About This Lesson
Use Narrowing a Local History Search to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
地域の歴史を調べていて、もっと信頼できる資料が必要です。
chee-EE-kee no reh-kee-SHEE o shee-RAH-beh-teh EE-teh, MOT-toh sheen-RYE deh-KEE-roo shee-RYOH gah hee-TSOO-YOH dess. I'm researching local history and need stronger sources.
B
まずテーマを絞って、データベース検索で役に立つ記録が出るようにしましょう。
MAH-zoo THEH-mah o SHEE-bot-teh, DAY-tah-BEH-soo KEN-sah-koo deh YAH-koo nee TAHT-soo kee-ROH-koo gah DEH-roo YOO nee shee-mah-SHOH. Let's narrow the topic first so the database search returns useful records.
A
広いキーワードを試しましたが、結果がばらばらでした。
HEE-roh-ee KEE-wah-doh o TAH-meh-shee-MAH-shee-tah gah, KEK-kah gah bah-rah-BAH-rah deh-SHEE-tah. I tried broad keywords, and the results were all over the place.
B
地域名、期間、資料の種類をフィルターに使ってください。
chee-EE-kee-may, KEE-kahn, shee-RYOH no SHOO-roo-ee o FEE-roo-TAH nee TSOO-kat-teh koo-DAH-sigh. Use the neighborhood name, a date range, and the source type as filters.
A
新聞のアーカイブにアクセスする方法を教えていただけますか。
SHEEM-BOON no AH-kah-ee-boo nee ah-koo-SEH-soo suh-ROO hoh-HOH-oh o oh-shee-EH-teh ee-tah-dah-keh-MAHSS kah. Could you show me how to access the newspaper archives?
B
図書館のネットワークでしか開けないアーカイブもあります。
toh-SHOH-kahn no NET-toh-WAH-koo deh-SHEE-kah ah-KEH-nigh AH-kah-ee-boo mo ah-ree-MAHSS. Some archives open only on the library network.
B
では、この検索ページから始めてください。
deh-WAH, KOH-noh KEN-sah-koo PAY-jee kah-rah hah-jee-MEH-teh koo-DAH-sigh. So start from this catalogue page.
A
それで、自宅から開けなかった理由が分かりました。
soh-REH-deh, JEE-tah-koo kah-rah ah-KEH-nah-KAHT-tah ree-YOO gah wah-kah-ree-MAH-shee-tah. That explains why they would not load from home.
B
今はこのコンピューターを使ってください。
EE-mah wah KOH-noh kohm-PYOO-tah oh TSOO-kat-teh koo-DAH-sigh. Use this computer now.
B
または、アーカイブのリンクから図書館カードでログインしてください。
mah-TAH-wah, AH-kah-ee-boo no REEN-koo kah-rah toh-SHOH-kahn KAH-doh deh ROH-goo-EEN shee-teh koo-DAH-sigh. Or sign in with your library card from the archive link.
A
それなら、かなり時間を節約できそうです。
soh-REH-nah-rah, kah-NAH-ree JEE-kahn oh seh-TSOO-yah-koo deh-kee-SOH dess. That should save me a lot of time.
B
それなら、引用しやすい資料も見つかるはずです。
soh-REH-nah-rah, een-YOH shee-YAH-soo-ee shee-RYOH mo mee-TSOO-kah-roo hah-ZOO dess. It should also give you sources that are easier to cite.Word by Word
地域
地域 means the local area or region being researched in 地域の歴史. It is useful for identifying the geographic scope of a topic, as in 地域の資料 for local materials. You might use it when discussing local research with a librarian or researcher.
の
In 地域の歴史, の links 地域 to 歴史 and shows that the history is associated with that region. This noun-linking pattern is reusable with many noun combinations, such as 図書館のネットワーク. Use it when describing what something belongs to or relates to.
歴史
歴史 means history in 地域の歴史, the subject being researched. It commonly follows a place or group with の to identify whose history is meant. You might use it when choosing a research topic or describing an academic subject.
を
In 地域の歴史を調べていて, を marks 地域の歴史 as the thing being investigated. It commonly appears before an action that is done to a specific object. Use it when explaining what you are researching, reading, or checking.
調べていて
調べていて means being engaged in researching or investigating, and it connects that activity to the need stated afterward. In this dialogue, the speaker is researching while explaining the current problem. You can use this form to connect an ongoing activity with another situation or request.
もっと
もっと means more in もっと信頼できる資料, asking for a higher degree of reliability than the sources already available. It is placed before the word or phrase whose degree is increased. Use it when requesting more time, clearer information, or stronger evidence.
