Taking a Short Walk to Reset and Decide | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: During a work design decision, two adults use a short walk to reset their thinking and choose a direction afterward..

EN → JA / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Taking a Short Walk to Reset and Decide to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

デザインのどちらの案がよりよいか決められません。

deh-ZAH-een noh doh-CHIH-rah noh AHN gah yo-ree-YOH-ee kah kee-meh-rah-reh-mah-SEN I can't decide which version of the design works better.
B

数分外に出て、話し合って整理しましょう。

soo-FOON soh-toh nee DEH-teh, hah-nah-shee-AHT-teh say-ree shee-ma-SHOH Let's step out for a few minutes and talk it through.
A

新鮮な空気を吸うと助かるかもしれませんが、あまり時間を失いたくありません。

shin-SEN nah KOO-kee o soo-TOH tahs-kah-roo kah moh-shee-reh-mah-SEN gah, ah-mah-REE JEE-kahn o oo-shee-tah-koo ah-ree-mah-SEN Fresh air might help, but I don't want to lose too much time.
B

建物の周りを一周して、主な決定に集中すればよいです。

tah-teh-MOH-noh noh mah-WAH-ree o ee-SHOO shee-teh, OMOH-nah kee-TEH nee shoo-CHOO soo-reh-bah YOH-ee deh-soo We can just circle the block and focus on the main decision.
A

それなら問題を完全に放置せずに、少し休めます。

soh-reh-NAH-rah mohn-DAI o kahn-ZEN nee hoh-CHEE seh-zoo nee, soo-KO-shee yah-soo-meh-mah-SOO That would give me a break without dropping the problem completely.
B

歩き回ると、決めやすく感じることがあります。

ah-roo-kee-mah-WAH-roo toh, kee-meh-YAH-soo-koo kahn-JEE-roo koh-toh gah ah-ree-mah-SOO Sometimes moving around makes the decision feel easier.
A

モックアップを確認する必要があるかもしれないので、携帯電話を持っていきます。

MOH-koo-AHP-poo o kahk-koo-NIN soo-roo HEE-tsu-yoh gah ah-roo kah moh-shee-reh-NAI noh-deh, kay-TAI dehn-WAH o moht-teh ee-kee-mah-SOO I'll bring my phone in case we need to check the mockup.
B

別の仕事にならないように、ゆっくりしたペースで歩きましょう。

beh-TSOO noh shee-GOH-toh nee nah-rah-NAI yoh-oo nee, yook-koo-ree shee-tah PAY-soo deh ah-roo-kee-ma-SHOH Keep the pace relaxed so it doesn't turn into another task.
A

短い散歩の後で戻ってきて、方向を一つ選べます。

tah-NIGH sahn-POH noh ah-TOH deh moh-DOHT-teh kee-teh, hoh-KOH o hee-TOH-tsu eh-RAH-beh-mah-SOO After a short walk, we can come back and choose one direction.
B

短く気持ちを切り替えれば、さらに一時間考えすぎずに済むかもしれません。

tah-KAH-koo kee-MOH-chee o kee-ree-kah-eh-reh-bah, sah-rah-nee ee-CHEE JEE-kahn kahn-gah-eh-soo-GEE-zoo nee soo-MOO kah moh-shee-reh-mah-SEN A short reset might save us from another hour of overthinking.

