物語とつながりStories and Staying Connected
Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Describe people, photos, and messages using vocabulary for stories, contact, and staying connected.
- Build a short noun-modifying (relative) clause to describe a person, photo, or thing.
- Report what someone said using the quotation particle と with 言う and 思う.
- Recognize how あげる, くれる, and もらう describe the direction of a favor or gift.
- Link two or more sentences into a short connected account using discourse connectors.
- Recognize sentence-final particles such as ね and よ receptively in natural speech.
- Read and write a short message or story that stays connected across several sentences.
- Recognize and read the ten new kanji introduced in this chapter, with furigana support where required.
Communication Scenario
Tom is getting ready to leave Japan at the end of his stay. Before he goes, he looks through photos with Yuki, tells a short story about a person he met, and exchanges messages with Yuki and her grandmother about staying in touch. This chapter closes Unit IV by moving from single comparisons into short connected narratives and by introducing the language people use to describe photos, quote what someone said, and talk about small gifts and favors exchanged between friends.
- This chapter builds on the past-tense narration from Chapter 16 and the experience and comparison language from Chapters 17 and 18, connecting them into a short story with description and quotation.
- By the end of the chapter, you will be able to describe a person or photo with a short modifying clause, quote what someone said, and write a connected message about staying in touch.
Core Vocabulary
This chapter's vocabulary supports short narratives, messages, contact, gifts and favors, and interpersonal connection.
Stories and Photos
| Japanese | Reading | English meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 物語 | ものがたり | story; tale |
| 写真 | しゃしん | photograph |
| 人 | ひと | person |
| 思い出 | おもいで | memory |
| 出会います | であいます | to meet (someone), to encounter |
Contact and Messages
| Japanese | Reading | English meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 連絡します | れんらくします | to get in touch; to contact |
| 送ります | おくります | to send |
| 言います | いいます | to say |
| 待ちます | まちます | to wait |
| 持ちます | もちます | to hold; to have (with oneself) |
Gifts and Favors
| Japanese | Reading | English meaning |
|---|---|---|
| プレゼント | プレゼント | present; gift |
| あげます | あげます | to give (to someone else) |
| くれます | くれます | to give (to me/my side) |
| もらいます | もらいます | to receive |
Family and friend vocabulary from Chapter 4, travel vocabulary from Chapter 17, and the past-tense forms from Chapter 16 return in this chapter's examples. The new material here focuses on describing people and photos, quoting speech, and talking about gifts, favors, and staying connected.
Script and Kanji Focus
This chapter introduces ten new kanji connected to stories, contact, and connection. Furigana appears on each new kanji and is gradually reduced as these words return in later chapters.
物語 is read ものがたり as a whole word rather than as two separately readable parts. Learn compounds like this as complete lexical items, and do not assume that every kanji inside a compound keeps the same reading it has when used alone, such as 物 in お土産-type words or 語 in 日本語.
Direct quotations in Japanese are usually marked with corner brackets 「 」 rather than English-style quotation marks. In this chapter's dialogue and reading, watch for how 「 」 mark what a person actually said, separate from the quotation particle と that introduces reported speech in a sentence.
れんしゅう — Practice: Write each of the ten kanji three times, then use each one in a short phrase from this chapter's vocabulary tables.
Pronunciation Focus
Several important words in this chapter combine the moraic nasal ん with a following consonant, or contain a small っ. Practice these carefully so that a message about contacting someone is not misunderstood.
- 連絡 れんらく — contact (hold ん for a full mora before the following 写真 しゃしん — photograph (contracted しゃ counts as one mora, followed by moraic ん at the end)
- 持って もって — holding (small っ creates a brief pause before て; do not skip the timing)
Also review the falling and rising intonation used when quoting someone else's words, and the gentle rise often heard before sentence-final particles such as ね in reflective or connecting statements.
Grammar and Sentence Patterns
This section introduces short relative clauses, quotation with と, giving and receiving awareness, discourse connectors, and sentence-final particles for recognition.
