Discussing a Repair with the Landlord | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: At home, two adults plan a clear message to the landlord about a leaking tap and possible repair visit..

EN → JA / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Discussing a Repair with the Landlord to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

私が昨日締めたのに、浴室の蛇口からまた水が漏れています。

wah-TAH-shee gah kee-NOH shee-MEH-tah NOH-nee, yoh-koo-SHEET-soo no jah-GOO-chee kah-rah MAH-tah MEE-zoo gah moh-REH-teh ee-MAHSS. The bathroom tap is leaking again, even after I tightened it yesterday.
B

何度も起きているので、大家さんに連絡したほうがよさそうです。

NAHN-doh moh oh-KEE-teh ee-ROO NOH-deh, OH-oh-yah-sahn nee reh-NRAH-koo shee-tah hoh gah yoh-sah-SOH dehss. Since it keeps happening, we should probably contact the landlord.
A

写真を送って、一時的な修理ではうまくいかなかったと説明できます。

shah-SHEEN oh oh-KOOT-teh, ee-chee-JEE-teh-kee nah SHOO-ree deh-wah oo-MAH-koo ee-kah-NAH-kaht-tah toh seh-tsu-MAY deh-KEE-mahss. I can send a photo and explain that a temporary repair did not work.
B

水が無駄になっていて、カウンターが濡れていることを伝えてください。

MEE-zoo gah MOO-dah nee NAHT-teh ee-teh, KOWN-tah gah noo-REH-teh ee-ROO koh-toh oh tsoo-TAH-eh-teh koo-dah-SAI. Mention that water is being wasted and the counter is getting wet.
A

私たちがこの問題を起こしたわけではないと伝えますか。

wah-tah-shee-TAH-chee gah KOH-noh mohn-DAH-ee oh oh-KOH-shee-tah wah-keh deh-wah NAI toh tsoo-TAH-eh-mahss kah. Should we say that we did not cause the problem ourselves?
B

その点ははっきり書きましょう。ただし、落ち着いた口調にしましょう。

SOH-noh tehn wah HAHK-kee-ree kah-kee-mah-SHOH. tah-DAH-shee, oh-chee-TSOO-ee-tah KOO-choh nee shee-mah-SHOH. Include that clearly, but keep the tone calm.
A

メッセージは丁寧で具体的にして、混乱がないようにしましょう。

MEHSS-say-jee wah teh-ee-NEH deh goo-TAH-ee-TEH-kee nee SHEE-teh, kohn-RAHN gah NAI yoh nee shee-mah-SHOH. The message should be polite but specific, so there is no confusion.
B

私たちは平日の朝が難しいので、水道業者がいつ来られるか聞いてください。

wah-tah-shee-TAH-chee wah HAY-jeet-soo noh AH-sah gah moo-zoo-KAH-shee NOH-deh, SOO-ee-DOH GYOH-shah gah EE-tsoo koh-rah-REH-roo kah KEE-teh koo-dah-SAI. Ask when a plumber could visit, because weekday mornings are difficult for us.
A

誰かが家にいられる都合のよい時間帯を提案できます。

DAH-reh-kah gah ee-eh nee ee-rah-REH-roo tsoo-GOH noh yoh-ee JEE-kahn-tie oh teh-ee-AHN deh-KEE-mahss. We can suggest a flexible time window when someone can be home.
B

そうすれば、大家さんが修理を手配しやすくなるはずです。

SOH-oh soo-REH-bah, OH-oh-yah-sahn gah SHOO-ree oh teh-HAI shee-YAH-soo-koo nah-ROO HAH-zoo dehss. That should make it easier for the landlord to arrange the repair.

