Lesson 2: まじめそうな人ですね – He Seems Like a Serious Person
Describing people and their characteristics
This lesson focuses on describing people's physical appearance, personality traits, and characteristics. You'll learn how to identify people based on their features, describe someone who isn't present, talk about famous people you admire, and read simple interview articles about people's backgrounds and interests.
Key topics:
- ・Describing physical appearance and clothing
- ・Identifying people in a crowd
- ・Talking about personality traits
- ・Discussing famous people
- ・Reading interview articles
- ・Using descriptive expressions with ___そう
Vocabulary
1
いんたいする
intai suru
引退する
to retire
Example
でも、引退したよね.
Demo, intai shita yo ne.
But she retired, right?
2
おどろく
odoroku
驚く
to be surprised
Example
それを聞いて驚きました.
Sore o kiite odorokimashita.
I was surprised to hear that.
3
びっくりする
bikkuri suru
-
to be shocked
Example
そのニュースにびっくりしました.
Sono nyūsu ni bikkuri shimashita.
I was shocked by the news.
4
すわる
suwaru
座る
to sit
Example
ああ、座って、本を読んでる人ですよ.
Ā, suwatte, hon o yonderu hito desu yo.
Ah, the person sitting and reading a book.
5
たつ
tatsu
立つ
to stand
Example
バスで立ちます.
Basu de tachimasu.
I stand on the bus.
6
なく
naku
泣く
to cry
Example
毎日、夜泣いて、大変ですけどね.
Mainichi, yoru naite, taihen desu kedo ne.
But it's tough because he/she cries at night every day.
7
くつをはく
kutsu o haku
靴を履く
to wear shoes
Example
外に出る前に靴を履きます.
Soto ni deru mae ni kutsu o hakimasu.
I put on shoes before going out.
8
ズボンをはく
zubon o haku
ズボンを履く
to wear pants
Example
今日は青いズボンを履きます.
Kyō wa aoi zubon o hakimasu.
Today I'll wear blue pants.
9
シャツをきる
shatsu o kiru
シャツを着る
to wear a shirt
Example
新しいシャツを着ます.
Atarashii shatsu o kimasu.
I wear a new shirt.
10
ワンピースをきる
wanpīsu o kiru
ワンピースを着る
to wear a dress
Example
彼女はパーティーにワンピースを着ます.
Kanojo wa pātī ni wanpīsu o kimasu.
She wears a dress to the party.
11
ネクタイをする
nekutai o suru
-
to wear a tie
Example
会議の時にネクタイをします.
Kaigi no toki ni nekutai o shimasu.
I wear a tie during meetings.
12
ピアスをする
piasu o suru
-
to wear earrings
Example
彼女はいつもピアスをしています.
Kanojo wa itsumo piasu o shite imasu.
She always wears earrings.
13
ひげをはやす
hige o hayasu
-
to have a beard
Example
あの髪が短くて、ひげをはやしてる人です.
Ano kami ga mijikakute, hige o hayashiteru hito desu.
The person with short hair and a beard.
14
ぼうしをかぶる
bōshi o kaburu
帽子をかぶる
to wear a hat
Example
ナインさん？ あの帽子をかぶってる人ですよ.
Nain-san? Ano bōshi o kabutteru hito desu yo.
Naing-san? The person wearing a hat over there.
15
めがねをかける
megane o kakeru
眼鏡をかける
to wear glasses
Example
私は本を読むとき眼鏡をかけます.
Watashi wa hon o yomu toki megane o kakemasu.
I wear glasses when I read books.
16
しゃしん
shashin
写真
photograph
Example
写真を撮ります.
Shashin o torimasu.
I take photographs.
17
あかるい
akarui
明るい
bright
Example
この部屋は明るいです.
Kono heya wa akarui desu.
This room is bright.
18
かっこいい
kakkoii
-
cool / handsome
Example
演技が上手だし、本当にかっこいいです.
Engi ga jōzu da shi, hontō ni kakkō ii desu.
