Lesson 15: 会議室の電気がついたままです – The Lights Were Left On (Eco Habits)
Environmental Awareness and Energy Conservation
This lesson focuses on environmental issues, energy conservation, and sustainable living practices. Students learn expressions for describing unchanged states, explaining what things are good for, and discussing environmental actions. The lesson covers vocabulary related to recycling, energy saving, and eco-friendly practices in daily life.
Key topics:
- ・Describing unchanged or continuous states
- ・Discussing environmental conservation practices
- ・Explaining purposes and benefits of actions
- ・Energy saving and recycling vocabulary
- ・Sustainable living practices
Vocabulary
1
かためる
katameru
固める
to freeze
Example
アイスを固めます.
Aisu o katamemasu.
I'll freeze the ice cream.
2
きめる
kimeru
決める
to decide
Example
ばしょを決めます.
Basho o kimemasu.
I'll decide the place.
3
さげる
sageru
下げる
to lower
Example
ねだんを下げます.
Nedan o sagemasu.
I'll lower the price.
4
しばる
shibaru
縛る
to tie
Example
くつひもを縛ります.
Kutsuhimo o shibarimasu.
I'll tie my shoelaces.
5
しみこませる
shimikomaseru
染み込ませる
to soak up
Example
ふきんにみずを染み込ませます.
Fukin ni mizu o shimikomasemasu.
I'll soak the cloth with water.
6
すすぐ
susugu
濯ぐ
to rinse
Example
おちゃわんを濯ぎます.
Ochawan o susugimasu.
I'll rinse the rice bowl.
7
すてる
suteru
捨てる
to dispose of
Example
ごみを捨てます.
Gomi o sutemasu.
I'll throw away the trash.
8
せっすいする
sessui suru
節水する
to save water
Example
おふろで節水します.
Ofuro de sessui shimasu.
I'll save water in the bath.
9
せっていする
settei suru
設定する
to set
Example
でんわのむずびを設定します.
Denwa no muzubi o settei shimasu.
I'll set the phone's alarm.
10
せつでんする
setsuden suru
節電する
to save electricity
Example
あきに節電します.
Aki ni setsuden shimasu.
I'll save electricity in the fall.
11
せつやくする
setsuyaku suru
節約する
to save
Example
おかねを節約します.
Okane o setsuyaku shimasu.
I'll save money.
12
だす
dasu
出す
to take out
Example
ごみを出します.
Gomi o dashimasu.
I take out the trash.
13
つつむ
tsutsumu
包む
to wrap up
Example
おみやげを包みます.
Omiyage o tsutsumimasu.
I'll wrap the souvenir.
14
つぶす
tsubusu
潰す
to crush
Example
かんをつぶして潰します.
Kan o tsubushite tsubushimasu.
I'll crush the can.
15
でんきをけす
denki o kesu
電気を消す
to turn off (the light)
Example
でかけるまえに電気を消します.
Dekakeru mae ni denki o keshimasu.
I'll turn off the lights before going out.
16
とめる
tomeru
止める
to stop
Example
くるまを止めます.
Kuruma o tomemasu.
I'll stop the car.
17
とる
toru
取る
to take off / to peel off
Example
ふくを取ります.
Fuku o torimasu.
I'll take off my clothes.
18
はる
haru
貼る
to paste
Example
シールを貼ります.
Shiiru o harimasu.
I'll paste a sticker.
19
ぶんべつする
bunbetsu suru
分別する
to sort
Example
ごみを分別します.
Gomi o bunbetsu shimasu.
I'll sort the garbage.
20
へらす
herasu
減らす
to reduce
Example
ごみのりょうを減らします.
Gomi no ryou o herashimasu.
I'll reduce the amount of trash.
21
まとめる
matomeru
-
to gather
Example
しりょうをまとめます.
Shiryou o matomemasu.
I'll gather the documents.
22
みずをきる
mizu o kiru
水を切る
to dry
Example
やさいの水を切ります.
Yasai no mizu o kirimasu.
I'll drain the water from the vegetables.
23
みずをだす
mizu o dasu
水を出す
to use water / to turn the tap on
Example
おふろに水を出します.
Ofuro ni mizu o dashimasu.
I'll run water for the bath.
