日本に行きたいなあ…

= Nihon ni ikitainaa…

= I wanna go to Japan.

日本でマギーと遊びたい…

= Nihon de Maggie to asobitai…

= I’d love to play with Maggie in Japan…

Hi, everyone!

We have a very cute guest teacher, Max Sensei from Prague, the Czech Republic.

OMG, you are totally my type 　かわいい〜〜！！= Kawaiiiii!!! = Cuuuute!!

Max Sensei is having a great life with her mom, Nina who is studying Japanese, enjoying running through the snowbanks, sunbathing, taking for a walk,etc.

You have quite a life, Max!

Today he will teach you the difference between the location markers, に (=ni) and で(=de).

Some of my Twitter followers have been asking for this type of lesson, so here you go!

You might think this is very basic stuff, but sometimes it is very confusing!

I know there are a lot of textbooks that cover this subject, but allow me to give you my take on this grammatical topic.

Note :  The usage of に and で varies.  I  will just focus on their function as location markers in this lesson.

OK, are you ready? Here we go!

****

The basic rules of how to distinguish に and で :

に indicates  the location where something /  someone exists or “is”. / When an action is done in a certain direction.

でindicate the location where some action/events take place  (Sometimes you move around in certain locations.)

Let’s study these one by one.

で

1) When you indicate the  location where you do some activities/ actions happen or take place.

● in / at = で+ (location) + action verb

Ex. デパートで買い物をする。

= Depaato de kaimono wo suru

= to buy at a department store

Ex.レストランで食事をする

= Resutoran de shokuji wo suru

= to eat at a restaurant

Ex. ベッドで寝る

= beddo de neru

= to sleep in a bed

Note : 寝る(=neru)  is not quite an active action but we use で

However 横たわる(=yokotawaru) can use both で and に

Ex. ベッドに横たわる= beddo ni yokotawaru = to lie down in the bed.

Ex. ベッドで横たわる = beddo de yokotawaru = to lie down in the bed.

Ex. どこでその事件のことを知りましたか？

= Dokode sono jiken no koto wo shirimashita ka?

= Where did you hear (or find out) about the incident?

Ex. 友達の家で知りました。

= Tomodachi no ie de shirimashita.

= I heard about it at my friend’s house.

Ex. 明日、どこで会う？

= Ashita, doko de au?

= Where are we going to get together tomorrow?

Ex. 駅前で待ち合わせしようか。

=Ekimae de machiawase shiyouka?

= Shall we meet in front of the station?

2) When you indicate the location where some activity/event is held :

Ex. 明日、大学で午後から授業があります。

= Ashita, daigaku de gogo kara jugyou ga arimasu.

= I have a class at the university in the afternoon.

Ex. 今度の学会はどこで開かれますか？

= Kondo no gakkai wa doko de hirakaremasuka?

= Where will the next academic conference be held next time?

Ex. 次の学会はニューヨークであります。

= Tsugi no gakkai wa Nyuuyooku de arimasu.

= The next academic conference will be held in New York.

Ex. 今週の日曜日、うちで誕生日パーティーを開くから来てね。

= Konshuu no nichiyouii, uchi de tanjoubi paatii wo hiraku kara kitene.

= I will have a birthday party at my house next Sunday so please come over.

に

1) When you indicate the direction/location that someone/something moves towards :

Ex. 明日、東京に行きます。

= Ashita Toukyou ni ikimasu.

= I will go to Tokyo tomorrow.

Ex.どこに行くの？

= Doko ni iku no?

= Where are you going?

Ex.これから図書館に行くの。

= Korekara toshokan ni ikuno.

= I will go to the library now.

Ex.北に進む

= Kita ni susumu

= to go North

Ex.外に出る

= soto ni deru

= to go outside

Ex.大阪に引っ越す

= Oosaka ni hikkosu

= to move to Osaka

Ex.パリに転勤する

= Pari ni tenkin suru

= to transfer to Paris

Ex.家に帰る

= Ie ni kaeru

= to go home

2) When you indicate the place where something/someone exists :

●(location)にある= ~ ni aru = There is/are (things/ buildings )  in ~

●(location)にない= ~ ni nai = There isn’t /aren’t  (things/ buildings )  in ~

Ex.うちの近くに郵便局があります。

= Uchi no chikaku ni yuubinkyoku ga arimasu.

= There is a post office near my house.

Ex.そのレストランはどこにありますか？

= Sono resutoran wa doko ni arimasu ka?

= Where is the restaurant?

Ex.郊外にあります。

= Kougai ni arimasu.

= It is in the suburbs.

Note : Exception : Although you see a verb ある(=aru), some compound word will be used with で

Ex. これはアメリカで人気があるゲームです。

= Kore wa America de ninki ga aru geimu desu.

= This game  is popular in the U.S. (The direct translation is This is the game which has “popularity” in the U.S.)

●(location)にいる = ~ ni iru = Someone is/are in ~

Ex.今、どこにいますか？

= Ima, doko ni imasu ka?

= Where are you now?

Ex.今、渋谷にいます。

= Ima, shibuya ni imasu.

= I am in Shibuya now.

Ex. マギーは今、学校にいません。

= Maggie wa ima gakkou ni imasen.

= Maggie is not at the school now.

●(location)に住む = ~ ni sumu = to live in ~

Ex. どこに住んでいますか？

= Doko ni sunde imasu ka?

= Where do you live?

Ex. 千葉に住んでいます。

= Chiba ni sunde imasu.

= I live in Chiba.

Note : We use に for  住む (=sumu) = to live, but if we say 暮らす(=kurasu) to live, to spend your life or 生活をする(=seikatsu wo suru) = to have a life, we can also use で

Ex.長い間、あのボロアパートに住んでいた。

= Nagai aida, ano boro apaato ni sunde ita.

= I used to live in that shabby apartment for a long time.

Ex. 長い間、あのボロアパートで暮らしていた。

= Nagai aida, ano boro apaato ni kurashite ita.

Ex. 長い間、あのボロアパートで生活をしていた。

= Nagai aida, ano boro apaato de seikatu wo shiteita.

3) When you indicate the location/ place/ objects  where you place (put / install / fix / attach) something

And when one’s action or motion is directed to/onto some location or an object.

Ex. 図書館に本を返す

= Toshokan ni hon wo kaesu

= to return a book to the library

Ex. 棚に荷物を上げる

= Tana ni nimotsu wo ageru

= to put one’s baggage in the overhead bin

Ex. 荷物を下に降ろす

= Nimotsu wo shita ni orosu

= to put down the baggage

Ex. 空欄に名前と住所を書いて下さい。

= Kuuran ni namae to juusho wo kaite kudasai.

= Please fill in your name and address in the blank.

Ex. あなたのバッグはどこに置いてありますか？

= Anata no baggu wa doko ni oite arimasuka?

= Where do you keep your bag?

Ex. ジムのロッカーに置いてあります。

= Jimu no rokkaa ni oite arimasu.

= I keep it in the locker in the gym.

Ex. 生ゴミは毎週水曜日に家の前に出しておいて下さい。

= Namagomi wa maishuu suiyoubi ni ie no mae ni dashite oite kudasai.

= Please put the garbage out in front of your house every Wednesday

Ex. 壁にポスターを貼った

= Kabe ni posutaa wo hatta.

= I put the poster on the wall.

Ex. 天井に照明器具を(取り)付ける

= Tenjou ni shoumei kigu wo (tori) tsukeru.

= to hang a lamp on the ceiling

Ex. 学校に教科書を忘れてきました。

= Gakkou ni kyoukasho wo wasurete kimashita.

= I left my textbook(s) at school.

Ex. 傘をどこかに忘れてきました。

= Kasa wo dokoka ni wasurete kimashita.

= I left my umbrella somewhere.

Ex. 車をガレージに入れる。

= Kuruma wo gareiji ni ireru.

= to park (put) a car in the garage

Ex. おもちゃを箱（の中）にしまう。

= Omocha wo hako (no naka ) ni shimasu.

= to put the toy(s) away in the box.

Ex. このテーブルにお皿を並べて下さい。

= Kono teiburu ni osara wo narabete kudasai.

= Please place the plates on the table.

Note : If you drink/eat something at the table, it will be an action so you have to use で

Ex. テーブルでお茶を飲む

= Teiburu de ocha wo nomu

= to have a cup of tea at the table

5) When you indicate a location / things something/someone can be fit or contain.

●(location)に入る／入っている = ~ ni hairu /  ~ ni haitte iru = to have something in ~ / to contain something in ~

Ex.このエレベータに何人位、入りますか？

= Kono erebeetaa ni nannin kurai hairimasu ka?

= How many people would fit in this elevator?

Ex.冷蔵庫にケーキが入っています。

= Reizouko ni keiki ga haitte imasu.

= There are cakes in the fridge.

***********

で or に？？

Confusing cases :

There are some verbs you can both use に or で

Here are some examples.

★勤める =  tsutormeru = to work at ~

Ex.どちらにお勤めですか？

= Dochira ni otsutome desuka?

= Where do you work?

Ex.トヨタに勤めています。

= Toyota ni tsutomete imasu.

= I work in Toyota Co.

Ex.トヨタで勤めてもう５年以上経った。

= Toyota de tsutomete mou gonen ijyou tattta.

= It has been over five years since I started working at Toyota.

Note : But if the verb is 働く(=hataraku) to work, you use で

Ex.どこで働いていますか？

= Doko de hataraite imasuka?

= Where do you work?

Ex.マギー先生はこの学校で６年間働いています。

= Maggie sensei wa kono gakkou de rokunenkan hataraite imasu.

