About This Lesson
Use Politely explaining an overdue book and a failed renewal to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
この本の返却期限が過ぎていることに、今気づきました。
KOH-noh hohn noh hen-KYAH-koo KEE-gen gah soo-GEE-teh ee-roo KOH-toh nee, EE-mah kee-zoo-kee-MAH-shee-tah. I just realized this book is overdue.
B
今日返して、それからカウンターで更新履歴を確認してもらってください。
KYOH kah-eh-SHEE-teh, soh-reh-KAH-rah KOWN-tah deh KOH-shin ree-REH-kee oh kah-KOO-nin shee-teh moh-RAHT-teh koo-dah-SAI. Return it today, then ask the desk to review the renewal history.
A
オンラインで更新したと思いましたが、アカウントの情報が更新されませんでした。
OHN-lah-een deh KOH-shin shee-tah toh oh-MOH-ee-mah-shee-tah gah, ah-KOWN-toh noh JOH-hoh gah KOH-shin sah-reh-mah-SEN deh-shee-tah. I thought I renewed it online, but my account never updated.
B
システムが記録できていなければ、職員があなたのアカウントを調整できるかもしれません。
SHEE-soo-teh-moo gah kee-ROH-koo deh-KEE-teh ee-nah-keh-reh-bah, shoh-KOO-een gah ah-nah-TAH noh ah-KOWN-toh oh choh-SAY deh-KEE-roo kah moh-shee-REH-mah-SEN. If the system failed to record it, the staff may be able to adjust your account.
A
言い争いたいわけではありません。
EE-ee ah-soh-RAH-ee-tah-ee wah-keh deh-wah ah-ree-mah-SEN. I do not want to argue.
A
でも、何が起きたのか説明したいです。
Deh-MOH, nah-NEE gah OH-kee-tah noh-kah seh-TSOO-mei shee-TAI dess. But I would like to explain what happened.
B
更新しようとしたことが分かるスクリーンショットかメールを持ってきてください。
KOH-shin shee-YOH toh shee-tah KOH-toh gah wah-KAH-roo soo-koo-REEN-shoh-ttoh kah MAY-roo oh moh-TTEH-kee-teh koo-dah-SAI. Bring any screenshot or email that shows you tried to renew it.
A
更新完了の確認メールではなく、リマインドメールしかありません。
KOH-shin kahn-RYOH noh KAH-koo-nin MAY-roo deh-wah nah-koo, ree-MY-ndo MAY-roo shee-kah ah-ree-mah-SEN. I only have the reminder email, not a confirmation.
B
では、それをはっきり説明してください。
Deh-WAH, SOH-reh oh HAHK-kee-ree seh-TSOO-mei shee-teh koo-dah-SAI. Then explain that clearly.
B
次に同じ問題を避ける方法を聞いてください。
TSOO-gee nee oh-NAH-jee MOHN-dai oh sah-KEH-roo HOH-hoh oh KEE-teh koo-dah-SAI. Ask how to avoid the same problem next time.
A
アカウントにまだその本が延滞中と表示されていても、更新の手続きを理解したいです。
Ah-KOWN-toh nee mah-DAH soh-noh HOHN gah en-TAI-choo toh hyoh-JEE sah-reh-teh ee-teh-moh, KOH-shin noh teh-TSOO-deh-kee oh ree-KAI shee-TAI dess. Even if my account still shows the book as overdue, I want to understand the renewal process.
B
その方法なら、問題の解決に集中して話し合えます。
SOH-noh HOH-hoh nah-rah, MOHN-dai noh KAI-ketsu nee shoo-CHOO shee-teh hah-nah-SHEE-ah-eh-MAHSS. That approach keeps the conversation focused on solving the problem.Word by Word
この
この means “this” and directly identifies 本 as the book being discussed. It is placed before a noun, as in この本 (“this book”). You can use it when pointing out a nearby or currently relevant item.
本
本 means “book” here and refers to the library book. In この本の返却期限, it is linked to the return deadline with の. Use 本 when talking about a book as an object or borrowed item.
