About This Lesson
Use Coordinating Dinner Timing to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
メイン料理をまだ作っている間に、お客さんが来るかもしれません。
mayn ree-OH-ree oh MAH-dah tsoo-KOT-teh ee-roo ah-ee-DAH-nee, oh-KYAHK-sahn gah KOO-roo kah-moh-shee-reh-mah-SEN. The guests may arrive while the main course is still cooking.
B
それなら、皆さんが落ち着けるように、簡単な前菜を出しましょう。
soh-reh-NAH-rah, mee-NAH-sahn gah oh-chi-TSOO-keh-roo YOH-oo-nee, kahn-TAHN-nah ZEN-sigh oh dah-shee-mah-SHOH. Then serve a simple starter so people can settle in.
A
皆さんが来る前に、サラダとパンを用意できます。
mee-NAH-sahn gah KOO-roo MAH-eh-nee, sah-rah-DAH toh PAHN oh yoh-EE deh-kee-MAHSS. I can have salad and bread ready before they get here.
B
そうすれば、夕食が遅れているように見せずに、メイン料理に少し余裕を持たせられます。
soh-oo-SOO-reh-bah, yoo-SHOH-koo gah oh-koo-REH-teh ee-roo YOH-oo-nee mee-seh-zoo-nee, mayn ree-OH-ree nee soo-KOH-shee yoh-YOO oh moh-tah-seh-rah-reh-MAHSS. That gives the main course a little extra time without making dinner seem delayed.
A
皆さんが到着してから、野菜を調理しましょうか。
mee-NAH-sahn gah toh-CHOO-koo shee-teh kah-RAH, yah-SIGH oh CHOH-ree shee-mah-SHOH-kah. Should I cook the vegetables once everyone has arrived?
B
野菜は出来たてのほうがおいしいので、出す時間が近くなるまで待ってください。
yah-SIGH wah deh-kee-tah-TEH noh HOH-oh gah oh-ee-SHEE noh-DEH-noh, dah-soo JEE-kahn gah CHEE-kah-koo nah-roo MAH-deh maht-teh koo-dah-SIGH. They taste better freshly cooked, so wait until you are close to serving.
A
料理をするより、すべてのタイミングを合わせるほうが難しいので、もてなすのは大変に感じます。
ryoh-ree oh soo-roo yoh-ree, soo-BEH-teh noh tie-MEEN-goo oh ah-WAH-seh-roo HOH-oh gah moo-ZAH-kah-shee noh-DEH-noh, moh-teh-NAH-soo noh wah tie-HEN nee kahn-JEE-mahSS. Hosting feels stressful because timing everything is harder than cooking.
B
飲み物、前菜、それからメイン料理という簡単な配膳計画を作りましょう。
noh-mee-MOH-noh, ZEN-sigh, soh-reh-kah-RAH mayn ree-OH-ree toh ee-OO kahn-TAHN-nah HIGH-zen KAY-kah-koo oh tsoo-kee-ree-mah-SHOH. Make a simple serving plan: drinks, starter, then the main course.
A
そのチェックリストをコンロの近くに置いておけます。
soh-noh CHEK-koo-ree-soo-toh oh KOHN-roh noh CHEE-kah-koo nee oh-EE-teh oh-KEH-mahSS. I can keep that checklist near the stove.
B
皆さんが到着している間も、集中するのに役立つはずです。
mee-NAH-sahn gah toh-CHOO-koo shee-teh ee-roo ah-ee-DAHM-moh, shoo-CHOO-soo-roo noh-nee yah-koo-DAH-tsoo hah-zoo deh-SOO. It should help you stay focused while people arrive.Word by Word
メイン料理
「メイン料理」 means the main course in this dinner plan. It is the dish being cooked while the guests may arrive, as in 「メイン料理を作っている」. A useful pattern is 「メイン料理を」 followed by an action.
を
「を」 marks 「メイン料理」 as the object of the cooking action in 「メイン料理を作っている」. Use it after the thing that someone makes, cooks, serves, or prepares.