= Maggie Sensei has been working at this school for 6 years.

★ 売っている= utte iru = to be sold

  Ex.どこに売っていますか？

= Doko ni utte imasuka?

= Where do they sell it?

or

Ex.どこで売っていますか？

= Doko de utte imasuka?

Ex. 駅の売店で売っています。

= Eki no baiten de utte imasu.

= They sell it (them) at the store at the kiosk in the station.

or

Ex.駅の売店に売っています。

= Eki no baiten ni utte imasu.

★止まる＝ tomaru = to stop

  このバスはどこに止まりますか？

= Kono basu wa doko ni tomarimasuka?

= Where does this bus stop?

or

Ex.このバスはどこで止まりますか？

= Kono basu wa doko de tomarimasuka?

Ex. 駅前で止まります。

= Ekimae de tomarimasu.

= It will make a stop in front of the station.

Ex. 駅前に止まります。

= Ekimae ni tomarimasu.

= It will make a stop in front of the station.

★買う= kau = to buy

Ex. どこで買えますか？

= Doko de kaemasu ka?

= Where can I buy it?

You can’t say どこに買えますか？

= Doko ni kaemasu ka?

Ex.三越で買えます。

= Mitsukoshi de kaemasu.

= You can buy it at Mitsukoshi.

　You can’t say 三越に買えます

= Mitsukoshi ni kaemasu.

★Other confusing cases  :

Ex.４月から日本に留学します。

= Shigatsu kara nihon ni ryuugaku shimasu.

= I will be on an overseas study program in Japan starting in April.

（direction →に)

But when you say 勉強する= benkyou suru = to study, you say,

Ex.４月から日本で勉強します。

= Shigatsu kara nihon de benkyou shimasu.

= In April I will begin studying in Japan.

（The action of studying →で )

Ex.鳥インフルエンザは世界中で流行っています。

= Tori infuruenza wa sekaijuu de hayatte imasu.

= Avian flu has been prevalent in the world.

But when you say 広がる= hirogaru =  to expand, spread, you can use both

Ex. 鳥インフルエンザは世界中に/で広がりました。

= Tori infuruenza wa sekaijuu ni/de hirogarimashita.

= Avian flu has spread all the world.

Note : When something is aiming in some direction we use に and で indicate the place where it happens.

●落ちている= ochite iru = something has fallen/dropped

Ex.あっ！あそこにイヤリングが落ちている。

=Ah! Asoko ni iyaringu ga ochite iru.

= Oh, there is an earring over there. (someone dropped an earring over there.)

Note : 落とす = otosu = to drop can take both particles, で and に

Ex.どこでイヤリングを落としたの？

= Doko de iyaringu wo otoshita no?

= Where did you drop your earrings?

Ex.どこにイヤリングを落としたの？

= Doko ni iyaringu wo otoshita no?

= Where did you drop your earrings?

Ex.携帯を床に落としてしまった。

= Keitai wo yuka ni otoshite shimatta.

= I dropped my cell phone on the floor.

Ex.携帯をトイレに落としてしまった。

= Keitai wo toire ni otoshite shimatta.

= I dropped my cellphone in the bathroom

Ex.携帯を電車の中で落としてしまった。

= Keitai wo Toukyou eki de otoshite shimatta.

= I dropped my cellphone on the train.

Note : You dropped it somewhere on the train and you focus on where this action of dropping  happened more than the

place where you actually dropped.

As we have seen, sometimes we can both use に and で

The translation might be the same but the nuance difference  between them is that while に indicates one point or one specific place, で indicates “through out the place/ area.

Also when we focus on the condition of actions or the results of the actions, we use に and when the action has been taking place for a certain amount of time, we use で.

●集まる=  atsumaru = to gather

Ex. 虫が電灯に集まる

= Mushi ga dentou ni atsumaru.

= Bugs gather around the light

(the bugs are aiming towards the light→に)

Ex. 今夜どこで集まる？

= Konya doko de atsumaru?

= Where should we get together tonight?

Ex.マギーのうちで集まろうか。

= Maggie no uchi de atsumarou ka.

= Shall we get together at Maggie’s place?

Now it will be easier to understand the picture in the above.

Ex.日本に行きたいなあ…

= Nihon ni ikitainaa…

= I want to go to Japan…

●日本に行く= nihon ni iku = to go to Japan

When you talk about the destination, you use に

Ex.日本でマギーと遊びたい…

= Nihon de Maggie to asobitai…

= I’d love to play with Maggie in Japan…

●日本で遊ぶ = nihon de asobu= to play in Japan →　 activity

you do some activity in a place, you use で

Let’s look at more pictures!

「マックスなんでバケツの中にいるの？」

= Max nande baketsu no naka ni iruno?

=Why are you in the bucket, Max?

●You always use に for the verb

いる( = iru) = to be

「ここでニーナがお風呂にいれてくれるのを待っているの。」

= Koko de Nina ga ofuro ni irete kureruno wo matte iru no.

= I am waiting for Nina to give me a bath.

●待っている= matte iru = to be waiting

Some activity takes place in one location.

so you use で.

●いれる = ~ ni ireru = to put something/someone in some place. →に

「マックス、どこにいるの？」

=Max, doko ni iruno?

= Where are you, Max?

●いる(=iru) : existence に

「お風呂にいるよ。」

= Ofuro ni iruyo.

= I am in the bathroom ( or bathtub) .

「お風呂で何をしているの？」

= Ofuro de nani wo shiteiruno?

= What are you doing in the bathroom (or bath tub)?

●しているの（=shiteiruno) →the verb する(=suru) to do : action で

＊＊＊

「マギーどこで何をやってるの？」

= Maggie doko de nani wo yatte iru no?

= Maggie, where are you and what are you doing?

●やっている(=yatteiru) →(casual contraction) やってる (=yatteru) →the verb やる(=yaru) to do : action で

「おうちで掃除をしているよ。」

= Ouchi de souji wo shiteiruyo.

= I am at home cleaning.

●掃除をしている(=souji wo shiteiru) to be cleaning →掃除をする(=souji wo suru) to clean : action で

マギー先生より= Maggie Sensei yori = From Maggie Sensei

Max先生は今、チェコに住んでいます。

= Max sensei wa ima cheko ni sunde imasu.

= Max Sensei now lives in the Czech Republic.

遠くにいるけれどもきっといつか一緒に日本で遊びたいです。

= Tooku ni iru keredomo kitto itsuka issho ni nihon de asobitai desu.

= Although he lives far away, I would love to play with him in Japan someday.

ありがとう = Arigatou =Thank you! 、Nina & Max!

(Go to Maggie’s Room! You can see the past quizzes including で&に (dated May 1st, 2011)

「そろそろお開きにしましょう！」

= Sorosoro ohiraki ni shimashou!

=Let’s finish the party now.

「えっ！？ケーキは？」

= Eh!? Keiki wa?

= What!? What about these cakes?

Hi everyone! 元気？= genki? = How are you doing?

Before we start this lesson, we would like to thank everyone who visited MaggieSensei.com this month. We hit a “personal” record for number of views.

We appreciate all the support!

OK, let’s get started! First check this kanji.

開 = to open

★ On reading = かい (=kai)

Ex. 開場 = かいじょう

= kaijou

= opening the doors

(Ex. theaters, concert halls, places where events are held.)

開場時間

= かいじょうじかん

= kaijou jikan

= Opening time for theaters, concert halls, events, etc.

Note: When you see a ticket of a concert, a musical, etc, you will see,

開場時間 (=kaijou jikan）or 開演時間 (= kaien jikan)

開場時間(=kaijoujikan) is the time the doors of the hall opens and you can actually enter and 開演時間 (= kaien jikan) is the time when the actual performance, concert, etc. begins.

Ex. 開店 = かいてん

= kaiten

= opening of a shop

近所に新しいパチンコ屋が開店した。

= Kinjo ni atarashii pachinkonya ga kaiten shita.

= A new Pachinko parlor has opened in my neighborhood.

Ex. 開通 = かいつう

= kaitsuu

= to open to traffic

今年新しい地下鉄の線が開通した。

= Kotoshi atarashii chikatetsu no sen ga kaitsuu shita.

= A new subway line has opened this year.

Ex. 開運 = かいうん

= kaiun

= to start to have better fortune →good luck

★ Kun reading : ひらく (= hiraku) •ひらける(=hirakeru ) •あく (= aku) •あける(=akeru)

As you can see, there are four kun readings.

“開く” can be read as

ひらく (= hiraku) or あく (=aku)

and

“開ける“ can be read as

ひらける(=hirakeru) or あける(= akeru)

The reading of the kanji depends on the adjoining hiragana and kanji and it’s use in the sentence.

Also to make things more complicated, あく(=aku) is intransitive verb and ひらく (=hiraku) can be transitive verb or intransitive verb.

I hope everything becomes clear in this lesson! Here we go!

When you use it as a transitive verb : to open something

(object）を開く = ひらく(= hiraku), 開ける = ひらける (= hirakeru)　 or 開ける = あける(= akeru)

Ex. ドアを開く = ドアをひらく

= doa wo hiraku

= to open the door

or ドアを開ける=ドアをあける

= doa wo akeru

= to open the door

Note : Which one to use?

The translation is both to open the door and there is time when we use them equally. But 開く = ひらく (= hiraku) is a bit more formal, literal, a bit dramatic and is used when you stress the movement or describe the process of opening something “folded / closed tightly.” or spread something widely.

While 開ける= あける(=akeru) is just refering the action of opening, 開く= ひらく (= hiraku) focuses the action or movement of opening something widely.