の
の links この本 to 返却期限, giving the meaning “the return deadline of this book.” The reusable pattern is AのB, meaning “B of A” or “A’s B.” Use it to connect a thing with its related information.
返却期限
返却期限 means “return deadline,” the date by which the book should be returned. In この本の返却期限が過ぎている, this deadline is the subject of が. Use it when discussing deadlines for returning borrowed items.
が
This が marks 返却期限 as the subject of the condition that has passed. In 返却期限が過ぎている, it identifies what is past. A common pattern is nounが過ぎる when a time limit or period passes.
過ぎて
過ぎて means “having passed” in 返却期限が過ぎている. It links the idea that the deadline passed with いる, which describes the resulting state. You can use the pattern 時間が過ぎて to connect a passing period to what follows.
いる
いる helps 過ぎている describe the current state resulting from the deadline having passed. Thus, 返却期限が過ぎている means that the return deadline is now past. The pattern Vている can describe an ongoing or resulting state.
こと
こと turns 返却期限が過ぎている into the fact that the return deadline has passed. In ことに気づきました, it lets the whole situation function as the thing noticed. Use the pattern clauseことに気づく for realizing a fact.
に
Here に marks the fact that became the point of realization in ことに気づきました. The exact pattern is Xことに気づく, meaning “notice or realize that X.” Use it when describing what someone suddenly recognizes.
今
今 means “now” and emphasizes that the realization happened only at this moment. In 今気づきました, it modifies the act of realizing. Use 今 when contrasting the present moment with an earlier time.
気づきました
気づきました means “realized” or “noticed” in this dialogue, referring to recognizing the overdue status. It is the polite past form used for a completed realization. Use Xに気づきました when politely saying that you noticed X.
今日
今日 means “today” and specifies when the book should be returned. In 今日返して, it sets the time for the requested action. Use 今日 with an action to say that it should happen on the current day.
返して
返して means “return it” here and connects the return action to the next instruction. It is the form used in 今日返して、それから..., meaning “return it today, and then...”. Use Vて to link sequential actions.
それ
それ refers back to the action or matter just mentioned, and それから means “then” or “after that.” In this dialogue, it moves from returning the book to asking at the desk. Use それから to introduce the next step in a sequence.
から
In それから, から contributes the sense of moving on from what came before, so the expression means “then” or “after that.” The reusable expression is それから、 followed by the next action. It is useful when giving instructions in order.
カウンター
カウンター means “desk” or “counter,” specifically the library service point here. In カウンターで, it identifies where the checking action should happen. Use it with で when describing an action performed at a service counter.
で
This で marks カウンター as the place where the action takes place. カウンターで確認する means “check at the desk.” Use placeでaction to state where an activity is carried out.
更新履歴
更新履歴 means “renewal history,” the record of past renewal activity. In 更新履歴を確認して, it is the object being checked. Use it when asking about a record of changes or renewals in an account.
を
This を marks 更新履歴 as the object of 確認して. The phrase 更新履歴を確認する means “check the renewal history.” Use nounをverb to identify what an action is performed on.
確認して
確認して means “check” or “confirm” and links the checking action to もらってください. In 更新履歴を確認してもらってください, the speaker asks for someone else to check the history. Use Vて to connect an action to a following request or result.
もらって
もらって is part of 確認してもらってください, meaning “have someone check it for you.” The construction Vてもらう describes receiving the benefit of another person’s action, and here the action is 確認して. Use it when politely asking for another person’s assistance.
ください
ください makes 確認してもらってください a polite request: “please have it checked.” After a て-form, ください is used to ask someone to do that action. Use Vてください for a direct but polite request.
オンライン
オンライン means “online” and describes where the renewal was attempted. In オンラインで更新した, it indicates the method or setting of the renewal. Use it with で when naming an online method of carrying out an action.
更新した
更新した means “renewed” or “updated” in the thought expressed here. It refers specifically to renewing the book online, and と links it to 思いました. Use the pattern Xを更新した to say that an account, record, or borrowing period was renewed.
