Lesson 10: どんな服を着たらいいですか – What Should I Wear? (Japanese Etiquette)
Learn how to express existence and describe locations of people, animals, and objects
In this chapter, you will learn how to use the verbs います and あります to describe the existence and location of animate and inanimate objects. You'll also learn location words and how to describe positions and relationships between objects.
Key topics:
- ・Expressing existence (います、あります)
- ・Describing locations of people and objects
- ・Using location words (上、下、前、後ろ、中、外)
- ・Talking about positions and relationships
- ・Describing buildings and places
- ・Using counters for shelves and positions
Vocabulary
1
おかねをとる
okane o toru
お金を取る
to charge money
Example
ここでお金を取ります.
Koko de okane o torimasu.
I'll charge money here.
2
おこる
okoru
怒る
to get angry
Example
おとうさんが怒りますよ.
Otōsan ga okorimasu yo.
Dad will get angry.
3
おとをたてる
oto o tateru
音を立てる
to make noise
Example
しずかに.あまり音を立てないで.
Shizuka ni. Amari oto o tatenai de.
Be quiet. Don't make too much noise.
4
__ おわる
owaru
終わる
to finish __
Example
しごとがおわりました.
Shigoto ga owarimashita.
My work is finished.
5
かたづける
katazukeru
片付ける
to clean up
Example
つくえを片付けます.
Tsukue o katazukemasu.
I'll clean up the desk.
6
きにいる
ki ni iru
気に入る
come to like
Example
このシャツ、気に入りました.
Kono shatsu, ki ni irimashita.
I came to like this shirt.
7
くりかえす
kurikaesu
繰り返す
to repeat
Example
もいちど繰り返してください.
Mō ichido kurikaeshite kudasai.
Please repeat that one more time.
8
しんじられない
shinjirarenai
信じられない
unbelievable
Example
それは信じられない！
Sore wa shinjirarenai!
That's unbelievable!
9
しんじる
shinjiru
信じる
to believe
Example
あなたのことは信じています.
Anata no koto wa shinjite imasu.
I believe in you.
10
すてる
suteru
捨てる
to throw away
Example
これは捨ててください.
Kore wa sutete kudasai.
Please throw this away.
11
たべおわる
tabeowaru
食べ終わる
to finish eating
Example
もう食べ終わりましたか？
Mō tabeowarimashita ka?
Have you finished eating already?
12
つまる
tsumaru
-
to clog
Example
トイレがつまりました.
Toire ga tsumarimashita.
The toilet is clogged.
13
ながす
nagasu
流す
to flush
Example
トイレを流しました.
Toire o nagashimashita.
I flushed the toilet.
14
にゅういんする
nyūin suru
入院する
to admit to hospital
Example
おじいちゃんが入院します.
Ojīchan ga nyūin shimasu.
Grandpa will be admitted to the hospital.
15
のどがかわく
nodo ga kawaku
喉が渇く
to get thirsty
Example
喉が渇きました.
Nodo ga kawakimashita.
I got thirsty.
16
ほねをおる
hone o oru
骨を折る
to break a bone
Example
あしの骨を折りました.
Ashi no hone o orimashita.
I broke a bone in my leg.
17
まねをする
mane o suru
-
to imitate
Example
こどもがまねをします.
Kodomo ga mane o shimasu.
The child will imitate.
18
ルールをまもる
rūru o mamoru
ルールを守る
to follow the rules
Example
がっこうでルールを守ります.
Gakkō de rūru o mamorimasu.
I follow the rules at school.
19
いやな
iya na
嫌な
dislike
Example
これは嫌なにおいです.
Kore wa iya na nioi desu.
This is a bad smell.
20
うるさい
urusai
-
loud
Example
あのくるまはうるさいです.
Ano kuruma wa urusai desu.
That car is loud.
21
カジュアルな
kajuaru na
-
casual
Example
きょうはカジュアルなふくです.
