Improving Office Recycling Practices | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: At work, two adults discuss clearer recycling labels, visible sorting examples, and reducing disposable supplies through practical procurement changes..

EN → JA / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Improving Office Recycling Practices to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

オフィスにはリサイクル用の分別ボックスがありますが、みんな戸惑っているようです。

oh-FEE-soo nee-wah ree-SAI-koo-roo yoo no boon-BET-soo BOK-soo gah ah-ree-MAHSS gah, MEEN-nah toh-mah-DOT-teh ee-ROO YOO dess. We have recycling bins in the office, but people seem confused.
B

ラベルは日常的に使うには曖昧すぎるのでしょう。

rah-BEH-roo wah nee-joh-TEH-kee nee tsoo-KAH-oo nee-wah eye-MY soo-GHEE-roo noh deh-SHOO. The labels are probably too vague for daily use.
A

分別のルールをもっと簡単で、見やすいものにすべきです。

boon-BET-soo noh ROO-roo oh MOHT-toh KAHN-tahn deh, mee-YAH-soo-ee moh-noh nee soo-BEH-kee dess. We should make sorting rules simpler and more visible.
B

分別ボックスの近くに見本を置けば、間違いが減るでしょう。

boon-BET-soo BOK-soo noh CHEE-kah-koo nee mee-HOHN oh oh-KEH-bah, mah-chee-GAH-ee gah HEH-roo deh-SHOO. Visual examples near the bins would reduce mistakes.
A

使い捨ての備品は、もっと少なく発注すべきだと思います。

tsoo-KAH-ee soo-TEH noh bee-HIN wah MOHT-toh soo-NAH-koo hah-CHOO soo-BEH-kee dah toh oh-MOH-ee-MAHSS. I also think fewer disposable supplies should be ordered.
B

それには、注意を促すだけでなく、調達方法を変える必要があります。

soh-reh nee-wah, CHOO-ee oh oo-nah-GAH-soo dah-keh deh nah-koo, CHOH-tah-tsoo HOH-hoh oh kah-EH-roo nee hee-tsoo-YOH gah ah-ree-MAHSS. That requires procurement changes, not just reminders.
A

代わりのものを簡単に見つけられる品目から始められないでしょうか。

dah-wah-ree noh moh-noh oh KAHN-tahn nee mee-tsoo-keh-RAH-reh-roo heen-MOH-koo kah-rah hah-jee-meh-RAH-reh-nah-ee deh-SHOO kah. Could we start with items that have easy alternatives?
B

そのほうが、変更による業務への影響を抑えられます。

soh-noh HOH-gah, hen-KOH nee-YOH-roo GYOH-moo eh-noh eh-KYOH-koo oh oh-sah-eh-RAH-reh-MAHSS. That would make the change less disruptive.