24
もえる
moeru
燃える
burnable
Example
このごみは燃えます.
Kono gomi wa moemasu.
This trash is burnable.
25
もちあるく
mochiaruku
持ち歩く
to bring with me
Example
マイボトルを持ち歩きます.
Mai botoru o mochiarukimasu.
I'll carry my water bottle with me.
26
リサイクルする
risaikuru suru
-
to recycle
Example
びんをリサイクルします.
Bin o risaikuru shimasu.
I'll recycle the bottle.
27
わける
wakeru
分ける
to separate
Example
ごみを分けます.
Gomi o wakemasu.
I'll separate the trash.
28
われる
wareru
割れる
to break
Example
コップが割れます.
Koppu ga waremasu.
The glass will break.
29
もったいない
mottainai
-
wasteful
Example
のこしたらもったいないです.
Nokoshitara mottainai desu.
It's wasteful to leave it.
30
エレベーター
erebeetaa
-
elevator
Example
エレベーターでいきます.
Erebeetaa de ikimasu.
I'll go by elevator.
31
おおき(な)
ōoki(na)
大きな
large
Example
おおきないえにすんでいます.
Ōkina ie ni sunde imasu.
I live in a big house.
32
おんど
ondo
温度
temperature
Example
へやの温度をはかります.
Heya no ondo o hakarimasu.
I'll measure the room temperature.
33
ガラス
garasu
-
glass
Example
ガラスをふきます.
Garasu o fukimasu.
I'll clean the glass.
34
かん
kan
缶
can
Example
缶ジュースをかいます.
Kan juusu o kaimasu.
I'll buy canned juice.
35
かんきょう
kankyou
環境
environment
Example
環境をたいせつにします.
Kankyou o taisetsu ni shimasu.
I'll value the environment.
36
かんでんち
kandenchi
乾電池
dry cell battery
Example
乾電池をかえます.
Kandenchi o kaemasu.
I'll change the battery.
37
きけん
kiken
危険
danger
Example
ここは危険です.
Koko wa kiken desu.
This place is dangerous.
38
キャップ
kyappu
-
cap
Example
キャップをしめます.
Kyappu o shimemasu.
I'll close the cap.
39
クールビズ
kuuru bizu
-
」Cool Biz」
Example
きょうはクールビズです.
Kyou wa kuuru bizu desu.
Today is Cool Biz.
40
ごみ
gomi
塵
waste
Example
塵のひをまちがえました.
Gomi no hi o machigaemashita.
I mistook the trash day.
41
ざっし
zasshi
雑誌
magazine
Example
雑誌をよみます.
Zasshi o yomimasu.
I'll read a magazine.
42
シール
shiiru
-
sticker
Example
シールをはります.
Shiiru o harimasu.
I'll put on a sticker.
43
じさん
jisan
持参
bringing
Example
おさけは持参してください.
Osake wa jisan shite kudasai.
Please bring your own alcohol.
44
しんぶん
shinbun
新聞
newspaper
Example
新聞をとっています.
Shinbun o totteimasu.
I subscribe to the newspaper.
45
せつでん
setsuden
節電
saving electricity
Example
節電にごきょうりょくください.
Setsuden ni gokyouryoku kudasai.
Please cooperate in saving electricity.
46
せんざい
senzai
洗剤
detergent
Example
洗剤をかいます.
Senzai o kaimasu.
I'll buy detergent.
47
なかみ
nakami
中身
content
Example
ふくろの中身をみます.
Fukuro no nakami o mimasu.
I'll check the contents of the bag.
48
なまごみ
namagomi
生ごみ
food waste
Example
生ごみはくさいです.
Namagomi wa kusai desu.
Food waste smells bad.
49
ぬの
nuno
布
cloths
Example
布でふきます.
Nuno de fukimasu.
I'll wipe with a cloth.
50
ひも
himo
紐
string
Example
紐をむすびます.
Himo o musubimasu.
I'll tie the string.
51
びん
bin
瓶
bottle
Example
瓶をあけます.
Bin o akemasu.
I'll open the bottle.
52
プラスチック
purasuchikku
-
plastic
Example
プラスチックのコップです.
Purasuchikku no koppu desu.
It's a plastic cup.
53
ペットボトル
pettobotoru
-
plastic bottles
Example
ペットボトルをあつめます.
