About This Lesson
Use Keeping Valuables Safe in a Crowded Market to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
この市場は思ったより混んでいます。
KOH-noh EE-chee-bah wah oh-MOHT-tah yoh-REE KOHN-deh ee-MAHS This market is more crowded than I expected.
B
貴重品は前のポケットに入れてください。
kee-CHOH-heen wah MAH-eh noh poh-KEHT-toh nee ee-REH-teh koo-dah-SAI Keep your valuables in the front pocket.
A
バッグのファスナーを最後まで閉めたほうがいいですか。
BAHG-goo noh fah-soo-NAH oh SAI-goh MAH-deh shee-MEH-tah hoh-GAH ee DEHS kah Should I zip my bag completely?
B
ファスナーを最後まで閉めて、バッグを体の前で持ってください。
fah-soo-NAH oh SAI-goh MAH-deh shee-MEH-teh, BAHG-goo oh kah-RAH-dah noh MAH-eh deh MOHT-teh koo-dah-SAI Zip it fully and hold it in front of you.
A
私の携帯電話は内側のポケットに入っています。
wah-TAH-shee noh kay-TAI DEHN-wah wah oo-chee-GAH-wah noh poh-KEHT-toh nee HAI-tteh ee-MAHS My phone is in the inside pocket.
B
内側のポケットのほうが外側のポケットより安全です。
oo-chee-GAH-wah noh poh-KEHT-toh noh hoh-GAH soh-toh-GAH-wah noh poh-KEHT-toh yoh-REE AHN-zehn DEHS That is safer than the outside pocket.
A
一緒に歩いている間は気をつけます。
ee-SHOH nee ah-ROO-ee-teh ee-ROO EYE-dah wah kee oh tsoo-KEH-mahs I will be careful while we walk.
B
離れないように、近くにいてください。
hah-nah-reh-NAI yoh-oo nee, chee-KAH-koo nee EE-teh koo-dah-SAI Stay close so we do not get separated.Word by Word
この
「この」means “this” and points to the market being discussed. It comes directly before the noun in 「この市場」. Use 「この」 before a nearby or currently discussed noun, such as a place or object.
市場
「市場」means “market” here, the crowded place where the speakers are walking. In 「この市場」, it follows 「この」 to identify the place. Use it with a location particle when describing where something happens, such as 「市場に行きます」 in a new example.
は
In 「この市場は」, 「は」 marks the market as the topic of the sentence. The rest of the sentence says that this market is more crowded than expected. Use 「は」 after the person, thing, or place you want to discuss.
思った
「思った」means “thought” or “expected” in 「思ったより」. It refers to the speaker’s earlier expectation, and it is a form of the citation form 「思う」. The pattern 「思ったより」 compares the actual situation with what someone expected.
より
In 「思ったより」, 「より」 means “than” and introduces the point of comparison. The market is more crowded than the speaker expected. Use 「Aより」 when comparing a result or description with A.
混んで
「混んで」 contributes the meaning “crowded” in 「混んでいます」, describing the current condition of the market. Together with 「います」, it presents the crowded state as continuing now. Use 「混んでいます」 to describe a place that currently has many people.
います
In 「混んでいます」, 「います」 helps express that the crowded condition is continuing and gives the sentence a polite form. Its meaning here depends on the preceding 「混んで」. Use this polite pattern when describing a current ongoing condition.
貴重品
「貴重品」means “valuables” in the instruction 「貴重品は前のポケットに入れてください」. It refers to important personal items that should be kept safe. Use it as the item being stored, watched, or protected.
前
「前」means “front” in 「前のポケット」. It identifies which pocket is recommended for keeping valuables. Use 「前の」 before a noun when describing something located at the front.
の
In 「前のポケット」, 「の」links 「前」 to 「ポケット」 and makes the meaning “the front pocket.” It connects a describing noun to the noun that follows. Use 「AのB」 when A describes or identifies B.
ポケット
「ポケット」means “pocket” in 「前のポケット」, 「内側のポケット」, and 「外側のポケット」. The surrounding words specify which pocket is meant. Use it with 「に」 when describing where something is put or located.
に
In 「ポケットに入れてください」, 「に」marks the pocket as the destination where the valuables should be put. It follows the location receiving the object. Use 「場所に入れる」 for putting something into a place.