と
This と marks 更新した as the content of the thought in 更新したと思いました. It introduces what the speaker believed or thought. Use the pattern Vたと思う when saying that you thought something had happened.
思いました
思いました means “thought” in this polite past statement. Together with 更新したと, it says “I thought I had renewed it.” Use Xと思いました when politely reporting a past belief or assumption.
アカウント
アカウント means “account,” referring to the library account in this dialogue. In アカウントの情報, it is linked to the account’s information by の. Use it when discussing an online account, its status, or its records.
情報
情報 means “information,” here the information contained in the account. The phrase アカウントの情報 means “the account information.” Use it with の to specify whose or what information it is.
更新されませんでした
更新されませんでした means “was not updated” in the polite negative past form used here. It describes the account information failing to show the renewal. A useful pattern is 情報が更新されない when information does not get updated.
システム
システム means “system,” referring to the library’s online or administrative system. In システムが記録できていなければ, it is the subject considered responsible for recording the renewal. Use it when discussing whether a digital process worked.
記録
記録 means “record” or “log,” and here it is the renewal information that the system may have failed to record. In 記録できていなければ, it is connected to the ability to record something. Use it when referring to stored evidence or an official record.
できて
できて means “being able to do” in 記録できていなければ, where the system has not been able to record the renewal. It connects the ability expressed by できる with いる and the conditional ending. Use Vできている when describing an action that has been successfully completed or is possible in context.
いなければ
いなければ makes できていなければ a condition meaning “if it has not been able to” or “if it has not been done.” It presents a possible situation before the result in the main clause. Use the pattern Vていなければ when saying “if something has not been done.”
職員
職員 means “staff member” or “staff,” referring to library personnel who may adjust the account. In 職員が..., it is the subject of the possible action. Use it in formal settings such as libraries, offices, and public institutions.
あなた
あなた means “you,” and in あなたのアカウント it contributes the meaning “your.” The の after it links the person to the account. Use あなたのN when identifying something belonging or relating to the person addressed.
調整
調整 means “adjustment” or “adjusting,” here referring to correcting the account. In 調整できる, it names the action that the staff may be able to perform. Use it when an account, schedule, setting, or record needs to be adjusted.
できる
できる means “can” or “be able to” in 調整できる. It says that the staff may have the ability to adjust the account, rather than guaranteeing that they will. Use nounができる or Vできる to describe an available ability or possibility.
かもしれません
The whole expression かもしれません means “may” or “might,” so 調整できるかもしれません presents account adjustment as a possibility. かも introduces the possibility, and しれません completes the polite expression. Use it when giving a cautious suggestion without certainty.
言い争いたい
言い争いたい means “want to argue” or “want to quarrel” in this dialogue. It expresses the speaker’s desire, which is then denied by わけではありません. Use the pattern Vたい to say that someone wants to do an action.
わけではありません
The whole expression 言い争いたいわけではありません means “it is not that I want to argue” or “I do not mean to argue.” わけ frames the intended interpretation, では marks that frame for contrast, and ありません negates it. Use Xわけではありません to gently deny that X is the intended meaning or situation.
でも
でも means “but” and introduces a contrasting intention after saying the speaker does not want to argue. Here it shifts the conversation toward explaining what happened. Use it at the start of a sentence when adding a contrasting point.
何
何 means “what” in 何が起きたのか, asking about the event that occurred. It is the subject of 起きた, marked by が. Use 何が起きたのか when asking or explaining what happened.
起きた
起きた means “happened” in 何が起きたのか. It describes a completed event whose details the speaker wants to explain. Use 何が起きた when asking what event occurred.
か
This か marks 何が起きたのか as an embedded question, not as a direct standalone question. The full expression is the content of 説明したい. Use Xのか to include a question such as “what happened” inside another sentence.
説明したい
説明したい means “want to explain,” here referring to what happened with the renewal. It expresses the speaker’s intention to give a clear account. Use the pattern Xを説明したい when saying that you want to explain a matter.
