About This Lesson
Use Borrowing a charger while confirming return conditions to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
充電器を別の場所に置いてきて、ノートパソコンのバッテリーがほとんど切れています。
joo-DEN-kee oh BEH-tsoh noh bah-SHOH nee oh-EE-teh KEE-teh, NOH-toh pah-soh-KOHN noh bah-TEH-ree gah hoh-TOHN-doh kee-REH-teh EE-mahss. I left my charger elsewhere and my laptop battery is nearly empty.
B
あなたのポートが新しいタイプのコネクターを使っていれば、私のものが合うはずです。
ah-NAH-tah noh POH-toh gah ah-TAH-rah-SHEE-ee TAH-ee-puh noh koh-NEHK-tah oh tsoo-KAHT-teh EE-reh-bah, wah-TAH-shee noh MOH-noh gah ah-OO hah-ZOO dehss. Mine should fit, provided your port uses the newer connector.
A
はい、そうです。ただ、このアップロードの間だけ必要です。
HAI, SOH dehss. TAH-dah, koh-NOH ahp-poo-ROH-doh noh ah-EE-dah DAH-keh hee-TSOO-yoh dehss. It does, although I only need it during this upload.
B
それなら対応できます。私のパソコンはもう完全に充電されていますから。
seh-reh nah-rah tah-EE-oh deh-kee-MAHSS. wah-TAH-shee noh pah-soh-KOHN wah moh KAHN-zehn nee joo-DEN sah-REH-teh EE-mahss kah-RAH. That is manageable, since my computer is already fully charged.
A
ファイルの同期が終わり次第、返せます。
FAI-roo noh DOHN-kee gah oh-WAH-ree shee-DAI, kah-eh-SEH-mahss. I can give it back as soon as the files finish synchronizing.
B
後で必要になるかもしれないので、近くに置いておいてください。
ah-TOH deh hee-TSOO-yoh nee nah-ROO kah moh sheh-NAI noh deh, CHEE-kah-koo nee oh-EE-teh oh-EE-teh koo-dah-SAI. Please keep it nearby, because I may need it later.
A
すぐに受け取れるように、近くにいます。
soo-GOO nee oo-keh-toh-REH-roo YOH-oo nee, CHEE-kah-koo nee EE-mahss. I can stay close by so you can get it back easily.
B
その方法なら、私たちのどちらも作業を中断せずに済みます。
SOH-noh hoh-HOH nah-rah, wah-TAH-shee-tah-chee noh doh-chee-RAH moh sah-GYOH oh CHOO-dahn SEH-zoo nee soo-MEE-mahss. That arrangement works without interrupting either of us.Word by Word
充電器
「充電器」 means charger, the item A needs because the laptop battery is nearly empty. It is used as a noun for a device that supplies power to a battery. In this dialogue it appears as 「充電器を」, with 「を」 marking it as the object of 「置いてきて」.
を
In 「充電器を置いてきて」, 「を」 marks 「充電器」 as the object of the action. It commonly follows the thing that someone places, carries, or uses.
別
In 「別の場所」, 「別」 means different or another, distinguishing the place from the current one. It commonly comes before 「の」 to describe a following noun.
の
In 「別の場所」, 「の」 links 「別」 to 「場所」 and makes the first element describe the noun that follows. This noun-linking pattern is used when one noun or noun-like word modifies another.
場所
「場所」 means place or location; here it is the different location where the charger was left. It can identify a physical location in a phrase such as 「別の場所」.
に
In 「別の場所に置いてきて」, 「に」 marks the location where the charger was left. It commonly follows a destination or location associated with placing something.
置いてきて
「置いてきて」 means leaving the charger at another place and then coming back, as in 「充電器を別の場所に置いてきて」. 「置いて」 expresses placing it, and 「きて」 expresses coming after that action; together they describe leaving the charger behind before returning.
ノートパソコン
「ノートパソコン」 means laptop computer. Here it identifies the computer whose battery is nearly empty. It is used as a noun for a portable computer.
バッテリー
「バッテリー」 means battery. Here it is the laptop part whose remaining power is nearly gone. It is used as a noun when discussing a device's stored power.
が
In 「バッテリーがほとんど切れています」, 「が」 marks 「バッテリー」 as the subject of the current state. It commonly follows the thing that has a condition or undergoes an action.
ほとんど
「ほとんど」 means nearly or almost, showing that the battery is close to being empty rather than fully empty. It commonly comes before the condition or amount being approached.
切れています
「切れています」 describes the laptop battery as currently almost depleted in 「バッテリーがほとんど切れています」. Here the form presents the battery's resulting current state after its power has run out or nearly run out.
あなた
「あなた」 means you; in 「あなたのポート」 it identifies the other person's port. Here it is followed by 「の」 to connect the person with the noun.
ポート
「ポート」 means port, the connection point on the laptop. Here it is the port whose connector type determines whether the charger fits. It is used as a noun for a connection point.
新しい
In 「新しいタイプのコネクター」, 「新しい」 describes the connector as new or newer relative to the type being considered. It comes before the noun it describes.