For this reason, I would say we use 開ける= あける(= akeru) more in daily conversation

Ex. ちょっと、ドアを開けて！

= ちょっと、ドアをあけて！

= Chotto, doa wo akete!

= Hey, open the door!

I don’t usually hear people say

ドアを開いて!= ドアをひらいて! (= doa wo hiraite).

Ex. 心の扉を開いてみよう。

= こころのとびらをひらいてみよう。

= Kokoro no tobira wo hiraite miyou.

= You should open up your heart.

Ex. 目を開けて下さい！

= めをあけてください！

= Me wo akete kudasai

= Open your eyes!　(Just physically open your eyes.)

Ex. 目を開いてよく現実を見てごらん。

= めをひらいてよくげんじつをみてごらん。

= Me wo hiraite yoku genjitsu wo mite goran.

= Open your eyes and see more reality.

Ex. 教科書を開いて下さい。

= きょうかしょをひらいてください。

= Kyoukasho wo hiraite kudasai .

= Open your textbook.

When you use it as an intransitive verb,

(subject) が開く= (subject) があく・ひらく = (subject) ga aku/hiraku

You can use both ひらく (= hiraku) or あく (= aku)

Ex. 風で門が開く = かぜでドアがあく / ひらく

= kaze de mon ga aku/hiraku

= The wind blew open the gate. (Literally: The door opened due to the wind.)

Ex. ドアが開いたままになっている。

= ドアがあいた/ひらいたままになっている。

= Doa ga aita/hiraita mama ni natteiru.

= The door has been left opened.

Note : Pay attention to the particles.

When you use 開 as a transitive verb, you need an object.

So you need to use an object marker を(=wo)

and when you use it as an intransitive verb, you need a subject marker: が(=ga)、は(=wa)、or も (=mo)

If you pay attention to the particles, you’ll know which one to use.

Ex. ドアを開ける= ドアをあける / ドアを開く = ドアをひらく

= Doa wo akeru / Doa wo hiraku

= Somebody opens the door

Ex. ドアが開く = ドアがあく or ドアがひらく

= Doa ga aku or Doa ga hiraku

= The door opens

Note 1) : Again the difference between 開く= あく (= aku) and 開く=ひらく(=hiraku) is subtle. 開く= ひらく(=hiraku) delivers the image that something opens up all the way or very wide.

Note 2) : 開く= ひらく(= hiraku) can be used both as both a transitive and intransitive verb.

See the difference of the particles in the following sentences?

Ex. 何時にお店が (or は）開きますか？

= なんじにおみせが (or は）あきますか？

= Nanji ni omise ga (or wa) akimasu?

= What time does the store open?

Ex. 何時にお店を開けますか？

= なんじにおみせをあけますか？

= Nanji ni omise wo akemasu ka?

= What time do you open the store?

Another difference :

When you say

お店を開ける= おみせをあける (= omise wo akeru): You just open a store for the day.

お店を開く= おみせをひらく (= omise wo hiraku)

They have different meanings.

お店を開く= おみせをひらく(= omise wo hiraku) is used when you actually start a business and open the store.

So if you say,

Ex. あの店はまだ開いていない。

= あのみせはまだひらいていない。

= Ano mise wa mada hiraite inai

It means they haven’t opened the store as a business = they haven’t started the business yet.

but if you say

Ex. あの店はまだ開いていない。

= あのみせはまだあいていない。

= Ano mise wa mada aite inai.

It means, the store hasn’t opened yet because it is too early in the morning/evening.

We can say the same thing about,

お店を開く = おみせをひらく

= omise wo hiraku

= to open a shop (as business)

and

お店を開ける = おみせをあける

= omise wo akeru

= to open a store (in the morning/at night, etc.)

However, in conversation there are people who use 開く=ひらく(= hiraku) when discussing whether or not a store is open at that time or not.

Ex. こんな朝早く、どの店も開いていないよ。

=こんなあさはやくからどのみせもあいていないよ→ひらいていないよ。

= Konna asa hayaku dono mise mo aitenaiyo→hiraite inaiyo.

= No shops are open this early in the morning.

Other examples :

Ex. 口を大きく開けて下さい。

= くちを大きくあけて下さい。

= Kuchi wo ookiku akete kudasai.

= Open your mouth wide.

Ex. もっと大きく開いて！(or you can also say 開けて= あけて = akete!)

= もっとおおきくひらいて！

= Motto ookiku  hiraite!

= Open it more!

Ex. 妻は、口を開けばいつも愚痴ばかりだ。

= つまは, くちをひらけばいつもぐちばかりだ。（Idiom!)

= Tsuma wa kuchi wo hirakeba itsumo guchi bakari

= My wife always complains. (Literally: When my wife opens her mouth, all she does is complain.)

Although, sometimes you can use both

開く= ひらく(= hiraku) or 開ける= あける(= akeru),

Ex. 包みを開く= つつみをひらく

= tsutsumi wo hiraku

= to open a package

Ex. 包みを開ける= つつみをあける

= tsutsumi wo akeru

= to open a package

開く= あく(=aku) or 開く＝ひらく(=hiraku)

Ex. 扉が開く= とびらがあく

= tobira ga aku

= the door opens

Ex. 扉が開く= とびらがひらく

= tobira ga hiraku

= the door opens

There are certain objects/events which only use one of them.

開く=ひらく(= hiraku) is used when something unfolds, when you have a meeting, party or events. Also there are some idiomatic uses.

Ex. 花が開く = はながひらく

= hana ga hiraku

=the bud unfolds → flowers come into bloom

Ex. 扇子を開く= せんすをひらく

= sensu wo hiraku

= to open a fan

Ex. 傘を開く

= かさをひらく

= kasa wo hiraku

= to open an umbrella

Ex. 心を開く = こころをひらく

= kokoro wo hiraku

= to open your heart

Ex . 銀行口座を開く = ぎんこうこうざをひらく

= ginkou kouza wo hiraku

= to open a bank account

Ex. 会議を開く = かいぎをひらく

= kaigi wo hiraku

= to have a meeting

Ex. 誕生パーティーを開く= たんじょうパーティーをひらく

= Tanjou paatii wo hiraku.

= to have (throw) a birthday party

開く = あく( = aku) is used when something /some space which was closed or zipped closed, opens up or comes off from the seam.

Ex. 缶詰を開ける = かんづめをあける

= kanzume wo akeru

= to open a can

Ex. 穴を開ける = あなをあける

= ana wo akeru

= to make a hole

Ex. 耳にピアスの穴を開けたい

= みみにピアスのあなをあけたい

= Mimi ni piasu no ana wo aketai

= I want to pierce my ears.

Ex. 瓶を開ける

= びんをあける

= Bin wo akeru

= to open a bottle

Ex. 鍵を開ける。

= かぎをあける。

= Kagi wo akeru.

= to unlock

!star!　Compared to the other three, we use 開ける= ひらける (= hirakeru) less.

開ける = ひらける (= hirakeru) is more literal. We use it when we describe something which opens up or spreads out in front of you.

Ex. 運がだんだん開けてきた。= うんがだんだんひらけてきた。

= Un ga dandan hirakete kita.

= Luck is coming my way.

Ex. 山の頂上に行くと旧市街が眼下に開ける。

= やまのちょうじょうにいくときゅうしがいががんかにひらける。

= Yama no choujou ni iku to kyuushigai ga ganka ni hirakeru.

= When you go up to the top of the mountain,  the view of the old towns spread out below us.

Ex. 文明が開けた国= ぶんめいがひらけたくに

= Bunmei ga hiraketa kuni

= Civilized countries

Ex. まだこの辺は開けていない。= まだこのへんはひらけていない。

= Mada kono hen wa hirakete inai.

= This area hasn’t been developed yet.

Ex. 彼はとっても開けた人だ。= かれはとってもひらけたひとだ。

= Kare wa tottemo hiraketa hito da

= He is very open minded person.

***************************

Now finally let’s look at the picture above.

「そろそろお開きにしましょう！」

= Sorosoro ohiraki ni shimashou!

=Let’s finish the party now.

「えっ！？ケーキは？」

= Eh!? Keiki wa?

= What!? What about these cakes?

★お開き = おひらき (= ohiraki) is a key word for today.

「そろそろお開きにしましょう！」

= Sorosoro ohiraki ni shimashou!

=Let’s finish the party now.

is a set phrase that you can use when you finish a party, 飲み会(=nomikai) a drinking party , 宴会(=enkai) a party, a banquet.

Cultural note : そろそろ (= sorosoro) is also a useful word when you imply to do some action or finish something. Remember Japanese people tend to avoid direct expressions.

You don’t need to say the whole sentence if you say そろそろ(=sorosoro)

Most of Japanese people would get a hint when a host or a guest says,

「じゃあ、そろそろ…」

= Jaa sorosoro

= Well, then, (it is time for us to leave or finish the party)

We can assume this person wants to go home or finish the party. (or they are ready to do something.)

Now what is お開き= おひらき= (=ohiraki)?

The opposite kanji of 開 is

閉 (へい(= hei)・とじる(=tojiru)・しめる(=shimeru) しまる (= shimaru))

For example, in Olympic games, we say

開会式 = かいかいしき = kaikaishiki = opening ceremony

閉会式 = へいかいしき = heikaishiki = closing ceremony

And we do say

Ex. それではこれで会を終わります。

= Sorede wa kore de kai wo owarimas.

= We will finish the party/meeting/ gathering now.

or

Ex. これで閉会にします。

= Kore de heikai ni shimasu.

= We will close the meeting/reunion/ ceremony

when we end a meeting, gathering or event.

