About This Lesson
Use Letting Someone with a Baby Go First to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
すみません、赤ちゃんとベビーカーを連れてこの列に並ぶのは大変そうですね。
soo-mee-mah-SEN, ah-kah-CHAN toh beh-bee-KAH-ah oh tsoo-REH-teh KOH-noh reh-tsu nee nah-rah-boo noh wah tie-HEN SOH dess neh. Excuse me, this line must be hard to manage with a baby and a stroller.
B
なかなか大変でした。
nah-kah-NAH-kah tie-HEN deh-SHEE-tah. It has been tricky.
B
待っている間、ベビーカーを動かないようにして、赤ちゃんを落ち着かせようとしています。
maht-TEH-ee-roo AH-ee-dah, beh-bee-KAH-ah oh oo-goh-kah-NAI YOO-nee SHEE-teh, ah-kah-CHAN oh oh-chee-tsuh-kah-SEH-YOO toh shee-TEH-ee-MAHSS. I am trying to keep the stroller still and the baby calm while we wait.
A
私の前に進みませんか。
wah-TAH-shee noh mah-eh nee soo-soo-mee-mah-SEN kah. Would you like to go before me?
B
とてもご親切ですね。本当にいいのですか。
toh-TEH-moh goh-SHEEN-set-soo dess neh. hohn-TOH-nee EE-ee noh dess kah. That is very considerate. Are you sure?
A
はい、本当に大丈夫です。
HAI, hohn-TOH-nee die-JOH-boo dess. I am sure.
A
私は急いでいません。
wah-TAH-shee wah ee-SOH-ee-deh-ee-mah-SEN. I am not in a hurry.
A
これは大変そうですね。
koh-REH wah tie-HEN SOH dess neh. This looks hard to manage.
B
それは本当に助かります。
soh-REH wah hohn-TOH-nee tah-soo-kah-ree-MAHSS. That would make a real difference.
A
私の待ち時間が少し増えるだけです。
wah-TAH-shee noh mah-chee-JEE-kahn gah soo-KOH-shee foo-EH-roo dah-keh dess. It will only add a short wait for me.
B
あなたの前に行けると、赤ちゃんがもっとぐずる前に本当に助かります。
ah-NAH-tah noh mah-eh nee ee-KEH-roo toh, ah-kah-CHAN gah MOHT-toh goo-ZOO-roo mah-eh nee hohn-TOH-nee tah-soo-kah-ree-MAHSS. Going ahead of you would help us before the baby gets more restless.
A
私も誰かに同じように助けを申し出てもらえたらと思います。
wah-TAH-shee moh dah-reh-kah nee oh-NAH-jee YOO-nee tah-SOO-keh oh moh-SHEE-deh-teh moh-rah-eh-TAH-rah toh oh-MOH-ee-mahss. I would hope someone would offer the same help to me.
B
ありがとうございます。これで待つのがずっと楽になります。
ah-ree-gah-toh goh-ZAI-mahss. koh-REH deh mah-tsu noh gah ZOOT-toh rah-koo nee nah-ree-MAHSS. I appreciate it. This makes the wait much less stressful.Word by Word
すみません
“すみません” is used here to politely get the other person’s attention before commenting on the difficulty of the line. A common reuse pattern is “すみません、…” when speaking politely to a stranger or asking for help.
赤ちゃん
“赤ちゃん” means “baby” here and refers to the baby traveling with the other person. It is used directly before “と” in “赤ちゃんとベビーカー” to connect the baby and stroller.
と
In “赤ちゃんとベビーカー,” “と” connects two items as “and.” A common reuse pattern is “AとB” when listing two people or things together.
ベビーカー
“ベビーカー” means “stroller” here. In “赤ちゃんとベビーカーを連れて,” it is one of the things being brought along to the line.
を
In “ベビーカーを連れて,” “を” marks “ベビーカー” as the thing being brought along. A common reuse pattern is a noun followed by “を” before an action verb.
連れて
“連れて” means bringing or taking someone or something along, as in bringing the baby and stroller to the line. It is the connecting form used in “赤ちゃんとベビーカーを連れてこの列に並ぶ.”
この
“この” means “this” and points to the particular line being discussed. It is placed directly before the noun “列,” as in “この列” for “this line.”
列
“列” means “line” or “queue” here. In “この列に並ぶ,” it identifies the queue that the speakers are joining.
に
In “この列に並ぶ,” “に” marks the line that someone joins or lines up in. A common reuse pattern is “placeに並ぶ” for lining up at a place.
並ぶ
“並ぶ” means “line up” in “この列に並ぶ.” It describes joining or standing in a queue, and it can follow a place marked with “に.”
の
In “並ぶのは大変そうですね,” “の” turns the action of lining up into the topic being discussed. The pattern “verbのは…” is useful when evaluating or commenting on an activity.
は
In “並ぶのは大変そうですね,” “は” marks the activity of lining up as the topic of the comment. It sets up the evaluation that follows, “大変そうです.”
