About This Lesson
Use Changing Picnic Plans Because of Weather to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
天気で予定が変わるかもしれない。
TEN-kee deh yoh-TEH ga ka-WA-roo ka-moh-shee-reh-NIGH. The weather may change our plans.
B
雨が降ったら、ピクニックは大変かもしれない。
AH-meh ga FOOT-tah-rah, pee-KNEEK-koo wa tie-HEN ka-moh-shee-reh-NIGH. The picnic could be difficult if it rains.
A
キャンセルして、代わりに屋内で何かする？
kyahn-SEH-roo sheh-TEH, kah-wah-REE nee oh-koo-NIGH deh NAH-nee-kah SOO-roo? Should we cancel or plan something indoors instead?
B
予定は柔軟にして、中で会おう。
yoh-TEH wa joo-NAHN nee sheh-TEH, NAH-kah deh ah-OH. Let's stay flexible and meet inside.
A
外でぬれるより、そのほうがよさそうだね。
SOH-toh deh noo-REH-roo YOH-ree, SOH-noh hoh ga yoh-sah-SOH dah neh. That sounds better than getting wet outside.
B
近くで、まだ一緒に昼ごはんを食べられるよ。
CHEE-kah-koo deh, mah-DAH ee-SHOH-nee hee-roo-goh-HAHN oh tah-beh-RAH-reh-roo yoh. We can still have lunch together nearby.
A
変更について、ほかのみんなにメッセージを送るね。
hen-KOH nee-tswee-TEH, hoh-kah-noh MEEN-nah nee meh-SEH-jee oh oh-KOO-roo neh. I will message the others about the change.
B
天気が変わりそうなときは、みんな予定を立てやすくなるね。
TEN-kee ga ka-wah-ree-SOH nah TOH-kee wa MEEN-nah yoh-TEH oh tah-teh-YAH-soo-koo nah-roo neh. That helps everyone plan, especially with the weather changing.Word by Word
天気
“天気” means the weather here, referring to the weather that may affect the plans. It is the subject of “天気で予定が変わるかもしれない”. Use it when talking about weather conditions and their effect on an activity.
で
In “天気で”, “で” shows the cause: the plans change because of the weather. Here it does not mark a location. A reliable pattern is “Nで変わる” when something changes because of N.
予定
“予定” means the plan or schedule that may change in this dialogue. It refers to the planned picnic and related arrangements. Use it for plans connected with activities, meetings, or schedules.
が
In “予定が変わる”, “が” marks “予定” as the thing that changes. This pattern presents the changing thing as the subject. Use “Nが変わる” when saying that N changes.
変わる
“変わる” means change or become different here, describing the plans changing because of the weather. It is the action or change that may happen. Use it in the pattern “Nが変わる” for something that changes.
かもしれない
“かもしれない” makes the statement uncertain: the plans may change. In “予定が変わるかもしれない”, it expresses a possibility rather than a definite result. The components “かも” and “しれない” work together as this possibility expression. Use it after a statement when you want to say that something may happen.
雨
“雨” means rain here, as the possible weather condition affecting the picnic. It appears in “雨が降ったら”, meaning if it rains. Use it with weather-related actions such as “雨が降る”.
降ったら
“降ったら” means “if it rains” in “雨が降ったら”. It sets the condition for the picnic becoming difficult. Use the pattern “Nが降ったら、...” when describing what to do if rain or another form of precipitation occurs.
ピクニック
“ピクニック” means picnic, the outdoor activity being discussed. In “ピクニックは大変かもしれない”, it is the topic whose difficulty is being considered. Use it when talking about going on or planning a picnic.
は
In “ピクニックは”, “は” marks the picnic as the topic of the statement. The sentence then comments that it may be difficult if it rains. Use “Nは...” to introduce what you are discussing.
大変
“大変” means difficult or tough here, describing the picnic under rainy conditions. “大変かもしれない” says that it may be difficult, not that it definitely is. Use it to describe a situation that requires effort or may be troublesome.
