About This Lesson
Use Cleaning up a common room to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
しばらく共有スペースを使いました。
shee-bah-RAH-koo kyoh-yoo soo-PEH-soo oh tsoo-kah-ee-mah-SHEE-tah. We used the common room for a while.
B
出る前に片づけましょう。
deh-ROO mah-eh nee kah-tah-zoo-keh-mah-SHOH. Let's clean it up before we head out.
A
椅子を元の場所に戻します。
EE-soo oh MOH-toh noh BAH-shoh nee moh-doh-SOO-mahss. I'll put the chairs back where they were.
B
テーブルのごみを片づけます。
TEE-boo-roo noh goh-MEE oh kah-tah-zoo-keh-mahss. I'll clear the trash from the tables.
A
電気も消しましょうか。
DEN-kee moh keh-SHEE-mah-SHOH-kah? Should we turn off the lights too?
B
電気を消してください。
DEN-kee oh keh-SHEE-teh koo-dah-SIGH. Turn off the lights.
B
鍵をかける前に窓を閉めてください。
KAH-gee oh KAH-keh-roo mah-eh nee MAH-doh oh SHEH-meh-teh koo-dah-SIGH. Close the windows before we lock up.
A
部屋は次のグループが使える状態になったようです。
HEH-yah wah TSOO-gee noh goo-ROO-poo gah tsoo-KAH-eh-roo johh-TAI nee NAHT-tah yoh dess. The room looks ready for the next group.
B
では、ドアに鍵をかけて出ましょう。
DEH-wah, DOH-ah nee KAH-gee oh KAH-keh-teh deh-mah-SHOH. Then we can lock the door and leave.Word by Word
しばらく
“しばらく” means for a while in “しばらく共有スペースを使いました.” It describes a period of time that is not specified exactly. Use it when you want to say that an activity continues for some time without giving a precise length.
共有スペース
“共有スペース” means a common or shared space, such as the room used by different people in this dialogue. It names the place that the speakers used. It can be used as the object of an action, as in “共有スペースを使いました.”
を
In “共有スペースを使いました,” “を” marks “共有スペース” as the object of the action. It shows what the speakers used. A common pattern is an object followed by “を” before an action verb.
使いました
“使いました” means used here and describes the speakers’ completed use of the common space. It is the polite form used to report that action. Use it after something that was used, as in “共有スペースを使いました.”
出る
“出る” means to leave or go out in “出る前に,” referring to leaving the room. It appears before a time expression to identify an action that has not happened yet at that point. The pattern “出る前に” is useful when saying before leaving.
前
“前” means before in the time expression “出る前に.” It identifies the earlier time relative to leaving. Use it after an action or event when you want to say before that action or event.
に
In “出る前に,” “に” marks the time when the cleaning should happen in relation to leaving. Together with “前,” it makes the expression before leaving. This use is different from marking a destination.
片づけましょう
“片づけましょう” means let’s clean up or put things away in “出る前に片づけましょう.” It invites the other person to do the cleanup together. Use it when proposing a shared action to organize a place or put items away.
椅子
“椅子” means chair and refers to the chairs that need to be returned to their former positions. It is the thing being moved in “椅子を元の場所に戻します.” Use it when talking about a chair or chairs in a room.
元
In “元の場所,” “元” indicates the original or former position. It helps show that the chairs should go back to where they were before. Use it with a place, as in “元の場所,” when restoring something to its previous position.
の
In “元の場所,” “の” connects “元” with “場所” and makes the phrase mean the original place. It shows the relationship between the two nouns. A common pattern is one noun followed by “の” and then another noun.
場所
“場所” means place or position in “元の場所.” Here it refers to the specific position where the chairs were originally. Use it when identifying where an object is, was, or should be.
戻します
“戻します” means put back or return here, as in returning the chairs to their original place. It describes an action that restores something to a previous position. Use it with an object and a destination, as in “椅子を元の場所に戻します.”
テーブル
“テーブル” means table and refers to the tables from which the trash will be removed. It is part of the location expression “テーブルのごみ.” Use it when talking about a table or tables in a room.
ごみ
“ごみ” means trash in “テーブルのごみ.” It refers to unwanted items left on the tables. Use it with an action such as “片づけます” when saying that trash will be cleared away.
片づけます
“片づけます” means clean up or put away in “テーブルのごみを片づけます.” Here the action is removing the trash from the tables. Use it with the thing being organized, removed, or put away.
電気
“電気” refers to the lights in “電気も消しましょうか” and “電気を消してください.” The speakers are talking about turning the room lights off before leaving. Use it with “消す” when asking or telling someone to turn off the lights.
も
In “電気も消しましょうか,” “も” means also or too. It adds turning off the lights to the other cleanup tasks already being discussed. Use it after a noun when that item is included in an action as an additional one.
消しましょう
“消しましょう” means let’s turn off here, referring to the lights. It proposes that the speakers turn them off together. Use it when suggesting that a light or another device should be switched off as a shared action.
か
At the end of “電気も消しましょうか,” “か” marks the sentence as a question. The speaker is asking whether they should turn off the lights. It is used to make a polite question about an action.
