New here? This is lesson 239 of a free 240-lesson Japanese course.
Everyone around the counter in Japanese
Everyone has gathered around the counter at Kissa Hotaru. Leo looks from one familiar face to the next and finds a few words for each.
A year of coffee, shared seats, croquettes, and everyday help deserves some thanks. He also wants them to know he will keep coming.
Near the door, the old umbrella still has its tag. Leo nearly asks about it, but the moment passes.
By the end of this lesson
Thank people individually and say what you will keep doing.
- 雅子さん、一年間ありがとうございました。Masako, thank you for the year.
- ゴローさん、隣の席ありがとうございました。Goro, thank you for the seat next to me.
- 健太さん、コロッケもありがとうございました。Kenta, thank you for the croquettes too.
- これからも、通い続けます。I'll keep coming.
- みんなのおかげです。It's thanks to all of you.
- 聞きそびれていたことが、まだあります。There's still something I never got around to asking.
Scene — a counter full of familiar faces
At Kissa Hotaru in Yanaka, everyone has squeezed around the wooden counter. Masako lines up mismatched cups while Kenta sets down a bag of croquettes.
Goro has brought his unfinished coffee over from the booth. Beyond the familiar faces, Leo can see the old black umbrella by the door.
Learn — thank each person
These six lines help you thank particular people and name the small things you remember.
You will also promise continued visits and mention an unasked question.
雅子さん、一年間ありがとうございました。
Masako, thank you for the year.
When to use it: Say this directly to Masako when thanking her for a year of kindness.
The past ending looks back gratefully on the year without necessarily announcing a goodbye.
ゴローさん、隣の席ありがとうございました。
Goro, thank you for the seat next to me.
When to use it: Thank Goro for making room beside him and sharing that familiar place with you.
Here, の links the seat to its position beside someone.
健太さん、コロッケもありがとうございました。
Kenta, thank you for the croquettes too.
When to use it: Turn to Kenta and include his croquettes among the things you appreciate.
Here, も adds croquettes to the things you are thanking Kenta for.
Say it: Hold the small っ for one beat before releasing the next consonant.
これからも、通い続けます。
I'll keep coming.
When to use it: Reassure familiar people that your regular visits will continue.
The combined verb describes keeping up repeated visits to the same place.
みんなのおかげです。
It's thanks to all of you.
When to use it: Give the whole group credit for something that has gone well.
Here, の connects the people to the help behind a positive outcome.
聞きそびれていたことが、まだあります。
There's still something I never got around to asking.
When to use it: Mention a question you have repeatedly missed the chance to ask.
The ending attached to the asking verb expresses a missed opportunity that has remained unresolved.
Story — one question can wait
Leo turns to each person at the counter, letting their replies interrupt his thanks.
Watch how an ordinary offer of coffee leaves the umbrella question untouched.
- Mismatched cups fill the counter; Goro's coffee is still unfinished.
Masako今日はみんな、カウンターに集まったね。Everyone's gathered at the counter today.
Leo雅子さん、一年間ありがとうございました。Masako, thank you for the year.- Masakoこちらこそ。毎朝、顔を見せてくれてうれしかったよ。Thank you too; I was happy to see you every morning.
- Leoゴローさん、隣の席ありがとうございました。Goro, thank you for the seat next to me.
Goroこちらこそ、いつも話し相手になってくださって。Thank you too, for always keeping me company.
Kenta俺のコロッケも忘れないでよ。Don't forget my croquettes too.- Leo健太さん、コロッケもありがとうございました。Kenta, thank you for the croquettes too.
- Kentaまた揚げたて、持ってくるよ。I'll bring some freshly fried ones again.
- Leo遥さん、京都ではありがとう。Haruka, thanks for everything in Kyoto.
Haruka次は電車、ちゃんと確かめようね。Next time, let's check the train properly.- Leo大野さん、部屋のことで、いろいろありがとうございました。Ono-san, thank you for all your help with the room.
Ono-sanこちらこそ。これからもよろしくお願いします。Thank you too; I look forward to having you here.- Leo石田先生、風邪のときはお世話になりました。Dr. Ishida, thank you for looking after me when I had that cold.
Dr. Ishida元気そうで何よりです。I'm glad to see you looking well.- Leo森さん、仕事でも助けてくださって、ありがとうございました。Mori-san, thank you for helping me at work too.
Mori-sanすっかり慣れましたね。レオさんにも助けてもらいましたよ。You've really settled in, and you've helped me too.- Leoみんなのおかげです。It's thanks to all of you.
- Masakoこれからも顔を見せてね。Keep coming to see us.
- Leoこれからも、通い続けます。I'll keep coming.
- Leo's eyes drift toward the faded tag on the old black umbrella.
- Leo聞きそびれていたことが、まだあります。There's still something I never got around to asking.
- Masako何だい。What is it?
- Leo almost points to the tag, then brings his hand back to his cup.
- Leoいえ、また今度にします。Actually, I'll leave it for another time.
- Masakoそう。じゃあ、コーヒーをもう一杯どうぞ。All right, then have another cup of coffee.
- Leoありがとうございます。Thank you.
Practice — small thanks, clear intentions
Work through ten tasks about gratitude, shared help, and continuing a familiar routine.
Listen carefully, rebuild a promise, and choose words that fit Leo's year.
0 of 10 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
What do you say?
What do you say?
Goro has regularly made room beside him throughout your year here; thank him specifically for that shared seat.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
Kenta, thank you for the croquettes too.
健太さん、コロッケ____ありがとうございました。
Build the line
Build the line
I'll keep coming.
、。
Tap the words in order.
Pick the reply
Haruka says:
Pick the reply
ここでの暮らしに慣れたのは、みんなのおかげ？
Did you settle into life here thanks to everyone?
And you reply with:
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
聞きそびれていたことが、まだあります。
True or false?
True or false?
The speaker promises never to return.
Swap the word
Swap the word
Masako is handing you a fresh cup now; change the past thanks into present polite thanks.
ありがとう____。
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
It's thanks to all of you.
みんな____おかげです。
What do you say?
What do you say?
You still have a question that you repeatedly missed the chance to ask; mention that fact without asking the question itself.
Say it — your place at the counter
Take Leo's place and address the people beside you, one at a time.
Record six short lines, leaving room for their replies and for one unfinished question.
- Masakoレオさん、この一年、早かったね。Leo, this year went quickly.
- Leo (you)Thank Masako directly for the year.
Thank Masako directly for the year.
雅子さん、一年間ありがとうございました。
Masako, thank you for the year.
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Japanese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| 雅子さん、一年間ありがとうございました。 | Masako, thank you for the year. | |
| ゴローさん、隣の席ありがとうございました。 | Goro, thank you for the seat next to me. | |
| 健太さん、コロッケもありがとうございました。 | Kenta, thank you for the croquettes too. | |
| これからも、通い続けます。 | I'll keep coming. | |
| みんなのおかげです。 | It's thanks to all of you. | |
| 聞きそびれていたことが、まだあります。 | There's still something I never got around to asking. |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Open Yak Cards and practice thanking each familiar face around the counter.
Recall one small kindness, then say your thanks aloud.
Open Yak Cards