読解練習問題 (JLPT N3レベル)
レベル1：覚える (Remembering)
- 日本では、犬や猫はどこで手に入れるのが一般的です×Meaning:
Is common; is typical.
Grammar:
- 一般的 (ippan-teki): A na-adjective meaning 'common' or 'general'.
- です (desu): The polite copula, similar to 'is' or 'are'.
Usage: Used to state that something is a common practice or a general standard.
Examples:
日本では、新年に神社へ行くのが一般的です。
In Japan, it is common to go to a shrine for the New Year.
彼のような意見は、この会議では一般的ではありません。
An opinion like his is not typical in this meeting.
Register/Formality: Politeか。 - 保護施設×Meaning:
Animal shelter; protective facility.
Grammar:
- A compound noun made of two parts:
- 保護 (hogo): 'protection', 'care'.
- 施設 (shisetsu): 'facility', 'institution'.
Usage: Refers to a facility that provides care and protection for animals (or sometimes people) who are in need.
Examples:
多くのボランティアが動物保護施設で働いています。
Many volunteers work at the animal shelter.
その保護施設は、捨てられたペットのための安全な場所を提供しています。
That shelter provides a safe place for abandoned pets.
Register/Formality: Neutralから動物を引き取る×Meaning:
To adopt (an animal); to take in; to take custody of.
Grammar:
- A Godan verb in its dictionary (plain) form.
- It is a compound verb from 引く (hiku - to pull) and 取る (toru - to take), creating the sense of 'pulling something into one's own care'.
Usage: Commonly used for adopting a pet from a shelter or another person. It implies taking responsibility for the care of the animal or person.
Examples:
私たちは先月、子犬を引き取りました。
We adopted a puppy last month.
彼は友人が飼えなくなった猫を引き取ることを申し出た。
He offered to take in his friend's cat, which they could no longer keep.
Register/Formality: Plain form. The polite form is 引き取ります (hikitorimasu).人を何と呼びますか。 - 譲渡費用×Meaning:
Adoption fee; transfer fee.
Grammar:
- A compound noun.
- 譲渡 (jōto): 'transfer of ownership'.
- 費用 (hiyō): 'cost', 'expense'.
Usage: Refers to the money paid to an organization (like an animal shelter) when formally adopting an animal.
Examples:
譲渡費用は、動物の医療費を賄うために使われます。
The adoption fee is used to cover the animal's medical expenses.
譲渡費用を支払う前に、契約書に署名してください。
Please sign the contract before paying the adoption fee.
Register/Formality: Formal/technical term, but standard in the context of adoption.
Cultural Context: This is not a 'price' for buying the animal, but a fee to cover the shelter's costs for vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and general care. It helps the shelter continue its work.は何のために使われますか。 - 動物を引き取る×Meaning:
To adopt (an animal); to take in; to take custody of.
Grammar:
- A Godan verb in its dictionary (plain) form.
- It is a compound verb from 引く (hiku - to pull) and 取る (toru - to take), creating the sense of 'pulling something into one's own care'.
Usage: Commonly used for adopting a pet from a shelter or another person. It implies taking responsibility for the care of the animal or person.
Examples:
私たちは先月、子犬を引き取りました。
We adopted a puppy last month.
彼は友人が飼えなくなった猫を引き取ることを申し出た。
He offered to take in his friend's cat, which they could no longer keep.
Register/Formality: Plain form. The polite form is 引き取ります (hikitorimasu).前に、何を書かなければなりませんか。 - 動物と一緒に生活してみて問題がないか確認する×Meaning:
To check if there are any problems; to confirm there are no issues.
Grammar:
- 問題 (mondai): 'problem'
- が (ga): subject particle
- ない (nai): negative form of ある (aru), 'does not exist'
- か (ka): question particle, here used to mean 'whether' or 'if'
- 確認する (kakunin suru): to confirm, to check
Structure: The phrase '〜がないか確認する' ('~ ga nai ka kakunin suru') is a common pattern meaning 'to check whether ~ is absent' or 'to check if there is no ~'.
Usage: A very common phrase used to describe the action of verifying a situation to ensure everything is correct and without issues.
Examples:
メールを送る前に、間違いがないか確認した。
I checked for mistakes before sending the email.
