Checking presentation equipment | Learn Japanese in English

Sentence explanations

1. お客様が来る前に、プレゼンテーション機器を確認しましょう。

   We should check the presentation equipment before the clients arrive.

   お客様

   clients

   来る

   arrive

   前に

   before

   プレゼンテーション機器

   presentation equipment

   確認しましょう

   let’s check

   More detail

   お客様 means “the clients” here. 客様 is a polite/honorific form related to 客 (“customer” or “guest”); お客様 is a respectful way to refer to customers or guests. The form itself does not specify how many clients there are. 来る means “to arrive/come” in this sentence. Its dictionary form is 来る (くる), and its polite form is 来ます (きます). In お客様が来る, お客様が marks the people who will arrive. The particle が identifies the subject of this clause; it does not by itself indicate the number of clients. 前に means “before” when it follows a time or event expression. Here, 来る前に is the reusable pattern “before [someone] comes/arrives.” 前 means “front” or “before,” and に marks the time point at which the main action should occur. Example: 出かける前に、電気を消します。 — “Before going out, I turn off the lights.” プレゼンテーション機器 means “presentation equipment.” It is a compound noun: プレゼンテーション means “presentation,” and 機器 means “equipment” or “apparatus.” 機器 is a useful term for equipment made up of devices; it is not simply a translation of the nearby action. 確認しましょう means “let’s check” and, in this sentence, expresses the speaker’s proposal that the speaker and the listener should check something. It is the polite volitional form of 確認する (“to check” or “to confirm”): 確認する → 確認します (polite non-past) → 確認しましょう (polite volitional). The volitional form can correspond to “let’s …” or, depending on context, a proposal such as “we should ….” Together, お客様が来る前に sets the time as “before the clients arrive.” プレゼンテーション機器を marks the presentation equipment as what is checked, with を marking the object of the verb. 確認しましょう makes the proposal polite. The complete meaning is: “We should check the presentation equipment before the clients arrive.”

2. まず、ノートパソコンをプロジェクターにつなげます。

   I can connect the laptop to the projector first.

   まず

   first

   ノートパソコン

   laptop

   プロジェクター

   projector

   つなげます

   can connect

   More detail

   まず means “first” or “to begin with.” It places this action at the beginning of the sequence, as in まず、確認します。 “First, I’ll check it.” ノートパソコン is the noun for “laptop computer.” ノート is used in this compound in the sense of a notebook-style portable computer; it is not the verb “to note.” プロジェクター is the noun “projector,” a loanword. Here it is the destination or endpoint of the connection. The particle に marks that endpoint. つなげます is a polite nonpast form. With the fixed translation’s ability reading, it is the potential form of つなぐ, “to connect”: つなぐ → つなげる “can connect” → つなげます “can connect” in polite speech. The same surface form つなげる is also used as a transitive verb meaning “to connect” or “to link,” so the form itself does not always mean ability; the intended reading here is supplied by the fixed translation. In the pattern AをBにつなげる, A is connected to B: ノートパソコンをプロジェクターにつなげます means “can connect the laptop to the projector.” Together, まず marks this as the first step, ノートパソコンを identifies the laptop as the object, and プロジェクターにつなげます expresses connecting it to the projector. The whole utterance therefore means, “I can connect the laptop to the projector first.”

3. 画像は表示されていますが、少し横に伸びているようです。

   The image is showing, but it looks a little stretched.