まだ
「まだ」 means still here: the main course is not finished cooking when the guests may arrive. In 「まだ作っている」, it emphasizes that the action continues at that time. A common pattern is 「まだ」 followed by an ongoing action.
作って
「作って」 describes making or cooking the main course in 「メイン料理をまだ作っている」. Its form connects to 「いる」 to describe an action in progress. A useful pattern is 「料理を作っている」.
いる
After 「作って」, 「いる」 marks the cooking as an ongoing state in 「作っている」. This form is useful when an action is continuing at a particular time, such as when guests arrive.
間
「間」 means the period or time during which something is happening in 「作っている間に」. It sets the cooking period as the time when the guests may arrive. A useful pattern is an ongoing action followed by 「間に」.
に
In 「作っている間に」, 「に」 marks the time relation for the arrival. It shows that the guests may arrive during that period. A time phrase followed by 「に」 can identify when an event happens.
お客さん
「お客さん」 means the guests in this home-dinner situation. It is the group that may arrive while the main course is cooking. This word is useful when referring respectfully to visitors or customers.
が
「が」 marks 「お客さん」 as the subject of 「来る」 in 「お客さんが来る」. Use it to identify who or what performs the action or comes into the situation.
来る
「来る」 means come or arrive here, referring to the guests arriving. It appears in 「お客さんが来るかもしれません」 and 「来る前に」. A useful pattern is a person or group followed by 「が来る」.
かもしれません
「かもしれません」 means may or might in 「お客さんが来るかもしれません」, so the arrival is possible but uncertain. In this expression, 「かも」 introduces the possibility and 「しれません」 completes the polite expression. Use a clause followed by 「かもしれません」 when giving a cautious prediction.
それ
「それ」 refers to the situation just mentioned: the guests may arrive before the main course is ready. In 「それなら」, it points back to that information before giving a response. Use it to refer to a previously mentioned matter or situation.
なら
「なら」 means if that is the case in 「それなら」. It makes the following suggestion depend on the situation that was just stated. A useful response pattern is 「それなら」 followed by a plan or recommendation.
皆さん
「皆さん」 means everyone here, specifically all the guests. It is used respectfully in 「皆さんが落ち着ける」 and 「皆さんが来る前に」. Use it when addressing or referring politely to a whole group.
落ち着ける
「落ち着ける」 means can settle in or relax in 「皆さんが落ち着けるように」. It describes the state the guests should be able to reach after receiving a starter. A useful pattern is a person or group followed by 「が落ち着ける」.
ように
「ように」 means so that in 「皆さんが落ち着けるように」. It introduces the purpose of serving the simple starter. A useful pattern is a desired result followed by 「ように」 and an action.
簡単な
「簡単な」 means simple or uncomplicated and directly describes 「前菜」 in 「簡単な前菜」. It presents the starter as easy rather than elaborate. Use 「簡単な」 before a noun when describing something simple.
前菜
「前菜」 means a starter or appetizer served before the main course. In this dialogue, it is the simple food served while guests settle in. A useful pattern is 「前菜を出す」.
出しましょう
「出しましょう」 means let us serve or put out in 「前菜を出しましょう」. It presents serving the starter as a polite suggestion or shared plan. A useful pattern is an item followed by 「を出しましょう」.
前
「前」 means before in 「来る前に」. It places the preparation of the salad and bread before the guests arrive. A useful pattern is a verb followed by 「前に」 for an earlier action.
サラダ
「サラダ」 means salad, one of the foods prepared before the guests arrive. It is part of the coordinated object in 「サラダとパンを用意できます」. A useful pattern is 「サラダとパンを用意する」.
と
In 「サラダとパン」, 「と」 joins two items with the meaning and. It shows that both the salad and the bread will be prepared. Use 「AとB」 to connect items in a list.
パン
「パン」 means bread, the second food prepared before the guests arrive. It is joined with 「サラダ」 by 「と」 in 「サラダとパン」. A useful pattern is several foods joined by 「と」 before 「を用意する」.
