Reporting a Kitchen Sink Leak with Concrete Details | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: At home, a tenant reports a slow leak under the kitchen sink and adds concrete details for an urgent maintenance request..

EN → JA / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Reporting a Kitchen Sink Leak with Concrete Details to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

台所の流し台の下に湿った部分ができていることに気づきました。

dye-DOH-koh-roh noh nah-gah-shee-DAI noh SHEE-tah nee shee-MEHT-tah BOO-boon gah deh-KEE-teh ee-ROO koh-toh nee kee-zoo-kee-mah-SHEE-tah I noticed a damp patch forming under the kitchen sink.
B

戸棚が傷む前に対応が必要です。

toh-DAH-nah gah ee-TAH-moo mae nee tah-ee-OH gah hee-TSOO-yoo dess That needs attention before it damages the cabinet.
A

そこに容器を置きましたが、水はまだ少しずつ垂れています。

soh-koh nee yoh-KEE oh oh-KEE-mah-shee-tah gah, mee-zoo wah mah-DAH soo-KOO-shee-zoo-tsoo tah-reh-TEH-ee-mah-soo I placed a container there, but the leak is still dripping slowly.
B

そこに、作業の邪魔になりそうな物は置いてありますか。

soh-koh nee sah-GYOH noh JAH-mah nee nah-ree-SOH yoo nah MOH-noh wah oh-EE-teh ah-REE-mah-soo kah Is anything stored there that could block access?
A

技術者が簡単に点検できるように、その場所を片づけました。

gee-JOOT-soo-shah gah KAHN-tahn nee TEN-ken deh-KEE-roo YOO nee, soh-noh BAH-shoh oh kah-tah-zoo-keh-mah-SHEE-tah I cleared the area, so the technician can inspect it easily.
B

緊急として記載できますが、日程の調整にはまだ時間がかかるかもしれません。

keen-KYOO toh-shee-teh kee-SAI deh-KEE-mah-soo gah, NEET-tay noh choh-SAY nee wah mah-DAH jee-KAHN gah kah-KAH-roo kah moh-shee-reh-mah-SEHN I can mark it as urgent, although scheduling may still take time.
A

床がゆがみ始めていることも伝えてください。

YOO-kah gah yoo-gah-mee hah-jee-meh-TEH-ee-roo koh-toh moh tsoo-tah-EH-teh koo-DAH-sai Please mention that the floor is beginning to warp.
B

その情報は報告書に入れるべきです。

soh-noh joh-HOH wah hoh-KOH-koo-shoh nee ee-reh-roo beh-KEE dess That detail should go in the report.
B

安全面と修理計画に関わります。

ahn-ZEN-mehn toh shoo-REE kay-KAH-koo nee kahn-wah-ree-MAH-soo It affects safety and the repair plan.