But we also say 御開き= おひらき (= ohiraki) when we finish a meeting, a party, a banquet, etc.

I know, I have taught you the meaning of 開く(=hiraku) is to open. Why do we use it when we finish something, right?

There are certain words that we should avoid using in a happy occasion such as wedding parties or a party for someone who starts business.

I once taught you in my Japanese superstitions lesson (迷信 & 縁起 = meishin and Engi) not to give certain things at wedding.

They are also certain words that are considered taboo at weddings.

If you are asked to give a speech for someone’s wedding, never use the words,

終わる(= owaru) = to finish 、別れる (= wakareru)= to separate 、切れる( = kireru) = to cut、割れる (=wareru)= to break,

流れる(=nagareru)= to flow 、破れる(=yabureru)= to rip apart、壊れる (= kowareru) = to break,

重ね重ね(= kasane gasane) repeatedly (→We avoid the words which repeat the same word because the wedding should be just once.) etc.

These are called 忌み言葉 (=imi kotoba)　taboo words.

For the same reason, traditionally when people have banquets, wedding parties, opening parties for a company or a store, etc. they generally avoid using the following words:

終わり(= owari) 、 終了(=shuuryou) = finishing, ending、帰る (= kaeru ) = going home、 去る (= saru) = leaving、 散る (= chiru) disperse、散会 (= sankai ) = to finish a meeting, a party

and instead they say the opposite but more positive word,

御開き = お開き (= ohiraki) when we finish a party, banquet, ceremony, etc..

verb form : 御開きにする= お開きにする = ohiraki ni suru

And nobody thinks they are about to open (or start) something. It is only used at the end of the events.

How / When to use it :

Not just weddings or formal ceremonies, we use it often in daily life even when we have a casual small party, a drinking gathering with your friends, etc.

Ex. 今日はこのへんでお開きということで… (Usually a host or 幹事(=kanji) the organizer, a person in charge of the meeting or party says this towards the end of the party.)

= Kyou wa kono hen de ohiraki to iu koto de…

= Well, let’s call it a day/night.

Ex. 今夜はこれでお開きとさせて頂きます。(formal)

= Konya wa kore de ohiraki to sasete itadakimasu.

= Allow us to call it a night now.

Ex. 今夜はこれでお開きね。(casual)

= Konya wa kore de ohiraki ne.

= Let’s call it a night now, OK?

Ex. そろそろお開きの時間じゃない？

= Sorosoro ohiraki no jikan ja nai?

= I guess it is time to finish the party/meeting/gathering now.

Ex.もうお開きなの？

= Mou ohiraki nano?

= Are we finishing the party already?

Ex. 昨日の飲み会、何時頃、お開きだったの？

= Kinou no nomikai nanjigoro ohiraki dattano?

= Around what time did the drinking party finish yesterday?

Ex. マギーが帰ったあとすぐにお開きになったよ。

= Maggie ga kaetta ato sugu ni ohiraki ni nattayo.

= Right after you(=Maggie) left, we finished the party.

(You can also use it for the meeting.)

Ex. 会議は８時にお開きとなった。

= Kaigi wa hachiji ni ohiraki to natta.

= The meeting (reunion) ended at 8 o’clock.

マギー先生より = Maggie Sensei yori = From Maggie Sensei

お開きだって言ったのに誰も帰らないわ！

= Ohiraki datte ittanoni daremo kaeranai wa!

= I told them the party is over, but NOBODY is going home.

せっかくケーキを独り占めしようと思ったのに…

= Sekkaku keiki wo hitorijime shiyou to omotta noni..

= I was going to hog all the cakes but…

「もう一週間も彼から連絡がないの。」

= Mou ishuukan mo kare kara rennraku ga nai no.

= He hasn’t contacted me for over a week now!

「まだふられたわけではないじゃない。」

= Mada furareta wake dewa nai janai .

= But that doesn’t mean you’ve been dumped yet.

みなさん、明けましておめでとう!!

= Minasan akemashite omedetou!!

= Happy New Year, everyone!

I hope the year 2012 will bring you lots of happiness! And I would like to keep working on helping you all improve Japanese on this site, as well as on Twitter and Facebook!

OK, the first lesson of the year was requested by my FB friend, Nur !

He asked me how to use わけではない (= wake dewa nai)

Let’s get started!

The kanji for わけ(=wake) is 訳 . It means reason(s)

The literal meaning of わけではない (= wake dewa nai) is

“It is not the reason (why)”

We use it when we want to say

It doesn’t mean that., It’s not like 〜. , It’s not the case that 〜., I don’t mean that〜., That is not why 〜., That is not the reason 〜., It is not really 〜., not to do much〜., not necessarily, not altogether 〜., not particularly 〜.

I know, I know…there are many meanings. We’ll look at the usages one at a time.

How to form :

★verb+ わけではない ( = wake de wa nai)

•食べるわけではない

= Taberu wake dewa nai

= Not really eating / not to do much eating

•飲むわけではない

= Nomu wake dewa nai

= not really drinking / not to do much drinking

★na-adjective + な (=na) + わけではない ( = wake de wa nai)

•正直なわけではない

= Shoujikina wake dewa nai

= not necessarily honest/ not altogether honest

•静かなわけではない

= Shizukana wake dewa nai

= It is not that quiet / I wouldn’t say it’s that quiet

★i-adjective + わけではない ( = wake de wa nai)

•おいしいわけではない

= Oishii wake dewa nai

= It is not that delicious

★noun + というわけではない ( = to iu wake dewa nai)

•美人というわけではない

= bijin toiu wake dewa nai

= (She) is not particularly beautiful

Note : You can also add という (=toiu) / っていう(=tteiu) (→more casual) after an adjective.

おいしいという/っていうわけではない

= Oishii to iu /tteiu wake dewa nai

= It is not so delicious

na-adjective + だ(=da)

正直だという/っていうわけではない

=Shoujikida to iu/ tteiu wake dewa nai

= not necessarily honest

静かだという/っていうわけではない

= Shizukada toiu/ tteiu wake dewa nai

= It is not that quiet/ I wouldn’t say it’s that quiet

If you want to learn more about という (= toiu) go check 〜という(= toiu) & ということ(=toiukoto) lesson!

Note : The formal form of わけではない(=wake dewa nai) are

わけではないです。(=wake dewa nai desu.)

or

わけではありません ( =wake dewa arimasen.)

Note : The casual form of わけではない(=wake dewa nai) is

わけじゃ(あ）ない（です） (=wakeja(a) nai (desu).)

or

わけじゃ(あ）ありません (= wakeja(a) arimasen)

じゃ(あ）(=ja(a)) is a casual contraction of では(=dewa)

(If you want to learn more, go check りゃあ＋じゃあ (=ryaa& jaa) lesson! )

Now let’s find out how and when to use these expresssions :

We use わけではない(= wakede wa nai) when we deny something “partially” but not “totally”.

1) It is not always true that 〜. / not altogether 〜. :

Ex. 先生がみんなすべての答えを知っているわけではない。

= Sensei ga minna subete no kotae wo shitteiru wake dewa nai.

= Teachers don’t necessarily know all the answers./ It is not always true that all the teachers know the answers.

(more formal)

〜 わけではないです。/ 〜 わけではありません。

= 〜 wake dewa nai desu. / 〜 wake de wa arimasen.

(You might think all the teachers know the answers for everything, but it is not true.)

Ex. マギーはいつも寝ているわけではない。

= Maggie wa itsumo nete iru wake dewa nai.

= Maggie is not always sleeping.

(You might think I am always sleeping but) it is not true.

(more formal)

マギーはいつも寝ているわけではないです。/ わけではありません。

= Maggie wa itsumo nete iru wakewake dewa nai desu / wake dewa arimasen

（more casual)

マギーはいつも寝ているわけじゃ(あ)ない（です）。/ わけじゃ(あ)ありません。

= Maggie wa itsumo nete iru wake ja(a)nai (desu). / wakeja(a) arimasen.

Ex. 高い料理がすべて美味しい（という）わけではない

= Takai ryouri ga subete oishii (toiu) wake dewa nai

= All expensive dishes are not altogether delicious.

(You might think all the expensive food are delicious but) it is not true.

(more formal)

高い料理がすべて美味しい（という）わけではないです。/ わけではありません。

= Takai ryouri ga subete oishii (toiu) wake dewa naidesu / wake dewa arimasen

(more casual)

高い料理がすべて美味しい（という）わけじゃ（あ）ない（です）/ わけじゃ（あ）ありません。

= Takai ryouri ga subete oishii (toiu) wakeja(a) nai (desu) / wake ja(a) arimasen.

2) When you deny some expected reason subtly.

It is not because of that,

Ex. 「日本語もうあきらめたの？」

= Nihongo mou akirameta no?

= Have you given up Japanese already?

「そういうわけじゃないよ。」(male speech)

= Souiu wake ja nai yo.

= That is not the case./ That’s not true.

「そういうわけじゃないの。」 (female speech)

= Souiu wake ja nai no.

= That is not the case./ That’s not true.

Ex. 彼があの人と別れてしまったのはマギーが悪いわけではないから心配しないで！

= Kare ga anohito to wakarete shimatta nowa Maggie ga warui wake dewa nai kara shinpai shinai de!

= He didn’t break up with that person because of you , Maggie. So don’t worry about it.

!lotsofhearts!3) When you want to explain a reason subtly : It is not like~

Ex.彼を容姿だけで選んだわけではない。

= Kare wo youshi dake de eranda wake dewa nai.

＝ It is not like I chose him for his appearance.

Ex. マギーのことが嫌いになったわけではないよ。

= Maggie no koto ga kirai ni natta wake dewa nai yo.

