Choosing a Restaurant with Group Constraints | Learn Japanese in English

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Use Choosing a Restaurant with Group Constraints to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

いくつか条件があるので、レストランを選ぶのは難しいです。

ee-KOOT-soo-kah JOH-ken gah ah-ROO noh-deh, reh-soo-TAH-rahn-toh oh eh-RAH-boo noh wah nahn-SHEE dehss. Choosing a restaurant is tricky because we have a few constraints.

まず必要な条件を挙げましょう。料理の選択肢、店内の騒がしさ、距離、快適さです。

mahz-TSOO hee-TSOO-yoh nah JOH-ken oh ah-GEH-mah-SHOH. RYOH-ree noh seh-TAH-koo-shee, tehn-NAI noh soh-GAH-wah-shee-sah, KYOH-ree, kai-TEH-kee-sah dehss. Let's list the needs first: food options, noise level, distance, and comfort.

一人はベジタリアン向けの料理が必要で、もう一人は静かな場所を望んでいます。

ee-CHEE-ree wah beh-jih-TAH-ree-ahn MOO-keh noh RYOH-ree gah hee-TSOO-yoh deh, moh-oo ee-CHEE-ree wah SHEE-zoo-kah nah bah-SHOH oh noh-ZOHN-deh ee-MAHSS. One person needs vegetarian options, and another wants somewhere quiet.

それなら、騒がしいハンバーガー店は、よい妥協案になりません。

soh-reh NAH-rah, soh-GAH-wah-shee hahm-bah-GAH-tehn wah, yoh-ee dah-KYOH-ahn nee nah-REE-mah-SEN. Then a loud burger place would not be a good compromise.

この近くのレストランには、ベジタリアン料理と、比較的静かな席があります。

KOH-noh CHEE-kah-koo noh reh-soo-TAH-rahn nee wah, beh-jih-TAH-ree-ahn RYOH-ree toh, hee-kah-koo-TEH-kee SHEE-zoo-kah nah SEH-kee gah ah-REE-mahss. This nearby restaurant has vegetarian dishes and a quieter seating area.

このメニューはグループ全員に合うでしょうか。

KOH-noh meh-NYOO wah GOO-roo-poo zen-IN nee ah-OO deh-SHOH-kah? Would the menu work for the whole group?

メニューはそれほど複雑ではなさそうで、席も快適そうです。

meh-NYOO wah soh-reh-hoh-DOH foo-koo-ZAHT-soo deh wah nah-sah-SOH deh, SEH-kee moh kai-TEH-kee soh dehss. It looks simple enough, and the seating seems comfortable.

それなら、この店に決める前に、この店がグループに合う理由を説明してください。

soh-reh NAH-rah, KOH-noh mee-SEH nee kee-MEH-roo MAH-eh nee, KOH-noh mee-SEH gah GOO-roo-poo nee ah-OO ree-YOO oh seh-TSOO-meh-TEH koo-dah-SAI. Then explain why this place fits the group before you confirm it.

その理由を伝えて、誰か気になることがないか尋ねます。

soh-NOH ree-YOO oh tsoo-TAH-eh-teh, dah-REH-kah kee-nee-NAH-roo KOH-toh gah NAI-kah tah-ZOO-neh-mahss. I'll share the reason and ask whether anyone has a concern.

明確な理由があれば、後で気まずくなりにくいです。

may-KAH-koo nah ree-YOO gah ah-REH-bah, ah-TOH deh kee-MAH-zoo-koo nah-REE-nee-koo-ee dehss. Clear reasons reduce awkwardness later.

Word by Word

いくつか “いくつか” means “a few” or “several” here, referring to the number of conditions. It is used before a noun such as “いくつか条件” to indicate a small, non-specific quantity. Use it when mentioning a few items without giving an exact number.

条件 “条件” means the requirements or constraints that must be considered when choosing the restaurant. In “いくつか条件がある,” it identifies what makes the choice difficult. This word is useful for discussing requirements for a plan, decision, or agreement.