He's good at acting, and he's really cool.
19
きびしい
kibishii
-
strict
Example
でも、仕事のときは、厳しいけどね.
Demo, shigoto no toki wa, kibishii kedo ne.
But when it comes to work, he's strict.
20
こわい
kowai
-
scary
Example
見た目は怖そうだけど、やさしい人だよ.
Mitame wa kowasō da kedo, yasashii hito da yo.
He looks scary, but he's a kind person.
21
たかい
takai
高い
tall, expensive
Example
この本は高いです.
Kono hon wa takai desu.
This book is expensive.
22
ながい
nagai
長い
long
Example
この道は長いです.
Kono michi wa nagai desu.
This road is long.
23
みじかい
mijikai
短い
short
Example
あの髪が短くて、ひげをはやしてる人です.
Ano kami ga mijikakute, hige o hayashiteru hito desu.
The person with short hair and a beard.
24
まじめ
majime
-
sincere / serious
Example
写真はまじめそうですけど、本当はおもしろい人ですよ.
Shashin wa majime sō desu kedo, hontō wa omoshiroi hito desu yo.
In the picture he/she looks serious, but in reality he/she is a funny person.
25
そんな
sonna
-
such
Example
そんな古い人、よく知ってるね.
Sonna furui hito, yoku shitteru ne.
You know such an old person well.
26
あおい
aoi
青い
blue
Example
私の服は青いです.
Watashi no fuku wa aoi desu.
My clothes are blue.
27
あかい
akai
赤い
red
Example
ああ、あの赤いジャンパーの人ですね.
Ā, ano akai janpā no hito desu ne.
Ah, the person in the red jacket, right?
28
きいろい
kiiroi
黄色い
yellow
Example
ひまわりは黄色いです.
Himawari wa kiiroi desu.
Sunflowers are yellow.
29
くろい
kuroi
黒い
black
Example
私のかばんは黒いです.
Watashi no kaban wa kuroi desu.
My bag is black.
30
しろい
shiroi
白い
white
Example
あの車は白いです.
Ano kuruma wa shiroi desu.
That car is white.
31
きんいろ
kin'iro
金色
golden
Example
指輪が金色です.
Yubiwa ga kin'iro desu.
The ring is golden.
32
あかちゃん
akachan
赤ちゃん
baby
Example
ああ、元気そうな赤ちゃんですね.
Ā, genki sō na akachan desu ne.
Ah, a healthy-looking baby.
33
こいびと
koibito
恋人
boyfriend / girlfriend
Example
ああ、恋人です.
Ā, koibito desu.
Ah, my boyfriend/girlfriend.
34
だれか
dareka
-
anyone, somebody
Example
日本の歌手、だれか知ってる?
Nihon no kashu, dareka shitteru?
Do you know any Japanese singers?
35
ファン
fan
-
fan
Example
今でも、世界中にファンがたくさんいますよ.
Ima demo, sekaijū ni fan ga takusan imasu yo.
Even now, he has many fans around the world.
36
かしゅ
kashu
歌手
singer
Example
日本の歌手、だれか知ってる?
Nihon no kashu, dareka shitteru?
Do you know any Japanese singers?
37
はいゆう
haiyū
俳優
actor
Example
日本の有名な俳優です.
Nihon no yūmei na haiyū desu.
He's a famous Japanese actor.
38
まご
mago
孫
grandchild
Example
ああ、この間、孫が生まれたんです.
Ā, kono aida, mago ga umareta n desu.
Ah, the other day, my grandchild was born.
39
め
me
目
eye
Example
目がかゆいんです.
Me ga kayui n desu.
My eyes are itchy.
40
かみ
kami
髪
hair
Example
あの髪が短くて、ひげをはやしてる人です.
Ano kami ga mijikakute, hige o hayashiteru hito desu.
The person with short hair and a beard.
41
みため
mitame
見た目
appearance
Example
見た目はこわそうだけど、やさしい人だよ.
