About This Lesson
Use Managing Back Pain from Desk Work to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
一日中机に向かって座った後、腰が痛いです。
ee-chee-nee-chee-JOO tsu-KWEH nee moo-KAHT-teh soo-WAHT-tah ah-TOH, KOH-shee gah ee-TAH-ee dess. My lower back hurts after sitting at my desk all day.
B
その椅子は、あなたの腰を十分に支えていないのかもしれません。
SOH-noh EE-soo wa ah-NAH-tah noh KOH-shee oh JOO-boon nee sah-SAH-eh-teh ee-NAH-ee noh KAH-moh shee-reh-MAH-sen. Your chair might not be giving you enough support.
A
モニターが遠すぎるので、前かがみになることもあります。
moh-nee-TAH gah toh-oh-soo-GHEE-roo NOH-deh, meh-kah-gah-MEE nee nah-roo KOH-toh moh ah-ree-MAHSS. I also lean forward because my monitor is too far away.
B
画面を近づけると、背中への負担が少し減るかもしれません。
gah-MEN oh chee-kah-zoo-KEH-roo toh, seh-NAH-kah eh noh foo-TAHN gah soh-KOO-shee HEH-roo KAH-moh shee-reh-MAH-sen. Moving the screen closer could take some pressure off your back.
A
短い休憩の間にストレッチをしようかと考えていました。
mee-jee-KAI kyoo-KEH noh EYE-dah nee soo-toh-RET-chee oh shee-YOH kah toh kahn-GAH-eh-teh ee-mah-SHEE-tah. I was thinking about stretching during short breaks.
B
軽いストレッチは役立つかもしれませんが、痛みが強くなるならやめてください。
kah-ROO-ee soo-toh-RET-chee wa yah-koo-DAHT-soo KAH-moh shee-reh-MAH-sen gah, ee-TAH-mee gah tsoo-YOH-koo nah-roo NAH-rah yah-MEH-teh koo-dah-SAI. Gentle stretching may help, but stop if it increases the pain.
A
痛みが続くなら、専門家に診てもらったほうがよさそうです。
ee-TAH-mee gah tsoo-ZOO-koo NAH-rah, sen-MOHN-kah nee MEE-teh moh-RAHT-tah HOH gah yoh-SAH-soh dess. If it continues, I should probably see a professional.
B
特に、痛みが広がったり、眠りに影響し始めたりしたときです。
toh-KOO-nee, ee-TAH-mee gah hee-roh-GAHT-tah-ree, neh-MOO-ree nee EH-kyoh shee-hah-jee-meh-TAH-ree shee-TAH toh-kee dess. Especially if the pain spreads or starts affecting your sleep.
A
今週は、小さな調整をして、それが役立つかどうかを記録できます。
kohn-SHOO wa, chee-SAH-nah choh-SEH oh SHEE-teh, soh-reh gah yah-koo-DAHT-soo kah doh kah oh kee-ROH-koo deh-kee-MAHSS. This week, I can make small adjustments and track whether they help.
B
変更を続けるほうが、一度に大きく変えるより、たいてい効果を判断しやすいです。
hen-KOH oh tsoo-zoo-KEH-roo HOH gah, ee-CHEE-doh nee OH-kee-koo kah-eh-roo YOH-ree, TAI-tay KOH-kah oh HAHN-dahn shee-yah-SOO-ee dess. Consistent changes are usually easier to judge than one big change.Word by Word
一日中
一日中 means “all day” and gives the time span for sitting at the desk. It comes before the action it describes, as in 一日中座る. Use it when describing something that continues throughout the whole day.
机
机 means “desk” here, the desk that the speaker faces while sitting. In 机に向かって, it is the place or direction connected with the sitting posture. Use 机 for a desk or table used for work or study.
に
に marks the direction or position connected with 机に向かって, meaning “toward or facing the desk.” A common pattern is Xに向かう or Xに向かって座る. Use it when describing facing or moving toward a place or object.
向かって
向かって describes facing or turning toward something; here, the person is facing the desk while sitting. It is the form used before 座った to connect the posture with the action. Use Xに向かって when describing an action done while facing X.