が In “いくつか条件がある,” “が” marks “条件” as what exists. The pattern nounがある expresses that something exists or that someone has something. Use this pattern when stating that a requirement, problem, or possibility exists.

ある “ある” expresses that the conditions exist in “いくつか条件がある.” Here it conveys that the group has conditions to consider, rather than describing an action. It commonly follows a noun marked by “が” when referring to an existing thing or situation.

ので “ので” links the existence of the conditions to the result that choosing is difficult: “条件があるので.” It means “because” or “since” and presents the reason in a relatively measured way. Use it after a reason before stating a decision, explanation, or result.

レストラン “レストラン” refers to the restaurant being selected. In “レストランを選ぶ,” it is the thing that is being chosen. Use this loanword when talking about a restaurant as a place to eat.

を In “レストランを選ぶ,” “を” marks “レストラン” as the object of the choosing action. The pattern nounを選ぶ expresses choosing something. Use it to identify the item or option selected by an action.

選ぶ “選ぶ” means to choose or select, as in choosing a restaurant from available possibilities. In “レストランを選ぶ,” it takes the selected item before “を.” Use this form when describing the act of making a choice.

の In “選ぶのは難しいです,” “の” turns the action “選ぶ” into the topic “choosing.” The whole pattern means that the activity of choosing is difficult. This construction is useful when evaluating an action or situation as a topic.

は In “選ぶのは難しいです,” “は” marks the nominalized activity “選ぶの” as the topic. The sentence then comments on that activity by saying it is difficult. Use “は” after a topic when giving information or an evaluation about it.

難しい “難しい” describes choosing the restaurant as difficult or challenging in this context. It follows the topic “選ぶのは” and gives the speaker’s evaluation. Use it when an action, task, or decision requires effort or is not easy.

です “です” gives the statement “難しいです” a polite sentence ending. It presents the evaluation in a courteous way. Use it at the end of a polite statement after this kind of descriptive expression.

まず “まず” means “first” or “to begin with” and sets the order for the group’s discussion. Here it introduces listing the needs before considering a restaurant. Use it to mark the first step in a sequence or plan.

必要 “必要” means necessary or needed, referring to the requirements the group should list. In “必要な条件,” it describes the conditions as needed for the decision. Use it when identifying something required for a plan or situation.

な In “必要な条件,” “な” links “必要” to the noun “条件,” giving the meaning “necessary conditions.” This linking form is used when “必要” directly modifies a noun. Keep it between the describing expression and the noun it qualifies.

挙げましょう “挙げましょう” invites the group to list or name the needs together. In this dialogue, it introduces the items that follow in the list. Use this polite suggestion when proposing that people identify several points or examples.

料理 “料理” refers to the food or dishes that the restaurant offers. It is one of the needs to consider in “料理の選択肢.” Use it when discussing food as a category, prepared dishes, or a restaurant’s cuisine.

選択肢 “選択肢” means an option or choice available to someone. In “料理の選択肢,” it refers to the different food choices on offer. Use it when comparing possible alternatives in a decision.

店内 “店内” means inside the restaurant or within the shop’s interior. In “店内の騒がしさ,” it specifies that the noise level being considered is indoors. Use it to describe something located or experienced inside a store or restaurant.

騒がしさ “騒がしさ” means the level or quality of being noisy. Here it is listed as a restaurant condition alongside distance and comfort. Use it when discussing how noisy or quiet an environment is as a factor in a choice.

距離 “距離” means distance, which is one of the group’s practical conditions for selecting a restaurant. It concerns how far the place is from the relevant starting point or people. Use it when evaluating how near or far a location is.

快適さ “快適さ” means comfort or how comfortable a place feels. In the list of needs, it refers to the comfort of the restaurant experience, including the seating. Use it when treating comfort as a criterion for choosing something.

一人 “一人” means one person, referring to one member of the group. In “一人は,” it introduces that person’s particular requirement. Use it when distinguishing one individual from other people in a group.

