About This Lesson
Use Sharing gym equipment politely to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
誰かが長い間、トレッドミルを使っています。
duh-REH-kah gah nah-GUY EYE-dah, toh-REHD-doh-mee-roo oh tsu-KAHT-teh ee-MAHS. Someone has been using the treadmill for a long time.
B
標識には、ほかの人が待っているときはみんなで使うべきだと書いてあります。
hyoh-SHEE-kee nee wah, HOH-kah noh HEE-toh gah MAHT-teh ee-roo TOH-kee wah MEEN-nah deh tsu-KAH-oo BEH-kee dah toh KAI-teh ah-ree-MAHS. The sign says people should share it when others are waiting.
A
その人に聞いてもいいですか。それとも、失礼に思われますか。
soh-noh HEE-toh nee KEE-teh moh EE dehs-kah? soh-reh-toh-MOH, SHEE-tsu-REH nee oh-MOH-wah-reh-MAHS-kah. Should I ask them, or would that seem rude?
B
丁寧に声をかけて、自分の順番を待っていると伝えてください。
teh-NEH nee koh-EH oh kah-KEH-teh, zee-BOON noh JOON-bahn oh MAHT-teh ee-roo toh tsu-TAH-eh-teh koo-dah-SAI. Ask politely and say you're waiting for a turn.
A
「すみません、トレッドミルのご利用はもうすぐ終わりますか」と言えます。
soo-mee-mah-SEN, toh-REHD-doh-mee-roo noh goh-ree-YOH wah moh-SOO-goo oh-wah-ree-MAHS-kah toh ee-EH-mahs. I can say, "Excuse me, are you almost finished with the treadmill?"
B
それなら、相手にあまりプレッシャーをかけずに、はっきり伝わります。
soh-reh nah-rah, EYE-teh nee ah-mah-ree puh-RESH-shah oh kah-keh-zoo nee, hah-KEE-ree tsu-tah-wah-ree-MAHS. That sounds clear without putting too much pressure on them.
A
もし相手がもう少し時間が必要なら、待ってもいいですし、別のマシンを使ってもいいです。
moh-SHEE EYE-teh gah moh-SOO-koh-shee JEE-kahn gah hee-TSU-yoh nah-rah, MAHT-teh-moh EE dehs-shee, BEH-tsu noh mah-SHEEN oh tsu-KAHT-teh-moh EE dehs. If they need more time, I can wait or use another machine.
B
そうすれば、言い争いをせずに、器具をみんなで使えます。
soh-oo soo-REH-bah, ee-ee ah-rah-SOH-ee oh seh-zoo nee, kee-GOO oh MEEN-nah deh tsu-KAH-eh-MAHS. That keeps the equipment shared without starting an argument.Word by Word
誰か
“誰か” means “someone” in this dialogue: an unspecified person is using the treadmill. It commonly appears with a subject marker such as “が” when identifying an unknown person. You can use it when referring to an unidentified person in a shared place.
が
“が” marks “誰か” as the subject of the sentence, showing who is using the treadmill. It commonly follows the person or thing that performs an action or is being identified. Use it when describing what an unspecified person is doing.
長い
“長い” means “long” here and describes the length of the time period. In this dialogue it modifies “間” in the expression “長い間”. You can use it before a time expression when something continues for a long period.
間
“間” means “period of time” in “長い間”, referring to the duration of treadmill use. Together with a time-related word, it describes how long something continues. You can use it to talk about a continuing situation or activity.
トレッドミル
“トレッドミル” means “treadmill”, the gym equipment being used in the dialogue. It is a noun and appears as the object of “使っています” and with “ご利用”. You can use it when referring to this specific type of gym machine.
を
“を” marks “トレッドミル” as the object being used. It commonly follows the thing that receives an action such as using, waiting for, or choosing. Use it when stating what someone uses or does something to.
使って
“使って” means “using” in “トレッドミルを使っています”. It is the form that links “使う” with “います” to describe the activity in progress. You can use it before “います” when saying that someone is currently using something.
います
“います” helps express that the action in “使っています” is continuing now, so the person is currently using the treadmill. Here it completes the pattern “使っている”. You can use this pattern for an action that is in progress.
標識
“標識” means “sign” or “notice”, referring to the posted gym instruction. In the dialogue it is the source of the information that people should share the treadmill. You can use it when talking about written guidance in a public place.