座った
座った means “sat” in this dialogue and describes the completed sitting action before 後. It is the past form used in 机に向かって座った後. Use it when referring to having sat down or having been seated.
後
後 means “after” in 座った後, referring to the time following the completed sitting action. A common pattern is a verb in this form followed by 後. Use it to describe what happens after an action or event.
腰
腰 means “lower back” in 腰が痛い, the body area that hurts in this dialogue. A common pattern is 腰が痛い when reporting lower-back pain. Use it when discussing pain or discomfort in the lower-back area.
が
が marks 腰 as the thing that is painful in 腰が痛い. The pattern Xが痛い is used to say that a particular body part hurts. Use が when identifying the subject of a description such as pain.
痛い
痛い means “hurts” or “is painful” here, describing the speaker’s lower back. In 腰が痛い, it follows the body part being described. Use it to report pain in a body part or another painful condition.
です
です gives the sentence a polite ending in 腰が痛いです. It presents the statement respectfully without changing the basic meaning of 痛い. Use it at the end of a polite statement.
その
その means “that” and points to the specific chair being discussed in その椅子. It comes directly before the noun it identifies. Use その + noun when referring to something already known in the conversation.
椅子
椅子 means “chair,” specifically the chair that may not support the speaker well. In その椅子, it is identified by the preceding demonstrative. Use 椅子 for a chair used for sitting.
は
は marks その椅子 as the topic of the statement about its support. The pattern Xは ... introduces what the sentence is about. Use it when setting a person, object, or situation as the topic.
あなた
あなた means “you” in this dialogue and refers to the person whose lower back needs support. With の in あなたの腰, it gives the meaning “your lower back.” Use あなたの + noun when explicitly identifying something belonging or relating to the listener.
の
の links あなた and 腰 in あなたの腰, showing that the lower back belongs to or is associated with the listener. The pattern XのY means “X’s Y” or “Y related to X.” Use it to connect a person or thing with a related noun.
を
を marks あなたの腰 as the object of 支えていない. In あなたの腰を支える, the chair supports the lower back. Use を to mark the direct object of an action.
十分
十分 means “enough” or “sufficiently” in 十分支えていない, indicating that the support is not adequate. It shows the degree of support being discussed. Use it when judging whether an amount or level is sufficient.
支えて
支えて means “supporting” in あなたの腰を十分支えていない. It describes what the chair is or is not doing for the lower back. Use Xを支える when saying that something supports X physically or figuratively.
いない
いない makes 支えていない negative, so the meaning is “not supporting” the lower back sufficiently. Together with 支えて, it describes an ongoing or current lack of support. Use Xを支えていない when something is not currently providing support.
かもしれません
かもしれません expresses a polite possibility: the chair may not be giving enough support. In this construction, かも marks possibility, しれ is the middle of the uncertainty expression, and ません gives it a polite negative ending; together they form one expression of uncertainty. Use it when presenting a possibility without claiming that it is certain.
モニター
モニター means “monitor,” the computer screen that is too far away in this dialogue. It is a loanword used for a work display. Use it when referring to a computer monitor in an office or study setting.
遠すぎる
遠すぎる means “be too far away,” describing the monitor’s excessive distance. In モニターが遠すぎるので, it gives the reason for leaning forward. Use Xすぎる to say that X exceeds a suitable or comfortable degree.
ので
ので means “because” or “so” in モニターが遠すぎるので, linking the monitor’s distance with the result of leaning forward. It follows the reason clause before the outcome. Use a clause followed by ので when giving a reason in a relatively gentle way.
前かがみ
前かがみ means a forward-leaning or bent-forward posture. In 前かがみになる, it describes the posture the speaker takes because the monitor is far away. Use it when describing someone leaning forward physically.
なる
なる means “become” in 前かがみになる, so the speaker becomes or gets into a forward-leaning posture. The pattern Xになる describes entering a state or condition. Use it when a person or thing changes into a particular state.
こと
こと turns 前かがみになる into an event or experience in 前かがみになることもあります. It allows the whole action to be discussed as something that happens. Use a plain-form clause followed by こと when treating an action or situation as a thing.
