About This Lesson
Use Politely handling a misdelivered package to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
私の部屋宛ての荷物が、あなたのドアの外に置かれていました。
wah-tah-SHEE no HEH-yah ah-TEH no nee-MOH-tsoo gah, ah-NAH-tah no DOH-ah no SOH-toh nee oh-kah-REH-teh ee-mah-SHEE-tah. A package for my apartment was left outside your door.
B
気づいたので、あなたのためにドアのそばに置いておきました。
kee-ZOO-ee-tah noh-deh, ah-NAH-tah no tah-MEH nee DOH-ah no SOH-bah nee OH-ee-teh oh-kee-mah-SHEE-tah. I noticed it and kept it by the door for you.
A
なくなっていないといいと思っていました。
nah-koo-NAHT-teh ee-NAI toh EE toh oh-MOHT-teh ee-mah-SHEE-tah. I was hoping it had not gone missing.
B
たぶん、ラベルの取り違えがあっただけです。
tah-BOON, RAH-beh-roo no toh-ree-chee-GAH-eh gah AHT-tah dah-KEH dess. It was probably just a label mix-up.
A
数分後に受け取りに寄れます。
soo-FOON-goh nee oo-keh-TOH-ree nee yoh-REH-mahss. I can come by in a few minutes to pick it up.
B
そのほうがよければ、私が持っていけます。
soh-noh HOH gah yoh-KEH-reh-bah, wah-tah-SHEE gah MOHT-teh ee-KEH-mahss. I can bring it over if that is easier for you.
A
ありがとうございます。でも、もう近くにいます。
ah-ree-gah-TOH goh-ZAI-mahss. deh-MOH, moh-OH CHEE-kah-koo nee ee-mahss. I appreciate that, but I am nearby already.
B
あなたが来るまで、私のドアのそばに置いておきます。
ah-NAH-tah gah KOO-roo mah-DEH, wah-tah-SHEE no DOH-ah no SOH-bah nee OH-ee-teh oh-kee-MAHSS. I'll leave it by my door until you get here.Word by Word
私
In 「私の部屋宛て」, 「私」 means “I” or “my” and identifies the speaker as the owner or intended recipient. It is followed by 「の」 to connect the person with a noun, as in 「私の部屋」. Use it when referring to yourself in a neutral, polite conversation.
の
In 「私の部屋」 and 「あなたのドア」, 「の」 links one noun or pronoun to the following noun, showing whose or what kind it is. The pattern 「AのB」 means “B of A” or “A’s B.” It is useful for identifying ownership, association, or description.
部屋
In 「私の部屋」, 「部屋」 means “room”; here it refers to the speaker’s apartment or living space. Together with 「の」, it identifies the destination connected with the package. Use it when referring to a room or an indoor living space.
宛て
In 「私の部屋宛て」, 「宛て」 means “addressed to” or “intended for.” It shows that the package is meant for the speaker’s room. The reusable pattern is 「A宛て」 for something addressed or sent to A.
荷物
In 「部屋宛ての荷物」, 「荷物」 means “package” or “parcel.” The phrase identifies the physical item that was delivered to the wrong place. Use it for a package or other handled item, especially when discussing delivery or carrying.
が
In 「荷物が」, 「が」 marks 「荷物」 as the thing being described as left outside the door. It commonly marks the subject or newly presented item in a sentence. Here it connects the package to 「置かれていました」.
あなた
In 「あなたのドア」, 「あなた」 means “you” and identifies the person whose door is being discussed. With 「の」, it forms “your door.” It is used here between neighbors in a direct but polite exchange.
ドア
In 「あなたのドア」 and 「ドアの外」, 「ドア」 means “door.” It identifies the location used to explain where the package was left. Use it with location expressions such as 「ドアの外」 or 「ドアのそば」.
外
In 「ドアの外」, 「外」 means “outside” or “the outside area.” Together, 「ドアの外」 means “outside the door.” The pattern 「Nの外」 is used to describe something located outside N.
に
In 「ドアの外に」, 「に」 marks the location where the package was left. It commonly follows a place when describing where something exists or is placed. Here it connects the location to 「置かれていました」.
置かれて
In 「置かれていました」, 「置かれて」 expresses that the package was in a placed or left state. It presents the package as having been placed by someone, without naming who did it. The full expression 「置かれていました」 means that it had been left there.
いました
In 「置かれていました」, 「いました」 gives the polite past form for the state described by 「置かれて」, meaning the package was left there. It helps describe a condition that existed at the time being discussed. This form is useful when reporting a past situation politely.