   画像

   image

   表示されています

   is being displayed

   少し

   a little

   横に

   horizontally; sideways

   伸びている

   is stretched

   ようです

   looks like; seems

   More detail

   画像 means “image” here. It is a noun and can be reused in compounds such as 画像ファイル (“image file”). The topic marker は is attached to it, making the image the topic of the sentence. 表示されています says that the image is being displayed. The useful base verb is 表示する (“to display”); 表示される is its passive form, “be displayed.” The ending 〜ている presents the resulting or continuing state, and ます makes the expression polite. Thus 表示されています describes the current visible state rather than an action the image performs. 少し means “a little” and softens the degree of the following description. For example, 少し大きいです means “It is a little big.” 横に means “horizontally” or “sideways.” 横 is a noun meaning “side” or “horizontal direction,” and に marks the direction or extent in which something changes. In this sentence it describes stretching toward the horizontal dimension. 伸びている comes from the intransitive verb 伸びる, “to stretch” or “become elongated.” The ている form describes the current resulting state: something has become elongated and is now in that state. This differs from transitive 伸ばす, “stretch something,” which would present another person or action as causing the stretching. ようです expresses an appearance-based judgment: “it looks like” or “it seems.” Here it follows the plain-form description 伸びている, giving 伸びているようです (“it looks stretched”). It presents the stretching as an observation or impression, not as an unqualified assertion. Together, 画像は sets “the image” as the topic, 表示されています says that it is currently displayed, and 少し横に伸びているようです says that it appears somewhat elongated horizontally. The whole utterance means: “The image is showing, but it looks a little stretched.” The contrast marker が connects the displayed state with the separate appearance of distortion. This is a polite, natural way to report a visual problem without stating the judgment more strongly than the evidence supports.

4. 表示設定を調整して、もう一度スライドを確認できます。

   I can adjust the display settings and test the slides again.

   表示設定

   display settings

   調整して

   adjusting and

   もう一度

   again; one more time

   スライド

   slides

   確認できます

   can check

   More detail

   表示設定 means “display settings” here. It is a compound noun: 表示 is display/showing, and 設定 is a setting or configuration. Japanese compounds commonly place the modifying element before the main noun, so this refers to settings for how something is displayed. Example: 設定を変更します。 — “I will change the settings.” 調整して is the te-form of 調整する, “to adjust.” The te-form connects this action to what follows: Aを調整して、B means “adjust A and then/in doing so, B.” The subject is not stated in this sentence; the fixed translation identifies the speaker as the one who can perform the actions. Example: 音量を調整して、もう一度聞きます。 — “I’ll adjust the volume and listen again.” もう一度 means “again” or “one more time.” It marks a repeated action, without by itself stating why the first attempt was insufficient. 一度 means “one time,” while もう adds the sense of an additional occurrence. Example: もう一度説明してください。 — “Please explain it one more time.” スライド is the loanword “slide,” referring here to the slides being checked. It is a noun and does not itself show whether there is one slide or more than one; the plural meaning is supplied by the fixed translation and context. Example: スライドを見ます。 — “I’ll look at the slide(s).” 確認できます means “can check” or “can confirm.” 確認 is the noun-like element meaning checking or confirmation, and できます is the polite form of できる, “can/be able to,” following it in the pattern 確認することができる or the compact noun-plus-できる construction 確認できる. The polite ending ます makes the statement suitable for a polite interaction. Here, the ability applies to checking the slides, not merely to seeing them. Example: あとで確認できます。 — “I can check it later.” Together, 表示設定を調整して gives the first action, “adjust the display settings,” もう一度 adds repetition, and スライドを確認できます says that the speaker can check or test the slides again. The whole utterance therefore means: “I can adjust the display settings and test the slides again.”

5. マイクの音量も確認していただけますか。

   Could you also check the microphone volume?

   マイク

   microphone

   音量

   volume

   確認していただけますか

   could you check?

   More detail

   マイク means “microphone.” It is a noun and can be linked to another noun with の: マイクの音量 means “the microphone volume” or “the volume of the microphone.” 音量 means “volume,” the level of sound. It differs from 音 (“sound”), which refers to the sound itself. Example: 音量を上げます。 — “I’ll raise the volume.” も adds “also” or “as well.” Here, マイクの音量も means “the microphone volume too,” adding it to something already under consideration. 確認していただけますか is a polite request meaning “could you check?” 確認して is the て-form of 確認する (“to check”). The pattern verb-ていただけますか politely asks whether the listener would do the action as a favor; いただけますか is the polite form used in this request pattern. Example: 設定を確認していただけますか。 — “Could you check the settings?” Together, マイクの音量 means “the microphone volume,” も adds “also,” and 確認していただけますか asks politely for a check. The whole utterance means: “Could you also check the microphone volume?”

