N4 · Unit 9
Lesson 34Prepare, try, and state a purpose
Explain preparation for a later action, trying a method, or acting for a purpose.
What you learn
Explain preparation for a later action, trying a method, or acting for a purpose.
Learning points
- Deliberately prepared states
- Advance preparation
- Trying and purpose
Why this lesson comes now
This lesson connects what you can already say to a new way of expressing it. Hear the key sentences, understand the structure, then use it in a real situation.
Your next step
Listen to the key sentences, understand the pattern, finish the examples and vocabulary, then continue to the next lesson.
Open the interactive lessonCore pattern
他動詞て + あります ・ 動詞て + おきます ・ 動詞て + みます ・ 動詞基本形 + ために / Nの + ためにBeginner explanation
Transitive て-form＋あります focuses on the state deliberately left by someone's action, such as materials already arranged; the object takes が. 〜ておきます means doing something in advance or leaving its result in place. 〜てみます means trying an action. 〜ために states a clear purpose, normally with the same actor in both parts.
Understand these sentences first
- 机の 上に 資料が 並べて あります。tsukue no ue ni shiryō ga narabete arimasu
The materials have been arranged on the desk.
- 旅行の 前に、ホテルを 予約して おきます。ryokō no mae ni, hoteru o yoyaku shite okimasu
I will book the hotel in advance of the trip.
- この 料理を 食べて みて ください。kono ryōri o tabete mite kudasai
Please try this dish.
- 日本で 働くために、日本語を 勉強して います。Nihon de hataraku tame ni, Nihongo o benkyō shite imasu
I am studying Japanese in order to work in Japan.
Core vocabulary
- 並べますならべますarrange
- 予約しますよやくしますreserve
- 準備しますじゅんびしますprepare
- 貯めますためますsave up
- 資料しりょうmaterials
- 会議かいぎmeeting
- 目的もくてきpurpose
- パスポートパスポートpassport
Grammar, one point at a time
Transitive てあります describes a deliberately created state that remains
Nが／は + 他動詞て + ありますThe sentence focuses on the prepared object and current state, usually omitting the actor. Unlike Lesson 33's intransitive ている, it also implies deliberate preparation.
Examples
- 壁に カレンダーが 掛けてあります。A calendar has been hung on the wall.
- パスポートは バッグに 入れてあります。The passport has been put in the bag.
ておきます means doing something in advance for a later purpose
Vて + おきますPreparation can create a state or consist of checking, resting, contacting, or buying something. Context may supply the later purpose.
Examples
- お客さんが 来る前に、部屋を 掃除しておきます。I will clean the room before the guests arrive.
- 訪問する前に、一度 電話しておきます。I will call once before the visit.
ておかなくてもいい means no advance action is needed; そのままにしておく means leave it as it is
Vておく／VておかないNegative preparation is not てないでおきます. In casual speech, ておく often contracts to とく and でおく to どく; learn the full form first.
Examples
- 帰りの 切符は 買っておかなくても いいです。You do not need to buy the return ticket in advance.
- 窓は そのままに しておいてください。Please leave the window as it is.
てみます means actually trying an action to see the result
Vて + みますThe auxiliary みる is usually written in hiragana. It means try, not see with the eyes. Ask someone to try with てみてください.
Examples
- 中国語で 手紙を 書いてみました。I tried writing a letter in Chinese.
- この 料理を 食べてみてください。Please try this dish.
Dictionary form + ために gives an action taken to achieve a controllable goal
Vる + ために、VThe subjects are normally the same and the goal verb is usually volitional. Do not use ために for an uncontrolled ability change or natural result; those often take ように.
Examples
- 日本へ 留学するために、お金を ためています。I am saving money to study in Japan.
- 論文を 書くために、資料を 読みます。I read sources in order to write a paper.
Noun + の + ために means for the purpose or benefit of a goal, person, or thing
N + の + ためにIt can mark a purpose or beneficiary. Saying for health does not prove that a particular action is medically suitable for every person.
Examples
- 健康のために、毎日 歩いています。I walk every day for my health.
- 家族のために、働いています。I work for my family.