信頼
信頼 means trust or reliability in 信頼できる資料. Together with できる, it describes materials that can be relied on. You might use it when evaluating sources, information, or advice.
できる
In 信頼できる資料, できる contributes the meaning that the資料 can be relied on, so the whole phrase means reliable materials. This pattern places できる after a noun-based quality to describe something as having that quality. Use it when saying that information or a source can be trusted.
資料
資料 means source material or research material in 信頼できる資料. It refers to the materials the researcher needs for supporting the local-history investigation. Use it when asking for, organizing, or citing research materials.
が
In 資料が必要です, が marks 資料 as the thing that is needed. This pattern is useful with 必要です to state what someone needs. You might use it when requesting a document, tool, or other necessary item.
必要
必要 means necessary or needed in 資料が必要です. It states that the materials are required for the research. Use it with a noun and が when explaining what is needed.
です
In 必要です, です gives the statement a polite ending and presents 必要 as the current situation. It is useful in polite explanations and requests in a library or other service setting. Here it makes the statement about the needed materials polite.
まず
まず means first and introduces the first step: narrowing the topic. It helps organize advice in a practical order. Use it when telling someone what to do before the next step in a process.
テーマ
テーマ means the topic or theme that is being narrowed in テーマを絞って. It identifies the subject of the database search. You might use it when discussing a research project, presentation, or assignment.
絞って
絞って means narrow or narrow it down here, linking the first recommended action to the later search result. In this dialogue, the topic is made more specific before searching. Use it when narrowing a topic, selection, or search.
データベース
データベース means database, the system used for searching records. In データベース検索, it identifies the place or system where the search occurs. Use it when discussing digital research sources or stored information.
検索
検索 means search in データベース検索 and 検索ページ. It refers to looking through stored information for relevant records. Use it when talking about searching a database, catalogue, or website.
で
In データベース検索で, で indicates the means or setting through which useful records are returned. It connects the search activity with the database search. Use this pattern to identify the tool, system, or place used for an action.
役に立つ
役に立つ as a whole means useful or helpful in 役に立つ記録. 役 refers to a useful role, に marks the relation to that role, and 立つ completes the expression; together they describe records that help the researcher. Use it when evaluating whether information, advice, or a tool helps with a task.
記録
記録 means records in 役に立つ記録. Here it refers to database records that may support the local-history research. Use it when discussing stored information, research entries, or documented events.
出る
In 記録が出る, 出る means that records come out or are returned by the search. It describes the result appearing after a database search. You might use it when checking whether useful results appear on a screen.
よう
In 役に立つ記録が出るように, よう helps express the intended result or condition: making the search return useful records. Its meaning comes from the whole pattern ように, not from よう alone. Use this pattern when explaining how to adjust an action so that a desired result occurs.
に
In 役に立つ記録が出るように, に completes the ように pattern and connects the intended result to しましょう. Together, ように expresses the purpose of making useful records appear. Use it when describing an action aimed at a particular result.
しましょう
しましょう means let us do this or let us make this happen in the advice about narrowing the topic. It presents the speaker's recommendation as a cooperative proposal. Use it when suggesting a shared next step to a colleague, student, or customer.
広い
広い means broad here in 広いキーワード, referring to keywords that cover too much information. It describes the scope of the keywords rather than physical width. Use it when explaining that a topic or search term is too broad.
キーワード
キーワード means keyword, a search term used to find information. In 広いキーワード, the terms were too general and produced scattered results. Use it when discussing database searches, website searches, or research strategies.
試しました
試しました means tried in 広いキーワードを試しました. It reports that the speaker made an attempt using broad keywords. Use it when describing a method you already tested before asking for advice.
結果
結果 means results in 結果がばらばらでした. It refers to what the search produced after the broad keywords were used. Use it when evaluating the outcome of a search, experiment, or attempt.
ばらばら
ばらばら means scattered or inconsistent here, describing search results that do not form a focused group. It explains why the broad keywords were not useful. Use it when items, answers, or results are spread out or lack consistency.
でした
In ばらばらでした, でした gives the description a polite form while referring to the results as they were. It makes the report suitable for a polite conversation with a librarian. Use it when politely describing a previous or completed situation.
地域名
地域名 means the name of the local area or neighborhood used as a search filter. It combines the idea of a region with its name and identifies a specific geographic search term. Use it when narrowing results by location.
期間
期間 means a period or time range in the list of search filters. It limits the search to a chosen span of time. Use it when specifying the dates covered by records, events, or research.
