Choosing a More Durable Exchange | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: At a shop service counter, a customer compares sturdier exchange options for a product that needs to travel often..

EN → JA / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Choosing a More Durable Exchange to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

交換を考えていますが、もっと耐久性のあるものが必要です。

koh-KAHN oh kah-ngah-EH-teh-ee-MAHSS gah, MOHT-toh tie-KYOO-say noh ah-ROO moh-noh gah hee-TSYOO dess. I am considering an exchange, but I need something more durable.
B

どのくらいの頻度で、どこで使う予定かによります。

doh-noh koo-RAI noh HIN-doh-deh, doh-KOH-deh TSOO-kah-OO yoh-TAY-kah nee yo-ree-MAHSS. That depends on how often and where you plan to use it.
A

頻繁に持ち運ぶので、ヒンジとバッテリーの信頼性が重要です。

HIN-pahn nee moh-chee hah-koh-BU noh-deh, HIN-jee toh baht-teh-REE noh shin-rai-SAY gah joo-YOH dess. It will travel often, so the hinges and battery reliability matter.
B

その場合、軽いモデルが最適とは限りません。

soh-noh bah-AI, kah-ROO-ee moh-DEH-roo gah sai-TEH-kee toh-wah kee-ree-mah-SEN. In that case, the lighter model may not be the best fit.
A

より頑丈な作りなら、少し重くても構いません。

yoh-REE gan-JOH-nah tsoo-REE nah-rah, soh-SHEE oh-moh-koo-teh-moh kah-mah-EE-mah-SEN. I can accept a little extra weight for stronger construction.
B

では、保証条件を確認しながら、強化モデルと比較してみてください。

deh-WAH, hoh-SHOO johh-KEN oh kah-koo-NIN shee nah-gah-RAH, kyoh-KAH moh-DEH-roo toh hee-KAH-koo shee-teh mee-teh koo-dah-SAI. Then compare the reinforced model with its warranty terms.
A

それなら、私が必要としているものに近そうです。

soh-REH nah-rah, wah-TAH-shee gah hee-TSYOO toh shee-TEH ee-ROO moh-noh nee CHEE-kah-soh dess. That sounds closer to what I need.
B

決断を急かさずに、違いをご説明できます。

keh-TSOO-dahn oh seh-kah-SAH-zoo nee, CHEE-gah-ee oh goh-SET-soo-MAY deh-kee-MAHSS. I can show you the differences without pushing you to decide.

