Managing your place in line when you have another obligation | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: While waiting in line, a person weighs whether to stay close to the queue or explain a delay to someone else..

EN → JA / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Managing your place in line when you have another obligation to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

まだ私の番はずっと先のようです。

mah-DAH wah-tah-SHEE noh bahn wah ZOOT-toh sah-kee noh YOH des. My turn still seems a long way off.
A

もうすぐ別の場所に行かなければなりません。

moh-SOO-goo BEH-tsoo noh bah-SHOH nee ee-kah-NAH-keh-reh-bah nah-ree-mah-SEN. I need to be somewhere else soon.
B

ここに残るかどうか決める前に、列がどのように進んでいるか説明します。

koh-KOH nee noh-KOH-roo kah doh-OH-kah kee-MEH-roo MAH-eh nee, REH-tsoo gah doh-noh-YOH-oo nee soo-SOON-deh eer-OO kah seh-TSOO-meh-MAHSS. Let me explain how the queue is moving before you decide whether to stay.
A

一定のペースで進んでいますか。

ee-TEH noh PEH-soo deh soo-SOON-deh eer-MAHSS kah. Is it moving at a steady pace?
B

今日は進み方にばらつきがあります。いくつかの依頼は予想より時間がかかっています。

KYOH wah soo-SOO-mee-kah-tah nee bah-rah-TSOO-kee gah ah-ree-MAHSS. ee-KOOT-soo-kah noh ee-RAI wah yoo-SOH yoh-ree JEE-kahn gah kah-KAH-teh eer-MAHSS. The pace is uneven today. Some requests are taking longer than expected.
A

少しの間離れたら、同じ場所に戻ってこられますか。

SOO-koo-shee noh AH-ee-dahm hah-nah-reh-TAH-rah, oh-NAH-jee bah-SHOH nee moh-DOHT-teh koh-rah-reh-MAHSS kah. If I step away for a moment, can I come back to the same place?
B

列の近くにいる場合だけ、順番を保てます。

REH-tsoo noh CHEE-kah-koo nee eer-OO bah-AH-ee dah-KEH, joon-BAHN oh tah-MOH-teh-MAHSS. You can only keep your place if you stay close to the line.
A

では、これを後に回せるかどうか決めなければなりません。

deh-WAH, koh-REH oh AH-toh nee mah-WAH-seh-roo kah doh-OH-kah kee-MEH-nah-keh-reh-bah nah-ree-mah-SEN. Then I need to decide whether this can wait.
B

今日このサービスが重要なら、列の近くにいるほうが安全な選択です。

KYOH koh-noh SAH-bee-soo gah joo-YOH nah-rah, REH-tsoo noh CHEE-kah-koo nee eer-OO HOH-gah ahn-ZEHN nah seh-ntah-koo des. If this service is important today, staying close is the safer choice.
A

相手にメッセージを送って、遅れを説明できます。

ah-EE-teh nee MEHSS-seh-jee oh oh-KOOT-teh, oh-KUH-reh oh seh-TSOO-MEH dee-keh-MAHSS. I can message the other person and explain the delay.
B

それで、あなたがなぜ遅れているのか相手に分かってもらえるはずです。

soh-REH-deh, ah-nah-TAH gah nah-ZEH oh-KUH-reh-teh eer-OO noh-kah ah-EE-teh nee wah-KAHT-teh moh-rah-EH-roo hah-ZOO des. That should help them understand why you are running late.

