A delayed river crossing

The idea

The clause 雨が降ったので gives the reason the water rose: ので links a cause to its result. Later, 待つと introduces what happened after waiting, and ことになり signals the decision that the boat would leave again.

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Examples

• 春はるの朝あさ、ミカさんは川かわの向むこうの町まちへ行いくため、船ふねに乗のる場所ばしょへ来きました。On a spring morning, Mika came to the boat landing to go to the town across the river.
• 夜よるに雨あめがたくさん降ふったので、川かわの水みずが増ふえていました。It had rained heavily during the night, so the river had risen.
• 船ふねの人ひとは「今いまは危あぶないですから、少すこし待まってください」と言いいました。The boat operator said, “It is dangerous now, so please wait a little.”
• ミカさんは町まちの友達ともだちに電話でんわして、遅おくれると伝つたえました。Mika called her friend in town and said she would be late.
• 一時間いちじかんほど待まつと、雨あめがやんで、水みずも少すこし減へりました。After she waited about an hour, the rain stopped and the water went down a little.
• 船ふねがまた出でることになり、ミカさんは安心あんしんして川かわを渡わたりました。The boat was to leave again, and Mika crossed the river with relief.

Watch out

The rain stopping does not mean Mika crossed immediately. Follow the water level and the boat’s departure before deciding what happened.

Try it yourself

1. 川かわの水みずが増ふえたのはなぜですか。（雨あめ／風かぜ）

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   雨 / あめ

   雨: heavy rain during the night caused the river to rise.

2. ミカさんは友達ともだちに何なにを伝つたえましたか。（遅おくれる／行いかない）

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   遅れる / おくれる

   遅れる: Mika called her friend to say she would be late, not that she would cancel.

3. ミカさんはどのくらい待まちましたか。（一時間いちじかんほど／一日いちにち）

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   一時間ほど / いちじかんほど

   一時間ほど: after about an hour the rain stopped and the water fell a little.

Use it today

Retell the cause of the delay, Mika’s message and the ending in your own words.