Comparing an Online Listing with an In-Store Backpack Check | Learn Japanese in English

Sentence explanations

1. オンラインの商品情報は役に立ちます。

   The online listing is helpful.

   オンラインの

   online

   商品情報

   product information; listing

   役に立ちます

   is helpful

   More detail

   オンラインの means “online” here and describes the noun that follows it. The particle の links a modifier to a noun: オンラインの商品情報 is “online product information/listing.” This is a reusable pattern: [noun]の[noun], such as 学校の本 (“a school book” or “the school’s book,” depending on context). オンライン is a loanword used for things connected with the internet; it is not inflected here. 商品情報 is a compound noun: 商品 means “product” and 情報 means “information.” Together, in this sentence, they refer to information about a product, naturally rendered as “the online listing.” Japanese compounds commonly place the modifying noun before the main noun, so 商品情報 is understood as information whose topic is a product. 役に立ちます is the polite nonpast form of 役に立つ, “to be useful” or “to help.” The form 立ちます is not the verb “to stand” in this expression; 役に立つ is a fixed construction meaning that something serves a useful purpose. Its polite forms include 役に立ちます (nonpast) and 役に立ちました (past). Example: この説明は役に立ちます。 — “This explanation is helpful.” Putting the parts together, オンラインの商品情報 identifies the product information as online, and は marks that topic. 役に立ちます says that it is useful. The complete utterance therefore means “The online listing is helpful.”

2. でも、実際にバックパックを試してみたいです。

   But I want to try the backpack in person.

   でも

   but

   実際に

   in person

   バックパック

   backpack

   試してみたいです

   want to try

   More detail

   でも marks a contrast with what came before. Here it connects the helpful online information with a different wish: despite that usefulness, the speaker wants to test the backpack directly. As a reusable pattern, でも、… means “But, …” at the start of a sentence. 実際に means “in person” or “actually” here. In this context it emphasizes direct, real-world checking rather than relying only on online information. Example: 実際に見てみます。 — “I’ll take a look in person.” バックパック is the noun “backpack.” It is a loanword written in katakana. In バックパックを, the particle を marks the backpack as the object of the action that follows. 試してみたいです expresses a polite desire to try something. Its parts form a useful pattern: 試す “to try/test” → 試して (the connective form) + みる “to try doing it and see” → 試してみる “to try it out” → 試してみたい “want to try it” → 試してみたいです (polite). The みる here is part of the auxiliary pattern 〜てみる; it does not mean visually seeing the backpack. Example: この靴を履いてみたいです。 — “I want to try on these shoes.” Together, でも、実際に sets up a contrast and emphasizes direct experience, バックパックを identifies what will be tested, and 試してみたいです says that the speaker wants to try it out politely. The complete meaning is: “But I want to try the backpack in person.”

3. 店では、肩ひも、ファスナー、素材をよく確認できます。

   In the shop, you can check the straps, zipper, and material closely.

   店では

   in the shop

   肩ひも

   strap

   ファスナー

   zipper

   素材

   material

   よく

   closely

   確認できます

   can check

   More detail

   店では sets the location and topic: 店 means “shop/store,” で marks where an action takes place, and は presents that location as the topic. A reusable pattern is 場所では、... (“at/in [place], ...”). 肩ひも means “shoulder strap.” It is a compound of 肩 (“shoulder”) and ひも (“cord/strap”), but the full compound is the useful noun for a bag’s strap here. Example: 肩ひもを調整します。 — “I adjust the shoulder strap.” ファスナー means “zipper.” It is a noun commonly used for a zipper or zip fastening. Example: ファスナーを閉めます。 — “I close the zipper.” 素材 means “material,” referring here to what the item is made of. Example: 素材を確認します。 — “I check the material.” よく is an adverb meaning “closely” or “carefully” in this sentence. It modifies the checking action, so よく確認する means “check closely/carefully.” In other contexts, よく can also mean “often” or “well,” so its meaning comes from the surrounding action and situation. 確認できます means “can check.” The base expression is 確認する (“to check/confirm”), and its potential form is 確認できる (“can check”); the polite form used here is 確認できます. The potential form expresses possibility or ability, rather than simply stating that someone checks something. Example: ここでサイズを確認できます。 — “You can check the size here.” The object marker を follows the final item in the coordinated list: 肩ひも、ファスナー、素材を. It marks the whole list as the object of 確認できます, so the sentence names the shoulder straps, zipper, and material as the things that can be checked. Combining the parts, 店では、肩ひも、ファスナー、素材をよく確認できます。 means “In the shop, you can check the straps, zipper, and material closely.”

4. いくつかのレビューでファスナーが弱いと書かれているので、その部分を注意して試したいです。

   Several reviews mention weak zippers, so I want to test that part carefully.