タイプ
「タイプ」 means type or kind in 「新しいタイプのコネクター」. It identifies the category of connector and is linked to 「コネクター」 by 「の」.
コネクター
「コネクター」 means connector, the part that connects the charger to the port. Here its type is the condition for checking whether the charger will fit.
使っていれば
「使っていれば」 sets the condition that the port is using the newer connector, in 「ポートが新しいタイプのコネクターを使っていれば」. 「使って」 describes the use, and 「いれば」 makes it a condition; together they mean if that situation holds.
私
In 「私のもの」, 「私」 identifies the speaker as the owner. It is followed by 「の」, so the phrase refers to the speaker's item rather than the speaker directly.
もの
In 「私のもの」, 「もの」 means thing or item and stands for the charger already under discussion. The whole phrase means mine here; 「もの」 lets the speaker refer to the item without repeating its name.
合う
「合う」 means fit or match in the condition that the charger will fit the port. It describes whether two items are compatible.
はず
In 「合うはずです」, 「はず」 marks the speaker's expectation that the charger should fit. It is useful when the speaker has a reason for expecting a result but is not presenting it as a direct certainty.
です
「です」 gives the sentence a polite ending in 「合うはずです」. It follows 「はず」 here to state that expectation politely.
はい
「はい」 is a clear yes in response to the condition about the port. It is used to confirm that the stated condition is true.
そう
「そう」 means so or that way in 「はい、そうです」, referring back to the condition just mentioned. 「そうです」 is a common way to confirm that a preceding statement is correct.
ただ
「ただ」 introduces a limitation or qualification after the confirmation. Here it shifts from confirming the connector to saying the charger is needed only during the upload. It can be used to add a qualification to an immediately preceding point.
この
「この」 means this and directly modifies 「アップロード」 in 「このアップロード」. It points to the upload currently being discussed.
アップロード
「アップロード」 means upload, the data-transfer task that is in progress. Here it is the event during which the charger is needed. It is used as a noun for an upload operation.
間
In 「このアップロードの間」, 「間」 means the period or interval during which the upload continues. It commonly follows a noun with 「の」 when indicating the time span of an activity.
だけ
In 「このアップロードの間だけ」, 「だけ」 limits the need to that period only. It is useful for stating that something applies only to a specified time, person, or amount.
必要
「必要」 means needed or necessary in 「必要です」. Here the charger is necessary only during the upload. It commonly appears with 「です」 to state that something is needed.
それ
「それ」 refers to the situation just described: needing the charger only during the upload. In 「それなら」 it provides the situation that the next response is based on. It can refer back to a previously mentioned matter.
なら
In 「それなら」, 「なら」 means if that is the case or given that situation. It connects the preceding information to B's response that accommodating the request is possible. This form is useful when responding to a condition or proposal.
対応
「対応」 means handling or accommodating the request in 「対応できます」. Here it refers to being able to handle the borrowing arrangement. As a noun, it commonly describes how someone handles a request or situation.
できます
In 「対応できます」, 「できます」 says that the proposed handling is possible. Together with 「対応」, the phrase means that B can accommodate the arrangement. It is a reusable polite way to say that an action or response is possible.
は
In 「私のパソコンは」, 「は」 marks 「私のパソコン」 as the topic. The rest of the sentence gives information about that computer, and this topic marker commonly sets what the sentence is about.
もう
「もう」 means already in 「もう完全に充電されています」. It shows that the computer reached the fully charged state before the current conversation. It commonly indicates that a condition has been reached by a certain time.
完全
In 「完全に充電されています」, 「完全」 means complete or full, emphasizing the computer's fully charged state. It is followed by 「に」 to modify the state described by 「充電されています」.
充電されています
「充電されています」 describes the computer as being in a charged state; here it is fully charged already. The form is useful for reporting the current condition of a device after charging.
から
「から」 gives the reason for the preceding statement in 「充電されていますから」. Here B says the computer is already fully charged, so accommodating the request is manageable. It commonly appears at the end of a reason clause.
ファイル
「ファイル」 means file. Here it refers to the digital items that are being synchronized before the charger is returned. It is used as a noun for a computer file.
同期
「同期」 means synchronization, the process of making files match across systems. Here it is the task that must finish before the charger can be returned. It commonly appears with 「ファイル」 when data is being synchronized.
終わり次第
「終わり次第」 means as soon as it finishes in 「ファイルの同期が終わり次第」. 「終わり」 identifies the end of the synchronization, and 「次第」 makes the return follow immediately after that point. This construction is useful for an action that follows another action without delay.
返せます
「返せます」 means can return or give back the borrowed charger. Here A promises to return it once synchronization ends. It is a polite way to state that returning something is possible.
後
In 「後で」, 「後」 means later or afterward. It places the possible need after the current moment in 「後で必要になるかもしれない」. It is used to refer to a later time.
で
In 「後で必要になる」, 「で」 marks the time when the need may arise. It follows 「後」 to make a time expression meaning later. It can mark when an event or state occurs.
