About This Lesson
Use Troubleshooting a Washing Machine Warning to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
洗濯機がコースの途中で止まりました。
sen-tah-koo-kee gah KOH-soo noh toh-CHOO deh toh-mah-ree-mah-shee-tah. The washing machine stopped halfway through the cycle.
B
画面に警告が表示されていますか。
gah-men nee kay-KOH gah hyoh-jee sah-reh-teh ee-mah-soo kah? Is there a warning on the screen?
A
フィルターが詰まっているかもしれないと表示されています。
fee-roo-tah gah tsoo-maht-teh ee-roo kah-moh-shee-reh-nai toh hyoh-jee sah-reh-teh ee-mah-soo. It says the filter may be blocked.
B
適当にボタンを押す前に、取扱説明書を確認してください。
teh-kee-toh-nee boh-tahn oh oh-soo mae nee, toh-ree-ah-tsu-kai seh-tsu-may-shoh oh kah-koo-neen sheh-teh koo-dah-sai. Check the manual before trying random buttons.
A
取扱説明書には、フィルターを注意して掃除するように書いてあります。
toh-ree-ah-tsu-kai seh-tsu-may-shoh nee wah, fee-roo-tah oh choo-ee sheh-teh soh-jee soo-roo yoh-oo nee kai-teh ah-ree-mah-soo. The manual says I should clean the filter carefully.
B
それなら、何かに触る前に洗濯機のプラグを抜いてください。
soh-reh nah-rah, nah-nee-kah nee sah-wah-roo mae nee sen-tah-koo-kee noh poo-rah-goo oh noo-ee-teh koo-dah-sai. Then unplug the machine before you touch anything.
A
その後、コースを再開したほうがいいですか。
soh-noh ah-toh, KOH-soo oh sai-kai shee-tah hoh-oo gah ee-teh-soo kah? After that, should I restart the cycle?
B
一度再開してください。ただし、警告がまた表示されたらメンテナンス担当に連絡してください。
ee-chi-doh sai-kai shee-teh koo-dah-sai. Tah-dah-shee, kay-KOH gah mah-tah hyoh-jee sah-reh-tah-rah men-teh-nahn-soo tahn-toh nee ren-rah-koo shee-teh koo-dah-sai. Restart it once, but contact maintenance if the warning returns.
A
まず安全な手順に従います。
mah-zoo ahn-zen nah teh-joon nee shee-tah-gah-ee-mah-soo. I will follow the safe steps first.
B
簡単な対処は役に立ちますが、洗濯機を壊す危険を冒さないでください。
kahn-tahn nah tai-SHOH wah yah-koo nee tee-chee-mah-soo gah, sen-tah-koo-kee oh koh-wah-soo kee-ken oh oh-koh-sah-nai deh koo-dah-sai. Simple troubleshooting is useful, but do not risk damaging the machine.Word by Word
洗濯機
In 「洗濯機が」, this means “washing machine,” the appliance that stopped. It is the noun being described as stopping here. It commonly appears before the subject marker when describing what happened to an appliance.
が
In 「洗濯機が」, this marks the washing machine as the subject of 「止まりました」. It shows which thing performed or experienced the stated action. A noun followed by this marker can be followed by a predicate describing it.
コース
In 「コースの途中」, this means the washing machine’s cycle or program. It identifies which cycle was interrupted. It can be linked to a stage or point by the following linking marker.
の
In 「コースの途中」, this links the cycle to its middle point, meaning “the middle of the cycle.” It connects one noun to another noun in a modifying relationship. This same linking pattern is useful for describing a part, stage, or location related to something.
途中
In 「コースの途中で」, this means the middle or halfway point of the cycle. It identifies when the machine stopped rather than describing a separate location. It is commonly used after a noun to describe an event occurring during that process.
で
In 「途中で」, this marks the point or circumstance at which the machine stopped. Here it means “during” or “at that point,” not a physical place. It can follow a time or process stage when an event happens there.