Word by Word

交換 Here, 交換 means an exchange or replacement, as in changing the product for another one. In the dialogue it appears in 交換を考えています, a useful pattern for saying that you are considering an exchange.
を を marks 交換 as the object of 考えています in 交換を考えています, meaning “considering an exchange.” A common reuse pattern is noun + を + verb.
考えています 考えています means “am considering” in this dialogue, describing an ongoing thought about an exchange. The pattern noun + を + 考えています is useful when discussing something you are considering.
が In 考えていますが, が means “but” and gently connects the consideration of an exchange with the speaker’s need for something more durable. This pattern can introduce a contrast or a related point in a polite conversation.
もっと もっと means “more” in もっと耐久性のあるもの, showing that the speaker wants a greater degree of durability. It commonly comes before an adjective or descriptive phrase when comparing a desired degree.
耐久性 耐久性 means “durability,” the ability of a product to withstand use over time. In 耐久性のあるもの, it describes the quality the needed item should have.
の In 耐久性のあるもの, の links 耐久性 with あるもの, forming a description of something that has durability. A common reuse pattern is noun + の + descriptive phrase or noun.
ある ある means “to have” or “to possess” in 耐久性のあるもの, describing an item that has durability. The pattern noun + のある + noun can describe something possessing a particular quality.
もの もの means “thing” or “item” here, referring to a product with the required durability. In 耐久性のあるもの, it lets the speaker refer to an item without naming a specific model.
必要 必要 means “needed” or “necessary” in 必要です, describing what the speaker requires. A useful pattern is noun or phrase + が必要です for stating that something is needed.
です です makes 必要です a polite statement meaning “is needed” or “is necessary.” It is commonly used after a noun or descriptive expression in polite conversation.
どのくらい The whole expression どのくらい asks “how often” in どのくらいの頻度で, while どの asks “which kind or degree” and くらい adds the sense of “approximately how much.” This expression is useful before a measure such as どのくらいの頻度で, “how often.”
頻度 頻度 means “frequency” in どのくらいの頻度で, asking how often the product will be used. It commonly combines with の and a measure expression when discussing how frequently something happens.
で で marks the setting or measure in this dialogue: どのくらいの頻度で asks how frequently, and どこで asks where an action takes place. It commonly follows a place or a frequency measure before the verb.
どこ どこ means “where” in どこで使う予定か, asking about the place of intended use. The pattern どこで + verb is useful for asking where an action will happen.
使う 使う means “use” in どこで使う予定か, referring to using the product. It commonly follows a place marked by で when stating where something will be used.
予定 予定 means “plan” in 使う予定, referring to the planned use of the product. The pattern verb + 予定 is useful for describing an intended action or schedule.
か か turns the preceding information into an indirect question in どこで使う予定かによります, meaning “depending on where you plan to use it.” It commonly marks a question embedded inside a larger statement.
に In 予定かによります, に works with よります in the expression “depends on,” linking the condition to the result. The pattern question or noun + によります is useful when explaining what a decision depends on.
よります よります means “depends on” in どこで使う予定かによります. It is useful in the polite pattern Xによります when saying that an answer or choice varies according to X.
頻繁 頻繁 means “frequent” in 頻繁に持ち運ぶ, describing repeated carrying of the product. It commonly appears with に before a verb to describe an action that happens often.
持ち運ぶ 持ち運ぶ means “carry around” or “transport” in 頻繁に持ち運ぶ. The expression is useful when talking about moving an object from place to place, especially during travel.
ので ので means “because” or “so” in 持ち運ぶので, giving the reason that the hinges and battery reliability matter. The pattern reason + ので is useful for explaining a situation politely.
ヒンジ ヒンジ means “hinge,” referring to the parts that allow the product to open and close. In ヒンジとバッテリー, it is one of the product features being evaluated.
と と connects ヒンジ and バッテリー in ヒンジとバッテリー, meaning “the hinges and the battery.” A common reuse pattern is noun + と + noun when listing two items together.
バッテリー バッテリー means “battery,” referring to the product’s battery in this dialogue. It is joined with another feature in ヒンジとバッテリー, a useful pattern for listing components.
信頼性 信頼性 means “reliability,” describing how dependable the battery is in continued use. In バッテリーの信頼性, の links the battery with the quality being evaluated.
重要 重要 means “important” in 重要です, stating that the hinges and battery reliability matter to the customer. The polite pattern noun + が + 重要です is useful for identifying an important factor.
その その means “that” or “the mentioned” in その場合, referring back to the customer’s stated travel and durability requirements. It commonly comes directly before a noun to point to an already known situation or item.
場合 場合 means “case” or “situation” in その場合, meaning “in that case.” The pattern その場合 is useful when responding to information just given.
軽い 軽い means “light in weight” in 軽いモデル, describing the model’s low weight. It commonly appears before a noun when comparing physical characteristics of products.
モデル モデル means “model,” referring to a particular product version in 軽いモデル. It commonly follows a descriptive word when distinguishing one product option from another.
最適 最適 means “optimal” or “the best fit” in 最適とは限りません, discussing whether the lighter model is the most suitable choice. It is useful when evaluating an option against specific needs.
は In 最適とは限りません, は helps frame 最適 as the point being qualified: being the best fit is not guaranteed. This construction is useful for expressing a qualification or contrast politely.
限りません 限りません means “is not necessarily” in 最適とは限りません. The pattern Xとは限りません is useful when saying that a description or conclusion is not always true.
より より marks the greater degree in より頑丈な作り, meaning “a sturdier build” or “more sturdy construction.” It commonly comes before an adjective when indicating a higher degree.
頑丈 頑丈 means “sturdy” or “durable” in 頑丈な作り, describing a build that can better withstand use. It commonly combines with な before a noun.
な な links 頑丈 with 作り in 頑丈な作り, allowing the description “sturdy” to modify the noun “construction.” This pattern is used after a descriptive expression before a noun.
作り 作り means “construction” or “build” in 頑丈な作り, referring to how the product is made. The pattern descriptive word + な作り is useful when evaluating a product’s build.
なら なら means “if it is” or “if it has that quality” in 頑丈な作りなら, introducing the condition of having a sturdier build. It is useful for stating what would be acceptable under a particular condition.
少し 少し means “a little” in 少し重くても, limiting the amount of extra weight the speaker is willing to accept. It commonly comes before an adjective or verb to indicate a small degree.
重く 重く means “being heavier” in 重くても, linking the idea of extra weight to the concessive expression that follows. It is useful before ても when describing a condition that is acceptable despite being heavier.
ても ても contributes the meaning “even if” or “even though” in 重くても構いません. The pattern adjective or verb + ても is useful for saying that a condition does not prevent acceptance.
構いません 構いません means “it is acceptable” or “I do not mind” in 重くても構いません. The reusable pattern Xても構いません means that X is allowed or acceptable even under that condition.
では では means “then” or “in that case” at the beginning of では、保証条件を確認しながら, moving the conversation to the service staff’s recommendation. It is useful when introducing the next step after considering the customer’s needs.
保証 保証 means “warranty” in 保証条件, referring to the product coverage offered by the seller or manufacturer. It commonly combines with 条件 when discussing the details of a warranty.
条件 条件 means “terms” or “conditions” in 保証条件, referring to what the warranty covers and under what requirements. The compound 保証条件 is useful when reviewing warranty details.
確認 確認 means “check” or “confirm” in 保証条件を確認しながら, referring to reviewing the warranty terms. The pattern noun + を + 確認する is useful when checking specific information.
しながら しながら means “while doing” in 確認しながら, so the comparison is made while checking the warranty terms. The pattern verb stem + ながら + main action is useful for describing two actions happening together.
強化 強化 means “reinforced” or “strengthened” in 強化モデル, identifying a model with strengthened construction. It commonly appears before a product noun to specify that the product has been reinforced.
比較 比較 means “compare” in 比較してみてください, asking the customer to compare the model with another option. The pattern noun + を + 比較する is useful when comparing products or features.
してみて The whole expression 比較してみて means “try comparing”: して connects 比較 to みて, and みて adds the sense of trying the action. In 比較してみてください, it forms a polite request to try comparing the options.
ください ください makes 比較してみてください a polite request meaning “please try comparing.” It commonly follows a verb in the て-form when asking someone to do something.
それ それ means “that” or “it” in それなら, referring to the option or suggestion just discussed. Together with なら, それなら is a useful way to say “if that is the case” or “then.”
私 私 means “I” or “me” in 私が必要としているもの, identifying the customer as the person who needs the item. It is marked by が here because it is the subject of the clause describing what the customer needs.
している In 必要としている, している expresses an ongoing state of regarding something as necessary, giving the meaning “need.” The pattern noun or phrase + としている can describe how someone regards or treats something, but here the complete expression 必要としている is the relevant unit.
近そう 近そう means “seems closer” in 私が必要としているものに近そう, expressing the speaker’s impression that the option is closer to what is needed. The pattern adjective stem + そう is useful for giving an appearance-based judgment.
決断 決断 means “decision” in 決断を急かさずに, referring to the customer’s decision about which option to choose. The pattern noun + を + verb is used here because the decision is what someone might be pressured to make.
急かさずに 急かさずに means “without rushing or pressuring” someone in 決断を急かさずに, describing a relaxed service approach. The pattern verb + ずに means “without doing the action,” here without rushing the customer to decide.
違い 違い means “differences” in 違いをご説明できます, referring to the distinctions between the product options. It commonly appears with を when the differences are explained or shown.
ご説明 ご説明 means “an explanation” in 違いをご説明できます, expressed politely as the service staff offers to explain the differences. The polite ご- form is useful in customer-service language when referring respectfully to an explanation being provided.
できます できます means “can” or “be able to” in ご説明できます, stating that the staff can explain the differences. The pattern noun with ご + できます is useful for politely offering an available service or action.

