Lesson 18: 自分の会社を立ち上げます – I'm Starting My Own Company
Future Plans and Aspirations
This final lesson focuses on expressing future hopes, plans, and ambitions. Students learn how to talk about career goals, personal aspirations, and future dreams. The lesson covers expressions for discussing purposes, giving and receiving help, and describing long-term plans.
Key topics:
- ・Expressing future plans and intentions
- ・Discussing career goals and aspirations
- ・Describing purposes and objectives
- ・Expressing giving and receiving help
- ・Talking about dreams and ambitions
Vocabulary
1
たてる
tateru
建てる
to build
Example
あたらしいいえを建てます.
Atarashii ie o tatemasu.
I will build a new house.
2
おうぼする
ōbosuru
応募する
to apply for
Example
あのアルバイトに応募します.
Ano arubaito ni ōboshimasu.
I'll apply for that part-time job.
3
かせぐ
kasegu
稼ぐ
to earn money
Example
アルバイトで稼ぎます.
Arubaito de kasegimasu.
I earn money with a part-time job.
4
しゅうしょくする
shūshokusuru
就職する
to get a job in a company
Example
らいねん、就職します.
Rainen, shūshokushimasu.
I'll get a job (at a company) next year.
5
つくる
tsukuru
作る
to make, to create
Example
ばんごはんを作ります.
Bangohan o tsukurimasu.
I'll make dinner.
6
かんがえる
kangaeru
考える
to think
Example
まよったとき、考えます.
Mayotta toki, kangaemasu.
I'll think about it when I'm unsure.
7
かんしゃする
kanshasuru
感謝する
to be grateful
Example
いつも感謝します.
Itsumo kanshashimasu.
I am always grateful.
8
がんばる
ganbaru
頑張る
to work hard
Example
あしたのテスト、頑張ります！
Ashita no tesuto, ganbarimasu!
I'll do my best on tomorrow's test!
9
けっこんする
kekkonsuru
結婚する
to get married
Example
らいねん、結婚します.
Rainen, kekkonshimasu.
I'll get married next year.
10
しっぱいする
shippaisuru
失敗する
to make mistakes
Example
あっ！失敗しました.
A'! shippaishimashita.
Oh! I made a mistake.
11
しりあう
shiriau
知り合う
to become acquainted
Example
あたらしいひとと知り合いました.
Atarashii hito to shiriaimashita.
I met (became acquainted with) a new person.
12
しんがくする
shingakusuru
進学する
to go on to higher education
Example
らいねんだいがくに進学します.
Rainen daigaku ni shingakushimasu.
I'll go on to university next year.
13
そつぎょうする
sotsugyōsuru
卒業する
to graduate
Example
らいねん、卒業します.
Rainen, sotsugyōshimasu.
I'll graduate next year.
14
たすける
tasukeru
助ける
to help
Example
こまっているひとを助けます.
Komatteiru hito o tasukemasu.
I'll help someone who is in trouble.
15
ちょきんする
chokinsuru
貯金する
to save money
Example
りょこうのため、貯金します.
Ryokō no tame, chokinshimasu.
I'll save money for a trip.
16
つづける
tsuzukeru
続ける
to continue
Example
日本語のべんきょうを続けます.
Nihongo no benkyō o tsuzukemasu.
I'll continue studying Japanese.
17
はじめる
hajimeru
始める
to start
Example
あたらしいしゅみを始めます.
Atarashii shumi o hajimemasu.
I'll start a new hobby.
18
ひろげる
hirogeru
広げる
to expand
Example
ともだちのわを広げます.
Tomodachi no wa o hirogemasu.
I'll expand my circle of friends.
19
もつ
motsu
持つ
to carry
Example
かばんをもちます.
Kaban o mochimasu.
I carry the bag.
20
りゅうがくする
ryūgakusuru
留学する
to go abroad to study
Example
にほんに留学します.
Nihon ni ryūgakushimasu.
I'll study abroad in Japan.
21
へた(な)
heta (na)
下手
to be not good at
Example
うたが下手です.
