Borrowing Cleaning Supplies from a Neighbor | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: In a shared living space, one person borrows cleaning spray, a bucket, and a mop after a spill on the kitchen floor..

EN → JA / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Borrowing Cleaning Supplies from a Neighbor to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

掃除用スプレーを少し使ってもいいですか？

soh-JEE-yoh soo-poo-REH oh soh-SHEE tsoo-KAHT-teh moh EE dess-KAH Can I use some cleaning spray?
B

流しの下にあります。何かこぼしましたか？

nah-GAH-shee noh SHEE-tah nee ah-ree-MAHS. NAH-nee-kah koh-BOH-shee-MAH-shee-tah kah? It is under the sink. Did something spill?
A

キッチンの床にジュースがこぼれました。

KEE-cheen noh YOO-kah nee JOO-soo gah koh-BOH-reh-MAH-shee-tah Juice spilled on the kitchen floor.
B

小さいバケツも持っていってください。モップをすすげますから。

CHEE-sigh bah-KEH-tsoo moh moht-teh EET-teh koo-DAH-sigh. MOHP-poo oh soo-soo-GEH-mahs kah-rah Take the small bucket too, so you can rinse the mop.
A

助かります。終わったら、両方とも返します。

tah-SOO-kah-ree-MAHS. oh-WAHT-tah-rah, ryoh-HOH-toh-moh kah-EH-shee-MAHS That helps. I will bring both back when I finish.
B

全部乾いたら、私のドアのそばに置いてください。

ZEN-boo kah-WAH-ee-tah-rah, wah-TAH-shee noh DOH-ah noh soh-BAH nee oh-EE-teh koo-DAH-sigh Leave them by my door once everything is dry.
A

この汚れを片付けるのを手伝ってくれて、ありがとうございます。

KOH-noh yoh-GOH-reh oh kah-tsoo-KEH-roo noh oh teh-tsoo-DAHT-teh koo-REH-teh, ah-ree-gah-TOH goh-ZAH-ee-MAHS I appreciate your help with this mess.
B

その後、床が滑らないことを確認してください。

SOH-noh AH-toh, YOO-kah gah soo-beh-rah-NAI KOH-toh oh kah-koo-NEEN sheh-TEH koo-DAH-sigh Just make sure the floor is not slippery afterward.

