Borrowing a Suitcase and Agreeing on Care | Learn Japanese in English

Sentence explanations

1. 来週の旅行に、あなたの中くらいのスーツケースを借りてもいいですか？

   Could I borrow your medium suitcase for my trip next week?

   来週

   next week

   旅行

   trip; travel

   あなたの

   your

   中くらいの

   medium-sized

   スーツケース

   suitcase

   借り

   borrow

   てもいいですか？

   may I …?

   More detail

   来週 means “next week.” It is a time expression: 来 means “coming” and 週 means “week,” but the complete word is the ordinary reusable expression for the week after the current one. Example: 来週会いましょう。 — “Let’s meet next week.” 旅行 means “trip” or “travel.” In this sentence it refers to the speaker’s trip, not to the act of borrowing. 来週の旅行 uses の to link 来週 (“next week”) with 旅行, giving “next week’s trip” or “the trip next week.” あなたの means “your.” あなた is the second-person pronoun “you,” and の marks the relationship of possession or association. Here it identifies the suitcase as belonging to, or being associated with, the addressee. Japanese often omits pronouns when the context is clear, but this sentence states the addressee explicitly. 中くらいの means “medium-sized.” 中くらい expresses an intermediate size, and the following の lets it modify the noun スーツケース. It is not the comparative form of a separate adjective; it is the size expression used here. Example: 中くらいの箱 — “a medium-sized box.” スーツケース means “suitcase.” It is a loanword written in katakana. Japanese nouns do not normally change form for singular versus plural, so this form can refer to one suitcase here because the sentence’s intended meaning identifies one item. 借り is the stem form of the verb 借りる, “to borrow” or “to rent,” depending on context. In this sentence it has the borrowing sense. The form 借り is not the completed past form; it combines with the following て to make 借りて, the て-form. Example: 本を借りる。 — “I borrow a book.” てもいいですか？ is a permission pattern meaning “may I …?” or “is it all right if …?” In the full sequence 借りてもいいですか？, 借りて is the て-form of 借りる, and もいいですか asks whether that action is acceptable. The pattern is reusable with another て-form: ここに座ってもいいですか？ — “May I sit here?” Together, あなたの中くらいのスーツケース means “your medium suitcase.” 来週の旅行に gives the purpose or occasion, “for the trip next week.” The verb sequence 借りてもいいですか？ asks permission to borrow it. As a whole, the utterance means: “Could I borrow your medium suitcase for my trip next week?”

2. いいですが、取っ手は少し壊れやすいので気をつけてください。

   You can, but be careful with the handle because it's a little fragile.

   いいですが

   that’s okay, but

   取っ手

   handle

   少し

   a little

   壊れやすい

   fragile; easily broken

   ので

   because; since

   気をつけてください

   please be careful

   More detail

   いいですが combines いいです (“is okay” / “that is acceptable”) with が, which here connects a qualification meaning “but.” In this context, the fixed translation shows that the speaker grants permission: “You can, but …”. が can also connect clauses without a strong contrast, so its exact effect comes from the surrounding sentence. 取っ手 means “handle.” It is a noun for a part used to hold or carry something; here, the fixed translation identifies the handle as the relevant part of the suitcase. A reusable pattern is Nの取っ手 (“the handle of N”). 少し is an adverb meaning “a little” or “slightly.” It modifies the following description, reducing its strength: 少し壊れやすい means “a little fragile,” not “a small handle.” 壊れやすい describes something that breaks easily. It is built from 壊れる (“break”) and 〜やすい (“easy to …” when attached to a verb stem). Compare 壊れにくい, “not easily broken,” where 〜にくい expresses difficulty rather than ease. Here, 壊れやすい describes the handle’s tendency; it does not state that it is currently broken. ので connects a reason to its result and means “because” or “since.” The reason comes before it: 壊れやすいので means “because it is easily broken.” Compared with the more direct から, ので often presents the reason in a somewhat softer or more explanatory way. 気をつけてください is a polite request meaning “please be careful.” The base expression is 気をつける, “to be careful” or “to take care,” and ください makes it a request. For example, 足元に気をつけてください。 means “Please watch your step.” Together, いいですが grants permission while introducing a caution. 取っ手は少し壊れやすいので identifies the handle as slightly fragile and gives that as the reason, and 気をつけてください asks the listener to handle it carefully. The whole utterance therefore means: “You can, but be careful with the handle because it’s a little fragile.”

