A beginner-friendly bilingual reader. Each line of the story comes with its rōmaji and a natural English translation, then a word-by-word breakdown that follows the narration: every chunk is explained in the order it is spoken — words and grammar together — all in rōmaji so you can keep up from day one.
00:04
むかしむかし ある ところに おじいさんと おばあさんが おりました。
mukashi mukashi aru tokoro ni ojiisan to obaasan ga orimashita.
Long, long ago, in a certain place, there lived an old man and an old woman.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
むかしむかしmukashi mukashiexpression
'Long, long ago' — the set phrase that opens almost every Japanese folk tale, like 'Once upon a time'.
あるaruexpression
'a certain' — points at some place without naming it.
ところtokoronoun
place, spot.
にniparticle
marks WHERE something exists; here it means 'in (a certain place)'.
おじいさんojiisannoun
old man, grandfather.
とtoparticle
'and' — links two nouns: the old man AND the old woman.
おばあさんobaasannoun
old woman, grandmother.
がgaparticle
marks the subject — the ones who 'lived/existed' here.
おりましたorimashitaverb
there was / there lived (polite past). An old-fashioned, humble word for 'to exist (people/animals)'.辞書形 おる oru
00:10
おじいさんは毎日、山へ しばかりに
ojiisan wa mainichi, yama e shibakari ni
Every day the old man went to the mountain to gather firewood,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おじいさんojiisannoun
old man, grandfather.
はwaparticle
marks the topic: 'as for the old man...'. The kana は is read 'wa' here.
毎日mainichinoun
every day.
山yamanoun
mountain.
へeparticle
marks the direction you head toward: 'to the mountain'. The kana へ is read 'e' here.
しばかりshibakarinoun
gathering firewood / cutting brushwood.
にniparticle
shows the PURPOSE of going: 'in order to gather firewood'. (The verb 'went' is supplied at the end of the next line.)
00:14
おばあさんは 毎日、川へ せんたくに いきました。
obaasan wa mainichi, kawa e sentaku ni ikimashita.
and the old woman went to the river every day to do the washing.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おばあさんobaasannoun
old woman, grandmother.
はwaparticle
marks the topic: 'as for the old woman...'. The kana は is read 'wa' here.
毎日mainichinoun
every day.
川kawanoun
river.
へeparticle
marks the direction you head toward: 'to the river'. The kana へ is read 'e' here.
せんたくsentakunoun
laundry, washing clothes.
にniparticle
shows the PURPOSE of going: 'in order to do the washing'.
いきましたikimashitaverb
to go (here it is the polite past form, so it means 'went').辞書形 いく iku
00:19
ある日のこと
aru hi no koto
Now, one day...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
あるaruexpression
'a certain' — points at one day without saying which.
日hinoun
day.
のnoparticle
links two nouns; here 'of', joining 'day' to 'thing/happening'.
ことkotonoun
'thing / happening'. 'ある日のこと' is a storytelling phrase meaning 'something that happened one day'.
00:21
おばあさんが、いつもの ように 川で せんたくを して いると
obaasan ga, itsumo no you ni kawa de sentaku o shite iru to
While the old woman was doing the washing at the river as usual,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おばあさんobaasannoun
old woman, grandmother.
がgaparticle
marks the subject — the one doing the washing.
いつもitsumoadverb
always, usual.
のnoparticle
links words together; part of the set phrase 'いつものように' = 'as usual'.
ようにyou niphrase
'in the way of / like'. With いつもの it means 'just as always, as usual'.
川kawanoun
river.
でdeparticle
marks the PLACE where an action happens: 'at the river'.
せんたくsentakunoun
laundry, washing clothes.
をoparticle
marks the direct object — the thing being done. The kana を is read 'o'.
してshiteverb
to do (this is the -te form, which connects to いる next to make 'is doing').辞書形 する suru
いるとiru tophrase
して + いる makes 'is doing' (an action in progress); the final と means 'when / while', setting up what happens next.
00:25
川上から ももが ながれて きました。
kawakami kara momo ga nagarete kimashita.
a peach came floating down from upstream.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
川上kawakaminoun
upstream, the upper part of a river.
からkaraparticle
marks the starting point: 'from upstream'.
ももmomonoun
peach.
がgaparticle
marks the subject — the peach is the thing that did the action.
ながれてnagareteverb
to flow / drift (this is the -te form, connecting to きました to mean 'came floating').辞書形 ながれる nagareru
きましたkimashitaverb
to come (polite past 'came'). After ながれて it means it 'came floating toward' the old woman.辞書形 くる kuru
00:29
おや？
oya?
Oh?
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
00:32
あまそうな ももじゃ どれ どれ・・・・
amasou na momo ja dore dore....
What a sweet-looking peach. Let's have a look...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
あまそうなamasou nai-adjective
'looks sweet'. From 'amai' (sweet) + 'sou' (looks like). The 'na' lets it attach to the noun 'peach'.辞書形 あまい amai
ももmomonoun
peach.
じゃjaauxiliary
an old-man / regional way of saying 'is' (= だ/です). 'It's a sweet-looking peach.'
どれ どれdore doreexpression
'Let's see now... / Let me have a look' — what you mutter as you lean in to check something.
00:36
こりゃぁ、うまい！
korya, umai!
Oh wow, this is delicious!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
こりゃぁkoryainterjection
a squished, old-man way of saying これは (kore wa) = 'this is'; here it works like a surprised 'oh, wow' before the comment
うまいumaii-adjective
tasty, delicious (casual/manly word for yummy)
00:38
じいさんにも たんと くわせて やりたいのう・・・・
jiisan ni mo tanto kuwasete yaritai nō....
I'd love to let the old man eat lots of it too...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
じいさんjiisannoun
old man; here she means her husband, 'grandpa'
にniparticle
marks the person who receives the action: 'to grandpa'
もmoparticle
'also / too' (not just me, grandpa too)
たんとtantoadverb
lots, plenty (old-fashioned word for たくさん, takusan)
くわせてkuwaseteverb
to make/let (someone) eat; the te-form connects to the next word辞書形 くわせる kuwaseru
やりたいyaritaiauxiliary
〜てやりたい = 'want to do (this) for someone'; やる = do for someone, 〜たい = want to. Together: 'want to let him eat it for his sake'
のうnōparticle
soft old-person ending like ね (ne); adds a wishful, talking-to-myself feeling: '...you know'
00:42
お〜い、うまい ももは、こっちゃ こ〜い！
ō~i, umai momo wa, koccha ko~i!
Heey, tasty peaches, come over here!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
お〜いō~iinterjection
'Heey!' — a shout to call out to someone (or something) far away
うまいumaii-adjective
tasty, delicious
ももmomonoun
peach
はwaparticle
topic marker (read 'wa'): 'as for the tasty peaches...'
こっちゃkocchaadverb
casual/dialect form of こっちへ (kocchi e) = 'this way, over here'
こ〜いko~iverb
'come!' — the command form of くる (kuru, to come)辞書形 くる kuru
00:45
にがい ももは、あっちゃ いけ〜！
nigai momo wa, accha ike~!
Bitter peaches, go over there!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
にがいnigaii-adjective
bitter (bad-tasting)
ももmomonoun
peach
はwaparticle
topic marker (read 'wa'): 'as for the bitter peaches...'
あっちゃacchaadverb
casual/dialect form of あっちへ (acchi e) = 'that way, over there'
いけ〜ike~verb
'go!' — the command form of いく (iku, to go)辞書形 いく iku
00:49
すると こんどは 大きな ももが
suruto kondo wa ōkina momo ga
Then, this time a big peach...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
するとsurutophrase
'then / and then' — links to what happens next in the story
こんどkondonoun
this time
はwaparticle
topic marker (read 'wa'): 'this time...' (in contrast to before)
大きなōkinana-adjective
big, large (the form that sits right before a noun)
ももmomonoun
peach
がgaparticle
marks the subject: the big peach is the thing doing the action (coming up next)
00:52
どんぶらこ どんぶらこと ながれて きました。
donburako donburako to nagarete kimashita.
...came floating along, bobbing 'donburako, donburako'.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
どんぶらこ どんぶらこdonburako donburakoexpression
a sound-word for something big bobbing/floating down a river; repeated for rhythm
とtoparticle
quoting particle: marks the sound just said ('going donburako donburako')
ながれてnagareteverb
to flow, drift; the te-form connects to the next verb辞書形 ながれる nagareru
きましたkimashitaauxiliary
〜てきました = the action came toward us / happened approaching; here 'came floating toward her' (polite past of くる, kuru)
00:56
おや、まぁ！ なんと 大きな ももだこと！
oya, mā! nanto ōkina momo da koto!
Oh my! What a big peach this is!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おやoyainterjection
'oh!' — a small surprised sound
まぁmāinterjection
'my!' — a softer surprised sound, often used by women; 'oya, mā' together = 'oh my!'
なんとnantophrase
'how...! / what a...!' — adds amazement to what follows
大きなōkinana-adjective
big, large (the form used right before a noun)
ももmomonoun
peach
だdaauxiliary
plain 'is/are' — says the peach 'is' big
ことkotoparticle
soft, old-fashioned exclaiming ending: '...isn't it!'; turns the line into 'what a big peach!'
01:00
おばあさんは、おおよろこびで、 ももを ひろい、
obāsan wa, ōyorokobi de, momo o hiroi,
The old woman, overjoyed, picked up the peach,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おばあさんobāsannoun
old woman, grandmother
はwaparticle
topic marker (read 'wa'): 'as for the old woman...'
おおよろこびōyorokobinoun
great joy, being overjoyed
でdeparticle
shows the manner/state: 'in great joy, joyfully'
ももmomonoun
peach
をoparticle
object marker (read 'o'): the peach is the thing being picked up
ひろいhiroiverb
to pick up; this is the connecting (stem) form that lets the sentence continue, like 'picked up, and...'辞書形 ひろう hirou
01:04
よいしょと かついで いえに もって かえりました
yoisho to katsuide ie ni motte kaerimashita
With a "heave-ho," she hoisted it onto her shoulder and carried it back home.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
よいしょyoishoexpression
"heave-ho" — the grunt you make when lifting something heavy
とtoparticle
quote marker; here it means she said/made the sound "yoisho" as she lifted
かついでkatsuideverb
to carry on the shoulder (this is the -te form, joining to the next action: 'shouldered it and...')辞書形 かつぐ katsugu
いえienoun
house, home
にniparticle
marks the destination: 'to home'
もってmotteverb
to hold/carry (-te form; 'もって かえる' together means 'to take/bring something back')辞書形 もつ motsu
かえりましたkaerimashitaverb
to go back/return (polite past form, so it means 'returned/went back')辞書形 かえる kaeru
01:08
あ〜、いま もどったぞ〜
a~, ima modotta zo~
Ah, I'm back now!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
あ〜a~expression
"Ah~" — a relaxed sigh or call as she comes in
いまimaadverb
now, just now
もどったmodottaverb
to return/come back (plain past form, so 'came back / I'm back')辞書形 もどる modoru
ぞ〜zo~particle
ending that adds a strong, friendly 'hey, I tell you!' feeling (men use it casually)
01:11
おぉ、まって おったで。 早く あがりなされ
oo, matte otta de. hayaku agarinasare
Oh, I was waiting for you. Come on up quickly!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おぉooexpression
"Oh!" — a sound of glad recognition
まってmatteverb
to wait (-te form, joining to the next helper verb)辞書形 まつ matsu
おったottaauxiliary
old/rural way of saying 'was (doing)'; 'まって おった' = 'was waiting' (like 〜ていた)
でdeparticle
soft sentence ending giving a reason/explaining feel ('you see'), in old-man speech
早くhayakuadverb
quickly, fast (adverb form of 早い 'fast/early')辞書形 早い hayai
あがりなされagarinasareverb
to step/come up (into the house) — old polite command form, so 'please come on up'辞書形 あがる agaru
01:15
どうしたんじゃ？ おばあさん・・・・
dou shitan ja? obaasan....