用意
「用意」 means preparation or getting something ready in 「サラダとパンを用意できます」. Here it refers to preparing the food in advance for the guests. A useful pattern is an item followed by 「を用意する」.
できます
「できます」 means can prepare or can get ready here, as part of 「用意できます」. It tells the listener that the speaker is able to prepare the salad and bread before arrival. A useful pattern is an object followed by 「を用意できます」.
そう
「そう」 means that way or so in 「そうすれば」. It refers to the proposed preparation of salad and bread and connects it with the expected benefit. A useful pattern is 「そうすれば」 followed by a result.
すれば
「すれば」 means if one does or by doing in 「そうすれば」. It turns the plan just mentioned into a condition for giving the main course more time. Use 「そうすれば」 when explaining what will happen if a plan is followed.
夕食
「夕食」 means dinner in 「夕食が遅れているように」. It refers to the meal as a whole, which should not appear to be running late. A useful pattern is 「夕食が遅れる」 when discussing dinner timing.
遅れて
「遅れて」 means being delayed or running late in 「夕食が遅れている」. It describes the dinner as seeming behind the expected schedule. A useful pattern is a meal or event followed by 「が遅れている」.
見せずに
「見せずに」 means without showing or making something appear in 「夕食が遅れているように見せずに」. It describes giving the main course extra time without making dinner look delayed. A useful pattern is an action followed by 「ずに」 and another action.
少し
「少し」 means a little in 「少し余裕」. It limits the amount of extra time being given to the main course. Use 「少し」 before a noun or description when referring to a small amount.
余裕
「余裕」 means extra time or leeway in the schedule. In 「メイン料理に少し余裕を持たせられます」, it is the additional margin that helps the cooking continue. A useful pattern is 「時間に余裕がある」.
持たせられます
「持たせられます」 means can allow or give something room in 「メイン料理に少し余裕を持たせられます」. It describes making it possible for the main course to have more time without making dinner seem delayed. A useful pattern is 「Xに余裕を持たせる」.
到着して
「到着して」 means arriving and connects to 「から」 in 「到着してから」. It identifies the guests’ arrival as the point after which the vegetables may be cooked. A useful pattern is a person or group followed by 「が到着してから」.
から
In 「到着してから」, 「から」 means after, marking the starting point following the guests’ arrival. It tells the speaker when to begin cooking the vegetables. A useful pattern is an event followed by 「から」 before the next action.
野菜
「野菜」 means vegetables, the food being cooked after everyone arrives. They are the object in 「野菜を調理しましょうか」. A useful pattern is 「野菜を調理する」.
調理しましょう
「調理しましょう」 means let us cook or prepare in 「野菜を調理しましょうか」. With the following 「か」, it becomes a polite question about whether this is the right plan. A useful pattern is a food item followed by 「を調理しましょう」.
か
Sentence-final 「か」 marks the question in 「調理しましょうか」. It turns the suggestion about cooking the vegetables into a request for confirmation. A useful pattern is a polite proposal followed by 「か」.
は
「は」 marks 「野菜」 as the topic in 「野菜は出来たてのほうがおいしい」. It tells the listener that the following comment is about the vegetables. Use a noun followed by 「は」 to introduce what the next statement concerns.
出来たて
「出来たて」 means freshly made or freshly cooked. In 「出来たてのほうがおいしい」, it describes the freshly cooked option as tasting better. A useful pattern is 「出来たての」 followed by something that is fresh from preparation.
の
In 「出来たてのほう」, 「の」 links 「出来たて」 to 「ほう」. Together they refer to the freshly cooked option being compared. A useful pattern is 「Aのほうが」 when comparing one option with another.
ほう
「ほう」 means the side or option in a comparison. In 「出来たてのほうがおいしい」, it identifies the freshly cooked option as the tastier one. A useful pattern is 「Aのほうが」 followed by an evaluation.