キャンセル
“キャンセル” means cancel in the question about the picnic plan. In “キャンセルして”, it is the action being considered before choosing another plan. Use it for cancelling an event, reservation, or arrangement.
して
“して” connects “キャンセル” to the next action in “キャンセルして、代わりに屋内で何かする？”. It gives the sequence or combination “cancel and then do something else”. Use the pattern “Aして、Bする” when linking two actions.
代わり
In “代わりに”, “代わり” means instead or as an alternative to the cancelled plan. It introduces the indoor option that replaces the picnic. Use “Nの代わりに...” when choosing one thing in place of another.
に
In “代わりに”, “に” completes the expression meaning instead or in place of something. It marks the alternative relationship, not a physical direction here. Use the fixed pattern “代わりに” to introduce a replacement choice.
屋内
“屋内” means indoors here, describing where the alternative activity will take place. It is paired with “で” in “屋内で何かする”. Use it when distinguishing an indoor activity or place from an outdoor one.
何か
“何か” means something in the question “屋内で何かする？”. It leaves the specific indoor activity open. Use “何かする” when suggesting an unspecified activity.
する
“する” means do here, referring to doing some unspecified indoor activity. In “何かする”, the object is left open because the speakers have not chosen the activity yet. Use it after an activity or with “何か” to talk about doing something.
柔軟
“柔軟” means flexible here, describing how the plans should be handled when the weather may change. In “予定は柔軟にして”, it means keeping the plans adaptable. Use it with plans or arrangements when you do not want to fix every detail.
中
“中” means inside in “中で会おう”. It refers to meeting indoors as an alternative to staying outside. Use “中で...” when an action takes place inside a previously understood place.
会おう
“会おう” means “let’s meet” here and proposes meeting inside. It is an inviting suggestion made to the other person. Use it to suggest meeting with someone in a particular place or situation.
外
“外” means outside in “外でぬれる”. It identifies the outdoor setting where the speakers might get wet. Use it with “で” to describe an action or condition occurring outside.
ぬれる
“ぬれる” means get wet here, describing what could happen outside in the rain. In “外でぬれる”, it is the undesirable result being compared with the indoor option. Use it when a person or thing becomes wet.
より
In “外でぬれるより”, “より” introduces the option used as the comparison point: getting wet outside. The sentence says the indoor choice seems better than that possibility. Use the pattern “AよりBのほうが...” when comparing two options.
その
“その” means that in “そのほう”, referring to the indoor alternative just proposed. It points back to an option already understood from the conversation. Use it before a noun when referring to a particular option or thing.
ほう
In “そのほうがよさそう”, “ほう” means the option or side being chosen in a comparison. Together with “その”, it refers to the indoor plan rather than getting wet outside. Use “AよりBのほうが...” to say that B is preferable to A.
よさそう
“よさそう” means seems good or seems better here, expressing the speaker’s judgment about the indoor option. It describes how the option appears rather than stating an absolute fact. Use it when something looks or sounds like a good choice.
だ
In “よさそうだね”, “だ” completes the plain-style statement that the option seems good. It connects the description “よさそう” to the sentence ending. Use it after a plain description when making a direct statement.
ね
At the end of “よさそうだね”, “ね” invites shared agreement and makes the comment softer. The speaker is checking that the listener also sees the indoor option as better. Use it when sharing an observation or seeking agreement.
近く
“近く” means nearby here, indicating that lunch can still happen close to the original meeting area. It describes the location of eating together. Use it when referring to a place that is not far away.
まだ
“まだ” means still here, showing that lunch together remains possible despite changing the picnic plan. It emphasizes that this possibility continues. Use it before an action or description that remains true.
一緒
“一緒” means together here, emphasizing that the speakers can eat as a group. It appears in “一緒に昼ごはんを食べられる”. Use “一緒に” when doing an activity with someone else.
