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N2 · Upper intermediateMedium passagePassage #605
2

僕ぼくは学校がっこうが好すきだった。毎まい日にちわくわくしながら学校がっこうに通とおったものだ。学校がっこうにはいやな奴やつも大たい勢せいいたが、好すきな友とも達だちがそれ以い上じょう沢たく山さんいたからである。向むこうは僕ぼくのことをどう思おもっていたのかは分わからないが、構かまわなかった。僕ぼくはかってに彼かれらのことを友とも達だちだと思おもっていたのである。

友とも達だちを作つくる、とよく言いう。あの頃ころ先せん生せいや親おやは僕ぼくによく「いい友とも達だちをいっぱい作つくりなさい。」と言いっていた。僕ぼくは彼かれらがそう言いうたびに①「それは違ちがう。」と心こころの中うちで反はん発ぱつ（注1）したものだった。友とも達だちは作つくるものじゃない、と今いまでも思おもっている。友とも達だちを作つくるなんて第だい一いち友とも達だちに対たいして失しつ礼れいだと思おもった。第だい二にに作つくった友とも達だちは偽にせ物もののような気きがしたのだ。

僕ぼくは友とも達だちは作つくるものではなく、自し然ぜんに出で来きるものなのだと思おもう。僕ぼくにも友とも達だちが出で来きなくて辛つらい時じ期きがあったけれど、僕ぼくは決けっして友とも達だちを作つくろうとはしなかった。つまり無む理りして誰だれかに合あわせたりしてつきあうことはなかったのだ。僕ぼくはいつも自し然ぜんにしていた。大人おとなになってから、ああ、あの頃ころあいつは僕ぼくの友とも達だちだったのだな、と思おもい知しらされた（注2）奴やつもいた。その頃ころは喧けん嘩かばっかりしていたからである。後のちになってそうやって分わかる友とも達だちもまたいいものだ。

（中ちゅう略りゃく）

大人おとなになった今いま、僕ぼくは学校がっこうを失うしなってしまった。毎まい日にち楽たのしみにしていた学校がっこうはもうない。社しゃ会かいにでてから今日きょうまで、僕ぼくは孤こ独どくに仕し事ごとをしてきた。それでも一生懸命いっしょうけんめい仕し事ごとがやれたのは、ふりかえると僕ぼくには素す晴ばらしい仲なか間またちが大たい勢せいいたからなのだ。②彼かれらと過すごした自し然ぜんな日ひ々びは、僕ぼくの人じん生せいにおいて大おおいなる大だい地ちとなっている。そして僕ぼくはそこからすくすくと伸のびる一本いっぽんの木きなのだ。僕ぼくの根ねっこは彼かれらと繋つながり、僕ぼくは空そらを目め指ざしている。

（辻つじ仁成ひとなり『そこに僕ぼくはいた』による）

（注ちゅう1）反はん発ぱつする：反はん抗こうして、受うけ付つけない

（注ちゅう2）思おもい知しらされる：強つよく思おもわされる

Questions

0/3 answered
  1. 1①「それは違う。」とあるがどういうことか。
  2. 2②彼らとは誰のことか。
  3. 3大人になった筆者にとって、友達とはどのような存在か。

