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N2 · Upper intermediateThematic comprehensionPassage #523
2

人じん生せいはいつも旅たびになぞらえられる（注1）。

人ひとは人じん生せいという旅たび路じを、地ち図ずもなく歩あるいている。誰だれ（注2）しもそうだし、それが人にん間げんとしては自し然ぜんな姿すがたである。人じん生せいに地ち図ずなどあるわけがない。なのに人ひとは、人じん生せいの地ち図ずをもとうとするのが常つねだ。

暗くら闇やみの中なかを歩あるくのが不ふ安あんで仕様しょうがないのだ。迷まよってしまった時ときの恐きょう怖ふを想そう像ぞうしたくないからだ。

そして自じ分ぶんの地ち図ずには、人じん生せいの設計図せっけいずとしてわがままな道どう程てい（注3）が記しるされている。三さん十じゅう歳さいまでには結婚けっこんし、三さん十じゅう五ご歳さい頃ごろには二ふた人りの子こどもをもつ。四よん十じゅう歳さいには課か長ちょうになり、五ご十じっ歳さいまでには何なんとか部ぶ長ちょうに昇しょう進しん（注4）する。

（中ちゅう略りゃく）

人じん生せいの地ち図ずに描えがかれた道みちを、その通とおりに歩あゆむことができるなら、そんなに楽らくなことはない。一いち度ども脇わき道みちにそれずに、ただまっすぐに歩あるくことができるのなら、人ひとは何なにも悩なやまなくても済すむだろう。そんな人じん生せいを送おくる人にん間げんは、おそらくこの世よに一ひと人りもいない。もしそういう人にん間げんがいるのだとしたら、それはその人にん間げんの人じん生せいではない。その人じん生せいは他た人にんから与あたえられたものに過すぎない。

五ご十じっ歳さいの時ときには部ぶ長ちょうになっている。これは今いまという現げん在ざい地ちから見みた目もく標ひょうであろう。目もく標ひょうをもつことはもちろん大たい切せつなことだ。しかし、その目もく標ひょうへ辿たどり着つく道みちは決けっして一本いっぽんではない。五ご十じっ歳さいという現げん在ざい地ちに立たった時とき、もし部ぶ長ちょうになっていなければどうするのか。一いち枚まいの地ち図ずしか持もっていない人ひと、あるいは決けっして地ち図ずを書かき変かえようとしない人ひとは、そこで人じん生せいの現げん在ざい地ちを見み失うしなって（注5）しまうだろう。「今いま、自じ分ぶんはこの場ば所しょにいるはずなのに、全まったく違ちがう所ところに来きてしまった」と、そんな思おもいにとらわれ（注6）てしまい、行いくべき道みちも見み失うしなってしまうのである。

地ち図ずをもたない人じん生せいが不ふ安あんであるならば、地ち図ずをもてばいいだけのことだ。しかし、その一いち枚まいの地ち図ずにこだわってはならない。常つねに現げん在ざい地ちを確かく認にんしながら、どんどん地ち図ずを書かき変かえていくことだ。

少すこし脇わき道みちに入はいってしまったのなら、その脇わき道みちを歩あるいてみればいい。無む理りをして元もとの道みちに戻もどろうとしても、余よ計けいに迷まようだけだ。脇わき道みちを歩あるいているうちに、いつの間まにか元もとの道みちに戻もどることもあるだろうし、また別べつの大おお通どおりに出で会あうこともあるだろう。人じん生せいには数かぞえ切きれないほどの道みちがあることを知しっておいたほうがいい。今いまいる場ば所しょさえしっかりと認にん識しき（注7）できていれば、人ひとはどんな道みちだって歩あるいていくことができるものだ。

（立たて松まつ平へい和わ『人じん生せいの現げん在ざい地ち---まだまだ迷まよっているぞ、私わたしは。』による）

（注ちゅう1）なぞらえられる：たとえられる

（注ちゅう2）誰だれしも：誰だれでも

（注ちゅう3）道どう程てい：ここでは、道みち

（注ちゅう4）昇しょう進しんする：出世しゅっせする

（注ちゅう5）～を見み失うしなう：～がわからなくなる

（注ちゅう6）とらわれる：縛しばられる

（注ちゅう7）認にん識しきできる：わかる

Questions

0/3 answered
  1. 1筆者によると、なぜ人は人生の地図をもとうとするのか。
  2. 2その人生とは、どのような人生か。
  3. 3この文章で筆者が最も言いたいことは何か。