1. Short noun-modifying (relative) clauses
Purpose: to describe a person, photo, or thing using a short clause placed directly before the noun.
- 沖縄で出会った人the person (I) met in Okinawaplain past + noun: modifying clause before head noun
- これは沖縄で撮った写真です。This is a photo (I) took in Okinawa.
- これはおばあさんがくれたプレゼントです。This is the present (my) grandmother gave (me).
Japanese noun modification places the describing clause before the noun it describes, using a plain form. There is no separate word for "who," "which," or "that" as in English; the noun's role inside the clause is understood from context and word order rather than marked by a relative pronoun.
Error: *これは、私はそれを撮った写真です。
Correction: これは私が撮った写真です。 — Do not add an extra pronoun such as それ for the noun being modified; the head noun 写真 already fills that role, and the subject of the clause, if stated, normally takes が rather than は.
2. Quotation with と
Purpose: to report what someone said or thought.
- 「また来てください」と言いました。(She) said, "Please come again."
- また会えると思います。I think (we) will be able to meet again.
- おばあさんは元気だと言っていました。(She) said that (my) grandmother was well.
The particle と connects a quoted sentence to verbs such as 言います ("to say") and 思います ("to think"). A direct quotation may be marked with corner brackets 「 」, while an indirect report uses a plain-form sentence before と without brackets.
3. Giving and receiving: recognizing direction
Purpose: to recognize how あげます, くれます, and もらいます show the direction of a gift or favor between people.
- わたしはユキさんにプレゼントをあげました。I gave Yuki a present.giver: わたし → receiver: ユキさん
- おばあさんはわたしにプレゼントをくれました。(My) grandmother gave me a present.giver: おばあさん → receiver: わたし (speaker's side)
- わたしはおばあさんからプレゼントをもらいました。I received a present from (my) grandmother.receiver: わたし ← giver: おばあさん
あげます describes giving away from the speaker's side, くれます describes giving toward the speaker's side, and もらいます describes receiving. At this level, focus on recognizing which direction each verb describes in a sentence rather than producing all three freely in every context.
4. Connecting sentences into a short account
Purpose: to link several sentences into one connected story or message.
- 沖縄で人に出会いました。それから、いろいろな話をしました。I met a person in Okinawa. After that, we talked about many things.
- その人はやさしかったです。でも、日本語が少し難しかったです。That person was kind. But the Japanese was a little difficult.
- 今度、また連絡します。そして、写真を送ります。Next time, I will get in touch again. And, I will send photos.
Connectors such as それから ("after that"), でも ("but"), and そして ("and, then") link separate sentences into a connected passage. These connectors return from earlier chapters and now support longer, story-like writing.
You will hear speakers add ね or よ at the end of many sentences, such as いい写真ですね。 or 連絡しますよ。 ね softly invites agreement or shared feeling, while よ adds emphasis or tells the listener something they may not know. At this level, focus on recognizing these particles in speech and reading; you are not yet expected to choose between them productively.
Grammar Practice
- Write a sentence describing a photo using a short modifying clause, such as 〜で撮った写真です.
- Write a sentence quoting something someone said, using 「 」 and 言いました.
- Write a sentence using もらいました to describe something you received.
- Write two connected sentences using それから or でも.
- Write a short three- or four-sentence account connecting a description, an event, and a closing sentence about staying in touch.
Model Dialogue
Setting: Tom and Yuki look through photos from his trip before he leaves Japan.
ないようりかい — Comprehension questions:
- What is the photo Tom shows Yuki?
- What did the person Tom met in Okinawa say to him?
- What does Tom plan to send, and to whom?
Guided Practice
タスク１ — Describe a photo. Write one sentence describing an imagined or real photo using a short modifying clause, such as 〜で撮った写真です or 〜で出会った人です.
タスク２ — Quote a friend. Write a sentence quoting something a friend or family member once said to you, using 「 」 and 言いました.
Listening Practice
Ask your instructor, a partner, or a text-to-speech tool to read the following passage aloud at a clear, moderate pace.