です
です gives the statement 説明したいです a polite sentence ending. It keeps the speaker’s expression of desire courteous in the library conversation. Use it after a polite statement when speaking respectfully.
更新しよう
更新しよう means “try or intend to renew” in 更新しようとしたこと. Together with とした, it describes an attempted renewal. Use the pattern Vようとする when someone tries or intends to do something.
した
した completes 更新しようとした, meaning “tried to renew.” It places the attempt in the past. Use the pattern Vようとした when referring to a past attempt or intention.
分かる
分かる means “be clear” or “be understandable” in 更新しようとしたことが分かる. The phrase says that the screenshot or email shows that the speaker tried to renew. Use Xことが分かる when evidence makes a fact understandable or apparent.
スクリーンショット
スクリーンショット means “screenshot,” referring to a captured image that may show the renewal attempt. It is one of the items the person is asked to bring. Use it when providing visual evidence of an online action.
メール
メール means “email,” and here it is another possible piece of evidence for the renewal attempt. It is joined with スクリーンショット by か, meaning “a screenshot or an email.” Use it when referring to an electronic message.
持ってきて
持ってきて means “bring” something to the current place, here bringing evidence to the library. In 持ってきてください, it forms a polite request. Use Vてきて when asking someone to bring an item here.
更新完了
更新完了 means “renewal completion,” referring to the renewal having been completed. In 更新完了の確認メール, it specifies what the confirmation email would confirm. Use it as a formal label for the completion of an update or renewal.
確認メール
確認メール means “confirmation email,” here an email confirming that the renewal was completed. It is contrasted with リマインドメール in the sentence. Use it for an email that verifies a completed action or status.
ではなく
The whole expression 更新完了の確認メールではなく means “not a confirmation email for renewal completion, but rather...” で presents the category, は contrasts it, and なく links the negated category to the alternative that follows. Use AではなくB when correcting or contrasting two choices.
リマインドメール
リマインドメール means “reminder email,” the only type of email the speaker has. In リマインドメールしかありません, it is presented as the limited item available. Use it for a message that reminds someone about an action or deadline.
しか
しか means “only” in リマインドメールしかありません, and it must be used with the negative ありません here. The whole pattern means “there is nothing except a reminder email.” Use nounしかありません to emphasize that the stated item is the only one available.
ありません
ありません is the polite negative form used with しか to say that nothing else is available. リマインドメールしかありません means “I only have a reminder email.” Use nounがあります for availability and nounしかありません for “there is only noun.”
では
では means “then” or “in that case” at the start of では、それをはっきり説明してください. It connects the information just given with the next instruction. Use では、 to introduce a response or action based on what was just said.
はっきり
はっきり means “clearly,” describing how the matter should be explained. In はっきり説明してください, it asks for an explanation without ambiguity. Use it with verbs such as 説明する when clarity is important.
説明してください
説明してください means “please explain” and is a polite request directed at the listener. Here it asks the person to clearly explain the evidence they have. Use Xを説明してください when politely asking someone to explain X.
次
次 means “next,” and in 次に it introduces the next occasion or step. Here 次に同じ問題を避ける方法 means “how to avoid the same problem next time.” Use 次に for the next point, action, or occasion in a sequence.
同じ
同じ means “same,” identifying a problem identical or similar to the one just discussed. In 同じ問題, it comes directly before the noun it describes. Use 同じN when referring back to a previously mentioned item or situation.
問題
問題 means “problem,” referring to the failed or unclear renewal process. In 同じ問題を避ける, it is the object of 避ける. Use it when discussing an issue that needs to be prevented or solved.
避ける
避ける means “avoid,” here describing preventing the same problem from happening again. In 方法, the phrase asks about a way to avoid it. Use the pattern 問題を避ける when discussing prevention.
方法
方法 means “way” or “method,” here the method for avoiding the same problem. It is the topic of the question introduced by 聞いてください. Use Nを避ける方法 for “a way to avoid N.”
聞いてください
聞いてください means “please ask” in this context, not merely “please listen.” It requests that the person ask how to avoid the problem next time. Use Xを聞いてください when politely asking someone to ask about or inquire into X.