6. 音ははっきりしていますが、後ろの列ではもう少し音量が必要かもしれません。

   It sounds clear, but the back row may need more volume.

   音

   sound

   はっきりしています

   is clear

   後ろ

   back

   列

   row

   もう少し

   a little more

   音量

   volume

   必要

   needed

   かもしれません

   may; might

   More detail

   音 means “sound” here, specifically the audio being discussed. It can be reused for sounds or audio in general. Example: 音が聞こえます。 — “I can hear the sound.” はっきりしています says that the sound is clear. The useful base expression is はっきりする (“become clear” or “be clear”), and 〜ています presents the resulting state as continuing. In this sentence, 音は marks the sound as the topic, while が contrasts the following situation. Example: 声がはっきりしています。 — “The voice is clear.” 後ろ means “the back” or “rear.” In 後ろの列, it modifies 列, producing “the back row.” Example: 後ろに座ります。 — “I will sit in the back.” 列 means a row or line of people or things. Here it refers to a seating row. The pattern Xの列 means “X’s row” or “the row of X,” with 後ろの列 meaning “the back row.” もう少し means “a little more” or “a bit further.” It modifies the amount of 音量 requested here; it does not by itself state an exact amount. Example: もう少し大きくしてください。 — “Please make it a little louder.” 音量 means “volume,” the level of sound. The preceding context also uses this word for the microphone’s volume, so it is the relevant audio-control term here. Example: 音量を下げてください。 — “Please lower the volume.” 必要 means “necessary” or “needed.” In 音量が必要, it functions as a noun-like or na-adjective-like predicate: more volume is needed. Useful forms include 必要な before a noun (“necessary”) and 必要です (“is necessary”). Example: 確認が必要です。 — “A check is necessary.” かもしれません marks possibility: “may” or “might.” It follows the form that expresses the possible situation; here 必要かもしれません means “may be needed.” It presents the need as uncertain rather than definite. Example: 少し時間がかかるかもしれません。 — “It may take a little time.” Together, 音ははっきりしていますが means “the sound is clear, but.” 後ろの列では sets the back row as the place or group under discussion, with は giving that setting contrastive focus. もう少し音量が必要かもしれません says that a little more volume may be needed there. The whole utterance therefore means: “It sounds clear, but the back row may need more volume.”

7. バックアップ用のドライブにスライドを入れて持ってきました。

   I brought the slides on a backup drive.

   バックアップ用の

   for backup

   ドライブ

   drive

   スライド

   slide

   入れて

   put in

   持ってきました

   brought

   More detail

   バックアップ用の means “for backup.” 用 marks purpose or intended use, and の links this modifier to the following noun: バックアップ用のドライブ = “a drive for backup.” This pattern is reusable with other purposes, such as 仕事用のパソコン (“a computer for work”). ドライブ is the noun “drive,” here referring to the storage device used for the slides. The following に marks the destination or place into which something is put: ドライブに means “into/on the drive” in this context. Japanese loanwords written in katakana do not thereby change their grammatical role; particles show how the noun functions in the sentence. スライド means “slides” here. The following を marks it as the direct object of 入れる: スライドを入れる means “put the slides in.” Although スライド can refer to one slide or slides generally, this sentence does not require a separate plural ending. 入れて is the te-form of 入れる, “to put in” or “to insert.” The te-form connects this action to the next action, so 入れて、持ってきました presents putting the slides in the drive and bringing them as a connected sequence. A useful contrast is 入る (“go in” or “enter”), which describes something entering or being inside, whereas 入れる describes someone putting something in. 持ってきました is the polite past form of 持ってくる, “to bring.” It combines 持つ (“hold/carry”) with 来る (“come”); the form きました marks coming in the direction of the speaker or the relevant place. Thus this form presents the speaker as carrying the slides and arriving with them. The polite past ending ました makes the completed action polite. Together, バックアップ用のドライブに identifies the backup drive as the destination, スライドを入れて says that the slides were put there, and 持ってきました says that the speaker brought them. The whole utterance means: “I brought the slides on a backup drive.”