   いくつかの

   several; some

   レビュー

   review

   ファスナー

   zipper

   弱い

   weak

   書かれているので

   because it is written; because it is mentioned

   その

   that; the aforementioned

   部分

   part

   注意して

   carefully; with attention

   試したいです

   want to test; want to try

   More detail

   いくつかの means “several” or “some” before a noun. いくつか expresses an unspecified number, and の links it to レビュー. Example: いくつかの店 means “several shops.” レビュー is the noun “review.” Here, レビューで presents the reviews as the source or context in which the information is written. The particle で is attached to the noun; it does not make レビュー the grammatical topic of the sentence. ファスナー means “zipper.” It is a loanword noun. In this sentence, が marks it as the subject of the description 弱い. 弱い is the i-adjective “weak.” Its dictionary form is also 弱い; Japanese i-adjectives do not change for the noun’s number or gender. Example: この素材は弱いです。 means “This material is weak.” 書かれているので combines the passive form 書かれている with the reason connector ので. 書かれている comes from 書く (“to write”): 書かれる is passive, and 書かれている presents something as written or recorded. The preceding と marks the content of what is written: ファスナーが弱いと書かれている means “it is written that the zipper is weak,” or naturally here, “the reviews say that the zippers are weak.” ので means “because” or “so,” connecting that information to the speaker’s intended action. Example: 説明書に難しいと書かれているので、確認します。 means “Because the instructions say it is difficult, I will check.” その means “that” or “the aforementioned” when it directly modifies a noun. It does not itself identify a specific noun by number or gender. Here, together with 部分, it refers to “that part.” 部分 means “part” or “section.” その部分 is therefore “that part.” Example: この部分を見てください。 means “Please look at this part.” 注意して comes from the verb 注意する, “to pay attention” or “to take care.” The て-form connects it adverbially to the following action, giving the manner “carefully” or “with attention.” It is not the verb “test” itself; it tells how the testing is done. Example: 注意して読んでください。 means “Please read carefully.” 試したいです means “want to test” or “want to try.” The verb is 試す, “to test/try”; its stem 試し combines with たい to express the speaker’s desire, and です makes the statement polite. 試したい expresses a desire to try something, whereas 試してみたい adds the idea of trying it out or seeing what happens. Example: この方法を試したいです。 means “I want to try this method.” Together, いくつかのレビューでファスナーが弱いと書かれているので gives the reason: “because several reviews say that the zippers are weak.” その部分を注意して試したいです gives the speaker’s polite intention: “I want to test that part carefully.” The whole utterance is therefore: “Several reviews mention weak zippers, so I want to test that part carefully.”

5. では、何回か開けてみてください。

   Then try opening it a few times.

   では

   then

   何回か

   a few times

   開けて

   open it

   みてください

   please try

   More detail

   では marks a transition from what was just discussed to the next action. Here it means “then” and helps move from wanting to test the zipper area to a suggested procedure. It can also introduce a conclusion or a new topic in other contexts. 何回か means “a few times” or “several times.” 何回 asks “how many times,” while the final か makes the number indefinite, so the sentence does not specify an exact count. For example, 何回か読んでください。 means “Please read it a few times.” 開けて is the て-form of 開ける (“to open”). The て-form connects 開ける to the following pattern. In this sentence, the object is understood from the fixed translation and context, but it is not expressed as a separate Japanese word here. The て-form of another verb can be used in the same way before みる, as in 使ってみる (“try using [it]”). みてください is the polite request pattern て-form + みる + ください. With a preceding verb in the て-form, みる means “try doing that action,” rather than simply “look” or “see.” ください makes the request polite. Thus, 開けてみてください means “please try opening it.” Putting the parts together, では sets up the next step, 何回か indicates an unspecified small number of repetitions, and 開けてみてください politely asks the listener to try opening the item. The whole utterance means: “Then try opening it a few times.”

6. 決める前に、交換についてのルールを聞いてください。

   Ask about the exchange policy before you decide.

   決める

   decide

   前に

   before

   交換

   exchange

   についての

   about; concerning

   ルール

   rules; policy

   聞いてください

   please ask; please inquire

   More detail

   決める is the dictionary form meaning “to decide.” In 決める前に, it identifies the action that must be completed before the requested asking. Example: これに決める。— “I’ll decide on this.” 前に means “before” in this time expression. The pattern verb-dictionary form + 前に means “before doing ...”: 出かける前に電話します。— “I’ll call before I go out.” 交換 is a noun meaning “exchange.” Here it refers to the exchange matter covered by the rules. It can also be used with する: 交換する means “to exchange.” についての connects a topic to a following noun. 交換についてのルール means “rules about exchange.” The related pattern 交換について聞く means “ask about exchange.” ルール is a noun meaning “rules.” In this sentence, the fixed translation gives the intended practical meaning “policy”: the rules governing exchanges. 聞いてください is a polite request meaning “please ask” here. Its base verb is 聞く, which can mean “ask” or “listen/hear”; the surrounding topic selects “ask/inquire” in this sentence. 聞いて is the て-form, and ください after a て-form makes a polite request: V-てください means “please do V.” Example: もう一度説明してください。— “Please explain it one more time.” Together, 決める前に means “before you decide,” 交換についてのルール means “the rules/policy about exchanges,” and 聞いてください means “please ask.” The complete utterance is: “Ask about the exchange policy before you decide.”

