Checking a Washing Machine Door | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: In a shared laundry area, two adults check why a washing machine will not start and fix it by closing the door properly..

EN → JA / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Checking a Washing Machine Door to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

この洗濯機は動きません。

KOH-noh SEN-tah-koo-kee wah oh-kee-mah-SEN This washing machine won't start.
B

プラグと電源ボタンを確認しましたか。

POO-rah-goo toh DEN-gen boh-TAHN oh kah-koo-NIN shee-mah-shee-tah kah Did you check the plug and the power button?
A

プラグは入っていますが、何も起きません。

POO-rah-goo wah HAH-ee-teh ee-mahss gah, NAH-nee-moh oh-kee-mah-SEN The plug is in, but nothing happens.
B

ドアがきちんと閉まっていないのかもしれません。

DOH-ah gah kee-chin-toh shee-MAHT-teh ee-NAH-ee noh kah-moh shee-reh-mah-SEN Maybe the door isn't closed properly.
A

説明書には、動き始める前にカチッと音がするはずだと書いてあります。

seh-tsu-MAY-shoh nee wah, oh-kee-hah-ji-MEH-roo MAH-eh nee kah-CHIT-toh ohn-gah soo-roo hah-zoo dah toh KAH-ee-teh ah-ree-mahss The instructions say it should click before it starts.
B

ドアをもう一度押して、それからスタートボタンを押してください。

DOH-ah oh moh-oo ee-CHIH-doh OH-sheh-teh, soh-reh-kah-rah suh-TAH-toh boh-TAHN oh OH-sheh-teh KOO-dah-sah-ee Push the door once more, then press start.
A

ドアからカチッと音がして、今は動きます。

DOH-ah kah-rah kah-CHIT-toh ohn-gah shee-teh, ee-MAH wah oh-kee-mahss The door clicked, and now it works.
B

簡単な確認で問題が解決することもあります。

tah-MAH-nee kahn-TAHN nah kah-koo-NIN deh MOHN-dye gah kyeh-KEH-tsu soo-roo koh-toh moh ah-ree-mahss Sometimes simple checks solve the problem.

