Read once for the situation, then trace the clues to the ending.

The idea

Follow the clues in order: Aki makes tea. Aki borrows one more from her mother. The topic marker は and polite verb endings such as ます help you follow who does what.

Patterns to compare
JapaneseMeaning
二人ふたりtwo people
コップcup
お茶ちゃtea

Read the text

今日きょう、家いえに友達ともだちが二人ふたり来きます。アキさんはお茶ちゃを入いれます。でも、コップは一ひとつだけです。

アキさんは母ははにもう一ひとつ借かります。二人ふたりにお茶ちゃを出だします。二人ふたりは「ありがとう」と言いいます。

Examples

  • 今日きょう、家いえに友達ともだちが二人ふたり来きます。Today two friends are coming to the house.
  • アキさんはお茶ちゃを入いれます。Aki makes tea.
  • でも、コップは一ひとつだけです。But there is only one cup.
  • アキさんは母ははにもう一ひとつ借かります。Aki borrows one more from her mother.
  • 二人ふたりにお茶ちゃを出だします。Aki serves tea to the two friends.
  • 二人ふたりは「ありがとう」と言いいます。They say, “Thank you.”

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not assume the first situation is the ending. Check the names, places and numbers in the final sentences.

Try it yourself

  1. Use the story to fill the gap: 今日きょう、家いえに友達ともだちが＿来きます。（二人ふたり／一人ひとり）

    Show answer or example answer

    二人 / ふたり

    The relevant sentence says: Today two friends are coming to the house.

  2. Use the story to fill the gap: でも、コップは＿だけです。（三みっつ／一ひとつ）

    Show answer or example answer

    一つ / ひとつ

    The relevant sentence says: But there is only one cup.

  3. Use the story to fill the gap: アキさんは＿にもう一ひとつ借かります。（母はは／父ちち）

    Show answer or example answer

    母 / はは

    The relevant sentence says: Aki borrows one more from her mother.

Use it today

Retell the problem, the clues and the ending in your own words, using some Japanese phrases.