システムの動作に問題がないか確認してください。
Please check if there are any problems with the system's operation.
Register/Formality: Plain form. The polite form is 問題がないか確認します (mondai ga nai ka kakunin shimasu).期間を何と言いますか。
レベル2：理解する (Understanding)
- 保護施設はなぜ、住んでいる家について質問するのだと思いますか。
- 「殺処分×Meaning:
Euthanasia or culling of animals, particularly in shelters.
Grammar:
- A compound noun made of 殺 (satsu: kill) and 処分 (shobun: disposal, management).
- It literally translates to 'disposal by killing'.
Usage:
A formal term used by government bodies and animal welfare organizations to refer to the act of putting down stray or unwanted animals.
Examples:
多くの動物愛護団体が殺処分に反対している。
Many animal welfare organizations are opposed to euthanasia.
このシェルターの目標は、殺処分される犬の数を減らすことです。
The goal of this shelter is to reduce the number of dogs that are euthanized.
Register/Formality: Formal, often used in official or news contexts.ゼロ」とは、どういう意味ですか。説明してください。 - なぜ、譲渡費用を払う必要がある×Meaning:
It is necessary to pay; one must pay.
Grammar:
- 払う (harau): Dictionary form of the verb 'to pay'.
- 必要がある (hitsuyou ga aru): A set phrase meaning 'there is a need' or 'it is necessary'.
Structure: Verb (Dictionary Form) + 必要がある (hitsuyou ga aru). This is a common pattern to express necessity or obligation.
Usage:
Used to state that paying for something is a requirement.
Examples:
税金を払う必要があります。
It is necessary to pay taxes.
このサービスを利用するには、年会費を払う必要があります。
To use this service, you must pay an annual fee.
Register/Formality: Neutral to slightly formal. The polite form is '払う必要があります' (harau hitsuyou ga arimasu).のですか。記事の内容から二つ理由を挙げてください×Meaning:
Please give/state/list reason(s).
Grammar:
- 理由 (riyuu): Noun for 'reason'.
- を (o): Object particle.
- 挙げて (agete): The te-form of the verb 挙げる (ageru), which means 'to raise' or 'to give (an example)'.
- ください (kudasai): A suffix used to make a polite request.
Structure: Noun + を + Verb (te-form) + ください.
Usage:
A polite way to ask someone to provide information, such as reasons or examples, often in a test, survey, or formal discussion.
Examples:
欠席した理由を挙げてください。
Please give the reason for your absence.
この計画の利点を三つ挙げてください。
Please list three advantages of this plan.
Register/Formality: Polite request.。 - ペットショップで買うことと、保護施設から引き取ることは、どう違いますか。
- 記事によると、保護犬×Meaning:
A rescue dog; a dog from an animal shelter.
Grammar:
- A compound noun made of 保護 (hogo: protection, shelter) and 犬 (inu: dog).
Usage:
Refers to a dog that was abandoned or found as a stray and is now under the care of a shelter, waiting for adoption.
Examples:
私たちは先月、保護犬を家族に迎えました。
We welcomed a rescue dog into our family last month.
保護犬の多くは、過去につらい経験をしています。
Many rescue dogs have had difficult experiences in the past.
Register/Formality: Neutral, common noun.や保護猫×Meaning:
A rescue cat; a cat from an animal shelter.
Grammar:
- A compound noun made of 保護 (hogo: protection, shelter) and 猫 (neko: cat).
Usage:
Refers to a cat that was abandoned or found as a stray and is now under the care of a shelter, waiting for adoption.
Examples:
このカフェには里親を探している保護猫がいます。
This cafe has rescue cats looking for new homes.
彼女は保護猫のボランティア活動をしています。
She does volunteer work for rescue cats.
Register/Formality: Neutral, common noun.を家族にすることは、なぜ大切なのですか。
レベル3：応用する (Applying)
- あなたが犬を保護施設から引き取りたいです。まず、何をしますか。
- 友達が「保護猫を引き取りたいけど、お金がかかるのはおかしい」と言っています。あなたなら、どのように説明しますか。
- あなたが保護施設の職員×Meaning:
Employee, staff member.
Grammar:
- A noun composed of 職 (shoku - work/duty) and 員 (in - member).
Usage: A general term for an employee of an organization like an office, school, or institution. In this context, it means an animal shelter employee.