大変
“大変” means difficult or hard here, describing how challenging it is to line up with a baby and stroller. It commonly appears before “そう” in “大変そう” when the difficulty seems apparent.
そう
In “大変そうですね,” “そう” shows that something appears or seems to be a certain way. It attaches to “大変” here to express that the situation looks difficult.
です
In “大変そうですね,” “です” gives the comment a polite tone. It is used after the expression “大変そう” in a polite statement.
ね
In “大変そうですね,” “ね” invites the listener to share or acknowledge the speaker’s impression. It is useful when making a considerate observation in conversation.
なかなか
“なかなか” strengthens the description in “なかなか大変でした,” meaning that the situation was quite difficult. It is placed before the adjective-like expression “大変” to emphasize the experience.
でした
“でした” makes “大変” a polite statement about a past experience: “なかなか大変でした.” It is useful when politely describing how something was earlier.
待って
In “待っている間,” “待って” is the form of “待つ” used to connect with “いる,” expressing the ongoing activity of waiting. The pattern “verbている間” means “while doing something.”
いる
In “待っている間,” “いる” helps express that the waiting is continuing. Together, “待っている” describes being in the process of waiting.
間
In “待っている間,” “間” means the period while the waiting is happening. The pattern “verbている間” is used for an action or state that continues during another event.
動かない
“動かない” means “not move” or “stay still” here, describing the desired state of the stroller. In “ベビーカーを動かないようにして,” it states the condition the speaker is trying to maintain.
ように
In “ベビーカーを動かないようにして,” “ように” forms the whole expression meaning “so that the stroller stays still.” Here, “よう” contributes the desired state and “に” connects that state to “して,” and the pattern “verbないようにする” is used for trying to make something not happen.
して
In “動かないようにして,” “して” means keeping or making something in the stated condition. It connects the effort to keep the stroller still with the next effort to calm the baby.
落ち着かせよう
In “赤ちゃんを落ち着かせようとしています,” “落ち着かせよう” expresses the intention or attempt to calm the baby. With “としています,” the form describes an effort currently being made.
います
In “落ち着かせようとしています,” “います” shows that the attempt is ongoing now. The pattern “ようとしています” is useful for describing something someone is currently trying to do.
私
“私” means “I” or “me” here and refers to the person offering to let the other person go ahead. It appears before “の前” in “私の前,” meaning the space ahead of me.
前
In “私の前に,” “前” means the place ahead or in front of the speaker. The pattern “personの前” identifies the position in front of a person.
進みません
In “私の前に進みませんか,” “進みません” means go forward or go ahead as part of a polite invitation. The negative question form is used here to offer the other person a chance to move ahead.
か
In “進みませんか,” “か” marks the sentence as a question and helps turn it into a polite invitation. It is placed at the end of the proposed action.
とても
“とても” means “very” and strongly modifies “ご親切” in “とてもご親切ですね.” It is commonly placed before an adjective or descriptive expression to increase its strength.
ご親切
“ご親切” means very kind or considerate here, referring to the offer to let the other person go first. The polite “ご” gives the expression a respectful tone when acknowledging another person’s kindness.
本当に
“本当に” means “really” or “truly” here and emphasizes the question “本当にいいのですか.” It is useful when checking whether an offer is genuinely acceptable.
いい
In “本当にいいのですか,” “いい” means okay or acceptable, not simply good. The expression asks whether the speaker is truly allowed to accept the offer.
はい
“はい” means “yes” and confirms the other person’s question. It is followed by “本当に大丈夫です” to give a polite reassurance.
大丈夫
“大丈夫” means fine or all right here, reassuring the other person that accepting the offer will not cause a problem. It is commonly used with “です” when giving polite reassurance.
急いで
In “急いでいません,” “急いで” expresses hurrying as part of the statement that the speaker is not in a hurry. The pattern “verbていません” describes an action or state that is not happening.
いません
In “急いでいません,” “いません” makes the ongoing-state expression negative, meaning the speaker is not hurrying. It follows the connecting form “急いで” in the polite negative statement.
これ
In “これで待つのがずっと楽になります,” “これ” means “this” and refers to the helpful arrangement just offered. It is used with “で” to mean that this arrangement makes the waiting easier.
それ
In “それは本当に助かります,” “それ” means “that” and refers to the offer to let the person go ahead. The pattern “それは…” is useful when reacting to something the other person has just said or offered.
助かります
“助かります” means “that helps” or “I would really appreciate that” here. It is a polite way to express gratitude when someone’s action makes a difficult situation easier.
待ち時間
“待ち時間” means “waiting time” in “私の待ち時間が少し増えるだけです.” It is a compound noun used for the amount of time spent waiting.
が
In “待ち時間が少し増える,” “が” marks “待ち時間” as the thing that increases. A common reuse pattern is “nounが増える” when the amount of something becomes larger.
少し
“少し” means “a little” here and limits how much the waiting time will increase. It is placed before “増える” to describe a small increase.