What's the matter, granny?
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
どうdouadverb
how, in what way
したshitaverb
to do (plain past); 'どうした' together = 'what happened? / what's wrong?'辞書形 する suru
んじゃn japhrase
old-man version of 'んだ' — asks for an explanation, like 'what's going on?'
おばあさんobaasannoun
grandmother, old woman (here he's calling to her: 'granny')
01:18
きょう、川で せんたくを して おったら
kyou, kawa de sentaku o shite ottara
Today, when I was doing the laundry at the river...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
きょうkyounoun
today
川kawanoun
river
でdeparticle
marks WHERE an action happens: 'at the river'
せんたくsentakunoun
laundry, washing clothes
をoparticle
marks the thing the action is done to: 'do the laundry'
してshiteverb
to do (-te form, joining to the next helper verb)辞書形 する suru
おったらottaraauxiliary
old form of 'いたら' — 'when/while I was (doing)'; 'して おったら' = 'while I was doing...'
01:20
大きな ももが ながれて きてのう・・・・
ookina momo ga nagarete kite nou....
...a big peach came floating along, you see...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
大きなookinana-adjective
big, large (describes the peach)
ももmomonoun
peach
がgaparticle
marks the doer of the action: 'a peach' (is the thing that floated)
ながれてnagareteverb
to flow/drift (-te form, joining to the next verb: 'floating')辞書形 ながれる nagareru
きてkiteauxiliary
from くる 'to come'; '〜てくる' here means the peach came drifting toward her (-te form)
のうnouparticle
old-person soft ending, like 'you know / you see', adds a gentle storytelling tone
01:24
じいさんに たべさせたいと おもって ひろって きたんじゃ・・・・
jiisan ni tabesasetai to omotte hirotte kitan ja....
I thought I'd like to let grandpa eat it, so I picked it up and brought it back.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
じいさんjiisannoun
old man, grandpa (here = her husband)
にniparticle
marks the person who receives the action: 'to grandpa / let grandpa...'
たべさせたいtabesasetaiverb
to eat → here 'たべさせたい' = 'want to let (him) eat' (make-someone-do form + want-to)辞書形 たべる taberu
とtoparticle
quote marker; wraps up the thought before おもう ('that...')
おもってomotteverb
to think (-te form: 'thinking that..., so...')辞書形 おもう omou
ひろってhirotteverb
to pick up (-te form, joining to the next verb)辞書形 ひろう hirou
きたkitaauxiliary
from くる 'to come' (past); '〜てきた' = 'picked it up and brought it back'
んじゃn japhrase
old-style 'んだ' ending — explains the reason: 'that's why / you see'
01:28
ほぉ・・・ そりゃあ、ありがたい！
hoo... soryaa, arigatai!
Oh ho... well, that's wonderful! I'm grateful!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ほぉhooexpression
"Oh ho..." — a sound of pleased surprise/interest
そりゃあsoryaaexpression
casual squished form of 'それは' — 'well, that...'; here adds emphasis, 'that sure is...'
ありがたいarigataii-adjective
thankful, much appreciated — 'how grateful I am / that's a blessing'
01:30
二人は ももを わろうと しました。すると・・・・・
futari wa momo o warou to shimashita. suruto
The two of them were about to cut the peach open. Then...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
二人futarinoun
the two people, both of them
はwaparticle
marks 'the two of them' as the topic: 'as for the two of them...'
ももmomonoun
peach
をoparticle
marks 'peach' as the thing being acted on (the object of cutting)
わろうと しましたwarou to shimashitaphrase
tried to / was about to cut. The 〜ようと する pattern means 'attempt to do' something; here in polite past, so 'tried/were about to cut'辞書形 わる waru
するとsurutophrase
'then / just then', a connector showing what happens right after
01:40
なんと、中から 男の 赤んぼうが でて きました。
nanto, naka kara otoko no akanbou ga dete kimashita.
Astonishingly, a baby boy came out from inside.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
なんとnantoexpression
'how surprising! / would you believe it!' — shows amazement
中nakanoun
the inside
からkaraparticle
'from' — marks the inside as the starting point
男otokonoun
male, man
のnoparticle
links two nouns: 'male' describes 'baby', so 'baby boy'
赤んぼうakanbounoun
baby
がgaparticle
marks 'baby' as the one doing the action (came out)
でて きましたdete kimashitaphrase
came out (toward us). 出る (to come out) plus 〜てくる, which adds the feeling of moving toward the speaker; polite past辞書形 でる deru
01:44
こりゃあ、たまげた！
korya, tamageta!
Whoa, I'm astonished!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
こりゃあkoryaexpression
'whoa! / oh my!' — a casual exclamation (a squished, old-man way of saying これは)
たまげたtamagetaverb
to be amazed/shocked (plain past, so 'I was shocked'); an old-fashioned word for surprise辞書形 たまげる tamageru
01:46
なんと まぁ、 かわいらしい 赤子じゃのう！
nanto maa, kawairashii akago ja nou!
My, my, what a darling little baby!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
なんとnantoexpression
'how (surprising)!' — shows wonder
まぁmaainterjection
'oh my! / well!' — a soft sound of mild surprise or delight
かわいらしいkawairashiii-adjective
adorable, sweet, cute
赤子akagonoun
baby (an older word for an infant)
じゃjaauxiliary
old-man/country way of saying だ ('is') — 'it is'
のうnouparticle
soft sentence-ending 'isn't it / you know', an old-fashioned version of ね
01:50
おじいさんと、おばあさんは、 ももから 生まれた この 赤んぼうを
ojiisan to, obaasan wa, momo kara umareta kono akanbou o
The old man and the old woman, this baby that was born from the peach...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おじいさんojiisannoun
old man, grandfather
とtoparticle
'and' — joins two nouns: the old man AND the old woman
おばあさんobaasannoun
old woman, grandmother
はwaparticle
marks 'the old man and old woman' as the topic of the sentence
ももmomonoun
peach
からkaraparticle
'from' — born FROM the peach
生まれたumaretaverb
to be born (plain past 'was born'); here it describes the baby辞書形 生まれる umareru
このkonoexpression
'this' — points to the baby right here
赤んぼうakanbounoun
baby
をoparticle
marks 'this baby' as the object (the thing they will name, in the next line)
01:55
ももたろうと 名づけ、 二人で、そだてることに しました。
momotarou to nazuke, futari de, sodateru koto ni shimashita.
They named him Momotarō, and the two of them decided to raise him.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarouname
Momotarō, the boy's name ('Peach Boy')
とtoparticle
quoting 'and' — marks 'Momotarō' as the name they gave: named (as) 'Momotarō'
名づけnazukeverb
to name (someone); here a connecting form 'named him, and...'辞書形 名づける nazukeru
二人futarinoun
the two people, both of them
でdeparticle
'with / by' a group — here 'the two of them together'
そだてることに しましたsodateru koto ni shimashitaphrase
decided to raise (him). The 〜ことに する pattern means 'decide to do' something; polite past, so 'decided to raise'辞書形 そだてる sodateru
02:01
ももたろうは、ごはんや おかずを、 一ぱい たべれば、一ぱいだけ、
momotarou wa, gohan ya okazu o, ippai tabereba, ippai dake,
As for Momotarō, if he ate one bowl of rice and side dishes, then by just one bowl's worth...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarouname
Momotarō (the boy's name)
はwaparticle
marks 'Momotarō' as the topic: 'as for Momotarō...'
ごはんgohannoun
cooked rice; a meal
やyaparticle
'and (among others)' — lists examples, not a full list: rice, side dishes, and such
おかずokazunoun
side dish(es) eaten with rice
をoparticle
marks rice and side dishes as the things being eaten
一ぱいippaicounter
one bowl(ful) / one cup — counts servings in bowls or cups
たべればtaberebaverb
to eat (here the 'if/when' form: 'if he ate')辞書形 たべる taberu
一ぱいだけippai dakephrase
'just one bowl's worth'. 一ぱい (one bowl) + だけ ('only/just') — exactly that much (he grew that much)
02:05
二はい たべれば、二はいだけ、 三ばい たべれば、三ばいだけ、
nihai tabereba, nihai dake, sanbai tabereba, sanbai dake,
If he ate two bowls, then by two bowls' worth; if he ate three bowls, then by three bowls' worth...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
二はいnihaicounter
two bowls(ful) / two cups
たべればtaberebaverb
to eat (here the 'if/when' form: 'if he ate')辞書形 たべる taberu
二はいだけnihai dakephrase
'just two bowls' worth'. 二はい (two bowls) + だけ ('only/just') — exactly that much
三ばいsanbaicounter
three bowls(ful) / three cups (the sound changes to 'bai' after 'san')
たべればtaberebaverb
to eat (here the 'if/when' form: 'if he ate')辞書形 たべる taberu
三ばいだけsanbai dakephrase
'just three bowls' worth'. 三ばい (three bowls) + だけ ('only/just') — exactly that much
02:09
どんどん むくむく 大きく なりました。
dondon mukumuku ōkiku narimashita.
He kept growing bigger and bigger, fast and round.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
どんどんdondonadverb
rapidly, more and more (sound-word for something happening fast and steadily)
むくむくmukumukuadverb
swelling up plumply (sound-word for puffing/growing bigger and rounder)
大きくōkikui-adjective
big (the '-ku' form, so it means 'becoming big' here)辞書形 大きい ōkii
なりましたnarimashitaverb
to become (here it is the polite past form, so it means 'became'); 大きくなりました = 'became big / grew up'辞書形 なる naru
02:14
大きく なった ももたろうは、
ōkiku natta momotarō wa,
Momotarō, who had grown big,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
大きくōkikui-adjective
big (the '-ku' form, leading into 'become')辞書形 大きい ōkii
なったnattaverb
to become (plain past form, so 'became'); 大きくなった = 'grew big', describing Momotarō辞書形 なる naru
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō (the boy's name; 'Peach Tarō')
はwaparticle
marks Momotarō as the topic: 'as for Momotarō...' (sets up what comes next)
02:16
力もちで、かしこく、
chikaramochi de, kashikoku,
was strong, was clever,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
力もちchikaramochinoun
a strong person, someone with great strength
でdeverb ending
the 'and' form of 'to be' (です/だ); here it means 'is strong, and...' linking to the next quality
かしこくkashikokui-adjective
clever, smart (the '-ku' form used to join, so 'clever, and...')辞書形 かしこい kashikoi
02:18
こころの やさしい 男の子に なりました。
kokoro no yasashii otokonoko ni narimashita.
and grew into a kind-hearted boy.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
こころkokoronoun
heart, mind
のnoparticle
connects two words: 'of the heart' — here it describes the next word, 'gentle in heart'
やさしいyasashiii-adjective
kind, gentle; こころのやさしい = 'kind-hearted'
男の子otokonokonoun
boy
にniparticle
points to the result of becoming: 'into a boy' (goes with 'became')
なりましたnarimashitaverb
to become (polite past form, so 'became'); 男の子になりました = 'became a boy'辞書形 なる naru
02:21
おじいさんと おばあさんは、 そんな ももたろうを
ojiisan to obāsan wa, sonna momotarō o
The old man and the old woman, that Momotarō of theirs,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おじいさんojiisannoun
old man, grandfather
とtoparticle
'and', joins two nouns: 'the old man and the old woman'
おばあさんobāsannoun
old woman, grandmother
はwaparticle
marks the old man and old woman as the topic: 'as for the two of them...'