Study this passage

Vocabulary5 words
  • 仕様がないしょうがない
    • ·there's no (other) way
    • ·cannot be helped; unavoidable; inevitable; (there's) nothing one can do; having no choice; it is what it is
    • ·it's no use (doing); pointless; useless; no good; insufficient; not enough
    • ·hopeless (person); annoying; troublesome; awful
    • ·cannot stand it; unbearable; cannot help (doing, feeling); dying (to do)
    N2
  • 余計よけい
    • ·extra; more; too much; too many; excessive; superfluous; spare; surplus
    • ·unnecessary; needless; uncalled-for; unwanted; uninvited
    • ·all the more; even more
    N2
  • 大通りおおどおり
    • ·main street; avenue; boulevard
    N2
  • たとえるAs it appears here: たとえられる
    • ·to compare (something) to; to liken; to speak figuratively; to use a simile; to use a metaphor
    N2
  • 縛るしばるAs it appears here: 縛られる
    • ·to tie; to bind; to fasten
    • ·to restrict (freedom); to tie down (with rules, regulations, etc.); to fetter
    N2
Other levels114 words
  • いつも
    • ·always; all the time; at all times
    • ·never
    • ·usual; regular; habitual; customary
    N5
  • 人ひと
    • ·person; someone; somebody
    • ·human beings; mankind; man; people; humans
    • ·human (Homo sapiens)
    • ·(other) people; others
    • ·character; personality; nature
    • ·capable person; competent person; suitable person; right person
    • ·adult; grown-up
    • ·I; me; one
    N5
  • 地図ちず
    • ·map; atlas; chart; plan
    N5
  • 歩くあるくAs it appears here: 歩いて
    • ·to walk
    N5
  • 誰だれ
    • ·who
    N5
  • それ
    • ·that; it
    • ·then; that point (in time); that time
    • ·there
    • ·you
    N5
  • ある
    • ·to be; to exist; to live
    • ·to have
    • ·to be located
    • ·to be equipped with
    • ·to happen; to come about
    • ·to exist (in a completed state); to be (something unchanged in its current state)
    N5
  • もつAs it appears here: もとう
    • ·to hold (in one's hand); to take; to carry
    • ·to possess; to have; to own
    • ·to maintain; to keep
    • ·to last; to be durable; to keep; to survive
    • ·to take charge of; to be in charge of
    • ·to hold (meeting, etc.); to have (opportunity, etc.)
    • ·to have "it"; to have that special something; to be blessed with good luck
    N5
  • する
    • ·to do; to carry out; to perform
    • ·to cause to become; to make (into); to turn (into)
    • ·to serve as; to act as; to work as
    • ·to wear (clothes, a facial expression, etc.)
    • ·to judge as being; to view as being; to think of as; to treat as; to use as
    • ·to decide on; to choose
    • ·to be sensed (of a smell, noise, etc.)
    • ·to be (in a state, condition, etc.)
    • ·to be worth; to cost
    • ·to pass (of time); to elapse
    • ·to place, or raise, person A to a post or status B
    • ·to transform A to B; to make A into B; to exchange A for B
    • ·to make use of A for B; to view A as B; to handle A as if it were B
    • ·to feel A about B
    • ·verbalizing suffix (applies to nouns noted in this dictionary with the part of speech "vs")
    • ·creates a humble verb (after a noun prefixed with "o" or "go")
    • ·to be just about to; to be just starting to; to try to; to attempt to
    N5
  • 中なか
    • ·inside; interior
    • ·among; within
    • ·middle; center; centre
    • ·during; while; middle; midst; amid
    • ·interval; gap
    • ·mean; average
    • ·second (of three, e.g. sons, volumes); middle
    • ·medium grade; medium quality
    • ·red-light district
    N5
  • 歩くあるく
    • ·to walk
    N5
  • するAs it appears here: し
    • ·to do; to carry out; to perform
    • ·to cause to become; to make (into); to turn (into)
    • ·to serve as; to act as; to work as
    • ·to wear (clothes, a facial expression, etc.)
    • ·to judge as being; to view as being; to think of as; to treat as; to use as
    • ·to decide on; to choose
    • ·to be sensed (of a smell, noise, etc.)
    • ·to be (in a state, condition, etc.)
    • ·to be worth; to cost
    • ·to pass (of time); to elapse
    • ·to place, or raise, person A to a post or status B
    • ·to transform A to B; to make A into B; to exchange A for B
    • ·to make use of A for B; to view A as B; to handle A as if it were B
    • ·to feel A about B
    • ·verbalizing suffix (applies to nouns noted in this dictionary with the part of speech "vs")
    • ·creates a humble verb (after a noun prefixed with "o" or "go")
    • ·to be just about to; to be just starting to; to try to; to attempt to
    N5
  • 自分じぶん
    • ·myself; yourself; oneself; himself; herself
    • ·I; me
    • ·you
    N5
  • 結婚けっこん
    • ·marriage
    N5
  • 五ご
    • ·five; 5
    N5
  • 二人ふたり
    • ·two persons; two people; pair; couple
    N5
  • もつ
    • ·to hold (in one's hand); to take; to carry
    • ·to possess; to have; to own
    • ·to maintain; to keep
    • ·to last; to be durable; to keep; to survive
    • ·to take charge of; to be in charge of
    • ·to hold (meeting, etc.); to have (opportunity, etc.)
    • ·to have "it"; to have that special something; to be blessed with good luck
    N5
  • なるAs it appears here: なり
    • ·to become; to get; to grow; to turn; to reach; to attain
    • ·to result in; to turn out; to end up; to prove (to be)
    • ·to consist of; to be composed of; to be made up of
    • ·to be completed; to be realized; to succeed; to be attained; to be accomplished
    • ·to change (into); to turn (into); to transform
    • ·to come (to do); to begin (to do); to grow (to do)
    • ·to come to; to amount to; to add up to; to make
    • ·to play (the part of); to act as
    • ·to be used for; to be useful for; to serve as
    • ·to be promoted
    • ·to do ...
    N5
  • 道みち
    • ·road; path; street; lane; passage
    • ·route; way
    • ·distance; journey
    • ·road (e.g. to victory); course
    • ·way (of living, proper conduct, etc.); moral principles
    • ·teachings (esp. Confucian or Buddhist); dogma
    • ·field (e.g. of medicine); subject; speciality
    • ·means; way; method
    N5
  • その
    • ·that; the
    • ·part (as in "part two")
    • ·um ...; er ...; uh ...
    N5
  • できる
    • ·to be able to do; to be possible; to be permitted (to do)
    • ·to be good at; to do well; to be proficient (in); to be capable
