About This Lesson
Use Planning and rehearsing a short presentation to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
来週、短い発表をしなければなりません。
RYE-SHOO, mee-jee-KAI hahp-PYOH oh shee-nah-keh-REH-bah nah-ree-mah-SEN. I have to give a short presentation next week.
B
文を全部書く前に、わかりやすい構成から始めてください。
BUN oh ZEN-boo KAH-koo MYE nee, wah-kah-ree-yah-SOO-ee koh-SAY kah-rah hah-jee-MEH-teh koo-dah-SAI. Start with a clear outline before writing full sentences.
A
私のテーマは、勉強の習慣をどのように変えたかです。
wah-TAH-shee noh TAY-mah wah, ben-KYOO noh SHOO-kahn oh doh-noh YOH nee KAH-eh-tah kah dess. My topic is how I changed my study habits.
B
共感を得やすい話なので、聞き手が何を学ぶか考えてください。
kyoh-KAHN oh eh-yah-SOO-ee hah-NAH-shee nah-noh-deh, kee-kee-TEH gah NAH-nee oh mah-NAH-boo kah kahn-GAH-eh-teh koo-dah-SAI. That is relatable, so think about what the audience will learn.
A
問題と変化と結果を説明したいです。
mohn-DAI toh HEN-kah toh KEK-kah oh seh-tsuh-MAY shee-TAI dess. I want to explain the problem, the change, and the result.
B
その構成でうまくいきます。そうした部分の間に簡単なつなぎの言葉を加えてください。
soh-noh koh-SAY deh oo-MAH-koo ee-kee-MAHSS. soh-shee-tah boo-BOON noh eye-dah nee kahn-TAHN nah tsoo-NAH-gee noh koh-TOH-bah oh koo-WAH-eh-teh koo-dah-SAI. That structure works. Add simple transitions between those parts.
A
発表全体を暗記したほうがいいですか。
hahp-PYOH zen-TAI oh ahn-KEE shee-tah HOH gah EE dess kah. Should I memorize the whole presentation?
B
もっと自然に話せるように、メモを見ながら練習してください。
MEH-moh oh MEE-nah-gah-rah ren-SHOO shee-teh koo-dah-SAI. Rehearse with notes so you sound more natural.
A
2回練習して、自分の声を録音します。
nee-KAI ren-SHOO shee-teh, jee-BOON noh KOH-eh oh roh-koo-OHN shee-MAHSS. I will practice twice and record myself.
B
そうすれば、時間配分がよくなり、もっと自信を持って話せるようになります。
soh-SOO-reh-bah, jee-KAHN high-BOON gah YOH-koo nah-REE, moht-toh jee-SHEEN oh MOHT-teh hah-nah-SEH-roo YOH nee nah-ree-MAHSS. That will help you improve your timing and sound more confident.Word by Word
来週
「来週」 means “next week” here, referring to the week after the current one. It is used as a time expression with an action, as in 「来週、短い発表をしなければなりません」. Use it when setting a plan, deadline, or event for the following week.
短い
「短い」 means “short” here and describes the presentation’s length. It directly modifies the noun 「発表」 in 「短い発表」. Use it before something that has limited length or duration.
発表
「発表」 means “presentation” here, specifically the short presentation the speaker must give. In 「短い発表を」, it is the object of the required action. Use it for presenting information or ideas to other people.
を
「を」 marks 「発表」 as the object of the action in 「短い発表をしなければなりません」. It shows what must be done. A common reuse pattern is noun + 「を」 + an action verb.
しなければなりません
「しなければなりません」 expresses “must do” or “have to do” in this dialogue: 「発表をしなければなりません」 means that giving the presentation is necessary. 「し」 contributes “do,” 「なければ」 forms the “if not” condition, and 「なりません」 completes the expression that something cannot be left undone. Use it after an action to state an obligation politely.
文
「文」 means “sentence” here. In 「文を全部書く」, it refers to the sentences that the learner should write in full. Use it when discussing written sentences, especially with an object marker such as 「文を」.
全部
「全部」 means “all” or “completely” here, indicating that every sentence should be written. In 「文を全部書く」, it modifies the extent of the writing. Use it with a noun or action when nothing in the relevant group is excluded.
書く
「書く」 means “write” here, referring to writing full sentences. It appears in 「文を全部書く前に」, before 「前に」 to make “before writing all the sentences.” Use it with the thing being written, such as a sentence or outline.
前
「前」 means “before” here because it appears in 「書く前に」, meaning “before writing.” It places one action earlier than another. Use the pattern verb + 「前に」 when giving the timing of an action.
に
In 「書く前に」, 「に」 completes the time expression “before writing.” It marks the point or situation at which the following advice applies. It is also commonly used after other time expressions to show when something happens.