3. そのことを覚えておいて、荷物を詰めすぎないようにします。

   I'll keep that in mind and avoid overpacking it.

   そのこと

   that matter

   覚えておいて

   keep that in mind

   荷物

   luggage

   詰めすぎない

   not overpack

   ようにします

   make sure to

   More detail

   そのこと combines その (“that”) with こと (“matter” or “thing”). Here it refers to the matter already established in the conversation, rather than to a newly introduced physical object. その points to something treated as known or previously mentioned; この is a corresponding “this” form. 覚えておいて comes from 覚える (“to remember”): 覚えて is its te-form, followed by おく. After a te-form, おく can express doing something in advance or maintaining a resulting state. In this fixed utterance, the speaker uses this connected form with the subject understood as the speaker, so it contributes “keep that in mind” to the following commitment. As a standalone expression, これを覚えておいて。 can instead be a request: “Keep this in mind.” The fixed translation establishes the speaker-commitment reading here; the comma alone does not turn the form into that meaning. 荷物 means “luggage” or “baggage.” It is a noun and does not itself mark singular versus plural, so the exact amount is not specified. Here it identifies what must not be packed excessively, corresponding to “it” in the fixed translation. 詰めすぎない means “not overpack.” The base verb is 詰める (“to pack” or “fill”). Its connective form 詰め combines with すぎる (“to do too much”): 詰めすぎる means “pack too much,” and its negative nonpast form is 詰めすぎない. This negative form says that excessive packing should not occur; it does not by itself specify past or future time. ようにします is part of the pattern plain form + ようにする, meaning “make an effort to ensure that …” or “try to ….” With a negative form, V-ないようにする means “make sure not to V,” so 詰めすぎないようにします means “I’ll make sure not to overpack.” します is the polite nonpast form of する, whose plain base is する. A useful contrast is V-ことにする, which more directly presents a decision, while V-ようにする emphasizes effort or care to bring about the behavior. Together, そのことを覚えておいて contributes “keep that in mind,” and 荷物を詰めすぎないようにします means “I’ll make sure not to overpack the luggage.” The comma connects the remembered matter with the speaker’s commitment, and the omitted subject is understood as the speaker because of the fixed translation. The whole utterance means: “I’ll keep that in mind and avoid overpacking it.”

4. 側面には傷も一つあります。

   It also has a scratch on the side.

   側面

   side

   傷

   scratch

   も

   also

   一つ

   one

   あります

   has

   More detail

   側面 means “side” here, specifically the side surface of the item. It is a noun and can be reused in patterns such as 側面に傷がある (“There is a scratch on the side”). In this sentence, には follows it: に marks the location, while は highlights that location as the topic or point of description. 傷 means “scratch” in this context. It is a noun; depending on context, the same word can also refer to an injury or other damage, but the fixed translation identifies a scratch here. Example: 傷があります。 — “There is a scratch.” も adds the meaning “also” or “too” to the element before it. Thus 傷も means that a scratch is included in addition to something already mentioned. It does not itself mean “many” or specify what the other item is. 一つ is the numeral-counter combination for “one item.” 一 is “one,” and つ is the general counter used for many kinds of things. Here it states that there is one scratch. For example, 傷が二つあります。 means “There are two scratches.” あります is the polite nonpast form of ある, used for the existence or presence of an inanimate thing. In this sentence, it contributes “there is” and supports the English rendering “has.” A useful contrast is あります for an inanimate thing and います for a living being: 机があります。 — “There is a desk.” Together, 側面には sets the side as the location being described, 傷も一つ says that one scratch is also present, and あります states its existence politely. The whole utterance therefore means: “It also has a scratch on the side.”

5. 使う前に、私が写真を撮りましょうか？

   Would you like me to take a photo before I use it?

   使う

   use

   前に

   before

   私が

   I (subject)

   写真

   photo

   撮りましょうか

   shall I take?