Examples:
彼は市役所の職員です。
He is a city hall employee.
その動物保護施設の職員はとても親切でした。
The staff at that animal shelter were very kind.
Register/Formality: Neutral to formal.なら、新しい飼い主×Meaning:
Pet owner.
Grammar:
- A noun composed of the verb 飼う (kau - to own/raise a pet) and the noun 主 (nushi - owner/master).
Usage: This word specifically refers to the owner of an animal.
Examples:
犬の飼い主は誰ですか。
Who is the dog's owner?
良い飼い主になるには責任感が重要です。
To be a good pet owner, a sense of responsibility is important.
Register/Formality: Neutral.を探す×Meaning:
To look for, to search for.
Grammar:
- An 'u-verb' in its dictionary (plain) form. The polite form is 探します (sagashimasu).
Usage: A common verb used when searching for people, objects, or abstract things like a job or an answer.
Examples:
鍵を探しています。
I am looking for my keys.
私たちは新しい家を探すつもりです。
We plan to look for a new house.
Register/Formality: Plain/dictionary form. Used here before ために (in order to).ためにどんなイベントを計画します×Meaning:
To plan.
Grammar:
- This is a verb formed by combining the noun 計画 (keikaku - plan) with します (shimasu), the polite form of the verb する (suru - to do).
Usage: Used for making plans, from simple daily schedules to large projects.
Examples:
週末の旅行を計画します。
I will plan this weekend's trip.
会社は新しいプロジェクトを計画しています。
The company is planning a new project.
Register/Formality: Polite (-masu form).か。 - 記事を読んで、あなたは「里親×Meaning:
Foster parent; adoptive parent (for an animal).
Grammar:
- A noun composed of 里 (sato - home village) and 親 (oya - parent).
Usage: While it can mean foster parent for a child, in the context of animal shelters, it refers to the person who adopts an animal and gives it a new permanent home.
Examples:
私たちは子猫の里親になりました。
We became the adoptive parents of a kitten.
里親を探している犬がたくさんいます。
There are many dogs looking for an adoptive family.
Register/Formality: Neutral to formal.」になるために、どんな準備が必要×Meaning:
Preparation is necessary; need to prepare.
Grammar:
- 準備 (junbi): Noun for 'preparation'.
- が (ga): Subject marker particle.
- 必要 (hitsuyou): A 'na'-adjective meaning 'necessary'.
- Structure: 'Noun + が + 必要' is a common pattern to express that something is needed.
Usage: A common phrase to state the necessity of preparing for something.
Examples:
旅行には準備が必要です。
Preparation is necessary for a trip.
この仕事には特別なスキルが必要です。
Special skills are necessary for this job.
Register/Formality: Neutral. The sentence uses the plain form '...必要だ' because it is part of a quote inside a larger thought '...と思いましたか'. The polite form is '必要です'.だと思いましたか。 - もし、トライアル期間中に猫があなたの家に慣れなかったら、どうすればいいですか。
レベル4：分析する (Analyzing)
- 保護施設が面談×Meaning:
Interview; a formal meeting or consultation.
Grammar:
- A noun that can be combined with する to form a verb: 面談する (mendan suru) means 'to have an interview'.
Usage:
Used in formal or professional contexts, such as a job interview, a parent-teacher consultation, or in this case, a screening interview by an animal shelter.
Examples:
明日は仕事の面談があります。
I have a job interview tomorrow.
保護者は年に一度、先生と面談する機会があります。
Parents have an opportunity to have a consultation with the teacher once a year.
Register/Formality: Formalや家の確認×Meaning:
Confirmation; verification; checking.
Grammar:
- A noun that can be combined with する to form a verb: 確認する (kakunin suru) means 'to confirm' or 'to check'.
Usage:
Used when you need to make sure something is correct, safe, or meets certain conditions. In this context, it refers to a home check to ensure it's a suitable environment for a pet.
Examples:
予約の確認をしたいです。
I'd like to confirm my reservation.
出発前に、持ち物をもう一度確認してください。
Before you depart, please check your belongings one more time.
Register/Formality: Neutral to formalをする目的×Meaning:
Purpose; goal; objective.
Grammar:
- A noun that refers to the aim or reason behind an action.