わかりやすい
「わかりやすい」 means “clear” or “easy to understand” here and describes the outline. In 「わかりやすい構成」, it comes directly before the noun it describes. Use it for explanations, instructions, writing, or structures that are easy for someone to follow.
構成
「構成」 means “structure” or “outline” here, referring to the organization of the presentation. In 「わかりやすい構成から始めてください」, it is the starting point for preparing the presentation. Use it when discussing how parts of a talk, document, or plan are arranged.
から
「から」 means “from” or “starting from” here in 「構成から始めてください」. It marks the point where the preparation should begin. Use noun + 「から」 + 「始める」 when saying what to start with.
始めてください
「始めてください」 means “please start” here and is advice to begin with the outline. 「始めて」 contributes the action of starting, and 「ください」 makes it a polite request. Use this form when politely asking someone to begin an activity.
私
「私」 refers to the speaker in 「私のテーマ」 and is understood as “my” because it is followed by 「の」. It identifies whose topic is being discussed. Use it before 「の」 when describing something belonging or relating to the speaker.
の
「の」 links 「私」 and 「テーマ」 in 「私のテーマ」, showing that the topic belongs to or is associated with the speaker. It creates a relationship between two nouns. A common reuse pattern is person or group + 「の」 + noun.
テーマ
「テーマ」 means “topic” or “theme” here, referring to the subject of the presentation. In 「私のテーマは」, it is the subject introduced for discussion. Use it when naming the subject of a presentation, discussion, or project.
は
「は」 marks 「私のテーマ」 as the topic of the sentence in 「私のテーマは」. The sentence then explains what that topic is. Use noun + 「は」 when introducing or contrasting the main topic.
勉強
「勉強」 means “study” here and is part of 「勉強の習慣」, meaning study habits. It identifies the activity connected to the habits. Use it before 「の」 to describe habits, time, methods, or other aspects related to studying.
習慣
「習慣」 means “habit” here, specifically a repeated way of studying. In 「勉強の習慣」, it is connected to study by 「の」. Use it for regular behaviors or routines.
どのように
「どのように」 means “how” or “in what way” here, asking about the manner of changing the study habits. 「どの」 asks which kind, 「よう」 refers to the way or manner, and 「に」 marks that manner. Use it before an action when asking or explaining how something is done.
変えた
「変えた」 means “changed” here, describing how the speaker changed the study habits. It appears inside the embedded question 「どのように変えたか」. Use it with the thing that someone changed when describing a completed change.
か
「か」 marks 「どのように変えた」 as an embedded question in 「どのように変えたか」. The whole phrase means “how I changed it,” rather than forming a direct question by itself. Use it after a question word and clause when that question is included inside a larger sentence.
です
「です」 is the polite copula in 「どのように変えたかです」, politely presenting the preceding content as the speaker’s topic. Here it gives the sentence a polite explanatory ending. Use it after a noun-like phrase when making a polite identification or explanation.
共感
「共感」 means “empathy” or “identification” here, referring to the audience relating to the speaker’s experience. In 「共感を得やすい話」, it is something the story can receive or evoke. Use it when people share or recognize another person’s feelings or experience.
得やすい
「得やすい」 means “easy to gain” here, so 「共感を得やすい」 means that the story is likely to gain empathy from listeners. 「得」 contributes gaining, and 「やすい」 indicates that the action is easy or likely to happen. Use this pattern after a verb stem to describe an action that is easy to do.
話
「話」 means “story” or “topic of discussion” here, referring to the presentation topic as something listeners can relate to. In 「共感を得やすい話なので」, it is the subject of the reason that follows. Use it for a spoken or written account of events, experiences, or ideas.
なので
「なので」 means “because” or “so” here, connecting the relatable story with the advice to think about the audience. In 「共感を得やすい話なので」, 「な」 links the noun-like phrase to 「ので」, which gives the reason. Use it after a noun-like description when explaining why the next statement follows.
聞き手
「聞き手」 means “listener” or “audience member” here, referring to the people who will hear the presentation. In 「聞き手が何を学ぶか」, it is the person expected to learn something. Use it when focusing on the receiving side of a talk or explanation.
が
「が」 marks 「聞き手」 as the subject of 「学ぶ」 in 「聞き手が何を学ぶか」. It shows who will learn something. Use it after the subject when describing an action or state, especially inside a clause.
何
「何」 means “what” here and asks which thing the audience will learn. It appears in the embedded question 「何を学ぶか」. Use it before 「を」 when asking what someone learns, sees, chooses, or does.
学ぶ
「学ぶ」 means “learn” here, referring to what the audience should take away from the presentation. In 「何を学ぶか」, it describes the audience’s learning. Use it with the subject of learning and the content learned.
考えてください
「考えてください」 means “please think about” here and asks the speaker to consider the audience’s learning. 「考えて」 contributes the action of thinking, and 「ください」 makes it a polite request. Use it when politely asking someone to consider a question, plan, or possibility.