Word by Word

オフィス In this dialogue, オフィス means the workplace office. It is used as the place where the recycling bins are located in オフィスには. Use it when talking about workplace routines or facilities.
に Here, に marks オフィス as the location where the bins exist. In オフィスには, it combines with は to set the office up as the topic. It is commonly used to mark a place where something exists or happens.
は Here, は presents オフィス as the topic and gives the sentence a slight contrast with the following issue. In オフィスには, it follows に and highlights the office setting. Use it when introducing a setting or comparing it with another one.
リサイクル Here, リサイクル refers to recycling. In リサイクル用, it identifies the intended purpose of the bins. It is useful when discussing environmental practices, waste, or reusable materials.
用 In リサイクル用, 用 means intended for recycling or for a particular use. It attaches to リサイクル before の to describe the purpose of the bins. Use it after a noun or activity when identifying something’s intended use.
の Here, の links リサイクル用 with 分別ボックス and means that the boxes are for that purpose. In リサイクル用の分別ボックス, it connects a description to the following noun. This linking pattern is common when describing the type or purpose of an object.
分別 Here, 分別 means sorting waste into separate categories. In 分別ボックス, it specifies that the boxes are used for sorting. Use it when explaining waste separation rules or procedures.
ボックス Here, ボックス means a box or bin used for recycling. In 分別ボックス, it names the physical container for sorting waste. It can be used for workplace facilities or other labeled containers.
が Here, が marks 分別ボックス as the subject of あります and then connects the clause to the contrasting statement. In ボックスがありますが, it introduces the fact that the bins exist before the problem is mentioned. Use it to link a fact with a following contrast.
あります Here, あります states politely that the inanimate recycling bins exist in the office. It is the polite form used for existence of objects or facilities. Use it with a place and an object when saying that something is available or located there.
みんな Here, みんな means everyone or all the people using the office bins. It is the group that seems confused in the dialogue. Use it in everyday conversation when referring collectively to the people involved.
戸惑って Here, 戸惑って describes being confused or unsure about how to sort the waste. It is the form used before いる in 戸惑っている, showing the state in progress. Use it when someone does not know how to respond or proceed in a situation.
いる Here, いる helps express the ongoing state in 戸惑っている. Together with 戸惑って, it shows that the people are currently confused rather than describing a single moment. This pattern is useful for describing an ongoing condition or activity.
よう Here, よう in 戸惑っているようです means that the people appear to be confused. It presents the judgment as an observation rather than definite knowledge. Use this pattern when drawing a cautious conclusion from what you see.
です Here, です makes the observation polite in 戸惑っているようです. It closes the sentence with a respectful tone suitable for a workplace discussion. Use it after a noun or explanatory expression in polite statements.
ラベル Here, ラベル means the labels attached to the recycling bins. The sentence suggests that their information is not clear enough for daily use. Use it when discussing labels on containers, products, or equipment.
日常的 Here, 日常的 means daily or intended for ordinary everyday use. In 日常的に使うには, it describes how often or in what context the labels must work. Use it when discussing regular routines rather than occasional activities.
使う Here, 使う means use, referring to using the labels in daily work. In 日常的に使うには, it appears in a phrase about whether something is suitable for use. Use it when describing how a person uses a tool, system, or object.
曖昧 Here, 曖昧 means vague or lacking clear boundaries, describing the recycling labels. The phrase 曖昧すぎる says that the labels are vague to an excessive degree. Use it when instructions or meanings are not clear enough to guide a decision.
すぎる Here, すぎる adds the meaning too or excessively to 曖昧 in 曖昧すぎる. It shows that the labels exceed the acceptable level of vagueness for daily use. Use it after an adjective or verb when describing an excessive degree.
でしょう Here, でしょう presents the claim about the labels as probable rather than certain. In 曖昧すぎるのでしょう, it softens the workplace assessment and invites agreement. Use it when making a tentative conclusion or asking for confirmation politely.
ルール Here, ルール means the rules for sorting waste. In 分別のルール, it identifies the instructions that should be made easier to understand. Use it when discussing agreed procedures or guidelines at work.
を Here, を marks ルール as the object of the change described in もっと簡単で、見やすいものにすべきです. It shows what should be improved. Use it to mark the direct object of an action.
もっと Here, もっと means more or further, calling for a greater degree of simplicity and visibility. It modifies the improvement requested for the sorting rules. Use it when asking for an increased degree or amount.
簡単 Here, 簡単 means simple or easy to understand. In 簡単で、見やすい, it describes one desired quality of the sorting rules and connects to the next quality. Use it when evaluating instructions, procedures, or tasks.
で Here, で connects the description 簡単 with 見やすい in 簡単で、見やすいもの. It lets two qualities be presented together. Use this connective form when joining descriptions in one sentence.
見やすい Here, 見やすい means easy to see or read, referring to rules that people can quickly understand visually. In 見やすいもの, it describes the improved form the rules should take. Use it for text, signs, screens, or layouts that are easy to view.
もの Here, もの means the thing or version having the qualities 簡単で、見やすい. In 見やすいものに, it turns the description into the kind of rules being requested. Use it when referring to an object or version described by an adjective.
すべき Here, すべき expresses that the sorting rules ought to be made simpler and easier to see. In ものにすべきです, it gives a firm recommendation about the desired change. Use it when stating what should be done in a formal or serious discussion.
近く Here, 近く means the area near the recycling bins. In 分別ボックスの近くに, it marks where the visual examples should be placed. Use it when specifying a nearby location for an object or action.
見本 Here, 見本 means a sample or visual example showing how items should be sorted. The dialogue proposes placing it near the bins to reduce mistakes. Use it when a real sample helps people understand a standard or method.
置けば Here, 置けば means if or when someone places the examples near the bins. It introduces the condition in 置けば、間違いが減るでしょう. Use this conditional form when describing a possible action and its expected result.