Usage:
Used to ask about or state the reason for doing something. It is different from 原因 (gen'in), which means 'cause'. 目的 is forward-looking (the goal), while 原因 is backward-looking (the reason something happened).
Examples:
あなたの日本への旅行の目的は何ですか。
What is the purpose of your trip to Japan?
この会議の目的を明確にしましょう。
Let's clarify the objective of this meeting.
Register/Formality: Neutral to formalは何だと思いますか。 - 「動物の命×Meaning:
An animal's life.
Grammar:
- 動物 (dōbutsu): animal
- の (no): possessive particle
- 命 (inochi): life (life force, the state of being alive)
Usage:
A phrase referring to the life of an animal, often used in serious contexts discussing animal welfare, ethics, and the responsibility of humans towards them.
Examples:
私たちは動物の命を大切にしなければなりません。
We must value animal life.
獣医は毎日、動物の命を救うために働いています。
Veterinarians work every day to save animals' lives.
Register/Formality: Neutral to formalに対して責任を持つ×Meaning:
To take responsibility; to be responsible for.
Grammar:
- 責任 (sekinin): a noun meaning 'responsibility' or 'duty'.
- を (o): the object marker particle.
- 持つ (motsu): a verb meaning 'to hold' or 'to have'.
Structure: This is a set phrase: (Noun) を持つ means 'to have/hold (Noun)'.
Usage:
A common expression for taking on or bearing responsibility for one's actions, a duty, or the well-being of another.
Examples:
親は子供の行動に責任を持つべきです。
Parents should take responsibility for their children's actions.
プロジェクトリーダーとして、彼は結果に全責任を持ちます。
As the project leader, he takes full responsibility for the results.
Register/Formality: Neutral to formal」とは、具体的にどういうことですか。記事の内容と関連付けて×Meaning:
To connect with; to link to; to associate with.
Grammar:
- The て-form (te-form) of the verb 関連付ける (kanrenzukeru), which is a compound of 関連 (kanren - 'relation') and 付ける (tsukeru - 'to attach').
- The て-form links this action to the next verb: 'connect this idea AND explain'.
Usage:
Used in formal or academic contexts to ask someone to make a logical connection between two or more ideas in an explanation.
Examples:
その事件を過去のデータと関連付けて分析した。
I analyzed that incident by linking it with past data.
自分の経験と関連付けて話すと、説得力が増します。
If you speak by connecting it to your own experiences, it becomes more persuasive.
Register/Formality: Formal説明してください。 - ペットショップと保護施設の役割×Meaning:
Role; part; function.
Grammar:
- A noun referring to the part that a person or thing plays in a system or situation.
Usage:
Used to talk about the function or duties of a person, organization, or object. It is similar to 役目 (yakume), but 役割 is broader, while 役目 often implies a specific, assigned duty.
Examples:
チームにおける彼の役割は重要だ。
His role on the team is important.
政府は経済を安定させる役割を担っています。
The government has the role of stabilizing the economy.
Register/Formality: Neutralを比べて×Meaning:
To compare.
Grammar:
- The て-form (te-form) of the verb 比べる (kuraberu), meaning 'to compare'.
- The て-form connects two actions: 'compare X and Y, AND then do Z'.
Usage:
Used when examining two or more things to find their similarities and differences. The pattern is often 'AとBを比べる' (compare A and B).
Examples:
AとBを比べて、どちらがいいか決めましょう。
Let's compare A and B and decide which is better.
東京は大阪と比べて物価が高いです。
Compared to Osaka, prices in Tokyo are high.
Register/Formality: Neutral、それぞれの良い点×Meaning:
The respective good points; the good points of each.
Grammar:
- それぞれ (sorezore): each; respectively
- の (no): possessive particle
- 良い (yoi): good
- 点 (ten): point; aspect
Usage:
A phrase used to refer to the positive aspects of each individual item in a group being discussed. Using それぞれ emphasizes that each item is being considered individually.
Examples:
二つのプランのそれぞれの良い点を教えてください。
Please tell me the respective good points of the two plans.
候補者それぞれの良い点と悪い点を評価しました。
We evaluated the respective good and bad points of each candidate.
Register/Formality: Neutralと問題点を挙げてください×Meaning:
Please list; please give (as an example).
Grammar:
- This is the polite request form (-てください) of the verb 挙げる (ageru).