Kyō wa kajuaru na fuku desu.
I'm wearing casual clothes today.
22
から
kara
空
empty
Example
ペットボトルが空らです.
Pettobotoru ga kara desu.
The plastic bottle is empty.
23
くさい
kusai
臭い
smells bad
Example
ごみが臭いです.
Gomi ga kusai desu.
The trash smells bad.
24
くらい
kurai
暗い
dark
Example
よるは暗いです.
Yoru wa kurai desu.
It's dark at night.
25
じみな
jimi na
地味な
conservative in a dark color
Example
そのふくは地味ないろです.
Sono fuku wa jimi na iro desu.
That clothing is a conservative color.
26
ひどい
hidoi
-
terrible
Example
きょうのてんきはひどいです.
Kyō no tenki wa hidoi desu.
Today's weather is terrible.
27
ふしぎな
fushigi na
不思議な
strange
Example
これは不思議なおもちゃです.
Kore wa fushigi na omocha desu.
This is a strange toy.
28
めんどくさい
mendokusai
-
bothersome
Example
しゅくだいはめんどくさいです.
Shukudai wa mendokusai desu.
Homework is bothersome.
29
イメージ
imēji
-
image
Example
きれいなイメージです.
Kirei na imēji desu.
It's a beautiful image.
30
イメージ
imēji
-
impression
Example
はじめてのイメージは？
Hajimete no imēji wa?
What's your first impression?
31
おこうでん
okōden
お香典
condolence money for a funeral
Example
お香典をもっていきます.
Okōden o motte ikimasu.
I'll bring condolence money.
32
おしぼり
oshibori
-
wet towel
Example
レストランでおしぼりをもらいました.
Resutoran de oshibori o moraimashita.
I got a wet towel at the restaurant.
33
おそうしき
osōshiki
お葬式
funeral
Example
あしたお葬式があります.
Ashita osōshiki ga arimasu.
There's a funeral tomorrow.
34
おそうしきよう
osōshikiyō
お葬式用
for funerals
Example
これはお葬式用のふくです.
Kore wa osōshikiyō no fuku desu.
These are clothes for funerals.
35
おみまい
omimai
お見舞い
get-well visit
Example
びょういんへお見舞いにいきます.
Byōin e omimai ni ikimasu.
I'm going to the hospital for a get-well visit.
36
かご
kago
-
basket
Example
かごにくだものをいれます.
Kago ni kudamono o iremasu.
I'll put the fruit in the basket.
37
かん
kanji
感じ
appearance
Example
このへやはあかるい感じです.
Kono heya wa akarui kanji desu.
This room has a bright appearance.
38
こうでんぶくろ
kōdenbukuro
香典袋
envelope for condolence money
Example
香典袋をかいました.
Kōdenbukuro o kaimashita.
I bought an envelope for condolence money.
39
ごみばこ
gomibako
ごみ箱
trash can
Example
ごみ箱はどこですか？
Gomibako wa doko desu ka?
Where is the trash can?
40
ジャケット
jaketto
-
jacket
Example
あたらしいジャケットをきています.
Atarashii jaketto o kite imasu.
I'm wearing a new jacket.
41
しゅうかん
shūkan
習慣
custom
Example
にほんの習慣をならいます.
Nihon no shūkan o naraimasu.
I'm learning Japanese customs.
42
しょうたいじょう
shōtaijō
招待状
invitation letter
Example
パーティーの招待状です.
Pātī no shōtaijō desu.
This is an invitation letter to the party.
43
しろ
shiro
白
white
Example
白とくろがすきです.
Shiro to kuro ga suki desu.
I like white and black.
44
しんちくいわい
shinchiku iwai
新築祝い
housewarming
Example
新築祝いにいきます.
Shinchiku iwai ni ikimasu.
I'm going to a housewarming.
45
スーツ
sūtsu
-
suits
Example
しごとでスーツをきます.