入れて
「入れて」means “put in” in 「貴重品は前のポケットに入れてください」. It links the action of putting the valuables into the pocket with the polite request 「ください」. Use 「物を場所に入れてください」 when politely asking someone to put something somewhere.
ください
In 「入れてください」, 「ください」makes the instruction a polite request: “please put it in.” It follows the action form 「入れて」 rather than standing alone here. Use 「動作てください」 to politely ask someone to do an action.
バッグ
「バッグ」means “bag” in 「バッグのファスナー」 and 「バッグを体の前で持ってください」. It is the item whose zipper is closed and which should be held in front of the body. Use it with 「を」 when the bag is the object of an action.
ファスナー
「ファスナー」means “zipper” in 「バッグのファスナー」 and 「ファスナーを最後まで閉めて」. It identifies the part of the bag that should be closed completely. Use it with 「を閉める」 when talking about closing a zipper.
を
In 「ファスナーを最後まで閉めて」, 「を」marks 「ファスナー」 as the object being closed. It shows what the action 「閉めて」 is done to. Use 「物を動詞」 when the noun receives the action.
最後
「最後」means “the end” in 「最後まで」. It indicates the endpoint that the zipper should reach. Use it with 「まで」 when an action should continue to the end of something.
まで
In 「最後まで」, 「まで」means “up to” or “all the way to.” It sets the endpoint for closing the zipper. Use 「場所や時点まで」 to show how far an action continues.
閉めた
In the question 「最後まで閉めたほうがいいですか」, 「閉めた」 refers to closing the zipper completely and asks whether that would be the better choice. The whole pattern expresses a request for advice, not merely a statement that it was closed. Use 「動作たほうがいいですか」 when asking whether an action is advisable.
ほう
In 「閉めたほうがいいですか」, 「ほう」 presents the described action as one option or course of action. Together with 「がいい」, the expression asks whether that option is better. Use 「Aほうがいい」 to recommend or compare a choice.
が
In 「閉めたほうがいいですか」, 「が」marks the option introduced by 「ほう」 as the one being evaluated. The full expression asks whether closing the zipper is better. Use it as part of the pattern 「ほうがいい」 when giving or asking about advice.
いい
In 「閉めたほうがいいですか」, 「いい」means “good” or “better” for the choice under discussion. With 「ほうが」, it helps ask whether closing the zipper is advisable. Use 「ほうがいい」 to express a preferable action.
です
In 「閉めたほうがいいですか」, 「です」 gives the advice question a polite tone. It follows 「いい」 in this polite expression. Use it when making a statement or question politely.
か
At the end of 「閉めたほうがいいですか」, 「か」marks the sentence as a question. It turns the polite advice expression into a request for the other person’s judgment. Use 「か」 at the end of a polite question.
閉めて
「閉めて」means “close” in the instruction 「ファスナーを最後まで閉めて、バッグを体の前で持ってください」. It connects closing the zipper with the next requested action. Use 「動作て、別の動作」 to link actions in sequence.
体
「体」means “body” in 「体の前」. It gives the reference point for where the bag should be held. Use 「体の前」 when describing something positioned in front of the body.
で
In 「体の前で持ってください」, 「で」marks the place or position where the bag should be held. It connects 「体の前」 with the action 「持ってください」. Use 「場所で動作する」 when an action takes place at a location.
持って
「持って」means “hold” or “carry” in 「バッグを体の前で持ってください」. Together with 「ください」, it politely asks the listener to hold the bag in front of the body. Use 「物を持ってください」 when politely asking someone to hold or carry something.
私
「私」means “I” in 「私の携帯電話」 and identifies whose phone is being discussed. With 「の」, it gives the meaning “my.” Use 「私の」 before a noun when referring to something belonging to or associated with the speaker.
携帯電話
「携帯電話」means “mobile phone” in 「私の携帯電話」. It is the item located in the inside pocket. Use it as the noun for a phone when explaining where it is or what happened to it.
内側
「内側」means “inside” in 「内側のポケット」. It identifies the pocket located on the inside of the bag and is contrasted with 「外側のポケット」 in the next line. Use 「内側の」 before a noun to describe something on the inside.