- While 挙げる can mean 'to raise (one's hand)', in this context it means 'to give an example' or 'to list'.
Usage:
A polite way to ask someone to provide examples, reasons, or a list of items, commonly used in questions and instructions.
Examples:
例を三つ挙げてください。
Please give three examples.
この問題の解決策をいくつか挙げてください。
Please list a few solutions for this problem.
Register/Formality: Polite。 - 日本で殺処分×Meaning:
Euthanasia (of animals); culling; disposal by killing.
Grammar:
- A noun composed of 殺 (satsu - 'kill') and 処分 (shobun - 'disposal').
- It is often used in the passive form, 殺処分される (satsushobun sareru), meaning 'to be euthanized'.
Usage:
A formal, serious term for the killing of unwanted animals, particularly in shelters. It is distinct from 安楽死 (anrakushi), which is 'euthanasia' for humane reasons (e.g., a sick pet).
Examples:
多くの犬や猫が毎日殺処分されています。
Many dogs and cats are euthanized every day.
政府は殺処分ゼロを目指しています。
The government is aiming for zero euthanasia (of shelter animals).
Register/Formality: Formal, technical termされる動物がいる根本的な原因×Meaning:
Fundamental cause; root cause.
Grammar:
- 根本的 (konponteki): a na-adjective meaning 'fundamental' or 'basic'.
- な (na): the particle that connects a na-adjective to a noun.
- 原因 (gen'in): a noun meaning 'cause' or 'origin'.
Usage:
Refers to the deepest, most basic reason for a problem, rather than a superficial one. It implies the 'root' of the issue that must be addressed for a real solution.
Examples:
問題の根本的な原因を突き止めなければならない。
We must identify the root cause of the problem.
これは単なるミスではなく、もっと根本的な原因があるはずだ。
This isn't just a simple mistake; there must be a more fundamental cause.
Register/Formality: Formalは何だと思いますか。 - 譲渡費用は、なぜ施設によって違う×Meaning:
To differ depending on; to vary according to.
Grammar:
- A phrase combining the grammar pattern ～によって (ni yotte - 'depending on') with the verb 違う (chigau - 'to be different').
- Structure: (Noun) + によって違う.
Usage:
A very common and useful phrase to express that something is not fixed, but varies based on a certain factor (e.g., person, place, time).
Examples:
値段は店によって違います。
The price differs depending on the store.
考え方は人によって違う。
Ways of thinking are different for each person.
Register/Formality: Neutralのでしょうか。考えられる理由×Meaning:
Conceivable reasons; possible reasons.
Grammar:
- 考えられる (kangaerareru): The potential form of the verb 考える (kangaeru - 'to think'). It means 'can be thought of' or 'is conceivable', and it modifies the noun that follows it.
- 理由 (riyū): A noun meaning 'reason'.
Usage:
A phrase used to ask for or list reasons that are possible or can be logically imagined.
Examples:
事故について考えられる理由をすべてリストアップした。
I listed all the conceivable reasons for the accident.
彼が遅刻したのには、何か考えられる理由がありますか。
Is there any possible reason you can think of for him being late?
Register/Formality: Neutral to formalを挙げてください。
レベル5：評価する (Evaluating)
- 動物を引き取るための手続き×Meaning:
Procedure, process, formalities.
Grammar:
- A noun referring to a series of official steps.
Usage:
Used for official processes like applications, contracts, or administrative tasks. For example, '入社手続き' (nyūsha tetsuzuki) means 'procedures for joining a company'.
Examples:
ビザの申請手続きは複雑です。
The visa application procedure is complicated.
役所での手続きは時間がかかることが多い。
Procedures at the city office often take a long time.
Register/Formality: Neutral to Formalは、厳しい×Meaning:
Strict, severe, harsh.
Grammar:
- An い-adjective.
Usage:
Describes rules, people, or conditions that are demanding and not lenient. It can mean 'strict' (for rules), 'stern' (for a person), or 'severe' (for weather or a situation).
Examples:
私の先生はとても厳しいです。
My teacher is very strict.
この会社のルールは非常に厳しい。
This company's rules are extremely strict.
Register/Formality: Neutralと思いますか、それとも当然だと思います×Meaning:
I think it's natural; I think it's a matter of course.