も
も means “also” in 前かがみになることもあります, adding leaning forward as another thing that sometimes happens. It marks an additional item or situation. Use it when saying that something is true in addition to another possibility or fact.
あります
あります means “happen” or “occur” in こともあります. Together with the preceding action, it says that this situation sometimes occurs. Use a verb followed by ことがあります to describe something that happens sometimes.
画面
画面 means “screen,” the display that can be moved closer to reduce strain. In 画面を近づける, it is the object being moved. Use it for a computer, phone, or other visible display.
近づける
近づける means “move closer” or “bring closer,” with 画面 as the object in 画面を近づける. It describes actively reducing the distance between the screen and the viewer. Use Xを近づける when moving X nearer to something or someone.
と
と connects 画面を近づける with the expected result in 画面を近づけると. Here it means “when” or “if,” presenting the reduction in strain as a possible result. Use a clause followed by と for a natural or expected consequence.
背中
背中 means “back” in 背中への負担, referring to the part of the body affected by the desk posture. It is combined with への to identify the target of the strain. Use it when discussing the back as a body area.
へ
へ marks the direction or target in 背中への負担, meaning the burden directed toward or placed on the back. It links 背中 with 負担. Use Xへの負担 when describing strain placed on X.
負担
負担 means “burden” or “strain” in 背中への負担. It refers to the physical load placed on the back by the posture. Use it when discussing physical, mental, or practical load.
少し
少し means “a little” in 少し減る, limiting the amount by which the strain may decrease. It softens the claim and does not promise a complete reduction. Use it before a verb or adjective when describing a small degree or amount.
減る
減る means “decrease” or “be reduced” in 負担が少し減る. The burden itself is presented as becoming smaller, rather than someone directly reducing it. Use Xが減る when an amount, level, or burden decreases.
短い
短い means “short” and describes the brief duration of the breaks in 短い休憩. It comes directly before the noun it modifies. Use it when describing a short period, distance, or length.
休憩
休憩 means “break” or “rest,” referring to pauses during work. In 短い休憩の間に, it identifies the period during which stretching may be done. Use it when talking about taking a break from work or another activity.
間
間 means “the interval” or “the period during which” in 短い休憩の間に. Together with の間に, it says that stretching happens during the break. Use Xの間に when an action takes place while X is continuing.
ストレッチ
ストレッチ means “stretching,” the gentle physical activity being considered for the back. It is used as a noun with を in ストレッチをしようか. Use it when talking about stretching exercises or the activity of stretching.
しよう
しよう expresses the intention or thought “shall I do” in ストレッチをしようか. It is the form of する used before か when considering an action. Use Xをしようか when wondering whether to do X or suggesting doing X.
か
か marks uncertainty or a question in ストレッチをしようか. Here it is part of the speaker’s thought about whether to stretch, rather than a direct request for information. Use it after a possible action when considering or asking about that action.
考えて
考えて means “thinking about” in ストレッチをしようかと考えていました. It connects the thought being considered with いました, which describes the continuing state. Use Xと考える when describing a thought or plan expressed as X.
いました
いました means “was” or “was in a state” in 考えていました, giving the polite past form of the ongoing thought. Together with 考えて, it describes what the speaker had been thinking. Use a te-form followed by いました to describe a continuing past state or activity.
軽い
軽い means “light” or “gentle” in 軽いストレッチ. It describes stretching that is not intense. Use it before a noun when describing a low degree of physical force or intensity.
役立つ
役立つ means “help” or “be useful” in ストレッチは役立つかもしれません. It presents stretching as potentially useful for the situation. Use Xが役立つ when saying that X is useful for a purpose or problem.
痛み
痛み means “pain,” referring to the discomfort that may become stronger. In 痛みが強くなる, it is the thing whose intensity changes. Use it when discussing pain as a condition or symptom.
強く
強く means “more strongly” or “more intensely” in 痛みが強くなる. It describes the pain becoming greater in intensity. Use the pattern Xが強くなる when a feeling, force, or symptom becomes stronger.