増える
“増える” means “increase” or “become more” in “待ち時間が少し増える.” It is used with the thing that becomes larger marked by “が.”
だけ
In “少し増えるだけです,” “だけ” means “only” or “just,” emphasizing that the speaker will experience no more than a small increase. The pattern “verbだけです” is useful for minimizing the extent of an action or result.
あなた
“あなた” means “you” here and refers to the person who offered the place ahead. In “あなたの前に,” it identifies whose position is being moved ahead of.
行ける
“行ける” means “can go” in “あなたの前に行けると.” It expresses the possibility of moving ahead, and the following “と” connects that possibility to the helpful result.
もっと
“もっと” means “more” in “もっとぐずる,” showing that the baby may become even more restless. It is placed directly before the expression describing the increased behavior.
ぐずる
“ぐずる” means fuss or become restless here, describing the baby’s likely behavior if the wait continues. It is useful when talking about a child becoming difficult to settle or content.
も
In “私も誰かに,” “も” means “also” and includes the speaker in the same kind of situation. It follows “私” to express “I, too” or “for me as well.”
誰か
“誰か” means “someone” in “誰かに同じように助けを申し出てもらえたら.” It refers to an unspecified person who might offer help, and it is followed by “に” for that person.
同じ
“同じ” means “the same” in “同じように,” referring to help like the help being offered in this conversation. It commonly appears before “ように” when describing doing something in the same way.
助け
“助け” means “help” here and refers to assistance like letting someone go ahead. In “助けを申し出る,” it is the help that someone offers.
申し出て
In “助けを申し出てもらえたら,” “申し出て” means offering or proposing something, specifically offering help. The pattern “助けを申し出る” is useful when someone actively offers assistance.
もらえたら
In “助けを申し出てもらえたら,” “もらえたら” expresses the hope or condition of being able to receive someone’s action. Here, it means “if someone could offer me help,” and it connects to “と思います.”
思います
In “もらえたらと思います,” “思います” means “I think” and softens the speaker’s hope about receiving similar help. The pattern “verbたらと思います” is useful for expressing a wish or hope politely.
ありがとうございます
“ありがとうございます” means “thank you” and is a polite expression of appreciation for the offer. The whole expression combines “ありがとう,” the appreciation, with “ございます,” which gives it a more polite form.
で
In “これで待つのがずっと楽になります,” “で” means “with this” or “because of this,” referring to the helpful arrangement. The pattern “これで…” is useful when explaining the result produced by a current action or situation.
待つ
In “待つのがずっと楽になります,” “待つ” means “wait” and refers to the activity of waiting. With “のが,” the verb phrase is treated as the activity that becomes easier.
ずっと
In “ずっと楽になります,” “ずっと” means considerably or much, showing that the waiting will become much easier. It is placed before “楽” to strengthen the change in comfort.
楽
In “待つのがずっと楽になります,” “楽” means easier or more comfortable, describing the reduced burden of waiting. It is used with “なる” to express becoming easier.
なります
In “楽になります,” “なります” means “becomes,” showing a change to an easier and more comfortable state. The pattern “adjective or nounになる” is useful for describing a resulting change.
Grammar Points
～ている間
待っている間、赤ちゃんを落ち着かせようとしています。
maht-TEH-ee-roo AH-ee-dah, ah-kah-CHAN oh oh-chee-tsuh-kah-SEH-YOO toh shee-TEH-ee-MAHSS.While waiting, I am trying to calm the baby.
「～ている間」 means “while doing.” It describes an action or state that continues during another event.
～てもらえたら、～
助けを申し出てもらえたら、助かります。
tah-SOO-keh oh moh-SHEE-deh-teh moh-rah-eh-TAH-rah, tah-soo-kah-ree-MAHSS.If someone could offer me help, I would appreciate it.
「～てもらえたら」 politely expresses a wish for someone to do something, often followed by 「助かります」.
Japanese Vocabulary
ご親切
noun
goh-SHEEN-set-soo
kindness; considerate gesture
すみません
intj
soo-mee-mah-SEN
excuse me; sorry
なかなか
adv
nah-kah-NAH-kah
quite; rather; not easily
ベビーカー
noun
beh-bee-KAH-ah
stroller
私の前に
phrase
wah-TAH-shee noh mah-eh nee
before me; in front of me
進みませんか
phrase
soo-soo-mee-mah-SEN kah
would you like to go ahead?
赤ちゃん
noun
ah-kah-CHAN
baby
待っている間
phrase
maht-TEH-ee-roo AH-ee-dah
while waiting
大変そう
adj
tie-HEN SOH
looks difficult; seems hard
並ぶ
verb
nah-rah-boo
to stand in line; to line up
落ち着かせようとしています
phrase
oh-chee-tsuh-kah-SEH-YOO toh shee-TEH-ee-MAHSS
am trying to calm
列
noun
reh-tsu
line; queue
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
excuse me; sorry
Show Answer
すみませんbaby
Show Answer
赤ちゃんstroller
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ベビーカーwhile waiting