About This Lesson
Use Borrowing a Bicycle Repair Kit to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
自転車のタイヤがパンクしていて、修理キットが必要です。
jee-TEN-shah no TAI-yah ga PUNK-koo shee-TEH-ee-teh, SHOO-ree KEET-toh ga hee-tsu-YOH dess. My bicycle tire is flat, and I need a repair kit.
B
タイヤレバーと予備のチューブが入ったキットがあります。
TAI-yah REH-bah toh yoh-BEE no CHOO-boo ga HAHT-tah KEET-toh ga ah-ree-MAHS. I have a kit with tire levers and a spare inner tube.
A
車輪を正しく外す方法を見せてもらえますか。
SHAH-reen o tah-dah-SHEE-koo HAH-zoo-soo hoh-HOH o mee-SEH-teh moh-rah-eh-MAHS kah. Could you show me how to remove the wheel correctly?
B
自転車を注意して逆さまにすることから始めてください。
jee-TEN-shah o CHOO-ee shee-teh sah-kah-SAH-mah nee soo-roo KOH-toh kah-rah hah-jee-MEH-teh koo-dah-SAI. Start by turning the bike upside down carefully.
A
一人でチューブを交換したことが一度もありません。
hee-TOH-ree deh CHOO-boo o koh-KAHN shee-tah KOH-toh ga ee-CHEE-doh moh ah-ree-MAH-sen. I have never changed an inner tube by myself before.
B
説明をよく読み、どの部分も無理に動かさないでください。
SEHT-soo-MEH-ee o YOH-koo YOH-mee, DOH-no BOO-boon moh MOO-ree nee oo-goh-SAH-nai deh koo-dah-SAI. Follow the instructions carefully, and do not force any part to move.
A
交換した後で、空気圧を確認したほうがいいですか。
koh-KAHN shee-tah AH-toh deh, KOO-kee-ah-tsu o kah-KOO-neen shee-tah hoh-gah EE dess kah. After I replace it, should I check the pressure?
B
タイヤはしっかりしている感じがよいですが、硬すぎてはいけません。
TAI-yah wa shee-KKAH-ree shee-TEH-ee-roo KAHN-jee ga YOH-ee dess gah, kah-tah-soo-GEE-teh wa ee-keh-MAH-sen. The tire should feel firm, but not too hard.
A
最初の手順を試す間、近くにいてもらえますか。
SAI-shoh no teh-JOON o tah-MEH-soo EYE-dah, CHEE-kah-koo nee EE-teh moh-rah-eh-MAHS kah. Could you stay nearby while I try the first step?
B
キットを使っている間、最初の部分の手順を説明しながら手伝えます。
KEET-toh o tsoo-KAHT-teh-ee-roo EYE-dah, SAI-shoh no BOO-boon no teh-JOON o SEHT-soo-MEH-ee sheen-ah-GAH-rah teh-tsoo-dah-eh-MAHS. I can talk you through the first part while you use the kit.Word by Word
自転車
“自転車” means “bicycle” here, the vehicle whose tire needs repair. It is used before “の” in “自転車のタイヤ” to identify which tire is meant. You can use it when talking about riding, repairing, or borrowing a bicycle.
の
In “自転車のタイヤ,” “の” links “自転車” to “タイヤ,” meaning the tire associated with the bicycle. The pattern “AのB” connects two nouns by showing a relationship between them. Use it for ownership, belonging, or another clear connection between nouns.
タイヤ
“タイヤ” means “tire,” specifically the bicycle tire in “自転車のタイヤがパンクしていて.” It is the thing described as punctured in this sentence. You can use it when discussing a tire’s condition, pressure, or replacement.
が
In “タイヤがパンクしていて,” “が” marks “タイヤ” as the subject of the condition being described. It identifies what is punctured. A useful pattern is “Nが + condition” when stating what has a particular state.
パンク
“パンク” means that the tire has a puncture or is flat here. In “タイヤがパンクしていて,” it describes the tire’s problem. Use it when reporting that a tire cannot be used normally because it has lost air.
していて
In “パンクしていて,” “していて” connects the punctured state to the next statement that a repair kit is needed. It presents the tire as being in that condition at the time of speaking. You can use “Xしていて、Y” to connect a current condition with its result or consequence.