Mitame wa kowasō da kedo, yasashii hito da yo.
He looks scary, but he's a kind person.
42
ジャンパー
janpā
-
zip-up jacket
Example
ああ、あの赤いジャンパーの人ですね.
Ā, ano akai janpā no hito desu ne.
Ah, the person in the red jacket, right?
43
うた
uta
歌
singing, song
Example
かっこいいし、歌もダンスも上手だし.
Kakkō ii shi, uta mo dansu mo jōzu da shi.
She's cool, and she's good at both singing and dancing.
44
えんぎ
engi
演技
acting
Example
演技が上手だし、本当にかっこいいです.
Engi ga jōzu da shi, hontō ni kakkō ii desu.
He's good at acting, and he's really cool.
45
えいがさい
eigasai
映画祭
film festival
Example
好きになったきっかけは、日本映画祭で『七人の侍』という映画を見たことです.
Suki ni natta kikkake wa, Nihon eigasai de 'Shichinin no Samurai' to iu eiga o mita koto desu.
The reason I came to like him was seeing a movie called 'Seven Samurai' at a Japanese film festival.
46
きっかけ
kikkake
-
original motivation, trigger
Example
好きになったきっかけは、日本映画祭で『七人の侍』という映画を見たことです.
Suki ni natta kikkake wa, Nihon eigasai de 'Shichinin no Samurai' to iu eiga o mita koto desu.
The reason I came to like him was seeing a movie called 'Seven Samurai' at a Japanese film festival.
47
しんぱい
shinpai
心配
concerning, worrying
Example
そうですか.心配ですね.
Sō desu ka. Shinpai desu ne.
I see. That's concerning.
48
いまでも
ima demo
今でも
even now
Example
今でも、世界中にファンがたくさんいますよ.
Ima demo, sekaijū ni fan ga takusan imasu yo.
Even now, he has many fans around the world.
49
このあいだ
kono aida
この間
the other day, recently
Example
ああ、この間、孫が生まれたんです.
Ā, kono aida, mago ga umareta n desu.
Ah, the other day, my grandchild was born.
50
こんど
kondo
今度
this time, next time
Example
今度、主任になった村田さん、どんな人ですか？
Kondo, shunin ni natta Murata-san, donna hito desu ka?
What kind of person is Murata-san, who just became chief?
51
おそくまで
osoku made
遅くまで
until late
Example
毎日、遅くまで仕事をしていますよね.
Mainichi, osoku made shigoto o shite imasu yo ne.
He/She works until late every day.
52
せかいじゅう
sekai jū
世界中
around the world
Example
今でも、世界中にファンがたくさんいますよ.
Ima demo, sekaijū ni fan ga takusan imasu yo.
Even now, he has many fans around the world.
53
できれば
dekireba
-
if possible
Example
出来れば明日来て下さい.
Dekireba ashita kite kudasai.
Please come tomorrow if possible.
54
まず
mazu
-
first of all
Example
まず、手を洗って下さい.
Mazu, te o aratte kudasai.
First of all, please wash your hands.
Conversation
1
髪が長い
kami ga nagai
long-haired
Example Usage
あの髪が長い人は誰ですか？
Ano kami ga nagai hito wa dare desu ka?
Who is that long-haired person?
2
髪が短い
kami ga mijikai
short-haired
Example Usage
彼は最近髪が短いです.
Kare wa saikin kami ga mijikai desu.
He has short hair recently.
3
背が高い
se ga takai
tall
Example Usage
私の兄は背が高いです.
Watashi no ani wa se ga takai desu.
My older brother is tall.
Kanji
1
上手な
skillful, good at (na-adjective)
上🎬
above, top
手🎬
hand
Example
日本語が 上手ですね.
Nihongo ga jouzu desu ne.
You are good at Japanese.
2
明るい
bright, cheerful
明🎬
bright, clear
Example
この部屋は明るいです.
Kono heya wa akarui desu.
This room is bright.