ベジタリアン “ベジタリアン” identifies a vegetarian person or a vegetarian-related requirement. In “ベジタリアン向けの料理,” it helps specify food intended for vegetarians. Use it when discussing dietary needs or food suitable for vegetarians.

向け In “ベジタリアン向けの料理,” “向け” means intended for or suitable for the group named before it. The whole expression describes dishes designed or appropriate for vegetarians. Use the pattern noun向けの noun when identifying something made or selected for a particular audience.

で In “必要で、もう一人は,” “で” connects the first person’s need with the next statement. It lets the description continue from one condition to another without ending the sentence. Use this connective form when linking related descriptions in one sentence.

もう In “もう一人,” “もう” means another or one more, identifying a different person in addition to the first. It does not mean “already” here because it directly distinguishes the next group member. Use it before a person or item when adding another one of the same general kind.

静か “静か” describes the desired place as quiet, with little noise. In “静かな場所,” it appears before “場所” to identify the kind of place wanted. Use it when describing a calm environment or a low-noise setting.

場所 “場所” means place or location, and here it refers to a quiet place where the group can eat. It follows “静かな” in “静かな場所.” Use it when referring generally to a physical location rather than naming a specific venue.

望んで “望んで” is the form used in “場所を望んでいます,” expressing the person’s wanting or hoping for a quiet place. Together with “います,” it presents that desire as a current state. Use this form when connecting the desire to the following current-state expression.

います In “望んでいます,” “います” helps express that the person is currently in the state of wanting a quiet place. It completes the ongoing or current-state expression with “望んで.” Use it after this kind of connected form when describing a continuing state or activity.

それなら “それなら” means “then” or “in that case,” responding to the previous information about the group’s needs. “それ” points back to the situation, and “なら” frames the following statement as a conclusion based on it. Use it when drawing a practical conclusion from what someone has just said.

騒がしい “騒がしい” means noisy or loud and describes the burger restaurant as unsuitable for the quietness requirement. It directly modifies “ハンバーガー店” in the dialogue. Use it before a noun when describing a place or environment with too much noise.

ハンバーガー “ハンバーガー” refers to a hamburger, and here it identifies the type of restaurant being considered. In “ハンバーガー店,” it combines with “店” to mean a hamburger restaurant. Use it when specifying hamburger food or a place associated with it.

店 In “ハンバーガー店,” “店” means a shop or restaurant. The preceding word specifies what kind of place it is. Use it after a category or product name when referring to a store or business of that type.

よい “よい” means good or suitable in “よい妥協案.” It evaluates whether the proposed option can satisfy the different group needs. Use it before a noun when describing an option as acceptable or beneficial.

妥協案 “妥協案” means a compromise plan or option that balances competing preferences. In the dialogue, the noisy burger restaurant is rejected as not being a good way to satisfy the group. Use it when discussing a solution that gives different sides an acceptable result.

に In “妥協案になりません,” “に” marks the result or status that something would become. The expression means that the restaurant would not become or serve as a good compromise plan. Use this pattern when describing what something becomes or functions as.

なりません “なりません” says that the restaurant would not become or count as a good compromise in this context. It is the polite negative form used in “妥協案になりません.” Use it when politely saying that something does not qualify as a particular result or role.

この “この” means “this” and points to the nearby restaurant being discussed. It appears before “近くのレストラン” to identify the place as the one relevant to the speakers. Use it before a noun when referring to something close to the speaker’s current context.

近く In “この近くのレストラン,” “近く” means nearby or in the vicinity. It identifies the restaurant as being close to the speakers or the current location. Use it before “の” and a noun when describing a nearby place or object.

と In “ベジタリアン料理と、比較的静かな席,” “と” connects two listed things: vegetarian dishes and quieter seats. It functions as an “and” between nouns. Use it when joining items in a clear noun list.

比較的 “比較的” means relatively, indicating that the seating is quieter in comparison with other possible seating or places. It softens the description rather than claiming that the area is completely quiet. Use it before an adjective or description when making a moderate comparison.