Grammar:
- 当然 (touzen): A な-adjective meaning 'natural' or 'of course'.
- だ (da): The plain form copula ('is').
- と思います (to omoimasu): A polite phrase meaning 'I think that...'.
Structure: This phrase follows the pattern '(Reason/Fact) + のは当然だ' (no wa tōzen da), meaning 'It is natural that...'.
Usage:
Used to express that you believe a situation or outcome is logical, reasonable, or expected.
Examples:
彼が怒るのは当然だと思います。
I think it's natural for him to be angry.
一生懸命勉強したのだから、試験に合格したのは当然の結果だ。
Since I studied hard, passing the exam is a natural result.
Register/Formality: Politeか。あなたの意見と理由を言ってください。 - 日本で「殺処分ゼロ」を実現する×Meaning:
To realize, to achieve, to make a reality.
Grammar:
- A verb formed by the noun '実現' (jitsugen - realization) and the verb 'する' (suru - to do).
Usage:
Used for bringing a dream, plan, or large-scale goal into reality. It has a stronger nuance than just achieving a target; it implies making something that didn't exist, exist.
Examples:
彼は長年の夢を実現した。
He realized his long-held dream.
世界平和を実現することは非常に難しい。
Realizing world peace is extremely difficult.
Register/Formality: Neutral to Formalために、一番重要だと思うことは何ですか。 - ペットを飼う×Meaning:
To keep (an animal); to raise (an animal).
Grammar:
- An う-verb (Godan verb).
Usage:
This verb is specifically used for keeping pets or raising livestock. It is pronounced the same as '買う' (kau - to buy), so the kanji is important to distinguish the meaning.
Examples:
私は猫を飼っています。
I have a cat.
田舎で鶏を飼うのが私の夢です。
My dream is to raise chickens in the countryside.
Common Mistakes:
Do not confuse with '買う' (kau), which means 'to buy'. 'ペットを買う' is buying a pet; 'ペットを飼う' is keeping/owning a pet.
Register/Formality: Neutralことに、賛成×Meaning:
Agreement, approval, in favor of.
Grammar:
- A noun. It can be combined with 'する' to make the verb '賛成する' (sansei suru - to agree).
Usage:
Used to express that you are 'for' or 'in favor of' a certain opinion, plan, or proposal. It is the direct opposite of '反対' (hantai - opposition).
Examples:
私はその意見に賛成です。
I agree with that opinion.
彼の計画に賛成する人はいますか。
Is there anyone who is in favor of his plan?
Register/Formality: Neutral to Formalですか、反対×Meaning:
Opposition, disagreement, against.
Grammar:
- A noun. It can be combined with 'する' to make the verb '反対する' (hantai suru - to oppose).
Usage:
Used to express that you are 'against' a certain opinion, plan, or proposal. It is the direct opposite of '賛成' (sansei - agreement).
Examples:
私はその計画に反対です。
I am against that plan.
多くの市民がその法案に反対した。
Many citizens opposed that bill.
Register/Formality: Neutral to Formalですか。あなたの立場を決めて×Meaning:
To decide your position/stance.
Grammar:
- 立場 (tachiba): Noun for 'position' or 'standpoint'.
- を (o): Object marker particle.
- 決めて (kimete): The て-form of the verb '決める' (kimeru - to decide). The て-form connects two actions.
Usage:
A common phrase in discussions or debates, asking someone to establish a clear stance on an issue before proceeding.
Examples:
まず、自分の立場を決めましょう。
First, let's decide our own positions.
会議の前に、この問題に対する私たちの立場を決めておく必要があります。
We need to decide our stance on this issue before the meeting.
Register/Formality: Neutral to Formal、理由を説明してください。 - この記事は、保護動物の問題について、十分に情報を伝えている×Meaning:
To be conveying; to be communicating.
Grammar:
- The ている (te-iru) form of the verb '伝える' (tsutaeru - to convey). This indicates a continuous action or a resulting state.
Usage:
Used for the act of transmitting information, news, or feelings. It implies more than just 'saying'; it's about successfully getting a message across.
Examples:
この歌は平和のメッセージを伝えている。
This song is conveying a message of peace.
彼は電話で重要な情報を伝えているところだ。
He is in the middle of conveying important information over the phone.