3
着る
to wear (clothes)
着🎬
wear, arrive
Example
あたらしいふくを着ます.
Atarashii fuku o kimasu.
I will wear new clothes.
4
歌手
singer
歌🎬
song, sing
手🎬
hand, person
Example
日本の歌手、だれか知ってる?
Nihon no kashu, dareka shitteru?
Do you know any Japanese singers?
5
写真
photograph
写🎬
copy, photograph
真🎬
true, genuine
Example
りょこうの写真をとりました.
Ryokō no shashin o torimashita.
I took photos of my trip.
6
歌
song
歌🎬
song, sing
Example
かっこいいし、歌もダンスも上手だし.
Kakkō ii shi, uta mo dansu mo jōzu da shi.
She's cool, and she's good at both singing and dancing.
7
長い
long
長🎬
long, leader
Example
この道は長いです.
Kono michi wa nagai desu.
This road is long.
8
短い
short
短🎬
short
Example
あの髪が短くて、ひげをはやしてる人です.
Ano kami ga mijikakute, hige o hayashiteru hito desu.
The person with short hair and a beard.
9
立つ
to stand
立🎬
stand
Example
バスで立ちます.
Basu de tachimasu.
I stand on the bus.
10
泣く
to cry
泣🎬
cry
Example
毎日、夜泣いて、大変ですけどね.
Mainichi, yoru naite, taihen desu kedo ne.
But it's tough because he/she cries at night every day.
Grammar Rules
Rule 1: Describing characteristics with N1はN2が
Structure: N1 + は + N2 + が + ナA + です / イA + いです
This pattern describes the characteristics of a certain thing, especially a person's outward appearance. N1 refers to a person, and N2 refers to a body part or feature. It can also modify a noun, as in 髪が短い人.
How to use: Use N1 + は + N2 + が + ナA + です or イA + いです. N1 is the topic, N2 is the specific feature marked by が. To modify a noun, use N2が～N1, e.g., 髪が短い人. The question form is N1はN2が～ですか？. The negative is ナA + じゃないです or イA + くないです. In casual speech, です becomes だ.
💡 Pro Tip: Do not confuse N1はN2が with N1はN2です. The former describes a part or attribute, while the latter equates two nouns. The particle が marks the specific characteristic being described. This pattern works with other attributes like 背が高い (tall) or 目が大きい (big eyes).
Examples
加藤さんは、いちばん背が高いです.
Katō-san wa, ichiban se ga takai desu.
→ Katoo-san is the tallest.
江口さんは、髪が短い人です.
Eguchi-san wa, kami ga mijikai hito desu.
→ Eguchi-san is the one with short hair.
Rule 2: Describing a person with V-ている＋人
Structure: V-て + いる + 人
This expression describes a person's traits or looks based on what they are currently doing or wearing. V-ている indicates a present situation, such as an ongoing action or a state resulting from an action. It is used to identify a person by their action or clothing.
How to use: Use V-て + いる + 人. Conjugation: かぶる→かぶっている人, はやす→はやしている人, 話す→話している人, 読む→読んでいる人, する→している人. The question form is どの人ですか？. The negative is V-ていない人. In casual speech, ている often becomes てる: かぶってる人.
💡 Pro Tip: V-ている can describe both an action in progress (e.g., コピーをしている人) and a state (e.g., 帽子をかぶっている人). Do not confuse it with V-た人, which describes a completed action. Register: ている is neutral; てる is casual.
Examples
あの髪が短くて、ひげをはやしてる人ですよ.
Ano kami ga mijikakute, hige o hayashiteru hito desu yo.
→ That one with short hair and a beard.
ムックさんは、あそこで先生と話している人です.
Mukku-san wa, asoko de sensei to hanashite iru hito desu.
→ Mukku-san is the one talking with a teacher over there.
Rule 3: Giving new information with よ
Structure: S + よ
よ is added to the end of a sentence to convey information that is new to the other person or that the other person does not know. It is used here to tell a person looking for someone which one that person is.