Word by Word

台所 “台所” means the kitchen in this dialogue. It identifies the area containing the sink in “台所の流し台”. A reusable pattern is 台所の + place or item when specifying something in the kitchen.
の In “台所の流し台”, “の” links 台所 and 流し台, showing that the sink is associated with the kitchen. A reusable pattern is XのY for linking two nouns, such as a place and an item.
流し台 “流し台” means the sink, specifically the kitchen sink being inspected for a leak. It appears in “台所の流し台の下”. A reusable pattern is 流し台の下 when referring to the area beneath the sink.
下 “下” means underneath or the underside of something; here it refers to the area below the sink. In “流し台の下”, it identifies the location of the damp patch. A reusable pattern is Xの下に for something located under X.
に In “流し台の下に”, “に” marks the location where the damp patch exists. It presents that place as the point at which something has formed. A reusable pattern is placeに + somethingができる.
湿った “湿った” means damp or wet and describes the patch in “湿った部分”. It is the form related to the dictionary form 湿る and describes the patch’s condition here. A reusable pattern is 湿った + noun when describing something that is damp.
部分 “部分” means a part or patch of an area; here it is the damp patch under the sink. It combines with 湿った in “湿った部分”. A reusable pattern is an adjective or description followed by 部分 when identifying one section of something.
が In “湿った部分ができている”, “が” marks 湿った部分 as the subject of the formation. It identifies what has appeared under the sink. A reusable pattern is nounが + description of what it does or becomes.
できている “できている” describes the damp patch as having formed and now being present. The construction combines できて, the connective form of できる here, with いる to show the resulting state. A reusable pattern is nounができている for something that has formed and remains present.
こと In “できていることに気づきました”, “こと” turns the preceding situation into “the fact that it has formed”. It allows the speaker to say they noticed that situation. A reusable pattern is clauseことに気づく for noticing a fact or situation.
気づきました “気づきました” means noticed in this polite past statement about the damp patch. It is the polite past form related to 気づく. A reusable pattern is noun or clauseことに気づきました when reporting that something was noticed.
戸棚 “戸棚” means the cabinet that could be damaged by the leak. It is the thing named as the possible recipient of damage in “戸棚が傷む”. A reusable pattern is nounが傷む when an object becomes damaged or deteriorates.
傷む “傷む” means become damaged or deteriorate; here it describes what may happen to the cabinet. It is used in the clause “戸棚が傷む前に”. A reusable pattern is nounが傷む when describing damage to an object.
前 In “傷む前に”, “前” means before that event occurs. It places the needed response earlier than the cabinet becoming damaged. A reusable pattern is verb phrase + 前に for doing something before an event.
対応 “対応” means the response or action needed to deal with the leak. In “対応が必要です”, it is the action required before the cabinet is damaged. A reusable pattern is 対応が必要です when saying that action or handling is needed.
必要 “必要” means necessary or needed; here it describes the response as required. It appears in “対応が必要です”, where 対応 is what is necessary. A reusable pattern is nounが必要です for stating that something is needed.
です “です” is the polite copula that completes the statement “対応が必要です”. It presents 必要 as a polite description of the response. A reusable pattern is noun or adjective + です in a polite statement.
そこ “そこ” means there and refers to the area under the kitchen sink that was mentioned earlier. In “そこに”, it identifies where the container was placed. A reusable pattern is そこに + something when referring to a previously identified location.
容器 “容器” means a container, here the item placed under the sink to catch the dripping water. It is the object marked in “容器を置きました”. A reusable pattern is 容器に + contents when describing what is put into a container.
を In “容器を置きました”, “を” marks 容器 as the object that was placed. It connects the item with the action of placing it. A reusable pattern is nounを + transitive verb.
置きました “置きました” means placed and reports a completed action in polite past form. It is related to the dictionary form 置く. A reusable pattern is place or itemを置きました when reporting that something was put somewhere.
水 “水” means water; here it refers to the water that is still dripping from the leak. It is the topic in “水はまだ少しずつ垂れています”. A reusable pattern is 水が垂れる when describing water dripping.
は In “水はまだ少しずつ垂れています”, “は” marks 水 as the topic of the statement. The sentence then gives information about what the water is still doing. A reusable pattern is nounは + description or action when setting a topic.
まだ “まだ” means still and shows that the dripping has not stopped. It modifies the ongoing situation in “まだ少しずつ垂れています”. A reusable pattern is まだ + ongoing description or verb when a situation continues.
少しずつ “少しずつ” means little by little or in small amounts at a time; here the water is dripping slowly in small amounts. The expression combines 少し, “a little”, with ずつ, which distributes the amount in small increments. A reusable pattern is quantity + ずつ when describing gradual or repeated amounts.
垂れています “垂れています” means is dripping here and describes an ongoing action or state. It is the polite progressive form related to 垂れる. A reusable pattern is liquidが垂れています when reporting that liquid is currently dripping.
作業 “作業” means work, specifically the maintenance or repair work that needs access to the area. It appears in “作業の邪魔”. A reusable pattern is 作業の + noun when describing something related to work.
邪魔 “邪魔” means an obstruction or interference; in “作業の邪魔”, it refers to something that would get in the way of the maintenance work. A reusable pattern is 作業の邪魔になる when something obstructs work.
なりそう “なりそう” means seems likely to become or be; in “邪魔になりそう”, it says that something looks likely to interfere. The form combines the stem of なる with そう to express an apparent possibility. A reusable pattern is nounになりそう when something seems likely to become a particular state.
な In “邪魔になりそうな物”, “な” links the noun-like expression 邪魔になりそう to the following noun 物. It allows that expression to describe the item. A reusable pattern is noun-like expression + な + noun for modifying a noun.
物 “物” means a thing or item; here it refers to anything stored in the area that could block access. It is the subject of “置いてあります”. A reusable pattern is 物が置いてあります when asking or stating that items are kept somewhere.
置いてあります “置いてあります” means has been placed or is kept there, with attention to the existing placement of an item. The construction combines 置いて, the connective form of 置く, with あります to describe the resulting state. A reusable pattern is placeに物が置いてあります for items that are positioned or left in a place.