Grammar Points

NはNによります

予定は持ち運ぶ頻度によります。

yoh-TAY wah moh-chee hah-koh-BU HIN-doh nee yo-ree-MAHSS.

The plan depends on how frequently it is carried around.

「によります」は、結果や判断が条件によって変わることを表します。

V-ながら

確認しながら比較してみてください。

kah-koo-NIN shee nah-gah-RAH hee-KAH-koo shee-teh mee-teh koo-dah-SAI.

Please try comparing while checking.

「ながら」は、二つの動作を同時に行うことを表します。

Japanese Vocabulary

によります phrase
nee yo-ree-MAHSS depends on
ヒンジ noun
HIN-jee hinge
もっと adv
MOHT-toh more
交換 noun
koh-KAHN exchange
考えています verb
kah-ngah-EH-teh-ee-MAHSS am considering
持ち運ぶ verb
moh-chee hah-koh-BU carry around; transport
信頼性 noun
shin-rai-SAY reliability
耐久性のある adj
tie-KYOO-say noh ah-ROO durable
必要です adj
hee-TSYOO dess is needed; need
頻度 noun
HIN-doh frequency
頻繁に adv
HIN-pahn nee frequently; often
予定 noun
yoh-TAY plan; schedule

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

am considering

Show Answer考えています

depends on

Show Answerによります

is needed; need

Show Answer必要です

durable

Show Answer耐久性のある