Uta ga heta desu.
I'm not good at singing.
22
うまくいく
umakuiku
-
to go well
Example
パーティーはうまくいきました.
Pātī wa umakuikimashita.
The party went well.
23
くらす
kurasu
暮らす
to live (life)
Example
ここで暮らしています.
Koko de kurashiteimasu.
I live here.
24
__ になる
ni naru
-
become a/an __
Example
おとなになりました.
Otona ni narimashita.
I've become an adult.
25
はたらきはじめる
hatarakihajimeru
働き始める
to start working
Example
らいげつから働き始めます.
Raigetsu kara hatarakihajimemasu.
I'll start working from next month.
26
いえ
ie
家
house, home
Example
ここがわたしの家です.
Koko ga watashi no ie desu.
This is my house.
27
いんしょう
inshō
印象
impression
Example
どんな印象ですか？
Donna inshō desu ka?
What is your impression?
28
エピソード
episōdo
-
episode
Example
たのしいエピソードです.
Tanoshii episōdo desu.
It's a fun episode.
29
ガイド
gaido
-
guide
Example
かんこうガイドです.
Kankō gaido desu.
I'm a tour guide.
30
ぎじゅつ
gijutsu
技術
technique
Example
その技術をおしえてください.
Sono gijutsu o oshiete kudasai.
Please teach me that technique.
31
きっかけ
kikkake
-
reason / starting point
Example
これがきっかけです.
Kore ga kikkake desu.
This was the starting point.
32
きぼう
kibō
希望
hope
Example
だいじな希望です.
Daiji na kibō desu.
It's an important hope.
33
くらし
kurashi
暮らし
life
Example
まいにちの暮らしです.
Mainichi no kurashi desu.
It's everyday life.
34
こうぎょう
kōgyō
工業
industry
Example
このちかくに工業があります.
Kono chikaku ni kōgyō ga arimasu.
There's industry near here.
35
さいご
saigo
最後
last
Example
パンの最後です.
Pan no saigo desu.
It's the last piece of bread.
36
じどうしゃ
jidōsha
自動車
automobile
Example
自動車がすきです.
Jidōsha ga suki desu.
I like cars.
37
しょうらい
shōrai
将来
future
Example
将来のゆめです.
Shōrai no yume desu.
It's my dream for the future.
38
しょくにん
shokunin
職人
craftsperson/artisan
Example
あの職人はすごいです.
Ano shokunin wa sugoi desu.
That artisan is amazing.
39
ストレス
sutoresu
-
stress
Example
しごとのストレスです.
Shigoto no sutoresu desu.
It's work stress.
40
せいび
seibi
整備
maintenance
Example
くるまの整備をします.
Kuruma no seibi o shimasu.
I'll do car maintenance.
41
つうやく
tsūyaku
通訳
interpreter
Example
えいごの通訳です.
Eigo no tsūyaku desu.
I'm an English interpreter.
42
日本語きょうし
nihongo kyōshi
日本語教師
Japanese language teacher
Example
日本語教師になりたいです.
Nihongo kyōshi ni naritai desu.
I want to become a Japanese teacher.
43
ひとこと
hitokoto
一言
a word
Example
一言いいですか？
Hitokoto ii desu ka?
Can I say one word?
44
べつ
betsu
別
another, different
Example
別のレストランは？
Betsu no resutoran wa?
How about a different restaurant?
45
ほかのくに
hoka no kuni
他の国
another country
Example
他の国にいきたいです.
Hoka no kuni ni ikitai desu.
I want to go to another country.
46
ぼしゅう
boshū
募集
recruiting
Example
アルバイトを募集しています.
Arubaito o boshū shiteimasu.
We are recruiting part-time workers.
47
やく
yaku
役
role, use
Example
どんな役ですか？
Donna yaku desu ka?
What role is it?
48
ゆめ
yume
夢
dream
Example
わたしの夢です.
Watashi no yume desu.
It's my dream.
49
わかもの
wakamono
若者
young people
Example
若者がおおぜいいます.