か At the end of “置いてありますか”, “か” marks the sentence as a question. It turns the statement about stored items into a polite question. A reusable pattern is polite sentence + か when asking whether something is the case.
技術者 “技術者” means technician, the person who will inspect the leak. It is the subject in “技術者が簡単に点検できる”. A reusable pattern is 技術者が + maintenance action when describing what the technician can do.
簡単 “簡単” means easy here and becomes adverbial with に in “簡単に点検できる”. It describes the inspection as being possible without difficulty. A reusable pattern is 簡単に + verb when saying that an action can be done easily.
点検 “点検” means inspection or checking, here the technician’s inspection of the leak area. It appears in “点検できる”, meaning can inspect. A reusable pattern is objectを点検する when describing an inspection.
できる “できる” means can or be able to; in “点検できる”, it says that the technician is able to inspect the area. It expresses ability or possibility for the action 点検. A reusable pattern is verb or action noun + できる for saying that an action is possible.
よう In “点検できるように”, “ように” means so that or in such a way that the technician can inspect the area. It introduces the purpose of clearing the area. A reusable pattern is clauseように + action when doing something so that a condition becomes possible.
その “その” means that or the specified and points back to the area already being discussed. In “その場所”, it identifies that particular place rather than a new one. A reusable pattern is その + noun when referring to something previously identified.
場所 “場所” means place or area; here it is the area under the sink that was cleared. It appears in “その場所を片づけました”. A reusable pattern is 場所を片づける when tidying or clearing an area.
片づけました “片づけました” means cleared or tidied and reports a completed action in polite past form. It is related to the dictionary form 片づける. A reusable pattern is area or itemを片づけました when reporting that an area was cleared.
緊急 “緊急” means urgent or emergency; here it is the status assigned to the maintenance request. It appears in “緊急として記載できます”. A reusable pattern is 緊急として + action when something is handled or recorded as urgent.
として In “緊急として”, “として” means as or classified as. The と marks 緊急 as the designation, and して presents that designation as the status used for the request. A reusable pattern is nounとして + verb when treating or describing something in a particular role or classification.
記載 “記載” means recording or listing information in a document; here the request can be listed as urgent. It appears in “緊急として記載できます”. A reusable pattern is informationを記載する when entering information into a document.
できます “できます” means can record or can list in “記載できます”. It is the polite form related to できる and expresses that the speaker is able to perform the recording. A reusable pattern is nounを記載できます when saying that information can be entered.
日程 “日程” means the schedule or planned dates for the maintenance visit. It appears in “日程の調整”, referring to arranging those dates. A reusable pattern is 日程の + noun when discussing schedule-related matters.
調整 “調整” means coordination or adjustment; here it is the coordination of the maintenance schedule. It appears in “日程の調整”. A reusable pattern is 日程を調整する when arranging a schedule.
時間 “時間” means time; in “時間がかかる”, it refers to the time required for scheduling. A reusable pattern is nounに時間がかかる when an activity requires time.
かかる “かかる” means take time in “時間がかかる”. It describes the time required for the scheduling process. A reusable pattern is nounに時間がかかる for saying that an activity takes a certain amount of time.
かもしれません “かもしれません” means may or might and expresses a polite possibility about scheduling taking time. The whole expression combines かも, a possibility marker, with しれ, ませ, and ん as parts of the polite fixed expression. A reusable pattern is plain statement + かもしれません when giving a cautious possibility.
床 “床” means the floor, which is beginning to warp because of the leak. It is the subject in “床がゆがみ始めている”. A reusable pattern is 床が + condition or change when reporting a problem with the floor.
ゆがみ始めている “ゆがみ始めている” means is beginning to warp and describes a change that has started and is continuing. The construction combines ゆがみ, related to ゆがむ, with 始めている to show the beginning and ongoing nature of the change. A reusable pattern is verb stem + 始めている when an action or change has begun and is continuing.
も In “ことも伝えてください”, “も” means also or too and adds the warping floor as another detail to mention. It connects this additional information with the earlier leak details. A reusable pattern is nounも + verb when adding another item or fact.
伝えてください “伝えてください” means please mention or please tell. The construction combines 伝えて, the connective form of 伝える, with ください to make a polite request. A reusable pattern is personに informationを伝えてください when asking someone to communicate information.
情報 “情報” means information; here it refers to the detail about the floor beginning to warp. It appears in “その情報は報告書に入れるべきです”. A reusable pattern is informationを + verb when discussing how information should be handled.
報告書 “報告書” means report, the document in which the maintenance details should be included. It is the destination marked in “報告書に入れる”. A reusable pattern is 報告書に + information-related action when putting details into a report.
入れる “入れる” means put in or include; here it means include the information in the report. It appears in “報告書に入れるべきです”. A reusable pattern is informationを documentに入れる when including information in a document.
べき In “入れるべきです”, “べき” means should or ought to and expresses that including the detail is the proper action. It follows the plain form 入れる and is completed politely by です. A reusable pattern is verb + べきです when stating what should be done.
安全面 “安全面” means the safety aspect or safety considerations of the situation. It is one of the two matters affected in “安全面と修理計画”. A reusable pattern is 安全面の + noun when discussing a safety-related aspect of a matter.
と In “安全面と修理計画”, “と” means and and links the two affected matters. It joins 安全面 and 修理計画 as equal items. A reusable pattern is nounとnoun for connecting two nouns.
修理計画 “修理計画” means the repair plan, including how the maintenance work will be arranged. It is linked with 安全面 in “安全面と修理計画”. A reusable pattern is 修理計画を + verb when discussing what will be done with a repair plan.
関わります “関わります” means affects or concerns in “安全面と修理計画に関わります”. It is the polite form related to 関わる and states that the reported detail has a connection to both safety and the repair plan. A reusable pattern is matterに関わります when saying that something concerns or affects a matter.