Pettobotoru o atsumemasu.
I'll collect plastic bottles.
54
ボトル
botoru
-
bottle
Example
ボトルにみずをいれます.
Botoru ni mizu o iremasu.
I'll put water in the bottle.
55
マイストロー
mai sutoroo
-
my (personal) straw
Example
マイストローをもっています.
Mai sutoroo o motteimasu.
I have my own straw.
56
マイバッグ
mai baggu
-
reusable shopping bag
Example
マイバッグをつかいます.
Mai baggu o tsukaimasu.
I'll use my reusable bag.
57
ラベル
raberu
-
label
Example
ラベルをはがします.
Raberu o hagashimasu.
I'll peel off the label.
58
りょうめんいんさつ
ryoumen insatsu
両面印刷
double-sided printing
Example
両面印刷でおねがいします.
Ryoumen insatsu de onegaishimasu.
Double-sided printing, please.
59
レジぶくろ
reji bukuro
レジ袋
disposable plastic shopping bag
Example
レジ袋はけっこうです.
Reji bukuro wa kekkou desu.
I don't need a plastic bag.
60
__ しゅるい
shurui
種類
__ type(s)
Example
3種類あります.
San shurui arimasu.
There are 3 types.
61
ノー __
noo __
-
No __
Example
ノーレジぶくろでおねがいします.
Noo reji bukuro de onegaishimasu.
No plastic bag, please.
62
マイ __
mai __
-
my __
Example
マイはしをもっています.
Mai hashi o motteimasu.
I have my own chopsticks.
Conversation
1
__ からお預かりします.
kara o-azukari shimasu.
Out of __ (when giving change).
Example Usage
1万円からお預かりします.お返しは2千円です.
Ichiman-en kara o-azukari shimasu. Okaeshi wa nisen-en desu.
Out of 10,000 yen. Your change is 2,000 yen.
2
お預かりします.
O-azukari shimasu.
We'll take care of it (e.g., your item for cleaning/repair).
Example Usage
こちら、クリーニングにお出しする服です.—かしこまりました.お預かりします.
Kochira, kuriiningu ni odashi suru fuku desu. — Kashikomarimashita. O-azukari shimasu.
These are clothes for dry cleaning. — Understood. We'll take care of them.
3
お待ちしておりました.
O-machi shite orimashita.
We have been waiting for you.
Example Usage
予約した山田です.—山田様、お待ちしておりました.
Yoyaku shita Yamada desu. — Yamada-sama, o-machi shite orimashita.
I'm Yamada with a reservation. — Mr./Ms. Yamada, we have been waiting for you.
Kanji
1
分ける
to divide, to separate
分🎬
divide, part
Example
ケーキを４つに分けます.
Kēki o yottsu ni wakemasu.
I divide the cake into four pieces.
2
温度
temperature
温🎬
warm
度🎬
degree
Example
きょうは温度がひくいです.
Kyō wa ondo ga hikui desu.
Today the temperature is low.
3
出す
to take out, to submit
出🎬
exit, put out
Example
ゴミをそとに出します.
Gomi o soto ni dashimasu.
I take out the trash.
4
設定
settings, configuration
設🎬
establish
定🎬
decide
Example
スマホの設定をかえます.
Sumaho no settei o kaemasu.
I change my smartphone settings.
5
消す
to erase, to turn off
消🎬
extinguish
Example
でんきを消します.
Denki o keshimasu.
I turn off the light.
6
危険
dangerous
危🎬
dangerous
険🎬
steep, dangerous
Example
ここは危険なばしょです.
Koko wa kiken na basho desu.
This is a dangerous place.
7
種類
type, kind
種🎬
seed, kind
類🎬
sort, kind
Example
いろいろな種類のすしがあります.
Iroiro na shurui no sushi ga arimasu.
There are various kinds of sushi.
8
捨てる
to throw away
捨🎬
throw away
Example
ふるいしんぶんを捨てます.
Furui shinbun o sutemasu.
I throw away old newspapers.
9
燃える
to burn
燃🎬
burn
Example
このかみはよく燃えます.
Kono kami wa yoku moemasu.
This paper burns well.
10
決める
to decide
決🎬
decide
Example
りょこうのけいかくを決めました.