Shigoto de sūtsu o kimasu.
I wear a suit for work.
46
せき
seki
席
seat
Example
この席はあいていますか？
Kono seki wa aite imasu ka?
Is this seat taken?
47
ぜんいん
zen'in
全員
everyone
Example
全員、こちらへどうぞ.
Zen'in, kochira e dōzo.
Everyone, this way please.
48
だったら
dattara
-
if so
Example
いそがしい？だったら、あとでね.
Isogashii? Dattara, ato de ne.
Are you busy? If so, let's do it later.
49
だんだん
dandan
-
gradually
Example
だんだんあたたかくなります.
Dandan atatakaku narimasu.
It's gradually getting warmer.
50
チップ
chippu
-
tip
Example
アメリカでチップをはらいます.
Amerika de chippu o haraimasu.
I pay a tip in America.
51
ちゃんと
chanto
-
properly
Example
ちゃんとねてください.
Chanto nete kudasai.
Please sleep properly.
52
ちょくせつ
chokusetsu
直接
directly
Example
さかなを直接たべます.
Sakana o chokusetsu tabemasu.
I eat the fish directly.
53
てんちょう
tenchō
店長
store manager
Example
あのひとは店長です.
Ano hito wa tenchō desu.
That person is the store manager.
54
どうりょう
dōryō
同僚
co-worker
Example
同僚とおちゃをのみます.
Dōryō to ocha o nomimasu.
I drink tea with my co-worker.
55
どちらでもない
dochira demonai
-
neither
Example
わたしはどちらでもないです.
Watashi wa dochira demonai desu.
I am neither.
56
どろぼう
dorobō
泥棒
thief
Example
泥棒にきをつけて！
Dorobō ni ki o tsukete!
Watch out for thieves!
57
どんぶり
donburi
-
bowl
Example
どんぶりでごはんをたべます.
Donburi de gohan o tabemasu.
I eat rice from a bowl.
58
__ はい
hai
杯
__ glass(es)
Example
コーヒーを杯ください.
Kōhī o ippai kudasai.
One glass of coffee, please.
59
はちうえ
hachiue
鉢植え
container-grown plant
Example
鉢植えにみずをやります.
Hachiue ni mizu o yarimasu.
I water the container-grown plant.
60
はなたば
hanataba
花束
flower bouquet
Example
かのじょに花束をあげます.
Kanojo ni hanataba o agemasu.
I'll give my girlfriend a flower bouquet.
61
はなよめ
hanayome
花嫁
bride
Example
花嫁がとてもきれいです.
Hanayome ga totemo kirei desu.
The bride is very beautiful.
62
はりがみ
harigami
貼り紙
sign
Example
ドアに貼り紙があります.
Doa ni harigami ga arimasu.
There's a sign on the door.
63
ひろうえん
hirōen
披露宴
reception banquet
Example
披露宴はたのしかったです.
Hirōen wa tanoshikatta desu.
The reception banquet was fun.
64
ふくろ
fukuro
袋
bag
Example
この袋にいれてください.
Kono fukuro ni irete kudasai.
Please put it in this bag.
65
ボトル
botoru
-
bottle
Example
ボトルのふたをしめて.
Botoru no futa o shimete.
Close the bottle cap.
66
ほんにん
honnin
本人
the person
Example
本人にきいてください.
Honnin ni kiite kudasai.
Please ask the person himself/herself.
67
もちろん
mochiron
-
of course
Example
もちろん、いきますよ！
Mochiron, ikimasu yo!
Of course I'll go!
68
__ よう
yō
-
for __
Example
これはおみまいようのプレゼントです.
Kore wa omimaiyō no purezento desu.
This is a gift for a get-well visit.
69
おこうでん
okōden
お香典
condolence money for a funeral
Example
お香典をもっていきます.
Okōden o motte ikimasu.
I'll bring condolence money.