なら
なら means “if” or “when” in 痛みが強くなるなら, setting increased pain as the condition for stopping. It introduces the situation that leads to the request. Use a clause followed by なら when responding to or setting a condition.
やめて
やめて means “stop” in やめてください, referring to stopping the stretching. It is the form used before the polite request ください. Use Xをやめてください when politely asking someone to stop X.
ください
ください makes やめて into a polite request: “please stop.” It follows a te-form to ask the listener to do something. Use a verb te-form followed by ください for a polite request.
続く
続く means “continue” or “persist” in 痛みが続く, referring to pain that does not go away. It is used with 痛み as the subject. Use Xが続く when a condition, event, or symptom remains over time.
専門家
専門家 means “professional” or “specialist,” the person who can examine the speaker’s condition. In 専門家に診てもらう, it identifies who provides the examination. Use it when referring to someone with specialized knowledge or professional skill.
診て
診て means “examine medically” in 専門家に診てもらったほうがよさそうです. It describes the professional examining the speaker’s condition. Use Xに診てもらう when having a medical professional examine you.
もらった
もらった appears in 診てもらったほうがよさそうです and expresses receiving the benefit of having a professional examine you. It is the past form used before ほうが in this recommendation pattern. Use Xに動詞て-formてもらう when receiving someone’s help or service.
ほう
ほう means “the option or way” in 診てもらったほうがよさそうです and is part of a recommendation. The pattern Xたほうがよい or Xたほうがよさそう presents X as the preferable choice. Use it when advising that one option is better.
よさそう
よさそう means “seems good” or “seems appropriate” in 診てもらったほうがよさそうです. It makes the recommendation less absolute by presenting it as an apparent good choice. Use Xほうがよさそうです when something seems like the better option.
特に
特に means “especially” and highlights the more concerning situations that follow. In this dialogue, it emphasizes pain spreading or affecting sleep. Use it before the part of a sentence that deserves particular attention.
広がったり
広がったり means “spreads, as one listed possibility,” referring to pain spreading to another area. The たり ending presents it as one item in a list together with 影響し始めたり. Use Xたり when listing possible actions, events, or symptoms without presenting the list as exhaustive.
眠り
眠り means “sleep” in 眠りに影響し始めたり, referring to the person’s sleep being affected by the pain. It is linked to 影響 by に. Use it when discussing sleep as a state or period of rest.
影響
影響 means “effect” or “influence” in 眠りに影響し始めたり, where the pain begins to affect sleep. The common pattern is Xに影響する, meaning to affect X. Use it when describing how one condition changes or influences another.
し始めたり
し始めたり means “starts doing or affecting, as another listed possibility.” In the full expression 眠りに影響し始めたり, it says that the pain begins to affect sleep and forms the second item in the たり list. Use Xし始める when an action or effect begins, and add たり when listing it as one possibility.
した
した completes the listed-event expression before とき in 広がったり、眠りに影響し始めたりしたとき. Here it helps refer to the listed symptoms occurring, rather than simply meaning an isolated past “did.” Use it in this kind of たり ... たりした pattern when referring to events that occur.
とき
とき means “when” or “at the time” in したときです. It identifies the situations in which professional help is particularly important. Use a clause followed by とき when referring to the time or circumstances of an event.
今週
今週 means “this week,” setting the time period for making and tracking small adjustments. It commonly appears at the beginning of a sentence to establish when something will happen. Use it when referring to the current week.
小さな
小さな means “small” and describes the adjustments in 小さな調整. It comes directly before the noun it modifies. Use it when describing a limited size, scale, or degree of change.
調整
調整 means “adjustment,” referring to small changes such as changing the screen position or posture. In 調整をして, it is the action the speaker plans to carry out. Use it for practical changes made to improve a condition or arrangement.
して
して means “make or carry out, and then” in 調整をして、それが役立つかどうかを記録できます. It links making the adjustments with the following action of tracking their results. Use the te-form to connect one action with the next.
それ
それ means “that” or “it” in それが役立つかどうか, referring back to the small adjustments just mentioned. It lets the speaker discuss those adjustments without repeating the noun. Use it when pointing back to something already introduced.