    • ·to come into existence; to form; to appear; to come up (of a matter); to be born; to make (a friend); to get (a girlfriend, free time, etc.)
    • ·to be made; to be built; to be constructed; to be formed; to be established; to be set up
    • ·to be finished; to be completed; to be done; to be ready
    • ·to grow (of a crop); to be produced
    • ·to be mature and well-balanced; to be of fine character
    • ·to be by nature; to be born ...
    • ·to become (sexually) involved (with); to become intimate (with); to take up (with someone)
    • ·to get pregnant
    N5
  • 一人ひとり
    • ·one person
    • ·being alone; being by oneself
    • ·being single; being unmarried
    • ·by oneself; alone
    • ·just; only; simply
    N5
  • いるAs it appears here: いない
    • ·to be (of animate objects); to exist
    • ·to stay
    • ·to be ...-ing
    • ·to have ...-ed; to be ...-ed
    N5
  • いる
    • ·to be (of animate objects); to exist
    • ·to stay
    • ·to be ...-ing
    • ·to have ...-ed; to be ...-ed
    N5
  • するAs it appears here: したら
    • ·to do; to carry out; to perform
    • ·to cause to become; to make (into); to turn (into)
    • ·to serve as; to act as; to work as
    • ·to wear (clothes, a facial expression, etc.)
    • ·to judge as being; to view as being; to think of as; to treat as; to use as
    • ·to decide on; to choose
    • ·to be sensed (of a smell, noise, etc.)
    • ·to be (in a state, condition, etc.)
    • ·to be worth; to cost
    • ·to pass (of time); to elapse
    • ·to place, or raise, person A to a post or status B
    • ·to transform A to B; to make A into B; to exchange A for B
    • ·to make use of A for B; to view A as B; to handle A as if it were B
    • ·to feel A about B
    • ·verbalizing suffix (applies to nouns noted in this dictionary with the part of speech "vs")
    • ·creates a humble verb (after a noun prefixed with "o" or "go")
    • ·to be just about to; to be just starting to; to try to; to attempt to
    N5
  • もの
    • ·thing; object; article; stuff; substance
    • ·one's things; possessions; property; belongings
    • ·things; something; anything; everything; nothing
    • ·quality
    • ·reason; the way of things
    • ·used to emphasize emotion, judgment, etc.; used to indicate a common occurrence in the past (after a verb in past tense); used to indicate a general tendency; used to indicate something that should happen
    • ·item classified as ...; item related to ...; work in the genre of ...
    • ·cause of ...; cause for ...
    • ·somehow; somewhat; for some reason
    • ·really; truly
    N5
  • なるAs it appears here: なって
    • ·to become; to get; to grow; to turn; to reach; to attain
    • ·to result in; to turn out; to end up; to prove (to be)
    • ·to consist of; to be composed of; to be made up of
    • ·to be completed; to be realized; to succeed; to be attained; to be accomplished
    • ·to change (into); to turn (into); to transform
    • ·to come (to do); to begin (to do); to grow (to do)
    • ·to come to; to amount to; to add up to; to make
    • ·to play (the part of); to act as
    • ·to be used for; to be useful for; to serve as
    • ·to be promoted
    • ·to do ...
    N5
  • これ
    • ·this; this one
    • ·this person
    • ·now; this point (in time)
    • ·here
    • ·used to stress the subject of a sentence
    • ·I; me
    N5
  • 今いま
    • ·now; the present time; just now; soon; immediately
    • ·another; more
    N5
  • 見るみるAs it appears here: 見た
    • ·to see; to look; to watch; to view; to observe
    • ·to examine; to look over; to assess; to check; to judge
    • ·to look after; to attend to; to take care of; to keep an eye on
    • ·to experience; to meet with (misfortune, success, etc.)
    • ·to try ...; to have a go at ...; to give ... a try
    • ·to see (that) ...; to find (that) ...
    N5
  • 大切たいせつ
    • ·important; significant; serious; crucial
    • ·precious; valuable; dear; cherished; beloved
    • ·careful
    N5
  • しかし
    • ·however; but
    N5
  • 立つたつAs it appears here: 立った
    • ·to stand (up); to rise; to get to one's feet; to stand on end (e.g. of hairs); to stick up
    • ·to stand (in a position; of a person, tree, building, etc.); to be situated (in, on)
    • ·to be (in difficulties, the lead, etc.); to put oneself (in a position or situation); to take up (a position, post, etc.); to position oneself
    • ·to leave (to do something)
    • ·to depart (on a journey, trip, etc.); to leave; to set off; to start
    • ·to get stuck (into; of an arrow, thorn etc.); to pierce
    • ·to develop (of a haze, waves, etc.); to form (of steam, bubbles, etc.); to appear (of a rainbow, clouds, etc.); to rise (of smoke, waves, etc.); to begin to blow (of a wind, breeze, etc.)
    • ·to spread (of a rumour, reputation, etc.); to be become widely known
    • ·to stand (for election); to run
    • ·to take action; to act; to rise (up); to rouse oneself
    • ·to have an erection; to become erect (e.g. of nipples)
    • ·to be established (of a policy, plan, objective, etc.); to be formed
    • ·to be valid (of an argument, logic, etc.); to hold up; to hold water; to stand up (e.g. of evidence); to be logical; to be reasonable
    • ·to be sustained (of a living, business, etc.); to be maintained; to survive; to be preserved (of one's reputation, honour, etc.); to be saved
    • ·to start (of a season); to begin
    • ·to be held (of a market)
    • ·to shut (of a door, shoji, etc.); to be shut; to be closed
    • ·to be (the result of a division)
    N5
  • どう
    • ·how; in what way; how about
    N5
  • 持つもつAs it appears here: 持って
    • ·to hold (in one's hand); to take; to carry
    • ·to possess; to have; to own
    • ·to maintain; to keep
    • ·to last; to be durable; to keep; to survive
    • ·to take charge of; to be in charge of
    • ·to hold (meeting, etc.); to have (opportunity, etc.)
    • ·to have "it"; to have that special something; to be blessed with good luck
    N5
  • 書くかくAs it appears here: 書き
    • ·to write; to compose; to pen
    • ·to draw; to paint
    N5
  • するAs it appears here: しない
    • ·to do; to carry out; to perform
    • ·to cause to become; to make (into); to turn (into)
    • ·to serve as; to act as; to work as
    • ·to wear (clothes, a facial expression, etc.)