Study this passage

Vocabulary3 words
  • 第一だいいち
    • ·first; foremost; number one
    • ·most important
    • ·best; greatest; most
    • ·above all; besides; in any case; to begin with
    N2
  • 繋がるつながるAs it appears here: 繋がり
    • ·to be connected (to); to be joined together; to be linked; to be tied together; to lead (to)
    • ·to connect (of a telephone call, the internet, etc.); to get through
    • ·to lead (to an outcome); to bring about (a result)
    • ·to be lined up (e.g. of cars); to extend; to stretch out
    • ·to be related (e.g. to a matter); to be connected (to); to have something to do (with)
    • ·to be related (by blood)
    N2
  • 目指すめざすAs it appears here: 目指して
    • ·to aim at (for, to do, to become); to try for; to have an eye on
    • ·to go toward; to head for
    N2
Other levels83 words
  • 学校がっこう
    • ·school
    N5
  • 好きすき
    • ·liking; being fond of; to one's liking; to one's taste; preferred; favourite
    • ·liking (romantically); being in love with; beloved
    • ·faddism; eccentricity
    • ·as one likes; as it suits one
    • ·lecherous; lustful; salacious
    N5
  • 毎日まいにち
    • ·every day; daily
    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
  • 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
  • いるAs it appears here: いた
    • ·to be (of animate objects); to exist
    • ·to stay
    • ·to be ...-ing
    • ·to have ...-ed; to be ...-ed
    N5
  • 友達ともだち
    • ·friend; companion
    N5
  • それ
    • ·that; it
    • ·then; that point (in time); that time
    • ·there
    • ·you
    N5
  • 沢山たくさん
    • ·a lot; lots; plenty; many; a large number; much; a great deal; a good deal
    • ·enough; sufficient
    • ·enough; too many; too much
    N5
  • 向こうむこう
    • ·opposite side; other side
    • ·over there; ahead; beyond; (in the) distance; far away; far off
    • ·destination; there (somewhere distant, esp. abroad)
    • ·the other party; the other side
    • ·from now; next (e.g. two weeks); coming ...; from ... onwards
    N5
  • どう
    • ·how; in what way; how about
    N5
  • 分かるわかるAs it appears here: 分からない
    • ·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
  • 作るつくる
    • ·to make; to produce; to manufacture; to build; to construct
    • ·to prepare (food); to brew (alcohol)
    • ·to raise; to grow; to cultivate; to train
    • ·to till
    • ·to draw up (a document); to make out; to prepare; to write
    • ·to create (an artistic work, etc.); to compose
    • ·to coin (a phrase); to organize; to organise; to establish; to found
    • ·to have (a child)
    • ·to make up (one's face, etc.)
    • ·to fabricate (an excuse, etc.)
    • ·to give a (false) appearance; to feign (a smile, etc.); to put on a show of emotion
    • ·to form (a line, etc.)
    • ·to set (a record)
    • ·to commit (a sin, etc.)
    N5
  • よく
    • ·nicely; properly; well; skillfully; skilfully
    • ·frequently; often
    • ·I'm glad that you ...; thank you for ...
    • ·(you have) quite the nerve to; I don't know how you can ...
    N5
  • 言ういう
    • ·to say; to utter; to declare
    • ·to name; to call
    • ·to go (e.g. "the alarm went ping"); to make a noise
    N5
  • あの
    • ·that; those; the
    N5
  • 先生せんせい
    • ·teacher; instructor; master
    • ·sensei; (expl.) title or form of address for a teacher, master, doctor, lawyer, etc.
    • ·(expl.) intimate or teasing form of address
    • ·one's elder
    N5
  • 作るつくるAs it appears here: 作り
    • ·to make; to produce; to manufacture; to build; to construct
    • ·to prepare (food); to brew (alcohol)
    • ·to raise; to grow; to cultivate; to train
    • ·to till
    • ·to draw up (a document); to make out; to prepare; to write
    • ·to create (an artistic work, etc.); to compose
    • ·to coin (a phrase); to organize; to organise; to establish; to found
    • ·to have (a child)
    • ·to make up (one's face, etc.)
    • ·to fabricate (an excuse, etc.)
    • ·to give a (false) appearance; to feign (a smile, etc.); to put on a show of emotion
    • ·to form (a line, etc.)
    • ·to set (a record)
    • ·to commit (a sin, etc.)
    N5
  • 言ういうAs it appears here: 言って
    • ·to say; to utter; to declare
    • ·to name; to call
    • ·to go (e.g. "the alarm went ping"); to make a noise
    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
  • するAs it appears here: した
    • ·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
  • 作るつくるAs it appears here: 作った
    • ·to make; to produce; to manufacture; to build; to construct
    • ·to prepare (food); to brew (alcohol)
    • ·to raise; to grow; to cultivate; to train
    • ·to till
    • ·to draw up (a document); to make out; to prepare; to write