かどうか
かどうか means “whether or not” in それが役立つかどうか. The first か marks the embedded question, どう asks about how the situation is, and the final か completes the alternative expression; together they ask whether the adjustments are helpful. Use it after a clause when checking or tracking whether something is true or effective.
記録
記録 means “record” or “track” in 記録できます, referring to keeping track of whether the adjustments help. It is used here as the action that can be carried out. Use Xを記録する when recording information, changes, or results.
できます
できます means “can do” or “be able to” in 記録できます. It expresses that the speaker is capable of tracking the results. Use it after an action to state that someone can perform that action.
変更
変更 means “change,” referring to the changes being continued and compared with one large change. In 変更を続ける, it is the thing that is maintained over time. Use it for a deliberate change to an arrangement, setting, or method.
続ける
続ける means “continue” or “keep doing” in 変更を続ける. It describes maintaining changes instead of making them only once. Use Xを続ける when continuing an action, activity, or condition.
一度
一度 means “once” or “in one go” in 一度に大きく変える, describing a large change made at one time. Together with に, it contrasts with continuing smaller changes. Use 一度に when describing something done all at once.
大きく
大きく means “greatly” or “on a large scale” in 大きく変える. It describes the extent of the change, not the physical size of an object. Use it before a verb when an action is carried out to a large degree.
変える
変える means “change” or “alter” in 大きく変える, with the understood arrangement or setup being changed. It describes an intentional action performed on something. Use Xを変える when changing or altering X.
より
より means “than” in 一度に大きく変えるより, introducing the option used for comparison. The sentence compares continuing consistent changes with making one large change. Use AよりB when saying that B is easier, better, or different than A.
たいてい
たいてい means “usually” in たいてい効果を判断しやすいです. It describes what commonly happens while allowing for exceptions. Use it before a verb or description when making a general statement about usual situations.
効果
効果 means “effect” or “effectiveness,” referring to whether the changes produce a helpful result. In 効果を判断しやすい, it is what is assessed. Use it when discussing the result or effectiveness of an action, treatment, or change.
判断
判断 means “judge” or “assess” in 効果を判断しやすい, referring to assessing whether the changes are effective. It appears before しやすい as part of the expression 判断しやすい. Use it when forming an opinion or evaluation based on observed results.
しやすい
しやすい means “easy to do” in 効果を判断しやすい, so the effectiveness is easier to assess. It combines with the action in 判断しやすい to describe the ease of carrying it out. Use a verb stem followed by やすい when an action is easy to perform.
Grammar Points
〜たり〜たりする
広がったり、影響し始めたりする。
hee-roh-GAHT-tah-ree, EH-kyoh shee-hah-jee-meh-TAH-ree soo-roo.Things spread or start having an effect, among other possibilities.
This pattern lists representative actions or changes. The final たり is usually followed by する.
〜てもらう
専門家に診てもらった。
sen-MOHN-kah nee MEE-teh moh-RAHT-tah.I had myself examined by a professional.
This expresses receiving a helpful action from someone. The person who performs the action takes に.
Japanese Vocabulary
椅子
noun
EE-soo
chair
一日中
adv
ee-chee-nee-chee-JOO
all day
遠すぎる
adj
toh-oh-soo-GHEE-roo
be too far away
画面
noun
gah-MEN
screen
机に向かって
phrase
tsu-KWEH nee moo-KAHT-teh
facing a desk; working at a desk
近づける
verb
chee-kah-zoo-KEH-roo
move closer
腰
noun
KOH-shee
lower back
座った
verb
soo-WAHT-tah
sat
支えていない
verb
sah-SAH-eh-teh ee-NAH-ee
not supporting
十分に
adv
JOO-boon nee
enough; sufficiently
前かがみ
noun
meh-kah-gah-MEE
leaning forward
痛い
adj
ee-TAH-ee
hurt; be painful
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
not supporting
Show Answer
支えていないleaning forward
Show Answer
前かがみfacing a desk; working at a desk
Show Answer
机に向かってbe too far away