Protecting valuables at a crowded festival | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: At a crowded festival, two adults decide how to keep a phone, wallet, and backpack safer while still enjoying the event..

EN → JA / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Protecting valuables at a crowded festival to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

この祭りは、思っていたよりずっと混雑しています。

ko-no mah-tsu-REE wa, oh-MOT-teh-EE-tah yoh-ree ZUT-toh kon-ZAT-shi-teh EE-mas. This festival is much more crowded than I expected.
B

貴重品はファスナー付きのポケットに入れて、外側のポーチには入れないでください。

kee-CHOH-hin wa fah-soo-NAH-tsoo-kee no PO-keh-toh nee ee-REH-teh, SOH-toh-gah-wah no POH-chee nee wa ee-reh-NAI-deh koo-dah-SAI. Keep your valuables in a zippered pocket, not in the outside pouch.
A

音楽に気を取られる前に、スマートフォンを移しておきます。

OHN-gah-koo nee kee oh toh-rah-REH-roo mah-eh nee, soo-MAH-toh-fohn oh oo-TSOO-shee-teh oh-kee-MAS. I'll move my phone before the music distracts me.
B

今すぐやってください。スリは、注意を払わなくなった人をよく狙っています。

ee-MAH SOO-goo yah-tteh koo-dah-SAI. soo-REE wa, CHOO-ee oh hah-rah-wah-nah-koo nah-tah heen oh yoh-koo nah-RAH-tteh EE-mas. Do it now. Pickpockets often watch for people who stop paying attention.
A

リュックは前に背負ったほうがいいですか。

RYOOK-koo wa mah-eh nee seh-ot-tah hoh gah EE-dess kah. Should I wear my backpack in front of me?
B

そのほうが、食べ物の屋台や入場ゲートの近くでは安全です。

so-no hoh gah, tah-beh-MOH-noh yah-TAI yah nyoo-JOH geh-toh no CHEE-kah-koo deh-wa ahn-ZEN dess. That would be safer near the food stalls and entrance gates.
A

財布も内側のポケットに入れておきます。

SAI-foo moh oo-chee-gah-wah no PO-keh-toh nee ee-REH-teh oh-kee-MAS. I'll put my wallet in the inside pocket too.
B

そうすれば、手が届きにくくなります。

soh-oo soo-reh-bah, teh gah toh-doh-kee nee-koo-koo nah-ree-MAS. That way it is harder to reach.
B

でも、祭りを楽しむことはできます。

deh-MOH, mah-tsu-REE oh tah-no-SHEE-moo koh-toh wa deh-KEE-MAS. But you can still enjoy the festival.
A

不安な気持ちにはなりたくありません。気をつけていたいだけです。

foo-AHN nah kee-MOH-chee nee wa nah-ree-tah-koo ah-ree-mah-SEN. kee oh tsoo-keh-teh ee-TAI dah-keh dess. I don't want to feel anxious, just careful.
B

それなら、午後ずっと心配せずに、注意していましょう。

so-reh-NAH-rah, goh-GOH ZUT-toh sheem-pai seh-zoo nee, CHOO-ee shee-teh ee-mah-SHOH. Then let us stay alert without worrying all afternoon.