種類
種類 means type or kind in 資料の種類. It identifies which category of source should be included in the search. Use it when sorting materials by type or choosing between different kinds of sources.
フィルター
フィルター means filter, a setting used to limit search results. Here it applies to the area name, time period, and source type. Use it when explaining how to make database or website results more specific.
使って
In フィルターに使ってください, 使って means use and links the instruction to ください. The speaker asks the listener to use the listed information as filters. Use this form when giving a polite instruction about using a tool, method, or item.
ください
In 使ってください, ください makes the instruction polite and means please do it. It follows the action form to request that the listener carry out the action. Use it when giving a clear but polite instruction in a service or teaching situation.
新聞
新聞 means newspaper in 新聞のアーカイブ. It identifies the kind of historical material stored in the archive. Use it when discussing newspaper articles, newspaper records, or newspaper research.
アーカイブ
アーカイブ means archive, the collection or service containing the newspaper materials. In this dialogue, it is an online resource that may require library access. Use it when referring to stored historical documents or digital collections.
アクセス
アクセス means access in アーカイブにアクセスする. It refers to reaching or entering the archive service. Use it when talking about getting into a website, database, or online resource.
する
In アーカイブにアクセスする, する turns アクセス into the action of accessing the archive. The complete expression describes reaching that resource. This pattern is useful with many action nouns related to online services and research.
方法
方法 means method or way in アクセスする方法. It asks about the way to access the newspaper archive. Use it when asking how to perform an action or solve a practical problem.
教えて
In 教えていただけますか, 教えて means tell or show me and introduces the information being requested. Together with the rest of the polite expression, it asks the librarian to explain the access method. Use it when politely asking someone to explain or demonstrate something.
いただけます
In 教えていただけますか, いただけます makes the request especially polite by asking whether the listener can kindly provide the explanation. It is used with the action being requested before it. Use this expression when asking a librarian, staff member, or other person for assistance.
か
At the end of 教えていただけますか, か marks the sentence as a question. It turns the polite request into a question about whether the listener can help. Use it at the end of a polite question.
図書館
図書館 means library in 図書館のネットワーク and 図書館カード. It identifies the institution whose network and card provide access. Use it when talking about library services, facilities, or materials.
ネットワーク
ネットワーク means network in 図書館のネットワーク. Here it refers to the library's network connection as a condition for opening some archives. Use it when explaining access requirements for online resources.
しか
In 図書館のネットワークでしか開けない, しか means only, with the negative form 開けない expressing that no other access route works. The whole pattern limits access to the library network. Use it when emphasizing that something is available only through one condition or method.
開けない
In 図書館のネットワークでしか開けない, 開けない means cannot open or cannot be opened. It describes the archive's inaccessibility outside the library network. Use it when reporting that a page, file, or resource will not open.
も
In アーカイブもあります, も means also and adds these archives to the information already being discussed. It presents the archives as another type of resource with the stated access condition. Use it when adding another item or example to a statement.
あります
In アーカイブもあります, あります states that the archives exist or are available. It is used for the existence of a thing or resource. Use it when informing someone that a service, document, or option is available.
では
では means well then or in that case in では、この検索ページから始めてください. It marks a transition from the access explanation to the next instruction. Use it when moving to a practical next step after considering the situation.
この
この means this and identifies the page that the librarian is indicating. It appears directly before the noun it modifies, as in この検索ページ. Use it when pointing out a nearby or currently selected item.
ページ
ページ means page in 検索ページ. It refers to the catalogue or search page from which the user should begin. Use it when giving directions through a website or online catalogue.
から
In 検索ページから始めてください, から marks the starting point: beginning from the search page. It identifies where the recommended process starts. Use it when giving directions that begin at a particular page, place, or step.
始めて
In 始めてください, 始めて means start and introduces a polite instruction to begin at the indicated page. It tells the listener where to begin the archive-access process. Use it when directing someone to start a task from a specified point.
それで
それで means so or that explains why in それで、自宅から開けなかった理由が分かりました. It connects the librarian's explanation with the speaker's new understanding. Use it when a newly learned fact explains an earlier problem.
自宅
自宅 means one's home in 自宅から. It is a somewhat formal way to identify the speaker's home as the place where access was attempted. Use it when explaining whether something worked from home or another location.
開けなかった
開けなかった means could not open in 自宅から開けなかった. It reports that the archive failed to open from home. Use it when explaining that a page or resource was inaccessible at an earlier time.
理由
理由 means reason in 開けなかった理由. It identifies the cause of the earlier access problem. Use it when asking for or explaining why something happened.
