffed, and I really
liked the system. Ms. Hirayama, could you teach me similar words?

1 2 3
Answers
Answers
-less/un-
mu
new
shin
V
not yet
mi
un-/non
fu
s
re-
sai
non-/un-
hi
e.g.,
e.g.,
e.g.,
e.g.,
e.g.,
e.g.,
mu-ishiki
unconscious
shin-se
-
ken
V
new regime
mi-se
-
nen
N
under legal age
fu-e
-
sei
sq
unsanitary
sai-start
X^[g
restart
hi-se
-
santeki
YI
unproductive
When one of these characters is added to a
word, its meaning is changed completely.
ishiki
conscious
se
-
ken
regime
se
-
nen
N
legal age
e
-
sei
q
sanitary
start
X^[g
start
se
-
santeki
YI
productive
broadcast
rerun
ho
-
so
-

planned
unplanned
ke
-
kaku
v

regular
irregular
kisoku
K

interest
indifference
kanshin
S

common sense
nonsense
jo
-
shiki

meaning
meaningless
imi

stability
insecurity
ante
-

taxable
tax-free
kaze
-

connection
no connection
kanke
-
W
solve
unsolved
kaiketsu

participation
nonparticipation
sanka
Q

record
new record
kiroku
L^
-less/un-
mu
new
shin
V
not yet
mi
un-/non
fu
s
re-
sai

non-/un-
hi
Which one of the kanji in the center appropriately changes the Japanese word?
ko
-
fu
t
ninshiki
F
grant; issue
reissue
realize
realize again
rerun (sai-ho
-
so
-
)
indifference S(mu-kanshin)
nonsense (hi-jo
-
shiki)
insecurit y s (fu-ante
-
)
unsolved (mi-kaiketsu)
irregularit y s K (fu-kisoku)
unplanned v(mu-ke
-
kaku)
reissue t (sai-ko
-
fu)
realiz e again F(sai-ninshiki)
1 14 13 12
6 7
2
3
4
5
11
10
9
8
nonpart icipat ion s Q (fu-sanka)
new record VL^(shin-kiroku)
no connect ion W(mu-kanke
-
)
t ax-free (hi-kaze
-
)
meaningless (mu-imi)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
ho
-
dai
(All you can ___/as much as you'd like)
tabe masu ho
-
dai
H
fBYj [ h @@@
` PbgB
ano mise wa ni-jikan go-hyaku en de
desu yo ikimasho
-
XQ 500~@ @ @@@@@@@@
BsI
lunch time wa de sen en desu
demo yoru wa takai desu
`^C@@@ @@@@@ 1,000~B
B
1)
1) You can buy an "all-day ride pass" at Disneyland.
2) For 500, we can sing as many songs as we like
for two hours at the karaoke bar, so let's go!
3) The restaurant offers an "all-you-can-eat lunch" for
1,000, but the dinner is expensive.
2) 3)
nori masu ho
-
dai

utai masu ho
-
dai

The number of verbs the phrase can apply to is limited.
All you can eat All you can ride All you can sing
(verb)

masu
all you can ride
all you can sing
all you can eat
kekkon
4 ) Single (not yet married)

5 ) Remarried
6 ) Newlywed
bonus question
4) 5) 6) V
mi-kon sai-kon shin-kon
By putting the prefixeswxwVxorwxin the square
box, try to make a Japanese word that corresponds to
4), 5) and 6).
kon
m
u
.
.
.
fu... m
i...
1 2 3
Disneyland niwa ichi-nichi
no ticket ga arimasu
I also love sushi. In some sushi restaurants, they use an
interesting green-tea cup with the names of many fish on it. Many
Japanese find it hard to read the names of fish in kanji. If you
remember them, your Japanese friends will be impressed. Why
not try to surprise them? I may be making an unnecessary
comment here, but, recently, it seems more and more fish are cut
into slices and sold in packages at supermarkets. So, there is little
opportunity to see a whole fish, and the number of children and
young adults who cannot recognize different kinds of fish is
increasing.
I went to the sushi restaurant near my house last night.
Recently, I have been able to order various kinds of
sushi because I've learned the names of some of the
fish. It's still hard for me to remember some of the
names, so I order by looking at a menu posted on a wall,
which is written in hiragana. Last night, a Japanese
man who was sitting next to me told me that it would be
interesting to know what kanji are used for what fish
and why. Ms. Hirayama, can you help?
With cooperation from Yasuhiro Koga and illustrations by Ayako Tanaka
Answers
sakana
hirame
(flat)
(weak)
(fortune)
(snow)
(blue)
(spring)
(hard)
(leaf)
iwashi
ayu
tara
saba
kare
-
From the meaning of kanji:
flatfish : hirame
It has a flat shape.
(best grilled or boiled or for sashimi)
@@@@@@
sardine : iwashi
It is a weak fish that goes bad right after
being caught.
(best grilled or for sashimi)
@@@@@@
sweetfish : ayu
In ancient times, its scales were used to
tell fortunes.
(best grilled fish with salt)
mackerel : saba
Its body looks blue.
(best grilled)
codfish : tara
It is delicious to eat the fish when it is still
snowing in winter.
(best in cooked in a hot pot)
spanish mackerel : sawara
It is delicious to eat this fish in spring.
bonito : katsuo
Its body becomes hard when it is
dried in the sun.
(good for sashimi)
flounder : kare
-
Its shape resembles that of a leaf.
(best grilled or boiled)
(about 40~80 cm)
(about 25 cm)
(about 80 cm)
(about 45 cm)
(about 100 cm)
(about 60~90 cm)
(about 20 cm)
me kara

CV@@@@@@@@@@@@
@ @
o yomu
ebi de @@@@@@@ @@@ o tsuru
nigashita @@@@@ @@ wa o
-
ki
-
nobori

scales
bream
eel
mackerel
fish
Proverbs that relate to fish
(about 25`100 cm)
(about 50`90 cm)
Being suddenly awakened to the truth (literal meaning: the
scales fall from one's eyes). It refers to being able to
understand clearly and being awakened to the real truth.
Cheating on counting (literal meaning: counting mackerel).
It means to cheat when counting to benefit oneself. For
example, a woman pretends she is younger or weighs less
than she really does.
One is apt to think that the fish that got away was very big.
When something isn't achieved at the last minute, one often
thinks the loss is larger than it actually is.

Throwing a sprat to catch a mackerel (literal meaning:
catching a sea bream by using a shrimp). It refers to using a
small investment as bait to gain a huge profit.
Increasing at an unbelievable rate (literal meaning: rising eel)
It is about prices, positions, temperature, stock prices, etc.,
rising at an unbelievable rate.
sawara
katsuo
{
t
{
t

(about 20~80 cm)
me kara uroko
@
saba o yomu
I@ @
ebi de tai o tsuru
CV @
V@
unagi nobori nigashita sakana wa o
-
ki
-
Using the clues provided, complete the proverbs.
D
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a
s
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B
a
n
Most Japanese people like fish, which is a central
part of the Japanese cuisine. Are you sure you want me
to suggest some fish recipes? Hmm. . .I'm not sure about
this; I can help you with questions about the Japanese
language, but ryo
-
ri wa chotto. . .(Cooking. . .well. . .),
although I love eating fish. However, I have a friend who
is a cooking teacher and focuses on preparing simple
and easy Japanese dishes. I'll ask him to help you! Good
luck and bon appetit!
With cooperation from Yasuhiro Koga and illustrations by Ayako Tanaka
kare
-
no kara-age
g
Fried Flat fish
(serves four)
Ingredients:
4 flatfish
8 shishito
-
(small sweet peppers)
1 lemon, sliced
flourenough cooking oil to cover fish in frying pan
1. Scale the fish.
Make an incision between the pectoral fins p
and remove the insides.
Wash.
2. Pat dry.
Using a basting brush, lightly dust
each fish with flour.
(Don't coat too heavily.)
me kara uroko
kyo
-
no kion wa
C @@@@ @@@
Yamada-san no hanashi wa itsumo
Rcb
chichi no suki na hana o agetara sugoku
yorokonde shokuji ni tsuretette-kureta !
D A -HA- I
e? sono su
-
ji wa shinji-rarenai desu yo
HMB
ebi de tai o tsuru
CV
unagi nobori
V
saba o yonde-imasu
I
nigashita sakana wa oki
-
e? ano hito to wakare-chatta no? desu yo!

HlH@@@@@@ @ I
desu ne
B
zettai ni sore wa ne
@@@ @@ B
The temperature has risen unbelievably today,
What Mr. Yamada says always opens my eyes to the truth,
you: When I gave my father a bouquet of his favorite
flowers, he was so happy he took me out for dinner!
It was like using a shrimp to catch a mackerel, wasn't it?
What? I cannot believe the number is correct.
He is probably cooking the numbers, isn't he?
What? You broke up with him? You let that
big fish get away!
To review the last lesson (Vol. 47), use the clues
provided to complete the proverbs.
sakana
aji
maguro
H
sanma
katsuo
kawahagi
iwashi
salmon:
(good grilled
with salt)
(length: about 50 cm to 1 m)
octopus:
(good boiled
or as sashimi)
(length: about 20 to 60 cm) 60 cm)
yellowtail:
(good grilled
with salt or as sashimi hi i))
(length: about 110 cm) m)
sake
buri
tako nijimasu
amed aft er s pecific charact erist ics:
t her popular fish :
: tuna: Tuna eventually becomes black when it
at room temperature. Pronunciation was is left at room temperature. Pronunciation was
changed from makkuro (deep black) to maguro.
Good as sashimi. (length: about 1 to 1.5 m)
sardine: Pronunciation was changed
from yowai (weak) to iwashi. Good grilled or as
(length: about 25 cm)
horse mackerel: Originated from "aji ga i
-
"
(tastes good). Often grilled with salt or served as (tastes good). Often grilled with salt or serve lt or serv
sashimi. (length: about 25 to 40 cm)
kats suo (bonito): Because it is often dried in
the sun, katsuo is often hard and tough to n, katsuo is often hard and tough tto chew.
Its nam me was changed from "katai" (hard) to
"katsuo." Good as sashimi. (length: about 60 to
90 cm)
Pacific saury: A long fish that resembles a
sword. TThin fish were called samana in the past,
but its pronunciation was eventually changed to pronunciation was eventually change
sanma. Often grilled with salt or served as
sashimi. (length: about 30 to 40 cm)
filefish: Filefish have a hard skin that is
removed before eating. Pronunciation was before eating. Pronunciation
changed fromm kawa o hagu (peeling off skin) to
kawahagi. Commonly grilled. (length: about 20
to 30 cm)
4. When the sweet peppers and
fish@are cooked, transfer to a
serving dish. Squeeze lemon juice
on top before serving.
3. Heat the oil to 180 C @@@ @
and fry the fish. (If the fish is too t
large, cut in half before frying.)
Remove stems of sweet peppers
and seed before frying.
which is always helpful.
-B
benkyo
-
ni narimasu
friend:
friend:
you:
rainbow trout:
(good grilled with salt)
(length: about 20 to 50 cmm)
B
kanari atsui-yo
-
desu yo
and it may get really hot. hot.
de
de
(scale)
5-minute Japanese Class by HitomiHirayama
I was invited on an interesting sakana tabearuki tour (fish-eating
tour) last month. As part of the tour, participants traveled to various
fishing ports in Japan, where regional fish delicacies were served. I
have been studying fish kanji, so I signed up for the tour because I
thought that it would help me learn more about the Japanese used for
different fish. I was a little worried that I would get sick of eating only
fish on the tour. I was wrong! Instead of getting bored of fish, I ate so
many different fish dishes that I gained weight during the tour. They
were all delicious, and now I want to learn how to cook them so I can
prepare a fish dinner for my parents. Ms. Hirayama, please give me
some fish recipes!
D
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B
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Answers
I went to see the same movie. Just like
your friend, I was "hara-hara" (nervous),
"doki-doki" (feeling like my heart was
pounding) and "hiya-hiya" (scared). When it
ended, my stomach was "peko-peko"
(hungry). But I'm not an extraterrestrial! In
fact, these expressions are called
onomatopoeia. They are commonly used in
cartoons and spoken by young children, and
they are frequently used in daily life, as well.
I went to see a movie with a friend. Afterward, when we were discussing the
movie, she said, "kono e
-
ga o mitakatta node yu
-
be wa 'waku-waku' deshita
yo (I really wanted to see this movie, so I was waku-waku last night). saisho wa
'doki-doki,' tochu
-
kara 'hara-hara,' 'hiya-hiya,' nodo wa 'kara-kara'
deshita (When the movie started, I was doki-doki. In the middle, I was hara-hara
and hiya-hiya. My throat was kara-kara...?). saigo wa 'hotto' shita yo (At the
end, I was hotto)." While she was asking me what I thought about the movie, I
wondered if she was an alien from outer space. "waku-waku, doki-doki..." It
seemed like a language spoken on another planet. I had absolutely no idea what
she meant.
Answers
1) 11 2) 1 3) 5 4) 9
5) 14 6) 7 7) 4
bara-bara
The pearls of my necklace are scattered
all over the place.
scattered/
inconsistent
p[l bNX B
pearl no necklace wa bara-bara desu
wa
B
desu
onomatopoeia tense
present tense
B
janai desu
negative tense
B
deshita
past tense
B
janakatta desu
past negative
tense
mecha-kucha
Houses were destroyed in the typhoon.

destroyed
B
uchi wa taifu
-
de mecha-kucha desu
gocha-gocha
I'm confused. messy/
confused
B
atama no naka wa gocha-gocha desu
kuta-kuta
I'm exhausted after working 12 hours. exhausted
12 B
ju
-
-ni-jikan hataraite kuta-kuta desu
Tense of onomatopoeia
Subject
Generally, onomatopoeic Japanese words are made up of repeated sounds, such
as "doki-doki." Onomatopoeia is used as an adjective to describe actions,
feelings and situations. It is a very handy way to convey emotions, and there are
more than 2,000 onomatopoeic expressions in the language. Most phrases use
onomatopoeia in various ways. I will explain the general meaning of some of
them.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

betsu-betsu
We'd like to pay separately. separately
x B
shiharai wa betsu-betsu desu
gara-gara
The restaurant is nearly empty. empty/few people
XB
mise wa gara-gara desu
giri-giri
The car barely fit in the garage.
barely/almost
B
kuruma wa giri-giri de shako ni
hairimashita
mada-mada
My Japanese is not good enough.
{ B
Nihongo wa mada-mada desu
beta-beta
sticky
mB
te wa nori de beta-beta desu
My hands are sticky with glue.
(ex., in a room,
a shop, a train, et c.)
yore-yore
rumpled/wrinkled
Y{ B
zubon wa yore-yore deshita
The pants were wrinkled.
fura-fura
dizzy/
with unsteady steps
OB
tetsuya o shite fura-fura desu
I feel dizzy because I stayed up all night.
pera-pera
fluently/flimsy
{ B
Nihongo wa mada pera-pera janai desu
I cannot speak Japanese fluently yet.
bisho-bisho
drenched
JB
ame de bisho-bisho desu
(I forgot my umbrella, so)
I'm drenched.
gyu
-
- gyu
-
jam-packed
n SB
chikatetsu wa gyu
-
-gyu
-
deshita
The subway was jam-packed.
(last night) (too much drink)
kaigi no toki itsumo iken wa @ desu
c @ @@B
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
ze
-
kin to service-ryo
-
wa janakatta desu
T[rX@@@@@@ B
sugoku mushi-atsui node shirt ga deshita
Vc @@ @@@@@B
yu
-
be wa nomi-sugite @@@@@@@ deshita
[ @@@ @@@@@ @@@B
raigetsu no schedule wa mo
-
desu yo
XPW[ @ @ B
ano hito wa itsumo jikan ni desu
l @@@@ @ B
kesa shutcho
-
kara kaette-kite sonomama
oA
(meeting) (when) (always) (opinion)
(tax) (and) (service charge)
(very) (humid) (so)
(next month) (already)
(that person) (always) (time)
(this morning)(business trip)(from) (return) (as is)
I had so much to drink last night that I could barely walk.
Opinions are always inconsistent at meetings.
The tax hadn't been separated from the service charge.
My shirt stuck to my skin because of the humidity.
Next month's schedule is already jam-packed!
Most of the time, he is barely on time.
I'm exhausted because I came back from a business
trip this morning and went straight to work.
dizzy/
with unsteady steps
scattered/
inconsistent
separately
sticky
jam-packed
barely/
almost
exhausted
@@@@@ B
hataraita node desu
(to work) (so)
Which onomatopoeic phrase is suitable for the following
sentences?
not good enough/
more
Onomatopoeia
D
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:
M
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B
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I'm very happy for you! I'm sure you have studied
Japanese very hard, but perhaps your conversational style
was a little awkward before. Why was that? It was because
you didn't use enough onomatopoeia! Conversational style
can be awkward when students focus too much on grammar
or if they study Japanese outside Japan. However, when they
learn and start using onomatopoeia in their conversation,
their Japanese will sound much more natural!!
I love the onomatopoeia that I studied in Vol. 49 because the
subtle expressions covered in the class can be understood very
easily and are easy to pronounce and remember, too. Japanese
friends say I have gained a variety of conversational expressions
in my Japanese, and that what I say is more understandable
than before. So I really want to learn more onomatopoeic
expressions. Could you cover some more expressions? I want to
speak Japanese pera-pera (fluently)!
Answers
h
a
r
a

don-don
Time passed by so quickly. rapidly/steadily
B
jikan wa don-don sugimashita
wa
B
masu
onomatopoeia
object
future tense
B
masen
negative
B
mashita
past tense
B
masen deshita
past negative
soro-soro
Well, it's about time for me to go. it's about time
B
ja
-
soro-soro shitsure
-
shimasu
choku-choku
I often went to Kyoto back then. often
s sB
mukashi wa Kyoto ni choku-choku ikimashita
paku-paku
Mr. Kinoshita gobbled down the sushi. scoff/gobble/
munch
i HB
Kinoshita-san wa sushi o paku-paku tabemashita
o
Verb
(time)
(Well)
(a long time ago)
tense
doki-doki
I didn't get nervous when I gave my speech.
nervous/with a
pounding heart
Xs[` B
speech wa doki-doki shimasendeshita
ira-ira
Traffic jams make you irritated, don't they? being irritated/
bothered
a B
ju
-
tai wa ira-ira shimasu ne
gota-gota
That company has been in trouble all year. being in trouble/
confused N B
ano kaisha wa nenju
-
gota-gota shiteimasu yo
bura-bura
I just want to hang out every day without working. hanging out/
doing nothing
d B
shigoto o shinaide mainichi bura-bura shitai desu ne
bata-bata
hectic
B
kyo
-
wa ichinichi-ju
-
bata-bata shiteimashita
It's been busy (hectic) all day long.
mushi-mushi
being humid
N ~J B
kotoshi no tsuyu mo mushi-mushi shimasu ne
goro-goro
lie around
x B
yasumi wa hotondo goro-goro shiteimasu
Most of the time, I just lie around at home
when I have a day off.
iki-iki
full of life
l 95 B
ano hito wa kyu
-
ju
-
-go-sai desu ga iki-iki shiteimasu ne
That person is 95 years old, but she's full of life.
B
shimasu
future tense
B
shimasen
negative
B
shimashita
past tense
B
shimasen deshita
past negative
niko-niko
smile
t l B
uketsuke no hito wa itsumo niko-niko shiteimasu
The receptionist always has a nice smile.
(traffic jam)
(that company) (all the year around)
(don't work) (every day)
(today) (all day long)
(this year) (rainy season)
(day off) (almost)
(that person) (95 years old)
(reception) (person) (always)
This year's rainy season is humid, too, isn't it?
wa
onomatopoeia
tense
1.
2.
3.
4.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
5.
(friend) (abroad)(travel)
suru to karada ni warui desu yo
@B
My friends often travel abroad.
Your health will suffer if you keep getting irritated.
Well, as tonight is a celebration,
Is it about time to have lunch?
I've been so busy (hectic)
sa
-
komban wa oiwai desu-kara
j
ohiru ni shimasho
-
ka
B
tomodachi wa kaigai-ryoko
-
o shimasu
FB@@ @@@ CO sB
shiteita node
hajimete no date wa shimasen deshita ka

f[g @@@@@ B
senshu
-
no nichi-yo
-
bi ni Ginza o shimashita
T j @@@@ @B
Didn't you get nervous when you went out on your first date?
I was hanging out in Ginza last Sunday.
(health) (bad)
(tonight) (celebration)
(lunch)
(contact) (become late) (I'm very sorry)
(first time)
(last week) (Sunday)
often
being
irritated
rapidly,
steadily
it's about
time
busy
(hectic)
nervous
hanging
out
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
so everybody, have plenty to drink!
B
nonde-kudasai ne
(please drink)
I'm sorry I didn't contact you earlier.
A x\ B
renraku ga osokunari moshiwake arimasen deshita
1. 3 2. 6 3. 1 4. 2 5. 9 6. 5 7. 8
h
a
r
a

-
h
a
r
a

h
a
r
a

h
a
r
a

h
a
r
a

--
Put suitable onomatopoeia in the box.
Onomatopoeia
D
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Bingo! You did it again! "Taking off"
is translated differently in Japanese
according to the part of the body. "Taking
off" and "putting on" are complicated and
described in various ways in Japanese. So,
let me organize it and make it easy for you
to remember.
I really love onsen (hot springs) in Japan, so I try to as many onsen as possible.
Let me tell you what happened when I went to an onsen nearby with a friend of
one of my colleagues the other day. He always wears glasses, but he uses
contact lenses when he gets into the water. On that day, however, he was
wearing glasses when we arrived at an open-air onsen. I asked him, "megane o
nuganai no desu ka" (Aren't you going to take off your glasses?), but the
Japanese people around me started laughing. My friend was also laughing and
said, "yo
-
fuku wa nugimashita yo" (I did take off my clothes, though). Ms.
Hirayama, "taking off" is "nugu" in Japanese, isn't it? Did I say something
wrong, again?
Answers
Answers
I quit being a salaried worker and started my own soba
restaurant, but I failed to make a go of it.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
1. 7) 2. 6) 3. 4) 4. 5)
5. 2) 6. 3) 7. 1)
There are two main expressions for "taking off" in Japanese.
nugimasu
nugimasu
torimasu
torimasu
You take off items of clothing,
such as
You remove such items as hats,
neckties, eyeglasses, necklaces
and makeup.
n
u
g
u t
o
r
u
n
u
g
u
?
t
o
r
u
?
torimasu
1) I take off my jacket.
2) I take off my tie.
5) I take off my watch.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)
12)
13)
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
muffler o
toke
-
o
belt o
necktie o
kutsushita o
uwagi o
shitagi o
kesho
-
o
megane o
zubon o
I take off my glasses.
4) I take off my socks.
20)
3) I remove my makeup.
6) I take off my pants.
7) I take off my underwear.
8) I take off my belt.
9) I take off my muffler.
11) I remove the polish from my nails.
(note: In Japan,
m anicureis used for
varnishing the nails.)
14) I take off my sweater.
earrings o
sweater o

stocking o
manicure o
kutsu o
yubiwa o
omen o
necklace o
bo- shi o
13) I take off my shoes.
12) I take off a mask.
15) I take off my hat.
16) I take off my necklace.
17) I take off my ring.
18) I take off my pantyhose.
19) I take off my earrings.
10) I take off my gloves.
tebukuro o
letter tax hat line drop out wheel
yamamichi de shite kuruma ga ugokanakunatte komatta

I got in trouble because a wheel came off my car in
a mountain road and the car was stucked there.
My mom always drifts from the subject.
I did not drop out of the marathon,
I made a final effort to finish.
It seems that more people are evading taxes because
of the current recession.
haha no hanashi wa itsumo suru

marathon o shinaide saigo made gambatta!

o shite soba-ya o hajimeta ga shippaishita

saikin fuke
-
ki de ga fuetekita

mairimashita desu

kono bunsho
-
wa goji ga o
-
i desu ne

You've won! I am deeply impressed!
I see many typos and missing letters in this document.
quit / drop out / evade / undress
Make a complete sentence below by matching the
kanji above with one of the numbered kanji below.
datsu/dass, dakk, etc.
datsu-sara datsurin dassen datsuraku
datsuze
-
datsubo
-
datsuji
quit being a
salaried worker
a wheel
came off
drifts
drop out
evade taxes
missing
letters
deeply
impressed
(soba restaurant)(started) (it was unsuccessful)
(mountain road) (car) (wouldn't move)(I got in trouble)
(my mother) (subject) (always)
(last) (hard to do)
(these days)(recession) (increased)
(throw up one's hands)
(this sentence) (spelling mistakes) (many)
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7)
salaried
worker
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
2 1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
skirts, socks and jackets.
nugimasu.
D
e
s
i
g
n

:
M
a
s
a
k
o

B
a
n
D
e
s
i
g
n

:
M
a
s
a
k
o

B
a
n
I don't think your Japanese was "hen"
(strange), you just used the wrong Japanese.
Do you remember the expression "to take
off" from the previous lesson? Just like that
expression, there are several different ways of
saying "to wear" in Japanese. Just like the
previous lesson, I'll select frequently used
expressions to make it easier for you to
remember them.
Yesterday, a friend of friend (tomodachi no tomodachi) I've known since I
was in school came from Kobe to Tokyo for a visit. I had never met her
before, so when she called, she asked, "donna fuku o kite-imasu ka?"
(What are you wearing?) I said, "pink no necktie o kite-imasu (I'm wearing
a pink tie). green no zubon o kite-imasu (I'm wearing green pants). hige
wa kite-imasen (I don't have a mustache). gold no kutsu o kite-imasu
(I'm wearing gold shoes)." When I hung up, a friend who was standing next
to me said, "Pole-san no Nihon-go wa hen" (Your Japanese sounds
strange).
Answers
Answers
1) E 2) @ 3) F 4) C
5) A 6) D 7) B
t o wear ...
There are main four different ways of saying
"to wear" in Japanese.
kimasu
kaburimasu
k
iru
t o wear
h
a
k
u k
iru
?
t o wear
h
a
k
u
?
Reach, contact, wear, steady
Complet e t he following sent ences by mat ching
t he word wit h t he kanji below.
to
-
chaku chakubarai kigaenai senchaku
chakujitsu setchakuzai
@ A B C
D E F
1
1
4
2
For items worn on the head
(e.g., a hat, a helmet...)
For items worn on the upper
body and arms
(e.g., a sweater, a shirt)
shimasu
For accessories
(e.g., watch, ring, belt, bandage)
condition
condition
condition
condition
kabutte-imasu
kite-imasu
shite-imasu
pay)
de okuttemo i
-
desu ka

1) What time will we arrive at Narita Airport?
2) May I send it cash on delivery?
3) He smells bad because he doesn't change clothes and
wears the same clothes every day.