気づいた
In 「気づいたので」, 「気づいた」 means “noticed” or “realized.” It says that the neighbor became aware of the package. Use it with 「に」 when naming what someone noticed, as in the new example 「変化に気づいた」.
ので
In 「気づいたので」, 「ので」 means “because” or “since” and gives the reason for what follows. Here, noticing the package explains why the neighbor kept it by the door. It is a useful way to state a reason in a relatively soft, polite manner.
ため
In 「あなたのために」, 「ため」 means “for the sake or benefit of” someone. The phrase explains that the package was kept for the other neighbor’s benefit. The reusable pattern is 「Aのために」, meaning “for A” or “for A’s benefit.”
そば
In 「ドアのそば」, 「そば」 means “beside” or “near.” It places the package close to the door rather than inside or far away. The pattern 「Nのそば」 is used for something located beside or near N.
置いて
In 「置いておきました」 and 「置いておきます」, 「置いて」 means “put” or “leave” and connects the action to 「おく」. Here it contributes the action of placing the package in a particular location. Use the pattern 「Nを場所に置いておく」 when leaving something in a place.
おきました
In 「置いておきました」, 「おきました」 shows that the package was left in that location for a later purpose. Together, 「置いておきました」 means “I left it there.” This construction is useful when an action is completed in advance or something is kept ready for another person.
なくなって
In 「なくなっていない」, 「なくなって」 means “go missing” or “disappear” and connects that change to 「いない」. The whole expression asks whether the package has not gone missing. Use 「Nがなくなる」 when something is no longer present or available.
いない
In 「なくなっていない」, 「いない」 makes the preceding change negative, meaning the package has not gone missing. It keeps the focus on the state continuing up to the time of speaking. Here it is part of the larger expression 「なくなっていない」, not a separate statement about a person.
と
In 「なくなっていないと」, 「と」 marks the thought or hope expressed by the preceding words. It links that thought to 「いいと思っていました」. The pattern 「〜と考える」 or 「〜と思う」 is commonly used to introduce what someone thinks.
いい
In 「なくなっていないといい」, 「いい」 means “good” in the sense that the hoped-for situation would be favorable. The whole expression means “I hope it has not gone missing.” Use 「〜といい」 to express a hope or wish about a situation.
思って
In 「いいと思っていました」, 「思って」 contributes the idea of thinking or hoping, connecting the thought 「なくなっていないといい」 to 「いました」. Together, the expression means that the speaker had been hoping for that outcome. Use 「〜と思う」 after a statement of what you think or feel.
たぶん
In 「たぶん、ラベルの取り違え」, 「たぶん」 means “probably” and signals that the speaker is making a likely explanation rather than stating complete certainty. It appears at the beginning of the sentence before the explanation. Use it when giving a cautious estimate or guess.
ラベル
In 「ラベルの取り違え」, 「ラベル」 means “label.” It refers to the identifying information attached to the package. With 「の」, it specifies what was mixed up: the labels.
取り違え
In 「ラベルの取り違え」, 「取り違え」 means a mix-up or mistake in identifying one thing as another. Here it describes the labels being confused, which explains the misdelivery. Use it with the item that was confused, as in 「名前の取り違え」 in a new example.
あった
In 「取り違えがあった」, 「あった」 means “there was” or “occurred.” It states that a mix-up happened. The pattern 「Nがあった」 can report that an event, problem, or situation occurred.
だけ
In 「あっただけ」, 「だけ」 means “only” or “just.” It limits the explanation to a label mix-up and makes the problem sound minor. The pattern 「Nだけ」 means “only N” or “just N.”
です
In 「取り違えがあっただけです」, 「です」 gives the sentence a polite ending. It presents the explanation as a calm, courteous statement to the neighbor. It is commonly used at the end of polite descriptions or explanations.
数分後
In 「数分後に」, 「数分後」 means “in a few minutes” or “a few minutes later.” It specifies when the speaker can come to collect the package. The pattern 「時間表現に」 can mark a scheduled or expected time.
受け取り
In 「受け取りに寄れます」, 「受け取り」 means “pickup” or “receiving,” referring here to collecting the package. The pattern 「受け取りに寄る」 expresses stopping by for the purpose of picking something up. It is useful for deliveries, documents, or other items being collected.
寄れます
In 「受け取りに寄れます」, 「寄れます」 means “can stop by.” It tells the neighbor that the speaker is able to come over briefly to collect the package. Use 「〜に寄る」 for stopping at a place or stopping by for a purpose, such as 「受け取りに寄る」.
