Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 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 4
Quoting words and short lines
Attach to quoted words or sentences.
Start with the example
「」。
I said, “Thank you.”
A short direct quote can be only one word.
Notice the variation
「」。
Tanaka said, “I’ll go.”
The quoted content comes before .
More detail: how to apply this
Place after the quoted word or sentence, then add a verb such as or .
This is one of the most useful patterns for reading reported speech.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Use the verb after to identify what happened to the content: said, thought, heard, or wrote.
means heard. The sentence reports hearing that content; it does not say the narrator personally went.
。
I heard that they would go tomorrow.
Use the verb after to identify what happened to the content: said, thought, heard, or wrote.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
「」。
I said, “Thank you.”
A short direct quote can be only one word.
Vocabulary notes
- ありがとう
- thank you
Compare in context
「」。
Tanaka said, “I’ll go.”
The quoted content comes before .
Vocabulary notes
- 田中さん
- Tanaka
Compare in context
「」。
I wrote “day off” in the notebook.
You can also quote a written word or label.
Vocabulary notes
- ノート
- notebook
Section 2 of 4
Quotation marks help, but と does the real work
Quotation marks help, but does the real work
Start with the example
。
My mother said that she would rest tomorrow.
The quote is a full sentence without quotation marks.
Notice the variation
。
The teacher said that they would come at nine.
Quoted content also appears before polite .
More detail: how to apply this
In many real sentences, the quote is not surrounded by quotation marks.
You still find the quoted content by reading the words before and then checking the verb after it.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
My mother said that she would rest tomorrow.
The quote is a full sentence without quotation marks.
。
My mother said that she would rest tomorrow.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: My mother said that she would rest tomorrow.
Showing Quotation marks help, but と does the real work: Everyday words.
Target signal
。
My mother said that she would rest tomorrow.
The quote is a full sentence without quotation marks.
Vocabulary notes
- 明日
- tomorrow
- 休む
- to rest
- と
- and; with; that
Preview
。
The teacher said that they would come at nine.
Quoted content also appears before polite .
Vocabulary notes
- 言いました
- said
Preview
。
I think this movie is interesting.
Thoughts are also quoted with before .
Vocabulary notes
- この
- this
- おもしろい
- interesting
Section 3 of 4
Read the verb after と
Use the verb after to identify what happened to the content: said, thought, heard, or wrote.
Read the verb after と
。
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
is the content: someone will go tomorrow. Keep that entire clause together.
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
Do not decide the meaning of too early.
First check the next verb.
With , , , or , quotation is likely.
With nouns, it may mean “and” or “with” instead.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
I watched a movie with a friend.
Here means “with,” not quotation.
。
I watched a movie with a friend.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: I watched a movie with a friend.
Showing Read the verb after と: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
。
I watched a movie with a friend.
Here means “with,” not quotation.
Vocabulary notes
- 友だち
- friend
- と
- and; with; that
Preview
。
I bought bread and water.
Here joins two nouns, so it means “and.”
Vocabulary notes
- パン
- bread
- と
- and; with; that
- を
- object marker
Preview
。
I heard that they would go tomorrow.
With after , quotation becomes likely again.
Vocabulary notes
- 明日
- tomorrow
- 行く
- to go
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Example A
「」
Example B
Your turn · decide before revealing
How do these two examples change the meaning?
More detail: what changes and why
Compare 「」 and .
The first marks quoted content with ;
the second marks a companion with .
Written kana can obscure the different verbs.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
The first marks quoted content with ; the second marks a companion with . Written kana can obscure the different verbs.
How do these two examples change the meaning?
Supported meaning: Said 'I'll go' / went with a friend
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.