   More detail

   使う: Here it means “use.” This is the dictionary form, used before 前に in the pattern V- dictionary form + 前に, meaning “before doing V.” Example: 使う前に、説明書を読みます。 — “Before using it, I read the instructions.” The object of 使う is omitted in Japanese; the fixed translation identifies it as “it,” the item being discussed. 前に: Here it means “before.” After a verb in its dictionary form, V前に places the verb’s action earlier in time: 使う前に means “before using it.” 私が: 私 means “I,” and が marks it as the subject of 撮る: the speaker is the person who will take the photo. Japanese can omit this subject when it is clear, but including it makes the proposed actor explicit. Example: 私が窓を閉めます。 — “I’ll close the window.” 写真: This noun means “photo” or “photograph.” In 写真を撮る, it is the object associated with 撮る, the usual verb for taking a photo. Example: 写真を撮ります。 — “I’ll take a photo.” 撮りましょうか: This comes from the godan verb 撮る, “take,” whose stem used here is 撮り-; 撮りましょう is its polite volitional form, and か makes it a question. In this context, Vましょうか is a polite offer: “Shall I V?” 撮る is a regular godan verb, not an irregular verb. Example: 荷物を持ちましょうか。 — “Shall I carry your luggage?” Together, 使う前に sets the timing as “before using it,” 私が写真を identifies the speaker as the person taking a photo, and 撮りましょうか presents that action as a polite offer. The whole utterance means: “Would you like me to take a photo before I use it?”

6. 写真があれば、二人ともその状態をはっきり確認できます。

   A photo would make the condition clear for both of us.

   写真

   photo

   があれば

   if there is/are

   二人とも

   both of us

   その

   that/the

   状態

   condition; state

   はっきり

   clearly

   確認できます

   can confirm

   More detail

   写真 means “photo.” It is a noun and can be used in many contexts: 写真を撮る means “take a photo,” while 写真がある means “there is a photo” or “we have a photo,” depending on context. があれば makes a conditional clause. It consists of ある (“exist; be available”) in its -ば conditional form: あれば means “if there is” or “if it is available.” Here, 写真があれば means “if there is a photo” or “if a photo is available.” This condition is presented as making the result possible, matching “A photo would make …” in the translation. 二人とも means “both of us” here. とも marks all members of the group as included, so 二人とも refers to both people rather than just one. A reusable pattern is AもBも for “both A and B,” while 二人とも compactly means “both people.” その is an attributive demonstrative meaning “that” or “the” before a noun. In this sentence, the translation identifies the noun it modifies as the condition: その状態 is “that condition.” The form その itself does not show a separate gender or number distinction. 状態 means “state” or “condition.” In その状態, it refers to the condition being examined, rather than introducing a new action. A useful related expression is 状態を確認する, “check the condition.” はっきり is an adverb meaning “clearly” or “distinctly.” It describes how the condition can be confirmed. For example, はっきり見えます means “It can be seen clearly.” 確認できます means “can confirm” or “can check.” The underlying expression is 確認する, “to confirm/check”; with the potential expression 確認できる, it means that confirmation is possible, and 確認できます is its polite form. The polite ending ます presents this ability or possibility in a courteous style. Together, 写真があれば sets the condition “if a photo is available.” 二人とも identifies both participants, and その状態をはっきり確認できます says that they can clearly confirm that condition. The complete meaning is: “A photo would make the condition clear for both of us.”

7. 戻った次の日に返します。

   I'll return it the day after I get back.

   戻った

   got back

   次の日に

   the next day

   返します

   will return it

   More detail

   戻った is the past form of 戻る, “to return” or “to get back.” Here it modifies the following noun phrase: 戻った次の日 means “the day after [someone] got back.” Japanese commonly leaves the subject out when context makes it understood; the fixed translation identifies that person as the speaker. The past form marks the getting-back event as completed before the day being referred to. Example: 家に戻った後で休みます。 — “I’ll rest after I get back home.” 次の日に means “the next day.” 次 means “next” or “following,” and 日 means “day.” The particle に marks the time when the returning will happen. In this sentence, 次の日 is understood relative to the getting-back event in 戻った. 返します is the polite non-past form of 返す, “to return something” or “to give something back.” In a future schedule or promise, this non-past form expresses a future action, so it means “will return it” here. The object is omitted in Japanese; the fixed translation establishes that the speaker will return “it.” The ending ます makes the statement polite. Compare 返します (“will return it / return it”) with the plain form 返す (“will return it / return it” in a less formal style). Together, 戻った次の日に sets the time—“the day after I get back”—and 返します states the polite future action—“I’ll return it.” The complete meaning is: “I’ll return it the day after I get back.”

8. 中に持って入る前に、車輪を拭いてください。

   Please wipe the wheels before bringing it inside.