= It is not like I came to dislike you, Maggie.

Maggie’s note : Ugh! This is a cliché line that I often get. It’s a perfect phrase (but lame excuse) used to break up with people.

Let’s compare the following two sentences:

1) AはBではない

=A wa B dewa nai

and

2) AはBというわけではない

= A wa B toiu wake de wa nai

While 1) means “A is not B” 2) means “A is not necessary B.”/”I wouldn’t say A is totally B” and it doesn’t deny anything completely.

Therefore it sounds more subtle or vague.

Ex. 結婚するなら絶対にお金持ちというわけではない。

= Kekkon suru nara zettai ni okanemochi toiu wake dewa nai

= It is not necessarily true that I would only marry a rich man.

Ex. 彼はチャラ男というわけではないが言うことに重みがない。

= Kare wa charao to iu wake dewa nai ga iu koto ni omomi ga nai.

= I wouldn’t say he is that shallow (superficial) but his words lack substance.

Ex. 日本語能力試験１級に受かるのは不可能というわけではないがかなり勉強しないと難しい。

= Nihongo nouryoku shiken ikyuu ni ukaru nowa fukanou toiu wake dewa nai ga kanari benkyou shinai to muzukashii.

= I wouldn’t say passing JLTP 1st grade is impossible, but it is pretty difficult if you don’t study hard.

Ex.そんなに複雑なわけではないがやたら時間がかかる。

= Sonnani fukuzatsu na wake dewa nai ga yatara jikan ga kakaru.

= It is not that complicated, but it takes a lot of time.

Ex.あの二人は仲が悪いというわけではないがよく言い争いをしている。

= Ano futari wa naka ga warui toiu wake dewa nai ga yoku iiarasoi wo shiteiru.

= It is not that (I wouldn’t say) they ( those two) don’t get along but they often argue.

Ex.彼女はそんなにきれいというわけではないがすごくモテる。

= Kanojo wa sonnani kirei toiu wake dewa nai ga sugoku moteru.

= It is not that (I wouldn’t say) she is that pretty but she is very popular among boys.

********

「そうよね、この私がふられるわけがないわ！」

= Souyone. Kono watashi ga furareru wake ga nai wa!

= That’s right. There is NO WAY that he could dump a girl like ME!

Now, some of you are ready to write this question in the comment section.

Q .マギー先生、 I also heard わけがない (= wake ga nai).  Are they different?

Yes, わけではない (= wake dewa nai) and わけがない(= wake ga nai) are different.

わけがない(= wake ga nai) is used when you totally deny something.

It means There is NO WAY that 〜, it is impossible that 〜, can’t be

Some of you might know the title of a very popular comic book (animation) called,

“僕の妹がこんなに可愛いわけがない“

= Boku no imouto ga konnani kawaii wake ga nai

= My little sister can’t be this cute.

It is similar to はずがない (= hazu ga nai) and most of the time interchangeable.

We also say わけはない(= wake wa nai) instead of わけがない (= wake ga nai) They mean the same but we use わけがない (= wake ga nai) more often.

Ex. そんなわけはない = そんなわけがない

= Sonna wake wa nai　= Sonna wake ga nai

= That can’t be true! = That can’t be true!

How to form:

★verb + わけがない (= wakega nai)

Ex.出来るわけがない

= dekiru wake ga nai

= It is impossible for someone to do / There is no way that someone can do

こんな難しいこと、私に出来るわけがない

= Konna muzukashii koto watashi ni dekiruwake ganai.

= There is no way for me to do such difficult thing.

★i-adjective + わけがない (= wakega nai)

Ex. おいしいわけがない

= Oishii wake ga nai

= There is no way  〜 is delicious

塩も入れていない料理なんておいしいわけがない。

= Shio mo irete inai ryouri nante oishii wake ga nai.

=Food without even salt can’t be delicious.

★na-adjective + な(=na) + わけがない (= wakega nai)

Ex.静かなわけがない

= Shizukana wake ga nai

= There is no way to be quiet.

町中のホテルの部屋など静かなわけがない。

= Machinaka no hoteru no heya nado shizukana wake ga nai.

= The hotel rooms in the middle of town can’t be quiet.

★noun + である(=dearu)/ の(=no)+ わけがない (= wakega nai)

Ex. 本物の宝石であるわけがない。・本物の宝石のわけがない。

= Honmono no houseki de aru wake ga nai / Honmono no houseki no wake ga nai.

= It can’t be a real/genuine jewel.

Sometimes we add という(= toiu) or っていう(=tteiu) (→more casual) before わけがない (= wake ga nai)

●困るわけがない (=komaru wake ga nai)

Ex. 困るというわけがない

= Komaru toiu wake ga nai.

Ex. 困るっていうわけがない

= Komaru tte iu wake ga nai

Note : The formal form of わけがない(=wake ga nai) is

わけがないです(=wake ga nai desu)

or

わけがありません (= wake ga arimasen.)

Ex. 子供相手のサッカーで負けるわけがない。

= Kodomo aite no sakka de makeru wake ga nai.

= There is no way we can lose a soccer game to children.

Ex. 勉強も全然しないで試験に受かるわけがない。

= Benkou mo zenzen shinai de shiken ni ukaru wake ga nai.

= There is no way you can pass an exam without studying at all.

Ex. 犬のくせに日本語が教えられるわけがない。

= Inu no kuse ni nihongo ga oshierareru wake ga nai.

= It is impossible for a dog to teach Japanese.

Ex. あなたの様なかわいい子がふられるわけがない。

= Anata no you na kawaii ko ga furareru wake ga nai.

= There is no way a cute girl like you can get dumped.

Ex. あんなに仲のいい二人が離婚するわけがない。

= Annani naka no ii futari ga rikon suru wake ga nai.

= It is unthinkable that those two would get divorced.  They are so close to each other.

Ex. マギーが人を裏切るわけがない。

= Maggie ga hito wo uragiru wake ga nai.

= There is no way that Maggie would betray anyone.

Ex. あの川の水を飲んでも安全なわけがない。

= Ano kawa no mizu wo nondemo anzenna wake ga nai.

= How could it be safe to drink the water from that river?

Ex. あんなかっこいい人がマギーの彼であるわけがない。

= Anna kakkoii hito ga Maggie no kare de aru wake ga nai.

= It is impossible for Maggie to have a boyfriend that cool.

Ex. 私がピアノを弾くのが上手なわけがない。

= Watashi ga piano wo hiku no ga jouzuna wake ga nai.

= There is no way that I could be good at playing the piano.

Ex. 彼が本当は優しい人なんていうわけがない。

= Kare ga hontou wa yasashii hito nante iu wake ga nai.

= There is no way that he is actually a nice person.

（noun + なんていう (= nanteiu) : emphasizing )

We often skip the particle in conversation

わけがない(=wake ga nai)→わけない(= wakenai)

Ex. 怖いわけ（が）ない

= Kowai wake （ga）nai

= Can’t be scary / There is no way that (subject) is scared

Ex. 簡単なわけ（が）ない

= Kantanna wake (ga) nai

= It can’t be easy

Ex. 無視するわけ（が）ない

= Mushi suru wake (ga) nai

= There is no way that (subject) ignored/ I will ignore

Ex. 負けるわけ（が）ない

= Makeru wake (ga) nai

= There is no way to lose

You can use it when you strongly talk back.

Ex.「こんな難しい問題、解けるわけ（が）ないだろ！」(male speech)

= Konna muzukashii mondai tokeru wake (ga)  nai daro!

= There is no way to solve this difficult problem.

Ex.「そんなこと私が 知るわけ（が）ないじゃない！」(female speech)

= Sonna koto watashi ga shiru wake (ga) nai janai!

= How would I know such a thing!

Ex.「今日、暇？」

= Kyou hima?

= Are you free today?

「暇なわけ（が）ないでしょ！」

= Himana wake (ga) nai desho!

= Are you kidding me? (Of course I am not!)

「これいる？」

= Kore iru?

= Do you want this?

「いるわけ(が）ないだろ！」(male speech)

= Iru wake (ga) nai daro!

= Why would I want that! / No way!

「私のこと嫌い？」

= Watashi no koto kirai?

= You don’t like me?

「嫌いなわけ(が）ないだろ！」(male speech)

= Kiraina wake (ga) nai daro!

= Of course not! / Of course I like you! (There is no way to dislike you!)

Note : In colloquial Japanese, we say わきゃない (= wakyanai) instead of saying わけがない（＝wake ga nai) or わけはない (=wake wa nai)

Ex. 「あれ？マギー先生、今からデート？ なわきゃないな…」

＝Are? Maggie Sensei imakara deito? Na wakyanai na…

= Oh, Are you going out on a date now, Maggie Sensei? No way….(That is impossible) )

なわきゃない(=na wakyanai)  is a casual way to say そんなわけ(が）ない（= sonna wake (ga) nai )

Actually there are more idioms using 訳 = わけ (= wake) such as 訳にはいかない (= wake niwa ikanai) but we’ll have to study those some other time…

マギー先生より = Maggie Sensei yori = From Maggie Sensei

長い間、レッスンを作らなかったのは怠けていたわけではありません。

= Nagai aida ressun wo tsukuranakatta no wa namakete ita wake dewa arimasen.

= The reason why I haven’t made a lesson in such a long time is not because I am lazy.

私が怠けるわけがありませんよね！

= Watashi ga namakeru wake ga arimasen yone!

= You don’t think I am lazy, right? (There is no way I am lazy)

あれ？= Are? = Ooops!

「これで今年は仕事納めです！」

= Kore de kotoshi wa shigoto osame desu!