    • ·to judge as being; to view as being; to think of as; to treat as; to use as
    • ·to decide on; to choose
    • ·to be sensed (of a smell, noise, etc.)
    • ·to be (in a state, condition, etc.)
    • ·to be worth; to cost
    • ·to pass (of time); to elapse
    • ·to place, or raise, person A to a post or status B
    • ·to transform A to B; to make A into B; to exchange A for B
    • ·to make use of A for B; to view A as B; to handle A as if it were B
    • ·to feel A about B
    • ·verbalizing suffix (applies to nouns noted in this dictionary with the part of speech "vs")
    • ·creates a humble verb (after a noun prefixed with "o" or "go")
    • ·to be just about to; to be just starting to; to try to; to attempt to
    N5
  • この
    • ·this
    • ·last (couple of years, etc.); these; past; this
    • ·you (as in "you liar")
    N5
  • 違うちがう
    • ·to differ (from); to be different; to be distinct; to be unlike; to vary; to disagree (with)
    • ·to be wrong; to be incorrect; to be mistaken
    • ·to become abnormal; to go wrong
    • ·isn't it?; wasn't it?
    N5
  • 所ところ
    • ·place; spot; scene; site
    • ·address
    • ·district; area; locality
    • ·one's house
    • ·point; aspect; side; facet
    • ·passage (in text); part
    • ·space; room
    • ·thing; matter
    • ·whereupon; as a result
    • ·about to; on the verge of
    • ·was just doing; was in the process of doing; have just done; just finished doing
    • ·approximately; around; about
    N5
  • 来るくるAs it appears here: 来て
    • ·to come (spatially or temporally); to approach; to arrive
    • ·to come back; to do ... and come back
    • ·to come to be; to become; to get; to grow; to continue
    • ·to come from; to be caused by; to derive from
    • ·to come to (e.g. "when it comes to spinach ...")
    N5
  • 行くいく
    • ·to go; to move (towards); to head (towards); to leave (for)
    • ·to move through; to travel across; to walk along (e.g. a road)
    • ·to go (well, badly, etc.); to proceed; to turn out; to get along
    • ·to do (in a particular way); to go (with; a choice); to try
    • ·to pass (of time, seasons, etc.); to go by
    • ·to stream; to flow
    • ·to die; to pass away
    • ·to reach (a stage, extent, age, etc.); to get to; to go (so far as ...)
    • ·to reach (of information, instructions, wind, etc.); to arrive
    • ·to continue ...; to go on ...; to (progress) steadily; to gradually ...; to progressively ...
    • ·to have an orgasm; to come; to cum
    • ·to trip; to get high; to have a drug-induced hallucination
    N5
  • もつAs it appears here: もたない
    • ·to hold (in one's hand); to take; to carry
    • ·to possess; to have; to own
    • ·to maintain; to keep
    • ·to last; to be durable; to keep; to survive
    • ·to take charge of; to be in charge of
    • ·to hold (meeting, etc.); to have (opportunity, etc.)
    • ·to have "it"; to have that special something; to be blessed with good luck
    N5
  • もつAs it appears here: もてば
    • ·to hold (in one's hand); to take; to carry
    • ·to possess; to have; to own
    • ·to maintain; to keep
    • ·to last; to be durable; to keep; to survive
    • ·to take charge of; to be in charge of
    • ·to hold (meeting, etc.); to have (opportunity, etc.)
    • ·to have "it"; to have that special something; to be blessed with good luck
    N5
  • 少しすこし
    • ·a little; a bit; a small amount; a few; some; slightly; somewhat
    • ·a little while; a short time; a moment; a minute
    • ·a little way; a short distance
    N5
  • 入るはいるAs it appears here: 入って
    • ·to enter; to come in; to go in; to get in; to arrive
    • ·to join (a club, company, etc.); to enter (a university, the army, etc.); to enroll (in); to go into (e.g. politics); to get into
    • ·to be contained (in); to be included (in); to be inside (e.g. a box); to come under (a heading); to belong (in a category)
    • ·to (be able to) fit (in a container, building, etc.); to be (able to be) held; to be (able to be) accommodated
    • ·to be introduced; to be brought in; to be installed
    • ·to be received; to be obtained
    • ·to be scored (of points); to be won (of votes)
    • ·to turn on; to start functioning; to start working
    • ·to enter (a month, season, etc.); to reach (e.g. a climax); to get to (e.g. the main topic); to enter into (e.g. negotiations); to start (doing); to begin
    • ·to form (of a crack, fissure, etc.); to develop
    • ·to be put in (of effort, spirit, feeling, etc.); to be applied (e.g. of strength)
    • ·to be ready (of tea, coffee, etc.); to be made
    • ·to enter the body (of alcohol); to become drunk
    N5
  • するAs it appears here: して
    • ·to do; to carry out; to perform
    • ·to cause to become; to make (into); to turn (into)
    • ·to serve as; to act as; to work as
    • ·to wear (clothes, a facial expression, etc.)
    • ·to judge as being; to view as being; to think of as; to treat as; to use as
    • ·to decide on; to choose
    • ·to be sensed (of a smell, noise, etc.)
    • ·to be (in a state, condition, etc.)
    • ·to be worth; to cost
    • ·to pass (of time); to elapse
    • ·to place, or raise, person A to a post or status B
    • ·to transform A to B; to make A into B; to exchange A for B
    • ·to make use of A for B; to view A as B; to handle A as if it were B
    • ·to feel A about B
    • ·verbalizing suffix (applies to nouns noted in this dictionary with the part of speech "vs")
    • ·creates a humble verb (after a noun prefixed with "o" or "go")
    • ·to be just about to; to be just starting to; to try to; to attempt to
    N5
  • また
    • ·again; once more; once again; another time; some other time
    • ·also; too; as well; likewise
    • ·on the other hand; while
    • ·and; in addition; besides; moreover; furthermore
    • ·or; otherwise
    • ·really; how; (what, why) on earth
    • ·some time (in the future)
    • ·indirect
    N5
  • 知るしるAs it appears here: 知って
    • ·to know; to be aware (of); to be conscious (of); to learn (of); to find out; to discover
    • ·to sense; to feel; to notice; to realize
    • ·to understand; to comprehend; to grasp; to appreciate
    • ·to remember; to be familiar with; to be acquainted with
    • ·to experience; to go through; to know (e.g. hardship)
    • ·to get acquainted with (a person); to get to know