Word by Word

この この means this and points to the particular festival being discussed in この祭り. It comes directly before a noun, as in この祭り. A new example is この店 for this shop.
祭り 祭り means festival here, referring to the crowded event they are attending. It is the noun modified by この in この祭り. A new example is 地域の祭り for a local festival.
は は marks 祭り as the topic in この祭りは, so the sentence is about this festival. It can also mark a contrast when the speaker compares this topic with something else. A new example is この道は広いです for this road is wide.
思って 思って expresses thinking or expecting as part of 思っていた, meaning what the speaker had expected. It is followed by いた and then より in the comparison 思っていたより. A new example is 思っていたより難しい for more difficult than I expected.
いた いた shows the earlier state of expecting in 思っていた, referring to what the speaker had been thinking before seeing the festival. Together, 思っていたより introduces the expected standard for comparison. A new example is 以前は東京にいた for I was in Tokyo before.
より より marks the comparison standard in 思っていたより, meaning than I expected. The form usually follows the thing used as the basis of comparison. A new example is 昨日より暑い for hotter than yesterday.
ずっと ずっと strengthens the comparison in ずっと混雑しています, meaning much or far more crowded. Here it emphasizes a large difference from the expected level. A new example is こちらのほうがずっと安い for this one is much cheaper.
混雑して 混雑して describes the festival as crowded in 混雑しています. The te-form connects the description to います, which presents the crowded state as continuing now. A new example is 駅が混雑している for the station is crowded.
います います completes 混雑しています and presents the festival's crowded condition as a current state. In this sentence it is a polite ending used after the te-form 混雑して. A new example is 店が開いています for the shop is open.
貴重品 貴重品 means valuables, such as the phone and wallet they want to protect. In 貴重品は, it is the topic of the instruction about where to keep them. A new example is 貴重品を預ける for to leave valuables with someone.
ファスナー付き ファスナー付き means with a zipper or zippered, describing the pocket in ファスナー付きのポケット. It identifies the pocket as one that can be closed with a zipper. A new example is ファスナー付きのバッグ for a zippered bag.
の の links ファスナー付き to ポケット in ファスナー付きのポケット, making the first expression describe the second noun. This is a common noun-modifying pattern. A new example is 旅行のバッグ for a travel bag.
ポケット ポケット means pocket, specifically the secure pocket where the valuables should be kept. In ファスナー付きのポケット, it is modified by the description with a zipper. A new example is ポケットに鍵を入れる for put the key in the pocket.
に に marks the destination or storage location in ポケットに入れて, indicating where the valuables should be put. With 入れる, it commonly marks the container or place receiving something. A new example is 箱に入れる for put it in a box.
入れて 入れて means put in here and gives the first action in 貴重品はファスナー付きのポケットに入れて. The te-form links this instruction with the following contrast about the outside pouch. A new example is 鍵をバッグに入れて for put the key in the bag.
外側 外側 means the outside or outer side, identifying the less secure area in 外側のポーチ. It contrasts with the inside pocket mentioned later. A new example is 箱の外側 for the outside of the box.
ポーチ ポーチ means pouch, referring here to the outside pouch where the valuables should not be kept. In 外側のポーチ, 外側 describes its position. A new example is 小さなポーチ for a small pouch.
入れない 入れない means do not put in here, referring to the outside pouch in 入れないでください. The negative form is followed by でください to make a polite request. A new example is ここに入れないでください for please do not put it here.
で で connects the negative form 入れない to ください in 入れないでください, creating a polite request not to do something. This pattern is used after a negative form when asking someone to refrain from an action. A new example is 忘れないでください for please do not forget.
ください ください makes 入れないでください a polite request: please do not put it in. It follows a te-form or negative te-form to ask someone to perform or avoid an action. A new example is 見てください for please look.
音楽 音楽 means music, which is the thing expected to distract the speaker in 音楽に気を取られる. It provides the cause of the possible loss of attention. A new example is 音楽を聞く for listen to music.
気 気 means attention or awareness in 気を取られる, where the speaker's attention is taken by the music. Its meaning here comes from the whole expression 気を取られる rather than from 気 alone. A new example is 気が散る for one's attention is distracted.
を を marks 気 as the object affected in 気を取られる. In this expression, the attention is what gets taken away by the music. A new example is 荷物を持つ for hold luggage.
取られる 取られる means have one's attention taken or be distracted in 気を取られる. The complete expression explains why the speaker wants to move the phone before the music becomes distracting. A new example is 話に気を取られる for be distracted by a conversation.
前 前 means front or before in 前に, and here it refers to the front position where the backpack can be worn. The same form appears in the advice about carrying the backpack in front. A new example is 駅の前 for in front of the station.
スマートフォン スマートフォン means smartphone, the valuable item the speaker plans to move. It is the object understood with 移しておきます. A new example is スマートフォンを充電する for charge the smartphone.
