Managing suitcase weight before a flight | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: Before leaving for a flight, two adults weigh a suitcase and move or remove heavy items to stay within the baggage allowance..

EN → JA / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Managing suitcase weight before a flight to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

スーツケースが重く感じますし、手荷物の重量制限がとても厳しいです。

SOO-tsoo-KEH-soo gah oh-MOH-koo kan-JEE-mahs shee, teh-nee-MOH-tsoo no joo-RYOH say-GEHN gah toh-TEH-moh kee-BEE-shee dehss. My suitcase feels heavy, and the baggage allowance is really strict.
B

出発する前に重さを量って、必要なら今詰め直しましょう。

deh-PAHT-soo-roo MAH-eh nee OH-moh-sah oh HAH-kaht-teh, hee-TSOO-yoh nah-rah ee-MAH tsoo-meh nah-oh-SHEE-mah-SHOH. Weigh it before we leave so you can repack it now if needed.
A

制限を超えているので、何かを出さなければなりません。

say-GEHN oh koh-EH-teh ee-roo noh-DEH, nah-nee-kah oh dah-SAH-nah-keh-reh-bah nah-ree-mah-SEHN. It's over the limit, so I need to take something out.
B

リュックの重量制限に余裕があれば、重い物をリュックに移しましょう。

RYOO-koo no joo-RYOH say-GEHN nee yoh-YOO gah ah-REH-bah, OH-MOH-ee MOH-noh oh RYOO-koo nee oo-TSOO-shee-mah-SHOH. Move heavy items to your backpack if its weight allowance permits.
A

たぶん、本が一番の問題です。

tah-BOON, hohn gah ee-CHIH-bahn no mohn-DAI dehss. The books are probably the main problem.
B

フライトに必要な一冊だけ持っていきましょう。

foo-RAH-ee-toh nee hee-TSOO-yoh nah ee-SAHT-tsoo dah-KEH MOHT-teh ee-kee-mah-SHOH. Bring only the one you need for the flight.
B

残りは家に置いていきましょう。

noh-koh-REE wah EE-eh nee OH-ee-teh ee-kee-mah-SHOH. Leave the rest at home.
A

ジャケットは荷物に入れずに着ていけます。

JAH-keht-toh wah nee-MOH-tsoo nee ee-REH-zoo nee kee-teh ee-KEH-mahs. I can wear the jacket instead of packing it.
B

それなら、全部詰め直さなくても軽くできそうです。

soh-REH nah-rah, ZEHN-boo tsoo-meh nah-oh-SAH-nah-koo-teh-moh kah-ROO-koo deh-kee-SOH dehss. That should help without making you repack everything.
A

これで制限を下回りました。

koh-REH deh say-GEHN oh shee-tah-mah-WAH-ree-mah-shee-tah. Now it's under the limit.
B

これで、カウンターでスーツケースを開けずに出発できます。

koh-REH deh, KAH-oon-TAH deh SOO-tsoo-KEH-soo oh ah-KEH-zoo nee deh-PAHT-soo deh-KEH-mahs. Then we can leave without opening the suitcase at the counter.