= This is the last work of the year.

メリークリスマス！Merry Christmas everyone!

This is going to be my last lesson for the year.

Thanks again to everybody who has been supporting this blog. ありがとう！！= Arigatou!!

This is the Super Basic Words Review Lesson Part 5.

If you don’t know about these twitter follow up lessons, go visit

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Before I start the review lesson, we need to learn today’s key word.

It’s 〜納め (= ~ osame )= finishing or finalizing something, the last activity for a while

You will hear this expression often towards the end of the year. It refers to  “the last activity (of the year).” or “things you won’t do for a while”.

★仕事納め= shigoto osame = Usually refers to the last work of the year.

Ex. 今日で仕事納めです。

= Kyou de shigoto osame desu.

= This is the last day of work of the year.

Ex. 多くの会社は１２月２９日が仕事納めだ。

= Ooku no kaisha wa juunigatsu nijuukunichi ga shigoto osame da.

= Many companies’ last day of work is Dec. 29th

How to form this word with a verb :

Make a ます(=masu) form and delete ます(=masu) and add 納め(=osame)

★飲みます(=nomimasu)　+納め(=osame)

飲み納め = nomiosame = the last drink of the year (or You won’t drink for a while from now on)

★歌います(=utaimasu)　+ 納め(=osame)

歌い納め = utai osame = the last song (I’ll sing) of the year (or You won’t sing for a while) (Ex. Karaoke, etc.)

★買います(=kaimasu)　+ 納め(=osame)

買い納め= kai osame = the last buy of the year (or You won’t buy for a while in certain period.)

Ex. 2011年、買い納め

= Nisen juuichinen kaiosame.

= The last shopping of the year 2011.

Note : It may not mean “of the year” but activity that you won’t do for a while. And you can be creative using many verbs.

Though it won’t work with all the verbs, it makes things sound more dramatic!

Ex. 明日から試験勉強が始まるから今日で遊び納めだ！

= Ashita kara shiken benkyou ga hajimaru kara kyou de asobi osame da.

= Since I have to study for the exams from tomorrow, this is the last day I’ll be able to play today.

Ex. しばらくダイエットするから今日が美味しいものの食べ納めだ。

= Shibaraku daietto surukara kyou ga oishiimono no tabeosame da.

= I will be on diet for a while so today is the last day to get to eat yummy food for a while.

★見納め= miosame = to look last look

Ex. 桜も見納めだ。

= Sakura mo miosameda.

=This is the last chance to see the cherry blossoms.

★年貢の納め時= nengu no osame doki

The original meaning is the time to pay the annual land tax in the old days.

But we use it now when we have to compensate what we have done, it is time to get serious, no time for fooling around, it is time to give up what you have been doing.

In old detective shows, the police arrests a criminal saying,

Ex.これでお前も年貢の納め時だ！

= Kore de omae mo nengu no osamedokida!

= This is it! / The game is over. It is time for you to pay what you have done. / The jig is up.

Also when someone who was not into marriage finally gets marriage, they say

Ex. そろそろ私も年貢の納め時かな。(female speech)

= Sorosoro watashi mo nengu no osamedoki kana.

= I guess it is time for me to get marriage.

Ex.これでマギーも年貢の納め時だね。

= Kore de Maggie mo nengu no osamedoki dane.

= You have to determined to get married, Maggie.

(Implying maybe I am fooling around or enjoying being single or refusing to get married for a long time, but now it is time to get married.)

Anyway, this lesson is your 勉強納め！(= Benkyou osame! ) Last study of the year!

Here we go!

***********************

Week 36

1) hour(s), time = 時間= じかん = jikan

2 hours

=  二時間 or ２時間

= にじかん

= nijikan

2) number series of digits=  番号= ばんごう = bangou

telephone number

= 電話番号

= でんわばんごう

= denwa bangou

3) fare, fee = 料金 =  りょうきん = ryoukin

taxi fare

= タクシー料金

= タクシーりょうきん

= takushii ryoukinn

4) amount = 量 = りょう = ryou

to reduce the amount

= 量を減らす

= りょうをへらす

= ryou wo herasu

5) a half = 半分 = はんぶん = hanbun

to cut a cake in half

= ケーキを半分に切る

= ケーキをはんぶんにきる

= keiki wo hanbun ni kiru

6) whole, entirety = 全体 = ぜんたい= zentai

the whole country

= 国全体

= くにぜんたい

= kuni zentai

*************

Week 37

7) to be in trouble = 困る= こまる = komaru

to have trouble making a living

= 生活に困る

= せいかつにこまる

= seikatsu ni komaru

8) far = 遠い = とおい = tooi

far back, far in the past

= 遠い昔
= とおいむかし
= tooi mukashi

9) close, near = 近い = ちかい = chikai

near future

= 近い将来
= ちかいしょうらい
= chikai shourai

10) correct, right = 正しい = ただしい = tadashii

the right way

= 正しいやり方
= ただしいやりかた
= tadashii yarikata

11) quiet, calm, docile (for people/animal) = 大人しい= おとなしい = otonashii

a quiet baby

= 大人しい赤ちゃん
=おとなしいあかちゃん
= otonashii akachan

12) dangerous, risky = 危ない= あぶない = abunai

one’s life is in danger

= 命が危ない
= いのちがあぶない
= inochi ga abunai

*************

Week 38

13) to be embarrassed, embarrassing = 恥ずかしい= はずかしい= hazukashii

an embarrassing story

= 恥ずかしい話

= はずかしいはなし

= hazukashii hanashi

14) detailed =　詳しい= くわしい =  kuwashii

detailed explanation

= 詳しい説明

= くわしいせつめい

= kuwashii setsumei

15) easy = 簡単な = かんたんな= kantanna

easy exercises

= 簡単な練習

= かんたんなれんしゅう

= kantan na renshuu

16) difficult = 難しい = むずかしい =  muzukashii

difficult grammar

=  難しい文法

= むずかしいぶんぽう

= muzukashii bunpou

17) sore, painful = 痛い = いたい = itai

to have a headache

= 頭が痛い

= あたまがいたい

= atama ga itai

18) complicated = 複雑な=ふくざつな=  fukuzatsu na

complicated relationship

= 複雑な関係

= ふくざつなかんけい

= fukuzatsu na kankei

********

Week 39

19) delicious =美味しい= おいしい = oishii

looks delicious

= 美味しそう

= おいしそう

= oishisou

20) taste bad, lame = まずい = mazui

= bad tastes

= まずい味

= まずいあじ

= mazui aji

21)  rich, wealthy = 豊かな = ゆたかな = yutakana

rich life

= 豊かな人生

= ゆたかなじんせい

= yutakana jinsei

22)  poor = 貧しい = まずしい = mazuashii

  poor family

= 貧しい家庭

= まずしいかてい

= mazushii katei

23) common, average, standard = 普通の = ふつうの = futsuuno

an average person

=  普通の人

= ふつうのひと

= futsuuno hito

24) honest = 正直な = しょうじきな = shoujikina

honest way of living

=  正直な生き方

= しょうじきないきかた

= shoujikina ikikata

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

Week 40

25) history = 歴史 =  れきし = rekishi

to learn about the history

= 歴史を学ぶ
= れきしをまなぶ
= rekishi wo manabu

26) reservation = 予約 = よやく = yoyaku

to cancel a reservation

= 予約を取り消す
= よやくをとりけす
= yoyaku wo torikesu

27) content = 内容 = ないよう = naiyou

the content of a (the) book

= 本の内容
= ほんのないよう
= hon no naiyou

28) secret = 秘密 = ひみつ = himitsu

secret location

= 秘密の場所
= ひみつのばしょ
= himitsu no basho

29) traffic, communication = 交通 = こうつう = koutsuu

traffic jam

= 交通渋滞
= こうつうじゅうたい
= koutsuu juutai

30) friendship = 友情 = ゆうじょう = yuujou

the importance of friendship

= 友情の大切さ
= ゆうじょうのたいせつさ
= yuujou no taisetsu sa

＊＊＊＊

Week 41

31) convenient, handy = 便利な = べんりな = benri na

useful function

= 便利な機能
= べんりなきのう
= benrina kinou

32) inconvenient = 不便な = ふべんな = fubenna

an inconvenient place

= 不便な場所
= ふべんなばしょ

33) tough, sturdy = 丈夫な = じょうぶな = joubuna

sturdy children

= 丈夫な子供
= じょうぶなこども
= joubuna kodomo

34) strange, enigmatic, unnatural = 不思議な = ふしぎな = fushigina

curious power

= 不思議な力
=ふしぎなちから
=  fushigina chikara

35) wasted, in vain, unfruitful = 無駄な = むだな = mudana

fruitless/wasted time

= 無駄な時間
= むだなじかん
= mudana jikan

36) necessary = 必要な = ひつような = hitsuyouna

needed medicine

= 必要な薬
= ひつようなくすり
=hitsuyouna kusuri

＊＊＊＊

Week 42

37) morning = 朝 = あさ = asa

breakfast

= 朝食

= ちょうしょく

= choushoku

38) daytime = 昼 = ひる= hiru

lunch break

= 昼休み

= ひるやすみ

= hiruyasumi

39) night = 夜 = よる = yoru

night sky

= 夜空

= よぞら

= yozora

40) a.m. = 午前 =  ごぜん = gozen

in the (mid) morning

= 午前中

= ごぜんちゅう

= gozenchuu

41) p.m. = 午後 = ごご = gogo

afternoon tea

=  午後のお茶

= ごごのおちゃ

= gogo no ocha

42) middle of the night = 夜中＝よなか = yonaka

 midnight

= 真夜中

= まよなか

= mayonaka

マギー先生より = Maggie Sensei yori = From Maggie Sensei

皆さん、一年、お疲れ様でした。

= Minasan ichinen otsukare sama deshita.