止まりました
「止まりました」 means “stopped” in this dialogue, referring to the washing machine stopping. It is the polite past form of 「止まる」. A machine or other subject can be followed by the subject marker and this form to report that it stopped.
画面
In 「画面に」, this means the screen of the washing machine. It is the place where the warning appears. It is commonly used when referring to information shown on a device screen.
に
In 「画面に警告が表示されています」, this marks the screen as the location where the warning is displayed. It answers where the displayed information is found. It commonly follows a location before a display or appearance expression.
警告
In 「画面に警告」, this means a warning message about the machine’s problem. It is the information being displayed on the screen. It can be used as the subject of an expression describing what appears or is shown.
表示されています
「表示されています」 means “is displayed” and presents the warning as currently shown on the screen. It is built from the verb 「表示する」 and a state expression that focuses on the continuing displayed condition. It is useful for reporting information that remains visible on a device.
か
In 「表示されていますか」, this is the question marker that turns the statement into a polite yes-or-no question. It asks whether the warning is displayed. It commonly comes at the end of a polite question.
フィルター
In 「フィルターが詰まっている」, this means the machine’s filter. It is the part that may be blocked. It can be marked as the subject when describing its condition.
詰まっている
「詰まっている」 means “is blocked” or “is clogged,” describing the filter’s current condition. It comes from 「詰まる」 with a state expression showing that the blockage remains. It is useful for describing a passage, filter, or opening that is not clear.
かもしれない
In 「詰まっているかもしれない」, this means “may be” or “might be,” showing that the speaker is not certain. The 「かも」 part contributes the possibility, while 「しれない」 completes the expression of uncertainty. It can follow a clause when giving a cautious possibility rather than a firm statement.
と
In 「かもしれないと表示されています」, this marks the preceding content as what is being displayed. It connects the reported message to 「表示されています」. It is useful after quoted or reported content before an expression such as “say,” “write,” or “display.”
適当
In 「適当にボタンを押す」, this means randomly or carelessly, because the buttons are being pressed without checking the instructions. It modifies the action rather than describing a suitable choice. It can be used before an action to show that it is done without a careful plan.
ボタン
In 「ボタンを押す」, this means a button on the machine. It is the object being pressed. It commonly appears before the object marker when describing an operation on a device.
を
In 「ボタンを押す」, this marks the button as the object of pressing. It identifies what the action is performed on. A noun followed by this marker commonly comes before a transitive action.
押す
In 「ボタンを押す」, this means “press,” specifically pressing a button. It is the action that should not be done randomly before reading the manual. It commonly takes the item being pressed as its object.
前
In 「押す前に」, this means “before,” placing the action of pressing earlier than another action. The verb 「押す」 comes directly before it to identify what must happen first. This is a reusable way to refer to something that should happen before an action.
取扱説明書
In 「取扱説明書を確認してください」, this means the instruction manual for the machine. It is the source to check before trying buttons or cleaning the filter. It is commonly used as the object of an action meaning check or read.
確認
In 「確認してください」, this means checking or confirming the manual’s instructions. It names the action requested from the listener. The item being checked normally appears before this action with the object relationship.
して
In 「確認してください」, 「して」 is the て-form of 「する」 and connects the checking action to the polite request ending 「ください」. Together, the exact expression asks the listener to check the manual. This form is reusable when politely asking someone to carry out an action.
ください
In 「確認してください」, this adds a polite request meaning “please.” It follows the connected action and makes the advice a direct but courteous instruction. It is useful when asking another person to perform a practical action.
は
In 「取扱説明書には」, this marks the instruction manual as the topic being discussed. The sentence then states what is written in that manual. It can highlight a noun as the topic before information about it.
注意
In 「注意して掃除する」, this means care or caution, so the filter should be cleaned carefully. It describes the manner in which the cleaning should be done. It can be used before an action to signal that the action requires care.
