Adapting a Recipe When an Ingredient Is Missing | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: At home, two adults adapt a recipe by substituting herbs and changing how they finish a sauce..

EN → JA / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Adapting a Recipe When an Ingredient Is Missing to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

このレシピには生のバジルが必要ですが、乾燥ハーブしかありません。

koh-noh reh-SHEE-pee nee wah nah-mah noh bah-JEE-roo gah hee-TSOO-yoh dess gah, kahn-SOH HAH-boo SHEE-kah ah-ree-mah-SEN. The recipe needs fresh basil, but we only have dried herbs.
B

それでも作れます。味が少し違うだけです。

soh-reh deh-MOH tsoo-koo-REH-mahss. ah-JEE gah shee-KOH-shee chee-GAH-oo dah-keh dess. We can still make it; the flavor will just be a little different.
A

ソースの中で柔らかくなるように、乾燥ハーブを早めに加えたほうがよいですか。

SOHSS noh nah-kah deh yah-wah-rah-koo nah-ROO YOH-oo nee, kahn-SOH HAH-boo oh hah-YAH-meh nee koo-WAH-eh-tah hoh-GAH YOH-ee dess kah. Should we add the dried herbs earlier so they soften in the sauce?
B

早めに加えて、量を減らしましょう。乾燥ハーブは味が強く出ることがあるからです。

hah-YAH-meh nee koo-WAH-eh-teh, RYOH oh heh-rah-shee-mah-SHOH. kahn-SOH HAH-boo wah ah-JEE gah tsoo-YOH-koo DEH-roo koh-toh gah ah-roo kah-rah dess. Add them earlier and use less, because dried herbs can taste stronger.
A

このレシピには、なめらかな食感にするためにクリームを使うとも書いてあります。

koh-noh reh-SHEE-pee nee wah, nah-meh-RAH-kah-nah shoh-KAHN nee soo-roo tah-meh nee KREE-moo oh tsoo-KAH-oo toh-moh KAH-ee-teh ah-ree-mahss. The recipe also says to use cream for a smooth texture.
B

代わりにヨーグルトを使うなら、火を弱めたほうがよいです。

kah-wah-REE nee YOH-goo-roo-toh oh tsoo-KAH-oo nah-rah, hee oh yoh-wah-MEH-tah hoh-GAH YOH-ee dess. If we use yogurt instead, we should lower the heat.
A

そうしないと、ソースが分離して変に見えるかもしれません。

SOH-oo shee-NAI-toh, SOHSS gah boon-REE shee-teh HEN nee mee-EH-roo kah-moh shee-reh-mah-SEN. Otherwise the sauce might separate and look strange.
B

仕上げにゆっくり混ぜ入れると、うまくいくはずです。

shee-AH-gay nee YOO-kkoo-ree mah-ZEH ee-REH-roo toh, oo-MAH-koo ee-KOO hah-zoo dess. Stirring it in slowly near the end should help.
A

うまくできたら、代用した材料を書き留めます。

oo-MAH-koo deh-kee-TAH-rah, dah-YOH-oo shee-tah ZAI-RYOH oh kah-kee-toh-MEH-mahss. If the result turns out well, I will write down the substitution.
B

そうすれば、次回は推測する必要がなくなります。

SOH-oo soo-SHEH-bah, tsoo-GHEE-KAI wah soo-SOH-koo soo-roo hee-TSOO-yoh gah nah-koo nah-ree-mahss. Then next time we will not need to guess.