Wakamono ga ōzei imasu.
There are many young people.
50
とにかく
tonikaku
-
anyhow
Example
とにかくやってみます.
Tonikaku yatte mimasu.
I'll try it anyhow.
51
しんせつにする
shinsetsunisuru
親切にする
to be kind to
Example
あかちゃんに親切にします.
Akachan ni shinsetsuni shimasu.
I'll be kind to the baby.
52
ずっと
zutto
-
the whole time
Example
ずっとまちます.
Zutto machimasu.
I wait the whole time.
53
のんびり
nonbiri
-
in a relaxed manner
Example
きょうはのんびりします.
Kyō wa nonbiri shimasu.
I'll take it easy today.
54
もともと
motomoto
-
originally
Example
もともとはたなかさんです.
Motomoto wa Tanaka-san desu.
It was originally Tanaka-san.
55
いえをたてる
ie o tateru
家を建てる
to build a house
Example
ゆめの家を建てます.
Yume no ie o tatemasu.
I'll build my dream house.
56
かいしゃをつくる
kaisha o tsukuru
会社を作る
to start a company
Example
しょうらい会社を作りたいです.
Shōrai kaisha o tsukuritai desu.
I want to start a company in the future.
57
しょくにんになる
shokunin ni naru
職人になる
become a craftsperson/artisan
Example
ちちは職人になりました.
Chichi wa shokunin ni narimashita.
My father became a craftsperson.
58
みせをもつ
mise o motsu
店を持つ
to have one's own shop
Example
いつか店を持ちたいです.
Itsuka mise o mochitai desu.
I want to have my own shop someday.
59
やくにたつ
yaku ni tatsu
役に立つ
useful
Example
このアプリは役に立ちます.
Kono apuri wa yaku ni tachimasu.
This app is useful.
60
べつの
betsu no
別の
another __
Example
別のひにしましょう.
Betsu no hi ni shimashou.
Let's do it on another day.
Conversation
1
将来の夢は何ですか？
Shōrai no yume wa nan desu ka?
What is your dream for the future?
Example Usage
医者になって、人の役に立ちたいです.
Isha ni natte, hito no yaku ni tachitai desu.
I want to become a doctor and help people.
2
きっかけは何でしたか？
Kikkake wa nan deshita ka?
What was the starting point/reason?
Example Usage
日本人の友達ができたことがきっかけです.
Nihonjin no tomodachi ga dekita koto ga kikkake desu.
The reason was that I made a Japanese friend.
3
どうやって準備していますか？
Dō yatte junbi shite imasu ka?
How are you preparing?
Example Usage
毎日、日本語のニュースを聞いています.
Mainichi, nihongo no nyūsu o kiite imasu.
I listen to Japanese news every day.
4
頑張ってください！
Ganbatte kudasai!
Good luck! / Do your best!
Example Usage
試験、頑張ってください！
Shiken, ganbatte kudasai!
Good luck on your exam!
5
とにかく、やってみることが大切です.
Tonikaku, yatte miru koto ga taisetsu desu.
Anyhow, trying is what's important.
Example Usage
最初はうまくいかなくても、とにかくやってみることが大切です.
Saisho wa umaku ikanakute mo, tonikaku yatte miru koto ga taisetsu desu.
Even if it doesn't go well at first, trying is what's important.
Kanji
1
留学
study abroad
留🎬
stay
学🎬
study
Example
らいねんアメリカに留学します.
Rainen Amerika ni ryūgaku shimasu.
I will study abroad in America next year.
2
住む
to live, to reside
住🎬
live
Example
とうきょうに住んでいます.
Tōkyō ni sunde imasu.
I live in Tokyo.
3
役に立つ
to be useful
役🎬
role
立🎬
stand
Example
このほんはべんきょうに役に立ちます.
Kono hon wa benkyō ni yaku ni tachimasu.
This book is useful for studying.
4
特に
especially
特🎬
special
Example
特にさしみがすきです.
Toku ni sashimi ga suki desu.
