Japanese for English speakers Clothes · Lesson 4

Not the right size

Ask for a different size when the current one doesn't fit. Use the も...も... (both ... and ...) pattern to praise what you like first, then trail off about the problem.

Conversation

  1. Magicat Magicat

    すみません、この浴衣のモデルも色も好きですが、

    Sumimasen, kono yukata no moderu mo iro mo suki desu ga,

    Excuse me, I like both the model and the color of this yukata, but...

    Tip: <Iro> = colour <Suki> = I like ("na" adjective) <Mo...mo...> = not only... but also

  2. Magicat Magicat

    サイズはちょっと～

    Saizu wa chotto...

    the size is a little bit...

    Tip: <Saizu> = Size

  3. Rose Rose

    申し訳ございません、お客様

    Mōshiwake gozaimasen, okyaku sama

    We are very sorry, dear customer

  4. Rose Rose

    それは最後ですから～

    Sore wa saigo desu kara...

    that is the last one, though

    Tip: <Saigo> = Last <Verb + kara> = Because Note: When talking about time or a place, <kara> means "from", and not "because".

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What does も...も... mean?

'Both ... and ...' or 'not only ... but also ...' — links multiple things that share the same quality.

How do you politely raise a problem with a product?

Mention what you like first, then trail off ちょっと... when raising the issue. This softens the complaint and signals it without confrontation.

What does 最後 (saigo) mean?

'Last' or 'final' — 最後です can be sad news in a shop: 'this is the last one'.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Japanese lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

Next lesson in Clothes Asking about colors →