Take a focused break before productivity drops | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: At work, two adults pause spreadsheet work to take a short focused break and return with a clearer plan..

EN → JA / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Take a focused break before productivity drops to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

このスプレッドシートをもうすぐ2時間見続けています。

koh-NOH suh-PREDD-shee-toh-oh moh-oo-SOO-goo nee-jee-KAHN mee-tsoo-KEH-teh ee-MAHS I have been staring at this spreadsheet for almost two hours.
B

このまま無理をして続けても、集中力はたぶん落ちていくと思います。

koh-NOH-mah-mah MOO-ree-oh she-TEH tsoo-ZOO-keh-TEH-moh, shoo-CHOO-ryoh-koo-wah tah-BOON oh-CHEE-teh ee-KOO toh oh-MOH-ee-MAHS Your focus is probably fading, even if you keep pushing.
A

目が疲れていますが、昼食前に終わらせたかったのです。

meh-gah tsoo-kah-REH-teh ee-MAHS-gah, CHOO-shoh-koo-MAE-nee oh-wah-rah-SEH-tah-KAHT-tah no dess My eyes feel tired, but I wanted to finish before lunch.
B

少し休憩すると、その後もっと早く終えられるかもしれません。

suh-KOH-shee KYOO-kay soo-ROH, soh-NOH-ah-TOH MOHT-toh HAH-yoo-koo oh-EH-rah-reh-roo kah-moh-shee-reh-MAHS-en A short break might help you finish faster afterward.
A

携帯電話を見る代わりに、ストレッチをして水を取りに行ったほうがいいかもしれません。

MEH-bye keh-TAI den-WAH-oh MEE-roo kaw-WAH-ree-nee, suh-toh-RECH-chee oh she-TEH mee-ZOO-oh toh-REE nee een-DAH HOH-gah EE kah-moh-shee-reh-MAHS-en Maybe I should stretch and get water instead of checking my phone.
B

そうすれば、目と体をしっかり休められます。

soh-oo-SHAH-reh-bah, meh toh kah-RAH-oh shik-KAH-ree yah-SOO-meh-rah-reh-MAHS That would help your eyes and body rest properly.
A

少し休憩して、もっとはっきりした計画を立てて戻りましょう。

suh-KOH-shee KYOO-kay she-TEH, MOHT-toh hahk-KEE-ree she-TAH KAY-kah-koo-oh tah-TEH-teh moh-DOH-ree-mah-SHOH Let's take a short break and come back with a clearer plan.
B

戻ったら、問題のある行だけを確認できます。

moh-DOH-tah-rah, mohn-DAI-noh ah-ROO GYOH-dah-KEH-oh KAH-koo-NIN deh-KEE-MAHS When we return, we can review only the problem rows.
A

全部を無理に続けるより、そのほうが集中できそうです。

zen-BOO-oh MOO-REE-nee tsoo-ZOO-keh-roo yoh-REE, soh-NOH-hoh-gah shoo-CHOO deh-KEE-soh dess That sounds more focused than forcing myself through everything.
B

では、タイマーをセットして、まずその行から始めましょう。

deh-WAH, TAI-mah-oh seh-TOH-she-TEH, MAH-zoo soh-NOH GYOH-kah-rah hah-jee-meh-MAH-shoh Then let's set a timer and start with those rows first.