きくタスク — Mei's trip photo
これはめいさんがきょうとでとったしゃしんです。きょうとであったひとは、とてもしんせつでした。「またきてください」といいました。それから、れんらくさきをこうかんしました。めいさんは、こんど、そのひとにしゃしんをおくります。
聞くタスク — Listening task: Note where the photo was taken, what the person Mei met was like and said, and what Mei plans to do next. Compare your notes with a partner or check them against the passage.
Speaking Practice
コントロールされた練習 — Controlled practice: Quick answers
- 好きな写真は何の写真ですか。
- その人はどんな人ですか。
- その人と何をしましたか。
コミュニケーションタスク — Sharing a photo story
With a partner, describe an imagined photo, say who is in it using a short modifying clause, and tell a short story about the person, including something they said.
ひとりでもできる練習 — Solo practice: A message to a friend
Record yourself telling a short story about someone you met, using a modifying clause, a quotation with と, and a connector such as それから or でも.
Reading Practice
Read the following short story and message, then answer the questions below.
思い出の写真 — Tom's class project note
これは沖縄で出会った人の写真です。その人はとても親切で、いろいろな話をしてくれました。「また来てください」と言いました。それから、連絡先を交換しました。今度、この写真を送ります。そして、また連絡します。
メッセージ — A message from Yuki's grandmother
トムさん、日本での思い出をありがとうございました。写真を送ってくれて、うれしかったです。また会えると思います。お元気で。
ないようりかい — Comprehension questions:
- According to Tom's note, what was the person he met in Okinawa like, and what did they say to him?
- What did Tom and that person do after talking?
- According to the message, what did Yuki's grandmother say she felt, and what does she think will happen?
Writing Workshop
In this workshop you will write a short connected story or message about a person, photo, or memory, using this chapter's systems.
- Choose a topic. Pick a real or imagined photo, memory, or person you want to describe.
- List your ideas in English first. Note who the person is, what happened, and what was said.
- Write an opening sentence introducing the photo or memory.
- Write a sentence with a short modifying clause describing the person or photo, such as 〜で出会った人です or 〜で撮った写真です.
- Write a sentence quoting something the person said, using 「 」 and 言いました.
- Write a sentence connecting two ideas using それから, でも, or そして.
- Write a closing sentence about staying connected, such as a plan to send a message or photo.
- Revise and check using the checklist below before finalizing your work.
チェックリスト — Editing checklist:
- I introduced the photo, memory, or person clearly.
- I used a short modifying clause to describe a person or photo.
- I quoted something using 「 」 and 言いました.
- I connected at least two sentences with a discourse connector.
- I used this chapter's vocabulary and kanji accurately, with furigana where still required.
- I ended each sentence with 。 and used consistent style within the passage.
Culture and Communication
Exchanging contact information after a friendly meeting, and giving or receiving a small gift as a token of appreciation, are common ways of maintaining a new connection in many settings in Japan, as elsewhere. A short, sincere message after returning home, such as thanking someone and mentioning a shared memory, is a simple and appropriate way to stay in touch.
How people stay in touch, and how often, varies by generation, relationship, region, and personal habit. Some people exchange messages frequently through apps, while others prefer occasional letters, calls, or visits. The patterns in this chapter are for practicing the target language, not a claim about how every person or community maintains relationships.
Choosing あげます, くれます, or もらいます is not only a grammar choice; it reflects whose perspective the speaker is taking. Using くれます for something done for the speaker often expresses warmth or gratitude toward the giver. At this level, focus on recognizing this social meaning rather than mastering every nuance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Error: *人、沖縄で出会った、は親切でした。
Correction: 沖縄で出会った人は親切でした。 — The modifying clause must come directly before the noun it describes, not after it.
Error: *「また来てください」言いました。
Correction: 「また来てください」と言いました。 — The particle と must connect the quoted words to 言いました.