Word by Word

デザイン “デザイン” means “design” here, referring to the design whose versions are being compared. It is commonly used before の to specify what something belongs to, as in the design’s proposal. Use it when discussing the appearance or structure of a product, page, or plan.
の In “デザインのどちらの案”, “の” links デザイン to the proposals and means “of” or “for”. It connects a noun to another noun that it describes. This linking use is common when identifying the type or area of a thing.
どちら “どちら” asks which of two options is meant; here it introduces the choice between two design proposals. It is used when the alternatives are limited to two. It commonly appears before a noun or inside a question about two choices.
案 “案” means a proposal or version under consideration; here it refers to one of the design proposals. It identifies an idea that has not yet been selected as final. Use it when comparing possible plans or versions.
が In “どちらの案がよりよいか”, “が” marks the proposal that is being judged as better. It marks the subject inside the embedded question. This use is common when stating which option has a quality or result.
より In “よりよい”, “より” adds a comparative meaning, making the phrase mean “better” or “more suitable”. It shows that the two proposals are being compared. It commonly appears before an adjective in a comparison.
よい “よい” means good or suitable here, with the comparison making it “better”. It describes which design proposal works more favorably. Use it to evaluate an option, plan, or result.
か At the end of “よりよいか”, “か” marks an embedded question: which proposal is better. It turns the preceding judgment into the matter that cannot be decided. It is commonly used after a clause when that clause is part of a larger sentence.
決められません “決められません” means “cannot decide” in this dialogue and politely states that the choice cannot be settled. The form describes inability rather than simple unwillingness. Use it when a person cannot choose between options or reach a decision.
数分 “数分” means “a few minutes” here, specifying the short length of time for going outside. It is used directly with time-related actions. Use it when suggesting a brief activity or delay.
外 “外” means “outside” here, the place the speakers will go for a short walk. In “外に出て”, it identifies the destination of going out. It is useful when contrasting an indoor place with the area outside it.
に In “外に出て”, “に” marks 外 as the destination or direction of the movement. It works with the movement expressed by 出て. This destination-marking use is common with places.
出て In “外に出て、話し合って”, “出て” means “go out and” and links going outside with the next action. The form connects actions in sequence. Use this linking pattern when one action leads directly into another.
話し合って “話し合って” means “discuss and” here, describing a joint conversation used to sort out the decision. The ending links this discussion to 整理しましょう. Use it when people discuss an issue together before taking the next step.
整理 In “話し合って整理しましょう”, “整理” means sorting out or organizing the decision and its options. The word refers to bringing thoughts or information into a clearer order. It commonly describes organizing a problem, explanation, or set of ideas.
しましょう In “整理しましょう”, “しましょう” politely proposes “let’s do” the action expressed by 整理. It invites the other person to act together. Use this form when making a polite joint suggestion.
新鮮 “新鮮” means fresh here, describing the air outside as fresh and potentially helpful. It appears before な to describe 空気. Use it for air, food, impressions, or other things that feel fresh.
な In “新鮮な空気”, “な” links 新鮮 to the noun 空気, allowing the description “fresh” to modify it. It is part of the noun-modifying pattern used with this type of adjective. Use the same linking function before a noun that is being described.
空気 “空気” means “air” here, specifically the fresh air that might help the speakers think. It is the thing affected by 吸う. Use it when talking about air quality, breathing, or the atmosphere of a place.
を In “空気を吸う”, “を” marks 空気 as the object of the action. It shows what is being inhaled. This object-marking use commonly follows the thing directly affected by an action.
吸う “吸う” means “breathe in” or “inhale” here, referring to taking in fresh air. It directly takes 空気 as its object. Use it for inhaling air, smoke, or another substance.
と In “吸うと助かる”, “と” presents the result that may follow from breathing in the air: it may help. It links a condition or action with its expected result. Use this pattern when one action naturally leads to a consequence.
助かる “助かる” means “be helped” or “find it relieving” here, referring to fresh air making the situation easier. It expresses benefit received by the speaker rather than an action of helping someone else. Use it when a measure, favor, or resource is useful in a difficult situation.
かもしれません The whole expression “かもしれません” politely marks possibility, so the speaker says fresh air might help rather than stating it as certain. “かも” contributes the possibility nuance, while “しれ” and “ません” complete the polite expression. Use it after a statement when you want to present an uncertain possibility politely.
あまり In “あまり時間を失いたくありません”, “あまり” means “too much” and is used with the negative expression to mean “not too much”. It limits the amount of time the speaker is willing to lose. It commonly appears with a negative statement when describing something as not excessive.
時間 “時間” means “time” here, specifically the time the speakers do not want to lose. It is the object of 失いたくありません. Use it when discussing duration, schedules, or available time.
失いたくありません “失いたくありません” means “do not want to lose” here, referring to not wanting to lose too much time. It politely expresses a negative desire. Use it when saying that you do not want to lose time, an opportunity, or another valuable thing.