に
“に” indicates the place or surface where the information is written in “標識には”. It connects the sign with the written message being discussed. You can use it when referring to information on a sign or other displayed surface.
は
“は” marks “標識には” as the topic of the sentence, focusing attention on what the sign says. In this form, “に” indicates the sign and “は” adds topic emphasis. You can use it to set a particular place or item as the topic.
ほか
“ほか” means “other” in “ほかの人”, referring to people besides the person currently using the treadmill. It is followed by “の” to modify the noun “人”. You can use it when distinguishing additional people or things from one already mentioned.
の
“の” links “ほか” to “人” in “ほかの人”, giving the meaning “other people”. It commonly connects a describing noun or phrase to the noun that follows. Use it when one noun specifies or describes another noun.
人
“人” means “person” in “ほかの人”, referring to people who are waiting. The exact form can refer to one person or people depending on the surrounding context. You can use it when talking about people in a general situation.
待って
“待って” means “waiting” in “待っている”, describing the other people waiting for the equipment. It links “待つ” with “いる” to show the continuing situation. You can use it before “いる” when someone remains in a waiting state.
いる
“いる” completes “待っている”, indicating that the waiting is continuing. Here it describes people who are currently waiting for the treadmill. You can use it after a connected action form to describe an ongoing situation.
とき
“とき” means “when” or “the time when” in “待っているとき”, identifying the situation in which the sharing rule applies. It follows the description of people waiting. You can use it to state what happens during a particular situation.
みんな
“みんな” means “everyone” or “all together” in the sharing instruction. Here it refers to all users sharing the treadmill rather than one person keeping it continuously. You can use it when referring collectively to everyone involved.
で
“で” shows the group arrangement in “みんなで使う”, meaning that everyone uses the equipment together or cooperatively. It follows the group “みんな”. You can use it after a group to describe doing something together.
使う
“使う” means “use” in the statement about everyone using the treadmill. It is the plain form used inside the content of the sign’s message. You can use it when describing use of equipment or another object.
べき
“べき” expresses what people are expected or advised to do in “みんなで使うべきだ”. Here it presents sharing the treadmill as the proper rule. You can use it after an action form when stating an obligation or strong recommendation.
だ
“だ” states the content “みんなで使うべき” as a fact or rule in the quoted message. It gives the sentence a plain explanatory ending before “と”. You can use it when stating what a rule or opinion is in plain style.
と
“と” marks the preceding message as quoted content in “使うべきだと書いてあります”. It shows what is written on the sign. You can use it before verbs such as “書く” when reporting exact or stated content.
書いて
“書いて” means “written” in “書いてあります”, describing the message displayed on the sign. It links “書く” with “あります” to show a written state that remains. You can use it before “あります” when something is written or posted.
あります
“あります” completes “書いてあります”, meaning that the rule is written there and remains visible. Here it describes the existence of written information rather than a physical object. You can use it after a connected form to describe a continuing written or arranged state.
その
“その” means “that” in “その人”, referring to the person currently using the treadmill. It comes directly before “人” to identify that person. You can use it before a noun when pointing to a person or thing already understood from the situation.
聞いて
“聞いて” means “ask” in “その人に聞いてもいいですか”, not simply hear. It is followed by “もいいですか” to ask whether it is acceptable to ask that person. You can use it with a person marked by “に” when asking someone a question.
も
“も” contributes the meaning “even” or “also” in “聞いてもいいですか”, forming a question about whether doing something is acceptable. Together with “いいですか”, it creates a polite permission request. You can use this pattern when asking if an action is okay.
いい
“いい” means “okay” in “聞いてもいいですか”, asking whether it is acceptable to ask the person. With “も”, it forms a permission pattern rather than simply describing something as good. You can use it when politely checking whether an action is allowed.
です
“です” gives the permission question a polite ending in “聞いてもいいですか”. It makes the request suitable for speaking courteously to another person. You can use it in polite questions about whether something is acceptable.
か
“か” marks “聞いてもいいですか” as a question. Here it turns the polite permission expression into a request for confirmation. You can use it at the end of a polite question.
それとも
“それとも” means “or” and introduces the alternative concern in “それとも、失礼に思われますか”. It contrasts asking the person with the possibility that the request may seem rude. You can use it when presenting an alternative question or choice.
