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Exercise 6: Thanking Once Again

 

In this exercise, you will hear some sample dialogues in which speakers give a follow-up thank you for a favor they had received some time before. In some cultures, this may not be a common practice, but in Japanese, you may be expected to do so depending on the nature and magnitude of the favor you have received.

Imagine that you live in Tokyo as an exchange student, but travel to Kyoto for a week. Your host father’s brother, Toshio, lives in Kyoto. He is a retired man and is kind enough to host you, feed you, and show you around during your entire stay. As you leave, you would probably give thanks to Toshio.

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A month later, Toshio comes to Tokyo for a family reunion. You are now greeting him as he comes to your host family’s house. Listen to a sample dialogue to see how you might thank him again for his previous kindness.


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Notice that this type of thanking often occurs at the beginning of a conversation. Frequently used expressions include:

  • この間はありがとうございました。 Kono aidawa arigatou gozaimashita.
  • その節はお世話になりました。 Sono setsuwa osewani narimashita.
  • この間はすっかりお世話になりまして、すみませんでした。本当に楽しかったです。
    Kono aidawa sukkari osewani narimashite, sumimasen deshita. Hontouni tanoshikatta desu.

 


Now, here is your turn to give it a try! Read the situation below and practice giving sincere thanks.

You are at school. There is a typhoon coming and the rain is pouring down already. You usually bike home, but you have no umbrella with you today, and would be soaking wet in this rain if you biked or walked. Your classmate, Saki, walks by and offers you a ride home in her car.

1. Read what Saki says and accept her offer. Write your response as if you were speaking.

Saki:あ、しんちゃん。今、帰り? A, Shin chan. Ima kaeri?

You: さきちゃん。そうなんだよ。でもこの雨でしょ。 Saki chan. Sou nandayo. Demo kono ame desho.

Saki:じゃあ、乗ってく? Jaa, notteku?

You:

 

2. As you ride, you find out that Saki is really going out of her way to drive you home. Because of the heavy rain, the traffic is slow and heavy, and it takes a long time to get to your place. As you finally arrive and get out of her car, you say:

 

3. In two days, you see Saki at school before class starts. You start to chat with her.

Here are a set of sample dialogues for you. Compare what the speakers say with the responses that you gave above.

Listen to Dialogue 1 (Accepting and thanking for a ride)           

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Listen to Dialogue 2 (Thanking as one leaves)          

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Listen to Dialogue 3 (Thanking for a previously received favor)            

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Your section (if applicable)/Your last name, Your first name:
Example: (in a box) 010/Smith, John

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