おいしい
「おいしい」 means tasty or delicious in 「出来たてのほうがおいしい」. It gives the reason for waiting to cook the vegetables close to serving. A useful pattern is a food item followed by 「はおいしい」.
ので
「ので」 means because or since in 「出来たてのほうがおいしいので」. It introduces the reason for waiting until the serving time is near. A useful pattern is a reason followed by 「ので」 and a request or result.
出す
「出す」 means serve or put out in 「出す時間」. Here it refers to the time when the vegetables should be served. A useful pattern is a food item followed by 「を出す」.
時間
「時間」 means time in 「出す時間」. It refers specifically to the time for serving the vegetables. A useful pattern is an action phrase followed by 「時間」 when identifying the time for that action.
近く
「近く」 means near or close in time in 「時間が近くなる」. It describes the serving time approaching, not a physical location. A useful pattern is 「時間が近くなる」 when an appointed time is approaching.
なる
「なる」 means become or get to be in 「近くなる」. It describes the serving time becoming close. A useful pattern is a description followed by 「なる」 when something changes into that state.
まで
「まで」 means until in 「近くなるまで待ってください」. It marks the point up to which the speaker should wait. A useful pattern is an event or condition followed by 「まで待つ」.
待って
「待って」 means wait in 「待ってください」. Its form connects to 「ください」 to make a polite request to wait. A useful pattern is a time limit followed by 「まで待ってください」.
ください
「ください」 makes 「待ってください」 a polite request meaning please wait. It asks the listener to delay cooking until the serving time is close. A useful pattern is a verb in the て-form followed by 「ください」.
料理
「料理」 means cooking or preparing food in 「料理をする」. Here it is the activity being compared with coordinating all the timing. A useful pattern is 「料理をする」 when talking about cooking as an activity.
する
「する」 means do in the activity expression 「料理をする」. It forms the action of cooking together with 「料理」. A useful pattern is a named activity followed by 「をする」.
より
「より」 means than or compared with in 「料理をするより」. It marks cooking as the comparison point for saying that coordinating timing is harder. A useful pattern is 「AよりBのほうが」 for comparing two activities or things.
すべて
「すべて」 means everything or all in 「すべてのタイミング」. It shows that every part of the meal timing must be coordinated. A useful pattern is 「すべての」 followed by a noun.
タイミング
「タイミング」 means timing in 「すべてのタイミングを合わせる」. It refers to coordinating when the different meal tasks happen. A useful pattern is 「タイミングを合わせる」.
合わせる
「合わせる」 means coordinate or align in 「タイミングを合わせる」. It describes making the different meal timings fit together. A useful pattern is a schedule or timing followed by 「を合わせる」.
難しい
「難しい」 means difficult or hard in 「ほうが難しい」. It evaluates coordinating all the timing as harder than cooking. A useful pattern is an activity followed by 「のは難しい」 when describing a difficult task.
もてなす
「もてなす」 means host or entertain guests in this dinner setting. It refers to taking care of the guests and the meal, not only cooking. A useful pattern is 「お客さんをもてなす」.
大変
「大変」 means stressful or demanding in 「大変に感じます」. It describes hosting as an experience that feels difficult because of the timing work. A useful pattern is 「大変だ」 or 「大変に感じる」 when describing a demanding situation.
感じます
「感じます」 means feel or experience as in 「大変に感じます」. It shows the speaker’s personal impression that hosting feels demanding. A useful pattern is an evaluation followed by 「に感じます」.
飲み物
「飲み物」 means drinks or beverages in the serving order 「飲み物、前菜、それからメイン料理」. It is the first item in the simple plan. A useful pattern is 「飲み物を出す」.
それから
「それから」 means then or after that in the serving sequence. It places the main course after the drinks and starter in 「前菜、それからメイン料理」. A useful pattern is 「A、それからB」 for ordering actions or items.
という
In 「飲み物、前菜、それからメイン料理という簡単な配膳計画」, 「と」 marks the preceding list as the content being described, and 「いう」 supplies the meaning of saying or calling. Together, 「という」 links the list to 「配膳計画」 as its described content. A useful pattern is 「AというB」 when identifying or describing B.