8. 最初のスライドを使って、簡単にリハーサルをしましょう。

   Let's do a quick rehearsal with the opening slide.

   最初の

   opening; first

   スライド

   slide

   を使って

   using

   簡単に

   quickly; simply

   リハーサル

   rehearsal

   しましょう

   let’s do

   More detail

   最初の means “the first” or “opening” here. 最初 refers to the beginning or first position, and の links it to the noun that follows: 最初のスライド = “the opening slide.” Japanese commonly places this kind of modifier before its noun. スライド is the noun “slide,” referring here to a presentation slide. A reusable pattern is Xのスライド (“X’s slide” or “the slide about X”), where X identifies or describes the slide. を使って means “using.” The base verb is 使う (“to use”); 使って is its て-form. In this sentence, を marks スライド as what is used, and the て-form connects that action to what follows: スライドを使って = “using the slide.” The same pattern works with other tools or materials, such as この資料を使って (“using this material”). 簡単に describes how the rehearsal will be done: briefly or simply, giving the intended sense “quick.” 簡単 is a な-adjective; its adverbial form is made with に, so 簡単にする means “do or make something simply.” This form does not itself mean that the rehearsal lasts a specifically measured amount of time. リハーサル is the noun “rehearsal.” It is a loanword used for practicing a presentation, performance, or similar activity. With する, it forms the verb phrase リハーサルをする (“do a rehearsal”): リハーサル is the object marked by を, and する supplies the action. しましょう is the polite volitional form of する, meaning “let’s do.” The base verb is する (“to do”); しましょう proposes the action jointly and politely. For example, 確認しましょう means “Let’s check.” Here it completes リハーサルをしましょう, “let’s do a rehearsal.” Together, 最初のスライドを使って identifies the material used, 簡単に says that the activity will be brief or simple, and リハーサルをしましょう makes a polite proposal. The whole utterance means: “Let’s do a quick rehearsal with the opening slide.”

9. 最初のスライドはうまく表示されたので、これですべて準備ができたようです。

   The opening slide worked, so everything seems ready now.

   最初の

   opening; first

   スライド

   slide

   うまく

   successfully; well

   表示された

   was displayed

   ので

   so; because

   これで

   with this; now

   すべて

   everything

   準備ができた

   is ready; is prepared

   ようです

   seems

   More detail

   最初の means “opening” or “first” here. 最初 is the noun meaning “beginning” or “first,” and の links it to the following noun: 最初のスライド = “the opening slide.” This pattern is reusable with other nouns, for example, 最初の質問 = “the first question.” スライド is the noun “slide.” Together with the preceding modifier, it identifies the slide being discussed. うまく means “well” or “successfully” in this sentence. It is the adverbial form of the adjective うまい; it describes how the display worked, not the slide itself. For example, うまく話せました means “I was able to speak well.” 表示された means “was displayed.” The base verb is 表示する, “to display” or “to show.” 表示された is its past passive form: the slide is presented as the thing that appeared on the screen, rather than as the agent displaying something. Japanese passive verbs do not inflect for gender or grammatical number. Example: 画面に画像が表示された。 = “An image was displayed on the screen.” ので connects a reason with its result: “because …, so …” or simply “since ….” Here, the successful display is the reason for the conclusion that follows. The pattern Aので、B can be reused for a reason stated relatively neutrally or gently: 時間がないので、始めましょう。 = “Since we do not have time, let’s begin.” これで combines これ, “this,” with で, which marks the means, circumstance, or state that makes the next result possible. Here it means “with this” or “now,” presenting the current step or situation as sufficient for the conclusion that follows. The sentence does not by itself specify a more precise referent for これ. Example: これで準備は終わりです。 = “With this, the preparations are finished.” すべて means “everything” or “all.” It gives the readiness claim its broad scope: the sentence says that everything is ready, not merely the slide. It can also modify a noun, as in すべての資料 = “all the materials.” 準備ができた means “became ready” or “was prepared.” The noun 準備 means “preparation,” and できる here expresses that preparation is complete or in a usable state; it is not the separate sense “be able to do.” Its past form できた presents that state as reached by the relevant time. The pattern 準備ができました is a common polite way to say “The preparations are ready” or “I am ready,” depending on context. This expression does not inflect for gender or grammatical number. ようです means “seems” or “appears.” ようだ is a pattern for presenting an inference or appearance rather than an unquestionable fact; ようです is its polite form. Here it softens the conclusion that everything is ready. A reusable example is 雨が降るようです。 = “It seems that it will rain.” Putting the parts together, 最初のスライドは sets “the opening slide” as the topic. うまく表示されたので gives the reason: it was displayed successfully. これですべて準備ができたようです says that, with the current step or situation, everything now appears to be ready. The whole utterance therefore means: “The opening slide worked, so everything seems ready now.”