Grammar Points

〜始めている

戸棚がゆがみ始めている。

toh-DAH-nah gah yoo-gah-mee hah-jee-meh-TEH-ee-roo

The cabinet is beginning to warp.

「〜始めている」は、動作や変化が始まり、現在も続いていることを表します。

〜てください

緊急の情報を伝えてください。

keen-KYOO noh joh-HOH oh tsoo-tah-EH-teh koo-DAH-sai

Please pass on the urgent information.

「〜てください」は、相手に丁寧に依頼するときに使います。

Japanese Vocabulary

できている phrase
deh-KEE-teh ee-ROO is forming; has formed
下 noun
SHEE-tah under; below
気づきました verb
kee-zoo-kee-mah-SHEE-tah noticed
戸棚 noun
toh-DAH-nah cabinet
湿った verb
shee-MEHT-tah damp; wet
傷む verb
ee-TAH-moo to be damaged; to deteriorate
対応 noun
tah-ee-OH response; action
台所 noun
dye-DOH-koh-roh kitchen
置きました verb
oh-KEE-mah-shee-tah placed
部分 noun
BOO-boon part; area
容器 noun
yoh-KEE container
流し台 noun
nah-gah-shee-DAI sink

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

is forming; has formed

Show Answerできている

noticed

Show Answer気づきました

placed

Show Answer置きました

to be damaged; to deteriorate

Show Answer傷む