移して 移して means move or transfer here, referring to moving the smartphone to a safer place. In 移しておきます, the te-form combines with おきます to show that the action will be completed in advance. A new example is 荷物を別の部屋に移して for move the luggage to another room.
おきます おきます adds the idea of doing something in advance in 移しておきます. The speaker will move the smartphone before the music distracts them, so the preparation is completed beforehand. A new example is 予約しておきます for I will make a reservation in advance.
今 今 means now in 今すぐやってください and points to the present moment. It makes the request immediate because the phone should be moved before attention is lost. A new example is 今始めます for I will start now.
すぐ すぐ means immediately in 今すぐ, strengthening the request to do the action without delay. It commonly appears before an action that should happen at once. A new example is すぐ戻ります for I will be back soon.
やって やって means do it here and is the te-form used in やってください, a polite request to carry out the action just discussed. The object is understood from the previous sentence. A new example is もう一度やってください for please do it once more.
スリ スリ means pickpocket, referring to people who may target valuables in the crowded festival. It is the topic of the warning in スリは. A new example is スリに気をつける for be careful of pickpockets.
注意 注意 means attention or care in 注意を払う, the expression used for paying attention. Here it describes the awareness that pickpockets look for people to lose. A new example is 注意が必要です for attention is necessary.
払わなく 払わなく means not pay or give in 注意を払わなくなった, referring to no longer paying attention. It is the negative form that comes before なった to describe a change into that state. A new example is お金を払わなくていいです for you do not have to pay.
なった なった means became or came to be in 注意を払わなくなった, showing that a person came to stop paying attention. The phrase describes a change from paying attention to not paying attention. A new example is 静かになった for it became quiet.
人 人 means person or people in 注意を払わなくなった人, identifying the people whom pickpockets target. It follows the description of their behavior and turns it into a noun phrase. A new example is 駅にいる人 for people at the station.
よく よく means often in よく狙っています, describing something pickpockets do frequently. It comes before the action it modifies. A new example is よく使います for use it often.
狙って 狙って means target or watch for in よく狙っています, describing the action of pickpockets toward inattentive people. The te-form connects with います to present this as an ongoing or repeated pattern. A new example is 店を狙っている for targeting a shop.
リュック リュック means backpack, the item whose position is being discussed for better safety. In リュックは, it is the topic of the question. A new example is リュックを開ける for open the backpack.
背負った 背負った means carried or worn on the back in 背負ったほうがいいですか. It describes the proposed way of wearing the backpack before ほうがいい expresses advice. A new example is 荷物を背負ったまま歩く for walk while carrying luggage on one's back.
ほう ほう means way or option in 背負ったほうがいい, which presents wearing the backpack that way as the preferable choice. The reusable pattern is verb past form plus ほうがいい for advice. A new example is 早く寝たほうがいい for you should go to bed early.
が が marks the preferred option in 背負ったほうがいい, focusing on that way as the one that is good or advisable. In this construction, it follows ほう. A new example is 水を飲んだほうがいい for you should drink water.
いい いい means good or advisable in 背負ったほうがいい, so the expression recommends wearing the backpack in front. The pattern verb plus ほうがいい gives advice about a choice. A new example is 休んだほうがいい for you should rest.
です です gives the recommendation 背負ったほうがいい a polite sentence ending. It makes the advice suitable for a polite conversation. A new example is これで大丈夫です for this is fine.
か か marks 背負ったほうがいいですか as a question asking whether that option is advisable. It is placed at the end of the polite sentence. A new example is ここで待ちますか for will you wait here?
その その means that and refers back to the option just mentioned, wearing the backpack in front. In そのほうが, it avoids repeating the whole proposal. A new example is その方法 for that method.
食べ物 食べ物 means food and modifies 屋台 in 食べ物の屋台, meaning stalls selling food. It identifies the type of stalls near which extra care is useful. A new example is 食べ物を買う for buy food.
屋台 屋台 means stall, specifically a food stall in 食べ物の屋台. It is one of the crowded places where the backpack should be worn in front. A new example is 屋台で焼きそばを買う for buy fried noodles at a stall.
や や lists examples in 屋台や入場ゲート, meaning food stalls and entrance gates among the relevant places. Unlike a complete list, this pattern leaves room for other similar places. A new example is 本やノート for books, notebooks, and other things.
入場 入場 means entrance or admission in 入場ゲート, identifying gates used to enter the festival. It functions as a noun modifier before ゲート. A new example is 入場時間 for admission time.
ゲート ゲート means gate, specifically an entrance gate in 入場ゲート. It is the second example of a crowded area mentioned in the advice. A new example is ゲートの前で待つ for wait in front of the gate.
近く 近く means nearby or the vicinity in 近くでは, referring to areas near the food stalls and entrance gates. With では, it sets that location as the situation where the advice applies. A new example is 駅の近くで会う for meet near the station.
安全 安全 means safe or safety here, describing the front-worn backpack as a safer choice in that location. In そのほうが安全です, it is the quality being attributed to that option. A new example is ここは安全です for this place is safe.