修理
“修理” means “repair” here, as in the repair kit needed for the bicycle. It identifies the purpose of “キット” in “修理キット.” Use it before an object to describe repair-related tools, services, or work.
キット
“キット” means “kit,” a collection of tools or materials prepared for one task. In “修理キット,” it is a set for repairing the bicycle. You can use it in combinations such as a tool kit or a repair kit.
必要
“必要” means “necessary” or “needed” in “修理キットが必要です.” It says that the speaker needs a repair kit for the flat tire. A common pattern is “Nが必要です” when stating that something is needed.
です
“です” makes the statement polite in “修理キットが必要です.” Here it presents “必要” as a polite description of the situation. Use it after a noun or an appropriate descriptive expression in a polite statement.
タイヤレバー
“タイヤレバー” means “tire lever,” a tool included in the kit. In “タイヤレバーと予備のチューブ,” it is one of the items listed. Use it when naming the tool used to remove or handle a tire.
と
In “タイヤレバーと予備のチューブ,” “と” links the two items being listed: a tire lever and a spare tube. It connects nouns in a complete list. Use “AとB” when saying “A and B.”
予備
“予備” means “spare” or “backup” in “予備のチューブ.” It shows that the tube is kept as a replacement when the current one cannot be used. The pattern “予備のN” is useful for naming a spare item.
チューブ
“チューブ” means the inner tube of the bicycle tire here. In “予備のチューブが入ったキット,” it is one of the items contained in the kit. Use it when discussing an inner tube, its replacement, or its condition.
入った
In “予備のチューブが入ったキット,” “入った” means “contained” or “included in.” It describes a kit that has a spare tube inside it. The pattern “Nが入ったN” can describe a container or set containing a particular item.
あります
“あります” says that the kit exists or is available in “キットがあります.” In this context, it naturally means that the speaker has a kit available to offer. Use it for the existence or availability of an inanimate thing.
車輪
“車輪” means “wheel” in “車輪を正しく外す.” It is the object that the speaker wants to remove correctly. You can use it when giving or asking about instructions involving a wheel.
を
In “車輪を正しく外す,” “を” marks “車輪” as the object of “外す.” It shows what is being removed. A useful pattern is “Nを + action” when an action directly affects an object.
正しく
“正しく” means “correctly” in “車輪を正しく外す.” It explains that the wheel should be removed in the right way. Use it before an action when emphasizing that the action must follow the proper method.
外す
“外す” means “remove” or “take off” in “車輪を正しく外す.” It describes taking the wheel off the bicycle. Use the pattern “Nを外す” for removing or taking off an attached object.
方法
“方法” means “method” or “way” in “車輪を正しく外す方法.” It refers to the way of carrying out the wheel-removal action. Use it after an action phrase to ask about or explain how something is done.
見せて
In “見せてもらえますか,” “見せて” introduces the action the speaker is asking the other person to do: show something. It is used here to request a demonstration of the method. You can use “Nを見せて” when asking someone to show you an object or action.
もらえます
In “見せてもらえますか,” “もらえます” makes a polite request to receive someone’s help or action. The whole expression asks, “Could you show me?” It is useful when requesting a favor without giving a direct command.
か
The “か” at the end of “見せてもらえますか” marks the sentence as a question. It turns the polite request into a question asking whether the other person can do it. Use it at the end of a polite question.
注意して
“注意して” means “carefully” or “while paying attention” in “注意して逆さまにする.” It tells the listener to pay attention while turning the bicycle over. Use it before an action when warning someone to perform that action carefully.
逆さま
“逆さま” means “upside down” in “逆さまにする.” It describes the state into which the bicycle is turned. Use “逆さまにする” when instructing someone to turn an object upside down.
に
In “逆さまにする,” “に” marks the resulting state: the bicycle is made upside down. It connects “逆さま” with the action of turning or making something that way. The pattern “stateにする” is useful for saying that something is made into a particular state.
する
In “自転車を注意して逆さまにする,” “する” expresses making or turning the bicycle into the state “逆さま.” Its meaning here comes from the construction “逆さまにする,” not from “する” alone. Use “Nを状態にする” to say that something is made or changed into a state.