I especially like sashimi.
5
卒業
graduation
卒🎬
graduate
業🎬
business
Example
だいがくを卒業しました.
Daigaku o sotsugyō shimashita.
I graduated from university.
6
募集
recruitment, application
募🎬
recruit
集🎬
gather
Example
アルバイトの募集があります.
Arubaito no boshū ga arimasu.
There is a job recruitment.
7
希望
hope, wish
希🎬
hope
望🎬
wish
Example
にほんにりゅうがくするのが希望です.
Nihon ni ryūgaku suru no ga kibō desu.
My hope is to study abroad in Japan.
8
建てる
to build
建🎬
build
Example
あたらしいいえを建てます.
Atarashii ie o tatemasu.
I will build a new house.
9
続ける
to continue
続🎬
continue
Example
日本語のべんきょうを続けます.
Nihongo no benkyō o tsuzukemasu.
I will continue studying Japanese.
10
考える
to think, to consider
考🎬
think
Example
しんせつについて考えます.
Shinsetsu ni tsuite kangaemasu.
I think about the procedure.
Grammar Rules
Rule 1: V-(よ)うとおもいます／おもっています
Structure: V-(よ)う (volitional form) + とおもいます／おもっています
Used to describe the person's future hopes, plans, and volition. おもっています indicates a longer-standing intention.
How to use: Form volitional: Group I: u → ō (e.g., 行く → 行こう). Group II: ru → yō y (e.g., 食べる → 食べよう). Group III: する → しよう, 来る → 来よう. Attach とおもいます (thinking now) or おもっています (thinking for a while).
💡 Pro Tip: ___ようとおもう is for immediate decisions; ___ようとおもっている is for ongoing plans. Casual: ___ようかな (I think I'll __ ). Compare with ___つもり (stronger intention).
Examples
しょうらいは、タイで、自分の会社をつくろうとおもいます.
Shōrai wa, Tai de, jibun no kaisha o tsukurou to omoimasu.
→ I am thinking about starting my own company in Thailand in the future.
夏休みにふじさんにのぼろうとおもっています.
Natsuyasumi ni Fujisan ni noborou to omotte imasu.
→ I've been thinking about climbing Mt. Fuji during summer vacation.
Rule 2: V-るために、 __
Structure: V-る (dictionary form) + ために、 __
Used to describe the purpose of an act or activity. Used with volitional verbs that you can control with your own will.
How to use: Attach ために to the dictionary form of a volitional verb. The main clause is the action taken to achieve that purpose. For nouns: N + の + ために.
💡 Pro Tip: Cannot be used with non-volitional verbs (e.g., わかる, できる). For those, use ___ように. ために also means 'for the sake of' with people: 家族のためにはたらく.
Examples
日本にすむために、もっと日本語をがんばろうとおもいます.
Nihon ni sumu tame ni, motto nihongo o ganbarou to omoimasu.
→ I want to study Japanese harder so I can live in Japan.
けんこうのために、毎日運動しています.
Kenkō no tame ni, mainichi undō shite imasu.
→ I exercise every day for my health.
Rule 3: V-てあげます
Structure: V-て (te-form) + あげます
Used to express that someone is doing an act for another person. Used when the person thinks the act is beneficial to the other person.
How to use: Change verb to て-form, add あげます. The receiver is marked with に. The speaker is often the giver. For humble form: ___てさしあげます.
💡 Pro Tip: Be careful not to overuse ___てあげる when the receiver is superior; it can sound arrogant. In such cases, use ___ましょうか？ or humble expressions. Also used for offering help: てつだってあげましょうか？
Examples
両親に、家をたててあげるつもりです.
Ryōshin ni, ie o tatete ageru tsumori desu.
→ I am going to build a house for my parents.
友達がひっこしするので、てつだってあげました.
Tomodachi ga hikkoshi suru node, tetsudatte agemashita.
→ My friend moved, so I helped them.
Rule 4: V-てもらいます
Structure: V-て (te-form) + もらいます
Used to express that the person receives a certain act from someone. Used when the receiver thinks the act is beneficial to them.