財布 財布 means wallet, another valuable item the speaker plans to protect. In 財布も, it is added to the phone or other items already being discussed. A new example is 財布を探す for look for a wallet.
も も means also or too in 財布も, adding the wallet to the items that will be placed in a safer location. It replaces the usual topic or object marking for this added item. A new example is 私も行きます for I will go too.
内側 内側 means the inside or inner side in 内側のポケット, identifying the more protected pocket. It contrasts with 外側 in the earlier outside pouch. A new example is ドアの内側 for the inside of the door.
そう そう means so or that way in そうすれば, referring to the preceding action of putting the wallet in the inside pocket. It lets the speaker describe the result without repeating that action. A new example is そうすると問題ありません for if you do that, there is no problem.
すれば すれば means if one does so in そうすれば, introducing the result of the preceding safety measure. Together, そうすれば means if you do that or that way. A new example is 予約すれば安心です for if you make a reservation, you can feel relieved.
手 手 means hand in 手が届きにくくなります, referring to the hand of someone trying to reach the wallet. It is marked by が as the thing whose reach is being described. A new example is 手を洗う for wash one's hands.
届きにくく 届きにくく means difficult to reach in 届きにくくなります. The form combines the idea of reaching with にくい and connects to なります to show that reaching becomes difficult. A new example is 声が届きにくい for a voice is difficult to hear or reach.
なります なります means becomes or comes to be in 届きにくくなります, showing a change to a harder-to-reach condition. It follows 届きにくく and gives the sentence a polite ending. A new example is 暗くなります for it will become dark.
でも でも means but or however and contrasts the safety precautions with the continuing possibility of enjoying the festival. It introduces a reassuring point after the warning about reach. A new example is 雨でも行きます for I will go even if it rains.
楽しむ 楽しむ means enjoy here, referring to enjoying the festival despite taking precautions. It is the verb before こと in 楽しむことはできます. A new example is 旅行を楽しむ for enjoy a trip.
こと こと turns 楽しむ into a noun-like expression in 楽しむことはできます, meaning the act or possibility of enjoying the festival. This allows the expression to be followed by できます. A new example is 本を読むことが好きです for I like reading books.
できます できます means can or be able to in 楽しむことはできます, reassuring the listener that enjoyment remains possible. It follows the noun-like phrase 楽しむこと. A new example is ここでカードが使えます for you can use a card here.
不安 不安 means anxious or uneasy in 不安な気持ち, describing the feeling the speaker does not want to have. It is used before な to modify 気持ち. A new example is 不安を感じる for feel anxious.
な な links 不安 to 気持ち in 不安な気持ち, allowing the noun-like description anxious to modify feeling. This link is used with this type of adjective before a noun. A new example is 静かな場所 for a quiet place.
気持ち 気持ち means feeling in 不安な気持ち, referring to the speaker's emotional state. The phrase describes not wanting to become anxious, rather than simply describing the festival. A new example is 感謝の気持ち for a feeling of gratitude.
なりたく なりたく means want to become or feel in なりたくありません, referring to becoming anxious or having that feeling. It is followed by ありません, which makes the desire negative. A new example is 医者になりたい for want to become a doctor.
ありません ありません makes なりたくありません mean do not want to become or feel that way. It is the polite negative ending used after なりたく in this sentence. A new example is 時間がありません for there is no time.
気をつけて 気をつけて means be careful or pay attention as a complete expression in 気をつけていたい. 気 contributes attention or care, を marks it within the expression, and つけて is the connecting form that leads to いたい. A new example is 気をつけてください for please be careful.
いたい いたい means want to remain or keep being in 気をつけていたい, so the speaker wants to continue being careful. It follows the te-form expression 気をつけて and expresses a desire to maintain that state. A new example is ここにいたい for I want to stay here.
だけ だけ means only or just in 気をつけていたいだけです, limiting the speaker's intention to being careful rather than feeling anxious. It emphasizes that this is the sole desired condition. A new example is一つだけください for please give me just one.
それなら それなら means then or in that case, responding to the speaker's statement about wanting to be careful without feeling anxious. It introduces the practical suggestion that follows. A new example is それなら、こちらにしましょう for then, let's choose this one.
午後 午後 means afternoon in 午後ずっと, setting the period during which they want to stay alert. It is followed by ずっと to cover the whole afternoon. A new example is 午後に会いましょう for let's meet in the afternoon.
心配せず 心配せず means without worrying in 心配せずに, describing the attitude they want to maintain during the afternoon. It connects to the following action through に. A new example is 急がずに歩く for walk without hurrying.
注意して 注意して means stay alert or pay attention in 注意していましょう. The te-form connects 注意する with いましょう, creating a suggestion to remain attentive. A new example is 注意して聞いてください for please listen carefully.
いましょう いましょう means let us stay or remain in 注意していましょう, inviting both people to keep paying attention. It follows 注意して and gives the sentence a polite shared suggestion. A new example is ここで待っていましょう for let's wait here.