こと
In “逆さまにすることから始めてください,” “こと” turns the action “逆さまにする” into an activity that can be treated as a starting point. The phrase means to start with turning the bicycle upside down. Use “actionこと” when referring to an action as a thing or step.
から
In “逆さまにすることから始めてください,” “から” marks the starting point of the procedure. It means “from” that action: start with turning the bicycle upside down. A useful pattern is “Nから始める” for saying where an activity or procedure begins.
始めて
“始めて” means “start” in “ことから始めてください.” It tells the listener to begin the repair procedure with the specified action. Use it before “ください” to make a polite instruction to start doing something.
ください
In “始めてください,” “ください” makes the instruction polite: “please start.” It follows the action form and asks the listener to carry it out. Use “actionてください” for a polite request or instruction.
一人
“一人” means “alone” or “by oneself” in “一人でチューブを交換したこと.” It emphasizes that the speaker performed the action without another person. Use it with “で” before an action when describing doing something alone.
で
In “一人でチューブを交換した,” “で” marks the manner or condition of doing the action: by oneself. It connects “一人” to “交換した.” The pattern “一人で + action” is useful when saying that you did something alone.
交換した
“交換した” means “changed” or “replaced” in “チューブを交換したこと.” It refers to replacing an inner tube. In this dialogue it appears inside a statement about whether the speaker has ever done that action.
一度
“一度” means “one time” in “一度もありません.” It provides the quantity that is then emphasized as zero by the negative expression. Use it with “も” and a negative form to talk about something that has not happened even once.
も
In “一度もありません,” “も” adds emphasis to “一度” under negation, giving the meaning “not even once.” It helps make the speaker’s lack of experience clear. The pattern “一度も + negative expression” is useful for saying that something has never happened.
ありません
In “交換したことが一度もありません,” “ありません” expresses that the experience does not exist for the speaker, meaning “I have never done it.” It completes the negative experience statement with “一度も.” Use it in polite negative statements about the existence or availability of an inanimate thing or experience.
説明
“説明” means “explanation” or “instructions” in “説明をよく読み.” It refers to the written guidance that should be read before moving the parts. Use it when referring to an explanation or instructions for a task.
よく
“よく” means “carefully” or “thoroughly” in “説明をよく読み.” It tells the listener to read the instructions attentively. Use it before an action when saying that something should be done well or carefully.
読み
In “説明をよく読み、どの部分も無理に動かさないでください,” “読み” means “read” and links the reading instruction to the next instruction. It presents reading the explanation as the first step before handling the parts. Use it in a sequence of instructions when one action leads into another.
どの
In “どの部分も無理に動かさないでください,” “どの” means “which” or “any particular” before “部分.” With “も” and the negative instruction, the phrase covers every part and says not to force any of them. Use “どのNも” with a negative expression when referring broadly to any or every member of a group.
部分
“部分” means “part” in “どの部分も.” It refers to any part of the bicycle or repair equipment that might be moved. Use it when talking about one section or component of a larger object.
無理
In “無理に動かさないでください,” “無理” expresses force or strain that should not be used. It warns the listener not to move a part by forcing it. Use “無理に + action” when saying that an action should not be done with excessive force.
動かさない
“動かさない” means “do not move” in “どの部分も無理に動かさないでください.” It gives the negative instruction not to force any part to move. Use it before “でください” when politely telling someone not to move something.
後
In “交換した後で,” “後” means “after” and places the next action after replacing the tube. It connects the completed replacement with checking the air pressure. Use “action後で” when saying what to do afterward.
空気圧
“空気圧” means “air pressure” in “空気圧を確認したほうがいいですか.” It is the pressure inside the tire that the speaker asks about checking. Use it when discussing whether a tire has the appropriate amount of air.
確認した
In “空気圧を確認したほうがいいですか,” “確認した” means “check” or “confirm” as the action being considered. The speaker asks whether checking the air pressure would be advisable after replacing the tube. Use “Nを確認する” when checking that something is correct or in order.