そんなsonnaadverb
such, that kind of (points back to the wonderful Momotarō just described)
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō (the boy's name)
をoparticle
marks Momotarō as the thing being acted on (the object of the verb in the next line)
02:25
それは、それは、かわいがり、 たいせつに そだてました。
sore wa, sore wa, kawaigari, taisetsu ni sodatemashita.
loved him ever so dearly and raised him with great care.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
それは、それはsore wa, sore waphrase
a set phrase repeated for emphasis: 'oh so very much, ever so much' (shows how deeply they loved him)
かわいがりkawaigariverb
to adore, to dote on (the joining '-i' form, so 'doted on him, and...')辞書形 かわいがる kawaigaru
たいせつtaisetsuna-adjective
precious, important, dear
にniparticle
turns 'precious' into 'how' they did it: 'preciously, carefully' (たいせつに = 'with great care')
そだてましたsodatemashitaverb
to raise, to bring up (polite past form, so 'raised'); they raised him with care辞書形 そだてる sodateru
02:32
ある日、ももたろうが、 まきを わって いると
aru hi, momotarō ga, maki o watte iru to
One day, while Momotarō was chopping firewood,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
あるaruexpression
a certain (used before a noun): 'a certain...', 'one...'
日hinoun
day; ある日 = 'one day'
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō (the boy's name)
がgaparticle
marks Momotarō as the one doing the action (the subject)
まきmakinoun
firewood
をoparticle
marks the firewood as the thing being acted on (the object of 'chop')
わってwatteverb
to split, to chop (the '-te' form, joining to 'いる' for an ongoing action)辞書形 わる waru
いるiruauxiliary
with the '-te' form before it, makes it 'is doing': わっている = 'is chopping' (an action happening right now)
とtoparticle
'when / while': sets up 'while he was chopping, (then something happened)'
02:36
一羽の とんびが とんで きました。
ichiwa no tonbi ga tonde kimashita.
a single kite (bird) came flying.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
一羽ichiwacounter
one bird (一 'one' + 羽, the counter used for birds)
のnoparticle
links the count to the noun: 'one (bird) of kite' = 'one kite'
とんびtonbinoun
a kite (a kind of hawk-like bird)
がgaparticle
marks the kite as the one doing the action (the subject)
とんでtondeverb
to fly (the '-te' form, joining to 'きました')辞書形 とぶ tobu
きましたkimashitaauxiliary
to come (polite past), here after '-te' it means 'came doing': とんできました = 'came flying'
02:38
ももから うまれた ももたろうよ〜〜！
momo kara umareta momotarō yo〜〜!
Momotarō, you who were born from a peach!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももmomonoun
peach (the fruit)
からkaraparticle
'from' — marks where something comes out of; here, out of the peach
うまれたumaretaverb
to be born (here it is the plain past form, so it means 'was born')辞書形 うまれる umareru
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō — the boy's name (literally 'Peach Tarō')
よyoparticle
a calling-out word, like shouting 'hey you!' to get someone's attention
02:42
山 こえ〜、たに こえ〜、うみ こえ〜、
yama koe〜, tani koe〜, umi koe〜,
Cross the mountains, cross the valleys, cross the sea!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
山yamanoun
mountain
こえkoeverb
to cross over / go beyond (here it is a short command, so it means 'cross it!')辞書形 こえる koeru
たにtaninoun
valley
こえkoeverb
to cross over (short command form: 'cross it!')辞書形 こえる koeru
うみuminoun
sea / ocean
こえkoeverb
to cross over (short command form: 'cross it!')辞書形 こえる koeru
02:45
おにがしまへ いけ〜！ おにたいじに いけ〜!!
onigashima e ike〜! onitaiji ni ike〜!!
Go to Ogre Island! Go to defeat the ogres!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おにがしまonigashimaname
Ogre Island — the place where the ogres live (oni = ogre, shima = island)
へeparticle
'to / toward' — points to where you are heading
いけikeverb
to go (here it is the strong command form, so it means 'go!')辞書形 いく iku
おにたいじonitaijinoun
ogre-slaying — going to fight and beat the ogres
にniparticle
'for / in order to' — shows the purpose of going
いけikeverb
to go (strong command form: 'go!')辞書形 いく iku
02:53
じいさま、ばあさま！ わたしは 大きく なったので、
jiisama, baasama! watashi wa ōkiku natta node,
Grandfather, Grandmother! Since I have grown big,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
じいさまjiisamanoun
grandfather (a polite, old-fashioned way to say it)
ばあさまbaasamanoun
grandmother (a polite, old-fashioned way to say it)
わたしwatashinoun
I / me
はwaparticle
the topic marker — tells us this sentence is about 'I'
大きくōkikui-adjective
big (here changed to 'ōkiku' so it can attach to a verb, meaning 'big-ly / into being big')辞書形 大きい ōkii
なったnattaverb
to become (here it is the plain past form, so 大きくなった = 'have become big / grew up')辞書形 なる naru
のでnodeparticle
'because / since' — gives the reason for what comes next
02:55
おにがしまに いきます！
onigashima ni ikimasu!
I'm going to Ogre Island!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おにがしまonigashimaname
Ogre Island — where the ogres live
にniparticle
'to' — marks the place you are going to
いきますikimasuverb
to go (here it is the polite form, so it means 'will go / am going')辞書形 いく iku
02:58
なんじゃと?!
nanja to?!
What did you say?!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
なんじゃnanjaexpression
'what is it?' — old-man way of saying なんだ (nanda); shows surprise here
とtoparticle
the quote marker — repeats back what was just heard, like '...you said WHAT?'
03:00
やめとくれ！ そんな、あぶないこと!!
yametokure! sonna, abunai koto!!
Please stop! Such a dangerous thing!!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
やめとくれyametokureverb
please stop / quit it (an old-fashioned, pleading way of asking someone to stop)辞書形 やめる yameru
そんなsonnaexpression
'such / that kind of' — points back at the dangerous idea just mentioned
あぶないabunaii-adjective
dangerous
ことkotonoun
thing / matter (here: 'a dangerous thing to do')
03:03
たべものを うばったり はたけや 田んぼを あらしたり する
tabemono o ubattari hatake ya tanbo o arashitari suru
(ogres who) do things like stealing food and wrecking the fields and rice paddies
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
たべものtabemononoun
food
をoparticle
marks the thing the action happens to — here, the food that gets stolen
うばったりubattariverb
to snatch / steal (in the 〜たり form, listing this as one example of what they do)辞書形 うばう ubau
はたけhatakenoun
(vegetable) field / farm plot
やyaparticle
'and (among others)' — links nouns, hinting the list isn't complete
田んぼtanbonoun
rice paddy / rice field
をoparticle
marks the thing the action happens to — here, the fields that get wrecked
あらしたりarashitariverb
to wreck / lay waste to (in the 〜たり form, a second example of what they do)辞書形 あらす arasu
するsuruphrase
'do' — closes the 〜たり〜たり list, meaning 'do things like A and B'
03:06
わるい おにを たいじ したいのです！
warui oni o taiji shitai no desu!
I want to defeat the bad ogres!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
わるいwaruii-adjective
bad, wicked
おにoninoun
ogre, demon
をoparticle
marks the thing the action is done to (the ogres are what gets defeated)
たいじtaijinoun
defeating / wiping out (a monster or evil)
したいshitaiverb
to do (here in the 'want to' form, so 'want to do'; together with たいじ it means 'want to defeat')辞書形 する suru
のですno desuphrase
polite ending that explains or stresses the reason — 'the thing is, I want to...'
03:10
ならんっ！ 大きく なっても おまえは、まだ、子どもじゃ！
naran! ōkiku nattemo omae wa, mada, kodomo ja!
No way! Even if you've grown big, you're still a child!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ならんnaranphrase
an old, gruff way to say 'no, you can't / it won't do'
大きくōkikui-adjective
big (in this '-ku' form it connects to the next verb: 'big' + 'become' = 'become big')辞書形 大きい ōkii
なってもnattemoverb
to become (here in the 'even if/even though' form, so 'even if you become')辞書形 なる naru
おまえomaenoun
you (rough, familiar word for 'you')
はwaparticle
marks the topic — 'as for you...'
まだmadaadverb
still, yet
子どもkodomonoun
child
じゃjaauxiliary
old-man's way of saying 'is/are' (= です/だ)
03:14
おじいさんたちは、ももたろうを とめようと しましたが、
ojiisan-tachi wa, momotarō o tomeyō to shimashita ga,
The old man and the others tried to stop Momotarō, but...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おじいさんojiisannoun
old man, grandfather
たちtachiphrase
makes it plural / a group — 'the old man and the others'
はwaparticle
marks the topic — 'as for the old man and the others'
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō (the boy's name, 'Peach Tarō')
をoparticle
marks who the action is aimed at (Momotarō is the one they try to stop)
とめようtomeyōverb
to stop (here in the 'let's / going to' form used before と する)辞書形 とめる tomeru
と しましたto shimashitaphrase
set pattern '〜ようとする' = 'try to do'; in past polite, so 'tried to'
がgaparticle
'but' — sets up a contrast with what comes next
03:18
ももたろうの きもちは、かわりません。
momotarō no kimochi wa, kawarimasen.
Momotarō's feelings did not change.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō (the boy's name)
のnoparticle
shows belonging — 'Momotarō's'
きもちkimochinoun
feeling(s), how one feels
はwaparticle
marks the topic — 'as for his feelings'
かわりませんkawarimasenverb
to change (here in the polite negative, so 'do not change')辞書形 かわる kawaru
03:21
しかたない・・・・。 おにがしまに いくが いい・・・・。
shikatanai... onigashima ni iku ga ii...
It can't be helped... Go on to Ogre Island, then...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
しかたないshikatanaiexpression
'it can't be helped / there's no other way'
おにがしまonigashimaname
Ogre Island (where the ogres live)
にniparticle
points to where you go — 'to Ogre Island'
いくikuverb
to go辞書形 いく iku
が いいga iiphrase
old way of giving permission/advice — 'you may as well go / go ahead and go'
03:24
じゃが、かならず、ぶじに かえって きて くれよ！
ja ga, kanarazu, buji ni kaette kite kure yo!