Ryokō no keikaku o kimemashita.
I decided on the travel plans.
Grammar Rules
Rule 1: V-たままです
Structure: V-た (ta-form) + まま + です
Used to describe a state that continues without changing, even though it should have ended. It emphasizes that something was left as is, often unintentionally or abnormally.
How to use: Connect a verb in た-form to ままです. Use でした for past. For example, つけたまま means 'left on' (should have turned off). そのまま means 'without changing the state' (e.g., そのまま食べる = eat as is, without cooking or spice). You can also use V-たまま、__ to say you do the next action while still in that state.
💡 Pro Tip: まま can be used with nouns + の (靴のまま = with shoes on) or with negative verbs (食べないまま = without eating). It always implies an unchanged state, often contrary to expectation.
Examples
会議室の電気がついたままでしたよ.
Kaigishitsu no denki ga tsuita mama deshita yo.
→ The lights in the meeting room were left on.
きのうの夜、テレビをつけたままねてしまいました.
Kinō no yoru, terebi o tsuketa mama nete shimaimashita.
→ Last night, I fell asleep with the TV on.
Rule 2: V-るのにいいです
Structure: V-る (dictionary form) + のに + いいです
Used to say that something is suitable or useful for a purpose. For example, 'good for the environment' or 'good for saving energy' — the noun + にいい changes into a verb form.
How to use: Take a verb in dictionary form, add の, then add にいいです. The の turns the verb into a noun phrase (nominalizer), and に marks the purpose. You can also use つかいます (be used for) or やくたちます (be useful for) instead of いいです.
💡 Pro Tip: This のに is different from the contrastive のに (although). It expresses purpose/evaluation. Common in product reviews and recommendations. Example: かんきょうにいい (good for the environment) → ごみをへらすのにいい (good for reducing waste).
Examples
マイストローは、ごみをへらすのにいいんですよ.
Mai sutorō wa, gomi o herasu no ni ii n desu yo.
→ Carrying your own straw is good for reducing waste.
このアプリは電車ののりかえをしらべるのにべんりです.
Kono apuri wa densha no norikae o shiraberu no ni benri desu.
→ This app is useful for checking train transfers.
Exercises
Question 1: Choose the correct form particle: 'The lights in the meeting room were left on.'
かいぎしつのでんきがついた______でしたよ.
Question 2: Choose the correct reading of 分けます.
ケーキを４つに______.
Question 3: Choose the correct form to complete 'Carrying your own straw is good for reducing waste.'
マイストローは、ごみをへらす______いいんですよ.
Question 4: What does 温度 mean?
きょうはおんどがひくいです.
Question 5: Choose the correct form to complete 'Last night, I fell asleep with the TV on.'
きのうのよる、テレビをつけたまま______.
Question 6: Choose the correct reading of 出します.
ゴミをそとに______.
Question 7: Choose the correct form to complete 'This app is useful for checking train transfers.'
このアプリはでんしゃののりかえをしらべる______べんりです.
Question 8: What does 設定 mean?
スマホのせっていをかえます.
Question 9: Choose the correct form to complete 'Please do not enter with your shoes on.'
くつをはいた______、はいらないで下さい.
Question 10: Choose the correct reading of 消します.
でんきを______.
Question 11: Choose the correct form to complete 'Eco bags are good for reducing plastic bags.'
エコバッグは、レジぶくろをへらす______いいです.
Question 12: What does 危険 mean?
ここはきけんなばしょです.
Question 13: Choose the correct form to complete 'The window was left open all night.'
まどがあいた______、よるをすごしました.
Question 14: Choose the correct reading of 種類.
いろいろな______のすしがあります.
Question 15: Choose the correct form to complete 'This textbook is good for learning Japanese.'
このきょうかしょは、日本語をまなぶ______いいです.
Question 16: What does 捨てる mean?
ふるいしんぶんをすてます.
Question 17: Choose the correct form to complete 'He went out without eating breakfast.'
あさごはんをたべない______、でかけました.
Question 18: Choose the correct reading of 燃えます.
このかみはよく______.
Question 19: Choose the correct form to complete 'This website is useful for checking the weather.'
このウェブサイトは、てんきをしらべる______やくだちます.
Question 20: What does 決める mean?
りょこうのけいかくをきめました.