Word by Word

掃除用 掃除用 means “for cleaning” in “掃除用スプレー,” identifying the spray as something used for cleaning. It is reusable before an object to specify its purpose, such as a cleaning product. Use it when asking for or identifying an item intended for cleaning.
スプレー スプレー means “spray” here, referring to the cleaning spray being requested. It combines with “掃除用” as “掃除用スプレー” to name the item. Use it when talking about a spray container or spray product.
を を marks “掃除用スプレー” as the thing used in “掃除用スプレーを少し使ってもいいですか？”. It commonly follows the object of an action, such as an item someone wants to use. Use it before the action verb when identifying what the action affects.
少し 少し means “a little” in “掃除用スプレーを少し使ってもいいですか？”, limiting the amount of spray. It can be placed before an action to describe a small amount or degree. Use it when requesting or describing only a small quantity.
使っ 使っ is the form used at the start of “使ってもいいですか？” and means “use” in this permission request. It connects with “て” to form the pattern “使ってもいいですか？” for asking whether an action is allowed. Use this pattern when politely asking permission to use something.
て て connects “使っ” to “もいいですか” in “使ってもいいですか？”. Together, “使ってもいいですか？” asks whether it is okay to use something. Use this connection after an action when forming a permission request.
も も contributes the “even if” or permission-request meaning in “使ってもいいですか？”. The full pattern asks whether doing the action is acceptable, rather than simply stating that it is also done. Use “てはいけません” for a prohibition pattern, but keep the complete permission pattern when asking politely.
いい いい means “okay” in “使ってもいいですか？”, so the expression asks whether using the spray is acceptable. It follows “ても” in this permission pattern. Use it when checking whether an action or arrangement is acceptable.
です です makes “いいですか？” polite in the request “使ってもいいですか？”. Here it gives the question a polite ending rather than adding a separate action meaning. Use it in polite questions and statements when speaking respectfully.
か か marks “使ってもいいですか？” as a question. It comes at the end of this polite request about permission. Use it at the end of a polite question when asking for information or approval.
流し 流し means “sink” in “流しの下,” identifying the place where the spray is located. It combines with “の下” to describe the area under the sink. Use it when directing someone to an item near or under a sink.
の の links “流し” and “下” in “流しの下,” meaning “under the sink.” It shows the relationship between a place and the area connected to it. Use it between a noun and a following location or related noun.
下 下 means “under” or “below” in “流しの下,” the location where the spray is kept. With “の,” it identifies an area beneath something. Use it in location phrases such as “机の下” for “under the desk.”
に に marks “流しの下” as the location in “流しの下にあります.” It indicates where the item exists or is located. Use it after a place when saying that something is there.
あり あり is the form used in “あります” to say that the requested item exists at the stated location. In “流しの下にあります,” it means the item is located under the sink. Use “場所にあります” when describing where an inanimate object is.
ます ます gives “あります” its polite form in “流しの下にあります.” Here it makes the statement about the item’s location polite. Use it at the end of a polite verb form when speaking to someone respectfully.
何 何 means “what” in “何かこぼしましたか？”, asking whether something was spilled. With “か,” it forms “何か,” meaning “something” in this question. Use it when asking about an unspecified thing or event.
こぼし こぼし appears in “こぼしましたか？” and refers to spilling something. The form is used with “ましたか” to ask politely whether the other person spilled something. Use it when asking about a person causing a liquid or other contents to spill.
まし まし is part of the polite completed form “こぼしましたか？”. It helps make the question polite while referring to the possible completed spilling. Use this polite form when asking whether someone has carried out an action.
た た completes “こぼしましたか？” as a polite question about a completed action. In this dialogue, the question asks whether something was spilled already. Use a completed-action question when checking whether an event has happened.
キッチン キッチン means “kitchen” in “キッチンの床,” identifying the room or area where the spill occurred. It combines with “の床” to specify the kitchen floor. Use it when describing an object or event located in the kitchen.
床 床 means “floor” in “キッチンの床にジュースがこぼれました.” It identifies the surface affected by the spilled juice. Use it with a location marker such as “床に” when saying that something is on or spills onto the floor.
ジュース ジュース means “juice” in “ジュースがこぼれました,” the liquid that spilled onto the kitchen floor. It is followed by “が” because it is presented as the thing that spilled. Use it when identifying juice as a drink or as the liquid involved in an incident.
が が marks “ジュース” as the thing that spilled in “ジュースがこぼれました.” It identifies the subject of the event described by “こぼれました.” Use it after the noun when presenting what caused or underwent an event.
こぼれ こぼれ is the form used in “こぼれました,” describing the juice as having spilled. It presents the spilling as an event affecting the juice rather than directly saying that someone spilled it. Use it when describing a liquid that has spilled.
小さい 小さい means “small” in “小さいバケツ,” specifying the size of the bucket. It comes directly before the noun it describes. Use it before an object when identifying that it is small.
バケツ バケツ means “bucket” in “小さいバケツ,” the container offered for cleaning the spill. It follows “小さい” to form the noun phrase “small bucket.” Use it when talking about a bucket used to carry or hold water.
持っ 持っ appears in “持っていってください” and means “take” or “carry” as part of the instruction to take the bucket. It connects with “て” before “いってください.” Use it in this pattern when telling someone politely to take an item away.
いっ いっ is part of “持っていってください,” which means “please take it with you.” It contributes the movement-away meaning after “持って.” Use the full pattern when asking someone to carry an item to another place.
ください ください makes “持っていってください” a polite request to take the bucket. It follows the connected action form and softens the instruction. Use “てください” after an action when politely asking someone to do it.
モップ モップ means “mop” in “モップをすすげますから,” the item that can be rinsed with the bucket. It is marked by “を” as the object of rinsing. Use it when talking about the cleaning tool used for washing or wiping floors.
すすげ すすげ appears in “モップをすすげます,” meaning that the mop can be rinsed. It is followed by “ます” to give the ability statement a polite form. Use it when explaining that an item can be rinsed with available water.
から から means “because” in “モップをすすげますから,” giving the reason for taking the bucket. It comes after the reason and explains why the request is useful. Use it after a reason when adding a polite explanation.
助かり 助かり appears in “助かります,” expressing that the other person’s help is useful or appreciated. In this dialogue, it is a brief response after being offered cleaning supplies. Use it when someone’s help makes a situation easier.
終わっ 終わっ is the form used in “終わったら,” meaning “finish” in the condition “when I finish.” It connects with “たら” to set the time for returning both items. Use it in “終わったら” when an action should happen after something is finished.
たら たら means “when” or “once” in “終わったら、両方とも返します.” It makes finishing the cleaning the condition for returning the items. Use it after a completed-action form to state what will happen once that condition is met.
両方 両方 means “both” in “両方とも返します,” referring to the two borrowed items. It identifies the pair as a whole. Use it when referring to two previously mentioned things together.
とも とも reinforces the meaning “both” in “両方とも返します,” showing that the two items will both be returned. It follows “両方” in this expression. Use “両方とも” when emphasizing that neither of two items is left out.
返し 返し appears in “返します,” meaning “return” in the promise to give both borrowed items back. It is used with “ます” for a polite statement about the planned action. Use it when returning something that was borrowed or received.
全部 全部 means “everything” or “all” in “全部乾いたら,” referring to all of the cleaned or wet areas or items relevant to the situation. It comes before “乾いたら” to set the condition. Use it when the whole amount or set must meet a condition.
乾い 乾い is the form used in “乾いたら,” meaning “become dry” or “be dry” in the condition for leaving the items by the door. It connects with “たら” to mean “once everything is dry.” Use it when waiting until a wet surface or item has dried.
私 私 means “my” in “私のドア,” identifying the speaker’s door. The possessive relationship is made by adding “の” after it. Use it before “の” when identifying something that belongs to or is associated with the speaker.
ドア ドア means “door” in “私のドアのそば,” the place near which the supplies should be left. It combines with “のそば” to specify the nearby area. Use it when giving a location connected with a door.
そば そば means “beside” or “near” in “私のドアのそばに置いてください.” It identifies the area next to the speaker’s door. Use “場所のそばに” when asking someone to place something near a particular place.
置い 置い appears in “置いてください,” meaning “place” or “leave” the items somewhere. It connects with “てください” to form a polite request. Use it when asking someone to put an object in a specified location.
この この means “this” in “この汚れ,” pointing to the mess currently being discussed. It comes directly before the noun it identifies. Use it before a noun when referring to something close in the conversation or situation.
汚れ 汚れ means “dirt” or “mess” in “この汚れを片付ける,” referring to the mess caused by the spilled juice. It is marked by “を” as the thing being cleaned up. Use it when talking about dirt or an untidy condition that needs attention.
片付ける 片付ける means “clean up” or “put in order” in “この汚れを片付ける,” describing the work of dealing with the mess. It follows the object “この汚れを.” Use it when saying that a mess or area needs to be put in order.
手伝っ 手伝っ appears in “手伝ってくれて,” meaning “help” as part of thanking someone for helping with the mess. It connects with “てくれて” to describe a favor received from another person. Use it when referring to someone’s assistance with a task.
くれ くれ is part of “手伝ってくれて,” which expresses that the other person did the helpful action for the speaker. In this dialogue, the phrase appears inside a thank-you for help with the mess. Use the full pattern after an action when acknowledging a favor done for you.
ありがとうございます ありがとうございます is the polite expression “thank you” in “手伝ってくれて、ありがとうございます.” The listed parts “ありがとう,” “ござい,” and “ます” together form this respectful expression of gratitude. Use it when thanking someone for help, a favor, or something received.
その後 その後 means “afterward” in “その後、床が滑らないことを確認してください,” referring to the time after the cleaning. It comes at the beginning to indicate when the next check should happen. Use it when giving a follow-up instruction after an earlier event.
滑ら 滑ら appears in “滑らない,” describing the floor as not being slippery. It is followed by “ない” to make the condition negative. Use it when checking whether a surface could cause someone to slip.
ない ない makes “滑らない” negative, meaning “not slippery” in this dialogue. It describes the condition that the floor must meet after cleaning. Use it after the relevant form when stating that a condition or action does not apply.
こと こと turns “床が滑らない” into the condition “that the floor is not slippery” in “床が滑らないことを確認してください.” It allows the whole condition to be checked as one thing. Use “ことを確認する” when asking someone to verify that a stated condition is true.
確認 確認 means “check” or “confirm” in “確認してください,” asking the listener to verify the floor’s condition. It is followed by “してください” to make a polite request. Use it when asking someone to make sure that information or a condition is correct.
して して is part of “確認してください,” the polite request meaning “please check” or “please make sure.” It connects “確認” with “ください” in the request. Use “してください” after an action when politely instructing someone to do it.