But be sure to come back home safely!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
じゃがja gaphrase
old-man's way of saying 'but / however'
かならずkanarazuadverb
without fail, be sure to
ぶじにbuji niadverb
safely, without trouble
かえってkaetteverb
to go/come back home (here in the 'te' form so it links to the next verb)辞書形 かえる kaeru
きてkitephrase
'〜てくる' here means come back toward home; in 'te' form it links to くれ
くれkurephrase
'please do (for me)' — a request, said gently/firmly
よyoparticle
adds feeling/emphasis at the end — 'you hear?'
03:27
はい！ やくそく します！
hai! yakusoku shimasu!
Yes! I promise!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
03:30
おじいさんと おばあさんは、ももたろうの ために あたらしい はおりや はかま、
ojiisan to obāsan wa, momotarō no tame ni atarashii haori ya hakama,
The old man and the old woman, for Momotarō's sake, (prepared) a new haori jacket and hakama trousers,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おじいさんojiisannoun
old man, grandfather
とtoparticle
'and' — joins two nouns
おばあさんobāsannoun
old woman, grandmother
はwaparticle
marks the topic — 'as for the old man and woman'
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō (the boy's name)
のnoparticle
connects to ため — 'of Momotarō'
ためにtame niphrase
'for the sake of / for' — shows who it's done for
あたらしいatarashiii-adjective
new
はおりhaorinoun
haori (a traditional Japanese short jacket)
やyaparticle
'and (among others)' — lists examples, not a full list
はかまhakamanoun
hakama (traditional wide pleated trousers)
03:36
がんじょうな 金の わらじ、 みごとな かたなを よういしました。
ganjōna kin no waraji, migotona katana o yōishimashita.
They got ready sturdy golden straw sandals and a splendid sword.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
がんじょうなganjōnana-adjective
sturdy, tough (describes the sandals)
金のkin nonoun
gold / golden (kin = gold; the の links it to the next word, like 'made of gold')
わらじwarajinoun
straw sandals (old-style woven sandals)
みごとなmigotonana-adjective
splendid, magnificent (describes the sword)
かたなkatananoun
sword
をoparticle
marks the thing the action is done to: here, what they got ready
よういしましたyōishimashitaverb
to prepare, get ready (here it is the polite past form, so it means 'prepared / got ready')辞書形 よういする yōi suru
03:41
そして、おばあさんは、日本一の きびだんごを つくり、ももたろうに もたせました
soshite, obāsan wa, nihonichi no kibidango o tsukuri, momotarō ni motasemashita
And then Grandma made the best millet dumplings in Japan and had Momotaro carry them.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
そしてsoshitephrase
and then, after that (connects to what happened before)
おばあさんobāsannoun
grandmother, old woman
はwaparticle
marks the topic: this sentence is about Grandma
日本一のnihonichi nonoun
the best in Japan (nihon = Japan + ichi = number one; の links it to the next word)
きびだんごkibidangonoun
millet dumplings (a sweet round snack)
をoparticle
marks the thing being acted on: the dumplings she makes
つくりtsukuriverb
to make (here in the 'and' form that links to the next verb, so 'made, and...')辞書形 つくる tsukuru
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotaro (the boy's name; momo = peach)
にniparticle
marks who is made to do something: here, Momotaro is the one given the dumplings to carry
もたせましたmotasemashitaverb
to let/make someone hold or carry (here the polite past form, so 'had him carry them')辞書形 もたせる motaseru
03:47
これを たべれば、百人力！
kore o tabereba, hyakuninriki!
If you eat this, you'll have the strength of a hundred people!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
これkorenoun
this (the thing nearby: the dumpling)
をoparticle
marks the thing being eaten
たべればtaberebaverb
to eat (here in the 'if' form, so it means 'if (you) eat')辞書形 たべる taberu
百人力hyakuninrikinoun
the strength of a hundred people (hyaku = 100 + nin = people + riki = power)
03:51
ありがとう、おばあさま・・・・
arigatō, obāsama....
Thank you, Grandma...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
03:54
じいさま、ばあさま・・・ いって まいります！
jiisama, bāsama... itte mairimasu!
Grandpa, Grandma... I'm off now!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
じいさまjiisamanoun
grandfather, old man (respectful, old-fashioned way to say it)
ばあさまbāsamanoun
grandmother, old woman (respectful, old-fashioned way to say it)
いってまいりますitte mairimasuphrase
a polite set phrase you say when leaving home: 'I'm going and will come back' (humble form of いってきます)
03:56
こうして ももたろうは、 おにを たいじする ため、
kōshite momotarō wa, oni o taiji suru tame,
And so, in order to defeat the demons, Momotaro...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
こうしてkōshitephrase
in this way, and so (sums up what led to this moment)
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotaro (the boy's name)
はwaparticle
marks the topic: this sentence is about Momotaro
おにoninoun
demon, ogre
をoparticle
marks the thing acted on: the demons that get defeated
たいじするtaiji suruverb
to defeat, exterminate (an enemy) (plain form here)辞書形 たいじする taiji suru
ためtamephrase
in order to, for the purpose of (verb + ため = the reason he is going)
04:00
おにがしまへ たびに でたのでした。
onigashima e tabi ni deta no deshita.
...set out on a journey to Demon Island.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おにがしまonigashimaname
Demon Island (the place where the ogres live; oni = demon + shima = island)
へeparticle
marks the direction he is heading: toward Demon Island
たびtabinoun
journey, trip
にniparticle
marks the purpose: he went out 'for a journey'
でたdetaverb
to go out, set out (here the plain past form, so 'set out')辞書形 でる deru
のでしたno deshitaauxiliary
a storytelling ending that gently states what happened: 'and so it was that he set out'
04:02
ももたろうが、 村はずれまで くると・・・・・
momotarō ga, murahazure made kuru to.....
When Momotaro reached the edge of the village...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotaro (the boy's name)
がgaparticle
marks who does the action: Momotaro is the one arriving
村はずれmurahazurenoun
the edge/outskirts of the village (mura = village + hazure = edge)
までmadeparticle
up to, as far as: marks how far he came
くるとkuru toverb
to come (here 'come' + と meaning 'when', so 'when he came/got there')辞書形 くる kuru
04:08
イヌが やって きました。
inu ga yatte kimashita.
A dog came along.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
イヌinunoun
dog
がgaparticle
marks 'dog' as the one doing the action (the subject)
やってyatteverb
to do/come (here it joins with 'kimashita' to mean 'came along, came up')辞書形 やる yaru
きましたkimashitaverb
to come (polite past, so 'came'); 'yatte kimashita' = came along辞書形 くる kuru
04:10
ももたろうさん、ももたろうさん、 そんな りっぱな かたなを もって
momotarō-san, momotarō-san, sonna rippa na katana o motte
Momotaro, Momotaro, carrying such a splendid sword,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotaro, the boy's name (means 'Peach Taro')
さんsanauxiliary
polite name tag, like 'Mr./Ms.' added to a name
そんなsonnaadverb
such a, that kind of
りっぱなrippa nana-adjective
splendid, fine (the 'na' lets it describe the next noun)
かたなkatananoun
sword
をoparticle
marks 'sword' as the thing being acted on (the object)
もってmotteverb
to hold/carry (the 'te' form, leaving the sentence open: 'holding...')辞書形 もつ motsu
04:14
いったい どこへ いきなさる？
ittai doko e ikinasaru?
where on earth are you going?
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
いったいittaiadverb
on earth, just where (adds 'I really wonder' feeling to a question)
どこdokonoun
where, what place
へeparticle
shows direction: 'to (where)'
いきなさるikinasaruverb
to go (an old, gently polite way of saying 'go', so 'are you going')辞書形 いく iku
04:16
おにがしまへ おにたいじに まいるのだ！
onigashima e onitaiji ni mairu no da!
I'm going to Demon Island to subdue the demons!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おにがしまonigashimaname
Onigashima, 'Demon Island', where the demons live
へeparticle
shows direction: 'to (Demon Island)'
おにたいじonitaijinoun
demon-subduing, defeating the demons
にniparticle
shows the purpose: 'in order to (subdue demons)'
まいるmairuverb
to go (a humble, old-style word for 'go')辞書形 まいる mairu
のだno daphrase
ending that explains or declares a fact: 'it is that I am going'
04:19
おこしに つけた ふくろの 中は？
okoshi ni tsuketa fukuro no naka wa?
What's inside the bag tied at your waist?
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おこしokoshinoun
waist, hip (the 'o' is a polite touch)
にniparticle
marks the place: 'at/on (your waist)'
つけたtsuketaverb
to attach/tie (plain past, here describing the bag: 'tied (at your waist)')辞書形 つける tsukeru
ふくろfukuronoun
bag, pouch
のnoparticle
joins two nouns, like 's: 'the bag's (inside)'
中nakanoun
inside, the middle part
はwaparticle
marks 'the inside' as the topic: 'as for the inside...?'
04:22
日本一の きびだんごだ！ これを たべれば、百人分の 力が つく！
nihonichi no kibidango da! kore o tabereba, hyakunin-bun no chikara ga tsuku!
It's Japan's best millet dumplings! If you eat one, you'll gain the strength of a hundred people!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
日本一nihonichinoun
the best in Japan, number one in Japan
のnoparticle
joins nouns: 'Japan's-best (dumplings)'
きびだんごkibidangonoun
kibidango, sweet millet dumplings
だdaauxiliary
plain 'is/are', states it as a fact: 'it is'
これkorenoun
this, this thing (the dumpling)
をoparticle
marks 'this' as the thing being eaten (the object)
たべればtaberebaverb
to eat (the 'ba' form meaning 'if you eat')辞書形 たべる taberu
百人分hyakunin-bunnoun
a hundred people's worth, the amount for a hundred people
のnoparticle
joins nouns: 'a-hundred-people's-worth of (strength)'
力chikaranoun
strength, power
がgaparticle
marks 'strength' as the thing that appears (the subject)
つくtsukuverb
to attach/come to you (here 'you gain/get strength')辞書形 つく tsuku
04:27
一つ ください！ おともします！
hitotsu kudasai! otomo shimasu!
Please give me one! I'll come with you!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
一つhitotsucounter
one (one thing/piece)
くださいkudasaiphrase
please give me (polite way to ask for something)
おともotomonoun
companion, going along with someone
しますshimasuverb
to do (polite, so 'otomo shimasu' = 'I'll accompany you')辞書形 する suru
04:30
ありがたい！ いっしょに おにを こらしめよう！
arigatai! issho ni oni o korashimeyō!