Word by Word

スーツケース スーツケース means “suitcase” here, the case whose weight is being checked. It is used as a noun, as in スーツケースが重く感じます. A traveler can use it when discussing packing or luggage.
が が marks スーツケース as the subject of the feeling in スーツケースが重く感じます. It identifies what feels heavy. A common pattern is [subject]が感じます when describing something perceived or felt.
重く 重く means “heavily” or “in a heavy state” here, describing how the suitcase feels. It is the form of 重い used before 感じます. A reusable pattern is 重く感じる for saying that something feels heavy.
感じます 感じます means “feel” in スーツケースが重く感じます. The polite citation form is 感じる, and this form makes the statement polite. Use it to describe a personal impression, such as something feeling heavy or comfortable.
し し links this point with another related point in スーツケースが重く感じますし、手荷物の重量制限がとても厳しいです. Here it adds the strict baggage limit as another reason for concern. A common pattern is [reason]し、[another reason]し when listing related points.
手荷物 手荷物 means “baggage” or “hand luggage” here. It is connected to the weight restriction by 手荷物の重量制限. You can use it when talking about the belongings you carry while traveling.
の の connects 手荷物 with 重量制限 in 手荷物の重量制限, meaning “the baggage weight limit.” It shows the relationship between the two nouns. A common pattern is [noun]の[noun] for a category, connection, or possession.
重量制限 重量制限 means “weight limit” here, specifically the limit for baggage. It names the rule that makes the suitcase problem serious. Use it when discussing allowed weight for luggage or other items.
とても とても means “very” here and strengthens 厳しい in とても厳しいです. It shows that the weight restriction is particularly strict. A common pattern is とても＋adjective for a strong degree.
厳しい 厳しい means “strict” here, describing the baggage weight restriction. It expresses that the allowance does not permit much extra weight. Use it for rules or conditions that are difficult to satisfy.
です です gives the statement 手荷物の重量制限がとても厳しいです a polite ending. It presents the description respectfully in this conversation. It commonly follows a noun or an adjective-based statement in polite speech.
出発する 出発する means “depart” or “leave” here, as in 出発する前に. The exact form appears before 前に to identify the departure time. Use it when talking about leaving for a trip or another destination.
前 前 means “before” in 出発する前に, referring to the time before departure. Together with the preceding verb, it creates a time expression. A common pattern is [verb]前に＋action for doing something before an event.
に に marks the time relationship in 出発する前に, meaning “before departing.” It connects the time expression to the following action, 量って. Use it after a time expression when saying when an action takes place.
重さ 重さ means “weight” here, the amount being checked before repacking. It is the noun related to the suitcase being heavy. A common pattern is [thing]の重さ for the weight of something.
を を marks 重さ as the object of 量って in 重さを量って. It shows what is measured. A common pattern is [object]を＋action when identifying the thing acted on.
量って 量って means “weigh it” or “measure its weight” here. It is the form of 量る used to connect this action with the following suggestion. A reusable pattern is [thing]を量って、[next action] when measuring something before deciding what to do.
必要なら 必要なら means “if necessary” here, introducing the condition for repacking. It keeps the suggestion limited to the situation in which repacking is needed. A common pattern is 必要なら＋action for offering an action only when it is needed.
今 今 means “now” here, indicating that repacking can be done at the current time. It modifies 詰め直しましょう. Use it to distinguish the present action from doing something later.
詰め直しましょう 詰め直しましょう means “let’s repack” here, referring to packing the suitcase again. It combines the idea of doing the packing again with a polite suggestion. A common pattern is [action]直しましょう when suggesting that something be done again.
制限 制限 means “limit” here, specifically the baggage weight limit. In 制限を超えている and 制限を下回りました, it is the standard being compared with the suitcase weight. Use it when discussing a rule or maximum amount.
超えている 超えている means “is over” or “exceeds” here, stating that the suitcase weight is above 制限. It describes the current result of the measurement. A common pattern is [amount]が[standard]を超えている for saying that an amount is too high.
ので ので means “because” or “so” in 制限を超えているので、何かを出さなければなりません. It connects the excessive weight with the necessary action. A common pattern is [reason]ので、[result] for giving a reason in a relatively soft, explanatory way.
何か 何か means “something” here, referring to an unspecified item that can be removed from the suitcase. It leaves the exact item open. A common pattern is 何かを＋action when the specific object is not yet decided.
出さなければなりません 出さなければなりません means “must take something out” here, referring to removing an item from the suitcase. Within this expression, 出さ is the form of “take out” used before なければ, なければ creates the “if not” condition, and なりません completes the obligation expression. A reusable pattern is [action]なければなりません for saying that something must be done.
リュック リュック means “backpack” here, the alternative place for moving heavy items. It is the destination marked by に in リュックに移しましょう. Use it when discussing carrying belongings on one’s back.
余裕 余裕 means “available room” or “allowance” here, referring to room under the backpack’s weight allowance. It describes capacity that is still available. A common pattern is [limit]に余裕がある when there is room before reaching a limit.
あれば あれば means “if there is” or “if available” here, as in 重量制限に余裕があれば. It makes moving the items conditional on having enough remaining allowance. A common pattern is [thing]があれば＋action for acting if something is available.
重い 重い means “heavy” here and describes the items to be moved. It directly modifies 物 in 重い物. A common pattern is 重い＋noun when identifying something with substantial weight.
物 物 means “thing” or “item” here, referring to the heavy belongings in the suitcase. Together, 重い物 means “heavy items.” Use it when referring generally to physical objects without naming each one.
移しましょう 移しましょう means “let’s move” or “let’s transfer” here, specifically moving items to the backpack. It presents the action as a polite joint suggestion. A common pattern is [item]を[place]に移しましょう for suggesting a transfer to a destination.
たぶん たぶん means “probably” here and shows that the speaker is making a likely judgment rather than stating certainty. It modifies 本が一番の問題です. Use it when offering an estimate or tentative opinion.