70
おそうしきよう
osōshikiyō
お葬式用
for funerals
Example
これはお葬式用のふくです.
Kore wa osōshikiyō no fuku desu.
These are clothes for funerals.
71
おみまいよう
omimaiyō
お見舞い用
for get-well visits
Example
これはお見舞い用のプレゼントです.
Kore wa omimaiyō no purezento desu.
This is a gift for a get-well visit.
Kanji
1
自分
oneself
自🎬
self
分🎬
part, share
Example
自分でりょうりをつくります.
Jibun de ryōri o tsukurimasu.
I cook by myself.
2
入院
hospitalization
入🎬
enter
院🎬
institution
Example
そぼがびょうきで入院しました.
Sobo ga byōki de nyūin shimashita.
My grandmother was hospitalized due to illness.
3
習慣
habit, custom
習🎬
learn
慣🎬
accustomed
Example
はをみがく習慣があります.
Ha o migaku shūkan ga arimasu.
I have a habit of brushing my teeth.
4
店長
store manager
店🎬
shop
長🎬
long, leader
Example
このスーパーの店長です.
Kono sūpā no tenchō desu.
I am the manager of this supermarket.
5
全員
all members, everyone
全🎬
all
員🎬
member
Example
かいしゃの全員がかいぎにさんかしました.
Kaisha no zen'in ga kaigi ni sanka shimashita.
All members of the company participated in the meeting.
6
普通
normal, ordinary
普🎬
universal
通🎬
pass through
Example
きょうは普通のいちにちでした.
Kyō wa futsū no ichinichi deshita.
Today was a normal day.
7
服
clothes
服🎬
clothes
Example
あたらしい服をかいました.
Atarashii fuku o kaimashita.
I bought new clothes.
8
袋
bag
袋🎬
bag
Example
スーパーで袋をもらいました.
Sūpā de fukuro o moraimashita.
I got a bag at the supermarket.
9
暗い
dark
暗🎬
dark
Example
へやが暗いです.
Heya ga kurai desu.
The room is dark.
10
怒る
to get angry
怒🎬
angry
Example
ちちはよく怒ります.
Chichi wa yoku okorimasu.
My father often gets angry.
Grammar Rules
Rule 1: Asking about common rules/customs - V-ばいいですか？
Structure: Verb バ-form + いいですか？ → 'What should I do?' (for general customs/rules)
Use this expression to ask for explanations about common practices, etiquette, or rules, rather than personal advice. The バ-form is the conditional form ending in ば.
How to use: Conjugate the verb to its バ-form (Group 1: change final -u to -e+ば; Group 2: replace -る with -れば; Group 3: する→すれば, くる→くれば) then add いいですか？
💡 Pro Tip: Compare with ___たらいいですか？ which seeks personal advice (e.g., where to stay on a trip). ___ばいいですか？ is for asking about established customs, like what to wear to a wedding or funeral.
Examples
お葬式には、何をもって行けばいいですか？
Osōshiki ni wa, nani o motte ikeba ii desu ka?
→ What should I bring to a funeral?
友だちの結婚式には、何をきて行けばいいですか？
Tomodachi no kekkonshiki ni wa, nani o kite ikeba ii desu ka?
→ What should I wear to a friend's wedding?
Rule 2: Prohibition - V-てはいけません / ちゃだめ
Structure: Verb テ-form + はいけません / ちゃだめ → 'You must not do / cannot do'
Used to describe something that is prohibited or not allowed. ___てはいけません is formal/polite, while ___ちゃだめ is a casual contraction often used among friends.
How to use: Attach はいけません or ちゃだめ to the テ-form of the verb. For ___ちゃだめ, the テ-form ending て is contracted to ちゃ (e.g., 見て → 見ちゃ).
💡 Pro Tip: Use ___てはいけません for rules and official situations (e.g., 'No smoking'). Use ___ちゃだめ for light warnings to friends (e.g., 'Don't touch that, it'll break').