    • ·to create (an artistic work, etc.); to compose
    • ·to coin (a phrase); to organize; to organise; to establish; to found
    • ·to have (a child)
    • ·to make up (one's face, etc.)
    • ·to fabricate (an excuse, etc.)
    • ·to give a (false) appearance; to feign (a smile, etc.); to put on a show of emotion
    • ·to form (a line, etc.)
    • ·to set (a record)
    • ·to commit (a sin, etc.)
    N5
  • 出来るできる
    • ·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
  • 出来るできるAs it appears here: 出来なくて
    • ·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
  • あるAs it appears here: あった
    • ·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
  • 作るつくるAs it appears here: 作ろう
    • ·to make; to produce; to manufacture; to build; to construct
    • ·to prepare (food); to brew (alcohol)
    • ·to raise; to grow; to cultivate; to train
    • ·to till
    • ·to draw up (a document); to make out; to prepare; to write
    • ·to create (an artistic work, etc.); to compose
    • ·to coin (a phrase); to organize; to organise; to establish; to found
    • ·to have (a child)
    • ·to make up (one's face, etc.)
    • ·to fabricate (an excuse, etc.)
    • ·to give a (false) appearance; to feign (a smile, etc.); to put on a show of emotion
    • ·to form (a line, etc.)
    • ·to set (a record)
    • ·to commit (a sin, etc.)
    N5
  • するAs it appears here: しなかった
    • ·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
  • 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
  • 誰かだれか
    • ·someone; somebody
    N5
  • いつも
    • ·always; all the time; at all times
    • ·never
    • ·usual; regular; habitual; customary
    N5
  • 大人おとな
    • ·adult; grown-up
    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
  • その
    • ·that; the
    • ·part (as in "part two")
    • ·um ...; er ...; uh ...
    N5
  • 分かるわかる
    • ·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
  • 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
  • なるAs it appears here: なった
    • ·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
  • 今いま
    • ·now; the present time; just now; soon; immediately
    • ·another; more
    N5
  • でるAs it appears here: でて
    • ·to leave; to exit; to go out; to come out; to get out
    • ·to leave (on a journey); to depart; to start out; to set out
    • ·to move forward
    • ·to come to; to get to; to lead to; to reach
    • ·to appear; to come out; to emerge; to surface; to come forth; to turn up; to be found; to be detected; to be discovered; to be exposed; to show; to be exhibited; to be on display
    • ·to appear (in print); to be published; to be announced; to be issued; to be listed; to come out
    • ·to attend; to participate; to take part; to enter (an event); to play in; to perform
    • ·to be stated; to be expressed; to come up; to be brought up; to be raised
    • ·to sell
    • ·to exceed; to go over
    • ·to stick out; to protrude
    • ·to break out; to occur; to start; to originate
    • ·to be produced
    • ·to come from; to be derived from
    • ·to be given; to get; to receive; to be offered; to be provided; to be presented; to be submitted; to be handed in; to be turned in; to be paid
    • ·to answer (phone, door, etc.); to get
    • ·to assume (an attitude); to act; to behave
    • ·to pick up (speed, etc.); to gain
    • ·to flow (e.g. tears); to run; to bleed
    • ·to graduate
    • ·to ejaculate; to cum
    N5
  • 今日きょう
    • ·today; this day
    • ·these days; recently; nowadays
    N5
  • 仕事しごと
    • ·work; job; labor; labour; business; task; assignment; occupation; employment
    • ·work
    N5
  • そこ
    • ·there (place relatively near listener)
    • ·there (place just mentioned); that place
    • ·then (of some incident just spoken of); that (of point just raised)
    • ·you
    N5
  • 木き
    • ·tree; shrub; bush
    • ·wood; timber
    • ·wooden clappers (signalling the beginning or end of a performance)
    N5
  • 空そら
    • ·sky; the air; the heavens
    • ·weather
    • ·far-off place; distant place
    • ·state of mind; feeling
    • ·(from) memory; (by) heart
    • ·falsehood; lie
    • ·somehow; vaguely
    • ·fake
    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
  • 強いつよいAs it appears here: 強く
    • ·strong; potent; competent; domineering; tough
    • ·strong; brawny; powerful; healthy; rugged
    • ·good (at); skilled; knowledgeable
    • ·being able to handle; know how to deal (with); durable (against); resistant (to); resilient
    • ·firm; rigid; solid
    • ·intense; strong; fierce; high
    • ·dependable; trustworthy
    N5
  • 僕ぼく
    • ·I; me
    • ·you
    • ·manservant
    N4