I'm grateful! Let's punish the demons together!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ありがたいarigataii-adjective
(I'm) grateful, thankful
いっしょにissho niadverb
together, with each other
おにoninoun
demon, ogre
をoparticle
marks 'the demons' as the ones being acted on (the object)
こらしめようkorashimeyōverb
to punish/teach a lesson (the 'let's...' form: 'let's punish them')辞書形 こらしめる korashimeru
04:34
イヌは、きびだんごを もらって たべ
inu wa, kibidango o moratte tabe
The dog received a millet dumpling and ate it,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
イヌinunoun
dog
はwaparticle
marks 'dog' as the topic, the one the sentence is about
きびだんごkibidangonoun
millet dumpling (a small sweet rice-flour ball)
をoparticle
marks 'dumpling' as the thing the action is done to
もらってmoratteverb
to receive (here in the -te form, so it connects to the next action: 'received and...')辞書形 もらう morau
たべtabeverb
to eat (here in a connecting stem form, 'and ate', leading into the next line)辞書形 たべる taberu
04:37
ももたろうの おともに なりました。
momotarō no otomo ni narimashita.
and became Momotarō's companion.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō, the hero's name (means 'Peach Boy')
のnoparticle
shows belonging, like 's: 'Momotarō's'
おともotomonoun
companion, a follower who goes along with someone
にniparticle
marks what something turns into, used with 'become'
なりましたnarimashitaverb
to become (here it is the polite past form, so it means 'became')辞書形 なる naru
04:39
ももたろうと イヌが 山の 中まで はいって いくと、
momotarō to inu ga yama no naka made haitte iku to,
When Momotarō and the dog went into the mountains,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō, the hero's name
とtoparticle
joins two nouns: 'and' (Momotarō and the dog)
イヌinunoun
dog
がgaparticle
marks 'Momotarō and the dog' as the ones doing the action
山yamanoun
mountain
のnoparticle
links two nouns: 'the inside of the mountain'
中nakanoun
inside, the middle of something
までmadeparticle
shows how far: 'all the way to/into the mountain'
はいってhaitteverb
to enter, to go in (here in the -te form, connecting to the next verb)辞書形 はいる hairu
いくikuauxiliary
helper verb after -te meaning the action moves away/onward: 'went on in'辞書形 いく iku
とtoparticle
'when/and then' — sets up what happened next
04:46
こんどは、サルが やって きました。
kondo wa, saru ga yatte kimashita.
This time, a monkey came along.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
こんどkondonoun
this time, now
はwaparticle
marks 'this time' as the topic
サルsarunoun
monkey
がgaparticle
marks 'monkey' as the one doing the action
やってyatteverb
part of the set phrase 'yatte kuru' = to come along/show up (here in -te form)辞書形 やる yaru
きましたkimashitaverb
to come (polite past, 'came'); with 'yatte' it means 'came along, showed up'辞書形 くる kuru
04:47
ももたろうさん、ももたろうさん、 そんな りっぱな わらじを はいて、
momotarō-san, momotarō-san, sonna rippana waraji o haite,
Momotarō, Momotarō, wearing such fine straw sandals,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō, the hero's name
さんsanauxiliary
polite name tag, like 'Mr./Ms.' added to a person's name
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō, repeated to call out to him
さんsanauxiliary
polite name tag, like 'Mr./Ms.'
そんなsonnaadverb
such, that kind of (pointing to the sandals)
りっぱなrippanana-adjective
fine, splendid, impressive (describes the sandals)
わらじwarajinoun
waraji, traditional straw sandals
をoparticle
marks 'sandals' as the thing being worn
はいてhaiteverb
to wear (on the feet/legs) (here in -te form: 'wearing...')辞書形 はく haku
04:52
いったい どこへ いきなさる？
ittai doko e ikinasaru?
where on earth are you going?
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
いったいittaiadverb
on earth, really (adds surprise/emphasis to a question)
どこdokonoun
where
へeparticle
marks the direction you go toward: 'to where'
いきなさるikinasaruverb
to go (an old, polite-respectful way of saying it: 'are you going')辞書形 いく iku
04:54
おにがしまへ おにたいじに まいるのだ！
onigashima e onitaiji ni mairu no da!
I'm going to Ogre Island to defeat the ogres!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おにがしまonigashimaname
Onigashima, 'Ogre Island', where the ogres live
へeparticle
marks the direction you go toward: 'to Ogre Island'
おにたいじonitaijinoun
ogre-slaying, defeating the ogres
にniparticle
shows the purpose of going: 'in order to defeat the ogres'
まいるmairuverb
to go (a humble, old-fashioned word for 'go')辞書形 まいる mairu
のだno daphrase
ending that explains or asserts a fact strongly: 'it is that I'm going'
04:56
おこしに つけた ふくろの 中は？
okoshi ni tsuketa fukuro no naka wa?
What's inside the bag tied at your waist?
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おこしokoshinoun
waist, hip (the polite 'o' is attached)
にniparticle
marks the place where something is attached: 'at the waist'
つけたtsuketaverb
to attach, fasten (here past plain form describing the bag: 'fastened/tied')辞書形 つける tsukeru
ふくろfukuronoun
bag, pouch
のnoparticle
links two nouns: 'the inside of the bag'
中nakanoun
inside, the contents
はwaparticle
marks 'the inside of the bag' as the topic; the question 'what is it?' is left unsaid
04:59
日本一の きびだんごだ！ これを たべれば、百人分の 力が つく！
nihon-ichi no kibidango da! kore o tabereba, hyaku-nin-bun no chikara ga tsuku!
It's the best millet dumpling in all Japan! If you eat one, you'll get the strength of a hundred people!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
日本一nihon-ichinoun
the best in Japan, number one in Japan
のnoparticle
links two nouns: 'the Japan-best ___', like 's or 'of'
きびだんごkibidangonoun
kibidango, a small millet dumpling (a famous snack in this story)
だdaauxiliary
plain way to say 'it is' (like 'is/are')
これkorenoun
this (this thing here)
をoparticle
marks 'this' as the thing being eaten (the object)
たべればtaberebaverb
to eat (here in the 'if/when' form, so it means 'if you eat')辞書形 たべる taberu
百人分hyaku-nin-bunnoun
an amount for a hundred people, a hundred people's worth
のnoparticle
links nouns: 'the strength of a hundred people'
力chikaranoun
strength, power
がgaparticle
marks 'strength' as the thing that appears/builds up (the subject)
つくtsukuverb
to come to you, to be gained (here: the strength builds up in you)辞書形 つく tsuku
05:04
一つ ください！ おともします！
hitotsu kudasai! o-tomo shimasu!
Please give me one! I'll come along with you!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
一つhitotsucounter
one (one thing)
くださいkudasaiphrase
'please give me' — a polite way to ask for something
おともo-tomonoun
going along with someone as a companion (polite)
しますshimasuverb
to do (polite present; with おとも it means 'I'll come along')辞書形 する suru
05:07
ありがたい！ いっしょに おにを こらしめよう！
arigatai! issho ni oni o korashimeyō!
Thank you, I'm grateful! Let's punish the ogres together!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ありがたいarigataii-adjective
I'm grateful, that's a big help (a thankful 'thank you')
いっしょにissho niadverb
together, with each other
おにoninoun
ogre, demon (the bad guys of the story)
をoparticle
marks 'the ogres' as the thing being punished (the object)
こらしめようkorashimeyōverb
to punish, to teach a lesson (here in the 'let's ___' form, so 'let's punish them')辞書形 こらしめる korashimeru
05:10
サルは、きびだんごを もらって たべ、
saru wa, kibidango o moratte tabe,
The monkey received a millet dumpling and ate it,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
サルsarunoun
monkey
はwaparticle
marks 'the monkey' as the topic — what this sentence is about
きびだんごkibidangonoun
kibidango, a small millet dumpling
をoparticle
marks 'the dumpling' as the thing being received (the object)
もらってmoratteverb
to receive, to be given (here in the '-te' form that links to the next verb: 'received and...')辞書形 もらう morau
たべtabeverb
to eat (here in a linking form that joins to the next part: 'ate, and...')辞書形 たべる taberu
05:13
ももたろうの おともに なりました。
momotarō no o-tomo ni narimashita.
and became Momotarō's companion.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō, the boy born from a peach (the hero)
のnoparticle
shows belonging: 'Momotarō's ___'
おともo-tomonoun
companion, someone who goes along (polite)
にniparticle
marks what the monkey turns into: 'became a ___'
なりましたnarimashitaverb
to become (here the polite past form, so 'became')辞書形 なる naru
05:17
ももたろうと イヌと サルが、 たにを こえて いくと・・・・
momotarō to inu to saru ga, tani o koete iku to,
As Momotarō, the dog, and the monkey crossed over a valley,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō, the hero
とtoparticle
'and' — joins people/things in a list (Momotarō and...)
イヌinunoun
dog
とtoparticle
'and' — joins the next one in the list (...and the dog and...)
サルsarunoun
monkey
がgaparticle
marks this whole group as the ones doing the action (the subject)
たにtaninoun
valley
をoparticle
marks 'the valley' as the place being crossed over (the object)
こえてkoeteverb
to cross over, to go over (here in the '-te' form that joins to the next verb)辞書形 こえる koeru
いくikuverb
to go (after こえて it means 'go on crossing over')辞書形 いく iku
とtoparticle
'when/as' — says that right after this, the next thing happens
05:21
こんどは、キジがとんで きました。
kondo wa, kiji ga tonde kimashita.
this time, a pheasant came flying.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
こんどkondonoun
this time, now
はwaparticle
marks 'this time' as the topic — what the sentence is about
キジkijinoun
pheasant (a bird)
がgaparticle
marks 'the pheasant' as the one doing the action (the subject)
とんでtondeverb
to fly (here in the '-te' form that joins to the next verb: 'flying')辞書形 とぶ tobu
きましたkimashitaverb
to come (here polite past; after とんで it means 'came flying')辞書形 くる kuru
05:25
ももたろうさん、ももたろうさん、 そんな りっぱな のぼりを もって
momotarō-san, momotarō-san, sonna rippa na nobori o motte
Momotarō, Momotarō, carrying such a fine banner,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō, the hero
さんsanauxiliary
polite name-ending, like 'Mr.' added to a name
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō (his name, said again to call him)
さんsanauxiliary
polite name-ending, like 'Mr.'
そんなsonnaadverb
such a, that kind of
りっぱなrippa nana-adjective
fine, splendid, impressive
のぼりnoborinoun
a tall narrow banner/flag on a pole
をoparticle
marks 'the banner' as the thing being carried (the object)
もってmotteverb
to hold, to carry (here in the '-te' form, so 'carrying / while holding')辞書形 もつ motsu
05:29
いったい どこに いきなさる？
ittai doko ni ikinasaru?
Just where on earth are you going?
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
いったいittaiadverb
'on earth' / 'just' — makes a question sound surprised or curious, like 'where in the world...?'
どこdokonoun
where / what place
にniparticle
marks the place you are heading toward — points to 'where' as the destination
いきなさるikinasaruverb
to go (an old, polite-but-folksy way of saying 'go', so it means 'are you going')辞書形 いく iku
05:31
おにがしまへ おにたいじに まいるのだ！
onigashima e onitaiji ni mairu no da!
I'm headed to Ogre Island to defeat the ogres!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おにがしまonigashimaname
Ogre Island — the place where the ogres live (oni = ogre, shima = island)
へeparticle
shows direction — 'to / toward' Ogre Island (the letter へ is read 'e' here)
おにたいじonitaijinoun
ogre-hunting — going to beat/defeat the ogres (oni = ogre, taiji = defeating)
にniparticle
marks the purpose — 'in order to' defeat the ogres; tells why he is going
まいるmairuverb
to go (a humble, old-fashioned word for 'go', so 'I am going')辞書形 まいる mairu
のだno daauxiliary
added at the end to explain or declare a fact firmly — like saying 'it's that I'm going!'