問題
「問題」 means “problem” here, the first part the speaker wants to explain in the presentation. It is listed with 「変化」 and 「結果」 in 「問題と変化と結果」. Use it for an issue or difficulty that needs attention.
と
In 「問題と変化と結果」, 「と」 links the listed items “problem,” “change,” and “result.” It shows that the three nouns are being presented together. Use it between nouns when making a complete list of connected items.
変化
「変化」 means “change” here, the second part of the presentation structure. It is listed between 「問題」 and 「結果」. Use it when describing how a situation or condition becomes different.
結果
「結果」 means “result” here, the outcome that follows the problem and change. It is the final item in 「問題と変化と結果」. Use it when describing what happened or what was produced after an action or process.
説明
「説明」 means “explanation” here, but in 「説明したい」 it is used as the action “explain.” It refers to presenting the problem, change, and result clearly. Use it with the thing being explained, such as an idea, problem, or process.
したい
「したい」 means “want to do” here and expresses the speaker’s intention to explain the three parts. In 「説明したいです」, it follows 「説明」 and is politely completed by 「です」. Use it after an action stem to state what you want to do.
その
「その」 means “that” or “such” here, referring back to the structure just described. In 「その構成で」, it identifies the structure as the one already mentioned. Use it before a noun when pointing to something connected with the listener or already under discussion.
で
In 「その構成でうまくいきます」, 「で」 means “with” or “using” that structure. It marks the method or arrangement by which the presentation will work well. Use noun + 「で」 when describing the means, method, or setup used for an outcome.
うまくいきます
「うまくいきます」 means “works well” or “goes well” here, referring to the proposed presentation structure. 「うまく」 contributes the idea of going successfully, and 「いきます」 contributes the verb “go” within the expression. Use it to say that a plan, method, or situation is progressing successfully.
そうした
「そうした」 means “such” or “those kinds of” here and refers back to the parts of the presentation that were just mentioned. In 「そうした部分」, it modifies 「部分」. Use it before a noun when referring to previously described types of things.
部分
「部分」 means “part” or “section” here, referring to the problem, change, and result as sections of the presentation. In 「そうした部分の間」, it identifies the sections between which transitions are needed. Use it for one segment of a larger whole.
間
「間」 means “between” here in 「部分の間」, referring to the spaces or boundaries between presentation sections. It identifies where the transitions should be added. Use it after connected nouns to describe the interval between them.
簡単
「簡単」 means “simple” here and describes the transitions as uncomplicated. In 「簡単なつなぎの言葉」, it is linked to the noun by 「な」. Use it when describing something that does not require much complexity or effort.
な
「な」 links the noun-like description 「簡単」 to the noun 「つなぎの言葉」 in 「簡単なつなぎの言葉」. It allows the description to modify the following noun. Use it after a noun-like adjective before the noun it describes.
つなぎ
「つなぎ」 means a “linking element” here, referring to language that connects one presentation section to the next. In 「つなぎの言葉」, it describes the role of the words. Use it for something that connects separate parts of a talk, text, or activity.
言葉
「言葉」 means “word” or “expression” here, specifically words used to connect presentation sections. In 「つなぎの言葉」, it is the thing to be added. Use it when referring to spoken wording or an expression used for communication.
加えてください
「加えてください」 means “please add” here and asks the speaker to insert simple linking words. 「加えて」 contributes the action of adding, and 「ください」 makes it a polite request. Use it when politely asking someone to include an additional item in a document, plan, or presentation.
全体
「全体」 means “whole” or “entirety” here, referring to the complete presentation. In 「発表全体を」, it shows that the question concerns every part of the presentation. Use it after a noun to refer to that thing as a complete whole.
暗記した
「暗記した」 means “memorized” here, referring to learning the entire presentation by heart. It appears in the question 「発表全体を暗記したほうがいいですか」. Use it when discussing information that has been committed to memory.
ほうがいい
「ほうがいい」 expresses advice or a recommendation, so 「暗記したほうがいいですか」 asks whether memorizing the whole presentation would be better. 「ほう」 presents one option or course, 「が」 marks it, and 「いい」 means that it is good or preferable. Use it after an action form when asking or saying what someone should do.
もっと
「もっと」 means “more” here and increases the degree of naturalness and confidence. In 「もっと自然に」, it modifies how naturally the person should speak. Use it before an adjective or adverb when asking for a greater degree.
自然
「自然」 means “natural” here, describing speech that does not sound stiff or overly memorized. In 「もっと自然に話せる」, it becomes the adverbial form 「自然に」 before the verb. Use it when describing a natural manner, appearance, or sound.
話せる
「話せる」 means “can speak” here, referring to being able to speak in a more natural way. It appears in 「自然に話せるように」 as the ability or state the rehearsal should support. Use it when describing the ability to speak a language or express something orally.