建物 “建物” means “building” here, the building whose surrounding area the speakers will circle. It is linked to 周り by の. Use it for a physical building such as an office, school, or public facility.
周り In “建物の周り”, “周り” means the area around the building. The phrase identifies the route for the short walk. It commonly follows a noun with の when describing the area surrounding something.
して In “一周して、主な決定に集中すれば”, “して” links the action of going around once with the next action of focusing. Its meaning here depends on the full expression “一周して”, not on して alone. Use this linking form to connect sequential actions.
主な “主な” means “main” here and identifies the most important decision. It directly modifies 決定. Use it before a noun when distinguishing the central matter from secondary matters.
決定 “決定” means “decision” here, the main choice the speakers need to settle. It is the matter they will focus on after the walk. Use it for an important choice or the result of deciding.
集中 In “主な決定に集中”, “集中” means focusing attention on the main decision. The phrase identifies what the speakers should keep their attention on. It commonly combines with に when naming the focus of attention.
すれば In “集中すればよいです”, “すれば” makes focusing the condition for the result that it is sufficient or appropriate. It connects the action to the following evaluation. Use this conditional form when explaining what action will be enough in a situation.
です At the end of “よいです”, “です” makes the statement polite. Here it presents the suggested action as acceptable or suitable. Use it to give a polite statement or evaluation.
それ “それ” refers back to the suggested plan of taking a short walk and focusing on the decision. It means “that” or “that situation” in the speaker’s response. Use it to refer to something just mentioned or proposed.
なら In “それなら”, “なら” means “if so” or “then”, taking the previous suggestion as the condition for the next comment. It introduces a response based on that plan. Use it when reacting to information or a proposal that has just been presented.
問題 “問題” means “problem” here, referring to the design decision that still needs attention. It is the matter the speakers will pause without abandoning. Use it for an issue, difficulty, or matter requiring a solution.
完全 “完全” means “complete”, and in “完全に放置せず” it contributes the meaning “completely”. It emphasizes that the problem will not be left unattended in full. Use it to describe something as whole or without omission.
放置 In “完全に放置せず”, “放置” means leaving the problem unattended or doing nothing about it. The phrase says the speakers will take a break without abandoning the problem completely. It commonly takes an object when describing something left unattended.
せず In “放置せず”, “せず” means “without doing”, linking the avoided action to the following result. Here it means without leaving the problem unattended. Use this connective form when describing an action that is not done while another action occurs.
少し “少し” means “a little” here, limiting the length or extent of the break. It softens the suggestion by showing that the rest will be brief. Use it with actions or amounts when only a small degree is intended.
休めます “休めます” means “can rest” or “can take a break” here, referring to getting a short pause from the problem. The polite form presents this as a possible benefit of the walk. Use it when describing the ability to rest or pause.
歩き回る “歩き回る” means “walk around”, describing movement during the short walk. Here the movement is presented as something that can make the decision feel easier. Use it for walking around an area without staying in one spot.
決めやすく In “決めやすく感じる”, “決めやすく” means “easy to decide” and describes the decision as becoming easier to make. Its connecting form leads into 感じる. The pattern is useful for saying that an action feels easy to do.
感じる In “決めやすく感じる”, “感じる” means “feel” or “experience the impression that”. It describes how the decision seems to the speaker while moving around. Use it to report a personal impression or perceived difficulty.
こと In “ことがあります”, “こと” refers to the fact or situation described by the preceding clause. Together with あります, it says that such a situation sometimes occurs. Use this construction when describing something that happens from time to time.
あります In “ことがあります”, “あります” means that the described situation occurs or exists, rather than simply referring to a physical object. It completes the statement that this experience sometimes happens. Use it in polite statements about occurrences or experiences.
モックアップ “モックアップ” means “mockup” here, referring to the design sample the speakers may need to inspect. It is the object connected with 確認する. Use it when discussing a visual or functional model of a design.
確認 In “モックアップを確認する”, “確認” means checking or confirming the mockup. It describes looking at it to make sure of its details or state. Use it for checking information, materials, or a design before proceeding.
する In “確認する”, “する” turns 確認 into the action of checking or confirming. The full expression means to check the mockup. Use it after an action noun when describing carrying out that action.
必要 In “確認する必要がある”, “必要” means a need or necessity to check the mockup. It identifies the action that may be required. Use it when explaining that an action is necessary in a situation.
ある In “必要がある”, “ある” means that a need exists, not that a physical object is present. The whole expression says there may be a need to check the mockup. Use it after a noun describing a need or requirement.
かもしれない The whole expression “かもしれない” marks a plain-style possibility: the speakers may need to check the mockup. “かも” signals possibility, while “しれ” and “ない” complete this fixed possibility expression. Use it after a statement when the possibility is uncertain and a plain style is appropriate.
ので In “必要があるかもしれないので”, “ので” gives the reason for taking the phone: checking the mockup may be necessary. It connects a reason with the action that follows. Use it when explaining a cause or motivation in a relatively soft way.