05:34
おこしに つけた ふくろの 中は？
okoshi ni tsuketa fukuro no naka wa?
What's inside the bag tied at your waist?
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おこしokoshinoun
waist / hip (the polite 'o' is attached to the front)
にniparticle
marks the spot where something is attached — 'at / on' the waist
つけたtsuketaverb
to attach / fasten (here it is the plain past form, so 'attached / tied on', describing the bag)辞書形 つける tsukeru
ふくろfukuronoun
bag / pouch
のnoparticle
links two nouns to show belonging — 'the bag's...' (the inside OF the bag)
中nakanoun
inside / the inner part
はwaparticle
marks the topic — 'as for the inside of the bag...?' (the letter は is read 'wa' here)
05:36
日本一の きびだんごた！ これを たべれば、百人分の 力が つく！
nihon ichi no kibidango ta! kore o tabereba, hyaku nin bun no chikara ga tsuku!
It's Japan's number-one millet dumpling! If you eat this, you'll get the strength of a hundred people!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
日本一nihon ichinoun
the best in Japan / number one in Japan (nihon = Japan, ichi = one/first)
のnoparticle
links two nouns — 'Japan's-number-one' describes the dumpling that comes next
きびだんごkibidangonoun
millet dumpling — a small round sweet dumpling
たtaauxiliary
a casual 'it is!' at the end (a small slip for だ/da; means 'it's the best millet dumpling in Japan!')
これkorenoun
this / this thing (the dumpling)
をoparticle
marks the thing the action happens to — 'this' is what gets eaten (を is read 'o')
たべればtaberebaverb
to eat (here in the 'if' form, so 'if you eat')辞書形 たべる taberu
百人分hyaku nin bunnoun
an amount equal to a hundred people (hyaku = 100, nin = people, bun = share/portion)
のnoparticle
links two nouns — 'hundred-people's-worth OF' the strength that comes next
力chikaranoun
strength / power
がgaparticle
marks the doer of the next verb — the 'strength' is what appears/builds up
つくtsukuverb
to come / build up (here: strength 'comes to you' = you gain strength)辞書形 つく tsuku
05:42
一つ ください！ おともします！
hitotsu kudasai! otomo shimasu!
Please give me one! I'll come along with you!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
一つhitotsucounter
one (one piece / one thing)
くださいkudasaiphrase
'please give me' — a polite way to ask for something
おともotomonoun
a companion / going along with someone as their helper
しますshimasuverb
to do (polite; with おとも it means 'I will accompany you')辞書形 する suru
05:45
ありがたい！ いっしょに おにを こらしめよう！
arigatai! issho ni oni o korashimeyou!
I'm grateful! Let's punish the ogres together!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ありがたいarigataii-adjective
thankful / grateful — 'I really appreciate it!'
いっしょにissho niadverb
together / with each other
おにoninoun
ogre / demon
をoparticle
marks the thing the action happens to — the ogres are what gets punished (を is read 'o')
こらしめようkorashimeyouverb
to punish / teach a lesson (here in the 'let's' form, so 'let's punish them')辞書形 こらしめる korashimeru
05:48
キジも きびだんごを もらって たべ、
kiji mo kibidango o moratte tabe,
The pheasant also received a millet dumpling and ate it,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
キジkijinoun
pheasant (a bird)
もmoparticle
'also / too' — the pheasant did it as well, just like the dog and monkey before
きびだんごkibidangonoun
millet dumpling
をoparticle
marks the thing received — the dumpling is what gets received (を is read 'o')
もらってmoratteverb
to receive / get something (here in the 'and' (-te) form, so 'received and...')辞書形 もらう morau
たべtabeverb
to eat (here in a pause-form that connects to the next line, so 'ate, and...')辞書形 たべる taberu
05:51
ももたろうの おともに なりました。
momotarou no otomo ni narimashita.
and became Momotarō's companion.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarouname
Momotarō — the boy hero's name (momo = peach, tarou = a boy's name)
のnoparticle
links two nouns to show belonging — 'Momotarō's' companion
おともotomonoun
companion / helper who travels along
にniparticle
marks the result of a change — 'became INTO' a companion; pairs with なりました
なりましたnarimashitaverb
to become (here the polite past form, so 'became')辞書形 なる naru
05:56
ももたろうたちは、いくつもの 山を こえ、たにを こえ・・・・・
momotarō-tachi wa, ikutsu mo no yama o koe, tani o koe.....
Momotarō and his companions crossed mountain after mountain, valley after valley...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō, the boy born from a peach (the hero of the story)
たちtachiauxiliary
makes the word mean 'and the others/his group' — so 'Momotarō and his friends'
はwaparticle
marks 'Momotarō and friends' as the topic — the ones this sentence is about
いくつものikutsu mo noexpression
many, ever so many; 'one after another'
山yamanoun
mountain
をoparticle
marks 'mountain' as the thing being crossed (the object)
こえkoeverb
to cross over (here in a connecting form 'crossing... and') 辞書形 こえる koeru
たにtaninoun
valley
をoparticle
marks 'valley' as the thing being crossed (the object)
こえkoeverb
to cross over (connecting form, 'crossing...')辞書形 こえる koeru
06:02
うみに でて おにがしまを めざしました
umi ni dete onigashima o mezashimashita
They came out to the sea and headed for Ogre Island.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
うみuminoun
the sea, the ocean
にniparticle
points to where they came out to — 'out to the sea'
でてdeteverb
to come out, to go out (here the connecting -te form, 'came out and...')辞書形 でる deru
おにがしまonigashimaname
Onigashima, 'Ogre Island' — the island where the ogres live
をoparticle
marks Ogre Island as the goal they aim at (the object)
めざしましたmezashimashitaverb
to aim for, to head toward (here it is the polite past form, so 'headed for')辞書形 めざす mezasu
06:06
見えたぞ！ おにがしまだ！
mieta zo! onigashima da!
I can see it! It's Ogre Island!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
見えたmietaverb
to be visible, to come into sight (here the plain past, so 'it came into view / I can see it now')辞書形 見える mieru
ぞzoparticle
a strong, manly ending that adds force, like saying it with excitement
おにがしまonigashimaname
Onigashima, 'Ogre Island'
だdaauxiliary
plain 'is/it's' — declares 'it IS Ogre Island'
06:09
ももたろうたちは、ついに おにがしまに たどりついたのでした。
momotarō-tachi wa, tsui ni onigashima ni tadoritsuita no deshita.
Momotarō and his companions had at last reached Ogre Island.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō, the hero
たちtachiauxiliary
'and the others' — 'Momotarō and his group'
はwaparticle
marks 'Momotarō and friends' as the topic
ついにtsui niadverb
finally, at last, after all that
おにがしまonigashimaname
Onigashima, 'Ogre Island'
にniparticle
marks Ogre Island as the place they arrived at
たどりついたtadoritsuitaverb
to finally reach, to arrive after a long journey (here plain past, 'reached')辞書形 たどりつく tadoritsuku
のでしたno deshitaphrase
a storybook ending that means '...and so it was that they reached it' — gives a gentle 'that's how it happened' feeling
06:14
しまの 入口には、たかくて 大きな もんが ありました。
shima no iriguchi ni wa, takakute ōki na mon ga arimashita.
At the island's entrance stood a tall, big gate.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
しまshimanoun
island
のnoparticle
links two nouns to show belonging — 'the island's...'
入口iriguchinoun
entrance, the way in
にniparticle
marks the place where something exists — 'at the entrance'
はwaparticle
added here to make 'at the entrance' the topic we're describing
たかくてtakakutei-adjective
tall, high (here the connecting -kute form, 'tall and...')辞書形 たかい takai
大きなōki nana-adjective
big, large (describing the gate)
もんmonnoun
gate
がgaparticle
marks 'gate' as the thing that exists (the subject)
ありましたarimashitaverb
to be / to exist (for things) (here polite past, so 'there was')辞書形 ある aru
06:18
まずは、キジが 空から 中の ようすを 見て きました。
mazu wa, kiji ga sora kara naka no yōsu o mite kimashita.
First, the pheasant looked at the situation inside from the sky.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
まずはmazu waadverb
first of all, to start with
キジkijinoun
pheasant (the bird companion)
がgaparticle
marks the pheasant as the one doing the action (the subject)
空soranoun
the sky
からkaraparticle
means 'from' — 'from the sky'
中nakanoun
the inside
のnoparticle
links nouns — 'the inside's...' (the situation of the inside)
ようすyōsunoun
the situation, how things look, what's going on
をoparticle
marks 'the situation' as the thing being looked at (the object)
見てmiteverb
to look, to see (here -te form joining to the next verb)辞書形 見る miru
きましたkimashitaphrase
'went and (did it) and came back' — 見てきました means 'went to take a look (and returned)' (polite past)
06:22
おにどもは、ごろごろと ひるねを して います。
oni-domo wa, gorogoro to hirune o shite imasu.
The ogres are lazing about taking a nap.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おにoninoun
ogre, demon
どもdomoauxiliary
makes it plural with a rough/looking-down tone — 'those ogres, the whole bunch of them'
はwaparticle
marks 'the ogres' as the topic
ごろごろとgorogoro toadverb
lolling around, lazing about doing nothing (sound-word for lounging lazily)
ひるねhirunenoun
a nap, a daytime sleep
をoparticle
marks 'a nap' as the object of 'doing'
してshiteverb
to do (here -te form; ひるねをして = 'taking a nap')辞書形 する suru
いますimasuauxiliary
with the -te form before it, ~ています means an action is going on right now — 'are (currently) napping'
06:26
つぎに サルが ひょいひょいと もんを のりこえ
tsugi ni saru ga hyoihyoi to mon o norikoe
Next, the monkey nimbly clambered over the gate,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
つぎにtsugi niadverb
next, after that
サルsarunoun
monkey (the monkey companion)
がgaparticle
marks the monkey as the one doing the action (the subject)
ひょいひょいとhyoihyoi toadverb
lightly and nimbly, hopping over easily (sound-word for quick, light movement)
もんmonnoun
gate
をoparticle
marks 'gate' as the thing being climbed over (the object)
のりこえnorikoeverb
to climb over, to get over (here a connecting form, 'climbed over and...')辞書形 のりこえる norikoeru
06:30
中から かんぬきを あけます。
naka kara kannuki o akemasu.
From inside, he opens the bolt (the bar that locks the gate).
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
中nakanoun
inside; the inside part
からkaraparticle
'from' — tells you the starting point: from inside
かんぬきkannukinoun
the bolt / bar that locks a big gate shut
をoparticle
marks the thing the action happens to — here, the bolt is what gets opened
あけますakemasuverb
to open (polite present form: 'opens')辞書形 あける akeru
06:32
そして イヌが おもい とびらを おし ひらきました。
soshite inu ga omoi tobira o oshi hirakimashita.
