About This Lesson
Use Preparing for Heavy Rain to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
天気予報では、もうすぐ大雨が降り始めるそうです。
tehn-kee yoh-HOH deh-wah, moh-SOO-goo oh-AH-meh gah foo-ree hah-jee-MEH-roo soh-dess. The forecast says heavy rain will start soon.
B
それなら、今日は防水の靴を履いてください。
soh-reh-NAH-rah, kyoh wah boh-SWEE noh KOO-tsoo oh HAH-ee-teh koo-dah-SIGH. Then wear waterproof shoes today.
A
駅の近くにはいつも水たまりがあります。
EH-kee noh tchee-kah-koo nee-wah EET-soo mee-zoo-tah-MAH-ree gah ah-ree-MAHSS. There are always puddles near the station.
B
遅れに備えて、時間に余裕も必要かもしれません。
oh-koo-reh nee soh-nah-EH-teh, jee-KAHN nee yoh-YOO moh hee-tsoo-YOH kah moh-SHEE-reh-mah-SEN. You may also need extra time for delays.
A
ノートパソコンを防水ケースに入れたほうがいいですか。
NOH-toh pah-soh-KOHN oh boh-SWEE KAY-soo nee ee-reh-tah hoh-gah EES dess-kah. Should I put my laptop in a waterproof sleeve?
B
濡れないように、バッグの中に入れておいてください。
noo-reh-NIGH yoh-oo-nee, BAHG-goo noh nah-kah nee ee-reh-teh oh-EE-teh koo-dah-SIGH. Keep it inside your bag where it stays dry.
A
それなら、いつもより早く出たほうがいいですね。
soh-reh-NAH-rah, EET-soo-moh yoh-REE hah-YAH-koo deh-tah hoh-gah EES dess-neh. Then I should leave earlier than usual.
B
そうすれば、移動のストレスが減るはずです。
soh-oo-soo-reh-bah, ee-DOH noh soo-toh-REHSS gah HEH-roo hah-zoo dess. That should make the trip less stressful.Word by Word
天気予報
天気予報 means “weather forecast” in 天気予報では、もうすぐ大雨が降り始めるそうです。 It identifies the source of the information being reported. A common reuse pattern is 天気予報では、...です, meaning “According to the forecast, ...”
で
In 天気予報では、...です, で marks the forecast as the source or context for the statement. Together with は, it frames the information as coming from the weather forecast. A common reuse pattern is ニュースで聞きました, meaning “I heard it on the news.”
は
In 天気予報では、...です, は marks 天気予報 as the topic or frame of the statement. It presents what follows as information according to the forecast. A reusable pattern is Xでは、...です, where X sets the context.
もうすぐ
もうすぐ means “soon” in もうすぐ大雨が降り始めるそうです。 It says that the event is expected to begin in a short time. A common reuse pattern is もうすぐ始まります, meaning “It will start soon.”
大雨
大雨 means “heavy rain” in 大雨が降り始める. It names the weather event that is expected to begin. You can use it when discussing preparation for or conditions during heavy rain.
が
In 大雨が降り始める, が marks 大雨 as what begins to fall. It connects the weather event to the action expressed by 降り始める. A common pattern is nounが降る for something such as rain or snow falling.
降り始める
降り始める means “begin to fall” in 大雨が降り始める, describing heavy rain starting. The form combines the falling event with the idea of beginning. A reusable pattern is 雨が降り始める, meaning “the rain begins to fall.”
そうです
In 大雨が降り始めるそうです, そうです reports information the speaker has heard or received: “I hear that heavy rain will begin to fall.” Here, そう presents the preceding information as reported, and です gives the expression a polite ending. A common reuse pattern is Xそうです after a statement that is being reported.
それ
それ means “that” in それなら and refers to the weather situation just mentioned. It points back to the preceding information rather than to a physical object. A common reuse pattern is それは大変です, meaning “That is difficult.”
なら
In それなら、今日は防水の靴を履いてください, なら turns the situation just mentioned into “if so” or “then.” The whole expression それなら introduces advice based on that situation. A reusable pattern is それなら、...してください, meaning “If so, please ...”
今日
今日 means “today” in 今日は防水の靴を履いてください. It specifies when the advice applies. A common reuse pattern is 今日、...します, meaning “I will ... today.”
防水
防水 means “waterproof” in 防水の靴 and 防水ケース. It describes something designed to protect against water. A common reuse pattern is 防水の＋noun, such as 防水のバッグ for “a waterproof bag.”
の
In 防水の靴, の connects 防水 with 靴 and makes 防水 describe the shoes. It shows an attributive relationship between the two nouns. A reusable pattern is XのY, where X describes or specifies Y.
靴
靴 means “shoes” in 防水の靴を履いてください. It is the item being worn. The common pattern 靴を履く means “wear or put on shoes.”
を
In 靴を履いてください, を marks 靴 as the object of 履いてください. It shows what is being put on or worn. A common reuse pattern is nounを履く for footwear.