入って
「入って」means “be inside” or “be in” in 「携帯電話は内側のポケットに入っています」. Together with 「います」, it describes the phone’s current location inside the pocket. Use 「物が場所に入っています」 when saying that an object is inside a place.
外側
「外側」means “outside” in 「外側のポケット」. It identifies the pocket on the outside of the bag, which is compared with the inside pocket. Use 「外側の」 before a noun to describe something on the outside.
安全
「安全」means “safe” in 「内側のポケットのほうが外側のポケットより安全です」. It describes the inside pocket as the safer option in this comparison. Use it with 「です」 to say that something is safe.
一緒
「一緒」means “together” in 「一緒に歩いている間」. It shows that the speakers are walking together. Use 「一緒に」 before an action when two or more people do it together.
歩いて
「歩いて」means “walking” in 「一緒に歩いている間」. Together with 「いる」, it describes walking that is in progress during the relevant time. Use 「歩いている」 to describe someone who is currently walking.
いる
In 「歩いている」, 「いる」helps show that the walking is continuing. It follows 「歩いて」 and makes the phrase describe an ongoing activity. Use 「動作ている」 for an action that is in progress.
間
「間」means “while” or “during” in 「歩いている間」. It sets the time period during which the speaker will be careful. Use 「動作ている間」 when describing what happens during an ongoing activity.
気をつけます
The exact expression 「気をつけます」means “I will be careful” in this dialogue. Within it, 「気」refers to attention or awareness, 「を」marks what is directed, and 「つけます」expresses directing that attention; together they form the established expression “be careful.” Use 「気をつけます」 when assuring someone that you will act carefully.
離れ
「離れ」contributes the meaning “move away” or “become separated” in 「離れないように」. With 「ない」, the expression means “so that we do not become separated.” Use it when talking about people or things moving apart.
ない
In 「離れないように」, 「ない」makes 「離れ」negative, giving the meaning “not become separated” or “not move away.” It is part of the purpose expression ending in 「ように」. Use it after a verb when saying that an action or situation should not occur.
よう
In 「離れないように」, 「ように」means “so that” or “in order to avoid.” It expresses the purpose of staying close: the speakers should not become separated. Use 「ないように」 when taking an action to prevent something from happening.
近く
「近く」means “nearby” in 「近くにいてください」. It tells the listener to remain near the speaker so they do not get separated. Use 「近くにいる」 when describing someone’s location close to another person or place.
いて
「いて」means “stay” or “be present” in 「近くにいてください」. Together with 「ください」, it politely asks the listener to remain nearby. Use 「場所にいてください」 when asking someone to stay in a particular place.
Grammar Points
Vたほうがいいですか
ファスナーを最後まで閉めたほうがいいですか
fah-soo-NAH oh SAI-goh MAH-deh shee-MEH-tah hoh-GAH ee DEHS kahShould I close the zipper all the way?
Asks for advice about what someone should do. Vたほうがいい means “it is better to do V.”
Vないように
離れないように、近くにいてください
hah-nah-reh-NAI yoh-oo nee, chee-KAH-koo nee EE-teh koo-dah-SAIPlease stay close so that we do not get separated.
Expresses a purpose or precaution: “so as not to V.” The negative verb form comes before ように.
Japanese Vocabulary
バッグ
noun
BAHG-goo
bag
ファスナー
noun
fah-soo-NAH
zipper
貴重品
noun
kee-CHOH-heen
valuables
混んでいます
verb
KOHN-deh ee-MAHS
is crowded
最後まで
adv
SAI-goh MAH-deh
all the way
市場
noun
EE-chee-bah
market
思ったより
phrase
oh-MOHT-tah yoh-REE
than I expected
持ってください
verb
MOHT-teh koo-dah-SAI
please hold
前のポケット
phrase
MAH-eh noh poh-KEHT-toh
front pocket
体の前で
phrase
kah-RAH-dah noh MAH-eh deh
in front of your body
入れてください
verb
ee-REH-teh koo-dah-SAI
please put in
閉めたほうがいいですか
phrase
shee-MEH-tah hoh-GAH ee DEHS kah
should I close
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
than I expected
Show Answer
思ったよりplease put in
Show Answer
入れてくださいzipper
Show Answer
ファスナーis crowded