Word by Word

私 私 identifies the speaker as “I” in 私が昨日締めたのに. It can be used before が or は when talking about yourself, such as in a message about a repair.
が が marks 私 as the subject of 締めた, so 私が昨日締めた means “I tightened it yesterday.” Use it after the person or thing that performs an action when identifying the subject.
昨日 昨日 means “yesterday” and places 締めた in the previous day. It commonly comes before a verb, as in 昨日締めた when describing something done yesterday.
締めた 締めた means “tightened” here, describing the action done to the tap yesterday. It is the past form used for a completed action, and a new example is ボルトを締めた, “I tightened the bolt.”
のに のに shows that the result is unexpected despite 私が昨日締めた: the tap is leaking even though it was tightened. Use it after a clause when the following situation does not match what was expected.
浴室 浴室 means “bathroom” in 浴室の蛇口. It is a relatively specific word for a bathroom and can be placed before の to describe something located there.
の の links 浴室 to 蛇口, making 浴室の蛇口 mean “the bathroom tap.” Use it between a noun describing something and the noun being described.
蛇口 蛇口 means “tap” or “faucet,” the source of the leak in this dialogue. It can be followed by の or から, as in 蛇口から when describing water coming from the tap.
から から marks the source in 蛇口から水が漏れています, meaning that water is leaking from the tap. Use it after a place or object when describing where something comes from.
また また means “again,” showing that the leaking has happened another time. It commonly appears before the verb or phrase that is happening again, as in また水が漏れています.
水 水 means “water” in 水が漏れています. It is the thing that is leaking, so it is marked by が here; a new example is 水を飲みます, “I drink water.”
漏れています 漏れています means “is leaking” and describes the current condition of the water. It is useful for reporting an ongoing leak from something, such as 蛇口から水が漏れています.
何度 何度 means “how many times” or, with も, “many times” in 何度も起きている. Together with も, it emphasizes repeated occurrence rather than asking a question.
も も adds emphasis to the amount in 何度も, giving the sense “many times” or “repeatedly.” It can follow an amount expression when the amount is notably large or frequent.
起きている 起きている means “is happening” or “keeps happening” in 何度も起きている. The form describes the problem as an ongoing or repeated situation, and a new example is 同じことが起きている, “the same thing keeps happening.”
ので ので gives the reason for contacting the landlord: 何度も起きているので means “since it keeps happening.” It connects a reason clause to a relatively calm or explanatory conclusion.
大家さん 大家さん means “landlord,” addressed respectfully in the repair discussion. It can be followed by に when the landlord is the person being contacted, as in 大家さんに連絡する.
に に marks 大家さん as the person contacted in 大家さんに連絡したほうがよさそうです. With 連絡する, use に for the person or organization you contact.
連絡した 連絡した means “contacted” in the suggested action 連絡したほうがよさそうです. Here it appears before ほうがよさそうです, a pattern for saying that one course of action seems advisable.
ほう ほう refers to the option or course of action in 連絡したほうがよさそうです, meaning “it seems better to contact.” The pattern verb-past form plus ほうがよい or ほうがよさそう is used to recommend an option.
よさそう よさそう means “seems better” in 連絡したほうがよさそうです. It presents the recommendation as an impression rather than a forceful command, useful when discussing what to do next.
です です gives the sentence a polite ending in 連絡したほうがよさそうです. It is appropriate when calmly discussing a repair with someone such as a landlord.
写真 写真 means “photo,” the item that can be sent to show the repair problem. It can be marked by を before an action such as 写真を送る.
を を marks 写真 as the object of 送って in 写真を送って. Use it after the thing being sent, explained, or otherwise acted on.
送って 送って means “send and” in 写真を送って、一時的な修理ではうまくいかなかったと説明できます. This て-form links sending the photo with the next action, and it can connect successive actions in a message plan.
一時的 一時的 means “temporary” in 一時的な修理, describing a repair intended only for a short time or immediate purpose. It is followed by な before the noun 修理.
な な links 一時的 to 修理 in 一時的な修理, making the first word describe the noun that follows. Use な after this type of describing word before a noun.
修理 修理 means “repair” in both 一時的な修理 and the lesson situation. It can describe a repair itself or be used in patterns such as 修理を手配する, “arrange a repair.”
では では marks 一時的な修理 as the means or condition that was insufficient in 一時的な修理ではうまくいかなかった. Here it has the sense “with” or “by means of” and can highlight a limitation.
うまく うまく means “successfully” or “well” in うまくいかなかった. It commonly appears with いく in the expression うまくいく, meaning that something works out successfully.
いかなかった いかなかった means “did not work out” in 一時的な修理ではうまくいかなかった. Together with うまく, it reports that the temporary repair failed, and the pattern うまくいかなかった can describe an unsuccessful attempt.
と と marks the content of the explanation in うまくいかなかったと説明できます. Use it after a quoted statement or reported information before verbs such as 説明する.
説明 説明 means “explanation” or “explain” in 説明できます, referring to clearly telling the landlord what happened. It is commonly used with を when naming the explanation, or with と before the content being explained.
できます できます means “can do” in 説明できます, so the speaker can explain the failed repair. It is useful after a noun or action phrase when stating that someone is able to perform an action.
無駄 無駄 expresses waste in 水が無駄になっていて, where the leaking water is being wasted. It is used with になる when something ends up being wasted or pointless.
なっていて なっていて means “has become” or “is resulting in” and links the wasted-water situation to the next condition in 水が無駄になっていて、カウンターが濡れている. The て-form connects related conditions or results in one explanation.
カウンター カウンター means “counter,” the surface that is getting wet in the bathroom. It can be followed by が when describing its condition, as in カウンターが濡れている.
濡れている 濡れている means “is wet” in カウンターが濡れている. It describes the counter’s current condition and is useful when reporting visible damage or effects of a leak.
こと こと turns the preceding fact into the matter being conveyed in カウンターが濡れていることを伝えてください. This pattern lets you tell someone that a whole situation or fact is true.
伝えて 伝えて means “tell” or “convey” in ことを伝えてください. Its て-form combines with ください to make a polite request, especially when asking someone to pass on information.
ください ください makes 伝えてください a polite request meaning “please convey it.” Use it after the て-form of a verb when asking someone to do something.
私たち 私たち means “we” or “us” in 私たちがこの問題を起こしたわけではない. It identifies the speakers as the group connected with the statement, and it can be followed by が when marking the subject.
この この means “this” and directly modifies 問題 in この問題. Use it before a noun when referring to a particular problem that is present or already understood.
