210 Quick Japanese Conversation Phrases (Part 5)

気が散る (Ki ga chiru) : Can’t concentrate

🌸 To lose focus or concentration because something else is distracting you.

POINT

➤ Often used when noise, movement, or unrelated thoughts interfere with focusing on the task at hand.

① Studying in a noisy café

A: ここ、ちょっとうるさいね。
Koko, chotto urusai ne.
A: It’s a bit noisy here, isn’t it?

B: うん、気が散って勉強できない。
Un, ki ga chitte benkyō dekinai.
B: Yeah, I can’t study because I can’t concentrate.

② During a meeting

A: 外の工事の音、気になるね。
Soto no kōji no oto, ki ni naru ne.
A: That construction noise outside is distracting, isn’t it?

B: そうだね、気が散っちゃうよ。
Sō da ne, ki ga chicchau yo.
B: Yeah, it makes me lose focus.

③ At home with TV on

A: テレビの音、もう少し小さくしてくれる？
Terebi no oto, mō sukoshi chiisaku shite kureru?
A: Can you turn the TV down a bit?

B: ごめん、気が散っちゃう？
Gomen, ki ga chicchau?
B: Sorry, is it distracting you?

④ While driving

A: 横でそんなに話されると…。
Yoko de sonna ni hanasareru to…
A: If you talk that much beside me…

B: 気が散って運転しづらい？
Ki ga chitte unten shizurai?
B: Is it making it hard to drive?

気が進まない (Ki ga susumanai) : Not in the mood

🌸 Used to express feelings of being unable to do something assertively.

POINT

➤ Often used to talk about something you are uninterested in or something that must be done despite your wishes.

① A party

A: 青木さんはパーティーに行かないの？
Aoki-san wa pātī ni ikanai no?
A: Are you not going to the party, Aoki-san?

B: うん… あんまり気が進まなくて。
Un… anmari ki ga susumanakute.
B: No… I’m not really in the mood to go.

② Training

A: 研修受けてみたら？
Kenshū ukete mitara?
A: Why don’t you try doing some training?

B: ちょっと専門的すぎる気がして、今一つ気が進まないんだよ。
Chotto senmonteki sugiru ki ga shite, ima hitotsu ki ga susumanai n da yo.
B: I feel like it’s too specialized, so I can’t get into the mood.

③ Having to warn people

A: 部長が君に、田中さんに注意してくれって。
Buchō ga kimi ni, Tanaka-san ni chūi shite kure tte.
A: The chief said for you to warn Tanaka-san.

B: 私が？気が進まないなあ。
Watashi ga? Ki ga susumanai nā.
B: Me? I feel reluctant to do that.

Variations — ④ An invitation

A: 気が進んだときでいいんだけど、今度一緒に山登りに行かない？
Ki ga sunda toki de ii n da kedo, kondo issho ni yamanobori ni ikanai?
A: We can go when you’re in the mood, but would you like to climb a mountain together with me next time?

B: いいよ。じゃ、いつか。
Ii yo. Ja, itsuka.
B: Yes, let’s go some time.

聞かなかったことにして (Kikanakatta koto ni shite): Pretend you didn’t hear that

🌸 An expression used to ask someone to not repeat something heard when they were not supposed to hear it or when it is supposed to be kept a secret.

POINT

➤ Similar expressions include minakatta koto ni shite kudasai and nakatta koto ni shite kudasai.

① Something not public yet

A: さっき聞こえちゃったんだけど、会社、やめちゃうの？
Sakki kikoechattan da kedo, kaisha, yamechau no?
A: I just overheard you, but you’re quitting the company?

B: うん。でも、とりあえず聞かなかったことにしてね。
Un. Demo, toriaezu kikanakatta koto ni shite ne.
B: Yes. But pretend you didn’t hear that for now.

② Something worrying

A: 聞かなかったことにしてほしいんだけど、昨日、リサさん、泣いてた。
Kikanakatta koto ni shite hoshii n da kedo, kinō, Risa-san, naiteta.
A: I want you to pretend you never heard this, but Lisa-san was crying yesterday.

B: えっ？どうしたんだろう？心配だね。
Eh? Dō shitan darō? Shinpai da ne.
B: What? What could have happened? That’s worrying.

③ True feelings

A: 本当はあの人、嫌いなんだよね。
Hontō wa ano hito, kirai nan da yo ne.
A: I actually don’t like that person.

B: え？
Eh?
B: What?

A: うそうそ。聞かなかったことにして。
Uso uso. Kikanakatta koto ni shite.
A: Just kidding. Pretend you didn’t hear that.

④ Related phrases – 「なかったことにして」

A: この前言ってたパーティー、いつやるの？早くやろうよ。
Kono mae itteta pātī, itsu yaru no? Hayaku yarō yo.
A: When are you going to have that party you were talking about the other day? Let’s hurry up and do it.