Word by Word

この Here, 「この」 means “this” and points to the specific recipe being discussed. It is used directly before a noun, as in 「このレシピ」, when identifying something near the speaker or already clear from the situation.
レシピ Here, 「レシピ」 means “recipe,” the written instructions for the dish. It is used as the noun in 「このレシピには」 to identify the instructions being consulted while cooking.
に Here, 「に」 marks the recipe as the context in which the needed ingredient is specified, in 「このレシピには」. This use presents information associated with a recipe, document, or other reference.
は Here, 「は」 presents the recipe as the topic or context in 「このレシピには」. The combined phrase means that, as far as this recipe is concerned, fresh basil is required.
生 Here, 「生」 means “fresh” in 「生のバジル」, distinguishing fresh basil from the dried herbs they have. It is placed before the ingredient noun to describe its state or type.
の Here, 「の」 links 「生」 to 「バジル」 in 「生のバジル」, making the first element describe the second. This linking pattern is common when one noun or description specifies another noun.
バジル Here, 「バジル」 means “basil,” the herb required by the recipe. It appears as the ingredient identified as necessary in 「生のバジルが必要」.
が Here, 「が」 marks 「生のバジル」 as the thing that is necessary in 「生のバジルが必要ですが」. It commonly marks the subject or required item before a state or description such as 必要.
必要 Here, 「必要」 means “necessary” or “needed,” describing the recipe’s requirement for fresh basil. It is used with 「が必要」 to say that a particular item is needed.
です Here, 「です」 gives the statement 「生のバジルが必要ですが」 a polite tone before the contrasting information. It is also commonly followed by 「が」 when politely introducing a contrast or qualification.
乾燥 Here, 「乾燥」 means “dried” or “dehydrated” in 「乾燥ハーブ」. It comes before a food noun to identify an ingredient that has been dried.
ハーブ Here, 「ハーブ」 means “herbs,” the dried ingredients that are available. It is the noun modified by 「乾燥」 and is also the item referred to later when discussing quantity and timing.
しか Here, 「しか」 means “only” in 「乾燥ハーブしかありません」. It must be used with a negative expression such as ありません to say that nothing more than the stated item is available.
ありません Here, 「ありません」 means that the required fresh basil is not available or that the speakers do not have it. Together with 「しか」, 「乾燥ハーブしかありません」 says that dried herbs are the only herbs they have.
それでも Here, 「それでも」 means “even so” or “still,” acknowledging the missing basil while maintaining that the dish can be made. It is useful when responding to a problem with a continuing possibility or plan.
作れます Here, 「作れます」 means “can make it” and is the polite potential form of 作る. It is used when saying that the dish remains possible despite the ingredient substitution, and similar ability statements can place the object before を.
味 Here, 「味」 means the dish’s “flavor” or “taste.” It is the subject of 「味が少し違う」 and can be used when describing how a food or drink tastes.
少し Here, 「少し」 means “a little,” limiting the degree of difference in 「味が少し違う」. It is commonly placed before a description to make the change or amount smaller.
違う Here, 「違う」 means “be different,” referring to the flavor being unlike the expected flavor. In 「味が少し違うだけです」, it is the plain-form description followed by だけです.
だけ Here, 「だけ」 means “only” or “just,” limiting the statement to the small flavor difference in 「味が少し違うだけです」. It is useful for saying that a situation is restricted to one result or point.
ソース Here, 「ソース」 means “sauce,” the mixture in which the dried herbs should soften. It is used as the noun modified by location and process expressions such as 「ソースの中で」.
中 Here, 「中」 means “inside” or “within” in 「ソースの中で」. It identifies the interior of the sauce as the place where the herbs become soft.
で Here, 「で」 marks the place where the herbs soften in 「ソースの中で柔らかくなる」. This is a location use, identifying where an action or change takes place.
柔らかく Here, 「柔らかく」 means “soft” in the change described by 「柔らかくなる」. It is the connecting form of 柔らかい placed before なる to describe becoming soft.
なる Here, 「なる」 means “become,” completing 「柔らかくなる」 to express a change into a soft state. It commonly follows an adjective’s connecting form when describing a change.
よう Here, 「よう」 is part of 「柔らかくなるように」, meaning “so that the herbs become soft.” In this purpose expression, it introduces the intended result of adding the herbs earlier.
を Here, 「を」 marks 「乾燥ハーブ」 as the object of adding in 「乾燥ハーブを早めに加えたほうがよいですか」. It normally follows the thing directly affected by an action verb.
早め Here, 「早め」 means “earlier than usual” in 「早めに加える」. With に, it gives the timing or manner for an action and is useful when recommending an earlier point in a process.
加えた Here, 「加えた」 means “added” and is the past form of 加える. In 「加えたほうがよいですか」, this form is used in a construction asking whether adding something would be advisable.
ほう Here, 「ほう」 means the recommended “option” or “course” in 「加えたほうがよいですか」. The pattern Xたほうがよい presents X as the better choice or advice.
よい Here, 「よい」 means “good” or “advisable” in the advice pattern 「加えたほうがよい」. It evaluates one course of action as preferable and can be followed by です for politeness.
か Here, 「か」 marks 「加えたほうがよいですか」 as a question asking for advice. It commonly appears at the end of a polite yes-or-no or advice-seeking sentence.
加えて Here, 「加えて」 means “add” and connects the first cooking action to the next one in 「早めに加えて、量を減らしましょう」. It is the connecting form of 加える and allows actions to be linked in sequence.
量 Here, 「量」 means the “amount” of dried herbs in 「量を減らしましょう」. It is used with を and 減らす when recommending that the quantity of an ingredient be made smaller.
減らしましょう Here, 「減らしましょう」 means “let’s reduce” and is the polite volitional form of 減らす. It proposes reducing the amount together with the other person, especially in a practical instruction.
強く Here, 「強く」 means “strongly” in 「味が強く出る」, describing the flavor as coming through with greater intensity. It is the connecting form of 強い used before the verb 出る.
出る Here, 「出る」 means that the flavor “comes through” or becomes pronounced in 「味が強く出る」. This usage describes a quality becoming noticeable, especially when discussing taste or smell.
こと Here, 「こと」 turns 「味が強く出る」 into an occurrence or possibility in 「味が強く出ることがある」. This pattern is used to say that something sometimes happens.
ある Here, 「ある」 completes 「ことがある」 to mean that the described event can sometimes occur. In this dialogue, dried herbs can sometimes produce a stronger flavor.