4) It was for the first 10 people, so I didn't get one.
5) I'm making steady progress because I'm practicing every day.
mainichi onaji fuku o kite zenzen node kusai

ju
-
-nin made datta node dame deshita
10
Narita no jikan wa nanji desu ka.

mainichi renshu
-
shite-iru node ni jo
-
tatsushite-imasu

watta kabin o de tsukete naoshimashita

ga i
-
to kekka mo i
-
desu ne

6) I used glue to repair the vase that I broke.
7) If you have a positive viewpoint, you'll do better, won't you?
(real) (ahead)
(arrival) (replace)
(eyes)(point)
(attach) (agent)
cash
on delivery
steady view point
first
arrival
glue Arrival to change clothes
arrival
Being paid
on delivery
to change
clothes
The first
arrival
steady
a glue
(everyday) (practice) (because) (making progress)
A view point
(time) (what time)
(to send) (May I ?)
(everyday)(same) (clothes) (wearing) (not at all) (smell bad)
(10 people) (didn't get)
(result) (also)
(broke) (vase) (glue) (repaired)
(nai-form)
chakuganten
3
hakimasu
For items worn on the lower body
and feet
(e.g., shoes, socks)
haitee-imasu
Select the appropriate expression among
kabutte-imasu kite-imasu haite-imasu shite-imasu
to fill the each square below.
ribbon o shite-imasu
megane o shite-imasu
toke
-
o shite-imasu
yubiwa o shite-imasu
belt o shite-imasu
kutsu o haite-imasu
kutsushita o haite-imasu
zubon o haite-imasu
shirt o kite-imasu
uwagi o kite-imasu
earring o shite-imasu
bo
-
shi o kabutte-imasu
2 3 4
4
4
4
4
4
4
1
2
2
3
3
3
(b) glasses
(k) earring
(d) ring
(c) watch
(e) belt
(f ) shoes
(g) socks
(h) pants
(i) shirt
(l ) hat
(j ) jacket
(a) ribbon (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
( f )
(g)
(h)
( i )
( j )
(k)
( l )
I'm wearing a hat.

bo
-
shi o

megane o
I'm wearing glasses.
check no sweater o
I'm wearing a checkered sweater.
stripe no zubon o
I'm wearing striped pants.
Meet ing your cust omer at a crowded place for t he first t ime.
I'll be there soon.
What are you wearing?
customer:
your customer? Which one is y
A B C
C
D E
chaku / ki(ru)
Answers
I can imagine how surprised you were! There is
a Japanese proverb, which says, "Different places,
different customs." There are many kinds of toilets.
Recently, I had an opportunity to see a very
surprising toilet. When I opened the door of the
restroom, the toilet lid lifted automatically. When I
stood up after I was done, the toilet flushed
automatically. (I heard that a computer checks what
is in the bowl, and calculates how strong a flush it
needs.) Afterward, the cover closed automatically.
It's getting more and more complicated to use the
latest toilets, so let me explain the basic phrases you
will find on them.
Let me tell you what happened when I went to a restroom in a
restaurant! I used a toilet and I wanted to flush it when I was done. But I
couldn't find the lever! Instead, I found many buttons with explanations
in Japanese, so I couldn't understand what they meant. While puzzling
over which button to push, someone knocked on the door. So, I took a
chance and pushed a button. Then, suddenly, water sprayed out like a
fountain from the toilet. I pushed another button to stop the water, but
the toilet began to play a melody instead. I panicked and pushed
another button, but this time a warm breeze drifted out of the toilet! The
Japanese man who was waiting for me to come out asked, "daijo
-
bu
desu ka" (Are you OK?). When I said, "suimasen, tasukete kudasai"
(Sorry to bother you. Please help me), he helped me to flush the toilet.
Ms. Hirayama, please help me use the toilet!
Answers
1) 3) 2) 6) 3) 4) 4) 7)
5) 1) 6) 2) 7) 5)
~
stop
Let's make a complete sentence below by matching the
kanji above and one of the following words 1) to 7) !
~
te
-
shi
~
chu
-
shi
~
itamidome
p~
haishi
h~
bo
-
shi
~
kinshi
1) 2) 3) 4)
5) 6) 7)
1) The accident occurred because they could not see the Stop sign.
jiko no genin wa no moji ga mienakkatta yoo desu.
@@ B
prevention,
check
prohibition
halt
painkiller
keep quiet cancellation abolition
(accident) (cause) (letter) (couldn't see)
~
kuchidome
shi / do(me) / to(meru)
P
g[
4 Volume 3 melody or sound
of flushing
onryo
-
danbo
-
6 heating

otohime
EL
5 Deodorize
dasshu
-

On Off
iri
kiri
If you press either button,
you can operate one of
functions 3 to 6
This runs automatically,
but press the button
if there is a pungent odor.
To heat up the toilet
seat in the winter
o
-
ame de yakyu
-
no shiai wa ni narimashita
J B
2) The baseball game was canceled because of heavy rain.@@
3) I took a painkiller, but it was no help at all. So I decided to
go to hospital.@@
4) This railway line was shut down because it went into the red.
5) The campaign against crime prevention continues until the end of this month.
o nonda ga zenzen kikanai node byo
-
in ni ikimashita
SR a@sB
akaji de kono rosen wa saremashita
H @@ @@ B
hanzai campain wa kongetsu-matsu made desu
@@@@@@@ Ly|B
chu
-
sha no tokoro ni tometeshimai bakkin o haraimashita
@@@ @ ~ B
imo
-
to wa oshaberi nanode shitemo sugu shabette-shimaimasu
@@@@@@ B
6) I parked in a no-parking area and had to pay a fine.
7) My little sister is a blabbermouth. She can't keep a secret
even if you ask her not to tell anybody.
h@ @ @
stop
(crime) (end of this month)
(parking) (park) (pay a fine)
(the red) (line)
(heavy rain) (baseball) (game)
(took) (not at all) (hospital)
(young sister) (chatter)
cancel
painkiller
abolition
prevent
prohibition
hush,
muzzle
(bo
-
) (kin) (te
-
) (ita [mi])
@ p
(kuchi) (chu
-
) (hai)
A gC ... ()
suimasen, toile(t) ... (o okari-shitai no desu ga .... )
you do not need to say this part.
Excuse me, but (I would like to use) the bathroom.
otearai
kesho
-
shitsu
ladies
onna
j
gentlemen ladies gentlemen

otoko
11 strong

12 weak
kyo
-
jaku
oshiri@ senjo
-
|u@
move@ senjo
-

8 feces 9 urine

dai

sho
-
14 Bidet for women
onsui
rf
bide
u@
senjo
-
ichi cho
-
setsu
~
7 Stop
tomeru
The water flushes when you press
either button.
10 buttocks wash
Water pressure Water pressure
13 Washing to & fro
A nozzle moves forward and backward
to wash your buttocks.
15 Adjusting the washing location
This allows you to adjust the location
that you want washed.
When you get a checkup in a hospital or clinic,
a nurse may say " ben " for feces and " nyo
-
" for urine.
16 Warm water
Some of the following kanji are used in instruction manuals of toilets and
other electric appliances, so it will be useful for you to remember these
kanji. You feel relaxed using a toilet if you at least remember No. 7 and 8
in squares up!@Why not take this column with you when you get into
toilet?
Japanese do not want to be heard the noise they
make in a restroom. So, a melody is played to
hide this. This tune lasts for about 20 seconds.
oto ga nag
a
r
e
r
u

t
o
ile
(
t
)
1 2
Press this button if you want to wash
your buttocks. There may be a symbol
for "buttocks."
Press the stop button if you are
confused about what the toilet
is doing or you want to stop one
of its functions.
If you say "bathroom," Japanese people imagine a bathtub. So, it is better
to use the following words. Look for the following kanji when looking for a
restroom.
wtoilexorwotearaixA word for "toilet" in general. It is better for
foreigners to say "toile(t)." wkesho
-
shitsuxis a word that is used in a hotel
or a restaurant, etc. It is better for men to say "toile(t)."
D
e
s
i
g
n

:
M
a
s
a
k
o

B
a
n
No, it has nothing to do with food or the kind of establishment.

The way you asked her out was not polite. You learned "want to___
/would like to___" is "___tai desu" in Japanese, but you turned it into
a question. When you are asking someone out and say "___tai desu
ka," it may sound rude and Japanese may feel offended. Please keep
that in mind! I'll explain the details of properly asking someone out.
Once you have studied them, ask her again if she still wants to go to
an izakaya with you. I'm sure she will be happy to do so. Good luck,
Pole-san.
One of my colleagues went on a trip and
brought me back a gift. In return, I wanted to
take her out to dinner last night, so I said,
"konban izakaya ni ikitai desu ka?" (Would
you like to go to an izakaya pub tonight?) She
then looked a little upset and said, "i
-
e, ikitai
toki wa, jibun de ikimasu yo." (No, but I will
go there by myself when I want to.) How
come? Did she want to go to another place?
Answers
Answers
1) C) 2) A) 3) B) 4) D) 5) E)
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
When you want to invite someone/
When you want to make a suggestion
e.g., Would you like to/Do you want to eat sushi with me?
sushi o tabetai desu ka
i H B
In this case, you say...
sushi o tabemasen ka
i H B
masen ka
B
Why don't we/you , if you'd like to?

(verb)
e.g.,
e.g.,
e.g.,
moshi yokattara sushi o tabemasen ka
i H B
moshi yokattara masen ka
B
(If you like, why don't you/we eat some sushi?)
(Why don't we eat some sushi ?)
Polite style
Very casual style
ta i kunai (desu ka)
(tai form)
ij
sushi @ tabetakunai
i @HB
Very polite style
(Don't you want to eat some sushi?)

(It sounds very rude!)
Why don't we ?
Don't you want to ?
(verb)
e.g.,
steak to tempura to dochira ga tabetai desu ka
Xe[L V H B
Kyo
-
to no dono otera o mitai desu ka
s B
1)@Which would you like to eat, steak or tempura?
2)@Would you like to go to see a sumo tournament next week?
3) Who would you like to see most right now?
S)@Would you like to come to a party the day after tomorrow?
T) Would you like to have dinner with me sometime?
U) Would you like to discuss it now, since we have time?
V)@When would you like to go to Japan?
raishu
-
sumo
-
o mi ni ikimasen ka
T osB
ima ichiban dare ni aitai desu ka
N B
itsu Nihon ni ikitai desu ka
{ s B
asatte party o suru node kimasen ka (irasshaimasen ka)
p[eB[ ij B
However, the questions that start with the interrogative,
"what, who, etc." can be asked in the form of " tai desu ka."
Which temple would you like to see in Kyoto?
Talking to a friend who is visiting Kyoto:
itsuka shokuji o shimasen ka
H B
jikan ga aru node hanashiaimasen ka
bB
1)
2)
3)
4)
T)
U)
7)
Translate the following sentences of "Would you like to..." from
1) through 7) by using either " tai desu ka" or " masen ka."
shi gan
ta riki hon gan
1) I made my own decision to apply for volunteer work overseas.
2) My younger brother is always expecting help from others, and has
no desire to do anything by himself.
3) I finally bought a house of my own, which had been my desire for a long time.
4) Ms. Kawatsu: I'm taking one week off, so please do this for me.
5) Hey, there's something I'd like to ask of you...If anyone calls me here,
please tell them that I'm in the middle of a meeting.
kaigai no volunteer ni
CO {eBA
oto
-
to wa itsumo de yaruki ga zenzen nai desu
@ C SRB
no my home o yatto kaimashita
}Cz[ B
raishu
-
isshu
-
kan yasumu node kore onegai
T PT x B
ee ! kore zenbu ? ikura nandemo muri dayo
-
ISH `B
{@
nen gan
nega(u) / nega(i) / gan
issho
-
no onegai
o negai ga arun desu ga...
O
u
...
ano
-
@@@@@@ moshi watashi ni denwa ga kitara "kaigichu
-
" to ittekudasai
` db ucvB
wish
"There is something I want to ask of you..."
A phrase commonly used when people
want to ask for a favor.
Mr. Pole: What! All of this? I can't do this, you know that!

Waiting for someone to help; a proverb that
means "expecting and depending on help from
others without making one's own effort"
A wish/one's heart's desire; a desire or wish one
has had for a long time
An application made voluntarily (willingly);
making an application without being forced by
someone else
The only request in one's whole life. It means
that "this is the only request that I will ever
make to you in my whole life, so please help
me." Today, people use this phrase more often
when they really want to ask someone to help
them.
Ms. Kawatsu: Oh, please! This is the only request
I will ever make of you!
Use the expressions marked from A) to E) to complete
sentences 1) to 5) below.
B
I
D
e
s
i
g
n

:
M
a
s
a
k
o

B
a
n
5-minute Japanese Class by Hitomi H irayama
B
Do you want ?
tai desu ka
Would you like to ?
aji has many different meanings,
rather than just "taste," and it's used in
various ways, too. hito-aji means
"profound remarks," mochi-aji means
"one's ability" and aji ga deteiru
means "being tasteful." So, what she
meant was "kyonen to wa hito-aji
c h i g a u n e . ( T o d a y ' s k a b u k i
performance has profound remarks
compared to last year's). mochi-aji ga
ikasarete, aji ga deteiru yo ne (the
actors abilities were adequately used,
and the performance was very tasteful,
wasn't it?)"
My friend asked me if I wanted to see a kabuki performance. She loves kabuki
and is very familiar with it. During the makuai (interlude) of kabuki, she was
eating makunouchi-bento
-
(a boxed lunch with a variety of side dishes) and
said, "kyonen to wa hito-aji chigau ne. (It has a slightly different taste
compared to last year's). mochi-aji ga ikasarete, aji ga deteiru yo ne (the
flavor of rice cake is well used, and it has a good taste, doesn't it?)." So, I
replied, "I agree, it's tasty." Then, she smiled and said, "Pole-san mo so
-

omoimasu ka? (Do you think so, too, Mr. Pole?) Nihon no bunka o ajiwau
nomo i
-
desu yo." (It is also good to savor Japanese bunka) I didn't know what
bunka meant, but I said, "e
-
totemo oishi
-
desu yo ne (yes, it is delicious, isn't
it?)" because the lunch was delicious. Then, she was very surprised saying
"huh?," and she gave me a confused look. aji means "taste" in English, so she
meant that the lunch this year was more delicious than last year's, and mochi
(rice cake) was also delicious and tasty, didn't she? Or, does aji have another
meaning, rather than "taste"?
Answers
1) 10. 2) 1. 3) 8. 4) 4.
5) 5.
8) 6. 9) 3. 10) 9.
6) 7. 7) 2.

aji / mi
TASTE
B
donna aji desu ka
amai
nigai
shoppai
suppai
h
karai
aji
oishi
-
mazui

mitai na aji
sweet hot (spicy) salty bitter

sour good taste bad taste taste like cheese
cheese
(noun)
(noun)
Q : A :
When you want to know the taste of a dish in a restaurant before
making an order, point to the dish in the menu and ask your waiter
or waitress:
What kind of taste does this have?
When fruit ripes on a tree, a man tries to taste if it
has become sweet. This kanji originated from the scene of
a man eating fruit.
Shape of a mouth a picture of fruit on a branch
B
desu
1.) 2.) 3.) 4.)
5.) 6.) 7.) 8.)
1.) 2.) 3.) 4.) 5.)
6.) 7.) 8.)
shumi
sho
-
mikigen
muimi
ginmi
mochiaji
atoaji ga warui
ajiwau
hitoaji chigau

kyo
-
mi
aji ga ochiru
interest
There are a lot of expressions that includeuv .
become inferior, deteriorate
(the taste of cuisines served in a
restaurant, etc. goes bad.)
a close examination
(Examining the quality
and content of something, etc.)
one's special ability, one's style
(a quality or unique style that
can be found in a person or a
work of art, etc.)
unpleasant aftertaste
(unpleasant feeling that result
from an event.)
slightly different and better
(profound remarks or characteristics
that make person or object
different from others)
meaningless, worthless, senseless,
nonsense
hobby, interest
appreciate, taste,
experience, savor
eat-by or expiration date
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
ongaku ni mattaku ga nakatta
2) I had no interest in music at all.
y S@@@@@@@ B
interested
kono restaurant wa saikin
Xg B
7) Recently, this restaurant has gone downhill.
deteriorated
9) I thought I looked carefully at this food before buying, but it was rotten.
yoku shite katta noni kusatte-ita
@ B
examine
4) I'm looking for a job that utilizes my abilities.
d TB
jibun no o ikaseru shigoto o sagashiteiru
one's
special ability
@@ B
do
-
mo @kekka to natta
5) Apparently, the result left an unpleasant aftertaste.
unpleasant
aftertaste
6) We spent a lot of time discussing it, but ultimately it was worthless.
bA@ @@@ @@@@ @B
jikan o kakete hanashi-atta ga kekkyoku datta
meaningless
watashi no shigoto wa to jitsueki o kaneteiru
d @@@@@@@@ v B
3) I do my job as my hobby and profit from it, too.
hobby
1) Is it OK for me to eat ham that is past the eat-by date?
use the kanji uv
Complete the sentences below with the terms at the bottom that
ga kireta ham o tabetemo daijobu desu ka
n H vB
eat-by date
kuro
-
o hito janaito kono yorokobi wa wakaranai desho
-
J lB
10) Unless you have undergone hardship, you will never understand
this happiness.
experience
Muto
-
-san no speech wa hoka no hito towa ne
8) Mr. Muto's speech is somewhat different and better than other people's.
Xs[` l B
a slightly different
and better
kyo
-
mi shumi mochiaji
atoaji ga warui aji ga ochimashita muimi
hitoaji chigau ginmi ajiwatta
sho
-
mikigen
ta
ste
a
j
i
ta
ste
D
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n

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Most textbooks for Japanese explain that both particles
(ni) and (e) are used. I agree that the two mean the same
thing. However, their nuances are different. To be exact, the
particle (e) indicates the "direction," while (ni) indicates
the "the point of location," which means that (ni) is more
specific than (e). The pronunciation of is "he," but it is
pronounced "e" when used as a particle. For example, "
EEE" is pronounced "heya e...," meaning "(to go) to a
room." This might be a bit confusing for people who have just
started learning hiragana.
While having supper the other day with a friend who
also studies Japanese, we talked about the Japanese
language. We realized that we were not sure how to use
particles. When I say "I'm going to Kyoto" in Japanese,
I use the particle "ni" and say, "Kyoto ni ikimasu." But
my friend uses "e" and says, "Kyoto e ikimasu." Is
there any difference between the two? I checked some
textbooks for Japanese, but some books use "ni" while
others use "e." I'm going to see the friend next week,
but I would like to know the answer before I see her.
Answers
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)
Kyoto

e
?
n
i
?
e.g., to Mr. Pole
e.g., I will go back home.
|[@
Pole-san e
The particle (ni) / (e) and (o) are used for the verbs that
describe actions involving legs.
(It is good to remember this rule even though there are some exceptions.)
A) Reaching the goal by using your legs.@
@ (ni) / (e)
B) Passing through a place
by using legs.@ (o)
suwarimasu
1)@
to sit
down
isu ____ suwarimasu
CX ____ B
I will sit down on the chair.
hairimasu
2)@
to enter
kaigishitsu ____ hairimasu
c ____ B
I enter the meeting room.
norimasu
uchi ni kaerimasu
AB
e.g., I will go to Tokyo.
Tokyo e ikimasu
sB
3)
to ride
jitensha ____ noremasen
] ____ B
I cannot ride a bicycle.
narabimasu
4)
to stand
in line
koko ____ narande-kudasai
____ B
Please line up here.
noborimasu
o
5)
to climb
san-kai Fujisan ____ noborimashita
R xmR ____ oB
I have climbed up Mt. Fuji three times. ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
6)
sumimasu
Z
7)
to live
yo-nenkan Hiroshima ____ sumimashita
SN L ____ ZB
I lived in Hiroshima for four years.
to get in
(on)
arukimasu
8)
to walk
Nihon dewa hoko
-
sha wa michi no migigawa ___ arukimasu
{AsE ____ B
Pedestrians walk on the right side of the road in Japan.
hashirimasu
9)
to run
kodomo-tachi ga ground ____ hashitteimasu
qOEh____ B
Children are running on an athletic field.
watarimasu
n
10)
to cross
ko
-
saten __ wataru toki wa ki o tsukemasho
-
_ ____ nCB
Be careful when you are crossing the intersection.
to
-
rimasu
Pole-san e
|[
to take
chikamichi ____ to
-
rimashita
____ B
I took a shortcut.
Let's try !
Answers
1)@ 2) 3) 4)
5) 6) 7)
8) 9) 10)
goal ...ni goal ...ni goal ...ni
passing through...o goal ...ni goal ...ni
passing through...o passing through...o goal ...ni
passing through...o
In daily life, native speakers of Japanese do not really care one way or the other,
and some use (ni) only, while others use (e) only. In fact, I say (ni) most of
the time. E"ni" is frequently used in daily life.
the time. E"e" sounds a little bit more polite than "ni."
It may be interesting to pay attention to the people around you to check who says
(ni) only or (e) only !
ashita shinkansen ______ notte Kyoto ______ ikimasu
V ______ s ______ sB
demo takusan __ hito ga kippu-uriba no mae ___ narande-imashita
A ______ l O ______ B
jikan ___ tsubusu tameni eki ____ chikaku no mise ____ hairimashita
______ w ______ X ______ B
soshite watashi o miru to " hisashiburi desu ne" ____ iimashita
AuvUv______ B
uH ______Hv______ B
watashi wa " e? atta-koto _____arimasu ka" ___ kikimashita
RA _____EAo[x _____iDB
suruto totsuzen uwagi ___ nugi barbell ___ mochiageru kakko
-
o shimashita
@
X|[cNu______150 kg _____o[x______
B
nanto sports club ____150-kiro ____ barbell ____mochiageru
oji
-
san deshita
kippu ___ kai ni eki _____ ikimashita
______ w ______ sB
18)
1) 2)
3) 4)
5) 6)
I'm going to Kyoto tomorrow on the Shinkansen.
I went to the station to buy my ticket.
But many people were standing in line at the ticket office.
I entered a small restaurant nearby in order to kill time.
When he caught sight of me, he said to me, "Long time no see."
I asked, "What? Have I met you before?"
Suddenly, he took off his outer garment and pretended to
lift up a barbell.
I realized that he was the man who can lift 150 kilograms at my
sport club.
There I saw an elderly man who was blankly staring out from a chair.
_____ {CX QQQ B
suruto oji
-
san ____ bonyari to isu _____ suwatte-imashita
Make complete sentences in the following story
by using the appropriate particles
(particles are not limited to ni and o).
13) 14)
15) 16)
17) 19)
7) 8) 9)
10) 11)
12)
ni ni ni ni o no
7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) o no ga to ni ni
13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18) ga to o no 19) o o de
Goal
House
ni
ni o
o
ni
ni e
e
Goal
Goal
ni
ni
ni
ni
In some cases, you cannot use any particle but (e). For
example, when addressing someone in a letter, memo, etc.,
as in "To Mr./Ms. ___," you can only use (e).
Passing through
Point of the location... Direction...
place place
Tokyo
ni
e
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B
a
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"kaerimasu" does not always mean
going back "home." It can be used for going
back to some other place, such as a company
or a hometown. Let me explain it to you. In
reality, Japanese words that relate to
"moving" are not easily translated into exact
English words. Not only "kaerimasu" but also
"ikimasu" and "kimasu" can mean something
else according to the situation. In my previous
column, we discussed the particles of
direction and movement, so it is quite timely
to discuss the verbs of movement.
I want to tell you what happened when one of my colleagues went to a
customer's company on business. In the evening, he called me at 6:30
p.m. and said, "a
-
, Pole-san, ima owarimashita. korekara kaerimasu"
(Hi, Mr. Pole, I'm done, so I'm going back now). Then, he hung up. I was
done with my work, so I also went home. Now, listen what happened the
next day! He said to me, " yu
-
be 8-ji goro kaisha ni kaerimashita. (I
came back to the office about 8 o'clock last night.) demo daremo
imasendeshita! (But, no one was here!)" So, I told him, " datte kaeru
to iimashita yo ne." (But you said you were going back), but he said,
"so
-
! kaisha ni kaeru to iimashita." (Right! I said, "I'm going back to
office.") Do Japanese people say "kaerimasu" when they go back to a
company, too?
Answers
ik
im
asu
s

kaerimasu
byo
-
in
a@
ikimasu
s
The following Japanese verbs are usually translated as:
ni e ikimasu
@ sB
The arrows indicate the "speaker" is moving to the
particular place from where he is.
embassy .......
bank .............
hospital ........
Place
ginko
-
s
taishikan
g
Speaker
A
e.g., If you are visiting your customer's company and going back to your company
(you have more affection to your company, than the company you are visiting)
customer's company
my company
my company customer's company
s (ikimasu) = to go@@ A (kaerimasu) = to go back
The usage, however, varies depending on the situation, making it
easy to make mistakes sometimes. Thus, it is better to find out in
which situation the verb is used, rather than learning the translated
words by rote. " kimasu" will be explained in the next column.
s
i (ku) / ko
-
A
kae(ru) / ki
}
return/comeback express/go in a hurry
return to one's
mother country
action/practice
(return to, again) (urgent, be in a hurry)
(actual, real)
(country)
@
parallel lines
(flat) (line)
return home
(leave out)
(1) (2) (3)

(4) (5) (6)
Choose the character of either (a) or (b) to make the words
of (1) to (6), then make a complete sentence from 1 through 6 by
using one of (1)`(6).
byo
-
ki de kaisha o cho
-
ki yasundeita ga rokugatsu kara shimasu
aCxA6 B
I was absent from the company for a long time because of
illness, but I'm going back to work at the beginning of June.
1
iu nowa kantan desu ga suru nowa muzukashii desu ne
P B
It is easier said than done, isn't it? 2
wa kono eki ni tomarimasen
wB
The express is not going to stop this station. 3
kyu
-
kyo suru koto ni narimashita
} B
I have to go back to my country all of a sudden. 4
ikura hanashiattemo deshita
b B
No matter how long we discussed it, we ended up as far apart
as ever.
5
There's going to be heavy traffic at the end of the year because
many people will be going back to their hometowns.
kure wa rush de hageshi
-
ju
-
tai ni narimasu
bVaB
6
(a)
(b)
1
2
ni e kaerimasu
@ AB
ni e ikimasu
sB
ni e kaerimasu
@ AB
Even though the usage is the same as " ikimasu,"
" kaerimasu" is more appropriate if the person has more
affection for the place, to which he is going, than where he is.
kaerimasu
e.g., If you are staying in Japan and going back to your country (you have
more affection for your country than for Japan)
staying in Japan
ni e kaerimasu
@ AB
my country
my country
kite-kudasai
B
Practice
Enter either "ikimasu" or "kaerimasu."
kaerimasu
A
I'm a bank.
Please come here.
4) Yes,
I'm coming.
s
I'm a restaurant. I'm home.
Bank Restaurant
Home
place
staying in Japan
ikimasu
ijs
(ima) ikimasu
A)
B)
D)
F)
E)
C)
place
1)
my country
staying in Japan
after 30 years
I'm my country.
7)
2) 3)
I'm
my company.
5)
my company my house
1) 2) 6) 8) 4) 3) 5) 7)
I'm
my company.
6)
I'm my
parents' home.
8)
Speaker
Answers
(1) - (b) fukki (2) - (a) kyu
-
ko
-
(3) - (a) he
-
ko
-
sen
(4) - (b) kikoku (5) - (a) jikko
-
(6) - (b) kise
-
A
A
}s
s
s
A
1 - (1) 2 - (5) 3 - (2) 4 - (4) 5 - (3) 6 - (6)
5-minute Japanese Class by Hitomi H irayama
D
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I'm afraid you made a mistake by using "ikimasu." Take a
look at the usage of " Bfuture trip" of "kimasu" in the explanation
below. Even if you are in your office at the time, and are
discussing a future event, you should talk to the customer as if
you are in the hotel already and waiting for him in the lobby. You
should have said, "ashita nanji ni kimasu ka?" (What time are
you coming to the hotel tomorrow?) Then he would not have
misunderstood you because you would have implied that you
would also be there.
One of my customers got angry when I apparently made a
mistake in my Japanese yesterday. I was going to give a
presentation about our company at a hotel and I asked
him, "ashita nanji ni hotel ni ikimasu ka? (What time
are you going to be at the hotel tomorrow?)" The customer
looked puzzled and said: "I thought you were going to be
at the hotel. This will make things very inconvenient." I
was planning to be at the hotel. Why did he
misunderstand me?
Answers
1 - (1) - (a)
k
im
a
su
wa @ni kimasu
@@@@ B
sho
-
rai
future
Choose either a) or b) of the kanji to make a correct word, and
then complete sentences (1) to (6).
(1)
(a)
(b)
(2) (3)
(4) (5) (6)
1
2
3
4
5
6
someone
(To do
something
at a place)
I/someone
event vehicle
I/speaker
2 - (5) - (a) irai
3 - (4) - (b) raiten X 4 - (2) - (b) raikyaku q
5 - (3) - (a) dekiru/dekinai o 6 - (6) - (b) honrai {
The following Japanese verb is usually translated as: (kimasu) = to come

Someone/something is coming toward I/the speaker
as the arrow indicates.

kimasu
1 Someone is coming toward me.
2 "Event/vehicle (e.g., phone call, car)" is coming toward me.
3 Someone will come toward me in the future (future trips).
I will come back to where I am now in the future.
Practice: Howdo you say in Japanese?
I got a lot of letters and faxes yesterday.
A (Implies: A lot of letters and faxes came to me.)
My parents are coming to Japan next month.
@ (Implies: My parents are coming to me.)
If he calls me, please listen to what he has to say.
A (Implies: The call from him will come to me.)
A lot of typhoons head toward Japan at the end of summer.
A(Implies: Typhoons come toward us.)
There seems to be no taxis.
A (Implies: Taxis aren't coming toward me.)
How many people do you think
will come to the sale tomorrow?
B (Implies: People will come to the sale.)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
Answers
kino
-
tegami to fax ga takusan kimashita
raigetsu ryo
-
shin wa Nihon ni kimasu
denwa ga kitara hanashi o ki
-
teoite-kudasai
natsu wa taifu
-
ga takusan-kimasu
taxi ga naka-naka kimasen ne
ashita no sale ni nan-nin kuru desho
-
ka?
ashita hachiji ni kaisha ni kimasu
tanjo
-
bi ga kuru made ni kekkonshitai !
Its usage, however, varies depending on the situation. It is better to determine which
situation the verb is to be used, rather than learning the translated word by rote.
hoshi-uranai de@ @@@@o uranatte-moraimashita
(horoscope) (have one's fortune told)
@@@@@B
are@@@@@ renraku-shiteimasen
(not to keep in touch)
@@@@@AB
go @@@@ no minasama ni oshirase-itashimasu
(all the customers) (make an announcement)
@@@@@FlmvB
chu
-
desu node sho
-
sho
-
omachi-kudasai
(because) (a moment) (please wait)
XB
ka@@@@@ ka wa yatteminaito wakarimasen
(if I don't try) (don't know)
@@@@@ B
no mokuteki o hazurete imasu
(purpose) (out of)
IOB
I consulted a fortune-teller about my future.
I haven't kept in touch with him since then.
(announcement in a department store)
"We would like our customers to listen to this message."
Please wait a moment because we are dealing with a visitor right now.
I won't know whether I can do it or not until I try.
This is not the original purpose.
sho
-
rai
a visitor raikyaku dekiru being capable

visiting a store raiten since then irai original honrai
rai
(a)
(b)
o
ki ru
(a)
(b)
rai
(a)
(b)
{ rai
(a)
(b)
e
q rai
(a)
(b)
_
X rai
Dic.-form nai.-form
ki (masu) / rai
wa @ni kimasu
@@@@ B
ga ni kimasu
@@@ B
I/speaker
Going to a particular place to do something and coming back
s
itte
Practice: Howdo you say in Japanese?
sB
ittekimasu
kimasu
ni
sB
ittekimasu
B
kimasu
B
masu
Answers
2)-2 is a short form of 2)-1, and it takes less time to come back than 2)-1.
1) ohiru nanode obento
-
o kai ni ittekimasu (katte-kimasu)
2) karita video o kaeshi ni ittekimashita (kaeshite-kimasu)
3) chotto toile(t) ni ittekimasu
4) visa-koshin no tame ni nyu
-
koku-kanrikyoku (nyu
-
kan) ni ittekimashita
5) kyu
-
ryo
-
bi nanode ginko ni okane o oroshi ni ittekimasu
6) eki ni wasuremono o tori ni ittekimasu (totte-kimasu)
7) guai ga warui node byo
-
in ni ittekimasu
8) atsui node kami o kiri ni ittekimasu (kitte-kimasu)
9) o
-
kii jishin datta ne? soto o mi ni ittekimasu (mite-kimasu)
10) chotto tobacco o sui ni ittekimasu (sutte-kimasu)
1) I'm going outside to buy a boxed lunch.
(I'll come back after buying it.)
2) I went to the video shop to return the video tapes I rented (and I
came back.)
3) I'm going to the bathroom. (I'll be back soon.)
4) I went to the Immigration Bureau to renew my visa (and I came back).
5) I'm going to the bank to withdraw money because it's payday.
(I'll be back after withdrawing it.)
6) I'm going to a train station to get what I left behind.
(I'll be back after receiving it.)
7) I'm going to the clinic because I don't feel well. (I'll be back soon.)
8) I'm going to have my hair cut because it's hot these days.
(I'll be back after having my hair cut.)
9) Wow, that was a big earthquake. I will go outside to take a look.
(I'll be back after looking outside.)
10) I will go outside to smoke a cigarette. (I'll be back after smoking it.)
ni
Note the difference in usage B.