Register/Formality: Neutralと思いますか。足りない情報×Meaning:
Lacking information; insufficient information.
Grammar:
- 足りない (tarinai): The plain negative form of the verb '足りる' (tariru - to be sufficient). It functions as an adjective modifying the noun.
- 情報 (jōhō): Noun meaning 'information'.
Usage:
A common way to describe something that is missing or not enough. You can use '足りない' with many nouns, like '時間が足りない' (jikan ga tarinai - not enough time).
Examples:
このレポートには、まだ足りない情報がある。
There is still some information lacking in this report.
説明が短すぎて、足りない情報が多かったです。
The explanation was too short, and there was a lot of insufficient information.
Register/Formality: Neutralは何ですか。 - あなたは、ペットショップで動物を売ることを法律で禁止する×Meaning:
To prohibit by law; to ban by law.
Grammar:
- 法律 (hōritsu): Noun for 'law'.
- で (de): Particle indicating the means or method ('by means of').
- 禁止する (kinshi suru): Verb meaning 'to prohibit' or 'to ban'.
Usage:
A formal phrase used in legal, political, and social discussions about creating or enforcing regulations.
Examples:
多くの国で、その薬は法律で禁止されています。
In many countries, that drug is prohibited by law.
公共の場所での喫煙を法律で禁止するべきだという意見がある。
There is an opinion that smoking in public places should be banned by law.
Register/Formality: Formalべきだと思いますか。理由も説明してください。
レベル6：創造する (Creating)
- 保護犬・保護猫への理解を深める×Meaning:
To deepen one's understanding.
Grammar:
- 理解 (rikai): Noun meaning 'understanding'.
- を (o): Object marker particle.
- 深める (fukameru): A transitive verb meaning 'to deepen'.
Usage:
A somewhat formal set phrase used often in educational or social contexts to mean 'to learn more about' or 'to gain a more profound comprehension of' a topic.
Examples:
異文化への理解を深めることは大切だ。
It is important to deepen one's understanding of different cultures.
この本を読んで、歴史への理解を深めることができた。
By reading this book, I was able to deepen my understanding of history.
Register/Formality: Neutral to Formalために、学校でできる活動を一つ提案してください×Meaning:
Please propose; please suggest.
Grammar:
- 提案して (teian shite): The て-form of the verb '提案する' (teian suru - to propose).
- ください (kudasai): A polite suffix used to make a request.
Structure: The formula 'Verb (て-form) + ください' is a standard way to make polite requests.
Usage:
A common and polite way to ask someone to provide a suggestion, idea, or formal proposal.
Examples:
何かいいアイデアを提案してください。
Please suggest a good idea.
次の会議で、改善案を提案してください。
Please propose a plan for improvement at the next meeting.
Register/Formality: Polite。 - 保護施設の動物が新しい家を見つけやすくなる×Meaning:
To become easy to find.
Grammar:
- 見つけ (mitsuke): The stem of the verb '見つける' (mitsukeru - to find).
- やすい (yasui): A suffix attached to a verb stem to mean 'easy to (do verb)'.
- なる (naru): A verb meaning 'to become'. The い-adjective 'やすい' changes to its adverbial form 'やすく' before 'なる'.
Usage:
This grammatical pattern is very useful for saying that an action has become easier to perform due to some change or tool.
Examples:
このアプリのおかげで、安いホテルが見つけやすくなった。
Thanks to this app, it has become easier to find cheap hotels.
先生の説明は分かりやすくて、文法が理解しやすくなりました。
The teacher's explanation was easy to follow, and the grammar became easier to understand.
Register/Formality: Neutralような、スマートフォンのアプリのアイデアを考えてください。 - あなたが市長×Meaning:
Mayor (of a city).
Grammar:
- A noun composed of '市' (shi - city) and '長' (chō - chief/head).
Usage:
Refers to the highest-ranking official in a city's government.
Examples:
新しい市長が選ばれました。
A new mayor was elected.
市長は市民の生活を改善する責任がある。
The mayor has a responsibility to improve the lives of the citizens.
Cultural Context:
Other similar titles include '知事' (chiji - governor of a prefecture) and '首相' (shushō - Prime Minister).
Register/Formality: Formal (Official Title)なら、自分の市で「殺処分ゼロ」を達成する×Meaning:
To achieve; to accomplish.