失礼
“失礼” means “rude” or “impolite” in “失礼に思われますか”. It describes how the request might be perceived by the other person. You can use it when considering whether behavior is discourteous.
思われます
“思われます” means “be perceived” or “seem” in “失礼に思われますか”. It asks whether the request would be regarded as rude by the other person. You can use it when asking how an action or statement may appear to someone.
丁寧
“丁寧” means “politely” in the advice to ask in a courteous way. In the dialogue it describes the manner of speaking to the person using the treadmill. You can use it when giving guidance about respectful communication.
声
“声” means “voice” in the expression “声をかけて”, which means to speak to or call out to someone. It is the thing marked by “を” in this expression. You can use it when referring to starting contact with another person by speaking.
かけて
“かけて” contributes to the expression “声をかけて”, meaning “speak to” or “call out to” someone. The meaning comes from the whole expression, not from “かけて” alone. You can use this expression when politely initiating a conversation with someone nearby.
自分
“自分” means “oneself” or “one’s own” in “自分の順番”, referring to the speaker’s own turn. It is followed by “の” to describe whose turn it is. You can use it when distinguishing your own position, responsibility, or possession.
順番
“順番” means “turn” or “order” in “自分の順番”, referring to the speaker’s place in the sequence of users. It is used with “待っている” to say that the speaker is waiting for access. You can use it when people take turns doing something.
伝えて
“伝えて” means “tell” or “communicate” in the advice to say that you are waiting for your turn. It links the message with the polite request “ください”. You can use it when asking someone to communicate information to another person.
ください
“ください” makes “伝えてください” a polite request meaning “please tell” or “please communicate”. Here it asks the listener to ask politely and explain the situation. You can use it after a connected action form when requesting that someone do something.
すみません
“すみません” means “excuse me” in the suggested opening to the person using the treadmill. It politely gets the person’s attention before asking a question. You can use it when starting a courteous request or brief conversation with a stranger.
ご利用
“ご利用” is a polite expression for “use” in “トレッドミルのご利用”. It refers respectfully to the other person’s use of the treadmill. You can use it in polite questions or notices about someone’s use of a service, facility, or item.
もうすぐ
“もうすぐ” means “soon” or “almost” in the question about when the treadmill use will finish. It places the ending in the near future. You can use it when asking or saying that an event is expected shortly.
終わります
“終わります” means “will finish” or “will end” in the polite question “もうすぐ終わりますか”. It refers to the end of the person’s treadmill use. You can use it in polite questions about when an activity or event will finish.
言えます
“言えます” means “can say”, describing the speaker’s ability to use the suggested polite sentence. It is the potential form related to “言う”. You can use it when saying that a particular phrase or message can be expressed.
それ
“それ” means “that” in “それなら”, referring to the suggested polite way of asking. Together, “それなら” means “if that is the case” or “in that case”. You can use it to respond to information or a proposal just mentioned.
なら
“なら” contributes the conditional meaning “if that is the case” in “それなら”. It connects the previously mentioned suggestion with the following evaluation. You can use it after a known situation when drawing a conclusion or giving a response based on it.
相手
“相手” means “the other person” in “相手にプレッシャーをかけずに”, referring to the treadmill user being addressed. It is marked by “に” as the person affected by the pressure. You can use it when discussing the person on the other side of an interaction.
あまり
“あまり” means “too much” in the negative expression “あまりプレッシャーをかけずに”. It limits the amount of pressure and works with the negative form “かけず”. You can use it to soften a negative statement about an excessive amount or degree.
プレッシャー
“プレッシャー” means “pressure” in the discussion of not pressuring the treadmill user. It is the object of “かけずに”. You can use it when talking about emotional or social pressure placed on another person.
かけず
“かけず” means “without putting or applying” in “プレッシャーをかけずに”. Here it describes communicating without placing too much pressure on the other person. You can use it before “に” when describing an action that is done without performing another action.
はっきり
“はっきり” means “clearly” in the statement that the request will be understood clearly. It describes the manner in which the message comes across. You can use it when a message, sound, or situation is easy to understand or distinguish.
伝わります
“伝わります” means “gets across” or “is understood” in the evaluation of the polite question. It focuses on how the message reaches the other person. You can use it when explaining that information or an intention is communicated successfully.
もし
“もし” introduces the condition “もし相手がもう少し時間が必要なら”, meaning “if the other person needs a little more time”. It signals that the following situation is hypothetical or conditional. You can use it at the start of a conditional statement about a possible situation.