なる
In 「必要になるかもしれない」, 「なる」 means become, so the phrase describes the charger becoming needed later. It is used here to show a change into the state of being necessary.
かもしれない
「かもしれない」 expresses a possibility rather than a certainty in 「後で必要になるかもしれない」. 「かも」 signals the possibility, 「しれ」 forms the central part of this fixed expression, and 「ない」 completes its established form. Together, the expression means may or might.
ので
「ので」 gives the reason for the request in 「後で必要になるかもしれないので」. B asks A to keep the charger nearby because it may be needed later. It commonly follows a reason clause before a request or explanation.
近く
「近く」 means nearby in 「近くに置いておいてください」. It specifies the location where the charger should remain. It commonly appears with 「に」 when describing a nearby location.
置いておいて
「置いておいて」 means leave or keep the charger in place, here nearby. 「置いて」 describes placing it, and the following 「おいて」 adds the idea of leaving it that way for later use. Together they request that the charger remain available.
ください
「ください」 makes 「置いておいてください」 a polite request. It asks the listener to keep the charger nearby. It commonly follows a verb in this request pattern.
すぐ
「すぐ」 means immediately or without delay in 「すぐに受け取れる」. Here it emphasizes that B can get the charger back readily. It commonly appears before 「に」 when modifying an action.
受け取れる
「受け取れる」 means can receive or get the charger back in 「受け取れるように」. It presents B's ability to take possession of it when needed. It can be used when someone is able to receive an item.
よう
In 「受け取れるように」, 「よう」 contributes the purpose of making it possible for B to receive the charger. The whole expression means so that B can receive it, and it commonly introduces a purpose or desired result.
います
「います」 means be present or stay in 「近くにいます」. Here A says they will remain nearby so B can get the charger back easily. It is used for a person being present in a place.
その
「その」 means that and modifies 「方法」 in 「その方法」. It points to the arrangement just proposed rather than introducing a new one. It commonly comes directly before the noun it identifies.
方法
「方法」 means method or arrangement; here it refers to keeping the charger nearby while A stays close. It is used to name a way of handling a situation.
私たち
「私たち」 means we or us, referring to A and B together. In 「私たちのどちらも」 it identifies the two people being considered. It is used when the speaker includes themself with one or more others.
どちら
In 「私たちのどちらも」, 「どちら」 refers to either one of the two people. With the following negative idea 「中断せずに済みます」, the expression covers neither person needing to interrupt. It is useful when referring to two alternatives or people.
も
In 「私たちのどちらも」, 「も」 extends the scope to either member of the pair; with 「中断せずに」, it gives the meaning that neither of them interrupts. It commonly adds the sense of both or either depending on the surrounding statement.
作業
「作業」 means work or task. Here it refers to the work that A and B can continue without interruption. It is used as a noun for an activity being carried out.
中断
「中断」 means interruption, here interruption of the work. In 「作業を中断せずに」 it names the action that neither person needs to stop. It commonly combines with 「作業」 when work is paused.
せずに
「せずに」 means without doing, and in 「作業を中断せずに」 it means without interrupting the work. It is used before the alternative result or action that follows.
済みます
In 「中断せずに済みます」, 「済みます」 means that the situation can be managed without needing the stated action. Here neither person has to interrupt their work. This construction is useful for saying that an unwanted action can be avoided.
Grammar Points
Vます形 + 次第
同期が終わり次第、充電器を返せます。
DOHN-kee gah oh-WAH-ree shee-DAI, joo-DEN-kee oh kah-eh-SEH-mahss.As soon as the synchronization finishes, I can return the charger.
次第 means “as soon as.” Attach it to the verb stem to show that one action follows immediately after another.
V-ずに済む
作業を中断せずに済みます。
sah-GYOH oh CHOO-dahn SEH-zoo nee soo-MEE-mahss.You can avoid interrupting the work.
ずに済む means “can avoid doing.” It expresses that an unwanted action is not necessary.
Japanese Vocabulary
コネクター
noun
koh-NEHK-tah
connector
ノートパソコン
noun
NOH-toh pah-soh-KOHN
laptop
バッテリー
noun
bah-TEH-ree
battery
ポート
noun
POH-toh
port
ほとんど
adv
hoh-TOHN-doh
nearly; almost
合う
verb
ah-OO
fit; match
私のもの
pron
wah-TAH-shee noh MOH-noh
mine
充電器
noun
joo-DEN-kee
charger
新しいタイプの
phrase
ah-TAH-rah-SHEE-ee TAH-ee-puh noh
newer type of
切れています
verb
kee-REH-teh EE-mahss
be nearly empty; be depleted
置いてきて
verb
oh-EE-teh KEE-teh
leave behind
別の場所
phrase
BEH-tsoh noh bah-SHOH
another place; elsewhere
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
nearly; almost
Show Answer
ほとんどanother place; elsewhere
Show Answer
別の場所leave behind
Show Answer
置いてきてbattery