配膳計画
「配膳計画」 means a serving plan, specifically the planned order for drinks, the starter, and the main course. It is the simple plan the speaker is asked to make. A useful pattern is 「配膳計画を作る」.
作りましょう
「作りましょう」 means let us make in 「配膳計画を作りましょう」. It presents making the serving plan as a polite joint suggestion. A useful pattern is an object followed by 「を作りましょう」.
その
「その」 means that or the mentioned in 「そのチェックリスト」. It refers to the checklist connected with the serving plan just discussed. Use 「その」 before a noun when pointing to something already identified.
チェックリスト
「チェックリスト」 means checklist in 「そのチェックリスト」. It is the written reminder that can be kept near the stove while managing the meal. A useful pattern is 「チェックリストを置く」.
コンロ
「コンロ」 means stove or burner in 「コンロの近く」. It is the practical location where the checklist can be kept during cooking. A useful pattern is 「コンロの近く」 when describing a location near the stove.
置いて
「置いて」 means place or leave in 「置いておけます」. It describes putting the checklist near the stove and leaving it there. A useful pattern is an object followed by 「を置いておく」.
おけます
In 「置いておけます」, 「おけます」 means can leave or keep something in place. Together with 「置いて」, it expresses that the checklist can remain near the stove for use. A useful pattern is 「Xを置いておけます」.
も
「も」 means also or even in 「皆さんが到着している間も」. It emphasizes that the checklist should help even during the busy period when people are arriving. A useful pattern is a noun or time phrase followed by 「も」.
集中する
「集中する」 means focus or concentrate in 「集中するのに役立つ」. It refers to staying mentally focused while the guests arrive and the meal is managed. A useful pattern is 「作業に集中する」.
役立つ
「役立つ」 means be useful or help in 「集中するのに役立つ」. The checklist is expected to support the speaker’s ability to stay focused. A useful pattern is something followed by 「に役立つ」.
はず
「はず」 means should or be expected to in 「役立つはずです」. It expresses the speaker’s expectation that the checklist will help, not a command. A useful pattern is a plain clause followed by 「はずです」 when making a reasoned expectation.
です
「です」 is the polite sentence ending in 「役立つはずです」. It gives the statement a polite, conversational tone while presenting the expected result. A useful pattern is 「はずです」 at the end of a polite expectation.
Grammar Points
〜ている
メイン料理を作っている。
mayn ree-OH-ree oh tsoo-KOT-teh ee-roo.I am cooking the main course.
〜ている shows an action in progress or a continuing state.
〜てから
お客さんが到着してから、出来たてを出しましょう。
oh-KYAHK-sahn gah toh-CHOO-koo shee-teh kah-RAH, deh-kee-tah-TEH oh dah-shee-mah-SHOH.Let's serve it freshly cooked after the guests arrive.
〜てから means that the second action happens after the first action is completed.
Japanese Vocabulary
お客さん
noun
oh-KYAHK-sahn
guest
それなら
conj
soh-reh-NAH-rah
then; in that case
メイン料理
noun
mayn ree-OH-ree
main course
メイン料理をまだ作っている
皆さん
pron
mee-NAH-sahn
everyone; everyone present
簡単な
adj
kahn-TAHN-nah
simple
作っている
verb
tsoo-KOT-teh ee-roo
be cooking; be making
出しましょう
verb
dah-shee-mah-SHOH
let's serve; let's put out
前菜
noun
ZEN-sigh
starter; appetizer
余裕
noun
yoh-YOO
extra time; leeway
用意できます
verb
yoh-EE deh-kee-MAHSS
can prepare; can have ready
来る
verb
KOO-roo
come; arrive
落ち着ける
verb
oh-chi-TSOO-keh-roo
can settle in; can relax
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
can settle in; can relax
Show Answer
落ち着けるmain course
Show Answer
メイン料理be cooking; be making
Show Answer
作っているthen; in that case