Word by Word

まだ まだ means “still” here: the speaker’s turn has not come yet. In まだ私の番はずっと先のようです, it shows that the situation continues at the present time. A useful pattern is まだ + a description of the current situation, especially when something has not happened yet.
私 私 means “I” or “me” here and identifies the speaker in 私の番. With の, it can indicate that the following noun is connected to the speaker. Use 私の + noun when referring to something belonging or relating to yourself.
の の links 私 to 番 in 私の番, giving the meaning “my turn.” It connects one noun or noun-like expression to another. The pattern person or thing + の + noun is useful for showing ownership or connection.
番 番 means “turn” or “place in line” in 私の番. It identifies the point at which the speaker will be served. A reusable pattern is Xの番, meaning “X’s turn” or “X’s place in the order.”
は は marks 私の番 as the topic in 私の番はずっと先のようです. The sentence then gives information about that topic, namely that it seems far away. Use は after the topic when describing its situation or condition.
ずっと ずっと means “far” in ずっと先, emphasizing that the turn is a long way ahead. Here it describes a large distance in time or order, not continuous action. The pattern ずっと先 is useful when something will happen much later.
先 先 means “ahead” or “later” in ずっと先, referring to a later point in the queue or in time. Together with ずっと, it makes the expected wait sound long. Use 先 when referring to a point that lies ahead.
よう よう contributes the meaning of appearance or seeming in のようです. The whole expression 私の番はずっと先のようです means “My turn seems a long way off,” rather than stating the distance as certain. A useful pattern is Xのようです for a polite impression or judgment.
です です gives the polite ending to のようです. In this dialogue, it makes the speaker’s impression sound courteous and complete. Use it after のよう to present an observation or impression politely.
もうすぐ もうすぐ means “soon” in もうすぐ別の場所に行かなければなりません. It places the need to go at a time very close to now. Use もうすぐ before an event or action that is expected shortly.
別 別 means “different” or “another” in 別の場所. With の, it modifies 場所 and shows that this is a place different from the current one. The pattern 別の + noun is useful when referring to another person, place, or thing.
場所 場所 means “place” in 別の場所. It refers to the location where the speaker needs to be. With に, as in 別の場所に, it can mark the destination of movement.
に に marks 別の場所 as the destination in 別の場所に行かなければなりません. It shows where the speaker needs to go. A useful movement pattern is place + に + a movement verb.
行かなければなりません 行かなければなりません means “must go” or “need to go” in this dialogue. 行か- is the form of 行く used before なければ, なければ sets up the necessary condition, and なりません completes the polite obligation expression. Use placeに行かなければなりません when explaining that someone has to go somewhere.
ここ ここ means “here,” referring to the current place in ここに残るかどうか. It identifies the place where the person may remain. Use ここに with a verb of staying or movement when the destination or location is this place.
残る 残る means “stay” or “remain” in ここに残るかどうか. It describes not leaving the current place. The pattern placeに残る is useful when deciding whether to remain somewhere.
かどうか かどうか expresses “whether or not” in ここに残るかどうか決める前に. か marks the embedded question, and どうか completes the choice between the alternatives. Use a question or decision phrase + かどうか when the answer may be yes or no.
決める 決める means “decide” in ここに残るかどうか決める前に. The object of the decision is the question of whether to stay. A useful pattern is option or question + 決める when describing a decision.
前 前 means “before” in 決める前に, placing one action earlier than another. Here the explanation happens before the listener decides. Use verb-dictionary-form + 前に to say “before doing something.”
列 列 means “line” or “queue” in 列がどのように進んでいるか. It is the queue whose movement is being explained. Use 列 when discussing people or requests waiting in order.
が が marks 列 as the subject in 列がどのように進んでいるか. The sentence describes how the queue is progressing. Use が when identifying the thing that is performing an action or being described.
どの どの contributes the question of which manner or kind in どのように進んでいるか. Together with ように, it asks “how” the queue is moving. Use どのように + verb when asking about the manner of an action.
進んで 進んで contributes “moving forward” or “progressing” in 進んでいる. It is the form of 進む that connects to いる to describe the queue’s ongoing movement. Use 進んでいる when describing something that is currently progressing.
で で is part of 進んでいる, where it connects the form 進んで to いる. It does not independently mean “by” in this sentence; the whole expression describes an ongoing state of progress. The pattern verb-ている is useful for an action or condition continuing at the relevant time.
いる いる completes 進んでいる and shows that the queue is in the state of progressing. Together, 進んでいる means that the movement is currently underway. Use verb-ている to describe an ongoing action or state.
か か marks the embedded question in どのように進んでいるか. It turns the description of how the queue is moving into the information being explained. Use a question word or clause + か inside expressions such as “explain” or “know.”
説明 説明 means “explanation” or contributes “explain” in 説明します. Here it introduces information about how the queue is moving. A useful pattern is topic or information + 説明します when offering an explanation politely.
します します is the polite form used in 説明します, meaning “explain” or “will explain” in this context. With the noun 説明, it forms a polite action expression. Use noun + します for a polite expression of carrying out that action.
一定 一定 means “steady” or “constant” in 一定のペース. It describes a pace that does not vary much. The pattern 一定の + noun is useful when describing something as stable or consistent.
ペース ペース means “pace” in 一定のペース. It refers to the speed or rhythm at which the queue is progressing. Use ペース with a modifier such as 一定の when describing how steadily something proceeds.
います います is the polite form of いる in 進んでいます. Together with 進んで, it shows that the queue is currently progressing. Use verb-ています when politely describing an action or state that is continuing.
今日 今日 means “today” in 今日は進み方にばらつきがあります. It limits the statement to the present day. Use 今日 with a topic marker or time-related expression to describe what is happening today.
進み方 進み方 means “the way something progresses” or “pace” in 進み方にばらつきがあります. It focuses on how the queue moves rather than on one individual movement. The pattern verb stem + 方 is useful for describing a way of doing something.
ばらつき ばらつき means “variation” or “unevenness” in 進み方にばらつきがあります. It says that the pace is not uniform today. Use ばらつきがある when describing variation within a process or set of results.
あります あります means “there is” or “exists” politely in 進み方にばらつきがあります. It states that variation is present in the way the queue progresses. The pattern noun + があります is useful for politely saying that something exists or is present.
いくつか いくつか means “some” or “several” in いくつかの依頼. It refers to an unspecified but limited number of requests. Use いくつかの + noun when referring to several items without giving an exact number.
依頼 依頼 means “request” in いくつかの依頼. These are the requests that are taking longer than expected. Use 依頼 when discussing a request made to a service or another person.
予想 予想 means “expectation” or “prediction” in 予想より時間がかかっています. It represents the expected amount of time used for comparison. The pattern 予想より + description means “more than expected” or “compared with the expectation.”
より より means “than” or “compared with” in 予想より時間がかかっています. It compares the actual time with the expected time. Use Aより + description when saying that something differs from or exceeds A.