    • ·to have to do with; to be concerned with; to be one's concern; to be one's responsibility
    N5
  • できるAs it appears here: できて
    • ·to be able to do; to be possible; to be permitted (to do)
    • ·to be good at; to do well; to be proficient (in); to be capable
    • ·to come into existence; to form; to appear; to come up (of a matter); to be born; to make (a friend); to get (a girlfriend, free time, etc.)
    • ·to be made; to be built; to be constructed; to be formed; to be established; to be set up
    • ·to be finished; to be completed; to be done; to be ready
    • ·to grow (of a crop); to be produced
    • ·to be mature and well-balanced; to be of fine character
    • ·to be by nature; to be born ...
    • ·to become (sexually) involved (with); to become intimate (with); to take up (with someone)
    • ·to get pregnant
    N5
  • 私わたし
    • ·I; me
    N5
  • ここ
    • ·here; this place
    • ·this point; here; now
    • ·these past ... (e.g. three years); these last ...
    • ·the next ... (e.g. few days); these next ...
    N5
  • わかるAs it appears here: わからなく
    • ·to understand; to comprehend; to grasp; to see; to get; to follow
    • ·to become clear; to be known; to be discovered; to be realized (realised); to be found out; to make sense
    • ·I know!; I think so too!
    N5
  • なる
    • ·to become; to get; to grow; to turn; to reach; to attain
    • ·to result in; to turn out; to end up; to prove (to be)
    • ·to consist of; to be composed of; to be made up of
    • ·to be completed; to be realized; to succeed; to be attained; to be accomplished
    • ·to change (into); to turn (into); to transform
    • ·to come (to do); to begin (to do); to grow (to do)
    • ·to come to; to amount to; to add up to; to make
    • ·to play (the part of); to act as
    • ·to be used for; to be useful for; to serve as
    • ·to be promoted
    • ·to do ...
    N5
  • わかる
    • ·to understand; to comprehend; to grasp; to see; to get; to follow
    • ·to become clear; to be known; to be discovered; to be realized (realised); to be found out; to make sense
    • ·I know!; I think so too!
    N5
  • わけ
    • ·reason; cause; grounds
    • ·meaning; sense
    • ·(good) sense; reason
    • ·circumstances; case
    • ·(romantic) relationship; love affair
    N4
  • 課長かちょう
    • ·section manager; section chief
    N4
  • 部長ぶちょう
    • ·head (chief, director) of a section or department
    • ·head of a (school) club; head of a (school) team
    N4
  • 一度いちど
    • ·once; one time; on one occasion
    • ·temporarily; for a moment
    • ·one degree; one tone; one musical interval
    N4
  • 済むすむ
    • ·to finish; to end; to be completed; to be resolved
    • ·to have a result less severe than expected
    • ·to feel at ease
    • ·to feel unease or guilt for troubling someone; to be sorry
    N4
  • 送るおくる
    • ·to send; to dispatch; to forward; to transmit; to ship; to remit
    • ·to see (someone) off; to escort; to accompany; to take
    • ·to bid farewell to (the departed); to say goodbye to; to bury
    • ·to spend (time); to pass; to lead (a life); to live
    • ·to pass (on, along); to advance (a runner)
    • ·to affix (okurigana)
    N4
  • もし
    • ·if; in case; supposing
    N4
  • 過ぎるすぎるAs it appears here: 過ぎない
    • ·to pass through; to pass by; to go beyond
    • ·to pass (of time); to elapse
    • ·to have expired; to have ended; to be over
    • ·to exceed; to surpass; to be above
    • ·to be no more than ...
    • ·to be excessive; to be too much; to be too ...
    N4
  • 決してけっして
    • ·(not) ever; (not) by any means; (not) in the least; (not) in any way; (not) at all
    N4
  • 変えるかえるAs it appears here: 変えよう
    • ·to change; to alter; to transform; to convert; to turn; to vary
    • ·to reform; to revise; to amend
    N4
  • 場所ばしょ
    • ·place; location; spot; position; area
    • ·room; space
    • ·sumo tournament
    N4
  • はず
    • ·should (be); bound (to be); expected (to be); must (be)
    • ·nock (of a bow)
    • ·nock (of an arrow)
    • ·nock-shaped grip (between thumb and forefinger)
    • ·wooden frame on the tip of the mast of a Japanese ship that prevents the hawser from falling out
    N4
  • 無理むり
    • ·unreasonable; unnatural; unjustifiable
    • ·impossible
    • ·forcible; forced; compulsory
    • ·excessive (work, etc.); immoderate
    • ·to work too hard; to try too hard
    • ·no way; not a chance; never; dream on
    • ·irrational
    N4
  • 戻るもどるAs it appears here: 戻ろう
    • ·to turn back (e.g. half-way)
    • ·to return; to go back
    • ·to recover (e.g. something lost); to be returned
    • ·to rebound; to spring back
    N4
  • うち
    • ·inside; within
    • ·while (e.g. one is young); during; within (e.g. a day); in the course of
    • ·among; amongst; (out) of; between
    • ·in (secret, chaos, poverty, etc.); amidst; with (e.g. success)
    • ·within oneself; one's feelings; inner thoughts
    • ·we; our company; our organization
    • ·one's home; one's family
    • ·my spouse; my husband; my wife
    • ·signed on behalf of (husband's name) by his wife
    • ·I; me
    • ·imperial palace grounds
    • ·emperor
    N4
  • 戻るもどる
    • ·to turn back (e.g. half-way)
    • ·to return; to go back
    • ·to recover (e.g. something lost); to be returned
    • ·to rebound; to spring back
    N4
  • 別べつ
    • ·distinction; difference; discrimination
    • ·separate; different; another; extra
    • ·exception; exclusion
    • ·classified by; ranked by; according to
    N4
  • しっかり
    • ·tightly (holding on); firmly; securely
    • ·strongly (built); solidly; sturdily; steadily
    • ·properly; well; sufficiently; hard (working, etc.); fully; completely
    • ·reliably; dependably; levelheadedly; shrewdly; wisely; cleverly
    N4
  • 人生じんせい
    • ·(one's) life
    N3
  • 旅たび
    • ·travel; trip; journey
    N3
  • 人間にんげん
    • ·human being; human; person; man; mankind; humankind
    • ·character (of a person)
    N3
  • 自然しぜん
    • ·nature
    • ·natural; spontaneous; automatic
    • ·naturally; spontaneously; automatically
    N3
  • 姿すがた
    • ·figure; form; shape
    • ·appearance; dress; guise
    • ·state; condition; picture; image
    • ·form (of a waka)
    • ·dressed in ...; wearing ...
    N3
  • 不安ふあん