  • 通るとおるAs it appears here: 通った
    • ·to go by; to go past; to go along; to travel along; to pass through; to use (a road); to take (a route); to go via; to go by way of
    • ·to run (between; of a rail service, bus route, etc.); to operate (between); to connect
    • ·to go indoors; to go into a room; to be admitted; to be shown in; to be ushered in; to come in
    • ·to penetrate; to pierce; to skewer; to go through; to come through
    • ·to permeate; to soak into; to spread throughout
    • ·to carry (e.g. of a voice); to reach far
    • ·to be passed on (e.g. of a customer's order to the kitchen); to be relayed; to be conveyed
    • ·to pass (a test, a bill in the House, etc.); to be approved; to be accepted
    • ·to go by (a name); to be known as; to be accepted as; to have a reputation for
    • ·to be coherent; to be logical; to be reasonable; to be comprehensible; to be understandable; to make sense
    • ·to get across (e.g. of one's point); to be understood
    • ·to pass for; to come across as; to seem like
    • ·to be straight (e.g. wood grain)
    • ·to be well-informed; to be wise
    • ·to do ... completely; to do ... thoroughly
    N4
  • 以上いじょう
    • ·not less than ...; ... and over; ... and above; ... and upwards; ... or more
    • ·beyond (e.g. one's expectations); above; more than; further than
    • ·the above; the above-mentioned; the aforementioned; the foregoing
    • ·since ...; seeing that ...; now that ...; once ...
    • ·that's all; that is the end; the end
    N4
  • 思うおもうAs it appears here: 思って
    • ·to think; to consider; to believe; to reckon
    • ·to think (of doing); to plan (to do)
    • ·to judge; to assess; to regard
    • ·to imagine; to suppose; to dream
    • ·to expect; to look forward to
    • ·to feel; to be (in a state of mind); to desire; to want
    • ·to care (deeply) for; to yearn for; to worry about; to love
    • ·to recall; to remember
    N4
  • 親おや
    • ·parent; parents; mother and father
    • ·dealer; banker
    • ·founder; inventor
    • ·(pet) owner
    • ·key; parent (organization); main
    • ·ancestor; forefather
    N4
  • 思うおもうAs it appears here: 思った
    • ·to think; to consider; to believe; to reckon
    • ·to think (of doing); to plan (to do)
    • ·to judge; to assess; to regard
    • ·to imagine; to suppose; to dream
    • ·to expect; to look forward to
    • ·to feel; to be (in a state of mind); to desire; to want
    • ·to care (deeply) for; to yearn for; to worry about; to love
    • ·to recall; to remember
    N4
  • 気き
    • ·spirit; mind; heart
    • ·nature; disposition
    • ·intention; mind; will; motivation
    • ·mood; feelings
    • ·consciousness
    • ·care; attention; consideration; worry
    • ·interest
    • ·(the) air; atmosphere
    • ·ambience; atmosphere (of); air (of); mood
    • ·fragrance; aroma; flavour; taste
    • ·qi (in traditional Chinese philosophy and medicine); chi; ki
    N4
  • 思うおもう
    • ·to think; to consider; to believe; to reckon
    • ·to think (of doing); to plan (to do)
    • ·to judge; to assess; to regard
    • ·to imagine; to suppose; to dream
    • ·to expect; to look forward to
    • ·to feel; to be (in a state of mind); to desire; to want
    • ·to care (deeply) for; to yearn for; to worry about; to love
    • ·to recall; to remember
    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
  • 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
  • 喧嘩けんか
    • ·quarrel; brawl; fight; squabble; scuffle; argument
    N4
  • 楽しみたのしみ
    • ·enjoyment; pleasure; amusement; delight; joy; fun; diversion; hobby
    • ·anticipation; looking forward to; something to look forward to
    N4
  • 社会しゃかい
    • ·society; public; community; the world
    • ·social studies
    N4
  • 一生懸命いっしょうけんめい
    • ·very hard; with utmost effort; as hard as one can; with all one's might; for dear life; eagerly; desperately
    N4
  • 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
  • 構うかまうAs it appears here: 構わなかった
    • ·to mind; to care about; to be concerned about; to have a regard for
    • ·to be an issue; to matter; to create inconvenience
    • ·to keep company; to care for; to look after; to entertain; to pay attention to; to spend time with
    • ·to interfere with; to meddle in
    • ·to tease
    • ·to banish; to prohibit
    N3
  • 頃ころ
    • ·(approximate) time; around; about; toward
    • ·suitable time (or condition)
    • ·time of year; season
    N3
  • たび
    • ·time (three times, each time, etc.); times
    N3
  • よう
    • ·appearing ...; looking ...
    • ·way to ...; method of ...ing
    • ·form; style; design
    • ·like; similar to
    • ·thing (thought or spoken)