= Thank you for working so hard this year.

来年も私と一緒に日本語楽しんで勉強しましょうね。

= Rainen mo watashi to issho ni nihongo tanoshinde benkyou shimashoune.

= Let’s have fun studying Japanese next year, too!

「ねえ、私、１００グラムもやせたんだよ♪」

= Nee watashi hyaku guramu mo yasetandayo♪

= Hey, I lost “HUNDRED” grams!

「だからどうしたの？」

= Dakara doushita no?

= So what?

「昨日、道で一万円拾ったの。」

= Kinou michi de ichimanen hirotta no.

= I picked up 10,000 yen on the street yesterday.

「それでどうしたの？」

= Sorede doushita no?

= And what did you do? / And what happened?

Hi, everyone! How have you been?

This lesson is for my Twitter follower, Sanjay.

He asked me the  difference between それで (= sore de) and だから (= dakara)

They are conjunctions and the general meanings are,

だから(= dakara) :　because of that, that’s why, therefore

それで(= sorede) : then, so, as a result, because of that, that’s why

Hum…the differences seem to be vague, huh?

Let’s see if I can point out some clear differences…

Here we go!

**********************************************

As we can tell by the meanings,  sometimes they are interchangeable and sometimes they are not.

When can we use  either だから(= dakara) or それで(= sorede)?

★When we talk about reasons and the consequences.

possible reasons, causes

→ + それで(= sorede) or だから(=dakara)

 consequences of the previous sentence

Ex. マギーはピンク色が好きです。だから／それでこのセーターをプレゼントに選びました。

= Maggie wa pinku iro ga suki desu. Dakara / Sorede kono seetaa wo purezento ni erabimashita.

= Maggie likes pink color. That’s why/ So I chose this sweater for her present.

Ex. 学校に動物を連れてきてはいけません。だから／それでマギーは教室には入れなかったのです。
= Gakkou ni doubutsu wo tsurete kite wa ikemasen. Dakara/ Sorede Maggie wa kyoushitsu niwa hairenakatta no desu.
= You can’t bring any animals to the school. That’s why/ So Maggie couldn’t go in the classroom.

Ex.  彼のことばかり考えて何も手につきません。だから／それで試験の結果は最悪でした。
= Kare no koto bakari kangaete nani mo te ni tsukimasen. Dakara / Sorede shiken no kekka wa saiaku deshita.
= I can’t get him out of my mind, and I can’t do anything else. That’s why/  So the result of the exam was terrible.

Note : They are interchangeable in the above sentences. If there is a difference I would say,

While だから (= dakara) is often meant “That’s why”, それで (= sorede) is more like “so” in these cases.

Even if they are both translated  as ”that’s why”, だから (= dakara) is slightly stronger than それで (=sorede) and  it stresses “the reason for something” more.

★In a dialogue between two people :

Speaker A talks about something that could be a reason for something.

Speaker B responds,  saying

それで(= sorede)/ だから(=dakara) + consequences of what the speaker A just said.

In this case, それで (= sorede) and  だから (= dakara) both mean  “That explains “, “That’s why.”

Ex.「マギー、ちょっと太ったんだって。」

= Maggie chotto futottan datte.
= You know Maggie is putting on some weight.

「ああ、だから/ それで最近、あんまり食べないんだ。」

= Aa, dakara/ Sorede saikin anmari tabenainda.

= Oh, that’s why she doesn’t eat much lately.

Ex.「マギー風邪引いたんだって。」
= Maggie kaze hiitandatte.

= I heard Maggie has a cold.

「だから/ それで休みなんだ。」

= Dakara/ Sorede yasumi nanda.

= That’s why she is absent.

Ex. 「 昨日は徹夜だったの。」(の ending : female speech)

= Kinou wa testsuya datta no.
= I stayed up all night long last night.

「だから/それで目が赤いんだね。」

= Dakara / Sorede me ga akain dane.

= That’s why you have red eyes.

Ex. 「マギー彼と別れたらしいよ。」

= Maggie, kare to wakareta rashii yo.

= I heard Maggie broke up with him.

「だから/それで元気(が）ないんだね。」

= Dakara/ Sorede genki (ga)nain dane.

= That’s why she looks depressed.

Ex. 「ここの店のラーメン、めちゃめちゃ美味しいよ。」
= Kokono mise no raamen, mechamecha oishiiyo.
= The ramen in this ramen shop is really good!

「だから／それでいつも人が一杯なんだ。」

= Dakara/ Sorede itsumo hito ga ippai nanda.
= That’s why it’s always crowded.

Sometimes we just say,

•だからね。= Dakara ne.

•だからか… = Dakara ka. （male talk)

•それで… = Sore de…

•それでか… = Sorede ka… (male talk)

Ex. 「マギー、今日デートだって。」

= Maggie kyou deito datte.
= I heard Maggie has a date today.

(Upon seeing Maggie is dressed up.)

「ああ、だからね。」
= Aa dakarane.
= Ah, that’s why.

Ex. A : 「なんで今日、こんなに綺麗に片付いてるの？」

= Nande kyou konnani kirei ni katazuiteruno?
= How come it’s so clean today?

B: 「お客さんがくるんだって。」
= Okyakusan ga kurun datte.
= I heard we have a guest.

A :「それでか。」
= Sorede ka..
or
「それでね。」
= Sorede ne.
or
「だからか。」
= Dakara ka.
or
「だからね。」
= Dakara ne.

= That’s why. / That explains.

************************

Now let’s look at example where these words are not interchangeable:

Let’s look at the pictures above. Two pictures are showing how to respond/ react to someone’s story using それで (= sorede) and だから(=dakara).

See the difference?

When someone is telling a story, if you respond saying,

「それでどうしたの？」

= Sorede doushita no?
= Then what happened?

or simply

= 「それで？」

= Sorede?
= And then? (Keep talking!)

the speaker can tell by your response that you are interested in the story and want to hear more.

But if you say,

「だからどうしたの？」

= Dakara doushitano?
= So what ? / Who cares!

or simply say

「だから？」

= Dakara?
= So?/ So what?/ Who cares!

the speaker might be offended because you don’t sound like you are interested in what the speaker is talking about.

(Note : This is a basic rule but sometimes,  if you say「それで?」 (=sorede?) with flat intonation and less enthusiasm showing no interest, people might take it as  “So what?”.

Also if you say 「それがどうしたの？」(= Sore ga doushita no) that also means “So what?”( I don’t care… )

Particles are difficult. Just one particle can totally change the nuance.)

★When we make a suggestion or  give an order, we use だから (= dakara) = so

Ex. 電車がもう出ます。だからもうちょっと急ぎましょう。
= Densha ga mou demasu. Dakara mou chotto isogimashou.
= The train is leaving soon. So we should hurry a little more!

You can’t use “それで“ (= sorede)

Ex. この辺は物騒です。だから夜一人で歩かない方がいい。
= Konohen wa bussou desu. Dakara yoru hitori de arukanai hou ga ii.
= This area is dangerous. So you shouldn’t walk alone at night.

You can’t use “それで” (= sorede)

★ Asking a question starting with それで (= sorede) = and then, so

Ex.「それでマギーはどうするの？」
= Sorede Maggie wa dou suru no?
= So what are you (Maggie) going to do then?

Ex,「それであの後、どうなったの？」

= Sorede ano ato, dounatta no?
= So what happened after that?

Ex.「それで、あなたはその人を助けたの？」
= Sore de anata wa sono hito wo tasuketa no?
= And did you help that person after all?

★When you  make your point by repeating your quote/ When you want to get the listener’s attentio, we use だから(=dakara)

= I told you so. That’s why I told you

(It may sound a little intrusive or frustrated. )

Ex. 「だから、私は行きたくないって言ってるでしょ！」(female speech)

= Dakara watashi wa ikitaku naitte itterudesho!

= I am telling you that I don’t want to go!

Ex. だから言ったじゃない。／言ったでしょ。（female speech)

= Dakara ittajanai /  itta desho.
= That’s why I told you so.

Ex.だから言っただろ(う)。(male speech )

= Dakara itta daro(u).
= That’s why I told you so.

Ex. だからちゃんと両手で(コップを）持たないとこぼすって言ったでしょ！

= Dakara chanto ryoute de (koppu wo)  motanai to kobosu tte itta desho!
= I told you the cup would spill if you didn’t hold it with both hands!

You can’t use “それで” (= sorede)

*******************************

Extra information:

Actually this is conjunction から(=kara) but,

 na-adjective +  conjunction から(=kara) becomes 〜だから(=dakara)  = because

*元気(=genki) →元気だ (=genkida) →+から(=kara)

→元気だから = genki da kara = because being healthy, energetic

Ex. 母は元気だから心配ない。
= Haha wa genki dakara shinpai nai.
= My mom is healthy so there is nothing I worry about.

*静か(=shizuka)→静かだ(=shizukada)→+から(=kara)

→静かだから = shizuka da kara = because it is quiet, someone is quiet

Ex. ここは静かだから勉強するには理想的だ。
= Koko wa shizuka dakara benkyou suru niwa risoutekida.
= It’s very quiet here so it is ideal to study here.

Ex. あんまり静かだから誰もいないと思った。
= Anmari shizuka dakara dare mo inai to omotta.
= You were so quiet (It was so quiet ) that I thought nobody was here.

noun + だから(= dakara) : emphasizing the noun

犬だから = inu dakara = just because being a dog

Ex. 犬だから日本語は教えられないというのはおかしい。
= Inudakara nihongo wa oshierarenai to iu nowa okashii.
= It is strange to think I can’t teach Japanese just because I am a dog.