Examples
しんごうがあかのときは、おうだんほどうをわたってはいけませんよ.
Shingō ga aka no toki wa, ōdan hodō o watatte wa ikemasen yo.
→ When the light is red, you cannot use the crosswalk.
バスの中では、話しちゃだめだよね.
Basu no naka dewa, hanashicha dame da yo ne.
→ You cannot talk on the bus.
Rule 3: Must do (casual) - V-なくちゃ
Structure: Verb (negative stem) + なくちゃ (＋ ならない/いけない/dame implied) → 'I/you must do'
A casual way to express obligation, formed by omitting ならない from ___なくちゃならない. Used both for telling others and for talking about yourself.
How to use: Take the ない-form of the verb, remove ない, and add なくちゃ. Example: かたづけない → かたづけなくちゃ. No additional ending is needed in casual speech.
💡 Pro Tip: This is one of the most common casual obligation forms. Others include ___なきゃ (from なければ). While ___なくちゃ is friendly, avoid it in formal writing or with superiors.
Examples
しょっきは自分でかたづけなくちゃ.
Shokki wa jibun de katazukenakucha.
→ You must put away your own dishes.
もうこんな時間！わたし、そろそろかえらなくちゃ.
Mō konna jikan! Watashi, sorosoro kaeranakucha.
→ Wow, it's already this late? I have to get going soon.
Rule 4: Expressing purpose - V-るように / V-ないように
Structure: Verb (dictionary form / ない-form) + ように → 'so that / in order to'
Used to express a purpose or goal. The part before ように describes the desired state resulting from the action. Verbs that express state (わかる, できる) or potential forms (すわれる) are used; intentional action verbs (はたらく) are not allowed.
How to use: Attach ように to a dictionary-form or ない-form verb. The verb should express a state or ability, not a volitional act. Example: すわれるように (so that [someone] can sit).
💡 Pro Tip: Cannot use intentional verbs like はたらく. Use the potential form instead: はたらけるように (so that I can work). This pattern is common in giving instructions so that anyone can understand.
Examples
つぎの人がすぐにせきにすわれるように、しょっきをかたづけます.
Tsugi no hito ga sugu ni seki ni suwareru yō ni, shokki o katazukemasu.
→ People put away their dishes so the next person can sit right after.
だれでもわかるように、かんたんな日本語でせつめいして下さい.
Daredemo wakaru yō ni, kantan na nihongo de setsumei shite kudasai.
→ Please use simple Japanese to explain so anyone can understand.
Rule 5: Passive (receiving action from person) - V-(ら)れます
Structure: Receiver + は + Agent + に + Verb Passive-form → 'Receiver was verbed by Agent'
Used when the subject receives a direct action from another person (e.g., being warned, scolded, praised). The passive verb is formed by adding れる (Group 1) or られる (Group 2/3).
How to use: Group 1: change final -u to -a + れる (e.g., 言う→言われる). Group 2: replace -る with -られる (e.g., ほめる→ほめられる). Group 3: する→される, くる→こられる. The agent is marked with に.
💡 Pro Tip: This passive focuses on the receiver's experience. Common verbs: 言われる (to be told), よばれる (to be called), しかられる (to be scolded). Compare with Lesson 7's event-passive (e.g., コンサートがひらかれる).
Examples
わたしは、店長に、「こんどから気をつけて」とちゅういされました.
Watashi wa, tenchō ni, 'Kondo kara ki o tsukete' to chūi saremashita.
→ I was warned by the store manager, 'Be careful from now on.'
子どものとき、よく母にしかられました.
Kodomo no toki, yoku haha ni shikararemashita.
→ I was often scolded by my mother when I was a child.
Rule 6: Casual explanatory question - S (plain-form) の？
Structure: Plain-form sentence + の？ → 'Is it that __ ? / Did you __ ?'