    N3
  • 自然しぜん
    • ·nature
    • ·natural; spontaneous; automatic
    • ·naturally; spontaneously; automatically
    N3
  • 辛いつらい
    • ·painful; bitter; heart-breaking; difficult (emotionally)
    • ·tough; difficult; hard (usu. of situations)
    • ·cruel; harsh; cold
    N3
  • 時期じき
    • ·time; season; period; phase; stage
    N3
  • つまり
    • ·that is to say; that is; in other words; I mean; that (this, it) means
    • ·in short; in brief; to sum up; ultimately; in the end; in the long run; when all is said and done; what it all comes down to; when you get right down to it; basically
    • ·clogging; obstruction; stuffing; (degree of) blockage
    • ·shrinkage
    • ·end; conclusion
    • ·dead end; corner
    • ·distress; being at the end of one's rope
    N3
  • 合わせるあわせるAs it appears here: 合わせたり
    • ·to match (rhythm, speed, etc.)
    • ·to join together; to unite; to combine; to add up
    • ·to face; to be opposite (someone)
    • ·to compare; to check with
    • ·to cause to meet (e.g. an unpleasant fate)
    • ·to place together; to connect; to overlap
    • ·to mix; to combine
    • ·to put blade to blade; to fight
    N3
  • 失ううしなうAs it appears here: 失って
    • ·to lose
    • ·to miss (a chance, opportunity)
    • ·to lose (a loved one); to be bereaved of
    • ·to concede (goals, points, etc.)
    N3
  • それでも
    • ·but (still); and yet; nevertheless; even so; notwithstanding
    N3
  • 素晴らしいすばらしい
    • ·wonderful; splendid; magnificent; amazing; superb
    • ·exceeding; incredible; remarkable; striking; immense
    N3
  • 過ごすすごすAs it appears here: 過ごした
    • ·to spend (time); to pass; to lead (a life); to live
    • ·to overdo (esp. alcohol consumption); to drink (alcohol); to carry too far; to carry to excess
    • ·to take care of; to support
    • ·to overdo; to do too much
    • ·to ... without acting on it; to ... without getting involved
    N3
  • 人生じんせい
    • ·(one's) life
    N3
  • 伸びるのびる
    • ·to stretch; to extend; to lengthen; to grow (of hair, height, grass, etc.)
    • ·to straighten out; to be flattened; to become smooth
    • ·to spread (of paint, cream, etc.)
    • ·to stretch out (e.g. of a hand); to extend
    • ·to lose elasticity; to become slack; to become soggy (e.g. of noodles)
    • ·to make progress; to develop; to expand; to increase; to improve
    • ·to be exhausted; to get groggy; to be stunned (by a blow); to pass out; to collapse
    • ·to be prolonged (of a meeting, life span, etc.); to be extended (e.g. of a deadline); to lengthen (e.g. of the days)
    • ·to be postponed; to be delayed; to be put off
    • ·to gain traction (of an online post, video, etc.); to get views; to perform well
    N3
  • 注ちゅう
    • ·annotation; explanatory note; comment
    N3
  • 反抗はんこう
    • ·opposition; resistance; insubordination; defiance; hostility; rebellion
    N3
  • 反発はんぱつ
    • ·opposition; rebellion; revolt; resistance; backlash; refusal
    • ·rebounding; recoiling; repulsion
    • ·rally (e.g. in stock prices); recovery
    N1
  • つきあう
    • ·to associate with; to keep company with; to go out with; to go steady with; to get on with
    • ·to go along with; to follow someone's lead; to accompany someone; to compromise
    N1
  • やるAs it appears here: やって
    • ·to do; to undertake; to perform; to play (a game); to study
    • ·to send; to dispatch; to despatch
    • ·to put; to move; to turn (one's head, glance, etc.)
    • ·to give (esp. to someone of equal or lower status); to let have; to present; to bestow; to confer
    • ·to make (a vehicle) go faster
    • ·to run (a business); to keep; to be engaged in; to practice (law, medicine, etc.); to practise
    • ·to have (food, drink, etc.); to eat; to drink; to smoke
    • ·to hold (a performance); to perform; to show
    • ·to ease (one's mind)
    • ·to harm; to injure; to kill
    • ·to have sex; to fuck; to bang
    • ·to live; to get by; to get along
    • ·to do ... completely
    • ·to do ... broadly; to do ... to a great distance
    • ·to do ... for (someone of equal or lower status); to do ... to
    • ·to make active efforts to ...
    • ·to suffer from (an illness); to experience (a medical condition); to be afflicted with
    N1
  • 孤独こどく
    • ·solitude; loneliness; isolation
    N1
  • 日々ひび
    • ·daily; everyday
    • ·days (e.g. of one's youth)
    • ·every day; day after day; day by day; from day to day
    N1
  • 受け付けるうけつけるAs it appears here: 受け付けない
    • ·to accept; to receive (an application); to take up
    • ·to (be able to) take (food, medicine, etc.); to bear; to tolerate; to endure
    • ·to be affected by; to take damage from
    N1
Grammar1 patterns