E ashita party ni ikimasu ka? (See Vol. 59)
(Are you going to the party tomorrow? This implies the speaker is also invited to the party.)
E ashita party ni kimasu ka?
(Are you coming to the party tomorrow? This implies the speaker is hosting the party
and he is talking as if he is already at the party and waiting for the listener.)
action
place
verb
verb
te-form
+
1)
2)-1
2)-2
I'll come to work at 8 o'clock tomorrow.
B (Implies: I'm in the office now and
I'm coming back here.)
I want to get married before my
birthday!
A (Implies: My birthday is getting close.) @
7)
8)
D
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No, it's not what you think. He
just didn't understand what you
said. Since you said "tasu" for
"plus" (merits) and "hiku" for
"minus" (demerits), he was baffled.
Did you like mathematics when you
were in school? "Plus and minus" in
conversation is used differently
from its use in mathematics. You'll
see the difference in the examples
below.
One of my friends called me to ask for some advice. His boss had told him he was
being transferred to a provincial office, but when he told his wife, she said he
would have to go there alone (tanshin-funin). He was upset and he asked me
how he could persuade his wife to change her mind. So, I asked him, "kazoku
ga issho ni itta ba
-
i, nani ga tasu de, nani ga hiku desu ka? (If your family
goes with you, what do you get and what do you lose?)." He said, "tasu? hiku?"
and he started to think deeply. I didn't realize that he was feeling so upset, and I
felt sorry for him. A few minutes later, he started to laugh and said, "aa, plus to
minus ne (You mean, the merits and demerits)." One moment he looked
troubled, but then suddenly he burst into laughter. I wondered what was wrong
with him.
Answers
Answers
1
1
2
3
4
5 6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2 3 5 4
yon tai ichi
4 F@ 1
RATIOSF
hiritsu
S to 1
e.g.,
ni ten nana hachi
Q.VW
DECIMALSF
sho
-
su
-
ten
_
2 point 78 e.g.,
nanaju
-
waru go wa ju
-
-yon
VO T @= PS
DIVISIONF
warizan
Z
70 divided by 5 equals 14. e.g.,
RS ~ Q @= UW
MULTIPLICATIONF
Z
kakezan
sanju
-
-yon kakeru ni wa rokuju
-
-hachi
34 times 2 equals 68. e.g.,
kyu
-
hiku nana wa ni
9 [ V @= 2
SUBTRACTIONF
hikizan
Z
9 minus 7 equals 2. e.g.,
P + S @= 5
ADDITIONF
Z
tashizan
ichi tasu yon wa go
1 plus 4 equals 5. e.g.,
wa @ { tasu [ hiku@
F tai
to bun no
(with cardinal number)
scandal wa se
-
jika ni totte desu ne
XL_ @@@@@ B
kore de kampeki desu ga nen no tame ni @@ alpha o kangaete-okimasu
AO@@@@ @@ lB
b B
[ !
B
nani o suru nimo zairyo
-
wa kyokuryoku saketa ho
-
ga bunan desu
x SB
kongetsu wa shu
-
shi ga ni natta node hitoanshin desu
I B
D U C[W B
I [ O Q.PB
l B
I think this is perfect, but I'll see if I can come up with some extra points just in case.
This subject is advantageous for both of us, isn't it?
Now, we're even!
No matter what you do, it is always better to avoid using objectionable material as much as possible.
I'm relieved to be in the black this month.
The behavior of the actress gave her a negative image.
When you are pessimistic, you are inclined to think of the bad aspects in life.
The turnout in the election was 2.1 percentage points below that of the previous one.
That person will do anything that is likely to be advantageous to him.
plus minus
kono hanashi wa otagai ni totte desu ne
kore de zero desu !
ano joyu
-
no furumai wa image to natte shimaimashita
hikanteki ni naruto do
-
shitemo men bakari mite-shimaimasu
senkyo no to
-
hyo
-
ritsu wa zenkai ni kurabete 2.1% deshita
ano hito wa jibun ni totte ni naru koto wa nandemo yarimasu yo
plus plus plus minus minus minus
6 7 8 10 9 plus plus minus minus minus
(politicians) (for)
(perfect) (just to make sure) (I'll think)
(this) (subject) (each other's)(for)
(no matter what you do) (data) (asàs possible)(avoid) (safe)
(this month) (balance) (relieved about one thing)
(that)(actress) (behavior)
(pessimistic) (whatever happens) (side) (only) ( look)
(election turnout) (previous) (compared)
(that person) (for himself) (anything) (to do)
Scandals are bad for politicians, don't they ?
(everything)(well,good) (so) (hard)
tasu

te-form
add
s c

TbJ[ 3 @ 0 { B
S B
M B

@
d B
@@ B
FB @ @@@@@@@@@@@@B
____biki
iFj
discount
____
withdrawal from
one's account
hikiotoshi
kakehiki
negotiation
/bargain
warikiru
without
emotional
attachment
katsuai suru
warikan @
tai
forgo split the bill
(go Dutch)
to
rikonshita ga kaisha ga onaji nanode shigoto o shiteiru
subete yoku dekiteiru node @@ no wa muzukashikatta desu
tomodachi to nomu toki wa itsumo desu
ko
-
netsu-hi to yachin wa ni shiteimasu
yon-wari de kaimashita
kino
-
no soccer wa san zero de Kankoku ga Nihon ni kachimashita
mizu-busoku de tambo ni mizu o
warikitte
katsuaisuru
warikan
hikiotoshi
kakehiki
biki
tai
tashimashita
(divorced) (company) (same) (so) (are working)
nashi de hanashiai o shita
bB
- f)
- g)
- h)
- c)
- d)
- b)
- e)
- a)
Although we're divorced, she and I work at the same office, so I just talk to her as part of my work.
Everything was so good that it was hard to forgo any part of it.
I go Dutch every time I go drinking with a friend.
My rent and utility charges are automatically withdrawn from my bank account.
I discussed it but did not make concessions. I bought it at a 40% discount.
South Korea defeated Japan 3-0 in yesterday's soccer match.
I added water to my rice paddies because the water level was low.
Dic. form
a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h)
(friend) (with) (drink) (every time)
(lighting and heating expenses)(rent)
(without) (discussion) (40%) (with) (bought)
(yesterday) (South Korea) (won)
(lack of water) (rice paddies) (water)
~ kakeru waru D ten
B
A
yon bun no san
FRACTIONSF
bunsu
-
4
3
6
5
2
e.g.,
roku to go bun no ni
three-quarters 6 and 2 fifths e.g.,
C
B
A
Mathematics
Choose either plus or minus to make complete sentences.
bun no
(without cardinal number)
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Oh, it's nothing to do with your Japanese! The reason why she uses honorific
forms (keigo) is to maintain a certain distance in your relationship. By using keigo, she
subtly expressed her inner feelings, although you didn't realize it. Using keigo in such a
way is completely different from the old-fashioned, conservative usage. I will explain
keigo in a number of lessons. After this, you will feel like a psychologist!
I don't really feel comfortable the way one of my colleague talks to me. One day at work, I suggested
her for lunch, saying, "lunch ni iko
-
!" (Let's go for lunch together!) But she said, "mo
-
shiwake-
gozaimasen mada shigoto ga arimasu" (I'm afraid I haven't finished my work yet). Then, she
casually asked another colleague, "coffee nomu?" (How about some coffee?). I am not her boss, but
for some reason, she always uses polite Japanese every time she talks to me. Is it because I'm a
foreigner? Or is it because I don't speak good Japanese?
1. Present-day keigo is used for the speaker's benefit!
C. Establishing a distance in human relations........ e.g. Ending a relationship with a listener.
2. Present-day keigo is used to imply one's thoughts and feelings!
B. Obtaining an advantage when you are in a disadvantageous position. .....
e.g. Having others accept an apology or grant permission or an "unreasonable" request, etc.
---------------- Basically keigo is polite but...----------------
A. In public areas......... e.g. At work, or talking with customers, etc. Level 1 ~ Level 5
The usage of keigo must be adapted according to a hierarchical relationship based on the status and rank of the
speaker and listener. Therefore, many Japanese are unwilling to use keigo as they feel it is extremely troublesome
to use in conversation. But modern keigo has become a mere facade. The reality is that it does not always function
in a time-honored conservative way.
Other people might conclude that a speaker is poorly educated or has been raised in an improper way if he/she
is not able to use keigo according to the time, the place and occasion, not just the hierarchical relationship.
Using keigo in this way can be advantageous to the speaker. If you learn to recognize this usage, you will be
better placed to read the thoughts and feelings of others. (It will be explained in Vol. 66)
[Levels 1 and 2] [Level 3] [Level 4] [Level 5]
1.desu, masu 2. vocabulary 3. passive form 4. humble form 1 5. humble form 2
Sounds
"polite"
Sounds
"very polite"
speaker listener (others)
Level 1. keigo with [ desu, masu, and o/go + ] noun, i-adj. , na-adj.
Let's try !
Use keigo in the following sentences.
Answers
1. soro-soro ikimasu ka?
3. wasuremashita
5. osake wa zen-zen nomimasen
7. benri dewa arimasen
9. nani ga osuki desu ka?
11. so
-
dato ii desu ne
13. tatoeba nan desu ka?
1. Shall we be going?
3. I forgot.
5. I don't drink alcohol at all.
7. It is not convenient.
9. What do you like?
11. I hope so.
13. What for example?
masu / mashita / masen / masen deshita
2. Is it raining?
verb
desu / deshita / dewa arimasen / dewa arimasen deshita
desu / katta desu / kunai desu / kunakatta desu
4. Do you have time?
6. I couldn't do it.
8. I think so.
10. I can't remember.
12. It's a small world.
14. It's too bad.
(explained in Vol. 63) (explained in today's issue) (explained in Vol. 64) (explained in Vol. 65)
With this type of keigo, your Japanese starts to sound more polite, and your reputation improves.
Even if you are not familiar with the polite form of speech, you may find these easy to use. Using desu, masu
and o/go in your Japanese is enough to start speaking politely, polite enough to talk with the prime minister.
Vol. 38 explains "o/go" in detail, so take a look at the past issues.
Written language is frequently used in TV news, speeches and conferences. It sounds very polite when written
Japanese is added to spoken Japanese. That is why literary expressions are commonly used in polite Japanese.
noun, na-adj.
Level 2. keigo with [Vocabulary]
2.
nkB
yu
-
be jishin ga atta
1. But.....demo
3. the other day.....konoaida
5. yesterday.....kino
-
7. this morning.....kyo
-
no asa @
9. the day before.....mae no hi
11. I'm surprised.....bikkurishita
13. as I expected.....yappari
15. here.....koko
17. over there.....asoko
19. this person.....kono hito
21. every one.....minna
23. Do you know?.....shittemasu ka?
25. very.....sugoku
27. various, varied.....ironna
29. good/ fine.....ii
@
2. a little while ago.....sakki

4. today.....kyo
-
6. tomorrow.....ashita
8. last night.....yu
-
be
10. who.....dare
12. about 2kg.....daitai gurai
14. I'm sorry......suimasen
16. there.....soko
18. where.....doko
20. not at all.....chittomo
22. many, a lot .....ippai
24. Why ?.....do
-
shite
26. therefore.....dakara
28. later.....ato de
30. because, so.....___kara
2kg
I
yappari so datta !
A20xB
gomen daitai 20-pun gurai okureru
4.
B
kono aida wa do
-
mo
ZLZB
isogashii kara cancel shita
mH
shitteru?
8.
FZ.......
minasan kyo
-
wa isogashii tokoro.......
AB
ato de renraku suru ne
lNH
ano hito wa dare?
Some frequently used words are listed below. Try to determine the keigo
1. There was an earthquake last night. I knew I was right!
3. I canceled because I was busy. Thanks for the other day.
5. I'm terribly sorry, but I will be about 20 minutes late.
7. Do you know that? (in a speech) <Thank you very much for attending>
even though you are all busy.
9. I will contact you later. 10. Who is that?
If you use this type of keigo in business, your way of talking starts to sound more "intellectual."
1. shikashi 2. sakihodo
3. senjitsu 4. honjitsu
5. sakujitsu 6. asu
7. kesa 8. sakuya
9. zenjitsu 10. donata
11. odorokimashita 12. yaku ___hodo
13. yahari
14. sumimasen / mo
-
shiwake arimasen
15. kochira 16. sochira
17. achira 18. dochira
19. kono kata / kochira no kata
20. sukoshimo 21. minasama
22. takusan 23. gozonji desu ka?
24. naze 25. totemo
26. desukara 27. samazama na
28. nochihodo 29. yoroshii

30. ___node
Answers
Answers
sakuya jishin ga arimashita
yahari so
-
deshita!
isogashii node cancel shimashita
senjitsu wa arigato
-
gozaimashita
mo
-
shiwake arimasen, yaku
20-pun hodo okuremasu
sumimasen yoroshii desu ka?
gozonji desu ka?
minasama honjitsu wa oisogashii
tokoro.......
nochihodo renraku o shimasu
achira no kata wa donata desu ka?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
6.
H
chotto ii

?
May I interrupt you?
2. ame desu ka?
4. ojikan arimasu ka?
6. dame deshita
8. so
-
omoimasu
10. omoidasemasen
12. yononaka semai desu
14. zannen desu
speaker
listener (others)
speaker
listener (others)
speaker
listener (others)
The higher the implied status of the listener (others), the politer it sounds, even if the respect shown is only perfunctory!
i-adj.
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I'm so glad to hear that! If you learn more keigo, your reputation will improve even more. It is true
that even Japanese have difficulty using it to its fullest extent, but if you study hard you can make
keigo your own! In this lesson, you will learn the passive form of keigo. You may run into trouble if
you are not familiar with the conjugations of passive forms. But, since a fairly small number of verbs are
commonly used in daily conversation, you will find it worthwhile to memorize them.
I thought it was easy to understand the usage of Level 1 (desu, masu and o/go) and
Level 2 (vocabulary) in Vol. 62, and I tried to use it as often as I could. The Japanese I
talked with said, "Pole-san no Nihongo kire
-
desu ne" (Your Japanese sounds very
beautiful), and they began to treat me very politely. It made me feel good. I can't wait to
learn other honorific formsI'm so excited!
[Levels 1 and 2] [Level 3] [Level 4] [Level 5]
1.desu, masu 2. vocabulary 3. passive form 4. keigo and humble form 1 5. humble form 2
Sounds
"polite"
Sounds
"very polite"
speaker others
Level 3 Keigo with [verb .... passive form]
(explained below) (explained in Vol. 62) (explained in next column) (explained in future column)
Answers
Answers
speaker
others
speaker
others
speaker
others
Note: it is used to express the action of the person to whom you are talking.
If you use this type of keigo, it will improve your reputation because you will sound well educated. The
listeners (others) will start treating you politely.
This keigo is commonly used in daily life, but is not as formal as Level 4 or Level 5.
The only difficulty is that you have to conjugate verbs to use it.
Classifications of verbs may vary according to textbooks and schools. In this lesson, verbs are categorized
into three groups: 1."i-masu" group, 2. "e-masu" group (and Ninja form), 3. "o shimasu" group and
"irregular." If you know the "masu form," you can categorize verbs. In order to classify verbs, note the
syllable before the "masu form." Check whether the syllable before "masu" is "i" or "e."
i-masu group 1.
o shimasu group 3.
e-masu group 2.
Ninja form
tabe masu
taberaremasu
to eat... tabemasu
oki masu
okiraremasu
to get up... okimasu
to decide... kimemasu
e masu
kangaemasu
shirabemasu
e.g.,
e.g.,
e.g.,
kime masu
kimeraremasu
to get up (okimasu), to put on (kimasu), to get off (orimasu), to be (imasu),
to be tired of (akimasu), to see, look, watch (mimasu), to borrow (karimasu), to believe (shinjimasu)
e.g.,
denwa o shimasu
to call... denwa o shimasu
o shimasu
denwa o saremasu
e.g.,
cancel o shimasu
to cancel... cancel o shimasu
cancel o saremasu
Irregular to come ..... kimasu koraremasu
to go and get ..... tottekimasu tottekoraremasu
i masu
aki masu
akiraremasu
to be tired of... akimasu
e raremasu
i raremasu
Since it conjugates in the same way as the "potential form" and can be confusing,
Level 4 or Level 5 is frequently used, instead of using the "e-masu group."
Even though a verb is categorized in the "i-masu" group, it conjugates as
a verb in "e-masu" group. Frequently used verbs for keigo are selected here.
--- This story should make it easier to memorize verbs in Ninja. ---
(Let's memorize this story in English.)
I get up at 5 o'clock in the morning. I put on a pink shirt. I get off at the subway station.
My secretary is in the office. She is tired of her work. Then, she looks at my face.
And, she borrows some money from me. Can you believe it?
o saremasu
noun, popular foreign loanword
sH
ryoko
-
no junbi o shimashita ka?
1. Did you prepare yourself for the trip?
dxH
kino
-
kaisha o yasumimashita ka?
3. Did you take a day off yesterday?
ZOH
ju
-
sho to namae o kakimashita ka?
2. Did you write down your name and address?
H
nani o nomimasu ka?
5. What do you want to drink?
H
mo
-
kaze wa naorimashita ka?
4. Are you over your cold?
xH
yasumi wa itsumo nani o shimasu ka?
7. What do you usually do when you have a day off ?
H
nan-ji ni kimashita ka?
6. What time did you come here?
H
donogurai machimashita ka?
8. How long did you wait?
1. junbi o saremashita
2.goju
-
sho, onamae,
kakaremashita @
3.yasumaremashita
4.naoraremashita
5.nomaremasu
6.koraremashita
7.saremasu
8.mataremashita
Make your speech much more polite by changing the underlined parts.

Conversation
....H
so
-
desu ka.... itsugoro modorimasu ka?
[vB
tabun yu
-
gata dato omoimasu
AAH
Ueki-san wa itsumo nan-ji goro kaerimasu ka?
A...
suimasen chotto wakarimasen ga...
AH
so
-
desu ka, ashita wa nan-ji goro kaisha ni kimasu ka?
Pole-san: Oh, I see. When will he return? Secretary: He probably will return in the evening.
Pole-san: Do you know what time he usually go home? Secretary: Well... I'm not really sure...
Pole-san: I see, what time will he arrive at work tomorrow?
(Pole-san phoned Mr. Ueki, one of his clients. But the person who received the call said that Mr. Ueki was out of the office.)
Conjugation of passive form
modoraremasu kaeraremasu koraremasu
nomimasu, kakimasu, hanashimasu, tachimasu, kaerimasu, isogimasu
machigaemasu
hajimemasu
ra ma (ba) ha na ta sa (ga)ka a
ri mi (bi) hi ni chi shi (gi) ki i
ru mu (bu)fu nu tsu su (gu)ku u
re me (be) he ne te se (ge)ke e
ro mo (bo)ho no to so (go)ko o
Passive form [a vowel + remasu ]
wa
a i masu
a wa remasu
to meet... aimasu
era bi masu
era ba remasu
to choose... erabimasu
e.g.,
List of hiragana
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Are you really that exhausted, Mr. Pole? If I compare your comment to climbing Mt. Fuji, you are about 80
percent to the top. Your goal is very close, so hang in there. You're right about keigo, though. It is true you
have to use different types of keigo according to the person you are speaking to. Don't worry about making
mistakes, the Japanese around you will be impressed by the great effort you are making. In this lesson, our
slogan is, "Don't be afraid to make a mistake!"
I'm still unsure about using the passive form of keigo that we learned in the
previous lesson. I'm OK if I use it slowly, but I still have trouble conjugating the
verbs. Since I started learning keigo, I understand more of what the Japanese
are saying when they use it. I realize that I must use different forms of keigo
depending on the person I'm talking to, but I still get confused. Trying to figure
this out is really exhausting for me. Are there any shortcut to learning keigo?
Answers
Answers
Keigo: Used when talking to people who are not members of your group, and is never applied to yourself.
Humble form: Used when talking about the members of your group, and is applied for yourself.
English
Friendly form Keigo Humble form
to be / to exist
imasu irasshaimasu orimasu
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
to do / ____ to do
shimasu nasaimasu itashimasu
to go
ikimasu irasshaimasu mairimasu
to come
kimasu irasshaimasu mairimasu
to visit
ikimasu irasshaimasu
to say
iimasu osshaimasu mo
-
shimasu
to eat
tabemasu meshiagarimasu itadakimasu
to see / look / watch
mimasu haiken shimasu
to meet / see
aimasu ome ni kakarimasu
to listen
kikimasu ukagaimasu to ask
omoimasu zonjimasu
to give (something)
agemasu sashiagemasu

s Q
Q
s
\
H
q

f
v

to know
to think
shitteimasu gozonji desu zonjite orimasu
m
ukagaimasu
f
imasu irasshaimasu orimasu
te-form + te-form+ te-form +
to be doing
to receive (something)
moraimasu
itadakimasu
kudasaimasu
to be explained in Vol. 66
te-form +
to give (action)
agemasu
te-form+
sashiagemasu
to receive (action)
te-form+
moraimasu
^
te-form+
te-form+
itadakimasu
kudasaimasu
Used when
talking to friends.
Used for action taken
by the listener (others).
Used for actions
of the speaker.
(object)
Keigo that you are going to learn in this lesson does not have regular rules, so you may have to memorize
them. But don't worry! There aren't too many. If you memorize this list, it will help you a lot. Anyone who
wants to learn Japanese cannot avoid this. So, hang in there!
|[AR{H
moshi moshi Pole to iimasu ga Yamamoto-san imasu ka ?
Pole-san: Hello, may I speak to Mr. Yamamoto? My name is Pole.
1 mo
-
shimasu
2 irasshaimasu
3 de gozaimasu
4 sho
-
kai-shite itadaita
5 mo
-
shimasu
6 ukagatte orimasu
7 oisogashi
-

8 zonjimasu
19 sochira ni
10 ukagaitai
11 orimasen
12 orimasu
13 dewa
14 ukagattemo
15 yoroshi
-
desu
Yamamoto: This is Yamamoto.
AR{
hai Yamamoto desu ga
A|[B
a ano watashi Kawasaki-san ni sho
-
kai-shitemoratta Pole to iimasu
A|[BB
a Pole-san desu ne Kawasaki-san kara kitemasu
ZvATsB
isogashi
-
towa omoimasu ga raishu
-
zehi socchini ikitai no desu ga
ATo{ATB
ainiku raishu
-
wa shutcho de imasen ga konshu
-
deshitara imasu
ATsH
jaa konshu
-
ittemo ii desu ka ?
Pole-san: Oh, hello, I believe my friend, Mr. Kawasaki, told you about me.
Pole-san: I know you must be busy, but I would like to meet you next week.
Pole-san: Oh, then may I visit to see you this week?
Kawai-san: Ah, yes, Mr. Pole, he did.
Kawai-san: Unfortunately, I won't be in Japan next week, but I have time this week.
Mr. Pole will be making his first phone call to a company, after an introduction by his friend, Mr. Kawasaki.
6
1 2
3
4 5
7 8 9
11
10
12
13 15 14
ItBXH
ashita nan-ji made office ni imasu ka?
1. Client: Until what time are you going to stay in the office tomorrow?
oB
gomennasai ashita wa ichinichi dete imasu
You: I'm sorry, but I will be out all day.
jVsB
getsuyo
-
bi no asa shichi-ji ni ikitai no desu ga...
2.
AVItBXNB
suimasen shichi-ji wa office ni daremo imasen
You: We're sorry, no one will be in the office at 7 in the morning.
Client: I'd like to come over there at 7 o'clock Monday morning.
Now, use keigo for the underlined words.
StH
golf o shimasu ka?
3.
AB
ie, shimasen
You: No, I don't. Client : Do you play golf?
B
kono aida no ken yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
4.
5.
dB
ichi-bansen ni densha ga kimasu
(station announcement) A train is arriving at Track 1.
Client: Please do the things we talked about the other day.
dete orimasu 2. ukagaitai / mo
-
shiwake gozaimasen, orimasen
3. nasaimasu / itashimasen 4. mairimasu 5.senjitsu,
onegai itashimasu 6. haiken shitemo, yoroshi
-
desu
7. gome
-
waku, zonjimasu 8. mairimashita 9. tadaima, mairimasu
H
mitemo i ii desu ka?
do
-
zo
You: Yes, you may. Client: May I see it? 6.
fvEEE
me
-
waku towa omoimasu ga...
7.
B
shacho
-
no dairi de kimashita
8.
I
Kobayashi-san!
AsI
hai, ima ikimasu!
Secretary: Yes, I'm coming! President: Ms. Kobayashi! 9.
I hope it won't disturb you, but...
I'm here as representative of the president.
1. asu, irasshaimasu / mo
-
shiwake gozaimasen, asu,
boss
you & your group
subordinate
humble form
keigo
client, customer, stranger
keigo
humble form
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It's true! Many young people today are not familiar with keigo. That is why many
books about keigo are sold around the time when Japanese university students are job-
hunting. They study keigo by reading such books because they don't know how to use the
honorific form when they are interviewed by a prospective employer. The keigo in this
lesson is so easy I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised!
I memorized the "keigo List" in the previous lesson, and I practiced using it when I talked to a
friend. She said, "Wow, you speak Japanese better than I do! Teach me keigo." Come to think of
it, some of my friends told me that nowadays many young people do not know how to use keigo
properly. Is that true? This is hard to believe as they are Japanese. I'll study keigo much harder,
so I can teach it to my Japanese friends!
Answers
Answers
Answers
Level 5
^ @ B@
verb
@@ @
Future tense / Repetition
Present tense
o^go masu@ ni narimasu
o shimasu saremasu nasaimasu
e.g., to decide ......... @
e.g.,
e.g.,
to contact .......A A
kimemasu okime ni narimasu
renraku o shimasu renraku saremasu
to use ........ g @ g
tsukaimasu otsukai desu
to reserve ........\ @ \
yoyaku o shimasu goyoyaku desu
o... kunyomi (Japanese reading) / go... onyomi (Chinese-style reading)
^@@@@@@@ @ B
o^go@ masu @ o shimasu desu
or
or
Exception: to go, to come, to be (existence)@ oide ni narimasu

Keigo ... Used for the listener .....Level 5
You (will) make a decision.
You (will) make contact.
(You use it.)
(You make a reservation.)
(The same "masu form" is used for the past, negative and past negative tense.)
You/He/She/They will do ............ (very polite)
(sounds old-fashioned)
Note: Adding "o/go" is "double-keigo," which is grammatically incorrect.
However, there are many people who commonly say "o/go" lately.
You/He/She/They do ............(very polite)

verb
verb
verb
Let's practice!
(Answer in the polite form.)
AgB
sumimasen ga tsukai-kata o oshiete kudasai
TH
nani o sagashite imasu ka?
H
itsumade ni kotaete kuremasu ka?
1.
2. What are you looking for?
3. How long do you need before you can give me an answer?
Request
^ @ @
o^go@ masu @
verb
^ @
o^go@ masu @
H
itadakemasu ka?
H
itadakemasu desho
-
ka?
or
very polite
e.g., to wait ......
machimasu
AXH
osore irimasu ga mo
-
sho
-
sho
-
omachi itadakemasu ka?
(Please do.../ Could you do...?/ Would you mind doing...?)
If you make a request by starting these phrases:
mo
-
shiwake gozaimasen ga ..... (I'm sorry to bother you, but...)
otesu
-
desu ga ...... (I don't mean to disturb you, but...)
osore irimasu ga ..... (I'm sorry to trouble you, but...)
It sounds very polite and the listener will be inclined to accept your request.
I'm sorry to trouble you, but could you wait for just a few more minutes?
Excuse me, please show me how to use it.

o shimasu
or

o shimasu
?
kudasaimasu ka?
polite B
kudasai
otesu
-
desu ga, renraku o shite kudasai
4. I don't mean to disturb you, but please give me a call.
AAB
TH
shu
-
matsu wa itsumo nani o shimasu ka?
5. What do you usually do on your weekend?
1. ooshie itadakemasu ka 2. osagashi desu ka
3. okotae itadakemasu ka 4. gorenraku itadakemasu ka
5. nani o saremasu ka,
B
Future tense / Repetition
shimasu
B
e.g.,
to have a meal ........ H @H
shokuji o shimasu oshokuji itashimasu
itashimasu
humble
very humble
to send ......... @
okurimasu ookuri itashimasu

speaker or
speaker's group
ga
to explain.... B
watashi ga gosetsume
-
itashimasu

Humble form: Applied for actions taken by

the speaker and the members of the speaker's group
Note: You should use this form only when you are doing a
certain thing for the listener's benefit, such as gI'm doing
it for you.h
Doesn't make sense because it impliesgI'm having a meal for your benefit. h
Makes sense because it impliesgI'm sending it for your benefit.h Makes sense because it impliesgI'm sending it for your benefit.h
When you want to emphasize the subject.
I/We will do (something) for you (listener).
I would like to explain it.
e.g.,
e.g.,
Let's practice! (Use the "itashimasu" form.)
vHSzB
daijo
-
bu desu ka? shimpai o shimashita
RB
san-ji made ni todokemasu
[B
mail o sugu ni okurimasu
\AfB
mo
-
shiwake arimasen ga kotowarimashita
1. goshimpai itashimashita
2. ookuri itashimasu 3.otetsudai itashimasu
4. okotowari itashimashita 5. otodoke itashimasu
3. I would like to help you if that's OK....
1. Are you OK? I worried about you.
5. I will bring it to you by 3 o'clock.
2. I will send you an e-mail right away.
4. I'm sorry, but I declined it.
`....
yoroshikereba tetsudaimasu ga ....