Grammar:
- A verb formed by the noun '達成' (tassei - achievement) and the verb 'する' (suru - to do).
Usage:
Used when reaching a specific, clearly defined goal or target. It is often used for numerical targets, business goals, or personal objectives.
Examples:
彼はついに目標を達成した。
He finally achieved his goal.
今月の売上目標を達成するのは難しいだろう。
It will probably be difficult to achieve this month's sales target.
Nuance:
While similar to '実現する' (jitsugen suru - to realize), '達成する' focuses more on hitting a pre-set target, whereas '実現する' is about bringing a broader concept or dream into reality.
Register/Formality: Neutral to Formalために、どんな計画を立てます×Meaning:
To make a plan.
Grammar:
- 計画 (keikaku): Noun for 'plan'.
- を (o): Object marker particle.
- 立てます (tatemasu): The polite form of '立てる' (tateru), which means 'to set up' or 'to establish'.
Usage:
This is the standard, natural set phrase for 'to make a plan'. While '計画を作る' (keikaku o tsukuru - to create a plan) is understandable, '立てる' is the more common verb used with '計画'.
Examples:
週末の計画を立てましょう。
Let's make a plan for the weekend.
旅行の前に、詳しい計画を立てる必要があります。
We need to make a detailed plan before the trip.
Register/Formality: Politeか。 - ペットを捨てる×Meaning:
To throw away; to abandon.
Grammar:
- A る-verb (Ichidan verb).
Usage:
While it commonly means 'to throw away' trash, it takes on the much stronger meaning of 'to abandon' when used with people or animals. This usage has a very strong negative and cruel connotation.
Examples:
ゴミはゴミ箱に捨ててください。
Please throw the trash in the trash can.
動物を捨てることは、絶対に許されない。
Abandoning an animal is absolutely unforgivable.
Register/Formality: Neutral人を減らす×Meaning:
To reduce; to decrease (something).
Grammar:
- A transitive う-verb (Godan verb). This means it is an action done by a subject to an object.
Usage:
Used when a person or entity actively makes a quantity smaller. For example, reducing expenses, weight, or the amount of waste.
Examples:
コストを減らす努力をしています。
We are making an effort to reduce costs.
砂糖の量を減らした方がいいですよ。
You should reduce the amount of sugar.
Common Mistakes:
This is the transitive verb. The intransitive verb is '減る' (heru), which means 'to decrease' on its own (e.g. '体重が減る' - 'weight decreases').
Register/Formality: Neutralための、効果的×Meaning:
Effective.
Grammar:
- A な-adjective. When modifying a noun, it is followed by 'な' (na). For example, '効果的な方法' (kōkateki na hōhō).
Usage:
Describes something that works well and produces the intended result. It's widely used in many contexts, from medicine and studying to marketing and problem-solving.
Examples:
これはとても効果的な薬です。
This is a very effective medicine.
もっと効果的な宣伝方法を考える必要があります。
We need to think of a more effective advertising method.
Register/Formality: Neutral to Formalなキャッチコピー×Meaning:
Catchphrase; slogan; tagline.
Grammar:
- A noun borrowed from English. It is an example of 'wasei-eigo' (Japanese-made English), as 'catch copy' is not standard English for this term.
Usage:
Refers to a short, memorable phrase used in advertising or campaigns to attract attention.
Examples:
この商品のキャッチコピーは、とても有名です。
This product's catchphrase is very famous.
新しいキャンペーンのために、インパクトのあるキャッチコピーを作りたい。
I want to create a catchphrase with impact for the new campaign.
Register/Formality: Neutralを考えてください。 - ある日、家の前にダンボール×Meaning:
Cardboard; cardboard box.
Grammar:
- A noun borrowed from another language.
Usage:
While it technically refers to the material 'cardboard', it is very commonly used to mean 'cardboard box' ('ダンボール箱' - danbōru-bako). The context usually makes the meaning clear.
Examples:
引っ越しの荷物はダンボールに入れました。
I put the moving luggage into cardboard boxes.
子供たちはダンボールで秘密基地を作った。
The children made a secret base out of cardboard.
Register/Formality: Neutralに入った子猫がいました。あなたなら、どうしますか。最初から最後まで、あなたの行動を計画してください。