もう
“もう” means “more” in “もう少し時間”, adding a small amount to the time needed. Here it does not mean “already”. You can use it before an amount or degree when referring to an additional quantity.
少し
“少し” means “a little” in “もう少し時間”, referring to a small additional amount of time. Together with “もう”, it makes the request or condition moderate in degree. You can use it when describing a small amount or short extension.
時間
“時間” means “time” in “もう少し時間が必要”, referring to the time the other person may still need. It is marked by “が” as what is needed. You can use it when discussing the duration required for an activity.
必要
“必要” means “needed” or “necessary” in “時間が必要”, stating that more time is required. It describes the need for the additional time rather than the activity itself. You can use it when explaining that a person or situation requires something.
し
“し” connects one acceptable option with another in “待ってもいいですし、別のマシンを使ってもいいです”. It helps present waiting and using another machine as available choices. You can use it to add another point, option, or reason in a sentence.
別
“別” means “another” or “different” in “別のマシン”, referring to a machine other than the treadmill currently in use. It is followed by “の” to modify “マシン”. You can use it when choosing an alternative item or option.
マシン
“マシン” means “machine” in “別のマシン”, referring to another piece of gym equipment. It is the object of “使ってもいいです”. You can use it when talking about a machine available as an alternative.
そう
“そう” means “that way” in “そうすれば”, referring to the polite request and the flexible options just discussed. Together, “そうすれば” means “if one does so” or “that way”. You can use it to refer back to an action or approach and describe its result.
すれば
“すれば” contributes the conditional meaning “if one does” in “そうすれば”. It connects the previously described approach with the positive result of sharing equipment without an argument. You can use it after an action when stating what happens if that action is taken.
言い争い
“言い争い” means “argument” or “quarrel” in the expression about avoiding conflict. It refers to a verbal dispute between people. You can use it when discussing a disagreement that may arise from a tense interaction.
せず
“せず” means “without doing” in “言い争いをせずに”, meaning without having an argument. It describes the result achieved by asking politely and keeping another option available. You can use it before “に” to state that something happens without performing the following action.
器具
“器具” means “equipment” in the final statement about sharing gym equipment. It refers generally to the treadmill and other machines used in the gym. You can use it when talking about tools or equipment used for a particular activity.
使えます
“使えます” means “can use” in “器具をみんなで使えます”, expressing that everyone is able to use the equipment. It is the potential form related to “使う”. You can use it when saying that an item or facility is available or possible to use.
Grammar Points
もうすぐ＋動詞
もうすぐ終わります。
moh-SOO-goo oh-wah-ree-MAHS.It will finish soon.
もうすぐ comes before a verb to show that an event will happen soon or is almost complete.
みんなで＋動詞
みんなで丁寧に声をかけて。
MEEN-nah deh teh-NEH nee koh-EH oh kah-KEH-teh.Everyone, speak to the person politely.
みんなで means doing an action together as a group and comes before the verb.
Japanese Vocabulary
トレッドミル
noun
toh-REHD-doh-mee-roo
treadmill
トレッドミルを使っています。
ほかの人
phrase
HOH-kah noh HEE-toh
other people
ほかの人が待っているとき
みんなで
phrase
MEEN-nah deh
together; everyone sharing
みんなで使うべきだ
もうすぐ
adv
moh-SOO-goo
soon; almost
もうすぐ終わりますか
失礼
adj
SHEE-tsu-REH
rude; impolite
失礼に思われますか。
順番
noun
JOON-bahn
turn; one's place in line
自分の順番を待っている
声をかける
phrase
koh-EH oh kah-KEH-roo
to speak to someone; to approach someone
声をかけて
誰か
pron
duh-REH-kah
someone
誰かが長い間、トレッドミルを使っています。
丁寧に
adv
teh-NEH nee
politely
丁寧に声をかけて
長い間
phrase
nah-GUY EYE-dah
for a long time
誰かが長い間、トレッドミルを使っています。
標識
noun
hyoh-SHEE-kee
sign
標識には、ほかの人が待っているときはみんなで使うべきだと書いてあります。
聞く
verb
KEE-koo
to ask; to inquire
聞いて
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
other people
Show Answer
ほかの人treadmill
Show Answer
トレッドミルtogether; everyone sharing
Show Answer
みんなでto speak to someone; to approach someone