掃除する
In 「フィルターを注意して掃除する」, this means to clean the filter. It is the action the manual says should be performed carefully. It commonly takes the thing being cleaned as its object.
よう
In 「掃除するように書いてあります」, this is part of the construction indicating what action the instructions tell the reader to do. It connects the action of cleaning with the written instruction. The pattern is useful for reporting that something is written as an instruction to carry out an action.
書いて
In 「書いてあります」, 「書いて」 is the て-form of 「書く」 and connects the writing action to 「あります」. The expression means that the instruction is written there. It is useful for pointing out information or instructions recorded in a manual or other text.
あります
In 「書いてあります」, this is the polite form of 「ある」 used to show that the written instruction exists in that state. It makes the sentence mean that something is written, rather than simply saying that someone wrote it. This state expression is useful when referring to information already recorded somewhere.
それなら
「それなら」 means “then” or “in that case,” responding to the information that the manual says to clean the filter. It introduces the next safety instruction based on what was just said. It is useful when drawing practical advice from a previous statement.
何か
In 「何かに触る」, this means “anything” or “something,” referring broadly to an object that might be touched. The exact meaning here is understood from the instruction not to touch anything before unplugging the machine. It can be followed by a particle to describe an unspecified object involved in an action.
触る
In 「何かに触る」, this means “touch.” The object touched is marked with 「に」 in this expression. It is useful when describing physical contact with an object, especially in a safety instruction.
プラグ
In 「プラグを抜いてください」, this means the machine’s plug. It is the object that must be unplugged before touching anything. It commonly appears as the object of an action involving removing or pulling it out.
抜いて
In 「プラグを抜いてください」, 「抜いて」 is the て-form of 「抜く」 and means “unplug” or “pull out” here. It connects the unplugging action to the polite request ending 「ください」. This form is useful when politely telling someone to remove a plug or another inserted item.
その後
「その後」 means “after that,” referring to the safe unplugging step just mentioned. It places the next question or action later in the sequence. It is useful for organizing instructions in chronological order.
再開
In 「コースを再開したほうがいいですか」, this means restarting or resuming the cycle. It identifies the action being considered after the machine has been unplugged. It commonly takes the process or activity being resumed as its object.
したほうがいい
In 「再開したほうがいいですか」, the whole expression asks whether it would be better to resume the cycle. Here, 「した」 is the form of 「する」 used after 「再開」 in this recommendation pattern, 「ほう」 presents that action as the preferable option, 「が」 marks that option, and 「いい」 means it is good or advisable. The same construction can be reused when politely asking whether an action is the better choice.
です
In 「したほうがいいですか」, 「です」 makes the recommendation question polite. It is the polite copula ending used with 「いい」 here. It is useful at the end of a courteous question or statement.
一度
In 「一度再開してください」, this means “once,” limiting the requested restart to one time. It gives a specific amount to the action. It can be placed before an action when saying that it should happen one time.
ただし
「ただし」 means “however” or “with this qualification,” adding an important condition to the instruction to restart the cycle. It signals that the next advice limits or qualifies the previous advice. It is useful before a caution or exception in practical instructions.
また
In 「また表示されたら」, this means “again,” referring to the warning appearing another time after the restart. It indicates repetition of an earlier event. It can be placed before an action when that action happens again.
表示されたら
In 「また表示されたら」, this means “if it is displayed again” or “when it is displayed again.” It is the conditional form of the displayed event, with the citation form 「表示される」 and the conditional ending 「たら」. It is useful for stating what to do if a warning or message appears again.
メンテナンス
In 「メンテナンス担当」, this refers to maintenance or technical servicing. It identifies the area responsible for handling the machine problem. It commonly combines with a word for the person or team in charge.
担当
In 「メンテナンス担当」, this means the person or department in charge of maintenance. It identifies whom to contact if the warning returns. It can follow a field or task to identify the responsible person or team.
連絡
In 「担当に連絡してください」, this means contacting or getting in touch with the maintenance representative. It is the requested action if the warning appears again. The person or department being contacted is identified before this action.