7. ここにあるもののほうが丈夫そうに感じますが、ウェブサイトのほうが色の選択肢をもっとはっきり見せています。

   The one here feels stronger, though the website shows the color options more clearly.

   ここ

   here

   ある

   to exist; to be located

   もの

   thing; one

   ほうが

   the ... one is more

   丈夫そう

   seems sturdy

   感じます

   feel

   が

   but; though

   ウェブサイト

   website

   色

   color

   選択肢

   option; choice

   もっと

   more

   はっきり

   clearly

   見せています

   is showing

   More detail

   ここ means “here,” referring to the relevant place. Japanese often uses ここ for a location without separately stating the place’s name. ある is the non-past form of ある, used for the existence or location of something non-living. In ここにある, it modifies the following noun: “that exists/is located here.” もの means “thing” or, as here, “one.” ここにあるもの is therefore “the one that is here.” The clause before もの describes which one is meant; this is a common Japanese pattern for “the thing/one that …” ほうが is part of the comparison pattern A のほうが ..., meaning that A is the more ... choice or has the stronger relevant quality. In this sentence, ここにあるもののほうが presents the item here as the one that gives the stronger impression of durability. ほう itself means “side” or “option,” but in this pattern it is not normally translated literally. 丈夫 means “sturdy,” “durable,” or “strong” in the relevant physical sense. It is commonly used for things that can withstand use. 丈夫そう combines it with そう: after this type of descriptive word, そう means “looks/seems ...” based on an impression. Thus 丈夫そう means “seems sturdy,” not a direct statement that the item has been tested. 感じます is the polite form of 感じる, “to feel” or “to sense.” Here it presents the speaker’s impression: 丈夫そうに感じます means “it feels/seems sturdy.” The に makes 丈夫そう describe the manner or content of the feeling. 感じる can describe an impression as well as a physical sensation. が after 感じます connects the two parts with contrast, roughly “but” or “though.” In this position it is not the subject marker; it signals that the next statement gives a contrasting point. ウェブサイト is the loanword “website.” In ウェブサイトのほうが, it is presented as the other side or choice in the comparison pattern A のほうが .... The sentence thus contrasts the impression from the item here with what the website does more effectively. 色 means “color.” The pattern 色のN uses の to connect “color” to a following noun, so 色の選択肢 means “color options.” 選択肢 means “option” or “choice,” especially one among available alternatives. Japanese does not normally mark its plural meaning by changing this form, so it can correspond to “option” or “options” according to context. もっと means “more” or “to a greater degree.” Here it increases the degree of はっきり, so the website presents the options more clearly, rather than もっと itself meaning “many options.” はっきり is an adverb meaning “clearly” or “distinctly.” It describes how the website presents the color options: their differences are made easier to see or understand. 見せています is the polite ている form of 見せる, “to show” or “to make visible.” 見せる is different from 見る, “to see/look at”: a website can 見せる options, while a visitor can 見る them. Here ています presents the website as currently displaying or presenting them. Taken together, ここにあるもののほうが丈夫そうに感じます says that the item here gives the stronger impression of being sturdy. が then introduces the contrast, and ウェブサイトのほうが色の選択肢をもっとはっきり見せています says that the website presents the color options more clearly. The whole utterance is: “The one here feels stronger, though the website shows the color options more clearly.”

8. 選択肢はウェブサイトで確認してください。

   Use the website for the options.

   選択肢

   options

   ウェブサイト

   website

   確認してください

   please check

   More detail

   選択肢 means “options” or “choices” here. It is a noun; Japanese nouns generally do not mark singular versus plural, so the context determines whether it refers to one option or several. Example: 選択肢を選びます。 — “I choose an option.” ウェブサイト means “website.” It is a noun and can be used with particles to show how or where an action is done. In this sentence, the following で presents the website as the place or means used for checking. Example: ウェブサイトで確認します。 — “I will check it on the website.” 確認してください is a polite request meaning “please check” or “please confirm.” Its base verb is 確認する “to check/confirm.” The form is 確認して plus ください, the common Japanese pattern verb-てください for asking someone to do something politely. This form does not mark the person’s gender or number. Example: 内容を確認してください。 — “Please check the contents.” The sentence structure is 選択肢は (“as for the options”) + ウェブサイトで (“on or using the website”) + 確認してください (“please check”). Together, it asks the listener to check the options on the website, matching the fixed translation “Use the website for the options.”