その
In 「そのほうが」, 「その」 points to the option just mentioned, namely bringing the package over. It means “that” in reference to a known choice or action. It commonly comes before a noun or option being identified in the conversation.
ほう
In 「そのほうがよければ」, 「ほう」 means “way” or “option.” Together with 「その」, it refers to the alternative of bringing the package over. The pattern 「Aのほう」 is useful when comparing or selecting an option.
よければ
In 「そのほうがよければ」, 「よければ」 means “if that is better” or “if you prefer that.” It makes the offer conditional and leaves the choice to the other person. Use 「〜ければ」 to present a condition politely, especially when offering an option.
持って
In 「持っていけます」, 「持って」 contributes the action of carrying the package. Together with 「いけます」, the expression means “can bring it over.” The pattern 「物を持っていく」 is used when taking or bringing an item to another place.
いけます
In 「持っていけます」, 「いけます」 contributes the meaning that the speaker is able to take the package over. The full expression 「持っていけます」 means “I can bring it over.” Use this compound pattern when offering to carry something to another location.
ありがとうございます
「ありがとうございます」 is a polite way to say “thank you,” used here to acknowledge the neighbor’s offer. Inside this expression, 「ありがとう」 carries the thanks, while 「ございます」 makes the expression polite. Use it when accepting or appreciating help in a courteous conversation.
でも
In 「ありがとうございます。でも」, 「でも」 means “but” or “however.” It introduces a gentle contrast after the speaker has thanked the neighbor. It is useful for politely declining an offer while giving another reason.
もう
In 「もう近くにいます」, 「もう」 means “already” or “by now.” It shows that the speaker is already nearby, so the neighbor does not need to bring the package. Use it before the action or state that has already happened.
近く
In 「近くにいます」, 「近く」 means “nearby” or “in the vicinity.” It describes the speaker’s current location relative to the neighbor. The pattern 「場所の近くにいる」 means being near a place.
います
In 「近くにいます」, 「います」 means “am” or “am located,” describing where the speaker is. Together with 「近くに」, it means “I am nearby.” Use 「場所にいます」 to say that a person or other animate subject is at a location.
来る
In 「あなたが来るまで」, 「来る」 means “come,” with the movement directed toward the neighbor’s location. Here it refers to the other person arriving to collect the package. Use 「場所に来る」 when someone comes to a specified place.
まで
In 「あなたが来るまで」, 「まで」 means “until” and marks the point up to which the package will remain by the door. It follows the event that sets the endpoint, 「あなたが来る」. The pattern 「〜まで」 is used for an endpoint in time or duration.
おきます
In 「置いておきます」, 「おきます」 shows that the package will be left in place for the other person to collect later. Together, 「置いておきます」 means “I will leave it there.” This construction is useful when keeping something ready or maintaining it in a chosen position until a later event.
Grammar Points
〜ておく
荷物をドアの外に置いておきました。
nee-MOH-tsoo oh DOH-ah no SOH-toh nee OH-ee-teh oh-kee-mah-SHEE-tah.I left the package outside the door.
〜ておく means doing something in advance or leaving it in a certain state for later.
可能形（〜られる／〜える）
数分後に受け取りに寄れます。
soo-FOON-goh nee oo-keh-TOH-ree nee yoh-REH-mahss.I can stop by to pick it up in a few minutes.
The potential form expresses that someone can or is able to do something.
Japanese Vocabulary
ドアの外
phrase
DOH-ah no SOH-toh
outside the door
なくなる
verb
nah-koo-NAH-roo
to go missing; to disappear
なくなっていない
よければ
phrase
yoh-KEH-reh-bah
if that is preferable; if you would like
荷物
noun
nee-MOH-tsoo
package
気づく
verb
kee-ZOO-koo
to notice; to realize
気づいた
持っていく
verb
MOHT-teh ee-KOO
to take; to bring something over
持っていけます
取り違え
noun
toh-ree-chee-GAH-eh
mix-up; mistake of confusing one thing with another
受け取りに寄る
phrase
oo-keh-TOH-ree nee yoh-ROO
to stop by to pick something up
受け取りに寄れます
数分後
noun
soo-FOON-goh
in a few minutes
置いておく
verb
OH-ee-teh OH-koo
to leave something in place; to keep something there
置いておきました
置く
verb
OH-koo
to put; to leave
置かれていました
部屋宛て
noun
HEH-yah ah-TEH
addressed to an apartment
私の部屋宛ての荷物
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to leave something in place; to keep something there
Show Answer
置いておきましたmix-up; mistake of confusing one thing with another
Show Answer
取り違えto go missing; to disappear
Show Answer
なくなっていないoutside the door