1. oyase ni narimashita
2. nasattan
3.4. oshiharai itashimasu
5. okashi itashimasu
6. okari itashimasu
Pole-san: What's the matter?
HII
AzB
(Paying the bill in a restaurant)
vBB
are ? nai! nai !
daijo
-
bu desu watashi ga haraimasu
vB
ohisashiburi desu ne
komatta na
-
saifu ga nain desu
2.
3.
4.
5.
H
chotto yasemashita ka?
AB
ano kore o kashimasu
AB
sumimasen ja karimasu ne
AB
warui desu ne ja tsugi wa wtashi ga haraimasu
(at a restaurant)
(When they come out of the restaurant, it is raining cats and dogs.)
Pole-san: I haven't seen you for a while.
Client: Ah, oh... It can't be...
Client: Sorry about this. I'll pay next time!
Client: Thank you so much.
Pole-san: Uh! Please use my umbrella.
H
do
-
shitan desu ka?
Client: I'm in trouble, I can't find my wallet.
Pole-san: Oh, that's OK. I'll pay for you.
Conversation
Did you lose weight?
1.
6.
setsume
-
o shimasu
speaker
others
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I'm sure you have done a great job learning keigo. You're right that it is
important to have quizzes so you can review what you have learned. So we'll do that in
this column. The next lesson will be the last on keigo. Please look forward to Vol. 67.
because I will explain keigo usages that are completely different from what you have
learned so far.
I'm done! I finally finished my keigo lessons!! I learned all about it from Vol. 62 through Vol. 65. But
I still get confused if I don't think carefully about how I can actually use those forms in different
situations. I wish I could use them right away without thinking, but when I start wondering which
forms to use, everything gets mixed up. Could you give me a comprehensive keigo quiz so that I can
become more used to it? I would like to really work on my keigo in order to speak good Japanese by
the end of this year. yoroshiku onegai shimasu!
Used for speaking politely regardless of the speaker or the
listener. It is often used for objects or nouns rather than humans
beings.
Used to describe the listener's actions rather than your own or the
members of your group.*
By applying this form to humble yourself and members of your
group,* the listener's position sounds higher than the speaker.
Thus, it gives a much politer impression to the listener.
B
Noun
i-adjective
na-adjective
Vocabulary
{
desu
o go
{
e.g., demoshikashi, minnaminasama etc.
Verbs
adjectives
o go
{
B
ninarimasu
{
{
B
saremasu
B
nasaimasu
B
shimasu
B
itashimasu
Nouns
Different usages: (summary of Vol. 62 through Vol. 65)
Vol. 62 teineigo

1. If you are not sure which keigo to use:
Use passive form See Vol. 63 (sonkeigo)
2. Use specific verb forms: See Vol. 64 (sonkeigo)
3. If you want to speak at the highest level of politeness: Vol. 65 (sonkeigo)
EApply to the listener
EShowing politeness to the listener by lowering yourself (kenjo
-
go)
etc.
irasshaimasu nasaimasu meshiagarimasu
e.g., (subject) comes. (subject) does it. (subject) eats it. etc.
o go
j[qB
fB
HH / AH
ACX~Nh[icB
TCYH
WaitressF Please, look at this menu.
CustomerF I'd like to have iced milk and doughnuts.
gH
B / B
ACX~NXH
B / XB / XB
V[gB
yokattara kotchi no kuwashii menu haikenshite kudasai
kimattara chu
-
mon o oukagai ni narimasu
ice milk hitotsu to doughnut onegai shimasu
kore oatatame desu ka?
hai onegaishimasu / ie
ice milk ni ko
-
ri oireraremasu ka?
hai / ko
-
ri nuki de / ko
-
ri nashi de
size wa dochira ni nasaimasu ka?
short onegaishimasu
koko de otabe nasaimasu ka? / omochikaeri itashimasu ka?
1.
2.
4.
5.
6.
3.
1. yoroshikereba kochirano...gorankudasai 2. okimari deshitara...ukagaimasu
3. kochira atatame raremasu ka 4....oire itashimasu ka 5. none
6. kochira de meshiagarimasu ka / omochikaeri ni narimasu ka
A.
(A customer is indecisive about what he wants.)
When you decide what you want, I'm ready to take your order.
WaitressF Would you like me to warm this up for you?
CustomerFYes, please. / No, thanks.
WaitressF Would you like to have ice in your iced milk?
CustomerF Yes, please. / Without ice, please. / No ice, please.
WaitressF Which size would you like?
CustomerFShort, please.
WaitressF Are you eating in? / Are you taking out?

Mr. Pole has been in hospital. Now he is making a phone call
to his office.
xf|B
konotabi wa taihen gomeiwaku o okakenasaimashita
mo
-
gokega wa onaori-itashimashita ka?
5.
I'll be back at work next week.
3.
4.
H
AAB
TQB
B
We have hired a new employee.
2.
1.
Employee: Have you recovered from your injury?
Pole: I'm awfully sorry to have caused you so much inconvenience.

1. okake itashimashita
2. okega / naoraremashita
3. none 4. mairimasu
5. nasaranaide kudasai
6. iremashita node
hai okagesama de yokunarimashita
raishu
-
wa kaisha ni mairaremasu
demo gomuri-itasanaide kudasai
6. VX^btI H
atarashii staff o ireraremashita node
Employee: That's good, but don't do anything more than you have to.
Pole: Yes, I'm feeling much better, thanks for asking.
Answers B.
C.
sf
kochira no futegiwa de gome
-
waku o
okake nasaimashite mo
-
shiwake-nakatta desu
|\B
H
ASEEE 2.
1.
Client : Did you know about this matter?
kono ken nitsuite zonjite irasshaimashita ka?
i
-
e, mattaku...
Pole: No, not at all...
1. gozonji deshita ka
2. okake itashimashite / mo
-
shiwake-gozaimasen deshita
B.
Apologizing to a customer for
an employee's misbehavior
I'm terribly sorry to have caused you trouble because of our negligence.
You may frequently hear the keigo you have learned so far
when you are in a fast-food restaurant or a coffee shop. Although
you don't have to use "sonkeigo" or "kenjo
-
go," you will understand
what they are talking about. In the following conversation, the
customer is using the language correctly, but there are mistakes in
what the waitress says. Find the mistakes in this and the following
conversations. ETeineigo:
ESonkeigo:
EKenjo
-
go:
You might still be confused since I have mainly explained the grammar of
keigo so far. Let me summarize it all in a simple way.
There are three kinds of keigo: "teineigo (polite form), sonkeigo (honorific form)
and kenjo
-
go (humble form)."
"Members of your group" include members of your immediate family and other
relatives, as well as company colleagues, in contrast to the listener or members
of the group the listener is associated with.
e.g., you and your family members comparison the listener
you and your company comparison the listener's company
Answers C.
Answers A.
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What happened to you, Pole-san? Did you buy your ticket already? If not, please study keigo
in today's lesson, and you'll want to stay in Japan. To tell the truth, the usual explanation on the
usage of keigo is different from the way Japanese people really use keigo (Vol.62~66) commonly
and unconsciously in real life. In this lesson, I will explain the psychological usage of keigo.
Depending on the usage, the distance between the listener and the speaker will be affected, whether
it will be shorter (drawing them closer) or longer (leading them farther away). It will be a flexible
relationship!
Ms. Hirayama, thank you very much for everything you have taught me. I'm thinking of
going back home soon. I learned keigo, but recently, I've felt a bit nervous about using
Japanese. To tell the truth, I met a close friend yesterday, whom I hadn't seen for a
while. While I was talking to her using the keigo that I've learned, I felt that she was
unfriendly by the way she spoke to me. Maybe, what I said to her was not quite right...I
tried to think of the reason, but I have no idea what was wrong. I'm tired of the effort it
takes to maintain a good relationship with other people.
1) Keigo is a "yardstick" for intellect and education.
Since the majority of Japanese people consider themselves to be
"middle class," it seems like they all have a similar status. However, they
try to estimate and measure the intellect, education and background of
others by observing the way they speak, especially whether they can use
keigo properly or not. The keigo of today has little meaning in terms of
its original usage to "show respect to others." Instead, Japanese people
unconsciously use keigo in order to "let others see a positive side to
oneself," "make oneself a better person" and "let others think that he/she
is highly educated."
In this lesson, I will explain "convenient keigo used for oneself" that
Japanese people commonly and unconsciously use in real life. Using this
type of keigo places one at an advantage and elevates one's own
position. It has nothing to do with a "vertical relationship" that is the
original usage of keigo.
If you start speaking politely and without feelings all of a sudden when
you were speaking in a friendly manner before that, or if you reply politely
although the other person is talking to you in a friendly way, he feels a
certain distance between the two of you.
e.g., If someone you are not interested in asks you out and you make the
following reply, he will think you don't like him and will never ask you
out again.
ATHHI
AB
ne ne, raishu
-
jikan nai? shokuji shiyo
-
yo!
sekkaku desu ga, enryo sasete itadakimasu
Change the underlined words.
B
rikon shite kudasai
dB
kyo
-
de shigoto o yamemasu
1. I would like to quit this job today.
2. Allow me to get a divorce.
1. yamesasete itadakimasu 2. sasete itadakimasu
Answers
Your boss will not prevent you from quitting.
The listener thinks there is no way to keep the marriage together.
{

2)-1: Breaking contact@
Friend: Hi, there. Are you free next week? How about dinner?
You: Thank you, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline your invitation.
te itadakimasu
{

te itadakimashita
causative form
Answers
Answers
Answers
2)-2: Making your situation better
AxB
moshi moshi kaze o hita node kyo
-
yasumimasu
1. (on the phone) Hello, I've got a cold, so I would like to take the day off today.
2. I would like to do it by all means!
1. yasumasete itadakimasu 2. yarasete itadakimasu

I
zehi yarimasu!
sekkaku desu ga enryo sasete itadakimasu
AB
It would be a great honor, but I'm afraid I have to decline.
You will not let the listener prevent you. The listener will have to give in
to you, thinking, "There is no other way."
Sometimes you might be asked to go to a dinner party and you have to
do so out of obligation. In such a case, if you say the following phrase,
you will essentially be saying "No" without causing offense.
As a rule, you need permission in advance, but there are some cases
when you cannot get permission for some reason, or you had to do
something without prior approval. In such a case, if you use the following
phrase, the listener will reluctantly consent to what you did.
e.g.,
A}pRAB
ABvH
suimasen kino
-
kyu
-
yo
-
ga deki san-ji ni kaerasete itadakimashita
a so
-
@ daijo
-
bu?
AB
irassharanakatta node kawari ni shimashita
ARs[^[gB
irassharanakatta node computer o tsukaimashita
AB
jikan ga arimasen deshita node katte ni kimemashita
3. Since there was not enough time, I had to make the decision without you.
2. Since you weren't here, I had to use your computer.
1. sasete itadakimashita 2. tsukawasete itadakimashita
3. kimesasete itadakimashita
You: I wish I could have told you sooner, but I had some urgent busi-
ness to attend to yesterday and I had to return home at 3 o'clock.
Boss: Oh, I see...Is everything OK?
1. Since you weren't here, I had to do it for you.
2)-3: Approval after the fact@
causative form
HH
A`x\B
AEEEAB
BQTV
Boss: Huh? When was this thing decided?
Subordinate: Oh, I'm sorry I didn't inform you sooner.
AAB
AEEEB
}ATPTxB
ADB
ATB
are? kore wa itsu kimatta no ka ne?
a, otsutae suru noga osokunatte mo
-
shiwake gozaimasen
a so
-
...so
-
ieba ano mo
-
hitotsu no ken wa do
-
natta ka ne
a, sore mo jikan ga arimasen deshita node watakushi ga shimashita
a so
-
...
ano kyu
-
de suimasen ga raishu
-
kara isshu
-
kan yasumimasu
hai do
-
zo do
-
zo osukina dake otori kudasai
arigato
-
gozaimasu demo nishu
-
kango niwa atarashii kaisha ni
utsurimasu node raishu
-
de yamemasu
1. kimesasete itadakimashita 2. sasete itadakimashita
3. yasumasete itadakimasu 4. yamesasete itadakimasu
B
jitsuwa bucho
-
ga irassharanakatta node watakushi ga kimemashita
Subordinate: Oh, I also did that as there was not much time.
Boss: Oh, I see...Well, what about the other business matter?
Boss: Oh...I see...
Boss: Sure, Sure! Please take as many days off as you wish.
Subordinate: And I wish I could have asked you sooner, but I would like to take
off all of next week.
Subordinate: Thank you. However, I will start working for a new company
in two weeks, so I want to quit this job next week.
The boss comes back from a business trip, and asks a subordinate how things
were during his absence. Change the underlined words into the appropriate
form.
Well, I had to make the decision since you weren't here.
(By suddenly using keigo, the boss tries to create some distance between
him and his subordinate.)

2) Keigo is used for oneself in order to make one's situation better or
gain an advantage from an adverse situation.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Using keigo for oneself?? Huh?
e.g.,
masu
ij
(sa) se

masu
ij
(sa) se
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{
reason / excuse
Pole-san, you made a mistake, again. What he meant by saying "baka
ni natta" is "[The door] has become loose." In fact, his expression of
"baka" does not imply "stupid" or "crazy." The word "baka" has various
usages in daily conversation. By the way, I'm glad that you did not go back
to your home country as you said you might last month. Airfares during the
holiday season are "baka-dakai (awfully high)!" So, you'd better avoid
traveling around the end and the beginning of the year. Paying a lot of
money for tickets is "bakabakashi
-
(ridiculous)!"
While I was at my office, Mr. Tsunoda called me on the phone, and said, "Please come here for a minute." So, I
went to see him right away. Mr. Tsunoda, who was holding the door of the conference room, said, "do
-
mo baka
ni natchatta mitai de (I guess it's been so stupid)." I was shocked, and asked him, "e? baka ni natta? (Huh?
[You] have gone crazy?)" He said, "so
-
senjitsu kara abunai to omottetara yappari baka ni natchatte (Yes, I
noticed it the other day, and I knew that it would happen someday.)" I couldn't think of what I should say to him,
so I just told him, "daijo
-
bu desu yo, baka ni natte imasen yo! ([You] will be OK, [you are] not crazy!)." Then,
he got upset and said, "Why do you think this is OK?," and he started banging the door. Why did he get upset?
Answers
Answers
{ adjective
baka ni
@@@ @@@@@ AEEEB
yachin wa baka ni kedo nani ka wake ga aru no kana...
Axl @ @@ AH
itsumo kaeri ga osoi shujin ga baka ni kaettekita ga do
-
shite?
~ @ @@@@@ geB
fuyu dato yu
-
noni baka ni nowa tabun ondanka no e
-
kyo
-
desu ne
Practice
1. This house rent is extremely cheap, I wonder why...
2. My husband is always late, but he came back home extremely early. Why was that?
3. This winter has been abnormally warm, probably because of global warming.
In this lesson, let's study some frequently used terms derived from "baka."
Extremely
If a certain condition/situation is more than usual or if the
degree is more than you expected, you may feel
confusion or doubt. The word "baka" is used to express
such thought. It is often added to adjectives.
1. yasui 2. hayaku 3. atatakai 4. yasashi
-
@@
@@@@@@@ @ ASB
saikin no tsuma wa baka ni ga nani ka shitagokoro ga aru no dewa
@@@@@@@@ vAB
uta ga baka ni dato omottara moto kashu nandatte sa
O @ @@@ @@ AB
soto ga baka ni node chotto mite kimasu
pc@@@@@@@@@ BH
Tsunoda-san baka ni ne nani ka iikoto atta no kana?
4. Recently, my wife has been extremely kind to me; I wonder what she has in mind.
5. No wonder his song was so much better than average, I was told that he
used to be a singer.
6. It is far noisier than usual outside, so I'll go out and check it out.
7. Mr. Tsunoda looks extremely happy, doesn't he? What happened to him?
8. Yukiko is extremely industrious, today. It's not like her usual self.
@ BRIqB
baka ni da ne itsumo no Yukiko-chan ja nai mitai da ne
9. No wonder it is extremely busy, today. It's the end of the month.
@@@ @@@vB
kyo
-
wa baka ni to omottara getsumatsu desu ne
10. This meat is extremely tough. What kind of meat is this?
@@@@@@@@@@ AH
kono niku baka ni ne nan no niku?
5. jo
-
zu 6. sawagashi
-

baka
Geek or someone
dedicated to
something
G
w
gakusha baka
senmon baka
e
oya baka
The following phrases are used as idioms.
baka ni naranai
No small matter A It seems very insignificant, but it cannot be
ignored or downplayed.
B
baka ni naru
Become loose Its original function is lost, and it becomes useless.
(e.g., screws, hinges, buckles, zippers, etc.)
D
bakabakashi
-
Nonsense unreasonable, absurd
E
baka na koto o iu

na
Don't be ridiculous! To deny strongly what
the other person says.
F
baka na koto o shita

How stupid I was! When the speaker has
done some stupid or
thoughtless thing.
A person who is single-minded or accomplished in
particular pursuits, but is felt to be socially inept.
Study geek: Specific-field geek: Blind parental love
C
sonna baka na
That's ridiculous! When unbelievable or shocking things happen,
this phrase is used to say, such as
"It can't be! / No way!
/ No kidding!"
I
tsuma to rikon suru kara kekkon shite kure!
RT[g`PbgT@@@@@@@ B
concert no ticket o kau no ni go-jikan mo narabuno wa desu
1. (In a drama on TV)
It is nonsense to wait for five hours to buy a ticket for a concert.
Practice:
Enter the appropriate word (A through G in the center column;
some modification may be necessary) in the rectangular.
Woman: Don't be ridiculous!
Man: I'm going to divorce my wife, so marry me!
2.
@ôRPQOO~APN@@@@@@ @@@@ B
tobacco wa hitohako nihyaku-en da ga ichinen de miru to desu
obO@@@ @@@@@ AB
bag no tomegane ga node naoshita
x@@ @ @@@@B
imasara ko
-
kai shitemo osoi desu ga
3. One pack of cigarettes costs only 200, but if I count the cost
for a year, it's no small matter.
4. The buckle of my bag got loose, so I had it repaired.
5. I think it is too late to regret what I have done, how stupid I was!
1 - E (baka na koto o iwanai de) 2 - D 3 - A 4 - B (baka ni natta)
5 - F (baka na koto o shiteshimatta) 6 - C or F 7 - G (oya baka)
I@@I@@@@@@@@@@@@
! atatta takarakuji no ken o otoshita!
6. That's ridiculous! I won the lottery, but I lost the ticket!

q@@@ @@ @ B
kodomo ni annani okane o kakeru nante desu ne
7. Spending that sort of money for children must be motivated by
blind parental love.
baka?
?
n?
J?
b
a
k
a
?
?
b
a
k
a
?
?
b
a
k
a
?
J
?
icra
zy
?)
7. ureshiso
-
8. majime 9. isogashi
-
10. katai
5-minute Japanese Class by Hitom i Hirayama
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Pole-san, "ichi-ji ame" does not mean "it will rain at 1 o'clock." It
means occasional showers. Weather forecasts in Japan are broadcast on
TV or radio. Of course, you can check the weather on the Internet and in
newspapers. Let's look at some meteorological terms and idioms using the
terms.
I attended a party at 1 o'clock yesterday. On TV in the morning, I heard the weather forecaster say, "ichi-ji ame,"
which I took to mean that it would rain at 1 o'clock. So I took an umbrella with me. When I met my friends at a
station, one of them asked me, "It's not raining, why do you have an umbrella?" I said, "Because the weather
forecaster warned about 'ichi-ji ame.'" My friends started to laugh and said, "Are you kidding?" It didn't rain at
at 1 o'clock, but it did rain a little bit in the evening. Are weather forecasts in Japan always inaccurate?
Answers
J
ame
rain
_________
nochi
rain, then sunny
kaifuku
improvement
(in the weather)
J
kosame
light rain
kiri
fog
kumori
cloudy
______ X____
tokidoki
cloudy with occasional rain
yuki
snow
kaminari
lightning
hare
sunny
kaise
- clear
aozora
blue sky
C
kion
temperature
x
shitsudo
humidity
~
ko
-
suiryo
-
precipitation
~m
ko
-
sui kakuritsu
e.g.,
C
saiko
-
kion
highest
temperature
C
saite
-
kion
lowest
temperature
fu
-
soku
wind speed
C
kisho
-
cho
- by the Meteorological Agency
C
te
-
kiatsu
low pressure
C
ko
-
kiatsu
high pressure
taifu
-
typhoon
tsunami chu
-
iho
-
g
J
ame nochi hare
X J
kumori tokidoki ame
chance of
rain
e.g.,
Frequently used expressions in forecasts
J
niwaka ame
shower
kudarizaka
tsunami
warning

Q@ @ @@@@@@@B
higaisha wa jiken no o katatta
B
ni ohenji itashimasu
vQ @@@@ @@ B
moto otto ga ro
-
hika datta nomo rikon no deshita
3. The victim described the whole incident.
4. Please give me your reply in a day or two.

5. One of the reasons for my divorce was that my ex-husband was
a spendthrift.
1-G 2-H 3-A 4-D 5-E 6- B 7 - I 8 - C 9 - F
iC@ @@@ @@@ II
kono ke
-
ki ga na gensho
-
de owaranai yo
-
ni!
6. May this business prosperity be more than just a temporary phenomenon!
JR@@ @@@ @@V[gB
amamori no ni sheet o hatta
7. I spread the plastic sheet as a makeshift roof to deal with the leaks.
@@@ B
shu
-
tome wa watashi ga suru koto ni monku o yu
-

B
so
-
to mo iikirenai
1. My mother-in-law complains about everything I do in minute detail.
2. I cannot necessarily completely agree with it/I can't swear to it.
lXsoB
no hitobito kara fuman ga funshutsu shita
8. Some of those people came out with a lot of complaints.
Ào@ @@@@@ `B
uuun deki wa ka naa
9. Well... the result is not quite good enough.
Make a complete sentence below by matching the phrases to A) to I). Weather greetings : Japanese people frequently make comments on the weather
as a way of greeting one another.
VCB
ii tenki desu ne
It's a beautiful day, isn't it?
VCB
iya na tenki desu ne
It's not such good weather, is it?
B
so
-
desu ne
Since it's only a greeting,
further discussion isn't
necessary.
Expressions with the word "ichi" (one)
I
ichijiteki
E
ichijishinogi
G
I
F
ichiichi
ichiin
ichiryo
-
jitsu
-
chu
-
T
ichigai ni
A
H
C
nI
ichibushiju
-
B
ichibu
D
imaichi
whole, from start to finish
temporary, for a short
period
part of a whole thing
makeshift, a temporary or expedient substitute
for something else in order to avoid a problem
one of the reasons
inadequate, insufficient
in minute detail, one by one
(implying annoyance)
not necessarily
(used in negative sentence)
in a day or two, within a few days
Yes, it is.
" _b: an unrealistic story/pie in the sky (lit: talk about how to catch a cloud)

Frequently used idioms with meteorological terms
_bB
kore wa kumo o tsukamu yo
-
na hanashi desu ne@
e.g., I think this seems like an unrealistic story.
e.g., These two countries have different degrees of enthusiasm about CO2 measures.
CO 2lx
ryo
-
kokukan niwa CO2 no kangaekata ni ondosa ga aru
" x: different degrees of interest (lit: difference in temprature)
i chi - j i ame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
J . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
worsening
(in the weather)
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" Today, I'll start with the basics. In general, when students learn " kore, sore, are,"
they are taught about the " relationship between speaker and recipient." However, this
explanation can be ambiguous and very confusing. So, I have devised a simple method to
make the distinction clear. In Vol. 71, I'll explain more abstract and advanced usage of
these words.
Ms. Hirayama, there is something I want to ask you. When I first came to Japan, I learned " kore,
sore, are" at a Japanese-language school. But recently, I have sensed that Japanese people use
these words differently from the way I learned. The more I think about it, the more I get confused
about how to use these words. I asked some Japanese friends to explain, but they said it was too
difficult to explain clearly. Could you help me?
Answers
Answers
"are/ achira"
is used for
things far away.
"sore/sochira"
is used for
things nearby but
out of reach.
"kore/ kochira"
is used for
things within your reach.
Touchable !
Untouchable !
F
a
r

a
w
a
y

!
Basic rule
At first,
consider whether
you can touch it
or not.
This has nothing to do with the "relationship
between speaker and recipient."
To Ms. Takeda
just as it is
Let's practice!
c@@
Takeda-san e
kono mama
sono mama
ano mama
I had to go on urgent business. }poB
kyu
-
yo
-
de chotto dekakemasu
Since I've not finished my work, dr
mada shigoto no tochu
-
desu kara
please don't touch anything
on my desk.
@@@@@@@@ B
tsukue no ue wa ni shite oite kudasai
p[eB[B
konban party ga aru node kite kudasai
ccc
ee........demo ......fuku ga.......
@ @@@ @@@@B
nakamauchi dake nanode de do
-
zo
H @@@@@fB
so
-
desu ka? jaa enryo naku de ukagaimasu
A
B
A - kono mama B - sono mama C - kono mama
On the phone
Mr. A: We are having a party tonight, and we'd like you to come.
Mr. A: It's just friends, so just bring yourself.
Miss. B: Gee... I wish I could, but ... I haven't got anything to wear....
Miss. B: Is that so? In that case, I'll come just like this.
Now we understand what "kore, sore, are" mean, let's apply that knowledge!
(Leave this
alone)
(Leave it alone)
(Leave
that alone)
s
o
r
e

a
r
e
k
o
r
e
C
H
desu ka?
A @@@@@@@B
iie janai desu
3.
4.
@@@ @@
to
B
misete kudasai
1.
2.
you touch
^H
yori yasui / o
-
ki
-
no arimasu ka?
you cannot
touch
over there
you touch
she touches
you touch
suimasen
B
desu
over there
FH
no iro chigai arimasu ka?
you cannot
touch
Shopping
1 - are 2 - kore 3 - sore 4 - are 5 - kore 6 - sore
7 - kore / kore
5.
6.
7.
Customer: Excuse me, may I take a look at that?
Clerk: Is this it?
Customer: No, that's not it!
Useful phrase for shopping
That one!
Do you have a cheaper/bigger one than this?
Do you have it in different color?
Could you wrap this one and this one separately?
XB
betsubetsu ni tsutsunde kudasai
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The problem you faced was probably caused by a misunderstanding of
the usage of "ko_, so_, a_" which are used for abstract matters or things that
cannot be seen directly. They may seem simple, but can be confusing in
reality. Even advanced students become confused and cause
misunderstandings, and their Japanese sounds very poor when they get the
usage wrong. If you master this lesson, your Japanese sounds much better!
While talking with a friend about a new sushiya (sushi restaurant) over the phone, we both began to feel like
eating sushi. He said, "jaa, ano sushiya de shichi-ji ni " over the phone, but when I went to the new sushi
place he didn't show up. I was worried so I called him. He then said, "Huh? Where are you, now? I'm waiting
for you at the sushiya!" When I told him I was at the new sushiya, he said, "itsumono ano sushiya desu
yo!" (I'm at the sushiya we usually go to!) On the phone, I had talked about the new sushiya, so I was sure
we were going to that one. Ms. Hirayama, why on earth did he go to the sushiya we usually go even though
he did not mention it by name?
Answers
Answers
Answers
Using abstract@ in conv ersations
k
o
_
a
_
s
o
_
III) When the speaker is familiar with the subject but
the listener is not, he uses "ko_."
e.g.,
e.g.,
"ko_, so_, a_" are used when abstract matters or things
that cannot be seen directly are discussed.
I) When both A and B know the subject, they use "a_".
II) When the speaker is not familiar with the subject,
he uses "so_."
e.g., sono ken as if he knows
it kono ken
sono hito
l
ano sakana
?
?
?
?
kono sakana
iQjsushiya wa oishi
-
desu yo ne
iQjiB
Both A and B know the subject
(PjisB
kino
-
(Pjsushiya ni ikimashita
iRj mise wa yasui desu yo ne
iRjXB
iSjmise wa itsumo kondemasu
iSjXB
kino
-
sushi o tabemashita
iHB
Either one of them is familiar with the subject
iQjXH
iQjmise wa doko ni arimasu ka?
iSjmise wa yu
-
me
-
desu ka?
iSjXLH
iRjmise wa zasshi ni yoku norimasu
iRjXGB
(The listener does not know it.)
iPjsushiya wa oishi
-
desu yo
iPjiB
A B
The sushi restaurant serves
delicious sushi, doesn't it?
Since both of them know the sushi restaurant, they know what
they are talking about without naming it.
I went to the sushi restaurant
yesterday.
When the subject becomes the main topic in the middle of conversation, "ko_" is used.
This restaurant is cheap,
isn't it?
This restaurant is always crowded.
I had sushi yesterday. This (that)
sushi restaurant serves delicious sushi.
(The speaker knows of the restaurant.)
Where is the restaurant?
When he feels that the subject becomes the main topic while discussing it, he starts to use "ko_."
Is this restaurant famous? This restaurant has appeared in
magazines many times.
sushiya
iPjano@iQjano iRjkono@iSjkono
iPjkono@iQjsono iRjkono@iSjkono
Do you know the Gion in Kyo
-
to?
No, I don't. Where is it?
A @@@@@@ H
iie, wa doko ni arimasu ka?
(1) sore (2) soko (3) soko (4) asoko (5) ano (6) ano
A few weeks later
Visiting Kyo
-
to
colleague :
You :
you don't
know the place
It's near the Kiyomizudera temple. colleague :
How can I get there?
@sH
niwa donoyo
-
ni ikimasu ka?
You :
you don't
know the place
You can take a taxi from the train station. colleague :
What kind of place is it?
@H
wa donna tokoro desu ka?
You :
you don't
know the place
I went to the Gion last week.
I can't find my cell phone! I wonder if I dropped it that time?
Or, maybe at that temple?
It's a beautiful place, isn't it?
@B
wa kire
-
na ii tokoro desu ne
You :
your colleague and
you know the place
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
gI@@
talking to yourself
@@ @ @cH
ke
-
tai ga nai!
soretomo tera kana.......?
H
toki ni otoshita nokana ?
that
(5)
(6)
that When the speaker is not familiar
with the subject at first, but starts to
feel "as if he knows it" while talking
about it, he starts using "ko_."
e.g.,
A subject or issue that the speaker
knows but the listener does not is
"this matter," ( kono ken), "this
issue" ( kono mondai)
When discussing a person whom the
speaker does not know (or who
cannot be seen), he uses "the
person" (l sono hito)
Talking about a time that A and B
experienced together
(ano toki)
ga_h is used when you are
talking to yourself or writing in your
diary, etc.
e.g.,
(in diary) It has been one year since
then...
i
sushiya
i
sushiya
i
(Here I explain part of typical usage.)
(PN... arekara ichi-nen...)
Let's practice!
Let's practice!
Put one proper pronoun in the box.
A
B
speaker
speaker listener
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That's true! Parking controls have been strengthened. As a result, fewer people
park on the streets. This has eased traffic congestion. Even if you want to park your
car for short time, you'd better use a parking lot or a parking meter. If you get a
parking ticket, not only do you have to pay for it but some points are taken away
from your driver's license. In this lesson, therefore, let's study how to use parking
meters in Japan. Charges are paid either in advance or on departure.
The other day, I went for a drive in the car. After a while, I needed to go to a restroom, so I used one in a
park. I only parked my car for about 10 minutes on a nearby street, but I found a parking ticket on the
windshield when I got back. I know it was my fault for not using a parking lot, but...it was only 10
minutes. The next day, I discussed this with a colleague, and he said I should be careful about parking
on the street because a new traffic law had been enforced and I could get a parking ticket, even for 10
minutes. I just paid the fine today, and boy...that was an expensive rest stop!
Answers
(chu
-
shakinshi)
~
N
o

p
a
r
k
i
n
g
No change
tsurisen-gire
1,000 bills not accepted
sen-en-satsu shiyo
-
chu
-
shi
No receipt available
ryo
-
shu
-
sho-hakko
-
-chu
-
shi
Enter your stall number.
chu
-
sha-ichi-bango
-
o osu
bango
-
o kakunin go se
-
san o oshi
Press "Receipt" if you require one.
ryo
-
shu
-
sho no hitsuyo
-
na kata wa ryo
-
shu
-
sho o osu
Insert discount ticket. Pay parking charge.
waribiki-ken chu
-
sha ryo
-
kin no jun ni se
-
san
Blinking means:
tenmetsu-chu
-
wa
Operating
e
-
gyo
-
chu
-
After checking your stall number, press "Payment."
Charge
ryo
-
kin
KA
se
-
san torikeshi
ryo
-
shu
-
sho tsurisen ryo
-
shu
-
sho
nureta osatsu shiwa no o
-
i osatsu wa tsukaemasen
chu
-
i chu
-
sha-ichi-bango
-
nado no machigai se
-
san ni tsuite no gohenkin wa dekimasen node gochu
-
i kudasai
Z
c
u
K ~Dgp~
s~
_
mFZ
Z
Kv @
GDEVDg
@uZoB
There are also some stores that issue coupons for discounted parking.
Payment Cancel
Receipt
Change, Receipt
Wet or crumpled bills cannot be accepted.
Caution: Please note that a refund is not available in the event of payment error, such as entering the wrong stall number.
There are various parking meters, and this is just one example. Although there are
many kanji on the machine, you can use it if you remember kanji that are marked
with a star.
Z
u
P Q R
S T U
V W X
O
K
~Dgp~
s~
_
mFZ
T[rX
Z
Kv@
@
10 50 100 500 500