Error: *わたしはおばあさんにプレゼントをもらいました。 (intended: "I received a present from my grandmother")
Correction: わたしはおばあさんからプレゼントをもらいました。 — もらいます uses から or に to mark the giver, and the subject is the receiver; take care not to mix up the direction with あげます.
Chapter Review
Section A — ごい (Vocabulary)
1. Give at least four vocabulary items related to stories, contact, or gifts and favors from this chapter.
Section B — もじ (Script)
1. Write any seven of this chapter's ten kanji from memory, with their readings.
Section C — ぶんぽう (Grammar)
1. Write a sentence describing a photo or person using a short modifying clause.
2. Write a sentence quoting something someone said, using 「 」, と, and 言いました.
3. Write a sentence using もらいました, あげました, or くれました correctly.
Section D — どっかいりかい (Reading comprehension)
1. Look again at Tom's class project note in the Reading Practice section. Write two sentences summarizing what happened.
Section E — かくこと (Writing)
1. Write a short connected story or message, following the Writing Workshop steps.
Section F — はなすこと (Speaking)
1. With a partner or instructor, tell a short story about a photo or person, using a modifying clause, a quotation, and a discourse connector at least once each.
Practical Performance Task
パフォーマンスタスク
物語とつながり — Telling a connected story and staying in touch
You will produce a connected spoken and written account describing a photo, person, or memory, using the systems introduced in this chapter.
- Written: Write at least eight sentences describing a photo, person, or memory, including at least one short modifying clause, one quotation with と and 言いました, and one connected pair of sentences using a discourse connector.
- Spoken: Tell a partner or instructor about the same photo, person, or memory aloud, adding at least one detail not included in your written work.
- Interaction: Ask a partner about a person they remember or a photo they like, and respond with a follow-up question.
- Script check: Hand-write at least seven of this chapter's ten kanji from memory, and read aloud a short story passage furnished by your instructor.
Assessment focus: accurate placement and formation of a short modifying clause; correct use of と with 言います or 思います to report speech; recognition of the direction shown by あげます, くれます, and もらいます; accurate use of discourse connectors to link sentences; accurate use of this chapter's vocabulary and kanji; and an appropriately organized, connected short story or message.
Answer Key
Grammar Practice
1. Model: これは京都で撮った写真です。 2. Model: 「また会いましょう」と言いました。 3. Model: 友だちからプレゼントをもらいました。 4. Model: 町で人に出会いました。それから、いろいろな話をしました。 5. Model: これは沖縄で出会った人です。とても親切でした。「また来てください」と言いました。それから、連絡先を交換しました。
Model Dialogue — Comprehension
- The photo is of a person Tom met in Okinawa.
- The person said, "Please come again."
- Tom plans to send photos and a message, to Yuki's grandmother (and the person he met).
Listening task — Model summary
The photo was taken in Kyoto. The person Mei met there was very kind and said, "Please come again." After that, they exchanged contact information. Mei plans to send that person a photo next.
Reading — Comprehension
- The person Tom met in Okinawa was very kind and talked with him about many things; the person said, "Please come again."
- They exchanged contact information.
- Yuki's grandmother said she was happy that Tom sent photos, and she thinks they will meet again.
Chapter Review — Section A
Open-ended; check against the vocabulary tables above.
Chapter Review — Section B
Open-ended; check against the kanji grids above.
Chapter Review — Section C
Open-ended; models follow the patterns shown in the Grammar and Sentence Patterns section above.
Chapter Review — Section D
Model answer: 沖縄で出会った人はとても親切で、いろいろな話をしてくれました。それから、連絡先を交換しました。 (Other accurate answers accepted.)
Chapter Review — Section E and F
These are open-ended production tasks. Evaluate written work against the Writing Workshop checklist above, and evaluate spoken work against the Practical Performance Task assessment focus.
Looking Ahead
いまできること — What you can do now
You can describe a person or photo with a short modifying clause, report what someone said using と with 言います or 思います, recognize the direction of a gift or favor with あげます, くれます, and もらいます, and link sentences into a short connected story or message.