本 本 means “book” here, referring to the books that are contributing most to the weight. Japanese uses the same noun for one or multiple books in this context. Use it when discussing reading material or books being packed.
一番 一番 means “the main” or “the most” here, making 本が一番の問題 the biggest or main problem. It emphasizes the highest degree among the possible causes. A common pattern is 一番の＋noun for identifying the main or greatest one.
問題 問題 means “problem” here, referring to the books as the main cause of the excessive weight. It names the difficulty being addressed. Use it when identifying an issue that needs attention or a solution.
フライト フライト means “flight” here, the trip for which only one book is needed. It is connected to 必要な一冊 by に in フライトに必要な一冊. Use it when talking about a particular air journey.
必要 必要 means “necessary” or “needed” here, describing the one book required for the flight. It appears before な一冊 to modify the noun. A common pattern is [purpose]に必要な＋noun for something needed for a purpose.
な な links 必要 to 一冊 in 必要な一冊, allowing 必要 to describe the following noun. The whole phrase means “the one book needed.” A common pattern is [describing word]な＋noun when this type of noun description requires な.
一冊 一冊 means “one book” here. 一冊 is the counter expression used for the single book to bring on the flight. Use it when specifying one book in a quantity expression.
だけ だけ means “only” here and limits the quantity to 一冊 in 一冊だけ. It makes clear that no additional books should be brought. A common pattern is [quantity]だけ for saying “only that amount.”
持っていきましょう 持っていきましょう means “let’s take it along” here, carrying the selected book to the flight. It combines 持つ with the direction of taking something away and a polite suggestion. A common pattern is [object]を持っていきましょう when suggesting that someone take an item to another place.
残り 残り means “the rest” or “the remainder” here, referring to the books not selected for the flight. It identifies what remains after one book is chosen. Use it when separating a chosen part from what is left.
は は marks 残り as the topic in 残りは家に置いていきましょう. It sets the remaining items apart as the subject of the next suggestion. A common pattern is [topic]は＋statement when shifting attention to a particular item or group.
家 家 means “home” here, the place where the remaining books should stay. It is the destination marked by に in 家に置いていきましょう. Use it when talking about keeping or leaving something at home.
置いていきましょう 置いていきましょう means “let’s leave it behind” here, specifically leaving the remaining books at home. It combines placing something with taking one’s departure and a polite suggestion. A common pattern is [item]を[place]に置いていきましょう for leaving an item in a place before going.
ジャケット ジャケット means “jacket” here, the item the speaker can wear instead of packing. It is the object understood with 着ていけます. Use it when discussing clothing for travel or another outing.
荷物 荷物 means “luggage” or “baggage” here, the belongings into which the jacket would otherwise be packed. It appears in the translated context of 荷物に入れずに. Use it for a bag’s contents or luggage in general.
入れず 入れず means “without putting it in” here, referring to not putting the jacket into the luggage. It connects the omission of that action with 着ていけます. A common pattern is [action]ずに＋action for saying that one action is done without doing another.
着ていけます 着ていけます means “can wear it and go” here, explaining that the jacket can be worn instead of packed. It combines wearing the jacket with going on to the destination and expresses ability. Use it when clothing can be worn while traveling rather than carried separately.
それ それ means “that” here, referring to the proposed solution of wearing the jacket. It points back to the immediately preceding idea. Use it to refer to an option or matter already mentioned.
なら なら means “if that is the case” here, accepting the proposal about wearing the jacket as the condition for the next conclusion. Together, それなら means “in that case.” A common pattern is それなら＋conclusion when responding to a suggestion or new information.
全部 全部 means “everything” or “the whole lot” here, referring to all of the suitcase’s contents. It is the object understood with 詰め直す. Use it to emphasize that no part is excluded.
詰め直さなくても 詰め直さなくても means “even without repacking” here, saying that the suitcase can be made lighter without repacking everything. It combines the negative form of 詰め直す with なくても, meaning that the condition is not required. A common pattern is [action]なくても＋result for saying that a result is possible without doing something.
軽く 軽く means “lighter” or “in a lighter state” here, as in 軽くできそう, “it seems possible to make it lighter.” It is the form of 軽い used before できそう. A common pattern is [thing]を軽くする for making something lighter.
できそう できそう means “seems possible” here, indicating that the suitcase can probably be made lighter. It expresses an appearance or expectation of ability rather than a firm promise. A common pattern is [action]できそう for saying that an action looks feasible.
これ これ means “this” here, referring to the packing adjustments just made. In これで, it points to the current result of those adjustments. Use it to refer to something nearby or to a just-mentioned solution.
で で means “with this” or “as a result of this” here in これで制限を下回りました. It presents the adjustment as what brought about the result. A common pattern is これで＋result when announcing what has been achieved by a change.
下回りました 下回りました means “fell below” or “went under” here, stating that the suitcase weight is now below the limit. The polite citation form is 下回る, and this form reports the completed result politely. Use it when an amount becomes lower than a stated standard or limit.
カウンター カウンター means “counter” here, specifically the place where the suitcase might otherwise be opened. It is marked by で in カウンターで開けずに. Use it when referring to a service or check-in counter.
開けず 開けず means “without opening” here, referring to not opening the suitcase at the counter. It connects the avoided action with the ability to depart. A common pattern is [action]ずに＋action for saying that one action happens without another.
出発できます 出発できます means “can depart” here, stating that they are able to leave without opening the suitcase. The polite citation form is 出発できる, and this form expresses ability politely. Use it when saying that departure is possible under a particular condition.