10 50 100
2000 5000
10000
GD
GDEVDg
@uZoB
KA
AgB
After shopping, when exiting the parking lot
(chu
-
shajo
-
).....Parking lot
enter your
space number
AH
sumimasen kono hen ni chu
-
shajo
-
arimasu ka?
ano sumimasen tsukaikata o oshiete kudasai
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
B@
mazu o oshimasu
@@@@@@@@ B
soshite o oshimasu
@@@@@@ @zoB
so
-
shimasu to ni kingaku ga demasu
Kv{^B
AzB
soshite sono kingaku o haraimasu
ga hitsuyo
-
deshitara kono button o oshimasu
@@ @@@ B
machigaeta toki wa itsudemo o oshite kudasai
adjustment
Fee
receipt
Cancel
@@@@@@B
No parking
koko wa desu yo
Policeman: You can't park here!
Man: (Before taking your car out,) enter your "Stall Number" first.
You: Excuse me, could you tell me how to use this?
You: Excuse me, is there a parking lot around here?
Then, press "Payment".
By pressing it, you will see how much you must pay on the
"Charge" display.
Pay the required amount of money.
If you need a "receipt", press this button.
If you make a mistake, press "Cancel."
(1) ~ (2) u (3)Z (4) (5) (6)
Put the correct term in the boxes.
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I suppose that you are talking about the etiquette of making room for people who are in a
hurry on an escalator. In Japan, there are three different conventions: "stand on the left" in the
Kanto
-
area, "stand on the right" in the Kansai area, and either way in other areas. There are
many differences between Kanto
-
and Kansai areas, such as frequency of electricity and
seasoning for food. I guess "which side to open" is another of those differences.
Yesterday, I was in Osaka Station, and let me tell you what happened. I was standing on
the left side of an escalator when I noticed that many people were staring at me as they
passed by. Then, one of them asked me, "Are you from Tokyo?" and pointed behind me.
As I looked back, I realized that I was blocking a long line of people who were in a hurry.
How did he know I came from Tokyo?
Answers
The following classification shows the typical convention in each area.
4th-6th centuries
Right-side open: Stand on the left side
to leave room on the right for people
who walk
People generally follow
this rule in the Kanto
-
area,
such as Tokyo, Kana-
gawa, Chiba and also
in some parts of Kyoto.
The presumption is that
people make room on the
right for people who want
to walk because they
follow Japan's traffic rule
(keep to the right side).
Left-side open: Stand on the right
side to leave room on the left for people
who walk
People generally follow
this rule in the Kansai
area, such as Osaka,
Nara, Wakayama.
(Exception: some
parts of Kyoto)
It is said that this rule
started after London
escalator etiquette was
introduced at the
Osaka Expo in 1970.
There are also rules about right and left for Japanese kimono.
During about 200 years
of the Kofun period (ca.
300-710) people wore
kimono with "hidari-
mae." However, Empress
Gensho decreed a
change to "migi-mae."
At present
"hidari-mae":
left side under the right
"migi-mae":
right side under the left
Both men and women
wear kimono with
"migi-mae" at present.
Since "hidari-mae" is worn
by the dead for their funeral,
it is taboo. However, some
religious sects and in some
parts of Okinawa Prefecture
it is the custom to wear
kimono "hidari-mae."
xhq@@@@@@@@@@ @@ B
E @@ @@ E@
hijo
-
-bell ga nari shukuhakukyaku wa shita
(A)
{ @@ @@@@ B
Nihon ni kitabakari de desu
(C)
(D)
(E)
c@@@ @ SCB
Ida-san wa shacho
-
no de subete o makasareteimasu
l@@@@@@@@ @@@ B
shujin wa kyu
-
ryo
-
o morattemo@ desu
(B)
(F)
@@@@@@@ B
lN@@@@@@@@@@@
ano hito wa dare no iken nimo
takarakuji o atete noga watashi no yume desu
}[Nom@@@@@@@@@@@ B
Mark-san no Sumo
-
no chishiki ni desu
(G)
(H)
@@@@ @@@ oB
watashi ni totte dekigoto deshita
An alarm bell sounded, and guests in the hotel were going
hither and thither.
I just came to Japan, and I have no idea what to do.
Mr. Ida is the president's right arm, and he is in charge of everything.
My husband spends all his money as soon as he receives his salary.
He always copies others, and has no initiative of his own.
No one has more knowledge of sumo than Mark does.
As for me, the event was to determine my fate.
My hope is that I will win the lottery and live in comfort.
migi ni deru mono ga inai
migi e narae migi mo hidari
mo wakaranai
Right-handed
migikiki
migite migimawari (toke
-
mawari)
migi kara hidari E
right
migiude
E
Eo
E E
Er
E
E Eivj
left
hidariuchiwa (de kurasu)
hidarimae ni naru
hidarikiki
hidarikiki (sato
-
)
hidarite
cij
O

i}j
E
sayu
-
-taisho
-
E
unme
-
o sayu
-
-suru
Ê
E
1) To spend money as soon as you get it.
4) Having no idea
2) No one is better than he is.
3) Following suit
5) The right arm
9) Living in comfort
6)
7) Right side 8) Right-handed (clockwise)
11) Becoming poor
10) Left side
13) A drinker
12) Left-handed
16) Going hither and thither
15) Controlling one's fate
14) Symmetry
Let me tell you some useful phrases using the words
"right" and "left."
left-right
B
jishuse
-
ga nai desu
(A)-(16) (B)-(4) (C)-(5) (D)-(1) (E)-(3) (F)-(2) (G)-(15) (H)-(9)
im
ig
i)
i
h
i
d
a
r
i
)
H
uo
-
sao
-
Choose appropriate expression from 1) to 16) in the box of following sentences.
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Actually, neither you nor the taxi driver was wrong. There are
many words that have the same pronunciation but different meaning
in Japanese. This expression "kono to-ri" has two meanings: "this
street" and "as it is." So, I think you misunderstood him. As "to
-
ri" is a
very useful expression, let's study it in this lesson!
I got into a taxi the other day, but as the place I wanted to go was very difficult to explain, I handed a map to the taxi driver and
said, "Meiji-do
-
ri to
-
tte-kudasai" (Please take Meiji-do
-
ri avenue.) The driver looked at the map and said to me, "kono to
-
ri desu
ne" (This avenue, isn't it!) so I told him, "iie, Meiji-do
-
ri desu" (No, take Meiji-do
-
ri avenue.) Then, he pointed the map and said
again, "desukara, kono to
-
ri desu yo ne?" (So, this is the avenue, isn't it?) The car behind beeped at us and the driver's glare
obviously meant,"Get moving!" The taxi driver was looking at me like he was confused, and I didn't know what to do. Ms. Hirayama,
"kono to
-
ri" means "this street," right? Why couldn't the taxi driver understand?
Answers
to
-
ri / do
-
ri
There are four main usages.

1) Street: e.g., R...Aoyama do
-
ri (Aoyama Street), ... to
-
ri (street)
2) Traffic: e.g., ...kuruma no to
-
ri ga hageshi
-
(The traffic is heavy.)
3) Flow of water or air:
e.g., ... mizu no to
-
ri ga warui (The water is not running well.)
kaze no to
-
ri ga i
-
heya (a well-ventilated room)
4) The same state: e.g., ... itsumodo
-
ri (as usual)
This expression is introduced in this lesson.
sonoto
-
ri
ossharuto
-
ri
ittato
-
ri
hanashitato
-
ri
b
omottato
-
ri
v
hitoto
-
ri
A) That's right.
B) As shown in instructions
C) Glancing over
D) You're right.
E) As one said
F) As one told
G) As one expected
hyo
-
bando
-
ri
]
uwasado
-
ri
\
ke
-
sando
-
ri
mojido
-
ri
vZ
kubudo
-
ri
motodo
-
ri
H) As one heard
I) as reputed
J) As one calculated
M) As it used to be
K) Literally
L) Ninety percent
(1)-(H) (2)-(M) (3)-(D) (4)-(G) (5)-(A) (6)-(I) (7)-(C) (8)-(F) (9)-(J)

(P) Just as I heard, the food here is good, isn't it?
Put the appropriate word in the boxes.
(R) You're absolutely right!
(S) That was what I expected!
(T) Yes, that's right!
(Q) Their relationship is not what it used to be.
(U) The concert really lived up to its reputation.
(V) I glanced over the documents.
(W) As I told you the whole truth, please believe me!
ossharuto
-
ri desu
B
subete hanashitato
-
ri desu shinjite kudasai
S b BMB
omottato
-
ri@ datta!
v I
shorui ni hitoto
-
ri me o toshimashita
B
hyo
-
bando
-
ri no subarashi enso
-
kai deshita
] ftB
\ XB
kesando
-
ri niwa ikimasen deshita
vZ B
futari no naka wa motodo
-
ri ni naranakatta
Ql B
hai, sonoto
-
ri desu
A B
(X) Things did not go as I planned
M
e
-
ji-d
o
-
ri? t
o
-
r
i
?
TAXI
D
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e.g.,These are some of many expressions using tori.
-
setsume
-
sho no to
-
ri
uwasado
-
ri no oishi mise desu ne
-
-
-

- -
Last week,I went to see a movie with Ms.Ueno and her friends, Ms.Ikeda and Ms.Igarash. After the movie, we had
a chat over a meal. Every time I said something, Ms.Ueno said, "Uso~," while Ms.Ikeda said, "Uso-mitai," and Ms.
Igarashi said, "Uso desho, uso~, usso~." Since they said that word so many times, I went to a restroom and secretly
checked it in my dictionary. The dictionary said "uso" meant "lie." As soon as I was back, I said to them, "Uso janai
desu (What I said wasnot a lie)." Three girls started to laugh and said, "We know that." Ms.Hirayama, why did they
keep saying"uso"?
Answers
falsity
kuchi
uso ga bareru
^R
uso o tsuku
R
lie mouth
kyo
R R
R
makka na uso usonaki
I would like to explain two different usages
in this lesson.
A. To say something as if it were the truth
or a fact (same meaning as "lie")
Kanji for "lie"
{
uso
1) Telling a lie 2) A lie is exposed.
3) Outright lie 4) Shedding crocodile tears
R
uso mo hoben
-
5) Necessary to stretch the truth (in a good sense,
such as telling a white lie)
(positive meaning)
uso uso uso
AA
uso desho
uso daro
uso chittomo shiranakatta

-
`m`
usso
-
`
6) The phrases vary according to the person. Although some typical phrases
are selected here, it may be better not to use them too often because they
sound very informal. (Although every phrase has been translated into English,
it does not necessarily mean that they are precise equivalents.)
7) To emphasize the feeling of "It's a miracle!" or "That's unbelievable!"
They are used in the form of "___mitai" or "___no yo"
-
e ano futari ga kekkon? uso mitai!
ÌlHE\I
eg.,
e.g.,
B. To emphasize the feeling of surprise
when some amazing or unbelievable
thing has happened, rather than implying
that it is a "lie." (in this case, "uso" is
usually written in hiragana or katakana.)
No kidding! Oh, no, no, no...
(repeating several times)
Are you kidding?
(woman speaking)
No way!
(man speaking)
uso mitai
It can't be! (woman speaking)

Oh, boy! I had no idea!
No kidding! You mean they've got married? That's unbelievable!
taibyo o shita noni uso no yo ni genki ni natta
- -
aE\CB
It seemed like a miracle to return to good health after such a severe illness.
R
(a)-(6) (b)-(7) (c)-(5) (d)-(3) (e)-(1) uso o tsuiteiru (f)-(4) (g)-(2) uso ga barenai
uso
(a)
pcAR~I
Tsunoda-san san-oku en no takarakuji ni atattan datte!
A-san: Mr. Tsunoda has won the lottery for 300 million!
Insert the proper expression in the box by choosing from those at left.
B-san: No kidding! (Expressing the feeling of "That's unbelievable!"
because the surprise was so great)
|@@@@@ @@ B
ichinichi kakete soji o shitara
-
ni kirei ni natta
(b) After I spent the whole day cleaning my house, it seemed like a miracle how nice it had become.
(c)
ARcH
E, Yamada-san ni sonna koto ittan desu ka?
A-san
B-san:
AB B
demo sore de umakuitta desho desu yo
What? Did you really say such things to Ms. Yamada?
Yes, but, that way it went well. It is necessary to stretch the truth, you know.
sonna ni mokaru toshibanashi wa ni chigainai desu yo
- -
b @@
(d) It must be an outright lie because there can't be a good explanation for an
investment to make such a lot of money.
vw@@@@@@@@@@ B
-
fufugenka o suru to tsuma wa itsumo o suru
(f) Every time I quarrel with my wife, she always sheds crocodile tears.
l UHB
hannin wa yoni gisokosaku o shita
- - -
(g) The suspect tried to cover up what he did, so that his lies would not be found out.
e^@ @@@@@@ vB
-
yogisha wa to omoimasu
(e) I believe that the suspect is telling a lie.
u
sso
-
- u
s
s
o
~
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Well, I also say that word sometimes when I talk with my friends.
For some people, "uso" becomes their favorite word. In particular, it
seems that young people and those who lack sufficient vocabulary tend to
use the phrase. those girls did not mean you were lying when they said
"uso". Let me explain "uso" for today's lesson. "Pole-san wa uso-mitai
ni Nihongo ga jozu ni naru desho (It seems a miracle that you start
speaking in excellent Japanese)."
Are you good at cooking Japanese food? As for me, I like
eating it, instead of cooking it! What you heard at the meeting
was not about cooking. They were using phrases associated
with cooking, but those expressions are actually used for
business. Since it is very interesting, let me tell you some of
them.
While discussing a new project at a meeting, Mr. Tanaka said, "sozai ga mondai desu ne." (lit.: I guess the problem is the
ingredient.), and Mrs. Ida said, "do
-
ryo
-
ri suru ka...ryo
-
ri o suru noni jikan ga kakarimasu ne." (lit.: I wonder how we can cook
it. I think it takes time to cook.) Then, Mr. Takana said, "so
-
desu ne. jikan o kakete nitsumemasho
-
.

nitsumattara mata
uchiawase o shimasu." (lit.: I think you're right. We need more time to boil it down. When it is boiled down, we are going to have a
meeting again.) So, I asked them, "kyo
-
no uchiawase wa nani ryo
-
ri desu ka?" (What are you going to cook for today's
meeting?), but they were shocked and became speechless. Why is that?
Answers
Italy ryo
-
ri
France ryo
-
ri
K
a
n
k
o
k
u
ry
o
-
ri
Italy ryo
-
ri
France ryo
-
ri
K
a
n
k
o
k
u
ry
o
-
ri
sakana ryo
-
ri
Various cooking
Kanji of cooking
kate
-
ryo
-
ri
Nihon ryo
-
ri
sho
-
jin ryo
-
ri
te ryo
-
ri
kyo
-
do ryo
-
ri
yasai ryo
-
ri
ippin ryo
-
ri
niku ryo
-
ri
nabe ryo
-
ri
Japanese food
Vegetarian food
Homemade cuisine
Home cooking
Local specialties
Vegetable dish Hot pot cooked
at the table
A la carte dish
Meat dish
Seafood dish
ryo
-
ri
ryo
-
ri o suru
zairyo
-
nitsumeru
nitsumaru
1) Cooking: ingredient
Business: materials, source
2) Cooking: to cook
Business: to manage / to handle
4) Cooking: to be boiled down
Business: to be brought to
a conclusion
nekaseru
8) Cooking: to let it sit
Business: to set it aside
for a while and see how it goes
ichiyazuke
5) Cooking: vegetables pickled overnight
Business: a makeshift /
work prepared quickly in overnight
kogetsuku
6) Cooking: to be burned and stuck
Business: uncollectible debts
sokuseki
9) Cooking: quickly prepared dish
Business: to prepare it in short time
without effort / temporary solution
shitajumbi o suru
7) Cooking: to make a preparation
Business: preparation
before actual performance
sozai
Expressions for cooking and for business

3) Cooking: to boil
Business: to examine it thoroughly
and bring it to a conclusion
(a)-(1) (b)-(7) (c)-(4) nitsumatte (d)-(9) (e)-(6) kogetsuita
(f)-(3) (g)-(2) (h)-(5) (i)- (8) nekasete oita
(a) We do not have enough materials to come to a conclusion, do we?
Insert the proper expression in the box by choosing from those at left.
(c) Finally, the matter is being brought to a conclusion.
ketsuron o dasu niwa busokudewa?
atarashii project no noni isshu
-
kan kaketa
ke
-
kaku o mo
-
ichido hitsuyo
-
ga arimasu ne
kono nandai o dono yo
-
ni ka mimono desu ne
toriaezu de tsukutta node mo
-
ichido tsukurinaoshimasu
san nen mo sho
-
hin o so
-
ko ni node furukute mo
-
uremasen

yatto naiyo
-
ga kimashita ne
(b) We spent one week on the preparation of the new project.

de tsukutta wari niwa yoku dekiteimasu ne
kingaku wa okutani desu
(d) It seems good even though it was prepared quickly.
(e) The total uncollectible debts are more than 100 million.
(f) I think it is necessary to reexamine the plan thoroughly and bring it
to a conclusion.
(g) It would be worthwhile to see how this difficult task can be managed.

(h) I put it together overnight, so I will make a new one, again.
(i) This merchandise is too old to be sold because it was left
in the warehouse for three years.
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I know you didn't give her a telephone as a present. What she meant by saying, "itadaita
denwa de sumimasen ga..." was "This is a call that you made, so please excuse me for using
this opportunity to talk about something else for a minute?" If the receiver of a call starts talking
about something else during that call, it might be seen as impolite because the call is costing the
caller time and money. If it is going to take a long time for you to talk about a different subject
during a call that someone else made, it is better for you to call him/her back.
Let me tell you what happened when I called a client the other day. When I was about to hang up because
we had finished talking business, she said to me, "a, ano itadaita denwa de sumimasen ga..." (Well,
excuse me for using the telephone that you gave me...). So, I asked her, "e? denwa o present
shimashita ka?" (Huh? Did I give you a telephone as a present?), but this seemed to surprise her and
she said, "ha?" (What?). Then, she said, "Mr. Pole, you have a good sense of humor." But I wasnt trying to
make her laugh, and I did not give her a telephone as a present!
Answers

Humble form
to receive a phone call
to make a phone call

Useful phrases
1) When you don't catch the telephone number, the caller's name
or the company's name:
(different subject)
If you want to talk about a different subject for a short period during a call that
someone else made, use this phrase first to avoid upsetting the caller.
2) When the receiver might be busy, ask him/her if it is a good time to call
before telling him/her why you called:
itadaita denwa ?
The phone that you gave m
e?
itadaita denwa de sumimasen ga...
denwa o morau denwa o itadaku
denwa o suru denwa o sashiageru

"Just in case, may I have your name, phone number and company name?"
nen no tame ni o-namae o-denwa bango
-
kaisha-me
-
o itadakemasu ka?
"Is this a good time to talk to you?"
ima chotto o-denwa yoroshi

-
desho
-
ka?
3) When you want to make sure you have the correct information such as
telephone number or company name, use the following expression:

4) When you want to leave a message for a person:
"Please tell him/her that I called."

5) When the caller's voice is too small to hear clearly:
6) When you notice that you missed a call on
your mobile phone, and you try to
telephone the caller, whom you don't know.
7) When there is a call for someone
at your office who is not present at the
time:
telephone number name
Ke
-
tai denwa izonsho
-
(Mobile phone dependency)
How did you do?
(a) - () (b)-() (c)- () (d)-() (e)-() (f)-()
Caller from another company: I see. Well then, please tell her that I called.
JL: Hello? Can you hear me?
There is a call for a colleague from some other company, but you answer
it because she is not present.
You: Hello. Ms. Aizawa is not here, right now. I think she'll return soon.

You: Certainly. Just in case, may I have your name and phone number?
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Caller gives his name and his phone number.
You: Let me repeat, your phone number is ... and your name is ... Is that correct?
(e)
It is hard to hear the voice on the phone.
Choose one of these seven expressions to complete the following dialogues:
Calling someone who seems very busy
You : Hello, Is this a good time to talk to you?
(f)
You: Pardon me, but it seems we have a bad connection...
so
-
desu ka dewa
hai, soredewa
"Let me repeat, the number is ... and your name is ... Is that correct?"
fukusho
-
itashimasu sama desu ne?

denwa ga atta koto o otsutae-itadakemasu ka

"Pardon me, but it seems we have a bad connection..."
sumimasen o-denwa ga to
-
i no desu ga...
"Did you try to call me?"

odenwa itadakimashita desho
-
ka?
"He/she is not here, right now.
I think he/she will be back soon.

mo
-
shiwake gozaimasen seki o
hazushite orimasu sugu modoru
to omoimasu ga...
These days almost everyone seems to use a mobile phone in their
daily lives. The number of people who have become addicted to using
their mobile phones (ke
-
tai izonsho
-
) has also rapidly increased. If you
answer "yes" four times or more to the following questions, you are
probably one of them.
1) You check your mobile phone first thing in the morning.
2) You get anxious when you leave your phone at home.
3) You check for text messages and missed calls even though the
phone hasn't rung.
4) You take your phone to the toilet.
5) When you sit down, the first thing you do is put your phone on the
table or desk.
6) If you don't get a reply for a text message you have sent within an
hour, you get worried or angry.
7) You avoid going underground or using the subway because your
phone might not receive calls or messages there.
8) You check what time it is by looking at your phone.
9) You feel depressed if you don't receive calls or text messages.
10) You put at least one pictorial symbol in every two lines of a text
message.
moshi-moshi kikoemasu ka?
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Do you eat doughnuts very often? They are delicious, aren't
they? Recently, there has been a doughnut boom in Japan, and I see
many stores offering all kinds of doughnuts. Oops, sorry...Im getting
off the subject. What he meant by saying "tsume ga amai" was that
your project did not end in the way it was supposed to.
When I was in the elevator, one of my colleagues came in and asked me how the project was going. I said, "Well, the project was
almost finished, but now weve had to go back and start again." He then said, "Pole-san wa tsume ga amai kara na" I know
"tsume" means "nail" and "amai" means "sweet"; So does he mean "my nails are sweet"? After all, I hadnt eaten any doughnuts
that day, so no sugar had sweetened my nails. Puzzled, I responded, "watashi no tsume wa amakunai desu" (my nails
are not sweet). He said, "ha? chigau chigau" (Eh! That's not what I meant), and he started to laugh. Ms. Hirayama, what did he
really mean?
Answers
tsum
e ga am
ai?
'M
y
n
a
il is
s
w
e
e
t'?
tsum
e ga am
ai?
'M
y
n
a
il is
s
w
e
e
t'?
Let me introduce expressions featuring the four basic "tastes" in today's lesson.
()
kuchi o suppakushite iu (chu
-
i suru)

suppai

karai
karakuchi no hihyo
-
karakuchi
(to give the same counsel over and over
again. It implies a negative meaning.)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
karato
-
to tell something over and over again /
to give a warning
Hot
outspoken criticism
(a biting criticism)
dry / salty
a drinker
Sour
tsume ga amai
amai
amaku miru
amakuchi
amato
-
amai kotoba
amayakasu
(8)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
amai kangae
weak conclusion
Sweet
to underestimate
to have a sweet tooth
sweet / mild
to spoil
sweet talk
(Flattering or seductive words)
superficial idea
nigai
nigai ke
-
ken
nigawarai
(6)
(7)
Bitter
bitter experience
(Bitter and hard experiences that one
does not even want to recall)
wry smile
(5)
(9)
(A) - (5) (B) - (8) amaku mite (C) - (11) amayakashi masu (D) - (12) (E) - (13)
(F) - (7) (G) - (2) (H) - (1)

(A) I became a guarantor and had a bitter experience.
Choose one of the 13 expressions to complete the following sentences.
(B) I underestimated my opponent and lost the match.
aite o shiai ni maketa

hosho
-
nin ni natte o shita

(C) Mothers are too indulgent of their children these days.

(G) Outspoken criticism of the new administration appeared in today's morning
newspapers.
(D) I was sweet-talked into investing.
(F) When I gave my proposal to the general manager, he rejected it and said
that the conclusion was weak.
(E) If you have such superficial ideas, your studies will be a failure.

saikin no hahaoya wa kodomo o sugi desu

ni notte to
-
shi o shitara shippaishita
sonna dewa ryu
-
gaku wa muri desu ne
kikakusho o dashitara bucho
-
ni to tsukikaesareta
kesa no shimbun ni shinse
-
ken ni tsuite ga notteita
shikae
-
se
-
shi no Ito
-
-san wa kanja ni "ha o migaku yo
-
ni" to
te form
masu form
(H) Ito-san, a dental hygienist, is always telling her patients to brush their teeth.

s
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"jikan ga yomenai" does not mean that he
couldn't read the time on his watch. I'm glad that you
started to pick up this kind of Japanese! What he meant
was that he had no idea when the meeting was going to
end. There are a number of phrases using "yomu." Let's
look at them.
Next week, I have to attend an important conference in Germany. Since Mr. Yoshida, who is one of my colleagues, is accompanying me, I
wanted to prepare everything with him in advance. So I asked him, "ashita uchiawase no jikan ga arimasu ka?" (Do you have time to
discuss things tomorrow?). He said, "I have meetings all day long tomorrow..." Then I said to him, "The conference is next week! Please make
some time, anytime tomorrow!" Mr. Yoshida said, "uuuun... jikan ga yomenai na
-
" (Gee... I can't read time, though), and he became
quiet. I was surprised and said, "e! yoshida-san jikan ga yomenai no?" (What? You cannot read the time?). He said, "so
-
nan da yo
ne. maitta na
-
..." (Yeah... It's a real shame...) and he started scratching his head and left. Does "jikan ga yomenai" mean "he can't read
time on his watch"? Or is there another meaning?
Answers

jikan ga yom
enai?
jikan ga yom
enai?
'I can't read tim
e'?
'I can't read tim
e'?
yomimasu
ku
-
ki o yomu
saki o yomu
(1) To understand the circumstances
(2) To think ahead
(3) To guess one's intentions
(4) To sense the atmosphere
kangae o yomu
yomi
yomu
yomenai
to read
dictionary form
potential from
noun
(negative)
jo
-
kyo
-
o yomu
yonde
te from
kokoro o yomu
te no uchi o yomu
yomi ga asai
(7) To read between the lines/
to see through ones plot
(9) To think superficially
(10) To think deeply
(11) To cheat in counting
(12) To read the (golf) green
yomi ga fukai
ugoki o yomu
(6) To read one's thoughts
(5) To think/see several moves
ahead
(8) To read the times
saba o yomu
green o yomu
jidai no nagare o yomu

(13) Unable to predict how long it will take
(mostly used in negative form)
jikan ga yomenai

(A) My friend altered her age by five years.
(B) If you want to become a columnist, you need to have the ability to think ahead.
columnist ni naru ni wa chikara ga hitsuyo
-
desu

tomodachi wa go-sai imashita

(C) It is a psychologists job to read the thoughts of his patient.
?
(G) Thats so like you! You really know everything! You think things through!
(D) There has been an increase in self-centered people who have no sense of the atmosphere.
(F) What a shame! I didn't fully think through the situation.
It's no use crying over spilled milk, eh?
(E) Analysts try to predict the way the exchange rate will move.