   中に

   inside

   持って入る

   bring in

   前に

   before

   車輪

   wheel

   拭いてください

   please wipe

   More detail

   中に means “inside” here and marks the destination of the movement. The particle に can mark a destination or location; in this sentence it connects 中 with the action of bringing something into that place. 持って入る is a compound meaning “to carry or bring in.” 持って is the て-form of 持つ (“to hold; carry”), joined to 入る (“enter; go in”). In this utterance, the fixed translation identifies the object as something being brought inside. Example: 荷物を持って入ります。 — “I will bring the luggage in.” 前に means “before.” 前 means “front” or “before,” and に makes the time relation explicit. The pattern verb-dictionary form + 前に means “before doing [something]”; here, 持って入る前に means “before bringing it inside.” Example: 寝る前に歯を磨きます。 — “I brush my teeth before going to bed.” 車輪 means “wheel.” Japanese nouns generally do not mark singular versus plural on their own, so this form can refer to one wheel or multiple wheels; the translation’s plural “wheels” gives the intended reading here. 車輪を marks the wheels as the object of the wiping action. 拭いてください is a polite request meaning “please wipe.” 拭いて is the て-form of the verb 拭く (“wipe”), followed by ください, which makes a request. The observed verb form is therefore 拭く → 拭いて; ください is not part of the verb’s inflection. Example: テーブルを拭いてください。 — “Please wipe the table.” Together, 持って入る前に establishes the condition “before bringing it inside,” while 車輪を拭いてください asks the listener to wipe the wheels. The whole utterance is: “Please wipe the wheels before bringing it inside.”

9. 返す前に、外でそうします。

   I'll do that outside before I bring it back.

   返す

   bring back; return

   前に

   before

   外で

   outside

   そうします

   do so

   More detail

   返す means “to bring back” in this utterance, as fixed by the translation. Its dictionary form is also the form used before 前に in a time expression: 返す前に means “before bringing it back.” Depending on context, 返す can also mean “return” something, but here the intended meaning is bringing it back. 前に means “before” when it follows a verb in its plain, non-past form. Pattern: verb + 前に = “before doing ...” For example, 寝る前に歯を磨きます。 means “I brush my teeth before going to bed.” 外で means “outside” as the place where an action takes place. The particle で marks the location of an action; it does not itself mean “outside.” For example, 外で食べます。 means “I eat outside.” そうします is the polite form of そうする, “to do so” or “to do that.” そう points to an action or way already understood from context, while します is the polite non-past form of する. Here, そうします means “I’ll do that”; the specific action is understood from the surrounding context rather than repeated. Together, 返す前に sets the time condition “before I bring it back,” 外で gives the place “outside,” and そうします says “I’ll do that.” The whole utterance therefore means: “I’ll do that outside before I bring it back.”

10. 旅行中に取っ手で困ったら、教えてください。

    Let me know if the handle gives you trouble during the trip.

    旅行中に

    during the trip

    取っ手

    handle

    困ったら

    if you have trouble

    教えてください

    please let me know

    More detail

    旅行中に combines 旅行 (“travel” or “a trip”) with 中 (“during; in progress”) and the time particle に. Here it sets the time: “during the trip.” The pattern N中に can mark something that happens during N. Example: 仕事中に電話しないでください。 — “Please do not call during work.” 取っ手 is the noun “handle.” It refers to the part used for holding or opening something. In this sentence, the fixed translation identifies it as the handle that may cause difficulty; the sentence does not specify which object it belongs to. 困ったら comes from the intransitive verb 困る, “to be troubled” or “to have difficulty.” Its form is 困った plus ら: 困ったら means “if/when you have trouble.” The たら conditional can describe a situation that, if it occurs, leads to the action in the main clause. Here the understood person having trouble is the addressee, as indicated by the fixed translation. Example: 分からなかったら、聞いてください。 — “If you do not understand, please ask.” 教えてください uses the verb 教える, “to tell” or “to teach,” in its て-form 教えて, followed by ください, a polite request pattern. In this context, 教えて means “let me know” rather than specifically “teach.” The omitted information being requested is what happened or whether there was a problem. Example: 何かあったら教えてください。 — “If anything happens, please let me know.” Together, 旅行中に gives the time, 取っ手で identifies the handle as the source or area of the difficulty, 困ったら sets the condition “if it gives you trouble,” and 教えてください makes the polite request “please let me know.” The whole utterance therefore means: “Let me know if the handle gives you trouble during the trip.”