今だから= ima dakara = only now, “Now”

Ex.今だから出来ることがいっぱいあるはずだ。
= Ima dakara dekiru koto ga ippai aru hazu da.
= There must be so many things that we can do NOW.

  女だから= onna dakara = because you are a woman, I am a woman

Ex. 女だからって馬鹿にしないでよ！
= Onnadakaratte baka ni shinai de yo!
= Just because I am a woman, don’t belittle (underestimate) me!

マギー先生より = Maggie Sensei yori = From Maggie Sensei

一万円を拾ってどうしたかって？もちろん、警察に届けました。

= Ichiman en wo hirotte doushitakatte? Mochiron keisatsu ni todokemashita.

= What did I do with the 10,000 yen I picked up? Of course, I took it to the police station.

「これ勉強したら遊んであげる！」

= Kore benkyou shitara asonde ageru.

= I will play with you after you study this!

皆さん、今日は！

= Minasan Konnichiwa!

=  Hi everyone!

もう１１月ですね。

= Mou juuichigatsu desune.

= It’s already November.

ということは今年もあと２ヶ月しかないのですね。

= To iu koto wa kotoshi mo ato nikagetsu shika nai no desu ne.

= That means there are only two more months left this year.

Oh my! Time sure does fly!

OK, this lesson is a review of all the Super Basic Words that I tweeted in past 7 weeks on Twitter (Maggie Sensei).

If you don’t know, check my previous Super Basic Words Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 lessons. You can start from any lesson. They are all random.  I also tweet a weekly quiz every Sunday. Check my previous quizzes on Maggie’s room.

Week 29

1) to read = 読む = よむ = yomu

to read the newspaper

= 新聞を読む
= しんぶんをよむ
= shinbun wo yomu

2) to write = 書く = かく = kaku

to write sentences

= 文章を書く
= ぶんしょうをかく
= bunshou wo kaku

to write a letter

手紙を書く

= てがみをかく

= tegami wo kaku

3) to open = 開ける =あける = akeru

to open a package

= 包みを開ける
= つつみをあける
= tsutsumi wo akeru

4) to close = 閉める = しめる = shimeru

to close the windows

= 窓を閉める
= まどをしめる
= mado wo shimeru

5) to buy = 買う = かう = kau

to buy  a picture

= 絵を買う
= えをかう
= e wo kau

6) to sell = 売る = うる = uru

to sell a used car

= 中古車を売る
= ちゅうこしゃをうる
= chuukosha wo uru

***************************************

Week 30

7) to dry = 乾かす = かわかす = kawakasu

to dry one’s hair

= 髪を乾かす

= かみをかわかす

=kami wo kawakasu

8) to see someone, to meet someone = 会う = あう= au

to meet Maggie by chance

= マギーに偶然会う

= マギーにぐうぜんあう

= Maggie ni guuzen au

9) to sing = 歌う = うたう= utau

to sing well

= 上手に歌う

=  じょうずにうたう

= jouzu ni utau

10) to finish = 終える = おえる = oeru

to finish one’s homework

= 宿題を終える

= しゅくだいをおえる

= shukudai wo oeru

11)  to push, to press=  押す = おす = osu

to press firmly

= 強く押す

= つよくおす

= tsuyoku osu

12) to pull, to draw, to take away = 引く = ひく = hiku

to catch to the eye, eye-catching

= 人目を引く

= ひとめをひく

= hitome wo hiku

***************************************

Week 31

13) to drive = 運転する = うんてんする = untensuru

to drive a car

= 車を運転する

= くるまをうんてんする

= kuruma wo untensuru

14) to drink = 飲む = のむ = nomu

to drink beer

= ビールを飲む

= ビールをのむ

= biiru wo nomu

15) to eat = 食べる = たべる = taberu

to eat snacks

= おやつを食べる

= おやつをたべる

= oyatsu wo taberu

16) to draw = 描く = かく= kaku

to draw a picture

= 絵を描く

=えをかく

= e wo kaku

***************************************

Week 32

17) to bake, to roast, to pan-fry, to grill= 焼く =やく= yaku

to grill (roast) meat

= 肉を焼く

= にくをやく

= niku wo yaku

18) to chop = 刻む = きざむ = kizamu

to chop onions

= 玉ねぎを刻む
= たまねぎをきざむ
= tamanegi wo kizamu

19) to boil up, to cook = 煮る = にる

to simmer

= とろ火で煮る
= とろびでにる
= torobi de niru

20) to stir-fry, to saute =　炒める = いためる = itameru

to saute (stir-fry) vegetables

= 野菜を炒める
= やさいをいためる
= yasai wo itameru

21 ) to chill / to cool = 冷やす = ひやす= hiyasu

to chill something with ice

= 氷で冷やす
= こおりでひやす
= koori de hiyasu

22) to burn s.t. = 焦がす = こがす = kogasu

to burn fish

= 魚を焦がす
= さかなをこがす
= sakana wo kogasu

***************************************

Week 33

23) to heal, to cure = 治す = なおす = naosu

to heal someone’s disease

= 病気を治す

= びょうきをなおす

= byouki wo naosu

24) to stop s.t. / s.o. = 止める =  とめる = tomeru

to stop the car

= 車を止める
= くるまをとめる
= kuruma wo tomeru

25) to drop = 落とす= おとす = otosu

to drop a ring

=指輪を落とす
= ゆびわをおとす
= yubiwa wo otosu

26) to throw = 投げる = なげる = nageru

to throw a ball

= 球を投げる
=たまをなげる
= tama wo nageru

27) to look for, to search for = 探す = さがす = sagasu

to look for a new job

= 新しい仕事を探す

= あたらしいしごとをさがす

= atarashii shigoto wo sagasu

28) to feel = 感じる = かんじる = kanjiru

to feel happy

= 幸せを感じる
= しあわせをかんじる
= shiawase wo kanjiru

***************************************

Week 34

29) to take a walk = 散歩する = さんぽする= sanpo suru

to take a walk in the neighborhood

= 近所を散歩する
= きんじょをさんぽする
= kinjo wo sanpo suru

30) to exercise, to work out = 運動する = うんどうする = undousuru

to work out  everyday

= 毎日運動する
= まいにちうんどうする
= mainichi undousuru

31) to compare = 比べる = くらべる = kuraberu

to compare the prices

= 値段を比べる
= ねだんをくらべる
= nedan wo kuraberu

32) to make a mistake = 間違える = まちがえる = machigaeru

to go the wrong way

= 道を間違える
= みちをまちがえる
= michi wo machigaeru

33) to translate = 訳す = やくす = yakusu

to translate into Japanese

= 日本語に訳す
= にほんごにやくす
= nihongo ni yakusu

34) to check, to examine = 調べる= しらべる = shiraberu
to check the answer(s)

= 答えを調べる
= こたえをしらべる
＝kotae wo shiraberu

***************************************

Week 35

35) to protect = 守る = まもる = mamoru

to protect one’s family

= 家族を守る

= かぞくをまもる

= kazoku wo mamoru

36) to deposit = 預ける= あずける

to deposit money

= お金を預ける

= おかねをあずける

= okane wo azukeru

★to travel = 旅する = たびする = tabisuru

to travel alone

= 一人旅をする

= ひとりたびをする

= hitoritabi wo suru

38) to receive, to take = 受ける = うける= ukeru

to receive orders

= 注文を受ける

= ちゅうもんをうける

= chuumon wo ukeru

39) to borrow = 借りる =かりる = kariru

to borrow a lot of money

= 大金を借りる

= たいきんをかりる

= taikin wo kariru

40) to lend , to rent =  貸す= かす= kasu

to lend a book

= 本を貸す

= ほんをかす

= hon wo kasu

マギー先生より = Maggie Sensei yori = From Maggie Sensei

いつもTwitterでがんばって勉強してくれるみんな、ありがとう！

= Itsumo Twitter de ganbatte benkyou shitekureru minna arigatou!

= Thank you for all the people who are trying hard to study Japanese with me on Twitter!

これからも役に立つことをつぶやいていきたいと思いますので宜しくね！

= Korekara mo yaku ni tatsu koto wo tsubu

= I will try to tweet something useful for you so keep supporting me!

フェースブックも始めて2ヶ月になります。

= Facebook mo hajimete nikagetsu ni narimasu.

= I’ve been on Facebook for about two months.

遊びに来てね！

= Asobi ni kitene!

= Visit me!

Maggie Sensei Facebook

「このおもちゃ、経費で買ってくれる？」

= Kono omocha keihi de katte kureru?

= Can you buy me this toy using the company expense account?

「自腹でお願いします。」

= Jibara de onegai shimasu.

= Please pay for it out of your own pocket.

I just bought a new toy. Do you like it?

経費 ( = keihi ) the expenses that we spend to run an organization, company, institute, even the government etc.

★Transportation fee. /Taking a cab home when you work late and miss the last train. 交通費 ( = kōtsūhi )

★Taking out your clients for dinner or for a drink to discuss business matters or just to keep on good terms.    交際費 (= kōsaihi)

★Business trip 出張費 (= shucchōhi)

★Buying work related things, etc.   諸経費 (= Shokeihi)  Sundry expenses

経費を請求する (= keihi wo seikyū suru)

Here is a common expression,

Note : 落とす(= otosu) literally means “to drop” so it means “to put ~ down to expenses”

Cultural note :

Cultural Note : What is 上様 (=uesama)?