まず
「まず」 means “first,” telling the speaker to follow the safe procedure before doing anything else. It establishes the first priority in the troubleshooting sequence. It is useful at the beginning of an instruction or ordered plan.
安全
In 「安全な手順」, this means “safe,” describing procedures that avoid unnecessary danger. It specifies the quality required of the steps being followed. It commonly comes before a noun when describing a safe action or method.
な
In 「安全な手順」, 「な」 links the na-adjective-like word 「安全」 to the noun 「手順」. It allows 「安全」 to directly describe the procedure as safe. This linker is used after this type of describing word before a noun.
手順
In 「安全な手順」, this means the steps or procedure for handling the problem safely. It refers to an ordered method rather than one isolated action. It is useful when following instructions in a manual or troubleshooting process.
従います
In 「手順に従います」, this means “will follow,” referring to following the safe procedure. It is the polite form of 「従う」. The procedure being followed is marked with 「に」, a common pattern for obeying or following instructions.
簡単
In 「簡単な対処」, this means “simple” or “easy,” describing basic troubleshooting that does not require complicated work. It modifies the noun 「対処」 through 「な」. It can describe a procedure that is straightforward to carry out.
対処
In 「簡単な対処」, this means handling or troubleshooting a problem. Here it refers to basic actions such as checking the manual and cleaning the filter safely. It is useful when talking about a response to a practical problem.
役に立ちます
In 「簡単な対処は役に立ちます」, the whole expression means “is useful” or “is helpful.” Within it, 「役」 contributes the idea of a useful role, 「に」 marks the relation to that role, and 「立ちます」 is the polite form of 「立つ」; together they form the expression “be useful.” It can be reused to say that a method, tool, or piece of information helps.
壊す
In 「洗濯機を壊す」, this means to damage or break the washing machine. It warns against taking an action that could harm the appliance. It commonly takes the damaged object before the object marker.
危険
In 「危険を冒さない」, this means risk or danger. It is the danger that the speaker says not to take. It commonly appears as the object of an expression about taking or avoiding a risk.
冒さない
In 「危険を冒さない」, this means “do not risk” or “do not take the risk.” It is the negative form of 「冒す」 and gives a direct safety warning. It is useful for telling someone not to expose a person, object, or situation to unnecessary danger.
Grammar Points
〜ています／〜ている
画面に警告が表示されています。フィルターが詰まっている。
gah-men nee kay-KOH gah hyoh-jee sah-reh-teh ee-mah-soo. fee-roo-tah gah tsoo-maht-teh ee-roo.A warning is displayed on the screen. The filter is clogged.
「〜ている」は動作の進行だけでなく、表示や詰まりなど現在の状態も表します。
〜たほうがいいですか
その後、再開したほうがいいですか。
soh-noh ah-toh, sai-kai shee-tah hoh-oo gah ee-teh-soo kah?Should I restart after that?
「〜たほうがいいですか」は、相手にするべき行動について助言を求める表現です。
Japanese Vocabulary
コース
noun
KOH-soo
cycle; program
フィルター
noun
fee-roo-tah
filter
ボタン
noun
boh-tahn
button
画面
noun
gah-men
screen
詰まっている
verb
tsoo-maht-teh ee-roo
is blocked; is clogged
警告
noun
kay-KOH
warning
止まりました
verb
toh-mah-ree-mah-shee-tah
stopped
取扱説明書
noun
toh-ree-ah-tsu-kai seh-tsu-may-shoh
instruction manual
洗濯機
noun
sen-tah-koo-kee
washing machine
適当に
adv
teh-kee-toh-nee
randomly; casually
途中
noun
toh-CHOO
halfway; in the middle
表示されています
verb
hyoh-jee sah-reh-teh ee-mah-soo
is displayed; is showing
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
is blocked; is clogged
Show Answer
詰まっているis displayed; is showing
Show Answer
表示されていますfilter
Show Answer
フィルターstopped