A casual way to ask for an explanation about a situation or reason. ___んですか？ in polite speech becomes ___の？ in plain style. Often used with どうしたの？ (What's the matter?).
How to use: For verbs and い-adjectives, add の directly. For nouns and な-adjectives, add なの. Example: 何かあったの？ (Did something happen?).
💡 Pro Tip: Women often use の？ in casual speech, but men may say んだ？ instead. The intonation rises for a question. Very common in manga and daily conversation among friends.
Examples
どうしたの？ 元気ないね.何かあったの？
Dōshita no? Genki nai ne. Nanika atta no?
→ What's the matter? You look down. Did anything happen?
お金をはらわないで、ジュース飲んだの？
Okane o harawanaide, jūsu nonda no?
→ Did you drink juice without paying?
Rule 7: Must do (very casual) - V-なきゃ
Structure: Verb (ない-form stem) + なきゃ (＋ ならない/いけない implied) → 'I/you must do'
The most casual form of obligation, derived from ___なければなりません. Often used alone without ならない. Friendly and abrupt, common among close friends or in self-talk.
How to use: Take the ない-form of the verb, remove ない, and add なきゃ. Example: 飲まない → 飲まなきゃ. No additional ending is needed. Can also be used as a complete sentence.
💡 Pro Tip: Compare with ___なくちゃ: both are casual, but ___なきゃ is even shorter and more colloquial. In very fast speech, it can sound like ' __ なきゃ'. Use with people you're close to.
Examples
ちゃんとお金をはらってから飲まなきゃ.
Chanto okane o haratte kara nomanakya.
→ You must pay for the juice before drinking.
電車にのるときは、ちゃんとつらにならばなきゃ.
Densha ni noru toki wa, chanto retsu ni naranakya.
→ You must properly stand in line to ride a train.
Exercises
Question 1: Choose the correct form to ask 'What should I bring to a funeral?'
おそうしきには、なにをもって______いいですか.
Question 2: Choose the correct reading of 自分.
______でりょうりをつくります.
Question 3: Choose the correct ending to say 'You cannot use the crosswalk.'
しんごうがあかのときは、おうだんほどうをわたって______よ.
Question 4: What does 入院 mean?
そぼがびょうきでにゅういんしました.
Question 5: Choose the correct casual obligation form to say 'You must put away your own dishes.'
しょっきはじぶんでかたづけ______.
Question 6: Choose the correct reading of 習慣.
はをみがく______があります.
Question 7: Choose the correct particle to complete 'so that the next person can sit right after'.
つぎのひとがすぐにせきにすわれる______、しょっきをかたづけます.
Question 8: What does 店長 mean?
このスーパーのてんちょうです.
Question 9: Choose the correct passive form to say 'I was warned by the store manager.'
わたしは、てんちょうに、ちゅうい______.
Question 10: Choose the correct reading of 全員.
かいしゃの______がかいぎにさんかしました.
Question 11: Choose the correct casual question form to ask 'Did anything happen?'
どうしたの？ げんきないね.なにか______の？
Question 12: What does 普通 mean?
きょうはふつうのいちにちでした.
Question 13: Choose the very casual obligation form to say 'You must properly stand in line.'
でんしゃにのるときは、ちゃんとれつにならば______.
Question 14: What does 服 mean?
あたらしいふくをかいました.
Question 15: Choose the casual prohibition form to say 'You cannot talk on the bus.'
バスの中では、はなし______だめだよね.
Question 16: What does 袋 mean?
スーパーでふくろをもらいました.
Question 17: Choose the correct passive sentence meaning 'I was often scolded by my mother.'
こどものとき、よくははに______.
Question 18: Choose the correct reading of 暗い.
へやが______です.
Question 19: Choose the correct form to mean 'Please explain so that anyone can understand.'
だれでもわかる______、かんたんな日本語でせつめいして下さい.
Question 20: What does 怒る mean?
ちちはよくおこります.