Then the dog pushed the heavy door open.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
そしてsoshitephrase
'and then' — links to the next thing that happens
イヌinunoun
dog
がgaparticle
marks who does the action — the dog is the one pushing
おもいomoii-adjective
heavy
とびらtobiranoun
door (a big swinging door)
をoparticle
marks the thing the action happens to — the door is what gets pushed open
おしoshiverb
to push (here it joins to the next verb, like 'push-and...')辞書形 おす osu
ひらきましたhirakimashitaverb
to open (polite past: 'opened'); with おし before it, the whole thing means 'pushed open'辞書形 ひらく hiraku
06:37
やい!! 日本一の ももたろうが、 わるい おにらを
yai!! nihon-ichi no momotarō ga, warui onira o
Hey!! Japan's number-one Momotarō has come for you wicked demons...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
やいyaiinterjection
'Hey!' — a rough, challenging shout to get someone's attention
日本一nihon-ichinoun
the best in Japan; number one in Japan
のnoparticle
links two nouns — 'Japan's-number-one' describes Momotarō
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō, the hero's name (means 'Peach Tarō')
がgaparticle
marks who does the action — Momotarō is the one coming (verb is in the next line)
わるいwaruii-adjective
bad; wicked
おにらoniranoun
demons; ogres (おに = demon, ら makes it plural)
をoparticle
marks who the action is aimed at — the wicked demons (action comes in the next line)
06:39
せいばいしに まいった！ かくごしろ！
seibai shi ni maitta! kakugo shiro!
...has come to punish you! Get ready (for what's coming)!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
せいばいseibainoun
punishment; bringing a wrongdoer to justice
しshiverb
to do (せいばい + し = 'to do punishing'); joins to に below辞書形 する suru
にniparticle
'in order to' — shows the purpose of coming: came TO punish
まいったmaittaverb
to come (humble plain past: 'have come'); a grand, old-style way to say 'I came'辞書形 まいる mairu
かくごkakugonoun
being mentally ready / braced for something bad
しろshiroverb
to do (rough command form: 'do it!'); かくごしろ = 'brace yourself!'辞書形 する suru
06:42
おどろいた おにどもが、目を さまし
odoroita onidomo ga, me o samashi
The startled demons woke up...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おどろいたodoroitaverb
to be surprised (plain past, here describing the demons: 'startled/surprised')辞書形 おどろく odoroku
おにどもonidomonoun
demons; the bunch of ogres (おに = demon, ども makes it a rough plural)
がgaparticle
marks who does the action — the demons are the ones waking up
目menoun
eye(s)
をoparticle
marks the thing acted on — part of the set phrase 目をさます (to wake up)
さましsamashiverb
to wake up (目をさます = 'open one's eyes / wake up'); here it joins to the next line辞書形 さます samasu
06:44
ももたろうたちに おそいかかって きます。
momotarō-tachi ni osoikakatte kimasu.
...and come pouncing at Momotarō and his group.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうたちmomotarō-tachinoun
Momotarō and his companions (たち = 'and the others / group')
にniparticle
marks the target — they attack toward Momotarō's group
おそいかかってosoikakatteverb
to pounce on / lunge to attack (te-form, joins to きます)辞書形 おそいかかる osoikakaru
きますkimasuauxiliary
after a te-form verb, ～てくる means the action comes toward us: 'come attacking' (polite present)
06:50
ももたろうは、むかって くる おにを つぎつぎに たおしました。
momotarō wa, mukatte kuru oni o tsugitsugi ni taoshimashita.
Momotarō knocked down the oncoming demons one after another.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō (the hero)
はwaparticle
marks the topic — 'as for Momotarō...' (the は kana is read 'wa')
むかってmukatteverb
to head toward / come at (te-form, joins to くる)辞書形 むかう mukau
くるkuruauxiliary
～てくる = coming toward us; むかってくる = 'coming at (him)', describing the demons
おにoninoun
demon; ogre
をoparticle
marks the thing acted on — the demons are what he knocks down
つぎつぎにtsugitsugi niadverb
one after another; in quick succession
たおしましたtaoshimashitaverb
to knock down / defeat (polite past: 'knocked down')辞書形 たおす taosu
06:54
キビだんごを たべて つよくなった
kibidango o tabete tsuyoku natta
...having grown strong from eating the millet dumplings,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
キビだんごkibidangonoun
millet dumpling — the special treat that gives strength
をoparticle
marks the thing acted on — the dumplings are what gets eaten
たべてtabeteverb
to eat (te-form, here meaning 'by eating / having eaten')辞書形 たべる taberu
つよくtsuyokui-adjective
strong (in the 'く' form so it can attach to なった = 'become strong')辞書形 つよい tsuyoi
なったnattaverb
to become (plain past); つよくなった = 'became strong'辞書形 なる naru
06:56
イヌ、サル、キジに とっても おには てきでは ありません!!
inu, saru, kiji ni tottemo oni wa teki dewa arimasen!!
For the dog, the monkey, and the pheasant, the demons were no match at all!!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
イヌinunoun
dog
サルsarunoun
monkey
キジkijinoun
pheasant (a kind of bird)
にniparticle
marks 'for' or 'to' someone; here it goes with とって to mean 'for (them)'
とってもtottemophrase
set phrase 'に とって' = 'for / as far as (someone) is concerned'; so 'for the dog, monkey, and pheasant'
おにoninoun
demon, ogre
はwaparticle
topic marker; points at 'the demons' as what the sentence is about
てきtekinoun
enemy, opponent (here: a match in a fight)
では ありませんdewa arimasenphrase
polite 'is not'; so '(the demons) are not an enemy/match'
07:01
おにの たいしょうは、やかたの おくで さかもりを して いました。
oni no taishō wa, yakata no oku de sakamori o shite imashita.
The demons' boss was holding a drinking party deep inside the mansion.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おにoninoun
demon, ogre
のnoparticle
joins two nouns to show belonging; here 'of the demons'
たいしょうtaishōnoun
boss, chief, leader
はwaparticle
topic marker; points at 'the demons' boss' as what the sentence is about
やかたyakatanoun
mansion, large house
のnoparticle
joins two nouns; here 'of the mansion'
おくokunoun
the far back, the deep inside part
でdeparticle
marks the place where an action happens; here 'inside (the mansion)'
さかもりsakamorinoun
a drinking party, a feast with sake
をoparticle
marks the thing the action is done to; here the party being held
して いましたshite imashitaphrase
'was doing'; the 〜ていました pattern shows it was going on in the past, so 'was holding (a party)'辞書形 する suru
07:05
おやかたさま！ たいへんです！ ももたろうと なのる ものが のりこんできました！
oyakata-sama! taihen desu! momotarō to nanoru mono ga norikonde kimashita!
Master! It's terrible! Someone calling himself Momotarō has barged in!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おやかたさまoyakata-samanoun
master, lord (a very polite word for the boss); 〜さま is a respectful 'mister/lord'
たいへんですtaihen desuphrase
'it's terrible / this is awful'; a set cry of alarm
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō, the hero's name (means 'Peach Tarō')
とtoparticle
quote marker 'as/that'; here it goes with なのる to mean 'calls himself ___'
なのるnanoruverb
to call oneself (a name), to give one's name; describes the もの (person) that follows辞書形 なのる nanoru
ものmononoun
a person, someone (a plain word for 'one/person')
がgaparticle
subject marker; points at who did the action — 'someone (calling himself Momotarō)'
のりこんできましたnorikonde kimashitaverb
to barge in, to storm in (here polite past, so 'has barged in')辞書形 のりこむ norikomu
07:10
ももたろう？ なんだ？ それは！
momotarō? nanda? sore wa!
Momotarō? What is that?!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō, the hero's name (means 'Peach Tarō')
なんだnandaphrase
rough/plain way to say 'what is it?'; な + だ from 'nani' (what)
それsorenoun
that, that thing
はwaparticle
topic marker 'wa'; here it tags 'that' on after the question, like 'what is THAT?'
07:13
わたしが、ももから 生まれた ももたろうだ！ おまえを せいばいする！
watashi ga, momo kara umareta momotarō da! omae o seibai suru!
I am Momotarō, born from a peach! I will punish you!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
わたしwatashinoun
I, me
がgaparticle
subject marker; here it stresses 'I (am the one who...)'
ももmomonoun
peach
からkaraparticle
'from'; shows the starting point — 'from a peach'
生まれたumaretaverb
to be born (here plain past, so 'was born'); describes Momotarō辞書形 生まれる umareru
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō, the hero's name
だdaauxiliary
plain 'am/is/are'; here '(I) am Momotarō'
おまえomaenoun
you (rough, used when speaking down to someone)
をoparticle
marks the one the action is done to; here 'you' as the target
せいばいするseibai suruverb
to punish, to bring to justice (here plain, so 'I will punish')辞書形 せいばいする seibai suru
07:18
わっはっは！ この わしに かなうとでも おもって いるのか！
wahhahha! kono washi ni kanau to demo omotte iru no ka!
Wa-ha-ha! Do you actually think you can beat me?!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
わっはっはwahhahhainterjection
big belly laugh, 'wa-ha-ha!'
このkonoexpression
this; here 'this (great) me' — a boastful way of pointing at himself
わしwashinoun
I, me (old-man / tough-guy way of saying it)
にniparticle
marks who you measure up against; here 'against me'
かなうkanauverb
to be a match for, to win against (here 'to beat me')辞書形 かなう kanau
とでもto demophrase
'(do you think) that, of all things?'; と quotes the thought, でも adds a mocking 'even/really'
おもって いるomotte iruphrase
'are thinking'; the 〜ている pattern = an ongoing state, so 'do you think'辞書形 おもう omou
のかno kaphrase
ending that makes a strong, challenging question — 'huh?! is that what you think?'
07:24
たいしょうは、大きな かなぼうを ふりまわしました。
taishō wa, ōkina kanabō o furimawashimashita.
The boss swung his big iron club around.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
たいしょうtaishōnoun
boss, chief, leader
はwaparticle
topic marker; points at 'the boss' as who the sentence is about
大きなōkinana-adjective
big, large (describes the club that follows)
かなぼうkanabōnoun
an iron club, a metal cudgel (a demon's weapon)
をoparticle
marks the thing the action is done to; here the club being swung
ふりまわしましたfurimawashimashitaverb
to swing (something) around (here polite past, so 'swung around')辞書形 ふりまわす furimawasu
07:27
しかし、ももたろうも まけずに かたなを ふりかざします。
shikashi, momotarō mo makezu ni katana o furikazashimasu.
But Momotarō, not losing either, raises his sword high.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
しかしshikashiphrase
'but, however'; connects to the sentence before, showing a change
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō, the hero's name
もmoparticle
'too, also'; here 'Momotarō, for his part too (won't lose)'
まけずにmakezu niphrase
'without losing, not to be outdone'; まける = to lose, 〜ずに = 'without doing'辞書形 まける makeru
かたなkatananoun
sword (a Japanese sword)
をoparticle
marks the thing the action is done to; here the sword being raised
ふりかざしますfurikazashimasuverb
to raise (a weapon) high overhead (here polite present, so 'raises it high')辞書形 ふりかざす furikazasu
07:32
な、なんと!!
na, nanto!!