    • ·anxiety; uneasiness; worry; apprehension; fear; insecurity; suspense
    N3
  • 恐怖きょうふ
    • ·fear; dread; dismay; terror; horror; scare; panic
    N3
  • 想像そうぞう
    • ·imagination; supposition; guess
    N3
  • 頃ごろ
    • ·(approximate) time; around; about; toward
    • ·suitable time (or condition)
    • ·time of year; season
    N3
  • 何とかなんとか
    • ·something; something or other; so-and-so
    • ·somehow (handling, dealing with something); anyhow; one way or another
    N3
  • 描くえがくAs it appears here: 描かれた
    • ·to draw; to paint; to sketch
    • ·to depict; to describe
    • ·to picture in one's mind; to imagine
    • ·to form a certain shape (e.g. path of an action, appearance of an object, etc.)
    N3
  • 通りとおり
    • ·street; road; avenue; thoroughfare
    • ·traffic; coming and going
    • ·flow (of water, air, etc.); passage; running
    • ·transmission (of sound); reach (of voice)
    • ·reputation; favor; favour; popularity
    • ·understanding; comprehension; comprehensibility; clarity
    • ·the same way (as); as (follows, stated, expected, etc.)
    • ·counter for sets of things
    • ·counter for methods, ways, kinds, etc.
    N3
  • こと
    • ·thing; matter
    • ·incident; occurrence; event; something serious; trouble; crisis
    • ·circumstances; situation; state of affairs
    • ·work; business; affair
    • ·after an inflectable word, creates a noun phrase indicating something the speaker does not feel close to
    • ·nominalizing suffix
    • ·pretending to ...; playing make-believe ...
    • ·alias; also known as; otherwise known as; or
    • ·necessity; need
    • ·you should ...; I advise that you ...; it's important to ...
    N3
  • 楽らく
    • ·comfort; ease; relief; (at) peace; relaxation
    • ·easy; simple; without trouble; without hardships
    • ·(economically) comfortable
    • ·raku pottery
    • ·sukha (happiness)
    N3
  • ただ
    • ·ordinary; common; usual
    • ·free of charge
    • ·unaffected; as is; safe
    • ·only; merely; just; simply
    • ·but; however; nevertheless
    N3
  • 何もなにも
    • ·(not) anything; (nothing) at all; (not) any; nothing
    • ·and everything else; and all
    • ·(not) at all; (not) in the least; (not) especially; (not) to that extent
    N3
  • 悩むなやむAs it appears here: 悩まなくて
    • ·to be worried; to be troubled
    N3
  • おそらく
    • ·probably; (most) likely; in all likelihood; I suspect; I dare say; I'm afraid
    N3
  • 他人たにん
    • ·another person; other people; others
    • ·unrelated person (i.e. not related by blood)
    • ·outsider; stranger
    N3
  • 与えるあたえるAs it appears here: 与えられた
    • ·to give (esp. to someone of lower status); to bestow; to grant; to confer; to present; to award
    • ·to provide; to afford; to offer; to supply
    • ·to assign
    • ·to cause
    • ·to pass (a variable to a function)
    N3
  • 目標もくひょう
    • ·goal; target; aim; objective
    • ·mark; sign; landmark
    N3
  • もちろん
    • ·of course; certainly; naturally
    N3
  • 時とき
    • ·time; hour; moment
    • ·occasion; case
    • ·chance; opportunity; season
    • ·the times; the age; the day
    • ·tense
    N3
  • あるいは
    • ·or; either ... or
    • ·maybe; perhaps; possibly
    • ·some ... and others ...; sometimes ... and at other times ...
    N3
  • そこで
    • ·so; accordingly; now; then; thereupon; therefore
    N3
  • しまう
    • ·to finish; to stop; to end; to put an end to; to bring to a close
    • ·to close (a business, etc.); to close down; to shut down; to shut up
    • ·to put away; to put back; to keep; to store
    • ·to do completely; to finish
    • ·to do accidentally; to do without meaning to; to happen to do; to end up ...
    N3
  • 全くまったく
    • ·really; truly; entirely; completely; wholly; perfectly
    • ·indeed
    • ·good grief
    N3
  • 常につねに
    • ·always; constantly; at all times; habitually
    N3
  • 確認かくにん
    • ·confirmation; verification; validation; review; check; affirmation; identification
    N3
  • 元もと
    • ·origin; source; beginning
    • ·basis; base; foundation; root
    • ·cause
    • ·(raw) material; ingredient; base; mix (e.g. for a cake); (soup) stock
    • ·(one's) side
    • ·capital; principal; cost price
    • ·root (of a plant); (tree) trunk
    • ·part (of a brush, chopsticks, etc.) one holds (with the hand)
    • ·first three lines of a waka
    • ·counter for plants or trees
    • ·counter for falcons (in falconry)
    N3
  • 出会うであう
    • ·to meet (by chance); to come across; to run across; to encounter; to happen upon
    • ·to meet (e.g. of rivers, highways, etc.)
    • ·to emerge and engage (an enemy)
    N3
  • ほう
    • ·direction; way; side; area (in a particular direction)
    • ·side (of an argument, etc.); one's part
    • ·type; category
    • ·field (of study, etc.)
    • ·indicates one side of a comparison
    • ·way; method; manner; means
    • ·length (of each side of a square)
    N3
  • 平和へいわ
    • ·peace; harmony
    N3
  • 注ちゅう
    • ·annotation; explanatory note; comment
    N3
  • 記すしるすAs it appears here: 記されて
    • ·to write down; to note down; to jot down; to take a note of
    • ·to mention; to describe; to give an account of
    • ·to inscribe; to mark; to brand
    • ·to remember; to engrave (in one's mind)
    N1
  • 昇進しょうしん
    • ·promotion; advancement; rising in rank
    N1
  • 歩むあゆむ
    • ·to walk; to go on foot
    • ·to tread (a figurative path); to follow; to lead (a life); to experience
    • ·to advance towards (e.g. a solution); to set out (e.g. on the path to destruction, ruin, etc.); to embark (on the road to ...)
    N1
  • 辿り着くたどりつく
    • ·to (finally) arrive at; to reach (at last); to (manage to) get to; to find one's way to
    N1
  • こだわるAs it appears here: こだわって
    • ·to be obsessive (about); to be overly concerned (with); to fuss (over); to worry too much (about); to be picky (about); to be hung up (on); to stick to
    • ·to be particular (about); to pay special attention (to); to be fastidious (about); to insist (on); to be uncompromising
    • ·to get stuck; to be obstructed
    N1
  • 認識にんしき
    • ·recognition; awareness; perception; understanding; knowledge; cognition; cognizance; cognisance
    N1
  • 出世しゅっせ
    • ·success in life; getting ahead; successful career; promotion; climbing the corporate ladder; eminence
    N1
Grammar5 patterns