B: ごめん、あれはなかったことにして。
Gomen, are wa nakatta koto ni shite.
B: Sorry, pretend you didn’t hear about that.

気が向いたら（でいい）Ki ga muitara (de ii) : You can if you feel interested

🌸  An expression used to casually tell someone who you are inviting or making a request of that “You can do it if you like.”

POINT

“Ki ga muku” means “To feel like doing that.”

① An invitation

A: そのお店、今度、森さんも一緒に行こうよ。
Sono o-mise, kondo, Mori-san mo issho ni ikō yo.
A: Let’s go to that store together next time, Mori-san.

B: そうだねえ… まあ、気が向いたら。
Sō da nē… mā, ki ga muitara.
B: You’re right… Well, if you feel interested.

② Exercise suggestions

A: 何か体を動かすことをしたほうがいいんじゃない？
Nanika karada o ugokasu koto o shita hō ga iin janai?
A: Don’t you think I ought to do something to move my body?

B: うん、気が向いたらね。
Un, ki ga muitara ne.
B: Yes, if you feel like it.

③ When parting ways

A: また、連絡しますね。
Mata, renraku shimasu ne.
A: I’ll contact you again.

B: ええ。気が向いたらでいいですよ。
Ē. Ki ga muitara de ii desu yo.
B: Yes, you may, whenever you feel interested.

④ At an office

A: 気が向いたらでいいから、この資料に目を通してみて。
Ki ga muitara de ii kara, kono shiryō ni me o tōshite mite.
A: Could you take a look over these materials? You can do it whenever you feel interested.

B: わかりました。
Wakarimashita.
B: I understand.

期待してたんだけど (Kitai shiteta n dakedo) : I had my hopes up

🌸  Used to express feelings of regret that things did not go as expected.

Point

What goes after “kitai shiteta n dakedo” is frequently omitted.

① At a restaurant

A: 評判いい店だから、期待してたんだけど。
Hyouban ii mise dakara, kitai shiteta n dakedo.
A: I had my hopes up because it was a good store, but…

B: 思ったより普通だったね。
Omotta yori futsuu datta ne.
B: It was more average than I’d expected.

② After seeing a movie

A: なんか、がっかりだったね。
Nanka, gakkari datta ne.
A: I feel kind of let down, don’t you?

B: うん。予告見て期待してたんだけどなあ。
Un. Yokoku mite kitai shiteta n dakedo naa.
B: Yes. And I had my hopes up after seeing the trailer.

③ At the workplace

A: この商品には期待してたんだけどね。
Kono shouhin ni wa kitai shiteta n dakedo ne.
A: I had my hopes up for this product.

B: うん。売れ行き、あんまりよくないみたいですね。
Un. Ureyuki, anmari yokunai mitai desu ne.
B: Yes. It doesn’t seem to be selling very well.

④ Variations – After seeing a sports match

A: 優勝 期待してたのになあ。
Yuushou kitai shiteta noni naa.
A: I had my hopes up for a win.

B: まさか最初の試合に負けるとはな。
Masaka saisho no shiai ni makeru to wa na.
B: I never thought they’d lose their first match.

きついです (Kitsui desu) : It’s rough; tight

🌸 An expression used when something is extreme in degree and not easily withstood, or when something is tight with little margin.

POINT

The opposite of kitsui is yurui, which is used when a situation is relaxed and peaceful.

① With a friend

A: 新しい職場はどう？
Atarashii shokuba wa dō?
A: How is your new workplace?

B: 仕事はきついけど、やりがいあるよ。
Shigoto wa kitsui kedo, yarigai aru yo.
B: The work is rough, but it’s worth doing.

② Not getting better

A: 風邪、長引いてるね。大丈夫？
Kaze, nagaiiteru ne. Daijōbu?
A: You’ve had a cold for a while. Are you okay?

B: さすがにちょっときついですね。
Sasuga ni chotto kitsui desu ne.
B: I have to admit, it’s a little rough.

③ At the workplace

A: 部長、言い方はきついけど、本当はいい人なんだよ。
Buchō, iikata wa kitsui kedo, hontō wa ii hito nan da yo.
A: The department chief can say some rough things, but he’s a good person.

B: ええ、わかってます。
Ē, wakattemasu.
B: Yes, I know.

④ Trying on a skirt

A: お客様、いかがですか。
O-kyaku-sama, ikaga desu ka.
A: How is it, miss?

B: ちょっときついです。
Chotto kitsui desu.
B: It’s a little tight.

気に入った (Ki ni itta): Love it; like it

🌸  Have a favorable impression because it suits one’s emotions or feelings.

POINT

You read it as “iru” instead of “hairu” in this case 入る.
The opposite of ki ni iru is ki ni iranai.

① A present

A: 何がいいか、迷ったんだけど…。
Nani ga ii ka, mayottan dakedo…
A: I wondered what to get…

B: ありがとう。すごく気に入ったよ。
Arigatō. Sugoku ki ni itta yo.
B: Thank you so much. I really love it.