10. この機器チェックで、心配することが一つ減りますね。

    This tech check gives us one less thing to worry about.

    この

    this

    機器チェック

    equipment check

    で

    with; by

    心配する

    worry

    こと

    thing; matter

    一つ

    one

    減ります

    decreases; is reduced

    ね

    right; isn’t it

    More detail

    この means “this” before a noun. It is a demonstrative determiner, so it points to a nearby or contextually identified item and does not itself state its grammatical role beyond modifying the noun that follows. Here, the translation identifies the item as the equipment check. Compare その “that/your-mentioned” and あの “that over there/previously known.” 機器チェック is a compound meaning “equipment check” or “technical check.” 機器 means “equipment/device,” while チェック is a commonly used loanword meaning “check” or “inspection.” Together they name the check itself rather than an action performed by a person. Example: 機器チェックをします。 — “I/we will perform an equipment check.” で marks the means or circumstance through which the result is achieved. In this sentence, the check is what brings about the reduction in worries: “with/through this equipment check.” Its meaning here is not the location meaning “at/in.” 心配する is the verb “to worry.” The form shown is the plain, nonpast form, and it is followed by こと to turn the action into a matter or proposition: 心配すること means “worrying” or “the matter of worrying.” The verb is 心配する, not a form derived from こと. Example: 明日の天気を心配する。 — “I worry about tomorrow’s weather.” こと is a noun meaning “thing” or “matter,” and after a verb it can nominalize the preceding action or situation. Thus 心配すること is not simply a physical “thing”; it is “worrying” as a matter under discussion. A related nominalizer, の, can also nominalize some clauses, but こと often presents the action or situation more abstractly. 一つ is the general counter expression for one item or one matter. Here it counts one worry or concern, not necessarily one physical object. Example: 問題が一つあります。 — “There is one problem.” 減ります is the polite nonpast form of the intransitive verb 減る, “to decrease” or “to be reduced.” The polite ending -ます makes the statement suitable for polite conversation; it does not itself mark future time, so the context determines whether the decrease is viewed as current or forthcoming. The subject is the thing that becomes fewer or less: here, the concern represented by 心配することが一つ. The corresponding transitive verb is 減らす, “to reduce something,” which would require an agent reducing an object. Example: 仕事が減ります。 — “The work decreases.” ね is a sentence-final particle inviting shared confirmation or agreement. It gives the statement a conversational “right?” or “isn’t it?” effect. It does not change the factual content of the decrease. Putting the parts together, この機器チェックで presents this equipment check as the means or circumstance, 心配することが一つ identifies one worry as the amount being reduced, and 減りますね says politely that it decreases, while inviting agreement. The complete meaning is: “This tech check gives us one less thing to worry about.”