(H) Successful international designers have an excellent ability to read the times.

shinrigakusha wa kanja no no ga shigoto desu
ba no jikochu
-
shinteki na hito ga fuete iru
analyst wa tsune ni kawaseso
-
ba no
maitta na "ko
-
kai saki ni tatazu" desu ne
sasuga nani kara nani made wakatteru! desu ne
sekai de katsuyaku shite iru designer wa chikara ga sugoi
nai form
te form
(A) saba o yonde (B) saki o yomu (C) kokoro o yomu (D) ku
-
ki o yomenai (E) ugoki o yomu
(F) yomi ga asakatta (G) yomi ga fukai (H) jidai no nagare o yomu
dic. form
dic. form
dic. form
dic. form
past tense
dic. form
Choose one of the 13 expressions and change the form if necessary
to complete the following sentences.
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n
So youre planning a trip? How nice! Let me help you by giving you
a quiz in which you have to find names of the prefectures where you can
get the things you want to eat and drink or visit the places you mentioned.
Do your best and don't worry about bringing back a gift for me. I wont be
offended. By the way, I also love natto
-
, ocha and sho
-
chu
-
!
Ms. Hirayama, there are only about two weeks until the New Year. Im planning to go on a trip around the end of the year, but Im
not sure where to go. Id like to eat some delicious gyo
-
za (dumplings with minced pork and vegetable stuffing), ringo (apple) and
natto
-
(fermented soybeans). I also would like to taste some good-quality sho
-
chu
-
(clear distilled liquor) and ocha (green tea). On
my travels Id like to visit a huge lake, Mt. Fuji and an onsen (hot spring). There are so many places I want to visit in such a short
period. Please give me some idea about where I should go and what I should do.
Answers (Note that the form showing all syllables follows the usual form. e.g. gyo
-
za would be written gyouza)
Nihon chizu quiz
Quiz on Japanese map
Nihon chizu quiz
Quiz on Japanese map

ri
ri
ga
u
shi
ki
ki
sa
o
to u
go
wa
ka
ba
In Japan, there are 47 prefectures, including ichi-do
-
(Hokkai-do
-
), it-to (Tokyo-to) ,
ni-fu (Kyoto-fu/Osaka-fu) and 43 (yonju
-
-san)-ken (e.g., Hiroshima-ken).
Can you fill in the names of the prefectures indicated by the parentheses on the map?
How many prefectures have you visited?
Mark the prefectures you have visited.
Enter the correct hiragana character into each square so that the names of
proper prefectures appear.
gi
to
ichi-do
-
itto ni-fu 43-ken
A: A prefecture famous for gyo
-
za and where Nikko is located

B: A prefecture once known as the Ryu
-
kyu
-
Kingdom
4)

A: A prefecture famous for Tsukuba Science City, its plum blossom
park and natto
-

C: A prefecture where the old capital of Japan was situated until it was
moved to Tokyo
)
() () () ()
A: Saga
B: Shiga
A: Kagoshima
B: Shizuoka
A: Osaka
(Oosaka)
B: Aomori
A: Tochigi
B: Okinawa
C: Tokyo
(Toukyou)
() A: Ibaraki
B: Tottori
C: Kyoto
(Kyouto)
C: A prefecture where the Diet building and the Imperial Palace are located
B: The only prefecture that has sand dunes in Japan
o
na
u
chi
yo
i
to
tsu
ra
yo
A: A prefecture famous for Arita-yaki (Arita ceramic wares)
and the remains of Yoshinogari
1)
B: A prefecture where Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in
Japan, is located
A: A prefecture famous for Sakurajima island,

Saigo
-
Takamori and sho
-
chu
-
B: Which prefecture do you think of when you hear "Mt. Fuji, green
tea and mikan"?
2)

A: A prefecture where the Universal Studio Japan is located and many
rakugo (traditional comic storytelling) and manzai (comic dialogue act)
performers entertain
B: A prefecture famous for its apples
3)

shi
zu
sa
ka
ka
ma
mo a
o
Mt.Fuji
onsen
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
D
e
s
i
g
n

:
M
a
s
a
k
o

B
a
n
These words, and many other day-to-day expressions, can be traced back to kabuki.
Your friends e-mail can be translated as: "Mr. Pole, how's your shamisen practice going?
Your concerts next week, right? Youre coming to the end of your practice. Are you going to
be playing the pieces youre best at? Stay calm and avoid mistakes. After the concert, lets
go out for a night on the town!
A friend of mine sent me an e-mail, which said: "Pole-san, shamisen (three-stringed Japanese music
instrument) no renshu
-
(practice) wa do
-
desu ka (how's ~going)? happyo
-
-kai (Your concert) wa
raishu
-
(next week) desu ne. (Your concerts next week, right?) iyoiyo (finally) o
-
zume (?) desu ne.
kyokumoku (program) wa Pole-san no ju
-
hachi-ban (see Vol. 14) desu ka? tochiranai (?) yo
-
ni
ochitsuite (calm down) ne. happyo
-
-kai ga owattara (after you finish), donchansawagi (?) shiyo
-

ne! Ms. Hirayama, what do "o
-
zume," "tochiranai" and "donchansawagi" mean?
Answers
K
a
b
u
k
i ?
K
a
b
u
k
i ?
ita ni tsuku
(plate)(sticking)
urakata
(behind)(staff)
na
-
na
-
(Word for calling
a recipient)
The following words and phrases originated with kabuki.
sho
-
nenba
(gut)(place)
dondengaeshi
(reversal)(return)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Foot movement is of critical importance in kabuki.
Actors can improve their performance over time as
they become used to moving across the stage (or
place). They eventually become comfortable on
stage, in turn making the audience feel more
comfortable.get used to: Such things as jobs,
clothing and proper attitude gradually become
natural to a person.
A kabuki stage set piece that can be tilted
backward 90 degrees revealing another set.
complete reversal (This is a negative expression
implying that something has been overturned at the
last minute.)
Common to kabuki plays is a dialogue between two
actors in which one says, "na
-
," and the other replies
with "na
-
." It is said they are able to communicate
their intentions with a minimum of words.The
expression, "na
-
na
-
ni naru" (coming to a quick
compromise) has a negative meaning, implying a
compromise with little discussion.
While the actors are in the limelight, there is a
large number of people working behind the scenes,
such as on lighting, sets and costumes.working
behind the scenes
The most important scene in a kabuki play is
"sho
-
nenba"---the moment a character reveals his
true intentions. In everyday life the word was
changed to mean crucial point, moment.
The word "nobetsu" means "continuously," while
"makunashi" means "no curtain," implying a long
play without an intermission.endlessly
Forgetting or bungling one's lines.
bungling: to make mistakes
When a long play was performed on a single day, it
was divided into two parts. The last scene of the
first act was called the "o
-
zume."final stage
The delivery of well-modulated dialogue with lines
varying in speed, strength and pitch, making it
clear and vivid for the audience.varying location:
matters vary
The word "donchan" represents the sounds of
gongs and drums. During a battle scene, gongs
and drums are sounded to create a sense of great
excitement.wild merrymaking (Used negatively
when referring to a drunken night on the town.)
merihari
(Dent)
(protrusion)
o
-
zume
donchan-
sawagi
(make noise)
tochiru
nobetsu-
makunashi
(F)
(G)
(H)
(I)
(J)
() The long trial was about to enter the final stage.

(2) My older sister had a baby, and shes become used to being a mother.

(3) Why do you always make the same mistake?
(4) I went out for a night on the town last night for the first time in a long time, and I've got a hangover this morning.
nagakatta saiban mo iyoiyo o mukaeta
ane wa akachan ga umarete oka
-
san ga sukkari
do
-
shite itsumo onaji tokoro o no kana?
hisashiburi ni o shite kesa wa futsuka-yoi desu
(trial) (finally)
(older sister) (baby) (born) (mother) (quite)
(why) (always) (same)(place)
(long time) (this morning)(hangover)

iroiro arimashita ga koko kara ga desu
densha no naka de joshiko
-
se
-
-tachi wa ni shabette-ita
kono eiga wa saigo no saigo ni ga atta
jimi na shigoto desu ga toshite hokori o motte imasu
mainichi daradara to sugosanai de se
-
katsu ni o tsuke yo
-
(various) (from now on)
(train) (inside) (high school girls) (talking)
(movie) (at the very last minute)
(plain work) (pride) (have)
(every day) (drag) (sugosu .....spend) (life)
(5) When we get used to each other, we are inc lined to compromise easily.
narete kuru to ni narigachi desu
(used to) (tend)
() Ive been through a lot, but Ive reached the crucial point.
() High school girls were talking endlessly with each other on a train.
()
() My job isnt very glamorous, but I'm proud of working behind the scenes.
(10) Stop being so lazy! Vary the pace of your life!
At the very last minute, the movie took a surprise turn.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
(8)
dondengaeshi
(6)
sho
-
nenba
(10)
merihari
(7)
nobetsumakunashi
(9)
urakata
o
-
zume ita ni tsuite kimashita tochiru donchansawagi na
-
na
-
Choose the proper expression from above.
D
e
s
i
g
n

:
M
a
s
a
k
o

B
a
n
When she said "sakura" she was not referring to the beautiful cherry blossoms that you see on trees.
It's informally written as "" in kanji and means a "false customer (or decoy)." A "sakura" is a person who
pretends to be a normal customer who says good things about a certain product encouraging other customers
to buy the product. Since you said something good about the strawberries, she thought that you could be a
"false customer." That obviously alarmed the owner of the shop. For today's lesson, Ill introduce some words
that relate to it.
I bought strawberries the other day, and they were so delicious. I went to the same shop to
buy some more. When I saw another customer trying to decide whether to buy them or not, I
said, "The strawberries are very delicious!" She stared at me and asked, "sakura?" Then, I
said "sakura wa senshu
-
deshita." (The cherry blossoms ended last week.) The owner
of the shop was alarmed, and said, "chigau chigau" (Oh, no! no!) Ms. Hirayama, what
did I do wrong?
sakura
uyamuya
The listed words here are used in a negative sense.
(A) False customer / decoy :
(B) Being undecided / uncommitted :
detarame
(C) To talk nonsense / incoherent :
su
-
ji o ni naraberu
"To obscure where responsibility lies" "Uncommitted attitude"
"To talk nonsense"
netsuzo
-
(suru)
(D) To concoct :
In addition to the explanation above, there are
claqueur, a person who enters a theater for free
and is employed to applaud performers as if they
were popular and arouse the enthusiasm of the
audience.
To gloss over attitudes, facts and faults by
changing the subject or saying whatever comes
into one's head, so that one's real intention will
not be revealed.
To make things inaccurate and ambiguous
without clarifying whether a decision has been
To write or present articles or stories as if they
are true although they are not based on fact. To
fabricate or invent stories
To obtain money, goods or advantage by false
pretences
To cheat on numbers and prices in order to avoid
a disadvantage
sekinin o ni suru na taido
o iu
"To place numbers at random"
(E) To gloss over :
(F)
gomakasu
waratte
toshi o
sagi
o hataraku kekkon
(G) Counterfeit : Imitation goods or charlatan
nisemono
kono bag wa ano isha wa

"To laugh it off"
Fraud :
"To commit a fraud"
2)
"To lie about one's age"
"Marriage fraud"
"This bag is counterfeit." "That doctor is a quack."
1)
(1) This article cant be true!

(2) Hitomi was deceived by a marriage swindler, and he cheated her out of 10 million.
(3) It is difficult to distinguish genuine and imitation goods.
(4) I just pressed numbers at random, and I opened the cashbox!
kono kiji wa ni chigai nai
Hitomi-san wa kekkon ni atte issen-man en torareta yo
-
desu
honmono ka ka miwake ga tsukanai desu ne
ze
-
musho ni ze
-
kin o shinkoku shita rashi
-
desu
su
-
ji o ni oshitara kinko ga aita!
Complete these sentences:

(5) I heard that he falsified his tax declaration.
1000

kekkyoku omiai no hanashi wa ni natte shimatta
(6) In the end, arrangements for a formal meeting with a prospective marriage
partner were left up in the air.

Answers: (1) netsuzo
-
(2) sagi (3) nisemono (4)detarame (5) gomakashite (6) uyamuya
Complete these sentences:
(A) My son does not like carrots, so I cooked them in a dish so thoroughly they
could not be detected. When I assured him, "There are no carrots
in it," he ate it all! It is necessary to tell
a white lie, isn't it?
Answers: (A) uso mo ho
-
ben (B) nan te uso mitai desu (C)uso no yo
-
ni (D)uso desho
-

~
sekai isshu
-
dekiru
itami ga totsuzen kieta
e
-
mo
-
ikkai yarinaoshi?
desu ne
uso
(B) It is hard to believe that I can take a world trip!
(C) It seems like a lie, but the pain disappeared suddenly.
(D) Oh, boy... Do I need to do that, again? Are you kidding?
No kidding! / Are you kidding? / No way!
()
When something unbelievable has happened, these phrases are used in wonderment. ()
uso no yo
-
ni uso mitai (da) nante uso mitai desu
It seems like a lie, but __. / It is hard to believe. / It seems like a miracle but__.
.
Sometimes, it may be necessary to stretch the truth as a method to settle

matters peacefully.
()
uso mo ho
-
ben
Necessary to stretch truth (To tell a white lie)
The word "lie" written in the box at left does not always
have a negative connotation. It is used in daily life as
described in the three cases below.

When reacting at something with surprise, young women in particular
use these phrases.
()
usso
-
uso desho
-
uso da
D
e
s
i
g
n

:
M
a
s
a
k
o

B
a
n
I see. We could use "tara-reba" when the result is not as good as we
expect. They said, If I had more practiced..., If there was no tree over there..., If
the ball flew a little bit to the right. How true! If there was no wind, the ball would
have gone much further. When you studied grammar, you learned subjunctive
forms, right? These forms are very similar to each other, so it is confusing.
I went to play golf with my colleagues, and we had a meal together afterward. One of them said, "motto
renshu
-
-shiteitara..." and "asokoni ki ga nakereba...," and another person said, "mo
-
sukoshi migi ni
tobeba..." and a third person said, "honto kaze ga nakereba motto tondeita noni...." Ms. Hirayama,
is there a special golf style for conversations? Everyone used "tara-reba" in their sentence, and I could not
join in the conversation. I'm going to play golf again, so please tell me how to speak before I go.
nara
to
tara
Condition
X Y
same result
to
(3) Narration: Describing the facts of a situation chronologically. (When

empathy is needed, "tara" is used.)
e.g., haha wa shigoto ga owaru to dekaketa
(When the mother finished her job, she went out.)
(1) Automatically: The result (Y) of general condition (X) "always" or
"certainly" occurs. Speculation is not called for.
Automatically
(2) Reality
e.g., tabesugiru to futoru (When you eat too much, you become fat.)
There are four Japanese forms, "tara / ba / nara / to," to indicate the subjunctive. The usages of these forms are very similar to each other, and each usage overlaps some of the other usages grammatically
and vary depending on one's occupation, locality, surroundings, gender and so on. Thus, it can be very complicated. If I try to explain everything at once, it will confuse you. So, I will only show you the typical
classifications, and you will learn how to use them in more detail in Vol. 85.
(always/certainly)
Instruction: e.g., button o osu to monitor ga tsuku (When you press
the button, the monitor is turned on.)
Giving directions: e.g., migi ni magaru to hashi ga aru (When you
turn right, you will see a bridge.)
Natural phenomena/science: e.g., natsu ni naru to atsukunaru
(When the summer comes, it gets hotter.)
Same results
1. General: e.g., sato
-
o ireru to amakunaru (When you put sugar
in it, it becomes sweeter.)
2. Personal: e.g., onaka ga suku to iraira suru (When I get
hungry, I get irritated easily.)
ba
........ta
ra
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
n
a
r
a
........ba
........to
........ta
ra
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
n
a
r
a ........ba
........to
to
(1) Pick one: Judging or describing

by category
yasui
(2) Seesaw: Choosing by comparison
I will buy
Pick one
takai
3Playing catch: Playing catch in conversation
(Picking up what a speaker says, and
describing one's knowledge or opinion.)
e.g., Mr. A: Yada-san doko? (Where is Mr. Yada?)
Pick one
e.g.,
Selection: e.g., getsuyo
-
bi nara ikemasu (If it is Monday, I can go.)
Introduction or suggestion: e.g., kome nara Nihon no ga oishi
-
desu
(If you want to eat rice, Japans is excellent.)
Answer with one example: e.g., sashimi nara tabeta koto ga
arimasu ("sashimi," Ive tried eating it.)
Of course: e.g., Nihon-jin nara kanji ga yomemasu
(If they are Japanese, they can read kanji.)
Cheap
yasui nara kaimasu
(If it is cheap, I will buy it.)
Mr. B: Yada-san nara yasumi desu
(If it is about Mr. Yada, he is on holiday.)
nara
(2) Strong suggestion: Listener has no option.
(1) Hidden meaning: Although "ba" can be replaced by "tara," a
hidden meaning behind the reality is emphasized by using "ba."
(4) Proverbs:
(4) Unlikely dream: When something is highly unlikely

to become reality, "moshi (if)" is placed at the
beginning of the sentence.
e.g., (moshi) takarakuji ni atattara ageru ne
(If I win the lottery, I will give it to you!)
Reality / hidden
meaning
Supposition that is
different from reality
okane ga attara kaemasu
(If I have money, I will buy it.) (There is no
hidden meaning, it is just supposition.)
e.g., okane ga areba kaemasu
(If only I had money, I would buy it.) (In reality,
he/she has no money.)
e.g., gakuse
-
-jidai wa tomodachi to aeba uta no hanashi o shita
(When I was a student, I talked about songs with my friend
whenever I saw him.)
e.g., san nin yoreba monju no chie (Two heads are better than one.)
ba
Talking about a future event while in the present. When talking about the
future, "tara" is most frequently used among " tara / ba / nara / to."
Future trip
in the Future
Present
(Jump to the future)

(2) Advice: e.g., do
-
shitara i
-
desu ka? (What should I do?)
e.g., kaettara mail no
check o shimasu
(1) Future trip: Future / Hope / Emergency / Happening
/ Advice / As soon as / ___ then ___, etc.
(3) Weak suggestion: Listener has an option.
e.g., sukoshi yasundara?
(Why don't you take a rest?)
tara
(When I get home, I will
check my e-mails.)
(5) Surprise (when surprised) / Emergency / Discovery!
e.g., jishin ga okitara hi o keshimasu
(When an earthquake strikes, I extinguish
any open flames.)
ba
(3) Past habit
e.g., kore ni sureba (Why dont you take this one?) (In reality, he or
she must take it.)
Expensive

D
e
s
i
g
n

:
M
a
s
a
k
o

B
a
n
Yes! But don't worry, Mr. Pole, "hitohada nugu"
means "to lend a helping hand." You don't really have to
take your clothes off! The word " (hitotsu)" is combined
with other words to create different meanings. Here are
some phrases that show up frequently in daily life.
One of my colleagues, Mr. Ikeda, has to translate materials into English. He was stressed out yesterday because he is not good at English.
When we had lunch together, he said, "I have to finish my work by this evening, but its impossible!" Then, barely touching his lunch, he returned
to work. When Mr. Akimoto heard that, he said, "Pole-san, hitohada nuide agetara? (Mr. Pole, why don't you take a piece of skin off?) I
was surprised and asked him, "ima? (Now?) koko de? (You mean here?) nugimasu ka? (Do you want me to take my clothes off?) Mr.
Akimoto started to laugh and said, "fuku o nugun ja arimasen yo! (Don't take your clothes off!) Did I misunderstand something, again?
Answers
to
exercise
at left:
Answers
to
exercise
above:
h
it
o
h
a
d
a
n
u
g
u
?
h
ito
h
a
d
a
n
u
g
u
?
"take a piece of skin off"?
h
it
o
h
a
d
a
n
u
g
u
?
"take a piece of skin off"?

(hitotsu) (hitotsu)
e.g.,
verge
eye
say
sweat
leg
breath
(past)
What feels like
a long time ago
A little more effort
A short period
Sweating,
working hard
(A good sweat)
A single digit,
first digit
(One digit)
Making a short
statement
A glance
Being remarkable in
comparison with
others
(hito)
digit
Insert the appropriate characters below the exercises into the square.

In a Japanese sentence, this may
be written in hiragana as "."
(hito)
At least, on the
whole
A little bit,
a small amount
A lot of hard work
(Having a hard time)
Taking a short
rest
Being relieved for
the moment
To tweak
One size up/down
(One size larger/smaller)
Gaining a certain
amount of profit at
once
round
rest
grip
tweak
relief
profit
travail
throughout

hitomawari hitonigiri hitokuro
-
hitomo
-
ke hitoanshin hitokufu
-
hitomukashi hitokiwa hitome
hitoashi hitoiki

kautoki ni no setsume
-
o uketa ga sukkari wasurete shimatta
News o ki
-
te shimashita
setsume
-
suru noni shimashita
kono onke
-
o ukerareru no wa no hito desu
sumimasen oki
-
no arimasu ka?
() Thats the old way of thinking!
sore wa mae no kangaekata desuyo
() Before I bought it, I got a rough explanation, but Ive forgotten everything.
() After hearing the news, I was momentarily relieved.
() I had a hard time explaining it.
() There are only a handful of people who receive this honor.
() Excuse me, but do you have the next size up?
osaki ni !
()
shitara michigaeru yo
-
ni yoku narimashita
() With a bit of tweaking, it was changed beyond recognition.
(Talking to a colleague) Excuse me for leaving early!
de oyako to wakaru kurai nite imasu ne

() I can tell just by looking that you are parent and child!

shacho
-
onegaishimasu
(10) Sir, please give us a word!

() () () () ()
()
hitokufu
-
hitoto
-
ri
()
hitomawari
(10)
hitokoto
()
hitoashi
()
hitome
hitomukashi hitoto
-
ri hitoanshin hitokuro
-
hitoyasumi
hitonigiri
Answers:
hitoketa hitoase

hitokoto
Insert the appropriate words to complete the following sentences.
D
e
s
i
g
n

:
M
a
s
a
k
o

B
a
n
Until today, I think most of you have studied and understood the grammatical explanations of the subjective form by reading
various textbooks. But I think it's true that you may be distressed, and saying, "But I cannot say anything because I don't know how
to use them." I hear this kind of thing from a lot of students. I explained the subjunctive form in the past two lessons (vols. 84 and
85), and you may be puzzled on some points because I focused on explaining usage, rather than grammar. It is really important to
understand my explanations first and use the subjunctive form like Mr. Pole, who makes mistakes but tries to use them.
I think I'm getting used to using "nara" and "to" in my daily
conversation. Even though I sometimes get confused and make
mistakes, I still try to use them. What I would like to do now is to
learn how to use "tara" and "ba." I will then become an expert on
the subjunctive form. It will help me enjoy daily conversation much
more, and I hope to make a lot of friends!
ta
ra
ta
ra
b
a
b
a
Future trip
in the Future
(Past tense)
Present
ba
tara
tara
1. Future trip: Future / Hope / Emergency / Happening /
As soon as / ___ then ___, etc.:
When talking about a future event, "tara" is most frequently
used among "tara / ba / nara / to."
future:
hope:
emergency:
advice:
as soon as:
--- then ---:
When my schedule is fixed, I'll let you know.

schedule ga kimattara renraku shimasu
(Frequently asked question of children)
What would you like to be when you grow up?
otona ni nattara nani ni naritai ?
Please call 119 in case of fire.
kaji ni nattara 119-ban ni denwa shite
kudasai.
If you drink, don't drive.
osake o nondara unten shinaide kudasai
As soon as I confirm your payment, Ill send you the item.
If I make a copy, I will bring it to you.
nyu
-
kin ga kakunin dekitara shinamono o okurimasu
copy o shitara motte-ikimasu
4. Unrealistic dream: When something is highly unlikely to become reality,
"moshi" (if) is placed at the beginning of the sentence.
5. Surprise (when surprised) / Emergency / Discovery!
2. Advice: Asking for advice
3. Weak suggestion: If there is something you find that is difficult to say, you
may put it in question form, so that the listener can answer Yes or No. That makes
a suggestion less forthright. The tone rises at the end of a question.
3015
Where should I put this?

Why don't you save some money?
Why don't you wait for a while?
Why don't you take a rest?
If there were 30 hours a day, I would sleep for 15 hours.
When I was about to pay, I didn't have enough money!
When I input the password, it was incorrect.
password o nyu
-
ryoku shitara chigatteita
shiharao
-
to shitara okane ga tarinakatta
moshi ichi-nichi ga 30-jikan attara 15-jikan nemasu
sukoshi setsuyaku shitara?
mo
-
sukoshi mattara?
yasundara?
kore wa doko ni oitara i
-
desu ka?
If only you were experienced, I would want you to work here.

If only I repair it, I can use it. It's not repaired at this moment, so I cannot use it.
2. Strong suggestion: It sounds pushy, so most likely people at a higher level would
use this phrase to people of a lower level. The tone drops at the end of a question.
3. Past habit
4. Proverbs:

1. Hidden meaning: Although " ba" can be replaced by " tara," a "hidden
meaning behind the reality" is emphasized by using "ba."
shu
-
ri sureba tsukaemasu
ke
-
ken ga areba hataraite-moraitai no desu ga
kaereba
motto yoku kangaereba
hima sae areba game o shiteita
isogaba maware raku areba ku ari
sumeba miyako
Why not think more deeply?
(If you don't feel good) Why not go home?
When I had a free time, I used to play video games.
More haste, less speed. Life is not all beer and skittles.
To every bird his own nest is best.
You are not experienced, so I cannot hire you.
Z

Z

Z

Z
Z
I know it is confusing. Just as I wrote in the previous lesson, the "tara/nara/ba/to" subjunctive form
is complicated and hard to understand for beginners. That is why I chose frequently used expressions of
such forms in the previous lesson. Also, I tried to explain them in such a way to impress the main points on
your memory. For this lesson, let me choose "to/nara" and explain the details in a simple way. For the
next lesson, I will explain the "tara/ba" subjunctive form.
I learned the "tara/nara/ba/to" subjunctive forms in the Vol. 84 column, and I tried to use
them in conversation, but wasnt very confident. I get confused over which one to use. The
other day, when talking to a friend, I stammered, "Akihabara ni ittara... iku to... (If I go
to.... When I go to Akihabara......" and stopped in confusion. She then asked me, " What are
you trying to say?" I just threw up my hands in frustration. What should I have said?

Condition
X
Y
same result
(1) Automatically:
Automatically
always/certainly
to

to
nara

same result Automatically
to
Robot
a) Instruction b) Giving directions c) Natural phenomena/science
d) Same results (1. General 2. Personal habit )
No emotion!
(1-a)

(1-c)

(1-d-1)

(1-d-2)
(2)
()
dengen o ireru to ugoku
When "to" is replaced with "tara," the empathy is emphasized,
and it sounds more conversational.
san ni ni o tasu to
go ni naru
stress ga tamaru to
taberu
te o kiru to itai
shokubutsu wa mizu
ga nai to kareru
tunnel o nukeru to soko wa umi datta
3 ni 2 o tasu to 5 ni narimasu
(It sounds mathematical.)
e.g.,
3 ni 2 o tashitara 5 ni narimasu
(It sounds as if the speaker is trying to help the listener understand.)
(When you turn it on, it moves.)
(When a plant doesnt
receive water, it withers.)
(When I came out of the tunnel, I saw the sea in front of me.)
(When 2 is added to 3, it makes 5.)
(When I become stressed, I eat.)
(When you cut your hand, it hurts.)
Coffee break
(3) Narration: Describing the facts of a situation chronologically.
(2) Reality
Q : When can I see you?

(1-a)
Q : Where can I go to get cheap electric
appliances?
(1-b)
Q : Have you tried sushi?
(1-c)
(1-d)
raishu
-
nara itsudemo
hai, sho
-
gakuse
-
nara
nara
nara
2. Seesaw : Choosing by comparing A to B. It may be best to use "nara"
in order to describe what is happening right now in front of one's
eyes, or the current situation. The decision varies according
to the situation or personal opinion.
denkase
-
hin nara Akihabara kana
The speaker's subjectiveness (judgment,
intention, hope, request, order, advice, opinion, etc.)
A : If you want cheap appliances,
you should visit Akihabara.
A : No, but I have eaten sashimi.
A : Any time next week is OK.
1. Pick one : Judging or describing by category. In general, "nara" is used
when responding to what the recipient said. a) Selection
b) Introduction or suggestion (Caution: the selected item comes
after "nara.") c) Answer with one example d) Of course
Q : Children are half price?
A : Yes, for primary school students.
Pick one
same result
Pick one
3. Playing catch: Playing catch in conversation (Picking up
what a speaker says, and describing one's
knowledge or opinion.)
cake
are? cake ga nai ! a cake nara tabechatta

Ueda-
san

Ueda-san
Ueda-san nara kaerimashita yo
cake
Ms. Ueda
hon
!
koko ni atta hon wa? ano hon nara sutemashita
book
Where is the book that I left here? I threw it away.
Ms. Ueda
Huh? I can't find my cake! Oops, I ate the cake.
e.g., wakaranai nara ki
-
te-kudasai.
(It sounds businesslike.)
wakaranai n /no nara ki
-
te-kudasai.
(It sounds empathetic.)
wakaranai ndattara ki
-
te-kudasai.
(It sounds like the speaker's feeling is emphasized more.)
Coffee break

to
Something that cannot be controlled.
(1-b)
migi ni magaru to ginko
-
ga aru
(When you turn right, there is a bank.)
If you want to add your empathy to phrases 1 (Pick one)
and 2 (Seesaw), use "i-adj. / verb + n /no nara." If you want
to put more feeling into it, use "i-adj. / verb + ndattara" or
"na-adj. / noun + dattara."
Ms. Ueda has gone home.
samui
atsui
danbo
-
o kesu
atsui nara danbo

-
o keshimasho
-

A: B:
Turn off the heater

cold hot
When it becomes hot, let's turn off the heater.
ki
-
te-kudasai
wakaru wakaranai
wakaranai nara ki
-
te-kudasai
A: understand B: Don't understand
Please ask me.
If you don't understand, please ask me.
Now
Now
Now
The result (Y) of general condition (X) always or certainly occurs.
Speculation is not called for.
-
i
-
e, demo sashimi nara tabemashita
Until today, I think most of you have studied and understood the grammatical explanations of the subjective form by reading
various textbooks. But I think it's true that you may be distressed, and saying, "But I cannot say anything because I don't know how
to use them." I hear this kind of thing from a lot of students. I explained the subjunctive form in the past two lessons (vols. 84 and
85), and you may be puzzled on some points because I focused on explaining usage, rather than grammar. It is really important to
understand my explanations first and use the subjunctive form like Mr. Pole, who makes mistakes but tries to use them.
I think I'm getting used to using "nara" and "to" in my daily
conversation. Even though I sometimes get confused and make
mistakes, I still try to use them. What I would like to do now is to
learn how to use "tara" and "ba." I will then become an expert on
the subjunctive form. It will help me enjoy daily conversation much
more, and I hope to make a lot of friends!
ta
ra
ta
ra
b
a
b
a
Future trip
in the Future
(Past tense)
Present
ba
tara
tara
1. Future trip: Future / Hope / Emergency / Happening /
As soon as / ___ then ___, etc.:
When talking about a future event, "tara" is most frequently
used among "tara / ba / nara / to."
future:
hope:
emergency:
advice:
as soon as:
--- then ---:
When my schedule is fixed, I'll let you know.

schedule ga kimattara renraku shimasu
(Frequently asked question of children)
What would you like to be when you grow up?
otona ni nattara nani ni naritai ?
Please call 119 in case of fire.
kaji ni nattara 119-ban ni denwa shite
kudasai.
If you drink, don't drive.
osake o nondara unten shinaide kudasai
As soon as I confirm your payment, Ill send you the item.
If I make a copy, I will bring it to you.
nyu
-
kin ga kakunin dekitara shinamono o okurimasu
copy o shitara motte-ikimasu
4. Unrealistic dream: When something is highly unlikely to become reality,
"moshi" (if) is placed at the beginning of the sentence.
5. Surprise (when surprised) / Emergency / Discovery!
2. Advice: Asking for advice
3. Weak suggestion: If there is something you find that is difficult to say, you
may put it in question form, so that the listener can answer Yes or No. That makes
a suggestion less forthright. The tone rises at the end of a question.
3015
Where should I put this?