ように
In 「自然に話せるように」, 「ように」 means “so that” or “into a state where,” connecting the rehearsal with the desired ability to speak naturally. 「よう」 presents the state or manner, and 「に」 marks the direction toward that state. Use it after a potential or ability form when stating a goal or intended result.
メモ
「メモ」 means “notes” here, referring to written prompts used during rehearsal. In 「メモを見ながら」, the notes are what the speaker looks at while practicing. Use it for brief written reminders or reference points.
見ながら
「見ながら」 means “while looking at” here, describing rehearsal done with the notes in view. 「見」 contributes looking, and 「ながら」 shows that this action happens at the same time as practicing. Use verb stem + 「ながら」 when one person performs two actions simultaneously.
練習してください
「練習してください」 means “please practice” here and is a polite request to rehearse with notes. 「練習して」 contributes the action of practicing, and 「ください」 makes it a request. Use it when politely asking someone to practice a skill, speech, or activity.
回
「回」 is the counter for the number of times an action occurs. Although the dialogue says 「2回」, the supplied unit is 「回」, which contributes “times” in that expression. Use a number + 「回」 to state how many times something is done.
自分
「自分」 means “oneself” here and refers back to the speaker in 「自分の声」. It emphasizes that the speaker records their own voice. Use it before 「の」 when referring to one’s own related person, thing, or voice.
声
「声」 means “voice” here, specifically the speaker’s voice being recorded. In 「自分の声を録音します」, it is the object of the recording action. Use it when referring to a person’s spoken voice or sound.
録音
「録音」 means “recording” or “record” here, referring to making an audio recording of the speaker’s voice. In 「声を録音します」, it describes the action performed on the voice. Use it for recording sound, speech, or audio.
します
「します」 means “do” or “make” in polite form here and completes 「録音します」, meaning “record.” It is the polite form used for the action in the speaker’s plan. Use it after an action noun when expressing that someone carries out that activity politely.
そうすれば
「そうすれば」 means “if you do that” or “then” here, referring to practicing twice and recording oneself. 「そう」 points back to the preceding action, 「すれ」 contributes the conditional form of “do,” and 「ば」 marks the condition. Use it to introduce an expected result after a previously mentioned action or condition.
時間配分
「時間配分」 means “time allocation” or “timing” here, referring to how the presentation time is divided and controlled. In 「時間配分がよくなり」, it is the aspect expected to improve through practice. Use it when discussing how available time is distributed among activities or sections.
よくなり
「よくなり」 means “becoming better” here, describing improved timing. It connects 「時間配分がよくなり」 with the following result about speaking confidently. The form combines 「よく」, “better,” with 「なり」, the linking form of becoming, so the next result can follow.
自信
「自信」 means “confidence” here, referring to confidence while giving the presentation. In 「自信を持って話せる」, it is something the speaker has while speaking. Use it when describing belief in one’s ability or performance.
持って
「持って」 means “having” or “with” here in 「自信を持って話せる」. It contributes the idea of speaking while having confidence, and it links that state to the speaking action. Use it after a noun marked by 「を」 when describing an action performed while possessing or maintaining something.
なります
「なります」 means “become” or “will become” here, completing 「話せるようになります」 to express becoming able to speak naturally and confidently. It is the polite form of 「なる」 and marks a change into a new state. Use it after 「ように」 when describing a change toward a particular ability or condition.
Grammar Points
V-ながら
メモを見ながら練習してください。
MEH-moh oh MEE-nah-gah-rah ren-SHOO shee-teh koo-dah-SAI.Please practice while looking at your notes.
ながら connects two actions done at the same time. The action before ながら is the background action.
V-たほうがいい
メモを見たほうがいいです。
MEH-moh oh MEE-tah HOH gah EE dess.You should look at your notes.
たほうがいい gives advice and means that doing something is better. The verb before it uses the past form.
Japanese Vocabulary
しなければなりません
phrase
shee-nah-keh-REH-bah nah-ree-mah-SEN
have to; must
テーマ
noun
TAY-mah
topic; theme
わかりやすい
adj
wah-kah-ree-yah-SOO-ee
clear; easy to understand
構成
noun
koh-SAY
structure; outline
始める
verb
hah-jee-MEH-roo
to start
始めてください
書く
verb
KAH-koo
to write
全部
adv
ZEN-boo
all; entirely
短い
adj
mee-jee-KAI
short
発表
noun
hahp-PYOH
presentation
文
noun
BUN
sentence
勉強
noun
ben-KYOO
study
来週
noun
RYE-SHOO
next week
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
have to; must
Show Answer
しなければなりませんclear; easy to understand
Show Answer
わかりやすいto start
Show Answer
始めてくださいtopic; theme