Expressions and situations
とっておきの + noun means something special kept for a particular occasion
It suggests a treasured choice, secret resource, or special recommendation, not necessarily the most expensive item.
- とっておきの 店を 予約しました。I booked a special restaurant I had been saving for the occasion.
うわあ is a direct exclamation of surprise or emotion
It can express admiration, shock, or disgust; the following words, intonation, and expression determine the meaning.
- うわあ、きれいに 焼いてありますね。Wow, it has been cooked beautifully.
しっかり can mean firmly, reliably, fully, or carefully
しっかり食べる means eat properly, しっかり貯金する save steadily, and しっかり考える think carefully.
- 条件を しっかり 確認します。I will check the conditions carefully.
ハードスケジュール means a packed, demanding schedule
This is a Japanese loan expression; English more often says packed or demanding schedule. It describes density, not whether the plan is reasonable or safe.
- 明日は ハードスケジュールです。Tomorrow's schedule is demanding.
あちこち means here and there or various parts of the body
The full form is あちらこちら, with casual あっちこっち. The order is fixed as there–here.
- 休みに あちこち 旅行しました。I travelled here and there during the holiday.
もったいない expresses regret that food, time, objects, or ability are not fully used
It can mean wasteful or a waste of talent. Use care when applying it to another person's choices; do not decide their values for them.
- 食べられる 料理を すぐ 捨てるのは もったいないです。It is wasteful to discard edible food immediately.
Dining practices vary by region, family, restaurant, and person and should not be framed as universal Chinese-Japanese rules
Finishing food can reduce waste, but no one needs to force themselves for politeness. Use serving chopsticks or separate utensils for shared dishes; do not present reversing personal chopsticks as a universal rule.
- 食べきれない時は、早めに 店の 人に 伝えます。If I cannot finish, I tell the restaurant early.
Taking leftovers home requires restaurant agreement, suitable food, and food safety
MAFF advises first trying to finish the meal, then discussing takeaway with the restaurant if food remains. MHLW warns that takeaway increases time between cooking and eating, especially in hot weather, so follow the restaurant's directions and eat promptly.
- 持ち帰りできるか、店の 人に 確認します。I will ask the restaurant whether takeaway is possible.
Foods introduced from or influenced by China have localized in Japan, but should not be described as unrecognizably changed
MAFF describes ramen as rooted in Chinese noodles and diversified through continuing regional innovation in Japan. Gyoza, fried rice, and ramen all have many household and restaurant forms, so no single version represents how all Japanese people eat.
- ラーメンは 中国の 麺料理に ルーツが あります。Ramen has roots in Chinese noodle dishes.
What you should be able to do
- Use てあります and intransitive ています for deliberate preparation and resulting state.
- Write preparation sentences with ておく for contacting, checking, buying, resting, and tidying.
- Distinguish ておかなくてもいい, そのままにしておく, and てある.
- Use てみる for trying, inviting another person to try, and checking かどうか before trying.
- Choose ために or ように according to whether the goal is volitional or an ability change.
- Complete an original meal task controlling order size, using serving utensils, discussing takeaway, and following safety directions.
Culture and real use
Move from finish everything to order appropriately and reduce waste safely
Dining etiquette should not be framed as Chinese people leave food while Japanese people must finish everything. Current official guidance emphasizes ordering appropriately and trying to finish to reduce food loss, then considering takeaway through mutual understanding with the restaurant when food remains. Taking leftovers is not automatic: food already served carries food-poisoning risk, so consider the dish, container, storage temperature, travel time, and restaurant instructions, and eat promptly. Shared dishes call for serving chopsticks, spoons, or separate utensils, while actual practices vary by region, household, and restaurant. Gyoza, ramen, and fried rice with Chinese roots or influence have developed many local forms in Japan; this is cross-cultural innovation, not something accurately summarized as unrecognizably changed.
- 食べきれる 量を 注文します。I will order an amount I can finish.
- 取り分ける はしを 使います。I will use serving chopsticks.
- 持ち帰りの 方法を 店の 人に 確認します。I will check the takeaway method with the restaurant.