分かりました
分かりました means I understand or now I see in the speaker's response to the librarian's explanation. It shows that the reason for the failed access has become clear. Use it when acknowledging an explanation or realizing the cause of a problem.
今
今 means now in 今はこのコンピューターを使ってください. It sets the current time or situation apart from the earlier attempt at home. Use it when giving instructions for what should happen at the present moment.
は
In 今はこのコンピューターを使ってください, は marks 今 as the topic and focuses on what to do now. It frames the instruction within the current situation. Use it when setting a time, place, or other circumstance as the topic of a statement.
コンピューター
コンピューター means computer in このコンピューター. It identifies the library computer the user is asked to use. Use it when discussing a device for searching, accessing, or signing in.
または
または means or and introduces an alternative to using the library computer. It connects two possible methods of accessing the archive. Use it when presenting clear alternatives, especially in instructions or formal explanations.
リンク
リンク means link in アーカイブのリンク. It identifies the clickable route to the archive service. Use it when giving online navigation instructions.
カード
カード means card in 図書館カード. Here it refers to the library card used for signing in. Use it when discussing an identification or access card in a service context.
ログイン
ログイン means log in in ログインしてください. It describes entering an account or service by using the library card. Use it when giving or following instructions for entering an online resource.
して
In ログインしてください, して is the action form that links ログイン to ください. Together, the expression politely asks the listener to log in. Use this form when making a polite request to carry out an action.
それなら
それなら means if so or then, responding to the access method that has just been explained. It introduces the speaker's conclusion that the method should save time. Use it when drawing a conclusion from information just provided.
かなり
かなり means quite or considerably in かなり時間. It indicates that the amount of time saved is substantial. Use it to describe a noticeable degree or amount without giving an exact figure.
時間
時間 means time in 時間を節約できそうです. It is the resource the speaker expects to save by using the library access method. Use it when discussing how long a task takes or how much time can be saved.
節約
節約 means saving or economizing in 時間を節約できそうです. Here it describes reducing the time needed for the research process. Use it with a resource such as time, money, or energy when explaining that less of it will be used.
できそう
できそう means seems possible or looks like it can be done in 節約できそうです. It shows the speaker's expectation based on the librarian's instructions, rather than a definite result already achieved. Use it when a current situation suggests that an action will probably be possible.
引用
引用 means citation or quotation in 引用しやすい資料. Here it refers to using the sources in the research as evidence or cited material. Use it when discussing academic writing or the use of information from a source.
しやすい
In 引用しやすい資料, しやすい means easy to do and describes the materials as easy to cite. It follows the action component in 引用しやすい to express ease of performing that action. Use this pattern when explaining that a task is easy with a particular tool, material, or method.
見つかる
In 資料も見つかるはずです, 見つかる means be found or turn up, referring to suitable research materials appearing through the improved search. It presents the materials as the things discovered, not as an action the speaker directly performs. Use it when saying that information, documents, or useful items can be found.
はず
In 見つかるはずです, はず expresses an expected result based on the preceding reasoning: the search should produce materials that are easier to cite. It presents a reasonable expectation rather than a guarantee. Use it when a result is expected because there is a clear basis for it.
Grammar Points
〜やすい
信頼できる資料は引用しやすいです。
sheen-RYE deh-KEE-roo shee-RYOH wah een-YOH shee-YAH-soo-ee dess.Reliable sources are easy to cite.
Attach やすい to the verb stem to say that an action is easy to do.
〜はずです
検索ページで資料が見つかるはずです。
KEN-sah-koo PAY-jee deh shee-RYOH gah mee-TSOO-kah-roo hah-ZOO dess.The source should be found on the search page.
はずです expresses an expectation based on reason or available information.
Japanese Vocabulary
キーワード
noun
KEE-wah-doh
keyword
データベース
noun
DAY-tah-BEH-soo
database
テーマ
noun
THEH-mah
topic; theme
記録
noun
kee-ROH-koo
record
検索
noun
KEN-sah-koo
search
絞る
verb
shee-BOH-roo
to narrow down
絞って
資料
noun
shee-RYOH
source; reference material
信頼できる
adj
sheen-RYE deh-KEE-roo
reliable; trustworthy
地域
noun
chee-EE-kee
local area; region
調べる
verb
shee-RAH-beh-roo
to research; to investigate
調べていて
役に立つ
phrase
YAH-koo nee TAHT-soo
useful; helpful
歴史
noun
reh-kee-SHEE
history
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
reliable; trustworthy
Show Answer
信頼できるdatabase
Show Answer
データベースto research; to investigate
Show Answer
調べていてuseful; helpful