Grammar Points

〜なら

必要なら、詰め直しましょう

hee-TSOO-yoh nah-rah, tsoo-meh nah-oh-SHEE-mah-SHOH

If necessary, let's repack it.

「〜なら」は条件を表し、「if ...」という意味になります。

〜なければなりません

重い物を出さなければなりません

OH-MOH-ee MOH-noh oh dah-SAH-nah-keh-reh-bah nah-ree-mah-SEHN

We must take out the heavy item.

「〜なければなりません」は、義務や必要性を表します。

Japanese Vocabulary

スーツケース noun
SOO-tsoo-KEH-soo suitcase

スーツケースが重く感じますし、手荷物の重量制限がとても厳しいです。

リュック noun
RYOO-koo backpack

リュックの重量制限に余裕があれば、重い物をリュックに移しましょう。

詰め直す verb
tsoo-meh nah-OH-soo to repack 詰め直しましょう

出発する前に重さを量って、必要なら今詰め直しましょう。

厳しい adj
kee-BEE-shee strict; severe 厳しいです

手荷物の重量制限がとても厳しいです。

手荷物 noun
teh-nee-MOH-tsoo baggage; hand luggage

手荷物の重量制限がとても厳しいです。

重さ noun
OH-moh-sah weight

出発する前に重さを量って、必要なら今詰め直しましょう。

重量制限 noun
joo-RYOH say-GEHN weight limit; baggage weight allowance

手荷物の重量制限がとても厳しいです。

出す verb
dah-SOO to take out; to remove 出さなければなりません

制限を超えているので、何かを出さなければなりません。

制限 noun
say-GEHN limit; restriction

制限を超えているので、何かを出さなければなりません。

超える verb
koh-EH-roo to exceed; to go over 超えている

制限を超えているので、何かを出さなければなりません。

必要 adj
hee-TSOO-yoh necessary; needed 必要なら

出発する前に重さを量って、必要なら今詰め直しましょう。

量る verb
HAH-kah-roo to weigh; to measure 量って

出発する前に重さを量って、必要なら今詰め直しましょう。

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

suitcase

Show Answerスーツケース

to repack

Show Answer詰め直しましょう

weight limit; baggage weight allowance

Show Answer重量制限

necessary; needed

Show Answer必要なら