問題 問題 means “problem” in この問題を起こした. It is the object of 起こした here and can be used when identifying the issue that needs to be repaired or explained.
起こした 起こした means “caused” in この問題を起こした. It describes bringing about the problem, and a new example is 事故を起こした, “caused an accident.”
わけ わけ is part of この問題を起こしたわけではない, which means “it is not that we caused this problem.” The pattern verb-past form plus わけではない is used to deny that a statement or interpretation is the case.
ない ない supplies the negation in 起こしたわけではない, denying that the speakers caused the problem. It follows では in this construction and should be understood together with わけではない rather than as an isolated translation.
伝えます 伝えます means “will tell” or “shall convey” in 伝えますか, referring to passing the responsibility-related point to the landlord. Its polite form is useful when proposing or asking about what information to include.
か か marks 伝えますか as a question: “Shall we convey it?” It is placed at the end of a polite question when asking about a proposed action.
その その means “that” and points to the previously mentioned point in その点. It comes directly before a noun and refers back to information already under discussion.
点 点 means “point” or “aspect” in その点, referring to the fact that the residents did not cause the problem. The expression その点 can be used to refer back to one specific matter in a discussion.
は は marks その点 as the topic in その点ははっきり書きましょう. It sets the particular aspect being discussed before giving advice about it.
はっきり はっきり means “clearly” in はっきり書きましょう. It modifies the way the point should be written, and it is useful when asking for information to be stated without ambiguity.
書きましょう 書きましょう means “let us write” in その点ははっきり書きましょう. This polite volitional form proposes a shared action, useful when planning the wording of a message.
ただし ただし introduces a limitation or qualification in ただし、落ち着いた口調にしましょう: the point should be clear, but the tone should remain calm. It is useful when adding an important condition to advice.
落ち着いた 落ち着いた means “calm” or “composed” in 落ち着いた口調. It describes the desired manner of speaking or writing, especially when discussing a problem without sounding emotional.
口調 口調 means “tone” or “manner of speaking” in 落ち着いた口調. It can be combined with an adjective such as 落ち着いた to describe how words should sound to the listener.
しましょう しましょう means “let us do” or “let us keep” in 口調にしましょう, proposing that the message have that tone. It is the polite volitional form used to suggest a shared choice or action.
メッセージ メッセージ means “message,” the written communication being prepared for the landlord. It can be followed by は when setting the message as the topic, as in メッセージは丁寧で具体的にして.
丁寧 丁寧 means “polite” in 丁寧で具体的にして, describing the desired style of the message. It is linked with 具体的 by で so that both qualities apply to the message.
で で links 丁寧 and 具体的 in 丁寧で具体的にして, meaning that the message should be both polite and specific. With describing words of this type, it can connect qualities before the next instruction.
具体的 具体的 means “specific” or “concrete” in 丁寧で具体的にして. It asks for clear details about the leak and repair rather than a vague message.
して して means “make it” or “keep it” in 丁寧で具体的にして, telling the speakers to make the message polite and specific. It is the て-form of する and links the instruction to the following purpose.
混乱 混乱 means “confusion” in 混乱がないようにしましょう. It names the undesirable result that the speakers want to avoid through a clear message.
よう よう is part of 混乱がないようにしましょう, meaning “so that there is no confusion.” The pattern noun or clause plus ように is used to express a desired result or purpose.
平日 平日 means “weekday” in 平日の朝. It identifies the days being discussed and is followed by の to modify 朝.
朝 朝 means “morning” in 平日の朝. Together with 平日の, it identifies weekday mornings as the time that is difficult for the speakers.
難しい 難しい means “difficult” in 私たちは平日の朝が難しい. Here it means that weekday mornings are not convenient for the speakers, and it can describe a time, task, or situation that is hard to manage.
水道業者 水道業者 means “plumber” or a water-service contractor, the person who may visit to repair the tap. It is the subject of 来られる in 水道業者がいつ来られるか.
いつ いつ means “when” in 水道業者がいつ来られるか. It introduces the time being asked about and can appear inside a question clause before か.
来られる 来られる means “can come” in 水道業者がいつ来られるか. It expresses the plumber’s possible availability, and the pattern いつ来られるか聞く means “ask when someone can come.”
聞いて 聞いて means “ask” or “inquire” in いつ来られるか聞いてください. With ください, it makes a polite request to obtain information from someone.
誰か 誰か means “someone” in 誰かが家にいられる, referring to an unspecified person who can be at home. It can be followed by が when that person is the subject of the clause.
家 家 means “home” or “house” in 家にいられる. The particle に marks it as the place where someone can be present.
いられる いられる means “can be” or “can stay” in 誰かが家にいられる. It expresses that someone is able to remain at home during the proposed time window, which is useful when arranging a visit.
都合 都合 means “convenience” or “availability” in 都合のよい時間帯. It refers to whether the time works for the people involved, especially when arranging an appointment.
よい よい means “good” or “suitable” in 都合のよい時間帯, describing a time that is convenient. It comes before the noun it modifies and can be used for a suitable option or arrangement.
時間帯 時間帯 means “time window” or “time slot” in 都合のよい時間帯. It is useful when suggesting a period rather than one exact appointment time.
提案 提案 means “suggestion” or “proposal” in 提案できます, referring to offering a suitable time window. It is commonly used with する or できる when discussing an arrangement.
そう そう means “that way” or “so” in そうすれば, referring to suggesting a time when someone can be home. It points back to the action just mentioned and introduces its expected result.
すれば すれば means “if we do so” in そうすれば. It forms a conditional expression, and そうすれば、大家さんが修理を手配しやすくなる means “if we do that, it will become easier for the landlord to arrange the repair.”
手配 手配 means “arrangement” in 修理を手配する, especially arranging the plumber’s visit and repair. It is commonly used with を when naming what is being arranged.
しやすく しやすく means “easy to do” in 手配しやすくなる, so arranging the repair becomes easier. It attaches to a verb stem and, with なる, describes a change toward greater ease.
なる なる means “become” in 手配しやすくなる, describing the result that arranging the repair will become easier. It commonly follows an adjective or an expression such as しやすく to show a change of state.
はず はず expresses an expectation in 手配しやすくなるはずです: it should become easier for the landlord to arrange the repair. The pattern clause plus はずです is useful when the speaker has a reasonable basis for expecting a result.