Example sentences are translated by AI.

  • 恐らくN2

    Adverb marking the speaker's likely conjecture — "probably, most likely".

    そんな人生を送る人間は、おそらくこの世に一人もいない。

    Probably not a single person in this world lives such a life.

  • に過ぎないN2

    Downplays something as merely that and nothing more — 'is nothing more than', 'merely'.

    その人生は他人から与えられたものに過ぎない。

    That life would be no more than something given by others.

  • あるいはN2

    Presents an alternative or a possibility — 'or; or perhaps; alternatively'.

    一枚の地図しか持っていない人、あるいは決して地図を書き変えようとしない人は、そこで人生の現在地を見失ってしまうだろう。

    Someone who has only one map, or who will never redraw it, will at that point lose sight of where they stand in their life.

  • てはならないN2

    States a firm prohibition — an action that must not be done — "must not ~", "it won't do to ~".

    しかし、その一枚の地図にこだわってはならない。

    But you must not cling to that one map.

  • だってN2

    Colloquial particle adding 'even/too', giving a reason 'but/because', or reporting hearsay 'they say ~'.

    今いる場所さえしっかりと認識できていれば、人はどんな道だって歩いていくことができるものだ。

    So long as you can recognise clearly where you now stand, you can walk any road at all.

Other levels40 patterns
  • というN33 times in this passage

    Quotative marker plus 'say' that introduces a name, definition, or reported content — 'called', 'known as', 'that (one) says'.

    人は人生という旅路を、地図もなく歩いている。

    People walk the road of life without a map.

  • としてN32 times in this passage

    Marks the role, capacity, or status in which someone or something acts — "as (a doctor / a rule / etc.)".

    誰しもそうだし、それが人間としては自然な姿である。

    Everyone does, and for a human being that is the natural state.

  • わけがないN3

    Asserts something is impossible or unthinkable — 'there's no way that ~', 'it can't be that ~'.

    人生に地図などあるわけがない。

    There cannot possibly be a map of life.

  • とおりにN3

    States that something is done exactly as described, instructed, or expected — "just as ~; in accordance with ~".

    人生の地図に描かれた道を、その通りに歩むことができるなら、そんなに楽なことはない。

    If you could walk exactly the road drawn on your life's map, nothing could be easier.

  • ことはないN3

    Tells someone there is no need to do something — 'there's no need to / you don't have to.'

    人生の地図に描かれた道を、その通りに歩むことができるなら、そんなに楽なことはない。

    If you could walk exactly the road drawn on your life's map, nothing could be easier.

  • ずにN3

    Marks doing one thing without doing another; a more formal equivalent of 〜ないで — 'without …ing'.

    一度も脇道にそれずに、ただまっすぐに歩くことができるのなら、人は何も悩まなくても済むだろう。

    If you could walk straight on without once turning off, you would have nothing to trouble you.

  • とすれば・としたら・とするとN3

    'If / supposing that…' — sets up a hypothesis and states what would follow from it.

    もしそういう人間がいるのだとしたら、それはその人間の人生ではない。

    And if such a person did exist, that would not be their own life.

  • はもちろんN3

    Names one obvious case and adds another — 'not only X (which goes without saying) but also Y'.

    目標をもつことはもちろん大切なことだ。

    Having a goal is of course important.

  • 決して～ないN32 times in this passage

    Adverb pairing with a following negative to stress absolute denial, 'never / by no means / not at all'.

    しかし、その目標へ辿り着く道は決して一本ではない。

    But the road to that goal is by no means single.

  • ようとしないN3

    Says someone shows no intention of doing something or stubbornly won't do it — 'won't (even try to)…', 'refuses to…'.

    一枚の地図しか持っていない人、あるいは決して地図を書き変えようとしない人は、そこで人生の現在地を見失ってしまうだろう。

    Someone who has only one map, or who will never redraw it, will at that point lose sight of where they stand in their life.

  • 〜ばいいN32 times in this passage

    Offers a suggestion or solution via the conditional plus いい, "you should ~ / it'd be good to just ~."

    地図をもたない人生が不安であるならば、地図をもてばいいだけのことだ。

    If a life without a map makes you uneasy, then simply have one — that is all.

  • ようとするN3

    Describes attempting to do something or being on the verge of doing it — 'try to…', 'be about to…'.

    無理をして元の道に戻ろうとしても、余計に迷うだけだ。

    Forcing yourself back onto the original road only gets you more lost.

  • うちにN3

    Do something within a window, before the current state changes — 'while / before (it becomes otherwise)'.

    脇道を歩いているうちに、いつの間にか元の道に戻ることもあるだろうし、また別の大通りに出会うこともあるだろう。

    While walking the side road you may find yourself back on the original road without noticing, or you may come out onto another main road.

  • によって/によるN3

    Marks means, cause, passive agent, or a factor something depends on; 'by (means of)', 'due to', 'depending on'.

    による）

    )

  • たとえ〜てもN3

    Concessive 'even if / even though' — sets up a hypothetical or fact that does not change the outcome.

    （注1）なぞらえられる：たとえられる

    (Note 1) nazoraerareru: to be likened to

  • などN4

    Lists one or more representative items and implies others of the same kind exist — 'and so on / etc. / such as'.

    人生に地図などあるわけがない。

    There cannot possibly be a map of life.

  • 〜てしまう / 〜ちゃうN46 times in this passage

    Verb te-form plus しまう, marking an action as fully completed or done regrettably/by accident — 'end up ...ing' / 'finish ...ing'; ちゃう/じゃう is the casual contraction.

    迷ってしまった時の恐怖を想像したくないからだ。

    It is because they do not want to imagine the terror of getting lost.