W-what?!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
なnainterjection
a stutter — the speaker is so shocked he can't finish the word, repeating the first sound of なんと
なんとnantoexpression
"what?!" / "how can it be?!" — said when amazed or shocked
07:43
ど、どうか・・・ いのちだけは、 おたすけ ください!!
do, douka... inochi dake wa, otasuke kudasai!!
P-please... at least spare my life!!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
どdointerjection
a stutter — the frightened speaker repeats the first sound of どうか
どうかdoukaadverb
"please" / "I beg you" — a pleading word used when begging for something
いのちinochinoun
life (a living being's life)
だけdakeparticle
"only" / "at least just" — here it means "at least my life (and nothing more)"
はwaparticle
marks "my life" as the topic being singled out: as for my life, please...
おたすけotasukeverb
to help / save (here "spare"); the polite お- form of たすける, paired with ください to make a polite request辞書形 たすける tasukeru
くださいkudasaiphrase
"please (do it)" — follows おたすけ to politely ask the listener to save him
07:46
もう 人びとを くるしめる ことは しないと ちかうか？
mou hitobito o kurushimeru koto wa shinai to chikau ka?
Do you swear you will never torment people again?
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
もうmouadverb
"anymore" / "any longer" — here "not ever again from now on"
人びとhitobitonoun
people (lots of people, folk)
をoparticle
marks "people" as the thing the action is done to (the object)
くるしめるkurushimeruverb
to torment / make (someone) suffer辞書形 くるしめる kurushimeru
ことkotophrase
turns the verb "torment" into a thing/act: "the act of tormenting people"
はwaparticle
marks "tormenting people" as the topic: as for that act...
しないshinaiverb
to do (here the plain negative "will not do")辞書形 する suru
とtoparticle
quotes what is sworn — marks "I won't do it" as the content of the vow
ちかうchikauverb
to swear / vow / promise solemnly辞書形 ちかう chikau
かkaparticle
turns the sentence into a question: "...do you swear?"
07:49
ちかいます！ にどと しません!!
chikaimasu! nidoto shimasen!!
I swear! I will never do it again!!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ちかいますchikaimasuverb
to swear / vow (polite present, so "I swear")辞書形 ちかう chikau
にどとnidotoadverb
"(not) ever again" / "never a second time" — always used with a negative verb
しませんshimasenverb
to do (polite negative "will not do"); with にどと it means "I'll never do it again"辞書形 する suru
07:50
ほんとうだな？
hontou da na?
Is that really true?
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ほんとうhontounoun
truth / really true
だdaauxiliary
plain "is" — the casual form of です, here "it is (true)"
なnaparticle
a checking/confirming ending: "...right?" — asking the listener to confirm
07:51
ほんとうですぅ〜〜！
hontou desuu~~!
It's true!!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
07:52
よし！ ならば いのちだけは、 たすけて やろう！
yoshi! naraba inochi dake wa, tasukete yarou!
Alright! In that case, I'll spare your life at least!
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
よしyoshiinterjection
"alright!" / "okay!" — said when deciding or agreeing to do something
ならばnarabaphrase
"if so" / "in that case" — connects to what was just said: since you swear, then...
いのちinochinoun
life (a living being's life)
だけdakeparticle
"only" / "at least just" — here "your life and only that"
はwaparticle
marks "your life" as the singled-out topic: as for your life...
たすけてtasuketeverb
to help / save (here "spare"); the -te form, joined to やろう below辞書形 たすける tasukeru
やろうyarouauxiliary
"I'll do (it) for you" — follows the -te verb to mean doing a favor for a lower-ranked person; here "I'll spare you"
07:56
ゆるして もらった おれいに おには、もって いた
yurushite moratta orei ni oni wa, motte ita
As thanks for being forgiven, the ogre [offered up the treasure] he had been holding
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ゆるしてyurushiteverb
to forgive / let off; the -te form, joined to もらった below辞書形 ゆるす yurusu
もらったmorattaauxiliary
"received (the favor of being) ..." — follows the -te verb to mean the ogre got forgiven; past form, so "having been forgiven"
おれいoreinoun
thanks / a gift of thanks (the polite お- form of れい)
にniparticle
"as" / "for" — marks the reason/purpose: as thanks for being forgiven
おにoninoun
ogre / demon
はwaparticle
marks "the ogre" as the topic / doer of the sentence
もってmotteverb
to hold / carry; the -te form, joined to いた below辞書形 もつ motsu
いたitaauxiliary
"was (doing)" — follows the -te verb to show an ongoing past state: "was holding / had been holding"
08:00
たからものを ももたろうに さしだしました。
takaramono o momotarō ni sashidashimashita.
The ogre offered up its treasures to Momotarō.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
たからものtakaramononoun
treasure; precious things
をoparticle
marks the thing the action happens to — here, the treasure is what gets handed over
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō (the boy's name, 'Peach Boy')
にniparticle
marks the receiver — 'to Momotarō'
さしだしましたsashidashimashitaverb
to hold out; to offer up (here it is the polite past form, so it means 'offered up / handed over')辞書形 さしだす sashidasu
08:03
ももたろうたちは また うみを こえ、 たにを こえ、山を こえ、
momotarō-tachi wa mata umi o koe, tani o koe, yama o koe,
Momotarō and his friends again crossed the sea, crossed the valleys, crossed the mountains,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō (the boy's name)
たちtachiauxiliary
added to a person to mean 'and the others / and his group' — so 'Momotarō and his friends'
はwaparticle
marks the topic — 'as for Momotarō and his group...'
またmataadverb
again; once more
うみuminoun
sea; ocean
をoparticle
here it marks the place crossed through — 'across the sea'
こえkoeverb
to cross over (here the stem form, used to chain actions: 'crossed ... and')辞書形 こえる koeru
たにtaninoun
valley
をoparticle
marks the place crossed through — 'across the valley'
こえkoeverb
to cross over (stem form, chaining: 'crossed ... and')辞書形 こえる koeru
山yamanoun
mountain
をoparticle
marks the place crossed through — 'across the mountain'
こえkoeverb
to cross over (stem form, chaining: 'crossed ... and')辞書形 こえる koeru
08:10
うちに かえって きました。
uchi ni kaette kimashita.
They came back home.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
うちuchinoun
home; house
にniparticle
marks the destination — 'to home'
かえってkaetteverb
to return; to go home (here the -te form, which links to the next verb)辞書形 かえる kaeru
きましたkimashitaphrase
〜てきました: attached to a verb it means the action came back toward 'here' — so 'returned and came back home'
08:12
かえって きた ももたろうを おじいさんと おばあさんは、
kaette kita momotarō o ojiisan to obaasan wa,
Momotarō, who had come back, was met by the old man and the old woman,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
かえってkaetteverb
to return; to come home (-te form, links to the next verb)辞書形 かえる kaeru
きたkitaphrase
〜てきた: the action came back toward 'here' — together 'had come back' (plain past, describing Momotarō)
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō (the boy's name)
をoparticle
marks the one the action is done to — Momotarō is the one being welcomed
おじいさんojiisannoun
grandfather; old man
とtoparticle
'and', joining two nouns — 'the old man and...'
おばあさんobaasannoun
grandmother; old woman
はwaparticle
marks the topic/doers — 'as for the old man and old woman (they did...)'
08:16
おおよろこびで むかえました。
ōyorokobi de mukaemashita.
...welcomed him with great joy.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おおよろこびōyorokobinoun
great joy; being overjoyed
でdeparticle
shows the manner of doing — 'with great joy'
むかえましたmukaemashitaverb
to welcome; to greet (here the polite past form, so 'welcomed')辞書形 むかえる mukaeru
08:19
ももたろうは、もちかえった たからものを 村の みんなに わけ、
momotarō wa, mochikaetta takaramono o mura no minna ni wake,
Momotarō shared the treasures he had brought home with everyone in the village,
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō (the boy's name)
はwaparticle
marks the topic — 'as for Momotarō...'
もちかえったmochikaettaverb
to bring/take back home (here plain past form, describing the treasures: 'that he had brought home')辞書形 もちかえる mochikaeru
たからものtakaramononoun
treasure; precious things
をoparticle
marks the thing acted on — the treasures are what gets shared out
村muranoun
village
のnoparticle
links two nouns to show belonging — 'of the village'
みんなminnanoun
everyone; all the people
にniparticle
marks the receiver — 'to everyone'
わけwakeverb
to divide; to share out (here the stem form, chaining to the next sentence: 'shared ... and')辞書形 わける wakeru
08:23
イヌ、サル、キジには、ごちそうして あげました。
inu, saru, kiji ni wa, gochisō shite agemashita.
...and for the dog, the monkey, and the pheasant, he treated them to a feast.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
イヌinunoun
dog
サルsarunoun
monkey
キジkijinoun
pheasant (a kind of bird)
にniparticle
marks the receivers — 'to the dog, monkey, and pheasant'
はwaparticle
adds focus/contrast on top of に — 'as for them...'
ごちそうしてgochisō shiteverb
to treat someone to a meal; to feast them (here the -te form, links to the next verb)辞書形 ごちそうする gochisō suru
あげましたagemashitaphrase
〜てあげました: do something kindly FOR someone else — so 'treated them (as a kindness)', polite past
08:27
それから おにがしまの おには、あらわれず、 ももたろうは、
sorekara onigashima no oni wa, arawarezu, momotarō wa,
After that, the ogres of Ogre Island never appeared again, and Momotarō...
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
それからsorekaraexpression
after that; from then on
おにがしまonigashimaname
Ogre Island (the place where the ogres live)
のnoparticle
links two nouns to show belonging — 'of Ogre Island'
おにoninoun
ogre; demon
はwaparticle
marks the topic — 'as for the ogres...'
あらわれずarawarezuverb
to appear; to show up (here the literary 'not ... and' negative form, so 'did not appear, and')辞書形 あらわれる arawareru
ももたろうmomotarōname
Momotarō (the boy's name)
はwaparticle
marks the topic for the next part — 'as for Momotarō...'
08:32
おじいさん、おばあさんと いつまでも しあわせに くらしました。
ojiisan, obaasan to itsumademo shiawase ni kurashimashita.
He lived happily ever after with the old man and the old woman.
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
おじいさんojiisannoun
grandfather / old man
おばあさんobaasannoun
grandmother / old woman
とtoparticle
"with" — connects the people he lived together with (Momotaro lived WITH the old man and old woman)
いつまでもitsumademoadverb
forever / for all time / always
しあわせにshiawase nina-adjective
happily (しあわせ = happy; the に turns it into 'in a happy way' to describe how he lived)
くらしましたkurashimashitaverb
to live / to get by (here it is the polite past form, so it means 'lived')辞書形 くらす kurasu
08:37
めでたし めでたし。
medetashi medetashi.
And they all lived happily ever after. (The End.)
よみとき yomitokiword grammar
めでたしmedetashiphrase
an old story-ending phrase meaning 'all is well / a happy ending' — like saying 'happily ever after, the end'
めでたしmedetashiphrase
repeated for effect; saying it twice is the classic way Japanese folk tales close, like 'the end, the end'