Grammar Points

〜たほうがよさそうです

大家さんに連絡したほうがよさそうです。

OH-oh-yah-sahn nee reh-NRAH-koo shee-tah hoh gah yoh-sah-SOH dehss.

It seems we should contact the landlord.

This pattern gives a gentle recommendation based on the speaker's judgment or situation.

〜か聞いてください

水道業者が平日に来られるか聞いてください。

SOO-ee-DOH GYOH-shah gah HAY-jeet-soo nee koh-rah-REH-roo kah KEE-teh koo-dah-SAI.

Please ask whether the plumber can come on a weekday.

か turns a yes/no question into an embedded question after verbs such as 聞く.

Japanese Vocabulary

一時的な adj
ee-chee-JEE-teh-kee nah temporary
何度も adv
NAHN-doh moh many times; repeatedly
起きている verb
oh-KEE-teh ee-ROO keeps happening; is occurring
写真 noun
shah-SHEEN photo
蛇口 noun
jah-GOO-chee tap; faucet
修理 noun
SHOO-ree repair
送って verb
oh-KOOT-teh send and; sending
大家さん noun
OH-oh-yah-sahn landlord
締めた verb
shee-MEH-tah tightened
浴室 noun
yoh-koo-SHEET-soo bathroom
連絡したほうがよさそうです phrase
reh-NRAH-koo shee-tah hoh gah yoh-sah-SOH dehss it seems we should contact
漏れています verb
moh-REH-teh ee-MAHSS is leaking

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

keeps happening; is occurring

Show Answer起きている

landlord

Show Answer大家さん

is leaking

Show Answer漏れています

temporary

Show Answer一時的な