Grammar Points

〜ておく

音楽を移しておきます。

OHN-gah-koo oh oo-TSOO-shee-teh oh-kee-MAS.

I will move the music beforehand.

〜ておく expresses doing something in advance for a later purpose.

〜ずに

心配せずに楽しむ

sheim-pai seh-zoo nee tah-no-SHEE-moo

to enjoy without worrying

〜ずに means “without doing”; it is a more formal alternative to 〜ないで.

Japanese Vocabulary

ずっと adv
ZUT-toh much; by far
ファスナー付き adj
fah-soo-NAH-tsoo-kee zippered; with a zipper
ポーチ noun
POH-chee pouch
ポケット noun
PO-keh-toh pocket
移す verb
oo-TSOO-soo to move; to transfer 移しておきます
音楽 noun
OHN-gah-koo music
外側 noun
SOH-toh-gah-wah outside; exterior
貴重品 noun
kee-CHOH-hin valuables
混雑する verb
kon-ZAT-soo-roo to be crowded 混雑しています
祭り noun
mah-tsu-REE festival
思う verb
oh-MOH-oo to think; to expect 思っていた
入れる verb
ee-REH-roo to put in; to place inside 入れて

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

pocket

Show Answerポケット

to think; to expect

Show Answer思っていた

to be crowded

Show Answer混雑しています

zippered; with a zipper

Show Answerファスナー付き