時間 時間 means “time” in 時間がかかっています. It is the amount of time being used by the requests. Use 時間がかかる when saying that an activity or process takes time.
かかって かかって contributes “taking time” in 時間がかかっています. It is the form of かかる that connects to います, making the process ongoing. Use 時間がかかっている when a task or process is currently taking time.
少し 少し means “a little” in 少しの間. It makes the time period short but not necessarily exact. Use 少しの + time expression when referring to a short amount of time.
間 間 means “period” or “interval” in 少しの間. Together, 少しの間 means “for a short while.” Use a quantity or modifier + の間 to describe the duration of a situation.
離れたら 離れたら means “if or when [someone] steps away” in 少しの間離れたら. The form of 離れる followed by たら introduces the condition under which the person may return. Use place or situation + 離れたら when asking what happens after temporarily leaving it.
同じ 同じ means “same” in 同じ場所. It says that the person would return to the place they had before. Use 同じ + noun when referring to something identical to a previously mentioned one.
戻って 戻って contributes “returning” or “coming back” in 戻ってこられます. It is the form of 戻る that connects to こられます and describes returning to the earlier place. Use 戻って + a following movement or ability expression when describing coming back.
こられます こられます contributes “can come” in 戻ってこられます. It is the polite potential form related to 来る, and with 戻って it means “can come back.” Use 戻ってこられます when asking or stating whether someone can return to a place.
近く 近く means “near” in 列の近くにいる場合だけ. It describes a location close to the queue. The pattern Xの近くにいる is useful for saying that someone remains near X.
場合 場合 means “case” or “situation” in いる場合だけ. It frames the condition under which keeping one’s place is possible. Use clause + 場合 when explaining what applies in a particular situation.
だけ だけ means “only” in 列の近くにいる場合だけ. It limits the possibility of keeping one’s place to the stated condition. Use a condition + だけ when saying that something is possible only under that condition.
順番 順番 means “turn” or “place in order” in 順番を保てます. It refers to the person’s position in the queue. Use 順番を + a verb when talking about keeping, changing, or losing one’s place in an order.
を を marks 順番 as the object of 保てます in 順番を保てます. The sentence says that the person can maintain their place. Use を after the thing directly affected by the verb.
保てます 保てます means “can keep” or “can maintain” in 順番を保てます. It expresses the ability to preserve the person’s place in the queue. The pattern objectを保てます is useful when stating that a condition or position can be maintained.
では では means “then” or “in that case” in では、これを後に回せるかどうか決めなければなりません. It connects the previous condition to the speaker’s next decision. Use では at the start of a response when drawing a conclusion from what was just said.
これ これ means “this” in これを後に回せるかどうか. It points to the matter or service currently being discussed. Use これを when referring to the nearby or already-mentioned thing as the object of an action.
後 後 means “later” in 後に回せるかどうか. It indicates a later time or position to which something may be moved. Use 後に + a movement or arrangement expression when postponing something.
回せる 回せる means “can put off” or “can move to later” in これを後に回せるかどうか. It describes the possibility of postponing the matter. A useful pattern is objectを後に回せる when asking whether something can be dealt with later.
決めなければなりません 決めなければなりません means “must decide” or “need to decide” in これを後に回せるかどうか決めなければなりません. 決め- is the form of 決める used before なければ, なければ sets up the necessary condition, and なりません completes the polite obligation expression. Use a question or choice + 決めなければなりません when a decision is required.
この この means “this” or “this particular” in このサービス. It identifies the service being discussed as a specific one. Use この + noun when pointing to a particular nearby or previously mentioned item.
サービス サービス means “service” in このサービス. It refers to the service the person is waiting to receive. Use サービス when discussing a service or assistance provided by an organization or person.
重要 重要 means “important” in このサービスが重要なら. It describes how significant the service is to the speaker today. Use noun + が重要 when stating that something is important.
なら なら means “if” or “in the case that” after the description このサービスが重要 in このサービスが重要なら. It introduces the condition for the recommendation that follows. Use a noun or description + なら when responding to or evaluating a stated situation.
ほう ほう identifies one option as preferable in 列の近くにいるほうが安全な選択です. The whole expression says that staying close is the safer choice; ほう presents that action as the option being evaluated. Use verb phrase + ほうが + evaluation when comparing or recommending an option.
安全 安全 means “safe” in 安全な選択. It describes the choice of staying close as having less risk. Use 安全な + noun when describing a safe option or action.
な な links 安全 to 選択 in 安全な選択. It allows 安全 to modify the noun 選択. Use な between this type of adjective and the noun it describes.
選択 選択 means “choice” or “selection” in 安全な選択. It refers to the option the person chooses between staying and leaving. Use 選択 when evaluating or making one option among several.
相手 相手 means “the other person” in 相手にメッセージを送って. It refers to the person who needs to be contacted about the delay. Use 相手 when referring to the other participant in an interaction without specifying their name or role.
メッセージ メッセージ means “message” in メッセージを送って. It is the communication sent to the other person. Use メッセージを送る when saying that you send someone a message.
送って 送って contributes “sending” in メッセージを送って、遅れを説明できます. It connects the action of sending the message to the following action of explaining the delay. Use objectを送って + another action when describing two linked actions.
遅れ 遅れ means “delay” or “lateness” in 遅れを説明できます. It is the delay that the speaker can explain to the other person. Use 遅れを説明する when giving a reason why someone or something is late.
できます できます contributes “can” in 遅れを説明できます. Together with 遅れを説明, it says that the speaker is able to explain the delay. Use noun or action phrase + できます to state that an action is possible.
それ それ means “that” in それで、あなたがなぜ遅れているのか相手に分かってもらえるはずです. It refers to the message and explanation just mentioned. Use それで at the start of a sentence when referring to a preceding action as the reason or means for what follows.
あなた あなた means “you” in あなたがなぜ遅れているのか. It explicitly identifies the person whose lateness is being explained. Use あなたが + description when making the listener the subject of a statement.
なぜ なぜ means “why” in なぜ遅れているのか. It asks for the reason that the person is late. Use なぜ + clause + のか when referring to the reason inside an explanation or question.
遅れて 遅れて contributes “being late” in 遅れている. It is the form of 遅れる that connects to いる and describes the continuing state of lateness. Use 遅れている when someone is currently late or delayed.
分かって 分かって contributes “understand” in 分かってもらえるはずです. It connects the act of understanding to もらえる, which expresses that the speaker can have or receive that understanding from the other person. Use 分かってもらう or 分かってもらえる when referring to getting another person to understand something.
もらえる もらえる contributes the possibility of having the other person understand in 分かってもらえるはずです. Together with 分かって, it expresses that the speaker can get the other person to understand the reason for the delay. Use verb-て + もらえる when saying that someone can receive another person’s help or response.
はず はず expresses an expectation in 分かってもらえるはずです: the explanation should help the other person understand. It presents the result as reasonably expected rather than absolutely certain. Use a clause + はずです when stating what you expect to be the case.