Grammar Points

〜たら

両方とも乾いたら、そばに置いてください。

ryoh-HOH-toh-moh kah-WAH-ee-tah-rah, soh-BAH nee oh-EE-teh koo-DAH-sigh

When both are dry, please put them nearby.

Attach たら to the past form to mean “when” or “if” something happens.

〜てもいいですか

掃除用スプレーを少し使ってもいいですか。

soh-JEE-yoh soo-poo-REH oh soh-SHEE tsoo-KAHT-teh moh EE dess-KAH

May I use a little cleaning spray?

Use てもいいですか to politely ask for permission to do something.

Japanese Vocabulary

こぼす verb
koh-BOH-soo to spill something こぼしました

何かこぼしましたか?

こぼれる verb
koh-BOH-reh-roo to spill; to be spilled こぼれました

キッチンの床にジュースがこぼれました。

ジュース noun
JOO-soo juice

キッチンの床にジュースがこぼれました。

バケツ noun
bah-KEH-tsoo bucket

小さいバケツも持っていってください。

下 noun
SHEE-tah under; below

流しの下にあります。

使う verb
tsoo-KAH-oo to use 使って

掃除用スプレーを少し使ってもいいですか?

使ってもいいですか phrase
tsoo-KAHT-teh moh EE dess-KAH May I use it?

掃除用スプレーを少し使ってもいいですか?

小さい adj
CHEE-sigh small

小さいバケツも持っていってください。

少し adv
soh-SHEE a little; some

掃除用スプレーを少し使ってもいいですか?

床 noun
YOO-kah floor

キッチンの床にジュースがこぼれました。

掃除用スプレー noun
soh-JEE-yoh soo-poo-REH cleaning spray

掃除用スプレーを少し使ってもいいですか?

流し noun
nah-GAH-shee sink

流しの下にあります。

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

cleaning spray

Show Answer掃除用スプレー

to spill something

Show Answerこぼしました

May I use it?

Show Answer使ってもいいですか

to spill; to be spilled

Show Answerこぼれました