9. 店に行って、品質を判断してください。

   Use the shop visit to judge the quality.

   店

   shop

   行って

   go and

   品質

   quality

   判断して

   judge

   ください

   please

   More detail

   店 means “shop” here. The form is a noun; in 店に, the particle に marks the destination of movement. Example: 店に行きます。 — “I go to the shop.” 行って is the te-form of 行く (“to go”). The te-form can connect this action to what follows: 行って、判断してください means “go and judge.” It is not the past form; the surrounding construction determines how the connected action is understood. 品質 means “quality.” It is a noun and can be followed by を to mark it as the direct object of an action. Example: 品質を確認します。 — “I check the quality.” 判断して is the te-form of 判断する (“to judge” or “to make a judgment”). Here it is followed by ください, forming a polite request. The particle を in 品質を判断して marks quality as what is judged. ください is the polite request form used after a verb’s te-form: [te-form] + ください means “please do …”. It is a reusable request pattern, as in 確認してください。 — “Please check it.” Together, 店に行って gives the first requested action, “go to the shop,” and 品質を判断してください gives the request, “please judge the quality.” The whole utterance therefore means: “Use the shop visit to judge the quality,” or more naturally, “Please go to the shop and judge the quality.”

10. それなら、二つをもっとはっきり比べられます。

    That gives me a clearer way to compare them.

    それなら

    in that case

    二つ

    two things

    もっとはっきり

    more clearly

    比べられます

    can compare

    More detail

    それなら means “in that case” or “if so.” It takes the situation just established as a condition and presents the next point as a consequence. Example: それなら、始めましょう。 — “In that case, let’s begin.” 二つ is the general Japanese counter expression for two things. 二 means “two,” and つ is the broad counter used for many kinds of things when a more specific counter is not being used. Here it identifies two items to be compared; it does not by itself specify what kind of items they are. Example: 二つ選んでください。 — “Please choose two.” もっとはっきり combines もっと (“more”) with はっきり (“clearly” or “distinctly”). The adverb もっと increases the degree of the following description: はっきり describes how clearly the comparison can be made. Example: もっとはっきり説明してください。 — “Please explain it more clearly.” 比べられます is the polite nonpast form of 比べられる, “can compare” or “be able to compare.” This is the potential form related to 比べる, “to compare”; the ending ます makes the statement polite. The nonpast form can describe ability in the present situation, as it does here. Example: 二つの案を比べられます。 — “I can compare the two proposals.” Together, それなら links the preceding condition to the result, 二つを identifies the two things being compared, もっとはっきり says that the comparison will be clearer, and 比べられます expresses the ability to compare them. The whole utterance therefore means: “That gives me a clearer way to compare them.”

11. 信頼できそうで、欲しいスタイルもあるものを選んでください。

    Choose the one that feels reliable and still has the style you want.

    信頼できそうで

    seems reliable and

    欲しい

    want

    スタイル

    style

    も

    also

    ある

    have; be present

    もの

    thing; one

    選んでください

    please choose

    More detail

    信頼できそうで means “seems reliable and …”. 信頼できる means “can be trusted” or “is reliable”; adding そう presents this as an appearance or impression: 信頼できそう = “seems reliable.” The final で connects this description to the next one. 欲しい is an i-adjective meaning “wanted” or “desired.” Here it modifies スタイル, so 欲しいスタイル means “the style you want.” Japanese does not mark the person who wants something in this adjective; the fixed translation supplies “you” in this sentence. Do not confuse this with a verb meaning “to want.” スタイル is a loanword meaning “style.” も adds the sense “also” or “as well”: the selected item is not only apparently reliable; it also has the desired style. ある means “exist” or, in this construction, “have/possess.” In 欲しいスタイルもある, it says that the item has the wanted style. The form ある is the non-past form used for existence or possession; its meaning here is determined by the surrounding noun phrase. もの literally means “thing,” but after a description it can mean “the thing/one that …”. It turns the preceding description into the noun being selected: 信頼できそうで、欲しいスタイルもあるもの = “the one that seems reliable and also has the style you want.” 選んでください is a polite request meaning “please choose.” 選ぶ is the dictionary form “to choose”; 選んで is its connecting て-form, and ください makes the request polite. The object of the choice is marked by を in the full sentence, although that particle is not included in the selected phrase. Together, the structure is [信頼できそうで、欲しいスタイルもある]ものを 選んでください: “Please choose the one that seems reliable and also has the style you want.” The relative description comes before もの, and ものを is the thing receiving the action of choosing. This is a polite, practical way to ask someone to select an option based on both reliability and style.