まだ
まだ means “still” here, showing that the account continues to display the overdue status. In まだ表示されていても, the display remains true despite the following situation. Use まだ with an ongoing state that has not changed.
その
その means “that” or “the mentioned,” referring back to the book already under discussion. In その本, it identifies the previously mentioned book. Use そのN when pointing back to something already introduced in the conversation.
延滞中
延滞中 means “overdue” or “currently overdue,” describing the book’s status in the account. In その本が延滞中と表示されている, it is the status being displayed. Use it when an item remains past its return deadline.
表示されていても
表示されていても means “even if it is displayed” and presents the overdue status as a condition that does not prevent the speaker’s desire to understand the process. The form combines a displayed state with ても, meaning “even if.” Use Xても when the main statement remains true despite X.
更新
更新 means “renewal” or “updating,” here referring to renewing the borrowing period. In 更新の手続き, it modifies the procedure through の. Use it for renewing a library loan, account information, or another current status.
手続き
手続き means “procedure” or “process,” specifically the steps required for renewal. 更新の手続きを理解したい means “want to understand the renewal process.” Use Nの手続き when referring to the formal steps for handling N.
理解したい
理解したい means “want to understand,” here expressing a desire to understand the renewal procedure. It focuses on learning how the process works, even while the account still looks overdue. Use the pattern Nを理解したい when saying that you want to understand a subject.
なら
なら means “if it is that method” or “with that approach” in その方法なら. It sets the stated approach as the condition for the result that follows. Use nounなら to say what happens if a particular option or situation applies.
解決
解決 means “solving” or “resolution,” and in 問題の解決 it refers to resolving the problem. The に after this phrase marks the focus of concentration. Use Nの解決 when talking about resolving a specific issue.
集中して
集中して means “focus on” or “concentrate on,” and it links the focus on solving the problem to the ability to discuss it. In 問題の解決に集中して, に marks what the focus is directed toward. Use Nに集中する when directing attention to a task or goal.
話し合えます
話し合えます means “can discuss” or “can talk things through,” describing the result of keeping the conversation focused on solving the problem. It presents a cooperative discussion as possible. Use Xについて話し合えます when saying that people can discuss a topic together.
Grammar Points
〜てもらってください
更新履歴を確認してもらってください。
KOH-shin ree-REH-kee oh kah-KOO-nin shee-teh moh-RAHT-teh koo-dah-SAI.Please have someone check the renewal history.
This pattern politely asks the listener to arrange for another person to do something.
〜ても
延滞中と表示されていても、話し合えます。
en-TAI-choo toh hyoh-JEE sah-reh-teh ee-teh-moh, hah-nah-SHEE-ah-eh-MAHSS.Even if it is displayed as overdue, we can discuss it.
〜ても means “even if”; it shows that the result is unchanged despite a condition.
Japanese Vocabulary
アカウント
noun
ah-KOWN-toh
account
オンライン
adv
OHN-lah-een
online
カウンター
noun
KOWN-tah
desk; counter
システム
noun
SHEE-soo-teh-moo
system
過ぎている
verb
soo-GEE-teh ee-roo
to have passed; to be overdue
確認してもらってください
phrase
kah-KOO-nin shee-teh moh-RAHT-teh koo-dah-SAI
please have someone check
気づきました
verb
kee-zoo-kee-MAH-shee-tah
realized; noticed
記録できていなければ
phrase
kee-ROH-koo deh-KEE-teh ee-nah-keh-reh-bah
if it has not been recorded
更新されませんでした
verb
KOH-shin sah-reh-mah-SEN deh-shee-tah
was not updated
更新履歴
noun
KOH-shin ree-REH-kee
renewal history
返して
verb
kah-eh-SHEE-teh
return it
返却期限
noun
hen-KYAH-koo KEE-gen
return deadline
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
desk; counter
Show Answer
カウンターreturn deadline
Show Answer
返却期限please have someone check
Show Answer
確認してもらってくださいto have passed; to be overdue