Grammar Points

～たら

列を離れたら、別の場所に行かなければなりません。

REH-tsoo oh hah-nah-reh-TAH-rah, BEH-tsoo noh bah-SHOH nee ee-kah-NAH-keh-reh-bah nah-ree-mah-SEN.

If you leave the line, you must go to another place.

「～たら」は、ある条件や出来事の後に起こることを表します。

～はずです

相手に分かってもらえるはずです。

ah-EE-teh nee wah-KAHT-teh moh-rah-EH-roo hah-ZOO des.

The other person should be able to understand.

「～はずです」は、根拠のある予想や当然だと思うことを表します。

Japanese Vocabulary

ここに残る phrase
koh-KOH nee noh-KOH-roo stay here
ずっと先 phrase
ZOOT-toh SAH-kee far off; a long way away
ばらつき noun
bah-rah-TSOO-kee variation; unevenness
もうすぐ adv
moh-SOO-goo soon
一定のペース phrase
ee-TEH noh PEH-soo a steady pace
決める verb
kee-MEH-roo decide
行かなければなりません verb
ee-kah-NAH-keh-reh-bah nah-ree-mah-SEN must go; need to go
進み方 noun
soo-SOO-mee-kah-tah the way something progresses
進んでいる verb
soo-SOON-deh eer-OO is moving; is progressing
番 noun
bahn turn; one's place in line
別の場所 noun
BEH-tsoo noh bah-SHOH another place
列 noun
REH-tsoo line; queue

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

far off; a long way away

Show Answerずっと先

is moving; is progressing

Show Answer進んでいる

stay here

Show Answerここに残る

must go; need to go

Show Answer行かなければなりません