間違い Here, 間違い means mistakes made during sorting. The sentence predicts that these errors will decrease if examples are visible. Use it when referring to an incorrect choice, action, or result.
減る Here, 減る means to decrease, with 間違い as the thing becoming fewer. In 間違いが減るでしょう, it describes a reduction resulting from clearer examples. Use it for amounts, problems, errors, or other things that become fewer.
使い捨て Here, 使い捨て means disposable or intended to be used once and thrown away. In 使い捨ての備品, it describes the supplies the office should order in smaller quantities. Use it when discussing single-use products or materials.
備品 Here, 備品 means workplace supplies or equipment, especially items ordered for office use. In 使い捨ての備品, it refers specifically to disposable office supplies. Use it when discussing items purchased and kept for business operations.
少なく Here, 少なく means in a smaller amount or fewer, describing how the disposable supplies should be ordered. In もっと少なく発注すべき, it modifies the quantity of the order. Use it when requesting a reduction in the amount of something.
発注 Here, 発注 means ordering or procuring supplies from a supplier. In 少なく発注すべき, it refers to placing smaller orders for disposable supplies. Use it in workplace discussions about purchasing goods or materials.
だ Here, だ links the recommendation 発注すべき to the thought introduced by と in 発注すべきだと思います. It gives the recommendation a plain declarative form before the polite reporting expression. Use it when stating a judgment inside a larger sentence.
と Here, と marks 発注すべきだ as the content of the speaker’s thought in と 思います. It shows what the speaker thinks. Use it to quote or report a thought, statement, or judgment.
思います Here, 思います means I think or I believe, introducing the speaker’s opinion about ordering fewer disposable supplies. Its polite form makes the proposal appropriate for a workplace conversation. Use it when expressing an opinion without presenting it as an absolute fact.
それ Here, それ refers to the proposal just mentioned about reducing disposable supplies. In それには, it sets that matter as the topic of what is required. Use it to refer back to something already discussed.
注意 Here, 注意 means attention or a reminder intended to encourage people to follow the sorting practice. In 注意を促す, it is the thing being prompted or encouraged. Use it when discussing reminders, warnings, or attention to a rule.
促す Here, 促す means to prompt or encourage an action, as in 注意を促す. The dialogue contrasts reminders with changing the procurement process. Use it when a message or action is intended to encourage people to do something.
だけでなく Here, だけでなく means not just or not only, contrasting reminders with procurement changes. In 注意を促すだけでなく, だけ limits the first action to only prompting attention, で connects it to the contrast, and なく gives the negative sense of not being limited to that action. Use this construction when adding a second requirement beyond the first one.
調達 Here, 調達 means procurement or sourcing of the supplies the organization needs. In 調達方法, it identifies the purchasing side of the proposed change. Use it in workplace discussions about obtaining goods, materials, or services.
方法 Here, 方法 means the method or way used for procurement. In 調達方法を変える, it is the specific process that should be changed. Use it when discussing how a task or operation is carried out.
変える Here, 変える means to change, referring to changing the procurement method. In 調達方法を変える, it takes the method as its object. Use it when someone intentionally alters a process, plan, or system.
必要 Here, 必要 means necessary, stating that procurement changes are required. In 変える必要があります, it presents the change as a necessity rather than an optional idea. Use it when explaining that an action is required.
代わり Here, 代わり means an alternative or substitute in 代わりのもの. It refers to replacements that can be found easily for the disposable items. Use it when discussing a replacement for an existing object or method.
見つけられる Here, 見つけられる means can find, referring to finding suitable alternatives. In 簡単に見つけられる品目, it describes items for which replacements are easy to locate. Use it when discussing whether a person can locate or identify something.
品目 Here, 品目 means an item or product category being considered for the procurement change. In 品目から始める, it identifies the kinds of supplies with easy alternatives. Use it in purchasing or inventory discussions when referring to listed goods or categories.
から Here, から marks the starting point in 品目から始める. The proposal is to begin with those items first. Use it after a place, time, or group when indicating where an action starts.
始められない Here, 始められない means could we not start or would it be possible to start, expressed as a softened proposal in 始められないでしょうか. It asks whether the change can begin with items that have easy alternatives. Use this polite question when making a cautious suggestion.
か Here, か marks 始められないでしょうか as a question. Together with the surrounding polite wording, it turns the proposal into a courteous request for agreement. Use it at the end of a question.
その Here, その means that, referring to the approach of starting with items that have easy alternatives. In そのほうが, it points back to the proposal already made. Use it before a noun or related expression when referring to something previously mentioned.
ほう Here, ほう means the option or approach, and そのほうが identifies the proposed approach as preferable. It is used to compare the suggested starting method with other possibilities. Use it when evaluating one option or course of action.
変更 Here, 変更 means a change or alteration, referring to the procurement change being discussed. In 変更による, it introduces the effects resulting from that change. Use it in formal or workplace contexts for changes to plans, systems, or procedures.
よる Here, よる appears in 変更による and means caused by or resulting from. It links the change to its effect on business operations. Use this pattern when identifying the source or cause of an impact.
業務 Here, 業務 means work or business operations. In 業務への影響, it is the work that may be affected by the change. Use it in formal workplace discussions about ongoing duties and operations.
へ Here, へ marks 業務 as the direction or area toward which the impact is directed in 業務への影響. It links the work operations to the effect being discussed. Use it when indicating a direction, destination, or affected target.
影響 Here, 影響 means impact or effect, specifically the effect that the change may have on business operations. In 業務への影響を抑えられます, it is the thing that can be kept down. Use it when discussing consequences for work, people, or results.
抑えられます Here, 抑えられます means can keep under control or can reduce, referring to the impact on business operations. In 業務への影響を抑えられます, it expresses the expected benefit of the less disruptive approach. Use it when saying that a problem, cost, or effect can be limited.