Why don't you save some money?
Why don't you wait for a while?
Why don't you take a rest?
If there were 30 hours a day, I would sleep for 15 hours.
When I was about to pay, I didn't have enough money!
When I input the password, it was incorrect.
password o nyu
-
ryoku shitara chigatteita
shiharao
-
to shitara okane ga tarinakatta
moshi ichi-nichi ga 30-jikan attara 15-jikan nemasu
sukoshi setsuyaku shitara?
mo
-
sukoshi mattara?
yasundara?
kore wa doko ni oitara i
-
desu ka?
If only you were experienced, I would want you to work here.

If only I repair it, I can use it. It's not repaired at this moment, so I cannot use it.
2. Strong suggestion: It sounds pushy, so most likely people at a higher level would
use this phrase to people of a lower level. The tone drops at the end of a question.
3. Past habit
4. Proverbs:

1. Hidden meaning: Although " ba" can be replaced by " tara," a "hidden
meaning behind the reality" is emphasized by using "ba."
shu
-
ri sureba tsukaemasu
ke
-
ken ga areba hataraite-moraitai no desu ga
kaereba
motto yoku kangaereba
hima sae areba game o shiteita
isogaba maware raku areba ku ari
sumeba miyako
Why not think more deeply?
(If you don't feel good) Why not go home?
When I had a free time, I used to play video games.
More haste, less speed. Life is not all beer and skittles.
To every bird his own nest is best.
You are not experienced, so I cannot hire you.
Z

Z

Z

Z
Z
It wasn't that she wanted to buy the items from you, Mr. Pole. It was that she felt
she needed to help you out. You used the "chatta" form, didn't you? That's why she
assumed you were in trouble for having bought too much. I refer this type of phrase as a
"heart expression," as it contains emotional undertones. Your use of "chatta" is a typical
mistake made by learners of Japanese who can hold simple conversations in the
language.
Recently, my friend Miss Hayashi spotted me in the parking lot of a store after I had bought a lot of stuff that I
would need in an emergency, such as a major earthquake. When she saw me putting my purchases into my
car, she said, "It looks like you bought quite a bit, eh?" I replied, "so
-
nan desu. takusan katchattan
desu. (lit. Yes, I bought too much.)" She then asked, "Well, shall I buy some of it from you?" "iie," I said
"watashi wa takusan taberu node mada tarinaikurai nan desu. (No, thanks, I eat a lot, so I'll
probably still need to buy more.)" She gave me a puzzled look and walked off. Ms. Hirayama, why did she want
to buy my food?
___chatta
Jekyll and H
yde form
___chatta
Jekyll and H
yde form
Many learners of Japanese often use "...cha
(ja) tta" in place of the present perfect form.
But if you use this in conversation, a Japanese
listener will instead assume negative
connotations. This clearly explains why Mr.
Pole was misunderstood by his friend. In
addition, this usage has two "faces," as it can
have a positive meaning as well. For this
reason, I call this grammatical form "Jekyll and
Hyde."
Women, it should be noted, are inclined to use
this form in a colloquial manner.
The grammatical form is often thought to
convey only regret over something you've done
or that has happened, but it can express two
feelings that are opposite in nature.
Let's take a look at the following exercises to
become more familiar with the form. Enter the
correct Japanese word into the squares.
chatta _______
(te form)
te
jatta _______
(te form)
de
Positive situation
shigoto o
kondo no atarashi
-
kaisha wa kyu
-
ryo
-
ga 2-bai!
to quit to quit
kore zutto hoshikatta node omoikitte

to buy
to buy
Negative situation
yo
-
fuku wa takusan motteiru kedo mata
shacho
-
to kenka o shite kaisha o
tomodachi to vintage wine o

oishikatta!
to drink
to drink
beer o juppon
....
futsuka-yoi de kimochi warui ...
(implying delight) (implying regret)
(implying regret)
mada tsugi no kaisha ga kimatteinai

(implying joy)
(implying regret)
(implying joy)
yamechatta katchatta nonjatta nechatta
yu
-
be wa ju
-
-jikan mo
to sleep
to sleep
(implying happiness)
kaigichu
-
ni
(implying failure)
I quit my job.
Ill be making twice as much at my new job!
My boss and I got in a fight, so I quit.
I don't have a new job, yet.
I really wanted this, so I finally bought it. Ive got so many clothes, and yet I bought some more.
I drank a bottle of vintage wine with my friends.
I drank 10 bottles of beer.
I have a terrible hangover.
I slept a whole 10 hours last night.
I fell asleep during the meeting.
It was delicious!
hijo
-
shoku

A) B) C)
D) E)
a) Emergency exit b) Emergency measures
c) State of emergency d) Fire escape e) Fire alarm
1) hijo
-
shudan 2) hijo
-
jitai 3) hijo
-
guchi 4) hijo
-
bell
5) hijo
-
kaidan
Answers: A) - 5) - d) B) - 3) - a) C) - 2) - c) D) - 1) - b) E) - 4) - e)
() () ()
Emergency rations
bo
-
saihin Emergency supplies
If you hear a fire alarm, dont panic. Please evacuate
from the building through the emergency exits or fire escape.
Select the reading and the meaning for the words below.
moshi ga nattara awatenaide ka
Complete the sentence by using the words from A) to D).
It is highly recommended that you make a list of emergency
supplies in case of earthquakes and other disasters. You
should include emergency rations (dry biscuits, instant food,
canned food, and so on), bottled water, a first aid kit, work
gloves, masks, a portable radio, batteries, a lighter, clothes,
coins and identification. You should change the contents of
your kit once a year.
Answers: Answers:

kara tatemono no soto ni detekudasai
()
()
()
1
2
3
4
4 3 2 1
1
2
3
4
The prefecture known for its bijin (beautiful women) is in the quiz, so look for the
answer. "Golden Week" is another name for o
-
gata renkyu
-
(a series of holidays) that run from
the end of April until the beginning of May. The following public holidays are included in the
period: "Sho
-
wa no Hi (Sho
-
wa Day)" on April 29, "Kenpo
-
Kinenbi (Constitution Day)" on
May 3, "Midori no Hi (Greenery Day)" on May 4 and "Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day) on
May 5.
Answers
2Nihon chizu quiz
Japanese map quiz
2Nihon chizu quiz
Japanese map quiz
When you put the word "-ken" after these names, they become prefectures.
e.g., Chiba Chiba-ken (Chiba Prefecture)
After that, match the prefectures to the letters in the map.
Use the following characters below to complete the crosswords at right.
u
ga
ho
chi
ki
i
ro
sa

ma
do
ka
hi
na
ya The prefecture in the Tohoku region of Honshu

-
that is famous for its cherries, sho
-
gi pieces
and benibana (safflower), which was
used to tint womens lips in the past.
1) ACROSS
The prefecture that is known as "the Roof of Japan."
It is famous for soba, onsen, apples and skiing.
ma
no
ta
ga
ki
DOWN
The prefecture where Dejima was located. Dejima
was once used as a trading post and was the only
window to the West during Japan's self-imposed
isolation (sakoku) in the Edo period (1603-1867).
This prefecture has 971 islands. It is also famous
for its Huis Ten Bosch theme park.
DOWN
The prefecture where Yokohama
and Kamakura are located.
Yokohama is famous for its China-
town and shaomai, while Kamakura is
known for its Great Buddha.
ACROSS
The prefecture famous for its mikan,
ume (plum) and onsen.

2)
na
wa ya
wa
gu
The prefecture with the largest limestone
cave in Japan. It is also famous for a very
expensive toxic delicacy-fugu (blowfish).
The kanji for fugu is written as "pig of the
river," because fugu makes a noise
like a pig in the water.
DOWN
The prefecture where Kawagoe is located. Kawagoe
is known by the nickname of "Ko-Edo (Little Old
Tokyo)" and is one of Tokyo's bedroom communities.
ACROSS
The prefecture that is home to Genbaku Dome
(A-Bomb Dome) and Itsukushima Shrine.
Okonomiyaki (Japanese-style savory pancakes)
are delicious!
3)
hi
ta
i
shi
4) ACROSS
The prefecture that is the northernmost island in Japan.
The island is the second largest in the country after Honshu
and is noted for skiing, potatoes, corn and seafood.
go
yo
i tsu
wa
DOWN
The prefecture
where Ko
-
be,
which suffered
a terrible
earthquake in 1995, Himeji Castle,
a World Heritage Site, and Ko
-
shien
Stadium, which hosts annual National
High School Baseball Tournaments,
are located.
The prefecture that is home to
the Chichu
-
Art Museum on Naoshima island in the Seto Inland Sea.
It is said that there is an udon restaurant every 100 meters there.
DOWN
The prefecture that is home to Nagoya
Castle, which was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu,
and Toyota, known for its automobile industry.
The prefecture where Narita Airport and
Tokyo Disneyland are located. Its production
of peanuts is the largest in Japan.
)
a
ba
ta
ACROSS
The prefecture that produces Akita Komachi, a delicious rice. Since
"Akita bijin" (Beauties of Akita) are fair-skinned, it also is used to refer to
beautiful women.
() () ()
()
ACROSS Nagano, G
DOWN Nagasaki, N
DOWN Yamagata, C
ACROSS Wakayama, I
DOWN Kanagawa, F
DOWN Yamaguchi, M
ACROSS Hiroshima, L
DOWN Saitama, E
ACROSS Hokkaido
-
, A
DOWN Hyo
-
go, J
DOWN Kagawa, K
()
ACROSS Akita, B
ACROSS Chiba, D
DOWN Aichi, H
One of my friends recently suggested, "Golden Week ni bijin o sagashi ni iko
-
! (Let's go and look for
'bijin' during Golden Week!)" However, he did not tell me where he was planning to look. He only said this
destination was in the Tohoku region and he would take me along if I could guess where he wanted to go.
He gave me some hints, saying the prefecture is famous for quality rice and apples. Ms. Hirayama, please
help me because I really want to go with him!
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
Many Japanese people like blood-type profiling. People try to figure out your personality, not by
what you are but what your blood type is. They say, "Your blood type tells me so," and are complacent
in their judgment. But I think this leads to sterotyping people. Some companies are said to do their
recruitment partly based on blood-type profiling rather than on an applicant's ability. Although
conversation about blood types can be an icebreaker when you do not have much else to talk about,
blind acceptance of such profiling can be harmful.
The other day, one of my friends asked me, "Pole-san wa o
-
-gata?" (Mr. Pole, are you
"o
-
-gata?"). I said "Yeah, as you can see, I've been worried about my weight lately." He said, "Oh
no! I'm not saying that your size is o
-
-gata (big). I'm asking if your blood type is O (o
-
-gata). A
person with that blood type is bighearted and realistic. Your blood type tells me about your
character." He then showed me a book on personality profiling by blood type. I was amazed that
Japanese people profile their character by their blood type.
Answers:
A

g
a
t
a
B

g
a
t
a
A
B

g
a
t
a
O

g
a
t
a
A

g
a
t
a
B

g
a
t
a
A
B

g
a
t
a
O

g
a
t
a

Blood type)
ketsuekigata

kicho
-
men jo
-
shikijin kyo
-
cho
-
se
-
shincho
-

jiko-chu
-
shinteki rakutenteki ju
-
nan na kangae hirameki
oyabunhada shako
-
teki o
-
zappa genjitsuteki
go
-
riteki riso
-
-tsuikyu
-
-gata re
-
se
-
niju
-
-jinkaku
Almost all Japanese know
their own blood type.
Do you know yours?
ketsuekigata wa
nani-gata desu ka?
(What's your blood type?)
According to the Japanese Red
Cross Society, Japanese blood types are
are apportioned as follows:
Type A (about 40 percent),
Type O (about 30 percent),
Type B (about 20 percent)
and Type AB (about 10 percent).
Major traits for the four main blood types are as follows:
Blood type A : A (e
-
-gata)
methodical commonsensical cooperative careful
Blood type B : B (bi
-
-gata)
Blood type O : O (o
-
-gata)
leadership sociable careless about details realistic
selfish easygoing flexible inspirational
Blood type AB : AB (e
-
bi
-
-gata)
practical idealist calm "split" personality
Expressions that use
1) Size (small, medium, large)
2) Characteristic and disposition

3)
kogata-camera chu
-
gata-ken o
-
gata-taifu
-

takino
-
-gata asa-gata usu-gata
Blood type profiling often exaggerates negative personalities.
Blood Type A : Obstinate person with rigid ideas
Blood Type B : Uncooperative and selfish, not suitable for groups
Blood Type O : Tends to be hasty, careless about details and unyielding
Blood Type AB : Eccentric, self-contradictory and hates interference
e.g.,small camera medium-sized dog major typhoon
e.g., multifunctional early bird thin shape
kata ni hamaru
..... Overly conventional, rigid (no individuality
and no originality)
e.g., rigid way of thinking

kata ni hamatta kangae
4)
kata ni hameru
..... Force some into a mold (force something or
someone to believe a certain way or idea)
e.g., cookie-cutter way of raising children

kata ni hameta sodatekata
5)
katayaburi
katayaburi na jinse
-
..... Unconventional (peculiar, eccentric)
e.g., unconventional way of life

eco car wa yori no ho
-
ga o
-
i desu

Enter the correct Japanese words in the squares.
A) Many small cars are more eco-friendly than big vehicles.
small cars big vehicles
e
-
ga kantoku wa no atarashi
-
sakuhin o happyo
-
shita

B) The director presented a new film with full of unconventional ideas.
unconventional idea
saikin gakko
-
dewa o minaosu ke
-
ko
-
ni arimasu

C) Recently, many schools tend to reconsider their cookie-cutter way of education.
cookie-cutter way
of education
do
-
shitemo shika omoiukabanai desu

D) I can only come up with conventional ideas.
conventional ideas
sekatsu style o kara ni kaemashita

E) I changed my lifestyle from a night person to a morning person.
night person morning person
kono ke
-
tai-denwa wa de ninki ga arimasu

F) As this mobile phone is the latest model, it is quite popular.
latest model
( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 )
( 5 ) ( 6 ) ( 7 ) ( 8 )
o
-
gatasha kogatasha katayaburi na hasso
-
kata ni hameta kyo
-
iku
kata ni hamatta kangae yoru-gata asa-gata saishin-gata
( 1 )
( 3 )
( 4 )
( 5 )
( 6 ) ( 7 )
( )
( 2 )
O
A
B
A
B

It doesn't mean "your" Japanese didn't make sense, Pole-san. The guide dog simply didn't understand Japanese. In Japan, there are a
lot of training centers that train guide dogs in the imperative form of English. That's because the Japanese language has many different
expressions for the words, depending on the differences in gender or age. There are also honorifics and dialects. For example, there are
various imperative expressions such as "dame," "me," "akan," "iken," etc. that mean "no," but would completely confuse the guide dogs.
That's why they use English when training, because the dogs can more easily understand simple words like "No"-the expression is the
same no matter who says it. For today's lesson, I will introduce a variety of Japanese as well as some of the usages of the imperative form.
In front of the station the other day, I saw a guide dog (mo
-
do
-
ken)
and its trainer participating in a fund-raiser to promote a guide
dog foundation. I like dogs, so I donated some money and said
to the sitting guide dog, "i
-
ko ne," but the dog did not react. But
when the trainer said, "Good boy," the dog wagged its tail
gladly. Why didn't the guide dog understand my Japanese?
Answers:
Answers:
d
a
m
e
a
k
a
n
N
o
!
i
k
e
n
d
a
m
e
a
k
a
n
N
o
!
i
k
e
n
ho
-
gen
oishi
- delicious
Standard
zo daro? kana?
Kyoto dialect
Kyo
-
to ben
oishi
-
Osaka dialect
O
-
saka ben
umai
Hakata dialect
Hakata ben
umaka
-
Okinawa dialect
Okinawa ben
ma
-
san
suki desu
I like
suki ya
suki yanen
suito
-
shichussa
-
i
-
desu ne
It's good.
yorosi
-
na
-
e
-
desu ne
yoka desu ne
yutasanyaibi
-
nne
Dialect
e.g.,
Giving information I wonder ~?
? ?
? ?
? ?
itsu kashira? itsu kana?
I wonder when...
(Masculine) (Feminine)
There are lots of dialects in Japan.
Sentence-ending particle
I will introduce some examples.
Japanese sentences can sound masculine or feminine, depending on
the sentence-ending particle. Keep in mind the masculine/feminine
particles are at times used interchangeably among men and women.
Listen to the Japanese around you talk to learn more.
agreement
Requesting
Masculine
Feminine
K
e
e
p
g
o
in
g
s
u
s
u
m
e
!
K
e
e
p
g
o
in
g
Imperatives used in daily conversation Imperative form

She / He said to me " " = Imperative form
Paul went to the hospital and had a checkup.
FriendWhat did the doctor say?
Paul The doctor told me to quit smoking.
FriendAnd what else?
Paul He told me to excercise more.
FriendThat's all?
Paul He told me to cut back on sake and sweets.
FriendIs that all?
Paul He told me to take my medicine every day.
Then he said, if you can't do all of this on your own, check yourself into a hospital.
Imperatives
yo
1) hayaku shiroyo 2) mateyo 3) yameroyo 4) jikandazo okiroyo
e.g., He told me to come.
[Exercise] Interpret underlined sentences into Japanese.
tte
koitte
motto benkyo
-
shiroyo
This form is used when you explain to someone what another person said. "Tte" is a casual form for
"to"-the particle, which is used as quotation mark or "that" in "He said that ~." The subject and verb
in the main caluse are often omitted.

tabacco o yamerotte motto undo

-
shirotte osake to amaimono o hikaerotte
mainichi kusuri o nomette nyu
-
in shirotte
g
a
m
b
a
r
e
!
aruke!
s
u
s
u
m
e
!
A man uses this form for his children and wife, and boys begin to use it among friends as
they grow up. It is not polite, and must not be used toward someone older
than you or in a working environment.
e.g., Fathers say to their children,"Study more."
[Exercise] Give the imperative expression in Japanese.
1 ) A women takes a lot of time to prepare for a night out.Her husband says, "Hurry!"
2 ) A couple have a fight and the girl is about to leave.The boyfriend says, "Wait!"
3 ) Your friend playfully taps your head many times.You say, "Stop it!"
4 ) A father wakes up his child in the morning."It's time to get up! Wake up!"
wayo desho? kashira?
G
o
fo
r it
Keep walking
He used the Japanese word "mushi," meaning insect, three times to describe
his daughter's boyfriend. What he actually said was, "My daughter is dating a bad
man who is a big spender. I don't like him at all. I wish he were a man like you, Mr.
Pole." Mr. Hayashi's father was not literally talking about insects. Let's look at
expressions related to "" (mushi) in today's column.
I was invited to Mr. Hayashi's birthday party and while we were eating together in the living room, Mr. Hayashi's
father said to me, "musume ni warui mushi ga tsuite ne, omakeni kanekui-mushi de do
-
mo mushi ga
sukanain desu yo. Pole-san dattara ne." I thought the meaning of "mushi" was worm or insect, so I didn't
understand the point of the remarks. So, I said "e? watashi? mushi?" and he left the living room laughing.
Hirayama-san, what did he really mean?
Answers:
Answers:
<Constitution of kanji>
snake
<Expressions using the kanji >
mushi
worm, insect
1mushi ga i
-
self-serving
mushi no idokoro ga warui
in a bad mood
hara no mushi ga osamaranai
feel aggravated
tamamushi-iro
a vague situation that can be interpreted in various
ways depending on the viewpoint
mushi ga sukanai
have an aversion to
...no mushi
expression of a person getting absorbed in a certain thing
figuratively
e.g., hon no mushi shigoto no mushi
a bookworm hard worker
The kanji for "insect" comes from the form of the viper. In old
days, people recognized the beast, bird and fish. All the other
creatures were regarded as types of insect.
represents for the head
of the snake, and
represents the tail.
m
u
s
h
i
m
u
s
h
i
<Exercise 1>
Choose the correct phrase listed in the previous column to complete the sentence.
aHe is a good person, but I don't like him.

bI feel aggravated even though I won the case.

saiban de kattemo
a) - b) -
Means to match. Two

halves of clam shells match
when they are closed.
hamaguri : clam
ka : mosquito
According to a theory, the reading of , bun, allows
the kanjito represent a mosquito, as the onomatopoeia
for buzzing wings is "bun-bun."
Its pronunciation "kei" is the
onomatopoeia of a croaking frog.
These days, though, the frog
is considered to go "kero-kero."
Represents a viper
with a big head.
kaeru : frog
hebi : snake
ari : ant
A thin leaf. The wings of

butterflies are thin.
cho
-
: butterfly
Means well-behaved.
Ants move in an orderly
fashion.
<Creatures with the left-hand element in their names>
Combined with other kanji, can indicate various creatures.
Here are some of them.
<Expressions using -related kanji>
ka no nakuyo
-
na koe
An indistinct voice just like the buzzing of a mosquito.
<Exercise 2>
Choose the correct phrase from those listed above
to complete the sentence.
kaeru no ko wa kaeru
A child resembles the parent. A child often follows in the footsteps of
the parent.
hebi no namagoroshi
Keep someone in suspense while withholding
the coup de grace.
b ) A vague situation surrounds this development, putting me on tenterhooks.

kono ken ni tsuite hakkirishinai jo
-
tai ga tsuzuite desu
a ) I can't hear you at all because you're mumbling.

c ) You became an actor just like your father. As expected, you chose the same
path as your father.

oto
-
san to onaji yakusha ni nattan desune yahari desu ne
de nani o itteirunoka zenzen kikoenai desu
e.g., the way a snake immobilizes its
prey before eating it.
a) - b) - 3 c) - 2
i
-
hito nandesu ga do
-
mo desu
You mean you want to memorize kanji easily. Japanese kids learn 1,006 kanji characters in
primary school (80 in their first year, 160 in their second year, 200 in their third year, 200 in their fourth
year, 185 in their fifth year and 181 in their sixth year). Pole-san, I'd like to show you how to study kanji
in a relatively short period.
Hirayama-san, I've been studying Japanese but feel it very difficult to memorize kanji.
Characters are too complicated, and there are too many of them. How can I memorize them
easily? Please teach me how to memorize them if you know some good methods. This year,
I'm going to work hard to learn kanji.
Answers:
Kanji is composed of the combination of many small
kanji elements. This time, I'll present various kanji that
include (tree), (fish) and (say, tell).
a) - 3) b) - 4) c) - 2) d) - 1)
tsukue: desk
sakura: cherry tree

bo
-
: stick matsu: pine tree
ita: board
ne: root
Kanji characters related to tree from ""
eda: branch
hashi: bridge
1)
ita basami
The phrase literally means to be caught between two
pieces of boards, meaning to be trapped in a dilemma
and not able to take either side.
katsuo: bonito
tai: sea bream
iwashi: sardine
koi: carp
kujira: whale
maguro: tuna
Kanji characters related to fish from ""
sake: salmon
unagi: eel
ron: argument
go: language
yaku(su): to translate hana(su): to speak
yuru(su): to forgive
shi: poem
Kanji characters related to language from ""
ayama(ru): to apologize
yo(mu): to read
2)
unagi nobori
The phrase literally describes an eel
swimming vertically to the surface,
meaning figures and records rise
rapidly.
3)
nigashita sakana wa o
-
ki
----
The phrase literally means that
the fish that gets away looks bigger
than it really is, meaning what you
lose always looks better than it really is.
4)
gongodo
-
dan
Too bad or outrageous to
describe.
Outrageous,
out of the question.
i
t
a
b
a
s
a
m
i

K
a
n
j
i

K
a
n
j
i

a)
b)
c)
d)
moto kare wa ima ya shacho
-
datte!
riyu
-
mo iwanaide totsuzen kubi o kiru nante da!
(Firing employees without telling them the reason is outrageous.)
ano ge
-
nin wa kyonen wa ninki ga dattakedo
tsuma to haha ga momeruto watashi wa jo
-
tai desu
(When my wife and mother get into an argument, I'm always trapped
in between.)
[Exercise]
Choose the correct phrases from those listed at left
to complete the sentence.

kotoshi wa do
-
kana?
(That comedian's popularity drastically increased last year,
but I wonder how he will do this year.)

(My ex-boyfriend is currently the president of a company!

I let a good thing pass me by.)

"imikotoba" means "taboo words." These are words or phrases that are thought to bring about bad luck. You should avoid
them on formal occasions, such as weddings or funerals, out of consideration for the feelings of the listeners. For example, you
should not use such words as "wakareru," which people fear may cause divorce, in your wedding speech. However, keep in
mind that it would be OK to use them in everyday life. Many "imikotoba" exist, so please be cautious.
A friend of mine is getting married next month and I have to give a
speech at the wedding. I wrote a speech and asked my friend to check
the Japanese. He told me not to use "imikotoba." I have never heard
of "imikotoba" before. What does it mean, Hirayama-san?
Answers:
im
ik
o
to
b
a
im
ik
o
to
b
a
1) If you are preparing a speech for a wedding, do not use any words that infer divorce or
separation. For example, words that repeat the same sound (e.g., tabitabi) infer remarriage.
tabitabi
frequently
iroiro
many kinds
masumasu
more and more
kaeru
go back
saru
leave
owaru
finish

wakareru kiru
split cut
hanareru
separate
2) When the speech is for funerals, do not use any words that infer "something sad will happen
again," or "you cannot die in peace," or repeating sounds (e.g. tsugitsugi).
kaesugaesu
repeatedly
tsugitsugi
one by one
tsuzuku
continue
ou
follow
mayou
get lost
ukabarenai
your soul cannot rest
kasanaru
duplicate
3) During the school entrance exam season avoid any words that make examinees
and family members imagine failure in daily conversation.
ochiru
fall
korobu
fall over
suberu
slip over
chiru
disperse
4) Do not use any words related to miscarriage or disease when you congratulate a person
for becoming pregnant or give birth to a child.

nagareru
wash away (miscarry)
kieru
disappear
orosu
drop (have an abortion)
yowai
weak
Some common examples of "imikotoba"
Quiz :
The words below may offend
people at a wedding.
Use more appropriate words.
a) kaeru (leave, go home)
b) owaru (finish)
c) sashimi

Answers: a) shitsure
-
suru b) ohiraki ni suru c) otsukuri
gokekkon omedeto
-
gozaimasu
Congratulations on your wedding.
watakushi wa shinro
-
no Daisuke-san no do
-
ryo
-
no Pole
to mo
-
shimasu
My name is Pole. I work with the groom, Daisuke-san.
watakushi wa Nihon ni kita koro, Nihon no koto ga

nanimo wakarazu sonna watakushi ni Daisuke-san wa
When I came to Japan, I did not know anything about Japan.

Nihon no bunka ya shigoto nado iroiro na koto o
oshiete kudasaimashita
Daisuke-san taught me about Japanese culture and work in Japan.

soshite kurushi
-
toki wa itsumoitsumo hagemashite
kudasaimashita
He always cheered me up when I was having a hard time.

Daisuke-san wa taihen shinsetsu de atama no kireru
kata desu
He is very kind and very smart.

korekara no jinse
-
ni oite Junko-san
ga kanashimu yo
-
na koto wa kesshite shinai to omoimasu
He will never make Junko-san sad as long as he lives.