② At the store

A: どれか 気に入った？
Dore ka ki ni itta?
A: Anything you like?

B: うん、この赤いコートが。
Un, kono akai kōto ga.
B: Yeah, this red coat.

③ At the restaurant

A: この店、気に入ったよ。
Kono mise, ki ni itta yo.
A: This restaurant is awesome.

B: うん、雰囲気いいし、おいしいしね。
Un, fun’iki ii shi, oishii shi ne.
B: Yes, the atmosphere is wonderful, and so is the food.

④ A view

A: どうしてこの部屋にしたんですか。
Dōshite kono heya ni shitan desu ka.
A: Why did you choose this room?

B: ここからの景色 が 気に入ったんです。
Koko kara no keshiki ga ki ni itta n desu.
B: I really liked the view from here.

⑤ Related phrases

A: いつも そのペン使ってるね。
Itsumo sono pen tsukatteru ne.
A: You’re always using that pen.

B: うん、書きやすくて お気に入りなんだ。
Un, kakiyasukute oki ni iri nan da.
B: Yep, it’s very easy to write, and it’s my favorite.

Đây là phần viết lại theo đúng format mà bạn yêu cầu:

気に障ったらごめんなさい (Ki ni sawattara gomennasai): Sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way

An expression used to show that you feel sorry if your own words or actions caused displeasure to others.

POINT
Often used after words or actions that may cause displeasure to others, but sometimes said in advance of them.

① An incorrect character
A: 気に障ったらごめんなさいね。この字、間違ってますよ。
Ki ni sawattara gomennasai ne. Kono ji, machigattemasu yo.
A: Sorry if this rubs you the wrong way, but this character is wrong.

B: あ、本当だ。ありがとうございます。
A, hontō da. Arigatō gozaimasu.
B: Oh, you’re right. Thank you.

② An addendum
A: さっき言ったのは悪い意味じゃないからね。気に障ったらごめん。
Sakki itta no wa warui imi janai kara ne. Ki ni sawattara gomen.
A: I didn’t mean what I said in a negative way. Sorry if that rubbed you the wrong way.

B: 大丈夫、気にしてないよ。
Daijōbu, ki ni shite nai yo.
B: It’s fine, don’t worry.

③ An honest opinion
A: ご主人、ちょっと冷たくない？… あっ、気に障ったらごめんね。
Goshujin, chotto tsumetakunai? … A, ki ni sawattara gomen ne.
A: Isn’t your husband a little cold? …Oh, sorry if that rubbed you the wrong way.

B: うん、実際そうだから。優しいところもあるんだけどね。
Un, jissai sō dakara. Yasashii tokoro mo arun dakedo ne.
B: No, it’s true. He does have a kind side too, though.

④ Thoughts on someone’s clothes
A: 気に障ったらごめん。その服、ちょっと地味じゃない？
Ki ni sawattara gomen. Sono fuku, chotto jimi janai?
A: Sorry if this rubs you the wrong way, but aren’t those clothes a little plain?

B: これ？やっぱそう思う？
Kore? Yappa sō omou?
B: These? Do you think so, after all?

⑤ Why there are many mistakes
A: 気に障ったらごめんなさい。最近ミスが多いけど、何か悩みでもあるの？
Ki ni sawattara gomennasai. Saikin misu ga ōi kedo, nanika nayami demo aru no?
A: Sorry if this rubs you the wrong way, but you’ve been making a lot of mistakes lately. Is something troubling you?

B: うん、ちょっと…。
Un, chotto…
B: Well, kind of…

気になる (Ki ni naru): Bothers me; worries me; interested in

An expression used when one cannot feel at ease because they cannot take their mind off something.

POINT
Ki ni naru is an intransitive verb, while ki ni suru is a transitive verb.

① While working
A: ねえ、気になるからテレビ消して。
Nē, ki ni naru kara terebi keshite.
A: Hey, could you turn the TV off? It’s bothering me.

B: えー、今いいところなのに。
Ē, ima ii tokoro na no ni.
B: What? But it’s just getting to a good part.

② With a friend
A: 結婚相手の収入って気になる？
Kekkon aite no shūnyū tte ki ni naru?
A: Is your fiancé’s salary something you’re interested in?

B: それはやっぱりねえ。
Sore wa yappari nē.
B: You know, it really does.

③ A strange smell
A: 何かにおわない？
Nanika niowanai?
A: Does something smell funny?

B: うん、少し気になったけど、気のせいかなって…。
Un, sukoshi ki ni natta kedo, ki no sei ka natte…
B: Yeah, it was bothering me a little, but I thought it could just be my imagination…

④ A new store
A: 今度ABCカフェ行かない？
Kondo ABC kafe ikanai?
A: Do you want to try going to ABC Café next time?

B: ああ、あそこ、私も気になってた！
Ā, asoko, watashi mo ki ni natteta!
B: Oh, I was interested in going there too!