Grammar Points

～ようです

ラベルが曖昧なようです。

rah-BEH-roo gah eye-MY nah YOO dess.

The labels seem vague.

「ようです」は、見た情報や状況から判断して「seem」や「appear」と言う表現です。

～られない（可能形の否定）

簡単な調達方法がないと、業務を始められない。

KAHN-tahn nah CHOH-tah-tsoo HOH-hoh gah nah-ee toh, GYOH-moo oh hah-jee-meh-RAH-reh-nah-ee.

Without a simple procurement method, we cannot start the operations.

「始められない」は「始める」の可能形の否定で、「cannot start」を表します。

Japanese Vocabulary

ようだ phrase
YOO dah to seem or appear ようです
ラベル noun
rah-BEH-roo label
簡単 adj
KAHN-tahn simple or easy
間違い noun
mah-chee-GAH-ee mistake
見やすい adj
mee-YAH-soo-ee easy to see or read
見本 noun
mee-HOHN example or sample
減る verb
HEH-roo to decrease or be reduced
戸惑う verb
toh-mah-DOH-oo to be confused or perplexed 戸惑っている
日常的 adj
nee-joh-TEH-kee daily or everyday
分別 noun
boon-BET-soo sorting or separation
分別ボックス noun
boon-BET-soo BOK-soo recycling and sorting box
曖昧 adj
eye-MY vague or ambiguous

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to seem or appear

Show Answerようです

recycling and sorting box

Show Answer分別ボックス

easy to see or read

Show Answer見やすい

to be confused or perplexed

Show Answer戸惑っている