Junko-san wa masumasu okire
-
ni nari Daisuke-san wa
honto
-
ni oshiawase desu ne
Junko-san looks more beautiful every day. Daisuke-san is a lucky guy
to have such a beautiful wife.

kyo
-
kara ofutari de atarashi
-
start o kiru no desu ne
You are starting a new life today.

saigo ni narimashita ga do
-
zo suenagaku oshiawase ni!
Finally, I wish you much love and happiness.

kore de watakushi no aisatsu o owari ni sasete
itadakimasu
I've reached the end of my speech.
honjitsu wa omedeto
-
gozaimasu
Congratulations to the happy couple.
1) takusan (many, a lot)
2) omit
3) itsumo (always)
4) yu
-
shu
-
na (excellent)
5) o taisetsu ni sareru (take good care of)
6) totemo (very)
7) start line ni tatareru (stand at the start line)
8) omit
9) to
Below is Mr. Pole's speech at his friend's wedding. Make the appropriate changes to the "imikotoba" in the boxes below.
1
6
7
8
9
2 3
4)
5
The Japanese language uses echoic words to depict human and animal voices or sounds, and mimetic words to
depict motion, appearances and psychological actions. Collectively, echoic words and mimetic words are called
onomatopoeia. Your friend used onomatopoeia. He said, "I have a thumping headache-it's as if my head is splitting
(gangan). I'm feeling sick in my stomach (mukamuka), my eyes are flickering (chikachika), and I'm dizzy
(furafura)." As you can see in these examples, onomatopoeic terms are very useful because they use simple
expressions to explain complex situations.
This morning, I noticed my friend had a sickly look on his face. When I asked him
what was wrong, he said, "atama wa gangan, i wa mukamuka, me wa
chikachika...mo
-
furafura desu" and collapsed in a chair. I said, "gangan,
mukamuka, chikachika, furafura, gangan, mukamuka, chikachika,
furafura..it sounds like samba music." "I drank too much last night. I'm feeling
sick," he replied and dashed to the toilet.
Answers:
g
a
n
g
a
n
m
u
k
a
m
u
k
a
c
h
ik
a
c
h
ik
a
f
u
r
a
f
u
r
a
g
a
n
g
a
n
m
u
k
a
m
u
k
a c
h
ik
a
c
h
ik
a
f
u
r
a
f
u
r
a
Onomatopoeia Many onomatopoeic terms are used in Japanese comic and graphic novels. A
typical Japanese onomatopoeia dictionary includes more than 1,600 words. Onomatopoeia function not only
as adjectives; they also help describe things by omitting nouns and verbs in simple sentences. It's very
difficult not to use onomatopoeia in everyday language. Though onomatopoeic terms are frequently used in
everyday life, they're not really learned at school. Onomatopoeia differ from person-to-person and by area
because Japanese people learn about and experience them in daily conversation. Therefore, it is very
difficult for Japanese learners to master onomatopoeia.
gorogoro
to feel something in the eye
chikachika
a flickering sensation in the eyes
zukizuki
Continuous, severe pain
shikushiku
dull, repetitive pain
muzumuzu
itchy
guzuguzu
to have the sniffles
The following onomatopoeia are commonly used to describe physical conditions.
eye
tooth
nose
throat
head
chest
skin
body
stomach
igaiga
frog in the throat
hirihiri
a burning in one's throat
zukizuki
throbbing
kurakura
dizzy
gangan
pounding
ze
-
ze
-
wheezing
dokidoki
pounding
muzumuzu
crawling
chikuchiku
prickly/stinging
zokuzoku
feel chills
furafura
unsteady
kyu
-
stinging pain
kirikiri
sharp, continuous pain
shikushiku
griping pain
One of the characteristic features of onomatopoeia is that the intensity of the movement or feeling
being described differs depending on whether it is a clear sound or a dull sound.
Clear sound images: small in scope, bright, lightweight, small, beautiful, sharp
Dull sound images: big in scope, dark, prominence, big, dirty, dull
Clear sound Dull sound e.g.,
biribiri
tingle
guruguru
swirl
hirihiri
burning
kurukuru
twiddle
[Exercises]
Complete the following sentences by using the appropriate onomatopoeia.

me ni gomi ga haitte shimasu
My eyes are feeling gritty as I got dust in them.

yubisaki ga suru to omottara chi
-
sa na toge ga sasatte imashita
I felt a sharp pain in my finger, and I found that I had a tiny thorn in it.

okuba ga shite yu
-
be wa hotondo nemuremasen deshita
My molar gave me constant pain, keeping me awake most of the night.
4)
igusuri o nondemo to itai node asu byo
-
in ni ikimasu
I feel a dull pain in my stomach even after taking some medicine. I'll visit the hospital tomorrow.
5)
kafunsho
-
de hana ga shite kushami ga tomaranai
I have a tickle in my nose due to hay fever and I can't stop sneezing.
6)
samukunai noni karada ga shi nodo ga suru node hayame ni kusuri o nonda
Even though it wasn't cold, I got a chill and felt as if I had a frog in my throat, so I took some medicine just in case.
1) gorogoro 2) chikuchiku 3) zukizuki 4) shikushiku 5) muzumuzu 6) zokuzoku igaiga
k u
r
a
k
u
r
a
hirihiri
burning
I'm sure she has nothing wrong with her mouth. In the old days in Japan, when women laughed they generally
tried to do so silently by covering their mouths with fans or their kimono sleeves. This was because they didn't want
to make a spectacle of their emotions. Not to show their feelings was thought to be a kind of virtue, and showing their
teeth when laughing was considered a little rude. That's why many women have a habit of covering their mouths
when laughing. These days, it's mainly done by elderly women. Also, there was a practice in olden times called
ohaguro in which people mainly women dyed their teeth black. There are various theories why they did this.
One theory goes that ohaguro teeth give a mysterious impression of hiding a person's emotions. Lets discuss the
mysteries of Japanese laughter.
When I first met my friend's mother, I
noticed she covered her mouth every
time she laughed. I thought she must
have something wrong with her mouth,
but it looked all right to me. Why did she
need to cover her mouth? Does it mean
something?
Answers:
Answers:
Answers:

h
a

h
i
fu
h
e

h
a

h
i
fu
h
e
h
o
h
o
h
o
?
h
o
h
o
h
o
?
There are many types of laughter. For example,
tere-warai): embarrassed laughter;
(tsukuri-warai): fake laughter;
(niga-warai): bitter laughter;
(omoidashi-warai): nostalgic laughter;
(fukumi-warai): chuckling, etc.
Quiz: "ha, hi, fu, he, ho" from the Japanese alphabet
(hiragana) are often used to express laughter, each with
a different nuance and meaning. Match them up correctly.
1)
hahahahaha
2)
hihihihihi
3)
fufufufufu
4)
hehehehehe
5)
hohohohoho
A) Creepy laughter. It also can
represent feminine laughter.
B) Laughter when people intend to do
something wrong or hatch a plot.
C) Embarrassed laughter when people
fail to do something or are trying to
hide their shyness.
D) Cheerful laughter.
E) Feminine laughter, often by elderly
women.
1) - D) 2) - B) 3) - A) 4) - C) 5) - E)
Quiz: When you put " a ( i ) ( u ) ( e ) ( o ) " in front of the
sounds at left, it sounds more like spoken Japanese. Match the types of laughter
in 1 to 5 with the meanings in A to D.
ahahahaha
ihihihihi
ufufufufu
ehehehehe
ohohohoho
The following are phrases using the kanji , wara(u) or sho
-
, which means
laugh or laughter. Choose the correct word to complete the expressions.
a) ( )
ichien o warau mono wa en ni naku
Look after the pence, and the pounds will take care of themselves.

ichi ju
-
hyaku sen
(one) (ten) (hundred) (thousand)
1) - B) 2) - E) 3) - A) 4) - D) 5) - C)
d) The following is a humble greeting written on a card or
letter to be sent with a gift.
( )
gosho
-
no
-
kudasai
I hope you will kindly accept my small present.
Kanji for " no
-
"
e) Here is another humble expression often used when we show
our belongings to other people.
( )
gosho
-
ran kudasai
I hope you enjoy looking at it.
Kanji for " ran"
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
b) ( )
warau kado niwa kitaru
Laughter brings good luck.

kodomo kami fuku kome
(child) (god) (luck) (rice)
c) ()
rainen no koto o iu to ga warau
Nothing is certain but death and taxes.

karasu oni kitsune hebi
(crow) (devil) (fox) (snake)
a) - 1) b) - 3) c) - 2) d) -3) e) - 2)
Paul-san, you can find "yanasatte" written as "yanoasatte" in dictionary. It means "in
three days." But in some regions, it is used to mean "in four days." "Shiasatte," however,
also means "in three days," and is more common. The word used depends on the region and
the person. So, be careful when using those words, or you and your friend may show up on
different days.
Wanting to dine with a friend of mine, I sent to him an e-mail in which I
said: "asatte aimasho
-
! (Let's meet the day after tomorrow!)"
Replying, he said "yanasatte ni shimasho
-
." Although I didnt
understand "yanasatte," I agreed to meet him "then." Hirayama-san,
when should I go?
Answers:
s
h
ia
s
a
t
t
e
?
s
h
ia
s
a
t
t
e
?
yanasatte?
yanasatte?
One theory is that people used "shiasatte" in western Japan in the old days, while
people in eastern Japan used "yanasatte" to communicate "in three days." According
to the theory, the Meiji government adopted "shiasatte," which was used in Kyoto, to
mean "in three days" as a standard word when it unified the state, while it adopted
"yanasatte" for "in four days." However, people in eastern Japan-except for in Tokyo
-still use "yanasatte" to mean "in three days." Today, the flow of traffic between
the regions is busier than before, making the usage of the words above far more
complicated depending on who uses the words and where they are used.
So when you talk about "three days from now," it would be better to clarify yourself
with concrete dates or saying "in days."
SAFE STYLE: ashita (tomorrow), asatte (the day after tomorrow),
mikka-go (in three days time), yokka-go (in four days time)...
week
shu
-
month
getsu
year

nen
before last last this next after next

sensen sen kon rai sarai
week before last last week this week next week week after next

sensenshu
-
senshu
-
konshu
-
raishu
-
saraishu
-

month before last last month this month next month month after next

sensengetsu sengetsu kongetsu raigetsu saraigetsu

year before last last year this year next year year after next

ototoshi kyonen kotoshi rainen sarainen
day before yesterday yesterday today tomorrow day after tomorrow

ototoi kino
-
kyo
-
ashita asatte
Step 3
Step 2 Step 1

Step 1: Memorize the basic words from kon to the right.
(kon, rai, sarai)
Step 2: Memorize the basic words from kon to the left.
(kon, sen, sensen)
Step 3: Memorize the basic words in the leftmost row.
(shu
-
, getsu, nen)
Step 4: Memorize the variation of time expressions by combining a
word from the horizontal row with one from the vertical row.
Step 5: Memorize the irregular forms highlighted in green.
c.
minasama wa no Nihon o kizuku wakai chikara desu
You are the youth with the power that will build tomorrow 's Japan. (Speech)
d.
mukashi no dento
-
ga made uketsugarete iru
The old traditions have been passed down to today .
e.
kyu
-
gyo
-
We are closed today .
f.
musuko ga aru no wa sense
-
-gata no okage desu
It is thanks to you that my son is as good as he is today .

g.
no chikyu
-
-ondanka no yo
-
in no hitotsu wa
kankyo
-
-osen desu
Environmental pollution is one of the factors linked to global warming today .
h.
shimpai shitemo sho
-
ganai desu ne
It is no use worrying. Tomorrow is another day , isnt it?
i.
niwa kekka ga demasu
The result will come out in four days .
j.
wa oisogashi
-
naka okoshi itadaki arigato
-
gozaimasu
Thank you for coming on such a busy day like today . (Greeting)
Note: Generally , the particle ni is not used with the words in
the table to specify when a certain action takes place.
e.g.,
kino
-
ni shigoto o shimashita (I worked yesterday.)
1) There are three different pronunciations for the word
(tomorrow), with a slightly different nuance.
ashita : most common pronunciation, used in daily
conversation to mean tomorrow.
asu : A polite form, used in greetings and speeches.
* "asu" also is used to refer to the near future.
myo
-
nichi : Politer than "asu."
2) There are three ways of saying "today."
kyo
-
: General form, used in daily conversation.
konnichi : Used to mean "now" or the present day.
honjitsu: Often used in greetings, speeches and in writing.
Quiz: Put a Japanese word or phrase into the squares
to complete the sentence so it matches the meaning of the
English sentence.
a. ()
wa hare desho
-
(tenki yoho
-
)
Tomorrow will be sunny. (Weather news)
b.
ni ningen-dokku o ukemasu
I will have a complete physical in three days .
aasu bmikka-go casu dkonnichi ehonjitsu fkonnichi
gkonnichi hashita wa ashita no kaze ga fuku iyokka-go jhonjitsu
Japanese uses "counter words" when counting things. The child was right, but most of
the time in our conversations we use the method Pole-san had learned. The counter for
butterflies and rabbits are exceptional, though there are various types of counters. The
exact number isn't known, but it is said that Japanese has more than 500 counter words,
about 100 of which are used in daily life. You may be surprised that there are that
many-but in fact, those counters are very useful because they can reflect the condition
of what you are counting.
When I visited my friend's house, his son asked me "How do you
count butterflies?" I answered "ippiki," and the son said "No,
it's itto
-
." Then he asked me "How about rabbits?" I answered
"ippiki," but he said "No, it's ichi-wa." I had learned that
when we count animals, we are supposed to use "ippiki" for
small animals and "ichi-wa" for birds. Hirayama-san, what did I
do wrong?
Answers:
i
p
p
i
k
i
?
itto
-
?
i
p
p
i
k
i
?
itto
-
?
An example which reflects a condition:
If we don't use counters in our conversation, the conversation won't work.
1)(?)
165 (?) ga sanka suru kokusaikaigi ga hirakareru
There will be an international conference attended by 165 participants.
=> We don't know whether this means 165 countries (165 kakoku)
or 165 people.
2) 1 (? ) 5
banana o 1 (?) katte 5 hon tabeta
I bought (a bunch of bananas [banana hito-fusa], or a banana
[banana ippon]?) and ate 5 bananas for lunch.
=> We don't know how many bananas were bought.
3) ?
80 (?) no danse
-
ga umi de oyoideiru
The (80-year-old man, or 80 men?) is/are swimming in the sea.
=>We don't know whether it's 80-year-old (80-sai no) man
or 80 (80 nin no) men.
Below, the common counters are sorted into groups in order of
pronunciation.
Japanese system (hitotsu, futatsu) + a counter
Use the Japanese counting system for 1 (hitotsu) and 2 (futatsu).
For 3, use the Chinese / Japanese system, depending on your preference.
(e.g., 3 boxes mi-hako or san-hako). From 4, use the Chinese system.
As to why we use "(wa) = wing" when we count rabbits, there are
various explanations. One of them says that long ago, monks at temples
were prohibited from eating fish or meat-but poultry was OK. One day a
monk saw a rabbit hopping in the mountains and he thought that the
rabbits' ears looked just like bird's wings. So, because he really wanted to
eat the rabbit, he said Oh, there's a bird. Other monks also said Yes,
that's surely a bird!So they caught and ate it. People later began using
"wa" as the counter for rabbits. As for butterflies, "head" was used to
count them in English literature in the Meiji era and it was accordingly
translated into Japanese as "" (to
-
), which means head.
Chinese system (ichi, ni, san.... + a counter)
__ wa (bird) note: rabbit is an exception, __ mai (sheet), __ dai (machine, car),
__ go
-
(unit for measuring rice and sake), __ zen (a set of chopsticks, a bowl of rice),
__ dan (stair, rank), __ ban (order), __ retsu (line), __ kabu (stock),
__ bu (number of copies), __ jo
-
(number of tatami mats), __ jo
-
(tablet),
__ do (degree and number of times), __ setai (household),
__ ninmae (serving), __ dai (generation), __ point (point),
__ team (team), __ set (set), __ pack (pack), __ cup (cup),
<Survival tips>: The two methods below are an easier to count inanimate objects.
However, please be careful not to use them too much.
The Japanese system has been used since the old days and it is often used when
referring to a child's age, too. However, 10 (t
-
o) isn't used much.
1 (hitotsu) 2 (futatsu) 3 (mittsu) 4 (yottsu) 5 (itsutsu) 6 (muttsu)
7 (nanatsu) 8 (yattsu) 9 (kokonotsu)
e.g. tsukue hitotsu (a desk), nimotsu futatsu (two pieces of luggage),
yottsu (4 years old)
As a rule of thumb, use the Chinese number system + ko when counting small things.
1 (ikko) 2 (ni-ko) 3 (san-ko) 4 (yon-ko) 5 (go-ko) 6 (rokko) 7 (nana-ko)
8 (hachi-ko/hakko) 9 (kyu
-
-ko) 10 (jukko) 11 (ju
-
ikko) ....
e.g. tamago ikko (an egg), toke
-
niko (two watches)
Remember, there are no definite rules for and . It is a matter of preference.
(e.g., one eggtamago ikko or tamago hitotsu)
Why don't you ask the people around you how to count eggs!
Exercises : Put the proper word in each bracket.
1)
Tokyo tower no kaidan wa 698 ( ) arimasu
There are 698 steps to the top of Tokyo Tower.
2)
ano senshu wa 1 ( ) goto ni tsuyoku natteiru
That player gets stronger with each game.
3)
1 ( ) ni narande omachikudasai
Please form a line.
4)
kono kusuri o shokugo ni 6 ( ) nomanakereba narimasen
I have to take 6 tablets after every meal.
5)
pamphlet o 5 ( ) okuttekudasai
Please send me 5 copies of the brochure (pamphlet).
6)
news ni yoruto kyonen wa 3 ( ) ni 1 ( ) ga rikon shita so
-
desu
According to the news, one in three couples divorced last year.
7) 1
1 ( ) ni tamago ga 10 ( ) haitteimasu
There are 10 eggs in one pack.
8)
kotoshi no natsu no saiko
-
kion wa 39.4 ( ) deshita
This summer's highest temperature was 39.4 degrees.
9) 8
watashi no heya wa 8 ( ) desu
My room size is 8 tatami mats.
10)
1 ( ) kara 5 ( ) made no kata ohairikudasai
Numbers one through five, please enter now.
__ hako (box), __ fukuro (packet and bag), __ kuchi (mouthful),
__ kire (slice), __ taba (bunch), __ saji (spoonful),
__ shiai (game), __ kumi (pair), __ yama ( mountain),
__ sara (plate), __ can (can), __ hachi (potted plant),
__ koma (scene), __ class (class),
Usage note: Japanese counters can even express the feelings of the person using
them. Just as we use "hiki/piki" for small creatures (animals, fish and insects, etc.),
we are supposed to use "t
-
o" for large animals. However, in daily conversation, the
sense of size depends on each individual. So even if it's a big dog, the owner may
think that it's small, and he or she may use "ippiki" when referring to it. Also, there is
another interesting example: There are some pet owners or veterinarians who think of
a dog as a family member and they use "hitori (one person)" to refer to the animal.
But, of course, these examples are not grammatically correct. So don't use them in
your answers on a Japanese test!
1) (roppyaku kyuju
-
hachi-) dan 2) (hito-) shiai 3) (ichi-) retsu
4) (roku-) jo
-
5) (go-) bu 6) (san-) kumi, (hito-) kumi
7) (ichi-) pack, (juk-) ko 8) (sanju
-
kyu
-
ten yon-) do
9) (hachi-) jo
-
10) (ichi-) ban, (go-) ban
Nigiri sushi dates back to the Edo period. In those days, sushi was sold
at food stalls and was large so people could more easily hold it with their fingers.
But when restaurants later began to sell the delicacy, the sushi was reduced to half
the size to make it easier to eat. This probably is why sushi always comes in pairs.
We use "kan" to count sushi. There are various explanations for this, but none of
them can be verified.
The other day, I went to a sushi restaurant, sat at the counter for the first
time and ordered maguro sushi. When it arrived, there were two pieces on
my plate, not the one I thought I'd ordered. When I said I had only ordered
one, the sushi chef just smiled and said, "I know." I ordered some more
sushi, but it always came in pairs. I became full quite quickly, which was a
pity because I wanted to try a larger variety. How should I count sushi?
Answers:
Answers:
i
k
k
a
n
?
h
ito
ts
u
?
sushi
For you to be able to remember counters more easily, I have sorted them according to pronunciation.
1) (
sumo
-
tori wa ichi-nichi ni ( ) shika tabenai
Sumo wrestlers have only two meals a day.
2) 1
ryokan wa ( ) futsuka de ichi man go sen en deshita
The ryokan cost me 15,000 per night.
3)
shu
-
katsu de mensetsu o ( ) ukete ( ) ukatta
When I was hunting for a job, I passed four of my 15 interviews.
4)
test de ( ) machigaeta
I made six mistakes in the exam.
5)
konshu
-
wa e
-
ga o ( ) mita
I watched three films this year.
6) advertisement : (
yoridori ( ) de sen en!
1,000 for any 3 items
Exercises : Insert the correct word.
1) ni-shoku 2) ippaku 3) ju
-
go-sha yon-sha
4) rokkasho 5) san-bon 6) san-ten
S pronunciation group : Pronunciations of 1, 8, 10 change.
_ (sai ): age; _ (sha): company; _ (shoku): meal; _ (sho
-
): win; _ (soku): pair of shoes and socks (Exception: three pairs of shoes
san-zoku) e.g., (sai ) issai, ni-sai, san-sai ..., hassai..., jussai
1 ( is +_ )
2 ( ni )
3 ( san )
4 ( yon )
6 ( roku )
7 ( nana )
5 ( go )
8 ( has+_ )
9 (kyu
-
)
2 ( ni )
3 ( san )
4 ( yon )
6 ( roku )
7 ( nana )
5 ( go )
9 (kyu
-
)
2 ( ni )
3 ( san )
4 ( yon )
7 ( nana )
5 ( go )
9 (kyu
-
)
2 ( ni )
4 ( yon )
7 ( nana )
5 ( go )
9 ( kyu
-
)
10 ( jus+_)

_ (to
-
): big creature; _ (tsu
-
): letter, resume; _ (to
-
): rank; _ (ten): score, cloths, items
e.g., (ten) itten, ni-ten, san-ten ..., hatten/hachi-ten..., jutten
K pronunciation group : Pronunciations of 1, 6, 8, 10 change.
T pronunciation group : Pronunciations of 1, 8, 10 change.
_ (kai ): time; _ (kai) : floor; _ (kakoku) : country; _ (kasho): place; _ (ken): data, case, accident; _ (ki) : period;
_ (kyu
-
): rank e.g., (kai ) ikkai, ni-kai, san-kai ..., rokkai, hakkai/hachi-kai..., jukkai
Note: Some counters are used to count similar objects. But their usages differ, depending on the objects or occasions.
e.g., (kai) and (do) (counters for number of times)
(kai) can be used for something repeated many times: "nankai mo tabeta" (I tried it many times).
(do) can be used for something happening only once or twice. It also is used to emphasize the number of times: "ichido dake tabeta" (I ate only once).
Quiz: One thing can be counted in different ways depending on
its condition. How many can you get right?
_ (hon/bon/pon): something thin and long. It's used to count movies, because they are usually long.
_ (hai/bai/pai ): a glass of, a cup of. It's also used to count squids or octopuses; _ (hiki/biki/piki ): small creature; (hyo
-
/byo
-
/pyo
-
): vote
e.g., (hon/bon/pon) : ippon, ni-hon, san-bon, yon-hon ..., roppon, happon/hachi-hon..., juppon
Exception : As to the counters below, the pronounciations for 3 (b) is changed to 3 (p).
_ (haku/paku): overnight stay e.g., san-paku; _ (hai/pai ): loss e.g., san-pai
1) a living fish ( ) a plate or pile of fish for sale ( ) a piece of fish ( )
2) an unused postcard ( ) a postcard with a message and posted ( )
3) a living squid ( ) after being caught / sold at a shop ( ) dried ( )
H pronunciation group : Pronunciations of 1, 3, , 8, 10 and counters change.
1 ( it+_ )
8 ( hat+_ )
10 ( jut+_)

1 ( ik+_ )
8 ( hak+_ )
6 ( rok+_ )
10 ( juk+_)

1 ( ip+_ )
3 ( sanb+ )
6 ( rop+ )
8 ( hap+ )
10 ( jup+ )

1 ) ippiki hito-yama hito-kire
) ichi-mai ittsu
-
) ippiki ippai ichi-mai
Actually it's not just you, there are even some Japanese who
misunderstand the expression "," which is pronounced
"jakkanmei." "" means they are recruiting only if they can
find suitable candidates. The number of people is not specified, though
it won't be many.
I was recently browsing through a job magazine when I came across an ad for an IT firm that
used the term "" for the number of people they intended to hire. When I called the
company and asked if they were really going to hire 1,000 () youngpeople, the
person who answered my phone call laughed and said, "That didn't mean 1,000 young people."
Hirayama-san, help me out.
"" and "" both carry the meaning of "a few/a little."
However, the more formal term "" implies "not a lot, only a
few" and tends to be used more in writing and when formality is
called for, such as at the workplace and in meetings and
speeches.
When used in conversation, it emphasizes "not a lot, only a few"
and the following sentences contain important meanings. In
general, "" describes a smaller, negligible amount than "
."
Answers:
j
a
k
k
a
n
s
u
k
o
s
h
i
j
a
k
k
a
n
s
u
k
o
s
h
i
jakkan no kizuato wa nokorimasu

You'll have a tiny scar.
(It will be a scar that is hardly noticeable.)
sukoshi kizuato wa nokorimasu

You'll have a small scar.
(It won't be a big scar, but it will still be noticeable.)
"(sukoshi)" means "a few/a little." It is often used in
daily conversation. "" is another way of saying ","
but it is more casual.
<verbadj.()noun>
e.g.

sukoshi/chotto ii
Can you spare a minute?
mo
-
sukoshi/mo
-
chotto
a few more/a little more

sukoshi/chotto no aida
for a moment

sukoshi/chotto mattete kudasai
Wait a moment, please.
usage as an interjection
Instead of meaning "a few/a little,"
it is used to call someone.
In this case, " " cannot be replaced
with "" or ". "
chotto Yamada-san
Hey, Mr. Yamada!
chotto
Hey!
+ negative meaning
"" is used to avoid saying
something too direct or hard to say.
It cannot be replaced with ""
or "."
chotto dekinai
I can't really do that.
chotto muri
it's kind of difficult.
*This is used to decline a request.
There is similar expression:
chotto muzukashii
it's kind of difficult/hard
Exercise: In the sentences below, replace the word "" with words ""
or "," whichever is appropriate.
1)
sukoshi mondai ga aruga me o tsubutta
The problem is a small one, so I'll let it slide.
2)
tsukareta node sukoshi yasunda
I was tired, so I rested for a little.
Emphasizing the meaning of "a little"
3)
sukoshi matte kudasai
Please wait for a little while.
4)
no
-
ki ga sukoshi okureruga e
-
kyo wa nai desu
The delivery date will be a little late, but it won't have an impact.
5)
ima sukoshi ii desu ka
Do you have a little time right now?
6)
mo
-
sukoshi de butsukaru tokoro deshita
I was about to hit it.
7)
so
-
ho
-
no kangaekata ni sukoshi so
-
i ga sho
-
jita ga mondai nai desu
Even though we had slightly different ideas, it didn't cause a problem.
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7)
It is true that Japanese people often use "" in conversation. By
using "," you can express your innermost feelings.I consider it a
wonderful form of expression that helps smooth communication and makes
it easier to broach difficult topics. This will be the final installment of Pera
Pera Penguin. I hope it has helped you improve your Japanese. Please
hang in there: "gambatte!" Thank you all for your support!
Because I know Japanese people often use "" in conversation, I tried to use it when I
spoke to a friend. I said, "Nihongo ga sukinan desu." He looked at me as if he was
waiting for me to continue. He ended up asking me if I wanted him to teach me the
Japanese language or introduce me to some of his Japanese friends. That wasn't what I
meant at all; I just wanted to say I like Japanese. Why did he assume I wanted him to do
these things when I said nothing like that? Please tell me, Hirayama-san.
Nihongo ga sukinan desu!
Nihongo ga sukinan desu!
Following are the main ways of using "." I'll explain them in my own
"Hirayama" way. Polite form: (no), Friendly form: (n)
The sentence that follows "n desu()" is the most important.
(request, explanation, etc.) (reasons, situations, etc.)

The listener will usually pay more attention
to the sentence that follows.
e.g., (I'm busy.)
isogashiin desu tetsudatte-kudasai !
(Please help me.)
It conveys the feelings that he/she is really busy and wants help.
What the speaker really wants to say.
It is the second sentence that expresses what the speaker really wants.
"" signals that what follows is important. This is why the listener will
wait to hear what comes next. It feels awkward to native speakers if you
merely end with "."
It is possible to swap the order.

n desu
n desuga
n desu ka
n desu
n desuga. dakedo
If you explain the reason for the sentence, including "n desuga,"
it will sound more considerate.
reason

e.g., A :
Waiting for the listener's response
I'd like to take a day off next week.
B :
Next week? Yes, that's OK.
You don't need to continue the sentence.
Just wait for the response.
* "dakedo" is a friendly form.
anoraishu
-
yasumitain desuga
raishu
-
? i
-
desu yo
node kara
You can imply something that is hard for you to say, for example, when
you ask permission or seek suggestions, advice, etc., by using "" and
wait for the response.
* "kara" is a friendly form.
e.g.,
ryo
-
shin ga Nihon ni kuru node raishu
-
yasumitain desuga
My parents are coming to Japan, so I'd like to take next week off.
By referring to a past situation, there is a hint that the present
situation is opposite of what it was before.

e.g.,

(past tense)
You don't have to mention
the present situation.
A shallow statement/response based on wishful thinking.
The speaker uses the sentence in conversation when he/she
is speaking reflectively. Because there's usually not much
depth to the statement, it sometimes comes across as flippant.
The expression conveys a message along the lines of:
"I think so. Don't you think so, too?"
janai janain desuka
ashita kurunjanai
Then and now
e.g.,
Hirayama-san wa mukashi wa kire
-
dattan
dakedo
e.g.,
Question and answer with feeling
Question :
Answer :
(response)
Q :
do
-
shitan desu ka?
What's wrong?
A :
atama ga itain desu
I have a headache.
Interrogative, etc
Using "" makes conservation more emotionally sensitive for each
participant in the conversation, thereby helping better convey
information. The sentences usually imply things such as concern,
worry, excuses, advice and explanations.
Wishful thinking
This sentence expresses empathy
such as: "Are you OK?" "Do you
need my help?" etc.
This sentence expresses an
underlying thankfulness for
the concern expressed.
desuga dakedo
I imagine he's coming tomorrow.
(I think so. Don't you think so, too?)
Hirayama-san used to be beautiful...
(implying that Hirayama-san isn't beautiful now!)
* "njanain desuka" is a polite form.

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Mr. Oda invited me to a restaurant last week.

After we arrived there, he asked me how

All people have their own preferences.@

first omit : i then add : kunarimashita

when receiving a gift

my wife family or work which important

(I dont have any knowledge/information)

tabun kahogo de sodatta kara desho

I hear you are going to Kyoto next week.

If you want to emphasize how long you

car navigation system

from the best to

The following expression is used as a final parting

A stitch in time saves

kari kari suru

(Ms. Yabe had a baby last month. She calls me sometimes,

(I bought a curio at a flea market.)

You mean you need a

(given name) (family name)

I canceled it (the job)

atama ga itai kaettemo i

o-kane ga nakatta kaemasen-deshita

(three days) (boy)

8ut i f Mr. Koga goes , he wi l l take care of everythi ng.

| have s tudied 1 apanes e for 2

(Thank you), and s o on. 8ut lately, s tudying 1 apanes e is getting

There are four reasons for placing "go / o"

Nihon ni sumu no wa bukka ga takakute

difficult; hard; tough

With cooperation from Yasuhiro Koga

love, very fond of

quiet, silent, caim

serious, sincere (personality)

1) For an object: "benri"

2) Seven country names

3) Fifteen words in kanji

With cooperation from Yasuhiro Koga

With cooperation from Yasuhiro Koga

4 ) Single (not yet married)

e? ano hito to wakare-chatta no? desu yo!

hajimete no date wa shimasen deshita ka

gentlemen ladies gentlemen

14 Bidet for women

No, it has nothing to do with food or the kind of establishment.

Why don't we/you , if you'd like to?

(Don't you want to eat some sushi?)

sweet hot (spicy) salty bitter

(1) (2) (3)

a visitor raikyaku dekiru being capable

Note the difference in usage B.

2. a little while ago.....sakki

Exception: to go, to come, to be (existence)@ oide ni narimasu

You/He/She/They do ............(very polite)

Humble form: Applied for actions taken by

baka na koto o shita

10 50 100 500 500

There are four main usages.

uso chittomo shiranakatta

It can't be! (woman speaking)

Expressions for cooking and for business

"Is this a good time to talk to you?"

ima chotto o-denwa yoroshi

denwa ga atta koto o otsutae-itadakemasu ka

"Did you try to call me?"