  • までにN42 times in this passage

    Marks a deadline by which an action must be completed; 'by (a certain time).'

    三十歳までには結婚し、三十五歳頃には二人の子どもをもつ。

    Married before thirty, two children by about thirty-five.

  • 頃（ころ / ごろ）N4

    Suffix/noun marking an approximate point in time; 'around (the time of), about when, back when'.

    三十歳までには結婚し、三十五歳頃には二人の子どもをもつ。

    Married before thirty, two children by about thirty-five.

  • そんなにN4

    Marks a degree 'that much / so'; frequently paired with a negative — 'not that much.'

    人生の地図に描かれた道を、その通りに歩むことができるなら、そんなに楽なことはない。

    If you could walk exactly the road drawn on your life's map, nothing could be easier.

  • てもN4

    Concessive — 'even if / even though …'; the main clause holds regardless of the te-clause.

    一度も脇道にそれずに、ただまっすぐに歩くことができるのなら、人は何も悩まなくても済むだろう。

    If you could walk straight on without once turning off, you would have nothing to trouble you.

  • はずだN4

    Expresses the speaker's reasoned confidence that something is or should be the case — 'should, ought to, is supposed to'.

    「今、自分はこの場所にいるはずなのに、全く違う所に来てしまった」と、そんな思いにとらわれてしまい、行くべき道も見失ってしまうのである。

    Gripped by the thought "I ought to be here by now, yet I have ended up somewhere quite different", they lose sight of the road they should take as well.

  • 〜のにN4

    Links two clauses so the result contradicts what the first clause leads you to expect — "even though ~ / although ~".

    「今、自分はこの場所にいるはずなのに、全く違う所に来てしまった」と、そんな思いにとらわれてしまい、行くべき道も見失ってしまうのである。

    Gripped by the thought "I ought to be here by now, yet I have ended up somewhere quite different", they lose sight of the road they should take as well.

  • ながらN4

    Attaches to a verb stem to show two actions by the same subject happening at once — 'while (doing) / as'.

    常に現在地を確認しながら、どんどん地図を書き変えていくことだ。

    Keep checking where you are, and redraw the map freely.

  • 〜ていくN42 times in this passage

    Marks an action that continues/progresses onward from the present, or is done before moving away — 'to go on doing', 'to do and go'.

    常に現在地を確認しながら、どんどん地図を書き変えていくことだ。

    Keep checking where you are, and redraw the map freely.

  • 〜てみるN4

    Verb te-form plus 見る, doing something on a trial basis to see what happens — 'try ...ing'.

    少し脇道に入ってしまったのなら、その脇道を歩いてみればいい。

    If you have wandered a little onto a side road, try walking that side road.

  • 〜ておくN4

    Verb te-form plus 置く, doing something in advance as preparation or leaving it done for later — 'do ... in advance'.

    人生には数え切れないほどの道があることを知っておいたほうがいい。

    It is as well to know that life has more roads than can be counted.

  • いつもN5

    Adverb expressing habitual, unchanging frequency, "always / usually".

    人生はいつも旅になぞらえられる。

    Life is always likened to a journey.

  • 〜ているN57 times in this passage

    Describes an action in progress or the state that remains after an action happened — “is doing” or “is in the state of having done”.

    人は人生という旅路を、地図もなく歩いている。

    People walk the road of life without a map.

  • 〜たいN5

    Expresses the speaker's own desire to do something — “want to do”.

    迷ってしまった時の恐怖を想像したくないからだ。

    It is because they do not want to imagine the terror of getting lost.

  • そしてN5

    Additive/sequential conjunction joining clauses, 'and / and then'.

    そして自分の地図には、人生の設計図としてわがままな道程が記されている。

    And on their own map, as a blueprint for life, a self-serving route is marked out.

  • 〜ことができるN53 times in this passage

    States that someone is able to do something — “can do” / “is able to do”.

    人生の地図に描かれた道を、その通りに歩むことができるなら、そんなに楽なことはない。

    If you could walk exactly the road drawn on your life's map, nothing could be easier.

  • だろうN54 times in this passage

    Presumptive expressing conjecture — 'probably', 'I think', or seeking agreement 'right?'; plain だろう / polite でしょう.

    一度も脇道にそれずに、ただまっすぐに歩くことができるのなら、人は何も悩まなくても済むだろう。

    If you could walk straight on without once turning off, you would have nothing to trouble you.

  • じゃない・ではないN52 times in this passage

    Negates a noun or na-adjective with the copula, "is not / am not".

    もしそういう人間がいるのだとしたら、それはその人間の人生ではない。

    And if such a person did exist, that would not be their own life.

  • しかしN52 times in this passage

    Contrastive conjunction joining two sentences, 'however / but'.

    しかし、その目標へ辿り着く道は決して一本ではない。

    But the road to that goal is by no means single.

  • のでN5

    Gives a reason or cause with a soft, objective/polite nuance — 'because / since'.

    「今、自分はこの場所にいるはずなのに、全く違う所に来てしまった」と、そんな思いにとらわれてしまい、行くべき道も見失ってしまうのである。

    Gripped by the thought "I ought to be here by now, yet I have ended up somewhere quite different", they lose sight of the road they should take as well.

  • だけN52 times in this passage

    Limiting particle marking 'only / just' — restricts to the stated amount, degree, or item.

    地図をもたない人生が不安であるならば、地図をもてばいいだけのことだ。

    If a life without a map makes you uneasy, then simply have one — that is all.

  • がありますN5

    States the existence or possession of an inanimate thing, "there is / to have".

    人生には数え切れないほどの道があることを知っておいたほうがいい。

    It is as well to know that life has more roads than can be counted.

  • ほうがいいN5

    Advises that one course of action is preferable — "had better / it's better to".

    人生には数え切れないほどの道があることを知っておいたほうがいい。

    It is as well to know that life has more roads than can be counted.

  • どんなN5

    Asks or specifies what kind or sort of thing something is, "what kind of".

    今いる場所さえしっかりと認識できていれば、人はどんな道だって歩いていくことができるものだ。

    So long as you can recognise clearly where you now stand, you can walk any road at all.

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