履いて
履いて means “put on” or “wear” for shoes in 靴を履いてください. It links the action of wearing the shoes to the polite request ください. The citation form is 履く, and a common reuse pattern is 靴を履いてください, meaning “Please put on your shoes.”
ください
In 靴を履いてください, ください makes the preceding action a polite request: “Please wear the shoes.” It follows a te-form such as 履いて to request an action. A common reuse pattern is Xてください, meaning “Please do X.”
駅
駅 means “station” in 駅の近くにはいつも水たまりがあります. It identifies the place near which the puddles are found. A common reuse pattern is 駅に行きます, meaning “I go to the station.”
近く
近く means “the nearby area” in 駅の近く. Together, 駅の近く means “near the station.” A common reuse pattern is placeの近くにあります, meaning “It is near the place.”
に
In 駅の近くにはいつも水たまりがあります, に marks the location where the puddles exist. Together with は, it presents that location as the setting of the statement. A common reuse pattern is placeにあります for an inanimate thing located somewhere.
いつも
いつも means “always” in 駅の近くにはいつも水たまりがあります. It says that puddles are found there repeatedly or as a usual condition. A common reuse pattern is いつもあります, meaning “It is always there.”
水たまり
水たまり means “puddle” in 駅の近くにはいつも水たまりがあります. It names the pools of water that form near the station. You can use it when describing wet conditions after rain.
あります
あります means “there is” or “there are” in 水たまりがあります, referring to the existence of puddles. It is used here for something inanimate. The citation form is ある, and a common pattern is placeに物があります, meaning “There is an object in or at a place.”
遅れ
遅れ means “delay” in 遅れに備えて. It names the possible travel problem that the speaker is preparing for. A common reuse pattern is 遅れがあります, meaning “There is a delay.”
備えて
備えて means “in preparation for” in 遅れに備えて、時間に余裕も必要かもしれません. It introduces the reason for leaving extra time. The citation form is 備える, and a common reuse pattern is Xに備えて準備します, meaning “prepare for X.”
時間
時間 means “time” in 時間に余裕も必要かもしれません. It is the time for which extra room or flexibility is needed. A common reuse pattern is 時間が必要です, meaning “time is necessary.”
余裕
余裕 means “extra room” or “leeway” in 時間に余裕. Here it refers specifically to having extra time available for delays. A common reuse pattern is 時間に余裕を持つ, meaning “allow extra time.”
も
In 時間に余裕も必要かもしれません, も means “also” or “too,” adding extra time to the preparations already discussed. It marks this item as an additional need. A common reuse pattern is Xも必要です, meaning “X is also necessary.”
必要
必要 means “necessary” or “needed” in 時間に余裕も必要かもしれません. It says that having extra time may be required. A common reuse pattern is Xが必要です, meaning “X is necessary.”
かもしれません
かもしれません expresses polite possibility in 時間に余裕も必要かもしれません: “You may also need extra time.” Here, か begins the possibility pattern, も is part of the fixed expression, and しれません completes the polite expression. A common reuse pattern is Xかもしれません, meaning “X may be the case.”
ノートパソコン
ノートパソコン means “laptop computer” in ノートパソコンを防水ケースに入れたほうがいいですか. It identifies the item that the speaker is considering protecting from rain. A common reuse pattern is ノートパソコンを使います, meaning “use a laptop computer.”
ケース
ケース means “case” or “sleeve” in 防水ケース. It is the container into which the laptop may be put for protection. A common reuse pattern is ケースに入れます, meaning “put it in a case.”
入れた
In ノートパソコンを防水ケースに入れたほうがいいですか, 入れた means “put in” as part of the recommendation “Would it be better to put the laptop in a waterproof case?” The citation form is 入れる, and this form appears before ほうがいい in the recommendation pattern. A reusable pattern is XをYに入れたほうがいいですか, meaning “Would it be better to put X in Y?”
ほうがいい
ほうがいい expresses a recommendation in 入れたほうがいいですか: “Would it be better to put it in?” Here, ほう presents the option, が links it with いい, and いい describes that option as preferable. A common reuse pattern is Xたほうがいいです, meaning “It is better to do X.”
です
In 入れたほうがいいですか, です gives the recommendation a polite sentence ending. It makes the question suitable for a polite conversation. A common reuse pattern is Xですか to ask politely whether something is the case.
か
In 入れたほうがいいですか, か marks the sentence as a question. It turns the polite recommendation into “Would it be better to ...?” A common reuse pattern is Xですか, meaning “Is it X?” or “Do you ...?” depending on the sentence.
濡れない
濡れない means “does not get wet” in 濡れないように. It describes the desired condition for the laptop. The citation form is 濡れる, and a common reuse pattern is Xが濡れないようにする, meaning “make sure X does not get wet.”
ように
In 濡れないように、バッグの中に入れておいてください, ように introduces the desired result “so that it does not get wet.” よう identifies the intended state, and に connects that state to the action taken to achieve it. A common reuse pattern is Xようにします, meaning “make sure that X happens.”
バッグ
バッグ means “bag” in バッグの中. It identifies the container where the laptop should be kept. A common reuse pattern is バッグに入れます, meaning “put it in a bag.”