How to use: Change verb to て-form, add もらいます. The giver is marked with に or から. The receiver is the topic/subject. Humble: ___ていただきます.
💡 Pro Tip: Focuses on the receiver's gratitude. Often used to politely acknowledge someone's favor: ___てもらってありがとうございます. For requests: ___てもらえますか？ / ___ていただけませんか？
Examples
JFこうぎょうのみなさんには、とてもしんせつにしてもらいました.
JF kōgyō no minasan ni wa, totemo shinsetsu ni shite moraimashita.
→ People at JF industry were very kind to me.
先生にさくぶんをなおしてもらいました.
Sensei ni sakubun o naoshite moraimashita.
→ I had my teacher correct my essay.
Rule 5: V-てくれます
Structure: V-て (te-form) + くれます
Used to express that someone does a certain act for the speaker. Used when the speaker thinks the act is beneficial to them.
How to use: Change verb to て-form, add くれます. The giver is the subject (marked with は/が), the receiver is the speaker or speaker's in-group. Honorific: ___て下さいます.
💡 Pro Tip: くれる always implies the action is directed toward the speaker or someone close to the speaker. Very common in requests: ___てくれませんか？ (Can you do __ ?). Also used to express gratitude: ___てくれてありがとう.
Examples
やまうちさんは、わたしにたくさん、日本語を教えてくれました.
Yamauchi-san wa, watashi ni takusan, nihongo o oshiete kuremashita.
→ Yamauchi-san taught me a lot of Japanese.
母はわたしの誕生日にケーキをつくってくれました.
Haha wa watashi no tanjōbi ni kēki o tsukutte kuremashita.
→ My mother made me a cake for my birthday.
Exercises
Question 1: Choose the correct volitional form particle: 'I am thinking about starting my own company in Thailand in the future.'
しょうらいは、タイで、じぶんのかいしゃを______とおもいます.
Question 2: Choose the correct reading of 留学.
らいねんアメリカに______します.
Question 3: Choose the correct form particle: 'I want to study Japanese harder so I can live in Japan.'
にほんに______ために、もっと日本語をがんばろうとおもいます.
Question 4: What does 住む mean?
とうきょうにすんでいます.
Question 5: Choose the correct form particle: 'I am going to build a house for my parents.'
りょうしんに、いえを______あげるつもりです.
Question 6: Choose the correct reading of 役に立つ.
このほんはべんきょうに______.
Question 7: Choose the correct form particle: 'I had my teacher correct my essay.'
せんせいにさくぶんを______もらいました.
Question 8: What does 特に mean?
とくにさしみがすきです.
Question 9: Choose the correct form particle: 'Yamauchi-san taught me a lot of Japanese.'
やまうちさんは、わたしにたくさん、日本語を______くれました.
Question 10: Choose the correct reading of 卒業.
だいがくを______しました.
Question 11: Choose the correct volitional form particle: 'I've been thinking about climbing Mt. Fuji during summer vacation.'
なつやすみにふじさんに______とおもっています.
Question 12: What does 募集 mean?
アルバイトのぼしゅうがあります.
Question 13: Choose the correct form particle: 'I exercise every day for my health.'
けんこう______、まいにちうんどうしています.
Question 14: Choose the correct reading of 希望.
にほんにりゅうがくするのが______です.
Question 15: Choose the correct form particle: 'My friend moved, so I helped them.'
ともだちがひっこしするので、てつだって______.
Question 16: What does 建てる mean?
あたらしいいえをたてます.
Question 17: Choose the correct form particle: 'People at JF industry were very kind to me.'
ＪＦこうぎょうのみなさんには、とてもしんせつに______.
Question 18: Choose the correct reading of 続けます.
日本語のべんきょうを______.
Question 19: Choose the correct form particle: 'My mother made me a cake for my birthday.'
はははわたしのたんじょうびにケーキを______くれました.
Question 20: What does 考える mean?
しんせつについてかんがえます.