ほうがいい
The whole expression “確認したほうがいいですか” asks whether it would be better or advisable to check the air pressure. “ほう” presents the preferred option, “が” links that option to “いい,” and “いい” says that the option is good. Use “actionたほうがいい” to give or ask about advice.
は
In “タイヤはしっかりしている感じがよい,” “は” marks “タイヤ” as the topic being described. It tells the listener that the following description concerns the tire. Use it after a noun when setting the topic of a statement.
しっかり
“しっかり” means “firmly” or “solidly” in “しっかりしている感じ.” It describes the tire as having a firm feel. Use it before an expression describing a stable, firm, or properly held condition.
している
In “しっかりしている感じ,” “している” helps describe the tire as being in a continuing firm state. Together with “しっかり,” it means that the tire feels firm rather than soft. Use “状態を表す表現している” when describing how something is currently maintained or felt.
感じ
“感じ” means “feeling” or “sensation” in “しっかりしている感じ.” It refers to how the tire feels when checked by touch. Use it when describing an impression or physical sensation.
よい
“よい” means “good” or “appropriate” in “感じがよい.” Here it says that a firm feel is acceptable for the tire. Use it to describe a condition that is judged suitable or satisfactory.
硬すぎて
“硬すぎて” means “being too hard” in “硬すぎてはいけません.” It describes a condition that exceeds what is appropriate for the tire. Use the pattern “adjectiveすぎてはいけません” when saying that something must not be excessively so.
いけません
In “硬すぎてはいけません,” “いけません” means that the described condition is not acceptable. The whole expression says that the tire must not be too hard. Use “Xてはいけません” to give a polite prohibition or warning.
最初
“最初” means “first” or “beginning” in “最初の手順” and “最初の部分.” It identifies the beginning part of the repair process. Use it before “の” to describe the first step, section, or part of something.
手順
“手順” means “procedure” or “step” in “最初の手順.” It refers to an ordered action in the repair process. Use it when explaining or following a series of actions.
試す
“試す” means “try” in “最初の手順を試す.” It refers to attempting the first repair step. Use the pattern “Nを試す” when trying an action, method, or option.
間
In “試す間,” “間” means “while” or “during the time.” It sets the period during which the speaker asks the other person to remain nearby. Use “action間” to describe what happens while an action or situation continues.
近く
“近く” means “nearby” in “近くにいてもらえますか.” It describes the place where the other person is asked to remain. Use “近くにいる” when saying that someone is present nearby.
いて
In “近くにいてもらえますか,” “いて” means “be” or “stay present” nearby. It is the action the speaker asks the other person to provide as a favor. Use “場所にいて” when asking someone to remain in a particular place.
使っている
“使っている” means “be using” in “キットを使っている間.” It describes the ongoing use of the repair kit during the explanation. Use it when an action is in progress while another event takes place.
しながら
In “説明しながら手伝えます,” “しながら” means “while doing” and links explaining with helping. It shows that the speaker can help at the same time as explaining the first part. Use “actionしながら + another action” when two actions happen concurrently.
手伝えます
“手伝えます” means “can help” in “説明しながら手伝えます.” It offers assistance while the other person uses the kit. Use it when politely saying that you are able to help with a task.
Grammar Points
〜えます（可能形）
手伝えます。
teh-tsoo-dah-eh-MAHS.I can help.
The potential form expresses ability or possibility. 手伝えます means “can help.”
Japanese Vocabulary
タイヤ
noun
TAI-yah
tire
チューブ
noun
CHOO-boo
inner tube
パンク
noun
PUNK-koo
flat tire; puncture
外す
verb
HAH-zoo-soo
remove; take off
逆さま
adv
sah-kah-SAH-mah
upside down
交換
noun
koh-KAHN
replacement; exchange
自転車
noun
jee-TEN-shah
bicycle
車輪
noun
SHAH-reen
wheel
修理キット
noun
SHOO-ree KEET-toh
repair kit
正しく
adv
tah-dah-SHEE-koo
correctly; properly
注意して
adv
CHOO-ee shee-teh
carefully; with caution
予備
noun
yoh-BEE
spare; reserve
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
repair kit
Show Answer
修理キットinner tube
Show Answer
チューブcarefully; with caution
Show Answer
注意してcorrectly; properly