Example sentences are translated by AI.

  • ものではないN2

    Expresses that something should not be done as a matter of common sense or good manners — 'one shouldn't', 'it's not the done thing to'.

    友達は作るものじゃない、と今でも思っている。

    Even now, I still believe that friends are not something you “make.”

Other levels33 patterns
  • だの～だのN13 times in this passage

    Reduplicated listing particle citing examples with a tone of complaint or exasperation ("what with X and Y and all that").

    僕は友達は作るものではなく、自然に出来るものなのだと思う。

    I believe that friends are not something you make; friendship is something that develops naturally.

  • たものだN32 times in this passage

    recalls a past habitual action with fondness or nostalgia, 'used to (do)'.

    毎日わくわくしながら学校に通ったものだ。

    Every day, I would go to school full of excitement.

  • というN3

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

    あの頃先生や親は僕によく「いい友達をいっぱい作りなさい。」と言っていた。

    Back then, my teachers and parents often told me, “Make lots of good friends.”

  • たびにN3

    every time the preceding action happens, the main clause also happens, 'each time / whenever ~'.

    僕は彼らがそう言うたびに①「それは違う。」と心の中で反発したものだった。

    Whenever they said that, I would protest inwardly, “That’s not right.”

  • なんか/なんて/などN3

    A particle that cites an example or downplays/dismisses it — "things like / such as / (of all things)".

    友達を作るなんて第一友達に対して失礼だと思った。

    First of all, I felt that saying you had “made” a friend was disrespectful to the friend.

  • に対してN3

    Marks the target or object an action is directed at, or sets up a contrast between two things, 'toward / with regard to / in contrast to'.

    友達を作るなんて第一友達に対して失礼だと思った。

    First of all, I felt that saying you had “made” a friend was disrespectful to the friend.

  • 決して～ないN3

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

    僕にも友達が出来なくて辛い時期があったけれど、僕は決して友達を作ろうとはしなかった。

    I too went through painful periods when I had no friends, but I never tried to “make” friends.

  • つまりN3

    Restates or sums up the preceding statement more plainly — 'in other words / that is to say'.

    つまり無理して誰かに合わせたりしてつきあうことはなかったのだ。

    In other words, I never forced myself to conform to someone else just so that I could associate with them.

  • 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.'

    つまり無理して誰かに合わせたりしてつきあうことはなかったのだ。

    In other words, I never forced myself to conform to someone else just so that I could associate with them.

  • において/におけるN3

    Formally marks the place, time, or domain in which something holds, 'in / at / regarding'.

    ②彼らと過ごした自然な日々は、僕の人生において大いなる大地となっている。

    The natural, unforced days I spent with them have become a vast ground supporting my life.

  • 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'.

    （辻仁成『そこに僕はいた』による）

    (From Tsuji Hitonari, “I Was There”)

  • ながらN4

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

    毎日わくわくしながら学校に通ったものだ。

    Every day, I would go to school full of excitement.

  • 〜ていたN46 times in this passage

    The past progressive/continuous — an action that was ongoing or a state that held in the past — 'was (do)ing'.

    向こうは僕のことをどう思っていたのかは分からないが、構わなかった。

    I did not know what they thought of me, but I did not care.

  • と思う（とおもう）N43 times in this passage

    Quotative plus 'think', stating the speaker's opinion or guess — 'I think that'.

    僕はかってに彼らのことを友達だと思っていたのである。

    I simply regarded them as my friends, whether they agreed or not.