昼ごはん
“昼ごはん” means lunch, the meal the friends can still share. It is the object of eating in “昼ごはんを食べられる”. Use it when talking about the midday meal.
を
In “昼ごはんを食べられる”, “を” marks “昼ごはん” as the object of eating. It shows what can be eaten. Use “Nを食べる” or “Nを食べられる” with a food or meal as N.
食べられる
“食べられる” means can eat or be able to eat here. It says that lunch together remains possible despite the change of plan. Use the pattern “Nを食べられる” when saying that someone can eat N.
よ
At the end of “食べられるよ”, “よ” adds emphasis and gives the listener reassuring information. The speaker is pointing out that eating lunch together is still possible. Use it when informing someone about a point you want them to notice.
変更
“変更” means the change or alteration being made to the picnic plan. In “変更について”, it is the subject of the message sent to the other people. Use it for a change to a plan, schedule, or arrangement.
について
“について” means about or regarding in “変更について”. The whole expression makes “変更” the topic of the message. The components “に” and “ついて” combine to form this about/regarding expression. Use the pattern “Nについて...” when discussing or communicating information about N.
ほか
In “ほかのみんな”, “ほか” means other, referring to people besides the two speakers. It helps identify the remaining members of the group. Use “ほかのN” to refer to other N in relation to a group or set.
の
In “ほかのみんな”, “の” links “ほか” with “みんな” and makes the phrase “the other people”. It shows the relationship between the two nouns. Use “AのB” when A describes or identifies B.
みんな
“みんな” means everyone or everybody here, referring to the group of people who need to know about the change. With “ほかの”, it refers to everyone else besides the speakers. Use it when addressing or referring to all members of a group.
メッセージ
“メッセージ” means message here, the communication that will tell the others about the changed plan. It is the object in “メッセージを送る”. Use it for a written or electronic message.
送る
“送る” means send here, describing sending a message to the other people. In “メッセージを送る”, the message is what is sent. Use the pattern “Nを送る” for sending a message or another item.
変わりそう
“変わりそう” means seems likely to change here, describing the weather as appearing likely to change. It gives a reason for making the plan adaptable. Use it when something appears likely to undergo a change.
とき
“とき” means when or at the time in “天気が変わりそうなとき”. It identifies the situation in which the plan becomes easier for everyone to make. Use “Nのとき” or a clause before “とき” to describe when something happens.
立てやすく
“立てやすく” means easier to make or arrange here, referring to making plans. It connects with “なる” in “予定を立てやすくなる” to describe a change in ease. Use the pattern “Vやすくなる” when something becomes easier to do.
なる
“なる” means become or come to be here, completing “立てやすくなる”: the plans become easier for everyone to make. It describes a change into a new condition. Use “Xになる” when something becomes X.
Grammar Points
〜たら
雨が降ったら、屋内で何かする。
AH-meh ga FOOT-tah-rah, oh-koo-NIGH deh NAH-nee-kah SOO-roo.If it rains, I’ll do something indoors.
Attach たら to the past form to express a condition: “if/when something happens.”
〜そう
予定が変わりそう。
yoh-TEH ga ka-wah-ree-SOH.The plans seem likely to change.
Attach そう to a verb stem to say that something appears likely to happen.
Japanese Vocabulary
キャンセル
noun
kyahn-SEH-roo
cancellation; canceling
する
verb
SOO-roo
to do
雨
noun
AH-meh
rain
屋内
noun
oh-koo-NIGH
indoors; indoor area
何か
pron
NAH-nee-kah
something
降ったら
verb
FOOT-tah-rah
if it rains
柔軟
adj
joo-NAHN
flexible
代わりに
adv
kah-wah-REE nee
instead
大変
adj
tie-HEN
difficult; tough
天気
noun
TEN-kee
weather
変わる
verb
ka-WA-roo
to change
予定
noun
yoh-TEH
plans; schedule
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
if it rains
Show Answer
降ったらinstead
Show Answer
代わりにcancellation; canceling
Show Answer
キャンセルto do