About This Lesson
Use Choosing the Right Bag to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
どのバッグを選べばいいですか？
doh-NOH BAG-goo oh eh-rah-BEH-bah EE dess kah Which bag should I choose?
B
こちらは軽いです。
koh-CHEE-rah wah kah-roo-EE dess This one is light.
A
もう一つのバッグのほうが丈夫そうです。
moh-oo hee-TOHT-soo noh BAG-goo noh hoh-oo gah JOH-boo soh-oo dess The other bag looks stronger.
B
こちらにはポケットも二つあります。
koh-CHEE-rah nee wah POH-keht-toh moh foo-TAHT-soo ah-ree-mahss It also has two pockets.
A
仕事用のバッグが必要です。
shee-GOH-toh-yoh noh BAG-goo gah nee-TSOO-yoh dess I need a bag for work.
B
それなら、丈夫なほうがいいですね。
soh-reh-NAH-rah, JOH-boo-nah hoh-oo gah EE dess neh Then the stronger one makes sense.
A
ポケットに書類を入れられます。
POH-keht-toh nee show-ROO-ee oh ee-reh-rah-reh-mahss I can put my papers in the pockets.
B
それなら、あなたにとても合いそうです。
soh-reh-NAH-rah, ah-nah-TAH nee toh-TEH-moh ah-EE soh-oh dess That should work well for you.Word by Word
どの
「どの」means “which” when asking someone to identify one item from several options. In 「どのバッグを選べばいいですか？」, it comes directly before the noun it specifies. A reusable pattern is 「どの」＋noun when choosing or identifying something; here it is used while comparing bags.
バッグ
「バッグ」means “bag” in this dialogue. It appears in 「どのバッグ」 and 「仕事用のバッグ」, where it names the item being chosen and the item needed for work. You can reuse it with a description before it, such as the patterns shown in those expressions.
を
「を」marks the item directly affected by an action. In 「バッグを選べばいいですか？」 it marks the bag being chosen, and in 「書類を入れられます」 it marks the papers being put in. A useful pattern is object＋「を」＋verb.
選べば
「選べば」means “if I choose” or, in 「選べばいいですか？」, “should I choose.” It is the form used in the question 「どのバッグを選べばいいですか？」 to ask what choice is appropriate. A reusable pattern is 「何を選べばいいですか？」 when asking what to choose.
いい
In 「選べばいいですか？」, 「いい」means that the choice would be good or appropriate, so the whole expression asks what one should choose. It does not simply describe the bag as good here. The reusable pattern 「〜ばいいですか？」 asks what action or choice is suitable.
です
「です」gives the sentence a polite tone. In 「どのバッグを選べばいいですか？」, it appears before the question marker 「か」 as part of a polite question. A common reusable pattern is 「〜ですか？」 for a polite question.
か
「か」marks the sentence as a question. At the end of 「どのバッグを選べばいいですか？」, it turns the request for advice into a polite question. It is useful at the end of a sentence when asking for information or confirmation.
こちら
「こちら」means “this one” in the bag comparison and refers to the bag being indicated. It appears in both 「こちらは軽いです」 and 「こちらにはポケットも二つあります」. The reusable patterns 「こちらは〜」 and 「こちらには〜があります」 describe the selected item and its features.
は
「は」marks the topic of the sentence. In 「こちらは軽いです」, it makes “this one” the item whose weight is being described. A reusable pattern is 「AはBです」 when giving information about A.
軽い
「軽い」means “light” in terms of weight. In 「こちらは軽いです」, it gives one reason for considering this bag. You can reuse the pattern 「バッグは軽いです」 to describe a bag’s weight when comparing products.
もう一つ
「もう一つ」means “the other one” in 「もう一つのバッグ」. Here 「もう」adds the idea of an additional item, and 「一つ」 identifies one item, so the whole expression refers to the second bag in the comparison. A reusable pattern is 「もう一つの」＋noun when referring to another item of the same kind.
の
In 「もう一つのバッグ」, 「の」links 「もう一つ」 to 「バッグ」 and lets the first expression describe which bag is meant. It also appears in 「仕事用のバッグ」, linking the intended use to the bag. A reusable pattern is description＋「の」＋noun.
ほう
「ほう」refers to one side or option in a comparison. In 「もう一つのバッグのほうが丈夫そうです」, it highlights the other bag as the one that seems sturdier. A reusable comparison pattern is 「AのほうがB」 when saying that A has more of a quality than another option.
が
「が」marks the item presented as the subject of the comparison. In 「もう一つのバッグのほうが丈夫そうです」, it marks the option that seems sturdier. The reusable pattern 「Aのほうが〜」 uses 「が」 after the option being compared.
丈夫そう
「丈夫そう」means “seems sturdy” or “looks durable” in this dialogue. In 「もう一つのバッグのほうが丈夫そうです」, the speaker is making an impression about the other bag before choosing it. A reusable pattern is 「Xは丈夫そうです」 when an item appears durable.
に
「に」marks a location or destination in these lines. In 「こちらにはポケットも二つあります」, it helps identify where the pockets are, and in 「ポケットに書類を入れられます」, it marks the place where the papers can be put. A useful pattern is place＋「に」＋object＋「を」＋入れる.