席 “席” means a seat or seating area, referring to where the group would sit in the restaurant. In “比較的静かな席,” it is described as relatively quiet. Use it when discussing available places for people to sit.

あります “あります” states politely that the restaurant has or provides the vegetarian dishes and quieter seats. In the dialogue, it follows the listed things and presents them as existing there. Use it after a noun marked by “が” when politely saying that something exists or is available.

メニュー “メニュー” means the menu, especially the available food choices at the restaurant. In the question, it is evaluated for whether it will suit the whole group. Use it when discussing what food a restaurant offers.

グループ “グループ” refers to the people who will eat together. In “グループ全員,” it identifies the group whose needs the restaurant must satisfy. Use it when discussing several people considered as one unit.

全員 “全員” means everyone or all members, referring to every person in the group. In “グループ全員に合う,” it sets the standard that the menu should suit all members. Use it when emphasizing that no member is excluded.

合う “合う” means to suit or fit the people being considered. In “グループ全員に合う,” it describes the menu as suitable for every group member. Use the pattern nounに合う when saying that something matches a person’s needs or circumstances.

でしょう “でしょう” makes the question a polite supposition about whether the menu will suit everyone. It adds a tentative tone rather than presenting the answer as certain. Use it when asking for or expressing a likely judgment politely.

か At the end of “合うでしょうか,” “か” marks the sentence as a question. Together with the polite supposition, it asks whether the menu is likely to suit the group. Use it at the end of a polite question.

それほど In “それほど複雑ではなさそう,” “それほど” means “that much” or “particularly” and works with the negative-looking description to mean “not especially complicated.” It limits the degree of complexity being denied. Use it with a negative expression when saying that something is not very much or not particularly so.

複雑 “複雑” means complicated, referring to how difficult the menu appears to understand or use. In “それほど複雑ではなさそう,” the speaker judges that it does not appear particularly complicated. Use it when describing something with many confusing parts or details.

なさそう In “ではなさそう,” “なさそう” indicates that something appears not to have the stated quality. Here the menu appears not to be complicated. Use this appearance pattern when making a cautious judgment from what something looks like, rather than stating it as certain.

も In “席も快適そうです,” “も” means also or too, adding the seating to the menu’s positive appearance. It shows that the seats are another favorable point. Use it when adding an item that shares the same relevance or evaluation.

快適 “快適” means comfortable, describing the seating as pleasant for the group. In “快適そう,” it is presented as an impression rather than a confirmed fact. Use it when evaluating how comfortable a place, seat, or experience feels.

そう In “快適そうです,” “そう” means seems or looks, showing that the speaker is making an appearance-based judgment. It softens “快適” by presenting comfort as an impression. Use it after a descriptive expression when saying that something appears to have that quality.

決める “決める” means to decide or settle on something. In “この店に決める前に,” it refers to finalizing the restaurant choice. Use it when describing the act of making a decision about a plan, place, or option.

前 In “決める前に,” “前” means before and places the explanation earlier than the decision. The pattern verb前に means “before doing the verb.” Use it to specify an action that must happen before another action.

理由 “理由” means the reason for choosing the restaurant. In the dialogue, the speakers want this reason explained before confirming the choice. Use it when giving or asking for the cause or justification behind a decision.

説明して “説明して” asks the listener to explain why the restaurant fits the group. It connects the act of explaining to the polite request “ください.” Use this form when requesting an explanation or another action politely with “ください.”

ください “ください” makes “説明して” a polite request: please explain it. In this dialogue, it asks the other speaker to provide the reason before the restaurant is confirmed. Use it after a connected action form when politely asking someone to do something.

その “その” means “that” and points to the reason already being discussed. In “その理由,” it identifies the specific reason for the restaurant choice rather than a new reason. Use it before a noun when referring back to something established in the conversation.

伝えて “伝えて” means tell or convey, referring to sharing the reason with the group. Together with the following action, it forms a sequence of communicating the reason and then asking about concerns. Use it when passing information, a message, or a reason to another person.