携帯電話 “携帯電話” means “mobile phone” here, the item the speaker plans to take along. It is the object of 持っていきます. Use it when referring specifically to a phone carried for communication or checking something while away.
持っていきます The whole expression “持っていきます” means “take along” here, referring to taking the phone on the walk. “持って” expresses carrying, and “いきます” adds movement away toward the destination. Use it when carrying an item from the current place to another place.
別 In “別の仕事”, “別” means “another” or “different”, identifying a task separate from the current decision. It appears before の to modify 仕事. Use it when distinguishing one item, option, or task from another.
仕事 In “別の仕事”, “仕事” means work or task. Here it refers to the walk becoming another obligation instead of a relaxing reset. Use it for professional work or a specific task that needs to be done.
ならない In “別の仕事にならない”, “ならない” means “does not become” or “does not turn into”. It says the walk should not turn into another task. Use it when describing something that must not develop into a different state or role.
よう In “別の仕事にならないように”, “よう” helps express the intended result, “so that it does not become another task”. The whole pattern gives the purpose of keeping the pace relaxed. Use it when describing an action taken to prevent an unwanted result.
ゆっくり In “ゆっくりしたペース”, “ゆっくり” means slowly or leisurely. It describes the relaxed quality of the pace. Use it when suggesting that an activity should not be hurried.
した In “ゆっくりしたペース”, “した” helps connect ゆっくり with ペース, giving the phrase the meaning “a relaxed pace”. It is not functioning here as a separate past-time statement. Use the full expression when describing a pace with a particular quality.
ペース “ペース” means “pace” here, specifically the speed at which the speakers walk. It is described as relaxed by ゆっくりした. Use it when talking about the speed or rhythm of an activity.
で In “ゆっくりしたペースで歩きましょう”, “で” marks the manner or pace of walking. It means walking at that pace. Use this function when specifying how an action is carried out.
歩きましょう “歩きましょう” politely proposes “let’s walk”. It invites both speakers to walk together at the relaxed pace just described. Use it when making a polite joint suggestion to walk.
短い “短い” means “short” here and describes the duration of the walk. It limits the walk so that it remains a brief reset rather than a long break. Use it before a noun when describing a short length of time or distance.
散歩 “散歩” means a walk or stroll here, specifically the short walk before returning to the design decision. It describes a light activity rather than a separate work task. Use it for a casual walk taken for a break or change of atmosphere.
後 In “散歩の後で”, “後” means “after” and places the return and decision after the walk. It follows の to form a time relationship. Use it to say what happens after an event or activity.
戻ってきて The whole expression “戻ってきて” means “come back and”, linking the return to the later choice. “戻って” expresses returning, and “きて” adds movement back toward the current place. Use it when someone leaves and then returns to where the speaker is.
方向 “方向” means “direction” here, referring to the single design direction the speakers will choose. It represents the course they decide to follow. Use it when discussing a course, approach, or way forward.
選べます “選べます” means “can choose” here, saying that after the walk the speakers will be able to select one direction. The polite form describes available ability or possibility. Use it when someone has options and can select one.
短く In “短く気持ちを切り替えれば”, “短く” means briefly and modifies the act of resetting one’s state of mind. It presents the reset as limited in duration. Use this adverbial form when describing an action done for a short time.
気持ち “気持ち” means feelings or state of mind here, referring to the mental state that can be reset during the walk. It is the object of 切り替えれば. Use it when talking about someone’s feelings, mood, or frame of mind.
切り替えれば In “気持ちを切り替えれば”, “切り替えれば” means “if we reset or switch” the state of mind. It presents the reset as a condition for avoiding more overthinking. The expression 気持ちを切り替える is useful when moving from one mental focus or mood to another.
さらに In “さらに一時間”, “さらに” means “another” or “further”, adding an additional hour to the unwanted overthinking. It emphasizes that the extra time would continue beyond what has already been spent. Use it before an amount or result when something is added or extended.
考えすぎず In “考えすぎずに済む”, “考えすぎず” means “without overthinking” and describes what the speakers may avoid. It links the avoided action to 済む. Use it when saying that a result can be achieved without doing something excessively.
済む In “考えすぎずに済む”, “済む” means “manage without” or “be spared from”, so the speakers may avoid another hour of overthinking. The full construction expresses that an unwanted action or cost does not have to occur. Use it when describing getting through a situation without needing something undesirable.

Grammar Points

～ば

集中すれば

shoo-CHOO soo-REH-bah

if you focus

The conditional ～ば means “if/when…” and presents a condition for the result.

～ずに済む

考えすぎずに済む

kahn-gah-eh-soo-GEE-zoo nee soo-MOO

manage without overthinking

～ずに済む means avoiding an action or managing without doing it.

Japanese Vocabulary

デザイン noun
deh-ZAH-een design
どちら pron
doh-CHIH-rah which of the two
よりよい adj
yo-ree-YOH-ee better
案 noun
AHN proposal; option
外に出る phrase
SOH-toh nee DEH-roo step outside 外に出て
空気 noun
KOO-kee air
決める verb
kee-MEH-roo decide 決められません
助かる verb
tahs-kah-roo help; be helpful
新鮮な adj
shin-SEN nah fresh
数分 num
soo-FOON a few minutes
整理する verb
say-ree soo-ROO sort out; organize 整理しましょう
話し合う verb
hah-nah-shee-AH-oo discuss; talk over 話し合って

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

discuss; talk over

Show Answer話し合って

design

Show Answerデザイン

better

Show Answerよりよい

step outside

Show Answer外に出て