Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
What to watch in dialogue
Dialogue is compact. Speakers omit subjects, use contractions, and rely on tone markers. The fastest path to comprehension is to identify who is speaking, what stage the action is at, and whether the line is informational, emotional, or persuasive.
Target signal
A: もう出るところ？\nB: ううん、まだ準備してる。
A: Are you about to leave already?\nB: No, I am still getting ready.
Track ところ and contraction together to locate the stage of the action.
Vocabulary notes
- ところ
- about to; in the middle; just finished
- ところ
- place; point; part
- うん
- yeah / uh-huh
Compare in context
A: 明日来られないって聞いたけど。\nB: うん、急な会議が入っちゃって。
A: I heard you cannot come tomorrow.\nB: Yeah, an unexpected meeting came up.
って and ちゃって give the exchange a casual spoken texture.
Vocabulary notes
- いた
- was there
- うん
- yeah / uh-huh
- けど
- but; though
Section 2 of 3
Messages and practical reading
Short messages often omit obvious information. Read them by restoring what is unstated: the subject, the time reference, and the speaker's purpose. Message reading rewards attention to small clues.
Target signal
今日は少し遅れます。先に始めていてください。
I will be a little late today. Please start without me.
Short messages often omit extra explanation and go straight to the request.
Vocabulary notes
- てください
- please do ...
- ください
- please give; please do
- ます
- polite verb ending
Preview
発送は金曜になるとのことです。届いたら連絡します。
They say shipping will be on Friday. I will contact you when it arrives.
とのことです marks relayed information in message style.
Vocabulary notes
- になる
- to become
- します
- do
- 届いた
- arrived
Section 3 of 3
Review strategy
For each short exchange, ask: who is the subject, what time frame are we in, and what does the speaker want? This turns many N3 reading questions from vocabulary tests into structure tests.
Target signal
A: その資料、見た？\nB: 今読んでるところ。終わったら送るね。
A: Did you look at that document?\nB: I am reading it now. I will send it when I am done.
Read 〜てるところ as one chunk before moving to the next sentence.
Vocabulary notes
- ところ
- about to; in the middle; just finished
- ところ
- place; point; part
- 読んで
- reading and
Preview
A: 来週から新しい規則になるって。\nB: じゃ、今日のうちに確認しておこう。
A: I heard a new rule will start next week.\nB: Then let's check it today while we can.
うちに shows the best timing window for the action.
Vocabulary notes
- うちに
- while still; before it changes
- になる
- to become
- 新しい
- new