誰か “誰か” means someone or anyone, referring to any member of the group who may have a concern. In the question-like clause, it leaves the person unspecified. Use it when checking whether at least one person has a particular feeling, need, or problem.

気になる “気になる” means to be concerned about something or to have something bother one’s mind. In “気になること,” it describes a matter that someone may be worried about. “気” refers to one’s attention or feelings, “に” marks the state, and “なる” expresses becoming that way; together they form the whole expression. Use it when inviting people to mention anything that troubles or concerns them.

こと In “気になること,” “こと” means a matter or thing, referring to any issue someone may be concerned about. It turns the concern into a noun phrase that can be checked with the group. Use it after a description when referring generally to a matter or situation.

ない In “誰か気になることがないか,” “ない” says that there is no matter that concerns someone. With “か,” the clause asks whether such a concern exists. Use it after a noun marked by “が” to express that something is absent or does not exist.

尋ねます “尋ねます” means ask or inquire, describing the speaker’s polite action of checking for concerns. It follows the clause about whether anyone has something that bothers them. Use it when requesting information or checking someone’s opinion in a courteous way.

明確 “明確” means clear or definite, describing reasons that are easy for the group to understand. In “明確な理由,” it modifies the reasons used to support the restaurant choice. Use it when information is specific and leaves little uncertainty.

あれば “あれば” means “if there are” in “明確な理由があれば.” It introduces the condition that clear reasons exist before stating the result. Use this conditional form after a noun marked by “が” when describing what happens if something exists or is available.

後 “後” means later or afterward, referring to a later point after the restaurant decision or meal planning. In “後で,” it marks when awkwardness might otherwise occur. Use it with “で” to describe something happening later.

気まずく “気まずく” means awkwardly or in an uncomfortable social way. In “気まずくなりにくい,” it describes the kind of state the group is less likely to enter later. Use it before a verb describing a change of state when discussing social discomfort.

なりにくい “なりにくい” means unlikely to become or tend not to become, so “気まずくなりにくい” means less likely to become awkward. It combines the change-of-state idea with the difficulty or low likelihood of that change. Use it after a state or quality when saying that reaching that state is unlikely.

Grammar Points

〜ではなさそう

複雑ではなさそう

foo-koo-ZAHT-soo deh wah nah-sah-SOH

does not seem complicated

Used to say that something appears not to be the case, based on your impression or available evidence.

〜でしょうか

合うでしょうか

ah-OO deh-SHOH-kah

I wonder if it will suit us

A polite way to ask for confirmation or express uncertainty about whether something is suitable.

Japanese Vocabulary

ベジタリアン向け phrase

beh-jih-TAH-ree-ahn MOO-keh for vegetarians; vegetarian-friendly

ベジタリアン向けの料理

快適さ noun

kai-TEH-kee-sah comfort

快適さです

挙げる verb

ah-GEH-roo to list; to name 挙げましょう

条件を挙げましょう

距離 noun

KYOH-ree distance

距離

条件 noun

JOH-ken condition; requirement

いくつか条件があるので

静かな adj

SHEE-zoo-kah-nah quiet

静かな場所

選ぶ verb

eh-RAH-boo to choose; to select

レストランを選ぶのは

選択肢 noun

seh-TAH-koo-shee option; choice

料理の選択肢

騒がしい adj

soh-GAH-wah-SHEE loud; noisy

騒がしいハンバーガー店

騒がしさ noun

soh-GAH-wah-shee-sah noisiness; level of noise

店内の騒がしさ

難しい adj

nahn-SHEE difficult; tricky 難しいです

選ぶのは難しいです

必要な adj

hee-TSOO-yoh nah necessary; needed

必要な条件

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

noisiness; level of noise

Show Answer

騒がしさ

difficult; tricky

Show Answer

難しいです

to list; to name

Show Answer

挙げましょう

for vegetarians; vegetarian-friendly

Show Answer

ベジタリアン向け