から Here, 「から」 means “because” and gives the reason for using less dried herb in 「乾燥ハーブは味が強く出ることがあるからです」. It commonly follows the reason before a polite explanation ending in です.
なめらか Here, 「なめらか」 means “smooth,” describing the desired eating texture. It appears before 「な」 in 「なめらかな食感」 to modify the noun 食感.
な Here, 「な」 links 「なめらか」 to 「食感」 in 「なめらかな食感」. This is the form used after this type of adjective when it directly modifies a noun.
食感 Here, 「食感」 means the texture experienced when eating, especially whether food feels smooth or rough. It is the result being described in 「なめらかな食感」.
する Here, 「する」 means “make” or “bring about” in 「なめらかな食感にする」, meaning to make the texture smooth. The pattern Xにする describes making something become or take on a specified state.
ため Here, 「ため」 expresses purpose in 「なめらかな食感にするために」, meaning “in order to make the texture smooth.” It commonly appears with に after the intended goal.
クリーム Here, 「クリーム」 means “cream,” the ingredient the recipe says to use for a smooth texture. It is the object before を in 「クリームを使う」.
使う Here, 「使う」 means “use,” referring to using cream as an ingredient in 「クリームを使う」. It commonly takes the item used as its object with を.
と Here, 「と」 marks 「クリームを使う」 as the content that is written in 「使うとも書いてあります」. This is a quotation or content marker, not a conditional marker, because it introduces what the recipe says.
も Here, 「も」 means “also” in 「使うとも書いてあります」, adding the cream instruction to the other instructions already mentioned. It highlights that this is an additional point in the recipe.
書いて Here, 「書いて」 means “written” as part of 「書いてあります」, describing information recorded in the recipe. It is the connecting form of 書く used with あります to show that the written instruction exists in its resulting state.
あります Here, 「あります」 indicates that the instruction is present in written form in the recipe, in 「書いてあります」. With 書いて, it describes something that has been written and remains recorded.
代わり Here, 「代わり」 means “instead” or “as a replacement” in 「代わりにヨーグルトを使う」. The pattern identifies one ingredient or option being used in place of another.
ヨーグルト Here, 「ヨーグルト」 means “yogurt,” the proposed replacement for cream. It is the object of use in 「ヨーグルトを使う」.
なら Here, 「なら」 sets the condition “if we use yogurt instead” in 「代わりにヨーグルトを使うなら」. It introduces advice or a consequence based on the situation just described.
火 Here, 「火」 means the cooking “heat” or flame in 「火を弱めたほうがよいです」. It is the thing whose intensity should be lowered during cooking.
弱めた Here, 「弱めた」 means “lowered” or “weakened” and is the past form of 弱める. In 「火を弱めたほうがよい」, it appears in the advice pattern to recommend lowering the heat.
そう Here, 「そう」 means “that way” and refers back to lowering the heat in 「そうしないと」. It lets the speaker refer to the previously mentioned action without repeating it.
しない Here, 「しない」 means “not do” in 「そうしないと」, creating the condition “if we do not do that.” It is the negative form of する used before と to introduce a likely consequence.
分離 Here, 「分離」 means “separation,” referring to the sauce splitting into separate parts. In 「分離して」, it describes the unwanted result that may occur if the heat is not lowered.
して Here, 「して」 connects the sauce separating with how it may look in 「分離して変に見える」. It is the connecting form of する within 分離する and links the two results.
変 Here, 「変」 means “strange” in 「変に見える」, describing the sauce’s unusual appearance. With に, it modifies 見える to express looking strange.
見える Here, 「見える」 means “look” or “appear” in 「変に見える」. It describes how something appears to the observer rather than an intentional act of looking.
かもしれません Here, 「かもしれません」 means “may” or “might,” expressing a polite possibility that the sauce will separate and look strange. In this fixed expression, かも introduces possibility, しれ connects the possibility phrase, ませ adds the polite form, and ん completes its negative-looking ending; together they function as one possibility expression.
仕上げ Here, 「仕上げ」 means the finishing stage of cooking in 「仕上げに」. It identifies the point near completion when the ingredient should be mixed in.
ゆっくり Here, 「ゆっくり」 means “slowly,” describing the careful manner of stirring in 「ゆっくり混ぜ入れる」. It is commonly used before an action verb to specify a slow or unhurried manner.
混ぜ入れる Here, 「混ぜ入れる」 means “stir into” or “mix into,” describing adding an ingredient gradually to the sauce. It is a compound verb that keeps both the mixing action and the inward addition together.
うまく Here, 「うまく」 means “well” or “successfully” in 「うまくいく」. It describes a process or result that proceeds successfully and can be used before verbs expressing how something goes.
いく Here, 「いく」 means “go” in the fixed expression 「うまくいく」, which means “go well” rather than physically move somewhere. This expression is useful for evaluating whether a plan, process, or attempt succeeds.
はず Here, 「はず」 expresses the expectation that the method should work in 「うまくいくはずです」. It is used when the speaker reaches a reasonable expectation from the advice or circumstances.
できたら Here, 「できたら」 means “if it turns out well” in 「うまくできたら」. It is the たら conditional form of できる and sets a condition for the later action of writing down the substitution.
代用 Here, 「代用」 means “substitution,” referring to replacing a recipe ingredient with another one. In 「代用した材料」, it identifies the ingredient that was used as a replacement.
した Here, 「した」 means “did” or “used as” and is the past form of する in 「代用した材料」. It modifies 材料 to specify the ingredient that was used for the substitution.
材料 Here, 「材料」 means “ingredient” in this cooking context. It is the noun modified by 「代用した」 and refers to the replacement ingredient being recorded.
書き留めます Here, 「書き留めます」 means “write down” and is the polite nonpast form of 書き留める. It describes recording the successful substitution so it can be remembered and reused later.
すれば Here, 「すれば」 means “if we do” in 「そうすれば」, referring to writing down the substitution. It is the conditional form of する and introduces the result that will follow from that action.
次回 Here, 「次回」 means “next time,” referring to the next occasion when they make the recipe. It is a practical time expression used when discussing a future repetition of an activity.
推測 Here, 「推測」 means “guess” or “estimate” in 「推測する」. It refers to deciding what substitution or method might work without relying on a recorded instruction.
なくなります Here, 「なくなります」 means “becomes no longer necessary” in 「推測する必要がなくなります」. It is the polite form of なくなる and describes the need disappearing after the information has been written down.