中
中 means “inside” in バッグの中に入れておいてください. Together, バッグの中 means “inside the bag.” A common reuse pattern is Xの中に入れます, meaning “put it inside X.”
入れて
入れて means “put in” in バッグの中に入れておいてください. It describes placing the laptop inside the bag and links that action to keeping it there with おいてください. The citation form is 入れる, and a common reuse pattern is XをYに入れてください, meaning “Please put X in Y.”
おいて
In 入れておいてください, おいて means “leave” or “keep” the item in the resulting position after putting it in. It follows 入れて and adds the idea that the item should remain there. The citation form is おく, and a common reuse pattern is Xておく, meaning “do X in advance or leave X done.”
より
In いつもより早く, より marks the comparison point “than usual.” It shows that the leaving time is earlier compared with いつも. A common reuse pattern is Xより早い, meaning “earlier than X.”
早く
早く means “early” or “earlier” in いつもより早く出たほうがいいですね. It describes leaving at an earlier time than usual. The citation form is 早い, and a common pattern is Xより早く行く, meaning “go earlier than X.”
出た
In 早く出たほうがいいですね, 出た means “leave” or “go out” as part of the recommendation to leave earlier. The citation form is 出る, and this form appears before ほうがいい in the recommendation pattern. A common reuse pattern is 早く出たほうがいいです, meaning “It is better to leave early.”
ね
In 出たほうがいいですね, ね softens the statement and invites agreement: “It would be better to leave earlier, right?” It makes the recommendation sound collaborative rather than forceful. A common reuse pattern is Xですね when checking or sharing agreement about X.
そう
In そうすれば、移動のストレスが減るはずです, そう means “that way” and refers to the suggested action of leaving earlier. Together with すれば, it introduces the result that should follow. A common reuse pattern is そうすれば、...です, meaning “If you do that, ...”
すれば
In そうすれば、移動のストレスが減るはずです, すれば means “if one does” and completes the conditional expression “if you do that.” The citation form is する, and a common reuse pattern is XすればY, meaning “if X is done, Y.”
移動
移動 means “travel” or “movement” in 移動のストレス. It identifies the journey or getting from one place to another. A common reuse pattern is 移動中, meaning “during travel.”
ストレス
ストレス means “stress” in 移動のストレス. It names the unpleasant feeling associated with the journey. A common reuse pattern is ストレスが減る, meaning “stress decreases.”
減る
減る means “decrease” or “become less” in 移動のストレスが減るはずです. It describes the expected reduction in travel stress. A common reuse pattern is Xが減る, meaning “X decreases.”
はず
In 減るはずです, はず expresses the speaker’s expectation that the travel stress should decrease. It presents the result as expected based on the earlier action. A common reuse pattern is Xはずです, meaning “X should be the case.”
おいてください
In 入れておいてください, おいてください is a polite request to leave or keep something in place after putting it there. おいて contributes the idea of leaving the result in that state, and ください makes it a polite request. A common reuse pattern is Xておいてください, meaning “Please do X and leave it that way.”
Grammar Points
Vておく
ノートパソコンを防水ケースに入れておいてください。
NOH-toh pah-soh-KOHN oh boh-SWEE KAY-soo nee ee-reh-teh oh-EE-teh koo-dah-SIGH.Please put the laptop in the waterproof case in advance.
Vておく shows that an action is done beforehand as preparation. The polite request form is Vておいてください.
〜はずです
ストレスは減るはずです。
soo-toh-REHSS wah HEH-roo hah-zoo dess.The stress should decrease.
はず expresses an expectation or something believed to be likely based on a reason or situation.
Japanese Vocabulary
それなら
conj
soh-reh-NAH-rah
then; in that case
それなら、今日は防水の靴を履いてください。
もうすぐ
adv
moh-SOO-goo
soon
もうすぐ大雨が降り始めるそうです。
靴
noun
KOO-tsoo
shoes
今日は防水の靴を履いてください。
降り始める
verb
foo-ree hah-jee-MEH-roo
to start raining
大雨が降り始めるそうです。
時間に余裕
phrase
jee-KAHN nee yoh-YOO
extra time; time to spare
時間に余裕も必要かもしれません。
水たまり
noun
mee-zoo-tah-MAH-ree
puddle
駅の近くにはいつも水たまりがあります。
大雨
noun
oh-AH-meh
heavy rain
もうすぐ大雨が降り始めるそうです。
遅れ
noun
oh-koo-reh
delay
遅れに備えて、時間に余裕も必要かもしれません。
天気予報
noun
tehn-kee yoh-HOH
weather forecast
天気予報では、もうすぐ大雨が降り始めるそうです。
備える
verb
soh-nah-EH-roo
to prepare for
備えて
遅れに備えて、時間に余裕も必要かもしれません。
防水
noun
boh-SWEE
waterproof
今日は防水の靴を履いてください。
履く
verb
HAH-koo
to put on; to wear shoes
履いてください
今日は防水の靴を履いてください。
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to start raining
Show Answer
降り始めるsoon
Show Answer
もうすぐweather forecast
Show Answer
天気予報puddle