消して
“消して” means turn off in the request “電気を消してください.” It connects the action of turning off with the following request word. Use it after the thing to be turned off when making this polite request pattern.
ください
In “電気を消してください,” “ください” makes the request polite. The whole expression asks someone to turn off the lights. Use it after an action form when politely asking another person to do something.
鍵
“鍵” means key or lock in the expressions “鍵をかける” and “ドアに鍵をかけて.” Here it refers to securing the door with a lock. Use it with “かける” when talking about locking a door.
かける
In “鍵をかける,” “かける” means to lock or secure with a lock. Its meaning here comes from the complete expression with “鍵.” Use the pattern “鍵をかける” when locking a door or another secured entrance.
窓
“窓” means window in “窓を閉めてください.” It is the thing that should be closed before the room is locked. Use it with “閉める” when asking someone to close a window.
閉めて
“閉めて” means close in “窓を閉めてください.” It connects closing the windows with the polite request “ください.” Use it after the object when politely asking someone to close something.
部屋
“部屋” means room in “部屋は次のグループが使える状態になったようです.” It is the topic whose condition is being evaluated. Use it when describing the condition or use of a room.
は
In “部屋は次のグループが使える状態になったようです,” “は” marks “部屋” as the topic. The rest of the sentence explains the room’s current condition. Use it after the thing you want to describe or discuss.
次
In “次のグループ,” “次” means next and identifies the group that will use the room after the current speakers. It shows the order of use. Use it before a noun when referring to the next person, group, or event.
グループ
“グループ” means group in “次のグループ.” It refers to the people who will use the room after the speakers leave. Use it with “次の” when identifying the next group in a sequence.
が
In “次のグループが使える状態,” “が” marks “次のグループ” as the group able to use the room. It identifies the subject inside the condition being described. Use it before the action or ability associated with that subject.
使える
“使える” means can use or is usable in “次のグループが使える状態.” It describes the room as being in a condition that allows the next group to use it. Use it before “状態” when describing something as ready or available for use.
状態
“状態” means condition or state in “使える状態.” It describes the room’s condition after the cleanup. Use it after a description such as “使える” when explaining what condition something is in.
なった
“なった” means became or came to be in “使える状態になった.” It shows that the room changed into a usable condition as a result of the cleanup. Use it after a condition when describing a change into that condition.
よう
In “なったようです,” “よう” contributes the meaning seems or appears. The speaker is judging from what they see that the room is ready. Use it with “です” after a description when expressing an appearance or impression rather than a direct certainty.
です
At the end of “使える状態になったようです,” “です” gives the sentence a polite ending. It presents the speaker’s impression politely. It is commonly used after a noun or descriptive expression in a polite statement.
では
“では” means then or in that case in “では、ドアに鍵をかけて出ましょう.” It signals the next action based on the room now being ready. Use it when moving from a conclusion or situation to a proposed action.
ドア
“ドア” means door in “ドアに鍵をかけて.” It is the entrance that the speakers will secure before leaving. Use it with “鍵をかける” when talking about locking a door.
かけて
In “ドアに鍵をかけて出ましょう,” “かけて” means lock and then and links locking the door with leaving. It shows that the locking happens before the proposed departure. Use this linking form when one action leads into the next action.
出ましょう
“出ましょう” means let’s leave in “ドアに鍵をかけて出ましょう.” It proposes that the speakers leave together after locking the door. Use it when inviting someone to leave a room or place with you.
Grammar Points
V-ましょうか
電気を消しましょうか。
DEN-kee oh keh-SHEE-mah-SHOH-kah?Shall I turn off the light?
This polite pattern offers to do something for someone. It is often used when asking if your help is wanted.
V-てください
窓を閉めてください。
MAH-doh oh SHEH-meh-teh koo-dah-SIGH.Please close the window.
This pattern makes a polite request. Attach ください to the て-form of the verb.
Japanese Vocabulary
ごみ
noun
goh-MEE
trash; garbage
テーブルのごみを片づけます。
しばらく
adv
shee-bah-RAH-koo
for a while
しばらく共有スペースを使いました。
テーブル
noun
TEE-boo-roo
table
テーブルのごみを片づけます。
椅子
noun
EE-soo
chair
椅子を元の場所に戻します。
共有スペース
noun
kyoh-yoo soo-PEH-soo
common space
しばらく共有スペースを使いました。
元の場所
phrase
MOH-toh noh BAH-shoh
original place
椅子を元の場所に戻します。
使う
verb
tsoo-KAH-oo
to use
使いました
しばらく共有スペースを使いました。
出る
verb
deh-ROO
to leave; to go out
出る前に片づけましょう。
消す
verb
keh-SOO
to turn off; to switch off
消しましょうか
電気も消しましょうか。
電気
noun
DEN-kee
light; electricity
電気も消しましょうか。
片づける
verb
kah-tah-zoo-KEH-roo
to clean up; to put away
片づけましょう
出る前に片づけましょう。
戻す
verb
moh-DOH-soo
to return; to put back
戻します
椅子を元の場所に戻します。
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to return; to put back
Show Answer
戻しますto clean up; to put away
Show Answer
片づけましょうto use
Show Answer
使いましたfor a while