Word by Word

この この points to the spreadsheet that is currently being viewed and means “this.” It is placed directly before a noun, as in the exact phrase 「このスプレッドシート」, and is useful when identifying something near or relevant to the speaker.
スプレッドシート スプレッドシート means “spreadsheet,” the document the speaker has been looking at. In the exact phrase 「このスプレッドシートを」, it is the thing receiving the action of looking; this pattern is useful for naming a document or work file.
を を marks 「このスプレッドシート」 as the object of the action in 「このスプレッドシートをもうすぐ2時間見続けています」. Use it after the thing that someone looks at, checks, or performs an action on.
もうすぐ もうすぐ means “almost” here, indicating that a duration is close to reaching a point. In 「もうすぐ2時間」, it means that nearly two hours have passed; it is useful before a time or event that is approaching.
時間 時間 measures a period of time in 「もうすぐ2時間」, meaning “almost two hours.” It commonly follows a number when describing how long an activity has lasted.
見続けています 見続けています means “have been continuing to look at” and describes an action that has continued up to now. In 「このスプレッドシートをもうすぐ2時間見続けています」, it presents the prolonged activity as the reason the speaker needs a break.
まま まま means “in the same state” in 「このまま」, referring to continuing under the current conditions. It is useful when describing what happens if someone leaves a situation unchanged.
無理 無理 means forcing oneself or making an unreasonable effort in 「無理をして続けても」. The expression describes pushing on despite tiredness, and it is useful when talking about effort that may be excessive.
して して links the unreasonable effort in 「無理をして」 to the continuing action that follows. Together, 「無理をして続けても」 means “even if you continue by forcing yourself”; this linking form is useful for connecting one action or condition to another.
続けても 続けても means “even if you continue” in 「無理をして続けても」. The ending marks a concession, so the sentence says that the result may still occur despite continuing; use this pattern when discussing an outcome that remains possible under a condition.
集中力 集中力 means “focus” or “concentration,” specifically the ability to stay mentally focused. In 「集中力はたぶん落ちていくと思います」, it is the topic whose level is expected to decline; this word is useful when discussing attention during work or study.
は は marks 「集中力」 as the topic in 「集中力はたぶん落ちていくと思います」. It introduces what the speaker is making a prediction about, a common use when discussing a person, condition, or ability.
たぶん たぶん means “probably” and softens the prediction in 「集中力はたぶん落ちていくと思います」. It is useful before a statement when the speaker considers something likely but not certain.
落ちていく 落ちていく describes something continuing to fall or decline over time. In 「集中力はたぶん落ちていくと思います」, it presents focus as gradually becoming weaker; this form is useful for an ongoing downward change.
と と marks the preceding statement as the content of a thought in 「落ちていくと思います」. The reusable pattern is a statement followed by 「と」 and 「思います」 when giving an opinion or prediction.
思います 思います means “think” or “believe” in 「落ちていくと思います」. It presents the prediction as the speaker’s view rather than as an absolute fact, and it is commonly used after 「と」 with an opinion or expectation.
目 目 means “eyes” in 「目が疲れています」. It is the body part experiencing tiredness here; this word is useful when describing what part of the body feels uncomfortable or tired.
が が marks 「目」 as the subject in 「目が疲れています」. It identifies the eyes as the part that is tired, a common pattern for describing a physical condition.
疲れています 疲れています means “are tired” or “feel tired” in 「目が疲れています」. It describes the current tired state of the eyes, and the pattern is useful for reporting how a body part feels.
昼食 昼食 means “lunch” in 「昼食前に」. It identifies the meal used as the time reference for when the speaker wanted to finish the work.
前 前 means “before” in 「昼食前」, not “in front of” in this context. The pattern noun + 「前に」 is useful for saying that something should happen before a particular time or event.
に に marks the time relationship in 「昼食前に終わらせたかった」. Here it shows that finishing was intended to happen before lunch, and it is commonly used after a time expression for a planned or completed action.
終わらせたかった 終わらせたかった means “wanted to finish it” in 「昼食前に終わらせたかったのです」. It expresses the speaker’s desire to bring the work to completion, and it is useful with an understood task or an explicitly stated object.
の の gives 「終わらせたかったのです」 an explanatory tone. It presents the preceding desire as background or an explanation for the speaker’s situation, a useful way to clarify why something was intended.
です です makes 「終わらせたかったのです」 polite while completing the explanatory statement. It is useful when giving a polite explanation or clarification to another person.
少し 少し means “a little” or “briefly” in 「少し休憩」. It limits the break to a small amount of time or extent, which is useful when suggesting a short pause.
休憩 休憩 means “break” or “rest” in 「少し休憩すると」. It names a pause from work, and it is useful in workplace or study situations when proposing time away from an activity.
すると すると means “when or if doing so” in 「少し休憩すると」 and introduces the expected result of taking a break. It is useful for connecting an action with what happens afterward.
その後 その後 means “afterward” in 「その後もっと早く終えられる」. It refers to the time following the short break, and it is useful for organizing actions in sequence.
もっと もっと means “more” and increases the degree of 「早く」 in 「もっと早く終えられる」. It is useful before an adjective or adverb when comparing a greater amount, degree, or speed.
早く 早く means “quickly” or “faster” in 「もっと早く終えられる」. It describes the speed of finishing the work, and it is useful when discussing how quickly an action can be completed.
終えられる 終えられる means “be able to finish” in 「その後もっと早く終えられるかもしれません」. It presents finishing the task as possible, and it is useful when talking about whether work can be brought to completion.
かもしれません かもしれません expresses a polite possibility in 「終えられるかもしれません」, meaning “might be able to finish.” In this construction, 「かも」 supplies the uncertain possibility and 「しれません」 completes the polite expression; use it when the result is not certain.
携帯電話 携帯電話 means “mobile phone” in 「携帯電話を見る代わりに」. It is the device the speaker considers checking, and it is useful for referring specifically to a phone in a practical situation.