Grammar Points

Vたほうがよい

火を弱めたほうがよいです。

hee oh yoh-wah-MEH-tah hoh-GAH YOH-ee dess.

You should lower the heat.

Use Vたほうがよい to give advice. Although it contains past-form た, it means “should do.”

そうしないと、〜

そうしないと、クリームが分離して変になります。

SOH-oo shee-NAI-toh, KREE-moo gah boon-REE shee-teh HEN nee nah-ree-mahss.

Otherwise, the cream will separate and become strange.

そうしないと introduces a negative result that may happen if the previous advice is not followed.

Japanese Vocabulary

しかありません phrase
SHEE-kah ah-ree-mah-SEN have only; there is only
それでも adv
soh-reh deh-MOH still; even so
バジル noun
bah-JEE-roo basil
レシピ noun
reh-SHEE-pee recipe
違う verb
chee-GAH-oo be different; differ
加えて verb
koo-WAH-eh-teh add
乾燥ハーブ phrase
kahn-SOH HAH-boo dried herbs
作れます verb
tsoo-koo-REH-mahss can make
生の noun
nah-mah noh fresh
早めに adv
hah-YAH-meh nee earlier; in advance
必要 noun
hee-TSOO-yoh necessary; needed
味 noun
ah-JEE flavor; taste

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

can make

Show Answer作れます

still; even so

Show Answerそれでも

have only; there is only

Show Answerしかありません

dried herbs

Show Answer乾燥ハーブ