Word by Word

この この means “this” and points to the washing machine being discussed in この洗濯機は動きません. It is placed directly before a noun to identify a nearby or currently relevant thing. You can use it when indicating one specific item in the current situation.
洗濯機 洗濯機 means “washing machine” in この洗濯機は動きません. It names the machine that is not operating. Use it when talking about a machine used to wash clothes.
は は marks この洗濯機 as the topic in この洗濯機は動きません, meaning “as for this washing machine.” It presents the topic before giving information about it. The same particle also marks プラグ as the topic in プラグは入っていますが.
動きません 動きません says that the washing machine does not operate or start. The ません ending makes the statement polite and negative. It is useful when reporting that a machine or device is not working.
プラグ プラグ means “plug” in プラグと電源ボタンを確認しましたか and プラグは入っていますが. It refers to the plug whose connection is being checked. Use it when discussing whether an electrical device is connected to a power source.
と In プラグと電源ボタン, と links two items as “plug and power button.” It can also appear in カチッと音がする, where it accompanies the sound expression. Use it to connect listed items or to mark a sound expression before describing what happens.
電源 電源 means “power” in 電源ボタン. Together with ボタン, it identifies the button used to control the machine’s power. It is useful when talking about the power supply or power controls of a device.
ボタン ボタン means “button” in 電源ボタン and スタートボタン. It identifies a control that can be pressed. Use it after the name of a function when referring to a labeled device button.
を を marks the object being checked or pressed, as in 電源ボタンを確認しましたか and ドアをもう一度押して. It shows what the action is directed toward. Use it after a noun that receives an action such as checking, pushing, or pressing.
確認 確認 means “checking” or “confirming” in 電源ボタンを確認しましたか. It refers to examining whether something is correct or ready. It commonly appears before an action meaning “do the check,” especially when checking a device or condition.
しました しました expresses a polite completed action in 確認しましたか, asking whether the other person checked something. The question marker at the end turns the statement into a question. Use this polite form when asking whether someone has carried out an action.
か か marks the sentence as a question in 確認しましたか. It changes the preceding polite statement into a request for confirmation. Place it at the end of a polite question.
入って 入って describes the plug as being in or connected in プラグは入っていますが. With います, it forms the description of a resulting state rather than a separate action happening now. Use this form when describing something that has been put into a place and remains there.
います います helps express the continuing state in 入っています, so プラグは入っています means that the plug is currently connected or in place. Here it follows 入って to describe the result of the plug being inserted. This pattern is useful for reporting a continuing condition.
が In プラグは入っていますが、何も起きません, が connects two clauses with a contrast like “but.” It also marks the subject in 音がする and 問題が解決する. Use it either to link contrasting statements or to identify what makes an event happen.
何 何 contributes the idea of “anything” or “something” in 何も起きません. The whole negative expression means that nothing happens, rather than asking “what” as a question. Use it with the following particle and a negative statement when saying that nothing occurs.
も In 何も起きません, も combines with the negative expression to mean “anything” in the sense of “nothing.” In 解決することもあります, it instead marks that such an event can also occur. Its meaning depends on the construction around it, so the whole expression must be read together.
起きません 起きません says that nothing happens in 何も起きません. The ません ending makes the statement polite and negative. Use it when reporting that an expected event or response does not occur.
ドア ドア means “door” in ドアがきちんと閉まっていないのかもしれません and ドアをもう一度押して. It refers to the washing machine door being checked and pushed. Use it when identifying the door of a machine, room, or other object.
きちんと きちんと means “properly” or “correctly” in きちんと閉まっていない. It describes the required condition of the door. Use it before an action or state when emphasizing that something is done in the correct way.
閉まって 閉まって describes the door as being closed in 閉まっていない. Together with いない, it says that the door is not in the closed state. Use this form when describing whether a door or similar opening remains closed.
いない いない makes the state in 閉まっていない negative, so the door is not closed properly. It follows the state expression 閉まって to describe the absence of that condition. Use it when saying that a person or state is not present, with the exact meaning determined by the preceding expression.
の In 閉まっていないのかもしれません, の turns the preceding statement about the door into an explanatory point that can be followed by a possibility expression. The whole phrase means that the door may not be properly closed. This pattern is useful when presenting a possible explanation for a problem.
かもしれません かもしれません expresses a polite possibility in 閉まっていないのかもしれません, meaning “may or might be.” かも introduces the possibility, and しれません completes the polite expression. Use it when offering a possible cause without stating it as certain.
説明書 説明書 means “instructions” or “manual” in 説明書には. It identifies the written guide that contains information about operating the machine. Use it when referring to directions supplied for a device or product.
に In 説明書には, に marks the manual as the place where the information is written, while は makes it the topic. It also appears in 動き始める前に, marking the point before which the click should occur. Use it with a written source or with a time point such as “before” an event.
動き 動き contributes the meaning of moving or operating in 動き始める. It combines with 始める to describe the machine beginning to move. This pattern is useful when describing the start of an action or operation.
始める 始める means “begin” or “start” in 動き始める. In this expression, it says that the machine begins to operate. Use it in a construction where an action is described as beginning.
前 前 means “before” in 動き始める前に, referring to the time before the machine starts moving. The following に marks that time relationship. Use it when placing one action or event earlier than another.
カチッ カチッ represents the small clicking sound expected from the door in カチッと音がする and ドアからカチッと音がして. It is used for a short, sharp click from a switch, latch, or door. Use it when describing that kind of sound in a practical situation.
音 音 means “sound” in カチッと音がする and ドアからカチッと音がして. It identifies the sound produced by the door, while カチッ specifies what the sound is like. The reusable expression 音がする describes a sound occurring or being heard.
する In カチッと音がする, する expresses that the sound occurs or is made. The click meaning comes from the full expression with カチッ and 音, not from する alone. 音がする is useful when reporting that a sound can be heard.
はず はず expresses the expectation in カチッと音がするはずだ: according to the instructions, a click should occur. It presents something believed to be expected or normally true. Use it when an instruction or known condition supports that expectation.
だ だ gives the expected statement a plain assertive ending in 音がするはずだ. Here it completes the expression meaning “it should make a clicking sound” inside the information reported from the manual. It is used with はず to state the expectation directly.
書いて 書いて is the form used in 書いてあります to say that information is written in the manual. Together with あります, it describes written information that is present. Use this construction when reporting what a manual, sign, or document says.
あります あります completes 書いてあります, meaning that the information is written and remains available in the manual. It describes the existence of the written statement rather than an action happening now. This is useful for referring to instructions or information shown in a document.
もう一度 もう一度 means “once more” in ドアをもう一度押して. もう adds the idea of again, and 一度 means one time; together they request one additional repetition. Use it when asking someone to repeat an action one more time.
押して 押して means “push” or “press” and links the first action to the next one in ドアをもう一度押して、それからスタートボタンを押してください. It tells the listener to push the door before continuing with the start button. Use this form to connect actions in an instruction sequence.
それから それから means “then” or “after that” in ドアをもう一度押して、それからスタートボタンを押してください. それ refers to the preceding action or situation, and から indicates the point after it. Use it to order one practical instruction after another.
スタート スタート means “start” in スタートボタン. It identifies the start control on the washing machine. Use it as the name of a start function or a button labeled for starting an operation.
ください ください makes スタートボタンを押してください a polite request: “please press the start button.” It follows the action expression being requested. Use it when giving a courteous instruction or asking someone to do something.
から In ドアからカチッと音がして, から marks the door as the source of the clicking sound, meaning the sound comes from the door. It can also be part of the sequence expression それから, which means “then.” Use the standalone particle to indicate a starting point or source.
して して links the sound event to the result in ドアからカチッと音がして、今は動きます. It describes the click occurring and then continues to the statement that the machine works. Use this form to connect related events in sequence.
今 今 means “now” in 今は動きます, contrasting the machine’s current working state with its earlier problem. With は, it makes “now” the time being highlighted. Use it when reporting a condition at the present moment.
動きます 動きます says that the washing machine operates or works in 今は動きます. The polite ending makes it a courteous affirmative statement. Use it when confirming that a machine or device is functioning.
簡単 簡単 means “simple” or “easy” in 簡単な確認. It describes the checks as requiring little complexity. Use it before a noun to characterize a task or procedure as simple.
な な links 簡単 to the noun 確認 in 簡単な確認, allowing “simple” to describe the check. It is the linking form used after this type of adjective before a noun. Use it when placing this adjective directly before the noun it describes.
で で marks the means in 簡単な確認で問題が解決する, meaning that the problem is resolved through simple checks. It connects the method or means with the resulting event. Use it when explaining what action, tool, or method produces a result.
問題 問題 means “problem” in 問題が解決することもあります. It identifies the difficulty that may be resolved by simple checks. Use it when discussing a fault, difficulty, or issue that needs attention.
解決 解決 supplies the idea of resolution in 問題が解決する. The whole expression says that the problem gets resolved, while 解決 identifies the resolution itself. Use it when describing an issue reaching a solution or being settled.
こと In 解決することもあります, こと turns the event of the problem being resolved into a thing or fact that can be discussed. Together with もあります, the expression says that this sometimes happens. Use it after an action or event when referring to that event as a fact or possibility.