How to use: Add よ at the end of a sentence. It can follow polite or plain forms. It is often used in responses to questions to give new information. The question form is simply the question without よ. In casual speech, よ is common. For polite speech, use ～ですよ / ～ますよ.
💡 Pro Tip: よ asserts new information, while ね seeks agreement. Do not overuse よ as it can sound forceful. Register: よ is used in both polite and casual speech.
Examples
あそこに座ってる人ですよ.
Asoko ni suwatteru hito desu yo.
→ The one sitting over there.
あの帽子をかぶっている人ですよ.
Ano bōshi o kabutte iru hito desu yo.
→ The one wearing that hat.
Rule 4: Listing reasons or qualities with し
Structure: S1 + し、S2 + し、～
This expression is for giving an impression or opinion while giving part of the grounds or reasons among several. It lists multiple reasons or qualities. It connects to both polite and plain forms. For ナ-adjectives and nouns, use だし. For イ-adjectives and verbs, use し.
How to use: Use S1し、S2し、～. For ナ-adjectives: ナA + だし (e.g., 上手だし). For nouns: N + だし. For イ-adjectives: イA + し (e.g., かっこいいし). For verbs: V-る/た + し. The final clause can be a conclusion or impression. The question form depends on the final clause. In casual speech, し is common.
💡 Pro Tip: し implies there are other reasons not mentioned. だし is used after ナ-adjectives and nouns, while し is used after イ-adjectives and verbs. Do not confuse し with から (because), which gives a single reason. Register: し is neutral.
| Type | Base | Form |
|---|---|---|
| ナ-adjective | 上手(じょうず)（な） | 上手だし |
| イ-adjective | かっこいい | かっこいいし |
| Noun | 学生(がくせい) | 学生だし |
| Verb | 食(た)べる | 食べるし |
Examples
私は安室奈美恵が好きです.かっこいいし、歌もダンスも上手だし.
Watashi wa Amuro Namie ga suki desu. Kakkō ii shi, uta mo dansu mo jōzu da shi.
→ I like Amuro Namie. She is cool, and sings and dances very well.
このレストランは安いし、おいしいし、よく来ます.
Kono resutoran wa yasui shi, oishii shi, yoku kimasu.
→ This restaurant is cheap and delicious, so I come often.
Exercises
Question 1: 'Eguchi-san has short hair.'
えぐちさんは、髪 ______ 短いです.
Question 2: Choose the correct sentence meaning 'Yamada-san has big eyes.'
Question 3: 'the person wearing a hat'
帽子をかぶって ______ 人です.
Question 4: Choose the correct sentence meaning 'The person who is running is Tanaka-san.'
______ 人は、たなかさんです.
Question 5: Choose the correct particle to inform new information: 'That person is Japanese, you know.'
あの人は日本人です ______.
Question 6: 'The one sitting over there.'
あそこに座ってる人です ______.
Question 7: 'This restaurant is cheap and delicious, so I come often.'
このレストランは安い ______、おいしい ______、よく来ます.
Question 8: Choose the correct connector to complete 'He is good at acting and really cool.'
みふねとしろうは、えんぎが上手だ ______、ほんとうにかっこいいです.
Question 9: Choose the correct reading of 上手.
あのひとはえいごが ______ です.
Question 10: Choose the correct reading of 明るい.
このへやはとても ______ です.
Question 11: Choose the correct reading of 着ます.
あたらしいふくを ______.
Question 12: Choose the correct reading of 歌手.
かのじょはゆうめいな ______ です.
Question 13: Choose the correct reading of 写真.
きれいな ______ をとりました.
Question 14: Choose the correct reading of 歌.
この ______ がすきです.
Question 15: Choose the correct reading of 長い.
このみちはとても ______ です.
Question 16: Choose the correct reading of 短い.
かれのかみは ______ です.
Question 17: Choose the correct reading of 立ちます.
バスで ______.
Question 18: Choose the correct reading of 泣く.
あかちゃんが ______.