見る 見る means “look at” or “check” in 「携帯電話を見る代わりに」. Here it describes checking the phone, and the pattern noun + 「を見る」 is useful for saying that someone looks at or checks something.
代わり 代わり means “instead” in 「見る代わりに」, where one action is proposed as a replacement for another. This construction is useful for saying that someone does one thing instead of doing a different thing.
ストレッチ ストレッチ means “stretching” in 「ストレッチをして」. It names the physical activity suggested during the break, and it is useful when talking about a brief exercise to relax the body.
水 水 means “water” in 「水を取りに行った」. It is the thing the speaker plans to get during the break, and it is useful as the object of actions such as getting or drinking.
取りに行った 取りに行った means “went to get” in 「水を取りに行ったほうがいい」. 「取りに」 expresses the purpose of going, and the whole form is useful when recommending that someone go somewhere to obtain something.
ほうがいい ほうがいい means “it would be better to” or “should” in 「取りに行ったほうがいい」. In this construction, 「ほう」 identifies the better option, 「が」 marks that option, and 「いい」 evaluates it positively; use it to give practical advice.
そうすれば そうすれば means “if that is done” or “then” and refers to carrying out the suggested break actions. 「そう」 points to that action and 「すれば」 presents it as the condition, so the whole form is useful for explaining its expected result.
体 体 means “body” in 「目と体をしっかり休められます」. It identifies the physical part that can receive proper rest, and it is useful when discussing physical condition or recovery.
しっかり しっかり means “properly” or “thoroughly” in 「しっかり休められます」. It emphasizes that the eyes and body receive sufficient rest, and it is useful when encouraging someone to do something fully or carefully.
休められます 休められます means “can let rest” or “can give proper rest to” in 「目と体をしっかり休められます」. It presents resting the eyes and body as something possible through the break, and it is useful when describing the benefit of an action.
はっきり はっきり means “clearly” or “in a well-defined way” in 「はっきりした計画」. It describes the plan as easier to understand and follow, and it is useful when talking about clear ideas, instructions, or decisions.
した した completes the description in 「はっきりした計画」, presenting the plan as clear or well-defined. Here it works as part of the description before the noun, rather than as an independent action to explain separately.
計画 計画 means “plan” in 「もっとはっきりした計画を立てて」. It refers to the organized approach the speakers will make after the break, and it is useful for discussing intended actions or steps.
立てて 立てて means “make” or “draw up” a plan in 「計画を立てて戻りましょう」. It links making the plan with returning, and it is useful when one action is followed by another.
戻りましょう 戻りましょう means “let’s return” in 「計画を立てて戻りましょう」. It is a polite suggestion for returning to the work, and it is useful when proposing a shared next action.
戻ったら 戻ったら means “when we return” in 「戻ったら、問題のある行だけを確認できます」. It sets the time or condition for the next action, and this pattern is useful for saying what will happen after returning or completing something.
問題 問題 means “problem” in 「問題のある行」. It identifies the issue associated with particular spreadsheet rows, and it is useful when referring to something that needs attention or correction.
ある ある means “exist” or “be present” in 「問題のある行」. Together with 「問題の」, it says that the rows have a problem; the pattern noun + 「のある」 + noun is useful for describing something that possesses a feature or condition.
行 行 means “row” in 「問題のある行」, referring to a horizontal row in the spreadsheet. It is useful when narrowing spreadsheet work to particular rows rather than reviewing the entire document.
だけ だけ means “only” in 「問題のある行だけを確認できます」. It limits the review to the problem rows, and it is useful for emphasizing that no other items are included.
確認できます 確認できます means “can check” or “can review” in 「行だけを確認できます」. It presents the limited review as possible, and it is useful when describing what someone is able to verify.
全部 全部 means “everything” or “all of it” in 「全部を無理に続けるより」. It refers to the whole set of spreadsheet work, and it is useful when contrasting a complete task with a smaller selection.
続ける 続ける means “continue” in 「全部を無理に続けるより」. Here it describes forcing oneself to keep working through everything, and it is useful after an object when saying that an activity is continued.
より より means “rather than” in 「全部を無理に続けるより」. It introduces the alternative used for comparison, so the sentence compares the focused plan with continuing everything by force; this pattern is useful when choosing between two approaches.
その その means “that” or “that particular” in 「そのほうが集中できそうです」. It points back to the focused approach just discussed, and it is useful when referring to an option already mentioned.
ほう ほう means “way” or “option” in 「そのほうが集中できそうです」. It identifies the previously mentioned approach as the option being evaluated, and it is useful in comparisons between alternatives.
集中 集中 means “focus” or “concentration” in 「集中できそうです」. It names the mental ability the speaker expects to maintain better, and it is useful when discussing attention during work or study.
できそう できそう means “seems possible” or “looks like one can” in 「集中できそうです」. It presents focusing as a likely possibility rather than a certainty, and it is useful when giving a cautious expectation about what someone may be able to do.
では では means “then” or “in that case” in 「では、タイマーをセットして」. It marks a transition from agreement or conclusion to the next action, and it is useful when moving a conversation forward.
タイマー タイマー means “timer” in 「タイマーをセットして」. It identifies the device used to control the length of the break or work period, and it is useful when organizing a timed activity.
セット セット means “set” in 「タイマーをセットして」. It describes preparing the timer with the desired setting, and it is useful with devices or tools that need to be configured before use.
まず まず means “first” in 「まずその行から始めましょう」. It marks the first priority in the planned sequence, and it is useful when organizing several tasks.
から から means “from” or “starting with” in 「その行から始めましょう」. It identifies the rows that will be the starting point, and it is useful when specifying where an action or sequence begins.
始めましょう 始めましょう means “let’s start” in 「その行から始めましょう」. It is a polite suggestion to begin the planned review, and it is useful when inviting someone to start a shared activity.