Grammar Points

〜ていない

ドアがきちんと閉まっていません。

DOH-ah gah kee-chin-toh shee-MAHT-teh ee-mah-SEN

The door is not properly closed.

This form describes a continuing state: something has not become or is not in the expected condition.

〜かもしれません

問題が起きるかもしれません。

MOHN-dye gah oh-KEE-roo kah-moh shee-reh-mah-SEN

A problem might occur.

This polite expression shows uncertainty or possibility; the speaker is not making a definite statement.

Japanese Vocabulary

かもしれません phrase
kah-moh shee-reh-mah-SEN might; may; perhaps
きちんと adv
kee-chin-toh properly; correctly
ドア noun
DOH-ah door
プラグ noun
POO-rah-goo plug
何も pron
NAH-nee-moh nothing; anything
確認する verb
kah-koo-NIN soo-roo to check; to confirm 確認しましたか
起きる verb
oh-KEE-roo to happen; to occur 起きません
説明書 noun
seh-tsu-MAY-shoh instructions; manual
洗濯機 noun
SEN-tah-koo-kee washing machine
電源ボタン noun
DEN-gen boh-TAHN power button
動く verb
oo-GOH-koo to work; to operate; to move 動きません
閉まる verb
shee-MAH-roo to close; to be closed 閉まっていない

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

properly; correctly

Show Answerきちんと

power button

Show Answer電源ボタン

to happen; to occur

Show Answer起きません

to work; to operate; to move

Show Answer動きません