ポケット
「ポケット」means “pocket.” In 「こちらにはポケットも二つあります」, it names a feature of the bag, and in 「ポケットに書類を入れられます」, it names the place for the papers. It is useful with 「ポケットに」 when describing where something is put.
も
「も」means “also” or “too” and adds information to what has already been said. In 「ポケットも二つあります」, it adds the fact that this bag has two pockets as another useful feature. A reusable pattern is noun＋「もあります」 when adding another existing item or feature.
あります
「あります」states that something exists or that an inanimate item is present. In 「こちらにはポケットも二つあります」, the natural meaning is that this bag has two pockets. A reusable pattern is 「場所には物があります」 when describing an item located somewhere.
仕事用
「仕事用」means “for work” and specifies the intended use. In 「仕事用のバッグ」, it describes a bag meant for work rather than a general-purpose bag. A reusable pattern is 「用途用」＋「の」＋noun, with the intended use placed before the noun.
必要
「必要」states that something is needed or necessary. In 「仕事用のバッグが必要です」, the speaker says that a work bag is needed. A useful pattern is 「必要な物が必要です」 in the sense of stating that something is required, and the dialogue specifically shows 「バッグが必要です」.
それ
「それ」refers to information just mentioned or to the option connected with that information. In 「それなら、丈夫なほうがいいですね」, it points back to the need for a bag for work. It is useful when responding to a previous statement without repeating all of its content.
なら
「なら」means “if that is the case” or “then” in 「それなら、丈夫なほうがいいですね」. It connects the preceding information about needing a work bag with the recommendation that follows. A reusable pattern is 「それなら、〜」 when giving a conclusion or suggestion based on what someone has just said.
丈夫
「丈夫」means “sturdy” or “durable.” In 「丈夫なほうがいいですね」, it identifies the sturdier option as the better choice for a work bag. The reusable expression 「丈夫なほう」 refers to the more durable option in a comparison.
な
In 「丈夫なほう」, 「な」links 「丈夫」 to the following noun-like word 「ほう」. It allows 「丈夫」 to describe the option being selected. The exact reusable pattern shown here is adjective-like description＋「な」＋「ほう」.
ね
「ね」adds a friendly tone and invites agreement with the statement. In 「丈夫なほうがいいですね」, the speaker presents the recommendation as something both people can agree on. It is useful when making a gentle suggestion or checking that the listener agrees.
書類
「書類」means “documents” or “papers.” In 「ポケットに書類を入れられます」, it names the work papers that can be stored in the pockets. It is useful as the object in the pattern 「書類を入れる」 when talking about putting documents somewhere.
入れられます
「入れられます」means “can put in” in 「ポケットに書類を入れられます」. It shows that the pockets make it possible for the speaker to store the papers there. A reusable pattern is 「場所に物を入れられます」 when explaining where something can be put.
あなた
「あなた」means “you” and explicitly identifies the person being addressed. In 「あなたにとても合いそうです」, it marks the person whom the bag seems to suit. A useful pattern is 「人に合う」 or 「人に合いそうです」 when saying that something suits someone.
とても
「とても」means “very” and strengthens the expression that follows. In 「あなたにとても合いそうです」, it emphasizes that the bag seems especially suitable for the listener. It can be reused before an adjective or descriptive expression to make the degree stronger.
合いそう
「合いそう」means “seems to suit” in 「あなたにとても合いそうです」. It presents the speaker’s judgment that the bag appears suitable for the listener, rather than stating it as an absolute fact. A reusable pattern is 「人に合いそうです」 when recommending something that appears to suit someone.
Grammar Points
〜ばいい
それなら、こちらを選べばいいです。
soh-reh-NAH-rah, koh-CHEE-rah oh eh-rah-BEH-bah EE dessThen, you should choose this one.
The pattern 〜ばいい gives advice or says what is preferable: “it is good if you…”
〜そう
こちらはあなたに合いそうです。
koh-CHEE-rah wah ah-nah-TAH nee ah-EE soh-oh dessThis one looks like it will suit you.
The pattern 〜そう expresses an appearance or expectation based on what seems likely.
Japanese Vocabulary
ある
verb
ah-ROO
to have; to exist
あります
こちらにはポケットも二つあります。
こちら
pron
koh-CHEE-rah
this one
こちらは軽いです。
どの
det
doh-NOH
which
どのバッグを選べばいいですか?
バッグ
noun
BAG-goo
bag
どのバッグを選べばいいですか?
ほう
noun
hoh-oo
the one that; the option that
もう一つのバッグのほうが丈夫そうです。
ポケット
noun
POH-keht-toh
pocket
こちらにはポケットも二つあります。
もう一つ
phrase
moh-oo hee-TOHT-soo
another one; the other one
もう一つのバッグのほうが丈夫そうです。
軽い
adj
kah-roo-EE
light
こちらは軽いです。
仕事用
phrase
shee-GOH-toh-yoh
for work
仕事用のバッグが必要です。
丈夫
adj
JOH-boo
strong; durable
もう一つのバッグのほうが丈夫そうです。
選ぶ
verb
eh-rah-BOO
to choose
選べば
どのバッグを選べばいいですか?
二つ
num
foo-TAHT-soo
two
こちらにはポケットも二つあります。
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
another one; the other one
Show Answer
もう一つShow Answer
ポケットto have; to exist
Show Answer
ありますtwo