Grammar Points

〜続ける

見続けています

mee-tsoo-KEH-teh ee-MAHS

keep looking at it; continue watching

Attach 続ける to the verb stem to express continuing an action.

〜ていく

落ちていく

oh-CHEE-teh ee-KOO

keep declining; continue to fall

〜ていく shows that a change continues to develop or move away from the present.

Japanese Vocabulary

このまま phrase
koh-NOH-mah-mah as things are; continuing like this
スプレッドシート noun
suh-PREDD-shee-toh spreadsheet
もうすぐ adv
moh-oo-SOO-goo almost; soon
休憩 noun
KYOO-kay break; rest
見続ける verb
mee-tsoo-KEH-roo to keep looking at; to continue watching 見続けています
終わらせる verb
oh-wah-rah-SEH-roo to finish something
集中力 noun
shoo-CHOO-ryoh-koo concentration; ability to focus
続ける verb
tsoo-ZOO-keh-roo to continue 続けても
昼食 noun
CHOO-shoh-koo lunch
疲れる verb
tsoo-kah-REH-roo to become tired 疲れています
無理をする phrase
MOO-ree-oh soo-ROO to overdo it; to push oneself 無理をして
落ちていく verb
oh-CHEE-teh ee-KOO to decline; to keep falling

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to continue

Show Answer続けても

as things are; continuing like this

Show Answerこのまま

to keep looking at; to continue watching

Show Answer見続けています

to become tired

Show Answer疲れています