  • 頃（ころ / ごろ）N43 times in this passage

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

    あの頃先生や親は僕によく「いい友達をいっぱい作りなさい。」と言っていた。

    Back then, my teachers and parents often told me, “Make lots of good friends.”

  • なさいN4

    Attaches to a verb stem to give a firm but gentle command, 'do ~ / please do ~' (typically from a superior to an inferior, e.g. parent to child).

    あの頃先生や親は僕によく「いい友達をいっぱい作りなさい。」と言っていた。

    Back then, my teachers and parents often told me, “Make lots of good friends.”

  • 〜の中でN4

    Marks a set or group as the domain of a comparison — "among ~ / of all ~", typically paired with a superlative.

    僕は彼らがそう言うたびに①「それは違う。」と心の中で反発したものだった。

    Whenever they said that, I would protest inwardly, “That’s not right.”

  • ように / ようなN4

    Likens or exemplifies one thing by another, "like / as / similar to (a)".

    第二に作った友達は偽物のような気がしたのだ。

    Second, I felt that a friend deliberately “made” in that way seemed somehow fake.

  • がするN4

    With a perception noun (sound, smell, taste, feeling), expresses that such a sensation occurs — 'there is a smell/sound', 'I sense that'.

    第二に作った友達は偽物のような気がしたのだ。

    Second, I felt that a friend deliberately “made” in that way seemed somehow fake.

  • 〜てしまう / 〜ちゃうN4

    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.

    大人になった今、僕は学校を失ってしまった。

    Now that I am an adult, I have lost school.

  • 〜てくるN4

    Verb te-form plus 来る, marking motion toward the speaker or the gradual onset of a state — 'come to do' / 'start to / become'.

    社会にでてから今日まで、僕は孤独に仕事をしてきた。

    From the time I entered the working world until today, I have worked in solitude.

  • それでもN4

    Concessive conjunction — 'even so, nevertheless, still.'

    それでも一生懸命仕事がやれたのは、ふりかえると僕には素晴らしい仲間たちが大勢いたからなのだ。

    Even so, looking back, the reason I was able to keep working with all my strength was that I had so many wonderful companions.

  • のでN5

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

    僕はかってに彼らのことを友達だと思っていたのである。

    I simply regarded them as my friends, whether they agreed or not.

  • 〜ているN53 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”.

    友達は作るものじゃない、と今でも思っている。

    Even now, I still believe that friends are not something you “make.”

  • がありますN5

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

    僕にも友達が出来なくて辛い時期があったけれど、僕は決して友達を作ろうとはしなかった。

    I too went through painful periods when I had no friends, but I never tried to “make” friends.

  • けれどもN5

    More formal contrastive conjunction linking two clauses — "but / however / although."

    僕にも友達が出来なくて辛い時期があったけれど、僕は決して友達を作ろうとはしなかった。

    I too went through painful periods when I had no friends, but I never tried to “make” friends.

  • 〜たり〜たりN5

    Lists a few representative actions among others done at various times, 'do things like X and Y'.

    つまり無理して誰かに合わせたりしてつきあうことはなかったのだ。

    In other words, I never forced myself to conform to someone else just so that I could associate with them.

  • いつもN5

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

    僕はいつも自然にしていた。

    I always simply acted naturally and remained myself.

  • にするN52 times in this passage

    To decide on or turn something into a given state or choice, 'to make it ~ / to go with ~.'

    僕はいつも自然にしていた。

    I always simply acted naturally and remained myself.

  • 〜てからN52 times in this passage

    Marks that one action finishes, and only afterward does the next one happen — “after doing”.

    大人になってから、ああ、あの頃あいつは僕の友達だったのだな、と思い知らされた奴もいた。

    After I became an adult, there were also people who made me realize, “Ah, so that guy really was my friend back then.”

  • もうN5

    The adverb "already" (with an affirmative), or "(not) anymore / any longer" (with a negative).

    毎日楽しみにしていた学校はもうない。

    The school I used to look forward to every day is no longer there.

  • までN5

    Particle marking the spatial, temporal, or extent limit of an action — "until / up to / as far as."

    社会にでてから今日まで、僕は孤独に仕事をしてきた。

    From the time I entered the working world until today, I have worked in solitude.

  • そしてN5

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

    そして僕はそこからすくすくと伸びる一本の木なのだ。

    And I am a single tree growing vigorously from that earth.

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